upi--2020-09-02--MLB suspends Yankees' Chapman 3 games; Boone, Cash get 1-game bans

Sept. 2 ( UPI ) -- New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone and closer Aroldis Chapman and Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash have all been suspended for their roles in a benches-clearing incident that occurred during Tuesday night 's game in New York .
Major League Baseball announced the suspensions Wednesday .
Chapman -- who plans to appeal -- received a three-game ban , while Boone and Cash each were suspended one game .
All three individuals also were handed undisclosed fines .
`` I do n't think I should be sitting out tonight -- nor Chappy -- but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boone said before Wednesday 's contest against the Rays .
Near the end of the Yankees ' 5-3 win over the Rays on Tuesday night , Chapman tossed a 101-mph fastball near the head of pinch hitter Michael Brosseau .
Umpires held an on-field meeting before issuing warnings to both clubs .
Chapman then struck out Brosseau to earn his first save of the season .
After the strikeout , Brosseau started walking toward the dugout before turning around and exchanging words with someone on the Yankees .
The verbal exchange caused both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to home plate .
Members of the teams kept their distance before returning to their respective clubhouses .
`` Both teams are professional enough to know that we 're playing for a lot , '' Boone said .
`` Even though there 's been a few of these incidences where the blood gets boiling and tempers flare a little bit , both teams are smart enough to realize that it 's about getting the job done on the field and performing .
`` And that 's certainly our main focus and will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is with them as well .
Hopefully this is something that can all be behind us and it can be about two good teams going at it on the field . ''
Earlier in Tuesday 's game , Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka hit Rays batter Joey Wendle with a pitch in the first inning , which Cash believed was intentional .
The series of incidents led to a back-and-forth exchange between Cash and Boone after the matchup .
`` It 's absolutely ridiculous , '' Cash said Tuesday .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pitcher on the mound .
It was mishandled by the umpires .
Somebody has to be accountable .
The last thing I 'll say on it is I got a whole [ expletive ] stable full of guys that throw 98 mph .
Period . ''
Cash said the suspension for his comment was `` fair '' and `` warranted . ''
`` Three minutes prior to [ those comments ] , we just had a guy thrown at , '' Cash said Wednesday .
`` So , fairly raw with what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to show to the guys how much we care about them as a staff , as an organization . ''
The Yankees and Rays wrap up their three-game series Wednesday night .

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New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman (R) has to be restrained from approaching Tampa Bay Rays players Tuesday at Yankee Stadium in New York City. Chapman threw a fastball that came close to Mike Brosseau's head, which caused the benches to clear once the final out was recorded. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 2 (UPI) -- New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone and closer Aroldis Chapman and Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash have all been suspended for their roles in a benches-clearing incident that occurred during Tuesday night's game in New York. Major League Baseball announced the suspensions Wednesday. Chapman -- who plans to appeal -- received a three-game ban, while Boone and Cash each were suspended one game. All three individuals also were handed undisclosed fines. Advertisement
"I don't think I should be sitting out tonight -- nor Chappy -- but I do respect the process," Boone said before Wednesday's contest against the Rays.
Near the end of the Yankees' 5-3 win over the Rays on Tuesday night, Chapman tossed a 101-mph fastball near the head of pinch hitter Michael Brosseau. Umpires held an on-field meeting before issuing warnings to both clubs.
Chapman then struck out Brosseau to earn his first save of the season. After the strikeout, Brosseau started walking toward the dugout before turning around and exchanging words with someone on the Yankees.
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The verbal exchange caused both dugouts to empty and players gathered close to home plate. Members of the teams kept their distance before returning to their respective clubhouses.
"Both teams are professional enough to know that we're playing for a lot," Boone said. "Even though there's been a few of these incidences where the blood gets boiling and tempers flare a little bit, both teams are smart enough to realize that it's about getting the job done on the field and performing.
"And that's certainly our main focus and will continue to be. And I'm sure it is with them as well. Hopefully this is something that can all be behind us and it can be about two good teams going at it on the field."
Earlier in Tuesday's game, Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka hit Rays batter Joey Wendle with a pitch in the first inning, which Cash believed was intentional. The series of incidents led to a back-and-forth exchange between Cash and Boone after the matchup.
"It's absolutely ridiculous," Cash said Tuesday. "It was mishandled by the Yankees. Certainly the pitcher on the mound. It was mishandled by the umpires. Somebody has to be accountable. The last thing I'll say on it is I got a whole [expletive] stable full of guys that throw 98 mph. Period."
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Cash said the suspension for his comment was "fair" and "warranted."
"Three minutes prior to [those comments], we just had a guy thrown at," Cash said Wednesday. "So, fairly raw with what was being said. But always want to show to the guys how much we care about them as a staff, as an organization."
The Yankees and Rays wrap up their three-game series Wednesday night.
This week in Major League Baseball


upi--2020-09-02--Man accused of paying $200K to Georgetown coach in college admissions scandal

Sept. 2 ( UPI ) -- A federal grand jury on Wednesday indicted another parent in the sweeping college admissions scandal for allegedly paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to have his daughter admitted to Georgetown as a tennis recruit .
Amine Khoury , 54 , who has properties in both Palm Beach , Fla. , and Mashpee , Mass.
, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud and bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds , and one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds , the Justice Department said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December 2014 agreed to pay $ 200,000 to Gordon Ernst , who was the head coach of Georgetown 's men 's and women 's tennis teams at the time , to have his daughter admitted to the university as a tennis recruit even though her skills were `` below that of a typical Georgetown tennis recruit . ''
After the university rated his daughter 's admission as `` likely , '' the indictment alleges that Khoury flew to Massachusetts with $ 200,000 in cash to meet with a third-party to deliver to Ernst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 20,000 .
The third-party then allegedly met with Ernst 's spouse and gave her $ 170,000 after taking $ 10,000 as an additional fee and that Ernst `` continued to pursue '' Khoury to collect the remaining $ 20,000 owed as part of the recruitment deal .
Khoury faces a potential sentence of five years prison , three years of supervised release and a fine of $ 250,000 for the mail fraud charge and up to 10 years in prison , three years of supervised release and a $ 250,000 fine for @ @ @ @

Sept. 2 (UPI) -- A federal grand jury on Wednesday indicted another parent in the sweeping college admissions scandal for allegedly paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to have his daughter admitted to Georgetown as a tennis recruit.
Amine Khoury, 54, who has properties in both Palm Beach, Fla., and Mashpee, Mass., was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud and bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, and one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, the Justice Department said.
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The indictment states that Khoury in December 2014 agreed to pay $200,000 to Gordon Ernst, who was the head coach of Georgetown's men's and women's tennis teams at the time, to have his daughter admitted to the university as a tennis recruit even though her skills were "below that of a typical Georgetown tennis recruit."
After the university rated his daughter's admission as "likely," the indictment alleges that Khoury flew to Massachusetts with $200,000 in cash to meet with a third-party to deliver to Ernst in addition to providing the third-party with $20,000.
The third-party then allegedly met with Ernst's spouse and gave her $170,000 after taking $10,000 as an additional fee and that Ernst "continued to pursue" Khoury to collect the remaining $20,000 owed as part of the recruitment deal.
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Khoury faces a potential sentence of five years prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 for the mail fraud charge and up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine for the bribery charge.


upi--2020-09-02--United States sanctions two top International Criminal Court officials

Sept. 2 ( UPI ) -- The United States imposed sanctions on two top officials of the International Criminal Court on Wednesday .
The U.S. Treasury Department issued a statement designating ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda , the ICC 's chief prosecutor , and Phakiso Mochochoko , director of the ICC 's jurisdiction , complementary and cooperation division , as members of the agency 's `` specially designated nationals '' list .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described the ICC as a `` thoroughly broken and corrupted institution '' in a news conference Wednesday .
`` The United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created the court and will not tolerate its illegitimate attempts to subject Americans to its jurisdiction , '' he said .
This is the latest in a series of actions the Trump administration has taken against the ICC in recent months .
In June , President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on the ICC over investigations of U.S. military and intelligence officers in Afghanistan , claiming Russian influence .
`` Today we take the next step , because the ICC continues to target Americans , sadly , '' Pompeo said .
He added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who continue to materially support Bensouda and Mochochoko face risks of sanctions as well .
The ICC issued a statement condemning the sanctions as an effort to interfere with its judicial and prosecutorial independence .
`` These coercive acts , directed at an international judicial institution and its civil servants , are unprecedented and constitute serious attacks against the Court , the Rome Statute system of international criminal justice and the rule of law more generally , '' it said .

The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions against ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda. File Photo by Eva Plevier/EPA-EFE
Sept. 2 (UPI) -- The United States imposed sanctions on two top officials of the International Criminal Court on Wednesday. The U.S. Treasury Department issued a statement designating ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, the ICC's chief prosecutor, and Phakiso Mochochoko, director of the ICC's jurisdiction, complementary and cooperation division, as members of the agency's "specially designated nationals" list. Advertisement
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described the ICC as a "thoroughly broken and corrupted institution" in a news conference Wednesday.
"The United States has never ratified the Rome Statute that created the court and will not tolerate its illegitimate attempts to subject Americans to its jurisdiction," he said.
This is the latest in a series of actions the Trump administration has taken against the ICC in recent months.
In June, President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on the ICC over investigations of U.S. military and intelligence officers in Afghanistan, claiming Russian influence.
"Today we take the next step, because the ICC continues to target Americans, sadly," Pompeo said.
He added that under the sanctions, individuals and entities who continue to materially support Bensouda and Mochochoko face risks of sanctions as well.
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The ICC issued a statement condemning the sanctions as an effort to interfere with its judicial and prosecutorial independence.
"These coercive acts, directed at an international judicial institution and its civil servants, are unprecedented and constitute serious attacks against the Court, the Rome Statute system of international criminal justice and the rule of law more generally," it said.


upi--2020-09-02--Typhoon Maysak makes landfall in South Korea

After already causing destruction in Japan 's Ryukyu Islands , powerful Typhoon Maysak made landfall along the south coast of the Korean Peninsula on Thursday .
Portions of western Japan also continue to feel gusty winds and heavy bands of rain spinning around the periphery of Maysak .
The storm roared ashore early Thursday just west-southwest of the metropolis of Busan .
As of Wednesday evening , local news in Jeju reported over 20,000 homes were without power on the Korean island as the center of Maysak passed just to the east .
Local news also reported a wind gust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 p.m. Wednesday .
Thousands were evacuated along the coast of Gyeongnam .
According to Yonhap News in Seoul , 40 scheduled trains on the nation 's seven rail lines have been canceled or partly suspended .
The Korean Meteorological Administration said that Maysak was expected to follow a similar route as Typhoon Maemi in 2003 .
Maemi left 131 people dead or missing , and caused $ 3.5 billion in damage .
This region has been no stranger to tropical activity this year .
Just a week ago some of the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strengthened to a typhoon on Aug. 24 just north of the Ryukyu Islands before it navigated into the Yellow Sea and made landfall in North Korea on Aug. 27 .
`` Maysak has surpassed Bavi and is now the strongest typhoon of the season with sustained winds reported up to 110 mph , '' said AccuWeather lead international forecaster Jason Nicholls .
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency , a storm of this strength is a very strong typhoon , equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane in the Atlantic or East Pacific oceans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evening , the powerful storm steered toward the island of Okinawa early this week .
Maysak 's wrath first brought rough seas and wind-swept rain , but it quickly evolved into destructive winds , storm surge and flooding rainfall that lasted into early Wednesday , local time .
The city of Nago on Okinawa reported more than 9 inches of rain on Monday and Tuesday alone .
On the southern side of the island , the city of Naha reported winds of 82 mph Tuesday .
On Tuesday morning , local news outlets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Okinawa were without electricity due to Maysak .
This ferocious storm is also referred to as Julian in the Philippines .
The typhoon also caused the cancellation of more than 100 flights , which according to FlightAware is more than 40 % of the island 's air traffic .
Maysak further disrupted travel in Okinawa by suspending bus operations throughout the day Tuesday .
As Maysak passes western Kyushu of Japan and approaches the southern shores of South Korea , similar , or worse , impacts were expected .
Widespread wind gusts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Kyushu through the Korean Peninsula and into the Liaoning and Jilin provinces of China .
`` A concentrated area from western Kyushu through the southern half of South Korea can expect wind gusts over 80 mph on Wednesday and Thursday , '' said Nicholls .
An AccuWeather Local StormMax of 140 mph for wind gusts is also possible near landfall along the southern coast of South Korea .
The strongest winds will be near the typhoon 's center or just to east of the center at the time of landfall .
Coastal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a concern for cities like Busan , which are expected to remain east of the typhoon 's eye .
Tremendous amounts of rain are also anticipated across the already flood-weary countries of North Korea and South Korea , and while the storm center has still not made landfall , heavy tropical rain has already spread across much of the Korean Peninsula .
Widespread rainfall 4 inches to 8 inches is forecast for much of the Korean Peninsula , including in Seoul .
Southern and central parts of South Korea are the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for rainfall of 12 inches .
Beacuse of these anticipated impacts , Maysak is expected to be a 3 on the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Tropical Cyclones for South Korea .
The RealImpact Scale is a 6-point scale with ratings of less-than-1 and 1 to 5 .
Maysak is forecast to be a 2 on the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Tropical Cyclones in southern Japan .
The current forecasts for Maysak could make the typhoon one for the record books .
Maysak is not alone in the Western Pacific Ocean , as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday .
This new system could bring yet another tropical strike to the Korean Peninsula .
What started out as depression late on Monday strengthened into Tropical Storm Haishen on Tuesday evening .
As of Wednesday evening Haishen was located about 300 miles south of Iwo , Japan , and was classified as a Strong Tropical Storm by the Japanese Meteorological Agency , with sustained winds of 58 mph .
AccuWeather meteorologists are also forecasting Haishen to strengthen in the coming days as it continues on a westward to northwestward trajectory throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Maysak takes the title of strongest typhoon in the West Pacific so far this year , it looks like Haishen will come right on it 's heels and unseat it , becoming even stronger than Maysak , '' said AccuWeather meteorologist Jake Sojda .
`` Haishen could follow right behind Maysak and aim for southern Japan and the Korean Peninsula as early as this weekend , bringing a second dose of tropical impacts , '' Nicholls explained .
`` This has the potential to be particularly devastating for some parts of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong typhoons , both the equivalent of major hurricanes in the Atlantic , could strike in almost the same spot in less than a week , '' Sojda warned .
`` Any building or infrastructure that is weakened or only sustains minor damage from Maysak could then be taken out by Haishen .
There simply will not be enough time to repair and reinforce things . ''

After already causing destruction in Japan's Ryukyu Islands, powerful Typhoon Maysak made landfall along the south coast of the Korean Peninsula on Thursday.
Portions of western Japan also continue to feel gusty winds and heavy bands of rain spinning around the periphery of Maysak.
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The storm roared ashore early Thursday just west-southwest of the metropolis of Busan.
As of Wednesday evening, local news in Jeju reported over 20,000 homes were without power on the Korean island as the center of Maysak passed just to the east. Local news also reported a wind gust of 110 mph on Jeju Island around 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Thousands were evacuated along the coast of Gyeongnam. According to Yonhap News in Seoul, 40 scheduled trains on the nation's seven rail lines have been canceled or partly suspended.
The Korean Meteorological Administration said that Maysak was expected to follow a similar route as Typhoon Maemi in 2003. Maemi left 131 people dead or missing, and caused $3.5 billion in damage.
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This region has been no stranger to tropical activity this year. Just a week ago some of the same locations were dealing with Bavi, which strengthened to a typhoon on Aug. 24 just north of the Ryukyu Islands before it navigated into the Yellow Sea and made landfall in North Korea on Aug. 27.
"Maysak has surpassed Bavi and is now the strongest typhoon of the season with sustained winds reported up to 110 mph," said AccuWeather lead international forecaster Jason Nicholls.
Bavi's maximum sustained winds were 100 mph.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, a storm of this strength is a very strong typhoon, equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane in the Atlantic or East Pacific oceans.
After Maysak became a typhoon Saturday evening, the powerful storm steered toward the island of Okinawa early this week. Maysak's wrath first brought rough seas and wind-swept rain, but it quickly evolved into destructive winds, storm surge and flooding rainfall that lasted into early Wednesday, local time.
The city of Nago on Okinawa reported more than 9 inches of rain on Monday and Tuesday alone. On the southern side of the island, the city of Naha reported winds of 82 mph Tuesday.
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On Tuesday morning, local news outlets reported that more than 33,000 homes in Okinawa were without electricity due to Maysak. This ferocious storm is also referred to as Julian in the Philippines.
The typhoon also caused the cancellation of more than 100 flights, which according to FlightAware is more than 40% of the island's air traffic. Maysak further disrupted travel in Okinawa by suspending bus operations throughout the day Tuesday.
As Maysak passes western Kyushu of Japan and approaches the southern shores of South Korea, similar, or worse, impacts were expected.
Widespread wind gusts of 40 mph to 60 mph were expected from Kyushu through the Korean Peninsula and into the Liaoning and Jilin provinces of China.
"A concentrated area from western Kyushu through the southern half of South Korea can expect wind gusts over 80 mph on Wednesday and Thursday," said Nicholls.
An AccuWeather Local StormMax of 140 mph for wind gusts is also possible near landfall along the southern coast of South Korea.
The strongest winds will be near the typhoon's center or just to east of the center at the time of landfall.
Coastal flooding and dangerous storm surge will also be a concern for cities like Busan, which are expected to remain east of the typhoon's eye.
Advertisement
Tremendous amounts of rain are also anticipated across the already flood-weary countries of North Korea and South Korea, and while the storm center has still not made landfall, heavy tropical rain has already spread across much of the Korean Peninsula.
Widespread rainfall 4 inches to 8 inches is forecast for much of the Korean Peninsula, including in Seoul.
Southern and central parts of South Korea are the most likely areas for the AccuWeather Local StormMax for rainfall of 12 inches.
Beacuse of these anticipated impacts, Maysak is expected to be a 3 on the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Tropical Cyclones for South Korea. The RealImpact Scale is a 6-point scale with ratings of less-than-1 and 1 to 5. Maysak is forecast to be a 2 on the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Tropical Cyclones in southern Japan.
The current forecasts for Maysak could make the typhoon one for the record books.
Maysak is not alone in the Western Pacific Ocean, as a new tropical system emerged in the basin on Monday. This new system could bring yet another tropical strike to the Korean Peninsula.
What started out as depression late on Monday strengthened into Tropical Storm Haishen on Tuesday evening.
Advertisement
As of Wednesday evening Haishen was located about 300 miles south of Iwo, Japan, and was classified as a Strong Tropical Storm by the Japanese Meteorological Agency, with sustained winds of 58 mph.
AccuWeather meteorologists are also forecasting Haishen to strengthen in the coming days as it continues on a westward to northwestward trajectory throughout the week.
"Just as soon as Maysak takes the title of strongest typhoon in the West Pacific so far this year, it looks like Haishen will come right on it's heels and unseat it, becoming even stronger than Maysak," said AccuWeather meteorologist Jake Sojda.
"Haishen could follow right behind Maysak and aim for southern Japan and the Korean Peninsula as early as this weekend, bringing a second dose of tropical impacts," Nicholls explained.
"This has the potential to be particularly devastating for some parts of the Ryukyu Islands and South Korea as two strong typhoons, both the equivalent of major hurricanes in the Atlantic, could strike in almost the same spot in less than a week," Sojda warned.
"Any building or infrastructure that is weakened or only sustains minor damage from Maysak could then be taken out by Haishen. There simply will not be enough time to repair and reinforce things."


upi--2020-09-02--Georgia QB Jamie Newman opts out of season over coronavirus concerns

Sept. 2 ( UPI ) -- Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jamie Newman , who was expected to be the team 's starter in 2020 , has opted out of this season because of coronavirus concerns .
Newman announced his decision Wednesday on social media , saying he will begin preparing for next year 's NFL Draft .
The graduate transfer from Wake Forest departs the school without ever playing a snap for the Bulldogs .
`` With much prayer and discussion with my family I would like to announce that due to the uncertainties of this year amid a global pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football season to prepare for the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft , '' Newman wrote in a statement .
`` I would like to thank Coach [ Kirby ] Smart for extending the opportunity for me to be a part of the University of Georgia football program .
Although my time has been short I 've built some great relationships and I 've had a chance to continue my development .
`` As I prepare for the journey ahead , I remain hopeful and excited about what the future holds especially during these challenging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newman 's departure , USC transfer J.T .
Daniels -- who joined Georgia in May and received an NCAA waiver to compete this season -- becomes the favorite to start at quarterback for the Bulldogs .
He will replace three-year starter Jake Fromm , who was drafted by the Buffalo Bills earlier this year .
Newman , listed at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds , started 16 games for Wake Forest over the past two seasons .
In the 2019 campaign , he completed 60.9 % of his passes for 2,868 yards with 26 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 574 rushing yards and six scores on the ground .
Georgia also has three other scholarship quarterbacks on its roster : senior Stetson Bennett , freshman Carson Beck and redshirt freshman D'Wan Mathis .

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart (C) could start USC transfer J.T. Daniels at quarterback following the departure of Jamie Newman. File Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jamie Newman, who was expected to be the team's starter in 2020, has opted out of this season because of coronavirus concerns. Newman announced his decision Wednesday on social media, saying he will begin preparing for next year's NFL Draft. The graduate transfer from Wake Forest departs the school without ever playing a snap for the Bulldogs. Advertisement
"With much prayer and discussion with my family I would like to announce that due to the uncertainties of this year amid a global pandemic I will officially opt out of this football season to prepare for the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft," Newman wrote in a statement.
"I would like to thank Coach [Kirby] Smart for extending the opportunity for me to be a part of the University of Georgia football program. Although my time has been short I've built some great relationships and I've had a chance to continue my development.
"As I prepare for the journey ahead, I remain hopeful and excited about what the future holds especially during these challenging times in our world."
With Newman's departure, USC transfer J.T. Daniels -- who joined Georgia in May and received an NCAA waiver to compete this season -- becomes the favorite to start at quarterback for the Bulldogs. He will replace three-year starter Jake Fromm, who was drafted by the Buffalo Bills earlier this year.
Newman, listed at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, started 16 games for Wake Forest over the past two seasons. In the 2019 campaign, he completed 60.9% of his passes for 2,868 yards with 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He added 574 rushing yards and six scores on the ground.
Georgia also has three other scholarship quarterbacks on its roster: senior Stetson Bennett, freshman Carson Beck and redshirt freshman D'Wan Mathis.


upi--2020-09-02--CDC tells states to prepare for possible COVID-19 vaccine by late October

Sept. 2 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notified states to be ready to possibly distribute a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as late October .
The agency sent letters to state officials last week , reported The New York Times , which viewed the documents .
The CDC confirmed the advisory to CNN on Wednesday .
The CDC warned states that initial supplies of the vaccine `` may be constrained . ''
The documents spell out that certain groups should be prioritized to receive a vaccine , including healthcare and essential workers , long-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security populations .
News of the letters came one day after Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , said a vaccine could be available earlier than expected if current clinical trials produce significantly positive results .
He told Kaiser Health News that an independent board could end a trial weeks early if the cumulative results are overwhelmingly positive or negative .
He added that the board would have a `` moral obligation '' to end the trial early if data is so good that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's safe and effective . ''
Several vaccines are in development worldwide , including at Pfizer , Novavax , Moderna and AstraZenica .
Data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University showed September started with 43,200 new cases nationwide on Tuesday -- an increase of nearly 10,000 over Monday 's figure -- and almost 1,100 new deaths .
While the new case figure was higher , it was still below the August average of 47,300 cases per day .
Tuesday 's deaths topped 1,000 for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start of the pandemic , there have been 6.09 million cases and 185,100 deaths in the United States , according to Johns Hopkins data .
Meanwhile , Minnesota reported the first death associated with the Sturgis Motorcycle rally , an annual event that brought more than 400,000 people to South Dakota .
Kris Ehresmman , infectious disease director at the Minnesota Department of Health , told The Washington Post the man in his 60s was hospitalized in intensive care after his return from the rally .
He had underlying health conditions .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been tied to the event .
Minnesota officials reported 761 new cases and seven new deaths Tuesday , bringing its total case count to more than 77,000 and deaths to 1,830 .
According to The New York Times ' coronavirus tracker , Minnesota is one of several states where daily cases per capita are on the rise .
In Florida , Gov .
Ron DeSantis on Tuesday ordered long-term care facilities to reopen to visitors after nearly six months of lockdown .
`` It 's a tragedy that [ the lockdown ] happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' DeSantis said in an emotional press briefing .
`` It weighs on me to think of the people who passed away ... without being able to say a final goodbye . ''
Protocols still require all nursing home visitors to wear protective equipment and pass a temperature check and screening for COVID-19 symptoms .
However , they do not require visitors to test negative for entry .
AARP Florida voiced alarm at DeSantis ' decision to not require negative tests for visitors .
`` AARP recognizes this step will be welcomed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents suffer significantly from the isolation of the last five months , '' state director Jeff Johnson said in a statement .
`` We all hope that this approach works .
But we continue to ask : Should we be trusting our older residents ' safety to hope ? ''
Miami-Dade Public Schools , meanwhile , said a cyberattack Tuesday made it difficult for students and teachers to access remote learning platforms .
It was the second day in the row the school district had technological problems .
The district opened the school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` There was a malicious attempt , malicious well-orchestrated complex attempt at derailing the connection which is essential for our students and teachers , '' Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said .
The Florida Department of Health reported about 2,600 new cases Tuesday , pushing the state total past 633,000 .
Only California and Texas have had more .
Daily cases in Florida have been on the decline since mid-July .
In Iowa , the state 's seven-day average of new cases set a new record Tuesday ( about 1,200 ) -- more than doubling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state has the fastest-growing outbreak in the nation , according to the Harvard Global Health Institute , at nearly 37 new cases per 100,000 residents .
The pandemic is easing in the South and West , however , with seven of nine Sun Belt states seeing decreases in the number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 , new cases and the percentage of tests coming back positive , USA Today reported .

A masked woman walks through a public sculpture park at Rockefeller Center in New York City on Tuesday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notified states to be ready to possibly distribute a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as late October. The agency sent letters to state officials last week, reported The New York Times, which viewed the documents. The CDC confirmed the advisory to CNN on Wednesday. Advertisement
The CDC warned states that initial supplies of the vaccine "may be constrained." The documents spell out that certain groups should be prioritized to receive a vaccine, including healthcare and essential workers, long-term care facility residents and staffers, and national security populations.
News of the letters came one day after Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said a vaccine could be available earlier than expected if current clinical trials produce significantly positive results.
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He told Kaiser Health News that an independent board could end a trial weeks early if the cumulative results are overwhelmingly positive or negative. He added that the board would have a "moral obligation" to end the trial early if data is so good that "you can [conclude] it's safe and effective."
Several vaccines are in development worldwide, including at Pfizer, Novavax, Moderna and AstraZenica.
Data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University showed September started with 43,200 new cases nationwide on Tuesday -- an increase of nearly 10,000 over Monday's figure -- and almost 1,100 new deaths.
While the new case figure was higher, it was still below the August average of 47,300 cases per day. Tuesday's deaths topped 1,000 for the first time in several days.
Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 6.09 million cases and 185,100 deaths in the United States, according to Johns Hopkins data.
Meanwhile, Minnesota reported the first death associated with the Sturgis Motorcycle rally, an annual event that brought more than 400,000 people to South Dakota.
Kris Ehresmman, infectious disease director at the Minnesota Department of Health, told The Washington Post the man in his 60s was hospitalized in intensive care after his return from the rally. He had underlying health conditions.
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More than 260 cases in 11 states have been tied to the event.
Minnesota officials reported 761 new cases and seven new deaths Tuesday, bringing its total case count to more than 77,000 and deaths to 1,830.
According to The New York Times' coronavirus tracker, Minnesota is one of several states where daily cases per capita are on the rise.
In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday ordered long-term care facilities to reopen to visitors after nearly six months of lockdown.
"It's a tragedy that [the lockdown] happened, but we had to do it," DeSantis said in an emotional press briefing. "It weighs on me to think of the people who passed away...without being able to say a final goodbye."
Protocols still require all nursing home visitors to wear protective equipment and pass a temperature check and screening for COVID-19 symptoms. However, they do not require visitors to test negative for entry.
AARP Florida voiced alarm at DeSantis' decision to not require negative tests for visitors.
"AARP recognizes this step will be welcomed by those who have seen spouses and parents suffer significantly from the isolation of the last five months," state director Jeff Johnson said in a statement. "We all hope that this approach works. But we continue to ask: Should we be trusting our older residents' safety to hope?"
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Miami-Dade Public Schools, meanwhile, said a cyberattack Tuesday made it difficult for students and teachers to access remote learning platforms. It was the second day in the row the school district had technological problems. The district opened the school year with online classes on Monday.
"There was a malicious attempt, malicious well-orchestrated complex attempt at derailing the connection which is essential for our students and teachers," Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said.
The Florida Department of Health reported about 2,600 new cases Tuesday, pushing the state total past 633,000. Only California and Texas have had more. Daily cases in Florida have been on the decline since mid-July.
In Iowa, the state's seven-day average of new cases set a new record Tuesday (about 1,200) -- more than doubling over the past 10 days.
The state has the fastest-growing outbreak in the nation, according to the Harvard Global Health Institute, at nearly 37 new cases per 100,000 residents.
The pandemic is easing in the South and West, however, with seven of nine Sun Belt states seeing decreases in the number of deaths attributed to COVID-19, new cases and the percentage of tests coming back positive, USA Today reported.
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COVID-19 pandemic alters life in New York City


upi--2020-09-02--Appeals court rules NSA phone data collection illegal; upholds convictions

Sept. 2 ( UPI ) -- A federal appeals court on Wednesday ruled it was illegal for the National Security Agency to collect data on Americans ' phone calls , but upheld the terror convictions of four Somali immigrants who challenged the now-defunct intelligence program .
The 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously that not only was the NSA 's practice of tracking the metadata on millions of domestic cellphones illegal , it also likely violated the 4th Amendment of the Constitution .
The ruling came in response to a challenge by four Somali immigrants convicted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on evidence collected under the NSA surveillance .
Still , Judge Marsha Berzon , who authored the court 's opinion , upheld the convictions .
`` Having carefully reviewed the classified [ Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ] applications and all related classified information , we are convinced that under established Fourth Amendment standards , the metadata collection , even if unconstitutional , did not taint the evidence introduced by the government at trial , '' she wrote .
The NSA surveillance program was created by the FISA Court under the Patriot Act , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2001 , terror attacks .
It allowed the U.S. government to bulk collect phone records and metadata from millions of Americans .
The extent the program went to surveil American came to light in 2013 when whistleblower Edward Snowden , a former NSA contractor , leaked information .
Congress ended the program in 2015 .
Somali-Americans Basaaly Saeed Moalin , Mohamed Mohamed Mohamud , Issa Doreh and Ahmed Nasir Taalil Mohamud were convicted in 2013 for raising funds for al-Shabab based on evidence collected by the NSA .

Sept. 2 (UPI) -- A federal appeals court on Wednesday ruled it was illegal for the National Security Agency to collect data on Americans' phone calls, but upheld the terror convictions of four Somali immigrants who challenged the now-defunct intelligence program.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously that not only was the NSA's practice of tracking the metadata on millions of domestic cellphones illegal, it also likely violated the 4th Amendment of the Constitution.
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The ruling came in response to a challenge by four Somali immigrants convicted in 2013 of funding al-Shabab based on part on evidence collected under the NSA surveillance. Still, Judge Marsha Berzon, who authored the court's opinion, upheld the convictions.
"Having carefully reviewed the classified [Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act] applications and all related classified information, we are convinced that under established Fourth Amendment standards, the metadata collection, even if unconstitutional, did not taint the evidence introduced by the government at trial," she wrote.
The NSA surveillance program was created by the FISA Court under the Patriot Act, which was passed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. It allowed the U.S. government to bulk collect phone records and metadata from millions of Americans.
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The extent the program went to surveil American came to light in 2013 when whistleblower Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor, leaked information. Congress ended the program in 2015.
Somali-Americans Basaaly Saeed Moalin, Mohamed Mohamed Mohamud, Issa Doreh and Ahmed Nasir Taalil Mohamud were convicted in 2013 for raising funds for al-Shabab based on evidence collected by the NSA.


upi--2020-09-02--Retesting for COVID-19 four weeks after first symptoms may help limit spread, study says

Sept. 2 ( UPI ) -- People with confirmed COVID-19 should be retested four weeks after symptoms first appear to minimize their risk for spreading the virus , according to the authors of a study published Wednesday by BMJ Open .
In more than 1,100 infected adults in Italy , retesting four weeks later showed that 61 % no longer had the virus in their systems , the research showed .
However , a second retest to confirm the initial findings showed that as many as one in five of these were `` false negatives , '' meaning the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might have stopped self-isolating and unknowingly infected others had patients not been retested , the researchers said .
It takes an average of 30 days for the virus to clear from the body after the first positive test result and an average of 36 days after symptoms first appear , the study findings show .
`` To avoid generating secondary cases , either the isolation period should be longer -- 30 days from the start of symptoms -- or at least one follow-up test should be done before ceasing isolation , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known how infectious a person could be in the recovery phase , they said .
The World Health Organization recommends a 13-day isolation period for those with symptoms of the virus and 10 days for those without symptoms .
Earlier research has indicated that people may be contagious for as long as 37 days after COVID-19 symptoms resolve .
For this study , the team of Italian researchers tracked the progress of 4,480 residents of the Reggio Emilia province in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy , all of whom tested positive for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
By mid-April , Italy ranked third in the world for the number of cases and related deaths , and Emilia-Romagna was one of the country 's three coronavirus regional hotspots , the researchers said .
Of the 4,480 study participants , 1,259 achieved viral clearance by the end of May , as determined by at least one negative swab test after the initial positive test , and 428 died , the data showed .
The average time to viral clearance was 31 days from the first positive swab test .
The researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearance in 1,162 people out for whom at least 30 days had passed since the first positive swab by retesting them an average of three times -- around 15 days after the first positive swab , 14 days after the second and nine days after the third .
Viral clearance was detected initially in 61 % of the participants .
However , a second test confirmed the finding in roughly 79 % of them , the data showed .
The average time to viral clearance in this group was 30 days after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of symptoms , the researchers said .
`` [ However ] , the evidence on the risk of transmission during the convalescent phase characterized by a positive [ swab test ] is weak , and current serological data have not provided any additional insight , '' they wrote .

People with COVID-19 may need to be retested four weeks after initial diagnosis to confirm they aren't contagious, a new study has found. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 2 (UPI) -- People with confirmed COVID-19 should be retested four weeks after symptoms first appear to minimize their risk for spreading the virus, according to the authors of a study published Wednesday by BMJ Open. In more than 1,100 infected adults in Italy, retesting four weeks later showed that 61% no longer had the virus in their systems, the research showed. Advertisement
However, a second retest to confirm the initial findings showed that as many as one in five of these were "false negatives," meaning the virus still was present.
These false negatives might have stopped self-isolating and unknowingly infected others had patients not been retested, the researchers said.
It takes an average of 30 days for the virus to clear from the body after the first positive test result and an average of 36 days after symptoms first appear, the study findings show.
"To avoid generating secondary cases, either the isolation period should be longer -- 30 days from the start of symptoms -- or at least one follow-up test should be done before ceasing isolation," the researchers wrote.
It's not yet known how infectious a person could be in the recovery phase, they said.
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The World Health Organization recommends a 13-day isolation period for those with symptoms of the virus and 10 days for those without symptoms.
Earlier research has indicated that people may be contagious for as long as 37 days after COVID-19 symptoms resolve.
For this study, the team of Italian researchers tracked the progress of 4,480 residents of the Reggio Emilia province in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, all of whom tested positive for the virus between Feb. 26 and April 22.
By mid-April, Italy ranked third in the world for the number of cases and related deaths, and Emilia-Romagna was one of the country's three coronavirus regional hotspots, the researchers said.
Of the 4,480 study participants, 1,259 achieved viral clearance by the end of May, as determined by at least one negative swab test after the initial positive test, and 428 died, the data showed.
The average time to viral clearance was 31 days from the first positive swab test.
The researchers then looked at the speed of viral clearance in 1,162 people out for whom at least 30 days had passed since the first positive swab by retesting them an average of three times -- around 15 days after the first positive swab, 14 days after the second and nine days after the third.
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Viral clearance was detected initially in 61% of the participants. However, a second test confirmed the finding in roughly 79% of them, the data showed.
The average time to viral clearance in this group was 30 days after the first positive swab and 36 days after the start of symptoms, the researchers said.
"[However], the evidence on the risk of transmission during the convalescent phase characterized by a positive [swab test] is weak, and current serological data have not provided any additional insight," they wrote.


upi--2020-09-02--Report accuses Georgia of wrongfully purging 198,351 people from voter roll

Sept. 2 ( UPI ) -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia on Wednesday released a report stating that nearly 200,000 voters in the state were wrongly removed from the state 's registration database in a 2019 purge .
The report by the Palast Investigative Fund , a New York-based non-profit , found that 198,351 of the 314,243 citizens removed from Georgia 's voter rolls in 2019 on grounds that they had moved from their registration address had in fact not moved and were wrongfully purged .
`` There are tens of thousands of Georgia voters who have registered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same county and nevertheless have had their registration deleted by the state of Georgia , '' Andrea Young , executive director of the ACLU of Georgia , said in a statement .
`` We encourage everyone to check their voter status .
Many people on this state 's list have every right to assume they are registered to vote .
We want you to have time to re-register . ''
Palast Investigative Fund hired five top expert firms in addition to a U.S .
Postal Service licensee to access USPS files and scrutinize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been wrongfully removed from the voter rolls .
`` One likely source of state error : three of four voters canceled who were marked 'NCOA ' by the Secretary are , in fact , not on the NCOA ( National Change-of-Address ) list , '' the report states .
`` The fee for the postal and proprietary databases runs about 5 cents per address -- versus a postcard , printed , mailed , postage-paid return plus processing for half a million cards that can run into the millions of dollars -- to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ACLU called on members of the Georgia General Assembly to `` rectify this egregious error '' adding that the removals likely affect young voters , low-income voters and racial groups who have historically been denied the right to vote .
`` The results of our investigation are breathtaking and heartbreaking : 198,000 Georgia citizens wrongly purged from voter rolls -- using a system which tends to target younger voters and voters of color , '' said Greg Palast , a journalist who directed the investigation .
The Palast Investigative Fund created a website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are on the purge list and re-register to vote at SaveMyVote2020.org .

A report by the Palast Investigative Fund found that Georgia wrongfully purged 198,351 voters from its registration database in 2019 on the grounds that they had moved from their registration address when they had not. Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 2 (UPI) -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia on Wednesday released a report stating that nearly 200,000 voters in the state were wrongly removed from the state's registration database in a 2019 purge. The report by the Palast Investigative Fund, a New York-based non-profit, found that 198,351 of the 314,243 citizens removed from Georgia's voter rolls in 2019 on grounds that they had moved from their registration address had in fact not moved and were wrongfully purged. Advertisement
"There are tens of thousands of Georgia voters who have registered, properly maintained a residence in the same county and nevertheless have had their registration deleted by the state of Georgia," Andrea Young, executive director of the ACLU of Georgia, said in a statement. "We encourage everyone to check their voter status. Many people on this state's list have every right to assume they are registered to vote. We want you to have time to re-register."
Palast Investigative Fund hired five top expert firms in addition to a U.S. Postal Service licensee to access USPS files and scrutinize the list name-by-name to find voters who had been wrongfully removed from the voter rolls.
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"One likely source of state error: three of four voters canceled who were marked 'NCOA' by the Secretary are, in fact, not on the NCOA (National Change-of-Address) list," the report states. "The fee for the postal and proprietary databases runs about 5 cents per address -- versus a postcard, printed, mailed, postage-paid return plus processing for half a million cards that can run into the millions of dollars -- to obtain substantially inaccurate results."
The ACLU called on members of the Georgia General Assembly to "rectify this egregious error" adding that the removals likely affect young voters, low-income voters and racial groups who have historically been denied the right to vote.
"The results of our investigation are breathtaking and heartbreaking: 198,000 Georgia citizens wrongly purged from voter rolls -- using a system which tends to target younger voters and voters of color," said Greg Palast, a journalist who directed the investigation.
The Palast Investigative Fund created a website to allow Georgians to see if they are on the purge list and re-register to vote at SaveMyVote2020.org.


upi--2020-09-02--Study: Two drinks per day raises risk for obesity, metabolic syndrome

Sept. 2 ( UPI ) -- Drinking more than two standard-sized servings of alcohol per day raises the risk for obesity and metabolic syndrome in some people by more than 30 % , a study presented Wednesday during the European and International Congress on Obesity found .
Compared with non-drinkers , men who drank on average between one-half and one standard drink a day were roughly 10 % more likely to have obesity and metabolic syndrome , while those who consumed two drinks per day raised the risk by up to 25 % , the data showed .
Men who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a 34 % higher risk for obesity and 42 % higher risk for metabolic syndrome , according to the researchers .
Similarly , women who consumed a larger amounts of alcohol were more likely to develop obesity and metabolic syndrome .
Those who reported having more than two drinks per day were 22 % more likely to become obese and 18 % more likely to develop metabolic syndrome , the researchers said .
They defined one standard drink as containing about 14 grams of alcohol -- which is roughly equivalent to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a bottle of beer or a shot of liquor -- similar to standards in the United States .
`` Our results suggest that the risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome increases in proportion to alcohol consumption when male and female adults drink more than half a standard drink per day , '' the researchers , from the National Medical Center in Seoul , wrote .
More than 40 % of all American adults meet the criteria for obesity -- being severely overweight -- according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having a body mass index , or BMI , of 30 or above .
BMI is calculated by taking a person 's weight in kilograms and dividing it by the square of height in meters .
Up to 30 % of Americans have metabolic syndrome , a cluster of conditions -- high blood pressure , high blood sugar , excess body fat and high cholesterol -- that occur together , increasing risk for heart disease , stroke and type 2 diabetes , the CDC estimates .
For this study , researchers analyzed health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Health Insurance System for more than 14 million men and 12 million women age 20 and older from South Korea over a two-year period .
Even after taking participant age , exercise levels and smoking history into account , a strong association resulted between alcohol consumption and the two common health conditions , the researchers said .

Two or more drinks per day could increase a person's risk for obesity by more than 30%, new research suggests. Photo by Free-Photos/Pixabay
Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Drinking more than two standard-sized servings of alcohol per day raises the risk for obesity and metabolic syndrome in some people by more than 30%, a study presented Wednesday during the European and International Congress on Obesity found. Compared with non-drinkers, men who drank on average between one-half and one standard drink a day were roughly 10% more likely to have obesity and metabolic syndrome, while those who consumed two drinks per day raised the risk by up to 25%, the data showed. Advertisement
Men who consumed more than two drinks per day had a 34% higher risk for obesity and 42% higher risk for metabolic syndrome, according to the researchers.
Similarly, women who consumed a larger amounts of alcohol were more likely to develop obesity and metabolic syndrome. Those who reported having more than two drinks per day were 22% more likely to become obese and 18% more likely to develop metabolic syndrome, the researchers said.
They defined one standard drink as containing about 14 grams of alcohol -- which is roughly equivalent to the amount in a small glass of wine, a bottle of beer or a shot of liquor -- similar to standards in the United States.
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"Our results suggest that the risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome increases in proportion to alcohol consumption when male and female adults drink more than half a standard drink per day," the researchers, from the National Medical Center in Seoul, wrote.
More than 40% of all American adults meet the criteria for obesity -- being severely overweight -- according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC defines obesity as having a body mass index, or BMI, of 30 or above. BMI is calculated by taking a person's weight in kilograms and dividing it by the square of height in meters.
Up to 30% of Americans have metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions -- high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat and high cholesterol -- that occur together, increasing risk for heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, the CDC estimates.
For this study, researchers analyzed health data and alcohol consumption from the Korean National Health Insurance System for more than 14 million men and 12 million women age 20 and older from South Korea over a two-year period.
Even after taking participant age, exercise levels and smoking history into account, a strong association resulted between alcohol consumption and the two common health conditions, the researchers said.


upi--2020-09-02--Engineers test Space Launch System rocket booster in Utah

Sept. 2 ( UPI ) -- Engineers successfully performed a test fire of the Space Launch System rocket 's full-scale booster on Wednesday afternoon .
Live footage of the test , which took place at Northrop Grumman 's facilities in Promontory , Utah , showcased the tremendous force generated by the system 's rockets .
The broadcast showcased a massive trail of fire and exhaust emanating from the base of the rocket and blowing across the desert dunes , scorching the sage brush in its path .
The rocket fired for two minutes , with the booster performing nominally .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ off now , after six months of what we 've been through , it feels like a really big milestone , '' Bruce Tiller , manager of the SLS boosters office at NASA 's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville , Alabama , said during a post-test teleconference .
`` This is feels like another big step in the process of getting the Space Launch System going . ''
NASA 's heavy-lift Space Launch System is key to the space agency 's plans to return astronauts to the moon and ultimately conduct a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has said .
Engineers at NASA and Boeing have previously conducted a number of test firings in preparation for the Artemis moon landing program .
Data gathered during Wednesday 's test will offer engineers the opportunity to evaluate a variety of new materials , processes and improvements for the boosters that will power longer deep space missions .
`` This flight support booster test is the first motor firing NASA and Northrop Grumman have completed since qualifying the booster design for the Space Launch System rocket , '' Tiller said in a news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rare , so NASA tries to test multiple objectives at one time so we are highly confident that any changes we make to the boosters will still enable them to perform as expected on launch day . ''
The Space Launch System is powered by four RS-25 engines and two boosters , a combination capable of generating 8 million pounds of thrust .
The two five-segment rocket boosters will be responsible for 75 percent of thrust during the first few minutes of the Space Launch System 's ascent .
The SLS rocket is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Orion spacecraft , Gateway and human landing system , that will power NASA 's deep space mission .
`` The Artemis program is the next step in human space exploration and is part of America 's broader Moon to Mars exploration approach , in which astronauts will explore the Moon , '' according to NASA .
`` Experience gained there will enable humanity 's next giant leap : sending humans to Mars . ''
The booster that was fired during Wednesday 's test is the same design and size as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rocket that will power NASA 's Artemis missions .
The boosters that will be used to launch Artemis I are currently being readied at NASA 's Kennedy Space Center in Florida .

1/3
Engineers executed a two-minute test fire of the Space Launch System rocket's full-scale booster on Wednesday afternoon in Utah. Photo by NASA TV/YouTube
Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Engineers successfully performed a test fire of the Space Launch System rocket's full-scale booster on Wednesday afternoon. Live footage of the test, which took place at Northrop Grumman's facilities in Promontory, Utah, showcased the tremendous force generated by the system's rockets. Advertisement
The broadcast showcased a massive trail of fire and exhaust emanating from the base of the rocket and blowing across the desert dunes, scorching the sage brush in its path. The rocket fired for two minutes, with the booster performing nominally.
"To pull [the test] off now, after six months of what we've been through, it feels like a really big milestone," Bruce Tiller, manager of the SLS boosters office at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, said during a post-test teleconference. "This is feels like another big step in the process of getting the Space Launch System going."
NASA's heavy-lift Space Launch System is key to the space agency's plans to return astronauts to the moon and ultimately conduct a human mission to Mars, the agency has said.
Engineers at NASA and Boeing have previously conducted a number of test firings in preparation for the Artemis moon landing program.
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Data gathered during Wednesday's test will offer engineers the opportunity to evaluate a variety of new materials, processes and improvements for the boosters that will power longer deep space missions.
"This flight support booster test is the first motor firing NASA and Northrop Grumman have completed since qualifying the booster design for the Space Launch System rocket," Tiller said in a news release. "Full-scale booster tests are rare, so NASA tries to test multiple objectives at one time so we are highly confident that any changes we make to the boosters will still enable them to perform as expected on launch day."
The Space Launch System is powered by four RS-25 engines and two boosters, a combination capable of generating 8 million pounds of thrust. The two five-segment rocket boosters will be responsible for 75 percent of thrust during the first few minutes of the Space Launch System's ascent.
The SLS rocket is one of several vehicles, in addition to the Orion spacecraft, Gateway and human landing system, that will power NASA's deep space mission.
"The Artemis program is the next step in human space exploration and is part of America's broader Moon to Mars exploration approach, in which astronauts will explore the Moon," according to NASA. "Experience gained there will enable humanity's next giant leap: sending humans to Mars."
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The booster that was fired during Wednesday's test is the same design and size as the boosters that will be stacked to build the rocket that will power NASA's Artemis missions. The boosters that will be used to launch Artemis I are currently being readied at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.


upi--2020-09-02--Australian man's lottery routine pays off after 30 years

Sept. 2 ( UPI ) -- An Australian man who has followed the same lottery routine for 30 years -- and has used the same numbers for almost as long -- had her patience pay off with a jackpot of more than $ 400,000 .
The Mornington , Victoria , man , who chose to remain anonymous , told The Lott officials that his ticket for Saturday 's TattsLotto drawing , which he purchased at Mornington Authorized Newsagency , was par of a decades-old routine .
`` I 've been playing for 30 years and for quite a long while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers .
They were n't anything special , but I just stuck with them as I could n't be bothered changing them .
That 's what did it , '' the man said .
The routine paid off Saturday in the form of a $ 407,441.52 jackpot .
The winner is now making plans for his winnings .
`` I 'll start by paying off the mortgage , getting a new car and helping the kids out .
Hopefully , at some point , we can travel overseas too , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my retirement plans for sure . ''

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Sept. 2 (UPI) -- An Australian man who has followed the same lottery routine for 30 years -- and has used the same numbers for almost as long -- had her patience pay off with a jackpot of more than $400,000.
The Mornington, Victoria, man, who chose to remain anonymous, told The Lott officials that his ticket for Saturday's TattsLotto drawing, which he purchased at Mornington Authorized Newsagency, was par of a decades-old routine.
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"I've been playing for 30 years and for quite a long while, I've been playing the same numbers. They weren't anything special, but I just stuck with them as I couldn't be bothered changing them. That's what did it," the man said.
The routine paid off Saturday in the form of a $407,441.52 jackpot. The winner is now making plans for his winnings.
"I'll start by paying off the mortgage, getting a new car and helping the kids out. Hopefully, at some point, we can travel overseas too," he said. "It will also speed up my retirement plans for sure."


upi--2020-09-02--Watch: Anglers on California river reel in live pipe bombs

Sept. 2 ( UPI ) -- A pair of anglers on a California river ended up calling the authorities when they reeled in a pair of particularly deadly catches -- homemade pipe bombs .
John Kenyon said he was fishing with family members on the Sacramento River , near the mouth of Battle Creek , when he reeled in an unexpected object .
`` My father-in-law had the net ready and we got it up towards the boat and we thought it was an anchor , '' Kenyon told KOVR-TV .
`` My father-in-law said it 's a bomb , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the front of the boat ! '
'' Kenyon said he was in the process of calling the Shasta County Sheriff 's Office when a nearby fisherman called out .
`` He yelled at me and said , 'it 's another bomb , ' '' Kenyon said .
The Shasta County Bomb Squad responded to the scene and confirmed the objects were homemade pipe bombs .
Both bombs were live , investigators said .
The bombs were safely detonated at the scene .
Kenyon said he believes the bombs were likely thrown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I think that they 're trying to blow up salmon , knocking them out and having them float up and taking them , '' Kenyon said .

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Sept. 2 (UPI) -- A pair of anglers on a California river ended up calling the authorities when they reeled in a pair of particularly deadly catches -- homemade pipe bombs.
John Kenyon said he was fishing with family members on the Sacramento River, near the mouth of Battle Creek, when he reeled in an unexpected object.
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"My father-in-law had the net ready and we got it up towards the boat and we thought it was an anchor," Kenyon told KOVR-TV. "My father-in-law said it's a bomb, and he's like, 'Everybody gets to the front of the boat!'"
Kenyon said he was in the process of calling the Shasta County Sheriff's Office when a nearby fisherman called out.
"He yelled at me and said, 'it's another bomb,'" Kenyon said.
The Shasta County Bomb Squad responded to the scene and confirmed the objects were homemade pipe bombs. Both bombs were live, investigators said. The bombs were safely detonated at the scene.
Kenyon said he believes the bombs were likely thrown into the water by other anglers.
"I think that they're trying to blow up salmon, knocking them out and having them float up and taking them," Kenyon said.


upi--2020-09-02--CBO: Federal budget deficit to reach $3.3 trillion in 2020, surpass GDP in 2021

Sept. 2 ( UPI ) -- The Congressional Budget Office on Wednesday said the federal budget deficit is expected to reach $ 3.3 trillion for the fiscal year and for debt to surpass the economy in fiscal year 2021 .
The 2020 federal budget deficit is more than triple the shortfall recorded in 2019 and at 16 % of the gross domestic product would be the largest since 1945 , the CBO said in its budget outlook for 2020-2030 .
`` That increase is mostly the result of the economic disruption caused by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic and the enactment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CBO said .
CBO 's latest estimate of the deficit for 2020 increased by $ 2.2 trillion from its prediction in March , at the onset of restrictions related to the pandemic in the United States .
The CBO also said the deficit in 2021 is projected to be 8.6 % of the GDP , the first time the federal debt has surpassed the nation 's annual economic output since 1946 .
As a result of the deficits , the CBO said that federal debt held by the public will rise to 98 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 79 % in 2019 and will exceed 100 % in 2021 .
By 2023 , federal debt held by the public is set to rise to 107 % , the highest since World War II .
Further , the CBO said that annual deficits relative to the size of the economy are generally projected to decline through 2027 before increasing again in the final years before 2030 when it will reach 5.3 % of the GDP .

The Congressional Budget Office on Wednesday predicted that the federal budget deficit is set to reach $3.3 trillion by the end of the fiscal year, the largest since 1945. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 2 (UPI) -- The Congressional Budget Office on Wednesday said the federal budget deficit is expected to reach $3.3 trillion for the fiscal year and for debt to surpass the economy in fiscal year 2021. The 2020 federal budget deficit is more than triple the shortfall recorded in 2019 and at 16% of the gross domestic product would be the largest since 1945, the CBO said in its budget outlook for 2020-2030. Advertisement
"That increase is mostly the result of the economic disruption caused by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic and the enactment of legislation in response," the CBO said.
CBO's latest estimate of the deficit for 2020 increased by $2.2 trillion from its prediction in March, at the onset of restrictions related to the pandemic in the United States.
The CBO also said the deficit in 2021 is projected to be 8.6% of the GDP, the first time the federal debt has surpassed the nation's annual economic output since 1946.
As a result of the deficits, the CBO said that federal debt held by the public will rise to 98% of GDP in 2020 compared to 79% in 2019 and will exceed 100% in 2021.
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By 2023, federal debt held by the public is set to rise to 107%, the highest since World War II.
Further, the CBO said that annual deficits relative to the size of the economy are generally projected to decline through 2027 before increasing again in the final years before 2030 when it will reach 5.3% of the GDP.


upi--2020-09-02--U.S. depression rates are triple pre-pandemic levels

As the coronavirus pandemic has swept across America , so has an epidemic of depression , a new study shows .
Since the pandemic began , the prevalence of depression symptoms has roughly tripled , with the poor who lost jobs and savings most affected , researchers report .
`` People with lower income were twice as likely to have depression , and people with the same income but who had less savings were 1.5 times more likely to have depression , '' said lead researcher Catherine Ettman , director of strategic development at Boston University 's School of Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the high levels of depression , '' she said .
`` These rates were higher than what we 've seen in the general population after other large-scale traumas like September 11 and Hurricane Katrina . ''
The current pandemic is not just one event .
With COVID there is fear , anxiety and dramatic economic consequences , especially among people with fewer resources , Ettman said .
`` This calls for us paying attention to mental health problems that are arising at this moment that will need attention in the coming months and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the study , the researchers used a survey of more than 1,400 people aged 18 and over who completed the COVID-19 and Life Stressors Impact on Mental Health and Well-Being survey , conducted March 31 to April 13 .
That data was then compared with data on more than 5,000 people who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2017 to 2018 .
Since the pandemic , 25 % of responders reported being mildly depressed , compared with 16 % before the pandemic .
Fifteen percent were moderately depressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
There were 8 % with moderately severe depression , compared with 2 % before COVID-19 and 5 % with severe depression , compared with less than 1 % before COVID-19 .
The risk for depression symptoms was highest among people with less than $ 5,000 in savings , the researchers found .
Ettman believes that in addition to more access to mental health care , programs that keep people 's heads above water economically are needed to ensure that they have the resources to weather through these times .
These can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compensation and universal access to health care .
The report was published online Sept. 2 in the journal JAMA Network Open .
One expert not involved with the study thinks that the rates of depression tied to COVID-19 may be even higher now than they were in March and April .
`` I would anticipate that it 's even more , but there 's no way of knowing for sure , '' said Dr. Robert Dicker , associate director of the division of child and adolescent psychiatry at Northwell Health in New Hyde @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added to the stress of the pandemic is the worry parents have about sending their children to school .
Stress and depression , especially among those hardest hit economically , are going to last for a long time , he said .
`` I do n't believe that these symptoms are going to go away soon .
The pandemic is with us , the unknown is with us , '' Dicker said .
`` The economic and social crisis is with us .
So , I think it 's premature to anticipate that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are feeling depressed should n't ignore these feelings , Dicker said .
`` The first thing is to be aware and open to the fact that they could have an emotional reaction to COVID , '' he said .
`` Talking with members of their family , perhaps their primary care physician , perhaps their clergy , to really more fully get a sense of the degree of their depressive symptoms , '' Dicker said .
`` And then , beyond that , having more formal evaluations , and perhaps addressing depression in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more on depression , head to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health .

Since the pandemic began, the prevalence of depression symptoms has roughly tripled, with the poor who lost jobs and savings most affected, researchers report. Photo by Sasint/Pixabay
As the coronavirus pandemic has swept across America, so has an epidemic of depression, a new study shows. Since the pandemic began, the prevalence of depression symptoms has roughly tripled, with the poor who lost jobs and savings most affected, researchers report. Advertisement
"People with lower income were twice as likely to have depression, and people with the same income but who had less savings were 1.5 times more likely to have depression," said lead researcher Catherine Ettman, director of strategic development at Boston University's School of Public Health.
"We were surprised at the high levels of depression," she said. "These rates were higher than what we've seen in the general population after other large-scale traumas like September 11 and Hurricane Katrina."
The current pandemic is not just one event. With COVID there is fear, anxiety and dramatic economic consequences, especially among people with fewer resources, Ettman said.
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"This calls for us paying attention to mental health problems that are arising at this moment that will need attention in the coming months and years," she said.
For the study, the researchers used a survey of more than 1,400 people aged 18 and over who completed the COVID-19 and Life Stressors Impact on Mental Health and Well-Being survey, conducted March 31 to April 13.
That data was then compared with data on more than 5,000 people who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2017 to 2018.
Since the pandemic, 25% of responders reported being mildly depressed, compared with 16% before the pandemic. Fifteen percent were moderately depressed, compared with 6% before the pandemic.
There were 8% with moderately severe depression, compared with 2% before COVID-19 and 5% with severe depression, compared with less than 1% before COVID-19.
The risk for depression symptoms was highest among people with less than $5,000 in savings, the researchers found.
Ettman believes that in addition to more access to mental health care, programs that keep people's heads above water economically are needed to ensure that they have the resources to weather through these times.
These can include moratoriums on evictions, extended unemployment compensation and universal access to health care.
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The report was published online Sept. 2 in the journal JAMA Network Open.
One expert not involved with the study thinks that the rates of depression tied to COVID-19 may be even higher now than they were in March and April.
"I would anticipate that it's even more, but there's no way of knowing for sure," said Dr. Robert Dicker, associate director of the division of child and adolescent psychiatry at Northwell Health in New Hyde Park, N.Y.
Dicker also thinks that added to the stress of the pandemic is the worry parents have about sending their children to school.
Stress and depression, especially among those hardest hit economically, are going to last for a long time, he said.
"I don't believe that these symptoms are going to go away soon. The pandemic is with us, the unknown is with us," Dicker said. "The economic and social crisis is with us. So, I think it's premature to anticipate that these are short-lived."
People who are feeling depressed shouldn't ignore these feelings, Dicker said.
"The first thing is to be aware and open to the fact that they could have an emotional reaction to COVID," he said.
"Talking with members of their family, perhaps their primary care physician, perhaps their clergy, to really more fully get a sense of the degree of their depressive symptoms," Dicker said. "And then, beyond that, having more formal evaluations, and perhaps addressing depression in individual or group psychotherapy."
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More information
For more on depression, head to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-09-02--President Donald Trump designates Wilmington, N.C., as WWII heritage city

Sept. 2 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump designated Wilmington , N.C. , as the country 's first American World War II Heritage City , telling a gathered group of veterans that he stood `` in awe of your service . ''
Speaking aboard the decommissioned battleship USS North Carolina , the president , along with Interior Secretary David Bernhardt , Sen .
Them Tillis , R-N.C. , and state and local leaders , praised the city 's military ship-building history .
The U.S. military says the city built 243 warships and had three prisoner of war camps for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a World War II Heritage City recognizes the contributions of men and women during World War II .
`` A lot of cities wanted this .
And you got it , '' Trump said .
`` We stand in awe of your service .
`` In America , we do n't tear down the past , we celebrate the heroes , '' he added in an apparent nod to efforts to take down statues to Confederate soldiers and leaders across the country .
The Natural Resources Management Act of 2019 calls for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to designate at least one U.S. city an `` American World War II Heritage City . ''
Wilmington , N.C. , is the first .
The legislation was pushed by Tillis and Rep. David Rouzer , R-N.C. '' Wilmington is more than deserving as the first city to receive this designation , anchored by the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company that was created as part of the U.S. government 's Emergency Shipbuilding Program and built 243 ships during the five years the company operated , '' Tillis said in a statement .
Cities are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributions toward securing victory in the European and the Pacific theaters during the war and efforts to preserve World War II history .
Wilmington was the home of the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company , where workers built more than 200 military vessels .
The battleship North Carolina , commissioned in 1937 , took part in every major naval offensive in the Pacific area of operation and earned 15 battle stars .

President Donald Trump visited Wilmington, N.C., on Wednesday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 2 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump designated Wilmington, N.C., as the country's first American World War II Heritage City, telling a gathered group of veterans that he stood "in awe of your service." Speaking aboard the decommissioned battleship USS North Carolina, the president, along with Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, Sen. Them Tillis, R-N.C., and state and local leaders, praised the city's military ship-building history. The U.S. military says the city built 243 warships and had three prisoner of war camps for captured Nazis. Advertisement
The city's designation as a World War II Heritage City recognizes the contributions of men and women during World War II.
"A lot of cities wanted this. And you got it," Trump said. "We stand in awe of your service.
"In America, we don't tear down the past, we celebrate the heroes," he added in an apparent nod to efforts to take down statues to Confederate soldiers and leaders across the country.
The Natural Resources Management Act of 2019 calls for the secretary of the interior each year to designate at least one U.S. city an "American World War II Heritage City." Wilmington, N.C., is the first. The legislation was pushed by Tillis and Rep. David Rouzer, R-N.C.
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"Wilmington is more than deserving as the first city to receive this designation, anchored by the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company that was created as part of the U.S. government's Emergency Shipbuilding Program and built 243 ships during the five years the company operated," Tillis said in a statement.
Cities are evaluated based on criteria that include its contributions toward securing victory in the European and the Pacific theaters during the war and efforts to preserve World War II history.
Wilmington was the home of the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company, where workers built more than 200 military vessels. The battleship North Carolina, commissioned in 1937, took part in every major naval offensive in the Pacific area of operation and earned 15 battle stars.


upi--2020-09-02--Watch: Houston fountain spills suds into nearby road after apparent prank

Sept. 2 ( UPI ) -- A popular Houston fountain turned into a curiously clean mess when a massive amount @ @ @ @ @ landmark and spilled out into the surrounding area .
The Gus S. Wortham Memorial Fountain @ @ @ @ @ landmark known for its dandelion-like shape , spilled suds into the park Tuesday night when @ @ @ @ @ water in an apparent prank .
A video recorded by a witness shows the soap @ @ @ @ @ nearly Allen Parkway .
The scene evoked memories of a prank in 2019 that involved @ @ @ @ @ at Kingwood Drive and West Lake Houston .
Video shows the street corner covered in @ @ @ @ @ clean up the mess .

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Sept. 2 (UPI) -- A popular Houston fountain turned into a curiously clean mess when a massive amount of soap bubbles filled the landmark and spilled out into the surrounding area.
The Gus S. Wortham Memorial Fountain, a Buffalo Bayou Park landmark known for its dandelion-like shape, spilled suds into the park Tuesday night when soap was added to the water in an apparent prank.
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A video recorded by a witness shows the soap bubbles traveling as far as nearly Allen Parkway.
The scene evoked memories of a prank in 2019 that involved soap suds from a fountain at Kingwood Drive and West Lake Houston. Video shows the street corner covered in bubbles while firefighters attempted to clean up the mess.


upi--2020-09-02--In photos: COVID-19 pandemic alters life in New York City

New York City swiftly became the U.S. epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic , with cases perhaps starting to peak around @ @ @ @ @ The city , which was virtually shut down except for essential businesses , started a @ @ @ @ @ Here 's a collection of scenes from UPI photographer John Angelillo .

A woman wears a face mask while looking at clothing at Diane Von Furstenberg in New York City on September 8. The CFDA announced in June that New York Fashion Week shows will run for only three days in September due to the coronavirus pandemic. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI


upi--2020-09-02--Joe Biden calls for FEMA funding to help K-12 students return to school

Sept. 2 ( UPI ) -- Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Wednesday said he would direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide funding for all K-12 students returning to school amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Speaking from Wilmington , Del.
, he said he considers students ' return to school a national emergency .
`` This year , we are facing the most difficult circumstance , and we are seeing an awful lot of heart and a lot of grit from our educators , our students , to try to rise to the occasion here , '' Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't come up to that bar .
They have n't shown much grit at all '' President [ Donald ] Trump may not think this is a national emergency , but I think going back to school for millions of children and the impacts on their families and the communities is a national emergency .
The former vice president blamed the Trump administration 's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic for delays in returning all students to in-class learning this fall .
`` Let me be clear : If President Trump and his administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this crisis , American schools would be open and they would be open safely .
Instead , American families all across this country are paying the price for his failure , his administration 's failures . ''
Most U.S. schools shuttered in March in response to the growing spread of the virus , which has infected some 6.09 million people in the United States and killed 184,000 .
The daily case rate in the United States peaked in April at just shy of 40,000 and was on the downward trajectory in late May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders and loosening other mitigation efforts .
The daily case rate peaked again in late July at close to 80,000 before sliding to 43,200 on Tuesday , according to Johns Hopkins University .
Biden laid out a five-part plan to reopen schools in July , calling for Congress to pass an additional $ 34 billion in funding to help the process .
He warned schools in regions experiencing spikes in COVID-19 cases should n't rush to reopen , but Trump has encouraged all students to return to in-person learning in an effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to work .
The former vice president 's wife , Jill Biden , meanwhile , kicked off her back-to-school tour at Shortlidge Elementary School in Wilmington on Tuesday .
The former college and high school teacher spoke with educators at the school about mental health and teaching during the pandemic .
She told those gathered that she understood what it was like as a teacher to have classroom decisions made by non-educators .
`` Most of all , Joe knows that the best policies do n't come from politicians , they come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former second lady said .
`` You 're the professionals , you know what works and what does n't work .
And Joe is going to listen . ''

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden spoke about students returning to schools during the pandemic in a speech in Wilmington, Del. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Wednesday said he would direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide funding for all K-12 students returning to school amid the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking from Wilmington, Del., he said he considers students' return to school a national emergency. Advertisement
"This year, we are facing the most difficult circumstance, and we are seeing an awful lot of heart and a lot of grit from our educators, our students, to try to rise to the occasion here," Biden said. "But our government hasn't come up to that bar. They haven't shown much grit at all
"President [Donald] Trump may not think this is a national emergency, but I think going back to school for millions of children and the impacts on their families and the communities is a national emergency.
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The former vice president blamed the Trump administration's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic for delays in returning all students to in-class learning this fall.
"Let me be clear: If President Trump and his administration had done their jobs early on with this crisis, American schools would be open and they would be open safely. Instead, American families all across this country are paying the price for his failure, his administration's failures."
President Trump has failed to address COVID-19 - and now our students and educators are paying the price. Tune in as I discuss my plan to safely and effectively reopen schools: https://t.co/ntofl4zV7v— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 2, 2020
Most U.S. schools shuttered in March in response to the growing spread of the virus, which has infected some 6.09 million people in the United States and killed 184,000.
The daily case rate in the United States peaked in April at just shy of 40,000 and was on the downward trajectory in late May and June before states began lifting stay-at-home orders and loosening other mitigation efforts. The daily case rate peaked again in late July at close to 80,000 before sliding to 43,200 on Tuesday, according to Johns Hopkins University.
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Biden laid out a five-part plan to reopen schools in July, calling for Congress to pass an additional $34 billion in funding to help the process. He warned schools in regions experiencing spikes in COVID-19 cases shouldn't rush to reopen, but Trump has encouraged all students to return to in-person learning in an effort to jumpstart the economy by helping some parents return to work.
The former vice president's wife, Jill Biden, meanwhile, kicked off her back-to-school tour at Shortlidge Elementary School in Wilmington on Tuesday. The former college and high school teacher spoke with educators at the school about mental health and teaching during the pandemic.
She told those gathered that she understood what it was like as a teacher to have classroom decisions made by non-educators.
"Most of all, Joe knows that the best policies don't come from politicians, they come from educators like you," the former second lady said. "You're the professionals, you know what works and what doesn't work. And Joe is going to listen."


upi--2020-09-02--DARPA's air-breathing hypersonic missiles ready for free-flight tests

Sept. 2 ( UPI ) -- Captive carry tests of two hypersonic weapons have been completed , with their first free flights scheduled for later this year , according to DARPA and the U.S. Air Force .
Lockheed Martin and Raytheon have each designed hypersonic missiles for a combined program of the Air Force and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency .
The Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept program `` seeks to develop and demonstrate critical technologies to enable an effective and affordable air-launched hypersonic cruise missile , '' a DARPA statement on Tuesday said .
The HAWC weapon employs `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditional fuel and air mixture but in prolonged airflow at speeds in excess of five times the speed of sound .
Upcoming flights will demonstrate the feasibility of that concept , according to officials .
`` Completing the captive carry series of tests demonstrates both HAWC designs are ready for free flight , '' said HAWC program manager Andrew Knoedler .
`` These tests provide us a large measure of confidence , already well informed by years of simulation and wind tunnel work , that gives us faith the unique design path we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. forces , '' said Knoedler , who works out of DARPA 's Tactical Technology Office .
Prior to the HAWC program , the Air Force concentrated on boost-glide hypersonic vehicles , which fly just below the level of space .
The technology of air-breathing hypersonic missiles has since matured to the point that they are technologically feasible and can fly through the atmosphere , engaging different targets , officials have said .
`` Given how far scramjet technology has matured , I 'd expect that we 'll be able to go pretty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acquisitions executive Will Roper said in April .

DARPA and the U.S. Air Force announced the conclusion of captive carry tests of two hypersonic weapon prototypes on Tuesday, Free-flight testing will begin later this year. Photo courtesy of DARPA
Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Captive carry tests of two hypersonic weapons have been completed, with their first free flights scheduled for later this year, according to DARPA and the U.S. Air Force. Lockheed Martin and Raytheon have each designed hypersonic missiles for a combined program of the Air Force and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Advertisement
The Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept program "seeks to develop and demonstrate critical technologies to enable an effective and affordable air-launched hypersonic cruise missile," a DARPA statement on Tuesday said.
The HAWC weapon employs "hydrocarbon scramjet-powered propulsion," meaning the traditional fuel and air mixture but in prolonged airflow at speeds in excess of five times the speed of sound.
Upcoming flights will demonstrate the feasibility of that concept, according to officials.
"Completing the captive carry series of tests demonstrates both HAWC designs are ready for free flight," said HAWC program manager Andrew Knoedler.
"These tests provide us a large measure of confidence, already well informed by years of simulation and wind tunnel work, that gives us faith the unique design path we embarked on will provide unmatched capability to U.S. forces," said Knoedler, who works out of DARPA's Tactical Technology Office.
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Prior to the HAWC program, the Air Force concentrated on boost-glide hypersonic vehicles, which fly just below the level of space.
The technology of air-breathing hypersonic missiles has since matured to the point that they are technologically feasible and can fly through the atmosphere, engaging different targets, officials have said.
"Given how far scramjet technology has matured, I'd expect that we'll be able to go pretty quickly on this," Air Force acquisitions executive Will Roper said in April.


upi--2020-09-03--Marie Osmond exits 'The Talk' after one season

Sept. 3 ( UPI ) -- Marie Osmond has departed CBS daytime talk show The Talk after one season , Osmond and the network have confirmed .
Osmond joined the The Talk Season 10 in September 2019 following the departure of creator and co-host Sara Gilbert .
She was joined by co-hosts Sharon Osbourne , Sheryl Underwood , Eve and Carrie Ann Inaba .
Osmond had appeared as a guest host on the series multiple times before joining it full-time .
A new co-host has not been named .
`` Marie is a consummate professional , and we thank her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as incredible talents , with our audience .
We will miss her humor , kindness and good nature , and wish her much success in her future endeavors , '' CBS said in a statement .
Longtime executive producer and showrunner John Redmann has also left The Talk after 10 seasons .
Osmond said that she will be focusing on new projects with Redmann and spending time with her husband , Steve Craig .
`` One of the highlights of my year at The Talk was working with my dear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excited to continue our working relationship on several projects we are developing .
Also , my husband and I just dropped our last two kids off at college , we looked at each other , laughed and remembered we had n't been this alone together since 1982 !
!
So , at this stage of my life , I 'm looking forward to spending more time with him and visiting all the kids/grandkids , '' Osmond said in a statement .

Marie Osmond has left "The Talk" after joining the talk show in September 2019. File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Marie Osmond has departed CBS daytime talk show The Talk after one season, Osmond and the network have confirmed. Osmond joined the The Talk Season 10 in September 2019 following the departure of creator and co-host Sara Gilbert. She was joined by co-hosts Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Underwood, Eve and Carrie Ann Inaba. Advertisement
Osmond had appeared as a guest host on the series multiple times before joining it full-time. A new co-host has not been named.
"Marie is a consummate professional, and we thank her for sharing her personal experiences, insight, as well as incredible talents, with our audience. We will miss her humor, kindness and good nature, and wish her much success in her future endeavors," CBS said in a statement.
Longtime executive producer and showrunner John Redmann has also left The Talk after 10 seasons.
Osmond said that she will be focusing on new projects with Redmann and spending time with her husband, Steve Craig.
"One of the highlights of my year at The Talk was working with my dear friend John Redmann, and I'm excited to continue our working relationship on several projects we are developing. Also, my husband and I just dropped our last two kids off at college, we looked at each other, laughed and remembered we hadn't been this alone together since 1982!! So, at this stage of my life, I'm looking forward to spending more time with him and visiting all the kids/grandkids," Osmond said in a statement.