upi--2020-09-24--Chris Rock addresses humor in 'Fargo' violence

LOS ANGELES , Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- Every season , FX 's Fargo portrays violent murders in the Midwest with a side of humor -- much like the Oscar-winning Coen Brothers film upon which it 's based .
Season 4 takes place in 1950 in Kansas City , Mo.
, and follows Loy Cannon ( Chris Rock ) , who turns to organized crime when White-owned banks reject his legitimate business proposals .
Best known as a stand-up comedian and star of comedy movies , Rock said Fargo producer Warren Littlefield has offered him dramatic roles for years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also in his 50s ; Rock is 55 .
`` Everything that 's offered to me , it 's like a man-boy '' role , Rock said on a recent Television Critics Association panel .
`` It was great to actually play a grown-ass man . ''
Regarding his transition from comedy to a more dramatic role , Rock said he has to play comedy dramatically for it to work , so Fargo is n't that different .
`` I do n't really like the term 'serious acting , ' '' Rock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Dumber is acting funny , very seriously . ''
As for the humor in Fargo , Rock likens it to Goodfellas .
Martin Scorsese 's gangster movie is full of serious violence but finds humor in macabre situations .
Rock says no character in Fargo is trying to provide the comic relief .
`` The comedy is earned , '' Rock said .
`` Life 's funny if you stick with it long enough . ''
His character 's family , the Cannons , clash with the Fadda crime family in Kansas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a nurse who treats Donatello Fadda ( Tomasso Ragno ) when he is shot .
Buckley described the fourth season as `` flirty , '' thanks in part to societal shifts of the post-World War II era .
`` There 's an opportunity and a flirt in the air in this world that we 've created , '' Buckley told UPI in a Zoom interview .
`` It 's just after the war , so people are being opportunistic and flirty about who they are in this new world . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morbid .
She commits mercy killings of patients in the hospital , but Buckley says her character sees it as an empowering position .
`` In her mind , she 's been given a gift to carry people into their next life , '' Buckley said .
`` She 's always looking for the next person who will be offered to her . ''
When she meets the Fadda family , Oraetta seizes the opportunity to become involved with their crime .
Buckley says mob killings give Oraetta another fix .
`` She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` She 's always looking for the next hit . ''
Oraetta begins a relationship with Donatello 's son , Justo ( Jason Schwartzman ) , who is running the family while his father is incapacitated .
Buckley said Oraetta was just as attracted to taking lives as she was to saving them .
`` She just lives on the knife 's edge of life and death , '' Buckley said .
`` She 's drawn either side of that . ''
Buckley considers that Oraetta might have genuine romantic feelings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could use sex to manipulate Justo .
`` It could be both , depending on what side of the bed she wakes up on , '' Buckley said .
Detective Odis Weff ( Jack Huston ) enters the story when he investigates the scene of a Fadda family hit against a hospital that turned Dontatello away .
Huston says Weff exhibits undiagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder , which bothers other characters when he 's working sobering crime scenes .
`` One character asks , 'Have you got Satan in your heart ? '
'' Huston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Other officers call him Twitch [ or ] Twitchy . ''
Huston says his instinct was to play Odis ' obsessive compulsions with more subtlety .
Fargo series creator Noah Hawley encouraged him to be more extreme .
`` It 's the only time as an actor where you feel like you 're given permission to really exaggerate , '' Huston said .
`` One of the oldest things when you first come into this job is try not to overact .
In this case , you 're almost breaking the rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Episodes stream the following day on Hulu .

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Chris Rock plays Loy Cannon in the new season of "Fargo," coming to FX on Sunday. Photo courtesy of FX Networks
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Every season, FX's Fargo portrays violent murders in the Midwest with a side of humor -- much like the Oscar-winning Coen Brothers film upon which it's based. Season 4 takes place in 1950 in Kansas City, Mo., and follows Loy Cannon (Chris Rock), who turns to organized crime when White-owned banks reject his legitimate business proposals. Advertisement
Best known as a stand-up comedian and star of comedy movies, Rock said Fargo producer Warren Littlefield has offered him dramatic roles for years. Loy appealed to Rock because he is also in his 50s; Rock is 55.
"Everything that's offered to me, it's like a man-boy" role, Rock said on a recent Television Critics Association panel. "It was great to actually play a grown-ass man."
Regarding his transition from comedy to a more dramatic role, Rock said he has to play comedy dramatically for it to work, so Fargo isn't that different."I don't really like the term 'serious acting,'" Rock said. "Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber is acting funny, very seriously."
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As for the humor in Fargo, Rock likens it to Goodfellas. Martin Scorsese's gangster movie is full of serious violence but finds humor in macabre situations.
Rock says no character in Fargo is trying to provide the comic relief.
"The comedy is earned," Rock said. "Life's funny if you stick with it long enough."
'A flirt in the air'
His character's family, the Cannons, clash with the Fadda crime family in Kansas City. Jessie Buckley portrays Oraetta Mayflower, a nurse who treats Donatello Fadda (Tomasso Ragno) when he is shot.
Buckley described the fourth season as "flirty," thanks in part to societal shifts of the post-World War II era.
"There's an opportunity and a flirt in the air in this world that we've created," Buckley told UPI in a Zoom interview. "It's just after the war, so people are being opportunistic and flirty about who they are in this new world."
The opportunity Oraetta finds as a nurse is morbid. She commits mercy killings of patients in the hospital, but Buckley says her character sees it as an empowering position.
"In her mind, she's been given a gift to carry people into their next life," Buckley said. "She's always looking for the next person who will be offered to her."
Advertisement
When she meets the Fadda family, Oraetta seizes the opportunity to become involved with their crime. Buckley says mob killings give Oraetta another fix.
"She's a death junkie," Buckley said. "She's always looking for the next hit."
Oraetta begins a relationship with Donatello's son, Justo (Jason Schwartzman), who is running the family while his father is incapacitated. Buckley said Oraetta was just as attracted to taking lives as she was to saving them.
"She just lives on the knife's edge of life and death," Buckley said. "She's drawn either side of that."
Buckley considers that Oraetta might have genuine romantic feelings for Justo. However, Oraetta also could use sex to manipulate Justo.
"It could be both, depending on what side of the bed she wakes up on," Buckley said.
Permission to exaggerate
Detective Odis Weff (Jack Huston) enters the story when he investigates the scene of a Fadda family hit against a hospital that turned Dontatello away. Huston says Weff exhibits undiagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder, which bothers other characters when he's working sobering crime scenes.
"One character asks, 'Have you got Satan in your heart?'" Huston told UPI in a separate interview. "Other officers call him Twitch [or] Twitchy."
Advertisement
Huston says his instinct was to play Odis' obsessive compulsions with more subtlety. Fargo series creator Noah Hawley encouraged him to be more extreme.
"It's the only time as an actor where you feel like you're given permission to really exaggerate," Huston said. "One of the oldest things when you first come into this job is try not to overact. In this case, you're almost breaking the rules."
Fargo premieres Sunday on FX. Episodes stream the following day on Hulu.


upi--2020-09-24--Fantasy football: Kelce, Andrews top Week 3 tight end rankings

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- Travis Kelce , Mark Andrews , Zach Ertz , Jared Cook and Tyler Higbee lead my Week 3 fantasy football tight end rankings for 2020 .
Jonnu Smith , Darren Waller , Mike Gesicki , Noah Fant and Hunter Henry round out my Top 10 options at the position .
Mo Alie-Cox of the Indianapolis Colts and Logan Thomas of the Washington Football Team are among my favorite sleepers this week .
An early explosion of offense around the league has led to increased relevance for tight ends through two weeks of the fantasy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waiver wire article for more great options for your fantasy football team 's tight end slot in Week 3 .
Here are some of my favorite players in this week 's Top 20 rankings : The Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens should score in bunches in a high-octane Monday Night Football matchup .
I expect Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce to be one of the most productive players in the game .
Kelce is my top tight end this week .
The Ravens have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least eight catches and has a great chance to score multiple times in Week 3 .
Mark Andrews will be the tight end on the other side of the field when the Ravens take on Kelce 's Chiefs to cap off the Week 3 schedule .
Andrews scored twice in Week 1 and should return to the end zone in Week 3 .
He is my No .
2 tight end this week and should be in lineups regardless of league format .
Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee lands at No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exploded for three touchdowns in Week 2 and should continue to be an integral part of the Rams offense .
I expect the tight end to catch at least five passes for 50 yards and to return to the end zone in a game against the New York Giants Sunday in Inglewood , Calif. Miami Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki hauled in eight catches for 130 yards and a score in Week 2 .
He should continue his breakout campaign on Thursday Night Football when the Dolphins face the Jacksonville Jaguars .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yards to tight ends this season .
I expect Gesicki to see double-digit targets in Week 3 and turn that into a great fantasy football performance .
He is my No .
8 tight end this week and is a must-start in leagues that require starting tight ends .
Mo Alie-Cox has done a fantastic job as a replacement for injured Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle .
He 'll return to that role in Week 3 when the Colts host the New York Jets , who just allowed two touchdowns to San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alie-Cox had 111 yards on five catches in Week 2 .
I expect him to come close to 100 receiving yards again in Week 3 .
He is No .
11 in my rankings , but should only be in lineups for leagues that require starting tight ends .
Washington Football Team tight end Logan Thomas is my No .
15 tight end option and lands in streaming territory for Week 3 .
Thomas had a touchdown in Week 1 and hauled in four catches in Week 2 .
He should surpass that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Browns , who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to tight ends in 2020 .
Cleveland allowed 11 catches for 87 yards and a touchdown to Cincinnati Bengals tight ends in Week 2 .
Thomas could end up as a Top 10 fantasy football tight end for Week 3 if he gets into the end zone against the Browns .

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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) has scored in back-to-back games and is my No. 1 tight end for Week 3. File Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, Zach Ertz, Jared Cook and Tyler Higbee lead my Week 3 fantasy football tight end rankings for 2020. Jonnu Smith, Darren Waller, Noah Fant, Hunter Henry and Hayden Hurst round out my Top 10 options at the position. Mo Alie-Cox of the Indianapolis Colts and Logan Thomas of the Washington Football Team are among my favorite sleepers this week. Advertisement
An early explosion of offense around the league has led to increased relevance for tight ends through two weeks of the fantasy football season. Check out my weekly waiver wire article for more great options for your fantasy football team's tight end slot in Week 3.
Here are some of my favorite players in this week's Top 20 rankings:
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TOP SHELF
The Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens should score in bunches in a high-octane Monday Night Football matchup. I expect Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce to be one of the most productive players in the game. Kelce is my top tight end this week.
The Ravens have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season. Kelce should have at least eight catches and has a great chance to score multiple times in Week 3.
Mark Andrews will be the tight end on the other side of the field when the Ravens take on Kelce's Chiefs to cap off the Week 3 schedule.
Andrews scored twice in Week 1 and should return to the end zone in Week 3. He is my No. 2 tight end this week and should be in lineups regardless of league format.
SNEAKY PLAYS
Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee lands at No. 5 in my rankings. Higbee exploded for three touchdowns in Week 2 and should continue to be an integral part of the Rams offense.
I expect the tight end to catch at least five passes for 50 yards and to return to the end zone in a game against the New York Giants Sunday in Inglewood, Calif.
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LONGSHOTS
Mo Alie-Cox has done a fantastic job as a replacement for injured Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle. He'll return to that role in Week 3 when the Colts host the New York Jets, who just allowed two touchdowns to San Francisco 49ers tight end Jordan Reed.
Alie-Cox had 111 yards on five catches in Week 2. I expect him to come close to 100 receiving yards again in Week 3. He is No. 13 in my rankings, but should only be in lineups for leagues that require starting tight ends.
Washington Football Team tight end Logan Thomas is my No. 14 tight end option and lands in streaming territory for Week 3.
Thomas had a touchdown in Week 1 and hauled in four catches in Week 2. He should surpass that total in this game against the Cleveland Browns, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to tight ends in 2020.
Cleveland allowed 11 catches for 87 yards and a touchdown to Cincinnati Bengals tight ends in Week 2. Thomas could end up as a Top 10 fantasy football tight end for Week 3 if he gets into the end zone against the Browns.
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Week 3 fantasy football tight end rankings
1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs at BAL
2. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens vs. KC
3. Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles vs. CIN
4. Jared Cook, New Orleans Saints vs. GB
5. Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams at BUF
6. Jonnu Smith, Tennessee Titans at MIN
7. Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders at NE
8. Noah Fant, Denver Broncos vs. TB
9. Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers vs. CAR
10. Hayden Hurst, Atlanta Falcons vs. CHI
11. Evan Engram, New York Giants vs. SF
12. Jordan Reed, San Francisco 49ers at NYG
13. Mo Alie-Cox, Indianapolis Colts vs. NYJ
14. Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team at CLE
15. Austin Hooper, Cleveland Browns vs. WAS
16. Eric Ebron, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. HOU
17. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles vs. CIN
18. T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions at ARI
19. Chris Herndon, New York Jets at IND
20. Jimmy Graham, Chicago Bears at ATL
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This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-09-24--Famous birthdays for Sept. 24: Nia Vardalos, Ben Platt

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Libra .
-- John @ @ @ @ @ of the United States , in 1755 -- Singer/photographer Linda Eastman McCartney , wife of @ @ @ @ @ in 1941 -- Football Hall of Fame member `` Mean '' Joe Greene in 1946 @ @ @ @

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Nia Vardalos attends the premiere of "Tully" at Regal Cinemas LA Live in downtown Los Angeles on April 18, 2018. The actor turns 58 on September 24. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Libra. They include: Advertisement
-- English novelist Horace Walpole in 1717
-- John Marshall, fourth chief justice of the United States, in 1755
-- Suffragist/author Frances Harper in 1825
-- Candy company founder Franklin Mars in 1883
-- Golf Hall of Fame member Tommy Armour in 1894
-- Novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1896
-- American astronaut John Young in 1930
-- Muppet creator Jim Henson in 1936
-- Singer/photographer Linda Eastman McCartney, wife of former Beatle Paul McCartney, in 1941
-- Television commentator Lou Dobbs in 1945 (age 75)
-- Football Hall of Fame member "Mean" Joe Greene in 1946 (age 74)
File Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI
-- Actor Gordon Clapp in 1948 (age 72)
-- Comedian Phil Hartman in 1948
-- Actor Kevin Sorbo in 1958 (age 62)
-- Actor Nia Vardalos in 1962 (age 58)
-- Celebrity chef Robert Irvine in 1965 (age 55)
-- Actor Jackie Sandler in 1974 (age 46)
File Photo Jim Ruymen/UPI
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-- Actor Ian Bohen in 1976 (age 44)
-- Actor Ross Mathews in 1979 (age 41)
-- Gymnast Morgan Hamm in 1982 (age 38)
-- Gymnast Paul Hamm in 1982 (age 38)
-- Actor Eloise Mumford in 1986 (age 34)
-- Actor Ben Platt in 1993 (age 27)


upi--2020-09-24--Trump outlines America First Healthcare Plan, ensures coverage for pre-existing conditions

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a series of executive orders to ensure medical protections for people with pre-existing conditions , prevent surprise medical bills and guarantee price transparency .
Trump signed the orders during a trip to North Carolina as he `` laid out his vision '' for a healthcare system he called the America First Healthcare Plan , which he said would focus on providing increased choice , lower costs and improved care .
`` We will ensure the highest standard of care anywhere in the world : cutting-edge treatments , state-of-the-art @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security for you and your loved ones , '' he said .
During a call with reporters ahead of the announcement , Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said one of the executive orders would declare it the policy of the United States to `` provide protections to ensure that Americans with pre-existing conditions regardless of whether the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional and its protections for pre-existing conditions invalidated . ''
He also said the order would direct HHS to work with Congress to pass legislation to protect patients against surprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulatory actions that can ensure such protections if legislation is not passed by Jan. 1 .
Trump on Thursday said his plan would also include measures to create price transparency from healthcare providers in order to `` create true competition . ''
`` Both hospitals and insurance companies will be required to post all of their prices online , '' Trump said .
`` This transformative policy will allow you to see your exact out-of-pocket costs before you go for treatment , making it easy to shop for the best price . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an executive order to lower drug prices in the United States by instructing Medicare to not pay more for certain medicines than other nations , prompting criticism from the pharmaceutical industry .
`` Under my plan , we will pay the exact same price as other countries , '' Trump reiterated Thursday .
`` That 's at the lowest level .
So we will be matching the lowest price with what 's now many times the highest price and we wo n't pay a penny more . ''
During his 2016 presidential campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replace '' the ACA , also known as Obamacare , but has after being elected has said he would continue protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions included in the healthcare plan .
His opponent in the 2020 election , Joe Biden , served under President Barack Obama and has pledged to expand the legislation if elected .

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a series of executive orders as part of a healthcare system he dubbed the America First Healthcare plan. Photo by Erin Scott/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a series of executive orders to ensure medical protections for people with pre-existing conditions, prevent surprise medical bills and guarantee price transparency. Trump signed the orders during a trip to North Carolina as he "laid out his vision" for a healthcare system he called the America First Healthcare Plan, which he said would focus on providing increased choice, lower costs and improved care. Advertisement
"We will ensure the highest standard of care anywhere in the world: cutting-edge treatments, state-of-the-art medicine, groundbreaking cures and true health security for you and your loved ones," he said.
During a call with reporters ahead of the announcement, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said one of the executive orders would declare it the policy of the United States to "provide protections to ensure that Americans with pre-existing conditions regardless of whether the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional and its protections for pre-existing conditions invalidated."
He also said the order would direct HHS to work with Congress to pass legislation to protect patients against surprise medical bills and to investigate executive and regulatory actions that can ensure such protections if legislation is not passed by Jan. 1.
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Trump on Thursday said his plan would also include measures to create price transparency from healthcare providers in order to "create true competition."
"Both hospitals and insurance companies will be required to post all of their prices online," Trump said. "This transformative policy will allow you to see your exact out-of-pocket costs before you go for treatment, making it easy to shop for the best price."
Earlier this month, Trump also signed an executive order to lower drug prices in the United States by instructing Medicare to not pay more for certain medicines than other nations, prompting criticism from the pharmaceutical industry.
"Under my plan, we will pay the exact same price as other countries," Trump reiterated Thursday. "That's at the lowest level. So we will be matching the lowest price with what's now many times the highest price and we won't pay a penny more."
During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump pledged to "repeal and replace" the ACA, also known as Obamacare, but has after being elected has said he would continue protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions included in the healthcare plan.
His opponent in the 2020 election, Joe Biden, served under President Barack Obama and has pledged to expand the legislation if elected.


upi--2020-09-24--Minnesota Vikings sign veteran LB Todd Davis after multiple injuries

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- The Minnesota Vikings signed former Denver Broncos linebacker Todd Davis after two key injuries at the position .
The team announced the signing of Davis on Thursday after placing rookie linebacker Troy Dye on injured reserve with a foot injury .
Dye , a 2020 fourth-round pick , suffered the injury in the second quarter of the Vikings ' 28-11 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday .
In that game , he was filling in for Pro Bowl linebacker Anthony Barr , who tore his right pectoral muscle at the end of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reserve Monday .
Barr is expected to miss the remainder of the season due to the injury .
With Dye and Barr injured , the Vikings decided to bring in Davis to help with depth .
The 28-year-old linebacker started at least 14 games for the Broncos in each of the last four seasons .
Davis spent the off-season with the Broncos but was released Sept. 4 .
He was n't on an NFL roster for the first two weeks of the season .
Davis led the Broncos in tackling last season and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a career-best 134 total tackles in 14 games .
The Vikings are down to All-Pro Eric Kendricks , Eric Wilson , Ryan Connelly , Hardy Nickerson Jr. and Davis on their active roster .
Nickerson was promoted from the practice squad earlier this week .

Former Denver Broncos linebacker Todd Davis started at least 14 games for the Broncos in each of the last four seasons. File Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- The Minnesota Vikings signed former Denver Broncos linebacker Todd Davis after two key injuries at the position. The team announced the signing of Davis on Thursday after placing rookie linebacker Troy Dye on injured reserve with a foot injury. Advertisement
Dye, a 2020 fourth-round pick, suffered the injury in the second quarter of the Vikings' 28-11 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. In that game, he was filling in for Pro Bowl linebacker Anthony Barr, who tore his right pectoral muscle at the end of the first quarter and was placed on injured reserve Monday.
Barr is expected to miss the remainder of the season due to the injury.
With Dye and Barr injured, the Vikings decided to bring in Davis to help with depth. The 28-year-old linebacker started at least 14 games for the Broncos in each of the last four seasons.
Davis spent the off-season with the Broncos but was released Sept. 4. He wasn't on an NFL roster for the first two weeks of the season.
Davis led the Broncos in tackling last season and finished tied for eighth in the league with a career-best 134 total tackles in 14 games.
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The Vikings are down to All-Pro Eric Kendricks, Eric Wilson, Ryan Connelly, Hardy Nickerson Jr. and Davis on their active roster. Nickerson was promoted from the practice squad earlier this week.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-09-24--Pac-12 to play 7-game football schedule starting in November

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- The Pac-12 announced Thursday that it will play a seven-game , conference-only football schedule beginning in early November .
The decision -- voted on by the Pac-12 's CEO group -- is an official reversal after the conference announced in early August that it would postpone all sports until at least Jan. 1 because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The Pac-12 said teams with health approval can begin practicing immediately in preparation for the league 's Nov. 6 start date .
The conference 's championship game will take place Dec. 18 .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all those connected to Pac-12 sports remains our guiding light and number one priority , '' Pac-12 CEO group chair and Oregon president Michael Schill said in a statement Thursday .
`` Our CEO group has taken a measured and thoughtful approach to today 's decision , including extensive consultation with stakeholders on the evolving information and data related to health and safety . ''
In its statement , the Pac-12 said men 's and women 's basketball can start Nov. 25 , while other winter sports can begin in line with its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mark Harlan said other fall sports -- such as soccer , volleyball and cross country -- will continue to prepare for spring seasons .
No fans will be allowed to attend games on Pac-12 campuses .
The conference said it will revisit that decision in January .
The Pac-12 's move comes in the wake of a similar announcement last week from the Big Ten Conference , which will begin its football season Oct. 24 .

No fans will be allowed to attend games on Pac-12 campuses. The conference said it will revisit that decision in January. File Photo by Juan Ocampo/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- The Pac-12 announced Thursday that it will play a seven-game, conference-only football schedule beginning in early November. The decision -- voted on by the Pac-12's CEO group -- is an official reversal after the conference announced in early August that it would postpone all sports until at least Jan. 1 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement
The Pac-12 said teams with health approval can begin practicing immediately in preparation for the league's Nov. 6 start date. The conference's championship game will take place Dec. 18.
"The health and safety of our student-athletes and all those connected to Pac-12 sports remains our guiding light and number one priority," Pac-12 CEO group chair and Oregon president Michael Schill said in a statement Thursday.
"Our CEO group has taken a measured and thoughtful approach to today's decision, including extensive consultation with stakeholders on the evolving information and data related to health and safety."
In its statement, the Pac-12 said men's and women's basketball can start Nov. 25, while other winter sports can begin in line with its respective NCAA seasons. Utah athletic director Mark Harlan said other fall sports -- such as soccer, volleyball and cross country -- will continue to prepare for spring seasons.
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No fans will be allowed to attend games on Pac-12 campuses. The conference said it will revisit that decision in January.
The Pac-12's move comes in the wake of a similar announcement last week from the Big Ten Conference, which will begin its football season Oct. 24.


upi--2020-09-24--U.S. government to allow only telephone interpreters for asylum seekers

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- WASHINGTON -- Asylum seekers who normally depend upon in-person interpreters for their application interviews will now have to use interpreters over the phone to limit the spread COVID-19 , U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services said .
The USCIS implemented a temporary final rule Wednesday that requires asylum applicants to use a phone interpreter provided by the agency until at least March 22 .
`` This temporary final rule is part of USCIS ' precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 , '' the agency said on its website .
`` Our contract interpreters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduce the number of people visiting USCIS facilities .
The rule helps us manage space restrictions , increases the efficiency of our asylum interviews , and improves the safety of our officers and the public . ''
Asylum seekers who are unable to proceed with their interview in English will be required tp use one of the phone interpreters , who cover 47 languages .
Immigrant advocacy groups are torn regarding the temporary final rule , happy that it provides free translation services to asylum seekers but worried that it could disrupt due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems like there is an opening up in terms of access to interpreters , it 's also particularly troubling and could really cause some significant due process concerns , '' said Jenna Gilbert , the managing attorney of the Los Angeles office of Human Rights First in a phone interview .
But she also indicated that the change could reduce existing economic barriers to translation .
`` On the one hand , it 's a really big barrier to expect asylum seekers to provide their own interpreters for the asylum office at their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of people simply do n't have that or are choosing between paying for an interpreter versus paying for an attorney to have legal representation at the interview , '' Gilbert said .
`` That 's a concern which this rule in theory would help to alleviate .
However , Gilbert noted that using USCIS translators over the phone could present logistical difficulties for the accuracy of the interpretation .
`` There may be technological issues that impede the interpretation .
There may be linguistic barriers in terms of the different accents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaking different dialects , '' Gilbert said .
`` There are a number of concerns that could arise and that could become exacerbated by working with an interpreter telephonically . ''
Those who are eligible for a USCIS contractor interpreter but refuse will be considered by the U.S. government as `` a failure without good cause to comply , '' and refusing to use a USCIS contract interpreter `` will not be considered good cause ... for an interview delay , '' according to the rule 's text .
Gilbert said providing an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ net benefit , '' but the asylum seeker should be able to opt out and use their own interpreter who will more appropriately be able to convey the information that 's needed . ''
A report from the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law published in 2011 found that where interpreters were provided at the government 's expense , remote interpretation was not comparable to in-person translation .
`` Even the most sophisticated telephone technology makes it impossible to catch visual cues , '' the report said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and most common form of remote interpretation technology used in immigration courts , has the additional drawback of poor sound quality . ''

Advocates say that while it's good the U.S. government is providing free interpretation services to immigrants for their interviews, doing so by phone is not ideal. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Asylum seekers who normally depend on in-person interpreters for their application interviews will now have to use interpreters over the phone to limit the spread COVID-19, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said. The USCIS implemented a temporary final rule Wednesday that requires asylum applicants to use a phone interpreter provided by the agency until at least March 22. Advertisement
"This temporary final rule is part of USCIS' precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19," the agency said on its website. "Our contract interpreters provide their services telephonically, which will reduce the number of people visiting USCIS facilities. The rule helps us manage space restrictions, increases the efficiency of our asylum interviews, and improves the safety of our officers and the public."
Asylum seekers who are unable to proceed with their interview in English will be required tp use one of the phone interpreters, who cover 47 languages.
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Immigrant advocacy groups are torn regarding the temporary final rule, happy that it provides free translation services to asylum seekers but worried that it could disrupt due process moving forward.
"While it seems like there is an opening up in terms of access to interpreters, it's also particularly troubling and could really cause some significant due process concerns," said Jenna Gilbert, the managing attorney of the Los Angeles office of Human Rights First in a phone interview.
But she also indicated that the change could reduce existing economic barriers to translation.
"On the one hand, it's a really big barrier to expect asylum seekers to provide their own interpreters for the asylum office at their own cost. What results is that a lot of people simply don't have that or are choosing between paying for an interpreter versus paying for an attorney to have legal representation at the interview," Gilbert said. "That's a concern which this rule in theory would help to alleviate.
However, Gilbert noted that using USCIS translators over the phone could present logistical difficulties for the accuracy of the interpretation.
"There may be technological issues that impede the interpretation. There may be linguistic barriers in terms of the different accents, people coming from different regions, speaking different dialects," Gilbert said. "There are a number of concerns that could arise and that could become exacerbated by working with an interpreter telephonically."
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Those who are eligible for a USCIS contractor interpreter but refuse will be considered by the U.S. government as "a failure without good cause to comply," and refusing to use a USCIS contract interpreter "will not be considered good cause ... for an interview delay," according to the rule's text.
Gilbert said providing an interpreter as a default is "a net benefit," but the asylum seeker should be able to opt out and use their own interpreter who will more appropriately be able to convey the information that's needed."
A report from the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law published in 2011 found that where interpreters were provided at the government's expense, remote interpretation was not comparable to in-person translation.
"Even the most sophisticated telephone technology makes it impossible to catch visual cues," the report said. "Speakerphone, the least expensive and most common form of remote interpretation technology used in immigration courts, has the additional drawback of poor sound quality."


upi--2020-09-24--Brett Hankinson, officer indicted in Breonna Taylor case, plans to plead not guilty

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- Former Louisville , Ky. , Metro Police Detective Brett Hankinson intends to plead not guilty to first-degree wanton endangerment charges for shots fired on the night officers killed Breonna Taylor .
Hankinson 's attorney , Stew Matthews , told CNN on Thursday that the evidence in the case does not support the charges against his client .
Demonstrations began in Louisville soon after the Wednesday announcement from the Jefferson County grand jury that it had indicted Hankinson on three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment for firing into an apartment next to Taylor 's -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Taylor 's family for her killing inside her home .
The grand jury decided that the other two officers involved in Taylor 's March 13 death , Sgt .
Jonathan Mattingly and Detective Myles Cosgrove , should face no charges as they acted in self-defense against Taylor 's boyfriend , who fired on them .
Ben Crump , the Taylor family 's attorney , called the grand jury decision a `` sham proceeding that did nothing to give Breonna Taylor a voice . ''
He told NBC 's Today Thursday that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They were insulted , and they were mostly offended , '' he said .
`` We 're trying to figure out what did the Kentucky Attorney General , Daniel Cameron , present to the grand jury . ''
Lousiville Mayor Greg Fischer extended a citywide 9 p.m. curfew through the weekend amid protests in the city .
Additionally , the governors of both Missouri and Massachusetts singed orders activating the National Guard in anticipation of widespread protests throughout the country .
During protests late Wednesday , two Louisville Metro Police officers were shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police Chief Robert Schroeder said .
Activists outside Kentucky also rallied against the decision .
In Chicago , hundreds marched downtown and in several neighborhoods .
Members of a South Side church blocked a busy intersection in the Bronzeville neighborhood and poured fake blood onto the street , spelling out Taylor 's name .
`` We 're here tonight because we do care , '' pastor Michael Pfleger told the crowd .
`` We 're here because we want to say , 'We object and we do n't accept it .
Somebody has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Others marched in Wicker Park and Logan Square on the North Side of Chicago .
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker earlier called the grand jury decision a `` gross miscarriage of justice '' and `` absolutely heartbreaking , '' but urged that protests stay peaceful .
Protesters in Milwaukee and the Minneapolis-St. Paul area -- which saw unrest this summer after the shootings of Jacob Blake and George Floyd -- blocked freeways and called for an end to racial injustice .
`` The whole damn system is guilty as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some who 'd gathered at the Milwaukee County Courthouse pulled the Wisconsin and U.S. flags off their poles .
In Atlanta , hundreds marched down Peachtree Street to the city 's police headquarters and later to the state Capitol , where some clashed with the National Guard .
`` This is an empty indictment that serves as yet another miscarriage of justice and a slap in the face to the family of Breonna Taylor , '' said New Birth Missionary Baptist Church pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant .
State troopers used tear gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made several arrests .
In Seattle , where President Donald Trump sent federal forces earlier this summer in response to anti-racism protests , police said several demonstrators were arrested .
The group marched through downtown Seattle to the federal courthouse , where they honored Taylor at a makeshift memorial .

1/3
Protesters march with an effigy of Breonna Taylor during a demonstration in Los Angeles after the results of a grand jury probe into her death in Louisville, Ky., were announced Wednesday. Photo by Kyle Grillot/EPA-EFE
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Former Louisville, Ky., Metro Police Detective Brett Hankison intends to plead not guilty to first-degree wanton endangerment charges for shots fired on the night officers killed Breonna Taylor. Hankison's attorney, Stew Matthews, told CNN on Thursday that the evidence in the case does not support the charges against his client. Advertisement
Demonstrations began in Louisville soon after the Wednesday announcement from the Jefferson County grand jury that it had indicted Hankison on three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment for firing into an apartment next to Taylor's -- not the murder or manslaughter charges sought by Taylor's family for her killing inside her home.
The grand jury decided that the other two officers involved in Taylor's March 13 death, Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and Detective Myles Cosgrove, should face no charges as they acted in self-defense against Taylor's boyfriend, who fired on them.
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Ben Crump, the Taylor family's attorney, called the grand jury decision a "sham proceeding that did nothing to give Breonna Taylor a voice."
He told NBC's Today Thursday that the family was "outraged."
"They were insulted, and they were mostly offended," he said. "We're trying to figure out what did the Kentucky Attorney General, Daniel Cameron, present to the grand jury."
Lousiville Mayor Greg Fischer extended a citywide 9 p.m. curfew through the weekend amid protests in the city.
Additionally, the governors of both Missouri and Massachusetts singed orders activating the National Guard in anticipation of widespread protests throughout the country.
During protests late Wednesday, two Louisville Metro Police officers were shot and a suspect was arrested, interim Police Chief Robert Schroeder said.
Activists outside Kentucky also rallied against the decision.
In Chicago, hundreds marched downtown and in several neighborhoods. Members of a South Side church blocked a busy intersection in the Bronzeville neighborhood and poured fake blood onto the street, spelling out Taylor's name.
"We're here tonight because we do care," pastor Michael Pfleger told the crowd. "We're here because we want to say, 'We object and we don't accept it. Somebody has to be held accountable.'"
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Others marched in Wicker Park and Logan Square on the North Side of Chicago.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker earlier called the grand jury decision a "gross miscarriage of justice" and "absolutely heartbreaking," but urged that protests stay peaceful.
Protesters in Milwaukee and the Minneapolis-St. Paul area -- which saw unrest this summer after the shootings of Jacob Blake and George Floyd -- blocked freeways and called for an end to racial injustice.
"The whole damn system is guilty as hell," the Milwaukee activists chanted.
Some who'd gathered at the Milwaukee County Courthouse pulled the Wisconsin and U.S. flags off their poles.
In Atlanta, hundreds marched down Peachtree Street to the city's police headquarters and later to the state Capitol, where some clashed with the National Guard.
"This is an empty indictment that serves as yet another miscarriage of justice and a slap in the face to the family of Breonna Taylor," said New Birth Missionary Baptist Church pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant.
State troopers used tear gas to disperse protesters at the statehouse and made several arrests.
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In Seattle, where President Donald Trump sent federal forces earlier this summer in response to anti-racism protests, police said several demonstrators were arrested.
The group marched through downtown Seattle to the federal courthouse, where they honored Taylor at a makeshift memorial.
Protesters march for social justice


upi--2020-09-24--USS 'Woody' Williams conducts training exercises with Senegalese navy

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- The USS Hershel 'Woody ' Williams conducted passing and communications exercises with the Senegalese naval counterpart patrol vessel Kedougou this week , according to the Navy .
`` It was an honor and pleasure working beside the Senegalese Navy Warship OPV Kedougou and her crew , '' said Capt .
David L. Gray , commanding officer , Hershel 'Woody ' Williams , blue crew .
`` Their team was very professional and outstanding at ship driving , tactical signals , and excellent communicators .
The Hershel Woody Williams looks forward to our future interoperability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kedougou crew . ''
The two vessels used the Segenalese Maritime Operations Center to communicate and pass information to conduct the exercise , and Marines from II Marine Expeditionary Force provided additional assets for communication between the ships .
U.S. Navy vessels frequently conduct training exercises with allies and partners .
The Blue Crew of the USS Hershel `` Woody '' Williams departed Naval Station Norkfolk for its inaugural deployment in July with the intention of conducting missions that include counter-piracy and partner-training operations as well as special operations forces support .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Marine Corps veteran and World War II hero Hershel `` Woody '' Williams .
It was originally commissioned as the USNS Williams but redesignated as a warship , allowing it to legally carry out offensive military operations like allowing Marines or Navy SEALS to launch attacks from the ship .
The Williams is intended to be a long-term presence assigned to the U.S. Africa Command mission set .

The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) conducts a passing exercise (PASSEX) with Senegalese Navy patrol vessel Kedougou (OPV 45), in the Atlantic Ocean Monday. Photo by Sgt. Megan Roses/U.S. Navy
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- The USS Hershel 'Woody' Williams conducted passing and communications exercises with the Senegalese naval counterpart patrol vessel Kedougou this week, according to the Navy. "It was an honor and pleasure working beside the Senegalese Navy Warship OPV Kedougou and her crew," said Capt. David L. Gray, commanding officer, Hershel 'Woody' Williams, blue crew. "Their team was very professional and outstanding at ship driving, tactical signals, and excellent communicators. The Hershel Woody Williams looks forward to our future interoperability with the country of Senegal and the Kedougou crew." Advertisement
The two vessels used the Segenalese Maritime Operations Center to communicate and pass information to conduct the exercise, and Marines from II Marine Expeditionary Force provided additional assets for communication between the ships.
U.S. Navy vessels frequently conduct training exercises with allies and partners.
The Blue Crew of the USS Hershel "Woody" Williams departed Naval Station Norkfolk for its inaugural deployment in July with the intention of conducting missions that include counter-piracy and partner-training operations as well as special operations forces support.
The ship was commissioned in March and named for Marine Corps veteran and World War II hero Hershel "Woody" Williams.
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It was originally commissioned as the USNS Williams but redesignated as a warship, allowing it to legally carry out offensive military operations like allowing Marines or Navy SEALS to launch attacks from the ship.
The Williams is intended to be a long-term presence assigned to the U.S. Africa Command mission set.


upi--2020-09-24--U.S. executes Christopher Vialva; 7th federal inmate this year

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. government on Thursday carried out the lethal injection of Christopher Vialva for the deaths of a married couple in Texas more than two decades ago , making him the seventh federal execution this year .
The Bureau of Prisons announced the 40-year-old dead at 6:42 p.m. at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute , Ind .
Vialva was sentenced to death for killing Todd Bagley in 1999 near the Fort Hood Army base in Texas .
He also was convicted of killing Todd Bagley 's wife , Stacie Bagley , and burning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ execution came hours after the Supreme Court declined to issue a stay .
Vialva 's attorneys appealed to the high Court this week , saying he received ineffective counsel during his original trial because his lawyers did n't present evidence showing how his age at the time of the crime , 19 , may have made him less culpable for the murders .
They also argued that trial attorneys did n't present evidence that Vialva had organic brain injuries and untreated bipolar disorder , or that he had a `` dysfunctional upbringing [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they say , there had been a serious conflict of interest .
`` Had the jury heard the extensive mitigation evidence that weighed in favor of sparing Christopher 's life , it is very likely that he would not be facing execution today , '' said appellate attorney Susan Otto .
`` Furthermore , the lawyer who was supposed to be defending Christopher 's life was , at the same time , applying for a job with the office that was prosecuting Christopher .
This clear conflict of interest violated Christopher 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the question is not whether Christopher should be held accountable for the harm he caused -- no one disputes that .
It is whether we can truly call it justice to kill Christopher for a mistake he made as a teenager when he did not get the help or defense everyone deserves . ''
Defense lawyers cite scientific research that indicates that although the death penalty is outlawed for cases in which the perpetrator is 17 or younger , the brain is still under development into a person 's 20s .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unconstitutional for minors -- 17 and under -- citing research that said juveniles lack the maturity and responsibility of adults , and thus should n't be subject to the death penalty .
In a recorded interview with his lawyer , Vialva said he wants a stay not because he 's innocent of the Bagley killings , but because he feels like he 's been `` redeemed . ''
`` I committed a grave wrong when I was a lost kid and took two precious lives from this world .
Every day I wish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Death Penalty Information Center says a quarter of all federal death row inmates committed their crimes when they were 21 or younger .
Forty-two percent , it notes , were 25 or younger .
U.S. Attorney General William Barr resumed federal executions in July after a 17-year hiatus .
Daniel Lewis Lee , Wesley Purkey and Dustin Honken were executed in July ; Lezmond Mitchell and Keith Dwayne Nelson in August ; and William LeCroy on Tuesday .

Christopher Vialva is scheduled to be put to death Thursday at a federal prison in Indiana, for killing a couple in Texas in 1999. File Photo by Doug Smith/Florida Department of Corrections/Wikimedia Commons/UPI
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- The U.S. government on Thursday carried out the lethal injection of Christopher Vialva for the deaths of a married couple in Texas more than two decades ago, making him the seventh federal execution this year. The Bureau of Prisons announced the 40-year-old dead at 6:42 p.m. at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Ind. Advertisement
Vialva was sentenced to death for killing Todd Bagley in 1999 near the Fort Hood Army base in Texas. He also was convicted of killing Todd Bagley's wife, Stacie Bagley, and burning their bodies in their vehicle.
His execution came hours after the Supreme Court declined to issue a stay.
Vialva's attorneys appealed to the high Court this week, saying he received ineffective counsel during his original trial because his lawyers didn't present evidence showing how his age at the time of the crime, 19, may have made him less culpable for the murders.
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They also argued that trial attorneys didn't present evidence that Vialva had organic brain injuries and untreated bipolar disorder, or that he had a "dysfunctional upbringing [and] parental neglect." Further, they say, there had been a serious conflict of interest.
"Had the jury heard the extensive mitigation evidence that weighed in favor of sparing Christopher's life, it is very likely that he would not be facing execution today," said appellate attorney Susan Otto.
"Furthermore, the lawyer who was supposed to be defending Christopher's life was, at the same time, applying for a job with the office that was prosecuting Christopher. This clear conflict of interest violated Christopher's right to effective representation.
"Therefore, the question is not whether Christopher should be held accountable for the harm he caused -- no one disputes that. It is whether we can truly call it justice to kill Christopher for a mistake he made as a teenager when he did not get the help or defense everyone deserves."
Defense lawyers cite scientific research that indicates that although the death penalty is outlawed for cases in which the perpetrator is 17 or younger, the brain is still under development into a person's 20s.
The Supreme Court has ruled the death penalty unconstitutional for minors -- 17 and under -- citing research that said juveniles lack the maturity and responsibility of adults, and thus shouldn't be subject to the death penalty.
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In a recorded interview with his lawyer, Vialva said he wants a stay not because he's innocent of the Bagley killings, but because he feels like he's been "redeemed."
"I committed a grave wrong when I was a lost kid and took two precious lives from this world. Every day I wish I could right this wrong."
The Death Penalty Information Center says a quarter of all federal death row inmates committed their crimes when they were 21 or younger. Forty-two percent, it notes, were 25 or younger.
U.S. Attorney General William Barr resumed federal executions in July after a 17-year hiatus. Daniel Lewis Lee, Wesley Purkey and Dustin Honken were executed in July; Lezmond Mitchell and Keith Dwayne Nelson in August; and William LeCroy on Tuesday.


upi--2020-09-24--Kansas City Royals OF Alex Gordon to retire after 2020 season

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- Kansas City Royals veteran outfielder Alex Gordon announced Thursday he will retire after the 2020 season .
Gordon , a three-time All-Star selection , told reporters during a video press conference the coronavirus pandemic strengthened his desire to spend more time with his family and `` catch up on things I 've missed my whole life . ''
Gordon , who signed a one-year deal with the Royals earlier this year , will end his MLB career with the franchise that drafted him 15 years ago -- a rare feat in professional sports .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ played all 14 of his seasons with the Royals .
`` It 's hard .
I think any baseball player would say that , '' said Gordon , who turns 37 in February .
`` You grow up playing this game , it 's a game you love , but you come to that day when you know it 's over -- it 's hard . ''
Gordon said he considered retirement last year , when the rebuilding Royals hired Mike Matheny to replace longtime manager Ned Yost .
But with veteran teammates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still on the team , he opted to return to the club .
Gordon 's plans changed again during the COVID-19 outbreak .
With sports across the globe shut down due to the virus , he knew this would be his final season .
`` I feel like at the end of the day , I 'm missing my kids and their activities more than I 'm going to miss this , '' Gordon said .
`` It 's kind of bittersweet because this is hard for me to do .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But at the same time , I 'm excited to be around my family , be around my kids and just catch up on things I 've missed my whole life . ''
The Royals selected Gordon with the No .
2 overall pick in the 2005 first-year player draft after his standout career at Nebraska , where he won the Golden Spikes Award as the best amateur in baseball .
He made his major league debut two years later and spent the remainder of his career at the top level .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tigers this weekend , Gordon ranks third in walks ( 682 ) , fourth in home runs ( 190 ) , fifth in doubles ( 357 ) and sixth in games played ( 1,749 ) in franchise history .
He also is the Royals ' career leader in getting hit by pitches .
`` I remember telling my teachers I wanted to be a Major League Baseball player and sure enough it happened , '' said Gordon , who won a World Series title with the club in 2015 .
`` This game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career , but at the same time I 'm very blessed to do this as long as I have .
But it does take away from family time .
It 's kind of bittersweet .
`` I 'm going to miss my teammates in there and competing with them , but at the same time I 'm excited about the next chapter in my life . ''

Kansas City Royals outfielder Alex Gordon spent his entire MLB career with the Royals. He won a World Series championship with the club in 2015. File Photo by Kyle Rivas/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Kansas City Royals veteran outfielder Alex Gordon announced Thursday he will retire after the 2020 season. Gordon, a three-time All-Star selection, told reporters during a video press conference the coronavirus pandemic strengthened his desire to spend more time with his family and "catch up on things I've missed my whole life." Advertisement
Gordon, who signed a one-year deal with the Royals earlier this year, will end his MLB career with the franchise that drafted him 15 years ago -- a rare feat in professional sports. The seven-time Gold Glove Award winner has played all 14 of his seasons with the Royals.
"It's hard. I think any baseball player would say that," said Gordon, who turns 37 in February. "You grow up playing this game, it's a game you love, but you come to that day when you know it's over -- it's hard."
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Gordon said he considered retirement last year, when the rebuilding Royals hired Mike Matheny to replace longtime manager Ned Yost. But with veteran teammates such as Salvador Perez and Danny Duffy still on the team, he opted to return to the club.
Gordon's plans changed again during the COVID-19 outbreak. With sports across the globe shut down due to the virus, he knew this would be his final season.
"I feel like at the end of the day, I'm missing my kids and their activities more than I'm going to miss this," Gordon said. "It's kind of bittersweet because this is hard for me to do. This is what I've done my whole life. But at the same time, I'm excited to be around my family, be around my kids and just catch up on things I've missed my whole life."
After 14 years of hard work and dedication to the #Royals, Alex Gordon is retiring from baseball. Thank you for always giving it your all, Gordo.#4EverRoyal pic.twitter.com/S5A0Y7ASFq— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) September 24, 2020
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The Royals selected Gordon with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 first-year player draft after his standout career at Nebraska, where he won the Golden Spikes Award as the best amateur in baseball. He made his major league debut two years later and spent the remainder of his career at the top level.
Entering a four-game series against the Detroit Tigers this weekend, Gordon ranks third in walks (682), fourth in home runs (190), fifth in doubles (357) and sixth in games played (1,749) in franchise history. He also is the Royals' career leader in getting hit by pitches.
"I remember telling my teachers I wanted to be a Major League Baseball player and sure enough it happened," said Gordon, who won a World Series title with the club in 2015. "This game has been great for me over my career, but at the same time I'm very blessed to do this as long as I have. But it does take away from family time. It's kind of bittersweet.
"I'm going to miss my teammates in there and competing with them, but at the same time I'm excited about the next chapter in my life."
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This week in Major League Baseball


upi--2020-09-24--Military to remove identifying information from promotion applications

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- Top military officials are working to remove all personally identifying information from promotions packets , according to Army Gen. Mark Milley , chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff .
The Army , Navy and Air Force have agreed to remove not just official photographs but all other personal identifiers -- including name , gender and racial identity -- from promotions packets , Milley said Thursday .
`` All the service secretaries think this is the way to go , '' he said .
`` They made recommendations to the secretary of defense .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we speak .
And I fully support them .
I think it 's the way to go . ''
Milley said the intent is to remove conscious and unconscious bias from the promotion process .
`` The actual promotion of a given file , I think that should be neutral , and done based on merit , '' Milley said .
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said during a June address on diversity and inclusion in the military that the Pentagon was considering removing photos from promotion packets , and in July the Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that time Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville pointed out that the branch is relatively diverse , but does not have many people of color in leadership roles .
Also in June , the Pentagon created an internal board on diversity and inclusion chaired by Air Force Secretary Barbara Bennett .
That task force is soliciting input from service members via crowdsourcing and other means , and reviewing research on bias dating back several decades .

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley appear before the House Armed Services Committee hearing to discuss the Department of Defense in civilian law enforcement on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC in July. Pool Photo by Greg Nash/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Top military officials are working to remove all personally identifying information from promotions packets, according to Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Army, Navy and Air Force have agreed to remove not just official photographs but all other personal identifiers -- including name, gender and racial identity -- from promotions packets, Milley said Thursday. Advertisement
"All the service secretaries think this is the way to go," he said. "They made recommendations to the secretary of defense. And those actions are being implemented as we speak. And I fully support them. I think it's the way to go."
Milley said the intent is to remove conscious and unconscious bias from the promotion process.
"The actual promotion of a given file, I think that should be neutral, and done based on merit," Milley said.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said during a June address on diversity and inclusion in the military that the Pentagon was considering removing photos from promotion packets, and in July the Army removed photos from promotion packets.
At that time Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville pointed out that the branch is relatively diverse, but does not have many people of color in leadership roles.
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Also in June, the Pentagon created an internal board on diversity and inclusion chaired by Air Force Secretary Barbara Bennett.
That task force is soliciting input from service members via crowdsourcing and other means, and reviewing research on bias dating back several decades.


upi--2020-09-24--Super Hornet makes emergency landing after engine fire in Virginia

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- A Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet experienced an engine fire Monday , forcing it to @ @ @ @ @ Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia .
The incident took place while a Super Hornet @ @ @ @ @ was training over the Virginia Capes , with the emergency landing happening at noon , @ @ @ @ @ Cragg , a Naval Air Force Atlantic spokeswoman .
`` The aircraft landed safely at @ @ @ @ @ An aviation mishap investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the incident , @ @ @ @ @ There were no injuries . ''
A nearly identical mishap took place at the same @ @ @ @ @ Cragg declined to say whether officials think the incidents share a similar cause .

An F/A-18 Super Hornet assigned to Fighter Attack Squadron Thirty Seven "Raging Bulls" lands on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in 2009. Daron Street/U.S. Navy | License Photo
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- A Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet experienced an engine fire Monday, forcing it to make an emergency landing at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia. The incident took place while a Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron 11 was training over the Virginia Capes, with the emergency landing happening at noon, according to Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg, a Naval Air Force Atlantic spokeswoman. Advertisement
"The aircraft landed safely at NAS Oceana without incident. An aviation mishap investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the incident," Cragg said. "There were no injuries."
A nearly identical mishap took place at the same installation earlier this month.
Cragg declined to say whether officials think the incidents share a similar cause.


upi--2020-09-24--FBI director warns Chinese hackers are targeting U.S. COVID-19 research

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- FBI Director Christopher Wray on Thursday warned that Chinese hackers have been persistently targeting U.S. companies conducting research related to the COVID-19 pandemic .
In a hearing before the Senate homeland security and governmental affairs committee , Wray described China as the `` greatest counterintelligence threat '' to the United States , describing `` aggressive activity '' to target research on vaccines , treatments , testing technology and other coronavirus matters .
Wray said in his opening statement that the FBI has opened a new China-related counterintelligence case `` approximately every 10 hours '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active counterintelligence cases underway are related to China .
`` Sometimes , without being too descriptive in an open setting , we can almost track a news report form some company or research institution that is announcing or revealing some progress ... and then almost within days we will see cyber targeting that ties back to Chinese actors focusing on those institutions , '' Wray said .
The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency previously warned in May that China and its affiliates had been observed `` attempting to identify and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health data related '' to the pandemic .
In July , the United States charged two Chinese nationals with hacking pharmaceutical companies that are developing coronavirus vaccines .
Wray testified Thursday that China 's efforts seek to essentially allow the country to `` jump to the front of the line '' in regards to research and drug development by stealing information from other nations .
He added that Russia and Iran have also been observed targeting companies conducting COVID-19 research and that the scope of China 's actions extends beyond the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American companies , American research institutions , but also similar institutions among some of our closest allies and targeting PII , personally identifiable information , of Americans , '' he said .
`` Chinese hackers have essentially stolen the PII of about half the adult population of the United States . ''

FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before Congress Thursday that Chinese hackers are targeting U.S. COVID-19 research to advance the country's own research and development. Pool photo by Joshua Roberts/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- FBI Director Christopher Wray on Thursday warned that Chinese hackers have been persistently targeting U.S. companies conducting research related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a hearing before the Senate homeland security and governmental affairs committee, Wray described China as the "greatest counterintelligence threat" to the United States, describing "aggressive activity" to target research on vaccines, treatments, testing technology and other coronavirus matters. Advertisement
Wray said in his opening statement that the FBI has opened a new China-related counterintelligence case "approximately every 10 hours" and that nearly half of the 5,000 active counterintelligence cases underway are related to China.
"Sometimes, without being too descriptive in an open setting, we can almost track a news report form some company or research institution that is announcing or revealing some progress ... and then almost within days we will see cyber targeting that ties back to Chinese actors focusing on those institutions," Wray said.
The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency previously warned in May that China and its affiliates had been observed "attempting to identify and illicitly obtain valuable intellectual property and public health data related" to the pandemic.
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In July, the United States charged two Chinese nationals with hacking pharmaceutical companies that are developing coronavirus vaccines.
Wray testified Thursday that China's efforts seek to essentially allow the country to "jump to the front of the line" in regards to research and drug development by stealing information from other nations.
He added that Russia and Iran have also been observed targeting companies conducting COVID-19 research and that the scope of China's actions extends beyond the United States.
"They are targeting not just American companies, American research institutions, but also similar institutions among some of our closest allies and targeting PII, personally identifiable information, of Americans," he said. "Chinese hackers have essentially stolen the PII of about half the adult population of the United States."


upi--2020-09-24--489 retired national security leaders endorse Joe Biden for president

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- A group of 489 retired generals and admirals , as well as former national security officials and diplomats signed a letter endorsing Joe Biden for president Thursday .
The signatories include more than 200 retired generals and admirals , and nearly 300 former national security officials and diplomats , including former CIA and FBI Director William Webster as well as former defense secretaries William Perry , William Cohen , Chuck Hagel , Leon Panetta and Ash Carter .
`` We believe that Joe Biden is , above all , a good man with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' they wrote .
`` He is guided by the principles that have long made America great : democracy is a hard won-right we must defend and support at home and abroad . ''
The letter also states that while the signees -- who described themselves as Democrats , Republicans and Independents -- may hold differing opinions on some policy matters , they believe Biden 's positions `` are rooted in sound judgement , through understanding and fundamental values . ''
Retired Adm. Steve Abbot said he chose to sign the letter out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civic matters and cited disparaging comments President Donald Trump made about the late Sen. John McCain .
`` Over the past four years , I 've seen what is a clear manipulation of our military to serve his personal needs , '' Abbot said .
`` The military has been a loyal , reliable constant in this country because of its apolitical nature .
And here we had a president working to undermine it . ''

A group of 489 retired generals and admirals as well as former national security officials and diplomats signed a letter endorsing Joe Biden for president on Thursday. File Photo by UPI | License Photo
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- A group of 489 retired generals and admirals, as well as former national security officials and diplomats signed a letter endorsing Joe Biden for president Thursday. The signatories include more than 200 retired generals and admirals, and nearly 300 former national security officials and diplomats, including former CIA and FBI Director William Webster as well as former defense secretaries William Perry, William Cohen, Chuck Hagel, Leon Panetta and Ash Carter. Advertisement
"We believe that Joe Biden is, above all, a good man with a strong sense of right and wrong," they wrote. "He is guided by the principles that have long made America great: democracy is a hard won-right we must defend and support at home and abroad."
The letter also states that while the signees -- who described themselves as Democrats, Republicans and Independents -- may hold differing opinions on some policy matters, they believe Biden's positions "are rooted in sound judgement, through understanding and fundamental values."
Retired Adm. Steve Abbot said he chose to sign the letter out of a duty to be involved in civic matters and cited disparaging comments President Donald Trump made about the late Sen. John McCain.
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"Over the past four years, I've seen what is a clear manipulation of our military to serve his personal needs," Abbot said. "The military has been a loyal, reliable constant in this country because of its apolitical nature. And here we had a president working to undermine it."


upi--2020-09-24--Florida AG calls for probe into Bloomberg donations allowing felons to vote

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody called for an investigation into donations from Michael Bloomberg to pay off legal fines and fees for felons in the state to allow them to vote in November 's election .
Moody sent a letter to the FBI and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on Wednesday requesting a probe into Bloomberg 's efforts to raise $ 16 million along with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition for about 32,000 former prisoners who owed less than $ 1,500 in fees and had already registered to vote .
In the letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DeSantis asked her to look into the matter and also copied Florida prosecutor Nick Cox and U.S. attorney Maria Lopez .
The letter cites a Washington Post article detailing Bloomberg 's fundraising efforts , including a memo stating his team had `` identified a significant vote share that requires a nominal investment . ''
`` After preliminarily reviewing this limited public information and law , it appears further investigation is warranted , '' Moody wrote .
`` Accordingly , I request your agencies further investigate this matter and take appropriate steps as merited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , initially raised the possibility of an investigation in an interview with Fox News on Tuesday .
`` It is a felony [ under Florida statute ] for someone to either directly or indirectly offer something of value to impact whether or not someone votes , '' Gaetz said .
`` You have the question of whether or not paying someone restitution and court costs constitutes something of value . ''
Florida voters passed a measure in 2018 to restore voting rights to people who have been convicted of some crimes , excluding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeals court earlier this month upheld a measure passed in the state legislature requiring felons to pay any outstanding fines and fees before being allowed to vote .
`` This transparent political ploy is just the latest example of Republicans attempting to keep Floridians disfranchised , '' Schechter said .

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody requested a state and federal investigation into efforts by Michael Bloomberg to rais $16 million to pay legal fines and fees allowing felons in the state to vote. File Photo by UPI | License Photo
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody called for an investigation into donations from Michael Bloomberg to pay off legal fines and fees for felons in the state to allow them to vote in November's election. Moody sent a letter to the FBI and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on Wednesday requesting a probe into Bloomberg's efforts to raise $16 million along with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition for about 32,000 former prisoners who owed less than $1,500 in fees and had already registered to vote. Advertisement
In the letter, Moody states that Gov. Ron DeSantis asked her to look into the matter and also copied Florida prosecutor Nick Cox and U.S. attorney Maria Lopez.
The letter cites a Washington Post article detailing Bloomberg's fundraising efforts, including a memo stating his team had "identified a significant vote share that requires a nominal investment."
"After preliminarily reviewing this limited public information and law, it appears further investigation is warranted," Moody wrote. "Accordingly, I request your agencies further investigate this matter and take appropriate steps as merited."
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., initially raised the possibility of an investigation in an interview with Fox News on Tuesday.
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"It is a felony [under Florida statute] for someone to either directly or indirectly offer something of value to impact whether or not someone votes," Gaetz said. "You have the question of whether or not paying someone restitution and court costs constitutes something of value."
Florida voters passed a measure in 2018 to restore voting rights to people who have been convicted of some crimes, excluding murder and sexual offenses, but an appeals court earlier this month upheld a measure passed in the state legislature requiring felons to pay any outstanding fines and fees before being allowed to vote.
Bloomberg spokesman Jason Schechter condemned Moody's investigation.
"This transparent political ploy is just the latest example of Republicans attempting to keep Floridians disfranchised," Schechter said.


upi--2020-09-24--FDA adds abuse warning to labels for drugs like Xanax, Valium

Reacting to an upsurge in abuse of benzodiazepine sedatives such as Valium , Xanax and Ativan , U.S. officials on Wednesday added a `` Boxed Warning '' to the drugs ' labels , cautioning about the danger .
Benzodiazepines are tranquilizers commonly prescribed to help ease issues such as anxiety , seizures , insomnia and panic disorders .
But `` while benzodiazepines are important therapies for many Americans , they are also commonly abused and misused , often together with opioid pain relievers and other medicines , alcohol and illicit drugs , '' U.S. Food and Drug Agency Commissioner Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release .
So he said the FDA is now `` taking measures and requiring new labeling information to help health care professionals and patients better understand that while benzodiazepines have many treatment benefits , they also carry with them an increased risk of abuse , misuse , addiction and dependence . ''
Illicit use of `` benzos '' has been on the rise , and the drugs are often taken along with opioid drugs -- sometimes to deadly effect .
In fact , in a report released last year by the U.S Centers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were found to be involved in a full third of all fatal opioid overdoses .
The drugs were also involved in nearly two-thirds of overdoses tied to the lethal synthetic opioid fentanyl .
The report looked at 2017-2018 data from 25 states .
According to the FDA , in 2019 alone , more than 92 million prescriptions were written for benzodiazepines , with the most commonly used drugs in this class being alprazolam/Xanax ( 38 % ) , followed by clonazepam/Klonopin ( 24 % ) , and then lorazepam/Ativan ( 20 % ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short term treatment '' of disorders for which they are recommended , said Dr. Teresa Murray Amato , chair of emergency medicine at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills , in New York City .
However , the key phrase is `` short term '' : Benzos are typically recommended for use for less than a month .
Amato noted that , according to recent FDA data , `` approximately 50 % of benzodiazepine prescriptions were for over two months of medications . ''
So , `` providers need to consider the risks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medications , '' she said .
`` The FDA is hoping that by adding verbiage to the current warning , providers will be extra careful in not only prescribing these medications , but also to be mindful of the duration , '' according to Amato .
Addiction to benzodiazepines does n't take long to grab hold , the FDA noted .
`` Physical dependence can occur when benzodiazepines are taken steadily for several days to weeks , '' the agency said , and `` patients who have been taking a benzodiazepine for weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms when the medicine is discontinued abruptly . ''
Weaning yourself off the tranquilizers requires guidance from a physician , the agency stressed .
`` Stopping benzodiazepines abruptly or reducing the dosage too quickly can result in acute withdrawal reactions , including seizures , which can be life-threatening , '' the FDA said .
Amato agreed .
`` If you are currently taking benzodiazepines and have concerns , please speak to your doctor , '' she said .
`` Do not stop taking them if you have been on them for a prolonged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care provider .
For patients that are on these medications , there needs to be close medical supervision to safely taper dosages . ''
In addition to adding the new Boxed Warning , medication guides that accompany the drugs will be revised to better inform patients of the danger of abuse , the agency said .
The U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse has more about benzodiazepines .

The FDA has added a warning to benzodiazepines, tranquilizers commonly prescribed to help ease issues such as anxiety, seizures, insomnia and panic disorders. Photo by LizM /Pixabay
Reacting to an upsurge in abuse of benzodiazepine sedatives such as Valium, Xanax and Ativan, U.S. officials on Wednesday added a "Boxed Warning" to the drugs' labels, cautioning about the danger. Benzodiazepines are tranquilizers commonly prescribed to help ease issues such as anxiety, seizures, insomnia and panic disorders. Advertisement
But "while benzodiazepines are important therapies for many Americans, they are also commonly abused and misused, often together with opioid pain relievers and other medicines, alcohol and illicit drugs," U.S. Food and Drug Agency Commissioner Dr Stephen Hahn said in an agency news release.
So he said the FDA is now "taking measures and requiring new labeling information to help health care professionals and patients better understand that while benzodiazepines have many treatment benefits, they also carry with them an increased risk of abuse, misuse, addiction and dependence."
Illicit use of "benzos" has been on the rise, and the drugs are often taken along with opioid drugs -- sometimes to deadly effect.
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In fact, in a report released last year by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, benzos were found to be involved in a full third of all fatal opioid overdoses. The drugs were also involved in nearly two-thirds of overdoses tied to the lethal synthetic opioid fentanyl.
The report looked at 2017-2018 data from 25 states. According to the FDA, in 2019 alone, more than 92 million prescriptions were written for benzodiazepines, with the most commonly used drugs in this class being alprazolam/Xanax (38%), followed by clonazepam/Klonopin (24%), and then lorazepam/Ativan (20%).
"Benzodiazepines are very helpful for short term treatment" of disorders for which they are recommended, said Dr. Teresa Murray Amato, chair of emergency medicine at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills, in New York City.
However, the key phrase is "short term": Benzos are typically recommended for use for less than a month. Amato noted that, according to recent FDA data, "approximately 50% of benzodiazepine prescriptions were for over two months of medications." So, "providers need to consider the risks and benefits of prescribing longer courses of these medications," she said.
"The FDA is hoping that by adding verbiage to the current warning, providers will be extra careful in not only prescribing these medications, but also to be mindful of the duration," according to Amato.
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Addiction to benzodiazepines doesn't take long to grab hold, the FDA noted.
"Physical dependence can occur when benzodiazepines are taken steadily for several days to weeks," the agency said, and "patients who have been taking a benzodiazepine for weeks or months can have withdrawal signs and symptoms when the medicine is discontinued abruptly."
Weaning yourself off the tranquilizers requires guidance from a physician, the agency stressed.
"Stopping benzodiazepines abruptly or reducing the dosage too quickly can result in acute withdrawal reactions, including seizures, which can be life-threatening," the FDA said.
Amato agreed. "If you are currently taking benzodiazepines and have concerns, please speak to your doctor," she said. "Do not stop taking them if you have been on them for a prolonged period of time before speaking with your health care provider. For patients that are on these medications, there needs to be close medical supervision to safely taper dosages."
In addition to adding the new Boxed Warning, medication guides that accompany the drugs will be revised to better inform patients of the danger of abuse, the agency said.
More information
The U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse has more about benzodiazepines.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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upi--2020-09-24--Qantas selling off stocked bar carts from retired 747s

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- Australian airline Qantas , which recently retired its fleet of Boeing 747 jets , @ @ @ @ @ chance to bring a piece of the airline home by selling 1,000 fully stocked bar @ @ @ @ @ the carts , which were removed from the planes before they were flown to California @ @ @ @ @ stocked with goods including champagne , Australian wines , Tim Tam cookies , pajamas and @ @ @ @ @ pillows .
The carts are being sold for $ 685 each -- or 169,000 Qantas @ @ @ @ @ 747s were in service for nearly 50 years before being retired six months earlier than @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
`` There has been huge demand for Qantas 747 memorabilia and Frequent Flyers @ @ @ @ @ convert the bespoke in-flight trolley into everything from lamp stands to storage units .
The @ @ @ @ @ with some of Qantas ' most popular on-board service items will hopefully inspire some high-flying @ @ @ @ @ said Phil Capps , Qantas ' executive manager of product and service .

Australian airline Qantas is selling 1,000 stocked bar carts removed from its fleet of retired Boeing 747 jets. Photo courtesy of Qantas
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Australian airline Qantas, which recently retired its fleet of Boeing 747 jets, is giving aviation fans the chance to bring a piece of the airline home by selling 1,000 fully stocked bar carts. The airline said the carts, which were removed from the planes before they were flown to California for their retirement, are stocked with goods including champagne, Australian wines, Tim Tam cookies, pajamas and Qantas First Class Sheridan throw pillows. Advertisement
The carts are being sold for $685 each -- or 169,000 Qantas Points.
The airline's 747s were in service for nearly 50 years before being retired six months earlier than planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"There has been huge demand for Qantas 747 memorabilia and Frequent Flyers have expressed keen interest to convert the bespoke in-flight trolley into everything from lamp stands to storage units. The fact they come fully stocked with some of Qantas' most popular on-board service items will hopefully inspire some high-flying fun at home," said Phil Capps, Qantas' executive manager of product and service.


upi--2020-09-24--Nanocrystals can trigger explosive volcanic eruptions

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- The presence of tiny crystals in magma can cause volcanoes to violently explode , according to a new study published Thursday in the journal Science Advances .
`` Exactly what causes the sudden and violent eruption of apparently peaceful volcanoes has always been a mystery in geology research , '' lead researcher Danilo Di Genova said in a news release .
`` Nanogeoscience research has now allowed us to find an explanation .
Tiny crystal grains containing mostly iron , silicon , and aluminium are the first link in a chain of cause and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people living in the vicinity of a volcano , '' said Di Genova , a geophysicist at the University of Bayreuth in Germany .
Using a combination of spectroscopic and electron microscopic imaging techniques , researchers were able to identify nano-sized crystals called nanolites in the ashes of active volcanoes .
In the lab , scientists successfully demonstrated how these tiny crystals , ten thousand times thinner than a human hair , increase the viscosity of volcanic magma , preventing volcanic gasses from bubbling up , escaping and relieving pressure inside magma chambers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on magma with low levels of silicon oxide , the kind of magma that forms basalt when it cools .
Low silica magma is n't very viscous ; it is typically thin and runny .
When low silica magma erupts , it spreads quickly .
`` Basaltic volcanoes generally provide a stark contrast to their high-silica cousins , showing relatively low explosivity even if they have a high volatile content , '' researchers wrote in their paper .
But the latest research suggests the presence of nanolites can turn low silica magma quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gasses to pass through it .
As a result , bubbling gasses accumulate , increasing pressure in a magma chamber until the volcano explodes .
`` Constant light plumes of smoke above a volcanic cone need not necessarily be interpreted as a sign of an imminent dangerous eruption , '' Di Genova said .
`` Conversely , however , the inactivity of apparently peaceful volcanoes can be deceptive . ''
In followup studies , researchers plan to use both computer simulations and high-pressure facilities to model the geochemical processes that result in sudden @ @ @

The presence of tiny crystals can make typically peaceful basaltic volcanoes surprisingly explosive, researchers say. Photo by Scot Nelson/ Flickr
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- The presence of tiny crystals in magma can cause volcanoes to violently explode, according to a new study published Thursday in the journal Science Advances. "Exactly what causes the sudden and violent eruption of apparently peaceful volcanoes has always been a mystery in geology research," lead researcher Danilo Di Genova said in a news release. Advertisement
"Nanogeoscience research has now allowed us to find an explanation. Tiny crystal grains containing mostly iron, silicon, and aluminium are the first link in a chain of cause and effect that can end in catastrophe for people living in the vicinity of a volcano," said Di Genova, a geophysicist at the University of Bayreuth in Germany.
Using a combination of spectroscopic and electron microscopic imaging techniques, researchers were able to identify nano-sized crystals called nanolites in the ashes of active volcanoes.
In the lab, scientists successfully demonstrated how these tiny crystals, ten thousand times thinner than a human hair, increase the viscosity of volcanic magma, preventing volcanic gasses from bubbling up, escaping and relieving pressure inside magma chambers.
For their experiments, researchers focused on magma with low levels of silicon oxide, the kind of magma that forms basalt when it cools. Low silica magma isn't very viscous; it is typically thin and runny. When low silica magma erupts, it spreads quickly.
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"Basaltic volcanoes generally provide a stark contrast to their high-silica cousins, showing relatively low explosivity even if they have a high volatile content," researchers wrote in their paper.
But the latest research suggests the presence of nanolites can turn low silica magma quite viscous, making it difficult for rising gasses to pass through it. As a result, bubbling gasses accumulate, increasing pressure in a magma chamber until the volcano explodes.
"Constant light plumes of smoke above a volcanic cone need not necessarily be interpreted as a sign of an imminent dangerous eruption," Di Genova said. "Conversely, however, the inactivity of apparently peaceful volcanoes can be deceptive."
In followup studies, researchers plan to use both computer simulations and high-pressure facilities to model the geochemical processes that result in sudden explosive eruptions.


upi--2020-09-24--84-year-old Korean War veteran presented with high school diploma

Sept. 24 ( UPI ) -- An 84-year-old Texas man was presented with a high school diploma more than 65 @ @ @ @ @ prematurely to serve in the Korean War .
Texarkana Independent School District 's Board of @ @ @ @ @ recent meeting to present Paul Mackey with his high school diploma .
Mackey had been @ @ @ @ @ , but left before finishing his senior year to join the U.S. Marines and serve @ @ @ @ @ `` Many American students gave up their educational dreams when they left high school to @ @ @ @ @ during time of war , '' school district spokeswoman Tina Veal-Gooch said .
Veal-Gooch said @ @ @ @ @ districts to issue diplomas to honorably discharged veterans who served in World War II , @ @ @ @ @ , who previously got his GED and graduated college , said getting his diploma completed @ @ @ @ @ kids out there who see this -- be smart , '' Mackey told KSLA-TV .
@ @ @ @ @ to school and stay in school . ''

Paul Mackey, 84, who left high school early to serve in the Korean War, was presented with his high school diploma by the Texarkana Independent School District's Board of Trustees. Photo courtesy of the Texarkana Independent School District
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Sept. 24 (UPI) -- An 84-year-old Texas man was presented with a high school diploma more than 65 years after he left school prematurely to serve in the Korean War. Texarkana Independent School District's Board of Trustees took time during a recent meeting to present Paul Mackey with his high school diploma. Advertisement
Mackey had been scheduled to graduate in 1954, but left before finishing his senior year to join the U.S. Marines and serve in the Korean War.
"Many American students gave up their educational dreams when they left high school to enlist and serve their country during time of war," school district spokeswoman Tina Veal-Gooch said.
Veal-Gooch said the Texas Education Code allows districts to issue diplomas to honorably discharged veterans who served in World War II, Korea or Vietnam.
Mackey, who previously got his GED and graduated college, said getting his diploma completed his education.
"You kids out there who see this -- be smart," Mackey told KSLA-TV. "Be smart and go to school and stay in school."