upi--2020-09-24--Watch: Yusuf/Cat Stevens performs 'Wild World' on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- Yusuf/Cat Stevens performed his hit song `` Wild World '' from his fourth album @ @ @ @ @ , on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Wednesday .
The 72-year-old singer released @ @ @ @ @ Tillerman 2 last week to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1970 album .
The @ @ @ @ @ includes new lyrics and new instrumentation on songs `` Where Do The Children Play , @ @ @ @ @ , '' `` Wild World , '' `` Sad Lisa , '' `` Miles from @ @ @ @ @ I Might Die Tonight , '' `` Longer Boats , '' `` Into White , @ @ @ @ @ to Find Out , '' `` Father and Son '' and `` Tea for the @ @ @ @ @ wrote the original album after being sick with Tuberculosis .
Yusuf/Cat Stevens was inducted into @ @ @ @ @ of Fame in 2014 .

Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Yusuf/Cat Stevens performed his hit song "Wild World" from his fourth album, Tea for the Tillerman, on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Wednesday.
The 72-year-old singer released the re-imagined Tea for the Tillerman 2 last week to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1970 album.
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The new version of the album includes new lyrics and new instrumentation on songs "Where Do The Children Play," "Hard Headed Woman," "Wild World," "Sad Lisa," "Miles from Nowhere," "But I Might Die Tonight," "Longer Boats," "Into White," "On the Road to Find Out," "Father and Son" and "Tea for the Tillerman."
The singer wrote the original album after being sick with Tuberculosis.
Yusuf/Cat Stevens was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.


upi--2020-09-24--870,000 U.S. workers file new jobless claims; unemployment at 8.6%

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- Nearly 900,000 more U.S. workers have filed for new unemployment benefits , the Labor @ @ @ @ @ report Thursday .
The report listed 870,000 new claims for the week ending Sept. 19 @ @ @ @ @ from the previous week .
It listed the unemployment rate at 8.6 % , a @ @ @ @ @ last week .
Thursday 's report also revised up last week 's claims by 6,000 @ @ @ @ @ about 840,000 new claims .
The department said there are about 12.6 million continuing claims @ @ @ @ @ by a week .

Workers are seen hanging the American flag outside of a building in New York City on August 17. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Nearly 900,000 more U.S. workers have filed for new unemployment benefits, the Labor Department said in its weekly report Thursday. The report listed 870,000 new claims for the week ending Sept. 19, an increase of 4,000 from the previous week. It listed the unemployment rate at 8.6%, a decrease of 0.1% from last week. Advertisement
Thursday's report also revised up last week's claims by 6,000 filings.
Most economists expected about 840,000 new claims.
The department said there are about 12.6 million continuing claims, which lag initial claims by a week.


upi--2020-09-24--Watch live: President Donald Trump to attend viewing for Ruth Bader Ginsburg at Supreme Court

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- The late Ruth Bader Ginsburg will lie in repose for a second day Thursday at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington , D.C. , and President Donald Trump is expected to visit .
Ginsburg 's casket was positioned atop the building 's front steps for hours on Wednesday as hundreds visited to honor the high court justice , who died last week at the age of 87 .
Among the attendees were former President Bill Clinton , who appointed Ginsburg to the court in 1993 , and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday called Ginsburg a `` brave '' fighter who defied discrimination to rise to the highest bench in the land .
Trump and first lady Melania Trump are scheduled to view Ginsburg 's casket at the Supreme Court late Thursday morning .
The president 's visit comes at a time he 's preparing to nominate his third justice to the Supreme Court in less than four years .
He said he will name his choice on Saturday .
`` Our nation mourns the loss of a titan of the law , '' Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Renowned for her brilliant mind and her powerful dissents at the Supreme Court , Justice Ginsburg demonstrated that one can disagree without being disagreeable toward one 's colleagues or different points of view . ''
Following the second day of public viewing at the Supreme Court , Ginsburg will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol on Friday -- the first woman to be accorded the honor .
Earlier Thursday , a new Gallup survey showed that most Americans believed this month that the ideological makeup of the Supreme Court was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , was conducted before Ginsburg 's death created a vacancy that 's now expected to be filled by another conservative justice .

Female members of Congress stand on the steps of the U.S. Capitol as the flag-draped casket of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is carried by a joint services military honor guard after Ginsburg lied in state at the U.S. Capitol on September 25. Pool Photo by Alex Brandon/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- The late Ruth Bader Ginsburg is lying in repose for a second day Thursday at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., which drew President Donald Trump and the first lady in attendance. The president and Melania Trump arrived late Thursday morning to honor the late associate justice, who died last week at age 87. Advertisement
Hundreds lined up to view Ginsburg's casket, as they had on Wednesday.
The Trumps were met at the Supreme Court with chants of "Vote him out" and "Honor her wish" as they viewed Ginsburg's flag-draped casket.
Before her death, Ginsburg had transcribed to a relative her wish that her successor would not be appointed until after the winner of the Nov. 3 election is inaugurated in January.
"Our nation mourns the loss of a titan of the law," Trump said after she died last Friday.
"Renowned for her brilliant mind and her powerful dissents at the Supreme Court, Justice Ginsburg demonstrated that one can disagree without being disagreeable toward one's colleagues or different points of view."
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Trump's visit came as he prepares to nominate his third justice to the Supreme Court in less than four years. He said he will name his choice on Saturday, a day after Ginsburg lies in state at the U.S. Capitol and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Ginsburg's casket was first positioned atop the building's front steps on Wednesday as hundreds visited to honor her.
Among Wednesday's attendees were former President Bill Clinton, who appointed Ginsburg to the court in 1993, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
In a private ceremony before the viewing, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts called Ginsburg a "brave" fighter who defied discrimination to rise to the highest bench in the land.
Following the second day of public viewing at the Supreme Court, Ginsburg will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol on Friday -- the first woman to be accorded the honor.
Earlier Thursday, a new Gallup survey showed that most Americans believed this month that the ideological makeup of the Supreme Court was "about right." The poll, however, was conducted before Ginsburg's death created a vacancy that's now expected to be filled by another conservative justice.


upi--2020-09-24--Watch live: Libya, Yemen leaders speak at U.N. on Day 3 of debate

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- The leaders of several Middle Eastern nations will deliver prerecorded speeches Thursday at the 75th United Nations General Assembly .
Among the heads of state set to deliver remarks on the third day of high-level debate are Yemen President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi Mansour , Prince Albert II of Monaco and Faiez Mustafa Serraj , president of the Government of National Accord in Libya .
They will speak in the morning session , which starts at 9 a.m. EDT .
The Yemeni government , with the support of Saudi Arabia , has been fighting Iranian-supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil war that 's left much of Yemen mired in a humanitarian crisis .
Serraj , the leader of Libya 's U.N.-recognized GNA , has also been involved in a civil war against rebels led by former Libyan Army Commander Khalifa Haftar .
One of world 's leading oil producers , Libya has seen regular violence since longtime ruler Moammar Gadhafi was ousted nearly a decade ago .
Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa will also deliver remarks in the morning session .
He was part of a historic agreement earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel .
The deal and a similar pact between Israel and the United Arab Emirates were aided by U.S. President Donald Trump , who delivered a taped speech at the General Debate on Monday .
A few of the leaders who will speak during the afternoon session are Vietnam President Nguyen Phu Trong , Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo and Haiti President Jovenel Moïse .
Pope Francis and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will deliver remarks on Friday .
All leaders are giving their remarks this year in prerecorded speeches , due @ @ @ @ @

Flags of the United Nations and the United States are seen Monday outside United Nations headquarters in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- The leaders of several Middle Eastern nations will deliver prerecorded speeches Thursday at the 75th United Nations General Assembly. Among the heads of state set to deliver remarks on the third day of high-level debate are Yemen President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi Mansour, Prince Albert II of Monaco and Faiez Mustafa Serraj, president of the Government of National Accord in Libya. Advertisement
They will speak in the morning session, which starts at 9 a.m. EDT.
The Yemeni government, with the support of Saudi Arabia, has been fighting Iranian-supported Houthi rebels for several years in a civil war that's left much of Yemen mired in a humanitarian crisis.
Serraj, the leader of Libya's U.N.-recognized GNA, has also been involved in a civil war against rebels led by former Libyan Army Commander Khalifa Haftar.
One of world's leading oil producers, Libya has seen regular violence since longtime ruler Moammar Gadhafi was ousted nearly a decade ago.
Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa will also deliver remarks in the morning session. He was part of a historic agreement earlier this month to normalize relations between Bahrain and Israel. The deal and a similar pact between Israel and the United Arab Emirates were aided by U.S. President Donald Trump, who delivered a taped speech at the General Debate on Monday.
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A few of the leaders who will speak during the afternoon session are Vietnam President Nguyen Phu Trong, Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo and Haiti President Jovenel Moïse. Pope Francis and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will deliver remarks on Friday.
All leaders are giving their remarks this year in prerecorded speeches, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


upi--2020-09-24--It's time for fossil fuel-dependent states to move on

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- These are very challenging times for U.S. fossil fuel-producing states , such as Wyoming , Alaska and North Dakota .
The COVID-19 economic downturn has reduced energy demand , with uncertain prospects for the extent of its recovery .
Meanwhile , rising concern about climate change and the declining cost of renewable energy are precipitating a sharp decline in demand for coal in particular .
As a result , fossil fuel-dependent states and communities face the prospect of budget shortfalls and lower employment for the next several years .
As researchers who study energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perspectives , we believe that it is time for these states to develop long-term plans to diversify their economies and help ensure just and equitable transitions .
The idea of a just transition emerged from North American labor law , and has become part of international discussions about making societies more environmentally sustainable .
It centers on protecting workers ' rights and livelihoods as they move out of declining industries .
In our view , just transition programs likely are the best way for these states to build more sustainable and diverse economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuel production as a revenue source .
To support secure , family-sustaining jobs as global fossil reliance declines , they will need to create new , lower-carbon economies .
Fossil fuels enrich producing states through multiple revenue streams .
They include taxes and royalties tied to the value of production ; sales taxes on hydrocarbons ; use taxes on equipment ; and income taxes on industry employees ' wages .
Texas earns the most of any statefrom energy production , generating $ 16.3 billion in fiscal year 2019 , which was 7 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states that are most reliant on energy are Alaska , where it accounted for 70 % of state revenues ( $ 1.1 billion ) in fiscal 2019 ; Wyoming , where energy and other minerals yielded 52 % of state revenues ( $ 2.2 billion ) in 2017 ; and North Dakota , which reaped 45 % of its revenues ( $ 1.6 billion ) from energy production in fiscal 2017 .
Production declines and workforce reductions can have major economic impacts in fossil fuel states .
For example , Wyoming is forecasting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money in its general fund than it previously expected in fiscal years 2021-22 .
Alaska is projecting an estimated 18 % budget deficit in fiscal 2021 .
Even assuming that oil and gas production recovers from FY2020-21 lows , these states expect to be forced to close the funding gap for the next several years .
Reduced economic activity related to the COVID-19 pandemic has changed energy demand and supply patterns in 2020 and increased uncertainty about near-term prices .
Wyoming illustrates the challenges that a changing energy landscape poses for energy states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state is forecasting a 54 % decline in taxes related to fossil fuels owed it in fiscal 2021-22 compared to the previous year .
According to data that we obtained from the U.S. Department of Energy , estimated coal production in April-June of 2020 was down nearly 45 % from the prior five-year average , reflecting national trends .
More structurally , experts and coal producers have acknowledged that thermal coal -- the type used to make electricity -- is in permanent decline .
State officials have sounded the alarm about an industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways to keep coal production afloat .
These efforts include preventing utilities from shutting down coal-fired power plants ahead of schedule , investing in making coal-fired energy cleaner and finding low-carbon uses for coal as a source of products , which can range from building materials to carbon compositesand computer memory devices .
Meanwhile , studies show that Wyoming residents receive from the state up to 10 times the value in services that they pay in taxes , thanks largely to fossil fuel-related taxes .
These trends clearly ca n't continue in parallel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending will have to contract .
But as the state considers its future , cultural and political factors influence public views as much as economics .
Wyoming 's longstanding ethos of rugged individualism makes residents reluctant to accept outside economic assistance .
Its coal industry workers have long taken pride in their role in providing a source of electricity throughout the United States .
When the utility PacifiCorp recently announced plans to close 20 of its 24 coal-fired power plants in the West , including several in Wyoming , and invest in lower-cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some workers and legislators argued that the company was trying to please customers in left-leaning states .
Ongoing wind energy investments are poised to partially offset fossil fuel job and revenue losses .
But some Wyoming residents argue that wind projects could harm conservation , outdoor recreation and tourism , the state 's second-largest industry .
Just transition programs typically focus on promoting economic development , attracting investment to stimulate entrepreneurship and retraining workers .
They often provide income support to bridge the period between jobs .
State and local leaders may seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy goals -- for example , wooing solar companies to promote decarbonization .
A number of current economic development policy proposals take this approach , including Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden 's Build Back Better plan .
However , we believe new businesses are best developed at the community level so that they incorporate local intellectual capital , worker skills and natural resources , and get more political buy-in from the communities .
There are several examples of successful just transition programs .
One is Project QUEST in San Antonio , which highlights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has helped workers transition from manufacturing to healthcare , information technology and other trades .
The province of Alberta , Canada , achieved considerable buy-in from labor unions and electricity companies as it accelerated its retirement of coal power , in part by leveraging its natural gas resources and working with local labor unions .
And the New Economy program , promoted by the nonprofit organization Appalachian Voices , is amplifying residents ' ideas for new economic initiatives to offset job losses and shrinking coal tax revenues .
This kind of participatory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ securing community support and generating novel ideas for economic development .
These programs are likely to require significant financial investment .
Wyoming , North Dakota and Oklahoma do n't have a lot of debt , so they could borrow large sums to pay for these programs .
Alaska , Texas , New Mexico , Wyoming and North Dakota also have substantial sovereign wealth funds - state-owned accounts , funded with revenues from natural resource extraction .
These funds could help fill the gap , but only if politicians can withstand pressure to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Alaska 's annual payouts to state residents from oil revenues .
Fossil fuel states ' windfalls from energy development and their free-market cultures can make it hard for residents to accept their dependence on industry taxation and vulnerability to industry downturns .
Solutions that involve increased taxing and spending are likely to face stiff political headwinds , even if sovereign wealth funds offer help .
The choices that states make as they navigate a rapidly changing energy landscape will have major implications for their workers and communities .
Just transitions will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ institutions and deep community engagement .
While these processes are n't likely to be easy , they offer the chance to build sustainable and environmentally friendly economies that can help these states thrive in the future .
Bradley Handler is a non-resident fellow at the Payne Institute of Public Policy at the Colorado School of Mines ; Matt Henry is a scholar in residence at the University of Wyoming ; and Morgan Bazilian is a professor of public policy and director of the Payne Institute .
This article is republished from The Conversation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the original article .

Fossil fuel-dependent states and communities face the prospect of budget shortfalls and lower employment for the next several years. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- These are very challenging times for U.S. fossil fuel-producing states, such as Wyoming, Alaska and North Dakota. The COVID-19 economic downturn has reduced energy demand, with uncertain prospects for the extent of its recovery. Meanwhile, rising concern about climate change and the declining cost of renewable energy are precipitating a sharp decline in demand for coal in particular. As a result, fossil fuel-dependent states and communities face the prospect of budget shortfalls and lower employment for the next several years. As researchers who study energy from economic, cultural and public policy perspectives, we believe that it is time for these states to develop long-term plans to diversify their economies and help ensure just and equitable transitions. Advertisement
The idea of a just transition emerged from North American labor law, and has become part of international discussions about making societies more environmentally sustainable. It centers on protecting workers' rights and livelihoods as they move out of declining industries.
Advertisement
In our view, just transition programs likely are the best way for these states to build more sustainable and diverse economic bases, reducing their reliance on fossil fuel production as a revenue source. To support secure, family-sustaining jobs as global fossil reliance declines, they will need to create new, lower-carbon economies.
From boom to bust
Fossil fuels enrich producing states through multiple revenue streams. They include taxes and royalties tied to the value of production; sales taxes on hydrocarbons; use taxes on equipment; and income taxes on industry employees' wages.
Texas earns the most of any statefrom energy production, generating $16.3 billion in fiscal year 2019, which was 7% of the state's revenue. The states that are most reliant on energy are Alaska, where it accounted for 70% of state revenues ($1.1 billion) in fiscal 2019; Wyoming, where energy and other minerals yielded 52% of state revenues ($2.2 billion) in 2017; and North Dakota, which reaped 45% of its revenues ($1.6 billion) from energy production in fiscal 2017.
Production declines and workforce reductions can have major economic impacts in fossil fuel states. For example, Wyoming is forecasting that it will have 29% less money in its general fund than it previously expected in fiscal years 2021-22. Alaska is projecting an estimated 18% budget deficit in fiscal 2021.
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Even assuming that oil and gas production recovers from FY2020-21 lows, these states expect to be forced to close the funding gap for the next several years.
Reduced economic activity related to the COVID-19 pandemic has changed energy demand and supply patterns in 2020 and increased uncertainty about near-term prices.
Cultural, political roadblocks
Wyoming illustrates the challenges that a changing energy landscape poses for energy states. In the near term, the state is forecasting a 54% decline in taxes related to fossil fuels owed it in fiscal 2021-22 compared to the previous year. According to data that we obtained from the U.S. Department of Energy, estimated coal production in April-June of 2020 was down nearly 45% from the prior five-year average, reflecting national trends.
More structurally, experts and coal producers have acknowledged that thermal coal -- the type used to make electricity -- is in permanent decline. State officials have sounded the alarm about an industry "under siege," while seeking ways to keep coal production afloat.
These efforts include preventing utilities from shutting down coal-fired power plants ahead of schedule, investing in making coal-fired energy cleaner and finding low-carbon uses for coal as a source of products, which can range from building materials to carbon compositesand computer memory devices.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, studies show that Wyoming residents receive from the state up to 10 times the value in services that they pay in taxes, thanks largely to fossil fuel-related taxes. These trends clearly can't continue in parallel: As coal revenues fall, state spending will have to contract.
But as the state considers its future, cultural and political factors influence public views as much as economics. Wyoming's longstanding ethos of rugged individualism makes residents reluctant to accept outside economic assistance. Its coal industry workers have long taken pride in their role in providing a source of electricity throughout the United States.
When the utility PacifiCorp recently announced plans to close 20 of its 24 coal-fired power plants in the West, including several in Wyoming, and invest in lower-cost wind, solar and energy storage, some workers and legislators argued that the company was trying to please customers in left-leaning states. Ongoing wind energy investments are poised to partially offset fossil fuel job and revenue losses. But some Wyoming residents argue that wind projects could harm conservation, outdoor recreation and tourism, the state's second-largest industry.
Advertisement
What just transitions require
Just transition programs typically focus on promoting economic development, attracting investment to stimulate entrepreneurship and retraining workers. They often provide income support to bridge the period between jobs.
State and local leaders may seek to promote specific industries that reflect larger policy goals -- for example, wooing solar companies to promote decarbonization. A number of current economic development policy proposals take this approach, including Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden's Build Back Better plan. However, we believe new businesses are best developed at the community level so that they incorporate local intellectual capital, worker skills and natural resources, and get more political buy-in from the communities.
There are several examples of successful just transition programs. One is Project QUEST in San Antonio, which highlights the benefits of "local contextualization" and has helped workers transition from manufacturing to healthcare, information technology and other trades.
The province of Alberta, Canada, achieved considerable buy-in from labor unions and electricity companies as it accelerated its retirement of coal power, in part by leveraging its natural gas resources and working with local labor unions. And the New Economy program, promoted by the nonprofit organization Appalachian Voices, is amplifying residents' ideas for new economic initiatives to offset job losses and shrinking coal tax revenues. This kind of participatory approach to economic diversification is critical for securing community support and generating novel ideas for economic development.
Advertisement
These programs are likely to require significant financial investment. Wyoming, North Dakota and Oklahoma don't have a lot of debt, so they could borrow large sums to pay for these programs.
Alaska, Texas, New Mexico, Wyoming and North Dakota also have substantial sovereign wealth funds - state-owned accounts, funded with revenues from natural resource extraction. These funds could help fill the gap, but only if politicians can withstand pressure to use the money in more popular ways, such as Alaska's annual payouts to state residents from oil revenues.
A chance for sustainability
Fossil fuel states' windfalls from energy development and their free-market cultures can make it hard for residents to accept their dependence on industry taxation and vulnerability to industry downturns. Solutions that involve increased taxing and spending are likely to face stiff political headwinds, even if sovereign wealth funds offer help.
The choices that states make as they navigate a rapidly changing energy landscape will have major implications for their workers and communities. Just transitions will require significant, focused investment, committed institutions and deep community engagement. While these processes aren't likely to be easy, they offer the chance to build sustainable and environmentally friendly economies that can help these states thrive in the future.
Advertisement
Bradley Handler is a non-resident fellow at the Payne Institute of Public Policy at the Colorado School of Mines; Matt Henry is a scholar in residence at the University of Wyoming; and Morgan Bazilian is a professor of public policy and director of the Payne Institute.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


upi--2020-09-24--Gigi Hadid, Zayn Malik have baby girl

Gigi Hadid, Zayn Malik have baby girl

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik announced the birth of their baby girl .
`` Our girl joined us earth-side this weekend and she 's already changed our world .
So in love , '' Hadid said on Instagram Wednesday , alongside a photo of Malik holding the newborn 's hand .
`` Our baby girl is here , healthy & beautiful .
To try put into words how i am feeling right now would be an impossible task .
The love i feel for this tiny human is beyond my understanding .
Grateful to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mine , & thankful for the life we will have together , '' Malik tweeted .
This is the first child for Hadid , 25 , and Malik , 27 .
The celebrity couple have been dating off and on since 2015 .
Hadid confirmed her pregnancy on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon on April 30 , after news of it broke earlier that week .
The model told Fallon she was doing her best to enjoy being pregnant amid the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Especially during this time , it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be home and together and really experience it day-by-day , '' she said .
Several stars congratulated the couple on their daughter 's birth on social media .
`` Welcome babygirl !
So happy for you guys , '' Hailey Bieber commented on Hadid 's Instagram post .
`` Ahhhh !
!
!
!
!
HUGE congrats !
!
!
!
!
I ca n't wait to meet this angel , '' Olivia Culpo commented .
`` Congrats .. Jido 's heart belongs to you.. baby girl , '' he said .

Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik announced the birth of their baby girl.
"Our girl joined us earth-side this weekend and she's already changed our world. So in love," Hadid said on Instagram Wednesday, alongside a photo of Malik holding the newborn's hand.
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"Our baby girl is here, healthy & beautiful. To try put into words how i am feeling right now would be an impossible task. The love i feel for this tiny human is beyond my understanding. Grateful to know her, proud to call her mine, & thankful for the life we will have together," Malik tweeted.
Our baby girl is here, healthy & beautifulto try put into words how i am feeling right now would be an impossible task. The love i feel for this tiny human is beyond my understanding.Grateful to know her, proud to call her mine, & thankful for the life we will have together x pic.twitter.com/nvhfOkk2fw— zayn (@zaynmalik) September 24, 2020 Advertisement
This is the first child for Hadid, 25, and Malik, 27. The celebrity couple have been dating off and on since 2015.
Hadid confirmed her pregnancy on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon on April 30, after news of it broke earlier that week.
The model told Fallon she was doing her best to enjoy being pregnant amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"Especially during this time, it's a nice silver lining to be able to be home and together and really experience it day-by-day," she said.
Several stars congratulated the couple on their daughter's birth on social media.
"Welcome babygirl! So happy for you guys," Hailey Bieber commented on Hadid's Instagram post.
"Ahhhh!!!!! HUGE congrats!!!!! I can't wait to meet this angel," Olivia Culpo commented.
Hadid's father, Mohamed Hadid, also commented.
"Congrats .. Jido's heart belongs to you.. baby girl," he said.


upi--2020-09-24--Breonna Taylor decision spurs new protests across U.S.

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- A Kentucky grand jury 's decision to indict just one of three police officers involved in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor sparked new wave of protests across the United States .
Demonstrations began in Louisville , Ky. , soon after the Wednesday announcement from the Jefferson County grand jury that it had indicted former officer Brett Hankinson on three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment for firing into an apartment next to Taylor 's -- not the murder or manslaughter charges sought by Taylor 's family for her killing inside her home .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers involved in Taylor 's March 13 death , Sgt .
Jonathan Mattingly and Detective Myles Cosgrove , should face no charges as they acted in self-defense against Taylor 's boyfriend , who fired on them .
During protests late Wednesday , two Louisville Metro Police officers were shot and a suspect was arrested , interim Police Chief Robert Schroeder said .
Activists outside Kentucky also rallied against the grand jury 's decision .
In Chicago , hundreds marched downtown and in several neighborhoods .
Members of a South Side church blocked a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poured fake blood onto the street , spelling out Breonna 's name .
`` We 're here tonight because we do care , '' pastor Michael Pfleger told the crowd .
`` We 're here because we want to say , 'We object and we do n't accept it .
Somebody has to be held accountable . '
'' Others marched in Wicker Park and Logan Square on the North Side of Chicago .
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker earlier called the grand jury decision a `` gross miscarriage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' but urged that protests stay peaceful .
Protesters in Milwaukee and the Minneapolis-St. Paul area -- which saw unrest this summer after the shootings of Jacob Blake and George Floyd -- blocked freeways and called for an end to racial injustice .
`` The whole damn system is guilty as hell , '' the Milwaukee activists chanted .
Some who 'd gathered at the Milwaukee County Courthouse pulled the Wisconsin and American flags off their poles .
In Atlanta , hundreds marched down Peachtree Street to the city 's police headquarters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where some clashed with the National Guard .
`` This is an empty indictment that serves as yet another miscarriage of justice and a slap in the face to the family of Breonna Taylor , '' said New Birth Missionary Baptist Church pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant .
State troopers used tear gas to disperse protesters at the statehouse and made several arrests .
In Seattle , where President Donald Trump sent federal forces earlier this summer in response to anti-racism protests , police said several demonstrators were arrested .
The group marched through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where they honored Taylor at a makeshift memorial .

1/3
Protesters march with an effigy of Breonna Taylor during a demonstration in Los Angeles after the results of a grand jury probe into her death in Louisville, Ky., were announced Wednesday. Photo by Kyle Grillot/EPA-EFE
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Former Louisville, Ky., Metro Police Detective Brett Hankison intends to plead not guilty to first-degree wanton endangerment charges for shots fired on the night officers killed Breonna Taylor. Hankison's attorney, Stew Matthews, told CNN on Thursday that the evidence in the case does not support the charges against his client. Advertisement
Demonstrations began in Louisville soon after the Wednesday announcement from the Jefferson County grand jury that it had indicted Hankison on three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment for firing into an apartment next to Taylor's -- not the murder or manslaughter charges sought by Taylor's family for her killing inside her home.
The grand jury decided that the other two officers involved in Taylor's March 13 death, Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and Detective Myles Cosgrove, should face no charges as they acted in self-defense against Taylor's boyfriend, who fired on them.
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Ben Crump, the Taylor family's attorney, called the grand jury decision a "sham proceeding that did nothing to give Breonna Taylor a voice."
He told NBC's Today Thursday that the family was "outraged."
"They were insulted, and they were mostly offended," he said. "We're trying to figure out what did the Kentucky Attorney General, Daniel Cameron, present to the grand jury."
Lousiville Mayor Greg Fischer extended a citywide 9 p.m. curfew through the weekend amid protests in the city.
Additionally, the governors of both Missouri and Massachusetts singed orders activating the National Guard in anticipation of widespread protests throughout the country.
During protests late Wednesday, two Louisville Metro Police officers were shot and a suspect was arrested, interim Police Chief Robert Schroeder said.
Activists outside Kentucky also rallied against the decision.
In Chicago, hundreds marched downtown and in several neighborhoods. Members of a South Side church blocked a busy intersection in the Bronzeville neighborhood and poured fake blood onto the street, spelling out Taylor's name.
"We're here tonight because we do care," pastor Michael Pfleger told the crowd. "We're here because we want to say, 'We object and we don't accept it. Somebody has to be held accountable.'"
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Others marched in Wicker Park and Logan Square on the North Side of Chicago.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker earlier called the grand jury decision a "gross miscarriage of justice" and "absolutely heartbreaking," but urged that protests stay peaceful.
Protesters in Milwaukee and the Minneapolis-St. Paul area -- which saw unrest this summer after the shootings of Jacob Blake and George Floyd -- blocked freeways and called for an end to racial injustice.
"The whole damn system is guilty as hell," the Milwaukee activists chanted.
Some who'd gathered at the Milwaukee County Courthouse pulled the Wisconsin and U.S. flags off their poles.
In Atlanta, hundreds marched down Peachtree Street to the city's police headquarters and later to the state Capitol, where some clashed with the National Guard.
"This is an empty indictment that serves as yet another miscarriage of justice and a slap in the face to the family of Breonna Taylor," said New Birth Missionary Baptist Church pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant.
State troopers used tear gas to disperse protesters at the statehouse and made several arrests.
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In Seattle, where President Donald Trump sent federal forces earlier this summer in response to anti-racism protests, police said several demonstrators were arrested.
The group marched through downtown Seattle to the federal courthouse, where they honored Taylor at a makeshift memorial.
Protesters march for social justice


upi--2020-09-24--Gallup: Before Ginsburg's death, most in U.S. said Supreme Court makeup 'about right'

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- Before Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's death left a vacancy on the the U.S. Supreme Court , the greatest share of Americans said the ideological makeup of the court was `` about right , '' a Gallup survey showed Thursday .
The polling was done between Aug. 31 and Sept. 13 , meaning the survey wrapped five days before Ginsburg died and created an opening on the high court bench -- which President Donald Trump and the Republican-held Senate will fill with another conservative justice before the winner of the November election takes office .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of respondents said the ideological makeup was `` about right . ''
Thirty-two percent said it 's `` too conservative '' and 23 % viewed it `` too liberal . ''
After Ginsburg 's death , conservatives hold a 5-3 edge on the nation 's highest court .
After Trump 's appointment , they will hold a significant three-seat advantage .
`` In recent years , 'Republicans have become increasingly satisfied with the court ' as Trump has nominated two justices whom the Senate confirmed -- and could soon see a third justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
`` The net 'too conservative ' score ( the percentage saying 'too conservative ' minus the percentage 'too liberal ' ) has averaged plus-10 under Republican President Trump , nearly matching the minus-11 under Democratic President Barack Obama . ''
Politically , 48 % of Republicans said the court 's makeup was `` about right , '' while 44 % said it was `` too liberal . ''
Among Democrats , 58 % said the court was too conservative and 28 % answered `` about right . ''
For independents , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right '' and 32 % voiced `` too conservative . ''
`` Democrats ' and Republicans ' similar ratings of the Supreme Court may be short-lived , depending on the outcome of Trump 's attempt to fill Ginsburg 's seat , '' Gallup wrote .
`` If Trump 's nominee is confirmed , the president will have picked one-third of the court 's justices .
For Democrats , the combined loss of a celebrated justice and her replacement by a Trump appointee could sour their view of the judicial branch . ''
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday .
Gallup polled more than 1,000 U.S. adults for the survey , which has a margin of error of 4 points .

The words "Equal Justice Under Law" are seen on the front facade of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday as late Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lay in repose. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Before Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death left a vacancy on the the U.S. Supreme Court, the greatest share of Americans said the ideological makeup of the court was "about right," a Gallup survey showed Thursday. The polling was done between Aug. 31 and Sept. 13, meaning the survey wrapped five days before Ginsburg died and created an opening on the high court bench -- which President Donald Trump and the Republican-held Senate will fill with another conservative justice before the winner of the November election takes office. Advertisement
According to the survey, 42% of respondents said the ideological makeup was "about right." Thirty-two percent said it's "too conservative" and 23% viewed it "too liberal."
After Ginsburg's death, conservatives hold a 5-3 edge on the nation's highest court. After Trump's appointment, they will hold a significant three-seat advantage.
"In recent years, 'Republicans have become increasingly satisfied with the court' as Trump has nominated two justices whom the Senate confirmed -- and could soon see a third justice confirmed to the bench," Gallup wrote.
"The net 'too conservative' score (the percentage saying 'too conservative' minus the percentage 'too liberal') has averaged plus-10 under Republican President Trump, nearly matching the minus-11 under Democratic President Barack Obama."
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Politically, 48% of Republicans said the court's makeup was "about right," while 44% said it was "too liberal."
Among Democrats, 58% said the court was too conservative and 28% answered "about right."
For independents, 48% said it's "about right" and 32% voiced "too conservative."
"Democrats' and Republicans' similar ratings of the Supreme Court may be short-lived, depending on the outcome of Trump's attempt to fill Ginsburg's seat," Gallup wrote.
"If Trump's nominee is confirmed, the president will have picked one-third of the court's justices. For Democrats, the combined loss of a celebrated justice and her replacement by a Trump appointee could sour their view of the judicial branch."
Trump is expected to name his nominee on Saturday.
Gallup polled more than 1,000 U.S. adults for the survey, which has a margin of error of 4 points.
Mourning Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg


upi--2020-09-24--Netflix: What's coming and going in October 2020

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- Netflix subscribers can watch supernatural horror series The Haunting of Bly Manor , the comedy film Hubie Halloween , and new episodes of Unsolved Mysteries in October .
The streaming service released a list of the movies , TV shows , comedy specials and documentaries coming and going next month .
Here 's the full list of what 's being added to Netflix in October : Pasal Kau ( All Because of You ) ( Netflix Original ) Food Wars !
: Shokugeki no Soma ( The Second Plate ) We Have Always Lived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Wonderbeasts Season 3 ( Netflix Original ) One on One Seasons 1-5 Alguien tiene que morir ( Someone Has to Die ) ( Netflix Original ) The Last Kids on Earth Book 3 ( Netflix Original ) The Trial of the Chicago 7 ( Netflix Original ) The Magic School Bus Rides Again The Frizz Connection ( Netflix Original ) My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman Season 3 ( Netflix Original ) Metallica Through the Never Nobody Sleeps in the Woods Tonight ( Netflix Original ) The Day of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's the full list of what 's leaving Netflix in October : The Good , the Bad and the Ugly The Girl with All the Gifts The Naked Gun : From the Files of Police Squad !
The NeverEnding Story 2 : The Next Chapter

Adam Sandler stars in "Hubie Halloween," a new comedy film coming to Netflix in October. Photo courtesy of Netflix
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Netflix subscribers can watch supernatural horror series The Haunting of Bly Manor, the comedy film Hubie Halloween, and new episodes of Unsolved Mysteries in October. The streaming service released a list of the movies, TV shows, comedy specials and documentaries coming and going next month. Advertisement
Here's the full list of what's being added to Netflix in October:
Oct. 1
Bom Dia, Verônica (Good Morning, Verônica) (Netflix Original)
Oktoberfest: Beer & Blood (Netflix Original)
Pasal Kau (All Because of You) (Netflix Original)
The Worst Witch Season 4 (Netflix Original)
A.M.I.
Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls
Along Came a Spider
Bakugan: Armored Alliance Season 2
Basic Instinct
Black '47
Cape Fear
Code Lyoko Seasons 1-4
The Dukes of Hazzard (2005)
Employee of the Month
Enemy at the Gates
Evil Season 1
Familiar Wife Season 1
Fargo
Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma (The Second Plate)
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Free State of Jones
Ghost Rider
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Gran Torino
Her
House of 1,000 Corpses
Human Nature
Hunt for the Wilderpeople
I'm Leaving Now
The Longest Yard (1974)
The Parkers Seasons 1-5
The Pirates!: Band of Misfits
Carlos Almarez: Playing with Fire
The Prince & Me
Poseidon (2006)
The Outpost
Stranger than Fiction
Superman Returns
Sword Art Online: Alicization
Troy
The Unicorn Season 1
WarGames
We Have Always Lived in the Castle
Yogi Bear
You Cannot Hide Season 1
Oct. 2
A Go! Go! Cory Carson Halloween (Netflix Original)
Ahí te encargo (You've Got This) (Netflix Original)
The Binding (Netflix Original)
Dick Johnson is Dead (Netflix Original)
Emily in Paris (Netflix Original)
Òlòtūré (Netflix Original)
Serious Men (Netflix Original)
Song Exploder (Netflix Original)
Vampires vs. the Bronx (Netflix Original)
Oct. 4
Columbiana
David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet (Netflix Original)
Oct. 6
Dolly Parton: Here I Am
Saturday Church
StarBeam: Halloween Hero (Netflix Original)
Walk Away from Love
Oct. 7
Hubie Halloween (Netflix Original)
Schitt's Creek Season 6
To the Lake (Netflix Original)
Oct. 9
Deaf U (Netflix Original)
Fast & Furious Spy Racers Season 2: Rio (Netflix Original)
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The Forty-Year-Old Version (Netflix Original)
Ginny Weds Sunny (Netflix Original)
The Haunting of Bly Manor (Netflix Original)
Super Monsters: Dia de los Monsters (Netflix Original)
Oct. 12
Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts Season 3 (Netflix Original)
Oct. 13
The Cabin with Bert Kreischer (Netflix Original)
Octonauts & the Great Barrier Reef (Netflix Original)
Oct. 14
Alice Junior
Blackpink: Light Up the Sky (Netflix Original)
Moneyball
Oct. 15
A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting (Netflix Original)
Batman: The Killing Joke
Half & Half Seasons 1-4
Love Like the Falling Rain (Netflix Original)
One on One Seasons 1-5
Power Rangers Beast Morphers Season 2, Part 1
Rooting for Roona (Netflix Original)
Social Distance (Netflix Original)
Oct. 16
Alguien tiene que morir (Someone Has to Die) (Netflix Original)
Dream Home Makeover (Netflix Original)
Grand Army (Netflix Original)
In a Valley of Violence
La Révolution (Netflix Original)
The Last Kids on Earth Book 3 (Netflix Original)
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Netflix Original)
Unfriended
Oct. 18
ParaNorman
Oct. 19
Unsolved Mysteries Volume 2 (Netflix Original)
Oct. 20
Carol
The Magic School Bus Rides Again The Frizz Connection (Netflix Original)
Oct. 21
My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman Season 3 (Netflix Original)
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Rebecca
Oct. 22
Bending the Arc
Cadaver (Netflix Original)
The Hummingbird Project
Yes, God, Yes
Oct. 23
Barbarians (Netflix Original)
Move (Netflix Original)
Over the Moon (Netflix Original)
Perdida (Netflix Original)
The Queen's Gambit (Netflix Original)
Oct. 27
Blood of Zeus (Netflix Original)
Chico Bon Bon: Monkey with a Tool Belt Season 4 (Netflix Original)
Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine (Netflix Original)
Vilas: Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada (Guillermo Vilas: Settling the Score) (Netflix Original)
Oct. 28
Holidate (Netflix Original)
Metallica Through the Never
Nobody Sleeps in the Woods Tonight (Netflix Original)
Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb (Netflix Original)
Oct. 30
Bronx (Netflix Original)
The Day of the Lord (Netflix Original)
His House (Netflix Original)
Somebody Feed Phil Season 4 (Netflix Original)
Suburra Season 3 (Netflix Original)
Oct. 31
The 12th Man
Coming soon:
Arashi's Diary Voyage Episodes 13-14 (Netflix Original)
Brave Blue World
Start-Up (Netflix Original)
Here's the full list of what's leaving Netflix in October:
Oct. 1
Emelie
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Sleeping with Other People
Oct. 2
Cult of Chucky
Truth or Dare
Oct. 6
The Water Diviner
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Oct. 7
The Last Airbender
Oct. 17
The Green Hornet
Oct. 19
Paper Year
Oct. 22
While We're Young
Oct. 26
Battle: Los Angeles
Oct. 30
Kristy
Oct. 31
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
Burlesque
Charlotte's Web
Clash of the Titans
District 9
The Firm
Fun with Dick & Jane
The Girl with All the Gifts
Grandmaster
Highway to Heaven Seasons 1-5
The Interview
Just Friends
Magic Mike
Nacho Libre
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
The NeverEnding Story
The NeverEnding Story 2: The Next Chapter
Nights in Rodanthe
The Patriot
Set Up
Silence of the Lambs
Sleepless in Seattle
Sleepy Hollow
Spaceballs
The Taking of Pelham 123
The Ugly Truth
Underworld
Underworld: Evolution
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
Zathura


upi--2020-09-24--U.S. to execute Christopher Vialva for 1999 murders; 7th federal inmate this year

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. government is scheduled Thursday to execute its seventh inmate since resuming capital punishment at the federal level earlier this summer -- a man who killed a married couple in Texas more than two decades ago .
Christopher Vialva , 40 , is scheduled to be put to death at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute , Ind.
, for killing Todd Bagley in 1999 near the Fort Hood Army base in Texas .
He also was convicted of killing Bagley 's wife Stacie and burning their bodies in their vehicle .
Vialva @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeal .
They say he received ineffective counsel during his original trial because his lawyers did n't present evidence showing how his age at the time of the crime , 19 , may have made him less culpable for the murders .
They also argue that trial attorneys also did n't present evidence that Vialva had organic brain injuries and untreated bipolar disorder , or that he had a `` dysfunctional upbringing [ and ] parental neglect . ''
Further , they say , there had been a serious conflict of interest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mitigation evidence that weighed in favor of sparing Christopher 's life , it is very likely that he would not be facing execution today , '' said appellate attorney Susan Otto .
`` Furthermore , the lawyer who was supposed to be defending Christopher 's life was , at the same time , applying for a job with the office that was prosecuting Christopher .
This clear conflict of interest violated Christopher 's right to effective representation .
`` Therefore , the question is not whether Christopher should be held accountable for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
It is whether we can truly call it justice to kill Christopher for a mistake he made as a teenager when he did not get the help or defense everyone deserves . ''
Vialva and his attorneys are hoping for a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court about a potential review of his case , and a stay of execution .
Defense lawyers cite scientific research that indicates that although the death penalty is outlawed for cases in which the perpetrator is 17 or younger , the brain is still under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Supreme Court has ruled the death penalty unconstitutional for minors -- 17 and under -- citing research that said juveniles lack the maturity and responsibility of adults , and thus should n't be subject to the death penalty .
In a recorded interview with his lawyer , Vialva said he wants a stay not because he 's innocent of the Bagley killings , but because he feels like 's he been `` redeemed . ''
`` I committed a grave wrong when I was a lost kid and took two precious lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wish I could right this wrong . ''
The Death Penalty Information Center says a quarter of all federal death row inmates committed their crimes when they were 21 or younger .
Forty-two percent , it notes , were 25 or younger .
U.S. Attorney General William Barr resumed federal executions in July after a 17-year hiatus .
Daniel Lewis Lee , Wesley Purkey and Dustin Honken were executed in July ; Lezmond Mitchell and Keith Dwayne Nelson in August ; and William LeCroy on Tuesday .

Christopher Vialva is scheduled to be put to death Thursday at a federal prison in Indiana, for killing a couple in Texas in 1999. File Photo by Doug Smith/Florida Department of Corrections/Wikimedia Commons/UPI
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- The U.S. government on Thursday carried out the lethal injection of Christopher Vialva for the deaths of a married couple in Texas more than two decades ago, making him the seventh federal execution this year. The Bureau of Prisons announced the 40-year-old dead at 6:42 p.m. at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Ind. Advertisement
Vialva was sentenced to death for killing Todd Bagley in 1999 near the Fort Hood Army base in Texas. He also was convicted of killing Todd Bagley's wife, Stacie Bagley, and burning their bodies in their vehicle.
His execution came hours after the Supreme Court declined to issue a stay.
Vialva's attorneys appealed to the high Court this week, saying he received ineffective counsel during his original trial because his lawyers didn't present evidence showing how his age at the time of the crime, 19, may have made him less culpable for the murders.
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They also argued that trial attorneys didn't present evidence that Vialva had organic brain injuries and untreated bipolar disorder, or that he had a "dysfunctional upbringing [and] parental neglect." Further, they say, there had been a serious conflict of interest.
"Had the jury heard the extensive mitigation evidence that weighed in favor of sparing Christopher's life, it is very likely that he would not be facing execution today," said appellate attorney Susan Otto.
"Furthermore, the lawyer who was supposed to be defending Christopher's life was, at the same time, applying for a job with the office that was prosecuting Christopher. This clear conflict of interest violated Christopher's right to effective representation.
"Therefore, the question is not whether Christopher should be held accountable for the harm he caused -- no one disputes that. It is whether we can truly call it justice to kill Christopher for a mistake he made as a teenager when he did not get the help or defense everyone deserves."
Defense lawyers cite scientific research that indicates that although the death penalty is outlawed for cases in which the perpetrator is 17 or younger, the brain is still under development into a person's 20s.
The Supreme Court has ruled the death penalty unconstitutional for minors -- 17 and under -- citing research that said juveniles lack the maturity and responsibility of adults, and thus shouldn't be subject to the death penalty.
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In a recorded interview with his lawyer, Vialva said he wants a stay not because he's innocent of the Bagley killings, but because he feels like he's been "redeemed."
"I committed a grave wrong when I was a lost kid and took two precious lives from this world. Every day I wish I could right this wrong."
The Death Penalty Information Center says a quarter of all federal death row inmates committed their crimes when they were 21 or younger. Forty-two percent, it notes, were 25 or younger.
U.S. Attorney General William Barr resumed federal executions in July after a 17-year hiatus. Daniel Lewis Lee, Wesley Purkey and Dustin Honken were executed in July; Lezmond Mitchell and Keith Dwayne Nelson in August; and William LeCroy on Tuesday.


upi--2020-09-24--North Korea shot, burned missing South Korean official, military confirms

SEOUL , Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- North Korea fatally shot a missing South Korean fisheries official and burned his body earlier this week , defense officials confirmed Thursday , condemning the `` brutal '' act .
The 47-year-old victim , an employee of the Ministry of Ocean and Fisheries , went missing on Monday while on an inspection boat patrolling waters roughly 6 miles south of the Northern Limit Line , the disputed maritime boundary between the two Koreas .
`` Our military has conducted a thorough analysis of various intelligence reports and confirmed that North Korea has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burning the body of a South Korean national found in North Korean waters , '' the defense ministry said in a statement read by Lt. Gen. Ahn Young-ho , chief director of operations of the Joint Chiefs of Staff .
`` We strongly condemn North Korea 's brutality and strongly urge North Korea to provide an explanation and to punish those responsible for this atrocity , '' the statement added .
The unnamed fisheries official went missing in waters roughly 1.2 miles south of Yeongpyeong Island , located on the western side of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movements were later detected in waters on the North Korean side of the border , defense officials said earlier this week .
The official had been reported missing by crew members , who found only his shoes left behind on the ship .
South Korean defense officials believe that the man had intended to defect to North Korea , according to Yonhap News Agency .
The official was picked up and questioned on a North Korean patrol boat out at sea and then executed on orders from a `` superior authority , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was then doused in gasoline and set on fire as a likely COVID-19 prevention measure , defense officials said .
North Korea has reported no confirmed cases of the coronavirus , although many experts doubt that claim .
In July , the communist state shut down the border city of Kaesong after a defector who had fled back from the South was suspected of having the virus .
The lockdown was later lifted and no infections were reported .
Gen. Robert Abrams , commander of U.S .
Forces Korea , said earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that North Korean troops have `` shoot-to-kill orders '' on the border to prevent the coronavirus from entering the country .
`` It can not be justified for any reason that the North Korean military shot an unarmed citizen who was not resisting and destroyed the body , '' Suh Choo-suk , deputy director of the national security office , said in a statement .
`` The North Korean military 's actions are against international norms and humanitarianism and the South Korean government strongly condemns them .
North Korea should take full responsibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and punish the person in charge , '' he said .
Suh added that the killing did not violate the details of the Sept. 19 military agreement between the two Koreas , which was signed in 2018 at a summit between President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang .
However , he said that it `` undermines the spirit '' of the agreement , whose purpose was `` alleviating military tensions and building trust in the border region . ''
After a briefing with security advisers , Moon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` unacceptable '' and said that the military would be placed on alert .
`` The military should be fully prepared to protect the lives and safety of the people by further strengthening their alert posture , '' Moon said , according to spokesman Kang Min-seok .
Pyongyang has not commented on the incident , which marks the first time a South Korean civilian was killed in North Korea since 2008 , when a 53-year-old tourist was fatally shot at the North 's Mount Kumgang resort area by soldiers after she wandered into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strains relations between the two Koreas , which deteriorated in the spring when Pyongyang angrily began denouncing the longstanding practice of defectors sending information leaflets across the border via balloons .
North Korea cut off all communications lines with the South and blew up the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong in June in protest .
South Korea 's unification ministry also condemned the killing on Thursday , calling it `` unjustifiable for any reason '' in a statement .
`` These actions of the North Korean military pour cold water on our consistent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the two Koreas , '' the statement said .

Suh Choo-suk, deputy director of the National Security Council, condemns North Korea for shooting a South Korean official, at the presidential office in Seoul on Thursday. Photo by Yonhap
SEOUL, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- North Korea fatally shot a missing South Korean fisheries official and burned his body earlier this week, defense officials confirmed Thursday, condemning the "brutal" act. The 47-year-old victim, an employee of the Ministry of Ocean and Fisheries, went missing on Monday while on an inspection boat patrolling waters roughly 6 miles south of the Northern Limit Line, the disputed maritime boundary between the two Koreas. Advertisement
"Our military has conducted a thorough analysis of various intelligence reports and confirmed that North Korea has committed a brutal attack by shooting and burning the body of a South Korean national found in North Korean waters," the defense ministry said in a statement read by Lt. Gen. Ahn Young-ho, chief director of operations of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
"We strongly condemn North Korea's brutality and strongly urge North Korea to provide an explanation and to punish those responsible for this atrocity," the statement added.
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The unnamed fisheries official went missing in waters roughly 1.2 miles south of Soyeonpyeong Island, located on the western side of the peninsula, Ahn said.
His movements were later detected in waters on the North Korean side of the border, defense officials said earlier this week. The official had been reported missing by crew members, who found only his shoes left behind on the ship.
South Korean defense officials believe that the man had intended to defect to North Korea, according to Yonhap News Agency.
The official was picked up and questioned on a North Korean patrol boat out at sea and then executed on orders from a "superior authority," according to the Yonhap report. He was then doused in gasoline and set on fire as a likely COVID-19 prevention measure, defense officials said.
North Korea has reported no confirmed cases of the coronavirus, although many experts doubt that claim. In July, the communist state shut down the border city of Kaesong after a defector who had fled back from the South was suspected of having the virus. The lockdown was later lifted and no infections were reported.
Gen. Robert Abrams, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, said earlier this month in remarks at an online conference that North Korean troops have "shoot-to-kill orders" on the border to prevent the coronavirus from entering the country.
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South Korea's presidential office condemned the killing on Thursday afternoon.
"It cannot be justified for any reason that the North Korean military shot an unarmed citizen who was not resisting and destroyed the body," Suh Choo-suk, deputy director of the national security office, said in a statement.
"The North Korean military's actions are against international norms and humanitarianism and the South Korean government strongly condemns them. North Korea should take full responsibility for this incident, clarify the truth and punish the person in charge," he said.
Suh added that the killing did not violate the details of the Sept. 19 military agreement between the two Koreas, which was signed in 2018 at a summit between President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang.
However, he said that it "undermines the spirit" of the agreement, whose purpose was "alleviating military tensions and building trust in the border region."
After a briefing with security advisers, Moon called the killing "shocking" and "unacceptable" and said that the military would be placed on alert.
"The military should be fully prepared to protect the lives and safety of the people by further strengthening their alert posture," Moon said, according to spokesman Kang Min-seok.
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Pyongyang has not commented on the incident, which marks the first time a South Korean civilian was killed in North Korea since 2008, when a 53-year-old tourist was fatally shot at the North's Mount Kumgang resort area by soldiers after she wandered into a restricted area.
The killing further strains relations between the two Koreas, which deteriorated in the spring when Pyongyang angrily began denouncing the longstanding practice of defectors sending information leaflets across the border via balloons.
North Korea cut off all communications lines with the South and blew up the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong in June in protest.
South Korea's unification ministry also condemned the killing on Thursday, calling it "unjustifiable for any reason" in a statement.
"These actions of the North Korean military pour cold water on our consistent patience and efforts for reconciliation and peace between the two Koreas," the statement said.


upi--2020-09-24--Hong Kong police arrest pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- Prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong was arrested Thursday on suspicion of participating in an illegal protest last year , according to a post on his confirmed Twitter account .
The 23-year-old protester said in the post that he was arrested while reporting to the Central Police District Headquarters at about 1 p.m. and was told he was being detained for participating in an unauthorized assembly protesting a new anti-mask law on Oct. 5 .
Police told him that he was also being charged for violating the controversial anti-mask law .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unauthorized assembly on 5 Oct. last year , '' the statement said .
`` He is told to have violated the draconian anti-mask law as well . ''
Activist Koo Sze-yiu of the League of Social Democrats was also arrested Thursday on suspicion of participating in the unauthorized event , the Hong Kong Free Press reported .
Avery Ng , chairman of the League of Social Democrats , confirmed via Twitter that the two men had been arrested .
The anti-mask law went into effect on Oct. 5 , a day after Hong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban through colonial-era emergency powers that had not been invoked since 1967 .
A Hong Kong court ruled in November that the law was unconstitutional but an appeals court in April overturned the lower court 's decision , stating the emergency powers used to bypass the legislature were allowed `` when there is a public danger . ''
Wong 's arrest came a day after a Hong Kong court dismissed his application for a judicial review of his disqualification from last year 's district council elections .
The activist had attempted to run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only candidate to be disqualified for political reasons , as officials decided that he advocated for the city 's independence from China .
Wong has been at the forefront of the pro-democracy movement since he was a teenager , becoming a prominent figure of the Umbrella Movement of 2014 .
He is the most recent high-profile demonstrator to be detained by the police .
Last month , police arrested media tycoon Samuel Chu , activist and former politician Nathan Law and Agnes Chow , a prominent activist connected to Joshua Wong , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of breaching a new draconian national security law that went into effect this summer .

Pro-democracy activist Johsua Wong was arrested Thursday on suspicion of participating in an illegal assembly. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong was arrested Thursday on suspicion of participating in an illegal protest last year, according to a post on his confirmed Twitter account. The 23-year-old protester said in the post that he was arrested while reporting to the Central Police District Headquarters at about 1 p.m. and was told he was being detained for participating in an unauthorized assembly protesting a new anti-mask law on Oct. 5. Advertisement
Police told him that he was also being charged for violating the controversial anti-mask law.
"The arrest is related to participating in an unauthorized assembly on 5 Oct. last year," the statement said. "He is told to have violated the draconian anti-mask law as well."
#BREAKING Joshua is arrested when reporting to Central Police Station at about 1pm today. The arrest is related to participating in an unauthorized assembly on 5Oct last year. He is told to have violated the draconian anti-mask law as well.— Joshua Wong 黃之鋒 (@joshuawongcf) September 24, 2020
Activist Koo Sze-yiu of the League of Social Democrats was also arrested Thursday on suspicion of participating in the unauthorized event, the Hong Kong Free Press reported.
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Avery Ng, chairman of the League of Social Democrats, confirmed via Twitter that the two men had been arrested.
The anti-mask law went into effect on Oct. 5, a day after Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam implemented the ban through colonial-era emergency powers that had not been invoked since 1967.
A Hong Kong court ruled in November that the law was unconstitutional but an appeals court in April overturned the lower court's decision, stating the emergency powers used to bypass the legislature were allowed "when there is a public danger."
Wong's arrest came a day after a Hong Kong court dismissed his application for a judicial review of his disqualification from last year's district council elections. The activist had attempted to run in the local elections but became the only candidate to be disqualified for political reasons, as officials decided that he advocated for the city's independence from China.
Wong has been at the forefront of the pro-democracy movement since he was a teenager, becoming a prominent figure of the Umbrella Movement of 2014. He is the most recent high-profile demonstrator to be detained by the police.
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Last month, police arrested media tycoon Samuel Chu, activist and former politician Nathan Law and Agnes Chow, a prominent activist connected to Joshua Wong, as well as several others, on suspicion of breaching a new draconian national security law that went into effect this summer.


upi--2020-09-24--Study: Diabetes drug metformin may protect the aging brain

A common type 2 diabetes drug called metformin may have an unexpected , but positive , side effect : New research suggests that people taking the drug appear to have significantly slower declines in thinking and memory as they age .
`` Our six-year study of older Australians with type 2 diabetes has uncovered a link between metformin use and slower cognitive [ mental ] decline and lower dementia rates , '' said study author Dr. Katherine Samaras .
She 's the leader of the healthy aging research theme at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in New South Wales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new hope for a means of reducing the risk of dementia in individuals with type 2 diabetes , and potentially those without diabetes , '' Samaras said .
Metformin helps the body use the hormone insulin more effectively .
It 's known as an insulin sensitizer .
Insulin helps usher sugar into the body 's cells to be used as fuel .
People with type 2 diabetes do n't use insulin effectively .
This is called insulin resistance .
`` Metformin is an insulin-sensitizing medication .
However , it has a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remain metabolically healthy , '' Samaras explained .
Samaras noted that experts think that type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance may play a role in the degeneration of brain and nerve tissues , as well as lead to harmful changes in blood vessels .
By boosting how well insulin works in the body , metformin may help hold off some of this damage .
The study followed more than 1,000 people , aged 70 to 90 , for six years .
At the start of the study , all of the volunteers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signs of dementia .
They underwent a series of neuropsychological tests every two years .
Among the participants , 123 had diabetes and 67 were taking metformin .
People with diabetes who did n't take metformin had a five times higher risk of developing dementia during the study , the investigators found .
The researchers noted that this is n't the first study to show that metformin might be linked to lower dementia risk .
Other studies have found a similar association .
The authors aimed to see if the drug made a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an older group of people .
Samaras and her colleagues are now planning a three-year , randomized controlled clinical trial of metformin in people who do n't have diabetes but who do have a high risk of developing dementia .
`` Our study has provided promising initial evidence that metformin may protect against cognitive decline .
[ The new ] trial will reveal whether metformin can assist in preventing against cognitive decline in older people more broadly , '' she said .
Metformin is an inexpensive drug and has few side effects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as digestive problems , typically occur during the first few weeks of taking the drug and then subside .
The findings were published online Sept. 23 in Diabetes Care .
Heather Snyder , vice president of medical and scientific relations at the Alzheimer 's Association , said while this is n't the first study to show metformin 's possible brain benefits , this is `` a big population and a different population followed over a period of years , specifically for this question .
It 's always encouraging to see similar results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's hard to know exactly how metformin is helping to slow memory and thinking problems .
But there are a number of trials looking to see whether or not metformin might be an effective treatment for slowing the onset of dementia .
There 's a large nationwide study in the United States , and British researchers will be looking at how metformin combined with healthy lifestyle changes might impact the risk of dementia .
In the meantime , if you 'd like to take steps to potentially lower your risk of dementia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about what you can do , such as exercise regularly , eat a healthy diet and be socially engaged -- as much as is safely possible during the coronavirus pandemic .
Learn more about possible ways to prevent dementia from the Alzheimer 's Association .

A common type 2 diabetes drug called metformin may have an unexpected, but positive, side effect: New research suggests that people taking the drug appear to have significantly slower declines in thinking and memory as they age.
"Our six-year study of older Australians with type 2 diabetes has uncovered a link between metformin use and slower cognitive [mental] decline and lower dementia rates," said study author Dr. Katherine Samaras. She's the leader of the healthy aging research theme at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in New South Wales, Australia.
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"The findings provide new hope for a means of reducing the risk of dementia in individuals with type 2 diabetes, and potentially those without diabetes," Samaras said.
Metformin helps the body use the hormone insulin more effectively. It's known as an insulin sensitizer. Insulin helps usher sugar into the body's cells to be used as fuel. People with type 2 diabetes don't use insulin effectively. This is called insulin resistance.
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"Metformin is an insulin-sensitizing medication. However, it has a number of other effects in cells which allow them to remain metabolically healthy," Samaras explained.
Samaras noted that experts think that type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance may play a role in the degeneration of brain and nerve tissues, as well as lead to harmful changes in blood vessels. By boosting how well insulin works in the body, metformin may help hold off some of this damage.
The study followed more than 1,000 people, aged 70 to 90, for six years. At the start of the study, all of the volunteers were living at home and had no signs of dementia. They underwent a series of neuropsychological tests every two years.
Among the participants, 123 had diabetes and 67 were taking metformin.
People with diabetes who didn't take metformin had a five times higher risk of developing dementia during the study, the investigators found.
The researchers noted that this isn't the first study to show that metformin might be linked to lower dementia risk. Other studies have found a similar association. The authors aimed to see if the drug made a difference in declines in memory and thinking in an older group of people.
Advertisement
Samaras and her colleagues are now planning a three-year, randomized controlled clinical trial of metformin in people who don't have diabetes but who do have a high risk of developing dementia.
"Our study has provided promising initial evidence that metformin may protect against cognitive decline. [The new] trial will reveal whether metformin can assist in preventing against cognitive decline in older people more broadly," she said.
Metformin is an inexpensive drug and has few side effects, Samaras noted. Side effects, such as digestive problems, typically occur during the first few weeks of taking the drug and then subside.
The findings were published online Sept. 23 in Diabetes Care.
Heather Snyder, vice president of medical and scientific relations at the Alzheimer's Association, said while this isn't the first study to show metformin's possible brain benefits, this is "a big population and a different population followed over a period of years, specifically for this question. It's always encouraging to see similar results in different populations."
Snyder said it's hard to know exactly how metformin is helping to slow memory and thinking problems. But there are a number of trials looking to see whether or not metformin might be an effective treatment for slowing the onset of dementia. There's a large nationwide study in the United States, and British researchers will be looking at how metformin combined with healthy lifestyle changes might impact the risk of dementia.
Advertisement
In the meantime, if you'd like to take steps to potentially lower your risk of dementia, Snyder recommended talking with your doctor about what you can do, such as exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet and be socially engaged -- as much as is safely possible during the coronavirus pandemic.
More information
Learn more about possible ways to prevent dementia from the Alzheimer's Association.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-09-24--Judge rules Eric Trump must give deposition before election

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- A New York state judge has dismissed a request from Eric Trump , the son of President Donald Trump , to delay being interviewed by the state 's attorney general until after the November presidential election .
Justice Arthur Engoron of the New York Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Trump , who is the executive vice president of the Trump Organization , must appear for an interview under oath with the attorney generals ' office no later than Oct. 7 .
The ruling comes in response to Trump 's lawyers requesting that his deposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Organization by Attorney General Letitia James be delayed until after the Nov. 3 presidential election , stating his schedule is to busy until then and that his remarks could be used for political purposes .
In his ruling , Engoron said , `` the court finds [ Trump 's ] application unpersuasive . ''
The ruling also orders the Trump Organization to provide James ' office with thousands of documents , including requested financial records concerning specific properties and transactions , that had been withheld .
James , who had subpoenaed Trump for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's ruling .
`` Justice and the rule of law prevailed today , '' she said in a statement .
`` We will immediately move to ensure that Donald Trump and the Trump Organization comply with the court 's order and submit financial records related to our investigation . ''
`` Further , Eric Trump will no longer be able to delay his interview and will be sitting down with investigators in my office no later than Oct. 7 , '' she added .
`` To be clear , no entity or individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our investigation will proceed or set the parameters of a lawful investigation . ''
James opened the investigation into the president and the Trump Organization in 2019 concerning accusations that his financial statements inflated his assets in order to mislead lenders to obtain favorable loans and insurance coverage while deflating his assets to pay less in taxes .

Eric Trump, son of U.S. President Donald Trump, must give his deposition concerning an ongoing investigation into his father and the Trump Organization, which he is its executive vice president, no later than Oct. 7. Pool Photo by Chip Somodevilla/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- A New York state judge has dismissed a request from Eric Trump, the son of President Donald Trump, to delay being interviewed by the state's attorney general until after the November presidential election. Justice Arthur Engoron of the New York Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Trump, who is the executive vice president of the Trump Organization, must appear for an interview under oath with the attorney generals' office no later than Oct. 7. Advertisement
The ruling comes in response to Trump's lawyers requesting that his deposition concerning an ongoing investigation into the Trump Organization by Attorney General Letitia James be delayed until after the Nov. 3 presidential election, stating his schedule is to busy until then and that his remarks could be used for political purposes.
In his ruling, Engoron said, "the court finds [Trump's] application unpersuasive."
The ruling also orders the Trump Organization to provide James' office with thousands of documents, including requested financial records concerning specific properties and transactions, that had been withheld.
James, who had subpoenaed Trump for the interview in August, cheered Engoron's ruling.
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"Justice and the rule of law prevailed today," she said in a statement. "We will immediately move to ensure that Donald Trump and the Trump Organization comply with the court's order and submit financial records related to our investigation."
"Further, Eric Trump will no longer be able to delay his interview and will be sitting down with investigators in my office no later than Oct. 7," she added. "To be clear, no entity or individual is allowed to dictate how or when our investigation will proceed or set the parameters of a lawful investigation."
James opened the investigation into the president and the Trump Organization in 2019 concerning accusations that his financial statements inflated his assets in order to mislead lenders to obtain favorable loans and insurance coverage while deflating his assets to pay less in taxes.


upi--2020-09-24--Blue Origin plans Texas launch of experiments for NASA, universities

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- Blue Origin 's reusable New Shepard rocket is scheduled for launch from West Texas on Thursday , with controllers hoping to test NASA 's new lunar lander sensor technology and conduct other experiments .
Liftoff is planned for 11 a.m. EDT at Blue Origin 's launch facilities about 150 miles east of El Paso .
The launch would be the 13th New Shepard mission and the seventh consecutive flight for the rocket , which is 60 feet high and emits 110,000 pounds of thrust .
The company , owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourists in a capsule designed for six people as it also develops its larger New Glenn rocket .
The NASA sensors are designed to help locate a safe site on the moon for upcoming landings , according to NASA and Blue Origin 's mission description .
`` The technologies could allow future missions -- both crewed and robotic -- to target landing sites that were n't possible during the Apollo missions , such as regions with varied terrain near craters , '' the description said .
Blue Origin leads the so-called National Team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moon missions .
The team includes Lockheed Martin , Northrop Grumman , and Draper .
The sensors are the first payload to fly mounted on the exterior of a New Shepard booster rather than inside its capsule , which the company said could open up opportunities for other exterior technology , including `` a wide range of future high-altitude sensing , sampling and exposure payloads . ''
At least two plant experiments are in the rocket 's capsule , one of which was designed by researchers at the University of Florida 's Ferl/Paul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the right rocket for the mission because it is suborbital , going to the edge of space at 62 miles up , and most of our research has to do with how plants experience suborbital flight , '' said Jordan Callaham , the lab manager .
`` We 're really looking at how plants can survive on a journey to space , and whether they adapt quickly to microgravity . ''
The Florida experiment consists of two Petri dishes with leafy greens inside .
As the rocket ascends , fluorescent light cameras @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cells .
Callaham said previous experiments have shown changes in the shape and movement of cells , and the new technology will test a better camera for images .
`` The flight is a total of 20 to 25 minutes , so we would look for how the proteins are responding during that short time , '' she said .
Other payloads on board the so-called NS-13 mission include experiments from Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland , NASA 's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California and Colorado-based Space Lab Technologies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are exercising strict social distancing and safety measures to mitigate COVID-19 risks , according to Blue Origin .

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Blue Origin postponed the launch of the company's New Shepard rocket, shown landing after a flight in December, on Thursday in West Texas. Photo courtesy of Blue Origin
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Blue Origin postponed the launch of the company's reusable New Shepard rocket Thursday in Texas, citing internal power supply issues for NASA and university experiments on board. "Launch is scrubbed for today. New launch target forthcoming," the company announced on Twitter. Advertisement
Liftoff had been scheduled for 12:40 p.m. EDT at Blue Origin's launch facilities about 150 miles east of El Paso. The company had delayed an earlier launch Thursday due to clouds in the area.
The launch would have been the 13th New Shepard mission and the seventh consecutive flight for the rocket, which is 60 feet high and emits 110,000 pounds of thrust.
The company, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, one day wants to fly space tourists in a capsule designed for six people as it also develops its larger New Glenn rocket.
The NASA experiment on the rocket includes sensors designed to help locate a safe site on the moon for upcoming landings, according to NASA and Blue Origin's mission description.
Those sensors require clear skies to function properly, Blue Origin said Thursday, and that was the cause of the initial delay.
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"The technologies could allow future missions -- both crewed and robotic -- to target landing sites that weren't possible during the Apollo missions, such as regions with varied terrain near craters," the mission description said.
Blue Origin leads the so-called National Team in developing a human lander for future moon missions. The team includes Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Draper.
The sensors are the first payload to fly mounted on the exterior of a New Shepard booster rather than inside its capsule, which the company said could open up opportunities for other exterior technology, including "a wide range of future high-altitude sensing, sampling and exposure payloads."
At least two plant experiments are in the rocket's capsule, one of which was designed by researchers at the University of Florida's Ferl/Paul Space Plants Lab.
"Blue Origin was the right rocket for the mission because it is suborbital, going to the edge of space at 62 miles up, and most of our research has to do with how plants experience suborbital flight," said Jordan Callaham, the lab manager.
"We're really looking at how plants can survive on a journey to space, and whether they adapt quickly to microgravity."
The Florida experiment consists of Petri dishes with leafy greens inside. As the rocket ascends, fluorescent light cameras take images of the plants and their cells.
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Callaham said previous experiments have shown changes in the shape and movement of cells, and the new technology will test a better camera for images.
"The flight is a total of 20 to 25 minutes, so we would look for how the proteins are responding during that short time," she said.
Other payloads on board the so-called NS-13 mission include experiments from Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland, NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California and Colorado-based Space Lab Technologies.
All mission crew supporting the launch are exercising strict social distancing and safety measures to mitigate COVID-19 risks, according to Blue Origin.
Out-of-this-world images from space
The International Space Station is pictured from the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour during a flyaround of the orbiting lab that took place following its undocking from the Harmony module’s space-facing port on November 8. Photo courtesy of NASA


upi--2020-09-24--On This Day, Sept. 24: Hurricane Rita makes landfall

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1789 , the Judiciary Act of 1789 was passed by Congress and signed by President George Washington , establishing the Supreme Court of the United States as a tribunal made up of six justices who were to serve on the court until death or retirement .
The number of justices became nine in 1869 .
In 1929 , aviator James Doolittle demonstrated the first `` blind '' takeoff and landing , using only instruments to guide his aircraft .
In 1942 , as World War II raged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-running radio show and announced he was going into the U.S. Army .
He was succeeded on radio by Harry James .
In 1957 , U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent the 101st Airborne Division to Little Rock , Ark.
, to enforce the Supreme Court 's desegregation decision .
In 1959 , U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev met at Camp David , Md .
In 1964 , Chief Justice Earl Warren hand-delivered to President Lyndon B. Johnson the Warren Commission report on the assassination of President John F. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the so-called Chicago 8 -- later to be known as the Chicago 7 -- trial began for eight men accused of taking part in anti-Vietnam War protests during the 1968 Democratic National Convention .
Some of the accused were convicted , but all were overturned .
In 1998 , Iran 's foreign minister announced the country had dropped its 1989 call for the death of Salman Rushdie , author of The Satanic Verses , which many Muslims found blasphemous .
In 2005 , the eye of Hurricane Rita made landfall at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was responsible for more than 100 deaths and more than $ 18.5 million in damage , bringing a devastating storm surge that only worsened the effects of Hurricane Katrina weeks before .
In 2007 , about 73,000 members of the United Auto Workers went on strike against General Motors after contract negotiations bogged down over wages and benefits .
The walkout ended within two days .
In 2009 , the discovery of a treasure trove of more than 1,500 finely crafted gold , silver and copper artifacts , found with a metal detector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was termed one of most important in British archaeological history .
In 2013 , authorities in southwest Pakistan said a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Balochistan province killed at least 500 people and destroyed hundreds of houses throughout the region .
In 2019 , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced an official impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump over allegations he pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to announced an investigation into Joe Biden and threatened to withhold military aid .

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A military vehicle makes it's way down a flooded St. Bernard Street in Louisiana on September 25, 2005, after the region swapped by Hurricane Rita. The storm made landfall on September 24, 2005. File Photo by A.J. Sisco/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1789, the Judiciary Act of 1789 was passed by Congress and signed by President George Washington, establishing the Supreme Court of the United States as a tribunal made up of six justices who were to serve on the court until death or retirement. The number of justices became nine in 1869. Advertisement
In 1929, aviator James Doolittle demonstrated the first "blind" takeoff and landing, using only instruments to guide his aircraft.
In 1942, as World War II raged, popular bandleader Glenn Miller ended his long-running radio show and announced he was going into the U.S. Army. He was succeeded on radio by Harry James.
In 1957, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent the 101st Airborne Division to Little Rock, Ark., to enforce the Supreme Court's desegregation decision.
UPI File Photo
In 1959, U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev met at Camp David, Md.
In 1964, Chief Justice Earl Warren hand-delivered to President Lyndon B. Johnson the Warren Commission report on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy a year prior.
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In 1969, the so-called Chicago 8 -- later to be known as the Chicago 7 -- trial began for eight men accused of taking part in anti-Vietnam War protests during the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Some of the accused were convicted, but all were overturned.
In 1998, Iran's foreign minister announced the country had dropped its 1989 call for the death of Salman Rushdie, author of The Satanic Verses, which many Muslims found blasphemous.
In 2005, the eye of Hurricane Rita made landfall at the Texas-Louisiana border. The Category 3 storm was responsible for more than 100 deaths and more than $18.5 million in damage, bringing a devastating storm surge that only worsened the effects of Hurricane Katrina weeks before.
In 2007, about 73,000 members of the United Auto Workers went on strike against General Motors after contract negotiations bogged down over wages and benefits. The walkout ended within two days.
File Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI
In 2009, the discovery of a treasure trove of more than 1,500 finely crafted gold, silver and copper artifacts, found with a metal detector and believed buried by seventh-century Anglo-Saxon rulers, was termed one of most important in British archaeological history.
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In 2013, authorities in southwest Pakistan said a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Balochistan province killed at least 500 people and destroyed hundreds of houses throughout the region.
In 2019, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced an official impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump over allegations he pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to announced an investigation into Joe Biden and threatened to withhold military aid.