upi--2020-08-01--Isaias approaches Florida after killing 2 in Dominican Republic

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- Isaias is garnering attention for its potential landfall on the United States coast this weekend , but it smacked another U.S. area first .
On Thursday morning , Isaias , then a tropical storm , dumped flood-inducing rain and drove heavy winds into Puerto Rico , leaving hundreds of thousands without power before eventually making landfall in the Dominican Republic , where it was blamed for at least two fatalities .
According to Puerto Rico 's Electric Power Authority , more than 300,000 customers woke up in the dark Thursday as electricity was knocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maximum sustained winds as strong as 60 mph were recorded as trees were toppled , roofs were damaged and frightening memories from Hurricane Maria were stirred up .
Adding to the Puerto Ricans ' fears is that many of those roofs were never fully repaired after Maria , with blue tarps serving as an ominous reminder of what was devastated in the past and what continues to be threatened on Thursday .
In its 11 a.m. advisory , the National Weather Service office of Puerto Rico warned that the flood threats and strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ricans .
José Pagán told The Associated Press that he did n't expect the impacts to be as severe as they were , but he experienced some flooding in his home and a loss of power .
`` I did n't think it was going to be this strong , '' he told the AP .
`` It 's a rather difficult experience because it reminds us of Maria . ''
Photos and video circulated on social media throughout Thursday morning of roadways completely washed over and floodwaters reaching buildings .
In Trujillo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the capital city of San Juan , three gates on the Carraízo reservoir dam were opened in order to relieve the excess runoff from the storm .
A total of 10.36 inches of rain was recorded in La Plaza , Caguas , while four other rain gauges recorded upwards of 9 inches .
The heavy rain not only caused flash floods but also triggered small landslides .
Footage of one such landslide was captured in Limon , Mayaguez , located on the western half of the territory .
In addition , rivers rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Rio Grande De Manati near Ciales , Puerto Rico rose from 3 feet on Thursday morning to 12.77 feet by Thursday afternoon .
The river level rapidly rose by as much as 1.02 feet per hour .
Elsewhere in Puerto Rico , the Rio Guanajibo River near the town of Hormigueros went from a level of 11 feet on Thursday morning to 23.5 feet by the afternoon .
At one point , the river was rising by as much as 1.35 feet per hour .
`` Isaias was moving over the island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 mph during Thursday midday and was racing northwestward at 20 mph , '' AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said .
`` The tropical storm was less than 50 miles away from Punta Cana , Dominican Republic . ''
< blockquote class= '' twitter-tweet '' > < p lang= '' en '' dir= '' ltr '' > Live from Dominican Republic : Damage currently being caused by Hurricane Isaias .
< a href= '' https : //t.co/vGoyCnc60G '' > pic.twitter.com/vGoyCnc60G < /a > < /p > — Caribe Central ( @ caribecentral_ ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
ref_src=twsrc % 5Etfw '' > July 31 , 2020 < /a > < /blockquote > < script async src= '' https : //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js '' charset= '' utf-8 '' > < /script > The storm lashed the Dominican Republic with heavy rains and tropical-storm-force winds .
Forecasters said it made landfall there on Thursday afternoon .
At least two deaths were blamed on Isaias ' impacts , according to Reuters .
Civil Defense officials said Chiche Peguero , 53 , was killed when powerful winds caused a high-voltage power line to fall in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the María Trinidad Sánchez province .
A 5-year-old boy was also killed after a tree crushed his home on Thursday evening , according to elCaribe , a local news organization .
By late Thursday evening , Isaias had become a hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph and was moving northwestward at 18 mph and away from Hispaniola , the island shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti .
The hurricane was about 70 miles east-southeast of Great Inagua Island which is located north of the northwestern tip of Haiti .
Early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had sustained winds of 80 mph , moving northwestward at 17 mph .
However , as the day went on , Isaias ' sustained winds weakened slightly before regaining its strength , though its sped slowed to 15 mph .
As of early Saturday morning , the storm was about 115 miles south-southeast of Nassau , the capital city of the Bahamas .
After Isaias made landfall around 11 a.m. EDT Saturday on the northern part of Andros Island in the Bahamas as a Category 1 hurricane , it weakened to a tropical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 70 mph and a speed of 10 mph .
However , the storm is forecast to turn northward , and come very close to the east coast of Florida on Saturday .
Isiaias is also expected to strengthen back into a hurricane by Sunday morning .

A woman observes the damage caused by Hurricane Isaias in Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic, on Friday. Photo by Orlando Barria/EPA-EFE
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Isaias is garnering attention for its potential landfall on the United States coast this weekend, but it smacked another U.S. area first. On Thursday morning, Isaias, then a tropical storm, dumped flood-inducing rain and drove heavy winds into Puerto Rico, leaving hundreds of thousands without power before eventually making landfall in the Dominican Republic, where it was blamed for at least two fatalities. Advertisement
According to Puerto Rico's Electric Power Authority, more than 300,000 customers woke up in the dark Thursday as electricity was knocked out across much of the island. Maximum sustained winds as strong as 60 mph were recorded as trees were toppled, roofs were damaged and frightening memories from Hurricane Maria were stirred up.
Adding to the Puerto Ricans' fears is that many of those roofs were never fully repaired after Maria, with blue tarps serving as an ominous reminder of what was devastated in the past and what continues to be threatened on Thursday.
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In its 11 a.m. advisory, the National Weather Service office of Puerto Rico warned that the flood threats and strong winds presented a life-threatening situation for Puerto Ricans.
Two people were killed in the Dominican Republic: a 53-year-old farmer was reported electrocuted with his horse, after a tree knocked down the power lines, and a 5-year-old boy crushed by a wall, according to {link:Dominican Today.: "https://dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2020/08/01/isaias-aftermath-toll-two-dead-5595-people-evacuated-and-1119-homes-affected-in-dr/" target="_blank"
Photos and video circulated on social media throughout Thursday morning of roadways completely washed over and floodwaters reaching buildings.
In Trujillo Alto, about 15 miles southwest of the capital city of San Juan, three gates on the Carraízo reservoir dam were opened in order to relieve the excess runoff from the storm.
A total of 10.36 inches of rain was recorded in La Plaza, Caguas, while four other rain gauges recorded upwards of 9 inches.
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The heavy rain not only caused flash floods but also triggered small landslides. Footage of one such landslide was captured in Limon, Mayaguez, located on the western half of the territory.
In addition, rivers rose rapidly due to the excessive rainfall.
The Rio Grande De Manati near Ciales, Puerto Rico rose from 3 feet on Thursday morning to 12.77 feet by Thursday afternoon. The river level rapidly rose by as much as 1.02 feet per hour.
Elsewhere in Puerto Rico, the Rio Guanajibo River near the town of Hormigueros went from a level of 11 feet on Thursday morning to 23.5 feet by the afternoon. At one point, the river was rising by as much as 1.35 feet per hour.
"Isaias was moving over the island of Hispaniola with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph during Thursday midday and was racing northwestward at 20 mph," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said. "The tropical storm was less than 50 miles away from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic."
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The storm lashed the Dominican Republic with heavy rains and tropical-storm-force winds. Forecasters said it made landfall there on Thursday afternoon.
Civil Defense officials said Chiche Peguero, 53, was killed when powerful winds caused a high-voltage power line to fall in Río San Juan, a city in the María Trinidad Sánchez province. A 5-year-old boy was also killed after a tree crushed his home on Thursday evening, according to elCaribe, a local news organization.
By late Thursday evening, Isaias had become a hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph and was moving northwestward at 18 mph and away from Hispaniola, the island shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The hurricane was about 70 miles east-southeast of Great Inagua Island which is located north of the northwestern tip of Haiti.
Early on Friday morning, the hurricane still had sustained winds of 80 mph, moving northwestward at 17 mph. However, as the day went on, Isaias' sustained winds weakened slightly before regaining its strength, though its sped slowed to 15 mph. As of early Saturday morning, the storm was about 115 miles south-southeast of Nassau, the capital city of the Bahamas.
After Isaias made landfall around 11 a.m. EDT Saturday on the northern part of Andros Island in the Bahamas as a Category 1 hurricane, it weakened to a tropical storm late Saturday afternoon with sustained winds of 70 mph and a speed of 10 mph. However, the storm is forecast to turn northward, and come very close to the east coast of Florida on Saturday. Isiaias is also expected to strengthen back into a hurricane by Sunday morning.


upi--2020-08-01--86 dead in India after drinking tainted alcohol

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- Officials say at least 86 people have died this week after drinking illegally-made alcohol in the northern Indian state of Punjab .
Police carried out more than 100 raids Saturday to confiscate supplies of the suspected tainted liquor .
They made 25 arrests .
Punjab 's Chief Minister Amarinder Singh ordered an inquiry into the deaths Friday .
He also announced families of the deceased would receive compensation equivalent to $ 2,669 U.S. dollars .
The Times of India also reports that Amarinder has ordered the suspension of seven excise officials and six Punjab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them in connection with what it calls the `` hooch tragedy . ''
`` Strict action will be taken against any public servant or others found complicit in the case , '' Amarinder said .
Bootleg alcohol from street distilleries , which is much cheaper than branded liquor but also often contains dangerous ingredients like methanol , kills hundreds of people in India each year .
In February 2019 , for example , a bad batch of liquor killed 85 people in India and sickened hundreds of others .
And on Friday 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely suffering from alcohol addiction , died after drinking hand sanitizer .
Liquor stores are closed in the area .

Punjab's Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has ordered an inquiry into the deaths of 86 people due to tainted alcohol in the region. Photo via CMO Punjab/ Twitter
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Officials say at least 86 people have died this week after drinking illegally-made alcohol in the northern Indian state of Punjab. Police carried out more than 100 raids Saturday to confiscate supplies of the suspected tainted liquor. They made 25 arrests. Advertisement
Punjab's Chief Minister Amarinder Singh ordered an inquiry into the deaths Friday. He also announced families of the deceased would receive compensation equivalent to $2,669 U.S. dollars.
.@Capt_Amarinder Singh started the 13th edition of #AskCaptain by expressing his sorrow on the death of 86 people due to spurious alcohol. He also announced Ex-Gratia of INR 2 lakhs for the families who lost their loved ones. pic.twitter.com/OqpBeI8fYR— CMO Punjab (@CMOPb) August 1, 2020
The Times of India also reports that Amarinder has ordered the suspension of seven excise officials and six Punjab police officers, and an inquiry against them in connection with what it calls the "hooch tragedy."
"Strict action will be taken against any public servant or others found complicit in the case," Amarinder said.
Bootleg alcohol from street distilleries, which is much cheaper than branded liquor but also often contains dangerous ingredients like methanol, kills hundreds of people in India each year.
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In February 2019, for example, a bad batch of liquor killed 85 people in India and sickened hundreds of others.
And on Friday 10 people in the village of Kurichedu, likely suffering from alcohol addiction, died after drinking hand sanitizer. Liquor stores are closed in the area.


upi--2020-08-01--Watch live: NASA astronauts head home in SpaceX capsule

ORLANDO , Fla. , Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- Two NASA astronauts left the International Space Station on Saturday evening in SpaceX 's groundbreaking Crew Dragon capsule , headed for an at-sea landing Sunday afternoon off Pensacola , Fla. , in the Gulf of Mexico .
The astronauts , flying in the capsule they named Endeavour , began to undock from the International Space Station at 7:30 p.m. EDT , a few minutes ahead of schedule .
They are to splash down at 2:48 p.m. EDT Sunday .
During the undocking , a command from Earth released 12 hooks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held the SpaceX capsule in place .
Then , two very quick engine burns fully separated the capsule from the space station at 7:35 p.m. EDT , followed by a longer engine burn that further distanced Endeavor from the space station .
The original landing site had been in the Atlantic Ocean near Kennedy Space Center , but splashdown would have occurred around the time Tropical Storm Isaias was due to arrive along central Florida 's east coast .
`` We 're going to watch the weather very carefully , '' said Steve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commercial Crew Program , said Friday before the decision to land Sunday had been made .
`` This is a test flight , and we 're going to take our time to come home .
We have plenty of opportunities here in August , and we 're in no hurry , '' Stich said .
The astronauts will travel for more than 19 hours in the capsule , but they could spend up to three or four days above Earth if needed , Stich said .
For example , if the track of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impossible to land , the astronauts could remain in orbit until the storm passes and seas calm .
Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken are returning after two months in space .
They made history when they flew the capsule to the space station May 31 -- the first crewed launch from U.S. soil in nine years .
The two said during a press conference from space Friday that they enjoyed their time on the space station , especially Behnken 's four spacewalks with fellow astronaut Chris Cassidy , who will remain there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The astronauts acknowledged weather is their primary concern about the return , but said they were n't going to worry about potential delays .
`` We do n't control the weather , and we know we can stay up here longer -- there 's more chow and I know the space station programs have more work that we can do , '' Behnken said .
Behnken said he will have a few tips for his wife , Meghan McArthur , who is scheduled to sit in his seat on the Dragon during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later this year , notably `` where best to pack all your personal items so that you can get to them conveniently . ''
He tweeted Saturday morning , `` All my bags are packed , I 'm ready to go . ''
The SpaceX mission is considered a demonstration flight -- a final step before the capsule is fully certified for regular ferry service to the space station .
The return to Earth will mark the first splashdown of a U.S. space capsule carrying astronauts since the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That was the final flight of the Apollo spacecraft .
The astronauts anticipate they might become seasick and nauseated after they land in the water , probably the Gulf of Mexico , Hurley said .
`` There are bags , if you need them , and we 'll have those handy .
We 'll probably have some towels handy , as well .
And , you know ... it certainly would n't be the first time that that 's happened in a space vehicle , but it will be the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Hurley said .
Two SpaceX recovery ships in the Gulf will head to the capsule once it lands .
The first vessel 's crew will pull the capsule from the water and help the astronauts out , NASA said .
A second ship will recover two sets of parachutes that are to deploy and slow the capsule 's descent once it re-enters the Earth 's atmosphere .
If the astronauts experience an emergency , a helicopter aboard the first ship can evacuate them to a hospital .
Crew Dragon will travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ atmosphere .
The re-entry will create a communications blackout , expected to last about six minutes .
Behnken completed four spacewalks while aboard the space station .
The mission had been planned to last just five days , but it was extended so Behnken could help finish a years-long project to upgrade the power system .
No issues with the capsule have been reported -- a situation described by a SpaceX commentator as `` pretty boring for the astronauts , but that 's what we wanted . ''
SpaceX secured a contract to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a fixed cost in 2014 , and developed the rocket and capsule with NASA 's cooperation .
If the flight home is successful , NASA plans to launch another SpaceX capsule to the space station in September , officials said .
Crew members for that mission are to be NASA astronauts Mike Hopkins , Victor Glover and Shannon Walker , along with Soichi Noguchi from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency .
Over the past decade , NASA astronauts only used Russian Soyuz rockets and capsules to reach the space station , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million per seat .
Behnken , 49 , and Hurley , 53 , have been astronauts since their selection in 2000 .
They worked closely with SpaceX to develop the new spacecraft systems .

1/2
SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule, Endeavor, is shown May 31 as it docks with the International Space Station. It is scheduled to depart Sunday. Photo courtesy of NASA | License Photo
ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Two NASA astronauts left the International Space Station on Saturday evening in SpaceX's groundbreaking Crew Dragon capsule, headed for an at-sea landing Sunday afternoon off Pensacola, Fla., in the Gulf of Mexico. The astronauts, flying in the capsule they named Endeavour, began to undock from the International Space Station at 7:30 p.m. EDT, a few minutes ahead of schedule. They are to splash down at 2:48 p.m. EDT Sunday. Advertisement
During the undocking, a command from Earth released 12 hooks on the International Space Station that had held the SpaceX capsule in place.
Then, two very quick engine burns fully separated the capsule from the space station at 7:35 p.m. EDT, followed by a longer engine burn that further distanced Endeavor from the space station.
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The original landing site had been in the Atlantic Ocean near Kennedy Space Center, but splashdown would have occurred around the time Tropical Storm Isaias was due to arrive along central Florida's east coast.
"We're going to watch the weather very carefully," said Steve Stich, manager of the agency's Commercial Crew Program, said Friday before the decision to land Sunday had been made.
"This is a test flight, and we're going to take our time to come home. We have plenty of opportunities here in August, and we're in no hurry," Stich said.
The astronauts will travel for more than 19 hours in the capsule, but they could spend up to three or four days above Earth if needed, Stich said.
For example, if the track of the storm shifted unexpectedly and made it impossible to land, the astronauts could remain in orbit until the storm passes and seas calm.
Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken are returning after two months in space. They made history when they flew the capsule to the space station May 31 -- the first crewed launch from U.S. soil in nine years.
The two said during a press conference from space Friday that they enjoyed their time on the space station, especially Behnken's four spacewalks with fellow astronaut Chris Cassidy, who will remain there. Hurley helped the spacewalkers from inside.
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The astronauts acknowledged weather is their primary concern about the return, but said they weren't going to worry about potential delays.
"We don't control the weather, and we know we can stay up here longer -- there's more chow and I know the space station programs have more work that we can do," Behnken said.
Behnken said he will have a few tips for his wife, Meghan McArthur, who is scheduled to sit in his seat on the Dragon during a flight to the International Space Station later this year, notably "where best to pack all your personal items so that you can get to them conveniently."
He tweeted Saturday morning, "All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go."
All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go... #LandAmerica pic.twitter.com/FvyzeA58sb- Bob Behnken (@AstroBehnken) August 1, 2020
The SpaceX mission is considered a demonstration flight -- a final step before the capsule is fully certified for regular ferry service to the space station.
The return to Earth will mark the first splashdown of a U.S. space capsule carrying astronauts since the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project that was launched from Kennedy Space Center in 1975. That was the final flight of the Apollo spacecraft.
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The astronauts anticipate they might become seasick and nauseated after they land in the water, probably the Gulf of Mexico, Hurley said.
"There are bags, if you need them, and we'll have those handy. We'll probably have some towels handy, as well. And, you know ... it certainly wouldn't be the first time that that's happened in a space vehicle, but it will be the first time in this particular vehicle if we do," Hurley said.
Two SpaceX recovery ships in the Gulf will head to the capsule once it lands. The first vessel's crew will pull the capsule from the water and help the astronauts out, NASA said.
A second ship will recover two sets of parachutes that are to deploy and slow the capsule's descent once it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere.
If the astronauts experience an emergency, a helicopter aboard the first ship can evacuate them to a hospital.
Crew Dragon will travel about 17,500 mph as it re-enters the atmosphere. The re-entry will create a communications blackout, expected to last about six minutes.
Behnken completed four spacewalks while aboard the space station. The mission had been planned to last just five days, but it was extended so Behnken could help finish a years-long project to upgrade the power system.
Advertisement
No issues with the capsule have been reported -- a situation described by a SpaceX commentator as "pretty boring for the astronauts, but that's what we wanted."
SpaceX secured a contract to provide ferry service to the space station for a fixed cost in 2014, and developed the rocket and capsule with NASA's cooperation.
If the flight home is successful, NASA plans to launch another SpaceX capsule to the space station in September, officials said.
Crew members for that mission are to be NASA astronauts Mike Hopkins, Victor Glover and Shannon Walker, along with Soichi Noguchi from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
Over the past decade, NASA astronauts only used Russian Soyuz rockets and capsules to reach the space station, at a cost of more than $70 million per seat.
Behnken, 49, and Hurley, 53, have been astronauts since their selection in 2000. They worked closely with SpaceX to develop the new spacecraft systems.
Astronauts make round trip to space station from U.S. soil


upi--2020-08-01--Face transplant recipient Connie Culp dead at 57

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- Connie Culp , the first face-plant recipient in the United States , has died , according to the clinic that performed the surgery .
She was 57 .
Cleveland Clinic spokeswoman Andrea Pacetti told CNN Culp died of complications from an infection unrelated to her transplant .
`` Connie was an incredibly brave , vibrant woman and an inspiration to many , '' Dr. Frank Papay , chair of Cleveland Clinic 's Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Institute , who was part of Connie 's surgical team , said in a statement .
`` She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to undergo a sometimes daunting procedure is an enduring gift for all of humanity . ''
Culp was shot by her then-husband in 2004 .
The incident caused her to lose the middle portion of her face and leaving her partially blind , unable to smell and speak and reliant on a surgical opening in her neck to breathe .
In 2008 she underwent a 22-hour surgery in which the face of a deceased donor was shaped and fitted to Culp -- the first near-total face transplant in the country .
In 2010 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her face and removing extra skin that hung from her cheeks and chin after the transplant surgery .
Doctors emphasized that the surgery was not cosmetic , but intended to restore basic functions .
They connected layers of tissue , bone , muscle and blood vessels , nerve grants , arteries and veins , filling in the missing parts of her face .

Connie Culp, shown here in a combination photo released by the Cleveland Clinic in May 2009, died Thursday at the age of 57. She was the first successful face transplant recipient. Photo courtesy of Cleveland Clinic | License Photo
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Connie Culp, the first face-plant recipient in the United States, has died, according to the clinic that performed the surgery. She was 57. The Cleveland Clinic announced Culp's death on Twitter Friday. Advertisement We are saddened by the loss of Connie Culp, the first face transplant recipient in the U.S. She was an inspiration to all of us at Cleveland Clinic. pic.twitter.com/gvuJCzf7Jd— ClevelandClinicNews (@CleClinicNews) July 31, 2020
Cleveland Clinic spokeswoman Andrea Pacetti told CNN Culp died of complications from an infection unrelated to her transplant.
"Connie was an incredibly brave, vibrant woman and an inspiration to many," Dr. Frank Papay, chair of Cleveland Clinic's Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Institute, who was part of Connie's surgical team, said in a statement. "She was a great pioneer and her decision to undergo a sometimes daunting procedure is an enduring gift for all of humanity."
Culp was shot by her then-husband in 2004. The incident caused her to lose the middle portion of her face and leaving her partially blind, unable to smell and speak and reliant on a surgical opening in her neck to breathe.
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In 2008 she underwent a 22-hour surgery in which the face of a deceased donor was shaped and fitted to Culp -- the first near-total face transplant in the country.
In 2010 she received a followup procedure to tighten her face and removing extra skin that hung from her cheeks and chin after the transplant surgery.
Doctors emphasized that the surgery was not cosmetic, but intended to restore basic functions. They connected layers of tissue, bone, muscle and blood vessels, nerve grants, arteries and veins, filling in the missing parts of her face.


upi--2020-08-01--DHS removes acting chief of intelligence and analysis after protest response

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- The Department of Homeland Security is removing its acting chief of intelligence and analysis amid criticism of his office 's role in responding to civil unrest in Portland , Ore. As of Saturday , Brian Murphy was still listed as Acting Under Secretary for the Office of Intelligence and Analysis Brian Murphy on the DHS website .
But the Washington Post has reported that DHS Secretary Chad Wolf has removed Brian Murphy from his role following a series of reports about how his office responded to nightly protests in the city .
Most recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had compiled `` intelligence reports '' on journalists who published leaked documents , and that the agency had monitored protesters ' electronic communications .
On Saturday House Intelligence Committee chair Adam Schiff ( D-Calif. ) said the committee had been conducting an investigation into Murphy and his department for more than two weeks .
`` In light of recent public reports , we are concerned that Murphy may have provided incomplete and potentially misleading information to Committee staff during our recent oversight engagement , and that the Department of Homeland Security and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underlying intelligence products , legal memoranda , and other records requested by the Committee that could shed light on these actions , '' Schiff said in the statement .
The demonstrations have been part of a nationwide protest against police brutality and racism following the May 25 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police .
Tensions between demonstrators and police -- who had used tear gas and other means of crowd dispersal repeatedly in late May and throughout June -- were high before the arrival of federal officers in early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city , viral videos showed officers -- who have dressed in military gear have not worn badges revealing their names or agencies -- appearing to arrest protesters without probable cause , drawing criticism from city officials and the public .
Video also shows federal agents shooting a protester , who was holding a boom box over his head during the incident , in the head with a rubber bullet and sending the man to the hospital .
On July 23 U.S. District Judge Michael Simon blocked federal agents from arresting and using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 14 days .
A group of journalists and legal observers has filed a motion accusing federal agents of defying that order .
On Wednesday Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown announced federal officers would begin a phased withdrawal from the city beginning Thursday .
Wolf said later that day that DHS would remain in the city `` until the violent activity toward our federal facilities end . ''
On Friday DHS published a press release saying federal officers had been present to protect the federal courthouse as part of a collaboration agreement with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bureau , but described the protests as peaceful and not resulting in any arrests .

Black Lives Matter protesters against racism and police brutality storm the Justice Center and clash with local police and federal agents in downtown Portland, Ore., Monday. On Saturday reports surfaced that Brian Murphy, acting chief of intelligence and analysis for the Department of Homeland Security, following criticism of his department's handling of the protests. EPA-EFE/DAVID SWANSON
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- The Department of Homeland Security is removing its acting chief of intelligence and analysis amid criticism of his office's role in responding to civil unrest in Portland, Ore. As of Saturday, Brian Murphy was still listed as Acting Under Secretary for the Office of Intelligence and Analysis Brian Murphy on the DHS website. Advertisement
But the Washington Post has reported that DHS Secretary Chad Wolf has removed Brian Murphy from his role following a series of reports about how his office responded to nightly protests in the city.
Most recently, the reports surfaced reported that DHS had compiled "intelligence reports" on journalists who published leaked documents, and that the agency had monitored protesters' electronic communications.
On Saturday House Intelligence Committee chair Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said the committee had been conducting an investigation into Murphy and his department for more than two weeks.
"In light of recent public reports, we are concerned that Murphy may have provided incomplete and potentially misleading information to Committee staff during our recent oversight engagement, and that the Department of Homeland Security and I&A are now delaying or withholding underlying intelligence products, legal memoranda, and other records requested by the Committee that could shed light on these actions," Schiff said in the statement.
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The demonstrations have been part of a nationwide protest against police brutality and racism following the May 25 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.
Tensions between demonstrators and police -- who had used tear gas and other means of crowd dispersal repeatedly in late May and throughout June -- were high before the arrival of federal officers in early July.
After DHS agents arrived in the city, viral videos showed officers -- who have dressed in military gear have not worn badges revealing their names or agencies -- appearing to arrest protesters without probable cause, drawing criticism from city officials and the public.
Video also shows federal agents shooting a protester, who was holding a boom box over his head during the incident, in the head with a rubber bullet and sending the man to the hospital.
On July 23 U.S. District Judge Michael Simon blocked federal agents from arresting and using force against clearly identified journalists in Portland for 14 days.
A group of journalists and legal observers has filed a motion accusing federal agents of defying that order.
On Wednesday Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced federal officers would begin a phased withdrawal from the city beginning Thursday.
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Wolf said later that day that DHS would remain in the city "until the violent activity toward our federal facilities end."
On Friday DHS published a press release saying federal officers had been present to protect the federal courthouse as part of a collaboration agreement with Oregon State Police and the Portland Police Bureau, but described the protests as peaceful and not resulting in any arrests.


upi--2020-08-01--Arizona congressman tests positive for COVID-19

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- Arizona congressman Raul Grijalva said Saturday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 .
Rep. Grijavla , D-Ariz. , announced the diagnosis in a statement on his website .
`` The Attending Physician of the Capitol informed me that I tested positive for COVID-19 , '' the statement said .
`` As a result , I will be self-isolating in quarantine at his recommendation .
I currently have no symptoms , feel fine , and hope to make a quick and speedy recovery . ''
On Tuesday , Grijalva had been in a Natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who tested positive earlier this week .
Gohmert was seen at times in close proximity to Grijalva not wearing a mask .
`` I had my mask on when I was not questioning people , '' Gohmert tweeted Wednesday .
`` Notice I was socially distant as well . ''
Grijalva said in his statement numerous congressmen are n't taking enough precautions against COVID-19 .
`` While I can not blame anyone directly for this , this week has shown that there are some members of congress who fail to take this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his statement .
`` Numerous Republican members routinely strut around the Capitol without a mask to selfishly make a political statement at the expense of their colleagues , staff , and their families .
I 'm pleased that Speaker [ Nancy ] Pelosi has mandated the use of masks at the Capitol to keep members and staff safe from those looking to score quick political points .
Stopping the spread of a deadly virus should not be a partisan issue . ''
`` I urge all of us to recognize the severity of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep our family , friends , and loved ones safe , '' he added .
`` We can all play a part in stopping the spread of COVID-19 in our communities . ''
Rep. Kay Granger , R-Texas , said she has tested negative for COVID-19 after sitting next to Gohmert on a flight from Texas Sunday evening .
Rep. Mike Johnson , R-La .
tweeted Wednesday that he had dinner with Gohmert Monday and although he feels asymptomatic , he would self quarantine for 14 days .

Rep. Raul M. Grijalva, D-Ariz., said Saturday that he has contracted COVID-19. (R) Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has mandated the use of masks at the Capitol. File Photo by Sarah Silbiger/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Arizona congressman Raul Grijalva said Saturday that he has tested positive for COVID-19. Rep. Grijavla, D-Ariz., announced the diagnosis in a statement on his website. Advertisement
"The Attending Physician of the Capitol informed me that I tested positive for COVID-19," the statement said. "As a result, I will be self-isolating in quarantine at his recommendation. I currently have no symptoms, feel fine, and hope to make a quick and speedy recovery."
On Tuesday, Grijalva had been in a Natural Resources Committee hearing with Rep. Louie Gohmert, who tested positive earlier this week.
Gohmert was seen at times in close proximity to Grijalva not wearing a mask.
"I had my mask on when I was not questioning people," Gohmert tweeted Wednesday. "Notice I was socially distant as well."
Grijalva said in his statement numerous congressmen aren't taking enough precautions against COVID-19.
"While I cannot blame anyone directly for this, this week has shown that there are some members of congress who fail to take this crisis seriously," he said in his statement. "Numerous Republican members routinely strut around the Capitol without a mask to selfishly make a political statement at the expense of their colleagues, staff, and their families. I'm pleased that Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi has mandated the use of masks at the Capitol to keep members and staff safe from those looking to score quick political points. Stopping the spread of a deadly virus should not be a partisan issue."
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"I urge all of us to recognize the severity of this virus and follow the CDC guidance to keep our family, friends, and loved ones safe," he added. "We can all play a part in stopping the spread of COVID-19 in our communities."
Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, said she has tested negative for COVID-19 after sitting next to Gohmert on a flight from Texas Sunday evening.
Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La. tweeted Wednesday that he had dinner with Gohmert Monday and although he feels asymptomatic, he would self quarantine for 14 days.


upi--2020-08-01--Russia says it will begin mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19 in October

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- Russia said Saturday that it has completed clinical trials of a coronavirus vaccine and plans to run a mass vaccination campaign in October .
Tass , Russia 's national news agency , reported Saturday that officials plan to make the vaccine freely available to all .
`` We plan that the coronavirus vaccination campaign will be totally covered from the budget .
Accordingly , the vaccination scheme is known to all .
It will be planned , '' Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said at a news conference .
According to Murashko , the Moscow-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Microbiology has completed trials for the vaccine .
`` We plan wider [ vaccination ] for October because we need to launch a new system of treatment gradually , '' Murashko said .
On Friday Dr. Anthony Fauci , the United States ' top expert on infectious diseases , testified before Congress that he is `` cautiously optimistic '' that a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine will be available before the end of the year .
In mid-July the British National Cyber Security Center said Russian computer hackers are targeting COVID-19 vaccine researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canada in a bid to steal critical medical information .
The center also said the hackers are `` almost certainly '' associated with Russian government intelligence .

Russia's health minister said Saturday that the country plans to roll out a mass vaccination campaign in October. Photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Lotz/U.S. Air Force
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Russia said Saturday that it has completed clinical trials of a coronavirus vaccine and plans to run a mass vaccination campaign in October. Tass, Russia's national news agency, reported Saturday that officials plan to make the vaccine freely available to all. Advertisement
"We plan that the coronavirus vaccination campaign will be totally covered from the budget. Accordingly, the vaccination scheme is known to all. It will be planned," Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said at a news conference.
According to Murashko, the Moscow-based Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology has completed trials for the vaccine.
"We plan wider [vaccination] for October because we need to launch a new system of treatment gradually," Murashko said.
On Friday Dr. Anthony Fauci, the United States' top expert on infectious diseases, testified before Congress that he is "cautiously optimistic" that a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine will be available before the end of the year.
In mid-July the British National Cyber Security Center said Russian computer hackers are targeting COVID-19 vaccine researchers in the United States, Britain and Canada in a bid to steal critical medical information.
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The center also said the hackers are "almost certainly" associated with Russian government intelligence.
Russia has reported 845,443 confirmed coronavirus cases and 14,058 fatalities.


upi--2020-08-01--Iran says it arrested U.S.-based terror leader linked to mosque bombing

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- Iran 's Intelligence Ministry said Saturday that it arrested the leader of what it describes as a terror group based in the United States .
In its announcement , the ministry said its forces have dealt a `` heavy and serious blow '' to the group known as Tondar , which translates as Thunder .
A statement read on Iran state television said Thunder 's leader , Jamshid Sharmahd , is now `` in the powerful hands '' of Iran 's security forces but did not offer detail as to how he was taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the Kingdom Assembly of Iran , seeks to restore monarchy in the country .
Social media accounts for Sharmahd describe him as a broadcaster for the organization and say he lived in Los Angeles .
The group has been accused of bombing a mosque in 2008 that killed 14 people and injured more than 200 others in Shiraz , a city in the south of Iran .
Iran 's government said Saturday that the group was planning other violent attacks .
Iran 's monarchy ended when Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi fled the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revolution .

Iran's intelligence ministry said Saturday that it has arrested Jamshid Sharmahd, a U.S.-based broadcaster associated with the pro-monarchy group Tondar. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Iran's Intelligence Ministry said Saturday that it arrested the leader of what it describes as a terror group based in the United States. In its announcement, the ministry said its forces have dealt a "heavy and serious blow" to the group known as Tondar, which translates as Thunder. Advertisement
A statement read on Iran state television said Thunder's leader, Jamshid Sharmahd, is now "in the powerful hands" of Iran's security forces but did not offer detail as to how he was taken into custody.
Thunder, also known as the Kingdom Assembly of Iran, seeks to restore monarchy in the country.
Social media accounts for Sharmahd describe him as a broadcaster for the organization and say he lived in Los Angeles.
The group has been accused of bombing a mosque in 2008 that killed 14 people and injured more than 200 others in Shiraz, a city in the south of Iran.
Iran's government said Saturday that the group was planning other violent attacks.
Iran's monarchy ended when Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi fled the country in 1979 just before the Islamic revolution.


upi--2020-08-01--More than 1,000 evacuate as Apple Fire blazes in Southern California

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- A wildfire broke out overnight in Southern California , prompting officials to order evacuations @ @ @ @ @ .
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said the blaze , which began @ @ @ @ @ with 0 % containment as of 7:15 a.m. Saturday .
It 's located in Cherry @ @ @ @ @ about 25 miles northwest of Palm Springs and 70 miles east of Los Angeles .
@ @ @ @ @ destroyed one home and threatened more than 150 others .
The Riverside County Sheriff 's @ @ @ @ @ about 1,000 residents of Oak Glen , Cherry Valley and Banning Bench .
Officials set @ @ @ @ @ at Beaumont High School .
More than 200 fire personnel responded to the fire .

More than 200 fire personnel responded to the Apple Fire in Riverside County. Photo courtesy of Cal Fire
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- A wildfire broke out overnight in Southern California, prompting officials to order evacuations for about 150 homes Saturday. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said the blaze, which began Friday, was 1,900 acres with 0% containment as of 7:15 a.m. Saturday. Advertisement
It's located in Cherry Valley in Riverside County, about 25 miles northwest of Palm Springs and 70 miles east of Los Angeles.
Cal Fire said the blaze destroyed one home and threatened more than 150 others.
The Riverside County Sheriff's Office ordered mandatory evacuations for about 1,000 residents of Oak Glen, Cherry Valley and Banning Bench. Officials set up an evacuation assistance center at Beaumont High School.
More than 200 fire personnel responded to the fire.


upi--2020-08-01--Washington state identifies first trapped so-called 'murder hornet'

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- The Washington State Department of Agriculture has trapped its first Asian giant hornet .
The giant hornet was found in a department trap near Birch Bay in Whatcom County , a statement said .
Officials identified the hornet at a lab on Wednesday after it had been trapped and sent for processing in mid-July .
It was the first Asian giant hornet to be detected in a trap in the state .
Washington state previously confirmed five other hornets were found in the environment .
`` This is encouraging because it means we know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spichiger , the department 's managing entomologist , said in the statement .
`` But it also means we have work to do . ''
The department 's next steps include using infrared cameras and additional traps to catch live hornet specimens and attempts to track them back to their colony in order to eradicate the colony , according to the statement .
The Washington State Department of Agriculture said in the statement that their goal is to destroy the entire nest by mid-September when the colony would begin to create new queens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to control the spread .
Asian giant hornets are estimated to be up to 2.5 inches long .
Chris Looney , a entomologist in charge of exotic pests at the Washington State Department of Agriculture , spoke to CBS Sunday Morning about the previous five hornets detected and their predatory impact on honeybees .
The nickname `` murder hornets ' '' might have come from a possible error in translation from Japanese that went viral after it was used in a New York Times article , the Sunday morning show reported .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed dozens of people in recent years .
Looney told CBS Sunday Morning that the nickname exaggerates the risk .
`` 'Murder hornet ' does n't work , for a couple of reasons , '' Looney told CBS .
`` One of them , it exaggerates the human health risk .
These are human health risks , but like I said , we do n't want to be stung by one .
If you 're allergic to one , obviously , that can be really dangerous .
And even if you 're not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to being hospitalized and sometimes rarely even death .
But it turns out it 's not that many people that die from this any given year in the places where it 's native . ''

This Asian giant hornet was trapped near Birch Bay in Whatcom County, Wash. Photo courtesy of Washington State Department of Agriculture
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- The Washington State Department of Agriculture has trapped its first Asian giant hornet. The giant hornet was found in a department trap near Birch Bay in Whatcom County, a statement said. Officials identified the hornet at a lab on Wednesday after it had been trapped and sent for processing in mid-July. Advertisement
It was the first Asian giant hornet to be detected in a trap in the state. Washington state previously confirmed five other hornets were found in the environment.
"This is encouraging because it means we know that the traps work," Sven Spichiger, the department's managing entomologist, said in the statement. "But it also means we have work to do."
The department's next steps include using infrared cameras and additional traps to catch live hornet specimens and attempts to track them back to their colony in order to eradicate the colony, according to the statement.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture said in the statement that their goal is to destroy the entire nest by mid-September when the colony would begin to create new queens and drones, which hinder the capacity to control the spread.
Asian giant hornets are estimated to be up to 2.5 inches long. Chris Looney, a entomologist in charge of exotic pests at the Washington State Department of Agriculture, spoke to CBS Sunday Morning about the previous five hornets detected and their predatory impact on honeybees.
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The nickname "murder hornets'" might have come from a possible error in translation from Japanese that went viral after it was used in a New York Times article, the Sunday morning show reported.
In Japan, the Asian giant hornet has killed dozens of people in recent years.
Looney told CBS Sunday Morning that the nickname exaggerates the risk.
"'Murder hornet' doesn't work, for a couple of reasons," Looney told CBS. "One of them, it exaggerates the human health risk. These are human health risks, but like I said, we don't want to be stung by one. If you're allergic to one, obviously, that can be really dangerous. And even if you're not allergic, multiple stings certainly can lead to being hospitalized and sometimes rarely even death. But it turns out it's not that many people that die from this any given year in the places where it's native."


upi--2020-08-01--COVID-19: Cuomo undecided on school reopenings; U.S. reports 67K new cases

People wear face masks as they wait in line to receive a bag of groceries at a food pantry at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City Wednesday. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Saturday that he's waiting to see what happens with infection rates before deciding whether to open schools in the fall. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Saturday he hasn't made a decision about whether to reopen schools in the fall but said schools should plan for the possibility. During a conference call with reporters, Cuomo said he will watch what happens with the infection rate before deciding whether to reopen schools. Advertisement
He also said New York reported 753 positive tests of 82,737 tests run Friday.
On Friday the United States reported 1,424 new coronavirus deaths and 67,746 new cases, according to The New York Times coronavirus tracker.
That brings the total number of infections to 4.58 million and total deaths to 153,642 since the first U.S. infection was reported in January.
Infections are surging in Mississippi, Tennessee and Oklahoma, with Mississippi reporting 52 new coronavirus deaths and 1,168 new cases Friday.
This week Mississippi has reported an average of 1,298 cases per day, an increase of 46 percent from the mid-July average.
New infections and deaths are leveling off in some states -- including Louisiana, Alabama and Nevada.
While the number of new cases has decreased in Florida from last week, the number of deaths has trended upward this week, and the state is reporting the highest number of cases per capita.
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Florida reported 9,642 new positive cases of COVID-19 and 179 deaths due to the virus Saturday.
Georgia reported 78 new coronavirus deaths and 3,797 new cases Friday, with an average of 3,373 cases per day -- up 14 percent from mid-July.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday traced an outbreak to a sleepaway camp, where 260 children and staff members have tested positive for COVID-19.
While other "super spreader" events have been traced to events such as funerals, weddings or parties, the Georgia outbreak may be the first traced to a gathering involving children.
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-08-01--Watchdog alleges Stephen Miller violated Hatch Act, requests probe

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- A watchdog has accused President Donald Trump 's senior policy advisor , Stephen Miller , of violating the Hatch Act and requested an investigation into his comments on Fox News .
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed a complaint Friday to the Office of Special Counsel alleging that Miller violated the Hatch Act when he told Fox News on the same day that presumptive Democratic nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden was `` stuck in a basement '' in an interview from the White House grounds .
`` Well , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a basement somewhere , and he just emerges every now and again and somebody hands him a note card , and he says whatever his 23-year-old staffer tells him to say and then he dutifully disappears to be seen a week later , '' Miller said in the Fox News interview .
`` As for former President Obama the reality is for eight years he delivered nothing but failure and betrayal to the people of this country . ''
The comment came after Fox host Brian Kilmeade asked Miller if he felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It also came in response to questions about Obama 's comments on voter suppression during a eulogy he gave for the late Rep. John Lewis , which Miller called `` shockingly political . ''
The Hatch Act is an ethics law that `` prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activities while on duty , '' according to the U.S. Department of Interior 's ethics office .
CREW accuses Miller of violating the Hatch Act since he `` mixed official government business with political views '' when he gave the Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that the Office of Special Counsel should immediately investigate its allegations .
`` This administration continues to use its official powers improperly to assist the president 's re-election and to chip away at the checks and balances that preserve our democracy , '' the watchdog 's executive director , Noah Bookbinder , said in a statement .
`` It is well past time for those like Stephen Miller , who show an open disdain for ethics laws like the Hatch Act and who illegally use official resources to promote the president 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for their actions . ''
Last year , the Office of Special Counsel found that White House counselor Kellyanne Conway repeatedly violated the Hatch Act by criticizing Democratic presidential candidates while speaking in her official capacity and recommended removal from federal service , but Conway remains in her position .

A government ethics watchdog called for a probe Friday into President Donald Trump's senior policy adviser Stephen Miller's alleged violations of the Hatch Act on Fox News. File Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- A watchdog has accused President Donald Trump's senior policy advisor, Stephen Miller, of violating the Hatch Act and requested an investigation into his comments on Fox News. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed a complaint Friday to the Office of Special Counsel alleging that Miller violated the Hatch Act when he told Fox News on the same day that presumptive Democratic nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden was "stuck in a basement" in an interview from the White House grounds. Advertisement
"Well, as you know, Joe Biden is stuck in a basement somewhere, and he just emerges every now and again and somebody hands him a note card, and he says whatever his 23-year-old staffer tells him to say and then he dutifully disappears to be seen a week later," Miller said in the Fox News interview. "As for former President Obama the reality is for eight years he delivered nothing but failure and betrayal to the people of this country."
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The comment came after Fox host Brian Kilmeade asked Miller if he felt Trump was running against Obama or Biden. It also came in response to questions about Obama's comments on voter suppression during a eulogy he gave for the late Rep. John Lewis, which Miller called "shockingly political."
The Hatch Act is an ethics law that "prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activities while on duty," according to the U.S. Department of Interior's ethics office.
CREW accuses Miller of violating the Hatch Act since he "mixed official government business with political views" when he gave the Fox News interview.
The government ethics watchdog organization added that the Office of Special Counsel should immediately investigate its allegations.
"This administration continues to use its official powers improperly to assist the president's re-election and to chip away at the checks and balances that preserve our democracy," the watchdog's executive director, Noah Bookbinder, said in a statement. "It is well past time for those like Stephen Miller, who show an open disdain for ethics laws like the Hatch Act and who illegally use official resources to promote the president's re-election bid, to be held accountable for their actions."
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Last year, the Office of Special Counsel found that White House counselor Kellyanne Conway repeatedly violated the Hatch Act by criticizing Democratic presidential candidates while speaking in her official capacity and recommended removal from federal service, but Conway remains in her position.


upi--2020-08-01--Appeals court rejects Stormy Daniels' libel suit against Trump

The 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Friday the lower court 's decision from October 2018 to dismiss the case .
U.S. District Judge S. James Otero had ruled that Trump 's tweet at the center of the case was `` rhetorical hyperbole '' protected by the First Amendment instead of the defamation alleged .
Daniels , born Stephanie Clifford , alleged that she was threatened in a Las Vegas casino parking lot in 2011 after agreeing to cooperate with a magazine that intended to publish a story on her alleged intimate relationship with Trump in 2006 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , tweet in which Trump said the sketch of a man who allegedly threatened Clifford in 2011 was a `` total con job . ''
`` Viewed through the eyes of an objectively reasonable reader , the tweet here reflects Mr. Trump 's opinion about the implications of the allegedly similar appearances of Ms. Clifford 's ex-husband and the man in the sketch , '' the three-judge panel ruled Friday .
`` Mr. Trump 's reference to a 'sketch years later of a nonexistent man ' signals that the allegedly defamatory conclusion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulling a 'con job ' and 'playing the Fake News Media for Fools ' - plainly concerns the similarities between the sketch and the photograph of Ms. Clifford 's ex-husband .
Because the tweet juxtaposing the two images was displayed immediately below Mr. Trump 's tweet , the reader was provided with the information underlying the allegedly defamatory statement and was free to draw his or her own conclusions . ''
Trump has denied Clifford 's allegations about their relationship though Trump 's personal lawyer at the time , Michael Cohen , arranged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's behalf as part of a hush arrangement a month ahead of the 2016 presidential election .

Stormy Daniels lost her libel lawsuit in federal appeals court Friday against President Donald Trump. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- A federal appeals court has rejected adult film star Stormy Daniels defamation suit against President Donald Trump. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Friday the lower court's decision from October 2018 to dismiss the case. Advertisement
U.S. District Judge S. James Otero had ruled that Trump's tweet at the center of the case was "rhetorical hyperbole" protected by the First Amendment instead of the defamation alleged.
Daniels, born Stephanie Clifford, alleged that she was threatened in a Las Vegas casino parking lot in 2011 after agreeing to cooperate with a magazine that intended to publish a story on her alleged intimate relationship with Trump in 2006.
Daniels sued over an April 18, 2018, tweet in which Trump said the sketch of a man who allegedly threatened Clifford in 2011 was a "total con job."
"Viewed through the eyes of an objectively reasonable reader, the tweet here reflects Mr. Trump's opinion about the implications of the allegedly similar appearances of Ms. Clifford's ex-husband and the man in the sketch," the three-judge panel ruled Friday.
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"Mr. Trump's reference to a 'sketch years later of a nonexistent man' signals that the allegedly defamatory conclusion that followed -- that Ms. Clifford was pulling a 'con job' and 'playing the Fake News Media for Fools' - plainly concerns the similarities between the sketch and the photograph of Ms. Clifford's ex-husband. Because the tweet juxtaposing the two images was displayed immediately below Mr. Trump's tweet, the reader was provided with the information underlying the allegedly defamatory statement and was free to draw his or her own conclusions."
Trump has denied Clifford's allegations about their relationship though Trump's personal lawyer at the time, Michael Cohen, arranged to pay $130,000 to Daniels on Trump's behalf as part of a hush arrangement a month ahead of the 2016 presidential election.


upi--2020-08-01--Red onions from California linked to nearly 400 salmonella cases

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- The Food and Drug Administration has blamed red onions from a company in California on an outbreak of salmonella that has sickened nearly 400 people .
The agency said Friday the infections in 31 states have been traced to Thompson International in Bakersfield , Calif. '' Although the investigation has determined that red onions are the likely source of this outbreak , Thomson International , Inc. has notified FDA that it will be recalling all varieties of onions that could have come in contact with potentially contaminated red onions , due to the risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The company recalled all red , white , yellow and sweet onions .
The FDA said that if consumers , retailers or restaurants are unable to tell if their onions are from Thompson International , they should throw the produce out .
The Public Health Agency of Canada is also investigating a salmonella outbreak that has a similar genetic fingerprint to the one in the United States .
The agency said it determined the outbreak is linked to red onions from the United States .
Of the 396 reported illnesses , 59 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no deaths linked to the outbreak .
California had the most cases at 49 , followed by Montana at 33 and Michigan at 23 .

Aug. 1 (UPI) -- The Food and Drug Administration has blamed red onions from a company in California on an outbreak of salmonella that has sickened nearly 400 people.
The agency said Friday the infections in 31 states have been traced to Thompson International in Bakersfield, Calif.
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"Although the investigation has determined that red onions are the likely source of this outbreak, Thomson International, Inc. has notified FDA that it will be recalling all varieties of onions that could have come in contact with potentially contaminated red onions, due to the risk of cross-contamination," the FDA said.
The company recalled all red, white, yellow and sweet onions.
The FDA said that if consumers, retailers or restaurants are unable to tell if their onions are from Thompson International, they should throw the produce out.
The Public Health Agency of Canada is also investigating a salmonella outbreak that has a similar genetic fingerprint to the one in the United States. The agency said it determined the outbreak is linked to red onions from the United States.
Of the 396 reported illnesses, 59 people were hospitalized. There have been no deaths linked to the outbreak. California had the most cases at 49, followed by Montana at 33 and Michigan at 23.


upi--2020-08-01--Trump threatens to ban TikTok from operating in U.S.

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump has threatened to ban TikTok from operating in the United States amid tensions with the Chinese government .
`` As far as TikTok is concerned , we 're banning them from the United States , '' Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One late Friday .
Trump said he could ban the video-sharing social networking app , owned by the Chinese firm ByteDance , from operating in the United States through an executive order as early as Saturday .
Vanessa Pappas , U.S. general manager of TikTok , in a video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who use the app daily , and said `` we 're not planning on going anywhere . ''
The Trump administration used an executive order last year to force Chinese owners of the LGBTQ dating app Grindr to give up control of the company .
U.S. security officials have raised concerns that the app could be used to collect personal data on U.S. citizens , though TikTok has denied that it shares any data with the Chinese government .
Ahead of a big tech antitrust hearing earlier this week , TikTok CEO Kevin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fair competition makes us all better , '' and that TikTok is `` not the enemy . ''
`` We have received even more scrutiny due to the company 's Chinese origins , '' he also wrote in the letter .
`` With our success comes responsibility and accountability , '' he continued .
`` We are responsible and committed members of the American community that follows U.S .
laws . ''

President Donald Trump told reporters late Friday about his plans to sign an executive order banning TikTok as early as Saturday. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump has threatened to ban TikTok from operating in the United States amid tensions with the Chinese government. "As far as TikTok is concerned, we're banning them from the United States," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One late Friday. Advertisement
Trump said he could ban the video-sharing social networking app, owned by the Chinese firm ByteDance, from operating in the United States through an executive order as early as Saturday.
Vanessa Pappas, U.S. general manager of TikTok, in a video message Saturday thanked the millions of people who use the app daily, and said "we're not planning on going anywhere."
The Trump administration used an executive order last year to force Chinese owners of the LGBTQ dating app Grindr to give up control of the company.
U.S. security officials have raised concerns that the app could be used to collect personal data on U.S. citizens, though TikTok has denied that it shares any data with the Chinese government.
Ahead of a big tech antitrust hearing earlier this week, TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer published a letter saying that "fair competition makes us all better," and that TikTok is "not the enemy."
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"We have received even more scrutiny due to the company's Chinese origins," he also wrote in the letter.
"With our success comes responsibility and accountability," he continued. "We are responsible and committed members of the American community that follows U.S. laws."


upi--2020-08-01--Plane loaded with cocaine crashes in Australia uncovering criminal syndicate

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- Australian police said Saturday they uncovered a Melbourne-based criminal syndicate after a plane loaded with more than 1,000 pounds of cocaine crashed in Papua New Guinea .
The plane crashed Sunday shortly after taking off en route to Australia .
Police charged alleged members of a syndicate they said conspired to transport cocaine between the two countries .
`` Greed played a significant part in the syndicate 's activities , '' the Australian Federal Police said in a statement , adding that it `` can not rule out that the weight of the cocaine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to takeoff . ''
The plane was found empty Monday near Papa Lea Lea , about 19 miles northwest of Papua New Guinea 's capital Port Moresby , with its pilot missing .
On Tuesday , the pilot presented himself to the Australia Consulate in Papua New Guinea and he was arrested and charged , the AFP statement said .
With the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary conducting ongoing investigation throughout the week , by late Friday , the national police force found 28 bags containing more than 1,000 pounds of cocaine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Australian Federal Police said in the statement .
The AFP , working with Queensland and Victoria Police , Australian Border Force , Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission , and the national police force , has charged five men linked to the incident , who could all face life imprisonment , according to the statement .
Police said the five men were arrested in Queensland and Victoria on Sunday , on allegations that they intended to carry out the importation and collection of cocaine from Papua New Guinea estimated to be worth more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took nearly two years , according to AFP Deputy Commissioner for investigations Ian McCartney .
`` These arrests prove no matter how sophisticated or opportunistic organized crime 's attempts are , or the methods they use , law enforcement is keeping pace and causing maximum damage to these criminal ventures , '' McCartney said .

Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Australian police said Saturday they uncovered a Melbourne-based criminal syndicate after a plane loaded with more than 1,000 pounds of cocaine crashed in Papua New Guinea.
The plane crashed Sunday shortly after taking off en route to Australia. Police charged alleged members of a syndicate they said conspired to transport cocaine between the two countries.
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"Greed played a significant part in the syndicate's activities," the Australian Federal Police said in a statement, adding that it "cannot rule out that the weight of the cocaine had an impact on the plane's ability to takeoff."
The plane was found empty Monday near Papa Lea Lea, about 19 miles northwest of Papua New Guinea's capital Port Moresby, with its pilot missing. On Tuesday, the pilot presented himself to the Australia Consulate in Papua New Guinea and he was arrested and charged, the AFP statement said.
With the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary conducting ongoing investigation throughout the week, by late Friday, the national police force found 28 bags containing more than 1,000 pounds of cocaine alleged to be linked to the flight, Australian Federal Police said in the statement.
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The AFP, working with Queensland and Victoria Police, Australian Border Force, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, and the national police force, has charged five men linked to the incident, who could all face life imprisonment, according to the statement.
Police said the five men were arrested in Queensland and Victoria on Sunday, on allegations that they intended to carry out the importation and collection of cocaine from Papua New Guinea estimated to be worth more than $80 million.
The multi-agency investigation took nearly two years, according to AFP Deputy Commissioner for investigations Ian McCartney.
"These arrests prove no matter how sophisticated or opportunistic organized crime's attempts are, or the methods they use, law enforcement is keeping pace and causing maximum damage to these criminal ventures," McCartney said.


upi--2020-08-01--Lena Dunham recovering from COVID-19

Lena Dunham recovering from COVID-19

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- Former Girls writer and star Lena Dunham announced on Instagram that she is recovering after a bout of the coronavirus .
Dunham , 34 , wrote in the post Friday that she was diagnosed in mid-March and the symptoms lasted for three weeks , starting with a fever , fatigue and achy joints before her body `` revolted . ''
`` The nerves in my feet burned and muscles would n't seem to do their job .
My hands were numb .
I could n't tolerate loud noises .
I could n't sleep but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost my sense of taste and smell , '' she said .
`` A hacking cough , like a metronome keeping time .
Inability to breathe after simple tasks like getting a glass of water .
Random red rashes .
A pounding headache right between my eyes .
It felt like I was a complex machine that had been unplugged and then had my wires rerouted into the wrong inputs . ''
Dunham said she was moved to share her experience because she thought a lot of people were n't taking the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public and social distance .
Also among the celebrities who have battled and recovered from coronavirus in recent months are Bryan Cranston , Anna Camp , Idris Elba , Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson .
Playwright Terrence McNally , musicians Adam Schlesinger and John Prine , and Broadway actors Nick Cordero and Mark Blum have died of complications from the virus .

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Lena Dunham said she battled the coronavirus this spring. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Former Girls writer and star Lena Dunham announced on Instagram that she is recovering after a bout of the coronavirus. Dunham, 34, wrote in the post Friday that she was diagnosed in mid-March and the symptoms lasted for three weeks, starting with a fever, fatigue and achy joints before her body "revolted." Advertisement
"The nerves in my feet burned and muscles wouldn't seem to do their job. My hands were numb. I couldn't tolerate loud noises. I couldn't sleep but I couldn't wake up. I lost my sense of taste and smell," she said. "A hacking cough, like a metronome keeping time. Inability to breathe after simple tasks like getting a glass of water. Random red rashes. A pounding headache right between my eyes. It felt like I was a complex machine that had been unplugged and then had my wires rerouted into the wrong inputs."
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Dunham said she was moved to share her experience because she thought a lot of people weren't taking the virus seriously -- neglecting to wear masks in public and social distance.
Also among the celebrities who have battled and recovered from coronavirus in recent months are Bryan Cranston, Anna Camp, Idris Elba, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson.
Playwright Terrence McNally, musicians Adam Schlesinger and John Prine, and Broadway actors Nick Cordero and Mark Blum have died of complications from the virus.


upi--2020-08-01--James Murdoch resigns from News Corp

James Murdoch resigns from News Corp

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- James Murdoch has resigned from the board of News Corp , the global media company his father founded .
A letter filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday disclosed his resignation .
`` I hereby tender my resignation as a member of the Board of Directors of News Corporation , '' effective Friday , Murdoch , 47 , wrote .
`` My resignation is due to disagreements over certain editorial content published by the company 's news outlets and certain other strategic decisions . ''
His father , Rupert Murdoch , 89 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six years ago when he elevated two of his sons , Lachlan Murdoch and James Murdoch , at News Corp and 21st Century Fox .
James Murdoch was appointed co-chief operating officer at 21st Century Fox in 2014 , sharing the duties with Chase Carey .
And his brother , Lachlan Murdoch , was named non-executive co-chairman of 21st Century Fox and News Corp. Rupert Murdoch stepped down as chairman and CEO of 21st Century Fox in 2015 and handed the reigns to his son , James Murdoch , who served as CEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In March 2019 , 21st Century Fox was sold to The Walt Disney Company , ending his tenure as CEO .
Ahead of the Republican National Convention in 2016 , James Murdoch , as CEO of 21st Century Fox , gave Roger Ailes , who helped President Donald Trump prepare for the presidential debates , two choices , resign or be fired because of a sexual harassment lawsuit , and ultimately decided to remove him .
More recently , James Murdoch has publicly stood out against the president , with one of News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which leans right , according to All Sides Media Bias Ratings .
James Murdoch and his wife jointly contributed more than $ 1 million to a fundraising committee to support Trump 's presumed opponent in the 2020 presidential election , former Vice President Joe Biden .
Earlier this year Murdoch also criticized the family 's media companies for their climate change coverage amid wildfires raging in Australia .

James Murdoch resigned Friday from his role in his family's media empire. File Photo by NRKbeta/ Wikimedia Commons
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- James Murdoch has resigned from the board of News Corp, the global media company his father founded. A letter filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday disclosed his resignation. Advertisement
"I hereby tender my resignation as a member of the Board of Directors of News Corporation," effective Friday, Murdoch, 47, wrote. "My resignation is due to disagreements over certain editorial content published by the company's news outlets and certain other strategic decisions."
His father, Rupert Murdoch, 89, put in place possible succession plans six years ago when he elevated two of his sons, Lachlan Murdoch and James Murdoch, at News Corp and 21st Century Fox. James Murdoch was appointed co-chief operating officer at 21st Century Fox in 2014, sharing the duties with Chase Carey. And his brother, Lachlan Murdoch, was named non-executive co-chairman of 21st Century Fox and News Corp.
Rupert Murdoch stepped down as chairman and CEO of 21st Century Fox in 2015 and handed the reigns to his son, James Murdoch, who served as CEO of 21st Century Fox until 2019. In March 2019, 21st Century Fox was sold to The Walt Disney Company, ending his tenure as CEO.
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Ahead of the Republican National Convention in 2016, James Murdoch, as CEO of 21st Century Fox, gave Roger Ailes, who helped President Donald Trump prepare for the presidential debates, two choices, resign or be fired because of a sexual harassment lawsuit, and ultimately decided to remove him.
More recently, James Murdoch has publicly stood out against the president, with one of News Corps' main assets being Fox News, which leans right, according to All Sides Media Bias Ratings.
James Murdoch and his wife jointly contributed more than $1 million to a fundraising committee to support Trump's presumed opponent in the 2020 presidential election, former Vice President Joe Biden.
Earlier this year Murdoch also criticized the family's media companies for their climate change coverage amid wildfires raging in Australia.


upi--2020-08-01--Regis Philbin buried in Indiana after Notre Dame funeral

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- Television legend Regis Philbin has been buried in Indiana after a funeral at his @ @ @ @ @ University .
He died on July 24 at age 88 .
`` Regis was laid @ @ @ @ @ Notre Dame , following a private ceremony on Wednesday .
Again , our family would @ @ @ @ @ the incredible love and support you 've given us and for the hilarious tributes and @ @ @ @ @ , '' the Philbin family said in a statement to People.com on Friday .
Mourners @ @ @ @ @ encouraged to make donations to the Food Bank NYC or to the Center for the @ @ @ @ @ Ind .
Philbin was a native New Yorker who graduated from Notre Dame in 1953 @ @ @ @ @ wanted to bring Regis back to the place he loved so much for a private @ @ @ @ @ Notre Dame representative Dennis Brown said in an email to the New York Daily News @

Talk show host Regis Philbin was buried in Indiana this week. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Television legend Regis Philbin has been buried in Indiana after a funeral at his former college, Notre Dame University. He died on July 24 at age 88. Advertisement
"Regis was laid to rest at his beloved Notre Dame, following a private ceremony on Wednesday. Again, our family would like to thank everyone for the incredible love and support you've given us and for the hilarious tributes and touching memories you've shared," the Philbin family said in a statement to People.com on Friday.
Mourners wishing to honor Philbin were encouraged to make donations to the Food Bank NYC or to the Center for the Homeless in South Bend, Ind.
Philbin was a native New Yorker who graduated from Notre Dame in 1953.
"The Philbin family wanted to bring Regis back to the place he loved so much for a private funeral and burial," Notre Dame representative Dennis Brown said in an email to the New York Daily News.
Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-08-01--CBS plans star-studded tribute to Rep. John Lewis

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- Oprah Winfrey , Tyler Perry , Gayle King and Brad Pitt are set to @ @ @ @ @ Lewis : Celebrating a Hero on Tuesday .
The 1-hour-program will feature archival footage , @ @ @ @ @ Yolanda Adams , Jon Batiste , Common , Jennifer Hudson , John Legend , Trevor @ @ @ @ @ Wynonna .
`` John Lewis was an extraordinary man , '' Winfrey said in a @ @ @ @ @ man of great vision who lived a life with the purpose of making sure America @ @ @ @ @ '' The civil rights icon and congressman died July 17 after a battle with pancreatic @ @ @ @ @ .
`` This is a celebration of the 'boy from Troy , ' '' Perry @ @ @ @ @ of the civil rights movement , who would live to see his contributions for equality @ @ @ @ @ in of the first Black United States president . ''

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"John Lewis: Celebrating a Hero" is to air on CBS on Tuesday. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Gayle King and Brad Pitt are set to host the CBS special John Lewis: Celebrating a Hero on Tuesday. The 1-hour-program will feature archival footage, new interviews and performances by Yolanda Adams, Jon Batiste, Common, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Trevor Noah, Billy Porter and Wynonna. Advertisement
"John Lewis was an extraordinary man," Winfrey said in a news release. "A man of great vision who lived a life with the purpose of making sure America lived out its ideals."
The civil rights icon and congressman died July 17 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 80.
"This is a celebration of the 'boy from Troy,'" Perry said. "A forefather of the civil rights movement, who would live to see his contributions for equality result in witnessing the swearing in of the first Black United States president."


upi--2020-08-01--Mid-air plane collision kills 7, including Alaska state rep.

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- A mid-air collision between two small planes on Alaska 's Kenai Peninsula left seven people dead , including a state congressman , local officials said .
The crash happened around 8:30 a.m. Friday in Soldotna , with debris temporarily closing Sterling Highway .
The majority of the planes ' wreckage was about 200 yards from the roadway , the Alaska Department of Public Safety said .
Alaska state Rep. Gary Knopp , 67 , was the pilot and sole occupant of one of the planes .
The other aircraft had six people -- pilot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; guide David Rogers , 40 , of Kansas ; and Caleb Hulsey , 26 , Heather Husley , 25 , Mackay Hulsey , 24 , and Kirstin Wright , 23 , all of South Carolina .
One passenger initially survived the crash but later succumbed to their injuries .
All seven died .
`` This is an unfathomable tragedy for multiple families today , '' said DPS Commissioner Amanda Price .
`` The DPS sends a heartfelt condolence to all who lost a loved one in this mid-air collision .
`` Troopers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the scene and have reached out to next of kin to notify them of this heartbreaking incident . ''
Alaska Gov .
Mike Dunleavy ordered the U.S. and state flags to be flown at half staff for three days in honor of Knopp , who served on the state Legislature since 2016 .
`` The First Lady and I wish to express our heartfelt condolences to Representative Knopp 's family as they mourn his untimely passing .
Throughout his 42 years on the Kenai Peninsula , Gary became well known as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & a dedicated public servant , '' he tweeted .
`` His presence will no doubt be missed by those he faithfully served . ''
DPS said the National Transportation Safety Board was investigating the crash .

Aug. 1 (UPI) -- A mid-air collision between two small planes on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula left seven people dead, including a state congressman, local officials said.
The crash happened around 8:30 a.m. Friday in Soldotna, with debris temporarily closing Sterling Highway. The majority of the planes' wreckage was about 200 yards from the roadway, the Alaska Department of Public Safety said.
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Alaska state Rep. Gary Knopp, 67, was the pilot and sole occupant of one of the planes. The other aircraft had six people -- pilot Gregory Bell, 57, of Soldotna; guide David Rogers, 40, of Kansas; and Caleb Hulsey, 26, Heather Husley, 25, Mackay Hulsey, 24, and Kirstin Wright, 23, all of South Carolina.
One passenger initially survived the crash but later succumbed to their injuries. All seven died.
"This is an unfathomable tragedy for multiple families today," said DPS Commissioner Amanda Price. "The DPS sends a heartfelt condolence to all who lost a loved one in this mid-air collision.
"Troopers and partner agencies have worked together diligently at the scene and have reached out to next of kin to notify them of this heartbreaking incident."
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Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered the U.S. and state flags to be flown at half staff for three days in honor of Knopp, who served on the state Legislature since 2016.
"The First Lady and I wish to express our heartfelt condolences to Representative Knopp's family as they mourn his untimely passing. Throughout his 42 years on the Kenai Peninsula, Gary became well known as an avid outdoorsman, a skilled pilot, & a dedicated public servant," he tweeted.
"His presence will no doubt be missed by those he faithfully served."
DPS said the National Transportation Safety Board was investigating the crash.


upi--2020-08-02--Heavy rains lash S. Korea, leaving 5 dead, 8 missing

Aug. 2 ( UPI ) -- SEOUL , South Korea -- Heavy rains triggered a string of mudslides and flooding in central South Korea on Sunday , leaving at least five people dead and eight others missing , and forcing the suspension of train services and road closures .
A landslide engulfed a chicken farm in the Gyeonggi Province city of Anseong , about 43 south of Seoul , around 7:10 a.m. and killed a 58-year-old man .
Rescue workers found his body buried in the mud at 9:18 a.m. after two hours of searching .
In Chungju , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firefighter went missing after being swept away in strong currents .
The 29-year-old , identified by his surname Song , was standing next to a stream to check swollen waters when the ground suddenly collapsed and caused him to fall into the stream around 7:30 a.m. A search operation is under way , officials said .
Also in Chungju , a 56-year-old woman was killed after a landslide enveloped a cowshed and sparked a gas explosion around 10:30 a.m. A separate landslide in Chungju left another 76-year-old woman dead around 8 a.m. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , found dead near a fishing spot in Eumseong , North Chungcheong , at around 11 a.m .
He reportedly drowned in a flooded stream , according to officials .
A 62-year-old resident of Eumseong was also swept away in torrents and went missing at 8:30 a.m .
In Jecheon , North Chungcheong Province , a 42-year-old camper was found buried in mudslides early Sunday morning .
The camper was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead .
In nearby Danyang , three people -- a woman , her daughter and son-in-law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ torrents .
Officials said the couple were trying to save their mother being swept away by a flash flood while working in a farming field .
Two more people were reported missing in North Chungcheong after a landslide hit fishing grounds in Chungju and rapid torrents capsized a canoe in a flooded stream in the nearby county of Goesan , according to officials .
Torrential rain of up to 60 millimeters per hour soaked northern parts of North Chungcheong Province overnight , including Chungju , and adjacent areas that include Cheongju , Jecheon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 80 houses in Chungju were flooded , forcing some 120 residents to evacuate early Sunday morning .
Train services on three train lines running in the central and eastern parts of the country -- the Chungbuk , Taebaek and Jungang lines -- were disrupted due to mudslides and flooding .
The Chungbuk Line runs from the central city of Sejong to Jecheon , the Taebak Line from Jecheon to the Gangwon Province city of Taebaek and the Jungang Line from Seoul to the southeastern city of Gyeongju .
Mudslides also caused a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close .
The national railway operator , the Korea Railroad Corp. advised travelers in the affected regions to opt for other means of transportation as it may take considerable time to fix the train services .
Evacuation alerts were also issued for nearly 5,000 residents of the county of Eumseong , North Chungcheong , due to flooding risks involving a reservoir and streams there .
Some 200 residents of a village in Yeoju , Gyeonggi Province , evacuated their houses submerged in the rain .
The country 's capital area , including cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported flooded houses and cases of property damage after heavy rains of around 70 mm per hour hit the areas .
In Seoul , Jamsu Bridge , linking the capital 's southern and northern parts over the Han River , was closed to pedestrians , as heavy rains pushed up the river 's water level to over 5.5 meters .
Vehicle traffic on the bridge will be blocked if the water level rises further , officials said .
The weather agency retained its heavy rain warnings for many parts of North Chungcheong , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as other central regions .
As of Sunday afternoon , the entire Seoul and Gyeonggi Province , as well as some parts of Gangwon Province , were also placed under heavy rain alerts , which are issued when precipitation of 90 mm or more is forecast for the duration of three hours .
According to the agency , the central regions may continue to receive heavy rains throughout the day till Tuesday as the country comes under the influence of Typhoon Hagupit .
With heavy downpours expected to continue , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alert for disasters caused by rain , as of 3 p.m .
The government also instructed officials of relevant agencies to mobilize all possible resources to ensure the safety of citizens and advised people to stay clear of danger-prone areas , including low-lying regions .
From Sunday night till Monday night , the regions may experience downpours of up to 50 mm to 80 mm per hour as Typhoon Hagupit places the country 's central regions under the influence of massive amounts of water vapor .
North Chungcheong Province , in particular , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more rain in total between Sunday afternoon and Monday , a regional branch of the weather agency noted .
In some parts of the province 's northern regions , precipitation could go up to a combined 300 mm during the period , the agency said , urging extra caution .

A road was collapsed from heavy rain, in Chungju, South Korea, on Sunday. Photo by Yonhap News Agency/EPA-EFE
Aug. 2 (UPI) -- SEOUL, South Korea -- Heavy rains triggered a string of mudslides and flooding in central South Korea on Sunday, leaving at least five people dead and eight others missing, and forcing the suspension of train services and road closures. A landslide engulfed a chicken farm in the Gyeonggi Province city of Anseong, about 43 south of Seoul, around 7:10 a.m. and killed a 58-year-old man. Rescue workers found his body buried in the mud at 9:18 a.m. after two hours of searching. Advertisement
In Chungju, some 65 km southeast of Seoul, a firefighter went missing after being swept away in strong currents. The 29-year-old, identified by his surname Song, was standing next to a stream to check swollen waters when the ground suddenly collapsed and caused him to fall into the stream around 7:30 a.m.
A search operation is under way, officials said.
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Also in Chungju, a 56-year-old woman was killed after a landslide enveloped a cowshed and sparked a gas explosion around 10:30 a.m.
A separate landslide in Chungju left another 76-year-old woman dead around 8 a.m., with one more man, aged 59, found dead near a fishing spot in Eumseong, North Chungcheong, at around 11 a.m. He reportedly drowned in a flooded stream, according to officials.
A 62-year-old resident of Eumseong was also swept away in torrents and went missing at 8:30 a.m.
In Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, a 42-year-old camper was found buried in mudslides early Sunday morning. The camper was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead.
In nearby Danyang, three people -- a woman, her daughter and son-in-law -- went missing after being engulfed by torrents. Officials said the couple were trying to save their mother being swept away by a flash flood while working in a farming field.
Two more people were reported missing in North Chungcheong after a landslide hit fishing grounds in Chungju and rapid torrents capsized a canoe in a flooded stream in the nearby county of Goesan, according to officials.
Torrential rain of up to 60 millimeters per hour soaked northern parts of North Chungcheong Province overnight, including Chungju, and adjacent areas that include Cheongju, Jecheon and the county of Danyang.
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More than 80 houses in Chungju were flooded, forcing some 120 residents to evacuate early Sunday morning.
Train services on three train lines running in the central and eastern parts of the country -- the Chungbuk, Taebaek and Jungang lines -- were disrupted due to mudslides and flooding.
The Chungbuk Line runs from the central city of Sejong to Jecheon, the Taebak Line from Jecheon to the Gangwon Province city of Taebaek and the Jungang Line from Seoul to the southeastern city of Gyeongju.
Mudslides also caused a number of roads in the regions to close.
The national railway operator, the Korea Railroad Corp. advised travelers in the affected regions to opt for other means of transportation as it may take considerable time to fix the train services.
Evacuation alerts were also issued for nearly 5,000 residents of the county of Eumseong, North Chungcheong, due to flooding risks involving a reservoir and streams there.
Some 200 residents of a village in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, evacuated their houses submerged in the rain.
The country's capital area, including cities in Gyeonggi Province encircling Seoul, also reported flooded houses and cases of property damage after heavy rains of around 70 mm per hour hit the areas.
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In Seoul, Jamsu Bridge, linking the capital's southern and northern parts over the Han River, was closed to pedestrians, as heavy rains pushed up the river's water level to over 5.5 meters.
Vehicle traffic on the bridge will be blocked if the water level rises further, officials said.
The weather agency retained its heavy rain warnings for many parts of North Chungcheong, including Cheongju, Chungju and Jecheon, as well as other central regions.
As of Sunday afternoon, the entire Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, as well as some parts of Gangwon Province, were also placed under heavy rain alerts, which are issued when precipitation of 90 mm or more is forecast for the duration of three hours.
According to the agency, the central regions may continue to receive heavy rains throughout the day till Tuesday as the country comes under the influence of Typhoon Hagupit.
With heavy downpours expected to continue, the government put the country on the highest alert for disasters caused by rain, as of 3 p.m.
The government also instructed officials of relevant agencies to mobilize all possible resources to ensure the safety of citizens and advised people to stay clear of danger-prone areas, including low-lying regions.
From Sunday night till Monday night, the regions may experience downpours of up to 50 mm to 80 mm per hour as Typhoon Hagupit places the country's central regions under the influence of massive amounts of water vapor.
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North Chungcheong Province, in particular, may receive as much as 200 mm more rain in total between Sunday afternoon and Monday, a regional branch of the weather agency noted. In some parts of the province's northern regions, precipitation could go up to a combined 300 mm during the period, the agency said, urging extra caution.


upi--2020-08-02--Famous birthdays for Aug. 2: Kevin Smith, Mary-Louise Parker

Aug. 2 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Leo .
-- French @ @ @ @ @ designer of the Statue of Liberty , in 1834

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Kevin Smith attends the premiere of "Avengers: Endgame" at the Los Angeles Convention Center on April 22, 2019. The filmmaker turns 50 on August 2. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 2 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Leo. They include: Advertisement
-- French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, designer of the Statue of Liberty, in 1834
-- Actor Myrna Loy in 1905
-- Former Israeli President Shimon Peres in 1923
-- Author James Baldwin in 1924
-- Pianist/journalist Philippa Schuyler in 1931
-- Actor Peter O'Toole in 1932
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Filmmaker Wes Craven in 1939
-- Author Isabel Allende in 1942 (age 78)
-- Actor Victoria Jackson in 1959 (age 61)
-- Actor Mary-Louise Parker in 1964 (age 56)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Writer/director/actor Kevin Smith in 1970 (age 50)
-- Actor Sam Worthington in 1976 (age 44)
-- Actor Edward Furlong in 1977 (age 43)
-- Singer Charli XCX in 1992 (age 28)
-- Olympic gold swimmer Simone Manuel in 1996 (age 24)
File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI