upi--2020-11-02--San Francisco 49ers trade LB Kwon Alexander to New Orleans Saints

Nov. 2 ( UPI ) -- The San Francisco 49ers agreed to trade veteran linebacker Kwon Alexander to the New Orleans Saints , the team announced Monday .
The Saints acquired Alexander from the 49ers in exchange for linebacker Kiko Alonso and a conditional fifth-round draft pick .
`` Kwon 's time with our team might not have been long but it was very impactful , '' 49ers general manager John Lynch said in a statement Monday .
`` A tremendous teammate , his non-stop motor , ferocious play and selfless nature helped establish a standard for our locker room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behalf of the entire organization , I want to wish Kwon all the best and thank him for all of his contributions to our team . ''
Both Alonso and Alexander are on the mend from injuries .
Alexander has missed the past three weeks because of a high ankle sprain , but he returned to practice last week .
Meanwhile , Alonso has yet to play this season after suffering a torn ACL in January .
He also returned to practice last month .
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Alexander in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of LSU .
He spent his first four seasons with the Buccaneers and made the Pro Bowl in 2017 before joining the 49ers in free agency prior to the 2019 campaign .
In five games this season , the 26-year-old Alexander has notched 30 total tackles , one sack and a forced fumble .
He has 444 tackles , 8.5 sacks , eight forced fumbles and seven interceptions in 59 career games between the Bucs and Niners .
Alonso , a 2013 second-round draft pick , has now been traded four times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent time with the Buffalo Bills , Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles .

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Kwon Alexander (56) has recorded 30 total tackles and one sack in five games this season. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 2 (UPI) -- The San Francisco 49ers agreed to trade veteran linebacker Kwon Alexander to the New Orleans Saints, the team announced Monday. The Saints acquired Alexander from the 49ers in exchange for linebacker Kiko Alonso and a conditional fifth-round draft pick. Advertisement
"Kwon's time with our team might not have been long but it was very impactful," 49ers general manager John Lynch said in a statement Monday. "A tremendous teammate, his non-stop motor, ferocious play and selfless nature helped establish a standard for our locker room that will carry on.
"On behalf of the entire organization, I want to wish Kwon all the best and thank him for all of his contributions to our team."
Both Alonso and Alexander are on the mend from injuries. Alexander has missed the past three weeks because of a high ankle sprain, but he returned to practice last week.
Meanwhile, Alonso has yet to play this season after suffering a torn ACL in January. He also returned to practice last month.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Alexander in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of LSU. He spent his first four seasons with the Buccaneers and made the Pro Bowl in 2017 before joining the 49ers in free agency prior to the 2019 campaign.
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In five games this season, the 26-year-old Alexander has notched 30 total tackles, one sack and a forced fumble. He has 444 tackles, 8.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles and seven interceptions in 59 career games between the Bucs and Niners.
Alonso, a 2013 second-round draft pick, has now been traded four times in his eight-year career. He previously spent time with the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-11-02--Jack Dorsey remains CEO of Twitter after board demands performance targets

Nov. 2 ( UPI ) -- Jack Dorsey remains CEO of Twitter after board members voted to keep the current CEO structure , but the company is looking at a CEO succession plan , it said .
In a filing Monday with the Securities and Exchange Commission , the company announced that the board had `` expressed its confidence in management and recommended that the current structure remain in place . ''
Members of activist hedge fund Elliot Management , which owns a 4 % stock in Twitter , had questioned Dorsey 's effectiveness , since he is also the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Activist investor Paul Singer had also challenged Dorsey 's stated plan to move to Africa for 3-6 months because the continent was `` the future . ''
The Africa plan was later scrapped .
The board developed a management structure committee to review Dorsey and his team going forward .
The leadership team must follow new performance targets , the report said .
The board also said Monday it would vote to adopt `` governance changes '' to make Twitter more receptive to shareholders , including moving board elections to one-year terms .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ updated the CEO succession plan in line with best practices . ''
Dorsey faced angry questioning from Republican Senators earlier this month in a special hearing with CEOs of Facebook and Google to examine liability on social media under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act .
Republicans complained about tech companies blocking conservative content .
President Donald Trump has called out Twitter for flagging his tweets as inaccurate or misleading .
In July , the Twitter accounts of 130 high-profile people , including Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and Tesla CEO Elon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breached .

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey testifies remotely at a hearing to discuss reforming Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act with big tech companies on Wednesday, October 28, in Washington, D.C. Pool Photo by Greg Nash/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Jack Dorsey remains CEO of Twitter after board members voted to keep the current CEO structure, but the company is looking at a CEO succession plan, it said. In a filing Monday with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company announced that the board had "expressed its confidence in management and recommended that the current structure remain in place." Advertisement
Members of activist hedge fund Elliot Management, which owns a 4% stock in Twitter, had questioned Dorsey's effectiveness, since he is also the CEO of finance tech company Square.
Activist investor Paul Singer had also challenged Dorsey's stated plan to move to Africa for 3-6 months because the continent was "the future." The Africa plan was later scrapped.
The board developed a management structure committee to review Dorsey and his team going forward. The leadership team must follow new performance targets, the report said.
The board also said Monday it would vote to adopt "governance changes" to make Twitter more receptive to shareholders, including moving board elections to one-year terms. The company also said it had "updated the CEO succession plan in line with best practices."
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Dorsey faced angry questioning from Republican Senators earlier this month in a special hearing with CEOs of Facebook and Google to examine liability on social media under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
Republicans complained about tech companies blocking conservative content. President Donald Trump has called out Twitter for flagging his tweets as inaccurate or misleading.
In July, the Twitter accounts of 130 high-profile people, including Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, were hacked and 45 were breached.


upi--2020-11-02--Ole Miss TE Damarcus Thomas 'doing well' after serious injury in practice

Nov. 2 ( UPI ) -- Ole Miss Rebels freshman tight end Damarcus Thomas was released from the hospital after suffering a serious injury during practice Monday that initially left him without any feeling in his body .
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin was visibly distraught as he met with reporters during his media availability after practice , saying Thomas was `` potentially severely injured . ''
He noted that Thomas had to be airlifted to the hospital .
Later Monday , the school announced that Thomas was doing well and being discharged from the hospital .
`` Damarcus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical tests came back normal , and he is being released from the hospital , '' Pat Jernigan , Ole Miss assistant athletic director for sports medicine , said in a statement .
`` Our physicians will be following up with him in the coming days for further evaluation . ''
The 18-year-old Thomas is from Whatley , Ala .
He has appeared in five games for the Rebels this season .
Thomas , who was a three-star prospect , signed with Ole Miss over offers from Southern Miss , South Alabama and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miss is coming off a 54-21 win over Vanderbilt on Saturday , moving to 2-4 during Kiffin 's first season as head coach at the school .

Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Ole Miss Rebels freshman tight end Damarcus Thomas was released from the hospital after suffering a serious injury during practice Monday that initially left him without any feeling in his body.
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin was visibly distraught as he met with reporters during his media availability after practice, saying Thomas was "potentially severely injured." He noted that Thomas had to be airlifted to the hospital.
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Later Monday, the school announced that Thomas was doing well and being discharged from the hospital.
"Damarcus is doing well. All of his medical tests came back normal, and he is being released from the hospital," Pat Jernigan, Ole Miss assistant athletic director for sports medicine, said in a statement. "Our physicians will be following up with him in the coming days for further evaluation."
Keeping Damarcus in our thoughts and prayers. pic.twitter.com/4LU5J8buLv— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) November 2, 2020
The 18-year-old Thomas is from Whatley, Ala. He has appeared in five games for the Rebels this season.
Thomas, who was a three-star prospect, signed with Ole Miss over offers from Southern Miss, South Alabama and Tulane, among other schools.
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Ole Miss is coming off a 54-21 win over Vanderbilt on Saturday, moving to 2-4 during Kiffin's first season as head coach at the school.


upi--2020-11-02--Vienna attack: 'Several' killed, many injured, in 'hardest day for Austria'

Nov. 2 ( UPI ) -- Austria 's interior minister said early Tuesday morning that the death toll in a terrorist shooting in Vienna Monday night has increased .
Karl Nehammer said `` several '' people had died and at least one of the shooters was still on the loose in a press conference .
Nehammer told people to avoid the city center and said school children could stay home and residents should work from home if possible on Tuesday .
`` This is the hardest day for Austria for many years , '' Nehammer said .
Around 8 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire in multiple locations , including the street near a synagogue , police said .
One suspected attacker , shot and killed by police outside St. Rupert 's church , was carrying an explosive belt and had a bag filled with ammunition .
De-mining experts were trying to diffuse the belt , police said .
Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz called the incident `` definitely a terror attack '' and said it had been `` very professionally '' planned .
The shooting began in central Vienna in the 1st District Seitenstettengasse neighborhood , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ synagogue .
`` It can not be said at the moment whether the city temple was one of the goals , '' tweeted Oskar Deitch , an Austrian Jewish leader , who asked all temple members to remain inside `` until the all-clear from the security authorities . ''
City police halted all public buses and subways in central Vienna and told people to shelter in place .
After bystanders posted photos and videos to social media , police took to Twitter asking them to remove the images and send them to investigators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus lockdown that was to start at midnight brought many people to the streets in Vienna like Julia Hiermann , who told CNN she was having drinks with a friend in a restaurant .
As the shooting began , she said restaurant staff told them to hide in the basement .
`` Everyone ran down and then we started realizing what 's going on , '' she said .
`` This seems unimaginable .
When they said shots fired I did n't think this was serious , '' she added .
French President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sorrow felt by the Austrian people .
`` After France , it is a friendly country that is under attack , '' Macron said .
`` This is our Europe .
Our enemies must know who they are dealing with .
We will yield nothing . ''
France has experienced at least two terrorist attacks recently , with the beheading of a Paris school teacher and a fatal stabbing that killed three people at a church in Nice .
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted : `` We are saddened to receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wounded as a result of the terrorist attack that took place in Vienna .
We strongly condemn this attack ... extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wish speedy recovery to the wounded .
As a country that has been fighting against all sorts of terrorism for decades Turkey stands in solidarity with the Austrian people . ''

Austrian police officers guard The Vienna State Opera after a shooting near the Stadttempel synagogue in Vienna, Austria. Photo by Christian Bruna/EPA
Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Austria's interior minister said early Tuesday morning that the death toll in a terrorist shooting in Vienna Monday night has increased. Karl Nehammer said "several" people had died and at least one of the shooters was still on the loose in a press conference. Nehammer told people to avoid the city center and said school children could stay home and residents should work from home if possible on Tuesday. Advertisement
"This is the hardest day for Austria for many years," Nehammer said.
Around 8 p.m., shooters armed with automatic rifles opened fire in multiple locations, including the street near a synagogue, police said.
One suspected attacker, shot and killed by police outside St. Rupert's church, was carrying an explosive belt and had a bag filled with ammunition. De-mining experts were trying to diffuse the belt, police said.
Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz called the incident "definitely a terror attack" and said it had been "very professionally" planned.
Vienna police told residents to "stay home" and avoid public transportation.
The shooting began in central Vienna in the 1st District Seitenstettengasse neighborhood, including in the street front of the Stadttempel synagogue.
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"It cannot be said at the moment whether the city temple was one of the goals," tweeted Oskar Deitch, an Austrian Jewish leader, who asked all temple members to remain inside "until the all-clear from the security authorities."
City police halted all public buses and subways in central Vienna and told people to shelter in place.
After bystanders posted photos and videos to social media, police took to Twitter asking them to remove the images and send them to investigators instead.
Mild weather and an impending coronavirus lockdown that was to start at midnight brought many people to the streets in Vienna like Julia Hiermann, who told CNN she was having drinks with a friend in a restaurant. As the shooting began, she said restaurant staff told them to hide in the basement.
"Everyone ran down and then we started realizing what's going on," she said. "This seems unimaginable. When they said shots fired I didn't think this was serious," she added.
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted that France understood the sorrow felt by the Austrian people.
"After France, it is a friendly country that is under attack," Macron said. "This is our Europe. Our enemies must know who they are dealing with. We will yield nothing."
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France has experienced at least two terrorist attacks recently, with the beheading of a Paris school teacher and a fatal stabbing that killed three people at a church in Nice.
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted: "We are saddened to receive the news that there are dead and wounded as a result of the terrorist attack that took place in Vienna. We strongly condemn this attack ... extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wish speedy recovery to the wounded. As a country that has been fighting against all sorts of terrorism for decades Turkey stands in solidarity with the Austrian people."


upi--2020-11-02--Hurricane Eta set to batter Central America as Category 4 storm

Nov. 2 ( UPI ) -- Eta , the 28th named storm and the 12th hurricane of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season , strengthened into a powerful Category 4 hurricane over the western Caribbean Monday afternoon .
Forecasters warned that further strengthening of the hurricane is possible and Eta could approach Category 5 hurricane force -- which would make it a very dangerous major hurricane -- before slamming into Central America with potentially disastrous impacts Tuesday .
In its 7 p.m. update , the National Hurricane Center said that Eta was located about 70 miles east-southeast of Cabo Gracias a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Honduras and 70 miles east-northeast of Puerto Cabezas , Nicaragua .
It was moving west-southwest at 9 mph with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph .
AccuWeather meteorologists on Monday raised the rating for Eta a 4 on the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes as it is projected to make landfall in Central America early Tuesday , posing a host of dangers including a life-threatening storm surge , catastrophic flooding rainfall and destructive winds .
Earlier in the day , the storm was rated a 3 after initially being rated a 2 on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tropical depression over the weekend .
When Eta reached Category 4 strength , it acheived a rare feat for this late in the season .
Only three Category 4 hurricanes -- Lenny in 1999 , Michelle in 2001 , and Paloma in 2008 -- and one Category 5 hurricane -- the Cuba Hurricane of 1932 -- have developed in the Atlantic during November .
Forecasters say Eta could have similar impact to that of Hurricane Mitch from 1998 .
Mitch struck around the same point of the season , meandered over Central America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More than 11,000 people lost their lives due to catastrophic flooding from Mitch .
The storm has already written new pages in the record books before the potentially devastating hit to Nicaragua and Honduras .
When Eta became a tropical storm on Saturday evening , the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season tied 2005 for generating the most tropical storms in one season .
The National Hurricane Center had never used the name Eta before this storm , making it the farthest the center ever dipped into the Greek alphabet to name a tropical storm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use Greek letters to name Atlantic storms after the season 's designated list was exhausted .

Tropical Storm Eta was expected to remain offshore over the next few days but bring life-threatening surf and rip currents to the southeastern coast of the United States. Photo courtesy of NOAA
Nov. 11 (UPI) -- After making its second landfall in Florida overnight, Tropical Storm Eta began moving offshore, where it's expected to skirt along the East Coast before heading out to sea. In its 10 p.m. EST advisory, the National Hurricane Center said the center of the storm was located about 65 miles east-southeast of Charleston, S.C., and was moving northeast at 17 mph. It had maximum sustained winds of 45. Advertisement
Eta is likely to remain a tropical storm over the next few days as it picks up speed, but could intensify into a non-tropical cyclone over the weekend.
"On the forecast track, Eta is expected to accelerate over the western Atlantic and move parallel to, but offshore of the Carolinas tonight and early Friday before heading well east of the Mid-Atlantic coast by late Friday," the NHC said in an earlier update.
There were no coastal watches or warnings in place throughout the region.
Eta was expected to bring an additional 1 inch to 3 inches of rain to the Florida peninsula Thursday, with localized flooding in some areas. The storm was also forecast to bring swells along the southeastern coast, including life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.


upi--2020-11-02--Breeders' Cup field  set; Improbable favorite for $6 million Classic

Nov. 2 ( UPI ) -- With `` Horse of the Year '' honors and lots of other year-end hardware on the line , the fields for the Breeders ' Cup World Championships were finalized Monday with a generous sprinkling of international challengers .
The 14 races , worth $ 31 million , run Friday and Saturday at Keeneland in Lexington , Ky. , the epicenter of the North American Thoroughbred breeding and racing season .
Beautiful weather is in prospect .
Spectators are not , as COVID-19 pandemic precautions prohibit them .
Despite the pandemic , strong contingents from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japan arguably make the weekend the most international of any racing event since the $ 20 million Saudi Cup in Riyadh .
Five races on `` Future Stars Friday '' are for 2-year-olds , on both turf and dirt .
Saturday 's nine-race card has heavyweights on both surfaces , culminating in the $ 2 million Longines Distaff , $ 4 million Longines Turf and the $ 6 million Longines Classic .
The Classic , run at 1 1/4 miles , is likely to determine the Horse of the Year and also could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ male .
Improbable , Maximum Security and Tom 's d'Etat top the roster of older horses , while this year 's Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Law and Kentucky Derby winner Authentic represent the 3-year-old division .
The Preakness Stakes winner , Swiss Skydiver , was entered for the Classic , but instead will contest the Distaff .
Trainer Bob Baffert has a strong hand , to say the least , as he seeks his fourth win in the Classic .
Baffert trains the 5-2 morning-line favorite Improbable , as well as Authentic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brings a three-race winning streak , all in Grade I races , to Keeneland .
Maximum Security , who will be remembered forever for his disqualification from victory in the 2019 Kentucky Derby , has won 10 of 13 races but finished second to Improbable in his last start .
Authentic , a five-time winner , was second to Swiss Skydiver in the Preakness .
Improbable drew gate No .
8 in the 10-horse field , Authentic , No .
9 and Maximum Security , No .
10 .
Tiz the Law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Preakness after his Triple Crown chances ended with a second-place finish behind Authentic at Churchill Downs .
He drew gate No .
2 for the 1 1/4-mile Classic .
The 1 1/2-mile Turf is a magnificent showdown between proven Europeans and tested Americans .
The joker in the deck is that most of the invaders have run their last races on very wet turf , making their form hard to judge as they face what promises to be a firm surface at Keeneland .
Enable 's retirement after her loss in the Prix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the race .
But the rest of the overseas contingent packs plenty of punch .
Magical finished second to Enable in this race two years ago in a dramatic finish at Churchill Downs and has scored three Group 1 wins this season in Ireland for trainer Aidan O'Brien and the powerful Coolmore operation .
She was installed as the 5-2 early favorite , starting from the No .
2 post with Ryan Moore up .
Mogul is the 3-year-old hope for the same connections after a win last time out in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tarnawa , racing for the Aga Khan , won prestigious Group 1 events in France in her last two starts .
Lord North , winner of this year 's Qipco 2000 Guineas , and German-based Donjah , add to the international intrigue .
The North American rivals in the Turf include United , second in this race last year , Channel Maker , and Arklow .
United has won three of his last four starts and the horse who beat him in the other , Red King , also is in this field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of top-level American turf racing this year .
The Distaff took on a new complexion with the decision to put Swiss Skydiver in the field rather than try the Classic .
Without her in the race , the remarkable Monomoy Girl would have been the overwhelming favorite .
The 5-year-old mare won six of seven starts in 2018 , including the Distaff at Churchill Downs , then missed 18 months with various woes .
She returned in May and has won all three starts by open lengths .
Monomoy Girl is the 8-5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 2-1 .
After the top two , the Distaff looks very competitive with improving West Coast 3-year-old Harvest Moon perhaps posing a threat .
The other races , very briefly : The $ 2 million Mile on the turf has an incredibly tough European contingent lead by English 2000 Guineas winner Kameko and Phoenix Stakes and Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Siskin .
Now 6-year-old One Master just missed with a late run in the 2018 Mile .
Safe Voyage has claims and O'Brien brings Circus Maximus , Lope Y Fernandez and Order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local team .
Trainer Chad Brown has three , including last year 's winner , Uni .
Ivar , a local winner last time out , is the 4-1 morning-line pick in an excellent wagering event .
Yaupon C Z Rocket and Vekoma top the morning line in the $ 2 million Sprint on the dirt track .
But this 6-furlongs cavalry charge really is wide open with everything from 7-year-old Whitmore to a 3-year-old making just his third career start , to Japanese runner Jasper Prince .
The $ 2 million Filly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tough Europeans and a diverse bunch of Americans .
Half Light , one of a small Godolphin Racing contingent in this year 's event , and Peaceful , representing Coolmore , and the Jessica Harrington-trained Cayenne Pepper figure among the Euros .
Brown again packs a powerful punch with the likes of 2018 winner Sistercharlie , Rushing Fall , Nay Lady Nay and My Sister Nat .
The $ 1 million Dirt Mile has a field of 10 with Complexity -- a relatively unusual dirt contender for turf maestro Chad Brown -- as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Complexity had a breakthrough in his last start , winning the Grade II Kelso at Belmont Park by 2 1/2 lengths , earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 110 .
The $ 1 million Turf Sprint features Got Stormy as the 7-2 early pick starting from the No .
12 gate in a field of 14 .
She was second behind Uni in last year 's Mile , and comes off a win in the Buffalo Trace Franklin County Stakes over the same Keeneland turf and the same 5 1/2 furlongs .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a short field of nine , perhaps because of the presence of the Baffert-trained Gamine .
She has finished first in four of her five starts and was third in the Kentucky Oaks , finishing only 1 1/2 lengths behind runner-up Swiss Skydiver despite going well beyond her preferred distance .
This 7 furlongs should fit like a glove .
Serengeti Empress , last year 's Kentucky Oaks winner , was a fading third in last year 's Distaff and fits better here .
Friday 's races for the 2-year-olds also feature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early prospects for the 2019 U.S .
Triple Crown .
As always with the juvenile races , it 's wise to take things with a grain or two of salt as early developers can do well at 2 , and then fail to progress the following year .

Improbable, shown winning the Gold Cup at Santa Anita earlier this year, is the morning-line favorite for Saturday's $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic. Photo courtesy of Santa Anita
Nov. 2 (UPI) -- With "Horse of the Year" honors and lots of other year-end hardware on the line, the fields for the Breeders' Cup World Championships were finalized Monday with a generous sprinkling of international challengers. The 14 races, worth $31 million, run Friday and Saturday at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., the epicenter of the North American Thoroughbred breeding and racing season. Beautiful weather is in prospect. Spectators are not, as COVID-19 pandemic precautions prohibit them. Advertisement
Despite the pandemic, strong contingents from Ireland, England, Europe and even Japan arguably make the weekend the most international of any racing event since the $20 million Saudi Cup in Riyadh.
Five races on "Future Stars Friday" are for 2-year-olds, on both turf and dirt. Saturday's nine-race card has heavyweights on both surfaces, culminating in the $2 million Longines Distaff, $4 million Longines Turf and the $6 million Longines Classic.
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The Classic, run at 1 1/4 miles, is likely to determine the Horse of the Year and also could determine the Eclipse Award for best 3-year-old male. Improbable, Maximum Security and Tom's d'Etat top the roster of older horses, while this year's Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Law and Kentucky Derby winner Authentic represent the 3-year-old division. The Preakness Stakes winner, Swiss Skydiver, was entered for the Classic, but instead will contest the Distaff.
Trainer Bob Baffert has a strong hand, to say the least, as he seeks his fourth win in the Classic. Baffert trains the 5-2 morning-line favorite Improbable, as well as Authentic, Maximum Security and Improbable.
Improbable brings a three-race winning streak, all in Grade I races, to Keeneland.
Maximum Security, who will be remembered forever for his disqualification from victory in the 2019 Kentucky Derby, has won 10 of 13 races but finished second to Improbable in his last start.
Authentic, a five-time winner, was second to Swiss Skydiver in the Preakness. Improbable drew gate No. 8 in the 10-horse field, Authentic, No. 9 and Maximum Security, No. 10.
Tiz the Law, trained by Barclay Tagg, skipped the Preakness after his Triple Crown chances ended with a second-place finish behind Authentic at Churchill Downs. He drew gate No. 2 for the 1 1/4-mile Classic.
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The 1 1/2-mile Turf is a magnificent showdown between proven Europeans and tested Americans. The joker in the deck is that most of the invaders have run their last races on very wet turf, making their form hard to judge as they face what promises to be a firm surface at Keeneland.
Enable's retirement after her loss in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was a blow to the race. But the rest of the overseas contingent packs plenty of punch.
Magical finished second to Enable in this race two years ago in a dramatic finish at Churchill Downs and has scored three Group 1 wins this season in Ireland for trainer Aidan O'Brien and the powerful Coolmore operation.
She was installed as the 5-2 early favorite, starting from the No. 2 post with Ryan Moore up.
Mogul is the 3-year-old hope for the same connections after a win last time out in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris. Tarnawa, racing for the Aga Khan, won prestigious Group 1 events in France in her last two starts.
Lord North, winner of this year's Qipco 2000 Guineas, and German-based Donjah, add to the international intrigue.
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The North American rivals in the Turf include United, second in this race last year, Channel Maker, and Arklow. United has won three of his last four starts and the horse who beat him in the other, Red King, also is in this field -- an indication of the competitive nature of top-level American turf racing this year.
The Distaff took on a new complexion with the decision to put Swiss Skydiver in the field rather than try the Classic. Without her in the race, the remarkable Monomoy Girl would have been the overwhelming favorite.
The 5-year-old mare won six of seven starts in 2018, including the Distaff at Churchill Downs, then missed 18 months with various woes. She returned in May and has won all three starts by open lengths.
Monomoy Girl is the 8-5 favorite, closely followed by Swiss Skydiver at 2-1. After the top two, the Distaff looks very competitive with improving West Coast 3-year-old Harvest Moon perhaps posing a threat.
The other races, very briefly:
The $2 million Mile on the turf has an incredibly tough European contingent lead by English 2000 Guineas winner Kameko and Phoenix Stakes and Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Siskin.
Now 6-year-old One Master just missed with a late run in the 2018 Mile. Safe Voyage has claims and O'Brien brings Circus Maximus, Lope Y Fernandez and Order of Australia.
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They face a strong local team. Trainer Chad Brown has three, including last year's winner, Uni. Ivar, a local winner last time out, is the 4-1 morning-line pick in an excellent wagering event.
Yaupon C Z Rocket and Vekoma top the morning line in the $2 million Sprint on the dirt track. But this 6-furlongs cavalry charge really is wide open with everything from 7-year-old Whitmore to a 3-year-old making just his third career start, to Japanese runner Jasper Prince.
The $2 million Filly & Mare Turf is another showdown between tough Europeans and a diverse bunch of Americans. Half Light, one of a small Godolphin Racing contingent in this year's event, and Peaceful, representing Coolmore, and the Jessica Harrington-trained Cayenne Pepper figure among the Euros.
Brown again packs a powerful punch with the likes of 2018 winner Sistercharlie, Rushing Fall, Nay Lady Nay and My Sister Nat.
The $1 million Dirt Mile has a field of 10 with Complexity -- a relatively unusual dirt contender for turf maestro Chad Brown -- as the favorite on the morning line. Complexity had a breakthrough in his last start, winning the Grade II Kelso at Belmont Park by 2 1/2 lengths, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 110.
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The $1 million Turf Sprint features Got Stormy as the 7-2 early pick starting from the No. 12 gate in a field of 14. She was second behind Uni in last year's Mile, and comes off a win in the Buffalo Trace Franklin County Stakes over the same Keeneland turf and the same 5 1/2 furlongs.
The $1 million Filly & Mare Sprint has a short field of nine, perhaps because of the presence of the Baffert-trained Gamine. She has finished first in four of her five starts and was third in the Kentucky Oaks, finishing only 1 1/2 lengths behind runner-up Swiss Skydiver despite going well beyond her preferred distance.
This 7 furlongs should fit like a glove. Serengeti Empress, last year's Kentucky Oaks winner, was a fading third in last year's Distaff and fits better here.
Friday's races for the 2-year-olds also feature some top European grass runners and some early prospects for the 2019 U.S. Triple Crown. As always with the juvenile races, it's wise to take things with a grain or two of salt as early developers can do well at 2, and then fail to progress the following year.


upi--2020-11-02--NFL suspends Bears' Javon Wims for fight with Saints' C.J. Gardner-Johnson

Nov. 2 ( UPI ) -- The NFL suspended Chicago Bears wide receiver Javon Wims for two games following his on-field scuffle with New Orleans Saints defensive back C.J .
Gardner-Johnson , the league announced Monday .
The incident occurred during the third quarter of the Saints ' 26-23 overtime win over the Bears on Sunday .
Chicago quarterback Nick Foles completed a 5-yard pass to receiver Allen Robinson before cameras caught Wims running up to confront Gardner-Johnson from behind .
Wims appeared to reach for Gardner-Johnson 's mouthpiece before punching him in the helmet with his right hand .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ helmet before both players wrestled each other to the ground .
Wims was ejected for his role in the scuffle , but Gardner-Johnson was allowed to remain in the game .
Before the league handed down Wims ' two-game ban , Gardner-Johnson denied instigating the fight in Sunday 's game .
His denial came after NFL Media reported that Wims told Bears officials he was spit on by Gardner-Johnson prior to the punch .
Although cameras captured Gardner-Johnson ripping out Wims ' mouthpiece and sticking a finger in the face of fellow Bears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gardner-Johnson insisted Monday that he was `` innocent . ''
`` It ai n't got nothing to do with me .
If he 's acting out , that 's on him , '' Gardner-Johnson said .
`` It was n't no accident .
We won the game .
I mean , everybody , it 's a lot of he said , he said .
Ai n't nothing happened .
Nobody got spit on .
`` Should n't be nowhere near the field of play when the game 's going on .
So I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that . ''
Gardner-Johnson also took a verbal jab at Wims on social media after the game .
On Instagram , he wrote : `` That man punch like a female . ''
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Wims has appealed the suspension .
His hearing is set for Tuesday .
Following Sunday 's game , Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy said he was `` bothered '' when Wims threw punches at Gardner-Johnson .
`` I am really , really bothered by that third-quarter incident , '' Nagy told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I am proud of the guys that played hard and were selfless and tried to do everything they could to help us win . ''
Nagy also said he was looking down and did n't see the sequence , but called Wims ' actions `` unacceptable . ''
`` We have talked to him and told him that 's not how things go here , '' Nagy said .
`` One of Javon 's strengths is his character and who he is as a person .
`` He has since apologized , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game for that .
That 's not how we roll here . ''
Saints head coach Sean Payton praised his players for being disciplined during the scuffle .
`` We just had to be smart and not allow that to dictate or have a part in the conclusion of the game and who wins or loses , '' Payton said .
`` And that just takes discipline , we 've got to continue to work on that .
And fortunately , it did n't impact any of our players . ''
Wims had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bears ' loss .
The third-year wide receiver has five catches for 35 yards and a touchdown on the season .
Gardner-Johnson had seven tackles and two tackles for a loss for the Saints .
The Saints ( 5-2 ) battle the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 8:20 p.m. EDT on Sunday in Tampa , Fla .
The Bears ( 5-3 ) face the Tennessee Titans at 1 p.m. EDT on Sunday in Nashville .

Chicago Bears wide receiver Javon Wims was suspended two games for throwing punches during the team's loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in Chicago. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 2 (UPI) -- The NFL suspended Chicago Bears wide receiver Javon Wims for two games following his on-field scuffle with New Orleans Saints defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the league announced Monday. The incident occurred during the third quarter of the Saints' 26-23 overtime win over the Bears on Sunday. Chicago quarterback Nick Foles completed a 5-yard pass to receiver Allen Robinson before cameras caught Wims running up to confront Gardner-Johnson from behind. Advertisement
Wims appeared to reach for Gardner-Johnson's mouthpiece before punching him in the helmet with his right hand. Wims then struck Gardner-Johnson again in the helmet before both players wrestled each other to the ground.
Wims was ejected for his role in the scuffle, but Gardner-Johnson was allowed to remain in the game.
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Before the league handed down Wims' two-game ban, Gardner-Johnson denied instigating the fight in Sunday's game. His denial came after NFL Media reported that Wims told Bears officials he was spit on by Gardner-Johnson prior to the punch.
Although cameras captured Gardner-Johnson ripping out Wims' mouthpiece and sticking a finger in the face of fellow Bears wideout Anthony Miller on previous plays, Gardner-Johnson insisted Monday that he was "innocent."
"It ain't got nothing to do with me. If he's acting out, that's on him," Gardner-Johnson said. "It wasn't no accident. We won the game. I mean, everybody, it's a lot of he said, he said. Ain't nothing happened. Nobody got spit on.
"Shouldn't be nowhere near the field of play when the game's going on. So I ain't answering no more questions about that."
Gardner-Johnson also took a verbal jab at Wims on social media after the game. On Instagram, he wrote: "That man punch like a female."
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Wims has appealed the suspension. His hearing is set for Tuesday.
Following Sunday's game, Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy said he was "bothered" when Wims threw punches at Gardner-Johnson.
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"I am really, really bothered by that third-quarter incident," Nagy told reporters Sunday. "It bothers me. I am proud of the guys that played hard and were selfless and tried to do everything they could to help us win."
Nagy also said he was looking down and didn't see the sequence, but called Wims' actions "unacceptable."
"We have talked to him and told him that's not how things go here," Nagy said. "One of Javon's strengths is his character and who he is as a person.
"He has since apologized, but there is no part in this game for that. That's not how we roll here."
Saints head coach Sean Payton praised his players for being disciplined during the scuffle.
"We just had to be smart and not allow that to dictate or have a part in the conclusion of the game and who wins or loses," Payton said. "And that just takes discipline, we've got to continue to work on that. And fortunately, it didn't impact any of our players."
Wims had one catch for nine yards in the Bears' loss. The third-year wide receiver has five catches for 35 yards and a touchdown on the season. Gardner-Johnson had seven tackles and two tackles for a loss for the Saints.
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The Saints (5-2) battle the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 8:20 p.m. EDT on Sunday in Tampa, Fla. The Bears (5-3) face the Tennessee Titans at 1 p.m. EDT on Sunday in Nashville.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-11-02--Apple likely announce Macs with firm's own silicon chips at Nov. 10 event

Nov. 2 ( UPI ) -- Apple announced Monday it will hold a digital event Nov. 10 , at which @ @ @ @ @ its first Mac computers to switch to Apple silicon chips from the Intel processors that @ @ @ @ @ .
The event will be streamed live from its Apple Park headquarters at 10 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ tagline `` One More Thing . ''
Apple held two similar events within the past @ @ @ @ @ new line of Apple Watches and the iPhone 12 , its first line of smartphones @ @ @ @ @ year Apple said it planned to release a new line of Macs with chips designed @ @ @ @ @ on ARM processors instead of Intel technology .
CEO Tim Cook said in June that @ @ @ @ @ to a custom silicon processor to take to years as it planned its first release @ @ @ @ @ year .
In the quarter that ended in June , Apple reported $ 9 billion @ @ @ @ @ 28 % year-over-year .

Apple will hold a digital event Nov. 10, at which it is expected to announce its first Mac computers that use the company's own chips. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Apple announced Monday it will hold a digital event Nov. 10, at which company is expected to announce its first Mac computers to switch to Apple silicon chips from the Intel processors that it has used since 2005. The event will be streamed live from its Apple Park headquarters at 10 a.m. PST. Invitations feature the tagline "One More Thing." Advertisement
Apple held two similar events within the past two months, announcing a new line of Apple Watches and the iPhone 12, its first line of smartphones with 5G.
Earlier this year Apple said it planned to release a new line of Macs with chips designed within the company and based on ARM processors instead of Intel technology.
CEO Tim Cook said in June that the company expected the transition to a custom silicon processor to take to years as it planned its first release by the end of the year.
In the quarter that ended in June, Apple reported $9 billion in Mac sales, up 28% year-over-year.


upi--2020-11-02--Colleges, U.S. Air Force partner to improve diversity in STEM training

Nov. 2 ( UPI ) -- Ohio State University on Monday announced a multi-university partnership with the U.S. Air Force to increase opportunities for minority science and engineering students .
The six-year , $ 40 million project will be co-led by Ohio State ; Wright State University in Dayton , Ohio ; North Carolina A & T State University and the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Base in Dayton , according to OSU .
The project will fund summer internships for minority students concentrating on STEM -- science , technology , engineering and mathematics -- studies , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in projects with students in historically Black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions .
`` This funding provides an exciting opportunity for Ohio State to partner with minority institutions from across the nation to develop creative approaches to cultivating a prepared , diverse research workforce for the next generation of scientists for the U.S. Air Force , '' said Morley O .
Stone of Ohio State .
`` In addition , through this work , these organizations will be better positioned to propose and perform on AFRL research opportunities and the larger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stone said .
OSU professor Michael Groeber noted that the project 's primary goal of the project is to help the Air Force hire a more diverse STEM workforce .
`` The longer-term , grander goal is to better position HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions to be able to competitively respond to any science and technology call for proposals , and specifically to defense-related calls , '' he said .
`` Our fundamental goal is to develop the kind of community network that not only develops students ' skills , but also builds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the institutions we 're working with , the HBCUs and MSIs and the Air Force , '' said Groeber .
The consortium of colleges will determine potential projects and develop proposals for AFRL and other Defense Department projects .

1Lt. Jacob Lutz examines a Navigation Technology Satellite-3 model at the Air Force Research Laboratory, which has partnered with colleges in a $40 million project to increase opportunities for minority students studying science and engineering. Photo courtesy of Tyrell Etsitty/AFRL
Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Ohio State University on Monday announced a multi-university partnership with the U.S. Air Force to increase opportunities for minority science and engineering students. The six-year, $40 million project will be co-led by Ohio State; Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio; North Carolina A&T State University and the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Base in Dayton, according to OSU. Advertisement
The project will fund summer internships for minority students concentrating on STEM -- science, technology, engineering and mathematics -- studies, and offer access to research equipment and collaboration in projects with students in historically Black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions.
"This funding provides an exciting opportunity for Ohio State to partner with minority institutions from across the nation to develop creative approaches to cultivating a prepared, diverse research workforce for the next generation of scientists for the U.S. Air Force," said Morley O. Stone of Ohio State.
"In addition, through this work, these organizations will be better positioned to propose and perform on AFRL research opportunities and the larger U.S. Department of Defense enterprise," Stone said.
OSU professor Michael Groeber noted that the project's primary goal of the project is to help the Air Force hire a more diverse STEM workforce.
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"The longer-term, grander goal is to better position HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions to be able to competitively respond to any science and technology call for proposals, and specifically to defense-related calls," he said.
"Our fundamental goal is to develop the kind of community network that not only develops students' skills, but also builds a meaningful relationship for the long haul between the institutions we're working with, the HBCUs and MSIs and the Air Force," said Groeber.
The consortium of colleges will determine potential projects and develop proposals for AFRL and other Defense Department projects.


upi--2020-11-02--CDC: Pregnant women with COVID-19 have higher risk for preterm birth

Nov. 2 ( UPI ) -- Pregnant women infected with COVID-19 are about 25 % more likely to deliver their babies preterm , according to data released Monday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
About 13 % of babies born to mothers with the disease were delivered preterm , or at less than 37 weeks , the data showed .
Just over 10 % of babies in the United States are born preterm , according to the CDC .
`` The proportion of preterm live births among women with [ COVID-19 ] infection during pregnancy was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2019 , suggesting that pregnant women with [ the disease ] infection might be at risk for preterm delivery , '' agency researchers wrote .
Still , the findings are `` preliminary and describe primarily women with second and third trimester infection , and ... subject to change pending completion of pregnancy for all women in the cohort , '' they said .
For the analysis , the CDC researchers reviewed data on pregnancy and infant outcomes among 5,252 women with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from 15 states and Puerto Rico reported between March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live births with known gestational age , 12.9 % were preterm , the agency said .
However , fewer than 3 % of infants for whom test results were available had evidence of the virus , and most of them were born to mothers who had been infected within one week of delivery , the agency said .
Among 610 infants with reported test results , 2.6 % tested positive for COVID-19 , the data showed .
Previous studies have shown that pregnant women are unlikely to pass the disease on to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CDC in June indicated that expecting mothers may be at increased risk for severe illness from the virus .
These concerns appear to have been confirmed in a separate analysis the agency released Monday , which found that pregnant women infected with COVID-19 were more than twice as likely to require treatment in a hospital intensive care unit and nearly three times as likely to need mechanical ventilation than `` non-pregnant '' women .
However , `` the absolute risks for severe outcomes for women were low , '' according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased risk for severe COVID-19-associated illness , '' the CDC researchers said .
`` To reduce the risk for severe illness and death from COVID-19 , pregnant women should be counseled about the importance of seeking prompt medical care if they have symptom sand measures to prevent [ coronavirus ] infection should be strongly emphasized for pregnant women and their families , '' they said .

The risk for preterm birth is higher among pregnant women infected with COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Photo by Free-Photos/Pixabay
Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Pregnant women infected with COVID-19 are about 25% more likely to deliver their babies preterm, according to data released Monday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 13% of babies born to mothers with the disease were delivered preterm, or at less than 37 weeks, the data showed. Advertisement
Just over 10% of babies in the United States are born preterm, according to the CDC.
"The proportion of preterm live births among women with [COVID-19] infection during pregnancy was higher than that in the general population in 2019, suggesting that pregnant women with [the disease] infection might be at risk for preterm delivery," agency researchers wrote.
Still, the findings are "preliminary and describe primarily women with second and third trimester infection, and ... subject to change pending completion of pregnancy for all women in the cohort," they said.
For the analysis, the CDC researchers reviewed data on pregnancy and infant outcomes among 5,252 women with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from 15 states and Puerto Rico reported between March 29 and Oct. 14.
Among 3,912 live births with known gestational age, 12.9% were preterm, the agency said.
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However, fewer than 3% of infants for whom test results were available had evidence of the virus, and most of them were born to mothers who had been infected within one week of delivery, the agency said.
Among 610 infants with reported test results, 2.6% tested positive for COVID-19, the data showed.
Previous studies have shown that pregnant women are unlikely to pass the disease on to their children.
However, data released by the CDC in June indicated that expecting mothers may be at increased risk for severe illness from the virus.
These concerns appear to have been confirmed in a separate analysis the agency released Monday, which found that pregnant women infected with COVID-19 were more than twice as likely to require treatment in a hospital intensive care unit and nearly three times as likely to need mechanical ventilation than "non-pregnant" women.
However, "the absolute risks for severe outcomes for women were low," according to the CDC.
"Pregnant women were at increased risk for severe COVID-19-associated illness," the CDC researchers said.
"To reduce the risk for severe illness and death from COVID-19, pregnant women should be counseled about the importance of seeking prompt medical care if they have symptom sand measures to prevent [coronavirus] infection should be strongly emphasized for pregnant women and their families," they said.


upi--2020-11-02--Warming of 2 degrees Celsius could release billions of tons of soil carbon

Nov. 2 ( UPI ) -- If Earth 's climate warms 2 degrees Celsius , new research predicts 230 billion tons of carbon will be released from the planet 's soil .
According to the study , published Monday in the journal Nature Communications , rising global temperatures are accelerating decomposition rates and reducing the amount of time carbon remains sequestered in the soil .
When researchers at Exeter University modeled the effects of global warming on decomposition and `` soil carbon turnover '' -- the amount of time carbon spends in the soil -- they found 2 degrees Celsius @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the release of an extra 230 billion tons of carbon .
For comparison , the United States has emitted roughly 115 billion tons of carbon over the last century .
`` Our study rules out the most extreme projections -- but nonetheless suggests substantial soil carbon losses due to climate change at only 2 degrees Celsius warming , and this does n't even include losses of deeper permafrost carbon , '' Sarah Chadburn , research fellow at Exeter and co-author of the new study , said in a news release .
To create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earth System Models with new observational data related to decomposition rates in the soil .
`` We investigated how soil carbon is related to temperature in different locations on Earth to work out its sensitivity to global warming , '' said lead study author Rebecca Varney , climate scientist at Exeter .
Previous attempts to predict the effects of global warming on soil carbon have yielded uncertainty ranges in excess of 120 billion tons of carbon , but Varney and company were able to reduce the uncertainty to a plus-minus range of 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have reduced the uncertainty in this climate change response , which is vital to calculating an accurate global carbon budget and successfully meeting Paris Agreement targets , '' said study co-author Peter Cox , professor at Exeter 's Global Systems Institute

As the planet warms, soil decomposition rates are accelerating, allowing more carbon to escape into the atmosphere. Photo by PickPik /CC
Nov. 2 (UPI) -- If Earth's climate warms 2 degrees Celsius, new research predicts 230 billion tons of carbon will be released from the planet's soil. According to the study, published Monday in the journal Nature Communications, rising global temperatures are accelerating decomposition rates and reducing the amount of time carbon remains sequestered in the soil. Advertisement
When researchers at Exeter University modeled the effects of global warming on decomposition and "soil carbon turnover" -- the amount of time carbon spends in the soil -- they found 2 degrees Celsius of warming above pre-industrial levels will trigger the release of an extra 230 billion tons of carbon.
For comparison, the United States has emitted roughly 115 billion tons of carbon over the last century.
"Our study rules out the most extreme projections -- but nonetheless suggests substantial soil carbon losses due to climate change at only 2 degrees Celsius warming, and this doesn't even include losses of deeper permafrost carbon," Sarah Chadburn, research fellow at Exeter and co-author of the new study, said in a news release.
To create their prediction model, researchers updated the Earth System Models with new observational data related to decomposition rates in the soil.
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"We investigated how soil carbon is related to temperature in different locations on Earth to work out its sensitivity to global warming," said lead study author Rebecca Varney, climate scientist at Exeter.
Previous attempts to predict the effects of global warming on soil carbon have yielded uncertainty ranges in excess of 120 billion tons of carbon, but Varney and company were able to reduce the uncertainty to a plus-minus range of 50 billion tons of carbon.
"We have reduced the uncertainty in this climate change response, which is vital to calculating an accurate global carbon budget and successfully meeting Paris Agreement targets," said study co-author Peter Cox, professor at Exeter's Global Systems Institute


upi--2020-11-02--Dow climbs 423 points ahead of election day; Treasury adjusts borrowing estimates

Nov. 2 ( UPI ) -- The three major U.S. indexes rose to set off the month of trading on Monday as markets prepared for Election Day and the potential effect of the result on long-awaited stimulus .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 423.45 points , or 1.6 % , while the S & P 500 increased by 1.23 % .
The Nasdaq Composite gained 0.42 % as its rise was limited by declining tech stocks .
Analysts predicted that the results of the presidential election the various Senate races could lead to an end in the ongoing stalemate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` We have been emphasizing that the Senate outcome is important for the trajectory of fiscal policy , '' Citi economist Andrew Hollenhorst said .
`` Under any election scenario , we expect a $ 1.5 trillion plus fiscal package , possibly as early as just post-election . ''
The Treasury Department on Monday , however , scaled back its estimates for borrowing through the end of the year , predicting it would borrow $ 617 billion from October through December down from $ 1.22 trillion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , chief market strategist at Miller Tabak , said in a note Sunday that the market sell-off ahead of election day helps to reduce risk in the event of a contested result .
`` Even though we 're worried that there could still be one more wave down if we get another big influx of uncertainty , we think the stock market is now setting up nicely for a nice net advance over the next two months or so , '' Maley said .
The major averages entered the month coming off of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rising COVID-19 cases throughout the country .

U.S. markets rose on Monday as they braced for the potential of an uncertain election result and the Treasury Department adjusted borrowing estimates amid stalled COVID-19 stimulus negotiations. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 2 (UPI) -- The three major U.S. indexes rose to set off the month of trading on Monday as markets prepared for Election Day and the potential effect of the result on long-awaited stimulus. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 423.45 points, or 1.6%, while the S&P 500 increased by 1.23%. The Nasdaq Composite gained 0.42% as its rise was limited by declining tech stocks. Advertisement
Analysts predicted that the results of the presidential election the various Senate races could lead to an end in the ongoing stalemate in negotiations over another round of stimulus in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We have been emphasizing that the Senate outcome is important for the trajectory of fiscal policy," Citi economist Andrew Hollenhorst said.
"Under any election scenario, we expect a $1.5 trillion plus fiscal package, possibly as early as just post-election."
The Treasury Department on Monday, however, scaled back its estimates for borrowing through the end of the year, predicting it would borrow $617 billion from October through December down from $1.22 trillion estimated in early August.
Matt Maley, chief market strategist at Miller Tabak, said in a note Sunday that the market sell-off ahead of election day helps to reduce risk in the event of a contested result.
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"Even though we're worried that there could still be one more wave down if we get another big influx of uncertainty, we think the stock market is now setting up nicely for a nice net advance over the next two months or so," Maley said.
The major averages entered the month coming off of their worst week since March 20 amid rising COVID-19 cases throughout the country.


upi--2020-11-02--Neanderthal children grew, weaned similarly to Homo sapien children

Nov. 2 ( UPI ) -- Neanderthal children grew at the same rates and were weaned at roughly same age as Homo sapien children , according to a new study published Monday in the journal PNAS .
Scientists were able to discern the growth rates and weaning onset times of Neanderthal children by examining milk teeth fossils recovered from northern Italy .
The fossil teeth belonged to three different Neanderthal children living between 70,000 and 45,000 years ago .
Teeth form discrete layers as they develop , like a tree 's growth rings .
Each layer , or ring , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into an individual 's diet and environmental circumstances .
Scientists used a laser-mass spectrometer to measure chemical signatures , including strontium concentrations , in the layers of the ancient milk teeth .
The data showed Neanderthal parents began introducing solid foods to their children when they were around five or six months old .
The new findings suggest weaning onset is physiological phenomena , not a cultural one .
`` In modern humans , in fact , the first introduction of solid food occurs at around six months of age when the child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it is shared by very different cultures and societies , '' study author Alessia Nava , anthropologist and research fellow at the University of Kent in Britain , said in a news release .
`` Now , we know that also Neanderthals started to wean their children when modern humans do , '' said Nava , an anthropologist and research fellow at the University of Kent in Britain .
Researchers hypothesize that the high energy demands of human brain development is responsible for the early introduction of solid foods in the diets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The similarities between growth rates and the timing of weaning Neanderthal and Homo sapien children suggests Neanderthal newborns were likely of similar weight to modern human newborns .
The milk teeth analyzed for the study were recovered from a trio of cave sites in northeastern Italy .
In addition to revealing the growth rates and diets of infants , the chemical makeup of the ancient teeth also offered scientists a sense of these Neanderthals ' regional mobility .
`` They were less mobile than previously suggested by other scholars , '' said co-author @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signature registered in their teeth indicates in fact that they have spent most of the time close to their home : this reflects a very modern mental template and a likely thoughtful use of local resources , '' said Müller , researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt in Germany .
Researchers suspect northeastern Italy 's rich ecological diversity and variety of food sources allowed Neanderthals to persist -- without doing too much moving around -- in the region until at least 45,000 years ago .
According to the study 's authors , the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weaning age contributed the demise of Neanderthals .

By analyzing ancient milk teeth, researchers were able to determine how fast young Neanderthal children grew. Photo by Federico Lugli
Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Neanderthal children grew at the same rates and were weaned at roughly same age as Homo sapien children, according to a new study published Monday in the journal PNAS. Scientists were able to discern the growth rates and weaning onset times of Neanderthal children by examining milk teeth fossils recovered from northern Italy. The fossil teeth belonged to three different Neanderthal children living between 70,000 and 45,000 years ago. Advertisement
Teeth form discrete layers as they develop, like a tree's growth rings. Each layer, or ring, preserves chemical details that can provide insights into an individual's diet and environmental circumstances.
Scientists used a laser-mass spectrometer to measure chemical signatures, including strontium concentrations, in the layers of the ancient milk teeth. The data showed Neanderthal parents began introducing solid foods to their children when they were around five or six months old.
The new findings suggest weaning onset is physiological phenomena, not a cultural one.
"In modern humans, in fact, the first introduction of solid food occurs at around six months of age when the child needs a more energetic food supply, and it is shared by very different cultures and societies," study author Alessia Nava, anthropologist and research fellow at the University of Kent in Britain, said in a news release.
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"Now, we know that also Neanderthals started to wean their children when modern humans do," said Nava, an anthropologist and research fellow at the University of Kent in Britain.
Researchers hypothesize that the high energy demands of human brain development is responsible for the early introduction of solid foods in the diets of Neanderthal and Homo sapien children.
The similarities between growth rates and the timing of weaning Neanderthal and Homo sapien children suggests Neanderthal newborns were likely of similar weight to modern human newborns.
The milk teeth analyzed for the study were recovered from a trio of cave sites in northeastern Italy. In addition to revealing the growth rates and diets of infants, the chemical makeup of the ancient teeth also offered scientists a sense of these Neanderthals' regional mobility.
"They were less mobile than previously suggested by other scholars," said co-author Wolfgang Müller.
"The strontium isotope signature registered in their teeth indicates in fact that they have spent most of the time close to their home: this reflects a very modern mental template and a likely thoughtful use of local resources," said Müller, researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt in Germany.
Researchers suspect northeastern Italy's rich ecological diversity and variety of food sources allowed Neanderthals to persist -- without doing too much moving around -- in the region until at least 45,000 years ago.
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According to the study's authors, the new findings undermine previously published hypotheses suggesting late weaning age contributed the demise of Neanderthals.


upi--2020-11-02--Obamacare open enrollment begins for 10 million as Supreme Court threat looms

Nov. 2 ( UPI ) -- More than 10 million Americans who receive health insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace may renew or change their plans for next year , even though the U.S. Supreme Court may scrap the program in January .
A six-week open enrollment period began Sunday and lasts until Dec. 15 for plans beginning Jan. 1 , 2021 .
The high court is scheduled on Nov. 10 to hear oral arguments in California v. Texas , a case that challenges the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act and whether it can stand without the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2019 .
An opinion is expected in January .
Medical experts say those who wish to enroll or renew their Healthcare.gov policies should move ahead anyway , rather than risk having no insurance at all .
`` They should not let the fact that this is coming before the Supreme Court in any way dissuade them , '' Michele Goodwin , director of the Center for Biotechnology and Global Health Policy at the University of California , Irvine , told CNN .
With extra health risks during a pandemic , it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ double check their coverage and deductibles and not just automatically renew plans , experts say .
`` Do n't just select the plan that you had last year , '' Jean Chatzky , CEO of HerMoneyMedia told CNBC Monday .
`` It 's absolutely worth your time to get what you need in a cost-effective way . ''
It 's worth shopping around because some Obamacare plans will be more expensive this year and some less costly , with average family premiums showing between a 3.5 % decrease and 4.6 % increase in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Insurers said medical costs were rising because of COVID-19 testing , the potential for widespread vaccination , medical services postponed during 2020 and chronic health issues made worse by deferred or skipped healthcare .
Americans earning less than $ 86,880 a year are eligible for premium assistance through the ACA that could bring premiums down to below $ 400 per month .
An online Marketplace subsidy calculator can help predict insurance costs this year , including subsidies .
Deductibles have also risen slightly across the board in insurance plans , to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kaiser found .
Insurance customers should also check whether their doctor or preferred hospital is `` in-network '' before choosing a plan , especially during a national healthcare crisis .
There may be a rush to sign onto marketplace health insurance plans among those who became unemployed and do not want to risk not being covered during a worsening pandemic .
As many as 7 million U.S. workers lost jobs with attached health insurance during the coronavirus pandemic , covering 14.6 million affected individuals as of June , a study by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case seeking to overturn the ACA is supported by the administration of President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans who tried and failed to `` repeal and replace '' the ACA via legislative means .
The court has a 6-3 conservative majority after the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett , who filled the seat of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg .
The ACA extended insurance coverage to people with pre-existing medical conditions .
It is unclear whether those protections would remain if the Supreme Court cancels the program .
Trump has promised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions , but he has repeatedly promised a new `` Trump Care '' plan , which never materialized .

Open enrollment for 10 million Americans with marketplace insurance through Healthcare.gov extends from Nov. 1 to Dec. 15 even though the U.S. Supreme Court may rule to scrap the program. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 2 (UPI) -- More than 10 million Americans who receive health insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace may renew or change their plans for next year, even though the U.S. Supreme Court may scrap the program in January. A six-week open enrollment period began Sunday and lasts until Dec. 15 for plans beginning Jan. 1, 2021. Advertisement
The high court is scheduled on Nov. 10 to hear oral arguments in California v. Texas, a case that challenges the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act and whether it can stand without the "individual mandate," which was removed in 2019. An opinion is expected in January.
Medical experts say those who wish to enroll or renew their Healthcare.gov policies should move ahead anyway, rather than risk having no insurance at all.
"They should not let the fact that this is coming before the Supreme Court in any way dissuade them," Michele Goodwin, director of the Center for Biotechnology and Global Health Policy at the University of California, Irvine, told CNN.
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With extra health risks during a pandemic, it's a good idea for insurance customers to double check their coverage and deductibles and not just automatically renew plans, experts say.
"Don't just select the plan that you had last year," Jean Chatzky, CEO of HerMoneyMedia told CNBC Monday. "It's absolutely worth your time to get what you need in a cost-effective way."
It's worth shopping around because some Obamacare plans will be more expensive this year and some less costly, with average family premiums showing between a 3.5% decrease and 4.6% increase in an overview study by Kaiser Family Foundation.
Insurers said medical costs were rising because of COVID-19 testing, the potential for widespread vaccination, medical services postponed during 2020 and chronic health issues made worse by deferred or skipped healthcare.
Americans earning less than $86,880 a year are eligible for premium assistance through the ACA that could bring premiums down to below $400 per month. An online Marketplace subsidy calculator can help predict insurance costs this year, including subsidies.
Deductibles have also risen slightly across the board in insurance plans, to an average of $1,644 for an individual, Kaiser found.
Insurance customers should also check whether their doctor or preferred hospital is "in-network" before choosing a plan, especially during a national healthcare crisis.
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There may be a rush to sign onto marketplace health insurance plans among those who became unemployed and do not want to risk not being covered during a worsening pandemic.
As many as 7 million U.S. workers lost jobs with attached health insurance during the coronavirus pandemic, covering 14.6 million affected individuals as of June, a study by the non-profit Commonwealth Fund found.
The Texas case seeking to overturn the ACA is supported by the administration of President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans who tried and failed to "repeal and replace" the ACA via legislative means.
The court has a 6-3 conservative majority after the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who filled the seat of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
The ACA extended insurance coverage to people with pre-existing medical conditions. It is unclear whether those protections would remain if the Supreme Court cancels the program.
Trump has promised on the campaign trail to protect pre-existing conditions, but he has repeatedly promised a new "Trump Care" plan, which never materialized.


upi--2020-11-02--Rise in nighttime blood pressure increases heart disease risk, study finds

Nov. 2 ( UPI ) -- People who have high blood pressure at night are at increased risk for heart disease , even if their blood pressure is within normal ranges during the day , according to a study published Monday by the journal Circulation .
A nighttime systolic blood pressure -- the `` top '' number -- that is 20 millimeters of mercury -- or mm .
Hg , the unit of measure for blood pressure -- above daytime readings raises a person 's risk for heart disease by 18 % , the data showed .
That same rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person 's risk for heart failure by 25 % , the researchers said .
`` Nighttime blood pressure is increasingly being recognized as a predictor of cardiovascular risk , '' study co-author Dr. Kazuomi Kario said in a statement .
`` This study provides much more in-depth information about the cardiovascular risk associated with high nighttime blood pressure , '' said Kario , a professor of cardiovascular medicine at Jichi Medical University in Japan .
Nearly half of all adults in the United States -- or 108 million people -- have high blood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Prevention estimates .
Research suggests that up to 40 % of people experience rises in systolic blood pressure at night , whether or not their blood pressure is considered normal or healthy -- between 90 mm .
Hg and 120 mm .
Hg -- during the day .
For this study , researchers measured daytime and nighttime systolic blood pressure in 6,359 adults from across Japan between 2009 and 2017 , using an at-home , wearable , ambulatory monitor .
Blood pressure was recorded during daily activities and sleep for at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data were periodically downloaded at a healthcare clinic , the researchers said .
Nearly half of the study participants were male , and more than half were aged 65 years and older , according to the researchers .
All of the study participants had at least one risk factor for heart disease -- although none had been diagnosed with it -- and 75 % of them were taking blood pressure medications when the study began , the researchers said .
The study participants were instructed to rest or sleep during nighttime hours and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they recorded their daily activities and sleep and wake times in a diary .
Nearly every participant recorded 20 daytime and seven nighttime automated blood pressure measurements .
By the end of the study period , participants experienced a total of 306 cardiovascular events , including 119 strokes , 99 diagnoses of coronary artery disease and 88 diagnoses of heart failure .
Those with a disrupted circadian blood pressure rhythm -- or higher blood pressure at night than during the day -- had a 48 % higher risk for heart disease and were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart failure , the data showed .
Circadian rhythms are the body 's natural , internal process that regulates a person 's sleep-wake cycle and repeats with each rotation of the Earth , or roughly every 24 hours , according to the American Heart Association .
Blood pressure typically fluctuates with a pattern that follows the circadian rhythms , with a peak in the early morning hours and a low during sleep , the researchers said .
`` [ Our ] results indicate that nighttime systolic blood pressure was a significant , independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kario said .
`` The study highlights the importance of including nighttime blood pressure monitoring in patient management strategies and will hopefully encourage physicians to ensure that anti-hypertensive therapy is effectively lowering blood pressure throughout the 24-hour dosing period , '' he said .

Nighttime increases in blood pressure can increase risk for heart disease, a new study has found. Photo by Wokandapix/Pixabay
Nov. 2 (UPI) -- People who have high blood pressure at night are at increased risk for heart disease, even if their blood pressure is within normal ranges during the day, according to a study published Monday by the journal Circulation. A nighttime systolic blood pressure -- the "top" number -- that is 20 millimeters of mercury -- or mm. Hg, the unit of measure for blood pressure -- above daytime readings raises a person's risk for heart disease by 18%, the data showed. Advertisement
That same rise in nighttime blood pressure also increases a person's risk for heart failure by 25%, the researchers said.
"Nighttime blood pressure is increasingly being recognized as a predictor of cardiovascular risk," study co-author Dr. Kazuomi Kario said in a statement.
"This study provides much more in-depth information about the cardiovascular risk associated with high nighttime blood pressure," said Kario, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at Jichi Medical University in Japan.
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Nearly half of all adults in the United States -- or 108 million people -- have high blood pressure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates.
Research suggests that up to 40% of people experience rises in systolic blood pressure at night, whether or not their blood pressure is considered normal or healthy -- between 90 mm. Hg and 120 mm. Hg -- during the day.
For this study, researchers measured daytime and nighttime systolic blood pressure in 6,359 adults from across Japan between 2009 and 2017, using an at-home, wearable, ambulatory monitor.
Blood pressure was recorded during daily activities and sleep for at least 24-hours at a time, and device data were periodically downloaded at a healthcare clinic, the researchers said.
Nearly half of the study participants were male, and more than half were aged 65 years and older, according to the researchers.
All of the study participants had at least one risk factor for heart disease -- although none had been diagnosed with it -- and 75% of them were taking blood pressure medications when the study began, the researchers said.
The study participants were instructed to rest or sleep during nighttime hours and maintain their usual daytime activities, and they recorded their daily activities and sleep and wake times in a diary.
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Nearly every participant recorded 20 daytime and seven nighttime automated blood pressure measurements.
By the end of the study period, participants experienced a total of 306 cardiovascular events, including 119 strokes, 99 diagnoses of coronary artery disease and 88 diagnoses of heart failure.
Those with a disrupted circadian blood pressure rhythm -- or higher blood pressure at night than during the day -- had a 48% higher risk for heart disease and were nearly three times as likely to experience heart failure, the data showed.
Circadian rhythms are the body's natural, internal process that regulates a person's sleep-wake cycle and repeats with each rotation of the Earth, or roughly every 24 hours, according to the American Heart Association.
Blood pressure typically fluctuates with a pattern that follows the circadian rhythms, with a peak in the early morning hours and a low during sleep, the researchers said.
"[Our] results indicate that nighttime systolic blood pressure was a significant, independent risk factor for cardiovascular events," Kario said.
"The study highlights the importance of including nighttime blood pressure monitoring in patient management strategies and will hopefully encourage physicians to ensure that anti-hypertensive therapy is effectively lowering blood pressure throughout the 24-hour dosing period," he said.


upi--2020-11-02--Britain to nationalize its nuclear weapons industry

Nov. 2 ( UPI ) -- Britain announced on Monday that management of its nuclear weapons facilities will return to government control instead of leadership by an industry consortium .
Atomic Weapons Establishment PLC builds nuclear weapons in Britain and has been operated since 2000 by a group of manufacturers led by Lockheed Martin .
The contract was expected to be completed in 2025 but British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told Parliament this week that the AWE will be wholly owned by the Ministry of Defense , beginning in June 2021 .
`` Following an in-depth review , the MOD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arms-length Body , wholly owned by the MOD , '' Wallace wrote in a Ministry of Defense statement .
`` The change in model will remove the current commercial arrangements , enhancing the MOD 's agility in the future management of the U.K. 's nuclear deterrent , whilst also delivering on core MOD objectives and value for money to the taxpayer , '' Wallace wrote .
AWE is based at Aldermaston , England , and develops nuclear warheads for the Royal Navy 's submarines .
In February , the ministry announced plans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the British nuclear weapons industry reflects the government 's interest in creating a better alignment between AWE and the ministry 's priorities .
The end of the lucrative 25-year contract can be seen as a blow to Lockheed Martin , Serco Group and Jacobs Engineering , all AWE owners .
In 2019 , AWE paid $ 105 million to shareholders , despite controversial cost overruns and worker safety violations , and has been the subject of criticism from Britain 's National Audit Office .
The Ministry of Defense has also been a target @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's leadership , to control wasteful spending .

Britain's nuclear weapons industry will be nationalized, with the company Atomic Weapons Establishment LPC, whose headquarters in Aldermaston, England, is depicted. Photograph courtesy of British Office of Nuclear Regulation
Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Britain announced on Monday that management of its nuclear weapons facilities will return to government control instead of leadership by an industry consortium. Atomic Weapons Establishment PLC builds nuclear weapons in Britain and has been operated since 2000 by a group of manufacturers led by Lockheed Martin. Advertisement
The contract was expected to be completed in 2025 but British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told Parliament this week that the AWE will be wholly owned by the Ministry of Defense, beginning in June 2021.
"Following an in-depth review, the MOD concluded that AWE plc will become an arms-length Body, wholly owned by the MOD," Wallace wrote in a Ministry of Defense statement.
"The change in model will remove the current commercial arrangements, enhancing the MOD's agility in the future management of the U.K.'s nuclear deterrent, whilst also delivering on core MOD objectives and value for money to the taxpayer," Wallace wrote.
AWE is based at Aldermaston, England, and develops nuclear warheads for the Royal Navy's submarines.
In February, the ministry announced plans to develop new nuclear warheads, and nationalizing the British nuclear weapons industry reflects the government's interest in creating a better alignment between AWE and the ministry's priorities.
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The end of the lucrative 25-year contract can be seen as a blow to Lockheed Martin, Serco Group and Jacobs Engineering, all AWE owners. In 2019, AWE paid $105 million to shareholders, despite controversial cost overruns and worker safety violations, and has been the subject of criticism from Britain's National Audit Office.
The Ministry of Defense has also been a target of demands by the government, under Prime Minister Boris Johnson's leadership, to control wasteful spending.


upi--2020-11-02--Coast Guard to send its icebreaker to Arctic region

Nov. 2 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star will deploy to the Arctic Ocean instead of its usual winter mission to the Antarctic region , the Coast Guard announced .
The 399-foot icebreaker will `` help protect the nation 's maritime sovereignty and security in the region , '' a Coast Guard statement last week said .
Additionally , the ship 's resupply mission to Antarctica 's McMurdo Station , a multi-nation research facility , was cancelled this year due to COVID-19 pandemic safety precautions .
A U.S. Polar-class icebreaker has not been in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavy icebreaker Polar Sea , which was one of the first two American surface ships to reach the North Pole .
The Polar Star , commissioned in 1976 , is the U.S. military 's only working icebreaker .
A second vessel , the USCGC Healy , suffered a fire in August , forcing the abandonment of an Arctic mission and a return to its homeport in Washington State for a new engine , among other repairs .
The Arctic Ocean area , with newly-found mineral deposits and new navigational routes opened by climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest to the seven nations it borders , notably Russia .
The Coast Guard reaffirmed U.S. leadership in the region in 2019 , with the release of its Arctic Strategic Outlook , a plan emphasizing partnership and innovation .
`` The Arctic is no longer an emerging frontier , but is instead a region of growing national importance , '' said Vice Adm. Linda Fagan , U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area commander .
`` The Coast Guard is committed to protecting U.S. sovereignty and working with our partners to uphold a safe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star will head for the Arctic Ocean for a winter deployment, instead of its usual mission to Antarctica. Photo courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard
Nov. 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star will deploy to the Arctic Ocean instead of its usual winter mission to the Antarctic region, the Coast Guard announced. The 399-foot icebreaker will "help protect the nation's maritime sovereignty and security in the region," a Coast Guard statement last week said. Advertisement
Additionally, the ship's resupply mission to Antarctica's McMurdo Station, a multi-nation research facility, was cancelled this year due to COVID-19 pandemic safety precautions.
A U.S. Polar-class icebreaker has not been in the Arctic Ocean since 1994, the deactivated heavy icebreaker Polar Sea, which was one of the first two American surface ships to reach the North Pole.
The Polar Star, commissioned in 1976, is the U.S. military's only working icebreaker.
A second vessel, the USCGC Healy, suffered a fire in August, forcing the abandonment of an Arctic mission and a return to its homeport in Washington State for a new engine, among other repairs.
The Arctic Ocean area, with newly-found mineral deposits and new navigational routes opened by climate change, has become an area of interest to the seven nations it borders, notably Russia.
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The Coast Guard reaffirmed U.S. leadership in the region in 2019, with the release of its Arctic Strategic Outlook, a plan emphasizing partnership and innovation.
"The Arctic is no longer an emerging frontier, but is instead a region of growing national importance," said Vice Adm. Linda Fagan, U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area commander. "The Coast Guard is committed to protecting U.S. sovereignty and working with our partners to uphold a safe, secure, and rules-based Arctic."


upi--2020-11-02--Watch: Horse rescued from septic tank in Florida

Nov. 2 ( UPI ) -- Firefighters in Florida responded to a property to rescue a horse that fell into @ @ @ @ @ was submerged in sewage .
Marion County Fire Rescue said crews were dispatched to the @ @ @ @ @ horse named Buddy Bear plunged into the open septic tank and was unable to climb @ @ @ @ @ 's Special Operations HAZMAT Heavy Rescue 1 and Technical Rescue Team Heavy Rescue 2 arrived @ @ @ @ @ a fire house to fashion a harness around the 40-year-old horse .
The firefighters then @ @ @ @ @ horse back to solid ground .
A veterinarian was summoned to the scene to examine @ @ @ @ @ out of the tank .
Fire Rescue officials said the horse was not seriously injured @ @ @ @ @ ordeal .

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Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Firefighters in Florida responded to a property to rescue a horse that fell into a septic tank and nearly was submerged in sewage.
Marion County Fire Rescue said crews were dispatched to the property in Belleview after a horse named Buddy Bear plunged into the open septic tank and was unable to climb back out.
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The agency's Special Operations HAZMAT Heavy Rescue 1 and Technical Rescue Team Heavy Rescue 2 arrived on the scene and used a fire house to fashion a harness around the 40-year-old horse.
The firefighters then were able to pull the horse back to solid ground.
A veterinarian was summoned to the scene to examine Buddy Bear once he taken out of the tank.
Fire Rescue officials said the horse was not seriously injured and is recovering from his ordeal.


upi--2020-11-02--Watch: 'Top Gear' host breaks Guinness record in speedy ice cream van

A British TV host broke a Guinness World Record when he took an electric ice cream van to a top @ @ @ @ @ Paddy McGuinness , one of the hosts of the BBC 's Top Gear , broke @ @ @ @ @ 's fastest electric ice cream van at the Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire , England .
@ @ @ @ @ , dubbed `` Mr. Nippy , '' was constructed using a 1979 Bedford CF ice @ @ @ @ @ from a 1980 Land Rover 110 , a Tesla running gear drive and batteries made @ @ @ @ @ The van had to have features commonly associated with ice cream vans , including a @ @ @ @ @ system and the ability to dispense soft-serve ice cream .
The top speed of 80.04 @ @ @ @ @ of 73.921 mph , which was set in March by Edd China .

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Odd News 'Top Gear' host breaks Guinness record in speedy ice cream van By Ben Hooper
He's only gone and done it. At the helm of Mr Nippy - @PaddyMcGuinness hit 80.043mph at Elvington Airfield; achieving a new @GWR Guinness World Records title for "Fastest Electric Ice Cream Van". Now, who fancies a 99? Watch the full film now → https://t.co/fq6UTtb5bK See less pic.twitter.com/TouNBR3VI8— Top Gear (@BBC_TopGear) November 1, 2020 Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Nov. 2 (UPI) --
A British TV host broke a Guinness World Record when he took an electric ice cream van to a top speed of 80.04 mph.
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Paddy McGuinness, one of the hosts of the BBC's Top Gear, broke the record for the world's fastest electric ice cream van at the Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire, England.
McGuinness' ice cream truck, dubbed "Mr. Nippy," was constructed using a 1979 Bedford CF ice cream van, the chassis from a 1980 Land Rover 110, a Tesla running gear drive and batteries made by Tesla and Mercedes.
The van had to have features commonly associated with ice cream vans, including a serving hatch, a cooling system and the ability to dispense soft-serve ice cream.
The top speed of 80.04 mph beat the previous record of 73.921 mph, which was set in March by Edd China.
Topics
Guinness World Records