upi--2020-07-30--President Donald Trump calls on COVID-19 survivors to donate blood plasma

July 30 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump and White House health officials on Thursday called on Americans that have recovered from COVID-19 to donate blood plasma in an effort to help treat coronavirus patients .
He encouraged virus survivors to visit coronavirus.gov to volunteer to donate their convalescent blood plasma .
`` If you 've had the virus , if you donate it would be a terrific thing , '' Trump said .
`` We really need donations of the plasma .
To those that have had the virus : You 've gotten through it and I guess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The president attended a roundtable at the American Red Cross headquarters on Thursday accompanied by coronavirus experts including National Institutes of Health leaders Francis Collins and Anthony Fauci , White House coronavirus coordinator Deborah Birx , and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn to discuss the treatment .
Last month , Mayo Clinic researchers reported that 20,000 COVID-19 patients deemed at risk for progressing to a severe or life-threatening condition saw their risk of death drop from 12 % to 9 % a week after receiving plasma therapy .
Fewer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the study experienced side effects , researchers added .
The FDA has not approved or authorized the treatment for use but Hahn said the agency is reviewing the data .
`` We 've seen that this is a safe treatment and we 're encouraged by the early promising data that we 've seen , '' Hahn said .

President Donald Trump on Thursday called for Americans who have survived COVID-19 to donate their convalescent blood plasma as part of a potential treatment. Pool Photo by Doug Mills/UPI | License Photo
July 30 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump and White House health officials on Thursday called on Americans that have recovered from COVID-19 to donate blood plasma in an effort to help treat coronavirus patients. He encouraged virus survivors to visit coronavirus.gov to volunteer to donate their convalescent blood plasma. Advertisement
"If you've had the virus, if you donate it would be a terrific thing," Trump said. "We really need donations of the plasma. To those that have had the virus: You've gotten through it and I guess that means you have something special there."
The president attended a roundtable at the American Red Cross headquarters on Thursday accompanied by coronavirus experts including National Institutes of Health leaders Francis Collins and Anthony Fauci, White House coronavirus coordinator Deborah Birx, and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn to discuss the treatment.
Last month, Mayo Clinic researchers reported that 20,000 COVID-19 patients deemed at risk for progressing to a severe or life-threatening condition saw their risk of death drop from 12% to 9% a week after receiving plasma therapy.
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Fewer than 1% of those involved in the study experienced side effects, researchers added.
The FDA has not approved or authorized the treatment for use but Hahn said the agency is reviewing the data.
"We've seen that this is a safe treatment and we're encouraged by the early promising data that we've seen," Hahn said.


upi--2020-07-30--Pentagon aims to continue supporting telework

July 30 ( UPI ) -- The Pentagon plans to bolster its cybersecurity in order to allow telecommuting at higher levels of security , according to Defense Chief Information Officer Dana Deasy .
`` There 's a lot of pilots going on right now on how we pivot [ the Commercial Virtual Remote Environment ] from an [ impact level ] 2 world to an [ impact level ] 5 world between now and , I 'm going to say toward the end of this year , '' Deasy said at a press briefing Thursday .
Deasy called the Commercial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Microsoft Teams and supports a million workers using functions like chat and video to meet an collaborate , `` an unclassified version of collaboration . ''
The DoD began rolling out CVR in March with a speed Deasy described then `` extraordinary , '' at one point adding 250,000 new accounts in a day .
That shift was facilitated in part by $ 300 million the department received for IT as part of Congress ' coronavirus relief package.. Deasy said the idea was always there to move it to an environment capable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and now the Pentagon is considering adding additional layers of cybersecurity to support `` much more secure types of collaboration . ''
`` The trick in doing that is you do n't want to lose the goodness of how we 've been able to allow people to work off-net , so to speak , from their home , from their own types of devices , '' he said .
Deasy said , barring anything unforeseen , the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure , a contract for enterprise cloud services , would be `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That contract has been mired in a legal battle between the Pentagon , Amazon and Microsoft due to accusations of improper influence that resulted in Microsoft getting the contract .

The Pentagon is looking into increasing the cybersecurity of its telecommuting network to allow remote work at higher levels of sensitivity. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army
July 30 (UPI) -- The Pentagon plans to bolster its cybersecurity in order to allow telecommuting at higher levels of security, according to Defense Chief Information Officer Dana Deasy. "There's a lot of pilots going on right now on how we pivot [the Commercial Virtual Remote Environment] from an [impact level] 2 world to an [impact level] 5 world between now and, I'm going to say toward the end of this year," Deasy said at a press briefing Thursday. Advertisement
Deasy called the Commercial Virtual Remote Environment, which was created with Microsoft Teams and supports a million workers using functions like chat and video to meet an collaborate, "an unclassified version of collaboration."
The DoD began rolling out CVR in March with a speed Deasy described then "extraordinary," at one point adding 250,000 new accounts in a day.
That shift was facilitated in part by $300 million the department received for IT as part of Congress' coronavirus relief package..
Deasy said the idea was always there to move it to an environment capable of supporting more secure types of collaboration, and now the Pentagon is considering adding additional layers of cybersecurity to support "much more secure types of collaboration."
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"The trick in doing that is you don't want to lose the goodness of how we've been able to allow people to work off-net, so to speak, from their home, from their own types of devices," he said.
Deasy said, barring anything unforeseen, the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure, a contract for enterprise cloud services, would be "re-announced"at the end of August.
That contract has been mired in a legal battle between the Pentagon, Amazon and Microsoft due to accusations of improper influence that resulted in Microsoft getting the contract.


upi--2020-07-30--Watch: Umpire Joe West briefly exits Jays-Nats game after being hit by flying bat

July 30 ( UPI ) -- MLB home plate umpire Joe West temporarily left Thursday 's game between the Washington Nationals and Toronto Blue Jays after being hit in the head by Bo Bichette 's flying bat in the bottom of the first inning .
The 67-year-old West , who is the senior umpire in the league , was struck near his left ear when Bichette -- the Blue Jays ' lead-off hitter -- lost his bat on his follow-through .
Bichette 's bat made contact with West , causing him to bleed on the side of his head .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dugout to check on West and gave him a towel to press against his head .
Lessard then walked off the field with West , guiding him to a ramp that leads to the clubhouses and umpires ' room at Nationals Park .
The incident delayed the game for about six minutes .
When play resumed , Vic Carapazza moved from second base to behind home plate , and the game continued with only three umpires .
However , West returned to the field in the top of the third inning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ while Carapazza stayed behind the plate .
Bichette , who missed the Blue Jays ' previous three games because of a tight left hamstring , doubled on Nationals starter Erick Fedde 's next pitch and came around to score on a single from Lourdes Gurriel Jr .
The Nationals held a 5-3 lead over the Blue Jays after the seventh inning .

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MLB home plate umpire Joe West is looked at by medical personnel after he was hit by a bat during the first inning of Thursday's game between the Washington Nationals and Toronto Blue Jays at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo
July 30 (UPI) -- MLB home plate umpire Joe West temporarily left Thursday's game between the Washington Nationals and Toronto Blue Jays after being hit in the head by Bo Bichette's flying bat in the bottom of the first inning. The 67-year-old West, who is the senior umpire in the league, was struck near his left ear when Bichette -- the Blue Jays' lead-off hitter -- lost his bat on his follow-through. Bichette's bat made contact with West, causing him to bleed on the side of his head. Advertisement
Nationals trainer Paul Lessard came out of the dugout to check on West and gave him a towel to press against his head. Lessard then walked off the field with West, guiding him to a ramp that leads to the clubhouses and umpires' room at Nationals Park.
The incident delayed the game for about six minutes. When play resumed, Vic Carapazza moved from second base to behind home plate, and the game continued with only three umpires.
However, West returned to the field in the top of the third inning. He was stationed at third base, while Carapazza stayed behind the plate.
Advertisement Umpire Joe West had to exit today's game with a bloody ear after Bo Bichette lost control of his bat and hit him in the side of the head pic.twitter.com/Hfd7fcpnIa— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 30, 2020
Bichette, who missed the Blue Jays' previous three games because of a tight left hamstring, doubled on Nationals starter Erick Fedde's next pitch and came around to score on a single from Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
The Nationals held a 5-3 lead over the Blue Jays after the seventh inning.


upi--2020-07-30--Swiss prosecutor launches criminal proceedings against FIFA head Gianni Infantino

July 30 ( UPI ) -- A Swiss special prosecutor on Thursday launched criminal proceedings against FIFA President Gianni Infantino in connection with an undocumented meeting he held with a Swiss attorney general as the global soccer organization was being investigated .
Special prosecutor Stefan Kellar said he discovered `` elements that make up reprehensible behavior '' in another investigation involving Gianni and former Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber .
Possible infractions in the criminal case against Infantino include abuse of public office , breach of official secrecy , assisting offenders and incitement to these acts .
Lauber had served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resigned last week after a Swiss federal court determined he covered up a meeting with Infantino in June 2017 and lied to supervisors during an investigation into FIFA by his office .
The Swiss Attorney General 's Office told CNN it had noted the development , adding that Lauber would make statements to parliamentary committees if necessary .
Infantino , who has served as the head of FIFA since 2016 and was re-elected for a second term after running unopposed in 2019 , also committed to cooperating with Swiss authorities .
`` As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my aim from day one , and it remains my aim , to assist the authorities with investigating past wrongdoings at FIFA , '' he said .
`` FIFA officials have met with prosecutors in other jurisdictions across the world for exactly these purposes .
People have been convicted and sentenced , thanks to FIFA 's cooperation and especially in the United States of America , where our cooperation has resulted in over 40 criminal convictions . ''

FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces criminal proceedings in Switzerland in connection with undocumented meetings with former Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber. File Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo
July 30 (UPI) -- A Swiss special prosecutor on Thursday launched criminal proceedings against FIFA President Gianni Infantino in connection with an undocumented meeting he held with a Swiss attorney general as the global soccer organization was being investigated. Special prosecutor Stefan Kellar said he discovered "elements that make up reprehensible behavior" in another investigation involving Gianni and former Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber. Advertisement
Possible infractions in the criminal case against Infantino include abuse of public office, breach of official secrecy, assisting offenders and incitement to these acts.
Lauber had served as attorney general since 2012, but resigned last week after a Swiss federal court determined he covered up a meeting with Infantino in June 2017 and lied to supervisors during an investigation into FIFA by his office.
The Swiss Attorney General's Office told CNN it had noted the development, adding that Lauber would make statements to parliamentary committees if necessary.
Infantino, who has served as the head of FIFA since 2016 and was re-elected for a second term after running unopposed in 2019, also committed to cooperating with Swiss authorities.
"As president of FIFA, it has been my aim from day one, and it remains my aim, to assist the authorities with investigating past wrongdoings at FIFA," he said. "FIFA officials have met with prosecutors in other jurisdictions across the world for exactly these purposes. People have been convicted and sentenced, thanks to FIFA's cooperation and especially in the United States of America, where our cooperation has resulted in over 40 criminal convictions."
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upi--2020-07-30--Michael Cohen allowed to publish tell-all book under new deal

July 30 ( UPI ) -- Michael Cohen will be able to write a tell-all book about his former boss , President Donald Trump , under a new agreement with federal prosecutors , according to new court filings Thursday .
The Justice Department notified U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein of the deal , which released Cohen from a provision preventing him from having contact with the media or bringing publicity to his case while under home confinement .
The deal comes one week after Hellerstein ordered Cohen to be released to home confinement .
Cohen was taken back into custody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arranged the terms of his house arrest .
He was furloughed from prison in May due to underlying health conditions that put him at greater risk should he contract COVID-19 .
The American Civil Liberties Union and a New York law firm filed suit this week calling for Cohen 's release , arguing that his rearrest amounted to retaliation for his plans to publish a book about the president .
Hellerstein agreed and said he was troubled by a clause in the agreement that asked Cohen to `` avoid glamorizing or bringing publicity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serving a custodial term in the community . ''
Cohen , 53 , is serving a three-year sentence after pleading guilty to coordinating hush-money payments to two women , including adult film performer Stormy Daniels , who said they had extramarital affairs with Trump .

Michael Cohen was released to home confinement Friday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 30 (UPI) -- Michael Cohen will be able to write a tell-all book about his former boss, President Donald Trump, under a new agreement with federal prosecutors, according to new court filings Thursday. The Justice Department notified U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein of the deal, which released Cohen from a provision preventing him from having contact with the media or bringing publicity to his case while under home confinement. Advertisement
The deal comes one week after Hellerstein ordered Cohen to be released to home confinement. Cohen was taken back into custody earlier this month during a hearing that arranged the terms of his house arrest. He was furloughed from prison in May due to underlying health conditions that put him at greater risk should he contract COVID-19.
The American Civil Liberties Union and a New York law firm filed suit this week calling for Cohen's release, arguing that his rearrest amounted to retaliation for his plans to publish a book about the president.
Hellerstein agreed and said he was troubled by a clause in the agreement that asked Cohen to "avoid glamorizing or bringing publicity to your status as a sentenced inmate serving a custodial term in the community."
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Cohen, 53, is serving a three-year sentence after pleading guilty to coordinating hush-money payments to two women, including adult film performer Stormy Daniels, who said they had extramarital affairs with Trump.


upi--2020-07-30--Britain tightens restrictions as global COVID-19 cases surpass 17M

July 30 ( UPI ) -- Britain tightened restrictions in some areas Thursday as the global number of COVID-19 cases surpassed 17 million six months after officially being declared a global health emergency .
British Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that separate households in Greater Manchester , East Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire may not meet each other indoors beginning at midnight after identifying an `` increasing rate of transmission '' in those areas .
`` The spread is largely due to households meeting and not abiding to social distancing , '' Hancock said .
Britain reported 846 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 303,910 -- 46,084 deaths as a result of the virus since the outbreak began .
Thursday marks six months since Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , World Health Organization director-general , declared the novel coronavirus a Public Emergency of International Concern with 7,900 cases worldwide .
At the time , China -- where the virus was first discovered in early December -- had 7,766 cases with 98 infections total diagnosed in 18 other countries , including six in the United States .
Global cases reached 17,130,295 on Thursday , while the worldwide death toll hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by John 's Hopkins University as of Thursday evening .
The 17 million milestone was passed some four days after surpassing 16 million infections and a month since hitting 10 million .
`` The pandemic continues to accelerate , '' Tedros said Monday .
`` In the past six weeks , the total number of cases has roughly doubled . ''
The three countries of the United States , Brazil and India accounted for half of all infections with a combined 8.5 million cases and more than a third of all deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well with Japan and Australia recording record daily increases in new infections Thursday .
Japan recorded 1,264 new coronavirus cases Wednesday , its first time seeing more than 1,000 cases in a 24-hour period , Japan 's national broadcaster NHK reported .
Its total now sits at 34,663 with more than 1,007 dead to the virus .
Eight of Japan 's 47 prefectures reported record highs Wednesday , including Osaka , which had 221 cases , and Aichi , which saw 167 infections .
Australia also recorded a record surge of 747 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Victoria .
`` Today is not a good day , '' Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said in a statement announcing that from midnight Sunday everyone in the state will be required to wear a mask and those in specific regions will no longer be allowed to entertain visitors at their homes .
`` The data is telling us that outside work , this is the single greatest cause of transmission in these communities , '' he said .
`` People are visiting friends and family -- and taking the virus home with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also experiencing exponential spread of the virus , according to the global humanitarian aid organization International Rescue Committee .
In the past two months , infections have increased by 500 % in Africa while cases have more than doubled in the last two months alone , the organization said in a release on Thursday .
The IRC called for a massive increase in international funding as there is a dearth of testing .
Compared to the WHO-recommended one test per 1,000 people a week , in some countries where the IRC operates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to administer 1 test per 2,680 people .
The organization compared its situation to fighting the epidemic in the dark and the actual number of infections may be much higher than reported .
`` The doubling of confirmed COVID cases in July across African countries is alarming , but we are worried that this could be the tip of the iceberg , '' Stacey Mearns , senior technical advisor of Emergency Health at IRC , said in a statement .
She said that while the WHO recommends a test positivity rate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much higher than that with Somalia testing at 32 % , the Democratic Republic of Congo at 21 % and South Sudan at 18 % .
`` The testing shortfalls make it nearly impossible to understand the extent of the pandemic -- let alone put measures in place to stop it , '' she said .
In China , the original epicenter of the virus , health officials continue to report a spike in cases in its northwestern Xinjiang region .
Though substantially lower than its high of nearly 4,000 cases set in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported more than 100 new cases for its second consecutive day .
However , 96 of the new cases were reported in Xinjiang a shy drop from the 98 diagnosed in the region the day prior .
Overall , China has reported 87,363 cases and 4,658 deaths .

People wear face masks as they wait in line to receive a bag of groceries when Food Bank For New York City opens a mobile food pantry at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City on Wednesday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 30 (UPI) -- Britain tightened restrictions in some areas Thursday as the global number of COVID-19 cases surpassed 17 million six months after officially being declared a global health emergency. British Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that separate households in Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire may not meet each other indoors beginning at midnight after identifying an "increasing rate of transmission" in those areas. Advertisement
"The spread is largely due to households meeting and not abiding to social distancing," Hancock said.
Britain reported 846 new cases Thursday -- for a total of 303,910 -- 46,084 deaths as a result of the virus since the outbreak began.
Thursday marks six months since Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organization director-general, declared the novel coronavirus a Public Emergency of International Concern with 7,900 cases worldwide.
At the time, China -- where the virus was first discovered in early December -- had 7,766 cases with 98 infections total diagnosed in 18 other countries, including six in the United States.
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Global cases reached 17,130,295 on Thursday, while the worldwide death toll hit 669,160 people, according to data gathered by John's Hopkins University as of Thursday evening.
The 17 million milestone was passed some four days after surpassing 16 million infections and a month since hitting 10 million.
"The pandemic continues to accelerate," Tedros said Monday. "In the past six weeks, the total number of cases has roughly doubled."
The three countries of the United States, Brazil and India accounted for half of all infections with a combined 8.5 million cases and more than a third of all deaths.
Infections continue to climb in other nations as well with Japan and Australia recording record daily increases in new infections Thursday.
Japan recorded 1,264 new coronavirus cases Wednesday, its first time seeing more than 1,000 cases in a 24-hour period, Japan's national broadcaster NHK reported.
Its total now sits at 34,663 with more than 1,007 dead to the virus.
Eight of Japan's 47 prefectures reported record highs Wednesday, including Osaka, which had 221 cases, and Aichi, which saw 167 infections.
Australia also recorded a record surge of 747 new cases with all but 24 reported in Victoria.
"Today is not a good day," Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said in a statement announcing that from midnight Sunday everyone in the state will be required to wear a mask and those in specific regions will no longer be allowed to entertain visitors at their homes.
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"The data is telling us that outside work, this is the single greatest cause of transmission in these communities," he said. "People are visiting friends and family -- and taking the virus home with them."
The African continent is also experiencing exponential spread of the virus, according to the global humanitarian aid organization International Rescue Committee.
In the past two months, infections have increased by 500% in Africa while cases have more than doubled in the last two months alone, the organization said in a release on Thursday. The IRC called for a massive increase in international funding as there is a dearth of testing.
Compared to the WHO-recommended one test per 1,000 people a week, in some countries where the IRC operates, such as Niger, its workers are able to administer 1 test per 2,680 people.
The organization compared its situation to fighting the epidemic in the dark and the actual number of infections may be much higher than reported.
"The doubling of confirmed COVID cases in July across African countries is alarming, but we are worried that this could be the tip of the iceberg," Stacey Mearns, senior technical advisor of Emergency Health at IRC, said in a statement.
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She said that while the WHO recommends a test positivity rate of 5%, many countries are testing much higher than that with Somalia testing at 32%, the Democratic Republic of Congo at 21% and South Sudan at 18%.
"The testing shortfalls make it nearly impossible to understand the extent of the pandemic -- let alone put measures in place to stop it," she said.
In China, the original epicenter of the virus, health officials continue to report a spike in cases in its northwestern Xinjiang region.
Though substantially lower than its high of nearly 4,000 cases set in early February, mainland China on Thursday reported more than 100 new cases for its second consecutive day.
However, 96 of the new cases were reported in Xinjiang a shy drop from the 98 diagnosed in the region the day prior.
Overall, China has reported 87,363 cases and 4,658 deaths.


upi--2020-07-30--COVID-19 pandemic threatens global food security, researchers say

July 30 ( UPI ) -- According to the United Nations , the four pillars of global food security are availability , access , utilization and stability .
New research suggests the global economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has imperiled all four .
In a paper published Thursday in the journal Science , analysts at the International Food Policy Research Institute detailed the many ways the global pandemic is undermining global food security .
In many parts of the world , lockdowns necessitated by uncontrolled COVID-19 outbreaks have disrupted the labor market , threatening the food supply chain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets .
Labor shortages affect both supply and demand .
Without enough workers , farms , processing plants and distribution networks ca n't grow , harvest and get the food where it needs to go .
And when people are without jobs , they often do n't have the resources to buy enough good food to feed themselves and their families .
`` The most important impact of the pandemic on food security is through income declines that put food access at risk , '' study co-author Johan Swinnen , director-general of IFPRI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This is especially a concern for the extreme poor , who spend on average about 70 percent of their total income on food . ''
So far this year , the global economy has shrunk by 5 percent , a decline steeper than that triggered by the 2008 financial crisis .
Models developed by researchers at IFPRI suggest such a sizable recession is likely to push 150 million people into extreme poverty -- predominately in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia .
`` Disruptions in food systems both contribute to increases in poverty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income for many of the world 's poor , and also exacerbate the impacts of poverty by reducing access to food , particularly nutritious foods , '' said Swinnen .
Researchers suggest income declines have the strongest impact on demand for fruits , vegetables and animal products like meat and dairy .
The study authors warn that economic hardships could lead to malnourishment and micronutrient deficiencies , making already vulnerable communities even more susceptible to disease .
The new study showed that supply chains for some crops have fared better than others .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and soybeans are more likely to be grown in wealthier countries , and because their production is often mechanized , they have been less vulnerable to disruption .
Fruits and vegetables that require more intensive labor and are grown in poorer countries have suffered greater levels of disruption during the pandemic .
The researchers recommend governments can help prevent food security problems by exempting certain agricultural operations and workers from lockdown restrictions .
According to the paper , policy makers should avoid export restrictions and work to ensure international trade continues unimpeded .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more to help poorer nations .
`` Given the fiscal challenges that face low- and middle-income countries and given the strong international spillover effects of the economic consequences of COVID-19 , it will be important for high-income countries and international organizations to contribute as much as they can to support the responses of poor countries in financial need , '' researchers wrote .

Farm workers harvest romaine lettuce in Salinas, Calif., in April. Agricultural workers have remained on the job providing produce during the coronavirus pandemic. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
July 30 (UPI) -- According to the United Nations, the four pillars of global food security are availability, access, utilization and stability. New research suggests the global economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has imperiled all four. Advertisement
In a paper published Thursday in the journal Science, analysts at the International Food Policy Research Institute detailed the many ways the global pandemic is undermining global food security.
In many parts of the world, lockdowns necessitated by uncontrolled COVID-19 outbreaks have disrupted the labor market, threatening the food supply chain and the stability of agricultural and food markets.
Labor shortages affect both supply and demand. Without enough workers, farms, processing plants and distribution networks can't grow, harvest and get the food where it needs to go.
And when people are without jobs, they often don't have the resources to buy enough good food to feed themselves and their families.
"The most important impact of the pandemic on food security is through income declines that put food access at risk," study co-author Johan Swinnen, director-general of IFPRI, said in a news release. "This is especially a concern for the extreme poor, who spend on average about 70 percent of their total income on food."
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So far this year, the global economy has shrunk by 5 percent, a decline steeper than that triggered by the 2008 financial crisis.
Models developed by researchers at IFPRI suggest such a sizable recession is likely to push 150 million people into extreme poverty -- predominately in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
"Disruptions in food systems both contribute to increases in poverty, by affecting a critical source of income for many of the world's poor, and also exacerbate the impacts of poverty by reducing access to food, particularly nutritious foods," said Swinnen.
Researchers suggest income declines have the strongest impact on demand for fruits, vegetables and animal products like meat and dairy. The study authors warn that economic hardships could lead to malnourishment and micronutrient deficiencies, making already vulnerable communities even more susceptible to disease.
The new study showed that supply chains for some crops have fared better than others.
Because staple crops like wheat, maize and soybeans are more likely to be grown in wealthier countries, and because their production is often mechanized, they have been less vulnerable to disruption. Fruits and vegetables that require more intensive labor and are grown in poorer countries have suffered greater levels of disruption during the pandemic.
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The researchers recommend governments can help prevent food security problems by exempting certain agricultural operations and workers from lockdown restrictions.
According to the paper, policy makers should avoid export restrictions and work to ensure international trade continues unimpeded. Researchers also suggest wealthier countries should do more to help poorer nations.
"Given the fiscal challenges that face low- and middle-income countries and given the strong international spillover effects of the economic consequences of COVID-19, it will be important for high-income countries and international organizations to contribute as much as they can to support the responses of poor countries in financial need," researchers wrote.


upi--2020-07-30--Marine Corps moves deactivated tanks, heavy equipment by rail

July 30 ( UPI ) -- The Marine Corps ' tanks and other heavy equipment are moving through Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow in California as part of an effort to modernize the Marine Corps in accordance with the National Defense Strategy .
`` The tanks currently assigned to 1st Marine Division , Exercise Support Division , Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center 29 Palms , Marine Forces Reserve and Logistics Command , '' said Chad Hildebrandt , Railway Operations supervisor for the base , in a press statement .
`` They are all being consolidated here at MCLB Barstow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Sierra Army Depot in Herlong , California , and to Anniston Army Depot in Anniston , Alabama . ''
The movement of the tanks is part of an effort to deactivate tanks that would n't survive modern warfare .
Per United States Marine Corps Force Design 2030 guidance published by General David H. Berger , Commandant of the Marine Corps , March 2020 , The Marine Corps is shifting from use heavier tanks and M88s to increase capacities in other areas , such as Rocket Artillery Batteries , Light Armored Reconnaissance companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Last week Companies within the Marines ' 1st Tank Battalion in Twentynine Palms , Calif. , and the 4th Tank Battalion at Camp Pendleton , Calif. , held their first deactivation ceremonies to eliminate combat logistics regiments , engineer support units , ground cannon artillery and light attack air platforms .
The equipment was part of a directive to use the more efficient and less expensive transport method for moving all of the equipment .

Nearly 200 M1A1 Abrams Tanks, M-88 Recovery Vehicles, and Armored Vehicle Launched Bridges are moving through Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California throughout this month as part of the Marine Corps' effort to deactivate outdated equipment. Photo by Sgt. Jack Adamyk
July 30 (UPI) -- The Marine Corps' tanks and other heavy equipment are moving through Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow in California as part of an effort to modernize the Marine Corps in accordance with the National Defense Strategy. "The tanks currently assigned to 1st Marine Division, Exercise Support Division, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center 29 Palms, Marine Forces Reserve and Logistics Command," said Chad Hildebrandt, Railway Operations supervisor for the base, in a press statement. "They are all being consolidated here at MCLB Barstow for further movement to U.S. Army Depots at Sierra Army Depot in Herlong, California, and to Anniston Army Depot in Anniston, Alabama." Advertisement
The movement of the tanks is part of an effort to deactivate tanks that wouldn't survive modern warfare.
Per United States Marine Corps Force Design 2030 guidance published by General David H. Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps, March 2020, The Marine Corps is shifting from use heavier tanks and M88s to increase capacities in other areas, such as Rocket Artillery Batteries, Light Armored Reconnaissance companies and active component unmanned aerial vehicle squadrons.
Last week Companies within the Marines' 1st Tank Battalion in Twentynine Palms, Calif., and the 4th Tank Battalion at Camp Pendleton, Calif., held their first deactivation ceremonies to eliminate combat logistics regiments, engineer support units, ground cannon artillery and light attack air platforms.
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The equipment was part of a directive to use the more efficient and less expensive transport method for moving all of the equipment.


upi--2020-07-30--Dunkin' to close 800 U.S. stores

Dunkin' to close 800 U.S. stores

July 30 ( UPI ) -- Dunkin ' Brands plans to close 800 Dunkin ' stores in the United States @ @ @ @ @ its quarterly earnings report Thursday .
The company , which runs both the Dunkin ' @ @ @ @ @ announced the closures would affect 8 % of its total restaurants in the United States @ @ @ @ @ U.S. sales .
The closures include the previously announced shuttering of 450 limited-menu locations in @ @ @ @ @ , the company said 350 restaurants outside the United States may close on a permanent @ @ @ @ @ quarter , Dunkin ' reported the closure of 229 Dunkin and Baskin-Robins locations , 40 @ @ @ @ @ States and 180 Baskin-Robbins locations elsewhere .
Revenues also decreased by 20 % and Dunkin @ @ @ @ @ 18.7 % .
The report reflects impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic , which caused many @ @ @ @ @ The company reported that 96 % of U.S. Dunkin ' locations were open as of @ @ @

Dunkin' Brands said Thursday it plans to close 800 U.S. Dunkin' stores, representing 8% of its total restaurants in the United States and 2% of its U.S. sales. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
July 30 (UPI) -- Dunkin' Brands plans to close 800 Dunkin' stores in the United States, the company said in its quarterly earnings report Thursday. The company, which runs both the Dunkin' and Baskin-Robbins restaurant chains, announced the closures would affect 8% of its total restaurants in the United States and 2% of its U.S. sales. Advertisement
The closures include the previously announced shuttering of 450 limited-menu locations in Speedway convenience stores.
Additionally, the company said 350 restaurants outside the United States may close on a permanent basis.
During the second quarter, Dunkin' reported the closure of 229 Dunkin and Baskin-Robins locations, 40 Dunkin locations in the United States and 180 Baskin-Robbins locations elsewhere.
Revenues also decreased by 20% and Dunkin' store sales fell by 18.7%.
The report reflects impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused many non-essential businesses to close. The company reported that 96% of U.S. Dunkin' locations were open as of July 25.


upi--2020-07-30--Afghanistan car bomb kills 8, injures 30

July 30 ( UPI ) -- A car bomb exploded in eastern Afghanistan on Thursday , killing at least eight @ @ @ @ @ , the Interior Ministry said .
Multiple children were among the victims .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ local time in Sharwal Square of Pul-e-Alam city , capital of Logar [ province ] @ @ @ @ @ that eight civilians were martyred and 30 wounded , '' tweeted ministry spokesman Tariq Arian @ @ @ @ @ by Xinhua news agency .
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack ; the @ @ @ @ @ News reported .
The explosion comes ahead of a planned three-day cease-fire between the Afghan @ @ @ @ @ the Eid al-Adha holiday .

Afghan security officers stands guard outside the emergency hospital in Kabul after a car bomb blast targeted a crowded market in Logar province of Afghanistan, on Thursday. Photo by Jawad Jalali/EPA-EFE
July 30 (UPI) -- A car bomb exploded in eastern Afghanistan on Thursday, killing at least eight civilians and injuring dozens more, the Interior Ministry said. Multiple children were among the victims. Advertisement
"The incident occurred at 7:40 p.m. local time in Sharwal Square of Pul-e-Alam city, capital of Logar [province]. The initial information indicated that eight civilians were martyred and 30 wounded," tweeted ministry spokesman Tariq Arian, according to a translation by Xinhua news agency.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack; the Taliban denied involvement, Tolo News reported.
The explosion comes ahead of a planned three-day cease-fire between the Afghan government and Taliban militants for the Eid al-Adha holiday.


upi--2020-07-30--Man wins nearly $150,000 on birthday gift lottery ticket

July 30 ( UPI ) -- An Australian man who won a nearly $ 150,000 lottery jackpot said he did n't even have to pay for his ticket -- it was a birthday gift .
The Tumut , New South Wales , man told The Lott officials he did n't realize he had won $ 143,920 from the Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot drawing on Monday until his wife read in the newspaper that no winner had come forward .
`` My wife was reading the paper , and she saw they were looking for a Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot winner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I remembered I had some tickets that I 'd been given as a birthday gift , so I came down to the newsagency to check them . ''
`` That 's when I found out I won .
I thought 'Oh , my God , ' '' the man recalled .
The man said the first thing he planned to do after collecting his prize was to call into work and take the day off .
`` Then I am going to get my family over for some celebratory drinks .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wonder how the hell this happened , '' he said .
`` I do n't know what I will do with my prize .
I will probably put it toward my retirement . ''

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July 30 (UPI) -- An Australian man who won a nearly $150,000 lottery jackpot said he didn't even have to pay for his ticket -- it was a birthday gift.
The Tumut, New South Wales, man told The Lott officials he didn't realize he had won $143,920 from the Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot drawing on Monday until his wife read in the newspaper that no winner had come forward.
Advertisement
"My wife was reading the paper, and she saw they were looking for a Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot winner from Tumut," he said. "I remembered I had some tickets that I'd been given as a birthday gift, so I came down to the newsagency to check them."
"That's when I found out I won. I thought 'Oh, my God,'" the man recalled.
The man said the first thing he planned to do after collecting his prize was to call into work and take the day off.
"Then I am going to get my family over for some celebratory drinks. I am just going to sit back and wonder how the hell this happened," he said. "I don't know what I will do with my prize. I will probably put it toward my retirement."


upi--2020-07-30--Dow falls 225 points amid record GDP decline, more unemployment claims

July 30 ( UPI ) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S & P 500 fell Thursday following a record drop in U.S. economic activity and more new unemployment claims amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
The Dow closed the day down 225.92 points , or 0.85 % , while the S & P 500 fell 0.38 % amid the poor economic figures , while a strong performance by tech stocks pushed the Nasdaq Composite up 0.43 % .
The Commerce Department issued its quarterly report Thursday , showing U.S. gross domestic product contracted about 33 % , the worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the April-June period , largely due to the pandemic .
Meanwhile , the Labor Department announced that 1,434,000 new unemployment claims were filed at the end of last week , an increase of 12,000 filings , the second consecutive week of increases .
Following Thursday 's data , the 10-year Treasury yield fell to around 0.54 % .
Bank stocks declined as a result as Citigroup dropped 3.14 % , JPMorgan Chase declined 2.69 % , Bank of America fell 1.7 % and Goldman Sachs slid 1.43 % .
Apple , Amazon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alphabet , were all set to report earnings after the bell and each rose during trading on Thursday .
The gains also came as the leaders of the four companies testified before Congress on Wednesday , facing accusations that they have `` wielded their power in disruptive , harmful ways . ''

A statue of George Washington looks over the New York Stock Exchange which remains partially closed due to the coronavirus pandemic before the closing bell on Wall Street in New York City on Friday, June 26, 2020. The Dow dropped 700 points to end the week possibly from fears due to a nation wide coronavirus spike. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 30 (UPI) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 fell Thursday following a record drop in U.S. economic activity and more new unemployment claims amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Dow closed the day down 225.92 points, or 0.85%, while the S&P 500 fell 0.38% amid the poor economic figures, while a strong performance by tech stocks pushed the Nasdaq Composite up 0.43%. Advertisement
The Commerce Department issued its quarterly report Thursday, showing U.S. gross domestic product contracted about 33%, the worst ever decline in the United States for the April-June period, largely due to the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the Labor Department announced that 1,434,000 new unemployment claims were filed at the end of last week, an increase of 12,000 filings, the second consecutive week of increases.
Following Thursday's data, the 10-year Treasury yield fell to around 0.54%. Bank stocks declined as a result as Citigroup dropped 3.14%, JPMorgan Chase declined 2.69%, Bank of America fell 1.7% and Goldman Sachs slid 1.43%.
Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Google's parent company, Alphabet, were all set to report earnings after the bell and each rose during trading on Thursday.
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Apple stock increased by 1.21%, Alphabet gained 0.98%, Amazon grew 0.6% and Facebook grew 0.52%.
The gains also came as the leaders of the four companies testified before Congress on Wednesday, facing accusations that they have "wielded their power in disruptive, harmful ways."


upi--2020-07-30--Experts: Telemedicine boom may outlast COVID-19 pandemic

Telemedicine has exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic , with the United States on track to log more than 1 billion virtual doctor visits by the end of 2020 , experts say .
But how important will telemedicine remain to U.S. health care after the pandemic becomes just a bad memory ?
These sort of technology-based visits are expected to assume a permanent place moving forward , said Dr. Ateev Mehrotra , an associate professor of health care policy at Harvard Medical School , during a HealthDay Live !
interview .
`` The genie 's out of the bottle .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , noting that debate now centers around how much to pay for different types of telemedicine visits .
Mehrotra said the growth of telemedicine this year was `` really remarkable , '' particularly given that the practice of providing care via computer or telephone has been around for decades without much growth .
`` In the course of the pandemic , the growth was just staggering , '' Mehrotra said .
`` Changes we would have expected over a decade happened within a week or two .
`` All of a sudden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being the future to being the reality of how a lot of Americans were getting care , '' he added .
Telemedicine was new to Dr. Rujuta Saksena , a cancer doctor at Overlook Medical Center in Summit , N.J. She 'd never before tried to work with patients over a video feed .
`` I think what the COVID-19 pandemic did is essentially shoehorn us into this approach , both patients and health care providers alike , '' Saksena said during the same HealthDay Live !
interview .
Now , Saksena plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly for elderly patients , patients with mobility problems or those who live farther away .
`` It 's something I hope to continue using for follow-up visits , or for visits that include more of a consultation that 's verbal as opposed to a visit that 's centered on physical examination or diagnostics , '' Saksena said .
While telemedicine has blossomed , its drawbacks also have become apparent during the pandemic , the experts said .
For one thing , doctors are n't able to place hands on a patient and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` We have to really summon our powers of observation when it comes to televisits , because we do not have the ability to perform a comprehensive physical examination , '' Saksena said .
`` I do pay extra attention to my patients ' expressions , their nuances .
I perhaps frame questions slightly differently . ''
Mehrotra agreed , providing the example of a patient visiting an ear , nose and throat doctor .
`` If you have an ear pain , I ca n't really look in the ear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There also have been the usual technical bumbles of which anyone acquainted with a Zoom meeting is well aware , Mehrotra added .
`` Doctors have had to do a lot of IT support , '' Mehrotra said .
`` There 's always the technology thing -- ' I ca n't hear you !
You have to unmute ! '
'' There also has been some blowback from patients about being charged for phone consultations that used to be a courtesy , Mehrotra said .
`` For many doctors , a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is a fancy way of saying a phone call , '' Mehrotra said , noting that some patients did n't take kindly to receiving a $ 100-plus bill for that call .
On the other hand , telemedicine visits have made health care more available to people who live far away , or parents with children , or other people with scheduling problems or physical limitations , the experts said .
It 's also possible to get around the lack of vital signs usually checked during a physical by making sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , blood pressure cuff , blood oxygen meter and other home-based medical tools , Saksena said .
Finally , telemedicine visits can be more inclusive , with patients able to bring their loved ones with them on their virtual doctor 's appointment .
An oncology colleague of Mehrotra 's told him about one patient whose children accompanied her on one particular consultation .
`` She was able to get the patient 's children on the same call in a way that previously would n't have been possible with an in-person visit because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mehrotra recalled .
Mehrotra said the number of telemedicine visits have been declining since states started reopening and doctors started welcoming patients back to the clinic .
He expects that going forward at least 7 % to 8 % of all visits will be remote , `` which is a huge change for us from prior to the pandemic . ''
Now , there are at least two major concerns going forward .
First , how should doctors be compensated for telemedicine visits ?
Policymakers are now debating this , Mehrotra said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ required for their time and their expertise , and there 's a dollar value applied to that , '' Mehrotra said .
`` My instinct is that telemedicine visits moving forward will be paid less than an in-person visit '' because there 's less overhead associated with remote care .
The other worry is that many low-income folks who lack a strong internet connection will be left behind , unable to take part in telemedicine , Mehrotra said .
Discussions are underway to figure out how to extend the equipment and internet needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in telemedicine .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about COVID-19 .

Telemedicine has exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the United States on track to log more than 1 billion virtual doctor visits by the end of 2020, experts say.
But how important will telemedicine remain to U.S. health care after the pandemic becomes just a bad memory?
Advertisement
These sort of technology-based visits are expected to assume a permanent place moving forward, said Dr. Ateev Mehrotra, an associate professor of health care policy at Harvard Medical School, during a HealthDay Live! interview.
"The genie's out of the bottle. We can't go back," Mehrotra said, noting that debate now centers around how much to pay for different types of telemedicine visits.
Mehrotra said the growth of telemedicine this year was "really remarkable," particularly given that the practice of providing care via computer or telephone has been around for decades without much growth.
Advertisement
"In the course of the pandemic, the growth was just staggering," Mehrotra said. "Changes we would have expected over a decade happened within a week or two.
"All of a sudden, it became something that went from being the future to being the reality of how a lot of Americans were getting care," he added.
Telemedicine was new to Dr. Rujuta Saksena, a cancer doctor at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, N.J. She'd never before tried to work with patients over a video feed.
"I think what the COVID-19 pandemic did is essentially shoehorn us into this approach, both patients and health care providers alike," Saksena said during the same HealthDay Live! interview.
Now, Saksena plans to continue using telemedicine going forward, particularly for elderly patients, patients with mobility problems or those who live farther away.
"It's something I hope to continue using for follow-up visits, or for visits that include more of a consultation that's verbal as opposed to a visit that's centered on physical examination or diagnostics," Saksena said.
Telemedicine does have downsides
While telemedicine has blossomed, its drawbacks also have become apparent during the pandemic, the experts said.
For one thing, doctors aren't able to place hands on a patient and perform a traditional physical exam, Saksena said.
Advertisement
"We have to really summon our powers of observation when it comes to televisits, because we do not have the ability to perform a comprehensive physical examination," Saksena said. "I do pay extra attention to my patients' expressions, their nuances. I perhaps frame questions slightly differently."
Mehrotra agreed, providing the example of a patient visiting an ear, nose and throat doctor. "If you have an ear pain, I can't really look in the ear via telemedicine," he said.
There also have been the usual technical bumbles of which anyone acquainted with a Zoom meeting is well aware, Mehrotra added.
"Doctors have had to do a lot of IT support," Mehrotra said. "There's always the technology thing -- 'I can't hear you! You have to unmute!'"
There also has been some blowback from patients about being charged for phone consultations that used to be a courtesy, Mehrotra said.
"For many doctors, a lot of those telemedicine visits was an audio-only visit, which is a fancy way of saying a phone call," Mehrotra said, noting that some patients didn't take kindly to receiving a $100-plus bill for that call.
On the other hand, telemedicine visits have made health care more available to people who live far away, or parents with children, or other people with scheduling problems or physical limitations, the experts said. It's also possible to get around the lack of vital signs usually checked during a physical by making sure a patient is equipped with a thermometer, blood pressure cuff, blood oxygen meter and other home-based medical tools, Saksena said.
Advertisement
Online visits can include family
Finally, telemedicine visits can be more inclusive, with patients able to bring their loved ones with them on their virtual doctor's appointment.
An oncology colleague of Mehrotra's told him about one patient whose children accompanied her on one particular consultation.
"She was able to get the patient's children on the same call in a way that previously wouldn't have been possible with an in-person visit because they were scattered across the country," Mehrotra recalled.
Mehrotra said the number of telemedicine visits have been declining since states started reopening and doctors started welcoming patients back to the clinic. He expects that going forward at least 7% to 8% of all visits will be remote, "which is a huge change for us from prior to the pandemic."
Now, there are at least two major concerns going forward.
First, how should doctors be compensated for telemedicine visits? Policymakers are now debating this, Mehrotra said.
"We assess how much work is required for their time and their expertise, and there's a dollar value applied to that," Mehrotra said. "My instinct is that telemedicine visits moving forward will be paid less than an in-person visit" because there's less overhead associated with remote care.
Advertisement
The other worry is that many low-income folks who lack a strong internet connection will be left behind, unable to take part in telemedicine, Mehrotra said. Discussions are underway to figure out how to extend the equipment and internet needed for everyone to be able to participate in telemedicine.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about COVID-19.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-07-30--Watch: Bear wheels Florida man's trash can back up the driveway

July 30 ( UPI ) -- A Florida man shared security camera footage of a bear wheeling around his trash @ @ @ @ @ his lawn .
Brett Longo said his home security camera sent him an activity alert @ @ @ @ @ to discover two black bears in front of his Mary Esther , Okaloosa County , @ @ @ @ @ one of the bears wheeling Longo 's trash can from the curb back up his @ @ @ @ @ full , '' Longo told the Northwest Florida Daily News .
`` That bad boy @ @ @ @ @ '' Longo jokingly suggested the bear was trying to be helpful .
`` He was @ @ @ @ @ the house , '' he said .
`` He was polite enough to move it @ @ @ @ @ '' The bear 's actions turned out to be a not-so-good deed when it spilled @ @ @ @ @ on Longo 's lawn .

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July 30 (UPI) -- A Florida man shared security camera footage of a bear wheeling around his trash can before spilling it onto his lawn.
Brett Longo said his home security camera sent him an activity alert and he checked the feed to discover two black bears in front of his Mary Esther, Okaloosa County, home.
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The video shows one of the bears wheeling Longo's trash can from the curb back up his driveway.
"It was full," Longo told the Northwest Florida Daily News. "That bad boy was to the top."
Longo jokingly suggested the bear was trying to be helpful.
"He was just bringing it up to the house," he said. "He was polite enough to move it out of the driveway."
The bear's actions turned out to be a not-so-good deed when it spilled the trash can's contents on Longo's lawn.


upi--2020-07-30--China's Hengduan Mountains host some of the oldest flower lineages on Earth

July 30 ( UPI ) -- Alpine flora found on China 's Hengduan Mountains , near the Tibetan Plateau , has been evolving for longer than alpine flora found anywhere else on Earth , according to a new survey of biodiversity in the region .
The Hengduan Mountains , located in southwest China , began forming roughly 30 million years ago .
New research , published Thursday in the journal Science , suggests unique groups of flowers have been growing and evolving there ever since .
Today , the mountain slopes are home to more than 3,000 species .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Academy of Sciences and the Field Museum in Chicago used fossil and genetic analysis to piece together the evolutionary relationships among plants in the region going back tens of thousands of years .
By analyzing the genomes of the region 's plants , scientists were able to tease out the relationships among them .
Fossils helped researchers link plant families to the geologic timeline , revealing how long different plant lineages have been growing and evolving in the same place .
The data not only revealed the region 's flora to be especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientists fresh insights into the conditions that support the development of rich biodiversity .
Using the results of their phylogenetic analysis , researchers constructed a model to simulate the development of biodiversity in the region .
`` We used the model to simulate many thousands of possible biogeoraphic histories , and from the simulations that were consistent with the data , we drew inferences about how the alpine flora of the Hengduan Mountains was likely assembled , '' study co-author Richard Ree , curator of flowering plants at the Field Museum , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and phylogenetic data showed a combination of mountain building and monsoon-fueled erosion created conditions friendly to biodiversity .
`` The conventional wisdom is that stability over many millions of years -- like in the tropics -- leads to more species , because new species are less likely to go extinct and more likely to adapt to a unique niche in the ecosystem , '' Ree said .
`` But as niches fill up , the rate of new species accumulation should go down . ''
The Hengduan Mountains are highly dynamic , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was key to development of the region 's biodiversity .
Researchers were able to show relationships between geologic and meteorologic shifts and changes in speciation rates .
Periods of uplifts across the mountain range , roughly 17 to 19 million years , corresponded with increases in biodiversity .
According to their analysis , an intensification of the region 's monsoon also triggered an increase in plant diversity .
Generally speaking , mountains should have more niches than lowlands , due to different environmental conditions at different altitudes and on different slope faces , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a landscape , the research suggests , enhances local adaptation and speciation .
Water also proved a boon to biodiversity .
`` The monsoons deliver moisture , which increases the carrying capacity -- the number of available niches -- for plants , but also caused extensive erosion , making valleys deeper and increasing the ruggedness of the landscape , '' Ree said .
Researchers suggest their work can provide context for the effects of climate change on biodiversity and evolution .
`` [ Our study ] provides contextual knowledge about how shorter-term ecological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out over evolutionary timescales , '' Ree said .

The Hengduan Mountains are home to more than 3,000 plant species. Photo by Rick Ree/Field Museum
July 30 (UPI) -- Alpine flora found on China's Hengduan Mountains, near the Tibetan Plateau, has been evolving for longer than alpine flora found anywhere else on Earth, according to a new survey of biodiversity in the region. The Hengduan Mountains, located in southwest China, began forming roughly 30 million years ago. New research, published Thursday in the journal Science, suggests unique groups of flowers have been growing and evolving there ever since. Today, the mountain slopes are home to more than 3,000 species. Advertisement
For the study, researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Field Museum in Chicago used fossil and genetic analysis to piece together the evolutionary relationships among plants in the region going back tens of thousands of years.
By analyzing the genomes of the region's plants, scientists were able to tease out the relationships among them. Fossils helped researchers link plant families to the geologic timeline, revealing how long different plant lineages have been growing and evolving in the same place.
Advertisement
The data not only revealed the region's flora to be especially ancient and varied, but also offered scientists fresh insights into the conditions that support the development of rich biodiversity.
Using the results of their phylogenetic analysis, researchers constructed a model to simulate the development of biodiversity in the region.
"We used the model to simulate many thousands of possible biogeoraphic histories, and from the simulations that were consistent with the data, we drew inferences about how the alpine flora of the Hengduan Mountains was likely assembled," study co-author Richard Ree, curator of flowering plants at the Field Museum, told UPI.
Both the model's simulations and phylogenetic data showed a combination of mountain building and monsoon-fueled erosion created conditions friendly to biodiversity.
"The conventional wisdom is that stability over many millions of years -- like in the tropics -- leads to more species, because new species are less likely to go extinct and more likely to adapt to a unique niche in the ecosystem," Ree said. "But as niches fill up, the rate of new species accumulation should go down."
The Hengduan Mountains are highly dynamic, not a pinnacle of stability. That dynamism was key to development of the region's biodiversity. Researchers were able to show relationships between geologic and meteorologic shifts and changes in speciation rates.
Advertisement
Periods of uplifts across the mountain range, roughly 17 to 19 million years, corresponded with increases in biodiversity. According to their analysis, an intensification of the region's monsoon also triggered an increase in plant diversity.
Generally speaking, mountains should have more niches than lowlands, due to different environmental conditions at different altitudes and on different slope faces," Ree said.
The ruggedness of a landscape, the research suggests, enhances local adaptation and speciation. Water also proved a boon to biodiversity.
"The monsoons deliver moisture, which increases the carrying capacity -- the number of available niches -- for plants, but also caused extensive erosion, making valleys deeper and increasing the ruggedness of the landscape," Ree said.
Researchers suggest their work can provide context for the effects of climate change on biodiversity and evolution.
"[Our study] provides contextual knowledge about how shorter-term ecological processes related to climate change can play out over evolutionary timescales," Ree said.


upi--2020-07-31--Watch: Ramona Singer explains why she ignored Leah McSweeney after birthday party

July 31 ( UPI ) -- Ramona Singer says she was `` hurt and disappointed '' with her Real Housewives of New York co-star Leah McSweeney after the events of her birthday party .
The 63-year-old television personality explained on Thursday 's episode of Watch What Happens Live why she ignored Sweeney , 37 , after her disastrous birthday party in Mexico .
During last week 's episode of RHONY , Singer told producers to stop filming and threatened to quit the show after McSweeney began dancing `` like a stripper '' at her birthday party .
Thursday 's episode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party and later attribute McSweeney 's behavior to being bipolar .
On WWHL , Singer said her desire to change McSweeney 's behavior stems from `` maternal '' feelings .
`` I really have this maternal thing for her .
I really love Leah , '' she said .
Singer said she ignored McSweeney after the party because she `` was n't ready to deal '' with situation .
`` I ignored her because I really wanted to chose my words carefully , '' she said .
`` I was n't angry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disappointed . ''
`` Life is a learning experience and I had to figure out what was I disappointed in and how was I going to handle explaining it to her , because it was all new emotions for me , '' she added .
Singer said she regrets how she acted toward the production crew during her birthday party .
`` I overreacted , '' she said .
`` I think sometimes you have these expectations for everything to be so perfect .
And you know what ?
Life is n't perfect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week that she feels `` belittled '' and `` betrayed '' by Singer .
`` When someone makes me feel , or they try to make me feel , as if I 'm inferior to them , it does n't end well , '' she said .
McSweeney , who joined RHONY in the current season , Season 12 , said Singer 's behavior toward her goes beyond the usual `` hazing '' of new cast members on the show .
`` The thing is , at first she was very warm and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it away and she changed it .
That 's the issue , '' McSweeney said .
RHONY co-stars Luann de Lesseps , Sonja Morgan , Dorinda Medley and Tinsley Mortimer .
The series airs on Bravo .

July 31 (UPI) -- Ramona Singer says she was "hurt and disappointed" with her Real Housewives of New York co-star Leah McSweeney after the events of her birthday party.
The 63-year-old television personality explained on Thursday's episode of Watch What Happens Live why she ignored Sweeney, 37, after her disastrous birthday party in Mexico.
Advertisement
During last week's episode of RHONY, Singer told producers to stop filming and threatened to quit the show after McSweeney began dancing "like a stripper" at her birthday party. Thursday's episode showed Singer ignore McSweeney the morning after the party and later attribute McSweeney's behavior to being bipolar.
On WWHL, Singer said her desire to change McSweeney's behavior stems from "maternal" feelings.
"I really have this maternal thing for her. I really love Leah," she said.
Singer said she ignored McSweeney after the party because she "wasn't ready to deal" with situation.
"I ignored her because I really wanted to chose my words carefully," she said. "I wasn't angry at her ... I was hurt and disappointed."
"Life is a learning experience and I had to figure out what was I disappointed in and how was I going to handle explaining it to her, because it was all new emotions for me," she added.
Advertisement
Singer said she regrets how she acted toward the production crew during her birthday party.
"I overreacted," she said. "I think sometimes you have these expectations for everything to be so perfect. And you know what? Life isn't perfect."
McSweeney said on WWHL last week that she feels "belittled" and "betrayed" by Singer.
"When someone makes me feel, or they try to make me feel, as if I'm inferior to them, it doesn't end well," she said.
McSweeney, who joined RHONY in the current season, Season 12, said Singer's behavior toward her goes beyond the usual "hazing" of new cast members on the show.
"The thing is, at first she was very warm and loving to me. Then she took it away and she changed it. That's the issue," McSweeney said.
RHONY co-stars Luann de Lesseps, Sonja Morgan, Dorinda Medley and Tinsley Mortimer. The series airs on Bravo.


upi--2020-07-31--Eurozone economies declined by record 12.1% in 2nd quarter

July 31 ( UPI ) -- The collective economies of most of the European Union saw a record decline during the second quarter of 2020 , data showed Friday .
Gross domestic product for the Eurozone declined by 12.1 % in the April-June period .
The zone , which includes 19 of the 27 EU member states , saw a decline of only 3.6 % in the first quarter by comparison .
The figure represents the largest single-quarter decline in Eurozone history .
GDP also tumbled about 12 % throughout the broader European Union in the second quarter .
Spain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18.5 % , while Portugal 's was down 14.1 % .
France 's economy saw a decline of 13.8 % , Italy 's 12.4 % and Belgium 's 12.2 % .
`` These were by far the sharpest declines observed since time series started in 1995 , '' Eurostat said in a statement .
`` These preliminary GDP flash estimates are based on data sources that are incomplete and subject to further revisions under the COVID-19 containment measures . ''
Thursday , data showed the U.S. economy also declined by a record 33 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fallout from the virus now poses a major challenge not just to the healthcare systems and the economies of the EU member states , it 's also a threat to the bloc 's integrity , '' Ulas Akincilar , head of trading at the online trading platform INFINOX , said .

Business operates under COVID-19 restrictions in the city of Lleida, Catalonia, Spain, on July 4. The Spanish economy declined by 18.5% in the second quarter of 2020, data showed Friday. Photo by Oscar Cabrerizo/EPA-EFE
July 31 (UPI) -- The collective economies of most of the European Union saw a record decline during the second quarter of 2020, data showed Friday. Gross domestic product for the Eurozone declined by 12.1% in the April-June period. The zone, which includes 19 of the 27 EU member states, saw a decline of only 3.6% in the first quarter by comparison. Advertisement
The figure represents the largest single-quarter decline in Eurozone history. GDP also tumbled about 12% throughout the broader European Union in the second quarter.
Spain's economy saw the greatest decline, 18.5%, while Portugal's was down 14.1%. France's economy saw a decline of 13.8%, Italy's 12.4% and Belgium's 12.2%.
"These were by far the sharpest declines observed since time series started in 1995," Eurostat said in a statement.
"These preliminary GDP flash estimates are based on data sources that are incomplete and subject to further revisions under the COVID-19 containment measures."
Thursday, data showed the U.S. economy also declined by a record 33% in the second quarter.
"The fallout from the virus now poses a major challenge not just to the healthcare systems and the economies of the EU member states, it's also a threat to the bloc's integrity," Ulas Akincilar, head of trading at the online trading platform INFINOX, said.


upi--2020-07-31--Tigers' Miguel Cabrera records first multi-homer game since 2016

July 31 ( UPI ) -- Miguel Cabrera turned back the clock with his first game with multiple home runs since 2016 with two long balls in a Detroit Tigers loss to the Kansas City Royals in Detroit .
Cabrera , 37 , went 2 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored in the 5-3 loss Thursday at Comerica Park .
The 18-year veteran is now hitting .154 with three home runs and four RBIs in seven games this season .
The Royals ( 3-4 ) had a 1-0 lead after an RBI single from Ryan O'Hearn in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bat as the third hitter in the bottom of the frame .
The two-time MVP and 11-time All-Star settled in against Royals starter Brady Singer .
Cabrera took a fastball for a strike before Singer tossed in an 84.8-mph slider .
Cabrera smashed the pitch to right field , where it landed just to the left of the foul pole .
The 365-foot solo shot had an exit velocity of 99 mph and left the field in 5.4 seconds , according to Statcast .
Franchy Cordero gave the Royals a 2-1 lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the next inning .
Jonathan Schoop tied the game for the Tigers with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth frame .
The Royals pushed their lead to 5-2 as the game entered the bottom of the eighth inning .
Schoop began the half inning with a fly out to center field .
Cabrera then stepped in to face Royals relief pitcher Ian Kennedy .
Cabrera missed on a 93.3-mph fastball on the first pitch of the exchange .
He then took a ball to even the count at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 78.5-mph knuckle curveball .
Cabrera raked the off-speed offering to left field , sending the 387-foot homer just over the Tigers bullpen .
That blast left the field in 4.3 seconds at 104 mph .
Cabrera now has 480 career home runs .
The future Hall of Famer has a .314 batting average for his career , the best among active MLB players .
Cabrera is just 181 hits away from 3,000 for his career .
The Tigers ( 4-3 ) host the St. Louis Cardinals in the first game of a four-game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Comerica Park .

Detroit Tigers veteran Miguel Cabrera now needs just 20 home runs to reach 500 for his career after he hit two against the Kansas City Royals Thursday in Detroit. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo
July 31 (UPI) -- Miguel Cabrera turned back the clock with his first game with multiple home runs since 2016 with two long balls in a Detroit Tigers loss to the Kansas City Royals in Detroit. Cabrera, 37, went 2 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored in the 5-3 loss Thursday at Comerica Park. The 18-year veteran is now hitting .154 with three home runs and four RBIs in seven games this season. Advertisement
The Royals (3-4) had a 1-0 lead after an RBI single from Ryan O'Hearn in the first inning before Cabrera came up to bat as the third hitter in the bottom of the frame. The two-time MVP and 11-time All-Star settled in against Royals starter Brady Singer.
Cabrera took a fastball for a strike before Singer tossed in an 84.8-mph slider. Cabrera smashed the pitch to right field, where it landed just to the left of the foul pole. The 365-foot solo shot had an exit velocity of 99 mph and left the field in 5.4 seconds, according to Statcast.
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Franchy Cordero gave the Royals a 2-1 lead with an RBI single in the top of the next inning. Jonathan Schoop tied the game for the Tigers with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth frame.
The Royals pushed their lead to 5-2 as the game entered the bottom of the eighth inning. Schoop began the half inning with a fly out to center field. Cabrera then stepped in to face Royals relief pitcher Ian Kennedy.
Cabrera missed on a 93.3-mph fastball on the first pitch of the exchange. He then took a ball to even the count at 1-1. Kennedy then tossed in a 78.5-mph knuckle curveball. Cabrera raked the off-speed offering to left field, sending the 387-foot homer just over the Tigers bullpen. That blast left the field in 4.3 seconds at 104 mph.
Cabrera now has 480 career home runs. The future Hall of Famer has a .314 batting average for his career, the best among active MLB players. Cabrera is just 181 hits away from 3,000 for his career.
The Tigers (4-3) host the St. Louis Cardinals in the first game of a four-game series at 7:10 p.m. EDT Monday at Comerica Park.
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This week in Major League Baseball


upi--2020-07-31--Sanofi, GSK receive $2.1B from U.S. to develop COVID-19 vaccine

July 31 ( UPI ) -- European drugmakers Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline said Friday they will receive funding from the U.S. government to aid in the development and manufacture of their COVID-19 vaccine .
The funding is part of Operation Warp Speed , under which the departments of Health and Human Services and Defense are assembling a portfolio of vaccines with the goal finding at least one safe and effective vaccine .
The vaccine candidate is based on recombinant protein technology used by Sanofi to produce an influenza vaccine and GSK 's pandemic adjuvant technology .
`` The portfolio of vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the odds that we will have at least one safe , effective vaccine as soon as the end of this year , '' said HHS Secretary Alex Azar .
`` Today 's investment supports the Sanofi and GSK adjuvanted product all the way through clinical trials and manufacturing , with the potential to bring hundreds of millions of safe and effective doses to the American people . ''
The $ 2.1 billion deal with Sanofi and GSK is the largest yet for Operation Warp Speed , exceeding a $ 1.6 billion grant given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanofi was already working with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority on a vaccine .
Sanofi Executive Vice President Thomas Triomphe said most of the government funds will pay for clinical trials and scale up manufacturing capabilities to deliver 100 million doses .
`` The global need for a vaccine to help prevent COVID-19 is massive , and no single vaccine or company will be able to meet the global demand alone , '' Triomphe said .
Sanofi and GSK said they expect a study of their candidate to start in September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the year .
If results are positive , the companies will request U.S. regulatory approval in the first half of 2021 .
The companies have also signed a deal with the British government to provide as many as 60 million doses and are planning to deliver one billion doses worldwide next year .

The $2.1 billion deal with Sanofi and GSK is the largest yet for Operation Warp Speed, exceeding a $1.6 billion grant given to Novavax earlier this month. File Photo by Ian Langsdon/EPA-EFE
July 31 (UPI) -- European drugmakers Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline said Friday they will receive funding from the U.S. government to aid in the development and manufacture of their COVID-19 vaccine. The funding is part of Operation Warp Speed, under which the departments of Health and Human Services and Defense are assembling a portfolio of vaccines with the goal finding at least one safe and effective vaccine. Advertisement
The vaccine candidate is based on recombinant protein technology used by Sanofi to produce an influenza vaccine and GSK's pandemic adjuvant technology.
"The portfolio of vaccines being assembled for Operation Warp Speed increases the odds that we will have at least one safe, effective vaccine as soon as the end of this year," said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. "Today's investment supports the Sanofi and GSK adjuvanted product all the way through clinical trials and manufacturing, with the potential to bring hundreds of millions of safe and effective doses to the American people."
The $2.1 billion deal with Sanofi and GSK is the largest yet for Operation Warp Speed, exceeding a $1.6 billion grant given to Novavax earlier this month.
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Paris-based Sanofi was already working with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority on a vaccine.
Sanofi Executive Vice President Thomas Triomphe said most of the government funds will pay for clinical trials and scale up manufacturing capabilities to deliver 100 million doses.
"The global need for a vaccine to help prevent COVID-19 is massive, and no single vaccine or company will be able to meet the global demand alone," Triomphe said.
Sanofi and GSK said they expect a study of their candidate to start in September, followed by a larger study by the end of the year. If results are positive, the companies will request U.S. regulatory approval in the first half of 2021.
The companies have also signed a deal with the British government to provide as many as 60 million doses and are planning to deliver one billion doses worldwide next year.


upi--2020-07-31--Watch: Beyonce releases 'Already' video, 'Black is King' visual album

July 31 ( UPI ) -- Beyoncé is back with new music .
The 38-year-old singer released a music video for her song `` Already '' on Thursday , just hours before the premiere of Black is King , her visual album based on The Lion King : The Gift , on Disney+ .
The `` Already '' video opens with dialogue between The Lion King characters Rafiki and Simba .
Rafiki tells Simba he will show him who he is after Simba says he is `` nobody . ''
The video then shows Beyoncé in a number of locations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dancing in a warehouse .
The song features Ghanian singer Shatta Wale and dance music trio Major Lazer .
Beyoncé released Black is King Friday at midnight on Disney+ .
She had released The Lion King : The Gift in 2019 for Disney 's Lion King remake .
Beyoncé voiced Nala in the 2019 film .
Black is King reimagines the lessons from The Lion King while following `` a young king 's transcendent journey through betrayal , love and self-identity . ''
The album celebrates the Black experience .
Beyoncé 's husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughter Blue Ivy , Beyoncé 's mother , Tina Knowles-Larson , model Naomi Campbell , actress Lupita Nyong ' o and other stars make appearances in Black is King .
Beyoncé ends Black is King by dedicating the project to her 3-year-old son , Sir Carter .
Sir is the twin brother of Beyoncé 's daughter Rumi .
`` Dedicated to my son , Sir Carter , '' a message reads .
`` And to all our sons and daughters , the sun and the moon sow for you .
You are the @ @ @ @ @ @

July 31 (UPI) -- Beyoncé is back with new music.
The 38-year-old singer released a music video for her song "Already" on Thursday, just hours before the premiere of Black is King, her visual album based on The Lion King: The Gift, on Disney+.
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The "Already" video opens with dialogue between The Lion King characters Rafiki and Simba. Rafiki tells Simba he will show him who he is after Simba says he is "nobody."
The video then shows Beyoncé in a number of locations, including outdoors in a tree and dancing in a warehouse. The song features Ghanian singer Shatta Wale and dance music trio Major Lazer.
Beyoncé released Black is King Friday at midnight on Disney+. She had released The Lion King: The Gift in 2019 for Disney's Lion King remake. Beyoncé voiced Nala in the 2019 film.
Black is King reimagines the lessons from The Lion King while following "a young king's transcendent journey through betrayal, love and self-identity." The album celebrates the Black experience.
Beyoncé's husband, rapper Jay Z, their 8-year-old daughter Blue Ivy, Beyoncé's mother, Tina Knowles-Larson, model Naomi Campbell, actress Lupita Nyong'o and other stars make appearances in Black is King.
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Beyoncé ends Black is King by dedicating the project to her 3-year-old son, Sir Carter. Sir is the twin brother of Beyoncé's daughter Rumi.
"Dedicated to my son, Sir Carter," a message reads. "And to all our sons and daughters, the sun and the moon sow for you. You are the keys to the kingdom."


upi--2020-07-31--Ellen DeGeneres promises improvement after toxic work environment allegations

July 31 ( UPI ) -- Comedian Ellen DeGeneres sent a memo to staffers apologizing for what some have described as a toxic work environment at The Ellen DeGeneres Show .
`` On day one of our show , I told everyone in our first meeting that The Ellen DeGeneres Show would be a place of happiness -- no one would ever raise their voice , and everyone would be treated with respect .
Obviously , something changed , and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case , '' DeGeneres wrote in a letter addresses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We are taking steps , together , to correct the issues .
As we 've grown exponentially , I 've not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I 'd want them done .
Clearly some did n't .
That will now change and I 'm committed to ensuring this does not happen again , '' she added .
She also acknowledged both the show and WarnerMedia are investigating allegations of unfairness , disrespect and sexually inappropriate behavior on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's producers and senior staff members .
The syndicated show has won dozens of Daytime Emmy Awards since it debuted in 2003 .

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Ellen DeGeneres has apologized after allegations were made that there is a toxic work culture at her talk show. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
July 31 (UPI) -- Comedian Ellen DeGeneres sent a memo to staffers apologizing for what some have described as a toxic work environment at The Ellen DeGeneres Show. "On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that The Ellen DeGeneres Show would be a place of happiness -- no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect. Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case," DeGeneres wrote in a letter addresses complaints made by former and current employees. Advertisement
"We are taking steps, together, to correct the issues. As we've grown exponentially, I've not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I'd want them done. Clearly some didn't. That will now change and I'm committed to ensuring this does not happen again," she added.
She also acknowledged both the show and WarnerMedia are investigating allegations of unfairness, disrespect and sexually inappropriate behavior on the part of some of the program's producers and senior staff members.
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The syndicated show has won dozens of Daytime Emmy Awards since it debuted in 2003.


upi--2020-07-31--Kieboom, Castro help Nationals split Blue Jays series

July 31 ( UPI ) -- Infielders Carter Kieboom and Starlin Castro powered the Washington Nationals at the plate to lead the reigning World Series champions to a 6-4 win against the Toronto Blue Jays in Washington , D.C. Kieboom and Castro each reached base four times in the victory Thursday at Nationals Park .
Kieboom went 2 for 2 with two runs scored and two walks .
Castro went 4 for 5 with two runs scored in the win .
Teoscar Hernandez hit two home runs for the Blue Jays .
The victory helped the Nationals tie the four-game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an RBI single in the first inning to give the Blue Jays an early edge .
Kurt Suzuki answered with a two-run double for the Nationals in the top of the third inning .
Michael Taylor increased the Nationals ' lead to 4-1 with a two-run homer in the fourth frame .
Hernandez then hit his first home run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning .
Asdrubal Cabrera then plated Castro with an RBI double in the top of the next inning to push the Nationals ' lead back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a solo homer for the Blue Jays in the bottom of the seventh inning .
Kieboom then scored for a second time on a Trea Turner sacrifice fly in the top of the next inning .
Hernandez hit another solo home run in the bottom of the eighth frame for the final run of the game .
Nationals starting pitcher Erick Fedde allowed six hits and two runs in 3 1/3 innings , but did not earn a decision .
Blue Jays starter Hyun Jin Ryu allowed nine hits and five runs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first loss of the season .
Hernandez was 2 for 3 with two RBIs and two runs scored in the loss .
Gurriel was 2 for 3 with an RBI for the Blue Jays .
The Nationals were scheduled to face the Miami Marlins this weekend in Miami , but that series has been postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak within the Marlins ' roster .
The Blue Jays also had their weekend series against the Philadelphia Phillies postponed after two Phillies staff members tested positive for COVID-19 .

Washington Nationals third baseman Carter Kieboom reached base four times in a win against the Toronto Blue Jays Thursday in Washington, D.C. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo
July 31 (UPI) -- Infielders Carter Kieboom and Starlin Castro powered the Washington Nationals at the plate to lead the reigning World Series champions to a 6-4 win against the Toronto Blue Jays in Washington, D.C. Kieboom and Castro each reached base four times in the victory Thursday at Nationals Park. Kieboom went 2 for 2 with two runs scored and two walks. Castro went 4 for 5 with two runs scored in the win. Advertisement
Teoscar Hernandez hit two home runs for the Blue Jays. The victory helped the Nationals tie the four-game series 2-2.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit an RBI single in the first inning to give the Blue Jays an early edge. Kurt Suzuki answered with a two-run double for the Nationals in the top of the third inning. Michael Taylor increased the Nationals' lead to 4-1 with a two-run homer in the fourth frame.
Hernandez then hit his first home run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Asdrubal Cabrera then plated Castro with an RBI double in the top of the next inning to push the Nationals' lead back to three runs.
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Cavan Biggio answered with a solo homer for the Blue Jays in the bottom of the seventh inning. Kieboom then scored for a second time on a Trea Turner sacrifice fly in the top of the next inning. Hernandez hit another solo home run in the bottom of the eighth frame for the final run of the game.
Nationals starting pitcher Erick Fedde allowed six hits and two runs in 3 1/3 innings, but did not earn a decision. Blue Jays starter Hyun Jin Ryu allowed nine hits and five runs in 4 1/3 innings to take his first loss of the season.
Hernandez was 2 for 3 with two RBIs and two runs scored in the loss. Gurriel was 2 for 3 with an RBI for the Blue Jays.
The Nationals were scheduled to face the Miami Marlins this weekend in Miami, but that series has been postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak within the Marlins' roster. The Blue Jays also had their weekend series against the Philadelphia Phillies postponed after two Phillies staff members tested positive for COVID-19.
This week in Major League Baseball


upi--2020-07-31--North Korea’s economy grew in 2019, Seoul says

July 31 ( UPI ) -- North Korea 's economy grew for the first time in three years in 2019 even as heavy sanctions took a toll on the country .
Bank of Korea data released Friday indicate key North Korean sectors contracted while others grew last year under changing circumstances , Yonhap reported .
North Korea 's total gross domestic product grew 0.4 % after years of negative growth .
In 2016 , GDP grew an estimated 3.9 % , according to Seoul .
Pyongyang was hit with additional sanctions in 2017 , when it launched intercontinental ballistic missiles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That year the United Nations Security Council limited North Korea-bound exports of refined petroleum products .
The Security Council also banned all North Korea coal exports .
The sanctions may have had an immediate impact , but no new U.N. sanctions after 2018 may have helped North Korean growth recover by 2019 , a Bank of Korea official said .
The ban on North Korean coal exports did continue to hurt the industry last year , but the rate of contraction for the regime 's mines slowed , from -12.3 % to -0.9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to South Korea 's central bank .
Construction and the service sector are taking up a larger share of North Korea industry .
Construction 's share rose to 9.7 % from 8.9 % , while the service sector 's increased from 33 % to 34.1 % , the Bank of Korea said .
North Korea 's nominal gross national income was also estimated to be about $ 30 billion , or 1.8 % of South Korea 's GNI .
GNI per capita in North Korea is about $ 1,200 , or about 3.8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Seoul government data .
Economic development has been a top priority for Kim Jong Un , and land use policies may be changing as Pyongyang seeks investments .
South Korean news service NK Economy reported Friday North Korea could be exploring extending land use rights to foreign investors in special economic zones .
An article uploaded to the website of Kim Il Sung University called for guarantee of land use rights to `` third parties , '' a definition that includes foreign investors , according to the report .

North Korea’s total gross domestic product grew 0.4% after years of negative growth according to Bank of Korea in Seoul on Friday. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
July 31 (UPI) -- North Korea's economy grew for the first time in three years in 2019 even as heavy sanctions took a toll on the country. Bank of Korea data released Friday indicate key North Korean sectors contracted while others grew last year under changing circumstances, Yonhap reported. Advertisement
North Korea's total gross domestic product grew 0.4% after years of negative growth. In 2016, GDP grew an estimated 3.9%, according to Seoul.
Pyongyang was hit with additional sanctions in 2017, when it launched intercontinental ballistic missiles and conducted its sixth nuclear test. That year the United Nations Security Council limited North Korea-bound exports of refined petroleum products. The Security Council also banned all North Korea coal exports.
The sanctions may have had an immediate impact, but no new U.N. sanctions after 2018 may have helped North Korean growth recover by 2019, a Bank of Korea official said.
The ban on North Korean coal exports did continue to hurt the industry last year, but the rate of contraction for the regime's mines slowed, from -12.3% to -0.9%, year on year, according to South Korea's central bank.
Construction and the service sector are taking up a larger share of North Korea industry. Construction's share rose to 9.7% from 8.9%, while the service sector's increased from 33% to 34.1%, the Bank of Korea said.
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North Korea's nominal gross national income was also estimated to be about $30 billion, or 1.8% of South Korea's GNI. GNI per capita in North Korea is about $1,200, or about 3.8% of South Korea's, according to Seoul government data.
Economic development has been a top priority for Kim Jong Un, and land use policies may be changing as Pyongyang seeks investments.
South Korean news service NK Economy reported Friday North Korea could be exploring extending land use rights to foreign investors in special economic zones.
An article uploaded to the website of Kim Il Sung University called for guarantee of land use rights to "third parties," a definition that includes foreign investors, according to the report.