upi--2020-07-27--Quest for COVID-19 vaccines: Where they stand

May 29 ( UPI ) -- As the worldwide death toll from the novel coronavirus continues to rise , scientists across the globe are racing to find a vaccine .
It often takes years to secure funding , research and develop a vaccine candidate , test it on humans and get regulatory approval .
And that 's all before pharmaceutical companies can begin the task of actually manufacturing millions of doses for distribution .
A New York Times analysis indicates that under a normal timeline , a COVID-19 vaccine would n't be ready for distribution until May 2036 .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to a Johns Hopkins University tracker , and the global economy struggling under mitigation efforts , world leaders are eager to speed up the process .
U.S. President Donald Trump in May announced Operation Warp Speed , an effort to shorten the time frame in which a vaccine goes from concept to distribution .
He 's called for a vaccine to be available for use within about 18 months , a goal some experts warn is too optimistic .
With more than 100 vaccine trials underway , scientists are hoping at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough to hit that 18-month goal .
Here are a handful of the more notable research efforts underway : British researchers announced June 16 plans to start Phase II human trials for a potential vaccine .
Three-hundred healthy participants will receive two doses of the vaccine candidate .
The candidate uses synthetic strands of genetic code called RNA .
This genetic material will self-replicate once injected into the test subject , and will instruct the body 's cells to create copies of the virus ' spiky protein .
If the Phase II trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on to Phase III involving 6,000 test subjects .
Imperial College London 's research is funded by $ 50 million from the British government .
Moderna said on May 18 that a Phase I trial of its mRNa-1273 possible vaccine indicated a `` potential to prevent '' COVID-19 .
The vaccine succeeded in producing antibodies to attack the virus in all 45 test subjects in quantities `` of the magnitude caused by natural infection . ''
It announced on June 11 that it plans to enter its third and final clinical stage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moderna is conducting the trial in partnership with the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health .
The company said it plans to deliver between 500 million and 1 billion doses per year starting in 2021 in collaboration with drugmaker Lonza .
Moderna 's Phase I results announcements caused stocks to soar after a tumultuous two months in the markets .
On July 15 , Moderna announced the Phase 1 trial saw a `` rapid and strong '' immune response against COVID-19 , and that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' among the 45 study participants .
Moderna announced on July 27 that it started a 30,000 patient Phase 3 trial for it 's vaccine candidate , with the first study participants already having been dosed .
The primary endpoint for this trial , titled COVE , is prevention of COVID-19 .
In late March , Johnson & Johnson said it identified a lead candidate for development for a vaccine and had planned to start human testing in September .
But on June 10 , the company announced the trials would begin earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also identified two backup options .
It plans to use funding from the federal Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to scale up manufacturing with the goal of producing more than 1 billion doses .
Johnson & Johnson plans to collaborate with Emergent BioSolution to manufacture the vaccine .
Pfizer partnered with German company BioNTech in early May to administer a vaccine candidate known as BNT162 on human test subjects .
Tests were carried out at New York University , the University of Maryland and Cincinnati Children 's Hospital as part of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial is designed to determine the safety , immunogenicity and optimal dose level of four versions of Pfizer 's vaccine candidate , which uses `` messenger DNA '' to spur the body to produce antibodies that fight the coronavirus .
All 24 participants in an early trial of the vaccine candidate generated antibodies against the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 , the companies reported on July 1 .
The level of antibodies needed to provide immunity will be determined in a larger safety and efficacy trial scheduled to start this month .
They company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rollout that will produce millions of vaccine doses this year and hundreds of millions next year .
The companies said on July 20 that one of four vaccine candidates they are testing , BNT162b1 , produced `` robust '' T cell and antibody responses in patients participating in the study .
This Ad5-nCoV vaccine candidate produced in China was the first to be tested in humans -- a study of which found that it appears to be safe and able to generate an immune response against COVID-19 .
It uses a weakened common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human cells but is incapable of causing disease , to deliver genetic material that codes for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to the cells .
They then produce the spike protein and allow the immune system to create antibodies to fight the coronavirus .
A study , released May 22 , found that low , medium and high doses of the vaccine produced some level of both COVID-19 antibodies and T-cell response .
The vaccine will need to pass through Phase II and Phase III clinical trials in humans with similar positive results before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 approved the vaccine candidate for immediate use by military personnel , though it was unclear how many of the 2.2 million members of China 's military would receive it .
On July 20 , results from a Phase II trial showed 95 % of patients receiving a higher dose and 91 % given a lower dose had immune responses to the vaccine candidate within 28 days of receiving the shot .
About 70 % of participants in the study reported mild side effects , researchers reported .
Oxford Vaccine Group and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trials for their potential vaccine AZD1222 .
Researchers are enrolling volunteers to test the vaccine , which is made from a weakened version of the adenovirus .
In May , Oxford announced it received more than $ 1 billion from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority , a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services .
The British government has also supplied $ 79 million for the AstraZeneca/Oxford collaboration .
AstraZeneca plans at least 400 million doses and has lined up manufacturing capacity for 1 billion doses with first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AstraZenaca on July 20 announced that their vaccine candidate , also referred to as ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 , induced an immune response in 91 percent of study participants within 28 days of receiving a shot .
Chinese biopharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech began Phase II clinical trials of its CoronaVac vaccine candidate in May .
The study is evaluating the immunogenicity and safety of the potential vaccine in a larger population .
In preclinical studies in macaque monkeys , the inactivated vaccine proved to be safe and provide immunity .
The company is constructing its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 million doses of the vaccine each year .
Sinovac received $ 15 million on May 22 to accelerate the development of CoronaVac .
French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline partnered together in April to create an adjuvanted vaccine , a type of vaccine that requires a smaller amount of vaccine protein per dose , allowing more doses to be produced more quickly .
Sanofi paired its S-protein COVID-19 antigen -- based on recombinant DNA technology -- with GSK 's adjuvant technology to create the vaccine candidate .
This vaccine is in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28 that it plans to make 1 billion doses of a vaccine adjuvant system through 2021 .
This vaccine candidate , now in pre-clinical studies , is being designed and engineered by International AIDS Vaccine Initiative scientists .
Merck will manage its regulatory approval process .
It uses the same recombinant viral vectoring , or rVSV , technology as Merck 's successful Ebola Zaire virus vaccine , Ervebo .
Merck is also working on two other vaccines -- one with biotechnology company Themis and another with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics .
U.S. biotechnology company Novavax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a potential vaccine called NVX‑CoV2373 .
Researchers began a combined Phase I/II preliminary immunogenicity and safety trial .
Novavax said NVX‑CoV2373 demonstrated `` high immunogenicity and high levels of neutralizing antibodies '' during pre-clinical tests and showed `` strong evidence '' it will be effective in fighting COVID‑19 in humans .

The research and testing that goes into creating a new vaccine normally takes years, a process world leaders are hoping can be safely and effectively shortened to 18 months or less. File Photo by John Keith/Wikimedia Commons
May 29 (UPI) -- As the worldwide death toll from the novel coronavirus continues to rise, scientists across the globe have spent the year racing to find a vaccine. It often takes years to secure funding, research and develop a vaccine candidate, test it on humans and get regulatory approval. And that's all before pharmaceutical companies can begin the task of actually manufacturing millions of doses for distribution. Advertisement
A New York Times analysis indicates that under a normal timeline, a COVID-19 vaccine wouldn't be ready for distribution until May 2036.
But with the number of dead growing worldwide, and the global economy struggling under mitigation efforts, world leaders have been eager to speed up the process.
U.S. President Donald Trump in May announced Operation Warp Speed, an effort to shorten the time frame in which a vaccine goes from concept to distribution. He'd called for a vaccine to be available for use within about 18 months, a goal some experts warned was too optimistic.
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More than 100 vaccine trials are ongoing, but scientists have hit that 18-month goal early -- one vaccine, from Moderna, was approved in early December by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is now being distributed.
Here are a handful of the more notable research efforts underway:
BioNTech and Pfizer
Pfizer partnered with German company BioNTech in early May to administer a vaccine candidate known as BNT162 on human test subjects. Tests were carried out at New York University, the University of Maryland and Cincinnati Children's Hospital as part of a Phase I/II clinical trial.
The initial trial is designed to determine the safety, immunogenicity and optimal dose level of four versions of Pfizer's vaccine candidate, which uses "messenger DNA" to spur the body to produce antibodies that fight the coronavirus.
All 24 participants in an early trial of the vaccine candidate generated antibodies against the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the companies reported on July 1. The level of antibodies needed to provide immunity will be determined in a larger safety and efficacy trial scheduled to start this month.
They company also said they're preparing a large-scale rollout that will produce millions of vaccine doses this year and hundreds of millions next year.
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The companies said on July 20 that one of four vaccine candidates they are testing, BNT162b1, produced "robust" T cell and antibody responses in patients participating in the study.
On Nov. 9, the two companies announced that a stage 3 trial showed their vaccine can block infection with the coronavirus. Just 10% of the 100 participants who tested positive for COVID-19 had received the vaccine rather than a placebo, the trial results showed.
The companies said an interim analysis of the trial data shows the two-dose vaccine provides protection beginning seven days after the second dose and 28 days after the first dose. They will now seek an emergency use authorization from the FDA once "the required safety milestone is achieved" -- which may happen before the end of November.
Pfizer officially requested an emergency use authorization from the FDA on Nov. 20, which the company said could allow it to start shipping its vaccine to high-risk groups by the middle of December.
The British government on Wednesday became the first Western nation to approve a COVID-19 vaccine, with Pfizer receiving the approval and officials expecting it to become available as soon as next week.
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Pfizer's vaccine was approved by the U.S. government on Dec. 11 and distributed across the country over the weekend, with the first shots given to front-line health workers on Dec. 14.
Moderna and NIAID
Moderna said on May 18 that a Phase I trial of its mRNa-1273 possible vaccine indicated a "potential to prevent" COVID-19. The vaccine succeeded in producing antibodies to attack the virus in all 45 test subjects in quantities "of the magnitude caused by natural infection."
It announced on June 11 that it plans to enter its third and final clinical stage of testing in July using 30,000 participants.
Moderna is conducting the trial in partnership with the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health. The company said it plans to deliver between 500 million and 1 billion doses per year starting in 2021 in collaboration with drugmaker Lonza.
Moderna's Phase I results announcements caused stocks to soar after a tumultuous two months in the markets.
On July 15, Moderna announced the Phase 1 trial saw a "rapid and strong" immune response against COVID-19, and that the vaccine was "generally safe and well-tolerated" among the 45 study participants.
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Moderna announced on July 27 that it started a 30,000 patient Phase 3 trial for it's vaccine candidate, with the first study participants already having been dosed. The primary endpoint for this trial, titled COVE, is prevention of COVID-19.
An update on data from the Phase I trial on Aug. 25 showed older adults that received the vaccine displayed higher levels of COVID-19 antibodies than patients who had recovered from it.
Moderna on Nov. 16 published an interim analysis of data in its Phase III trail showing its COVID-19 vaccine candidate is 94.5% effective at preventing infection. No serious side effects have been detected in study participants.
The company's CEO said it will pursue an emergency use authorization from the FDA later this month once it has finished compiling safety data on the vaccine.
On Nov. 30, Moderna said it would be applying to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for an emergency use authorization after further trial data showed the company's vaccine is 94% effective.
With an expected FDA approval, the vaccine could become available within weeks, officials said.
The FDA on Dec. 15 said in a 45-page report that Moderna's vaccine is safe and effective enough for use. The agency's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meets this week to consider approval of an emergency use authorization for the vaccine.
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Oxford University and AstraZeneca
Oxford Vaccine Group and the Jenner Institute have entered Phase I/II human trials for their potential vaccine AZD1222. Researchers are enrolling volunteers to test the vaccine, which is made from a weakened version of the adenovirus.
In May, Oxford announced it received more than $1 billion from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The British government has also supplied $79 million for the AstraZeneca/Oxford collaboration.
AstraZeneca plans at least 400 million doses and has lined up manufacturing capacity for 1 billion doses with first deliveries set for September.
Oxford and AstraZenaca on July 20 announced that their vaccine candidate, also referred to as ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, induced an immune response in 91 percent of study participants within 28 days of receiving a shot.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Aug. 19 announced a deal with AstraZeneca to provide enough doses for every person in Australia to receive one, should the vaccine be approved.
AstraZeneca on Sept. 1 announced it was starting a Phase III trial in the United States, with the goal of enrolling up to 30,000 adults in order to assess safety, efficacy and immunogenicity of AZD1222. The company also has separate late-stage trials ongoing in Britain, Brazil and South Africa, with trials planned for Japan and Russia, which will bring the total number of participants to 50,000, officials said.
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Global trials of the vaccine candidate were paused on Sept. 9 after an unexplained illness in a participant. The company said an independent review of the illness was being conducted, and Matt Hancock, Britain's health secretary, said the concern should not yet be considered a setback.
The company said on Nov. 5 that late-stage trial results are expected for its vaccine before the end of 2020, raising hopes that the vaccine could be available by the end of the year or early 2021.
AstraZeneca on Nov. 23 announced its vaccine has 70% efficacy, based on an interim analysis of clinical trial data. The company said it has tried a number of dosing regimens, including one that reaches 90% efficacy within one month of vaccination.
The company is currently preparing to submit for regulatory approval and emergency approval from the WHO, with a full analysis of the interim trial data also being submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.
Imperial College and British government
British researchers announced June 16 plans to start Phase II human trials for a potential vaccine. Three-hundred healthy participants will receive two doses of the vaccine candidate.
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The candidate uses synthetic strands of genetic code called RNA. This genetic material will self-replicate once injected into the test subject, and will instruct the body's cells to create copies of the virus' spiky protein.
If the Phase II trial is successful, researchers will be move on to Phase III involving 6,000 test subjects.
Imperial College London's research is funded by $50 million from the British government.
Johnson & Johnson
In late July, Johnson & Johnson said its lead candidate, Ad26.COV2-S, produced a "robust immune response" in monkeys during trials. The trials in animals came simultaneously while the company tested the experimental vaccine in humans in both single and double doses.
The experimental vaccine is vector-based and uses an Ad26 virus to take the coronavirus spike protein gene to human cells. The cells then use the spike gene to replicate the coronavirus proteins and protect themselves from the virus.
The company said it plans to begin Phase III trials in September. It has also identified two backup options.
It plans to use funding from the federal Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to scale up manufacturing with the goal of producing more than 1 billion doses.
Johnson & Johnson plans to collaborate with Emergent BioSolution to manufacture the vaccine.
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The company said on August 5 that it has come to an agreement with the U.S. government to provide 100 million doses of its vaccine after it is approved on a "not-for-profit basis."
CanSino Biologics and China's Institute of Biotechnology
This Ad5-nCoV vaccine candidate produced in China was the first to be tested in humans -- a study of which found that it appears to be safe and able to generate an immune response against COVID-19.
It uses a weakened common cold virus, adenovirus, which infects human cells but is incapable of causing disease, to deliver genetic material that codes for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to the cells. They then produce the spike protein and allow the immune system to create antibodies to fight the coronavirus.
A study, released May 22, found that low, medium and high doses of the vaccine produced some level of both COVID-19 antibodies and T-cell response.
The vaccine will need to pass through Phase II and Phase III clinical trials in humans with similar positive results before widespread use.
Chinese officials on June 29 approved the vaccine candidate for immediate use by military personnel, though it was unclear how many of the 2.2 million members of China's military would receive it.
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On July 20, results from a Phase II trial showed 95% of patients receiving a higher dose and 91% given a lower dose had immune responses to the vaccine candidate within 28 days of receiving the shot. About 70% of participants in the study reported mild side effects, researchers reported.
Sinopharm and China National Pharmaceutical Group
Sinopharm on Aug. 18 announced it has started international Phase III trials for it's coronavirus vaccine candidate, and plans to enter the screening and approval phase at an accelerated rate.
Phase I and II trials of the potential vaccine showed it is safe and generated an immune response, according to a paper published earlier in August.
Sinopharm said it expects the vaccine to be approved and publicly available by the end of December.
Sinovac Biotech
Chinese biopharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech began Phase II clinical trials of its CoronaVac vaccine candidate in May. The study is evaluating the immunogenicity and safety of the potential vaccine in a larger population.
In preclinical studies in macaque monkeys, the inactivated vaccine proved to be safe and provide immunity.
The company is constructing its own production plant to manufacture up to 100 million doses of the vaccine each year.
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Sinovac received $15 million on May 22 to accelerate the development of CoronaVac.
Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline
French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline partnered together in April to create an adjuvanted vaccine, a type of vaccine that requires a smaller amount of vaccine protein per dose, allowing more doses to be produced more quickly.
Sanofi paired its S-protein COVID-19 antigen -- based on recombinant DNA technology -- with GSK's adjuvant technology to create the vaccine candidate.
This vaccine is in the pre-clinical phase, but GSK announced May 28 that it plans to make 1 billion doses of a vaccine adjuvant system through 2021.
Merck and IAVI
This vaccine candidate, now in pre-clinical studies, is being designed and engineered by International AIDS Vaccine Initiative scientists. Merck will manage its regulatory approval process. It uses the same recombinant viral vectoring, or rVSV, technology as Merck's successful Ebola Zaire virus vaccine, Ervebo.
Merck is also working on two other vaccines -- one with biotechnology company Themis and another with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics.
Novavax
Biotechnology company Novavax announced Aug. 4 that a Phase I clinical trial of a potential vaccine called NVX‑CoV2373 generated favorable immune response results. Researchers began a combined Phase I/II preliminary immunogenicity and safety trial.
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The vaccine candidate produced neutralizing antibodies in the subjects at a higher rate than observed in people who have recovered from COVID-19. Novavax said immune response for those who received an adjuvant was also stronger.
On Aug. 17, the company announced it was starting a Phase II trial for it's vaccine candidate in South Africa, where they will enroll 2,600 participants. The company also said it plans to start a 1,500-participant Phase II trial in the United States and Australia "in the near future."
Novavax on Sept. 3 published results from the Phase I trial of its vaccine candidate showing it is safe and well-tolerated by patients. The vaccine produced immune responses greater than that found in convalescent plasma and induced T cell responses in patients during the randomized, placebo-controlled trial, the company reported.
World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-07-27--Israel repelled infiltration by Hezbollah, IDF says

July 27 ( UPI ) -- Israel stopped an attack Monday by Hezbollah militants near Mount Dov after several operatives crossed into Israel from Lebanon , Israel Defense Forces said .
No injuries were reported on either side .
IDF spokesman Brig .
Gen. Hidai Zilberman said three to five Hezbollah militants crossed the Israeli border , and military members opened fire on them with tank shells and machine guns after they were identified .
The Hezbollah operatives retreated back into Lebanon without returning fire .
Hezbollah issued a statement through militant-run outlet Al-Mayadeen saying there was no incident .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ or exchange of fire occurred on its end during today 's incidents until this moment , '' Hezbollah said .
`` Instead , all came from one side , that of the fearful , worried , and nervous Israeli enemy . ''
Hezbollah , the Lebanese Shi'ite group supported by Iran , had vowed revenge for the death of a fighter killed in a recent Syrian airstrike blamed on Israel .
Israel 's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , speaking alongside Defense Minister Benny Gantz , said that any attack from Hezbollah would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Hezbollah has to know it 's playing with fire , '' said Netanyahu .
`` Any attack will be met with great force .
[ Hezbollah leader Hasan ] Nasrallah is greatly mistaken about Israel 's determination to defend itself and Lebanon has paid a heavy price for this mistake . ''
Gantz praised the IDF for preventing `` a serious event that could have cost human lives . ''
`` Israel is determined as ever to protect the lives of its soldiers and its civilians , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the IDF is putting himself and the state he comes from in danger . ''

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that any attack on Israel "will be met with great force" after the Israel Defense Forces stopped an attack by Hezbollah militants near Mount Dov. Pool Photo by Tal Shahar/UPI | License Photo
July 27 (UPI) -- Israel stopped an attack Monday by Hezbollah militants near Mount Dov after several operatives crossed into Israel from Lebanon, Israel Defense Forces said. No injuries were reported on either side. IDF spokesman Brig. Gen. Hidai Zilberman said three to five Hezbollah militants crossed the Israeli border, and military members opened fire on them with tank shells and machine guns after they were identified. Advertisement
The Hezbollah operatives retreated back into Lebanon without returning fire.
Hezbollah issued a statement through militant-run outlet Al-Mayadeen saying there was no incident.
"The Islamic Resistance confirms no clash or exchange of fire occurred on its end during today's incidents until this moment," Hezbollah said. "Instead, all came from one side, that of the fearful, worried, and nervous Israeli enemy."
Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shi'ite group supported by Iran, had vowed revenge for the death of a fighter killed in a recent Syrian airstrike blamed on Israel.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking alongside Defense Minister Benny Gantz, said that any attack from Hezbollah would be met with a strong reaction from Israel.
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"Hezbollah has to know it's playing with fire," said Netanyahu. "Any attack will be met with great force. [Hezbollah leader Hasan] Nasrallah is greatly mistaken about Israel's determination to defend itself and Lebanon has paid a heavy price for this mistake."
Gantz praised the IDF for preventing "a serious event that could have cost human lives."
"Israel is determined as ever to protect the lives of its soldiers and its civilians," he said. "Whoever dares test the force of the IDF is putting himself and the state he comes from in danger."


upi--2020-07-27--House approves commission to study societal challenges of Black men and boys

July 27 ( UPI ) -- Lawmakers in the U.S. House on Monday overwhelmingly passed legislation to create a new commission to study the societal struggles of Black men and boys in the United States .
The new Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act would authorize a bipartisan , 19-member commission made up of lawmakers , agency representatives and non-government advocates to look at policies and circumstances that create barriers for Black men and youth to participate fully in American life , supporters said .
`` The commission will review police brutality , gun violence , fatherhood , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and even sneakers , which play an important role in the lives of black boys , '' sponsor Rep. Frederica Wilson , D-Fla. said in a statement Monday .
`` Too often [ Black boys ] are perceived as criminals by the time they reach the age of 5 .
They 're labeled delinquent , not rowdy .
They are hardened criminals , not misguided youth .
Their very existence is often seen as a threat .
It is a tragic reality that Black males in America are treated as their own class @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The proposed commission would create a yearly report to Congress with policy recommendations .
The bill passed by a 368-to-1 vote .
The lone nay vote was cast by Rep. Mo Brooks , R.-Ala. Companion legislation in the Senate has been co-sponsored by Marco Rubio , R-Fla. , Kamala Harris , D-Calif. , and Cory Booker , D-N.J. Wilson said she felt `` bittersweet '' that the passage of the bill was not witnessed by the late Rep. John Lewis , who died last week at age 80 .
The late Georgia Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was first introduced several years ago .
The police-involved deaths of George Floyd and others and the Black Lives Matter protests sweeping the country have pushed forth interest in structural inequalities based on race , said supporters .
`` As we witness the deadly outcomes of interactions between Black men and police from Walter Scott to George Floyd , we must seek comprehensive reforms that will change this narrative , '' said Majority Whip James Clyburn , D-S.C. , in a statement .
`` Police reforms are necessary , but we must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impacted Black men since birth . ''
North Dakota Republican Rep. Kelly Armstrong said his experience as a defense attorney showed him that the legal system treated Black males differently .
`` As a defense attorney , I saw how sentence disparities on drug crimes , minimum mandatory sentencing , school board sentencing , pretrial release policies often had racial impacts , '' Kelly said , as reported by The Hill .
`` By creating a bipartisan commission to study inequality in government programs , we take the necessary steps to identify and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boys , '' Kelly added .

U.S. House lawmakers on Monday approved a bill to create a non-partisan commission to study the social inequities faced by Black men and boys in the United States. File Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
July 27 (UPI) -- Lawmakers in the U.S. House on Monday overwhelmingly passed legislation to create a new commission to study the societal struggles of Black men and boys in the United States. The new Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act would authorize a bipartisan, 19-member commission made up of lawmakers, agency representatives and non-government advocates to look at policies and circumstances that create barriers for Black men and youth to participate fully in American life, supporters said. Advertisement
"The commission will review police brutality, gun violence, fatherhood, recruiting and training Black male teachers, and even sneakers, which play an important role in the lives of black boys," sponsor Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla. said in a statement Monday.
"Too often [Black boys] are perceived as criminals by the time they reach the age of 5. They're labeled delinquent, not rowdy. They are hardened criminals, not misguided youth. Their very existence is often seen as a threat. It is a tragic reality that Black males in America are treated as their own class of citizens," Wilson added.
The proposed commission would create a yearly report to Congress with policy recommendations.
The bill passed by a 368-to-1 vote. The lone nay vote was cast by Rep. Mo Brooks, R.-Ala. Companion legislation in the Senate has been co-sponsored by Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Kamala Harris, D-Calif., and Cory Booker, D-N.J.
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Wilson said she felt "bittersweet" that the passage of the bill was not witnessed by the late Rep. John Lewis, who died last week at age 80. The late Georgia Democrat was a supporter of the bill, which was first introduced several years ago.
The police-involved deaths of George Floyd and others and the Black Lives Matter protests sweeping the country have pushed forth interest in structural inequalities based on race, said supporters.
"As we witness the deadly outcomes of interactions between Black men and police from Walter Scott to George Floyd, we must seek comprehensive reforms that will change this narrative," said Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C., in a statement. "Police reforms are necessary, but we must also restructure the system that has adversely impacted Black men since birth."
North Dakota Republican Rep. Kelly Armstrong said his experience as a defense attorney showed him that the legal system treated Black males differently.
"As a defense attorney, I saw how sentence disparities on drug crimes, minimum mandatory sentencing, school board sentencing, pretrial release policies often had racial impacts," Kelly said, as reported by The Hill.
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"By creating a bipartisan commission to study inequality in government programs, we take the necessary steps to identify and address disparities for Black American men and boys," Kelly added.


upi--2020-07-27--Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas become parents of baby girl

July 27 ( UPI ) -- Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas confirmed the birth of their first child .
On Monday , TMZ reported that Turner gave birth in a Los Angeles hospital Wednesday .
Reps for Jonas and Turner confirmed in a statement to People .
The couple named their daughter Willa .
Both Jonas and Turner have social media accounts , but have not yet posted anything about Willa .
Turner and Jonas celebrated their first wedding anniversary in May .
Their 2019 wedding was a small ceremony .
In July they had a larger wedding in France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matter protests against the death of George Floyd in May and June , but otherwise have remained private during the pandemic .
Jonas has also posted election related videos on social media .
Turner starred as Sansa Stark on Game of Thrones , and Jean Grey in the X-Men movies .
She recently played Westley in a Zoom remake of The Princess Bride for Quibi , for whom she also stars on the series Survive .
Jonas was a member of the band The Jonas Brothers with his brothers Kevin and Nick .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ He played Princess Buttercup to Turner 's Westley in The Princess Bride .
Turner told Harper 's Bazaar she met Jonas via social media .
They had many mutual friends but Jonas made the first move and messaged her .

Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner are first-time parents to baby daughter Willa. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
July 27 (UPI) -- Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas confirmed the birth of their first child. On Monday, TMZ reported that Turner gave birth in a Los Angeles hospital Wednesday. Reps for Jonas and Turner confirmed in a statement to People. Advertisement
The couple named their daughter Willa. Both Jonas and Turner have social media accounts, but have not yet posted anything about Willa.
Turner and Jonas celebrated their first wedding anniversary in May. Their 2019 wedding was a small ceremony. In July they had a larger wedding in France.
Jonas and Turner supported Black Lives Matter protests against the death of George Floyd in May and June, but otherwise have remained private during the pandemic. Jonas has also posted election related videos on social media.
Turner starred as Sansa Stark on Game of Thrones, and Jean Grey in the X-Men movies. She recently played Westley in a Zoom remake of The Princess Bride for Quibi, for whom she also stars on the series Survive.
Jonas was a member of the band The Jonas Brothers with his brothers Kevin and Nick. He is also a solo artist. He played Princess Buttercup to Turner's Westley in The Princess Bride.
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Turner told Harper's Bazaar she met Jonas via social media. They had many mutual friends but Jonas made the first move and messaged her.


upi--2020-07-27--Israeli-built drone for German air force has first successful flight

July 27 ( UPI ) -- An unmanned aerial vehicle made in Israel for Germany 's Defense Ministry completed its first successful flight , builder Israel Aerospace Industries announced .
The Heron TP , modified to the specifications of the German Defense Ministry , completed its first flight on Sunday in Israel , the company said .
The medium altitude , long endurance Heron TP , regarded as the company 's most advanced drone , can be used for reconnaissance and support roles , and can fire air-to-ground missiles .
With a maximum takeoff weight of 11,365 pounds , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry a payload of over 2,200 pounds .
It is based on the Eitan UAV in use by the Israel Air Force .
The German and Israeli defense ministries signed a nine-year , $ 600 million agreement in 2018 to lease an unknown number of UAVs .
The contract covers training , support and maintenance , with 35 two-man teams from Germany training in Israel to operate the drones .
The aerial vehicles will serve as a stopgap prior to the introduction of a European-made system , officials say .
`` IAI is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Heron TP project for Germany , '' Moshe Levy , of IAI , said in a press release .
`` We thank our partners in the Ministry of Defense and Airbus Group , for their cooperation in this project -- a result of which we are going to provide the German Air Force with a system tailored to its operational needs and requirements . ''

The Heron TP, an Israeli-made unmanned aerial vehicle built for the German Air Force completed its first flight on Sunday. Photo courtesy of Israel Aerospace Industries
July 27 (UPI) -- An unmanned aerial vehicle made in Israel for Germany's Defense Ministry completed its first successful flight, builder Israel Aerospace Industries announced. The Heron TP, modified to the specifications of the German Defense Ministry, completed its first flight on Sunday in Israel, the company said. Advertisement
The medium altitude, long endurance Heron TP, regarded as the company's most advanced drone, can be used for reconnaissance and support roles, and can fire air-to-ground missiles.
With a maximum takeoff weight of 11,365 pounds, the vehicle has a 54-foot wingspan and can carry a payload of over 2,200 pounds. It is based on the Eitan UAV in use by the Israel Air Force.
The German and Israeli defense ministries signed a nine-year, $600 million agreement in 2018 to lease an unknown number of UAVs. The contract covers training, support and maintenance, with 35 two-man teams from Germany training in Israel to operate the drones.
The aerial vehicles will serve as a stopgap prior to the introduction of a European-made system, officials say.
"IAI is pleased to mark this important milestone in the Heron TP project for Germany," Moshe Levy, of IAI, said in a press release. "We thank our partners in the Ministry of Defense and Airbus Group,for their cooperation in this project -- a result of which we are going to provide the German Air Force with a system tailored to its operational needs and requirements."
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upi--2020-07-27--Apple TV+ announces new Oprah Winfrey interview series

July 27 ( UPI ) -- Apple TV+ and Oprah Winfrey announced a new series led by Winfrey for the streaming service .
The Oprah Conversation will premiere Thursday at 4 p.m. PDT .
The Oprah Conversation will feature Winfrey leading discussions with thought leaders on timely subjects .
Her first interview will be with Professor Ibram X. Kendi , speaking about how White readers can learn to become anti-racist .
The second episode will feature a conversation with Emmanuel Acho in two parts .
In the first part , the athlete will discuss his web series Uncomfortable Conversations with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White viewers .
In the second part , Winfrey and Acho will discuss race together and include questions from LatinX guests .
Future episodes will include Equal Justice Initiative founder , and subject of the movie Just Mercy , Bryan Stevenson .
Winfrey will record the conversations remotely , as she gave her 2020 Commencement speech remotely .
Apple TV+ already streams Oprah 's Book Club and Oprah Talks COVID-19 .
The Oprah Winfrey Show , hosted by Winfrey , ran in syndication from 1986-2011 .
Since then , Winfrey also launched OWN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also produced and hosted Super Soul Sunday and Oprah 's Master Class , and produced the movies Selma and Broadway 's adaptation of her film The Color Purple .

Oprah Winfrey is launching "The Oprah Conversation" on Apple TV+. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
July 27 (UPI) -- Apple TV+ and Oprah Winfrey announced a new series led by Winfrey for the streaming service. The Oprah Conversation will premiere Thursday at 4 p.m. PDT. The Oprah Conversation will feature Winfrey leading discussions with thought leaders on timely subjects. Her first interview will be with Professor Ibram X. Kendi, speaking about how White readers can learn to become anti-racist. Advertisement
The second episode will feature a conversation with Emmanuel Acho in two parts. In the first part, the athlete will discuss his web series Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man and take questions from White viewers. In the second part, Winfrey and Acho will discuss race together and include questions from LatinX guests.
Future episodes will include Equal Justice Initiative founder, and subject of the movie Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson.
Winfrey will record the conversations remotely, as she gave her 2020 Commencement speech remotely. Apple TV+ already streams Oprah's Book Club and Oprah Talks COVID-19.
The Oprah Winfrey Show, hosted by Winfrey, ran in syndication from 1986-2011. Since then, Winfrey also launched OWN, The Oprah Winfrey Network. She has also produced and hosted Super Soul Sunday and Oprah's Master Class, and produced the movies Selma and Broadway's adaptation of her film The Color Purple.


upi--2020-07-27--Australian woman's $1.43M lottery jackpot marks her second major win

July 27 ( UPI ) -- An Australian woman who collected a nearly $ 1.5 million lottery prize was no stranger to luck -- she won a major jackpot a few years earlier .
The South Gippsland woman told The Lott officials she was elated to discover her entry in Saturday 's TattsLotto drawing was one of 10 to score a division one prize of $ 1,428,800 .
`` I do n't know how to feel .
I have n't come down off cloud nine yet .
I 'm still floating around , '' the woman said .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'll be numb for a little while yet . ''
The woman said she has played the TattsLotto drawing every week since it began , and her latest brush with luck was n't her first .
`` This is actually the second time I 've won a major prize .
A few years ago now , I won a few hundred thousand in division one , '' she said .
`` I consider myself very lucky .
I 'm very lucky , indeed . ''
The winner said she plans to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winning a third time .

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July 27 (UPI) -- An Australian woman who collected a nearly $1.5 million lottery prize was no stranger to luck -- she won a major jackpot a few years earlier.
The South Gippsland woman told The Lott officials she was elated to discover her entry in Saturday's TattsLotto drawing was one of 10 to score a division one prize of $1,428,800.
Advertisement
"I don't know how to feel. I haven't come down off cloud nine yet. I'm still floating around," the woman said. "It's a good feeling. I think I'll be numb for a little while yet."
The woman said she has played the TattsLotto drawing every week since it began, and her latest brush with luck wasn't her first.
"This is actually the second time I've won a major prize. A few years ago now, I won a few hundred thousand in division one," she said. "I consider myself very lucky. I'm very lucky, indeed."
The winner said she plans to continue to play TattsLotto in the hopes of winning a third time.


upi--2020-07-27--Experts: Rush to publish makes some COVID-19 research unreliable

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a massive scientific response to the crisis , with more than 1,500 coronavirus studies kicking off between March and mid-May of this year , a new study reports .
Unfortunately , much of this research has sown only confusion , producing precious little scientific evidence of sufficient quality to dramatically improve any understanding of COVID-19 , researchers argue .
Only about three in 10 COVID-19 studies have been designed with enough rigor to produce valuable evidence about the coronavirus , said lead researcher Dr. Mintu Turakhia , director of the Center for Digital Health at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's been an extraordinary activation of clinical research around COVID , and that 's great , '' Turakhia said .
`` The problem is , the majority of these studies are not likely to yield really strong evidence . ''
Only 75 out of 664 clinical trials for COVID-19 -- about 11 % -- have all the hallmarks of a scientific study that could be expected to produce solid results , according to the study published online July 27 in JAMA Internal Medicine .
Those hallmarks include random assignment of patients to either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placebo `` blinding '' that prevents everyone , including the researchers , from knowing who received which treatment during the trial and the involvement of multiple hospitals with at least more than 100 patients enrolled in the trial .
`` If you take this all in totality , what it really tells you is that most of the evidence that 's going to be generated is not going to be very strong and move the needle in terms of the science for COVID , '' Turakhia said .
Clinical trials are the gold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also can provide results that inform knowledge and treatment .
Those studies involve researchers tracking health trends among people out in the real world , rather than testing treatments in a lab setting .
Unfortunately , the 640 observational studies that Turakhia 's team found regarding COVID-19 also have had weak designs .
Only two in five involved more than one hospital , and just 13.6 % could be expected to yield strong scientific evidence , the researchers said .
`` If you look at the quality of the research that was published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ article does a good job of that , you see that it 's really hard to actually come up with something that is actionable from a lot of these early studies , '' said Dr. Tracy Wang , director of health services & outcome research for the Duke Clinical Research Institute in Durham , N.C. As the COVID-19 crisis grew in the late winter and early spring , scientists across the world sprang into action and started hundreds of studies , Wang and Turakhia said .
But they did so without any real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result their individual efforts have produced weak evidence that ca n't even be pooled to create broader analysis , said Wang , who co-wrote an editorial accompanying Turakhia 's study .
To pool data from different studies , you need results that come from a series of randomized clinical trials , Wang said .
That way , any interpretation of the pooled data will be based on information from the strongest sources possible .
`` So far , an overwhelming majority -- 80 % to 90 % of our studies so far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wang said , which renders their data `` pretty useless '' for any larger-scale analysis .
These poorly designed studies tend to frustrate both average citizens as well as health care professionals , because of the conflicting evidence that continues to surface without any way of determining the correct answer , Turakhia said .
`` Sometimes these have the potential to influence public opinion , policy , and it confuses the average person and clinician about what to believe , '' Turakhia said .
`` The more noise you have , the harder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ societal trust in the really well-done studies . ''
Wang recommends that people become `` connoisseurs '' of medical research , only taking stock in studies that randomly assign treatment to people and that look at health outcomes that actually matter .
For example , only about one-third of the studies in Turakhia 's paper placed an emphasis on tracking mortality , `` an endpoint that is really of most importance to a patient and to their caregiver -- did it help my family member live longer ? ''
Wang said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've been prioritizing , '' Wang said .
`` This is one of the key points of this article , is that very , very few of these studies used mortality as an end point . ''
Turakhia and his colleagues only looked at studies registered with the federal government through May 19 .
Wang believes that researchers have since dramatically improved their game .
`` I can tell you that we 've now gotten a lot more organized about this , '' Wang said .
`` A lot of these trials are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very collaborative fashion . ''
We 've got funding agencies standing behind these trials to say , hey , let 's play together so we can get these trials together faster and more efficiently , and do it in a way where if something does n't work , we do n't toss the baby out with the bathwater , '' Wang said .
`` We can still keep what 's working and proceed to the next idea . ''
The COVID-19 pandemic has taught many valuable lessons about how the scientific response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unfold , Turakhia said .
`` We really have to be better prepared to have a clinical trial network and infrastructure we can activate to do multicenter trials more rapidly in the U.S. , '' Turakhia said .
`` The scientific response is going to have to be part of our pandemic response if we go through this again , '' he added .
`` You ca n't sacrifice well-designed trials just because you 're in a public health crisis .
You have to do studies with rigor .
That 's really the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about COVID-19 .

Only about three in 10 COVID-19 studies have been designed with enough rigor to produce valuable evidence about the coronavirus, according to the author of a new study. Photo by jarmoluk /Pixabay
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a massive scientific response to the crisis, with more than 1,500 coronavirus studies kicking off between March and mid-May of this year, a new study reports. Unfortunately, much of this research has sown only confusion, producing precious little scientific evidence of sufficient quality to dramatically improve any understanding of COVID-19, researchers argue. Advertisement
Only about three in 10 COVID-19 studies have been designed with enough rigor to produce valuable evidence about the coronavirus, said lead researcher Dr. Mintu Turakhia, director of the Center for Digital Health at Stanford University in California.
"There's been an extraordinary activation of clinical research around COVID, and that's great," Turakhia said. "The problem is, the majority of these studies are not likely to yield really strong evidence."
Only 75 out of 664 clinical trials for COVID-19 -- about 11% -- have all the hallmarks of a scientific study that could be expected to produce solid results, according to the study published online July 27 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Advertisement
Those hallmarks include random assignment of patients to either the COVID-19 treatment being tested or a placebo "blinding" that prevents everyone, including the researchers, from knowing who received which treatment during the trial and the involvement of multiple hospitals with at least more than 100 patients enrolled in the trial.
"If you take this all in totality, what it really tells you is that most of the evidence that's going to be generated is not going to be very strong and move the needle in terms of the science for COVID," Turakhia said.
Clinical trials are the gold standard for research, but observational studies also can provide results that inform knowledge and treatment. Those studies involve researchers tracking health trends among people out in the real world, rather than testing treatments in a lab setting.
Unfortunately, the 640 observational studies that Turakhia's team found regarding COVID-19 also have had weak designs. Only two in five involved more than one hospital, and just 13.6% could be expected to yield strong scientific evidence, the researchers said.
"If you look at the quality of the research that was published in the early days, and this article does a good job of that, you see that it's really hard to actually come up with something that is actionable from a lot of these early studies," said Dr. Tracy Wang, director of health services & outcome research for the Duke Clinical Research Institute in Durham, N.C.
Advertisement
As the COVID-19 crisis grew in the late winter and early spring, scientists across the world sprang into action and started hundreds of studies, Wang and Turakhia said.
But they did so without any real coordination or large-scale organization, and as a result their individual efforts have produced weak evidence that can't even be pooled to create broader analysis, said Wang, who co-wrote an editorial accompanying Turakhia's study.
To pool data from different studies, you need results that come from a series of randomized clinical trials, Wang said. That way, any interpretation of the pooled data will be based on information from the strongest sources possible.
"So far, an overwhelming majority -- 80% to 90% of our studies so far -- are not randomized trials," Wang said, which renders their data "pretty useless" for any larger-scale analysis.
These poorly designed studies tend to frustrate both average citizens as well as health care professionals, because of the conflicting evidence that continues to surface without any way of determining the correct answer, Turakhia said.
"Sometimes these have the potential to influence public opinion, policy, and it confuses the average person and clinician about what to believe," Turakhia said. "The more noise you have, the harder it is to really convey institutional or societal trust in the really well-done studies."
Advertisement
Wang recommends that people become "connoisseurs" of medical research, only taking stock in studies that randomly assign treatment to people and that look at health outcomes that actually matter.
For example, only about one-third of the studies in Turakhia's paper placed an emphasis on tracking mortality, "an endpoint that is really of most importance to a patient and to their caregiver -- did it help my family member live longer?" Wang said.
"Mortality or death rate is something we've been prioritizing," Wang said. "This is one of the key points of this article, is that very, very few of these studies used mortality as an end point."
Turakhia and his colleagues only looked at studies registered with the federal government through May 19. Wang believes that researchers have since dramatically improved their game.
"I can tell you that we've now gotten a lot more organized about this," Wang said. "A lot of these trials are now being designed together in networks in a very collaborative fashion."
We've got funding agencies standing behind these trials to say, hey, let's play together so we can get these trials together faster and more efficiently, and do it in a way where if something doesn't work, we don't toss the baby out with the bathwater," Wang said. "We can still keep what's working and proceed to the next idea."
Advertisement
The COVID-19 pandemic has taught many valuable lessons about how the scientific response to the next major health crisis should unfold, Turakhia said.
"We really have to be better prepared to have a clinical trial network and infrastructure we can activate to do multicenter trials more rapidly in the U.S.," Turakhia said. "The scientific response is going to have to be part of our pandemic response if we go through this again," he added.
"You can't sacrifice well-designed trials just because you're in a public health crisis. You have to do studies with rigor. That's really the take-home point," Turakhia concluded.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about COVID-19.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-07-27--Spanking on the decline among American parents, survey says

American kids have something to celebrate : Spanking has hit a new low .
About one in three parents said they spanked their kids in 2017 compared to 50 % in 1993 , new research shows .
`` Fewer parents are spanking , and I think it 's helpful for people to know that and that there are tools that are more effective than spanking , '' said Christopher Mehus , lead author of a new study .
He 's a researcher with the Institute for Translational Research in Children 's Mental Health in Minneapolis .
But Mehus is n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on corporal punishment .
`` Parenting is one of the hardest jobs there is , and there 's no education and training for parents , '' he said .
`` We really need to do a better job at supporting parents and setting them up for success with alternative parenting strategies . ''
The American Academy of Pediatrics ' policy on discipline says spanking is n't an effective way to discipline a child .
It may even backfire by teaching a child to be more aggressive .
The AAP advises parents to avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set rules and expectations and reward good behavior .
To gauge what effect -- if any -- experts ' advice to avoid spanking had on its use , Mehus and his colleague , Megan Patrick , looked at annual rates of spanking over 25 years .
The study included more than 16,000 parents at age 35 .
All were living with a 2- to 12-year-old child and 86 % were married .
About 42 % had a college degree .
Slightly more than half were women , and more than three-quarters were white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often they spanked their kids .
Spanking declined by 15 percentage points over the 25-year period .
The decline was similar for women and men , though slightly higher for men , the researchers said .
Parents of 2- to 4-year-olds saw an even bigger shift -- their use of corporal punishment dropped from 60 % to 39 % , according to the report published online as a letter in the July 27 JAMA Pediatrics .
Dr. Michael Grosso , chief medical officer and acting chair of pediatrics at Huntington Hospital in Huntington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This finding aligns well with the position of the American Academy of Pediatrics and what most of us , as pediatricians , try to reinforce as part of our anticipatory guidance : There is no reason for and no value in corporal punishment in child-rearing , '' Grosso said .
Spanking can teach a young child that physical violence against another person is acceptable , Grosso said .
This is true whether spanking is carried out dispassionately as a planned intervention or as an expression of anger , he added .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incidence of this behavior -- either because of our advice or for other societal reasons -- is clearly in the decline , '' Grosso said .
Mehus , father of a 4-year-old , said timeouts can be helpful when used in a particular way .
`` Timeout should be a short , five-minute break in a safe place , near a parent .
A timeout gives everyone involved a chance to take a breath , '' he said .
Mehus said it 's important for parents to plan for situations and to let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they expect and what the consequences will be if they misbehave .
Parents need to have realistic expectations , too .
`` If children listen 80 % of the time , that 's really great , '' Mehus said .
Read more about the American Academy of Pediatrics ' stance on spanking .

The American Academy of Pediatrics' says spanking isn't an effective way to discipline a child -- and it may backfire by teaching a child to be more aggressive. Photo by Myriams-Fotos /Pixabay
American kids have something to celebrate: Spanking has hit a new low. About one in three parents said they spanked their kids in 2017 compared to 50% in 1993, new research shows. Advertisement
"Fewer parents are spanking, and I think it's helpful for people to know that and that there are tools that are more effective than spanking," said Christopher Mehus, lead author of a new study. He's a researcher with the Institute for Translational Research in Children's Mental Health in Minneapolis.
But Mehus isn't looking to shame parents who still rely on corporal punishment.
"Parenting is one of the hardest jobs there is, and there's no education and training for parents," he said. "We really need to do a better job at supporting parents and setting them up for success with alternative parenting strategies."
The American Academy of Pediatrics' policy on discipline says spanking isn't an effective way to discipline a child. It may even backfire by teaching a child to be more aggressive. The AAP advises parents to avoid it. It suggests that they instead set rules and expectations and reward good behavior.
Advertisement
To gauge what effect -- if any -- experts' advice to avoid spanking had on its use, Mehus and his colleague, Megan Patrick, looked at annual rates of spanking over 25 years.
The study included more than 16,000 parents at age 35. All were living with a 2- to 12-year-old child and 86% were married. About 42% had a college degree. Slightly more than half were women, and more than three-quarters were white people.
The parents were asked how often they spanked their kids.
Spanking declined by 15 percentage points over the 25-year period. The decline was similar for women and men, though slightly higher for men, the researchers said.
Parents of 2- to 4-year-olds saw an even bigger shift -- their use of corporal punishment dropped from 60% to 39%, according to the report published online as a letter in the July 27 JAMA Pediatrics.
Dr. Michael Grosso, chief medical officer and acting chair of pediatrics at Huntington Hospital in Huntington, N.Y., reviewed the results.
"This finding aligns well with the position of the American Academy of Pediatrics and what most of us, as pediatricians, try to reinforce as part of our anticipatory guidance: There is no reason for and no value in corporal punishment in child-rearing," Grosso said.
Advertisement
Spanking can teach a young child that physical violence against another person is acceptable, Grosso said. This is true whether spanking is carried out dispassionately as a planned intervention or as an expression of anger, he added.
"It is very good news that the incidence of this behavior -- either because of our advice or for other societal reasons -- is clearly in the decline," Grosso said.
So what's a better approach?
Mehus, father of a 4-year-old, said timeouts can be helpful when used in a particular way.
"Timeout should be a short, five-minute break in a safe place, near a parent. A timeout gives everyone involved a chance to take a breath," he said.
Mehus said it's important for parents to plan for situations and to let a child know ahead of time what they expect and what the consequences will be if they misbehave.
Parents need to have realistic expectations, too. "If children listen 80% of the time, that's really great," Mehus said.
More information
Read more about the American Academy of Pediatrics' stance on spanking.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-07-27--Look: Rare blue lobster at Red Lobster gets new home at Ohio zoo

July 27 ( UPI ) -- A rare blue lobster delivered to a Red Lobster restaurant in Ohio was spared from gracing a patron 's dinner plate when employees found it a new home at a zoo .
The Akron Zoo said staff at the Red Lobster in Cuyahoga Falls spotted the blue crustacean in a delivery and recognized it as a rare specimen .
The eatery contacted the Monterey Bay Aquarium , which in turn contacted the zoo about giving a new home to the lobster , which was dubbed `` Clawde '' after Red Lobster 's mascot .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and brought Clawde to his new home .
`` Clawde is acclimating to his new home here at the Akron Zoo , in a special tank that has been dubbed 'Clawde 's Man Cave ' by his care team , '' the zoo said .
The zoo said Clawde 's color is caused by a genetic abnormality believed to affect about one in every 2 million lobsters .
The zoo 's announcement comes just days after employees at a Stop & Shop store in Toms River , N.J. , disclosed one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rare orange coloration .
The store said it is seeking a new permanent home for the rare crustacean at an aquarium .

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July 27 (UPI) -- A rare blue lobster delivered to a Red Lobster restaurant in Ohio was spared from gracing a patron's dinner plate when employees found it a new home at a zoo.
The Akron Zoo said staff at the Red Lobster in Cuyahoga Falls spotted the blue crustacean in a delivery and recognized it as a rare specimen.
Advertisement
The eatery contacted the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which in turn contacted the zoo about giving a new home to the lobster, which was dubbed "Clawde" after Red Lobster's mascot.
A zoo employee traveled to the eatery and brought Clawde to his new home.
"Clawde is acclimating to his new home here at the Akron Zoo, in a special tank that has been dubbed 'Clawde's Man Cave' by his care team," the zoo said.
The zoo said Clawde's color is caused by a genetic abnormality believed to affect about one in every 2 million lobsters.
The zoo's announcement comes just days after employees at a Stop & Shop store in Toms River, N.J., disclosed one of the lobsters in a recent shipment had a rare orange coloration.
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The store said it is seeking a new permanent home for the rare crustacean at an aquarium.


upi--2020-07-28--In photos: Mourning civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi pays her respects .
`` John was revered and loved on both sides of @ @ @ @ @ said in remarks at a small service in the Capitol Rotunda .
Pool Photo by @ @

The body of the civil rights leader will be moved to Atlanta on Wednesday and will lie in state at the Georgia state Capitol before a private funeral on Thursday. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI


upi--2020-07-28--Pro Bowl LB Dont'a Hightower becomes fifth Patriots player to opt out of NFL season

July 28 ( UPI ) -- Pro Bowl linebacker Dont ' a Hightower on Tuesday became the fifth New England Patriots player to opt out of the 2020 season amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Hightower , 30 , became a first-time father earlier this month .
His mother also has diabetes .
`` Me and my fiance are just more concerned with the health of our family than football -- especially the new addition to our family , '' Hightower told NFL Network .
Hightower was scheduled to make a base salary of $ 8 million in the final year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now roll over to the 2021 season .
NFL players who choose to opt out will receive a $ 150,000 salary advance and their contract will roll to the next season they play .
Patriots running back Brandon Bolden , right tackle Marcus Cannon , fullback Danny Vitale and guard Najee Toran also have opted out for the 2020 season .
The Patriots ' linebacker room will look a lot different in 2020 .
Kyle Van Noy , Jamie Collins and Elandon Roberts left in free agency , in addition to Hightower 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ De'Anthony Thomas , Seattle Seahawks guard Chance Warmack and Dallas Cowboys cornerback Maurice Canady are among other NFL players to opt out of the 2020 season .
Hightower had 71 total tackles , 13 quarterback hits , eight tackles for a loss , 5.5 sacks , four passes defensed , a fumble recovery and a touchdown in 15 starts last season .
He finished second on the team in tackles to Landon Collins , who also had 81 in 15 starts in 2019 .
Hightower has won three Super Bowl titles with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face the Miami Dolphins in Week 1 at 1 p.m. EDT Sept. 13 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough , Mass .

New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower started 15 games for the team in each of the last two seasons, but will miss the entire 2020 campaign after he opted out of the season. File Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
July 28 (UPI) -- Pro Bowl linebacker Dont'a Hightower and starting safety Patrick Chung on Tuesday were among six New England Patriots players to opt out of the 2020 NFL season amid the coronavirus pandemic. Hightower, 30, became a first-time father earlier this month. His mother also has diabetes. Advertisement
"Me and my fiancee are just more concerned with the health of our family than football -- especially the new addition to our family," Hightower told NFL Network.
Similar to Hightower, Chung spoke earlier this week about expecting his second child, according to ESPN and NFL Media. He previously agreed to a two-year extension with the Patriots in May that included a $2 million signing bonus and a base salary of $1.1 million.
Hightower was scheduled to earn a base salary of $8 million in the final year of his contract. His pact will now roll over to the 2021 season. NFL players who choose to voluntarily opt out will receive a $150,000 salary advance and their contract will roll to the next season they play.
Chung, 32, was entering his 12th NFL season, 11 of which he has spent in New England. In 13 regular-season games last year, he recorded 51 total tackles and three passes defensed.
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Hightower, who has won three Super Bowls with the Patriots, had 71 total tackles, 13 quarterback hits, eight tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, four passes defensed, a fumble recovery and a touchdown in 15 starts last season. He finished second on the team in tackles to Landon Collins, who also had 81 in 15 starts in 2019.
Patriots running back Brandon Bolden, right tackle Marcus Cannon, fullback Danny Vitale and guard Najee Toran also have opted out of the 2020 season.
The Patriots' linebacker room will look a lot different in 2020. Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and Elandon Roberts left in free agency, in addition to Hightower opting out.
Baltimore Ravens return specialist De'Anthony Thomas, Seattle Seahawks guard Chance Warmack and Dallas Cowboys cornerback Maurice Canady are among other NFL players to opt out of the 2020 season.
The Patriots are scheduled to face the Miami Dolphins in Week 1 at 1 p.m. EDT Sept. 13 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.


upi--2020-07-28--Gallup: 65% in U.S. support protests after George Floyd's death

July 28 ( UPI ) -- About two-thirds of Americans say they support the nationwide protests that came after the death of George Floyd in May and half say they feel connected to the cause , a Gallup survey said Tuesday .
According to the poll , 65 % of U.S. adults said they support the demonstrations .
Twenty-seven percent said they feel `` somewhat '' connected to the cause of racial injustice and 23 % said they feel `` very '' connected .
Black Americans , young adults and Democrats are the most likely groups to support and feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Republicans were the only group that polled below 50 % on the issue .
Twenty-two percent said they support the activists .
`` Republicans are also least likely to report feeling connected to the protests , with 14 % saying they feel very or somewhat connected to the cause , '' Gallup wrote .
`` While small majorities of White Americans and adults aged 50 and older support the protests , fewer in these groups report feeling connected to them . ''
The poll also found that one in five adults @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about racial injustice .
Thirty-one percent of Blacks , 26 % of Asian Americans , 24 % of Hispanics and 18 % of Whites said their view changed `` a lot . ''
Regarding the impact of the protests , 53 % said the demonstrations will help , rather than hurt , public support for addressing racial injustice .
Thirty-nine percent of Whites said the protests will hurt the cause .
Gallup polled more than 36,400 U.S. adults for the survey , which has a margin of error of between 1.4 and 8.8 @ @

The Surrogate's Court building exterior remains vandalized while Occupy City Hall protests continue outside City Hall in New York City on June 30. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 28 (UPI) -- About two-thirds of Americans say they support the nationwide protests that came after the death of George Floyd in May and half say they feel connected to the cause, a Gallup survey said Tuesday. According to the poll, 65% of U.S. adults said they support the demonstrations. Twenty-seven percent said they feel "somewhat" connected to the cause of racial injustice and 23% said they feel "very" connected. Advertisement
Black Americans, young adults and Democrats are the most likely groups to support and feel connection to the issue, the survey said.
Republicans were the only group that polled below 50% on the issue. Twenty-two percent said they support the activists.
"Republicans are also least likely to report feeling connected to the protests, with 14% saying they feel very or somewhat connected to the cause," Gallup wrote. "While small majorities of White Americans and adults aged 50 and older support the protests, fewer in these groups report feeling connected to them."
The poll also found that one in five adults said the protests have changed their view about racial injustice. Thirty-one percent of Blacks, 26% of Asian Americans, 24% of Hispanics and 18% of Whites said their view changed "a lot."
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Regarding the impact of the protests, 53% said the demonstrations will help, rather than hurt, public support for addressing racial injustice. Thirty-nine percent of Whites said the protests will hurt the cause.
Gallup polled more than 36,400 U.S. adults for the survey, which has a margin of error of between 1.4 and 8.8 points.


upi--2020-07-28--Ohio lawmakers to vote on removing House Speaker Larry Householder after bribery arrest

July 28 ( UPI ) -- State lawmakers in Ohio will decide Tuesday whether to remove House Speaker Larry Householder from his leadership post after his arrest last week on corruption charges .
The House Republican caucus will meet in Columbus to vote on a proposal to remove Householder after he and four others were charged a week ago with violating federal racketeering laws .
A simple majority during Tuesday 's secret ballot vote is all that 's needed to end Householder 's term as speaker , although he would remain a member of the House .
Ohio Attorney General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jane Timken are expected to attend the meeting Tuesday afternoon .
Federal prosecutors say Householder , 61 , masterminded a bribery conspiracy involving bailouts for two nuclear power plants in northern Ohio owned by FirstEnergy Solutions .
The men were paid millions for Householder 's help in passing a billion-dollar bailout for the plants , the charges say .
Prosecutors said the group also helped the plants by defeating a ballot initiative to overturn the bailout legislation and ultimately put $ 60 million in bribes into a shell company .
Also charged were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Juan Cespedes , lobbyist and former state GOP Chairman Neil Clark and Jeffrey Longstreth , Householder 's longtime campaign and political strategist .
All four could spend as many as 20 years in prison , if convicted .

July 28 (UPI) -- State lawmakers in Ohio will decide Tuesday whether to remove House Speaker Larry Householder from his leadership post after his arrest last week on corruption charges.
The House Republican caucus will meet in Columbus to vote on a proposal to remove Householder after he and four others were charged a week ago with violating federal racketeering laws.
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A simple majority during Tuesday's secret ballot vote is all that's needed to end Householder's term as speaker, although he would remain a member of the House.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and state Republican Party Chairwoman Jane Timken are expected to attend the meeting Tuesday afternoon.
Federal prosecutors say Householder, 61, masterminded a bribery conspiracy involving bailouts for two nuclear power plants in northern Ohio owned by FirstEnergy Solutions. The men were paid millions for Householder's help in passing a billion-dollar bailout for the plants, the charges say.
Prosecutors said the group also helped the plants by defeating a ballot initiative to overturn the bailout legislation and ultimately put $60 million in bribes into a shell company.
Also charged were in the case are lobbyists Mathew Borges and Juan Cespedes, lobbyist and former state GOP Chairman Neil Clark and Jeffrey Longstreth, Householder's longtime campaign and political strategist.
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All four could spend as many as 20 years in prison, if convicted.


upi--2020-07-28--Lollapalooza virtual festival to feature Future, Ellie Goulding, Paul McCartney

July 28 ( UPI ) -- Lollapalooza music festival is going virtual in 2020 .
Organizers announced Lolla2020 , a four-night broadcast featuring new sets and classic Lollapalooza performances , on Monday .
Lolla2020 will stream for free July 30 to Aug. 2 on YouTube beginning at 6 p.m. EST each night .
The full list of performers will be unveiled Wednesday .
Alison Wonderland , Carnage , H.E.R.
, Kali Uchis , Kaskade , Louis the Child , Nghtmre , Pink Sweat $ , Saymyname , Tank and the Bangs , The Neighbourhood , Vic Mensa , Yungblud , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , live sets .
Classic sets from previous Lollapalooza festivals include Future , Ellie Goulding , Paul McCartney , LCD Soundsystem , Metallica , Yeah Yeah Yeahs , Run the Jewels , Lorde , Alabama Shakes , Tove Lo , Chance the Rapper , Outkast and Arcade Fire .
The broadcast will also feature appearances by Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot , former first lady Michelle Obama , Perry Farrell , LL Cool J , Metallica 's Lars Ulrich and others .
Lollapalooza announced in June that its 2020 festival was canceled due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be replaced with a virtual event .
Other festivals have also moved online due to the health crisis , including the PaleyFest LA TV festival .

July 28 (UPI) -- Lollapalooza music festival is going virtual in 2020.
Organizers announced Lolla2020, a four-night broadcast featuring new sets and classic Lollapalooza performances, on Monday.
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Lolla2020 will stream for free July 30 to Aug. 2 on YouTube beginning at 6 p.m. EST each night. The full list of performers will be unveiled Wednesday.
Alison Wonderland, Carnage, H.E.R., Kali Uchis, Kaskade, Louis the Child, Nghtmre, Pink Sweat$, Saymyname, Tank and the Bangs, The Neighbourhood, Vic Mensa, Yungblud, Zhu and other acts will perform new, live sets.
Classic sets from previous Lollapalooza festivals include Future, Ellie Goulding, Paul McCartney, LCD Soundsystem, Metallica, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Run the Jewels, Lorde, Alabama Shakes, Tove Lo, Chance the Rapper, Outkast and Arcade Fire.
The broadcast will also feature appearances by Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot, former first lady Michelle Obama, Perry Farrell, LL Cool J, Metallica's Lars Ulrich and others.
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Lollapalooza announced in June that its 2020 festival was canceled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and would be replaced with a virtual event. Other festivals have also moved online due to the health crisis, including the PaleyFest LA TV festival.


upi--2020-07-28--Mets' Pete Alonso clears Green Monster for first homer of 2020

July 28 ( UPI ) -- New York Yankees slugger Pete Alonso -- the 2019 MLB home run leader -- cleared the Green Monster with his first long ball of 2020 in a win against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park .
Alonso 's 116-mph moonshot came in the third inning of the 7-4 victory Monday in Boston .
The 402-foot , two-run shot left the field in 3.9 seconds as it cleared the famous 37-foot wall in left field .
`` There is an advisory throughout the ballpark where you have to be aware of flying baseballs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Hopefully , if there was fans here they [ would have ] needed to not be on their cell phones and be locked into the game . ''
The Mets ( 2-2 ) took a 2-0 lead off a two-run homer in the top of the second frame from Michael Conforto .
Alonso then stepped to the plate in the top of the next inning and doubled the lead .
The Mets first baseman settled in against Red Sox relief pitcher Jeffrey Springs during the exchange .
Alonso earned a 3-0 edge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Springs ' fourth offering .
The Red Sox left hander tossed in an 81.5-mph changeup .
Alonso belted the pitch deep to left field .
The home run drilled a cardboard fan after it cleared the Green Monster .
Dominic Smith broke the game wide open with a three-run home run in the next inning .
Mitch Moreland nearly sparked the Red Sox to a comeback with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth frame .
Xander Bogaerts added another Red Sox homer in the bottom of the sixth inning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bottom of the eighth frame to cut the Mets ' lead to 7-3 .
Moreland returned to the plate for an RBI single in the same frame , but the Red Sox could not manufacture enough runs to close the gap over the final two innings .
Alonso went 1 for 5 with two RBIs and a run scored in the win .
Conforto went 1 for 4 with two RBIs and a run scored for the Mets .
Moreland went 2 for 4 with two RBIs and a run scored for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeff McNeil and Wilson Ramos each had two hits in the victory .
Mets starter Michael Wacha allowed five hits and one run in five innings to earn the win on the hill .
Alonso is now 2 for 16 with two RBIs in 2020 .
The 2019 National League Rookie of the Year hit .260 with 53 homers and 120 RBIs last season .
The Red Sox ( 1-3 ) host the Mets in the second game of the series at 7:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday in Boston .

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso hit his first home run of the season Monday in Boston after he totaled a league-high 53 homers in 2019. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 28 (UPI) -- New York Yankees slugger Pete Alonso -- the 2019 MLB home run leader -- cleared the Green Monster with his first long ball of 2020 in a win against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Alonso's 116-mph moonshot came in the third inning of the 7-4 victory Monday in Boston. The 402-foot, two-run shot left the field in 3.9 seconds as it cleared the famous 37-foot wall in left field. Advertisement
"There is an advisory throughout the ballpark where you have to be aware of flying baseballs and bats," Alonso told reporters.
"Hopefully, if there was fans here they [would have] needed to not be on their cell phones and be locked into the game."
The Mets (2-2) took a 2-0 lead off a two-run homer in the top of the second frame from Michael Conforto. Alonso then stepped to the plate in the top of the next inning and doubled the lead.
The Mets first baseman settled in against Red Sox relief pitcher Jeffrey Springs during the exchange. Alonso earned a 3-0 edge in the count before he waited on Springs' fourth offering. The Red Sox left hander tossed in an 81.5-mph changeup. Alonso belted the pitch deep to left field. The home run drilled a cardboard fan after it cleared the Green Monster.
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Dominic Smith broke the game wide open with a three-run home run in the next inning. Mitch Moreland nearly sparked the Red Sox to a comeback with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth frame. Xander Bogaerts added another Red Sox homer in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Bogaerts plated J.D. Martinez in the bottom of the eighth frame to cut the Mets' lead to 7-3. Moreland returned to the plate for an RBI single in the same frame, but the Red Sox could not manufacture enough runs to close the gap over the final two innings.
Alonso went 1 for 5 with two RBIs and a run scored in the win. Conforto went 1 for 4 with two RBIs and a run scored for the Mets. Moreland went 2 for 4 with two RBIs and a run scored for the Red Sox.
Amed Rosario, Jeff McNeil and Wilson Ramos each had two hits in the victory. Mets starter Michael Wacha allowed five hits and one run in five innings to earn the win on the hill.
Alonso is now 2 for 16 with two RBIs in 2020. The 2019 National League Rookie of the Year hit .260 with 53 homers and 120 RBIs last season.
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The Red Sox (1-3) host the Mets in the second game of the series at 7:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday in Boston.


upi--2020-07-28--Diego Rossi scores twice, leads LAFC to MLS Is Back quarterfinals

July 28 ( UPI ) -- Diego Rossi scored twice to lead LAFC to a 4-1 triumph against the Seattle Sounders and push his squad into the MLS Is Back Tournament quarterfinals .
Rossi scored on a 14th-minute penalty kick before he added a second score in the 82nd minute of the the round of 16 win Monday in Orlando , Fla. LAFC will face Orlando City SC in the quarterfinals Friday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex inside Walt Disney World Resort .
`` It was a very good effort tonight , '' LAFC coach Bob Bradley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a really strong way and pushed the game .
We created a lot of chances , which is something we feel very good about .
`` When we needed to finish the game out , we kept going . ''
Rossi 's penalty kick was LAFC 's only score for most of the first half before Latif Blessing doubled the lead in the 39th minute .
Blessing collected an errant cross in the left side of the box during the play .
He then took a touch inside before he smacked a shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was deflected by the Sounders defense and went into the near-post netting .
Sounders midfielder Joevin Jones provided one of the best setups for a score in the clash .
Jones dribbled down the left flank before he curled the feed through the box in the 75th minute .
The cross fell into the box , just ahead of Will Bruin .
The Sounders striker finished the play with a one-touch shot past LAFC keeper Kenneth Vermeer and into the top right corner of the net .
Persistence paid off for Rossi 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a give-and-go pass sequence at the top of the box at the start of the play .
The Sounders defense then deflected the ball before Rossi fought through traffic to maintain control .
Rossi finished the play with a rip into the far-post netting for a 3-1 lead .
Sounders defender Gustav Svensson had a miscue to lead to LAFC 's final score .
The Sounders played a ball back to Svensson at the start of the play , but he missed his touch on the back pass .
LAFC striker Brian Rodriguez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Svensson before he buried an 89th-minute score past Sounders keeper Stefan Frei .
The Philadelphia Union will face Sporting Kansas City in the only other confirmed quarterfinal matchup Thursday in Orlando .
New York City FC and the San Jose Earthquakes have also secured spots in the quarterfinals .
Orlando City SC and LAFC will face off at 7:30 p.m. EDT Friday on FS1 .
The MLS Is Back Tournament semifinals will be Aug. 5 and 6 in Orlando .
The final is scheduled for 8 p.m. EDT Aug. 11 and will air @ @ @

LAFC star Diego Rossi scored a goal in each half of an MLS Is Back Tournament win against the Seattle Sounders on Monday in Orlando, Fla. Photo courtesy of Devin L'Amoreaux and Matthew Stith/MLS
July 28 (UPI) -- Diego Rossi scored twice to lead LAFC to a 4-1 triumph against the Seattle Sounders and push his squad into the MLS Is Back Tournament quarterfinals. Rossi scored on a 14th-minute penalty kick before he added a second score in the 82nd minute of the the round of 16 win Monday in Orlando, Fla. LAFC will face Orlando City SC in the quarterfinals Friday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex inside Walt Disney World Resort. Advertisement
"It was a very good effort tonight," LAFC coach Bob Bradley told reporters. "We started in a really strong way and pushed the game. We created a lot of chances, which is something we feel very good about.
"When we needed to finish the game out, we kept going."
Rossi's penalty kick was LAFC's only score for most of the first half before Latif Blessing doubled the lead in the 39th minute.
Blessing collected an errant cross in the left side of the box during the play. He then took a touch inside before he smacked a shot toward the far post. The attempt was deflected by the Sounders defense and went into the near-post netting.
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Sounders midfielder Joevin Jones provided one of the best setups for a score in the clash. Jones dribbled down the left flank before he curled the feed through the box in the 75th minute. The cross fell into the box, just ahead of Will Bruin. The Sounders striker finished the play with a one-touch shot past LAFC keeper Kenneth Vermeer and into the top right corner of the net.
Persistence paid off for Rossi's second score. The LAFC striker did a give-and-go pass sequence at the top of the box at the start of the play. The Sounders defense then deflected the ball before Rossi fought through traffic to maintain control. Rossi finished the play with a rip into the far-post netting for a 3-1 lead.
Sounders defender Gustav Svensson had a miscue to lead to LAFC's final score. The Sounders played a ball back to Svensson at the start of the play, but he missed his touch on the back pass. LAFC striker Brian Rodriguez then stole the ball and dribbled around Svensson before he buried an 89th-minute score past Sounders keeper Stefan Frei.
The Philadelphia Union will face Sporting Kansas City in the only other confirmed quarterfinal matchup Thursday in Orlando. New York City FC and the San Jose Earthquakes have also secured spots in the quarterfinals.
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Orlando City SC and LAFC will face off at 7:30 p.m. EDT Friday on FS1. The MLS Is Back Tournament semifinals will be Aug. 5 and 6 in Orlando. The final is scheduled for 8 p.m. EDT Aug. 11 and will air on ESPN.


upi--2020-07-28--Kairi Sane announces exit from WWE: 'Every day was full of happiness'

July 28 ( UPI ) -- Professional wrestler Kairi Sane has announced that she is exiting WWE after joining the company in 2017 .
`` My time in the NXT & WWE locker rooms was incredible .
Everyone was kind , funny & talented , so every day was full of happiness .
Also , I was saved by the supportive staff behind the scenes .
I will forever love & respect all these professionals I had the pleasure of working with , '' Sane said on Instagram on Monday alongside a collage of photos .
`` And I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last three years , but it was n't because of my ability or my strength .
It was because of all the constant , warm support from the fans .
I am so thankful I could meet you all .
Thank you from the bottom of my heart , '' she continued .
`` WWE sends its best wishes to Kairi Sane as she sets sail on her next voyage ! ''
the company said in a statement .
Sane previously competed for the World Wonder Ring Stardom in Japan before coming to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Young Classic tournament before transitioning over to NXT .
Sane is a former NXT Women 's Champion and a Women 's Tag Team Champion with Asuka .
The 31-year-old remained by Asuka 's side for an extended amount of time and was last seen on Raw Monday being assaulted by Bayley while Asuka battled Sasha Banks .

July 28 (UPI) -- Professional wrestler Kairi Sane has announced that she is exiting WWE after joining the company in 2017.
"My time in the NXT & WWE locker rooms was incredible. Everyone was kind, funny & talented, so every day was full of happiness. Also, I was saved by the supportive staff behind the scenes. I will forever love & respect all these professionals I had the pleasure of working with," Sane said on Instagram on Monday alongside a collage of photos.
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"And I was able to accomplish so much in the last three years, but it wasn't because of my ability or my strength. It was because of all the constant, warm support from the fans. I am so thankful I could meet you all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart," she continued.
WWE also confirmed Sane's exit.
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"WWE sends its best wishes to Kairi Sane as she sets sail on her next voyage!" the company said in a statement.
Sane previously competed for the World Wonder Ring Stardom in Japan before coming to WWE. She won the inaugural Mae Young Classic tournament before transitioning over to NXT.
Sane is a former NXT Women's Champion and a Women's Tag Team Champion with Asuka. The 31-year-old remained by Asuka's side for an extended amount of time and was last seen on Raw Monday being assaulted by Bayley while Asuka battled Sasha Banks.