upi--2020-09-22--Hurricane Teddy heads for Atlantic Canada

Sept. 22 ( UPI ) -- After passing Bermuda a day prior , powerful Hurricane Teddy was heading for Atlantic Canada on Tuesday , producing potentially life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along the way , forecasters said .
As of 5 a.m. AST Tuesday , the storm was about 435 miles south of the Nova Scotian capital of Halifax , packing maximum sustained winds of 100 mph , making it a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale .
It was traveling north at 28 mph .
Teddy is forecast to weaken from Tuesday night to become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it travels over Nova Scotia on Wednesday , the advisory said .
Large swells generated by the system were affecting Bermuda , the Lesser Antilles , the Greater Antilles , the Bahamas , the eastern coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada , the advisory said .
`` These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions , '' it said .
Teddy first developed in the central Atlantic on Saturday , Sept. 12 .
On Friday night , Teddy strengthened into a Category 4 major hurricane on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only other Atlantic storm to achieve major hurricane status so far this season .
According to Colorado State University Meteorologist Phil Klotzbach , the average date for the second major hurricane formation in the Atlantic is Oct. 3 .
`` Teddy will interact with an upper-level storm system moving across eastern Canada early in the week , and become an extratropical storm before making landfall in Nova Scotia Wednesday morning .
However , this is really just a technicality , as the impacts will still match those of a hurricane , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Canadian Hurricane Centre has issued a tropical storm warning for the southern coast of Nova Scotia and a tropical storm watch for the province 's northern coast .
The watch also extends westward into Prince Edward Island .
Tropical storm watches were also issued for portions of the southwestern coast of Newfoundland .
One of those impressive aspects of Teddy will be its expansive wind field .
Wind gusts of 40-60 mph will stretch all the way from the eastern shores of Labrador and Newfoundland to Cape Cod , Massachusetts .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center moves across Nova Scotia , are expected to reach 80-90 mph with an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 100 mph .
`` Teddy is already a large hurricane .
When it undergoes extratropical transition , the wind field will expand even further , '' Douty explained .
`` Even the New England coast will be quite gusty for a time , despite the storm being around 300 miles east of Boston at its closest approach . ''
Power outages and tree damage could be widespread across Atlantic Canada .
While powerful winter storms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly uncommon across this region , a storm of this strength striking this time of year , when all the leaves are still on the trees , can lead to more damage .
Winds of this magnitude are also capable of some structural damage , especially to any weaker buildings .
Loose objects like yard furniture , toys , planters and trash cans can easily become projectiles in the wind .
Dorian tracked across Atlantic Canada in early September of 2019 and brought widespread wind damage to Atlantic Canada .
Teddy has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain on its current forecast track .
Residents should begin to make appropriate preparations as this appears to be the most likely scenario .
On this track , 2-4 inches of rain would be widespread across Nova Scotia , with 1-2 inches stretching from eastern New Brunswick to the southeast coast of Labrador .
Locally heavier rainfall could fall where the center of the storm tracks , with an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 6 inches .
Heavy rain will also accompany the howling winds across Atlantic Canada .
However , heavy rain will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the fast-forward motion of the storm .
This can lead to some localized flooding , especially on streets and poor-drainage areas .
Most leaves across the region are only just starting to change , but with such strong winds , it 's also possible that enough leaves are blown down to clog some storm drains and cause more street flooding in urban areas .
Taking these impacts into consideration , Teddy is forecast to be a 1 on the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes in Atlantic Canada .
In comparison to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been used by meteorologists for decades and classifies storms by wind speed only , the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale is based on a broad range of important factors .
The scale covers not only wind speed but flooding rain , storm surge as well as economic damage and loss .
This communicates a more comprehensive representation of the potential impact of a storm to lives and livelihoods .
Meanwhile , Teddy has been kicking up some significant waves as the storm mowed its way across the Atlantic Ocean .
Wave heights near Teddy 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 20 feet and , up and down the shores of the East Coast , wave heights have been in the 5-foot to 7-foot range .
Even with Teddy several hundred miles off the coast , some coastal flooding and beach erosion was already being seen and will continue for the first part of the week along many portions of the East Coast , especially at times of high tide .
`` During the weekend , an area of high pressure over the interior Northeast helped to increase northeasterly winds , which enraged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well away from Teddy , '' according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski .
According to the NCDOT , portions of Route 12 along the Outer Banks in North Carolina are closed until at least Tuesday afternoon due to overwash .
Residents of the Outer Banks have been urged not to travel unless absolutely necessary .
Flooding along the Outer Banks could get worse over the next couple of days as surf continues to build and more and more of the protective dunes get worn down or washed away .
Because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , coastal impacts will also be quite expansive .
Nova Scotia and the southern coast of Newfoundland will bear the brunt of massive surf and dangerous storm surge .
Wave heights are forecast to reach an incredible 50-75 feet Tuesday on the open sea off the coasts of New England and Nova Scotia .
This will have a major impact on shipping , as any sea-going vessels that dare to enter this region will face extreme danger .
While the most fearsome seas will remain offshore , coastal areas will still have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave action .
`` The southern coast of Nova Scotia is no stranger to angry seas , and most of the towns sit in coves protected by rocky cliffs and barrier islands , '' explained AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist and Lead Canada Forecaster Brett Anderson .
`` However , with 30 foot seas even right to the coast and a large storm surge , any locations that are exposed and not sitting well above normal sea level could quickly become very dangerous to anyone caught there once Teddy arrives . ''
The entire Eastern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see rough surf and large swells propagating out from Teddy into midweek .
Persistent , gusty onshore flow along much of the East Coast will also add to the angry seas and rising water levels .
`` As the area of high pressure weakens , and Teddy moves toward Nova Scotia on Tuesday and Wednesday , wave action along the immediate coast south of the Carolinas will ease , but there can still be occasional large swells that catch bathers and boaters by surprise through the latter part of this week , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spinning in the Atlantic , as well as Paulette , which regenerated into a tropical storm south of the Azores on Monday night .
With months still left in the Atlantic hurricane season , more Greek letters are likely to be used .
Last week , AccuWeather meteorologists upped their 2020 season predictions for the number of total storms to 28 , which would tie the record number of named storms in the basin set in the notorious 2005 season .

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


upi--2020-09-22--Trump: North Korea denuclearization efforts should continue

SEOUL , Sept. 22 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump said the international community should continue with efforts toward full North Korean denuclearization amid a stalemate in negotiations with Pyongyang that has lasted for more than a year .
Trump 's remarks were part of a written message delivered to the 2020 International Atomic Energy Agency general conference , which commenced in Vienna on Monday .
`` We must ensure that Iran adheres to the commitments it made ... with the IAEA to prevent it from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon , and continue to work toward the final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' his message read .
U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette also delivered remarks at the conference and said Washington was ready to resume negotiations with Pyongyang .
`` The United States remains ready to make progress toward the final , fully verified denuclearization of North Korea , and we urge North Korea to join us in negotiations toward this objective -- thereby ensuring a brighter future for the North Korean people , '' he said .
Relations between the United States and North Korea have stalled since a February 2019 summit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jong Un in Hanoi , Vietnam , failed to produce an agreement on denuclearization .
The two leaders met again briefly in June of last year in the Demilitarized Zone that divides the Korean Peninsula , an event at which Trump made headlines when he briefly crossed the demarcation line into North Korean territory .
However , the gesture failed to spark a new round of discussions and North Korea has since expressed little interest in resuming working-level talks .
`` Explicitly speaking once again , we have no intention to sit face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jong Gun , director general in charge of U.S. affairs at North Korea 's foreign ministry , said in July .
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said last week that there were indications North Korea was continuing to produce enriched uranium at its Yongbyon nuclear facility .
Grossi said North Korea 's nuclear activities `` remain a cause for serious concern '' in a statement to the IAEA 's Board of Governors .
`` The continuation of the country 's nuclear program is a clear violation of relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After a 17-month hiatus , Pyongyang conducted over a dozen missile and weapons tests over the latter half of 2019 .
At the end of the year , Kim warned of a `` new strategic weapon '' coming soon .
North Korea tested weapons in March and April of this year , but it is unclear how much COVID-19 and recent damage from a series of typhoons have impacted the country 's military plans .
Many observers are looking toward Oct. 10 , when North Korea is expected to hold a large-scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the founding of the ruling Workers ' Party of Korea .
In the past , Pyongyang has used parades to show off its latest military hardware .
Satellite image analysis released Monday by website 38 North showed that practice is underway for the parade , which appears to include multiple-rocket launcher vehicles .
Analysts and South Korean officials have speculated that North Korea could test a submarine-launched ballistic missile around the anniversary date due to activity seen around the country 's Sinpo South Shipyard .
North Korea 's last nuclear test was @ @ @ @

President Donald J. Trump said in a statement to the International Atomic Energy Association that the international community should continue to pursue final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea. File Photo by Shealah Craighead/White House | License Photo
SEOUL, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said the international community should continue with efforts toward full North Korean denuclearization amid a stalemate in negotiations with Pyongyang that has lasted for more than a year. Trump's remarks were part of a written message delivered to the 2020 International Atomic Energy Agency general conference, which commenced in Vienna on Monday. Advertisement
"We must ensure that Iran adheres to the commitments it made...with the IAEA to prevent it from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon, and continue to work toward the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea," his message read.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette also delivered remarks at the conference and said Washington was ready to resume negotiations with Pyongyang.
"The United States remains ready to make progress toward the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea, and we urge North Korea to join us in negotiations toward this objective -- thereby ensuring a brighter future for the North Korean people," he said.
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Relations between the United States and North Korea have stalled since a February 2019 summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Hanoi, Vietnam, failed to produce an agreement on denuclearization.
The two leaders met again briefly in June of last year in the Demilitarized Zone that divides the Korean Peninsula, an event at which Trump made headlines when he briefly crossed the demarcation line into North Korean territory. However, the gesture failed to spark a new round of discussions and North Korea has since expressed little interest in resuming working-level talks.
"Explicitly speaking once again, we have no intention to sit face to face with U.S.," Kwon Jong Gun, director general in charge of U.S. affairs at North Korea's foreign ministry, said in July.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said last week that there were indications North Korea was continuing to produce enriched uranium at its Yongbyon nuclear facility.
Grossi said North Korea's nuclear activities "remain a cause for serious concern" in a statement to the IAEA's Board of Governors.
"The continuation of the country's nuclear program is a clear violation of relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions and is deeply regrettable," he said.
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After a 17-month hiatus, Pyongyang conducted over a dozen missile and weapons tests over the latter half of 2019. At the end of the year, Kim warned of a "new strategic weapon" coming soon.
North Korea tested weapons in March and April of this year, but it is unclear how much COVID-19 and recent damage from a series of typhoons have impacted the country's military plans.
Many observers are looking toward Oct. 10, when North Korea is expected to hold a large-scale military parade to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. In the past, Pyongyang has used parades to show off its latest military hardware.
Satellite image analysis released Monday by website 38 North showed that practice is underway for the parade, which appears to include multiple-rocket launcher vehicles.
Analysts and South Korean officials have speculated that North Korea could test a submarine-launched ballistic missile around the anniversary date due to activity seen around the country's Sinpo South Shipyard.
North Korea's last nuclear test was in September 2017.


upi--2020-09-22--Ren Zhiqiang, real estate mogul and Xi Jinping critic, sentenced to 18 years in prison for corruptio

Ren Zhiqiang, real estate mogul and Xi Jinping critic, sentenced to 18 years in prison for corruption

Sept. 22 ( UPI ) -- A Beijing court on Tuesday sentenced a Chinese real estate mogul who has spoken out against President Xi Jinping to 18 years in prison for corruption .
The Second Intermediate People 's Court of Beijing said in a statement that it found Ren Zhiqiang , the former chairman of the Beijing Huayan Group , of having used his position to embezzle public funds and accept bribes , netting himself more than $ 2.85 million .
The court said that between 2003 and 2017 , Ren , 69 , embezzled more than $ 16 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 184,000 in bribes while causing state-owned holding companies to lose more than $ 17 million through the abuse of his power .
He was also fined more some $ 619,000 , the Second Intermediate People 's Court of Beijing said .
`` The court held that the defendant Ren Zhiqiang 's actions constituted corruption , bribery , misappropriation of public funds and state-owned companies personnel abuse of power and should be punished in accordance with the law , '' the statement said .
The court said that Ren `` voluntarily confessed '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's judgment and did not file an appeal .
Ren was detained in March after penning a scathing essay against the government 's response to the coronavirus while criticizing Xi without mentioning him by name .
In the widely circulated essay , Ren condemned the government for endangering the public by attempting to cover up its initial outbreak of the coronavirus through silencing whistleblowers and chastised Xi as being a `` clown '' who has been stripped naked but insists `` on continuing being emperor . ''
The essay also accused the Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people when they needed the government most to protect them .
`` The reality shown by this epidemic is that the party defends its own interests , the government officials defend their own interests and the monarch only defends the status and interests of the core , '' Ren wrote , according to a translation of the essay by China Digital Times .
`` Precisely this type of system is capable of a situation where only the ruler 's order is obeyed with no regard for the people . ''
In April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the retired billionaire real estate developer was under investigation for corruption , and in July , he was handed over to prosecutors .

Ren Zhiqiang, an outspoken former manager of a Beijing-based real estate developer was handed an 18-year-prison sentence on Tuesday for corruption. Photo by An Ming/EPA-EFE
Sept. 22 (UPI) -- A Beijing court on Tuesday sentenced a Chinese real estate mogul who has spoken out against President Xi Jinping to 18 years in prison for corruption. The Second Intermediate People's Court of Beijing said in a statement that it found Ren Zhiqiang, the former chairman of the Beijing Huayan Group, of having used his position to embezzle public funds and accept bribes, netting himself more than $2.85 million. Advertisement
The court said that between 2003 and 2017, Ren, 69, embezzled more than $16 million in public funds and accepted more than $184,000 in bribes while causing state-owned holding companies to lose more than $17 million through the abuse of his power.
He was also fined more some $619,000, the Second Intermediate People's Court of Beijing said.
"The court held that the defendant Ren Zhiqiang's actions constituted corruption, bribery, misappropriation of public funds and state-owned companies personnel abuse of power and should be punished in accordance with the law," the statement said.
The court said that Ren "voluntarily confessed" to all crimes, accepted the court's judgment and did not file an appeal.
Ren was detained in March after penning a scathing essay against the government's response to the coronavirus while criticizing Xi without mentioning him by name.
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In the widely circulated essay, Ren condemned the government for endangering the public by attempting to cover up its initial outbreak of the coronavirus through silencing whistleblowers and chastised Xi as being a "clown" who has been stripped naked but insists "on continuing being emperor."
The essay also accused the Chinese Communist Party of having "abandoned" the people when they needed the government most to protect them.
"The reality shown by this epidemic is that the party defends its own interests, the government officials defend their own interests and the monarch only defends the status and interests of the core," Ren wrote, according to a translation of the essay by China Digital Times. "Precisely this type of system is capable of a situation where only the ruler's order is obeyed with no regard for the people."
In April, authorities confirmed in a statement that the retired billionaire real estate developer was under investigation for corruption, and in July, he was handed over to prosecutors.


upi--2020-09-22--Middle-aged Americans report more pain than seniors

Middle-aged Americans are living with more physical pain than older adults are -- and the problem is concentrated among the less-educated , a new study finds .
The pattern may seem counterintuitive , since older age generally means more chronic health conditions and wear-and-tear on the body .
And the middle-age pain peak is not seen in other wealthy countries , researchers said .
But as in other areas of health , there seems to be a dividing line among Americans , the study found .
It 's relatively less-educated people who are reporting more pain in middle age -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more pain throughout life than older generations did .
`` We 're not sure why that is , '' said study author Anne Case , a professor of economics and public affairs emeritus at Princeton University .
But she said her team suspects the causes may be related to a host of social factors affecting younger generations of Americans who lack a college degree : falling wages , job instability , fewer social connections , less marriage and more divorce .
`` It 's an unfortunate mix of things , '' Case said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is pain . ''
That 's not to say , she stressed , that the pain is n't `` real '' -- but that daily stress and poor mental well-being can worsen the experience of physical pain .
And if people are working two jobs , or worried about paying rent , Case said , it 's hard to exercise or take other steps to manage pain .
The study was published Sept. 21 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences .
It analyzed responses to several U.S. and international health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polls done between 2008 and 2017 , and the National Health Interview Survey for the years 1997 to 2018 .
They asked about pain in different ways .
The Gallup polls asked whether people experienced pain for `` a lot '' of the previous day .
The NHIS asked about pain over the past three months .
But both showed the same pattern , Case said .
People reported the most pain in middle age , with a decline starting around age 60 .
When the researchers looked again , taking education into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pain peak was only among Americans without a bachelor 's degree .
Among those with a degree , fewer people reported pain at any age -- and pain became more common with advancing age .
Americans with a college degree looked more like Europeans , whose pain reports also increased with age .
But why would older Americans without a college degree have less pain than their younger counterparts ?
According to Case , each generation of less-educated Americans seems to experience more pain -- throughout life -- than the ones before .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 32 % of less-educated Americans born in 1955 reported pain at age 52 .
Among people born in 1965 , 40 % reported pain at 52 .
Rising rates of obesity appeared to explain part of that trend , Case said .
But she believes social and economic factors play a key role as they have in `` deaths of despair , '' she noted .
Those deaths -- from suicide , drug overdoses and alcohol abuse -- have been rising among less-educated Americans .
It 's unclear exactly how the opioid crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pain among less-educated Americans may be both a cause and consequence of the epidemic , she noted .
Rising rates of pain may have helped fuel more prescriptions , while prolonged opioid use can actually worsen pain .
Dr. David Dickerson is vice chair of the American Society of Anesthesiologists ' committee on pain medicine .
He reviewed the study and took issue with the nonspecific ways the surveys , particularly the vague Gallup question , assessed pain .
But Dickerson agreed the findings could reflect the widening inequality in the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have charted in various health outcomes .
Obesity and its related health problems could be partly driving pain among younger , less-educated Americans , Dickerson said .
But he also stressed that pain can not be separated into `` physical '' and `` psychological . ''
And the day-to-day stress and insecurity many lower-income Americans face can feed pain , just as physical conditions can , added Dickerson .
He said the new findings underscore a reality that has already been on the radar : Pain is a growing problem among Americans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the future .
Dickerson said there is also concern the pandemic will worsen the situation .
Many people are not only dealing with greater stress , but more difficulty in dealing with it -- whether from less access to health care , fewer ways to exercise , or fewer `` feel-good moments '' in the day .
Harvard Medical School has more on managing chronic pain .

Middle-aged Americans are living with more physical pain than older adults are -- and the problem is concentrated among the less-educated, a new study finds.
The pattern may seem counterintuitive, since older age generally means more chronic health conditions and wear-and-tear on the body. And the middle-age pain peak is not seen in other wealthy countries, researchers said.
Advertisement
But as in other areas of health, there seems to be a dividing line among Americans, the study found. It's relatively less-educated people who are reporting more pain in middle age -- and it's because they are suffering more pain throughout life than older generations did.
"We're not sure why that is," said study author Anne Case, a professor of economics and public affairs emeritus at Princeton University.
But she said her team suspects the causes may be related to a host of social factors affecting younger generations of Americans who lack a college degree: falling wages, job instability, fewer social connections, less marriage and more divorce.
Advertisement
"It's an unfortunate mix of things," Case said. "And one of the manifestations is pain."
That's not to say, she stressed, that the pain isn't "real" -- but that daily stress and poor mental well-being can worsen the experience of physical pain.
And if people are working two jobs, or worried about paying rent, Case said, it's hard to exercise or take other steps to manage pain.
The study was published Sept. 21 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It analyzed responses to several U.S. and international health surveys. The U.S. surveys included Gallup polls done between 2008 and 2017, and the National Health Interview Survey for the years 1997 to 2018.
They asked about pain in different ways. The Gallup polls asked whether people experienced pain for "a lot" of the previous day. The NHIS asked about pain over the past three months.
But both showed the same pattern, Case said. People reported the most pain in middle age, with a decline starting around age 60.
When the researchers looked again, taking education into consideration, things diverged. The middle-age pain peak was only among Americans without a bachelor's degree. Among those with a degree, fewer people reported pain at any age -- and pain became more common with advancing age.
Advertisement
Americans with a college degree looked more like Europeans, whose pain reports also increased with age.
But why would older Americans without a college degree have less pain than their younger counterparts? According to Case, each generation of less-educated Americans seems to experience more pain -- throughout life -- than the ones before.
For example, the researchers found, 32% of less-educated Americans born in 1955 reported pain at age 52. Among people born in 1965, 40% reported pain at 52.
Rising rates of obesity appeared to explain part of that trend, Case said. But she believes social and economic factors play a key role as they have in "deaths of despair," she noted. Those deaths -- from suicide, drug overdoses and alcohol abuse -- have been rising among less-educated Americans.
It's unclear exactly how the opioid crisis fits in, Case said. But pain among less-educated Americans may be both a cause and consequence of the epidemic, she noted. Rising rates of pain may have helped fuel more prescriptions, while prolonged opioid use can actually worsen pain.
Dr. David Dickerson is vice chair of the American Society of Anesthesiologists' committee on pain medicine.
He reviewed the study and took issue with the nonspecific ways the surveys, particularly the vague Gallup question, assessed pain. But Dickerson agreed the findings could reflect the widening inequality in the United States -- a "health-wealth gap" studies have charted in various health outcomes.
Advertisement
Obesity and its related health problems could be partly driving pain among younger, less-educated Americans, Dickerson said.
But he also stressed that pain cannot be separated into "physical" and "psychological." And the day-to-day stress and insecurity many lower-income Americans face can feed pain, just as physical conditions can, added Dickerson.
He said the new findings underscore a reality that has already been on the radar: Pain is a growing problem among Americans, and that does not bode well for the future.
Dickerson said there is also concern the pandemic will worsen the situation. Many people are not only dealing with greater stress, but more difficulty in dealing with it -- whether from less access to health care, fewer ways to exercise, or fewer "feel-good moments" in the day.
More information
Harvard Medical School has more on managing chronic pain.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-09-22--Fantasy football: Dion Lewis, Saquon Barkley among best Week 3 add/drops

Sept. 22 ( UPI ) -- Injuries continue to sweep through the NFL just two weeks through the 2020 season , which means fantasy football team owners must make lineup adjustments .
The latest wave of ailments has Dion Lewis as my top waiver wire addition in all fantasy football leagues .
Running back Saquon Barkley -- a consensus Top 3 pick in most leagues -- should be dropped in all leagues after he sustained a season-ending injury in Week 2 .
Several other players sustained season-ending injuries or long-term injuries , which creates opportunities for players who should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look to add depth to your roster for the eventuality of future injuries to your players .
You also should look to add players who could get more opportunities if the starter at their position on their respective team were to sustain an injury .
Make sure to look at your opponent 's roster as well for Week 3 , as you could prevent them from adding a key player they could use against you .
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow , Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis and Indianapolis Colts tight end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wire priorities for Week 3 .
I have added some more of my favorite players to target on this week 's waiver wire and separated them by priority and position .
The players I have listed ahead of Wednesday 's waiver period have low ownership percentages in standard size leagues .
Here are my top players to add and top players to drop for Week 3 : Cincinnati Bengals rookie quarterback Joe Burrow is one of my favorite quarterbacks to add from this week 's waiver wire .
Burrow 's Bengals are 0-2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the young quarterback has shown promise .
Burrow scored a rushing touchdown in Week 1 .
He went off for 316 yards and three touchdown passes in Week 2 .
I expect Burrow to post QB1 numbers again in Week 3 when the Bengals battle the Philadelphia Eagles , who just allowed three touchdown passes to Jared Goff in Week 2 after struggling in Week 1 against the Washington Football Team offense .
Burrow should have at least two passing scores and 300 passing yards in Week 3 .
He is worth a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarterback .
Dion Lewis is one of my top waiver wire priorities at running back .
Lewis has immediate value in the New York Giants offense after Saquon Barkley sustained a season-ending injury .
Lewis should provide value as a flex play in deeper leagues going forward , especially in points per reception formats .
I would n't throw Lewis into your starting lineup immediately , but I would add him to your bench for when you need a bye week replacement or can use him in a good matchup .
Carolina Panthers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you should target this week on the waiver wire .
Davis should get most of the workload as the Panthers look to fill in for Christian McCaffrey , who will miss multiple weeks due to an ankle injury .
The Panthers face a tough Los Angeles Chargers defense in Week 3 , which means you should n't trust Davis too much quite yet .
I would add him to my bench and wait for a better matchup to use him , if you have that luxury .
If not , he should produce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has immediate value in leagues with at least 14 teams .
You might have missed out if you did n't pluck Corey Davis off the waiver wire or add him as a free agent last week .
The Tennessee Titans wide receiver appears to be a breakout candidate after two solid starts to launch his 2020 campaign .
Davis had 101 yards on seven catches in Week 1 .
He had three catches for 36 yards and scored his first touchdown of the season in Week 2 .
The 2-0 Titans are on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been part of the reason for that .
I like Davis as a WR3 going forward , regardless of the injury to fellow wide receiver A.J .
Brown .
He should be rostered in all leagues that have at least 12 teams and start three wide receivers .
Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle is out for multiple games due to an ankle injury .
Mo Alie-Cox has stepped up in his absence .
Alie-Cox went off for five catches and 111 yards in Week 2 .
He should have another impressive game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 0-2 New York Jets .
Alie-Cox is a must-add in leagues that have at least 12 teams and have a tight end slot .
The Colts love to use tight ends in their offense and Alie-Cox is a TE1 candidate in Week 3 .

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New York Giants running back Dion Lewis (R) should provide depth for your fantasy football team for the rest of the season after Saquon Barkley's season-ending injury. Photo by Mark Black/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Injuries continue to sweep through the NFL just two weeks through the 2020 season, which means fantasy football team owners must make lineup adjustments. The latest wave of ailments has Dion Lewis as my top waiver wire addition in all fantasy football leagues. Running back Saquon Barkley -- a consensus Top 3 pick in most leagues -- should be dropped in all leagues after he sustained a season-ending injury in Week 2. Advertisement
Several other players sustained season-ending injuries or long-term injuries, which creates opportunities for players who should be added to your roster.
You should look to add depth to your roster for the eventuality of future injuries to your players. You also should look to add players who could get more opportunities if the starter at their position on their respective team were to sustain an injury.
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Make sure to look at your opponent's roster as well for Week 3, as you could prevent them from adding a key player they could use against you.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis and Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox are among my other waiver wire priorities for Week 3.
I have added some more of my favorite players to target on this week's waiver wire and separated them by priority and position. The players I have listed ahead of Wednesday's waiver period have low ownership percentages in standard size leagues.
Here are my top players to add and top players to drop for Week 3:
ALL-ADD TEAM
QB | Joe Burrow; RB | Dion Lewis, Mike Davis, Jerick McKinnon; WR | Corey Davis, Danny Amendola; TE | Mo Alie-Cox; D/ST | Tampa Bay Buccaneers; K | Josh Lambo
HONORABLE MENTIONS
QB | Justin Herbert; RB |Darrell Henderson, Wayne, Gallman; WR | Allen Lazard, Scotty Miller; TE | Jordan Reed; D/ST | Jacksonville Jaguars
TOP DROPS
QB | Jimmy Garoppolo, Drew Lock; RB | Saquon Barkley; WR | Courtland Sutton; TE | Rob Gronkowski
QUARTERBACK
Cincinnati Bengals rookie quarterback Joe Burrow is one of my favorite quarterbacks to add from this week's waiver wire. Burrow's Bengals are 0-2 to start the 2020 season, but the young quarterback has shown promise. Burrow scored a rushing touchdown in Week 1. He went off for 316 yards and three touchdown passes in Week 2.
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I expect Burrow to post QB1 numbers again in Week 3 when the Bengals battle the Philadelphia Eagles, who just allowed three touchdown passes to Jared Goff in Week 2 after struggling in Week 1 against the Washington Football Team offense.
Burrow should have at least two passing scores and 300 passing yards in Week 3. He is worth a streaming start if you need help at quarterback.
RUNNING BACK
Dion Lewis is one of my top waiver wire priorities at running back. Lewis has immediate value in the New York Giants offense after Saquon Barkley sustained a season-ending injury. Lewis should provide value as a flex play in deeper leagues going forward, especially in points per reception formats.
I wouldn't throw Lewis into your starting lineup immediately, but I would add him to your bench for when you need a bye week replacement or can use him in a good matchup.
Carolina Panthers running back Mike Davis is another player you should target this week on the waiver wire. Davis should get most of the workload as the Panthers look to fill in for Christian McCaffrey, who will miss multiple weeks due to an ankle injury.
The Panthers face a tough Los Angeles Chargers defense in Week 3, which means you shouldn't trust Davis too much quite yet. I would add him to my bench and wait for a better matchup to use him, if you have that luxury. If not, he should produce low-end RB2 numbers in Week 3 and has immediate value in leagues with at least 14 teams.
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WIDE RECEIVER
You might have missed out if you didn't pluck Corey Davis off the waiver wire or add him as a free agent last week. The Tennessee Titans wide receiver appears to be a breakout candidate after two solid starts to launch his 2020 campaign.
Davis had 101 yards on seven catches in Week 1. He had three catches for 36 yards and scored his first touchdown of the season in Week 2.
The 2-0 Titans are on a roll and Davis' emergence has been part of the reason for that. I like Davis as a WR3 going forward, regardless of the injury to fellow wide receiver A.J. Brown. He should be rostered in all leagues that have at least 12 teams and start three wide receivers.
TIGHT END
Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle is out for multiple games due to an ankle injury. Mo Alie-Cox has stepped up in his absence. Alie-Cox went off for five catches and 111 yards in Week 2. He should have another impressive game in Week 3 when the Colts face the 0-2 New York Jets.
Alie-Cox is a must-add in leagues that have at least 12 teams and have a tight end slot. The Colts love to use tight ends in their offense and Alie-Cox is a TE1 candidate in Week 3.
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This week in the National Football League
Jacksonville Jaguars' James Robinson (30) runs for yardage against the Miami Dolphins in Jacksonville, Fla., on Thursday. The Dolphins defeated the Jaguars 31-13. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo


upi--2020-09-22--Famous birthdays for Sept. 22: Scott Baio, Tommy Lasorda

Sept. 22 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Virgo .

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Scott Baio speaks at the Republican National Convention at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on July 18, 2016. The actor turns 60 on September 22. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Virgo. They include: Advertisement
-- English chemist/physicist Michael Faraday in 1791
-- Actor Allan "Rocky" Lane, B-movie cowboy star/TV voice of Mr. Ed, in 1909
-- Co-founder of Amnesty International Eric Baker in 1920
-- Baseball Hall of Fame member Bob Lemon in 1920
-- Baseball Hall of Fame member Tommy Lasorda in 1927 (age 93)
File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI
-- Boxing champion Ingemar Johansson in 1932
-- Basketball Hall of Fame member Lute Olson in 1934
-- Former NBA Commissioner David Stern in 1942
-- Singer Toni Basil in 1943 (age 77)
-- Actor Paul Le Mat in 1945 (age 75)
-- Singer Debby Boone in 1956 (age 64)
-- Singer Nick Cave in 1957 (age 63)
-- Singer Joan Jett in 1958 (age 62)
-- Tenor Andrea Bocelli in 1958 (age 62)
File Photo by Monika Graff/UPI
-- Television commentator Neil Cavuto in 1958 (age 62)
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-- Actor Scott Baio in 1960 (age 60)
-- Actor Bonnie Hunt in 1961 (age 59)
-- Actor Catherine Oxenberg in 1961 (age 59)
-- Actor Ruth Jones in 1966 (age 54)
-- Rapper Mystikal, born Michael Lawrence Tyler, in 1970 (age 50)
-- Actor Billie Piper in 1982 (age 38)
-- Actor Tatiana Maslany in 1985 (age 35)
-- Actor Tom Felton in 1987 (age 33)
-- Actor Michael Rainey Jr. in 2000 (age 20)
File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI


upi--2020-09-22--On This Day, Sept. 22: Iraq invades Iran, kicking off war

Sept. 22 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1776 , the British hanged American Revolutionary War hero and patriot Nathan Hale .
His famous last words were , `` I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country . ''
In 1862 , President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation , freeing some 3 million slaves .
In 1927 , Jack Dempsey muffed a chance to regain the heavyweight championship when he knocked down Gene Tunney but failed to go to a neutral corner promptly , thereby delaying the referee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get up .
In 1949 , the U.S. nuclear monopoly ended when the Soviet Union detonated its first atomic bomb .
In 1961 , President John F. Kennedy signed a law giving the Peace Corps permanent status .
He hailed it as a way for Americans to work for world peace and understanding .
In 1975 , U.S. President Gerald Ford escaped a second assassination attempt in 17 days , this one by self-proclaimed revolutionary Sara Jane Moore , who tried to shoot him as he walked from a San Francisco hotel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oliver Sipple , a bystander who grabbed her arm , slightly wounded a man in the crowd .
Moore served 32 years of a life prison sentence .
She was released in 2007 at the age of 77 .
Lynette `` Squeaky '' Fromme , convicted in a Sept. 5 , 1975 , assassination attempt in Sacramento , was paroled in 2009 , at age 60 , after 34 years in prison .
In 1980 , long-standing border disputes and political turmoil in Iran prompted Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to launch an invasion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , touching off an eight-year war .
In 1985 , more than 50 rock and country stars , headed by Willie Nelson , Neil Young and John Mellencamp , staged the 14-hour Farm Aid concert for 78,000 rain-soaked spectators in Champaign , Ill. , raising $ 10 million for debt-ridden U.S. farmers .
In 1994 , Friends , starring Jennifer Aniston , Courteney Cox , Lisa Kudrow , Matt LeBlanc , Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer , premiered on NBC .
The comedy series ran for 10 season , each of which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final TV season ratings .
In 2008 , officials at China 's health ministry said nearly 53,000 children , most of them younger than 2 years old , had been sickened by milk powder tainted with an industrial chemical .
At least four children died .
Ten Asian and African nations , including Japan , temporarily banned Chinese dairy products .
In 2010 , a Miami appeals court affirmed the adoption of two foster children by a gay couple , ruling Florida 's ban on same-sex adoption was unconstitutional .
In 2017 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time in its 250-year history , a woman will be joining its ranks as an infantry officer .
In 2019 , Billy Porter became the first openly gay man to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama in a Series for Pose .

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Iranian soldiers march during a parade ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the outset of the Iran-Iraq war in front of the mausoleum of the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, just outside Tehran, Iran, on September 22, 2005. File Photo by Mohammad Kheirkhah/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 22 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1776, the British hanged American Revolutionary War hero and patriot Nathan Hale. His famous last words were, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." Advertisement
In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing some 3 million slaves.
In 1888, National Geographic began publishing.
In 1927, Jack Dempsey muffed a chance to regain the heavyweight championship when he knocked down Gene Tunney but failed to go to a neutral corner promptly, thereby delaying the referee's count and giving the champ time to get up.
In 1949, the U.S. nuclear monopoly ended when the Soviet Union detonated its first atomic bomb.
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed a law giving the Peace Corps permanent status. He hailed it as a way for Americans to work for world peace and understanding.
In 1975, U.S. President Gerald Ford escaped a second assassination attempt in 17 days, this one by self-proclaimed revolutionary Sara Jane Moore, who tried to shoot him as he walked from a San Francisco hotel. Her shot, deflected by ex-Marine Oliver Sipple, a bystander who grabbed her arm, slightly wounded a man in the crowd. Moore served 32 years of a life prison sentence. She was released in 2007 at the age of 77. Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, convicted in a Sept. 5, 1975, assassination attempt in Sacramento, was paroled in 2009, at age 60, after 34 years in prison.
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File Photo courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
In 1980, long-standing border disputes and political turmoil in Iran prompted Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to launch an invasion of Iran's oil-producing province of Khuzestan, touching off an eight-year war.
In 1985, more than 50 rock and country stars, headed by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp, staged the 14-hour Farm Aid concert for 78,000 rain-soaked spectators in Champaign, Ill., raising $10 million for debt-ridden U.S. farmers.
File Photo by Armand Engelbrecht/UPI
In 1994, Friends, starring Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer, premiered on NBC. The comedy series ran for 10 season, each of which was ranked in the Top 10 of the final TV season ratings.
In 2008, officials at China's health ministry said nearly 53,000 children, most of them younger than 2 years old, had been sickened by milk powder tainted with an industrial chemical. At least four children died. Ten Asian and African nations, including Japan, temporarily banned Chinese dairy products.
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In 2010, a Miami appeals court affirmed the adoption of two foster children by a gay couple, ruling Florida's ban on same-sex adoption was unconstitutional.
In 2017, the U.S. Marine Corps announced that for the first time in its 250-year history, a woman will be joining its ranks as an infantry officer.
In 2019, Billy Porter became the first openly gay man to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama in a Series for Pose.


upi--2020-09-22--Charles Oakley first to get the boot on Season 29 of 'Dancing with the Stars'

Sept. 22 ( UPI ) -- NBA legend Charles Oakley and his partner Emma Slater were the first couple eliminated @ @ @ @ @ with the Stars in Los Angeles on Tuesday night .
Still in the running for @ @ @ @ @ Cheer coach Monica Aldama , Tiger King icon Carole Baskin , The Bachelorette alum Kaitlyn @ @ @ @ @ Chrishell Stause , retired NFL player Vernon Davis , actresses Anne Heche , Skai Jackson @ @ @ @ @ TV stars Jeannie Mai and Nev Schulman , Backstreet Boys singer A.J .
McLean , @ @ @ @ @ Nelly and Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir .
Carrie Ann Inaba , Bruno Tonioli and @ @ @ @ @ this season .
The Bachelorette 's Hannah Brown and her pro partner Alan Bersten won @ @ @ @ @

NBA legend Charles Oakley was the first celebrity eliminated from Season 29 of "Dancing with the Stars." Photo courtesy of ABC
Sept. 22 (UPI) -- NBA legend Charles Oakley and his partner Emma Slater were the first couple eliminated from Season 29 of Dancing with the Stars in Los Angeles on Tuesday night. Still in the running for the coveted mirror-ball trophy are Cheer coach Monica Aldama, Tiger King icon Carole Baskin, The Bachelorette alum Kaitlyn Bristowe, Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause, retired NFL player Vernon Davis, actresses Anne Heche, Skai Jackson and Justina Machado, reality TV stars Jeannie Mai and Nev Schulman, Backstreet Boys singer A.J. McLean, actor Jesse Metcalfe, rapper Nelly and Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir. Advertisement
Tyra Banks is the show's host.
Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough are the judges this season.
The Bachelorette's Hannah Brown and her pro partner Alan Bersten won Season 28 in November.


upi--2020-09-22--U.S. executes William LeCroy for killing Georgia nurse

Sept. 22 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. government on Tuesday executed a former U.S. soldier who killed a Georgia @ @ @ @ @ denied his request for a stay of execution .
William LeCroy , 50 , became @ @ @ @ @ be put to death this year .
The U.S. government resumed carrying out federal executions @ @ @ @ @ hiatus .
LeCroy was sentenced to die for the 2001 carjacking , rape and murder @ @ @ @ @ told police he believed Tiesler to be his old babysitter , who he said sexually @ @ @ @ @ determined that to be untrue .
He also said he killed her because he believed @ @ @ @ @ spell she put on him .
He had become obsessed with witchcraft after leaving the @ @ @ @ @ a new trial for LeCroy , saying his original counsel did n't inform the jury @ @ @ @ @ mental health and childhood that might have spared him the death penalty .
LeCroy was @ @ @ @ @ in Terre Haute , Ind .

Sept. 22 (UPI) -- The U.S. government on Tuesday executed a former U.S. soldier who killed a Georgia nurse after the Supreme Court denied his request for a stay of execution.
William LeCroy, 50, became the sixth federal inmate to be put to death this year. The U.S. government resumed carrying out federal executions in July after a 17-year hiatus.
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LeCroy was sentenced to die for the 2001 carjacking, rape and murder of Joann Tiesler. He told police he believed Tiesler to be his old babysitter, who he said sexually molested him, but later determined that to be untrue.
He also said he killed her because he believed doing so would lift a spell she put on him. He had become obsessed with witchcraft after leaving the military.
Defense lawyers sought a new trial for LeCroy, saying his original counsel didn't inform the jury about issues related to his mental health and childhood that might have spared him the death penalty.
LeCroy was executed at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Ind.


upi--2020-09-22--Ex-Falcons RB Devonta Freeman signing 1-year deal with Giants

Sept. 22 ( UPI ) -- The New York Giants are signing former Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman to a short-term contract after losing Saquon Barkley to a season-ending knee injury .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media on Tuesday that Freeman agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $ 3 million with the Giants .
According to ESPN , the two-time Pro Bowl tailback is expected to officially sign the pact Wednesday morning and could play as soon as Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers .
`` Devonta turned down more money from other teams because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best , '' Freeman 's agent , Drew Rosenhaus , told ESPN .
Barkley tore the ACL in his right knee during Sunday 's 17-13 loss to the Chicago Bears .
In his absence , veteran running back Dion Lewis saw a larger workload in the game .
Freeman , 28 , will become the top candidate to replace Barkley on early downs , with Lewis serving as a pass-catching back .
The Giants also have Wayne Gallman on the active roster , and veteran Rod Smith is on the practice squad .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Florida State .
He spent his first six seasons with the Falcons before the team let him walk in free agency this past off-season in favor of All-Pro tailback Todd Gurley .
In 77 career games with the Falcons , Freeman recorded 3,977 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns on 950 carries .
He added 257 receptions for 2,015 yards and 11 receiving scores on 323 targets .
Earlier Tuesday , the Giants placed Barkley on injured reserve .
Cornerback Ryan Lewis was added to the @ @ @ @ @ @

Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) spent his first six seasons with the Falcons before the team let him walk in free agency this past off-season in favor of All-Pro tailback Todd Gurley. File Photo by Derik Hamilton/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 22 (UPI) -- The New York Giants are signing former Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman to a short-term contract after losing Saquon Barkley to a season-ending knee injury. League sources told ESPN and NFL Media on Tuesday that Freeman agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $3 million with the Giants. According to ESPN, the two-time Pro Bowl tailback is expected to officially sign the pact Wednesday morning and could play as soon as Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. Advertisement
"Devonta turned down more money from other teams because he likes the opportunity with the Giants best," Freeman's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN.
Barkley tore the ACL in his right knee during Sunday's 17-13 loss to the Chicago Bears. In his absence, veteran running back Dion Lewis saw a larger workload in the game.
Freeman, 28, will become the top candidate to replace Barkley on early downs, with Lewis serving as a pass-catching back. The Giants also have Wayne Gallman on the active roster, and veteran Rod Smith is on the practice squad.
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The Falcons selected Freeman in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Florida State. He spent his first six seasons with the Falcons before the team let him walk in free agency this past off-season in favor of All-Pro tailback Todd Gurley.
In 77 career games with the Falcons, Freeman recorded 3,977 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns on 950 carries. He added 257 receptions for 2,015 yards and 11 receiving scores on 323 targets.
Earlier Tuesday, the Giants placed Barkley on injured reserve. Cornerback Ryan Lewis was added to the active roster in his place.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-09-22--Maine Supreme Court rules to allow ranked-choice voting for presidential election

Sept. 22 ( UPI ) -- Maine will become the first state in the country to use ranked-choice voting in a presidential election after its Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled Republicans failed to meet criteria to block it .
A panel of five judges on Tuesday overturned an August ruling by a lower court that ruled Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap was improperly disenfranchising voters by invalidating signatures collected by two people circulating petitions in towns they were not registered to vote in .
The state 's high court determined the limits requiring circulators be registered voters in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasonable '' for allowing the state to determine the validity of the petitions .
`` We conclude that the government 's interest is sufficient to justify the restriction that the requirement places on petitioners ' First Amendment rights , '' the judges wrote .
Tuesday 's decision follows a ruling earlier this month that allowed the state to begin printing ballots with rank-choice voting options ahead of the Nov. 3 election .
Ranked-choice voting , which has voters rank candidates in order of preference rather than to choose one from a group , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was used for all state and primary elections as well as general elections for Congress in 2018 .
The practice has faced multiple challenges from Republicans in the state and Maine GOP Chair Demi Kouzounas said the group was exploring possible options to review the decision through federal courts .
Dunlap described the ruling as a `` great relief , '' saying it would help the state avoid reprinting and reissuing ballots with just weeks before they are set to be delivered to absentee voters .

Maine's Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned a lower court ruling seeking to block ranked-choice voting in the state for November's presidential election. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Maine will become the first state in the country to use ranked-choice voting in a presidential election after its Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled Republicans failed to meet criteria to block it. A panel of five judges on Tuesday overturned an August ruling by a lower court that ruled Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap was improperly disenfranchising voters by invalidating signatures collected by two people circulating petitions in towns they were not registered to vote in. Advertisement
The state's high court determined the limits requiring circulators be registered voters in the areas where they distribute petitions was "reasonable" for allowing the state to determine the validity of the petitions.
"We conclude that the government's interest is sufficient to justify the restriction that the requirement places on petitioners' First Amendment rights," the judges wrote.
Tuesday's decision follows a ruling earlier this month that allowed the state to begin printing ballots with rank-choice voting options ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
Ranked-choice voting, which has voters rank candidates in order of preference rather than to choose one from a group, was first approved in Maine in 2016 and was used for all state and primary elections as well as general elections for Congress in 2018.
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The practice has faced multiple challenges from Republicans in the state and Maine GOP Chair Demi Kouzounas said the group was exploring possible options to review the decision through federal courts.
Dunlap described the ruling as a "great relief," saying it would help the state avoid reprinting and reissuing ballots with just weeks before they are set to be delivered to absentee voters.


upi--2020-09-22--Atlanta Falcons to allow limited number of fans at games starting Oct. 11

Sept. 22 ( UPI ) -- The Atlanta Falcons will allow a limited number of fans to attend games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium beginning Oct. 11 against the Carolina Panthers , the team announced Tuesday .
The team said in August that no fans would be allowed at the stadium through the month of September due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The latest decision to welcome fans back was based on the decline in COVID-19 cases in Georgia .
MLS club Atlanta United , who shares Mercedes-Benz Stadium with the Falcons , also will compete in front of a small number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required to wear masks .
`` We are thrilled to invite fans of both the Falcons and Atlanta United back to Mercedes-Benz Stadium , '' Steve Cannon , CEO of AMB Sports and Entertainment , said in a statement Tuesday .
`` Having fans watch from alternative locations was a difficult , but important , decision .
`` It 's been challenging for both teams to play without fans , but their well-being as well as the safety of our associates and fans was paramount . ''
The Falcons said they will host @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for their Week 3 home game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday to test stadium operations and protocols .
Mercedes-Benz Stadium initially planned to host between 10,000 and 20,000 fans at the 71,000-seat stadium until the coronavirus disrupted those plans .
Officials have n't determined how many fans will be allowed to attend games come Oct. 11 .

Mercedes-Benz Stadium initially planned to host between 10,000 and 20,000 fans at the 71,000-seat stadium until the coronavirus disrupted those plans. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 22 (UPI) -- The Atlanta Falcons will allow a limited number of fans to attend games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium beginning Oct. 11 against the Carolina Panthers, the team announced Tuesday. The team said in August that no fans would be allowed at the stadium through the month of September due to the coronavirus pandemic. The latest decision to welcome fans back was based on the decline in COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Advertisement
MLS club Atlanta United, who shares Mercedes-Benz Stadium with the Falcons, also will compete in front of a small number of fans. All fans will be required to wear masks.
"We are thrilled to invite fans of both the Falcons and Atlanta United back to Mercedes-Benz Stadium," Steve Cannon, CEO of AMB Sports and Entertainment, said in a statement Tuesday. "Having fans watch from alternative locations was a difficult, but important, decision.
"It's been challenging for both teams to play without fans, but their well-being as well as the safety of our associates and fans was paramount."
The Falcons said they will host about 500 friends, family and associates for their Week 3 home game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday to test stadium operations and protocols.
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Mercedes-Benz Stadium initially planned to host between 10,000 and 20,000 fans at the 71,000-seat stadium until the coronavirus disrupted those plans. Officials haven't determined how many fans will be allowed to attend games come Oct. 11.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-09-22--House passes stopgap funding bill, avoids shutdown

Sept. 22 ( UPI ) -- The House on Tuesday passed a a bipartisan agreement to fund the government through the end of the year , averting an Oct. 1 shutdown .
The vote came shortly after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she and Republican negotiators had reached a deal on the continuing resolution , which includes $ 8 billion to fund nutrition assistance and and greater oversight to make sure farm assistance does n't go to oil companies .
`` To help the millions of families struggling to keep food on the table during the pandemic , Democrats have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic [ Electronic Benefit Transfer ] for a full year and enabled our fellow Americans in the territories to receive this critical nutrition assistance , '' she said .
`` Democrats secured urgently needed assistance for schoolchildren to receive meals despite the coronavirus 's disruption of their usual schedules , whether virtual or in-person , and expanded Pandemic EBT access for young children in child care .
We also extended key flexibility for states to lower administrative requirements on [ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ] for families in the middle of this crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same legislation before President Donald Trump can sign it .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , who 's been negotiating the spending deal with Pelosi , did n't comment on her announcement .
The deal funds the U.S. government through Dec. 11 , avoiding a potential shutdown amid election season , a pandemic and an economic crisis .
The new fiscal year is set to begin Oct. 1 .
House Democrats ' original continuing resolution proposal eliminated about $ 30 billion supported by Trump for a bailout for farmers through the Commodity Credit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the funding after Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell promised a fight from his party .

The House of Representatives passed the continuing resolution after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she reached an agreement with Republican negotiators. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 22 (UPI) -- The House on Tuesday passed a a bipartisan agreement to fund the government through the end of the year, averting an Oct. 1 shutdown. The vote came shortly after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she and Republican negotiators had reached a deal on the continuing resolution, which includes $8 billion to fund nutrition assistance and and greater oversight to make sure farm assistance doesn't go to oil companies. Advertisement
"To help the millions of families struggling to keep food on the table during the pandemic, Democrats have renewed the vital, expiring lifeline of pandemic [Electronic Benefit Transfer] for a full year and enabled our fellow Americans in the territories to receive this critical nutrition assistance," she said.
"Democrats secured urgently needed assistance for schoolchildren to receive meals despite the coronavirus's disruption of their usual schedules, whether virtual or in-person, and expanded Pandemic EBT access for young children in child care. We also extended key flexibility for states to lower administrative requirements on [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] for families in the middle of this crisis."
The Senate must agree to the same legislation before President Donald Trump can sign it.
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Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who's been negotiating the spending deal with Pelosi, didn't comment on her announcement.
The deal funds the U.S. government through Dec. 11, avoiding a potential shutdown amid election season, a pandemic and an economic crisis. The new fiscal year is set to begin Oct. 1.
House Democrats' original continuing resolution proposal eliminated about $30 billion supported by Trump for a bailout for farmers through the Commodity Credit Corp. Further negotiations restored at least some of the funding after Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell promised a fight from his party.


upi--2020-09-22--Navy's fifth annual cybersecurity event goes online

Sept. 22 ( UPI ) -- The Navy is holding the first track of its fifth annual HACKtheMACHINE competition this week .
The event , which began Monday and continues through Sunday , typically includes in-person competitions -- but those have been delayed until 2021 due to COVID-19 .
Instead technologists from the military , private and public industries and academia will work together virtually .
`` In concert with NAVSEA 's 'open for business ' and 'on time delivery ' model , we wanted to hold part of HACKtheMACHINE virtually this year to ensure continuity of business , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways of executing the mission , '' said Tim Barnard , the deputy chief technology officer at Naval Sea Systems Command .
The second and third tracks will take place in March , but the first track -- which has three phases -- takes place this week and is free and open to the public .
During the first phase , contestants will analyze traffic captured from maritime navigation electronics and identify the network 's sensors and devices .
New members will be trained to understand the data and begin to apply their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teammates .
The virtual event also includes a `` Jeopardy !
`` -style game where existing cybersecurity experts can learn maritime-specific security skills .
In the final phase , top contestants will be able to `` attack '' an actual maritime cyber testbed over the Internet .
`` The military 's aviation community attracts talent through the Blue Angels , '' Anderson said .
`` Well , HACKtheMACHINE is our Blue Angels for geeks .
We want to attract the attention of talented people who might have not thought of serving in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civilian .

A team of Naval Midshipmen and Air Force Airmen from the Naval Academy and Air Force Academy participate in rack one during HacktheMachine competition at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York City in September 2019. Photo by Bryan lyankoff/U.S. Navy
Sept. 22 (UPI) -- The Navy is holding the first track of its fifth annual HACKtheMACHINE competition this week. The event, which began Monday and continues through Sunday, typically includes in-person competitions -- but those have been delayed until 2021 due to COVID-19. Advertisement
Instead technologists from the military, private and public industries and academia will work together virtually.
"In concert with NAVSEA's 'open for business' and 'on time delivery' model, we wanted to hold part of HACKtheMACHINE virtually this year to ensure continuity of business, and to challenge the Navy to explore new ways of executing the mission," said Tim Barnard, the deputy chief technology officer at Naval Sea Systems Command.
The second and third tracks will take place in March, but the first track -- which has three phases -- takes place this week and is free and open to the public.
During the first phase, contestants will analyze traffic captured from maritime navigation electronics and identify the network's sensors and devices.
New members will be trained to understand the data and begin to apply their own creative solutions as they work alongside teammates.
The virtual event also includes a "Jeopardy!"-style game where existing cybersecurity experts can learn maritime-specific security skills.
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In the final phase, top contestants will be able to "attack" an actual maritime cyber testbed over the Internet.
"The military's aviation community attracts talent through the Blue Angels," Anderson said. "Well, HACKtheMACHINE is our Blue Angels for geeks. We want to attract the attention of talented people who might have not thought of serving in the Navy, whether as a Sailor or civilian.


upi--2020-09-22--Palestinians relinquish Arab League chair over 'rushed' normalization with Israel

Sept. 22 ( UPI ) -- The Palestinian Authority on Tuesday announced it will relinquish its role as temporary chair of the current session of the Arab League .
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said the governing body would remain part of the Arab League but would give up its right to preside over chair meetings for the next six months after the League refused to condemn Arab countries ' normalization of relations with Israel .
`` I inform you today that the State of Palestine is relinquishing its chairmanship on this accursed round of meetings , '' al-Maliki said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record in its history that it presided over the moral degeneracy that was revealed in the last meeting ... and the normalization steps that followed it , which were in essence a rejection of the work we did between the walls of the Arab League . ''
The decision came after leaders from Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates formally normalized relations with Israel in a deal brokered with assistance from the United States last week .
`` Since the decision to rush after [ normalization ] was taken in Washington , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any more effort to sway [ the Arab League ] against normalization particularly since they are not the decision-makers , regretfully , '' said al-Maliki .
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the denial of the resolution did not impact the commitment of the Arab states to uphold the Arab Peace Initiative , which offers full normalization between Israel and Arab states with the condition of the establishment of a Palestinian state .
`` The Arab consensus on Palestine has not changed , '' he said .
`` Now , it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over some of the concepts related to peace with Israel . ''
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for a review of Palestinian membership on Tuesday after the resolution failed , but al-Maliki said it will not withdraw from the Arab League because it would `` create a vacuum and can generate different scenarios that we do not need at this sensitive stage . ''

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki on Tuesday relinquished its right to preside over meetings of the Arab League after a failed resolution to condemn the normalization of relations with Israel. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 22 (UPI) -- The Palestinian Authority on Tuesday announced it will relinquish its role as temporary chair of the current session of the Arab League. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said the governing body would remain part of the Arab League but would give up its right to preside over chair meetings for the next six months after the League refused to condemn Arab countries' normalization of relations with Israel. Advertisement
"I inform you today that the State of Palestine is relinquishing its chairmanship on this accursed round of meetings," al-Maliki said on Tuesday. "Palestine refuses to record in its history that it presided over the moral degeneracy that was revealed in the last meeting ... and the normalization steps that followed it, which were in essence a rejection of the work we did between the walls of the Arab League."
The decision came after leaders from Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates formally normalized relations with Israel in a deal brokered with assistance from the United States last week.
"Since the decision to rush after [normalization] was taken in Washington, it does not serve any purpose to exert any more effort to sway [the Arab League] against normalization particularly since they are not the decision-makers, regretfully," said al-Maliki.
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Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the denial of the resolution did not impact the commitment of the Arab states to uphold the Arab Peace Initiative, which offers full normalization between Israel and Arab states with the condition of the establishment of a Palestinian state.
"The Arab consensus on Palestine has not changed," he said. "Now, it's true that there is an Arab dispute over some of the concepts related to peace with Israel."
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for a review of Palestinian membership on Tuesday after the resolution failed, but al-Maliki said it will not withdraw from the Arab League because it would "create a vacuum and can generate different scenarios that we do not need at this sensitive stage."


upi--2020-09-22--College football: Notre Dame-Wake Forest postponed due to COVID-19

Sept. 22 ( UPI ) -- Saturday 's game between Notre Dame and Wake Forest has been postponed after the Fighting Irish announced 13 players are currently in isolation .
Notre Dame said in a statement Tuesday that seven student-athletes tested positive for the coronavirus out of 94 tests administered Monday .
Combined with testing results from last week , 13 players are isolated -- with 10 in quarantine .
Due to the positive results over the past two weeks , Notre Dame has paused all football-related activities until further testing is completed .
Both schools are working on rescheduling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and safety our primary focus , we will continue to follow our prevention protocols and ongoing testing procedures , '' Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said in a statement .
`` We managed an increase in positivity rates in August , and the players handled it wonderfully .
`` We knew COVID-19 would present challenges throughout the season , and we 'll always put student-athlete health and safety at the forefront of our decision making .
We look forward to resuming team activities and getting back on the playing field . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the programs are attempting to reschedule the game for Oct. 3 -- an open date that both schools share .
`` I know everyone involved is saddened to be unable to play this weekend , but based on the circumstances it is the right decision , '' Currie said in a statement Tuesday .
`` We are already discussing options for rescheduling with the ACC and our future opponents , including the possibility of playing on the October 3rd weekend . ''
Notre Dame beat South Florida 52-0 at home last week and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over Duke .
Wake Forest began the season with a blowout loss to top-ranked Clemson in Week 1 and a 45-42 setback to North Carolina State in Week 2 .
This is now the fourth ACC contest impacted because of coronavirus issues .

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly and the Fighting Irish opened their season with a win over Duke and beat South Florida 52-0 at home last week. File Photo by Ian Halperin/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Saturday's game between Notre Dame and Wake Forest has been postponed after the Fighting Irish announced 13 players are currently in isolation. Notre Dame said in a statement Tuesday that seven student-athletes tested positive for the coronavirus out of 94 tests administered Monday. Combined with testing results from last week, 13 players are isolated -- with 10 in quarantine. Advertisement
Due to the positive results over the past two weeks, Notre Dame has paused all football-related activities until further testing is completed. Both schools are working on rescheduling the matchup.
"With student-athlete health and safety our primary focus, we will continue to follow our prevention protocols and ongoing testing procedures," Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said in a statement. "We managed an increase in positivity rates in August, and the players handled it wonderfully.
"We knew COVID-19 would present challenges throughout the season, and we'll always put student-athlete health and safety at the forefront of our decision making. We look forward to resuming team activities and getting back on the playing field."
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Wake Forest athletic director John Currie said the programs are attempting to reschedule the game for Oct. 3 -- an open date that both schools share.
"I know everyone involved is saddened to be unable to play this weekend, but based on the circumstances it is the right decision," Currie said in a statement Tuesday. "We are already discussing options for rescheduling with the ACC and our future opponents, including the possibility of playing on the October 3rd weekend."
Notre Dame beat South Florida 52-0 at home last week and opened the 2020 season with a victory over Duke.
Wake Forest began the season with a blowout loss to top-ranked Clemson in Week 1 and a 45-42 setback to North Carolina State in Week 2.
This is now the fourth ACC contest impacted because of coronavirus issues.


upi--2020-09-22--Military children born overseas get automatic citizenship -- again

Sept. 22 ( UPI ) -- Military children who are not American citizens will be able to obtain citizenship automatically , U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced .
The Citizenship for Children of Military Members and Civil Servants Act , passed by Congress in March and implemented this month , grants automatic citizenship to military children who are living with an American parent stationed overseas and to children whose parents are U.S. government employees living overseas .
It 's a reversal of a policy implemented in 2019 that forced military families to file new paperwork and pay additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of service members born overseas .
Children born abroad to U.S. citizens are considered citizens at birth , but legal permanent U.S. residents serve in the military , and it is not uncommon for military members serving abroad to adopt children born in their host country while living overseas .
The 2019 policy affected children born overseas to or adopted by permanent legal residents -- about two dozen of whom are born each year -- saying they would not be considered residents of the United States .
It also included conflicting rules about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ causing widespread confusion about who was affected .
`` Forcing military families to jump through bureaucratic hoops and spend hundreds of dollars applying for citizenship on behalf of their children was not right , which is why I 'm glad that this bipartisan bill to ensure that children of U.S. servicemembers and civil servants abroad automatically gain citizenship is now in effect , '' said Sen. Tammy Duckworth , D-Ill. , who introduced the bill last October .
Children of green card holders must still apply for citizenship .
The new policy change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 years old on March 26 , according to USCIS .

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) speaks during a news conference in front of the Supreme Court in 2017. Photo by Erin Schaff/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Military children who are not American citizens will be able to obtain citizenship automatically, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced. The Citizenship for Children of Military Members and Civil Servants Act, passed by Congress in March and implemented this month, grants automatic citizenship to military children who are living with an American parent stationed overseas and to children whose parents are U.S. government employees living overseas. Advertisement
It's a reversal of a policy implemented in 2019 that forced military families to file new paperwork and pay additional fees to gain citizenship for some children of service members born overseas.
Children born abroad to U.S. citizens are considered citizens at birth, but legal permanent U.S. residents serve in the military, and it is not uncommon for military members serving abroad to adopt children born in their host country while living overseas.
The 2019 policy affected children born overseas to or adopted by permanent legal residents -- about two dozen of whom are born each year -- saying they would not be considered residents of the United States.
It also included conflicting rules about the definition of "residence," causing widespread confusion about who was affected.
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"Forcing military families to jump through bureaucratic hoops and spend hundreds of dollars applying for citizenship on behalf of their children was not right, which is why I'm glad that this bipartisan bill to ensure that children of U.S. servicemembers and civil servants abroad automatically gain citizenship is now in effect," said Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., who introduced the bill last October.
Children of green card holders must still apply for citizenship.
The new policy change applies to children who were younger than 18 years old on March 26, according to USCIS.


upi--2020-09-22--Chicago Bulls hire ex-Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan

Sept. 22 ( UPI ) -- The Chicago Bulls have hired former Oklahoma City Thunder coach Billy Donovan as their next head coach .
The team announced the hiring of Donovan on Tuesday , less than two weeks after he mutually parted ways with the Thunder after five seasons .
He replaces Jim Boylen , who was fired by the Bulls in August .
`` We are very pleased to welcome Billy and his family to the Chicago Bulls .
The success that he has sustained over the course of his coaching career puts him on a different level , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations Arturas Karnisovas said in a statement Tuesday .
`` We feel his ability to help his players reach their potential , both individually and collectively , will mesh well with our roster .
Whether as a player or as a coach , he has won everywhere his career has taken him , and we hope that will continue here in Chicago . ''
Karnisovas aggressively pursued Donovan after the coach left the Thunder organization at the beginning of this month , according to ESPN .
The Bulls executive tried to sell Donovan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and chance to lead one of the NBA 's most decorated franchises .
Donovan posted a 243-157 record as head coach of the Thunder , including an 18-23 mark in the postseason .
He initially signed a five-year deal with the Thunder in April 2015 after spending 19 years as the men 's basketball coach at the University of Florida , where he won two national titles .
Donovan 's contract with the Thunder expired after the 2019-20 campaign .
`` I want to thank [ owner ] Jerry [ Reinsdorf ] , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] , Arturas and [ general manager ] Marc [ Eversley ] for the opportunity to coach the Chicago Bulls , '' Donovan said Tuesday .
`` I also want to thank them for the time and effort they put into this hiring process .
I 'm excited to partner with Arturas as we work together on behalf of this historic franchise . ''
Donovan , 55 , guided the Thunder to the playoffs in all five of his seasons .
In his first year in Oklahoma City , he led the Thunder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thunder went 44-28 in the regular season before losing to the Houston Rockets in the first round of the NBA playoffs in Orlando , Fla .

Former Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan (L) parted ways with the organization less than two weeks ago. File Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA-EFE
Sept. 22 (UPI) -- The Chicago Bulls have hired former Oklahoma City Thunder coach Billy Donovan as their next head coach. The team announced the hiring of Donovan on Tuesday, less than two weeks after he mutually parted ways with the Thunder after five seasons. He replaces Jim Boylen, who was fired by the Bulls in August. Advertisement
"We are very pleased to welcome Billy and his family to the Chicago Bulls. The success that he has sustained over the course of his coaching career puts him on a different level," Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas said in a statement Tuesday.
"We feel his ability to help his players reach their potential, both individually and collectively, will mesh well with our roster. Whether as a player or as a coach, he has won everywhere his career has taken him, and we hope that will continue here in Chicago."
Karnisovas aggressively pursued Donovan after the coach left the Thunder organization at the beginning of this month, according to ESPN. The Bulls executive tried to sell Donovan on the team's talented young roster and chance to lead one of the NBA's most decorated franchises.
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Donovan posted a 243-157 record as head coach of the Thunder, including an 18-23 mark in the postseason. He initially signed a five-year deal with the Thunder in April 2015 after spending 19 years as the men's basketball coach at the University of Florida, where he won two national titles.
Donovan's contract with the Thunder expired after the 2019-20 campaign.
"I want to thank [owner] Jerry [Reinsdorf], [team president] Michael [Reinsdorf], Arturas and [general manager] Marc [Eversley] for the opportunity to coach the Chicago Bulls," Donovan said Tuesday.
"I also want to thank them for the time and effort they put into this hiring process. I'm excited to partner with Arturas as we work together on behalf of this historic franchise."
Donovan, 55, guided the Thunder to the playoffs in all five of his seasons. In his first year in Oklahoma City, he led the Thunder to the Western Conference finals.
The Thunder went 44-28 in the regular season before losing to the Houston Rockets in the first round of the NBA playoffs in Orlando, Fla.


upi--2020-09-22--Botswana government says toxic algae bloom caused mass elephant deaths

Sept. 22 ( UPI ) -- Botswana 's government determined that toxic algae was responsible for the deaths of more than 350 elephants in the African country earlier this year .
Cyril Taolo , acting director of Botswana Wildlife and National Parks , said Monday that the elephants in the Seronga area in southern Africa died from a neurological disorder after drinking water tainted by a toxic algae bloom .
Taolo added , however , that no other species seemed to be affected by the contaminated water and that scavengers such as hyenas and vultures who were seen feeding on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not show signs of illness .
Laboratory analysis of the elephant carcasses found that the likely cause of death was a cyanobacteria that can cause paralysis and respiratory failure .
Local reports found that about 70 % of elephants died near water holes that contained algal blooms .
Niall McCann of British charity National Park Rescue , who discovered 169 dead elephants during a 3-hour flight over the Okavango Delta in early May , said the government 's determination `` rules out some of the more sinister things '' including human intervention such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work to determine exactly what caused the deaths was not quite done .
`` Just because cyanobacteria were found in the water that does not prove that the elephants died from exposure to those toxins .
Without good samples from dead elephants , all hypotheses are just that : hypotheses , '' McCann said .
McCann further warned that natural elephant die-offs will be exacerbated by climate change with increasing temperatures acting as a `` threat amplifier . ''

Botswana's government determined that a toxic algae bloom is responsible for the deaths of more than 350 elephants earlier this year. Photo by Gernot Hensel/EPA-EFE
Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Botswana's government determined that toxic algae was responsible for the deaths of more than 350 elephants in the African country earlier this year. Cyril Taolo, acting director of Botswana Wildlife and National Parks, said Monday that the elephants in the Seronga area in southern Africa died from a neurological disorder after drinking water tainted by a toxic algae bloom. Advertisement
Taolo added, however, that no other species seemed to be affected by the contaminated water and that scavengers such as hyenas and vultures who were seen feeding on the carcasses of the affected elephants did not show signs of illness.
Laboratory analysis of the elephant carcasses found that the likely cause of death was a cyanobacteria that can cause paralysis and respiratory failure.
Local reports found that about 70% of elephants died near water holes that contained algal blooms.
Niall McCann of British charity National Park Rescue, who discovered 169 dead elephants during a 3-hour flight over the Okavango Delta in early May, said the government's determination "rules out some of the more sinister things" including human intervention such as poaching.
He also said the work to determine exactly what caused the deaths was not quite done.
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"Just because cyanobacteria were found in the water that does not prove that the elephants died from exposure to those toxins. Without good samples from dead elephants, all hypotheses are just that: hypotheses," McCann said.
McCann further warned that natural elephant die-offs will be exacerbated by climate change with increasing temperatures acting as a "threat amplifier."