upi--2020-12-23--DOJ probe finds staff at Florida women's prison sexually abused inmates

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- Federal prosecutors said a Florida women 's prison has failed to protect prisoners from sexual abuse by facility staff in violation of the inmate 's constitutional rights .
The Justice Department 's Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney 's Office for the Middle District of Florida released a report on Tuesday following an investigation into the Lowell Correctional Institution that found staff sexually abused female inmates who remained at repeated risk of further abuse .
`` Prison officials have a constitutional duty to protect prisoners from harm , including sexual abuse by staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Civil Rights Division said in a statement .
`` Sexual abuse is never acceptable , and it is not part of any prisoner 's sentence . ''
The report described the sexual abuse of prisoners as the product of `` systemic problems '' that enabled corrections officers and other staff to continue a pattern of abuse present at Lowell since at least 2006 .
The investigators found that between 2017 and the publishing of the report that sergeants , corrections officers and other staff `` committed notorious acts of sexual abuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The report said abuse of women at the facilities by staff `` is severe and prevalent , '' citing 161 sexual misconduct investigations and complaints filed against those at the facility between 2015 and 2019 , resulting in eight closed by arrest and dozens of officers dismissed due to agency policy or for committing perjury .
The abuse prisoners suffered was `` varied and disturbing , '' the report said , explaining `` some staff abused prisoners through unwanted and coerced sexual contact , including sexual penetration and groping . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ them shower or using the toilet , the report said .
`` The incidents of sexual abuse follow similar patterns where officers and staff sexually abuse women who are vulnerable to sexual victimization and fear retaliation , violence , deprivation of privileges or endure sexual abuse in exchange for food , medication or contraband , in violation of the prisoners ' rights , '' the report said .
Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Mark Inch said in a statement that the facility has cooperated with the Justice Department 's investigation , which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the work of the U.S. Department of Justice and will be sharing the actions our department has taken to address the serious concerns outlined in their report , '' he said .

File Photo by Kabbagesaver/Pixabay/UPI
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Federal prosecutors said a Florida women's prison has failed to protect prisoners from sexual abuse by facility staff in violation of the inmate's constitutional rights. The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida released a report on Tuesday following an investigation into the Lowell Correctional Institution that found staff sexually abused female inmates who remained at repeated risk of further abuse. Advertisement
"Prison officials have a constitutional duty to protect prisoners from harm, including sexual abuse by staff," Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division said in a statement. "Sexual abuse is never acceptable, and it is not part of any prisoner's sentence."
The report described the sexual abuse of prisoners as the product of "systemic problems" that enabled corrections officers and other staff to continue a pattern of abuse present at Lowell since at least 2006.
The investigators found that between 2017 and the publishing of the report that sergeants, corrections officers and other staff "committed notorious acts of sexual abuse," including rape, the document said.
The report said abuse of women at the facilities by staff "is severe and prevalent," citing 161 sexual misconduct investigations and complaints filed against those at the facility between 2015 and 2019, resulting in eight closed by arrest and dozens of officers dismissed due to agency policy or for committing perjury.
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The abuse prisoners suffered was "varied and disturbing," the report said, explaining "some staff abused prisoners through unwanted and coerced sexual contact, including sexual penetration and groping."
Inmates also accused the staff of watching them shower or using the toilet, the report said.
"The incidents of sexual abuse follow similar patterns where officers and staff sexually abuse women who are vulnerable to sexual victimization and fear retaliation, violence, deprivation of privileges or endure sexual abuse in exchange for food, medication or contraband, in violation of the prisoners' rights," the report said.
Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Mark Inch said in a statement that the facility has cooperated with the Justice Department's investigation, which was initiated in 2017.
"We appreciate the work of the U.S. Department of Justice and will be sharing the actions our department has taken to address the serious concerns outlined in their report," he said.


upi--2020-12-23--Voting machines employee sues Trump campaign over election fraud claims

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- An employee of a voting systems company has sued the Trump re-election campaign , its lawyers and media organizations for defamation after he was thrust to the center of a voter fraud conspiracy that has forced him into hiding due to death threats .
Eric Coomer of Dominion Voting Systems filed the lawsuit in a Denver district court on Tuesday in an effort to `` unwind as much of the damage as possible done to me , my family , my life and my livelihood as a result of the numerous false public statements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' the 2020 presidential election , '' he said in a statement .
Coomer is the director of product strategy and security at Dominion , which has been the subject of numerous failed lawsuits attempting to overturn President-elect Joe Biden 's election win last month .
According to the lawsuit , he became embroiled in the right-win conspiracy targeting the company when Joseph Oltmann , a business owner and podcast host , claimed without providing evidence he had listened on a call of supposed antifascists who said `` 'Eric from Dominion ' would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Oltmann then said , according to the court document , that he heard someone identified as Eric from Dominion stating he would ensure Biden would win the election .
Coomer 's lawyers said in the court document that their client has no knowledge of a so-called `` Antifa Conference Call '' and did not participate in one .
The lawsuit Tuesday names President Donald Trump 's re-election campaign , his lawyers Sidney Powell and Rudolph Giuliani , Oltmann and several conservative media organizations , including One America News Network and Newsmax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim .
`` Defendants relied heavily upon false allegations made by Joseph Oltmann , a politically motivated individual , business owner and podcast host , to support their conspiracy theory , '' the lawsuit states , adding the defendants `` widely disseminated this false narrative . ''
The lawsuit says Eric Trump , the president 's son , tweeted a photo of Coomer that was accompanied by the conspiracy theory and Giuliani named Coomer in a nationally televised press conference , calling him `` a vicious , vicious man . ''
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 presidential election has had devastating consequences both for me personally and for many of the thousands of American election workers and officials , both Republican and democratic , who put aside their political beliefs to run free , fair and transparent elections , '' Coomer said .
`` Elections are not about politics ; they are about accurately tabulating legally cast votes . ''
The lawsuit accuses the defendants of making Coomer `` the face of their false claims , '' and of knowingly circulating and amplifying the conspiracy theory to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Why this theory has been thoroughly rejected , its immediate and life-threatening effects remain very real , '' the lawsuit states .
`` The deluge of misinformation has cause immense injury to Dr. Coomer 's reputation , professional standing , safety and privacy . ''
Coomer 's lawyers have requested a jury to decide the case , in which they seek an injunction against the defendants to remove any publication made about their client and damages .

Eric Coomer of Dominion Voting Systems said he has left his home due to saftey concerns after being thrust into a voter fraud conspiracy he says President Donald Trump re-election campaign has attempted to use to challenge last month's election. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- An employee of a voting systems company has sued the Trump re-election campaign, its lawyers and media organizations for defamation after he was thrust to the center of a voter fraud conspiracy that has forced him into hiding due to death threats. Eric Coomer of Dominion Voting Systems filed the lawsuit in a Denver district court on Tuesday in an effort to "unwind as much of the damage as possible done to me, my family, my life and my livelihood as a result of the numerous false public statements that I was somehow responsible for 'rigging' the 2020 presidential election," he said in a statement. Advertisement
Coomer is the director of product strategy and security at Dominion, which has been the subject of numerous failed lawsuits attempting to overturn President-elect Joe Biden's election win last month.
According to the lawsuit, he became embroiled in the right-win conspiracy targeting the company when Joseph Oltmann, a business owner and podcast host, claimed without providing evidence he had listened on a call of supposed antifascists who said "'Eric from Dominion' would ensure the election went to President-elect Biden."
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Oltmann then said, according to the court document, that he heard someone identified as Eric from Dominion stating he would ensure Biden would win the election.
Coomer's lawyers said in the court document that their client has no knowledge of a so-called "Antifa Conference Call" and did not participate in one.
The lawsuit Tuesday names President Donald Trump's re-election campaign, his lawyers Sidney Powell and Rudolph Giuliani, Oltmann and several conservative media organizations, including One America News Network and Newsmax media, as defendants for disseminating the claim.
"Defendants relied heavily upon false allegations made by Joseph Oltmann, a politically motivated individual, business owner and podcast host, to support their conspiracy theory," the lawsuit states, adding the defendants "widely disseminated this false narrative."
The lawsuit says Eric Trump, the president's son, tweeted a photo of Coomer that was accompanied by the conspiracy theory and Giuliani named Coomer in a nationally televised press conference, calling him "a vicious, vicious man."
"The widespread dissemination of false conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election has had devastating consequences both for me personally and for many of the thousands of American election workers and officials, both Republican and democratic, who put aside their political beliefs to run free, fair and transparent elections," Coomer said. "Elections are not about politics; they are about accurately tabulating legally cast votes."
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The lawsuit accuses the defendants of making Coomer "the face of their false claims," and of knowingly circulating and amplifying the conspiracy theory to challenge the integrity of the presidential election.
"Why this theory has been thoroughly rejected, its immediate and life-threatening effects remain very real," the lawsuit states. "The deluge of misinformation has cause immense injury to Dr. Coomer's reputation, professional standing, safety and privacy."
Coomer's lawyers have requested a jury to decide the case, in which they seek an injunction against the defendants to remove any publication made about their client and damages.


upi--2020-12-23--'Soul' speaks to Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey's career goals

LOS ANGELES , Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey voice disembodied souls in Pixar 's animated film Soul , with both saying that working on the film reinforced many lessons they 've learned throughout their careers .
In the afterlife , the soul of Joe Gardner ( voice of Foxx ) tries to help unborn soul 22 ( voice of Fey ) find a reason to be born .
Fey said she related to lessons Joe learned about finding purpose outside career goals .
`` They also bring up the idea that an all-consuming passion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Fey said at a recent Zoom press conference .
`` Being present is as important as achieving . ''
Joe is a music teacher who dreams of playing in a jazz band .
A recording artist himself , Foxx said Soul made him think about the musicians he 'd met , including Ray Charles , whom he portrayed in a film .
The actor said musicians can `` build these wonderful worlds '' out of a small selection of different notes .
Foxx said listening to such music transports him to those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eyes , you actually go to a different place , '' Foxx said .
Joe dies before his big gig with the Dorothea Williams Quartet .
In the afterlife , Joe 's soul tries to return to his body instead of going on to The Great Beyond .
Joe sees a way back when he meets 22 , a soul who has never been assigned a human body .
In the film 's You Seminar , unborn souls are assigned mentor souls .
Over the years , 22 has frustrated mentors from Mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to being born .
`` When 22 is sarcastic or skeptical of something , it 's really because she 's so afraid of it , '' Fey said .
`` She needs to open her mind up to possibilities and push past her fear .
That 's something I can relate to . ''
Joe makes a deal with 22 .
If he helps her find a reason to be born , she 'll give him her pass back to Earth .
He gets a second chance , and she gets to skip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working with difficult students .
Although he 's mentored successful artists like Ed Sheeran and Jay-Z , he 's also been frustrated by others he felt squandered their opportunities .
22 's apathy reminded Foxx of the latter artists .
Foxx feels a human life is `` a blink of an eye '' in the grand scheme of the universe , so he hopes Soul encourages people to find their passion .
`` Do n't waste your blink , '' Foxx said .
`` Live your life . ''
Fey related to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The writer/actor named Saturday Night Live executive producer Lorne Michaels among her mentors , as well as some of her teachers and family .
`` My parents encouraged me to pursue the arts , '' Fey said .
`` They did n't ask me to have something to fall back on . ''
Foxx called music producer Breyon Prescott a mentor to him .
The actor added music to his career as early as 1994 with the album Peep This .
Foxx said Prescott , producer of his second album in 2005 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on comedy .
`` He says , 'You got to quit joking .
Just do your music . ''
Foxx recalled .
The afterlife themes of Soul continued to resonate with Foxx after he completed recording his lines .
He said the death in October of his sister , DeOndra Dixon , drove home the themes of Soul .
Dixon was an ambassador for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation and appeared in Foxx 's `` Blame It '' video .
Foxx said Dixon 's zest for life taught him to appreciate the little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there 's more to life than his singular passion .
`` It is exactly what I am now going through , '' Foxx said .
`` All the things that she taught us while she was living , it 's exemplified here in this film . ''
The 53-year-old Foxx also feels like animated movies keep him feeling young .
Before Soul , Foxx voiced a character in two Rio films .
`` I 'm like a big kid , '' Foxx said .
`` You have to have that child-like spirit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Fey also had prior animation experience in the Dreamworks film Megamind , the English language dub of Ponyo and the Aqua Teen Hunger Force movie .
She said Soul directors Pete Docter and Kemp Powers were open to improvisation , but stopped her from getting off course .
`` They were able to steer you if you were down a road that they knew they were n't going to use , '' Fey said .
`` They could very graciously steer you back to the right path . ''

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Jamie Foxx plays the disembodied soul of a musician in "Soul." File Photo by James Atoa/UPI | License Photo
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey voice disembodied souls in Pixar's animated film Soul, with both saying that working on the film reinforced many lessons they've learned throughout their careers. In the afterlife, the soul of Joe Gardner (voice of Foxx) tries to help unborn soul 22 (voice of Fey) find a reason to be born. Fey said she related to lessons Joe learned about finding purpose outside career goals. Advertisement
"They also bring up the idea that an all-consuming passion can kind of overtake your life," Fey said at a recent Zoom press conference. "Being present is as important as achieving."
Joe is a music teacher who dreams of playing in a jazz band. A recording artist himself, Foxx said Soul made him think about the musicians he'd met, including Ray Charles, whom he portrayed in a film.
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The actor said musicians can "build these wonderful worlds" out of a small selection of different notes. Foxx said listening to such music transports him to those worlds.
"When you close your eyes, you actually go to a different place," Foxx said.
Joe dies before his big gig with the Dorothea Williams Quartet. In the afterlife, Joe's soul tries to return to his body instead of going on to The Great Beyond. Joe sees a way back when he meets 22, a soul who has never been assigned a human body.
In the film's You Seminar, unborn souls are assigned mentor souls. Over the years, 22 has frustrated mentors from Mother Teresa to Gandhi with her sarcastic resistance to being born.
"When 22 is sarcastic or skeptical of something, it's really because she's so afraid of it," Fey said. "She needs to open her mind up to possibilities and push past her fear. That's something I can relate to."
Joe makes a deal with 22. If he helps her find a reason to be born, she'll give him her pass back to Earth. He gets a second chance, and she gets to skip out on life.
Foxx related to working with difficult students. Although he's mentored successful artists like Ed Sheeran and Jay-Z, he's also been frustrated by others he felt squandered their opportunities.
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22's apathy reminded Foxx of the latter artists. Foxx feels a human life is "a blink of an eye" in the grand scheme of the universe, so he hopes Soul encourages people to find their passion.
"Don't waste your blink," Foxx said. "Live your life."
Fey related to the mentorship theme of Soul, too. The writer/actor named Saturday Night Live executive producer Lorne Michaels among her mentors, as well as some of her teachers and family.
"My parents encouraged me to pursue the arts," Fey said. "They didn't ask me to have something to fall back on."
Foxx called music producer Breyon Prescott a mentor to him. The actor added music to his career as early as 1994 with the album Peep This. Foxx said Prescott, producer of his second album in 2005, Unpredictable, noticed Foxx was falling back on comedy.
"He says, 'You got to quit joking. Just do your music." Foxx recalled.
The afterlife themes of Soul continued to resonate with Foxx after he completed recording his lines. He said the death in October of his sister, DeOndra Dixon, drove home the themes of Soul.
Dixon was an ambassador for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation and appeared in Foxx's "Blame It" video. Foxx said Dixon's zest for life taught him to appreciate the little things. Likewise, dying teaches Joe that there's more to life than his singular passion.
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"It is exactly what I am now going through," Foxx said. "All the things that she taught us while she was living, it's exemplified here in this film."
The 53-year-old Foxx also feels like animated movies keep him feeling young. Before Soul, Foxx voiced a character in two Rio films.
"I'm like a big kid," Foxx said. "You have to have that child-like spirit to do these incredible voices and characters."
Fey also had prior animation experience in the Dreamworks film Megamind, the English language dub of Ponyo and the Aqua Teen Hunger Force movie. She said Soul directors Pete Docter and Kemp Powers were open to improvisation, but stopped her from getting off course.
"They were able to steer you if you were down a road that they knew they weren't going to use," Fey said. "They could very graciously steer you back to the right path."
Soul premieres Friday on Disney+.


upi--2020-12-23--SpaceX, Blue Origin, Dynetics await NASA lunar lander decision

ORLANDO , Fla. , Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- Elon Musk 's SpaceX , Jeff Bezos ' Blue Origin and a lesser-known company , Huntsville , Ala.-based Dynetics , are preparing for a major decision by NASA early in 2021 about which company will build human-carrying landers for trips to the moon .
The three space firms were selected in April to submit proposals early this month .
Having done that , they now await NASA 's decision , which is scheduled for February .
The space agency has indicated it could pick one or two of the proposals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lunar exploration for the United States and large , multimillion-dollar contracts as part of NASA 's planned Artemis program .
The agency had a goal of landing people on the moon again by 2024 , although Congress has n't funded NASA 's budget requests to meet that schedule .
A contract for a human lander may be awarded , but it 's not clear if such landers will be built anytime soon , said Marco Cáceres , space analyst for the Teal Group based in Fairfax , Va. '' Artemis was proposed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic and the recent election , so I 'm not convinced it will happen , '' Cáceres said Tuesday .
`` From a technical standpoint , the Dynetics proposal has strengths , but NASA tends to pick a known quantity for such spaceflight missions . ''
SpaceX already has multiple high-profile contracts with NASA , including the commercial crew contract to take astronauts to the International Space Station , while Blue Origin has flown NASA hardware on the company 's New Shepard rocket .
Blue Origin lined up legacy space companies Northrop Grumman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lander , Cáceres noted .
Blue Origin , of Kent , Wash. , plans to develop a three-stage lander to be launched on its own New Glenn rocket and United Launch Alliance 's Vulcan rocket .
But neither of those rockets has launched ; both are being developed .
SpaceX , based in Hawthorne , Calif. , is developing the Starship , a fully integrated lander intended for launch on the Starship Super Heavy rocket .
It also is being developed , having completed a prototype test flight to nearly 8 miles high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide ascent and descent capabilities and also is planned to be launched on the Vulcan .
Dynetics is a tech and engineering firm and a subsidiary of engineering firm Leidos .
All three proposed landers could be refueled at the moon , but Dynetics ' lander is designed to be easily reusable for multiple hops around the moon , Robert Wright , Dynetics ' program manager , said in an interview Thursday .
Dynetics is the only lander with a horizontal crew cabin , as opposed to an upright , vertical cabin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the lunar surface , Wright said .
Both SpaceX and Blue Origin would require a crew to descend on long ladders from a cabin high atop a landing vehicle .
`` We 're in the unique position of being closer to the lunar surface than the other competitors have shown in their concepts , '' Wright said .
`` Having the horizontal capsule , or chamber , means astronauts would have more room to put spacesuits on , and a dust barrier to prevent gritty moon dust from entering the quarters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the ground is an advantage for Blue Origin 's lander , Blue Moon , the company 's chief scientist Steve Squyres said in a recent video news release .
`` When you land on an unprepared surface , on no landing pad , there are bad things that can happen , '' such as rocket thrusters kicking up sharp rocks , Squyres said .
`` The other thing that can happen is you can crunch your engine on the ground when you land . ''
Therefore , he said , the Blue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ascent engines on top , `` out of harm 's way . ''
Dynetics ' Wright said the company 's lander still protects the engines with its design , which shows the bottom of a barrel-shaped capsule extending below the engines to protect them from the ground .
SpaceX declined a request for comment .
NASA declined requests for interviews `` to protect the integrity of the process '' as the contract award announcement nears , a spokeswoman said .
The human lander contract will mark a milestone toward `` sending the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surface in 2024 and establishing sustainable exploration by the end of the decade , '' according to a NASA statement .

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The Dynetics human lander is shown on the moon in a conceptual drawing that portrays its horizontal, barrel-shaped capsule near the surface. Image courtesy of Dynetics
ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Elon Musk's SpaceX, Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and a lesser-known company, Huntsville, Ala.-based Dynetics, are preparing for a major decision by NASA early in 2021 about which company will build human-carrying landers for trips to the moon. The three space firms were selected in April to submit proposals early this month. Having done that, they now await NASA's decision, which is scheduled for February. The space agency has indicated it could pick one or two of the proposals. Advertisement
At stake is the future of lunar exploration for the United States and large, multimillion-dollar contracts as part of NASA's planned Artemis program. The agency had a goal of landing people on the moon again by 2024, although Congress hasn't funded NASA's budget requests to meet that schedule.
A contract for a human lander may be awarded, but it's not clear if such landers will be built anytime soon, said Marco Cáceres, space analyst for the Teal Group based in Fairfax, Va.
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"Artemis was proposed in another age in our history before the pandemic and the recent election, so I'm not convinced it will happen," Cáceres said Tuesday. "From a technical standpoint, the Dynetics proposal has strengths, but NASA tends to pick a known quantity for such spaceflight missions."
SpaceX already has multiple high-profile contracts with NASA, including the commercial crew contract to take astronauts to the International Space Station, while Blue Origin has flown NASA hardware on the company's New Shepard rocket.
Blue Origin lined up legacy space companies Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin to help develop a lander, Cáceres noted.
Blue Origin, of Kent, Wash., plans to develop a three-stage lander to be launched on its own New Glenn rocket and United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket. But neither of those rockets has launched; both are being developed.
SpaceX, based in Hawthorne, Calif., is developing the Starship, a fully integrated lander intended for launch on the Starship Super Heavy rocket. It also is being developed, having completed a prototype test flight to nearly 8 miles high Dec. 9.
Dynetics' lander will provide ascent and descent capabilities and also is planned to be launched on the Vulcan. Dynetics is a tech and engineering firm and a subsidiary of engineering firm Leidos.
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All three proposed landers could be refueled at the moon, but Dynetics' lander is designed to be easily reusable for multiple hops around the moon, Robert Wright, Dynetics' program manager, said in an interview Thursday.
Dynetics is the only lander with a horizontal crew cabin, as opposed to an upright, vertical cabin, which would allow faster and easier access to the lunar surface, Wright said.
Both SpaceX and Blue Origin would require a crew to descend on long ladders from a cabin high atop a landing vehicle.
"We're in the unique position of being closer to the lunar surface than the other competitors have shown in their concepts," Wright said.
"Having the horizontal capsule, or chamber, means astronauts would have more room to put spacesuits on, and a dust barrier to prevent gritty moon dust from entering the quarters."
But putting the crew cabin higher over the ground is an advantage for Blue Origin's lander, Blue Moon, the company's chief scientist Steve Squyres said in a recent video news release.
"When you land on an unprepared surface, on no landing pad, there are bad things that can happen," such as rocket thrusters kicking up sharp rocks, Squyres said. "The other thing that can happen is you can crunch your engine on the ground when you land."
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Therefore, he said, the Blue Moon lander would put the crew and ascent engines on top, "out of harm's way."
Dynetics' Wright said the company's lander still protects the engines with its design, which shows the bottom of a barrel-shaped capsule extending below the engines to protect them from the ground.
SpaceX declined a request for comment. NASA declined requests for interviews "to protect the integrity of the process" as the contract award announcement nears, a spokeswoman said.
The human lander contract will mark a milestone toward "sending the first woman and next man to the lunar surface in 2024 and establishing sustainable exploration by the end of the decade," according to a NASA statement.
NASA's women astronauts -- at least one likely to walk on moon
Jasmin Moghbeli Moghbeli poses for a portrait in the Systems Engineering Simulator for the International Space Station and advanced spaceflight programs at the Johnson Space Center on July 9, 2019. She will train for the moon mission. Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA Moghbeli poses for a portrait in the Systems Engineering Simulator for the International Space Station and advanced spaceflight programs at the Johnson Space Center on July 9, 2019. She will train for the moon mission. Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA


upi--2020-12-23--Famous birthdays for Dec. 23: Harry Shearer, Finn Wolfhard

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Capricorn .
-- John @ @ @ @ @ of the U.S. Supreme Court , in 1745 -- Egyptologist Jean Francois Champollion , who @ @ @ @ @ in 1790 -- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Jorma Kaukonen in 1940 ( @ @ @

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Harry Shearer attends the 35th anniversary of the "This is Spinal Tap" at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival on April 27, 2019, in New York City. The actor turns 77 on December 23. File Photo by Peter Foley/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Capricorn. They include: Advertisement
-- John Jay, first chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, in 1745
-- Egyptologist Jean Francois Champollion, who deciphered the Rosetta Stone, in 1790
-- Mormon church founder Joseph Smith in 1805
-- Entrepreneur/philanthropist Madam C.J. Walker in 1867
-- Former West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt in 1918
-- Japanese Emperor Akihito in 1933 (age 87)
File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI
-- Football Hall of Fame member Paul Hornung in 1935
-- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Jorma Kaukonen in 1940 (age 80)
-- Actor/comedian Harry Shearer in 1943 (age 77)
-- Marathon runner Bill Rodgers in 1947 (age 73)
-- Football Hall of Fame member Jack Ham in 1948 (age 72)
-- Actor Susan Lucci in 1946 (age 74)
File Photo by Dennis Van Tine/UPI
-- Political commentator William Kristol in 1952 (age 68)
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-- TV personality Martin Kratt in 1965 (age 55)
-- Actor Corey Haim in 1971
-- Rock musician Eddie Vedder in 1964 (age 56)
-- Model/TV personality Holly Madison in 1979 (age 41)
-- Actor/singer Alison Sudol in 1985 (age 35)
-- Actor Sofia Black D'elia in 1991 (age 29)
-- Actor Finn Wolfhard in 2002 (age 18)


upi--2020-12-23--Fantasy football playoffs: Henry, Montgomery lead Week 16 running back rankings

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- Derrick Henry , David Montgomery , Aaron Jones , Nick Chubb and Austin Ekeler top my Week 16 fantasy football running back rankings for 2020 .
Alvin Kamara , Tony Pollard , Miles Sanders , Dalvin Cook and J.K. Dobbins round out my Top 10 options for the final round of the 2020 fantasy football playoffs .
Salvon Ahmed , Leonard Fournette and Giovani Bernard also are among my favorite starts this week at the running back position .
Monitor the status for each of your players ' games this week as the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and player availability .
This week 's schedule also features games Friday , Saturday , Sunday and Monday , so remember to check your lineup for player updates .
Check out my article on the players with the easiest and hardest playoff schedules for an idea of who to start -- and who to avoid -- this postseason .
Here are some of my favorite players in this week 's rankings : David Montgomery owns the No .
2 spot in my Week 16 running back rankings .
The Chicago Bears playmaker has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enters a matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars .
The Jaguars have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to running backs .
I expect Montgomery to gain at least 120 yards from scrimmage and score in this matchup .
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones has six touchdowns over his last five games and went off for 145 rushing yards in Week 15 .
I expect another big-time performance from Jones this week when the Packers face the Tennessee Titans .
The Titans have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run for at least 100 yards and score twice in this matchup .
He is my No .
3 option for Week 16 .
Miles Sanders of the Philadelphia Eagles is my No .
8 running back for Week 16 .
Sanders has had at least 90 yards from scrimmage in each of his last two games .
He should come close to that yardage total once again this week when the Eagles face the Dallas Cowboys .
The Cowboys have allowed the second-most rushing yards and sixth-most fantasy points per game to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Cowboys to have an offensive explosion in this matchup , with Sanders producing a solid fantasy football performance .
Plug the Eagles running back in as an RB1 or RB2 .
Miami Dolphins running back Salvon Ahmed is my No .
11 option at the position .
Ahmed had a season-high 122 rushing yards and a score in Week 15 .
He should be in for another large workload this week when the Dolphins face the Las Vegas Raiders .
The Raiders have allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 15 touches for 80 yards and a score in Week 16 .
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette lands at No .
13 in my rankings and can be used as a low-end RB1 , high-end RB2 or flex play for Week 16 .
Fournette scored twice last week and should be in for some more goal line work this week when the Buccaneers battle the Detroit Lions .
The Lions have allowed the most fantasy points per game to the position .
I expect the Buccaneers to use Fournette @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He should be good for at least 15 carries and has a great chance to score .
Giovani Bernard of the Cincinnati Bengals had his best game of the season in Week 15 , with 97 yards from scrimmage and two scores against a solid Pittsburgh Steelers defense .
This week , Bernard and the Bengals face the Houston Texans .
The Texans have allowed the most rushing yards and second-most fantasy points per game to running backs .
The Bengals should lean on their running game once again in Week 16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80 yards from scrimmage and should provide steady RB2/flex value for the final round of the postseason .
He is my No .
21 running back .

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Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans has a great Week 16 matchup and should be a fantastic RB1 play in fantasy football. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Derrick Henry, David Montgomery, Aaron Jones, Nick Chubb and Austin Ekeler top my Week 16 fantasy football running back rankings for 2020. Alvin Kamara, Tony Pollard, Miles Sanders, Dalvin Cook and J.K. Dobbins round out my Top 10 options for the final round of the 2020 fantasy football playoffs. Advertisement
Salvon Ahmed, Leonard Fournette and Giovani Bernard also are among my favorite starts this week at the running back position.
Monitor the status for each of your players' games this week as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the NFL schedule and player availability. This week's schedule also features games Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, so remember to check your lineup for player updates.
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Check out my article on the players with the easiest and hardest playoff schedules for an idea of who to start -- and who to avoid -- this postseason.
Here are some of my favorite players in this week's rankings:
TOP SHELF
David Montgomery owns the No. 2 spot in my Week 16 running back rankings. The Chicago Bears playmaker has scored in four consecutive games as he enters a matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jaguars have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to running backs. I expect Montgomery to gain at least 120 yards from scrimmage and score in this matchup.
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones has six touchdowns over his last five games and went off for 145 rushing yards in Week 15. I expect another big-time performance from Jones this week when the Packers face the Tennessee Titans.
The Titans have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to running backs. I expect Jones to run for at least 100 yards and score twice in this matchup. He is my No. 3 option for Week 16.
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SNEAKY PLAYS
Miles Sanders of the Philadelphia Eagles is my No. 8 running back for Week 16. Sanders has had at least 90 yards from scrimmage in each of his last two games. He should come close to that yardage total once again this week when the Eagles face the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys have allowed the second-most rushing yards and sixth-most fantasy points per game to running backs. I expect the Eagles and Cowboys to have an offensive explosion in this matchup, with Sanders producing a solid fantasy football performance.
Plug the Eagles running back in as an RB1 or RB2.
Miami Dolphins running back Salvon Ahmed is my No. 11 option at the position. Ahmed had a season-high 122 rushing yards and a score in Week 15.
He should be in for another large workload this week when the Dolphins face the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Raiders have allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to running backs. I expect Ahmed to get at least 15 touches for 80 yards and a score in Week 16.
LONGSHOTS
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette lands at No. 13 in my rankings and can be used as a low-end RB1, high-end RB2 or flex play for Week 16.
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Fournette scored twice last week and should be in for some more goal line work this week when the Buccaneers battle the Detroit Lions. The Lions have allowed the most fantasy points per game to the position.
I expect the Buccaneers to use Fournette to control the tempo of this game. He should be good for at least 15 carries and has a great chance to score.
Giovani Bernard of the Cincinnati Bengals had his best game of the season in Week 15, with 97 yards from scrimmage and two scores against a solid Pittsburgh Steelers defense. This week, Bernard and the Bengals face the Houston Texans.
The Texans have allowed the most rushing yards and second-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
The Bengals should lean on their running game once again in Week 16. Bernard is a near lock for 80 yards from scrimmage and should provide steady RB2/flex value for the final round of the postseason.
He is my No. 21 running back.
Week 16 fantasy football running back rankings
1. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans at GB
2. David Montgomery, Chicago Bears at JAX
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3. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers vs. TEN
4. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns at NYJ
5. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers vs. DEN
6. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints vs. MIN
7. Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys vs. PHI
8. Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles at DAL
9. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings at NO
10. J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens vs. NYG
11. Salvon Ahmed, Miami Dolphins at LV
12. Kenyan Drake, Arizona Cardinals vs. SF
13. Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at DET
14. Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos at LAC
15. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts at PIT
16. D'Andre Swift, Detroit Lions vs. TB
17. Mike Davis, Carolina Panthers at WAS
18. Zack Moss, Buffalo Bills at NE
19. Le'Veon Bell, Kansas City Chiefs vs. ATL
20. Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks vs. LAR
21. Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals at HOU
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22. Jeff Wilson, Jr., San Francisco 49ers at ARI
23. Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams at SEA
24. David Johnson, Houston Texans vs. CIN
25. Benny Snell, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. IND
26. J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team vs. CAR
27. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders vs. MIA
28. Latavius Murray, New Orleans Saints vs. MIN
29. Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns at NYJ
30. Wayne Gallman, New York Giants at BAL
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-23--On This Day, Dec. 23: Japan's ex-PM Hideki Tojo executed

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1620 , construction began on the first permanent European settlement in New England .
It was one week after the Mayflower arrived at Plymouth Harbor in present-day Massachusetts .
In 1783 , Gen. George Washington resigned his commission with the U.S. Army and retired to Mount Vernon , Va .
He became the new nation 's first president in 1789 .
In 1913 , the U.S. Federal Reserve System was established .
In 1947 , the transistor was invented , leading to a revolution in communications and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Hideki Tojo and six other Japanese war leaders were hanged in Tokyo under sentence of the Allied War Crimes Commission .
In 1972 , a series of earthquakes killed about 5,000 people and left the Nicaraguan capital of Managua in ruins .
In 1973 , the shah of Iran announced that the petroleum-exporting states of the Persian Gulf would double the price of their crude oil .
In 1982 , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told the residents of Times Beach , Mo.
, to evacuate the town , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The government bought all but one house in the town , which was disincorporated .
In 1987 , Dick Rutan and Jeana Yaeger landed the experimental aircraft Voyager at Edwards Air Force Base , Calif. , completing a record nine-day , 25,012-mile global flight without refueling .
In 1987 , Lynette `` Squeaky '' Fromme , serving a sentence for attempting to assassinate President Gerald Ford , escapes from a West Virginia prison .
She was captured two days later .
In 1995 , fire engulfed a tent set up for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , killing more than 500 people .
In 2003 , the first case of mad cow disease was reported in the United States when a Holstein in Washington state tested positive for the ailment .
In 2008 , officials in Guinea 's army announced the country 's government had been dissolved and the Constitution suspended after the death of President Lansana Conte , who had ruled the African nation for 24 years .
In 2009 , Mexico City voters approved a sweeping gay rights measure allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pussy Riot punk band , Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova , were released from prison in Russia in an amnesty program .
They had served most of their two-year sentences after being convicted of hooliganism for participating in a performance critical of President Vladimir Putin .
In 2016 , the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution condemning ongoing construction of Israeli settlements in disputed territory .
The United States abstained from voting .

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On December 23, 1948, former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo and six other Japanese war leaders were hanged in Tokyo under sentence of the Allied War Crimes Commission. File Photo courtesy Wikimedia
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1620, construction began on the first permanent European settlement in New England. It was one week after the Mayflower arrived at Plymouth Harbor in present-day Massachusetts. Advertisement
In 1783, Gen. George Washington resigned his commission with the U.S. Army and retired to Mount Vernon, Va. He became the new nation's first president in 1789.
In 1913, the U.S. Federal Reserve System was established.
In 1947, the transistor was invented, leading to a revolution in communications and electronics.
In 1948, former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo and six other Japanese war leaders were hanged in Tokyo under sentence of the Allied War Crimes Commission.
In 1972, a series of earthquakes killed about 5,000 people and left the Nicaraguan capital of Managua in ruins.
In 1973, the shah of Iran announced that the petroleum-exporting states of the Persian Gulf would double the price of their crude oil.
In 1982, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told the residents of Times Beach, Mo., to evacuate the town, which was contaminated with the chemical dioxin. The government bought all but one house in the town, which was disincorporated.
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File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
In 1987, Dick Rutan and Jeana Yaeger landed the experimental aircraft Voyager at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., completing a record nine-day, 25,012-mile global flight without refueling.
In 1987, Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, serving a sentence for attempting to assassinate President Gerald Ford, escapes from a West Virginia prison. She was captured two days later.
In 1995, fire engulfed a tent set up for a school ceremony in Mandi Dabwali, India, killing more than 500 people.
In 2003, the first case of mad cow disease was reported in the United States when a Holstein in Washington state tested positive for the ailment.
A Canadian cow living at the Sunny Dene Ranch near Mabton, Wash., was the first cow in the U.S. to have a confirmed case of mad cow disease. File Photo by Jim Bryant/UPI
In 2008, officials in Guinea's army announced the country's government had been dissolved and the Constitution suspended after the death of President Lansana Conte, who had ruled the African nation for 24 years.
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In 2009, Mexico City voters approved a sweeping gay rights measure allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt children.
In 2013, two members of the Pussy Riot punk band, Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, were released from prison in Russia in an amnesty program. They had served most of their two-year sentences after being convicted of hooliganism for participating in a performance critical of President Vladimir Putin.
In 2016, the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution condemning ongoing construction of Israeli settlements in disputed territory. The United States abstained from voting.


upi--2020-12-23--South Carolina Gov. Henry McMasters tests COVID-19 positive

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- South Carolina Gov .
Henry McMaster has tested positive for COVID-19 , his office said .
In a statement on Tuesday , his office said the 73-year-old Republican governor was `` experiencing mild symptoms '' and was isolating at home with his wife , Peggy , who tested positive for the virus on Friday but is asymptomatic .
McMaster was tested after `` coming into close contact with the COVID-19 virus , '' the results for which came back late Monday , the statement said .
His wife had tested positive for the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week .
McMaster is the latest governor to test positive for COVID-19 .
Earlier this month , Pennsylvania Gov .
Tom Wolf was also confirmed to have contracted the virus .
Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis , Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam , Missouri Gov .
Mike Parson , Oklahoma Gov .
Kevin Stitt and Nevada Gov .
Steve Sisolak are among the governors who have contracted the virus .
The announcement of McMasters ' illness came as the United States continues to battle climbing coronavirus cases .
At more than 18.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by far the sickest country in the world to the pandemic , according to a live tracker of the virus by Johns Hopkins University .
South Carolina 's Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 2,055 new cases on Tuesday for a total of more 277,000 confirmed and probable infections and nearly 5,000 deaths .

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has tested positive for COVID-19. Photo courtesy of South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster/ Twitter
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has tested positive for COVID-19, his office said. In a statement on Tuesday, his office said the 73-year-old Republican governor was "experiencing mild symptoms" and was isolating at home with his wife, Peggy, who tested positive for the virus on Friday but is asymptomatic. Advertisement
McMaster was tested after "coming into close contact with the COVID-19 virus," the results for which came back late Monday, the statement said.
His wife had tested positive for the virus after attending a White House Christmases event last week.
McMaster is the latest governor to test positive for COVID-19.
Earlier this month, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf was also confirmed to have contracted the virus.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak are among the governors who have contracted the virus.
The announcement of McMasters' illness came as the United States continues to battle climbing coronavirus cases. At more than 18.2 million infections, the United States is by far the sickest country in the world to the pandemic, according to a live tracker of the virus by Johns Hopkins University.
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South Carolina's Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 2,055 new cases on Tuesday for a total of more 277,000 confirmed and probable infections and nearly 5,000 deaths.


upi--2020-12-23--Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov to have season-ending hip surgery

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- Tampa Bay Lightning star winger Nikita Kucherov will undergo season-ending hip surgery next week , the team announced Wednesday .
`` Unfortunately , Nikita has a hip injury that will require surgery .
He is scheduled to have that surgery next week , '' Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois told reporters .
`` That will mean he will not be available to play during the regular season this upcoming year . ''
The loss of Kucherov is a significant blow for the defending Stanley Cup champions .
The 27-year-old forward , who was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points over the past four seasons , trailing only Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid for the most in the league during that span .
BriseBois said the team is hoping that Kucherov can return for the playoffs .
`` Those are the cards that we 've been dealt , '' BriseBois said .
`` It 's our job as a group -- players , coaches , management -- to get ourselves into the playoffs so that we give Kuch an opportunity to compete this year and help us defend this Stanley Cup championship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` ... Nobody loves playing hockey more than Nikita Kucherov .
I know how much it pains him that he will be missing the regular season .
I also know how hard he 's going to work to get back as soon as possible . ''
Kucherov had a team-best 34 points in 25 games during the Lightning 's Stanley Cup Final run this past season .
In his MVP season , he recorded 128 points -- the most for a Russian-born player .
Tampa Bay is set to open its 2020-21 season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Lightning said they will have a banner-raising ceremony before that game .

Tampa Bay Lightning star forward Nikita Kucherov (86), who was the 2019 NHL MVP, has scored 398 points over the past four seasons. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Tampa Bay Lightning star winger Nikita Kucherov will undergo season-ending hip surgery next week, the team announced Wednesday. "Unfortunately, Nikita has a hip injury that will require surgery. He is scheduled to have that surgery next week," Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois told reporters. "That will mean he will not be available to play during the regular season this upcoming year." Advertisement
The loss of Kucherov is a significant blow for the defending Stanley Cup champions. The 27-year-old forward, who was the 2019 NHL MVP, has scored 398 points over the past four seasons, trailing only Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid for the most in the league during that span.
BriseBois said the team is hoping that Kucherov can return for the playoffs.
"Those are the cards that we've been dealt," BriseBois said. "It's our job as a group -- players, coaches, management -- to get ourselves into the playoffs so that we give Kuch an opportunity to compete this year and help us defend this Stanley Cup championship as we're chasing another one.
"... Nobody loves playing hockey more than Nikita Kucherov. I know how much it pains him that he will be missing the regular season. I also know how hard he's going to work to get back as soon as possible."
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Kucherov had a team-best 34 points in 25 games during the Lightning's Stanley Cup Final run this past season. In his MVP season, he recorded 128 points -- the most for a Russian-born player.
Tampa Bay is set to open its 2020-21 season Jan. 13 against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Lightning said they will have a banner-raising ceremony before that game.


upi--2020-12-23--FBI blames Iran for online hit list of U.S. election officials

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- The FBI on Wednesday blamed Iran for creating a website in the weeks following the U.S. presidential election that called for the deaths of American election officials .
In a statement , the FBI said Wednesday it has `` highly credible information '' that identifies Iranian cyberactors as being `` almost certainly '' responsible for the creation of the Enemies of the People website that listed personal information and photographs of U.S. officials and workers from private sector companies that were involved with the 2020 election , many of whom would defend it from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the president and his campaign and supporters .
`` The post-election creation of the Enemies of the People website demonstrates an ongoing Iranian intent to create divisions and mistrust in the United States and undermine public confidence in the U.S. electoral process , '' the FBI said .
`` The FBI and [ the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ] urge the public to critically evaluate the sources of the information they consume and to seek out reliable and verified information . ''
Threatening emails were also sent to officials from email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no longer active .
The website , when it was up , published the images , home addresses and other such information of U.S. officials involved in the election , including FBI Director Christopher A. Wray and Christopher Krebs , the CISA head who Trump fired last month after pushing back against the president 's claims of voter fraud , The Washington Post reported .
Crosshairs were also superimposed on the officials ' images , falsely stating they had `` aided and abetted the fraudulent election against Trump . ''
In October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a press conference said Iran had obtained voter information ahead of the election and was responsible for an email campaign intended to intimidate Democratic voters .
Ratcliffe said the Tehran-backed cyberactors spoofed emails sent to voters that warned them to `` vote for Trump or we will come after you . ''
The emails were purportedly sent by the Proud Boys , a far-right , male-only organization that supports Trump and has ties to White supremacy .
The FBI and CISA have previously issued advisories warning the public that Iran was seeking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an advisory dated Oct. 22 , a day after Ratcliffe 's press conference , the two agencies warned Iranian advanced persistent threat actors `` are creating fictitious media sites and spoofing legitimate media sites to spread obtained U.S. voter-registration data , anti-American propaganda and misinformation about voter suppression , voter fraud and ballot fraud . ''
In August , CISA assessed that Iran and China were attempting to influence the election , with Tehran seeking to `` divide the country in advance of the 2020 elections . ''
It said Tehran was seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president 's re-election `` would result in a continuation of U.S. pressure on Iran in an effort to foment regime change . ''
The Trump administration has taken a harsher stance against Tehran than its predecessor , repeatedly imposing sanctions targeting the Middle Eastern country in hopes to force it to negotiate a new accord that would prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon .
The Treasury in October imposed sanctions against Iran 's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and four other Iranian entities for its efforts to disrupt the 2020 election .

FBI Director Christopher Wray was among the U.S. election officials whose information was posted on an Iranian-created website that contained death threats. Pool Photo by Sarah Silbiger/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- The FBI on Wednesday blamed Iran for creating a website in the weeks following the U.S. presidential election that called for the deaths of American election officials. In a statement, the FBI said Wednesday it has "highly credible information" that identifies Iranian cyberactors as being "almost certainly" responsible for the creation of the Enemies of the People website that listed personal information and photographs of U.S. officials and workers from private sector companies that were involved with the 2020 election, many of whom would defend it from widely discredited allegations of voter fraud spouted by the president and his campaign and supporters. Advertisement
"The post-election creation of the Enemies of the People website demonstrates an ongoing Iranian intent to create divisions and mistrust in the United States and undermine public confidence in the U.S. electoral process," the FBI said. "The FBI and [the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency] urge the public to critically evaluate the sources of the information they consume and to seek out reliable and verified information."
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Threatening emails were also sent to officials from email accounts associated with the website, which is no longer active.
The website, when it was up, published the images, home addresses and other such information of U.S. officials involved in the election, including FBI Director Christopher A. Wray and Christopher Krebs, the CISA head who Trump fired last month after pushing back against the president's claims of voter fraud, The Washington Post reported.
Crosshairs were also superimposed on the officials' images, falsely stating they had "aided and abetted the fraudulent election against Trump."
In October, National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe in a press conference said Iran had obtained voter information ahead of the election and was responsible for an email campaign intended to intimidate Democratic voters.
Ratcliffe said the Tehran-backed cyberactors spoofed emails sent to voters that warned them to "vote for Trump or we will come after you." The emails were purportedly sent by the Proud Boys, a far-right, male-only organization that supports Trump and has ties to White supremacy.
The FBI and CISA have previously issued advisories warning the public that Iran was seeking to interfere in the presidential election.
In an advisory dated Oct. 22, a day after Ratcliffe's press conference, the two agencies warned Iranian advanced persistent threat actors "are creating fictitious media sites and spoofing legitimate media sites to spread obtained U.S. voter-registration data, anti-American propaganda and misinformation about voter suppression, voter fraud and ballot fraud."
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In August, CISA assessed that Iran and China were attempting to influence the election, with Tehran seeking to "divide the country in advance of the 2020 elections."
It said Tehran was seeking to undermine Trump as it viewed the president's re-election "would result in a continuation of U.S. pressure on Iran in an effort to foment regime change."
The Trump administration has taken a harsher stance against Tehran than its predecessor, repeatedly imposing sanctions targeting the Middle Eastern country in hopes to force it to negotiate a new accord that would prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.
The Treasury in October imposed sanctions against Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and four other Iranian entities for its efforts to disrupt the 2020 election.


upi--2020-12-23--Ex-Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle signing 2-year deal with Dodgers

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers reached a two-year deal with former New York Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle on Wednesday .
League sources told the Los Angeles Times and The Athletic that Kahnle 's agreement with the Dodgers is worth $ 4.75 million guaranteed .
According to the outlets , he will earn $ 750,000 this season plus a $ 550,000 signing bonus .
His base salary for 2022 will be $ 3.45 million .
Kahnle , a hard-throwing right-hander , underwent Tommy John surgery in early August after appearing in only one game for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect him to return in late 2021 or at the beginning of the 2022 campaign .
The 31-year-old Kahnle was one of five key relievers in the Yankees ' bullpen , joining Aroldis Chapman , Zack Britton , Adam Ottavino and Chad Green .
Kahnle struck out 88 in 61 1/3 innings and walked 20 in the 2019 season .
He had a 3.67 ERA .
Kahnle has a 9-9 record with four saves and a 3.82 ERA in 285 appearances across seven MLB seasons with the Colorado Rockies , Chicago White Sox @ @ @

Former New York Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle underwent Tommy John surgery in August. He is expected to return in late 2021 or at the beginning of the 2022 season. File Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers reached a two-year deal with former New York Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle on Wednesday. League sources told the Los Angeles Times and The Athletic that Kahnle's agreement with the Dodgers is worth $4.75 million guaranteed. According to the outlets, he will earn $750,000 this season plus a $550,000 signing bonus. His base salary for 2022 will be $3.45 million. Advertisement
Kahnle, a hard-throwing right-hander, underwent Tommy John surgery in early August after appearing in only one game for the Yankees this past season. The Dodgers expect him to return in late 2021 or at the beginning of the 2022 campaign.
The 31-year-old Kahnle was one of five key relievers in the Yankees' bullpen, joining Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton, Adam Ottavino and Chad Green. Kahnle struck out 88 in 61 1/3 innings and walked 20 in the 2019 season. He had a 3.67 ERA.
Kahnle has a 9-9 record with four saves and a 3.82 ERA in 285 appearances across seven MLB seasons with the Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox and Yankees.


upi--2020-12-23--Trump issues 26 more pardons, commutations including Roger Stone, Paul Manafort

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump granted 26 new pardons and commutations on Wednesday including additional pardons for individuals involved in special counsel Robert Mueller 's Russia investigation .
Trump granted full pardons to his former campaign adviser Roger Stone and former campaign chairman Paul Manafort who were both convicted of multiple crimes related to Mueller 's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and potential collusion by Trump 's campaign .
Overall , Trump has pardoned five people connected with Mueller 's investigation including his former national security adviser Michael Flynn in November as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign policy adviser for Trump 's 2016 campaign , and Dutch lawyer Alex van der Zwaan in another flurry of pardons on Tuesday .
Stone was sentenced to 40 months in prison for lying to Congress during the investigation and Trump had commuted his sentence in July just before he was scheduled to begin the sentence .
The White House on Wednesday said Stone was granted a `` full and unconditional '' pardon alleging he was treated unfairly by Mueller 's team due to `` prosecutorial misconduct . ''
Manafort had already served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for tax evasion , fraud and witness tampering in connection with the Russia investigation .
Trump also pardoned Charles Kushner , the father of his son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner , who pleaded guilty in 2004 to 16 counts of tax evasion , one count of retaliating against a federal witness and another count of lying to the Federal Election Commission related to $ 6 million in political contributions and gifts mischaracterized as business expenses .
In a series of 20 pardons and commutations on Tuesday , Trump also pardoned former Republican Reps. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as four former Blackwater Worldwide military contractors responsible for the shooting deaths of 14 Iraqis in 2007 .

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President Donald Trump on Wednesday pardoned his former campaign adviser Roger Stone after he was sentenced to 40 months in prison for lying to Congress as part of special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump granted 26 new pardons and commutations on Wednesday including additional pardons for individuals involved in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. Trump granted full pardons to his former campaign adviser Roger Stone and former campaign chairman Paul Manafort who were both convicted of multiple crimes related to Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and potential collusion by Trump's campaign. Advertisement
Overall, Trump has pardoned five people connected with Mueller's investigation including his former national security adviser Michael Flynn in November as well as George Papadopoulos, the former foreign policy adviser for Trump's 2016 campaign, and Dutch lawyer Alex van der Zwaan in another flurry of pardons on Tuesday.
Stone was sentenced to 40 months in prison for lying to Congress during the investigation and Trump had commuted his sentence in July just before he was scheduled to begin the sentence.
The White House on Wednesday said Stone was granted a "full and unconditional" pardon alleging he was treated unfairly by Mueller's team due to "prosecutorial misconduct."
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Manafort had already served two years of a seven-and-a-half year sentence for tax evasion, fraud and witness tampering in connection with the Russia investigation.
Trump also pardoned Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner, who pleaded guilty in 2004 to 16 counts of tax evasion, one count of retaliating against a federal witness and another count of lying to the Federal Election Commission related to $6 million in political contributions and gifts mischaracterized as business expenses.
In a series of 20 pardons and commutations on Tuesday, Trump also pardoned former Republican Reps. Duncan Hunter and Chris Collins as well as four former Blackwater Worldwide military contractors responsible for the shooting deaths of 14 Iraqis in 2007.


upi--2020-12-23--CDC: COVID-19 death toll could hit 420,000 by Jan. 16

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday it predicts COVID-19-related deaths in the United States to near 420,000 by Jan. 16 .
The CDC on Wednesday released its national ensemble forecast compiled from data retrieved from 36 modeling groups producing statistics that predict the nation 's death toll to the pandemic to between 378,000 and 419,000 .
In the last of those four weeks , the CDC said it expects to see an additional 16,400 to 27,600 people to die in that seven-day period .
According to a live tracker of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which provided data that made up the CDC 's prediction , the U.S. death toll Wednesday stood at 325,829 .
Its caseload was 18.4 million , the Baltimore-based university said .
The forecast predicts newly reported deaths in 16 jurisdictions will increase compared to the previous month while only seven jurisdictions will see fewer deaths compared to a month previous .
On Tuesday , the United States reported 3,400 deaths , its second deadliest day on record after more than 3,600 people died to the virus on Dec. 16 .
The United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ securing the sickest country to the an additional 100 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine .

Healthcare workers push a hospital bed down a hall way at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City on December 7. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday it predicts COVID-19-related deaths in the United States to near 420,000 by Jan. 16. The CDC on Wednesday released its national ensemble forecast compiled from data retrieved from 36 modeling groups producing statistics that predict the nation's death toll to the pandemic to between 378,000 and 419,000. Advertisement
In the last of those four weeks, the CDC said it expects to see an additional 16,400 to 27,600 people to die in that seven-day period.
According to a live tracker of the virus by Johns Hopkins University, which provided data that made up the CDC's prediction, the U.S. death toll Wednesday stood at 325,829. Its caseload was 18.4 million, the Baltimore-based university said.
The forecast predicts newly reported deaths in 16 jurisdictions will increase compared to the previous month while only seven jurisdictions will see fewer deaths compared to a month previous.
On Tuesday, the United States reported 3,400 deaths, its second deadliest day on record after more than 3,600 people died to the virus on Dec. 16.
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The United States and Pfizer reached a deal Wednesday, securing the sickest country to the an additional 100 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine.


upi--2020-12-23--Arizona Wildcats hire New England Patriots' Jedd Fisch as next football coach

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- New England Patriots quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch has been named the next head football coach at Arizona , the school announced Wednesday .
The 44-year-old Fisch replaces former Wildcats head coach Kevin Sumlin , who was fired a day after a 70-7 blowout loss to in-state rival Arizona State on Dec. 11 .
`` We are tremendously excited to have Jedd Fisch come to Tucson to reinvigorate our football program and lead us to championships , '' Arizona athletic director Dave Heeke said in a statement Wednesday .
`` Jedd has a unique ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his players and to inspire them with his passion .
`` We conducted a comprehensive national search with an impressive array of candidates but in the end , Jedd is exactly what our program needs right now and I can not wait to partner with him to move us forward . ''
Fisch , who also was among the finalists for the head-coaching job when Arizona hired Sumlin in 2018 , has a close friendship with university president Robert Robbins .
`` I am honored and humbled to lead the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I am 100 % committed to building a program that all Wildcat fans will be proud to support .
We will study hard , compete hard , recruit hard and be relentless in all aspects of our program . ''
Fisch joined the Patriots ' coaching staff this year after spending two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams ( 2018-19 ) as a senior offensive assistant .
Before jumping to the Rams , he was UCLA 's offensive coordinator for one season in 2017 .
He also served as the Jacksonville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arizona posted a 9-20 record -- including a 6-17 mark in the Pac-12 -- and made no bowl appearances under Sumlin .
The Wildcats also lost all three of their games to Arizona State with Sumlin at the helm .

Dec. 23 (UPI) -- New England Patriots quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch has been named the next head football coach at Arizona, the school announced Wednesday.
The 44-year-old Fisch replaces former Wildcats head coach Kevin Sumlin, who was fired a day after a 70-7 blowout loss to in-state rival Arizona State on Dec. 11.
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"We are tremendously excited to have Jedd Fisch come to Tucson to reinvigorate our football program and lead us to championships," Arizona athletic director Dave Heeke said in a statement Wednesday. "Jedd has a unique ability to teach the game of football effectively to his players and to inspire them with his passion.
"We conducted a comprehensive national search with an impressive array of candidates but in the end, Jedd is exactly what our program needs right now and I cannot wait to partner with him to move us forward."
Fisch, who also was among the finalists for the head-coaching job when Arizona hired Sumlin in 2018, has a close friendship with university president Robert Robbins.
"I am honored and humbled to lead the University of Arizona football program," Fisch said. "I am 100% committed to building a program that all Wildcat fans will be proud to support. We will study hard, compete hard, recruit hard and be relentless in all aspects of our program."
Advertisement @CoachJeddFisch! Can't wait to welcome you and the family to Tucson. pic.twitter.com/69ej7OapG1— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) December 23, 2020
Fisch joined the Patriots' coaching staff this year after spending two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams (2018-19) as a senior offensive assistant. Before jumping to the Rams, he was UCLA's offensive coordinator for one season in 2017. He also served as the Jacksonville Jaguars' offensive coordinator in 2013-14.
Arizona posted a 9-20 record -- including a 6-17 mark in the Pac-12 -- and made no bowl appearances under Sumlin. The Wildcats also lost all three of their games to Arizona State with Sumlin at the helm.


upi--2020-12-23--Andrew Yang files paperwork to run for mayor in New York City

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- Businessman and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang filed paperwork to run for mayor in New York City on Wednesday .
The city 's Campaign Finance Board listed Yang , who was born in Schenectady and lives in New York City , among candidates who had registered their campaigns to run for political office in the city .
Yang 's political consultant , Chris Coffey , described the step as a `` procedural thing '' and not an official sign he would run for the position .
`` We are n't accepting donations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change . ''
As of Tuesday , at least 35 people had filed paperwork with the finance board to run for mayor with the city 's primary election set for June 22 .
The field of potential candidates includes city Comptroller Scott Stringer , Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams , former Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia , Mayor Bill de Blasio 's former legal adviser Maya Wiley , former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan , city Councilman Carlos Manchaca and former Citigroup executive Ray McGuire .
Yang founded Venture for America , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creating jobs in cities affected by the financial crisis , in 2011 and gained national attention after basing his presidential bid on a universal basic income that would provide $ 1,000 to Americans older than 18 every month .
In February , following his presidential run , he joined CNN as a political analyst and last month announced he would move to Georgia to help Democratic senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock win runoff races in the state .

Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang filed paperwork to run for mayor in New York City on Wednesday, according to the city's Campaign Finance Board. File Photo by John Nowak/CNN/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Businessman and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang filed paperwork to run for mayor in New York City on Wednesday. The city's Campaign Finance Board listed Yang, who was born in Schenectady and lives in New York City, among candidates who had registered their campaigns to run for political office in the city. Advertisement
Yang's political consultant, Chris Coffey, described the step as a "procedural thing" and not an official sign he would run for the position.
"We aren't accepting donations," he said. "No status change."
As of Tuesday, at least 35 people had filed paperwork with the finance board to run for mayor with the city's primary election set for June 22.
The field of potential candidates includes city Comptroller Scott Stringer, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, former Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia, Mayor Bill de Blasio's former legal adviser Maya Wiley, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, city Councilman Carlos Manchaca and former Citigroup executive Ray McGuire.
Yang founded Venture for America, a non-profit entrepreneur fellowship program focused on creating jobs in cities affected by the financial crisis, in 2011 and gained national attention after basing his presidential bid on a universal basic income that would provide $1,000 to Americans older than 18 every month.
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In February, following his presidential run, he joined CNN as a political analyst and last month announced he would move to Georgia to help Democratic senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock win runoff races in the state.


upi--2020-12-23--Washington disciplines QB Dwayne Haskins for violating COVID-19 protocols

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- Washington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins was fined and removed from his role as a team captain Wednesday , three days after he was photographed at a party while not wearing a mask .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Haskins ' fine was for $ 40,000 .
`` The biggest thing is we are holding him accountable and he 's been punished and he accepted it , '' Washington head coach Ron Rivera told reporters Wednesday .
`` As we go forward , that 's the thing that we 're looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mistake you 've got to step up and you have to take responsibility .
`` ...
Although we are extremely disappointed in the decision Dwayne made , I 'm glad that he had told the truth and was upfront about the entire situation . ''
Despite the punishment , there is a chance Haskins will continue to start for Washington ( 6-8 ) , which hosts the Carolina Panthers on Sunday .
Veteran quarterback Alex Smith was limited in Wednesday 's practice because of a strained right calf .
`` I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters .
`` I need to step up to the plate and I ca n't be selfish and I need to stop getting in my own way .
I 'm putting things in motion as far as a plan for myself to be a better teammate and be more accountable and fix my issues that have brought me to this situation . ''
Following Washington 's game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday , Haskins attended his girlfriend 's birthday party at a hotel where strippers were in attendance .
It marked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he violated the NFL 's COVID-19 protocols .
Earlier this year , the 23-year-old Haskins made a reservation for a family friend at the team hotel before a game against the New York Giants .
He was fined $ 4,833 for the violation .
`` I know I should n't have put my team at risk , '' Haskins said about the incident this week .
`` I should n't have been there .
We were more than 10 people not wearing masks and that 's a violation regardless of where it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play the Panthers at 4:05 p.m. EST Sunday at FedEx Field in Landover , Md .

Washington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins was fined $40,000 and stripped of his captaincy for breaking COVID-19 protocols. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Washington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins was fined and removed from his role as a team captain Wednesday, three days after he was photographed at a party while not wearing a mask. League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Haskins' fine was for $40,000. Advertisement
"The biggest thing is we are holding him accountable and he's been punished and he accepted it," Washington head coach Ron Rivera told reporters Wednesday. "As we go forward, that's the thing that we're looking for, is that if you make a mistake you've got to step up and you have to take responsibility.
"... Although we are extremely disappointed in the decision Dwayne made, I'm glad that he had told the truth and was upfront about the entire situation."
Despite the punishment, there is a chance Haskins will continue to start for Washington (6-8), which hosts the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Veteran quarterback Alex Smith was limited in Wednesday's practice because of a strained right calf.
"I know my team needs me," Haskins told reporters. "I need to step up to the plate and I can't be selfish and I need to stop getting in my own way. I'm putting things in motion as far as a plan for myself to be a better teammate and be more accountable and fix my issues that have brought me to this situation."
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Following Washington's game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Haskins attended his girlfriend's birthday party at a hotel where strippers were in attendance. It marked the second time this season in which he violated the NFL's COVID-19 protocols.
Earlier this year, the 23-year-old Haskins made a reservation for a family friend at the team hotel before a game against the New York Giants. He was fined $4,833 for the violation.
"I know I shouldn't have put my team at risk," Haskins said about the incident this week. "I shouldn't have been there. We were more than 10 people not wearing masks and that's a violation regardless of where it was at."
Washington is scheduled to play the Panthers at 4:05 p.m. EST Sunday at FedEx Field in Landover, Md.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-23--Turkey sentences journalist Can Dundar to 27 years in prison

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- A Turkish court on Wednesday sentenced exiled journalist Can Dundar to 27 years in prison on charges of espionage and aiding a terrorist group .
The sentencing was related to a 2015 report and video published by Dundar 's newspaper , Cumhuriyet , accusing Turkey 's intelligence agency of secretly funneling weapons to Syria .
Attorneys for Dundar , who has been in exile in Germany since 2016 , refused to attend the sentencing , saying the court failed to present even the `` appearance of being impartial and independent . ''
They also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of carrying out orders from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan 's government and violating Dundar 's rights .
`` We were expecting this outcome for five years , '' Dundar told CBS News .
`` They were trying to find the right judge who would make this silly verdict because it 's not easy to charge someone for spying without any evidence . ''
Dundar was arrested alongside Cumhuriyet colleague Erdem Gul in 2015 , and both were convicted on espionage-related charges a year later .
Dundar was attacked by a gunman outside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dundar 's arrest , Erdogan said that the person responsible for the article `` will pay a heavy price . ''
`` This all began with the president giving his word referring to this news article .
We see that the president kept his promise .
His promise is hanging somewhere in that courtroom , '' said Tora Pekin , an attorney for Dundar .
An appeals court overturned the convictions and Gul was acquitted in a June 2018 retrial , while Dundar was found guilty in absentia , as he was already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will appeal Wednesday 's ruling to the European Court of Human rights , but said he does not `` expect anything from it because it 's under control of Erdogan . ''
`` Everyone knows that these decisions and rulings are political and not judicial , '' he said .

Can Dundar, former editor-in-chief of the Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet, was sentenced to 27 years in prison on Wednesday on terrorism and espionage charges related to a 2015 article alleging the country smuggled weapons to Syria. Photo by Clemens Bilan/EPA-EFE
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- A Turkish court on Wednesday sentenced exiled journalist Can Dundar to 27 years in prison on charges of espionage and aiding a terrorist group. The sentencing was related to a 2015 report and video published by Dundar's newspaper, Cumhuriyet, accusing Turkey's intelligence agency of secretly funneling weapons to Syria. Advertisement
Attorneys for Dundar, who has been in exile in Germany since 2016, refused to attend the sentencing, saying the court failed to present even the "appearance of being impartial and independent."
They also criticized the ruling, accusing the court of carrying out orders from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government and violating Dundar's rights.
"We were expecting this outcome for five years," Dundar told CBS News. "They were trying to find the right judge who would make this silly verdict because it's not easy to charge someone for spying without any evidence."
Dundar was arrested alongside Cumhuriyet colleague Erdem Gul in 2015, and both were convicted on espionage-related charges a year later. Dundar was attacked by a gunman outside the courthouse during the trial.
Prior to Dundar's arrest, Erdogan said that the person responsible for the article "will pay a heavy price."
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"This all began with the president giving his word referring to this news article. We see that the president kept his promise. His promise is hanging somewhere in that courtroom," said Tora Pekin, an attorney for Dundar.
An appeals court overturned the convictions and Gul was acquitted in a June 2018 retrial, while Dundar was found guilty in absentia, as he was already in Germany.
Dundar said his lawyers will appeal Wednesday's ruling to the European Court of Human rights, but said he does not "expect anything from it because it's under control of Erdogan."
"Everyone knows that these decisions and rulings are political and not judicial," he said.


upi--2020-12-23--NBA postpones Thunder-Rockets game due to COVID-19; James Harden 'unavailable'

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- Wednesday 's game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets has been postponed because of COVID-19 complications , the league announced Wednesday .
The NBA said the Rockets do n't have the league-required eight available players to move forward with the game .
According to the league , three Rockets players returned tests that were either positive or inconclusive for the coronavirus .
In addition , four other Rockets players are in quarantine under the league 's contact tracing protocols , and Chris Clemons was unavailable due to an Achilles injury .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was unavailable `` due to a violation of the Health and Safety Protocols '' after the NBA reviewed video of Harden partying without a mask .
The video of Harden partying , which was published by Black Sports Online and has been circulating on social media , is reportedly from a Houston club 's Christmas party held this week .
The NBA 's COVID-19 protocols forbid players and coaches from going to bars , lounges , clubs or social gatherings of more than 15 people .
On Wednesday , Harden issued a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something different '' and the event was n't at a strip club .
`` One thing after another .
I went to show love to my homegirl at her event [ not a strip club ] because she is becoming a boss and putting her people in position of success and now it 's a problem , '' Harden wrote .
`` Everyday it 's something different .
No matter how many times people try to drag my name under you ca n't .
The real always end on top . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. EST , with tipoff scheduled for 8 p.m. in Houston .
The Thunder will now return to Oklahoma City on Wednesday night before traveling to Charlotte on Friday for their new season opener against the Hornets on Saturday .
The league did n't provide a timetable for when the Rockets can return to competition .
Houston is scheduled to play at the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night .

The NBA said Houston Rockets guard James Harden (R) was unavailable due to a violation of the league's Health and Safety Protocols after it reviewed video of Harden partying without a mask. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Wednesday's game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets has been postponed because of COVID-19 complications, the league announced Wednesday. The NBA said the Rockets don't have the league-required eight available players to move forward with the game. According to the league, three Rockets players returned tests that were either positive or inconclusive for the coronavirus. Advertisement
In addition, four other Rockets players are in quarantine under the league's contact tracing protocols, and Chris Clemons was unavailable due to an Achilles injury.
The league also said Rockets superstar James Harden was unavailable "due to a violation of the Health and Safety Protocols" after the NBA reviewed video of Harden partying without a mask.
The video of Harden partying, which was published by Black Sports Online and has been circulating on social media, is reportedly from a Houston club's Christmas party held this week. The NBA's COVID-19 protocols forbid players and coaches from going to bars, lounges, clubs or social gatherings of more than 15 people.
On Wednesday, Harden issued a statement on Instagram saying "everyday it's something different" and the event wasn't at a strip club.
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"One thing after another. I went to show love to my homegirl at her event [not a strip club] because she is becoming a boss and putting her people in position of success and now it's a problem," Harden wrote. "Everyday it's something different. No matter how many times people try to drag my name under you can't. The real always end on top."
The NBA made the announcements at about 5:30 p.m. EST, with tipoff scheduled for 8 p.m. in Houston.
The Thunder will now return to Oklahoma City on Wednesday night before traveling to Charlotte on Friday for their new season opener against the Hornets on Saturday.
The league didn't provide a timetable for when the Rockets can return to competition. Houston is scheduled to play at the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night.