upi--2020-10-20--Company advances plan for private citizen flight to space station

ORLANDO , Fla. , Oct. 20 ( UPI ) -- Houston-based Axiom Space is negotiating final details of a contract with NASA to fly a private citizen to the International Space Station in 2021 .
The company 's CEO , Michael Suffredini , said the mission is fully funded , and not by governments .
`` We 're just about done with our contract with NASA , so we expect that to be complete here in the next two to three weeks , '' Suffredini said last week during an online panel discussion sponsored by International Astronautical Congress .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of October we will have everything in place to put forward for a launch in 2021 , '' he said .
The company has declined to provide more details , but NASA officials have said a private citizen is expected at the space station in the fall .
Axiom has confirmed the pilot for the mission will be retired astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria , who works for the company .
The company advertises flights to space station for $ 55 million to $ 60 million to spend 10 days in microgravity at an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must spend 15 weeks in training after a physical , according to the mission description .
NASA has announced that actor Tom Cruise will be shooting a movie aboard the space station , but neither Axiom , NASA nor Cruise 's publicists have confirmed a time for the mission or provided any details .
Axiom also is working on a private space station module , which it intends to launch in 2024 , said Suffredini , who formerly served as NASA 's space station program manager for 10 years .
That module will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as its own space station .
`` The vastness of the microgravity environment provides a huge opportunity for us to do research ... and to allow our species to be able to make a step off of our own planet and be able to live in other parts of the universe , '' Suffredini said .
NASA plans a lunar base by 2028 , which also is the year that the space agency says the International Space Station will become nearly obsolete due to aging infrastructure .
But a lunar mission will make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more necessary , Suffredini and others in the panel discussion said .
`` Just imagine if you fly to the moon for a longer period which is the plan , hopefully , you need to have a lot of equipment and you need to have infrastructure , and the best place to build that and develop new technology is in low-Earth orbit , '' said Andreas Hammer , senior vice president of space exploration for Airbus Defense and Space , based in Germany .
Hammer 's company has built a commercial facility for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ space station and called the Bartolomeo platform .
The space station has hosted private citizens before , but not in recent years as crewed flights were limited after the space shuttle program ended in 2011 .
Businessman Charles Simonyi last visited in 2007 and 2009 .

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Axiom Space, a private company, is negotiating final details of a contract with NASA to fly a private citizen to the International Space Station in 2021 likely in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule like this one. Photo courtesy of SpaceX
ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Houston-based Axiom Space is negotiating final details of a contract with NASA to fly a private citizen to the International Space Station in 2021. The company's CEO, Michael Suffredini, said the mission is fully funded, and not by governments. Advertisement
"We're just about done with our contract with NASA, so we expect that to be complete here in the next two to three weeks," Suffredini said last week during an online panel discussion sponsored by International Astronautical Congress.
"We're cautiously optimistic that by the end of October we will have everything in place to put forward for a launch in 2021," he said.
The company has declined to provide more details, but NASA officials have said a private citizen is expected at the space station in the fall. Axiom has confirmed the pilot for the mission will be retired astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria, who works for the company.
The company advertises flights to space station for $55 million to $60 million to spend 10 days in microgravity at an altitude of over 250 miles. Passengers must spend 15 weeks in training after a physical, according to the mission description.
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NASA has announced that actor Tom Cruise will be shooting a movie aboard the space station, but neither Axiom, NASA nor Cruise's publicists have confirmed a time for the mission or provided any details.
Axiom also is working on a private space station module, which it intends to launch in 2024, said Suffredini, who formerly served as NASA's space station program manager for 10 years. That module will be expanded until it can be detached as its own space station.
"The vastness of the microgravity environment provides a huge opportunity for us to do research ... and to allow our species to be able to make a step off of our own planet and be able to live in other parts of the universe," Suffredini said.
NASA plans a lunar base by 2028, which also is the year that the space agency says the International Space Station will become nearly obsolete due to aging infrastructure. But a lunar mission will make a space station in low-Earth orbit even more necessary, Suffredini and others in the panel discussion said.
"Just imagine if you fly to the moon for a longer period which is the plan, hopefully, you need to have a lot of equipment and you need to have infrastructure, and the best place to build that and develop new technology is in low-Earth orbit," said Andreas Hammer, senior vice president of space exploration for Airbus Defense and Space, based in Germany.
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Hammer's company has built a commercial facility for space experiments that is attached to the space station and called the Bartolomeo platform.
The space station has hosted private citizens before, but not in recent years as crewed flights were limited after the space shuttle program ended in 2011. Businessman Charles Simonyi last visited in 2007 and 2009.
Astronauts make round trip to space station from U.S. soil
NASA astronaut Douglas Hurley (C) waves to onlookers as he boards a plane at Naval Air Station Pensacola to return him and NASA astronaut Robert Behnken home to Houston a few hours after the duo landed in their SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft off the coast of Pensacola, Fla,, on August 2, 2020. Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA | License Photo


upi--2020-10-20--Ex-Dallas Cowboys DL David Irving signs with Las Vegas Raiders

Oct. 20 ( UPI ) -- Former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman David Irving signed with the Las Vegas Raiders , the team announced Tuesday .
In a statement , the Raiders said Irving was added to the practice squad .
The team also activated quarterback Marcus Mariota off injured reserve .
The 27-year-old Irving , who must still complete the NFL 's new six-day player intake process , last played in the NFL in 2018 .
He announced in March 2019 that he was quitting football .
Irving 's announcement came shortly after the NFL suspended him indefinitely for violating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in as many years .
He revealed his decision in an Instagram video where he appeared to be smoking marijuana , saying he was walking away due to the NFL 's restrictive policies on the substance .
But with players no longer being tested for marijuana use under the new collective bargaining agreement , Irving wanted to return to the league .
The NFL reinstated Irving on Friday from his indefinite ban .
Irving , an undrafted free agent out of Iowa State , made his NFL debut with the Cowboys in 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12.5 sacks , five forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 37 career games with Dallas from 2015-18 .
Meanwhile , the Raiders are coming off their bye week and could use the extra help on their defensive front .
Las Vegas is tied for 29th in the league with seven team sacks .
Defensive end Maxx Crosby leads the Raiders with four sacks .

Former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman David Irving (95) last played in the NFL in 2018. He was recently reinstated by the league from his indefinite suspension. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman David Irving signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, the team announced Tuesday. In a statement, the Raiders said Irving was added to the practice squad. The team also activated quarterback Marcus Mariota off injured reserve. Advertisement
The 27-year-old Irving, who must still complete the NFL's new six-day player intake process, last played in the NFL in 2018. He announced in March 2019 that he was quitting football.
Irving's announcement came shortly after the NFL suspended him indefinitely for violating its substance-abuse policy for a third time in as many years. He revealed his decision in an Instagram video where he appeared to be smoking marijuana, saying he was walking away due to the NFL's restrictive policies on the substance.
But with players no longer being tested for marijuana use under the new collective bargaining agreement, Irving wanted to return to the league. The NFL reinstated Irving on Friday from his indefinite ban.
Irving, an undrafted free agent out of Iowa State, made his NFL debut with the Cowboys in 2015. He recorded 56 total tackles, 12.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 37 career games with Dallas from 2015-18.
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Meanwhile, the Raiders are coming off their bye week and could use the extra help on their defensive front. Las Vegas is tied for 29th in the league with seven team sacks. Defensive end Maxx Crosby leads the Raiders with four sacks.


upi--2020-10-20--Nigerian security forces fire live rounds at Lagos protesters

Oct. 20 ( UPI ) -- Nigerian security forces on Tuesday opened fire on demonstrators protesting against police brutality in the country 's largest city , Lagos .
Videos shared on social media showed security forces , including soldiers , firing live rounds at crowds of protesters as DJ Switch , a popular artist in the country who was broadcasting live on Instagram at the scene , said seven people were killed .
Lagos state government said it would investigate the shootings .
Witnesses said the shootings took place around 7 p.m. as pickup trucks arrived at Lagos ' Lekki @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas at a crowd .
Tuesday 's shootings came after Babajide Sanwo-Olu , the governor of Lagos state , instituted a curfew beginning at 4 p.m. in response to the protests .
`` Lives and limbs have been lost as criminals and miscreants are now hiding under the umbrella of these protests to unleash mayhem on our state , '' he wrote on Twitter .
The protests in Lagos began with a call to disband the police force known as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad that has long been accused of extra-judicial killings , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been dissolved but protests have continued to rally against systemic abuse by Nigerian police forces and the announcement of the new police unit to replace SARS , the Special Weapons and Tactics team , has also sparked outrage .
Protesters have also faced attacks from people wielding machetes , knives and clubs , and the Nigerian Army last week warned it was prepared to step in against `` subversive elements and troublemakers . ''

Several people were killed after Nigerian security forces opened fire on demonstrators protesting against police brutality in Lagos. Photo by Akintunde Akinleye/EPA-EFE
Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Nigerian security forces on Tuesday opened fire on demonstrators protesting against police brutality in the country's largest city, Lagos. Videos shared on social media showed security forces, including soldiers, firing live rounds at crowds of protesters as DJ Switch, a popular artist in the country who was broadcasting live on Instagram at the scene, said seven people were killed. Advertisement
Lagos state government said it would investigate the shootings.
Witnesses said the shootings took place around 7 p.m. as pickup trucks arrived at Lagos' Lekki toll gate and fired bullets and tear gas at a crowd.
Tuesday's shootings came after Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos state, instituted a curfew beginning at 4 p.m. in response to the protests.
"Lives and limbs have been lost as criminals and miscreants are now hiding under the umbrella of these protests to unleash mayhem on our state," he wrote on Twitter.
The protests in Lagos began with a call to disband the police force known as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad that has long been accused of extra-judicial killings, torture and extortion.
SARS has since been dissolved but protests have continued to rally against systemic abuse by Nigerian police forces and the announcement of the new police unit to replace SARS, the Special Weapons and Tactics team, has also sparked outrage.
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Protesters have also faced attacks from people wielding machetes, knives and clubs, and the Nigerian Army last week warned it was prepared to step in against "subversive elements and troublemakers."


upi--2020-10-20--Washington Football Team name could remain in 2021 season

Oct. 20 ( UPI ) -- Team president Jason Wright said Tuesday that the Washington Football Team 's placeholder name might remain the same next season .
`` There 's a pretty good chance we will be the Washington Football Team next season , '' Wright told Washington TV station WJLA .
Washington retired its previous nickname -- which it had used for 87 years -- on July 13 following a thorough review of the name 10 days earlier .
The temporary name was announced July 23 .
`` I think next year is fast because of how the brand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through approval processes through the league , '' Wright said Tuesday .
`` ... We could get there quicker , it 's actually pretty hard to get there that quickly because of all the steps that need to happen . ''
For many years , Washington owner Daniel Snyder resisted changing the franchise 's old nickname .
He told USA Today in 2013 to `` put it in all caps '' that he would never change the name .
But Snyder and the organization faced more pressure after the protests following the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team also faced financial pressure from investors and sponsors to change the nickname .
Washington has posted a 1-5 record under first-year head coach Ron Rivera since the name change .

The Washington Football Team has posted a 1-5 record under first-year head coach Ron Rivera since the name change. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Team president Jason Wright said Tuesday that the Washington Football Team's placeholder name might remain the same next season. "There's a pretty good chance we will be the Washington Football Team next season," Wright told Washington TV station WJLA. Advertisement
Washington retired its previous nickname -- which it had used for 87 years -- on July 13 following a thorough review of the name 10 days earlier. The temporary name was announced July 23.
"I think next year is fast because of how the brand has to come together through uniforms, through approval processes through the league," Wright said Tuesday. "... We could get there quicker, it's actually pretty hard to get there that quickly because of all the steps that need to happen."
For many years, Washington owner Daniel Snyder resisted changing the franchise's old nickname. He told USA Today in 2013 to "put it in all caps" that he would never change the name.
But Snyder and the organization faced more pressure after the protests following the death of George Floyd in May. The team also faced financial pressure from investors and sponsors to change the nickname.
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Washington has posted a 1-5 record under first-year head coach Ron Rivera since the name change.


upi--2020-10-20--Pacers hire ex-Raptors assistant Nate Bjorkgren as head coach

Oct. 20 ( UPI ) -- The Indiana Pacers have hired former Toronto Raptors assistant Nate Bjorkgren as their head coach .
The Pacers officially named Bjorkgren as their new coach Tuesday but did n't disclose terms of the deal .
`` We are very pleased and excited to have Nate as our new coach , '' Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said in a statement .
`` This was an extensive and thorough search , and when we reached the conclusion , we felt strongly Nate is the right coach for us at the right time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has experienced championship success , is innovative and his communication skills along with his positivity are tremendous .
We all look forward to a long , successful partnership in helping the Pacers move forward . ''
Bjorkgren worked with current Raptors head coach Nick Nurse at two stops in the G League , winning a title with him in Iowa in 2011 .
Bjorkgren also reached the G League Finals as head coach of Santa Cruz in 2013 before jumping to the NBA in 2015 as an assistant with the Phoenix Suns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Toronto in 2018 and was part of his staff during the Raptors ' championship-winning season in 2019 .
`` I am honored to take on the role as head coach of the Indiana Pacers , '' Bjorkgren said in a statement Tuesday .
`` This is something I have prepared for during my career .
I want to thank Kevin , Chad [ Buchanan ] , Kelly [ Krauskopf ] , Larry Bird , Donnie Walsh , and Herb and Steve Simon for this opportunity .
`` I also want to thank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professional coaching job 14 years ago .
I 'm looking forward to working with this great team to achieve our goal as NBA champions . ''
Bjorkgren is replacing Nate McMillan , who was fired in August after four straight trips to the playoffs .
McMillan posted a 183-136 record in Indiana , including a 3-16 mark in the postseason .
The Pacers have made five consecutive postseason appearances but have been swept in the first round each of the last two years .

Oct. 20 (UPI) -- The Indiana Pacers have hired former Toronto Raptors assistant Nate Bjorkgren as their head coach.
The Pacers officially named Bjorkgren as their new coach Tuesday but didn't disclose terms of the deal.
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"We are very pleased and excited to have Nate as our new coach," Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said in a statement. "This was an extensive and thorough search, and when we reached the conclusion, we felt strongly Nate is the right coach for us at the right time.
"He comes from a winning background, has experienced championship success, is innovative and his communication skills along with his positivity are tremendous. We all look forward to a long, successful partnership in helping the Pacers move forward."
Bjorkgren worked with current Raptors head coach Nick Nurse at two stops in the G League, winning a title with him in Iowa in 2011. Bjorkgren also reached the G League Finals as head coach of Santa Cruz in 2013 before jumping to the NBA in 2015 as an assistant with the Phoenix Suns.
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The 45-year-old Bjorkgren reunited with Nurse in Toronto in 2018 and was part of his staff during the Raptors' championship-winning season in 2019.
"I am honored to take on the role as head coach of the Indiana Pacers," Bjorkgren said in a statement Tuesday. "This is something I have prepared for during my career. I want to thank Kevin, Chad [Buchanan], Kelly [Krauskopf], Larry Bird, Donnie Walsh, and Herb and Steve Simon for this opportunity.
"I also want to thank Nick Nurse for giving me my first professional coaching job 14 years ago. I'm looking forward to working with this great team to achieve our goal as NBA champions."
Bjorkgren is replacing Nate McMillan, who was fired in August after four straight trips to the playoffs. McMillan posted a 183-136 record in Indiana, including a 3-16 mark in the postseason.
The Pacers have made five consecutive postseason appearances but have been swept in the first round each of the last two years.


upi--2020-10-20--Jon M. Chu to helm pilot for Disney+ 'Willow' sequel series

Oct. 20 ( UPI ) -- Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights filmmaker Jon M. Chu has announced he is working with Disney+ on a Willow followup series .
`` Ok Ive been hiding this for a while now ... but ... IS THIS REAL LIFE ?
?
?
!
!
!
Do I really get to work with this team on this story ?
?
?
?
?
I mean I literally named my daughter Willow ... literally , '' Chu tweeted Tuesday , along with the link to a news story saying he has signed on to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as executive produce the show .
`` Speaking for Team # Willow We are beyond thrilled @ jonmchuYour vision for what this will be is exciting and cool .
Ca n't wait , '' Ron Howard , who directed the original 1988 Willow film , wrote in his own Twitter post .
Howard is executive producing the new project , and Jonathan Kasdan and Wendy Mericle are the showrunners .
Production is slated to begin next year .
The movie 's star , Warwick Davis -- who also is known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Harry Potter franchises -- is returning as the titular wizard .
The original cast also included former couple Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley .
It is unclear if either will return for the sequel .
Their daughter Mercedes Kilmer told UPI in July she was `` not at liberty to discuss '' whether she or anyone from her family will be in the new Willow series .
`` That 's very exciting .
I love Willow .
That is why I exist , '' she said , referring to how her now-divorced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the set of the original film .

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Jon M. Chu is set to direct the pilot for a new "Willow" sequel series. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights filmmaker Jon M. Chu has announced he is working with Disney+ on a Willow followup series. "Ok Ive been hiding this for a while now...but...IS THIS REAL LIFE???!!! Do I really get to work with this team on this story????? I mean I literally named my daughter Willow...literally," Chu tweeted Tuesday, along with the link to a news story saying he has signed on to direct the pilot for the fantasy adventure, as well as executive produce the show. Advertisement
"Speaking for Team #Willow We are beyond thrilled @jonmchuYour vision for what this will be is exciting and cool. Can't wait," Ron Howard, who directed the original 1988 Willow film, wrote in his own Twitter post.
Howard is executive producing the new project, and Jonathan Kasdan and Wendy Mericle are the showrunners.
Production is slated to begin next year.
The movie's star, Warwick Davis -- who also is known for his roles in the Star Wars and Harry Potter franchises -- is returning as the titular wizard.
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The original cast also included former couple Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley. It is unclear if either will return for the sequel.
Their daughter Mercedes Kilmer told UPI in July she was "not at liberty to discuss" whether she or anyone from her family will be in the new Willow series.
"That's very exciting. I love Willow. That is why I exist," she said, referring to how her now-divorced parents met and fell in love on the set of the original film.


upi--2020-10-20--Jake Gyllenhaal, Denis Villeneuve sign on to HBO's 'The Son'

Oct. 20 ( UPI ) -- Jake Gyllenhaal is set to star in and Denis Villeneuve is onboard to direct @ @ @ @ @ The Son , HBO said Tuesday .
Ray Donovan and Good Behavior scribe Lenore Zion @ @ @ @ @ on the limited series based on Jo Nesbø 's novel about Oslo 's `` brutal @ @ @ @ @ a press release said .
`` Denis is a master at weaving visually exquisite and @ @ @ @ @ a gifted actor and producer whose work often traverses provocative and compelling terrain , and @ @ @ @ @ Denis have collaborated brilliantly in the past , '' Francesca Orsi , executive vice president @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
`` We are beyond excited to see how this powerhouse team @ @ @ @ @ '' Gyllenhaal is known for his roles in Spider-Man : Far From Home , Okja @ @ @ @ @ Brokeback Mountain and Nightcrawler .
He was nominated for a Tony Award last week for @ @ @ @ @ Sea Wall/A Life .

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Jake Gyllenhaal is to star in "The Son" limited series for HBO. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Jake Gyllenhaal is set to star in and Denis Villeneuve is onboard to direct a new crime drama called The Son, HBO said Tuesday. Ray Donovan and Good Behavior scribe Lenore Zion is to serve as showrunner on the limited series based on Jo Nesbø's novel about Oslo's "brutal hierarchy of corruption," a press release said. Advertisement
"Denis is a master at weaving visually exquisite and unique narratives, Jake is a gifted actor and producer whose work often traverses provocative and compelling terrain, and of course, he and Denis have collaborated brilliantly in the past," Francesca Orsi, executive vice president of HBO programming, said in a statement. "We are beyond excited to see how this powerhouse team tackles this exceptional work."
Gyllenhaal is known for his roles in Spider-Man: Far From Home, Okja, The Good Girl, Brokeback Mountain and Nightcrawler. He was nominated for a Tony Award last week for his performance in the play Sea Wall/A Life.
Villeneuve's credits include Prisoners, Sicario, Arrival, Blade Runner 2049 and the upcoming Dune remake.


upi--2020-10-20--Juror in Breonna Taylor case says grand jury was not advised on homicide charges

Oct. 20 ( UPI ) -- An anonymous grand juror in the Breonna Taylor case said Tuesday jurors were not advised about possible homicide charges against the officers involved in her shooting and did not agree her killing was justified .
The juror identified as `` Anonymous Grand Juror No.1 '' by attorney Kevin Glogower issued a statement saying that the only charge presented to the grand jury in the case of the 26-year-old Taylor 's killing was that of wanton endangerment laid against former Louisville police Detective Brett Hankison for bullets fired into her neighbor 's apartment .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the grand jury was told there would be none because the prosecutors did n't feel they could make them stick , '' the juror said .
`` The grand jury did n't agree that certain actions were justified , nor did it decide the indictment should be the only charges in the Breonna Taylor case . ''
The anonymous juror added that self-defense and justification laws were also not explained to the grand jury .
`` I can not speak for other jurors but I can help the truth be told , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daniel Cameron previously announced that the grand jury `` agreed '' the other two officers involved in the shooting -- Sgt .
Jonathan Mattingly and Detective Myles Cosgrove -- were justified in returning fire after Taylor 's boyfriend fired a shot at them .
He also told reporters that the team walked the grand jury `` through every homicide offense '' and the jury was `` ultimately the one that made the decision about indicting Detective Hankison for wanton endangerment . ''
Ben Crump , an attorney representing Taylor 's family , issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seek justice for Breonna Taylor '' and urged the appointment of a new independent prosecutor to handle the case .
`` We now know what we suspected : Attorney General Daniel Cameron took the decision out of the grand jury 's hands .
They did n't allow the grand jury to do what the law says they have the right to do , '' Crump said .
Tuesday 's statement came after Jefferson Circuit Judge Annie O'Connell granted the grand juror 's motion to release all grand jury proceedings , including material that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Cameron that the proceedings must remain secret .
`` Any participant in those proceedings , including grand jurors , may disclose such information , '' O'Connell said .
She added that disclosure is `` in the interest of all citizens to have confidence in the integrity of the justice system '' and that jurors may disclose their identities but could face the risk of public scrutiny by doing so .
Cameron said Tuesday he disagreed with O'Connell 's ruling but would not appeal .
`` It was my decision to ask for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proven under Kentucky law , '' Cameron said .
`` Indictments obtained in the absence of sufficient proof under law do not stand up and are not fundamentally fair to anyone . ''
A second anonymous juror represented by Glogower issued a statement saying they were `` pleased '' with O'Connell 's ruling and `` will be discussing possible next steps with counsel . ''
Taylor was shot and killed by police in a raid on her Louisville apartment in March and Hankison last month pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other officers were not indicted .
Police initially received a `` no-knock '' warrant to conduct the raid , allowing them to enter Taylor 's home without announcing their presence , but the orders were changed beforehand to `` knock and announce . ''
Police said they knocked and announced their presence before entering the home , but Kenneth Walker , Taylor 's boyfriend , said they did n't hear the officers say anything and did n't know who was entering the apartment .

An anonymous grand juror in the case of Breonna Taylor's killing said Tuesday that jurors were not advised about possible homicide charges against the officers involved in her shooting. Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA-EFE
Oct. 20 (UPI) -- An anonymous grand juror in the Breonna Taylor case said Tuesday jurors were not advised about possible homicide charges against the officers involved in her shooting and did not agree her killing was justified. The juror identified as "Anonymous Grand Juror No.1" by attorney Kevin Glogower issued a statement saying that the only charge presented to the grand jury in the case of the 26-year-old Taylor's killing was that of wanton endangerment laid against former Louisville police Detective Brett Hankison for bullets fired into her neighbor's apartment. Advertisement
"Questions were asked about additional charges and the grand jury was told there would be none because the prosecutors didn't feel they could make them stick," the juror said. "The grand jury didn't agree that certain actions were justified, nor did it decide the indictment should be the only charges in the Breonna Taylor case."
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The anonymous juror added that self-defense and justification laws were also not explained to the grand jury.
"I cannot speak for other jurors but I can help the truth be told," the juror said.
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron previously announced that the grand jury "agreed" the other two officers involved in the shooting -- Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and Detective Myles Cosgrove -- were justified in returning fire after Taylor's boyfriend fired a shot at them.
He also told reporters that the team walked the grand jury "through every homicide offense" and the jury was "ultimately the one that made the decision about indicting Detective Hankison for wanton endangerment."
Ben Crump, an attorney representing Taylor's family, issued a statement saying Cameron failed to "seek justice for Breonna Taylor" and urged the appointment of a new independent prosecutor to handle the case.
"We now know what we suspected: Attorney General Daniel Cameron took the decision out of the grand jury's hands. They didn't allow the grand jury to do what the law says they have the right to do," Crump said.
Tuesday's statement came after Jefferson Circuit Judge Annie O'Connell granted the grand juror's motion to release all grand jury proceedings, including material that was not recorded, rejecting a claim by Cameron that the proceedings must remain secret.
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"Any participant in those proceedings, including grand jurors, may disclose such information," O'Connell said.
She added that disclosure is "in the interest of all citizens to have confidence in the integrity of the justice system" and that jurors may disclose their identities but could face the risk of public scrutiny by doing so.
Cameron said Tuesday he disagreed with O'Connell's ruling but would not appeal.
"It was my decision to ask for an indictment on charges that could be proven under Kentucky law," Cameron said. "Indictments obtained in the absence of sufficient proof under law do not stand up and are not fundamentally fair to anyone."
A second anonymous juror represented by Glogower issued a statement saying they were "pleased" with O'Connell's ruling and "will be discussing possible next steps with counsel."
Taylor was shot and killed by police in a raid on her Louisville apartment in March and Hankison last month pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him by the grand jury. The other officers were not indicted.
Police initially received a "no-knock" warrant to conduct the raid, allowing them to enter Taylor's home without announcing their presence, but the orders were changed beforehand to "knock and announce." Police said they knocked and announced their presence before entering the home, but Kenneth Walker, Taylor's boyfriend, said they didn't hear the officers say anything and didn't know who was entering the apartment.


upi--2020-10-20--Houston police officer killed, another injured responding to domestic disturbance

Oct. 20 ( UPI ) -- A Houston police officer was fatally shot Tuesday after responding to a domestic disturbance in which another officer and a teenager also were injured , authorities said .
Police Chief Art Acevedo said Sgt .
Harold Preston , 65 , sustained multiple gunshot wounds , including at least one to the head , and was declared dead at Memorial Hermann Hospital .
He was a 41-year veteran of the force .
`` Those of us who knew , loved , & respected Sgt .
Harold Preston knew him to be a wonderful , courageous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amazing family .
While many may never say his name , or honor his life of selfless service , we will never forget .
RIP kind hero , we will celebrate you , '' Acevedo tweeted .
Officer Courtney Waller also sustained injuries in the shooting and was recovering after being transported to a hospital , the Houston Police Department said .
The two responded to an apartment building where a woman said she was trying to move out of her home , but her husband would n't allow her inside to collect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son opened the door to the residence , at which point Elmer Manzano , who was inside , opened fire , police said .
The HPD said officers returned fire , injuring Manzano .
The 14-year-old boy and both officers were also hit by bullets .
Police said Waller was injured in the arm and was in stable condition .
The teenager and Manzano also were expected to recover from their injuries .

Sgt. Harold Preston was a 41-year veteran of the Houston Police Department. File Photo courtesy of the HPD
Oct. 20 (UPI) -- A Houston police officer was fatally shot Tuesday after responding to a domestic disturbance in which another officer and a teenager also were injured, authorities said. Police Chief Art Acevedo said Sgt. Harold Preston, 65, sustained multiple gunshot wounds, including at least one to the head, and was declared dead at Memorial Hermann Hospital. He was a 41-year veteran of the force. Advertisement
"Those of us who knew, loved, & respected Sgt. Harold Preston knew him to be a wonderful, courageous, and humble servant, from an amazing family. While many may never say his name, or honor his life of selfless service, we will never forget. RIP kind hero, we will celebrate you," Acevedo tweeted.
Officer Courtney Waller also sustained injuries in the shooting and was recovering after being transported to a hospital, the Houston Police Department said.
The two responded to an apartment building where a woman said she was trying to move out of her home, but her husband wouldn't allow her inside to collect her belongings. The woman's 14-year-old son opened the door to the residence, at which point Elmer Manzano, who was inside, opened fire, police said.
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The HPD said officers returned fire, injuring Manzano. The 14-year-old boy and both officers were also hit by bullets.
Police said Waller was injured in the arm and was in stable condition. The teenager and Manzano also were expected to recover from their injuries.


upi--2020-10-20--NASA's OSIRIS-REx touches down on asteroid Bennu to nab sample

Oct. 20 ( UPI ) -- NASA 's OSIRIS-REx touched down on asteroid Bennu on Tuesday evening in a mission to scoop a sample of rocks and dirt .
The spacecraft -- the Origins , Spectral Interpretation , Resource Identification , Security , Regolith Explorer -- made soft contact with the asteroid at 6:12 p.m. EDT .
The historic `` touch and go '' event featured animation displaying OSIRIS-REx 's sample collection activities in real time .
It takes time for real images of the touchdown to travel back to the Earth , so they wo n't be released to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executed a series of maneuvers over the course of several hours before making soft contact with the surface of the asteroid to collect regolith , or rocks and dirt .
`` It will be four and a half hours of anxiousness , '' Beth Buck , OSIRIS-REx mission operations manager at Lockheed Martin Space , said in a news conference ahead of the event .
Buck made a comparison to the descent of a spacecraft on Mars , when there is typically `` seven minutes of terror . ''
The goal is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history and help `` planetary defense '' engineers with missions to protect earth from rogue asteroids .
Bennu is believed to be a window into the solar system 's past since it 's a pristine , carbon-rich body carrying building blocks of both planets and life .
At around 1:50 p.m. EDT , the spacecraft left orbit around the asteroid before executing a series of burns to position itself over a sampling area nicknamed Nightingale .
Once in position , the craft began its approach to the asteroid at 5:50 p.m. EDT .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to collect the regolith sample before backing away again .
The area , which is 52 feet in diameter , will make for a more demanding landing than expected , Kenneth Getzandanner , OSIRIS-REx flight dynamics manager at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland , said in the news conference .
The original mission called for a landing `` zone '' about 150 % larger than Nightingale , at 82 feet , but that changed because Bennu was more rocky than expected .
The goal was to collect at least 1.7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spacecraft can carry up to 4.4 pounds , Heather Enos , OSIRIS-REx deputy principal investigator at the University of Arizona said .
`` I would love for that capsule to be completely full , '' Enos said .
Though early images from the asteroid should hint at whether the mission succeeded , it will take engineers roughly 10 days to compare and analyze the mass before and after the maneuver to actually know how much dirt is inside the OSIRIS-REx .
If it failed , the spacecraft has enough fuel to attempt two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The spacecraft is expected to return to Earth , with the regolith sample from Bennu , in 2023 .

Oct. 20 (UPI) -- NASA's OSIRIS-REx touched down on asteroid Bennu on Tuesday evening in a mission to scoop a sample of rocks and dirt.
The spacecraft -- the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer -- made soft contact with the asteroid at 6:12 p.m. EDT.
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The historic "touch and go" event featured animation displaying OSIRIS-REx's sample collection activities in real time. It takes time for real images of the touchdown to travel back to the Earth, so they won't be released to the public until Wednesday.
The craft executed a series of maneuvers over the course of several hours before making soft contact with the surface of the asteroid to collect regolith, or rocks and dirt.
"It will be four and a half hours of anxiousness," Beth Buck, OSIRIS-REx mission operations manager at Lockheed Martin Space, said in a news conference ahead of the event.
Buck made a comparison to the descent of a spacecraft on Mars, when there is typically "seven minutes of terror."
The goal is to learn more about the solar system's history and help "planetary defense" engineers with missions to protect earth from rogue asteroids. Bennu is believed to be a window into the solar system's past since it's a pristine, carbon-rich body carrying building blocks of both planets and life.
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At around 1:50 p.m. EDT, the spacecraft left orbit around the asteroid before executing a series of burns to position itself over a sampling area nicknamed Nightingale.
Once in position, the craft began its approach to the asteroid at 5:50 p.m. EDT. It then spent about 15 seconds attempting to collect the regolith sample before backing away again.
The area, which is 52 feet in diameter, will make for a more demanding landing than expected, Kenneth Getzandanner, OSIRIS-REx flight dynamics manager at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, said in the news conference.
The original mission called for a landing "zone" about 150% larger than Nightingale, at 82 feet, but that changed because Bennu was more rocky than expected.
The goal was to collect at least 1.7 ounces of fine-grained material, but the spacecraft can carry up to 4.4 pounds, Heather Enos, OSIRIS-REx deputy principal investigator at the University of Arizona said.
"I would love for that capsule to be completely full," Enos said.
Though early images from the asteroid should hint at whether the mission succeeded, it will take engineers roughly 10 days to compare and analyze the mass before and after the maneuver to actually know how much dirt is inside the OSIRIS-REx.
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If it failed, the spacecraft has enough fuel to attempt two more touch downs to collect material.
The spacecraft is expected to return to Earth, with the regolith sample from Bennu, in 2023.


upi--2020-10-20--Study: Salt-based mosquito-control products don't work

Oct. 20 ( UPI ) -- Lab tests suggest a variety of popular salt-based mosquito-control products do n't do what they claim -- kill mosquitoes .
In recent years , several salt-based products claiming to control mosquito populations have entered the market .
The products typically feature a powder-like mixture of dried salt , sugar and yeast .
Users are instructed to mix the powder with water and place in a shallow dish outside .
The bait is supposed to attract and kill mosquitoes upon ingestion .
For the study , published Tuesday in the Journal of Medical Entomology , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different mosquito species to various salt-based solutions .
The nine species involved in the experiments , all hailing from the genera Aedes , Anopheles and Culex , are responsible for the majority of all mosquito-borne illnesses , including malaria , dengue , yellow fever and West Nile virus .
The caged mosquitoes were offered their choice of water only , salt water only , sugar water only or a sugar-and-salt water mixture based on the ingredients listed in various salt-based mosquito-control products .
Over the course of a week , researchers observed no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mosquito species .
`` The consistency in the findings was a bit of a surprise given that nature is messy , '' lead study author Donald Yee said in a news release .
`` We 'd expect there to be a lot of variation in responses to the diets we offered , but , broadly speaking , adding salt to plain water or sugar water did n't lead to increased mosquito death .
Adults mosquitoes just do n't die faster because they drink salt water , '' said Yee , a professor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mississippi .
Given that most of the blood that mosquitoes suck from humans and other mammals contains small concentrations of salt , it makes sense that the insects are able to withstand salt-based mosquito-control products .
Researchers suggest the best way to reduce mosquito populations is to reduce standing water -- forgo birdbaths and dump flower pots after it rains .
If homeowners decide to use insecticides , researchers suggest people wear long sleeves and protective gear during application .
And for people in the market for mosquito-control products , do n't spend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mosquito-control districts and mosquito-control organizations have recommendations for what does and what does not work , so you can avoid products with unsubstantiated claims , '' Yee said .
`` As always , if it sounds too good to be true , it probably is . ''

Mosquitoes are undeterred by salt-based solutions. Photo by Joseph Berger/Bugwood.org
Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Lab tests suggest a variety of popular salt-based mosquito-control products don't do what they claim -- kill mosquitoes. In recent years, several salt-based products claiming to control mosquito populations have entered the market. The products typically feature a powder-like mixture of dried salt, sugar and yeast. Advertisement
Users are instructed to mix the powder with water and place in a shallow dish outside. The bait is supposed to attract and kill mosquitoes upon ingestion.
For the study, published Tuesday in the Journal of Medical Entomology, an international team of researchers exposed nine different mosquito species to various salt-based solutions.
The nine species involved in the experiments, all hailing from the genera Aedes, Anopheles and Culex, are responsible for the majority of all mosquito-borne illnesses, including malaria, dengue, yellow fever and West Nile virus.
The caged mosquitoes were offered their choice of water only, salt water only, sugar water only or a sugar-and-salt water mixture based on the ingredients listed in various salt-based mosquito-control products.
Over the course of a week, researchers observed no adverse effects of salt-ingestion among the nine mosquito species.
"The consistency in the findings was a bit of a surprise given that nature is messy," lead study author Donald Yee said in a news release.
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"We'd expect there to be a lot of variation in responses to the diets we offered, but, broadly speaking, adding salt to plain water or sugar water didn't lead to increased mosquito death. Adults mosquitoes just don't die faster because they drink salt water," said Yee, a professor of biological sciences at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Given that most of the blood that mosquitoes suck from humans and other mammals contains small concentrations of salt, it makes sense that the insects are able to withstand salt-based mosquito-control products.
Researchers suggest the best way to reduce mosquito populations is to reduce standing water -- forgo birdbaths and dump flower pots after it rains.
If homeowners decide to use insecticides, researchers suggest people wear long sleeves and protective gear during application.
And for people in the market for mosquito-control products, don't spend money on salt-based solutions.
"Most mosquito-control districts and mosquito-control organizations have recommendations for what does and what does not work, so you can avoid products with unsubstantiated claims," Yee said. "As always, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."


upi--2020-10-20--U.S., Russia near deal to extend nuclear arms treaty, freeze warheads

Oct. 20 ( UPI ) -- The United States and Russia moved closer Tuesday to reaching a deal on nuclear arms control that would freeze both nations ' nuclear warheads .
Russia said it was `` ready , together with the United States , to make a political commitment to 'freeze ' the number of nuclear warheads held by the parties '' through February 2022 and extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty for a year .
`` We appreciate the Russian Federation 's willingness to make progress on the issue of nuclear arms control , '' State Department spokeswoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States is prepared to meet immediately to finalize a verifiable agreement .
We expect Russia to empower its diplomats to do the same . ''
The New START treaty -- which reduces long-range arms -- is set to expire in February and can be extended for up to five years .
Russia previously stated it was prepared to extend the treaty for a year without conditions .
The two sides appeared to have clashed over Russian President Vladimir Putin 's proposal to extend the treaty , but a senior Trump administration official told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two sides were `` very , very close to a deal . ''
Under the Trump administration 's plan for the freeze , both nations would declare the number of warheads deployed on launchers of all ranges and those in storage and pledge to not exceed that inventory .
The deal would also allow the sides time to negotiate an additional treaty , with the Trump administration pushing for China 's inclusion .
Trump previously withdrew from other arms-control measures with Russia , calling them unfair to the United States and accusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Former Vice President Joe Biden , Trump 's opponent in November 's election , said he supports an extension to the New START treaty as a foundation for new arms-control arrangements .

The United States and Russia said Tuesday they are nearing a deal to freeze nuclear warheads in both nations and extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty for a year. File Photo by Shealah Craighead/White House | License Photo
Oct. 20 (UPI) -- The United States and Russia moved closer Tuesday to reaching a deal on nuclear arms control that would freeze both nations' nuclear warheads. Russia said it was "ready, together with the United States, to make a political commitment to 'freeze' the number of nuclear warheads held by the parties" through February 2022 and extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty for a year. Advertisement
"We appreciate the Russian Federation's willingness to make progress on the issue of nuclear arms control," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said. "The United States is prepared to meet immediately to finalize a verifiable agreement. We expect Russia to empower its diplomats to do the same."
The New START treaty -- which reduces long-range arms -- is set to expire in February and can be extended for up to five years. Russia previously stated it was prepared to extend the treaty for a year without conditions.
The two sides appeared to have clashed over Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal to extend the treaty, but a senior Trump administration official told The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday that the two sides were "very, very close to a deal."
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Under the Trump administration's plan for the freeze, both nations would declare the number of warheads deployed on launchers of all ranges and those in storage and pledge to not exceed that inventory.
The deal would also allow the sides time to negotiate an additional treaty, with the Trump administration pushing for China's inclusion.
Trump previously withdrew from other arms-control measures with Russia, calling them unfair to the United States and accusing the Russian government of violating the terms.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, Trump's opponent in November's election, said he supports an extension to the New START treaty as a foundation for new arms-control arrangements.


upi--2020-10-20--Peer-based anti-bullying initiatives may harm victims more, researcher says

Oct. 20 ( UPI ) -- Encouraging classmates to defend bullied pupils may do more harm than good , according to a review of existing research published Tuesday by Child Development Perspectives .
Unlike programs that include parental training , firm discipline or enhanced playground supervision , interventions that involve working with the peers of bullied students tend to lead to increases in the behavior , the author wrote .
So-called `` bystander interventions , '' in which peers are trained to come to the defense of the bullying victims , may actually increase feelings of victimization and distress by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provoking bullying or eroding broader support for them , the review suggests .
`` Many school bullying prevention programs encourage and train peer bystanders , or helpers , to get actively involved in assisting with possible instances of bullying , '' review co-author Karyn L. Healy said in a statement .
`` Although this approach is very common and well-intentioned , there is no evidence that it helps victims [ and it ] may actually produce adverse outcomes for victims , '' said Healy , a research officer from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agree school bullying is harmful to students ' mental health , studies designed to evaluate the effectiveness of bullying prevention programs have generated mixed results and demonstrated few if any benefits for secondary school students .
Most studies on the effectiveness of bullying prevention programs assume that each program affects bullying and victimization in a simple and unified way .
Healy found , however , that many programs combine a range of different strategies and participants , which are likely to produce varying results .
Recent evidence suggests that even when prevention programs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still may be harmful to the individual students who are victimized the most .
`` Having lots of peers involved makes the situation more public , which can be damaging to the social reputation of victims , [ and ] also prevents the victim from handling a situation themselves and may make them look weak in the eyes of the bully , '' Healy said .
`` Training students to intervene in bullying also has the potential of leading to overuse of peer defense strategies because of benefits to helpers , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or increasing helpers ' feelings of belonging in school , '' she said .
To lessen the risk to vulnerable students , Healy suggests that schools be wary of bullying prevention programs that lack evidence of effectiveness for reducing bullying and victimization .
Schools should avoid using strategies that boost peer visibility of victimization , such as identifying a victim in a class meeting , she said .

An analysis of school anti-bullying programs suggests that many don't work because they disempower bullying victims, making situations worse. Photo by FotoRieth /Pixabay
Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Encouraging classmates to defend bullied pupils may do more harm than good, according to a review of existing research published Tuesday by Child Development Perspectives. Unlike programs that include parental training, firm discipline or enhanced playground supervision, interventions that involve working with the peers of bullied students tend to lead to increases in the behavior, the author wrote. Advertisement
So-called "bystander interventions," in which peers are trained to come to the defense of the bullying victims, may actually increase feelings of victimization and distress by "disempowering" them, reinforcing or provoking bullying or eroding broader support for them, the review suggests.
"Many school bullying prevention programs encourage and train peer bystanders, or helpers, to get actively involved in assisting with possible instances of bullying," review co-author Karyn L. Healy said in a statement.
"Although this approach is very common and well-intentioned, there is no evidence that it helps victims [and it] may actually produce adverse outcomes for victims," said Healy, a research officer from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Australia.
Although most researchers agree school bullying is harmful to students' mental health, studies designed to evaluate the effectiveness of bullying prevention programs have generated mixed results and demonstrated few if any benefits for secondary school students.
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Most studies on the effectiveness of bullying prevention programs assume that each program affects bullying and victimization in a simple and unified way.
Healy found, however, that many programs combine a range of different strategies and participants, which are likely to produce varying results.
Recent evidence suggests that even when prevention programs are successful in reducing bullying, they still may be harmful to the individual students who are victimized the most.
"Having lots of peers involved makes the situation more public, which can be damaging to the social reputation of victims, [and] also prevents the victim from handling a situation themselves and may make them look weak in the eyes of the bully," Healy said.
"Training students to intervene in bullying also has the potential of leading to overuse of peer defense strategies because of benefits to helpers, such as making helpers feel they have higher status or increasing helpers' feelings of belonging in school," she said.
To lessen the risk to vulnerable students, Healy suggests that schools be wary of bullying prevention programs that lack evidence of effectiveness for reducing bullying and victimization.
Schools should avoid using strategies that boost peer visibility of victimization, such as identifying a victim in a class meeting, she said.


upi--2020-10-20--Identical lottery tickets cause player to split $3.8M jackpot with himself

Oct. 20 ( UPI ) -- An Alberta man 's accidental purchase of two identical lottery tickets for the same drawing led to his splitting a $ 3.8 million jackpot with himself .
Andrew Burke of Calmar told Western Canada Lottery Corp. officials he accidentally bought two identical tickets for the Sept. 16 Lotto 6.49 drawing at the Fas Gas Calmar Service gas station .
Burke 's tickets both bore the numbers that came up in the drawing : 6-12-23-29-44-46 .
The $ 3.8 million jackpot was split evenly between the two winning tickets , earning Burke a pair of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was shocked when he handed one of the tickets over to a clerk at the store to check if he had won anything .
`` The owner walked in and said 'what have you done Andy , have you broken my machine ? '
'' he recalled .
`` The clerk then told me 'you 've won $ 2.5 million [ U.S. $ 1.8 million ] -- and I said she better check that other ticket , because it 's the same numbers ! ''
He said the win will come as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On our wedding day , my father-in-law said ' I always wanted my daughter to marry a millionaire , but I got the next best thing -- someone who spends money like a millionaire , ' '' Burke recalled .
Burke said he is now on permanent `` vacation '' from his job .
`` All I wanted out of the lottery was to be able to retire comfortably , keep up on the house , and have my Land Rover restored .
I do n't need anything else , '' he said @

Andrew Burke of Calmar, Alberta, ended up splitting a $3.8 million lottery jackpot with himself after accidentally buying two identical tickets for the same drawing. Photo courtesy of the Western Canada Lottery Corp.
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Oct. 20 (UPI) -- An Alberta man's accidental purchase of two identical lottery tickets for the same drawing led to his splitting a $3.8 million jackpot with himself. Andrew Burke of Calmar told Western Canada Lottery Corp. officials he accidentally bought two identical tickets for the Sept. 16 Lotto 6.49 drawing at the Fas Gas Calmar Service gas station. Advertisement
Burke's tickets both bore the numbers that came up in the drawing: 6-12-23-29-44-46.
The $3.8 million jackpot was split evenly between the two winning tickets, earning Burke a pair of $1.9 million jackpots.
Burke said he was shocked when he handed one of the tickets over to a clerk at the store to check if he had won anything.
"The owner walked in and said 'what have you done Andy, have you broken my machine?'" he recalled. "The clerk then told me 'you've won $2.5 million [U.S. $1.8 million] -- and I said she better check that other ticket, because it's the same numbers!"
He said the win will come as good news to his father-in-law.
"On our wedding day, my father-in-law said 'I always wanted my daughter to marry a millionaire, but I got the next best thing -- someone who spends money like a millionaire,'" Burke recalled.
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Burke said he is now on permanent "vacation" from his job.
"All I wanted out of the lottery was to be able to retire comfortably, keep up on the house, and have my Land Rover restored. I don't need anything else," he said.


upi--2020-10-20--1 in 3 Americans with arthritis say pain, symptoms persist

About 30 million U.S. adults live with osteoarthritis and the pain and stiffness it causes , a new survey finds .
And nearly one-third of these people said their symptoms are not well-managed , according to the Arthritis Foundation survey of almost 2,000 adults .
In osteoarthritis , the cartilage cushioning the joints gradually wears down , leading to swelling , and limiting a person 's abilities to do the activities they want and need to do every day .
`` Pain is debilitating .
My back and hip pain are so bad that I have trouble getting out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Each step is excruciating , and I wonder how much longer I can deal with the pain . ''
The results of the recently released survey are clear , according to a news release from the foundation .
Patients want to see more treatment and care options to reduce the impact of arthritis pain on their daily lives .
Respondents said that pain was difficult to manage with few options , including anti-inflammatory medications ( NSAIDs ) , diet , exercise , opioids , braces and canes .
Some reported using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a last resort .
About 65 % said they use NSAIDs or topical medications to manage their pain , about 29 % rely on therapies like physical therapy or massage , and another 29 % said total joint replacement helped .
Research shows that staying physically active can improve arthritis pain , according to the foundation .
More than one-third said COVID-19 concerns had caused them to cancel or skip health care appointments .
Some also reported that pain levels had increased because of COVID-19 restrictions impacting their ability to access treatment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see is for health insurance to increase coverage of new arthritis treatments , though more than half said they were only interested in a treatment for pain if it did n't also increase their joint damage , according to the foundation .
`` You spend a lot of time & effort trying not to think about it because what you focus on magnifies , '' wrote one survey respondent .
`` You hate pain scales because how do you rate something that is always there ?
Oftentimes it 's not the pain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' About 82 % want to invest in research to explore new ways to treat or cure osteoarthritis , the survey found .
About 65 % want to advocate for better access to treatments and 61 % want to support the development of new products to help with daily tasks .
Individuals with osteoarthritis can share experiences by taking the Live Yes !
INSIGHTS assessment and learn more at the Arthritis Foundation .

About 30 million U.S. adults live with osteoarthritis and the pain and stiffness it causes, a new survey finds.
And nearly one-third of these people said their symptoms are not well-managed, according to the Arthritis Foundation survey of almost 2,000 adults. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage cushioning the joints gradually wears down, leading to swelling, and limiting a person's abilities to do the activities they want and need to do every day.
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"Pain is debilitating. My back and hip pain are so bad that I have trouble getting out of bed," wrote one survey respondent. "Each step is excruciating, and I wonder how much longer I can deal with the pain."
The results of the recently released survey are clear, according to a news release from the foundation. Patients want to see more treatment and care options to reduce the impact of arthritis pain on their daily lives.
Respondents said that pain was difficult to manage with few options, including anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), diet, exercise, opioids, braces and canes. Some reported using meditation and prayer. Surgery was considered a last resort.
About 65% said they use NSAIDs or topical medications to manage their pain, about 29% rely on therapies like physical therapy or massage, and another 29% said total joint replacement helped. Research shows that staying physically active can improve arthritis pain, according to the foundation.
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More than one-third said COVID-19 concerns had caused them to cancel or skip health care appointments. Some also reported that pain levels had increased because of COVID-19 restrictions impacting their ability to access treatment and activity.
The primary change patients want to see is for health insurance to increase coverage of new arthritis treatments, though more than half said they were only interested in a treatment for pain if it didn't also increase their joint damage, according to the foundation.
"You spend a lot of time & effort trying not to think about it because what you focus on magnifies," wrote one survey respondent. "You hate pain scales because how do you rate something that is always there? Oftentimes it's not the pain's intensity but rather the duration."
About 82% want to invest in research to explore new ways to treat or cure osteoarthritis, the survey found. About 65% want to advocate for better access to treatments and 61% want to support the development of new products to help with daily tasks.
More information
Individuals with osteoarthritis can share experiences by taking the Live Yes! INSIGHTS assessment and learn more at the Arthritis Foundation.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-10-20--U.S. markets rise as Nancy Pelosi says she is 'optimistic' about stimulus talks

Oct. 20 ( UPI ) -- U.S. markets rose Tuesday after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was `` optimistic '' about the prospect of reaching a deal on an additional round of COVID-19 stimulus .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 113.37 , or 0.4 % , at the end of trading after climbing as high as 300 points earlier in the day .
The S & P 500 also climbed 0.47 % and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.33 % .
Stocks that would benefit from the widespread lifting of coronavirus restrictions and resuming of economic activity responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Carnival stock gained 3.29 % and American Airlines increased 1.91 % while retailers Kohls and Nordstrom grew 6.72 % and 1.15 % respectively .
Tuesday 's gains came after markets fell Monday amid reports Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin were not close to a deal , however , a spokesman for Pelosi said later in the day that they `` continued to narrow their differences '' ahead of Tuesday 's meeting .
`` Hopefully by the end of the day , we 'll know where we all are , '' Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Pelosi also said that a 48-hour deadline she gave the administration on Sunday was not a deadline for a deal but rather `` was a day that we would have our terms on the table to be able to go to the next step . ''
Netflix stock also slid 1 % after the streaming service reported 2.2 million net new subscribers in the third quarter , after adding 10 million subscribers in the first two quarters as people were forced inside due to the pandemic .
`` Because the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have loosened their quarantine restrictions , Netflix 's U.S. subscriber growth ... is reaching saturation , '' eMarketer analyst Ross Benes told MarketWatch .
Other major tech stocks including Apple , Amazon , Microsoft and Google 's parent company , Alphabet , all rose after declining Monday , led by Facebook which climbed 2.36 % .

U.S. markets rose slightly Tuesday as House Speaker said she was "optimistic" about negotiations with the Trump administration on an additional round of COVID-19 stimulus. Photo by Sarah Silbiger/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 20 (UPI) -- U.S. markets rose Tuesday after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was "optimistic" about the prospect of reaching a deal on an additional round of COVID-19 stimulus. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 113.37, or 0.4%, at the end of trading after climbing as high as 300 points earlier in the day. The S&P 500 also climbed 0.47% and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.33%. Advertisement
Stocks that would benefit from the widespread lifting of coronavirus restrictions and resuming of economic activity responded positively to the optimism surrounding stimulus talks. Carnival stock gained 3.29% and American Airlines increased 1.91% while retailers Kohls and Nordstrom grew 6.72% and 1.15% respectively.
Tuesday's gains came after markets fell Monday amid reports Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin were not close to a deal, however, a spokesman for Pelosi said later in the day that they "continued to narrow their differences" ahead of Tuesday's meeting.
"Hopefully by the end of the day, we'll know where we all are," Pelosi said. "But I'm optimistic."
Pelosi also said that a 48-hour deadline she gave the administration on Sunday was not a deadline for a deal but rather "was a day that we would have our terms on the table to be able to go to the next step."
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Netflix stock also slid 1% after the streaming service reported 2.2 million net new subscribers in the third quarter, after adding 10 million subscribers in the first two quarters as people were forced inside due to the pandemic.
"Because the pandemic has been long lasting and some states have loosened their quarantine restrictions, Netflix's U.S. subscriber growth ... is reaching saturation," eMarketer analyst Ross Benes told MarketWatch.
Other major tech stocks including Apple, Amazon, Microsoft and Google's parent company, Alphabet, all rose after declining Monday, led by Facebook which climbed 2.36%.


upi--2020-10-20--NTSB: No cause determined for dive boat fire that killed 34

Oct. 20 ( UPI ) -- Investigators told the National Safety Transportation Board on Tuesday that they were unable to determine a cause for a fire that killed 34 aboard a dive boat off the coast of California last year .
The officials said the boat was too damaged to pinpoint the exact location and cause of the fire after it was recovered from the sea floor .
They pointed to a number of factors , though , that possibly contributed to the severe outcome of the blaze .
The officials spoke as part of an NTSB virtual hearing on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused the 75-foot recreational dive boat called the Conception to sink Sept. 2 , 2019 , Labor Day weekend .
Investigators said the blaze began in the back of the main deck salon , an area where some of the passengers had plugged in their phones and other devices to charge for the night .
Some of the items contained lithium ion batteries , which can overheat and cause flames .
Such devices sparked a fire on the Conception 's sister vessel , the Vision , on a previous voyage , but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were smoke detectors in the below deck bunk room where the divers -- and one crew member -- slept the night of the fire , there were n't any in the salon .
A crew member who was in the upper deck at the time of the fire said they observed a glow from the salon and climbed down where they saw the flames blocked access to the below deck .
Authorities said the five crew members who survived the blaze had been in the upper deck and tried repeatedly to save those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bodies were wearing shoes when they were found , suggesting they were awake and trying to escape .
A coroner listed the cause of death for all 33 as smoke inhalation .
Investigators said the crew did n't follow regulations requiring a roving patrol at all times on vessel .
One official told the NTSB that the fact that all six crew members were asleep at the time the blaze broke out `` directly led to the high number of casualties . ''

NTSB investigators said that had there been a roving watch on board the Conception at the time of the fire, evacuation could've begun earlier, possibly saving lives. File Photo courtesy of the Ventura County Fire Department/EPA-EFE
Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Investigators told the National Safety Transportation Board on Tuesday that they were unable to determine a cause for a fire that killed 34 aboard a dive boat off the coast of California last year. The officials said the boat was too damaged to pinpoint the exact location and cause of the fire after it was recovered from the sea floor. They pointed to a number of factors, though, that possibly contributed to the severe outcome of the blaze. Advertisement
The officials spoke as part of an NTSB virtual hearing on the investigation of the fire, which caused the 75-foot recreational dive boat called the Conception to sink Sept. 2, 2019, Labor Day weekend.
Investigators said the blaze began in the back of the main deck salon, an area where some of the passengers had plugged in their phones and other devices to charge for the night. Some of the items contained lithium ion batteries, which can overheat and cause flames.
Such devices sparked a fire on the Conception's sister vessel, the Vision, on a previous voyage, but that blaze was quickly contained.
Though there were smoke detectors in the below deck bunk room where the divers -- and one crew member -- slept the night of the fire, there weren't any in the salon.
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A crew member who was in the upper deck at the time of the fire said they observed a glow from the salon and climbed down where they saw the flames blocked access to the below deck. Authorities said the five crew members who survived the blaze had been in the upper deck and tried repeatedly to save those trapped below deck.
Many of the bodies were wearing shoes when they were found, suggesting they were awake and trying to escape. A coroner listed the cause of death for all 33 as smoke inhalation.
Investigators said the crew didn't follow regulations requiring a roving patrol at all times on vessel. One official told the NTSB that the fact that all six crew members were asleep at the time the blaze broke out "directly led to the high number of casualties."


upi--2020-10-20--'Friendsgiving Island' available for weeklong rental over Thanksgiving

Oct. 20 ( UPI ) -- An accommodation-finding website is offering Thanksgiving revelers the chance to get away for the week of the holiday on `` Friendsgiving Island , '' a private island off the Florida coast .
Hotels.com said `` Friendsgiving Island '' would normally cost $ 1,400 per night , but it is being offered for $ 50 per night per person for a group of six from Nov. 14-21 .
The island features a three-bedroom house and a boat that will be available for use during the seven-night stay on the island .
The offer , available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 10 a.m. Oct. 27 , also includes a private chef to prepare a full Thanksgiving dinner .
`` We 've been inspired by how people have adapted their travel plans throughout the pandemic , taking trips closer to home and staying at our vacation rental properties , '' said Josh Belkin , vice president , global brand Hotels.com .
`` Spending time with family and friends over the holidays may look a little different this year , which is why Hotels.com is letting you reserve an entire private island to keep those @ @ @ @ @ @

Hotels.com announced customers can rent a weeklong stay on "Friendsgiving Island," a private island off the Florida coast, during the week of Thanksgiving. Photo courtesy of Hotels.com
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Oct. 20 (UPI) -- An accommodation-finding website is offering Thanksgiving revelers the chance to get away for the week of the holiday on "Friendsgiving Island," a private island off the Florida coast. Hotels.com said "Friendsgiving Island" would normally cost $1,400 per night, but it is being offered for $50 per night per person for a group of six from Nov. 14-21. Advertisement
The island features a three-bedroom house and a boat that will be available for use during the seven-night stay on the island.
The offer, available on a first-come, first-serve basis starting at 10 a.m. Oct. 27, also includes a private chef to prepare a full Thanksgiving dinner.
"We've been inspired by how people have adapted their travel plans throughout the pandemic, taking trips closer to home and staying at our vacation rental properties," said Josh Belkin, vice president, global brand Hotels.com. "Spending time with family and friends over the holidays may look a little different this year, which is why Hotels.com is letting you reserve an entire private island to keep those yearly traditions like Friendsgiving."


upi--2020-10-20--Study: Open windows, glass screens can limit COVID-19 transmission in classrooms

Oct. 20 ( UPI ) -- Open windows and glass droplet screens placed in front of desks significantly reduce airborne transmission of COVID-19 in school classrooms , an analysis published Tuesday by the journal Physics of Fluid found .
Simply by opening windows , the number of virus particles circulating in the air in classrooms can be reduced by 40 % , according to the researchers .
In addition , the glass screens decreased the number of microscopic virus particles students spread among one another by exhaling , talking , coughing or sneezing , which is how COVID-19 is passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 70 % of exhaled ... particles exit the [ room ] when windows are open , '' study co-author Khaled Talaat said in a statement .
`` And air conditioning removes up to 50 % of particles released during exhalation and talking but the rest get deposited onto surfaces within the room and may re-enter the air , '' said Talaat , a doctoral candidate at the University of New Mexico , where the research was conducted .
As COVID-19 continues to spread , studying aerosol and droplet transport within different environments can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread , particularly in settings such as classrooms , as schools across the United States reopen , according to Talaat and his colleagues .
For this study , the researchers used created a computerized model of an air-conditioned classroom to assess how small particles traveled through the air , and from person to person .
Microscopic particles , similar in size to those found in respiratory fluids with COVID-19 , were transmitted in significant quantities -- up to 1 % of exhaled particles -- between students , even at a distance of 7.8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the researchers said .
However , using their model classroom , they found that opening windows increases the particles released from the room by nearly 40 % , while also reducing aerosol transmission between people within it .
`` The aerosol distribution within the room is n't uniform , because of air conditioning and ... student position within the room affects the likelihood of transmitting particles to others and of receiving particles , '' Talaat said .
`` In our model , the back corners [ of the classroom ] are the safest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addition , glass droplet screens placed in front of desks significantly reduced the transmission of 1-micron air particles from one student to another , Talaat said .
`` Screens do n't stop 1-micron particles directly , but they affect the local air flow field near the source , which changes the particle trajectories [ and ] their effectiveness depends on the position of the source with respect to the air conditioning diffusers , '' he said .
Diffusers are the vents that circulate air around a room .
For school reopenings , based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keeping windows open when possible and installing glass screens in front of desks .
Students at higher risk of COVID-19 complications should be seated where they are exposed to fewer particles , which will depend on the air conditioning layout within the room , they said .
The group also stresses the importance of sanitizing hands -- even without contact with other people 's belongings -- because `` particles can be transmitted from one student to other students ' desks or clothes , etc.
, even when keeping separated by a distance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significance of air conditioning , there is potential for optimization of HVAC systems within classrooms to maximize particle removal , while providing adequate ventilation , '' he said .

Open windows, glass screens in front of desks and strategic student positioning can limit the spread of COVID-19 in classrooms, a new study has found. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Open windows and glass droplet screens placed in front of desks significantly reduce airborne transmission of COVID-19 in school classrooms, an analysis published Tuesday by the journal Physics of Fluid found. Simply by opening windows, the number of virus particles circulating in the air in classrooms can be reduced by 40%, according to the researchers. Advertisement
In addition, the glass screens decreased the number of microscopic virus particles students spread among one another by exhaling, talking, coughing or sneezing, which is how COVID-19 is passed from person to person.
"Nearly 70% of exhaled ... particles exit the [room] when windows are open," study co-author Khaled Talaat said in a statement.
"And air conditioning removes up to 50% of particles released during exhalation and talking but the rest get deposited onto surfaces within the room and may re-enter the air," said Talaat, a doctoral candidate at the University of New Mexico, where the research was conducted.
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As COVID-19 continues to spread, studying aerosol and droplet transport within different environments can help establish effective measures to contain its spread, particularly in settings such as classrooms, as schools across the United States reopen, according to Talaat and his colleagues.
For this study, the researchers used created a computerized model of an air-conditioned classroom to assess how small particles traveled through the air, and from person to person.
Microscopic particles, similar in size to those found in respiratory fluids with COVID-19, were transmitted in significant quantities -- up to 1% of exhaled particles -- between students, even at a distance of 7.8 feet, because of air flow, the researchers said.
However, using their model classroom, they found that opening windows increases the particles released from the room by nearly 40%, while also reducing aerosol transmission between people within it.
"The aerosol distribution within the room isn't uniform, because of air conditioning and ... student position within the room affects the likelihood of transmitting particles to others and of receiving particles," Talaat said.
"In our model, the back corners [of the classroom] are the safest spots," he said.
In addition, glass droplet screens placed in front of desks significantly reduced the transmission of 1-micron air particles from one student to another, Talaat said.
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"Screens don't stop 1-micron particles directly, but they affect the local air flow field near the source, which changes the particle trajectories [and] their effectiveness depends on the position of the source with respect to the air conditioning diffusers," he said.
Diffusers are the vents that circulate air around a room.
For school reopenings, based on their findings, the researchers recommend keeping windows open when possible and installing glass screens in front of desks.
Students at higher risk of COVID-19 complications should be seated where they are exposed to fewer particles, which will depend on the air conditioning layout within the room, they said.
The group also stresses the importance of sanitizing hands -- even without contact with other people's belongings -- because "particles can be transmitted from one student to other students' desks or clothes, etc., even when keeping separated by a distance," Talaat said.
"Given the significance of air conditioning, there is potential for optimization of HVAC systems within classrooms to maximize particle removal, while providing adequate ventilation," he said.


upi--2020-10-20--Ring lost while hunting in Maine found 8 years later

Oct. 20 ( UPI ) -- A man who lost his wedding ring while hunting in Maine had the item returned to him when another hunter came across it eight years later .
Shawn Howard said he had been hunting with a friend in Brighton when the ring apparently fell off his finger .
Howard said he gave up hope of ever seeing the ring again until he saw a recent post to the Maine Moose Hunting group on Facebook from a fellow hunter who had found a ring in the same area .
Howard said the photos posted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engraving , which confirmed that it was his long-lost item .
The man said he was pleased to find out the ring still fits .
`` It certainly is something that you treasure and it 's nice to have it back , '' Howard told WABI-TV .
He said the ring 's return coincides nicely with the 19th anniversary of his wedding to his wife , Theresa , on Tuesday .
`` I was in tears when I found out .
I was just grateful that he found it .
Then he took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was kinda hoping he 'd get a moose as a little reward for him , '' Theresa Howard said .

Shawn Howard, whose wedding ring was lost eight years ago while moose hunting in Maine, was reunited with his ring when a fellow hunter found it in the woods and posted photos on social media. Photo by MrGajowy3/Pixabay.com
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Oct. 20 (UPI) -- A man who lost his wedding ring while hunting in Maine had the item returned to him when another hunter came across it eight years later. Shawn Howard said he had been hunting with a friend in Brighton when the ring apparently fell off his finger. Advertisement
Howard said he gave up hope of ever seeing the ring again until he saw a recent post to the Maine Moose Hunting group on Facebook from a fellow hunter who had found a ring in the same area.
Howard said the photos posted by the other hunter showed the ring's engraving, which confirmed that it was his long-lost item.
The man said he was pleased to find out the ring still fits.
"It certainly is something that you treasure and it's nice to have it back," Howard told WABI-TV.
He said the ring's return coincides nicely with the 19th anniversary of his wedding to his wife, Theresa, on Tuesday.
"I was in tears when I found out. I was just grateful that he found it. Then he took the time which was awesome. I was kinda hoping he'd get a moose as a little reward for him," Theresa Howard said.


upi--2020-10-20--First seven trainees to directly enlist in Space Force sworn-in

Oct. 20 ( UPI ) -- U.S. Space Force on Tuesday swore in its first seven direct recruits in two ceremonies , the branch announced .
The first four recruits took the oath Tuesday morning and signed a commitment to join the Space Force at Fort George G. Meade Military Entrance Processing Station in Fort Meade , Md .
Later in the morning , in Colorado , and three more new recruits were sworn in at the Denver Military Entrance Processing Station .
The seven recruits are headed to Lackland Air Force Base , San Antonio , Texas , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basic training , according to Space Force .
Vice Chief of Space Operations Lt. Gen. David Thompson , who swore in the first four recruits , said they were among the first to directly enlist into the nation 's newest military branch created in December .
Current members of the Space Force , including 86 officers commissioned from the U.S. Air Force Academy this past spring , transferred directly from the Air Force , he added .
`` Today is an important milestone as we stand up the Space Force , '' Thompson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , we 've focused on building our initial ranks with transfers from the Air Force .
With these new recruits , we begin to look to the future of our force by bringing in the right people directly to realize our aspirations of building a tech-savvy service that 's reflective of the nation we serve . ''
The recruits are from Colorado , Maryland and Virginia and range in age from 18-31 , according to Space Force .
Space Force has stated that diversity among its ranks is one of its priorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two women , five men , two African Americans and five Caucasians .

The first U.S. Space Force trainees to directly enlist in the new military branch were officially sworn-in Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Gen. Jay Raymond/ Twitter
Oct. 20 (UPI) -- U.S. Space Force on Tuesday swore in its first seven direct recruits in two ceremonies, the branch announced. The first four recruits took the oath Tuesday morning and signed a commitment to join the Space Force at Fort George G. Meade Military Entrance Processing Station in Fort Meade, Md. Later in the morning, in Colorado, and three more new recruits were sworn in at the Denver Military Entrance Processing Station. Advertisement
The seven recruits are headed to Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, to begin seven and a half weeks of basic training, according to Space Force.
Vice Chief of Space Operations Lt. Gen. David Thompson, who swore in the first four recruits, said they were among the first to directly enlist into the nation's newest military branch created in December.
Current members of the Space Force, including 86 officers commissioned from the U.S. Air Force Academy this past spring, transferred directly from the Air Force, he added.
"Today is an important milestone as we stand up the Space Force," Thompson said in a statement. "Until now, we've focused on building our initial ranks with transfers from the Air Force. With these new recruits, we begin to look to the future of our force by bringing in the right people directly to realize our aspirations of building a tech-savvy service that's reflective of the nation we serve."
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The recruits are from Colorado, Maryland and Virginia and range in age from 18-31, according to Space Force.
Space Force has stated that diversity among its ranks is one of its priorities -- among the new recruits, are two women, five men, two African Americans and five Caucasians.


upi--2020-10-20--Marine Corps general fired amid probe into use of racial slur

Oct. 20 ( UPI ) -- The top commander of the U.S. Marine Corps in Europe and Africa , under investigation for his use of a racial slur , has been fired .
Maj. Gen. Stephen Neary was relieved of his command on Monday , after a little over three months in the post .
An investigation was opened into Neary 's behavior at a physical training exercise in August at the Marines ' Stuttgart-area headquarters in Germany , Stars and Stripes reported .
Loud rap music was playing , including lyrics with racial epithets .
Neary , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would feel if he said the N-word , according to a Marine who was there , speaking to Stripes on the condition of anonymity .
NBC , quoting unnamed military officials , also reported the probe was centered on allegations that Neary used the slur in front of troops at the event .
Commandant Gen. David Berger announced Neary 's firing Tuesday in a statement , saying , `` Neary was relieved due to a loss of trust and confidence in his ability to serve in command . ''
The statement did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and did n't mention the probe .
The general took the office in July after relinquishing the posts of II Marine Expeditionary Force deputy commander and commander of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade .
He joined the Corps in 1988 and was a career infantry officer in Operation Desert Shield Desert Storm as a company commander and as a battalion commander during Operation Iraqi Freedom , Marine Corps Times reported , according to his official unit biography , which has since been removed .
Marine Col. Jame Iulo will be acting commander of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release .

Maj. Gen. Stephen Neary (R), who met with Senegalese naval chief of staff Rear Adm. Oumar Wade (L) earlier this month, has since been relieved of his command. File Photo by Staff Sgt. Brytani Musick/U.S. Marine Corps
Oct. 20 (UPI) -- The top commander of the U.S. Marine Corps in Europe and Africa, under investigation for his use of a racial slur, has been fired. Maj. Gen. Stephen Neary was relieved of his command on Monday, after a little over three months in the post. Advertisement
An investigation was opened into Neary's behavior at a physical training exercise in August at the Marines' Stuttgart-area headquarters in Germany, Stars and Stripes reported.
Loud rap music was playing, including lyrics with racial epithets. Neary, who is White, asked junior troops how they would feel if he said the N-word, according to a Marine who was there, speaking to Stripes on the condition of anonymity.
NBC, quoting unnamed military officials, also reported the probe was centered on allegations that Neary used the slur in front of troops at the event.
Commandant Gen. David Berger announced Neary's firing Tuesday in a statement, saying, "Neary was relieved due to a loss of trust and confidence in his ability to serve in command."
The statement did not include details about why Neary was fired and didn't mention the probe.
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The general took the office in July after relinquishing the posts of II Marine Expeditionary Force deputy commander and commander of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
He joined the Corps in 1988 and was a career infantry officer in Operation Desert Shield Desert Storm as a company commander and as a battalion commander during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Marine Corps Times reported, according to his official unit biography, which has since been removed.
Marine Col. Jame Iulo will be acting commander of the forces, according to a press release.


upi--2020-10-20--USS Zumwalt successfully conducts first missile test

Oct. 20 ( UPI ) -- The first live fire test of the MK 57 Vertical Launching System on the first-in-class USS Zumwalt , using a Standard Missile-2 , was executed successfully on the Naval Air Weapons Center Weapons Division Sea Test Range , Point Mugu , earlier this month .
The Zumwalt , delivered to the Navy in April , successfully showed off its ability to detect , track and engage an anti-ship cruise missile with an SM-2 , the U.S. Navy announced this week .
The test also assessed the ship 's ability to hold up against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with any hazards and degradations resulting from the live firing , the Navy said .
`` Today 's successful test not only demonstrates the ship 's capability to fire missiles and conduct self-defense , it is also a significant step toward more advanced combat system testing and operations for our Navy 's most technically innovative warship , '' DDG 1000 program manager Capt .
Matt Schroeder said Monday in a press release .
At 610 feet long and 80 feet wide , which is 100 feet longer and 13 feet wider than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the space to conduct a wide array of surface , undersea and aviation missions , the Navy has said .
Zumwalt 's commanding officer Capt .
Gary Cave said the test was `` a critical milestone , '' and thanked crew , designers , engineers and programmers for helping it succeed through `` a tremendous amount of hard work . ''
`` It is a day we 've been looking forward to and demonstrates the strides we are taking to add combat capability to our surface force , '' Cave said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next year through continuing tactical training and operational scenario engagement of the warship , which is homeported in San Diego , the Navy said .

The USS Zumwalt's had its first missile test earlier this month on the Naval Air Weapons Center Weapons Division Sea Test Range, Point Mogu. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy
Oct. 20 (UPI) -- The first live fire test of the MK 57 Vertical Launching System on the first-in-class USS Zumwalt, using a Standard Missile-2, was executed successfully on the Naval Air Weapons Center Weapons Division Sea Test Range, Point Mugu, earlier this month. The Zumwalt, delivered to the Navy in April, successfully showed off its ability to detect, track and engage an anti-ship cruise missile with an SM-2, the U.S. Navy announced this week. Advertisement
The test also assessed the ship's ability to hold up against the shock and vibration of weapon firing, along with any hazards and degradations resulting from the live firing, the Navy said.
"Today's successful test not only demonstrates the ship's capability to fire missiles and conduct self-defense, it is also a significant step toward more advanced combat system testing and operations for our Navy's most technically innovative warship," DDG 1000 program manager Capt. Matt Schroeder said Monday in a press release.
At 610 feet long and 80 feet wide, which is 100 feet longer and 13 feet wider than the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, Zumwalt has the space to conduct a wide array of surface, undersea and aviation missions, the Navy has said.
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Zumwalt's commanding officer Capt. Gary Cave said the test was "a critical milestone," and thanked crew, designers, engineers and programmers for helping it succeed through "a tremendous amount of hard work."
"It is a day we've been looking forward to and demonstrates the strides we are taking to add combat capability to our surface force," Cave said.
The goal is to obtain Initial Operational Capability next year through continuing tactical training and operational scenario engagement of the warship, which is homeported in San Diego, the Navy said.


upi--2020-10-20--Space Station air leak repaired with help from floating tea leaves

Oct. 20 ( UPI ) -- The crew of the International Space Station plugged a longstanding air leak after locating @ @ @ @ @ of a tea bag .
Russian space agency Roscosmos said the station had been experiencing @ @ @ @ @ September 2019 , but the leak was minor enough that fixing it was n't considered @ @ @ @ @ rate increased in August .
Roscosmos said the source of the leak was finally found @ @ @ @ @ open a tea bag , allowing leaves to float free in the transfer chamber of @ @ @ @ @ of the station .
The crew sealed off the area and monitored the leaves on @ @ @ @ @ the tiny tea fragments were floating toward a scratch in the wall that was then @ @ @ @ @ of the leak .
The leak was patched Monday using Kapton tape .

Cosmonauts and astronauts aboard the International Space Station repaired an air leak after more than a year when cosmonaut Anatoly Ivanishin used the leaves from a tea bag to pinpoint the location of the leak. File Photo by NASA/UPI | License Photo
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Oct. 20 (UPI) -- The crew of the International Space Station plugged a longstanding air leak after locating the source with the help of a tea bag. Russian space agency Roscosmos said the station had been experiencing a mysterious air leak since September 2019, but the leak was minor enough that fixing it wasn't considered a priority until the leak rate increased in August. Advertisement
Roscosmos said the source of the leak was finally found when cosmonaut Anatoly Ivanishin broke open a tea bag, allowing leaves to float free in the transfer chamber of the Zvezda Service Module area of the station.
The crew sealed off the area and monitored the leaves on video cameras, noting that the tiny tea fragments were floating toward a scratch in the wall that was then confirmed to be the source of the leak.
The leak was patched Monday using Kapton tape.