upi--2020-09-15--Turmeric may ease pain of arthritis, clinical trial suggests

It 's a must for any good curry , and a new clinical trial suggests that turmeric might ease arthritis pain , too .
Researchers found that an extract of the spice turmeric worked better than a placebo in easing pain from knee arthritis over three months .
The treatment was not a home run -- but the pain relief was a bit better than past studies have found with standard medication .
It all suggests that turmeric `` can be considered an option '' for knee osteoarthritis , said senior researcher Dr. Benny Antony , of the Menzies Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Osteoarthritis is exceedingly common , affecting more than 32.5 million Americans , according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Knee arthritis is one of the main forms .
The condition arises when the cartilage cushioning the knee joint breaks down over time , leading to symptoms like pain , stiffness and decreased range of motion .
People with knee arthritis often take over-the-counter painkillers , including acetaminophen ( Tylenol ) , ibuprofen ( Advil , Motrin ) and naproxen ( Aleve ) .
But besides being only moderately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like stomach upset .
And prolonged use is linked to increased risks of heart disease and kidney damage .
So having other options is important , said Dr. Houman Danesh , a pain management specialist who was not involved in the study .
`` This is a promising , encouraging study , '' said Danesh , who directs integrative pain management at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City .
A broader point of the findings , he noted , is that it matters what people with arthritis ingest .
Turmeric , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be anti-inflammatory .
So if people continue to eat an inflammation-promoting diet -- full of fried foods and highly processed carbohydrates , for example -- that could negate the good of adding turmeric , Danesh said .
For the current study , Antony and his colleagues recruited 70 people with knee arthritis and randomly assigned them to one of two groups .
One took Curcuma longa extract capsules every day for 12 weeks the other took placebo capsules .
Curcumin is a substance in turmeric , and the beneficial activities of turmeric are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Natural Remedies supplied the capsules for the trial and partially funded it .
After 12 weeks , the researchers found , participants using the extract reported greater improvement in their pain , versus the placebo group .
The average benefit was `` modest , '' according to Antony , but still better than past studies have found with pain medications .
There was no clear effect , however , on some MRI findings : swelling in the joint space and the composition of knee cartilage .
Danesh did not find that surprising , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those effects .
And people 's experience of pain does not necessarily correlate with the joint findings seen on MRI .
`` An image is like a sentence in the story , '' Danesh said .
`` There 's also a whole context around it . ''
The findings , published online Sept. 14 in the Annals of Internal Medicine , are an initial step .
Antony said larger studies are still needed , and it remains to be seen whether the pain relief holds up over time .
But turmeric is worth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In general , he said , the spice -- and curcumin extracts -- are considered safe in moderate doses -- though very high doses could cause gastrointestinal trouble .
Danesh said his advice is to try turmeric , itself , rather than an extract .
He also recommended adding black pepper , which enhances the benefits of turmeric .
To make it palatable , the two could be mixed into a fruit smoothie , Danesh said .
Turmeric is not the only nondrug option for knee pain , though .
Danesh said people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on strengthening and activating the gluteal muscles , and developing a more balanced walking pattern .
He suggested first getting an evaluation from a doctor , which might result in a referral for physical therapy .
The Arthritis Foundation has more on osteoarthritis .

It's a must for any good curry, and a new clinical trial suggests that turmeric might ease arthritis pain, too.
Researchers found that an extract of the spice turmeric worked better than a placebo in easing pain from knee arthritis over three months. The treatment was not a home run -- but the pain relief was a bit better than past studies have found with standard medication.
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It all suggests that turmeric "can be considered an option" for knee osteoarthritis, said senior researcher Dr. Benny Antony, of the Menzies Institute for Medical Research/University of Tasmania in Australia.
Osteoarthritis is exceedingly common, affecting more than 32.5 million Americans, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Knee arthritis is one of the main forms.
The condition arises when the cartilage cushioning the knee joint breaks down over time, leading to symptoms like pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion.
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People with knee arthritis often take over-the-counter painkillers, including acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve). But besides being only moderately effective, they can cause side effects like stomach upset. And prolonged use is linked to increased risks of heart disease and kidney damage.
So having other options is important, said Dr. Houman Danesh, a pain management specialist who was not involved in the study.
"This is a promising, encouraging study," said Danesh, who directs integrative pain management at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
A broader point of the findings, he noted, is that it matters what people with arthritis ingest. Turmeric, or extracts of it, are thought to be anti-inflammatory. So if people continue to eat an inflammation-promoting diet -- full of fried foods and highly processed carbohydrates, for example -- that could negate the good of adding turmeric, Danesh said.
For the current study, Antony and his colleagues recruited 70 people with knee arthritis and randomly assigned them to one of two groups. One took Curcuma longa extract capsules every day for 12 weeks the other took placebo capsules.
Curcumin is a substance in turmeric, and the beneficial activities of turmeric are often ascribed to it. Supplement maker Natural Remedies supplied the capsules for the trial and partially funded it.
Advertisement
After 12 weeks, the researchers found, participants using the extract reported greater improvement in their pain, versus the placebo group. The average benefit was "modest," according to Antony, but still better than past studies have found with pain medications.
There was no clear effect, however, on some MRI findings: swelling in the joint space and the composition of knee cartilage.
Danesh did not find that surprising, noting he would not expect to see those effects.
And people's experience of pain does not necessarily correlate with the joint findings seen on MRI.
"An image is like a sentence in the story," Danesh said. "There's also a whole context around it."
The findings, published online Sept. 14 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, are an initial step. Antony said larger studies are still needed, and it remains to be seen whether the pain relief holds up over time.
But turmeric is worth a try, according to Antony. In general, he said, the spice -- and curcumin extracts -- are considered safe in moderate doses -- though very high doses could cause gastrointestinal trouble.
Danesh said his advice is to try turmeric, itself, rather than an extract. He also recommended adding black pepper, which enhances the benefits of turmeric. To make it palatable, the two could be mixed into a fruit smoothie, Danesh said.
Advertisement
Turmeric is not the only nondrug option for knee pain, though. Danesh said people can benefit from an exercise program focused on strengthening and activating the gluteal muscles, and developing a more balanced walking pattern.
He suggested first getting an evaluation from a doctor, which might result in a referral for physical therapy.
More information
The Arthritis Foundation has more on osteoarthritis.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-09-15--Fantasy football: Hines, Mack among best Week 2 add/drops

Sept. 14 ( UPI ) -- Marlon Mack sustained a season-ending injury in Week 1 .
The injury shakes up the Indianapolis Colts backfield and makes Nyheim Hines one of my top fantasy football addition in all leagues entering Week 2 of the NFL season .
Los Angeles Rams running back Malcolm Brown , Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew and Green Bay Packers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling are among my other top waiver wire additions .
Many other players had stellar Week 1 performances and should be added in all leagues .
You also should monitor the roster of your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep them from adding players they could use to beat you in your next game .
Waiver wire additions should either be players who can contribute to your roster immediately or players you can put on your bench in hopes that they provide value down the road .
I have added some of my favorite players to target on this week 's waiver wire and separated them by priority and position .
The players I have listed ahead of Wednesday 's waiver period have low ownership percentages in standard size leagues .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and top players to drop for Week 2 : Gardner Minshew of the Jacksonville Jaguars is my top quarterback target from the waiver wire for Week 2 .
Minshew completed 19 of 20 passes for 173 yards and three touchdowns in a Week 1 win over the Indianapolis Colts .
He has another tough matchup in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans , but I think he will post another multi-touchdown performance .
Minshew should only be added if you need help at the quarterback position and can use a streamer .
Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a solid player to add to your bench after he had 110 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 21 touches in Week 1 .
The Rams should feed Brown again in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles , who just allowed two scores to Peyton Barber of the Washington Football Team .
Brown is worth a start at RB2 or the flex position in Week 2 if you are in a deeper league .
Indianapolis Colts running backs Nyheim Hines and Jonathan Taylor likely will split the workload after the loss of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appealing option , but is probably owned in your league .
I would put in a claim for Hines , especially if you are in a points-per-reception format .
The Colts running back should provide solid RB2/flex production if you are in a league with at least 12 teams .
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers praised wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling all off-season and showcased their connection in Week 1 .
Valdes-Scantling had 96 yards and a score on four catches in the Packers ' season-opening win over the Minnesota Vikings .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 against the Detroit Lions , who just allowed three touchdowns to Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky .
Valdes-Scantling is worth a start as a WR3 streamer in Week 2 .
Rob Gronkowski has gotten most of the attention this year when it comes to Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight ends , but O.J .
Howard might be the player you want in fantasy football .
Tom Brady connected with Howard four times for 36 yards and a score in Week 1 .
Gronkowski totaled just 11 yards on two catches in the loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gronkowski 's at this stage of his career .
Howard is a must-own in leagues that require starting tight ends .
He should be considered a TE1 streamer in Week 2 , when the Buccaneers host the Carolina Panthers .

Indianapolis Colts running back Nyheim Hines (21) will see an increased workload going forward and is worth a waiver claim entering Week 2 of the fantasy football season. File Photo by Joe Marino / UPI | License Photo
Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Marlon Mack sustained a season-ending injury in Week 1. The injury shakes up the Indianapolis Colts backfield and makes Nyheim Hines one of my top fantasy football addition in all leagues entering Week 2 of the NFL season. Los Angeles Rams running back Malcolm Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew and Green Bay Packers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling are among my other top waiver wire additions. Advertisement
Many other players had stellar Week 1 performances and should be added in all leagues. You also should monitor the roster of your Week 2 opponent so you can attempt to keep them from adding players they could use to beat you in your next game.
Waiver wire additions should either be players who can contribute to your roster immediately or players you can put on your bench in hopes that they provide value down the road.
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I have added some of my favorite players to target on this week's waiver wire and separated them by priority and position. The players I have listed ahead of Wednesday's waiver period have low ownership percentages in standard size leagues.
Here are my top players to add and top players to drop for Week 2:
ALL-ADD TEAM
QB |Gardner Minshew; RB | Malcolm Brown, Nyheim Hines, James Robinson, Corey Clement; WR | Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Mike Williams; TE | O.J. Howard; D/ST |Tennessee Titans; K | Austin Seibert
HONORABLE MENTIONS
QB | Teddy Bridgewater; RB | Joshua Kelley, Jerick McKinnon, Adrian Peterson, Darrel Williams; WR |Laviska Shenault, Sammy Watkins; TE | Jimmy Graham; D/ST | Arizona Cardinals
TOP DROPS
QB | Tyrod Taylor; RB | Marlon Mack, Matt Breida; WR | Mecole Hardman; TE | Blake Jarwin
QUARTERBACK
Gardner Minshew of the Jacksonville Jaguars is my top quarterback target from the waiver wire for Week 2. Minshew completed 19 of 20 passes for 173 yards and three touchdowns in a Week 1 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
He has another tough matchup in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans, but I think he will post another multi-touchdown performance. Minshew should only be added if you need help at the quarterback position and can use a streamer.
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RUNNING BACK
Los Angeles Rams running back Malcolm Brown is a solid player to add to your bench after he had 110 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 21 touches in Week 1.
The Rams should feed Brown again in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles, who just allowed two scores to Peyton Barber of the Washington Football Team. Brown is worth a start at RB2 or the flex position in Week 2 if you are in a deeper league.
Indianapolis Colts running backs Nyheim Hines and Jonathan Taylor likely will split the workload after the loss of Marlon Mack. Taylor is the more appealing option, but is probably owned in your league.
I would put in a claim for Hines, especially if you are in a points-per-reception format. The Colts running back should provide solid RB2/flex production if you are in a league with at least 12 teams.
WIDE RECEIVER
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers praised wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling all off-season and showcased their connection in Week 1. Valdes-Scantling had 96 yards and a score on four catches in the Packers' season-opening win over the Minnesota Vikings.
He should have another solid day in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions, who just allowed three touchdowns to Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky.
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Valdes-Scantling is worth a start as a WR3 streamer in Week 2.
TIGHT END
Rob Gronkowski has gotten most of the attention this year when it comes to Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight ends, but O.J. Howard might be the player you want in fantasy football.
Tom Brady connected with Howard four times for 36 yards and a score in Week 1. Gronkowski totaled just 11 yards on two catches in the loss.
I prefer Howard's athleticism over Gronkowski's at this stage of his career. Howard is a must-own in leagues that require starting tight ends. He should be considered a TE1 streamer in Week 2, when the Buccaneers host the Carolina Panthers.
This week in the National Football League
Washington Football Team running back J.D. McKissic (L) celebrates with Logan Thomas after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 27-17, in Landover, Md., on Sunday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo


upi--2020-09-15--Famous birthdays for Sept. 15: Prince Harry, Tommy Lee Jones

Sept. 15 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date in history are under the sign of Virgo .
@ @ @ @ @ 27th president of the United States , in 1857

Britain's Prince Harry arrives at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle for his royal wedding ceremony to Meghan Markle, in Windsor, England, on May 19, 2018. He turns 36 on September 15. File Photo by Lauren Hurley/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Those born on this date in history are under the sign of Virgo. They include: Advertisement
-- Italian explorer Marco Polo in 1254
-- Novelist James Fenimore Cooper in 1789
-- William Howard Taft, 27th president of the United States, in 1857
-- British mystery writer Agatha Christie in 1890
UPI File Photo
-- French director Jean Renoir in 1894
-- Comedian Nipsey Russell in 1918
-- Singer/pianist Bobby Short in 1924
-- Comedian Norm Crosby in 1927 (age 93)
-- Jazz saxophone player Julian "Cannonball" Adderley in 1928
-- Baseball Hall of Fame member Gaylord Perry in 1938 (age 82)
-- Football Hall of Fame member/actor Merlin Olsen in 1940
-- Soprano Jessye Norman in 1945
-- Filmmaker Oliver Stone in 1946 (age 74)
-- Actor Tommy Lee Jones in 1946 (age 74)
File Photo by Aubrey Gemignani/UPI
-- Football Hall of Fame member Dan Marino in 1961 (age 59)
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-- Queen Letizia of Spain in 1972 (age 48)
-- Actor Tom Hardy in 1977 (age 43)
-- Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in 1977 (age 43)
-- Comedian/actor Ben Schwartz in 1981 (age 39)
-- Britain's Prince Harry in 1984 (age 36)
-- Actor Chelsea Kane in 1988 (age 32)


upi--2020-09-17--U.S. Open winner Naomi Osaka withdraws from French Open

Sept. 17 ( UPI ) -- Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka , who won the 2020 U.S. Open last week , announced Thursday night that she will skip this month 's French Open .
Osaka -- ranked third in the world -- said she decided to withdraw from the upcoming major because of a lingering left hamstring injury and a lack of preparation time on the clay surface .
`` Unfortunately I wo n't be able to play the French Open this year , '' Osaka wrote on social media .
`` My hamstring is still sore so I wo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the clay -- these two tournaments came too close to each other for me this time .
I wish the organizers and players all the best . ''
The French Open is set to begin Sept. 27 in Paris after being rescheduled from its traditional spring dates due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Osaka , 22 , has never advanced past the third round of the French tournament .
Osaka , who had her hamstring taped throughout the U.S. Open , earned her third major title in New York after a three-set comeback @ @ @ @ @

Naomi Osaka earned her third major title in New York after a three-set comeback win over Victoria Azarenka at last week's U.S. Open. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka, who won the 2020 U.S. Open last week, announced Thursday night that she will skip this month's French Open. Osaka -- ranked third in the world -- said she decided to withdraw from the upcoming major because of a lingering left hamstring injury and a lack of preparation time on the clay surface. Advertisement
"Unfortunately I won't be able to play the French Open this year," Osaka wrote on social media. "My hamstring is still sore so I won't have enough time to prepare for the clay -- these two tournaments came too close to each other for me this time. I wish the organizers and players all the best."
The French Open is set to begin Sept. 27 in Paris after being rescheduled from its traditional spring dates due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Osaka, 22, has never advanced past the third round of the French tournament.
Osaka, who had her hamstring taped throughout the U.S. Open, earned her third major title in New York after a three-set comeback win over Victoria Azarenka.


upi--2020-09-17--Justin Thomas grabs 1-shot lead at U.S. Open; Tiger Woods struggles with 73

Sept. 17 ( UPI ) -- Justin Thomas took advantage of a surprisingly soft Winged Foot course to take a one-shot lead in Thursday 's opening round of the 2020 U.S. Open in Mamaroneck , N.Y. Thomas shot a 5-under 65 to sit one stroke ahead of Patrick Reed , Thomas Pieters and Matthew Wolff .
Before Thursday , no player had ever shot better than 66 in a U.S. Open at Winged Foot .
`` It 's helpful with three days left , but it 's not even remotely close to being over , '' Thomas said of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As great of a round and fun as it was , it 's over with now , and I need to get over it .
... Yeah , 65 is fun no matter where you play , especially at Winged Foot .
I was in a really good frame of mind , and I was focused .
`` I was just sticking to my routine and playing every shot , as opposed to getting ahead of myself .
It 's one of those rounds where ... next thing you know , you make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done for the day . ''
Rory McIlroy , Lee Westwood and Louis Oosthuizen were two shots back of the lead at 3-under par .
Xander Schauffele was among the group sitting three strokes behind .
In total , 21 players finished the first round under par -- the most in an opening round of a U.S. Open at Winged Foot -- and 32 golfers were at least even .
`` There 's a couple of guys that went a little lower than maybe expected , '' McIlroy said .
`` But it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the field are finding it that easy . ''
Dustin Johnson -- the top-ranked player in the world -- failed to make his putts and shot 73 .
Tiger Woods , Jordan Spieth and Justin Rose also opened with 73s and had their share of struggles on the course .
Phil Mickelson opened with two birdies but still finished the first day with a 79 .
Collin Morikawa was 6-over par and tied for 120th after the opening round .

Justin Thomas (pictured) shot a 5-under 65 to sit one stroke ahead of Patrick Reed, Thomas Pieters and Matthew Wolff. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Justin Thomas took advantage of a surprisingly soft Winged Foot course to take a one-shot lead in Thursday's opening round of the 2020 U.S. Open in Mamaroneck, N.Y. Thomas shot a 5-under 65 to sit one stroke ahead of Patrick Reed, Thomas Pieters and Matthew Wolff. Before Thursday, no player had ever shot better than 66 in a U.S. Open at Winged Foot. Advertisement
"It's helpful with three days left, but it's not even remotely close to being over," Thomas said of his best start in any major. "As great of a round and fun as it was, it's over with now, and I need to get over it. ... Yeah, 65 is fun no matter where you play, especially at Winged Foot. I was in a really good frame of mind, and I was focused.
"I was just sticking to my routine and playing every shot, as opposed to getting ahead of myself. It's one of those rounds where ... next thing you know, you make the putt on 18, you're done for the day."
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Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood and Louis Oosthuizen were two shots back of the lead at 3-under par. Xander Schauffele was among the group sitting three strokes behind.
In total, 21 players finished the first round under par -- the most in an opening round of a U.S. Open at Winged Foot -- and 32 golfers were at least even.
"There's a couple of guys that went a little lower than maybe expected," McIlroy said. "But it's not as if the rest of the field are finding it that easy."
Dustin Johnson -- the top-ranked player in the world -- failed to make his putts and shot 73. Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth and Justin Rose also opened with 73s and had their share of struggles on the course.
Phil Mickelson opened with two birdies but still finished the first day with a 79. Collin Morikawa was 6-over par and tied for 120th after the opening round.
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Tiger Woods turns 47: a look back


upi--2020-09-17--Air Force may soon be able to update flight software in real time

Sept. 17 ( UPI ) -- The Air Force is preparing to announce that an aircraft can push out software updates to warfighters while in flight , a top Pentagon official said this week .
`` We 're working on pretty cool announcements coming in the next few weeks with the ability to update the software of a jet while flying , '' Nicolas Chaillan , chief software officer for the U.S. Air Force , said .
`` So that 's the kind of stuff that will be game changing . ''
Chaillan is head of the Department of Defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simplify and speed up software development across the department using a centralized location with baked-in security protocols so developers can deploy software updates quickly throughout the day .
Chaillan , speaking during a webinar this week , did not give many specifics , but the development is part of a larger effort by the Air Force to bring its software practices up to date .
The Air Force successfully demonstrated its network earlier this month highlighting Cloud One , the Pentagon 's cloud computing team .
`` The star of the show was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take effect ... enabled by data going into a cloud , being transported over 4G and 5G communications at machine speeds to culminate in a kill chain that took seconds , not minutes or hours to complete , '' said Will Roper , assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition , technology and sustainment .
Chaillain said the agency is `` probably at 20 % of where we need to be mostly because of scale , '' but has `` pockets of talent on every major program . ''

The Air Force will soon announce an aircraft capable of pushing updates to warfighters midflight. File Photo by Tech. Sgt. Matthew Plew/U.S. Air Force
Sept. 17 (UPI) -- The Air Force is preparing to announce that an aircraft can push out software updates to warfighters while in flight, a top Pentagon official said this week. "We're working on pretty cool announcements coming in the next few weeks with the ability to update the software of a jet while flying," Nicolas Chaillan, chief software officer for the U.S. Air Force, said. "So that's the kind of stuff that will be game changing." Advertisement
Chaillan is head of the Department of Defense's DevSecOps initiative, which aims to simplify and speed up software development across the department using a centralized location with baked-in security protocols so developers can deploy software updates quickly throughout the day.
Chaillan, speaking during a webinar this week, did not give many specifics, but the development is part of a larger effort by the Air Force to bring its software practices up to date.
The Air Force successfully demonstrated its network earlier this month highlighting Cloud One, the Pentagon's cloud computing team.
"The star of the show was the data that enabled its kill chain to take effect...enabled by data going into a cloud, being transported over 4G and 5G communications at machine speeds to culminate in a kill chain that took seconds, not minutes or hours to complete," said Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and sustainment.
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Chaillain said the agency is "probably at 20% of where we need to be mostly because of scale," but has "pockets of talent on every major program."


upi--2020-09-17--Navy wraps Exercise Black Widow 2020 in Atlantic

Sept. 17 ( UPI ) -- The Navy is wrapping up Exercise Black Widow 2020 in the North Atlantic this week .
According to the Navy , several Navy aircraft , surface ships and submarines participated in the exercise , which started Saturday and concludes Friday .
This year 's participants were the amphibious assault ship the USS Wasp , the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Arleigh Burke ( DDG 51 ) and USS McFaul ( DDG 74 ) , a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine , a Los-Angeles class fast-attack submarine , Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11 , and Helicopter Maritime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. 2nd Fleet and Commander , Submarine Group 2 led the force for the first time this year .
Participating units planned to refine communication techniques between platforms and simulate real-world application to `` enhance the lethality of the team as one cohesive fighting force , '' and trained in anti-submarine warfare .
`` Black Widow is a high-end undersea warfighting exercise that brings together Navy aircraft , surface ships , and submarines to rehearse our unique undersea warfare capabilities , while refining and innovating multi-domain tactics and communication , '' said Vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Submarine Forces .
`` We train like we fight , and strive for innovation , development , and improvement across all spectrums of warfare .
To maintain superiority , we must be more agile in concepts , geography and technology . ''

The Navy is set to wrap Exercise Black Widow 2020 Friday. Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy
Sept. 17 (UPI) -- The Navy is wrapping up Exercise Black Widow 2020 in the North Atlantic this week. According to the Navy, several Navy aircraft, surface ships and submarines participated in the exercise, which started Saturday and concludes Friday. Advertisement
This year 's participants were the amphibious assault ship the USS Wasp, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) and USS McFaul (DDG 74), a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, a Los-Angeles class fast-attack submarine, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11, and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadrons 46 and 72.
The U.S. 2nd Fleet and Commander, Submarine Group 2 led the force for the first time this year.
Participating units planned to refine communication techniques between platforms and simulate real-world application to "enhance the lethality of the team as one cohesive fighting force," and trained in anti-submarine warfare.
"Black Widow is a high-end undersea warfighting exercise that brings together Navy aircraft, surface ships, and submarines to rehearse our unique undersea warfare capabilities, while refining and innovating multi-domain tactics and communication," said Vice Adm. Daryl L. Caudle, Commander, Submarine Forces. "We train like we fight, and strive for innovation, development, and improvement across all spectrums of warfare. To maintain superiority, we must be more agile in concepts, geography and technology."


upi--2020-09-17--Vicky weakens to remnant low

Vicky weakens to remnant low

Sept. 17 ( UPI ) -- Vicky weakened to a remnant low as it swirled over the Central Atlantic on @ @ @ @ @ Center said in its 5 p.m. AST advisory that Vicky was 1,050 miles west-northwest of @ @ @ @ @ had maximum sustained winds of 30 mph .
It was moving west-northwest at 12 mph @ @ @ @ @ Vicky formed as a tropical Monday that the storm would be `` short-lived . ''
@ @ @ @ @ impact land anywhere .
`` Additional weakening is expected , and the remnant low is @ @ @ @ @ or early Saturday.
, '' the NHC said in its outlook Thursday .
Vicky was @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 season and set a new early record for a `` V '' named @ @ @ @ @ of an extremely active Atlantic basin early this week , which also included storms Paulette @ @ @ @ @ Teddy .
Sally made landfall early Wednesday in Alabama , Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle @

Vicky, downgraded to a remnant low, swirls to the east of the larger and well-defined Hurricane Teddy on Thursday evening. Photo courtesy of NOAA
Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Vicky weakened to a remnant low as it swirled over the Central Atlantic on Thursday. The National Hurricane Center said in its 5 p.m. AST advisory that Vicky was 1,050 miles west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands and had maximum sustained winds of 30 mph. It was moving west-northwest at 12 mph. Advertisement
The NHC said when Vicky formed as a tropical Monday that the storm would be "short-lived." It is not expected to impact land anywhere.
"Additional weakening is expected, and the remnant low is forecast to dissipate Friday night or early Saturday.," the NHC said in its outlook Thursday.
Vicky was the 20th tropical storm of the 2020 season and set a new early record for a "V" named storm.
VIcky was part of an extremely active Atlantic basin early this week, which also included storms Paulette, Rene, Sally and Teddy. Sally made landfall early Wednesday in Alabama, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle.


upi--2020-09-17--Judge extends order blocking Census Bureau from winding down in-person counting

Sept. 17 ( UPI ) -- A federal judge on Thursday extended an order blocking the government from winding down in-person counting for the 2020 census .
U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of California Lucy Koh extended the temporary restraining order barring the Census Bureau from shutting down operations through Sept. 24 and pushed back a hearing on the issue to Sept. 22 .
`` If the TRO expires , plaintiffs would face hardships that tip sharply in their favor and would likely suffer irreparable harm , '' Koh wrote .
Koh issued the original order on Sept. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of civil rights groups , civil organizations and local governments that sued the bureau to prevent it from halting in-person counting early .
The Census Bureau began releasing staff and otherwise cutting operations in an effort to cease in-person counting by Sept. 30 , a month ahead of the deadline of Oct. 31 it previously chose to make up for delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Koh sided with the plaintiffs saying that winding down the census would cause `` irreparable harm '' as an inaccurate count would not be `` remedied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distribution of federal and state funding as well as the allocation of other resources .

Federal judge Lucy Koh extended her temporary restraining order barring the Census Bureau from winding down in-person counting for the 2020 census through Sept. 24. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 17 (UPI) -- A federal judge on Thursday extended an order blocking the government from winding down in-person counting for the 2020 census. U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of California Lucy Koh extended the temporary restraining order barring the Census Bureau from shutting down operations through Sept. 24 and pushed back a hearing on the issue to Sept. 22. Advertisement
"If the TRO expires, plaintiffs would face hardships that tip sharply in their favor and would likely suffer irreparable harm," Koh wrote.
Koh issued the original order on Sept. 5 amid a lawsuit from a coalition of civil rights groups, civil organizations and local governments that sued the bureau to prevent it from halting in-person counting early.
The Census Bureau began releasing staff and otherwise cutting operations in an effort to cease in-person counting by Sept. 30, a month ahead of the deadline of Oct. 31 it previously chose to make up for delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Koh sided with the plaintiffs saying that winding down the census would cause "irreparable harm" as an inaccurate count would not be "remedied for another decade," affecting the distribution of federal and state funding as well as the allocation of other resources.


upi--2020-09-17--More than 3,000 test positive in brucellosis outbreak in China

Sept. 17 ( UPI ) -- Doctors diagnosed more than 3,000 people in China 's Gansu province with a bacterial disease known as brucellosis after a leak at a biopharmaceutical company .
The National Health Commission in Lanzhou said health officials tested nearly 22,000 people in the city for the illness and 3,245 came back positive .
No deaths have been associated with the outbreak .
Brucellosis is a bacterial infection that humans can contract after coming into contact with or drinking the milk of livestock infected with brucella .
It 's also known as Malta fever or Mediterranean fever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fever , sweating , loss of appetite , and fatigue .
The NHC said it first detected cases of the illness in November after a leak at the Zhongmu Lanzhou factory `` caused by contaminated exhaust from a vaccine factory in Lanzhou , due to the use of expired disinfectant from late-July to mid-August last year . ''
The biological pharmaceutical factory produced a brucella vaccine , though its license to do so has since been revoked .
Among those infected were employees at the Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute , which is located @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and students and faculty members at Lanzhou University .
Nearly 3 million people live in Lanzhou , the capital city of Gansu province .

Humans can contract brucellosis after coming into contact with or drinking the milk of livestock. Image by Cally Lawson from Pixabay
Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Doctors diagnosed more than 3,000 people in China's Gansu province with a bacterial disease known as brucellosis after a leak at a biopharmaceutical company. The National Health Commission in Lanzhou said health officials tested nearly 22,000 people in the city for the illness and 3,245 came back positive. Advertisement
No deaths have been associated with the outbreak.
Brucellosis is a bacterial infection that humans can contract after coming into contact with or drinking the milk of livestock infected with brucella. It's also known as Malta fever or Mediterranean fever and causes headaches, muscle pain, fever, sweating, loss of appetite, and fatigue.
The NHC said it first detected cases of the illness in November after a leak at the Zhongmu Lanzhou factory "caused by contaminated exhaust from a vaccine factory in Lanzhou, due to the use of expired disinfectant from late-July to mid-August last year."
The biological pharmaceutical factory produced a brucella vaccine, though its license to do so has since been revoked.
Among those infected were employees at the Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, which is located near the location of the leak, and students and faculty members at Lanzhou University.
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Nearly 3 million people live in Lanzhou, the capital city of Gansu province.


upi--2020-09-17--Federal judge temporarily blocks U.S. Postal Service operational changes

Sept. 17 ( UPI ) -- A Washington-based federal judge on Thursday placed a temporary block on operational changes to the U.S .
Postal Service that have been cited for causing a slowdown in mail delivery .
U.S. District Judge Stanley Bastian granted a request from Washington and 13 other states to issue a temporary injunction against the policies implemented under Postmaster General Louis DeJoy , saying backlogs in mail `` likely will slow down the delivery of ballots '' in November 's election .
`` The states have demonstrated that the defendants are involved in a politically motivated attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Bastian said in his ruling .
`` They have also demonstrated that this attack on the Postal Service is likely to irreparably harm the states ' ability to administer the 2020 general election . ''
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson led the lawsuit , which called for the USPS to halt a policy requiring postal trucks to leave at specified times even if some mail is being loaded , to treat all election mail as First Class mail regardless of postage , and to replace , reassemble or reconnect mail-sorting machines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service provides a critical lifeline to our veterans and seniors , '' he said .
`` With the national election less than two months away , we are seeking a judicial order protecting this critical government service . ''
Bastian said that his preliminary injunction would be issued `` essentially in the form presented by the states '' but it was not immediately clear how long it would remain in effect .
A lawyer representing the USPS , DeJoy and President Donald Trump contended that the Postal Service is prepared to handle the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in mail delivery over the summer have subsided .
Last month , DeJoy said he would suspend some of the operational changes until after the election `` to avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail . ''

A federal judge temporarily blocked changes to the U.S. Postal Service, saying Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and the Trump administration " are involved in a politically motivated attack" on its efficiency. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 17 (UPI) -- A Washington-based federal judge on Thursday placed a temporary block on operational changes to the U.S. Postal Service that have been cited for causing a slowdown in mail delivery. U.S. District Judge Stanley Bastian granted a request from Washington and 13 other states to issue a temporary injunction against the policies implemented under Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, saying backlogs in mail "likely will slow down the delivery of ballots" in November's election. Advertisement
"The states have demonstrated that the defendants are involved in a politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Service," Bastian said in his ruling. "They have also demonstrated that this attack on the Postal Service is likely to irreparably harm the states' ability to administer the 2020 general election."
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson led the lawsuit, which called for the USPS to halt a policy requiring postal trucks to leave at specified times even if some mail is being loaded, to treat all election mail as First Class mail regardless of postage, and to replace, reassemble or reconnect mail-sorting machines that have been removed
"The Postal Service provides a critical lifeline to our veterans and seniors," he said. "With the national election less than two months away, we are seeking a judicial order protecting this critical government service."
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Bastian said that his preliminary injunction would be issued "essentially in the form presented by the states" but it was not immediately clear how long it would remain in effect.
A lawyer representing the USPS, DeJoy and President Donald Trump contended that the Postal Service is prepared to handle the surge in election mail and delays observed in mail delivery over the summer have subsided.
Last month, DeJoy said he would suspend some of the operational changes until after the election "to avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail."


upi--2020-09-17--Tropical Depression 22 forms in the Gulf of Mexico

Sept. 17 ( UPI ) -- A disturbance over the Gulf of Mexico that meteorologists have been monitoring for over a week developed into Tropical Depression 22 on Thursday , with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph .
The tropical depression was located about 230 miles east of Tampico , Mexico , 330 miles southeast of the mouth of the Rio Grande and is traveling northeast at just 5 mph , the National Hurricane Center said in its 6 p.m. CDT advisory .
The system could further strengthen into the next named storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days .
The next storm to form will be given the name Wilfred , the last name on the season 's designated list before Greek letters will be used to identify tropical storms .
If the system strengthens further and becomes named , it would become the earliest-21st named storm on record in the Atlantic basin , beating out Vince , which formed on Oct. 8 , 2005 , according to Philip Klotzbach , a meteorologist at Colorado State University .
An unnamed storm identified in post-season analysis of the 2005 season is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record of a storm that starts with the letter `` V , '' Klotzbach said .
Weak steering breezes could result in the budding tropical system to remain nearly stationary or meander over the western Gulf of Mexico over the next few days .
It is quite possible that this system could become known as `` wandering Wilfred . ''
A slow-moving storm such as this can disrupt oil and gas production in the western Gulf of Mexico for several days , AccuWeather meteorologists warned .
But , at some point this weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will begin to move .
The storm could take a path toward the coast of Mexico or toward the northwestern or central part of the United States Gulf Coast .
`` We are getting to the time of the year where it is difficult , due to prevailing steering winds , for tropical systems to move onshore in Texas , '' according to AccuWeather 's top hurricane expert , Dan Kottlowski .
`` However , we are not fully into that part of the season just yet , and we will have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and how much an area of high pressure builds across the central and eastern U.S. , which could partially block the northward path , '' Kottlowski cautioned .
Kottlowski and others at AccuWeather are concerned the system may wander westward toward Texas this weekend .
`` How strong the system gets may hold the key as a stronger tropical storm tends to poke higher up into the atmosphere and might get steered westward toward Texas , while a weaker system may hover in the lowest part of the atmosphere , where it avoids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the Gulf for days , '' Kottlowski said .
As a result , there is a chance the system could wander close enough to Texas to bring heavy rainfall to coastal areas of the state .
There is also the potential for some moisture to be sheared off to the northeast of the budding storm , which could produce heavy rainfall in the Southeast states .
`` Any torrential rain could add to the flooding problems from Sally , which are still ramping up as runoff from urban and small streams works @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Southeast , '' AccuWeather meteorologist Courtney Travis said .
`` Texas could take a reasonable amount of rain , while areas farther to the east in the South would have trouble , '' she added .
Another possibility is that the storm may make several landfalls but never venture far inland , and rather it would spend most of its lifespan over the western Gulf of Mexico and diminish after initially ramping up .
In this scenario , the center could bump or brush multiple points of land along a meandering path .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the south coast of Texas as early as Sunday , '' Kottlowski said .
If the system makes landfall as a named storm in the United States , it would be the ninth system to do so this season .
Should the center wander onshore , it could continue to move very slowly or perhaps stall a second time , potentially leading to flooding rainfall on a broad scale .
As the system develops and begins to move northward initially , exact details on the system 's track will become more clear in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will just prowl around the Gulf for a time .
Regardless of the meandering nature of the storm , there will be substantial coastal impacts .
Heavy rain and flooding downpours could frequent coastal areas of the western and central Gulf Coast .
The storm is likely to get large enough and strong enough to create rough seas , pounding surf and dangerous rip currents over the Gulf of Mexico , especially over the central and western Gulf .
There is a 40 % chance this system can reach hurricane strength later in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forecasters said .
All interests along the western and central Gulf coast should monitor the evolution and progress of this system .
Beyond Wilfred , there are several other areas that forecasters are monitoring for tropical development in the Atlantic .
Greek letters are likely to be used as AccuWeather meteorologists upped their 2020 season predictions for the number of total storms to 28 , which would tie the record number of named storms in the basin set in the notorious 2005 season .

Tropical Storm Beta is seen over southeastern Texas early Tuesday. The storm is expected to move slowly to the northeast Tuesday and Wednesday, ultimately weakening to a depression. Image courtesy NOAA/NHC
Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Tropical Storm Beta made landfall along the Texas Gulf Coast late Monday, becoming the ninth named storm to hit the United States this year. The National Hurricane Center said in its 4 a.m. CDT update Tuesday, the center of the storm was 35 miles northwest of Port O'Connor, Texas, and 45 miles northwest of Matagorda, Texas. It had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and was moving northwest at 3 mph. Advertisement
"On the forecast track, the center of Beta will move inland over southeastern Texas through Wednesday and then over Louisiana and Mississippi Wednesday night through Friday," the NHC said.
The center said the storm is expected to stall over land on Tuesday as it moves to the northeast toward the Louisiana coast. It's forecast to weaken to a depression late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
Communities that were devastated by Hurricane Laura, and to some extent more recently by Hurricane Sally, could face strong winds and downpours that could hinder ongoing recovery efforts.
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 29 counties in Texas on Monday as Beta churned toward the coast.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency on Monday, opening up state resources to aid in local government response. He warned that the storm's slow movement puts the southwestern part of the state at risk for flooding through at least the middle of the week.
Widespread rainfall totals of 4-8 inches are expected across southeastern Texas and into southern Louisiana.
Heavy rainfall and the risk for flash flooding are likely even if the storm wobbles back over the water and lingers just offshore of the Texas coast as currently forecast.
"This rainfall can lead to significant, life-threatening flooding, which may last for several days," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Rob Miller said.
Even though Beta is not nearly as strong as Hurricane Harvey, which exploded into a Category 4 storm in 2017, it is expected to crawl across the region, and forecasters warn that it will have enough fuel to produce torrential rainfall along its path. In 2017, Harvey unloaded up to 61 inches of rain as it spent days spinning over eastern Texas.
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In 2001, Tropical Storm Allison unleashed disastrous flooding across southeastern Texas, due to its slow movement.
Should the storm stall near the Texas coast, rainfall amounts could be higher and may even exceed 24 inches. Conversely, should Beta move along at a quicker pace or more drier air get pulled into the storm, total rainfall amounts could be cut in half for some locations, though flooding would still remain a threat.
Waterspouts and isolated tornadoes can occur in Beta's outer bands to the northeast of the center of the storm.
Depending on the exact track of Beta, drenching downpours could reach the Southeast later in the week, including areas recently impacted by Hurricane Sally.
Weak steering winds have resulted in Beta meandering over the Gulf of Mexico since last week.
The tropical storm claimed the second letter in the Greek alphabet on Friday, following Wilfred and Alpha. Once the last name on the Atlantic hurricane season's designated list is exhausted, Greek letters are used to identify tropical storms.
Prior to Beta, eight storms had made landfall in the U.S. during the hyperactive 2020 hurricane season. In comparison, 3 to 4 storms typically strike the country during an entire hurricane season.


upi--2020-09-17--Marines, sailors deployed to battle California's Creek Fire

Sept. 17 ( UPI ) -- About 250 Marines and sailors are expected to be deployed to Central California to assist firefighters battling the Creek Fire , U.S. military officials said .
The unit from Camp Pendleton will take part in fire suppression efforts against the blaze located in the Sierra National Forest .
They 'll be overseen by the U.S. Army North ( Fifth Army ) , U.S. Northern Command 's Joint Force Land Component Command .
This marks the second such military support effort undertaken in California this month .
`` Given the unprecedented fire season and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California are experiencing , we stand ready to support the National Interagency Fire Center in their effort to help protect people , property and land in California , '' said Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson , ARNORTH and JFLCC commander .
`` Just like the soldiers supporting fire suppression efforts in Northern California , the Marines and sailors who will assist in this mission in Central California are trained and equipped with all of the necessary gear to keep them safe , to include in a COVID-19 environment . ''
As of Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 244,000 acres of land and is about 18 % contained .
Started Sept. 4 , the blaze is situated in Fresno and Madera counties .
The wildfire has destroyed some 750 structures and damaged dozens of others .
Nearly 3,000 firefighting personnel are battling the blaze .
Throughout the state , dozens of fires have burned more than 3.4 million acres this wildfire season .
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said combined , the fires have killed at least 25 people and destroyed nearly 5,400 structures .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the North Complex of fires in Butte , Plumas and Yuba counties -- 15 .
The fires that make up the complex have burned more than 280,000 acres and are about 26 % contained .
Cal Fire said firefighters have been able to make progress on containing the blaze due to increased humidity and lower temperatures in the region .
Mandatory evacuations are in place in the fire zones .
The largest wildfire is the August Complex in Mendocino , Humboldt , Del Norte and Trinity counties .
It 's consumed more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contained , making it the largest wildfire in California history .
The blaze has killed one person and destroyed 28 structures .

High winds blow embers and flames across Highway 168 as the Creek Fire rapidly expands on September 8. Photo by Peter DaSilva/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 17 (UPI) -- About 250 Marines and sailors are expected to be deployed to Central California to assist firefighters battling the Creek Fire, U.S. military officials said. The unit from Camp Pendleton will take part in fire suppression efforts against the blaze located in the Sierra National Forest. They'll be overseen by the U.S. Army North (Fifth Army), U.S. Northern Command's Joint Force Land Component Command. Advertisement
This marks the second such military support effort undertaken in California this month.
"Given the unprecedented fire season and the magnitude of the loss the people of California are experiencing, we stand ready to support the National Interagency Fire Center in their effort to help protect people, property and land in California," said Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson, ARNORTH and JFLCC commander.
"Just like the soldiers supporting fire suppression efforts in Northern California, the Marines and sailors who will assist in this mission in Central California are trained and equipped with all of the necessary gear to keep them safe, to include in a COVID-19 environment."
As of Thursday morning, the Creek Fire has burned more than 244,000 acres of land and is about 18% contained. Started Sept. 4, the blaze is situated in Fresno and Madera counties.
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The wildfire has destroyed some 750 structures and damaged dozens of others. Nearly 3,000 firefighting personnel are battling the blaze.
Throughout the state, dozens of fires have burned more than 3.4 million acres this wildfire season. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said combined, the fires have killed at least 25 people and destroyed nearly 5,400 structures.
The majority of California's fatalities have occurred in the North Complex of fires in Butte, Plumas and Yuba counties -- 15. The fires that make up the complex have burned more than 280,000 acres and are about 26% contained.
Cal Fire said firefighters have been able to make progress on containing the blaze due to increased humidity and lower temperatures in the region. Mandatory evacuations are in place in the fire zones.
The largest wildfire is the August Complex in Mendocino, Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity counties. It's consumed more than 830,000 acres and was 30% contained, making it the largest wildfire in California history. The blaze has killed one person and destroyed 28 structures.


upi--2020-09-17--Los Angeles Chargers C Mike Pouncey to have season-ending surgery

Sept. 17 ( UPI ) -- Los Angeles Chargers center Mike Pouncey was placed on injured reserve and will have season-ending hip surgery , the team announced Thursday .
Chargers general manager Tom Telesco said Pouncey will undergo the procedure at the end of this month .
`` On top of being a Pro Bowl talent , he 's the ultimate captain , teammate and competitor , '' Telesco said in a statement Thursday .
`` Quite simply , he 's one of the best leaders I 've ever been around .
`` Mike 's played a major role in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have in our locker room and sets a tremendous example , especially for the younger members of our team . ''
The 31-year-old Pouncey , who is a four-time Pro Bowl selection , also spent time on injured reserve with a hip injury while with the Miami Dolphins in 2016 .
He then started every game over the next two seasons -- including his first season with the Chargers in 2018 -- but missed the last 11 weeks of the 2019-20 campaign after undergoing neck surgery .
The Dolphins selected Pouncey in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of Florida .
He has started all 114 games in which he has played in during his professional career .
Fourth-year offensive lineman Dan Feeney is expected to shift over and replace Pouncey as the Chargers ' starting center .
Forrest Lamp likely will fill in for Feeney at left guard .

Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Chargers center Mike Pouncey was placed on injured reserve and will have season-ending hip surgery, the team announced Thursday.
Chargers general manager Tom Telesco said Pouncey will undergo the procedure at the end of this month.
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"On top of being a Pro Bowl talent, he's the ultimate captain, teammate and competitor," Telesco said in a statement Thursday. "Quite simply, he's one of the best leaders I've ever been around.
"Mike's played a major role in establishing the culture and standard we now have in our locker room and sets a tremendous example, especially for the younger members of our team."
The 31-year-old Pouncey, who is a four-time Pro Bowl selection, also spent time on injured reserve with a hip injury while with the Miami Dolphins in 2016. He then started every game over the next two seasons -- including his first season with the Chargers in 2018 -- but missed the last 11 weeks of the 2019-20 campaign after undergoing neck surgery.
we've placed Mike Pouncey on injured reserve » https://t.co/IGCBW9iCGv pic.twitter.com/9NsiLvXmbD— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) September 17, 2020
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The Dolphins selected Pouncey in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Florida. He has started all 114 games in which he has played in during his professional career.
Fourth-year offensive lineman Dan Feeney is expected to shift over and replace Pouncey as the Chargers' starting center. Forrest Lamp likely will fill in for Feeney at left guard.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-09-17--Jason Bateman, Laverne Cox to appear on Sunday's Emmy Awards telecast

Sept. 17 ( UPI ) -- Jason Bateman , Sterling K. Brown and Laverne Cox are confirmed to appear on @ @ @ @ @ Emmy Awards ceremony on ABC .
Also participating in the virtual event honoring excellence in @ @ @ @ @ directing will be Count Von Count from Sesame Street , Morgan Freeman , Ilana Glazer @ @ @ @ @ Miranda , D-Nice , Randall Park , RuPaul , Patrick Stewart and Jason Sudeikis , @ @ @ @ @ Previously announced celebrities taking part in the program include Anthony Anderson , America Ferrera , @ @ @ @ @ , J.J. Watt , Lena Waithe and Oprah Winfrey .
Jimmy Kimmel is hosting the @ @ @ @ @ set to perform the `` In Memoriam '' segment .
Creative Arts Emmys have been @ @ @ @ @ ceremonies all week leading up to Sunday 's big event , which is being recorded @ @ @ @ @ and other remote locations due to the coronavirus pandemic .

Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Jason Bateman, Sterling K. Brown and Laverne Cox are confirmed to appear on Sunday's broadcast of the Emmy Awards ceremony on ABC.
Also participating in the virtual event honoring excellence in television acting, writing and directing will be Count Von Count from Sesame Street, Morgan Freeman, Ilana Glazer, Abbi Jacobson, Lin-Manuel Miranda, D-Nice, Randall Park, RuPaul, Patrick Stewart and Jason Sudeikis, the network said Wednesday.


upi--2020-09-17--President Donald Trump announces commission promoting 'patriotic education'

Sept. 17 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump on Thursday announced plans for a new commission to promote `` patriotic education '' in U.S. schools .
Speaking at the National Archives Museum , Trump signed an executive order establishing what he called the 1776 Commission , which is aimed at encouraging educators to teach about `` the miracle of American history '' and make plans in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States .
`` The only path to national unity is through our shared identity as Americans , '' Trump said during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American History .
`` That is why it is so urgent that we finally restore patriotic education to our schools . ''
During the event , Trump also stated that the National Endowment for the Humanities has awarded a grant to support the development of a `` pro-American curriculum '' and that he previously signed an executive order to establish the National Garden of American Heroes , an outdoor park which will feature statue of figures from U.S. history .
He also highlighted his move earlier this month to direct federal agencies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White privilege , '' and `` critical race theory . ''
Trump decried riots during protests throughout the nation calling for an end to systemic racism and police brutality as well as The New York Times ' 1619 Project , an ongoing initiative by the newspaper launched last year to reframe U.S. history by marking the year when enslaved Africans first arrived as the date of the nation 's founding .
`` Whether it is the mob on the street , or cancel culture in the boardroom , the goal is the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you out of speaking the truth and to bully Americans into abandoning their values , their heritage and their very way of life , '' he said .
Chris Dier , Louisiana 's 2020 teacher of the year , said that Trump 's criticisms of the U.S. education system were misguided .
`` I 'm not teaching my students to hate America , '' Dier told The Washington Post .
`` We are teaching our students to embrace our country , even the things that are negative .
We 're choosing not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past . ''
Arne Duncan , who served as education secretary under former President Barack Obama , said that Trump has `` no ability '' to set curriculums in U.S. schools and that issues taught in classrooms are `` always local decisions . ''

Speaking at the National Archives Museum on Thursday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing the 1776 Commission to promote "patriotic education." Photo by Alex Edelman/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 17 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Thursday announced plans for a new commission to promote "patriotic education" in U.S. schools. Speaking at the National Archives Museum, Trump signed an executive order establishing what he called the 1776 Commission, which is aimed at encouraging educators to teach about "the miracle of American history" and make plans in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Advertisement
"The only path to national unity is through our shared identity as Americans," Trump said during the event dubbed the White House Conference on American History. "That is why it is so urgent that we finally restore patriotic education to our schools."
During the event, Trump also stated that the National Endowment for the Humanities has awarded a grant to support the development of a "pro-American curriculum" and that he previously signed an executive order to establish the National Garden of American Heroes, an outdoor park which will feature statue of figures from U.S. history.
He also highlighted his move earlier this month to direct federal agencies to stop all contracts and training on "White privilege," and "critical race theory."
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Trump decried riots during protests throughout the nation calling for an end to systemic racism and police brutality as well as The New York Times' 1619 Project, an ongoing initiative by the newspaper launched last year to reframe U.S. history by marking the year when enslaved Africans first arrived as the date of the nation's founding.
"Whether it is the mob on the street, or cancel culture in the boardroom, the goal is the same: to silence dissent, to scare you out of speaking the truth and to bully Americans into abandoning their values, their heritage and their very way of life," he said.
Chris Dier, Louisiana's 2020 teacher of the year, said that Trump's criticisms of the U.S. education system were misguided.
"I'm not teaching my students to hate America," Dier told The Washington Post. "We are teaching our students to embrace our country, even the things that are negative. We're choosing not to ignore the ghosts of our country's past."
Arne Duncan, who served as education secretary under former President Barack Obama, said that Trump has "no ability" to set curriculums in U.S. schools and that issues taught in classrooms are "always local decisions."


upi--2020-09-17--Katey Sagal to headline ABC drama 'Rebel'

Sept. 17 ( UPI ) -- Sons of Anarchy and Married with Children icon Katey Sagal has signed on to star in ABC 's Rebel , a new drama loosely based on the life of activist Erin Brockovich .
The broadcast network announced Wednesday it ordered Rebel straight to series for 2021 .
`` Happy to share this with you ! ''
Sagal tweeted Thursday , along with a link to a news story about her casting .
The show follows Annie `` Rebel '' Bello , who is described in a news release as `` a blue-collar legal advocate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rebel ensemble will also include John Corbett , James Lesure , Lex Scott Davis , Tamala Jones , Ariela Barer , Kevin Zegers , Sam Palladio and Andy Garcia .
`` Erin Brockovich has never stopped the extraordinary work she does fighting for her clients like they 're family , and [ writer ] Krista Vernoff 's take on her life today in Rebel is undeniable , '' Karey Burke , president of ABC Entertainment , said in a statement .
`` Katey Sagal is a powerhouse as Rebel and with Andy Garcia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the phenomenal cast , viewers are going to fall in love with these characters and the world Krista has created for them . ''
Julia Roberts won an Oscar for playing the real-life heroine in the 2000 big-screen biopic , Erin Brockovich .

1/3
Katey Sagal is set to star in ABC's "Rebel." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Sons of Anarchy and Married with Children icon Katey Sagal has signed on to star in ABC's Rebel, a new drama loosely based on the life of activist Erin Brockovich. The broadcast network announced Wednesday it ordered Rebel straight to series for 2021. Advertisement
"Happy to share this with you!" Sagal tweeted Thursday, along with a link to a news story about her casting.
The show follows Annie "Rebel" Bello, who is described in a news release as "a blue-collar legal advocate without a law degree."
The Rebel ensemble will also include John Corbett, James Lesure, Lex Scott Davis, Tamala Jones, Ariela Barer, Kevin Zegers, Sam Palladio and Andy Garcia.
"Erin Brockovich has never stopped the extraordinary work she does fighting for her clients like they're family, and [writer] Krista Vernoff's take on her life today in Rebel is undeniable," Karey Burke, president of ABC Entertainment, said in a statement.
"Katey Sagal is a powerhouse as Rebel and with Andy Garcia, John Corbett and the rest of the phenomenal cast, viewers are going to fall in love with these characters and the world Krista has created for them."
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Julia Roberts won an Oscar for playing the real-life heroine in the 2000 big-screen biopic, Erin Brockovich.


upi--2020-09-17--Teddy may approach New England, Atlantic Canada as hurricane

Sept. 17 ( UPI ) -- Less than one week after feeling the full force of Hurricane Paulette , residents of Bermuda are preparing for a strike from powerful Hurricane Teddy , which unlike Paulette , may take a path that could eventually bring impacts to Atlantic Canada and perhaps the northeastern United States .
Paulette brought a wind gust of 117 mph to Bermuda and an island-wide power outage when it passed directly overhead Sunday night into early Monday .
More than 20,000 customers were without power following Paulette 's approach .
Teddy first developed in the central Atlantic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into a Category 4 major hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale .
Laura is the only other Atlantic storm to achieve major hurricane status so far this season .
As of 5 p.m. AST on Thursday , the storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 140 mph and was located more than 1,100 miles southeast of Bermuda while moving northwest at a speed of 13 mph .
Teddy is currently forecast to be more intense than Paulette as it makes its closest approach to Bermuda .
AccuWeather senior meteorologist Rob Miller expects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night into Monday as a Category 2 or 3 hurricane .
The impacts , however , will depend on how close the center of the storm passes to the islands .
The closer the center of the storm , the greater the impacts will be .
AccuWeather 's current Eye Path takes Teddy nearly right across the islands .
Similar to Paulette , this would bring Teddy 's worst conditions to Bermuda .
On this track , Teddy would bring another round of damaging winds and flooding rainfall .
However , even a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant impact on the islands due the hurricane 's current large size .
As of the mid-afternoon hours on Thursday , tropical-storm-force winds of at least 39 mph extended outward by up to 255 miles from the center .
After passing Bermuda , Teddy is expected to continue on a north-northwesterly track which would cause the hurricane to approach Atlantic Canada or northern New England around the middle of next week .
`` If Teddy takes a northerly track , areas from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland would be the most likely to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurricane at this time with impacts including potentially damaging wind gusts , heavy rainfall and pounding surf , '' Miller explained .
Another scenario would have Teddy track farther to the east and miss Atlantic Canada on the storm 's trek into the North Atlantic .
These appear to be the two most likely scenarios .
`` There remains the chance that Teddy is pulled more to the northwest and could impact northern New England before curving across Atlantic Canada and into the North Atlantic , '' Miller said .
This could bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flooding to much of the New England coastline .
A hurricane has never hit Maine from any direction other than from the southwest , according to AccuWeather Senior Weather Editor Jesse Ferrell .
`` Only eight hurricanes have hit Maine on record with only three of those since 1950 , '' Ferrell said .
`` Bob in 1991 was the most recent and only the Unnamed 1869 hurricane , Bob and Gerda from 1969 were Category 2 when they hit with the remaining storms being Category 1 strength . ''
According to Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average date for the second major hurricane formation in the Atlantic is Oct. 3 .
Regardless of the final track and impacts from Teddy , even if the hurricane remains out to sea , forecasters warn that rough surf and dangerous rip currents are possible along the New England and mid-Atlantic coasts this weekend and early next week .
Small craft should avoid venturing too far offshore as monstrous waves could develop from and propagate toward the coast from the large hurricane .

The powerful Hurricane Teddy is forecast to hit Atlantic Canada later this week. Image courtesy of NOAA
Sept. 22 (UPI) -- After passing Bermuda a day prior, powerful Hurricane Teddy was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone as it was heading for Atlantic Canada on Tuesday. The storm is still expected to produce potentially life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along the way, forecasters said. Advertisement
As of 11 p.m. AST Tuesday, the storm was about 125 miles south of the Nova Scotian capital of Halifax, packing maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. It was traveling north at 18 mph.
Large swells generated by the system were affecting Bermuda, the Lesser Antilles, the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas, the eastern coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada, the advisory said.
"These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions," it said.
Teddy first developed in the central Atlantic on Saturday, Sept. 12. On Friday night, Teddy strengthened into a Category 4 major hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Laura is the only other Atlantic storm to achieve major hurricane status so far this season.
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According to Colorado State University Meteorologist Phil Klotzbach, the average date for the second major hurricane formation in the Atlantic is Oct. 3.
"Teddy will interact with an upper-level storm system moving across eastern Canada early in the week, and become an extratropical storm before making landfall in Nova Scotia Wednesday morning. However, this is really just a technicality, as the impacts will still match those of a hurricane," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty explained.
The Canadian Hurricane Centre has issued a tropical storm warning for the southern coast of Nova Scotia and a tropical storm watch for the province's northern coast. The watch also extends westward into Prince Edward Island. Tropical storm watches were also issued for portions of the southwestern coast of Newfoundland.
One of those impressive aspects of Teddy will be its expansive wind field. Wind gusts of 40-60 mph will stretch all the way from the eastern shores of Labrador and Newfoundland to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The strongest wind gusts, near where the center moves across Nova Scotia, are expected to reach 80-90 mph with an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 100 mph.
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"Teddy is already a large hurricane. When it undergoes extratropical transition, the wind field will expand even further," Douty explained. "Even the New England coast will be quite gusty for a time, despite the storm being around 300 miles east of Boston at its closest approach."
Power outages and tree damage could be widespread across Atlantic Canada. While powerful winter storms that can reach hurricane strength are not particularly uncommon across this region, a storm of this strength striking this time of year, when all the leaves are still on the trees, can lead to more damage.
Winds of this magnitude are also capable of some structural damage, especially to any weaker buildings. Loose objects like yard furniture, toys, planters and trash cans can easily become projectiles in the wind.
Dorian tracked across Atlantic Canada in early September of 2019 and brought widespread wind damage to Atlantic Canada. Teddy has the potential to bring similar results should it remain on its current forecast track.
Residents should begin to make appropriate preparations as this appears to be the most likely scenario.
On this track, 2-4 inches of rain would be widespread across Nova Scotia, with 1-2 inches stretching from eastern New Brunswick to the southeast coast of Labrador. Locally heavier rainfall could fall where the center of the storm tracks, with an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 6 inches.
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Heavy rain will also accompany the howling winds across Atlantic Canada. However, heavy rain will be in and out relatively quickly due to the fast-forward motion of the storm.
This can lead to some localized flooding, especially on streets and poor-drainage areas. Most leaves across the region are only just starting to change, but with such strong winds, it's also possible that enough leaves are blown down to clog some storm drains and cause more street flooding in urban areas.
Taking these impacts into consideration, Teddy is forecast to be a 1 on the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes in Atlantic Canada.
In comparison to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which has been used by meteorologists for decades and classifies storms by wind speed only, the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale is based on a broad range of important factors. The scale covers not only wind speed but flooding rain, storm surge as well as economic damage and loss. This communicates a more comprehensive representation of the potential impact of a storm to lives and livelihoods.
Meanwhile, Teddy has been kicking up some significant waves as the storm mowed its way across the Atlantic Ocean. Wave heights near Teddy's center of circulation have been in excess of 20 feet and, up and down the shores of the East Coast, wave heights have been in the 5-foot to 7-foot range.
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Even with Teddy several hundred miles off the coast, some coastal flooding and beach erosion was already being seen and will continue for the first part of the week along many portions of the East Coast, especially at times of high tide.
"During the weekend, an area of high pressure over the interior Northeast helped to increase northeasterly winds, which enraged seas along the immediate Atlantic coast, well away from Teddy," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
According to the NCDOT, portions of Route 12 along the Outer Banks in North Carolina are closed until at least Tuesday afternoon due to overwash. Residents of the Outer Banks have been urged not to travel unless absolutely necessary. Flooding along the Outer Banks could get worse over the next couple of days as surf continues to build and more and more of the protective dunes get worn down or washed away.
Because of the exceptionally rough seas churned up by Teddy, coastal impacts will also be quite expansive. Nova Scotia and the southern coast of Newfoundland will bear the brunt of massive surf and dangerous storm surge.
Wave heights are forecast to reach an incredible 50-75 feet Tuesday on the open sea off the coasts of New England and Nova Scotia. This will have a major impact on shipping, as any sea-going vessels that dare to enter this region will face extreme danger.
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While the most fearsome seas will remain offshore, coastal areas will still have to be prepared for storm surge and significant wave action.
"The southern coast of Nova Scotia is no stranger to angry seas, and most of the towns sit in coves protected by rocky cliffs and barrier islands," explained AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist and Lead Canada Forecaster Brett Anderson.
"However, with 30 foot seas even right to the coast and a large storm surge, any locations that are exposed and not sitting well above normal sea level could quickly become very dangerous to anyone caught there once Teddy arrives."
The entire Eastern Seaboard of the United States will also see rough surf and large swells propagating out from Teddy into midweek. Persistent, gusty onshore flow along much of the East Coast will also add to the angry seas and rising water levels.
"As the area of high pressure weakens, and Teddy moves toward Nova Scotia on Tuesday and Wednesday, wave action along the immediate coast south of the Carolinas will ease, but there can still be occasional large swells that catch bathers and boaters by surprise through the latter part of this week," Sosnowski said.
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Teddy joins Beta currently spinning in the Atlantic, as well as Paulette, which regenerated into a tropical storm south of the Azores on Monday night.
With months still left in the Atlantic hurricane season, more Greek letters are likely to be used. Last week, AccuWeather meteorologists upped their 2020 season predictions for the number of total storms to 28, which would tie the record number of named storms in the basin set in the notorious 2005 season.


upi--2020-09-17--Mark Esper outlines plan for 355-ship Navy, calls for more focus on China

Sept. 17 ( UPI ) -- Defense Secretary Mark Esper this week described plans to build out the Navy 's fleet to 355 ships or more and find more funding to counter China 's naval forces .
In an address to the Rand Corp. in Santa Monica , Calif. , Esper said the Department of Defense needs to increase funding for shipbuilding and to focus more on countering China 's drones .
`` In addition to developing traditional weapons systems , Beijing is also investing in long-range , autonomous , and unmanned submarines , which it believes can be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Esper said .
The plan grew out of this summer 's Future Navy Force Study .
The study was undertaken to replace the Navy and Marine Corps ' own shipbuilding plan , which the Pentagon rejected earlier this year , with officials saying the branch did not have a credible path to building a fleet of 355 ships or more .
Esper said this week that he met with Deputy Defense Secretary Savid Norquist to talk about their findings .
Calling the results `` a game-changer , '' he said the work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of over 355 ships -- both manned and unmanned -- and will be built in a relevant timeframe and budget-informed manner . ''
Esper pointed to the example of a $ 795 million contract the Navy awarded in April purchase the first ship of a new class of guided missile frigates .
`` This is the first new major shipbuilding program the Navy has sought in more than a decade , '' Esper said .
`` These combatants will support the National Defense Strategy across the full range of military operations , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and capacity to conduct distributed warfare -- a key requirement borne out by the Future Naval Force study . ''

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, pictured during testimony before the House Armed Services Committee in July, this week said the Navy has formulated a plan to get to 355 vessels, and a specific focus on China. Photo by Michael Reynolds/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Defense Secretary Mark Esper this week described plans to build out the Navy's fleet to 355 ships or more and find more funding to counter China's naval forces. In an address to the Rand Corp. in Santa Monica, Calif., Esper said the Department of Defense needs to increase funding for shipbuilding and to focus more on countering China's drones. Advertisement
"In addition to developing traditional weapons systems, Beijing is also investing in long-range, autonomous, and unmanned submarines, which it believes can be a cost-effective counter to American naval power," Esper said.
The plan grew out of this summer's Future Navy Force Study.
The study was undertaken to replace the Navy and Marine Corps' own shipbuilding plan, which the Pentagon rejected earlier this year, with officials saying the branch did not have a credible path to building a fleet of 355 ships or more.
Esper said this week that he met with Deputy Defense Secretary Savid Norquist to talk about their findings. Calling the results "a game-changer," he said the work will result in "a balanced force of over 355 ships -- both manned and unmanned -- and will be built in a relevant timeframe and budget-informed manner."
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Esper pointed to the example of a $795 million contract the Navy awarded in April purchase the first ship of a new class of guided missile frigates.
"This is the first new major shipbuilding program the Navy has sought in more than a decade," Esper said. "These combatants will support the National Defense Strategy across the full range of military operations, with increased lethality, survivability, capability, and capacity to conduct distributed warfare -- a key requirement borne out by the Future Naval Force study."


upi--2020-09-17--Cleanup, waste management aren't enough to save ecosystems from plastic pollution

Sept. 17 ( UPI ) -- Even if countries fund massive cleanup efforts and dramatically improve waste management infrastructure , two studies published Thursday in the journal Science suggest it wo n't be enough to save Earth 's ecosystems from plastic pollution .
`` We simply make too much plastic waste to handle with current waste management infrastructure , and eventually we are going to run out of land to put landfills , '' ecologist Stephanie Borrelle , research fellow at the University of Toronto , told UPI in an email .
Plastic pollution is a growing problem for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ island reefs and deep sea valleys to polar glaciers and the world 's tallest peaks , pieces of plastic , big and small , are showing up everywhere .
And it 's not just ecosystems .
Scientists have recovered micro plastics from the intestines of dozens of animals species .
Tiny bits of plastic are even showing up in human organs .
Because water works to collect , carry and concentrate plastic pollution , freshwater and marine ecosystems are most at risk .
To better understand the scope of the problem and how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country level waste generation and population growth data -- while also considering changes in plastic usage patterns -- to estimate global plastic waste generation through 2030 .
`` To estimate the amount that enters rivers , lakes and the oceans , we made a model that predicts the proportion of plastic waste that is not managed ... that will likely make its way into major waterways , '' said Borrelle , lead author on one of the new studies .
`` The data we used for this was high resolution downhill flow accumulation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The basic premise is that if a piece of plastic is littered next to a river , there is a high probability that it will end up in that river , but as you move further away that probability rapidly decreases . ''
Next , researchers looked at the commitments made by different countries toward different plastic pollution solutions , including waste reduction , waste management and clean up .
The analysis showed even robust efforts to reduce , manage and cleanup waste wo n't offset the continue production of virgin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and her colleagues warn ecosystems will continue to experience increases in plastic pollution .
`` We are already seeing the wide-scale contamination of all ecosystems with plastic , from thee deep oceans , to the poles , high on mountains and in wildlife , there are emerging toxicological impacts , not just for wildlife affected by it , but people too , '' Borrelle said .
`` Plastic takes a long time to break down , so it will just keep piling up and breaking apart into microplastics . ''
The findings are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an onslaught of plastic .
Instead , researchers hope their findings will inspire nations to commit to producing less plastic , in addition to funding cleanup efforts and enhancing waste management infrastructure .
According to researchers , policy makers must act swiftly to prevent plastic-making companies from passing the costs of pollution environmental degradation onto governments and consumers .
`` The plastics economy needs to be turned upside down , '' Borrelle said .
`` Currently , producers of plastics -- the petrochemical sector of the oil and gas industry -- are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are heavily investing in infrastructure to expand this capacity .
This has lead to virgin plastic materials being cheaper to produce than recycled materials . ''
Ending fossil fuel subsidies and instituting cap and trade policies for plastic production could both help reduce the production of virgin plastic to manageable levels .
`` We are going to have to also improve waste management and unfortunately for as long as we use plastics , some will enter the environment , so clean up has to be a part of any strategy , '' Borrelle @ @

Researchers say the problem of plastic waste will only get worse without changes to waste management and global use of less plastic. Pictured, an Ivorian woman collects plastic bottles to sell for recycling from the general waste at the Akouedo recycling depot and landfill site in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, in 2018. Photo by Legnan Koula/EPA-EFE
Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Even if countries fund massive cleanup efforts and dramatically improve waste management infrastructure, two studies published Thursday in the journal Science suggest it won't be enough to save Earth's ecosystems from plastic pollution. "We simply make too much plastic waste to handle with current waste management infrastructure, and eventually we are going to run out of land to put landfills," ecologist Stephanie Borrelle, research fellow at the University of Toronto, told UPI in an email. Advertisement
Plastic pollution is a growing problem for the planet's many ecosystems. From the island reefs and deep sea valleys to polar glaciers and the world's tallest peaks, pieces of plastic, big and small, are showing up everywhere.
And it's not just ecosystems. Scientists have recovered micro plastics from the intestines of dozens of animals species. Tiny bits of plastic are even showing up in human organs.
Advertisement
Because water works to collect, carry and concentrate plastic pollution, freshwater and marine ecosystems are most at risk.
To better understand the scope of the problem and how humans might combat it, scientists combined country level waste generation and population growth data -- while also considering changes in plastic usage patterns -- to estimate global plastic waste generation through 2030.
"To estimate the amount that enters rivers, lakes and the oceans, we made a model that predicts the proportion of plastic waste that is not managed ... that will likely make its way into major waterways," said Borrelle, lead author on one of the new studies.
"The data we used for this was high resolution downhill flow accumulation data called Hydrosheds," Borrelle said. "The basic premise is that if a piece of plastic is littered next to a river, there is a high probability that it will end up in that river, but as you move further away that probability rapidly decreases."
Next, researchers looked at the commitments made by different countries toward different plastic pollution solutions, including waste reduction, waste management and clean up.
The analysis showed even robust efforts to reduce, manage and cleanup waste won't offset the continue production of virgin plastic. As a result, Borrelle and her colleagues warn ecosystems will continue to experience increases in plastic pollution.
Advertisement
"We are already seeing the wide-scale contamination of all ecosystems with plastic, from thee deep oceans, to the poles, high on mountains and in wildlife, there are emerging toxicological impacts, not just for wildlife affected by it, but people too," Borrelle said. "Plastic takes a long time to break down, so it will just keep piling up and breaking apart into microplastics."
The findings aren't an excuse to surrender the Earth to an onslaught of plastic. Instead, researchers hope their findings will inspire nations to commit to producing less plastic, in addition to funding cleanup efforts and enhancing waste management infrastructure.
According to researchers, policy makers must act swiftly to prevent plastic-making companies from passing the costs of pollution environmental degradation onto governments and consumers.
"The plastics economy needs to be turned upside down," Borrelle said. "Currently, producers of plastics -- the petrochemical sector of the oil and gas industry -- are subsidized to make virgin plastics, and are heavily investing in infrastructure to expand this capacity. This has lead to virgin plastic materials being cheaper to produce than recycled materials."
Ending fossil fuel subsidies and instituting cap and trade policies for plastic production could both help reduce the production of virgin plastic to manageable levels.
Advertisement
"We are going to have to also improve waste management and unfortunately for as long as we use plastics, some will enter the environment, so clean up has to be a part of any strategy," Borrelle said.


upi--2020-09-17--Watch: Alligator swims through Alabama woman's flooded yard

Sept. 17 ( UPI ) -- An Alabama woman shared video of the surprising sight that greeted her when she @ @ @ @ @ Sally-flooded front yard : an alligator having a swim .
Tina Bennett of Gulf Shores @ @ @ @ @ showing the large gator swimming through the floodwaters Hurricane Sally brought to her yard .
@ @ @ @ @ , this is outside of our window , '' Bennett says in the footage .
@ @ @ @ @ or 12-foot alligator . ''
Bennett said this one alligator is n't the only dangerous @ @ @ @ @ as a result of the storm .
`` We have been surrounded by water , @ @ @ @ @ , '' she wrote .

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Sept. 17 (UPI) -- An Alabama woman shared video of the surprising sight that greeted her when she looked out into her Hurricane Sally-flooded front yard: an alligator having a swim.
Tina Bennett of Gulf Shores posted a video to Facebook showing the large gator swimming through the floodwaters Hurricane Sally brought to her yard.
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"Oh, my God, this is outside of our window," Bennett says in the footage. "It is a 10- or 12-foot alligator."
Bennett said this one alligator isn't the only dangerous wildlife encounter she's had as a result of the storm.
"We have been surrounded by water, alligators, and poisonous snakes," she wrote.


upi--2020-09-17--Nasdaq falls into correction territory, Snowflake loses 10% after record IPO

Sept. 17 ( UPI ) -- The Nasdaq Composite fell into correction territory on Thursday as tech stocks fell , led by Snowflake on the heels of its Wall Street debut .
The Nasdaq fell 1.27 % to 10,910.28 , down 10 % from its previous high after setting multiple record highs behind a previous tech boom .
The S & P 500 also fell 0.84 % , while the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the day down 130.40 points or 0.47 % .
Snowflake stock fell 10.39 % on Thursday one day after shares more than doubled , closing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 253.93 , raising about $ 3.4 billion and selling some 28 million shares in the largest software IPO in history .
Facebook stock declined 3.3 % , Netflix fell 2.82 % , Amazon declined 2.25 % , Alphabet dropped 1.66 % , Apple slid 1.6 % and Microsoft ended the day with losses of 1.04 % .
The Nasdaq and S & P 500 had both soared to record highs in August powered by rising tech stocks , but many of those stocks have begun to falter in recent weeks .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too fast and valuations got to a point where that was more noticeable than before , '' Tom Martin , senior portfolio manager at GLOBALT , told CNBC .
`` So now you 're seeing the market correct a bit . ''
Markets also responded to ongoing negotiations over an economic stimulus bill related to the COVID-19 pandemic after President Donald Trump on Wednesday encouraged Republicans to compromise with Democrats and accept `` much higher numbers '' on a deal .

The Nasdaq Composite fell 1.27% on Thursday, dropping into correction territory as it fell 10% from its previous record high behind declining tech stocks. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 17 (UPI) -- The Nasdaq Composite fell into correction territory on Thursday as tech stocks fell, led by Snowflake on the heels of its Wall Street debut. The Nasdaq fell 1.27% to 10,910.28, down 10% from its previous high after setting multiple record highs behind a previous tech boom. The S&P 500 also fell 0.84%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the day down 130.40 points or 0.47%. Advertisement
Snowflake stock fell 10.39% on Thursday one day after shares more than doubled, closing the day down the day at $253.93, raising about $3.4 billion and selling some 28 million shares in the largest software IPO in history.
Facebook stock declined 3.3%, Netflix fell 2.82%, Amazon declined 2.25%, Alphabet dropped 1.66%, Apple slid 1.6% and Microsoft ended the day with losses of 1.04%.
The Nasdaq and S&P 500 had both soared to record highs in August powered by rising tech stocks, but many of those stocks have begun to falter in recent weeks.
"The market had gone up too much, too fast and valuations got to a point where that was more noticeable than before," Tom Martin, senior portfolio manager at GLOBALT, told CNBC. "So now you're seeing the market correct a bit."
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Markets also responded to ongoing negotiations over an economic stimulus bill related to the COVID-19 pandemic after President Donald Trump on Wednesday encouraged Republicans to compromise with Democrats and accept "much higher numbers" on a deal.


upi--2020-09-17--Watch: Man spotted wearing live snake as a mask on city bus

Sept. 17 ( UPI ) -- Transportation officials in a British city responded to viral photos from a municipal bus by reminding residents that snakeskin is not an acceptable material for face masks -- especially when it 's still attached to a snake .
The photos , snapped aboard a Manchester bus , show a man sitting aboard the vehicle with a live snake wrapped around his neck and mouth .
A witness told the Manchester Evening News the man initially appeared to be wearing `` a really funky mask '' until the snake started to move around .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The photos show the man was not wearing a face mask underneath the snake .
A Transport for Greater Manchester representative said passengers are required to wear face masks on city buses to protect from the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` This need n't be a surgical mask ... passengers can make their own or wear something suitable , such as a scarf or bandanna , '' the representative told CNN .
`` While there is a small degree of interpretation that can be applied to this , we do not believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- especially when still attached to the snake . ''

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Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Transportation officials in a British city responded to viral photos from a municipal bus by reminding residents that snakeskin is not an acceptable material for face masks -- especially when it's still attached to a snake.
The photos, snapped aboard a Manchester bus, show a man sitting aboard the vehicle with a live snake wrapped around his neck and mouth.
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A witness told the Manchester Evening News the man initially appeared to be wearing "a really funky mask" until the snake started to move around.
"It was definitely entertaining," she said.
The photos show the man was not wearing a face mask underneath the snake.
A Transport for Greater Manchester representative said passengers are required to wear face masks on city buses to protect from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"This needn't be a surgical mask ... passengers can make their own or wear something suitable, such as a scarf or bandanna," the representative told CNN. "While there is a small degree of interpretation that can be applied to this, we do not believe it extends to the use of snakeskin -- especially when still attached to the snake."