upi--2020-08-28--Mavericks' Kristaps Porzingis to miss rest of Clippers series with knee injury

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- Dallas Mavericks All-Star big man Kristaps Porzingis will miss the remainder of the team 's first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers because of a knee injury , the team announced Friday .
The Mavs said in a statement that Porzingis has a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee and `` further treatment options are being explored at this time . ''
The team noted that Porzingis suffered the injury during the Mavs ' Game 1 loss to the Clippers .
Porzingis was listed as questionable for Game 2 of the series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 36 minutes to help Dallas even the series at one game apiece .
He recorded 34 points and 13 rebounds in 38 minutes in the team 's Game 3 loss .
The team did n't list his knee ailment on the Game 4 injury report , but he was scratched just before tipoff after reporting soreness .
He also sat out Game 5 after getting downgraded from questionable to out .
Dallas re-signed Porzingis last year to a maximum deal worth $ 158 million over five seasons .
Porzingis , listed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebounds and two blocks in 57 games during his first season with the Mavericks .
The 25-year-old averaged 30.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game during the NBA 's seeding games .

Dallas Mavericks big man Kristaps Porzingis (L) averaged 30.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game during the NBA's seeding games. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Dallas Mavericks All-Star big man Kristaps Porzingis will miss the remainder of the team's first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers because of a knee injury, the team announced Friday. The Mavs said in a statement that Porzingis has a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee and "further treatment options are being explored at this time." The team noted that Porzingis suffered the injury during the Mavs' Game 1 loss to the Clippers. Advertisement
Porzingis was listed as questionable for Game 2 of the series but suited up and had 23 points in 36 minutes to help Dallas even the series at one game apiece. He recorded 34 points and 13 rebounds in 38 minutes in the team's Game 3 loss.
The team didn't list his knee ailment on the Game 4 injury report, but he was scratched just before tipoff after reporting soreness. He also sat out Game 5 after getting downgraded from questionable to out.
Dallas re-signed Porzingis last year to a maximum deal worth $158 million over five seasons.
Porzingis, listed at 7-foot-3, averaged 20.4 points, 9.5 rebounds and two blocks in 57 games during his first season with the Mavericks. The 25-year-old averaged 30.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game during the NBA's seeding games.


upi--2020-08-28--U.N. North Korea investigator: Seoul’s singling out of defectors a mistake

NEW YORK , Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- A recent South Korean government decision to audit North Korean defector-led human rights groups has led to the increased stigmatization of activists , the United Nations said Friday .
The policy also undermines international efforts to address rights abuses , the organization 's top official on North Korea human rights says .
U.N. Special Rapporteur Tomás Ojea Quintana said Friday during an online discussion hosted by the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea that Seoul 's decision to inspect the non-government organizations created `` negative perceptions '' among South Koreans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important role in delivering information into and out of the Kim Jong Un regime .
`` I am very concerned about the targeting of these defector organizations , '' Quintana said .
`` The question is , why only these organizations suddenly become subject to this review , and why now ? ''
The activists , who had for years been permitted to send anti-Pyongyang leaflets by balloon , were abruptly the target of bans and accusations of disturbing South Korean residents at the border .
Seoul also threatened to revoke their operating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korean official Kim Yo Jong condemned defectors such as Park Sang-hak as `` traitors , '' and `` human trash . ''
Quintana said he felt disappointment when Kim came out with the public statement , an `` offensive against the defectors . ''
Kim played a key role when she attended the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics , the U.N. official said .
Since July the defectors have been able to draw some support from South Korean courts .
Courts agreed this month to temporarily block a government order to revoke the operating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Free North Korea amid international criticism , including from Quintana .
On Aug. 18 , the fifth division of the Seoul Administration Court said in its opinion the `` tangible and intangible damages will not be insubstantial '' to Fighters for a Free North Korea if their license is revoked .
The unification ministry said it would honor the court decision until the government pursues its `` main case '' against the groups at an unspecified time in the future .
South Korea 's support for North Korea human rights may have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events that culminated in the curbing of the freedom of expression .
Japan has been absent from key human rights decisions as well , Quintana said .
Last November , Seoul opted out of co-sponsoring a resolution on North Korea human rights during a vote at the U.N. General Assembly , citing `` circumstances on the Korean Peninsula . ''
Japan also agreed in 2019 to not put forward to the United Nations a joint resolution condemning Pyongyang 's rights abuses for the first time since 2008 .
`` That was a mistake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the North Korea policies of Tokyo and Seoul .
Widespread and systematic human rights abuses continue in North Korea , including a discriminatory caste-like system that criminalizes descendants of North Koreans deemed less loyal to the state , according to Quintana .
Access to the regime is also becoming increasingly difficult amid COVID-19 .
North Korea has become more isolated since the pandemic , and there is evidence the country has closed foreign embassies .
U.N. staff on the ground has also been reduced .
`` The whole operation of the international community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Quintana said .
The closure of North Korea 's borders has made it more difficult to understand how the country is coping with the coronavirus .
North Korean officials may have been giving international aid workers the impression there has not been a major outbreak .
`` We know COVID-19 is providing new impetus for Pyongyang to exert authority over the local economy , especially the 'Jangmadang , ' '' Quintana said , referring to North Korean informal marketplaces .
`` We should try to avoid the further isolation of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Korean ] government is moving toward .
It is not the answer . ''

U.N. Special Rapporteur Tomás Ojea Quintana said Friday activists like North Korean defector Park Sang-hak are being unfairly targeted for his activism in South Korea. File Photo by Jeon Heon-kyun/EPA-EFE
NEW YORK, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- A recent South Korean government decision to audit North Korean defector-led human rights groups has led to the increased stigmatization of activists, the United Nations said Friday. The policy also undermines international efforts to address rights abuses, the organization's top official on North Korea human rights says. Advertisement
U.N. Special Rapporteur Tomás Ojea Quintana said Friday during an online discussion hosted by the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea that Seoul's decision to inspect the non-government organizations created "negative perceptions" among South Koreans of the activists, who play an important role in delivering information into and out of the Kim Jong Un regime.
"I am very concerned about the targeting of these defector organizations," Quintana said. "The question is, why only these organizations suddenly become subject to this review, and why now?"
Advertisement
The activists, who had for years been permitted to send anti-Pyongyang leaflets by balloon, were abruptly the target of bans and accusations of disturbing South Korean residents at the border. Seoul also threatened to revoke their operating licenses.
Those actions came after North Korean official Kim Yo Jong condemned defectors such as Park Sang-hak as "traitors," and "human trash."
Quintana said he felt disappointment when Kim came out with the public statement, an "offensive against the defectors." Kim played a key role when she attended the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, the U.N. official said.
Since July the defectors have been able to draw some support from South Korean courts. Courts agreed this month to temporarily block a government order to revoke the operating licenses of Keunsaem and Fighters for a Free North Korea amid international criticism, including from Quintana.
On Aug. 18, the fifth division of the Seoul Administration Court said in its opinion the "tangible and intangible damages will not be insubstantial" to Fighters for a Free North Korea if their license is revoked. The unification ministry said it would honor the court decision until the government pursues its "main case" against the groups at an unspecified time in the future.
Advertisement
South Korea's support for North Korea human rights may have been eroding even before the recent series of events that culminated in the curbing of the freedom of expression. Japan has been absent from key human rights decisions as well, Quintana said.
Last November, Seoul opted out of co-sponsoring a resolution on North Korea human rights during a vote at the U.N. General Assembly, citing "circumstances on the Korean Peninsula." Japan also agreed in 2019 to not put forward to the United Nations a joint resolution condemning Pyongyang's rights abuses for the first time since 2008.
"That was a mistake," Quintana said, referring to the North Korea policies of Tokyo and Seoul.
Widespread and systematic human rights abuses continue in North Korea, including a discriminatory caste-like system that criminalizes descendants of North Koreans deemed less loyal to the state, according to Quintana.
Access to the regime is also becoming increasingly difficult amid COVID-19.
North Korea has become more isolated since the pandemic, and there is evidence the country has closed foreign embassies. U.N. staff on the ground has also been reduced.
"The whole operation of the international community inside North Korea has been completely blocked," Quintana said.
Advertisement
The closure of North Korea's borders has made it more difficult to understand how the country is coping with the coronavirus. North Korean officials may have been giving international aid workers the impression there has not been a major outbreak.
"We know COVID-19 is providing new impetus for Pyongyang to exert authority over the local economy, especially the 'Jangmadang,'" Quintana said, referring to North Korean informal marketplaces.
"We should try to avoid the further isolation of the country, which is what the [North Korean] government is moving toward. It is not the answer."


upi--2020-08-28--Mississippi Supreme Court orders new trial for Eddie Lee Howard Jr.

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- The Mississippi Supreme Court has ordered a new trial for a death row inmate convicted of murder based on bite-mark evidence , a technique that has since been discredited .
Eddie Lee Howard Jr. , 67 , has twice been convicted for the 1992 rape and murder of 87-year-old Georgia Kemp in Lowndes County .
His lawyers said his 2000 conviction was based on testimony from dentists who said that marks on Kemp 's body matched Howard 's teeth .
Since the trial , though , the American Board of Forensic Odontology has revised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on bite-mark evidence and said such evidence is n't enough to reliably identify a perpetrator .
`` This , along with new DNA testing and the paucity of other evidence linking Howard to the murder , requires the court to conclude that Howard is entitled to a new trial , '' the state 's high court said in its Thursday ruling .
The Mississippi Innocence Project , which worked on Howard 's case , said he was one of four people convicted of capital murder based on the forensic work of Drs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the others , Levon Brooks , was exonerated after serving several years of a life sentence in 2008 .
`` Mr. Howard 's conviction has now been reversed twice by the Mississippi Supreme Court .
In all , the case has been to the court five times , '' said Tucker Carrington , one of Howard 's lawyers .
`` Mr. Howard has been in prison for almost 30 years , almost all of that time on death row , slated to be executed .
It 's now time to bring this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close another door on a disastrous era of injustice in this state . ''

Eddie Howard Jr. was twice convicted for the 1992 murder of 84-year-old Georgia Kemp. File Photo courtesy of the Mississippi Department of Corrections
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- The Mississippi Supreme Court has ordered a new trial for a death row inmate convicted of murder based on bite-mark evidence, a technique that has since been discredited. Eddie Lee Howard Jr., 67, has twice been convicted for the 1992 rape and murder of 87-year-old Georgia Kemp in Lowndes County. His lawyers said his 2000 conviction was based on testimony from dentists who said that marks on Kemp's body matched Howard's teeth. Advertisement
Since the trial, though, the American Board of Forensic Odontology has revised its guidelines to prohibit dentists from testifying on bite-mark evidence and said such evidence isn't enough to reliably identify a perpetrator.
"This, along with new DNA testing and the paucity of other evidence linking Howard to the murder, requires the court to conclude that Howard is entitled to a new trial," the state's high court said in its Thursday ruling.
The Mississippi Innocence Project, which worked on Howard's case, said he was one of four people convicted of capital murder based on the forensic work of Drs. Steven Hayne and Michael West. One of the others, Levon Brooks, was exonerated after serving several years of a life sentence in 2008.
Advertisement
"Mr. Howard's conviction has now been reversed twice by the Mississippi Supreme Court. In all, the case has been to the court five times," said Tucker Carrington, one of Howard's lawyers. "Mr. Howard has been in prison for almost 30 years, almost all of that time on death row, slated to be executed. It's now time to bring this case to an end -- and to close another door on a disastrous era of injustice in this state."


upi--2020-08-28--Meteorite study suggests Earth has always been wet

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- For decades , planetary scientists have been operating under the assumption that Earth was born dry , its water arriving only later , delivered via comets and asteroids .
But in a new study , published Friday in the journal Science , researchers argue Earth was always wet , formed by waterlogged building blocks .
The proof : a collection of meteorites called enstatite chondrites .
`` [ Enstatite chondrites ] are rocky meteorites made mostly of silicate , metal and sulfides , '' lead study author Laurette Piani told UPI in an email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mineralogy with phases such as calcium- or magnesium-sulfides , nitrides , and silicide that are almost nonexistent on Earth , although their isotope compositions of many elements indicate a clear link with the Earth building blocks , '' said Piani , a researcher at the University of Lorraine in France .
Because enstatite chondrites are delicate and reactive , they are easily transformed beyond recognition .
Pristine enstatite chondrites , unmarred by collision , are especially rare .
But most scientists agree that these rocks were the primary building blocks for early Earth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abundant constituents of primitive meteorites and are among the first solids to form in the solar system , '' Piani .
Because enstatite chondrites formed in the inner solar system , so close to the sun 's extreme heat , scientists have long assumed that these rocky meteorites were dry , totally devoid of hydrogen .
However , when Piani and her research partners surveyed enstatite chondrites using a pair of advanced imaging and isotopic analysis techniques , they not only found evidence that hydrogen is abundant in portions of the primitive rocks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and nitrogen isotopes are similar to those found on Earth .
`` We found that a part of the hydrogen is present dissolved in the silicate glass of chondrules , '' Piani said .
`` Chondrules are among the most abundant constituents of primitive meteorites and are among the first solids to form in the solar system . ''
Their findings suggest Earth 's building blocks were the opposite of dry .
`` We propose in the paper that the water present in the Earth 's mantle was directly inherited from enstatite chondrite-like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Earth formation , while the surficial water , or oceans , could be made out of about 95 percent of EC-like material and 5 percent of hydrated asteroids . ''
In follow-up studies , researchers hope to figure out how enstatite chondrites came to host so many volatile elements .

Scientists found surprisingly large amounts of hydrogen in the Sahara 97096 meteorite, one of several enstatite chondrites studied by researchers in the United States and France. Photo by Christine Fieni/Laurette Piani
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- For decades, planetary scientists have been operating under the assumption that Earth was born dry, its water arriving only later, delivered via comets and asteroids. But in a new study, published Friday in the journal Science, researchers argue Earth was always wet, formed by waterlogged building blocks. The proof: a collection of meteorites called enstatite chondrites. Advertisement
"[Enstatite chondrites] are rocky meteorites made mostly of silicate, metal and sulfides," lead study author Laurette Piani told UPI in an email.
"They have a very peculiar mineralogy with phases such as calcium- or magnesium-sulfides, nitrides, and silicide that are almost nonexistent on Earth, although their isotope compositions of many elements indicate a clear link with the Earth building blocks," said Piani, a researcher at the University of Lorraine in France.
Because enstatite chondrites are delicate and reactive, they are easily transformed beyond recognition. Pristine enstatite chondrites, unmarred by collision, are especially rare. But most scientists agree that these rocks were the primary building blocks for early Earth.
"Chondrules are among the most abundant constituents of primitive meteorites and are among the first solids to form in the solar system," Piani.
Advertisement
Because enstatite chondrites formed in the inner solar system, so close to the sun's extreme heat, scientists have long assumed that these rocky meteorites were dry, totally devoid of hydrogen.
However, when Piani and her research partners surveyed enstatite chondrites using a pair of advanced imaging and isotopic analysis techniques, they not only found evidence that hydrogen is abundant in portions of the primitive rocks, but that their ratios of hydrogen and nitrogen isotopes are similar to those found on Earth.
"We found that a part of the hydrogen is present dissolved in the silicate glass of chondrules," Piani said. "Chondrules are among the most abundant constituents of primitive meteorites and are among the first solids to form in the solar system."
Their findings suggest Earth's building blocks were the opposite of dry.
"We propose in the paper that the water present in the Earth's mantle was directly inherited from enstatite chondrite-like material and present from the beginning of the Earth formation, while the surficial water, or oceans, could be made out of about 95 percent of EC-like material and 5 percent of hydrated asteroids."
In follow-up studies, researchers hope to figure out how enstatite chondrites came to host so many volatile elements.


upi--2020-08-28--U.S. executes Keith Dwayne Nelson for 1999 rape, murder of Kansas girl

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. government on Friday executed a man convicted of raping and killing a 10-year-old girl more than 20 years ago after a federal appeals court dismissed a late stay .
Keith Dwayne Nelson became the fifth federal death row inmate to be put to death this year .
His attorneys , Dale Baich and Jen Moreno , tried to secure a stay of execution in the case , citing ineffective counsel at trial and an alleged violation of the Food , Drugs and Cosmetics Act .
`` The execution of Keith Nelson did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Over the years , we have come to know Keith as someone who was different than the person who committed the horrible crime to which he admitted and pled guilty to in 2001 , '' they said in a statement to UPI .
In a one-page ruling late Thursday , the three-member District of Columbia U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals threw out an earlier order by District Judge Tanya Chutkan that halted the federal government 's plans to execute Nelson .
Chutkan ruled earlier Thursday that the federal government must , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the drug it plans to use for the lethal injection -- the sedative pentobarbital .
Chutkan agreed with Nelson 's attorneys that using the drug without a prescription is a violation of the Food , Drug and Cosmetic Act .
With little explanation , however , the appellate panel vacated Chutkan 's injunction and cleared the way for Nelson to become the fifth federally executed inmate this year .
U.S. Attorney General William Barr resumed federal executions last month after a 17-year hiatus .
The first four were Daniel Lewis Lee ( July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 ) , Dustin Honken ( July 17 ) and Lezmond Mitchell ( Wednesday ) .
Nelson , 45 , pleaded guilty to the Oct. 12 , 1999 , kidnapping , rape and murder of a 10-year-old girl whom he abducted while she was rollerblading in front of her Kansas home .
Defense attorneys have argued Nelson was denied effective legal counsel at trial and the jury sentenced him to death without hearing of mitigating circumstances , including `` severe organic brain damage , '' mental illness and physical and sexual abuse as @ @ @

Keith Nelson kidnapped, raped and strangled a young Kansas girl in 1999. File Photo courtesy attorney for Keith Nelson
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- The U.S. government on Friday executed a man convicted of raping and killing a 10-year-old girl more than 20 years ago after a federal appeals court dismissed a late stay. Keith Dwayne Nelson became the fifth federal death row inmate to be put to death this year. Advertisement
His attorneys, Dale Baich and Jen Moreno, tried to secure a stay of execution in the case, citing ineffective counsel at trial and an alleged violation of the Food, Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
"The execution of Keith Nelson did not make the world a safer place. Over the years, we have come to know Keith as someone who was different than the person who committed the horrible crime to which he admitted and pled guilty to in 2001," they said in a statement to UPI.
In a one-page ruling late Thursday, the three-member District of Columbia U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals threw out an earlier order by District Judge Tanya Chutkan that halted the federal government's plans to execute Nelson.
Chutkan ruled earlier Thursday that the federal government must, by law, have a prescription for the drug it plans to use for the lethal injection -- the sedative pentobarbital. Chutkan agreed with Nelson's attorneys that using the drug without a prescription is a violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
Advertisement
With little explanation, however, the appellate panel vacated Chutkan's injunction and cleared the way for Nelson to become the fifth federally executed inmate this year.
U.S. Attorney General William Barr resumed federal executions last month after a 17-year hiatus. The first four were Daniel Lewis Lee (July 14), Wesley Purkey (July 16), Dustin Honken (July 17) and Lezmond Mitchell (Wednesday).
Nelson, 45, pleaded guilty to the Oct. 12, 1999, kidnapping, rape and murder of a 10-year-old girl whom he abducted while she was rollerblading in front of her Kansas home.
Defense attorneys have argued Nelson was denied effective legal counsel at trial and the jury sentenced him to death without hearing of mitigating circumstances, including "severe organic brain damage," mental illness and physical and sexual abuse as a child.


upi--2020-08-28--Maryland woman's lottery mistake turns smaller prize into $103,182

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- A Maryland woman 's mistake while playing a lottery game turned what would have been a small prize into a total $ 103,182 .
The 41-year-old Germantown resident told Maryland Lottery officials she was in the outdoor seating area at La Mexicana in Germantown when she decided to try out the Racetrax virtual horse racing game .
`` I had a bit of luck on the game , winning a few Win and Show bets for a couple hundred dollars and decided I should try my dad 's numbers on a longshot bet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she intended to use the numbers 2-9-5-10 -- her father 's go-to numbers when betting on races like the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes -- for a series of five races , but she made a mistake while buying her tickets and ended up putting all $ 5 on the same race .
The woman used another $ 5 to place her intended bet -- which included another $ 1 bet on the first race -- and ended up winning .
The $ 1 bet earned the woman $ 17,197 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her $ 85,985 -- a total prize of $ 103,182 .
The winner said she plans to save most of the money for herself and her children , but some will be donated to her church 's youth programs .

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- A Maryland woman's mistake while playing a lottery game turned what would have been a small prize into a total $103,182.
The 41-year-old Germantown resident told Maryland Lottery officials she was in the outdoor seating area at La Mexicana in Germantown when she decided to try out the Racetrax virtual horse racing game.
Advertisement
"I had a bit of luck on the game, winning a few Win and Show bets for a couple hundred dollars and decided I should try my dad's numbers on a longshot bet," the woman said.
The player said she intended to use the numbers 2-9-5-10 -- her father's go-to numbers when betting on races like the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes -- for a series of five races, but she made a mistake while buying her tickets and ended up putting all $5 on the same race.
The woman used another $5 to place her intended bet -- which included another $1 bet on the first race -- and ended up winning.
The $1 bet earned the woman $17,197, while the accidental $5 bet scored her $85,985 -- a total prize of $103,182.
Advertisement
The winner said she plans to save most of the money for herself and her children, but some will be donated to her church's youth programs.


upi--2020-08-28--Watch: Python turns up on shocked Chicago woman's doorstep

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- A Chicago couple said they were trapped inside their home for hours when a 4-foot snake showed up on their doorstep .
Kelly Bryant said she was shocked and terrified Thursday morning when the ball python showed up at the front door of her home in the Woodlawn neighborhood .
`` Like even standing here right now , I 'm still kind of on edge , '' Bryant told CBS Chicago .
`` Anything wiggly , squirmy worms , snakes ; terrified . ''
Bryant 's wife called 311 for help and a contractor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the snake before a Chicago Animal Care and Control officer arrived two hours later .
Bryant said a neighbor helped the animal control officer contain the python .
`` She actually held open the pillowcase to shove the big -- I guess it 's a python , into the pillow case , '' Bryant said .
Allison Babbitt , owner of Chicago pet store Curious Creatures , said ball pythons are popular pets and are usually very docile .
`` They are the sweetest , kindest snakes out there .
There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breeding like they do in Florida , '' Babbitt said .
`` They will not be able to survive the winter here . ''
The snakes are not native to Chicago , but animal control officers have captured them in the city in the past .
In 2016 , officers responded to Latoria Poe 's second-floor apartment in the Englewood neighborhood to capture a ball python she found in her shower .

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- A Chicago couple said they were trapped inside their home for hours when a 4-foot snake showed up on their doorstep.
Kelly Bryant said she was shocked and terrified Thursday morning when the ball python showed up at the front door of her home in the Woodlawn neighborhood.
Advertisement
"Like even standing here right now, I'm still kind of on edge," Bryant told CBS Chicago. "Anything wiggly, squirmy worms, snakes; terrified."
Bryant's wife called 311 for help and a contractor working on their home placed a bucket over the snake before a Chicago Animal Care and Control officer arrived two hours later.
Bryant said a neighbor helped the animal control officer contain the python.
"She actually held open the pillowcase to shove the big -- I guess it's a python, into the pillow case," Bryant said.
Allison Babbitt, owner of Chicago pet store Curious Creatures, said ball pythons are popular pets and are usually very docile.
"They are the sweetest, kindest snakes out there. There is no threat of them getting loose and breeding like they do in Florida," Babbitt said. "They will not be able to survive the winter here."
Advertisement
The snakes are not native to Chicago, but animal control officers have captured them in the city in the past. In 2016, officers responded to Latoria Poe's second-floor apartment in the Englewood neighborhood to capture a ball python she found in her shower.


upi--2020-08-28--President Donald Trump pardons Alice Johnson after her RNC speech

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump pardoned Alice Johnson on Friday , two years after granting her clemency for a life sentence she received as a non-violent drug offender .
Johnson was in Washington , D.C. , to participate in the Republican National Convention , where she praised the president 's compassion .
`` I just told her .
We did n't even discuss it , '' Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Friday .
`` We just -- you were out there .
I saw you in the audience last night , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alice over .
We 're going to give a full pardon .
We 're going to do it right now .
That means you have been fully pardoned .
That 's the ultimate thing that can happen .
That means you can do whatever you want in life and just keep doing the great job you 're doing . ''
Johnson served 22 years in a federal prison in Aliceville , Ala. , for a first-time drug offense .
Her case has been described as an extreme example of harsh , mandatory-minimum drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1990s .
Her case drew Trump 's attention in 2018 after reality television star Kim Kardashian campaigned on her behalf , even visiting the White House to speak with the president about criminal justice reform .
Johnson , an ordained minister , is also a playwright , mentor , counselor , tutor and a companion for suicidal inmates , and did not commit any disciplinary infractions in two decades in prison .
She offered praise for the Trump administration 's actions on criminal justice reform during her speech Thursday night at the convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extraordinary .
Truth is , there are thousands of people just like me who deserve the opportunity to come home , '' she said .

1/2
Alice Marie Johnson smiles after President Donald Trump pardons her sentence during a ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House on Friday. Pool Photo by Anna Moneymaker/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump pardoned Alice Johnson on Friday, two years after granting her clemency for a life sentence she received as a non-violent drug offender. Johnson was in Washington, D.C., to participate in the Republican National Convention, where she praised the president's compassion. Advertisement
"I just told her. We didn't even discuss it," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Friday.
"We just -- you were out there. I saw you in the audience last night, and I asked the folks if you could bring Alice over. We're going to give a full pardon. We're going to do it right now. That means you have been fully pardoned. That's the ultimate thing that can happen. That means you can do whatever you want in life and just keep doing the great job you're doing."
Johnson served 22 years in a federal prison in Aliceville, Ala., for a first-time drug offense. Her case has been described as an extreme example of harsh, mandatory-minimum drug sentencing that emerged in the 1980s and 1990s.
Her case drew Trump's attention in 2018 after reality television star Kim Kardashian campaigned on her behalf, even visiting the White House to speak with the president about criminal justice reform.
Advertisement
Johnson, an ordained minister, is also a playwright, mentor, counselor, tutor and a companion for suicidal inmates, and did not commit any disciplinary infractions in two decades in prison.
She offered praise for the Trump administration's actions on criminal justice reform during her speech Thursday night at the convention.
"My transformation was described as extraordinary. Truth is, there are thousands of people just like me who deserve the opportunity to come home," she said.


upi--2020-08-28--In photos: Rally for social justice marks anniversary of MLK's March on Washington

Jacob Blake Sr. ( C ) speaks about his son , Jacob Blake Jr. , who police shot seven times @ @ @ @ @ , Wisc.
, at the Lincoln Memorial during the `` Commitment March : Get Your @ @ @ @ @ civil rights rally .
Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI

Jacob Blake Sr. (C) speaks about his son, Jacob Blake Jr., who police shot seven times in the back in Kenosha, Wisc., at the Lincoln Memorial during the "Commitment March: Get Your Knee Off Our Necks" civil rights rally. Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI


upi--2020-08-28--Brazilian islands to reopen for tourists who already had COVID-19

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- A group of scenic Brazilian islands that have been closed due to the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ -- but only to those who can prove they had COVID-19 .
Authorities in the @ @ @ @ @ the Fernando de Noronha archipelago , a group of 21 volcanic islands , is preparing @ @ @ @ @ since closing in mid-March to slow the spread of the pandemic .
Guilherme Rocha , @ @ @ @ @ said those seeking to visit the islands can apply online , but must provide proof @ @ @ @ @ Rocha said prospective tourists must submit either a positive test for the disease that is @ @ @ @ @ , or a test showing the presence of COVID-19 antibodies in their blood .
The @ @ @ @ @ no evidence exists that people who already had COVID-19 are immune to further infection .

Officials in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco said the Fernando de Noronha archipelago soon welcome its first tourists since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but all visitors must first prove they already had the virus. Photo by cassiodiniz/Pixabay.com
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Aug. 28 (UPI) -- A group of scenic Brazilian islands that have been closed due to the coronavirus pandemic are reopening for tourists -- but only to those who can prove they had COVID-19. Authorities in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco said the Fernando de Noronha archipelago, a group of 21 volcanic islands, is preparing to allow its first visitors since closing in mid-March to slow the spread of the pandemic. Advertisement
Guilherme Rocha, the state's administrator, said those seeking to visit the islands can apply online, but must provide proof they already had COVID-19.
Rocha said prospective tourists must submit either a positive test for the disease that is at least 20 days old, or a test showing the presence of COVID-19 antibodies in their blood.
The World Health Organization previously warned no evidence exists that people who already had COVID-19 are immune to further infection.


upi--2020-08-28--B-52s to fly over all 30 NATO countries in a single day

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- B-52 Stratofortress bombers will ceremonially overfly all 30 NATO countries on Friday , accompanied by allied aircraft in a statement of solidarity .
`` Allied Sky '' will feature four B-52s currently deployed to Royal Air Force Fairford in Britain , NATO officials said .
The strategic bombers will travel to each European NATO country , and in some cases integrate with fighter planes and aerial refueling maneuvers .
Two B-52s assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot , N.D. , Air Force Base will fly over Canada and the United States .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Croatia , Czech Republic , Denmark , France , Germany , Greece , Hungary , Italy , Netherlands , Norway , Poland , Portugal , Romania , Slovakia , Spain , Turkey and Britain are expected to fly along with the B-52s .
About 80 aircraft will be involved in the event .
`` Today 's training event demonstrates the United States ' powerful commitment to NATO , and Allied solidarity in action , '' NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement .
`` As U.S. bombers overfly all 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are being accompanied by fighter jets from across the alliance , boosting our ability to respond together to any challenge , '' Stoltenberg said .
The B-52s in Britain arrived last week from the United States , conducting exercises with Norwegian F-16s and F-22 fighter planes off the coast of Norway .

Six B-52 Stratofortress bombers on Friday will participate in a flyover of all 30 NATO countries in an event called "Allied Sky." Photo courtesy of U.S. European Command
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- B-52 Stratofortress bombers will ceremonially overfly all 30 NATO countries on Friday, accompanied by allied aircraft in a statement of solidarity. "Allied Sky" will feature four B-52s currently deployed to Royal Air Force Fairford in Britain, NATO officials said. Advertisement
The strategic bombers will travel to each European NATO country, and in some cases integrate with fighter planes and aerial refueling maneuvers. Two B-52s assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot, N.D., Air Force Base will fly over Canada and the United States.
Aircraft from Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey and Britain are expected to fly along with the B-52s. About 80 aircraft will be involved in the event.
"Today's training event demonstrates the United States' powerful commitment to NATO, and Allied solidarity in action," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement.
"As U.S. bombers overfly all 30 NATO allies in a single day, they are being accompanied by fighter jets from across the alliance, boosting our ability to respond together to any challenge," Stoltenberg said.
Advertisement
The B-52s in Britain arrived last week from the United States, conducting exercises with Norwegian F-16s and F-22 fighter planes off the coast of Norway.


upi--2020-08-28--Eglin AFB, Fla., opens center for PTSD, brain, pain condition treatment

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Air Force 's first Intrepid Spirit Center , a privately funded post-traumatic stress disorder treatment center , opened this week at Eglin Air Force Base , Fla. Base leadership cut a ceremonial ribbon on Thursday to open the facility , now one of 10 ISCs at military bases across the country .
Each is approximately 25,000 square feet and cost about $ 14 million to build and equip , officials said .
The centers are designed around the interdisciplinary model of care developed at National Intrepid Center of Excellence , which brings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to offer a comprehensive means of treating traumatic brain injuries .
`` I want to tell everybody how proud I am for Eglin AFB to host the Air Force 's firsts ISC , '' Brig .
Gen. Scott Cain said at the ribbon cutting ceremony .
`` This culmination and capability is what we are celebrating here today and rolling out for our service members .
`` The ISC is our commitment to treating those with wounds from service and our dedication to providing service members the opportunity to continue their service to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A 2018 NICoE report noted that over 1,900 patients annually receive services through the facilities , with a 97 percent satisfaction rate reported by patients .
Patients have symptoms including headaches , difficulty in concentration , memory loss , irritability , mood swings , vision , hearing and balance issues .
The ISC model of interdisciplinary care permits all medical disciplines to address these various issues together , with neurology , nutrition , physical therapy , speech and hearing therapy , psychiatry , occupational therapy , speech pathology , neuropsychology , ophthalmology , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The care model has enabled more than 90 percent of patients to continue on active duty with many symptoms reduced or controlled , an ISC statement said .
The new facility at Eglin is the first with an interventional pain suite including state-of-the-art x-ray and ultrasound equipment .
It is also the first with a dedicated chapel and chaplain to address spiritual healing .
Eglin 's ISC has been funded a donation from the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund to the Defense Department , according to the Air Force .

Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., on Thursday opened its new Intrepid Spirit Center for treatment of brain injuries to active duty soldiers. Photo by Ilka Cole/U.S. Air Force
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force's first Intrepid Spirit Center, a privately funded post-traumatic stress disorder treatment center, opened this week at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Base leadership cut a ceremonial ribbon on Thursday to open the facility, now one of 10 ISCs at military bases across the country. Advertisement
Each is approximately 25,000 square feet and cost about $14 million to build and equip, officials said.
The centers are designed around the interdisciplinary model of care developed at National Intrepid Center of Excellence, which brings multiple treatment disciplines together under one roof to offer a comprehensive means of treating traumatic brain injuries.
"I want to tell everybody how proud I am for Eglin AFB to host the Air Force's firsts ISC," Brig. Gen. Scott Cain said at the ribbon cutting ceremony. "This culmination and capability is what we are celebrating here today and rolling out for our service members.
"The ISC is our commitment to treating those with wounds from service and our dedication to providing service members the opportunity to continue their service to the nation," Cain said.
A 2018 NICoE report noted that over 1,900 patients annually receive services through the facilities, with a 97 percent satisfaction rate reported by patients.
Advertisement
Patients have symptoms including headaches, difficulty in concentration, memory loss, irritability, mood swings, vision, hearing and balance issues.
The ISC model of interdisciplinary care permits all medical disciplines to address these various issues together, with neurology, nutrition, physical therapy, speech and hearing therapy, psychiatry, occupational therapy, speech pathology, neuropsychology, ophthalmology, and nursing therapies, officials say.
The care model has enabled more than 90 percent of patients to continue on active duty with many symptoms reduced or controlled, an ISC statement said.
The new facility at Eglin is the first with an interventional pain suite including state-of-the-art x-ray and ultrasound equipment. It is also the first with a dedicated chapel and chaplain to address spiritual healing.
Eglin's ISC has been funded a donation from the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund to the Defense Department, according to the Air Force.


upi--2020-08-28--Aggressive beefalo on the loose in Connecticut

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- Police in Connecticut are warning residents to keep a distance from an `` aggressive @ @ @ @ @ hybrid of a domestic cow and a bison .
The Plymouth Police Department said the @ @ @ @ @ Massachusetts farmer , and the animal escaped from a trailer outside the Plymouth Meats processing @ @ @ @ @ slaughter Aug. 3 , but was not spotted again until it resurfaced more than two @ @ @ @ @ section of Plymouth .
Police said officers located the bull Wednesday night near Route 72 @ @ @ @ @ attempt was called off when the animal displayed aggressive behavior .
`` This animal can @ @ @ @ @ cause serious injuries , '' police said in a Facebook post .

Police in Connecticut warned residents to keep a distance from a beefalo -- a hybrid of a domestic cow and a buffalo -- that escaped from a slaughterhouse. Photo by Karl Young/Wikimedia Commons
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Police in Connecticut are warning residents to keep a distance from an "aggressive" escaped beefalo -- a hybrid of a domestic cow and a bison. The Plymouth Police Department said the beefalo bull belonged to a Massachusetts farmer, and the animal escaped from a trailer outside the Plymouth Meats processing facility. Advertisement
The animal fled slaughter Aug. 3, but was not spotted again until it resurfaced more than two weeks later in the Terryville section of Plymouth.
Police said officers located the bull Wednesday night near Route 72, but their brief capture attempt was called off when the animal displayed aggressive behavior.
"This animal can be aggressive and can potentially cause serious injuries," police said in a Facebook post.


upi--2020-08-28--Breast milk unlikely to transmit COVID-19, study shows

Breastfeeding mothers are unlikely to transmit the new coronavirus to their babies via their milk , researchers say .
No cases of an infant contracting COVID-19 from breast milk have been documented , but questions about the potential risk remain .
Researchers examined 64 samples of breast milk collected from 18 women across the United States who were infected with the new coronavirus ( SARS-CoV-2 ) that causes COVID-19 .
One sample tested positive for coronavirus RNA , but follow-up tests showed that the virus could n't replicate and therefore , could n't infect the breastfed infant , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Journal of the American Medical Association .
`` Detection of viral RNA does not equate to infection .
It has to grow and multiply in order to be infectious and we did not find that in any of our samples , '' said study author Christina Chambers , a professor of pediatrics at the University of California , San Diego .
She is also director of the Mommy 's Milk Human Milk Research Biorepository .
`` Our findings suggest breast milk itself is not likely a source of infection for the infant , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release .
To prevent transmission of the virus while breastfeeding , wearing a mask , hand-washing and sterilizing pumping equipment after each use are recommended .
`` We hope our results and future studies will give women the reassurance needed for them to breastfeed .
Human milk provides invaluable benefits to mom and baby , '' said co-author Dr. Grace Aldrovandi , chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at UCLA Mattel Children 's Hospital in Los Angeles .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on breastfeeding and the @ @

Breastfeeding mothers are unlikely to transmit the new coronavirus to their babies via their milk, researchers say.
No cases of an infant contracting COVID-19 from breast milk have been documented, but questions about the potential risk remain.
Advertisement
Researchers examined 64 samples of breast milk collected from 18 women across the United States who were infected with the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19.
One sample tested positive for coronavirus RNA, but follow-up tests showed that the virus couldn't replicate and therefore, couldn't infect the breastfed infant, according to the study recently published online in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
"Detection of viral RNA does not equate to infection. It has to grow and multiply in order to be infectious and we did not find that in any of our samples," said study author Christina Chambers, a professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Diego. She is also director of the Mommy's Milk Human Milk Research Biorepository.
"Our findings suggest breast milk itself is not likely a source of infection for the infant," Chambers said in a UCSD news release.
To prevent transmission of the virus while breastfeeding, wearing a mask, hand-washing and sterilizing pumping equipment after each use are recommended.
Advertisement
"We hope our results and future studies will give women the reassurance needed for them to breastfeed. Human milk provides invaluable benefits to mom and baby," said co-author Dr. Grace Aldrovandi, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital in Los Angeles.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on breastfeeding and the coronavirus.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-08-28--NORAD intercepts three groups of Russian planes near Alaska

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- F-22 fighter planes intercepted three groups of two Russian patrol aircraft near Alaska before they entered U.S. or Canadian airspace , North American Aerospace Defense Command , or NORAD , said on Friday .
The Russian Tu-142 planes entered the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone , which extends outward from North America , late Thursday and came `` within 50 nautical miles of Alaskan shores , '' a NORAD statement said .
It added , though , that the Russian planes never entered United States or Canadian sovereign airspace , and instead `` loitered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours before departing .
The practice of chasing Russian planes from U.S. airspace has become common in 2020 .
`` Our northern approaches have had an increase in foreign military activity as our competitors continue to expland their military presence and probe our defenses , '' Gen. Glen D. VanHerck , commander of NORAD , said in the statement .
`` This year , we 've conducted more than a dozen intercepts , the most in recent years .
The importance of our continued efforts to project air defense operations in and through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' VanHerck said .
In June , NORAD aircraft intercepted four Russian planes entering the ADIZ .
F-22 planes , with assistance from KC-135 air refuelers and E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System , intercepted the Russian planes as they came within 65 nautical miles of the Aleutian island chain off the coast of Alaska .

F-22 figher planes of the U. S.-Canadian NORAD command intercepted six Russian planes late Thursday off the Alaskan coast. Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- F-22 fighter planes intercepted three groups of two Russian patrol aircraft near Alaska before they entered U.S. or Canadian airspace, North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, said on Friday. The Russian Tu-142 planes entered the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, which extends outward from North America, late Thursday and came "within 50 nautical miles of Alaskan shores," a NORAD statement said. Advertisement
It added, though, that the Russian planes never entered United States or Canadian sovereign airspace, and instead "loitered within the ADIZ" for about five hours before departing.
The practice of chasing Russian planes from U.S. airspace has become common in 2020.
"Our northern approaches have had an increase in foreign military activity as our competitors continue to expland their military presence and probe our defenses," Gen. Glen D. VanHerck, commander of NORAD, said in the statement.
"This year, we've conducted more than a dozen intercepts, the most in recent years. The importance of our continued efforts to project air defense operations in and through the north has never been more apparent," VanHerck said.
In June, NORAD aircraft intercepted four Russian planes entering the ADIZ.
Advertisement
F-22 planes, with assistance from KC-135 air refuelers and E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System, intercepted the Russian planes as they came within 65 nautical miles of the Aleutian island chain off the coast of Alaska.


upi--2020-08-28--Esper supports Medal of Honor campaign for Alwyn Cashe

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- Defense Secretary Mark Esper this week offered his support this week to a congressional campaign to award a Medal of Honor to a fallen U.S. soldier in Iraq .
Reps. Stephanie Murphy , D-Fla. , Dan Crenshaw , R-Texas , and Michael Waltz , R-Fla. are seeking the honor for U.S. Army Sgt .
1st Class Alwyn C. Cashe , who died in 2005 after repeatedly entering a burning Bradley tank to rescue injured soldiers .
Cashe received a Silver Star medal for his actions , but the members of Congress have recommended an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the highest U.S. award for valor in combat .
Esper , in a letter on Aug. 24 , said , `` I agree that SFC Cashe 's actions merit award of the Medal of Honor . ''
He noted , though , that accommodations must be made to waive the requirement that the honor must be presented `` within five years of the date of the act justifying the award . ''
In a statement on Friday , Murphy said that she and her colleagues will work together to pursue the modification .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in Murphy 's congressional district .
`` Alwyn was a hero in the purest and most profound sense .
He gave his own life to save the lives of his fellow soldiers , '' Murphy said in the statement .
`` I am overjoyed that the Secretary of Defense has determined that SFC Cashe 's actions merit the Medal of Honor , a conclusion I strongly share .
I will work with my colleagues to swiftly grant the President the authority he needs to provide this valiant soldier with the recognition he @ @ @

Defense Secretary Mark Esper recommended the Congressional Medal of Honor this week to SFC Alwyn C. Cashe, who died in Iraq in 2005 after repeatedly entering a burning vehicle to save his fellow soldiers. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Defense Secretary Mark Esper this week offered his support this week to a congressional campaign to award a Medal of Honor to a fallen U.S. soldier in Iraq. Reps. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, and Michael Waltz, R-Fla. are seeking the honor for U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn C. Cashe, who died in 2005 after repeatedly entering a burning Bradley tank to rescue injured soldiers. Advertisement
Cashe received a Silver Star medal for his actions, but the members of Congress have recommended an upgrade to the Medal of Honor, the highest U.S. award for valor in combat.
Esper, in a letter on Aug. 24, said, "I agree that SFC Cashe's actions merit award of the Medal of Honor." He noted, though, that accommodations must be made to waive the requirement that the honor must be presented "within five years of the date of the act justifying the award."
In a statement on Friday, Murphy said that she and her colleagues will work together to pursue the modification. Cashe grew up in Oviedo, Fla., in Murphy's congressional district.
Advertisement
"Alwyn was a hero in the purest and most profound sense. He gave his own life to save the lives of his fellow soldiers," Murphy said in the statement.
"I am overjoyed that the Secretary of Defense has determined that SFC Cashe's actions merit the Medal of Honor, a conclusion I strongly share. I will work with my colleagues to swiftly grant the President the authority he needs to provide this valiant soldier with the recognition he earned."


upi--2020-08-28--Banksy-funded ship rescues 89 migrants from Mediterranean

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- A rescue boat funded by British street artist Banksy pulled 89 migrants from the Mediterranean Sea this week , the operation announced Friday .
The boat , the Louise Michel , is splashed with bright pink paint and features reproductions of the artist 's famous artworks , including one of a girl holding a heart-shaped life preserver .
The vessel is named after a 19th century French feminist anarchist .
`` After dealing with dehydration , fuel burns and injuries from the torture they suffered in Libya , they have a moment of respite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are waiting for a Port of Safety , '' the ship 's Twitter account said .
The Louise Michel 's website says it was established because of European countries ' policy not to respond to distress calls from non-Europeans .
Banksy funded the ship -- a former French navy boat -- with the sale of his artwork .
`` We onboard the Louise Michel believe we are all individuals , nationality should not make a difference to what rights one has and how we treat each other , '' the ship 's mission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SOS call of all those in distress , not just to save their souls -- but our own . ''
More than 40,000 migrants have made the trek to Europe across the Mediterranean Sea since January , most from Tunisia , Algeria , Afghanistan , Syria and other Middle Eastern and North African countries .
This year , 443 people have died attempting the trip , according to data from the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees .
This year is on track to have the fewest number of crossings since 2014 , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Migration peaked in 2015 , when 1.03 million people crossed the Mediterranean and 3,771 died .
More than 5,000 died in 2016 despite about one-third the number of crossings from the previous year .
The Louise-Michel said the migrants it rescued were from Libya , where dueling governments are fighting for control .

Aug. 28 (UPI) -- A rescue boat funded by British street artist Banksy pulled 89 migrants from the Mediterranean Sea this week, the operation announced Friday.
The boat, the Louise Michel, is splashed with bright pink paint and features reproductions of the artist's famous artworks, including one of a girl holding a heart-shaped life preserver. The vessel is named after a 19th century French feminist anarchist.
Advertisement
"After dealing with dehydration, fuel burns and injuries from the torture they suffered in Libya, they have a moment of respite. Together with the crew, they are waiting for a Port of Safety," the ship's Twitter account said.
The Louise Michel's website says it was established because of European countries' policy not to respond to distress calls from non-Europeans.
Banksy funded the ship -- a former French navy boat -- with the sale of his artwork.
"We onboard the Louise Michel believe we are all individuals, nationality should not make a difference to what rights one has and how we treat each other," the ship's mission statement reads. "We answer the SOS call of all those in distress, not just to save their souls -- but our own."
Advertisement
More than 40,000 migrants have made the trek to Europe across the Mediterranean Sea since January, most from Tunisia, Algeria, Afghanistan, Syria and other Middle Eastern and North African countries. This year, 443 people have died attempting the trip, according to data from the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.
This year is on track to have the fewest number of crossings since 2014, when the refugee crisis began in the region. Migration peaked in 2015, when 1.03 million people crossed the Mediterranean and 3,771 died. More than 5,000 died in 2016 despite about one-third the number of crossings from the previous year.
The Louise-Michel said the migrants it rescued were from Libya, where dueling governments are fighting for control.


upi--2020-08-28--Video game simulates experience of flying economy class

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- A New York-based developer 's new video game takes a new twist on the concept of a flight simulator by offering the realistic experience of taking a long commercial flight in economy class .
Airplane Mode , a game developed by Hosoji Auji for AMC Games , is billed as `` the only flight simulation game where players can experience the intense excitement of being an economy class passenger on a long-haul flight . ''
The game allows player 's to simulate the experience of taking a long flight in real-time , with available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , completing Sudoku puzzles , watching movies from the 1930s and looking out the window , which features realistic satellite imagery of the flight path .
The players are also treated to experiences including in-flight meals , turbulence and WiFi outages .
`` Crying baby not guaranteed on every flight , '' the game 's description reads .
Auji told CNN that he discovered while developing the game that everyone he talked to seemed `` to have a strong opinion about flying .
And while there have been 30-plus years of flight simulation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really been taken into account . ''
`` A large part of the commercial flight experience is largely predictable , '' Auji said .
`` Our goal was to design this standardized flight and then layer it with delights , annoyances and idiosyncrasies that the frequent flier will surely find relatable . ''
The game , which is expected to be released on PC and Mac computers this year , offers two flights : a six-hour trip from New York to Reykjavik , Iceland , and a 2.5-hour flight from New York to @ @ @ @ @

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- A New York-based developer's new video game takes a new twist on the concept of a flight simulator by offering the realistic experience of taking a long commercial flight in economy class.
Airplane Mode, a game developed by Hosoji Auji for AMC Games, is billed as "the only flight simulation game where players can experience the intense excitement of being an economy class passenger on a long-haul flight."
Advertisement
The game allows player's to simulate the experience of taking a long flight in real-time, with available activities including rifling through an in-flight magazine, completing Sudoku puzzles, watching movies from the 1930s and looking out the window, which features realistic satellite imagery of the flight path.
The players are also treated to experiences including in-flight meals, turbulence and WiFi outages.
"Crying baby not guaranteed on every flight," the game's description reads.
Auji told CNN that he discovered while developing the game that everyone he talked to seemed "to have a strong opinion about flying. And while there have been 30-plus years of flight simulation games, the passenger experience has never really been taken into account."
Advertisement
"A large part of the commercial flight experience is largely predictable," Auji said. "Our goal was to design this standardized flight and then layer it with delights, annoyances and idiosyncrasies that the frequent flier will surely find relatable."
The game, which is expected to be released on PC and Mac computers this year, offers two flights: a six-hour trip from New York to Reykjavik, Iceland, and a 2.5-hour flight from New York to Halifax, Nova Scotia.


upi--2020-08-28--Chemicals in food, clothing, cosmetics increase ADHD risk in children, study finds

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- Exposure to certain chemicals commonly found in cosmetics and processed foods increases a child 's risk for developing ADHD-like behaviors by more than 30 % , according to a study published Friday by JAMA Network Open .
For every two-fold rise in concentrations of chemicals called phthalates , as measured by urinalysis , a child is 34 % more likely to shows signs of the neurobehavioral disorder , the data showed .
And for every two-fold increase in urine concentrations of dichlorophenols , the risk grows by 15 % , the researchers said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ often found in cosmetics , lubricants , personal-care products , medical devices , detergents , packaging , children 's toys , pharmaceuticals , food products and clothing , while dichlorophenols can be found in many food preservatives .
`` Our study 's results suggest that teenagers ' exposure to chemicals found in many consumer products may increase behaviors that are common among individuals diagnosed with ADHD , '' study co-author Jessica R. Shoaff , a post-doctoral research fellow at Harvard Medical School , told UPI .
`` However , we did not study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] means our results can not answer the question of whether these chemical exposures increase the likelihood of being diagnosed with ADHD , '' she said .
Up to 10 % of children in the United States have ADHD , or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , according to recent estimates .
The mental health disorder can cause above normal levels of hyperactive or impulsive behaviors , as well as difficulty focusing attention on a single task or sitting still , as described by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disorder with exposure to chemicals like phthalates and dichlorophenols , but the exact relationship remains unclear .
These chemicals are believed to affect the human endocrine system , a group of glands that produce hormones that regulate metabolism , growth and development , according to the researchers .
For this study , the group enrolled 205 adolescent participants , of whom 40 % had signs and symptoms of behavioral problems and 19 % had ADHD .
Participants had median urine concentrations of 0.49 micromoles per liter for personal care product phthalates and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the data showed .
It is unclear whether having detectable levels of phthalates in urine has adverse effects on health , and an estimated one in four U.S. children have detectable levels of dichlorophenols , according to the CDC .
However , evidence is mounting that exposure to these chemicals does impact health , particularly in children and adolescents , Shoaff said .
The North American Network of Academic Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units offers guidelines for managing environmental chemical exposures in children , she said .
`` Whenever it is practical to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduce exposure to products containing chemicals , '' Shoaff said .
`` it is possible to select products that minimize exposure to these chemicals . ''

Pixabay Exposure to certain chemicals may increase risk for ADHD in children, a new study has found. Photo by Patrice Audet
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Exposure to certain chemicals commonly found in cosmetics and processed foods increases a child's risk for developing ADHD-like behaviors by more than 30%, according to a study published Friday by JAMA Network Open. For every two-fold rise in concentrations of chemicals called phthalates, as measured by urinalysis, a child is 34% more likely to shows signs of the neurobehavioral disorder, the data showed. Advertisement
And for every two-fold increase in urine concentrations of dichlorophenols, the risk grows by 15%, the researchers said.
Phthalates are used in plastics and are often found in cosmetics, lubricants, personal-care products, medical devices, detergents, packaging, children's toys, pharmaceuticals, food products and clothing, while dichlorophenols can be found in many food preservatives.
"Our study's results suggest that teenagers' exposure to chemicals found in many consumer products may increase behaviors that are common among individuals diagnosed with ADHD," study co-author Jessica R. Shoaff, a post-doctoral research fellow at Harvard Medical School, told UPI.
"However, we did not study the diagnosis of ADHD, [which] means our results cannot answer the question of whether these chemical exposures increase the likelihood of being diagnosed with ADHD," she said.
Advertisement
Up to 10% of children in the United States have ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to recent estimates.
The mental health disorder can cause above normal levels of hyperactive or impulsive behaviors, as well as difficulty focusing attention on a single task or sitting still, as described by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Earlier research by Shoaff and her colleagues linked the disorder with exposure to chemicals like phthalates and dichlorophenols, but the exact relationship remains unclear.
These chemicals are believed to affect the human endocrine system, a group of glands that produce hormones that regulate metabolism, growth and development, according to the researchers.
For this study, the group enrolled 205 adolescent participants, of whom 40% had signs and symptoms of behavioral problems and 19% had ADHD.
Participants had median urine concentrations of 0.49 micromoles per liter for personal care product phthalates and 0.02 micromoles per liter for dichlorophenols, the data showed.
It is unclear whether having detectable levels of phthalates in urine has adverse effects on health, and an estimated one in four U.S. children have detectable levels of dichlorophenols, according to the CDC.
However, evidence is mounting that exposure to these chemicals does impact health, particularly in children and adolescents, Shoaff said. The North American Network of Academic Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units offers guidelines for managing environmental chemical exposures in children, she said.
Advertisement
"Whenever it is practical to do so, it is best to reduce exposure to products containing chemicals," Shoaff said. "it is possible to select products that minimize exposure to these chemicals."


upi--2020-08-29--Hurricane Laura: Trump to visit areas hit, death toll rises to 15

Aug. 29 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump plans to travel Saturday to Louisiana and Texas hard hit by Hurricane Laura as the death toll rose in the two states to 15 .
`` He is expected to survey storm damage and receive briefings on emergency operations and ongoing relief efforts , '' Deere tweeted .
Packing 150-mph winds , Laura made landfall Thursday as a Category 4 storm in western Louisiana , with aerial video showing flooding and extensive damage to homes .
The death toll has risen to 15 , including 10 in Louisiana and five in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they were investigating the death of a man , 61 , found Friday as a suspected generator-related death and urged people to put generators in a safe location .
In Sabine County , Texas , one person died after a tree hit his mobile home and three died from possible carbon monoxide poisoning in Port Arthur .
Another 23 people in Port Arthur who used generators were hospitalized .
Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards said five people died in his state from carbon monoxide poisoning from gas-powered emergency generators .
Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and one drowned while on a boat .
`` Hurricane Laura is the fifth strongest storm to make landfall in the United States in recorded history and the first in memory to maintain major hurricane strength as it traveled through Louisiana , bringing catastrophic destruction to many parishes , '' Edwards said in a statement .
Trump has approved Edwards ' formal request for a disaster declaration for 23 parishes in the state , which frees up Federal Emergency Management Assistance .
In the two states , an estimated 8,000 homes were destroyed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14,000 people sought shelter from them and other agencies .
Edwards said more than 3,000 people in Louisiana alone found shelter in hotels .
As of Saturday morning , more than 429,000 utility customers were without power in Louisiana and 88,000 people were without power in Texas , according to Poweroutage.us .

A tree lies on a house after Hurricane Laura swept through Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana on Thursday. Photo by SrA Lillian Miller/U.S. Air Force | License Photo
Aug. 29 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump traveled Saturday to Louisiana and Texas hard hit by Hurricane Laura as the death toll rose in the two states to 15 . The first stop on Trump's trip was Lake Charles, La., which had no power when he arrived to debris, downed trees and damaged buildings. Advertisement
"I'm here to support the great people of Louisiana, it's been a tremendous state for me. I love the people," Trump told an assembled crowd of first responders, local leaders, FEMA and DHS officals and members of the press after visiting some of the hardest hit neighborhoods. "One thing I know about this state, they rebuild it fast, there's no problem. And we'll supply what we have to supply."
He noted that storms are more frequent and stronger than those decades ago, but did not connect the increase in intensity and frequency to climate change when asked, saying the area has always been prone to storms.
Advertisement
Asked a similar question in Orange, Texas, he said, "We've had tremendous storms in Texas for many decades and for many centuries and that's the way it is. We handle them as they come. All I can do is handle them as they come and that's what we do and nobody has ever done a better job of it."
Packing 150-mph winds, Laura made landfall Thursday as a Category 4 storm in western Louisiana, with aerial video showing flooding and extensive damage to homes.
The death toll has risen to 15, including 10 in Louisiana and five in Texas.
In Texas, Beaumont police said they were investigating the death of a man, 61, found Friday as a suspected generator-related death and urged people to put generators in a safe location.
In Sabine County, Texas, one person died after a tree hit his mobile home and three died from possible carbon monoxide poisoning in Port Arthur. Another 23 people in Port Arthur who used generators were hospitalized.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said five people died in his state from carbon monoxide poisoning from gas-powered emergency generators. Another four died from trees falling on homes and one drowned while on a boat.
Advertisement
"Hurricane Laura is the fifth strongest storm to make landfall in the United States in recorded history and the first in memory to maintain major hurricane strength as it traveled through Louisiana, bringing catastrophic destruction to many parishes," Edwards said in a statement.
Trump has approved Edwards' formal request for a disaster declaration for 23 parishes in the state, which frees up Federal Emergency Management Assistance.
In the two states, an estimated 8,000 homes were destroyed and the Red Cross said more than 14,000 people sought shelter from them and other agencies.
Edwards said more than 3,000 people in Louisiana alone found shelter in hotels.
As of Saturday morning, more than 429,000 utility customers were without power in Louisiana and 88,000 people were without power in Texas, according to Poweroutage.us.


upi--2020-08-29--Taylor Swift's 'Folklore' tops the U.S. album chart for 4th week

Aug. 29 ( UPI ) -- Taylor Swift 's Folklore is the No .
1 album in the United States @ @ @ @ @ .
Coming in at No .
2 on the Billboard 200 album chart dated Saturday @ @ @ @ @ For the Stars Aim For the Moon , followed by Juice WRLD 's Legends Never @ @ @ @ @ , Young Dolph 's Rich Slave at No .
4 and the Hamilton cast album @ @ @ @ @ Rounding out the top tier are Rod Wave 's Pray 4 Love at No .
@ @ @ @ @ My Turn at No .
7 , DaBaby 's Blame It On Baby at No @ @ @ @ @ 's Hollywood 's Bleeding at No .
9 and Harry Styles ' Fine Line at @ @ @ @

Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Taylor Swift's Folklore is the No. 1 album in the United States for a fourth consecutive week.
Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 album chart dated Saturday is Pop Smoke's Shoot For the Stars Aim For the Moon, followed by Juice WRLD's Legends Never Die at No. 3, Young Dolph's Rich Slave at No. 4 and the Hamilton cast album at No. 5.


upi--2020-08-29--U.S. spy satellite launch halted 3 seconds before liftoff

Aug. 29 ( UPI ) -- The launch of a U.S. spy satellite from Florida was called off early Saturday morning , just three seconds before the rocket was to lift off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida .
Flames already were spewing from engines on the United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy , but a computer aborted the launch , possibly because one of those engines did not ignite properly .
Mission directors quickly worked to ensure the rocket was secured and its fuel drained so engineers could further investigate the cause of the problem and crews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pad .
ULA said the `` required recycle time prior to the next launch attempt is seven days minimum . ''
The `` hot fire abort '' came at 3:37 a.m. , a little over an hour after the initial planned liftoff .
The first delay occurred because the temperature in a rocket compartment was slightly below the norm .
The launch already had been postponed from Thursday because of other technical problems .
The mission , called NROL-44 , was to have been the 12th launch of a Delta IV Heavy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The National Reconnaissance Office , the agency that is overseeing the spy satellite launch , is part of the Defense Department .
According to its mission statement , it is responsible for developing , launching and operating America 's reconnaissance satellites , along with data-processing facilities .
That data is used by the National Security Agency and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency to produce photos , maps , reports and other tools for the president , Congress , national policymakers , warfighters and others .
The Delta IV Heavy , the fourth version of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out missions for the reconnaissance office , U.S. Space Force and NASA .
It also launched NASA 's Orion capsule in a 2014 test flight and sent the Parker Solar Probe into the sun 's outer atmosphere .
ULA plans only three more Delta IV Heavy launches from Florida -- including this one -- and two more from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California .
After that , the company plans to use its Vulcan rocket , which is under development .

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket, with a U.S. spy satellite aboard, undergoes a hot-fire abort three seconds before liftoff early Saturday morning at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 29 (UPI) -- The launch of a U.S. spy satellite from Florida was called off early Saturday morning, just three seconds before the rocket was to lift off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Flames already were spewing from engines on the United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy, but a computer aborted the launch. Advertisement
Mission directors quickly worked to ensure the rocket was secured and its fuel drained so engineers could further investigate the cause of the problem and crews could assess any damage to the launch pad.
"The bird is in good shape," Tony Bruno, president and CEO of United Launch Alliance, tweeted after the abrupt halt. "This was an automatic abort during the ignition sequence. Cause seems to have been in the ground system."
ULA said the "required recycle time prior to the next launch attempt is seven days minimum."
The "hot fire abort" came at 3:37 a.m., a little over an hour after the initial planned liftoff. The first delay occurred because the temperature in a rocket compartment was slightly below the norm.
The launch already had been postponed from Thursday because of other technical problems.
The mission, called NROL-44, was to have been the 12th launch of a Delta IV Heavy, which was first used in 2004.
Advertisement
The National Reconnaissance Office, the agency that is overseeing the spy satellite launch, is part of the Defense Department. According to its mission statement, it is responsible for developing, launching and operating America's reconnaissance satellites, along with data-processing facilities.
That data is used by the National Security Agency and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency to produce photos, maps, reports and other tools for the president, Congress, national policymakers, warfighters and others.
The Delta IV Heavy, the fourth version of the Delta rocket, was developed to carry out missions for the reconnaissance office, U.S. Space Force and NASA. It also launched NASA's Orion capsule in a 2014 test flight and sent the Parker Solar Probe into the sun's outer atmosphere.
ULA plans only three more Delta IV Heavy launches from Florida -- including this one -- and two more from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. After that, the company plans to use its Vulcan rocket, which is under development.
Paul Brinkmann contributed to this story.
Astronauts return to Earth from International Space Station
From left to right, Expedition 62 crew members Andrew Morgan of NASA, Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka and NASA astronaut Jessica Meir are seen inside the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft after they landed in a remote area near Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Friday. Photo by Andrey Shelepin/NASA/GCTC | License Photo


upi--2020-08-29--Study: Heart med use has halved heart attack risk in people with Type 2 diabetes

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- People with diabetes can cut their risk for heart attacks in half , simply by taking medications designed to prevent them , an analysis presented Saturday during the European Society of Cardiology virtual congress found .
Those with Type 2 diabetes and no prior history of heart disease were able to reduce their risk for heart attacks by 61 % and death from heart-related causes by 41 % , the data showed .
Historically , having Type 2 diabetes doubled a person 's likelihood for having a heart attack compared to those without the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this analysis likely coincide with increased focus on heart health in recent years , the researchers said .
Over the past 20 years , use of cholesterol-lowering medications among diabetes patients increased more than 10-fold , while aspirin use increased by 50 % and use of blood pressure-lowering medications rose by up to four times , according to the researchers .
All of these medications have been shown to reduce heart attack risk , they said .
`` Our results suggest that when patients are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes , starting medications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact on the risk of heart attacks and premature death , '' co-author Dr. Christine Gyldenkerne , a cardiologist at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark , said in a statement .
Roughly 30 million Americans are living with Type 2 diabetes , and about 15 % of them have heart disease , as well , according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
As a result , management of patients with Type 2 diabetes has changed over the past two decades , with increased focus on prevention of heart disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For this study , the researchers analyzed data on more than 211,000 people in Denmark who started therapy for Type 2 diabetes between 1996 and 2011 .
Researchers matched each patient with diabetes by age and sex to five people without the disease , excluding those with heart disease .
All participants were followed for seven years .
By the end of the study , the risk of heart attack among patients with diabetes was 0.6 % higher than in the general population -- a significantly lower gap than had been observed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` In addition to the use of preventive medications , other factors may have influenced the likelihood of heart attack and premature death , '' Gyldenkerne said .
`` For example , stricter control of diabetes and lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation , physical activity and healthier food may have contributed to the improved prognosis . ''

Aug. 28 (UPI) -- People with diabetes can cut their risk for heart attacks in half, simply by taking medications designed to prevent them, an analysis presented Saturday during the European Society of Cardiology virtual congress found.
Those with Type 2 diabetes and no prior history of heart disease were able to reduce their risk for heart attacks by 61% and death from heart-related causes by 41%, the data showed.
Advertisement
Historically, having Type 2 diabetes doubled a person's likelihood for having a heart attack compared to those without the disease, but risk reductions seen in this analysis likely coincide with increased focus on heart health in recent years, the researchers said.
Over the past 20 years, use of cholesterol-lowering medications among diabetes patients increased more than 10-fold, while aspirin use increased by 50% and use of blood pressure-lowering medications rose by up to four times, according to the researchers.
All of these medications have been shown to reduce heart attack risk, they said.
"Our results suggest that when patients are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, starting medications to prevent cardiovascular disease has a substantial impact on the risk of heart attacks and premature death," co-author Dr. Christine Gyldenkerne, a cardiologist at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark, said in a statement.
Advertisement
Roughly 30 million Americans are living with Type 2 diabetes, and about 15% of them have heart disease, as well, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As a result, management of patients with Type 2 diabetes has changed over the past two decades, with increased focus on prevention of heart disease, Gyldenkerne and her colleagues said.
For this study, the researchers analyzed data on more than 211,000 people in Denmark who started therapy for Type 2 diabetes between 1996 and 2011. Researchers matched each patient with diabetes by age and sex to five people without the disease, excluding those with heart disease.
All participants were followed for seven years.
By the end of the study, the risk of heart attack among patients with diabetes was 0.6% higher than in the general population -- a significantly lower gap than had been observed in the past, the researchers said.
"In addition to the use of preventive medications, other factors may have influenced the likelihood of heart attack and premature death," Gyldenkerne said.
"For example, stricter control of diabetes and lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation, physical activity and healthier food may have contributed to the improved prognosis."


upi--2020-08-29--Famous birthdays for Aug. 29: Lea Michele, Liam Payne

Aug. 29 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Virgo .
-- Henry @ @ @ @ @ American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals , in 1813

Lea Michele performs at the 87th annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rockefeller Center in New York City on December 4. The actor/singer turns 34 on August 29. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Virgo. They include: Advertisement
-- British King Henry V in 1387
-- English philosopher John Locke in 1632
-- Author/poet Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. in 1809
-- Henry Bergh, founder of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in 1813
-- Automotive inventor Charles Kettering in 1876
-- Actress Ingrid Bergman in 1915
File Photo by David Silpa/UPI
-- Actor Isabel Sanford in 1917
-- Jazz saxophonist Charlie "Bird" Parker in 1920
-- NASCAR racer Wendell Scott in 1921
-- British filmmaker Richard Attenborough in 1923
-- Jazz/pop singer Dinah Washington in 1924
-- Filmmaker William Friedkin in 1935 (age 85)
-- U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in 1936
-- Actor Elliott Gould in 1938 (age 82)
File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
-- TV personality Robin Leach in 1941
-- Scientist Temple Grandin in 1947 (age 73)
-- Entertainer Michael Jackson in 1958
Advertisement
-- Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield in 1959 (age 61)
-- Actor Rebecca De Mornay in 1959 (age 61)
-- Actor Carla Gugino in 1971 (age 49)
-- Actor Lea Michele in 1986 (age 34)
-- Pop singer Liam Payne in 1993 (age 27)
File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI


upi--2020-08-29--On This Day, Aug. 29: Hurricane Katrina makes landfall in Louisiana

Aug. 29 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1533 , Atahualpa , last of the Inca rulers , was strangled under orders of Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro .
The Inca Empire died with him .
In 1929 , the German airship , the Graf Zeppelin , completed its around-the-world flight , beginning and ending at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey .
In 1949 , the Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb at a remote test site at Semipalatinsk in Kazakhstan .
In 1958 , the U.S. Air Force Academy opened at its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , three years after its launch at a temporary location in Denver .
In 1965 , U.S. astronauts Gordon Cooper and Charles Conrad landed safely to end the eight-day orbital flight of Gemini 5 .
In 1973 , U.S. District Judge John Sirica ordered U.S. President Richard Nixon to turn over secret Watergate tapes .
Nixon refused and appealed the order .
In 1982 , three-time Academy Award-winning actress Ingrid Bergman died on her birthday of cancer .
She was 67 .
In 1994 , Israel and the PLO signed an agreement to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palestinian National Authority .
In 2004 , the Summer Olympics came to a close in Athens , Greece .
The United States won the most medals , 103 , 35 of them gold , led by swimmer Michael Phelps who took home six gold and two bronze medals .
In 2005 , Hurricane Katrina slammed ashore on the Gulf Coast , inflicting severe damage in New Orleans and along the coastlines of Alabama , Mississippi and Louisiana .
Katrina killed more than 1,800 people and caused an estimated $ 125 billion in damage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kennedy , D-Mass.
, who died Aug. 25 after a 15-month battle with brain cancer , was buried at Arlington National Cemetery near his brothers John and Robert .
In 2013 , the National Football League denied any wrongdoing but said it would `` do the right thing '' and pay $ 765 million to settle lawsuits brought by thousands of former players who developed concussion-related brain injuries .
In 2018 , the Green Bay Packers agreed to a $ 134 million contract extension with two-time MVP Aaron Rodgers .

1/5
A couple runs down Canal Street in New Orleans as Hurricane Katrina slams into tNew Orleans on August 29, 2005. File Photo by A.J. Sisco/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 29 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1533, Atahualpa, last of the Inca rulers, was strangled under orders of Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro. The Inca Empire died with him. Advertisement
In 1929, the German airship, the Graf Zeppelin, completed its around-the-world flight, beginning and ending at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey.
In 1949, the Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb at a remote test site at Semipalatinsk in Kazakhstan.
In 1958, the U.S. Air Force Academy opened at its permanent site in Colorado Springs, Colo., three years after its launch at a temporary location in Denver.
File Photo by Gary C. Caskey/UPI
In 1965, U.S. astronauts Gordon Cooper and Charles Conrad landed safely to end the eight-day orbital flight of Gemini 5.
In 1973, U.S. District Judge John Sirica ordered U.S. President Richard Nixon to turn over secret Watergate tapes. Nixon refused and appealed the order.
In 1982, three-time Academy Award-winning actress Ingrid Bergman died on her birthday of cancer. She was 67.
Advertisement
In 1994, Israel and the PLO signed an agreement to shift West Bank administrative functions to the Palestinian National Authority.
In 2004, the Summer Olympics came to a close in Athens, Greece. The United States won the most medals, 103, 35 of them gold, led by swimmer Michael Phelps who took home six gold and two bronze medals.
File Photo by Grace Chiu/UPI
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina slammed ashore on the Gulf Coast, inflicting severe damage in New Orleans and along the coastlines of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Katrina killed more than 1,800 people and caused an estimated $125 billion in damage.
In 2009, U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., who died Aug. 25 after a 15-month battle with brain cancer, was buried at Arlington National Cemetery near his brothers John and Robert.
In 2013, the National Football League denied any wrongdoing but said it would "do the right thing" and pay $765 million to settle lawsuits brought by thousands of former players who developed concussion-related brain injuries.
In 2018, the Green Bay Packers agreed to a $134 million contract extension with two-time MVP Aaron Rodgers.
Advertisement


upi--2020-08-29--Study: 7 of 10 hospital patients get opioids at move to nursing facility

When hospital patients are moved to a skilled nursing facility , they are too often given a prescription for a high-dose opioid painkiller , new research suggests .
For the study , researchers at the Oregon State University College of Pharmacy looked at nearly 4,400 hospital patients in Portland sent to nursing facilities to receive either short-term rehabilitative care or long-term care in a residential setting .
The investigators found that seven out of 10 of these patients received an opioid prescription when they left the hospital , and most were for oxycodone , or OxyContin .
Over half of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 90 milligrams of morphine or higher -- a threshold that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises doctors to `` avoid '' prescribing , according to a university news release .
Most of the patients who received an opioid prescription were over 65 years of age , an age group that is highly vulnerable to opioid-associated harm , the study authors noted .
The findings were published online recently in the journal Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety .
The results emphasize the need for more attention to be paid to safely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the researchers concluded .
`` Increased efforts are likely needed to optimize opioid prescribing among patients transitioning from hospitals to skilled nursing facilities , '' said study author Jon Furuno , an associate professor at the university and the interim chair of the department of pharmacy practice .
Furuno pointed out that patients in nursing facilities may also be undertreated for their pain , showing the complexity of this issue .
`` Prescribers and pharmacists need to work together to ensure patients ' pain is managed safely , and knowing which patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best use of resources like medication counseling and other interventions , '' Furuno said .
There 's more about opioid safety at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services .

When hospital patients are moved to a skilled nursing facility, they are too often given a prescription for a high-dose opioid painkiller, new research suggests.
For the study, researchers at the Oregon State University College of Pharmacy looked at nearly 4,400 hospital patients in Portland sent to nursing facilities to receive either short-term rehabilitative care or long-term care in a residential setting.
Advertisement
The investigators found that seven out of 10 of these patients received an opioid prescription when they left the hospital, and most were for oxycodone, or OxyContin.
Over half of the prescriptions dispensed were high-dose -- equivalent to 90 milligrams of morphine or higher -- a threshold that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises doctors to "avoid" prescribing, according to a university news release.
Most of the patients who received an opioid prescription were over 65 years of age, an age group that is highly vulnerable to opioid-associated harm, the study authors noted.
The findings were published online recently in the journal Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety.
The results emphasize the need for more attention to be paid to safely managing the pain of this patient group, the researchers concluded.
Advertisement
"Increased efforts are likely needed to optimize opioid prescribing among patients transitioning from hospitals to skilled nursing facilities," said study author Jon Furuno, an associate professor at the university and the interim chair of the department of pharmacy practice.
Furuno pointed out that patients in nursing facilities may also be undertreated for their pain, showing the complexity of this issue.
"Prescribers and pharmacists need to work together to ensure patients' pain is managed safely, and knowing which patients are most at risk can inform the best use of resources like medication counseling and other interventions," Furuno said.
More information
There's more about opioid safety at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-08-29--'Black Panther' star Chadwick Boseman dead at 43

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- Black Panther and 42 star Chadwick Boseman has died at age 43 .
`` It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman , '' his Twitter feed said .
`` Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016 , and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV , '' the message continued .
`` A true fighter , Chadwick persevered through it all , and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much .
From Marshall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Ma Rainey 's Black Bottom and several more , all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy . ''
Kevin Feige , president of Marvel Studios and chief creative officer of Marvel , confirmed Boseman 's Friday death , as well .
`` Chadwick 's passing is absolutely devastating , '' Feige said in a statement .
`` He was our T'Challa , our Black Panther , and our dear friend .
Each time he stepped on set , he radiated charisma and joy , and each time he appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indelible .
He embodied a lot of amazing people in his work , and nobody was better at bringing great men to life .
He was as smart and kind and powerful and strong as any person he portrayed .
Now he takes his place alongside them as an icon for the ages .
The Marvel Studios family deeply mourns his loss , and we are grieving tonight with his family . ''
Boseman 's other credits include Avengers : Endgame , 21 Bridges and Get On Up .

1/3
Chadwick Boseman died Friday after a battle with cancer. He was 43. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Black Panther and 42 star Chadwick Boseman has died at age 43. "It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman," his Twitter feed said. Advertisement
"Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV," the message continued. "A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much. From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy."
Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios and chief creative officer of Marvel, confirmed Boseman's Friday death, as well.
"Chadwick's passing is absolutely devastating," Feige said in a statement. "He was our T'Challa, our Black Panther, and our dear friend. Each time he stepped on set, he radiated charisma and joy, and each time he appeared on screen, he created something truly indelible. He embodied a lot of amazing people in his work, and nobody was better at bringing great men to life. He was as smart and kind and powerful and strong as any person he portrayed. Now he takes his place alongside them as an icon for the ages. The Marvel Studios family deeply mourns his loss, and we are grieving tonight with his family."
Advertisement
Boseman's other credits include Avengers: Endgame, 21 Bridges and Get On Up.
Notable deaths of 2020