upi--2020-10-08--Atlanta Braves sweep Miami Marlins for first trip to NLCS since 2001

Oct. 8 ( UPI ) -- The Atlanta Braves secured their first trip to the NL Championship Series since 2001 with a 7-0 win over the Miami Marlins on Thursday at Minute Maid Park in Houston .
Braves rookie right-hander Kyle Wright -- pitching for the first time since Sept. 25 -- dazzled across six innings in his postseason debut to complete the Braves ' dominant three-game sweep of the Marlins in the NLDS .
He allowed only three hits and walked two with a career-best seven strikeouts .
A.J .
Minter , Jacob Webb and Shane Greene finished the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second team in MLB history to throw four shutouts in their first five games in a single postseason .
Atlanta joined the 1905 New York Giants , who won the World Series that year .
After two postseason rounds , the Braves have already thrown the most playoff shutouts in franchise history , surpassing the 1991 and 1996 teams that had three each .
Atlanta is one shutout shy of tying the major league record for most in a single postseason -- set by the 2016 Cleveland Indians over 15 games .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many shutouts , and it points to how good we 've been as a staff , '' Wright said .
The Braves had lost eight consecutive Division Series before outscoring the Marlins 18-5 , including 11-0 in the last two games .
Atlanta is 5-0 with a 0.92 ERA in the playoffs , allowing five runs across 49 innings .
`` It 's been fun , '' Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud said .
`` They 've just been executing . ''
The Braves jumped in front with a four-run third inning .
Marcell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , followed by d'Arnaud 's two-run double a few pitches later .
Dansby Swanson scored d'Arnaud on a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 4-0 .
In the fourth , the Braves added another run when Ronald Acuna Jr. scored from first after center fielder Magneuris Sierra committed an error on a single by All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman .
Atlanta continued to pour it on in the fifth when Swanson scored Ozzie Albies on an RBI single .
Adam Duvall sent Swanson home with a double to make it 7-0 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ went three innings and gave up four runs on four hits .
He walked three and struck out two .
Miami left fielder Corey Dickerson , who made a spectacular diving catch in the second to save multiple runs from scoring , had three of the Marlins ' five hits on the day .
`` We know it 's not where we want to go , but we did give ourselves an opportunity this year , '' Marlins manager Don Mattingly said .
`` I think that 's a step forward for us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Los Angeles Dodgers or San Diego Padres in the NLCS starting Monday in Arlington , Texas .

Atlanta Braves slugger Marcell Ozuna (R) had two hits and an RBI in his team's 7-0 win over the Miami Marlins on Thursday. File Photo by Tami Chappell/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The Atlanta Braves secured their first trip to the NL Championship Series since 2001 with a 7-0 win over the Miami Marlins on Thursday at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Braves rookie right-hander Kyle Wright -- pitching for the first time since Sept. 25 -- dazzled across six innings in his postseason debut to complete the Braves' dominant three-game sweep of the Marlins in the NLDS. He allowed only three hits and walked two with a career-best seven strikeouts. Advertisement
A.J. Minter, Jacob Webb and Shane Greene finished the five-hitter, as the Braves became the second team in MLB history to throw four shutouts in their first five games in a single postseason. Atlanta joined the 1905 New York Giants, who won the World Series that year.
After two postseason rounds, the Braves have already thrown the most playoff shutouts in franchise history, surpassing the 1991 and 1996 teams that had three each. Atlanta is one shutout shy of tying the major league record for most in a single postseason -- set by the 2016 Cleveland Indians over 15 games.
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"It's pretty cool to have that many shutouts, and it points to how good we've been as a staff," Wright said.
The Braves had lost eight consecutive Division Series before outscoring the Marlins 18-5, including 11-0 in the last two games. Atlanta is 5-0 with a 0.92 ERA in the playoffs, allowing five runs across 49 innings.
"It's been fun," Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud said. "They've just been executing."
The Braves jumped in front with a four-run third inning. Marcell Ozuna struck first with an RBI single, followed by d'Arnaud's two-run double a few pitches later. Dansby Swanson scored d'Arnaud on a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 4-0.
In the fourth, the Braves added another run when Ronald Acuna Jr. scored from first after center fielder Magneuris Sierra committed an error on a single by All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman.
Atlanta continued to pour it on in the fifth when Swanson scored Ozzie Albies on an RBI single. Adam Duvall sent Swanson home with a double to make it 7-0.
Marlins starter Sixto Sanchez (0-1) went three innings and gave up four runs on four hits. He walked three and struck out two.
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Miami left fielder Corey Dickerson, who made a spectacular diving catch in the second to save multiple runs from scoring, had three of the Marlins' five hits on the day.
"We know it's not where we want to go, but we did give ourselves an opportunity this year," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "I think that's a step forward for us."
The Braves will play either the Los Angeles Dodgers or San Diego Padres in the NLCS starting Monday in Arlington, Texas.
This week in Major League Baseball


upi--2020-10-08--Titans-Bills, Patriots-Broncos games postponed due to coronavirus

Oct. 8 ( UPI ) -- The Buffalo Bills ' game against the Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots ' matchup versus the Denver Broncos have been postponed because of the coronavirus .
The NFL announced Thursday that Sunday 's game between the Bills and Titans was rescheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m. EST .
The matchup between the unbeaten teams was in jeopardy after three more Titans players tested positive for COVID-19 this week .
With their team facility closed since Sept. 29 , the three additional positive tests pushed the Titans ' total to 23 -- 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past two weeks .
If the Titans have no more positive tests and are able to play the Bills on Tuesday night , the Week 6 matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Bills will be moved from Oct. 15 to Oct. 18 .
However , if the Titans record more positive tests -- forcing Tuesday night 's game to be postponed -- the Chiefs-Bills game will revert to its original slot on Thursday Night Football on Oct. 15 .
The Titans must register no new positive tests over the next three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the earliest .
Meanwhile , Sunday 's Broncos-Patriots contest was moved to Monday due to COVID-19 .
The game was originally set for Sunday at 4:25 p.m. EST but will now kick off at 5 p.m. EST on Monday .
The Patriots have n't practiced and their facility was closed both Wednesday and Thursday after star quarterback Cam Newton and Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore were placed on the team 's reserve/COVID-19 list .
`` These scheduling decisions were made to ensure the health and safety of players , coaches and game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts , '' the league said in a statement Thursday .
The Patriots had no new positive tests Thursday morning , but the team is taking additional precautions and will continue to prepare for their matchup against the Broncos with virtual meetings .
New England wo n't practice again Friday .

The Tennessee Titans, led by head coach Mike Vrabel (pictured), have recorded 23 total positive COVID-19 tests over the past two weeks. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The Buffalo Bills' game against the Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots' matchup versus the Denver Broncos have been postponed because of the coronavirus. The NFL announced Thursday that Sunday's game between the Bills and Titans was rescheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m. EST. The matchup between the unbeaten teams was in jeopardy after three more Titans players tested positive for COVID-19 this week. Advertisement
With their team facility closed since Sept. 29, the three additional positive tests pushed the Titans' total to 23 -- 13 players and 10 team personnel -- over the past two weeks.
If the Titans have no more positive tests and are able to play the Bills on Tuesday night, the Week 6 matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Bills will be moved from Oct. 15 to Oct. 18.
However, if the Titans record more positive tests -- forcing Tuesday night's game to be postponed -- the Chiefs-Bills game will revert to its original slot on Thursday Night Football on Oct. 15.
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The Titans must register no new positive tests over the next three days for their facility to open Sunday at the earliest.
Meanwhile, Sunday's Broncos-Patriots contest was moved to Monday due to COVID-19. The game was originally set for Sunday at 4:25 p.m. EST but will now kick off at 5 p.m. EST on Monday.
The Patriots haven't practiced and their facility was closed both Wednesday and Thursday after star quarterback Cam Newton and Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore were placed on the team's reserve/COVID-19 list.
"These scheduling decisions were made to ensure the health and safety of players, coaches and game day personnel and in consultation with medical experts," the league said in a statement Thursday.
The Patriots had no new positive tests Thursday morning, but the team is taking additional precautions and will continue to prepare for their matchup against the Broncos with virtual meetings. New England won't practice again Friday.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-10-08--'Snowpiercer' Season 2 to begin Jan. 25

'Snowpiercer' Season 2 to begin Jan. 25

Oct. 8 ( UPI ) -- Season 2 of the sci-fi drama , Snowpiercer , is set to premiere Jan. @ @ @ @ @ .
Based on a 1982 graphic novel and a 2013 film of the same name @ @ @ @ @ Connelly , Daveed Diggs , Rowan Blanchard and Sean Bean .
It is about the @ @ @ @ @ train that circumnavigates a frozen Earth .
`` In Season 2 , an entirely new @ @ @ @ @ a dangerous rift as people are divided between their loyalty to Layton ( Diggs ) @ @ @ @ @ Bean , ) who has a new train , new technology and a game plan @ @ @ @ @ '' a news release noted .
`` While Layton battles Wilford for the soul of @ @ @ @ @ ) leads the charge on a shocking new discovery that could change the fate of @ @ @ @ @ will be available to binge starting Jan. 1 on HBO Max .

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Jennifer Connelly's "Snowpiercer" is to kick off its second season on Jan. 25. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Season 2 of the sci-fi drama, Snowpiercer, is set to premiere Jan. 25, TNT said Thursday. Based on a 1982 graphic novel and a 2013 film of the same name, the show stars Jennifer Connelly, Daveed Diggs, Rowan Blanchard and Sean Bean. Advertisement
It is about the passengers of a perpetually moving train that circumnavigates a frozen Earth.
"In Season 2, an entirely new power struggle emerges, causing a dangerous rift as people are divided between their loyalty to Layton (Diggs) and to Mr. Wilford (Bean,) who has a new train, new technology and a game plan that keeps everyone guessing," a news release noted.
"While Layton battles Wilford for the soul of Snowpiercer, Melanie (Connelly) leads the charge on a shocking new discovery that could change the fate of humanity."
Season 1 will be available to binge starting Jan. 1 on HBO Max.
Your conductor has returned.  SEASON TWO of #Snowpiercer is coming to @TNTDrama JANUARY 25. pic.twitter.com/rSmBiMlpmE— Snowpiercer on TNT (@SnowpiercerTV) October 8, 2020


upi--2020-10-08--Stolen Mao Zedong calligraphy scroll worth $300M found cut in half

Oct. 8 ( UPI ) -- A stolen calligraphy scroll by former Chinese leader Mao Zedong believed to be worth nearly $ 300 million was found cut in half .
The scroll had been stolen from the home of well-known collector Fu Chunxiao last month .
Three men made off with a haul of antique stamps copper coins and other pieces of calligraphy by Mao worth an estimated $ 645 million in total .
Police said the damaged scroll , which featured stanzas of poetry handwritten by Mao , the founder of the People 's Republic of China , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It was heartbreaking to see it be torn into two pieces , '' Fu told the South China Morning Post .
`` It will definitely affect its value but the impact remains to be seen . ''
Three people were arrested in connection with the stolen scroll , including one of the suspected burglars , a friend accused of housing him and a buyer who purchased it for a few hundred dollars believing it was counterfeit .
Superintendent Tony Ho Chun-tung of the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau said the scroll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was deemed too long to place in a frame .
Fu said he planned to donate the scroll before it was stolen , adding he was not sure when he would get it back .
`` I have not made a decision as to how to deal with it [ and wo n't ] until I get it back , '' he said .

A calligraphy scroll by former Chinese leader Mao Zedong was found cut in half after being stolen from the home of a well-known collector last month, police said. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 8 (UPI) -- A stolen calligraphy scroll by former Chinese leader Mao Zedong believed to be worth nearly $300 million was found cut in half. The scroll had been stolen from the home of well-known collector Fu Chunxiao last month. Three men made off with a haul of antique stamps copper coins and other pieces of calligraphy by Mao worth an estimated $645 million in total. Advertisement
Police said the damaged scroll, which featured stanzas of poetry handwritten by Mao, the founder of the People's Republic of China, was the most expensive item in the haul.
"It was heartbreaking to see it be torn into two pieces," Fu told the South China Morning Post. "It will definitely affect its value but the impact remains to be seen."
Three people were arrested in connection with the stolen scroll, including one of the suspected burglars, a friend accused of housing him and a buyer who purchased it for a few hundred dollars believing it was counterfeit.
Superintendent Tony Ho Chun-tung of the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau said the scroll was cut into two pieces because it was deemed too long to place in a frame.
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Fu said he planned to donate the scroll before it was stolen, adding he was not sure when he would get it back.
"I have not made a decision as to how to deal with it [and won't] until I get it back," he said.


upi--2020-10-08--Man pleads guilty to murdering University of Utah student MacKenzie Lueck

Oct. 8 ( UPI ) -- A Salt Lake City man has pleaded guilty to murdering a 23-year-old student last year after they met on a dating website .
Ayoola Ajayi , 32 , pleaded guilty Wednesday to aggravated murder and desecration of a human body for the death of MacKenzie Lueck .
Under the terms of the deal , a judge is expected to sentence Ajayi on Oct. 23 to life in prison with no possibility of parole .
He avoided the death penalty as part of the agreement .
Defense attorney Neal Hamilton said Ajayi killed Lueck , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they met June 17 , 2019 .
Lueck had just returned from her grandmother 's funeral and took a Lyft ride from the Salt Lake City airport to Hatch Park to meet with Ajayi .
Hamilton said Ajayi planned to kill Lueck before they met .
The two traveled to Ajayi 's home , where he tied up Lueck and strangled her until she stopped moving .
Officials said she died of blunt force trauma to the head .
Hamilton said his client then burned Lueck and her belongings in his backyard and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ajayi at his home to question him about Lueck 's disappearance , he then dug up her remains and reburied her in a shallow grave at Logan Canton .
After his arrest a week later , Ajayi told police where her body was buried .

Oct. 8 (UPI) -- A Salt Lake City man has pleaded guilty to murdering a 23-year-old student last year after they met on a dating website.
Ayoola Ajayi, 32, pleaded guilty Wednesday to aggravated murder and desecration of a human body for the death of MacKenzie Lueck.
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Under the terms of the deal, a judge is expected to sentence Ajayi on Oct. 23 to life in prison with no possibility of parole. He avoided the death penalty as part of the agreement.
Defense attorney Neal Hamilton said Ajayi killed Lueck, a University of Utah student, after they met June 17, 2019. Lueck had just returned from her grandmother's funeral and took a Lyft ride from the Salt Lake City airport to Hatch Park to meet with Ajayi.
Hamilton said Ajayi planned to kill Lueck before they met.
The two traveled to Ajayi's home, where he tied up Lueck and strangled her until she stopped moving. Officials said she died of blunt force trauma to the head.
Hamilton said his client then burned Lueck and her belongings in his backyard and buried the remains. After police visited Ajayi at his home to question him about Lueck's disappearance, he then dug up her remains and reburied her in a shallow grave at Logan Canton.
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After his arrest a week later, Ajayi told police where her body was buried.


upi--2020-10-08--Kansas Jayhawks football coach Les Miles tests positive for COVID-19

Oct. 8 ( UPI ) -- Kansas Jayhawks football coach Les Miles has tested positive for the coronavirus , the school announced Thursday .
Miles , 66 , was informed of his positive test Thursday and began self-isolating at his home .
He will continue to handle his coaching duties remotely and wo n't attend the team 's upcoming practices .
`` Although I will not physically be able to attend practice for the time being , I will be using technology available for remote working to stay connected during staff meetings , meetings with players , etc.
, '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thank you for your prayers and support in advance .
`` I look forward to beating this virus and returning back to be with my team in person very soon . ''
Kansas athletic director Jeff Long said Miles ' positive test was confirmed through surveillance testing and that health officials were working through contact tracing protocols .
`` At this time , we believe [ Miles ] will be able to continue to perform his head coaching duties , '' Long said .
`` Based on the other test results , no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Coach Miles does not develop symptoms or have a fever , we anticipate he will be able to coach the West Virginia game on Oct. 17 .
`` ... We wish Coach a speedy recovery and look forward to getting him back on the field very soon . ''
Miles becomes the second FBS coach to announce a positive COVID-19 test this week , joining Arizona head coach Kevin Sumlin .
Florida State 's Mike Norvell , Arkansas State 's Blake Anderson and Toledo 's Jason Candle all have recovered from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miles ' second season as coach .
Kansas posted a 3-9 record last season under Miles .
Miles holds a 145-67 overall record as a college head coach with a national title victory in 2007 at LSU .
He also has won two SEC championships and made 14 bowl appearances .

Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Kansas Jayhawks football coach Les Miles has tested positive for the coronavirus, the school announced Thursday.
Miles, 66, was informed of his positive test Thursday and began self-isolating at his home. He will continue to handle his coaching duties remotely and won't attend the team's upcoming practices.
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"Although I will not physically be able to attend practice for the time being, I will be using technology available for remote working to stay connected during staff meetings, meetings with players, etc.," Miles said in a statement. "Thank you for your prayers and support in advance.
"I look forward to beating this virus and returning back to be with my team in person very soon."
Kansas athletic director Jeff Long said Miles' positive test was confirmed through surveillance testing and that health officials were working through contact tracing protocols.
"At this time, we believe [Miles] will be able to continue to perform his head coaching duties," Long said. "Based on the other test results, no other coaches tested positive. As long as Coach Miles does not develop symptoms or have a fever, we anticipate he will be able to coach the West Virginia game on Oct. 17.
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"... We wish Coach a speedy recovery and look forward to getting him back on the field very soon."
Kansas football head coach Les Miles has tested positive for COVID-19. More info → https://t.co/ezUgTRWbMB pic.twitter.com/hCJgr3eMyH— Kansas Football (@KU_Football) October 8, 2020
Miles becomes the second FBS coach to announce a positive COVID-19 test this week, joining Arizona head coach Kevin Sumlin. Florida State's Mike Norvell, Arkansas State's Blake Anderson and Toledo's Jason Candle all have recovered from the virus.
The Jayhawks are 0-3 in Miles' second season as coach. Kansas posted a 3-9 record last season under Miles.
Miles holds a 145-67 overall record as a college head coach with a national title victory in 2007 at LSU. He also has won two SEC championships and made 14 bowl appearances.


upi--2020-10-08--Animated 'Soul' to debut on Disney+ on Dec. 25

Oct. 8 ( UPI ) -- The animated movie Soul , with a voice cast led by Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx , is set to premiere on Disney+ on Dec. 25 , the streaming service announced Thursday .
Foxx plays Joe Gardner , an aspiring jazz musician and middle school band teacher whose soul is separated from his body right before his big break .
Joe receives help from a fellow soul named 22 , voiced by Tina Fey , as he desperately attempts to return to his body .
The voice cast also includes Questlove , Daveed Diggs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to open in theaters in June , but that date was postponed until November because of the coronavirus pandemic .
News that the film would bypass a theatrical release in favor of a streaming debut was announced after several other movies ' releases -- including No Time to Die , West Side Story and Dune -- were delayed until next year .
It also comes after CineWorld said it would close indefinitely hundreds of cinemas in Britain and United States due to a lack of new content from studios that might lure moviegoers @ @ @ @

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Jamie Foxx's "Soul" is set to debut on Disney+ on Dec. 25. File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The animated movie Soul, with a voice cast led by Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx, is set to premiere on Disney+ on Dec. 25, the streaming service announced Thursday. Foxx plays Joe Gardner, an aspiring jazz musician and middle school band teacher whose soul is separated from his body right before his big break. Advertisement
Joe receives help from a fellow soul named 22, voiced by Tina Fey, as he desperately attempts to return to his body.
The voice cast also includes Questlove, Daveed Diggs and Phylicia Rashad.
Pete Docter and Kemp Powers directed the film.
Soul was initially set to open in theaters in June, but that date was postponed until November because of the coronavirus pandemic.
News that the film would bypass a theatrical release in favor of a streaming debut was announced after several other movies' releases -- including No Time to Die, West Side Story and Dune -- were delayed until next year.
It also comes after CineWorld said it would close indefinitely hundreds of cinemas in Britain and United States due to a lack of new content from studios that might lure moviegoers back to theaters.


upi--2020-10-08--Attendees at Rose Garden ceremony urged to get tested for COVID-19

Oct. 8 ( UPI ) -- Wahington , D.C. 's health department and nine other localities on Thursday called on people who attended a Sept. 26 event at the Rose Garden and others close to the White House to get tested for COVID-19 .
The health department and officials from the neighboring states of Maryland and Virginia sent a letter urging anyone who has worked in the White House in the past two weeks , attended the event announcing Amy Coney Barrett 's nomination to the Supreme Court and/or have come in close contact with either of the other two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for information on testing and the potential need to quarantine .
`` Given the growing numbers of positive COVID cases reported from staff working in and near the White House , people who attended the event hosted by the White House on Saturday , Sept. 26 , 2020 , and our preliminary understanding that there has been limited contact tracing performed to date there may be other staff and residents at risk for exposure to COVID positive individuals , '' the letter states .
At least seven people who attended the Rose Garden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including President Donald Trump , first lady Melania Trump , University of Notre Dame President the Rev .
John Jenkins , former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway and Republican Sens .
Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tills of North Carolina .
Trump 's campaign manager , Bill Stepien , former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie , Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany , three of McEnany 's deputies and White House senior advisor Stephen Miller have also all tested positive .
President Trump was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center on Monday after three days of treatment from COVID-19 and returned to the Oval Office on Wednesday .
Trump 's physician , Dr. Sean Conley , in an update Thursday said the president had `` completed his course of therapy for COVID-19 '' as prescribed by his physicians .
`` Since returning home , his physical exam has remained stable and devoid of any indications to suggest progression of illness , '' Conley said .
Conley also noted that Saturday would mark 10 days since Trump 's diagnosis last week , stating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe return to public engagements in that time . ''
The president 's return to work after testing positive has caused concern about further spread at the White House with other top advisers reportedly leaving to quarantine at home after testing positive or as a precaution to avoid contracting the virus .
On Thursday , Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell , 78 , said he had not returned to the White House in just over two months citing its handling of the coronavirus .
`` I actually have n't been to the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impression was their approach to handle this was different than mine and what I insisted that we do in the Senate , which is to wear a mask and practice social distancing , '' he said .
McConnell added that he still holds regular phone conversations with Trump .

Washington, D.C.'s health department sent a letter on Thursday urging attendees to the Sept. 29 announcement of Amy Coney Barrett at the Rose Garden and others close to the White House to get tested for COVID-19. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Wahington, D.C.'s health department and nine other localities on Thursday called on people who attended a Sept. 26 event at the Rose Garden and others close to the White House to get tested for COVID-19. The health department and officials from the neighboring states of Maryland and Virginia sent a letter urging anyone who has worked in the White House in the past two weeks, attended the event announcing Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the Supreme Court and/or have come in close contact with either of the other two groups to contact their local health departments for information on testing and the potential need to quarantine. Advertisement
"Given the growing numbers of positive COVID cases reported from staff working in and near the White House, people who attended the event hosted by the White House on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, and our preliminary understanding that there has been limited contact tracing performed to date there may be other staff and residents at risk for exposure to COVID positive individuals," the letter states.
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At least seven people who attended the Rose Garden ceremony have tested positive for COVID-18, including President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, University of Notre Dame President the Rev. John Jenkins, former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway and Republican Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tills of North Carolina.
Trump's campaign manager, Bill Stepien, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, three of McEnany's deputies and White House senior advisor Stephen Miller have also all tested positive.
President Trump was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Monday after three days of treatment from COVID-19 and returned to the Oval Office on Wednesday.
Trump's physician, Dr. Sean Conley, in an update Thursday said the president had "completed his course of therapy for COVID-19" as prescribed by his physicians.
"Since returning home, his physical exam has remained stable and devoid of any indications to suggest progression of illness," Conley said.
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Conley also noted that Saturday would mark 10 days since Trump's diagnosis last week, stating he fully anticipates "the president's safe return to public engagements in that time."
The president's return to work after testing positive has caused concern about further spread at the White House with other top advisers reportedly leaving to quarantine at home after testing positive or as a precaution to avoid contracting the virus.
On Thursday, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, 78, said he had not returned to the White House in just over two months citing its handling of the coronavirus.
"I actually haven't been to the White House since August the 6th because my impression was their approach to handle this was different than mine and what I insisted that we do in the Senate, which is to wear a mask and practice social distancing," he said.
McConnell added that he still holds regular phone conversations with Trump.
Scenes from the White House as coronavirus hot spot


upi--2020-10-08--Chargers rookie QB Justin Herbert named starter for rest of season

Oct. 8 ( UPI ) -- Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn on Thursday named rookie quarterback Justin Herbert the team 's starter for the remainder of the season .
Lynn previously said that Tyrod Taylor , who was sidelined after a team doctor accidentally punctured his lung while administering a painkilling injection , would retain his starting job when he returned to full health .
But after Herbert 's strong performances over the past three weeks , Lynn reversed course and will move forward with the rookie signal-caller .
`` He impressed from the very beginning , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This young man is going to continue to get better and I know we can win with him .
I believe that .
`` I did n't take that decision lightly .
It 's not a decision where he 's going to be looking over his shoulder .
...
He 's our quarterback . ''
Lynn told reporters Thursday that Taylor did n't take the decision well , noting that `` he 's a competitor . ''
But the coach believes Taylor will continue to mentor the younger Herbert this season .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- the No .
6 overall pick in this year 's NFL Draft -- has completed 72 % of his passes for 931 yards , five touchdowns and three interceptions .
He has added 12 carries for 47 yards and one rushing score .
Taylor , 31 , completed 53.3 % of his throws for 208 yards in one start this season .
Herbert 's next start will be his first on Monday Night Football , coming against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome .

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn (pictured) previously said that Tyrod Taylor would retain his starting job when he returned to full health. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn on Thursday named rookie quarterback Justin Herbert the team's starter for the remainder of the season. Lynn previously said that Tyrod Taylor, who was sidelined after a team doctor accidentally punctured his lung while administering a painkilling injection, would retain his starting job when he returned to full health. But after Herbert's strong performances over the past three weeks, Lynn reversed course and will move forward with the rookie signal-caller. Advertisement
"He impressed from the very beginning," Lynn said of the 22-year-old Herbert. "This young man is going to continue to get better and I know we can win with him. I believe that.
"I didn't take that decision lightly. It's not a decision where he's going to be looking over his shoulder. ... He's our quarterback."
Lynn told reporters Thursday that Taylor didn't take the decision well, noting that "he's a competitor." But the coach believes Taylor will continue to mentor the younger Herbert this season.
In three games this season, Herbert -- the No. 6 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft -- has completed 72% of his passes for 931 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. He has added 12 carries for 47 yards and one rushing score.
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Taylor, 31, completed 53.3% of his throws for 208 yards in one start this season.
Herbert's next start will be his first on Monday Night Football, coming against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-10-08--Gilead Sciences to sell Europe 500,000 doses of remdesivir

Oct. 8 ( UPI ) -- Gilead Sciences announced Thursday that it 's selling 500,000 doses of remdesivir to European countries as many experience a spike in cases of COVID-19 .
The company , which produces the antiviral under the name Veklury , said it reached a deal allowing the European Commission to purchase the drug for 36 countries over the next six months .
Gilead says it ramped up its production of remdesivir in recent months after studies indicated it showed shortened recovery times for some coronavirus patients .
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration took control of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving it emergency approval for COVID-19 treatment .
Gilead resumed control of distribution earlier this month .
The company said it 's on track to produce more than 2 million treatment courses of the drug this year .
`` Supply of Veklury is expected to meet global demand by the end of this month , enabling the purchase of Veklury both to treat patients and to support national stockpiling of the medicine for current and future surges of COVID-19 , '' the company said in a statement .
Clinical results for the antiviral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases study published Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine said treatment with remdesivir shortened recovery time by five days compared to a placebo , and reduced mortality by 70 % at Day 29 in patients with low-flow oxygen .
Another study in August showed the drug does n't improve outcomes in people hospitalized with moderate pneumonia caused by COVID-19 .
Researched published last month showed that remdesivir administered in combination with baricitinib -- treatment for rheumatoid arthritis -- can reduce the recovery time for people with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just the antiviral .
Originally developed to treat Ebola virus , remdesivir works by slowing the production of enzymes that play a key role in the replication of viruses , including coronaviruses , according to Gilead Sciences .
President Donald Trump received remdesivir as part of his own treatment for COVID-19 .

Gilead Sciences said it's on track to produce more than 2 million treatment courses of remdesivir this year. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Gilead Sciences announced Thursday that it's selling 500,000 doses of remdesivir to European countries as many experience a spike in cases of COVID-19. The company, which produces the antiviral under the name Veklury, said it reached a deal allowing the European Commission to purchase the drug for 36 countries over the next six months. Advertisement
Gilead says it ramped up its production of remdesivir in recent months after studies indicated it showed shortened recovery times for some coronavirus patients. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration took control of the distribution of the drug in May after giving it emergency approval for COVID-19 treatment.
Gilead resumed control of distribution earlier this month. The company said it's on track to produce more than 2 million treatment courses of the drug this year.
"Supply of Veklury is expected to meet global demand by the end of this month, enabling the purchase of Veklury both to treat patients and to support national stockpiling of the medicine for current and future surges of COVID-19," the company said in a statement.
Clinical results for the antiviral have been mixed. A new National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases study published Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine said treatment with remdesivir shortened recovery time by five days compared to a placebo, and reduced mortality by 70% at Day 29 in patients with low-flow oxygen.
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Another study in August showed the drug doesn't improve outcomes in people hospitalized with moderate pneumonia caused by COVID-19.
Researched published last month showed that remdesivir administered in combination with baricitinib -- treatment for rheumatoid arthritis -- can reduce the recovery time for people with COVID-19 when compared to people treated with just the antiviral.
Originally developed to treat Ebola virus, remdesivir works by slowing the production of enzymes that play a key role in the replication of viruses, including coronaviruses, according to Gilead Sciences.
President Donald Trump received remdesivir as part of his own treatment for COVID-19.


upi--2020-10-08--Study: New bedside test means faster diagnosis, treatment of COVID-19

Oct. 8 ( UPI ) -- A rapid , bedside test for COVID-19 delivers results in less than two hours , meaning that appropriate treatment can be initiated earlier for those already hospitalized because of their symptoms , according to a study published Thursday by The Lancet Respiratory Medicine .
The standard COVID-19 test uses polymerase chain reaction , or PCR , technology , which amplifies small samples of DNA in order to identify the presence of virus in samples taken from an infected person 's nose or throat .
The PCR test requires samples to be sent to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , typically takes more than 20 hours to produce results , the researchers said .
The enhanced speed of the bedside , or `` point-of-care '' tests , also means patients infected with the new coronavirus can be isolated earlier , reducing the risk for transmission to other patients and healthcare workers .
`` Our findings are the first to suggest the clinical benefits of molecular point-of-care COVID-19 testing in hospitals , demonstrating reduced delays , bed moves and time in assessment areas , which all lead to better infection control , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Southampton General Hospital in England , said in a statement .
`` We believe that [ these ] molecular [ tests ] should be urgently integrated ... to reduce coronavirus transmission within hospitals to prevent the next wave of the pandemic overwhelming health services around the world , '' Clark said .
Since the start of the global pandemic in March , healthcare systems worldwide have relied on PCR testing of patient samples in centralized hospital laboratories , an approach that is accurate , but also lengthy and resource intensive , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer time it takes to generate results with PCR testing means that patients often wait in mixed assessment rooms to be admitted to the correct COVID-19 or non-COVID ward , increasing the possibility of transmission , the researchers said .
However , with point-of-care tests , nasal and throat swab samples are collected and placed into small cartridges for analysis .
Unlike PCR tests , which require specially trained lab personnel , the bedside tests can be performed by healthcare workers in the emergency room or other assessment area , they said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleagues evaluated the QIA-stat-Dx point-of-care testing platform , manufactured by Dutch firm Qiagen , in 1,054 adults with COVID-19 symptoms being assessed in the acute medical unit and emergency department of Southampton General Hospital between March 20 and April 29 .
Nose and throat swabs were taken from all patients and tested for COVID-19 infection , with 499 patients evaluated using the QIA-stat-Dx , while the rest were assessed using only PCR testing .
All test results were confirmed using the standard PCR approach as well , the researchers said .
Among those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 39 % , were found to be positive for COVID-19 , while 155 , or 28 % , of those evaluated by only PCR were positive for the virus , the data showed .
The point-of-care test produced results in roughly 1.7 hours on average , while PCR evaluation took approximately 21.3 hours per patient , according to the researchers .
After testing , patients were transferred to definitive COVID-positive or negative wards , a process that took eight hours in the QIA-stat-Dx group and 28.8 hours in the PCR-only group , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , approximately 14 % of patients were transferred directly to the correct ward immediately and bypassed the assessment area , they said .
In addition , the point-of-care test was found to be more than 99 % accurate at correctly identifying those positive for the virus , according to the researchers .
Most of the patients found to have COVID-19 in the study were recruited into a separate clinical trial evaluating treatments for the virus , with those evaluated with QIA-stat-Dx enrolled in the second study two days faster , on average , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the researchers said .
`` Recruiting patients into clinical trials remains an international priority throughout this pandemic and is vital to accelerating the search for effective treatments , '' Clark said .
`` This is especially true when researchers are investigating the potential of antivirals , which have to be administered at early disease stages to have the greatest benefit , '' he said .

The QIA-stat-Dx point-of-care testing platform could significantly speed care decisions at hospitals with quick diagnosis, researchers say. Photo courtesy of Qiagen
Oct. 8 (UPI) -- A rapid, bedside test for COVID-19 delivers results in less than two hours, meaning that appropriate treatment can be initiated earlier for those already hospitalized because of their symptoms, according to a study published Thursday by The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. The standard COVID-19 test uses polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, technology, which amplifies small samples of DNA in order to identify the presence of virus in samples taken from an infected person's nose or throat. Advertisement
The PCR test requires samples to be sent to a centralized lab within the hospital for processing, typically takes more than 20 hours to produce results, the researchers said.
The enhanced speed of the bedside, or "point-of-care" tests, also means patients infected with the new coronavirus can be isolated earlier, reducing the risk for transmission to other patients and healthcare workers.
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"Our findings are the first to suggest the clinical benefits of molecular point-of-care COVID-19 testing in hospitals, demonstrating reduced delays, bed moves and time in assessment areas, which all lead to better infection control," study co-author Dr. Tristan William Clark, of Southampton General Hospital in England, said in a statement.
"We believe that [these] molecular [tests] should be urgently integrated ... to reduce coronavirus transmission within hospitals to prevent the next wave of the pandemic overwhelming health services around the world," Clark said.
Since the start of the global pandemic in March, healthcare systems worldwide have relied on PCR testing of patient samples in centralized hospital laboratories, an approach that is accurate, but also lengthy and resource intensive, according to Clark and his colleagues.
The longer time it takes to generate results with PCR testing means that patients often wait in mixed assessment rooms to be admitted to the correct COVID-19 or non-COVID ward, increasing the possibility of transmission, the researchers said.
However, with point-of-care tests, nasal and throat swab samples are collected and placed into small cartridges for analysis. Unlike PCR tests, which require specially trained lab personnel, the bedside tests can be performed by healthcare workers in the emergency room or other assessment area, they said.
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For this study, Clark and his colleagues evaluated the QIA-stat-Dx point-of-care testing platform, manufactured by Dutch firm Qiagen, in 1,054 adults with COVID-19 symptoms being assessed in the acute medical unit and emergency department of Southampton General Hospital between March 20 and April 29.
Nose and throat swabs were taken from all patients and tested for COVID-19 infection, with 499 patients evaluated using the QIA-stat-Dx, while the rest were assessed using only PCR testing. All test results were confirmed using the standard PCR approach as well, the researchers said.
Among those tested with QIA-stat-Dx, 197, or 39%, were found to be positive for COVID-19, while 155, or 28%, of those evaluated by only PCR were positive for the virus, the data showed.
The point-of-care test produced results in roughly 1.7 hours on average, while PCR evaluation took approximately 21.3 hours per patient, according to the researchers.
After testing, patients were transferred to definitive COVID-positive or negative wards, a process that took eight hours in the QIA-stat-Dx group and 28.8 hours in the PCR-only group, the researchers said.
With the bedside testing, approximately 14% of patients were transferred directly to the correct ward immediately and bypassed the assessment area, they said.
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In addition, the point-of-care test was found to be more than 99% accurate at correctly identifying those positive for the virus, according to the researchers.
Most of the patients found to have COVID-19 in the study were recruited into a separate clinical trial evaluating treatments for the virus, with those evaluated with QIA-stat-Dx enrolled in the second study two days faster, on average, than those assessed by PCR only, the researchers said.
"Recruiting patients into clinical trials remains an international priority throughout this pandemic and is vital to accelerating the search for effective treatments," Clark said.
"This is especially true when researchers are investigating the potential of antivirals, which have to be administered at early disease stages to have the greatest benefit," he said.


upi--2020-10-08--U.S. Supreme Court denies request to block Montana mail-in ballots

Oct. 8 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday denied a request from Republicans in Montana to block the state from issuing mail-in ballots to all registered voters .
Justice Elena Kagan denied the challenge of a directive by Democratic Gov .
Steve Bullock suspending the state 's ban on mail-in ballots and allowing counties to choose whether to use mail-in ballots in response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Kagan denied the request without calling for a response from Bullock or choosing to refer the request to the full court .
President Donald Trump 's re-election campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleging Bullock 's order was unconstitutional .
The challenge stated that the Constitution 's elections clause allows state legislatures to determine the `` manner '' by which an election is carried out .
They also argued Bullock 's order infringed on voters ' rights by creating risk that votes will be diluted by illegal ballots or that votes may not be counted as election officials deal with a surge of mail ballots .
A federal district court in Montana rejected the challengers ' lawsuit and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the order amid the appeals process .
A study by Stanford University 's Democracy and Polarization Lab in April found that mail-in voting does n't favor one political party over another , nor does it invite more frequent incidents of fraud .
A Gallup poll released in April indicated that 70 % of Americans favor allowing all registered voters to vote by mail .

The U.S. Supreme Court blocked a request by Republicans to block Montana Gov. Steve Bullock's order allowing counties to send mail-in ballots in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. File Photo by Pete Marovich/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday denied a request from Republicans in Montana to block the state from issuing mail-in ballots to all registered voters. Justice Elena Kagan denied the challenge of a directive by Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock suspending the state's ban on mail-in ballots and allowing counties to choose whether to use mail-in ballots in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement
Kagan denied the request without calling for a response from Bullock or choosing to refer the request to the full court.
President Donald Trump's re-election campaign and various Republican groups filed a lawsuit alleging Bullock's order was unconstitutional.
The challenge stated that the Constitution's elections clause allows state legislatures to determine the "manner" by which an election is carried out.
They also argued Bullock's order infringed on voters' rights by creating risk that votes will be diluted by illegal ballots or that votes may not be counted as election officials deal with a surge of mail ballots.
A federal district court in Montana rejected the challengers' lawsuit and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit denied a request to temporarily block the order amid the appeals process.
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A study by Stanford University's Democracy and Polarization Lab in April found that mail-in voting doesn't favor one political party over another, nor does it invite more frequent incidents of fraud.
A Gallup poll released in April indicated that 70% of Americans favor allowing all registered voters to vote by mail.


upi--2020-10-08--U.S. space mining policies may trigger regulatory 'race to the bottom,' scientists warn

Oct. 8 ( UPI ) -- In a newly published policy paper , a pair of Canadian scientists warn that the United States is angling to establish itself as the de facto gatekeeper of the moon and other celestial bodies .
Earlier this year , NASA published a new set of rules for lunar mining and other space activities , dubbing the voluntary guidelines the `` Artemis Accords . ''
Aaron Boley and Michael Byers , authors of the new Science paper , argue that the Artemis Accords are part of a concerted effort by the U.S. and NASA to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extraction .
`` It 's not the Artemis Accords alone that are problematic , '' Michael Byers , professor of global politics and international law at the University of British Columbia , told UPI in an email .
`` Rather , it 's the ongoing and concerted U.S. diplomatic effort to promote national regulation of space mining and to proceed with resource extraction before a multilateral agreement has been negotiated . ''
In 2015 , Congress passed the Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act , which allowed U.S. citizens and companies to `` engage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ space resources . ''
Last month , NASA said it plans to buy lunar soil from a commercial company .
`` We are buying the regolith , but we 're doing it really to demonstrate that it can be done , that the resources extracted from the moon are in fact owned by the people who invest their sweat , and their treasure , and their equity into that effort , '' NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said during a virtual presentation in September .
Byers and his co-author Boler , professor of astronomy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Columbia , see the succession of legislative and policy moves by the United States as an attempt to establish national regulation of space mining .
`` The current U.S. approach to space mining emphasizes national regulation and rejects space as being a 'global commons , ' '' Byers told UPI .
`` The result could be inconsistent national laws , a regulatory 'race to the bottom ' and even 'flags of convenience ' as nations compete to attract space mining companies . ''
Without international standards and an independent system of monitoring , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by one nation begets bad behavior by another .
The paper 's authors suggest bilateral agreements like the Artemis Accords could imperil efforts to forge future international space agreements .
`` A better alternative would be to negotiate a multilateral agreement , and to do so now , rather than seeking to set precedents through unilateral and bilateral actions , '' Byers said .
Byers and Boler would like to see a multilateral approach to space resource management .
The authors point to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The key is to have solid science , open information sharing , alternative technologies , and cooperation among actors , '' Byers said .
`` An international framework will set the standards and provide the required transparency .
It will also give a voice to nations that can not operate in space now , but will in the future .
Scientists , engineers , and industry can do the rest . ''
While the Montreal Protocol has enjoyed considerable success in shrinking the hole in the ozone layer , the fight to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't a precise corollary for regulating space mining .
`` Many in the U.S. space industry would disagree with the idea that we need an international , multi-lateral treaty to move forward with space mining , '' Alex Gilbert , research fellow at the Payne Institute at the Colorado School of Mines , told UPI in an email .
`` There is no evidence that a multilateral or global treaty would be more effective than the approach the United States is taking . ''
Rather than the Montreal Protocol , Gilbert points to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sea -- not as an ideal model but as an example of a multinational agreement gone wrong .
The United States declined to sign the law because it requires participation in an international profit sharing mechanism .
`` The administration of UNCLOS deep sea mining regime leaves much to be desired -- commercial extraction has yet to take place , the profit sharing mechanism is not clearly established , and it is unclear whether there will be sufficient levels of environmental protection , '' Gilbert said .
`` Most deep seabed mining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective governance it is not clear that that system is more effective than alternatives . ''
To date , attempts to establish a multinational space mining regulatory regime have faltered , and Gilbert suggests bilateral agreements like the Artemis Accords can serve as a stepping stone to a multinational space governance regime .
`` The U.S. is uniquely suited to be a leader on space mining policy and space policy more broadly , '' Gilbert said .
`` It is currently engaged with space partners around the globe and its efforts are making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
International accords are difficult to negotiate but the U.S. approach is well suited to developing an iterative , collaborative and international process . ''

While the United States has set up national regulations and bilateral commercial space agreements, some experts suggest an international agreement -- akin to the Montreal Protocol that limited CFC usage -- could better guide the eventual commercialization of space and the moon. Photo by NOAA | License Photo
Oct. 8 (UPI) -- In a newly published policy paper, a pair of Canadian scientists warn that the United States is angling to establish itself as the de facto gatekeeper of the moon and other celestial bodies. Earlier this year, NASA published a new set of rules for lunar mining and other space activities, dubbing the voluntary guidelines the "Artemis Accords." Advertisement
Aaron Boley and Michael Byers, authors of the new Science paper, argue that the Artemis Accords are part of a concerted effort by the U.S. and NASA to set a legal precedent for space-based resource extraction.
"It's not the Artemis Accords alone that are problematic," Michael Byers, professor of global politics and international law at the University of British Columbia, told UPI in an email. "Rather, it's the ongoing and concerted U.S. diplomatic effort to promote national regulation of space mining and to proceed with resource extraction before a multilateral agreement has been negotiated."
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In 2015, Congress passed the Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act, which allowed U.S. citizens and companies to "engage in the commercial exploration and exploitation of space resources."
Last month, NASA said it plans to buy lunar soil from a commercial company.
"We are buying the regolith, but we're doing it really to demonstrate that it can be done, that the resources extracted from the moon are in fact owned by the people who invest their sweat, and their treasure, and their equity into that effort," NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said during a virtual presentation in September.
Byers and his co-author Boley, professor of astronomy and physics at the University of British Columbia, see the succession of legislative and policy moves by the United States as an attempt to establish national regulation of space mining.
"The current U.S. approach to space mining emphasizes national regulation and rejects space as being a 'global commons,'" Byers told UPI. "The result could be inconsistent national laws, a regulatory 'race to the bottom' and even 'flags of convenience' as nations compete to attract space mining companies."
Without international standards and an independent system of monitoring, Byers and Boley argue, bad behavior by one nation begets bad behavior by another. The paper's authors suggest bilateral agreements like the Artemis Accords could imperil efforts to forge future international space agreements.
Advertisement
"A better alternative would be to negotiate a multilateral agreement, and to do so now, rather than seeking to set precedents through unilateral and bilateral actions," Byers said.
Byers and Boley would like to see a multilateral approach to space resource management. The authors point to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer as a model for international cooperation.
"The key is to have solid science, open information sharing, alternative technologies, and cooperation among actors," Byers said. "An international framework will set the standards and provide the required transparency. It will also give a voice to nations that cannot operate in space now, but will in the future. Scientists, engineers, and industry can do the rest."
While the Montreal Protocol has enjoyed considerable success in shrinking the hole in the ozone layer, the fight to curb the release of ozone-depleting chemicals isn't a precise corollary for regulating space mining.
"Many in the U.S. space industry would disagree with the idea that we need an international, multi-lateral treaty to move forward with space mining," Alex Gilbert, research fellow at the Payne Institute at the Colorado School of Mines, told UPI in an email. "There is no evidence that a multilateral or global treaty would be more effective than the approach the United States is taking."
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Rather than the Montreal Protocol, Gilbert points to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea -- not as an ideal model but as an example of a multinational agreement gone wrong. The United States declined to sign the law because it requires participation in an international profit sharing mechanism.
"The administration of UNCLOS deep sea mining regime leaves much to be desired -- commercial extraction has yet to take place, the profit sharing mechanism is not clearly established, and it is unclear whether there will be sufficient levels of environmental protection," Gilbert said. "Most deep seabed mining leases have gone to China and without effective governance it is not clear that that system is more effective than alternatives."
To date, attempts to establish a multinational space mining regulatory regime have faltered, and Gilbert suggests bilateral agreements like the Artemis Accords can serve as a stepping stone to a multinational space governance regime.
"The U.S. is uniquely suited to be a leader on space mining policy and space policy more broadly," Gilbert said. "It is currently engaged with space partners around the globe and its efforts are making it a global leader in space policy. International accords are difficult to negotiate but the U.S. approach is well suited to developing an iterative, collaborative and international process."
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upi--2020-10-08--Congressional Budget Office: Federal deficit hit $3.1T for fiscal year 2020

Oct. 8 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. federal deficit hit a record $ 3.1 trillion at the end of the fiscal year 2020 , according to an estimate by the Congressional Budget Office released Thursday .
The CBO said that the deficit was the largest since 1945 as it represented an estimated 15.2 percent of gross domestic product , making 2020 the fifth consecutive year the deficit has increased as a percentage of GDP .
It was also three times the deficit recorded in fiscal year 2019 , with revenues dropping 1 % and outlays rising 47 % in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday 's estimate is based on statements from the Treasury Department , which is expected to release the actual deficit later this month .
The $ 3.1 trillion deficit is $ 180 billion smaller than the CBO 's projection in September as revenues were $ 123 billion greater and outlays were $ 56 million less than originally projected .
CBO also noted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the deficit , noting that the shortfall was 8 % larger than 2019 during the first six months of 2020 but ballooned between April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the deficit during the same period in 2019 .
The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget said Thursday that Treasury data indicates debt has reached 102 % of GDP , surpassing the size of the economy .
`` It is hard to believe we now owe a full year 's worth of output .
We were n't supposed to cross this threshold for over a decade but here we are , '' said Maya MacGuineas , president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget .
`` Debt is the size of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be larger than any time in history . ''

The Congressional Budget Office on Thursday released an estimate stating the U.S. federal deficit hit $3.1 trillion for the fiscal year 2020. File Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA-EFE
Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. federal deficit hit a record $3.1 trillion at the end of the fiscal year 2020, according to an estimate by the Congressional Budget Office released Thursday. The CBO said that the deficit was the largest since 1945 as it represented an estimated 15.2 percent of gross domestic product, making 2020 the fifth consecutive year the deficit has increased as a percentage of GDP. Advertisement
It was also three times the deficit recorded in fiscal year 2019, with revenues dropping 1% and outlays rising 47% in 2020, according to CBOs estimates.
Thursday's estimate is based on statements from the Treasury Department, which is expected to release the actual deficit later this month.
The $3.1 trillion deficit is $180 billion smaller than the CBO's projection in September as revenues were $123 billion greater and outlays were $56 million less than originally projected.
CBO also noted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the deficit, noting that the shortfall was 8% larger than 2019 during the first six months of 2020 but ballooned between April and September to eight times the size of the deficit during the same period in 2019.
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The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget said Thursday that Treasury data indicates debt has reached 102% of GDP, surpassing the size of the economy.
"It is hard to believe we now owe a full year's worth of output. We weren't supposed to cross this threshold for over a decade but here we are," said Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. "Debt is the size of the economy today and soon it will be larger than any time in history."


upi--2020-10-08--Delta regains major hurricane strength as it moves toward U.S.

Oct. 8 ( UPI ) -- Hurricane Delta strengthened into a Category 3 storm Thursday afternoon as it moved toward the U.S. Gulf Coast and was on track to make landfall somewhere in Louisiana , forecasters said .
In its 4 p.m. CDT update , the National Hurricane Center said the major hurricane was located 345 miles south of Cameron , La.
, and had maximum sustained winds of 115 mph .
It was moving northwest at 12 mph .
The NHC said in its advisory that Delta will bring hurricane conditions and life-threatening storm surge to the Gulf Coast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forecast track , the center of Delta will move over the western Gulf of Mexico this evening , over the northwestern Gulf of Mexico on Friday , and then move inland within the hurricane warning area Friday afternoon or Friday night , '' the NHC said in its advisory .
Delta is expected to strengthen again before it reaches land .
It grew to a Category 4 hurricane on Monday before weakening to Category 3 .
The storm would return to Category 3 strength -- and `` major '' hurricane status -- once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Additional strengthening is possible tonight .
Some weakening is possible as Delta approaches the northern Gulf coast on Friday , with rapid weakening expected after the center moves inland , '' the NHC noted .
Forecasters also said the storm system could produce a few tornadoes late Thursday and early Friday over southern parts of Louisiana and Mississippi .
The government issued a hurricane warning for High Island , Texas , east to Morgan City , La .
; a storm surge warning from High Island to Ocean Springs , Miss .
; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Island west to Sargent , Texas , Morgan City east to the mouth of Pearl River , and Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas .
There was a tropical storm watch in effect from the Pear River to Bay St. Louis , Miss .
Delta is expected to be the third hurricane to hit the U.S. Gulf Coast in recent weeks .
Hurricanes Laura and Sally made landfall between eastern Texas and the Florida panhandle in September .

Delta was expected to remain a tropical depression through Monday morning. Photo courtesy of NOAA
Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Delta weakened to a tropical depression as it pushed into Mississippi on Saturday, forecasters said. In its 10 a.m. CDT update, the National Hurricane Center said the hurricane had 35 mph maximum sustained winds. The eye was located 65 miles north-northwest of Jackson, Miss., and was moving northeast at 16 mph. Advertisement
The eye of the storm was close to Mississippi's border with Louisiana and Arkansas.
"On the forecast track, the center of Delta should move across western and northern Mississippi today and into the Tennessee Valley tonight and Sunday," the NHC said in its advisory.
It's expected to remain a depression through Monday morning, when it'll be situated over Ohio.
Delta had previously been projected to make landfall somewhere between far eastern Texas and western Mississippi, a region that has been threatened twice this year by hurricanes -- Laura and Sally, both in September.
The track narrowed late Thursday and early Friday as Delta neared the U.S. Gulf Coast. The storm made landfall in Creole, La., around 6 p.m. Friday.
Delta exploded into a Category 4 hurricane on Monday before gradually weakening. On Tuesday, its intensification was the most extreme in 15 years for an October hurricane.
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Delta also set a speed record for strengthening from a depression to a Category 4 hurricane, just over 36 hours, surpassing Keith from 2000 -- and strengthened into the second-most intense hurricane of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season on Tuesday. The only storm to become stronger this season was Hurricane Laura, which packed peak winds of 150 mph.


upi--2020-10-08--Senators push Turkey sanctions after S-400 allegedly used to detect Greek F-16s

Oct. 8 ( UPI ) -- Two U.S. senators have urged that the State Department sanction Turkey for purchase of the S-400 after an unconfirmed report that Turkey used the system to track a U.S. made F-16 .
U.S .
Senators Chris Van Hollen , D-Md.
, and James Lankford , R-Okla. , on Wednesday sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging him to sanction Turkey and demanding answers based on the report .
An unconfirmed report in Greek media prompted the letter , Stars and Stripes reported .
Greek news website ekathimerini.com reported Monday of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surface-to air-missile launcher system radars to track U.S. made , Greek F-16 fighter jets as they returned from a Eunomia military exercise in August .
And it prompted Pompeo to visit Greece last month .
However , Bloomberg reported Tuesday that Turkey is still getting ready to test components of the S-400 missile defense system it purchased from Russia next week and is n't activating the batteries .
Ankara agreed to purchase the two batteries of the S-400 , which is Russia 's long-range anti-aircraft missile system , in a $ 2.5 dillion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but Washington has not yet imposed sanctions against Turkey under the Countering America 's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act .
`` Reports of this activation make clear that Turkey has no intention of reversing course and divesting of this system , '' Van Hollen and Lankford said in their letter to Pompeo .
`` Additionally , the slow pace at which the Department of Defense is moving to remove Turkey from the F-35 supply chain has no doubt emboldened President Erdogan , '' the senators wrote .
`` Turkey 's recent reported activation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ F-16 underscores our grave concerns about Russia 's ability to access sensitive data . ''
Along with urging Pompeo to impose sanctions , the two U.S. senators added that they wanted answers related to the following three questions about Turkey 's reported use of the S-400 by Oct. 14 .
Van Hollen expect to learn whether Turkey activated the S-400 to detect F-16 fighter jets returning from the Eunomia exercise , whether Turkey integrated Link 16 -- NATO 's tactical data link -- into the S-400 system and , if they did , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information on NATO allies .

An S-400 missile system, similar to those purchased by Turkey last year, is shown in Moscow. File Photo courtesy UNMNICK/ Wikimedia Commons
Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Two U.S. senators have urged that the State Department sanction Turkey for purchase of the S-400 after an unconfirmed report that Turkey used the system to track a U.S. made F-16. U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and James Lankford, R-Okla., on Wednesday sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging him to sanction Turkey and demanding answers based on the report. Advertisement
An unconfirmed report in Greek media prompted the letter, Stars and Stripes reported.
Greek news website ekathimerini.com reported Monday of indications that Turkey had activated the S-400 surface-to air-missile launcher system radars to track U.S. made, Greek F-16 fighter jets as they returned from a Eunomia military exercise in August. And it prompted Pompeo to visit Greece last month.
However, Bloomberg reported Tuesday that Turkey is still getting ready to test components of the S-400 missile defense system it purchased from Russia next week and isn't activating the batteries.
Ankara agreed to purchase the two batteries of the S-400, which is Russia's long-range anti-aircraft missile system, in a $2.5 dillion deal with Moscow in December 2017, but Washington has not yet imposed sanctions against Turkey under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.
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"Reports of this activation make clear that Turkey has no intention of reversing course and divesting of this system," Van Hollen and Lankford said in their letter to Pompeo.
"Additionally, the slow pace at which the Department of Defense is moving to remove Turkey from the F-35 supply chain has no doubt emboldened President Erdogan," the senators wrote. "Turkey's recent reported activation of the S-400 system to detect the U.S. F-16 underscores our grave concerns about Russia's ability to access sensitive data."
Along with urging Pompeo to impose sanctions, the two U.S. senators added that they wanted answers related to the following three questions about Turkey's reported use of the S-400 by Oct. 14.
Van Hollen expect to learn whether Turkey activated the S-400 to detect F-16 fighter jets returning from the Eunomia exercise, whether Turkey integrated Link 16 -- NATO's tactical data link -- into the S-400 system and, if they did, whether the integration enable Russia to gather information on NATO allies.


upi--2020-10-08--Man wins $50,000 after using same lottery numbers for two decades

Oct. 8 ( UPI ) -- A Maryland man who has been using the same set of numbers to play the state lottery 's Bonus Match 5 drawing for nearly two decades had his patience rewarded with a $ 50,000 jackpot .
The 58-year-old Churchton , Anne Arundel County , man told Maryland Lottery officials he plays the same numbers in Bonus Match 5 every week , and in the past they have won him smaller prizes of up to $ 840 .
The man said he knew his strategy had paid off when he checked the numbers the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they matched the ticket he bought from Parks Drive-in Liquors in Deale .
`` I looked at it , saw a few matching numbers and figured I had won $ 15 , '' the winner recalled .
`` When I saw the rest of the numbers , I knew it had happened . ''
The ticket matched all five numbers , earning a $ 50,000 jackpot .
The man said he is making plans for his winnings .
`` We have always had this running joke .
I play my Lottery games and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can pay off her car , '' the winner said .
He said he is also considering getting a better fishing boat and a larger truck to tow it .

A Churchton, Maryland, man said the numbers that won him a $50,000 jackpot from the state lottery's Bonus Match 5 game are the same numbers he has used every week for nearly two decades. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Oct. 8 (UPI) -- A Maryland man who has been using the same set of numbers to play the state lottery's Bonus Match 5 drawing for nearly two decades had his patience rewarded with a $50,000 jackpot. The 58-year-old Churchton, Anne Arundel County, man told Maryland Lottery officials he plays the same numbers in Bonus Match 5 every week, and in the past they have won him smaller prizes of up to $840. Advertisement
The man said he knew his strategy had paid off when he checked the numbers the day after the Sept. 23 drawing and knew they matched the ticket he bought from Parks Drive-in Liquors in Deale.
"I looked at it, saw a few matching numbers and figured I had won $15," the winner recalled. "When I saw the rest of the numbers, I knew it had happened."
The ticket matched all five numbers, earning a $50,000 jackpot.
The man said he is making plans for his winnings.
"We have always had this running joke. I play my Lottery games and my wife always says if I win I can pay off her car," the winner said.
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He said he is also considering getting a better fishing boat and a larger truck to tow it.


upi--2020-10-08--Facebook removes hundreds of fake accounts linked to Turning Point

Oct. 8 ( UPI ) -- Facebook announced Thursday that it removed hundreds of fake accounts linked to an organization for young conservatives .
The social media company said Rally Force , a marketing company , worked with Turning Point USA , a non-profit for conservative students , to create some 200 fake accounts and 55 fake pages on Facebook , and 76 fake accounts on Instagram .
Nathaniel Gleicher , Facebook 's head of security policy , said Rally Force then used those accounts and pages to post criticisms of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and offer support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also used the accounts to comment on pages and posts by major U.S. news organizations .
`` Many of these accounts used stock profile photos and posed as right-leaning individuals from across the U.S .
In 2018 , some of these accounts posed as left-leaning individuals to comment on content as well , '' Gleicher wrote in a blog post .
The fake accounts commented on issues including sport hunting , the 2018 midterm elections , the 2020 presidential election and the COVID-19 pandemic .
Turning Point USA said Rally Forge worked with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turning Point Action .
`` Turning Point Action works hard to operate within social platforms ' [ terms of service ] on all of its projects and communications and we hope to work closely with FB to rectify any misunderstanding , '' Turning Point Action said in a statement to CNN .

Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Facebook announced Thursday that it removed hundreds of fake accounts linked to an organization for young conservatives.
The social media company said Rally Force, a marketing company, worked with Turning Point USA, a non-profit for conservative students, to create some 200 fake accounts and 55 fake pages on Facebook, and 76 fake accounts on Instagram.
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Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook's head of security policy, said Rally Force then used those accounts and pages to post criticisms of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and offer support for President Donald Trump. The marketing company also used the accounts to comment on pages and posts by major U.S. news organizations.
"Many of these accounts used stock profile photos and posed as right-leaning individuals from across the U.S. In 2018, some of these accounts posed as left-leaning individuals to comment on content as well," Gleicher wrote in a blog post.
The fake accounts commented on issues including sport hunting, the 2018 midterm elections, the 2020 presidential election and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Turning Point USA said Rally Forge worked with a separate but affiliated legal entity called Turning Point Action.
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"Turning Point Action works hard to operate within social platforms' [terms of service] on all of its projects and communications and we hope to work closely with FB to rectify any misunderstanding," Turning Point Action said in a statement to CNN.


upi--2020-10-08--Watch: Tennessee teenager's homemade fusion reactor lands Guinness record

Oct. 8 ( UPI ) -- A Tennessee boy is being honored by Guinness World Records for an unusual accomplishment @ @ @ @ @ hours before his 13th birthday .
Jackson Oswalt , now 15 , of Memphis was @ @ @ @ @ world 's youngest person to achieve nuclear fusion after officials verified that he built his @ @ @ @ @ his family 's home and successfully used it in his final hours of being 12 @ @ @ @ @ 've been able to use electricity to accelerate two atoms of deuterium together so they @ @ @ @ @ helium-3 and also release a neutron , which can be used to heat up water @ @ @ @ @ , which in turn produces electricity , '' Oswalt said .
Guinness said Oswalt 's @ @ @ @ @ be verified by Fusor.net , The Open Source Fusor Research Consortium , and fusion researcher @ @ @ @ @ a list of amateur scientists who successfully created their own homemade fusion reactors .

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Oct. 8 (UPI) -- A Tennessee boy is being honored by Guinness World Records for an unusual accomplishment: achieving nuclear fusion just hours before his 13th birthday.
Jackson Oswalt, now 15, of Memphis was dubbed by Guinness as the world's youngest person to achieve nuclear fusion after officials verified that he built his own nuclear fusion reactor at his family's home and successfully used it in his final hours of being 12 years old.
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"I've been able to use electricity to accelerate two atoms of deuterium together so they fuse into an atom of helium-3 and also release a neutron, which can be used to heat up water and turn a steam engine, which in turn produces electricity," Oswalt said.
Guinness said Oswalt's reactor and process had to be verified by Fusor.net, The Open Source Fusor Research Consortium, and fusion researcher Richard Hull, who maintains a list of amateur scientists who successfully created their own homemade fusion reactors.


upi--2020-10-08--Watch: HBO Max releases trailer for 'West Wing' reunion special

Oct. 8 ( UPI ) -- HBO Max released a trailer for A West Wing Special to Benefit When We @ @ @ @ @ special of Aaron Sorkin 's White House-based drama featuring most of the original cast in @ @ @ @ @ classic episode .
The trailer for the special , which streams Oct. 15 on HBO @ @ @ @ @ Wing stars Martin Sheen , Bradley Whitford , Allison Janney , Janel Moloney , Richard @ @ @ @ @ Dule Hill performing a staged reading of Season 3 episode `` Hartsfield 's Landing '' @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles .
This is Us star Sterling K. Brown joins the cast as Leo @ @ @ @ @ by late actor John Spencer .
The special is a benefit for When We All @ @ @ @ @ at increasing voter registration and participation .
The act breaks will feature special appearances by @ @ @ @ @ Vote co-chair Michelle Obama , former President Bill Clinton and Lin-Manuel Miranda .
Musicians W.G @ @ @ @ @ Avett Brothers are scheduled to perform during the special .

Oct. 8 (UPI) -- HBO Max released a trailer for A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote, a reunion special of Aaron Sorkin's White House-based drama featuring most of the original cast in a staged reading of a classic episode.
The trailer for the special, which streams Oct. 15 on HBO Max, features The West Wing stars Martin Sheen, Bradley Whitford, Allison Janney, Janel Moloney, Richard Schiff, Rob Lowe and Dule Hill performing a staged reading of Season 3 episode "Hartsfield's Landing" at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles.
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This is Us star Sterling K. Brown joins the cast as Leo McGarry, the role plated by late actor John Spencer.
The special is a benefit for When We All Vote, a nonprofit aimed at increasing voter registration and participation. The act breaks will feature special appearances by guests including When We All Vote co-chair Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
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Musicians W.G. Snuffy Walden and the Avett Brothers are scheduled to perform during the special.


upi--2020-10-08--FBI: Six militia members plotted to kidnap Mich. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Oct. 8 ( UPI ) -- The FBI said in court documents Thursday it thwarted a plot by armed militia members to kidnap Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer and force her to `` stand trial . ''
The governor , speaking in an afternoon news conference , called the suspects `` sick and depraved . ''
In an affidavit filed in the U.S. District Court of Western Michigan , FBI agents said six men connected to militia groups in the state plotted to `` take violent action against multiple state governments that they believe are violating the U.S. Constitution '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were identified as Adam Fox , Barry Croft , Ty Garbin , Kaleb Franks , Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta .
The affidavit was filed shortly after a team of FBI agents raided a home in Hartland Township , Mich .
Agents said the plot included recruiting hundreds of followers to storm the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing on a date before the Nov. 3 election , taking Whitmer hostage and putting her on trial for `` treason . ''
The men also discussed countering law enforcement responders with Molotov cocktails , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an informant , the FBI said some of the militia members also twice conducted surveillance at Whitmer 's vacation home in western Michigan and discussed kidnapping her there .
Whitmer offered thanks to local law enforcement and FBI agents who participated in the operation to uncover the plot .
`` When I put my hand on the Bible and took the oath of office 22 months ago , I knew this job would be hard .
But I 'll be honest , I never would have imagined anything like this , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two teenage daughters and three stepsons , my husband and I are eternally grateful to everyone who put themselves in harm 's way to keep our family safe . ''
Whitmer , a Democrat , has drawn vehement opposition from militia groups and others for instituting COVID-19 lockdown restrictions .
Armed protesters in April filled the streets around the Capitol in a demonstration opposing the measures .
They were given encouragement by President Donald Trump , who tweeted , `` Liberate Michigan . ''
`` The Governor of Michigan should give a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump tweeted on May 1 .
`` These are very good people , but they are angry .
They want their lives back again , safely !
See them , talk to them , make a deal . ''
Whitmer spoke against Trump during his Thursday news conference , saying he stoked distrust and fear when he `` refused to condemn white supremacists and hate groups like these two Michigan militias . ''
She said his comments telling the so-called Proud Boys group to `` stand back and stand by '' was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups .
`` Hatred , bigotry and violence have no place in the great state of Michigan , '' she said .
Whitmer 's anti-pandemic measures have also been opposed by Michigan 's Republican-controlled Legislature , which for months has been waging a legal battle against them .
In a landmark ruling last week , the Michigan Supreme Court ruled she violated her constitutional authority by continuing to issue orders to combat COVID-19 without the approval of state lawmakers .
`` A threat against our governor is a threat against us all , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who plotted against her and our government .
They are not patriots .
There is no honor in their actions .
They are criminals and traitors , and they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law . ''
`` As your governor , I will not stop doing everything in my power to keep you and your family safe , '' Whitmer said .
`` You do n't have to agree with me but I do ask one thing : Never forget that we are all in this together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a lot more empathy .
Let 's give one another a little grace and let 's take care of each other . ''

1/2
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has drawn opposition for her anti-pandemic measures placed in Michigan. File Photo courtesy of the Office of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The FBI said in court documents Thursday it thwarted a plot by armed militia members to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and force her to "stand trial." The governor, speaking in an afternoon news conference, called the suspects "sick and depraved." Advertisement
In an affidavit filed in the U.S. District Court of Western Michigan, FBI agents said six men connected to militia groups in the state plotted to "take violent action against multiple state governments that they believe are violating the U.S. Constitution" and to abduct Whitmer.
The defendants were identified as Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta. The affidavit was filed shortly after a team of FBI agents raided a home in Hartland Township, Mich.
Agents said the plot included recruiting hundreds of followers to storm the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing on a date before the Nov. 3 election, taking Whitmer hostage and putting her on trial for "treason."
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The men also discussed countering law enforcement responders with Molotov cocktails, the affidavit said.
Using information gathered by an informant, the FBI said some of the militia members also twice conducted surveillance at Whitmer's vacation home in western Michigan and discussed kidnapping her there.
Whitmer offered thanks to local law enforcement and FBI agents who participated in the operation to uncover the plot.
"When I put my hand on the Bible and took the oath of office 22 months ago, I knew this job would be hard. But I'll be honest, I never would have imagined anything like this," she said.
"As a mom of two teenage daughters and three stepsons, my husband and I are eternally grateful to everyone who put themselves in harm's way to keep our family safe."
Whitmer, a Democrat, has drawn vehement opposition from militia groups and others for instituting COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. Armed protesters in April filled the streets around the Capitol in a demonstration opposing the measures.
They were given encouragement by President Donald Trump, who tweeted, "Liberate Michigan."
"The Governor of Michigan should give a little, and put out the fire," Trump tweeted on May 1. "These are very good people, but they are angry. They want their lives back again, safely! See them, talk to them, make a deal."
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Whitmer spoke against Trump during his Thursday news conference, saying he stoked distrust and fear when he "refused to condemn white supremacists and hate groups like these two Michigan militias." She said his comments telling the so-called Proud Boys group to "stand back and stand by" was seen as a rallying cry to such groups.
"Hatred, bigotry and violence have no place in the great state of Michigan," she said.
Whitmer's anti-pandemic measures have also been opposed by Michigan's Republican-controlled Legislature, which for months has been waging a legal battle against them.
In a landmark ruling last week, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled she violated her constitutional authority by continuing to issue orders to combat COVID-19 without the approval of state lawmakers.
State Senate Majority leader Mike Shirkey condemned the militia members Thursday.
"A threat against our governor is a threat against us all," he tweeted. "We condemn those who plotted against her and our government. They are not patriots. There is no honor in their actions. They are criminals and traitors, and they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Whitmer said her pandemic-related orders involved making "gut-wrenching decisions."
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"As your governor, I will not stop doing everything in my power to keep you and your family safe," Whitmer said.
"You don't have to agree with me but I do ask one thing: Never forget that we are all in this together. Let's show a little kindness and a lot more empathy. Let's give one another a little grace and let's take care of each other."


upi--2020-10-08--Navy names new class of Guided Missile Frigate ships

Oct. 8 ( UPI ) -- The secretary of the Navy has announced the name of the new class of Guided Missile Frigate ships .
Navy Secretary Kenneth Braithwaite revealed USS Constellation , currently referred to as FFG 62 , as the name of the first ship in the new Guided Missile Frigate FFG ( X ) class of ships on Wednesday .
The announcement was made while aboard the second ship to bear the name , Constellation , which currently stands as a museum in Baltimore Inner Harbor , a statement said .
The name was selected in honor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress authorized in 1794 -- named United States , Constellation , Constitution , Chesapeake , Congress , and President -- which `` established the Continental Navy as an agile , lethal and ready force for the 19th century , '' according to a statement .
`` As the first in her class , these ships will now be known as the Constellation Class frigates , linking them directly to the original six frigates of our Navy , carrying on the traditions of our great service which have been passed down from generation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` While providing an unmatched capability and survivability for the 21st Century , Constellation Class Frigates will honor our Navy 's historic beginnings as we continue to operate around the world in today 's era of Great Power Competition , '' he added .
The Navy awarded Marinette Marine Corp with a $ 795.1 million contract for construction of the 10 Guided Missile Frigates earlier this year .
The new Guided Missile Frigate is intended to be the next generation of small surface combatants contributing to meeting the goal of 355 battle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multi-mission capacity to conduct air warfare , anti-submarine warfare , surface warfare , electronic warfare and information operations .
The vessels include Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar , Baseline Ten AEGIS Combat System , a Mk 41 Vertical Launching System , and Baseline 10 Aegis Combat System capabilities .
`` This will be the fifth U.S. Navy ship to bear the name Constellation , '' according to the statement .
With the original name submitted to President George Washington in 1795 , to represent the `` new constellation of stars '' in the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 38-gun frigate with a crew of 340 personnel built in Baltimore in 1797 .
It remained in service until 1853 .
The second Constellation was a sloop-of-war launched in 1854 .
It was decommissioned in 1933 , and has been preserved as a National Historic Landmark in Baltimore , Md .
The Constellation Class Frigates will be built at Marinette Marine Corporation in Marinette , Wisconsin , and the first ship of the will be scheduled for delivery in 2026 .

Navy Secretary Kenneth Braithwaite announced Wednesday that USS Constellation would be the name for the first ship in the new Guided Missile Frigate class of ships. Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy
Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The secretary of the Navy has announced the name of the new class of Guided Missile Frigate ships. Navy Secretary Kenneth Braithwaite revealed USS Constellation, currently referred to as FFG 62, as the name of the first ship in the new Guided Missile Frigate FFG(X) class of ships on Wednesday. Advertisement
The announcement was made while aboard the second ship to bear the name, Constellation, which currently stands as a museum in Baltimore Inner Harbor, a statement said.
The name was selected in honor of the first U.S. Navy ships that Congress authorized in 1794 -- named United States, Constellation, Constitution, Chesapeake, Congress, and President -- which "established the Continental Navy as an agile, lethal and ready force for the 19th century," according to a statement.
"As the first in her class, these ships will now be known as the Constellation Class frigates, linking them directly to the original six frigates of our Navy, carrying on the traditions of our great service which have been passed down from generation to generation of sailors," Braithwaite said.
"While providing an unmatched capability and survivability for the 21st Century, Constellation Class Frigates will honor our Navy's historic beginnings as we continue to operate around the world in today's era of Great Power Competition," he added.
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The Navy awarded Marinette Marine Corp with a $795.1 million contract for construction of the 10 Guided Missile Frigates earlier this year.
The new Guided Missile Frigate is intended to be the next generation of small surface combatants contributing to meeting the goal of 355 battle force ships.
The ships have a multi-mission capacity to conduct air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, electronic warfare and information operations. The vessels include Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar, Baseline Ten AEGIS Combat System, a Mk 41 Vertical Launching System, and Baseline 10 Aegis Combat System capabilities.
"This will be the fifth U.S. Navy ship to bear the name Constellation," according to the statement.
With the original name submitted to President George Washington in 1795, to represent the "new constellation of stars" in the United States flag, the first Constellation was a 38-gun frigate with a crew of 340 personnel built in Baltimore in 1797. It remained in service until 1853.
The second Constellation was a sloop-of-war launched in 1854. It was decommissioned in 1933, and has been preserved as a National Historic Landmark in Baltimore, Md.
The Constellation Class Frigates will be built at Marinette Marine Corporation in Marinette, Wisconsin, and the first ship of the will be scheduled for delivery in 2026.