upi--2020-09-28--Modern humans moved into Western Europe 5,000 years earlier than previously thought

Sept. 28 ( UPI ) -- Modern humans were occupying parts of Western Europe at least 38,000 to 41,000 years ago , 5,000 years earlier than previously thought .
The discovery and analysis of ancient stone tools in a Portuguese cave -- detailed Monday in the journal PNAS -- suggests modern humans were along Europe 's Atlantic Coast at the same time that Neanderthals occupied the region .
Paleontologists have been excavating the Portuguese cave known as Lapa do Picareiro for more than 25 years , but until now , researchers had failed to turn up evidence that modern humans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of local Neanderthals .
During recent digs , researchers unearthed stone tools similar to those associated with early human populations at the other end of the continent , where Europe becomes Asia .
`` The technology used to make the tools is found in sites all across Europe from northern Spain to Russia , '' Jonathan Haws , professor and chair of the anthropology department at the University of Louisville , told UPI in an email .
`` They are part of the Aurignacian technocomplex that has several phases over time .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains but the later ones have a few modern human remains , '' Haws said .
`` Since these phases are technologically almost identical , we extrapolate back in time the association with modern humans to the early phases . ''
By radiocarbon dating several butchered animal bones found in close proximity to the tools , researchers were able to confirm the presence of modern humans in Western Europe during the early stages of the Late Stone Age .
Researchers have uncovered ample evidence that modern humans populated Europe from east to west @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the earliest dispersals of modern humans have remained unclear .
The latest findings lend support to the theory that the earliest groups of anatomically modern humans moved from east to west across Europe , in addition to offering a bit of clarity on the timing of early pan-European dispersals .
Researchers remain in the dark , however , on whether early groups from Eurasia moved mostly across inland Europe , following the continent 's major rivers , or preferred to migrate along the southern coast .
`` We need more field work , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are needed along potential routes .
There are ongoing projects that may soon yield this evidence . ''
The new findings also lend support to the results of genomic surveys that have shown limited interbreeding between modern humans and Neanderthals .
`` The findings agree with the latest genetic evidence for the assimilation of Neanderthals into modern human populations , '' Haws said .
`` The Neanderthal input into the modern human genome is very slight suggesting limited contact and interbreeding . ''
`` Our findings suggest that modern humans moved so rapidly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Portugal because Neanderthal populations were very sparse , '' Haws said .
`` The lack of evidence of technology transfers from incoming modern humans to Neanderthals also supports the conclusion that interactions were rare . ''
Though researchers have yet to turn up evidence of concurrent Neanderthal stone technology at Lapa do Picareiro , excavations at a nearby Portuguese cave suggest Neanderthals were still in the area by the time modern humans showed up .
Still , paleontologists estimate Neanderthals were likely in decline .
`` The fact that [ human tools ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago really upset our previously held ideas that Neanderthals survived longer and were able to resist modern human colonization , '' Haws said .
`` It really shows that modern humans had moved rapidly and largely unimpeded across Eurasia . ''
Researchers are continuing to excavate Late Paleolithic cave sites in the region to get a better sense of the occupational overlap of modern humans and Neanderthals in Western Europe .
`` We 're already working on extracting ancient DNA from the cave sediments to reconstruct the genomes of both groups , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late Neanderthal survival is still open and we hope to definitely answer that because it 's directly linked to the question of possible interaction and assimilation . ''

In a Portuguese cave, researchers unearthed evidence that modern humans occupied Western Europe as early as 41,000 years ago. Photo by Jonathan Haws/University of Louisville
Sept. 28 (UPI) -- Modern humans were occupying parts of Western Europe at least 38,000 to 41,000 years ago, 5,000 years earlier than previously thought. The discovery and analysis of ancient stone tools in a Portuguese cave -- detailed Monday in the journal PNAS -- suggests modern humans were along Europe's Atlantic Coast at the same time that Neanderthals occupied the region. Advertisement
Paleontologists have been excavating the Portuguese cave known as Lapa do Picareiro for more than 25 years, but until now, researchers had failed to turn up evidence that modern humans might have arrived prior to the disappearance of local Neanderthals.
During recent digs, researchers unearthed stone tools similar to those associated with early human populations at the other end of the continent, where Europe becomes Asia.
"The technology used to make the tools is found in sites all across Europe from northern Spain to Russia," Jonathan Haws, professor and chair of the anthropology department at the University of Louisville, told UPI in an email.
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"They are part of the Aurignacian technocomplex that has several phases over time. The early phases do not have associated human remains but the later ones have a few modern human remains," Haws said. "Since these phases are technologically almost identical, we extrapolate back in time the association with modern humans to the early phases."
By radiocarbon dating several butchered animal bones found in close proximity to the tools, researchers were able to confirm the presence of modern humans in Western Europe during the early stages of the Late Stone Age.
Researchers have uncovered ample evidence that modern humans populated Europe from east to west, but the timing and trajectory of the earliest dispersals of modern humans have remained unclear.
The latest findings lend support to the theory that the earliest groups of anatomically modern humans moved from east to west across Europe, in addition to offering a bit of clarity on the timing of early pan-European dispersals.
Researchers remain in the dark, however, on whether early groups from Eurasia moved mostly across inland Europe, following the continent's major rivers, or preferred to migrate along the southern coast.
"We need more field work," Haws said. "Archaeological surveys are needed along potential routes. There are ongoing projects that may soon yield this evidence."
Advertisement
The new findings also lend support to the results of genomic surveys that have shown limited interbreeding between modern humans and Neanderthals.
"The findings agree with the latest genetic evidence for the assimilation of Neanderthals into modern human populations," Haws said. "The Neanderthal input into the modern human genome is very slight suggesting limited contact and interbreeding."
"Our findings suggest that modern humans moved so rapidly across Eurasia and into what is now Portugal because Neanderthal populations were very sparse," Haws said. "The lack of evidence of technology transfers from incoming modern humans to Neanderthals also supports the conclusion that interactions were rare."
Though researchers have yet to turn up evidence of concurrent Neanderthal stone technology at Lapa do Picareiro, excavations at a nearby Portuguese cave suggest Neanderthals were still in the area by the time modern humans showed up. Still, paleontologists estimate Neanderthals were likely in decline.
"The fact that [human tools] exist in this cave at roughly 40,000 years ago really upset our previously held ideas that Neanderthals survived longer and were able to resist modern human colonization," Haws said. "It really shows that modern humans had moved rapidly and largely unimpeded across Eurasia."
Researchers are continuing to excavate Late Paleolithic cave sites in the region to get a better sense of the occupational overlap of modern humans and Neanderthals in Western Europe.
Advertisement
"We're already working on extracting ancient DNA from the cave sediments to reconstruct the genomes of both groups," Haws. "The question of late Neanderthal survival is still open and we hope to definitely answer that because it's directly linked to the question of possible interaction and assimilation."


upi--2020-09-28--Watch: Blackpink tease 'Lovesick Girls' video

Sept. 28 ( UPI ) -- South Korean girl group Blackpink gave fans a glimpse Monday of their new Lovesick Girls video with the song to be released on their first full-length album this week .
The video is based on the `` Lovesick Girls '' song that the K-pop group tweeted in a poster previewing it Sunday as the main track on their album , premiering at midnight Friday .
The interactive poster shows pairs of the girls with one girl in each pair leaning on another 's shoulder under the moonlight .
The video teaser shows the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Lisa -- leaning on each other , but also letting loose and running free with music playing .
The quartet will host a livestream event ahead of The Album release , they announced on Instagram .
Called `` Comeback Live , '' the event will be shown on the South Korean video streaming service VLive at 9 p.m. EST Thursday .
Blackpink released another track , `` How You Like That , '' which will be on the upcoming album , as a music video in June .
In August , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The stars recently reflected on their early bond as girlfriends during `` pop star boot camp '' in an article to appear in the October issue of Elle magazine .
A new documentary about the group , Blackpink : Light Up the Sky , will premiere on Oct. 14 on Netflix .

Sept. 28 (UPI) -- South Korean girl group Blackpink gave fans a glimpse Monday of their new Lovesick Girls video with the song to be released on their first full-length album this week.
The video is based on the "Lovesick Girls" song that the K-pop group tweeted in a poster previewing it Sunday as the main track on their album, premiering at midnight Friday. The interactive poster shows pairs of the girls with one girl in each pair leaning on another's shoulder under the moonlight.
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The video teaser shows the group members -- Jennie, Rose, Jisoo and Lisa -- leaning on each other, but also letting loose and running free with music playing.
The quartet will host a livestream event ahead of The Album release, they announced on Instagram. Called "Comeback Live," the event will be shown on the South Korean video streaming service VLive at 9 p.m. EST Thursday.
Blackpink released another track, "How You Like That," which will be on the upcoming album, as a music video in June. In August, they released another track, "Ice Cream."
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The stars recently reflected on their early bond as girlfriends during "pop star boot camp" in an article to appear in the October issue of Elle magazine.
A new documentary about the group, Blackpink: Light Up the Sky, will premiere on Oct. 14 on Netflix.


upi--2020-09-28--United pilots union votes to approve deal to stop furloughs

Sept. 28 ( UPI ) -- The United Airlines pilot union members voted to approve an agreement with airline management that would cancel almost 3,000 previously announced furloughs , the union said Monday .
`` Our members understood that in order to protect pilot jobs , we needed to approve this agreement , '' Todd Insler , United Master Executive Council chairman said in a statement .
`` We 're spreading the existing flying among our pilot group while locking in permanent contractual gains .
I am proud of our pilots for showing the unity and resolve needed in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevents any United pilot from being furloughed at least until June 2021 , the union said .
The company also agrees to allow early retirement for all pilots over age 50 with 10 years of experience .
The deal will also shield pilots from temporary work reductions based on market demands , the union said .
`` While we still face a difficult path to recovery , your support of this creative and unique agreement puts us in an unparalleled position of strength when demand recovers , '' Brian Quigley , the airline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said in a statement on Monday .
`` In addition to avoiding furloughs , this agreement greatly enhances our ability to bounce back -- so we can welcome more passengers and return to the 2019 levels of seat and fleet advancement more quickly . ''
About 2,850 pilots were scheduled for layoffs beginning in October , with 1,000 more pilot furloughs scheduled for next year .
The deal was ratified by 58 % of the pilots who voted on it .
About 13,000 United pilots are represented by the Air Line Pilots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lay off 12,000 other union employees this week , including flight attendants and mechanics .
The Delta Air Lines pilot 's union announced Tuesday that the company would postpone the furlough of more than 1,700 pilots until Nov. 1 to give the union and company more time to negotiate , including the possibility of wage cuts .
Most of Delta 's tens of thousand of workers wo n't face job cuts due to voluntary leaves of absence , buyouts and shorter schedules , the airline said .
United and other airlines announced furloughs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 25 billion of federal pandemic rescue aid and protection against furloughs expires .
CEOs of U.S. airlines such as Delta and American Airlines are lobbying Congress and the White House for another $ 25 billion to delay furloughs through next March , but Congress seems unable to come to an agreement on a fourth installment of pandemic relief .
Passenger traffic on U.S. airlines dropped by two-thirds during the second quarter in June to 236,000 flights down from 670,000 flights last year , the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported .
Airlines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic began early this year and virtually all have made cutbacks to offset the lost revenues from declines in passenger traffic .

The United Airlines pilot union announced Monday that members approved a deal to avoid almost 3,000 furloughs. File Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 28 (UPI) -- The United Airlines pilot union members voted to approve an agreement with airline management that would cancel almost 3,000 previously announced furloughs, the union said Monday. "Our members understood that in order to protect pilot jobs, we needed to approve this agreement," Todd Insler, United Master Executive Council chairman said in a statement. "We're spreading the existing flying among our pilot group while locking in permanent contractual gains. I am proud of our pilots for showing the unity and resolve needed in the face of uncertainty." Advertisement
The deal prevents any United pilot from being furloughed at least until June 2021, the union said. The company also agrees to allow early retirement for all pilots over age 50 with 10 years of experience. The deal will also shield pilots from temporary work reductions based on market demands, the union said.
"While we still face a difficult path to recovery, your support of this creative and unique agreement puts us in an unparalleled position of strength when demand recovers," Brian Quigley, the airline's senior vice president of flight operations, said in a statement on Monday. "In addition to avoiding furloughs, this agreement greatly enhances our ability to bounce back -- so we can welcome more passengers and return to the 2019 levels of seat and fleet advancement more quickly."
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About 2,850 pilots were scheduled for layoffs beginning in October, with 1,000 more pilot furloughs scheduled for next year.
The deal was ratified by 58% of the pilots who voted on it. About 13,000 United pilots are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association.
Meanwhile United still plans to lay off 12,000 other union employees this week, including flight attendants and mechanics.
The Delta Air Lines pilot's union announced Tuesday that the company would postpone the furlough of more than 1,700 pilots until Nov. 1 to give the union and company more time to negotiate, including the possibility of wage cuts.
Most of Delta's tens of thousand of workers won't face job cuts due to voluntary leaves of absence, buyouts and shorter schedules, the airline said.
United and other airlines announced furloughs and job cuts starting Thursday, when $25 billion of federal pandemic rescue aid and protection against furloughs expires. CEOs of U.S. airlines such as Delta and American Airlines are lobbying Congress and the White House for another $25 billion to delay furloughs through next March, but Congress seems unable to come to an agreement on a fourth installment of pandemic relief.
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Passenger traffic on U.S. airlines dropped by two-thirds during the second quarter in June to 236,000 flights down from 670,000 flights last year, the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported.
Airlines worldwide have experienced significant losses since the pandemic began early this year and virtually all have made cutbacks to offset the lost revenues from declines in passenger traffic.


upi--2020-09-29--LVMH sues to abandon $16B deal to acquire Tiffany & Co.

Sept. 29 ( UPI ) -- The owner of luxury retailer Louis Vuitton has filed a countersuit against Tiffany & Co. in an effort to abandon a $ 16 billion acquisition agreement .
France-based LVMH Moet Hennessy said earlier this month it would drop the deal , citing `` a succession of events which undermine the acquisition '' -- including an order from French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to defer the transaction due to taxes threats by the United States .
Tiffany had requested to extend the `` outside date '' of the merger from November to January and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bid to force the acquisition .
Tiffany argued that the French government request for a delay was unlawful .
LVMH argues that it should be allowed to kill the agreement because Tiffany has n't met its provisions .
`` LVMH continues to have full confidence in its position that the conditions necessary to close the acquisition of Tiffany have not been met and that the spurious arguments put forward by Tiffany are completely unfounded , '' LVMH said in a statement .
In its countersuit , LVMH acknowledged several factors in walking away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic and complaints about Tiffany mismanagement during negotiations , like burning through cash and giving exorbitant dividends to shareholders .
`` No other luxury company in the world did so during this crisis , '' the company said .
`` There are many examples of mismanagement detailed in the filing , including slashing capital and marketing investments and taking on additional debt . ''
LVMH said it had met all obligations in the deal , including clearing regulatory hurdles .
The company said it expects approval for its plan from the European Commission @ @ @

LVMH cites multiple factors in its bid to drop the deal, including mismanagement at Tiffany & Co. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 29 (UPI) -- The owner of luxury retailer Louis Vuitton has filed a countersuit against Tiffany & Co. in an effort to abandon a $16 billion acquisition agreement. France-based LVMH Moet Hennessy said earlier this month it would drop the deal, citing "a succession of events which undermine the acquisition" -- including an order from French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to defer the transaction due to taxes threats by the United States. Advertisement
Tiffany had requested to extend the "outside date" of the merger from November to January and ultimately sued LVMH in Delaware in a bid to force the acquisition. Tiffany argued that the French government request for a delay was unlawful.
LVMH argues that it should be allowed to kill the agreement because Tiffany hasn't met its provisions.
"LVMH continues to have full confidence in its position that the conditions necessary to close the acquisition of Tiffany have not been met and that the spurious arguments put forward by Tiffany are completely unfounded," LVMH said in a statement.
In its countersuit, LVMH acknowledged several factors in walking away from the deal, including the COVID-19 pandemic and complaints about Tiffany mismanagement during negotiations, like burning through cash and giving exorbitant dividends to shareholders.
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"No other luxury company in the world did so during this crisis," the company said. "There are many examples of mismanagement detailed in the filing, including slashing capital and marketing investments and taking on additional debt."
LVMH said it had met all obligations in the deal, including clearing regulatory hurdles. The company said it expects approval for its plan from the European Commission next month.


upi--2020-09-29--Watch: Mariah Carey discusses unreleased alt-rock album on 'Late Show'

Sept. 29 ( UPI ) -- Mariah Carey appeared on The Late Show and discussed a secret alt-rock album she made in 1995 .
Carey first announced the existence of the album on Twitter by posting an except from her recently released memoir about her time working on the project .
The tweet also includes a snippet of music .
Carey told host Stephen Colbert that she made the artwork for the album , titled Someone 's Ugly Daughter , by a band known as Chick .
The singer said her friend Clarissa Dane recorded over her vocals .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was like such a popular genre at the time and I was like well , I have a full band here , let 's just do something and I 'll just make up some nonsense , '' Carey said .
Carey said she was unable to release the project or a planned music video due to the record label .
`` I kind of had to abandon the project , but I 'm kind of happy that at this moment , the fans are actually hearing it .
It 's me doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone that I created that does n't actually exist , '' Carey said .
Carey also discussed how her dedicated fans known as Lambs helped push her holiday hit `` All I Want For Christmas Is You '' to No .
1 on the overall music charts 25 years after it was released .
`` I ca n't even explain how great it felt , '' she said about the song reaching the milestone .

Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Mariah Carey appeared on The Late Show and discussed a secret alt-rock album she made in 1995.
Carey first announced the existence of the album on Twitter by posting an except from her recently released memoir about her time working on the project. The tweet also includes a snippet of music.
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Carey told host Stephen Colbert that she made the artwork for the album, titled Someone's Ugly Daughter, by a band known as Chick. The singer said her friend Clarissa Dane recorded over her vocals.
Fun fact: I did an alternative album while I was making Daydream Just for laughs, but it got me through some dark days. Here's a little of what I wrote about it in #TheMeaningOfMariahCarey S/O to my friend Clarissa who performs the lead w/ me as a hidden layer #Chick #TMOMC pic.twitter.com/Re23t5whcd— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) September 27, 2020
"I did it for laughs and because it was like such a popular genre at the time and I was like well, I have a full band here, let's just do something and I'll just make up some nonsense," Carey said.
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Carey said she was unable to release the project or a planned music video due to the record label.
"I kind of had to abandon the project, but I'm kind of happy that at this moment, the fans are actually hearing it. It's me doing an accent, doing an imitation of someone that I created that doesn't actually exist," Carey said.
Carey also discussed how her dedicated fans known as Lambs helped push her holiday hit "All I Want For Christmas Is You" to No. 1 on the overall music charts 25 years after it was released.
"I can't even explain how great it felt," she said about the song reaching the milestone.
Mariah Carey turns 54: a look back


upi--2020-09-29--In photos: Moments from the National Football League for the week of Sept. 27, 2020

Green Bay Packers ' Aaron Rodgers ( 12 ) looks to throw the ball against the New Orleans Saints in @ @ @ @ @ Rodgers completed 21 of 32 passes in the Packers ' 37-30 triumph .
Photo by @ @

The Ravens' Miles Boykin (60) is unable to make the end zone catch under pressure from the Chiefs' Rashad Fenton. Photo by David Tulis/UPI


upi--2020-09-29--French Open: Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal advance; Daniil Medvedev upset

Sept. 29 ( UPI ) -- Serena Williams , Rafael Nadal , Dominic Thiem and Elina Svitolina all advanced while Daniil Medvedev , Gael Monfils and Madison Keys were upset in the opening round of the 2020 French Open Monday -- which is being staged four months later than usual this year .
A three-time champion at Roland Garros , Williams beat fellow American Kristie Ahn in straight sets -- 7-6 ( 2 ) , 6-0 -- in Paris and advanced to face Tsvetana Pironkova in the second round .
`` I just need to play with more confidence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters .
`` I just started playing like that .
I was moving and sliding and I think her level dropped a little bit after the first set .
`` I took advantage of that . ''
The 23-time Grand Slam champion hit 11 aces and 26 winners in the one-hour , 41-minute match .
Williams won the first point of the first set before Ahn rallied for a 3-1 lead .
They traded the next two points before Ahn broke Williams ' serve to win the ninth game .
Williams won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead before Ahn forced a tiebreak , which Williams won to take the first set .
Ahn would n't win another game .
Williams dominated the second set and clinched the victory with a 101-mph ace at match point .
Svitolina -- the No .
3 seed -- was the highest-seeded player to advance Monday from the women 's singles draw , beating Varvara Gracheva in straight sets .
No .
5 Kiki Bertens beat Katarina Zavatska in three sets and No .
7 Petra Kvitova beat Oceane Dodin without losing a set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the No .
12 seed -- in straight sets .
Nadal -- the No .
2 seed in the men 's singles draw -- beat Egor Gerasimov 6-4 , 6-4 , 6-2 , and was the highest-seeded men 's player to advance Monday .
The 12-time French Open champion hit three aces , 32 winners and 20 unforced errors in the win .
Gerasimov committed 28 errors in the two-hour , five-minute match .
Nadal , who next faces American Mackenzie McDonald in the second round Wednesday , hopes to win the French @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` That was a normal first match for Roland Garros , '' Nadal said .
`` I am happy .
I did the things I had to do .
I did n't expect much more .
`` I did things well and I am happy for the victory . ''
Thiem , the No .
3 seed , defeated Croat and former U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic in straight sets .
Italian Marton Fucsovics ousted Medvedev , the No .
4 seed , with a 6-4 , 7-6 ( 3 ) , 2-6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 51 unforced errors in the three-hour , 17-minute match .
Monfils , the No .
8 seed , fell to unseeded Alexander Bublik , who hit six aces and 47 winners in the two-hour , 35-minute match .
Monfils committed 58 errors and 12 double faults .
Tuesday 's French Open slate features No .
1 Novak Djokovic , No .
5 Stefanos Tsitsipas , No .
9 Denis Shapovalov and No .
10 Roberto Bautista Agut on the men 's side -- and No .
2 Karolína Plíšková , fourth-seeded American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sabalenka in the women 's draw .

Serena Williams reacts Monday during her match with fellow American Kristie Ahn in the first round of the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France. Photo by Julien De Rosa/EPA-EFE
Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem and Elina Svitolina all advanced while Daniil Medvedev, Gael Monfils and Madison Keys were upset in the opening round of the 2020 French Open Monday -- which is being staged four months later than usual this year. A three-time champion at Roland Garros, Williams beat fellow American Kristie Ahn in straight sets -- 7-6 (2), 6-0 -- in Paris and advanced to face Tsvetana Pironkova in the second round. Advertisement
"I just need to play with more confidence, like I'm Serena," Williams told reporters. "I just started playing like that. I was moving and sliding and I think her level dropped a little bit after the first set.
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"I took advantage of that."
The 23-time Grand Slam champion hit 11 aces and 26 winners in the one-hour, 41-minute match.
Williams won the first point of the first set before Ahn rallied for a 3-1 lead. They traded the next two points before Ahn broke Williams' serve to win the ninth game. Williams won the next two games for a 6-5 lead before Ahn forced a tiebreak, which Williams won to take the first set.
Ahn wouldn't win another game. Williams dominated the second set and clinched the victory with a 101-mph ace at match point.
Svitolina -- the No. 3 seed -- was the highest-seeded player to advance Monday from the women's singles draw, beating Varvara Gracheva in straight sets.
No. 5 Kiki Bertens beat Katarina Zavatska in three sets and No. 7 Petra Kvitova beat Oceane Dodin without losing a set. Unseeded Zhang Shuai bounced Keys -- the No. 12 seed -- in straight sets.
Nadal -- the No. 2 seed in the men's singles draw -- beat Egor Gerasimov 6-4, 6-4, 6-2, and was the highest-seeded men's player to advance Monday. The 12-time French Open champion hit three aces, 32 winners and 20 unforced errors in the win. Gerasimov committed 28 errors in the two-hour, five-minute match.
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Nadal, who next faces American Mackenzie McDonald in the second round Wednesday, hopes to win the French Open for a fourth consecutive time.
"That was a normal first match for Roland Garros," Nadal said. "I am happy. I did the things I had to do. I didn't expect much more.
"I did things well and I am happy for the victory."
Thiem, the No. 3 seed, defeated Croat and former U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic in straight sets. Italian Marton Fucsovics ousted Medvedev, the No. 4 seed, with a 6-4, 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-1 triumph. Medvedev came unraveled with 51 unforced errors in the three-hour, 17-minute match.
Monfils, the No. 8 seed, fell to unseeded Alexander Bublik, who hit six aces and 47 winners in the two-hour, 35-minute match. Monfils committed 58 errors and 12 double faults.
Tuesday's French Open slate features No. 1 Novak Djokovic, No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas, No. 9 Denis Shapovalov and No. 10 Roberto Bautista Agut on the men's side -- and No. 2 Karolína Plíšková, fourth-seeded American Sofia Kenin and No. 8 Aryna Sabalenka in the women's draw.
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Serena Williams' tennis career: a look back


upi--2020-09-29--Police: 'Multiple' dead after Salem, Oregon hostage standoff

Sept. 29 ( UPI ) -- Authorities say a hostage situation in northwest Oregon late Monday has caused the deaths @ @ @ @ @ were earlier called to a home in Salem where they encountered the standoff .
They @ @ @ @ @ authorities made initial contact , officials said .
The Marion County Sheriff 's Office did @ @ @ @ @ the standoff other than to say it resulted in `` multiple '' deaths .
The @ @ @ @ @ , the sheriff 's office said in a statement .
No deputies were injured .
@ @ @ @ @ the suspect and victims died .
Investigators said they will release more details after relatives @ @ @ @ @ around the home were cordoned off for hours during the standoff .
The Oregon State @ @ @ @ @ , officials said .
Salem , the capital of Oregon , is located about 40 @ @ @ @ @ .

Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Authorities said a hostage situation in northwest Oregon late Monday led to the deaths of three people, including an 11-year-old boy.
Deputies were called to a home in Salem where they encountered the standoff. They said a Marion County sheriff's deputy fired shots after authorities entered the home.
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Once inside, they found the suspect, Jose Jesus Lopez-Tinoco, dead of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The 11-year-old boy, whose name wasn't released, and a woman, 24-year-old Diari Bustos-Bustos, also were dead from gunshot wounds.
Another woman, Laura Rocio-Bustos, 43, was transported to the hospital with serious injuries from a gunshot wound. A 13-year-old boy was unharmed.
Police said it's unclear whether the sheriff's deputy's gunshots caused any of the injuries. He's been put on administrative leave -- standard practice for police-involved shootings.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office didn't disclose many details of the standoff other than to say it resulted in "multiple" deaths.
No deputies were injured.
Streets around the home were cordoned off for hours during the standoff.
The Oregon State Police was leading the investigation, officials said.
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Salem, the capital of Oregon, is located about 40 miles southwest of downtown Portland.


upi--2020-09-29--Congress needs to fix plenty of things, but not the Supreme Court

Sept. 29 ( UPI ) -- The death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has unleashed calls for institutional overhauls to expand the size of the Supreme Court or limit the time justices can serve -- as well as outright threats to pack the bench , depending on who controls the Senate and the White House after November 's election .
But the Supreme Court is not the problem .
The fresh cries to `` fix the court '' are ironic at best and hypocritical at worst .
They echo the calls to `` impeach Earl Warren '' that rang out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote the unanimous Brown vs. Board of Education decision that declared segregated schools unconstitutional .
Then , as now , the problem was not the nation 's high court .
It was the septic politics -- then of segregation , now of raw partisan division -- that infected the country .
Back in the 1960s and 1970s , reactions to septic politics were similar to today 's calls to fix the Supreme Court .
Instead of ostracizing its members who had perpetuated segregation , Congress reorganized the seniority system and created a multitude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of taking a stand against segregationist senators and House members -- other than rejecting their ideology to enact landmark voting rights and civil rights legislation -- Congress replaced a few of the committee fiefdoms they 'd controlled with a multitude of new ones .
And that made Capitol Hill a much more difficult place to lead or control .
So politics remained septic .
Similarly , to `` fix '' the electoral system , Congress enacted campaign spending laws that essentially privatized the election process and set in motion the forces that now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gerrymandered to perpetuate control by the two major parties .
Instead of bridging political divisions , Congress enacted institutional reforms that simply proliferated the number of divisions and deepened them .
The two major parties are as polarized as ever , more internally divided than ever -- and still comfortably ensconced in power thanks to campaign finance laws that discriminate against third parties and independent candidates .
As Jonathan Rauch of the Brookings Institution has written , the nation continues to pay the price for these so-called reforms .
They created the political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republicans and then beat the Democrats .
It remains possible he could do it again this November .
`` Fixing '' the Supreme Court by limiting tenure or adding seats will do nothing to overcome the political divisions or fix the political machinery that elevated and has sustained the incumbent president .
More likely , any such rushed alterations would have the sort of undesirable and unforeseen consequences that inevitably arise from hastily conceived policies that are driven more by partisan fervor than by wisdom .
So let 's leave the Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the confirmation process that began with President Ronald Reagan 's failed nomination of Robert Bork 33 years ago , the court still operates collegially and effectively .
Despite the complaints about how Republican appointees now dominate the bench , abortion remains a right , the Affordable Care Act has not been struck down , gay marriage is constitutionally protected and employers may not discriminate against people based on gender or sexuality .
Perennially , the court receives the highest approval ratings among the branches of the federal government .
Instead of overhauling the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aspiring fixers might first give Congress itself some homework .
Before turning on the court , perhaps Congress could first demonstrate a capacity to put partisanship aside and pursue an agenda that is unquestionably bipartisan and clearly in the national interest .
A better coronavirus testing plan ?
Perhaps a dollar-a-gallon additional federal tax on gasoline to cut greenhouse emissions and support sustainability research ?
Maybe a fix for the public schools ?
The Supreme Court is not broken .
So do n't fix it .
Instead , Congress should demonstrate that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies that need fixing .
Mark Rush is a professor of politics and law and director of the center for international education at Washington and Lee University .
This article originally appeared at The Fulcrum .

The fresh cries to "fix the court" are ironic at best and hypocritical at worst. Photo by Stefani Reynolds/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 29 (UPI) -- The death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has unleashed calls for institutional overhauls to expand the size of the Supreme Court or limit the time justices can serve -- as well as outright threats to pack the bench, depending on who controls the Senate and the White House after November's election. But the Supreme Court is not the problem. Advertisement
The fresh cries to "fix the court" are ironic at best and hypocritical at worst. They echo the calls to "impeach Earl Warren" that rang out in the 1950s after that chief justice wrote the unanimous Brown vs. Board of Education decision that declared segregated schools unconstitutional.
Then, as now, the problem was not the nation's high court. It was the septic politics -- then of segregation, now of raw partisan division -- that infected the country.
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Back in the 1960s and 1970s, reactions to septic politics were similar to today's calls to fix the Supreme Court. Instead of ostracizing its members who had perpetuated segregation, Congress reorganized the seniority system and created a multitude of new committees and subcommittees.
Instead of taking a stand against segregationist senators and House members -- other than rejecting their ideology to enact landmark voting rights and civil rights legislation -- Congress replaced a few of the committee fiefdoms they'd controlled with a multitude of new ones. And that made Capitol Hill a much more difficult place to lead or control. So politics remained septic.
Similarly, to "fix" the electoral system, Congress enacted campaign spending laws that essentially privatized the election process and set in motion the forces that now make elections extraordinarily expensive, uncompetitive and gerrymandered to perpetuate control by the two major parties.
Instead of bridging political divisions, Congress enacted institutional reforms that simply proliferated the number of divisions and deepened them. The two major parties are as polarized as ever, more internally divided than ever -- and still comfortably ensconced in power thanks to campaign finance laws that discriminate against third parties and independent candidates.
As Jonathan Rauch of the Brookings Institution has written, the nation continues to pay the price for these so-called reforms. They created the political system that enabled Donald Trump to beat the Republicans and then beat the Democrats. It remains possible he could do it again this November. "Fixing" the Supreme Court by limiting tenure or adding seats will do nothing to overcome the political divisions or fix the political machinery that elevated and has sustained the incumbent president.
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More likely, any such rushed alterations would have the sort of undesirable and unforeseen consequences that inevitably arise from hastily conceived policies that are driven more by partisan fervor than by wisdom.
So let's leave the Supreme Court alone.
Despite the debasement of the confirmation process that began with President Ronald Reagan's failed nomination of Robert Bork 33 years ago, the court still operates collegially and effectively. Despite the complaints about how Republican appointees now dominate the bench, abortion remains a right, the Affordable Care Act has not been struck down, gay marriage is constitutionally protected and employers may not discriminate against people based on gender or sexuality. Perennially, the court receives the highest approval ratings among the branches of the federal government.
Instead of overhauling the Supreme Court, perhaps lawmakers and other aspiring fixers might first give Congress itself some homework. Before turning on the court, perhaps Congress could first demonstrate a capacity to put partisanship aside and pursue an agenda that is unquestionably bipartisan and clearly in the national interest. A better coronavirus testing plan? Perhaps a dollar-a-gallon additional federal tax on gasoline to cut greenhouse emissions and support sustainability research? Maybe a fix for the public schools?
Advertisement
The Supreme Court is not broken. So don't fix it. Instead, Congress should demonstrate that it can choose to fix the politics and policies that need fixing.
Mark Rush is a professor of politics and law and director of the center for international education at Washington and Lee University. This article originally appeared at The Fulcrum.
Mourning Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg


upi--2020-09-29--As Texas reopens, leaders say border restrictions should be lifted

Sept. 29 ( UPI ) -- For a few days last spring , Amy Guadiar was able to take her mind off the shoppers from Mexico her store has been missing since the COVID-19 pandemic struck the borderland .
The government 's one-time stimulus checks , issued in April , briefly brought shoppers from El Paso , Texas , back to Contigo , a downtown El Paso garment store that 's suffered financially since the Trump administration closed the southern border to nonessential crossers from Mexico in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 .
But the boost in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came to shop after they received their checks , '' she said .
`` But it 's difficult again . ''
The international bridges that connect Texas and Mexico remain partially closed to non-citizens who ca n't show their travel into Texas is considered essential , a definition that excludes people crossing for tourism or shopping .
Last month , the Department of Homeland Security extended the policy until at least Oct. 21 .
The agency is also using additional screening measures , such as flagging more travelers for secondary inspections , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wait times even longer .
The hardening at the ports of entry along the border continues even as Gov .
Greg Abbott relaxes COVID-19 restrictions for the rest of the state .
Abbott announced earlier this month that stores , office parks and restaurants can now operate at 75 % of their capacity , and college football is back with a limited number of fans in the seats .
Because the bridges are under federal authority , Abbott 's orders do n't apply to border crossers .
That has some border leaders anxious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bridges will last and how they 're going keep afloat financially without the shoppers and the bridge tolls that are crucial to both businesses and local government budgets .
In Eagle Pass , bridge revenues , which make up half of the city 's revenue , are down by half , Mayor Luis Sifuentes said .
`` We 've had to make major adjustments and cut across the board in all departments , '' Sifuentes said .
`` We passed a balanced budget , but it 's all dependent on the bridges to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laredo , home to the country 's busiest inland port , noncommercial and pedestrian crossings plummeted during the 2020 fiscal year compared with the year before .
In fiscal year 2019 , Laredo recorded about 4.4 million noncommercial vehicle crossings and 3.1 million pedestrian crossings .
Those figures fell to 3.4 million and 2 million crossings , respectively , according to city statistics .
City officials in El Paso projected a $ 60 million loss in annual revenue earlier this year when it announced pay cuts and furloughs for about 400 employees .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the lack of Mexican shoppers , who account for about 15 % of retail trade , El Paso Mayor Dee Margo told local media in May .
At that time , noncommercial crossings were down by a third , he said .
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar , D-Laredo , sent a pitch earlier this month to acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf outlining a plan that would allow the United States to screen for the coronavirus and allow nonessential traffic to cross into Texas if people are free of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would enlist the private sector to conduct rapid COVID-19 tests at the border and includes quarantine procedures for people who test positive or who have traveled from a high-risk areas .
It 's unclear whether Homeland Security has responded to the proposal ; Cuellar has since called out the Trump administration for its patchwork policies that he says unfairly target the border .
`` Allowing individuals to fly into the U.S. but restricting travel through our land ports of entry is unfair treatment to the land ports , '' Cuellar said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is obviously uninterested in working with us on finding a solution , we must take it upon ourselves to create public-private partnerships to implement enhanced screening strategies .
Hopefully , DHS does not stand in our way as we continue to fight for employees , business owners and customers in our community who are facing the economic repercussions of COVID-19 .
We can balance the health of the individual and the health of the border economy . ''
For Mexican citizens still able to cross into the United States , the frustration is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a healthcare worker who lives in El Paso as a legal permanent resident but travels to Ciudad Juárez to see her father , said earlier this month she drove from Odessa to El Paso with her father and dropped him off in Ciudad Juárez .
`` I waited five hours to come back , '' said Ayala , whose job allows her to cross the border as an essential worker .
`` It was less time [ on the road ] from Odessa to here than to come back from Juárez . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocked from crossing the bridges now that Texas has mostly eliminated its COVID-19 restrictions .
`` I think it 's political , '' she said .
`` We come and go because of necessity , and not just to pass the time . ''
In Eagle Pass , Sifuentes is n't calling the border restrictions a political move , but he disagreed with the notion that Americans are spreading the virus after they return from Mexico .
`` There has been no indication of people getting it from Mexico .
There may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelmingly it 's people here gathering with family and friends , '' he said .
`` I do n't know where they 're getting that . ''
This article originally appeared at The Texas Tribune .
Read the original here .
The Texas Tribune is proud to celebrate 10 years of exceptional journalism for an exceptional state .
Explore the next 10 years with us .

The Paso del Norte Bridge between El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, was closed to nonessential traffic in April because of the coronavirus pandemic. Photo by Emily Kinskey/The Texas Tribune
Sept. 29 (UPI) -- For a few days last spring, Amy Guadiar was able to take her mind off the shoppers from Mexico her store has been missing since the COVID-19 pandemic struck the borderland. The government's one-time stimulus checks, issued in April, briefly brought shoppers from El Paso, Texas, back to Contigo, a downtown El Paso garment store that's suffered financially since the Trump administration closed the southern border to nonessential crossers from Mexico in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. But the boost in business didn't last. Advertisement
"People came to shop after they received their checks," she said. "But it's difficult again."
The international bridges that connect Texas and Mexico remain partially closed to non-citizens who can't show their travel into Texas is considered essential, a definition that excludes people crossing for tourism or shopping. Last month, the Department of Homeland Security extended the policy until at least Oct. 21. The agency is also using additional screening measures, such as flagging more travelers for secondary inspections, to discourage nonessential traffic, which has made wait times even longer.
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The hardening at the ports of entry along the border continues even as Gov. Greg Abbott relaxes COVID-19 restrictions for the rest of the state. Abbott announced earlier this month that stores, office parks and restaurants can now operate at 75% of their capacity, and college football is back with a limited number of fans in the seats. Because the bridges are under federal authority, Abbott's orders don't apply to border crossers.
That has some border leaders anxious over how long the restrictions at the bridges will last and how they're going keep afloat financially without the shoppers and the bridge tolls that are crucial to both businesses and local government budgets.
In Eagle Pass, bridge revenues, which make up half of the city's revenue, are down by half, Mayor Luis Sifuentes said.
"We've had to make major adjustments and cut across the board in all departments," Sifuentes said. "We passed a balanced budget, but it's all dependent on the bridges to open up before January."
In Laredo, home to the country's busiest inland port, noncommercial and pedestrian crossings plummeted during the 2020 fiscal year compared with the year before. In fiscal year 2019, Laredo recorded about 4.4 million noncommercial vehicle crossings and 3.1 million pedestrian crossings. Those figures fell to 3.4 million and 2 million crossings, respectively, according to city statistics.
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City officials in El Paso projected a $60 million loss in annual revenue earlier this year when it announced pay cuts and furloughs for about 400 employees. That was due, in part, to the lack of Mexican shoppers, who account for about 15% of retail trade, El Paso Mayor Dee Margo told local media in May. At that time, noncommercial crossings were down by a third, he said.
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, sent a pitch earlier this month to acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf outlining a plan that would allow the United States to screen for the coronavirus and allow nonessential traffic to cross into Texas if people are free of the virus and its symptoms. The plan would enlist the private sector to conduct rapid COVID-19 tests at the border and includes quarantine procedures for people who test positive or who have traveled from a high-risk areas.
It's unclear whether Homeland Security has responded to the proposal; Cuellar has since called out the Trump administration for its patchwork policies that he says unfairly target the border.
"Allowing individuals to fly into the U.S. but restricting travel through our land ports of entry is unfair treatment to the land ports," Cuellar said in a Sept. 18 statement. "Since DHS is obviously uninterested in working with us on finding a solution, we must take it upon ourselves to create public-private partnerships to implement enhanced screening strategies. Hopefully, DHS does not stand in our way as we continue to fight for employees, business owners and customers in our community who are facing the economic repercussions of COVID-19. We can balance the health of the individual and the health of the border economy."
Advertisement
For Mexican citizens still able to cross into the United States, the frustration is growing. Martha Ayala, 59, a healthcare worker who lives in El Paso as a legal permanent resident but travels to Ciudad Juárez to see her father, said earlier this month she drove from Odessa to El Paso with her father and dropped him off in Ciudad Juárez.
"I waited five hours to come back," said Ayala, whose job allows her to cross the border as an essential worker. "It was less time [on the road] from Odessa to here than to come back from Juárez."
She wonders why other Mexicans are still blocked from crossing the bridges now that Texas has mostly eliminated its COVID-19 restrictions.
"I think it's political," she said. "We come and go because of necessity, and not just to pass the time."
In Eagle Pass, Sifuentes isn't calling the border restrictions a political move, but he disagreed with the notion that Americans are spreading the virus after they return from Mexico.
"There has been no indication of people getting it from Mexico. There may be be a handful of cases, but overwhelmingly it's people here gathering with family and friends," he said. "I don't know where they're getting that."
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This article originally appeared at The Texas Tribune. Read the original here. The Texas Tribune is proud to celebrate 10 years of exceptional journalism for an exceptional state. Explore the next 10 years with us.


upi--2020-09-29--Gallup: Trust in federal gov't to handle problems near all-time low

Sept. 29 ( UPI ) -- Americans ' trust in the federal government to solve both international and domestic problems are near all-time lows , Gallup said in a survey Tuesday .
According to the survey , 41 % of U.S. adults said they have either a `` great deal '' or `` fair amount '' of trust in the federal government to solve the largest domestic problems .
More , 48 % , voiced trust in its ability to handle international concerns .
The all-time low marks are 35 % for domestic issues and 41 % , both set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polling on government trust three times in the early and mid-1970s and resumed in 1997 , and has done so at least once every year since .
The survey also split trust figures among the three branches of federal government -- executive , legislative and judicial .
The new survey showed 67 % of Americans voiced a great deal or a fair amount of trust in the judicial branch , which includes the Supreme Court and federal appellate courts , which is typically the highest-rated of the three .
Trust in the judicial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % ( 1999 ) and as low as 61 % ( 2016 ) .
The figure was 43 % for the executive and 33 % for the legislative branch .
The low figure for the legislative is on par with its average since it began a steady decline about 15 years ago .
For the executive , there was a great partisan disparity in responses , as is typical .
Ninety-one percent of Republicans , 37 % of independents and 6 % of Democrats voiced a great deal or a fair amount of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. adults in all 50 states and Washington , D.C. , for the survey , which has a margin of error of 4 points .

The U.S. Capitol is seen on September 21 beyond American flags on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Americans' trust in the federal government to solve both international and domestic problems are near all-time lows, Gallup said in a survey Tuesday. According to the survey, 41% of U.S. adults said they have either a "great deal" or "fair amount" of trust in the federal government to solve the largest domestic problems. More, 48%, voiced trust in its ability to handle international concerns. Advertisement
The all-time low marks are 35% for domestic issues and 41%, both set in January 2019.
Gallup first conducted polling on government trust three times in the early and mid-1970s and resumed in 1997, and has done so at least once every year since.
The survey also split trust figures among the three branches of federal government -- executive, legislative and judicial.
The new survey showed 67% of Americans voiced a great deal or a fair amount of trust in the judicial branch, which includes the Supreme Court and federal appellate courts, which is typically the highest-rated of the three.
Trust in the judicial branch has been as high as 80% (1999) and as low as 61% (2016).
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The figure was 43% for the executive and 33% for the legislative branch. The low figure for the legislative is on par with its average since it began a steady decline about 15 years ago.
For the executive, there was a great partisan disparity in responses, as is typical. Ninety-one percent of Republicans, 37% of independents and 6% of Democrats voiced a great deal or a fair amount of trust.
Gallup polled more than 1,000 U.S. adults in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., for the survey, which has a margin of error of 4 points.


upi--2020-09-29--Watch: BTS kicks off special 'Tonight Show' week with 'Dynamite' performance

Sept. 29 ( UPI ) -- South Korean boy band BTS began their week-long stay on The Tonight Show by @ @ @ @ @ `` Idol . ''
Members RM Jin , SUGA , J-hope , Jimin , V @ @ @ @ @ Jimmy Fallon and The Roots for a special rendition of `` Dynamite '' on Monday @ @ @ @ @ Idol , '' were filmed outside as they performed onstage at night under a full @ @ @ @ @ off choreographed dance moves at a remote location while wearing dark clothing .
BTS will @ @ @ @ @ on The Tonight Show and will be the program 's lead guest on Wednesday 's @ @ @ @ @ that they will be releasing new album BE ( Deluxe Edition ) on Nov. 20 @ @ @ @ @ `` Dynamite . ''

Sept. 29 (UPI) -- South Korean boy band BTS began their week-long stay on The Tonight Show by performing "Dynamite" and "Idol."
Members RM Jin, SUGA, J-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook joined host Jimmy Fallon and The Roots for a special rendition of "Dynamite" on Monday.
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BTS, for "Idol," were filmed outside as they performed onstage at night under a full moon.
The band pulled off choreographed dance moves at a remote location while wearing dark clothing.
BTS will perform five nights in total on The Tonight Show and will be the program's lead guest on Wednesday's episode.
BTS recently announced that they will be releasing new album BE (Deluxe Edition) on Nov. 20. The album will include "Dynamite."


upi--2020-09-29--Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs dominate Ravens on MNF

Sept. 29 ( UPI ) -- Patrick Mahomes threw four touchdown passes , had a rushing score and the Kansas City Chiefs defensive line smothered the Baltimore Ravens offense in a dominant Monday Night Football victory in Baltimore .
Mahomes completed 31 of 42 passes for 385 yards in the 34-20 win Monday at M & T Bank Stadium .
`` You 've got to give Patrick credit for leading the charge , '' Chiefs coach Andy Reid told reporters .
`` He stepped up big and wanted the responsibility . ''
Rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire had 25 touches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chiefs .
Tyreek Hill , Mecole Hardman , Anthony Sherman and offensive lineman Eric Fisher all caught touchdown passes in the win .
`` The guys executed at a very high level , '' Mahomes said of his teammates .
The Chiefs held Ravens quarterback -- and reigning NFL MVP -- Lamar Jackson to 97 passing yards and one touchdown pass .
Jackson completed 15 of 28 pass attempts and lost a fumble .
The Chiefs outgained the Ravens 517 to 228 in total yards .
`` We always start cranking up at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Ravens loss .
`` We always go opposite .
We 've got to come in and finish how we start .
We 've got to turn up and play better . ''
Baltimore used an 11-play , 67-yard drive to take a 3-0 lead on the first possession of the game .
The Chiefs responded with a six-play , 70-yard drive .
Mahomes ran for a three-yard rushing score to cap off that drive and give the Chiefs a 6-3 lead .
The Chiefs then forced a punt before Mahomes connected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a 13-3 advantage .
Devin Duvernay returned the next kickoff for a 93-yard touchdown for the Ravens , which cut the Chiefs lead to 13-10 in the second quarter .
Mahomes then threw touchdown passes to Hill and Hardman to give the Chiefs a 27-10 lead at halftime .
The Ravens got back into the game with a Justin Tucker field goal and Jackson touchdown toss to tight end Nick Boyle on their first two drives of the second half .
The Chiefs responded with a 13-play , 75-yard drive .
Mahomes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end the 6:41 drive and give the Chiefs a two-touchdown advantage .
Neither team returned to the end zone after the left tackle 's touchdown .
Travis Kelce had a game-high 87 yards and six catches for the Chiefs .
Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones had two sacks and two forced fumbles in the victory .
Ben Niemann had a sack and a fumble recovery in the win .
Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark also had a sack .
Jackson had 83 rushing yards on nine carries in the loss .
`` They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phase [ of the game ] , '' Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of the Chiefs .
`` Their offense was sharp and defense was physical .
`` We got beat in just about every way you can get beat . ''
The Chiefs ( 3-0 ) host the New England Patriots at 4:25 p.m. EDT Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City , Mo .
The Ravens ( 2-1 ) battle the Washington Football Team at 1 p.m. EDT Sunday at FedEx Field in Landover , Md .

1/3
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) completed 31 of 42 passes for 385 yards and four touchdowns in a win over the Baltimore Ravens Monday in Baltimore. Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Patrick Mahomes threw four touchdown passes, had a rushing score and the Kansas City Chiefs defensive line smothered the Baltimore Ravens offense in a dominant Monday Night Football victory in Baltimore. Mahomes completed 31 of 42 passes for 385 yards in the 34-20 win Monday at M&T Bank Stadium. Advertisement
"You've got to give Patrick credit for leading the charge,'' Chiefs coach Andy Reid told reporters. "He stepped up big and wanted the responsibility."
Rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire had 25 touches for 134 yards from scrimmage for the Chiefs. Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, Anthony Sherman and offensive lineman Eric Fisher all caught touchdown passes in the win.
"The guys executed at a very high level," Mahomes said of his teammates.
The Chiefs held Ravens quarterback -- and reigning NFL MVP -- Lamar Jackson to 97 passing yards and one touchdown pass. Jackson completed 15 of 28 pass attempts and lost a fumble.
The Chiefs outgained the Ravens 517 to 228 in total yards.
"We always start cranking up at the wrong time," Jackson said of the Ravens loss. "We always go opposite. We've got to come in and finish how we start. We've got to turn up and play better."
Baltimore used an 11-play, 67-yard drive to take a 3-0 lead on the first possession of the game. The Chiefs responded with a six-play, 70-yard drive. Mahomes ran for a three-yard rushing score to cap off that drive and give the Chiefs a 6-3 lead.
The Chiefs then forced a punt before Mahomes connected with Sherman on a five-yard touchdown toss for a 13-3 advantage.
Devin Duvernay returned the next kickoff for a 93-yard touchdown for the Ravens, which cut the Chiefs lead to 13-10 in the second quarter.
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Mahomes then threw touchdown passes to Hill and Hardman to give the Chiefs a 27-10 lead at halftime. The Ravens got back into the game with a Justin Tucker field goal and Jackson touchdown toss to tight end Nick Boyle on their first two drives of the second half.
The Chiefs responded with a 13-play, 75-yard drive. Mahomes threw a touchdown pass to Fisher to end the 6:41 drive and give the Chiefs a two-touchdown advantage.
Neither team returned to the end zone after the left tackle's touchdown.
Travis Kelce had a game-high 87 yards and six catches for the Chiefs. Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones had two sacks and two forced fumbles in the victory. Ben Niemann had a sack and a fumble recovery in the win. Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark also had a sack.
Jackson had 83 rushing yards on nine carries in the loss.
"They executed and were very impressive in every phase [of the game]," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of the Chiefs. "Their offense was sharp and defense was physical.
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"We got beat in just about every way you can get beat."
The Chiefs (3-0) host the New England Patriots at 4:25 p.m. EDT Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The Ravens (2-1) battle the Washington Football Team at 1 p.m. EDT Sunday at FedEx Field in Landover, Md.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-09-29--Kentucky AG agrees to release Breonna Taylor grand jury records

Sept. 29 ( UPI ) -- Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron said late Monday that he will release grand jury records in the case of Breonna Taylor , an unarmed Black woman killed by Louisville police last spring , after previously saying they would remain private .
Cameron said he will comply with a ruling by a Kentucky state judge that granted the request of an unidentified juror seeking the release of sealed transcripts and video recordings of their deliberations last week .
`` The grand jury is meant to be a secretive body , '' Cameron said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this case is n't going to allow that to happen . ''
Cameron announced last week that the grand jury had chosen not to bring homicide charges against any of the three Louisville police officers who fired their weapons in the raid that killed Taylor in March .
Officer Brett Hankison , who was fired earlier this summer , was charged with three counts of wanton endangerment for firing bullets into a neighboring home .
The lack of charges sparked protests nationwide and prompted calls by Taylor 's family , Kentucky Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fischer and others for Cameron to release recordings of the grand jury proceedings to examine what evidence was presented .
Cameron had steadfastly refused to do so until Monday , when Kentucky Judge Ann Bailey Smith ruled in a favor of the juror who sought the records .
`` As the special prosecutor , our team has an ethical obligation not to release the recording from the grand jury proceedings , and we stand by our belief that such a release could compromise the ongoing federal investigation and could have unintended consequences such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cameron added .
`` Despite these concerns , we will comply with the Judge 's order to release the recording on Wednesday . ''
The juror 's motion cites a public interest in the recordings , saying there 's a critical lack of trust in the legal system and the public now must be made aware of how Cameron interacted with the jury and how the indictment decisions were made .
`` The citizens of this commonwealth have demonstrated their lack of faith in the process and proceedings in this matter and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read .
`` Using the grand jurors as a shield to deflect accountability and responsibility for these decisions only sows more seeds of doubt in the process while leaving a cold chill down the spines of future grand jurors . ''

Activists rally for Breonna Taylor near Jefferson Square Park in Louisville, Ky., on September 24 after a grand jury indicted one of three officers involved in the raid that killed Taylor, but charged none for her actual death. Photo by Mark Lyons/EPA-EFE
Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron said late Monday that he will release grand jury records in the case of Breonna Taylor, an unarmed Black woman killed by Louisville police last spring, after previously saying they would remain private. Cameron said he will comply with a ruling by a Kentucky state judge that granted the request of an unidentified juror seeking the release of sealed transcripts and video recordings of their deliberations last week. Advertisement
"The grand jury is meant to be a secretive body," Cameron said. "It's apparent that the public interest in this case isn't going to allow that to happen."
Cameron announced last week that the grand jury had chosen not to bring homicide charges against any of the three Louisville police officers who fired their weapons in the raid that killed Taylor in March.
Officer Brett Hankison, who was fired earlier this summer, was charged with three counts of wanton endangerment for firing bullets into a neighboring home.
The lack of charges sparked protests nationwide and prompted calls by Taylor's family, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and others for Cameron to release recordings of the grand jury proceedings to examine what evidence was presented.
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Cameron had steadfastly refused to do so until Monday, when Kentucky Judge Ann Bailey Smith ruled in a favor of the juror who sought the records.
"As the special prosecutor, our team has an ethical obligation not to release the recording from the grand jury proceedings, and we stand by our belief that such a release could compromise the ongoing federal investigation and could have unintended consequences such as poisoning the jury pool," Cameron added.
"Despite these concerns, we will comply with the Judge's order to release the recording on Wednesday."
The juror's motion cites a public interest in the recordings, saying there's a critical lack of trust in the legal system and the public now must be made aware of how Cameron interacted with the jury and how the indictment decisions were made.
"The citizens of this commonwealth have demonstrated their lack of faith in the process and proceedings in this matter and the justice system itself," the motion read. "Using the grand jurors as a shield to deflect accountability and responsibility for these decisions only sows more seeds of doubt in the process while leaving a cold chill down the spines of future grand jurors."
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Protesters march for social justice


upi--2020-09-29--WWE Raw: Drew McIntyre defends title against Robert Roode

Sept. 29 ( UPI ) -- WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defended his title against Robert Roode in the main event of Raw .
McIntyre issued an open challenge on Monday , a day after he defeated Randy Orton in an Ambulance match at the Clash of Champions pay-per-view event .
The champ won the bout , thanks to help from veterans Ric Flair , Shawn Michaels , Big Show and Christian , who joined McIntyre to kick off Raw .
McIntyre thanked each veteran before Orton interrupted the moment from the backstage area .
Orton said he is n't done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away his WWE Championship .
The Viper also gave a warning for anyone who had crossed him before he grabbed his luggage and left .
Roode made his return to WWE after being away for months as he answered McIntyre 's open challenge .
Roode was accompanied to the ring by his partner Dolph Ziggler who has had issues with McIntyre in the past .
Roode concentrated his attacks on McIntyre 's legs which hobbled the champion who appeared to be less than 100 percent following the Ambulance match .
Roode continued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leglock .
McIntyre was able to survive Roode 's Glorious DDT and won the match with a Claymore to the face .
Flair , Michaels , Big Show and Christian had spent the entire show playing a game of poker inside of the Legends ' Lounge .
Orton , before Raw went off the air , entered the backstage area disguised as a janitor .
Orton walked into the Legends ' Lounge wearing night vision googles and turned off the lights in the room .
He then proceeded to assault all four veterans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the arena .
The Mysterio family appeared on Jerry Lawler 's King 's Court talk show to deny Seth Rollins ' allegations that Rey Mysterio is not the father of Aalyah Mysterio .
Rollins crashed the interview and brought to light text messages Aalyah Mysterio has been sending his disciple Murphy , which angered Rey Mysterio .
Aalyah Mysterio said Murphy is not like Rollins before she stormed off .
Dominik Mysterio , mad at his sister 's connection to a family rival , attacked Murphy backstage which led to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mysterio grabbed a kendo stick in the middle of the match in order to punish Murphy .
Aalyah Mysterio pleaded with her brother not to use the weapon , which allowed Murphy to pin him for the surprise victory .
Dominik Mysterio called his sister naive as Murphy escaped , causing Aalyah Mysterio to slap her brother in the face .
Other moments from Raw included Raw Women 's Champion Asuka successfully defending her title against Zelina Vega ; Keith Lee defeating Andrade ; Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke defeating Natalya and Lana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disqualification ; 24/7 Champion R-Truth successfully defending his title against Drew Gulak and Akira Tozawa ; and Mustafa Ali , Apollo Crews and Ricochet defeating The Hurt Business .

Sept. 29 (UPI) -- WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defended his title against Robert Roode in the main event of Raw.
McIntyre issued an open challenge on Monday, a day after he defeated Randy Orton in an Ambulance match at the Clash of Champions pay-per-view event.
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The champ won the bout, thanks to help from veterans Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, Big Show and Christian, who joined McIntyre to kick off Raw. McIntyre thanked each veteran before Orton interrupted the moment from the backstage area.
Orton said he isn't done with McIntyre and still plans on taking away his WWE Championship. The Viper also gave a warning for anyone who had crossed him before he grabbed his luggage and left.
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Roode made his return to WWE after being away for months as he answered McIntyre's open challenge. Roode was accompanied to the ring by his partner Dolph Ziggler who has had issues with McIntyre in the past.
Roode concentrated his attacks on McIntyre's legs which hobbled the champion who appeared to be less than 100 percent following the Ambulance match. Roode continued to be in control and applied a Figure-Four Leglock.
McIntyre was able to survive Roode's Glorious DDT and won the match with a Claymore to the face.
Flair, Michaels, Big Show and Christian had spent the entire show playing a game of poker inside of the Legends' Lounge. Orton, before Raw went off the air, entered the backstage area disguised as a janitor.
Orton walked into the Legends' Lounge wearing night vision googles and turned off the lights in the room. He then proceeded to assault all four veterans with a steel chair before he slipped out of the arena.
The Mysterio family appeared on Jerry Lawler's King's Court talk show to deny Seth Rollins' allegations that Rey Mysterio is not the father of Aalyah Mysterio.
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Rollins crashed the interview and brought to light text messages Aalyah Mysterio has been sending his disciple Murphy, which angered Rey Mysterio. Aalyah Mysterio said Murphy is not like Rollins before she stormed off.
Dominik Mysterio, mad at his sister's connection to a family rival, attacked Murphy backstage which led to a match between the two grapplers.
Dominik Mysterio grabbed a kendo stick in the middle of the match in order to punish Murphy. Aalyah Mysterio pleaded with her brother not to use the weapon, which allowed Murphy to pin him for the surprise victory.
Dominik Mysterio called his sister naive as Murphy escaped, causing Aalyah Mysterio to slap her brother in the face.
Other moments from Raw included Raw Women's Champion Asuka successfully defending her title against Zelina Vega; Keith Lee defeating Andrade; Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke defeating Natalya and Lana; Kevin Owens defeating Aleister Black by disqualification; 24/7 Champion R-Truth successfully defending his title against Drew Gulak and Akira Tozawa; and Mustafa Ali, Apollo Crews and Ricochet defeating The Hurt Business.


upi--2020-09-29--Watch live: President Donald Trump, Joe Biden to spar on 6 issues in first debate

Sept. 29 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger , former Vice President Joe Biden , will square off Tuesday night in the first of three debates before the Nov. 3 election .
The 90-minute debate , hosted by Fox News anchor Chris Wallace at Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland , will be broadcast and streamed live by major networks and cable news channels at 9 p.m. EDT .
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic , only about 100 people will attend the debate in person .
Wallace has selected six topics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , race and violence in U.S. cities , the Supreme Court , the integrity of the election , Trump 's and Biden 's records and the economy .
The list of topics provides a snapshot of a tumultuous election year that has seen more than 7 million people in the United States sickened by the novel coronavirus and more than 200,000 COVID-19 deaths .
Trump has faced substantial criticism for his response to the virus , particularly after Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Bob Woodward wrote in his book , Rage , that the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in early February and `` played it down '' to the American public because he did n't want to `` create a panic . ''
The president has criticized Biden for the federal response to the H1N1 pandemic while he was vice president under President Barack Obama as well as previous statements that he would institute another national shutdown to curb the spread of the virus , if necessary .
The year has also been marked by months of protests nationwide opposing police brutality and racial injustice brought on mainly by the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Breonna Taylor in Louisville , Ky. , as well as the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha , Wis. , which left him paralyzed .
Trump responded to the protests by sending federal police to multiple cities , threatening to deploy active military forces and stating that he 'd authorized police to arrest and prosecute anyone who vandalized statues or monuments on federal property , stating such actions could result in up to 10 years in prison .
Biden has generally expressed support for the protests but has regularly urged demonstrators to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , Trump nominated conservative appeals court Judge Amy Coney Barrett to succeed late Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court after she died of cancer at age 87 on Sept. 18 .
Trump 's move to appoint Barrett has been controversial because of the proximity to the election .
Senate Republicans blocked Obama 's appointee four years ago on the grounds that it was too close to the election .
Biden has said the Senate should not act on Trump 's appointment `` until after the American people select their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The integrity of the election has also come under scrutiny as Trump has repeatedly declined to commit to a peaceful transfer of power , if Biden wins , in addition to repeatedly denouncing mail-in voting as risky and fraudulent -- despite numerous studies that have refuted those claims .
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has faced intense scrutiny over operational changes that have led to slowdowns in mail delivery .
The debate also comes as Democrats call for Trump to release his tax records amid New York Times reports indicating he did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 15 years before he became president and paid just $ 750 in 2016 and 2017 .
Following the announcement of the debate topics , 36 senators led by Sen. Ed Markey , D-Mass.
, signed a letter urging that the debate also include a segment on climate change .
`` It is critical that every debate includes questions that ask the candidates what they would do to address climate change and environmental injustice , '' the letter states .
`` Without these topics , any discussion on the economy , racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , democracy or infrastructure would be incomplete . ''
Tuesday 's debate is the first of three .
The others are scheduled for Oct. 15 and 22 .

1/6
Preparations take place Monday for the first presidential debate on the campus of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 29 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger, former Vice President Joe Biden, will square off Tuesday night in the first of three debates before the Nov. 3 election. The 90-minute debate, hosted by Fox News anchor Chris Wallace at Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, will be broadcast and streamed live by major networks and cable news channels at 9 p.m. EDT. Advertisement
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, only about 100 people will attend the debate in person.
Wallace has selected six topics for the debate -- the COVID-19 pandemic, race and violence in U.S. cities, the Supreme Court, the integrity of the election, Trump's and Biden's records and the economy.
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The list of topics provides a snapshot of a tumultuous election year that has seen more than 7 million people in the United States sickened by the novel coronavirus and more than 200,000 COVID-19 deaths.
Trump has faced substantial criticism for his response to the virus, particularly after Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Bob Woodward wrote in his book, Rage, that the president understood the deadly nature of the disease in early February and "played it down" to the American public because he didn't want to "create a panic."
The president has criticized Biden for the federal response to the H1N1 pandemic while he was vice president under President Barack Obama as well as previous statements that he would institute another national shutdown to curb the spread of the virus, if necessary.
The year has also been marked by months of protests nationwide opposing police brutality and racial injustice brought on mainly by the police killings of George Floyd in Minnesota and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Ky., as well as the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis., which left him paralyzed.
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Trump responded to the protests by sending federal police to multiple cities, threatening to deploy active military forces and stating that he'd authorized police to arrest and prosecute anyone who vandalized statues or monuments on federal property, stating such actions could result in up to 10 years in prison.
Biden has generally expressed support for the protests but has regularly urged demonstrators to refrain from violence and vandalism.
On Saturday, Trump nominated conservative appeals court Judge Amy Coney Barrett to succeed late Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court after she died of cancer at age 87 on Sept. 18.
Trump's move to appoint Barrett has been controversial because of the proximity to the election. Senate Republicans blocked Obama's appointee four years ago on the grounds that it was too close to the election.
Biden has said the Senate should not act on Trump's appointment "until after the American people select their next president and the next Congress."
The integrity of the election has also come under scrutiny as Trump has repeatedly declined to commit to a peaceful transfer of power, if Biden wins, in addition to repeatedly denouncing mail-in voting as risky and fraudulent -- despite numerous studies that have refuted those claims.
Advertisement
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has faced intense scrutiny over operational changes that have led to slowdowns in mail delivery.
The debate also comes as Democrats call for Trump to release his tax records amid New York Times reports indicating he didn't pay any federal income taxes in 10 of the 15 years before he became president and paid just $750 in 2016 and 2017.
Following the announcement of the debate topics, 36 senators led by Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., signed a letter urging that the debate also include a segment on climate change.
"It is critical that every debate includes questions that ask the candidates what they would do to address climate change and environmental injustice," the letter states. "Without these topics, any discussion on the economy, racial justice, public health, national security, democracy or infrastructure would be incomplete."
Tuesday's debate is the first of three. The others are scheduled for Oct. 15 and 22.


upi--2020-09-29--WHO to roll out 120M rapid COVID-19 tests for poorer nations

Sept. 29 ( UPI ) -- The World Health Organization announced a deal to supply more than 100 million rapid diagnostic COVID-19 tests to low- and middle-income countries .
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced Monday that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and drug manufacturers Abbott and SD Biosensor have inked volume guarantee agreements for 120 million new highly portable diagnostic tests to be made available to poorer nations over a six-month period .
`` The quicker COVID-19 can be diagnosed , the quicker action can be taken to treat and isolate those with the virus and trace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his opening remarks during a media briefing on the pandemic .
The tests , which cost no more than $ 5 a unit , provide reliable results within 15 to 30 minutes , representing a significant reduction from hours or days required by less sophisticated equipment , enabling for rapid testing in countries that do not have extensive laboratory facilities or trained healthcare workers , the WHO said in a statement .
Starting next month , global health initiative Unitaid and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will roll out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the WHO said , adding the Global Fund to Fight AIDS , Tuberculosis and Malaria has committed $ 50 million to enable countries to purchase at least 10 million of the new rapid tests this week .
Peter Sands , executive director of the Global Fund , said the deal made under WHO 's Access to COVID-19 Accelerator program , which was developed for countries to collaboratively create tools to fight the pandemic , is an example of how it best works .
`` It is proof that by working together at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and deploy a vital new tool to help contain and fight the pandemic , '' Sands said in a statement .
`` This is not just a new test -- it 's the money and the deployment plan to get it where it 's needed fast .
This is the power of global collaboration . ''

The World Health Organization announced a deal Monday to supply some of the world's poorest countries with millions of rapid diagnostic tests. Photo by Jaipal Singh/EPA-EFE
Sept. 29 (UPI) -- The World Health Organization announced a deal to supply more than 100 million rapid diagnostic COVID-19 tests to low- and middle-income countries. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced Monday that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and drug manufacturers Abbott and SD Biosensor have inked volume guarantee agreements for 120 million new highly portable diagnostic tests to be made available to poorer nations over a six-month period. Advertisement
"The quicker COVID-19 can be diagnosed, the quicker action can be taken to treat and isolate those with the virus and trace their contacts," Tedros said in his opening remarks during a media briefing on the pandemic.
The tests, which cost no more than $5 a unit, provide reliable results within 15 to 30 minutes, representing a significant reduction from hours or days required by less sophisticated equipment, enabling for rapid testing in countries that do not have extensive laboratory facilities or trained healthcare workers, the WHO said in a statement.
Starting next month, global health initiative Unitaid and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will roll out the test to 20 countries in Africa, the WHO said, adding the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has committed $50 million to enable countries to purchase at least 10 million of the new rapid tests this week.
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Peter Sands, executive director of the Global Fund, said the deal made under WHO's Access to COVID-19 Accelerator program, which was developed for countries to collaboratively create tools to fight the pandemic, is an example of how it best works.
"It is proof that by working together at a massive global scale, we can develop and deploy a vital new tool to help contain and fight the pandemic," Sands said in a statement. "This is not just a new test -- it's the money and the deployment plan to get it where it's needed fast. This is the power of global collaboration."


upi--2020-09-29--Brother denies slain South Korean official had planned to defect

SEOUL , Sept. 29 ( UPI ) -- The brother of the South Korean fisheries official killed last week by North Korean soldiers criticized the government 's response to the incident on Tuesday and denied allegations that his brother had intended to defect to the North .
Lee Rae-jin , the older brother of the 47-year-old official , met with international media in downtown Seoul and called for an apology and explanation from the South Korean government , which he said has not shared any information with him about its investigation .
`` I am still very confused about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A country is called on to protect the weak but it seems they have not . ''
Lee accused authorities of bungling the search for his brother after he went missing Sept. 21 from a patrol boat near the Northern Limit Line , the de facto maritime boundary between the two Koreas .
He said the government had dismissed his request for more ships and helicopters to conduct the search , accusing officials of letting the `` golden hours '' to locate him slip by .
The fisheries official , whom his brother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was captured and fatally shot by North Korean soldiers after he drifted across the maritime boundary Sept. 22 .
`` Rescue , arrest or even killing , they all should have happened in South Korean waters , '' Lee said .
`` I would like to know where my brother drifted across [ the boundary ] and I would like to find the body of my brother with an accurate explanation from the authorities . ''
South Korea 's Coast Guard said Tuesday the official had intended to defect to the North , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military and an analysis of tidal currents .
Their findings supported statements by defense officials made last week .
`` The official was wearing a life jacket and hanging onto a floating object when he was spotted by the North , '' said Yoon Seong-hyun , chief of the investigation team , according to news agency Yonhap .
`` Also , North Korea knew the official 's personal details , such as his name , age and hometown , '' he said .
Yoon added that the fisheries official had over $ 280,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming from online gambling .
Lee denied the assertion that his brother had intended to defect , calling him a `` patriot dedicated to the country '' who had been a civil servant for eight years .
`` I was on a telephone call with him two days before the accident , '' Lee said .
`` And I was not able to hear any signs of him trying to defect to the North . ''
He added that many people in South Korea carry debt and that it would not have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` If that were true , then 50 % to 60 % of ordinary people living in South Korea would defect to North Korea , '' he said .
Lee said he suspects his brother may have had an accident while doing an inspection of the ship , causing him to fall overboard .
On Monday , South Korean President Moon Jae-in offered his condolences to the family and apologized to the South Korean people for the `` shock and fury '' the death caused , '' I am very sorry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's safety and security under any circumstances , '' he said .
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also offered a rare apology for the killing on Friday , saying he `` feels very sorry that ... an unexpected and unfortunate incident happened in our waters , which brought great disappointment to President Moon Jae-in and South Koreans . ''
South Korean authorities claim that the North Koreans burned the official 's body after shooting him , but Pyongyang has denied the allegation , saying they only burned his flotation device as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they are continuing to investigate the details of the killing and are searching for the man 's body .
North Korean state media warned the South not to cross the border to conduct the search , writing in an article on Sunday that `` it may lead to another awful incident . ''
Lee called on Kim to return his brother 's body if the North recovers it and said that despite his anger he hoped that the incident would help bring cooperation and peace to the Korean Peninsula .
`` However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do hope that this could work as the beginning of times of peace in the region , '' Lee said .
`` Even though I do feel rage , I try to forgive so there can be lasting peace in the region and on the peninsula . ''

Lee Rae-jin, the older brother of a South Korea fisheries official killed last week by North Koreans, told reporters on Tuesday that his brother had not intended to defect. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI
SEOUL, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- The brother of the South Korean fisheries official killed last week by North Korean soldiers criticized the government's response to the incident on Tuesday and denied allegations that his brother had intended to defect to the North. Lee Rae-jin, the older brother of the 47-year-old official, met with international media in downtown Seoul and called for an apology and explanation from the South Korean government, which he said has not shared any information with him about its investigation. Advertisement
"I am still very confused about the situation," he said. "A country is called on to protect the weak but it seems they have not."
Lee accused authorities of bungling the search for his brother after he went missing Sept. 21 from a patrol boat near the Northern Limit Line, the de facto maritime boundary between the two Koreas.
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He said the government had dismissed his request for more ships and helicopters to conduct the search, accusing officials of letting the "golden hours" to locate him slip by.
The fisheries official, whom his brother only identified by the surname Lee, was captured and fatally shot by North Korean soldiers after he drifted across the maritime boundary Sept. 22.
"Rescue, arrest or even killing, they all should have happened in South Korean waters," Lee said. "I would like to know where my brother drifted across [the boundary] and I would like to find the body of my brother with an accurate explanation from the authorities."
South Korea's Coast Guard said Tuesday the official had intended to defect to the North, based in part on intelligence from the military and an analysis of tidal currents. Their findings supported statements by defense officials made last week.
"The official was wearing a life jacket and hanging onto a floating object when he was spotted by the North," said Yoon Seong-hyun, chief of the investigation team, according to news agency Yonhap.
"Also, North Korea knew the official's personal details, such as his name, age and hometown," he said.
Yoon added that the fisheries official had over $280,000 in debts, with a large portion coming from online gambling.
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Lee denied the assertion that his brother had intended to defect, calling him a "patriot dedicated to the country" who had been a civil servant for eight years.
"I was on a telephone call with him two days before the accident," Lee said. "And I was not able to hear any signs of him trying to defect to the North."
He added that many people in South Korea carry debt and that it would not have been a motivation for his brother to defect.
"If that were true, then 50% to 60% of ordinary people living in South Korea would defect to North Korea," he said.
Lee said he suspects his brother may have had an accident while doing an inspection of the ship, causing him to fall overboard.
On Monday, South Korean President Moon Jae-in offered his condolences to the family and apologized to the South Korean people for the "shock and fury" the death caused,
"I am very sorry, as the government must protect the people's safety and security under any circumstances," he said.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also offered a rare apology for the killing on Friday, saying he "feels very sorry that...an unexpected and unfortunate incident happened in our waters, which brought great disappointment to President Moon Jae-in and South Koreans."
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South Korean authorities claim that the North Koreans burned the official's body after shooting him, but Pyongyang has denied the allegation, saying they only burned his flotation device as a COVID-19 precaution.
Seoul and Pyongyang have said they are continuing to investigate the details of the killing and are searching for the man's body.
North Korean state media warned the South not to cross the border to conduct the search, writing in an article on Sunday that "it may lead to another awful incident."
Lee called on Kim to return his brother's body if the North recovers it and said that despite his anger he hoped that the incident would help bring cooperation and peace to the Korean Peninsula.
"However desperate and enraged I feel, I do hope that this could work as the beginning of times of peace in the region," Lee said. "Even though I do feel rage, I try to forgive so there can be lasting peace in the region and on the peninsula."