upi--2020-09-04--U.S. adds 44K COVID-19 cases; study projects 400K deaths by January

Sept. 4 ( UPI ) -- Given current trends in new cases , scientists project that the COVID-19 death toll in the United States will be over 400,000 by the start of 2021 .
Researchers at the University of Washington 's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation said they expect the national death count to reach 410,000 by January .
According to data from Johns Hopkins University on Friday , almost 187,000 COVID-19 patients have died in the United States .
That means another 223,000 will die in the next four months , if the projections prove true .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States , because of seasonality and declining vigilance of the public , to reach nearly 3,000 a day in December , '' the UW researchers said Thursday .
If the United States pursues a `` herd immunity '' strategy , which would include no further government intervention , the researchers said the national toll could be well over 600,000 by January .
UW scientists cited a decreased use of face coverings as the main factor in their heightened estimates .
They indicated that about 120,000 projected deaths could be avoided if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the effort in Singapore , where face coverings are mandatory everywhere in public .
The update from Johns Hopkins ' Center for Systems Science and Engineering showed there were 44,000 new cases in the United States on Thursday , an increase of a few thousand over Wednesday .
There were about 1,100 new deaths , continuing a rise in both figures that began on Tuesday .
To date , there have been 6.15 million cases nationwide .
In Nevada , the state 's COVID-19 Mitigation and Management Task Force ruled that restaurant counters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be allowed to reopen next week .
The commission said bars that do n't serve food must remained closed , but counters in non-bar areas can open Wednesday for food service .
The change was made at the request of Clark County Commission Chairwoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick .
`` We are impacting tons of people because of counter tops that are not open , '' she told KVVU-TV .
`` If a sushi bar ca n't open their counter top , I want to understand , what is a science behind that ? ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Polly Carver-Kimm filed a wrongful termination lawsuit Thursday that says she was fired after Gov .
Kim Reynolds ordered strict measures to control the flow of information about the state 's COVID-19 response .
Carver-Kimm , who was fired in July , names Reynolds , communications director Pat Garrett and the state in the suit .
The complaint says Carver-Kimm was `` stripped of her duties '' and fired after she made `` repeated efforts to comply with Iowa 's open records law by producing documents to local and national media '' regarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @

A firefighter adjusts a mask on a bear sculpture in front of Stifel Theater on Thursday in St. Louis, Mo. The fire department is helping the St. Louis Arts Chamber of Commerce install symbolic face coverings on statues to promote mask use. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Given current trends in new cases, scientists project that the COVID-19 death toll in the United States will be over 400,000 by the start of 2021. Researchers at the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation said they expect the national death count to reach 410,000 by January. Advertisement
According to data from Johns Hopkins University on Friday, almost 187,000 COVID-19 patients have died in the United States. That means another 223,000 will die in the next four months, if the projections prove true.
"We expect the daily death rate in the United States, because of seasonality and declining vigilance of the public, to reach nearly 3,000 a day in December," the UW researchers said Thursday.
If the United States pursues a "herd immunity" strategy, which would include no further government intervention, the researchers said the national toll could be well over 600,000 by January.
UW scientists cited a decreased use of face coverings as the main factor in their heightened estimates. They indicated that about 120,000 projected deaths could be avoided if mask use in the United States matched the effort in Singapore, where face coverings are mandatory everywhere in public.
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The update from Johns Hopkins' Center for Systems Science and Engineering showed there were 44,000 new cases in the United States on Thursday, an increase of a few thousand over Wednesday. There were about 1,100 new deaths, continuing a rise in both figures that began on Tuesday.
To date, there have been 6.15 million cases nationwide.
In Nevada, the state's COVID-19 Mitigation and Management Task Force ruled that restaurant counters in Las Vegas and Clark County will be allowed to reopen next week.
The commission said bars that don't serve food must remained closed, but counters in non-bar areas can open Wednesday for food service. The change was made at the request of Clark County Commission Chairwoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick.
"We are impacting tons of people because of counter tops that are not open," she told KVVU-TV. "If a sushi bar can't open their counter top, I want to understand, what is a science behind that?"
In Iowa, former health department spokeswoman Polly Carver-Kimm filed a wrongful termination lawsuit Thursday that says she was fired after Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered strict measures to control the flow of information about the state's COVID-19 response.
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Carver-Kimm, who was fired in July, names Reynolds, communications director Pat Garrett and the state in the suit.
The complaint says Carver-Kimm was "stripped of her duties" and fired after she made "repeated efforts to comply with Iowa's open records law by producing documents to local and national media" regarding Iowa's response to the pandemic.


upi--2020-09-04--Jacinda Ardern is New Zealand's most successful influencer

Sept. 4 ( UPI ) -- `` Kia ora , everyone .
I 'm standing against a blank wall in my house -- because it 's the only view in my house that is not messy . ''
So begins a 2020 campaign message posted by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern .
She speaks directly into her phone at day 's end , in a comfortable sweatshirt and with tousled hair , inviting Instagram viewers into her home as she lays out plans for the week ahead .
Voters and fans view her message from their own phones and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her 1.4 million Instagram followers watched the two-minute video .
She is candid , approachable , tired and funny .
Facing a resurgence of COVID-19 just days later , the tone changes to one of concern .
But the approach is the same in a 13-minute Facebook livestream , during which 34 % of her 1.3 million followers tune in .
In the runup to the Oct. 17 election , Ardern 's Facebook following alone is four times greater than those of the other seven main party leaders combined .
Politician or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influencer by anyone 's metrics .
While the opposition leader 's husband has recently been feeling the heat for his anti-Ardern Facebook posts , Ardern 's own activity is almost relentlessly positive .
It 's been that way since she began turning up regularly on live after-dinner Facebook feeds not long after becoming Labor leader seven weeks out from the 2017 election .
Her organic appeal and clear comfort with the format helped her own the space .
By the time she was in office , she spoke to Kiwis like an old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parasocial '' ) relationship with her audience to speak seemingly off the cuff about the day 's events and what she 's thinking .
She is ostensibly unfiltered -- tired , often laughing , but above all in command and with creative control over what she posts , shares and shows .
This alone helps boost perceptions of her authenticity and expertise .
Ardern joins a continuum of media-age communicators who came to define their political brands via their preferred platforms .
U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt used his radio `` fireside chats '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy to Americans .
By the 1960s , John F. Kennedy had emerged as the original TV president after the first ever televised debate ( with Richard Nixon ) .
In New Zealand , Robert Muldoon was the first politician to master the art of political TV .
Now , in the digital age , the pace of communication and reach of social media platforms have created the first Twitter president : U.S. President Donald Trump 's tweets are considered official statements , with more than 11,000 posted from his inauguration in 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , social media are not simply useful political channels ( more than 600,000 New Zealanders follow a party account ) , they are a major electoral battleground .
Ardern knows this .
She is a prolific poster , with quick and informal videos ( typically one to five minutes long ) making up 81 % of her 20 unique posts in a single week in August .
Facebook sits at the heart of her outreach and messaging .
Voters , citizens , foreign observers and fans mingle in the comments section , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supportive of her leadership .
The key metric is engagement -- the currency of the social media influencer world .
Engagement is calculated by dividing the total number of interactions ( likes , shares and comments ) a post receives by the total number of followers .
Good rates for mega-influencers ( those with more than a million followers ) on Facebook typically range from .01 % to .42 % .
Rates on Instagram can be as high as 12 % for celebrity names such as Taika Waititi .
Analysis of a seven-day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labor Party campaign launch , parliament rising , the resurgence of COVID-19 and subsequent new lockdowns , shows the range and depth of Ardern 's political influence strategy .
Her Facebook livestream videos -- streamed live but available to watch and comment on later -- had an average 1.83 % engagement rate on campaign and policy topics and 3.5 % on COVID topics .
Ardern is disarming , comfortable and relatable -- all key traits that our research suggests increase perceptions of authenticity and expertise .
Her engagement puts her on par with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebrities such as Rachel Hunter ( who also nets a 1.8 % engagement for her average of 15 posts a week ) .
One five-minute Facebook livestream , posted just before dinnertime on the Saturday of the Labor Party 's campaign launch , gives a taste : '' Hi everyone , I 'm sneaking a quick moment while I can hear Neve distracted in the sandpit , '' Ardern begins ( referring to her 2-year-old daughter ) .
As she outlines policy , those watching post heart and thumbs-up emojis , ask questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post has a 2.3 % engagement rate .
It may be a long way from Trump 's high-pitched , angry use of Twitter , but it is just as brand-aware and on-message .
The New Zealand prime minister is rare in the sense that she is a highly visible social media celebrity as well as a political leader .
But at 40 she is also not getting any younger .
If Trump is the first Twitter president and Ardern the first Facebook prime minister , it 's probably time to ask who will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kapitan is a senior lecturer in marketing at Auckland University of Technology .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City in 2019. File Photo by Monika Graff/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 4 (UPI) -- "Kia ora, everyone. I'm standing against a blank wall in my house -- because it's the only view in my house that is not messy." So begins a 2020 campaign message posted by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. She speaks directly into her phone at day's end, in a comfortable sweatshirt and with tousled hair, inviting Instagram viewers into her home as she lays out plans for the week ahead. Advertisement
Voters and fans view her message from their own phones and smart devices: Just over 22% of her 1.4 million Instagram followers watched the two-minute video. She is candid, approachable, tired and funny.
Facing a resurgence of COVID-19 just days later, the tone changes to one of concern. But the approach is the same in a 13-minute Facebook livestream, during which 34% of her 1.3 million followers tune in.
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In the runup to the Oct. 17 election, Ardern's Facebook following alone is four times greater than those of the other seven main party leaders combined. Politician or not, this makes her a serious influencer by anyone's metrics.
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Natural communicator
While the opposition leader's husband has recently been feeling the heat for his anti-Ardern Facebook posts, Ardern's own activity is almost relentlessly positive. It's been that way since she began turning up regularly on live after-dinner Facebook feeds not long after becoming Labor leader seven weeks out from the 2017 election.
Her organic appeal and clear comfort with the format helped her own the space. By the time she was in office, she spoke to Kiwis like an old friend, using the one-way ("parasocial") relationship with her audience to speak seemingly off the cuff about the day's events and what she's thinking.
She is ostensibly unfiltered -- tired, often laughing, but above all in command and with creative control over what she posts, shares and shows. This alone helps boost perceptions of her authenticity and expertise.
Ardern joins a continuum of media-age communicators who came to define their political brands via their preferred platforms.
U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt used his radio "fireside chats" in the 1930s and '40s to explain policy to Americans. By the 1960s, John F. Kennedy had emerged as the original TV president after the first ever televised debate (with Richard Nixon). In New Zealand, Robert Muldoon was the first politician to master the art of political TV.
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Digital fireside chat
Now, in the digital age, the pace of communication and reach of social media platforms have created the first Twitter president: U.S. President Donald Trump's tweets are considered official statements, with more than 11,000 posted from his inauguration in 2017 to the end of 2019.
In 2020, social media are not simply useful political channels (more than 600,000 New Zealanders follow a party account), they are a major electoral battleground.
Ardern knows this. She is a prolific poster, with quick and informal videos (typically one to five minutes long) making up 81% of her 20 unique posts in a single week in August.
Facebook sits at the heart of her outreach and messaging. Voters, citizens, foreign observers and fans mingle in the comments section, with the general tone being positive and supportive of her leadership.
Engagement is everything
The key metric is engagement -- the currency of the social media influencer world. Engagement is calculated by dividing the total number of interactions (likes, shares and comments) a post receives by the total number of followers.
Good rates for mega-influencers (those with more than a million followers) on Facebook typically range from .01% to .42%. Rates on Instagram can be as high as 12% for celebrity names such as Taika Waititi.
Advertisement
Analysis of a seven-day period in August, which spanned the Labor Party campaign launch, parliament rising, the resurgence of COVID-19 and subsequent new lockdowns, shows the range and depth of Ardern's political influence strategy.
Her Facebook livestream videos -- streamed live but available to watch and comment on later -- had an average 1.83% engagement rate on campaign and policy topics and 3.5% on COVID topics.
Ardern is disarming, comfortable and relatable -- all key traits that our research suggests increase perceptions of authenticity and expertise. Her engagement puts her on par with, or ahead of, other prolific celebrities such as Rachel Hunter (who also nets a 1.8% engagement for her average of 15 posts a week).
On-brand, on-message
One five-minute Facebook livestream, posted just before dinnertime on the Saturday of the Labor Party's campaign launch, gives a taste:
"Hi everyone, I'm sneaking a quick moment while I can hear Neve distracted in the sandpit," Ardern begins (referring to her 2-year-old daughter). As she outlines policy, those watching post heart and thumbs-up emojis, ask questions and talk to one another. The post has a 2.3% engagement rate.
It may be a long way from Trump's high-pitched, angry use of Twitter, but it is just as brand-aware and on-message.
Advertisement
The New Zealand prime minister is rare in the sense that she is a highly visible social media celebrity as well as a political leader. But at 40 she is also not getting any younger.
If Trump is the first Twitter president and Ardern the first Facebook prime minister, it's probably time to ask who will be the first TikTok politician.
Sommer Kapitan is a senior lecturer in marketing at Auckland University of Technology. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


upi--2020-09-04--'Jeopardy!' to return Sept. 14, Ken Jennings joins show

Sept. 4 ( UPI ) -- Jeopardy !
will return with Season 37 on Sept. 14 .
Host Alex Trebek will be accompanied by former champion Ken Jennings , who joins the game show as a consulting producer .
Jennings will be presenting his own special video categories starting with the second episode of the new season on Sept. 15 .
Jennings , who won the Jeopardy !
: The Greatest of All Time competition in January , will also be developing projects , assisting with contestant outreach and will serve as a general ambassador for the show .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Jeopardy !
as a contestant , I 'm delighted to have the opportunity to remain involved with my favorite show .
I 'm still in on all the action , but I do n't have to worry about phrasing things in the form of a question anymore , '' Jennings said in a statement .
Jeopardy !
will be returning with a new set that has been upgraded and allows for more space between the three contestant podiums .
Trebek will be kept at a safe distance from the podiums .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contestants , staff , crew and talent from the spread of COVID-19 .
`` I feel good and I feel excited because once again Jeopardy !
has demonstrated that it 's at the forefront of television programming , '' Trebek said in a statement .
`` I believe we are the first quiz show to come back on the air in the COVID-19 era .
On a personal level , I 'm excited because it gets me out of the house .
It gives me something to do on a regular basis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he continued .
Trebek , who announced that he was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March 2019 , said in July that his cancer treatment is going well and stated that he is `` feeling great . ''

Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Jeopardy! will return with Season 37 on Sept. 14. Host Alex Trebek will be accompanied by former champion Ken Jennings, who joins the game show as a consulting producer.
Jennings will be presenting his own special video categories starting with the second episode of the new season on Sept. 15.
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Jennings, who won the Jeopardy!: The Greatest of All Time competition in January, will also be developing projects, assisting with contestant outreach and will serve as a general ambassador for the show.
"Though I've played my last round of Jeopardy! as a contestant, I'm delighted to have the opportunity to remain involved with my favorite show. I'm still in on all the action, but I don't have to worry about phrasing things in the form of a question anymore," Jennings said in a statement.
Jeopardy! will be returning with a new set that has been upgraded and allows for more space between the three contestant podiums. Trebek will be kept at a safe distance from the podiums.
The production has protocols in place to protect contestants, staff, crew and talent from the spread of COVID-19.
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"I feel good and I feel excited because once again Jeopardy! has demonstrated that it's at the forefront of television programming," Trebek said in a statement.
"I believe we are the first quiz show to come back on the air in the COVID-19 era. On a personal level, I'm excited because it gets me out of the house. It gives me something to do on a regular basis, and I was missing that," he continued.
Trebek, who announced that he was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March 2019, said in July that his cancer treatment is going well and stated that he is "feeling great."


upi--2020-09-04--In Photos: Moments from Beyonce's career

Destiny 's Child , left to right , Kelly Rowlands , Beyonce and Michelle Williams , perform for a near @ @ @ @ @ September 26 , 2001 .
The group said goodbye in 2005 , but continue to @ @ @ @ @ , including at Coachella and Super Bowl halftime .
Photo by H. Ruckemann/UPI

Destiny's Child, left to right, Kelly Rowlands, Beyonce and Michelle Williams, perform for a near capacity crowd in Vancouver on September 26, 2001. The group said goodbye in 2005, but continue to make appearances together with Beyonce, including at Coachella and Super Bowl halftime . Photo by H. Ruckemann/UPI


upi--2020-09-04--'That Golden Girl Show!' puppet parody to stream on Broadway on Demand

Sept. 4 ( UPI ) -- Sixteen original episodes of That Golden Girl Show !
A Puppet Parody will be released via the Broadway on Demand app , starting Sept. 14 , the show 's producers announced .
`` These unprecedented and challenging times allowed us a unique opportunity to pivot and create new digital content that we are very excited to share , '' Jonathan Rockefeller of Rockefeller Productions said in a press release on Thursday .
`` We all need a good laugh right now , and what better way than to create 16 brand-new , original episodes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Puppet Parody .
We are thankful to Broadway on Demand for enabling us to bring these episodes into households around the country . ''
First presented as a popular live stage show in New York City in 2016 , That Golden Girl Show !
was created and directed by Rockefeller .
It was inspired by The Golden Girls , a U.S. sitcom about an aging mother and daughter who live with two friends in a house in Florida .
Starring Bea Arthur , Betty White , Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty , it @ @ @ @ @ @

New episodes of "That Golden Girl Show!" puppet parody will be streaming on Broadway on Demand later this month. Photo courtesy of Rockefeller Productions
Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Sixteen original episodes of That Golden Girl Show! A Puppet Parody will be released via the Broadway on Demand app, starting Sept. 14, the show's producers announced. "These unprecedented and challenging times allowed us a unique opportunity to pivot and create new digital content that we are very excited to share," Jonathan Rockefeller of Rockefeller Productions said in a press release on Thursday. Advertisement
"We all need a good laugh right now, and what better way than to create 16 brand-new, original episodes of That Golden Girl Show! A Puppet Parody. We are thankful to Broadway on Demand for enabling us to bring these episodes into households around the country."
First presented as a popular live stage show in New York City in 2016, That Golden Girl Show! was created and directed by Rockefeller.
It was inspired by The Golden Girls, a U.S. sitcom about an aging mother and daughter who live with two friends in a house in Florida.
Starring Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty, it ran for seven season 1985-92.


upi--2020-09-04--NHL playoffs: Philadelphia Flyers force Game 7 in 2OT thriller vs. New York Islanders

Sept. 4 ( UPI ) -- Ivan Provorov scored with four minutes remaining in double overtime to lift the Philadelphia Flyers past the New York Islanders and force a Game 7 in their Eastern Conference second-round Stanley Cup playoffs series .
The Islanders led 4-3 entering the third period Thursday night before Scott Laughton scored to force overtime in the 5-4 Game 6 triumph at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto .
`` The boys have done a great job of just sticking with it , playing our game and not overreacting when we give up a goal , '' Provorov told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We battled hard , stuck with it and got the win . ''
The Flyers and Islanders clash in Game 7 on Saturday for a spot in the conference finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning .
The winner of that matchup will represent the Eastern Conference in the 2020 Stanley Cup Final .
`` There is no doubt that [ Game 6 ] was n't one of our better games , but at the end of the day we found a way to get the job done.
, '' Flyers coach Alain Vigneault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come back in the third and tie the game against a team that does n't give up a lot of leads .
`` It took us two overtimes , but we found a way to make a play . ''
Philadelphia got off to an inspired start with goals from forwards Kevin Hayes and James van Riemsdyk in the first 12 minutes .
Islanders center Derick Brassard then lit the lamp with 3:27 left in the first period to cut the Flyers lead in half .
Islanders forward Matt Martin then tied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period .
Anders Lee gave New York a 3-2 advantage with a power play goal 3:06 into the bridge frame and Flyers left wing Michael Raffl tied the score about 10 minutes later .
Center Mathew Barzal gave the Islanders a 4-3 edge with a score with 30 seconds left in the second period .
The Islanders were 10 minutes away from clinching a spot in the conference finals before Flyers veteran Claude Giroux found Laughton on a breakaway .
Giroux split several defenders with a threaded pass up the middle for Laughton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ puck from his left to his right before he switched back to his left hand and buried a shot past Islanders netminder Semyon Varlamov to tie the score midway through the third period .
Flyers goaltender Carter Hart held off the Islanders down the final stretch of regulation to force overtime .
Center Kevin Hayes skated with the puck behind the Islanders net at the start of the final scoring sequence in the second overtime and fired a pass through traffic to find Provorov above the circles .
Provorov then smacked a backhanded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game-winning score .
Hart had 49 saves for the Flyers .
Varlamov had 26 saves for the Islanders .
Hayes and Provorov each had a goal and assist in the victory .
`` We have a tight group , '' Provorov said .
`` Every single guy wants to win and we are competing for each other .
When you have a team like that , a lot of good things can happen . ''
The Flyers face the Islanders in Game 7 at 7:30 p.m. EDT Saturday in Toronto .
It will @ @ @ @ @

Philadelphia Flyers left wing James van Riemsdyk (25) scored and forward Claude Giroux (28) assisted a game-tying goal in a playoff win over the New York Islanders Thursday in Toronto. File Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Ivan Provorov scored with four minutes remaining in double overtime to lift the Philadelphia Flyers past the New York Islanders and force a Game 7 in their Eastern Conference second-round Stanley Cup playoffs series. The Islanders led 4-3 entering the third period Thursday night before Scott Laughton scored to force overtime in the 5-4 Game 6 triumph at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Advertisement
"The boys have done a great job of just sticking with it, playing our game and not overreacting when we give up a goal," Provorov told reporters. "It paid off. We battled hard, stuck with it and got the win."
The Flyers and Islanders clash in Game 7 on Saturday for a spot in the conference finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The winner of that matchup will represent the Eastern Conference in the 2020 Stanley Cup Final.
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"There is no doubt that [Game 6] wasn't one of our better games, but at the end of the day we found a way to get the job done.," Flyers coach Alain Vigneault said. "We found a way to come back in the third and tie the game against a team that doesn't give up a lot of leads.
"It took us two overtimes, but we found a way to make a play."
Philadelphia got off to an inspired start with goals from forwards Kevin Hayes and James van Riemsdyk in the first 12 minutes. Islanders center Derick Brassard then lit the lamp with 3:27 left in the first period to cut the Flyers lead in half.
Islanders forward Matt Martin then tied the score 84 seconds into the second period. Anders Lee gave New York a 3-2 advantage with a power play goal 3:06 into the bridge frame and Flyers left wing Michael Raffl tied the score about 10 minutes later.
Center Mathew Barzal gave the Islanders a 4-3 edge with a score with 30 seconds left in the second period.
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The Islanders were 10 minutes away from clinching a spot in the conference finals before Flyers veteran Claude Giroux found Laughton on a breakaway.
Giroux split several defenders with a threaded pass up the middle for Laughton on the play. Laughton moved the puck from his left to his right before he switched back to his left hand and buried a shot past Islanders netminder Semyon Varlamov to tie the score midway through the third period.
Flyers goaltender Carter Hart held off the Islanders down the final stretch of regulation to force overtime.
Center Kevin Hayes skated with the puck behind the Islanders net at the start of the final scoring sequence in the second overtime and fired a pass through traffic to find Provorov above the circles. Provorov then smacked a backhanded shot and beat Varlamov stickside for the game-winning score.
Hart had 49 saves for the Flyers. Varlamov had 26 saves for the Islanders. Hayes and Provorov each had a goal and assist in the victory.
"We have a tight group," Provorov said. "Every single guy wants to win and we are competing for each other. When you have a team like that, a lot of good things can happen."
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The Flyers face the Islanders in Game 7 at 7:30 p.m. EDT Saturday in Toronto. It will be broadcast by NBC.


upi--2020-09-04--Thom Yorke postpones, cancels fall tour dates

Sept. 4 ( UPI ) -- Thom Yorke of Radiohead has postponed or canceled all fall U.S. tour dates .
@ @ @ @ @ .
Tomorrow 's Modern Boxes dates have been postponed until the new dates can be @ @ @ @ @ Washington D.C. , Chicago & Denver have been canceled , '' Yorke said on Instagram @ @ @ @ @ original dates will be honored and refunds for D.C. , Chicago & Denver will be @ @ @ @ @ , '' he continued .
Yorke has postponed his shows in New York City , @ @ @ @ @ .
The 51-year-old had moved his Tomorrow 's Modern Boxes tour from spring to the @ @ @ @ @ to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Yorke 's last solo album titled Anima was released in @ @ @ @ @ Modern Boxes is the name of Yorke 's second solo album which was released in @ @

Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Thom Yorke of Radiohead has postponed or canceled all fall U.S. tour dates.
"Regrettably, the U.S. Tomorrow's Modern Boxes dates have been postponed until the new dates can be scheduled. The shows in Washington D.C., Chicago & Denver have been canceled," Yorke said on Instagram Thursday.
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"Tickets for original dates will be honored and refunds for D.C., Chicago & Denver will be available from point of purchase," he continued.
Yorke has postponed his shows in New York City, Sacramento and Phoenix, indefinitely.
The 51-year-old had moved his Tomorrow's Modern Boxes tour from spring to the fall in April, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yorke's last solo album titled Anima was released in June 2019. Tomorrow's Modern Boxes is the name of Yorke's second solo album which was released in 2014.


upi--2020-09-04--Javier Bardem's 'Cortés y Moctezuma' miniseries canceled due to COVID-19

Sept. 4 ( UPI ) -- Amazon Studios and Amblin Partners have canceled their planned TV miniseries Cortés y Moctezuma because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem was to star in and produce the project , which was filming in Mexico when the virus struck , shutting down film and TV productions all over the world .
Steve Zaillian penned the screenplay and Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal were onboard as producers .
The cast included Tenoch Huerta and Yoshira Escárrega .
The four-part , historical , Spanish-language drama was to take place during the 16th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constraints created by the COVID-19 global pandemic , Amazon Studios and Amblin Partners are unable to move forward with production on our Cortés y Moctezuma series , '' the companies said in a statement Thursday .
`` In the current climate , there is unfortunately no way to remount the production in the near future to achieve the scale and scope that was intended and that the series deserves .
We have nothing but admiration and respect for Javier , Tenoch , Yoshira , Gael , Diego , Steve Zaillian , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hope we can work together again in the future . ''
Film and TV production have been slow to resume as studios and networks figure out how to protect their casts and crew from the virus .
Production on The Batman was put on hold this week in the United Kingdom after star Robert Pattinson tested positive for COVID-19 .

1/3
Production on Javier Bardem's miniseries "Cortés y Moctezuma" has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Amazon Studios and Amblin Partners have canceled their planned TV miniseries Cortés y Moctezuma because of the coronavirus pandemic. Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem was to star in and produce the project, which was filming in Mexico when the virus struck, shutting down film and TV productions all over the world. Advertisement
Steve Zaillian penned the screenplay and Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal were onboard as producers. The cast included Tenoch Huerta and Yoshira Escárrega.
The four-part, historical, Spanish-language drama was to take place during the 16th century.
"Due to the production constraints created by the COVID-19 global pandemic, Amazon Studios and Amblin Partners are unable to move forward with production on our Cortés y Moctezuma series," the companies said in a statement Thursday.
"In the current climate, there is unfortunately no way to remount the production in the near future to achieve the scale and scope that was intended and that the series deserves. We have nothing but admiration and respect for Javier, Tenoch, Yoshira, Gael, Diego, Steve Zaillian, and the entire cast and crew of the series and hope we can work together again in the future."
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Film and TV production have been slow to resume as studios and networks figure out how to protect their casts and crew from the virus.
Production on The Batman was put on hold this week in the United Kingdom after star Robert Pattinson tested positive for COVID-19.


upi--2020-09-04--Bahrain OKs use of its airspace for new Israel-UAE flights

Sept. 4 ( UPI ) -- The government of Bahrain says it will allow Israeli commercial carriers in its airspace @ @ @ @ @ to the United Arab Emirates .
Bahrain 's Transportation Ministry said in a statement Thursday @ @ @ @ @ flights to the UAE to fly over its borders .
Bahrain 's move joins Saudi @ @ @ @ @ the Israeli fights to and from the UAE .
The flights are part of a @ @ @ @ @ Middle Eastern nations signed last month .
Bahrain said its decision came after the UAE @ @ @ @ @ a request to use its airspace .
It has not yet , however , led @ @ @ @ @ and Israel .
Bahrain 's king told White House presidential adviser Jared Kushner , who @ @ @ @ @ East peace effort , that it would follow Saudi Arabia 's lead in normalization talks @ @ @ @ @ it would not move toward normalization unless Israel agrees to an Arab Peace Initiative with @ @ @ @ @ 2002 .

The Arabic, English and Hebrew words for "peace" are seen Monday on the inaugural El Al flight to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel. Photo by Nir Elias/UPI/Pool | License Photo
Sept. 4 (UPI) -- The government of Bahrain says it will allow Israeli commercial carriers in its airspace to fly a new route to the United Arab Emirates. Bahrain's Transportation Ministry said in a statement Thursday it will allow all Israeli flights to the UAE to fly over its borders. Advertisement
Bahrain's move joins Saudi Arabia, which first allowed the Israeli fights to and from the UAE. The flights are part of a new diplomatic agreement the two Middle Eastern nations signed last month.
Bahrain said its decision came after the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority made a request to use its airspace. It has not yet, however, led to greater cooperation between Bahrain and Israel.
Bahrain's king told White House presidential adviser Jared Kushner, who is leading Trump's Middle East peace effort, that it would follow Saudi Arabia's lead in normalization talks.
Saudi Arabia has said it would not move toward normalization unless Israel agrees to an Arab Peace Initiative with the Palestinians drawn up in 2002.
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upi--2020-09-04--NBA playoffs: LA Clippers crush Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of West semifinals

Sept. 4 ( UPI ) -- Kawhi Leonard scored a game-high 29 points and the Los Angeles Clippers shot 57 % as a team in a blowout of the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinals series in Orlando , Fla .
The Clippers held the Nuggets to 42 % shooting in the 120-97 win Thursday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex inside Walt Disney World Resort .
Paul George chipped in 19 points in the win .
No Nuggets players scored more than 15 points .
The Nuggets had just one day of rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven-game series against the Utah Jazz .
The Clippers had three days of rest and had n't played since Sunday .
`` That team went through a seven-game series and I 'm sure they 'll come back more prepared for Game 2 , '' Leonard told reporters .
Denver led 24-18 in the first quarter before Los Angeles used an 11-3 run to take a 29-27 advantage .
Leonard netted 10 points in the first 12 minutes to pace the comeback .
The game was tied 31-31 entering the second quarter before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim a 58-43 advantage 3:08 before halftime .
George scored eight points to spark the Clippers to a 69-51 lead at the break .
Los Angeles broke the game open with a 17-2 run in the third frame to push their lead to 29 points .
The Nuggets outscored the Clippers 30-29 down the stretch , but could n't overcome the massive deficit .
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 15 points .
Paul Millsap chipped in 13 points and nine rebounds in the loss .
Marcus Morris had 18 points for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and playing hard , '' Clippers coach Doc Rivers said .
`` We are going to make mistakes , but when you play hard it covers up for them .
I thought we did that [ Thursday ] . ''
The Nuggets next face the Clippers in Game 2 at 9 p.m. EDT Saturday .

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard held his squad lead by as many as 29 points in a dominant playoff win over the Denver Nuggets Thursday in Orlando, Fla. Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA-EFE
Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Kawhi Leonard scored a game-high 29 points and the Los Angeles Clippers shot 57% as a team in a blowout of the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinals series in Orlando, Fla. The Clippers held the Nuggets to 42% shooting in the 120-97 win Thursday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex inside Walt Disney World Resort. Paul George chipped in 19 points in the win. No Nuggets players scored more than 15 points. Advertisement
The Nuggets had just one day of rest before the game after they finished a seven-game series against the Utah Jazz. The Clippers had three days of rest and hadn't played since Sunday.
"That team went through a seven-game series and I'm sure they'll come back more prepared for Game 2," Leonard told reporters.
Denver led 24-18 in the first quarter before Los Angeles used an 11-3 run to take a 29-27 advantage. Leonard netted 10 points in the first 12 minutes to pace the comeback.
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The game was tied 31-31 entering the second quarter before the Clippers put together another 12-3 run to claim a 58-43 advantage 3:08 before halftime. George scored eight points to spark the Clippers to a 69-51 lead at the break.
Los Angeles broke the game open with a 17-2 run in the third frame to push their lead to 29 points. The Nuggets outscored the Clippers 30-29 down the stretch, but couldn't overcome the massive deficit.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 15 points. Paul Millsap chipped in 13 points and nine rebounds in the loss. Marcus Morris had 18 points for the Clippers.
"We are playing well and playing hard," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. "We are going to make mistakes, but when you play hard it covers up for them. I thought we did that [Thursday]."
The Nuggets next face the Clippers in Game 2 at 9 p.m. EDT Saturday.


upi--2020-09-04--Paramount to release new edit of 'Godfather: Part III'

Sept. 4 ( UPI ) -- Paramount Pictures has announced plans to release a newly edited version of The Godfather : Part III timed to the gangster picture 's 30th anniversary .
The studio plans to give The Godfather , Coda : The Death of Michael Corleone a limited theatrical release in December .
It will then be released on digital platforms and on Blu-ray .
`` Mario Puzo 's The Godfather Coda : The Death of Michael Corleone is an acknowledgement of Mario 's and my preferred title and our original intentions for what became The Godfather : Part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement Thursday .
`` For this version of the finale , I created a new beginning and ending , and rearranged some scenes , shots , and music cues .
With these changes and the restored footage and sound , to me , it is a more appropriate conclusion to The Godfather and The Godfather : Part II and I 'm thankful to Jim Gianopulos and Paramount for allowing me to revisit it . ''
The third Godfather film , which was nominated for seven Oscars , followed Al Pacino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get his family out of organized crime .
The sequel to 1972 's The Godfather and 1974 's The Godfather Part II co-starred Andy Garcia , Diane Keaton , Talia Shire and Sofia Coppola .
`` Mr. Coppola oversaw every aspect of the restoration while working on the new edit , ensuring that the film not only looks and sounds pristine , but also meets his personal standards and directorial vision , '' Andrea Kalas , senior vice president of Paramount Archives , said about the new version that will be released this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Puzo 's novels .
Puzo died in 1999 at age 78 .

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Al Pacino's "The Godfather: Part III" will be re-released in December in time for the film's 30th anniversary. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Paramount Pictures has announced plans to release a newly edited version of The Godfather: Part III timed to the gangster picture's 30th anniversary. The studio plans to give The Godfather, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone a limited theatrical release in December. It will then be released on digital platforms and on Blu-ray. Advertisement
"Mario Puzo's The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone is an acknowledgement of Mario's and my preferred title and our original intentions for what became The Godfather: Part III," writer-director Francis Ford Coppola said in a statement Thursday.
"For this version of the finale, I created a new beginning and ending, and rearranged some scenes, shots, and music cues. With these changes and the restored footage and sound, to me, it is a more appropriate conclusion to The Godfather and The Godfather: Part II and I'm thankful to Jim Gianopulos and Paramount for allowing me to revisit it."
The third Godfather film, which was nominated for seven Oscars, followed Al Pacino's Michael Corleone as he tried to get his family out of organized crime.
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The sequel to 1972's The Godfather and 1974's The Godfather Part II co-starred Andy Garcia, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire and Sofia Coppola.
"Mr. Coppola oversaw every aspect of the restoration while working on the new edit, ensuring that the film not only looks and sounds pristine, but also meets his personal standards and directorial vision," Andrea Kalas, senior vice president of Paramount Archives, said about the new version that will be released this winter.
The Godfather films were based on Puzo's novels. Puzo died in 1999 at age 78.


upi--2020-09-04--Luke Wilson to host ABC's unscripted series, 'Emergency Call'

Sept. 4 ( UPI ) -- Enlightened and Stargirl actor Luke Wilson is set to host Emergency Call , ABC 's new unscripted series about 911 call takers in the United States .
`` Since I was a kid , I have always been interested in people who help .
People who save people , '' Wilson said in a press release Thursday .
`` When you 're younger , you might be drawn toward superheroes or fictional characters , but as you get older you come to realize that people who help , real-life heroes , are just regular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wilson added .
`` 911 call takers do n't just save people ; they calm and console people until they are safe .
They are the first link in the chain of first responders .
For that , I feel very lucky to be a part of this project . ''
About 240 million calls are made every year to 911 call centers across the country , according to the broadcast television network .
`` While we often hear about some of these stories on the news , we rarely hear about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact and , at times , essential to saving a life , '' said Karey Burke , president of ABC Entertainment .
`` Emergency Call shines a light on these mysterious and brave voices who are driven by their desire to help ; and Luke Wilson is the consummate host , navigating us through these extraordinary situations which will have you on the edge of your seat . ''
The show is set to debut on Sept. 28 .
Wilson 's other credits include Old School , The Royal Tenenbaums and The Family @ @

Luke Wilson's "Emergency Call" is set to debut on Sept. 28. File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Enlightened and Stargirl actor Luke Wilson is set to host Emergency Call, ABC's new unscripted series about 911 call takers in the United States. "Since I was a kid, I have always been interested in people who help. People who save people," Wilson said in a press release Thursday. Advertisement
"When you're younger, you might be drawn toward superheroes or fictional characters, but as you get older you come to realize that people who help, real-life heroes, are just regular people who do extraordinary things," Wilson added. "911 call takers don't just save people; they calm and console people until they are safe. They are the first link in the chain of first responders. For that, I feel very lucky to be a part of this project."
About 240 million calls are made every year to 911 call centers across the country, according to the broadcast television network.
"While we often hear about some of these stories on the news, we rarely hear about the heroes that are the first point of contact and, at times, essential to saving a life," said Karey Burke, president of ABC Entertainment.
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"Emergency Call shines a light on these mysterious and brave voices who are driven by their desire to help; and Luke Wilson is the consummate host, navigating us through these extraordinary situations which will have you on the edge of your seat."
The show is set to debut on Sept. 28.
Wilson's other credits include Old School, The Royal Tenenbaums and The Family Stone.


upi--2020-09-04--Giancarlo Esposito: 'The Boys' Season 2 will 'blow your mind'

NEW YORK , Sept. 4 ( UPI ) -- Giancarlo Esposito said he joined the cast of The Boys because the darkly comic , action-packed epic is an `` illuminating '' show that reflects some of what he sees in real-life society .
Season 2 of the adaptation of Garth Ennis ' and Darick Robertson 's graphic novel will be streaming on Amazon Prime starting Friday .
In The Boys , Esposito plays Stan Edgar , the CEO of Vought International , a corporation that markets and monetizes crime fighters known as The Seven , whose extraordinary powers are courtesy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Karl Urban plays Billy Butcher , leader of the titular vigilante group determined to bring down `` supes '' they feel are careless and corrupt .
The ensemble includes Jack Quaid , Erin Moriarty , Jessie T. Usher , Dominique McElligott and Chace Crawford .
Eric Kripke is showrunner .
`` Season 2 is going to blow your mind , '' Esposito promised in a recent Zoom interview with UPI .
`` Intention , morality , politics , money , science -- it 's all there in a wonderful way on this show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creating it . ''
Esposito became aware of Kripke nearly a decade ago , thanks to his four daughters ' obsession with another of his projects , the long-running , fantasy series , Supernatural .
The actor then went on to collaborate with the filmmaker for two seasons of the post-apocalyptic drama , Revolution .
`` I met him on Revolution and fell in love with him .
His ideas , his energy , his clarity were really , to me , pushing the envelope , always , '' Esposito recalled .
Several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Kripke just as he was about to start filming Season 1 of The Boys .
`` He said , 'Would you ... ? '
First thing out of his mouth , 'Would you ? '
and I said : 'Of course , I would .
Of course , I would .
Because I love you and the concept sounds great , ' '' Esposito said .
About a month later , the show 's producers called Esposito 's representatives to formally offer him the job , but they admitted they could n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Once Upon a Time star what he was used to earning .
Esposito still wanted to do it .
While he was only slated to appear as a guest star , his role was expanded for Season 2 after Elisabeth Shue 's Vought veep character Madelyn died .
`` I was onboard immediately because I felt the essence of the show was something different .
It was about superhumanity being human , '' Esposito said .
`` Superheroes did things that humans did -- abused each other , hurt each other , had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tried to kill each other . ''
The show also explores how someone 's words , deeds and motives can be twisted for nefarious purposes in today 's corporate-sponsored , media-saturated society .
At Vought , superheroes are the bedrock of the corporation and `` company man '' Edgar views them with a mixture of contempt and appreciation .
Knowing he has to assuage his employees ' anxieties and egos because , at the end of the day , they are powerful and have what he needs , Edgar still manages to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boss .
`` Stan is completely cool .
No fear , no worry , '' Esposito said .
`` Stan does n't have time to play games . ''
Kripke was clear with the cast and crew that Season 2 of the show was not intended to top Season 1 just for the sake of being bolder and louder , Urban told reporters in a separate Zoom chat .
`` What we want to do is delve deeper .
We want to find out more about these characters .
We want to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Urban quoted Kripke as saying .
`` Not only has he done that , but he did definitely go bigger as well .
Season 2 of The Boys is like Season 1 on V-Compound . ''
At the end of Season 1 , Butcher discovers his presumed-dead wife Becca ( Shantel VanSanten ) actually is alive after she was raped by the squeaky clean-appearing hero Homelander ( Antony Starr . )
`` Butcher 's main goal and agenda through Season 2 is to find her and reunite with her and rescue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raises issues for Butcher , primarily how far is he willing to go to achieve that goal .
`` He will have to find out who is the main puppeteer of The Seven and how do you take them down , '' Urban said .
Many of the stunts in The Boys are filmed `` old school '' style , instead of using digital special effects , the Star Trek and The Lord of the Rings alum said .
`` In Episode 3 , we are speeding along a lake and jumping waves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boat driving , and we had a helicopter hovering 100 feet in the air filming us , '' Urban said .
`` All around , the bar is raised on Season 2 and I ca n't wait for folks to see it .
It 's a lot of fun . ''

1/3
Giancarlo Esposito can now be seen in Season 2 of "The Boys." File Photo by Gregg DeGuire/UPI | License Photo
NEW YORK, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Giancarlo Esposito said he joined the cast of The Boys because the darkly comic, action-packed epic is an "illuminating" show that reflects some of what he sees in real-life society. Season 2 of the adaptation of Garth Ennis' and Darick Robertson's graphic novel will be streaming on Amazon Prime starting Friday. Advertisement
In The Boys, Esposito plays Stan Edgar, the CEO of Vought International, a corporation that markets and monetizes crime fighters known as The Seven, whose extraordinary powers are courtesy of a performance-enhancement drug called Compound V.
Karl Urban plays Billy Butcher, leader of the titular vigilante group determined to bring down "supes" they feel are careless and corrupt.
The ensemble includes Jack Quaid, Erin Moriarty, Jessie T. Usher, Dominique McElligott and Chace Crawford. Eric Kripke is showrunner.
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"Season 2 is going to blow your mind," Esposito promised in a recent Zoom interview with UPI. "Intention, morality, politics, money, science -- it's all there in a wonderful way on this show, and I really respect Eric for creating it."
Esposito became aware of Kripke nearly a decade ago, thanks to his four daughters' obsession with another of his projects, the long-running, fantasy series, Supernatural.
The actor then went on to collaborate with the filmmaker for two seasons of the post-apocalyptic drama, Revolution.
"I met him on Revolution and fell in love with him. His ideas, his energy, his clarity were really, to me, pushing the envelope, always," Esposito recalled.
Several years after Revolution ended, he ran into Kripke just as he was about to start filming Season 1 of The Boys.
"He said, 'Would you...?' First thing out of his mouth, 'Would you?' and I said: 'Of course, I would. Of course, I would. Because I love you and the concept sounds great,'" Esposito said.
About a month later, the show's producers called Esposito's representatives to formally offer him the job, but they admitted they couldn't pay The Mandalorian, Breaking Bad and Once Upon a Time star what he was used to earning.
Advertisement
Esposito still wanted to do it.
While he was only slated to appear as a guest star, his role was expanded for Season 2 after Elisabeth Shue's Vought veep character Madelyn died.
"I was onboard immediately because I felt the essence of the show was something different. It was about superhumanity being human," Esposito said.
"Superheroes did things that humans did -- abused each other, hurt each other, had to apologize, stole from each other, tried to kill each other."
The show also explores how someone's words, deeds and motives can be twisted for nefarious purposes in today's corporate-sponsored, media-saturated society.
At Vought, superheroes are the bedrock of the corporation and "company man" Edgar views them with a mixture of contempt and appreciation.
Knowing he has to assuage his employees' anxieties and egos because, at the end of the day, they are powerful and have what he needs, Edgar still manages to stand strong and remind them who is boss.
"Stan is completely cool. No fear, no worry," Esposito said. "Stan doesn't have time to play games."
Kripke was clear with the cast and crew that Season 2 of the show was not intended to top Season 1 just for the sake of being bolder and louder, Urban told reporters in a separate Zoom chat.
Advertisement
"What we want to do is delve deeper. We want to find out more about these characters. We want to make it a more rich character development experience," Urban quoted Kripke as saying.
"Not only has he done that, but he did definitely go bigger as well. Season 2 of The Boys is like Season 1 on V-Compound."
At the end of Season 1, Butcher discovers his presumed-dead wife Becca (Shantel VanSanten) actually is alive after she was raped by the squeaky clean-appearing hero Homelander (Antony Starr.)
"Butcher's main goal and agenda through Season 2 is to find her and reunite with her and rescue her," Urban said.
That raises issues for Butcher, primarily how far is he willing to go to achieve that goal.
"He will have to find out who is the main puppeteer of The Seven and how do you take them down," Urban said.
Many of the stunts in The Boys are filmed "old school" style, instead of using digital special effects, the Star Trek and The Lord of the Rings alum said.
"In Episode 3, we are speeding along a lake and jumping waves. That's actually us in the boat driving, and we had a helicopter hovering 100 feet in the air filming us," Urban said.
Advertisement
"All around, the bar is raised on Season 2 and I can't wait for folks to see it. It's a lot of fun."


upi--2020-09-04--Korean doctors call off strike, reach agreement with government

SEOUL , Sept. 4 ( UPI ) -- Thousands of striking South Korean doctors are ready to return to work as the Korean Medical Association and the ruling Democratic Party came to an agreement Friday that put a halt to the government 's medical reform plans .
South Korean interns and residents have been on strike since Aug. 21 in response to governments plans introduced in July that would have increased medical school admission quotas by 4,000 over the next decade .
The five-point agreement signed Friday morning by the KMA and DP said discussions would start from scratch after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commissions to be formed that include doctors , politicians and health officials .
Later in the day , KMA President Choi Dae-zip signed another agreement with Health Minister Park Neung-hoo to end the strike and call on trainee doctors to return to work .
South Korean President Moon Jae-in reacted with relief on Friday , saying the agreement would `` greatly reduce the public 's anxiety '' over the strike during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic .
`` I now look forward to the government and the medical community working together to overcome the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said in remarks relayed by presidential spokesman Kang Min-seok .
South Korea has been battling a surge in COVID-19 cases since mid-August linked to outbreaks at a conservative Presbyterian church and a large anti-government rally held in Seoul .
The country has seen triple-digit daily infection numbers for the past three weeks , with widespread clusters and untraceable cases alarming health officials .
On Friday , South Korea reported 198 COVID-19 cases , continuing a slowing trend in new infections over recent days .
Health officials decided to extend heightened social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area , restricting restaurant operating hours and requiring chain coffee outlets to offer take-out service only .
Moon said he hoped the agreement between doctors and the government would `` be the foundation for a better future . ''
`` I hope this will be an opportunity to advance our healthcare system to the next level , '' he said .
The government has argued that reforms are necessary to prepare for future public health emergencies such as another pandemic , as well as to help rectify a regional imbalance between medical care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country .
In addition to adding new doctors , the government had planned to establish a new public medical school , extend national health insurance coverage to Korean traditional medicine and expand telemedicine services .
Doctors and medical students have countered that South Korea does not need more doctors but a better distribution of existing resources across specialties and geographical location .
`` Improving the qualities of resident training and working environment through constant communication with doctors should be on the top of the action list , '' Park Jee-hyun , president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a group that represents the striking junior doctors , said in a statement earlier this month .
Some of the trainees disavowed Friday 's pact , with dozens coming out to protest at the Korea Health Promotion Institute in Seoul against what they called a `` hasty agreement . ''
Public sentiment had turned against the doctors ' strike amid reports of medical services being disrupted around the country and fear of the growing pandemic .
A survey by pollster Realmeter released Thursday found that 55.2 % of respondents said they did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while just 38.6 % agreed .

Health Minister Park Neung-hoo (R) and Choi Dae-zip, head of the Korean Medical Association, shake hands after signing an agreement Friday to end a nationwide strike by trainee doctors. Photo by Yonhap
SEOUL, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Thousands of striking South Korean doctors are ready to return to work as the Korean Medical Association and the ruling Democratic Party came to an agreement Friday that put a halt to the government's medical reform plans. South Korean interns and residents have been on strike since Aug. 21 in response to governments plans introduced in July that would have increased medical school admission quotas by 4,000 over the next decade. Advertisement
The five-point agreement signed Friday morning by the KMA and DP said discussions would start from scratch after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, with special commissions to be formed that include doctors, politicians and health officials.
Later in the day, KMA President Choi Dae-zip signed another agreement with Health Minister Park Neung-hoo to end the strike and call on trainee doctors to return to work.
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South Korean President Moon Jae-in reacted with relief on Friday, saying the agreement would "greatly reduce the public's anxiety" over the strike during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
"I now look forward to the government and the medical community working together to overcome the severe situation of the coronavirus," he said in remarks relayed by presidential spokesman Kang Min-seok.
South Korea has been battling a surge in COVID-19 cases since mid-August linked to outbreaks at a conservative Presbyterian church and a large anti-government rally held in Seoul.
The country has seen triple-digit daily infection numbers for the past three weeks, with widespread clusters and untraceable cases alarming health officials.
On Friday, South Korea reported 198 COVID-19 cases, continuing a slowing trend in new infections over recent days. Health officials decided to extend heightened social distancing rules for another week in the Seoul area, restricting restaurant operating hours and requiring chain coffee outlets to offer take-out service only.
Moon said he hoped the agreement between doctors and the government would "be the foundation for a better future."
"I hope this will be an opportunity to advance our healthcare system to the next level," he said.
The government has argued that reforms are necessary to prepare for future public health emergencies such as another pandemic, as well as to help rectify a regional imbalance between medical care available in Seoul and the rest of the country.
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In addition to adding new doctors, the government had planned to establish a new public medical school, extend national health insurance coverage to Korean traditional medicine and expand telemedicine services.
Doctors and medical students have countered that South Korea does not need more doctors but a better distribution of existing resources across specialties and geographical location.
"Improving the qualities of resident training and working environment through constant communication with doctors should be on the top of the action list," Park Jee-hyun, president of the Korean Intern and Resident Association, a group that represents the striking junior doctors, said in a statement earlier this month.
Some of the trainees disavowed Friday's pact, with dozens coming out to protest at the Korea Health Promotion Institute in Seoul against what they called a "hasty agreement."
Public sentiment had turned against the doctors' strike amid reports of medical services being disrupted around the country and fear of the growing pandemic.
A survey by pollster Realmeter released Thursday found that 55.2% of respondents said they didn't agree with the doctors' strike, while just 38.6% agreed.


upi--2020-09-04--Boat sellers can't meet rising demand as pandemic scuttles supply chain

ORLANDO , Fla. , Sept. 4 ( UPI ) -- Americans who sought to buy a boat this summer to escape coronavirus pandemic restrictions experienced a rude awakening : limited choices and waiting lists .
Demand outstripped supply as manufacturers dealt with sick workers and difficulties obtaining materials and components .
Consumers faced virtually empty showrooms , non-negotiable prices and bigger deposits , often for back orders with no certain delivery date .
Sometimes , by the time a customer decides on a specific purchase , `` someone else has made an offer and the boat is sold , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and chief executive at Yacht Creators in Fort Lauderdale , Fla. '' As soon as boats hit the floor , they 're sold , '' said Matt Lodder , president of Memphis-based Marine Sales Group .
`` Lately , customers are putting down deposits on any boat , even before it arrives , just so they know they will get something .
I tell them the wait can be 30 days . ''
Competition among buyers means little bargaining over the price tag .
Negotiations still are possible for custom-built yachts over $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , production-line boats , Cardenas said .
And once they purchase a boat , buyers also may have to wait a week or more for an inspection because inspectors and insurance agents are overwhelmed , Cardenas said .
Boat factories sometimes ca n't fulfill orders because they lack essential parts , such as engine components , generators and windshields , industry observers said .
Aside from lacking parts , manufacturers face workforce interruptions due to sick employees and freight carriers experienced service disruptions .
Sometimes suppliers faced interruptions that held up production at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortage of windshields held up construction on dozens of fishing powerboats for several weeks during the spring at Maverick Boats in Fort Pierce , Fla. , about 120 miles north of Miami , said Skip Lyshon , vice president of sales .
The company makes about 20 boats per week and wants to increase that to 30 boats per week , he said .
But finding some parts , such as stainless steel fixtures , engine harnesses and trim tabs , has been difficult .
`` To be honest , our purchasing department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain acceptable substitutes a few times over the past summer , '' Lyshon said .
The plant also faced absences due to COVID-19 exposure and positive test results , said Angie Brandt , the personnel manager .
Such staff issues have limited the company 's ability to ramp up production as planned , she said .
`` If employees do n't feel comfortable working during the pandemic , we let them take time off , and a few of them have n't returned , '' Brandt said .
`` We are looking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is some competition locally for skilled labor . ''
Even buyers who do n't want a new boat are seeing the effects of surging demand , Marine Sales Group 's Lodder said .
Used boats have virtually disappeared from the market .
`` We 've got two pre-owned boats and we typically carry 30 , '' he said earlier this week .
Lodder 's showroom in Fairfield , Ohio , has few boats to display , but prospective customers keep coming , he said .
Almost half of them this year are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate of one-fourth .
Since the buying surge began , everything from kayaks to large yachts has experienced greater sales volume , said John-Michael Donahue , communications director at the National Marine Manufacturers Association , based in Washington , D.C. A lot of the existing inventory has been snapped up , creating shortages in part because of interruptions in manufacturers ' supply chains .
Powerboats for fishing , especially the cheaper models that sell for about $ 25,000 , have seen the greatest demand , along with personal watercraft designed for one or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 're seeing increases in sales across the industry , essentially in every segment , '' he said .
`` The highest demand is for more affordable models -- for people who are new to the boat market . ''
Across the country , new powerboat retail sales were up by 59 % in May compared to April , and up by 19 % over last year .
Sales of personal watercraft , or water scooters , jumped by 41 % in June compared to June 2019 , Donahue said .
Donahue 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held around the country , Many were canceled after the pandemic began , he said .
The shows are public showcases for manufacturers , brokers and dealers .
They might be good for long-range planning by consumers and to highlight upscale yachts , but they ca n't make basic boats any easier to obtain .
`` There is some inventory out there , but it 's restricted , '' said Matt Gruhn , president of the Minneapolis-based Marine Retailers Association of the Americas .
`` Retailers are taking orders , and manufacturers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing , '' Gruhn said .
The spike in sales is part of a roller-coaster year .
Boat sellers dealt with almost no sales in March during pandemic-related lockdowns , said Roger Moore , owner and CEO of Nautical Ventures Group in Fort Lauderdale .
As a result , he cut all 127 employees ' pay to $ 10 per hour for a month , from the highest paid managers to clerks , rather than resorting to layoffs .
He then restored pay as the pandemic restrictions eased and business returned .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the market as everyone stayed home , '' Moore said .
`` I wanted to avoid layoffs .
And then we had this sudden surge in calls and sales as people realized outdoor , distant recreation was safer . ''
That 's because , in part , families who were confined at home realized they could still travel safely by boat and even dock at a shoreline restaurant or business , he said .
Big manufacturers like Yamaha also must cope with periodic supply chain disruptions , said Bryan Seti , general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California .
`` The unknown factor is where COVID-19 will pop up next , and whether it will affect our locations or our suppliers , '' Seti said .
`` All our factories are open , but the supply chain issue is a problem sometimes .
People do n't know when normal will happen again . ''

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The showroom floor at Lodder's Marine in the Cincinnati area is normally full of boats, but this photo taken in August shows the impact of a sales surge during the coronavirus pandemic. Photo courtesy of Lodder's Marine
ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Americans who sought to buy a boat this summer to escape coronavirus pandemic restrictions experienced a rude awakening: limited choices and waiting lists. Demand outstripped supply as manufacturers dealt with sick workers and difficulties obtaining materials and components. Consumers faced virtually empty showrooms, non-negotiable prices and bigger deposits, often for back orders with no certain delivery date. Advertisement
Sometimes, by the time a customer decides on a specific purchase, "someone else has made an offer and the boat is sold," said yacht broker Barin Cardenas, founder and chief executive at Yacht Creators in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
"As soon as boats hit the floor, they're sold," said Matt Lodder, president of Memphis-based Marine Sales Group. "Lately, customers are putting down deposits on any boat, even before it arrives, just so they know they will get something. I tell them the wait can be 30 days."
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Competition among buyers means little bargaining over the price tag. Negotiations still are possible for custom-built yachts over $1 million, but not for smaller, production-line boats, Cardenas said.
And once they purchase a boat, buyers also may have to wait a week or more for an inspection because inspectors and insurance agents are overwhelmed, Cardenas said.
Boat factories sometimes can't fulfill orders because they lack essential parts, such as engine components, generators and windshields, industry observers said.
Aside from lacking parts, manufacturers face workforce interruptions due to sick employees and freight carriers experienced service disruptions. Sometimes suppliers faced interruptions that held up production at boat factories, Lodder said.
A shortage of windshields held up construction on dozens of fishing powerboats for several weeks during the spring at Maverick Boats in Fort Pierce, Fla., about 120 miles north of Miami, said Skip Lyshon, vice president of sales.
The company makes about 20 boats per week and wants to increase that to 30 boats per week, he said. But finding some parts, such as stainless steel fixtures, engine harnesses and trim tabs, has been difficult.
"To be honest, our purchasing department went on Amazon and eBay to find certain acceptable substitutes a few times over the past summer," Lyshon said.
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The plant also faced absences due to COVID-19 exposure and positive test results, said Angie Brandt, the personnel manager. Such staff issues have limited the company's ability to ramp up production as planned, she said.
"If employees don't feel comfortable working during the pandemic, we let them take time off, and a few of them haven't returned," Brandt said. "We are looking to hire about 30 people now, and there is some competition locally for skilled labor."
Even buyers who don't want a new boat are seeing the effects of surging demand, Marine Sales Group's Lodder said. Used boats have virtually disappeared from the market.
"We've got two pre-owned boats and we typically carry 30," he said earlier this week.
Lodder's showroom in Fairfield, Ohio, has few boats to display, but prospective customers keep coming, he said. Almost half of them this year are first-time buyers, compared to an average rate of one-fourth.
Since the buying surge began, everything from kayaks to large yachts has experienced greater sales volume, said John-Michael Donahue, communications director at the National Marine Manufacturers Association, based in Washington, D.C.
A lot of the existing inventory has been snapped up, creating shortages in part because of interruptions in manufacturers' supply chains.
Advertisement
Powerboats for fishing, especially the cheaper models that sell for about $25,000, have seen the greatest demand, along with personal watercraft designed for one or two people, Donahue said.
"We're seeing increases in sales across the industry, essentially in every segment," he said. "The highest demand is for more affordable models -- for people who are new to the boat market."
Across the country, new powerboat retail sales were up by 59% in May compared to April, and up by 19% over last year. Sales of personal watercraft, or water scooters, jumped by 41% in June compared to June 2019, Donahue said.
Donahue's association also coordinates 25 large boat shows held around the country, Many were canceled after the pandemic began, he said.
The shows are public showcases for manufacturers, brokers and dealers. They might be good for long-range planning by consumers and to highlight upscale yachts, but they can't make basic boats any easier to obtain.
"There is some inventory out there, but it's restricted," said Matt Gruhn, president of the Minneapolis-based Marine Retailers Association of the Americas.
"Retailers are taking orders, and manufacturers are still dealing with workplace restrictions like social distancing," Gruhn said.
The spike in sales is part of a roller-coaster year. Boat sellers dealt with almost no sales in March during pandemic-related lockdowns, said Roger Moore, owner and CEO of Nautical Ventures Group in Fort Lauderdale.
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As a result, he cut all 127 employees' pay to $10 per hour for a month, from the highest paid managers to clerks, rather than resorting to layoffs. He then restored pay as the pandemic restrictions eased and business returned.
"We thought the bottom was falling out of the market as everyone stayed home," Moore said. "I wanted to avoid layoffs. And then we had this sudden surge in calls and sales as people realized outdoor, distant recreation was safer."
That's because, in part, families who were confined at home realized they could still travel safely by boat and even dock at a shoreline restaurant or business, he said.
Big manufacturers like Yamaha also must cope with periodic supply chain disruptions, said Bryan Seti, general manager of Yamaha's Watercraft Group in California.
"The unknown factor is where COVID-19 will pop up next, and whether it will affect our locations or our suppliers," Seti said. "All our factories are open, but the supply chain issue is a problem sometimes. People don't know when normal will happen again."


upi--2020-09-04--Suspect in Portland protest killing, Michael Forest Reinoehl, shot dead by police

Sept. 4 ( UPI ) -- Authorities said the man suspected of fatally shooting a far-right activist in Portland , Ore. , amid clashes between pro-Trump supporters and counter-protesters last weekend has died after being shot by law enforcement attempting to take him into custody .
The U.S .
Marshals Service said police attempting to arrest Michael Forest Reinoehl shot him after he pulled a weapon near Olympia , Wash. '' The fugitive task force located Reinoehl in Olympia and attempted to peacefully arrest him , '' Jurgen R. Soekhoe , a U.S .
Marshals spokesman , said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspect produced a firearm , threatening the lives of law enforcement officers .
Task force members responded to the threat and struck the suspect who was pronounced dead at the scene . ''
Lt. Ray Brady of the Thurston County Sheriff 's Office told reporters in a media briefing Thursday night that the shooting occurred at around 7 p.m. Officers from several agencies were in Lacey searching for a suspect when they spotted him leaving an apartment and attempting to enter a vehicle , he said .
Four officers attempted to take him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confrontation , '' Brady said .
`` The information we have at this time is that the subject was armed .
There were shots fired into the vehicle and the subject fled from the vehicle at which time additional shots were fired , '' he said , adding all four officers discharged their weapons .
It was unknown , he said , if the suspect had fired his weapon .
Brady would not identify the slain man other than describing him as a `` known suspect '' in his 40s and that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerning a homicide .
No officers were injured during the shooting , he said .
Reinoehl was sought in connection to the fatal shooting of Aaron J. Danielson , 39 , on Aug. 29 during protests in Portland .
Danielson was reportedly wearing a hat with the logo of the far-right group Patriot Prayer on it .
Prior to the shooting on Thursday , Reinoehl appeared in an interview published by Vice News in which he seemingly admits to shooting Danielson in self-defense , stating `` I had no choice . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I could have sat there and watched them kill a friend of mine of color , '' he said .
`` But I was n't going to do that . ''
On Thursday night , President Donald Trump called for authorities to arrest the man responsible for Danielson 's death seemingly in response to the intreview .
`` Why are n't the Portland Police ARRESTING the cold-blooded killer of Aaron 'Jay ' Daniel son , '' the president said on Twitter .
`` Do your job , and do it fast .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ No wonder Portland is going to hell ! ''
The shooting on Aug. 29 occurred at around 8:45 p.m. amid a skirmish between a caravan of pro-Trump supports and counter-protesters .
A vehicle rally in support of Trump had been arranged that day and attendees were urged to come armed .

Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Authorities said the man suspected of fatally shooting a far-right activist in Portland, Ore., amid clashes between pro-Trump supporters and counter-protesters last weekend has died after being shot by law enforcement attempting to take him into custody.
The U.S. Marshals Service said police attempting to arrest Michael Forest Reinoehl shot him after he pulled a weapon near Olympia, Wash.
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"The fugitive task force located Reinoehl in Olympia and attempted to peacefully arrest him," Jurgen R. Soekhoe, a U.S. Marshals spokesman, said in a statement. "Initial reports indicate the suspect produced a firearm, threatening the lives of law enforcement officers. Task force members responded to the threat and struck the suspect who was pronounced dead at the scene."
Lt. Ray Brady of the Thurston County Sheriff's Office told reporters in a media briefing Thursday night that the shooting occurred at around 7 p.m.
Officers from several agencies were in Lacey searching for a suspect when they spotted him leaving an apartment and attempting to enter a vehicle, he said.
Four officers attempted to take him into custody when there was "a confrontation," Brady said.
"The information we have at this time is that the subject was armed. There were shots fired into the vehicle and the subject fled from the vehicle at which time additional shots were fired," he said, adding all four officers discharged their weapons.
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It was unknown, he said, if the suspect had fired his weapon.
Brady would not identify the slain man other than describing him as a "known suspect" in his 40s and that a warrant had been issued for his arrest concerning a homicide.
No officers were injured during the shooting, he said.
Reinoehl was sought in connection to the fatal shooting of Aaron J. Danielson, 39, on Aug. 29 during protests in Portland. Danielson was reportedly wearing a hat with the logo of the far-right group Patriot Prayer on it.
Prior to the shooting on Thursday, Reinoehl appeared in an interview published by Vice News in which he seemingly admits to shooting Danielson in self-defense, stating "I had no choice."
"I mean, I had a choice. I could have sat there and watched them kill a friend of mine of color," he said. "But I wasn't going to do that."
On Thursday night, President Donald Trump called for authorities to arrest the man responsible for Danielson's death seemingly in response to the intreview.
"Why aren't the Portland Police ARRESTING the cold-blooded killer of Aaron 'Jay' Daniel son," the president said on Twitter. "Do your job, and do it fast. Everybody knows who this thug is. No wonder Portland is going to hell!"
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The shooting on Aug. 29 occurred at around 8:45 p.m. amid a skirmish between a caravan of pro-Trump supports and counter-protesters.
A vehicle rally in support of Trump had been arranged that day and attendees were urged to come armed.


upi--2020-09-04--Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson tied for Round 1 lead at PGA Tour Championship

Sept. 4 ( UPI ) -- Jon Rahm fired a 5-under 65 to match world No .
1 Dustin Johnson for the lead after Friday 's first round of the PGA Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta .
Rahm , whose 65-foot birdie putt beat Johnson in a one-hole playoff last week at the BMW Championship , had six birdies and one bogey to make up a two-shot deficit at the beginning of the opening round .
Johnson was awarded the two-stroke lead as the FedEx Cup 's No .
1 seed .
Johnson , who opened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through his first six holes but had back-to-back bogeys to end the front nine .
He then missed a birdie putt from about four feet on his final hole that would have given him the lead .
`` The only birdie we did n't share was mine on 16 , '' Rahm said .
`` Besides that , we birdied every single hole together , which is kind of unique , right ? ''
Rahm and Johnson were tied at 13-under par based on their starting positions in the FedEx Cup finale .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second consecutive year that the FedEx Cup leader -- who starts at 10-under par with a two-shot advantage -- finished the first round in a tie for the lead .
`` Technically , it is a continuation , '' Rahm said .
`` I kind of stole that tournament last week from him and he started with a two-shot lead .
So hopefully I can steal this one as well . ''
Justin Thomas , who began the day at 7-under par , shot a 66 to end up two shots behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finished with three straight birdies for a 64 , sitting four strokes back of Rahm and Johnson at 9-under par .
Abraham Ancer also had a 64 and sat at 7-under par after the first round .
Xander Schauffele ( 67 ) , Brendon Todd ( 67 ) , Sungjae Im ( 68 ) and Webb Simpson were tied for sixth at 6-under par .

Dustin Johnson, who opened with a 67, had two birdies through his first six holes but had back-to-back bogeys to end the front nine. File Photo by Corey Sipkin/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Jon Rahm fired a 5-under 65 to match world No. 1 Dustin Johnson for the lead after Friday's first round of the PGA Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. Rahm, whose 65-foot birdie putt beat Johnson in a one-hole playoff last week at the BMW Championship, had six birdies and one bogey to make up a two-shot deficit at the beginning of the opening round. Johnson was awarded the two-stroke lead as the FedEx Cup's No. 1 seed. Advertisement
Johnson, who opened with a 67, had two birdies through his first six holes but had back-to-back bogeys to end the front nine. He then missed a birdie putt from about four feet on his final hole that would have given him the lead.
"The only birdie we didn't share was mine on 16," Rahm said. "Besides that, we birdied every single hole together, which is kind of unique, right?"
Rahm and Johnson were tied at 13-under par based on their starting positions in the FedEx Cup finale. Under the current format, it is the second consecutive year that the FedEx Cup leader -- who starts at 10-under par with a two-shot advantage -- finished the first round in a tie for the lead.
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"Technically, it is a continuation," Rahm said. "I kind of stole that tournament last week from him and he started with a two-shot lead. So hopefully I can steal this one as well."
Justin Thomas, who began the day at 7-under par, shot a 66 to end up two shots behind the lead. Defending champion Rory McIlroy finished with three straight birdies for a 64, sitting four strokes back of Rahm and Johnson at 9-under par.
Abraham Ancer also had a 64 and sat at 7-under par after the first round. Xander Schauffele (67), Brendon Todd (67), Sungjae Im (68) and Webb Simpson were tied for sixth at 6-under par.


upi--2020-09-04--Shedaresthedevil dares to upset the favorites in Kentucky Oaks

Sept. 4 ( UPI ) -- Shedaresthedevil rallied between the two favorites in the stretch run of Friday 's $ 1.25 million Grade I Longines Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs , cleared them both and went on to win by 1 1/2 lengths .
Swiss Skydiver was second and the heavy favorite , Gamine , tired to finish third as Shedaresthedevil finished in stakes-record time of 1:48.28 for the 1 1/8 miles .
Shedaresthedevil , a daughter of Daredevil , won her third straight race and fourth from her last five .
The winner is trained by Brad Cox , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to win the Grade I La Troienne for her third straight victory .
Monomoy Girl and Shedaresthedevil now are likely headed to the Longines Breeders ' Cup Distaff , which promises to be one of the best races of the two-day championship program at Keeneland .
`` It 's a shock , a little bit , '' Cox said of Shedaresthedevil 's victory in the Oaks .
`` I did n't expect to be that close , but they really were n't going that fast . ''
Winning jockey Florent Geroux said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the big two .
`` There were some very good fillies in there , '' Geroux said .
`` But my filly , in my opinion , was the best-looking filly in he paddock . ''
Gamine 's trainer , Bob Baffert , said the race may have answered the question whether the speedy daughter of Into Mischief was able to go as far as 1 1/8 miles .
`` Johnny [ Velazquez , the jockey ] said it might have been too far for her , '' Baffert said .
`` You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I saw her trying to stay with Shedaresthedevil and I kept waiting for her to hit those afterburners .
But she just did n't . ''
Swiss Skydiver fared slightly better , salvaging second while never threatening the winner .
The Oaks is the filly equivalent to the Kentucky Derby and hugely important to owners and breeders of classic Thoroughbred bloodlines .

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Shedaresthedevil, with jockey Florent Geroux aboard, wins the 146th running of the Kentucky Oaks on Friday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Shedaresthedevil rallied between the two favorites in the stretch run of Friday's $1.25 million Grade I Longines Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs, cleared them both and went on to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Swiss Skydiver was second and the heavy favorite, Gamine, tired to finish third as Shedaresthedevil finished in stakes-record time of 1:48.28 for the 1 1/8 miles. Advertisement
Shedaresthedevil, a daughter of Daredevil, won her third straight race and fourth from her last five.
The winner is trained by Brad Cox, who one race earlier saddled Monomoy Girl to win the Grade I La Troienne for her third straight victory.
Monomoy Girl and Shedaresthedevil now are likely headed to the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff, which promises to be one of the best races of the two-day championship program at Keeneland.
"It's a shock, a little bit," Cox said of Shedaresthedevil's victory in the Oaks. "I didn't expect to be that close, but they really weren't going that fast."
Winning jockey Florent Geroux said he wasn't intimidated by the presence of the big two.
"There were some very good fillies in there," Geroux said. "But my filly, in my opinion, was the best-looking filly in he paddock."
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Gamine's trainer, Bob Baffert, said the race may have answered the question whether the speedy daughter of Into Mischief was able to go as far as 1 1/8 miles.
"Johnny [Velazquez, the jockey] said it might have been too far for her," Baffert said. "You just don't know until you try. I saw her trying to stay with Shedaresthedevil and I kept waiting for her to hit those afterburners. But she just didn't."
Swiss Skydiver fared slightly better, salvaging second while never threatening the winner.
The Oaks is the filly equivalent to the Kentucky Derby and hugely important to owners and breeders of classic Thoroughbred bloodlines.