upi--2020-08-23--'Unhinged' tops the North American box office with $4.1M

Aug. 23 ( UPI ) -- Russell Crowe 's Unhinged is the No .
1 movie in North America this weekend , BoxOfficeMojo.com announced Sunday .
The film racked up $ 4.1 million in receipts in 1,823 theaters .
Coming in at No .
2 is The SpongeBob Movie : Sponge on the Run with $ 550,000 in 326 theaters , followed by Words on Bathroom Walls at No .
3 with $ 463,000 in 925 theaters , The Goonies at No .
4 with $ 260,000 in 457 theaters and Cut Throat City at No .
5 with $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top tier are Star Wars V : The Empire Strikes Back at No .
6 with $ 230,000 in 431 theaters , Peninsula at No .
7 with $ 210,000 in 123 theaters , Jurassic Park at No .
8 with $ 180,000 in 316 theaters , Back to the Future at No .
9 with $ 140,000 in 258 theaters and The Tax Collector at No .
10 with $ 122,000 in 121 theaters .
Four of the top films -- The Goonies , Star Wars V : The Empire Strikes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Future -- are re-releases of classic films .
Because of the coronavirus pandemic , most new movie debuts have been delayed , with some theatrical releases skipped altogether in favor of streaming-service premieres .
Theaters throughout the United States and Canada were closed for months in keeping with social-distancing practices intended to slow the spread of the virus .
They recently began opening their doors , however those in states such as New York , New Jersey and California remain shuttered .
On March 8 , the North American box office take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and The Invisible Man were the big hits at the time and both made quick pay-per-view debuts when the theaters closed .

Russell Crowe's "Unhinged" is No. 1 at the North American box office this weekend. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Russell Crowe's Unhinged is the No. 1 movie in North America this weekend, BoxOfficeMojo.com announced Sunday. The film racked up $4.1 million in receipts in 1,823 theaters. Advertisement
Coming in at No. 2 is The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run with $550,000 in 326 theaters, followed by Words on Bathroom Walls at No. 3 with $463,000 in 925 theaters, The Goonies at No. 4 with $260,000 in 457 theaters and Cut Throat City at No. 5 with $240,000 in 395 theaters.
Rounding out the top tier are Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back at No. 6 with $230,000 in 431 theaters, Peninsula at No. 7 with $210,000 in 123 theaters, Jurassic Park at No. 8 with $180,000 in 316 theaters, Back to the Future at No. 9 with $140,000 in 258 theaters and The Tax Collector at No. 10 with $122,000 in 121 theaters.
Four of the top films -- The Goonies, Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back, Jurassic Park and Back to the Future -- are re-releases of classic films.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, most new movie debuts have been delayed, with some theatrical releases skipped altogether in favor of streaming-service premieres.
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Theaters throughout the United States and Canada were closed for months in keeping with social-distancing practices intended to slow the spread of the virus.
They recently began opening their doors, however those in states such as New York, New Jersey and California remain shuttered.
On March 8, the North American box office take was about $100 million.
Onward and The Invisible Man were the big hits at the time and both made quick pay-per-view debuts when the theaters closed.


upi--2020-08-23--India's cases, deaths spiking but per capita mortality rate low

Aug. 23 ( UPI ) -- Eight months into the coronavirus pandemic , India is in a dichotomous situation with surging cases and deaths but a relatively low per capita mortality rate .
On Saturday , India surpassed the 3 million milestone of infections , setting a national daily record with 70,068 , according to tracking by Worldometers.info .
And its death toll has hit 57,692 , which is the fourth highest in the world , which has surpassed 800,000 .
On Sunday , the Asian nation reported 846 deaths and 61,749 more cases .
But with the second-highest population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the lowest mortality rates per capita -- 42 deaths per million of population .
Comparatively , the world figure is 104.0 .
The United States , which has the most deaths at more than 176,000 , has a figure of 545 .
Second-place Brazil , with 114,277 deaths , is close to the U.S. with 538 .
Also in the top 10 , No .
5 Britain is 610 , No .
6 Italy 586 , No .
7 France 467 , No .
8 Spain 617 , No .
9 Peru @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lowest in the top 10 at 245 .
Notably , Mainland China , where the virus originated , has a rate of 3 per million .
With the largest population in the world at 1.43 billion , the nation has 4,634 deaths , a figure that has not changed since late April .
In India , the Punjab state government issued a curfew from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. , instead of 9 p.m. start on Friday , the same day as the highest number of cases , 1,741 , were reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on all types of gatherings except marriages and funerals with all offices at 50 percent capacity .
The state has a population of 28 million .
Elsewhere in Asia , the outbreak has stabilized , outside of a spike in cases of a few thousand .
The continent 's death toll is 130,235 , with a majority of fatalities in India and Iran , including 1,327 more Sunday Indonesia is third with 6,680 deaths , including 86 more Sunday .
Although Korea reported no deaths Sunday , with its total at 309 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a row of triple-digit increases , including the most recent 397 , which is the highest since March 7 .
All but 10 of them were local infections .
Cases have mostly traced to churches in Seoul and its surrounding Gyeonggi Province .
`` We sincerely ask all the people to follow the guidelines of social distancing Level 2 as this weekend is a critical juncture , '' KCDC chief Jeong Eun-kyeong said in a press briefing .
`` We are currently facing a serious situation on the verge of a large-scale nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the government has closed beaches and churches , as well as banning fans from baseball games .
In addition , indoor gatherings of more than 50 people are barred as well as buffet restaurants , nightclubs and karaoke venues .
In Japan , cases have surpassed four digits in all but six days in August .
Sunday 's cases increase was 1,169 with 14 deaths .
The record since the pandemic started was 1,998 on Aug. 3 .
Deaths were 16 twice last week with the record 49 on May 4 for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it surpassed 1,000 deaths .
Japan , meanwhile , has eased travel restrictions from Cambodia , Singapore and Malaysia .
They must observe a 14-day self-quarantine period and take other precautions against the coronavirus .
The pandemic continues to surge in Latin America , including Brazil , Mexico , Peru and Colombia .
Brazil reported 823 more deaths Saturday for a total of 114,277 as well as 46,210 cases for a total of 3,582,698 , which is second in the world behind the United States .
President Jair Bolsonaro has downplayed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brazil 's congress on Friday overturned his veto of mandatory mask wearing in closed spaces such as commercial establishments , offices , schools and places of worship .
Peru reported 208 deaths on Saturday .
Two places below Peru in 11th place is Colombia , which reported 400 deaths Saturday .
The nation passed Russia last week for total deaths .
In South America , a total of 187,681 deaths have been reported , including 1,726 Saturday .
Farther north , deaths are surging in Mexico , which reported 644 fatalities Saturday for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June when there were just over 12,500 fatalities , deputy Health Minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell a 60,000 milestone would represent a `` very catastrophic scenario . ''
The country is testing only 970 per 100,000 compared with 22,809 in the United States and 13,434 in Canada .
`` More could and probably needs to be done to really address the surveillance issues and the differential outcomes for patients and different groups , '' Mike Ryan , executive director of the WHO 's health emergencies program , said Friday in a report by CBC .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a total of 9,071 , as well as 257 cases .
Of the 258,066 deaths in North American , all but around 8,000 are in the U.S. , Mexico and Canada .
The U.S. , Canada and Mexico have extended their border closures except for essential travel through Sept. 20 .
Restrictions have been in place since March 21 .
The U.S. is not among 14 countries the European Union is allowing non-essential travel .
Canada is on the list .
Europe has largely contained the pandemic in terms of fatalities but has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are relatively tiny compared with hot spots around the world .
On Sunday , 189 deaths and 19,684 cases were reported .
That total is 205,307 deaths and 3,54,510 cases .
Britain added six deaths Sunday compared with a high of 1,166 on April 21 .
Italy , which was in first place early in the pandemic , reported seven fatalities after a high of 921 on March 27 .
France added one death Sunday vs. a high of 1,437 on April 15 .
Spain , which last reported 25 deaths on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 2 .
On Sunday , France reported 4,897 cases , which is the highest since April .
And since June , the nation has added added more than 2,500 cases during 11 days , all this month .
Italy announced 1,210 new cases Sunday , which is the highest May .
On Friday , Spain reported 3,650 cases after 6,015 on Aug. 11 , which was the highest since March .
Germany , which at one time was in the top 10 and now is in 16th place , reported 2,034 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest daily spike since April though only one death as reported .
On Sunday , added 324 cases and another fatality .
Russia has been reporting the most cases for several weeks in Europe , including 4,852 for a total of 956,749 in fourth overall .
The nation is 12th worldwide in deaths , including 73 more Sunday .
Australia and New Zealand have seen a spike in cases .
New Zealand 's death toll has been 22 since one fatality on May 28 but cases have surged after only 32 were reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In August the case total has risen from 1,562 to 1,674 with an additional 43 in one week , including three on Sunday .
President Donald Trump pointed out the spike which pales in comparison with the U.S. : `` New Zealand , by the way , had a big outbreak , '' Trump said during a briefing .
`` And other countries that were held up to try and make us look not as good as we should look - because we 've done an incredible job - but they 're having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'll be able to put them out and we put them out . ''
Australia reported 17 deaths to rise to 502 and 210 new cases .
The fatalities have climbed by 106 in one week .
On July 15 , the toll was 111 .
Victoria , where most of the deaths have occurred , is in an extended lockdown through Sept. 13 .
In Africa , deaths increased by 275 Saturday to 27,649 , which is an increase of 2,000 in one week .
South Africa leads the continent with 12,987 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more in a week .
Egypt followed with 5,246 deaths , including an additional 12 Saturday .
South Africa has the fifth-most most cases in the world , including 3,707 Saturday .

Commuters wearing face masks ride on a busy road in Amritsar on Friday after new stricter guidelines issued by the state government in wake of cronavirus outbreak. Photo by Raminder Pal Singh/EPA-EFE
Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Eight months into the coronavirus pandemic, India is in a dichotomous situation with surging cases and deaths but a relatively low per capita mortality rate. On Saturday, India surpassed the 3 million milestone of infections, setting a national daily record with 70,068, according to tracking by Worldometers.info. And its death toll has hit 57,692, which is the fourth highest in the world, which has surpassed 800,000. On Sunday, the Asian nation reported 846 deaths and 61,749 more cases. Advertisement
But with the second-highest population of 1.38 billion people, India has among the lowest mortality rates per capita -- 42 deaths per million of population. Comparatively, the world figure is 104.0.
The United States, which has the most deaths at more than 176,000, has a figure of 545. Second-place Brazil, with 114,277 deaths, is close to the U.S. with 538. Also in the top 10, No. 5 Britain is 610, No. 6 Italy 586, No. 7 France 467, No. 8 Spain 617, No. 9 Peru 831 with No. 10 Iran the lowest in the top 10 at 245.
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Notably, Mainland China, where the virus originated, has a rate of 3 per million. With the largest population in the world at 1.43 billion, the nation has 4,634 deaths, a figure that has not changed since late April.
In India, the Punjab state government issued a curfew from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., instead of 9 p.m. start on Friday, the same day as the highest number of cases, 1,741, were reported. In addition, there is a ban on all types of gatherings except marriages and funerals with all offices at 50 percent capacity.
The state has a population of 28 million.
Elsewhere in Asia, the outbreak has stabilized, outside of a spike in cases of a few thousand.
The continent's death toll is 130,235, with a majority of fatalities in India and Iran, including 1,327 more Sunday
Indonesia is third with 6,680 deaths, including 86 more Sunday.
Although Korea reported no deaths Sunday, with its total at 309, the nation has recorded 10 days in a row of triple-digit increases, including the most recent 397, which is the highest since March 7. All but 10 of them were local infections.
Cases have mostly traced to churches in Seoul and its surrounding Gyeonggi Province.
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"We sincerely ask all the people to follow the guidelines of social distancing Level 2 as this weekend is a critical juncture," KCDC chief Jeong Eun-kyeong said in a press briefing. "We are currently facing a serious situation on the verge of a large-scale nationwide pandemic."
To counter the spread, the government has closed beaches and churches, as well as banning fans from baseball games. In addition, indoor gatherings of more than 50 people are barred as well as buffet restaurants, nightclubs and karaoke venues.
In Japan, cases have surpassed four digits in all but six days in August. Sunday's cases increase was 1,169 with 14 deaths. The record since the pandemic started was 1,998 on Aug. 3. Deaths were 16 twice last week with the record 49 on May 4 for a total 1,169. On July 29, it surpassed 1,000 deaths.
Japan, meanwhile, has eased travel restrictions from Cambodia, Singapore and Malaysia. They must observe a 14-day self-quarantine period and take other precautions against the coronavirus.
The pandemic continues to surge in Latin America, including Brazil, Mexico, Peru and Colombia.
Brazil reported 823 more deaths Saturday for a total of 114,277 as well as 46,210 cases for a total of 3,582,698, which is second in the world behind the United States.
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President Jair Bolsonaro has downplayed the illness though he contracted it himself.
Brazil's congress on Friday overturned his veto of mandatory mask wearing in closed spaces such as commercial establishments, offices, schools and places of worship.
Peru reported 208 deaths on Saturday. Two places below Peru in 11th place is Colombia, which reported 400 deaths Saturday. The nation passed Russia last week for total deaths.
In South America, a total of 187,681 deaths have been reported, including 1,726 Saturday.
Farther north, deaths are surging in Mexico, which reported 644 fatalities Saturday for a total of 60,254.
In early June when there were just over 12,500 fatalities, deputy Health Minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell a 60,000 milestone would represent a "very catastrophic scenario."
The country is testing only 970 per 100,000 compared with 22,809 in the United States and 13,434 in Canada.
"More could and probably needs to be done to really address the surveillance issues and the differential outcomes for patients and different groups," Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO's health emergencies program, said Friday in a report by CBC.
Canada reported only seven deaths Saturday for a total of 9,071, as well as 257 cases.
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Of the 258,066 deaths in North American, all but around 8,000 are in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
The U.S., Canada and Mexico have extended their border closures except for essential travel through Sept. 20. Restrictions have been in place since March 21.
The U.S. is not among 14 countries the European Union is allowing non-essential travel. Canada is on the list.
Europe has largely contained the pandemic in terms of fatalities but has seen a spike in cases, which are relatively tiny compared with hot spots around the world.
On Sunday, 189 deaths and 19,684 cases were reported. That total is 205,307 deaths and 3,54,510 cases.
Britain added six deaths Sunday compared with a high of 1,166 on April 21. Italy, which was in first place early in the pandemic, reported seven fatalities after a high of 921 on March 27. France added one death Sunday vs. a high of 1,437 on April 15. Spain, which last reported 25 deaths on Friday, had a high of 961 on April 2.
On Sunday, France reported 4,897 cases, which is the highest since April. And since June, the nation has added added more than 2,500 cases during 11 days, all this month.
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Italy announced 1,210 new cases Sunday, which is the highest May.
On Friday, Spain reported 3,650 cases after 6,015 on Aug. 11, which was the highest since March.
Germany, which at one time was in the top 10 and now is in 16th place, reported 2,034 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, its highest daily spike since April though only one death as reported. On Sunday, added 324 cases and another fatality.
Russia has been reporting the most cases for several weeks in Europe, including 4,852 for a total of 956,749 in fourth overall. The nation is 12th worldwide in deaths, including 73 more Sunday.
Australia and New Zealand have seen a spike in cases.
New Zealand's death toll has been 22 since one fatality on May 28 but cases have surged after only 32 were reported in the entire month of July. In August the case total has risen from 1,562 to 1,674 with an additional 43 in one week, including three on Sunday.
President Donald Trump pointed out the spike which pales in comparison with the U.S.: "New Zealand, by the way, had a big outbreak," Trump said during a briefing. "And other countries that were held up to try and make us look not as good as we should look - because we've done an incredible job - but they're having a lot of outbreaks, but they'll be able to put them out and we put them out."
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Australia reported 17 deaths to rise to 502 and 210 new cases. The fatalities have climbed by 106 in one week. On July 15, the toll was 111.
Victoria, where most of the deaths have occurred, is in an extended lockdown through Sept. 13.
In Africa, deaths increased by 275 Saturday to 27,649, which is an increase of 2,000 in one week. South Africa leads the continent with 12,987, including 144 Saturday, about 1,000 more in a week. Egypt followed with 5,246 deaths, including an additional 12 Saturday.
South Africa has the fifth-most most cases in the world, including 3,707 Saturday.


upi--2020-08-23--Pelosi: House Democrats unified in demands for COVID-19 stimulus bill

Aug. 23 ( UPI ) -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday said the Democratic party is unified in its demands for another COVID-19 stimulus legislation amid stalled negotiations with Republicans and the White House .
Pelosi appeared on CNN 's State of the Union Sunday after some House Democrats last week sent her a letter calling for a stand-alone unemployment insurance bill and a return to negotiations with the White House on broader legislation .
`` My caucus is standing together on this , '' she said .
`` I invite any ideas that they have .
I welcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of letters for one aspect or another .
And I welcome that .
`` But they want -- of course , we all want the negotiations to continue , but not just what the administration wants , but what the country needs . ''
Pelosi criticized the Trump administration for opposing additional funds for state and local governments as part of a stimulus package .
`` What they say to us is why should one state help another state that may have needs ?
Well , we welcome them to the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told ABC News ' This Week on Sunday , that President Donald Trump would be willing to sign a bill passed by the House on Saturday providing funding for the U.S .
Postal Service if Democrats agree to include other economic relief measures .
`` My challenge to the speaker this morning would be this -- if we agree on five , six things -- let 's go ahead and pass those , '' Meadows said .
`` I spoke to the president early this morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Postal Service reform , that making sure that the money is there to make sure that deliveries of first class mail are handled quickly , efficiently and on time . ''
Pelosi called the House back to Washington , D.C. , to vote on the `` Delivering for America Act '' on Saturday , which would provide $ 25 billion in funding for the USPS while blocking operational changes that slow down the mail-in voting process .
Trump on Saturday tweeted that the USPS does not require the funds , calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats , and Meadows described it as a `` largely messaging bill '' that Pelosi knew was unlikely to be signed into law .
Twitter on Sunday again flagged one of the president 's tweets in which he said that using mail drop boxes to cast ballots is `` a security disaster '' and suggested they are not sanitized , causing risk of contracting COVID-19 .
`` This tweet violated Twitter rules about civic and election integrity .
However , Twitter has determined it may be in the public 's interest for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notice on the tweet reads .
A tweet from Twitter Safety said Trump 's tweet made `` misleading health claims that could potentially dissuade people from participation in voting . ''

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday said House Democrats have a unified plan for COVID-19 stimulus as White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows called for economic measures in a USPS funding bill. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 23 (UPI) -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday said the Democratic party is unified in its demands for another COVID-19 stimulus legislation amid stalled negotiations with Republicans and the White House. Pelosi appeared on CNN's State of the Union Sunday after some House Democrats last week sent her a letter calling for a stand-alone unemployment insurance bill and a return to negotiations with the White House on broader legislation. Advertisement
"My caucus is standing together on this," she said. "I invite any ideas that they have. I welcome them. And there are a number of letters for one aspect or another. And I welcome that.
"But they want -- of course, we all want the negotiations to continue, but not just what the administration wants, but what the country needs."
Pelosi criticized the Trump administration for opposing additional funds for state and local governments as part of a stimulus package.
"What they say to us is why should one state help another state that may have needs? Well, we welcome them to the United States of America," she said.
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told ABC News' This Week on Sunday, that President Donald Trump would be willing to sign a bill passed by the House on Saturday providing funding for the U.S. Postal Service if Democrats agree to include other economic relief measures.
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"My challenge to the speaker this morning would be this -- if we agree on five, six things -- let's go ahead and pass those," Meadows said.
"I spoke to the president early this morning. He's willing to sign that, including Postal Service reform, that making sure that the money is there to make sure that deliveries of first class mail are handled quickly, efficiently and on time."
Pelosi called the House back to Washington, D.C., to vote on the "Delivering for America Act" on Saturday, which would provide $25 billion in funding for the USPS while blocking operational changes that slow down the mail-in voting process.
Trump on Saturday tweeted that the USPS does not require the funds, calling the bill a "hoax" by Democrats, and Meadows described it as a "largely messaging bill" that Pelosi knew was unlikely to be signed into law.
Twitter on Sunday again flagged one of the president's tweets in which he said that using mail drop boxes to cast ballots is "a security disaster" and suggested they are not sanitized, causing risk of contracting COVID-19.
"This tweet violated Twitter rules about civic and election integrity. However, Twitter has determined it may be in the public's interest for the Tweet to remain accessible," the notice on the tweet reads.
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A tweet from Twitter Safety said Trump's tweet made "misleading health claims that could potentially dissuade people from participation in voting."


upi--2020-08-23--Watch: Superheroes reunite in new 'Justice League' teaser

The 2 1/2-minute preview for the revamped version of the 2017 superhero ensemble picture premiered Saturday during the virtual DC @ @ @ @ @ the iconic Leonard Cohen/Jeff Buckley song , `` Hallelujah , '' the clip has since @ @ @ @ @ on YouTube .
Snyder was in the midst of helming the movie when his teen @ @ @ @ @ Joss Whedon finished the film , but fans and cast members have complained they were @ @ @ @ @ .
An outpouring of support encouraged Snyder and ultimately Warner Bros. ' new streaming service @ @ @ @ @ was broken in the film and re-release it .
The film is slated to debut @ @ @ @ @ starred Ben Affleck as Batman , Henry Cavill as Superman , Gal Gadot as Wonder @ @ @ @ @ Aquaman , Ezra Miller as the Flash and Ray Fisher as Cyborg .
They are @ @ @ @ @ 's trailer and seen fighting evil forces against a backdrop of immense destruction .

1/3
Ben Affleck can be seen as Batman in the new teaser for "Zack Snyder's Justice League." File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 23 (UPI) -- HBO Max released a new teaser for Zack Snyder's Justice League. The 2 1/2-minute preview for the revamped version of the 2017 superhero ensemble picture premiered Saturday during the virtual DC Fandome event. Advertisement
Set to the iconic Leonard Cohen/Jeff Buckley song, "Hallelujah," the clip has since gotten about 4 million views on YouTube.
Snyder was in the midst of helming the movie when his teen daughter died by suicide. Joss Whedon finished the film, but fans and cast members have complained they were not happy with the outcome.
An outpouring of support encouraged Snyder and ultimately Warner Bros.' new streaming service HBO Max to fix what was broken in the film and re-release it.
The film is slated to debut in 2021.
Justice League starred Ben Affleck as Batman, Henry Cavill as Superman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Jason Momoa as Aquaman, Ezra Miller as the Flash and Ray Fisher as Cyborg.
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They are all present in this weekend's trailer and seen fighting evil forces against a backdrop of immense destruction.


upi--2020-08-23--Larry King confirms deaths of two of his children

Aug. 23 ( UPI ) -- Television personality and author Larry King has confirmed the recent deaths of two of his adult children .
`` It is with sadness and a father 's broken heart that I confirm the recent loss of two of my children , Andy King , and Chaia King , '' Larry King , 86 , wrote on Facebook Saturday .
`` Both of them were good and kind souls and they will be greatly missed .
Andy passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack on July 28th , and Chaia passed on August 20th , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnosed with lung cancer .
Losing them feels so out of order .
No parent should have to bury a child .
My family and I thank you for your outpouring of kind sentiments and well wishes .
In this moment , we need a little time and privacy to heal .
I thank you for respecting that . ''
Andy was 65 and Chaia was 51 .
Chaia was Larry King 's daughter with his ex-wife , Alene Akins .
While he was married to Akins , he adopted Andy , Akins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Larry King -- who is also the father of Larry Jr. , Cannon and Chance King -- suffered a near-fatal stroke in March 2019 .
He also in the midst of a divorce from Shawn King , his wife of 21 years late last year .
`` It 's been a rough year , '' King said in February .
`` And I do n't have any idea of what 2020 is going to be like .
But I can still work and I can watch my kids grow up .
I feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been married eight times to seven women .
He was married to and divorced from Akins twice .

Two of Larry King's adult children died this summer. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Television personality and author Larry King has confirmed the recent deaths of two of his adult children. "It is with sadness and a father's broken heart that I confirm the recent loss of two of my children, Andy King, and Chaia King," Larry King, 86, wrote on Facebook Saturday. Advertisement
"Both of them were good and kind souls and they will be greatly missed. Andy passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack on July 28th, and Chaia passed on August 20th, only a short time after having been diagnosed with lung cancer. Losing them feels so out of order. No parent should have to bury a child. My family and I thank you for your outpouring of kind sentiments and well wishes. In this moment, we need a little time and privacy to heal. I thank you for respecting that."
Andy was 65 and Chaia was 51.
Chaia was Larry King's daughter with his ex-wife, Alene Akins. While he was married to Akins, he adopted Andy, Akins' son from a previous relationship.
Larry King -- who is also the father of Larry Jr., Cannon and Chance King -- suffered a near-fatal stroke in March 2019.
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He also in the midst of a divorce from Shawn King, his wife of 21 years late last year.
"It's been a rough year," King said in February. "And I don't have any idea of what 2020 is going to be like. But I can still work and I can watch my kids grow up. I feel positive -- and hopeful."
King has been married eight times to seven women. He was married to and divorced from Akins twice.
Notable deaths of 2020
Richard Thornburgh Richard "Dick" Thornburgh, former attorney general of the United States and former governor of Pennsylvania, takes a seat at the witness hearing after U.S. Chief Justice nominee Judge John Roberts testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on September 15, 2005. Thornburgh Richard "Dick" Thornburgh, former attorney general of the United States and former governor of Pennsylvania, takes a seat at the witness hearing after U.S. Chief Justice nominee Judge John Roberts testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on September 15, 2005. Thornburgh died on December 31 at age 88. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo


upi--2020-08-23--Watch: John Travolta dances with daughter Ella in Instagram video

Aug. 23 ( UPI ) -- Screen icon John Travolta shared on Instagram a video of him dancing in a @ @ @ @ @ his 20-year-old daughter Ella .
`` My daughter @ ella.travolta and I dancing in memory @ @ @ @ @ Kelly 's favorite things , dancing with me , '' the Grease , Pulp Fiction @ @ @ @ @ this weekend 's brief clip .
Travolta 's wife and Ella 's mother -- actress @ @ @ @ @ July after a battle with cancer .
She was 57 .

Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Screen icon John Travolta shared on Instagram a video of him dancing in a bar to piano music with his 20-year-old daughter Ella.
"My daughter @ella.travolta and I dancing in memory of momma. One of Kelly's favorite things, dancing with me," the Grease, Pulp Fiction and Die Hart star captioned this weekend's brief clip.


upi--2020-08-23--Watch: Robert Pattinson declares 'I am vengeance' in new 'Batman' teaser

Aug. 23 ( UPI ) -- Warner Bros. Pictures released a teaser for The Batman , starring Robert Pattinson as @ @ @ @ @ ego , Batman , who , in this incarnation of the tale , is a @ @ @ @ @ theatrical release in 2021 , the comic-book adaptation co-stars Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle , @ @ @ @ @ , Jeffrey Wright as Police Comissioner James Gordon , John Turturro as Carmine Falcone , @ @ @ @ @ .
Gil Colson , Andy Serkis as Alfred and Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot .
@ @ @ @ @ which has already gotten nearly 7 million views , was unveiled at the virtual DC @ @ @ @ @ It shows Gotham as a dreary , chaotic city where The Batman challenges villains .
@ @ @ @ @ after he asks The Batman what he is .
The Batman was written by Matt @ @ @ @ @ with Reeves directing .

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Robert Pattinson can now be seen in the teaser for "The Batman." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Warner Bros. Pictures released a teaser for The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne and his alter ego, Batman, who, in this incarnation of the tale, is a vigilante detective. Set for theatrical release in 2021, the comic-book adaptation co-stars Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle, Paul Dano as Edward Nashton, Jeffrey Wright as Police Comissioner James Gordon, John Turturro as Carmine Falcone, Peter Sarsgaard as Gotham D.A. Gil Colson, Andy Serkis as Alfred and Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot. Advertisement
A 2 1/2-minute preview, which has already gotten nearly 7 million views, was unveiled at the virtual DC Fandome event on Saturday.
It shows Gotham as a dreary, chaotic city where The Batman challenges villains.
He beats up one thug after he asks The Batman what he is.
"I am vengeance," he declares.
The Batman was written by Matt Reeves and Peter Craig, with Reeves directing.


upi--2020-08-23--At least 13 killed in stampede fleeing Peru police amid raid at banned nightclub

Aug. 23 ( UPI ) -- At least 13 people died in a stampede at a nightclub in Lima , Peru , while attempting to flee during a raid Saturday night by police enforcing coronavirus regulations , according to Peruvian National Police .
Three others were injured at an illegal party with more than 120 people in attendance in Thomas Restobar in the Los Olivos district of Peru 's capital city , Orlando Velasco Mujica , general of the Peruvian National Police said .
Because of coronavirus , large social gatherings are banned and there is nationwide 10 p.m. curfew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 27,000 , from the virus .
Around p.m. , the Ministry of the Interior reported that people began to flee the venue on the second floor trying to get away from the police and they crushed on the stairs .
Police did not use `` any type of weapon or tear gas .
Police said 23 people were arrested and an investigation is underway to identify the owners of the nightclub and those responsible for the event .
`` The Ministry of the Interior profoundly regrets the deaths of 13 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an unscrupulous business owner , '' the statement said .

Some of the 27,000 people from Peru who have died from coronavirus are buried in the Cemetery of the Comas district in Lima. On Saturday night, at least 13 people died while attempting to flee police during a raid at a nightclub that was in violation of coronavirus safety measures. Photo by Paolo Aguilar/EPA-EFE
Aug. 23 (UPI) -- At least 13 people died in a stampede at a nightclub in Lima, Peru, while attempting to flee during a raid Saturday night by police enforcing coronavirus regulations, according to Peruvian National Police. Six others, including three police officers, were injured at an illegal party with more than 120 people in attendance in Thomas Restobar in the Los Olivos district of Peru's capital city, Orlando Velasco Mujica, general of the Peruvian National Police said. Advertisement
Because of coronavirus, large social gatherings are banned and there is nationwide 10 p.m. curfew. Peru has the ninth-most deaths, more than 27,000, from the virus.
Around 9 p.m., the Ministry of the Interior reported that people began to flee the venue on the second floor trying to get away from the police and they were crushed on the stairs. Police said they did not use any type of weapon or tear gas.
Interior Minister Jorge said 23 people were arrested and two of the alleged owners of the nightclub, Leandro Monyota Callirgos and his wife, were detained.
"The minister also expressed his sorrow for the tragedy and his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and stressed that it is strictly forbidden, under responsibility, to participate in social or family meetings," a statement said.


upi--2020-08-24--Colton Dixon's wife, Annie, gives birth to twin daughters

The 23-year-old Christian music singer welcomed twins , daughters Athens Elizabeth and Ava Dior , with his wife , Annie Dixon , on Tuesday , Aug. 18 .
`` Everyone meet Ava Dior and Athens Elizabeth Dixon , '' he wrote .
Annie Dixon confirmed the news in a post on her own account .
`` Baby girls are here , '' she said .
`` We have taken a few quiet days to enjoy their presence .
Ava Dior and Athens Elizabeth , your parents are CRAZY about you ! ''
Musician Korey Cooper and singers Maddie Zahm , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those to congratulate the couple in the comments .
`` Congratulations ca n't wait to meet them !
!
!
They 're going to be SO talented , '' Zahm said .
Dixon and Annie Dixon told People they are `` over the moon to experience life with these twin girls . ''
`` They truly are our two little miracles , '' the couple said .
Dixon and his wife married in January 2016 and announced in February that they were expecting their first child .
`` Becoming a dad is something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whether seeing other kids with their parents or reminiscing on the times I had with my own when I was young , these are moments to be cherished , '' Dixon told People .
Annie Dixon said becoming a mom is `` truly a dream come true . ''
`` Just growing these babes over here , '' she wrote .
`` I have a feeling they 're going to help me grow in many ways # identicaltwins # babygirls . ''
Dixon placed seventh in American Idol Season 11 , which aired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the singles `` You Are , '' `` More of You '' and `` All That Matters , '' and last released a self-titled EP in May .

Aug. 24 (UPI) -- American Idol alum Colton Dixon is a new dad.
The 23-year-old Christian music singer welcomed twins, daughters Athens Elizabeth and Ava Dior, with his wife, Annie Dixon, on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
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Dixon shared the news Saturday on Instagram.
"Everyone meet Ava Dior and Athens Elizabeth Dixon," he wrote.
Annie Dixon confirmed the news in a post on her own account.
"Baby girls are here," she said. "We have taken a few quiet days to enjoy their presence. Ava Dior and Athens Elizabeth, your parents are CRAZY about you!"
Musician Korey Cooper and singers Maddie Zahm, Jordan Feliz and Kolby Koloff were among those to congratulate the couple in the comments.
"Congrats guys!!!!! Woohoo!!!" Cooper wrote.
"Congratulations can't wait to meet them!!! They're going to be SO talented," Zahm said.
Dixon and Annie Dixon told People they are "over the moon to experience life with these twin girls."
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"They truly are our two little miracles," the couple said.
Dixon and his wife married in January 2016 and announced in February that they were expecting their first child.
"Becoming a dad is something I've always looked forward to. Whether seeing other kids with their parents or reminiscing on the times I had with my own when I was young, these are moments to be cherished," Dixon told People.
Annie Dixon said becoming a mom is "truly a dream come true."
Annie Dixon shared a baby bump photo in June.
"Just growing these babes over here," she wrote. "I have a feeling they're going to help me grow in many ways #identicaltwins #babygirls."
Dixon placed seventh in American Idol Season 11, which aired in 2012. He is known for the singles "You Are," "More of You" and "All That Matters," and last released a self-titled EP in May.


upi--2020-08-24--North Korea company in barter deal found to be under sanctions

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- A North Korean firm contracted to exchange alcohol for South Korean sugar was found to be under U.S. and international sanctions .
North Korea 's Kaesong Koryo Ginseng Trading Co. had signed an agreement with the South 's Inter-Korean Agricultural Cooperative Federation in June .
The two sides had planned to barter the South 's sugar for North Korean liquor imports , including soju .
The firm has been identified as a department of Room 39 , or Office 39 , a highly confidential organization that manages Kim Jong Un 's foreign currency reserves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daily reported Monday .
Revelations about the trading company have prompted criticism among South Korean lawmakers across party lines of new Unification Minister Lee In-young , according to Money Today .
Earlier in the month , Lee had stressed the need for economic exchange between the two Koreas and had endorsed the barter .
`` The giving and receiving of [ North Korean ] water from Mount Kumgang and Paektu , [ North Korean ] liquor produced by the Taedong River , [ in exchange for South Korea 's ] rice and medicines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but could develop into something greater , '' Lee had said immediately after his appointment .
Lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung of the main opposition United Future Party said Monday the unification ministry failed to adequately confirm the status of the North Korean company with the National Intelligence Service .
`` We should consider the project to be completely canceled , '' Ha said .
Ruling party lawmaker Kim Byung-kee also said the deal should not be valid , according to Money Today .
On Monday , the unification ministry said there are no plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never used the term 'cancel ' , '' the ministry said in statement amid reports of the agency oversight .
`` It is inappropriate to use the term when matters are still under review . ''
The National Assembly 's intelligence committee also suggested miscommunication between the unification ministry and the NIS was responsible for the lack of preparedness for the overflow of the Hwanggang Dam in North Korea .
In August , North Korea opened the floodgates of the border dam without notifying Seoul .

South Korean Unification Minister Lee In-young is under criticism for not verifying the status of a North Korean trading company. Photo by Yonhap/EPA-EFE
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- A North Korean firm contracted to exchange alcohol for South Korean sugar was found to be under U.S. and international sanctions. North Korea's Kaesong Koryo Ginseng Trading Co. had signed an agreement with the South's Inter-Korean Agricultural Cooperative Federation in June. The two sides had planned to barter the South's sugar for North Korean liquor imports, including soju. Advertisement
The firm has been identified as a department of Room 39, or Office 39, a highly confidential organization that manages Kim Jong Un's foreign currency reserves through illicit activities, The Asia Business Daily reported Monday.
Revelations about the trading company have prompted criticism among South Korean lawmakers across party lines of new Unification Minister Lee In-young, according to Money Today.
Earlier in the month, Lee had stressed the need for economic exchange between the two Koreas and had endorsed the barter.
"The giving and receiving of [North Korean] water from Mount Kumgang and Paektu, [North Korean] liquor produced by the Taedong River, [in exchange for South Korea's] rice and medicines, may begin on a small scale but could develop into something greater," Lee had said immediately after his appointment.
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Lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung of the main opposition United Future Party said Monday the unification ministry failed to adequately confirm the status of the North Korean company with the National Intelligence Service.
"We should consider the project to be completely canceled," Ha said. Ruling party lawmaker Kim Byung-kee also said the deal should not be valid, according to Money Today.
On Monday, the unification ministry said there are no plans to reverse the policy.
"We never used the term 'cancel'," the ministry said in statement amid reports of the agency oversight. "It is inappropriate to use the term when matters are still under review."
The National Assembly's intelligence committee also suggested miscommunication between the unification ministry and the NIS was responsible for the lack of preparedness for the overflow of the Hwanggang Dam in North Korea.
In August, North Korea opened the floodgates of the border dam without notifying Seoul.


upi--2020-08-24--New Zealand mosque shooter Brenton Tarrant faces victims, relatives in court

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- The gunman who killed dozens of people in New Zealand 's deadliest mass shooting was in court Monday to face victims and relatives in a prelude to his punishment .
Brenton Tarrant appeared in court for a sentencing hearing , during which prosecutors gave a detailed account of the March 2019 shooting in Christchurch that killed 51 people at two mosques .
Tarrant , 29 , an Australian citizen and self-professed white supremacist , appeared to show little emotion as authorities described that he 'd also planned to set fire to both mosques and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tarrant pleaded guilty in March to 51 counts of murder , 40 counts of attempted murder and one charge of terrorism .
The court is trying to determine whether Tarrant will spend the rest of his life in prison .
`` Losing my beloved son is like feeling the pain of labor in womb again and again , '' Maysoon Salama , who lost her son in the attack , told Tarrant directly in court Monday .
`` You thought you could break us , but you failed miserably .
We became more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My son ] is gone but he will never be forgotten .
We will live his legacy every day .
`` You gave yourself the authority to take the souls of 51 innocent people , their only crime -- in your eyes -- being Muslims .
You transgress beyond comprehension , I can not forgive you . ''
The sentencing phase is expected to last until Thursday .
Other victims told the court the attacks left them in great shock and inflicted significant trauma , as they were either wounded in the shooting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bibi Patel said she watched as her husband was shot dead at one of the mosques .
They 'd recently fulfilled requirements for their residency visas and were planning to retire in New Zealand .
`` I am in life imprisonment with my sadness and loneliness , '' Patel said .
`` I hate being called a widow , which I do not deserve . ''
Prosecutors said Tarrant moved from Australia to New Zealand in 2017 and began plans to attack mosques .
They said he eyed various mosques in New Zealand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rounds of ammunition , body armor and military-style vests .

New Zealand gunman Brenton Tarrant appears at the High Court in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Monday for a sentencing hearing. Photo by John Kirk-Anderson/EPA-EFE
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- The gunman who killed dozens of people in New Zealand's deadliest mass shooting was in court Monday to face victims and relatives in a prelude to his punishment. Brenton Tarrant appeared in court for a sentencing hearing, during which prosecutors gave a detailed account of the March 2019 shooting in Christchurch that killed 51 people at two mosques. Advertisement
Tarrant, 29, an Australian citizen and self-professed white supremacist, appeared to show little emotion as authorities described that he'd also planned to set fire to both mosques and attack worshipers at a third location.
Tarrant pleaded guilty in March to 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one charge of terrorism. The court is trying to determine whether Tarrant will spend the rest of his life in prison.
"Losing my beloved son is like feeling the pain of labor in womb again and again," Maysoon Salama, who lost her son in the attack, told Tarrant directly in court Monday.
"You thought you could break us, but you failed miserably. We became more determined and united than ever. [My son] is gone but he will never be forgotten. We will live his legacy every day.
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"You gave yourself the authority to take the souls of 51 innocent people, their only crime -- in your eyes -- being Muslims. You transgress beyond comprehension, I cannot forgive you."
The sentencing phase is expected to last until Thursday.
Other victims told the court the attacks left them in great shock and inflicted significant trauma, as they were either wounded in the shooting or witnessed someone else die.
Saira Bibi Patel said she watched as her husband was shot dead at one of the mosques. They'd recently fulfilled requirements for their residency visas and were planning to retire in New Zealand.
"I am in life imprisonment with my sadness and loneliness," Patel said. "I hate being called a widow, which I do not deserve."
Prosecutors said Tarrant moved from Australia to New Zealand in 2017 and began plans to attack mosques. They said he eyed various mosques in New Zealand and bought multiple guns, thousands of rounds of ammunition, body armor and military-style vests.


upi--2020-08-24--Cardinals' Yadier Molina collects four hits in win over Reds

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- Yadier Molina had four hits and the St. Louis Cardinals got two timely home runs to fuel a 6-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds in a series finale in St. Louis .
Molina went 4 for 5 with two RBIs and a run scored in the triumph Sunday at Busch Stadium .
The performance helped the veteran catcher raise his season average from .233 to .314 .
The Cardinals trailed 2-0 in the first inning before they scored six unanswered runs to claim the victory .
St. Louis beat Cincinnati in three of four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ division series .
The Cardinals sit in second place in the division standings , three games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs .
The Reds had just three hits in Sunday 's setback and remain in third place in the National League Central .
Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez pounced on a 3-1 first-inning fastball for a two-run homer to left center field to give Cincinnati an early lead before the Cardinals offense erupted .
Cardinals center fielder Harrison Bader tied the score with a two-run homer in the bottom of the second frame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tyler Mahle traveled 105 mph and took 4.6 seconds to clear the center field fence , according to Statcast .
Molina then came to the plate in the bottom of the third inning and gave the Cardinals a 3-2 edge with an RBI single to center field .
Molina returned to the batter 's box in the bottom of the seventh inning and hit another RBI single to center field for a 4-2 lead .
Paul DeJong lined out in the next at-bat before Dylan Carlson settled in against Reds relief pitcher Nate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strikes on Carlson before the Cardinals right fielder worked the count full .
Carlson then hit Jones ' seventh offering of the exchange -- an 87.5-mph slider -- deep to right center field for a two-run homer .
That 406-foot blast traveled 102 mph and left the field in 4.8 seconds .
Carlson went 2 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored in the win .
Bader went 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored .
Cardinals starter Daniel Ponce de Leon allowed three hits and two runs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five hits and three runs in three innings in his start for Cincinnati .
The Reds ( 11-15 ) face the Milwaukee Brewers at 8:10 p.m. EDT Monday in Milwaukee .
The Cardinals ( 9-8 ) host the Kansas City Royals at 8:15 p.m. EDT Monday at Busch Stadium .

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina went 4 for 5 with two RBIs and a run scored in a win over the Cincinnati Reds Sunday in St. Louis. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Yadier Molina had four hits and the St. Louis Cardinals got two timely home runs to fuel a 6-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds in a series finale in St. Louis. Molina went 4 for 5 with two RBIs and a run scored in the triumph Sunday at Busch Stadium. The performance helped the veteran catcher raise his season average from .233 to .314. Advertisement
The Cardinals trailed 2-0 in the first inning before they scored six unanswered runs to claim the victory. St. Louis beat Cincinnati in three of four games to win the National League Central division series.
The Cardinals sit in second place in the division standings, three games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs. The Reds had just three hits in Sunday's setback and remain in third place in the National League Central.
Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez pounced on a 3-1 first-inning fastball for a two-run homer to left center field to give Cincinnati an early lead before the Cardinals offense erupted.
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Cardinals center fielder Harrison Bader tied the score with a two-run homer in the bottom of the second frame. That 409-foot blast off Reds starter Tyler Mahle traveled 105 mph and took 4.6 seconds to clear the center field fence, according to Statcast.
Molina then came to the plate in the bottom of the third inning and gave the Cardinals a 3-2 edge with an RBI single to center field. Molina returned to the batter's box in the bottom of the seventh inning and hit another RBI single to center field for a 4-2 lead.
Paul DeJong lined out in the next at-bat before Dylan Carlson settled in against Reds relief pitcher Nate Jones.
Jones picked up two quick strikes on Carlson before the Cardinals right fielder worked the count full. Carlson then hit Jones' seventh offering of the exchange -- an 87.5-mph slider -- deep to right center field for a two-run homer.
That 406-foot blast traveled 102 mph and left the field in 4.8 seconds.
Carlson went 2 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored in the win. Bader went 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Cardinals starter Daniel Ponce de Leon allowed three hits and two runs in 4 2/3 innings. Mahle allowed five hits and three runs in three innings in his start for Cincinnati.
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The Reds (11-15) face the Milwaukee Brewers at 8:10 p.m. EDT Monday in Milwaukee. The Cardinals (9-8) host the Kansas City Royals at 8:15 p.m. EDT Monday at Busch Stadium.
This week in Major League Baseball


upi--2020-08-24--New melting hotspot found in East Antarctica

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- Scientists have discovered a new melting hotspot in East Antarctica , home to most of the Antarctic ice sheet , Earth 's largest freshwater reservoir .
According to a new study , published Monday in the journal Nature Communications , an influx of warm seawater into the Lützow-Holm Bay has accelerated melt rates beneath the Shirase Glacier Tongue .
The sub-glacier melting hotspot was identified by a team of Hokkaido University scientists during the 58th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition .
The icebreaker ship was able to make its way into Lützow-Holm Bay after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Our data suggests that the ice directly beneath the Shirase Glacier Tongue is melting at a rate of 7 to 16 meters per year , '' study co-author Daisuke Hirano , said in a news release .
`` This is equal to or perhaps even surpasses the melting rate underneath the Totten Ice Shelf , which was thought to be experiencing the highest melting rate in East Antarctica , at a rate of 10 to 11 meters per year , '' said Hirano , an assistant professor of oceanography at Hokkaido University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Understanding the relationship between climate change and melting in Antarctica is essential to predicting sea level rise .
On average , models suggest seas are likely to rise a little more than 3 feet by the end of the century , but the range of predictions is rather wide .
Even if humans are able to reduce carbon emissions and curb carbon emissions , some studies have suggested that Antarctica 's glaciers are likely to continue melting at an accelerated clip long after a slowdown in global warming .
Most efforts to improve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Antarctica .
Until now , scientists thought ocean currents mostly brought cold water to the Antarctica 's east coast .
Over the course of the 2017 expedition to East Antarctica and the Shirase Glacier Tongue , Hokkaido researchers recorded data on water temperature , salinity and oxygen levels at 31 different locations .
Scientists combined their measurements with data on the area 's currents and wind , as well as ice radar measurements .
When researchers fed their data into a model designed to simulate coastal ocean currents near the inland base of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the melting effects an ongoing influx of deep , warm water .
Simulations showed the warm water moves through a deep ocean trough and melts the base of Shirase Glacier Tongue .
As the warm water rises up and away from the base , it mixes with the glacial meltwater .
Though the latest research suggests the melting occurs year round , simulations suggest that when the region 's typically strong easterly , alongshore winds weaken during the summer months , the influx of the deep warm water increases , accelerating melt rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and future data into our computer models , which will help us develop more accurate predictions of sea level fluctuations and climate change , '' said Hirano .

The Japanese icebreaker ship Shirase is pictured in Lützow-Holm Bay, near Shirase Glacier, during the 58th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition, which was conducted in 2017. Photo by Kazuya Ono
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Scientists have discovered a new melting hotspot in East Antarctica, home to most of the Antarctic ice sheet, Earth's largest freshwater reservoir. According to a new study, published Monday in the journal Nature Communications, an influx of warm seawater into the Lützow-Holm Bay has accelerated melt rates beneath the Shirase Glacier Tongue. Advertisement
The sub-glacier melting hotspot was identified by a team of Hokkaido University scientists during the 58th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition. The icebreaker ship was able to make its way into Lützow-Holm Bay after a serendipitous breakup of heavy sea ice.
"Our data suggests that the ice directly beneath the Shirase Glacier Tongue is melting at a rate of 7 to 16 meters per year," study co-author Daisuke Hirano, said in a news release.
"This is equal to or perhaps even surpasses the melting rate underneath the Totten Ice Shelf, which was thought to be experiencing the highest melting rate in East Antarctica, at a rate of 10 to 11 meters per year," said Hirano, an assistant professor of oceanography at Hokkaido University's Institute of Low Temperature Science.
Understanding the relationship between climate change and melting in Antarctica is essential to predicting sea level rise. On average, models suggest seas are likely to rise a little more than 3 feet by the end of the century, but the range of predictions is rather wide.
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Even if humans are able to reduce carbon emissions and curb carbon emissions, some studies have suggested that Antarctica's glaciers are likely to continue melting at an accelerated clip long after a slowdown in global warming.
Most efforts to improve Antarctic melting models have focused on West Antarctica. Until now, scientists thought ocean currents mostly brought cold water to the Antarctica's east coast.
Over the course of the 2017 expedition to East Antarctica and the Shirase Glacier Tongue, Hokkaido researchers recorded data on water temperature, salinity and oxygen levels at 31 different locations. Scientists combined their measurements with data on the area's currents and wind, as well as ice radar measurements.
When researchers fed their data into a model designed to simulate coastal ocean currents near the inland base of Shirase Glacier Tongue, the simulations revealed the melting effects an ongoing influx of deep, warm water.
Simulations showed the warm water moves through a deep ocean trough and melts the base of Shirase Glacier Tongue. As the warm water rises up and away from the base, it mixes with the glacial meltwater.
Though the latest research suggests the melting occurs year round, simulations suggest that when the region's typically strong easterly, alongshore winds weaken during the summer months, the influx of the deep warm water increases, accelerating melt rates.
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"We plan to incorporate this and future data into our computer models, which will help us develop more accurate predictions of sea level fluctuations and climate change," said Hirano.


upi--2020-08-24--Lea Michele gives birth to first child with Zandy Reich

People reported Sunday that the 33-year-old actress welcomed her first child , son Ever Leo , with her husband , Zandy Reich .
`` Everyone 's happy and healthy , and they 're extremely grateful , '' a source said .
`` He 's been an easy baby so far . ''
An insider told E !
News Michele , Reich and baby Ever are `` doing very well . ''
`` Lea has been inundated with well-wishes and sharing updates with her family and a close group of girlfriends , '' the source said .
Michele and Reich married @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April that the couple were expecting .
`` They 've always wanted to be parents , '' a source told People at the time .
Michele confirmed her pregnancy with a baby bump photo in May .
She later gave an update with a new slideshow of photos .
`` Reflection looking a little different these days , '' Michele captioned the post .
Michele played Rachel Berry on Glee and has since starred on Scream Queens and The Mayor .
She apologized to her former Glee co-stars in June after actress Samantha @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set `` a living hell . ''

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Lea Michele welcomed a son, Ever Leo, with her husband, Zandy Reich. File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Glee alum Lea Michele is a new mom. People reported Sunday that the 33-year-old actress welcomed her first child, son Ever Leo, with her husband, Zandy Reich. Advertisement
Us Weekly said Michele gave birth Thursday.
"Everyone's happy and healthy, and they're extremely grateful," a source said. "He's been an easy baby so far."
An insider told E! News Michele, Reich and baby Ever are "doing very well."
"Lea has been inundated with well-wishes and sharing updates with her family and a close group of girlfriends," the source said.
Michele and Reich married in March 2019. News broke in April that the couple were expecting.
"They've always wanted to be parents," a source told People at the time.
Michele confirmed her pregnancy with a baby bump photo in May. She later gave an update with a new slideshow of photos.
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"Reflection looking a little different these days," Michele captioned the post.
Michele played Rachel Berry on Glee and has since starred on Scream Queens and The Mayor. She apologized to her former Glee co-stars in June after actress Samantha Marie Ware accused her of making the set "a living hell."


upi--2020-08-24--In photos: Moments from Major League Baseball for the week of Aug. 23, 2020

Cardboard cutouts of fans are seen as the Nationals play the Marlins .
Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

The Indians' Franmil Reyes points to where the baseball landed in the stands after hitting a three-run homer against the Cardinals. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI


upi--2020-08-24--Watch: Nike releases Kobe Bryant birthday tribute from Kendrick Lamar

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- Nike is honoring the late Kobe Bryant on what would have been his 42nd birthday with a new video that is narrated by Kendrick Lamar .
The clip , released on Sunday to coincide with Bryant 's birthday , features highlights from the basketball great 's career as Lamar expresses how Bryant has taught his fans to be better .
`` Better walker .
Better talker .
Better walking the walk and talking the talk .
Better blocker .
Better sprinter .
Better loser .
Better winner .
Just be better , '' Lamar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's late 13-year-old daughter Gianna and his farewell speech to Lakers fans in 2016 .
Bryant and Gianna were among nine killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas , Calif. , in January .
Bryant was a five-time NBA champion and an 18-time All-Star .
Bryant will appear on the Mamba Forever '' edition of basketball video game NBA 2K21 which comes to the PlayStation 4 , Xbox One , Nintendo Switch , and PC on Sept. 4 .
The title will also be released for the upcoming PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series @ @

Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Nike is honoring the late Kobe Bryant on what would have been his 42nd birthday with a new video that is narrated by Kendrick Lamar.
The clip, released on Sunday to coincide with Bryant's birthday, features highlights from the basketball great's career as Lamar expresses how Bryant has taught his fans to be better.
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"Better walker. Better talker. Better walking the walk and talking the talk. Better blocker. Better sprinter. Better loser. Better winner. Just be better," Lamar says.
The video also features Bryant's late 13-year-old daughter Gianna and his farewell speech to Lakers fans in 2016.
Bryant and Gianna were among nine killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif., in January. Bryant was a five-time NBA champion and an 18-time All-Star.
Bryant will appear on the Mamba Forever" edition of basketball video game NBA 2K21 which comes to the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC on Sept. 4. The title will also be released for the upcoming PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.


upi--2020-08-24--In photos: Moments from Major League Baseball for the week of Aug. 16, 2020

JT Riddle ( L ) of the Pittsburgh Pirates greets teammate Jacob Stallings after Stallings ' home run against the @ @ @ @ @ Saturday .
The Pirates defeated the Brewers 12-5 .
Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI

JT Riddle (L) of the Pittsburgh Pirates greets teammate Jacob Stallings after Stallings' home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in Pittsburgh on Saturday. The Pirates defeated the Brewers 12-5. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI


upi--2020-08-24--Gregory Polanco powers MLB-worst Pittsburgh Pirates to sweep of Milwaukee Brewers

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- Designated hitter Gregory Polanco hit a game-winning home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a dramatic triumph and series sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday .
The Brewers led the Pirates 4-3 through 7 1/2 innings before Polanco 's 419-foot , two-run homer at PNC Park in Pittsburgh .
Polanco went 2 for 3 with a pair of RBIs and two runs scored in the 5-4 victory .
Pittsburgh entered the series with just four wins in 21 games this season .
The Pirates ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Major League Baseball .
Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier hit an RBI single for a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first and Jarrod Dyson pushed the lead with an RBI single in the bottom of the second .
First baseman Justin Smoak plated Keston Hiura with an RBI double in the top of the fourth inning for the Brewers ' first run .
Omar Narvaez tied the score with an RBI single for Milwaukee in the top of the fifth before Smoak smacked a two-run homer to give the Brewers a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Bryan Reynolds drove in J.T .
Riddle in the bottom of the sixth to cut the Brewers ' lead to one run .
Neither team scored in the seventh inning and Riddle led off the bottom of the eighth with a strikeout before Cole Tucker singled to left field .
Reynolds struck out in the third at-bat of the inning before Polanco settled in against Brewers relief pitcher David Phelps .
Polanco worked the count even before he belted a 1-1 cutter over the center field fence to give the Pirates a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 107 mph , hovered 125 feet above the field and took 6.4 seconds to clear the outfield wall , according to Statcast .
Richard Rodriguez retired the final three hitters in the top of the ninth to pick up his first save of the season for the Pirates .
Pittsburgh starter J.T .
Brubaker allowed four hits and two runs in four innings and Corbin Burnes allowed five hits and three runs in his start for Milwaukee .
Brewers left fielder Christian Yelich went 0 for 3 in the loss .
Smoak went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a run scored .
Dyson went 2 for 2 with an RBI for Pittsburgh .
The Pirates ( 7-17 ) next face the Chicago White Sox at 8:10 p.m. EDT Tuesday at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago .
The Brewers ( 11-15 ) host the Cincinnati Reds at 8:10 p.m. EDT Monday at Miller Park in Milwaukee .

Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Gregory Polanco (25) homers in the eighth inning to lift his team for a 5-4 win over the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Sunday. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Designated hitter Gregory Polanco hit a game-winning home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a dramatic triumph and series sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday. The Brewers led the Pirates 4-3 through 7 1/2 innings before Polanco's 419-foot, two-run homer at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Advertisement
Polanco went 2 for 3 with a pair of RBIs and two runs scored in the 5-4 victory.
Pittsburgh entered the series with just four wins in 21 games this season. The Pirates (7-17) have the worst record in Major League Baseball.
Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier hit an RBI single for a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first and Jarrod Dyson pushed the lead with an RBI single in the bottom of the second.
First baseman Justin Smoak plated Keston Hiura with an RBI double in the top of the fourth inning for the Brewers' first run. Omar Narvaez tied the score with an RBI single for Milwaukee in the top of the fifth before Smoak smacked a two-run homer to give the Brewers a 4-2 lead in the sixth.
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Pittsburgh's Bryan Reynolds drove in J.T. Riddle in the bottom of the sixth to cut the Brewers' lead to one run.
Neither team scored in the seventh inning and Riddle led off the bottom of the eighth with a strikeout before Cole Tucker singled to left field. Reynolds struck out in the third at-bat of the inning before Polanco settled in against Brewers relief pitcher David Phelps.
Polanco worked the count even before he belted a 1-1 cutter over the center field fence to give the Pirates a one-run edge. The two-run shot traveled 107 mph, hovered 125 feet above the field and took 6.4 seconds to clear the outfield wall, according to Statcast.
Richard Rodriguez retired the final three hitters in the top of the ninth to pick up his first save of the season for the Pirates. Pittsburgh starter J.T. Brubaker allowed four hits and two runs in four innings and Corbin Burnes allowed five hits and three runs in his start for Milwaukee.
Brewers left fielder Christian Yelich went 0 for 3 in the loss. Smoak went 2 for 4 with three RBIs and a run scored. Dyson went 2 for 2 with an RBI for Pittsburgh.
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The Pirates (7-17) next face the Chicago White Sox at 8:10 p.m. EDT Tuesday at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago. The Brewers (11-15) host the Cincinnati Reds at 8:10 p.m. EDT Monday at Miller Park in Milwaukee.
This week in Major League Baseball


upi--2020-08-24--Blast should be wake-up call on Hezbollah's death grip on Lebanon

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- For at least three decades , Lebanon has been under the vice-like grip of Hezbollah , an Iranian-backed Shi'ia terrorist organization .
Hezbollah has a military force that even outnumbers the Lebanese army .
It pays no taxes in Lebanon and receives money , weapons and goods from Iran .
It masterminds a major drug-running operation to Europe and America , collecting billions of dollars every year from cocaine and weapons trafficking , money laundering and other criminal activities .
It backs Bashar al-Assad 's bloody civil war in Syria and channels weapons and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proxies .
Because it is a listed terrorist organization , many countries , including the United States and the Gulf states , have introduced sanctions and boycotts , which have crippled Lebanon 's economy .
Hezbollah has an invidious track record in being behind dozens of major terrorist attacks both in Lebanon and abroad , including the 1983 Beirut barracks bombings , which killed 307 people , including 241 American and 58 French military personnel , six civilians and two attackers .
Hezbollah used two truck bombs filled with ammonium nitrate for those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nasrallah owes his allegiance to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , Iran 's supreme leader .
Under the clerical regime 's influence , he has turned Lebanon into a virtual Iranian province .
Hezbollah is directly responsible for the suffering of the Lebanese people .
They are also accountable for the horrendous explosion on Aug. 4 that ripped the soul out of Beirut , killing over 180 and injuring more than 5,000 .
The blast and ensuing carnage in Beirut was triggered by 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored at the port @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been offloaded from a Russian-owned cargo ship that had been impounded in the Mediterranean port .
Despite repeated warnings of the dangers involved in storing such huge quantities of the highly volatile chemical , a combination of negligence , gross incompetence and endemic corruption that characterizes Hezbollah 's control of Lebanon led to the catastrophic explosion .
According to press reports , attempts by the Beirut Customs Chief Badri Daher to sell the ammonium nitrate had stalled because he could not get permission from the courts , which claimed it was outside their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Transport , the Ministry of the Interior , the Port Authority of Beirut and the Lebanese Customs , each of which is controlled by a separate religious political faction , began a fierce turf war over who should benefit from the sale and pocket the profits .
As with everything in Beirut , no decision could be reached without the agreement of Hezbollah .
Profiteering , corruption and the usual institutional ineptitude left the explosive cargo in a state of decomposing limbo while the various factions sought to offload it for personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the greatest non-nuclear explosions ever recorded , leaving more than 300,000 homeless and countless lives , properties and businesses destroyed .
The resignation of Lebanon 's government , following mass street protests , will do nothing to loosen Hezbollah 's death grip on Beirut .
The smoking ruin that was once dubbed the Paris of the Middle East is now a tragic reminder of the Iranian regime 's fundamentalist cancer that has scourged the zone .
Hezbollah 's continuing presence will also deter badly needed international aid to rebuild the ruined city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Arab countries will be reluctant to send cash to one of the world 's most corrupt and vicious terrorist outfits .
Meanwhile , a large number of Iranian cargo planes have been seen flying into Beirut Airport since the blast , although there is growing speculation that these giant 747s may not have been delivering emergency food and medical supplies as claimed by Tehran .
The mullahs are always very quick to propagandize any relief operations and usually have teams of photographers and TV cameras on hand to witness the event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cargo planes arrived and departed virtually unannounced , leading to suspicions that the mullahs were cynically using the aftermath of the blast as cover for trafficking large quantities of weapons and men to Damascus .
Indeed , some of the planes had previously been seen in Damascus delivering illicit munitions and their parent companies had been sanctioned by the Americans for being part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps , the regime 's terrorist-listed Gestapo .
French President Emmanuel Macron , the first foreign leader to visit the devastated city , called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put in place , excluding Hezbollah .
The Iranian mullahs will be ardently opposed to such a move , which would threaten their influence in Lebanon .
Macron directly addressed Hezbollah , telling them to prioritize the needs of the Lebanese people rather than their Iranian backers .
His intervention was quickly condemned by Tehran .
A Foreign Ministry spokesman -- Abbas Mousavi -- stated : `` The blast should not be used as an excuse for political aims .
Some countries have been trying to politicize this blast for their own interests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blast , Lebanon is still reeling from shock .
But the mullahs in Tehran are watching developments closely .
With their own economy in free fall following U.S. President Donald Trump 's withdrawal from former President Barack Obama 's flawed nuclear deal and the imposition of tough new sanctions , the theocratic regime is struggling to survive .
The venal corruption and incompetence of the mullahs has seen death rates from the coronavirus soaring to over 93,000 , while grinding poverty has forced more than 70 % of the population to survive on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is growing tension and the mullahs now fear a new revolution that could drive them from power .
Their answer , as always , has been to increase repression within Iran and to increase aggression across the Middle East .
They hope that by continuing to support Bashar al-Assad in Syria , the Houthi rebels in Yemen , the brutal Shi'ia militias in Iraq and Hezbollah in Lebanon , they will frighten the West into a continuing policy of appeasement .
The carnage wrought by the Beirut blast should be a wake-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regime in Iran is the problem , not the solution .
Struan Stevenson is the Coordinator of the Campaign for Iran Change .
He was a member of the European Parliament representing Scotland ( 1999-2014 ) , president of the Parliament 's Delegation for Relations with Iraq ( 2009-14 ) and chairman of the Friends of a Free Iran Intergroup ( 2004-14 ) .
He is an international lecturer on the Middle East and is also president of the European Iraqi Freedom Association .

Damaged buildings are seen near the devastated harbor port following a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon. Photo by Mustafa Jamaleddine/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- For at least three decades, Lebanon has been under the vice-like grip of Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Shi'ia terrorist organization. Hezbollah has a military force that even outnumbers the Lebanese army. It pays no taxes in Lebanon and receives money, weapons and goods from Iran. It masterminds a major drug-running operation to Europe and America, collecting billions of dollars every year from cocaine and weapons trafficking, money laundering and other criminal activities. Advertisement
It backs Bashar al-Assad's bloody civil war in Syria and channels weapons and military personnel to him and other Iranian proxies. Because it is a listed terrorist organization, many countries, including the United States and the Gulf states, have introduced sanctions and boycotts, which have crippled Lebanon's economy.
Hezbollah has an invidious track record in being behind dozens of major terrorist attacks both in Lebanon and abroad, including the 1983 Beirut barracks bombings, which killed 307 people, including 241 American and 58 French military personnel, six civilians and two attackers. Hezbollah used two truck bombs filled with ammonium nitrate for those deadly attacks.
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Hezbollah's Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah owes his allegiance to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader. Under the clerical regime's influence, he has turned Lebanon into a virtual Iranian province. Hezbollah is directly responsible for the suffering of the Lebanese people.
They are also accountable for the horrendous explosion on Aug. 4 that ripped the soul out of Beirut, killing over 180 and injuring more than 5,000. The blast and ensuing carnage in Beirut was triggered by 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored at the port since 2013. The ammonium nitrate had been offloaded from a Russian-owned cargo ship that had been impounded in the Mediterranean port.
Despite repeated warnings of the dangers involved in storing such huge quantities of the highly volatile chemical, a combination of negligence, gross incompetence and endemic corruption that characterizes Hezbollah's control of Lebanon led to the catastrophic explosion.
According to press reports, attempts by the Beirut Customs Chief Badri Daher to sell the ammonium nitrate had stalled because he could not get permission from the courts, which claimed it was outside their jurisdiction. The Ministry of Public Works and Transport, the Ministry of the Interior, the Port Authority of Beirut and the Lebanese Customs, each of which is controlled by a separate religious political faction, began a fierce turf war over who should benefit from the sale and pocket the profits.
Advertisement
As with everything in Beirut, no decision could be reached without the agreement of Hezbollah. Profiteering, corruption and the usual institutional ineptitude left the explosive cargo in a state of decomposing limbo while the various factions sought to offload it for personal gain. The inevitable result was one of the greatest non-nuclear explosions ever recorded, leaving more than 300,000 homeless and countless lives, properties and businesses destroyed.
The resignation of Lebanon's government, following mass street protests, will do nothing to loosen Hezbollah's death grip on Beirut. The smoking ruin that was once dubbed the Paris of the Middle East is now a tragic reminder of the Iranian regime's fundamentalist cancer that has scourged the zone. Hezbollah's continuing presence will also deter badly needed international aid to rebuild the ruined city.
The World Bank, the West and the Arab countries will be reluctant to send cash to one of the world's most corrupt and vicious terrorist outfits. Meanwhile, a large number of Iranian cargo planes have been seen flying into Beirut Airport since the blast, although there is growing speculation that these giant 747s may not have been delivering emergency food and medical supplies as claimed by Tehran. The mullahs are always very quick to propagandize any relief operations and usually have teams of photographers and TV cameras on hand to witness the event.
Advertisement
This time, the fleet of cargo planes arrived and departed virtually unannounced, leading to suspicions that the mullahs were cynically using the aftermath of the blast as cover for trafficking large quantities of weapons and men to Damascus. Indeed, some of the planes had previously been seen in Damascus delivering illicit munitions and their parent companies had been sanctioned by the Americans for being part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, the regime's terrorist-listed Gestapo.
French President Emmanuel Macron,the first foreign leader to visit the devastated city, called for a new government of technocrats to be put in place, excluding Hezbollah. The Iranian mullahs will be ardently opposed to such a move, which would threaten their influence in Lebanon. Macron directly addressed Hezbollah, telling them to prioritize the needs of the Lebanese people rather than their Iranian backers. His intervention was quickly condemned by Tehran. A Foreign Ministry spokesman -- Abbas Mousavi -- stated: "The blast should not be used as an excuse for political aims. Some countries have been trying to politicize this blast for their own interests."
Two weeks after the deadly blast, Lebanon is still reeling from shock. But the mullahs in Tehran are watching developments closely. With their own economy in free fall following U.S. President Donald Trump's withdrawal from former President Barack Obama's flawed nuclear deal and the imposition of tough new sanctions, the theocratic regime is struggling to survive.
Advertisement
The venal corruption and incompetence of the mullahs has seen death rates from the coronavirus soaring to over 93,000, while grinding poverty has forced more than 70% of the population to survive on income below the international poverty line. There is growing tension and the mullahs now fear a new revolution that could drive them from power. Their answer, as always, has been to increase repression within Iran and to increase aggression across the Middle East.
They hope that by continuing to support Bashar al-Assad in Syria, the Houthi rebels in Yemen, the brutal Shi'ia militias in Iraq and Hezbollah in Lebanon, they will frighten the West into a continuing policy of appeasement. The carnage wrought by the Beirut blast should be a wake-up call to all appeasers. The clerical regime in Iran is the problem, not the solution.
Struan Stevenson is the Coordinator of the Campaign for Iran Change. He was a member of the European Parliament representing Scotland (1999-2014), president of the Parliament's Delegation for Relations with Iraq (2009-14) and chairman of the Friends of a Free Iran Intergroup (2004-14). He is an international lecturer on the Middle East and is also president of the European Iraqi Freedom Association.


upi--2020-08-24--Laura on track to hit U.S. as hurricane; Marco as tropical storm

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- Tropical Storms Laura and Marco are swirling in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean on Monday and both are forecast to make landfall in the United States in the coming days .
In its 8 a.m. update Monday , the National Hurricane Center said Laura was located in the Caribbean 125 miles southeast of Cayo Largo and 205 miles southeast of the Isle of Youth .
It had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and was moving northwest at 21 mph .
It would become a Category 1 hurricane once it reaches sustained winds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make landfall somewhere between western Louisiana and eastern Texas early Thursday morning as a Category 1 or Category 2 hurricane .
`` On the forecast track , the center of Laura will move over the Caribbean Sea just offshore the southern coast of Cuba today , and move into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico by early Tuesday morning .
Laura is then forecast to move over the central and northwestern Gulf of Mexico Tuesday night and Wednesday , '' the NHC said in its Monday morning forecast .
The NHC also said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gulf of Mexico 85 miles southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph .
It was moving northwest at 10 mph .
Marco is expected to arrive along the southern Louisiana coastline sometime after midnight Monday and also affect eastern Texas .
It is not expected to strengthen into a hurricane .
`` Marco is forecast to become a tropical depression late on Tuesday and dissipate on Wednesday , '' the NHC said .
Along its course toward the United States , Laura has unleashed damaging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At least nine deaths have been attributed to the storm .
Laura developed in the Atlantic just a couple of hundred miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands on Friday morning , shattering the record for the earliest `` L '' -named storm on record in the basin .
The previous `` L '' storm record was held by Luis , which formed on Aug. 29 , 1995 .
Puerto Rico was one of the first Caribbean islands to feel the effects of Laura earlier this past weekend .
Puerto Rico Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency and warned residents to stay inside as downpours and gusty winds drenched the island .
Nearly 6 inches of rain fell in some areas and the Rio Guanajibo River rose about 6 feet .
Heavy rain and high winds will continue to spread westward across Cuba as the storm cruises along a swift pace through Monday .
While the brunt of Laura 's rain and wind will pass south of the Florida Keys , there can be a few gusty showers and thunderstorms on the outer periphery of the storm that move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some tropical-storm-force wind gusts of 40-50 mph can reach the Florida Keys , '' AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rossio said .
Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency in an effort to provide local governments assistance in preparation at a state level .
`` It should n't be lost on anyone that in addition to these weather threats , we still have to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic , '' Edwards tweeted , explaining that personal protective equipment should be new additions to emergency kits , including masks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything we have seen , with two [ storms ] expected to impact our state nearly back to back , '' he said , referring to Marco and Laura .
`` This may mean that people will have to shelter in place for more than 72 hours and that there may not be time to do things like restore lost power between the two storms . ''
`` Once the primary circulation of Laura emerges over the waters of the southeastern Gulf of Mexico late Monday into Tuesday , environmental conditions will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expected to become a hurricane prior to reaching the Gulf Coast , '' AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Rob Miller said .
Some residents along the central Gulf Coast may have to deal with two land-falling tropical systems just days apart , following Marco 's anticipated landfall along the Louisiana coastline on Monday .
`` If Laura 's forecast track toward the Louisiana coast pans out , power crews may not even be able to go to some areas after Marco exits .
As soon as they get there they may have to evacuate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski .
Prior to Laura 's formation , Cristobal , Edouard , Fay , Gonzalo , Hanna , Isaias , Josephine and Kyle had all set new records for their designated letters in 2020 .
Tropical storms are named for most letters of the alphabet , with the exception of Q , U , X , Y and Z .
Beyond that , Greek letters are used to name systems .
The infamous 2005 Atlantic hurricane season holds the record for the greatest number of named storms at 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use Greek letters .

Hurricane Laura is seen after it arrived on the Louisiana coast early Thursday as a Category 4 storm. Image courtesy NOAA/NHC
Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Laura slammed into the coast of Louisiana near Cameron early Thursday as a Category 4 hurricane, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 mph. Not even 24 hours earlier, Laura rapidly intensified to a Category 3 hurricane, the first major hurricane of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. A short time later, the NOAA Hurricane Hunters found Laura had become an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 storm. Advertisement
The National Hurricane Center said in a 4 a.m. advisory Thursday that Laura had weakened to a Category 2 storm over land.
AccuWeather meteorologists warned that complete destruction of mobile homes along with roof and wall failure is possible from Laura. Locations could be uninhabitable for weeks or months, and roads impassible from large debris.
Many bridges, causeways and access routes may become impassable as flood control systems and barriers may become stressed and fail. Major damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks and piers should be expected.
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The National Hurricane Center warned that Laura may damage even well-built homes. Along with the common threat of the storm snapping or uprooting trees, the NHC also warned electricity and water may be unavailable for several days to weeks.
Laura's winds have already wrecked havoc on the power grid across the region. More than 137,000 customers were without electricity in Louisiana and there were 15,000 outages in southeast Texas early Thursday.
Numerous tornado warnings have been issued across the region, and AccuWeather meteorologists say the tornado dangers will continue as Laura moves inland.
Louisiana started to experience intense flooding on Wednesday morning near Louisiana State Route 1, among other areas, well before Laura made landfall.
"Unsurvivable storm surge with large and destructive waves will cause catastrophic damage," the NHC warned in an advisory Wednesday, adding that the surge could extend up to 40 miles inland from the coastline.
Storm surge is an above-normal rise in sea water along the coast that's generated by approaching or landfalling tropical systems, its strength and reach comparing more to a river than a tide.
AccuWeather forecasters predicted a storm surge of 15 to 20 feet near Cameron, Louisiana, a coastal town of about 135 miles east of Houston. The highest elevation in Cameron Parish is around 20 feet, meaning that the entire parish could be underwater during the worst of the storm.
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"A storm surge of that magnitude, combined with wave action, would be high enough to fully devastate the second story of structures located along the coast," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said. "Moving water with wave action has the force of being in the middle of a large river. Waters will begin to rise and some coastal roads can become flooded will in advance of the center of the storm's arrival on the coast."
Tensions mounted during the week ahead of Laura's landfall as the storm strengthened along an eerily similar path taken by Hurricane Rita in 2005. The similarities stirred old wounds that local officials sought to address.
"This is not Harvey, this is not Imelda, this is not Allison. This is Laura," Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said during a press conference. "Every storm is different, and we urge folks not to use any prior storm as a template for what or will happen. What we need to do is prepare for the worst."
The coronavirus pandemic has brought new challenges to hurricane preparation this season. To adapt to the dual danger of COVID-19 and hurricanes, the Center for Disease Prevention and Control has recommended preparing a "go kit" with items that that can help protect you and others from transmission of COVID-19, including hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and two masks for each person as social distancing may become more difficult.
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The first mandatory evacuation order was issued Tuesday when the hurricane was still a Category 1 storm. Galveston Mayor Craig Brown signed a mandatory evacuation and the city urged residents to leave the island by noon Wednesday and to take with them "all family members and pets." City services were suspended at noon on Tuesday.
Elsewhere along the Gulf Coast, residents in Louisiana prepared for the storm by boarding up windows. Oil refineries across the Gulf were shut down amid all of the tropical activity over the Gulf -- first from Marco and later from Laura. All told, over half a million in Texas and Louisiana were told to flee the approaching storm.
A St. George Island first responder died while trying to save a swimmer, Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith reported over Facebook Live. He noted that it had been a "double-red-flag day," meaning no one should have been in the water to begin with.
"The conditions are terrible," Smith said. "There's a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, so I'm asking all the tourists don't go in the water. If you're in the water and you're told to leave and you don't, you will be arrested. We're serious about this. There's no reason for any other loss of life."
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The identity of the first responder has yet to be made public.
Laura took its time its beginning stages of development before moving into the warm waters that would serve as a catalyst to its strengthening.
Laura first struck the Dominican Republic and Haiti before moving over Cuba by late Sunday, leaving behind damage and flooding while it pushed across the northern Caribbean as a tropical storm. It turned into a hurricane Tuesday.
Tropical Storm Marco preceded Laura, but fizzled out during the beginning of the week as it skirted along the Gulf Coast. However, this wasn't before it became the earliest "M" storm on record in the basin and unleashed torrential rainfall on the region. The previous "M" storm record was held by the 2005 Hurricane Maria, which developed Sept. 2.
Prior to Laura and Marco's formation, Cristobal, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna, Isaias, Josephine and Kyle had all set new records for their respective letters in 2020.