upi--2020-08-04--Pentagon nominee tells lawmakers Navy's shipbuilding plan is 'not credible'

Aug. 4 ( UPI ) -- The Pentagon has not yet submitted a shipbuilding blueprint to lawmakers this year because Defense Secretary Mark Esper did not think the Navy has developed a `` credible pathway '' to building a 355-ship fleet , according to the nominee to head the Pentagon 's Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation office .
During his confirmation hearing Tuesday , John Whitley told the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday that Esper did not believe the Navy 's shipbuilding plan was realistic .
The Navy is required to submit a 30-year plan for shipbuilding to Congress each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet to do so this year .
Its failure to provide a 30-year plan has raised concern among lawmakers of both parties .
Whitley said the plan the Navy had produced was not submitted to Congress because it was not , in the eyes of Pentagon officials , `` a credible document . ''
`` I think one of the challenges we had with the president 's budget submission and why we did not submit the 30-year shipbuilding plan was because it did not have a credible pathway to get there , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of CAPE but has by his account pulled back from his responsibilities during the confirmation process .
`` It assumed resource constraints for five years and then assumed there were no resource constraints .
And what the secretary was concerned about was that that was not a credible document to send to you . ''
According to Whitley , the service needs a fleet larger than the 355-ship benchmark laid out in the 2016 Force Structure Assessment .
`` [ Esper 's ] belief is it 's a number north of 355 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Navy and CAPE to do , and what I would do if confirmed , senator , would be working with the Navy to get a credible path to a number as quickly as possible that 's north of 355 , '' Whitley said .
The Navy has advocated for a 355-ship fleet since 2016 , and outlined a plan to cap the fleet at 355 last year .
It currently consists of roughly 430 ships .

The first of class littoral combat ships USS Freedom, rear, and USS Independence (LCS 2) maneuver together during an exercise off the coast of Southern California, near San Diego in May 2012. On Tuesday the nominee to head the Pentagon’s Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation office told lawmakers the Navy's 30-year shipbuilding plan was not a credible document. Lt. Jan Shultis/USN. | License Photo
Aug. 4 (UPI) -- The Pentagon has not yet submitted a shipbuilding blueprint to lawmakers this year because Defense Secretary Mark Esper did not think the Navy has developed a "credible pathway" to building a 355-ship fleet, according to the nominee to head the Pentagon's Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation office. During his confirmation hearing Tuesday, John Whitley told the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday that Esper did not believe the Navy's shipbuilding plan was realistic. Advertisement
The Navy is required to submit a 30-year plan for shipbuilding to Congress each year with its budget, but has yet to do so this year.
Its failure to provide a 30-year plan has raised concern among lawmakers of both parties.
Whitley said the plan the Navy had produced was not submitted to Congress because it was not, in the eyes of Pentagon officials, "a credible document."
"I think one of the challenges we had with the president's budget submission and why we did not submit the 30-year shipbuilding plan was because it did not have a credible pathway to get there," said Whitley, who is the acting director of CAPE but has by his account pulled back from his responsibilities during the confirmation process. "It assumed resource constraints for five years and then assumed there were no resource constraints. And what the secretary was concerned about was that that was not a credible document to send to you."
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According to Whitley, the service needs a fleet larger than the 355-ship benchmark laid out in the 2016 Force Structure Assessment.
"[Esper's] belief is it's a number north of 355. And so what he has tasked the Navy and CAPE to do, and what I would do if confirmed, senator, would be working with the Navy to get a credible path to a number as quickly as possible that's north of 355," Whitley said.
The Navy has advocated for a 355-ship fleet since 2016, and outlined a plan to cap the fleet at 355 last year. It currently consists of roughly 430 ships.


upi--2020-08-04--Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. suffers season-ending knee injury

Aug. 4 ( UPI ) -- Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee and will miss the rest of the season , the team announced Tuesday .
In a statement , the Grizzlies said Jackson `` experienced an unstable landing after making contact with an opposing player while contesting a shot '' during Monday 's game against the New Orleans Pelicans .
Jackson underwent further evaluation , which revealed the meniscus tear .
The team said the second-year forward is expected to make a full recovery .
Jackson 's injury is a major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already lost their first three games inside the NBA 's bubble at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando , Fla .
He had been one of the team 's top contributors in the first three contests , averaging 25.3 points per game .
Before the NBA 's season was halted in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic , Jackson averaged 17.4 points and 4.6 rebounds to help guide the Grizzlies to the eighth seed in the Western Conference .
The Grizzlies play the Utah Jazz on Wednesday .
Memphis ( 32-36 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trail Blazers for the No .
8 seed entering Tuesday 's slate .

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) had been one of the team's top contributors in the first three contests inside the bubble, averaging 25.3 points per game. File Photo by Tannen Maury/EPA-EFE
Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee and will miss the rest of the season, the team announced Tuesday. In a statement, the Grizzlies said Jackson "experienced an unstable landing after making contact with an opposing player while contesting a shot" during Monday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Advertisement
Jackson underwent further evaluation, which revealed the meniscus tear. The team said the second-year forward is expected to make a full recovery.
Jackson's injury is a major blow to the Grizzlies, who have already lost their first three games inside the NBA's bubble at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. He had been one of the team's top contributors in the first three contests, averaging 25.3 points per game.
Before the NBA's season was halted in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic, Jackson averaged 17.4 points and 4.6 rebounds to help guide the Grizzlies to the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
The Grizzlies play the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. Memphis (32-36) holds a two-game lead over the Portland Trail Blazers for the No. 8 seed entering Tuesday's slate.


upi--2020-08-04--Seven states form compact to purchase more than 3M COVID-19 tests

Aug. 4 ( UPI ) -- A coalition of governors from seven states on Tuesday announced an interstate compact to expand COVID-19 testing .
Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan , Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards , Massachusetts Gov .
Carlie Baker , Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine and Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam joined the compact along with the Rockefeller Foundation to expand rapid point-of-care antigen tests for the coronavirus by purchasing more than 3 million tests .
North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper said his state would also join the compact after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the compact said they are in discussions with Becton Dickson and Quidel -- U.S. manufacturers of antigen tests authorized by the Food and Drug Administration -- seeking to demonstrate `` significant demand to scale up production of the tests by ordering 500,000 tests per state . ''
`` Through this interstate compact , states are coming together to ramp up the use of rapid antigen testing to help better detect outbreaks more quickly and expand long-term testing in congregate settings such as schools , workplaces and nursing homes , '' the announcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the states to help facilitate financing mechanisms to support the compact .
The states noted that the tests produced by the companies provide results within 15 minutes to 20 minutes , which can aid states in their efforts to reopen aspects of their economies .
`` With severe shortages and delays in testing and the federal administration attempting to cut funding for testing , the states are banding together to acquire millions of faster tests to help save lives and slow the spread of COVID-19 , '' Hogan said .

Seven states on Tuesday announced a compact to expand COVID-19 testing in their states by purchasing more than 3 million rapid point-of-care antigen tests. File Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 4 (UPI) -- A coalition of governors from seven states on Tuesday announced an interstate compact to expand COVID-19 testing. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, Massachusetts Gov. Carlie Baker, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam joined the compact along with the Rockefeller Foundation to expand rapid point-of-care antigen tests for the coronavirus by purchasing more than 3 million tests. Advertisement
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said his state would also join the compact after the initial announcement.
The states involved in the compact said they are in discussions with Becton Dickson and Quidel -- U.S. manufacturers of antigen tests authorized by the Food and Drug Administration -- seeking to demonstrate "significant demand to scale up production of the tests by ordering 500,000 tests per state."
"Through this interstate compact, states are coming together to ramp up the use of rapid antigen testing to help better detect outbreaks more quickly and expand long-term testing in congregate settings such as schools, workplaces and nursing homes," the announcement read.
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The Rockefeller Foundation will work with the states to help facilitate financing mechanisms to support the compact.
The states noted that the tests produced by the companies provide results within 15 minutes to 20 minutes, which can aid states in their efforts to reopen aspects of their economies.
"With severe shortages and delays in testing and the federal administration attempting to cut funding for testing, the states are banding together to acquire millions of faster tests to help save lives and slow the spread of COVID-19," Hogan said.


upi--2020-08-04--Astronauts praise 'flawless'  SpaceX capsule landing

Aug. 4 ( UPI ) -- Two NASA astronauts who returned from space to a splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday praised the SpaceX Dragon capsule 's performance in their first public comments since the mission .
`` We 're so proud of the SpaceX and NASA teams to get Dragon through its first crewed flight flawlessly , '' Doug Hurley said .
`` I 'm almost kind of speechless , as far as how well the vehicle did and how , how well the mission went and all the things we did on board [ the International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bob Benken spent 64 days in space after lifting off May 30 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida .
Their assessment of the trip is important because the flight was the last test of the Crew Dragon capsule before NASA considers certifying it for regular flights .
The space agency still must pore over data from the flight , which could take weeks .
If all goes well , the first regular SpaceX mission will be scheduled for as early as late September .
On Tuesday , back in Houston , Hurley and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the atmosphere , but praised the spacecraft .
`` Dragon really came alive , '' Behnken said .
`` It started to fire its thrusters and keep us pointed in the right direction .
The thrusters were firing almost continuously .
It does n't sound like a machine .
It sounds like an animal . ''
He said separation of the trunk -- a disposable storage chamber -- from the capsule and the firing of parachutes were `` very much like getting hit in the back of the chair with a baseball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crack ! ''
But Behnken said SpaceX had prepared them for those milestones , showing them video matched with audio of the uncrewed test flight of the Dragon in March 2019 .
He said he would advise future crews on the Dragon to watch that video , including his wife , Megan McArthur , who is scheduled to ride in the same seat he did later this year .
The Crew Dragon mission is part of NASA 's Commercial Crew Program , established in 2010 , which works with Elon Musk 's SpaceX @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the space station .
Boeing plans a second demonstration flight of its Starliner capsule this fall after the first one failed to achieve a high enough orbit to reach the space station .

1/4
NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley (L) and Bob Behnken (R) prepare to depart their helicopter at Naval Air Station Pensacola after the duo landed in their SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft in the Gulf of Mexico off Pensacola, Fla., on Sunday. NASA Photo by Bill Ingalls/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Two NASA astronauts who returned from space to a splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday praised the SpaceX Dragon capsule's performance in their first public comments since the mission. "We're so proud of the SpaceX and NASA teams to get Dragon through its first crewed flight flawlessly," Doug Hurley said. Advertisement
"I'm almost kind of speechless, as far as how well the vehicle did and how, how well the mission went and all the things we did on board [the International Space Station]."
Hurley and Bob Benken spent 64 days in space after lifting off May 30 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Their assessment of the trip is important because the flight was the last test of the Crew Dragon capsule before NASA considers certifying it for regular flights.
The space agency still must pore over data from the flight, which could take weeks. If all goes well, the first regular SpaceX mission will be scheduled for as early as late September.
On Tuesday, back in Houston, Hurley and Behnken described a dynamic, violent reentry into the atmosphere, but praised the spacecraft.
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"Dragon really came alive," Behnken said. "It started to fire its thrusters and keep us pointed in the right direction. The thrusters were firing almost continuously. It doesn't sound like a machine. It sounds like an animal."
He said separation of the trunk -- a disposable storage chamber -- from the capsule and the firing of parachutes were "very much like getting hit in the back of the chair with a baseball bat -- you know, just a crack!"
But Behnken said SpaceX had prepared them for those milestones, showing them video matched with audio of the uncrewed test flight of the Dragon in March 2019.
He said he would advise future crews on the Dragon to watch that video, including his wife, Megan McArthur, who is scheduled to ride in the same seat he did later this year.
The Crew Dragon mission is part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, established in 2010, which works with Elon Musk's SpaceX and Boeing to develop a transportation systems to the space station.
Boeing plans a second demonstration flight of its Starliner capsule this fall after the first one failed to achieve a high enough orbit to reach the space station.
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Astronauts make round trip to space station from U.S. soil


upi--2020-08-04--Isaias kills 4 in North Carolina; millions without power

Aug. 4 ( UPI ) -- At least our people died Tuesday after Tropical Storm Isaias kicked up tornadoes and brought heavy winds to locations along the Atlantic coast , local officials said .
Two of the fatalities happened overnight in North Carolina , while there was one each in New York and Maryland .
Bertie County , N.C. , Emergency Manager Director Mitch Cooper said emergency responders were searching a mobile home park and the surrounding area where a twister hit around 2:30 a.m. , when Isaias was still classified as a hurricane .
`` We want to emphasize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and rescues are still taking place which is why it is increasingly important to steer clear of the area , '' he said in a late-morning statement .
County officials said it 's unclear how many homes were damaged by the hurricane and tornado .
The Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald reported dozens of people were injured and two children were missing .
Isaias was downgraded to a tropical storm early Tuesday after it made landfall around 11:10 p.m. Monday near Ocean Isle Beach , N.C. , about 160 miles southwest of where the tornado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tri-state area Tuesday afternoon , including one in Queens that killed a man .
The tree fell onto a parked van the man was sitting in , WNBC-TV in New York City reported .
In Maryland , the St. Mary 's County Sheriff 's Office said a tree fell onto a vehicle in Mechanicsville , killing a female driver .
Flooding was a problem along much of the coast , including Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach , both in South Carolina .
North Myrtle Beach Councilwoman Nicole Fontana said the storm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stranded motorists had to rescued in floodwaters .
`` You hate to see damage any time , '' she told The Washington Post .
`` People work hard for the things that they have and especially now during [ COVID-19 ] , money 's tight for people .
It 's unfortunate some people have lost some of their lower parts of their houses . ''
Several states along the Atlantic coast have reported widespread power outages as Tropical Storm Isaias makes its way north .
The epicenter of the storm was about 65 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 2 p.m. As of Tuesday afternoon , New Jersey had the greatest number of customers affected , with 1.4 million outages , followed by New York ( 512,000 ) , Pennsylvania ( 379,000 ) , Connecticut ( 263,000 ) , Virginia ( 218,000 ) and North Carolina ( 134,000 ) .

Aug. 4 (UPI) -- At least our people died Tuesday after Tropical Storm Isaias kicked up tornadoes and brought heavy winds to locations along the Atlantic coast, local officials said.
Two of the fatalities happened overnight in North Carolina, while there was one each in New York and Maryland.
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Bertie County, N.C., Emergency Manager Director Mitch Cooper said emergency responders were searching a mobile home park and the surrounding area where a twister hit around 2:30 a.m., when Isaias was still classified as a hurricane.
"We want to emphasize that this is not a recovery mission, and rescues are still taking place which is why it is increasingly important to steer clear of the area," he said in a late-morning statement.
County officials said it's unclear how many homes were damaged by the hurricane and tornado. The Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald reported dozens of people were injured and two children were missing.
Isaias was downgraded to a tropical storm early Tuesday after it made landfall around 11:10 p.m. Monday near Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., about 160 miles southwest of where the tornado hit.
Gusty winds toppled trees throughout the tri-state area Tuesday afternoon, including one in Queens that killed a man. The tree fell onto a parked van the man was sitting in, WNBC-TV in New York City reported.
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In Maryland, the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office said a tree fell onto a vehicle in Mechanicsville, killing a female driver.
Flooding was a problem along much of the coast, including Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, both in South Carolina. North Myrtle Beach Councilwoman Nicole Fontana said the storm downed trees and power lines, and stranded motorists had to rescued in floodwaters.
"You hate to see damage any time," she told The Washington Post. "People work hard for the things that they have and especially now during [COVID-19], money's tight for people. It's unfortunate some people have lost some of their lower parts of their houses."
Several states along the Atlantic coast have reported widespread power outages as Tropical Storm Isaias makes its way north. The epicenter of the storm was about 65 miles west of New York City as of 2 p.m.
As of Tuesday afternoon, New Jersey had the greatest number of customers affected, with 1.4 million outages, followed by New York (512,000), Pennsylvania (379,000), Connecticut (263,000), Virginia (218,000) and North Carolina (134,000).


upi--2020-08-04--Gold surpasses $2,000 threshold for first time in history

Aug. 4 ( UPI ) -- Gold closed above the $ 2,000 threshold for the first time in history Tuesday and markets rose slightly amid low-interest rates and optimism surrounding additional federal stimulus .
Spot gold rose 1.4 % to $ 2,004.35 an ounce while gold futures ended the day 1.7 % higher at $ 2,021 as governments worldwide have pushed a surge of financial aid into their economies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The rally in gold prices comes as the Federal Reserve left the benchmark lending rate unchanged at 0 % to 0.25 % last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well below '' pre-pandemic levels .
Congress is also continuing negotiations for another coronavirus stimulus bill that would provide an additional round of $ 1,200 payments and an extension to federal unemployment benefits although Democrats disagree with Republicans and the Trump administration on the amount that should be provided .
Markets also showed modest gains Tuesday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the day up 164.07 points , or 0.62 % , while the S & P 500 gained 0.36 % and the Nasdaq Composite increased 0.35 % .
Netflix stock helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rising 2.21 % , while Apple stock rose 0.67 % .
Disney stock also increased 0.81 % before releasing its earnings report after markets closed on Tuesday .
The company announced it experienced a $ 3.5 billion hit to operating income after its parks were closed during the quarter as revenue for the Parks , Experience and Products segment , fell 85 % to below $ 1 billion .
On the other hand , Disney reported strong streaming numbers announcing it now has 100 million paid subscribers across it streaming services , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with more than half coming from Disney+ which launched last year .
Additionally , the company said it would allow Disney+ subscribers to watch its live-action remake of Mulan on the service for $ 29.99 in the United States beginning Sept. 4 .
Following the report , Disney stock rose 4.71 % in after-hours trading .

Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Gold closed above the $2,000 threshold for the first time in history Tuesday and markets rose slightly amid low-interest rates and optimism surrounding additional federal stimulus.
Spot gold rose 1.4% to $2,004.35 an ounce while gold futures ended the day 1.7% higher at $2,021 as governments worldwide have pushed a surge of financial aid into their economies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The rally in gold prices comes as the Federal Reserve left the benchmark lending rate unchanged at 0% to 0.25% last week, saying the economy is still "well below" pre-pandemic levels.
Congress is also continuing negotiations for another coronavirus stimulus bill that would provide an additional round of $1,200 payments and an extension to federal unemployment benefits although Democrats disagree with Republicans and the Trump administration on the amount that should be provided.
Markets also showed modest gains Tuesday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the day up 164.07 points, or 0.62%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.36% and the Nasdaq Composite increased 0.35%.
Netflix stock helped to lead the way for tech stocks, rising 2.21%, while Apple stock rose 0.67%.
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Disney stock also increased 0.81% before releasing its earnings report after markets closed on Tuesday.
The company announced it experienced a $3.5 billion hit to operating income after its parks were closed during the quarter as revenue for the Parks, Experience and Products segment, fell 85% to below $1 billion.
On the other hand, Disney reported strong streaming numbers announcing it now has 100 million paid subscribers across it streaming services, including Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+, with more than half coming from Disney+ which launched last year.
Additionally, the company said it would allow Disney+ subscribers to watch its live-action remake of Mulan on the service for $29.99 in the United States beginning Sept. 4.
Following the report, Disney stock rose 4.71% in after-hours trading.


upi--2020-08-04--National Guard to continue COVID-19 deployments with federal pay cut

Aug. 4 ( UPI ) -- National Guard troops serving coronavirus relief missions throughout the country will have their deployments extended through the end of the year , the White House announced this week .
But the extension does n't come with the funding 42 U.S. governors asked for Monday .
Per a White House memo issued Monday night , the federal government will only fully fund deployments to Florida and Texas .
Most other states will have federal funding terminated by Aug. 21 , with the federal government funding 75 percent of assistance activities through the end of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaves states on the hook for the other 25 percent of costs .
The National Governors Association wrote a letter Monday asking the Trump administration to continue funding Guard deployments for COVID-19 relief on Title 32 status , which provides funding for troops to complete missions approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency .
The letter was signed by the governors of 39 states and 3 territories , Puerto Rico , Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands .
Title 32 status provides troops with federal benefits and pay not afforded by state status @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a housing allowance and benefits associated with retirement .
About 25,000 National Guard troops are currently detailed to provide assistance fighting the coronavirus , assisting with contact tracing , testing and construction of field hospitals .
`` I never envisioned that members of the Guard would be playing the roles they 're still playing , '' Brig .
Gen. J. Roy Robinson , the leader of the National Guard Association , told Politico .
`` They have n't been able to take a breath or back away .
States went into this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mostly manage and get through it , but people realizing that this is truly a national pandemic . ''
State and federal leaders have criticized the administration 's move , especially as states experience falling revenues attributed to the pandemic .
`` I oppose a half measure , '' said Rep. Adam Smith , D-Wash. , the chair of the House Armed Services Committee .
`` I 'm worried the White House is trying to downplay the severity of both the virus and the economic crisis .
They think if they do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But that 's incredibly dangerous .
There are many states that need that help . ''

Members of the Illinois Air National Guard assemble medical equipment at the McCormick Place Convention Center in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Chicago in April. Photo by Jay Grabiec/U.S. National Guard
Aug. 4 (UPI) -- National Guard troops serving coronavirus relief missions throughout the country will have their deployments extended through the end of the year, the White House announced this week. But the extension doesn't come with the funding 42 U.S. governors asked for Monday. Advertisement
Per a White House memo issued Monday night, the federal government will only fully fund deployments to Florida and Texas.
Most other states will have federal funding terminated by Aug. 21, with the federal government funding 75 percent of assistance activities through the end of the year, the memo said.
That leaves states on the hook for the other 25 percent of costs.
The National Governors Association wrote a letter Monday asking the Trump administration to continue funding Guard deployments for COVID-19 relief on Title 32 status, which provides funding for troops to complete missions approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The letter was signed by the governors of 39 states and 3 territories, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Title 32 status provides troops with federal benefits and pay not afforded by state status, including education and health care benefits, a housing allowance and benefits associated with retirement.
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About 25,000 National Guard troops are currently detailed to provide assistance fighting the coronavirus, assisting with contact tracing, testing and construction of field hospitals.
"I never envisioned that members of the Guard would be playing the roles they're still playing," Brig. Gen. J. Roy Robinson, the leader of the National Guard Association, told Politico. "They haven't been able to take a breath or back away. States went into this thing with the hope that they could mostly manage and get through it, but people realizing that this is truly a national pandemic."
State and federal leaders have criticized the administration's move, especially as states experience falling revenues attributed to the pandemic.
"I oppose a half measure," said Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., the chair of the House Armed Services Committee. "I'm worried the White House is trying to downplay the severity of both the virus and the economic crisis. They think if they don't acknowledge it, it will go away. But that's incredibly dangerous. There are many states that need that help."


upi--2020-08-04--Many COVID-19 patients given useless antibiotics, study shows

Early in the U.S. coronavirus pandemic , many people landing in the hospital may have been given unnecessary antibiotics , a new study suggests .
The findings come from one of the hard-hit hospitals in New York City , the initial epicenter of the U.S. pandemic .
Researchers there found that of COVID-19 patients admitted between March and May , just over 70 % were given antibiotics .
That 's despite the fact that COVID-19 is caused by a virus , and very few of those patients actually had a coexisting bacterial infection .
Antibiotics kill bacteria , but are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common cold , the flu and COVID-19 .
However , someone with a bad case of COVID-19 has all the symptoms that mark bacterial pneumonia , explained lead researcher Dr. Priya Nori , who specializes in infectious diseases at Montefiore Medical Center .
The hospital is based in the Bronx -- a New York City borough that saw a high rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths in the spring .
`` Early on , we did n't have a great handle on the disease yet , '' Nori said .
It was n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was `` enough '' to cause such severe symptoms , or whether those patients often had coexisting bacterial infections .
For ER doctors seeing patients who are so sick -- and with antibiotics `` at their fingertips '' -- giving the drugs could seem like the right call , Nori explained .
At Montefiore , her team found , that was often the case earlier in the pandemic : Of more than 5,800 COVID-19 patients hospitalized from March through May , 71 % received at least one antibiotic dose .
Yet an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found that fewer than 4 % actually had a bacterial or fungal `` co-infection . ''
The findings , published recently in the journal Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , are based on just one hospital .
But the center is `` not an outlier , '' said Dr. Cornelius Clancy , a spokesperson for the Infectious Diseases Society of America .
He said studies have found a very consistent pattern at some other hospitals -- with around 70 % of COVID-19 patients getting antibiotics , despite low rates of bacterial infections .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier days .
And things are likely different now , according to Clancy , who is also chief of infectious diseases at the VA Pittsburgh Health Care System .
Nori agreed , and said that since the study period , antibiotic use at Montefiore has `` reset '' to more typical levels .
With this report , Nori said , one goal was to document what happened during the COVID surge .
`` If it happens again , let 's not be so ubiquitous with our antibiotic use , '' she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if hospitals in other states can benefit from this experience , that would be huge for us . ''
That does not mean COVID-19 patients should never get antibiotics before tests confirm a bacterial infection .
Clancy said that `` some empiric use '' of the drugs will continue in hospitals .
Empiric means based on doctors ' clinical experience in some cases , he said , it is reasonable to give antibiotics to a seriously ill patient before test results are in .
But if those results turn out to be negative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stopped .
The main concern with unnecessary prescribing is that it will feed antibiotic resistance -- where bacteria develop defensive strategies against the drugs that kill them .
And in this study , Nori 's team found that even in a short time frame , certain bacteria isolated from patients harbored signs of increased resistance .
Antibiotic resistance is already a huge problem in the United States , Clancy said .
Each year , almost 3 million Americans fall ill with antibiotic-resistant infections -- and more than 35,000 of them die , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Prevention .
Now , Clancy said , there is a `` major concern '' that antibiotic overuse during the pandemic could fuel the problem .
But it 's actually antibiotic misuse outside of hospitals that is the bigger threat , he noted .
Many people , Clancy said , want an antibiotic when they are miserably sick -- often unaware the drugs can not kill viruses .
`` Do n't go to the doctor expecting to get an antibiotic , '' Clancy said .
`` If you 're diagnosed with COVID-19 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your doctor is doing the right thing . ''
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on antibiotic resistance .

Registered nurses with the Florida Department of Health perform a specimen collection on a patient at a Northeast Florida nursing home, May 1, 2020. Researchers found that of COVID-19 patients admitted to a New York hospital between March and May, just over 70% were given antibiotics. Photo by Sgt. Michael Baltz/Flickr
Early in the U.S. coronavirus pandemic, many people landing in the hospital may have been given unnecessary antibiotics, a new study suggests. The findings come from one of the hard-hit hospitals in New York City, the initial epicenter of the U.S. pandemic. Researchers there found that of COVID-19 patients admitted between March and May, just over 70% were given antibiotics. Advertisement
That's despite the fact that COVID-19 is caused by a virus, and very few of those patients actually had a coexisting bacterial infection.
Antibiotics kill bacteria, but are useless against viral infections such as the common cold, the flu and COVID-19.
However, someone with a bad case of COVID-19 has all the symptoms that mark bacterial pneumonia, explained lead researcher Dr. Priya Nori, who specializes in infectious diseases at Montefiore Medical Center. The hospital is based in the Bronx -- a New York City borough that saw a high rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths in the spring.
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"Early on, we didn't have a great handle on the disease yet," Nori said. It wasn't even clear whether COVID-19, by itself, was "enough" to cause such severe symptoms, or whether those patients often had coexisting bacterial infections.
For ER doctors seeing patients who are so sick -- and with antibiotics "at their fingertips" -- giving the drugs could seem like the right call, Nori explained.
At Montefiore, her team found, that was often the case earlier in the pandemic: Of more than 5,800 COVID-19 patients hospitalized from March through May, 71% received at least one antibiotic dose.
Yet an analysis of patients admitted through April 18 found that fewer than 4% actually had a bacterial or fungal "co-infection."
The findings, published recently in the journal Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, are based on just one hospital.
But the center is "not an outlier," said Dr. Cornelius Clancy, a spokesperson for the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
He said studies have found a very consistent pattern at some other hospitals -- with around 70% of COVID-19 patients getting antibiotics, despite low rates of bacterial infections.
Those numbers are, however, from earlier days. And things are likely different now, according to Clancy, who is also chief of infectious diseases at the VA Pittsburgh Health Care System.
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Nori agreed, and said that since the study period, antibiotic use at Montefiore has "reset" to more typical levels.
With this report, Nori said, one goal was to document what happened during the COVID surge. "If it happens again, let's not be so ubiquitous with our antibiotic use," she said.
Beyond that, Nori added, "if hospitals in other states can benefit from this experience, that would be huge for us."
That does not mean COVID-19 patients should never get antibiotics before tests confirm a bacterial infection.
Clancy said that "some empiric use" of the drugs will continue in hospitals. Empiric means based on doctors' clinical experience in some cases, he said, it is reasonable to give antibiotics to a seriously ill patient before test results are in.
But if those results turn out to be negative, Clancy added, antibiotics should be stopped.
The main concern with unnecessary prescribing is that it will feed antibiotic resistance -- where bacteria develop defensive strategies against the drugs that kill them. And in this study, Nori's team found that even in a short time frame, certain bacteria isolated from patients harbored signs of increased resistance.
Antibiotic resistance is already a huge problem in the United States, Clancy said.
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Each year, almost 3 million Americans fall ill with antibiotic-resistant infections -- and more than 35,000 of them die, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Now, Clancy said, there is a "major concern" that antibiotic overuse during the pandemic could fuel the problem.
But it's actually antibiotic misuse outside of hospitals that is the bigger threat, he noted.
Many people, Clancy said, want an antibiotic when they are miserably sick -- often unaware the drugs cannot kill viruses.
"Don't go to the doctor expecting to get an antibiotic," Clancy said. "If you're diagnosed with COVID-19 and you don't get an antibiotic, your doctor is doing the right thing."
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on antibiotic resistance.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-08-04--Common cold could boost COVID-19 immunity, study finds

Aug. 4 ( UPI ) -- The common cold might help produce immunity against COVID-19 , even in people who have not been infected with the new coronavirus , according to a study published Tuesday by the journal Science .
This immune response is likely a function of a phenomenon called `` T cell memory , '' the researchers said .
T cell memory could help explain why some people -- those with T cells created to fight the common cold , which also is a type of coronavirus -- do n't get as sick as others from COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we provide conclusive evidence that preexisting immune memory can be derived from exposure to common cold coronaviruses , '' study co-author Daniela Weiskopf told UPI .
`` The results of the study also emphasize that T cells should be considered and measured , both in studies about COVID-19 and about [ potential ] vaccination , '' said Weiskopf , assistant professor at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology 's Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research .
T cell responses specific to COVID-19 have been observed in up to 50 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , likely because of prior history with the common cold , which most people contract fairly regularly , a study published in June by the journal Cell found .
T cells , or white blood cells , are used by the immune system to fight infections , and it 's believed they retain information of pathogens that have invaded the body in the past -- like the common cold -- a process called `` T cell memory , '' according to Weiskopf and her colleagues .
Human cold coronaviruses share a partial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the researchers of the Cell study said .
For this study , Weiskopf and her colleagues screened blood samples collected in 2019 -- before the pandemic struck the United States -- for T cell responses to more than 100 COVID-19 peptides , or amino acids produced by the virus .
The collected samples had `` a range '' of T cells that offered protection against both COVID-19 and to the common cold .
The strongest T cell responses were associated with the COVID-19 spike protein , which is used by the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the researchers said .
These findings are in `` stark contrast '' to results of studies on coronaviruses that cause the common cold in humans , in which antibodies are species-specific and do not cross-react against COVID-19 , they said .
Unfortunately , while the T cells identified in this study could serve as the basis for a vaccine against the virus , they will not contribute to `` herd immunity , '' or widespread population immunity , Weiskopf said .
`` There is still much to learn about how every one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how the different infection history shapes our reactions , '' she said .
However , `` we have demonstrated that T cells derived from exposure with common cold coronavirus can cross-react with [ COVID-19 and ] ... are directly or indirectly involved in protection from disease or infection . ''

Researchers found that some forms of the common cold may teach immune cells called T cells how to interfere with the spike protein used by the new coronavirus to gain entry into patients' cells. Pool Photo by Saul Loeb/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 4 (UPI) -- The common cold might help produce immunity against COVID-19, even in people who have not been infected with the new coronavirus, according to a study published Tuesday by the journal Science. This immune response is likely a function of a phenomenon called "T cell memory," the researchers said. Advertisement
T cell memory could help explain why some people -- those with T cells created to fight the common cold, which also is a type of coronavirus -- don't get as sick as others from COVID-19, they said.
"In this study, we provide conclusive evidence that preexisting immune memory can be derived from exposure to common cold coronaviruses," study co-author Daniela Weiskopf told UPI.
"The results of the study also emphasize that T cells should be considered and measured, both in studies about COVID-19 and about [potential] vaccination," said Weiskopf, assistant professor at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology's Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research.
T cell responses specific to COVID-19 have been observed in up to 50% of people who were not exposed to the virus, likely because of prior history with the common cold, which most people contract fairly regularly, a study published in June by the journal Cell found.
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T cells, or white blood cells, are used by the immune system to fight infections, and it's believed they retain information of pathogens that have invaded the body in the past -- like the common cold -- a process called "T cell memory," according to Weiskopf and her colleagues.
Human cold coronaviruses share a partial sequence with the virus that causes COVID-19, the researchers of the Cell study said.
For this study, Weiskopf and her colleagues screened blood samples collected in 2019 -- before the pandemic struck the United States -- for T cell responses to more than 100 COVID-19 peptides, or amino acids produced by the virus.
The collected samples had "a range" of T cells that offered protection against both COVID-19 and to the common cold.
The strongest T cell responses were associated with the COVID-19 spike protein, which is used by the virus to gain entry into human cells, the researchers said.
These findings are in "stark contrast" to results of studies on coronaviruses that cause the common cold in humans, in which antibodies are species-specific and do not cross-react against COVID-19, they said.
Unfortunately, while the T cells identified in this study could serve as the basis for a vaccine against the virus, they will not contribute to "herd immunity," or widespread population immunity, Weiskopf said.
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"There is still much to learn about how every one of us reacts to different infections, and how the different infection history shapes our reactions," she said.
However, "we have demonstrated that T cells derived from exposure with common cold coronavirus can cross-react with [COVID-19 and] ... are directly or indirectly involved in protection from disease or infection."


upi--2020-08-04--Apple Fire grows to 26,850 acres, destroys 12 buildings in California

Aug. 4 ( UPI ) -- The Apple Fire grew by 400 acres overnight into Tuesday as evacuations in California remained in effect and a dozen structures were destroyed .
Cal Fire said Tuesday that the blaze has burned 26,850 acres and was 15 % contained , while one person was injured in the fire and 12 structures were destroyed .
Evacuations remained in effect for an estimated 2,586 homes , affecting a total of 7,800 people .
The agency said 2,565 fire personnel , as well as 12 helicopters , 321 engines , 28 dozers and 50 water tenders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Overnight , firefighters were able to complete construction of fireline on the southwest corner of the perimeter , '' Cal Fire said .
`` This and other work along the southern and southeastern perimeters increased the percentage of fire containment . ''
Investigators on Monday said the blaze was caused by hot debris spewing from a faulty exhaust system on a diesel-powered vehicle , sparking three separate fires that eventually merged into one .
Modoc National Forest said the Caldwell Fire remained at 97 % containment and 80,859 acres burned .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the state since 2018 and was part of a group of three fires known as the July Complex .
The other two fires in the complex , the Allen Fire and Dalton Fire are both 100 % contained and burned a combined 2,400 acres .
The two fires burning in Lassen County both remained 95 % contained as of Monday evening , Cal Fire said .
The Gold Fire has burned 22,634 acres resulting in four injuries , destroying 13 structures and damaging five more .
Cal Fire reported that the Hog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two structures .

The 26,850-acre Apple Fire destroyed 12 structures in California as several other wildfires in the state neared full containment. Photo by Lt. James Mahan/ Twitter
Aug. 4 (UPI) -- The Apple Fire grew by 400 acres overnight into Tuesday as evacuations in California remained in effect and a dozen structures were destroyed. Cal Fire said Tuesday that the blaze has burned 26,850 acres and was 15% contained, while one person was injured in the fire and 12 structures were destroyed. Advertisement
Evacuations remained in effect for an estimated 2,586 homes, affecting a total of 7,800 people.
The agency said 2,565 fire personnel, as well as 12 helicopters, 321 engines, 28 dozers and 50 water tenders, were assigned to combat the burning.
"Overnight, firefighters were able to complete construction of fireline on the southwest corner of the perimeter," Cal Fire said. "This and other work along the southern and southeastern perimeters increased the percentage of fire containment."
Investigators on Monday said the blaze was caused by hot debris spewing from a faulty exhaust system on a diesel-powered vehicle, sparking three separate fires that eventually merged into one.
Modoc National Forest said the Caldwell Fire remained at 97% containment and 80,859 acres burned.
The Caldwell Fire is the largest blaze in the state since 2018 and was part of a group of three fires known as the July Complex. The other two fires in the complex, the Allen Fire and Dalton Fire are both 100% contained and burned a combined 2,400 acres.
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The two fires burning in Lassen County both remained 95% contained as of Monday evening, Cal Fire said.
The Gold Fire has burned 22,634 acres resulting in four injuries, destroying 13 structures and damaging five more.
Cal Fire reported that the Hog Fire had burned 9,564 acres and destroyed two structures.


upi--2020-08-04--To read, humans 'recycled' a brain region meant for recognizing objects

Aug. 4 ( UPI ) -- Humans began reading just a few thousand years ago , a relatively recent phenomena -- too recent to be supported by brain regions specifically evolved for the activity .
Previously , neuroscientists have hypothesized that humans repurposed , or `` recycled , '' parts of the brain for reading .
Now , they have proof .
New research by scientists at MIT showed even the brains of nonhuman primates are predisposed for distinguishing words from non-words .
The findings , published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications , suggest the inferior temporal cortex , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humans for the purpose of orthographic processing , or reading .
`` This work has opened up a potential linkage between our rapidly developing understanding of the neural mechanisms of visual processing and an important primate behavior -- human reading , '' senior study author James DiCarlo , head of the department of brain and cognitive sciences at MIT , told MIT News .
Previously , researchers have shown that baboons can be trained to distinguish between real words and nonsensical strings of letters .
But the neural architecture underpinning this ability has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study , researchers recorded neural activity in the inferior temporal cortex and visual cortex while untrained macaque monkeys viewed images of letters , some words and some random strings of letters .
The team of scientists then fed the inferior temporal cortex data through a computer model called linear classifier .
The model was able to recognize data signatures that correctly predicted whether the letters that sparked the activity patterns were words or not .
`` The efficiency of this methodology is that you do n't need to train animals to do anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postdoc and lead author of the new study , told MIT News .
`` What you do is just record these patterns of neural activity as you flash an image in front of the animal . ''
Researchers used the model to distinguish words from non-words , as well as recognize letters in words .
The model achieved 70 percent accuracy using the inferior cortex data , but when scientists used data from the visual cortex , the model was significantly less accurate .
The experimental results suggest parts of the primate brain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predisposed for the task of reading , researchers said .
`` These results show that the IT cortex of untrained primates can serve as a precursor of orthographic processing , suggesting that the acquisition of reading in humans relies on the recycling of a brain network evolved for other visual functions , '' researchers wrote in the study .

Researchers used the neural activity of macaque monkeys to prove humans recycled a region of the cortex for the purpose of reading. Photo by Rocktendo and Adam Gman/ Wikimedia Commons
Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Humans began reading just a few thousand years ago, a relatively recent phenomena -- too recent to be supported by brain regions specifically evolved for the activity. Previously, neuroscientists have hypothesized that humans repurposed, or "recycled," parts of the brain for reading. Now, they have proof. Advertisement
New research by scientists at MIT showed even the brains of nonhuman primates are predisposed for distinguishing words from non-words.
The findings, published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications, suggest the inferior temporal cortex, or IT cortex, was recycled by humans for the purpose of orthographic processing, or reading.
"This work has opened up a potential linkage between our rapidly developing understanding of the neural mechanisms of visual processing and an important primate behavior -- human reading," senior study author James DiCarlo, head of the department of brain and cognitive sciences at MIT, told MIT News.
Previously, researchers have shown that baboons can be trained to distinguish between real words and nonsensical strings of letters. But the neural architecture underpinning this ability has remained a mystery.
For the new study, researchers recorded neural activity in the inferior temporal cortex and visual cortex while untrained macaque monkeys viewed images of letters, some words and some random strings of letters.
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The team of scientists then fed the inferior temporal cortex data through a computer model called linear classifier. The model was able to recognize data signatures that correctly predicted whether the letters that sparked the activity patterns were words or not.
"The efficiency of this methodology is that you don't need to train animals to do anything," Rishi Rajalingham, an MIT postdoc and lead author of the new study, told MIT News. "What you do is just record these patterns of neural activity as you flash an image in front of the animal."
Researchers used the model to distinguish words from non-words, as well as recognize letters in words. The model achieved 70 percent accuracy using the inferior cortex data, but when scientists used data from the visual cortex, the model was significantly less accurate.
The experimental results suggest parts of the primate brain that evolved for object identification and uniquely predisposed for the task of reading, researchers said.
"These results show that the IT cortex of untrained primates can serve as a precursor of orthographic processing, suggesting that the acquisition of reading in humans relies on the recycling of a brain network evolved for other visual functions," researchers wrote in the study.


upi--2020-08-04--Watch: Colorado woman finds snake inside toilet bowl

Aug. 4 ( UPI ) -- A Colorado woman said she was `` terrified '' when she looked into her toilet and saw something shocking -- a snake coming up from the drain .
Miranda Stewart , of Fort Collins , said she was using the restroom at her Varsity Apartments home when she made the startling discovery .
`` I used the restroom , like went to flush and everything and it was n't going down .
I looked and leaned in closer and a snake head slithered up .
I was terrified , '' Stewart told KDVR-TV .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear she once thought to be irrational .
`` It 's actually been one of my fears since I was a kid , '' she said .
Stewart shared photos of her apartment 's maintenance man extracting the snake from inside the commode .
`` We 're thinking it was a possible pet from one of the tenants from our apartment complex .
If the snake got in their toilet and slithered to ours , '' Stewart said .
The reptile , a non-venomous corn snake , was adopted by the maintenance worker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him home and my wife was very happy with me and we named him Boots .
He 's our little guard snake on the property , '' Sanford said .

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Aug. 4 (UPI) -- A Colorado woman said she was "terrified" when she looked into her toilet and saw something shocking -- a snake coming up from the drain.
Miranda Stewart, of Fort Collins, said she was using the restroom at her Varsity Apartments home when she made the startling discovery.
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"I used the restroom, like went to flush and everything and it wasn't going down. I looked and leaned in closer and a snake head slithered up. I was terrified," Stewart told KDVR-TV.
Stewart said the discovery reinforced a longtime fear she once thought to be irrational.
"It's actually been one of my fears since I was a kid," she said.
Stewart shared photos of her apartment's maintenance man extracting the snake from inside the commode.
"We're thinking it was a possible pet from one of the tenants from our apartment complex. If the snake got in their toilet and slithered to ours," Stewart said.
The reptile, a non-venomous corn snake, was adopted by the maintenance worker, Wesley Stanford.
"I took him home and my wife was very happy with me and we named him Boots. He's our little guard snake on the property," Sanford said.


upi--2020-08-05--At least 100 dead after Beirut explosions; 300,000 Lebanese homeless

Aug. 5 ( UPI ) -- Authorities in Beirut have increased the death count from the devastating explosions on Tuesday to at least 100 , while one official said Wednesday it could cost Lebanon 's capital as much as $ 5 billion to recover .
Lebanese President Michel Aoun called for an emergency cabinet meeting and asked for a two-week state of emergency .
Beirut Gov .
Marwan Abboud said about 300,000 remain homeless after the blasts and estimated repair costs in the billions .
Lebanese Red Cross workers continued to search abandoned neighborhoods on Wednesday , reporting more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that damages could range from $ 3 billion to $ 5 billion , or `` maybe more . ''
The death toll was in the dozens on Tuesday and had risen to triple digits on Wednesday , the Red Cross said .
Officials said they expect the toll to rise as they dig through the debris .
Authorities believe an initial explosion occurred at a warehouse near Beirut 's port and ignited a fire , followed by multiple smaller explosions and , finally , a massive blast that caused the most damage .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ area was the likely source .
Seismologists said the biggest explosion was equivalent to a 3.3-magnitude earthquake .
Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab , declaring Wednesday a national day of mourning , has vowed to investigate the explosions and said anyone who may have facilitated them will be held accountable .
Diab said it has long been known that storing ammonium nitrate at the location was a hazard .
The accident could not have come at a worse time for Lebanon , which has been fighting to overcome a major economic crisis because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Officials said silos that held about 85 % of Lebanon 's grain were destroyed in the blasts .
Raoul Nehme , Lebanon 's economy minister , said seven employees at the port 's granaries are missing and that Lebanon now has less than a month 's worth of grain reserves .
At least two Instagram accounts were established for those looking for loved ones in Beirut .
One of the accounts also is posting lists of people admitted to various hospitals in the city , to help people find family members .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23 tons of aid from its warehouse in Dubai , including medical trauma kits carrying syringes , bandages and gauze .
Germany has sent a team that includes dozens of search and rescue experts to aid with finding survivors and victims .
France , Qatar , Iraq and Kuwait are said they are also sending supplies .

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A destroyed silo is seen Wednesday amid the rubble and debris aftermath of a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon. Photo by Ahmad Terro/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Authorities in Beirut have increased the death count from the devastating explosions on Tuesday to at least 137, while one official said Wednesday it could cost Lebanon's capital as much as $5 billion to recover. Lebanese President Michel Aoun called for an emergency Cabinet meeting and asked for a two-week state of emergency. Advertisement
Beirut Gov. Marwan Abboud said about 300,000 were homeless after the blasts and estimated repair costs in the billions. Lebanese Red Cross workers searched abandoned neighborhoods on Wednesday, reporting more than 5,000 injured.
Abboud told local media that damages could range from $3 billion to $5 billion, or "maybe more." The death toll was in the dozens on Tuesday and had risen to triple digits on Wednesday, the Red Cross said.
Officials said they expect the toll to rise as they dig through the debris.
Authorities believe an initial explosion occurred at a warehouse near Beirut's port and ignited a fire, followed by multiple smaller explosions and, finally, a massive blast that caused the most damage. They said stored ammonium nitrate in the area was the likely source.
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Seismologists said the biggest explosion was equivalent to a 3.3-magnitude earthquake.
Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab, declaring Wednesday a national day of mourning, has vowed to investigate the explosions and said anyone who may have facilitated them will be held accountable.
Diab said it has long been known that storing ammonium nitrate at the location was a hazard.
The accident could not have come at a worse time for Lebanon, which has been fighting to overcome a major economic crisis because of the devaluation of its currency. Officials said silos that held about 85% of Lebanon's grain were destroyed in the blasts.
Raoul Nehme, Lebanon's economy minister, said seven employees at the port's granaries are missing and that Lebanon now has less than a month's worth of grain reserves.
At least two Instagram accounts were established for those looking for loved ones in Beirut. One of the accounts also is posting lists of people admitted to various hospitals in the city, to help people find family members.
The World Health Organization said it's sending 23 tons of aid from its warehouse in Dubai, including medical trauma kits carrying syringes, bandages and gauze.
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Germany has sent a team that includes dozens of search and rescue experts to aid with finding survivors and victims. France, Qatar, Iraq and Kuwait are said they are also sending supplies.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Twitter that he would be traveling to Beirut on Thursday to be with the Lebanese people and bring them "the message of French fraternity and solidarity."
"We will take stock of the situation with the political authorities," he said.
French architect Jean-Marc Bonfils was among those killed in the blast, Minister of Culture Roselyne Bachelot said on Twitter.
"France and Lebanon are united in the grief of his death," she said.


upi--2020-08-05--Look: Kristin Cavallari reunites with Stephen Colletti after Jay Cutler split

Aug. 5 ( UPI ) -- Kristin Cavallari had a friendly reunion with her high school sweetheart , Stephen Colletti .
The 33-year-old television personality got close to Colletti , her ex-boyfriend and former Laguna Beach co-star , in a photo Tuesday on Instagram .
The picture shows Cavallari embracing Colletti around the neck as he puts an arm around her waist .
The photo was tagged in Laguna Beach , Calif. Jersey Shore 's Nicole `` Snooki '' Polizzi and Angelina Pivarnick were among those to sound off in the comments .
`` Omg I am here for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your man girl @ kristincavallari , '' Pivarnick said .
Cavallari and Colletti 's romance was documented on Laguna Beach , which aired from 2004 to 2006 on MTV .
Season 1 featured a love triangle between Cavallari , Colletti and Lauren Conrad , and Cavallari and Colletti ultimately split when Colletti left for college .
Cavallari discussed her relationship with Colletti in her 2016 book , Balancing in Heels .
`` Stephen was the most important thing in my life , and there was nothing I cared about more .
I hated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt like I was airing all of our dirty laundry , '' she wrote .
Cavallari and Colletti 's reunion comes less than four months after Cavallari 's split from her husband , former Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler .
Cavallari and Cutler announced their intent to divorce in April after seven years of marriage .
Cavallari and Cutler have three children , daughter Saylor , 4 , and sons Camden , 7 , and Jax , 6 .

Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Kristin Cavallari had a friendly reunion with her high school sweetheart, Stephen Colletti.
The 33-year-old television personality got close to Colletti, her ex-boyfriend and former Laguna Beach co-star, in a photo Tuesday on Instagram.
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The picture shows Cavallari embracing Colletti around the neck as he puts an arm around her waist. The photo was tagged in Laguna Beach, Calif.
"2004 or 2020?!" Cavallari captioned the post.
Jersey Shore's Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Angelina Pivarnick were among those to sound off in the comments.
"Omg I am here for this," Polizzi wrote.
"Get your man girl @kristincavallari," Pivarnick said.
Cavallari and Colletti's romance was documented on Laguna Beach, which aired from 2004 to 2006 on MTV. Season 1 featured a love triangle between Cavallari, Colletti and Lauren Conrad, and Cavallari and Colletti ultimately split when Colletti left for college.
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Cavallari discussed her relationship with Colletti in her 2016 book, Balancing in Heels.
"Stephen was the most important thing in my life, and there was nothing I cared about more. I hated fighting with him on camera because it felt like I was airing all of our dirty laundry," she wrote.
Cavallari and Colletti's reunion comes less than four months after Cavallari's split from her husband, former Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. Cavallari and Cutler announced their intent to divorce in April after seven years of marriage.
Cavallari and Cutler have three children, daughter Saylor, 4, and sons Camden, 7, and Jax, 6.


upi--2020-08-05--Nearly 4 million in Northeast without power after Isaias; 6 dead

Aug. 5 ( UPI ) -- Close to 4 million customers in the northeastern United States still did n't have power Wednesday morning after Tropical Storm Isaias passed through on its way to Canada .
PowerOutage.US , a website that tracks electricity outages nationally , showed that about 3.7 million customers were still without power in several states , including New York , New Jersey , Connecticut and Pennsylvania .
The data showed 987,000 without power in New Jersey , 772,000 in New York and 713,000 in Connecticut .
Isaias , which swept into Canada Wednesday morning , raced up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple tornadoes , along with heavy rains and strong winds that damaged homes and toppled trees .
`` At this point in the restoration , we are restoring power but also assessing damage , '' said Al Lara , a spokesman for Connecticut utility EverSource .
`` That means going street-by-street , reaching out to our communities . ''
The storm and its effects have caused at least six deaths in Delaware , Maryland , New York , North Carolina and Pennsylvania .
In Connecticut , officials said a man was killed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rains in Philadelphia flooded at least 200 homes and dozens of residents needed emergency help .
`` We have multiple water rescues in progress across the entire city , '' Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam K. Thiel told reporters .
Isaias made landfall in North Carolina late Monday as a Category 1 hurricane but quickly weakened to a tropical storm .
The system gained speed as it moved into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast , producing numerous tornadoes , the National Hurricane Center said .
Isaias is now a post-tropical cyclone producing rain and wind @ @ @ @ @

Emergency crews in Bucks County, Pa., respond to a damaged home and downed power lines on Tuesday after Tropical Storm Isaias passed through the area. Photo courtesy Bucks County Government/Twitter
Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Close to 4 million customers in the northeastern United States still didn't have power Wednesday morning after Tropical Storm Isaias passed through on its way to Canada. PowerOutage.US, a website that tracks electricity outages nationally, showed that about 3.7 million customers were still without power in several states, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Advertisement
The data showed 987,000 without power in New Jersey, 772,000 in New York and 713,000 in Connecticut.
Isaias, which swept into Canada Wednesday morning, raced up the East Coast on Tuesday and produced multiple tornadoes, along with heavy rains and strong winds that damaged homes and toppled trees.
"At this point in the restoration, we are restoring power but also assessing damage," said Al Lara, a spokesman for Connecticut utility EverSource. "That means going street-by-street, reaching out to our communities."
The storm and its effects have caused at least six deaths in Delaware, Maryland, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. In Connecticut, officials said a man was killed by a falling tree.
Officials said heavy rains in Philadelphia flooded at least 200 homes and dozens of residents needed emergency help.
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"We have multiple water rescues in progress across the entire city," Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam K. Thiel told reporters.
Isaias made landfall in North Carolina late Monday as a Category 1 hurricane but quickly weakened to a tropical storm. The system gained speed as it moved into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, producing numerous tornadoes, the National Hurricane Center said. Isaias is now a post-tropical cyclone producing rain and wind gusts in eastern Quebec.


upi--2020-08-05--Watch: Alanis Morissette on being labeled 'angry' during her early career

Aug. 5 ( UPI ) -- Alanis Morissette says she has `` about 750,000 other emotions '' than anger .
The 46-year-old singer-songwriter discussed on Tuesday 's episode of Watch What Happens Live how she was depicted as `` angry '' during her early carer .
`` I do n't mind being one-dimensionalized violently and reduced to one emotion .
As complex as humans may be , I think anger is one that I 'll take , '' Morissette told WWHL host Andy Cohen .
`` People get afraid of anger because of the destruction , the acting out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anger on its own is amazing .
It helps us say no , it helps us makes changes and show up for protests , et cetera . ''
`` We 're complicated creatures , so one characteristic does n't really quite describe a whole human , '' the star added .
Morissette is known for such singles as `` You Oughta Know , '' a scathing song to an ex-boyfriend that appeared on her 1995 album , Jagged Little Pill .
Rolling Stone featured Morissette on its November 1995 cover and declared her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On WWHL , Morissette said she was `` pissed '' about the magazine cover .
`` I 'm pissed about a lot of things , but I also have about 750,000 other emotions , '' the star said .
`` There 's about 750,000 of them . ''
`` Women in general were n't allowed to feel angry , definitely not allowed to feel sad too , in some ways , '' she added .
Morissette released Such Pretty Forks in the Road , her first new album in eight years , last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the song `` Ablaze '' featuring her family Tuesday .
In addition , Morissette will celebrate Jagged Little Pill 's 25th anniversary on a tour in 2021 .
She gave an update on WWHL on the Jagged Little Pill Broadway show , which shut down in March due to the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) pandemic .
`` We are and were very crestfallen , but when it 's safe to people to come back into rooms let 's keep going , '' she said .

Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Alanis Morissette says she has "about 750,000 other emotions" than anger.
The 46-year-old singer-songwriter discussed on Tuesday's episode of Watch What Happens Live how she was depicted as "angry" during her early carer.
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"I don't mind being one-dimensionalized violently and reduced to one emotion. As complex as humans may be, I think anger is one that I'll take," Morissette told WWHL host Andy Cohen.
"People get afraid of anger because of the destruction, the acting out of anger," she said. "Anger on its own is amazing. It helps us say no, it helps us makes changes and show up for protests, et cetera."
"We're complicated creatures, so one characteristic doesn't really quite describe a whole human," the star added.
Morissette is known for such singles as "You Oughta Know," a scathing song to an ex-boyfriend that appeared on her 1995 album, Jagged Little Pill. Rolling Stone featured Morissette on its November 1995 cover and declared her an "Angry White Female."
On WWHL, Morissette said she was "pissed" about the magazine cover.
"I'm pissed about a lot of things, but I also have about 750,000 other emotions," the star said. "There's about 750,000 of them."
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"Women in general weren't allowed to feel angry, definitely not allowed to feel sad too, in some ways," she added.
Morissette released Such Pretty Forks in the Road, her first new album in eight years, last week. She shared a music video for the song "Ablaze" featuring her family Tuesday.
In addition, Morissette will celebrate Jagged Little Pill's 25th anniversary on a tour in 2021. She gave an update on WWHL on the Jagged Little Pill Broadway show, which shut down in March due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
"We are and were very crestfallen, but when it's safe to people to come back into rooms let's keep going," she said.


upi--2020-08-05--UConn cancels 2020 football season due to COVID-19

Aug. 5 ( UPI ) -- The University of Connecticut on Wednesday became the first Football Bowl Subdivision school to cancel its 2020 football season due to the coronavirus .
`` After receiving guidance from state and public health officials and consulting with football student-athletes , we 've decided that we will not compete on the gridiron this season , '' UConn athletic director David Benedict said .
`` The safety challenges created by COVID-19 place our football student-athletes at an unacceptable level of risk . ''
UConn left the American Athletic Conference in July to join the Big East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the school 's football program .
The Huskies were expected to compete in 2020 as an independent football squad .
Four games on the Huskies ' 2020-2021 schedule had already been canceled after conferences that included Illinois , Ole Miss , Indiana and Maine made changes to their schedules due to the pandemic .
Members of the Huskies football team will remain full-time students at UConn .
The Huskies began spring practice Feb. 4 , but cited limited opportunities to condition and train as part of their decision to cancel the season .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ full support of the decision to not compete in 2020 , '' Huskies football players said in a statement .
`` We have many health concerns and not enough is known about the potential long-term effects of contracting COVID-19 .
`` Additionally , we have not had the optimal time to train mentally and physically to be properly prepared to compete this season .
We love this game and love competing .
We came to campus in the beginning of July knowing there would be challenges presented by the pandemic , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenges are impossible to overcome . ''
The team has been on campus since early July and has reported no positive COVID-19 tests for student athletes .
`` We engaged and listened to the concerns of our football student-athletes and feel this is the best decision for their health , safety , and well-being , '' Huskies coach Randy Edsall said .
`` Our team is united in this approach and we will use this time to further player development within the program and gear ourselves to the 2021 season . ''

Aug. 5 (UPI) -- The University of Connecticut on Wednesday became the first Football Bowl Subdivision school to cancel its 2020 football season due to the coronavirus.
"After receiving guidance from state and public health officials and consulting with football student-athletes, we've decided that we will not compete on the gridiron this season," UConn athletic director David Benedict said.
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"The safety challenges created by COVID-19 place our football student-athletes at an unacceptable level of risk."
UConn left the American Athletic Conference in July to join the Big East, but the move does not include the school's football program. The Huskies were expected to compete in 2020 as an independent football squad.
Four games on the Huskies' 2020-2021 schedule had already been canceled after conferences that included Illinois, Ole Miss, Indiana and Maine made changes to their schedules due to the pandemic.
Members of the Huskies football team will remain full-time students at UConn. The Huskies began spring practice Feb. 4, but cited limited opportunities to condition and train as part of their decision to cancel the season.
"As a team we are in full support of the decision to not compete in 2020," Huskies football players said in a statement. "We have many health concerns and not enough is known about the potential long-term effects of contracting COVID-19.
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"Additionally, we have not had the optimal time to train mentally and physically to be properly prepared to compete this season. We love this game and love competing. We came to campus in the beginning of July knowing there would be challenges presented by the pandemic, but it is apparent to us now that these challenges are impossible to overcome."
The team has been on campus since early July and has reported no positive COVID-19 tests for student athletes.
"We engaged and listened to the concerns of our football student-athletes and feel this is the best decision for their health, safety, and well-being," Huskies coach Randy Edsall said. "Our team is united in this approach and we will use this time to further player development within the program and gear ourselves to the 2021 season."


upi--2020-08-05--COVID-19 vaccine developer Moderna posts major revenue hike in Q2

Aug. 5 ( UPI ) -- U.S. biotech company Moderna , which is in the late stages of testing a potential COVID-19 vaccine , reported a five-fold increase in revenue Wednesday for the second quarter .
Based in Cambridge , Mass.
, Moderna posted total revenue of $ 66 million for the April-June period -- more than five times its $ 13 million revenue for Q2 2019 .
It reported , however , a total net loss of $ 117 million .
Moderna began a late-stage trial for the mRNA-1273 vaccine candidate last week and expects results as early as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal grants for development of the vaccine candidate .
Moderna received a $ 483 million federal contract in April to test the candidate and said last month tests have shown a `` rapid and strong '' immune response against COVID-19 .
CEO Stephane Bancel said the company is in discussions with `` several countries '' for potential mRNA-1273 supply agreements and has so far received $ 400 million in deposits .
Moderna 's vaccine candidate is one of several that have entered stage-three clinical studies in the United States , Europe and China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ghebreysusm said Tuesday there has been vaccine progress but warned there may never be a cure .
`` There 's no silver bullet at the moment and there might never be , '' he said .
`` For now , stopping outbreaks comes down to the basics of public health and disease control .
Testing , isolating patients and tracing and quarantining their contacts .
Do it all . ''

The company said it's in discussions with "several countries" to supply its mRNA-1273 vaccine, if it's proven effective. File Photo by CJ Gunther/EPA-EFE
Aug. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. biotech company Moderna, which is in the late stages of testing a potential COVID-19 vaccine, said Wednesday it is charging between $32-$37 per dose. Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said the $32-$37 price range is cheaper "pandemic pricing" for the vaccine and the company is also in discussion for larger volume agreements that will have a lower price. Advertisement
"We are working with governments around the world and others to ensure a vaccine is accessible regardless of ability to pay," said Bancel. "We're currently in a pandemic as defined by WHO. At Moderna, like many experts, we believe the virus is not going away and there will be a need to vaccinate people or give them a boost for many years to come."
Bancel added that the company defines a small order of the vaccine as "in the millions."
The price range is higher than the $19.50 per dose Pfizer and BioNTech have agreed to with the U.S. government.
Moderna on Wednesday also reported a five-fold increase in revenue for the second quarter.
Based in Cambridge, Mass., Moderna posted total revenue of $66 million for the April-June period -- more than five times its $13 million revenue for Q2 2019. It reported, however, a total net loss of $117 million.
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Moderna began a late-stage trial for the mRNA-1273 vaccine candidate last week and expects results as early as October.
Revenue was aided partly by federal grants for development of the vaccine candidate. Moderna received a $483 million federal contract in April to test the candidate and said last month tests have shown a "rapid and strong" immune response against COVID-19.
CEO Stephane Bancel said the company is in discussions with "several countries" for potential mRNA-1273 supply agreements and has so far received $400 million in deposits.
Moderna's vaccine candidate is one of several that have entered stage-three clinical studies in the United States, Europe and China.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreysusm said Tuesday there has been vaccine progress but warned there may never be a cure.
"There's no silver bullet at the moment and there might never be," he said. "For now, stopping outbreaks comes down to the basics of public health and disease control. Testing, isolating patients and tracing and quarantining their contacts. Do it all."


upi--2020-08-05--Watch: Jesse Eisenberg says he is 'anxiety-free' since pandemic started on 'Tonight Show'

Aug. 5 ( UPI ) -- Jesse Eisenberg appeared on The Tonight Show and discussed how his anxiety has helped him prepare for the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` I 've been anxiety-free since whenever the pandemic struck .
Anytime there 's a real crisis in the world , I 'm like kind of an American hero .
Three hundred and sixty four days of the year , American coward , '' the actor , who has been open about dealing with anxiety , told host Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday .
`` I 'm in a panic that something terrible is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think there 's been generations of me you know in my lineage that are in a panic , waiting for the bad thing to happen .
And so it makes us look really out of step with society and worried but when something actually happens , we 're the only one that 's ready for it , '' he continued .
Eisenberg also discussed how he took a road trip with his family using an RV when the pandemic started and his newly released Audible project titled When You Finish Saving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Eisenberg compared the project to a novel , told from the perspective of three characters that takes place over the course of 30 years .
Eisenberg portrays a new father with Finn Wolfhard as his son and Kaitlyn Dever as his wife .
`` I adapted like a small part of it and wrote a movie that I 'm going to direct with Julianne Moore and this wonderful company A24 is coming on to produce it , '' Eisenberg said about developing a film version of When You Finish Saving the World @

Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Jesse Eisenberg appeared on The Tonight Show and discussed how his anxiety has helped him prepare for the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I've been anxiety-free since whenever the pandemic struck. Anytime there's a real crisis in the world, I'm like kind of an American hero. Three hundred and sixty four days of the year, American coward," the actor, who has been open about dealing with anxiety, told host Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday.
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"I'm in a panic that something terrible is going to happen. I mean, I think there's been generations of me you know in my lineage that are in a panic, waiting for the bad thing to happen. And so it makes us look really out of step with society and worried but when something actually happens, we're the only one that's ready for it," he continued.
Eisenberg also discussed how he took a road trip with his family using an RV when the pandemic started and his newly released Audible project titled When You Finish Saving the World that he wrote and stars in.
Eisenberg compared the project to a novel, told from the perspective of three characters that takes place over the course of 30 years. Eisenberg portrays a new father with Finn Wolfhard as his son and Kaitlyn Dever as his wife.
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"I adapted like a small part of it and wrote a movie that I'm going to direct with Julianne Moore and this wonderful company A24 is coming on to produce it," Eisenberg said about developing a film version of When You Finish Saving the World.


upi--2020-08-05--In photos: Moments from Major League Baseball for the week of Aug. 2, 2020

Washington Nationals , from left to right , Michael A. Taylor , Adam Eaton , and Victor Robles social distance @ @ @ @ @ 's win against the New York Mets 5-3 , in Washington , D.C. , on @ @ @ @ @ Dietsch/UPI

The Miami Marlins celebrate their 4-3 win against the New York Mets in New York on Friday. The Marlins also beat the Orioles on Thursday. Photo by Corey Sipkin/UPI


upi--2020-08-05--Deadly North Korea gas explosion reported near China border

Aug. 5 ( UPI ) -- A gas explosion in a North Korean city across the China border may have injured dozens of people and killed several others , according to multiple South Korean news services .
The explosion occurred about 6:10 p.m. Monday in the city of Hyesan , South Korean news service Daily NK reported Wednesday .
The cause of the accident was likely a gas explosion that took place in a multi-family residential building in the Tapsong district of Hyesan .
Homes built side by side , referred to as `` harmonica housing , '' were destroyed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a North Korea-based source told Daily NK on Tuesday .
`` All possessions stored within the homes are gone , '' the source said .
Other reports suggest the explosion was caused by a gas leak in one of the homes .
South Korean news service Seoul Pyongyang News reported Wednesday more than 10 people were killed and 30 others were seriously injured , quoting a source familiar with the city .
Daily NK reported 15 deaths by Wednesday .
North Korean authorities did not take action in response to the mishap , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the site , according to Daily NK .
Residents instead took matter into their own hands but took more than an hour to put out the fire , the report says .
Authorities blamed residents for `` carelessness . ''
They also inquired whether locals were able to save portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il that typically hang inside North Korean homes .
North Koreans have been banned from taking pictures of the incident on their camera phones , according to Daily NK .
South Korea has said it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministry spokesman Yoh Sang-key said Wednesday at a regular press briefing the accident may be related to a gasoline or liquefied petroleum gas explosion , and that the government is investigating the incident , Newsis reported .

An explosion at the North Korean border city of Hyesan has resulted in deaths and injuries, according to South Korean press reports. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 5 (UPI) -- A gas explosion in a North Korean city across the China border may have injured dozens of people and killed several others, according to multiple South Korean news services. The explosion occurred about 6:10 p.m. Monday in the city of Hyesan, South Korean news service Daily NK reported Wednesday. Advertisement
The cause of the accident was likely a gas explosion that took place in a multi-family residential building in the Tapsong district of Hyesan. Homes built side by side, referred to as "harmonica housing," were destroyed in a chain reaction of explosions, a North Korea-based source told Daily NK on Tuesday.
"All possessions stored within the homes are gone," the source said.
Other reports suggest the explosion was caused by a gas leak in one of the homes. South Korean news service Seoul Pyongyang News reported Wednesday more than 10 people were killed and 30 others were seriously injured, quoting a source familiar with the city. Daily NK reported 15 deaths by Wednesday.
North Korean authorities did not take action in response to the mishap, and no fire trucks were dispatched to the site, according to Daily NK. Residents instead took matter into their own hands but took more than an hour to put out the fire, the report says.
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Authorities blamed residents for "carelessness." They also inquired whether locals were able to save portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il that typically hang inside North Korean homes. North Koreans have been banned from taking pictures of the incident on their camera phones, according to Daily NK.
South Korea has said it is aware of the situation.
Seoul unification ministry spokesman Yoh Sang-key said Wednesday at a regular press briefing the accident may be related to a gasoline or liquefied petroleum gas explosion, and that the government is investigating the incident, Newsis reported.


upi--2020-08-05--Cubs use trio of homers to hold off Royals

Aug. 5 ( UPI ) -- The Chicago Cubs used a trio of timely home runs to hold off the Kansas City Royals for a win and maintain their hold on the best record in the National League .
Jason Heyward led the way with a 2-for-4 night , which included two RBIs and two runs scored in the 5-4 win Tuesday at Wrigley Field in Chicago .
Jason Kipnis and Willson Contreras also homered for the Cubs ( 9-2 ) .
`` It 's been fun because it 's been a lot of guys , different guys , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far , '' Kipnis told reporters .
`` It has n't just been one guy taking over , it has n't just been one guy getting hot .
`` I think you 're seeing a lot of guys contribute . ''
Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi put his squad ahead with an RBI single in the top of the second frame before the Cubs bats came alive .
Contreras singled off Royals starter Brady Singer to leadoff the bottom of the second frame .
Heyward then settled in against Singer in the second at-bat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0-2 against Singer before he took a ball in the dirt .
He then smashed a 1-2 Singer slider over the right center field fence for a 412-foot home run .
The blast gave the Cubs a 2-1 lead .
The Cubs held on to the one-run lead until Kipnis settled in against Singer in the bottom of the fourth frame .
The Cubs infielder proceeded to hit an 0-2 fastball to right center field for a two-run homer .
Kipnis ' long ball traveled an estimated 423 feet and left the field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Jorge Soler hit an RBI single in the top of the next inning for the Royals ' second run before Contreras hit the Cubs ' third homer of the night .
The Cubs catcher faced Royals relief pitcher Trevor Rosenthal during that exchange .
Rosenthal earned an 0-2 lead in the count before Contreras took a ball .
Contreras then smashed a 1-2 slider to left center field for a 422-foot solo shot .
Royals outfielder Alex Gordon brought in Salvador Perez on an RBI groundout in the top of the ninth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Royals ' final run with an RBI single in the same frame .
Contreras went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and an RBI in the win .
Kipnis went 1 for 3 with two RBIs , a run scored and a walk for the Cubs .
Mondesi went 3 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI for the Royals .
Perez also recorded two hits in the loss .
Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks allowed seven hits and two runs in seven innings to earn his second win of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four runs in five innings to take his first loss of the season .
The Cubs face the Royals at 8:05 p.m. EDT Wednesday at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City , Mo .

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Jason Heyward, Jason Kipnis and Willson Contreras each homered to help the Chicago Cubs beat the Kansas City Royals Tuesday in Chicago. Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 5 (UPI) -- The Chicago Cubs used a trio of timely home runs to hold off the Kansas City Royals for a win and maintain their hold on the best record in the National League. Jason Heyward led the way with a 2-for-4 night, which included two RBIs and two runs scored in the 5-4 win Tuesday at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Jason Kipnis and Willson Contreras also homered for the Cubs (9-2). Advertisement
"It's been fun because it's been a lot of guys, different guys, that have been active in the wins so far," Kipnis told reporters. "It hasn't just been one guy taking over, it hasn't just been one guy getting hot.
"I think you're seeing a lot of guys contribute."
Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi put his squad ahead with an RBI single in the top of the second frame before the Cubs bats came alive.
Contreras singled off Royals starter Brady Singer to leadoff the bottom of the second frame. Heyward then settled in against Singer in the second at-bat.
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The Cubs right fielder fell behind 0-2 against Singer before he took a ball in the dirt. He then smashed a 1-2 Singer slider over the right center field fence for a 412-foot home run. The blast gave the Cubs a 2-1 lead.
The Cubs held on to the one-run lead until Kipnis settled in against Singer in the bottom of the fourth frame. The Cubs infielder proceeded to hit an 0-2 fastball to right center field for a two-run homer. Kipnis' long ball traveled an estimated 423 feet and left the field in 4.9 seconds, according to Statcast.
Jorge Soler hit an RBI single in the top of the next inning for the Royals' second run before Contreras hit the Cubs' third homer of the night.
The Cubs catcher faced Royals relief pitcher Trevor Rosenthal during that exchange. Rosenthal earned an 0-2 lead in the count before Contreras took a ball. Contreras then smashed a 1-2 slider to left center field for a 422-foot solo shot.
Royals outfielder Alex Gordon brought in Salvador Perez on an RBI groundout in the top of the ninth inning. Second baseman Maikel Franco plated the Royals' final run with an RBI single in the same frame.
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Contreras went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and an RBI in the win. Kipnis went 1 for 3 with two RBIs, a run scored and a walk for the Cubs. Mondesi went 3 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI for the Royals. Perez also recorded two hits in the loss.
Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks allowed seven hits and two runs in seven innings to earn his second win of 2020. Singer allowed five hits and four runs in five innings to take his first loss of the season.
The Cubs face the Royals at 8:05 p.m. EDT Wednesday at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.


upi--2020-08-05--Howie Kendrick's 4-hit night leads Washington Nationals past New York Mets

Aug. 5 ( UPI ) -- Howie Kendrick had four hits -- including a 414-foot home run -- to lead the Washington Nationals to a 5-3 win against the New York Mets at Nationals Park .
The performance helped the Nationals first baseman raise his season average from .125 to .300 Tuesday in Washington , D.C. '' Tonight , it was just one of those nights that it worked out for me , '' Kendrick told reporters .
The reigning World Series champions had n't played since last Thursday due to a postponement of their series against Miami Marlins after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are on a three-game winning streak .
Kendrick went deep in the Nationals ' third at-bat of Tuesday 's game after settling in against Mets starter Steven Matz , who got a called strike before Kendrick worked a full count .
The Nationals first baseman then ripped a 3-2 changeup over the left field fence for a solo homer .
Josh Harrison doubled the lead with a 406-foot solo shot in the next inning .
The Nationals then broke the game open with three more runs in the third frame .
Michael Conforto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a two-run homer in the top of the fourth inning .
Mets star Pete Alonso closed the gap to two runs with an RBI single in the top of the fifth frame , but the Mets could not complete a comeback .
Kendrick had three singles and a home run in his 4-for-4 night .
He also had two runs scored and an RBI .
Nationals starter Patrick Corbin allowed eight hits and three runs in 5 2/3 innings to earn his first win of the season .
Matz allowed seven hits and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second loss of 2020 .
Starlin Castro and Asdrubal Cabrera had two hits apiece for the Nationals .
Mets shortstop Andres Gimenez went 2 for 4 in the loss .
The Nationals next host the Mets in the final game of the series at 6:05 p.m. EDT Wednesday at Nationals Park .

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Washington Nationals first baseman Howie Kendrick hits a single in the third inning against the New York Mets at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday night. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Howie Kendrick had four hits -- including a 414-foot home run -- to lead the Washington Nationals to a 5-3 win against the New York Mets at Nationals Park. The performance helped the Nationals first baseman raise his season average from .125 to .300 Tuesday in Washington, D.C. Advertisement
"Tonight, it was just one of those nights that it worked out for me," Kendrick told reporters.
The reigning World Series champions hadn't played since last Thursday due to a postponement of their series against Miami Marlins after a COVID-19 outbreak. The Nationals now are on a three-game winning streak.
Kendrick went deep in the Nationals' third at-bat of Tuesday's game after settling in against Mets starter Steven Matz, who got a called strike before Kendrick worked a full count. The Nationals first baseman then ripped a 3-2 changeup over the left field fence for a solo homer.
Josh Harrison doubled the lead with a 406-foot solo shot in the next inning. The Nationals then broke the game open with three more runs in the third frame.
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Michael Conforto put the Mets on the scoreboard with a two-run homer in the top of the fourth inning. Mets star Pete Alonso closed the gap to two runs with an RBI single in the top of the fifth frame, but the Mets could not complete a comeback.
Kendrick had three singles and a home run in his 4-for-4 night. He also had two runs scored and an RBI.
Nationals starter Patrick Corbin allowed eight hits and three runs in 5 2/3 innings to earn his first win of the season. Matz allowed seven hits and five runs in three innings in his second loss of 2020.
Starlin Castro and Asdrubal Cabrera had two hits apiece for the Nationals. Mets shortstop Andres Gimenez went 2 for 4 in the loss.
The Nationals next host the Mets in the final game of the series at 6:05 p.m. EDT Wednesday at Nationals Park.