upi--2020-12-29--Arizona men's basketball program self-imposes one-year postseason ban

Dec. 29 ( UPI ) -- The Arizona men 's basketball team has self-imposed a one-year postseason ban , the school announced Tuesday .
The university 's decision comes as a result of an NCAA probe stemming from a 2017 federal investigation into corruption in college basketball and recruiting within the sport .
ESPN and The Athletic reported in October that Arizona had been hit with nine NCAA violations , including five Level I offenses .
According to the outlets , Arizona was charged with a lack of institutional control and failure to monitor , and men 's basketball coach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of head coach control .
`` The University of Arizona is self-imposing a one-year postseason ban on the UA men 's basketball program as a proactive measure in its ongoing NCAA enforcement process , '' the school said in a statement .
`` The decision is an acknowledgement that the NCAA 's investigation revealed that certain former members of the MBB staff displayed serious lapses in judgment and a departure from the university 's expectation of honest and ethical behavior .
It is also in accord with the penalty guidelines of the NCAA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This decision reinforces the institution 's commitment to accountability and integrity as well as serving the best long-term interests of the university and the men 's basketball program . ''
Former Wildcats assistant coach Emanuel `` Book '' Richardson pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to commit bribery in January 2019 .
He admitted to accepting money to steer Arizona players to aspiring sports agent Christian Dawkins and financial advisers close to him .
There were more allegations involving former player Rawle Alkins , and Arizona indefinitely suspended former assistant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged NCAA rules violation .
`` The decision to self-impose a postseason ban was extremely difficult , as we recognize the impact that it has on our current student-athletes , '' Arizona athletic director Dave Heeke said in a statement .
`` We will continue to cooperate fully with the NCAA enforcement process and continue to support the hard-working young men in our men 's basketball program . ''
Arizona moved to 7-1 after its home win over Colorado on Monday .
The postseason ban includes the Pac-12 tournament , meaning the Wildcats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in-state rival Arizona State .
`` I understand and fully support the university 's decision to self-impose a one-year postseason ban on our men 's basketball program , '' Miller said .
`` Our team will remain united and aggressively compete to win a Pac-12 championship . ''
Earlier this season , Auburn announced it was self-imposing a postseason ban for the 2020-21 campaign .

Arizona men's basketball coach Sean Miller and the Wildcats will conclude their season March 6 against in-state rival Arizona State following the postseason ban. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 29 (UPI) -- The Arizona men's basketball team has self-imposed a one-year postseason ban, the school announced Tuesday. The university's decision comes as a result of an NCAA probe stemming from a 2017 federal investigation into corruption in college basketball and recruiting within the sport. Advertisement
ESPN and The Athletic reported in October that Arizona had been hit with nine NCAA violations, including five Level I offenses. According to the outlets, Arizona was charged with a lack of institutional control and failure to monitor, and men's basketball coach Sean Miller was charged with a lack of head coach control.
"The University of Arizona is self-imposing a one-year postseason ban on the UA men's basketball program as a proactive measure in its ongoing NCAA enforcement process," the school said in a statement.
"The decision is an acknowledgement that the NCAA's investigation revealed that certain former members of the MBB staff displayed serious lapses in judgment and a departure from the university's expectation of honest and ethical behavior. It is also in accord with the penalty guidelines of the NCAA for the type of violations involved.
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"This decision reinforces the institution's commitment to accountability and integrity as well as serving the best long-term interests of the university and the men's basketball program."
Former Wildcats assistant coach Emanuel "Book" Richardson pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to commit bribery in January 2019. He admitted to accepting money to steer Arizona players to aspiring sports agent Christian Dawkins and financial advisers close to him.
There were more allegations involving former player Rawle Alkins, and Arizona indefinitely suspended former assistant Mark Phelps in 2019 because of an alleged NCAA rules violation.
"The decision to self-impose a postseason ban was extremely difficult, as we recognize the impact that it has on our current student-athletes," Arizona athletic director Dave Heeke said in a statement. "We will continue to cooperate fully with the NCAA enforcement process and continue to support the hard-working young men in our men's basketball program."
Arizona moved to 7-1 after its home win over Colorado on Monday. The postseason ban includes the Pac-12 tournament, meaning the Wildcats' season will end March 6 against in-state rival Arizona State.
"I understand and fully support the university's decision to self-impose a one-year postseason ban on our men's basketball program," Miller said. "Our team will remain united and aggressively compete to win a Pac-12 championship."
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Earlier this season, Auburn announced it was self-imposing a postseason ban for the 2020-21 campaign.


upi--2020-12-29--Biden: Trump administration vaccination plans 'falling far behind'

Dec. 29 ( UPI ) -- President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday criticized the Trump administration for falling `` far behind '' on its plans to administer COVID-19 vaccines .
In a speech from Wilmington , Del.
, Biden noted the Trump administration 's goal to vaccinate 20 million Americans by the end of December .
Two million people have received the vaccine with two days left in the month , according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracker .
`` The Trump administration 's plan to distribute vaccines is falling far behind , '' Biden said .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ management , vaccinations and testing to his COVID-19 response team .
Bechara Coucair , chief health officer of Kaiser Permanente , will serve as vaccinations coordinator , organizing the delivery of vaccines with state and local officials and ensuring the doses can be administered to the population .
Biden also named Carole Johnson , the commissioner of New Jersey 's Department of Human Services , as testing coordinator .
He said Johnson will `` coordinate the federal effort to expand COVID-19 testing and the use of testing for an effective public health response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , nursing homes and other at-risk populations and communities most affected by the pandemic .
Tim Manning , who served as Deputy Administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency for Protection and National Preparedness during the Obama administration , will serve as supply coordinator .
In this role , Manning will coordinate federal efforts on `` securing , strengthening and ensuring a sustainable pandemic supply chain '' to ensure sufficient personal protective equipment , tests , vaccines and other related supplies .
Biden has pledged to distribute 100 million vaccines and encourage mask-wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Tuesday he said he would require additional funding from Congress and increased federal involvement in states to carry out the plan , adding that even if 1 million vaccinations were administered each day it would still take months to vaccinate the majority of the U.S. population .
`` It will take more time than anyone would like and more time than the promises of the Trump administration .
This is going to be the greatest operational challenge we 've ever faced as a nation , '' Biden said .
`` But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But it 's going to take a vast new effort that 's not yet underway . ''
He added that his administration would launch a `` massive public education campaign '' to increase vaccine acceptance , acknowledging that Black , Latino and Native American communities `` have not always been treated with the dignity and honesty they deserve by the federal government and the scientific community throughout our history . ''
Biden praised Congress for passing a $ 900 billion coronavirus relief bill that was signed by President Donald Trump on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary , as an effort to increase individual payments to $ 2,000 faced a roadblock in the Senate .
`` I 'll propose a COVID action package early next year and challenge Congress to act on it quickly , '' he said .

Dec. 29 (UPI) -- President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday criticized the Trump administration for falling "far behind" on its plans to administer COVID-19 vaccines.
In a speech from Wilmington, Del., Biden noted the Trump administration's goal to vaccinate 20 million Americans by the end of December. Two million people have received the vaccine with two days left in the month, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracker.
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"The Trump administration's plan to distribute vaccines is falling far behind," Biden said.
Biden also named new coordinators for supply chain management, vaccinations and testing to his COVID-19 response team.
Bechara Coucair, chief health officer of Kaiser Permanente, will serve as vaccinations coordinator, organizing the delivery of vaccines with state and local officials and ensuring the doses can be administered to the population.
Biden also named Carole Johnson, the commissioner of New Jersey's Department of Human Services, as testing coordinator.
He said Johnson will "coordinate the federal effort to expand COVID-19 testing and the use of testing for an effective public health response" focusing on expanding testing in schools, nursing homes and other at-risk populations and communities most affected by the pandemic.
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Tim Manning, who served as Deputy Administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency for Protection and National Preparedness during the Obama administration, will serve as supply coordinator.
In this role, Manning will coordinate federal efforts on "securing, strengthening and ensuring a sustainable pandemic supply chain" to ensure sufficient personal protective equipment, tests, vaccines and other related supplies.
Biden has pledged to distribute 100 million vaccines and encourage mask-wearing during his first 100 days in office.
On Tuesday he said he would require additional funding from Congress and increased federal involvement in states to carry out the plan, adding that even if 1 million vaccinations were administered each day it would still take months to vaccinate the majority of the U.S. population.
"It will take more time than anyone would like and more time than the promises of the Trump administration. This is going to be the greatest operational challenge we've ever faced as a nation," Biden said. "But we're going to get it done. But it's going to take a vast new effort that's not yet underway."
He added that his administration would launch a "massive public education campaign" to increase vaccine acceptance, acknowledging that Black, Latino and Native American communities "have not always been treated with the dignity and honesty they deserve by the federal government and the scientific community throughout our history."
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Biden praised Congress for passing a $900 billion coronavirus relief bill that was signed by President Donald Trump on Sunday but said more financial aid will be necessary, as an effort to increase individual payments to $2,000 faced a roadblock in the Senate.
"I'll propose a COVID action package early next year and challenge Congress to act on it quickly," he said.


upi--2020-12-29--State Dept. approves $300M bomb sale to Saudi Arabia

Dec. 29 ( UPI ) -- The Trump administration on Tuesday approved a possible $ 300 million arms sale to Saudi Arabia .
The State Department 's Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced it has approved the sale of 3,000 Boeing-made GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb I Munitions and related equipment to the ally Middle Eastern country for $ 290 million .
`` This proposed sale will support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic growth in the Middle East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` there will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale . ''
The State Department said the munitions will increase Saudi Arabia 's stock of long-range , precision air-to-ground munitions that will improve the nation 's `` capability to meet current and future threats . ''
President Donald Trump has sought to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia as the kingdom implements new domestic and foreign policies , and last year he deployed additional troops and military equipment to the country amid an increase in attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeted the kingdom , according to the Congressional Research Service .
In October , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the United States plans to sell arms to Saudi Arabia to combat Iranian aggression in the region .
Last week , The Washington Post , Bloomberg and The Hill reported citing unnamed sources that State Department officials have notified Congress of its intent to sell Saudi Arabia 7,500 Paveway air-to-ground so-called smart bombs for nearly $ 500 billion .
But the Trump administration has received push back for dealing with Saudi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Turkey .
The Trump administration on Tuesday also approved a possible arms deal with Egypt worth $ 104 million and two possible deals worth $ 4.2 billion with Kuwait .

The Trump administration on Tuesday approved the sale of 3,000 Boeing-made GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb I Munitions to Saudi Arabia. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 29 (UPI) -- The Trump administration on Tuesday approved a possible $300 million arms sale to Saudi Arabia. The State Department's Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced it has approved the sale of 3,000 Boeing-made GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb I Munitions and related equipment to the ally Middle Eastern country for $290 million. Advertisement
"This proposed sale will support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic growth in the Middle East," the statement said, adding "there will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale."
The State Department said the munitions will increase Saudi Arabia's stock of long-range, precision air-to-ground munitions that will improve the nation's "capability to meet current and future threats."
President Donald Trump has sought to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia as the kingdom implements new domestic and foreign policies, and last year he deployed additional troops and military equipment to the country amid an increase in attacks the United States blamed on Iran that targeted the kingdom, according to the Congressional Research Service.
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In October, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the United States plans to sell arms to Saudi Arabia to combat Iranian aggression in the region.
Last week, The Washington Post, Bloomberg and The Hill reported citing unnamed sources that State Department officials have notified Congress of its intent to sell Saudi Arabia 7,500 Paveway air-to-ground so-called smart bombs for nearly $500 billion.
But the Trump administration has received push back for dealing with Saudi Arabia, particularly following the 2018 brutal death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Turkey.
The Trump administration on Tuesday also approved a possible arms deal with Egypt worth $104 million and two possible deals worth $4.2 billion with Kuwait.


upi--2020-12-29--Transportation Department announces installation of automatic train brake systems

Dec. 29 ( UPI ) -- U.S. Department of Transportation officials on Tuesday announced the implementation of the positive train control automatic braking system ahead of a federal deadline .
The Federal Railroad Administration announced that the positive train control , or PTC , technology was in operation on all 57,536 required freight and passenger railroad miles ahead of the Thursday deadline set by Congress .
`` Achieving 100 % PTC implementation is a tremendous accomplishment and reflects the Department 's top priorities -- safety , innovation and infrastructure , '' U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said .
The PTC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operators through controls aboard trains and along the tracks .
They can automatically slow trains that exceed speed limits , prevent trains from traveling down the incorrect tracks if switches are in the wrong position and prevent collisions by keeping two trains from being on the same track .
Implementation of PTC systems was mandated by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 for Class I railroads ' main lines that transport more than 5 million or more gross tons of annual traffic and certain hazardous materials as well as main lines where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regularly provided .
Overall , 41 railroads were required to install PTC systems , including seven Class I railroads , Amtrak , 28 commuter railroads and five freight railroads .
Class I railroads invested $ 11.5 billion into the system and the Transportation Department provided $ 3.4 billion in grant and loan funding .

The positive train control systems are operated by train and track operators through controls aboard trains and along the tracks. File Photo by Charles O'Rear/EPA/UPI
Dec. 29 (UPI) -- The Federal Railroad Administration on Tuesday implemented positive train control, or PTC, technology on 57,000 freight and passenger railroad miles, ahead of a Dec. 31 deadline set by Congress. The Federal Railroad Administration announced that the positive train control, or PTC, technology was in operation on all 57,536 required freight and passenger railroad miles ahead of the Thursday deadline set by Congress. Advertisement
"Achieving 100% PTC implementation is a tremendous accomplishment and reflects the Department's top priorities -- safety, innovation and infrastructure," U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said.
The PTC systems are operated by train and track operators through controls aboard trains and along the tracks.
They can automatically slow trains that exceed speed limits, prevent trains from traveling down the incorrect tracks if switches are in the wrong position and prevent collisions by keeping two trains from being on the same track.
Implementation of PTC systems was mandated by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 for Class I railroads' main lines that transport more than 5 million or more gross tons of annual traffic and certain hazardous materials as well as main lines where intercity or commuter rail passenger transportation is regularly provided.
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Overall, 41 railroads were required to install PTC systems, including seven Class I railroads, Amtrak, 28 commuter railroads and five freight railroads.
Class I railroads invested $11.5 billion into the system and the Transportation Department provided $3.4 billion in grant and loan funding.


upi--2020-12-29--Washington Football Team LB Thomas Davis Sr. to retire after 2020 season

Dec. 29 ( UPI ) -- Washington Football Team linebacker Thomas Davis Sr. announced Tuesday on social media that he will retire at the end of the 2020 season .
`` This weekend will be my last regular-season football game ever , '' Davis wrote on Instagram .
`` ...
Sometimes things can happen that cause you to feel unworthy , just know that no man can steal what God had already planned for your life !
`` I 'm extremely blessed and thankful for every opportunity that I 've earned because nothing is ever given to you !
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that God 's plan aligns with yours ! ''
In the post , Davis included a picture of cleats that highlighted his ACL injuries and Pro Bowl selections .
The veteran linebacker endured three torn ACLs in his career , but he overcame those major injuries and earned three trips to the Pro Bowl .
Washington ( 6-9 ) can extend Davis ' last NFL season with a win over the division rival Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday .
If the Football Team beats the Eagles , they will clinch the NFC East .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the league , spending his first 14 with the Carolina Panthers .
He was with the Los Angeles Chargers and Washington the past two seasons .
The Panthers selected Davis in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft out of the University of Georgia .
In 199 career games , he has recorded 1,214 total tackles , 29 sacks , 13 interceptions and 18 forced fumbles .
Davis was the NFL 's Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2014 .

Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis Sr. (L) spent the first 14 years of his NFL career with the Panthers. He signed a one-year deal with Washington earlier this year. File Photo by Brian Westerholt/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Washington Football Team linebacker Thomas Davis Sr. announced Tuesday on social media that he will retire at the end of the 2020 season. "This weekend will be my last regular-season football game ever," Davis wrote on Instagram. "... Sometimes things can happen that cause you to feel unworthy, just know that no man can steal what God had already planned for your life! Advertisement
"I'm extremely blessed and thankful for every opportunity that I've earned because nothing is ever given to you! You work your butt off and you pray that God's plan aligns with yours!"
In the post, Davis included a picture of cleats that highlighted his ACL injuries and Pro Bowl selections. The veteran linebacker endured three torn ACLs in his career, but he overcame those major injuries and earned three trips to the Pro Bowl.
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Washington (6-9) can extend Davis' last NFL season with a win over the division rival Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. If the Football Team beats the Eagles, they will clinch the NFC East.
The 37-year-old Davis has played 16 years in the league, spending his first 14 with the Carolina Panthers. He was with the Los Angeles Chargers and Washington the past two seasons.
The Panthers selected Davis in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft out of the University of Georgia. In 199 career games, he has recorded 1,214 total tackles, 29 sacks, 13 interceptions and 18 forced fumbles.
Davis was the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2014.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-29--Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews out indefinitely due to undisclosed illness

Dec. 29 ( UPI ) -- Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews will miss the start of the 2020-21 NHL season because of an undisclosed illness , the team announced Tuesday .
`` This off-season , I 've been experiencing symptoms that have left me feeling drained and lethargic , '' Toews said in a statement through the team .
`` I am working with doctors so I can better understand my condition .
`` Until I can get my health back to a place where I feel I can perform at an elite level and help my team , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training camp .
I do not have a timetable for when I will rejoin the team .
I am extremely disappointed , but it would n't be fair to myself or my teammates to attempt to play in my current condition . ''
In the statement , Toews thanked the Blackhawks ' coaching staff and front office for their understanding and addressed the organization 's fanbase .
`` To Blackhawks fans , I will continue to do whatever I can to get back on the ice and return to play the game I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Toews said .
`` I will not be making any further comment at this time and ask everyone to please respect my privacy as I focus on my health and recovery . ''
The 32-year-old Toews has been the first-line center of three Stanley Cup-winning teams in Chicago .
He recorded 60 points in 70 games last season .
The star center has notched at least 50 points in every season except one in his 13-year NHL career .
The Blackhawks are set to report to training camp Jan. 3 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews recorded 60 points in 70 games last season. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews will miss the start of the 2020-21 NHL season because of an undisclosed illness, the team announced Tuesday. "This off-season, I've been experiencing symptoms that have left me feeling drained and lethargic," Toews said in a statement through the team. "I am working with doctors so I can better understand my condition. Advertisement
"Until I can get my health back to a place where I feel I can perform at an elite level and help my team, I will not be joining the Blackhawks for training camp. I do not have a timetable for when I will rejoin the team. I am extremely disappointed, but it wouldn't be fair to myself or my teammates to attempt to play in my current condition."
In the statement, Toews thanked the Blackhawks' coaching staff and front office for their understanding and addressed the organization's fanbase.
"To Blackhawks fans, I will continue to do whatever I can to get back on the ice and return to play the game I love for the team I love," Toews said. "I will not be making any further comment at this time and ask everyone to please respect my privacy as I focus on my health and recovery."
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The 32-year-old Toews has been the first-line center of three Stanley Cup-winning teams in Chicago. He recorded 60 points in 70 games last season. The star center has notched at least 50 points in every season except one in his 13-year NHL career.
The Blackhawks are set to report to training camp Jan. 3. The 2020-21 season will begin 10 days later.


upi--2020-12-29--Mnuchin says $600 payments on the way; McConnell blocks vote for $2,000 stimulus

Dec. 29 ( UPI ) -- Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said $ 600 payments would begin to be delivered Tuesday night , as Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell blocked an effort by President Donald Trump and Democrats to increase stimulus payments to Americans .
Mnuchin announced that the Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service would begin delivering the $ 600 payments included in the $ 900 billion COVID-19 relief bill signed into law by President Donald Trump over the weekend as early as Tuesday night through direct deposit , with paper checks being mailed out Wednesday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unprecedented speed to issue a second round of Economic Impact Payments to eligible Americans and their families , '' he said .
All eyes were on the Senate earlier in the day to see if the chamber would agree to demands by Democrats and Trump to increase the amount from $ 600 in the current relief package to $ 2,000 .
The House passed the increase on Monday .
There was Republican opposition in the House -- 134 voted against the raise Monday -- and there has been opposition in the Senate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which included both Georgia Sens .
Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue , were sidetracked by McConnell on Tuesday .
Instead , McConnell said the upper chamber would begin a process to consider larger stimulus payments and tie it to resolving two other Trump complaints -- election security and removing federal protections for technology companies such as Facebook and Twitter .
McConnell 's move is a direct rejection of what Trump has repeatedly called for and could produce significant political backlash for Republicans as millions of Americans continue to struggle financially during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold another vote this week to again pass the raise , but it 's not clear what McConnell 's endgame is .
Following Monday 's House vote , Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer put the onus directly on McConnell , who waited for days to make any public comments on the proposal to give Americans more money .
`` Following the strong bipartisan vote in the House , [ Tuesday ] I will move to pass the legislation in the Senate to quickly deliver Americans with $ 2,000 emergency checks , '' Schumer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Democrat is for this much-needed increase in emergency financial relief , which can be approved tomorrow if no Republican blocks it -- there is no good reason for Senate Republicans to stand in the way .
`` There 's strong support for these $ 2,000 emergency checks from every corner of the country , '' he added .
`` Leader McConnell ought to make sure Senate Republicans do not stand in the way of helping to meet the needs of American workers and families who are crying out for help . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ all 100 senators had agreed to the raise .
With McConnell 's block , it could now take days or weeks for the Senate to debate and convene a roll call vote for whatever agreement it finds .
Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , on Monday piled on pressure by threatening to filibuster a vote to override Trump 's veto of a defense funding bill unless the chamber votes on the stimulus raise .
`` I 'm going to object until we get a vote on legislation to provide a $ 2,000 direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders said in a statement .
`` Let me be clear : If Sen. McConnell does n't agree to an up or down vote to provide the working people of our country a $ 2,000 direct payment , Congress will not be going home for New Year 's Eve .
Let 's do our job . ''
Trump , who said Sunday he had GOP support in the Senate for the raise , added more muscle to his demand Monday night -- underscoring what has turned into an extremely rare alliance with House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Give the people $ 2,000 , not $ 600 , '' he tweeted .
`` They have suffered enough ! ''
Long-standing GOP opposition to greater COVID-19 emergency spending is the chief reason a relief bill was deadlocked in Congress for months .
And so McConnell 's choice was to relent a bit and send more money to struggling Americans -- or directly oppose Trump in the final weeks of his administration and risk political backlash in the coming Senate runoffs in Georgia , which could cede control of the chamber to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats approved a $ 3 trillion relief package in May , which would have funded more stimulus payments , unemployment benefits , coronavirus testing and $ 1 trillion to states and cities .
Senate Republicans and Trump never took a serious look at the bill .
Over the summer , Pelosi and Schumer negotiated with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and Mnuchin to find a compromise , but failed .
Democrats refused to consider a bill costing less than $ 2 trillion .
McConnell called the figure too high and Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' $ 500 billion relief bill , which included no stimulus and was quickly rejected by Democrats as `` emaciated . ''
It was n't until this month , amid a historic surge in COVID-19 cases , that bipartisan support coalesced around the $ 900 billion `` compromise '' relief measure .
It passed with overwhelming majorities in both chambers last week .

1/2
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said direct deposit payments could begin Tuesday and paper checks will start to be mailed out Wednesday. Pool Photo by Alex Wong/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said $600 payments would begin to be delivered Tuesday night, as Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell blocked an effort by President Donald Trump and Democrats to increase stimulus payments to Americans. Mnuchin announced that the Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service would begin delivering the $600 payments included in the $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill signed into law by President Donald Trump over the weekend as early as Tuesday night through direct deposit, with paper checks being mailed out Wednesday. Advertisement
"Treasury and the IRS are working with unprecedented speed to issue a second round of Economic Impact Payments to eligible Americans and their families," he said.
All eyes were on the Senate earlier in the day to see if the chamber would agree to demands by Democrats and Trump to increase the amount from $600 in the current relief package to $2,000. The House passed the increase on Monday.
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There was Republican opposition in the House -- 134 voted against the raise Monday -- and there has been opposition in the Senate. But recent GOP support for the proposal, which included both Georgia Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, were sidetracked by McConnell on Tuesday.
Instead, McConnell said the upper chamber would begin a process to consider larger stimulus payments and tie it to resolving two other Trump complaints -- election security and removing federal protections for technology companies such as Facebook and Twitter.
McConnell's move is a direct rejection of what Trump has repeatedly called for and could produce significant political backlash for Republicans as millions of Americans continue to struggle financially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Democrats are expected to hold another vote this week to again pass the raise, but it's not clear what McConnell's endgame is.
Following Monday's House vote, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer put the onus directly on McConnell, who waited for days to make any public comments on the proposal to give Americans more money.
"Following the strong bipartisan vote in the House, [Tuesday] I will move to pass the legislation in the Senate to quickly deliver Americans with $2,000 emergency checks," Schumer said in a statement.
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"Every Senate Democrat is for this much-needed increase in emergency financial relief, which can be approved tomorrow if no Republican blocks it -- there is no good reason for Senate Republicans to stand in the way.
"There's strong support for these $2,000 emergency checks from every corner of the country," he added. "Leader McConnell ought to make sure Senate Republicans do not stand in the way of helping to meet the needs of American workers and families who are crying out for help."
The measure would have passed Tuesday if all 100 senators had agreed to the raise. With McConnell's block, it could now take days or weeks for the Senate to debate and convene a roll call vote for whatever agreement it finds.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., on Monday piled on pressure by threatening to filibuster a vote to override Trump's veto of a defense funding bill unless the chamber votes on the stimulus raise.
"I'm going to object until we get a vote on legislation to provide a $2,000 direct payment to the working class," Sanders said in a statement.
"Let me be clear: If Sen. McConnell doesn't agree to an up or down vote to provide the working people of our country a $2,000 direct payment, Congress will not be going home for New Year's Eve. Let's do our job."
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Trump, who said Sunday he had GOP support in the Senate for the raise, added more muscle to his demand Monday night -- underscoring what has turned into an extremely rare alliance with House Democrats, seemingly against Senate Republicans.
"Give the people $2,000, not $600," he tweeted. "They have suffered enough!"
Long-standing GOP opposition to greater COVID-19 emergency spending is the chief reason a relief bill was deadlocked in Congress for months. And so McConnell's choice was to relent a bit and send more money to struggling Americans -- or directly oppose Trump in the final weeks of his administration and risk political backlash in the coming Senate runoffs in Georgia, which could cede control of the chamber to Democrats.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats approved a $3 trillion relief package in May, which would have funded more stimulus payments, unemployment benefits, coronavirus testing and $1 trillion to states and cities. Senate Republicans and Trump never took a serious look at the bill.
Over the summer, Pelosi and Schumer negotiated with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and Mnuchin to find a compromise, but failed. Democrats refused to consider a bill costing less than $2 trillion.
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McConnell called the figure too high and Senate Republicans in September unveiled a "skinny" $500 billion relief bill, which included no stimulus and was quickly rejected by Democrats as "emaciated."
It wasn't until this month, amid a historic surge in COVID-19 cases, that bipartisan support coalesced around the $900 billion "compromise" relief measure. It passed with overwhelming majorities in both chambers last week.
Pictures of the Year: top U.S. news images for 2020


upi--2020-12-29--Justice Department declines to charge Cleveland officers in Tamir Rice shooting

Dec. 29 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Justice Department declined to charge the Cleveland officers involved in the fatal 2014 shooting of Tamir Rice , closing its investigation Tuesday .
An independent federal investigation into the Nov. 22 , 2014 , shooting of the 12-year-old Black boy seen playing with a toy gun at a park `` found insufficient evidence to support federal criminal charges '' against Cleveland Division of Police officers Timothy Loehmann and Frank Garmback , '' the Justice Department said in a statement .
The statement said that Rice 's family attorneys were notified of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` explaining the findings of the investigation and reasons for the decision . ''
Loehmann shot Rice twice as the officers responded to a 911 call reporting a male who was `` probably a juvenile '' pointing a `` probably fake '' gun at people in a playground at Cudell Park Recreation Center .
Rice died in a hospital the next day .
The Justice Department 's statement said the dispatcher `` did not relay that the individual might be a juvenile or that the gun might be fake '' and that officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Loehmann gave Tamir multiple commands to show his hands before shooting and both officers repeatedly and consistently said that they saw Tamir reaching for his gun . ''
`` Based on the evidence and the high burdens of the applicable federal laws , career prosecutors have concluded that there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Tamir did not reach for his toy gun ; thus , there is insufficient evidence to establish that officer Loehmann acted unreasonably under the circumstances , '' the Justice Department said .
In 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pursue charges against Loehmann and Garmback .
Loehmann was fired in 2017 due to inaccuracies in his application form and Garmback was suspended for 10 days for violating a tactical rule by driving too close to Rice on the day of the shooting .

The U.S. Justice Department closed its investigation into the 2014 fatal shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice, declining to charge the officers who responded to the scene. UPI File Photo handout
Dec. 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. Justice Department declined to charge the Cleveland officers involved in the fatal 2014 shooting of Tamir Rice, closing its investigation Tuesday. An independent federal investigation into the Nov. 22, 2014, shooting of the 12-year-old Black boy seen playing with a toy gun at a park "found insufficient evidence to support federal criminal charges" against Cleveland Division of Police officers Timothy Loehmann and Frank Garmback," the Justice Department said in a statement. Advertisement
The statement said that Rice's family attorneys were notified of the decision Monday and also sent a letter "explaining the findings of the investigation and reasons for the decision."
Loehmann shot Rice twice as the officers responded to a 911 call reporting a male who was "probably a juvenile" pointing a "probably fake" gun at people in a playground at Cudell Park Recreation Center.
Rice died in a hospital the next day.
The Justice Department's statement said the dispatcher "did not relay that the individual might be a juvenile or that the gun might be fake" and that officers "repeatedly and consistently stated that officer Loehmann gave Tamir multiple commands to show his hands before shooting and both officers repeatedly and consistently said that they saw Tamir reaching for his gun."
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"Based on the evidence and the high burdens of the applicable federal laws, career prosecutors have concluded that there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Tamir did not reach for his toy gun; thus, there is insufficient evidence to establish that officer Loehmann acted unreasonably under the circumstances," the Justice Department said.
In 2015, an Ohio grand jury did not pursue charges against Loehmann and Garmback. Loehmann was fired in 2017 due to inaccuracies in his application form and Garmback was suspended for 10 days for violating a tactical rule by driving too close to Rice on the day of the shooting.


upi--2020-12-29--Boston removes statue of Lincoln, kneeling formerly enslaved Black man

Dec. 29 ( UPI ) -- Boston city workers on Tuesday removed a controversial statue of former President Abraham Lincoln standing before a kneeling freed slave which has stood downtown for more than 140 years .
The Boston Art Commission voted in June to relocate The Emancipation Group statue , after critics described it as `` demeaning '' toward formerly enslaved Black people .
`` Over the course of two public hearings that allowed hundreds of residents to express their feelings , and after taking into account the petition from local artist Tory Bullock that gained more than 12,000 signatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pleased to have taken it down this morning , '' a representative for Mayor Marty Walsh told Boston.com .
Religious leaders protested the sculpture , also known as Freedman 's Memorial , amid a wave of anti-racism demonstrations that overtook the country over the summer .
Other cities took similar actions to remove statues and memorials honoring Confederate leaders and soldiers .
As part of the decision to remove the statue from Park Square , the art commission required that the piece be documented by photography , drawing and a 3D scan as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was placed in temporary storage .
There will also be a public event and permanent signage to educate the public on the statue 's history .
The commission also will determine where to reinstall the statue in a publicly accessible location along with information contextualizing its history .
The statue , a replica of one that stands in Lincoln Park in Washington , D.C. , was erected in 1879 .
It was designed by Boston artist Thomas Ball and paid for by donations made by the formerly enslaved .
It features an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emancipation Proclamation standing over a kneeling , nearly nude freed slave with broken shackles on his wrists .
Critics have taken issue with the imagery of a fully clothed White man looming over a barely clothed Black man crouching on the ground -- a visual depiction of the implied power dynamics between the two races .
`` It 's demeaning , with the Black man on his knees , with Lincoln 's hand over his head -- and what bothered me most when I looked at it the other day was , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chains on his hands , '' the Rev .
Miniard Culpepper , pastor at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church , said .

Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Boston city workers on Tuesday removed a controversial statue of former President Abraham Lincoln standing before a kneeling freed slave which has stood downtown for more than 140 years.
The Boston Art Commission voted in June to relocate The Emancipation Group statue, after critics described it as "demeaning" toward formerly enslaved Black people.
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"Over the course of two public hearings that allowed hundreds of residents to express their feelings, and after taking into account the petition from local artist Tory Bullock that gained more than 12,000 signatures to remove the statue, we're pleased to have taken it down this morning," a representative for Mayor Marty Walsh told Boston.com.
Religious leaders protested the sculpture, also known as Freedman's Memorial, amid a wave of anti-racism demonstrations that overtook the country over the summer. Other cities took similar actions to remove statues and memorials honoring Confederate leaders and soldiers.
As part of the decision to remove the statue from Park Square, the art commission required that the piece be documented by photography, drawing and a 3D scan as well as by a written history before it was placed in temporary storage. There will also be a public event and permanent signage to educate the public on the statue's history.
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The commission also will determine where to reinstall the statue in a publicly accessible location along with information contextualizing its history.
The statue, a replica of one that stands in Lincoln Park in Washington, D.C., was erected in 1879. It was designed by Boston artist Thomas Ball and paid for by donations made by the formerly enslaved.
It features an upright Lincoln holding a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation standing over a kneeling, nearly nude freed slave with broken shackles on his wrists.
Critics have taken issue with the imagery of a fully clothed White man looming over a barely clothed Black man crouching on the ground -- a visual depiction of the implied power dynamics between the two races.
"It's demeaning, with the Black man on his knees, with Lincoln's hand over his head -- and what bothered me most when I looked at it the other day was, the Black man on his knees still has the chains on his hands," the Rev. Miniard Culpepper, pastor at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, said.


upi--2020-12-29--Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant to miss at least three weeks with ankle sprain

Dec. 29 ( UPI ) -- Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant will miss 3-5 weeks because of a Grade 2 left ankle sprain , the team announced .
The Grizzlies said Tuesday that Morant underwent an MRI , which revealed the severity of the sprain after initial X-rays on Monday showed no fracture .
The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year reacted to the news on social media , indicating he will return from the injury soon .
Morant was injured in the first half of the Grizzlies ' 116-111 overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot by Nets forward Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and landed awkwardly on Luwawu-Cabarrot 's foot .
The second-year guard -- unable to put any weight on his left leg -- immediately hopped over to the sideline and collapsed next to the Grizzlies ' bench .
He rolled around on the floor in pain while the team 's medical staff ran over to attend to him .
After a few minutes , a trainer brought a wheelchair over and Morant 's teammates helped him into the chair .
He was then wheeled back to the locker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the game .
The Grizzlies already are without forward Jaren Jackson Jr. , who is recovering from knee surgery , and Justise Winslow , who is making his way back from a left hip injury .
The 21-year-old Morant was off to a hot start in the 2020-21 season , averaging 36 points and eight assists through two games .
He opened the year with a 44-point outburst against the San Antonio Spurs .
Morant averaged 17.8 points and 7.3 assists per game in the 2019-20 campaign .

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant was injured in the first half of the Grizzlies' 116-111 overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night. File Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA-EFE
Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant will miss 3-5 weeks because of a Grade 2 left ankle sprain, the team announced. The Grizzlies said Tuesday that Morant underwent an MRI, which revealed the severity of the sprain after initial X-rays on Monday showed no fracture. Advertisement
The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year reacted to the news on social media, indicating he will return from the injury soon.
i know God is working, so i smile #dagetback pic.twitter.com/5Nzr0dqNnh— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) December 29, 2020
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) December 29, 2020
Morant was injured in the first half of the Grizzlies' 116-111 overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night. He attempted to block a shot by Nets forward Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and landed awkwardly on Luwawu-Cabarrot's foot.
The second-year guard -- unable to put any weight on his left leg -- immediately hopped over to the sideline and collapsed next to the Grizzlies' bench. He rolled around on the floor in pain while the team's medical staff ran over to attend to him.
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After a few minutes, a trainer brought a wheelchair over and Morant's teammates helped him into the chair. He was then wheeled back to the locker room and ruled out for the remainder of the game.
The Grizzlies already are without forward Jaren Jackson Jr., who is recovering from knee surgery, and Justise Winslow, who is making his way back from a left hip injury.
The 21-year-old Morant was off to a hot start in the 2020-21 season, averaging 36 points and eight assists through two games. He opened the year with a 44-point outburst against the San Antonio Spurs.
Morant averaged 17.8 points and 7.3 assists per game in the 2019-20 campaign.


upi--2020-12-29--State Department approves possible $4.2B in weapons sales to Kuwait

Dec. 29 ( UPI ) -- The State Department approved two possible arms sales to Kuwait totaling $ 4.2 billion Tuesday .
Per the larger of the two deals , for $ 4 billion , Kuwait 's government has asked to buy 24 AH-64E Apache helicopters -- eight new and 16 remanufactured -- along with related equipment , according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency .
The deal , if approved , would also include 22 T700-GE 701D engines , 36 remanufactured T700-GE 701D engines as well as support equipment , tools and test equipment , technical data and publications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Boeing , Lockheed Martin and General Electric .
Under the second possible deal , for $ 200 million , the United States would sell spare parts to upgrade Kuwait 's Patriot missile systems .
The principal contractor for that deal , if it 's approved , would be Raytheon .
The DSCA 's rationale for both deals was the same : `` The proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally that is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progress in the Middle East . ''
The DSCA 's announcement of the Patriot missile deal also notes that , the United States approves the sale , it would ensure Kuwait 's systems continue to be interoperable with U.S. systems .
The helicopter deal , according to the DSCA , `` will supplement and improve Kuwait 's capability to meet current and future threats by enhancing Kuwait 's close air support , armed reconnaissance , and antitank warfare mission capabilities . ''
In May the State Department approved a possible $ 425 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missile system , and in July it approved a possible $ 59.6 million deal to sell various M1A2K training ammunition and related equipment to Kuwait .

A Patriot missile launcher sat Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, Nov. 20. Photo by Staff Sgt. Kenneth Boyton/U.S. Air Force
Dec. 29 (UPI) -- The State Department approved two possible arms sales to Kuwait totaling $4.2 billion Tuesday. Per the larger of the two deals, for $4 billion, Kuwait's government has asked to buy 24 AH-64E Apache helicopters -- eight new and 16 remanufactured -- along with related equipment, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. Advertisement
The deal, if approved, would also include 22 T700-GE 701D engines, 36 remanufactured T700-GE 701D engines as well as support equipment, tools and test equipment, technical data and publications.
The deal lists six principal contractors, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin and General Electric.
Under the second possible deal, for $200 million, the United States would sell spare parts to upgrade Kuwait's Patriot missile systems.
The principal contractor for that deal, if it's approved, would be Raytheon.
The DSCA's rationale for both deals was the same: "The proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East."
The DSCA's announcement of the Patriot missile deal also notes that, the United States approves the sale, it would ensure Kuwait's systems continue to be interoperable with U.S. systems.
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The helicopter deal, according to the DSCA, "will supplement and improve Kuwait's capability to meet current and future threats by enhancing Kuwait's close air support, armed reconnaissance, and antitank warfare mission capabilities."
In May the State Department approved a possible $425 million deal for work on Kuwait's Patriot missile system, and in July it approved a possible $59.6 million deal to sell various M1A2K training ammunition and related equipment to Kuwait.


upi--2020-12-29--Colorado confirms first U.S. case of new, more infectious COVID-19 strain

Dec. 29 ( UPI ) -- Colorado health officials on Tuesday confirmed the first case of a new and potentially more infectious strain of COVID-19 in the United States .
The new strain , which appears to spread faster than other forms of the virus , first was identified earlier this month in Britain and South Africa .
Early research on the strain indicates it 's at least partly to blame for a recent spike in cases in both countries .
`` Today , we discovered Colorado 's first case of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 , the same variant discovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Jared Polis tweeted .
`` The health and safety of Coloradans is our top priority and we will monitor this case , as well as all COVID-19 indicators , very closely . ''
The infected individual is in isolation in Elbert County , south of Denver , according to Polis .
Health officials said the man , who is in his 20s , has no history of travel to Britain or South Africa .
The new strain has also been spotted in France , Spain and Sweden , according to officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they have notified the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , which said earlier this month that the strain already could be circulating across the country due to travel .

Health officials in Colorado confirmed the first U.S. patient to have a more contagious strain of the coronavirus that was discovered to be circulating earlier this month in Britain. Illustration courtesy of CDC
Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Colorado health officials on Tuesday confirmed the first case of a new and potentially more infectious strain of COVID-19 in the United States. The new strain, which appears to spread faster than other forms of the virus, first was identified earlier this month in Britain and South Africa. Advertisement
Early research on the strain indicates it's at least partly to blame for a recent spike in cases in both countries.
"Today, we discovered Colorado's first case of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7, the same variant discovered in [Britain]," Colorado Gov. Jared Polis tweeted.
"The health and safety of Coloradans is our top priority and we will monitor this case, as well as all COVID-19 indicators, very closely."
The infected individual is in isolation in Elbert County, south of Denver, according to Polis.
Health officials said the man, who is in his 20s, has no history of travel to Britain or South Africa.
The new strain has also been spotted in France, Spain and Sweden, according to officials in those countries.
Colorado health officials said they have notified the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which said earlier this month that the strain already could be circulating across the country due to travel.


upi--2020-12-29--Woman who doesn't play lottery wins $800,000 from Christmas gift

Dec. 29 ( UPI ) -- An Australian woman who has n't purchased a lottery ticket in a decade won a jackpot of more than $ 800,000 , thanks to a ticket she received as a Christmas gift from her family .
The Hobart , Tasmania , woman told The Lott officials her $ 807,778.58 jackpot from Saturday 's TattsLotto drawing was made all the more shocking by the fact that she never plays the lottery .
`` I actually never buy TattsLotto tickets .
I received this one as a gift for Christmas from my family , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't bought a ticket in a decade .
I did n't even know how to check the ticket .
I had to get my husband to check it for me . ''
The winner said she plans to pay back her family members for the unexpectedly valuable gift .
`` I want to share some with my family , especially since they gave me the ticket , '' she said .
`` My kids will each get a decent sum so they can put some toward getting a home each .
Hopefully , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It certainly changes a lot for me . ''

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Dec. 29 (UPI) -- An Australian woman who hasn't purchased a lottery ticket in a decade won a jackpot of more than $800,000, thanks to a ticket she received as a Christmas gift from her family.
The Hobart, Tasmania, woman told The Lott officials her $807,778.58 jackpot from Saturday's TattsLotto drawing was made all the more shocking by the fact that she never plays the lottery.
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"I actually never buy TattsLotto tickets. I received this one as a gift for Christmas from my family," the woman said. "I probably haven't bought a ticket in a decade. I didn't even know how to check the ticket. I had to get my husband to check it for me."
The winner said she plans to pay back her family members for the unexpectedly valuable gift.
"I want to share some with my family, especially since they gave me the ticket," she said. "My kids will each get a decent sum so they can put some toward getting a home each. Hopefully, the rest I can use to retire. It certainly changes a lot for me."


upi--2020-12-29--College football players underestimate concussion, injury risks

Dec. 29 ( UPI ) -- It 's broadly understood that football is an inherently dangerous sport , but not everyone perceives risk the same way -- and sometimes , perception does n't match reality .
New research suggests college football players regularly underestimate their risk of injury or concussion .
The study findings , published Tuesday in the journal JAMA Network Open , could have ethical and legal implications , as well as influence discussions about the health and safety of student athletes .
For the study , researchers interviewed 296 college football players from four teams , all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Power Five conferences .
Players were asked a variety of questions crafted to illuminate their perception of injury risk .
Researchers compared their responses to the predictions of a model designed to simulate injury and concussion risks based on real data .
The analysis revealed between 43 and 91 percent of players underestimated their risk of injury .
Additionally , Between 42 and 63 percent underestimated their risk of concussion .
Authors of the new study -- including Christine Baugh , an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Colorado School of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk .
At the same time , Baugh and company suggest the potential cost of underestimating injury and concussion risk is greater for football players .
`` That athletes underestimated their risk of concussion and injury in this study raises important ethical considerations , '' researchers wrote in the paper .
`` What is the threshold for college athletes to be sufficiently informed of the risks and benefits of football to make decisions that align with their values and preferences ? ''
While the experience of playing a dangerous sport may not help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injury , the experience of getting injured can influence a player 's risk of getting injured again .
Previous studies have found that football players who get a concussion are at an increased risk of suffering a lower extremity or core injury .
They 're also at an increased risk of suffering another concussion .

Research suggests that college football players underestimate their risk for injury or concussion. File Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 29 (UPI) -- It's broadly understood that football is an inherently dangerous sport, but not everyone perceives risk the same way -- and sometimes, perception doesn't match reality. New research suggests college football players regularly underestimate their risk of injury or concussion. Advertisement
The study findings, published Tuesday in the journal JAMA Network Open, could have ethical and legal implications, as well as influence discussions about the health and safety of student athletes.
For the study, researchers interviewed 296 college football players from four teams, all members of one of the NCAA's Power Five conferences. Players were asked a variety of questions crafted to illuminate their perception of injury risk.
Researchers compared their responses to the predictions of a model designed to simulate injury and concussion risks based on real data.
The analysis revealed between 43 and 91 percent of players underestimated their risk of injury. Additionally, Between 42 and 63 percent underestimated their risk of concussion.
Authors of the new study -- including Christine Baugh, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine -- acknowledged that most people underestimate risk.
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At the same time, Baugh and company suggest the potential cost of underestimating injury and concussion risk is greater for football players.
"That athletes underestimated their risk of concussion and injury in this study raises important ethical considerations," researchers wrote in the paper. "What is the threshold for college athletes to be sufficiently informed of the risks and benefits of football to make decisions that align with their values and preferences?"
While the experience of playing a dangerous sport may not help football players accurately assess their risk of injury, the experience of getting injured can influence a player's risk of getting injured again.
Previous studies have found that football players who get a concussion are at an increased risk of suffering a lower extremity or core injury. They're also at an increased risk of suffering another concussion.


upi--2020-12-29--Watch: Man tracks down author of 37-year-old diaries in crawlspace of home

Dec. 29 ( UPI ) -- A Toronto man used social media to track down a woman whose childhood journals were found in the crawlspace of his parents ' home 37 years after they were hidden .
Nick Gunz said his parents found the two notebooks , which bore dates from 1983 , in the crawlspace of their home in the Etobicoke area of the city .
Gunz posted photos of the notebooks on Twitter , hoping to track down the Alison Jenkins whose thoughts filled the pages of the books when she was about 9 or 10 years old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jenkins ' privacy while searching through the notebooks for her information .
`` Honestly , the intent of the author could not be clearer .
This was a 9- to 10-year-old child who wants people to stay out of her writing , '' he told CTV News .
`` We did n't want this 10-year-old kid , across the gulf of decades , to feel pried in upon . ''
Gunz said his tweet quickly went viral and soon was spotted by people who knew Jenkins , a Vancouver music teacher with an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was initially skeptical of the messages she received from strangers on Facebook .
`` I thought it was a scam and then I looked at one of the links that they sent and it was a picture of the house that I lived in Toronto and my heart started beating fast , '' Jenkins said .
`` I still thought it might be just a weird scam thing so I Googled the story and as soon as I saw the writing on the diary , I was like , 'oh yeah .
Yeah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' '' Gunz and Jenkins are now coordinating to have the books returned to their owner .
Jenkins praised Gunz for respecting the privacy of her childhood thoughts .
`` I am really touched .
I was so impressed .
Nick was so respectful to not read them , '' she said .
`` I do n't think I would have been that nice . ''

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Dec. 29 (UPI) -- A Toronto man used social media to track down a woman whose childhood journals were found in the crawlspace of his parents' home 37 years after they were hidden.
Nick Gunz said his parents found the two notebooks, which bore dates from 1983, in the crawlspace of their home in the Etobicoke area of the city.
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Gunz posted photos of the notebooks on Twitter, hoping to track down the Alison Jenkins whose thoughts filled the pages of the books when she was about 9 or 10 years old.
Gunz said he tried to respect Jenkins' privacy while searching through the notebooks for her information.
"Honestly, the intent of the author could not be clearer. This was a 9- to 10-year-old child who wants people to stay out of her writing," he told CTV News. "We didn't want this 10-year-old kid, across the gulf of decades, to feel pried in upon."
Gunz said his tweet quickly went viral and soon was spotted by people who knew Jenkins, a Vancouver music teacher with an active YouTube presence.
Jenkins said she was initially skeptical of the messages she received from strangers on Facebook.
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"I thought it was a scam and then I looked at one of the links that they sent and it was a picture of the house that I lived in Toronto and my heart started beating fast," Jenkins said. "I still thought it might be just a weird scam thing so I Googled the story and as soon as I saw the writing on the diary, I was like, 'oh yeah. Yeah, that's me for sure.'"
Gunz and Jenkins are now coordinating to have the books returned to their owner. Jenkins praised Gunz for respecting the privacy of her childhood thoughts.
"I am really touched. I was so impressed. Nick was so respectful to not read them," she said. "I don't think I would have been that nice."


upi--2020-12-29--Russian COVID-19 cases three times higher than reported, official says

Dec. 29 ( UPI ) -- Russia released new figures this week showing it had nearly 230,000 extra deaths through November compared with the same period in 2019 , indicating the country 's COVID-19 death toll is likely three times higher than reported , the deputy prime minister said .
Rosstat , the country 's statistics agency , said 229,700 more people died in the first 11 months of 2020 compared with the first 11 months of 2019 .
Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova told state-run Interfax news agency that most of those extra deaths -- 186,000 -- are due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia 's coronavirus crisis center uses narrow guidelines for how it counts its COVID-19 deaths , it 's reported less than a third of that figure -- 55,000 .
Russia has the eighth-highest number of deaths in the world , but the fourth-highest number of cases .
The 186,000 figure , though , would give Russia the third-highest numbers of deaths behind the United States ( 337,000 ) and Brazil ( 191,000 ) .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has used the country 's lower fatality rate to boast of his handling of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference earlier this month , he praised Russia 's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine , which he said has 97 % efficacy .
`` Russia is the first country in the world , which has invented ... and started to produce [ a ] vaccine , '' he said .
`` And we have a good vaccine [ that is ] both safe and effective . ''
Though it 's being publicly administered in Russia , Belarus and Argentina , the vaccine has n't completed Phase 3 human trials .
An international group of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September , saying they noticed several instances of apparently duplication in reports of human antibody response .

A Russian medic inoculates a woman with Russia's vaccine against COVID-19 disease at a clinic in Moscow on December 5. Photo by Maxim Shipenkov/EPA-EFE
Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Russia released new figures this week showing it had nearly 230,000 extra deaths through November compared with the same period in 2019, indicating the country's COVID-19 death toll is likely three times higher than reported, the deputy prime minister said. Rosstat, the country's statistics agency, said 229,700 more people died in the first 11 months of 2020 compared with the first 11 months of 2019. Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova told state-run Interfax news agency that most of those extra deaths -- 186,000 -- are due to the novel coronavirus. Advertisement
But because Russia's coronavirus crisis center uses narrow guidelines for how it counts its COVID-19 deaths, it's reported less than a third of that figure -- 55,000.
Russia has the eighth-highest number of deaths in the world, but the fourth-highest number of cases. The 186,000 figure, though, would give Russia the third-highest numbers of deaths behind the United States (337,000) and Brazil (191,000).
Russian President Vladimir Putin has used the country's lower fatality rate to boast of his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. At a year-end news conference earlier this month, he praised Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, which he said has 97% efficacy.
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"Russia is the first country in the world, which has invented ... and started to produce [a] vaccine," he said. "And we have a good vaccine [that is] both safe and effective."
Though it's being publicly administered in Russia, Belarus and Argentina, the vaccine hasn't completed Phase 3 human trials. An international group of scientists raised concerns about the trials in September, saying they noticed several instances of apparently duplication in reports of human antibody response.


upi--2020-12-29--S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite snap three-day winning streaks

Dec. 29 ( UPI ) -- The S & P 500 and Nasdaq Composite snapped three-day winning streaks on Tuesday after all three major U.S. markets hit new records to start the week .
Despite all three major indexes rising to start the day , the S & P 500 dropped 0.22 % at the end of the day and the Nasdaq Composite slid 0.38 % .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average also fell 68.30 points , or 0.22 % .
While markets started the week strong after President Donald Trump signed the long-awaited $ 900 billion COVID-19 relief bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell on Tuesday blocked efforts to raise direct payments to individuals included in the bill to $ 2,000 .
Trump on Tuesday tweeted that Republicans should approve the increased payments unless they `` have a death wish , '' but also called for the Senate to approve a repeal of Section 230 , which provides federal protections for technology companies like Facebook and Twitter , and to take action on his repeated claims of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election .
Apple dropped 1.33 % and Home Depot fell 1.14 % to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Intel helped to avoid a major dip in the index , rising 4.93 % .
While markets fell Tuesday , all three major indexes remain up for the year as tech stocks have propelled the Nasdaq up 42.7 % amid the pandemic , while the S & P has gained 15 % and the Dow has climbed 5.9 % .
`` After a tumultuous year , stocks look almost certain to end 2020 on a high as there is no sign that the global flood of fiscal and monetary stimulus is about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boyadjian , senior investment analyst at XM , said according to MarketWatch .
`` And with vaccine rollouts gathering pace , it is easy for investors to look past the daily grim headlines of record COVID infections and deaths . ''

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite snapped three-day winning streaks on Tuesday as Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell blocked an effort to increase stimulus payments to Americans to $2,000. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 29 (UPI) -- The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite snapped three-day winning streaks on Tuesday after all three major U.S. markets hit new records to start the week. Despite all three major indexes rising to start the day, the S&P 500 dropped 0.22% at the end of the day and the Nasdaq Composite slid 0.38%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also fell 68.30 points, or 0.22%. Advertisement
While markets started the week strong after President Donald Trump signed the long-awaited $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill on Monday, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday blocked efforts to raise direct payments to individuals included in the bill to $2,000.
Trump on Tuesday tweeted that Republicans should approve the increased payments unless they "have a death wish," but also called for the Senate to approve a repeal of Section 230, which provides federal protections for technology companies like Facebook and Twitter, and to take action on his repeated claims of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
Apple dropped 1.33% and Home Depot fell 1.14% to drag the Dow lower Tuesday, however, Intel helped to avoid a major dip in the index, rising 4.93%.
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While markets fell Tuesday, all three major indexes remain up for the year as tech stocks have propelled the Nasdaq up 42.7% amid the pandemic, while the S&P has gained 15% and the Dow has climbed 5.9%.
"After a tumultuous year, stocks look almost certain to end 2020 on a high as there is no sign that the global flood of fiscal and monetary stimulus is about to be scaled back," Raffi Boyadjian, senior investment analyst at XM, said according to MarketWatch. "And with vaccine rollouts gathering pace, it is easy for investors to look past the daily grim headlines of record COVID infections and deaths."


upi--2020-12-29--Study: Cancer survivors at higher risk for second cancer

Cancer survivors are at greater risk of developing another cancer and dying from it , a new study finds .
These new cancers can result from a genetic predisposition , from treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy used to fight the first cancer , as well as from unhealthy lifestyles such as smoking and obesity , according to researchers from the American Cancer Society .
Some of these factors ca n't be controlled , but others can , noted lead researcher Dr. Ahmedin Jemal , a senior vice president at the society .
`` We can do a lot for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` We have to get primary care clinicians to do a more concerted effort to educate , or counsel , their patients . ''
Jemal added that screening smokers for breast , cervical , colon and lung cancer is essential .
Dr. Alice Police , regional director of breast surgery at Northwell Health Cancer Institute in Sleepy Hollow , N.Y. , said not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight can go a long way in keeping a second cancer at bay .
`` More and more data are showing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients , '' said Police , who was not part of the study .
`` Particularly in breast cancer , we have a ton of data showing that those things will help prevent the second breast cancer . ''
She regularly speaks to patients about the importance of diet , exercise and smoking cessation in cancer prevention .
`` We 're not as good at that in this country as they are in Europe and other countries , '' Police said .
`` We 're still mostly a fee-for-service medical establishment , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does , and that 's really a problem in the U.S. '' Drawing from 12 cancer-tracking registries , the researchers collected data on more than 1.5 million Americans who beat cancer between 1992 and 2017 .
Among the survivors , more than 156,000 had a second primary cancer , and more than 88,800 died from it .
Men had an 11 % higher risk of developing a second cancer and a 45 % higher risk of dying from it , compared with the general population , the study found .
Women had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second cancer and a 33 % higher risk of dying from it , researchers reported .
Men who survived laryngeal cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma were most likely to develop another cancer , and men who survived gallbladder cancer had the greatest risk of dying from a second cancer .
Women who survived laryngeal and esophageal cancers had the greatest risk of developing another cancer .
Women who survived laryngeal cancer had the greatest risk of dying from a second cancer , according to the study .
Researchers found a lot of variation between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the types of second cancers .
Second cancers linked with smoking and obesity were most common .
The risks of smoking-related second cancers were higher among those who had survived smoking-related first cancers .
Smoking-related second cancers -- including lung , urinary , bladder , oral and esophagus -- accounted for 26 % to 45 % of second cancers and cancer deaths .
By itself , lung cancer accounted for 31 % to 33 % of all deaths from second cancers , the researchers found .
They also found that survivors of obesity-related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second cancers .
Four obesity-related cancers -- colon , pancreas , endometrial and liver -- made up 22 % to 26 % of all deaths from second cancers , the researchers said .
Second cancers can be deadly because they are often induced by radiation or chemotherapy , and patients are then resistant to those treatments , said Dr. Anthony D'Amico , a professor of radiation oncology at Harvard Medical School in Boston .
He was not involved with the study .
`` As a result , you only have surgery to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why screening and early detection is even more important , '' D'Amico said .
He urges patients who have had one cancer to change their lifestyle to ward off another .
`` If you 've had cancer and you 've been successfully treated , get rid of the bad habits like smoking and a poor diet , '' D'Amico said .
If you had chemo or radiation , you need to be monitored so another cancer can be caught early , he said .
`` A lot of it is just related to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first cancer can cause another one , '' D'Amico noted .
Doctors and patients ca n't control genetic risks , but factors like smoking , alcohol use and poor diet can be modified , D'Amico said .
The findings were published this month in the Journal of the American Medical Association .
For more on second cancers , see the American Cancer Society .

Cancer survivors are at greater risk of developing another cancer and dying from it, a new study finds.
These new cancers can result from a genetic predisposition, from treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy used to fight the first cancer, as well as from unhealthy lifestyles such as smoking and obesity, according to researchers from the American Cancer Society.
Advertisement
Some of these factors can't be controlled, but others can, noted lead researcher Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, a senior vice president at the society.
"We can do a lot for smoking and overweight and obesity," he said. "We have to get primary care clinicians to do a more concerted effort to educate, or counsel, their patients."
Jemal added that screening smokers for breast, cervical, colon and lung cancer is essential.
Dr. Alice Police, regional director of breast surgery at Northwell Health Cancer Institute in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., said not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight can go a long way in keeping a second cancer at bay.
Advertisement
"More and more data are showing that these things are particularly important in cancer patients," said Police, who was not part of the study. "Particularly in breast cancer, we have a ton of data showing that those things will help prevent the second breast cancer."
She regularly speaks to patients about the importance of diet, exercise and smoking cessation in cancer prevention.
"We're not as good at that in this country as they are in Europe and other countries," Police said. "We're still mostly a fee-for-service medical establishment, and prevention doesn't pay as a treatment does, and that's really a problem in the U.S."
Drawing from 12 cancer-tracking registries, the researchers collected data on more than 1.5 million Americans who beat cancer between 1992 and 2017.
Among the survivors, more than 156,000 had a second primary cancer, and more than 88,800 died from it.
Men had an 11% higher risk of developing a second cancer and a 45% higher risk of dying from it, compared with the general population, the study found.
Women had a 10% higher risk of developing a second cancer and a 33% higher risk of dying from it, researchers reported.
Men who survived laryngeal cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma were most likely to develop another cancer, and men who survived gallbladder cancer had the greatest risk of dying from a second cancer.
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Women who survived laryngeal and esophageal cancers had the greatest risk of developing another cancer. Women who survived laryngeal cancer had the greatest risk of dying from a second cancer, according to the study.
Researchers found a lot of variation between the specific types of first cancers and the types of second cancers.
Second cancers linked with smoking and obesity were most common. The risks of smoking-related second cancers were higher among those who had survived smoking-related first cancers.
Smoking-related second cancers -- including lung, urinary, bladder, oral and esophagus -- accounted for 26% to 45% of second cancers and cancer deaths.
By itself, lung cancer accounted for 31% to 33% of all deaths from second cancers, the researchers found.
They also found that survivors of obesity-related cancers had higher odds for developing obesity-related second cancers.
Four obesity-related cancers -- colon, pancreas, endometrial and liver -- made up 22% to 26% of all deaths from second cancers, the researchers said.
Second cancers can be deadly because they are often induced by radiation or chemotherapy, and patients are then resistant to those treatments, said Dr. Anthony D'Amico, a professor of radiation oncology at Harvard Medical School in Boston. He was not involved with the study.
Advertisement
"As a result, you only have surgery to use, so, all the more reason why screening and early detection is even more important," D'Amico said.
He urges patients who have had one cancer to change their lifestyle to ward off another.
"If you've had cancer and you've been successfully treated, get rid of the bad habits like smoking and a poor diet," D'Amico said.
If you had chemo or radiation, you need to be monitored so another cancer can be caught early, he said. "A lot of it is just related to the fact that the thing that caused the first cancer can cause another one," D'Amico noted.
Doctors and patients can't control genetic risks, but factors like smoking, alcohol use and poor diet can be modified, D'Amico said.
The findings were published this month in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
For more on second cancers, see the American Cancer Society.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-12-29--Lockheed Martin nabs $1.4B in F-35 contracts

Dec. 29 ( UPI ) -- Lockheed Martin was awarded three contracts totaling $ 1.4 billion for the F-35 program this week , according to the Pentagon .
The largest deal , worth $ 1.3 billion , is a one-year deal for support and training for the United States ' F-35 program , with more than half the work taking place at Lockheed 's Fort Worth , Texas , worksite , the Department of Defense said on Monday .
The deal is funded by a combination of sources , including fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds from the Air Force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Guard , as well as foreign military sales funds and other funds from foreign partners .
The Department of Defense awarded two smaller F-35-related contracts to Lockheed this week .
One , a $ 101.5 million contract , funds sustainment services for Britain 's F-35 program .
The other , a $ 46 million contract , covers production and delivery of a redesigned electronic warfare/counter measures quad-channel for U.S. and foreign F-35s .
Lockheed delivered 123 F-35s to the U.S. military and international partners in 2020 , falling short of its goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting its revised target .
In May , the company predicted it would be 18 to 24 planes short of its target , due to supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic .

An F-35 flies at the first Lockheed Martin Space and Air Show in Sanford, Florida on Oct. 31. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin was awarded three contracts totaling $1.4 billion for the F-35 program this week, according to the Pentagon. The largest deal, worth $1.3 billion, is a one-year deal for support and training for the United States' F-35 program, with more than half the work taking place at Lockheed's Fort Worth, Texas, worksite, the Department of Defense said on Monday. Advertisement
The deal is funded by a combination of sources, including fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds from the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy and Air National Guard, as well as foreign military sales funds and other funds from foreign partners.
The Department of Defense awarded two smaller F-35-related contracts to Lockheed this week.
One, a $101.5 million contract, funds sustainment services for Britain's F-35 program. The other, a $46 million contract, covers production and delivery of a redesigned electronic warfare/counter measures quad-channel for U.S. and foreign F-35s.
Lockheed delivered 123 F-35s to the U.S. military and international partners in 2020, falling short of its goal of producing 141 aircraft this year but meeting its revised target.
In May, the company predicted it would be 18 to 24 planes short of its target, due to supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.


upi--2020-12-29--Air Force 53rd Wing formalizes 'Black Flag' training exercise

Dec. 29 ( UPI ) -- The 53rd Wing of the Air Force has combined its series of large-scale tests at Nevada 's Nellis Air Force Base into a new event called Black Flag .
Gen. Mark D. Kelly signed COMACC Plan 21 on Dec. 15 , formalizing the creation of Black Flag as a training event `` solely focused on test and tactics development in a realistic , massed force , fully integrated , high threat density environment . ''
Black Flag was established as the testing counterpart to Red Flag , the Air Force 's training event .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ integration , Black Flag is ultimately a deep-end testing arena to create and discover capabilities utilizing existing and emerging materiel , '' Lt. Col. Mike Benitez , 53rd Wing director of staff and Black Flag lead project officer , said in a press release .
`` Black Flag 's largest benefit is that it 's a tactical initiative with strategic impact .
Warfighters know that innovation happens at the intersection of weapons and tactics - where integration occurs , '' Benitez said .
On top of allowing for multiple areas of test and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single event , the Black Flag event creates an environment to put forth tactics improvement proposals put forth by senior leaders at the annual Weapons and Tactics Conference , officials said .
`` Black Flag is essential to national defense , '' said Col. Ryan Messer , 53rd Wing commander .
`` Instituting a flag-level exercise is the result of both the dedication of professionals in the 53rd Wing and also the support of senior leaders who acknowledge the importance of , and are investing in , testing like we fight , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only Air Force wing responsible for operational test and tactics development for the service 's fighter , bomber and remotely piloted aircraft fleet , according to the Air Force .

F-22 Raptors and F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron refuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker over the Nevada Test and Training Range in November. Photo by Savanah Bray/U.S. Air Force
Dec. 29 (UPI) -- The 53rd Wing of the Air Force has combined its series of large-scale tests at Nevada's Nellis Air Force Base into a new event called Black Flag. Gen. Mark D. Kelly signed COMACC Plan 21 on Dec. 15, formalizing the creation of Black Flag as a training event "solely focused on test and tactics development in a realistic, massed force, fully integrated, high threat density environment." Advertisement
Black Flag was established as the testing counterpart to Red Flag, the Air Force's training event.
"As a venue for innovation through integration, Black Flag is ultimately a deep-end testing arena to create and discover capabilities utilizing existing and emerging materiel," Lt. Col. Mike Benitez, 53rd Wing director of staff and Black Flag lead project officer, said in a press release.
"Black Flag's largest benefit is that it's a tactical initiative with strategic impact. Warfighters know that innovation happens at the intersection of weapons and tactics - where integration occurs," Benitez said.
On top of allowing for multiple areas of test and tactics development to be executed in a single event, the Black Flag event creates an environment to put forth tactics improvement proposals put forth by senior leaders at the annual Weapons and Tactics Conference, officials said.
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"Black Flag is essential to national defense," said Col. Ryan Messer, 53rd Wing commander.
"Instituting a flag-level exercise is the result of both the dedication of professionals in the 53rd Wing and also the support of senior leaders who acknowledge the importance of, and are investing in, testing like we fight," Messer said.
The 53rd Wing is the only Air Force wing responsible for operational test and tactics development for the service's fighter, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft fleet, according to the Air Force.


upi--2020-12-29--Strong 6.2-magnitude earthquake rattles Croatia; at least 6 dead

Dec. 29 ( UPI ) -- A magnitude-6.2 earthquake shook Croatia on Tuesday , causing at least six deaths and heavy damage near the capital of Zagreb , the Interior Ministry said .
The quake was centered just west of Petrinja , a city of 25,000 about 30 miles southeast of Zagreb , Croatian seismologists said .
Shaking was felt around noon by nearly 6 million people in Croatia and around the Balkans , prompting large-scale rescue operations , state-owned HRT News reported .
The Interior Ministry said a 12-year-old girl was killed in Petrinja and five men died in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were cries from victims trapped in towns in the region .
Numerous injuries were reported .
`` We are doing everything to help the residents of Petrinja and surrounding places in this dramatic and tragic situation , '' Interior Minister Davor Božinović said .
`` The devastating earthquake took human lives , destroyed homes and we deeply sympathize with every human being and with all the families that have perished . ''
An official said Sisak General Hospital was largely destroyed .
`` We have nowhere to come to work tomorrow , only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are currently taking care of the most seriously ill , '' said hospital director Tomislav Dujmenovic , who added that many of the severely injured were evacuated to Zagreb .
The Croatian Army was providing help in Petrinja under direction from Defense Minister Mario Banozic , officials said .
Croatian President Zoran Mlanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic also visited the city .
Tuesday 's quake was the second in the area within 24 hours , after a magnitude-5.0 earthquake on Monday .

Damage caused by a strong earthquake is seen on Tuesday in Petrinja, Croatia. The quake is responsible for at least one death, officials said. Photo by Antonio Bat/EPA-EFE
Dec. 29 (UPI) -- A magnitude-6.2 earthquake shook Croatia on Tuesday, causing at least six deaths and heavy damage near the capital of Zagreb, the Interior Ministry said. The quake was centered just west of Petrinja, a city of 25,000 about 30 miles southeast of Zagreb, Croatian seismologists said. Advertisement
Shaking was felt around noon by nearly 6 million people in Croatia and around the Balkans, prompting large-scale rescue operations, state-owned HRT News reported.
The Interior Ministry said a 12-year-old girl was killed in Petrinja and five men died in nearby Majske Poljane. Officials said there were cries from victims trapped in towns in the region. Numerous injuries were reported.
"We are doing everything to help the residents of Petrinja and surrounding places in this dramatic and tragic situation," Interior Minister Davor Božinović said. "The devastating earthquake took human lives, destroyed homes and we deeply sympathize with every human being and with all the families that have perished."
An official said Sisak General Hospital was largely destroyed.
"We have nowhere to come to work tomorrow, only the gynecology building remains, where we are currently taking care of the most seriously ill," said hospital director Tomislav Dujmenovic, who added that many of the severely injured were evacuated to Zagreb.
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The Croatian Army was providing help in Petrinja under direction from Defense Minister Mario Banozic, officials said. Croatian President Zoran Mlanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic also visited the city.
Tuesday's quake was the second in the area within 24 hours, after a magnitude-5.0 earthquake on Monday.


upi--2020-12-29--Look: Utah boy catches 48-pound trout six months after landing 41-pounder

Dec. 29 ( UPI ) -- Wildlife officials in Utah said a 11-year-old boy landed a massive 48-pound trout just @ @ @ @ @ a 41-pound trout .
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said Tyler Grimshaw drew attention @ @ @ @ @ then-10-year-old reeled in a 41-pound trout without any assistance at Flaming Gorge .
Grimshaw , @ @ @ @ @ own catch this month by reeling in a 48-pound trout in the same area .
@ @ @ @ @ into the lake .
`` Way to go , Tyler , '' the division tweeted @ @ @ @ @ for lake trout stands at 53 pounds , 15 ounces .
The record was set @ @ @ @ @ Flaming Gorge Reservoir , the same place Grimshaw caught both of his fish .

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Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Wildlife officials in Utah said a 11-year-old boy landed a massive 48-pound trout just six months after reeling in a 41-pound trout.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said Tyler Grimshaw drew attention online in June when the then-10-year-old reeled in a 41-pound trout without any assistance at Flaming Gorge.
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Grimshaw, now 11, bested his own catch this month by reeling in a 48-pound trout in the same area.
Both fish were released back into the lake.
"Way to go, Tyler," the division tweeted.
The Utah state record for lake trout stands at 53 pounds, 15 ounces. The record was set by Chance Scott at the Flaming Gorge Reservoir, the same place Grimshaw caught both of his fish.


upi--2020-12-29--Watch: Loona travels space in 'New Moon' teaser

The K-pop stars shared a space-themed teaser , titled `` New Moon , '' on Tuesday .
In the preview @ @ @ @ @ seen floating high above Earth .
The teaser also features HaSeul , who has been @ @ @ @ @ January .
The `` New Moon '' teaser appears to harken Loona 's comeback .
@ @ @ @ @ [ 12:00 ] and a music video for `` Why Not ? ''
in October @ @ @ @ @ photo featuring the members , sans HaSeul , Thursday ahead of their Christmas Eve performance @ @ @ @ @ , HyunJin , HaSeul , YeoJin , ViVi , Kim Lip , JinSoul , Choerry @ @ @ @ @ and Olivia Hye .
The group is known for the singles `` Favorite , '' @ @ @ @ @ 365 '' and `` So What . ''

Dec. 29 (UPI) -- South Korean girl group Loona has released a new video teaser.
The K-pop stars shared a space-themed teaser, titled "New Moon," on Tuesday.
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In the preview, Loona member Gowon is seen floating high above Earth. The teaser also features HaSeul, who has been on hiatus from Loona since January.
The "New Moon" teaser appears to harken Loona's comeback. The group released the EP [12:00] and a music video for "Why Not?" in October.
Loona shared a holiday photo featuring the members, sans HaSeul, Thursday ahead of their Christmas Eve performance.
미리 크리스마스, 오빛 Mnet 엠카운트다운을 통해 크리스마스 스페셜 무대를 오빛에게 선보일 수 있어서 너무 행복해요 잠시 후 오후 6시(KST)에 #이달의소녀 와 함께해요#LOONA pic.twitter.com/3WPiLOMZWP— 이달의 소녀(LOOΠΔ) (@loonatheworld) December 24, 2020
Loona consists of HeeJin, HyunJin, HaSeul, YeoJin, ViVi, Kim Lip, JinSoul, Choerry, Yves, Chuu GoWon and Olivia Hye. The group is known for the singles "Favorite," "Butterfly," "365" and "So What."


upi--2020-12-30--Iona, basketball coach Rick Pitino announce 2nd COVID-19 season pause

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- The Iona men 's basketball team -- coached by Rick Pitino -- has paused activities for the second time this year due to positive COVID-19 test results .
Iona said on Tuesday that the result emerged from Tier I personnel , described by the NCAA as the `` highest exposure tier . ''
The group includes athletes , coaches and team staff .
`` This is our second COVID shutdown , '' Pitino tweeted Tuesday .
`` So many people have lost their loved ones .
Hoping this nightmare ends in 2021 . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday was canceled .
Iona said its two games schedule for this weekend against Niagara have been moved to Jan. 22 and 23 .
Towson also announced Tuesday that it had a player test positive for COVID-19 .
The positive tests from Iona and Towson each emerged from Monday 's round of testing .
The Gaels hosted Coppin State on Dec. 23 in New Rochelle , N.Y. Coppin State canceled its game against Rider -- scheduled for Tuesday -- due to contact tracing protocol .
No Coppin State or Rider players or staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paused its season in November after a positive result emerged from a Tier 1 individual .
They have had 10 games canceled or postponed this season due to COVID-19 .
The Gaels are scheduled to resume play against Saint Peter 's at 6 p.m. EST on Jan. 15 .

Dec. 30 (UPI) -- The Iona men's basketball team -- coached by Rick Pitino -- has paused activities for the second time this year due to positive COVID-19 test results.
Iona said on Tuesday that the result emerged from Tier I personnel, described by the NCAA as the "highest exposure tier." The group includes athletes, coaches and team staff.
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"This is our second COVID shutdown," Pitino tweeted Tuesday. "So many people have lost their loved ones. Hoping this nightmare ends in 2021."
The Gaels' game against Towson on Tuesday was canceled. Iona said its two games schedule for this weekend against Niagara have been moved to Jan. 22 and 23.
Towson also announced Tuesday that it had a player test positive for COVID-19. The positive tests from Iona and Towson each emerged from Monday's round of testing.
The Gaels hosted Coppin State on Dec. 23 in New Rochelle, N.Y. Coppin State canceled its game against Rider -- scheduled for Tuesday -- due to contact tracing protocol. No Coppin State or Rider players or staff tested positive for COVID-19.
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Iona also paused its season in November after a positive result emerged from a Tier 1 individual. They have had 10 games canceled or postponed this season due to COVID-19.
The Gaels are scheduled to resume play against Saint Peter's at 6 p.m. EST on Jan. 15.