upi--2020-08-11--Five states to vote in primary contests on Tuesday

Aug. 11 ( UPI ) -- Several states will cast votes in primary contests Tuesday to determine final races for November .
Voters in Minnesota , Wisconsin , Connecticut and Vermont will hold races while Georgia will hold a pair of runoff contests from its June primary .
Rep. Ilhan Omar has been a visible member of Congress in her first term , as part of a group of first-term representatives that came to be known as `` The Squad '' -- alongside Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York , Ayana Pressley of Massachusetts and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic candidates in the 5th District , including attorney and mediator Antone Melton-Meaux , a well-funded first-time candidate who 's accused the congresswoman of being sidetracked by personal distractions .
Businessman Lacy Johnson has also led a successful fundraising campaign in the Republican race for the seat as he faces off against Dalia Al-Agidi and Danielle Stella .
In the 7th District , a group of Republicans will seek to unseat Democratic Rep. Collin Peterson in an area that has shown strong support for President Donald Trump .
Former state senator and Lt. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endorsement of the GOP and backing from Trump , but faces competition from David Hughes , who has challenged Peterson for the past two elections , as well as physician Noel Collis and two other candidates .
Democratic candidates Josh Pade and Roger Polack , a civilian intelligence official and senior policy adviser under former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama , will battle for the right to face Republican incumbent Rep. Bryan Steil as they attempt to flip the seat previously held by former House Speaker Paul Ryan .
In District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Werner will face off in the Republican primary as they battle for the chance to challenge incumbent Rep. Gwen Moore .
Republicans Jim Griffin and Mary Fay will battle for the chance to challenge Democratic Rep. John Larson in Connecticut 's 1st District .
Griffin , a career lobbyist and former official in the White House budget office , has so far outraised Fay , a financial services executive and self-described moderate .
In the 2nd District , construction worker Thomas Gilmer and veteran Justin Anderson will face off in the Republican primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Connecticut will also be the last state to vote in the Democratic presidential primary .
Vermont 's lone member of the House , six-term Democratic Rep. Peter Welch , will face a challenge from activist Ralph `` Carajou '' Corbo .
Corbo is also running for governor after attempting to get younger candidates to run for the offices , saying they are most affected by issues such as climate change .
Republican candidates Miriam Berry , Jimmy Rodriguez , Justin Tuthill and Anya Tynio , as well as Progressive Party candidates Chris Brimmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make it to the ballot for November .
Two-term Republican Gov .
Phil Scott faces challenges from four candidates on the GOP side , while Lt. Gov .
David Zuckerman and former Education Secretary Rebecca Holcombe lead the four-person field in the Democratic primary for governor .
President pro tempore of the Vermont Senate , Tim Ashe , and state Sen. Debbie Ingram will battle in the Democratic primary to fill the seat vacated by Zuckerman , while five Republicans and one Progressive are also on the ballot Tuesday .
Two pairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party 's primary in June .
In the 14th District , Marjorie Taylor Greene will face off against John Cowan .
Greene has sparked controversy by making statements about Muslim members of Congress and supporting the QAnon conspiracy , which Twitter took steps to limit last month .
Her comments led Republican Rep. Jody Hice to rescind her endorsement .
Cowan , a neurosurgeon , has employed the slogan `` all of the conservative , none of the embarrassment . ''
In the 9th District , state Rep. Matt Gurtler will face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owner Andrew Clyde .

Five states hold primary elections on Tuesday. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Voters in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Connecticut and Vermont cast votes in primary contests on Tuesday to determine final races for November as Georgia held a pair of runoff contests from its June primary. Minnesota Advertisement
Rep. Ilhan Omar emerged victorious after facing a field of four other Democratic candidates in the 5th District, including attorney and mediator Antone Melton-Meaux, a well-funded first-time candidate who's accused the congresswoman of being sidetracked by personal distractions.
Omar has been a visible member of Congress in her first term, as part of a group of first-term representatives that came to be known as "The Squad" -- alongside Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ayana Pressley of Massachusetts and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.
"In Minnesota, we know that organized people will always beat organized money," she tweeted Tuesday night. "Tonight, our movement didn't just win, we earned a mandate for change. Despite outside efforts to defeat us, we once again broke turnout records. Despite the attacks our support has only grown."
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Businessman Lacy Johnson, who led a successful fundraising campaign in the Republican race, beat Dalia Al-Agidi and Danielle Stella to face Omar in November.
Rep. Tom Emmer won the race for Minnesota's 6th District as he seeks a fourth term in the November election.
In the 7th District, Democratic Rep. Collin Peterson won the right to face off against a group of Republicans seeking to unseat him in an area that has shown strong support for President Donald Trump.
Former state Sen. and Lt. Gov. Michell Fischbach won the Republican nomination after receiving the endorsement of the GOP and backing from Trump, while facing competition from David Hughes, who has challenged Peterson for the past two elections, as well as physician Noel Collis and two other candidates.
Wisconsin
Roger Polack, a senior policy adviser under former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, beat businessman Josh Pade for the right to face Republican incumbent Rep. Bryan Steil as they attempt to flip the seat previously held by former House Speaker Paul Ryan.
Polack announced his victory on Twitter while congratulating Pade on running a strong campaign.
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"I look forward to working with Josh and his supports to win in November," he said.
In District 4, Tim Rogers and businesswoman Cindy Werner faced off in the Republican primary as they battle for the chance to challenge incumbent Rep. Gwen Moore.
Connecticut
Mary Fay held a narrow lead late Tuesday over Jim Griffin for the chance to challenge Democratic Rep. John Larson in Connecticut's 1st District. Griffin, a career lobbyist and former official in the White House budget office, has so far outraised Fay, a financial services executive and self-described moderate.
In the 2nd District, construction worker Thomas Gilmer and veteran Justin Anderson were expected to face off in the Republican primary to challenge Democratic Rep. Joe Courtney. But Gilmer dropped out of the race Tuesday after he was arrested the night before.
Wethersfield police said he was charged with first-degree unlawful restraint and second-degree strangulation.
The Hartford Courant reported the charges are related to an alleged altercation between Gilmer and a former girlfriend.
Gilmer blamed the investigation, which was opened July 22, on mud-slinging from his opponent.
Former Vice President Joe Biden won the Democratic presidential primary in Connecticut, the last state to vote in the contest, on the same day he announced Sen. Kamala Harris will be his running mate.
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Vermont
Vermont's lone member of the House, six-term Democratic Rep. Peter Welch, easily fended off a challenge from activist Ralph "Carajou" Corbo, winning 96% of the vote.
Corbo also ran for governor after attempting to get younger candidates to run for the offices, saying they are most affected by issues such as climate change.
Republican candidates Miriam Berry, Jimmy Rodriguez, Justin Tuthill and Anya Tynio, as well as Progressive Party candidates Chris Brimmer and Cris Ericson, will also seek to make it to the ballot for November.
Two-term Republican Gov. Phil Scott bested a field of candidates on the GOP side on Tuesday night, while Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman and former Education Secretary Rebecca Holcombe lead the four-person field in the Democratic primary for governor.
President pro tempore of the Vermont Senate, Tim Ashe, and state Sen. Debbie Ingram will battle in the Democratic primary to fill the seat vacated by Zuckerman, while five Republicans and one Progressive are also on the ballot Tuesday.
Georgia
Two pairs of Republican candidates faced runoff elections from the party's primary in June.
In the 14th District, Marjorie Taylor Greene won the runoff contest against John Cowan.
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Greene has sparked controversy by making statements about Muslim members of Congress and supporting the QAnon conspiracy, which Twitter took steps to limit last month. Her comments led Republican Rep. Jody Hice to rescind her endorsement. Cowan, a neurosurgeon, has employed the slogan "all of the conservative, none of the embarrassment."
In the 9th District, military veteran and gun store owner Andrew Clyde defeated state Rep. Matt Gurtler in the race to replace Rep. Doug Collins.
Results reported by The New York Times and The Hill.


upi--2020-08-11--Belarusian opposition leader 'safe' in Lithuania as protesters, police clash in Minsk

Aug. 10 ( UPI ) -- Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has left the country and was safe in Lithuanian , the neighboring nation 's foreign minister said early Tuesday , as protests in Minsk continued for a second night against the re-election of authoritarian President Aleksandr Lukashenko .
`` Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is safe , '' Lina Linkevicius , the foreign affairs minister for Lithuanian tweeted early Tuesday .
`` She is in Lithuania . ''
Her campaign said she was attempting to avoid `` possible provocations '' as protests erupted following Sunday 's announcement by the election commission that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dictator , had won a sixth term at the country 's helm in a landslide victory .
Riot police wielded batons and fired tear gas , rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse thousands of protesters in Minsk as Lukashenko warned on Monday that protesters would face a crackdown if they continued .
`` Follow the law and then all these conversations about repression disappear , '' said Lukashenko .
At least one protester has died in the confrontations with police , the Ministry of Interior said , stating an `` unidentified explosive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The New York Times reported .
Protesters took to the street Sunday night after the election commission announced Lukashenko had secured nearly 80 % of the vote to Tikhanovskaya 's 6.8 % .
Tikhanovskaya has rejected the tally , saying , `` I believe my eyes and I see that the majority is with us . ''
Amnesty International condemned the crackdown , saying its delegates in the capital have witnessed `` appalling violence unleashed by riot police on peaceful protesters . ''
`` We deplore the increased levels of violence and renewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other Belarusian cities , '' said Marie Struthers , Amnesty International 's regional director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia , in a statement .
`` The authorities must do everything they can to avoid further violence -- this means fully respecting the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression . ''
Viasna Human Rights Center in Minsk said it knows the names of about 300 of the 3,000 people who have been detained in the last few days .
According to the rights ground , the Ministry of Health has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers have been injured .
NetBlocks , an Internet observatory , said in a blog post that Internet access in the European country has been `` significantly disrupted '' since the election and was ongoing as of Monday evening .
The crackdown follows human rights organizations condemning police violence and arbitrating arrests of peaceful protesters , journalists and bloggers in the run up to the Sunday vote , which has received widespread condemnation from Western nations .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday that the United States is `` deeply concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it as neither free nor fair due to severe restrictions on ballot access , prohibitions on local independent observers at polling stations , intimidation employed against opposition candidates and the detention of protesters and journalists .
`` We urge the Belarusian government to respect the rights of all Belarusians to participate in peaceful assembly , refrain from use of force and release those wrongfully detained , '' Pompeo said in a statement .
`` We strongly condemn ongoing violence against protesters and the detention of opposition supporters as well as the use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Belarusian people to share information about the election and the demonstrations . ''
Ursula Von der Leyen , president of the European Commission , urged via Twitter for the fundamental rights of all Belarusian to be respected .
`` Harassment & violent repression of peaceful protesters has no place in Europe , '' she said .
`` I call on the Belarusian authorities to ensure that the votes in yesterday 's election are counted & published accurately . ''
Andrzej Duda and Gitanas Nauseda , the presidents of Belarus ' neighbors Poland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joint statement calling for dialogue to create `` favorable conditions '' to foster a partnership between the Belarusian people and its state .

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Belarusian opposition presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya (C) is safe in neighboring Lithuania as protests against the election of President Aleksandr Lukashenko continue for a second night. Photo by Tatyana Zenkovich/EPA-EFE
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has left the country and was safe in Lithuanian, the neighboring nation's foreign minister said early Tuesday, as protests in Minsk continued for a second night against the re-election of authoritarian President Aleksandr Lukashenko. "Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is safe," Lina Linkevicius, the foreign affairs minister for Lithuanian tweeted early Tuesday. "She is in Lithuania." Advertisement Svetlana #Tikhanovskaya is safe. She is in #Lithuania. pic.twitter.com/6f9U2meoX0— Linas Linkevicius (@LinkeviciusL) August 11, 2020 Her campaign said she was attempting to avoid "possible provocations" as protests erupted following Sunday's announcement by the election commission that Lukashenko, known as Europe's last dictator, had won a sixth term at the country's helm in a landslide victory. Read More China sanctions U.S. lawmakers, non-profit leaders over Hong Kong
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Riot police wielded batons and fired tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse thousands of protesters in Minsk as Lukashenko warned on Monday that protesters would face a crackdown if they continued.
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"Follow the law and then all these conversations about repression disappear," said Lukashenko.
At least one protester has died in the confrontations with police, the Ministry of Interior said, stating an "unidentified explosive device" detonated in his hand, The New York Times reported.
Protesters took to the street Sunday night after the election commission announced Lukashenko had secured nearly 80% of the vote to Tikhanovskaya's 6.8%.
Tikhanovskaya has rejected the tally, saying, "I believe my eyes and I see that the majority is with us."
Amnesty International condemned the crackdown, saying its delegates in the capital have witnessed "appalling violence unleashed by riot police on peaceful protesters."
"We deplore the increased levels of violence and renewed attacks on peaceful protesters in Minsk and other Belarusian cities," said Marie Struthers, Amnesty International's regional director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, in a statement. "The authorities must do everything they can to avoid further violence -- this means fully respecting the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression."
Viasna Human Rights Center in Minsk said it knows the names of about 300 of the 3,000 people who have been detained in the last few days. According to the rights ground, the Ministry of Health has said more than 50 protesters and 39 police officers have been injured.
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NetBlocks, an Internet observatory, said in a blog post that Internet access in the European country has been "significantly disrupted" since the election and was ongoing as of Monday evening.
The crackdown follows human rights organizations condemning police violence and arbitrating arrests of peaceful protesters, journalists and bloggers in the run up to the Sunday vote, which has received widespread condemnation from Western nations.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday that the United States is "deeply concerned" about the Sunday election, describing it as neither free nor fair due to severe restrictions on ballot access, prohibitions on local independent observers at polling stations, intimidation employed against opposition candidates and the detention of protesters and journalists.
"We urge the Belarusian government to respect the rights of all Belarusians to participate in peaceful assembly, refrain from use of force and release those wrongfully detained," Pompeo said in a statement. "We strongly condemn ongoing violence against protesters and the detention of opposition supporters as well as the use of internet shutdowns to hinder the ability of the Belarusian people to share information about the election and the demonstrations."
Ursula Von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, urged via Twitter for the fundamental rights of all Belarusian to be respected.
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"Harassment & violent repression of peaceful protesters has no place in Europe," she said. "I call on the Belarusian authorities to ensure that the votes in yesterday's election are counted & published accurately."
Andrzej Duda and Gitanas Nauseda, the presidents of Belarus' neighbors Poland and Lithuanian respectively, also issued a joint statement calling for dialogue to create "favorable conditions" to foster a partnership between the Belarusian people and its state.


upi--2020-08-11--COVID-19 cases surpass 20M; WHO expects death toll at 750K this week

Aug. 11 ( UPI ) -- Global coronavirus cases surpassed 20 million infections as the head of the World Health Organization warned the death toll would reach 750,000 by week 's end .
Cases of COVID-19 have been growing exponentially since the first infections were diagnosed in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in early December , when it began its global spread .
The virus hit the 1-million mark within three months of the WHO declaring COVID-19 a global health emergency and it reached 10 million infections three months after that .
However , since late June , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researchers at Johns Hopkins University early Tuesday counted 20,092,855 cases of COVID-19 with a death toll of 736,254. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned on Monday the death toll would hit 750,000 this week but said the situation can still be righted .
`` I want to be clear : there are green shoots of hope and no matter where a country , a region , a city or town is , it 's never too late to turn the outbreak around , '' he said .
To cause the turnaround , Tedros @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must embrace new measures , pointing to New Zealand , Rwanda and other countries that suppressed the virus early through testing , treating and isolating those infected as models to follow .
`` Getting the basics right provides a clear picture of where the virus is and the necessary targeted actions to suppress transmission and save lives , '' he said in unusually positive remarks to the media .
He also praised the nations of France , Germany , South Korea and others that had major outbreaks they were able to contain and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now utilizing their techniques to squelch infections .
`` Chains of transmission have been broken by combination of rapid case identification , comprehensive , contact tracing adequate clinical care for patients , physical distancing , mask wearing , regular cleaning of hands and coughing away from others , '' he said .
`` If we suppress the virus effectively , we can safely open up societies , '' he added .
The United States continues to be the country worst affected by the virus at more than 5 million infections and 163,000 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections and 101,000 deaths and India with 2.26 million cases causing 45,250 deaths .

A man, a woman and a child walk through the entrance to terminal 2 at San Francisco International Airport wearing full-body plastic suits, face masks and goggles to prevent catching COVID-19 on Monday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Global coronavirus cases surpassed 20 million infections as the head of the World Health Organization warned the death toll would reach 750,000 by week's end. Cases of COVID-19 have been growing exponentially since the first infections were diagnosed in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in early December, when it began its global spread. Advertisement
The virus hit the 1-million mark within three months of the WHO declaring COVID-19 a global health emergency and it reached 10 million infections three months after that.
However, since late June, the number of infections has doubled, and researchers at Johns Hopkins University early Tuesday counted 20,092,855 cases of COVID-19 with a death toll of 736,254.
After 102 consecutive days without a local COVID-19 case, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that Auckland, the country's most populous city, would reinstate level three coronavirus restrictions for three days beginning Wednesday after four cases were found within one household in the city.
"In line with our precautionary approach we will be asking Aucklanders to take swift actions with us, as of 12 noon tomorrow, Wednesday, Aug. 12, we will be moving Auckland to level three restrictions," said Ardern.
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The restrictions will close businesses such as restaurants, bars and non-essential shops, bar gatherings of more than 10 people and require people to only leave their homes to conduct essential activities such as grocery shopping.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned on Monday the death toll would hit 750,000 this week but said the situation can still be righted.
"I want to be clear: there are green shoots of hope and no matter where a country, a region, a city or town is, it's never too late to turn the outbreak around," he said.
To cause the turnaround, Tedros said leaders must take action and citizens must embrace new measures, pointing to New Zealand, Rwanda and other countries that suppressed the virus early through testing, treating and isolating those infected as models to follow.
"Getting the basics right provides a clear picture of where the virus is and the necessary targeted actions to suppress transmission and save lives," he said in unusually positive remarks to the media.
He also praised the nations of France, Germany, South Korea and others that had major outbreaks they were able to contain and suppress, saying that other countries are now utilizing their techniques to squelch infections.
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"Chains of transmission have been broken by combination of rapid case identification, comprehensive, contact tracing adequate clinical care for patients, physical distancing, mask wearing, regular cleaning of hands and coughing away from others," he said.
"If we suppress the virus effectively, we can safely open up societies," he added.
The United States continues to be the country worst affected by the virus at more than 5 million infections and 163,000 deaths, followed by Brazil at 3 million infections and 101,000 deaths and India with 2.26 million cases causing 45,250 deaths.


upi--2020-08-11--Korean baseball increases fan capacity to 25% at stadiums

SEOUL , Aug. 11 ( UPI ) -- The Korea Baseball Organization , which began allowing fans back to games last month , will raise its stadium capacity from 10 % to 25 % starting Tuesday , the league announced .
Korea 's Ministry of Sports , Tourism and Culture last week gave the go-ahead for the league to bring back up to 30 % of fans , but the KBO decided to keep the level at 25 % to be able to maintain social distancing at each venue .
`` The allowable crowd size is up to 30 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ the KBO ] will be operating in the mid-20 % range for each stadium until a new arrangement that complies with the prevention guidelines is stably maintained , '' the league said in a statement Monday .
`` KBO and the 10 clubs welcome the government 's decision to expand audiences and express their deep gratitude to the crowds for maturely handling the inconvenience and thoroughly complying with the quarantine guidelines , '' the statement said .
Fans visiting the stadium get their temperature checked upon entry and are required to wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No food or alcoholic beverages are allowed in the stands and spectators are required to keep a distance of at least one empty seat from each other .
Chanting , singing and loud cheers -- staples of the live Korean baseball experience -- are also discouraged .
The newly expanded capacity will kick off with five games on Tuesday .
In Seoul , the Kia Tigers will face the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium and the Kiwoom Heroes will play the Hanwha Eagles at Gocheok Sky Dome .
In Busan , South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dinos will face the Lotte Giants at Sajik Stadium .
In Daegu , the southeastern city where South Korea had a major outbreak of COVID-19 in February and March , the Doosan Bears will visit the Samsung Lions at Daegu Samsung Lions Park .
And in Suwon , 20 miles south of Seoul , the KT Wiz will host the SK Wyverns at KT Wiz Park .
Attendance for each of the stadiums will range between 4,000 and 6,000 fans .
South Korea 's pro soccer league , the Korea Professional Football Federation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday it would be increasing its stadium capacity to 25 % starting Friday .
The league , which has a first and second tier , began admitting spectators on Aug. 1 , at the same 10 % level as baseball .
There have been no COVID-19 cases reported from baseball 's reopening .
Additional fans brings some financial relief to KBO 's 10 teams , which are playing a full 144-game schedule and have been paying players their full salaries since the league restarted in early May .
The league touted its success @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players , personnel and fans since reopening .
`` KBO has attracted a great deal of attention at home and abroad as an exemplary approach to prevent COVID-19 , '' the league 's statement said , adding that its guidelines were requested by major sports leagues in the United States , professional baseball in Japan and soccer leagues in Europe .
`` The quarantine guidelines were observed to be exemplary in the active cooperation of the spectators and the efforts of each club to manage quarantine even after spectators entered , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent months tied to crowded spaces , such as nightclubs , distribution centers and churches , South Korea has managed to keep local spread of coronavirus to manageable levels through vigorous testing and tracing protocols .
On Tuesday , health officials reported 34 new virus cases in South Korea , of which 23 were local and 11 came from international visitors entering the country , including seafarers on a Russian vessel .
The country 's total cases rose to 14,660 on Tuesday , while deaths remained at 305 , the Korea Centers @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The Korea Baseball Organization will begin increasing fan capacity at its stadiums from 10% to 25% on Tuesday, the league announced. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI
SEOUL, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- The Korea Baseball Organization, which began allowing fans back to games last month, will raise its stadium capacity from 10% to 25% starting Tuesday, the league announced. Korea's Ministry of Sports, Tourism and Culture last week gave the go-ahead for the league to bring back up to 30% of fans, but the KBO decided to keep the level at 25% to be able to maintain social distancing at each venue. Advertisement
"The allowable crowd size is up to 30%, but for the time being, [the KBO] will be operating in the mid-20% range for each stadium until a new arrangement that complies with the prevention guidelines is stably maintained," the league said in a statement Monday.
"KBO and the 10 clubs welcome the government's decision to expand audiences and express their deep gratitude to the crowds for maturely handling the inconvenience and thoroughly complying with the quarantine guidelines," the statement said.
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Fans visiting the stadium get their temperature checked upon entry and are required to wear a face mask throughout the game. No food or alcoholic beverages are allowed in the stands and spectators are required to keep a distance of at least one empty seat from each other. Chanting, singing and loud cheers -- staples of the live Korean baseball experience -- are also discouraged.
The newly expanded capacity will kick off with five games on Tuesday. In Seoul, the Kia Tigers will face the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium and the Kiwoom Heroes will play the Hanwha Eagles at Gocheok Sky Dome. In Busan, South Korea's second-largest city, the NC Dinos will face the Lotte Giants at Sajik Stadium.
In Daegu, the southeastern city where South Korea had a major outbreak of COVID-19 in February and March, the Doosan Bears will visit the Samsung Lions at Daegu Samsung Lions Park. And in Suwon, 20 miles south of Seoul, the KT Wiz will host the SK Wyverns at KT Wiz Park.
Attendance for each of the stadiums will range between 4,000 and 6,000 fans.
South Korea's pro soccer league, the Korea Professional Football Federation, or K League, also announced Monday it would be increasing its stadium capacity to 25% starting Friday. The league, which has a first and second tier, began admitting spectators on Aug. 1, at the same 10% level as baseball.
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There have been no COVID-19 cases reported from baseball's reopening. Additional fans brings some financial relief to KBO's 10 teams, which are playing a full 144-game schedule and have been paying players their full salaries since the league restarted in early May.
The league touted its success in creating a safe environment for the players, personnel and fans since reopening.
"KBO has attracted a great deal of attention at home and abroad as an exemplary approach to prevent COVID-19," the league's statement said, adding that its guidelines were requested by major sports leagues in the United States, professional baseball in Japan and soccer leagues in Europe.
"The quarantine guidelines were observed to be exemplary in the active cooperation of the spectators and the efforts of each club to manage quarantine even after spectators entered," the league said.
Despite ongoing cluster outbreaks in recent months tied to crowded spaces, such as nightclubs, distribution centers and churches, South Korea has managed to keep local spread of coronavirus to manageable levels through vigorous testing and tracing protocols.
On Tuesday, health officials reported 34 new virus cases in South Korea, of which 23 were local and 11 came from international visitors entering the country, including seafarers on a Russian vessel. The country's total cases rose to 14,660 on Tuesday, while deaths remained at 305, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced.


upi--2020-08-11--Sen. Ron Johnson subpoenas FBI over its Russia probe

Aug. 11 ( UPI ) -- Republican Sen. Ron Johnson has subpoenaed the Federal Bureau of Investigation to hand over records concerning its probe of Russia meddling in the 2016 presidential election .
The subpoena announced Monday and addressed to FBI Director Christopher Wray calls on him to produce by Aug. 20 records concerning the Crossfire Hurricane investigation , the bureau 's two-year probe of possible links between Russia and then-candidate Donald Trump 's 2016 presidential campaign .
Specifically , Johnson requested the documents the FBI gave the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Justice as part of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December that the probe was rife with mistakes but was not politically motivated , improper or illegal .
The Wisconsin senator subpoenaed the documents as part of his probe as chairman of the Senate homeland security and governmental affairs committee into the origins of the FBI 's investigation that was later helmed by special counsel Robert Mueller .
Johnson also requested the General Services Administration to hand over all presidential transition records from November 2016 to December 2017 .
In a statement , the FBI said it has been producing documents and information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to do so .
`` As always , the FBI will continue to cooperate with the committee 's requests , consistent with our law enforcement and national security obligations , '' the statement read .
Johnson also published a lengthy 11-page letter explaining the purpose and origins of his probe into the Russia meddling investigation and defending a second investigation he is conducting into former vice president and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden .
`` The left is relentless .
They play for keeps , and they do n't let rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Johnson wrote .
`` They are using the same tired old canard of Russian interference .
You 'd think they could come up with something better than that , but here they are , confident they can pull it off again . ''
Johnson is also investigating alleged conflicts of interest in the Obama administration related to its Ukraine policy due to Biden 's son Hunter serving on the board of Burisma , a Ukrainian gas company .
Democrats have criticized the effort as partisan while Johnson defended it in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bidens with his investigation , `` their previous actions had put them in the middle of it . ''
On Friday , U.S. National Cyber Security Center Director William Evanina issued a statement saying Russia was attempting to denigrate Biden in the run up to the general election in November , stating pro-Russian Ukrainian politician Andriy Derkach has been spreading claims about corruption to undermine the former vice president .
The next day , Richard Blumenthal , D-Conn. , penned an op-ed published in The Washington Post that referenced an article that appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's committee was conducting its investigation into Biden with documents it received from Derkach -- an accusation the Wisconsin Republican denied in his letter .
`` We have not taken , nor do we possess , the documents from Ukrainians that Democrats keep claiming , '' Johnson wrote in the letter .

Chairman U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) of the Senate homeland security and governmental affairs committee on Monday subpoenaed records from the Federal Bureau of Investigation over its probe of Russia meddling. Pool Photo by Alexander Drago/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Republican Sen. Ron Johnson has subpoenaed the Federal Bureau of Investigation to hand over records concerning its probe of Russia meddling in the 2016 presidential election. The subpoena announced Monday and addressed to FBI Director Christopher Wray calls on him to produce by Aug. 20 records concerning the Crossfire Hurricane investigation, the bureau's two-year probe of possible links between Russia and then-candidate Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. Advertisement
Specifically, Johnson requested the documents the FBI gave the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Justice as part of its investigation into Crossfire Hurricane that concluded in December that the probe was rife with mistakes but was not politically motivated, improper or illegal.
The Wisconsin senator subpoenaed the documents as part of his probe as chairman of the Senate homeland security and governmental affairs committee into the origins of the FBI's investigation that was later helmed by special counsel Robert Mueller.
Johnson also requested the General Services Administration to hand over all presidential transition records from November 2016 to December 2017.
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In a statement, the FBI said it has been producing documents and information to the committee and has boosted resources in order to do so.
"As always, the FBI will continue to cooperate with the committee's requests, consistent with our law enforcement and national security obligations," the statement read.
Johnson also published a lengthy 11-page letter explaining the purpose and origins of his probe into the Russia meddling investigation and defending a second investigation he is conducting into former vice president and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.
"The left is relentless. They play for keeps, and they don't let rules or the truth get in their way," Johnson wrote. "They are using the same tired old canard of Russian interference. You'd think they could come up with something better than that, but here they are, confident they can pull it off again."
Johnson is also investigating alleged conflicts of interest in the Obama administration related to its Ukraine policy due to Biden's son Hunter serving on the board of Burisma, a Ukrainian gas company.
Democrats have criticized the effort as partisan while Johnson defended it in the letter saying he isn't targeting the Bidens with his investigation, "their previous actions had put them in the middle of it."
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On Friday, U.S. National Cyber Security Center Director William Evanina issued a statement saying Russia was attempting to denigrate Biden in the run up to the general election in November, stating pro-Russian Ukrainian politician Andriy Derkach has been spreading claims about corruption to undermine the former vice president.
The next day, Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., penned an op-ed published in The Washington Post that referenced an article that appeared Wednesday in the D.C. paper stating Johnson's committee was conducting its investigation into Biden with documents it received from Derkach -- an accusation the Wisconsin Republican denied in his letter.
"We have not taken, nor do we possess, the documents from Ukrainians that Democrats keep claiming," Johnson wrote in the letter.


upi--2020-08-11--Many deaths labeled cardiac arrest may be drug overdoses

Americans have long known that there 's an epidemic of opioid abuse and deaths in the United States .
But a new report suggests the true extent of these tragedies has been underestimated .
The study , from researchers at the University of California , San Francisco , finds that 1 in every 6 deaths attributed to sudden cardiac arrest among San Franciscans between 2011 and 2017 may , in fact , have been triggered by a drug overdose .
The finding has `` broad implications for epidemiologic estimates of overdose-related mortality [ deaths ] , particularly opioid-related mortality , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Zian Tseng .
In fact , if the San Francisco data is replicated elsewhere , there could be `` a substantial underestimate of the true burden '' of drug-related deaths nationally , because these deaths are `` masquerading as sudden cardiac deaths , '' Tseng 's group said .
Emergency physician Dr. Robert Glatter agreed there 's probably an undercount of the number of U.S. lives lost to drug overdose .
But getting supplies of the opioid overdose antidote drug naloxone out to the most vulnerable would help curb deaths , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus our efforts on prevention and treatment for opioid use disorder , including ready access to naloxone for all people who receive an opiate prescription , '' said Glatter , who practices at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City .
In the new study , the UCSF researchers first looked over postmortem reports for 525 San Francisco deaths labeled after autopsy as `` out-of-hospital cardiac deaths . ''
A team of medical experts -- a medical examiner , a cardiac pathologist , a neurologist and two cardiologists/cardiac electrophysiologists -- reviewed the reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2014 .
Another 242 such postmortem reports , this time spanning from 2014 to 2017 , was also reviewed with the same criteria .
Tseng and his colleagues noted that based on their analysis -- including postmortem toxicology tests -- 15 % of the `` cardiac death '' cases tabulated 2011-2014 involved a drug overdose , as did about 22 % of deaths in the 2014-2017 group .
Among these newly discovered cases of fatal overdose , more than two-thirds from the earlier cohort were found tied to the use of an opioid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later cohort .
The team also stressed that in many cases , multiple `` intoxicants '' were found to be present in toxicology test results -- stimulants , marijuana , sedatives and alcohol among them .
Could the San Francisco findings be extrapolated to the nation as a whole ?
According to the researchers , that 's tough to say , although they said the rate of overdose death in San Francisco `` is nearly identical to the median overdose mortality rate among states '' generally .
For his part , New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opioid abuse continues to evolve .
`` While use of cheap illicit opiates from the street -- for example , heroin mixed with fentanyl -- contributes to a greater overall percentage of ongoing overdoses , prescription opiate use is still responsible for up to nearly a third of overdose deaths in the U.S. , based on [ U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ] data from 2018 , '' he noted .
To help slow the rate of these tragedies , `` we must continue to direct efforts at prevention and treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health professionals , counselors and teachers to spot early warning signs of addiction , '' Glatter said .
Providing addicts and those close to them with naloxone is crucial , he added .
`` Data indicates that this is one area where education about the proper use of naloxone can save lives , '' Glatter said .
`` Families , significant others and relatives who have access to naloxone are able to intervene and save lives , before people become statistics . ''
The San Francisco study was published Aug. 10 in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on drug overdose deaths , see the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

Americans have long known that there's an epidemic of opioid abuse and deaths in the United States. But a new report suggests the true extent of these tragedies has been underestimated.
The study, from researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, finds that 1 in every 6 deaths attributed to sudden cardiac arrest among San Franciscans between 2011 and 2017 may, in fact, have been triggered by a drug overdose.
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The finding has "broad implications for epidemiologic estimates of overdose-related mortality [deaths], particularly opioid-related mortality," said researchers led by UCSF cardiologist Dr. Zian Tseng.
In fact, if the San Francisco data is replicated elsewhere, there could be "a substantial underestimate of the true burden" of drug-related deaths nationally, because these deaths are "masquerading as sudden cardiac deaths," Tseng's group said.
Emergency physician Dr. Robert Glatter agreed there's probably an undercount of the number of U.S. lives lost to drug overdose. But getting supplies of the opioid overdose antidote drug naloxone out to the most vulnerable would help curb deaths, he believes.
Advertisement
"We must continue to focus our efforts on prevention and treatment for opioid use disorder, including ready access to naloxone for all people who receive an opiate prescription," said Glatter, who practices at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
In the new study, the UCSF researchers first looked over postmortem reports for 525 San Francisco deaths labeled after autopsy as "out-of-hospital cardiac deaths."
A team of medical experts -- a medical examiner, a cardiac pathologist, a neurologist and two cardiologists/cardiac electrophysiologists -- reviewed the reports, which were recorded between 2011 and 2014.
Another 242 such postmortem reports, this time spanning from 2014 to 2017, was also reviewed with the same criteria.
Tseng and his colleagues noted that based on their analysis -- including postmortem toxicology tests -- 15% of the "cardiac death" cases tabulated 2011-2014 involved a drug overdose, as did about 22% of deaths in the 2014-2017 group.
Among these newly discovered cases of fatal overdose, more than two-thirds from the earlier cohort were found tied to the use of an opioid, as were about half in the later cohort.
The team also stressed that in many cases, multiple "intoxicants" were found to be present in toxicology test results -- stimulants, marijuana, sedatives and alcohol among them.
Advertisement
Could the San Francisco findings be extrapolated to the nation as a whole? According to the researchers, that's tough to say, although they said the rate of overdose death in San Francisco "is nearly identical to the median overdose mortality rate among states" generally.
For his part, New York City's Glatter said the epidemic of opioid abuse continues to evolve.
"While use of cheap illicit opiates from the street -- for example, heroin mixed with fentanyl -- contributes to a greater overall percentage of ongoing overdoses, prescription opiate use is still responsible for up to nearly a third of overdose deaths in the U.S., based on [U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] data from 2018," he noted.
To help slow the rate of these tragedies, "we must continue to direct efforts at prevention and treatment of opioid use disorder by engaging mental health professionals, counselors and teachers to spot early warning signs of addiction," Glatter said.
Providing addicts and those close to them with naloxone is crucial, he added.
"Data indicates that this is one area where education about the proper use of naloxone can save lives," Glatter said. "Families, significant others and relatives who have access to naloxone are able to intervene and save lives, before people become statistics."
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The San Francisco study was published Aug. 10 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
More information
For more on drug overdose deaths, see the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-08-11--Researchers, growers seek vanilla production in Florida

ORLANDO , Fla. , Aug. 11 ( UPI ) -- Growers and researchers in Florida hope the aromatic vanilla bean can provide a lucrative , high-margin crop for the state 's farmers .
The University of Florida is heading research into vanilla , which comes from a tropical orchid and carries a hefty price around the world .
The goal is to determine how well the plants grow in Florida 's subtropical climate , where the dominant crop -- citrus -- has suffered from destructive diseases and hurricanes that have shut groves and put growers out of business .
Already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bakers and breweries are calling to line up more vanilla production .
`` The interest in this as a new crop is huge , '' said Alan Chambers , assistant professor of tropical plant genetics at the university 's research station south of Miami .
`` Our biggest problem right now is growers ca n't find enough plants .
We have people calling and asking to buy the beans we 're growing , and we say you have to wait a couple of years . ''
Chambers knows that vanilla can grow in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vanilla orchid plants exist , but none of the native types produces authentic vanilla .
So , he 's started with the most common commercial species , vanilla planiforia , the beans from which Madagascar and Mexico export in large quantities .
Chambers has 150 of the plants ready to distribute to community center gardens and other growers as far north as Tampa .
Florida will never be able to compete globally for vanilla due to the cost of labor , but there 's a big demand for specialty vanilla , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremely high quality , similar to the limited vanilla production in Hawaii , '' Chambers said .
`` We 're hearing from brewers , herbalists , bakers and aroma extractors . ''
Chambers also helped a Miami area grower , attorney Abrahm Smith , obtain 800 of the vanilla plants for Smith 's small , 8-acre farm .
They take up about one-quarter of an acre .
`` It 's a hobby farm for me , but if vanilla works , it will be great because it has a very high-profit margin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to make as much from that quarter-acre as I do from 6 acres of fruit trees we 've planted . ''
That high margin is what drove the crop to become one of Madagascar 's top exports , but the bean is not processed on the island .
Much of the bean crop is processed when it reaches the United States , where it is primarily used as a food and drink flavoring .
The price of vanilla has fluctuated wildly in recent years with weather conditions in Madagascar , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 to $ 350 for that amount in June .
The United States is the largest importer of vanilla beans .
Given the high value of the crop , and Florida 's struggles with citrus , the University of Florida funded Chambers ' research with a $ 75,000 grant .
Chambers also advises a separate project led by private industry that collects funds from interested growers to provide thousands of the vanilla plants from a nursery in Orlando .

1/2
A vanilla orchid grows in a greenhouse in Florida, where researchers want to find varieties that can be grown commercially. Photo courtesy of Malcolm Manners/Florida Southern College
ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Growers and researchers in Florida hope the aromatic vanilla bean can provide a lucrative, high-margin crop for the state's farmers. The University of Florida is heading research into vanilla, which comes from a tropical orchid and carries a hefty price around the world. Advertisement
The goal is to determine how well the plants grow in Florida's subtropical climate, where the dominant crop -- citrus -- has suffered from destructive diseases and hurricanes that have shut groves and put growers out of business.
Already, the university reports that hobbyists, bakers and breweries are calling to line up more vanilla production.
"The interest in this as a new crop is huge," said Alan Chambers, assistant professor of tropical plant genetics at the university's research station south of Miami.
"Our biggest problem right now is growers can't find enough plants. We have people calling and asking to buy the beans we're growing, and we say you have to wait a couple of years."
Chambers knows that vanilla can grow in Florida because four native species of the vanilla orchid plants exist, but none of the native types produces authentic vanilla.
Advertisement
So, he's started with the most common commercial species, vanilla planifolia, the beans from which Madagascar and Mexico export in large quantities. Chambers has 150 of the plants ready to distribute to community center gardens and other growers as far north as Tampa.
Florida will never be able to compete globally for vanilla due to the cost of labor, but there's a big demand for specialty vanilla, he said.
"We'd be looking at extremely high quality, similar to the limited vanilla production in Hawaii," Chambers said. "We're hearing from brewers, herbalists, bakers and aroma extractors."
Chambers also helped a Miami area grower, attorney Abrahm Smith, obtain 800 of the vanilla plants for Smith's small, 8-acre farm. They take up about one-quarter of an acre.
"It's a hobby farm for me, but if vanilla works, it will be great because it has a very high-profit margin," Smith said. "I should be able to make as much from that quarter-acre as I do from 6 acres of fruit trees we've planted."
That high margin is what drove the crop to become one of Madagascar's top exports, but the bean is not processed on the island. Much of the bean crop is processed when it reaches the United States, where it is primarily used as a food and drink flavoring.
Advertisement
The price of vanilla has fluctuated wildly in recent years with weather conditions in Madagascar, from $600 per 2.2 pounds of beans in 2018 to $350 for that amount in June.
The United States is the largest importer of vanilla beans. Given the high value of the crop, and Florida's struggles with citrus, the University of Florida funded Chambers' research with a $75,000 grant.
Chambers also advises a separate project led by private industry that collects funds from interested growers to provide thousands of the vanilla plants from a nursery in Orlando.


upi--2020-08-11--On This Day, Aug. 11: Eunice Kennedy Shriver dies at 88

Aug. 11 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1877 , Thomas Edison described the fundamentals of the phonograph to an assistant and instructed him to build the first one .
In 1934 , the first group of federal prisoners classified as `` most dangerous '' arrived at Alcatraz Island , a 22-acre rocky outcrop 1.5 miles offshore in San Francisco Bay .
In 1943 , German military forces started evacuating Sicily , Italy , under threat by the Allies in World War II .
In 1952 , Jordan 's parliament ousted King Talal for being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17-year-old son King Hussein .
The young king would go on to rule 43 years , until his death Feb. 7 , 1999 .
In 1954 , a formal announcement ended the seven-year war in Indochina between France and forces of the communist Viet Minh .
In 1965 , riots began in the Watts section of Los Angeles .
In six days of violence , 34 people were killed .
In 1984 , in an off-air radio voice check picked up by TV cameras , U.S. President Ronald Reagan joked , `` My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell you today that I 've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever .
We begin bombing in 5 minutes . ''
The Kremlin was n't amused .
In 1991 , a Lebanese militant group , the Revolutionary Justice Organization , released U.S. hostage Edward Tracy , 60 , who was a captive for nearly five years .
In 1993 , U.S. President Bill Clinton endorsed the `` Brady Bill '' handgun control measure and signed an executive order banning the import of semiautomatic assault-style handguns .
In 1997 , Bill Clinton became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line-item veto , a power granted by Congress the year before .
In 1998 , two boys , ages 12 and 14 , were found to be `` delinquent '' ( the juvenile court equivalent of a guilty verdict ) in the fatal March shootings of four students and a teacher at their middle school in Jonesboro , Ark .
In 1999 , the Kansas State Board of Education voted to drop the theory of evolution from the public school curriculum .
In 2007 , the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in same-sex relationships .
In 2009 , Eunice Kennedy Shriver , younger sister of President John Kennedy , mother of former California first lady Maria Shriver and founder of the Special Olympics , died in a Cape Cod , Mass.
, hospital .
She was 88 .
She devoted much of her life to raising funds for , and awareness of , people with mental disabilities .
In 2014 , Oscar-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams died at age 63 in Tiburon , Calif. `` This is a sudden and tragic loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' wife , Susan Schneider , said `` the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings . ''
Williams ' death was ruled a suicide .
In 2016 , Michael Phelps became the first swimmer to win four consecutive Olympic gold medals in a single event .

1/6
On Aug. 11, 2009, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, younger sister of President John Kennedy, died in a Cape Cod, Mass., hospital. She was 88. File Photo by Doug Mills/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 11 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1877, Thomas Edison described the fundamentals of the phonograph to an assistant and instructed him to build the first one. Advertisement
In 1934, the first group of federal prisoners classified as "most dangerous" arrived at Alcatraz Island, a 22-acre rocky outcrop 1.5 miles offshore in San Francisco Bay.
In 1943, German military forces started evacuating Sicily, Italy, under threat by the Allies in World War II.
In 1952, Jordan's parliament ousted King Talal for being mentally unfit to rule and named his 17-year-old son King Hussein. The young king would go on to rule 43 years, until his death Feb. 7, 1999.
In 1954, a formal announcement ended the seven-year war in Indochina between France and forces of the communist Viet Minh.
In 1965, riots began in the Watts section of Los Angeles. In six days of violence, 34 people were killed.
In 1984, in an off-air radio voice check picked up by TV cameras, U.S. President Ronald Reagan joked, "My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in 5 minutes." The Kremlin wasn't amused.
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UPI File Photo
In 1991, a Lebanese militant group, the Revolutionary Justice Organization, released U.S. hostage Edward Tracy, 60, who was a captive for nearly five years.
In 1993, U.S. President Bill Clinton endorsed the "Brady Bill" handgun control measure and signed an executive order banning the import of semiautomatic assault-style handguns.
In 1997, Bill Clinton became the first U.S. president to use the line-item veto, a power granted by Congress the year before.
In 1998, two boys, ages 12 and 14, were found to be "delinquent" (the juvenile court equivalent of a guilty verdict) in the fatal March shootings of four students and a teacher at their middle school in Jonesboro, Ark.
In 1999, the Kansas State Board of Education voted to drop the theory of evolution from the public school curriculum.
In 2007, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted to refrain from disciplining members of the clergy involved in same-sex relationships.
In 2009, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, younger sister of President John Kennedy, mother of former California first lady Maria Shriver and founder of the Special Olympics, died in a Cape Cod, Mass., hospital. She was 88. She devoted much of her life to raising funds for, and awareness of, people with mental disabilities.
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File Photo by Doug Mills/UPI
In 2014, Oscar-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams died at age 63 in Tiburon, Calif. "This is a sudden and tragic loss," his publicist said. Williams' wife, Susan Schneider, said "the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings." Williams' death was ruled a suicide.
In 2016, Michael Phelps became the first swimmer to win four consecutive Olympic gold medals in a single event.


upi--2020-08-11--Evacuations ordered in Colorado as Grizzly Creek Fire grows to 3,200 acres

Aug. 11 ( UPI ) -- The Grizzly Creek Fire in Colorado grew to 3,200 acres on Tuesday , closing a major roadway and prompting evacuations in the surrounding area .
Fire officials said the blaze , which has grown rapidly since it began on Monday , has crossed the Colorado River and Interstate 70 , which the Colorado Department of Transportation said will remain closed through the night on Tuesday with the possibility of an extended closure throughout the week .
`` Hot , dry weather combined with dry fuels and a windy afternoon pushed the Grizzly Creek Fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The Garfield County Sheriff 's Office announced Tuesday night that evacuations have been ordered for residents of No Name and Lookout Mountain , east of Glenwood Springs .
A pre-evacuation notice was also in place for Bair Ranch .
The city of Glenwood Springs also shut off the No Name water diversion source and began pumping water from the Roaring Fork River pump station in response to the blaze .
`` This is out of an abundance of caution to protect the water supply from fire retardant being used on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the city said .
`` Residents are asked to refrain from watering lawns for the next 48 hours .
Additional restrictions may be issued later . ''
A total of 211 fire personnel along with air tankers and helicopters have been deployed to combat the blaze .
The cause of the fire remains under investigation .

Residents in parts of Colorado were forced to evacuate Tuesday as the Grizzly Creek Fire, which sparked on Monday, grew to 3,200 acres. Photo by Garfield County Sheriff's Office
Aug. 11 (UPI) -- The Grizzly Creek Fire in Colorado grew to 3,200 acres on Tuesday, closing a major roadway and prompting evacuations in the surrounding area. Fire officials said the blaze, which has grown rapidly since it began on Monday, has crossed the Colorado River and Interstate 70, which the Colorado Department of Transportation said will remain closed through the night on Tuesday with the possibility of an extended closure throughout the week. Advertisement
"Hot, dry weather combined with dry fuels and a windy afternoon pushed the Grizzly Creek Fire in multiple directions," fire officials said.
The Garfield County Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday night that evacuations have been ordered for residents of No Name and Lookout Mountain, east of Glenwood Springs. A pre-evacuation notice was also in place for Bair Ranch.
The city of Glenwood Springs also shut off the No Name water diversion source and began pumping water from the Roaring Fork River pump station in response to the blaze.
"This is out of an abundance of caution to protect the water supply from fire retardant being used on the Grizzly Creek Fire in Glenwood Canyon," the city said. "Residents are asked to refrain from watering lawns for the next 48 hours. Additional restrictions may be issued later."
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A total of 211 fire personnel along with air tankers and helicopters have been deployed to combat the blaze.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.


upi--2020-08-11--Five states vote in primary contests on Tuesday

Aug. 11 ( UPI ) -- Several states will cast votes in primary contests Tuesday to determine final races for November .
Voters in Minnesota , Wisconsin , Connecticut and Vermont will hold races while Georgia will hold a pair of runoff contests from its June primary .
Rep. Ilhan Omar emerged victorious after facing a field of four other Democratic candidates in the 5th District , including attorney and mediator Antone Melton-Meaux , a well-funded first-time candidate who 's accused the congresswoman of being sidetracked by personal distractions .
Omar has been a visible member of Congress in her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of first-term representatives that came to be known as `` The Squad '' -- alongside Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York , Ayana Pressley of Massachusetts and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan .
Businessman Lacy Johnson has also led a successful fundraising campaign in the Republican race for the seat as he faces off against Dalia Al-Agidi and Danielle Stella .
Rep. Tom Emmer won the race for Minnesota 's 6th District as he seeks a fourth term in the November election .
In the 7th District , a group of Republicans will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an area that has shown strong support for President Donald Trump .
Former state Sen. and Lt. Gov .
Michell Fischbach has received the endorsement of the GOP and backing from Trump , but faces competition from David Hughes , who has challenged Peterson for the past two elections , as well as physician Noel Collis and two other candidates .
Democratic candidates Josh Pade and Roger Polack , a civilian intelligence official and senior policy adviser under former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama , will battle for the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they attempt to flip the seat previously held by former House Speaker Paul Ryan .
In District 4 , Tim Rogers and businesswoman Cindy Werner will face off in the Republican primary as they battle for the chance to challenge incumbent Rep. Gwen Moore .
Republicans Jim Griffin and Mary Fay will battle for the chance to challenge Democratic Rep. John Larson in Connecticut 's 1st District .
Griffin , a career lobbyist and former official in the White House budget office , has so far outraised Fay , a financial services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2nd District , construction worker Thomas Gilmer and veteran Justin Anderson were expected to face off in the Republican primary to challenge Democratic Rep. Joe Courtney .
But Gilmer dropped out of the race Tuesday after he was arrested the night before .
Wethersfield police said he was charged with first-degree unlawful restraint and second-degree strangulation .
The Hartford Courant reported the charges are related to an alleged altercation between Gilmer and a former girlfriend .
Gilmer blamed the investigation , which was opened July 22 , on mud-slinging from his opponent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic presidential primary in Connecticut , the last state to vote in the contest , on the same day he announced Sen. Kamala Harris will be his running mate .
Vermont 's lone member of the House , six-term Democratic Rep. Peter Welch , easily fended off a challenge from activist Ralph `` Carajou '' Corbo , winning 96 % of the vote .
Corbo also ran for governor after attempting to get younger candidates to run for the offices , saying they are most affected by issues such as climate change .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Justin Tuthill and Anya Tynio , as well as Progressive Party candidates Chris Brimmer and Cris Ericson , will also seek to make it to the ballot for November .
Two-term Republican Gov .
Phil Scott bested a field of candidates on the GOP side on Tuesday night , while Lt. Gov .
David Zuckerman and former Education Secretary Rebecca Holcombe lead the four-person field in the Democratic primary for governor .
President pro tempore of the Vermont Senate , Tim Ashe , and state Sen. Debbie Ingram will battle in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Zuckerman , while five Republicans and one Progressive are also on the ballot Tuesday .
Two pairs of Republican candidates face runoff elections from the party 's primary in June .
In the 14th District , Marjorie Taylor Greene won the runoff contest against John Cowan .
Greene has sparked controversy by making statements about Muslim members of Congress and supporting the QAnon conspiracy , which Twitter took steps to limit last month .
Her comments led Republican Rep. Jody Hice to rescind her endorsement .
Cowan , a neurosurgeon , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservative , none of the embarrassment . ''
In the 9th District , military veteran and gun store owner Andrew Clyde defeated state Rep. Matt Gurtler in the race to replace Rep. Doug Collins .
Results reported by The New York Times and The Hill .


upi--2020-08-11--Top Seed Open: Serena Williams wins in return, will face sister Venus

Aug. 11 ( UPI ) -- Following a six-month layoff , Serena Williams returned to the court and beat unseeded American Bernarda Pera 4-6 , 6-4 , 6-1 in Tuesday 's opening round of the Top Seed Open in Lexington , Ky. Williams , the tournament 's top seed , dropped the first set and was down 0-40 at 4-4 in the second before rallying to avoid her 14th loss to an opponent ranked outside of the top 50 .
`` I just knew I needed to be better , '' Williams said .
`` I knew I could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game .
She had so many winners and [ was ] so low .
I just had to kind of get used to a game a little bit .
She played really well . ''
With the win , Williams advances to the second round and will face off against her older sister , Venus , who defeated Victoria Azarenka 6-3 , 6-2 .
It will be the 31st career match between the Williams sisters .
Williams , a 23-time Grand Slam champion , had n't played since splitting two Fed Cup matches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic forced sports around the global to halt .
The Top Seed Open -- the first women 's tennis event in the United States since the pandemic struck -- is serving as a warm-up event for players as they prepare for this month 's U.S. Open in New York , which will take place Aug. 31 without fans in attendance .
Venus Williams had a much easier match against Azarenka .
The seven-time Grand Slam champion led 4-0 in the second set before splitting the last four games to claim her first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Venus and Serena have n't played each other since the 2018 U.S. Open .
Serena beat Venus 6-1 , 6-2 in the round of 32 that year .

Before Tuesday, Serena Williams hadn't played since splitting two Fed Cup matches in February. File Photo by Ray Stubblebine/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Following a six-month layoff, Serena Williams returned to the court and beat unseeded American Bernarda Pera 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in Tuesday's opening round of the Top Seed Open in Lexington, Ky. Williams, the tournament's top seed, dropped the first set and was down 0-40 at 4-4 in the second before rallying to avoid her 14th loss to an opponent ranked outside of the top 50. Advertisement
"I just knew I needed to be better," Williams said. "I knew I could be better. And it was an interesting game. She had so many winners and [was] so low. I just had to kind of get used to a game a little bit. She played really well."
With the win, Williams advances to the second round and will face off against her older sister, Venus, who defeated Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 6-2. It will be the 31st career match between the Williams sisters.
Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, hadn't played since splitting two Fed Cup matches in February, one month before the coronavirus pandemic forced sports around the global to halt.
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The Top Seed Open -- the first women's tennis event in the United States since the pandemic struck -- is serving as a warm-up event for players as they prepare for this month's U.S. Open in New York, which will take place Aug. 31 without fans in attendance.
Venus Williams had a much easier match against Azarenka. The seven-time Grand Slam champion led 4-0 in the second set before splitting the last four games to claim her first win in four tries this year.
Venus and Serena haven't played each other since the 2018 U.S. Open. Serena beat Venus 6-1, 6-2 in the round of 32 that year.
Serena Williams' tennis career: a look back


upi--2020-08-11--Singer, guitarist Trini Lopez dies of COVID-19 at 83

Aug. 11 ( UPI ) -- Singer and guitarist Trini Lopez , most known for his 1960s recordings of `` If I Had a Hammer '' and `` Lemon Tree '' died on Tuesday of complications from COVID-19 .
He was 83 .
Lopez died Tuesday in a hospital in Palm Springs , Calif. , Joe Chavira , his songwriting and business partner , told The Hollywood Reporter .
Lopez was born Trinidad Lopez III in Dallas , to Mexican immigrants and began playing in bands at the age of 15 .
His group Big Beats signed with Columbia Records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and signed his own deal with King Records in 1962 .
Lopez was later discovered by Frank Sinatra during a residency at Los Angeles nightclub PJ 's and signed to his label Reprise Records in 1963 .
Lopez 's debut album `` Trini Lopez at PJ 's '' featured a cover of , `` If I Had a Hammer '' that topped charts in multiple countries and reached No .
3 in the United States .
His rendition of `` Lemon Tree '' also reached No .
20 in the U.S. in 1965 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 60 albums played a headlining show in Las Vegas and appeared in the 1967 film The Dirty Dozen .
A documentary about his life titled My Name Is Lopez is in postproduction .

Trini Lopez (L) rehearses with Dutch violist and conductor Andre Rieu in Lopez's studio in Maastricht, The Netherlands, on February 22, 2013. Lopez died on Tuesday of complications from COVID-19. Photo by Marcel Van Hoorn/EPA
Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Singer and guitarist Trini Lopez, most known for his 1960s recordings of "If I Had a Hammer" and "Lemon Tree" died on Tuesday of complications from COVID-19. He was 83. Lopez died Tuesday in a hospital in Palm Springs, Calif., Joe Chavira, his songwriting and business partner, told The Hollywood Reporter. Advertisement
Lopez was born Trinidad Lopez III in Dallas, to Mexican immigrants and began playing in bands at the age of 15.
His group Big Beats signed with Columbia Records in 1958 and he later went solo and signed his own deal with King Records in 1962. Lopez was later discovered by Frank Sinatra during a residency at Los Angeles nightclub PJ's and signed to his label Reprise Records in 1963.
Lopez's debut album "Trini Lopez at PJ's" featured a cover of, "If I Had a Hammer" that topped charts in multiple countries and reached No. 3 in the United States. His rendition of "Lemon Tree" also reached No. 20 in the U.S. in 1965.
Throughout his career, Lopez recorded more than 60 albums played a headlining show in Las Vegas and appeared in the 1967 film The Dirty Dozen.
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A documentary about his life titled My Name Is Lopez is in postproduction.
Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-08-11--Miami Dolphins place star CB Xavien Howard on COVID-19 list

Aug. 11 ( UPI ) -- The Miami Dolphins put star cornerback Xavien Howard on the reserve/COVID-19 list , the team announced Tuesday .
Howard 's placement on the list means that he either tested positive for the coronavirus or was in close contact with someone who recorded a positive test result .
In the team 's statement , the Dolphins said they are not allowed to comment on whether he tested positive or is just in quarantine .
Howard is currently on the physically unable to perform list as he continues to recover from knee surgery .
He had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rehabbing at the team 's facility this summer .
The 2018 Pro Bowl selection played only five games last season due to the knee injury .
He notched 17 total tackles , one interception and four passes defensed in 2019 .
The Dolphins signed former Dallas Cowboys defensive back Byron Jones to a five-year , $ 82.5 million contract in March with the hopes of slotting him opposite Howard , who was the NFL 's co-interceptions leader in 2018 .
The franchise also selected cornerback Noah Igbinoghene in the first round of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now in quarantine , it remains unclear whether he will be ready to play in the Dolphins ' season opener Sept. 13 .
Miami plays the New England Patriots in Week 1 .
Offensive lineman Ereck Flowers is the only other Dolphins player on the reserve/COVID-19 list .
He was placed on the list Aug. 2 .

Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard (25) played only five games last season due to a knee injury. He notched 17 total tackles, one interception and four passes defensed in 2019. File Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 11 (UPI) -- The Miami Dolphins put star cornerback Xavien Howard on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Tuesday. Howard's placement on the list means that he either tested positive for the coronavirus or was in close contact with someone who recorded a positive test result. In the team's statement, the Dolphins said they are not allowed to comment on whether he tested positive or is just in quarantine. Advertisement
Howard is currently on the physically unable to perform list as he continues to recover from knee surgery. He had the procedure in December and had been rehabbing at the team's facility this summer.
The 2018 Pro Bowl selection played only five games last season due to the knee injury. He notched 17 total tackles, one interception and four passes defensed in 2019.
The Dolphins signed former Dallas Cowboys defensive back Byron Jones to a five-year, $82.5 million contract in March with the hopes of slotting him opposite Howard, who was the NFL's co-interceptions leader in 2018. The franchise also selected cornerback Noah Igbinoghene in the first round of this year's NFL Draft.
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With Howard now in quarantine, it remains unclear whether he will be ready to play in the Dolphins' season opener Sept. 13. Miami plays the New England Patriots in Week 1.
Offensive lineman Ereck Flowers is the only other Dolphins player on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He was placed on the list Aug. 2.


upi--2020-08-11--French authorities launch investigation into 30-year-old corpse found in mansion

Aug. 11 ( UPI ) -- Authorities in France opened a murder investigation on Monday after finding a corpse that had gone unnoticed in an abandoned mansion for 30 years .
Officials said the body was found in the basement of the Paris mansion , which sold for about $ 41.2 million in January , during renovations on Feb. 26 .
`` They found him in a place that had not been visited either by the bailiff who had made the report or by anyone else .
No one had visited the cellar , '' Bruno Picard , a lawyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told CNN .
The building in Paris ' 7th arrondissement , has been abandoned since the mid-18th century and includes an interior courtyard and private gardens .
Paris police identified the body , which was found with knife injuries and broken bones , as Jean-Pierre Renaud .
`` Thirty years on , it appears to have been the result of a fight between homeless people , '' police said .
`` He had alcohol problems .
The house seems to have been used as a squat when he died , but we ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Authorities in France opened a murder investigation on Monday after finding a corpse that had gone unnoticed in an abandoned mansion for 30 years.
Officials said the body was found in the basement of the Paris mansion, which sold for about $41.2 million in January, during renovations on Feb. 26.
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"They found him in a place that had not been visited either by the bailiff who had made the report or by anyone else. No one had visited the cellar," Bruno Picard, a lawyer who oversaw the house's auction, told CNN.
The building in Paris' 7th arrondissement, has been abandoned since the mid-18th century and includes an interior courtyard and private gardens.
Paris police identified the body, which was found with knife injuries and broken bones, as Jean-Pierre Renaud.
"Thirty years on, it appears to have been the result of a fight between homeless people," police said. "He had alcohol problems. The house seems to have been used as a squat when he died, but we can't be sure he died here."


upi--2020-08-11--Athletics' Laureano suspended six games for brawl; Astros' Cintron gets 20

Aug. 11 ( UPI ) -- Major League Baseball has suspended Oakland Athletics outfielder Ramon Laureano six games and Houston Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron 20 games for their roles in Sunday 's benches-clearing incident , the league announced Tuesday .
MLB said Laureano , who also received an undisclosed fine , has appealed the six-game ban .
Cintron -- also given an undisclosed fine -- ca n't appeal , so his suspension begins immediately .
Cintron and Laureano got involved in a shouting match after Laureano was hit by a pitch for the third time in the series and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Astros .
Cintron -- standing in the first-base dugout -- exchanged words and gestured at Laureano , who then charged the dugout and was tackled by Astros catcher Dustin Garneau .
Both benches cleared , and Laureano and A 's catcher Austin Allen were eventually ejected .
Following the game , Laureano said Cintron directed an expletive at him , which he returned .
Then , Laureano told ESPN , Cintron `` said in Spanish something you do n't say about my mother . ''
In a statement released Tuesday , Cintron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied saying anything about Laureano 's mother .
`` I accept MLB 's suspension and will learn from this , '' Cintron said .
`` Although I never referenced Ramon 's mother , my actions were inappropriate .
I apologize for my part in Sunday 's unfortunate incident .
`` As coaches , we are held to a higher standard and should be an example to the players .
Hopefully , other coaches will learn from my mistake so that this never happens again in the future . ''
The last time a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspension for an on-field action came in June 2005 , when pitcher Kenny Rogers was suspended 20 games after a physical confrontation with two cameramen .

Oakland Athletics outfielder Ramon Laureano was involved in a benches-clearing incident during Sunday's game against the Houston Astros. File Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Major League Baseball has suspended Oakland Athletics outfielder Ramon Laureano six games and Houston Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron 20 games for their roles in Sunday's benches-clearing incident, the league announced Tuesday. MLB said Laureano, who also received an undisclosed fine, has appealed the six-game ban. Cintron -- also given an undisclosed fine -- can't appeal, so his suspension begins immediately. Advertisement
Cintron and Laureano got involved in a shouting match after Laureano was hit by a pitch for the third time in the series and second time in Sunday's matchup against the Astros. Cintron -- standing in the first-base dugout -- exchanged words and gestured at Laureano, who then charged the dugout and was tackled by Astros catcher Dustin Garneau.
Both benches cleared, and Laureano and A's catcher Austin Allen were eventually ejected.
Laureano wasn't happy with the Astros after he got hit by a pitch pic.twitter.com/ysiXICstKb— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) August 9, 2020
Following the game, Laureano said Cintron directed an expletive at him, which he returned. Then, Laureano told ESPN, Cintron "said in Spanish something you don't say about my mother."
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In a statement released Tuesday, Cintron said he accepted MLB's suspension but denied saying anything about Laureano's mother.
"I accept MLB's suspension and will learn from this," Cintron said. "Although I never referenced Ramon's mother, my actions were inappropriate. I apologize for my part in Sunday's unfortunate incident.
"As coaches, we are held to a higher standard and should be an example to the players. Hopefully, other coaches will learn from my mistake so that this never happens again in the future."
The last time a player or coach was handed a 20-game suspension for an on-field action came in June 2005, when pitcher Kenny Rogers was suspended 20 games after a physical confrontation with two cameramen.
This week in Major League Baseball


upi--2020-08-11--Army testing new air defense system, laser weapons

Aug. 11 ( UPI ) -- The Army is evaluating new air and missile defense systems -- and testing laser weapons -- after postponing some tests due to COVID-19 .
Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion , 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment and 3rd Bn.
, 6th Air Defense Artillery Air Missile Defense Test Detachment are involved in a limited user test of the Integrated Battle Command System that began in early July , according to a Monday press release from the branch .
The test had been scheduled for May but was pushed back due to COVID-19 safety concerns , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , head of the Program Executive Office of Missiles and Space .
Now the Army plans to complete the test by September .
The 3-43 ADA , a Patriot missile unit will also be the first unit equipped with the IBCS capability once the limited user test is complete , after which the equipment and software will be refreshed to support an operational test and evaluation before 2022 , when the unit is expected to achieve operational capability .
`` The Army committed one of its coveted Patriot battalions , which are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current [ operational ] tempo requirements , '' Rasch said .
ICBS is the cornerstone of the Army 's Integrated Air and Missile Defense strategy , according to Northrop Grumman , which partnered with the Army to develop the system .
It 's intended to replaced legacy stove-piped systems with a network-centric approach , integrating disparate radars and weapons for a more complete weapons enterprise .
Bill Lamb , director , multi-domain mission command operating unit for Northrop Grumman , told the Redstone Rocket that the Army aims to have ICBS in use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decides they are sufficiently trained and could go and use it , '' is when full production begins , he said .
`` The Army has indicated the timing of it being in use as early 2023 . ''
The Army is also pursuing directed energy weapons , to include high-energy lasers and high-power microwave systems , including a a 50-kilowatt laser aboard a Stryker combat vehicle in support of air defense artillery operations , as well aa 300-kilowatt Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Energy Laser , at the platoon level in support of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year the Navy broke ground on a Navy weapons research center in California , with experts saying directed-energy weapons are more cost-effective than ever before , and are a particular asset in combating low-cost weapons on the battlefield .
`` The world has changed over the last 18 or 19 years as we have been fighting the Global War on Terror , '' Lt. Gen. Neil Thurgood , director of hypersonics , directed energy , space and rapid acquisition at the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office .
According to Thurgood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Defense Strategy , the Army is now in an era of power competition against China and Russia .

The Army conducted a successful intercept test with the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System, or IBCS, Dec. 12, 2019, at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, and 3rd Bn., 6th Air Defense Artillery Air Missile Defense Test Detachment are currently involved in a new limited user test for the IBCS that started in early July. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army
Aug. 11 (UPI) -- The Army is evaluating new air and missile defense systems -- and testing laser weapons -- after postponing some tests due to COVID-19. Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment and 3rd Bn., 6th Air Defense Artillery Air Missile Defense Test Detachment are involved in a limited user test of the Integrated Battle Command System that began in early July, according to a Monday press release from the branch. Advertisement
The test had been scheduled for May but was pushed back due to COVID-19 safety concerns, according to Maj. Gen. Robert Rasch Jr., head of the Program Executive Office of Missiles and Space.
Now the Army plans to complete the test by September.
The 3-43 ADA, a Patriot missile unit will also be the first unit equipped with the IBCS capability once the limited user test is complete, after which the equipment and software will be refreshed to support an operational test and evaluation before 2022, when the unit is expected to achieve operational capability.
"The Army committed one of its coveted Patriot battalions, which are in high demand across the world given the current [operational] tempo requirements," Rasch said.
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ICBS is the cornerstone of the Army's Integrated Air and Missile Defense strategy, according to Northrop Grumman, which partnered with the Army to develop the system.
It's intended to replaced legacy stove-piped systems with a network-centric approach, integrating disparate radars and weapons for a more complete weapons enterprise.
Bill Lamb, director, multi-domain mission command operating unit for Northrop Grumman, told the Redstone Rocket that the Army aims to have ICBS in use by 2023.
"Once the commander decides they are sufficiently trained and could go and use it," is when full production begins, he said. "The Army has indicated the timing of it being in use as early 2023."
The Army is also pursuing directed energy weapons, to include high-energy lasers and high-power microwave systems, including a a 50-kilowatt laser aboard a Stryker combat vehicle in support of air defense artillery operations, as well aa 300-kilowatt Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Energy Laser, at the platoon level in support of brigade air defense artillery operations.
Earlier this year the Navy broke ground on a Navy weapons research center in California, with experts saying directed-energy weapons are more cost-effective than ever before, and are a particular asset in combating low-cost weapons on the battlefield.
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"The world has changed over the last 18 or 19 years as we have been fighting the Global War on Terror," Lt. Gen. Neil Thurgood, director of hypersonics, directed energy, space and rapid acquisition at the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office. According to Thurgood, with the signing of the National Defense Strategy, the Army is now in an era of power competition against China and Russia.


upi--2020-08-11--'Sanford and Son,' 'Good Times' actor Raymond Allen dies at 91

Aug. 11 ( UPI ) -- Actor Raymond Allen died this week after a history of respiratory issues , his daughter announced .
He was 91 .
Allen 's daughter , actress Ta Ronce Allen , announced his death in a Facebook post on Monday .
`` Just wanted to let The Allen Family and friends know that Dad received his wing two hours ago , '' she wrote .
`` His warmth , kind heart and cleaver sayings will be missed .
His laughter will ring in heaven .
Rest In Heavenly Peace Raymond Allen .
The last of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnosed with a bacterial infection in May , but tested negative for COVID-19 , Variety reported .
He had been treated at a healthcare facility in California since 2016 after struggling with pneumonia and died there on Monday .
Allen was most known for his roles as Uncle Woody on Sanford and Son and Ned the Wino on Good Times .
He also reprised the role of Uncle Woody on the spinoff series The Sanford Arms and appeared on The Love Boat , The Jeffersons , Wattstax , What 's Happening and Starsky @ @ @

Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Actor Raymond Allen died this week after a history of respiratory issues, his daughter announced. He was 91.
Allen's daughter, actress Ta Ronce Allen, announced his death in a Facebook post on Monday.
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"Just wanted to let The Allen Family and friends know that Dad received his wing two hours ago," she wrote. "His warmth, kind heart and cleaver sayings will be missed. His laughter will ring in heaven. Rest In Heavenly Peace Raymond Allen. The last of 12 siblings."
Allen had been diagnosed with a bacterial infection in May, but tested negative for COVID-19, Variety reported.
He had been treated at a healthcare facility in California since 2016 after struggling with pneumonia and died there on Monday.
Allen was most known for his roles as Uncle Woody on Sanford and Son and Ned the Wino on Good Times.
He also reprised the role of Uncle Woody on the spinoff series The Sanford Arms and appeared on The Love Boat, The Jeffersons, Wattstax, What's Happening and Starsky and Hutch.
Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-08-11--Thunderstorms to continue Tuesday in the wake of powerful derecho

In the wake of a massive derecho that rolled across the Midwest on Monday , the same atmospheric disturbance will spark up additional rounds of heavy thunderstorms along its path into Tuesday night .
At the derecho 's peak intensity , wind gusts in excess of 100 mph were observed across portions of eastern Iowa during the afternoon on Monday .
Numerous reports of 70- to 90-mph wind gusts also brought along a wide swath of damage reports across northern Illinois , including the Chicago metro area as well .
Luckily , a thunderstorm complex of that magnitude is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ row .
However , AccuWeather meteorologists will be monitoring a few separate areas for severe thunderstorm activity once again .
Amid hot and increasingly humid conditions , portions of the interior Northeast and New England will be one area to closely monitor for the threat of potentially heavy thunderstorms .
Ahead of the storm system that will eventually trigger these storms across the Northeast , a southwesterly breeze will bring a surge of moisture northward , putting the fuel needed for explosive thunderstorm development in place .
Anyone with outdoor plans across portions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Syracuse and across the Adirondacks , will want to have a secondary plan of action prepared just in case thunderstorms develop overhead .
As the afternoon progresses , this threat will translate eastward .
It is possible that another complex , or broken line of thunderstorms could develop once again during the afternoon .
This threat could extend from the Champlain Valley and much of interior New England , southwestward into northeastern Pennsylvania .
In similar fashion to the events on Monday -- although not nearly as intense -- damaging wind gusts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary concern from these thunderstorms .
A few incidents of hail can not be ruled out .
During the late-night hours , thunderstorm activity is expected to weaken somewhat as they approach the Interstate-95 corridor across the Northeast and New England .
In the wake of the thunderstorm activity across the Northeast , a brief reprieve of the heat will be in store for some across the interior .
Another area of potentially threatening weather into Tuesday evening from the same storm system will be along the trailing edges of the drier push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mississippi River Valley .
Across this zone , plenty of atmospheric moisture will remain in place , providing fuel for potentially drenching thunderstorms .
Areas from eastern Oklahoma , Arkansas , southern Missouri , Tennessee and northern Mississippi could come into play .
While locally severe wind gusts and hail are possible , the most expansive threat across this zone will be from heavy rain that could lead to flooding .
Mother Nature will be keeping busy across the country , as a threat for severe weather will unfold in another region of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the jet stream level of the atmosphere will be streaking eastward out of the Rockies and into the High Plains , which will set the stage for explosive thunderstorm development into the evening hours .
Areas along and east of the I-25 corridor in Colorado and Wyoming will be first in line for this threat as storms erupt in the area .
Large hail , damaging wind gusts and torrential rainfall rates will be possible here .
There may be enough atmospheric support in place across the northern portion of this zone for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after dark .
`` The area from Mobridge , South Dakota , to North Platte , Nebraska , on east will be at greatest risk for severe weather after 10 p.m. local time Tuesday night .
This could prove dangerous for motorists traveling along I-90 in South Dakota overnight , as wind gusts could be strong enough to tip over high-profile vehicles .
A jet stream pattern conducive for a multi-day threat for severe weather will likely remain in place across the northern and central Plains in the coming days .
While a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observed on Monday is not expected over the next few days , it can not be completely ruled out .

In the wake of a massive derecho that rolled across the Midwest on Monday, the same atmospheric disturbance will spark up additional rounds of heavy thunderstorms along its path into Tuesday night.
At the derecho's peak intensity, wind gusts in excess of 100 mph were observed across portions of eastern Iowa during the afternoon on Monday. Numerous reports of 70- to 90-mph wind gusts also brought along a wide swath of damage reports across northern Illinois, including the Chicago metro area as well.
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Luckily, a thunderstorm complex of that magnitude is not expected for the second day in a row. However, AccuWeather meteorologists will be monitoring a few separate areas for severe thunderstorm activity once again.
Amid hot and increasingly humid conditions, portions of the interior Northeast and New England will be one area to closely monitor for the threat of potentially heavy thunderstorms.
Advertisement
Ahead of the storm system that will eventually trigger these storms across the Northeast, a southwesterly breeze will bring a surge of moisture northward, putting the fuel needed for explosive thunderstorm development in place.
Anyone with outdoor plans across portions of upstate New York, including Ithaca, Syracuse and across the Adirondacks, will want to have a secondary plan of action prepared just in case thunderstorms develop overhead. As the afternoon progresses, this threat will translate eastward.
It is possible that another complex, or broken line of thunderstorms could develop once again during the afternoon. This threat could extend from the Champlain Valley and much of interior New England, southwestward into northeastern Pennsylvania.
In similar fashion to the events on Monday -- although not nearly as intense -- damaging wind gusts and locally flooding downpours will be the primary concern from these thunderstorms. A few incidents of hail cannot be ruled out.
During the late-night hours, thunderstorm activity is expected to weaken somewhat as they approach the Interstate-95 corridor across the Northeast and New England.
In the wake of the thunderstorm activity across the Northeast, a brief reprieve of the heat will be in store for some across the interior.
Advertisement
Another area of potentially threatening weather into Tuesday evening from the same storm system will be along the trailing edges of the drier push of air across the middle and lower Mississippi River Valley.
Across this zone, plenty of atmospheric moisture will remain in place, providing fuel for potentially drenching thunderstorms. Areas from eastern Oklahoma, Arkansas, southern Missouri, Tennessee and northern Mississippi could come into play.
While locally severe wind gusts and hail are possible, the most expansive threat across this zone will be from heavy rain that could lead to flooding.
Mother Nature will be keeping busy across the country, as a threat for severe weather will unfold in another region of the country.
A weak disturbance at the jet stream level of the atmosphere will be streaking eastward out of the Rockies and into the High Plains, which will set the stage for explosive thunderstorm development into the evening hours.
Areas along and east of the I-25 corridor in Colorado and Wyoming will be first in line for this threat as storms erupt in the area. Large hail, damaging wind gusts and torrential rainfall rates will be possible here.
There may be enough atmospheric support in place across the northern portion of this zone for yet another complex of severe thunderstorms well after dark.
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"The area from Mobridge, South Dakota, to North Platte, Nebraska, on east will be at greatest risk for severe weather after 10 p.m. local time Tuesday night.
This could prove dangerous for motorists traveling along I-90 in South Dakota overnight, as wind gusts could be strong enough to tip over high-profile vehicles.
A jet stream pattern conducive for a multi-day threat for severe weather will likely remain in place across the northern and central Plains in the coming days. While a derecho of the same caliber that was observed on Monday is not expected over the next few days, it cannot be completely ruled out.