upi--2020-10-01--Task force: U.S. must prioritize AI in race to defend against Russia, China

A bipartisan congressional task force this week recommended that the Department of Defense prioritize investing in artificial intelligence , supply chain resiliency and cyberwarfare in order to deal with imminent threats from China and Russia .
The Future of Defense Task Force , chaired by Reps. Seth Moulton , D-Mass.
, and Jim Banks , R-Ind.
, on Tuesday released an 87-page report pointing out the vulnerabilities in U.S. national security and recommending how to fix them .
Banks said in a statement that the Pentagon needs to innovate to ensure the United States maintains its global military supremacy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do it .
`` This report details a vision of the future of defense -- specifically a smart , whole-of-nation strategy addressing the rise of China , '' he said .
The U.S. economic and military dominance post-Cold War has been reduced in recent years , the report said .
China is expected to soon overtake the United States as the world 's largest economy , and despite historic defense spending , the United States has failed to keep pace with China 's and Russia 's military modernization .
`` If we fail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world order will shift from one that favors democracy to one that favors authoritarianism , '' Moulton said .
The Future of Defense Task Force was launched last October to examine how to maintain the Pentagon 's technological edge against Russia and China .
Advancements in artificial intelligence , biotechnology , quantum computing and space , cyber , and electronic warfare are making traditional battlefields and boundaries increasingly irrelevant , according to the report .
The United States also remains vulnerable to increasing cyberattacks against civilian populations .
`` Using the Manhattan Project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must undertake and win the artificial intelligence race by leading in the invention and deployment of AI while establishing the standards for its public and private use , '' the report said .
It recommends that all new defense acquisition programs should be AI-ready and have evaluated at least one AI or autonomous alternative prior to funding .
The task force said the U.S. should invest at least 1 % of the GDP in foundational science and technology research , and the Pentagon should implement the recommendation of the Defense Science Board to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on science and technology research programs .
Pointing out that the COVID-19 pandemic had illustrated that a lack of domestic manufacturing capability and access to reliable supply chains `` is among our greatest national security and economic vulnerabilities , '' the task force recommended forming a National Supply Chain Intelligence Center under the Director of National Intelligence to monitor and protect U.S. supply chain interests .
The report also advised that to ensure the preservation of human rights , the United States should push for a global treaty on artificial intelligence to `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ensure fairness , and limit the harmful use of AI . ''
The treaty would also be expected to create an international code of ethics and privacy protections to ensure personal freedoms .

A congressional task force report this week recommended the Pentagon focus funding and effort in artificial intelligence, biotechnology and cyber warfare as part of countering the growing power of China and Russia. Photo by Cpl. Jessica Davey/U.S. Marine Corps
A bipartisan congressional task force this week recommended that the Department of Defense prioritize investing in artificial intelligence, supply chain resiliency and cyberwarfare in order to deal with imminent threats from China and Russia. The Future of Defense Task Force, chaired by Reps. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., and Jim Banks, R-Ind., on Tuesday released an 87-page report pointing out the vulnerabilities in U.S. national security and recommending how to fix them. Advertisement
Banks said in a statement that the Pentagon needs to innovate to ensure the United States maintains its global military supremacy, and the report was the roadmap to do it.
"This report details a vision of the future of defense--specifically a smart, whole-of-nation strategy addressing the rise of China," he said.
The U.S. economic and military dominance post-Cold War has been reduced in recent years, the report said. China is expected to soon overtake the United States as the world's largest economy, and despite historic defense spending, the United States has failed to keep pace with China's and Russia's military modernization.
"If we fail to act on this plan, the world order will shift from one that favors democracy to one that favors authoritarianism," Moulton said.
Advertisement
The Future of Defense Task Force was launched last October to examine how to maintain the Pentagon's technological edge against Russia and China.
Advancements in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum computing and space, cyber, and electronic warfare are making traditional battlefields and boundaries increasingly irrelevant, according to the report. The United States also remains vulnerable to increasing cyberattacks against civilian populations.
"Using the Manhattan Project as a model, the United States must undertake and win the artificial intelligence race by leading in the invention and deployment of AI while establishing the standards for its public and private use," the report said.
It recommends that all new defense acquisition programs should be AI-ready and have evaluated at least one AI or autonomous alternative prior to funding.
The task force said the U.S. should invest at least 1% of the GDP in foundational science and technology research, and the Pentagon should implement the recommendation of the Defense Science Board to spend 3.4% of its total budget on science and technology research programs.
Pointing out that the COVID-19 pandemic had illustrated that a lack of domestic manufacturing capability and access to reliable supply chains "is among our greatest national security and economic vulnerabilities," the task force recommended forming a National Supply Chain Intelligence Center under the Director of National Intelligence to monitor and protect U.S. supply chain interests.
Advertisement
The report also advised that to ensure the preservation of human rights, the United States should push for a global treaty on artificial intelligence to "establish accountability, promote collaboration and transparency, ensure fairness, and limit the harmful use of AI."
The treaty would also be expected to create an international code of ethics and privacy protections to ensure personal freedoms.


upi--2020-10-01--General Dynamics nabs $1.2B for Army's short-range air defense system

Oct. 1 ( UPI ) -- General Dynamics was awarded a $ 1.2 billion contract this week to deliver a short-range air defense system to the Army .
The contract , announced Wednesday by the Department of Defense , covers production of the Interim Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense , which expected for deliver by September 2025 .
The new IM-SHORAD will be mounted on a Stryker A1 platform and provide soldiers with protection using guns , missiles , rockets and onboard sensors .
GenDyn was the sole bidder for the award , according to the Pentagon .
The United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Short-Range Air Defense system to counter Russia 's aerial attack capabilities several years ago.The International Institute for Strategic Studies said this week the Russian military is more capable than at any time since the end of the Cold War .
According to a 2019 Army press release , most of the SHORAD battalions in the active component were deactivated 10 years ago in order to grow maneuver brigade combat teams for counter-insurgency operations .
But now , the branch is reshaping its capability and capacity to conduct large-scale combat operations against adversaries like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holler , commandant of the Air Defense Artillery School at Fort Sill , said the Army was given a `` wake-up call '' when it observed the conflict in Ukraine .

In the Stinger Dome, Staff Sgt. Ivan Peralta guides Sgt. 1st Class Arianna Cook as she aims a shoulder-fired Stinger missile at an enemy helicopter projected on the circular wall of the simulation center. Photo via U.S. Army
Oct. 1 (UPI) -- General Dynamics was awarded a $1.2 billion contract this week to deliver a short-range air defense system to the Army. The contract, announced Wednesday by the Department of Defense, covers production of the Interim Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense, which expected for deliver by September 2025. Advertisement
The new IM-SHORAD will be mounted on a Stryker A1 platform and provide soldiers with protection using guns, missiles, rockets and onboard sensors.
GenDyn was the sole bidder for the award, according to the Pentagon.
The United States identified a need for the Interim Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense system to counter Russia's aerial attack capabilities several years ago.The International Institute for Strategic Studies said this week the Russian military is more capable than at any time since the end of the Cold War.
According to a 2019 Army press release, most of the SHORAD battalions in the active component were deactivated 10 years ago in order to grow maneuver brigade combat teams for counter-insurgency operations. But now, the branch is reshaping its capability and capacity to conduct large-scale combat operations against adversaries like Russia and China.
Advertisement
Col. Mark A. Holler, commandant of the Air Defense Artillery School at Fort Sill, said the Army was given a "wake-up call" when it observed the conflict in Ukraine.


upi--2020-10-02--Demi Lovato, Sia set to perform at Billboard Music Awards

Oct. 2 ( UPI ) -- Demi Lovato , Sia and En Vogue have been tapped to perform at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards on Oct. 14 .
Lovato will present a world premiere performance of a new song .
Sia will be performing her new single titled `` Courage to Change . ''
En Vogue will be on hand to celebrate their 30th anniversary and will be performing their 1992 song , `` Free Your Mind . ''
Post Malone , BTS , Bad Bunny , Luke Combs , Alicia Keys and Garth Brooks are also set to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is additionally being honored with the Icon Award .
The 2020 Billboard Music Awards will air at 8 p.m. EDT on NBC .
The ceremony was originally set to take place in April but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Kelly Clarkson will be serving as host for the third year in a row .
Malone leads all artist with 16 nominations including Top Artist , Top Male Artist and Top Rap Album for Hollywood 's Bleeding .
`` Courage to Change '' is from Sia 's upcoming film Music .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ film which follows an autistic teenager ( Maddie Ziegler ) who is cared for by her sober , drug-dealing sister portrayed by Kate Hudson .

1/2
Demi Lovato will be performing at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards along with Sia. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Demi Lovato, Sia and En Vogue have been tapped to perform at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards on Oct. 14. Lovato will present a world premiere performance of a new song. Sia will be performing her new single titled "Courage to Change." Advertisement
En Vogue will be on hand to celebrate their 30th anniversary and will be performing their 1992 song, "Free Your Mind."
Post Malone, BTS, Bad Bunny, Luke Combs, Alicia Keys and Garth Brooks are also set to take the stage during the ceremony. Brooks is additionally being honored with the Icon Award.
The 2020 Billboard Music Awards will air at 8 p.m. EDT on NBC. The ceremony was originally set to take place in April but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kelly Clarkson will be serving as host for the third year in a row.
Malone leads all artist with 16 nominations including Top Artist, Top Male Artist and Top Rap Album for Hollywood's Bleeding.
Advertisement
"Courage to Change" is from Sia's upcoming film Music. Sia wrote, directed and produced the film which follows an autistic teenager (Maddie Ziegler) who is cared for by her sober, drug-dealing sister portrayed by Kate Hudson.


upi--2020-10-02--U.S. stocks decline on Wall Street to open trading Friday

Oct. 2 ( UPI ) -- U.S. stocks declined at the opening bell on Wall Street Friday following news overnight @ @ @ @ @ first lady Melania Trump have COVID-19 .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average opened with a @ @ @ @ @ points .
The S & P 500 was down more than 40 points and the @ @ @ @ @ 200 .
The market 's open follows a report by the Labor Department Friday that @ @ @ @ @ 661,000 jobs for the month of September , about 200,000 fewer than many analysts had @ @ @ @ @ , the Commerce Department said in its final second-quarter estimate that the domestic economy declined @ @ @ @ @ between April and July .

A Wall Street sign is seen at the New York Stock Exchange in New York City on September 21. U.S. stocks declined early Friday on news that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump had both tested positive for COVID-19. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 2 (UPI) -- U.S. stocks largely made back some of their earlier loss Friday, ending a volatile day of trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 27,682.81 points, down 0.5% for the day. At its lowest point, the index was at 27,478. Advertisement
The other major indexes had similar drops hours after President Donald Trump announced he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19.
The S&P 500 closed at 3,248.44 for a 1% drop and the Nasdaq fell to 11,075.02 for a 2.2% drop.
For the week, though, the three indexes finished in the black, with the Dow gaining about 500 points, the S&P gaining about 50 points and the Nasdaq gaining about 160 points.
Late on Thursday, Trump said he was being tested for the covornavirus after a test for former communications officer Hope Hicks came back positive. A short time later, the president said he and the first lady had tested positive.
Vie President Mike Pence and second lady Karen Pence have tested negative.
Advertisement
The market's open follows a report by the Labor Department Friday that said the U.S. economy added 661,000 jobs for the month of September, about 200,000 fewer than many analysts had projected.
Earlier this week, the Commerce Department said in its final second-quarter estimate that the domestic economy declined 31.4% in the period between April and July.


upi--2020-10-02--Face masks unlikely to over-expose wearers to CO2, even those with COPD

Oct. 2 ( UPI ) -- Most major health organizations , including WHO and the CDC , insist that mask-wearing helps slow the spread of COVID-19 , but some critics contend masks can cause carbon dioxide poisoning by trapping CO2 .
However , new research , published Friday in the journal Annals of the American Thoracic Society , shows wearing a mask is very unlikely to cause carbon dioxide poisoning .
For the study , researchers measured changes in gas exchange -- the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide -- in both healthy individuals and veterans with chronic obstructive pulmonary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donning face masks .
Because people with COPD must work harder to breathe , they can sometimes experience shortness of breath and exhaustion .
The latest tests showed mask-wearing had little to no effect on gas exchange in both healthy individuals and those with COPD .
`` We show that the effects are minimal at most even in people with very severe lung impairment , '' study author Dr. Michael Campos , pulmonologist at the Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center , said in a news release .
Researchers found no link between gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Feelings of breathlessness , researches contend , are likely caused by restriction of air flow during moments of greater exertion , such as walking up several flights of stairs .
To combat feelings of breathlessness , researchers recommend wearers slow down or briefly remove their mask if they 're at a safe distance from others .
The authors of the latest study stressed that wearing a face mask indoors , as well as outdoors when social distancing is n't possible , is a vital strategy in the effort to slow the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is especially important for people with lung disease , who are at a greater risk of severe illness .
`` We acknowledge that our observations may be limited by sample size , however our population offers a clear signal on the nil effect of surgical masks on relevant physiological changes in gas exchange under routine circumstances ( prolonged rest , brief walking ) , '' researchers wrote in their paper .
`` It is important to inform the public that the discomfort associated with mask use should not lead to unsubstantiated safety concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a practice proven to improve public health , '' they wrote .

New research shows that face masks are unlikely to cause carbon dioxide poisoning, even in people with COPD. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Most major health organizations, including WHO and the CDC, insist that mask-wearing helps slow the spread of COVID-19, but some critics contend masks can cause carbon dioxide poisoning by trapping CO2. However, new research, published Friday in the journal Annals of the American Thoracic Society, shows wearing a mask is very unlikely to cause carbon dioxide poisoning. Advertisement
For the study, researchers measured changes in gas exchange -- the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide -- in both healthy individuals and veterans with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, before and after donning face masks.
Because people with COPD must work harder to breathe, they can sometimes experience shortness of breath and exhaustion.
The latest tests showed mask-wearing had little to no effect on gas exchange in both healthy individuals and those with COPD.
"We show that the effects are minimal at most even in people with very severe lung impairment," study author Dr. Michael Campos, pulmonologist at the Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center, said in a news release.
Researchers found no link between gas exchange changes and feelings of breathlessness. Feelings of breathlessness, researches contend, are likely caused by restriction of air flow during moments of greater exertion, such as walking up several flights of stairs.
Advertisement
To combat feelings of breathlessness, researchers recommend wearers slow down or briefly remove their mask if they're at a safe distance from others.
The authors of the latest study stressed that wearing a face mask indoors, as well as outdoors when social distancing isn't possible, is a vital strategy in the effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The researchers added that mask-wearing is especially important for people with lung disease, who are at a greater risk of severe illness.
"We acknowledge that our observations may be limited by sample size, however our population offers a clear signal on the nil effect of surgical masks on relevant physiological changes in gas exchange under routine circumstances (prolonged rest, brief walking)," researchers wrote in their paper.
"It is important to inform the public that the discomfort associated with mask use should not lead to unsubstantiated safety concerns as this may attenuate the application of a practice proven to improve public health," they wrote.


upi--2020-10-02--Watch live: HHS Secretary Alex Azar testifies on federal COVID-19 response

Oct. 2 ( UPI ) -- Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar appeared before Congress Friday to testify about the Trump administration 's response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Rep. James Clyburn , chair of the House oversight and reform select subcommittee , said the hearing will examine the administration 's unprecedented political interference in the work of scientists and experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The hearing will also focus on the Food and Drug Administration 's refusal to provide accurate and clear public health information and the failure to develop and implement a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Clyburn said .
The subcommittee in September opened an investigation into how Trump appointees have pressured CDC officials to change or delay scientific reports on COVID-19 .
Azar 's testimony comes after the HHS assistant secretary for public affairs , Michael Caputo , began a 60-day medical leave of absence last month after promoting conspiracies about the agency on his Facebook page .
In a since-deleted video , Caputo accused the CDC of harboring a `` resistance unit '' to undermine Trump .
As part of its investigation , the subcommittee demanded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield and documents from Azar , Caputo and his scientific adviser Paul Alexander , who resigned from the agency when Caputo took his leave .
Azar last testified on Capitol Hill in February , before COVID-19 arrived on a large scale in the United States .
At the time , he addressed mixed messages from the Trump administration and CDC about the virus ' potential danger .
Azar said then the risk was `` very low '' and noted there were just 14 confirmed cases in the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eclipsed 7 million .
`` From a public health perspective , we are technically in a state of containment in the U.S. , '' he said at the time .
About 208,000 patients in the United States have died since the start of the pandemic .

1/3
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar testifies Friday before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis in the Rayburn Building in Washington, D.C., on October 2, 2020. Pool photo by Michael A. McCoy/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar appeared before Congress Friday to testify about the Trump administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rep. James Clyburn, chair of the House oversight and reform select subcommittee, said the hearing will examine the administration's unprecedented political interference in the work of scientists and experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advertisement
The hearing will also focus on the Food and Drug Administration's refusal to provide accurate and clear public health information and the failure to develop and implement a comprehensive national plan to contain the virus, Clyburn said.
The subcommittee in September opened an investigation into how Trump appointees have pressured CDC officials to change or delay scientific reports on COVID-19.
Azar's testimony comes after the HHS assistant secretary for public affairs, Michael Caputo, began a 60-day medical leave of absence last month after promoting conspiracies about the agency on his Facebook page.
In a since-deleted video, Caputo accused the CDC of harboring a "resistance unit" to undermine Trump.
Advertisement
As part of its investigation, the subcommittee demanded that the Trump administration turn over communications by CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield and documents from Azar, Caputo and his scientific adviser Paul Alexander, who resigned from the agency when Caputo took his leave.
Azar last testified on Capitol Hill in February, before COVID-19 arrived on a large scale in the United States. At the time, he addressed mixed messages from the Trump administration and CDC about the virus' potential danger.
Azar said then the risk was "very low" and noted there were just 14 confirmed cases in the United States. The national total has since eclipsed 7 million.
"From a public health perspective, we are technically in a state of containment in the U.S.," he said at the time.
About 208,000 patients in the United States have died since the start of the pandemic.


upi--2020-10-02--World reacts with sympathy, criticism after Donald, Melania Trump get COVID-19

Oct. 2 ( UPI ) -- People around the world reacted with sympathy and criticism Friday to the news that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for COVID-19 .
Trump announced via Twitter that he and his wife had received the diagnosis .
They were tested shortly after it became known that Trump adviser Hope Hicks had tested positive for the coronavirus .
`` The president and first lady are both doing well at this time , and they plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence , '' White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early Friday .
`` The White House medical team and I will maintain a vigilant watch , and I appreciate the support provided by some of our country 's greatest medical professionals and institutions .
Rest assured I expect the president to continue carrying out his duties without disruption while recovering , and I will keep you updated on any future developments . ''
The Trumps said they would enter quarantine Friday .
`` As too many Americans have done this year , [ the president ] and I are quarantining at home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Melania Trump tweeted .
`` We are feeling good and I have postponed all upcoming engagements .
Please be sure you are staying safe and we will all get through this together . ''
Vice President Mike Pence his wife , Karen Pence , tested negative for the coronavirus , his spokesman Devin O'Malley said Friday .
`` Vice President Pence remains in good health and wishes the Trumps well in their recovery , '' O'Malley tweeted .
The White House canceled most of the president 's schedule for Friday , which had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump International Hotel in Washington and a campaign trip to central Florida .
The medical community notes that the president is at higher risk for severe COVID-19 and potential complications , given that he is 74 and is technically classified as `` obese , '' according to his White House records .
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , who participated in a debate with Trump on Tuesday in Cleveland , said he hopes the couple recover quickly .
`` Jill and I send our thoughts to President Trump and first lady Melania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he tweeted .
`` We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family . ''
Many who posted on social media following the diagnosis also expressed personal concern and well-wishes .
`` Karen and I send our love and prayers to our dear friends President [ Trump ] and [ first lady ] Melania Trump , '' Pence tweeted earlier .
`` We join millions across America praying for their full and swift recovery .
God bless you President Trump and our wonderful first lady Melania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump ] and [ the first lady ] a quick recovery and good health , '' Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted .
`` Best wishes to President Trump and the First Lady , '' said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson , who recovered after being hospitalized in intensive care with COVID-19 earlier this year .
`` Hope they both have a speedy recovery from coronavirus . ''
`` Like millions of Israelis , Sara and I are thinking of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump and wish our friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted .
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered support in a telegram to the White House .
`` I am certain that your inherent vitality , good spirits and optimism will help you cope with this dangerous virus , '' he wrote .
Some of Trump 's political opponents stepped back from partisan differences to express personal sympathy .
`` We must all pray for the full recovery of the President and his wife , '' the Rev .
Jesse Jackson Sr. tweeted .
`` For whatever religious or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must all pray as millions of people are affected by this disease . ''
`` I will keep the President and First Lady in my prayers , and I wish them a speedy recovery , '' added Rep. Ted Lieu , D-Calif. Others called attention to Trump 's frequent downplaying of the pandemic and his flouting of public health recommendations -- including those from his own administration -- by often refusing to wear a mask and holding indoor public rallies .
The president should have expected this outcome , critics said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He could n't even protect himself , '' George Conway of the Lincoln Project , a group of anti-Trump Republicans working against his re-election , tweeted .
`` President Trump and the first lady have paid the price for his gamble to play down the COVID-19 , '' Hu Xijin , editor-in-chief of Chinese state-owned newspaper The Global Times , tweeted .
Trump has repeatedly called COVID-19 the `` China virus '' and has blamed Beijing for the deadly outbreak , which has infected 34.3 million people and killed more than 1 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 208,000 deaths in the United States , according to Johns Hopkins University .

1/7
U.S. President Donald Trump walks to the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One in Washington, D.C., on Friday. Photo by Sarah Silbiger/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 2 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump was transported to Walter Reed hospital in Maryland on Friday, less than a day after he tested positive for COVID-19, the White House announced. Marine One arrived on the South Lawn of the White House around 5:20 p.m. and left with the president about 1 hour later. Trump walked to the helicopter under his own power. Advertisement
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the president has experienced "mild symptoms" from the virus.
"Out of an abundance of caution, and act the recommendation of his physician and medical experts, the president will be working from the presidential offices at Walter Reed for the next few days," she said in a statement.
Earlier Friday, Trump's physician, Dr. Sean Conley, said he was treated with Regeneron, an experimental antibody treatment. He described the president as being in "good spirits," and said first lady Melania Trump, who also tested positive, had a mild cough and headache.
Advertisement
Around 6:30 p.m., the president tweeted a video of himself in the Oval Office offering an update.
"I want to thank everybody for the tremendous support. I'm going to Walter Reed hospital. I think I'm doing very well but we're going to make sure things work out. The first lady is doing very well, so thank you very much. I appreciate it. I will never forget. Thank you," he said.
Trump announced his and the first lady's coronavirus diagnoses late Thursday. They were tested shortly after it became known that Trump adviser Hope Hicks had tested positive for the coronavirus.
Both entered quarantine on Friday, they said.
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters Trump was experiencing "mild symptoms," is in "good spirits," energetic and is conducting "business as usual."
"We have a president that is not only on the job, he will remain on the job," Meadows said.
"His first question to me this morning is how is the economy doing? How are the [congressional] stimulus talks?"
Advertisement
"As too many Americans have done this year, [the president] and I are quarantining at home after testing positive for COVID-19," Melania Trump tweeted. "We are feeling good and I have postponed all upcoming engagements. Please be sure you are staying safe and we will all get through this together."
Vice President Mike Pence his wife, Karen Pence, tested negative for the coronavirus, his spokesman Devin O'Malley said Friday.
"Vice President Pence remains in good health and wishes the Trumps well in their recovery," O'Malley tweeted.
The Trumps' 14-year-old son Barron also tested negative, a White House spokesperson told USA Today.
The White House canceled most of the president's schedule for Friday, which had included a roundtable discussion with supporters at the Trump International Hotel in Washington and a campaign trip to central Florida.
The medical community notes that the president is at higher risk for severe COVID-19 and potential complications, given that he is 74 and is technically classified as "obese," according to his White House records.
People around the world reacted with sympathy and criticism Friday to the news.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, who participated in a debate with Trump on Tuesday in Cleveland, said he tested negative on Friday.
Advertisement
"I'm happy to report that Jill and I have tested negative for COVID," he tweeted. "Thank you to everyone for your messages of concern. I hope this serves as a reminder: wear a mask, keep social distance, and wash your hands."
Earlier, Biden said he hopes the president and first lady recover quickly.
"Jill and I send our thoughts to President Trump and first lady Melania Trump for a swift recovery," he tweeted. "We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family."
Many who posted on social media following the diagnosis also expressed personal concern and well-wishes.
"Karen and I send our love and prayers to our dear friends President [Trump] and [first lady] Melania Trump," Pence tweeted earlier. "We join millions across America praying for their full and swift recovery. God bless you President Trump and our wonderful first lady Melania."
"Wishing my friend [Donald Trump] and [the first lady] a quick recovery and good health," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.
"Best wishes to President Trump and the First Lady," said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who recovered after being hospitalized in intensive care with COVID-19 earlier this year. "Hope they both have a speedy recovery from coronavirus."
Advertisement
"Like millions of Israelis, Sara and I are thinking of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump and wish our friends a full and speedy recovery," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted.
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered support in a telegram to the White House.
"I am certain that your inherent vitality, good spirits and optimism will help you cope with this dangerous virus," he wrote.
Some of Trump's political opponents stepped back from partisan differences to express personal sympathy.
"We must all pray for the full recovery of the President and his wife," the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. tweeted. "For whatever religious or political persuasion you may be, we must all pray as millions of people are affected by this disease."
"I will keep the President and First Lady in my prayers, and I wish them a speedy recovery," added Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif.
Others called attention to Trump's frequent downplaying of the pandemic and his flouting of public health recommendations -- including those from his own administration -- by often refusing to wear a mask and holding indoor public rallies.
The president should have expected this outcome, critics said.
"He failed to protect the country. He couldn't even protect himself," George Conway of the Lincoln Project, a group of anti-Trump Republicans working against his re-election, tweeted.
Advertisement
"President Trump and the first lady have paid the price for his gamble to play down the COVID-19," Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of Chinese state-owned newspaper The Global Times, tweeted.
Trump has repeatedly called COVID-19 the "China virus" and has blamed Beijing for the deadly outbreak, which has infected 34.3 million people and killed more than 1 million worldwide -- including 7.3 million cases and about 208,000 deaths in the United States, according to Johns Hopkins University.


upi--2020-10-02--In photos: Scenes from California's record-breaking wildfire season

California is among several Western states experiencing a historic wildfire season , with more than 3.6 million acres burned by @ @ @ @ @ two dozen people have died with thousands of structures destroyed .
Here 's a look @ @ @ @ @

Smoke covers the deserted town of Calistoga, Calif., as the town is under mandatory evacuation with the Glass fire continuing to burn. It has grown to 58,000 acres. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI


upi--2020-10-02--French Open: Djokovic, Kenin advance; Pliskova upset

Oct. 2 ( UPI ) -- Novak Djokovic and 2020 Australian Open women 's champion Sofia Kenin were among the top players to advance with second-round wins Thursday at the French Open .
No .
2 Karolina Pliskova suffered a second-round upset in Paris .
Djokovic bounced Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis in straight sets Thursday at Roland Garros .
The Serbian won the 1-hour , 23-minute match 6-1 , 6-2 , 6-2 .
The victory helped Djokovic match Roger Federer as the only two men 's players in history to win at least 70 singles matches at each of tennis ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmation for me that I 've been able to play my best tennis throughout my career at the biggest tournaments , '' Djokovic told reporters .
Djokovic fired 10 aces , won six of seven break points and had 25 winners in the victory .
Berankis did not have an ace or win a break point .
He also had 25 unforced errors and 14 winners in the loss .
Djokovic will face Daniel Galan in the third round on Saturday .
The winner will battle Cristian Garin or Karen Khachanov in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarterfinals .
No .
5 Stefanos Tsitsipas also beat Pablo Cuevas in straight sets on Thursday .
No .
7 Matteo Berrettini and No .
10 Roberto Bautista Agut were among the other top men 's players to advance to the third round on Thursday at Roland Garros .
Unseeded Roberto Carballes Baena also bounced No .
9 Denis Shapovalov in five sets .
No .
3 Dominic Thiem also advanced to the fourth round on Friday with a straight sets win over Casper Ruud .
No .
2 Rafael Nadal has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pliskova suffered one of the biggest upsets so far at the Grand Slam .
The No .
2 seed on the women 's circuit went down in straight sets to Latvian Jelena Ostapenko .
Ostapenko -- the 2017 French Open champion -- beat Pliskova 6-4 , 6-2 in the 69-minute match .
Pliskova and Ostapenko fired two aces apiece .
Ostapenko won five of nine break points and fired 27 winners and had 19 unforced errors .
Pliskova had nine winners and 25 unforced errors .
Ostapenko moves on to face Paula @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- the women 's No .
4 seed -- lost her first set to Ana Bogdan on Thursday before she rallied to win 3-6 , 6-3 , 6-2 .
The American did not have an ace , but fired 34 winners in the victory .
She also won six of 10 break points .
`` The first set just did n't go my way , '' Kenin said .
`` I could n't find my rhythm .
She was playing really well and I knew I needed to change my game or I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more aggressive and played the way I wanted to play .
I knew I needed to fight to win . ''
Kenin will play Irina Bara in the third round on Saturday .
No .
7 Petra Kvitova and No .
8 Aryna Sabalenka were among the other top women 's players to advance on Thursday .
Spain 's Paula Badosa knocked off American Sloane Stephens 6-4 , 4-6 , 6-2 to advance .
No .
1 Simona Halep and No .
3 Elina Svitolina advanced to the fourth round with straight sets @ @ @ @

Novak Djokovic of Serbia (pictured) beat Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania in straight sets in the second round of the 2020 French Open on Thursday in Paris. Photo by Julien De Rosa/EPA-EFE
Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Novak Djokovic and 2020 Australian Open women's champion Sofia Kenin were among the top players to advance with second-round wins Thursday at the French Open. No. 2 Karolina Pliskova suffered a second-round upset in Paris. Djokovic bounced Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis in straight sets Thursday at Roland Garros. The Serbian won the 1-hour, 23-minute match 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. Advertisement
The victory helped Djokovic match Roger Federer as the only two men's players in history to win at least 70 singles matches at each of tennis' four Grand Slams.
"It's confirmation for me that I've been able to play my best tennis throughout my career at the biggest tournaments," Djokovic told reporters.
Advertisement
Djokovic fired 10 aces, won six of seven break points and had 25 winners in the victory. Berankis did not have an ace or win a break point. He also had 25 unforced errors and 14 winners in the loss.
Djokovic will face Daniel Galan in the third round on Saturday. The winner will battle Cristian Garin or Karen Khachanov in the fourth round for a trip to the quarterfinals.
No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas also beat Pablo Cuevas in straight sets on Thursday. No. 7 Matteo Berrettini and No. 10 Roberto Bautista Agut were among the other top men's players to advance to the third round on Thursday at Roland Garros. Unseeded Roberto Carballes Baena also bounced No. 9 Denis Shapovalov in five sets.
No. 3 Dominic Thiem also advanced to the fourth round on Friday with a straight sets win over Casper Ruud. No. 2 Rafael Nadal has a matchup against Stefano Travaglia on Friday night.
Pliskova suffered one of the biggest upsets so far at the Grand Slam. The No. 2 seed on the women's circuit went down in straight sets to Latvian Jelena Ostapenko. Ostapenko -- the 2017 French Open champion -- beat Pliskova 6-4, 6-2 in the 69-minute match.
Advertisement
Pliskova and Ostapenko fired two aces apiece. Ostapenko won five of nine break points and fired 27 winners and had 19 unforced errors. Pliskova had nine winners and 25 unforced errors. Ostapenko moves on to face Paula Badosa in the third round.
Kenin -- the women's No. 4 seed -- lost her first set to Ana Bogdan on Thursday before she rallied to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. The American did not have an ace, but fired 34 winners in the victory. She also won six of 10 break points.
"The first set just didn't go my way," Kenin said. "I couldn't find my rhythm. She was playing really well and I knew I needed to change my game or I would be out.
"I played more aggressive and played the way I wanted to play. I knew I needed to fight to win."
Kenin will play Irina Bara in the third round on Saturday.
No. 7 Petra Kvitova and No. 8 Aryna Sabalenka were among the other top women's players to advance on Thursday. Spain's Paula Badosa knocked off American Sloane Stephens 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to advance.
Advertisement
No. 1 Simona Halep and No. 3 Elina Svitolina advanced to the fourth round with straight sets wins on Friday.
Serena Williams' tennis career: a look back


upi--2020-10-02--In photos: Moments from Major League Baseball for the week of Sept. 28, 2020

Atlanta Braves ' Marcel Ozuna ( R ) celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run homer in Game 2 of @ @ @ @ @ Series in Atlanta on Thursday .
The Braves advanced to the National League Divisional Series @ @ @ @ @ 19 years after defeating the Cincinnati Reds 5-0 .
Photo by Tami Chappell/UPI

Miami Marlins players pose for a picture after defeating the Chicago Cubs 2-0 in the National League Wild Card Game to win their first playoff series in 17 years in Chicago on Friday. Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI


upi--2020-10-02--Belgian artist Delphine Boël wins right to be recognized as princess

Oct. 2 ( UPI ) -- A Belgian artist born of an extramarital affair between King Albert II and another woman more than a half-century ago has won the legal right to be called a princess by the Brussels Court of Appeals .
The court issued its ruling on Thursday , punctuating a decades-long campaign by Delphine Boël for the title .
For the past 20 years , the artist and sculptor has fought a legal battle to be recognized as part of Belgium 's royal family .
Albert II , who has three other children , abdicated the throne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paternity claims in court .
Albert II was forced to acknowledge in January that he fathered Boël during his affair with Baroness Sybille de Selys Longchamps in the late 1960s , after the court ordered last year that he take a DNA test to confirm paternity .
Longchamp 's husband was part of a noble family of industrialists .
`` She is delighted with this court decision which ends a long process which is particularly painful for her and her family , '' an attorney for Boël said .
`` A legal victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father but offers a feeling of justice , further reinforced by the fact that many children who have gone through the same ordeals will find the strength to face them . ''
Boël , 52 , will be now called Delphine of Saxen-Coburg-Gotha , princess of Belgium , and her two children will be acknowledged as a prince and princess of Belgium , as well .

Belgian artist Delphine Boël and her attorney are seen leaving the Justice Palace in Brussels, Belgium, following a hearing on February 21, 2017, related to her fight to be recognized as a Belgian princess. File Photo by Stephanie LeCocq/EPA-EFE
Oct. 2 (UPI) -- A Belgian artist born of an extramarital affair between King Albert II and another woman more than a half-century ago has won the legal right to be called a princess by the Brussels Court of Appeals. The court issued its ruling on Thursday, punctuating a decades-long campaign by Delphine Boël for the title. Advertisement
For the past 20 years, the artist and sculptor has fought a legal battle to be recognized as part of Belgium's royal family.
Albert II, who has three other children, abdicated the throne in 2013 partly because of Boël's paternity claims in court.
Albert II was forced to acknowledge in January that he fathered Boël during his affair with Baroness Sybille de Selys Longchamps in the late 1960s, after the court ordered last year that he take a DNA test to confirm paternity.
Longchamp's husband was part of a noble family of industrialists.
"She is delighted with this court decision which ends a long process which is particularly painful for her and her family," an attorney for Boël said.
"A legal victory will never replace the love of a father but offers a feeling of justice, further reinforced by the fact that many children who have gone through the same ordeals will find the strength to face them."
Advertisement
Boël, 52, will be now called Delphine of Saxen-Coburg-Gotha, princess of Belgium, and her two children will be acknowledged as a prince and princess of Belgium, as well.
Boël's siblings now officially include Belgium King Philippe, Princess Astrid and Prince Laurent.


upi--2020-10-02--WWE announces new season of animated series 'WWE Story Time'

Oct. 2 ( UPI ) -- WWE has announced that a new season of animated series WWE Story Time will @ @ @ @ @ version of the WWE Network on Oct. 9 .
Hall of Famer Jerry 'The King @ @ @ @ @ as the show 's new host .
Hall of Famer 'Mean ' Gene Okerlund previously @ @ @ @ @ three seasons before his death in January 2019 .
WWE stars Kevin Owens , AJ @ @ @ @ @ Xavier Woods , Ruby Riott and living legend Bret 'The Hit Man ' Hart will @ @ @ @ @ animated form .
WWE Story Time recreates absurd or comedic stories in animated form as @ @ @ @ @ launched the free version of the WWE Network in June .
Fans can access original @ @ @ @ @ Raw , SmackDown and NXT by downloading the WWE App .
Paid subscriptions cost $ @ @ @ @ @ access to monthly pay-per-view events and more original programming .

A new season of WWE Story Time kicks off next Friday, Oct. 9, on the Free Version of @WWENetwork! https://t.co/Anvm2EBDsm— WWE (@WWE) October 1, 2020
Oct. 2 (UPI) -- WWE has announced that a new season of animated series WWE Story Time will be coming to the free version of the WWE Network on Oct. 9.
Hall of Famer Jerry 'The King' Lawler will be serving as the show's new host. Hall of Famer 'Mean' Gene Okerlund previously hosted the show's first three seasons before his death in January 2019.
Advertisement
WWE stars Kevin Owens, AJ Styles, Seth Rollins, Xavier Woods, Ruby Riott and living legend Bret 'The Hit Man' Hart will appear on Season 4 in animated form.
WWE Story Time recreates absurd or comedic stories in animated form as told by wrestlers.
WWE launched the free version of the WWE Network in June. Fans can access original shows and recent episodes of Raw, SmackDown and NXT by downloading the WWE App. Paid subscriptions cost $9.99 a month and include access to monthly pay-per-view events and more original programming.


upi--2020-10-02--MLB playoffs: Clayton Kershaw strikes out 13 as Dodgers sweep Brewers

Oct. 2 ( UPI ) -- Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw allowed just three hits and tossed 13 strikeouts in eight scoreless innings Thursday night to lead Los Angeles to a sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Wild Card Series .
The 3-0 victory at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles clinched a spot for the Dodgers in next week 's National League Division Series , where they will face the winner of the wild card series between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres , which is tied at a game apiece .
`` That was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters .
`` We got the postseason off to a good start and get to move on .
We had to do our job and get here .
Now we get to get going . ''
Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts went 1 for 3 with two RBIs and a walk in the victory .
Dodgers catch Austin Barnes and outfielder Chris Taylor collected two hits apiece .
`` [ Kershaw ] gave us all the opportunities to capitalize and you ca n't ask for anything more than what he did , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starter Brandon Woodruff did not allow a run through the first four innings before the Dodgers offense broke loose in the bottom of the fifth .
`` It was just fun to sit and watch him make pitches and compete and go pitch-for-pitch with Woodruff , '' Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said .
`` Kershaw was just determined .
It was just an outstanding performance . ''
Woodruff struck out Will Smith to start the frame before he allowed back-to-back singles to Cody Bellinger and Taylor .
A.J .
Pollock grounded out in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an RBI single to center field to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead .
Betts then smacked a 2-0 Woodruff sinker to left field for a two-run double for the final runs of the game .
Kershaw struck out six of the next nine Brewers batters and did not allow a hit over his final two innings before he was replaced by Dodgers relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol in the ninth .
Graterol allowed a single in his first exchange of the final frame before he retired the next three hitters to earn his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed five hits and three runs and had nine strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings for the Brewers .
Game 1 of a National League Division Series is scheduled for Tuesday at Globe Life Field in Arlington , Texas .
The Padres and Cardinals will play the third and final game of their wild card series at 7:08 p.m. EDT Friday at Petco Park in San Diego .

1/3
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw had a playoff career-high 13 strikeouts in a 3-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday in Los Angeles. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw allowed just three hits and tossed 13 strikeouts in eight scoreless innings Thursday night to lead Los Angeles to a sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Wild Card Series. The 3-0 victory at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles clinched a spot for the Dodgers in next week's National League Division Series, where they will face the winner of the wild card series between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres, which is tied at a game apiece. Advertisement
"That was a fun night for me," Kershaw told reporters. "We got the postseason off to a good start and get to move on. We had to do our job and get here. Now we get to get going."
Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts went 1 for 3 with two RBIs and a walk in the victory. Dodgers catch Austin Barnes and outfielder Chris Taylor collected two hits apiece.
"[Kershaw] gave us all the opportunities to capitalize and you can't ask for anything more than what he did," Betts said.
Advertisement
Kershaw and Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff did not allow a run through the first four innings before the Dodgers offense broke loose in the bottom of the fifth.
"It was just fun to sit and watch him make pitches and compete and go pitch-for-pitch with Woodruff," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "Kershaw was just determined. It was just an outstanding performance."
Woodruff struck out Will Smith to start the frame before he allowed back-to-back singles to Cody Bellinger and Taylor. A.J. Pollock grounded out in the next at-bat.
Barnes followed with an RBI single to center field to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. Betts then smacked a 2-0 Woodruff sinker to left field for a two-run double for the final runs of the game.
Kershaw struck out six of the next nine Brewers batters and did not allow a hit over his final two innings before he was replaced by Dodgers relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol in the ninth.
Graterol allowed a single in his first exchange of the final frame before he retired the next three hitters to earn his first save of the postseason.
Woodruff allowed five hits and three runs and had nine strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings for the Brewers.
Advertisement
Game 1 of a National League Division Series is scheduled for Tuesday at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The Padres and Cardinals will play the third and final game of their wild card series at 7:08 p.m. EDT Friday at Petco Park in San Diego.
This week in Major League Baseball


upi--2020-10-02--Election mail may flow, but USPS ethical lapses must be stanched

Oct. 2 ( UPI ) -- When I was a teenager enduring Kansas City 's summers , a highlight of the day was when Bill , our friendly mailman , arrived at the house .
The attraction was not so much the few envelopes he might deliver -- but rather the opportunity to chat with him for a few minutes over a glass of ice water .
I learned how he and his wife had adopted several children from different ethnic backgrounds , providing them a home and lots of love .
He learned how my baseball team was doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finish his rounds -- the sort of dedicated public servant , with the high ethical standards , we have come to associate with the U.S .
Postal Service .
For me , those days of blistering heat would soon be filled with minimum-wage jobs to earn spending money for high school and college .
I saw Bill only occasionally , although 20 years later we did catch up one day when he dropped by my office on Capitol Hill .
My experience is not unique .
Millions have had similar relationships with their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why the USPS has the highest favorability rating of all government institutions : 91 percent ( and the same share among Democrats and Republicans alike ) , according to the Pew Research Center .
Today , postal workers like Bill are having their load significantly increased .
The mail carrier 's legendary creed -- `` Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds '' -- is now more difficult to fulfill .
This year 's hotly contested presidential election is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result in an unprecedented number of votes cast through the mail .
But that 's not all .
The post office and its employees are under attack by President Donald Trump and his newly handpicked postmaster general , Louis DeJoy .
This duo , with an enabling assist from the USPS Board of Governors , are setting the Postal Service up to fail for political reasons .
Trump alleges , without proof , that voting by mail is so flawed that it will steal the election from him .
For his part , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes in postal delivery capability that call into question whether millions of ballots will be returned in time to be counted .
He reportedly has removed 671 high-speed machines capable of sorting over 21 million pieces of mail an hour , canceled employee overtime and removed hundreds of local mailboxes .
His changes have resulted in slowing down the mail .
The actions by DeJoy and Trump seem to be designed to create so much confusion that voters will lose confidence in the eventual outcome of the election , or simply not vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be reckoned with , the USPS board would be wise to unwind these misguided efforts -- rather than rely on a recent series of four firm but temporary federal court orders in response to lawsuits from almost half the states .
DeJoy 's days as postmaster general should be numbered .
He has recently become embroiled in defending himself in light of evidence he pressured his company 's North Carolina employees to make political contributions to Republican candidates and then reimbursed the workers .
If true , it would be a criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws .
He may have also committed perjury by lying about it under oath to Congress .
Then there 's Kentuckian Robert Duncan , who is chairman of the USPS Board of Governors and also reportedly a director of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell 's so-called super PAC -- a clear conflict of interest .
Secretary Michael Elston is the board member responsible for carrying out compliance with all statutory requirements and also the Postal Service 's chief compliance officer , making him responsible for his colleagues ' following the USPS code of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to place loyalty to the Constitution , the laws and ethical principles above private gain , '' it says .
`` To ensure that every citizen can have complete confidence in the integrity '' or the government , it goes on , `` each postal employee must respect and adhere to the principles of ethical conduct . ''
What 's been happening at the Postal Service reflects nothing less than an attempt to undermine our Constitution and the free and fair elections it envisions .
Therefore , Elston should immediately open investigations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service conduct and ethics breaches .
During such an inquiry , the two should be barred from casting any votes on the Board of Governors .
The USPS says its governors are `` comparable to the board of directors of a publicly held corporation . ''
For 18 years , boards of such businesses have been governed by a law setting standards of corporate governance .
The USPS , by embracing that statute , has assumed accountability not to shareholders but to its principal stakeholders -- the American people .
The postal board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the public and must govern with loyalty to the mission of the USPS .
Its loyalty is not to the president and certainly not to its own financial or political self-interest .
Board members must follow the USPS codes of conduct and ethical behavior prescriptions -- and , most importantly , be loyal to the Constitution they swore to uphold .
Doing all that means immediately reversing the harmful decisions DeJoy has implemented , restoring the equipment necessary to handle the onslaught of mailed ballots and paying those who will have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accomplished this , they will have done their part in assuring Americans will have a free and fair election , the basis of our constitutional democracy .
Tom Coleman served as an assistant Missouri attorney general and Republican congressman from 1976 to 1993 .
Now retired as a lobbyist , he is an adviser to Protect Democracy , an anti-authoritarian watchdog group .
This article originally appeared at The Fulcrum .

1/2
Activists rally against Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's service changes within the U.S. Postal Service ahead of the November general election at the Bicentennial Post Office in Los Angeles on August 25. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 2 (UPI) -- When I was a teenager enduring Kansas City's summers, a highlight of the day was when Bill, our friendly mailman, arrived at the house. The attraction was not so much the few envelopes he might deliver -- but rather the opportunity to chat with him for a few minutes over a glass of ice water. I learned how he and his wife had adopted several children from different ethnic backgrounds, providing them a home and lots of love. He learned how my baseball team was doing. Then he would be off to finish his rounds -- the sort of dedicated public servant, with the high ethical standards, we have come to associate with the U.S. Postal Service. Advertisement
For me, those days of blistering heat would soon be filled with minimum-wage jobs to earn spending money for high school and college. I saw Bill only occasionally, although 20 years later we did catch up one day when he dropped by my office on Capitol Hill.
Advertisement
My experience is not unique. Millions have had similar relationships with their mail carriers. That would account for why the USPS has the highest favorability rating of all government institutions: 91 percent (and the same share among Democrats and Republicans alike), according to the Pew Research Center.
Today, postal workers like Bill are having their load significantly increased. The mail carrier's legendary creed -- "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds" -- is now more difficult to fulfill.
This year's hotly contested presidential election is being conducted during a pandemic sure to result in an unprecedented number of votes cast through the mail. But that's not all. The post office and its employees are under attack by President Donald Trump and his newly handpicked postmaster general, Louis DeJoy.
This duo, with an enabling assist from the USPS Board of Governors, are setting the Postal Service up to fail for political reasons. Trump alleges, without proof, that voting by mail is so flawed that it will steal the election from him.
For his part, soon after arriving, DeJoy made major changes in postal delivery capability that call into question whether millions of ballots will be returned in time to be counted. He reportedly has removed 671 high-speed machines capable of sorting over 21 million pieces of mail an hour, canceled employee overtime and removed hundreds of local mailboxes. His changes have resulted in slowing down the mail.
Advertisement
The actions by DeJoy and Trump seem to be designed to create so much confusion that voters will lose confidence in the eventual outcome of the election, or simply not vote.
With overwhelming approval from the public to be reckoned with, the USPS board would be wise to unwind these misguided efforts -- rather than rely on a recent series of four firm but temporary federal court orders in response to lawsuits from almost half the states.
DeJoy's days as postmaster general should be numbered. He has recently become embroiled in defending himself in light of evidence he pressured his company's North Carolina employees to make political contributions to Republican candidates and then reimbursed the workers. If true, it would be a criminal violation of federal and state campaign finance laws. He may have also committed perjury by lying about it under oath to Congress.
Then there's Kentuckian Robert Duncan, who is chairman of the USPS Board of Governors and also reportedly a director of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's so-called super PAC -- a clear conflict of interest.
Secretary Michael Elston is the board member responsible for carrying out compliance with all statutory requirements and also the Postal Service's chief compliance officer, making him responsible for his colleagues' following the USPS code of ethics.
Advertisement
"All employees are required to place loyalty to the Constitution, the laws and ethical principles above private gain," it says. "To ensure that every citizen can have complete confidence in the integrity" or the government, it goes on, "each postal employee must respect and adhere to the principles of ethical conduct."
What's been happening at the Postal Service reflects nothing less than an attempt to undermine our Constitution and the free and fair elections it envisions. Therefore, Elston should immediately open investigations of DeJoy and Duncan for possibly violating Postal Service conduct and ethics breaches. During such an inquiry, the two should be barred from casting any votes on the Board of Governors.
The USPS says its governors are "comparable to the board of directors of a publicly held corporation." For 18 years, boards of such businesses have been governed by a law setting standards of corporate governance. The USPS, by embracing that statute, has assumed accountability not to shareholders but to its principal stakeholders -- the American people.
The postal board, therefore, has a fiduciary duty to the public and must govern with loyalty to the mission of the USPS. Its loyalty is not to the president and certainly not to its own financial or political self-interest.
Advertisement
Board members must follow the USPS codes of conduct and ethical behavior prescriptions -- and, most importantly, be loyal to the Constitution they swore to uphold. Doing all that means immediately reversing the harmful decisions DeJoy has implemented, restoring the equipment necessary to handle the onslaught of mailed ballots and paying those who will have to work overtime on election mail.
Having accomplished this, they will have done their part in assuring Americans will have a free and fair election, the basis of our constitutional democracy.
Tom Coleman served as an assistant Missouri attorney general and Republican congressman from 1976 to 1993. Now retired as a lobbyist, he is an adviser to Protect Democracy, an anti-authoritarian watchdog group. This article originally appeared at The Fulcrum.


upi--2020-10-02--U.S. economy added 660K jobs in September, Labor Dept. says

Oct. 2 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. economy added just over 660,000 jobs for the month of September , the Labor Department said in its monthly assessment on Friday -- a good deal fewer than most analysts were expecting .
The department said a total of 661,000 jobs were added for the month and the unemployment rate declined by a half-point to 7.9 % .
Most economists had predicted between 800,000 and 875,000 new jobs in a continuing , if slowing , recovery for the domestic labor market .
`` These improvements in the labor market reflect the continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curtailed due to the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) pandemic and efforts to contain it , '' the department said in a statement .
`` In September , notable job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality , in retail trade , in healthcare and social assistance , and in professional and business services .
Employment in government declined over the month , mainly in state and local government education . ''
Friday 's report marks the fifth straight month of job gains , but the first time they have fallen below 1 million since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. economy has not yet come close to recovering the 22 million jobs that were lost in March and April at the onset of COVID-19 .
In fact , fewer than 11 million of those jobs had returned by August .
Analysts expected the unemployment rate to drop to 8.2 % from last month 's level of 8.4 % .
In April , national unemployment reached 14.7 % , the highest level since World War II .
A private jobs report by ADP and Moody 's Analytics on Wednesday showed the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , the Labor Department said 837,000 U.S. workers had filed new unemployment claims .
Earlier this week , the Commerce Department said in its final second-quarter estimate that the U.S. economy declined by a record 31.4 % between April and July , a downturn created almost entirely by the health crisis .
Friday 's report does not include thousands of new layoffs in the airline industry , which was allowed to begin dismissing employees on Thursday , under the terms of federal aid the airlines received in the spring .
Those will @ @ @ @ @ @ @

American Flags hang at the New York Stock Exchange in New York City on September 21. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. economy added just over 660,000 jobs for the month of September, the Labor Department said in its monthly assessment on Friday -- a good deal fewer than most analysts were expecting. The department said a total of 661,000 jobs were added for the month and the unemployment rate declined by a half-point to 7.9%. Advertisement
Most economists had predicted between 800,000 and 875,000 new jobs in a continuing, if slowing, recovery for the domestic labor market.
"These improvements in the labor market reflect the continued resumption of economic activity that had been curtailed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and efforts to contain it," the department said in a statement.
"In September, notable job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, in retail trade, in healthcare and social assistance, and in professional and business services. Employment in government declined over the month, mainly in state and local government education."
Friday's report marks the fifth straight month of job gains, but the first time they have fallen below 1 million since May.
Even with the gains, the U.S. economy has not yet come close to recovering the 22 million jobs that were lost in March and April at the onset of COVID-19. In fact, fewer than 11 million of those jobs had returned by August.
Advertisement
Analysts expected the unemployment rate to drop to 8.2% from last month's level of 8.4%. In April, national unemployment reached 14.7%, the highest level since World War II.
A private jobs report by ADP and Moody's Analytics on Wednesday showed the United States added 749,000 jobs in September. Thursday, the Labor Department said 837,000 U.S. workers had filed new unemployment claims.
Earlier this week, the Commerce Department said in its final second-quarter estimate that the U.S. economy declined by a record 31.4% between April and July, a downturn created almost entirely by the health crisis.
Friday's report does not include thousands of new layoffs in the airline industry, which was allowed to begin dismissing employees on Thursday, under the terms of federal aid the airlines received in the spring. Those will be noted in the October report.


upi--2020-10-02--Watch: BTS plays 'Zoom Olympics,' performs 'Mikrokosmos' on 'Tonight Show'

Oct. 2 ( UPI ) -- BTS and Jimmy Fallon competed in a series of challenges over Zoom on The Tonight Show .
The game , titled Zoom Olympics , was kicked off on Thursday with Jimin vs. Fallon in the groundhog challenge .
Each contestant was tasked with popping their heads in and out the frame the most times in a Zoom call .
Jimin won by moving left to right more quickly than Fallon , who was moving up and down .
Jin , Jung Kook and RM also made it to the second round for the TV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stack the most TV remotes on a single hand before time ran out .
RM and Jung Kook made to the final round for the guitar pick challenge .
Jung Kook won `` Zoom Olympics '' by shaking out more picks out of a guitar .
BTS has appeared in a weeklong residency on The Tonight Show .
On Thursday , they performed `` Mikrokosmos '' from their 2019 EP Map of the Soul : Persona .
The South Korean boy band performed the track in front of a large building overlooking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light show in the sky .
BTS recently announced that they will be releasing new album BE ( Deluxe Edition ) on Nov. 20 .
The album will include the single `` Dynamite , '' which set a YouTube record for most views of a music video in its first 24 hours of release .

Oct. 2 (UPI) -- BTS and Jimmy Fallon competed in a series of challenges over Zoom on The Tonight Show.
The game, titled Zoom Olympics, was kicked off on Thursday with Jimin vs. Fallon in the groundhog challenge. Each contestant was tasked with popping their heads in and out the frame the most times in a Zoom call.
Advertisement
Jimin won by moving left to right more quickly than Fallon, who was moving up and down.
Jin, Jung Kook and RM also made it to the second round for the TV remote balance challenge. The singers needed to stack the most TV remotes on a single hand before time ran out.
RM and Jung Kook made to the final round for the guitar pick challenge. Jung Kook won "Zoom Olympics" by shaking out more picks out of a guitar.
BTS has appeared in a weeklong residency on The Tonight Show. On Thursday, they performed "Mikrokosmos" from their 2019 EP Map of the Soul: Persona.
The South Korean boy band performed the track in front of a large building overlooking water. The performance ended with a light show in the sky.
Advertisement
BTS recently announced that they will be releasing new album BE (Deluxe Edition) on Nov. 20. The album will include the single "Dynamite," which set a YouTube record for most views of a music video in its first 24 hours of release.


upi--2020-10-02--Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos top winless N.Y. Jets

Oct. 2 ( UPI ) -- Melvin Gordon rumbled for 107 rushing yards and two scores and the Denver Broncos overcame three interceptions from quarterback Brett Rypien to beat the winless New York Jets on Thursday Night Football .
The Broncos also sacked Jets quarterback Sam Darnold six times in the 37-28 win Thursday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford , N.J. '' It was a battle and I think that was my first introduction into what the NFL is like every week , '' Rypien told reporters .
`` It 's a battle to get wins out here .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we got .
It did n't go right at times and a lot of things went wrong .
I turned the ball over and thankfully we were able to come out with a win . ''
Rypien completed 19 of 31 passes for 242 yards , two scores and three interceptions in the win .
Broncos defenders Bradley Chubb and Josey Jewell had 2.5 sacks and two sacks , respectively , in the victory .
Darnold completed 23 of 42 passes for 230 yards and did not throw a touchdown or interception for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made five field goals in the loss .
`` We got ta win games , '' Darnold said .
`` It 's better than getting blown out , but we have to win that game . ''
Darnold helped the Jets get out to a great start with a 46-yard rushing score on the game 's opening drive .
Brandon McManus then hit a 40-yard field goal for the Broncos for a 7-3 score in the first quarter .
Broncos rookie wide receiver Jerry Jeudy scored his first career touchdown on Denver 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pass down the right flank during the play .
Jeudy reached over Jets cornerback Pierre Desir and snatched the ball away from the defender before he reached the end zone for a 48-yard touchdown to give Denver a 10-7 lead at the start of the second quarter .
Desir made up for the mistake with an interception of Rypien on the Broncos ' next drive .
Ficken then hit a 26-yard field goal for the Jets to tie the score at 10-10 .
Denver responded with a nine-play , 80-yard scoring drive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rushing touchdown to give the Broncos a 17-10 lead .
Ficken made another field goal with 19 seconds remaining in the quarter to make the score 17-13 at halftime .
Ficken made a 32-yard kick for the Jets on the second drive of the first half .
Rypien answered with a seven-yard touchdown toss to Tim Patrick to give the Broncos a 24-16 lead .
McManus made a 54-yard field goal to push the Broncos lead to 11 points at the start of the fourth quarter .
Ficken made a 54-yard field goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interceptions to Desir and Brian Poole on the Broncos next two possessions .
Desir returned his interception for a 35-yard touchdown to cut the Broncos lead to two points .
Ficken then made another field goal to give the Jets a 28-27 lead with 6:33 remaining .
McManus responded with a 53-yard field goal on the Broncos next drive to give Denver a two-point lead .
Gordon put the game away for the Broncos with a 43-yard touchdown run with two minutes remaining .
`` Winning has cured more ills than penicillin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It just makes them feel better and it gives them confidence that they can go out there and win a game , and hopefully we can build on it . ''
The Broncos ( 1-3 ) battle the New England Patriots at 4:25 p.m. EDT on Oct. 11 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough , Mass .
The Jets ( 0-4 ) host the Arizona Cardinals at 1 p.m. EDT on Oct. 11 at MetLife Stadium .

1/3
Quarterback Sam Darnold (L) and coach Adam Gase (R) have the New York Jets out to an 0-4 start after a loss to the Denver Broncos on Thursday in East Rutherford, N.J. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Melvin Gordon rumbled for 107 rushing yards and two scores and the Denver Broncos overcame three interceptions from quarterback Brett Rypien to beat the winless New York Jets on Thursday Night Football. The Broncos also sacked Jets quarterback Sam Darnold six times in the 37-28 win Thursday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Advertisement
"It was a battle and I think that was my first introduction into what the NFL is like every week," Rypien told reporters. "It's a battle to get wins out here.
"We had to fight for everything we got. It didn't go right at times and a lot of things went wrong. I turned the ball over and thankfully we were able to come out with a win."
Rypien completed 19 of 31 passes for 242 yards, two scores and three interceptions in the win. Broncos defenders Bradley Chubb and Josey Jewell had 2.5 sacks and two sacks, respectively, in the victory.
Darnold completed 23 of 42 passes for 230 yards and did not throw a touchdown or interception for the Jets. Jets kicker Sam Ficken made five field goals in the loss.
"We gotta win games," Darnold said. "It's better than getting blown out, but we have to win that game."
.@pierre_desir to the crib and we're right back in it!! Watch live: https://t.co/UMOb73HYmQ pic.twitter.com/F6FJu5ETkm— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 2, 2020
Darnold helped the Jets get out to a great start with a 46-yard rushing score on the game's opening drive. Brandon McManus then hit a 40-yard field goal for the Broncos for a 7-3 score in the first quarter.
Broncos rookie wide receiver Jerry Jeudy scored his first career touchdown on Denver's next drive. Rypien threw a deep pass down the right flank during the play.
Advertisement
Jeudy reached over Jets cornerback Pierre Desir and snatched the ball away from the defender before he reached the end zone for a 48-yard touchdown to give Denver a 10-7 lead at the start of the second quarter.
Desir made up for the mistake with an interception of Rypien on the Broncos' next drive. Ficken then hit a 26-yard field goal for the Jets to tie the score at 10-10.
Denver responded with a nine-play, 80-yard scoring drive. Gordon ended the drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown to give the Broncos a 17-10 lead. Ficken made another field goal with 19 seconds remaining in the quarter to make the score 17-13 at halftime.
Ficken made a 32-yard kick for the Jets on the second drive of the first half. Rypien answered with a seven-yard touchdown toss to Tim Patrick to give the Broncos a 24-16 lead. McManus made a 54-yard field goal to push the Broncos lead to 11 points at the start of the fourth quarter.
Ficken made a 54-yard field goal on the next drive before Rypien threw interceptions to Desir and Brian Poole on the Broncos next two possessions. Desir returned his interception for a 35-yard touchdown to cut the Broncos lead to two points.
Advertisement
Ficken then made another field goal to give the Jets a 28-27 lead with 6:33 remaining. McManus responded with a 53-yard field goal on the Broncos next drive to give Denver a two-point lead.
Gordon put the game away for the Broncos with a 43-yard touchdown run with two minutes remaining.
"Winning has cured more ills than penicillin," Broncos coach Vic Fangio said. "It just makes them feel better and it gives them confidence that they can go out there and win a game, and hopefully we can build on it."
The Broncos (1-3) battle the New England Patriots at 4:25 p.m. EDT on Oct. 11 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. The Jets (0-4) host the Arizona Cardinals at 1 p.m. EDT on Oct. 11 at MetLife Stadium.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-10-02--Gallup: Record share of Americans prefer one party control White House, Congress

Oct. 2 ( UPI ) -- A record plurality of Americans , but not a majority , believe it 's best for the United States to have a president and both houses of Congress from the same political party , a Gallup poll showed Friday .
The survey , part of Gallup 's annual Governance survey , shows that 41 % of U.S. adults said it 's better to have the same party control all three facets .
Another 23 % said they would rather divided party rule , a president from one party and a Congress from another .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Presently , Republicans hold the White House and the Senate , while Democrats control the House .
When President Donald Trump took office in 2017 , all three were held by the Republican Party .
`` The prior high in preferences for one-party government occurred in 2012 [ 38 % ] when incumbent President Barack Obama was running for a second term , '' Gallup wrote .
`` One year later , in the midst of a federal government shutdown tied to a dispute over funding the Affordable Care Act , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 38 % saying it made no difference which parties held the White House and Congress . ''
Gallup saw an average of 36 % who prefer one-party rule , over the past five years -- while 24 % favored the parties split control .
The 12-point difference had been as close as three points between 2002 and 2014 .
In Friday 's poll , 52 % of Republicans and 43 % of Democrats said they prefer one-party rule .
Thirty-one percent of independents feel the same .
`` Americans'preferences for one-party or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the desire to maximize their party 's power more than philosophical considerations about what leads to better political outcomes , '' Gallup added .
`` The poll was conducted before [ Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader ] Ginsburg 's death , so it is unclear whether Americans are any more , or less , likely to favor one-party or divided government today , '' the polling service said .
Gallup polled more than 1,000 U.S. adults nationwide for the survey earlier this month , which has a margin of error of 4 points @

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tears up her copy of the State of the Union address as President Donald Trump finishes during a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on February 4. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 2 (UPI) -- A record plurality of Americans, but not a majority, believe it's best for the United States to have a president and both houses of Congress from the same political party, a Gallup poll showed Friday. The survey, part of Gallup's annual Governance survey, shows that 41% of U.S. adults said it's better to have the same party control all three facets. Advertisement
Another 23% said they would rather divided party rule, a president from one party and a Congress from another. Thirty-two percent said they had no preference.
Presently, Republicans hold the White House and the Senate, while Democrats control the House. When President Donald Trump took office in 2017, all three were held by the Republican Party.
"The prior high in preferences for one-party government occurred in 2012 [38%] when incumbent President Barack Obama was running for a second term," Gallup wrote.
"One year later, in the midst of a federal government shutdown tied to a dispute over funding the Affordable Care Act, a record-low 25% favored one-party government, with 38% saying it made no difference which parties held the White House and Congress."
Advertisement
Gallup saw an average of 36% who prefer one-party rule, over the past five years -- while 24% favored the parties split control. The 12-point difference had been as close as three points between 2002 and 2014.
In Friday's poll, 52% of Republicans and 43% of Democrats said they prefer one-party rule. Thirty-one percent of independents feel the same.
"Americans'preferences for one-party or divided government appear to be rooted in the desire to maximize their party's power more than philosophical considerations about what leads to better political outcomes," Gallup added.
"The poll was conducted before [Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader] Ginsburg's death, so it is unclear whether Americans are any more, or less, likely to favor one-party or divided government today," the polling service said.
Gallup polled more than 1,000 U.S. adults nationwide for the survey earlier this month, which has a margin of error of 4 points.


upi--2020-10-02--Nicole Beharie: 'Monsterland' has potent parables for 2020

NEW YORK , Oct. 2 ( UPI ) -- Actress Nicole Beharie said Monsterland , the new horror anthology about flawed people and the disastrous choices they make , seems particularly relevant in 2020 .
`` We 're looking at how wonderfully terrifyingly beautifully human people can be , '' Beharie told UPI in a phone interview earlier this week .
`` We did this a year ago , but I could n't have imagined how potent , how aligned with the times , that notion would be . ''
Writer-producer Mary Laws ' adaptation of North American Lake Monsters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hulu on Friday amid the real-life backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic , high unemployment , political division and civil unrest .
This is the first series Succession and Preacher writer-producer Laws has created .
`` It is less about slashers and blood and guts , although there is some of that , obviously , '' Laws told UPI .
`` It 's more about human beings uncovering dark things about themselves and about the world through the lens of monsters and the supernatural . ''
The Neon Demon scribe is a fan of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playwriting background also is committed to developing believable characters and digs into important issues .
`` Nathan 's book was doing exactly that , '' Laws said .
Sleepy Hollow , Miss Juneteenth and Little Fires Everywhere star Beharie echoed the sentiment , noting she loves the entertainment of horror , but craves substance , as well .
Monsterland provided both , she said .
It was also created by a woman , and its eight standalone installments had diverse casts and took place in interesting locations .
`` Each episode is really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
In her episode , she plays Annie , a New Orleans socialite and mother wrestling with her past .
`` On the surface , she 's doing everything right and doing everything she should be doing to maintain the lifestyle that she wants for herself and her family , and it seems OK until you look a little bit closer , '' Beharie said .
`` It 's so easy to point fingers and sort of create fake news -- a version that you feel more comfortable with of yourself or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what this trippy , crazy anthology is delving into . ''
Leaving Annie behind was n't too difficult because Beharie only played her for just one episode , but the beautiful horn music Anthony Harvey plays in it haunts her to this day .
`` It has that jazz vibe , '' she said .
`` That music that he 's playing , the music that my character Annie hears throughout the piece , definitely stayed with me . ''
Elsewhere in the series , Orange is the New Black alum Taylor Schilling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desperate act takes a shocking turn for her and her wife , Shawn , played by Roberta Colindrez .
`` I can relate to depression .
I can relate to elation .
I can relate to hopelessness -- not on the scale that Kate is experiencing those things , necessarily , but I do think that lives inside of all of us , '' Schilling told UPI in a separate chat .
`` That is what I think is actually so exciting about the series .
It 's exploring unexplored territory we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many people struggle with mental illness or have a loved one who does , the actress tried to handle it with `` authenticity and tenderness . ''
`` It felt important to be very respectful , '' she said .
`` We are so connected in our experience and our darkness .
Our private selves , our shadow selves are not unique to us , '' she said .
`` By acknowledging and naming those parts that oftentimes do n't get a lot of air , we can feel less alone and better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fun way . ''
After starring on a TV comedy for several years , Schilling enjoyed popping in for a single episode of an anthology .
`` It had all of the thrill of great writing and juicy material and something that felt risky and challenging and artistically really valuable , like a really important place for me to explore , but there was no pressure , '' she said .
`` It was n't an entire film .
It was not an entire series .
There was nothing riding on anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very best of both worlds . ''
City on a Hill and Kingdom actor Jonathan Tucker also got his own episode .
He plays Alex , a mysterious drifter who shows up just as single mom and waitress Toni ( Kaitlyn Dever ) is at a crossroads .
`` This was a thrill to come on with Mary and her team , to put something together quickly and passionately .
It kind of felt like one of those Formula 1 races where you go into the pit and they are throwing tires on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was intrigued by Alex and would have spent more time with him if it were possible .
`` Some of these characters you really want to play with , '' he said .
`` It 's like driving a car for a period of time and you 're like : 'Oh , I would have loved to have driven that car in the desert , ' or , ' I would have loved to have driven that car up to the mountains . '
I certainly felt that way about this character .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks for ones that ask big questions and have overarching themes and Monsterland fit the bill .
He said he wo n't take a job if he does n't connect to the material on a visceral level .
`` If it does n't resonate with you , then you should pass on the role because somebody else will find it , and you do n't want to take [ away ] that opportunity the filmmaker has to find somebody who understands the character or narrative better than you , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is restrained can be as difficult or rewarding as portraying someone who is unhinged .
Alex in Monsterland gave Tucker the opportunity to play a lot of different notes on the intensity spectrum .
`` You 're hoping you can find a character who can do both , because people are very dynamic and we all have a story to tell , '' Tucker said .

1/3
Nicole Beharie stars in the anthology series, "Monsterland." Photo by Barbara Nitke/Hulu
NEW YORK, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Actress Nicole Beharie said Monsterland, the new horror anthology about flawed people and the disastrous choices they make, seems particularly relevant in 2020. "We're looking at how wonderfully terrifyingly beautifully human people can be," Beharie told UPI in a phone interview earlier this week. "We did this a year ago, but I couldn't have imagined how potent, how aligned with the times, that notion would be." Advertisement
Writer-producer Mary Laws' adaptation of North American Lake Monsters: Stories by Nathan Ballingrud debuts on Hulu on Friday amid the real-life backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, high unemployment, political division and civil unrest.
This is the first series Succession and Preacher writer-producer Laws has created.
"It is less about slashers and blood and guts, although there is some of that, obviously," Laws told UPI. "It's more about human beings uncovering dark things about themselves and about the world through the lens of monsters and the supernatural."
Advertisement
The Neon Demon scribe is a fan of the horror genre, but with her playwriting background also is committed to developing believable characters and digs into important issues.
"Nathan's book was doing exactly that," Laws said.
Sleepy Hollow, Miss Juneteenth and Little Fires Everywhere star Beharie echoed the sentiment, noting she loves the entertainment of horror, but craves substance, as well.
Monsterland provided both, she said. It was also created by a woman, and its eight standalone installments had diverse casts and took place in interesting locations.
"Each episode is really in its own world," Beharie said.
In her episode, she plays Annie, a New Orleans socialite and mother wrestling with her past.
"On the surface, she's doing everything right and doing everything she should be doing to maintain the lifestyle that she wants for herself and her family, and it seems OK until you look a little bit closer," Beharie said.
"It's so easy to point fingers and sort of create fake news -- a version that you feel more comfortable with of yourself or reality. I feel like that's what this trippy, crazy anthology is delving into."
Leaving Annie behind wasn't too difficult because Beharie only played her for just one episode, but the beautiful horn music Anthony Harvey plays in it haunts her to this day.
Advertisement
"It has that jazz vibe," she said. "That music that he's playing, the music that my character Annie hears throughout the piece, definitely stayed with me."
Elsewhere in the series, Orange is the New Black alum Taylor Schilling plays Kate, a bipolar woman whose desperate act takes a shocking turn for her and her wife, Shawn, played by Roberta Colindrez.
"I can relate to depression. I can relate to elation. I can relate to hopelessness -- not on the scale that Kate is experiencing those things, necessarily, but I do think that lives inside of all of us," Schilling told UPI in a separate chat.
"That is what I think is actually so exciting about the series. It's exploring unexplored territory we can all relate to."
Because so many people struggle with mental illness or have a loved one who does, the actress tried to handle it with "authenticity and tenderness."
"It felt important to be very respectful," she said.
Schilling hopes the episode's message resonates with 2020 audiences.
"We are so connected in our experience and our darkness. Our private selves, our shadow selves are not unique to us," she said. "By acknowledging and naming those parts that oftentimes don't get a lot of air, we can feel less alone and better. Monsterland does that in a thrilling and fun way."
Advertisement
After starring on a TV comedy for several years, Schilling enjoyed popping in for a single episode of an anthology.
"It had all of the thrill of great writing and juicy material and something that felt risky and challenging and artistically really valuable, like a really important place for me to explore, but there was no pressure," she said.
"It wasn't an entire film. It was not an entire series. There was nothing riding on anyone's individual back. It was the very best of both worlds."
City on a Hill and Kingdom actor Jonathan Tucker also got his own episode.
He plays Alex, a mysterious drifter who shows up just as single mom and waitress Toni (Kaitlyn Dever) is at a crossroads.
"This was a thrill to come on with Mary and her team, to put something together quickly and passionately. It kind of felt like one of those Formula 1 races where you go into the pit and they are throwing tires on," Tucker told UPI.
He was intrigued by Alex and would have spent more time with him if it were possible.
"Some of these characters you really want to play with," he said. "It's like driving a car for a period of time and you're like: 'Oh, I would have loved to have driven that car in the desert,' or, 'I would have loved to have driven that car up to the mountains.' I certainly felt that way about this character."
Advertisement
When choosing a project, Tucker looks for ones that ask big questions and have overarching themes and Monsterland fit the bill.
He said he won't take a job if he doesn't connect to the material on a visceral level.
"If it doesn't resonate with you, then you should pass on the role because somebody else will find it, and you don't want to take [away] that opportunity the filmmaker has to find somebody who understands the character or narrative better than you," he said.
For an actor, playing a character who is restrained can be as difficult or rewarding as portraying someone who is unhinged.
Alex in Monsterland gave Tucker the opportunity to play a lot of different notes on the intensity spectrum.
"You're hoping you can find a character who can do both, because people are very dynamic and we all have a story to tell," Tucker said.
Monsterland premieres Friday on Hulu.


upi--2020-10-02--Watch: Jim Carrey becomes Joe Biden in 'Saturday Night Live' teaser

Oct. 2 ( UPI ) -- Jim Carrey transforms into Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in a new teaser for @ @ @ @ @ .
Carrey is joined by Maya Rudolph , who is once again set to portray @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Kamala Harris .
The comedians donned wigs and makeup to become Biden and Harris @ @ @ @ @ in the teaser released on Twitter Thursday .
Woody Harrelson previously portrayed Biden during Season @ @ @ @ @ also starred as the former vice president in past seasons .
Chris Rock will be @ @ @ @ @ 46 which premieres Saturday at 11:30 p.m. EDT on NBC .
Rapper Megan Thee Stallion @ @ @ @ @ .
NBC will be bringing Saturday Night Live back to Studio 8H in New York @ @ @ @ @ The premiere will be the show 's first in-studio episode since March 7 due to @ @ @ @

Ladies and gentlemen... Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. #SNLPremiere pic.twitter.com/khYgAvXKpw— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) October 1, 2020
Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Jim Carrey transforms into Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in a new teaser for Saturday Night Live Season 46.
Carrey is joined by Maya Rudolph, who is once again set to portray Biden's running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris.
Advertisement
The comedians donned wigs and makeup to become Biden and Harris before they posed together back-to-back in the teaser released on Twitter Thursday.
Woody Harrelson previously portrayed Biden during Season 45. Jason Sudeikis has also starred as the former vice president in past seasons.
Chris Rock will be serving as host of Season 46 which premieres Saturday at 11:30 p.m. EDT on NBC. Rapper Megan Thee Stallion will be the musical guest.
NBC will be bringing Saturday Night Live back to Studio 8H in New York starting with Season 46. The premiere will be the show's first in-studio episode since March 7 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.