upi--2020-09-11--Ex-Salvadoran colonel gets 133 years in prison for Jesuit slayings

Sept. 11 ( UPI ) -- A Spanish court on Friday sentenced a former Salvadoran colonel to 133 years in prison for the slayings of five Jesuit priests during his country 's civil war three decades ago .
The National Court in Madrid handed down a sentence of 26 years , eight months and one day in prison to Inocente Orlando Montano for each of the five deaths .
The killings happened in 1989 , during El Salvador 's civil war .
Catholic priests were accused during this time of collaborating with left-wing opposition members .
Troops dragged the five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ housekeeper and the housekeeper 's daughter from their beds at Central American University , and killed them .
The court found Montano responsible for the three other slayings but could n't sentence him on those charges because his extradition from the United States to Spain did n't include those cases .
The sentence was handed down for the five priests who were Spanish .
Montano is one of several military officials from El Salvador accused in the slayings .
Prosecutors said he shared oversight responsibility over a Salvadoran government radio station that urged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the massacre while he served as vice minister of Defense and Public Safety .
They said he also participated in a series of meetings during which a fellow Salvadoran army officer gave the order to kill the priests .
Montano , who previously lived in Everett , Mass.
, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison in 2013 for immigration fraud and perjury .

Former Salvadoran coronel and Defense Deputy Minister Inocente Montano was sentenced for the deaths of five Jesuit priests. File Photo by Kiko Huesca/EPA-EFE
Sept. 11 (UPI) -- A Spanish court on Friday sentenced a former Salvadoran colonel to 133 years in prison for the slayings of five Jesuit priests during his country's civil war three decades ago. The National Court in Madrid handed down a sentence of 26 years, eight months and one day in prison to Inocente Orlando Montano for each of the five deaths. Advertisement
The killings happened in 1989, during El Salvador's civil war. Catholic priests were accused during this time of collaborating with left-wing opposition members.
Troops dragged the five priests, a sixth priest, their housekeeper and the housekeeper's daughter from their beds at Central American University, and killed them.
The court found Montano responsible for the three other slayings but couldn't sentence him on those charges because his extradition from the United States to Spain didn't include those cases. The sentence was handed down for the five priests who were Spanish.
Montano is one of several military officials from El Salvador accused in the slayings.
Prosecutors said he shared oversight responsibility over a Salvadoran government radio station that urged the killings of the Spanish priests days before the massacre while he served as vice minister of Defense and Public Safety.
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They said he also participated in a series of meetings during which a fellow Salvadoran army officer gave the order to kill the priests.
Montano, who previously lived in Everett, Mass., was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison in 2013 for immigration fraud and perjury.


upi--2020-09-11--Tampa Bay Rays make MLB history with nine left-handed hitters in lineup

Sept. 11 ( UPI ) -- The Tampa Bay Rays on Friday made MLB history by starting nine left-handed batters against the Boston Red Sox .
Rays manager Kevin Cash went with nine pure lefties in his batting order against Red Sox right-handed pitcher Andrew Triggs .
According to ESPN Stats & Information , it is the first time that has occurred in the major leagues during the modern era ( since 1900 ) .
Multiple teams have started a lineup in which all nine batters have hit from the left side of the plate , but Friday 's lineup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those players were switch-hitters .
`` We knew we were left-handed heavy coming into the season and we 've added a couple of left-handed hitters , '' Cash told reporters before Friday 's game against the Red Sox .
`` Just thinking about it [ Thursday ] night , we do n't know Triggs very well .
`` We have him as a pretty big [ splitter ] guy .
We 're not even sure how deep he 'll go in the game , but we know we have plenty of right-handers [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go left-handed at certain points , we have options . ''
The first-place Rays ( 28-16 ) held a 3 1/2-game lead over the Toronto Blue Jays entering Friday 's games .
The 31-year-old Triggs , who was claimed off waivers from the San Francisco Giants last month , has a 0-1 record and 6.00 ERA for the Red Sox this season .

The first-place Tampa Bay Rays held a 3 1/2-game lead over the Toronto Blue Jays entering Friday's games. Photo by Steven J. Nesius/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 11 (UPI) -- The Tampa Bay Rays on Friday made MLB history by starting nine left-handed batters against the Boston Red Sox. Rays manager Kevin Cash went with nine pure lefties in his batting order against Red Sox right-handed pitcher Andrew Triggs. According to ESPN Stats & Information, it is the first time that has occurred in the major leagues during the modern era (since 1900). Advertisement
Multiple teams have started a lineup in which all nine batters have hit from the left side of the plate, but Friday's lineup marks the first time that none of those players were switch-hitters.
"We knew we were left-handed heavy coming into the season and we've added a couple of left-handed hitters," Cash told reporters before Friday's game against the Red Sox. "Just thinking about it [Thursday] night, we don't know Triggs very well.
"We have him as a pretty big [splitter] guy. We're not even sure how deep he'll go in the game, but we know we have plenty of right-handers [so] that if they decide to go left-handed at certain points, we have options."
Advertisement When they go right, we go left https://t.co/W1ChzjNpXt pic.twitter.com/LZlUKrbAEu— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) September 11, 2020
The first-place Rays (28-16) held a 3 1/2-game lead over the Toronto Blue Jays entering Friday's games.
The 31-year-old Triggs, who was claimed off waivers from the San Francisco Giants last month, has a 0-1 record and 6.00 ERA for the Red Sox this season.
This week in Major League Baseball


upi--2020-09-11--Rockets' Danuel House Jr. banned from bubble for violating safety protocols

Sept. 11 ( UPI ) -- Houston Rockets forward Danuel House Jr. has been removed from the NBA campus near Orlando , Fla. , and wo n't play again this season after a violation of the league 's health and safety protocols .
The league announced Friday that House had a guest in his hotel room for multiple hours Tuesday .
According to the NBA 's investigation , the guest was n't authorized to be on campus .
`` Mr. House is leaving the NBA campus and will not participate with the Rockets team in additional games this season , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No other players or staff members had contact with the guest or were involved in the incident , the league said .
House -- the Rockets ' sixth man -- averaged 11.4 points and 5.8 rebounds in nine playoff games inside the NBA 's bubble at the Walt Disney World Resort .
The 27-year-old forward was a late scratch from Game 3 against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday and did n't play in Thursday 's Game 4 .
The Rockets have dropped three straight games and trail the Lakers 3-1 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 is set for Saturday .

Houston Rockets forward Danuel House Jr. (L) averaged 11.4 points and 5.8 rebounds in nine playoff games inside the NBA's bubble at the Walt Disney World Resort. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Houston Rockets forward Danuel House Jr. has been removed from the NBA campus near Orlando, Fla., and won't play again this season after a violation of the league's health and safety protocols. The league announced Friday that House had a guest in his hotel room for multiple hours Tuesday. According to the NBA's investigation, the guest wasn't authorized to be on campus. Advertisement
"Mr. House is leaving the NBA campus and will not participate with the Rockets team in additional games this season," the league said in a statement.
No other players or staff members had contact with the guest or were involved in the incident, the league said.
House -- the Rockets' sixth man -- averaged 11.4 points and 5.8 rebounds in nine playoff games inside the NBA's bubble at the Walt Disney World Resort. The 27-year-old forward was a late scratch from Game 3 against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday and didn't play in Thursday's Game 4.
The Rockets have dropped three straight games and trail the Lakers 3-1 in their Western Conference semifinal series. Game 5 is set for Saturday.


upi--2020-09-11--Tropical Storm Rene maintains strength in Central Atlantic

Sept. 10 ( UPI ) -- Tropical Storm Rene was expected to strengthen slightly over the weekend before weakening late Sunday , the National Hurricane Center said Friday .
In its 5 p.m. AST update , the NHC said Rene was about 1,165 miles west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands and had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph , a drop of 5 mph from its earlier advisory .
The storm was moving west-northwest at 14 mph .
It is forecast to continue in this general direction through Friday followed by a northwestward turn on Saturday when Rene is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sia.d Gradual strengthening is forecast over the next couple of days , the advisory said .
The strongest winds , on the order of 40 mph to 55 mph gusts with a maximum of 65 mph , are expected along and just to the north of Rene 's track , which will put the central and northern islands at the greatest risk for impact , Accuweather forecasters said .
`` The heaviest rain will fall along and just to the north of the [ Rene 's ] track where 2-4 inches are expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Cabo Verde Islands , '' AccuWeather senior meteorologist Adam Douty said .
Rene is a short distance behind Tropical Storm Paulette , which also formed early Monday .
The next tropical storm name on the list for 2020 in the Atlantic is Sally .
As was the case with Paulette , there is a significant chance more early formation records will fall and join Cristobal , Edouard , Fay , Gonzalo , Hanna , Isaias , Josephine , Kyle , Laura , Marco , Nana and Omar as top of the list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Before Rene , Rita , which formed on Sept. 18 , 2005 , was the record holder for the earliest `` R '' named storm on record .
Early this summer , AccuWeather meteorologists predicted a hyperactive peak hurricane season .
Meteorologists are calling for up to 24 tropical storms and up to 11 hurricanes in total this season .
These numbers mean that the Greek alphabet will have to be utilized for tropical storm names , which was only done in one other season : 2005 .

Rene weakened Saturday to a tropical depression in the Central Atlantic and was easy of Hurricane Paulette. Photo courtesy of NOAA
Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Rene weakened Saturday to a tropical depression in the Central Atlantic, currently posing no threat to land. In its 5 p.m. AST Sunday update, the National Hurricane Center said Rene was about 1,145 miles northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands. It had maximum sustained winds of 30 mph and was moving northwest at 9 mph. Advertisement
The NHC said a slower northwestward motion is expected later Sunday, and a slow westward motion is forecast by Sunday night. On Monday and Tuesday, the system is forecast to move west-southwestward.
The NHC said the storm will degenerate into a trough of low pressure in four or five days.
Rene is a short distance behind Tropical Storm Paulette, which also formed early Monday.
As was the case with Paulette, there is a significant chance more early formation records will fall and join Cristobal, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna, Isaias, Josephine, Kyle, Laura, Marco, Nana and Omar as top of the list for early formation for their respective letters. On Saturday, Sally formed in the Gulf Coast.
Before Rene, Rita, which formed on Sept. 18, 2005, was the record holder for the earliest "R" named storm on record.
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Early this summer, AccuWeather meteorologists predicted a hyperactive peak hurricane season. Meteorologists are calling for up to 24 tropical storms and up to 11 hurricanes in total this season.
These numbers mean that the Greek alphabet will have to be utilized for tropical storm names, which was only done in one other season: 2005.


upi--2020-09-11--Paulette to set sights on Bermuda as strong hurricane

Sept. 10 ( UPI ) -- Paulette is expected to pass close enough to Bermuda to bring hurricane conditions early next week , and there is the likelihood that the storm could reach Category 2 status or even a major hurricane -- Category 3 or greater -- as it nears the island .
Interests in Bermuda are urged to closely monitor the progress of Paulette which will close in on the islands during the weekend as it takes a general northwesterly course .
At 5 p.m. EDT Friday , Paulette was a strong tropical storm packing 65-mph winds with gusts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Bermuda and was moving northwestward at 13 mph .
Some fluctuation in strength , including brief weakening , can occur as the system encounters disruptive wind shear into Saturday .
Wind shear is associated with strong winds aloft or the rapid change in wind direction across an area above the ocean .
Strong wind shear can prevent tropical cyclones from forming or cause established tropical cyclones to weaken .
`` Paulette will be moving over warmer water and within a more moist and unstable environment with lowering wind shear during the balance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top hurricane expert Dan Kottlowski said .
`` We are expecting Paulette to become a hurricane sometime Saturday night or Sunday morning as wind shear decreases as it approaches Bermuda and further intensification is expected through the rest of Sunday and Monday , '' Kottlowski said .
If the wind shear drops off even more than currently expected , Paulette could strengthen into a major hurricane with winds of over 110 mph as it approaches Bermuda early next week .
Depending on the exact track , forward speed and strength of Paulette , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during Sunday night with the worst conditions possible during Monday .
Seas and surf will build in the waters around Bermuda later this weekend , especially south and east of the islands .
Increasing winds , showers and gusty thunderstorms are likely during Sunday night in Bermuda .
There will be the risk of high winds , coastal flooding and torrential rain , all dependent on Paulette 's exact track and strength , during Monday to Monday night .
Should Paulette make the northward and northeastward turn east of Bermuda , the islands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only experience tropical storm conditions .
Despite Bermuda 's strict building codes , some property damage and power outages are likely with a glancing blow , and more widespread damage and power outages are possible if the storm makes a direct hit on the island as a major hurricane .
Should Paulette drift farther west of the islands , a non-tropical system projected to move eastward from North America should be enough to steer Paulette northward away from the United States later next week .
Only if that non-tropical weather system is slower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the U.S for impacts other than building seas and surf .
There is a somewhat higher chance for Paulette to track close enough to Newfoundland with some wind and rain late next week .
A period of rough seas is likely around the Canada province later next week , even if Paulette remains to the east .
Paulette is occurring around the traditional peak of the Atlantic hurricane season , which is Sept. 10-11 .
Several systems are being monitored over the basin in a season that has already produced 17 named @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the historic 2005 season .
During 2005 , 28 named storms set a record for the most ever in a season , and the Greek alphabet was used to name systems for the first time .
Developing tropical storms are likely to continue the 2020 trend of systems setting new early-formation records in the coming days , with the development of Sally and Teddy likely on the near horizon .
As many as five tropical cyclones may be spinning in the Atlantic at the same time over the next week or so .

Hurricane Paulette is expected to come dangerously close to Bermuda, and may even make landfall Sunday, bringing hurricane conditions as it nears the islands early this week. Photo courtesy of NOAA
Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Hurricane Paulette is expected to come dangerously close to Bermuda, and may even make landfall, bringing hurricane conditions as it nears the islands early this week. Paulette became a Category 1 hurricane Saturday night. As of 5 p.m. EDT Sunday, maximum sustained winds were 85 mph and the hurricane was located about 155 miles southeast of Bermuda. The storm was moving northwest at 14 mph. Advertisement
Interests in Bermuda are urged to be prepared for the incoming hurricane that could be capable of bringing sustained winds above 100 mph, the strength of a Category 2 hurricane.
Paulette is expected to take a more northerly jog on Sunday, towards the islands.
"Paulette will be moving over warmer water and within a more moist and unstable environment with lowering wind shear into early week," AccuWeather's top hurricane expert Dan Kottlowski said.
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Wind shear is associated with strong winds aloft or the rapid change in wind direction across an area above the ocean. Strong wind shear can prevent tropical cyclones from forming or cause established tropical cyclones to weaken.
"We are expecting Paulette to intensify further through the rest of Sunday and Monday," Kottlowski said.
While current forecasts have Paulette topping out as a Category 2 hurricane, if the wind shear drops off even more than currently expected, Paulette could strengthen into a major, Category 3 hurricane with winds of over 110 mph as it approaches Bermuda.
The current track points Paulette at or just to the west of Bermuda, which increases the chances for significant impacts across the islands.
If Paulette were to make landfall in Bermuda, it would be the territory's first landfall since 2014, when hurricanes Fay and Gonzalo made back-to-back landfalls on the island in mid-October.
Conditions are expected to deteriorate quickly over the islands during Sunday night with the worst conditions possible during Monday.
The Bermuda Weather Service has issued a hurricane warning for the islands.
Seas and surf will build in the waters around Bermuda into Monday, especially south and east of the islands.
Increasing winds, showers and gusty thunderstorms are likely during Sunday night in Bermuda. There will be the risk of high winds, coastal flooding and torrential rain during Monday to Monday night.
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Despite Bermuda's strict building codes, property damage and power outages are likely even if Paulette brushes the islands, and more widespread damage and power outages are expected if the storm makes a direct hit as a Category 2 hurricane or higher.
A this time, Paulette is not expected to bring any impact to the eastern coast of the United States, other than perhaps some rougher surf.
There is a somewhat higher chance for Paulette to track close enough to Newfoundland with some wind and rain late this week. A period of rough seas is likely around the Canada province later in the week, even if Paulette remains to the east.
Paulette is occurring around the traditional peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, which is Sept. 10-11.
Several systems are being monitored over the basin in a season that has already produced 18 named systems and could go on to rival the historic 2005 season. During 2005, 28 named storms set a record for the most ever in a season, and the Greek alphabet was used to name systems for the first time.
Developing tropical storms are likely to continue the 2020 trend of systems setting new early-formation records in the coming days, with the development of Teddy likely on the near horizon.


upi--2020-09-11--Florida judge sentences Granville Ritchie to death for rape, murder of 9-year-old

Sept. 11 ( UPI ) -- A Florida judge on Friday handed down a death sentence for a man convicted of the rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl six years ago .
Granville Ritchie 's sentence came one year after jurors said he should receive the death penalty for killing Felecia Williams in 2014 .
Hillsborough Circuit Judge Michelle Sisco issued the death sentence in a hearing attended by Felecia 's family .
`` The child victim suffered a horrendous , physically painful , psychologically tortuous death , '' Sisco said during the Tampa hearing .
Speaking directly to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't know what your spiritual leanings are ... however , if you do ever pray to a higher power , either now or at some point , and you truly seek forgiveness ...
I hope that it is granted . ''
Prosecutors said Ritchie , 35 , killed Felecia after the woman babysitting the girl left her in his care .
He assaulted the girl before strangling her and putting her body in a suitcase .
He then drove to the Courtney Campbell Causeway and dumped Felecia 's body in the bay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ritchie would be hanged so he 'd be subject to the same fate as her daughter .
`` I 've waited 2,310 days for this day to come , '' Felecia Demerson said during the hearing .
`` I am here to stand as a wounded mother . ''

Granville Ritchie was sentenced to death for the 2014 rape and murder of 9-year-old Felecia Williams. File Photo courtesy of the Hillsborough County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office
Sept. 11 (UPI) -- A Florida judge on Friday handed down a death sentence for a man convicted of the rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl six years ago. Granville Ritchie's sentence came one year after jurors said he should receive the death penalty for killing Felecia Williams in 2014. Advertisement
Hillsborough Circuit Judge Michelle Sisco issued the death sentence in a hearing attended by Felecia's family.
"The child victim suffered a horrendous, physically painful, psychologically tortuous death," Sisco said during the Tampa hearing.
Speaking directly to Ritchie, she said, "I don't know what your spiritual leanings are ... however, if you do ever pray to a higher power, either now or at some point, and you truly seek forgiveness ... I hope that it is granted."
Prosecutors said Ritchie, 35, killed Felecia after the woman babysitting the girl left her in his care. He assaulted the girl before strangling her and putting her body in a suitcase. He then drove to the Courtney Campbell Causeway and dumped Felecia's body in the bay.
Felecia's mother said she wished Ritchie would be hanged so he'd be subject to the same fate as her daughter.
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"I've waited 2,310 days for this day to come," Felecia Demerson said during the hearing. "I am here to stand as a wounded mother."
Felecia's father, Jerome Williams, told Ritchie he forgave him.


upi--2020-09-11--Kids at 2 Utah day cares easily spread COVID-19 to families

It 's not clear how COVID-19 outbreaks at three Salt Lake City child day care centers began , but a new report finds that 12 infected youngsters enrolled at two of the facilities easily passed the coronavirus to at least 12 family members .
In one case , an infected child with no symptoms of COVID-19 transmitted the illness to their mother , who became so sick she needed to be hospitalized .
The tale of these day care-linked clusters illustrate how efficient children are as vectors for COVID-19 infection -- and what steps can be taken to minimize the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 is typically less severe in children compared to adults , children can still play a role in transmission , '' noted emergency physician Dr. Robert Glatter , who was n't involved in the new report .
`` In fact , a previous study noted that children older than 10 can transmit the virus as efficiently as adults , '' said Glatter , who works at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City .
`` Knowing this , it 's vital to take proper precautions to reduce transmission , especially in child care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paramount importance as millions of kids warily return to school this fall .
The new study was led by Cuc Tran , of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's COVID-19 Response Team .
Her group used detailed contact tracing to map out the genesis and spread of outbreaks of coronavirus infection at three separate Salt Lake City day care centers between April 1 and July 10 .
Overall , a total of 12 children attending two of the facilities were known to be infected with the new coronavirus , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were efficient at transmitting the virus to family back home : According to the study , `` transmission likely occurred from children with confirmed COVID-19 in a child care facility to 25 % of their non-facility contacts . ''
As is typical among children , all of the 12 infected children had either no or very mild symptoms .
But infection was passed to 12 people in the home setting nonetheless -- among those cases , six mothers became infected as did three siblings , the CDC team said .
One mom ended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The exact origin of the outbreaks is unclear , but numerous staff members at the three day cares were found to be infected as well .
`` Staff members at two of the facilities had a household contact with confirmed or probable COVID-19 , '' the researchers noted , but these employees `` went to work while their household contact was symptomatic . ''
That 's a red flag for any child care institution , including schools , Glatter said .
`` This highlights the importance that staff members and [ facility ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ household members are symptomatic , '' he said .
And there are other ways that day care centers and other facilities can cut the risk .
In accordance with CDC guidelines , `` one vital aspect of this approach includes all children over the age of 2 wearing masks , '' Glatter said .
The CDC `` also recommends the use of face masks , particularly among staff members , especially when children are too young to wear masks , '' Tran and her colleagues added .
Frequent hand-washing , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surfaces '' is also recommended , the study group said .
As for kids who are back at school , the Salt Lake City findings show that `` reliance on good public health measures is vital to preventing this type of spread and keeping children socially distant from vulnerable family members while in schools , '' according to Dr. Eric Cioe-Pena .
`` That wo n't prevent school-based spread , but it will help mitigate the effects , '' said Cioe-Pena , who directs global health at Northwell Health in New Hyde Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sept. 11 in the CDC 's journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the new coronavirus .

Researchers say that two cases in Utah of children spreading the new coronavirus at their day cares shows it is possible. Pictured, an adult and a child wearing a mask walk on a sidewalk in New York City in August. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
It's not clear how COVID-19 outbreaks at three Salt Lake City child day care centers began, but a new report finds that 12 infected youngsters enrolled at two of the facilities easily passed the coronavirus to at least 12 family members. In one case, an infected child with no symptoms of COVID-19 transmitted the illness to their mother, who became so sick she needed to be hospitalized. Advertisement
The tale of these day care-linked clusters illustrate how efficient children are as vectors for COVID-19 infection -- and what steps can be taken to minimize the risk, experts say.
"While COVID-19 is typically less severe in children compared to adults, children can still play a role in transmission," noted emergency physician Dr. Robert Glatter, who wasn't involved in the new report.
"In fact, a previous study noted that children older than 10 can transmit the virus as efficiently as adults," said Glatter, who works at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. "Knowing this, it's vital to take proper precautions to reduce transmission, especially in child care settings."
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The issue is of paramount importance as millions of kids warily return to school this fall.
The new study was led by Cuc Tran, of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID-19 Response Team. Her group used detailed contact tracing to map out the genesis and spread of outbreaks of coronavirus infection at three separate Salt Lake City day care centers between April 1 and July 10.
Overall, a total of 12 children attending two of the facilities were known to be infected with the new coronavirus, the research found.
And those 12 kids were efficient at transmitting the virus to family back home: According to the study, "transmission likely occurred from children with confirmed COVID-19 in a child care facility to 25% of their non-facility contacts."
As is typical among children, all of the 12 infected children had either no or very mild symptoms. But infection was passed to 12 people in the home setting nonetheless -- among those cases, six mothers became infected as did three siblings, the CDC team said. One mom ended up requiring hospital care for COVID-19.
The exact origin of the outbreaks is unclear, but numerous staff members at the three day cares were found to be infected as well. "Staff members at two of the facilities had a household contact with confirmed or probable COVID-19," the researchers noted, but these employees "went to work while their household contact was symptomatic."
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That's a red flag for any child care institution, including schools, Glatter said.
"This highlights the importance that staff members and [facility] attendees quarantine and get tested if their household members are symptomatic," he said.
And there are other ways that day care centers and other facilities can cut the risk. In accordance with CDC guidelines, "one vital aspect of this approach includes all children over the age of 2 wearing masks," Glatter said.
The CDC "also recommends the use of face masks, particularly among staff members, especially when children are too young to wear masks," Tran and her colleagues added. Frequent hand-washing, as well as "frequent cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces" is also recommended, the study group said.
As for kids who are back at school, the Salt Lake City findings show that "reliance on good public health measures is vital to preventing this type of spread and keeping children socially distant from vulnerable family members while in schools," according to Dr. Eric Cioe-Pena.
"That won't prevent school-based spread, but it will help mitigate the effects," said Cioe-Pena, who directs global health at Northwell Health in New Hyde Park, N.Y.
The findings were published Sept. 11 in the CDC's journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the new coronavirus.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-09-11--Earthquake may have destroyed Canaanite palace 3,700 years ago

Sept. 11 ( UPI ) -- A new archaeological analysis suggests an earthquake may have destroyed a Canaanite palace 3,700 years ago .
Excavations at a large dig site outside of Tel Kabri , Israel , have revealed an impressive palatial complex .
Evidence suggests the city and palace flourished during the Middle Bronze Age , from 1900 to 1700 B.C .
But roughly 3,700 years ago , the palace was abandoned .
`` We wondered for several years what had caused the sudden destruction and abandonment of the palace and the site , after centuries of flourishing occupation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excavation , said in a news release .
`` A few seasons ago , we began to uncover a trench which runs through part of the palace , but initial indications suggested that it was modern , perhaps dug within the past few decades or a century or two at most , '' said Yasur-Landau , who is a professor of Mediterranean archaeology at the University of Haifa in Israel .
However , the ongoing excavations revealed the trench to be ancient , containing fallen and tilted walls and floors .
Intrigued by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foundations that anchored the palace 's walls and mud-brick superstructures , revealing evidence of a sizable earthquake .
`` Our studies show the importance of combining macro- and micro-archaeological methods for the identification of ancient earthquakes , '' he said .
`` We also needed to evaluate alternative scenarios , including climatic , environmental and economic collapse , as well as warfare , before we were confident in proposing a seismic event scenario . ''
Researchers discovered warped floors and signs that mud bricks from the walls and ceilings suddenly caved in on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It really looks like the earth simply opened up and everything on either side of it fell in , '' said researcher Eric Cline , professor of classics and anthropology at the George Washington University .
`` It 's unlikely that the destruction was caused by violent human activity because there are no visible signs of fire , no weapons such as arrows that would indicate a battle , nor any unburied bodies related to combat , '' Cline said .
When researchers examined paleoclimate data , they found no evidence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Excavations also failed to turn up mass graveyards , the signature of a pandemic .
During earlier excavations , researchers found evidence of one of the largest and oldest wine cellars in the Near East .
More recently , while sorting through the demolished palace , researchers found several dozen more jars of wine .
Researchers detailed their analysis of the palace 's sudden collapse in a new paper , published Friday in the journal PLOS One .
`` The floor deposits imply a rapid collapse rather than a slow accumulation of degraded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an abandoned structure , '' said study co-author Ruth Shahack-Gross , professor of geoarchaeology at the University of Haifa .
`` The rapid collapse , and the quick burial , combined with the geological setting of Tel Kabri , raises the possibility that one or more earthquakes could have destroyed the walls and the roof of the palace without setting it on fire , '' Shahack-Gross said .

Researchers have discovered archaeological evidence that one or more sizable earthquakes led the destruction of a Canaanite palace in what is now Israel. Photo by Eric Cline/GW
Sept. 11 (UPI) -- A new archaeological analysis suggests an earthquake may have destroyed a Canaanite palace 3,700 years ago. Excavations at a large dig site outside of Tel Kabri, Israel, have revealed an impressive palatial complex. Evidence suggests the city and palace flourished during the Middle Bronze Age, from 1900 to 1700 B.C. But roughly 3,700 years ago, the palace was abandoned. Advertisement
"We wondered for several years what had caused the sudden destruction and abandonment of the palace and the site, after centuries of flourishing occupation," Assaf Yasur-Landau, co-director of the excavation, said in a news release.
"A few seasons ago, we began to uncover a trench which runs through part of the palace, but initial indications suggested that it was modern, perhaps dug within the past few decades or a century or two at most," said Yasur-Landau, who is a professor of Mediterranean archaeology at the University of Haifa in Israel.
However, the ongoing excavations revealed the trench to be ancient, containing fallen and tilted walls and floors. Intrigued by the rift, researchers examined the stone foundations that anchored the palace's walls and mud-brick superstructures, revealing evidence of a sizable earthquake.
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"Our studies show the importance of combining macro- and micro-archaeological methods for the identification of ancient earthquakes," he said. "We also needed to evaluate alternative scenarios, including climatic, environmental and economic collapse, as well as warfare, before we were confident in proposing a seismic event scenario."
Researchers discovered warped floors and signs that mud bricks from the walls and ceilings suddenly caved in on many of the palace's rooms. "It really looks like the earth simply opened up and everything on either side of it fell in," said researcher Eric Cline, professor of classics and anthropology at the George Washington University.
"It's unlikely that the destruction was caused by violent human activity because there are no visible signs of fire, no weapons such as arrows that would indicate a battle, nor any unburied bodies related to combat," Cline said.
When researchers examined paleoclimate data, they found no evidence of a significant drought in the region. Excavations also failed to turn up mass graveyards, the signature of a pandemic.
During earlier excavations, researchers found evidence of one of the largest and oldest wine cellars in the Near East. More recently, while sorting through the demolished palace, researchers found several dozen more jars of wine.
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Researchers detailed their analysis of the palace's sudden collapse in a new paper, published Friday in the journal PLOS One.
"The floor deposits imply a rapid collapse rather than a slow accumulation of degraded mud bricks from standing walls or ceilings of an abandoned structure," said study co-author Ruth Shahack-Gross, professor of geoarchaeology at the University of Haifa.
"The rapid collapse, and the quick burial, combined with the geological setting of Tel Kabri, raises the possibility that one or more earthquakes could have destroyed the walls and the roof of the palace without setting it on fire," Shahack-Gross said.


upi--2020-09-11--Virginia woman wins $1M lottery jackpot on her birthday

Sept. 11 ( UPI ) -- A Virginia woman who recently won a $ 2,000 lottery prize had an extra happy birthday when her winning streak continued with a $ 1 million jackpot .
Bou Sokhom of Fairfax told Virginia Lottery officials her good luck began with a $ 2,000 prize from the lottery 's Bank a Million game shortly before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Sokhom said she woke up `` full of joy '' on her birthday and decided to test her lucky streak when her husband asked what lottery ticket she wanted for her birthday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 30 Extreme Millions ticket from the 7-Eleven store in Fairfax .
The ticket was a $ 1 million winner .
Sokham credited her win to positive thinking .
`` I never said , 'Not me , not me , ' '' she said .
`` I always said , 'One day . '
'' Sokham said she plans to use her winnings to pay off her car , pay her dentist and take care of her six grandchildren .
The winner said she is now hoping her lucky streak will deliver her @ @ @ @ @

Bou Sokhom of Fairfax, Va., won a $1 million lottery jackpot from a $30 scratch-off ticket on her birthday. Photo courtesy of the Virginia Lottery
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Sept. 11 (UPI) -- A Virginia woman who recently won a $2,000 lottery prize had an extra happy birthday when her winning streak continued with a $1 million jackpot. Bou Sokhom of Fairfax told Virginia Lottery officials her good luck began with a $2,000 prize from the lottery's Bank a Million game shortly before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement
Sokhom said she woke up "full of joy" on her birthday and decided to test her lucky streak when her husband asked what lottery ticket she wanted for her birthday. She had him buy her a $30 Extreme Millions ticket from the 7-Eleven store in Fairfax.
The ticket was a $1 million winner. Sokham credited her win to positive thinking.
"I never said, 'Not me, not me,'" she said. "I always said, 'One day.'"
Sokham said she plans to use her winnings to pay off her car, pay her dentist and take care of her six grandchildren.
The winner said she is now hoping her lucky streak will deliver her a Mega Millions jackpot.


upi--2020-09-11--40-pound African serval cat on the loose in New Hampshire

Sept. 11 ( UPI ) -- Police in New Hampshire are asking residents to be on the lookout for an @ @ @ @ @ a 40-pound African serval cat .
The Merrimack Police Department said the 4-year-old serval , @ @ @ @ @ from his owners ' home on Wednesday and no sightings have yet been reported .
@ @ @ @ @ might respond to his name when called , but `` tends to be skittish around @ @ @ @ @ being asked to call police if they spot the large cat wandering in the area @ @ @ @ @ owners have a permit from the state Department of Fish and Game that allows them @ @ @ @ @ animal .

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Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Police in New Hampshire are asking residents to be on the lookout for an unusual missing family pet: a 40-pound African serval cat.
The Merrimack Police Department said the 4-year-old serval, named Spartacus, went missing from his owners' home on Wednesday and no sightings have yet been reported.
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Police said the 40-pound cat might respond to his name when called, but "tends to be skittish around strangers."
Residents are being asked to call police if they spot the large cat wandering in the area.
Police said Spartacus's owners have a permit from the state Department of Fish and Game that allows them to legally keep the exotic animal.


upi--2020-09-11--Rare silver dollar returns to auction block after selling for $10M

Sept. 11 ( UPI ) -- A rare silver dollar that might be the first ever struck by the U.S. Mint in 1794 is up for auction after selling for $ 10 million in 2013 .
The so-called `` Flowing Hair '' dollar , which bears an image of Lady Liberty with flowing hair on one side and an eagle on the other , is one of 1,758 struck by the U.S. Mint in a single day in October 1794 .
Experts said the coins , the first silver dollars , were not intended for circulation , but were circulated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It was basically more of a PR marketing event , '' Douglas Mudd , the curator and director of the American Numismatic Association 's Money Museum , told CNN .
`` This was the first dollar and they wanted to make as much of a splash as they could . ''
Mudd said the coin , which is being auctioned alongside other rare coins from Bruce Morelan 's collection , might be the very first one struck .
He said there are about 130-140 coins still in existence , and experts have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The details of this coin show that the dies that were used to strike it were in such pristine condition , that this could possibly be the first coin struck from these dies -- first silver coin struck from these dies , '' Mudd said .
Morelan purchased the coin for $ 10 million in 2013 , setting a new world record for the most paid for a rare coin .
`` This is a dream coin -- a priceless artifact that I have been proud to own , and I 'm very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morelan said .
Morelan 's coins are scheduled to be auctioned by Legend Auctions on Oct. 8 at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas .

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe
Sept. 11 (UPI) -- A rare silver dollar that might be the first ever struck by the U.S. Mint in 1794 is up for auction after selling for $10 million in 2013.
The so-called "Flowing Hair" dollar, which bears an image of Lady Liberty with flowing hair on one side and an eagle on the other, is one of 1,758 struck by the U.S. Mint in a single day in October 1794.
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Experts said the coins, the first silver dollars, were not intended for circulation, but were circulated to officials and dignitaries as souvenirs.
"It was basically more of a PR marketing event," Douglas Mudd, the curator and director of the American Numismatic Association's Money Museum, told CNN. "This was the first dollar and they wanted to make as much of a splash as they could."
Mudd said the coin, which is being auctioned alongside other rare coins from Bruce Morelan's collection, might be the very first one struck. He said there are about 130-140 coins still in existence, and experts have noted some differences between them.
"The details of this coin show that the dies that were used to strike it were in such pristine condition, that this could possibly be the first coin struck from these dies -- first silver coin struck from these dies," Mudd said.
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Morelan purchased the coin for $10 million in 2013, setting a new world record for the most paid for a rare coin.
"This is a dream coin -- a priceless artifact that I have been proud to own, and I'm very sorry to see it go," Morelan said.
Morelan's coins are scheduled to be auctioned by Legend Auctions on Oct. 8 at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.


upi--2020-09-11--Suicide rate keeps rising among young Americans

A nearly 60 % jump in suicides by young Americans since 2007 has experts alarmed and somewhat puzzled .
Suicides among children and young people aged 10 to 24 rose 57 % from 2007 to 2018 , according to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
`` The increase in youth suicide has been pervasive across the U.S. No area is immune , '' said report author Sally Curtin of the CDC 's National Center for Health Statistics .
`` Hopefully , these data will inform prevention efforts . ''
The surge was broad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between 2007-2009 and 2016-2018 .
Eight had statistically insignificant increases .
Thirty-two states had hikes of 30 % to 60 % .
In actual numbers , the suicide rate among 10- to 24-year-olds jumped from about 7 per 100,000 in 2007 to nearly 11 per 100,000 in 2018 , according to the National Vital Statistics Report published Sept. 11 .
Jonathan Singer is president of the American Association of Suicidology .
He said the increases in suicides in 2007-2009 were likely driven by the recession , which makes the average spike in 2016-2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ note that gun sales increased during that time .
Singer said parents need to watch for signs that their children are troubled .
`` Any time that a kid makes a statement to the effect of , ' I do n't think that people care if I die , ' or ' I think people would be better off if I were n't around , ' you 've got to take it seriously , '' said Singer , an associate professor in the School of Social Work at Loyola University Chicago .
Also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person withdraws from usual activities or is bullied on social media , it should n't be ignored .
Singer cited some places to reach out for help .
Among them : the Crisis Text Line and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline .
For LGBT young people , there 's the Trevor Project .
For college students , campus counseling is often available , and if you 're in the military , there 's the Veterans Crisis Line .
Because suicide is often impulsive , getting immediate help can defuse the impulse to kill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't part of the CDC report .
`` Having a five- to 10-minute chat or phone conversation in the moment when something is stressful can be just as valuable as spending an hour a month in therapy , '' Singer said .
In the new report , the researchers found that the suicide rate for adolescents and young adults more than doubled in New Hampshire between 2007 and 2018 .
Elsewhere , rate increases included 22 % in Maryland 41 % in Illinois 51 % in Colorado , and 79 % in Oregon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young people were highest in Alaska , while some of the lowest rates were in the Northeast .
Yet even New Jersey , which had the lowest rate in that three-year period , saw a 39 % increase , Curtin pointed out .
Dr. Emmy Betz , an associate professor of emergency medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine , thinks the reasons for the increases in young people 's suicides are complicated and not clearly understood .
`` The first thing is just to look out for each other , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ask if we 're worried about someone and say something , '' she said .
`` It can feel awkward , but people are grateful , usually . ''
Use available resources , added Betz , who is also a spokesperson for the American College of Emergency Physicians .
She was not involved with the study .
`` The crisis hotline is free and available , and there 's online chat , so there are ways to reach out and get help even if you feel like you do n't want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what you 're going through , '' Betz said .
`` Or if you 're worried about someone and you do n't know what to do , you can always call those resources as well . ''
If someone is having an immediate crisis , call 911 for help , she added .
Betz noted that parents should keep the tools of suicide , such as guns and drugs , locked so that young people ca n't get to them .
Singer added that what this new report does n't reflect is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ youth this year , largely due to the coronavirus pandemic and a souring economy .
`` But it is also important to know that there 's not a direct relationship between an increase in suicidal thoughts and a corresponding increase in suicide deaths , '' he said .
For more on suicide , see the U.S. National Institute on Mental Health .

A nearly 60% jump in suicides by young Americans since 2007 has experts alarmed and somewhat puzzled.
Suicides among children and young people aged 10 to 24 rose 57% from 2007 to 2018, according to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Advertisement
"The increase in youth suicide has been pervasive across the U.S. No area is immune," said report author Sally Curtin of the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. "Hopefully, these data will inform prevention efforts."
The surge was broad: 42 states had statistically significant increases between 2007-2009 and 2016-2018. Eight had statistically insignificant increases. Thirty-two states had hikes of 30% to 60%.
In actual numbers, the suicide rate among 10- to 24-year-olds jumped from about 7 per 100,000 in 2007 to nearly 11 per 100,000 in 2018, according to the National Vital Statistics Report published Sept. 11.
Advertisement
Jonathan Singer is president of the American Association of Suicidology. He said the increases in suicides in 2007-2009 were likely driven by the recession, which makes the average spike in 2016-2018 a little surprising. But he did note that gun sales increased during that time.
Singer said parents need to watch for signs that their children are troubled.
"Any time that a kid makes a statement to the effect of, 'I don't think that people care if I die,' or 'I think people would be better off if I weren't around,' you've got to take it seriously," said Singer, an associate professor in the School of Social Work at Loyola University Chicago.
Also, he said, if a young person withdraws from usual activities or is bullied on social media, it shouldn't be ignored.
Singer cited some places to reach out for help. Among them: the Crisis Text Line and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. For LGBT young people, there's the Trevor Project. For college students, campus counseling is often available, and if you're in the military, there's the Veterans Crisis Line.
Because suicide is often impulsive, getting immediate help can defuse the impulse to kill yourself, said Singer, who wasn't part of the CDC report.
Advertisement
"Having a five- to 10-minute chat or phone conversation in the moment when something is stressful can be just as valuable as spending an hour a month in therapy," Singer said.
In the new report, the researchers found that the suicide rate for adolescents and young adults more than doubled in New Hampshire between 2007 and 2018. Elsewhere, rate increases included 22% in Maryland 41% in Illinois 51% in Colorado, and 79% in Oregon.
In 2016-2018, suicide rates among young people were highest in Alaska, while some of the lowest rates were in the Northeast. Yet even New Jersey, which had the lowest rate in that three-year period, saw a 39% increase, Curtin pointed out.
Dr. Emmy Betz, an associate professor of emergency medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, thinks the reasons for the increases in young people's suicides are complicated and not clearly understood.
"The first thing is just to look out for each other, for our kids, for our communities and ask if we're worried about someone and say something," she said. "It can feel awkward, but people are grateful, usually."
Use available resources, added Betz, who is also a spokesperson for the American College of Emergency Physicians. She was not involved with the study.
Advertisement
"The crisis hotline is free and available, and there's online chat, so there are ways to reach out and get help even if you feel like you don't want to talk to someone in your life about what you're going through," Betz said. "Or if you're worried about someone and you don't know what to do, you can always call those resources as well."
If someone is having an immediate crisis, call 911 for help, she added.
Betz noted that parents should keep the tools of suicide, such as guns and drugs, locked so that young people can't get to them.
Singer added that what this new report doesn't reflect is a very large increase in suicidal thoughts among youth this year, largely due to the coronavirus pandemic and a souring economy.
"But it is also important to know that there's not a direct relationship between an increase in suicidal thoughts and a corresponding increase in suicide deaths," he said.
More information
For more on suicide, see the U.S. National Institute on Mental Health.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-09-11--Army Ranger who rescued 75 hostages in Iraq receives Medal of Honor

Sept. 11 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump presented the Medal of Honor to Army Sgt .
Maj. Thomas `` Patrick '' Payne on Friday , calling his actions saving dozens of hostages facing execution in Iraq `` heroic . ''
The ceremony took place at the White House on the 19th anniversary of the Sept. 11 , 2001 , attacks .
The Medal of Honor is the most prestigious military award , given to service members who set themselves apart by an act of valor .
`` Pat , you embody the righteous glory of American valor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We stand in awe of your heroic , daring and gallant deeds .
`` You truly went above and beyond the call of duty to earn our nation 's highest military honor . ''
Payne said the medal was an honor .
`` The Hawija hostage rescue raid on October 22 , 2015 , underlined our country 's undying commitment to life , liberty and the pursuit of happiness .
Members of the United States Special Operations Command risked their lives .
Master Sergeant Josh Wheeler gave his life in order to liberate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Therefore , the liberated now has a second chance at the pursuit of happiness .
The actions by my teammates were truly awe inspiring .
Makes you proud to be an American .
...
The spirit of the Medal of Honor lives inside every American .
Thank you . ''
Payne , an Army Ranger and native of South Carolina , earned the honor for his actions during Inherent Resolve , the U.S. military 's mission to fight the IS in Iraq and Syria .
Assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ province to assist Iraqi security forces in their fight against the terror group .
Their mission Oct. 22 , 2015 , was to raid an IS prison near Hawija where more than 70 hostages , mostly captured security forces , were being held .
`` It was one of the largest and most daring rescue missions in American history , '' Trump said .
The team faced gunfire and detonations from suicide vests during the mission , leaving one U.S. soldier , Master Sgt .
Josh Wheeler , dead .
Twenty militants also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the essence , '' Payne told the Army News Service .
`` There were freshly dug graves .
If we did n't action this raid , then the hostages were likely to be executed . ''
The White House said after the team freed 38 of the hostages , Payne took it upon himself to leave his secured position to moved to another building where enemy forces were firing on his teammates .
`` Sergeant Payne climbed a ladder to the building 's roof , which was now partially engulfed in flames @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with grenades and small arms fire .
He then moved to ground level , engaging enemy forces through a breach hole in the west side of the building , '' the White House said in a release .
`` Sergeant Payne knowingly risked his own life by bravely entering the building under intense enemy fire , enduring smoke , heat , and flames to identify the armored door imprisoning the hostages . ''
Payne entered the building , cut the locks and freed another 37 hostages .
The Army awarded Payne its second-highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his actions that day .
Friday 's ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. EDT at the White House .
Payne enlisted in the Army in 2002 , serving in Operation Enduring Freedom , Operation Iraqi Freedom , Operation New Dawn and Operation Inherent Resolve .
He 's now an instructor assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command .
He was initially assigned to A Company , 1st Battalion , 75th Ranger Regiment where he served as a sniper and sniper team leader .
He was wounded in a 2010 mission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Heart award .
In 2012 , Payne and a teammate won the Best Ranger Competition at Fort Benning in Georgia .

1/2
President Donald Trump presents the Medal of Honor to U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Thomas Payne in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Friday. Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 11 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump presented the Medal of Honor to Army Sgt. Maj. Thomas "Patrick" Payne on Friday, calling his actions saving dozens of hostages facing execution in Iraq "heroic." The ceremony took place at the White House on the 19th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Advertisement
The Medal of Honor is the most prestigious military award, given to service members who set themselves apart by an act of valor.
"Pat, you embody the righteous glory of American valor," Trump said to Payne. "We stand in awe of your heroic, daring and gallant deeds.
"You truly went above and beyond the call of duty to earn our nation's highest military honor."
Payne said the medal was an honor.
"The Hawija hostage rescue raid on October 22, 2015, underlined our country's undying commitment to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Members of the United States Special Operations Command risked their lives. Master Sergeant Josh Wheeler gave his life in order to liberate the oppressed," he said.
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"Therefore, the liberated now has a second chance at the pursuit of happiness. The actions by my teammates were truly awe inspiring. Makes you proud to be an American. ... The spirit of the Medal of Honor lives inside every American. Thank you."
Payne, an Army Ranger and native of South Carolina, earned the honor for his actions during Inherent Resolve, the U.S. military's mission to fight the IS in Iraq and Syria.
Assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Payne was deployed to Kirkuk province to assist Iraqi security forces in their fight against the terror group. Their mission Oct. 22, 2015, was to raid an IS prison near Hawija where more than 70 hostages, mostly captured security forces, were being held.
"It was one of the largest and most daring rescue missions in American history," Trump said.
The team faced gunfire and detonations from suicide vests during the mission, leaving one U.S. soldier, Master Sgt. Josh Wheeler, dead. Twenty militants also died that night.
"Time was of the essence," Payne told the Army News Service. "There were freshly dug graves. If we didn't action this raid, then the hostages were likely to be executed."
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The White House said after the team freed 38 of the hostages, Payne took it upon himself to leave his secured position to moved to another building where enemy forces were firing on his teammates.
"Sergeant Payne climbed a ladder to the building's roof, which was now partially engulfed in flames, and engaged the enemy fighters below with grenades and small arms fire. He then moved to ground level, engaging enemy forces through a breach hole in the west side of the building," the White House said in a release.
"Sergeant Payne knowingly risked his own life by bravely entering the building under intense enemy fire, enduring smoke, heat, and flames to identify the armored door imprisoning the hostages."
Payne entered the building, cut the locks and freed another 37 hostages.
The Army awarded Payne its second-highest award, the Distinguished Service Cross, for his actions that day.
Friday's ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. EDT at the White House.
Payne enlisted in the Army in 2002, serving in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn and Operation Inherent Resolve. He's now an instructor assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.
He was initially assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment where he served as a sniper and sniper team leader. He was wounded in a 2010 mission in Afghanistan, earning him the Purple Heart award.
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In 2012, Payne and a teammate won the Best Ranger Competition at Fort Benning in Georgia.


upi--2020-09-11--U.S. troops ready for Valiant Shield exercise in Pacific Ocean

Sept. 11 ( UPI ) -- The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan is among numerous ships , aircraft and military personnel involved in Valiant Shield , a Pacific Ocean training exercise .
The 12-day exercise of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command begins on Tuesday in Guam and at the Mariana Islands Range Complex .
Approximately 100 aircraft and about 11,000 personnel of the Navy , Army , Air Force and Marines will be involved in training integration in a `` blue water environment . ''
The amphibious assault ship USS America , amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans , dock landing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will participate .
Valiant Shield , a biennial event in its eighth exercise since beginning in 2006 , concentrates on enabling real-world proficiency in detecting , locating , tracking , and engaging units at sea , in the air , on land , and cyberspace , the Navy said Friday in a statement .
Participants will demonstrate a warfighting capabilities and flexibility of U.S. naval fleet operations , as well as integration of joint forces , notably maritime security operations , anti-submarine and air-defense exercises , amphibious operations , and other elements of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are involved in exercises with armed forces of other countries , Valiant Shield is specifically a U.S.-only program .
The Navy noted that this year , extraordinary measures will be enforced against the spread of the COVID-19 virus .
`` Exercises such as Valiant Shield allow U.S. forces the opportunity to integrate warfighting concepts such as all-domain strike group operations in a joint high end warfare training environment to continuously improve joint lethality , '' said Rear Adm. Michael Boyle of the U.S.Pacific Fleet .
`` It is vitally important that we demonstrate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific . ''
The participating forces will exercise a wide range of warfighting capabilities and demonstrate the inherent flexibility and capability of U.S. naval fleet operations and integration of joint forces .
The range of capabilities on display will include maritime security operations , anti-submarine and air-defense exercises , amphibious operations , and other elements of complex warfighting .

F-16 fighter planes from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, line up at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in anticipation of Valiant Shield, a 12-day training exercise in Guam and at the Mariana Islands Range Complex. Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy
Sept. 11 (UPI) -- The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan is among numerous ships, aircraft and military personnel involved in Valiant Shield, a Pacific Ocean training exercise. The 12-day exercise of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command begins on Tuesday in Guam and at the Mariana Islands Range Complex. Approximately 100 aircraft and about 11,000 personnel of the Navy, Army, Air Force and Marines will be involved in training integration in a "blue water environment." Advertisement
The amphibious assault ship USS America, amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans, dock landing ship USS Germantown and other surface ships will participate.
Valiant Shield, a biennial event in its eighth exercise since beginning in 2006, concentrates on enabling real-world proficiency in detecting, locating, tracking, and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land, and cyberspace, the Navy said Friday in a statement.
Participants will demonstrate a warfighting capabilities and flexibility of U.S. naval fleet operations, as well as integration of joint forces, notably maritime security operations, anti-submarine and air-defense exercises, amphibious operations, and other elements of complex warfighting.
Although U.S. troops often are involved in exercises with armed forces of other countries, Valiant Shield is specifically a U.S.-only program.
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The Navy noted that this year, extraordinary measures will be enforced against the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
"Exercises such as Valiant Shield allow U.S. forces the opportunity to integrate warfighting concepts such as all-domain strike group operations in a joint high end warfare training environment to continuously improve joint lethality," said Rear Adm. Michael Boyle of the U.S.Pacific Fleet. "It is vitally important that we demonstrate to our allies and partners our strong commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific."
The participating forces will exercise a wide range of warfighting capabilities and demonstrate the inherent flexibility and capability of U.S. naval fleet operations and integration of joint forces. The range of capabilities on display will include maritime security operations, anti-submarine and air-defense exercises, amphibious operations, and other elements of complex warfighting.


upi--2020-09-11--New quantum thermometer can measure a fever in a tiny worm

Sept. 11 ( UPI ) -- Scientists have successfully outfitted an optical microscope with quantum sensors , creating a precise microscope-based thermometer , capable of sensing a `` fever '' in tiny nematode worms .
Quantum systems are extremely sensitive to their surrounding environs , making them ideal for measuring in vivo temperature changes .
Optical microscopes allow scientists to image microscopic structures in biological samples , and when combined with fluorescent biomarkers , can be used to observe biological processes .
In a new proof-of-concept study , researchers at Osaka City University combined the two technologies in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heat and temperature play an important role .
`` Our system effectively integrates fast particle tracking and real-time high-precision temperature estimation , '' researchers wrote in their paper , published Friday in the journal Science Advances .
The new hybrid technology uses nanodiamonds , which scientists injected into nematode worm specimens .
The research team 's novel quantum thermometry algorithm was able to track the movement of the microscope diamonds and measure the quantum spins in fluorescent diamonds , revealing temperature changes inside the worms .
`` The sensor reads temperature as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resonance , '' scientists wrote .
In lab tests , researchers stimulated the mitochondria of the worm specimens using pharmacological treatment , triggering a fever .
The nanodiamond-powered quantum thermometer was able to register the temperature increase .
`` It was fascinating to see quantum technology work so well in live animals and I never imagined the temperature of tiny worms less than one millimeter in size could deviate from the norm and develop into a fever , '' lead researcher Masazumi Fujiwara said in a news release .
`` Our results are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future direction of quantum sensing as it shows how it contributes to biology , '' said Fujiwara , a lecturer at Osaka City University .

Researchers combined a nanodiamond-powered quantum sensor with an optical microscope to track temperature changes inside nematode worms. Photo by Masazumi Fujiwara/Osaka City University
Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Scientists have successfully outfitted an optical microscope with quantum sensors, creating a precise microscope-based thermometer, capable of sensing a "fever" in tiny nematode worms. Quantum systems are extremely sensitive to their surrounding environs, making them ideal for measuring in vivo temperature changes. Optical microscopes allow scientists to image microscopic structures in biological samples, and when combined with fluorescent biomarkers, can be used to observe biological processes. Advertisement
In a new proof-of-concept study, researchers at Osaka City University combined the two technologies in order to observe biological systems and processes in which heat and temperature play an important role.
"Our system effectively integrates fast particle tracking and real-time high-precision temperature estimation," researchers wrote in their paper, published Friday in the journal Science Advances.
The new hybrid technology uses nanodiamonds, which scientists injected into nematode worm specimens. The research team's novel quantum thermometry algorithm was able to track the movement of the microscope diamonds and measure the quantum spins in fluorescent diamonds, revealing temperature changes inside the worms.
"The sensor reads temperature as a frequency shift of the optically detected magnetic resonance," scientists wrote.
In lab tests, researchers stimulated the mitochondria of the worm specimens using pharmacological treatment, triggering a fever. The nanodiamond-powered quantum thermometer was able to register the temperature increase.
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"It was fascinating to see quantum technology work so well in live animals and I never imagined the temperature of tiny worms less than one millimeter in size could deviate from the norm and develop into a fever," lead researcher Masazumi Fujiwara said in a news release.
"Our results are an important milestone that will guide the future direction of quantum sensing as it shows how it contributes to biology," said Fujiwara, a lecturer at Osaka City University.


upi--2020-09-11--U.S. appeals court rules Florida ex-felons must pay fines to vote

Sept. 11 ( UPI ) -- A federal appeals court on Friday ruled in favor of a law requiring Floridians convicted of felonies to pay court fines and fees before being allowed to vote .
The ruling overturned a lower court 's decision to issue a permanent injunction against the controversial law .
Friday 's decision means hundreds of thousands of Floridians wo n't be able to register to vote until they pay fines .
The 11th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with Florida Gov .
Rick DeSantis , who said the fines and fees those convicted of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of their sentences .
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund said the Florida law puts up a `` monetary barrier '' at the ballot box and disproportionately affects Black Floridians .
`` This decision sanctions Florida 's ability to require a long-prohibited poll tax to vote and prolongs confusion for people who may owe monetary amounts that are unknown or difficult to determine , even by Florida , '' said Leah Aden , the deputy director of litigation at the fund .
Aden said the organization plans to keep fighting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judge Robert Hinkle ruled conditioning voting rights on legal financial obligations violates the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment by preventing people from voting based on their wealth .
The law also violates the 24th Amendment that prohibits states from instituting a poll tax .

Miami residents check in at the registration desk and cast their ballot in the primary election August 18. On Friday, an appeals court said Florida ex-felons must pay all fines before registering to vote. File Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 11 (UPI) -- A federal appeals court on Friday ruled in favor of a law requiring Floridians convicted of felonies to pay court fines and fees before being allowed to vote. The ruling overturned a lower court's decision to issue a permanent injunction against the controversial law. Friday's decision means hundreds of thousands of Floridians won't be able to register to vote until they pay fines. Advertisement
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with Florida Gov. Rick DeSantis, who said the fines and fees those convicted of major crimes are expected to pay are part of their sentences.
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund said the Florida law puts up a "monetary barrier" at the ballot box and disproportionately affects Black Floridians.
"This decision sanctions Florida's ability to require a long-prohibited poll tax to vote and prolongs confusion for people who may owe monetary amounts that are unknown or difficult to determine, even by Florida," said Leah Aden, the deputy director of litigation at the fund.
Aden said the organization plans to keep fighting the law.
In May, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled conditioning voting rights on legal financial obligations violates the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment by preventing people from voting based on their wealth. The law also violates the 24th Amendment that prohibits states from instituting a poll tax.
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upi--2020-09-11--Greece, with an eye on Turkey, prepares to unveil defense budget

Sept. 11 ( UPI ) -- Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will unveil a defense program on Saturday with heavy emphasis on dealing with alleged provocations by Turkey .
He is expected to announce the acquisition of 18 new and old variant Rafale fighter planes from France , and , although the French Navy denies it , media reports in France suggest that Greece will lease two state-of-the-art Navy frigates .
France and Greece have had a formal defense cooperation agreement since February , concentrating on matters in the eastern Mediterranean Sea .
A similar agreement between France and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August .
Turkey is challenging security in the region through oil and gas exploration in the contested Aegean Sea , and Greece and Turkey have each deployed naval and air forces to assert competing claims .
`` The Turkish leadership is unleashing , on a near-daily basis , threats of war and makes provocative statements against Greece , '' Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said earlier this week .
`` We respond with political , diplomatic and operational readiness , determined to do whatever is necessary to protect our sovereign rights . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ among its neighbors , as well as from NATO .
It has crossed into Greek airspace , disobeyed arms sanctions against Libya , purchased the Russian-made S-400 air defense system and established an authoritarian government under the 17-year rule of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan .
France , Greece and Turkey are NATO members , and pledged to each other 's security .
Cyprus is not .
Greece 's enthusiasm for French-built aircraft comes after France 's involvement in the long-simmering Greek-Turkish standoff .
French Air Force Rafale fighter jets arrived on Crete , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Greek F-16s In August .
The French Ministry of Defense described the deployment as a `` temporarily strengthening [ of ] their presence in the eastern Mediterranean . ''
It followed a collision in the Aegean Sea between Greek and Turkish frigates .
The Turkish ship was one of five military ships escorting a gas-exploration vessel .
On Tuesday , Greek Defense Minister Mikolaos Panagiotopoulos spoke with French Defense Minister Florence Parly about the `` defense cooperation between the two countries and matter pertaining to armament programs , '' the Greek Defense @ @ @

Greek Defense Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, pictured Wednesday at the Helennic Parliament, is expected to announce a major arms deal with France on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Greek Ministry of Defense
Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will unveil a defense program on Saturday with heavy emphasis on dealing with alleged provocations by Turkey. He is expected to announce the acquisition of 18 new and old variant Rafale fighter planes from France, and, although the French Navy denies it, media reports in France suggest that Greece will lease two state-of-the-art Navy frigates. Advertisement
France and Greece have had a formal defense cooperation agreement since February, concentrating on matters in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. A similar agreement between France and the island republic of Cyprus took effect in August.
Turkey is challenging security in the region through oil and gas exploration in the contested Aegean Sea, and Greece and Turkey have each deployed naval and air forces to assert competing claims.
"The Turkish leadership is unleashing, on a near-daily basis, threats of war and makes provocative statements against Greece," Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said earlier this week. "We respond with political, diplomatic and operational readiness, determined to do whatever is necessary to protect our sovereign rights."
Turkey's recent actions have caused concern among its neighbors, as well as from NATO. It has crossed into Greek airspace, disobeyed arms sanctions against Libya, purchased the Russian-made S-400 air defense system and established an authoritarian government under the 17-year rule of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
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France, Greece and Turkey are NATO members, and pledged to each other's security. Cyprus is not.
Greece's enthusiasm for French-built aircraft comes after France's involvement in the long-simmering Greek-Turkish standoff. French Air Force Rafale fighter jets arrived on Crete, a Greek island, for joint training with Greek F-16s In August.
The French Ministry of Defense described the deployment as a "temporarily strengthening [of] their presence in the eastern Mediterranean." It followed a collision in the Aegean Sea between Greek and Turkish frigates. The Turkish ship was one of five military ships escorting a gas-exploration vessel.
On Tuesday, Greek Defense Minister Mikolaos Panagiotopoulos spoke with French Defense Minister Florence Parly about the "defense cooperation between the two countries and matter pertaining to armament programs," the Greek Defense Ministry announced.


upi--2020-09-11--62-year-old python lays eggs 15 years after last encounter with a male

Sept. 11 ( UPI ) -- Officials at the St. Louis Zoo are attempting to solve a motherhood mystery after @ @ @ @ @ eggs despite not having contact with a male python for more than 15 years .
@ @ @ @ @ shocked when the snake , the oldest of her species to ever reside at the @ @ @ @ @ the summer .
Herpetologists said reptiles have been known to reproduce asexually through a process @ @ @ @ @ and female snakes have also been known to store sperm from a sexual encounter for @ @ @ @ @ `` Without genetic testing , zoo staff wo n't know if this ball python reproduced @ @ @ @ @ they intend to find out , '' the zoo said .
Officials said keepers are @ @ @ @ @ and samples will be sent for genetic testing to determine their origins .
Mark Wanner @ @ @ @ @ the zoo , said python 's eggs also were surprising because of the python 's @ @ @ @ @ the snake might be the oldest ball python known to have laid eggs .

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Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Officials at the St. Louis Zoo are attempting to solve a motherhood mystery after a 62-year-old ball python laid eggs despite not having contact with a male python for more than 15 years.
The zoo said keepers were shocked when the snake, the oldest of her species to ever reside at the zoo, laid eggs during the summer.
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Herpetologists said reptiles have been known to reproduce asexually through a process known as facultative parthenogenesis, and female snakes have also been known to store sperm from a sexual encounter for "delayed fertilization."
"Without genetic testing, zoo staff won't know if this ball python reproduced sexually or asexually, but they intend to find out," the zoo said.
Officials said keepers are caring for the eggs, and samples will be sent for genetic testing to determine their origins.
Mark Wanner, manager of herpetology at the zoo, said python's eggs also were surprising because of the python's advanced age. He said the snake might be the oldest ball python known to have laid eggs.


upi--2020-09-11--'Project Convergence' exercise tests Army's modernization efforts

Sept. 11 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Army 's `` Project Convergence '' is underway in Arizona to integrate its various fighting capabilities into a unified force , its chief said on Friday .
The exercise seeks to ensure that the Army can rapidly use all its domains -- air , land , maritime , space and cyberspace -- to contend with adversaries .
It is part of a plan to bring together all weapons and capabilities into the Army 's new Multidomain Operations warfighting concept .
The exercise , which began in August at the U.S. Army Yuma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
Project Convergence centers on delivering data and cloud technologies to tactical commands and includes an overarching requirement to reduce time in combat decision-cycles .
Complete MDO capability is expected by 2035 .
`` When you look at the individual efforts of the Cross-Functional Teams and the labs and centers , it 's impressive how far we have come in the past two years , '' Gen. John Murray , commander of the Army Futures Command said in a statement , `` but unless all of those systems can talk and work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our ability to effectively integrate into joint and allied systems . ''
`` We could n't afford to wait any longer .
Understanding now where to focus our efforts , we 're bringing all of these capabilities along together the right way , '' Murray said .
The exercises are the culmination of the Army 's use of six modernization priorities , called Cross-Functional Teams .
The effort has led to development of Long-Range Precision Fires , the Next Generation Combat Vehicle , Air and Missile Defense , Future Vertical Lift , Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Soldier Lethality .
Additional CFTs will include Synthetic Training Environments and Assured Position , Navigation , and Timing .
The Army cites three key phases of the MDO : penetrating and neutralizing enemy long-range systems from operational and strategic distances ; disintegrating enemy anti-access and area denial systems by taking out enemy long- and short-range systems ; and exploiting freedom to maneuver to defeat enemy objectives and forces .
`` Convergence is one of the tenets , '' Murray told Defense News .
`` The ability to converge effects across all five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that tenet and putting it together in the dirt , live and bringing multiple things together .
The key thing here is being able to act faster than any opponent in the future . ''
While structured experiments of the MDO have occurred regularly through 2020 , the capstone event is in Yuma , bringing together all elements of the operation .
Murray compared the Yuma exercises to the `` Louisiana Maneuvers , '' a series of mock battles during World War II to determine how available Army technology could effectively fight against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and radios .
`` It was a combination of those three technologies and how the Germans put it together to execute what we call Blitzkrieg , '' he said , a reference to Germany 's fast-moving mechanized warfare technique .

Soldiers prepare an inflatable satellite communications system, one of the elements involved in the U.S. Army's "Project Convergence," an exercise to unite modern warfighting methods underway at the Yuma Proving Grounds, Ariz. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army
Sept. 11 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army's "Project Convergence" is underway in Arizona to integrate its various fighting capabilities into a unified force, its chief said on Friday. The exercise seeks to ensure that the Army can rapidly use all its domains -- air, land, maritime, space and cyberspace -- to contend with adversaries. It is part of a plan to bring together all weapons and capabilities into the Army's new Multidomain Operations warfighting concept. Advertisement
The exercise, which began in August at the U.S. Army Yuma Desert Proving Ground, will conclude next week.
Project Convergence centers on delivering data and cloud technologies to tactical commands and includes an overarching requirement to reduce time in combat decision-cycles. Complete MDO capability is expected by 2035.
"When you look at the individual efforts of the Cross-Functional Teams and the labs and centers, it's impressive how far we have come in the past two years," Gen. John Murray, commander of the Army Futures Command said in a statement, "but unless all of those systems can talk and work together, it's going to limit our ability to effectively integrate into joint and allied systems."
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"We couldn't afford to wait any longer. Understanding now where to focus our efforts, we're bringing all of these capabilities along together the right way," Murray said.
The exercises are the culmination of the Army's use of six modernization priorities, called Cross-Functional Teams.
The effort has led to development of Long-Range Precision Fires, the Next Generation Combat Vehicle, Air and Missile Defense, Future Vertical Lift, Army Network, Air and Missile Defense, and Soldier Lethality. Additional CFTs will include Synthetic Training Environments and Assured Position, Navigation, and Timing.
The Army cites three key phases of the MDO: penetrating and neutralizing enemy long-range systems from operational and strategic distances; disintegrating enemy anti-access and area denial systems by taking out enemy long- and short-range systems; and exploiting freedom to maneuver to defeat enemy objectives and forces.
"Convergence is one of the tenets," Murray told Defense News. "The ability to converge effects across all five warfighting domains -- we're really taking that tenet and putting it together in the dirt, live and bringing multiple things together. The key thing here is being able to act faster than any opponent in the future."
While structured experiments of the MDO have occurred regularly through 2020, the capstone event is in Yuma, bringing together all elements of the operation.
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Murray compared the Yuma exercises to the "Louisiana Maneuvers," a series of mock battles during World War II to determine how available Army technology could effectively fight against Germany's use of aircraft, tanks and radios.
"It was a combination of those three technologies and how the Germans put it together to execute what we call Blitzkrieg," he said, a reference to Germany's fast-moving mechanized warfare technique.


upi--2020-09-11--Look: Idaho man breaks state record with 42-inch flathead catfish

Sept. 11 ( UPI ) -- An Idaho man set a new state record for catch-and-release fishing when he reeled @ @ @ @ @ measured 42 inches long .
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game said Jared Holt @ @ @ @ @ River when he reeled in the `` monster catfish . ''
The department said the @ @ @ @ @ County , beat the previous record of 38.5 inches , which was caught in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ Idaho is home to several species of catfish , but flathead catfish are found only @ @ @ @ @ predominantly in the Brownlee Reservoir area , the department said .

Angler Jared Holt caught a record-breaking 42-inch flathead catfish in Idaho's Snake River. Photo courtesy of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Sept. 11 (UPI) -- An Idaho man set a new state record for catch-and-release fishing when he reeled in a flathead catfish that measured 42 inches long. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game said Jared Holt was fishing in the Snake River when he reeled in the "monster catfish." Advertisement
The department said the fish, caught in Owyhee County, beat the previous record of 38.5 inches, which was caught in 2018 by angler Scott Turner.
Idaho is home to several species of catfish, but flathead catfish are found only in the Snake River, predominantly in the Brownlee Reservoir area, the department said.


upi--2020-09-12--Taylor Swift's 'Folklore' tops U.S. album chart for 6th week

Sept. 12 ( UPI ) -- Pop star Taylor Swift 's Folklore is No .
1 on the U.S. album @ @ @ @ @ .
Coming in at No .
2 on the Billboard 200 chart dated Saturday is @ @ @ @ @ the Stars Aim For the Moon , followed by Juice WRLD 's Legends Never Die @ @ @ @ @ Metallica and San Francisco Symphony 's S & M2 at No .
4 and Katy @ @ @ @ @ .
5 .
Rounding out the top tier are the Hamilton soundtrack at No .
@ @ @ @ @ My Turn at No .
7 , Rod Wave 's Pray 4 Love at No @ @ @ @ @ Blame It On Baby at No .
9 and Internet Money 's B4 the Storm @ @ @ @ @

Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Pop star Taylor Swift's Folklore is No. 1 on the U.S. album chart for a sixth-consecutive week.
Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart dated Saturday is Pop Smoke's Shoot For the Stars Aim For the Moon, followed by Juice WRLD's Legends Never Die at No. 3, Metallica and San Francisco Symphony's S&M2 at No. 4 and Katy Perry's Smile at No. 5.


upi--2020-09-12--Tropical Storm Rene weakens in Central Atlantic

Sept. 10 ( UPI ) -- Tropical Storm Rene weakened Saturday and forecasters expect it to become a tropical depression early next week .
In its 8 a.m. AST update , the National Hurricane Center said Rene was about 1,345 miles west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands and 1,300 east-northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands .
It had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and was moving northwest at 14 mph .
It is forecast to continue in this general direction through early Monday , when it 's expected to weaken to a depression and make a southwestward turn .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ into a trough of low pressure in four or five days .
Rene is a short distance behind Tropical Storm Paulette , which also formed early Monday .
The next tropical storm name on the list for 2020 in the Atlantic is Sally .
As was the case with Paulette , there is a significant chance more early formation records will fall and join Cristobal , Edouard , Fay , Gonzalo , Hanna , Isaias , Josephine , Kyle , Laura , Marco , Nana and Omar as top of the list for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Before Rene , Rita , which formed on Sept. 18 , 2005 , was the record holder for the earliest `` R '' named storm on record .
Early this summer , AccuWeather meteorologists predicted a hyperactive peak hurricane season .
Meteorologists are calling for up to 24 tropical storms and up to 11 hurricanes in total this season .
These numbers mean that the Greek alphabet will have to be utilized for tropical storm names , which was only done in one other season : 2005 .

Rene weakened Saturday to a tropical depression in the Central Atlantic and was easy of Hurricane Paulette. Photo courtesy of NOAA
Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Rene weakened Saturday to a tropical depression in the Central Atlantic, currently posing no threat to land. In its 5 p.m. AST Sunday update, the National Hurricane Center said Rene was about 1,145 miles northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands. It had maximum sustained winds of 30 mph and was moving northwest at 9 mph. Advertisement
The NHC said a slower northwestward motion is expected later Sunday, and a slow westward motion is forecast by Sunday night. On Monday and Tuesday, the system is forecast to move west-southwestward.
The NHC said the storm will degenerate into a trough of low pressure in four or five days.
Rene is a short distance behind Tropical Storm Paulette, which also formed early Monday.
As was the case with Paulette, there is a significant chance more early formation records will fall and join Cristobal, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna, Isaias, Josephine, Kyle, Laura, Marco, Nana and Omar as top of the list for early formation for their respective letters. On Saturday, Sally formed in the Gulf Coast.
Before Rene, Rita, which formed on Sept. 18, 2005, was the record holder for the earliest "R" named storm on record.
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Early this summer, AccuWeather meteorologists predicted a hyperactive peak hurricane season. Meteorologists are calling for up to 24 tropical storms and up to 11 hurricanes in total this season.
These numbers mean that the Greek alphabet will have to be utilized for tropical storm names, which was only done in one other season: 2005.