upi--2020-09-25--Space Force to start flying on reused SpaceX rockets

Sept. 25 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Space Force will start to fly missions on reused SpaceX rockets next year to save millions of dollars , the service announced Friday .
The Space Force will fly two GPS satellites into orbit on a Falcon 9 first-stage booster .
The lower cost that SpaceX charges for reused rockets will save taxpayers $ 52.7 million , a statement from the military branch said .
SpaceX has reused boosters since March 2017 , but the Space Force wanted to see the technology proven before flying costly satellites on a used rocket .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ SpaceX to recover the booster from a national security launch of another GPS satellite for the first time .
The military learned `` valuable data and insight on reusing '' rockets from that mission , according to the announcement .
Gwynne Shotwell , SpaceX 's president and chief operating officer , said in a news release that the company was pleased the Space Force saw `` the benefits of the technology . ''
Reusing boosters has become routine for SpaceX .
In August , the company used the same booster for the sixth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ setting a record for the launch industry .

1/3
The U.S. Space Force will begin flying missions on reused Falcon 9 rockets, like this one that was launched Sept. 3, starting next year. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. Space Force will start to fly missions on reused SpaceX rockets next year to save millions of dollars, the service announced Friday. The Space Force will fly two GPS satellites into orbit on a Falcon 9 first-stage booster. The lower cost that SpaceX charges for reused rockets will save taxpayers $52.7 million, a statement from the military branch said. Advertisement
SpaceX has reused boosters since March 2017, but the Space Force wanted to see the technology proven before flying costly satellites on a used rocket.
In June, the Space Force allowed SpaceX to recover the booster from a national security launch of another GPS satellite for the first time. The military learned "valuable data and insight on reusing" rockets from that mission, according to the announcement.
Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX's president and chief operating officer, said in a news release that the company was pleased the Space Force saw "the benefits of the technology."
Reusing boosters has become routine for SpaceX. In August, the company used the same booster for the sixth time in a launch from Florida, setting a record for the launch industry.
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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--2020-09-25--Look: Antiques dealer seeking family from 100-year-old wedding photo

Sept. 25 ( UPI ) -- A West Virginia antiques dealer is trying to identify the people pictured in a nearly 100-year-old wedding photo so the item can be turned over to the family .
Darren Mayfield , who runs online antique store The Plastic Pendulum with his wife , Glenda , said he came across the old black-and-white photo while picking through items in the stockroom of a Wellsburg florist .
The photo depicts nine women of various ages in white dresses at a wedding .
The photo does not have a date , but the back bears the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photography business that operated from 1915 through 1930 in Huntington .
Mayfield said he wants to find the descendants of the people in the photo so he can present it to the family .
`` I honestly could n't tell you why I feel so compelled to find its family , '' Mayfield told The Herald-Dispatch newspaper .
`` I just feel that things like these are so important to our culture and personal identity .
It has always broken my heart to go to these sales and see all these family memories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local investigations have not yet resulted in any solid leads , so he is now asking social media users to join in the hunt for the family .
`` I hate to see what we 've learned in the past just fade into memory , '' he said .
`` It 's importantly personal to me that we always have some ties to the past .
That , and it really is just a lovely photograph . ''

Darren Mayfield, co-owner of online antiques store The Plastic Pendulum, is trying to track down the family of the people depicted in this wedding photo, which is believed to be about 100 years old. Photo by The Plastic Pendulum/Facebook
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Sept. 25 (UPI) -- A West Virginia antiques dealer is trying to identify the people pictured in a nearly 100-year-old wedding photo so the item can be turned over to the family. Darren Mayfield, who runs online antique store The Plastic Pendulum with his wife, Glenda, said he came across the old black-and-white photo while picking through items in the stockroom of a Wellsburg florist. Advertisement
The photo depicts nine women of various ages in white dresses at a wedding. The photo does not have a date, but the back bears the mark of The Thomas Studio, a photography business that operated from 1915 through 1930 in Huntington.
Mayfield said he wants to find the descendants of the people in the photo so he can present it to the family.
"I honestly couldn't tell you why I feel so compelled to find its family," Mayfield told The Herald-Dispatch newspaper. "I just feel that things like these are so important to our culture and personal identity. It has always broken my heart to go to these sales and see all these family memories left behind."
Mayfield said his local investigations have not yet resulted in any solid leads, so he is now asking social media users to join in the hunt for the family.
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"I hate to see what we've learned in the past just fade into memory," he said. "It's importantly personal to me that we always have some ties to the past. That, and it really is just a lovely photograph."


upi--2020-09-25--Radiation levels on moon more than double those on space station

Sept. 25 ( UPI ) -- Radiation levels on the surface of the moon are 2.6 times greater than those measured on the International Space Station , according to a new study .
NASA intends to put the first woman on the moon by 2024 -- and the first man since 1972 .
Earlier this week , the space agency released new details about its Artemis program , including its decision to target a landing spot on the lunar South Pole near Shackleton Crater .
Regardless of where NASA 's lunar landers touch down , Artemis astronauts will need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Using the Lunar Lander Neutron and Dosimetry , or LND , scientists were able to , for the first time , measure radiation levels on the lunar surface .
Scientists shared the first-of-their-kind measurements in a new paper , published Friday in the journal Science Advances .
`` The radiation exposure we have measured is a good benchmark for the radiation within an astronaut suit , '' study co-author Thomas Berger , researcher with the German Aerospace Center in Cologne , said in a news release .
The device developed by Berger and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chang ' e-4 lunar probe , which touched down on the far side of the moon early last year .
The LND , which turns on during lunar `` daylight '' and switches off during the cold , two-week-long lunar nights , measured an average radiation dose rate of about 60 microsieverts per hour -- more than double the dose rate experienced by astronauts aboard the space station .
For comparison , passengers aboard a flight from Germany to New York are exposed to dose rates five to 10 times lower .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 200 times lower .
Of course , a flight across the Atlantic lasts only a few hours .
Eventually , NASA plans to send astronauts to the moon for a few months .
`` We humans are not really made to withstand space radiation , '' said study co-author Robert Wimmer-Schweingruber , a researcher at Kiel University in Germany .
`` However , astronauts can and should shield themselves as far as possible during longer stays on the moon , for example by covering their habitat with a thick layer of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measurements made by LND can help NASA and other space agencies better understand the threat of radiation in interplanetary space .
`` Measurements taken by the LND will also be used to review and further develop models that can be used for future missions , '' Wimmer-Schweingruber said .
`` For example , if a manned mission departs to Mars , the new findings enable us to reliably estimate the anticipated radiation exposure in advance , '' he said .
`` That 's why it is important that our detector also allows us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Scientists in Germany developed a device to measure radiation on the lunar surface, which was carried to the far side of the moon by China's Chang'e-4 lunar probe. Photo by CNSA/CLEP
Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Radiation levels on the surface of the moon are 2.6 times greater than those measured on the International Space Station, according to a new study. NASA intends to put the first woman on the moon by 2024 -- and the first man since 1972. Earlier this week, the space agency released new details about its Artemis program, including its decision to target a landing spot on the lunar South Pole near Shackleton Crater. Advertisement
Regardless of where NASA's lunar landers touch down, Artemis astronauts will need to protect themselves from increased radiation levels.
Using the Lunar Lander Neutron and Dosimetry, or LND, scientists were able to, for the first time, measure radiation levels on the lunar surface.
Scientists shared the first-of-their-kind measurements in a new paper, published Friday in the journal Science Advances.
"The radiation exposure we have measured is a good benchmark for the radiation within an astronaut suit," study co-author Thomas Berger, researcher with the German Aerospace Center in Cologne, said in a news release.
The device developed by Berger and his colleagues was attached to China's Chang'e-4 lunar probe, which touched down on the far side of the moon early last year.
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The LND, which turns on during lunar "daylight" and switches off during the cold, two-week-long lunar nights, measured an average radiation dose rate of about 60 microsieverts per hour -- more than double the dose rate experienced by astronauts aboard the space station.
For comparison, passengers aboard a flight from Germany to New York are exposed to dose rates five to 10 times lower. On Earth's surface, radiation rates are more than 200 times lower.
Of course, a flight across the Atlantic lasts only a few hours. Eventually, NASA plans to send astronauts to the moon for a few months.
"We humans are not really made to withstand space radiation," said study co-author Robert Wimmer-Schweingruber, a researcher at Kiel University in Germany.
"However, astronauts can and should shield themselves as far as possible during longer stays on the moon, for example by covering their habitat with a thick layer of lunar soil."
Researchers suggest the measurements made by LND can help NASA and other space agencies better understand the threat of radiation in interplanetary space.
"Measurements taken by the LND will also be used to review and further develop models that can be used for future missions," Wimmer-Schweingruber said.
"For example, if a manned mission departs to Mars, the new findings enable us to reliably estimate the anticipated radiation exposure in advance," he said. "That's why it is important that our detector also allows us to measure the composition of the radiation."


upi--2020-09-25--Watch: Bear cub tries to get through glass door at Colorado home

Sept. 25 ( UPI ) -- A Colorado woman captured video of a curious bear cub trying to force its @ @ @ @ @ a glass door .
Charlene Bixler captured video of the small cub swatting at the @ @ @ @ @ in Bixler with its mother nowhere in sight .
Bixler said she spotted the mother @ @ @ @ @ , leading its cub up the nearby mountain .
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is warning @ @ @ @ @ aware '' and keep trash and other items that could attract wildlife secured during the @ @ @ @ @ .

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Sept. 25 (UPI) -- A Colorado woman captured video of a curious bear cub trying to force its way into her home through a glass door.
Charlene Bixler captured video of the small cub swatting at the glass door of her home in Bixler with its mother nowhere in sight.
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Bixler said she spotted the mother bear about an hour later, leading its cub up the nearby mountain.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is warning residents to be "bear aware" and keep trash and other items that could attract wildlife secured during the active season for the animals.


upi--2020-09-25--N.C. Supreme Court reduces 3 death row inmates' sentences to life

Sept. 25 ( UPI ) -- The North Carolina Supreme Court on Friday reduced three death row inmates ' sentences to life in prison after they appealed under a now-defunct law that protected against racial bias .
The ruling provided relief for Quintel Augustine , Tilmon Golphin and Christina Walters .
They each sought a new sentence under the Racial Justice Act , which was passed in 2009 but repealed by Republicans in 2013 .
The law allows death row inmates to appeal their sentences if there 's evidence of racial bias .
The state Supreme Court this summer ruled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2013 , it could still be applied retroactively to cases tried before the repeal .
The American Civil Liberties Union , which represented the three defendants , hailed the high court 's decision .
`` Today 's decision affirms that the state wo n't sweep evidence of the racism people experienced in their capital cases under the rug .
It 's an important move towards rectifying the harm that has been caused , '' the organization said .
Augustine was convicted of killing a Fayetteville , N.C. , police officer in 2001 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Highway Patrol trooper and a Cumberland County sheriff 's deputy in 1997 ; and Walters of two gang-related killings .

Sept. 25 (UPI) -- The North Carolina Supreme Court on Friday reduced three death row inmates' sentences to life in prison after they appealed under a now-defunct law that protected against racial bias.
The ruling provided relief for Quintel Augustine, Tilmon Golphin and Christina Walters.
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They each sought a new sentence under the Racial Justice Act, which was passed in 2009 but repealed by Republicans in 2013. The law allows death row inmates to appeal their sentences if there's evidence of racial bias.
The state Supreme Court this summer ruled that even though the law was repealed in 2013, it could still be applied retroactively to cases tried before the repeal.
The American Civil Liberties Union, which represented the three defendants, hailed the high court's decision.
"Today's decision affirms that the state won't sweep evidence of the racism people experienced in their capital cases under the rug. It's an important move towards rectifying the harm that has been caused," the organization said.
Augustine was convicted of killing a Fayetteville, N.C., police officer in 2001; Golphin of killing a North Carolina Highway Patrol trooper and a Cumberland County sheriff's deputy in 1997; and Walters of two gang-related killings.


upi--2020-09-25--Watch: Women get wedding dresses back 31 years after mix-up

Sept. 25 ( UPI ) -- Two Ontario , Canada , women were reunited with their wedding dresses 31 years @ @ @ @ @ cleaners that was discovered only recently .
Cathy Prior said she had n't looked at @ @ @ @ @ was cleaned and boxed at Cascade Cleaners in St. Marys , Ontario , after her @ @ @ @ @ said in a Facebook post that she recently opened the box and realized she had @ @ @ @ @ post came to the attention of Kayla Hotson , who had recently attempted to procure @ @ @ @ @ mother , Janet Hotson , for her own wedding , but opened the box to @ @ @ @ @ dress .
Prior and Hotson exchanged photos and soon realized they had one another 's @ @ @ @ @ up at Cascade Cleaners , where the mix-up happened 31 years ago , to exchange @ @ @ @ @ Cascade Cleaners , who said the incident was an unusual glitch , offered to rebox @ @ @ @ @ .

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Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Two Ontario, Canada, women were reunited with their wedding dresses 31 years after a mix-up at the cleaners that was discovered only recently.
Cathy Prior said she hadn't looked at her wedding dress since it was cleaned and boxed at Cascade Cleaners in St. Marys, Ontario, after her wedding in 1989.
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Prior said in a Facebook post that she recently opened the box and realized she had the wrong dress.
The post came to the attention of Kayla Hotson, who had recently attempted to procure the dress worn by her mother, Janet Hotson, for her own wedding, but opened the box to find it was the wrong dress.
Prior and Hotson exchanged photos and soon realized they had one another's dresses.
The women set up at Cascade Cleaners, where the mix-up happened 31 years ago, to exchange gowns. The owner of Cascade Cleaners, who said the incident was an unusual glitch, offered to rebox the dresses for the brides.


upi--2020-09-25--Study: MRI with machine learning reveals brain changes from PTSD

Sept. 25 ( UPI ) -- A new machine learning approach added to conventional magnetic resonance imaging can identify the regions of the brain causing dissociative symptoms in people with post-traumatic stress disorder , researchers found in a study published Friday by the American Journal of Psychiatry .
Although MRI has long been used to document changes in the brain that occur as a result of a number of neurological conditions , bolstering the approach with machine learning enabled researchers to uncover and measure changes in functional connections between different regions of the brain in women with PTSD .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including memory loss or amnesia , the researchers said .
`` This new work may help us to establish a new standard of care for traumatized patients with PTSD who struggle with significant symptoms of dissociation , '' study co-author Dr. Milissa Kaufman , director of the Dissociative Disorders and Trauma Research Program at McLean Hospital , said in a statement .
PTSD is a mental health disorder that occurs following trauma -- violent personal assaults , natural or human-caused disasters , accidents and military combat , for example -- according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ About one-half of all Americans experience some form of trauma over the course of their lives , the agency estimates .
However , PTSD only develops in about 3 % of men and about 6 % of women .
People with severe PTSD can have difficulty functioning at work , at home and socially .
Symptoms include persistent , frightening thoughts and memories , sleep problems or being easily startled .
In addition , dissociative symptoms -- such as amnesia , experiencing an out-of-body experience or feeling emotionally numb -- are common in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be coping mechanisms , according to Kaufman and her colleagues .
Although experiencing these symptoms intensely or for a long time can negatively impact an individual 's ability to function , it has historically been difficult to prove they exist , as conventional MRI fails to spot any changes in brain function , the researchers said .
As a result , clinicians often fail to ask patients about them , or effectively treat them , they said .
For this study , the researchers applied a novel machine-learning -- or artificial intelligence -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women with histories of childhood abuse and current PTSD .
The technique was developed by one of the study co-authors , Meiling Li , of the Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital .
The refined MRI approach allowed the researchers to objectively measure patient 's dissociative symptoms based on `` fingerprints '' spotted in connections involving the brain 's default mode and frontoparietal control networks , they said .
These findings may eventually enable clinicians to better tailor treatments to manage these symptoms , by targeting these connections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope that this biological evidence will be particularly compelling regarding the legitimacy of these psychiatric symptoms , '' study co-author Lauren A.M. Lebois , director of neuroimaging at McLean Hospital , said in a statement .
`` This moves us one step closer to identifying a 'fingerprint ' of dissociation in the brain that could be used as an objective diagnostic tool , '' she said .

MRI boosted by machine learning reveals changes in brains of women with PTSD, a new study has found. Photo by PlusLexia.co/Flickr
Sept. 25 (UPI) -- A new machine learning approach added to conventional magnetic resonance imaging can identify the regions of the brain causing dissociative symptoms in people with post-traumatic stress disorder, researchers found in a study published Friday by the American Journal of Psychiatry. Although MRI has long been used to document changes in the brain that occur as a result of a number of neurological conditions, bolstering the approach with machine learning enabled researchers to uncover and measure changes in functional connections between different regions of the brain in women with PTSD. Advertisement
These altered connections correlated with their dissociative symptoms, including memory loss or amnesia, the researchers said.
"This new work may help us to establish a new standard of care for traumatized patients with PTSD who struggle with significant symptoms of dissociation," study co-author Dr. Milissa Kaufman, director of the Dissociative Disorders and Trauma Research Program at McLean Hospital, said in a statement.
PTSD is a mental health disorder that occurs following trauma -- violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents and military combat, for example -- according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
About one-half of all Americans experience some form of trauma over the course of their lives, the agency estimates. However, PTSD only develops in about 3% of men and about 6% of women.
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People with severe PTSD can have difficulty functioning at work, at home and socially. Symptoms include persistent, frightening thoughts and memories, sleep problems or being easily startled.
In addition, dissociative symptoms -- such as amnesia, experiencing an out-of-body experience or feeling emotionally numb -- are common in people with PTSD and are believed to be coping mechanisms, according to Kaufman and her colleagues.
Although experiencing these symptoms intensely or for a long time can negatively impact an individual's ability to function, it has historically been difficult to prove they exist, as conventional MRI fails to spot any changes in brain function, the researchers said.
As a result, clinicians often fail to ask patients about them, or effectively treat them, they said.
For this study, the researchers applied a novel machine-learning -- or artificial intelligence -- technique to functional MRI tests of 65 women with histories of childhood abuse and current PTSD.
The technique was developed by one of the study co-authors, Meiling Li, of the Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital.
The refined MRI approach allowed the researchers to objectively measure patient's dissociative symptoms based on "fingerprints" spotted in connections involving the brain's default mode and frontoparietal control networks, they said.
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These findings may eventually enable clinicians to better tailor treatments to manage these symptoms, by targeting these connections, the researchers said.
"We hope that this biological evidence will be particularly compelling regarding the legitimacy of these psychiatric symptoms," study co-author Lauren A.M. Lebois, director of neuroimaging at McLean Hospital, said in a statement.
"This moves us one step closer to identifying a 'fingerprint' of dissociation in the brain that could be used as an objective diagnostic tool," she said.


upi--2020-09-25--Scientists pave way for carbon-based computers

Sept. 25 ( UPI ) -- Today 's transistors , the building blocks of modern electronics , are mostly composed of silicon , but scientists theorize carbon-based transistors eventually could power faster , more efficient computers .
Testing that theory has proven difficult , but thanks to a recent breakthrough , detailed Friday in the journal Science , researchers now are closer to finally building a transistor entirely from carbon .
A team of chemists and physicists at the University of California-Berkeley succeeded in building a metallic wire out of carbon .
`` Our breakthrough was to make metallic nanoribbons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professor of physics at Berkeley , told UPI in an email .
Previously , scientists theorized that graphene nanoribbons could only form insulators or semiconductors .
But to build transistors , scientists needed wires , the conductive metal channels that link semiconducting elements and connect the thousands of transistors that form a computer chip .
Though the most recent breakthrough , the ability to turn graphene nanowires metallic , materialized within the last two years , the advance followed more than a decade 's worth of work on the assembly of graphene nanowires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantages of carbon over silicon become greatest when transistors are made very small , down to the size scale of individual molecules , '' Crommie said .
In other words , to build carbon computer components , researchers first had to figure out how to build graphene from the ground up -- and with atomic-scale precision .
Most material scientists working with graphene at nano scales use what are called graphene nanotubes .
Graphene nanotubes are versatile and practical , but their electronic properties are n't easily manipulated .
`` You can make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- ethanol , methane , wood -- but you can not control their critical parameters like diameter and chirality with the same precision and reproducibility , '' Felix Fischer , a study co-author and Berkeley physics professor , told UPI in an email .
In 2010 , a different team of researchers -- led by Roman Fasel , a material scientist in Switzerland , and German chemist Klaus Mullen -- found a way to stitch together graphene molecules using standard chemistry techniques to form narrow strips of graphene , or graphene nanoribbons .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be engineered into the molecules even before they are stitched together into a graphene nanoribbon , '' Crommie said .
`` You can think about this as a LEGO-like approach where the shape and size of your 'molecular ' LEGO brick predetermines all critical dimensions like width , or edge structure that are responsible for the electronic properties of the resulting material , be it an insulator , semiconductor or like in our case , a topological metal , '' Fischer added .
What Crommie , Fischer and their research partners realized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fasel and Mullen could be adapted to synthesize graphene building blocks with localized electronic states .
Crommie and company were able synthesize the building blocks in such a way that molecules symmetrically stitched themselves together , creating the electronic state of a metal .
`` We also came up with a novel method for tuning how metallic our graphene nanoribbons can be by slightly changing their chemical bonding structure , '' Crommie said .
The next step is to use their now-complete graphene toolbox -- featuring semiconducting , insulating and metallic graphene nanoribbons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Such a feat could have a significant impact on everyday electronics .
`` Think about the possible impact of a mobile phone with comparable performance to the fastest desktop computers but with a power consumption that requires you only to charge it every other month , '' Fischer said .
Carbon-based circuity is probably still several years away , but Fischer thinks the ability to synthesize metallic graphene nanoribbons was one the last major hurdles .
`` The translation of this technology into an integrated circuit is still a steep and windy road @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a proof of concept that validates the predicted performance , the field will attract many more expert research groups and an increased federal and industrial backing to support this effort . ''
Fischer said .

This is a scanning tunneling microscope image of wide-band metallic graphene nanoribbon, the first of its kind. Photo by UC Berkeley / Daniel Rizzo
Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Today's transistors, the building blocks of modern electronics, are mostly composed of silicon, but scientists theorize carbon-based transistors eventually could power faster, more efficient computers. Testing that theory has proven difficult, but thanks to a recent breakthrough, detailed Friday in the journal Science, researchers now are closer to finally building a transistor entirely from carbon. Advertisement
A team of chemists and physicists at the University of California-Berkeley succeeded in building a metallic wire out of carbon.
"Our breakthrough was to make metallic nanoribbons," study co-author Michael Crommie, professor of physics at Berkeley, told UPI in an email.
Previously, scientists theorized that graphene nanoribbons could only form insulators or semiconductors. But to build transistors, scientists needed wires, the conductive metal channels that link semiconducting elements and connect the thousands of transistors that form a computer chip.
Though the most recent breakthrough, the ability to turn graphene nanowires metallic, materialized within the last two years, the advance followed more than a decade's worth of work on the assembly of graphene nanowires from molecular building blocks.
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"The advantages of carbon over silicon become greatest when transistors are made very small, down to the size scale of individual molecules," Crommie said.
In other words, to build carbon computer components, researchers first had to figure out how to build graphene from the ground up -- and with atomic-scale precision.
Most material scientists working with graphene at nano scales use what are called graphene nanotubes. Graphene nanotubes are versatile and practical, but their electronic properties aren't easily manipulated.
"You can make graphene nanotubes from virtually any carbon source -- ethanol, methane, wood -- but you cannot control their critical parameters like diameter and chirality with the same precision and reproducibility," Felix Fischer, a study co-author and Berkeley physics professor, told UPI in an email.
Enter graphene nanoribbons.
In 2010, a different team of researchers -- led by Roman Fasel, a material scientist in Switzerland, and German chemist Klaus Mullen -- found a way to stitch together graphene molecules using standard chemistry techniques to form narrow strips of graphene, or graphene nanoribbons.
"Specific -- and useful -- properties can be engineered into the molecules even before they are stitched together into a graphene nanoribbon," Crommie said.
"You can think about this as a LEGO-like approach where the shape and size of your 'molecular' LEGO brick predetermines all critical dimensions like width, or edge structure that are responsible for the electronic properties of the resulting material, be it an insulator, semiconductor or like in our case, a topological metal," Fischer added.
Advertisement
What Crommie, Fischer and their research partners realized was that the chemical techniques developed by Fasel and Mullen could be adapted to synthesize graphene building blocks with localized electronic states.
Crommie and company were able synthesize the building blocks in such a way that molecules symmetrically stitched themselves together, creating the electronic state of a metal.
"We also came up with a novel method for tuning how metallic our graphene nanoribbons can be by slightly changing their chemical bonding structure," Crommie said.
The next step is to use their now-complete graphene toolbox -- featuring semiconducting, insulating and metallic graphene nanoribbons -- to build a working transistor.
Such a feat could have a significant impact on everyday electronics.
"Think about the possible impact of a mobile phone with comparable performance to the fastest desktop computers but with a power consumption that requires you only to charge it every other month," Fischer said.
Carbon-based circuity is probably still several years away, but Fischer thinks the ability to synthesize metallic graphene nanoribbons was one the last major hurdles.
"The translation of this technology into an integrated circuit is still a steep and windy road ahead but we are confident that following a proof of concept that validates the predicted performance, the field will attract many more expert research groups and an increased federal and industrial backing to support this effort." Fischer said.


upi--2020-09-25--Israel tests new sea-to-sea missile

Israel tests new sea-to-sea missile

Sept. 25 ( UPI ) -- The Israeli Navy tested a sea-to-sea missile for use in protecting Mediterranean Sea natural gas platforms , the Israel Defense Force announced on Friday .
The missile successfully struck and sank a decommissioned target vessel meant to simulate an enemy vessel .
The missiles will be integrated into the Israeli Navy 's newest Sa'ar-5 and Sa'ar-6 class ships , made in the United States by Huntington Ingalls Industries .
They are classified as corvettes because of their relatively small size at 420 feet in length .
However , their weaponry , including sonar , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capabilities and decoys , a gun mount , a helipad and a helicopter hangar , is comparable to that of a modern frigate .
The missile system has not been named .
It was developed by Israeli Aerospace Industries , and tested by the Navy and the Defense Ministry 's Weapons Development and Technology Infrastructure Administration , known as MAFAT .
`` The introduction of the system will serve as a significant addition to the force build up efforts of the Israeli Navy , and ensure its continued naval superiority , '' a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

A new sea-to-sea missile was fired from an Israeli Navy corvette, the Israel Defense Force announced on Friday. Photo courtesy of IDF
Sept. 25 (UPI) -- The Israeli Navy tested a sea-to-sea missile for use in protecting Mediterranean Sea natural gas platforms, the Israel Defense Force announced on Friday. The missile successfully struck and sank a decommissioned target vessel meant to simulate an enemy vessel. The missiles will be integrated into the Israeli Navy's newest Sa'ar-5 and Sa'ar-6 class ships, made in the United States by Huntington Ingalls Industries. Advertisement
They are classified as corvettes because of their relatively small size at 420 feet in length. However, their weaponry, including sonar, torpedoes, missile launchers, electronic warfare capabilities and decoys, a gun mount, a helipad and a helicopter hangar, is comparable to that of a modern frigate.
The missile system has not been named. It was developed by Israeli Aerospace Industries, and tested by the Navy and the Defense Ministry's Weapons Development and Technology Infrastructure Administration, known as MAFAT.
"The introduction of the system will serve as a significant addition to the force build up efforts of the Israeli Navy, and ensure its continued naval superiority," a Ministry of Defense statement on Friday said.


upi--2020-09-25--Glenn Close, Jake Gyllenhaal headline 'Angels in America' benefit

Sept. 25 ( UPI ) -- Broadway.com confirmed Friday an all-star cast for The Great Work Begins : Scenes from Angels in America .
The live event will occur Oct. 8 at 8:30 p.m. EDT on Broadway.com 's YouTube Channel to benefit amfAR 's Fund to Fight COVID-19 .
In an announcement on Broadway.com 's website , Angels in America playwright Tony Kushner and director Ellie Heyman announced the cast .
Glenn Close , Paul Dano , Jeremy O. Harris , Brian Tyree Henry , Laura Linney , Patti LuPone , S. Epatha Merkerson , Andrew Rannells , Daphne Rubin-Vega @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deadline confirmed that Close would play the role of Roy Cohn .
Broadway.com also teased special appearances by Alan Cumming , Jake Gyllenhaal and Whoopi Goldberg .
Kushner , Heyman and the cast will participate in a Q & A following the 60 minute reading of seven select scenes .
`` I 'm praying that the novel coronavirus will prove easier to obliterate than HIV , '' Kushner said in a statement .
`` I know we 'll all do whatever 's required to defeat this scourge , and I know that amfAR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be there in the heat of battle with us . ''
Angels in America was a two-part play about AIDS and the LGBTQ community .
Part 1 premiered in 1991 and Part 2 in 1993 .
HBO produced a miniseries adaptation in 2003 starring Al Pacino as Roy Cohn , and costarring Mary-Louise Parker , Justin Kirk , Jeffrey Wright , Patrick Wilson , Meryl Streep , Emma Thompson and James Cromwell .

Glenn Close will read the role of Roy Cohn in a live benefit performance of scenes from "Angels in America." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Broadway.com confirmed Friday an all-star cast for The Great Work Begins: Scenes from Angels in America. The live event will occur Oct. 8 at 8:30 p.m. EDT on Broadway.com's YouTube Channel to benefit amfAR's Fund to Fight COVID-19. In an announcement on Broadway.com's website, Angels in America playwright Tony Kushner and director Ellie Heyman announced the cast. Glenn Close, Paul Dano, Jeremy O. Harris, Brian Tyree Henry, Laura Linney, Patti LuPone, S. Epatha Merkerson, Andrew Rannells, Daphne Rubin-Vega and more make up the cast. Advertisement
Deadline confirmed that Close would play the role of Roy Cohn. Broadway.com also teased special appearances by Alan Cumming, Jake Gyllenhaal and Whoopi Goldberg.
Kushner, Heyman and the cast will participate in a Q&A following the 60 minute reading of seven select scenes.
"I'm praying that the novel coronavirus will prove easier to obliterate than HIV," Kushner said in a statement. "I know we'll all do whatever's required to defeat this scourge, and I know that amfAR, as it always has been, will be there in the heat of battle with us."
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Angels in America was a two-part play about AIDS and the LGBTQ community. Part 1 premiered in 1991 and Part 2 in 1993. HBO produced a miniseries adaptation in 2003 starring Al Pacino as Roy Cohn, and costarring Mary-Louise Parker, Justin Kirk, Jeffrey Wright, Patrick Wilson, Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson and James Cromwell.


upi--2020-09-25--British royal family to face $45M shortfall due to pandemic

Sept. 25 ( UPI ) -- The royal family said it plans to cut expenses after projecting a $ 45 million shortfall to their finances in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
Michael Stevens , the keeper of the privy purse , said a lack of tourism due to quarantine restrictions is to blame for the financial hit .
`` In responding to these challenges , we have no intention of asking for extra funding but will look to manage the impact through our own efforts and efficiencies , '' Stevens said .
The family 's royal grant is calculated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Crown Estate from two years previous .
The Crown Estate generates income through tourism and other endeavors at properties worth nearly $ 18 billion .
Because funding is based on a previous year 's income , the financial impact of the pandemic has yet to hit the royal family , but Stevens said a slowdown in tourism will likely bring a funding shortfall of about $ 19 million over three years .
Additionally , there 's likely to be a a $ 25.4 million shortfall in a grant the family was expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project of Buckingham Palace .
The building 's aging infrastructure has n't had a major upgrade in heating , plumbing or wiring since World War II and is facing catastrophic failure , according to officials .
Overall , the 10-year project is expected to cost the British public $ 469 million .
Stevens said the total sovereign grant for the 2019-20 fiscal year , including the Buckingham Palace rehabilitation project , was $ 104.82 million .
The royal family 's official expenditure for the year was $ 88.28 million , with $ 16.54 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The year 's expenditures included a state visit by U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump , and events honoring the 75th anniversary of D-Day and Armistice Day .

The royal family said it would make up for a coronavirus-related shortfall by reducing expenditures. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 25 (UPI) -- The royal family said it plans to cut expenses after projecting a $45 million shortfall to their finances in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Michael Stevens, the keeper of the privy purse, said a lack of tourism due to quarantine restrictions is to blame for the financial hit. Advertisement
"In responding to these challenges, we have no intention of asking for extra funding but will look to manage the impact through our own efforts and efficiencies," Stevens said.
The family's royal grant is calculated as a percentage of the income from the Crown Estate from two years previous. The Crown Estate generates income through tourism and other endeavors at properties worth nearly $18 billion.
Because funding is based on a previous year's income, the financial impact of the pandemic has yet to hit the royal family, but Stevens said a slowdown in tourism will likely bring a funding shortfall of about $19 million over three years.
Additionally, there's likely to be a a $25.4 million shortfall in a grant the family was expected to receive to undertake a 10-year rehabilitation project of Buckingham Palace. The building's aging infrastructure hasn't had a major upgrade in heating, plumbing or wiring since World War II and is facing catastrophic failure, according to officials.
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Overall, the 10-year project is expected to cost the British public $469 million.
Stevens said the total sovereign grant for the 2019-20 fiscal year, including the Buckingham Palace rehabilitation project, was $104.82 million. The royal family's official expenditure for the year was $88.28 million, with $16.54 million transferred to the sovereign grant reserve.
The year's expenditures included a state visit by U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, and events honoring the 75th anniversary of D-Day and Armistice Day.


upi--2020-09-25--Fantasy football: Kelce, Andrews top Week 3 tight end rankings

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- Travis Kelce , Mark Andrews , Zach Ertz , Jared Cook and Tyler Higbee lead my Week 3 fantasy football tight end rankings for 2020 .
Jonnu Smith , Darren Waller , Noah Fant , Hunter Henry and Hayden Hurst round out my Top 10 options at the position .
Mo Alie-Cox of the Indianapolis Colts and Logan Thomas of the Washington Football Team are among my favorite sleepers this week .
An early explosion of offense around the league has led to increased relevance for tight ends through two weeks of the fantasy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waiver wire article for more great options for your fantasy football team 's tight end slot in Week 3 .
Here are some of my favorite players in this week 's Top 20 rankings : The Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens should score in bunches in a high-octane Monday Night Football matchup .
I expect Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce to be one of the most productive players in the game .
Kelce is my top tight end this week .
The Ravens have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least eight catches and has a great chance to score multiple times in Week 3 .
Mark Andrews will be the tight end on the other side of the field when the Ravens take on Kelce 's Chiefs to cap off the Week 3 schedule .
Andrews scored twice in Week 1 and should return to the end zone in Week 3 .
He is my No .
2 tight end this week and should be in lineups regardless of league format .
Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee lands at No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exploded for three touchdowns in Week 2 and should continue to be an integral part of the Rams offense .
I expect the tight end to catch at least five passes for 50 yards and to return to the end zone in a game against the New York Giants Sunday in Inglewood , Calif. Mo Alie-Cox has done a fantastic job as a replacement for injured Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle .
He 'll return to that role in Week 3 when the Colts host the New York Jets , who just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tight end Jordan Reed .
Alie-Cox had 111 yards on five catches in Week 2 .
I expect him to come close to 100 receiving yards again in Week 3 .
He is No .
13 in my rankings , but should only be in lineups for leagues that require starting tight ends .
Washington Football Team tight end Logan Thomas is my No .
14 tight end option and lands in streaming territory for Week 3 .
Thomas had a touchdown in Week 1 and hauled in four catches in Week 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this game against the Cleveland Browns , who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to tight ends in 2020 .
Cleveland allowed 11 catches for 87 yards and a touchdown to Cincinnati Bengals tight ends in Week 2 .
Thomas could end up as a Top 10 fantasy football tight end for Week 3 if he gets into the end zone against the Browns .

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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) has scored in back-to-back games and is my No. 1 tight end for Week 3. File Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, Zach Ertz, Jared Cook and Tyler Higbee lead my Week 3 fantasy football tight end rankings for 2020. Jonnu Smith, Darren Waller, Noah Fant, Hunter Henry and Hayden Hurst round out my Top 10 options at the position. Mo Alie-Cox of the Indianapolis Colts and Logan Thomas of the Washington Football Team are among my favorite sleepers this week. Advertisement
An early explosion of offense around the league has led to increased relevance for tight ends through two weeks of the fantasy football season. Check out my weekly waiver wire article for more great options for your fantasy football team's tight end slot in Week 3.
Here are some of my favorite players in this week's Top 20 rankings:
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TOP SHELF
The Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens should score in bunches in a high-octane Monday Night Football matchup. I expect Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce to be one of the most productive players in the game. Kelce is my top tight end this week.
The Ravens have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season. Kelce should have at least eight catches and has a great chance to score multiple times in Week 3.
Mark Andrews will be the tight end on the other side of the field when the Ravens take on Kelce's Chiefs to cap off the Week 3 schedule.
Andrews scored twice in Week 1 and should return to the end zone in Week 3. He is my No. 2 tight end this week and should be in lineups regardless of league format.
SNEAKY PLAYS
Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee lands at No. 5 in my rankings. Higbee exploded for three touchdowns in Week 2 and should continue to be an integral part of the Rams offense.
I expect the tight end to catch at least five passes for 50 yards and to return to the end zone in a game against the New York Giants Sunday in Inglewood, Calif.
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LONGSHOTS
Mo Alie-Cox has done a fantastic job as a replacement for injured Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle. He'll return to that role in Week 3 when the Colts host the New York Jets, who just allowed two touchdowns to San Francisco 49ers tight end Jordan Reed.
Alie-Cox had 111 yards on five catches in Week 2. I expect him to come close to 100 receiving yards again in Week 3. He is No. 13 in my rankings, but should only be in lineups for leagues that require starting tight ends.
Washington Football Team tight end Logan Thomas is my No. 14 tight end option and lands in streaming territory for Week 3.
Thomas had a touchdown in Week 1 and hauled in four catches in Week 2. He should surpass that total in this game against the Cleveland Browns, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to tight ends in 2020.
Cleveland allowed 11 catches for 87 yards and a touchdown to Cincinnati Bengals tight ends in Week 2. Thomas could end up as a Top 10 fantasy football tight end for Week 3 if he gets into the end zone against the Browns.
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Week 3 fantasy football tight end rankings
1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs at BAL
2. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens vs. KC
3. Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles vs. CIN
4. Jared Cook, New Orleans Saints vs. GB
5. Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams at BUF
6. Jonnu Smith, Tennessee Titans at MIN
7. Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders at NE
8. Noah Fant, Denver Broncos vs. TB
9. Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers vs. CAR
10. Hayden Hurst, Atlanta Falcons vs. CHI
11. Evan Engram, New York Giants vs. SF
12. Jordan Reed, San Francisco 49ers at NYG
13. Mo Alie-Cox, Indianapolis Colts vs. NYJ
14. Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team at CLE
15. Austin Hooper, Cleveland Browns vs. WAS
16. Eric Ebron, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. HOU
17. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles vs. CIN
18. T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions at ARI
19. Chris Herndon, New York Jets at IND
20. Jimmy Graham, Chicago Bears at ATL
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This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-09-25--Wax sculpture melting in Florida to raise climate change awareness

Sept. 25 ( UPI ) -- A wax sculpture of a man and his granddaughter is being left to melt @ @ @ @ @ to raise awareness of the dangers of climate change .
The nonprofit CLEO Institute installed @ @ @ @ @ older man and his young granddaughter sitting on a park bench , outside Orlando City @ @ @ @ @ of the `` Melting Florida '' campaign .
The wax figures are designed to melt @ @ @ @ @ the course of a few days to eventually reveal the message : `` More heat @ @ @ @ @ `` Rising temperatures and the climate crisis are impacting our way of life , '' @ @ @ @ @ Arditi-Rocha said at the sculpture 's unveiling .
`` As temperatures continue to rise , @ @ @ @ @ also rise and that really creates problems in respiratory diseases ( and ) cardiovascular problems @ @ @ @ @ Florida '' campaign previously installed a wax sculpture of Florida panthers in Tampa and a @ @ @ @ @ Beach .

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Sept. 25 (UPI) -- A wax sculpture of a man and his granddaughter is being left to melt outside a Florida city hall to raise awareness of the dangers of climate change.
The nonprofit CLEO Institute installed the sculpture, depicting an older man and his young granddaughter sitting on a park bench, outside Orlando City Hall on Thursday as part of the "Melting Florida" campaign.
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The wax figures are designed to melt in the outdoor heat over the course of a few days to eventually reveal the message: "More heat, less health."
"Rising temperatures and the climate crisis are impacting our way of life," CLEO Institute Executive Director Yoca Arditi-Rocha said at the sculpture's unveiling. "As temperatures continue to rise, we see ground ozone levels also rise and that really creates problems in respiratory diseases (and) cardiovascular problems."
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The "Melting Florida" campaign previously installed a wax sculpture of Florida panthers in Tampa and a wax lifeguard house in Miami Beach.


upi--2020-09-25--'Teapot' found in garage sells for nearly $500,000

Sept. 25 ( UPI ) -- A small `` teapot '' found by a British man while cleaning out a garage filled with family relics nearly ended up at a thrift store before being auctioned for nearly $ 500,000 .
Hansons Auctioneers said the anonymous 51-year-old seller was cleaning out boxes from a family-owned garage in Church Gresley , Derbyshire , England , when he came across the `` teapot '' his mother used to display at his childhood home .
`` We believe it was brought back to England by my grandfather who was stationed in the Far East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ awarded a Burma Star , '' the seller said .
The man said the item was nearly donated to a thrift store , but he decided to have it appraised and was surprised to learn it was an 18th century Chinese wine ewer that may have been used in the palace of Emperor Qianlong .
Hansons said there are two `` nearly identical '' items known to exist and they are housed at museums in China and Taiwan .
The ewer had been expected to sell for up to $ 50,000 , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 495,880.32 at Thursday 's action .
`` I 'm thrilled , this will change a few things for us all .
I sat and watched the auction live at home with my brother and family , '' the seller said after the auction .
`` It was tense .
I got a few cans of Guinness in beforehand .
We 'll be going for a drink tonight and toasting granddad . ''
Auctioneer Charles Hanson said the price was driven up by a bidding war between eight participants from around the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the London buyer .
`` This is one of the most important objects I 've ever had the privilege of selling .
It has to be the best lockdown find ever , '' Hanson said .

A "teapot" found by a British man while cleaning out a relative's garage turned out to be an 18th century Chinese wine ewer that sold for nearly $500,000 at auction. Photo courtesy of Hansons Auctioneers
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Sept. 25 (UPI) -- A small "teapot" found by a British man while cleaning out a garage filled with family relics nearly ended up at a thrift store before being auctioned for nearly $500,000. Hansons Auctioneers said the anonymous 51-year-old seller was cleaning out boxes from a family-owned garage in Church Gresley, Derbyshire, England, when he came across the "teapot" his mother used to display at his childhood home. Advertisement
"We believe it was brought back to England by my grandfather who was stationed in the Far East during the Second World War and was awarded a Burma Star," the seller said.
The man said the item was nearly donated to a thrift store, but he decided to have it appraised and was surprised to learn it was an 18th century Chinese wine ewer that may have been used in the palace of Emperor Qianlong.
Hansons said there are two "nearly identical" items known to exist and they are housed at museums in China and Taiwan.
The ewer had been expected to sell for up to $50,000, but ended up fetching a high bid of $495,880.32 at Thursday's action.
"I'm thrilled, this will change a few things for us all. I sat and watched the auction live at home with my brother and family," the seller said after the auction. "It was tense. I got a few cans of Guinness in beforehand. We'll be going for a drink tonight and toasting granddad."
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Auctioneer Charles Hanson said the price was driven up by a bidding war between eight participants from around the world before the final bid was placed by the London buyer.
"This is one of the most important objects I've ever had the privilege of selling. It has to be the best lockdown find ever," Hanson said.


upi--2020-09-26--COVID-19: South Korea's new cases fall below 100, but calls for holiday lockdown

Sept. 26 ( UPI ) -- South Korea reported Saturday that new COVID-19 cases fell below 100 for the first time in four days , but the country is still calling for tighter restrictions ahead of the fall harvest holiday .
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported 61 new COVID-19 cases Saturday , bringing the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic to 23,516 .
Four new deaths from COVID-19 were also reported , bringing the total number of deaths to 399 .
The number of new cases marked the first dip below 100 after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The country reported 114 new cases Friday .
Among the 61 new cases , 47 were local infections , which was the lowest local number of new daily infections since Aug. 13 , and 12 of the cases were imported cases , according to health authorities .
The rise in new cases since mid-August was tied to crowded church services in Seoul and a large anti-government rally , with the number reaching a five-month high of 441 new daily cases on Aug. 27 .
Authorities responded to the August outbreak by tightening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to limit indoor gatherings of more than 50 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 100 .
Businesses considered high risk such as nightclubs and karaoke rooms shut their doors .
Even though the numbers of new daily cases have fallen , the government is ramping up lockdown measures ahead of the upcoming Chuseok holiday .
The fall harvest holiday , which runs Wednesday through Oct. 4 , usually includes mass movements and family gatherings across the country .
To minimize any potential resurgence , the government has designated a special two-week period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Under the lockdown measures , operations of clubs , bars and buffets in the greater Seoul area will be suspended for two weeks .
In non-metropolitan areas , night clubs will also be shut down for a week .
Measures imposed last month to limit the size of gatherings will also continue .
`` The Chuseok holiday is approaching and sporadic infections continue , meaning risk factors for a rebound across the country still exist , '' Kwon Joon-wook , deputy director of the Central Disease Control headquarters , said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a a situation where we can feel relieved by the current circumstances . ''
Meanwhile , in London , conspiracy theorist David Icke led a demonstration of hundreds of protesters in Trafalgar Square called a `` Freedom Rally '' against new restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19 .
The new measures included a 10 p.m. curfew at pubs and bars to prevent a rise in COVID-19 cases .
Britain has reported over 425,000 cases of COVID-19 to date , and over 42,000 COVID-19 deaths , according to data complied by Johns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Minister Jenny Mikakos resigned after Premier Daniel Andrews ' testimony that she was accountable for the Victoria hotel quarantine program , which prompted inquiry after guests with COVID-19 infected workers , and then , the coronavirus spread to the community .
Australia has reported over 27,000 cases and 870 deaths , according to the global tracker .
Overall , COVID-19 has infected over 32.5 million people and killed over 989,000 .
About half the cases are in three countries .
The United States has the most cases at over 7 million and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India has the second-highest number of cases at over 5.9 million and the third-highest number of deaths at over 93,000 .
Brazil has the third-highest number of cases at over 4.6 million and the second-highest number of deaths at over 140,500 .

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The government in South Korea is tightening COVID-19 restrictions again ahead of the fall harvest holiday. File Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI
Sept. 26 (UPI) -- South Korea reported Saturday that new COVID-19 cases fell below 100 for the first time in four days, but the country is still calling for tighter restrictions ahead of the fall harvest holiday. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported 61 new COVID-19 cases Saturday, bringing the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic to 23,516. Advertisement
Four new deaths from COVID-19 were also reported, bringing the total number of deaths to 399.
The number of new cases marked the first dip below 100 after three consecutive days in the triple digits. The country reported 114 new cases Friday.
Among the 61 new cases, 47 were local infections, which was the lowest local number of new daily infections since Aug. 13, and 12 of the cases were imported cases, according to health authorities.
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The rise in new cases since mid-August was tied to crowded church services in Seoul and a large anti-government rally, with the number reaching a five-month high of 441 new daily cases on Aug. 27.
Authorities responded to the August outbreak by tightening social distancing guidelines nationwide and imposing measures to limit indoor gatherings of more than 50 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 100. Businesses considered high risk such as nightclubs and karaoke rooms shut their doors.
Even though the numbers of new daily cases have fallen, the government is ramping up lockdown measures ahead of the upcoming Chuseok holiday.
The fall harvest holiday, which runs Wednesday through Oct. 4, usually includes mass movements and family gatherings across the country.
To minimize any potential resurgence, the government has designated a special two-week period for tighter restrictions against COVID-19 starting Monday. Under the lockdown measures, operations of clubs, bars and buffets in the greater Seoul area will be suspended for two weeks. In non-metropolitan areas, night clubs will also be shut down for a week.
Measures imposed last month to limit the size of gatherings will also continue.
"The Chuseok holiday is approaching and sporadic infections continue, meaning risk factors for a rebound across the country still exist," Kwon Joon-wook, deputy director of the Central Disease Control headquarters, said in a daily briefing. "We are not in a a situation where we can feel relieved by the current circumstances."
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Meanwhile, in London, conspiracy theorist David Icke led a demonstration of hundreds of protesters in Trafalgar Square called a "Freedom Rally" against new restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19.
The new measures included a 10 p.m. curfew at pubs and bars to prevent a rise in COVID-19 cases.
Britain has reported over 425,000 cases of COVID-19 to date, and over 42,000 COVID-19 deaths, according to data complied by Johns Hopkins University.
In Australia, Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos resigned after Premier Daniel Andrews' testimony that she was accountable for the Victoria hotel quarantine program, which prompted inquiry after guests with COVID-19 infected workers, and then, the coronavirus spread to the community.
Australia has reported over 27,000 cases and 870 deaths, according to the global tracker.
Overall, COVID-19 has infected over 32.5 million people and killed over 989,000. About half the cases are in three countries. The United States has the most cases at over 7 million and the most deaths at over 203,000. India has the second-highest number of cases at over 5.9 million and the third-highest number of deaths at over 93,000. Brazil has the third-highest number of cases at over 4.6 million and the second-highest number of deaths at over 140,500.
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World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-09-26--Breonna Taylor: Nearly 2 dozen arrested for breaking curfew; autopsy released

Sept. 26 ( UPI ) -- Louisville , Ky. , police arrested nearly two dozen protesters -- most for breaking curfew -- in mostly peaceful protests over the police shooting of Breonna Taylor overnight .
Louisville Metro police Sgt .
Lamont Washington said authorities arrested 23 people Friday night , with up to 15 detained for breaking curfew .
The Louisville Courier Journal said about 50 officers surrounded the group of 15 as they were marching toward Jefferson Square Park .
Police said they were out past curfew by about 2 hours .
There was also a tense moment between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the First Unitarian Church .
WDRB-TV in Louisville said the church has advertised itself as a safe space with food and drink for protesters .
`` I am feeling so grateful that we can provide a space that 's safe where they can , after marching and after protesting , that they can come here and they can get their needs met , '' said Dawn Cooley , a minister at the church .
`` This is what it means to be a church . ''
Friday was the third night of protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the officers involved in the fatal shooting of Taylor in March was indicted , it was n't directly for the woman 's death .
Former officer Bretty Hankison faces three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment for shooting into a neighbor 's apartment during the raid that killed Taylor .
Taylor was shot during the serving of a `` no-knock '' search warrant on March 13 related to a narcotics investigation .
The officers arrived without warning and drew fire from Taylor 's boyfriend , Kenneth Walker , who said he did n't know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was alarmed by the sudden interruption .
Prosecutors said no one faced charges for directly shooting and killing Taylor , saying police were justified in defending themselves after Walker opened fire .
Taylor , 26 , was a certified emergency medical technician , and was not the subject of the raid .
She had no criminal history .
Hankison was dismissed from the force in June after `` wantonly and blindly '' firing 10 shots into Taylor 's apartment and one next door , showing `` extreme indifference to the value of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chief Robert Schroeder said .
Taylor 's mother , Tamika Palmer , criticized Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron for the lack of an indictment directly related to her daughter 's death .
`` I was reassured Wednesday of why I have no faith in the legal system and the police and the law that are not made to protect us Black and brown people , '' Palmer said in a statement read by Taylor 's aunt , Bianca Austin .
The family gathered Friday at Jefferson Square Park for a news conference .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office released details from Taylor 's autopsy Friday , finding she was shot near her heart and in her forearm , thigh , abdomen , foot and right heel .
She also had no drugs or alcohol in her system .

People protested for a third night in Louisville, Ky., in response to a lack of an indictment directly for the killing of Breonna Taylor. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Louisville, Ky., police arrested nearly two dozen protesters -- most for breaking curfew -- in mostly peaceful protests over the police shooting of Breonna Taylor overnight. Louisville Metro police Sgt. Lamont Washington said authorities arrested 23 people Friday night, with up to 15 detained for breaking curfew. Advertisement
The Louisville Courier Journal said about 50 officers surrounded the group of 15 as they were marching toward Jefferson Square Park. Police said they were out past curfew by about 2 hours.
There was also a tense moment between law enforcement and protesters as they left the First Unitarian Church. WDRB-TV in Louisville said the church has advertised itself as a safe space with food and drink for protesters.
"I am feeling so grateful that we can provide a space that's safe where they can, after marching and after protesting, that they can come here and they can get their needs met," said Dawn Cooley, a minister at the church.
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"This is what it means to be a church."
Friday was the third night of protests since prosecutors announced that while one of the officers involved in the fatal shooting of Taylor in March was indicted, it wasn't directly for the woman's death.
Former officer Bretty Hankison faces three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment for shooting into a neighbor's apartment during the raid that killed Taylor.
Taylor was shot during the serving of a search warrant on March 13 related to a narcotics investigation. It was originally reported the police entered the apartment on a "no-knock" warrant, but it was later determined the warrant had been changed to a "knock and announce" order.
It's unclear if the police announced themselves.
Taylor's boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, said he didn't know it was police who entered the apartment and was alarmed by the sudden interruption. He opened fire, injuring one of the officers.
Prosecutors said no one faced charges for directly shooting and killing Taylor, saying police were justified in defending themselves after Walker opened fire.
Hankison was dismissed from the force in June after "wantonly and blindly" firing 10 shots into Taylor's apartment and one next door, showing "extreme indifference to the value of human life," Louisville Metro Police Chief Robert Schroeder said.
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Taylor's mother, Tamika Palmer, criticized Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron for the lack of an indictment directly related to her daughter's death.
"I was reassured Wednesday of why I have no faith in the legal system and the police and the law that are not made to protect us Black and brown people," Palmer said in a statement read by Taylor's aunt, Bianca Austin.
The family gathered Friday at Jefferson Square Park for a news conference.
Meanwhile, the Jefferson County Coroner's Office released details from Taylor's autopsy Friday, finding she was shot near her heart and in her forearm, thigh, abdomen, foot and right heel. She also had no drugs or alcohol in her system.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story was based on outdated information that police served a "no-knock" warrant.


upi--2020-09-26--Aldis Hodge in talks to play Hawkman in Dwayne Johnson's 'Black Adam'

Sept. 26 ( UPI ) -- The Invisible Man and Underground actor Aldis Hodge is in talks to play Hawkman @ @ @ @ @ comic-book adaptation starring Dwayne Johnson as the titular anti-hero .
Hodge 's casting negotiations were @ @ @ @ @ Deadline and EW .
Jungle Cruise director Jaume Collet-Serra will helm the project in Georgia @ @ @ @ @ a winged warrior and member of the DC Comics superhero team Justice Society of America @ @ @ @ @ include Straight Outta Compton , One Night in Miami and Hidden Figures .

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Aldis Hodge is in talks to co-star with Dwayne Johnson in "Black Adam." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 26 (UPI) -- The Invisible Man and Underground actor Aldis Hodge is in talks to play Hawkman in Black Adam, the comic-book adaptation starring Dwayne Johnson as the titular anti-hero. Hodge's casting negotiations were reported Friday by Variety, Deadline and EW. Advertisement
Jungle Cruise director Jaume Collet-Serra will helm the project in Georgia next year.
Hawkman is a winged warrior and member of the DC Comics superhero team Justice Society of America.
Noah Centineo was previously announced to play society member Atom Smasher.
Hodge's other credits include Straight Outta Compton, One Night in Miami and Hidden Figures.


upi--2020-09-26--'Supergirl' star Melissa Benoist announces first child's birth

Sept. 26 ( UPI ) -- Supergirl star Melissa Benoist announced the birth of her first child , a son @ @ @ @ @ got here a few weeks ago and this little boy is everything , '' Benoist @ @ @ @ @ post , which included a photo of her newborn 's tiny hand in hers .
@ @ @ @ @ she and her husband , Vampire Diaries alum Chris Wood , were expecting their first @ @ @ @ @ been married since September 2019 .
This week , Benoist and The CW confirmed the @ @ @ @ @ be the last for Supergirl .

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Melissa Benoist arrives at the 2017 CW Upfront in New York City. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Supergirl star Melissa Benoist announced the birth of her first child, a son. "Huxley Robert Wood got here a few weeks ago and this little boy is everything," Benoist wrote in Friday's Instagram post, which included a photo of her newborn's tiny hand in hers. Advertisement
Benoist announced in March that she and her husband, Vampire Diaries alum Chris Wood, were expecting their first child.
The couple has been married since September 2019.
This week, Benoist and The CW confirmed the upcoming, sixth season would be the last for Supergirl.


upi--2020-09-26--YoungBoy Never Broke Again's 'Top' is No. 1 album in the U.S.

Sept. 26 ( UPI ) -- Rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again 's Top is the No .
1 album in @ @ @ @ @ in at No .
2 on the Billboard 200 chart dated Saturday is Pop Smoke @ @ @ @ @ Aim For the Moon , followed by Juice WRLD 's Legends Never Die at No @ @ @ @ @ 's Folklore at No .
4 and the Hamilton soundtrack at No .
5 .
@ @ @ @ @ are Lil Baby 's My Turn at No .
6 , Big Sean 's Detroit @ @ @ @ @ , Marilyn Manson 's We Are Chaos at No .
8 , Rod Wave 's @ @ @ @ @ .
9 and Post Malone 's Hollywood 's Bleeding at No .
10 .

Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again's Top is the No. 1 album in the United States.
Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 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, Taylor Swift's Folklore at No. 4 and the Hamilton soundtrack at No. 5.


upi--2020-09-26--Famous birthdays for Sept. 26: Serena Williams, Linda Hamilton

Sept. 26 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Libra .
-- Author @ @ @ @ @ age 59 )

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Serena Willams and daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. step out on the runway at the end of the Serena by Serena Williams fashion show at Metropolitan West639 during New York Fashion Week on September 10, 2019. The tennis star turns 39 on September 26. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Libra. They include: Advertisement
-- Frontier nurseryman "Johnny Appleseed" Chapman in 1774
-- German researcher Ivan Pavlov in 1849
-- Poet T.S. Eliot in 1888
-- German philosopher Martin Heidegger in 1889
-- Pope Paul VI in 1897
-- Composer George Gershwin in 1898
-- Actor Donna Douglas in 1932
-- South African activist Winnie Mandela in 1936
File Photo by Patsy Lynch/UPI
-- Film producer Jerry Weintraub in 1937
-- Actor Kent McCord in 1942 (age 78)
-- Country singer Lynn Anderson in 1947
-- Actor Mary Beth Hurt in 1946 (age 74)
-- Singer Olivia Newton-John in 1948 (age 72)
-- Author Jane Smiley in 1949 (age 71)
-- Actor Linda Hamilton in 1956 (age 64)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Author Will Self in 1961 (age 59)
-- Actor Melissa Sue Anderson in 1962 (age 58)
-- Actor Jim Caviezel in 1968 (age 52)
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-- Tennis star Serena Williams in 1981 (age 39)
-- Singer Christina Milian in 1981 (age 39)
-- TV personality Nev Schulman in 1984 (age 36)
-- Singer James Blake in 1988 (age 32)


upi--2020-09-26--On This Day, Sept. 26: UAW, GM reach deal ending walkout

Sept. 26 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1934 , Britain 's Queen Mary bestowed her name on Cunard-White Star Line 's newest ocean liner in a christening ceremony in Scotland .
In 1950 , U.N. troops took the South Korean capital of Seoul from North Korean forces .
In 1960 , the first televised presidential debate aired from a Chicago TV studio .
It featured candidates John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon .
In 1983 , the yacht Australia II won the America 's Cup from the United States , ending the longest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 1984 , China and Britain initialed an accord to return Hong Kong to Chinese control when Britain 's lease expired in 1997 .
In 1990 , the Motion Picture Association of America , under pressure from filmmakers , adopted the `` NC-17 '' rating -- no children under 17 allowed -- to replace the `` X '' rating exploited by the porn industry .
In 1991 , four men and four women entered the huge , airtight greenhouse Biosphere II in Arizona .
They remained inside for two years , emerging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1992 , a Nigerian Air Force transport plane crashed into a swamp shortly after takeoff from Lagos airport , killing all 158 people on board .
In 1996 , the space shuttle Atlantis landed , returning astronaut Shannon Lucid to Earth .
At the time , her six-month tour aboard the Mir space station was the longest stay in space for an American .
In 2005 , U.S. Army Pfc .
Lynndie England , photographed in widely distributed pictures with inmates at Iraq 's Abu Ghraib prison , was convicted of conspiracy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three years in prison and paroled in March 2007 .
In 2007 , ending a walkout that lasted less than two days , the United Auto Workers union and General Motors reached a deal in which GM agreed to create a $ 38.5 billion trust to administer health benefits for retirees .
In 2009 , Typhoon Ketsana swept across the Philippines , killing about 500 people and causing the country 's worst flooding in almost half a century .
The storm then slammed into Southeast Asia and killed 163 people in Vietnam .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country will issue driver 's licenses to women starting the following summer after years of pressure on the government .

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Striking members of United Auto Workers Local 95 picket at the General Motors assembly plant on September 24, 2007, in Janesville, Wis. On September 26, 2007, ending a walkout that lasted less than two days, the United Auto Workers union and General Motors reached a deal in which GM agreed to create a $38.5 billion trust to administer health benefits for retirees. File Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 26 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1777, British troops occupied Philadelphia. Advertisement
In 1934, Britain's Queen Mary bestowed her name on Cunard-White Star Line's newest ocean liner in a christening ceremony in Scotland.
In 1950, U.N. troops took the South Korean capital of Seoul from North Korean forces.
In 1960, the first televised presidential debate aired from a Chicago TV studio. It featured candidates John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon.
In 1983, the yacht Australia II won the America's Cup from the United States, ending the longest winning streak in sports -- 132 years.
File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI
In 1984, China and Britain initialed an accord to return Hong Kong to Chinese control when Britain's lease expired in 1997.
In 1990, the Motion Picture Association of America, under pressure from filmmakers, adopted the "NC-17" rating -- no children under 17 allowed -- to replace the "X" rating exploited by the porn industry.
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In 1991, four men and four women entered the huge, airtight greenhouse Biosphere II in Arizona. They remained inside for two years, emerging on this date in 1993.
In 1992, a Nigerian Air Force transport plane crashed into a swamp shortly after takeoff from Lagos airport, killing all 158 people on board.
In 1996, the space shuttle Atlantis landed, returning astronaut Shannon Lucid to Earth. At the time, her six-month tour aboard the Mir space station was the longest stay in space for an American.
File Photo by Joe Marino-Bill Cantrell/UPI
In 2005, U.S. Army Pfc. Lynndie England, photographed in widely distributed pictures with inmates at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison, was convicted of conspiracy and prisoner abuse. She was sentenced to three years in prison and paroled in March 2007.
In 2007, ending a walkout that lasted less than two days, the United Auto Workers union and General Motors reached a deal in which GM agreed to create a $38.5 billion trust to administer health benefits for retirees.
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In 2009, Typhoon Ketsana swept across the Philippines, killing about 500 people and causing the country's worst flooding in almost half a century. The storm then slammed into Southeast Asia and killed 163 people in Vietnam.
In 2017, Saudi King Salman announced the country will issue driver's licenses to women starting the following summer after years of pressure on the government.


upi--2020-09-26--Less than 500 turn out for right-wing Proud Boy rally in Portland

Sept. 26 ( UPI ) -- An estimated collective 2,000 people turned out for demonstrations in Portland Saturday afternoon , with 500 of those turning out for a Proud Boy rally that had promised to draw thousands more .
Three people were cited on weapons violations but otherwise law enforcement and journalists on the scene reported an uneventful end to the demonstrations by early evening .
A permit application from the far-right Proud Boys for a rally this week had promised to draw a crowd of 20,000 , but instead just a few hundred turned out for a rally which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Aaron J. Danielson , who was killed last month in downtown Portland by a self-identified anti-fascist following a pro-Trump caravan through the area .
The suspect in Danielson 's death was killed by federal marshals in early September , the same evening an interview aired in which he confessed .
Officials and activists feared the group 's presence would escalate civil unrest in the city , which has seen sustained protest activity since the death of George Floyd at the end of May , and Gov .
Kate Brown declared a state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , deputizing Oregon State Police to patrol the event and a counter-demonstration scheduled for the same day .
Two counter-demonstrations took place Saturday : one at a historical marker elsewhere in Delta Park , and a second at a different park about three miles away .
Each of those events drew hundreds of participants .
Law enforcement said their goal was to keep the two protest groups apart .
The Proud Boy rally dispersed around 1:30 p.m. and by 6 p.m. police had not reported violence in connection with the demonstrations .

Hundreds of people gather at Peninsula Park Saturday afternoon in Portland at a counter-demonstration to a Proud Boy rally the same day. Image courtesy of KGW/ Twitter
Sept. 26 (UPI) -- An estimated collective 2,000 people turned out for demonstrations in Portland Saturday afternoon, with 500 of those turning out for a Proud Boy rally that had promised to draw thousands more. Three people were cited on weapons violations but otherwise law enforcement and journalists on the scene reported an uneventful end to the demonstrations by early evening. Advertisement
A permit application from the far-right Proud Boys for a rally this week had promised to draw a crowd of 20,000, but instead just a few hundred turned out for a rally which was billed as retribution for the death of Aaron J. Danielson, who was killed last month in downtown Portland by a self-identified anti-fascist following a pro-Trump caravan through the area.
The suspect in Danielson's death was killed by federal marshals in early September, the same evening an interview aired in which he confessed.
Officials and activists feared the group's presence would escalate civil unrest in the city, which has seen sustained protest activity since the death of George Floyd at the end of May, and Gov. Kate Brown declared a state of emergency in advance of the event, deputizing Oregon State Police to patrol the event and a counter-demonstration scheduled for the same day.
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Two counter-demonstrations took place Saturday: one at a historical marker elsewhere in Delta Park, and a second at a different park about three miles away. Each of those events drew hundreds of participants.
Law enforcement said their goal was to keep the two protest groups apart.
The Proud Boy rally dispersed around 1:30 p.m. and by 6 p.m. police had not reported violence in connection with the demonstrations.


upi--2020-09-26--Environmental activist George Atiyeh confirmed dead in Oregon wildfire

Sept. 26 ( UPI ) -- A well-known Oregon environmentalist who has been missing since Sept. 7 amid wildfires in the region was confirmed dead Friday in the forest he spent much of his life trying to save .
Family members of 72-year-old George Atiyeh said in a Friday night Facebook post that authorities had confirmed that remains found on Atiyeh 's burned property belonged to him .
`` Although we are saddened that this was the final outcome , we are thankful to finally have closure , '' wrote his daughter , Aniese Mitchell .
`` We appreciate all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends and community . ''
Atiyeh is believed to be the fifth person killed by the Beachie Creek Fire , a combination of two infernos - one that began in the Opal Creek Wilderness and another that sparked on downed power lines in the Santiam Canyon .
As of Friday , the fire was 50 % contained .
Atiyeh was the nephew of former Oregon Gov .
Vic Atiyeh , and his family owned a mining operation in the woods near Oregon 's Opal Creek .
He started his working life in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became a logger -- but he joined the environmental movement when he learned the U.S. Forest Service was considering logging the old-growth forest near his childhood home .
The Opal Creek area was one of the last roadless , uncut forests in the Cascade Foothills , and Atiyeh flew in journalists , politicians and celebrities during what would eventually be dubbed the Timber Wars of the 1980s and 1990s in an effort to save the forest .
Atiyeh 's activism cost him friends in the industries he worked in early in life , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of legal and `` not-so-legal '' tactics .
`` I was n't very nice , '' Atiyeh said in 2016 .
`` I followed them around and pulled out their survey stakes .
I stole their chainsaws and ripped down their flagging .
We put snow in their gas tanks and would steal their lunch . ''
After an episode in which guns were drawn and Atiyeh was arrested , he changed his tactics .
Ultimately , he prevailed : in 1996 , Oregon Sen. Mark Hatfield , a Republican , pushed through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scenic Recreation Area , encompassing 34,000 acres .
`` Opal Creek 's forest would have been cut without George , it 's just that simple , '' friend Michael Donnelly told the Salem Statesman-Journal .

Oregon environmentalist George Atiyeh, 72, was confirmed dead this week after a wildfire in the region burned his home earlier this month. Photo via the Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center/ Facebook
Sept. 26 (UPI) -- A well-known Oregon environmentalist who has been missing since Sept. 7 amid wildfires in the region was confirmed dead Friday in the forest he spent much of his life trying to save. Family members of 72-year-old George Atiyeh said in a Friday night Facebook post that authorities had confirmed that remains found on Atiyeh's burned property belonged to him. Advertisement
"Although we are saddened that this was the final outcome, we are thankful to finally have closure," wrote his daughter, Aniese Mitchell. "We appreciate all the love and support from family, friends and community."
Atiyeh is believed to be the fifth person killed by the Beachie Creek Fire, a combination of two infernos - one that began in the Opal Creek Wilderness and another that sparked on downed power lines in the Santiam Canyon.
As of Friday, the fire was 50% contained.
Atiyeh was the nephew of former Oregon Gov. Vic Atiyeh, and his family owned a mining operation in the woods near Oregon's Opal Creek.
He started his working life in the family business as a miner, then became a logger -- but he joined the environmental movement when he learned the U.S. Forest Service was considering logging the old-growth forest near his childhood home.
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The Opal Creek area was one of the last roadless, uncut forests in the Cascade Foothills, and Atiyeh flew in journalists, politicians and celebrities during what would eventually be dubbed the Timber Wars of the 1980s and 1990s in an effort to save the forest.
Atiyeh's activism cost him friends in the industries he worked in early in life, and he admitted to using a combination of legal and "not-so-legal" tactics.
"I wasn't very nice," Atiyeh said in 2016. "I followed them around and pulled out their survey stakes. I stole their chainsaws and ripped down their flagging. We put snow in their gas tanks and would steal their lunch."
After an episode in which guns were drawn and Atiyeh was arrested, he changed his tactics.
Ultimately, he prevailed: in 1996, Oregon Sen. Mark Hatfield, a Republican, pushed through legislation creating the Opal Creek Wilderness and Scenic Recreation Area, encompassing 34,000 acres.
"Opal Creek's forest would have been cut without George, it's just that simple," friend Michael Donnelly told the Salem Statesman-Journal.


upi--2020-09-26--Trump nominates conservative Amy Coney Barett to replace RBG

Sept. 26 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump on Saturday nominated conservative jurist Amy Coney Barrett to succeed feminist icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the U.S. Supreme Court .
`` Amy is more than a fantastic scholar and judge .
She is a profoundly devoted mother .
It is a core part of who she is , '' Trump said at a Saturday-afternoon address at the White House Rose Garden , adding that she would be the first Supreme Court justice in history to be the mother of school-aged children .
`` This should be a straightforward and prompt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It should be very quick .
I 'm sure it will be extremely non-controversial .
We said that last time , did n't we ? ''
he said .
The last Trump-nominated Supreme Court Justice , Brett Kavanaugh , was confirmed by a razor-thin margin in October 2018 after contentious hearings that stalled amid allegations that Kavanaugh had assaulted Christine Blasey Ford in high school .
Barrett also briefly took the stage Saturday , describing her predecessor as `` an inspiration to us all '' and saying she found inspiration in Ginsburg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for whom Barrett served as a clerk early in her career .
`` These two great Americans demonstrated that arguments even based on matters of great consequence need not destroy relationships , '' Barrett said .
Of Scalia , she said , `` His judicial philosophy is mine too : a judge must apply the law as written .
Judges must not be policymakers . ''
Barrett , 48 , who serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit , is a devout Catholic who opposes abortion .
Should she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court an even greater conservative majority at 6-3 .
Ginsburg died of cancer at age 87 on Sept. 18 .
She had served on the high court since 1993 , capping a career of fighting for gender equality .
Barrett , who grew up in Metairie , La.
, was nominated to the appeals court in 2017 after 15 years of teaching law at the University of Notre Dame , where she also earned her law degree .
She clerked for the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and considers him a mentor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barrett and her husband , Jesse Barrett , have seven children under 20 ; two were adopted from Haiti and one has Down syndrome .
They live in South Bend , Ind .
The New York Times reported in 2017 that Barrett is a member of People of Praise , a small Christian group that requires a loyalty oath to a personal adviser .
She is also a member of the conservative Federalist Society .
During her Senate confirmation hearing to the appeals court in 2016 , Barrett was grilled about her past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D- Calif. , said , `` I think in your case , professor , when you read your speeches , the conclusion one draws is that the dogma lives loudly within you , and that 's of concern . ''
Democrats fear Barrett 's faith will lead to bias in consideration of cases challenging to Roe vs. Wade , which legalized abortion .
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said he plans to hold a floor vote on Trump 's nominee before the Nov. 3 election , over objections from Democrats and some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ginsburg expressed her wish that the president elected in November choose her replacement .
McConnell blocked hearings for former President Barack Obama 's nominee after the death of Scalia about nine months before the 2016 election on the grounds that `` the people should have a voice . ''

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US President Donald J. Trump introduces Judge Amy Coney Barrett (R) as his nominee to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court during a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, on Saturday, September 26, 2020. Judge Barrett, if confirmed, will replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Photo by Shawn Thew/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 26 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Saturday nominated conservative jurist Amy Coney Barrett to succeed feminist icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the U.S. Supreme Court. "Amy is more than a fantastic scholar and judge. She is a profoundly devoted mother. It is a core part of who she is," Trump said at a Saturday-afternoon address at the White House Rose Garden, adding that she would be the first Supreme Court justice in history to be the mother of school-aged children. Advertisement
"This should be a straightforward and prompt confirmation. This should be very easy. It should be very quick. I'm sure it will be extremely non-controversial. We said that last time, didn't we?" he said.
The last Trump-nominated Supreme Court Justice, Brett Kavanaugh, was confirmed by a razor-thin margin in October 2018 after contentious hearings that stalled amid allegations that Kavanaugh had assaulted Christine Blasey Ford in high school.
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Barrett also briefly took the stage Saturday, describing her predecessor as "an inspiration to us all" and saying she found inspiration in Ginsburg's friendship with Justice Antonin Scalia, for whom Barrett served as a clerk early in her career.
"These two great Americans demonstrated that arguments even based on matters of great consequence need not destroy relationships," Barrett said.
Of Scalia, she said, "His judicial philosophy is mine too: a judge must apply the law as written. Judges must not be policymakers."
Barrett, 48, who serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, is a devout Catholic who opposes abortion. Should she be confirmed, she would give the court an even greater conservative majority at 6-3.
Ginsburg died of cancer at age 87 on Sept. 18. She had served on the high court since 1993, capping a career of fighting for gender equality.
Barrett, who grew up in Metairie, La., was nominated to the appeals court in 2017 after 15 years of teaching law at the University of Notre Dame, where she also earned her law degree. She clerked for the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and considers him a mentor, according to The Washington Post.
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Barrett and her husband, Jesse Barrett, have seven children under 20; two were adopted from Haiti and one has Down syndrome. They live in South Bend, Ind.
The New York Times reported in 2017 that Barrett is a member of People of Praise, a small Christian group that requires a loyalty oath to a personal adviser. She is also a member of the conservative Federalist Society.
During her Senate confirmation hearing to the appeals court in 2016, Barrett was grilled about her past statements about religion.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D- Calif., said, "I think in your case, professor, when you read your speeches, the conclusion one draws is that the dogma lives loudly within you, and that's of concern."
Feinstein's remark prompted conservative backlash.
Democrats fear Barrett's faith will lead to bias in consideration of cases challenging to Roe vs. Wade, which legalized abortion.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said he plans to hold a floor vote on Trump's nominee before the Nov. 3 election, over objections from Democrats and some Republicans.
Shortly before her death, Ginsburg expressed her wish that the president elected in November choose her replacement.
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McConnell blocked hearings for former President Barack Obama's nominee after the death of Scalia about nine months before the 2016 election on the grounds that "the people should have a voice."