upi--2020-07-29--The Roots' Malik B. dies at 47

The Roots' Malik B. dies at 47

July 29 ( UPI ) -- The Roots announced on social media Wednesday that band member Malik Abdul Basit , aka Malik B. , has died .
He was 47 years old .
`` We regretfully inform you of the passing of our beloved brother and long time Roots member Malik Abdul Basit , '' The Roots wrote .
`` May he be remembered for his devotion to Islam and innovation as one of the most gifted MCs of all time .
We ask that you please respect his family in our time of mourning . ''
CNN and Rolling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause was released .
Basit founded The Roots along with Questlove and Black Thought .
Basit left the band in 2000 , but continued to make appearance on album tracks until 2008 while producing solo music .
Black Thought paid tribute to Basit on his Instagram account .
`` In friendly competition with you from day one , I always felt as if I possessed only a mere fraction of your true gift and potential , '' he wrote .
`` I watched you create cadences from the ether and set them free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Photo courtesy of Pixnio
July 29 (UPI) -- The Roots announced on social media Wednesday that band member Malik Abdul Basit, aka Malik B., has died. He was 47 years old. "We regretfully inform you of the passing of our beloved brother and long time Roots member Malik Abdul Basit," The Roots wrote. Advertisement
"May he be remembered for his devotion to Islam and innovation as one of the most gifted MCs of all time. We ask that you please respect his family in our time of mourning."
CNN and Rolling Stone confirmed the death, but no cause was released.
We regretfully inform you of the passing of our beloved brother and long time Roots member Malik Abdul Basit. May he be remembered for his devotion to Islam and innovation as one of the most gifted MCs of all time. We ask that you please respect his family in our time of mourning pic.twitter.com/NVHtb2CFWP— The Roots (@theroots) July 29, 2020
Basit founded The Roots along with Questlove and Black Thought. Basit left the band in 2000, but continued to make appearance on album tracks until 2008 while producing solo music.
Advertisement
Black Thought paid tribute to Basit on his Instagram account.
"In friendly competition with you from day one, I always felt as if I possessed only a mere fraction of your true gift and potential," he wrote. "I watched you create cadences from the ether and set them free into the universe to become poetic law."
Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-07-29--Trump, Mnuchin support stopgap stimulus bill

July 29 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump said Wednesday he 's interested in a short-term stopgap measure if Democrats and Republicans in Congress ca n't agree on a larger stimulus bill by the end of the week .
Speaking to reporters outside the White House , the president and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the White House would like to make sure some sort of legislation is passed before eviction protections expire Friday .
`` We ought to work on the evictions so that people do n't get evicted , '' Trump said .
`` You work on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest of it we 're so far apart we do n't care .
We really do n't care . ''
Mnuchin said the administration would also support extending the additional $ 600 per week federal unemployment benefit , also set to expire Friday .
After meeting with Democratic leaders of the House and Senate , White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters `` we 're nowhere close to a deal . ''
`` I do n't see any way to get a comprehensive deal by the end of this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking to extend unemployment benefits in some fashion as well as eviction protection , '' he said .
But Democrats rejected the idea of a stopgap measure , accusing Republicans of delaying negotiations .
Some Republicans also were against the idea because they do n't support the eviction protections or unemployment benefits .
Senate Republican Whip John Thune and Sen. Marco Rubio , though , said they 'd consider the alternative if a broader deal ca n't be reached .
Senate Republicans introduced their $ 1 trillion coronavirus relief package Monday , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployment benefits .
It also includes a extension of the Paycheck Protection Program and funding to reopen schools .
One of the most contentious provisions would reduce weekly federal unemployment payments from $ 600 to $ 200 , while states would adopt a system to provide about 70 % of wage replacement for workers who have been laid off .
Democrats have opposed the package , instead backing a $ 3 trillion proposal passed by the House in May .

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the press along with Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin (L) and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows outside the White House in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Photo by Sarah Silbiger/UPI | License Photo
July 29 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said Wednesday he's interested in a short-term stopgap measure if Democrats and Republicans in Congress can't agree on a larger stimulus bill by the end of the week. Speaking to reporters outside the White House, the president and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the White House would like to make sure some sort of legislation is passed before eviction protections expire Friday. Advertisement
"We ought to work on the evictions so that people don't get evicted," Trump said. "You work on the payments for the people, and the rest of it we're so far apart we don't care. We really don't care."
Mnuchin said the administration would also support extending the additional $600 per week federal unemployment benefit, also set to expire Friday.
After meeting with Democratic leaders of the House and Senate, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters "we're nowhere close to a deal."
"I don't see any way to get a comprehensive deal by the end of this month and it's why the president is looking to extend unemployment benefits in some fashion as well as eviction protection," he said.
Advertisement
But Democrats rejected the idea of a stopgap measure, accusing Republicans of delaying negotiations. Some Republicans also were against the idea because they don't support the eviction protections or unemployment benefits.
Senate Republican Whip John Thune and Sen. Marco Rubio, though, said they'd consider the alternative if a broader deal can't be reached.
Senate Republicans introduced their $1 trillion coronavirus relief package Monday, including direct stimulus payments and a cut to unemployment benefits. It also includes a extension of the Paycheck Protection Program and funding to reopen schools.
One of the most contentious provisions would reduce weekly federal unemployment payments from $600 to $200, while states would adopt a system to provide about 70% of wage replacement for workers who have been laid off.
Democrats have opposed the package, instead backing a $3 trillion proposal passed by the House in May.


upi--2020-07-29--Tracy Morgan, Megan Wollover divorce

Tracy Morgan, Megan Wollover divorce

July 29 ( UPI ) -- Tracy Morgan 's wife , Megan Wollover , has filed for divorce .
The two married in 2015 and dated since 2011 .
People reported that Wollover filed papers on Tuesday , and TMZ and The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the filing .
`` Sadly , after nearly five years of marriage , Megan and I are filing for divorce , ' '' Morgan said in a statement provided to UPI .
`` This is a challenging time for all involved , so I ask that you please respect our privacy . ''
Wollover 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for divorce , and echoed Morgan 's request for privacy .
`` This is a private matter for the family , '' Wollover 's reps told People .
`` Megan 's primary focus remains the best interest of the parties ' daughter .
She asks that the family 's privacy be respected during this difficult time . ''
Morgan and Wollover 's daughter , Maven Sonae , is Morgan 's fourth child .
He has three from a previous marriage .
A mutual friend paired Morgan and Wollover on a blind date in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and announced the couple 's engagement on the red carpet at the 2012 Emmys .
In 2014 , Morgan was injured in an automobile accident that killed his friend , James McNair .
Morgan underwent physical therapy and was able to walk down the aisle in 2015 .
Morgan was a cast member of Saturday Night Live from 1996 to 2003 and has returned to host .
He starred on 30 Rock and returned for its new special on Thursday .
He currently stars on the TBS comedy The Last O.G .
Wollover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short film Unholly Roller and produced one episode of The Last O.G .

Tracy Morgan and Megan Wollover confirmed they have filed for divorce on Wednesday. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
July 29 (UPI) -- Tracy Morgan's wife, Megan Wollover, has filed for divorce. The two married in 2015 and dated since 2011. People reported that Wollover filed papers on Tuesday, and TMZ and The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the filing. Advertisement
"Sadly, after nearly five years of marriage, Megan and I are filing for divorce,'" Morgan said in a statement provided to UPI. "This is a challenging time for all involved, so I ask that you please respect our privacy."
Wollover's representatives confirmed to People that she filed for divorce, and echoed Morgan's request for privacy.
"This is a private matter for the family," Wollover's reps told People. "Megan's primary focus remains the best interest of the parties' daughter. She asks that the family's privacy be respected during this difficult time."
Morgan and Wollover's daughter, Maven Sonae, is Morgan's fourth child. He has three from a previous marriage.
A mutual friend paired Morgan and Wollover on a blind date in 2011. Morgan proposed one year later and announced the couple's engagement on the red carpet at the 2012 Emmys.
In 2014, Morgan was injured in an automobile accident that killed his friend, James McNair. Morgan underwent physical therapy and was able to walk down the aisle in 2015.
Advertisement
Morgan was a cast member of Saturday Night Live from 1996 to 2003 and has returned to host. He starred on 30 Rock and returned for its new special on Thursday. He currently stars on the TBS comedy The Last O.G.
Wollover was a model, acted in the short film Unholly Roller and produced one episode of The Last O.G.


upi--2020-07-29--India receives first Dassault Rafale fighter planes

July 29 ( UPI ) -- The first five of 36 purchased Dassault Rafale fighter planes purchased by the Indian air force arrived at Ambala Air Station , India , on Wednesday .
The French-built planes flew to Abu Dhabi and then to India , the Indian air force announced .
The aircraft are part of a $ 965 million purchase to upgrade India 's military , as it contends with Pakistan on its west and China on its east , officials have noted .
`` On entering the Indian airspace , the Rafales were given an aerial welcome by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stn Ambala , they were accorded the traditional 'Water Cannon Salute , '' air force officials said on Twitter .
The Indian government discouraged media coverage or celebration , opting instead for a `` final induction ceremony '' in August .
`` IAF aircrew and ground crew have undergone comprehensive training on the aircraft , including its highly advanced weapons systems , and are fully operational now , '' Indian air force officials said earlier this month ahead of the delivery .
`` Post arrival , efforts will focus on operationalization of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some members of the country 's National Congress remained opposed to the cost of the planes , numerous Indian officials used social media to send congratulations .
`` I would like to add , if it is anyone who should be worried about or critical about this new capability of the Indian Air Force , it should be those who want to threaten our territorial integrity , '' said Defense Minister Rajnath Singh , said to be a veiled warning to China .
China and India have long been involved in military incidents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , India deployed surface-to-air missiles to its border with China in the Himalayan Mountains after a clash with Chinese troops left 20 Indian soldiers dead .
The first Rafales in India will be stationed at Ambala , about 135 miles from the India-Pakistan border .
The second group of planes will be stationed near the border with China at Hasimara Air Station .
The planes , used by the militaries of France , Egypt and Qatar , are known for their agility in the air , and typically carry air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles @

The first five of 36 Rafale fighter planes, made by the French company Dassault, arrived in India on Wednesday. Photo courtesy of Indian Air Force /Twitter
July 29 (UPI) -- The first five of 36 purchased Dassault Rafale fighter planes purchased by the Indian air force arrived at Ambala Air Station, India, on Wednesday. The French-built planes flew to Abu Dhabi and then to India, the Indian air force announced. Advertisement
The aircraft are part of a $965 million purchase to upgrade India's military, as it contends with Pakistan on its west and China on its east, officials have noted.
"On entering the Indian airspace, the Rafales were given an aerial welcome by two IAF Su-30 aircraft. At AF Stn Ambala, they were accorded the traditional 'Water Cannon Salute," air force officials said on Twitter.
The Indian government discouraged media coverage or celebration, opting instead for a "final induction ceremony" in August.
"IAF aircrew and ground crew have undergone comprehensive training on the aircraft,including its highly advanced weapons systems, and are fully operational now," Indian air force officials said earlier this month ahead of the delivery. "Post arrival, efforts will focus on operationalization of the aircraft at the earliest."
Although some members of the country's National Congress remained opposed to the cost of the planes, numerous Indian officials used social media to send congratulations.
Advertisement
"I would like to add, if it is anyone who should be worried about or critical about this new capability of the Indian Air Force, it should be those who want to threaten our territorial integrity," said Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, said to be a veiled warning to China.
China and India have long been involved in military incidents over disputed border territory. In June, India deployed surface-to-air missiles to its border with China in the Himalayan Mountains after a clash with Chinese troops left 20 Indian soldiers dead.
The first Rafales in India will be stationed at Ambala, about 135 miles from the India-Pakistan border. The second group of planes will be stationed near the border with China at Hasimara Air Station.
The planes, used by the militaries of France, Egypt and Qatar, are known for their agility in the air, and typically carry air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles.
'Golden Arrows' reach home! Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and AOC-in-C WAC Air Marshal B Suresh welcomed the first five IAF Rafales which landed at Air Force Station Ambala earlier today. #IndianAirForce #Rafales@DefenceMinIndia @rajnathsingh pic.twitter.com/P4MDi0FWUs— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) July 29, 2020 Advertisement


upi--2020-07-29--Fire erupts, bridge collapses as freight train derails in Arizona

July 29 ( UPI ) -- A freight train derailed in Arizona on Wednesday morning causing a fire and the collapse of a bridge more than 100 years old .
Tim McMahan , a Union Pacific Railroad spokesman , said the train derailed at about 6:15 a.m. while crossing the bridge as eight to 10 cars caught fire and the bridge 's south side collapsed .
`` The south side of the bridge collapsed and rail cars fell into an empty park below , '' Union Pacific said .
`` Three tank cars were on the ground under the bridge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rubber material .
None are reported leaking and no tank cars were involved in the fire . ''
The train crew was uninjured but one person was treated for smoke inhalation and no deaths have been reported , Tempe Mayor Corey Woods and police Chief Sylvia Moir said .
`` The No .
1 thing when someone like me gets out of bed and they see what happened with this train derailment and the collapse of the bridge , that is the main thing we look for is : 'Is everyone OK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Woods said .
`` And I 'm pleased to report that so far we have definitely not gotten any reports of any fatalities as a result of this incident . ''
More than 90 firefighters were sent to the scene along with hazardous materials crews as lumber being carried on the line caught fire in the blaze .
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the case and has begun the fact-gathering stage .
Loop 202 , a major roadway in the Phoenix area , was closed in both directions near the @ @

A freight train in Arizona derailed Wednesday morning causing a bridge to collapse and sparking a fire that shut down traffic in the area. Photo by Sylvia Moir/ Twitter
July 29 (UPI) -- A freight train derailed in Arizona on Wednesday morning causing a fire and the collapse of a bridge more than 100 years old. Tim McMahan, a Union Pacific Railroad spokesman, said the train derailed at about 6:15 a.m. while crossing the bridge as eight to 10 cars caught fire and the bridge's south side collapsed. Advertisement
"The south side of the bridge collapsed and rail cars fell into an empty park below," Union Pacific said. "Three tank cars were on the ground under the bridge. Two contained cyclohexanone; one contained a rubber material. None are reported leaking and no tank cars were involved in the fire."
The train crew was uninjured but one person was treated for smoke inhalation and no deaths have been reported, Tempe Mayor Corey Woods and police Chief Sylvia Moir said.
"The No. 1 thing when someone like me gets out of bed and they see what happened with this train derailment and the collapse of the bridge, that is the main thing we look for is: 'Is everyone OK, did anyone get hurt?'" Woods said. "And I'm pleased to report that so far we have definitely not gotten any reports of any fatalities as a result of this incident."
Advertisement
More than 90 firefighters were sent to the scene along with hazardous materials crews as lumber being carried on the line caught fire in the blaze.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the case and has begun the fact-gathering stage.
Loop 202, a major roadway in the Phoenix area, was closed in both directions near the fire.


upi--2020-07-29--Budding tropical storm nearing Puerto Rico, could eye Florida next

July 29 ( UPI ) -- Less than one week after record-setting Hanna strengthened into a hurricane and crashed into the Texas coast , another budding tropical system , currently dubbed Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 by the National Hurricane Center , threatens another impact to the United States .
The system is forecast to strengthen into Tropical Storm Isaias as it blasts the islands of the northern Caribbean with heavy rain , gusty winds and building seas this week , prior to aiming toward the southeastern United States later this weekend to early next week .
The NHC designated a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 at 11 a.m. EST Tuesday , despite the fact that the system was spawning tropical storm-force winds .
The system 's lack of a well-defined center has been keeping forecasters from upgrading it to tropical storm status .
The system was churning 105 miles south-southwest of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph Wednesday at 5 p.m. , racing west-northwestward at 23 mph .
The system was about 320 miles east-southeast of Santo Domingo , Dominican Republic .
On Wednesday , President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Virgin Islands , which are receiving rain and wind from the disorganized system .
Tropical storm warnings were in effect for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands , as well as all of the Leeward Islands and portions of the Dominican Republic and Haiti on Wednesday .
The government of the Bahamas issued a tropical storm warning for the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas and a tropical storm watch for the central Bahamas .
Impacts from localized torrential rain and tropical storm-force winds extend outward from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , mainly on the northern and eastern side , so people in the northern Caribbean are urged to stay aware of dangers , including rough seas , even well away from the center and eye track .
Conditions can deteriorate 12 to 24 hours ahead of the fast-moving system , which is traveling at about twice the average speed of tropical systems in this part of the Atlantic.The Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan recorded a wind gust of 44 mph on Wednesday , the NHC reported .
St. Thomas in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wind gust to 44 mph Wednesday afternoon .
A wind gust of 51 mph was observed earlier Wednesday in St. Maarten .
Unlike Gonzalo , which was a very compact storm that developed in a similar area , the tropical storm-force winds associated with this system are sprawled out over about 550 miles .
In comparison , Gonzalo 's tropical storm-force winds extended across a distance of only 50 miles .
On Wednesday , the system was showing signs of better organization , with thunderstorms seen to be consolidating around the center on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to strengthen further into Thursday .
An upgrade to a tropical depression or Tropical Storm Isaias can occur at any time Wednesday or Thursday , depending on the findings of NOAA hurricane hunter aircraft and crews .
`` The most substantial impacts will move through the Windward Islands Wednesday before passing through Puerto Rico Wednesday night and arriving in Hispaniola on Thursday , '' AccuWeather senior meteorologist Rob Miller said .
Winds on some of the islands will get strong enough to cause property damage , knock over trees and lead to power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Virgin Islands , the Dominican Republic and Haiti .
`` Some intensification is expected over the next couple of days with damaging wind gusts of 40-60 mph in the Windward Islands and 60-70 mph ... possible over Hispaniola and Puerto Rico , '' Miller said .
Even though the storm will bring needed rain to the islands , too much rain will fall too quickly in a number of instances , leading to flash flooding and mudslides .
`` Rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches can be expected with 4-8 inches ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
The name Isaias was added to the Atlantic list after Ike caused destruction in Texas in 2008 and was retired in 2009 .
It has not yet been used .
Should the tropical storm form prior to Aug. 7 , it would set another early-formation record for the season .
Irene from 2005 holds the title for the earliest ever `` I-storm '' in the basin .
Interaction with the islands in the northern Caribbean , especially the mountainous terrain of the larger islands , is expected to exert a drag @ @ @ @ @ @ @ edge off the overall strength .
Such a close track over the islands of the northern Caribbean would also raise the risk to lives and property from flooding rain , mudslides and strong winds .
The high mountains on Hispaniola , and to some extent Puerto Rico and Cuba , act as a natural barrier to the path of the storm .
Tropical systems generally avoid tracking over the heart of these islands as a result .
However , the mountains can cause the center of an approaching tropical storm or hurricane to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and re-form in the process .
The overall strength of the system may also determine its fate as far as a track is concerned .
Early on , a well-organized , stronger system is more likely to curve northwestward and northward faster than one that remains poorly organized and stays weak.Landfall in Florida is not absolute at this point .
There is still room for the storm to turn east of Florida and the Carolinas , or even be pulled up farther west over the Gulf of Mexico .
Florida is one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tremendous surge in coronavirus cases over the last month .
With the potential for a strike by a tropical storm looming , health officials in Collier County , which encompasses Naples on the state 's Gulf Coast , announced Tuesday that two testing clinics would be shut down ahead of any storm .
A walk-up testing site in Immokalee will close Thursday and one in Naples will be shuttered on Friday , officials said on Twitter .
Meanwhile , Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis on Wednesday urged Floridians to `` prepare now by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies '' on hand .
`` At this juncture , the realm of possibilities of potential tracks for this system still range from the Gulf of Mexico to waters east of the United States and Canada and includes all areas in between , '' Miller said Wednesday .
It matters where the center forms , how strong it becomes and how it negotiates the big islands and mountains of Hispaniola and perhaps Cuba before a call can be made for its exact impacts in the Gulf , the United States or a near-miss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadcast meteorologist Bernie Rayno said that whether or not Florida experiences major impacts depends on if the storm moves over Hispaniola , where he said it could fall apart .
If it stays north of the island and maintains a circulation over water , however , `` There could be some development or certainly moisture approaching Florida , or even [ elsewhere on ] the southeast coast of the United States , '' he said .
The amount of wind shear near North America , which is never in a steady state , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system 's strength upon its approach .
Strong wind shear , or the changing of winds with altitude , can limit tropical development and even tear apart organized systems , causing them to weaken .
The non-tropical system over the United States , associated with a dip in the jet stream , may also help to steer the system to the north and northeast once it nears the United States .
The overall large size of the storm is likely to at the very least spread some downpours , gusty thunderstorms and rough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perhaps the Keys and northwestern Bahamas this weekend .
The overall coverage and intensity of these conditions will depend on the storm 's track as well as its ability to rebound after it crosses the Greater Antilles .
Waters in the northern Caribbean Sea , western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico are sufficiently warm enough to not only sustain a tropical system but also potentially add to its strength .
`` Assuming the storm survives an encounter with Hispaniola or Cuba , some renewed strengthening of wind intensity is expected north @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Exactly how much , if any , strengthening occurs north of the large Caribbean islands is unclear at this point .
`` Water temperatures are near 90 F in the Gulf Stream east and south of Florida , '' according to AccuWeather senior meteorologist Paul Walker .
Walker added that he has seen a great many systems intensify over the Gulf Stream in his more than four decades of studying the tropics and weather conditions over the Southern states .

Isaias was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone as it moved into Canada Tuesday night. Photo courtesy of NOAA
Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Isaias made its way into southeastern Canada after being downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone on Tuesday night. The epicenter of the post-tropical cyclone was about 55 miles north-northwest of Quebec City, Quebec, in Canada, the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 a.m. Wednesday update. Advertisement
The storm was traveling north-northeast at 28 mph but its speed was expected to decrease and its maximum sustained winds of 40 mph with higher gusts was to weaken and drop below tropical storm force through Wednesday morning, the NHC said.
"The post-tropical cyclone is expected to dissipate over southeastern Canada on Thursday," the NHC said.
Forecasters said one to three inches of rain should fall along and near Isaias' track across southern Quebec.
Hurricane-force wind gusts were reported Monday night as the eyewall went ashore in Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., with the highest gust reported over land at 93 mph. As the hurricane approached, the system spawned a tornado that touched down on Bald Head Island, N.C.
All told, Isaias is predicted to cause between $2 billion and $3 billion in damages and economic loss, according to AccuWeather founder and CEO Joel N. Myers.
Advertisement
One of the main threats for the areas from Virginia to Maine was from torrential rain that can lead to flash, urban and small-stream flooding.
Following its impact on the U.S., Isaias is forecast to spread a swath of rain and gusty winds rapidly through a portion of Atlantic Canada Wednesday into Thursday.
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has already left its mark in history with several of the earliest-forming tropical storms on record. Cristobal, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna and Isaias all set early-season formation records for their respective letter. All of the July-forming storms from Edouard through Isaias broke the records set during the infamous 2005 season.
Hanna became the first hurricane of the 2020 season, and Isaias became the second.
There is a high potential that the 2020 season could become "hyperactive" as the peak of hurricane season nears and tropical storm numbers may end up rivaling the historic 2005 season numbers, which produced 28 storms. AccuWeather meteorologists are already monitoring a few areas of disturbed weather beyond Isaias.


upi--2020-07-29--Sudden drop in global sunlight may have triggered Snowball Earth

July 29 ( UPI ) -- At least twice during Earth 's history , the entirety of the planet has become encased in ice , though scientists say they have struggled to determine what triggered the Snowball Earths .
Previously , researchers have estimated that when decreases in sunlight crossed a certain threshold , runaway ice expansion blanketed the earth .
However , new findings -- published Wednesday in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society A -- suggest a specific threshold is n't necessary to account for Snowball Earths .
`` Our study shows that a sufficiently fast drop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snowball glaciation , '' lead study author Constantin Arnscheidt told UPI in an email .
Runaway ice expansion happens as a result of a destabilizing feedback mechanism called the ice-albedo feedback .
The albedo is the reflectivity of the Earth -- the more ice there is , the more reflective Earth is .
As ice expands southward , more and more sunlight gets reflected .
This pattern has a cooling effect , which in turn , encourages ice expansion and a stronger albedo -- completing the feedback loop .
Researchers used a relatively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to show that this destabilizing feedback loop can be triggered when incoming solar radiation decreases quickly enough -- `` faster than a critical rate , '' according to the study 's authors .
`` The model captures essential aspects of the relationships between incoming and outgoing solar radiation , the surface temperature of the Earth , the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere , and the processes that control atmospheric carbon dioxide levels on long timescales , '' said Arnscheidt , a graduate student in MIT 's department of earth , atmospheric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a threshold of diminished radiation is n't needed for the ice-albedo feedback loop .
A precipitous drop in sunlight , whether caused by widespread volcanic eruptions or biologically induced cloud formation , will suffice .
Scientists still ca n't be certain what caused Earth to twice experience snowball glaciation , they said .
Because weathering rates and a variety of other geochemical variables can influence the carbon cycle and glaciation patterns , there are a number of possible triggers that could explain Snowball Earths .
`` It 's somewhat easier to trigger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than via other ways , '' said Arnscheidt .
`` This means that we should consider changes in solar radiation as more likely triggers for past Snowball Earth events than changes in the carbon cycle . ''
The findings may be useful in the search for habitable exoplanets .
`` Rate-induced glaciation implies that planets well within the habitable zone can experience transient snowball glaciations if conditions change too quickly , '' Arnscheidt said .
`` Because most life likely would not survive a snowball glaciation ... this highlights that there 's much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than just the classical habitable zone , '' Arnscheidt said .

At least twice, Earth has experienced snowball glaciation, during which the entirety of the planet became blanketed in ice and snow. Photo by NASA
July 29 (UPI) -- At least twice during Earth's history, the entirety of the planet has become encased in ice, though scientists say they have struggled to determine what triggered the Snowball Earths. Previously, researchers have estimated that when decreases in sunlight crossed a certain threshold, runaway ice expansion blanketed the earth. Advertisement
However, new findings -- published Wednesday in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society A -- suggest a specific threshold isn't necessary to account for Snowball Earths.
"Our study shows that a sufficiently fast drop in effective incoming solar radiation can trigger snowball glaciation," lead study author Constantin Arnscheidt told UPI in an email.
Runaway ice expansion happens as a result of a destabilizing feedback mechanism called the ice-albedo feedback. The albedo is the reflectivity of the Earth -- the more ice there is, the more reflective Earth is.
As ice expands southward, more and more sunlight gets reflected. This pattern has a cooling effect, which in turn, encourages ice expansion and a stronger albedo -- completing the feedback loop.
Researchers used a relatively simple mathematical model of Earth's climate to show that this destabilizing feedback loop can be triggered when incoming solar radiation decreases quickly enough -- "faster than a critical rate," according to the study's authors.
Advertisement
"The model captures essential aspects of the relationships between incoming and outgoing solar radiation, the surface temperature of the Earth, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and the processes that control atmospheric carbon dioxide levels on long timescales," said Arnscheidt, a graduate student in MIT's department of earth, atmospheric and planetary sciences.
The model showed that a threshold of diminished radiation isn't needed for the ice-albedo feedback loop. A precipitous drop in sunlight, whether caused by widespread volcanic eruptions or biologically induced cloud formation, will suffice.
Scientists still can't be certain what caused Earth to twice experience snowball glaciation, they said.
Because weathering rates and a variety of other geochemical variables can influence the carbon cycle and glaciation patterns, there are a number of possible triggers that could explain Snowball Earths.
"It's somewhat easier to trigger snowball glaciations via the rate-induced glaciation route than via other ways," said Arnscheidt. "This means that we should consider changes in solar radiation as more likely triggers for past Snowball Earth events than changes in the carbon cycle."
The findings may be useful in the search for habitable exoplanets.
"Rate-induced glaciation implies that planets well within the habitable zone can experience transient snowball glaciations if conditions change too quickly," Arnscheidt said.
Advertisement
"Because most life likely would not survive a snowball glaciation ... this highlights that there's much more nuance to the concept of habitability than just the classical habitable zone," Arnscheidt said.


upi--2020-07-29--HPV shots are safe and effective, but many parents still hesitate

More than a decade of research has shown that the human papillomavirus ( HPV ) vaccine protects against a host of cancers , yet a new study finds that only half of American teens complete the multiple-shot regimen .
Why ?
Researchers discovered that many parents still harbor safety concerns about the vaccine , even though it guards against 90 % of all cervical and anal cancers .
Using data from the 2017-2018 National Immunization Survey , researchers analyzed responses from parents or caregivers of more than 82,000 U.S. teens .
`` We wanted to understand the dynamics of HPV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are suboptimal despite the vaccine being in the market for over 10 years now , '' explained study author Kalyani Sonawane , an assistant professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston .
Sonawane and her team concluded that 7.7 million U.S. teens were not vaccinated against HPV in 2018 .
The survey responses also revealed that more than half of the parents with unvaccinated teens had no intention of vaccinating them in the future .
`` Among those who do not want to vaccinate against HPV , safety emerged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` A lot of parents of these teenagers who had received zero doses said that the main reason they do not wish to vaccinate their child is because they have safety concerns about the vaccine . ''
It is likely that the anti-vaccination movement is contributing to parent hesitancy about the HPV vaccine , according to the researchers .
They also compared the responses between different states , finding that states with the lowest rates of HPV vaccinations , such as Mississippi and Wyoming , also had high parental hesitancy rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face a high burden of HPV-linked cancers in the future .
The HPV vaccine is a two-dose or three-dose series , depending on when a patient receives the first dose .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends two doses of the vaccine if the first dose is given before age 15 , or three doses if the series is started between ages 16 and 26 .
The second dose is recommended six months to a year after the first , and only the full series ensures protection .
The researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States have only received a partial HPV vaccination .
Of those teens who only received the first dose of the vaccine , 1 in 4 parents said they did not intend to complete the series .
Many of these parents said their teens did n't get the second dose because their health care providers did n't reach out to them , the researchers found .
`` The main reason that emerged among these parents was that they never received a recommendation for their teen , '' explained Sonawane .
`` A lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fail to follow up with the teens and say , 'Hey , you need the second dose or third dose to complete the HPV vaccine series and to have enough immunity to prevent HPV infection in the future . '
'' Previous research has shown that a provider recommendation is the most reliable way to ensure vaccination , but this study revealed that it might not be enough .
A full 6 of 10 parents with an unvaccinated teen who had received a recommendation from their provider said they still would not vaccinate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the vaccine 's safety .
The findings were published recently in The Lancet Public Health journal .
Debbie Saslow , director of HPV and gynecologic cancer at the American Cancer Society , pointed out that the study only looked at those who are n't vaccinated .
Despite the concerns this study raises , she emphasized that many American teens are now vaccinated against HPV .
`` It 's also important to look at the counterpoint , which is that most parents do vaccinate their kids against HPV , '' Saslow said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't vaccinate their teens even with a provider recommendation , Saslow said the primary approach in HPV vaccine advocacy is working with providers and health systems .
`` If a parent says , ' I read on Facebook that the vaccine has this side effect , ' then the provider has the opportunity to say , 'Actually , that 's misinformation , and let me explain to you how safe this vaccine is , ' '' Saslow said .
`` The provider is most parents ' most trusted source of information , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on that . ''
Sonawane and her team also stressed the importance of training providers to remind their patients to get vaccinated , and to be prepared with clear answers to debunk any vaccine safety myths .
There 's more about the HPV vaccine at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

Many parents still harbor safety concerns about the vaccine, even though it guards against 90% of all cervical and anal cancers, researchers found. Photo by whitesession/Pixabay
More than a decade of research has shown that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine protects against a host of cancers, yet a new study finds that only half of American teens complete the multiple-shot regimen. Why? Researchers discovered that many parents still harbor safety concerns about the vaccine, even though it guards against 90% of all cervical and anal cancers. Advertisement
Using data from the 2017-2018 National Immunization Survey, researchers analyzed responses from parents or caregivers of more than 82,000 U.S. teens.
"We wanted to understand the dynamics of HPV vaccination, and why HPV vaccine rates are suboptimal despite the vaccine being in the market for over 10 years now," explained study author Kalyani Sonawane, an assistant professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
Sonawane and her team concluded that 7.7 million U.S. teens were not vaccinated against HPV in 2018.
Advertisement
The survey responses also revealed that more than half of the parents with unvaccinated teens had no intention of vaccinating them in the future.
"Among those who do not want to vaccinate against HPV, safety emerged as a main concern," Sonawane said. "A lot of parents of these teenagers who had received zero doses said that the main reason they do not wish to vaccinate their child is because they have safety concerns about the vaccine." It is likely that the anti-vaccination movement is contributing to parent hesitancy about the HPV vaccine, according to the researchers.
They also compared the responses between different states, finding that states with the lowest rates of HPV vaccinations, such as Mississippi and Wyoming, also had high parental hesitancy rates.
Sonawane noted that these states could face a high burden of HPV-linked cancers in the future.
The HPV vaccine is a two-dose or three-dose series, depending on when a patient receives the first dose.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends two doses of the vaccine if the first dose is given before age 15, or three doses if the series is started between ages 16 and 26.
The second dose is recommended six months to a year after the first, and only the full series ensures protection.
Advertisement
The researchers estimated that 2.2 million teens in the United States have only received a partial HPV vaccination.
Of those teens who only received the first dose of the vaccine, 1 in 4 parents said they did not intend to complete the series.
Many of these parents said their teens didn't get the second dose because their health care providers didn't reach out to them, the researchers found.
"The main reason that emerged among these parents was that they never received a recommendation for their teen," explained Sonawane. "A lot of times the patients or the provider fail to follow up with the teens and say, 'Hey, you need the second dose or third dose to complete the HPV vaccine series and to have enough immunity to prevent HPV infection in the future.'"
Previous research has shown that a provider recommendation is the most reliable way to ensure vaccination, but this study revealed that it might not be enough.
A full 6 of 10 parents with an unvaccinated teen who had received a recommendation from their provider said they still would not vaccinate. The most common reason was worries about the vaccine's safety.
The findings were published recently in The Lancet Public Health journal.
Advertisement
Debbie Saslow, director of HPV and gynecologic cancer at the American Cancer Society, pointed out that the study only looked at those who aren't vaccinated.
Despite the concerns this study raises, she emphasized that many American teens are now vaccinated against HPV.
"It's also important to look at the counterpoint, which is that most parents do vaccinate their kids against HPV," Saslow said.
Despite the findings that some parents wouldn't vaccinate their teens even with a provider recommendation, Saslow said the primary approach in HPV vaccine advocacy is working with providers and health systems.
"If a parent says, 'I read on Facebook that the vaccine has this side effect,' then the provider has the opportunity to say, 'Actually, that's misinformation, and let me explain to you how safe this vaccine is,'" Saslow said. "The provider is most parents' most trusted source of information, so that's why we've really focused on that."
Sonawane and her team also stressed the importance of training providers to remind their patients to get vaccinated, and to be prepared with clear answers to debunk any vaccine safety myths.
More information
There's more about the HPV vaccine at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Advertisement
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-07-29--Federal Reserve keeps interest rates unchanged

July 29 ( UPI ) -- The Federal Reserve left its benchmark lending rate unchanged and near zero Wednesday , saying the economy is still `` well below '' pre-pandemic levels .
The Fed lowered the rates twice in March as a result of the coronavirus , and kept the figure at 0 % to 0.25 % .
`` The coronavirus outbreak is causing tremendous human and economic hardship across the United States and around the world , '' a statement from the Federal Open Market Committee said .
`` Following sharp declines , economic activity and employment have picked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well below their levels at the beginning of the year . ''
The Fed blamed weaker demand and lower oil prices for keeping consumer price inflation down .
It also said COVID-19 is keeping employment down and promises to do so for the medium term .
In June , the Fed said it does n't expect to raise the federal funds rate until at least 2022 .
The major markets closed the day with gains after the news as the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 160.29 points , or 0.61 % , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % and the Nasdaq Composite increased 1.35 % .
Gold prices also hit an all-time high for the second time this week , rising 0.5 % to $ 1953.50 , while the dollar fell 0.2 % against currencies used by major trading partners .

Chairman Jerome Powell leads the Federal Reserve, which has said it doesn't expect to raise the federal interest rates until 2022. Pool Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo
July 29 (UPI) -- The Federal Reserve left its benchmark lending rate unchanged and near zero Wednesday, saying the economy is still "well below" pre-pandemic levels. The Fed lowered the rates twice in March as a result of the coronavirus, and kept the figure at 0% to 0.25%. Advertisement
"The coronavirus outbreak is causing tremendous human and economic hardship across the United States and around the world," a statement from the Federal Open Market Committee said. "Following sharp declines, economic activity and employment have picked up somewhat in recent months but remain well below their levels at the beginning of the year."
The Fed blamed weaker demand and lower oil prices for keeping consumer price inflation down. It also said COVID-19 is keeping employment down and promises to do so for the medium term.
In June, the Fed said it doesn't expect to raise the federal funds rate until at least 2022.
The major markets closed the day with gains after the news as the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 160.29 points, or 0.61%, while the S&P 500 gained 1.24% and the Nasdaq Composite increased 1.35%.
Advertisement
Gold prices also hit an all-time high for the second time this week, rising 0.5% to $1953.50, while the dollar fell 0.2% against currencies used by major trading partners.


upi--2020-07-29--School closures reduced COVID-19 cases, deaths up to 60%, study finds

July 29 ( UPI ) -- Closing schools across the United States in March reduced the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths by as much as 60 % in some areas , a study published Wednesday by JAMA found .
States with lower numbers of confirmed infections at the time of school closure likely saw the biggest positive impact of children remaining at home , cutting cases by an estimated 72 % , researchers at Cincinnati Children 's Hospital Medical Center said .
Still , states with more COVID-19 cases may have reduced their total number of infections by 49 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` States that closed schools earlier , when cumulative incidence of COVID-19 was low , had the largest relative reduction in incidence and mortality , '' the researchers wrote .
`` However , it remains possible that some of the reduction may have been related to other concurrent non-pharmaceutical interventions , '' they said .
The findings come at a time when many school districts across the country are debating reopening plans for the fall .
Some , including New York City , have announced that schools will offer a mix of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like Los Angeles , plan to provide online classes only .
Although children are generally thought to be at lower risk for severe illness from COVID-19 , data on how much they can spread the virus remains limited .
Evidence from several European countries -- including Denmark and Germany , which closed schools in March and began phased reopenings later in the spring , and Sweden , which kept schools open -- suggests that the virus spread significantly among children , a University of Washington report said .
However , just two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections in Chicago involved cases of child-to-child transmission , and only two others had instances of child-to-adult transmission , a study published last month in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society found .
For the JAMA analysis , the Cincinnati Children 's Hospital researchers modeled disease spread in 23 states that closed schools this year because of the pandemic between March 9 and May 7 .
The analysis included 11 states with the lowest incidence of COVID-19 cases and the 12 with the highest at the time of school closure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus spread in these states before and after school closure and factored in a number of variables , including the general age of the population , they said .
Overall , closing schools in these states cut infections by an estimated 62 % and deaths by an estimated 58 % , according to the researchers .
Dr. Sarah Fortune , chair of the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at Harvard T.H .
Chan School of Public Health , said on a conference call with reporters Wednesday that findings such as these suggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the fall could see a spike in COVID-19 cases as a result .
Fortune , who was not involved in the JAMA analysis , described schools as `` like little bars '' because large numbers of people are confined in tight spaces , and said that states that opt to reopen could see `` equivalent '' spread to what was seen in areas that allowed bars and restaurants to open .
`` Reopening schools is going to be a major challenge for our [ public health ] system , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to test students all the time [ in order ] to reopen schools in a more normal way , and that means increasing testing capacity by a couple of orders of magnitude . ''

The doors to P.S. 64 Joseph P. Addabbo are closed after public schools were closed for the remainder of the school year in New York City in May. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 29 (UPI) -- Closing schools across the United States in March reduced the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths by as much as 60% in some areas, a study published Wednesday by JAMA found. States with lower numbers of confirmed infections at the time of school closure likely saw the biggest positive impact of children remaining at home, cutting cases by an estimated 72%, researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center said. Advertisement
Still, states with more COVID-19 cases may have reduced their total number of infections by 49% by shutting schools, they said.
"States that closed schools earlier, when cumulative incidence of COVID-19 was low, had the largest relative reduction in incidence and mortality," the researchers wrote.
"However, it remains possible that some of the reduction may have been related to other concurrent non-pharmaceutical interventions," they said.
Advertisement
The findings come at a time when many school districts across the country are debating reopening plans for the fall.
Some, including New York City, have announced that schools will offer a mix of online and in-person learning, while others, like Los Angeles, plan to provide online classes only.
Although children are generally thought to be at lower risk for severe illness from COVID-19, data on how much they can spread the virus remains limited.
Evidence from several European countries -- including Denmark and Germany, which closed schools in March and began phased reopenings later in the spring, and Sweden, which kept schools open-- suggests the virus can spread to some degree among children, a University of Washington report said.
However, just two of 34 households with multiple lab-confirmed COVID-19 infections in Chicago involved cases of child-to-child transmission, and only two others had instances of child-to-adult transmission, a study published last month in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society found.
For the JAMA analysis, the Cincinnati Children's Hospital researchers modeled disease spread in 23 states that closed schools this year because of the pandemic between March 9 and May 7.
The analysis included 11 states with the lowest incidence of COVID-19 cases and the 12 with the highest at the time of school closure, the researchers said.
Advertisement
The researchers compared virus spread in these states before and after school closure and factored in a number of variables, including the general age of the population, they said.
Overall, closing schools in these states cut infections by an estimated 62% and deaths by an estimated 58%, according to the researchers.
Dr. Sarah Fortune, chair of the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said on a conference call with reporters Wednesday that findings such as these suggest that states considering a full school reopening in the fall could see a spike in COVID-19 cases as a result.
Fortune, who was not involved in the JAMA analysis, described schools as "like little bars" because large numbers of people are confined in tight spaces, and said that states that opt to reopen could see "equivalent" spread to what was seen in areas that allowed bars and restaurants to open.
"Reopening schools is going to be a major challenge for our [public health] system," she said.
"We need to be able to test students all the time [in order] to reopen schools in a more normal way, and that means increasing testing capacity by a couple of orders of magnitude."


upi--2020-07-29--In photos: This week in major league baseball

Nationals shortstop Trea Turner is tagged out by Blue Jays ' shortstop Santiago Espinal as he attempts to steal second @ @ @ @ @ Dietsch/UPI

The Chicago White Sox's James McCann (C) and Yoan Moncada (R) celebrate the victory over the Kansas City Royals by clicking feet during opening day in Kansas City, Mo., on July 31. Photo by Kyle Rivas/UPI


upi--2020-07-29--Watch: Baby alligator makes 'unusual' visit to South Carolina beach

July 29 ( UPI ) -- Police in South Carolina said an expert trapper was summoned to a beach when @ @ @ @ @ unusual visit to the ocean .
The Pawleys Island Police Department tweeted video showing the @ @ @ @ @ of curious beach-goers Tuesday when it put in an unexpected appearance in the sand .
@ @ @ @ @ visitor to the beach a little while ago , '' the tweet said .
The @ @ @ @ @ wrangled by the local `` Gator Lady , '' Carolina Exterminators business owner Rachel Lankford @ @ @ @ @ juvenile he will be released into a natural habitat , '' the police department said @

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe
July 29 (UPI) -- Police in South Carolina said an expert trapper was summoned to a beach when a baby alligator made an unusual visit to the ocean.
The Pawleys Island Police Department tweeted video showing the small alligator attracting a crowd of curious beach-goers Tuesday when it put in an unexpected appearance in the sand.
Advertisement
"We had an unusual visitor to the beach a little while ago," the tweet said.
The department said the alligator was wrangled by the local "Gator Lady," Carolina Exterminators business owner Rachel Lankford.
"As a healthy juvenile he will be released into a natural habitat," the police department said.


upi--2020-07-30--Utah Jazz top New Orleans Pelicans in NBA's Orlando restart

July 30 ( UPI ) -- The Utah Jazz rallied from a 16-point deficit to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 106-104 in the first game of the NBA 's 22-team restart Thursday in Orlando , Fla. Jazz center Rudy Gobert , who was the first NBA player to test positive for the coronavirus , drained two free throws with 6.9 seconds remaining to push his team ahead by two .
Utah clinched the win after Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram 's potential game-winning 3-pointer rimmed out , spoiling his 23-point outing .
Pelicans standout rookie Zion Williamson , who missed almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBA 's bubble for an urgent family medical matter , was cleared to play , although his playing time was limited .
He recorded 13 points and one assist in 15 minutes .
Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz with 23 points in 32 minutes off the bench , helping lead the team 's second-half comeback .
Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley each added 20 , while Gobert finished with 14 points , 12 rebounds and three blocks in 34 minutes .
Pelicans sharpshooter J.J. Redick scored 21 points , including a clutch 3-pointer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the fourth .
Jrue Holiday chipped in 20 points , and Josh Hart had 10 points , three boards and one assist in 22 minutes .
Thursday night 's matchup between the Jazz and Pelicans was the league 's first game back since play was halted in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Before the NBA 's return , players , coaches and the three referees taking part in the game took a knee during the national anthem in protest of social injustice .
Players from both teams wore shirts that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the front as they stood behind the words `` Black Lives Matter '' on the court .
`` I respect our teams ' unified act of peaceful protest for social justice and under these unique circumstances will not enforce our long-standing rule requiring standing during the playing of our national anthem , '' NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement .
In the second game Thursday night , the Los Angeles Lakers and L.A. Clippers also kneeled along the sideline close to the `` Black Lives Matter '' logo on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the games also played in jerseys with social justice messages of their choosing in place of their last names .

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert sank two free throws with 6.9 seconds remaining to give his team a two-point victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo
July 30 (UPI) -- The Utah Jazz rallied from a 16-point deficit to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 106-104 in the first game of the NBA's 22-team restart Thursday in Orlando, Fla. Jazz center Rudy Gobert, who was the first NBA player to test positive for the coronavirus, drained two free throws with 6.9 seconds remaining to push his team ahead by two. Utah clinched the win after Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram's potential game-winning 3-pointer rimmed out, spoiling his 23-point outing. Advertisement
Pelicans standout rookie Zion Williamson, who missed almost two weeks of practice after leaving the NBA's bubble for an urgent family medical matter, was cleared to play, although his playing time was limited. He recorded 13 points and one assist in 15 minutes.
Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz with 23 points in 32 minutes off the bench, helping lead the team's second-half comeback. Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley each added 20, while Gobert finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks in 34 minutes.
Advertisement
Pelicans sharpshooter J.J. Redick scored 21 points, including a clutch 3-pointer to tie the game at 102 late in the fourth. Jrue Holiday chipped in 20 points, and Josh Hart had 10 points, three boards and one assist in 22 minutes.
Thursday night's matchup between the Jazz and Pelicans was the league's first game back since play was halted in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic. Before the NBA's return, players, coaches and the three referees taking part in the game took a knee during the national anthem in protest of social injustice.
Players from both teams wore shirts that had "Black Lives Matter" written on the front as they stood behind the words "Black Lives Matter" on the court.
"I respect our teams' unified act of peaceful protest for social justice and under these unique circumstances will not enforce our long-standing rule requiring standing during the playing of our national anthem," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.
In the second game Thursday night, the Los Angeles Lakers and L.A. Clippers also kneeled along the sideline close to the "Black Lives Matter" logo on the court. Some players from both of the games also played in jerseys with social justice messages of their choosing in place of their last names.


upi--2020-07-30--Lil Nas X, 'Pose,' 'Booksmart' honored at GLAAD Media Awards 2020

July 30 ( UPI ) -- Rapper Lil Nas X , the FX series Pose and the Olivia Wilde film Booksmart were honored on Thursday night as the 2020 GLAAD Media Awards held a virtual ceremony Thursday night .
Actress Fortune Feimster and comedian Gina Yashere hosted the awards show , which honors media for fair , accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBTQ community and issues that affect LGBTQ people .
Chloe x Halle performed , with Dolly Parton , Lil Nas X , Dan Levy , Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union , Cara Delevingne , Lena Waithe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other stars mad appearances .
GLAAD will announced winners in 30 categories , as rapper Lil Nas X was presented with the award for Outstanding Music Artist , Pose received Outstanding Drama Series , Schitt 's Creek was awarded Outstanding Comedy Series Booksmart won the award for Outstanding Film - Wide Release and Rafiki won Outstanding Film - Limited Release .
In addition , Taylor Swift , Janet Mock and Ryan Murphy received special awards for their LGBTQ advocacy .
`` Among this year 's nominees are a wide range of stories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ races , ethnicities , genders , religions , and other identities that demonstrate the power of inclusion and diversity of fostering positive cultural change , '' GLAAD president Sarah Kate Ellis said this month .
The GLAAD Media Awards streamed on GLAAD 's YouTube and Facebook accounts Thursday beginning at 8 p.m. EDT and will also air again on Monday , Aug. 3 , at 8 p.m. on Logo .

July 30 (UPI) -- Rapper Lil Nas X, the FX series Pose and the Olivia Wilde film Booksmart were honored on Thursday night as the 2020 GLAAD Media Awards held a virtual ceremony Thursday night.
Actress Fortune Feimster and comedian Gina Yashere hosted the awards show, which honors media for fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBTQ community and issues that affect LGBTQ people.
Advertisement
Chloe x Halle performed, with Dolly Parton, Lil Nas X, Dan Levy, Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union, Cara Delevingne, Lena Waithe, the cast and producers of Pose, and other stars made appearances.
GLAAD will announced winners in 30 categories, as rapper Lil Nas X was presented with the award for Outstanding Music Artist, Pose received Outstanding Drama Series, Schitt's Creek was awarded Outstanding Comedy Series Booksmart won the award for Outstanding Film - Wide Release and Rafiki won Outstanding Film - Limited Release.
Advertisement
In addition, Taylor Swift, Janet Mock and Ryan Murphy received special awards for their LGBTQ advocacy.
"Among this year's nominees are a wide range of stories and narratives about LGBTQ people of different races, ethnicities, genders, religions, and other identities that demonstrate the power of inclusion and diversity of fostering positive cultural change," GLAAD president Sarah Kate Ellis said this month.
The GLAAD Media Awards streamed on GLAAD's YouTube and Facebook accounts Thursday and will air again on Monday, Aug. 3, at 8 p.m. on Logo.


upi--2020-07-30--Caldwell Fire merges with Gillem Fire becomes California's largest blaze since 2018

July 30 ( UPI ) -- California 's Caldwell Fire has become the largest fire in the state since 2018 as it neared 80,000 acres burned on Thursday .
The blaze , one of three lightning-sparked wildfires in the so-called July Complex , combined with the Gillem Fire , which was also started by lightning growing to 79,316 acres at 40 % containment , Modoc National Forest reported .
The Caldwell Fire became the largest fire in the past three seasons , surpassing the 77,758-acre Kincade fire and trailing two fires from November 2018 , the Camp and Woolsey fires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respectively .
The two other fires in the July Complex , the 1,035-acre Allen Fire and the 1,367-acre Dalton Fire , were 100 % contained on Thursday .
Cal Fire reported details on two fires burning in California 's Lassen County : The Gold Fire and the Hog Fire .
The Gold Fire has burned 21,870 acres and was 75 % contained on Thursday .
The blaze has injured three people , damaged five structures and destroyed 13 more .
Meanwhile , the Hog Fire has burned 9,564 acres and was 85 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ structures .
A 240-acre blaze known as the Dam Fire erupted in the Angeles National Forest on Thursday , fire crews reported .
Angeles National Forest said more than 250 firefighters have been assigned to respond to the blaze , adding that no structures are currently threatened .

California's Caldwell Fire merged with the Gillem Fire, burning a total of 79,316 acres, making it the largest fire in the state since 2018. Photo courtesy Modoc National Forest/ Facebook
July 30 (UPI) -- California's Caldwell Fire has become the largest fire in the state since 2018 as it neared 80,000 acres on Thursday. The blaze, one of three lightning-sparked wildfires in the so-called July Complex, combined with the Gillem Fire and grew to 79,316 acres, Modoc National Forest reported. It's about 40% contained. Advertisement
The Caldwell Fire became the largest fire in the past three seasons, surpassing the 77,758-acre Kincade fire and trailing two fires from November 2018, the Camp and Woolsey fires, which burned 153,336 and 96,949 acres, respectively.
The two other fires in the July Complex, the 1,035-acre Allen Fire and 1,367-acre Dalton Fire, were 100% contained on Thursday.
Cal Fire reported details on two fires burning in California's Lassen County: The Gold Fire and the Hog Fire.
The Gold Fire has burned 21,870 acres and was 75% contained on Thursday. The blaze has injured three people, damaged five structures and destroyed 13 more.
Meanwhile, the Hog Fire has burned 9,564 acres and was 85% contained. The fire has destroyed two structures.
A 240-acre blaze known as the Dam Fire erupted in the Angeles National Forest on Thursday, fire crews said.
Advertisement
Angeles National Forest said more than 250 firefighters have been assigned to respond to the blaze, but said no structures are under threat.


upi--2020-07-30--Atlanta Falcons to sign ex-Cincinnati Bengals CB Darqueze Dennard

July 30 ( UPI ) -- The Atlanta Falcons are signing former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Darqueze Dennard to beef up their secondary .
League sources told NFL Media and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Thursday that Dennard agreed to a one-year deal with the Falcons .
Financial details of the agreement were n't disclosed , and the team has yet to confirm the pact because of new coronavirus testing protocols .
Dennard , 28 , initially agreed to a three-year , $ 13.5 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars in March , but the deal fell apart after the two sides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The failed agreement freed him up to sign with a different team .
The Bengals selected Dennard in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Michigan State .
He spent his first six seasons with the Bengals before entering free agency this off-season .
After missing the first few weeks because of an injury last season , Dennard went on to appear in nine games ( five starts ) and recorded 37 total tackles and five passes defensed .
In 77 career games ( 24 starts ) with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , three interceptions , three sacks , two forced fumbles , one fumble recovery , one defensive touchdown and 22 pass breakups .
Dennard will join a young Falcons secondary that includes 2020 first-round pick A.J .
Terrell , third-year pro Isaiah Oliver and second-year cornerback Kendall Sheffield .
Earlier this off-season , Atlanta lost longtime starter Desmond Trufant , who signed with the Detroit Lions .

Former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Darqueze Dennard (R) recorded 37 total tackles and five passes defensed in nine games last season. File Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo
July 30 (UPI) -- The Atlanta Falcons are signing former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Darqueze Dennard to beef up their secondary. League sources told NFL Media and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Thursday that Dennard agreed to a one-year deal with the Falcons. Financial details of the agreement weren't disclosed, and the team has yet to confirm the pact because of new coronavirus testing protocols. Advertisement
Dennard, 28, initially agreed to a three-year, $13.5 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars in March, but the deal fell apart after the two sides couldn't agree on final contract terms. The failed agreement freed him up to sign with a different team.
The Bengals selected Dennard in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Michigan State. He spent his first six seasons with the Bengals before entering free agency this off-season.
After missing the first few weeks because of an injury last season, Dennard went on to appear in nine games (five starts) and recorded 37 total tackles and five passes defensed.
In 77 career games (24 starts) with the Bengals, he notched 274 total tackles, three interceptions, three sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one defensive touchdown and 22 pass breakups.
Advertisement
Dennard will join a young Falcons secondary that includes 2020 first-round pick A.J. Terrell, third-year pro Isaiah Oliver and second-year cornerback Kendall Sheffield.
Earlier this off-season, Atlanta lost longtime starter Desmond Trufant, who signed with the Detroit Lions.


upi--2020-07-30--SEC moves to 10-game, conference-only football schedule in 2020

July 30 ( UPI ) -- The Southeastern Conference on Thursday approved a 10-game football schedule that will consist of only conference games this fall .
The full schedule -- set to begin Sept. 26 -- will be announced at a later date .
The revised slate , which was altered due to the coronavirus pandemic , adds two more conference games to the SEC 's usual schedule of eight league matchups per team .
The SEC championship game will take place Dec. 19 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta , two weeks later than originally planned .
The schedule -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes one bye week for each school in the middle of the season , as well as an open date for all teams Dec. 12 .
The SEC made the changes to allow for `` maximum flexibility in making any necessary scheduling adjustments while reacting to the developments around the pandemic and continued advice from medical experts . ''
`` This new plan for a football schedule is consistent with the educational goals of our universities to allow for the safe and orderly return to campus of their student populations and to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circumstances presented by the COVID-19 virus , '' SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement .
`` This new schedule supports the safety measures that are being taken by each of our institutions to ensure the health of our campus communities . ''
The SEC becomes the fourth Power 5 conference this month to adjust its 2020 schedule amid the COVID-19 outbreak , joining the Big Ten , Pac-12 and ACC .
The Big Ten and Pac-12 previously announced they would play a conference-only schedule , while the ACC said it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matchup .

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey announced Thursday that the conference's 2020 football season will begin Sept. 26 and conclude with the SEC title game on Dec. 19. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
July 30 (UPI) -- The Southeastern Conference on Thursday approved a 10-game football schedule that will consist of only conference games this fall. The full schedule -- set to begin Sept. 26 -- will be announced at a later date. The revised slate, which was altered due to the coronavirus pandemic, adds two more conference games to the SEC's usual schedule of eight league matchups per team. Advertisement
The SEC championship game will take place Dec. 19 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, two weeks later than originally planned. The schedule -- which will keep its division format -- includes one bye week for each school in the middle of the season, as well as an open date for all teams Dec. 12.
The SEC made the changes to allow for "maximum flexibility in making any necessary scheduling adjustments while reacting to the developments around the pandemic and continued advice from medical experts."
"This new plan for a football schedule is consistent with the educational goals of our universities to allow for the safe and orderly return to campus of their student populations and to provide a healthy learning environment during these unique circumstances presented by the COVID-19 virus," SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement.
Advertisement
"This new schedule supports the safety measures that are being taken by each of our institutions to ensure the health of our campus communities."
The SEC becomes the fourth Power 5 conference this month to adjust its 2020 schedule amid the COVID-19 outbreak, joining the Big Ten, Pac-12 and ACC. The Big Ten and Pac-12 previously announced they would play a conference-only schedule, while the ACC said it will play 10 conference games plus one non-conference matchup.


upi--2020-07-30--Belarus authorities arrest 33 alleged Russian mercenaries for election interference

July 30 ( UPI ) -- Authorities in Belarus on Thursday said that 33 Russian mercenaries were arrested on suspicion of terrorism .
Belarus ' Security Council chief , Andrey Ravkov , said authorities opened a criminal investigation against the militants , identified as fighters from the Wagner private military company , who were accused of trying to `` destabilize '' the country 's electoral process ahead of its upcoming election in August .
Law enforcement agencies in the country said Wednesday that they had received information of more than 200 militants arriving in Belarus .
Video of the raid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a hotel room , including one who was handcuffed face-down to a bed .
Alleged personal possessions of the detainees was also shown , including passports , phones , U.S. dollars and other foreign currencies .
Wagner has allegedly been linked to St. Petersburg businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin , a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin .
Prigozhin 's Concord group of companies denied that he owns the private military group , adding he `` has nothing to do with Wagner , does not finance them and does not follow their wherabouts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian State Duma Committee for Foreign Affairs , said Thursday that Russia should take a balanced approach to respond to the reports , saying that the nation is not actively working to disrupt foreign elections .
`` We need to get to the bottom of this story .
Russians are accused of intending to destabilize brotherly Belarus , '' Slutsky said .
`` It has been repeatedly said that Russia is not interfering in electoral processes of other states in any shape or form , even more so when it is about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

People attend a campaign rally of Belarusian opposition presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya on Thursday as authorities said they arrested 33 alleged Russian mercenaries suspected of attempting to interfere with the nation's elections. Photo by Tatyana Zenkovich/EPA-EFE
July 30 (UPI) -- Authorities in Belarus on Thursday said that 33 Russian mercenaries were arrested on suspicion of terrorism. Belarus' Security Council chief, Andrey Ravkov, said authorities opened a criminal investigation against the militants, identified as fighters from the Wagner private military company, who were accused of trying to "destabilize" the country's electoral process ahead of its upcoming election in August. Advertisement
Law enforcement agencies in the country said Wednesday that they had received information of more than 200 militants arriving in Belarus.
Video of the raid showed several of the men being detained in a hotel room, including one who was handcuffed face-down to a bed. Alleged personal possessions of the detainees was also shown, including passports, phones, U.S. dollars and other foreign currencies.
Wagner has allegedly been linked to St. Petersburg businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Prigozhin's Concord group of companies denied that he owns the private military group, adding he "has nothing to do with Wagner, does not finance them and does not follow their wherabouts."
Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee for Foreign Affairs, said Thursday that Russia should take a balanced approach to respond to the reports, saying that the nation is not actively working to disrupt foreign elections.
Advertisement
"We need to get to the bottom of this story. Russians are accused of intending to destabilize brotherly Belarus," Slutsky said. "It has been repeatedly said that Russia is not interfering in electoral processes of other states in any shape or form, even more so when it is about our allies. It is simply impossible."


upi--2020-07-30--Tropical Storm Isaias makes landfall in Dominican Republic

July 30 ( UPI ) -- Tropical Storm Isaias lashed Puerto Rico with 60-mph winds and heavy rains and made landfall in the Dominican Republic Thursday afternoon .
The storm brought impacts to Haiti , the Dominican Republic 's neighbor on the island of Hispaniola , also as it pushed northwest over the Caribbean .
Forecasters expect Tropical Storm Isaias to take a northwesterly path roughly between Cuba and the Bahamas late this week , before taking a potential track right along the Eastern Seaboard of the United States .
Tropical Storm Isaias , pronounced ees-ah-ee-ahs , was upgraded from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Hurricane Center at 11 p.m. EDT Wednesday .
The system strengthened as it developed a more organized center with thunderstorms wrapping around its core -- and Isaias became the earliest `` I-storm '' in recorded history .
The prior record holder was Irene from Aug. 7 , 2005 .
Isaias could become the second named system to make landfall in the United States in about a week following Hanna 's arrival in South Texas on Saturday .
`` There is a chance that Isaias may make landfall over the Florida Peninsula this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ range from a path into the eastern Gulf of Mexico to a near-miss or glancing blow along the southern Atlantic coast of the U.S. into next week , '' AccuWeather senior meteorologist Rob Miller said .
As of 8 p.m. Thursday , Isaias was churning right along the northern coast of the Dominican Republic with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and was racing northwestward at about 20 mph .
The storm was located about 45 miles west-northwest of Puerto Plata , Dominican Republic .
Miller stated that people should not focus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as tropical-storm-force winds extend outward by about 310 miles from the center on the storm 's northeastern , northern and northwestern flanks .
When compared to that of tiny Gonzalo from last week , the tropical-storm-force winds extend farther out from the center by 285 miles .
Torrential downpours , gusty thunderstorms and building seas are likely to precede Isaias by as much as 24 hours , which means that tropical storm conditions will spread northwestward across the Bahamas and Cuba during Thursday night , Friday and Saturday and should begin in Miami @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Tropical storm conditions could then spread across the state over the weekend .
Adding to what forecasters expect to be rapidly deteriorating conditions ahead of the sprawling tropical storm is the fact that the system is racing along at approximately twice the average speed of tropical systems for this area of the basin .
All interests from the Dominican Republic and Haiti to Cuba , the Bahamas , Bermuda , the eastern United States and Atlantic Canada are urged to monitor the progress of Isaias .
Tropical storm warnings were in effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as the Turks and Caicos and portions of the Dominican Republic and Haiti on Thursday .
A tropical storm watch was in effect for the northwestern Bahamas .
Isaias is forecast to be `` less than one '' on the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes , a more nuanced method the company introduced in 2019 to assess the potential damage a tropical system could cause , across the northern Caribbean into Friday and the southeastern United States this weekend .
However , the intensity of Isaias following interaction with Hispaniola is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see some storms get beaten up so badly after crossing Hispaniola that they never recover and other storms rebound very quickly after encountering the island , '' said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Paul Walker , who has spent more than four decades of studying the tropics and weather conditions over the Southern states .
The mountains on Hispaniola reach thousands of feet above sea level with Pico Duarte reaching 10,164 feet .
The mountains on Hispaniola are a major hurdle for tropical systems .
How quickly Isaias departs from Hispaniola and whether or not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ track , strength and potential landfall in Florida .
Tropical systems need open access to warm water , typically at temperatures of 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher , to survive .
If that access to warm water is n't realized and the flow of air is inhibited by a large land area , especially one with rugged terrain , the storm may struggle to survive .
`` Should Isaias get really knocked down by Hispaniola , it may tend to track more to the west , which in turn could cause further interaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stay weak much longer , '' Miller explained .
`` But should Isaias quickly jump or re-form north of Hispaniola , it could rebound swiftly then spend more time over warm waters and avoid Cuba , which would then potentially allow more strengthening , '' added Miller .
If the system becomes stronger in the latter scenario , then it is more likely to take a sharper curve to the north .
Forecasters also cautioned that Isaias could even strengthen into a hurricane for a time , given the warm waters it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Water temperatures are near 90 F in the Gulf Stream east and south of Florida and sufficiently warm over the eastern Gulf of Mexico to allow for a tropical storm to strengthen to a hurricane , '' Walker said .
As Isaias approaches North America , a non-tropical system associated with a dip in the jet stream located over the United States will likely influence its movement and strength .
`` We sometimes see jet stream troughs like this draw tropical systems closer in to the U.S. , rather than drive them away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rayno said .
For this reason , in addition to the interaction with Hispaniola , Isaias 's path this weekend to next week is still uncertain .
`` Landfall or a very close brush with Isaias is possible in the southeastern U.S. this weekend to early next week , '' Rayno added .
The fast-forward motion of Isaias should limit the overall amount of rain , but there can still be incidents of urban flooding in the Bahamas , parts of Cuba and from Florida to the Carolinas .
In these areas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rain may fall with locally higher amounts , but precipitation amounts will be influenced by the storm 's path .
A track farther to the east would bring less rain to the United States and Cuba and more rain to the Bahamas , for example .
Wind gusts are likely to reach strong tropical storm or Category 1 hurricane strength from parts of the Bahamas to the Florida Atlantic coast .
Wind gusts of 60 mph to 70 mph with an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 80 mph possible .
Once again , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bahamas and the southeastern coast of the United States will depend on the strength and track of Isaias .
Florida is one of the states that has been experiencing a tremendous surge in coronavirus cases over the last month .
On Wednesday , the state reported 253 COVID-19 fatalities , the third daily death record in a row , according to the Orlando Sentinel .
The state has had over 6,300 deaths since the pandemic began , data from the John Hopkins University shows .
With the potential for a strike by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Collier County , which encompasses Naples on the state 's Gulf Coast , announced Tuesday that two testing clinics would be shut down ahead of Isaias .
A walk-up testing site in Immokalee will close down on Thursday , and one in Naples will be shuttered on Friday , officials said on Twitter .
Late on Wednesday afternoon , it was announced that state-run testing sites would be closing on Thursday and remain closed through Sunday across the entire state .
Meanwhile , Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis on Wednesday urged Floridians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least seven days of disaster supplies '' on hand .
The name Isaias was added to the Atlantic list after Ike caused destruction in Texas in 2008 and was retired in 2009 .
It has not yet been used .
AccuWeather 's top hurricane expert Dan Kottlowski issued an update to the numbers of tropical storms and direct impacts to the United States for the Atlantic season this week .
He warned that the tropics could become `` hyperactive '' as the heart of hurricane season nears , and that one area in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pattern setting up .
Six of the nine tropical storms thus far in 2020 have set new records for early formation for their respective letters in the basin -- Cristobal , Edouard , Fay , Gonzalo , Hanna and Isaias -- and more are likely to fall as the season progresses , according to forecasters .
The `` J-storm '' record is currently held by Jose on Aug. 22 , 2005 , with the `` K-storm '' record held by the infamous Katrina , which formed on Aug. 24 , 2005 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year 's tropical list are Josephine and Kyle .
For more names on the 2020 Atlantic list and all tropical weather information , please visit the AccuWeather hurricane center .


upi--2020-07-30--Prosecutors decline to charge ex-officer Darren Wilson after re-opening Michael Brown case

July 30 ( UPI ) -- St. Louis County wo n't charge the former Ferguson , Mo.
, police officer who shot and killed teen Michael Brown after quietly opening a new investigation into the six-year-old case , officials said Thursday .
St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell announced the decision not to push forward with an indictment for Darren Wilson .
`` This is one of the most difficult things I 've had to do as an elected official , '' Bell said during a news conference .
`` Although this case represents one of the most significant moments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question to this office is a simple one : Could we prove beyond a reasonable doubt that when Darren Wilson shot Michael Brown he committed murder or manslaughter under Missouri law ? ''
Bell said .
`` After an independent and in-depth review of the evidence , we can not prove that he did . ''
Wilson shot Brown , 18 , on Aug. 9 , 2014 , after the officer pursued the teen and his friend on suspicion of stealing from a market .
Wilson reported that Brown stopped and rushed toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and attempting to grab his firearm before it went off .
Brown 's friend , Dorian Johnson , denied Wilson 's version of events , saying that Brown turned toward the police vehicle with his hands up after Wilson shot at his back .
Multiple autopsies showed Brown was shot six times all from the front .
Brown 's death and Wilson 's subsequent lack of indictment touched off weeks of protests -- some violent -- against police brutality and racial bias .
Bell said he reopened the case upon request from Brown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lezley McSpadden .
`` I know this is not the result they were looking for , and that their pain will continue forever , '' Bell said .
`` This is a time for us to reflect on Michael 's life , to support Michael 's family , and honor a transformative movement that will forever be linked to his name . ''

A makeshift memorial sits in the middle of the street in Ferguson, Mo., in honor of Michael Brown on August 9, 2014. After reopening the investigation into Brown's death, the St. Louis County prosecutor declined to charge former officer Darren Wilson. File Photo by David Broome/UPI | License Photo
July 30 (UPI) -- St. Louis County won't charge the former Ferguson, Mo., police officer who shot and killed teen Michael Brown after quietly opening a new investigation into the six-year-old case, officials said Thursday. St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell announced the decision not to push forward with an indictment for Darren Wilson. Advertisement
"This is one of the most difficult things I've had to do as an elected official," Bell said during a news conference.
"Although this case represents one of the most significant moments in St. Louis' history, the question to this office is a simple one: Could we prove beyond a reasonable doubt that when Darren Wilson shot Michael Brown he committed murder or manslaughter under Missouri law?" Bell said. "After an independent and in-depth review of the evidence, we cannot prove that he did."
Wilson shot Brown, 18, on Aug. 9, 2014, after the officer pursued the teen and his friend on suspicion of stealing from a market. Wilson reported that Brown stopped and rushed toward his police vehicle, attacking the officer and attempting to grab his firearm before it went off.
Advertisement
Brown's friend, Dorian Johnson, denied Wilson's version of events, saying that Brown turned toward the police vehicle with his hands up after Wilson shot at his back.
Multiple autopsies showed Brown was shot six times all from the front.
Brown's death and Wilson's subsequent lack of indictment touched off weeks of protests -- some violent -- against police brutality and racial bias.
Bell said he reopened the case upon request from Brown's parents, Michael Brown Sr. and Lezley McSpadden.
"I know this is not the result they were looking for, and that their pain will continue forever," Bell said. "This is a time for us to reflect on Michael's life, to support Michael's family, and honor a transformative movement that will forever be linked to his name."


upi--2020-07-30--Veteran RB LeSean McCoy signing one-year deal with Tampa Bay Buccaneers

July 30 ( UPI ) -- Free-agent running back LeSean McCoy has reached an agreement on a short-term contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media on Thursday that McCoy agreed to a one-year deal worth more than $ 1 million with the Bucs .
The team has yet to confirm the pact .
`` He 's very excited to play with established vets like [ Tom ] Brady and Gronk [ Rob Gronkowski ] in trying to win another championship , '' McCoy 's agent , Drew Rosenhaus , told ESPN .
McCoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ring as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs last season -- will compete with Ronald Jones and Dare Ogunbowale for touches .
Jones took over duties on first and second down for the Buccaneers in 2019 but struggled at times in pass protection .
Ogunbowale served as the team 's third-down back .
McCoy , 32 , finished with 465 cards and four touchdowns on 101 carries with the Chiefs last season .
He also caught 28 passes for 181 yards and another score .
The two-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among active players with 11,071 career rushing yards , trailing only Frank Gore and Adrian Peterson .
McCoy -- while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles -- won the league 's rushing title in 2013 with 1,607 yards .
He also led the NFL with 17 rushing scores in 2011 .
The Eagles selected McCoy in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft out of Pittsburgh .
In 160 career games between the Eagles , Buffalo Bills and Chiefs , he has recorded 11,071 yards and 73 touchdowns on 2,447 carries , along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 receiving scores .

Former Kansas City Chiefs running back LeSean McCoy (L) finished with 465 cards and four touchdowns on 101 carries with the Chiefs last season. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
July 30 (UPI) -- Free-agent running back LeSean McCoy has reached an agreement on a short-term contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. League sources told ESPN and NFL Media on Thursday that McCoy agreed to a one-year deal worth more than $1 million with the Bucs. The team has yet to confirm the pact. Advertisement
"He's very excited to play with established vets like [Tom] Brady and Gronk [Rob Gronkowski] in trying to win another championship," McCoy's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN.
McCoy -- who won his first Super Bowl ring as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs last season -- will compete with Ronald Jones and Dare Ogunbowale for touches. Jones took over duties on first and second down for the Buccaneers in 2019 but struggled at times in pass protection. Ogunbowale served as the team's third-down back.
McCoy, 32, finished with 465 cards and four touchdowns on 101 carries with the Chiefs last season. He also caught 28 passes for 181 yards and another score.
Advertisement
The two-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl selection ended the 2019-20 campaign ranked third among active players with 11,071 career rushing yards, trailing only Frank Gore and Adrian Peterson.
McCoy -- while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles -- won the league's rushing title in 2013 with 1,607 yards. He also led the NFL with 17 rushing scores in 2011.
The Eagles selected McCoy in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft out of Pittsburgh. In 160 career games between the Eagles, Buffalo Bills and Chiefs, he has recorded 11,071 yards and 73 touchdowns on 2,447 carries, along with 503 receptions for 3,797 yards and 16 receiving scores.


upi--2020-07-30--House panel votes to make VA motto gender neutral

July 30 ( UPI ) -- The House Veterans Affairs Committee unanimously approved a bill Thursday that would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to adopt a gender-neutral version of its current mission statement .
The proposed bill , H.R .
3010 , would change the VA 's motto from President Abraham Lincoln 's 1865 quote , `` To care for him who shall have borne the battle , and for his widow , and his orphan , '' to `` To fulfill President Lincoln 's promise to care for those 'who shall have borne the battle ' and for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` Women and LGBTQ military service members have served and sacrificed for our country , and they always answered the call of duty whenever we rang , '' said the bill 's sponsor , Rep. Kathleen Rice ( D-N.Y. ) .
`` Yet , as we all know , the current gender-exclusive motto does n't properly acknowledge their service , and that is simply wrong . ''
The bill has the bipartisan support of 67 other representatives , including Rep. Phil Roe ( R-Tenn. ) , the committee 's ranking Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of both the military and veteran populations , '' Roe said .
`` Women now are going to be 20 % of the military , and I want to honor everyone . ''
Rice has introduced the bill for the past two congressional cycles , but Thursday marked the first time it passed out of committee .
The VA already uses the newer version of the motto during official ceremonies and in correspondence , but it is also moving ahead with plans to place plaques with the statement at all VA cemeteries .

The House Veterans Affairs Committee voted to approve changing the motto of the Department of Veterans Affairs, shown here at the department's building on Vermont Avenue in Washington, D.C., to a more gender-neutral motto. Photo by JeffOnWire via Flickr
July 30 (UPI) -- The House Veterans Affairs Committee unanimously approved a bill Thursday that would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to adopt a gender-neutral version of its current mission statement. The proposed bill, H.R. 3010, would change the VA's motto from President Abraham Lincoln's 1865 quote, "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan," to "To fulfill President Lincoln's promise to care for those 'who shall have borne the battle' and for their families, caregivers, and survivors." Advertisement
"Women and LGBTQ military service members have served and sacrificed for our country, and they always answered the call of duty whenever we rang," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-N.Y.). "Yet, as we all know, the current gender-exclusive motto doesn't properly acknowledge their service, and that is simply wrong."
The bill has the bipartisan support of 67 other representatives, including Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.), the committee's ranking Republican.
"Women comprise the fastest-growing demographic of both the military and veteran populations," Roe said. "Women now are going to be 20% of the military, and I want to honor everyone."
Advertisement
Rice has introduced the bill for the past two congressional cycles, but Thursday marked the first time it passed out of committee.
The VA already uses the newer version of the motto during official ceremonies and in correspondence, but it is also moving ahead with plans to place plaques with the statement at all VA cemeteries.