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NHL announces 27 players tested positive for COVID-19 at training camps

The NHL says 27 players returned positive COVID-19 tests during training camps as the league prepares to open its season.

In a release Tuesday, the NHL said that it conducted approximately 12,000 tests administered to more than 1,200 players over the period from Dec. 30 to Monday. The league said the positive tests are from nine teams, including 17 positive results from the Dallas Stars, who have had their opening game postponed. Most of the Stars players who tested positive are asymptomatic, and all are recovering without complication.

The 2020-21 regular season starts Wednesday with five games.

NHL says 27 players tested positive for COVID-19 during training camps

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Tokyo Olympics Committee Chief Says putting off games is “impossible” despite public opinion to cancel games again

The chief of Tokyo’s Olympic organizing committee said Tuesday it would be “absolutely impossible” to postpone the Summer Games again due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, who serves as president on the committee, said putting off the Games again would be impossible because many of the organizing officials were already on loan from other organizations in the local government.

Mori’s comments come less than one week after Japan recorded its highest number of new cases in a day — more than 7,800 on Friday. The capital city of Tokyo is currently under a state of emergency through Feb. 8. Globally, coronavirus cases are among an all-time high, with more than 609,000 new cases reported and nearly 10,000 deaths reported Monday.

A Kyodo News survey released Sunday showed that about 80% of people in Japan support postponing or canceling the Summer Games, which were postponed from 2020. The events are scheduled to begin July 23 and will include about 15,000 athletes and tens of thousands more coaches, judges and other workers.

Tokyo Olympics: Over 80% of people surveyed in Japan reportedly believe games should be canceled, won’t happen

Via www.msn.com
 

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State capitols step up security amid new safety concerns after DC siege

State capitols across the nation are stepping up security, and deploying National Guard units, SWAT teams and extra police officers as several legislatures convened amid heightened safety concerns following last week’s violence at the U.S. Capitol.

After insurrectionists backing President Donald Trump overran the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, some governors and lawmakers began ramping up security because of online threats suggesting that more mobs could target state capitols.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee activated hundreds of National Guard troops to help state police keep order at the state Capitol and defend security fencing. At the Georgia Capitol, a state patrol SWAT team walked the perimeter wearing fatigues and carrying rifles while lawmakers gathered inside for the start of a two-year term.  In Idaho, doors to the House and Senate chambers were locked Monday morning, and two Idaho state troopers were stationed at each entrance. 

Legislatures convened in more than half a dozen states. Because of concerns about the coronavirus, many state capitols had already adopted procedures to curb the potential for large crowds, including arranging for lawmakers to meet remotely. Those steps greatly reduced the number of people who are actually working in capitol buildings.

Security in D.C., state Capitols tightened amid inauguration threats

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State Department re-designates Cuba to ‘state sponsor of terrorism’ list

The U.S. State Department announced Monday that it was re-designating Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, reversing a 2015 Obama-era campaign to improve relations in between the two countries. Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez called the move “political opportunism” in a tweet.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the move, blaming Cuba “for repeatedly providing support for acts of international terrorism in granting safe harbor to terrorists.” Pompeo said the Cuban government engaged in “malign interference in Venezuela and the rest of the Western Hemisphere.” The State Department also says that the move also penalizes U.S. companies for making business deals in Cuba and also restricts U.S. foreign assistance, bans defense exports and sales, and imposes controls on some exports. Currently, the only countries on the state department’s terrorism blacklist are Iran, Syria and North Korea. Sudan was removed in 2020 as part of the Trump administration’s peace agreements brokered in the Middle East.

Trump hits Cuba with new terrorism sanctions in waning days

Via abcnews.go.com
 

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Pelicans vs. Mavericks, Bulls vs. Celtics games postponed due to COVID-19 concerns

The NBA said in a news release that they have postponed Monday’s Dallas-New Orleans game and Tuesday’s Chicago-Boston game “ in accordance with the league’s Health and Safety Protocols.” The Mavericks and Celtics do not have eight available players.

Following positive COVID-19 tests on Sunday among the Mavericks traveling party, Dallas closed its practice facility while the team conducted contact tracing. Four players (Jalen Brunson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Maxi Kleber and Josh Richardson) were listed as out for Monday’s game against New Orleans. More Mavs players entered the health and safety protocols after further contact tracing.

The Celtics’ game against Miami was postponed on Sunday because the Heat didn’t have a minimum of eight players available. Boston had at least seven players sidelined for the postponed Heat game, and health and safety protocols sidelined more players for Tuesday’s game against Chicago.

These are the third and fourth games postponed this season because of the league’s health and safety protocols. 

Mavericks-Pelicans, Celtics-Bulls games postponed due to COVID-19

Via www.msn.com
 

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Doug Pederson fired as Philadelphia Eagles head coach

On Monday, the Philadelphia Eagles fired head coach Doug Pederson, just three seasons after he coached the team to a Super Bowl title.

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement released by the team, “Coach Pederson and I had the opportunity to sit down and discuss what that collective vision would look like moving forward. After taking some time to reflect on these conversations, I believe it is in both of our best interests to part ways.” Pederson said, “It has been an absolute honor serving as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. As difficult as it is to say goodbye, I will always look back on my time here with appreciation and respect.”

The 52-year-old Pederson was hired as Eagles coach in 2016 after he spent his previous three seasons as offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs. The Eagles went 7-9 in his first season before a 13-3 campaign and Super Bowl run in 2017. The Eagles posted a 4-11-1 record under Pederson in 2020 after they had a winning record and made the playoffs in each of their previous three seasons. Philadelphia lost seven of its final eight games this season to finish in last place in the NFC East.

Philadelphia Eagles Fire Coach Doug Pederson Following 4-11-1 Season

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Capitol Police Officer who responded to insurrection dies while off duty

A Capitol Police Officer who responded to the siege on the Capitol building on Wednesday died while off duty, the U.S. Capitol Police said. 51-year-old Officer Howard Liebengood, who had been with the department since April 2005, died while off duty three days after the riot that saw supporters of President Trump make their way inside the Capitol building as Congress was certifying the results of November’s presidential election. 

“We are reeling from the death of Officer Liebengood,” Gus Apapthansiou, the chairman of Libengood’s police union said. “Every Capitol Police Officer puts the security of others before their own safety and Officer Liebengood was an example of the selfless service that is the hallmark of USCP. This is a tragic day.”

The White House lowered its flags to half-staff on Sunday following the death of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died from injuries while responding to the mob on Sunday. One woman, identified as Ashli Babbit was also shot and killed by authorities at the Capitol during the riot. Three others Rosanne Boyland, Benjamin Philip and Kevin Greeson also died due to medical emergencies.

Off-Duty Capitol Police Officer Who ‘Responded to the Rioting’ Dies at 51

Via www.msn.com
 

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House to consider using 25th Amendment to move to impeachment on Monday

On Sunday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that the House will vote on a resolution Monday, calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove President Donald Trump from office. In a letter to her Democratic House colleagues, Pelosi said that the House will on Monday seek to pass the resolution that would call on Pence to convene and mobilize the Cabinet to declare Trump incapable of executing the duties of his office, following his role in an insurrection at the Capitol building on Wednesday by Unanimous Consent. If the measure does not pass by Unanimous Consent, the legislation will be brought up on the House floor the next day, followed by bringing impeachment legislation against Trump.

Republican Sen. Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania joined Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska in calling for Trump to resign, saying he had “spiraled down into a kind of madness” following the election. “I think the best way for our country … is for the president to resign and go away as soon as possible,” Toomey said on NBC News’ Meet the Press. “I acknowledge that may not be likely, but I think that would be best.” Toomey had previously said he thought Trump’s actions constituted an “impeachable offense” and on Sunday said he should be disqualified from running for office.

Trump impeachment: House to call on Pence and Cabinet to use 25th Amendment and then move to impeachment

Via www.msn.com
 

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Baltimore Ravens beat Tennessee Titans 20-13 in wild-card game

Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Tennessee Titans 20-13 in a wild-card win on Sunday at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. It was Jackson’s first win in the NFL playoffs; he was 0-2 in the postseason entering Sunday’s game.

The 24-year-old Jackson, the reigning NFL MVP, completed 17 of 24 passes for 179 yards and one interception, adding 136 yards and one score on the ground. He joined former San Francisco 49ers signal-caller Colin Kaepernick as the only quarterbacks to total at least 100 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown in a playoff game.

Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill was 18 of 26 passing for 165 yards and a touchdown. He also threw a costly interception on the Titans’ final drive after receiver Kalif Raymond slipped while running his route. The slip led to a Marcus Peters interception that sealed the victory for Baltimore.

Next up, Baltimore will play either the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs or Buffalo Bills in the AFC divisional round next weekend.

Lamar Jackson Wins First Playoff Game as Ravens Edge Titans

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Utah Jazz defeat the Detroit Pistons 96-86

Donovan Mitchell scored 13 of his 28 points in the first quarter, helping the Utah Jazz hold on for a 96-86 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. Utah scored the game’s first nine points and never trailed. The Jazz went on a 17-0 run later in the first, pushing their lead to 20 before the quarter was over.

Utah improved to 3-2 on its seven-game road trip. The Jazz beat Milwaukee on Friday, making a franchise-record 25 3-pointers in the process. 

Utah Jazz cool off after hot start and grind out defensive win over the Detroit Pistons

Via www.msn.com