upi--2020-08-15--President Donald Trump order gives TikTok's owner 90 days to divest from U.S. assets

Aug. 15 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump issued an executive order giving ByteDance , the Chinese company that owns TikTok , 90 days to divest from its U.S. assets and any data the video-sharing app had gathered in the United States .
In the order , which was issued at 7:45 p.m. Friday , Trump wrote that there was `` credible evidence '' that ByteDance , which merged TikTok with the U.S. lip-sync app Musical.ly in 2018 , `` might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States . ''
Treasury Secretary Steven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Investment in the United States , which examines national security threats , had recommended the order .
`` We 're committed to continuing to bring joy to families and meaningful careers to those who create on our platform for many years to come , '' said a statement from TikTok issued Saturday .
Last week Trump signed an executive order barring TikTok , as well as the Chinese messaging app WeChat , from doing business with firms in the United States .
The company responded with a statement saying the order set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of free expression and open markets '' and later representatives said they were preparing to sue the administration .
Stewart Baker , former general counsel for the National Security Agency , said the new order will likely stand up to a legal challenge because it comes from CFIUS , where there are `` clear statutory procedures '' to do what the order does .
CFIUS investigates acquisitions involving foreign companies that may pose national security risks , and has been investigating ByteDance 's purchase of Musical.ly for months .
TikTok is the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ success .

The TikTok app is seen on the tablet in Shanghai, China, on August 3. On Friday President Donald Trump issued an executive order giving TikTok's parent company 90 days to divest from American assets. Photo by Alex Plavevski/EPA-EFE
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump issued an executive order giving ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, 90 days to divest from its U.S. assets and any data the video-sharing app had gathered in the United States. In the order, which was issued at 7:45 p.m. Friday, Trump wrote that there was "credible evidence" that ByteDance, which merged TikTok with the U.S. lip-sync app Musical.ly in 2018, "might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States." Advertisement
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the government's Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which examines national security threats, had recommended the order.
"We're committed to continuing to bring joy to families and meaningful careers to those who create on our platform for many years to come," said a statement from TikTok issued Saturday.
Last week Trump signed an executive order barring TikTok, as well as the Chinese messaging app WeChat, from doing business with firms in the United States.
The company responded with a statement saying the order set "a dangerous precedent for the concept of free expression and open markets" and later representatives said they were preparing to sue the administration.
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Stewart Baker, former general counsel for the National Security Agency, said the new order will likely stand up to a legal challenge because it comes from CFIUS, where there are "clear statutory procedures" to do what the order does.
CFIUS investigates acquisitions involving foreign companies that may pose national security risks, and has been investigating ByteDance's purchase of Musical.ly for months.
TikTok is the first Chinese-owned social media app to find global success.


upi--2020-08-15--Georgia's Stone Mountain Park closes ahead of far-right rally, counterprotest

Aug. 15 ( UPI ) -- Stone Mountain Park closed Saturday to stop a planned far-right rally and a counterprotest there , but demonstrations went ahead in town .
The goal of the far-right rally was to protect Stone Mountain , the site of a Confederate memorial .
It was organized by a group called Sons of Liberty , which is deemed a general hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center .
Anti-racism groups announced plans to counterprotest .
The Stone Mountain site has been called the United States ' largest confederate memorial , carved 42 feet deep and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mountain that has figures of Gen. Robert Lee , Gen. Thomas `` Stonewall '' Jackson and President of the Confederacy Jefferson Davis .
It has been the site of many demonstrations rallying for its removal .
The City of Stone Mountain announced in a tweet that Stone Mountain Park would be closed Saturday in anticipation of the planned protests and advised people to avoid the area .
By the afternoon , the Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported that protest crowds reached an estimated 500 people , with militia groups from Arkansas and Florida joining ones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ militia members .
Though the gates to the park were closed , law enforcement officers from the Georgia National Guard , Georgia State Patrol and the City of Stone Mountain began to gather at the park Saturday morning , along with some protesters preparing to challenge the far-right rally , the AJC reported .
Armed militia members from the Georgia Security Force III % led by Chris Hill gathered about a block from counterprotesters , the AJC reported in a series of updates , adding that Hill began recording video .
`` They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as white supremacists , '' Hill said .
Hill added the group was there to defend the Constitution from what he described as radical leftists .
He also said he was against red flag laws and reiterated President Donald Trump 's concerns over the use mail-in ballots .
Among the militia groups was also the Confederate States III % militia , which toted Confederate flags and a banner that read , `` All Lives Matter , '' the AJC reported .
The newspaper reported that counterprotesters snatched hats and Confederate flags , sometimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counterprotesters said they were sprayed with insect repellent and possibly pepper spray , prompting a call to a medic .

Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Stone Mountain Park closed Saturday to stop a planned far-right rally and a counterprotest there, but demonstrations went ahead in town.
The goal of the far-right rally was to protect Stone Mountain, the site of a Confederate memorial. It was organized by a group called Sons of Liberty, which is deemed a general hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Anti-racism groups announced plans to counterprotest.
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The Stone Mountain site has been called the United States' largest confederate memorial, carved 42 feet deep and 400 feet above ground in a granite mountain that has figures of Gen. Robert Lee, Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson and President of the Confederacy Jefferson Davis. It has been the site of many demonstrations rallying for its removal.
The City of Stone Mountain announced in a tweet that Stone Mountain Park would be closed Saturday in anticipation of the planned protests and advised people to avoid the area.
By the afternoon, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported that protest crowds reached an estimated 500 people, with militia groups from Arkansas and Florida joining ones from Georgia, though the counterprotesters outnumbered militia members.
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Though the gates to the park were closed, law enforcement officers from the Georgia National Guard, Georgia State Patrol and the City of Stone Mountain began to gather at the park Saturday morning, along with some protesters preparing to challenge the far-right rally, the AJC reported.
Armed militia members from the Georgia Security Force III% led by Chris Hill gathered about a block from counterprotesters, the AJC reported in a series of updates, adding that Hill began recording video.
"They will try their best to characterize us as white supremacists," Hill said.
Hill added the group was there to defend the Constitution from what he described as radical leftists. He also said he was against red flag laws and reiterated President Donald Trump's concerns over the use mail-in ballots.
Among the militia groups was also the Confederate States III% militia, which toted Confederate flags and a banner that read, "All Lives Matter," the AJC reported.
The newspaper reported that counterprotesters snatched hats and Confederate flags, sometimes burning them in the street.
Two counterprotesters said they were sprayed with insect repellent and possibly pepper spray, prompting a call to a medic.
Confederate statues in Washington, D.C., drawing criticism
A statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee stands in the United States Capitol on August 17, 2017 in Washington, D.C. A nationwide debate is underway concerning the removal of statues, monuments and historical markers that memorialize the Confederacy. Photo by Pete Marovich/UPI | License Photo


upi--2020-08-15--Polish, U.S. leaders sign agreement to increase U.S. military presence in Poland

Aug. 15 ( UPI ) -- Poland and the United States signed an agreement Saturday that will increase the number of U.S. troops in Poland .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement in Poland .
The deal paves the way for the redeployment of U.S. troops from Germany to Poland , and allows U.S. forces to access additional Polish military installations to enhance existing capabilities and facilities .
The agreement is similar to existing deals between the United States and other NATO allies , including Belgium , Hungary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the deal the number of troops in Poland will rise to 5,500 .
It comes after the Pentagon announced plans to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Germany by 12,000 .
Polish Foreign Affairs Minister Jacek Czaputowicz said the deal `` has crowned the efforts to guarantee the security and safe development '' and `` gives a green light to start in practice new quality of stable and visible American military engagement in Poland . ''
Czaputowicz and Pompeo also discussed the situation in Belarus , with Pompeo saying last weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free or fair and that the United States will support Belarus , though he did not offer any details .
Poland has called for re-running the election , and on Friday EU foreign ministers moved toward imposing sanctions on top officials in Belarus .

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (2nd-L) and Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak (2nd-R) signed an agreement Saturday to increase U.S. military presence in Poland. Photo via Secretary Pompeo/ Twitter
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Poland and the United States signed an agreement Saturday that will increase the number of U.S. troops in Poland. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement in Poland. Advertisement
The deal paves the way for the redeployment of U.S. troops from Germany to Poland, and allows U.S. forces to access additional Polish military installations to enhance existing capabilities and facilities.
The agreement is similar to existing deals between the United States and other NATO allies, including Belgium, Hungary and Romania.
The BBC reported that under the deal the number of troops in Poland will rise to 5,500. It comes after the Pentagon announced plans to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Germany by 12,000.
Polish Foreign Affairs Minister Jacek Czaputowicz said the deal "has crowned the efforts to guarantee the security and safe development" and "gives a green light to start in practice new quality of stable and visible American military engagement in Poland."
Czaputowicz and Pompeo also discussed the situation in Belarus, with Pompeo saying last weekend's election in the country was not free or fair and that the United States will support Belarus, though he did not offer any details.
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Poland has called for re-running the election, and on Friday EU foreign ministers moved toward imposing sanctions on top officials in Belarus.
Today we took another step in our robust military cooperation for our collective security. Proud to sign the new U.S.-Poland Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, building on our existing security cooperation and cementing our long-standing defense partnership. pic.twitter.com/2aVsznrc7X— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) August 15, 2020


upi--2020-08-15--Tropical Storm Kyle moves into open waters of Atlantic

Tropical Storm Kyle moved away from the U.S. East Coast on Saturday , one day after forming near Atlantic City , N.J .
The National Hurricane Center said the eye of the storm was located about 360 miles east-southeast of Providence , R.I. , and was moving east-northeast at 21 mph in its 11 a.m. advisory .
The storm had 50 mph maximum sustained winds .
Meteorologists began watching what the National Hurricane Center had dubbed Invest 96L earlier in the week , which was born from showers and thunderstorms over the southeastern United States .
`` Kyle is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will only be a tropical storm for a couple of days before moving over colder water , '' AccuWeather 's top hurricane expert , Dan Kottlowski , said .
`` This will cause the tropical storm to transition into a non-tropical storm system as it moves well south of Newfoundland Sunday night and Monday . ''
Rain directly from this system is not likely to fall on the Northeast .
However , there are other non-tropical systems that will continue to instigate some weather trouble spots during the weekend .
Showers over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states will be triggered by the same stalled weather pattern that has persisted much of this week .
Meanwhile , a non-tropical storm at the jet stream level of the atmosphere could produce spotty showers in eastern New England on Saturday .
The circulation around the system off the East Coast could actually tend to drag drier air southward over part of the mid-Atlantic coast on Saturday and could prevent the rain dampening the South from spreading northward over New England on Sunday .
Part of the reason for breezy to windy conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in addition to the disturbance itself , has to do with the difference in atmosphere pressure from north to south .
An area of high pressure was hovering over southeastern Canada .
As the air will flow from high to low pressure from the disturbance , it will create breezy , if not windy , conditions .
Proximity to the smooth ocean surface and the disturbance itself can add several miles per hour to the strength of the wind .
Since some of the flow of air is blowing in from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to raise surf and cause slightly-above-normal tides from North Carolina to New Jersey and will continue to do so into Saturday .
Tides can be a foot or 2 above normal , which can be enough to cause minor coastal flooding at times of high tide in some communities .
As the system drifts northeastward , seas and surf are likely to build along the southeastern New England coast early this weekend , regardless of the official classification of the system .
Forecasters urge bathers to be on the alert for increasing rip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect along the East Coast from the Maryland and Delaware up through coastal Maine on Friday .
Southeastern New England will be in for a windy day on Saturday .
Steering winds should likely keep the system far enough away from Nova Scotia and Newfoundland to avoid direct impact , but a period of rough seas and surf could occur early next week in this part of Canada .
Three other Atlantic storms were named Kyle , first in 1996 followed by one in 2002 and 2008 .
The most commonly used `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been Karen , which has been used to name six storms .
This year 's Kyle will be the 34th K-named storm in the basin .
The formation of Kyle has set an early-season formation record for the letter `` K. '' The previous record belongs to the infamous Katrina from Aug. 24 , 2005 .
The 2020 Atlantic tropical cyclone season has already set seven other early-season formation records starting with Cristobal in July and then seven storms in a row from Edouard through Josephine and now Kyle .
All of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set during the notorious 2005 season that went on to bring Katrina and Wilma .
Most likely , 2020 will continue to set many more early-season formation records , and this year could be second only to the number of named storms set during the historic 2005 season , which generated a record 28 storms .
Like the 2005 season , Greek letters , which are used when the seasonal list is exhausted could again be needed this year , forecasters warn .
Additional threats from the tropics will warrant a close eye @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` In addition for the potential for a tropical system to develop from the train of tropical disturbances , known as tropical waves , moving westward from Africa , we will be keeping an eye on the Gulf of Mexico next week , '' Kottlowski said .
Following the name Kyle , the `` L '' storm for this year in the Atlantic is Laura .
The early-season formation record for the `` L '' storm is Luis set on Aug. 29 , 1995 .
A feature similar to the disturbance along the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gulf of Mexico next week .
`` During the latter part of next week , a tropical disturbance could evolve over the western and northwest part of the Gulf of Mexico , '' added Kottlowski .
`` We continue to expect a very busy time from late August through September and October and especially during the heart of the hurricane season in September , and there is some indication that we may continue to have named systems toward the end of the season , '' Kottlowski said .
AccuWeather is predicting up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 of those expected to strengthen further into hurricanes this season in the Atlantic basin .

The National Hurricane Center said the eye of the storm was located about 280 miles southeast of Providence, R.I. Photo courtesy of NOAA
Tropical Storm Kyle moved away from the U.S. East Coast on Saturday, one day after forming near Atlantic City, N.J. The National Hurricane Center said the eye of the storm was located about 360 miles east-southeast of Providence, R.I., and was moving east-northeast at 21 mph in its 11 a.m. advisory. The storm had 50 mph maximum sustained winds. Advertisement
Meteorologists began watching what the National Hurricane Center had dubbed Invest 96L earlier in the week, which was born from showers and thunderstorms over the southeastern United States.
Kyle is moving away from the East Coast, so there's no threat of a landfall from the tropical storm. However, the rapidly organizing and strengthening system has already been playing a role in raising surf along the mid-Atlantic coast and is likely to do the same in southeastern New England this weekend.
"Kyle is not going to impact any land directly and will only be a tropical storm for a couple of days before moving over colder water," AccuWeather's top hurricane expert, Dan Kottlowski, said. "This will cause the tropical storm to transition into a non-tropical storm system as it moves well south of Newfoundland Sunday night and Monday."
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Rain directly from this system is not likely to fall on the Northeast. However, there are other non-tropical systems that will continue to instigate some weather trouble spots during the weekend. Showers over the lower part of the mid-Atlantic and Southeast states will be triggered by the same stalled weather pattern that has persisted much of this week. Meanwhile, a non-tropical storm at the jet stream level of the atmosphere could produce spotty showers in eastern New England on Saturday.
The circulation around the system off the East Coast could actually tend to drag drier air southward over part of the mid-Atlantic coast on Saturday and could prevent the rain dampening the South from spreading northward over New England on Sunday.
Part of the reason for breezy to windy conditions and rough surf along the mid-Atlantic coast, in addition to the disturbance itself, has to do with the difference in atmosphere pressure from north to south. An area of high pressure was hovering over southeastern Canada. As the air will flow from high to low pressure from the disturbance, it will create breezy, if not windy, conditions. Proximity to the smooth ocean surface and the disturbance itself can add several miles per hour to the strength of the wind.
Advertisement
Since some of the flow of air is blowing in from the ocean, that landward breeze is helping to raise surf and cause slightly-above-normal tides from North Carolina to New Jersey and will continue to do so into Saturday. Tides can be a foot or 2 above normal, which can be enough to cause minor coastal flooding at times of high tide in some communities.
As the system drifts northeastward, seas and surf are likely to build along the southeastern New England coast early this weekend, regardless of the official classification of the system. Forecasters urge bathers to be on the alert for increasing rip currents.
Small craft advisories were in effect along the East Coast from the Maryland and Delaware up through coastal Maine on Friday. Southeastern New England will be in for a windy day on Saturday.
Steering winds should likely keep the system far enough away from Nova Scotia and Newfoundland to avoid direct impact, but a period of rough seas and surf could occur early next week in this part of Canada.
Three other Atlantic storms were named Kyle, first in 1996 followed by one in 2002 and 2008. The most commonly used "K" name for Atlantic storms has been Karen, which has been used to name six storms. This year's Kyle will be the 34th K-named storm in the basin.
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The formation of Kyle has set an early-season formation record for the letter "K." The previous record belongs to the infamous Katrina from Aug. 24, 2005.
The 2020 Atlantic tropical cyclone season has already set seven other early-season formation records starting with Cristobal in July and then seven storms in a row from Edouard through Josephine and now Kyle. All of the last seven storms previous early-season records were set during the notorious 2005 season that went on to bring Katrina and Wilma.
Most likely, 2020 will continue to set many more early-season formation records, and this year could be second only to the number of named storms set during the historic 2005 season, which generated a record 28 storms. Like the 2005 season, Greek letters, which are used when the seasonal list is exhausted could again be needed this year, forecasters warn.
Additional threats from the tropics will warrant a close eye from forecasters into the next week.
"In addition for the potential for a tropical system to develop from the train of tropical disturbances, known as tropical waves, moving westward from Africa, we will be keeping an eye on the Gulf of Mexico next week," Kottlowski said.
Advertisement
Following the name Kyle, the "L" storm for this year in the Atlantic is Laura. The early-season formation record for the "L" storm is Luis set on Aug. 29, 1995.
A feature similar to the disturbance along the Atlantic coast could set up over the Gulf of Mexico next week.
"During the latter part of next week, a tropical disturbance could evolve over the western and northwest part of the Gulf of Mexico," added Kottlowski.
"We continue to expect a very busy time from late August through September and October and especially during the heart of the hurricane season in September, and there is some indication that we may continue to have named systems toward the end of the season," Kottlowski said.
AccuWeather is predicting up to 24 named tropical storms with nine to 11 of those expected to strengthen further into hurricanes this season in the Atlantic basin.


upi--2020-08-15--VJ Day: Japan's PM pledges to never 'repeat of the tragedy of war'

Aug. 15 ( UPI ) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged Saturday never to `` repeat the tragedy of war '' during a commemoration marking VJ Day , the day Japan surrendered in World War II .
Japan surrendered Aug. 15 , 1945 , days after the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki , killing an estimated 140,000 people .
The Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939 sparked the war that ended when Allied powers defeated Germany , which was in a coalition with Italy and Japan , in 1945 .
Abe made no apology during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tokyo , marking the 75th anniversary of VJ Day , but said Japan would `` remain committed '' to the pledge to never `` repeat the tragedy of war . ''
Still , Abe sent a ritual offering for the war dead to Tokyo 's Yasukini Shrine .
Japanese Emperor Naruhito said he had `` deep remorse '' over the wartime past .
Nazi Germany surrendered May 8 , 1945 , marking Victory in Europe or VE Day .
An estimated 15 million to 20 million died in Europe during WWII and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed in the Pacific theater .
South and North Korea celebrate National Liberation Day on the same date , because Aug. 15 also marks the end of the decades-long Japanese occupation of Korea .
In Britain , Queen Elizabeth and the royal family also commemorated VJ Day .
Prince Philip was serving in the Royal Navy when the Japanese surrender was signed in 1945 .
`` Today we mark the 75th anniversary of VJ Day , which brought victory for the Allies and finally marked the end of the Second World War , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Those of us who remember the conclusion of the Far East campaign , whether on active service overseas , or waiting for news at home , will never forget the jubilant scenes and overwhelming sense of relief .
Amongst the joy at the end of the conflict , we also remembered , as we do today , the terrible devastation that it brought , and the cost borne by so many . ''

1/4
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivers a speech during the memorial service for the war dead of World War II marking the 75th anniversary in Tokyo on Saturday. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged Saturday never to "repeat the tragedy of war" during a commemoration marking VJ Day, the day Japan surrendered in World War II. Japan surrendered Aug. 15, 1945, days after the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing an estimated 140,000 people. Advertisement
The Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939 sparked the war that ended when Allied powers defeated Germany, which was in a coalition with Italy and Japan, in 1945.
Abe made no apology during the ceremony at Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, marking the 75th anniversary of VJ Day, but said Japan would "remain committed" to the pledge to never "repeat the tragedy of war."
Still, Abe sent a ritual offering for the war dead to Tokyo's Yasukini Shrine.
Japanese Emperor Naruhito said he had "deep remorse" over the wartime past.
Nazi Germany surrendered May 8, 1945, marking Victory in Europe or VE Day.
An estimated 15 million to 20 million died in Europe during WWII and more than 30 million soldiers and civilians were killed in the Pacific theater.
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South and North Korea celebrate National Liberation Day on the same date, because Aug. 15 also marks the end of the decades-long Japanese occupation of Korea.
In Britain, Queen Elizabeth and the royal family also commemorated VJ Day.
Prince Philip was serving in the Royal Navy when the Japanese surrender was signed in 1945.
"Today we mark the 75th anniversary of VJ Day, which brought victory for the Allies and finally marked the end of the Second World War," the queen's statement said. "Those of us who remember the conclusion of the Far East campaign, whether on active service overseas, or waiting for news at home, will never forget the jubilant scenes and overwhelming sense of relief. Amongst the joy at the end of the conflict, we also remembered, as we do today, the terrible devastation that it brought, and the cost borne by so many."


upi--2020-08-15--3 Mississippi officers charged with murder

Aug. 15 ( UPI ) -- Three police officers in Mississippi have been charged with murder for the beating death of a 62-year-old man last year .
A Hinds County , Miss.
, grand jury indicted Desmond Barney and Anthony Fox of the Clinton Police Department and Lincoln Lampley of the Jackson Police Department with second-degree murder in the death of George Robinson .
All three officers were with the Jackson Police Department in January 2019 when the alleged beating happened that led to Robinson 's death .
Lampley is now on desk duty .
Prosecutors said the three officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his vehicle , while they were searching for suspects in the shooting death of a pastor earlier that day .
They pulled him from his vehicle and threw him headfirst into the road before hitting and kicking him in the head and chest , the indictment says .
Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens II said Robinson may have been slow to exit his vehicle on his own because of a previous stroke .
The officers arrested Robinson on misdemeanor charges of failure to obey a police officer and resisting arrest .
Paramedics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrest and released him , the indictment said .
His girlfriend said she observed that he lost consciousness after his release and she called another ambulance .
Robinson died two days later , Jan. 15 , 2019 , at a hospital .
His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the police department in October , accusing the three officers of unreasonable use of force .
`` It was pretty egregious , '' said the Robinson family 's lawyer , Dennis Sweet III .
`` Mr. Robinson had blunt force trauma to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have eyewitnesses .
It was in front of his home , on Jones Street . ''
Robinson 's family said they were `` pleased '' with the indictment .
Francis Springer , an attorney for the three officers , said each was innocent of the allegations .
`` We feel really confident , once we 're able to exhibit the evidence we have , that these officers are going to be vindicated , '' he said .
The indictment comes as police departments across the country consider reforms in policing in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racial bias .

Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Three police officers in Mississippi have been charged with murder for the beating death of a 62-year-old man last year.
A Hinds County, Miss., grand jury indicted Desmond Barney and Anthony Fox of the Clinton Police Department and Lincoln Lampley of the Jackson Police Department with second-degree murder in the death of George Robinson.
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All three officers were with the Jackson Police Department in January 2019 when the alleged beating happened that led to Robinson's death. Lampley is now on desk duty.
Prosecutors said the three officers approached Robinson, who was sitting in his vehicle, while they were searching for suspects in the shooting death of a pastor earlier that day. They pulled him from his vehicle and threw him headfirst into the road before hitting and kicking him in the head and chest, the indictment says.
Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens II said Robinson may have been slow to exit his vehicle on his own because of a previous stroke.
The officers arrested Robinson on misdemeanor charges of failure to obey a police officer and resisting arrest.
Paramedics treated Robinson at the scene of his arrest and released him, the indictment said. His girlfriend said she observed that he lost consciousness after his release and she called another ambulance.
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Robinson died two days later, Jan. 15, 2019, at a hospital.
His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the police department in October, accusing the three officers of unreasonable use of force.
"It was pretty egregious," said the Robinson family's lawyer, Dennis Sweet III. "Mr. Robinson had blunt force trauma to the head, he had fractured ribs and we have eyewitnesses. It was in front of his home, on Jones Street."
Robinson's family said they were "pleased" with the indictment.
Francis Springer, an attorney for the three officers, said each was innocent of the allegations.
"We feel really confident, once we're able to exhibit the evidence we have, that these officers are going to be vindicated," he said.
The indictment comes as police departments across the country consider reforms in policing in the wake of protests against excessive force and racial bias.
Protesters march for social justice


upi--2020-08-15--Appeals court rules against California's ban on large-capacity magazines

Aug. 15 ( UPI ) -- A federal appeals court has ruled against California 's ban on large-capacity magazines , affirming a lower court 's decision three years ago that the ban violates the Second Amendment .
The 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 Friday against California Attorney General Xavier Becerra .
The majority found that `` LCMs are commonly owned and typically used for lawful purposes , '' protected under the Second Amendment .
The court said they 're not `` dangerous and unusual '' firearms , which would n't be protected under the Second Amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right rooted in tradition and the text of the Second Amendment , '' Judge Kenneth Lee wrote in the opinion for the majority , which also included Judge Consuelo Callahan .
`` The difference between using handgun versus a rifle for self-defense , for example , is much more significant than the difference between using a magazine that holds eleven rounds versus a magazine that holds ten rounds , '' Lynn said in her dissent .
`` For this reason , the prohibition on LCMs is more analogous to a restriction on how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by restricting the number of bullets a person may shoot from one firearm without reloading . ''
The ruling is a victory for large-capacity magazine gun owners , and the California Rifle & Pistol Association , which sued Becerra in 2017 with the National Rifle Association 's support two months before legislation prohibiting the possession of such guns went into effect .
California lawmakers passed the ban in 2016 to prevent mass shootings and voters supported it in a statewide referendum after a married couple fatally shot 14 people at the Inland Regional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The California ban remains partially in effect until the district court issues a new order lifting the stay , the Firearms Policy Coalition noted .
Becerra 's office could appeal the judgment to the Supreme Court .
`` We are carefully reviewing the decision , with the goal of protecting public safety , '' Becerra 's office said in a statement .
`` The attorney general remains committed to using every tool possible to defend California 's gun safety laws and keep our communities safe . ''
The California Rifle & Pistol Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory , '' in its own statement .

A federal appeals court ruled Friday that large-capacity magazines in California are protected by the Second Amendment. File Photo by David Becker/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- A federal appeals court has ruled against California's ban on large-capacity magazines, affirming a lower court's decision three years ago that the ban violates the Second Amendment. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 Friday against California Attorney General Xavier Becerra. Advertisement
The majority found that "LCMs are commonly owned and typically used for lawful purposes," protected under the Second Amendment. The court said they're not "dangerous and unusual" firearms, which wouldn't be protected under the Second Amendment.
"Armed self-defense is a fundamental right rooted in tradition and the text of the Second Amendment," Judge Kenneth Lee wrote in the opinion for the majority, which also included Judge Consuelo Callahan.
Judge Barbara Lynn dissented.
"The difference between using handgun versus a rifle for self-defense, for example, is much more significant than the difference between using a magazine that holds eleven rounds versus a magazine that holds ten rounds," Lynn said in her dissent. "For this reason, the prohibition on LCMs is more analogous to a restriction on how someone exercises their Second Amendment rights, by restricting the number of bullets a person may shoot from one firearm without reloading."
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The ruling is a victory for large-capacity magazine gun owners, and the California Rifle & Pistol Association, which sued Becerra in 2017 with the National Rifle Association's support two months before legislation prohibiting the possession of such guns went into effect.
California lawmakers passed the ban in 2016 to prevent mass shootings and voters supported it in a statewide referendum after a married couple fatally shot 14 people at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino in 2015.
The California ban remains partially in effect until the district court issues a new order lifting the stay, the Firearms Policy Coalition noted.
Becerra's office could appeal the judgment to the Supreme Court.
"We are carefully reviewing the decision, with the goal of protecting public safety," Becerra's office said in a statement. "The attorney general remains committed to using every tool possible to defend California's gun safety laws and keep our communities safe."
The California Rifle & Pistol Association praised the decision as a "major victory," in its own statement.


upi--2020-08-15--Heat wave fuels Lake, Ranch fires in Southern California

Aug. 15 ( UPI ) -- Los Angeles-area officials lifted some evacuation orders Saturday as firefighters battled a 17,000-acre blaze amid what could be a record-breaking heat wave in Southern California , officials said .
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said the blaze , which started Wednesday , was 17,482 acres and was 12 % contained as of late Friday .
The fire was situated near Lake Hughes , an unincorporated community in Los Angeles County near Angeles National Forest .
It expanded toward the community of Pine Canyon in the Antelope Valley .
The Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders for Lake Hughes and surrounding communities , but lifted some of those orders late Friday .
The wildfire has destroyed at least 21 structures .
Officials with the Angeles National Forest said extreme heat in the region has increased fire activity , and poor air quality is expected to affect firefighters and other first responders .
`` Strong high pressure will continue .
Isolated thunderstorms are possible increasing risk of dry lightning and strong downdrafts .
Poor overnight humidity recoveries are likely to continue for the next several nights , '' Cal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said extreme heat will continue in the region through next week .
The heat wave could be worse than a deadly heat wave in July 20065 .
Also in Los Angeles County , the Ranch2 Fire grew to 2,500 acres Saturday with 3 % containment .
The blaze erupted Thursday near the Mount Cove community .
Evacuation orders for the community have been lifted .
Officials said fire activity was expected to increase Saturday in response to the day 's forecast .

The Ranch2 Fire was about 2,500 acres and 3% contained Saturday morning. Photo courtesy of the Angeles National Forest
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Los Angeles-area officials lifted some evacuation orders Saturday as firefighters battled a 17,000-acre blaze amid what could be a record-breaking heat wave in Southern California, officials said. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said the blaze, which started Wednesday, was 17,482 acres and was 12% contained as of late Friday. Advertisement
The fire was situated near Lake Hughes, an unincorporated community in Los Angeles County near Angeles National Forest. It expanded toward the community of Pine Canyon in the Antelope Valley.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department issued mandatory evacuation orders for Lake Hughes and surrounding communities, but lifted some of those orders late Friday.
The wildfire has destroyed at least 21 structures.
Officials with the Angeles National Forest said extreme heat in the region has increased fire activity, and poor air quality is expected to affect firefighters and other first responders.
"Strong high pressure will continue. Isolated thunderstorms are possible increasing risk of dry lightning and strong downdrafts. Poor overnight humidity recoveries are likely to continue for the next several nights," Cal Fire said.
The National Weather Service said extreme heat will continue in the region through next week. The heat wave could be worse than a deadly heat wave in July 20065.
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Also in Los Angeles County, the Ranch2 Fire grew to 2,500 acres Saturday with 3% containment. The blaze erupted Thursday near the Mount Cove community. Evacuation orders for the community have been lifted.
Officials said fire activity was expected to increase Saturday in response to the day's forecast.


upi--2020-08-15--Tig Notaro replaces Chris D’Elia in 'Army of the Dead'

Aug. 15 ( UPI ) -- Tig Notaro has replaced Chris D'Elia in Zack Snyder 's Netflix movie , Army of the Dead , after D'Elia was accused of sexual misconduct .
The zombie movie was complete , but D'Elia 's scenes will be re-shot once Snyder , Notaro and essential cast and crew are able to safely return to work amid the coronavirus pandemic , which has shut down most TV and film productions in North America for months .
Notaro has not publicly commented on the project , but she retweeted a link to a media report about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Netflix series in the works , but it was canceled after he was accused of harassing underage girls .
`` I know I have said and done things that might have offended people during my career , but I have never knowingly pursued any underage women at any point , '' he said in a statement in June .
`` All of my relationships have been both legal and consensual and I have never met or exchanged any inappropriate photos with the people who have tweeted about me .
That being said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a dumb guy who ABSOLUTELY let myself get caught up in my lifestyle .
That 's MY fault .
I own it .
I 've been reflecting on this for some time now and I promise I will continue to do better . ''

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Tig Notaro has replaced Chris D'Elia in the Netflix movie, "Army of the Dead." File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Tig Notaro has replaced Chris D'Elia in Zack Snyder's Netflix movie, Army of the Dead, after D'Elia was accused of sexual misconduct. The zombie movie was complete, but D'Elia's scenes will be re-shot once Snyder, Notaro and essential cast and crew are able to safely return to work amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has shut down most TV and film productions in North America for months. Advertisement
Notaro has not publicly commented on the project, but she retweeted a link to a media report about it.
The film's ensemble includes Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Ana De La Reguera, Theo Rossi, Huma Qureshi, Omari Hardwick, Hiroyuki Sanada, Garret Dillahunt, Matthias Schweighöfer, Raúl Castillo, Nora Arnezeder and Samantha Win.
D'Elia also had a planned Netflix series in the works, but it was canceled after he was accused of harassing underage girls.
D'Elia has denied any wrongdoing.
"I know I have said and done things that might have offended people during my career, but I have never knowingly pursued any underage women at any point," he said in a statement in June.
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"All of my relationships have been both legal and consensual and I have never met or exchanged any inappropriate photos with the people who have tweeted about me. That being said, I really am truly sorry. I was a dumb guy who ABSOLUTELY let myself get caught up in my lifestyle. That's MY fault. I own it. I've been reflecting on this for some time now and I promise I will continue to do better."


upi--2020-08-15--New 'Clueless' spin-off lands at Peacock

Aug. 15 ( UPI ) -- A new mystery drama focused on the character Dionne from the 1995 comedy film @ @ @ @ @ the Peacock subscription service .
Jordan Reddout and Gus Hickey are writing and executive producing @ @ @ @ @ movie -- which celebrated its 25th anniversary this summer -- was about a group of @ @ @ @ @ It starred Alicia Silverstone as Cher and Stacey Dash as Dionne , with Brittany Murphy @ @ @ @ @ Meyer , Paul Rudd and Jeremy Sisto rounding out the cast .
The series was @ @ @ @ @ as `` a baby pink and bisexual blue-tinted , tiny sun-glasses wearing , oat milk @ @ @ @ @ what happens when queen bee Cher disappears and her lifelong No .
2 Dionne steps @ @ @ @ @ Jordans .
`` How does Dionne deal with the pressures of being the new most @ @ @ @ @ while also unraveling the mystery of what happened to her best friend ? ''
No @ @ @ @ @ have been announced .

A new show based on Stacey Dash's "Clueless" character Dionne is in the works at Peacock. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- A new mystery drama focused on the character Dionne from the 1995 comedy film Clueless is in development at the Peacock subscription service. Jordan Reddout and Gus Hickey are writing and executive producing the project. Advertisement
The beloved movie -- which celebrated its 25th anniversary this summer -- was about a group of wealthy California high-school students. It starred Alicia Silverstone as Cher and Stacey Dash as Dionne, with Brittany Murphy, Donald Faison, Breckin Meyer, Paul Rudd and Jeremy Sisto rounding out the cast.
The series was described in a synopsis Friday as "a baby pink and bisexual blue-tinted, tiny sun-glasses wearing, oat milk latte and Adderall-fueled look at what happens when queen bee Cher disappears and her lifelong No. 2 Dionne steps into Cher's vacant Air Jordans.
"How does Dionne deal with the pressures of being the new most popular girl in school, while also unraveling the mystery of what happened to her best friend?"
No casting or production start date have been announced.


upi--2020-08-15--Kerry Washington, Ben Platt to guest host 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'

Aug. 15 ( UPI ) -- Scandal alum Kerry Washington and The Politician actor Ben Platt have been booked as @ @ @ @ @ chat program , Jimmy Kimmel Live !
Kimmel handed the series over to a diverse @ @ @ @ @ is on vacation this summer .
ABC said Friday that Washington will handle interview duties @ @ @ @ @ while Platt will take over on Wednesday and Black-ish actor Anthony Anderson will preside over @ @ @ @ @ is return to his show next month and he is set to host the virtual @ @ @ @ @ 20 .

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Kerry Washington is set to guest host "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Monday and Tuesday. File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Scandal alum Kerry Washington and The Politician actor Ben Platt have been booked as guest hosts of the late-night chat program, Jimmy Kimmel Live! Kimmel handed the series over to a diverse group of celebrities while he is on vacation this summer. Advertisement
ABC said Friday that Washington will handle interview duties on Monday and Tuesday, while Platt will take over on Wednesday and Black-ish actor Anthony Anderson will preside over Thursday's edition.
Kimmel is return to his show next month and he is set to host the virtual Emmy Awards ceremony on Sept. 20.


upi--2020-08-15--Nina Dobrev, Jimmy O. Yang to star in Netflix's 'Love Hard'

Aug. 15 ( UPI ) -- Nina Dobrev , Jimmy O. Yang and Charles Melton are set to star in @ @ @ @ @ Love Hard .
Hernán Jiménez is directing the project based on a screenplay penned by @ @ @ @ @ .
`` An LA girl , unlucky in love , falls for an East Coast @ @ @ @ @ and decides to surprise him for Christmas , only to discover that she 's been @ @ @ @ @ release from the streaming service said on Friday .
`` But the object of her @ @ @ @ @ same town , and the guy who duped her offers to set them up IF @ @ @ @ @ own girlfriend for the holidays . ''
No start date for the film 's production @ @ @ @

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Nina Dobrev has landed the lead in the Netflix rom-com, "Love Hard." File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Nina Dobrev, Jimmy O. Yang and Charles Melton are set to star in Netflix's romantic comedy, Love Hard. Hernán Jiménez is directing the project based on a screenplay penned by Danny Mackey and Rebecca Ewing. Advertisement
"An LA girl, unlucky in love, falls for an East Coast guy on a dating app and decides to surprise him for Christmas, only to discover that she's been catfished," a news release from the streaming service said on Friday.
"But the object of her affection actually lives in the same town, and the guy who duped her offers to set them up IF she pretends to be his own girlfriend for the holidays."
No start date for the film's production has been announced.


upi--2020-08-16--Heat dome sweltering western US with days of record high temperatures

A heat wave for the record books is underway across the western United States , which is leading to complications with not only the drought and wildfire situation , but also the power grid in one state .
The intensity and duration of the heat is likely to put a strain on people visiting the many national parks and hiking trails across the region , as well as long-time residents who may be more accustomed to extreme conditions .
This is especially true for those left without power and air conditioning due to rolling blackouts .
This past Friday evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statewide Stage 2 emergency due to the excessive heat driving up energy use .
The ISO later declared a Stage 3 emergency and started initiating rotating power outages .
`` Extreme heat throughout the West has increased electricity usage , causing a strain on the power grid .
All available resources are needed to meet the growing demand , '' ISO said in a statement .
As of early Sunday morning , a little over 35,000 customers were without power in California , according to PowerOutage.us .
Electricity demands will continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least the middle of this week as temperatures reach levels 15-30 degrees Fahrenheit above late-summer averages .
Excessive heat warnings and heat advisories stretched from California and Arizona , to Washington and Idaho , early Sunday morning .
Fresno is forecast to reach the lower 110s Fahrenheit each day through midweek .
The last time the city hit the 110-degree mark was June 20 , 2017 .
Sacramento could blow past its daily record highs for Monday , Tuesday and Wednesday of 106 , 107 and 108 , respectively , by 3 degrees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opened in Sacramento and other locales to help residents stay cool amid the record heat .
After tying their daily record of 98 on Saturday , downtown Los Angeles will be near this mark once again during the middle days of the week .
This summer has already gone down as the hottest on record in Phoenix with the city setting a new record for the most days with a temperature at or above 110\ .
On Friday , temperatures reached 117 , which tied with the city 's record for hottest August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Temperatures are forecast to be above 110 through at least the middle of the week in the Valley of the Sun .
`` The heat could be so intense that it may affect the ability for planes to take off , '' AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said .
Travelers should prepare for flight delays , as well as some weight and baggage restrictions .
The weather phenomena responsible for the sizzling conditions is an expansive area of high pressure , which can be referred to as a `` heat dome '' in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of high pressure , the air sinks .
Sinking air compresses and heats up , causing temperatures to soar .
As this heat dome shifts orientation over the next few days , record heat will expand and retract from some areas .
This includes around Seattle and Portland , Ore. , where record heat to end the weekend will be replaced with more seasonable conditions by midweek .
The searing heat will hold on longer across the interior , with widespread highs in the 90s and 100s lasting into midweek .
Outdoor activity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afternoon hours amid the pattern .
If you must labor outside , be sure to take frequent breaks in the shade , wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing and drink plenty of water or sports beverages .
Never leave pets or humans in a locked vehicle for any length of time , even if the windows are cracked open .
Use caution when touching metal railings or door knobs that are in the sunlight , as they may be hot enough to cause a burn during the peak heating of the day .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drought across the region , and create difficult conditions for fire crews battling the dozens of blazes burning out West .
Adding insult to injury will be localized thunderstorms with little rainfall that will only act to create an even higher fire danger .
`` Monsoon thunderstorms will continue to be suppressed and storms that form will not produce heavy rain , so lightning can trigger more fires , '' AccuWeather Long-Range Meteorologist Tyler Roys said .
This will be especially true in portions of California , Nevada , Utah , Washington and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exception to this rule will be a batch of showers and thunderstorms rumbling through Northern California during Sunday morning , which prompted a rare severe thunderstorm warning for the San Francisco Bay Area .
Unfortunately , Roys and the rest of AccuWeather 's long-range experts do not foresee significant heat , drought or wildfire relief anytime soon .

Lightning strikes south of San Francisco's Noe Valley in the early morning hours of Sunday. Record heat has led to rolling blackouts and fears of wildfire. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
A heat wave for the record books is underway across the western United States, which is leading to complications with not only the drought and wildfire situation, but also the power grid in one state. The intensity and duration of the heat is likely to put a strain on people visiting the many national parks and hiking trails across the region, as well as long-time residents who may be more accustomed to extreme conditions. This is especially true for those left without power and air conditioning due to rolling blackouts. Advertisement
This past Friday evening, the California Independent System Operator declared a statewide Stage 2 emergency due to the excessive heat driving up energy use. The ISO later declared a Stage 3 emergency and started initiating rotating power outages.
"Extreme heat throughout the West has increased electricity usage, causing a strain on the power grid. All available resources are needed to meet the growing demand," ISO said in a statement.
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As of early Sunday morning, a little over 35,000 customers were without power in California, according to PowerOutage.us.
Electricity demands will continue to be pushed to the max into at least the middle of this week as temperatures reach levels 15-30 degrees Fahrenheit above late-summer averages. Excessive heat warnings and heat advisories stretched from California and Arizona, to Washington and Idaho, early Sunday morning.
Fresno is forecast to reach the lower 110s Fahrenheit each day through midweek. The last time the city hit the 110-degree mark was June 20, 2017.
Sacramento could blow past its daily record highs for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of 106, 107 and 108, respectively, by 3 degrees or more. Cooling centers have been opened in Sacramento and other locales to help residents stay cool amid the record heat.
After tying their daily record of 98 on Saturday, downtown Los Angeles will be near this mark once again during the middle days of the week.
This summer has already gone down as the hottest on record in Phoenix with the city setting a new record for the most days with a temperature at or above 110. On Friday, temperatures reached 117, which tied with the city's record for hottest August temperature that was set in 2015. Temperatures are forecast to be above 110 through at least the middle of the week in the Valley of the Sun.
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"The heat could be so intense that it may affect the ability for planes to take off," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said. Travelers should prepare for flight delays, as well as some weight and baggage restrictions.
The weather phenomena responsible for the sizzling conditions is an expansive area of high pressure, which can be referred to as a "heat dome" in situations such as this. Underneath areas of high pressure, the air sinks. Sinking air compresses and heats up, causing temperatures to soar.
As this heat dome shifts orientation over the next few days, record heat will expand and retract from some areas. This includes around Seattle and Portland, Ore., where record heat to end the weekend will be replaced with more seasonable conditions by midweek.
The searing heat will hold on longer across the interior, with widespread highs in the 90s and 100s lasting into midweek.
Outdoor activity is strongly discouraged during the midday and afternoon hours amid the pattern. If you must labor outside, be sure to take frequent breaks in the shade, wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing and drink plenty of water or sports beverages.
Never leave pets or humans in a locked vehicle for any length of time, even if the windows are cracked open. Use caution when touching metal railings or door knobs that are in the sunlight, as they may be hot enough to cause a burn during the peak heating of the day.
Advertisement
The hot pattern will only intensify the widespread drought across the region, and create difficult conditions for fire crews battling the dozens of blazes burning out West.
Adding insult to injury will be localized thunderstorms with little rainfall that will only act to create an even higher fire danger.
"Monsoon thunderstorms will continue to be suppressed and storms that form will not produce heavy rain, so lightning can trigger more fires," AccuWeather Long-Range Meteorologist Tyler Roys said. This will be especially true in portions of California, Nevada, Utah, Washington and Idaho, into early week.
One exception to this rule will be a batch of showers and thunderstorms rumbling through Northern California during Sunday morning, which prompted a rare severe thunderstorm warning for the San Francisco Bay Area.
Unfortunately, Roys and the rest of AccuWeather's long-range experts do not foresee significant heat, drought or wildfire relief anytime soon.


upi--2020-08-16--Robert Trump, younger brother of president, dies at 71

Aug. 16 ( UPI ) -- Robert Trump , the younger brother of President Donald Trump , died Saturday night in a New York hospital , the White House said in a statement .
He was 71 .
`` It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother , Robert , peacefully passed away tonight , '' the president said in a statement .
`` He was not just my brother , he was my best friend .
He will be greatly missed , but we will meet again .
His memory will live on in my heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rest in peace . ''
On Friday , the president has visited his brother at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan .
Robert Trump was admitted to the New York hospital for an undisclosed illness .
CNN reported he previously was hospitalized in June in serious condition with an undisclosed illness .
`` I have a wonderful brother .
We have a great relationship for a long time , from day one , '' the president told reporters at a news briefing Friday afternoon .
`` He 's in the hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be alright , but ... he 's having a hard time . ''
This weekend Trump has been at his private golf club in Bedminster , N.J .
He conducted a press briefing late Saturday afternoon at the club .
Robert Trump , who is three years younger than the president , worked in corporate finance on Wall Street and later joined the Trump Organization as a top executive , managing real estate holdings .
Donald Trump wrote about his brother in 1987 in his book , The Art of the Deal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have me for a brother but he 's never said anything about it and we 're very close .
Robert gets along with almost everyone , which is great for me since I sometimes have to be the bad guy . ''
Robert Trump filed an unsuccessful temporary restraining order seeking to block the publication of a book by Mary Trump , the daughter of Fred Trump Jr. , the older brother of the president who died in 1981 .
Robert and Donald Trump said the book was in violation of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settlement she received from the Trump family .
The book included details about the the Trump family , including the president 's childhood and upbringing .
Trump is survived by two older sisters , Maryanne Barry , a retired federal judge , and Elizabeth Trump Grau , a former executive for Chase Manhattan Bank .
`` Uncle Robert , we love you .
You are in our hearts and prayers , always , '' Donald Trump 's daughter , Ivanka Trump , posted on Twitter Saturday night .

President Donald Trump appears at press briefing at the White House on Friday before traveling to New York to visit his younger brother, Robert, in a hospital. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Robert Trump, the younger brother of President Donald Trump, died Saturday night in a New York hospital, the White House said in a statement. He was 71. "It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight," the president said in a statement. "He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace." Advertisement
On Friday, the president visited his brother at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan.
Robert Trump was admitted to the New York hospital for an undisclosed illness. CNN reported he was hospitalized in June in serious condition with an undisclosed illness.
"I have a wonderful brother. We have a great relationship for a long time, from day one," the president told reporters at a news briefing Friday afternoon. "He's in the hospital right now.
"Hopefully he'll be alright, but ... he's having a hard time."
This weekend Trump has been at his private golf club in Bedminster, N.J. He conducted a press briefing late Saturday afternoon at the club.
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Robert Trump, who was three years younger than the president, worked in corporate finance on Wall Street and later joined the Trump Organization as a top executive, managing real estate holdings.
He lived in Millbrook, N.Y.
Donald Trump wrote about his brother in 1987 in his book, The Art of the Deal.
"I think it must be hard to have me for a brother but he's never said anything about it and we're very close. Robert gets along with almost everyone, which is great for me since I sometimes have to be the bad guy."
Robert Trump filed an unsuccessful temporary restraining order seeking to block the publication of a book by Mary Trump, the daughter of Fred Trump Jr., the older brother of the president who died in 1981.
Robert and Donald Trump said the book was in violation of a non-disclosure agreement she signed as a financial settlement she received from the Trump family.
The book included details about the the Trump family, including the president's childhood and upbringing.
Robert Trump is survived by two older sisters, Maryanne Barry, a retired federal judge, and Elizabeth Trump Grau, a former executive for Chase Manhattan Bank.
"Uncle Robert, we love you. You are in our hearts and prayers, always," Donald Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump, posted on Twitter Saturday night.


upi--2020-08-16--Famous birthdays for Aug. 16: Vanessa Carlton, Timothy Hutton

Aug. 16 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Leo .

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Vanessa Carlton arrives on the red carpet at the 73rd Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 9, 2019, in New York City. The singer turns 40 on August 16. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Leo. They include: Advertisement
-- French physicist Gabriel Lippmann, inventor of color photography, in 1845
-- British soldier/writer T.E. Lawrence in 1888
-- Former Israeli Prime Minister/Nobel Peace Prize laureate Menachem Begin in 1913
-- Author Charles Bukowski in 1920
-- Journalist Louis Lomax in 1922
-- Actor Ann Blyth in 1928 (age 92)
-- Football Hall of Fame member/sports commentator Frank Gifford in 1930
-- Actor Julie Newmar in 1933 (age 87)
File Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI
-- Actor Lesley Ann Warren in 1946 (age 74)
-- Former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun in 1947 (age 73)
-- Actor Reginald VelJohnson in 1952 (age 68)
-- TV personality Kathie Lee Gifford in 1953 (age 67)
-- Film director James Cameron in 1954 (age 66)
-- Actor Jeff Perry in 1955 (age 65)
-- Actor Laura Innes in 1957 (age 63)
-- Actor Angela Bassett in 1958 (age 62)
-- Singer Madonna, born Madonna Louise Ciccone, in 1958 (age 62)
-- Actor Timothy Hutton in 1960 (age 60)
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File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI
-- Actor and Steve Carell in 1962 (age 58)
-- Dixie Chicks singer Emily Robison in 1972 (age 48)
-- Filmmaker Taika Waititi in 1975 (age 45)
File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI
-- Singer Vanessa Carlton in 1980 (age 40)
-- Actor Cam Gigandet in 1982 (age 38)
-- Actor Arden Cho in 1985 (age 35)
-- Actor Rumor Willis in 1988 (age 32)
-- Actor Evanna Lynch in 1991 (age 29)
-- Actor Cameron Monaghan in 1993 (age 27)


upi--2020-08-16--Jurnee Smollett: Racism 'more of a threat' than 'Lovecraft Country' monsters

LOS ANGELES , Aug. 16 ( UPI ) -- HBO 's new drama , Lovecraft Country , combines the monsters of H.P .
Lovecraft 's fiction with true horrors of America 's past .
Set in the 1950s , Black characters face racism while battling the fictional creatures .
`` [ Racism ] is sometimes even more of a threat because it 's unexpected , '' Jurnee Smollett said on a Television Critics Association panel .
`` It affects your livelihood and it affects you on every single level . ''
Smollett plays Letitia Lewis , a woman who joins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Majors ) , on a road trip to find his missing father ( Michael K. Williams ) .
They embark from Chicago and wind up in cities plagued by Lovecraft 's monsters .
The Cthulhu from Call of Cthulhu and Shoggoth from At the Mountains of Madness make appearances .
`` Racists , in general , are much more terrifying than the Shoggoth or Cthulhu , '' Majors said .
Segregation and Jim Crow laws still are in effect in places Atticus and Letitia visit .
On the road to Ardham , Mass.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black people away , and face White people mocking them at rest stops .
Smollett , born in 1986 , said she researched the history of America in the '50s to prepare for Lovecraft Country .
She saw parallels between the struggle against racism then and the Black Lives Matter movement of today .
`` Our heroes essentially are going on a quest to bring down White supremacy , '' Smollett said .
`` We are still on that quest today in 2020 as Black Americans .
Racism is such a demonic spirit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still fighting off . ''
Writer and executive producer Misha Green adapted Matt Ruff 's book for HBO .
Green said the Lovecraft monsters are symbolic to her of the racism still present in the world .
`` For me , genre works best when it is the metaphor on top of the real life emotions that you explore , '' Green said .
She credited Jordan Peele 's Oscar-winning horror film Get Out with opening the doors to more Black-led horror content .
Peele is an executive producer of Lovecraft Country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of paved the way for people to really open up to the idea of seeing more Black people in dominant spaces , '' Green said .
The metaphorical monsters and historical racism become further intertwined upon Atticus and Letitia 's arrival in Ardham .
Atticus discovers his mythological connection with the Order of Ancient Dawn , a fictional group whose rituals conjure up Lovecraftian monsters .
Majors believes viewers , especially Black viewers , will relate to the story of Atticus 's monstrous heritage .
Atticus is descended from a slave owned by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fathered children with her .
Majors said the fictional story rings true for Black Americans , who feel they still are suffering from the history of slavery .
`` The things we experience in the story are things that happen in day-to-day life , '' Majors said .
`` It 's in the DNA of the African American experience . ''
Subsequent episodes deal with Letitia buying a house to establish roots .
Like a true horror movie , the house is only affordable because it is haunted .
However , the threats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are horrors of human-making .
`` It affects your pursuit of happiness , your pursuit of joy , your pursuit of family trying to live in a neighborhood that is all White , '' Smollett said .
`` You realize that America has not evolved into a place for you . ''
Letitia 's White neighbors use insidious tactics to pressure her to leave .
They break into cars parked on the street and lay bricks on the horns to create a disturbance .
Majors said it is difficult to know how to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The monsters may be deadlier , but he said they provoke a simpler reaction to simply run and survive .
`` With a monster , it 's a direct physical threat , '' Majors said .
`` They want to eat you . ''

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Jurnee Smollett stars in the new HBO series "Lovecraft Country." File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- HBO's new drama, Lovecraft Country, combines the monsters of H.P. Lovecraft's fiction with true horrors of America's past. Set in the 1950s, Black characters face racism while battling the fictional creatures. "[Racism] is sometimes even more of a threat because it's unexpected," Jurnee Smollett said on a Television Critics Association panel. "It affects your livelihood and it affects you on every single level." Advertisement
Smollett plays Letitia Lewis, a woman who joins her friend, Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors), on a road trip to find his missing father (Michael K. Williams). They embark from Chicago and wind up in cities plagued by Lovecraft's monsters. The Cthulhu from Call of Cthulhu and Shoggoth from At the Mountains of Madness make appearances.
"Racists, in general, are much more terrifying than the Shoggoth or Cthulhu," Majors said.
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Segregation and Jim Crow laws still are in effect in places Atticus and Letitia visit. On the road to Ardham, Mass., Letitia and Atticus pass signs warning Black people away, and face White people mocking them at rest stops.
Smollett, born in 1986, said she researched the history of America in the '50s to prepare for Lovecraft Country. She saw parallels between the struggle against racism then and the Black Lives Matter movement of today.
"Our heroes essentially are going on a quest to bring down White supremacy," Smollett said. "We are still on that quest today in 2020 as Black Americans. Racism is such a demonic spirit -- it's something that we are still fighting off."
Writer and executive producer Misha Green adapted Matt Ruff's book for HBO. Green said the Lovecraft monsters are symbolic to her of the racism still present in the world.
"For me, genre works best when it is the metaphor on top of the real life emotions that you explore," Green said.
She credited Jordan Peele's Oscar-winning horror film Get Out with opening the doors to more Black-led horror content. Peele is an executive producer of Lovecraft Country, too.
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"I think that kind of paved the way for people to really open up to the idea of seeing more Black people in dominant spaces," Green said.
The metaphorical monsters and historical racism become further intertwined upon Atticus and Letitia's arrival in Ardham. Atticus discovers his mythological connection with the Order of Ancient Dawn, a fictional group whose rituals conjure up Lovecraftian monsters.
Majors believes viewers, especially Black viewers, will relate to the story of Atticus's monstrous heritage. Atticus is descended from a slave owned by the founder of the order, who fathered children with her.
Majors said the fictional story rings true for Black Americans, who feel they still are suffering from the history of slavery.
"The things we experience in the story are things that happen in day-to-day life," Majors said. "It's in the DNA of the African American experience."
Subsequent episodes deal with Letitia buying a house to establish roots. Like a true horror movie, the house is only affordable because it is haunted. However, the threats Letitia receives from her racist White neighbors are horrors of human-making.
"It affects your pursuit of happiness, your pursuit of joy, your pursuit of family trying to live in a neighborhood that is all White," Smollett said. "You realize that America has not evolved into a place for you."
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Letitia's White neighbors use insidious tactics to pressure her to leave. They break into cars parked on the street and lay bricks on the horns to create a disturbance.
Majors said it is difficult to know how to deal with threats designed to intimidate you. The monsters may be deadlier, but he said they provoke a simpler reaction to simply run and survive.
"With a monster, it's a direct physical threat," Majors said. "They want to eat you."
Lovecraft Country premieres Sunday at 9 p.m. on HBO.


upi--2020-08-16--On This Day Aug. 16: Ecuador grants asylum to Julian Assange

Aug. 16 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1812 , British forces foiled plans for a U.S. invasion of Canada by capturing the city of Detroit .
In 1896 , the North Country gold rush began with the discovery of gold in the Klondike region of Canada 's Yukon Territory .
In 1948 , baseball legend Babe Ruth died in New York of cancer at age 53 .
In 1954 , the first edition of Sports Illustrated was published .
In 1977 , Elvis Presley , the king of rock ' n ' roll , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Memphis at age 42 .
In 1987 , a Northwest Airlines jet bound for Phoenix crashed on takeoff from Detroit Metropolitan Airport , killing 156 people .
A 4-year-old girl , Celia Cichan , was the sole survivor .
In 2005 , a West Caribbean Airways flight from Colombia crashed in a remote area of northwest Venezuela , killing 160 people .
In 2008 , American swimmer Michael Phelps won his record eighth gold medal in a single Olympics in the Summer Games at Beijing .
In 2009 , John Yettaw , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegally visiting political opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi , serving a lengthy house-arrest sentence , was allowed to leave the country .
In 2012 , the Ecuadorean government said it was granting political asylum in its London Embassy to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange , trying to avoid extradition to Sweden to face questioning in a sexual assault investigation .
Ecuador withdrew its offer of asylum in April 2019 , and London police arrested him .
In 2013 , the MV Thomas Aquinas ferry carrying nearly 700 people collided with a cargo ship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later said the accident killed about 60 people and many others were reported missing .
In 2018 , Scarlett Johansson took the No .
1 spot atop the Forbes annual list of highest-paid actresses for 2018 , earning $ 40.5 million .

1/4
On August 16, 2012, the Ecuadorean government said it was granting political asylum in its London Embassy to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, trying to avoid extradition to Sweden to face questioning in a sexual assault investigation. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 16 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1812, British forces foiled plans for a U.S. invasion of Canada by capturing the city of Detroit. Advertisement
In 1896, the North Country gold rush began with the discovery of gold in the Klondike region of Canada's Yukon Territory.
In 1948, baseball legend Babe Ruth died in New York of cancer at age 53.
In 1954, the first edition of Sports Illustrated was published.
File Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI
In 1977, Elvis Presley, the king of rock 'n' roll, died of heart failure at his home in Memphis at age 42.
In 1987, a Northwest Airlines jet bound for Phoenix crashed on takeoff from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, killing 156 people. A 4-year-old girl, Celia Cichan, was the sole survivor.
In 2005, a West Caribbean Airways flight from Colombia crashed in a remote area of northwest Venezuela, killing 160 people.
In 2008, American swimmer Michael Phelps won his record eighth gold medal in a single Olympics in the Summer Games at Beijing.
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File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI
In 2009, John Yettaw, a Missouri man convicted in Myanmar of illegally visiting political opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, serving a lengthy house-arrest sentence, was allowed to leave the country.
In 2012, the Ecuadorean government said it was granting political asylum in its London Embassy to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, trying to avoid extradition to Sweden to face questioning in a sexual assault investigation and subsequent extradition to the United States on allegations he published classified material. Ecuador withdrew its offer of asylum in April 2019, and London police arrested him.
In 2013, the MV Thomas Aquinas ferry carrying nearly 700 people collided with a cargo ship and sank off the Philippines. Authorities later said the accident killed about 60 people and many others were reported missing.
In 2018, Scarlett Johansson took the No. 1 spot atop the Forbes annual list of highest-paid actresses for 2018, earning $40.5 million.
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upi--2020-08-15--South Korea reimposes social distancing after coronavirus cases spike

Aug. 15 ( UPI ) -- South Korea reimposed social distancing measures Saturday to curb COVID-19 after local cases spiked recently in the capital .
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 166 new cases , including 155 new local cases and 11 new imported cases , a five-month high .
Most of the new cases were in Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi province .
`` The spread of coronavirus is very serious for Seoul and Gyeonggi province , the confirmed cases almost doubled in a day , '' South Korea 's Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priority is to swiftly stop the virus from spreading further in the capital area . ''
Authorities imposed Level 2 social distancing in Seoul and Gyeonggi , which limits indoor public gatherings to 50 people and outdoor gatherings to 100 people .
The restrictions also mean the public can no longer attend sporting events , and government-run public facilities will be closed , along with privately run facilities considered to be high risk .
Churches in Seoul and Gyeonggi have been linked to the outbreaks .
Seoul issued an executive order Friday to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ except the main service .
Gyeonggi Gov .
Lee Jae-myung issued an order Friday to restrict religious gatherings .
The U.S .
Forces Korea restricted non-essential travel for U.S. military personnel to hotspot areas .
Park Yoo-mi , a health official for the city of Seoul , said attendees at an anti-government rally could face prosecution under a protest ban and if a COVID-19 case is confirmed from the protest , organizers could face a fine .
To date , South Korea has reported 15,039 cases of COVID-19 and 305 deaths from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University global tracker .
South Koreans are currently amid a long weekend that the government introduced in July to relieve stress from the pandemic .
On Saturday , in Britain , a policy for British tourists arriving home from France to quarantine for 14 days because of a rise in COVID-19 cases in France became effective at 4 a.m .
Some Britons returning from France arrived minutes before the new quarantine policy was implemented .
Britain has reported 318,193 cases and 46,791 deaths , according to the global tracker of COVID-19 cases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Health said Friday that citizens should wear masks to limit spread of the disease .
The recommendation follows an open letter that 239 international scientists sent to the World Health Organization on July 4 proposing the reclassification of the virus that causes COVID-19 disease as as an airborne virus .
Over the past week , data from France shows a 66 % increase in newly reported cases .
On Friday , the French government declared Paris and Marseille high-risk zones for the virus , which grants authorities power to impose local restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the disease .
France has reported 249,655 cases and 30,410 deaths from COVID-19 , according to the global tracker .
New Zealand reinstated a lockdown earlier this week after more than 100 days without reporting local transmission of COVID-19 due to a new outbreak in its largest city of Auckland , which was extended Friday for another 12 days .
On Saturday , authorities confirmed seven new COVID-19 cases , with six of them linked to previous cases in the new cluster in Auckland and the other one still under investigation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cases in New Zealand to 1,609 cases .
Twenty-two deaths have also been reported in the country , according to the global tracker .
In Ireland , Michael Cawley , the chairman of Irish tourism authority called Failte Ireland , has resigned after he went to Italy on holiday despite government cautioning to avoid non-essential and international travel .
`` I was disappointed to learn that the chair of Failte Ireland was holidaying in Italy , '' Catherine Martin , the Irish minister for media tourism , arts , culture , sport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I rang Mr. Cawley this morning and he has offered his resignation which I have accepted .
I wish to thank Mr. Cawley for his service as chair of Failte Ireland . ''
Italy has reported 253,438 COVID-19 cases and 35,392 deaths from the disease .
Ireland , which has a smaller population , has reported 27,191 cases and 1,774 deaths .
In Mexico , which has reported 511,369 cases and 55,908 deaths from the virus , President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called for 30 days of national mourning to honor COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 21.2 million and killed over 766,400 .
Three countries have more than half of the world 's cases , including the United States , Brazil and India .
The United States has over 5.3 million cases and over 169,100 deaths .
Brazil has over 3.2 million cases and over 106,500 deaths .
India has over 2.5 million cases and over 49,000 deaths .

People wearing face masks visit the Changdeokgung palace Thursday amid the coronavirus outbreak in Seoul. Photo by Jeon Heon-Kyun/EPA-EFE
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- South Korea reimposed social distancing measures Saturday to curb COVID-19 after local cases spiked recently in the capital. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 166 new cases, including 155 new local cases and 11 new imported cases, a five-month high. Advertisement
Most of the new cases were in Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi province.
"The spread of coronavirus is very serious for Seoul and Gyeonggi province, the confirmed cases almost doubled in a day," South Korea's Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said in a televised address Saturday. "Our priority is to swiftly stop the virus from spreading further in the capital area."
Authorities imposed Level 2 social distancing in Seoul and Gyeonggi, which limits indoor public gatherings to 50 people and outdoor gatherings to 100 people. The restrictions also mean the public can no longer attend sporting events, and government-run public facilities will be closed, along with privately run facilities considered to be high risk.
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Churches in Seoul and Gyeonggi have been linked to the outbreaks. Seoul issued an executive order Friday to 7,560 religious facilities to restrict group events except the main service. Gyeonggi Gov. Lee Jae-myung issued an order Friday to restrict religious gatherings.
The U.S. Forces Korea restricted non-essential travel for U.S. military personnel to hotspot areas.
Park Yoo-mi, a health official for the city of Seoul, said attendees at an anti-government rally could face prosecution under a protest ban and if a COVID-19 case is confirmed from the protest, organizers could face a fine.
To date, South Korea has reported 15,039 cases of COVID-19 and 305 deaths from the disease, according to the Johns Hopkins University global tracker.
South Koreans are currently amid a long weekend that the government introduced in July to relieve stress from the pandemic.
On Saturday, in Britain, a policy for British tourists arriving home from France to quarantine for 14 days because of a rise in COVID-19 cases in France became effective at 4 a.m. Some Britons returning from France arrived minutes before the new quarantine policy was implemented.
Britain has reported 318,193 cases and 46,791 deaths, according to the global tracker of COVID-19 cases.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, the French High Council of Public Health said Friday that citizens should wear masks to limit spread of the disease.
The recommendation follows an open letter that 239 international scientists sent to the World Health Organization on July 4 proposing the reclassification of the virus that causes COVID-19 disease as as an airborne virus.
Over the past week, data from France shows a 66% increase in newly reported cases.
On Friday, the French government declared Paris and Marseille high-risk zones for the virus, which grants authorities power to impose local restrictions to limit the spread of the spread of the disease.
France has reported 249,655 cases and 30,410 deaths from COVID-19, according to the global tracker.
New Zealand reinstated a lockdown earlier this week after more than 100 days without reporting local transmission of COVID-19 due to a new outbreak in its largest city of Auckland, which was extended Friday for another 12 days.
On Saturday, authorities confirmed seven new COVID-19 cases, with six of them linked to previous cases in the new cluster in Auckland and the other one still under investigation.
The new cases bring the total number of cases in New Zealand to 1,609 cases. Twenty-two deaths have also been reported in the country, according to the global tracker.
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In Ireland, Michael Cawley, the chairman of Irish tourism authority called Failte Ireland, has resigned after he went to Italy on holiday despite government cautioning to avoid non-essential and international travel.
"I was disappointed to learn that the chair of Failte Ireland was holidaying in Italy," Catherine Martin, the Irish minister for media tourism, arts, culture, sport and the gaelteacht, said Saturday. "I rang Mr. Cawley this morning and he has offered his resignation which I have accepted. I wish to thank Mr. Cawley for his service as chair of Failte Ireland."
Italy has reported 253,438 COVID-19 cases and 35,392 deaths from the disease.
Ireland, which has a smaller population, has reported 27,191 cases and 1,774 deaths.
In Mexico, which has reported 511,369 cases and 55,908 deaths from the virus, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called for 30 days of national mourning to honor COVID-19 victims.
Worldwide, COVID-19 has sickened over 21.2 million and killed over 766,400. Three countries have more than half of the world's cases, including the United States, Brazil and India.
The United States has over 5.3 million cases and over 169,100 deaths. Brazil has over 3.2 million cases and over 106,500 deaths. India has over 2.5 million cases and over 49,000 deaths.
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World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-08-16--Pelosi calls for House to return this week for Postal Service vote

Aug. 16 ( UPI ) -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for the House to return to session this week for a vote on a bill to prevent the Trump administration from implementing changes to the U.S .
Postal Service , accusing the president of attempting to sabotage November 's general election by manipulating the delivery of the country 's mail .
In a letter to her Democratic colleagues on Sunday evening , the California Democrat called for them to return to the House to oppose moves made to the USPS by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy , a Trump appointee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` sweeping new operational changes that degrade postal service , delay the mail and ... threaten to deny the ability of eligible Americans to cast their votes through the mail in the upcoming elections in a timely fashion . ''
The letter was issued after Thomas Marshall , general counsel and executive vice president for the USPS , sent letters to 46 states and Washington , D.C. , warning that some mail-in ballots might not be counted in time for the November election .
Internal documents obtained by news outlets including NBC News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 671 letter sorting machines .
Pelosi said delays caused by these alterations threaten not only the election but the health and economic security of Americans by delaying the delivery of medicines and payments amid the coronavirus pandemic , stating that 1.2 billion people receive prescriptions through the mail .
The date of the vote on the Delivering for America Act would be announced later , Pelosi said .
Introduced on Tuesday by Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney , D-N.Y. , chairwoman of the oversight and reform committee , the bill aims to bar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the operation or level of service it had in place as of Jan. 1 until the pandemic has ended .
In a statement from Maloney 's office , the bill 's introduction followed a July 10 internal memo directed employees to leave mail behind at distribution centers , a second memo issued in early August calling for the restructuring of the service to centralize power around Dejoy and accusations about the financial interests of Dejoy and his wife of $ 30.1 million and $ 75.3 million in assets of competitors to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called for House representatives to appear at post offices in their districts to participate in a Day of Action on Tuesday .
`` In a time of a pandemic , the Postal Service is Election Central , '' Pelosi wrote in her letter .
`` Americans should not have to choose between their health and their vote . ''
Earlier Sunday , White House chief of staff Mark Meadows described reports that USPS sorting machines were decommissioned following orders from DeJoy was a `` political narrative , '' stating that no more machines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the election .
Appearing on CNN 's State of the Union Meadows said , `` sorting machines between now and Election Day will not be taken offline . ''
On Saturday , USPS spokesman Rod Spurgeon issued a similar statement , saying the service would stop taking down mail collection boxes until after Election Day after it had begun the process earlier in the week , targeting boxes in Indiana , Montana , New York and Oregon .
Congressional Democrats , including Pelosi , Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer , Maloney , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Senate committee on homeland security and governmental affairs , requested that DeJoy and Chairman of the USPS Board of Governors Robert Duncan testify at in an urgent hearing on Aug. 24 .
`` The postmaster general and top Postal Service leadership must answer to the Congress and the American people as to why they are pushing these dangerous new policies that threaten to silence the voices of millions , just months before the election , '' they wrote .
President Donald Trump has repeatedly spoken out against the mail-in ballot process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud .
DeJoy , a Trump donor who was appointed by the president amid the pandemic in May , said the USPS still has `` ample capacity '' to handle the anticipated surge of mail-in ballots due to the COVID-19 pandemic despite implementing policies such as cutting overtime for mail carriers and removing letter collection boxes that appear to have slowed the mail delivery process .
Meadows on Sunday asserted that all sorting machines not part of an `` already scheduled reallocation '' would remain in place and that the decommissioning was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
He also downplayed the importance of sorting machines in handling the increased volume of ballots traveling through the postal system .
`` A sorting machine to handle 100 million ballots , it 's like a gnat on an elephant 's back , '' he said .
`` It 's not going to matter with 8.6 billion pieces of mail going through the Postal Service every year . ''
Meadows called on Congress to cut its recess short and return to Washington , D.C , to negotiate funding for the USPS as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying Trump would be open to signing such legislation .
`` I 'm all about piecemeal .
If we can agree on postal , less let 's do it , '' Meadows said .
`` Speaker Pelosi said she wo n't do anything unless it is a big deal .
We offered $ 10 billion . ''
Schumer told CNN on Sunday he and Pelosi are `` looking at having a standalone bill '' to fund the Postal Service .
`` Speaker Pelosi and I are looking at having a standalone bill .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ back into session , she can do that , I hope she will , '' he said , adding he would send Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell a letter requesting to call the Senate back into session .

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., accused Postmaster General Louis DeJoy of pushing through operational changes that degrade service at the U.S. Postal Service, which could threaten the ability of Americans to cast mail-in ballots in the General Election this November. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 16 (UPI) -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for the House to return to session this week for a vote on a bill to prevent the Trump administration from implementing changes to the U.S. Postal Service, accusing the president of attempting to sabotage November's general election by manipulating the delivery of the country's mail. In a letter to her Democratic colleagues on Sunday evening, the California Democrat called for them to return to the House to oppose moves made to the USPS by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a Trump appointee, who she accused of pushing through "sweeping new operational changes that degrade postal service, delay the mail and ... threaten to deny the ability of eligible Americans to cast their votes through the mail in the upcoming elections in a timely fashion." Advertisement
"Alarmingly, across the nation, we see the devastating effects of the president's campaign to sabotage the election by manipulating the Postal Service to disenfranchise voters," she wrote.
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The letter was issued after Thomas Marshall, general counsel and executive vice president for the USPS, sent letters to 46 states and Washington, D.C., warning that some mail-in ballots might not be counted in time for the November election.
Internal documents obtained by news outlets including NBC News showed that DeJoy had ordered the decommissioning of 671 letter sorting machines.
Pelosi said delays caused by these alterations threaten not only the election but the health and economic security of Americans by delaying the delivery of medicines and payments amid the coronavirus pandemic, stating that 1.2 billion people receive prescriptions through the mail.
The date of the vote on the Delivering for America Act would be announced later, Pelosi said.
Introduced on Tuesday by Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, D-N.Y., chairwoman of the oversight and reform committee, the bill aims to bar the Postal Service from implementing any changes to the operation or level of service it had in place as of Jan. 1 until the pandemic has ended.
In a statement from Maloney's office, the bill's introduction followed a July 10 internal memo directed employees to leave mail behind at distribution centers, a second memo issued in early August calling for the restructuring of the service to centralize power around Dejoy and accusations about the financial interests of Dejoy and his wife of $30.1 million and $75.3 million in assets of competitors to the federal service.
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Pelosi on Sunday also called for House representatives to appear at post offices in their districts to participate in a Day of Action on Tuesday.
"In a time of a pandemic, the Postal Service is Election Central," Pelosi wrote in her letter. "Americans should not have to choose between their health and their vote."
Republicans responded to Pelosi saying the legislation wasn't necessary and accusing the Democrats of inflaming the situation.
"House Democrats never miss a manufactured crisis to put partisan politics over people in need," National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Michael McAdams said in a statement.
Earlier Sunday, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows described reports that USPS sorting machines were decommissioned was a "political narrative," stating that no more machines would be dismantled in the lead up to the election.
Appearing on CNN's State of the Union Meadows said, "sorting machines between now and Election Day will not be taken offline."
On Saturday, USPS spokesman Rod Spurgeon issued a similar statement, saying the service would stop taking down mail collection boxes until after Election Day after it had begun the process earlier in the week, targeting boxes in Indiana, Montana, New York and Oregon.
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Congressional Democrats, including Pelosi, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, Maloney, and Sen. Gary Peters, ranking member of the Senate committee on homeland security and governmental affairs, requested that DeJoy and Chairman of the USPS Board of Governors Robert Duncan testify at in an urgent hearing on Aug. 24.
"The postmaster general and top Postal Service leadership must answer to the Congress and the American people as to why they are pushing these dangerous new policies that threaten to silence the voices of millions, just months before the election," they wrote.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly spoken out against the mail-in ballot process, alleging it will lead to widespread fraud.
DeJoy, a Trump donor who was appointed by the president amid the pandemic in May, said the USPS still has "ample capacity" to handle the anticipated surge of mail-in ballots due to the COVID-19 pandemic despite implementing policies such as cutting overtime for mail carriers and removing letter collection boxes that appear to have slowed the mail delivery process.
Meadows on Sunday asserted that all sorting machines not part of an "already scheduled reallocation" would remain in place and that the decommissioning was not "new initiative by this postmaster general."
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He also downplayed the importance of sorting machines in handling the increased volume of ballots traveling through the postal system.
"A sorting machine to handle 100 million ballots, it's like a gnat on an elephant's back," he said. "It's not going to matter with 8.6 billion pieces of mail going through the Postal Service every year."
Meadows called on Congress to cut its recess short and return to Washington, D.C, to negotiate funding for the USPS as well as additional coronavirus stimulus measures, saying Trump would be open to signing such legislation.
"I'm all about piecemeal. If we can agree on postal, less let's do it," Meadows said. "Speaker Pelosi said she won't do anything unless it is a big deal. We offered $10 billion."
Schumer told CNN on Sunday he and Pelosi are "looking at having a standalone bill" to fund the Postal Service.
"Speaker Pelosi and I are looking at having a standalone bill. The house -- she can call it back into session, she can do that, I hope she will," he said, adding he would send Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell a letter requesting to call the Senate back into session.