upi--2020-07-20--On This Day, July 20: Armstrong, Aldrin step foot on the moon

July 20 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1859 , American baseball fans were charged an admission fee for the first time .
About 1,500 spectators each paid 50 cents to see Brooklyn play New York .
In 1881 , five years after U.S. Army Gen. George A. Custer 's defeat at the Battle of Little Bighorn , Sioux leader Sitting Bull surrendered to the Army , which promised amnesty for him and his followers .
In 1940 , Billboard magazine published its first `` Music Popularity Chart , '' topped by `` I 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dorsey orchestra with Frank Sinatra .
In 1945 , the U.S. flag was raised over Berlin as the first U.S. troops moved in to take part in the post-World War II occupation .
In 1951 , while entering a mosque in the Jordanian sector of east Jerusalem , King Abdullah of Jordan was assassinated by a Palestinian nationalist .
In 1968 , the first Special Olympics Games were contested at Soldier Field in Chicago .
In 1969 , U.S. Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin `` Buzz '' Aldrin became the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- Armstrong first and Aldrin about 20 minutes later .
In 1976 , the Viking 1 lander , an unmanned U.S. planetary probe , became the first spacecraft to successfully land on the surface of Mars .
In 1985 , treasure hunter Mel Fisher located a Spanish galleon sunk by a 1622 hurricane off Key West , Fla .
It contained $ 400 million worth of treasure .
In 1989 , U.S. President George H.W .
Bush called for the United States to organize a long-range space program to support an orbiting space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manned mission to Mars .
In 1993 , White House Deputy Counsel Vince Foster was found shot to death in a park in northern Virginia .
His death was ruled a suicide .
In 2005 , the U.S. Justice Department activated its online National Sex Offender Public Registry , linking the registries of 22 states .
In 2012 , a gunman set off tear gas grenades and opened fire at a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises at a theater in Aurora , Colo. , killing 12 people and wounding 58 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , later pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity .
In 2015 , he was convicted on multiple counts of murder .
In 2013 , Helen Thomas , UPI White House reporter through the administrations of 10 presidents , died at age 92 .
President Bill Clinton called Thomas `` a symbol of everything American journalism can and should be -- the embodiment of fearless integrity , fierce commitment to accuracy , the insistence of holding government accountable . ''
Thomas left the news agency in 2000 and became a columnist for Hearst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States restored full diplomatic relations , with the reopening of reciprocal embassies in Havana and Washington .
In 2018 , Walt Disney Studios fired James Gunn as director of Guardians of the Galaxy , Vol .
3 for offensive jokes he made online decades ago .
The studio hired him back in March 2018 after he apologized .

1/4
On July 20, 1969, U.S. Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the moon. File Photo courtesy of NASA | License Photo
July 20 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1859, American baseball fans were charged an admission fee for the first time. About 1,500 spectators each paid 50 cents to see Brooklyn play New York. Advertisement
In 1881, five years after U.S. Army Gen. George A. Custer's defeat at the Battle of Little Bighorn, Sioux leader Sitting Bull surrendered to the Army, which promised amnesty for him and his followers.
In 1940, Billboard magazine published its first "Music Popularity Chart," topped by "I'll Never Smile Again" by the Tommy Dorsey orchestra with Frank Sinatra.
In 1945, the U.S. flag was raised over Berlin as the first U.S. troops moved in to take part in the post-World War II occupation.
In 1951, while entering a mosque in the Jordanian sector of east Jerusalem, King Abdullah of Jordan was assassinated by a Palestinian nationalist.
File Photo by Cecil Beaton/Imperial War Museum
In 1968, the first Special Olympics Games were contested at Soldier Field in Chicago.
In 1969, U.S. Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the moon -- Armstrong first and Aldrin about 20 minutes later.
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In 1976, the Viking 1 lander, an unmanned U.S. planetary probe, became the first spacecraft to successfully land on the surface of Mars.
In 1985, treasure hunter Mel Fisher located a Spanish galleon sunk by a 1622 hurricane off Key West, Fla. It contained $400 million worth of treasure.
In 1989, U.S. President George H.W. Bush called for the United States to organize a long-range space program to support an orbiting space station, a moon base and a manned mission to Mars.
File Photo courtesy NASA
In 1993, White House Deputy Counsel Vince Foster was found shot to death in a park in northern Virginia. His death was ruled a suicide.
In 2005, the U.S. Justice Department activated its online National Sex Offender Public Registry, linking the registries of 22 states.
In 2012, a gunman set off tear gas grenades and opened fire at a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises at a theater in Aurora, Colo., killing 12 people and wounding 58. The accused killer, James E. Holmes, later pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. In 2015, he was convicted on multiple counts of murder.
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In 2013, Helen Thomas, UPI White House reporter through the administrations of 10 presidents, died at age 92. President Bill Clinton called Thomas "a symbol of everything American journalism can and should be -- the embodiment of fearless integrity, fierce commitment to accuracy, the insistence of holding government accountable." Thomas left the news agency in 2000 and became a columnist for Hearst Newspapers.
In 2015, Cuba and the United States restored full diplomatic relations, with the reopening of reciprocal embassies in Havana and Washington.
In 2018, Walt Disney Studios fired James Gunn as director of Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3 for offensive jokes he made online decades ago. The studio hired him back in March 2018 after he apologized.


upi--2020-07-20--Mars mission must launch soon to catch Red Planet by fall

July 20 ( UPI ) -- NASA engineers are counting on a blend of old and new technology to get the Mars 2020 spacecraft and Perseverance rover to the surface of the Red Planet .
But if they do n't launch by mid-August , the mission will be delayed for more than two years .
Already postponed twice , Mars 2020 is scheduled to launch no sooner than July 30 .
Its launch window -- allowing it to intercept the path of Mars -- runs through Aug. 15 .
`` The period where Earth and Mars are on the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposition , is about once every 26 months , '' Ray Baker , an engineer at NASA 's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and flight systems manager for the Mars 2020 mission , told UPI .
At present , Mars and Earth are n't in opposition , but they will be come this fall .
`` If you were playing soccer and passing a ball to a teammate who is running full speed down the sideline , you kick the ball to where the player is going to be , not where the player is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In other words , NASA must launch Mars 2020 very soon so that the spacecraft will swing into the Red Planet 's orbit when Earth and Mars are closer together .
But timing is n't the only thing on the minds of NASA 's flight engineers .
Before the mission 's science team can collect data , the Mars 2020 spacecraft must make it past Earth 's gravity , traverse 76 million miles of interplanetary space and land safely inside the Red Planet 's Jezero Crater , a region that features tremendous geologic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will use on the powerful thrust of an Atlas V-541 rocket , launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida , to escape Earth 's gravity .
After the rocket carries Mars 2020 into space , the craft will take a wide orbit around Earth before swinging toward Mars .
The spacecraft consists of three main components : the cruise stage ; the entry , descent and landing system ; and the rover .
During the six-month cruise stage , the spacecraft will use its thrusters to maintain proper speeds and the correct path @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Red Planet , the spacecraft will utilize its entry , descent and landing system , which features an aeroshell , parachute , descent vehicle and crane-like contraption that will free the rover to roam the Martian surface .
Managing the entry , descent and landing system , or EDL , is a stressful job .
`` It 's a very challenging phase of the mission .
It leaves zero room for error , '' Baker said .
In `` a lot of the systems designed for EDL , we 're not able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a large number of what are called single-string events that have to happen for the entry , descent and landing to be successful . ''
Many of the systems and much of the technology that Mars 2020 will use for EDL are called legacy technologies .
They 've been used successfully in previous Mars missions , but engineers have made updates .
`` Our parachute has been strengthened , '' Baker said .
`` We 're very confident that that parachute is robust and going to do its job . ''
Engineers also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Previous Mars missions have relied on a velocity trigger for parachute deployment .
`` On 2020 , we 'll use [ a velocity trigger ] plus a range trigger , which is our estimated distance to the landing site , '' Baker said .
`` That allows us to really shrink down our landing eclipse . ''
The landing zone for the Curiosity rover , for example , was roughly 12.5 miles by 4 miles .
`` Our ellipse is 7.5 kilometers by 6 kilometers [ 4.5 miles by 4 miles ] -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` That allows us to go to a landing site that is more challenging .
We can tuck that circle into mountains and craters . ''
After the descent vehicle is released and the parachute is deploys , cameras will snap pictures of the terrain and compare them to a map compiled by NASA spacecraft already in orbit around Mars .
The mapping systems will help the spacecraft hone in on its landing spot .
The spacecraft 's ability to compare its trajectory to programmed maps in real time is the update Baker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Once on the ground , a contraption called the Sky Crane will lift and safely swivel the frame of the descent vehicle away from the Perseverance rover .
And finally , after a series of system checks , the rover will begin its science mission -- 203 days after it launched from Earth .
Though the Perseverance rover and its suite of scientific instruments are mostly interested in the Martian surface , the rocks and soil found in Jezero Crater , the Mars 2020 mission wo n't be relegated to the ground .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ miniature helicopter on Mars , the first time controlled flight has been attempted on another planet .
NASA engineers built the novel drone , named Ingenuity , to withstand extremely cold temperatures and remain airborne in the ultra-thin Martian atmosphere .
The helicopter will hover using two rotors with carbon-fiber blades , each spinning in opposite directions at speeds of 2,400 rotations per minute .
A camera will allow the helicopter to document the terrain on its short test flights .
Researchers are n't counting on Ingenuity to conduct the Mars 2020 science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking to test the drone 's novel technologies -- technologies that could be used to empower a more sophisticated aerial mission on future trips .

In a clean room at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., engineers observe the first driving test for NASA's Perseverance rover in December. File Photo courtesy of NASA
July 20 (UPI) -- NASA engineers are counting on a blend of old and new technology to get the Mars 2020 spacecraft and Perseverance rover to the surface of the Red Planet. But if they don't launch by mid-August, the mission will be delayed for more than two years. Already postponed twice, Mars 2020 is scheduled to launch no sooner than July 30. Its launch window -- allowing it to intercept the path of Mars -- runs through Aug. 15. Advertisement
"The period where Earth and Mars are on the same side of the sun, or in opposition, is about once every 26 months," Ray Baker, an engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and flight systems manager for the Mars 2020 mission, told UPI.
At present, Mars and Earth aren't in opposition, but they will be come this fall.
"If you were playing soccer and passing a ball to a teammate who is running full speed down the sideline, you kick the ball to where the player is going to be, not where the player is right then," Baker said.
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In other words, NASA must launch Mars 2020 very soon so that the spacecraft will swing into the Red Planet's orbit when Earth and Mars are closer together.
But timing isn't the only thing on the minds of NASA's flight engineers.
Leaving Earth
Before the mission's science team can collect data, the Mars 2020 spacecraft must make it past Earth's gravity, traverse 76 million miles of interplanetary space and land safely inside the Red Planet's Jezero Crater, a region that features tremendous geologic diversity.
To start, Mars 2020 will use on the powerful thrust of an Atlas V-541 rocket, launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, to escape Earth's gravity. After the rocket carries Mars 2020 into space, the craft will take a wide orbit around Earth before swinging toward Mars.
The spacecraft consists of three main components: the cruise stage; the entry, descent and landing system; and the rover. During the six-month cruise stage, the spacecraft will use its thrusters to maintain proper speeds and the correct path toward Mars.
Arrival in Mars orbit
Once in orbit around the Red Planet, the spacecraft will utilize its entry, descent and landing system, which features an aeroshell, parachute, descent vehicle and crane-like contraption that will free the rover to roam the Martian surface.
Advertisement
Managing the entry, descent and landing system, or EDL, is a stressful job.
"It's a very challenging phase of the mission. It leaves zero room for error," Baker said. In "a lot of the systems designed for EDL, we're not able to build in redundancy. There are a large number of what are called single-string events that have to happen for the entry, descent and landing to be successful."
Many of the systems and much of the technology that Mars 2020 will use for EDL are called legacy technologies. They've been used successfully in previous Mars missions, but engineers have made updates.
"Our parachute has been strengthened," Baker said. "We're very confident that that parachute is robust and going to do its job."
Engineers also updated the trigger for the parachute. Previous Mars missions have relied on a velocity trigger for parachute deployment.
"On 2020, we'll use [a velocity trigger] plus a range trigger, which is our estimated distance to the landing site," Baker said. "That allows us to really shrink down our landing eclipse."
The landing zone for the Curiosity rover, for example, was roughly 12.5 miles by 4 miles.
"Our ellipse is 7.5 kilometers by 6 kilometers [4.5 miles by 4 miles] -- almost circular," Baker said. "That allows us to go to a landing site that is more challenging. We can tuck that circle into mountains and craters."
Advertisement
Surface landing
After the descent vehicle is released and the parachute is deploys, cameras will snap pictures of the terrain and compare them to a map compiled by NASA spacecraft already in orbit around Mars. The mapping systems will help the spacecraft hone in on its landing spot.
The spacecraft's ability to compare its trajectory to programmed maps in real time is the update Baker said he is most excited about.
Once on the ground, a contraption called the Sky Crane will lift and safely swivel the frame of the descent vehicle away from the Perseverance rover.
And finally, after a series of system checks, the rover will begin its science mission -- 203 days after it launched from Earth.
First flight on Mars
Though the Perseverance rover and its suite of scientific instruments are mostly interested in the Martian surface, the rocks and soil found in Jezero Crater, the Mars 2020 mission won't be relegated to the ground.
Next year, scientists will test a miniature helicopter on Mars, the first time controlled flight has been attempted on another planet. NASA engineers built the novel drone, named Ingenuity, to withstand extremely cold temperatures and remain airborne in the ultra-thin Martian atmosphere.
Advertisement
The helicopter will hover using two rotors with carbon-fiber blades, each spinning in opposite directions at speeds of 2,400 rotations per minute. A camera will allow the helicopter to document the terrain on its short test flights.
Researchers aren't counting on Ingenuity to conduct the Mars 2020 science mission. Instead, engineers are simply looking to test the drone's novel technologies -- technologies that could be used to empower a more sophisticated aerial mission on future trips.
Exploration of Mars through history
NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover used two different cameras to create this panoramic selfie, comprised of 60 images, in front of Mont Mercou, a rock outcrop that stands 20 feet tall on March 26, 2021, the 3,070th Martian day, or sol, of the mission. These were combined with 11 images taken by the Mastcam on the mast, or "head," of the rover on March 16. The hole visible to the left of the rover is where its robotic drill sampled a rock nicknamed "Nontron." The Curiosity team is nicknaming features in this part of Mars using names from the region around the village of Nontron in southwestern France. Photo courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS


upi--2020-07-20--Actors, directors mull cautious return to production during pandemic

LOS ANGELES , July 20 ( UPI ) -- Film and television productions shut down in March as cities around the world entered lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Months later , some actors and directors are willing to make sacrifices so they can resume work .
Others worry that rushing back could cause setbacks .
Los Angeles released guidelines for film and television productions to resume following strict COVID-19 protocols June 12 .
Productions outside LA were told to follow similar guidelines provided by The Director 's Guild , Screen Actors Guild , Producers Guild , International Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Film crews `` are used to working in very unusual circumstances , '' Kevin Bacon told UPI in an interview for his latest film , You Should Have Left .
`` People are pretty good at rising to the challenges . ''
Rod Lurie , director of The Outpost , said he is not so sure filming could resume under the guidelines .
Lurie feared people could still contract COVID-19 despite the guidelines ' best intentions of preventing the spread .
Even if actors and filmmakers want to take the risk , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ productions will not allow them to risk people 's lives .
`` I do n't know what happens if two or three significant people on a movie set , by that I mean essential players , get the disease while they 're shooting , '' Lurie said .
`` Will there be insurance companies that will cover any of these things ?
I think we 're a way away from actually being able to start . ''
Brett Cullen , who stars in Big Dogs , suggested the guidelines could add days to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take turns preparing a set for filming , when those tasks used to occur simultaneously .
However , that ability to separate actors from technicians makes Cullen comfortable to return to work .
He said he hopes HBO can start production on the Untitled Lakers Project , in which he will play general manager Bill Sharman , this summer .
`` My big concern is being in a room with someone close by , '' Cullen said .
`` That 's where I think most people are catching this infection .
`` Too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going back to work too soon .
Amanda Seyfried , whose movie , You Should Have Left , opened on video-on-demand during the pandemic , said the lockdown should continue .
City and guild guidelines require a health safety supervisor to be on set .
With new COVID-19 cases reported daily , Seyfried said she fears daily monitoring wo n't be enough to prevent spread of the virus at work .
`` If COVID is still that rampant , then we truck on with social distancing and keep things shut down as much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mackenzie Davis , whose latest film , Irresistible , also opened on video-on-demand , is scheduled to film the series Station Eleven as soon as it is safe .
She said she hopes her production decides to wait because she anticipates another spike in COVID-19 cases .
`` I 'm not desperate to get back to work , but that 's a very privileged position to hold , '' Davis said .
Davis and Seyfried acknowledged that many actors and crew members can not afford to wait longer for work .
Seyfried had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work with risking their lives .
Her husband , Thomas Sadoski , was directing Perry Street at the MCC theater , but all of New York theater closed before it opened .
`` It was heartbreaking , '' Seyfried said .
`` The point is to keep people from dying . ''
Some productions have resumed .
Josh Hartnett is in Paris filming the four-part HBO movie Exterminate All the Brutes .
He confirmed everyone involved with the production took a COVID-19 test and wears masks , while departments remain separate .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on set , '' Hartnett said .
`` I get a car to work and come back to my hotel room . ''
Sam Riley is quarantining with his children in their Berlin home so that his wife , Alexandra Maria Lara , can return to work on the German series The Witnesses .
He said they will take COVID-19 tests every five days to confirm Lara has not been exposed .
`` We 're happy to go back into quarantine if that 's what it takes for everyone to start getting back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Riley said .
Many actors agree the government and guild guidelines are thorough .
Ron Perlman , starring in Peacock 's The Capture , believes the guidelines will continue to evolve as scientists and the industry learn more .
`` We 're living in shifting sands under our feet , '' Perlman said .
`` Eventually , we 're going to get this right and we 're going to figure it out . ''
Director Judd Apatow , who released The King of Staten Island on video-on-demand June 12 , said he believes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few productions the test cases for new protocols .
`` I do n't think it 's going to ramp up all at once , '' Apatow said .
`` I 'm sure there will be a process of learning how to do it in the best possible way . ''
If the protocols prove effective , more productions might resume .
However , if productions find working within these protocols unfeasible , or if they fail to prevent COVID-19 spread , actors like Cullen are confident they will not proceed .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ awry , they 'll shut down again , '' Cullen said .

1/4
Amanda Seyfried says she is not ready to return to production despite the new COVID-19 production guidelines. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
LOS ANGELES, July 20 (UPI) -- Film and television productions shut down in March as cities around the world entered lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Months later, some actors and directors are willing to make sacrifices so they can resume work. Others worry that rushing back could cause setbacks. Los Angeles released guidelines for film and television productions to resume following strict COVID-19 protocols June 12. Productions outside LA were told to follow similar guidelines provided by The Director's Guild, Screen Actors Guild, Producers Guild, International Association of Stage Employees and the Teamsters unions. Advertisement
Film crews "are used to working in very unusual circumstances," Kevin Bacon told UPI in an interview for his latest film, You Should Have Left. "People are pretty good at rising to the challenges."
Rod Lurie, director of The Outpost, said he is not so sure filming could resume under the guidelines. Lurie feared people could still contract COVID-19 despite the guidelines' best intentions of preventing the spread. Even if actors and filmmakers want to take the risk, Lurie believes the insurance companies that cover productions will not allow them to risk people's lives.
Advertisement
"I don't know what happens if two or three significant people on a movie set, by that I mean essential players, get the disease while they're shooting," Lurie said. "Will there be insurance companies that will cover any of these things? I think we're a way away from actually being able to start."
Brett Cullen, who stars in Big Dogs, suggested the guidelines could add days to a production schedule. Different departments would take turns preparing a set for filming, when those tasks used to occur simultaneously. However, that ability to separate actors from technicians makes Cullen comfortable to return to work.
He said he hopes HBO can start production on the Untitled Lakers Project, in which he will play general manager Bill Sharman, this summer.
"My big concern is being in a room with someone close by," Cullen said. "That's where I think most people are catching this infection."Too soon
Some actors say the industry is going back to work too soon. Amanda Seyfried, whose movie, You Should Have Left, opened on video-on-demand during the pandemic, said the lockdown should continue.
City and guild guidelines require a health safety supervisor to be on set. With new COVID-19 cases reported daily, Seyfried said she fears daily monitoring won't be enough to prevent spread of the virus at work.
Advertisement
"If COVID is still that rampant, then we truck on with social distancing and keep things shut down as much as possible," Seyfried said.
Mackenzie Davis, whose latest film, Irresistible, also opened on video-on-demand, is scheduled to film the series Station Eleven as soon as it is safe. She said she hopes her production decides to wait because she anticipates another spike in COVID-19 cases.
"I'm not desperate to get back to work, but that's a very privileged position to hold," Davis said.
Davis and Seyfried acknowledged that many actors and crew members cannot afford to wait longer for work. Seyfried had difficulty reconciling the need for others to work with risking their lives. Her husband, Thomas Sadoski, was directing Perry Street at the MCC theater, but all of New York theater closed before it opened.
"It was heartbreaking," Seyfried said. "The point is to keep people from dying."
Actors trust colleagues
Some productions have resumed. Josh Hartnett is in Paris filming the four-part HBO movie Exterminate All the Brutes. He confirmed everyone involved with the production took a COVID-19 test and wears masks, while departments remain separate.
"I'm self-isolated when I'm not on set," Hartnett said. "I get a car to work and come back to my hotel room."
Advertisement
Sam Riley is quarantining with his children in their Berlin home so that his wife, Alexandra Maria Lara, can return to work on the German series The Witnesses. He said they will take COVID-19 tests every five days to confirm Lara has not been exposed.
"We're happy to go back into quarantine if that's what it takes for everyone to start getting back to some sort of normality," Riley said.
Phase 1
Many actors agree the government and guild guidelines are thorough. Ron Perlman, starring in Peacock's The Capture, believes the guidelines will continue to evolve as scientists and the industry learn more.
"We're living in shifting sands under our feet," Perlman said. "Eventually, we're going to get this right and we're going to figure it out."
Director Judd Apatow, who released The King of Staten Island on video-on-demand June 12, said he believes the entertainment industry will make a select few productions the test cases for new protocols.
"I don't think it's going to ramp up all at once," Apatow said. "I'm sure there will be a process of learning how to do it in the best possible way."
Advertisement
If the protocols prove effective, more productions might resume. However, if productions find working within these protocols unfeasible, or if they fail to prevent COVID-19 spread, actors like Cullen are confident they will not proceed.
"I do know that if things start going awry, they'll shut down again," Cullen said.


upi--2020-07-20--Iran executes man accused of spying for CIA, Mossad

July 20 ( UPI ) -- Tehran on Monday executed an Iranian man convicted of spying for the United States and Israel , according to state-run media .
Seyed Mahmoud Mousavi Majd was executed after being sentenced to death by an Iranian court for informing the United States of the movements and location of Qassem Soleimani , the slain commander of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ' Quds Force , Iran 's judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaeili said , according to Iran 's Islamic Republic News Agency .
Soleimani was assassinated by the United States in a drone strike in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump , who held the Quds Force responsible for inciting protesters to attack the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad amid rising tensions between the countries .
Iran has said that Majd was connected to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency and the Mossad , Israel 's intelligence-gathering organization .
The press office of the Iranian judiciary said Majd 's execution was not connected to Soleimani 's death as he had been arrested four months prior to the drone strike .
It was the third execution of an accused CIA agent in the past two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defense ministry employees suspected of spying for the United States earlier in July and in June .
Reza Asgari , a retired employee of the Iranian Aerospace Industries Organization , was hanged earlier this month by Tehran for conspiring with the CIA and selling it information about Iranian missiles when he still worked at the agency .
In June , Iran hanged Jalal Hajizavar , whom Tehran also accused of spying for the United States .
The execution of Majd came hours after Iran 's supreme court suspended the executions of three men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international backlash .
Amirhossein Moradi , 26 , Mohammad Rajabi , 28 , and Saeed Tamjidi , 26 , were convicted earlier this year on charges of sabotage , armed robbery and illegally leaving the country during the protests that erupted in Iran over a substantial gas price hike .
Babak Pakina , a lawyer for one of the men , told reporters the supreme court had accepted their request for a retrial .
Last week , the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner said the three men confessed under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump also tweeted condemnation of the anticipated execution of the three men , writing in Farsi that it will send `` a deplorable message to the world and should not be done . ''

July 20 (UPI) -- Tehran on Monday executed an Iranian man convicted of spying for the United States and Israel, according to state-run media.
Seyed Mahmoud Mousavi Majd was executed after being sentenced to death by an Iranian court for informing the United States of the movements and location of Qassem Soleimani, the slain commander of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force, Iran's judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaeili said, according to Iran's Islamic Republic News Agency.
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Soleimani was assassinated by the United States in a drone strike in early January at the direction of President Donald Trump, who held the Quds Force responsible for inciting protesters to attack the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad amid rising tensions between the countries.
Iran has said that Majd was connected to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency and the Mossad, Israel's intelligence-gathering organization.
The press office of the Iranian judiciary said Majd's execution was not connected to Soleimani's death as he had been arrested four months prior to the drone strike.
It was the third execution of an accused CIA agent in the past two months after the Iranian government executed two defense ministry employees suspected of spying for the United States earlier in July and in June.
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Reza Asgari, a retired employee of the Iranian Aerospace Industries Organization, was hanged earlier this month by Tehran for conspiring with the CIA and selling it information about Iranian missiles when he still worked at the agency.
In June, Iran hanged Jalal Hajizavar, whom Tehran also accused of spying for the United States.
The execution of Majd came hours after Iran's supreme court suspended the executions of three men connected to nationwide protests in November following international backlash.
Amirhossein Moradi, 26, Mohammad Rajabi, 28, and Saeed Tamjidi, 26, were convicted earlier this year on charges of sabotage, armed robbery and illegally leaving the country during the protests that erupted in Iran over a substantial gas price hike.
Babak Pakina, a lawyer for one of the men, told reporters the supreme court had accepted their request for a retrial.
Last week, the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner said the three men confessed under torture, and condemned their death sentences.
Trump also tweeted condemnation of the anticipated execution of the three men, writing in Farsi that it will send "a deplorable message to the world and should not be done."


upi--2020-07-20--Kim Jong Un 'severely rebukes' officials over hospital construction

SEOUL , July 20 ( UPI ) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un slammed officials in charge of the construction of a major new hospital in Pyongyang , criticizing them for economic mismanagement and ordering their firing , state media reported on Monday .
During a tour of the construction site of Pyongyang General Hospital , Kim `` pointed out serious problems in economic organization for the construction , '' according to a report by Korean Central News Agency .
Kim had described the hospital 's construction as a `` crucial task '' in bolstering the country 's healthcare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noting that `` there was no modern medical health facility in the country 's capital . ''
Construction officials are organizing the hospital 's finances `` in a careless manner with no budget for the construction properly set up , '' Kim said during his tour .
The date of his visit was not specified in the article .
Kim said the officials were `` making a serious digression '' from the communist ruling party 's policies around supplying equipment and materials and `` severely rebuked [ them ] for burdening the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' '' The North Korean leader called for the party 's Central Committee to investigate the construction project and ordered them to `` replace all the officials responsible . ''
The hospital is slated to be completed by the 75th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers ' Party of Korea on Oct. 10 .
While North Korea continues to insist that it has had no cases of COVID-19 , outside observers have expressed concern about the ability of the country 's underdeveloped healthcare infrastructure to handle the pandemic .
Earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts in preventing the spread of COVID-19 a `` shining success '' but `` stressed the need to maintain maximum alert , '' according to KCNA .
North Korea closed its border with China in late January and strictly controls movement within the country .
However , many question whether the secretive state has truly been able to prevent an outbreak .
Gen. Robert Abrams , commander of U.S .
Forces Korea , said in April that he was `` fairly certain '' the North has had cases .
United Nations human rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June that North Korea was suffering from `` widespread food shortages and malnutrition '' that have been exacerbated by the border closure and quarantine measures .
Kim 's public appearances have been limited in 2020 , with lengthy absences that have led to speculation about his health .
However , he has begun turning up more frequently in state media in recent weeks .
On Saturday , Kim chaired a meeting of the military commission of the ruling Worker 's Party , according to a KCNA report , at which he discussed `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war deterrent of the country . ''
A report from the Congressional Research Service released last week concluded that North Korea was continuing to develop its weapons systems with an aim of evading missile defenses in the region .

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un criticized officials responsible for the construction of a flagship hospital and ordered their removal, state media reported on Monday. File Photo by EPA-EFE/KCNA
SEOUL, July 20 (UPI) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un slammed officials in charge of the construction of a major new hospital in Pyongyang, criticizing them for economic mismanagement and ordering their firing, state media reported on Monday. During a tour of the construction site of Pyongyang General Hospital, Kim "pointed out serious problems in economic organization for the construction," according to a report by Korean Central News Agency. Advertisement
Kim had described the hospital's construction as a "crucial task" in bolstering the country's healthcare capacity upon its groundbreaking in March, noting that "there was no modern medical health facility in the country's capital."
Construction officials are organizing the hospital's finances "in a careless manner with no budget for the construction properly set up," Kim said during his tour. The date of his visit was not specified in the article.
Kim said the officials were "making a serious digression" from the communist ruling party's policies around supplying equipment and materials and "severely rebuked [them] for burdening the people by encouraging all kinds of 'assistance.'"
The North Korean leader called for the party's Central Committee to investigate the construction project and ordered them to "replace all the officials responsible."
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The hospital is slated to be completed by the 75th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea on Oct. 10.
While North Korea continues to insist that it has had no cases of COVID-19, outside observers have expressed concern about the ability of the country's underdeveloped healthcare infrastructure to handle the pandemic.
Earlier this month, Kim called the North's efforts in preventing the spread of COVID-19 a "shining success" but "stressed the need to maintain maximum alert," according to KCNA.
North Korea closed its border with China in late January and strictly controls movement within the country. However, many question whether the secretive state has truly been able to prevent an outbreak.
Gen. Robert Abrams, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, said in April that he was "fairly certain" the North has had cases.
United Nations human rights expert Tomas Ojea Quintana also warned in June that North Korea was suffering from "widespread food shortages and malnutrition" that have been exacerbated by the border closure and quarantine measures.
Kim's public appearances have been limited in 2020, with lengthy absences that have led to speculation about his health. However, he has begun turning up more frequently in state media in recent weeks.
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On Saturday, Kim chaired a meeting of the military commission of the ruling Worker's Party, according to a KCNA report, at which he discussed "the key issues of further bolstering a war deterrent of the country."
A report from the Congressional Research Service released last week concluded that North Korea was continuing to develop its weapons systems with an aim of evading missile defenses in the region.


upi--2020-07-20--FBI: Manhunt underway for suspect in shooting at federal judge's N.J. home

July 20 ( UPI ) -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation said law enforcement agents are searching for a suspect involved in a shooting at the New Jersey home of federal Judge Esther Salas .
The FBI announced the shooting in North Brunswick Township in Middlesex County on Twitter late Sunday , stating agents were searching for a suspect who fled the scene .
`` We 're looking for one suspect , '' the FBI said , asking anyone with information to contact its Newark office .
Chief Judge Freda L. Wolfson told CNN that Salas ' 20-year-old son , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incident and her husband , Mark Anderl , a criminal defense attorney , was injured .
New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy said via Twitter the Salas family `` are in our thoughts at this time as they cope with this senseless act . ''
`` I know Judge Salas and her husband well , and was proud to recommend her to President [ Barack ] Obama for nomination to New Jersey 's federal bench .
My prayers are with Judge Salas and her family , and that those responsible for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to justice , '' he said in a statement .
Salas , 51 , was the first Hispanic woman to serve as a federal judge in New Jersy and she was appointed to the position by Obama in 2010 .

U.S. Judge Esther Salas was the first Hispanic woman to serve as a federal judge in New Jersey. Photo courtesy of Rutgers University/ Website
July 20 (UPI) -- The lawyer suspected of posing as a FedEx delivery man to shoot the husband and son of a New Jersey federal judge Sunday identified himself as an "anti-feminist" and "men's rights" attorney, and posted taunts and insults about the judge on his website. Roy Den Hollander was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound Sunday night in Liberty, N.Y. The FBI identified him as the man suspected of killing the judge's son and injuring her husband. Advertisement
The FBI said Den Hollander posed as a deliveryman and fired a weapon into the North Brunswick Township home of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas, killing her 20-year-old son, Daniel Anderl, and wounding her husband, criminal defense attorney Mark Anderl. Judge Salas was in the basement and was not injured in the shooting.
Den Hollander had appeared before Judge Salas on a case where he argued on behalf of a woman and her daughter who tried to register for the U.S. Selective Service. Salas ruled against Den Hollander's motions in the case, but allowed other parts of the case to continue, CNN reported.
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Den Hollander then requested to withdraw because he said he had terminal cancer, passing the case to New York-based law firm Boies Schiller Flexner, managing partner Nick Gravante said Monday.
On Den Hollander's website, now removed, the lawyer posted anti-feminist manifestos including a rant where he disparaged Salas personally, saying he disliked working with female judges of Latin American descent because he claimed they were "driven by an inferiority complex," CNN reported.
Chief Judge Freda L. Wolfson told CNN that Daniel Anderl answered the door to a person who appeared to be a FedEx worker when the shooting occurred. Authorities said Mark Anderl was next to his son.
Doctors listed Mark Anderl, 63, in stable condition after undergoing surgery Sunday evening at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, according to North New Brunswick Mayor Francis Womack. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said via Twitter the Salas family "are in our thoughts at this time as they cope with this senseless act."
A FedEx package addressed to Salas was found in the suspect's vehicle, sources told ABC News.
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Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., offered his condolences.
"I know Judge Salas and her husband well, and was proud to recommend her to President [Barack] Obama for nomination to New Jersey's federal bench. My prayers are with Judge Salas and her family, and that those responsible for this horrendous act are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice," he said in a statement.
Salas, 51, was the first Hispanic woman to serve as a federal judge in New Jersey and she was appointed to the position by Obama in 2010. She has handled a wide range of high-profile cases, from members of the Grape Street Crips to the Real Housewives stars Joe and Teresa Giudice.
More recently, she presided over an ongoing lawsuit brought by Deutsche Bank investors who made numerous allegations including it failed to monitor "high-risk" clients such the late Jeffrey Epstein.
Mark Anderl works as a criminal defense attorney, specializing in state and federal criminal defense, and juvenile and municipal court matters. Daniel Anderl was a rising junior at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., and had graduated cum laude from St. Joseph High School in 2018.


upi--2020-07-20--Dr. Anthony Fauci to throw out first pitch at Washington Nationals opener

July 20 ( UPI ) -- Dr. Anthony Fauci , the United States ' top infectious diseases expert , will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Thursday night 's opener between the reigning World Series champion Washington Nationals and New York Yankees .
The Nationals will play host to the Yankees to begin the shortened 2020 season , which was reduced from 162 games to 60 due to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Dr. Fauci has been a true champion for our country during the COVID-19 pandemic and throughout his distinguished career , so it is only fitting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 season and defend our World Series championship title , '' the Nationals said in a statement Monday .
Fauci is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the White House coronavirus task force .
He has been one of the nation 's most visible public health experts throughout the ongoing pandemic .
Fauci , 79 , also is an outspoken fan of the Nationals -- often wearing a face mask with the team 's logo .
When MLB 's season was suspended , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ club play again , even if it meant games taking place without fans in attendance .
`` I think you 'll probably get enough buy-in from people who are dying to see a baseball game , particularly me , '' Fauci said in April .
`` I 'm living in Washington , we have the world champion Washington Nationals .
I want to see them play again . ''

Dr. Anthony Fauci is an outspoken fan of the Washington Nationals and often wears a face mask with the team's logo. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
July 20 (UPI) -- Dr. Anthony Fauci, the United States' top infectious diseases expert, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Thursday night's opener between the reigning World Series champion Washington Nationals and New York Yankees. The Nationals will play host to the Yankees to begin the shortened 2020 season, which was reduced from 162 games to 60 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement
"Dr. Fauci has been a true champion for our country during the COVID-19 pandemic and throughout his distinguished career, so it is only fitting that we honor him as we kick off the 2020 season and defend our World Series championship title," the Nationals said in a statement Monday.
Fauci is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the White House coronavirus task force. He has been one of the nation's most visible public health experts throughout the ongoing pandemic.
Fauci, 79, also is an outspoken fan of the Nationals -- often wearing a face mask with the team's logo. When MLB's season was suspended, he spoke of wanting to see the club play again, even if it meant games taking place without fans in attendance.
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"I think you'll probably get enough buy-in from people who are dying to see a baseball game, particularly me," Fauci said in April. "I'm living in Washington, we have the world champion Washington Nationals. I want to see them play again."


upi--2020-07-20--NBA reports zero positive coronavirus tests from Orlando bubble

July 20 ( UPI ) -- The NBA and the NBA Players Association said Monday that coronavirus tests of 346 @ @ @ @ @ bubble in Orlando , Fla. , yielded zero positives since test results were last announced @ @ @ @ @ the league disclosed its initial batch of test results in the bubble July 13 , @ @ @ @ @ of 322 players tested positive for the virus .
Also Monday , the NBA announced @ @ @ @ @ teams competing in the league 's restart at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando @ @ @ @ @ to participate in the remainder of the season are those listed on the rosters or @ @ @ @ @ as substitute players in accordance with league rules .
The 2019-20 NBA season will resume @ @ @ @ @ in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Each of the teams competing in the @ @ @ @ @ intersquad scrimmages from Wednesday to July 28 .

The 2019-20 NBA season will resume July 30 after being halted in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 20 (UPI) -- The NBA and the NBA Players Association said Monday that coronavirus tests of 346 players at the league's bubble in Orlando, Fla., yielded zero positives since test results were last announced a week ago. When the league disclosed its initial batch of test results in the bubble July 13, the NBA said two out of 322 players tested positive for the virus. Advertisement
Also Monday, the NBA announced the rosters for all 22 teams competing in the league's restart at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. The only players eligible to participate in the remainder of the season are those listed on the rosters or those who are later signed as substitute players in accordance with league rules.
The NBA and NBPA have announced the following: pic.twitter.com/XLlEU5Dxty— NBA (@NBA) July 20, 2020
The 2019-20 NBA season will resume July 30 after being halted in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Each of the teams competing in the 22-team restart will play three intersquad scrimmages from Wednesday to July 28.


upi--2020-07-20--SpaceX launches South Korean communications satellite

Astronauts return to space from U.S. soil Newly arrived NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley , front row from left to right , pose for a photo with the rest of the crew aboard the International Space Station on May 31 .
On the back row , from left to right are Roscosmos flight engineer Anatoly Ivanishin , NASA Commander Chris Cassidy and Roscosmos engineer Ivan Vagner .
Photo courtesy of NASA Hans Koenigsmann , vice president for build and flight reliability at SpaceX , looks at a monitor showing a live feed of the rocket carrying the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the countdown on May 27 .
The launch was scrubbed with only minutes to go .
Photo by Joel Kowsky/NASA | A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon spacecraft onboard is seen as it is rolled out of the horizontal integration facility at Kennedy Space Center as preparations continue on May 21 for the Demo-2 mission .
Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA | Hurley ( L ) and Behnken stand near Launch Pad 39A during a dress rehearsal ahead of the SpaceX uncrewed In-Flight Abort Test at Kennedy Space Center on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company 's Falcon 9 rocket is topped by the Crew Dragon spacecraft .
The flight test will demonstrate the spacecraft 's escape capabilities .
Photo by Kim Shiflett/NASA |

1/4
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Monday, carrying the Anasis 2 a communications satellite for the South Korean military. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
ORLANDO, Fla., July 20 (UPI) -- SpaceX launched South Korea's first communications satellite to be dedicated for military use Monday evening from Florida. A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off as planned at 5:30 p.m. from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station into a partly cloudy sky and headed over the Atlantic Ocean. The mission had been postponed twice over the last week. Advertisement
SpaceX confirmed the satellite deployed at 32 minutes, 49 seconds into the flight.
SpaceX successfully recovered the first stage booster of rocket, which landed on a barge in the ocean about 350 miles east of the launch site. The booster is the same one that launched astronauts to the International Space Station on May 31.
Two recovery ships were to attempt recovery of the fairings, or halves of the rocket nose cone, after they fell back into the ocean.
As a military project, few details about the satellite -- ANASIS 2 -- have been released. The name stands for Army, Navy, Air Force Satellite Information System.
South Korea launched a similar satellite in 2013, but it didn't deploy properly and was lost, said Kaitlyn Johnson, associate director at non-profit Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.
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This launch is part of a global expansion of the space industry, particularly for smaller nations, she said.
Johnson said the satellite most likely will be positioned directly over the Korean Peninsula, providing secure communications for troops.
Astronauts make round trip to space station from U.S. soil
NASA astronaut Douglas Hurley (C) waves to onlookers as he boards a plane at Naval Air Station Pensacola to return him and NASA astronaut Robert Behnken home to Houston a few hours after the duo landed in their SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft off the coast of Pensacola, Fla,, on August 2, 2020. Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA | License Photo


upi--2020-07-20--'Anti-feminist' lawyer named as suspect in shooting at NJ federal  judge's home

July 20 ( UPI ) -- The lawyer suspected of posing as a FedEx delivery man to shoot the husband and son of a New Jersey federal judge Sunday identified himself as an `` anti-feminist '' and `` men 's rights '' attorney and posted taunts and insults about the judge on his website .
Roy Den Hollander was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound Sunday night in Liberty , N.Y. the FBI identified him as the man suspected of killing the judge 's son and injuring her husband .
The FBI said Den Hollander posed as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Brunswick Township home of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas , killing her 20-year-old son , Daniel Anderl , and wounding her husband , criminal defense attorney Mark Anderl .
Judge Salas was in the basement and was not injured in the shooting .
Den Hollander had appeared before Judge Salas on a case where he argued on behalf of a woman and her daughter who tried to register for the U.S .
Selective Service .
Salas ruled against Den Hollander 's motions in the case , but allowed other parts of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Den Hollander then requested to withdraw because he said he had terminal cancer , passing the case to New York-based law firm Boies Schiller Flexner , managing partner Nick Gravante said Monday .
On Den Hollander 's website , now removed , the lawyer posted anti-feminist manifestos including a rant where he disparaged Salas personally , saying he disliked working with female judges of Latin American descent because he claimed they were `` driven by an inferiority complex , '' CNN reported .
Chief Judge Freda L. Wolfson told CNN that Daniel Anderl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared to be a FedEx worker when the shooting occurred .
Authorities said Mark Anderl was next to his son .
Doctors listed Mark Anderl , 63 , in stable condition after undergoing surgery Sunday evening at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick , according to North New Brunswick Mayor Francis Womack .
New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy said via Twitter the Salas family `` are in our thoughts at this time as they cope with this senseless act . ''
A FedEx package addressed to Salas was found in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ABC News .
`` I know Judge Salas and her husband well , and was proud to recommend her to President [ Barack ] Obama for nomination to New Jersey 's federal bench .
My prayers are with Judge Salas and her family , and that those responsible for this horrendous act are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice , '' he said in a statement .
Salas , 51 , was the first Hispanic woman to serve as a federal judge in New Jersey and she was appointed to the position by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wide range of high-profile cases , from members of the Grape Street Crips to the Real Housewives stars Joe and Teresa Giudice .
More recently , she presided over an ongoing lawsuit brought by Deutsche Bank investors who made numerous allegations including it failed to monitor `` high-risk '' clients like the late Jeffrey Epstein .
Mark Anderl works as a criminal defense attorney , specializing in state and federal criminal defense and juvenile and municipal court matters .
Daniel Anderl was a rising junior at Catholic University in Washington , D.C. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ St. Joseph High School in 2018 .


upi--2020-07-20--23 states sue Trump administration over LGBTQ health rollbacks

July 20 ( UPI ) -- A coalition of 23 attorneys general sued the Trump administration over its decision to roll back federal anti-discrimination healthcare for LGBTQ people and those seeking reproductive care .
The suit , co-led by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy , New York Attorney General Letitia James and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra alleges that the decision to roll back implementation of Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act allows discrimination against vulnerable and protected groups .
`` The COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionately impacting some of our most vulnerable residents , yet this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rule that puts these communities at even further risk , '' said Healey .
`` We need to focus on expanding access to care -- not on rolling it back .
We are suing to ensure our residents do n't face unnecessary or discriminatory barriers in accessing the health care services they need . ''
Other states participating in the suit include Colorado , Connecticut , Delaware , Hawaii , Illinois , Maine , Maryland , Michigan , Minnesota , Nevada , New Jersey , New Mexico , North Carolina , Oregon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virginia , Wisconsin , and the District of Columbia .
Section 1557 of the ACA prohibits federally funded health programs and facilities from discriminating against patients based on race , color , national origin , sex disability or age .
In June , the Department of Health and Human Services announced it would enforce the rule `` by returning to the government 's interpretation of sex discrimination according to the plain meaning of the word 'sex ' as male or female and as determined by biology . ''
The lawsuit stated that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrary to the Administrative Procedure Act and would present opportunities for hospitals and insurance companies to deny care to transgender and nonbinary patients in addition to women who have had abortions .
HHS Alex Azar and Roger Severino , head of the HHS 's office of civil rights , are named as defendants in the lawsuit , which alleges that the department ignored the harms the rule change will impose .
Late last month , a group of LGBTQ advocates and clinics also filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration .

Attorneys general from 23 states sued the Trump administration for rolling back federal healthcare protections for LGBTQ people and people who have had abortions. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
July 20 (UPI) -- A coalition of 23 attorneys general sued the Trump administration over its decision to roll back federal anti-discrimination healthcare for LGBTQ people and those seeking reproductive care. The suit, co-led by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy, New York Attorney General Letitia James and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra alleges that the decision to roll back implementation of Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act allows discrimination against vulnerable and protected groups. Advertisement
"The COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionately impacting some of our most vulnerable residents, yet this White House is moving forward with a rule that puts these communities at even further risk," said Healey. "We need to focus on expanding access to care -- not on rolling it back. We are suing to ensure our residents don't face unnecessary or discriminatory barriers in accessing the health care services they need."
Other states participating in the suit include Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.
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Section 1557 of the ACA prohibits federally funded health programs and facilities from discriminating against patients based on race, color, national origin, sex disability or age.
In June, the Department of Health and Human Services announced it would enforce the rule "by returning to the government's interpretation of sex discrimination according to the plain meaning of the word 'sex' as male or female and as determined by biology."
The lawsuit stated that the rule change is arbitrary, capricious and contrary to the Administrative Procedure Act and would present opportunities for hospitals and insurance companies to deny care to transgender and nonbinary patients in addition to women who have had abortions.
HHS Alex Azar and Roger Severino, head of the HHS's office of civil rights, are named as defendants in the lawsuit, which alleges that the department ignored the harms the rule change will impose.
Late last month, a group of LGBTQ advocates and clinics also filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration.


upi--2020-07-20--NFL, union agree to daily coronavirus testing for first two weeks of camp

July 20 ( UPI ) -- The NFL and its players ' union have reached an agreement on a coronavirus testing protocol for the first two weeks of training camp .
According to a memo obtained by ESPN and NFL Media on Monday , the league and the NFL Players Association will require daily testing for the opening two weeks of training camp .
After that two-week period , the NFL will move its testing to every other day -- if the positive test rate is below 5 % .
If the positive test rate is higher than 5 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue with daily COVID-19 testing until that number lowers .
If the positivity rate reaches 5 % or higher at any time , the NFL will go back to daily testing until it shrinks again .
`` This is ongoing work , '' Dr. Allen Sills , the NFL 's Chief Medical Officer , said Monday .
`` There 's no finish line with health and safety , and I think these protocols are living , breathing documents , which means they will change as we get new information .
They will undoubtedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we usually see in medicine . ''
The agreement -- reached Monday between the NFL and the players ' union -- reflects a compromise between the sides .
According to ESPN , the players were pushing for daily testing , while the owners proposed testing every other day .
`` Our union has been pushing for the strongest testing , tracing and treatment protocols to keep our players safe , '' the NFLPA said in a statement .
`` The testing protocols we agreed to are one critical factor that will help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gives us the best chance to play and finish the season . ''
The NFL and the union remained in negotiations Monday night on other matters , including the number of preseason games .
According to ESPN and NFL Media , the league recently offered the players zero preseason games .
The NFL previously canceled two of its four preseason weeks , but the players asked for all of them to be scrapped .
The agreement on a testing protocol came after a series of prominent NFL players took to social media Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ league to listen to its experts ' guidelines on safely opening training camps during the coronavirus pandemic .
Rookies for the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs -- the teams set to play the Thursday night regular-season opener on Sept. 10 -- were scheduled to report Monday .
Players for all teams are set to report by July 28 .
According to the collective bargaining agreement , players who do n't report to training camp could be subject to fines , forfeiture of salary and bonuses and the loss of an accrued season @

The agreement, reached Monday between the NFL and the players' union, reflects a compromise between the sides. The players were pushing for daily testing, while the owners proposed testing every other day. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 20 (UPI) -- The NFL and its players' union have reached an agreement on a coronavirus testing protocol for the first two weeks of training camp. According to a memo obtained by ESPN and NFL Media on Monday, the league and the NFL Players Association will require daily testing for the opening two weeks of training camp. After that two-week period, the NFL will move its testing to every other day -- if the positive test rate is below 5%. Advertisement
If the positive test rate is higher than 5% after two weeks, the league will continue with daily COVID-19 testing until that number lowers. If the positivity rate reaches 5% or higher at any time, the NFL will go back to daily testing until it shrinks again.
"This is ongoing work," Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL's Chief Medical Officer, said Monday. "There's no finish line with health and safety, and I think these protocols are living, breathing documents, which means they will change as we get new information. They will undoubtedly be changing over time, which is what we usually see in medicine."
The agreement -- reached Monday between the NFL and the players' union -- reflects a compromise between the sides. According to ESPN, the players were pushing for daily testing, while the owners proposed testing every other day.
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"Our union has been pushing for the strongest testing, tracing and treatment protocols to keep our players safe," the NFLPA said in a statement. "The testing protocols we agreed to are one critical factor that will help us return to work safely, and gives us the best chance to play and finish the season."
The NFL and the union remained in negotiations Monday night on other matters, including the number of preseason games. According to ESPN and NFL Media, the league recently offered the players zero preseason games. The NFL previously canceled two of its four preseason weeks, but the players asked for all of them to be scrapped.
The agreement on a testing protocol came after a series of prominent NFL players took to social media Sunday in a coordinated effort to urge the league to listen to its experts' guidelines on safely opening training camps during the coronavirus pandemic.
Rookies for the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs -- the teams set to play the Thursday night regular-season opener on Sept. 10 -- were scheduled to report Monday. Players for all teams are set to report by July 28.
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According to the collective bargaining agreement, players who don't report to training camp could be subject to fines, forfeiture of salary and bonuses and the loss of an accrued season.


upi--2020-07-20--St. Louis couple charged with threatening protesters with guns

July 20 ( UPI ) -- St. Louis prosecutors filed felony charges on Monday against a couple who brandished guns in front of their luxury mansion at protestors walking past during a June demonstration .
`` It is illegal to wave weapons in a threatening manner at those participating in nonviolent protest , '' said Kimberly Gardner , St. Louis circuit attorney in a statement .
`` We are fortunate this situation did not escalate into deadly force .
This type of conduct is unacceptable in St .
Louis . ''
Mark and Patricia McCloskey were each charged with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapon .
Protesters walked through the gated community of Portland Place on June 28 , as Mark McCloskey pointed an AR-15 rifle at them while his wife waved a semiautomatic handgun , placing protesters in fear of injury , charging documents said .
The McCloskeys ' lawyer Joel Schwartz said in a statement that the charges were `` disheartening '' and said `` I unequivocally believe no crime was committed . ''
`` The First Amendment right of every citizen to have their voice and opinion heard ... must be balanced with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying Missouri law permitted citizens to protect their property from potential threats .
At the time , Mark McCloskey said he felt threatened .
`` A mob of at least 100 smashed through the historic wrought iron gates of Portland Place , destroying them , rushed towards my home where my family was having dinner outside and put us in fear for our lives , '' Mark McCloskey said .
Missouri Gov .
Mike Parson said Friday in a radio interview that he would likely pardon the McCloskeys if they were convicted of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I would , and I think that 's exactly what would happen , '' Parson said .
`` If this is all about going after them because they ... did a lawful act , then , yeah , if that scenario in fact happened , I do n't think they 're going to spend any time in jail . ''

St. Louis prosecutors charged Patricia McCloskey and husband Mark with felony unlawful use of a weapon counts on Monday for aiming their guns at Black Lives Matter protesters June 28 in front of their St. Louis mansion. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
July 20 (UPI) -- St. Louis prosecutors filed felony charges on Monday against a couple who brandished guns in front of their luxury mansion at protestors walking past during a June demonstration. "It is illegal to wave weapons in a threatening manner at those participating in nonviolent protest," said Kimberly Gardner, St. Louis circuit attorney in a statement. "We are fortunate this situation did not escalate into deadly force. This type of conduct is unacceptable in St. Louis." Advertisement
Mark and Patricia McCloskey were each charged with a felony count of unlawful exhibiting of a weapon.
Protesters walked through the gated community of Portland Place on June 28, as Mark McCloskey pointed an AR-15 rifle at them while his wife waved a semiautomatic handgun, placing protesters in fear of injury, charging documents said.
St. Louis police seized the couple's guns on July 10.
The McCloskeys' lawyer Joel Schwartz said in a statement that the charges were "disheartening" and said "I unequivocally believe no crime was committed."
"The First Amendment right of every citizen to have their voice and opinion heard ... must be balanced with the Second Amendment," Schwartz added, saying Missouri law permitted citizens to protect their property from potential threats.
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At the time, Mark McCloskey said he felt threatened.
"A mob of at least 100 smashed through the historic wrought iron gates of Portland Place, destroying them, rushed towards my home where my family was having dinner outside and put us in fear for our lives," Mark McCloskey said.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said Friday in a radio interview that he would likely pardon the McCloskeys if they were convicted of charges.
"By all means, I would, and I think that's exactly what would happen," Parson said. "If this is all about going after them because they ... did a lawful act, then, yeah, if that scenario in fact happened, I don't think they're going to spend any time in jail."


upi--2020-07-20--Florida sheriff says Jacksonville can't guarantee safety for August GOP convention

July 20 ( UPI ) -- The chief Florida law enforcement officer tasked with providing security for the August Republican National Convention said Monday that his department does not have the resources nor adequate planning time to handle the event .
`` We ca n't pull it off in any kind of current configuration , '' Duval County Sheriff Mike Williams said in a press conference .
`` As we 're talking today , we are still not close to having some kind of plan that we can work with that makes me comfortable that we 're going to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There 's got to be some major re-working of what 's happening . ''
Williams , a Republican , said he has received only 25 % of the money promised for security and untold costs could escalate to deal with protesters outside the venue or venues proposed for the convention .
`` All of those things have been a concern for a couple of weeks , '' Williams said .
`` But again , we are inside of 40 days away .
We should be fine tuning this and I really do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's not going to work . ''
Emma Vaughn , Republican National Committee spokeswoman , said the committee would continue to work closely with Jacksonville officials to nail down the details .
`` The Department of Justice is in the process of allocating millions of dollars in a safety grant , '' Vaughn said in a statement .
`` Jacksonville has accommodated upwards of 70,000 people for football games and other events , and we are confident in state , local and federal officials to be able to ensure a safe event for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee announced in June that the in-person convention , scheduled for Aug. 24 through Aug. 27 , would be moved from Charlotte , N.C. , to Jacksonville after North Carolina 's Gov .
Roy Cooper , a Democrat , said he could not guarantee that the indoor convention could take place within public health and safety regulations .
Rather than a smaller convention with masked attendees , Trump and the RNC made plans to vacate to Jacksonville .
But as the spread of coronavirus has spiked in Florida , RNC organizers were revamping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more well-attended events , such as Trump 's acceptance speech , from the 15,000-seat VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena to multiple outdoor venues , including the TIAA Bank Field .
Local organizers said sanitizing protocols and adequate masks and social distancing would be enforced during the events .
But many prominent Republicans said they would not be attending the convention , citing threats from the coronavirus pandemic .
Jacksonville City Council President Tommy Hazouri , a Democrat said that he feared that protesters might clash with armed federal troops from the Department of Homeland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Portland , Ore. '' The physical safety of our people and our citizens and those who would be coming here ca n't be at risk .
It 's got to be minimal .
With law enforcement 's position , I 'm on the side of the law on this .
I 'm on the side of the sheriff , '' Hazouri said .
The number of coronavirus cases in Duval County has risen to 17,245 confirmed cases with 98 deaths , according to the Florida Department of Health .

The Duval County sheriff said Monday that security plans were inadequate for the proposed Jacksonville, Fla., Republican National Convention to be held Aug. 24 through 27. File Photo by Pete Marovich/UPI | License Photo
July 20 (UPI) -- The chief Florida law enforcement officer tasked with providing security for the August Republican National Convention said Monday that his department does not have the resources nor adequate planning time to handle the event. "We can't pull it off in any kind of current configuration," Duval County Sheriff Mike Williams said in a press conference. "As we're talking today, we are still not close to having some kind of plan that we can work with that makes me comfortable that we're going to keep that event and the community safe. There's got to be some major re-working of what's happening." Advertisement
Williams, a Republican, said he has received only 25% of the money promised for security and untold costs could escalate to deal with protesters outside the venue or venues proposed for the convention.
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"All of those things have been a concern for a couple of weeks," Williams said. "But again, we are inside of 40 days away. We should be fine tuning this and I really don't have a solid plan. This one's not going to work."
Emma Vaughn, Republican National Committee spokeswoman, said the committee would continue to work closely with Jacksonville officials to nail down the details.
"The Department of Justice is in the process of allocating millions of dollars in a safety grant," Vaughn said in a statement. "Jacksonville has accommodated upwards of 70,000 people for football games and other events, and we are confident in state, local and federal officials to be able to ensure a safe event for our attendees."
The Republican National Committee announced in June that the in-person convention, scheduled for Aug. 24 through Aug. 27, would be moved from Charlotte, N.C., to Jacksonville after North Carolina's Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, said he could not guarantee that the indoor convention could take place within public health and safety regulations.
Rather than a smaller convention with masked attendees, Trump and the RNC made plans to vacate to Jacksonville.
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But as the spread of coronavirus has spiked in Florida, RNC organizers were revamping plans and proposed moving several of the more well-attended events, such as Trump's acceptance speech, from the 15,000-seat VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena to multiple outdoor venues, including the TIAA Bank Field. Local organizers said sanitizing protocols and adequate masks and social distancing would be enforced during the events.
But many prominent Republicans said they would not be attending the convention, citing threats from the coronavirus pandemic.
Jacksonville City Council President Tommy Hazouri, a Democrat said that he feared that protesters might clash with armed federal troops from the Department of Homeland Security like the ones currently deployed in Portland, Ore.
"The physical safety of our people and our citizens and those who would be coming here can't be at risk. It's got to be minimal. With law enforcement's position, I'm on the side of the law on this. I'm on the side of the sheriff," Hazouri said.
The number of coronavirus cases in Duval County has risen to 17,245 confirmed cases with 98 deaths, according to the Florida Department of Health.


upi--2020-07-20--New York Jets, Giants say no fans at MetLife Stadium 'until further notice'

July 20 ( UPI ) -- The New York Giants and New York Jets announced in a joint statement they wo n't have fans at home games this season `` until further notice '' due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The NFL teams , who play at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford , N.J. , released the statement Monday after New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy announced an executive order limiting outdoor public gatherings to 500 people .
`` Today Governor Murphy announced that , due to the ongoing public health crisis , his executive order limiting outdoor public gatherings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until further notice , '' the Jets and Giants said in the statement .
`` This decision was reached after careful consideration of the current state of the COVID-19 crisis , in discussions with the Giants and Jets , and in consideration of the health and safety of our fans , players and staff , which will continue to be the primary focus for our teams .
`` We support Governor Murphy 's decision in the interest of public health and safety and , until circumstances change , both the Giants and Jets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fans in attendance .
Although we would prefer to have fans at MetLife Stadium for our games , we will continue to work with Governor Murphy 's office and will provide updates if necessary . ''
The teams also said that fans will not be able to attend training camp practices this summer `` out of an abundance of caution . ''

The New York Jets and Giants also said that fans will not be able to attend training camp practices this summer "out of an abundance of caution." File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 20 (UPI) -- The New York Giants and New York Jets announced in a joint statement they won't have fans at home games this season "until further notice" due to the coronavirus pandemic. The NFL teams, who play at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., released the statement Monday after New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced an executive order limiting outdoor public gatherings to 500 people. Advertisement
"Today Governor Murphy announced that, due to the ongoing public health crisis, his executive order limiting outdoor public gatherings will apply to events at MetLife Stadium until further notice," the Jets and Giants said in the statement.
"This decision was reached after careful consideration of the current state of the COVID-19 crisis, in discussions with the Giants and Jets, and in consideration of the health and safety of our fans, players and staff, which will continue to be the primary focus for our teams.
"We support Governor Murphy's decision in the interest of public health and safety and, until circumstances change, both the Giants and Jets will play our games without the benefits of fans in attendance. Although we would prefer to have fans at MetLife Stadium for our games, we will continue to work with Governor Murphy's office and will provide updates if necessary."
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The teams also said that fans will not be able to attend training camp practices this summer "out of an abundance of caution."


upi--2020-07-20--Georgia Democrats select Nikema Williams to replace John Lewis on November ballot

July 20 ( UPI ) -- Georgia Democrats on Monday selected state party chair Nikema Williams to replace the late Rep. John Lewis on the ballot in November 's election .
Williams easily bested four other top contenders who were selected from a field of more than 130 potential candidates , receiving 37 of the 41 votes cast by the panel of activists and elected officials including Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and former state House representative and gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams .
In a virtual address , Williams said no one would be able to fill Lewis ' shoes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` a personal hero , friend and political mentor '' and citing her 2018 arrest during a voting rights demonstration as an example of her engaging in the kind of `` good trouble '' he promoted .
`` We need someone who is not afraid to put themselves on the line for their constituents in the same way congressman Lewis taught us to do , '' Williams said .
The committee 's decision to select Williams came just three days after Lewis ' death , as Georgia state law required a selection to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he had won the state 's Democratic primary in June .
Some Democrats , including Lewis ' former top aide , Michael Collins , called for the party to select a `` placeholder '' candidate who would serve a single two-year term or resign in January to allow for an open vote.
`` `` He believed very strongly that the people who represent the citizens , '' Collins wrote in a letter to the committee Monday .
`` And that a free and fair election , where all individuals have a level-playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our democracy . ''
Party leaders said not selecting a candidate for the November ballot would risk losing a seat that Lewis won by at least 70 percent of the vote in almost all of his re-election bids , drawing mostly only token Republican challenges .
Williams will face off against Angela Stanton-King , an author and television personality , who received a pardon from President Donald Trump after serving two years on federal conspiracy charges .

Georgia Democrats on Monday selected state senator and party leader Nikema Williams to replace the U.S. Rep. John Lewis on the November ballot, just three days after his death. Photo by John Ramspott/ Wikimedia Commons
July 20 (UPI) -- Georgia Democrats on Monday selected state party chair Nikema Williams to replace the late Rep. John Lewis on the ballot in November's election. Williams easily bested four other top contenders who were selected from a field of more than 130 potential candidates, receiving 37 of the 41 votes cast by the panel of activists and elected officials including Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and former state House representative and gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. Advertisement
In a virtual address, Williams said no one would be able to fill Lewis' shoes, but described the late congressman as "a personal hero, friend and political mentor" and citing her 2018 arrest during a voting rights demonstration as an example of her engaging in the kind of "good trouble" he promoted.
"We need someone who is not afraid to put themselves on the line for their constituents in the same way congressman Lewis taught us to do," Williams said.
The committee's decision to select Williams came just three days after Lewis' death, as Georgia state law required a selection to be made by 4:30 p.m. Monday, as he had won the state's Democratic primary in June.
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Some Democrats, including Lewis' former top aide, Michael Collins, called for the party to select a "placeholder" candidate who would serve a single two-year term or resign in January to allow for an open vote. "
"He believed very strongly that the people who represent the citizens," Collins wrote in a letter to the committee Monday. "And that a free and fair election, where all individuals have a level-playing field is in the best interest of our democracy."
Party leaders said not selecting a candidate for the November ballot would risk losing a seat that Lewis won by at least 70 percent of the vote in almost all of his re-election bids, drawing mostly only token Republican challenges.
Williams will face off against Angela Stanton-King, an author and television personality, who received a pardon from President Donald Trump after serving two years on federal conspiracy charges.


upi--2020-07-20--Inhaled form of interferon beta shows promise in COVID-19 treatment, maker says

July 20 ( UPI ) -- Interferon beta , originally developed to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder , reduces the risk for serious illness and the need for ventilator support in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 , according to preliminary findings of a Phase 1 clinical trial released Monday .
The results were reported by the drug 's manufacturer , Britain-based Synairgen , as part of an update issued to company shareholders , executives said .
The trial 's results have not been published in a medical or scientific journal and have not undergone the peer-review process , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ validity of clinical trials , they acknowledged .
As of Monday , only preliminary findings had been made publicly available , the company said .
`` The results confirm our belief that interferon beta ... has huge potential as an inhaled drug to be able to restore the lung 's immune response , enhancing protection , accelerating recovery and countering the impact of [ the new coronavirus ] , '' chief investigator Tom Wilkinson said in a statement .
Wilkinson , a professor of respiratory medicine at the University of Southampton , described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a `` game changer . ''
Other forms of interferon beta , a naturally occurring protein that 's involved in the immune response , have been used to treat multiple sclerosis for years -- and administered via injection , according to Synairgen .
However , the company 's version of the drug , called SNG001 , is delivered directly to the lungs with a nebulizer , a device commonly used by those with asthma and COPD .
Its use is based on the theory that interferon beta deficiency in the lungs explains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severe lung disease during respiratory viral infections than others , the company said .
In the trial results released Monday , 101 COVID-19 patients at nine specialist hospitals in Britain received either SNG001 or placebo between March 30 and May 27 , according to the company .
Those on SNG001 were 79 % less likely to develop severe disease and more than twice as likely to recover -- defined as no clinical or virological evidence of infection -- than patients who received the placebo , the researchers said .
None of the patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In patients with more severe disease who required supplemental oxygen , SNG001 treatment increased the likelihood of hospital discharge by roughly 70 % , according to the researchers .
Those on the drug were discharged after an average of approximately six days , compared to nine days for patients on placebo , the researchers said .
In addition , SNG001 significantly reduced severe shortness of breath , one of the main symptoms of COVID-19 among hospitalized patients , Richard Marsden , CEO of Synairgen , said in a statement .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signal a major breakthrough in the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients , '' Marsden said .
`` Our efforts are now focused on working with the regulators and other key groups to progress this potential COVID-19 treatment as rapidly as possible . ''

An inhaled form of the asthma drug interferon beta may help hospitalized patients with COVID-19 recover, according to a preliminary results from a new study. Photo by fernandozhiminaicela /Pixabay
July 20 (UPI) -- Interferon beta, originally developed to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, reduces the risk for serious illness and the need for ventilator support in patients hospitalized with COVID-19, according to preliminary findings of a Phase 1 clinical trial released Monday. The results were reported by the drug's manufacturer, Britain-based Synairgen, as part of an update issued to company shareholders, executives said. Advertisement
The trial's results have not been published in a medical or scientific journal and have not undergone the peer-review process, which is used to confirm the accuracy and validity of clinical trials, they acknowledged.
As of Monday, only preliminary findings had been made publicly available, the company said.
"The results confirm our belief that interferon beta ... has huge potential as an inhaled drug to be able to restore the lung's immune response, enhancing protection, accelerating recovery and countering the impact of [the new coronavirus]," chief investigator Tom Wilkinson said in a statement.
Wilkinson, a professor of respiratory medicine at the University of Southampton, described the findings to the BBC on Monday as a "game changer."
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Other forms of interferon beta, a naturally occurring protein that's involved in the immune response, have been used to treat multiple sclerosis for years -- and administered via injection, according to Synairgen.
However, the company's version of the drug, called SNG001, is delivered directly to the lungs with a nebulizer, a device commonly used by those with asthma and COPD.
Its use is based on the theory that interferon beta deficiency in the lungs explains why some people are more prone to severe lung disease during respiratory viral infections than others, the company said.
In the trial results released Monday, 101 COVID-19 patients at nine specialist hospitals in Britain received either SNG001 or placebo between March 30 and May 27, according to the company.
Those on SNG001 were 79% less likely to develop severe disease and more than twice as likely to recover -- defined as no clinical or virological evidence of infection -- than patients who received the placebo, the researchers said.
None of the patients on the drug died, they said.
In patients with more severe disease who required supplemental oxygen, SNG001 treatment increased the likelihood of hospital discharge by roughly 70%, according to the researchers.
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Those on the drug were discharged after an average of approximately six days, compared to nine days for patients on placebo, the researchers said.
In addition, SNG001 significantly reduced severe shortness of breath, one of the main symptoms of COVID-19 among hospitalized patients, Richard Marsden, CEO of Synairgen, said in a statement.
"This assessment of SNG001 in COVID-19 patients could signal a major breakthrough in the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients," Marsden said.
"Our efforts are now focused on working with the regulators and other key groups to progress this potential COVID-19 treatment as rapidly as possible."


upi--2020-07-20--Trump wears mask in tweeted photo; says face coverings are 'patriotic'

July 20 ( UPI ) -- U.S. President Donald Trump made his first public endorsement for wearing a mask to stop spread of COVID-19 by tweeting a photo Monday of himself wearing a face covering .
`` Many people say that it is patriotic to wear a face mask when you ca n't socially distance .
There is nobody more patriotic than me , your favorite President !
, '' Trump tweeted , calling COVID-19 the `` Invisible China Virus . ''
Trump was photographed July 12 touring Walter Reed hospital in Bethesda , Md.
, while wearing a black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The photo published Monday was taken during the tour to visit injured service members .
Trump has resisted wearing masks , previously saying he did n't need to because people around him are tested regularly for the coronavirus .
On Sunday , during a Fox News interview with host Chris Wallace , Trump said he did not think a national mask mandate was necessary .
But medical advisers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S .
Surgeon General Jerome Adams have advised that wearing a face covering , along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance , helps slow the spread of the virus .
Trump also faced criticism as Republican governors like Greg Abbott in Texas , Asa Hutchinson in Arkansas and Kay Ivey in Alabama issued statewide mask mandates .
First lady Melania Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have been photographed wearing masks .
Walmart is requiring masks inside stores nationwide starting on Monday , and other retailers , including Walgreens , CVS and Lowe 's announced that face masks are required to shop in stores nationwide .
More than half of U.S. states now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action leaves a path for retreat for outliers like Republican Gov .
Brian Kemp of Georgia , who on Thursday sued the city of Atlanta for enforcing a mask mandate .
Kemp , who has called mask wearing `` a good idea , '' said in June that forcing residents to wear a face covering was `` a bridge too far . ''

Saying it was 'patriotic' to wear mask, U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday tweeted a photo of himself wearing a face covering. Photo courtesy of Donald J. Trump Twitter account.
July 20 (UPI) -- U.S. President Donald Trump made his first public endorsement for wearing a mask to stop spread of COVID-19 by tweeting a photo Monday of himself wearing a face covering. "Many people say that it is patriotic to wear a face mask when you can't socially distance. There is nobody more patriotic than me, your favorite President!," Trump tweeted, calling COVID-19 the "Invisible China Virus." Advertisement
Trump was photographed July 12 touring Walter Reed hospital in Bethesda, Md., while wearing a black mask embroidered with a presidential seal. The photo published Monday was taken during the tour to visit injured service members.
Trump has resisted wearing masks, previously saying he didn't need to because people around him are tested regularly for the coronavirus. On Sunday, during a Fox News interview with host Chris Wallace, Trump said he did not think a national mask mandate was necessary.
But medical advisers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams have advised that wearing a face covering, along with avoiding large gatherings and maintaining social distance, helps slow the spread of the virus.
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Trump also faced criticism as Republican governors like Greg Abbott in Texas, Asa Hutchinson in Arkansas and Kay Ivey in Alabama issued statewide mask mandates. First lady Melania Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have been photographed wearing masks.
Walmart is requiring masks inside stores nationwide starting on Monday, and other retailers, including Walgreens, CVS and Lowe's announced that face masks are required to shop in stores nationwide. More than half of U.S. states now have statewide mask requirements.
Trump's action leaves a path for retreat for outliers like Republican Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia, who on Thursday sued the city of Atlanta for enforcing a mask mandate. Kemp, who has called mask wearing "a good idea," said in June that forcing residents to wear a face covering was "a bridge too far."


upi--2020-07-20--U.S. markets hit highs amid record gains by Amazon, positive vaccine results

July 20 ( UPI ) -- U.S. markets rose to their highest marks since February amid rising tech stocks and optimism surrounding a COVID-19 vaccine .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 8.92 points , or 0.03 % , while the S & P 500 turned positive for the year after gaining 0.84 % and the Nasdaq Composite hit a record high as increased 2.51 % , it 's highest boost since April .
Tech stocks helped to push the Nasdaq higher as Amazon skyrocketed up 7.93 % , its largest gain since December 2018 , while Microsoft rose 4.3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Apple grew 2.11 % , Netflix increased 1.91 % and Facebook ending the day up 1.40 % .
Pfizer and BioNTech reported positive results from a joint coronavirus vaccine candidate test saying it `` elicited high , dose level-dependent SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing titers and RBD-binding IgG concentrations after the second dose . ''
A vaccine candidate from Oxford University and AstraZeneca also reported positive results causing AstraZeneca stock to climb to a record following the news , but shares ultimately fell 3.98 % after analysts said the data failed to meet expectations In extended trading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 % after the company exceeded analysts ' expectations in its second-quarter earnings report .
The company reported earnings of $ 2.18 per share and revenue of $ 18.12 billion .

The S&P 500 turned positive for the year and the Nasdaq Composite hit a record high after gains on Monday as Amazon posted record gains and COVID-19 vaccine tests yielded positive results. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 20 (UPI) -- U.S. markets rose to their highest marks since February amid rising tech stocks and optimism surrounding a COVID-19 vaccine. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 8.92 points, or 0.03%, while the S&P 500 turned positive for the year after gaining 0.84% and the Nasdaq Composite hit a record high as increased 2.51%, it's highest boost since April. Advertisement
Tech stocks helped to push the Nasdaq higher as Amazon skyrocketed up 7.93%, its largest gain since December 2018, while Microsoft rose 4.3%, Alphabet climbed 3.1%, Apple grew 2.11%, Netflix increased 1.91% and Facebook ending the day up 1.40%.
Pfizer and BioNTech reported positive results from a joint coronavirus vaccine candidate test saying it "elicited high, dose level-dependent SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing titers and RBD-binding IgG concentrations after the second dose."
Pfizer stock rose 0.69 percent and BioNTech increased 3.46 percent.
A vaccine candidate from Oxford University and AstraZeneca also reported positive results causing AstraZeneca stock to climb to a record following the news, but shares ultimately fell 3.98% after analysts said the data failed to meet expectations
In extended trading on Monday afternoon, IBM stock increased 6% after the company exceeded analysts' expectations in its second-quarter earnings report.
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The company reported earnings of $2.18 per share and revenue of $18.12 billion.