upi--2020-08-27--17th century Frans Hals painting stolen from Dutch museum

Aug. 27 ( UPI ) -- Thieves broke into a museum in Leerdam , Netherlands , and stole a 17th century painting by Dutch master Frans Hals , police said Thursday .
The theft happened around 3:30 a.m. , Wednesday when the thieves broke into a back door , setting off alarms at the Het Hofje van Aerden museum .
The perpetrators were gone by time police arrive .
Dutch national police said the 1626 painting Two Laughing Boys was stolen .
Authorities have launched an investigation into the whereabouts of the painting , utilizing forensic and tactical investigators as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have no idea where the painting is at this moment , '' police spokeswoman Hanneke Sanders told The New York Times .
Two Laughing Boys has been stolen and recovered twice before -- once in 1988 along with a Jacob van Ruidael painting , and again in 2011 .
Hals , who died in 1666 , worked as part of the Dutch Golden Age of painting , which included other masters such as Johannes Vermeer and Rembrandt van Rijn .
He was known for his realistic portraits of various members of society @ @ @ @ @ @

The painting "Two smiling boys" (1626-1627) by Frans Hals was stolen from the Hofje Van Aerden museum for the third time. Photo by Robin van Lonkhujsen/EPA-EFE
Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Thieves broke into a museum in Leerdam, Netherlands, and stole a 17th century painting by Dutch master Frans Hals, police said Thursday. The theft happened around 3:30 a.m., Wednesday when the thieves broke into a back door, setting off alarms at the Het Hofje van Aerden museum. The perpetrators were gone by time police arrive. Advertisement
Dutch national police said the 1626 painting Two Laughing Boys was stolen.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the whereabouts of the painting, utilizing forensic and tactical investigators as well as art theft experts.
"We have no idea where the painting is at this moment," police spokeswoman Hanneke Sanders told The New York Times.
Two Laughing Boys has been stolen and recovered twice before -- once in 1988 along with a Jacob van Ruidael painting, and again in 2011.
Hals, who died in 1666, worked as part of the Dutch Golden Age of painting, which included other masters such as Johannes Vermeer and Rembrandt van Rijn. He was known for his realistic portraits of various members of society, not just the wealthy.


upi--2020-08-27--NBA players agree to resume postseason after protest stoppage

Aug. 27 ( UPI ) -- NBA players on Thursday met and agreed to resume the playoffs after six teams refused to play Wednesday in Orlando , Fla. , in response to the police-involved shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin .
Sources told ESPN and The Athletic that the players plan to resume play as early as Friday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex inside the Walt Disney World Resort .
NBA referees showed their support Thursday for the player protest with a march around the ESPN Wide World of Sports campus .
They wore black T-shirts with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ printed on them .
`` Join us as we unite in the bubble , and around the world , to fight injustice and police brutality , '' the referees ' union said .
The Milwaukee Bucks began the protest by not taking the floor for Game 5 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series Wednesday inside the NBA 's bubble .
Wednesday 's Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets game also was postponed , as was the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers nightcap .
The three playoff games planned for Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Wednesday postponements sparked a sports-wide wave of sitouts .
Three WNBA , three MLB and five MLS competitions , as well as a series of tennis matches , also were postponed in response to Blake 's shooting .
Blake , 29 , was airlifted in serious condition to a Milwaukee hospital Sunday after he was shot by police in Kenosha , Wis .
Videos of the incident show officers grabbing Blake by his shirt as he tried to get into a van .
An officer then fired seven shots at close range @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the van 's steering wheel .
Social media footage of the sequence has gone viral , and the shooting has sparked unrest and protests throughout Wisconsin and elsewhere .
The officers involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave .
`` We are calling for justice for Jacob Blake and demand the officers be held accountable , '' Bucks players read in a statement Wednesday .
`` For this to occur , it is imperative for the Wisconsin State Legislature to reconvene after months of inaction and take up meaningful measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brutality and criminal justice reform .
`` We encourage all citizens to educate themselves , take peaceful and responsible action , and remember to vote on Nov .
3 . ''
The New York Jets , Chicago Bears , Green Bay Packers , Indianapolis Colts , Arizona Cardinals , Tennessee Titans and Washington Football Team announced they would not practice Thursday in response to the sports team protests .
The Jacksonville Jaguars delayed the start of their practices and met to discuss social change .
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow -- the No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NFL Draft -- shared his thoughts about the unrest Thursday morning on Twitter before the Bengals practiced .
`` How can you hear the pain Black people are going through and dismiss it as nothing ? ''
Burrow wrote .
`` How can you hear the pain and respond with anything other than ' I stand with you . '
'' Meanwhile , organizers of the Western & Southern Open announced Wednesday that the tennis tournament was to pause play Thursday as part of the protests .
`` As a sport , tennis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inequality and social injustice that once again has been thrust to the forefront in the United States , '' the WTA , ATP Tour and USTA said in a joint statement .
`` The USTA , ATP Tour , and WTA have decided to recognize this moment in time by pausing tournament play at the Western & Southern Open on Thursday .
Play will resume on Friday . ''
The move to pause the tournament came after world No .
10 Naomi Osaka announced she would not play in her scheduled semifinal match @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As a black woman , I feel as though there are much more important matters at hand that need immediate attention , rather than watching me play tennis , '' Osaka said in a statement .
Cori `` Coco '' Gauff and Sloane Stephens were among the tennis stars to offer support to Osaka on social media after her decision to pull out of the match .
The PGA Tour 's BMW Championship teed off Thursday afternoon .
The PGA announced Thursday morning that it supports the MLB , MLS , NBA , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not postpone the first round at the Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields , Ill. NHL postpones playoff games over next two days The NHL did not plan to hold any Stanley Cup postseason games Thursday and Friday in solidarity with other leagues protesting the recent police shooting of Blake .
The decision impacted Thursday night 's games -- the New York Islanders versus the Philadelphia Flyers and the Vegas Golden Knights against the Vancouver Canucks -- as well as Friday night 's Tampa Bay Lightning-Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche-Dallas Stars matchups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players believe that the best course of action would be to take a step back and not play tonight 's and tomorrow 's games as scheduled , '' the NHL said in a statement Thursday .
`` The NHL supports the players ' decision and will reschedule those four games beginning Saturday and adjust the remainder of the second round schedule accordingly .
`` Black and Brown communities continue to face real , painful experiences .
The NHL and NHLPA recognize that much work remains to be done before we can play an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diversity , inclusion and social justice . ''
MLB has seven postponements , could have more Thursday 's games between the Oakland Athletics-Texas Rangers , Philadelphia Phillies-Washington Nationals , Minnesota Twins-Detroit Tigers , Boston Red Sox-Toronto Blue Jays , Colorado Rockies-Arizona Diamondbacks and Baltimore Orioles-Tampa Bay Rays have been postponed , with possibly more to follow .
In addition , the New York Mets ' game against the Miami Marlins on Thursday night was postponed after both teams held a 42-second moment of silence -- in honor of baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jackie Robinson Day across the sport .
The postponements came after the league had three games scrapped Wednesday as players added their voices to the national protest over the shooting of Blake .
But the majority of MLB games remained on the schedule Thursday as the NBA , NHL and WNBA all postponed play .
`` On behalf of the more than 100 Black current and former MLB players that make up The Players Alliance , we remain unified by our mission and dedicated to making real , lasting change , '' The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The color of our skin is the uniform we wear every day .
We can not change that .
What we can change is the pain and injustice the Black community has suffered for far too long .
`` We are determined to use our platform to speak out , and encourage our teammates and fans to help make our voices even louder . ''

The court remained empty Thursday inside HP Field House at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Fla., after the NBA postponed games for another day in response to protests over the police shooting of 29-year-old Jacob Blake. Photo by John G. Mabanglo/EPA-EFE
Aug. 27 (UPI) -- NBA players on Thursday met and agreed to resume the playoffs after six teams refused to play Wednesday in Orlando, Fla., in response to the police-involved shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin. Sources told ESPN and The Athletic that the players plan to resume play as early as Friday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex inside the Walt Disney World Resort. Advertisement
NBA referees showed their support Thursday for the player protest with a march around the ESPN Wide World of Sports campus. They wore black T-shirts with the words "Everybody vs. Racism" printed on them.
"Join us as we unite in the bubble, and around the world, to fight injustice and police brutality," the referees' union said.
Advertisement
The Milwaukee Bucks began the protest by not taking the floor for Game 5 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series Wednesday inside the NBA's bubble.
Wednesday's Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets game also was postponed, as was the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers nightcap.
The three playoff games planned for Thursday also have been postponed.
The NBA's Wednesday postponements sparked a sports-wide wave of sitouts. Three WNBA, three MLB and five MLS competitions, as well as a series of tennis matches, also were postponed in response to Blake's shooting.
Blake, 29, was airlifted in serious condition to a Milwaukee hospital Sunday after he was shot by police in Kenosha, Wis.
Videos of the incident show officers grabbing Blake by his shirt as he tried to get into a van. An officer then fired seven shots at close range into Blake's back before he slumped over the van's steering wheel.
Social media footage of the sequence has gone viral, and the shooting has sparked unrest and protests throughout Wisconsin and elsewhere. The officers involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave.
Advertisement
"We are calling for justice for Jacob Blake and demand the officers be held accountable," Bucks players read in a statement Wednesday.
"For this to occur, it is imperative for the Wisconsin State Legislature to reconvene after months of inaction and take up meaningful measures to address issues of police accountability, brutality and criminal justice reform.
"We encourage all citizens to educate themselves, take peaceful and responsible action, and remember to vote on Nov. 3."
NFL, tennis stoppages
The New York Jets, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans and Washington Football Team announced they would not practice Thursday in response to the sports team protests. The Jacksonville Jaguars delayed the start of their practices and met to discuss social change.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow -- the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft -- shared his thoughts about the unrest Thursday morning on Twitter before the Bengals practiced.
Advertisement
"How can you hear the pain Black people are going through and dismiss it as nothing?" Burrow wrote. "How can you hear the pain and respond with anything other than 'I stand with you.'"
Meanwhile, organizers of the Western & Southern Open announced Wednesday that the tennis tournament was to pause play Thursday as part of the protests.
"As a sport, tennis is collectively taking a stance against racial inequality and social injustice that once again has been thrust to the forefront in the United States," the WTA, ATP Tour and USTA said in a joint statement.
"The USTA, ATP Tour, and WTA have decided to recognize this moment in time by pausing tournament play at the Western & Southern Open on Thursday. Play will resume on Friday."
The move to pause the tournament came after world No. 10 Naomi Osaka announced she would not play in her scheduled semifinal match Thursday in New York City.
"As a black woman, I feel as though there are much more important matters at hand that need immediate attention, rather than watching me play tennis," Osaka said in a statement.
Cori "Coco" Gauff and Sloane Stephens were among the tennis stars to offer support to Osaka on social media after her decision to pull out of the match.
Advertisement
The PGA Tour's BMW Championship teed off Thursday afternoon. The PGA announced Thursday morning that it supports the MLB, MLS, NBA, WNBA and WTA protests, but did not postpone the first round at the Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Ill.
NHL postpones playoff games over next two days
The NHL did not plan to hold any Stanley Cup postseason games Thursday and Friday in solidarity with other leagues protesting the recent police shooting of Blake.
The decision impacted Thursday night's games -- the New York Islanders versus the Philadelphia Flyers and the Vegas Golden Knights against the Vancouver Canucks -- as well as Friday night's Tampa Bay Lightning-Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche-Dallas Stars matchups.
"After much discussion, NHL players believe that the best course of action would be to take a step back and not play tonight's and tomorrow's games as scheduled," the NHL said in a statement Thursday.
"The NHL supports the players' decision and will reschedule those four games beginning Saturday and adjust the remainder of the second round schedule accordingly.
"Black and Brown communities continue to face real, painful experiences. The NHL and NHLPA recognize that much work remains to be done before we can play an appropriate role in a discussion centered on diversity, inclusion and social justice."
Advertisement
MLB has seven postponements, could have more
Thursday's games between the Oakland Athletics-Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies-Washington Nationals, Minnesota Twins-Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox-Toronto Blue Jays, Colorado Rockies-Arizona Diamondbacks and Baltimore Orioles-Tampa Bay Rays have been postponed, with possibly more to follow.
In addition, the New York Mets' game against the Miami Marlins on Thursday night was postponed after both teams held a 42-second moment of silence -- in honor of baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson -- before leaving the field. Friday is Jackie Robinson Day across the sport.
The postponements came after the league had three games scrapped Wednesday as players added their voices to the national protest over the shooting of Blake. But the majority of MLB games remained on the schedule Thursday as the NBA, NHL and WNBA all postponed play.
Advertisement
"On behalf of the more than 100 Black current and former MLB players that make up The Players Alliance, we remain unified by our mission and dedicated to making real, lasting change," The Players Alliance said in a statement Thursday.
"The color of our skin is the uniform we wear every day. We cannot change that. What we can change is the pain and injustice the Black community has suffered for far too long.
"We are determined to use our platform to speak out, and encourage our teammates and fans to help make our voices even louder."


upi--2020-08-27--Researchers find that bacteria can produce common component in plastic

Aug. 27 ( UPI ) -- Scientists have identified a new microbial pathway in bacteria for the production of ethylene , a common component of plastics , adhesives and other products .
In addition to potentially offering a new way to biomanufacture ethylene , the discovery could help researchers develop new strategies for protecting flooded crops from ethylene-forming bacteria .
Until now , scientists knew of only two proteins in bacteria that produced ethylene , and both proteins require oxygen .
`` Unfortunately , oxygen and ethylene , when combined , are highly flammable and explosive , '' lead researcher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State University , told UPI in an email .
`` This presents a significant engineering challenge making it difficult to make ethylene at large scales . ''
All living organisms need carbon , nitrogen , sulfur and phosphorous to grow and build cells , but sulfur is often locked away in organic compounds like dimethyl sulfide or methylthio-ethanol .
Scientists found the new microbial pathway for the production of ethylene -- described Thursday in the journal Science -- while investigating the survival strategies of photosynthetic freshwater and soil bacteria , which often inhabit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to access .
`` Surprisingly , when these bacteria like Rhodospirillum rubrum and Rhodopseudomonas palustris were deprived of oxygen they started making copious amounts of methane from dimethyl sulfide and ethylene from methylthio-ethanol , '' North said .
`` This led us on an entirely new pathway and to an entirely new discovery of a complex protein that removes the needed sulfur from these compounds giving us methane or ethylene as a useful byproduct . ''
Scientists identified the new pathway by exposing microbes to different chemical environs , and using mass spectrometry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proteins produced by the bacteria .
The data showed the production of nitrogenase-like skyrocketed in low-sulfur environs .
`` Looking at what proteins a cell makes in one environment and looking at what proteins a cell makes in a different environment can give us amazing clues into what a particular function of a protein may be , '' North said .
After finding evidence that nitrogenase-like proteins were likely involved in sulfur metabolism , scientists engineered the bacterial genome to include or remove the gene cluster that controls the production of nitrogenase-like proteins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presence of the nitrogenase-like protein system and ethylene production pathway by feeding radioactive carbon-labeled compounds to the bacteria cells .
`` When the proteins that make ethylene were present in the cell , the methylthio-ethanol was used and radioactive methionine was produced , '' North said .
`` But when we removed the proteins that make ethylene , methylthio-ethanol could not be used and no radioactive methionine was produced . ''
The novel pathway could be used to develop new ways to biomanufacture ethylene , but the research could also help waterlogged plants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observed that when fields flood and the soil becomes filled with water and depleted in oxygen , large amounts of ethylene are produced to levels that can be damaging to crops , '' North said .
Researchers have also known that bacteria and fungi that thrive in low-oxygen environs were likely responsible for the excess ethylene , but until now , the only known biological ethylene production pathways required oxygen .
Now , scientists have a potential explanation for the paradox .
`` While our work has been solely in the lab , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this soil ethylene paradox , who is making it , and how it is produced when soils become oxygen deprived , '' North said .
In followup studies , researchers plan to test the hypothesis in the field .
`` If this proves true , the goal will be to develop treatments or practices that either inhibit these ethylene-forming bacteria from growing or from producing ethylene to minimize the negative impacts of elevated ethylene on crops , '' North said .

Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Scientists have identified a new microbial pathway in bacteria for the production of ethylene, a common component of plastics, adhesives and other products.
In addition to potentially offering a new way to biomanufacture ethylene, the discovery could help researchers develop new strategies for protecting flooded crops from ethylene-forming bacteria.
Advertisement
Until now, scientists knew of only two proteins in bacteria that produced ethylene, and both proteins require oxygen.
"Unfortunately, oxygen and ethylene, when combined, are highly flammable and explosive," lead researcher Justin North, a microbiologist at Ohio State University, told UPI in an email. "This presents a significant engineering challenge making it difficult to make ethylene at large scales."
All living organisms need carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorous to grow and build cells, but sulfur is often locked away in organic compounds like dimethyl sulfide or methylthio-ethanol.
Scientists found the new microbial pathway for the production of ethylene -- described Thursday in the journal Science -- while investigating the survival strategies of photosynthetic freshwater and soil bacteria, which often inhabit environs where sulfur is limited or hard to access.
Advertisement
"Surprisingly, when these bacteria like Rhodospirillum rubrum and Rhodopseudomonas palustris were deprived of oxygen they started making copious amounts of methane from dimethyl sulfide and ethylene from methylthio-ethanol," North said. "This led us on an entirely new pathway and to an entirely new discovery of a complex protein that removes the needed sulfur from these compounds giving us methane or ethylene as a useful byproduct."
Scientists identified the new pathway by exposing microbes to different chemical environs, and using mass spectrometry to measure differences in the ratios of proteins produced by the bacteria. The data showed the production of nitrogenase-like skyrocketed in low-sulfur environs.
"Looking at what proteins a cell makes in one environment and looking at what proteins a cell makes in a different environment can give us amazing clues into what a particular function of a protein may be," North said.
After finding evidence that nitrogenase-like proteins were likely involved in sulfur metabolism, scientists engineered the bacterial genome to include or remove the gene cluster that controls the production of nitrogenase-like proteins.
Researchers were able to confirm the presence of the nitrogenase-like protein system and ethylene production pathway by feeding radioactive carbon-labeled compounds to the bacteria cells.
"When the proteins that make ethylene were present in the cell, the methylthio-ethanol was used and radioactive methionine was produced," North said. "But when we removed the proteins that make ethylene, methylthio-ethanol could not be used and no radioactive methionine was produced."
Advertisement
The novel pathway could be used to develop new ways to biomanufacture ethylene, but the research could also help waterlogged plants.
"For decades, scientists have observed that when fields flood and the soil becomes filled with water and depleted in oxygen, large amounts of ethylene are produced to levels that can be damaging to crops," North said.
Researchers have also known that bacteria and fungi that thrive in low-oxygen environs were likely responsible for the excess ethylene, but until now, the only known biological ethylene production pathways required oxygen. Now, scientists have a potential explanation for the paradox.
"While our work has been solely in the lab, we believe this provides an explanation for this soil ethylene paradox, who is making it, and how it is produced when soils become oxygen deprived," North said.
In followup studies, researchers plan to test the hypothesis in the field.
"If this proves true, the goal will be to develop treatments or practices that either inhibit these ethylene-forming bacteria from growing or from producing ethylene to minimize the negative impacts of elevated ethylene on crops," North said.


upi--2020-08-27--NAS Oceana Air Show to be broadcast online

Aug. 27 ( UPI ) -- The annual air show at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia will be a virtual event this year , officials announced Thursday .
The air show will be broadcast online on the afternoon of Sept. 19 rather than inviting the public on the base to watch it , in order to allow Hampton Roads residents `` to see naval aviation up close in a safe environment during the COVID-19 pandemic , '' NAS Oceana officials said .
`` NAS Oceana is very fortunate to call the cities of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake our home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our part to keep the public safe .
As members of these great communities , we know that people look forward to attending our very popular air show , '' Capt .
John W. Hewitt , Commanding Officer of NAS Oceana , said in a press release .
`` Moving the air show to a live-streamed event allows us to keep everyone healthy , while still showcasing what the Navy and Marine Corps team is capable of doing when we deploy around the world to defend America 's interests , '' Hewitt said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been held nearly every year since 1962 and attracts more than 250,000 spectators , was canceled July 13 to help stop the spread of COVID-19 .
This year 's show carries the theme `` In It Together , '' and is intended to pay tribute to frontline workers in the coronavirus pandemic .
The show 's schedule is still under development but will include a live performance of the NAS Oceana-based `` Rhino '' Demonstration Team that flies the F/A-18F Super Hornet with aircrew who are assigned to VFA-106 , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A-10 Thunderbolt tactical demonstration teams .
The broadcast will also show pre-recorded video features including a tour of the Navy 's East Coast Master Jet Base and an overview of the history of naval aviation .
`` The best way to view the air show is on your phone , tablet or computer , '' Hewitt said .
`` We need to make sure emergency services personnel can get wherever they may need to go and that nobody is spreading the virus outside of our gates trying to get a better view of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to welcome everyone back to NAS Oceana when it is safe to do so , but you can help us speed up that process by watching from the comfort of your home , '' he said .
The four-hour show will be streamed on both Facebook and YouTube .

A flight demonstration team flies in formation during the 2019 NAS Oceana Air Show, which this year will be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. Photo by Abraham Essenmacher/U.S. Navy
Aug. 27 (UPI) -- The annual air show at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia will be a virtual event this year, officials announced Thursday. The air show will be broadcast online on the afternoon of Sept. 19 rather than inviting the public on the base to watch it, in order to allow Hampton Roads residents "to see naval aviation up close in a safe environment during the COVID-19 pandemic," NAS Oceana officials said. Advertisement
"NAS Oceana is very fortunate to call the cities of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake our home, and we take pride in doing our part to keep the public safe. As members of these great communities, we know that people look forward to attending our very popular air show," Capt. John W. Hewitt, Commanding Officer of NAS Oceana, said in a press release.
"Moving the air show to a live-streamed event allows us to keep everyone healthy, while still showcasing what the Navy and Marine Corps team is capable of doing when we deploy around the world to defend America's interests," Hewitt said.
The in-person air show, which has been held nearly every year since 1962 and attracts more than 250,000 spectators, was canceled July 13 to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Advertisement
This year's show carries the theme "In It Together," and is intended to pay tribute to frontline workers in the coronavirus pandemic.
The show's schedule is still under development but will include a live performance of the NAS Oceana-based "Rhino" Demonstration Team that flies the F/A-18F Super Hornet with aircrew who are assigned to VFA-106, as well as the Air Force's F-22 and A-10 Thunderbolt tactical demonstration teams.
The broadcast will also show pre-recorded video features including a tour of the Navy's East Coast Master Jet Base and an overview of the history of naval aviation.
"The best way to view the air show is on your phone, tablet or computer," Hewitt said.
"We need to make sure emergency services personnel can get wherever they may need to go and that nobody is spreading the virus outside of our gates trying to get a better view of the show. We can't wait to welcome everyone back to NAS Oceana when it is safe to do so, but you can help us speed up that process by watching from the comfort of your home," he said.
The four-hour show will be streamed on both Facebook and YouTube.


upi--2020-08-27--New York Jets acquire RB Kalen Ballage from AFC East rival Miami Dolphins

Aug. 27 ( UPI ) -- The Miami Dolphins traded running back Kalen Ballage to the New York Jets in a rare intradivision trade Thursday .
The Dolphins , who were expected to release the tailback , announced they acquired a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft in exchange for Ballage .
Ballage will be reunited with Jets head coach Adam Gase , who was the Dolphins ' coach from 2016-18 .
Gase played a part in Miami 's decision to select the 24-year-old running back in the fourth round of the 2018 draft out of Arizona State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to join Gase and the Jets .
Veteran tailback Frank Gore , who helped mentor Ballage as a rookie , signed a one-year deal with the Jets in May .
The Jets also have starter Le'Veon Bell -- who recently expressed frustration on social media about his lack of reps during Wednesday 's intrasquad scrimmage -- and rookie La'Mical Perine .
Ballage was the Dolphins ' starting running back in Week 1 last season , but he struggled and eventually lost his job .
Miami acquired Jordan Howard and Matt Breida this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seasons , Ballage recorded 326 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 110 carries .
He added 23 receptions for 119 yards on 35 targets .

Aug. 27 (UPI) -- The Miami Dolphins traded running back Kalen Ballage to the New York Jets in a rare intradivision trade Thursday.
The Dolphins, who were expected to release the tailback, announced they acquired a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft in exchange for Ballage.
Advertisement
Ballage will be reunited with Jets head coach Adam Gase, who was the Dolphins' coach from 2016-18. Gase played a part in Miami's decision to select the 24-year-old running back in the fourth round of the 2018 draft out of Arizona State.
Ballage becomes the second ex-Dolphins running back to join Gase and the Jets. Veteran tailback Frank Gore, who helped mentor Ballage as a rookie, signed a one-year deal with the Jets in May.
The Jets also have starter Le'Veon Bell -- who recently expressed frustration on social media about his lack of reps during Wednesday's intrasquad scrimmage -- and rookie La'Mical Perine.
As a rookie, Kalen Ballage was able to listen and learn from one of the best RBs in the game... Frank Gore. Advertisement See how its paid off >> https://t.co/wyXvMlRdvh— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 21, 2019
Ballage was the Dolphins' starting running back in Week 1 last season, but he struggled and eventually lost his job. Miami acquired Jordan Howard and Matt Breida this past off-season.
In his first two seasons, Ballage recorded 326 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 110 carries. He added 23 receptions for 119 yards on 35 targets.


upi--2020-08-27--D.C. judge stays execution of man convicted of killing 10-year-old

Aug. 27 ( UPI ) -- A federal judge in Washington , D.C. , on Thursday issued a stay of execution for a man who was set to die Friday for the murder of a 10-year-old girl in 1999 .
District Judge Tanya Chutkan halted plans for the execution of Keith Dwayne Nelson , 45 , saying the federal government must , by law , have a prescription for the drug it plans to use for the lethal injection .
The U.S. government uses a single drug for its lethal injections -- pentobarbital , a sedative .
Chutkan said using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violation of the Food , Drug and Cosmetic Act .
`` The government got caught taking shortcuts and the district court ruled that they can not make an end-run around the law , '' Nelson 's attorney , Dale Baich , said .
`` Here , the government made a choice to use compounded drugs and in so doing was taking a risk that it would violate the FDCA . ''
The U.S. Department of Justice appealed Chutkan 's ruling with the U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 , 1999 , kidnapping , rape and murder of a 10-year-old girl whom he abducted while she was rollerblading in front of her home .
His attorneys argue he was denied effective trial counsel and the jury sentenced him to death without hearing of mitigating circumstances , including his `` severe organic brain damage , '' mental illness , and physical and sexual abuse as a child .
If he 's executed Friday , Nelson will be the fifth person put to death by the U.S. government this year .
Attorney General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a 17-year hiatus .
The Bureau of Prisons has carried out the executions of Daniel Lewis Lee ( July 14 ) , Wesley Purkey ( July 16 ) , Dustin Honken ( July 17 ) and Lezmond Mitchell ( Wednesday ) .

Keith Nelson was sentenced to death for the 1999 murder of a 10-year-old girl. File Photo courtesy of attorney for Keith Nelson
Aug. 27 (UPI) -- A federal judge in Washington, D.C., on Thursday issued a stay of execution for a man who was set to die Friday for the murder of a 10-year-old girl in 1999. District Judge Tanya Chutkan halted plans for the execution of Keith Dwayne Nelson, 45, saying the federal government must, by law, have a prescription for the drug it plans to use for the lethal injection. Advertisement
The U.S. government uses a single drug for its lethal injections -- pentobarbital, a sedative. Chutkan said using the drug without a prescription is a violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
"The government got caught taking shortcuts and the district court ruled that they cannot make an end-run around the law," Nelson's attorney, Dale Baich, said. "Here, the government made a choice to use compounded drugs and in so doing was taking a risk that it would violate the FDCA."
The U.S. Department of Justice appealed Chutkan's ruling with the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
Nelson pleaded guilty to the Oct. 12, 1999, kidnapping, rape and murder of a 10-year-old girl whom he abducted while she was rollerblading in front of her home.
Advertisement
His attorneys argue he was denied effective trial counsel and the jury sentenced him to death without hearing of mitigating circumstances, including his "severe organic brain damage," mental illness, and physical and sexual abuse as a child.
If he's executed Friday, Nelson will be the fifth person put to death by the U.S. government this year. Attorney General William Barr resumed federal executions last month after a 17-year hiatus.
The Bureau of Prisons has carried out the executions of Daniel Lewis Lee (July 14), Wesley Purkey (July 16), Dustin Honken (July 17) and Lezmond Mitchell (Wednesday).


upi--2020-08-27--Experts: COVID-19 raised mental health issues for people with financial hardships

Aug. 27 ( UPI ) -- COVID-19 has highlighted and worsened the mental health challenges faced by those struggling to make ends meet across the United States , experts said Thursday .
Nearly 70 % of hourly workers in a `` large U.S. '' city have lost income since the start of the pandemic , and that roughly 60 % have lost their jobs , according to a survey conducted by researchers at Duke University and accepted for publication by the journal Pediatrics .
Concerns over financial well-being were among the reasons why up to one-third of all respondents reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the time since the start of the pandemic , the data showed .
`` Back in 2019 , we were already seeing there were regular changes to people 's work schedules that happened at the last minute and were completely unanticipated -- [ and ] those work schedule changes have nearly doubled [ during the pandemic ] , '' co-author Anna Gassman-Pines said on a call with reporters .
`` When you do n't know when you 're going to be working or for how long , that 's creating a tremendous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ because ] for hourly workers , if they do n't work , they do n't have earnings , '' said Gassman-Pines , an associate professor of public policy psychology at Duke University .
Concerns over the spread of COVID-19 and its impact on American society compounded the stress , researchers at Johns Hopkins University said during another call with reporters Thursday .
For a study published in July by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine , researchers surveyed more than 6,300 adults across the United States between March 10 and 31 -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most regions of the country .
Over that three-week period , time spent on social media increased by approximately 50 % , from 50 minutes to 76 minutes per day .
Survey participants also raised their consumption of `` traditional media '' print , online and TV news -- by about 33 % -- from an average of roughly 2.3 sources to three sources per day , the data showed .
This rise in media consumption was associated with `` increased mental distress , '' the researchers said .
Ongoing research being conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase in substance abuse generally among American adults since the start of the pandemic , according to Johannes Thrul , an assistant professor in the department of mental health at Johns Hopkins .
Another Johns Hopkins-led study , which will be published in October by the journal Preventive Medicine , found that 15 % of nearly 10,000 U.S. adults surveyed in late March had symptoms of `` psychological distress , '' with higher rates reported by those who saw the virus as a `` threat '' to their personal health and finances .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in so many ways , socially , financially and in [ mental ] health , '' Elizabeth A. Stuart , Bloomberg Professor of American Health at Hopkins , said during the Thursday call .
The Duke researchers surveyed 645 adults working in hourly service-industry positions in retail , food service or hotel industries in an unidentified U.S. city .
Nearly half of the participants were Black Americans and 23 % were Hispanic Americans , and 83 % were women , the researchers said .
The mean annual household income among participants was less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In addition to the disruptions in employment -- and income -- caused by the pandemic , 45 % said increased time spent caring for children home from school because closures related to containing the virus were impacting their ability to work and provide for their families , the data showed .
Although some of the `` initial spikes '' in mental health issues seen at the start of the pandemic have started to flatten , they still have n't returned to pre-COVID levels , said Stuart , of Johns Hopkins .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely it will have an impact on mental health , she said .
All of the researchers agreed some positives emerged , though .
The pandemic has highlighted the need to recognize mental distress and address it , either through treatment or by engaging in `` self-care , '' like proper sleep and increased exercise and physical activity , experts said .
In addition , the rise of telemedicine -- consultations with health professionals either by phone or online -- has increased access to mental health services for many people , particularly those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Access to mental healthcare was an issue for many Americans , particularly the poor , prior to the pandemic , Duke 's Gassman-Pines said .
`` For low-income folks in the United States in particular , but for all of us , mental health treatment was already difficult to access before the pandemic , '' she said .
`` Can we be thinking about transforming our mental health system [ and ] long term about really investing in supporting the mental health of the people in our communities ? ''

The pandemic has raised mental distress among many Americans, particularly service workers who have faced financial hardships. Photo by Jesús Rodríguez/Unsplash
Aug. 27 (UPI) -- COVID-19 has highlighted and worsened the mental health challenges faced by those struggling to make ends meet across the United States, experts said Thursday. Nearly 70% of hourly workers in a "large U.S." city have lost income since the start of the pandemic, and that roughly 60% have lost their jobs, according to a survey conducted by researchers at Duke University and accepted for publication by the journal Pediatrics. Advertisement
Concerns over financial well-being were among the reasons why up to one-third of all respondents reported "negative moods" some or all of the time since the start of the pandemic, the data showed.
"Back in 2019, we were already seeing there were regular changes to people's work schedules that happened at the last minute and were completely unanticipated -- [and] those work schedule changes have nearly doubled [during the pandemic]," co-author Anna Gassman-Pines said on a call with reporters.
Advertisement
"When you don't know when you're going to be working or for how long, that's creating a tremendous amount of additional stress for these families [because] for hourly workers, if they don't work, they don't have earnings," said Gassman-Pines, an associate professor of public policy psychology at Duke University.
Concerns over the spread of COVID-19 and its impact on American society compounded the stress, researchers at Johns Hopkins University said during another call with reporters Thursday.
For a study published in July by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, researchers surveyed more than 6,300 adults across the United States between March 10 and 31 -- the early stages of the outbreak in most regions of the country.
Over that three-week period, time spent on social media increased by approximately 50%, from 50 minutes to 76 minutes per day. Survey participants also raised their consumption of "traditional media" print, online and TV news -- by about 33% -- from an average of roughly 2.3 sources to three sources per day, the data showed.
This rise in media consumption was associated with "increased mental distress," the researchers said.
Ongoing research being conducted by the same team has observed an increase in substance abuse generally among American adults since the start of the pandemic, according to Johannes Thrul, an assistant professor in the department of mental health at Johns Hopkins.
Advertisement
Another Johns Hopkins-led study, which will be published in October by the journal Preventive Medicine, found that 15% of nearly 10,000 U.S. adults surveyed in late March had symptoms of "psychological distress," with higher rates reported by those who saw the virus as a "threat" to their personal health and finances.
"This pandemic is impacting our lives in so many ways, socially, financially and in [mental] health," Elizabeth A. Stuart, Bloomberg Professor of American Health at Hopkins, said during the Thursday call.
The Duke researchers surveyed 645 adults working in hourly service-industry positions in retail, food service or hotel industries in an unidentified U.S. city. Nearly half of the participants were Black Americans and 23% were Hispanic Americans, and 83% were women, the researchers said.
The mean annual household income among participants was less than $27,000, the researchers added.
In addition to the disruptions in employment -- and income -- caused by the pandemic, 45% said increased time spent caring for children home from school because closures related to containing the virus were impacting their ability to work and provide for their families, the data showed.
Although some of the "initial spikes" in mental health issues seen at the start of the pandemic have started to flatten, they still haven't returned to pre-COVID levels, said Stuart, of Johns Hopkins. The longer the crisis continues, the more likely it will have an impact on mental health, she said.
Advertisement
All of the researchers agreed some positives emerged, though. The pandemic has highlighted the need to recognize mental distress and address it, either through treatment or by engaging in "self-care," like proper sleep and increased exercise and physical activity, experts said.
In addition, the rise of telemedicine -- consultations with health professionals either by phone or online -- has increased access to mental health services for many people, particularly those in more rural areas, Stuart said.
Access to mental healthcare was an issue for many Americans, particularly the poor, prior to the pandemic, Duke's Gassman-Pines said.
"For low-income folks in the United States in particular, but for all of us, mental health treatment was already difficult to access before the pandemic," she said.
"Can we be thinking about transforming our mental health system [and] long term about really investing in supporting the mental health of the people in our communities?"


upi--2020-08-27--Dow briefly trades positive for 2020 as markets close flat

Aug. 27 ( UPI ) -- U.S. markets ended the day mostly flat and the Dow Jones Industrial Average briefly moved into positive territory for the year in a rollercoaster day of trading on Thursday .
The Dow climbed 160.35 points , or 0.57 % , and traded positive for 2020 earlier in the day , rising 245 points , or 0.9 % .
Meanwhile , the S & P 500 ended the day up 0.17 % to 3,484.55 after briefly rising above 3,500 for the first time , while the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.34 % .
Stocks traded higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chairman Jerome Powell revised the Fed 's approach to its economic strategy allowing inflation to rise `` moderately '' higher than its longtime target rate of 2 % in order to balance out long periods of sub-2 % levels .
Bank stocks rose in response to the news on Wednesday as JPMorgan Chase stock gained 3.30 % , Wells Fargo increased 2.25 % , Bank of America climbed 1.96 percent and Citigroup rose 1.71 % .
Tech shares , however , dragged the markets down as Netflix dropped 3.88 % , Facebook fell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Apple dropped 1.2 % and Google 's parent company , Alphabet closed down 0.95 % .
Markets also responded to a report from the Labor Department that more than 1 million Americans filed new claims for unemployment benefits .

Markets closed the day flat on Thursday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average briefly traded positive for the year and the S&P surpassed 3,500 points for the first time before being dragged down by tech stocks. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 27 (UPI) -- U.S. markets ended the day mostly flat and the Dow Jones Industrial Average briefly moved into positive territory for the year in a rollercoaster day of trading on Thursday. The Dow climbed 160.35 points, or 0.57%, and traded positive for 2020 earlier in the day, rising 245 points, or 0.9%. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 ended the day up 0.17% to 3,484.55 after briefly rising above 3,500 for the first time, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.34%. Advertisement
Stocks traded higher early in the day after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell revised the Fed's approach to its economic strategy allowing inflation to rise "moderately" higher than its longtime target rate of 2% in order to balance out long periods of sub-2% levels.
Bank stocks rose in response to the news on Wednesday as JPMorgan Chase stock gained 3.30%, Wells Fargo increased 2.25%, Bank of America climbed 1.96 percent and Citigroup rose 1.71%.
Tech shares, however, dragged the markets down as Netflix dropped 3.88%, Facebook fell 3.52%, Amazon declined 1.22%, Apple dropped 1.2% and Google's parent company, Alphabet closed down 0.95%.
Advertisement
Markets also responded to a report from the Labor Department that more than 1 million Americans filed new claims for unemployment benefits.


upi--2020-08-27--Grandparents' wedding anniversary inspires two lottery wins

Aug. 27 ( UPI ) -- An Illinois lottery player scored wins in two different drawing games by using numbers @ @ @ @ @ wedding anniversary .
The Lisle resident , who requested anonymity , told Illinois Lottery officials @ @ @ @ @ grandparents ' July 16 , 1941 , wedding when buying tickets for the Pick 3 @ @ @ @ @ The Pick 3 ticket , bearing the numbers 7-1-6 , scored a $ 290 prize @ @ @ @ @ ticket , with the numbers 1-9-4-1 , won $ 1,080 .
The Pick 4 drawing @ @ @ @ @ the 79th anniversary of the wedding .
The winner said they had been researching family @ @ @ @ @ tickets .
`` I just had a good feeling about it .
I was thinking @ @ @ @ @ helped raise me and we were very close , '' the player said .

An Illinois resident used their grandparents' wedding date as inspiration for their numbers in two different lottery drawings and ended up winning with both tickets. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Aug. 27 (UPI) -- An Illinois lottery player scored wins in two different drawing games by using numbers based on their grandparents' wedding anniversary. The Lisle resident, who requested anonymity, told Illinois Lottery officials they took inspiration from their grandparents' July 16, 1941, wedding when buying tickets for the Pick 3 and Pick 4 drawings. Advertisement
The Pick 3 ticket, bearing the numbers 7-1-6, scored a $290 prize, while the Pick 4 ticket, with the numbers 1-9-4-1, won $1,080. The Pick 4 drawing was held July 16, the 79th anniversary of the wedding.
The winner said they had been researching family history shortly before buying the tickets.
"I just had a good feeling about it. I was thinking about my grandparents, who helped raise me and we were very close," the player said.


upi--2020-08-27--In Photos: The Met reopens in New York

In Photos: The Met reopens in New York

Pedestrians wear face masks as they walk by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Thursday as @ @ @ @ @ for members .
Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

Pedestrians wear face masks as they walk by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Thursday as the museum begins to reopen for members. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI


upi--2020-08-27--Cochlear implants improve hearing in older adults, with no side effects, study finds

Aug. 27 ( UPI ) -- Cochlear implants offer `` clinically meaningful improvement '' over hearing aids in both hearing and quality of life for adults age 65 and older with hearing loss , according to a study published Thursday by JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery .
Seniors who previously used hearing aids saw a 20 % to 40 % improvement on commonly used measures for hearing performance after receiving Cochlear implants , with no side effects reported , the data showed .
The findings are significant because implants are `` underused , '' particularly in older adults , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] demonstrates clear superiority of cochlear implants over hearing aids in many key areas , such as understanding speech , hearing in background noise and ability to communicate , '' study co-author Dr. Cameron Wick told UPI .
`` This study emphasizes that patients do not have to be profoundly deaf to experience significant hearing and social benefits from cochlear implants , and that cochlear implant surgery is well tolerated even as adults age and acquire other health ailments , '' said Wick , an ear , nose and throat surgeon at Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nearly 25 % of those age 65 to 74 and 50 % of those 75 and older have disabling hearing loss , according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders .
In older adults , hearing loss can negatively impact communication , leading to social isolation , depression , frustration and possibly cognitive decline , Wick said .
Cochlear implants , which were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1984 , are surgically implanted neuroprosthetic devices that provide people with moderate to severe hearing loss a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost roughly $ 30,000 to $ 50,000 without insurance , but they may be covered by insurance plans and Medicare for patients who meet eligibility requirements .
The devices do this by bypassing the normal acoustic hearing process and replacing it with electric signals that directly stimulate the auditory nerve in the brain .
Despite significant improvements in the technology over the past 30-plus years , an estimated 5 % to 10 % of those who would benefit from cochlear implants are referred to an implant center , Wick said .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost of the technology , and the general belief that older adults would derive less benefit , he said .
For their research , Wick and his colleagues assessed the performance of cochlear implants in 75 adults ranging in age from 65 to 91 years who had hearing loss and were using hearing aids in both ears .
Six months after cochlear implant surgery in one ear , participants saw a 37 % improvement in scores on the Consonant-Vowel Nucleus-Consonant test , which assesses the perception of real words and of speech sounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surgery also resulted in a 22 % improvement in participants ' performance on the AZBio Sentence test , a speech perception measure , the researchers said .
Both the Consonant-Vowel Nucleus-Consonant and AZBio Sentence tests are commonly used to evaluate hearing loss , the researchers said .
`` This study highlights that if patients are not satisfied with their hearing aid performance , then they should be referred to a center that can evaluate them for cochlear implantation , '' Wick said .
`` This does not mean that all 90 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implant , but the vast majority would benefit from talking to an otolaryngologist , '' he said .

Seniors dissatisfied with their hearing aids may benefit from cochlear implant surgery, a new study has found. Photo by Jonas Bergsten/Wikimedia Commons
Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Cochlear implants offer "clinically meaningful improvement" over hearing aids in both hearing and quality of life for adults age 65 and older with hearing loss, according to a study published Thursday by JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. Seniors who previously used hearing aids saw a 20% to 40% improvement on commonly used measures for hearing performance after receiving Cochlear implants, with no side effects reported, the data showed. Advertisement
The findings are significant because implants are "underused," particularly in older adults, the researchers said.
"[Our study] demonstrates clear superiority of cochlear implants over hearing aids in many key areas, such as understanding speech, hearing in background noise and ability to communicate," study co-author Dr. Cameron Wick told UPI.
"This study emphasizes that patients do not have to be profoundly deaf to experience significant hearing and social benefits from cochlear implants, and that cochlear implant surgery is well tolerated even as adults age and acquire other health ailments," said Wick, an ear, nose and throat surgeon at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Advertisement
Nearly 25% of those age 65 to 74 and 50% of those 75 and older have disabling hearing loss, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
In older adults, hearing loss can negatively impact communication, leading to social isolation, depression, frustration and possibly cognitive decline, Wick said.
Cochlear implants, which were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1984, are surgically implanted neuroprosthetic devices that provide people with moderate to severe hearing loss a modified sense of sound.
The implants cost roughly $30,000 to $50,000 without insurance, but they may be covered by insurance plans and Medicare for patients who meet eligibility requirements.
The devices do this by bypassing the normal acoustic hearing process and replacing it with electric signals that directly stimulate the auditory nerve in the brain.
Despite significant improvements in the technology over the past 30-plus years, an estimated 5% to 10% of those who would benefit from cochlear implants are referred to an implant center, Wick said.
This is due, in part, to the cost of the technology, and the general belief that older adults would derive less benefit, he said.
For their research, Wick and his colleagues assessed the performance of cochlear implants in 75 adults ranging in age from 65 to 91 years who had hearing loss and were using hearing aids in both ears.
Advertisement
Six months after cochlear implant surgery in one ear, participants saw a 37% improvement in scores on the Consonant-Vowel Nucleus-Consonant test, which assesses the perception of real words and of speech sounds, the data showed.
Cochlear implant surgery also resulted in a 22% improvement in participants' performance on the AZBio Sentence test, a speech perception measure, the researchers said.
Both the Consonant-Vowel Nucleus-Consonant and AZBio Sentence tests are commonly used to evaluate hearing loss, the researchers said.
"This study highlights that if patients are not satisfied with their hearing aid performance, then they should be referred to a center that can evaluate them for cochlear implantation," Wick said.
"This does not mean that all 90% of those non-referred patients should undergo a cochlear implant, but the vast majority would benefit from talking to an otolaryngologist," he said.


upi--2020-08-27--Neurons can fuse, cause behavioral changes in nematodes

Aug. 27 ( UPI ) -- Contrary to a long-held consensus among neuroscientists , neurons can and do fuse , according to a study published Thursday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences .
Until now , most researchers assumed nerve cells remained separate , but scientists at the University of Queensland successfully engineered nematode worms to express fusogens in their neurons , causing their brain cells to fuse together .
Fusogens , molecules that control cell fusion in other types of tissue , are rarely found in the nervous system , except as a result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sclerosis and schizophrenia .
`` We have limited knowledge of the effect of fusogens in neurons , and what happens if neurons fuse together , so we explored these questions in the one millimeter-long nematode worm C. elegans , where we can easily visualize neurons under the microscope and manipulate their genes , '' Massimo Hilliard , professor of biological chemistry at Queensland , said in a news release .
`` When the nerve cells fused , we found that their electric circuits became coupled together and this affected the animal 's behavior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rooms , each with its own light switch -- a problem with the electric circuit causes one switch to turn the lights on in both rooms , '' said Hilliard , a professor of biological chemistry at Queensland .
For their experiments , Hilliard and his colleagues triggered the fusion of neurons responsible for the nematode 's smelling abilities .
When the neurons expressed fusogens and fused , the worms were unable to track down food and failed to turn away from the smell of danger .
The study 's results suggest cell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ variety of neurodegenerative disorders .
`` We know that viruses can infect the brain -- herpes simplex virus has been found in the brain cells of some patients with Alzheimer 's disease -- causing havoc and resulting in disease , '' Giordano-Santini said .
In followup studies , scientists plan to investigate the possibility of neuron fusion in brain cells of mammals .
`` Understanding more about neuronal fusion will allow us to determine how often it occurs in human disease conditions , and eventually develop ways to prevent it or to rescue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .

Scientists altered the genes of nematode worms, triggering the fusion of neurons. Photo by Hilliard Lab, Queensland Brain Institute
Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Contrary to a long-held consensus among neuroscientists, neurons can and do fuse, according to a study published Thursday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Until now, most researchers assumed nerve cells remained separate, but scientists at the University of Queensland successfully engineered nematode worms to express fusogens in their neurons, causing their brain cells to fuse together. Advertisement
Fusogens, molecules that control cell fusion in other types of tissue, are rarely found in the nervous system, except as a result of viral infections or neurological diseases, like sclerosis and schizophrenia.
"We have limited knowledge of the effect of fusogens in neurons, and what happens if neurons fuse together, so we explored these questions in the one millimeter-long nematode worm C. elegans, where we can easily visualize neurons under the microscope and manipulate their genes," Massimo Hilliard, professor of biological chemistry at Queensland, said in a news release.
"When the nerve cells fused, we found that their electric circuits became coupled together and this affected the animal's behavior -- we can liken this to two rooms, each with its own light switch -- a problem with the electric circuit causes one switch to turn the lights on in both rooms," said Hilliard, a professor of biological chemistry at Queensland.
Advertisement
For their experiments, Hilliard and his colleagues triggered the fusion of neurons responsible for the nematode's smelling abilities. When the neurons expressed fusogens and fused, the worms were unable to track down food and failed to turn away from the smell of danger.
The study's results suggest cell fusion could play a role in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders.
"We know that viruses can infect the brain -- herpes simplex virus has been found in the brain cells of some patients with Alzheimer's disease -- causing havoc and resulting in disease," Giordano-Santini said.
In followup studies, scientists plan to investigate the possibility of neuron fusion in brain cells of mammals.
"Understanding more about neuronal fusion will allow us to determine how often it occurs in human disease conditions, and eventually develop ways to prevent it or to rescue neurons from this fate," Hilliard said.


upi--2020-08-27--Yoga could calm atrial fibrillation, early findings suggest

People with the heart-rhythm disorder known as atrial fibrillation , or a-fib , may ease their symptoms with the help of a slower-paced yoga , a preliminary study finds .
Researchers from India found that over 16 weeks of yoga sessions , a-fib patients saw their symptom episodes drop by about half .
Their mental well-being got a boost as well .
The findings , which were presented this week at an online meeting of the European Society of Cardiology , should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal .
But the report adds to evidence that yoga @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include palpitations , dizziness and breathlessness .
In 2013 , Dr. Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy led a small study of a-fib patients that came to similar conclusions : Slower-paced yoga , with a focus on breathing and mindful physical poses , helped people reduce their symptoms .
The benefits may stem from yoga 's calming effects on the nervous system , explained Lakkireddy , who is medical director of the Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute , at HCA Midwest Health in Kansas .
He was not involved with the new report .
People with a-fib @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an exaggerated `` sympathetic tone '' -- which refers to the arm of the nervous system that , among other jobs , revs up heart rate and blood pressure .
Yoga may counter that , according to Lakkireddy .
But in a world where yoga classes are often geared toward a sweaty workout , it 's important to remember that breathing techniques and meditation appear key for a-fib patients .
`` Equally important [ as poses ] are the breathing practices , '' Lakkireddy said .
`` The point is to de-stress .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ million to 6 million Americans , according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
It arises when the heart 's upper chambers ( the atria ) beat erratically instead of maintaining a normal rhythm .
A-fib is not immediately life-threatening , but can cause distressing symptoms .
It may also allow blood to pool in the atria .
When that happens , a blood clot can form and potentially travel to the brain -- causing a stroke .
People with a-fib often take medication to control their heart rate and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thinners '' to lower their risk of stroke .
But lifestyle is also critical , said Dr. Eugenia Gianos , who directs Women 's Heart Health at Lenox Hill Hospital , in New York City .
`` It 's always great to see studies that bring our focus back to the key aspects of lifestyle , quality of life and less invasive measures to keep patients healthy , '' said Gianos , who was not involved in the new research .
`` Yoga is an excellent practice that has been shown to reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blood flow and inflammatory markers , '' Gianos said .
`` So , it 's very logical that the study authors chose to investigate it for atrial fibrillation . ''
The trial was led by Dr. Naresh Sen , of HG SMS Hospital in Jaipur , India .
Over five years , his team recruited 538 a-fib patients : First , each patient stuck with standard care for 12 weeks -- continuing on medication or , in some cases , having a catheter ablation procedure .
The study patients then started a 16-week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other day .
The sessions included slower-paced postures and specific exercises that encourage a calmer breathing pattern .
During that time , the study found , patients suffered fewer a-fib symptoms : On average , they had eight symptom episodes -- down from 15 while on standard treatment alone .
Patients also gave higher ratings to their quality of life and mental well-being on standard questionnaires .
Yoga is no replacement for medication , according to Lakkireddy .
But it could be a good addition , he said , along with other lifestyle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weight control and quitting smoking .
Lakkireddy encouraged a-fib patients to talk to their doctor before starting yoga .
If they can find an instructor to give them more personalized attention , he said , that would be best .
Even after just a few sessions , he noted , people may learn enough to continue on their own .
In the middle of a pandemic , in-person classes may not be available .
But there are good online resources for learning some simple postures and breathing techniques , Lakkireddy said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he stressed .
`` The benefits of yoga only last as long as you practice it .
I would suggest at least three times a week . ''
The American Heart Association has more on lifestyle changes for a-fib patients .

Over 16 weeks of yoga sessions, a-fib patients saw their symptom episodes drop by about half, researchers found. Photo by lograstudio /Pixabay
People with the heart-rhythm disorder known as atrial fibrillation, or a-fib, may ease their symptoms with the help of a slower-paced yoga, a preliminary study finds. Researchers from India found that over 16 weeks of yoga sessions, a-fib patients saw their symptom episodes drop by about half. Their mental well-being got a boost as well. Advertisement
The findings, which were presented this week at an online meeting of the European Society of Cardiology, should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
But the report adds to evidence that yoga can help control a-fib symptoms, which include palpitations, dizziness and breathlessness.
In 2013, Dr. Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy led a small study of a-fib patients that came to similar conclusions: Slower-paced yoga, with a focus on breathing and mindful physical poses, helped people reduce their symptoms.
The benefits may stem from yoga's calming effects on the nervous system, explained Lakkireddy, who is medical director of the Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute, at HCA Midwest Health in Kansas. He was not involved with the new report.
Advertisement
People with a-fib, Lakkireddy said, tend to have an exaggerated "sympathetic tone" -- which refers to the arm of the nervous system that, among other jobs, revs up heart rate and blood pressure.
Yoga may counter that, according to Lakkireddy. But in a world where yoga classes are often geared toward a sweaty workout, it's important to remember that breathing techniques and meditation appear key for a-fib patients.
"Equally important [as poses] are the breathing practices," Lakkireddy said. "The point is to de-stress."
Atrial fibrillation affects anywhere from 3 million to 6 million Americans, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It arises when the heart's upper chambers (the atria) beat erratically instead of maintaining a normal rhythm.
A-fib is not immediately life-threatening, but can cause distressing symptoms. It may also allow blood to pool in the atria. When that happens, a blood clot can form and potentially travel to the brain -- causing a stroke.
People with a-fib often take medication to control their heart rate and rhythm, as well as "blood thinners" to lower their risk of stroke.
But lifestyle is also critical, said Dr. Eugenia Gianos, who directs Women's Heart Health at Lenox Hill Hospital, in New York City.
Advertisement
"It's always great to see studies that bring our focus back to the key aspects of lifestyle, quality of life and less invasive measures to keep patients healthy," said Gianos, who was not involved in the new research.
"Yoga is an excellent practice that has been shown to reduce blood pressure, heart rate, improve blood flow and inflammatory markers," Gianos said. "So, it's very logical that the study authors chose to investigate it for atrial fibrillation."
The trial was led by Dr. Naresh Sen, of HG SMS Hospital in Jaipur, India. Over five years, his team recruited 538 a-fib patients: First, each patient stuck with standard care for 12 weeks -- continuing on medication or, in some cases, having a catheter ablation procedure.
The study patients then started a 16-week yoga program, with 30-minute classes every other day. The sessions included slower-paced postures and specific exercises that encourage a calmer breathing pattern.
During that time, the study found, patients suffered fewer a-fib symptoms: On average, they had eight symptom episodes -- down from 15 while on standard treatment alone.
Patients also gave higher ratings to their quality of life and mental well-being on standard questionnaires.
Yoga is no replacement for medication, according to Lakkireddy. But it could be a good addition, he said, along with other lifestyle measures, including a healthy diet, weight control and quitting smoking.
Advertisement
Lakkireddy encouraged a-fib patients to talk to their doctor before starting yoga. If they can find an instructor to give them more personalized attention, he said, that would be best. Even after just a few sessions, he noted, people may learn enough to continue on their own.
In the middle of a pandemic, in-person classes may not be available. But there are good online resources for learning some simple postures and breathing techniques, Lakkireddy said.
"What's really important is consistency," he stressed. "The benefits of yoga only last as long as you practice it. I would suggest at least three times a week."
More information
The American Heart Association has more on lifestyle changes for a-fib patients.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-08-27--Australia offering paid position to 'live in paradise on a tropical island'

Aug. 27 ( UPI ) -- Conservation officials in Australia announced they are seeking someone to take a full-time job @ @ @ @ @ surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef .
Queensland 's Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority @ @ @ @ @ caretaker for the `` isolated tropical island '' Low Isles , which is about 9 @ @ @ @ @ Port Douglas , Queensland .
`` The caretakers live in paradise on a tropical island @ @ @ @ @ Reef -- but maintaining an island is hard work , '' said Mark Reed , @ @ @ @ @ of Reef Conservation Actions .
The position requires the winning candidate to live full-time on @ @ @ @ @ including `` maintaining buildings and infrastructure including the solar power system and sewerage treatment system @ @ @ @ @ , cleaning toilets , managing weeds , grounds works and counting bird populations . ''
@ @ @ @ @ through Sept. 25 .

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority in Australia is seeking a caretaker to live full-time on the tropical island of Low Isles. Photo courtesy of Karen Hofman/Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Conservation officials in Australia announced they are seeking someone to take a full-time job living on a tropical island surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef. Queensland's Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority announced it is seeking a caretaker for the "isolated tropical island" Low Isles, which is about 9 miles off the coast of Port Douglas, Queensland. Advertisement
"The caretakers live in paradise on a tropical island surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef -- but maintaining an island is hard work," said Mark Reed, the authority's assistant director of Reef Conservation Actions.
The position requires the winning candidate to live full-time on the island and complete duties including "maintaining buildings and infrastructure including the solar power system and sewerage treatment system, liaising with tourist operators, cleaning toilets, managing weeds, grounds works and counting bird populations."
The authority is accepting applications through Sept. 25.


upi--2020-08-27--Poll: Americans, Britons disapprove of COVID-19 response

Metropolitan Museum of Art members get temperature checks before entering due to COVID-19. A Pew Research Center poll that came out Thursday showed that a majority of people in the United States and Britain disapproved of their country's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Majorities in the United States and Britain disapprove of their country's handling of COVID-19 unlike most advanced economies, a Pew Research Center poll out Thursday showed. In the United States, 52% said their country has done a bad job dealing with the coronavirus outbreak, according to the poll. In Britain, 54% of people surveyed said the same. Advertisement
The poll showed a partisan divide in both countries. In the United States, 76 percent of Republicans or Independents leaning Republican said the country has done a good job compared to only a quarter of Democrats or Independents leaning Democratic. In Britain, 55% of right-leaning Britons said the the country was doing a good job compared with 26% on the left.
The Pew Research Center surveyed 14 countries with advanced economies for the survey. With the exception of the United States and Britain, majorities of all other countries said that their countries had done a good job dealing with COVID-19. Other countries surveyed included Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, France, Spain, Australia, South Korea and Japan.
"Overall, a median of 73% across the nations say their country has done a good job of handling novel coronavirus, which has reached nearly every corner of the globe," the statement said.
Advertisement
The United States had the largest partisan divide in the number of people who said the number of COVID-19 cases would have been lower if their country cooperated more with other countries followed by Britain. Those leaning to the left politically were more likely than those leaning to the right in both countries to say the number would have declined if their country would have cooperated more with other countries.
The virus has infected over 24 million people worldwide and killed over 800,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University global tracker.
The United States has the highest number of cases and deaths worldwide at over 5.8 million cases and over 180,000 deaths, the same global tracker shows. It is also the only advanced economy out of the 14, in the top 10 for number of cases per 1 million population worldwide, according to Worldometer.
Along with the United States, Belgium, Spain, Britain, Italy, and Sweden also have the top 10 death rates per 1 million population worldwide, the Worldometer shows.
The Pew Research Center poll showed that Denmark had the highest percentage of people who approved of how their country has handled COVID-19 at 95%. Denmark also had the highest rate of people, 72%, who said their country is more united now than before the outbreak.
Advertisement
By contrast, 77% in the United States said the country is more divided now than before the outbreak.
In Britain, opinion was split with 46% saying the country was more divided and 46% percent saying it was more united.
Overall, a median of 48% said their country was more divided now than before the COVID-19 pandemic compared to 46% who said their country was more united.
Scenes from a pandemic: World copes with COVID-19


upi--2020-08-27--Federal agents questioning sailor about Bonhomme Richard fire

Aug. 27 ( UPI ) -- Federal agents are questioning a sailor in connection with the July fire aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard .
The sailor was on board the amphibious warship on July 12 when a fire broke out in the lower vehicle storage area , USNI News , as well as NBC and ABC affiliates in San Diego , all reported Wednesday .
The resulting fire burned for four days .
No one has been charged with a crime in connection with the incident , and those who spoke to the media -- all speaking anonymously -- said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USNI and ABC reporting that the Naval Criminal Investigation Service and the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives are the agencies investigating the fire .
In addition to the criminal investigation , the 3rd Fleet command is leading an investigation and safety probe into the fire .
The fire did not result in any deaths , but a total of 63 people -- 40 sailors and 23 civilians -- were treated for injuries related to the fire , including heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation .
Test results released by San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of July said the smoke from the blaze blanketed communities nearby with a dozen potentially dangerous chemicals .
And it 's not clear whether the Navy will repair and restore the 22-year-old vessel , which was in the midst of a $ 248 million maintenance period .
In late July the Navy awarded General Dynamics with a $ 10 million contract modification for salvage and cleanup of the vessel .
It would cost $ 4 billion to replace the ship if it is deemed unsalvageable .

Sailors and federal firefighters combat a fire onboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) at Naval Base San Diego July 12. Multiple sources have reported that federal agents are questioning a sailor in connection with the blaze, which burned for four days and injured 63 people. Photo by Christina Ross/U.S. Navy | License Photo
Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Federal agents are questioning a sailor in connection with the July fire aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard. The sailor was on board the amphibious warship on July 12 when a fire broke out in the lower vehicle storage area, USNI News, as well as NBC and ABC affiliates in San Diego, all reported Wednesday. Advertisement
The resulting fire burned for four days.
No one has been charged with a crime in connection with the incident, and those who spoke to the media -- all speaking anonymously -- said the investigation is still ongoing, with USNI and ABC reporting that the Naval Criminal Investigation Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the agencies investigating the fire.
In addition to the criminal investigation, the 3rd Fleet command is leading an investigation and safety probe into the fire.
The fire did not result in any deaths, but a total of 63 people -- 40 sailors and 23 civilians -- were treated for injuries related to the fire, including heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation.
Advertisement
Test results released by San Diego County Air Pollution Control District at the end of July said the smoke from the blaze blanketed communities nearby with a dozen potentially dangerous chemicals.
And it's not clear whether the Navy will repair and restore the 22-year-old vessel, which was in the midst of a $248 million maintenance period.
In late July the Navy awarded General Dynamics with a $10 million contract modification for salvage and cleanup of the vessel.
It would cost $4 billion to replace the ship if it is deemed unsalvageable.


upi--2020-08-27--Watch live: Trump to accept renomination on final night of RNC

Aug. 27 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump is expected to formally accept his renomination Thursday , the final night of the Republican National Convention .
He 's expected to headline Day 4 of the event , which begins at 8:30 p.m. EDT and will air on several television stations and stream online .
Trump will speak from the South Lawn of the White House .
In addition to the president , Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson ; Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell ; Sen. Tom Cotton , R-Ark .
; House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ivanka Trump , the president 's senior adviser ; Ja'Ron Smith , the president 's deputy assistant ; Ann Dorn , widow of slain police Capt .
David Dorn ; Debbie Flood , president of Melron Corp. ; Rudy Giuliani , the president 's personal attorney ; Franklin Graham , president of Samaritan 's Purse ; criminal justice reformer Alice Johnson ; Carl Mueller and Marsha Mueller , parents of slain Islamic State hostage Kayla Mueller ; and Dana White , president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship .
The event , which began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has been largely virtual .
Some small , official business has still taken place in Charlotte , N.C. , which was selected to host the convention this year .
After some last-minute wrangling to attempt to move the convention to Jacksonville , Fla. , the GOP settled on keeping Charlotte as its base , but severely limiting the number of in-person events that take place there .

Fireworks explode over the Washington Monument after President Donald Trump delivered his acceptance speech for the GOP nomination for his re-election on the final night of the Republican National Convention on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington D.C., on Thursday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 27 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump, in a twist on rival Joe Biden's convention speech, accused the Democratic presidential nominee of seeking to keep Americans "completely in the dark" about his plans to lead the country. Speaking from the South Lawn of the White House to close the final day of the Republican National Convention, Trump touted his accomplishments over his four years as president as he accepted the Republican nomination while referencing Biden's speech last week in which he declared himself an "ally of light" after Trump has "cloaked America in darkness." Advertisement
"Joe Biden may claim he is an ally of the light, but when it comes to his agenda, he wants to keep us completely in the dark, he doesn't have a clue," Trump said.
Trump also described Biden's presidential platform as "the most extreme set of proposals ever put forward by a major party nominee."
Advertisement
The president again blamed China for the spread of COVID-19, while boasting about U.S. testing practices and said the country was on track to produce a vaccine by the end of the year or "even sooner."
"Many Americans, including me, have sadly lost friends and cherished loved ones to this horrible disease. As one nation, we mourn, we grieve and we hold in our hearts forever the memories of all those lives that have been so tragically taken. So unnecessary. In their honor, we will unite; in their memory, we will overcome," he said.
Trump also decried nationwide protests sparked by the police-involved killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and renewed this week after Jacob Blake was shot in the back seven times by a Kenosha, Wis., police officer, leaving him paralyzed.
"In the strongest possible terms, the Republican party condemns the rioting, looting, arson and violence we have seen in Democrat-run cities all, like Kenosha, Minneapolis, Portland, Chicago and New York, many others, Democrat-run," he said.
Trump has deployed federal law enforcement to several cities throughout the country, saying Wednesday he planned to send more federal agents to Kenosha in response to the protests. On Wednesday, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse was arrested and charged with being a fugitive for justice and first-degree intentional homicide after fatally shooting two people at a protest in Kenosha.
Advertisement
"There's violence and danger in the streets of many Democrat-run cities throughout America," Trump said Thursday night. "This problem could easily be fixed if they wanted to. Just call, we're ready to go in. We'll take care of your problem in a matter of hours. Just call. We have to wait for the call. It's too bad we have to but we have to wait for the call."
Protesters also marched at the recently renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza near the White House throughout Thursday's convention.
Much like first lady Melania Trump did earlier in the convention, Trump's eldest daughter and senior adviser, Ivanka Trump, painted the president as unconventional but effective.
"My father has strong convictions. He knows what he believes and says what he thinks. Whether you agree with him or not, you always know where he stands," she said. "I recognize that my dad's communication style is not everyone's taste. And I understand his tweets can feel a bit unfiltered. But the results -- the results speak for themselves."
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., described the Senate as a "firewall against" House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and painted the Nov. 3 election as "incredibly consequential for middle America."
Advertisement
"We'll continue to support families as we defeat the coronavirus and return our economy to the envy of the world," McConnell said. "The stakes have never been higher, which is why I'm asking you to support Republican Senate candidates across the country and re-elect my friend President Donald Trump."
House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy said the choice before Americans in November's election "could not be clearer."
"Forward in freedom, or backward in socialism. Forward in prosperity or backward in poverty. Forward and personal liberty or backward and more government control. I know which direction I'm heading," McCarthy said.
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson offered condolences to the family of Blake, as well as others "who have been impacted by the tragic events" in Kenosha, Wis.
"Let's use our hearts, our love and our intelligence to work together to show the rest of the world how humans are supposed to treat each other. America is great when we behave greatly," Carson said. "In order to succeed and change, we must first come together in love of our fellow citizens. History reminds us that necessary change comes through hope and love, not senseless and destructive violence."
Advertisement
Other speakers Thursday included Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J.; Ja'Ron Smith, the president's deputy assistant; Ann Dorn, widow of slain police Capt. David Dorn; Debbie Flood, president of Melron Corp.; Rudy Giuliani, the president's personal attorney; Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse; criminal justice reformer Alice Johnson; Carl and Marsha Mueller, parents of slain Islamic State hostage Kayla Mueller; and Dana White, president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The event, ran Monday through Thursday, was held mostly remotely amid the coronavirus pandemic. Some small, official business took place in Charlotte, N.C., which had been selected to host the convention this year.
After some last-minute wrangling to attempt to move the convention to Jacksonville, Fla., the GOP settled on keeping Charlotte as its base, but severely limiting the number of in-person events that take place there.


upi--2020-08-27--Wisconsin Lutheran College disinvites VP Mike Pence to speak

Aug. 27 ( UPI ) -- Wisconsin Lutheran College announced Thursday it has disinvited Vice President Mike Pence to speak at its graduation ceremony on Saturday , citing the shooting death of Jacob Blake and unrest in nearby Kenosha .
The college said Rev .
Mark Jeske of St. Marcus Lutheran Church will replace Pence as the keynote speaker .
`` Wisconsin Lutheran College today announced that after further review with careful consideration of the escalating events in Kenosha , the WLC Board of Regents and the college 's administration have jointly decided to present a different speaker instead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Michael R. Pence , '' said a statement from the small private college .
Wisconsin Lutheran 's President Daniel Johnson also issued a statement saying it supports its community partners to ensure the safety for all of its people .
`` The WLC community is shocked and saddened regarding the shooting of Jacob Blake and the subsequent aftermath , '' Johnson said .
`` We pray that justice and peace will prevail .
We pray for Jacob , his family , friends , and the Kenosha community .
`` Furthermore , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WLC stands with our community leaders and partners and recognizes that serious changes need to take place within our country , region , and our cities .
Racism and systemic inequities in access to education , justice and other aspects of society are unacceptable , '' Johnson said .
In his speech at the Republican National Convention in Baltimore Wednesday , Pence made pointed remarks about violence by protesters without acknowledging Blake 's police-involved shooting or the arrest of a 17-year-old accused in the shooting death of two protesters .
`` President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right of Americans to peaceful protest , but rioting and looting is not peaceful protest , tearing down statues is not free speech , '' Pence said in his speech .
`` Those who do so will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law .
Last week , Joe Biden did n't say one word about the violence and chaos engulfing cities across this country .
Let me be clear , the violence must stop , whether in Minneapolis , Portland , or Kenosha , '' Pence said .
Pence Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lutheran for its decision .
`` Vice President Pence understands and supports Wisconsin Lutheran College 's decision to prioritize the safety and well-being of their students , and wishes the students well as they celebrate the accomplishment of graduating from college and as they embark on their next journey , '' O'Malley said .

Vice President Mike Pence, shown delivering remarks on at the Republican National Convention, at Ft. McHenry in Baltimore Wednesday, was disinvited to speak at a Wisconsin college on Saturday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Wisconsin Lutheran College announced Thursday it has disinvited Vice President Mike Pence to speak at its graduation ceremony on Saturday, citing the shooting death of Jacob Blake and unrest in nearby Kenosha. The college said Rev. Mark Jeske of St. Marcus Lutheran Church will replace Pence as the keynote speaker. Advertisement
"Wisconsin Lutheran College today announced that after further review with careful consideration of the escalating events in Kenosha, the WLC Board of Regents and the college's administration have jointly decided to present a different speaker instead of the Vice President of the United States, Michael R. Pence," said a statement from the small private college.
Wisconsin Lutheran's President Daniel Johnson also issued a statement saying it supports its community partners to ensure the safety for all of its people.
"The WLC community is shocked and saddened regarding the shooting of Jacob Blake and the subsequent aftermath," Johnson said. "We pray that justice and peace will prevail. We pray for Jacob, his family, friends, and the Kenosha community.
"Furthermore, as it relates to broader race issues, WLC stands with our community leaders and partners and recognizes that serious changes need to take place within our country, region, and our cities. Racism and systemic inequities in access to education, justice and other aspects of society are unacceptable," Johnson said.
Advertisement
In his speech at the Republican National Convention in Baltimore Wednesday, Pence made pointed remarks about violence by protesters without acknowledging Blake's police-involved shooting or the arrest of a 17-year-old accused in the shooting death of two protesters.
"President Donald Trump and I will always support the right of Americans to peaceful protest, but rioting and looting is not peaceful protest, tearing down statues is not free speech," Pence said in his speech.
"Those who do so will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Last week, Joe Biden didn't say one word about the violence and chaos engulfing cities across this country. Let me be clear, the violence must stop, whether in Minneapolis, Portland, or Kenosha," Pence said.
Pence Press Secretary Devin O'Malley declined to criticize Wisconsin Lutheran for its decision.
"Vice President Pence understands and supports Wisconsin Lutheran College's decision to prioritize the safety and well-being of their students, and wishes the students well as they celebrate the accomplishment of graduating from college and as they embark on their next journey," O'Malley said.


upi--2020-08-28--Coca-Cola offers voluntary layoffs to thousands of workers

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- Coca-Cola said Friday it will offer voluntary layoffs to 4,000 employees and hinted that involuntary job cuts would follow .
The announcement is part of the company 's plan to restructure its workforce .
Coca-Cola said the voluntary layoffs are intended to mitigate involuntary layoffs .
The company said the voluntary layoffs will be offered at its U.S. , Canadian and Puerto Rican operations .
`` We have been on a multi-year journey to transform our organization , '' Coca-Cola Chairman and CEO James Quincey said in a statement .
`` The changes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to drive more growth and put execution closer to customers and consumers while prioritizing a portfolio of strong brands and disciplined innovation framework .
`` As we implement these changes , we 're continuing to evolve our organization , which will include significant changes in the structure of our workforce . ''
Coca-Cola said it will make similar severance offers `` in many countries internationally '' and that the plan will cost between $ 350 million and $ 550 million .
The soft drink company , which has more than 80,000 employees worldwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operating units .
Coca-Cola said they will offer `` more consistency in structure '' and focus on eliminating repetition of resources .

Coca-Cola said it will make severance offers "in many countries internationally" and that the plan will cost between $350 million and $550 million. File Photo by Billie Jean Shaw/UPI
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Coca-Cola said Friday it will offer voluntary layoffs to 4,000 employees and hinted that involuntary job cuts would follow. The announcement is part of the company's plan to restructure its workforce. Advertisement
Coca-Cola said the voluntary layoffs are intended to mitigate involuntary layoffs.
The company said the voluntary layoffs will be offered at its U.S., Canadian and Puerto Rican operations.
"We have been on a multi-year journey to transform our organization," Coca-Cola Chairman and CEO James Quincey said in a statement. "The changes in our operating model will shift our marketing to drive more growth and put execution closer to customers and consumers while prioritizing a portfolio of strong brands and disciplined innovation framework.
"As we implement these changes, we're continuing to evolve our organization, which will include significant changes in the structure of our workforce."
Coca-Cola said it will make similar severance offers "in many countries internationally" and that the plan will cost between $350 million and $550 million.
The soft drink company, which has more than 80,000 employees worldwide, said it's creating nine new operating units. Coca-Cola said they will offer "more consistency in structure" and focus on eliminating repetition of resources.
Advertisement