upi--2020-08-20--Tropical Storm Genevieve brushes Baja California Sur

Aug. 19 ( UPI ) -- Despite continued weakening from its peak as a Category 4 hurricane earlier this week , Genevieve remains a dangerous storm as it paralleled the coast of Baja California Sur , Mexico , on Thursday .
Genevieve , which weakened to a tropical storm around midday Thursday , unleashed heavy rain and strong winds , while producing pounding surf as it spun along the Baja Peninsula .
In its 6 p.m. MDT update , the National Hurricane Center said the center of the storm was 70 miles south-southwest of Cabo San Lazaro , Mexico .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph .
Hurricane watches and warnings have been discontinued , but tropical storm warnings were in effect Thursday morning for the southern Baja California Peninsula from Los Barriles to Cabo San Lazaro .
A tropical storm watch was in effect for the east coast of the peninsula from Los Barriles to La Paz .
Tropical storm conditions were felt along the southern tip of the peninsula Wednesday evening and those conditions will expand northward throughout the day on Thursday .
Genevieve strengthened into the second major hurricane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 season on Monday night as it rapidly intensified into Category 4 storm .
Even though Genevieve will continue to weaken over the next few days , it poses a threat to lives and property to portions of Baja California Sur .
The storm has been churning up the water along Mexico 's Pacific coast since it formed over the past weekend , and as the week progresses , tropical downpours and huge swells will continue to extend outward from the powerful center of the storm .
`` Total rainfall amounts of 2-4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 inches and wind gusts of 50-60 mph with an AccuWeather Local StormMax wind gust of 70 mph will impact the southern Baja Peninsula , '' said AccuWeather hurricane expert Dan Kottlowski .
Favorable conditions , including very warm water and weak wind shear in the area , helped Genevieve become a monstrous storm earlier this week .
A huge eye was visible on satellite images on Tuesday morning .
Genevieve was born first as Tropical Depression 12-E when it emerged in the warm waters just off the coast of El Salvador and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the favorable conditions in the area , Genevieve had strengthened to hurricane status just one day later .
The only other storm to achieve major hurricane status so far in the East Pacific was Hurricane Douglas .
Douglas went on to track along the north side of the Hawaiian Islands in the central Pacific during the second half of July , bringing tropical downpours and gusty winds to the island chain .
Genevieve will not take a path similar to Douglas in the coming days , as the storm is expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to waters just west of Mexico 's Pacific coast .
Even on relatively tranquil days , the shore break along Mexico 's west coast can feature large waves , posing dangerous conditions for swimmers .
As Genevieve churns just off the coast through the week , very large and dangerous swells are expected .
The hurricane 's most significant impacts along the coast and waters offshore will be dangerous surf and heavy seas .
Forecasters urge people to avoid the surf and avoid watching the storm from adjacent coastal areas .
Large breaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coast with the risk of coastal flooding and damage to vessels .
Small craft should remain in port and larger ships should avoid the region and the path of the hurricane .
Outer bands of Genevieve will also bring along tropical downpours to coastal cities through the coming days , especially over the southern portion of the Baja California Peninsula .
Enough rain can fall to cause flash flooding and debris flows .
Cities along the west coast of Mexico that are forecast to experience impact from Genevieve include in line to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include Cabo San Lucas , La Paz and San Carlos .
Rainfall from Genevieve 's outer bands can and likely will track into the higher terrain just inland of the aforementioned cities .
The mountainous terrain across this region can act to wring out ample amounts of moisture from the atmosphere , enhancing rainfall totals .
As this rain funnels into small streams and rivers , towns along their path could face flooding .
As the storm continues to parallel the coast , it will begin to track into cooler water off Baja @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interaction will undoubtedly begin a weakening trend of the hurricane , but that does n't mean the impacts will end there .
Genevieve is forecast to take a slightly curved path that takes the center of the storm progressively farther away from the west coast of Mexico and California later this weekend to early next week .
During this time , Genevieve is expected to transition into a non-tropical storm .
But it is possible that some of the residual moisture from the storm could stream into the southwestern United States in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of spotty thunderstorm activity .
Along with a potential influx of moisture , increased swells , especially across Southern California , will be possible early next week .

Tropical Storm Genevieve was expected to weaken to a depression Friday. Photo courtesy of NOAA
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Tropical Storm Genevieve gradually weakened Friday as it moved north away from the Baja California Peninsula, forecasters said. The storm is expected to become a tropical depression later Friday as it moved away from the coast. It will likely maintain that strength through the weekend. Advertisement
In its 9 a.m. MDT update, the National Hurricane Center said the center of the storm was about 155 miles west of Cabo San Lazaro, Mexico. It was moving northwest at 10 mph and had 45 mph maximum sustained winds.
There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
Genevieve strengthened into the second major hurricane in the eastern Pacific basin of the 2020 season on Monday night as it rapidly intensified into Category 4 storm.
The storm has been churning up the water along Mexico's Pacific coast since it formed over the past weekend, and as the week progresses, tropical downpours and huge swells will continue to extend outward from the powerful center of the storm.
Advertisement
"Total rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches with an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 6 inches and wind gusts of 50-60 mph with an AccuWeather Local StormMax wind gust of 70 mph will impact the southern Baja Peninsula," AccuWeather hurricane expert Dan Kottlowski said Thursday night.
Favorable conditions, including very warm water and weak wind shear in the area, helped Genevieve become a monstrous storm earlier this week. A huge eye was visible on satellite images on Tuesday morning.
Genevieve was born first as Tropical Depression 12-E when it emerged in the warm waters just off the coast of El Salvador and Nicaragua Sunday morning. As a result of the favorable conditions in the area, Genevieve had strengthened to hurricane status just one day later.
The only other storm to achieve major hurricane status so far in the East Pacific was Hurricane Douglas. Douglas went on to track along the north side of the Hawaiian Islands in the central Pacific during the second half of July, bringing tropical downpours and gusty winds to the island chain.
Genevieve will not take a path similar to Douglas in the coming days, as the storm is expected to bring the bulk of the impactful weather to waters just west of Mexico's Pacific coast.
Advertisement
Even on relatively tranquil days, the shore break along Mexico's west coast can feature large waves, posing dangerous conditions for swimmers. As Genevieve churns just off the coast through the week, very large and dangerous swells are expected.
The hurricane's most significant impacts along the coast and waters offshore will be dangerous surf and heavy seas.
Forecasters urge people to avoid the surf and avoid watching the storm from adjacent coastal areas. Large breaking waves can lead to substantial overwash along the coast with the risk of coastal flooding and damage to vessels. Small craft should remain in port and larger ships should avoid the region and the path of the hurricane.
Outer bands of Genevieve will also bring along tropical downpours to coastal cities through the coming days, especially over the southern portion of the Baja California Peninsula. Enough rain can fall to cause flash flooding and debris flows. Cities along the west coast of Mexico that are forecast to experience impact from Genevieve include in line to possibly deal with wet weather from Genevieve include Cabo San Lucas, La Paz and San Carlos.
Rainfall from Genevieve's outer bands can and likely will track into the higher terrain just inland of the aforementioned cities. The mountainous terrain across this region can act to wring out ample amounts of moisture from the atmosphere, enhancing rainfall totals. As this rain funnels into small streams and rivers, towns along their path could face flooding.
Advertisement
As the storm continues to parallel the coast, it will begin to track into cooler water off Baja California, into late week. This interaction will undoubtedly begin a weakening trend of the hurricane, but that doesn't mean the impacts will end there.
Genevieve is forecast to take a slightly curved path that takes the center of the storm progressively farther away from the west coast of Mexico and California later this weekend to early next week. During this time, Genevieve is expected to transition into a non-tropical storm.
But it is possible that some of the residual moisture from the storm could stream into the southwestern United States in the form of clouds with a slight chance of spotty thunderstorm activity. Along with a potential influx of moisture, increased swells, especially across Southern California, will be possible early next week.


upi--2020-08-20--Advocates accuse ICE of serving pork, spoiled halal meals to Muslim detainees

Advocacy groups have accused U.S. immigration officials of providing pork and rancid halal meals to Muslim detainees at a Miami processing center .
Attorneys from three organizations -- Muslim Advocates , Americans for Immigrant Justice and Atlanta-based law firm King & Spalding LLC -- sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement calling for officials to take detained immigrants ' religion into account when providing meals .
In addition to at times serving pork , the letter said ICE officials at Krome Service Processing Center have given detainees rotten and expired prepackaged halal meals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spoiled halal meals said they experienced stomach pain , vomiting and diarrhea .
`` No compelling reason justifies ICE serving pork and expired halal meals to Muslim detainees at Krome .
It does not further any identifiable government interest or legitimate penological objective , '' the letter said .
This is not the first time that Muslim Advocates and Americans for Immigrant Justice have reported issues for Muslim detainees in Florida ICE facilities .
In 2019 , the two organizations filed a lawsuit on behalf of five Somali Muslim immigrants , stating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center `` repeatedly and gratuitously denied the men religious items , the ability to pray , religiously compliant food and other necessities that would enable them to practice their chosen religion . ''
`` We are currently in active discovery in that case , which is just another instance of immigration detention facilities associated with ICE running roughshod over the religious rights of Muslim detainees , '' stated Nimra Azmi , staff attorney of Muslim Advocates .
That case , Abdulkadir vs. Hardin , remains in court .
ICE disputed the allegations leveled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Any claim that ICE denies reasonable and equitable opportunity for persons to observe their religious dietary practices is false , '' said an ICE spokesperson .
Agency policy states that requests for religious diet accommodation are considered on a case-by-case basis , but `` ICE anticipates that facilities will grant these requests unless an articulable reason ... poses a significant threat to the secure and orderly operation of the facility . ''
The U.S. Government Accountability Office also issued a report Wednesday stating that ICE should enhance its management of detainee complaints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DHS facilities have mechanisms to collect complaints but stated , `` while some of these entities conduct some analyses of the complaint data they maintain , ICE does not regularly analyze detention-related complaint data across all of its relevant offices . ''
The three organizations said they believe Krome is not the only ICE facility where Muslim detainees are not being served meals compliant with their religious beliefs .
`` ICE and DHS should ensure that personnel at all ICE facilities are appropriately trained and educated with regard to religious meal requirements , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' wrote the authors .

Advocacy groups have accused U.S. immigration officials of providing pork and rancid halal meals to Muslim detainees at a Miami processing center.
Attorneys from three organizations -- Muslim Advocates, Americans for Immigrant Justice and Atlanta-based law firm King & Spalding LLC -- sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement calling for officials to take detained immigrants' religion into account when providing meals.
Advertisement
In addition to at times serving pork, the letter said ICE officials at Krome Service Processing Center have given detainees rotten and expired prepackaged halal meals since late 2017.
Detainees who ate the spoiled halal meals said they experienced stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea.
"No compelling reason justifies ICE serving pork and expired halal meals to Muslim detainees at Krome. It does not further any identifiable government interest or legitimate penological objective," the letter said.
This is not the first time that Muslim Advocates and Americans for Immigrant Justice have reported issues for Muslim detainees in Florida ICE facilities.
In 2019, the two organizations filed a lawsuit on behalf of five Somali Muslim immigrants, stating that staff at the Glades County Detention Center "repeatedly and gratuitously denied the men religious items, the ability to pray, religiously compliant food and other necessities that would enable them to practice their chosen religion."
Advertisement
"We are currently in active discovery in that case, which is just another instance of immigration detention facilities associated with ICE running roughshod over the religious rights of Muslim detainees," stated Nimra Azmi, staff attorney of Muslim Advocates.
That case, Abdulkadir vs. Hardin, remains in court.
ICE disputed the allegations leveled against them in Wednesday's letter.
"Any claim that ICE denies reasonable and equitable opportunity for persons to observe their religious dietary practices is false," said an ICE spokesperson.
Agency policy states that requests for religious diet accommodation are considered on a case-by-case basis, but "ICE anticipates that facilities will grant these requests unless an articulable reason ... poses a significant threat to the secure and orderly operation of the facility."
The U.S. Government Accountability Office also issued a report Wednesday stating that ICE should enhance its management of detainee complaints.
The report explained that ICE and DHS facilities have mechanisms to collect complaints but stated, "while some of these entities conduct some analyses of the complaint data they maintain, ICE does not regularly analyze detention-related complaint data across all of its relevant offices."
The three organizations said they believe Krome is not the only ICE facility where Muslim detainees are not being served meals compliant with their religious beliefs.
Advertisement
"ICE and DHS should ensure that personnel at all ICE facilities are appropriately trained and educated with regard to religious meal requirements, religious accommodations, and facility grievance procedures," wrote the authors.


upi--2020-08-20--Watch: Phillies reliever Jose Alvarez carted off after taking 105-mph liner to groin

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jose Alvarez was carted off the field after taking a @ @ @ @ @ during Thursday 's game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Buffalo .
Alvarez was struck @ @ @ @ @ a 105.3-mph liner off the bat of Blue Jays outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Alvarez managed @ @ @ @ @ record the final out of the fifth inning , then dropped to the ground and @ @ @ @ @ by a cart .
Tommy Hunter replaced Alvarez in the next inning .
The Blue @ @ @ @ @ in the first game of the doubleheader on a walk-off single by Gurriel .
Toronto @ @ @ @ @ 9-8 .
Alvarez , 31 , has been one of the bright spots in the @ @ @ @ @ a 1.42 ERA in eight appearances this season .
Philadelphia 's bullpen entered the afternoon @ @ @ @ @ the worst mark in MLB .
Alvarez has a 3.60 ERA and 303 strikeouts in @ @ @ @ @ Detroit Tigers , Los Angeles Angeles and Phillies .

Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jose Alvarez was carted off the field after taking a line drive to the groin during Thursday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Buffalo.
Alvarez was struck in the groin area by a 105.3-mph liner off the bat of Blue Jays outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Alvarez managed to finish the play to record the final out of the fifth inning, then dropped to the ground and was taken off the field by a cart.
Advertisement
Tommy Hunter replaced Alvarez in the next inning. The Blue Jays earned a 3-2 win in the first game of the doubleheader on a walk-off single by Gurriel. Toronto also won the second game 9-8.
Oh my Jose Alvarez right in the.... Carted off the field pic.twitter.com/vDVZ8yR9oL— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) August 20, 2020
Alvarez, 31, has been one of the bright spots in the Phillies' struggling bullpen with a 1.42 ERA in eight appearances this season. Philadelphia's bullpen entered the afternoon with an 8.11 ERA, the worst mark in MLB.
Advertisement
Alvarez has a 3.60 ERA and 303 strikeouts in 358 career appearances with the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angeles and Phillies.
This week in Major League Baseball


upi--2020-08-20--'RuPaul's Drag Race' contestant Chi Chi DeVayne dies at 34

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- RuPaul 's Drag Race contestant Chi Chi DeVayne has died , RuPaul announced .
She was 34 .
DeVayne , born Zavion Michael Davenport , competed on Season 8 of the VH1 drag competition reality show and was later asked to participate in the show 's All-Stars spinoff in 2018 .
`` I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Chi Chi DeVayne .
I am so grateful that we got to experience her kind and beautiful soul , '' RuPaul said in a statement on Twitter .
`` She will be dearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her generous and loving spirit shine down on us all . ''
On Saturday , DeVayne posted a video to Instagram showing her attached to medical equipment in a hospital bed .
`` Keep me in your prayers .
I 'll be back soon , '' she said .
She had been hospitalized with high blood pressure and suspected kidney failure in July , saying she had catheters to her heart and kidneys surgically installed before receiving dialysis treatment , EW reported .
In addition to performing as a drag artist competing on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearances on Apple TV+ 's Little America and guested on the queer talk show Hey Qween and fellow Drag Race contestant Yuhua Hamasaki 's YouTube series Bootleg Opinions .

Aug. 20 (UPI) --
Advertisement
RuPaul's Drag Race contestant Chi Chi DeVayne has died, RuPaul announced. She was 34.
DeVayne, born Zavion Michael Davenport, competed on Season 8 of the VH1 drag competition reality show and was later asked to participate in the show's All-Stars spinoff in 2018.
"I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Chi Chi DeVayne. I am so grateful that we got to experience her kind and beautiful soul," RuPaul said in a statement on Twitter. "She will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. May her generous and loving spirit shine down on us all."
On Saturday, DeVayne posted a video to Instagram showing her attached to medical equipment in a hospital bed.
"Keep me in your prayers. I'll be back soon," she said.
She had been hospitalized with high blood pressure and suspected kidney failure in July, saying she had catheters to her heart and kidneys surgically installed before receiving dialysis treatment, EW reported.
In addition to performing as a drag artist competing on RuPaul's Drag Race, DeVayne made appearances on Apple TV+'s Little America and guested on the queer talk show Hey Qween and fellow Drag Race contestant Yuhua Hamasaki's YouTube series Bootleg Opinions.
Advertisement
Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-08-20--Pentagon: It's time to bring microelectronics manufacturing to the U.S.

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. government must entice companies to do more microelectronics manufacturing in the United States , the Pentagon 's undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment said Thursday .
During a prerecorded `` fireside chat '' at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency 's Electronics Resurgence Initiative summit , Ellen Lord said the fact that most microelectronics are manufactured offshore , which presents a problem for national security .
`` We can no longer clearly identify the pedigree of our microelectronics , '' which are key to technologies like 5G as well as components in many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Therefore , we can no longer ensure that backdoors , malicious code or data exfiltration commands are n't embedded in our code . ''
The United States is one of three countries that has microelectronics manufacturing capabilities , but according to a 2016 report from the Congressional Research Service , but American microelectronics manufacturers have increasingly moved microchip fabrication plants abroad , Defense News reported .
Lord listed several reasons for the manufacturing shift : governmental policies and regulations , environmental constraints , safety constraints , wages and taxes .
Lord said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic sources for microelectronics that are used in weapons systems now , and for those needed for future use -- and suggested creating public-private partnerships to bring microelectronics manufacturing back to domestic facilities .
`` I believe that we in defense need to lead , '' she said .
`` Working with my colleagues in the administration , both inside and outside of DoD , we are charting a path forward to bring microelectronics fabrication , packaging and testing back to the U.S. in order to ensure a secure and resilient microelectronics supply @ @ @

Ellen M. Lord, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, participates in a fireside chat at the Pentagon. Photo by Lisa Ferdinando/Department of Defense
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- The U.S. government must entice companies to do more microelectronics manufacturing in the United States, the Pentagon's undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment said Thursday. During a prerecorded "fireside chat" at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Electronics Resurgence Initiative summit, Ellen Lord said the fact that most microelectronics are manufactured offshore, which presents a problem for national security. Advertisement
"We can no longer clearly identify the pedigree of our microelectronics," which are key to technologies like 5G as well as components in many weapons systems, Lord said. "Therefore, we can no longer ensure that backdoors, malicious code or data exfiltration commands aren't embedded in our code."
The United States is one of three countries that has microelectronics manufacturing capabilities, but according to a 2016 report from the Congressional Research Service, American microelectronics manufacturers have increasingly moved microchip fabrication plants abroad, Defense News reported.
Lord listed several reasons for the manufacturing shift: governmental policies and regulations, environmental constraints, safety constraints, wages and taxes.
Lord said the United States must find a path to domestic sources for microelectronics that are used in weapons systems now, and for those needed for future use -- and suggested creating public-private partnerships to bring microelectronics manufacturing back to domestic facilities.
Advertisement
"I believe that we in defense need to lead," she said. "Working with my colleagues in the administration, both inside and outside of DoD, we are charting a path forward to bring microelectronics fabrication, packaging and testing back to the U.S. in order to ensure a secure and resilient microelectronics supply chain."


upi--2020-08-20--Former White House adviser Steve Bannon arrested, charged with fraud

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- Federal prosecutors on Thursday announced criminal charges against former senior White House adviser Steve Bannon and said he was arrested by authorities .
Bannon and three others allegedly bilked political donors out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in connection with an online crowdfunding campaign known as `` We Build the Wall , '' which raised more than $ 25 million .
The campaign began in 2018 and intended to help pay for President Donald Trump 's promised wall along the U.S.-Mexico border .
Bannon , who was CEO of Trump 's 2016 presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges federal court in New York City .
He was released on a $ 5 million bond secured by $ 1.75 million in cash or real property , CNN reported .
As he left the courthouse he told reporters , `` this entire fiasco is to stop people who want to build the wall .
Others charged in the indictment include Brian Kolfage , Andrew Badoloto and Timothy Shea .
In Thursday 's indictment , prosecutors said Bannon personally received more than $ 1 million from the `` We Build the Wall '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars to cover personal expenses .
`` The defendants defrauded hundreds of thousands of donors , capitalizing on their interest in funding a border wall to raise millions of dollars , under the false pretense that all of that money would be spent on construction , '' Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said in a statement .
The four men `` schemed to hide their misappropriation of funds by creating sham invoices and accounts to launder donations and cover up their crimes , showing no regard for the law or the truth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the second Trump campaign strategist to face criminal charges .
Former manager Paul Manafort was convicted last year as part of the Justice Department 's Russia investigation .
Bannon served as Trump 's chief White House adviser for seven months before resigning in August 2017 .
`` I feel very badly , '' Trump told reporters at the White House .
`` I have n't been dealing with him for a long period of time .
`` It 's a very sad thing by Mr .
Bannon . ''
Trump added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raise funds for the border wall .
`` I did n't like it .
I said , this is for government , '' he said .
`` This is n't for private people .
And it sounded to me like showboating . ''
`` President Trump has always felt the wall must be a government project and that it is far too big and complex to be handled privately , '' White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement , adding that Trump publicly dismissed the funding project a month ago @

Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon waves and smiles Thursday as he exits a federal court in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Federal prosecutors on Thursday announced criminal charges against former senior White House adviser Steve Bannon and said he was arrested by authorities. Bannon and three others allegedly bilked political donors out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in connection with an online crowdfunding campaign known as "We Build the Wall," which raised more than $25 million. The campaign began in 2018 and intended to help pay for President Donald Trump's promised wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Advertisement
Bannon, who was CEO of Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, pleaded not guilty to the charges federal court in New York City. He was released on a $5 million bond secured by $1.75 million in cash or real property, CNN reported.
As he left the courthouse he told reporters, "this entire fiasco is to stop people who want to build the wall.
Others charged in the indictment include Brian Kolfage, Andrew Badoloto and Timothy Shea.
In Thursday's indictment, prosecutors said Bannon personally received more than $1 million from the "We Build the Wall" campaign and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to cover personal expenses.
Advertisement
"The defendants defrauded hundreds of thousands of donors, capitalizing on their interest in funding a border wall to raise millions of dollars, under the false pretense that all of that money would be spent on construction," Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said in a statement.
The four men "schemed to hide their misappropriation of funds by creating sham invoices and accounts to launder donations and cover up their crimes, showing no regard for the law or the truth," added Inspector-in-Charge Philip Bartlett.
Bannon is the second Trump campaign strategist to face criminal charges. Former manager Paul Manafort was convicted last year as part of the Justice Department's Russia investigation.
Bannon served as Trump's chief White House adviser for seven months before resigning in August 2017.
"I feel very badly," Trump told reporters at the White House. "I haven't been dealing with him for a long period of time.
"It's a very sad thing by Mr. Bannon."
Trump added that he disapproved of the crowdfunding project to raise funds for the border wall.
"I didn't like it. I said, this is for government," he said. "This isn't for private people. And it sounded to me like showboating."
"President Trump has always felt the wall must be a government project and that it is far too big and complex to be handled privately," White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement, adding that Trump publicly dismissed the funding project a month ago.


upi--2020-08-20--Mets' games vs. Marlins, Yankees postponed after positive COVID-19 tests

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- Two members of the New York Mets have recorded positive coronavirus tests , leading to the postponement of the team 's upcoming games against the Miami Marlins and New York Yankees .
The team announced the positive tests before Thursday night 's game against the Marlins .
The Mets wo n't play that matchup against the Marlins in Miami , and the Friday opener of their weekend series against the New York Yankees at Citi Field also has been postponed .
`` The New York Mets learned today that two members of the organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ League Baseball has postponed tonight 's game at Miami and tomorrow 's game vs. the Yankees at Citi Field , '' the team said in a statement Thursday .
`` The team will fly back home to New York tonight with recommended safety precautions in place and conduct testing with the entire traveling party .
The team is currently conducting contact tracing and the two members that tested positive along with those traced to be within close contact will remain in Miami tonight . ''
MLB said the postponements of the games were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caution and to allow for additional testing and contact tracing . ''
League sources told ESPN and MLB Media that one Mets player and one staff member tested positive for the virus .

New York Mets manager Luis Rojas (C) talks to his team during a pitching change against the Washington Nationals on Aug. 4 at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. The Mets had one player and one staff member test positive for the virus. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Two members of the New York Mets have recorded positive coronavirus tests, leading to the postponement of the team's upcoming games against the Miami Marlins and New York Yankees. The team announced the positive tests before Thursday night's game against the Marlins. The Mets won't play that matchup against the Marlins in Miami, and the Friday opener of their weekend series against the New York Yankees at Citi Field also has been postponed. Advertisement
"The New York Mets learned today that two members of the organization have tested positive for COVID-19 and Major League Baseball has postponed tonight's game at Miami and tomorrow's game vs. the Yankees at Citi Field," the team said in a statement Thursday.
"The team will fly back home to New York tonight with recommended safety precautions in place and conduct testing with the entire traveling party. The team is currently conducting contact tracing and the two members that tested positive along with those traced to be within close contact will remain in Miami tonight."
MLB said the postponements of the games were made "out of an abundance of caution and to allow for additional testing and contact tracing."
Advertisement
League sources told ESPN and MLB Media that one Mets player and one staff member tested positive for the virus.
This week in Major League Baseball


upi--2020-08-20--Former soldier sentenced to 30 months in prison for distributing bomb instructions

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- A former U.S. soldier was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for distributing @ @ @ @ @ the Justice Department announced .
Jarret William Smith , 24 , was sentenced Thursday after @ @ @ @ @ to Ukraine to fight with a far-right military group .
Smith , who formerly served @ @ @ @ @ infantry soldier at Fort Riley in Kansas , pleaded guilty to two counts of distributing @ @ @ @ @ destructive devices and weapons of mass destruction in February .
He joined the Army in @ @ @ @ @ in September 2019 after the FBI tracked him for several months while he was stationed @ @ @ @ @ prior to his arrest , Smith told an undercover FBI agent that he was looking @ @ @ @ @ himself , about killing members of the anti-fascist left-wing group Antifa and about destroying nearby @ @ @ @ @ instructed undercover FBI agents on how to make a vehicle bomb and provided agents with @ @ @ @ @ napalm .

Aug. 20 (UPI) -- A former U.S. soldier was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for distributing instructions to make explosives, the Justice Department announced.
Jarret William Smith, 24, was sentenced Thursday after saying he wanted to travel to Ukraine to fight with a far-right military group.
Advertisement
Smith, who formerly served as a specialist 1st class infantry soldier at Fort Riley in Kansas, pleaded guilty to two counts of distributing information related to explosives, destructive devices and weapons of mass destruction in February.
He joined the Army in June 2017 and was arrested in September 2019 after the FBI tracked him for several months while he was stationed in Texas.
A month prior to his arrest, Smith told an undercover FBI agent that he was looking for "radicals" like himself, about killing members of the anti-fascist left-wing group Antifa and about destroying nearby cell towers.
He also instructed undercover FBI agents on how to make a vehicle bomb and provided agents with a recipe for creating improvised napalm.


upi--2020-08-20--Challenges come when NIH harnesses AI to fight COVID-19, experts say

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- The National Institutes of Health wants to utilize artificial intelligence technology to better combat COVID-19 and has offered a grant to establish a resource center for diagnosis and treatment .
However , a spokesperson from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering said this is just the first step and researchers still need to overcome challenges before an AI algorithm can be brought to market .
`` There are people already working on it since April or May , '' said Etta Pisano , chief research officer at the American College of Radiology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funded project .
It just means that we 're beginning to create a resource so that more people can work on it . ''
The NIH launched the Medical Imaging and Data Resource Center earlier this month .
NIBIB , part of the NIH , leads the collaboration with ACR , the University of Chicago , the Radiological Society of North America and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine , to create new tools that physicians can use for early detection and personalized therapies for coronavirus patients .
Pisano said the goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from different institutions and create a system for others outside the center to use and develop algorithms .
`` We need to train these models on as much diverse data as possible , so that they can learn the way that imaging of this disease appears in multiple types of patients and multiple types of institutions , '' said Matthew Lungren , an associate professor of radiology at the Stanford University Medical Center .
According to a study from ACR , the number of new radiologists is increasing by 2 % per year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortage of radiologists as the healthcare systems were overwhelmed in places such as New York City in a short time , Lungren said .
To help fill the gap , he said an AI model could be trained to do a first pass among large volumes of imaging .
His team has created an algorithm that can read 400 chest X-rays in 1 minute , `` where it took a human expert about four hours to do that same number of chest X-rays . ''
`` If we can build these algorithms to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts for certain tasks , then we can really increase the access and availability to healthcare across the world , '' Lungren said .
Paul J. Chang , a professor of radiology at the University of Chicago School of Medicine , said the digital format of medical imaging and data in the last 20 years helps researchers accelerate the process .
However , data has been locked in local silos which prevents researchers from fully accessing all available data sets .
`` If we want to get large amounts of statistical models to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ break down these silos in a fast way , '' Chang said .
`` The first step of this grant is to create a search or discovery service where you can discover all these [ data ] . ''
The second problem is that most databases structure all the data to individual health problems , not a public health crisis like COVID-19 .
Researchers must figure out a way to reformat databases appropriately for public health matters .
Chang said they should act quickly because `` there are massive databases and you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` The grant is attempting to address the deficiencies that we have right now , '' Chang said .
`` It is addressing the fact that we could n't , and we still can not , respond to these large healthcare events in a timely way rigorously . ''
The technical expertise is only the beginning , and researchers should also establish a legal and ethical framework to aggregate the data , Pisano said .
She added that one of ACR 's jobs is to remove all identifiers from the data .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with images because there is information embedded in the header of the images . ''
Pisano said .
`` We have a long history of doing it , so I feel pretty comfortable that we will be successful in this . ''
Chang said hospitals are hesitant to allow anyone to search their databases because of the regulatory requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 , a federal law to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient 's consent or knowledge .
He said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ model to move the AI algorithms to local hospitals .
Physicians can search their own data and share the insights and trends rather than the actual patient data , Chang added .
`` We get insight locally , and we share that insights globally , '' Chang said .

Health experts said it may be difficult to create a database of medical information because doctors and hospitals may be reluctant to potentially violate HIPAA laws. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- The National Institutes of Health wants to utilize artificial intelligence technology to better combat COVID-19 and has offered a grant to establish a resource center for diagnosis and treatment. However, a spokesperson from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering said this is just the first step and researchers still need to overcome challenges before an AI algorithm can be brought to market. "There are people already working on it since April or May," said Etta Pisano, chief research officer at the American College of Radiology. "This is just a newly funded project. It just means that we're beginning to create a resource so that more people can work on it." Advertisement
The NIH launched the Medical Imaging and Data Resource Center earlier this month. NIBIB, part of the NIH, leads the collaboration with ACR, the University of Chicago, the Radiological Society of North America and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, to create new tools that physicians can use for early detection and personalized therapies for coronavirus patients. Pisano said the goal of the MIDRC is to collect data from different institutions and create a system for others outside the center to use and develop algorithms.
Advertisement
"We need to train these models on as much diverse data as possible, so that they can learn the way that imaging of this disease appears in multiple types of patients and multiple types of institutions," said Matthew Lungren, an associate professor of radiology at the Stanford University Medical Center.
According to a study from ACR, the number of new radiologists is increasing by 2% per year. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the shortage of radiologists as the healthcare systems were overwhelmed in places such as New York City in a short time, Lungren said. To help fill the gap, he said an AI model could be trained to do a first pass among large volumes of imaging. His team has created an algorithm that can read 400 chest X-rays in 1 minute, "where it took a human expert about four hours to do that same number of chest X-rays."
"If we can build these algorithms to perform accurately at the same performance as experts for certain tasks, then we can really increase the access and availability to healthcare across the world," Lungren said.
Paul J. Chang, a professor of radiology at the University of Chicago School of Medicine, said the digital format of medical imaging and data in the last 20 years helps researchers accelerate the process. However, data has been locked in local silos which prevents researchers from fully accessing all available data sets.
Advertisement
"If we want to get large amounts of statistical models to do the inference, we have to break down these silos in a fast way," Chang said. "The first step of this grant is to create a search or discovery service where you can discover all these [data]."
The second problem is that most databases structure all the data to individual health problems, not a public health crisis like COVID-19. Researchers must figure out a way to reformat databases appropriately for public health matters. Chang said they should act quickly because "there are massive databases and you can throw armies of people at it."
"The grant is attempting to address the deficiencies that we have right now," Chang said. "It is addressing the fact that we couldn't, and we still cannot, respond to these large healthcare events in a timely way rigorously."
The technical expertise is only the beginning, and researchers should also establish a legal and ethical framework to aggregate the data, Pisano said. She added that one of ACR's jobs is to remove all identifiers from the data.
"It's not a simple thing with images because there is information embedded in the header of the images." Pisano said. "We have a long history of doing it, so I feel pretty comfortable that we will be successful in this."
Advertisement
Chang said hospitals are hesitant to allow anyone to search their databases because of the regulatory requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, a federal law to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge. He said the MIDRC should come up with an alternative model to move the AI algorithms to local hospitals. Physicians can search their own data and share the insights and trends rather than the actual patient data, Chang added.
"We get insight locally, and we share that insights globally," Chang said.


upi--2020-08-20--Jacqueline D. Van Ovost becomes only female four-star leader in DoD

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- Jacqueline D. Van Ovost became commander of Air Mobility Command and the fifth female four-star leader in Air Force history Thursday -- and the only woman with four stars currently serving in the military .
Van Ovost succeeded retiring Gen. Maryanne Miller at a change-of-command ceremony at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois .
According to the Air Force , Van Ovost was promoted to general a few hours before the change of command ceremony , making her the fifth female general to ever serve in the branch and the Defense Department 's only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no one more qualified and ready to take the reins of Air Mobility Command than Jackie , '' said Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Charles Q .
Brown , Jr. , who officiated Thursday 's ceremony .
`` We take great comfort in knowing you and your Airmen are ready to execute global reach , faster , farther and better than ever before . ''
Before her retirement , Miller was the only female four-star leader in the Department of Defense .
Brown was installed as the Air Force 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , becoming the first African American in history to lead a military service as its highest ranking officer .
Van Ovost has served in the Air Force for 32 years , flying 4,200 hours in more than 30 aircraft and previously held the title of Deputy Commander of Air Mobility Command at Scott AFB .
Van Ovost holds a bachelor 's degree in aeronautical engineering from the Air Force Academy .
She took a test pilot short course and initially was denied the opportunity to apply what she 'd learned , but later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Standing in the stadium , in 1988 at the Air Force Academy , about to throw my hat in the air , I never would have thought I [ would become ] a four-star , '' Van Ovost told Air Force Magazine .
`` I was very focused on being a pilot , and being the best pilot I could be , and to make a difference in that way .
And here we are , standing at the precipice of what might be called a pinnacle of military leadership .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much a pinnacle .
For me , it 's a new beginning .
It 's a new opportunity to ask key questions , to shape the force in a way to make sense , and provide clarity to the strategic environment that we live in . ''
Van Ovost was nominated to succeed Miller in June and confirmed at the end of July .

Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost (L), incoming commander of Air Mobility Command, and Gen. Maryanne Miller, AMC commander, talk before the AMC change of command ceremony at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois on Thursday. Photo by Miranda Simpson/U.S. Air Force
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Jacqueline D. Van Ovost became commander of Air Mobility Command and the fifth female four-star leader in Air Force history Thursday -- and the only woman with four stars currently serving in the military. Van Ovost succeeded retiring Gen. Maryanne Miller at a change-of-command ceremony at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. Advertisement
According to the Air Force, Van Ovost was promoted to general a few hours before the change of command ceremony, making her the fifth female general to ever serve in the branch and the Defense Department's only female four-star leader.
"There is no one more qualified and ready to take the reins of Air Mobility Command than Jackie," said Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., who officiated Thursday's ceremony.
"We take great comfort in knowing you and your Airmen are ready to execute global reach, faster, farther and better than ever before."
Before her retirement, Miller was the only female four-star leader in the Department of Defense.
Brown was installed as the Air Force's 22nd Chief of Staff earlier this month, becoming the first African American in history to lead a military service as its highest ranking officer.
Advertisement
Van Ovost has served in the Air Force for 32 years, flying 4,200 hours in more than 30 aircraft and previously held the title of Deputy Commander of Air Mobility Command at Scott AFB.
Van Ovost holds a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from the Air Force Academy.
She took a test pilot short course and initially was denied the opportunity to apply what she'd learned, but later became a test pilot, anyway.
"Standing in the stadium, in 1988 at the Air Force Academy, about to throw my hat in the air, I never would have thought I [would become] a four-star," Van Ovost told Air Force Magazine.
"I was very focused on being a pilot, and being the best pilot I could be, and to make a difference in that way. And here we are, standing at the precipice of what might be called a pinnacle of military leadership.
"But frankly, it's not so much a pinnacle. For me, it's a new beginning. It's a new opportunity to ask key questions, to shape the force in a way to make sense, and provide clarity to the strategic environment that we live in."
Van Ovost was nominated to succeed Miller in June and confirmed at the end of July.


upi--2020-08-20--Former Uber security officer charged with concealing 2016 breach

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- Federal prosecutors have charged Uber 's former chief security officer with paying hackers to cover up a 2016 data breach against the company .
Joseph Sullivan , 52 , was charged Thursday with obstruction of justice and misprision , or concealment , of a felony for allegedly paying hackers $ 100,000 to hide the breach which affected about 57 million Uber users and drivers , the U.S. Department of Justice said .
After the breach , hackers contacted Sullivan by email demanding a six-figure payment in exchange for silence .
They accessed and downloaded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including drivers ' license numbers for about 600,000 Uber drivers .
The complaint states that in addition to paying off the hackers through a program that allows so-called `` white hat '' hackers to point out security issues within the company , Sullivan also attempted to have them sign non-disclosure agreements regarding the breach .
`` The agreements contained a false representation that the hackers did not take or store any data , '' the Justice Department said .
`` When an Uber employee asked Sullivan about this false promise , Sullivan insisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement . ''
The complaint further alleges that Sullivan deceived Uber 's new management about the breach after the company hired a new CEO in 2017 .
`` Sullivan asked his team to prepare a summary of the incident , but after he received their draft summary , he edited it , '' the Justice Department said .
`` His edits removed details about the data that the hackers had taken and falsely stated that payment had been made only after the hackers had been identified . ''
Sullivan 's initial appearance in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The hackers were ultimately identified by Uber and prosecuted in the Northern District of California , where they each pleaded guilty to computer fraud charges last year .

Uber's former chief security officer, Joseph Sullivan, was charged with paying hackers to conceal a 2016 breach against the company affecting about 57 million users and drivers. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Federal prosecutors have charged Uber's former chief security officer with paying hackers to cover up a 2016 data breach against the company. Joseph Sullivan, 52, was charged Thursday with obstruction of justice and misprision, or concealment, of a felony for allegedly paying hackers $100,000 to hide the breach which affected about 57 million Uber users and drivers, the U.S. Department of Justice said. Advertisement
After the breach, hackers contacted Sullivan by email demanding a six-figure payment in exchange for silence. They accessed and downloaded an Uber database containing personally identifying information including drivers' license numbers for about 600,000 Uber drivers.
The complaint states that in addition to paying off the hackers through a program that allows so-called "white hat" hackers to point out security issues within the company, Sullivan also attempted to have them sign non-disclosure agreements regarding the breach.
"The agreements contained a false representation that the hackers did not take or store any data," the Justice Department said. "When an Uber employee asked Sullivan about this false promise, Sullivan insisted that the language stay in the non-disclosure agreement."
The complaint further alleges that Sullivan deceived Uber's new management about the breach after the company hired a new CEO in 2017.
Advertisement
"Sullivan asked his team to prepare a summary of the incident, but after he received their draft summary, he edited it," the Justice Department said. "His edits removed details about the data that the hackers had taken and falsely stated that payment had been made only after the hackers had been identified."
Sullivan's initial appearance in federal court has not been scheduled.
The hackers were ultimately identified by Uber and prosecuted in the Northern District of California, where they each pleaded guilty to computer fraud charges last year.


upi--2020-08-20--Australian family's lottery numbers pay off after 50 years

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- An Australian man won a lottery jackpot of more than $ 700,000 by playing @ @ @ @ @ his family has been using for lottery drawings for 50 years .
The Red Hill @ @ @ @ @ The Lott officials he selected his own numbers when he purchased a ticket for Monday @ @ @ @ @ Gold Lotto drawing on the lottery 's website .
`` They 're some family birth @ @ @ @ @ My family 's been playing them for about 50 years , '' the man revealed @ @ @ @ @ numbers and have been playing them consistently for a while now . ''
The family @ @ @ @ @ the numbers scored the man a $ 719,400 jackpot .

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- An Australian man won a lottery jackpot of more than $700,000 by playing a set of numbers that his family has been using for lottery drawings for 50 years.
The Red Hill, Queensland, man told The Lott officials he selected his own numbers when he purchased a ticket for Monday night's Monday & Wednesday Gold Lotto drawing on the lottery's website.
Advertisement
"They're some family birth dates and other numbers. My family's been playing them for about 50 years," the man revealed. "I kept his numbers and have been playing them consistently for a while now."
The family's patience paid off when the numbers scored the man a $719,400 jackpot.


upi--2020-08-20--Watch: Beloved stalk of corn growing through sidewalk rescued after uprooting

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- A stalk of corn that became a local landmark and a viral sensation when it sprouted in a sidewalk crack in a South Dakota city was rescued by a local family after being uprooted and presumed dead .
The `` 57th Street Corn , '' named for its location in a crack in a 57th Street sidewalk in Sioux Falls , became a local sensation and a viral star online when residents realized it was a stalk of corn growing in an unusual urban environment .
Residents feared the corn 's life had come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found uprooted in the middle of the sidewalk .
Locals created a shrine to the fallen plant , including an `` RIP corn '' sign placed next to the now-horizontal stalk .
The corn ended up with a new lease on life , however , when Chad Theisen and his children retrieved it and replanted it in a bucket they bought at a local hardware store .
`` A local corn-loving crew was quickly dispatched to the scene of the crime and efforts to save the patient began , '' Theisen said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consulted with growing experts and is taking care to help the corn take root in its new bucket home .
He said he hopes to eventually replant the corn , which his family named `` Cornelia , '' in a safer location , such as a city park or a government building .

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- A stalk of corn that became a local landmark and a viral sensation when it sprouted in a sidewalk crack in a South Dakota city was rescued by a local family after being uprooted and presumed dead.
The "57th Street Corn," named for its location in a crack in a 57th Street sidewalk in Sioux Falls, became a local sensation and a viral star online when residents realized it was a stalk of corn growing in an unusual urban environment.
Advertisement
Residents feared the corn's life had come to an end Wednesday when it was found uprooted in the middle of the sidewalk. Locals created a shrine to the fallen plant, including an "RIP corn" sign placed next to the now-horizontal stalk.
The corn ended up with a new lease on life, however, when Chad Theisen and his children retrieved it and replanted it in a bucket they bought at a local hardware store.
"A local corn-loving crew was quickly dispatched to the scene of the crime and efforts to save the patient began," Theisen said in a Facebook post.
Theisen said he consulted with growing experts and is taking care to help the corn take root in its new bucket home. He said he hopes to eventually replant the corn, which his family named "Cornelia," in a safer location, such as a city park or a government building.


upi--2020-08-20--'Super-spreaders' caused up to 20% of all COVID-19 cases in Georgia, study finds

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- About 20 % of all COVID-19 infections in Georgia during the early stages of the outbreak were directly linked with 2 % of the cases , according to a study published Thursday by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences .
The findings indicate that `` super-spreading '' of the virus was widespread in the state , particularly in rural areas , the researchers said .
`` Super-spreading can contribute to explosions of transmission , even when we are seeing the numbers of new cases declining , '' study co-author Max Lau , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Emory University 's Rollins School of Public Health , told UPI .
`` Everyone should be mindful of maintaining social distancing so that super-spreading can be curtailed , '' he said .
Super-spreading is a phenomenon in which certain individuals disproportionately infect a large number of people .
Several `` super-spreader '' events have been recorded across the country since the start of the pandemic , according to Lau and his colleagues .
For this study , the researchers from Emory University reviewed data on nearly 10,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between March 1 and May 3 .
The cases were concentrated in five counties across the state , the researchers said .
They were Cobb , DeKalb , Gwinnett and Fulton in the metro Atlanta area and Dougherty in the more rural southwest region .
The R-number -- or the average number of people each confirmed case infects -- was 3.3 across all five countries , but highest , at 5.2 , in the rural Dougherty , the data showed .
That figure suggests that super-spreaders may have been responsible for the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 1,600 confirmed COVID-19 cases in March , April and May -- or roughly the same number as Cobb County , which has a population roughly eight times higher , the researchers said .
In addition , in all five counties , `` non-elderly '' COVID-19 cases -- those involving people aged 60 years and younger -- were up to three times more contagious than older adults , according to the researchers .
However , `` super-spreading is mostly likely to be driven by behaviors and circumstances '' -- not wearing a mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age , '' Lau said .

A new study suggests super-spreaders might be responsible for significant numbers of COVID-19 cases. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- About 20% of all COVID-19 infections in Georgia during the early stages of the outbreak were directly linked with 2% of the cases, according to a study published Thursday by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The findings indicate that "super-spreading" of the virus was widespread in the state, particularly in rural areas, the researchers said. Advertisement
"Super-spreading can contribute to explosions of transmission, even when we are seeing the numbers of new cases declining," study co-author Max Lau, an assistant professor of biostatics and bioinformatics at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, told UPI.
"Everyone should be mindful of maintaining social distancing so that super-spreading can be curtailed," he said.
Super-spreading is a phenomenon in which certain individuals disproportionately infect a large number of people. Several "super-spreader" events have been recorded across the country since the start of the pandemic, according to Lau and his colleagues.
For this study, the researchers from Emory University reviewed data on nearly 10,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported to the Georgia Department of Public Health between March 1 and May 3.
The cases were concentrated in five counties across the state, the researchers said. They were Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett and Fulton in the metro Atlanta area and Dougherty in the more rural southwest region.
Advertisement
The R-number -- or the average number of people each confirmed case infects -- was 3.3 across all five countries, but highest, at 5.2, in the rural Dougherty, the data showed.
That figure suggests that super-spreaders may have been responsible for the outbreak in that county, which saw more than 1,600 confirmed COVID-19 cases in March, April and May -- or roughly the same number as Cobb County, which has a population roughly eight times higher, the researchers said.
In addition, in all five counties, "non-elderly" COVID-19 cases -- those involving people aged 60 years and younger -- were up to three times more contagious than older adults, according to the researchers.
However, "super-spreading is mostly likely to be driven by behaviors and circumstances" -- not wearing a mask or social distancing -- "regardless of age," Lau said.


upi--2020-08-20--Sen. Bill Cassidy tests positive for COVID-19

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- Sen. Bill Cassidy announced Thursday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 after being exposed to an individual infected with the virus .
A statement from the Louisiana Republican 's office said that Cassidy has contacted his physician and is following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations including quarantining for 14 days and notifying those who he may have had contact with after testing positive on Thursday .
`` I am strictly following the direction of our medical experts and strongly encourage others to do the same , '' Cassidy said .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Congress have either tested positive for COVID-19 or reported symptoms but were unable to get tested , including Sen. Rand Paul , R-Ky. ; Rep. Rodney Davis , R-Ill. ; Rep. Raul Grijalva , D-Ariz. ; Rep. Louis Gohmert , R-Texas ; Rep. Morgan Griffith , R-Va. ; Rep. Tom Rice , R-S.C. ; Rep Neal Dunn , R-Fla. ; Rep. Nydia Velazquez , D-N.Y. ; Rep. Mike Kelly , R-Pa. ; Rep. Joe Cunningham , D-S.C. ; Rep. Seth Moulton , D-Mass .
; Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart , R-Fla. and Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 , Reps. Mark Meadows , Paul Gosar , Doug Collins and Matt Gaetz and Sen. Ted Cruz all self-quarantined after interacting with a guest who tested positive for COVID-19 at the Conservative Political Action Conference .
The House in May passed a resolution to allow lawmakers to vote by proxy amid the pandemic and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi required masks during in-person committee proceedings last month after Gohmert tested positive .

Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday and has entered quarantine after being exposed to an individual infected with the coronavirus. File Pool Photo by Toni L. Sandys/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Sen. Bill Cassidy announced Thursday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 after being exposed to an individual infected with the virus. A statement from the Louisiana Republican's office said that Cassidy has contacted his physician and is following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations including quarantining for 14 days and notifying those who he may have had contact with after testing positive on Thursday. Advertisement
"I am strictly following the direction of our medical experts and strongly encourage others to do the same," Cassidy said.
In addition to Cassidy, 13 other members of Congress have either tested positive for COVID-19 or reported symptoms but were unable to get tested, including Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.; Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill.; Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz.; Rep. Louis Gohmert, R-Texas; Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va.; Rep. Tom Rice, R-S.C.; Rep Neal Dunn, R-Fla.; Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y.; Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa.; Rep. Joe Cunningham, D-S.C.; Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass.; Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla. and Rep. Ben McAdams, D-Utah.
On March 8, Reps. Mark Meadows, Paul Gosar, Doug Collins and Matt Gaetz and Sen. Ted Cruz all self-quarantined after interacting with a guest who tested positive for COVID-19 at the Conservative Political Action Conference.
Advertisement
The House in May passed a resolution to allow lawmakers to vote by proxy amid the pandemic and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi required masks during in-person committee proceedings last month after Gohmert tested positive.


upi--2020-08-20--One in three U.S. high school students vaped in 2019, CDC says

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- Nearly one-third of all American high school students used e-cigarettes in 2019 , according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
That figure is more than twice that of 2017 , the last time the agency assessed vaping among teens , when 13 % reported using these tobacco products , the data showed .
Roughly 37 % of high school students surveyed identified as `` current users '' of tobacco products in 2019 , up from 20 % in 2017 , while 8.2 % acknowledged using two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CDC said .
`` These data show that e-cigarette companies , many of which are owned by major tobacco companies , have successfully used 'Big Tobacco 's ' playbook to hook another generation of America 's kids , '' Harold Wimmer , president and CEO of the American Lung Association , said in a statement .
`` Flavors are known to lure and hook kids to a lifetime of tobacco addiction , and we see this reflected in the continued spike of the amount of youth vaping , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Medical Association in November 2019 found that high school students who used e-cigarettes preferred the mint- and fruit-flavored tobacco products sold by some manufacturers .
The rise in e-cigarette among teens documented by the CDC has occurred even as more than 2,500 young people were diagnosed with a condition called e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury , or EVALI , in the second half of last year , with one victim undergoing a double lung transplant as a result .
More recently , vaping has been linked with an increased risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The latest CDC findings are based on responses to the 2019 Youth Behavior Survey , which polled more than 12,000 students in grades 9 through 12 on a variety of issues ranging from mental health to alcohol and illegal drug use .
Just over 50 % of those surveyed said they had used e-cigarettes at least once and 24 % reported that they had tried smoking at least once , the data showed .
Thirty-three percent identified as `` current electronic vaping product users , '' while 6 % smoked traditional cigarettes or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % in the 1990s , according to the CDC .
Current smokeless tobacco use among teens surveyed was just under 4 % , a drop from 6 % in 2017 .
Of those who currently vape , 33 % described themselves as `` frequent '' users , the data showed .
High school students have gravitated toward e-cigarettes despite the fact that they -- like most tobacco products -- can not be legally sold to children 18 years old and younger .
`` Use of any tobacco product among youth is unsafe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of products used , '' the CDC researchers wrote .
`` Tobacco product usage has evolved , and the increasing prevalence of electronic vapor product use among youths during recent years is concerning . ''

An increasing number of high school students are using e-cigarettes, CDC data shows. Photo by StockSnap/Pixabay
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Nearly one-third of all American high school students used e-cigarettes in 2019, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That figure is more than twice that of 2017, the last time the agency assessed vaping among teens, when 13% reported using these tobacco products, the data showed. Advertisement
Roughly 37% of high school students surveyed identified as "current users" of tobacco products in 2019, up from 20% in 2017, while 8.2% acknowledged using two or more tobacco products last year, the CDC said.
"These data show that e-cigarette companies, many of which are owned by major tobacco companies, have successfully used 'Big Tobacco's' playbook to hook another generation of America's kids," Harold Wimmer, president and CEO of the American Lung Association, said in a statement.
"Flavors are known to lure and hook kids to a lifetime of tobacco addiction, and we see this reflected in the continued spike of the amount of youth vaping," he said.
Research published by the Journal of the American Medical Association in November 2019 found that high school students who used e-cigarettes preferred the mint- and fruit-flavored tobacco products sold by some manufacturers.
Advertisement
The rise in e-cigarette among teens documented by the CDC has occurred even as more than 2,500 young people were diagnosed with a condition called e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury, or EVALI, in the second half of last year, with one victim undergoing a double lung transplant as a result.
More recently, vaping has been linked with an increased risk for COVID-19, according to researchers,
The latest CDC findings are based on responses to the 2019 Youth Behavior Survey, which polled more than 12,000 students in grades 9 through 12 on a variety of issues ranging from mental health to alcohol and illegal drug use.
Just over 50% of those surveyed said they had used e-cigarettes at least once and 24% reported that they had tried smoking at least once, the data showed.
Thirty-three percent identified as "current electronic vaping product users," while 6% smoked traditional cigarettes or cigars, down from just under 30% in the 1990s, according to the CDC.
Current smokeless tobacco use among teens surveyed was just under 4%, a drop from 6% in 2017. Of those who currently vape, 33% described themselves as "frequent" users, the data showed.
High school students have gravitated toward e-cigarettes despite the fact that they -- like most tobacco products -- cannot be legally sold to children 18 years old and younger.
Advertisement
"Use of any tobacco product among youth is unsafe, regardless of frequency of use or number of products used," the CDC researchers wrote.
"Tobacco product usage has evolved, and the increasing prevalence of electronic vapor product use among youths during recent years is concerning."


upi--2020-08-20--Appeals court denies stay of execution for Lezmond Mitchell in Indiana

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- An appeals court on Thursday denied a stay of execution for a federal death row inmate challenging the U.S. government 's plans to use a single drug in its lethal injection protocol .
The 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals said that since Lezmond Mitchell is unlikely to succeed in his lawsuit against the government , it would not issue a stay .
Mitchell , 37 , is scheduled to die by lethal injection Wednesday at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute , Ind .
He was sentenced to death for the 2001 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman and her granddaughter -- on reservation land .
Defense attorneys said that because the U.S. government 's drug protocol for lethal injections differs from that of Arizona -- the state where the murders occurred -- it violates the Federal Death Penalty Act .
When Attorney General William Barr reinstated federal executions in July 2019 , he determined that the U.S. government would use a single drug , pentobarbital , a sedative .
Arizona 's two-drug cocktail uses midazolam , a sedative , and hydromorphone , an opioid .
The U.S .
Circuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Columbia ruled against a similar challenge by four other federal death row inmates in April , resulting in the executions of Daniel Lewis Lee , Dustin Lee Honken and Wesley Purkey in July .
Mitchell , who is Navajo , also awaits a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court on an emergency stay application .
His lawyers seek to interview jurors from his trial about whether racial bias played a part in his conviction .
Meanwhile , Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez has sought clemency from President Donald Trump .
The Navajo Nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. government should n't be able to execute Mitchell .
`` The Navajo Nation is respectfully requesting a commutation of the death sentence and the imposition of a life sentence for Mr. Mitchell , '' Nez and Navajo Vice President Myron Lizer said in a letter to Trump on July 31 .
`` This request honors our religious and traditional beliefs , the Navajo Nation 's long-standing position on the death penalty for Native Americans , and our respect for the decision of the victim 's family .
... We need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our trust of our federal partners and to continue to work on the importance of protecting our people . ''
Under the Federal Death Penalty Act , the U.S. government ca n't seek the death penalty for murder committed on tribal land unless said tribe allows it .
The U.S. Attorney 's Office in Arizona originally did n't seek the death penalty for Mitchell , but received pressure from then-Attorney General John Ashcroft to do so .
Defense attorneys Jonathan Aminoff and Celeste Bacchi said that since the Navajo Nation opposed the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal government used a `` loophole '' to charge him with a lesser crime -- carjacking resulting in death .
This allowed the government to seek the death penalty without tribal approval .
The defense team also accused the U.S. government of misconduct for allegedly jailing and questioning Mitchell for 25 days without providing him a lawyer and preventing Navajos from serving on his jury .
Mitchell and co-defendant Johnny Orsinger were convicted in 2003 for the deaths of Alyce Slim , 63 , and her granddaughter Tiffany Lee , 9 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before stealing her vehicle and driving it to another location where they stabbed and beat the girl to death and dismembered their bodies to prevent identification .
Mitchell and Orsinger used the vehicle to commit a robbery and when they were caught by police , Mitchell led them to the buried bodies .
Orsinger , who was a juvenile at the time , was sentenced to life in prison .
If his execution proceeds , Mitchell 's will be the fourth federal execution this year and the first Native American to be executed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .

Aug. 20 (UPI) -- An appeals court on Thursday denied a stay of execution for a federal death row inmate challenging the U.S. government's plans to use a single drug in its lethal injection protocol.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said that since Lezmond Mitchell is unlikely to succeed in his lawsuit against the government, it would not issue a stay.
Advertisement
Mitchell, 37, is scheduled to die by lethal injection Wednesday at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Ind. He was sentenced to death for the 2001 murder of two Navajo people -- a woman and her granddaughter -- on reservation land.
Defense attorneys said that because the U.S. government's drug protocol for lethal injections differs from that of Arizona -- the state where the murders occurred -- it violates the Federal Death Penalty Act.
When Attorney General William Barr reinstated federal executions in July 2019, he determined that the U.S. government would use a single drug, pentobarbital, a sedative. Arizona's two-drug cocktail uses midazolam, a sedative, and hydromorphone, an opioid.
Advertisement
The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled against a similar challenge by four other federal death row inmates in April, resulting in the executions of Daniel Lewis Lee, Dustin Lee Honken and Wesley Purkey in July.
Mitchell, who is Navajo, also awaits a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court on an emergency stay application. His lawyers seek to interview jurors from his trial about whether racial bias played a part in his conviction.
Meanwhile, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez has sought clemency from President Donald Trump. The Navajo Nation is against the death penalty and argues the U.S. government shouldn't be able to execute Mitchell.
"The Navajo Nation is respectfully requesting a commutation of the death sentence and the imposition of a life sentence for Mr. Mitchell," Nez and Navajo Vice President Myron Lizer said in a letter to Trump on July 31.
"This request honors our religious and traditional beliefs, the Navajo Nation's long-standing position on the death penalty for Native Americans, and our respect for the decision of the victim's family. ... We need to address this issue to move forward in our trust of our federal partners and to continue to work on the importance of protecting our people."
Advertisement
Under the Federal Death Penalty Act, the U.S. government can't seek the death penalty for murder committed on tribal land unless said tribe allows it. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Arizona originally didn't seek the death penalty for Mitchell, but received pressure from then-Attorney General John Ashcroft to do so.
Defense attorneys Jonathan Aminoff and Celeste Bacchi said that since the Navajo Nation opposed the death penalty in Mitchell's case, the federal government used a "loophole" to charge him with a lesser crime -- carjacking resulting in death. This allowed the government to seek the death penalty without tribal approval.
The defense team also accused the U.S. government of misconduct for allegedly jailing and questioning Mitchell for 25 days without providing him a lawyer and preventing Navajos from serving on his jury.
Mitchell and co-defendant Johnny Orsinger were convicted in 2003 for the deaths of Alyce Slim, 63, and her granddaughter Tiffany Lee, 9.
The two men stabbed Slim dozens of times before stealing her vehicle and driving it to another location where they stabbed and beat the girl to death and dismembered their bodies to prevent identification.
Advertisement
Mitchell and Orsinger used the vehicle to commit a robbery and when they were caught by police, Mitchell led them to the buried bodies.
Orsinger, who was a juvenile at the time, was sentenced to life in prison.
If his execution proceeds, Mitchell's will be the fourth federal execution this year and the first Native American to be executed in modern U.S. history, his lawyers said.


upi--2020-08-20--Paleontologists find giant lizard in stomach of a prehistoric marine carnivore

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- Until now , scientists thought ichthyosaurs -- the large , dolphin-like marine reptiles that cruised the seas of the Mesozoic -- mostly ate cephalopods .
`` Many of the large ichthyosaurs have blunt teeth that look more suited for squid-eating than megapredation , '' researcher Ryosuke Motani , professor of paleobiology at the University of California , Davis , told UPI in an email .
`` That is why we thought they were squid eaters . ''
But recently , Motani and his research partners discovered the well-preserved remains of a lizard-like aquatic reptile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Middle Triassic ichthyosaur .
The fossil , described Thursday in the journal iScience , represents the oldest record of megafaunal predation by a marine reptile .
`` We have to readjust our estimation of the prevalence of megapredators , '' Motani wrote .
`` It seems that megapredation was more common than previously thought . ''
Megapredation describes the hunting and eating of megafauna , animals that were bigger than humans .
Researchers spent several years visiting the quarry site in southwestern China where the thalattosaur and ichthyosaur remains were discovered .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were seeing .
Not only was the lizard-like reptile big , measuring more than 14 feet long , it was also remarkably well-preserved .
That is showed no signs of disintegration from exposure to stomach acid suggests the ichthyosaur perished not long after eating the thalattosaur .
`` Usually , stomach contents do not contain articulated remains because digestion breaks down the prey in the stomach , '' Motani wrote .
`` So , we do not expect to find such a fossil everyday , and it is surprising that we happened to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be certain whether the ichthyosaur scavenged the giant reptile or hunted and killed it , but the lizard-like specimen 's tail was found separated from its body , several feet away , suggesting a tussle between predator and prey .
The mass extinction at the end of the Permian greatly diminished the biodiversity found in Earth 's oceans , but the latest discovery suggests marine ecosystems had rebounded by the Middle Triassic .
It seems that once the ecosystem was healthy enough to support large predators in the Middle Triassic , multiple lineages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost simultaneously , '' Motani said .
There are more fossils at the Chinese quarry site , and researchers plan to continue studying them in an effort to answer lingering questions about Mesozoic life , such as the precise timing of open-sea colonization by reptiles .

While most ichthyosaurs had rounded teeth, ideal for eating squid, this Middle Triassic ichthyosaur species sported sharp teeth -- the kind of incisors that might have helped it eat a giant lizard-like reptile. Photo by Jiang et al./iScience
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Until now, scientists thought ichthyosaurs -- the large, dolphin-like marine reptiles that cruised the seas of the Mesozoic -- mostly ate cephalopods. "Many of the large ichthyosaurs have blunt teeth that look more suited for squid-eating than megapredation," researcher Ryosuke Motani, professor of paleobiology at the University of California, Davis, told UPI in an email. "That is why we thought they were squid eaters." Advertisement
But recently, Motani and his research partners discovered the well-preserved remains of a lizard-like aquatic reptile called a thalattosaur inside the stomach of Middle Triassic ichthyosaur. The fossil, described Thursday in the journal iScience, represents the oldest record of megafaunal predation by a marine reptile.
"We have to readjust our estimation of the prevalence of megapredators," Motani wrote. "It seems that megapredation was more common than previously thought."
Megapredation describes the hunting and eating of megafauna, animals that were bigger than humans.
Researchers spent several years visiting the quarry site in southwestern China where the thalattosaur and ichthyosaur remains were discovered. It took them awhile to believe what they were seeing.
Not only was the lizard-like reptile big, measuring more than 14 feet long, it was also remarkably well-preserved. That is showed no signs of disintegration from exposure to stomach acid suggests the ichthyosaur perished not long after eating the thalattosaur.
Advertisement
"Usually, stomach contents do not contain articulated remains because digestion breaks down the prey in the stomach," Motani wrote. "So, we do not expect to find such a fossil everyday, and it is surprising that we happened to find one."
Researchers can't be certain whether the ichthyosaur scavenged the giant reptile or hunted and killed it, but the lizard-like specimen's tail was found separated from its body, several feet away, suggesting a tussle between predator and prey.
The mass extinction at the end of the Permian greatly diminished the biodiversity found in Earth's oceans, but the latest discovery suggests marine ecosystems had rebounded by the Middle Triassic.
It seems that once the ecosystem was healthy enough to support large predators in the Middle Triassic, multiple lineages took the opportunity and engaged in megapredation almost simultaneously," Motani said.
There are more fossils at the Chinese quarry site, and researchers plan to continue studying them in an effort to answer lingering questions about Mesozoic life, such as the precise timing of open-sea colonization by reptiles.


upi--2020-08-20--German university offering $1,900 grants 'for doing nothing'

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- A university in Germany is offering `` idleness grants '' to Germans willing to abstain from activity as part of research for an exhibition on sustainability .
The University of Fine Arts in Hamburg said three people will receive the `` grant for doing nothing '' and be paid $ 1,900 to engage in a specific form of `` active inactivity . ''
The school said applicants are free to choose their own form of idleness -- an activity to abstain from -- and a panel of school officials will choose the three best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very easy , '' Friedrich von Borries , the architect and design theorist who designed the program , told The Guardian .
`` We want to focus on active inactivity .
If you say you are not going to move for a week , then that 's impressive .
If you propose you are not going to move or think , that might be even better . ''
Von Borries said the period of inactivity is up to the applicant .
`` If you say you are not going to sleep , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple of days , '' Von Borries said .
`` But if you say you are not going to shop then that 's something you could sustain for a lot longer . ''
The school said the grant money will be issued when the chosen applicants submit their experience reports in mid-January .
Von Borries said the participants who submit their reports will be paid regardless of whether their attempt at inactivity was successful .
All submitted applications will form part of an exhibition called The School of Inconsequentiality : Towards A Better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The exhibition will explore the question : `` What can I refrain from so that my life has fewer negative consequences on the lives of others ? ''
Von Borries said the idea is to explore the relationship between how society encourages sustainability and how society places value on material success .
`` This scholarship program is not a joke but an experiment with serious intentions -- how can you turn a society that is structured around achievements and accomplishments on its head ? ''
Von Borries said .

A German university is offering three grants "for doing nothing" to applicants who pitch the most compelling ideas of activities to abstain from for a period of time. Photo by Wokandapix/Pixabay
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Aug. 20 (UPI) -- A university in Germany is offering "idleness grants" to Germans willing to abstain from activity as part of research for an exhibition on sustainability. The University of Fine Arts in Hamburg said three people will receive the "grant for doing nothing" and be paid $1,900 to engage in a specific form of "active inactivity." Advertisement
The school said applicants are free to choose their own form of idleness -- an activity to abstain from -- and a panel of school officials will choose the three best pitches.
"Doing nothing isn't very easy," Friedrich von Borries, the architect and design theorist who designed the program, told The Guardian. "We want to focus on active inactivity. If you say you are not going to move for a week, then that's impressive. If you propose you are not going to move or think, that might be even better."
Von Borries said the period of inactivity is up to the applicant.
"If you say you are not going to sleep, then you can only do that for a couple of days," Von Borries said. "But if you say you are not going to shop then that's something you could sustain for a lot longer."
Advertisement
The school said the grant money will be issued when the chosen applicants submit their experience reports in mid-January. Von Borries said the participants who submit their reports will be paid regardless of whether their attempt at inactivity was successful.
All submitted applications will form part of an exhibition called The School of Inconsequentiality: Towards A Better Life, which is planned for November. The exhibition will explore the question: "What can I refrain from so that my life has fewer negative consequences on the lives of others?"
Von Borries said the idea is to explore the relationship between how society encourages sustainability and how society places value on material success.
"This scholarship program is not a joke but an experiment with serious intentions -- how can you turn a society that is structured around achievements and accomplishments on its head?" Von Borries said.


upi--2020-08-21--'RuPaul's Drag Race,' 'All Stars' and 'Untucked' renewed at VH1

Aug. 21 ( UPI ) -- VH1 has renewed RuPaul 's Drag Race for a thirteenth season , RuPaul 's Drag Race All Stars for a sixth season and aftershow Untucked .
`` Drag Queens have been on the frontlines of many challenging times in our history .
RuPaul 's Drag Race 13 , All Stars 6 and new seasons of Untucked will offer more opportunities for our queens to rise to the occasion and spread the love , '' RuPaul said in a statement about the renewals .
The Drag Race franchise first started on Logo before moving to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air encore episodes from the series with new episodes appearing on VH1 .
`` Keep those engines running because @ RuPaulsDragRace and All Stars were renewed and are coming back for another lap ! ''
Logo said on Twitter .
There are no premiere dates for the new seasons .
VH1 will continue to air Drag Race content with new docuseries RuPaul 's Drag Race : Vegas Revue , which premieres Friday at 8 p.m. EDT on the network .
RuPaul 's Drag Race : Vegas Revue will follow former Drag Race legends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drag Race Live !
residency show in Las Vegas .

RuPaul appears backstage during the 71st annual Primetime Emmy Awards. VH1 has renewed "RuPaul's Drag Race," "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars" and aftershow "Untucked." File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 21 (UPI) -- VH1 has renewed RuPaul's Drag Race for a thirteenth season, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars for a sixth season and aftershow Untucked. "Drag Queens have been on the frontlines of many challenging times in our history. RuPaul's Drag Race 13, All Stars 6 and new seasons of Untucked will offer more opportunities for our queens to rise to the occasion and spread the love," RuPaul said in a statement about the renewals. Advertisement
The Drag Race franchise first started on Logo before moving to VH1 in 2017. Logo continues to air encore episodes from the series with new episodes appearing on VH1.
"Keep those engines running because @RuPaulsDragRace and All Stars were renewed and are coming back for another lap!" Logo said on Twitter.
"Back, back, back again!" VH1 tweeted in response.
There are no premiere dates for the new seasons. VH1 will continue to air Drag Race content with new docuseries RuPaul's Drag Race: Vegas Revue, which premieres Friday at 8 p.m. EDT on the network.
Advertisement
RuPaul's Drag Race: Vegas Revue will follow former Drag Race legends as they prepare for the RuPaul's Drag Race Live! residency show in Las Vegas.


upi--2020-08-21--Gallup poll: More in U.S. say COVID-19 is the nation's top problem

Aug. 21 ( UPI ) -- More Americans are saying COVID-19 is the most important problem in the United States right now , topping issues like government , economic hardship and racism , a Gallup survey showed Friday .
The poll , part of Gallup 's Social Series , showed 35 % of U.S. adults said the coronavirus pandemic is their chief concern -- a 5 % increase over the previous survey last month and 15 points higher than the figure from early June .
About one in five respondents said the government and poor leadership is their top concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race relations as the top issue ( 10 % ) fell by nearly half over the past two months .
Economic problems -- including unemployment , the wealth gap and corporate corruption -- was cited by 12 % as the main concern , down 7 points since June .
Overall satisfaction with the direction of the United States remains at 13 % , the same share from the last survey .
The figure is the lowest in nine years .
Gallup said its economic confidence index this month ( -16 ) is essentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -15 ) .
The mark is well below February 's index ( +41 ) , which was the highest Gallup had measured in 20 years .
Gallup polled more than 1,000 U.S. adults for the survey , which has a margin of error of 4 points .

Masked students sit outdoors at a cafe on the Saint Louis University campus in St. Louis, Mo., on Wednesday. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 21 (UPI) -- More Americans are saying COVID-19 is the most important problem in the United States right now, topping issues like government, economic hardship and racism, a Gallup survey showed Friday. The poll, part of Gallup's Social Series, showed 35% of U.S. adults said the coronavirus pandemic is their chief concern -- a 5% increase over the previous survey last month and 15 points higher than the figure from early June. Advertisement
About one in five respondents said the government and poor leadership is their top concern.
The share of Americans who identified race relations as the top issue (10%) fell by nearly half over the past two months.
Economic problems -- including unemployment, the wealth gap and corporate corruption -- was cited by 12% as the main concern, down 7 points since June.
Overall satisfaction with the direction of the United States remains at 13%, the same share from the last survey. The figure is the lowest in nine years.
Gallup said its economic confidence index this month (-16) is essentially unchanged from last month's reading (-15). The mark is well below February's index (+41), which was the highest Gallup had measured in 20 years.
Advertisement
Gallup polled more than 1,000 U.S. adults for the survey, which has a margin of error of 4 points.


upi--2020-08-21--Economy and weapons priorities for Kim Jong Un, analyst says

Aug. 21 ( UPI ) -- Kim Jong Un 's reorganization of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Korean Workers ' Party indicates the North Korean leader seeks parallel economic and strategic weapons development , according to a South Korean analyst .
Cheong Seong-chang of the Sejong Institute said the appointments of North Korean politicians Kim Tok Hun and Ri Pyong Chol to the politburo of the party 's central committee on Aug. 13 is a sign of Pyongyang 's evolving policy amid economic hardships and COVID-19 , Newsis reported Friday .
Earlier in the month , Kim Tok Hun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the party 's central committee .
He is also the chairman of the budget committee of North Korea 's Supreme People 's Assembly and is the newly appointed premier of North Korea .
Ri Pyong Chol , who has been seen at a meeting of North Korea 's Central Military Commission on July 18 , has been rising in the ranks of the North Korean bureaucracy .
According to analyst Markus V. Garlauskas , Ri was the `` only participant mentioned by name in the KCNA report of these events besides [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ri has been identified as the vice chairman of the Central Military Commission .
On Friday , Cheong suggested in his analysis the addition of Kim Tok Hun and Ri to the politburo 's standing committee indicates Kim Jong Un , top North Korean officials Choe Ryong Hae and Pak Pong Ju will be sharing power in a group at the heart of the North Korean administration .
The North Korean leader wants to express his `` strong will '' and determination to overcome an economic crisis in the country due to heavy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shortage of foreign currency , Cheong said .
The Rodong Sinmun reported Friday the state is pursuing `` electricity conservation projects . ''
A North Korean official of the electric power industries urged the country to save electricity as much as possible , according to the Rodong .

Kim Jong Un has reorganized his party's Politburo Standing Committee, a South Korean analyst said Friday. Photo by Jeon Heon-kyun/EPA-EFE
Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Kim Jong Un's reorganization of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Korean Workers' Party indicates the North Korean leader seeks parallel economic and strategic weapons development, according to a South Korean analyst. Cheong Seong-chang of the Sejong Institute said the appointments of North Korean politicians Kim Tok Hun and Ri Pyong Chol to the politburo of the party's central committee on Aug. 13 is a sign of Pyongyang's evolving policy amid economic hardships and COVID-19, Newsis reported Friday. Advertisement
Earlier in the month, Kim Tok Hun was appointed to the vice chairman position of the party's central committee. He is also the chairman of the budget committee of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly and is the newly appointed premier of North Korea.
Ri Pyong Chol, who has been seen at a meeting of North Korea's Central Military Commission on July 18, has been rising in the ranks of the North Korean bureaucracy. According to analyst Markus V. Garlauskas, Ri was the "only participant mentioned by name in the KCNA report of these events besides [Kim Jong Un] himself." Ri has been identified as the vice chairman of the Central Military Commission.
Advertisement
On Friday, Cheong suggested in his analysis the addition of Kim Tok Hun and Ri to the politburo's standing committee indicates Kim Jong Un, top North Korean officials Choe Ryong Hae and Pak Pong Ju will be sharing power in a group at the heart of the North Korean administration.
The North Korean leader wants to express his "strong will" and determination to overcome an economic crisis in the country due to heavy sanctions, plummeting trade amid COVID-19 and a shortage of foreign currency, Cheong said.
North Korea could be struggling amid a power shortage.
The Rodong Sinmun reported Friday the state is pursuing "electricity conservation projects."
A North Korean official of the electric power industries urged the country to save electricity as much as possible, according to the Rodong.