upi--2020-10-05--Supreme Court to take up religious liberty cases

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Supreme Court 's 2020 term , which begins Monday , could produce decisions that have a major impact on religious liberty .
The cases to be argued include a request for a faith-based exemption from antidiscrimination laws by a private foster care agency , a lawsuit filed by three Muslim men seeking damages from FBI agents who placed them on the no-fly list and a student 's challenge of college speech rules that he says violated his First Amendment rights .
In addition , the justices have been asked to hear appeals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practices ; buffer zones for anti-abortion counseling at medical facilities ; and an effort to compel a religiously affiliated hospital to allow medical procedures that violate its religious beliefs .
One of the most significant cases is Fulton vs. City of Philadelphia , which has the potential to produce a landmark decision .
Philadelphia contracts with private providers for foster care services and refused to place children in homes of families that work with Catholic Social Services after it learned the agency would not certify same-sex married couples as foster parents , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-discrimination provisions .
Two women who have fostered more than 40 children between them , Sharonell Fulton and Toni Simms-Busch , and CSS sued over the exclusion .
The case came to the Supreme Court after the 3rd U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals refused to grant an injunction to keep the agency 's foster care program open .
The mothers and CSS say their First Amendment and free exercise of religion rights are being violated by conditioning their ability to participate in the foster care system on taking actions and making statements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` CSS exercises its religion by caring for foster children and acting in accordance with its Catholic beliefs in the process , '' The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty , which represents the plaintiffs , said in a court petition .
`` This means that CSS can not make foster certifications inconsistent with its religious beliefs about sex and marriage .
CSS sincerely believes that the home study certification endorses the relationships in the home , and therefore it can not provide home studies or endorsements for unmarried heterosexual couples or same-sex couples @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters , Lori Windham , Becket 's senior counsel who will be arguing the case , said a ruling will have a nationwide impact .
`` There are 8,000 faith-affirming foster and adoption agencies across the country , '' Windham said .
`` Several cities and states across the nation have shut those agencies down so foster and adoption agencies and the families who depend on them are watching to see what the Supreme Court will do . ''
In addition to ending the CSS exclusion , the plaintiffs are asking the justices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that denied a religious exemption to two members of the Native American Church who were fired for using peyote .
The workers , who used peyote as part of their faith , were denied unemployment benefits because they had violated a state law .
One of the men filed suit alleging his right to the free exercise of religion had been violated and won in the lower courts .
However , the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the ruling .
The high court decision , Employment Division vs. Smith , held that the Constitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to challenge a neutral and generally applicable law as a burden on faith .
The clause can be used to challenge only laws that target religious practice or were motivated by anti-religious animus .
Howard Slugh , general counsel of the Jewish Coalition for Religious Liberty , said the standard set by the Smith case to decide if a law burdens someone 's religion is too restrictive .
In a hypothetical example of a law banning circumcision for alleged medical reasons , a litigant would have to prove the statute was motivated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an email .
However , as soon as the law was determined to be religiously neutral , a claim under the Free Exercise Clause would be dismissed .
Members of minority faiths are particularly affected , he said .
`` Smith has deprived numerous Jewish Americans of their day in court , '' Slugh wrote .
`` In one instance , a court cited Smith as the reason a Jewish police officer had no free exercise right to wear a yarmulke , a traditional Jewish head covering .
The police department 's ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and therefore , Smith immunized it from constitutional scrutiny . ''
John Bursch , senior counsel and vice president of appellate advocacy at the Alliance Defending Freedom , said the action against the foster care agency was motivated by animus for its religious beliefs .
Kelly Shackelford , CEO and chief counsel of First Liberty Institute , said a lot of children will go unplaced because of the participation ban on agencies that wo n't certify same-sex couples and that the Smith ruling is a bad decision .
In a friend-of-the-court brief , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foundation , the Center for Inquiry and the American Humanist Association -- argue that CSS 's attack on the Smith ruling `` is not just an attack on over a century of precedent , but also an attack on the rule of law itself . ''
`` What CSS really seeks is a system of judicially created religious favoritism , '' the brief says .
Patrick Elliott , FFRF senior counsel , said the Smith decision should stand .
`` Even if you have religious beliefs , you still have to comply with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elliott said .
Holly Hollman , general counsel of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty , writes that Philadelphia 's policy protects the viability of government partnerships with religious organizations .
`` Faith-based groups often feel called to help others , including voluntarily partnering with the government to serve those in need , '' Hollman told UPI in an email .
`` Following the government 's rules to administer certain government-funded programs does not mean the faith-based organization is giving up its right to speak about core beliefs in other contexts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ suit filed by three Muslim American men who alleged they were placed on the no-fly list for refusing requests by FBI agents to be informants against their religious community .
The CLEAR Project at the City University of New York School of Law and the Center for Constitutional Rights , which represent the men , say their clients immigrated legally to the United States and have never posed a threat to aviation security .
Four days before scheduled arguments on the government 's motion to dismiss some of the claims in Tanzin vs. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the list but continued to pursue damages .
The FBI appealed to the Supreme Court after the 2nd U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the men could seek `` appropriate relief '' from the government under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act .
The question to be decided is whether suits seeking money damages against individual federal employees for violations of the act 's substantive protections of religious belief is an available remedy .
The men 's lawyers say in a brief that Congress sought to create a broad protection of religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with bipartisan support in 1993 , and that the 2nd Circuit 's ruling is correct .
`` In many cases , it is not possible to seek injunctive relief , and money damages are the only measure that exists for plaintiffs to obtain a semblance of justice , '' Bauer said in a statement .
`` Depriving plaintiffs of the ability to seek damages undermines religious freedom by depriving plaintiffs of a meaningful remedy in many cases . ''
Religious liberty groups are following another damages case , Uzuegbunam vs. Preczewski , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ College student Chike Uzuegbunam to share his Christian faith on the Lawrenceville campus .
Uzuegbunam was distributing religious literature and holding one-on-one conversations about his faith when college police told him he had to get advance permission to use one of two speech zones on campus to continue .
He stationed himself in one of those spaces - which covered 0.0015 percent of the campus ( a tiny space like a piece of paper on a football field , according to Bursch , of Alliance Defending Freedom , which represents Uzuegbunam ) - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This time , police told him that someone had complained and that the college 's speech code defined as `` disorderly conduct '' '' anything that makes another person feel uncomfortable , the suit says .
Another student , Joseph Bradford , self-censored after learning what had happened .
After the run-ins , Uzuegbunam , who has since graduated , and Bradford , who no longer attends the college , stopped trying to share their faith .
Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys filed suit on behalf of Uzuegbunam challenging the speech code and speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bradford later joined the suit .
The college responded that Uzuegbunam 's speech rose to the level of `` fighting words '' and asked that the suit be dismissed .
The college later eliminated the speech code and revised the speech zone .
A trial court judge ruled that Uzuegbunam 's graduation mooted his claims , while the policy changes mooted the claims brought by Bradford , who was then still enrolled .
The judge dismissed the case , which ended up at the Supreme Court after the 11th Circuit affirmed the dismissal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is whether a government 's change of an unconstitutional policy moots nominal damages claims for past violation of a plaintiff 's constitutional rights .
Bursch said a declaration that rights were violated and a nominal damages award puts officials on notice that the policies were unconstitutional and protect constitutional rights .
Becket Law , which submitted a friend-of-the-court brief in the case , said in a news release that the case is part of a trend of governments revising their policies when sued for unconstitutional behavior and then arguing that the court should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's rights .
`` Governments that violate individuals ' rights should n't get away with it on a technicality , '' said Adele Keim , counsel at Becket .
Cases with religious liberty implications that the Supreme Court has been asked to review include Dalberiste vs. GLE Associates and Small vs. Memphis Light , Gas & Water , which center on requests by employees for religious accommodations to observe the Sabbath .
Also pending is a petition for review of Bruni vs. City of Pittsburgh , which was brought by anti-abortion sidewalk counselors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entrances of clinics and hospitals where they are not allowed to speak .
In Dignity Health vs. Minton , a hospital in California is asking the justices to bar state lawsuits seeking to compel it to perform procedures that are contrary to the Catholic faith , in this case , an elective hysterectomy .
The justices ' decisions on whether to hear these matters are pending .
Shackelford believes a case involving the rights of churches during the coronavirus pandemic will eventually come before the justices .
`` The court has n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` They 're working their way up and one will be taken in the near future . ''

Religious liberty organizations are watching several cases before the new term of the U.S. Supreme Court. Photo by Stefani Reynolds/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court's 2020 term, which begins Monday, could produce decisions that have a major impact on religious liberty. The cases to be argued include a request for a faith-based exemption from antidiscrimination laws by a private foster care agency, a lawsuit filed by three Muslim men seeking damages from FBI agents who placed them on the no-fly list and a student's challenge of college speech rules that he says violated his First Amendment rights. Advertisement
In addition, the justices have been asked to hear appeals involving employer accommodation of workers' religious practices; buffer zones for anti-abortion counseling at medical facilities; and an effort to compel a religiously affiliated hospital to allow medical procedures that violate its religious beliefs.
Religious liberty organizations are watching these cases:
Free exercise of religion
One of the most significant cases is Fulton vs. City of Philadelphia, which has the potential to produce a landmark decision.
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Philadelphia contracts with private providers for foster care services and refused to place children in homes of families that work with Catholic Social Services after it learned the agency would not certify same-sex married couples as foster parents, which is a violation of the city's anti-discrimination provisions. Two women who have fostered more than 40 children between them, Sharonell Fulton and Toni Simms-Busch, and CSS sued over the exclusion.
The case came to the Supreme Court after the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals refused to grant an injunction to keep the agency's foster care program open. The mothers and CSS say their First Amendment and free exercise of religion rights are being violated by conditioning their ability to participate in the foster care system on taking actions and making statements that contradict their sincere religious beliefs.
"CSS exercises its religion by caring for foster children and acting in accordance with its Catholic beliefs in the process," The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which represents the plaintiffs, said in a court petition. "This means that CSS cannot make foster certifications inconsistent with its religious beliefs about sex and marriage. CSS sincerely believes that the home study certification endorses the relationships in the home, and therefore it cannot provide home studies or endorsements for unmarried heterosexual couples or same-sex couples."
Advertisement
In a phone briefing with reporters, Lori Windham, Becket's senior counsel who will be arguing the case, said a ruling will have a nationwide impact.
"There are 8,000 faith-affirming foster and adoption agencies across the country," Windham said. "Several cities and states across the nation have shut those agencies down so foster and adoption agencies and the families who depend on them are watching to see what the Supreme Court will do."
In addition to ending the CSS exclusion, the plaintiffs are asking the justices to overturn a 1990 Supreme Court decision that denied a religious exemption to two members of the Native American Church who were fired for using peyote. The workers, who used peyote as part of their faith, were denied unemployment benefits because they had violated a state law.
One of the men filed suit alleging his right to the free exercise of religion had been violated and won in the lower courts. However, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the ruling.
The high court decision, Employment Division vs. Smith, held that the Constitution's Free Exercise Clause cannot be used to challenge a neutral and generally applicable law as a burden on faith. The clause can be used to challenge only laws that target religious practice or were motivated by anti-religious animus.
Advertisement
Generally applicable laws
Howard Slugh, general counsel of the Jewish Coalition for Religious Liberty, said the standard set by the Smith case to decide if a law burdens someone's religion is too restrictive.
In a hypothetical example of a law banning circumcision for alleged medical reasons, a litigant would have to prove the statute was motivated by anti-religious animus, Slugh said in an email. However, as soon as the law was determined to be religiously neutral, a claim under the Free Exercise Clause would be dismissed.
Members of minority faiths are particularly affected, he said.
"Smith has deprived numerous Jewish Americans of their day in court," Slugh wrote. "In one instance, a court cited Smith as the reason a Jewish police officer had no free exercise right to wear a yarmulke, a traditional Jewish head covering. The police department's ban on head coverings was religiously neutral, and therefore, Smith immunized it from constitutional scrutiny."
John Bursch, senior counsel and vice president of appellate advocacy at the Alliance Defending Freedom, said the action against the foster care agency was motivated by animus for its religious beliefs.
Kelly Shackelford, CEO and chief counsel of First Liberty Institute, said a lot of children will go unplaced because of the participation ban on agencies that won't certify same-sex couples and that the Smith ruling is a bad decision.
Advertisement
In a friend-of-the-court brief, three organizations -- the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the Center for Inquiry and the American Humanist Association -- argue that CSS's attack on the Smith ruling "is not just an attack on over a century of precedent, but also an attack on the rule of law itself."
"What CSS really seeks is a system of judicially created religious favoritism," the brief says.
Patrick Elliott, FFRF senior counsel, said the Smith decision should stand.
"Even if you have religious beliefs, you still have to comply with neutral and generally applicable laws," Elliott said.
Some faith groups agree.
Holly Hollman, general counsel of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, writes that Philadelphia's policy protects the viability of government partnerships with religious organizations.
"Faith-based groups often feel called to help others, including voluntarily partnering with the government to serve those in need," Hollman told UPI in an email. "Following the government's rules to administer certain government-funded programs does not mean the faith-based organization is giving up its right to speak about core beliefs in other contexts."
'Appropriate relief'
Another closely watched case is a suit filed by three Muslim American men who alleged they were placed on the no-fly list for refusing requests by FBI agents to be informants against their religious community. The CLEAR Project at the City University of New York School of Law and the Center for Constitutional Rights, which represent the men, say their clients immigrated legally to the United States and have never posed a threat to aviation security.
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Four days before scheduled arguments on the government's motion to dismiss some of the claims in Tanzin vs. Tanvir, the men were taken off the list but continued to pursue damages. The FBI appealed to the Supreme Court after the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the men could seek "appropriate relief" from the government under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
The question to be decided is whether suits seeking money damages against individual federal employees for violations of the act's substantive protections of religious belief is an available remedy.
The men's lawyers say in a brief that Congress sought to create a broad protection of religious exercise in RFRA, which was enacted with bipartisan support in 1993, and that the 2nd Circuit's ruling is correct.
Mary Bauer, legal director of Muslim Advocates, a civil rights group, agrees.
"In many cases, it is not possible to seek injunctive relief, and money damages are the only measure that exists for plaintiffs to obtain a semblance of justice," Bauer said in a statement. "Depriving plaintiffs of the ability to seek damages undermines religious freedom by depriving plaintiffs of a meaningful remedy in many cases."
Claims for nominal damages
Religious liberty groups are following another damages case, Uzuegbunam vs. Preczewski, which stems from an effort by Georgia Gwinnett College student Chike Uzuegbunam to share his Christian faith on the Lawrenceville campus.
Advertisement
Uzuegbunam was distributing religious literature and holding one-on-one conversations about his faith when college police told him he had to get advance permission to use one of two speech zones on campus to continue. He stationed himself in one of those spaces - which covered 0.0015 percent of the campus (a tiny space like a piece of paper on a football field, according to Bursch, of Alliance Defending Freedom, which represents Uzuegbunam) - but was stopped from speaking again.
This time, police told him that someone had complained and that the college's speech code defined as "disorderly conduct"" anything that makes another person feel uncomfortable, the suit says. Another student, Joseph Bradford, self-censored after learning what had happened.
After the run-ins, Uzuegbunam, who has since graduated, and Bradford, who no longer attends the college, stopped trying to share their faith. Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys filed suit on behalf of Uzuegbunam challenging the speech code and speech zone policies and seeking nominal damages. Bradford later joined the suit.
The college responded that Uzuegbunam's speech rose to the level of "fighting words" and asked that the suit be dismissed. The college later eliminated the speech code and revised the speech zone. A trial court judge ruled that Uzuegbunam's graduation mooted his claims, while the policy changes mooted the claims brought by Bradford, who was then still enrolled.
Advertisement
The judge dismissed the case, which ended up at the Supreme Court after the 11th Circuit affirmed the dismissal. The question before the high court is whether a government's change of an unconstitutional policy moots nominal damages claims for past violation of a plaintiff's constitutional rights.
Bursch said a declaration that rights were violated and a nominal damages award puts officials on notice that the policies were unconstitutional and protect constitutional rights.
Becket Law, which submitted a friend-of-the-court brief in the case, said in a news release that the case is part of a trend of governments revising their policies when sued for unconstitutional behavior and then arguing that the court should never rule on whether they violated anyone's rights.
"Governments that violate individuals' rights shouldn't get away with it on a technicality," said Adele Keim, counsel at Becket.
Requests for review
Cases with religious liberty implications that the Supreme Court has been asked to review include Dalberiste vs. GLE Associates and Small vs. Memphis Light, Gas & Water, which center on requests by employees for religious accommodations to observe the Sabbath.
Also pending is a petition for review of Bruni vs. City of Pittsburgh, which was brought by anti-abortion sidewalk counselors who object to a buffer zone outside the entrances of clinics and hospitals where they are not allowed to speak.
Advertisement
In Dignity Health vs. Minton, a hospital in California is asking the justices to bar state lawsuits seeking to compel it to perform procedures that are contrary to the Catholic faith, in this case, an elective hysterectomy.
The justices' decisions on whether to hear these matters are pending.
Shackelford believes a case involving the rights of churches during the coronavirus pandemic will eventually come before the justices.
"The court hasn't taken one yet," he said. "They're working their way up and one will be taken in the near future."


upi--2020-10-05--On This Day, Oct. 5: Dalai Lama wins Nobel Peace Prize

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1813 , the Shawnee Indian Chief Tecumseh was killed while fighting on the side of the British during the War of 1812 .
In 1882 , Dr. Robert Goddard , `` Father of American Rocketry '' and a pioneer in the theoretical exploration of space , was born in Worcester , MA .
In 1918 , Germany 's Hindenburg Line was broken as World War I neared an end .
In 1921 , the World Series is broadcast on the radio for the first time .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nations to act against Italy to halt Italy 's conquest of the country .
In 1947 , President Harry Truman delivers the first televised White House address .
In 1955 , the doors to the Disneyland Hotel are thrown open to the public .
In 1970 , The Public Broadcasting Service , PBS , is founded .
In 1989 , the Dalai Lama , who advocated non-violent struggle against Chinese domination of his homeland , Tibet , was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize .
In 1994 , authorities said 53 members of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the victims of murder or suicide -- over a two-day period in Switzerland and Canada .
In 2001 , Barry Bonds hit his 71st home run , most by a player in one season , breaking Mark McGwire 's 1998 Major League Baseball record .
The San Francisco Giants slugger finished the season with 73 homers .
In 2005 , scientists announced that a form of bird flu that spread directly to humans was the real cause of a 1918 pandemic that killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide .
In 2010 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle in New York 's Times Square , planning to detonate it on a busy night , was sentenced to life in prison .
In 2011 , Steve Jobs , co-founder of Apple Inc. and hailed by his colleagues as a `` visionary and creative genius , '' died at age 56 , two months after resigning as chief executive officer because he could `` no longer meet [ his ] duties and expectations . ''
In 2018 , the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 3.7 percent , the lowest number since December @ @

1/5
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, pictured in 1985, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on October 5, 1989. | License Photo
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1813, the Shawnee Indian Chief Tecumseh was killed while fighting on the side of the British during the War of 1812. Advertisement
In 1882, Dr. Robert Goddard, "Father of American Rocketry" and a pioneer in the theoretical exploration of space, was born in Worcester, MA.
In 1918, Germany's Hindenburg Line was broken as World War I neared an end.
In 1921, the World Series is broadcast on the radio for the first time.
In 1935, Ethiopia asks the League of Nations to act against Italy to halt Italy's conquest of the country.
In 1947, President Harry Truman delivers the first televised White House address.
In 1955, the doors to the Disneyland Hotel are thrown open to the public.
In 1970, The Public Broadcasting Service, PBS, is founded.
In 1989, the Dalai Lama, who advocated non-violent struggle against Chinese domination of his homeland, Tibet, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
In 1994, authorities said 53 members of a secretive religious cult were found dead -- the victims of murder or suicide -- over a two-day period in Switzerland and Canada.
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In 2001, Barry Bonds hit his 71st home run, most by a player in one season, breaking Mark McGwire's 1998 Major League Baseball record. The San Francisco Giants slugger finished the season with 73 homers.
File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI
In 2005, scientists announced that a form of bird flu that spread directly to humans was the real cause of a 1918 pandemic that killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide.
In 2010, Faisal Shahzad, who left an explosives-laden vehicle in New York's Times Square, planning to detonate it on a busy night, was sentenced to life in prison.
In 2011, Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc. and hailed by his colleagues as a "visionary and creative genius," died at age 56, two months after resigning as chief executive officer because he could "no longer meet [his] duties and expectations."
In 2018, the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 3.7 percent, the lowest number since December 1969.
File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI


upi--2020-10-05--Famous birthdays for Oct. 5: Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Kate Winslet

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Libra .
-- Chester @ @ @ @ @ of the United States , in 1829 -- Comic Larry Fine of The Three Stooges @ @ @ @ @ , first president of the Czech Republic , in 1936

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Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson attends the Creative Arts Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on September 9, 2018. He turns 61 on October 5. File Photo by Gregg DeGuire/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Libra. They include: Advertisement
-- French philosopher Denis Diderot in 1713
-- Chester A. Arthur, 21st president of the United States, in 1829
-- Movie pioneer Louis Lumiere in 1864
-- Restaurant entrepreneur Ray Kroc in 1902
-- Comic Larry Fine of The Three Stooges in 1902
-- "Family Circus" cartoonist Bil Keane in 1922
-- Actor Glynis Johns in 1923 (age 97)
-- Actor/comedian Bill Dana in 1924
-- Vaclav Havel, first president of the Czech Republic, in 1936
-- Football Hall of Fame member Barry Switzer in 1937 (age 83)
-- Rock singer/songwriter Steve Miller in 1943 (age 77)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Rock singer Brian Johnson in 1947 (age 73)
-- Actor Karen Allen in 1951 (age 69)
-- Irish rock musician/political activist Bob Geldof in 1951 (age 69)
-- Author/director Clive Barker in 1952 (age 68)
-- Comedian Bernie Mac in 1957
-- Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson in 1958 (age 62)
-- Architect Maya Lin in 1959 (age 61)
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-- Race car driver Michael Andretti in 1962 (age 58)
File Photo by Ed Locke/UPI
-- World Golf Hall of Fame member Laura Davies in 1963 (age 57)
-- Hockey Hall of Fame member Mario Lemieux in 1965 (age 55)
-- Hockey Hall of Fame member Patrick Roy in 1965 (age 55)
-- Actor Guy Pearce in 1967 (age 53)
-- Actor Scott Weinger in 1975 (age 45)
-- Actor Kate Winslet in 1975 (age 45)
-- Actor Jesse Eisenberg in 1983 (age 37)
-- Heiress Nicky Hilton in 1983 (age 37)
-- Actor Jacob Tremblay in 2006 (age 14)


upi--2020-10-05--Chicago Bears sign veteran RB Lamar Miller to practice squad

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- The Chicago Bears have signed veteran running back Lamar Miller to their practice squad @ @ @ @ @ .
The Bears are expected to eventually promote Miller to the active roster as the @ @ @ @ @ Cohen , who sustained a season-ending torn ACL in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons @ @ @ @ @ a former Pro Bowl selection who ran for over 1,000 yards with both the Miami @ @ @ @ @ Houston Texans ( 2016 ) .
He spent training camp with the New England Patriots @ @ @ @ @ suffering a major knee injury in the 2019 preseason .
The Dolphins selected Miller in @ @ @ @ @ 2012 NFL Draft out of Miami .
In 105 career games with the Dolphins and @ @ @ @ @ 5,864 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns on 1,354 carries .
He also has notched 209 @ @ @ @ @ eight receiving scores .
The Bears released former seventh-round pick Stephen Denmark -- a defensive @ @ @ @ @ roster move .

Former Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller spent training camp with the New England Patriots but hasn't played since suffering a knee injury in the 2019 preseason. File Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- The Chicago Bears have signed veteran running back Lamar Miller to their practice squad, the team announced Monday. The Bears are expected to eventually promote Miller to the active roster as the replacement for all-purpose back Tarik Cohen, who sustained a season-ending torn ACL in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons. Advertisement
The 29-year-old Miller is a former Pro Bowl selection who ran for over 1,000 yards with both the Miami Dolphins (2014) and Houston Texans (2016). He spent training camp with the New England Patriots but hasn't played since suffering a major knee injury in the 2019 preseason.
The Dolphins selected Miller in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Miami. In 105 career games with the Dolphins and Texans, he has recorded 5,864 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns on 1,354 carries. He also has notched 209 receptions for 1,565 yards and eight receiving scores.
The Bears released former seventh-round pick Stephen Denmark -- a defensive back -- in a corresponding roster move.
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This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-10-05--Walmart recalls packaged fruit in 9 states for possible Listeria contamination

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- Pre-packaged fruit sold by Walmart is being recalled in nine states because of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes , the FDA said .
Country Fresh , which sells products under the Walmart brand , announced a voluntary recall of packages of cut or sliced apples , grapes , mangoes , pineapples , and cantaloupe .
The fruit was shipped to Walmart grocery stores in Arkansas , Illinois , Indiana , Kansas , Kentucky , Louisiana , Missouri , Oklahoma and Texas , the company said .
Inspectors from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an area near where the fruit was packed , a press release said .
No cases of food poisoning from listeria contamination have been reported in connection with the recalled Walmart fruit products , Country Fresh said .
Listeria is a microscopic organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children , frail or elderly people , and people with weakened immune systems , the FDA said .
Listeria infection , called listeriosis , can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women .
Healthy people who eat food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as high fever , severe headache , stiffness , nausea , abdominal pain and diarrhea .
Compared to other foodborne illnesses , listeriosis `` is rare but very serious , '' the FDA said on the agency 's website .
More than 90 percent of people with listeriosis are hospitalized , often in intensive care units .
About 1,600 people in the United States get listeriosis each year , about 260 die and about 1,500 are hospitalized , the FDA said .
The possibly contaminated recalled products included multiple varieties of apple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ packaged chunks of mango , pineapple , cantaloupe and assorted fruit trays .
On Thursday , Country Fresh initiated a separate recall of prepackaged possibly listeria-contaminated watermelon chunks distributed at Walmart and RaceTrac gas stations , distributed between Sept. 23 through 25 .
The recalled packages were labeled `` best if used by '' with dates between Oct. 3 and Oct. 11 , 2020 , the FDA said .

Walmart recalled packages of sliced, prepackaged fruit in nine states after FDA inspectors found evidence of Listeria monocytogenes in a Country Fresh facility. Photo courtesy of Country Fresh.
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Pre-packaged fruit sold by Walmart is being recalled in nine states because of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, the FDA said. Country Fresh, which sells products under the Walmart brand, announced a voluntary recall of packages of cut or sliced apples, grapes, mangoes, pineapples, and cantaloupe. Advertisement
The fruit was shipped to Walmart grocery stores in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas, the company said.
Inspectors from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration detected traces of listeria on equipment used in an area near where the fruit was packed, a press release said.
No cases of food poisoning from listeria contamination have been reported in connection with the recalled Walmart fruit products, Country Fresh said.
Listeria is a microscopic organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and people with weakened immune systems, the FDA said. Listeria infection, called listeriosis, can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
Healthy people who eat food contaminated with listeria may show short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
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Compared to other foodborne illnesses, listeriosis "is rare but very serious," the FDA said on the agency's website.
More than 90 percent of people with listeriosis are hospitalized, often in intensive care units. About 1,600 people in the United States get listeriosis each year, about 260 die and about 1,500 are hospitalized, the FDA said.
The possibly contaminated recalled products included multiple varieties of apple slices and grapes, as well as packaged chunks of mango, pineapple, cantaloupe and assorted fruit trays.
On Thursday, Country Fresh initiated a separate recall of prepackaged possibly listeria-contaminated watermelon chunks distributed at Walmart and RaceTrac gas stations, distributed between Sept. 23 through 25.
The recalled packages were labeled "best if used by" with dates between Oct. 3 and Oct. 11, 2020, the FDA said.


upi--2020-10-05--President Donald Trump discharged from hospital, returns to White House

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and returned to the White House Monday night after being treated for COVID-19 for three days .
Trump walked out of the hospital in Bethesda , Md.
, at around 6:40 p.m. Monday evening , wearing a mask , while flashing a thumbs up and a balled fist to cameras before entering a motorcade for a brief drive to board a Marine One flight back to Washington , D.C .
Upon leaving the hospital , Trump ignored a reporter asking how many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and whether he was a `` superspreader . ''
`` Thank you very much everybody , '' Trump said as he walked down the hospital steps .
Marine One landed at the White House at 6:54 p.m. and upon climbing the White House stairs removed his mask and saluted as he posed for photographs .
Before emerging from the hospital , the president tweeted that he would `` be back on the campaign trail soon ! ''
In a video message shared to his Twitter account Monday night , Trump thanked the staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to fear the virus .
Earlier in the day , Trump 's medical team said he had met the requirements for discharge , while his physician Dr. Sean Conley acknowledged that the president `` may not entirely be out of the woods yet , '' adding that the world-class team at the White House medical unit could handle his ongoing treatment .
Conley said Trump had n't had a fever for 72 hours and that there was no evidence of the presence of live coronavirus .
Conley deflected questions about the safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where several people have contracted the virus .
He also declined to say when the president had received his last negative COVID-19 test result , citing HIPAA regulations .
Trump 's temperature was reported at 98.1 degrees Monday morning .
Trump 's blood pressure was measured at 134/78 and oxygen levels were at 97 % said Col. Sean Dooley , a physician at Walter Reed .
The president has received three doses so far of FDA-approved experimental COVID-19 drug remdesivir and would be taking a total of five doses , said Dr. Brian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kidney and liver function continued normally , Garibaldi said .
In addition , Trump has received the powerful steroid dexamethasone .
Trump has received `` medical management that is within national , clinical and societal guidelines , '' said Jayson Blaylock , head doctor at Walter Reed .
Trump will return to the White House , where he will be cared for by the on-site medical team .
The team will determine when the president is no longer shedding the virus and not considered contagious , which could be `` seven to 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 're in a bit of uncharted territory where we have a patient who 's received the therapies he has so early in the course , '' Conley said .
`` If we can get through the weekend to Monday with him staying the same or improving ... then we will all take that deep sigh of relief . ''
Trump said in a tweet announcing his pending discharge that he was `` feeling really good . ''
`` I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really good !
Do n't be afraid of Covid .
Do n't let it dominate your life .
We have developed , under the Trump Administration , some really great drugs & knowledge .
I feel better than I did 20 years ago ! ''
The virus has killed more than 210,000 Americans and sickened more than 7.45 million people in the United States .
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told Fox News on Monday that Trump 's health had improved overnight and that the president was ready to get back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump made a surprise excursion Sunday evening outside the hospital , where was admitted Friday after his oxygen levels dropped .
He wore a cloth mask while sitting in the back seat of an SUV and waved at cheering supporters around the hospital .
At least two people were seen in the car with him .
At Monday 's press briefing , doctors said the Secret Service agents in the car with Trump were wearing full precautionary medical garb and rode in the car `` for a short time . ''
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said it flagrantly flouted precautions designed to contain the coronavirus .
`` Every single person in the vehicle during that completely unnecessary presidential 'drive-by ' just now has to be quarantined for 14 days .
They might get sick .
They may die .
For political theater , '' Walter Reed attending physician Dr. James Phillips , who is also a doctor of emergency medicine at George Washington University , tweeted .
`` Commanded by Trump to put their lives at risk for theater .
This is insanity . ''
`` That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but hermetically sealed against chemical attack , '' he wrote in another post .
`` The risk of COVID-19 transmission inside is as high as it gets outside of medical procedures .
The irresponsibility is astounding . ''
The Washington Post reported that current and former Secret Service officials criticized the drive , as well as Trump aides .
The White House dismissed concerns about the trip , saying it had been cleared by medical staff .
`` Appropriate precautions were taken in the execution of this movement to protect the president and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' spokesman Judd Deere said .
`` The movement was cleared by the medical team as safe to do . ''
Conley acknowledged this weekend that the president 's oxygen levels had dropped twice since Friday and that he 'd been treated with the powerful steroid dexamethasone , which is recommended only for COVID-19 patients who need oxygen , including those on ventilators .
Administering the drug risks a systemic inflammatory response that can lead to lung injury and multisystem organ dysfunction , the National Institutes of Health warns .
Some experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` For someone sick enough to have required remdesivir and dexamethasone , I ca n't think of a situation in which a patient would be okay to leave on day three , even with the White House 's medical capacity , '' University of California , San Francisco professor Robert Wachter told The Washington Post .
Doctors say COVID-19 patients remain especially vulnerable to complications for as many as 10 days after their first symptoms -- and sometimes deteriorate suddenly .
Trump 's age and weight place him in a high-risk category @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the White House was also questioned by former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb , who said he was more concerned about his health after Sunday 's briefing .
`` Sounds very much like [ Trump ] has inflammatory changes on chest CT , '' Gottlieb told CNBC .
First lady Melania Trump , who also tested positive , remains in isolation at the White House .

1/7
President Donald Trump removes his mask on the Truman Balcony at the White House after being discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center following three days of treatment for COVID-19. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and returned to the White House Monday night after being treated for COVID-19 for three days. Trump walked out of the hospital in Bethesda, Md., at around 6:40 p.m. Monday evening, wearing a mask, while flashing a thumbs up and a balled fist to cameras before entering a motorcade for a brief drive to board a Marine One flight back to Washington, D.C. Advertisement
Upon leaving the hospital, Trump ignored a reporter asking how many members of his staff had been infected and whether he was a "superspreader."
"Thank you very much everybody," Trump said as he walked down the hospital steps.
Marine One landed at the White House at 6:54 p.m. and upon climbing the White House stairs removed his mask and saluted as he posed for photographs.
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Before emerging from the hospital, the president tweeted that he would "be back on the campaign trail soon!"
In a video message shared to his Twitter account Monday night, Trump thanked the staff at Walter Reed and again urged Americans not to fear the virus.
Earlier in the day, Trump's medical team said he had met the requirements for discharge, while his physician Dr. Sean Conley acknowledged that the president "may not entirely be out of the woods yet," adding that the world-class team at the White House medical unit could handle his ongoing treatment.
Conley said Trump hadn't had a fever for 72 hours and that there was no evidence of the presence of live coronavirus.
Conley deflected questions about the safety of the White House work environment, where several people have contracted the virus. He also declined to say when the president had received his last negative COVID-19 test result, citing HIPAA regulations.
Trump's temperature was reported at 98.1 degrees Monday morning. Trump's blood pressure was measured at 134/78 and oxygen levels were at 97% said Col. Sean Dooley, a physician at Walter Reed.
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The president has received three doses so far of FDA-approved experimental COVID-19 drug remdesivir and would be taking a total of five doses, said Dr. Brian Garibaldi of Walter Reed. Trump's kidney and liver function continued normally, Garibaldi said. In addition, Trump has received the powerful steroid dexamethasone.
Trump has received "medical management that is within national, clinical and societal guidelines," said Jayson Blaylock, head doctor at Walter Reed.
Trump will return to the White House, where he will be cared for by the on-site medical team. The team will determine when the president is no longer shedding the virus and not considered contagious, which could be "seven to 10 days," Conley said.
"We're in a bit of uncharted territory where we have a patient who's received the therapies he has so early in the course," Conley said. "If we can get through the weekend to Monday with him staying the same or improving ... then we will all take that deep sigh of relief."
Trump said in a tweet announcing his pending discharge that he was "feeling really good."
"I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M.," he tweeted. "Feeling really good! Don't be afraid of Covid. Don't let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago!"
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The virus has killed more than 210,000 Americans and sickened more than 7.45 million people in the United States.
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told Fox News on Monday that Trump's health had improved overnight and that the president was ready to get back "to a normal working schedule."
Trump made a surprise excursion Sunday evening outside the hospital, where was admitted Friday after his oxygen levels dropped. He wore a cloth mask while sitting in the back seat of an SUV and waved at cheering supporters around the hospital. At least two people were seen in the car with him.
At Monday's press briefing, doctors said the Secret Service agents in the car with Trump were wearing full precautionary medical garb and rode in the car "for a short time."
But some doctors criticized the trip as careless and said it flagrantly flouted precautions designed to contain the coronavirus.
"Every single person in the vehicle during that completely unnecessary presidential 'drive-by' just now has to be quarantined for 14 days. They might get sick. They may die. For political theater," Walter Reed attending physician Dr. James Phillips, who is also a doctor of emergency medicine at George Washington University, tweeted.
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"Commanded by Trump to put their lives at risk for theater. This is insanity."
"That presidential SUV is not only bulletproof, but hermetically sealed against chemical attack," he wrote in another post. "The risk of COVID-19 transmission inside is as high as it gets outside of medical procedures. The irresponsibility is astounding."
The Washington Post reported that current and former Secret Service officials criticized the drive, as well as Trump aides.
The White House dismissed concerns about the trip, saying it had been cleared by medical staff.
"Appropriate precautions were taken in the execution of this movement to protect the president and all those supporting it, including PPE," spokesman Judd Deere said. "The movement was cleared by the medical team as safe to do."
Conley acknowledged this weekend that the president's oxygen levels had dropped twice since Friday and that he'd been treated with the powerful steroid dexamethasone, which is recommended only for COVID-19 patients who need oxygen, including those on ventilators.
Administering the drug risks a systemic inflammatory response that can lead to lung injury and multisystem organ dysfunction, the National Institutes of Health warns.
Some experts have voiced concern about a premature release.
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"For someone sick enough to have required remdesivir and dexamethasone, I can't think of a situation in which a patient would be okay to leave on day three, even with the White House's medical capacity," University of California, San Francisco professor Robert Wachter told The Washington Post.
Doctors say COVID-19 patients remain especially vulnerable to complications for as many as 10 days after their first symptoms -- and sometimes deteriorate suddenly. Trump's age and weight place him in a high-risk category.
The prospect of Trump quickly returning to the White House was also questioned by former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb, who said he was more concerned about his health after Sunday's briefing.
"Sounds very much like [Trump] has inflammatory changes on chest CT," Gottlieb told CNBC.
First lady Melania Trump, who also tested positive, remains in isolation at the White House.
President Donald Trump hospitalized for COVID-19


upi--2020-10-05--Giants coach Joe Judge says Golden Tate defended himself in Jalen Ramsey fight

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- New York Giants head coach Joe Judge believes Los Angeles Rams star cornerback Jalen Ramsey threw the first punch in Sunday 's postgame scuffle that involved Giants wide receiver Golden Tate .
Judge told reporters Monday that Tate was defending himself as the two players -- who have a history with each other -- fell to the turf during a physical altercation following the Rams ' 17-9 win over the Giants .
`` First off , I do n't want [ co-owners ] John Mara , Steve Tisch or anybody involved in this team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this after the game , '' Judge said Monday .
`` This is n't why we play the game .
We have 60 minutes to beat the hell out of each other legally between the whistles .
We do n't need anything extra after .
`` I talked to a number of our players , and obviously we saw some video on [ it ] and guys that were involved , and I kind of had an eyewitness standpoint for myself after me and [ Rams head coach ] Sean [ McVay ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned around and it was kind of happening right there in front of me .
So I got a quick glimpse of it right there . ''
Moments after the Giants ' loss to the Rams , Tate and Ramsey approached each other near midfield and engaged in a fight .
Punches were thrown in the brawl , which spilled to the turf as teammates , coaches and staff members attempted to separate the two players .
Tate and Ramsey -- both of whom played high school football in Nashville -- have publicly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Ramsey shares two young daughters with Tate 's younger sister , Breanna .
`` Look , all I have to say is the account I got from a number of our players , '' Judge said .
`` There is a history obviously between them , and there was a punch thrown .
Golden was defending himself .
I was told he was n't the one who threw the punch .
And everybody involved was trying to break it up .
`` I can say that both our players and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what I saw with my own eyes , were there trying to break it up .
I did n't see anything going on in the pile .
... Guys were trying to break it up . ''
League sources told ESPN that NFL officials are reviewing the incident , but suspensions are n't expected for either player .
As of now , the Giants do n't plan to discipline Tate for his role in the fight .
`` There are a number of things we still have to look through as a team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` But based on the information I was given and what I saw with my own eyes and what our players gave me , it did n't sound like there was an immediate need for [ discipline for Tate ] .
But we 'll look into it if there is .
Obviously we 'll always take care of our players . ''
The Giants ( 0-4 ) take on the division rival Dallas Cowboys ( 1-3 ) on Sunday , while the Rams ( 3-1 ) play the Washington Football Team ( 1-3 @ @ @ @ @

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) tackles New York Giants wide receiver Golden Tate (15) in the second half of Sunday's game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. Ramsey and Tate were involved in a physical altercation after the game. Photo by Lori Shepler/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- New York Giants head coach Joe Judge believes Los Angeles Rams star cornerback Jalen Ramsey threw the first punch in Sunday's postgame scuffle that involved Giants wide receiver Golden Tate. Judge told reporters Monday that Tate was defending himself as the two players -- who have a history with each other -- fell to the turf during a physical altercation following the Rams' 17-9 win over the Giants. Advertisement
"First off, I don't want [co-owners] John Mara, Steve Tisch or anybody involved in this team to have to deal with something like this after the game," Judge said Monday. "This isn't why we play the game. We have 60 minutes to beat the hell out of each other legally between the whistles. We don't need anything extra after.
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"I talked to a number of our players, and obviously we saw some video on [it] and guys that were involved, and I kind of had an eyewitness standpoint for myself after me and [Rams head coach] Sean [McVay] had an exchange at midfield. I turned around and it was kind of happening right there in front of me. So I got a quick glimpse of it right there."
Moments after the Giants' loss to the Rams, Tate and Ramsey approached each other near midfield and engaged in a fight. Punches were thrown in the brawl, which spilled to the turf as teammates, coaches and staff members attempted to separate the two players.
Clear video: A massive fight broke out on the field after the #Giants/#Rams game between Jalen Ramsey and Golden Tate. Punches were thrown. There is some ugly family drama between those two dating back to last Summer. (video via @FieldYates) pic.twitter.com/J5VrpHHqqw— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) October 4, 2020
Tate and Ramsey -- both of whom played high school football in Nashville -- have publicly feuded over a family situation since last year. Ramsey shares two young daughters with Tate's younger sister, Breanna.
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"Look, all I have to say is the account I got from a number of our players," Judge said. "There is a history obviously between them, and there was a punch thrown. Golden was defending himself. I was told he wasn't the one who threw the punch. And everybody involved was trying to break it up.
"I can say that both our players and the Rams' staff and players, from what I saw with my own eyes, were there trying to break it up. I didn't see anything going on in the pile. ... Guys were trying to break it up."
League sources told ESPN that NFL officials are reviewing the incident, but suspensions aren't expected for either player. As of now, the Giants don't plan to discipline Tate for his role in the fight.
"There are a number of things we still have to look through as a team right here," Judge said. "But based on the information I was given and what I saw with my own eyes and what our players gave me, it didn't sound like there was an immediate need for [discipline for Tate]. But we'll look into it if there is. Obviously we'll always take care of our players."
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The Giants (0-4) take on the division rival Dallas Cowboys (1-3) on Sunday, while the Rams (3-1) play the Washington Football Team (1-3) in Week 5.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-10-05--Tropical Storm Delta strengthens into hurricane

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- Tropical Storm Delta formed in the southern Caribbean Sea early Monday and strengthened into a hurricane as it is forecast to make landfall in the U.S. Gulf Coast later this week -- the third to hit the region so far this season .
The National Hurricane Center said in its 5 p.m. EDT advisory Delta was located 150 miles south-southwest of Negril , Jamaica , and 220 miles southeast of Grand Cayman .
It had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph and was moving west-northwest at 8 mph .
The center said in its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strength on Tuesday .
The forecast has Delta arriving early Friday somewhere between the Louisiana-Texas border to the west and the Alabama-Georgia border to the east .
`` On the forecast track , the center of Delta is expected to move away from Jamaica later today , move near or over the Cayman Islands early Tuesday , and approach western Cuba Tuesday afternoon or evening , '' the NHC said .
`` Delta is forecast to move into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico Tuesday night , and be over the south-central Gulf of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warning was issued for the Cuban province of Pinar del Rio .
The government of Mexico issued a hurricane warning for the Yucatan peninsula from Tulum northward to Rio Lagartos , including Cozumel .
The Gulf Coast has been hit by two hurricanes so far in the 2020 Atlantic season , Laura and Sally , which both arrived last month .

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


upi--2020-10-05--Armenia and Azerbaijan accuse each other of air attacks on civilians

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- Both Armenia and Azerbaijan accused each other on Monday of attacking civilian areas as military violence intensified in the biggest flare-up in the south Caucasus region for more than 25 years .
Separatist forces in Nagorno-Karabakh released video Sunday purporting to show that Azerbaijan fired Israeli-made M095 DPICM cluster bombs which exploded on the streets of Stepanakert in Armenian-controlled Azerbaijan .
Amnesty International confirmed that attack on Monday and called for both sides to stop shelling civilian areas .
`` The use of cluster bombs in any circumstances is banned under international humanitarian law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas is particularly dangerous and will only lead to further deaths and injuries , '' said Denis Krivosheev , Amnesty International 's acting head of eastern Europe and central Asia in a statement .
Meanwhile Azerbaijan reported that Armenian forces were shelling `` densely populated civilian areas '' in Ganja , Barda , Beylagan and other towns `` with missiles and rockets , '' the Guardian reported .
Videos released Monday claimed to show a destroyed marketplace in Ganja .
The two sides have clashed over Nagorno-Karabakh , an Armenian-controlled region located within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union dissolved in the 1990s .
Hostilities have increased since Sept. 27 , when the Armenian government declared martial law and announced it had shot down Azerbaijiani helicopters and drones .
Azerbaijan also accused Armenians of killing civilians in air attacks .
Residents of the region worry that the conflict will spread to neighboring countries .
Turkey is a long-time ally of Azerbaijan and Russia supports the Armenians .
More than 40 civilians have been killed in renewed skirmishes , and more than 200 people have been injured , the Guardian reported Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned both countries that spillover from the southern border of the conflict into Iran would be not be tolerated .
`` Some bullets and rockets have hit areas of Iran , and we have reminded them that they need to take better control , '' said Interior Minister Rahmani Fazliand on Iranian television .
`` If it continues like this , we will give them a much stronger warning and take reciprocal action if necessary , '' he added .
Meanwhile , U.S. and European diplomats have urged both sides to stop the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civilian centers ... .
and the disproportionate nature of such attacks constitute an unacceptable threat to the stability of the region , '' a statement from the Minsk Group , made up of leaders of Russia , France and the United States , said Monday .
Also on Monday , U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Steve Biegun said he had urged both sides to adopt an immediate ceasefire and return to mediation .
`` There is no military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict , '' Morgan Ortagus of the U.S. state department warned @ @

Armenian and Azerbaijani military forces accused each other Monday of bombing civilian areas in the region as violence flares up between the two nations. File Photo handout from Armenian Foreign Ministry/EPA-EFE
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Both Armenia and Azerbaijan accused each other on Monday of attacking civilian areas as military violence intensified in the biggest flare-up in the south Caucasus region for more than 25 years. Separatist forces in Nagorno-Karabakh released video Sunday purporting to show that Azerbaijan fired Israeli-made M095 DPICM cluster bombs which exploded on the streets of Stepanakert in Armenian-controlled Azerbaijan. Advertisement
Amnesty International confirmed that attack on Monday and called for both sides to stop shelling civilian areas.
"The use of cluster bombs in any circumstances is banned under international humanitarian law, so their use to attack civilian areas is particularly dangerous and will only lead to further deaths and injuries," said Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International's acting head of eastern Europe and central Asia in a statement.
Meanwhile Azerbaijan reported that Armenian forces were shelling "densely populated civilian areas" in Ganja, Barda, Beylagan and other towns "with missiles and rockets," the Guardian reported. Videos released Monday claimed to show a destroyed marketplace in Ganja.
The two sides have clashed over Nagorno-Karabakh, an Armenian-controlled region located within Azerbaijan's borders, since the Soviet Union dissolved in the 1990s.
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Hostilities have increased since Sept. 27, when the Armenian government declared martial law and announced it had shot down Azerbaijiani helicopters and drones. Azerbaijan also accused Armenians of killing civilians in air attacks.
Residents of the region worry that the conflict will spread to neighboring countries. Turkey is a long-time ally of Azerbaijan and Russia supports the Armenians. More than 40 civilians have been killed in renewed skirmishes, and more than 200 people have been injured, the Guardian reported Monday.
On Monday, Iran's government warned both countries that spillover from the southern border of the conflict into Iran would be not be tolerated.
"Some bullets and rockets have hit areas of Iran, and we have reminded them that they need to take better control," said Interior Minister Rahmani Fazliand on Iranian television. "If it continues like this, we will give them a much stronger warning and take reciprocal action if necessary," he added.
Meanwhile, U.S. and European diplomats have urged both sides to stop the fighting.
"Recent attacks allegedly targeting civilian centers .... and the disproportionate nature of such attacks constitute an unacceptable threat to the stability of the region," a statement from the Minsk Group, made up of leaders of Russia, France and the United States, said Monday.
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Also on Monday, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Steve Biegun said he had urged both sides to adopt an immediate ceasefire and return to mediation.
"There is no military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," Morgan Ortagus of the U.S. state department warned Monday.


upi--2020-10-05--California's August Complex Fire surpasses 1 million acres burned

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- The August Complex Fire in California became the first blaze in the state 's history to burn more than 1 million acres .
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection , or Cal Fire , on Monday said that the fire had burned 1,002,097 acres in Colusa , Glenn , Lake , Mendocino , Tehama and Trinity Counties and was 54 % contained since it began on Aug. 17 .
The August Complex became the largest fire in the state 's history on Sept. 10 , surpassing the 2018 Mendocino Complex Fire , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gavin Newsom said during a press conference that the amount of land burned by the August Complex exceeds that of all recorded fires in the state from 1932 to 1999 .
`` If that 's not proof point , testament , to climate change , then I do n't know what is , '' Newsom said .
In all , more than 8,300 wildfires including the third , fourth , fifth and sixth largest all-time have burned more than 4 million acres throughout the state , resulting in 31 deaths and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cal Fire said .
Firefighters increased containment on the deadly Zogg Fire Monday , as Cal Fire said it had burned 56,305 acres at 76 % containment in Shasta County .
The blaze has resulted in four deaths and one injury in addition to destroying 203 structures and damaging 27 more .
The agency also said the Glass Fire , in Napa and Sonoma Counties , had burned 65,580 acres and was at 30 % containment .

Sawyers with the Billings IA, a Bureau of Land Management Initial Attack crew based in Billings, Montana, take a brief respite before they continue to prepare a road for burnout operations at the August Complex Fire, which became the first blaze in California's history to burn 1 million acres. Photo by Spc. Michael Ybarra/U.S. Army/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- The August Complex Fire in California became the first blaze in the state's history to burn more than 1 million acres. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, on Monday said that the fire had burned 1,002,097 acres in Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Mendocino, Tehama and Trinity Counties and was 54% contained since it began on Aug. 17. Advertisement
The August Complex became the largest fire in the state's history on Sept. 10, surpassing the 2018 Mendocino Complex Fire, which burned 459,123 acres.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said during a press conference that the amount of land burned by the August Complex exceeds that of all recorded fires in the state from 1932 to 1999.
"If that's not proof point, testament, to climate change, then I don't know what is," Newsom said.
In all, more than 8,300 wildfires including the third, fourth, fifth and sixth largest all-time have burned more than 4 million acres throughout the state, resulting in 31 deaths and the destruction of more than 8,687 structures, Cal Fire said.
Firefighters increased containment on the deadly Zogg Fire Monday, as Cal Fire said it had burned 56,305 acres at 76% containment in Shasta County.
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The blaze has resulted in four deaths and one injury in addition to destroying 203 structures and damaging 27 more.
The agency also said the Glass Fire, in Napa and Sonoma Counties, had burned 65,580 acres and was at 30% containment.


upi--2020-10-05--Kansas City Chiefs star DT Chris Jones inactive against New England Patriots

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- The Kansas City Chiefs will be without star defensive tackle Chris Jones for their Monday night game against the New England Patriots .
Jones , who leads the Chiefs with 3 1/2 sacks this season , was limited in practice throughout the week because of a groin injury .
The team listed him as questionable on the final injury report of the week before ruling him out shortly before kickoff .
Mike Pennel is expected to start in place of Jones against the Patriots .
Pennel returned last week after missing the first two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NFL suspension .
Jones has recorded 28 sacks over the past three seasons , including 15 1/2 in the 2018 campaign .
In three games this year , he has notched 12 total tackles , 3 1/2 sacks and two forced fumbles .
Kansas City linebacker Darius Harris , defensive end Demone Harris , offensive lineman Yasir Durant and tight end Ricky Seals-Jones also were declared inactive for the matchup .
The Chiefs ( 3-0 ) host the Patriots ( 2-1 ) on Monday night after the game was postponed due to the @ @

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) will miss Monday night's game against the New England Patriots because of a groin injury. File Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- The Kansas City Chiefs will be without star defensive tackle Chris Jones for their Monday night game against the New England Patriots. Jones, who leads the Chiefs with 3 1/2 sacks this season, was limited in practice throughout the week because of a groin injury. The team listed him as questionable on the final injury report of the week before ruling him out shortly before kickoff. Advertisement
Mike Pennel is expected to start in place of Jones against the Patriots. Pennel returned last week after missing the first two games of the season due to an NFL suspension.
Jones has recorded 28 sacks over the past three seasons, including 15 1/2 in the 2018 campaign. In three games this year, he has notched 12 total tackles, 3 1/2 sacks and two forced fumbles.
Kansas City linebacker Darius Harris, defensive end Demone Harris, offensive lineman Yasir Durant and tight end Ricky Seals-Jones also were declared inactive for the matchup.
The Chiefs (3-0) host the Patriots (2-1) on Monday night after the game was postponed due to the coronavirus.
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upi--2020-10-05--White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany tests positive for COVID-19

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Monday she 's tested positive for COVID-19 , and is the latest member of President Donald Trump 's administration with the coronavirus .
McEnany announced she received the positive result Monday , but was n't experiencing symptoms .
`` With my recent positive test , I will begin the quarantine process and will continue working on behalf of the American people remotely , '' she wrote .
McEnany 's positive test result follows several others in recent days -- including President Donald Trump himself , first lady @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie and former White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway .
Several others , including Republican Sens .
Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina , also tested positive after attending Judge Amy Coney Barrett 's nomination ceremony at the White House late last month .
Meanwhile , New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy said he would call for an investigation of whether Trump 's campaign team violated health protocols by attending a fundraiser at Trump 's golf course in Bedminster .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming to New Jersey knowing that they had been exposed to someone with a confirmed positive test , '' Murphy tweeted Monday .
Presidential adviser Hope Hicks received a positive coronavirus test Wednesday , before Thursday 's event held at the Trump National Golf Course .
State health officials and contact tracers are following up with 206 attendees and 19 staff members who were involved in both events , the governor said .
He urged the state 's attorney general to followup on any instances of the Trump team failing to comply with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who attended the Bedminster event , which was held indoors , to get tested and self-quarantine for 14 days .
Trump will be discharged from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda , Md.
, Monday doctors said .
Vice President Mike Pence and second lady Karen Pence have previously tested negative , and were set to head to Salt Lake City Monday in advance of Wednesday 's vice presidential debate at the University of Utah .

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany puts on a mask on after talking to reporters Friday outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, D.C. Photo by Oliver Contreras/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Monday she's tested positive for COVID-19, and is the latest member of President Donald Trump's administration with the coronavirus. McEnany announced she received the positive result Monday, but wasn't experiencing symptoms. Advertisement
"With my recent positive test, I will begin the quarantine process and will continue working on behalf of the American people remotely," she wrote.
McEnany's positive test result follows several others in recent days -- including President Donald Trump himself, first lady Melania Trump, campaign manager Bill Stepien, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway.
Several others, including Republican Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, also tested positive after attending Judge Amy Coney Barrett's nomination ceremony at the White House late last month.
Meanwhile, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said he would call for an investigation of whether Trump's campaign team violated health protocols by attending a fundraiser at Trump's golf course in Bedminster.
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"The President and his staff acted recklessly in coming to New Jersey knowing that they had been exposed to someone with a confirmed positive test," Murphy tweeted Monday.
Presidential adviser Hope Hicks received a positive coronavirus test Wednesday, before Thursday's event held at the Trump National Golf Course.
State health officials and contact tracers are following up with 206 attendees and 19 staff members who were involved in both events, the governor said. He urged the state's attorney general to followup on any instances of the Trump team failing to comply with health rules.
The governor urged anyone who attended the Bedminster event, which was held indoors, to get tested and self-quarantine for 14 days.
Trump will be discharged from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Monday doctors said.
Vice President Mike Pence and second lady Karen Pence have previously tested negative, and were set to head to Salt Lake City Monday in advance of Wednesday's vice presidential debate at the University of Utah.
President Donald Trump hospitalized for COVID-19


upi--2020-10-05--Houston Texans fire coach, GM Bill O'Brien after 0-4 start

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- The Houston Texans have fired head coach and general manager Bill O'Brien after a winless start to the 2020 season .
The McNair family -- owners of the franchise -- fired O'Brien after the Texans fell to 0-4 on Sunday following a loss to the Minnesota Vikings .
Associate head coach Romeo Crennel was named the team 's interim head coach .
`` On behalf of my family and our entire organization , I want to sincerely thank Bill O'Brien and his family for their impact on our franchise , '' Texans chairman and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
`` Bill 's leadership moved our organization forward as he guided us to four AFC South division championships , 52 wins and multiple playoff appearances during his tenure .
`` Bill proved himself as a coach and leader in this league .
I spoke with him earlier today and told him we are moving in a different direction .
Romeo Crennel will serve as our interim head coach for the remainder of the 2020 season .
We have a talented team and I have no doubt our players and staff will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we aim to win championships and do great things for the city of Houston . ''
The McNair family hired O'Brien in 2014 after he spent two years at Penn State .
In seven seasons with the franchise , he posted a 52-48 record and won four division titles .
O'Brien was officially named general manager in January .
This past off-season , he made one of his most controversial moves when he traded All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for running back David Johnson and a second-round pick .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play the division rival Jacksonville Jaguars ( 1-3 ) on Sunday .

Houston Texans head coach and general manager Bill O'Brien went 52-48 and won four division titles in seven seasons with the franchise. File Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- The Houston Texans have fired head coach and general manager Bill O'Brien after a winless start to the 2020 season. The McNair family -- owners of the franchise -- fired O'Brien after the Texans fell to 0-4 on Sunday following a loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Associate head coach Romeo Crennel was named the team's interim head coach. Advertisement
"On behalf of my family and our entire organization, I want to sincerely thank Bill O'Brien and his family for their impact on our franchise," Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair said in a statement Monday. "Bill's leadership moved our organization forward as he guided us to four AFC South division championships, 52 wins and multiple playoff appearances during his tenure.
"Bill proved himself as a coach and leader in this league. I spoke with him earlier today and told him we are moving in a different direction. Romeo Crennel will serve as our interim head coach for the remainder of the 2020 season. We have a talented team and I have no doubt our players and staff will rally to make Texans fans proud as we aim to win championships and do great things for the city of Houston."
The McNair family hired O'Brien in 2014 after he spent two years at Penn State. In seven seasons with the franchise, he posted a 52-48 record and won four division titles.
O'Brien was officially named general manager in January. This past off-season, he made one of his most controversial moves when he traded All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for running back David Johnson and a second-round pick.
The Texans (0-4) are set to play the division rival Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3) on Sunday.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-10-05--Pa. Sen. Pat Toomey announces he will not run for re-election in 2022

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania will not run for re-election in 2022 , the senator announced Monday .
`` The reasons I 've reached this decision are not political , they 're personal , '' Toomey , 58 , said , surrounded by family members in a speech in Bethlehem , Pa .
He said his 18 years in the U.S. Congress added up to `` a lot of time away from home . ''
The GOP senator declined to say what he planned to do after retiring from public office , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do '' in the next two years before his term ends .
Toomey serves on the Senate 's banking , budget and finance committees .
He first ran successfully for U.S. representative in 1998 and served three terms .
He was elected twice to the Senate in 2010 and 2016 , the later a close election in which he declined to endorse then-candidate Donald Trump .
Toomey said Monday he has a `` very constructive working relationship '' with Trump , but he decided early on that he was `` not responsible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' He said the president 's recent behavior and COVID-19 diagnosis had `` no influence '' on his decision .
Pennsylvania is considered a battleground state in the Nov. 3 presidential elections , which Trump won in 2016 by 44,292 votes , less than 1 % of more than 6 million cast .
Trump attacked Pennsylvania during Tuesday 's presidential debate with former Vice President Joe Biden , alleging voter fraud and announcing , `` Nothing good happens in Philadelphia . ''
Toomey was one of a handful of Republican senators that voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's declaration of emergency funding for a border wall with Mexico .
Toomey has sponsored legislation condemning China for crackdowns in Hong Kong .
In July , Trump attacked Toomey on Twitter , calling him a `` RINO '' ( Republican in Name Only ) after Toomey and Utah Sen. Mitch Romney were the only two Senate Republicans to criticize Trump 's commuting the sentence of convicted campaign advisor Roger Stone .
Republican Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina , who was investigated by the FBI for possible insider stock trading , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after term expires in 2022 .

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., announced Monday that he would not seek a third term as senator in 2022. File Photo by Alex Wong/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania will not run for re-election in 2022, the senator announced Monday. "The reasons I've reached this decision are not political, they're personal," Toomey, 58, said, surrounded by family members in a speech in Bethlehem, Pa. He said his 18 years in the U.S. Congress added up to "a lot of time away from home." Advertisement
The GOP senator declined to say what he planned to do after retiring from public office, adding he had "a lot of work to do" in the next two years before his term ends.
Toomey serves on the Senate's banking, budget and finance committees. He first ran successfully for U.S. representative in 1998 and served three terms. He was elected twice to the Senate in 2010 and 2016, the later a close election in which he declined to endorse then-candidate Donald Trump.
Toomey said Monday he has a "very constructive working relationship" with Trump, but he decided early on that he was "not responsible for the president's Twitter feeds." He said the president's recent behavior and COVID-19 diagnosis had "no influence" on his decision.
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Pennsylvania is considered a battleground state in the Nov. 3 presidential elections, which Trump won in 2016 by 44,292 votes, less than 1% of more than 6 million cast.
Trump attacked Pennsylvania during Tuesday's presidential debate with former Vice President Joe Biden, alleging voter fraud and announcing, "Nothing good happens in Philadelphia."
Toomey was one of a handful of Republican senators that voted with Democrats in September 2019 to oppose Trump's declaration of emergency funding for a border wall with Mexico.
Toomey has sponsored legislation condemning China for crackdowns in Hong Kong.
In July, Trump attacked Toomey on Twitter, calling him a "RINO" (Republican in Name Only) after Toomey and Utah Sen. Mitch Romney were the only two Senate Republicans to criticize Trump's commuting the sentence of convicted campaign advisor Roger Stone.
Republican Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina, who was investigated by the FBI for possible insider stock trading, also has announced that he will retire after term expires in 2022.


upi--2020-10-05--Study: Veterans with acupuncture before surgery have less pain

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- Veterans who have acupuncture before surgery reported less need for opioids for pain , a pilot study presented Monday at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2020 meeting shows .
`` Six percent of patients given opioids after surgery become dependent on them , and veterans are twice as likely to die from accidental overdoses than civilians , '' said study lead author Dr. Brinda Krish , .
`` Clearly it is crucial to have multiple options for treating pain , and acupuncture is an excellent alternative .
It is safe , cost effective and it works , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Detroit Medical Center .
Researchers analyzed two groups of patients treated at John D. VA Medical Center in Detroit .
The study 's principal investigator , physician anesthesiologist Dr. Padmavathi Patel , provided the acupuncture .
The first group included 21 patients who had traditional acupuncture , which involves the insertion of very thin needles at specific trigger points around the body to relieve pain , and 21 patients who did not .
The second group included 28 patients who received battlefield acupuncture , which a U.S. Air Force doctor developed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the front lines , and 36 patients in control group .
In both acupuncture groups , veterans reported significant reduction in post-operative pain and post-operative opioid use compared to control patients undergoing surgery without acupuncture .
`` Some patients were open to trying acupuncture right away , and others became more interested when they learned more about the risk of opioid use , '' Krish said .
`` It 's easy , patients love it , it 's not just another medicine and it 's very safe .
Because battlefield acupuncture was developed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also were more willing to participate . ''

Acupuncture before surgery results in less pain, a new study shows. File Photo by Senior Airman Mikaley Kline/U.S. Air Force
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Veterans who have acupuncture before surgery reported less need for opioids for pain, a pilot study presented Monday at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2020 meeting shows. "Six percent of patients given opioids after surgery become dependent on them, and veterans are twice as likely to die from accidental overdoses than civilians," said study lead author Dr. Brinda Krish,. Advertisement
"Clearly it is crucial to have multiple options for treating pain, and acupuncture is an excellent alternative. It is safe, cost effective and it works," said Krish, an anesthesiology resident at Detroit Medical Center.
Researchers analyzed two groups of patients treated at John D. VA Medical Center in Detroit. The study's principal investigator, physician anesthesiologist Dr. Padmavathi Patel, provided the acupuncture.
The first group included 21 patients who had traditional acupuncture, which involves the insertion of very thin needles at specific trigger points around the body to relieve pain, and 21 patients who did not.
The second group included 28 patients who received battlefield acupuncture, which a U.S. Air Force doctor developed to reduce pain without use of opioids on the front lines, and 36 patients in control group.
In both acupuncture groups, veterans reported significant reduction in post-operative pain and post-operative opioid use compared to control patients undergoing surgery without acupuncture.
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"Some patients were open to trying acupuncture right away, and others became more interested when they learned more about the risk of opioid use," Krish said.
"It's easy, patients love it, it's not just another medicine and it's very safe. Because battlefield acupuncture was developed by an armed services doctor, veterans also were more willing to participate."


upi--2020-10-05--Study: Renewables, not nuclear power, can provide truly low carbon energy

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- Nuclear energy programs around the world have failed to deliver on promises of carbon emissions reductions , according to a new survey .
When researchers at the University of Sussex Business School , in Britain , and the ISM University of Management and Economics , in Lithuania , analyzed nuclear energy programs and renewable power operations in 123 countries over the last 25 years , they found the two tend not to co-exist all that well .
In low-carbon energy systems , the two programs crowd one another other out of the energy market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the other , researchers said .
The latest findings , published Monday in the journal Nature Energy , suggest countries are less likely to meet carbon emissions reduction targets when nuclear energy programs box out renewables .
`` The evidence clearly points to nuclear being the least effective of the two broad carbon emissions abatement strategies , and coupled with its tendency not to co-exist well with its renewable alternative , this raises serious doubts about the wisdom of prioritizing investment in nuclear over renewable energy , '' lead study author Benjamin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Countries planning large-scale investments in new nuclear power are risking suppression of greater climate benefits from alternative renewable energy investments , '' said Sovacool , a professor of energy policy at Sussex .
Researchers relied on World Bank and International Energy Agency data to examine the impacts of nuclear programs on renewables , and vice versa .
The analysis showed that when electricity transmission and distribution systems are optimized for large-scale , centralized power production , like a nuclear power plant , small-scale , often-heterogenous renewable power sources are put at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , regulatory bodies and employment practices are designed to facilitate large-scale nuclear power construction projects , small-scale renewable projects lose out on access to capital , permits and workers .
`` This paper exposes the irrationality of arguing for nuclear investment based on a 'do everything ' argument , '' said study co-author Andy Stirling .
`` Our findings show not only that nuclear investments around the world tend on balance to be less effective than renewable investments at carbon emissions mitigation , but that tensions between these two strategies can further erode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Stirling , a professor of science and technology policy at Sussex .
It 's not that nuclear power programs do n't provide any benefits , though .
Researchers found nuclear energy programs were associated with a small drop in carbon emissions in countries with high GDP per capita .
However , the data also revealed a stronger correlation between investments in renewable energy and carbon emissions reductions in countries with high GDP per capita .
In less wealthy countries , nuclear energy projects were associated with slight increases in carbon emissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acknowledge the correlative nature of our data analysis , it is astonishing how clear and consistent the results are across different time frames and country sets , '' said study co-author Patrick Schmid .
`` In certain large country samples the relationship between renewable electricity and CO2-emissions is up to seven times stronger than the corresponding relationship for nuclear , '' said Schmid , a researcher at ISM International School of Management München .

Renewable energy programs are more likely to help countries reduce carbon emissions than nuclear energy projects. Photo by University of Sussex
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Nuclear energy programs around the world have failed to deliver on promises of carbon emissions reductions, according to a new survey. When researchers at the University of Sussex Business School, in Britain, and the ISM University of Management and Economics, in Lithuania, analyzed nuclear energy programs and renewable power operations in 123 countries over the last 25 years, they found the two tend not to co-exist all that well. Advertisement
In low-carbon energy systems, the two programs crowd one another other out of the energy market, as well as diminish the efficiency of the other, researchers said.
The latest findings, published Monday in the journal Nature Energy, suggest countries are less likely to meet carbon emissions reduction targets when nuclear energy programs box out renewables.
"The evidence clearly points to nuclear being the least effective of the two broad carbon emissions abatement strategies, and coupled with its tendency not to co-exist well with its renewable alternative, this raises serious doubts about the wisdom of prioritizing investment in nuclear over renewable energy," lead study author Benjamin Sovacool said in a news release.
"Countries planning large-scale investments in new nuclear power are risking suppression of greater climate benefits from alternative renewable energy investments," said Sovacool, a professor of energy policy at Sussex.
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Researchers relied on World Bank and International Energy Agency data to examine the impacts of nuclear programs on renewables, and vice versa.
The analysis showed that when electricity transmission and distribution systems are optimized for large-scale, centralized power production, like a nuclear power plant, small-scale, often-heterogenous renewable power sources are put at a disadvantage.
Likewise, when financial markets, regulatory bodies and employment practices are designed to facilitate large-scale nuclear power construction projects, small-scale renewable projects lose out on access to capital, permits and workers.
"This paper exposes the irrationality of arguing for nuclear investment based on a 'do everything' argument," said study co-author Andy Stirling.
"Our findings show not only that nuclear investments around the world tend on balance to be less effective than renewable investments at carbon emissions mitigation, but that tensions between these two strategies can further erode the effectiveness of averting climate disruption," said Stirling, a professor of science and technology policy at Sussex.
It's not that nuclear power programs don't provide any benefits, though.
Researchers found nuclear energy programs were associated with a small drop in carbon emissions in countries with high GDP per capita. However, the data also revealed a stronger correlation between investments in renewable energy and carbon emissions reductions in countries with high GDP per capita.
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In less wealthy countries, nuclear energy projects were associated with slight increases in carbon emissions.
"While it is important to acknowledge the correlative nature of our data analysis, it is astonishing how clear and consistent the results are across different time frames and country sets," said study co-author Patrick Schmid.
"In certain large country samples the relationship between renewable electricity and CO2-emissions is up to seven times stronger than the corresponding relationship for nuclear," said Schmid, a researcher at ISM International School of Management München.