upi--2020-08-14--President Donald Trump's brother, Robert Trump, 'very ill' in New York City hospital

Aug. 14 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump is expected to visit his ill younger brother in the hospital when he travels to New York City on Friday , the White House said .
White House spokeswoman Sarah Matthews told USA Today that the president 's sibling , Robert Trump , had been admitted .
`` I have a wonderful brother .
We have a great relationship for a long time , from day one , '' the president told reporters at a news briefing Friday afternoon .
`` He 's in the hospital right now .
`` Hopefully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he 's having a hard time . ''
ABC News , citing unnamed sources , reported that Robert Trump is `` very ill , '' but neither the network nor the president specified his condition or diagnosis .
The White House added the president 's trip to New York City as an update to his Friday schedule .
He 'll also deliver remarks to the City of New York Police Department Development Association at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the president would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's illness .
She described the two men as having `` a very good relationship . ''
ABC News ' report said Robert Trump , who 's two years younger than the president , also was hospitalized in the intensive care unit at Mount Sinai hospital for a week in June .
Earlier this year , he filed a lawsuit on behalf of his family to block the release of a tell-all book by his niece , Mary Trump .

President Donald Trump is seen during a press briefing on Friday at the White House in Washington, D.C. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 14 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump is expected to visit his ill younger brother in the hospital when he travels to New York City on Friday, the White House said. White House spokeswoman Sarah Matthews told USA Today that the president's sibling, Robert Trump, had been admitted. Advertisement
"I have a wonderful brother. We have a great relationship for a long time, from day one," the president told reporters at a news briefing Friday afternoon. "He's in the hospital right now.
"Hopefully he'll be alright, but ... he's having a hard time."
ABC News, citing unnamed sources, reported that Robert Trump is "very ill," but neither the network nor the president specified his condition or diagnosis.
The White House added the president's trip to New York City as an update to his Friday schedule. He'll also deliver remarks to the City of New York Police Department Development Association at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the president would later provide more information about his brother's illness. She described the two men as having "a very good relationship."
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ABC News' report said Robert Trump, who's two years younger than the president, also was hospitalized in the intensive care unit at Mount Sinai hospital for a week in June. Earlier this year, he filed a lawsuit on behalf of his family to block the release of a tell-all book by his niece, Mary Trump.


upi--2020-08-14--Study: Netting, drug distribution initiative reduced malaria cases by 85%

Aug. 14 ( UPI ) -- A program designed to increase access to treatment and infection-prevention tools has reduced malaria cases in southern Mozambique by 85 % , but has not eliminated the disease , according to an analysis published Friday by PLOS Medicine .
The Magude Program , a five-year initiative that provided people in the region with mosquito netting , antimalarial drugs and education on ways to prevent the mosquito-borne infection , prevented an estimated 40,000 cases of the disease , the researchers said .
As a result of the program , the percentage of the population infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 from 9.1 % three years earlier , they said .
`` This is an extremely valuable project for advancing the fight against malaria , '' Ariadna Bardolet , director of the international cooperation program at `` la Caixa '' Foundation , one of the sponsors for the initiative , said in a statement .
Mozambique has among the highest per capita rates of malaria globally , according to the World Health Organization , which aims to eradicate the disease by 2050 .
An estimated 230 million people worldwide are infected with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 400,000 die from the disease , the WHO estimates .
Working with the Barcelona Institute for Global Health and the Manhica Health Research Center , the Mozambican Alliance Towards Elimination of Malaria developed the Magude Project with financial support from `` la Caixa '' and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation .
The program targeted Magude , a rural region in southern Mozambique with 48,448 people living in 10,695 households , the researchers said .
In the first phase of the program , the initiative established protocols for the detection and treatment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ antimalarial drugs to the entire population over two consecutive years , they said .
Initiative workers also distributed insecticide-treated bed-nets and conducted annual insecticide spraying in all households in the region .
`` These findings unequivocally show that we can increase the number of lives saved by optimally applying the tools we have today , while we develop new ones to address the gap between low and zero transmission , '' Philip Welkhoff , Malaria Program Director at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation , said in a statement .
`` We can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eradication . ''

| License Photo Gloria Tutsawambe, a resident of Sabie, a town north of Maputo, Mozambique, nurses her four-year-old son who is infected with malaria in March 2000. Photo by Renga Subbiah/UPI
Aug. 14 (UPI) -- A program designed to increase access to treatment and infection-prevention tools has reduced malaria cases in southern Mozambique by 85%, but has not eliminated the disease, according to an analysis published Friday by PLOS Medicine. The Magude Program, a five-year initiative that provided people in the region with mosquito netting, antimalarial drugs and education on ways to prevent the mosquito-borne infection, prevented an estimated 40,000 cases of the disease, the researchers said. Advertisement
As a result of the program, the percentage of the population infected with malaria dropped to 1.4% in 2018 from 9.1% three years earlier, they said.
"This is an extremely valuable project for advancing the fight against malaria," Ariadna Bardolet, director of the international cooperation program at "la Caixa" Foundation, one of the sponsors for the initiative, said in a statement.
Mozambique has among the highest per capita rates of malaria globally, according to the World Health Organization, which aims to eradicate the disease by 2050.
An estimated 230 million people worldwide are infected with the virus each year, and more than 400,000 die from the disease, the WHO estimates.
Working with the Barcelona Institute for Global Health and the Manhica Health Research Center, the Mozambican Alliance Towards Elimination of Malaria developed the Magude Project with financial support from "la Caixa" and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
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The program targeted Magude, a rural region in southern Mozambique with 48,448 people living in 10,695 households, the researchers said.
In the first phase of the program, the initiative established protocols for the detection and treatment of malaria cases and administered two rounds of antimalarial drugs to the entire population over two consecutive years, they said.
Initiative workers also distributed insecticide-treated bed-nets and conducted annual insecticide spraying in all households in the region.
"These findings unequivocally show that we can increase the number of lives saved by optimally applying the tools we have today, while we develop new ones to address the gap between low and zero transmission," Philip Welkhoff, Malaria Program Director at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said in a statement.
"We can turn the corner and ultimately achieve malaria eradication."


upi--2020-08-15--USPS halts removal of collection boxes until after Election Day

Aug. 15 ( UPI ) -- A U.S .
Postal Service spokesman said the agency will stop taking down mail collection boxes until after Election Day .
Rod Spurgeon told NBC News and CNN of the policy change after the USPS faced criticism for removing the boxes .
Some Democrats , including former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Ron Wyden , D-Ore. , accused the agency of operating under the Trump administration to suppress mail-in voting .
`` We are not going to be removing any boxes , '' Spurgeon said late Friday .
`` After the election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at operations and see what we need and do n't need . ''
The USPS began the collection box removal process earlier in the week , targeting boxes in Indiana , Montana , New York and Oregon .
USPS spokesman Ernie Swanson said the boxes were removed because of declining mail volume .
`` Ever since the pandemic came along , people are mailing less for some reason , '' he said .
Critics , though , said fewer collection boxes mean fewer locations for people to drop off their mail-in ballots for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is n't *trying* to sabotage our elections .
He 's doing it right under our noses .
This is voter suppression and Senate Republicans are letting him get away with it , '' Wyden tweeted Friday .
The USPS warned 46 states and Washington , D.C. , that some mail-in ballots might not be counted in time for the election .
The agency told the states their time frames and deadlines for mail-in voting would be `` incongruous '' with delivery standards , meaning some ballots might not arrive in time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has said he opposed funding the financially struggling postal service because it would benefit those who seek to promote mail-in voting in November .
He and first lady Melania Trump just requested main-in ballots from the Palm Beach County , Fla. , supervisor of elections ' office , the Palm Beach Post reported Friday .
The president and his wife have declared Florida to be their home state .
Democrats , in particular , have called for mail-in voting as a way to protect voters from the spread of COVID-19 on Election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting , saying it 's too vulnerable to fraud .
`` They want $ 25 billion for the post office .
Now , they need that money in order to have the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots , '' Trump said Thursday .
`` Now , if we do n't make a deal , that means they do n't get the money .
That means they ca n't have universal mail-in voting , '' he added .
`` They just ca n't have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sort of a crazy thing . ''
He backtracked on his comments later Thursday , saying he would sign a stimulus package that includes $ 25 billion for the agency , but only if Democrats give Republicans what they want in the relief legislation .
`` Sure , if they gave us what we want .
And it 's not what I want , it 's what the American people want , '' Trump said during a Friday news conference .
The financially struggling USPS has been undergoing an organizational overhaul , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country , some of which would normally be used to sort mail-in ballots , Vice reported .
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said the USPS still has `` ample capacity '' to handle the expected surge of mail-in ballots .
`` The Postal Service routinely moves equipment around its network as necessary to match changing mail and package volumes , '' USPS spokesman David Partenheimer told Vice .
`` Package volume is up , but mail volume continues to decline .
Adapting our processing infrastructure to the current volumes will ensure more efficient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our customers . ''
DeJoy , a Trump donor who was tapped to run the USPS three months ago , also has curtailed overtime at the agency , leading to delays in deliveries .

A man walks by a set of USPS collection boxes March 20 in New York City. The USPS said it will re-evaluate the removal of some mail collection boxes after Election Day. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- A U.S. Postal Service spokesman said the agency will stop taking down mail collection boxes until after Election Day. Rod Spurgeon told NBC News and CNN of the policy change after the USPS faced criticism for removing the boxes. Some Democrats, including former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., accused the agency of operating under the Trump administration to suppress mail-in voting. Advertisement
"We are not going to be removing any boxes," Spurgeon said late Friday. "After the election, we're going to take a look at operations and see what we need and don't need."
The USPS began the collection box removal process earlier in the week, targeting boxes in Indiana, Montana, New York and Oregon.
USPS Portland Seattle region spokesman Ernie Swanson told Willamette Week the boxes were removed because of declining mail volume.
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"Ever since the pandemic came along, people are mailing less for some reason," he said.
Critics, though, said fewer collection boxes mean fewer locations for people to drop off their mail-in ballots for the Nov. 3 election.
"Donald Trump isn't *trying* to sabotage our elections. He's doing it right under our noses. This is voter suppression and Senate Republicans are letting him get away with it," Wyden tweeted Friday.
The USPS warned 46 states and Washington, D.C., that some mail-in ballots might not be counted in time for the election. The agency told the states their time frames and deadlines for mail-in voting would be "incongruous" with delivery standards, meaning some ballots might not arrive in time to be counted.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has said he opposed funding the financially struggling postal service because it would benefit those who seek to promote mail-in voting in November.
He and first lady Melania Trump just requested main-in ballots from the Palm Beach County, Fla., supervisor of elections' office, the Palm Beach Post reported Friday. The president and his wife have declared Florida to be their home state.
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Democrats, in particular, have called for mail-in voting as a way to protect voters from the spread of COVID-19 on Election Day.
Trump has long opposed mail-in voting, saying it's too vulnerable to fraud.
"They want $25 billion for the post office. Now, they need that money in order to have the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots," Trump said Thursday.
"Now, if we don't make a deal, that means they don't get the money. That means they can't have universal mail-in voting," he added. "They just can't have it. So, you know, sort of a crazy thing."
He backtracked on his comments later Thursday, saying he would sign a stimulus package that includes $25 billion for the agency, but only if Democrats give Republicans what they want in the relief legislation.
"Sure, if they gave us what we want. And it's not what I want, it's what the American people want," Trump said during a Friday news conference.
The financially struggling USPS has been undergoing an organizational overhaul, including removing mail sorting machines from facilities across the country, some of which would normally be used to sort mail-in ballots, Vice reported.
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Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said the USPS still has "ample capacity" to handle the expected surge of mail-in ballots.
"The Postal Service routinely moves equipment around its network as necessary to match changing mail and package volumes," USPS spokesman David Partenheimer told Vice.
"Package volume is up, but mail volume continues to decline. Adapting our processing infrastructure to the current volumes will ensure more efficient, cost-effective operations and better service for our customers."
DeJoy, a Trump donor who was tapped to run the USPS three months ago, also has curtailed overtime at the agency, leading to delays in deliveries.
On Saturday protesters gathered outside DeJoy's Washington, D.C. home, carrying signs reading "Don't mess with the USPS" and "Don't stamp out our democracy." It is not clear whether he was home at the time.


upi--2020-08-15--Taylor Swift's 'Folklore' tops the U.S. album chart again

Aug. 15 ( UPI ) -- Pop star Taylor Swift 's Folklore is the No .
1 album in the @ @ @ @ @ consecutive week .
Coming in at No .
2 on the Billboard 200 chart dated @ @ @ @ @ Shoot For the Stars Aim for the Moon , followed by Juice WRLD 's Legends @ @ @ @ @ 3 , the cast album of Broadway 's Hamilton at No .
4 and Lil @ @ @ @ @ No .
5 .
Rounding out the top tier are DaBaby 's Blame It On @ @ @ @ @ , Harry Styles ' Fine Line at No .
7 , Gunna 's Wunna at @ @ @ @ @ Malone 's Hollywood 's Bleeding at No .
9 and The Lion King : The @ @ @ @ @ 10 .

Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Pop star Taylor Swift's Folklore is the No. 1 album in the United States for a second consecutive week.
Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart dated Saturday is Pop Smoke's Shoot For the Stars Aim for the Moon, followed by Juice WRLD's Legends Never Die at No. 3, the cast album of Broadway's Hamilton at No. 4 and Lil Baby's My Turn at No. 5.


upi--2020-08-15--United Nations rejects U.S. proposal to extend Iran arms embargo

Aug. 15 ( UPI ) -- The United Nations Security Council has rejected the U.S. proposal to extend an arms embargo on Iran .
The Dominican Republic was the only country to support the proposal in the security council vote late Friday .
Russia and China voted against the U.S. resolution and the rest of the council members abstained .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticized member states for their lack of support .
`` The Security Council 's failure to act decisively in defense of international peace and security is inexcusable , '' Pompeo said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in June that the U.S. resolution to extend the arms embargo on Iran , which is due to expire in mid-October as part of the 2015 nuclear deal , had support from other nations .
Pompeo added that the Middle Eastern country could otherwise become a `` rogue weapons dealer . ''
The United States , France , Britain , China , Russia and Germany originally negotiated the nuclear deal , known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action , with Iran , in 2015 , under the Obama administration .
But President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four days before a deadline to re-certify the 2015 pact , calling it `` defective at its core . ''
The nuclear deal lifted economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for the country limiting its nuclear program , and withdrawing from the deal allowed the United States to reimpose those sanctions .
Since then , Iran has retaliated by restarting nuclear activities banned under the agreement .
China , Russia and other countries are believed to be eager to sell Iran weapons barred under the arms embargo , Pompeo said in April .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties to its agreement to `` snap back '' U.N. sanctions on Iran .
Following the defeat of the arms embargo resolution , U.S. officials have said they will argue that the United States is still technically a party to the agreement and entitled to snap back sanctions on Iran .
In June , the European Union 's top diplomat Josep Borrell said the United States claim to a role in the nuclear deal is no longer a valid negotiating chip because it left the deal .

Secretary of State Michael Pompeo criticized other member states of the U.N. Security Council after most voted Friday against a U.S. resolution to extend an arms embargo on Iran. File Photo by Greg Nash/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- The United Nations Security Council has rejected the U.S. proposal to extend an arms embargo on Iran. The Dominican Republic was the only country to support the proposal in the security council vote late Friday. Russia and China voted against the U.S. resolution and the rest of the council members abstained. Advertisement
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticized member states for their lack of support.
"The Security Council's failure to act decisively in defense of international peace and security is inexcusable," Pompeo said in a statement.
Pompeo told the U.N. Security Council in June that the U.S. resolution to extend the arms embargo on Iran, which is due to expire in mid-October as part of the 2015 nuclear deal, had support from other nations.
Pompeo added that the Middle Eastern country could otherwise become a "rogue weapons dealer."
The United States, France, Britain, China, Russia and Germany originally negotiated the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, with Iran, in 2015, under the Obama administration. But President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal four days before a deadline to re-certify the 2015 pact, calling it "defective at its core."
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The nuclear deal lifted economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for the country limiting its nuclear program, and withdrawing from the deal allowed the United States to reimpose those sanctions.
Since then, Iran has retaliated by restarting nuclear activities banned under the agreement.
China, Russia and other countries are believed to be eager to sell Iran weapons barred under the arms embargo, Pompeo said in April.
The JCPOA has a mechanism that allows parties to its agreement to "snap back" U.N. sanctions on Iran.
Following the defeat of the arms embargo resolution, U.S. officials have said they will argue that the United States is still technically a party to the agreement and entitled to snap back sanctions on Iran.
In June, the European Union's top diplomat Josep Borrell said the United States claim to a role in the nuclear deal is no longer a valid negotiating chip because it left the deal.


upi--2020-08-15--On This Day, Aug. 15: Woodstock opens at New York farm

Aug. 15 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1914 , a U.S. ship sailed from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean , officially opening the Panama Canal .
In 1935 , humorist Will Rogers and pilot Wiley Post were killed when their plane crashed in Alaska .
In 1947 , India gains independence from Britain after 200 years of rule .
The Indian Independence Bill also grants independence to Pakistan , though that country observes its freedom one day earlier .
In 1969 , the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival , often described as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yasgur 's farm near Bethel , N.Y. , drawing an estimated 400,000 people for three days of music .
In 1985 , South African President P.W .
Botha , rejecting Western pleas to abolish apartheid , declared , `` I am not prepared to lead white South Africans and other minority groups on a road to abdication and suicide . ''
In 1994 , the notorious international terrorist known as `` Carlos the Jackal '' was captured in Sudan .
The next day he was extradited to France , where he was convicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison .
In 2003 , Libya admitted responsibility for the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am airliner over Lockerbie , Scotland , that claimed 270 lives and agreed to pay reparations totaling $ 2.7 billion .
In 2004 , Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez survived a referendum to oust him .
In 2007 , an 8-magnitude earthquake struck 90 miles southeast of Lima , Peru , killing an estimated 500 people and injuring hundreds more .
In 2013 , Egyptian authorities said the death toll had surpassed 600 in violence that began with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mohamed Morsi .
In 2015 , the North Korean government moved to its own time zone -- back 30 minutes -- going back to what it once was before the Japanese took control of the country more than a century ago .
In 2018 , an explosion at a secondary education facility in Kabul , Afghanistan , left at least 48 people dead .

1/4
On August 15, 1969, Woodstock opened on Max Yasgur's farm near Bethel, N.Y., drawing an estimated 400,000 people for three days of music. File Photo by Mark Goff/Wikipedia
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1914, a U.S. ship sailed from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, officially opening the Panama Canal. Advertisement
In 1935, humorist Will Rogers and pilot Wiley Post were killed when their plane crashed in Alaska.
In 1947, India gains independence from Britain after 200 years of rule. The Indian Independence Bill also grants independence to Pakistan, though that country observes its freedom one day earlier.
In 1969, the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival, often described as a landmark counterculture event, opened on Max Yasgur's farm near Bethel, N.Y., drawing an estimated 400,000 people for three days of music.
In 1985, South African President P.W. Botha, rejecting Western pleas to abolish apartheid, declared, "I am not prepared to lead white South Africans and other minority groups on a road to abdication and suicide."
UPI File Photo
In 1994, the notorious international terrorist known as "Carlos the Jackal" was captured in Sudan. The next day he was extradited to France, where he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
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In 2003, Libya admitted responsibility for the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am airliner over Lockerbie, Scotland, that claimed 270 lives and agreed to pay reparations totaling $2.7 billion.
In 2004, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez survived a referendum to oust him.
File Photo by Monika Graff/UPI
In 2007, an 8-magnitude earthquake struck 90 miles southeast of Lima, Peru, killing an estimated 500 people and injuring hundreds more.
In 2013, Egyptian authorities said the death toll had surpassed 600 in violence that began with a crackdown on protesting supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi.
In 2015, the North Korean government moved to its own time zone -- back 30 minutes -- going back to what it once was before the Japanese took control of the country more than a century ago.
In 2018, an explosion at a secondary education facility in Kabul, Afghanistan, left at least 48 people dead.
File Photo by Hedayatullah Amid/EPA-EFE


upi--2020-08-15--'Beanbag' rounds shot at protesters caused severe injuries, ER doctors say

When police and National Guard troops mobilized during protests that broke out across the nation this spring following the death of George Floyd , they often resorted to the use of so-called `` beanbag '' rounds of ammunition when confronting crowds .
Beanbag rounds -- a small cloth bag filled with lead shot and fired from a standard shotgun -- are thought to be strong enough to cause pain but not serious harm .
However , a new study by emergency physicians in Austin , Texas , suggests otherwise .
They report a number cases of severe , maiming injuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and broken jaws -- all in young protesters hit by beanbag rounds .
Although they are `` purported to be 'less lethal ' munitions that should not cause penetrating injuries , '' beanbag rounds `` can cause serious harm and are not appropriate for use in crowd control , '' concluded a team led by Drs .
Kristofor Olson and Laura Haselden , of the University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School .
Writing in the Aug. 14 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine , the doctors noted there 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or refute the notion that beanbag munitions do n't cause serious harm .
Hoping to rectify that , the Austin team catalogued a list of 19 patients , most in their teens or 20s .
All received emergency treatment at an Austin hospital located blocks from where protests broke out this spring .
Eight of the patients had injuries so severe they required admission to the hospital , and seven required emergency surgeries .
Four of the patients had remnants of beanbag rounds lodged within their bodies , the doctors noted .
Four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being hit by beanbag rounds , and fractures to the skull , face and jaw were common .
A list of a few of the worst injuries included : • A 20-year-old man who sustained a skull fracture , as well as a hemorrhage in the space between his skull and brain .
His injuries were so severe he required surgery to repair and restore his skull , and a tracheostomy to help him breathe .
The man stayed 23 days in the hospital -- including the intensive care unit -- after which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• A 16-year-old who sustained a fracture to his forehead , hemorrhage , and the retention of bits of the beanbag munition within the wound .
He required surgery to remove the embedded shot , and repair and restore his cranial bones .
The boy also required psychiatric care .
He was discharged after six days in the hospital .
• A 29-year-old with an `` open facial wound '' and remnants of beanbag munitions lodged in her jaw , fractures that `` displaced '' her jawbones , and a paralysis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She required surgery and was discharged after a day of hospital care .
According to the Austin team of physicians , all of this runs counter to the scant prior research on beanbag round injuries -- which typically reported only `` minor blunt-injury patterns . ''
However , following the protests and reports of serious injuries , `` beanbag rounds have since been abandoned by our local law enforcement in this context , '' the researchers noted .
Dr. Robert Glatter is an emergency medicine physician practicing at Lenox Hill Hospital in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report , he said `` the bottom line is that 'less lethal ' does not necessarily mean without harm or serious bodily injury . ''
Simply put , Glatter said , `` bean bag rounds can be deadly and result in injuries which are permanently disabling .
This includes not only blunt but penetrating types of injuries . ''
And while police typically have guidelines in place regarding the use of beanbag munitions , they are too often ignored .
`` Law enforcement is taught to aim such munitions at the lower extremities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head , chest and abdomen , '' Glatter noted .
`` But the reality is that these rounds often do n't end up where they are initially aimed at from a shotgun -- potentially leading to skull fractures , bleeding in the brain , along with serious eye injuries and facial fractures . ''
His conclusion : `` Law enforcement should seek alternative approaches for de-escalation and crowd control , especially when confronting peaceful protesters . ''
Find out more about emergency care at the American College of Emergency Physicians .

During protests this year, including some in New York City -- NYPD police officers and protesters are pictured in May -- used beanbag rounds as part of crowd control measures, which doctors report have caused a wide range of serious injuries. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
When police and National Guard troops mobilized during protests that broke out across the nation this spring following the death of George Floyd, they often resorted to the use of so-called "beanbag" rounds of ammunition when confronting crowds. Beanbag rounds -- a small cloth bag filled with lead shot and fired from a standard shotgun -- are thought to be strong enough to cause pain but not serious harm. Advertisement
However, a new study by emergency physicians in Austin, Texas, suggests otherwise.
They report a number cases of severe, maiming injuries -- including skull fractures, brain hemorrhages and broken jaws -- all in young protesters hit by beanbag rounds.
Although they are "purported to be 'less lethal' munitions that should not cause penetrating injuries," beanbag rounds "can cause serious harm and are not appropriate for use in crowd control," concluded a team led by Drs. Kristofor Olson and Laura Haselden, of the University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School.
Advertisement
Writing in the Aug. 14 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, the doctors noted there's been "scarce" literature to support or refute the notion that beanbag munitions don't cause serious harm.
Hoping to rectify that, the Austin team catalogued a list of 19 patients, most in their teens or 20s. All received emergency treatment at an Austin hospital located blocks from where protests broke out this spring.
Eight of the patients had injuries so severe they required admission to the hospital, and seven required emergency surgeries.
Four of the patients had remnants of beanbag rounds lodged within their bodies, the doctors noted. Four patients sustained "intracranial hemorrhages" after being hit by beanbag rounds, and fractures to the skull, face and jaw were common.
A list of a few of the worst injuries included:
A 20-year-old man who sustained a skull fracture, as well as a hemorrhage in the space between his skull and brain. His injuries were so severe he required surgery to repair and restore his skull, and a tracheostomy to help him breathe. The man stayed 23 days in the hospital -- including the intensive care unit -- after which he was discharged to a rehabilitation center.
A 16-year-old who sustained a fracture to his forehead, hemorrhage, and the retention of bits of the beanbag munition within the wound. He required surgery to remove the embedded shot, and repair and restore his cranial bones. The boy also required psychiatric care. He was discharged after six days in the hospital.
A 29-year-old with an "open facial wound" and remnants of beanbag munitions lodged in her jaw, fractures that "displaced" her jawbones, and a paralysis, or palsy, of the facial nerve. She required surgery and was discharged after a day of hospital care.
Advertisement
According to the Austin team of physicians, all of this runs counter to the scant prior research on beanbag round injuries -- which typically reported only "minor blunt-injury patterns."
However, following the protests and reports of serious injuries, "beanbag rounds have since been abandoned by our local law enforcement in this context," the researchers noted.
Dr. Robert Glatter is an emergency medicine physician practicing at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. Reading over the report, he said "the bottom line is that 'less lethal' does not necessarily mean without harm or serious bodily injury."
Simply put, Glatter said, "bean bag rounds can be deadly and result in injuries which are permanently disabling. This includes not only blunt but penetrating types of injuries."
And while police typically have guidelines in place regarding the use of beanbag munitions, they are too often ignored.
"Law enforcement is taught to aim such munitions at the lower extremities, to avoid traumatic injuries to the head, chest and abdomen," Glatter noted. "But the reality is that these rounds often don't end up where they are initially aimed at from a shotgun -- potentially leading to skull fractures, bleeding in the brain, along with serious eye injuries and facial fractures."
Advertisement
His conclusion: "Law enforcement should seek alternative approaches for de-escalation and crowd control, especially when confronting peaceful protesters."
More information
Find out more about emergency care at the American College of Emergency Physicians.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-08-15--Famous birthdays for Aug. 15: Anthony Anderson, Jennifer Lawrence

Aug. 15 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Leo .
-- U.S. @ @ @ @ @ 1860

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Anthony Anderson appears onstage during the 71st annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles on September 22. The actor turns 50 on August 15. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Leo. They include: Advertisement
-- French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1769
-- Scottish novelist Walter Scott in 1771
-- U.S. first lady Florence Harding in 1860
-- British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor in 1875
-- Actor Ethel Barrymore in 1879
-- Chef Julia Child in 1912
File Photo by Bill Hormell/UPI
-- Conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly in 1924
-- Actor Mike Connors in 1925
-- Actor Jim Dale in 1935 (age 85)
-- Civil rights leader Vernon Jordan Jr. in 1935 (age 85)
-- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer in 1938 (age 82)
File Photo by Olivier Douliery/UPI
-- Journalist Linda Ellerbee in 1944 (age 76)
-- Football Hall of Fame member/players' union leader Gene Upshaw in 1945
-- Songwriter Jimmy Webb in 1946 (age 74)
-- Britain's Princess Anne in 1950 (age 70)
-- Swedish writer Stieg Larsson in 1954
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-- Chef Tom Colicchio in 1962 (age 58)
-- Philanthropist Melinda Gates in 1964 (age 56)
-- Actor Debra Messing in 1968 (age 52)
File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI
-- Actor Anthony Anderson in 1970 (age 50)
-- Actor Ben Affleck in 1972 (age 48)
-- Olympic beach volleyball champion Kerri Walsh Jennings in 1978 (age 42)
-- Actor Emily Kinney in 1985 (age 35)
-- Rapper Nipsey Hussle, born Ermias Asghedom, in 1985
-- Pop singer Joe Jonas in 1989 (age 31)
-- Actor Jennifer Lawrence in 1990 (age 30)


upi--2020-08-15--Study: Delaying prostate cancer radiation may not lower survival odds

The coronavirus pandemic has caused many to put off medical procedures , but a delay in radiation treatment for prostate cancer does n't appear to affect survival , a new study shows .
Researchers found that men with intermediate- or high-risk localized prostate cancer receiving radiation and hormone therapy who delay radiation while staying on hormone therapy did n't face worse outcomes .
`` Using a large database of patients with prostate cancer , we validated that the timing of starting radiation could be flexible , '' said study co-author Dr. Vinayak Muralidhar , a resident in the department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital in Boston .
`` Our data suggest that patients can wait for COVID-19 cases to go down before starting radiation .
Or , if there 's a chance a surge is coming , they could consider undergoing radiation a little earlier than planned and complete it before the surge arrives , '' Muralidhar said in a hospital news release .
Radiation therapy is given to patients with localized prostate cancer along with six to 36 months of hormone therapy .
For the study , the researchers collected data on more than 63,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. National Cancer Database .
The cases were divided into four groups based on when radiation was begun relative to hormone therapy .
For men with intermediate- and high-risk disease , the study found no difference in overall survival in the four groups .
`` The findings are reassuring to patients and allow us to come up with a flexible radiation schedule for prostate cancer that ensures their safety , '' Muralidhar said .
`` The results have important implications for patients in areas experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases who can opt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come in and initiate treatment , '' Muralidhar said .
`` In the future , we can also look at other types of cancers and treatments and see how delaying therapy has an impact on survival . ''
The report was published online Aug. 13 in the journal JAMA Oncology .
`` Our hope is that our study helps patients and providers make decisions about the timing of treatment , '' said first author Edward Christopher Dee , a fourth-year student at Harvard Medical School .
`` These decisions may allow patients to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Our findings may also provide reassurance to patients and providers who choose to delay treatment , '' Dee said .
For more on prostate cancer , head to the American Cancer Society .

The coronavirus pandemic has caused many to put off medical procedures, but a delay in radiation treatment for prostate cancer doesn't appear to affect survival, a new study shows.
Researchers found that men with intermediate- or high-risk localized prostate cancer receiving radiation and hormone therapy who delay radiation while staying on hormone therapy didn't face worse outcomes.
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"Using a large database of patients with prostate cancer, we validated that the timing of starting radiation could be flexible," said study co-author Dr. Vinayak Muralidhar, a resident in the department of radiation oncology at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
"Our data suggest that patients can wait for COVID-19 cases to go down before starting radiation. Or, if there's a chance a surge is coming, they could consider undergoing radiation a little earlier than planned and complete it before the surge arrives," Muralidhar said in a hospital news release.
Radiation therapy is given to patients with localized prostate cancer along with six to 36 months of hormone therapy.
For the study, the researchers collected data on more than 63,000 cases of localized prostate cancer in the U.S. National Cancer Database.
The cases were divided into four groups based on when radiation was begun relative to hormone therapy. For men with intermediate- and high-risk disease, the study found no difference in overall survival in the four groups.
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"The findings are reassuring to patients and allow us to come up with a flexible radiation schedule for prostate cancer that ensures their safety," Muralidhar said.
"The results have important implications for patients in areas experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases who can opt to wait for a safer time to come in and initiate treatment," Muralidhar said. "In the future, we can also look at other types of cancers and treatments and see how delaying therapy has an impact on survival."
The report was published online Aug. 13 in the journal JAMA Oncology.
"Our hope is that our study helps patients and providers make decisions about the timing of treatment," said first author Edward Christopher Dee, a fourth-year student at Harvard Medical School.
"These decisions may allow patients to decrease their risk of exposure to COVID-19. Our findings may also provide reassurance to patients and providers who choose to delay treatment," Dee said.
More information
For more on prostate cancer, head to the American Cancer Society.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-08-14--Analyst: Populism undermining democracy, Korean unification

NEW YORK , Aug. 14 ( UPI ) -- Political polarization brought on by populist nationalism is impeding consensus building on Korean unification , according to a South Korean analyst .
Ambassador Ahn Ho-young , president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul , said at a webinar of the International Forum on One Korea building a national vision in South Korea for Korean unification must include values such as freedom , democracy and human rights .
`` This past year we saw many developments inimical to those values , '' said Ahn , the former top South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everywhere globally on the left and the right .
A large number of world leaders have succumbed to its temptations , Ahn said .
In South Korea , the different dimensions of a successful unification strategy are showing signs of weakness , according to the analyst .
South Koreans are not in agreement about the best approach to North Korea , the two Koreas are at a political impasse , and inter-state relations have been moving from bad to worse in the wake of COVID-19 , Ahn said .
South Korean President Moon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the North has reciprocated with threats and military provocations .
North Korea 's demolition of the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong in June tells a `` story of frustration , '' according to the analyst .
North Korea is under heavy sanctions and remains unprepared to deal with COVID-19 .
`` What North Korea must understand is that [ its source of frustration ] does n't come from South Korea or the United States , '' Ahn said , referring to Seoul and Washington 's determination to talk to North Korea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Global Peace Foundation , said during the webinar on realignment and global changes unification should be a starting point toward finding a permanent solution .
Moon said the United States should recognize a Korean-led unification process as part of its foreign policy .
The process , if carried out successfully , would ensure a new Korean nation that shares the value of Western democracies , and is economically and geopolitically aligned with the United States and not China .
`` If the South manages its geopolitical position wisely it could benefit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Moon said the goal of unification comes at a time of economic stagnation in the South .
The country is highly developed but needs new avenues of growth .
Korea 's large conglomerates dominate the economy and stifle competition .
Meanwhile , capital remains limited for small to midsize entrepreneurs .
The North , by contrast , represents untapped natural resources and a larger domestic market .
Seoul could become a major hub in the region , as the fate of cities like Hong Kong remains uncertain , Moon said .
William @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think tank EastWest Institute , said the policy of engagement Seoul champions has not made the world safer from North Korea .
Pyongyang 's possession of nuclear weapons , which the regime has not tested since 2017 , continues to pose an existential threat to the United States and its allies .
`` Kim will use all means to remain in power , '' Parker said , referring to the North 's nuclear and chemical weapons .
`` All options should be considered for the removal of North Korea 's weapons of mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States , South Korea and Japan continue to remain vulnerable to clandestine incursions , electromagnetic pulse attacks and cyber crime .
The rise of North Korean threats invites the possibility Seoul and Tokyo could pursue nuclear weapons in the long term .
`` The issue of nuclear goes beyond the Kim Jong Un regime , '' Parker said .
`` The Japanese and South Koreans will be forced to build an advanced nuclear program of their own . ''
Japan 's pursuit of weapons of mass destruction would then push China to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in motion the kind of arms race that marked the Cold War , according to the analyst .
`` Somewhere soon a nuclear device will change the world , '' Parker said .

Lack of consensus on North Korea in the South is a by-product of the rise of populism, which has deepened political divisions in the country, according to a South Korean analyst. File Photo by Yonhap
NEW YORK, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Political polarization brought on by populist nationalism is impeding consensus building on Korean unification, according to a South Korean analyst. Ambassador Ahn Ho-young, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said at a webinar of the International Forum on One Korea building a national vision in South Korea for Korean unification must include values such as freedom, democracy and human rights. Advertisement
"This past year we saw many developments inimical to those values," said Ahn, the former top South Korean envoy to Washington.
Populism is everywhere globally on the left and the right. A large number of world leaders have succumbed to its temptations, Ahn said.
In South Korea, the different dimensions of a successful unification strategy are showing signs of weakness, according to the analyst.
South Koreans are not in agreement about the best approach to North Korea, the two Koreas are at a political impasse, and inter-state relations have been moving from bad to worse in the wake of COVID-19, Ahn said.
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South Korean President Moon Jae-in has been sincere about his intentions, but the North has reciprocated with threats and military provocations.
North Korea's demolition of the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong in June tells a "story of frustration," according to the analyst. North Korea is under heavy sanctions and remains unprepared to deal with COVID-19.
"What North Korea must understand is that [its source of frustration] doesn't come from South Korea or the United States," Ahn said, referring to Seoul and Washington's determination to talk to North Korea.
Hyun-Jin Preston Moon, chairman of the Global Peace Foundation, said during the webinar on realignment and global changes unification should be a starting point toward finding a permanent solution.
Moon said the United States should recognize a Korean-led unification process as part of its foreign policy.
The process, if carried out successfully, would ensure a new Korean nation that shares the value of Western democracies, and is economically and geopolitically aligned with the United States and not China.
"If the South manages its geopolitical position wisely it could benefit the Korean people greatly," he said.
Moon said the goal of unification comes at a time of economic stagnation in the South. The country is highly developed but needs new avenues of growth. Korea's large conglomerates dominate the economy and stifle competition. Meanwhile, capital remains limited for small to midsize entrepreneurs.
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The North, by contrast, represents untapped natural resources and a larger domestic market. Seoul could become a major hub in the region, as the fate of cities like Hong Kong remains uncertain, Moon said.
William Parker, chief executive officer of U.S. think tank EastWest Institute, said the policy of engagement Seoul champions has not made the world safer from North Korea.
Pyongyang's possession of nuclear weapons, which the regime has not tested since 2017, continues to pose an existential threat to the United States and its allies.
"Kim will use all means to remain in power," Parker said, referring to the North's nuclear and chemical weapons. "All options should be considered for the removal of North Korea's weapons of mass destruction."
Parker also said the United States, South Korea and Japan continue to remain vulnerable to clandestine incursions, electromagnetic pulse attacks and cyber crime.
The rise of North Korean threats invites the possibility Seoul and Tokyo could pursue nuclear weapons in the long term.
"The issue of nuclear goes beyond the Kim Jong Un regime," Parker said. "The Japanese and South Koreans will be forced to build an advanced nuclear program of their own."
Japan's pursuit of weapons of mass destruction would then push China to further expand its nuclear systems, setting in motion the kind of arms race that marked the Cold War, according to the analyst.
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"Somewhere soon a nuclear device will change the world," Parker said.
The Global Peace Foundation is affiliated with the ultimate holding company that owns United Press International.


upi--2020-08-14--Basketball Hall of Fame delays Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan inductions to May 2021

Aug. 14 ( UPI ) -- The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Friday that its star-studded Class of 2020 featuring Kobe Bryant , Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett will now be inducted in May at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville , Conn .
The Hall of Fame said the induction festivities are scheduled for May 13-15 , 2021 .
Jerry Colangelo , the chairman of the board of governors for the Hall of Fame , previously said the original and alternate enshrinement dates -- Aug. 28-30 and Oct. 10-12 -- were `` just not feasible '' because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The decision to reschedule enshrinement into May of next year , along with diminished museum guest visitation and a very uncertain future regarding our multiple collegiate and high school basketball events this fall , has forced us to make these very difficult decisions , '' Hall of Fame President and CEO John Doleva said in a statement Friday .
`` Our goal now is to conserve resources so that we may stabilize in 2021 and return to our growth trajectory in 2022 and beyond .
For this single event , and only because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entire event one time to Mohegan Sun which has been a long-time marketing partner of the Hall .
`` Mohegan Sun has shown they can effectively operate a 'near-bubble ' for our event which provides a more secure environment for our guests . ''
The 2020 class also includes : former Houston Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich ; 10-time WNBA All-Star and four-time Olympic gold medalist Tamika Catchings ; Baylor women 's basketball coach Kim Mulkey ; Bentley College women 's basketball coach Barbara Stevens ; former FIBA and IOC executive Patrick Baumann @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Colangelo previously noted that there will be separate induction ceremonies for the Class of 2020 and the 2021 class , even though both events will take place in the same calendar year .
The Hall of Fame also announced that it has eliminated multiple full-time positions and cut pay for senior management by 25 % to 40 % due to the pandemic .

Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant (24) is among nine individuals who will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame next year. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 14 (UPI) -- The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Friday that its star-studded Class of 2020 featuring Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett will now be inducted in May at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn. The Hall of Fame said the induction festivities are scheduled for May 13-15, 2021. Advertisement
Jerry Colangelo, the chairman of the board of governors for the Hall of Fame, previously said the original and alternate enshrinement dates -- Aug. 28-30 and Oct. 10-12 -- were "just not feasible" because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
"The decision to reschedule enshrinement into May of next year, along with diminished museum guest visitation and a very uncertain future regarding our multiple collegiate and high school basketball events this fall, has forced us to make these very difficult decisions," Hall of Fame President and CEO John Doleva said in a statement Friday.
"Our goal now is to conserve resources so that we may stabilize in 2021 and return to our growth trajectory in 2022 and beyond. For this single event, and only because of the pandemic, we will relocate the entire event one time to Mohegan Sun which has been a long-time marketing partner of the Hall.
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"Mohegan Sun has shown they can effectively operate a 'near-bubble' for our event which provides a more secure environment for our guests."
The 2020 class also includes: former Houston Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich; 10-time WNBA All-Star and four-time Olympic gold medalist Tamika Catchings; Baylor women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey; Bentley College women's basketball coach Barbara Stevens; former FIBA and IOC executive Patrick Baumann; and former college coach Eddie Sutton.
Colangelo previously noted that there will be separate induction ceremonies for the Class of 2020 and the 2021 class, even though both events will take place in the same calendar year.
The Hall of Fame also announced that it has eliminated multiple full-time positions and cut pay for senior management by 25% to 40% due to the pandemic.


upi--2020-08-15--Tropical Storm Josephine to veer away from U.S. mainland

Tropical Storm Josephine is expected to keep well north of Puerto Rico and east of the mainland United States to avoid serious impacts there , forecasters said Saturday .
As of 5 p.m. Saturday , Tropical Storm Josephine was moving to the west-northwest near 17 mph and was located about 160 miles to the east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands .
The system 's maximum sustained winds were 45 mph .
Josephine has shattered the early-season formation record for the J-named storm in the basin by nine days .
The former record belonged to Jose , which developed on Aug. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the 2020 hurricane season as already left its mark on the history books multiple times so far with storms Cristobal , Edouard , Fay , Gonzalo , Hanna and Isaias all setting early-season formation records .
Except for Cristobal , the storms bumped off record-setters from the 2005 season .
The prior earliest C-named storm was Colin from 2016 .
A disturbance spinning over the middle of the Atlantic organized enough to be named Tropical Depression 11 at 5 p.m. EDT Tuesday , according to the National Hurricane Center .
At 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the ninth tropical storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season and in the process has set another record for the basin .
U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate Josephine later Friday , according to the National Hurricane Center .
Josephine was able to form despite being in a sea of dry air as wind shear dipped enough to allow thunderstorms to wrap around the center of the storm .
`` The tropical cyclone probably has through Friday night to strengthen before encountering increasing vertical wind shear from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurricane expert , Dan Kottlowski , said .
`` After that , Josephine is forecast to move into increasing vertical wind shear , which would likely cause it to lose wind intensity , '' he added .
`` We expect Josephine to move on a curved path to the northwest then the north in the coming days , '' Kottlowski stated .
Josephine will move along the western part of the Bermuda-Azores high pressure area , which is a fairly permanent feature of clockwise steering winds over the middle of the Atlantic Ocean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the evolving tropical storm will pass just northeast of the Leeward Islands this weekend and pass well northeast of the Bahamas early next week , '' Kottlowski stated .
The Leeward Islands include Antiqua , Guadeloupe , Barbuda , Montserrat , Dominica , St. Martin , Anguilla , St. Kitts and Nevis , and the British and United States Virgin Islands .
Since Josephine is likely to remain poorly organized or at least no better than a moderate tropical storm through this weekend , impact on the Leeward Islands to Puerto Rico will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showers and perhaps a gusty thunderstorm .
Rainfall of 1 inch to perhaps as much as 3 inches may fall on some of the islands .
`` Conditions on these islands should be no worse than that of a moderate tropical wave moving through , '' Kottlowski said .
`` The weakening system is forecast to approach Bermuda during Wednesday of next week .
By that time , Josephine could be a depression , but it still might have a large area of rain and gusty winds that could impact Bermuda , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not forecast to have direct impact on the mainland United States , thanks to a southward dip in the jet stream that will keep the storm at sea .
Strong wind shear is a deterrent for tropical systems as these strong breezes at different levels in the atmosphere can rip apart organized systems or prevent tropical features from developing altogether .
There is a zone of moderate wind shear hovering over the Caribbean and in areas to the north of the northern islands of the Caribbean .
`` There is a good chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organization and strength into Friday night , would begin to unravel in the zone of wind shear and drier air this weekend , '' Kottlowski said .
There is also a chance that dry air , nearby to the north of the feature , continues to be ingested , and the system never really gains enough steam to strengthen much beyond moderate tropical storm strength .
Additional disturbances , known as tropical waves , will continue to move from the Indian Ocean , across Africa then over the Equatorial Atlantic Ocean in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This train of disturbances makes up what is known as the Cabo Verde season , which is named for the group of islands just off the northwestern coast of Africa .
The Cabo Verde season makes up the backbone of the Atlantic hurricane season during the period from late August to the first part of October .
Into part of next week , there will be a continued risk for one or more of these systems to organize and potentially evolve into a tropical depression or storm .
But for the time being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Caribbean and across part of the southwestern Atlantic may act as a shield and prevent systems from getting too close to United States waters and coastal areas .
However , that buffer zone may not last long and this does not rule out the potential for something forming north of the wind shear zone , perhaps right along the East Coast of the United States in the short term .
`` We will be closely watching an area of disturbed weather that emerges from the showers and thunderstorms in the Southeastern states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There is a high chance this disturbance could evolve into a tropical depression or storm well to the east of the mid-Atlantic coast and south of the New England coast into this weekend as it moves northeastward .
The next name on the list of tropical storms for this season is Kyle .
The lid could come off the Atlantic basin with the potential for multiple named systems spinning at the same time , including multiple threats to lives and property at the same time from the Caribbean to North America , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storms are named for most letters of the alphabet , with the exception of Q , U , X , Y and Z .
The infamous 2005 Atlantic hurricane season holds the record for the greatest number of named storms at 28 and still holds the record for early-season formation records for the `` K-storm , '' which was Katrina on Aug. 24 , as well as the letters M through T , V and W. After W , Greek letters are used .
Since 2005 was the only year to use Greek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formation records beyond W. AccuWeather meteorologists are expecting a hyperactive year for tropical storms and hurricanes -- enough that Greek letters may once again be needed .
Due to 2020 's record pace and upcoming conditions expected in the basin , in early August , AccuWeather meteorologists upped their forecast for the number of tropical storms , with up to 24 now predicted and up to 11 hurricanes projected for the season .
The climatological peak for the Atlantic hurricane season is around Sept. 10 .
Meanwhile , in the East Pacific Ocean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week .
The storm stayed at sea and became post-tropical on Wednesday evening .
However , already a new depression has formed and could be followed by several other named systems in the next five to seven days .
Kottlowski is expecting the eastern Pacific to `` go wild with tropical activity over the next several weeks '' and the Atlantic may follow suit toward the end of August and into the autumn months .

As of 5 p.m. Saturday, Tropical Storm Josephine was moving toward the west-northwest near 17 mph and was located about 160 miles northeast of the orthern Leeward Islands. Photo courtesy of NOAA
Aug. 14 -- Tropical Storm Josephine is expected to keep well north of Puerto Rico and east of the mainland United States to avoid serious impacts there, forecasters said Saturday. Advertisement
As of 5 p.m. Saturday, Tropical Storm Josephine was moving to the west-northwest near 17 mph and was located about 160 miles to the east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands. The system's maximum sustained winds were 45 mph.
Josephine has shattered the early-season formation record for the J-named storm in the basin by nine days. The former record belonged to Jose, which developed on Aug. 22, 2005.
Prior to Josephine, the 2020 hurricane season as already left its mark on the history books multiple times so far with storms Cristobal, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna and Isaias all setting early-season formation records. Except for Cristobal, the storms bumped off record-setters from the 2005 season. The prior earliest C-named storm was Colin from 2016.
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A disturbance spinning over the middle of the Atlantic organized enough to be named Tropical Depression 11 at 5 p.m. EDT Tuesday, according to the National Hurricane Center. At 11 a.m. Thursday, the depression was upgraded to the ninth tropical storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season and in the process has set another record for the basin.
U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate Josephine later Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Josephine was able to form despite being in a sea of dry air as wind shear dipped enough to allow thunderstorms to wrap around the center of the storm.
"The tropical cyclone probably has through Friday night to strengthen before encountering increasing vertical wind shear from the southwest," AccuWeather's top hurricane expert, Dan Kottlowski, said.
"After that, Josephine is forecast to move into increasing vertical wind shear, which would likely cause it to lose wind intensity," he added.
"We expect Josephine to move on a curved path to the northwest then the north in the coming days," Kottlowski stated.
Josephine will move along the western part of the Bermuda-Azores high pressure area, which is a fairly permanent feature of clockwise steering winds over the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
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"On this forecast track, the evolving tropical storm will pass just northeast of the Leeward Islands this weekend and pass well northeast of the Bahamas early next week," Kottlowski stated.
The Leeward Islands include Antiqua, Guadeloupe, Barbuda, Montserrat, Dominica, St. Martin, Anguilla, St. Kitts and Nevis, and the British and United States Virgin Islands.
Since Josephine is likely to remain poorly organized or at least no better than a moderate tropical storm through this weekend, impact on the Leeward Islands to Puerto Rico will likely be limited to a couple of showers and perhaps a gusty thunderstorm. Rainfall of 1 inch to perhaps as much as 3 inches may fall on some of the islands.
"Conditions on these islands should be no worse than that of a moderate tropical wave moving through," Kottlowski said.
"The weakening system is forecast to approach Bermuda during Wednesday of next week. By that time, Josephine could be a depression, but it still might have a large area of rain and gusty winds that could impact Bermuda," Kottlowski said.
However, Josephine is not forecast to have direct impact on the mainland United States, thanks to a southward dip in the jet stream that will keep the storm at sea.
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Strong wind shear is a deterrent for tropical systems as these strong breezes at different levels in the atmosphere can rip apart organized systems or prevent tropical features from developing altogether.
There is a zone of moderate wind shear hovering over the Caribbean and in areas to the north of the northern islands of the Caribbean.
"There is a good chance that this feature, regardless of its organization and strength into Friday night, would begin to unravel in the zone of wind shear and drier air this weekend," Kottlowski said.
There is also a chance that dry air, nearby to the north of the feature, continues to be ingested, and the system never really gains enough steam to strengthen much beyond moderate tropical storm strength.
Additional disturbances, known as tropical waves, will continue to move from the Indian Ocean, across Africa then over the Equatorial Atlantic Ocean in the coming days, weeks and months.
This train of disturbances makes up what is known as the Cabo Verde season, which is named for the group of islands just off the northwestern coast of Africa. The Cabo Verde season makes up the backbone of the Atlantic hurricane season during the period from late August to the first part of October.
Advertisement
Into part of next week, there will be a continued risk for one or more of these systems to organize and potentially evolve into a tropical depression or storm. But for the time being, the buffer of wind shear over the Caribbean and across part of the southwestern Atlantic may act as a shield and prevent systems from getting too close to United States waters and coastal areas.
However, that buffer zone may not last long and this does not rule out the potential for something forming north of the wind shear zone, perhaps right along the East Coast of the United States in the short term.
"We will be closely watching an area of disturbed weather that emerges from the showers and thunderstorms in the Southeastern states into this weekend," Kottlowski said.
There is a high chance this disturbance could evolve into a tropical depression or storm well to the east of the mid-Atlantic coast and south of the New England coast into this weekend as it moves northeastward. The next name on the list of tropical storms for this season is Kyle.
The lid could come off the Atlantic basin with the potential for multiple named systems spinning at the same time, including multiple threats to lives and property at the same time from the Caribbean to North America, as early as late August.
Advertisement
Tropical storms are named for most letters of the alphabet, with the exception of Q, U, X, Y and Z. The infamous 2005 Atlantic hurricane season holds the record for the greatest number of named storms at 28 and still holds the record for early-season formation records for the "K-storm," which was Katrina on Aug. 24, as well as the letters M through T, V and W. After W, Greek letters are used. Since 2005 was the only year to use Greek letters, that season holds the early-season formation records beyond W.
AccuWeather meteorologists are expecting a hyperactive year for tropical storms and hurricanes--enough that Greek letters may once again be needed. Due to 2020's record pace and upcoming conditions expected in the basin, in early August, AccuWeather meteorologists upped their forecast for the number of tropical storms, with up to 24 now predicted and up to 11 hurricanes projected for the season.
The climatological peak for the Atlantic hurricane season is around Sept. 10.
Meanwhile, in the East Pacific Ocean, Elida strengthened into a hurricane earlier this week. The storm stayed at sea and became post-tropical on Wednesday evening. However, already a new depression has formed and could be followed by several other named systems in the next five to seven days.
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Kottlowski is expecting the eastern Pacific to "go wild with tropical activity over the next several weeks" and the Atlantic may follow suit toward the end of August and into the autumn months.


upi--2020-08-15--Wrecked oil tanker breaks in half, spilling more oil off coast of Mauritius

Aug. 15 ( UPI ) -- A ship that wrecked off the coast of Mauritius in July broke in two Saturday , prompting concern that more oil could spill out near the island and cause a significant threat to marine life .
A Japanese-owned ship called the MV Wakashio carrying an estimated 4,000 metric tons of oil to Brazil when it ran aground of a coral reef off the island July 25 .
The crew was evacuated , but oil from the tanker has continually leaked into the surrounding water , prompting an emergency declaration and requests for financial assistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth said he expects compensation from the shipping company behind the spill .
Noxious fumes from the spill have caused schools to close just as the island was easing restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Volunteers from all over the island and staff from non-governmental organizations have worked together to construct floating buffers called booms to help protect the shoreline from the spill .
The nation 's Crisis Committee said it is paying special attention to sites like Blue Bay Marine Park , Ile aux Aigrettes and the Pointe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect waves of up to 15 feet on the shoreline .

A worker holds out his arms covered in thick oil from collecting seaweed and straw mixed with leaked oil from the MV Wakashio Saturday. The ship was sailing from China to Brazil when it hit coral reefs near Pointe d'Esny on July 25. Photo by Laura Morosoli/EPA-EFE
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- A ship that wrecked off the coast of Mauritius in July broke in two Saturday, prompting concern that more oil could spill out near the island and cause a significant threat to marine life. A Japanese-owned ship called the MV Wakashio carrying an estimated 4,000 metric tons of oil to Brazil when it ran aground of a coral reef off the island July 25. Advertisement
The crew was evacuated, but oil from the tanker has continually leaked into the surrounding water, prompting an emergency declaration and requests for financial assistance from abroad.
This week Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth said he expects compensation from the shipping company behind the spill.
Noxious fumes from the spill have caused schools to close just as the island was easing restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Volunteers from all over the island and staff from non-governmental organizations have worked together to construct floating buffers called booms to help protect the shoreline from the spill.
The nation's Crisis Committee said it is paying special attention to sites like Blue Bay Marine Park, Ile aux Aigrettes and the Pointe D'Esny National Ramsar, especially as forecasters expect waves of up to 15 feet on the shoreline.


upi--2020-08-15--Trump administration withdraws William Pendley's nomination to run BLM

Aug. 15 ( UPI ) -- The Trump administration withdrew the nomination of William `` Perry '' Pendley to the Bureau of Land Management Saturday amid political pressure from both sides of the aisle .
The public lands agency manages about one-tenth of the landmass of the United States , but has not had a permanent , Senate-confirmed director since President Donald Trump was inaugurated .
Pendley was formally nominated to lead the bureau in June , but has been leading the agency under the title of deputy director since last August -- on an interim basis that has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection groups filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Interior over Interior Secretary David Bernhardt 's order to extend Pendley 's appointment , along with that of NPS Deputy Director David Vela , whose interim appointment had also been repeatedly extended .
Prior to leading BLM , Pendley spent years working for the Mountain States Legal Foundation , often challenging the agency he now leads and making statements in favor of selling off federal public land .
White House and Interior officials told the Washington Post that Pendley would continue to serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of the BLM , which effectively keeps him in charge of the still-leaderless agency .

The nomination of William Perry Pendley to permanently lead the Bureau of Land Management was withdrawn Saturday amid political pressure from both Democrats and Republicans. Photo courtesy of Bureau of Land Management
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- The Trump administration withdrew the nomination of William "Perry" Pendley to the Bureau of Land Management Saturday amid political pressure from both sides of the aisle. The public lands agency manages about one-tenth of the landmass of the United States, but has not had a permanent, Senate-confirmed director since President Donald Trump was inaugurated. Advertisement
Pendley was formally nominated to lead the bureau in June, but has been leading the agency under the title of deputy director since last August -- on an interim basis that has been extended several times.
In May environmental protection groups filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Interior over Interior Secretary David Bernhardt's order to extend Pendley's appointment, along with that of NPS Deputy Director David Vela, whose interim appointment had also been repeatedly extended.
Prior to leading BLM, Pendley spent years working for the Mountain States Legal Foundation, often challenging the agency he now leads and making statements in favor of selling off federal public land.
White House and Interior officials told the Washington Post that Pendley would continue to serve in his current appointed role as deputy director of the BLM, which effectively keeps him in charge of the still-leaderless agency.
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upi--2020-08-15--FDA authorizes open source, saliva-based COVID-19 test

Aug. 15 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization Saturday to the Yale School of Public Health for an open source , saliva-based COVID-19 test that uses commercially available equipment .
According to the FDA , the test uses a new method of processing saliva samples .
It also does n't require any type of special collection swab , and samples can be placed in any sterile container .
This is the fifth COVID-19 test the FDA authorized using saliva samples .
The agency 's release said saliva-based tests have had variable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yale meets federal criteria for emergency authorization for COVID-19 testing .
In addition to eliminating the need for nasal swabs , which have been in short supply , saliva-based tests are more comfortable to administer -- and can be collected by the person being tested in a supervised environment , reducing the possible risk to healthcare professionals .
The test also does not require a separate nucleic acid extraction step -- which matters because the extraction kits used for that step have been subject to recent shortages .
`` Being able to perform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity for increased testing , while reducing the strain on available resources .
Additionally , the SalivaDirect methodology has been validated and authorized for use with different combinations of commonly used reagents and instruments , meaning the test could be used broadly in most high-complexity labs , '' the FDA 's press release said .
`` Providing this type of flexibility for processing saliva samples to test for COVID-19 infection is groundbreaking in terms of efficiency and avoiding shortages of crucial test components like reagents , '' said FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is another example of the FDA working with test developers to bring the most innovative technology to market in an effort to ensure access to testing for all people in America .
The FDA encourages test developers to work with the agency to create innovative , effective products to help address the COVID-19 pandemic and to increase capacity and efficiency in testing . ''
Yale plans to provide the Saliva Direct protocol to interested laboratories as an `` open source '' protocol , the FDA said .
That means participating labs do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instructions to perform COVID-19 testing , and can instead use commercially available equipment using instructions from Yale .

The FDA on Saturday authorized a saliva-based COVID-19 test that does not require special testing equipment, including swabs that have been in short supply during the pandemic. File Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization Saturday to the Yale School of Public Health for an open source, saliva-based COVID-19 test that uses commercially available equipment. According to the FDA, the test uses a new method of processing saliva samples. It also doesn't require any type of special collection swab, and samples can be placed in any sterile container. Advertisement
This is the fifth COVID-19 test the FDA authorized using saliva samples. The agency's release said saliva-based tests have had variable performance, but the data submitted by Yale meets federal criteria for emergency authorization for COVID-19 testing.
In addition to eliminating the need for nasal swabs, which have been in short supply, saliva-based tests are more comfortable to administer -- and can be collected by the person being tested in a supervised environment, reducing the possible risk to healthcare professionals.
The test also does not require a separate nucleic acid extraction step -- which matters because the extraction kits used for that step have been subject to recent shortages.
"Being able to perform a test without these kits enhances the capacity for increased testing, while reducing the strain on available resources. Additionally, the SalivaDirect methodology has been validated and authorized for use with different combinations of commonly used reagents and instruments, meaning the test could be used broadly in most high-complexity labs," the FDA's press release said.
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"Providing this type of flexibility for processing saliva samples to test for COVID-19 infection is groundbreaking in terms of efficiency and avoiding shortages of crucial test components like reagents," said FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen M. Hahn.
"Today's authorization is another example of the FDA working with test developers to bring the most innovative technology to market in an effort to ensure access to testing for all people in America.
"The FDA encourages test developers to work with the agency to create innovative, effective products to help address the COVID-19 pandemic and to increase capacity and efficiency in testing."
Yale plans to provide the Saliva Direct protocol to interested laboratories as an "open-source" protocol, the FDA said.
That means participating labs don't need to pay for proprietary equipment or instructions to perform COVID-19 testing, and can instead use commercially available equipment using instructions from Yale.


upi--2020-08-15--COVID-19: New York reports lowest number of new cases since March, Florida numbers stable

The gates at terminal 4 of JFK International Airport are mostly empty of travelers and only a few shops are open for business in New York City in this Aug. 4 photo. On Saturday New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state had reported the lowest number of new cases since mid-March. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Florida officials reported a reduction in the number of positive COVID-19 cases Saturday, but also said they expected the number of deaths to increase in the coming weeks -- while New York reported a record high number of tests performed and the lowest number of new cases since mid-March. Also Saturday, Michigan's governor signed an executive order to increase safety precautions in the state's correctional facilities. Advertisement
As of Saturday 169,146 Americans have died from the novel coronavirus and 5.3 million have been infected, according to Johns Hopkins University's Coronavirus Dashboard.
The Centers for Disease Control reported 56,729 new cases and 1,229 new deaths nationwide Saturday.
Florida's Department of Health reported Saturday that 204 Florida residents have died from COVID-19, and at least 6,352 more have been infected.
Nearly 9,500 Floridians have died from the virus.
Health officials say the daily totals are not reflective of results from the last 24 hours due to a lag time of several days or even weeks for confirmations of deaths due to the virus, and that Florida's recent data show an improvement from negative trends in July: the number of new cases has not been higher than 10,000 since July 25.
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But experts in the state expect the death toll will climb due to a surge of infections in July. The daily average over the last seven days has been a reported 177 deaths, and the state has reported more than 200 deaths on four of the past five days.
Meanwhile, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order Saturday to establish new coronavirus safety and testing protocols in correctional facilities in the state through the end of September.
Under the order, people must be tested upon entry to, transfer and release from prisons, jails and juvenile detention facilities.
Whitmer's order also resumes the suspension of transferring people from jails to prisons unless the jail adopts certain risk-reduction protocols -- including screening of people entering or leaving a facility and testing inmates presenting symptoms of the virus, as well as providing employees with personal protective equipment.
And in New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday that hospitalizations for COVID-19 had hit a low since March 17, with 523 people being hospitalized with the virus.
The state also set a record for the number of COVID-19 tests reported to the state Saturday: 88,668.
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"In New York, we knew from the beginning that testing would be a key factor in controlling this new virus," Cuomo said in a press release. "We ramped up testing immediately and took a nation-leading role in developing capacity to test as many New Yorkers as possible, and I'm proud that we continue to raise the bar and we've broken our record high once again."
COVID-19 pandemic alters life in New York City


upi--2020-08-15--COVID-19: South Korea reimposes social distancing after cases spike

Aug. 15 ( UPI ) -- South Korea reimposed social distancing measures Saturday to curb COVID-19 after local cases spiked recently in the capital .
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 166 new cases , including 155 new local cases and 11 new imported cases , a five-month high .
Most of the new cases were in Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi province .
`` The spread of coronavirus is very serious for Seoul and Gyeonggi province , the confirmed cases almost doubled in a day , '' South Korea 's Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priority is to swiftly stop the virus from spreading further in the capital area . ''
Authorities imposed Level 2 social distancing in Seoul and Gyeonggi , which limits indoor public gatherings to 50 people and outdoor gatherings to 100 people .
The restrictions also mean the public can no longer attend sporting events , and government-run public facilities will be closed , along with privately run facilities considered to be high risk .
Churches in Seoul and Gyeonggi have been linked to the outbreaks .
Seoul issued an executive order Friday to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ except the main service .
Gyeonggi Gov .
Lee Jae-myung issued an order Friday to restrict religious gatherings .
The U.S .
Forces Korea restricted non-essential travel for U.S. military personnel to hotspot areas .
Park Yoo-mi , a health official for the city of Seoul , said attendees at an anti-government rally could face prosecution under a protest ban and if a COVID-19 case is confirmed from the protest , organizers could face a fine .
To date , South Korea has reported 15,039 cases of COVID-19 and 305 deaths from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University global tracker .
South Koreans are currently amid a long weekend that the government introduced in July to relieve stress from the pandemic .
On Saturday , in Britain , a policy for British tourists arriving home from France to quarantine for 14 days because of a rise in COVID-19 cases in France became effective at 4 a.m .
Some Britons returning from France arrived minutes before the new quarantine policy was implemented .
Britain has reported 318,193 cases and 46,791 deaths , according to the global tracker of COVID-19 cases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Health said Friday that citizens should wear masks to limit spread of the disease .
The recommendation follows an open letter that 239 international scientists sent to the World Health Organization on July 4 proposing the reclassification of the virus that causes COVID-19 disease as as an airborne virus .
Over the past week , data from France shows a 66 % increase in newly reported cases .
On Friday , the French government declared Paris and Marseille high-risk zones for the virus , which grants authorities power to impose local restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the disease .
France has reported 249,655 cases and 30,410 deaths from COVID-19 , according to the global tracker .
New Zealand reinstated a lockdown earlier this week after more than 100 days without reporting local transmission of COVID-19 due to a new outbreak in its largest city of Auckland , which was extended Friday for another 12 days .
On Saturday , authorities confirmed seven new COVID-19 cases , with six of them linked to previous cases in the new cluster in Auckland and the other one still under investigation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cases in New Zealand to 1,609 cases .
Twenty-two deaths have also been reported in the country , according to the global tracker .
In Ireland , Michael Cawley , the chairman of Irish tourism authority called Failte Ireland , has resigned after he went to Italy on holiday despite government cautioning to avoid non-essential and international travel .
`` I was disappointed to learn that the chair of Failte Ireland was holidaying in Italy , '' Catherine Martin , the Irish minister for media tourism , arts , culture , sport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I rang Mr. Cawley this morning and he has offered his resignation which I have accepted .
I wish to thank Mr. Cawley for his service as chair of Failte Ireland . ''
Italy has reported 253,438 COVID-19 cases and 35,392 deaths from the disease .
Ireland , which has a smaller population , has reported 27,191 cases and 1,774 deaths .
In Mexico , which has reported 511,369 cases and 55,908 deaths from the virus , President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called for 30 days of national mourning to honor COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 21.2 million and killed over 766,400 .
Three countries have more than half of the world 's cases , including the United States , Brazil and India .
The United States has over 5.3 million cases and over 169,100 deaths .
Brazil has over 3.2 million cases and over 106,500 deaths .
India has over 2.5 million cases and over 49,000 deaths .

People wearing face masks visit the Changdeokgung palace Thursday amid the coronavirus outbreak in Seoul. Photo by Jeon Heon-Kyun/EPA-EFE
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- South Korea reimposed social distancing measures Saturday to curb COVID-19 after local cases spiked recently in the capital. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 166 new cases, including 155 new local cases and 11 new imported cases, a five-month high. Advertisement
Most of the new cases were in Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi province.
"The spread of coronavirus is very serious for Seoul and Gyeonggi province, the confirmed cases almost doubled in a day," South Korea's Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said in a televised address Saturday. "Our priority is to swiftly stop the virus from spreading further in the capital area."
Authorities imposed Level 2 social distancing in Seoul and Gyeonggi, which limits indoor public gatherings to 50 people and outdoor gatherings to 100 people. The restrictions also mean the public can no longer attend sporting events, and government-run public facilities will be closed, along with privately run facilities considered to be high risk.
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Churches in Seoul and Gyeonggi have been linked to the outbreaks. Seoul issued an executive order Friday to 7,560 religious facilities to restrict group events except the main service. Gyeonggi Gov. Lee Jae-myung issued an order Friday to restrict religious gatherings.
The U.S. Forces Korea restricted non-essential travel for U.S. military personnel to hotspot areas.
Park Yoo-mi, a health official for the city of Seoul, said attendees at an anti-government rally could face prosecution under a protest ban and if a COVID-19 case is confirmed from the protest, organizers could face a fine.
To date, South Korea has reported 15,039 cases of COVID-19 and 305 deaths from the disease, according to the Johns Hopkins University global tracker.
South Koreans are currently amid a long weekend that the government introduced in July to relieve stress from the pandemic.
On Saturday, in Britain, a policy for British tourists arriving home from France to quarantine for 14 days because of a rise in COVID-19 cases in France became effective at 4 a.m. Some Britons returning from France arrived minutes before the new quarantine policy was implemented.
Britain has reported 318,193 cases and 46,791 deaths, according to the global tracker of COVID-19 cases.
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Meanwhile, the French High Council of Public Health said Friday that citizens should wear masks to limit spread of the disease.
The recommendation follows an open letter that 239 international scientists sent to the World Health Organization on July 4 proposing the reclassification of the virus that causes COVID-19 disease as as an airborne virus.
Over the past week, data from France shows a 66% increase in newly reported cases.
On Friday, the French government declared Paris and Marseille high-risk zones for the virus, which grants authorities power to impose local restrictions to limit the spread of the spread of the disease.
France has reported 249,655 cases and 30,410 deaths from COVID-19, according to the global tracker.
New Zealand reinstated a lockdown earlier this week after more than 100 days without reporting local transmission of COVID-19 due to a new outbreak in its largest city of Auckland, which was extended Friday for another 12 days.
On Saturday, authorities confirmed seven new COVID-19 cases, with six of them linked to previous cases in the new cluster in Auckland and the other one still under investigation.
The new cases bring the total number of cases in New Zealand to 1,609 cases. Twenty-two deaths have also been reported in the country, according to the global tracker.
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In Ireland, Michael Cawley, the chairman of Irish tourism authority called Failte Ireland, has resigned after he went to Italy on holiday despite government cautioning to avoid non-essential and international travel.
"I was disappointed to learn that the chair of Failte Ireland was holidaying in Italy," Catherine Martin, the Irish minister for media tourism, arts, culture, sport and the gaelteacht, said Saturday. "I rang Mr. Cawley this morning and he has offered his resignation which I have accepted. I wish to thank Mr. Cawley for his service as chair of Failte Ireland."
Italy has reported 253,438 COVID-19 cases and 35,392 deaths from the disease.
Ireland, which has a smaller population, has reported 27,191 cases and 1,774 deaths.
In Mexico, which has reported 511,369 cases and 55,908 deaths from the virus, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called for 30 days of national mourning to honor COVID-19 victims.
Worldwide, COVID-19 has sickened over 21.2 million and killed over 766,400. Three countries have more than half of the world's cases, including the United States, Brazil and India.
The United States has over 5.3 million cases and over 169,100 deaths. Brazil has over 3.2 million cases and over 106,500 deaths. India has over 2.5 million cases and over 49,000 deaths.
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World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-08-15--Illinois' longest-serving governor, James 'Big Jim' Thompson, dies

Aug. 15 ( UPI ) -- Illinois ' longest-serving governor , James Thompson , has died , his family announced .
He was 84 .
His family told WLS-TV in Chicago he died Friday evening while he was going through rehabilitation at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Streeterville .
He had been suffering heart problems .
His cause of death was not immediately known .
Affectionately known as `` Big Jim , '' because he stood 6 feet , 6 inches tall , he was first elected in 1976 and served four consecutive terms as a Republican governor until he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On behalf of the entire state of Illinois , MK ( my wife ) and I offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of former Governor Jim Thompson , '' Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker tweeted .
`` As the longest-serving governor in Illinois history , 'Big Jim ' was known to treat people he encountered with kindness and decency .
He dedicated himself to building positive change for Illinois , and he set an example for public service of which Illinoisans should be proud .
He will be remembered and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the history of state government . ''
Thompson 's legacy included restoring Navy Pier , keeping the White Sox Chicago 's South Side team and opening a downtown office building that bears his name .
Prior to becoming governor , he served as a federal prosecutor appointed by then-President Richard Nixon .
During his time as a federal prosecutor , he convicted former Illinois Gov .
Otto Kerner over a scandal involving a horse racetrack stock .
After leaving the governor 's office , Thompson joined the law firm Winston & Strawn , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Regional Transit Authority Chairman and former state Sen. Kirk Dillard , who served as a top aide to Thompson as governor , praised him as a career mentor .
`` Jim launched the careers of so many of us , '' Dillard said .
Thompson is survived by his wife , Jayne , his daughter , Samantha , and a granddaughter , age 4 .
`` The Thompson family is mourning the loss of a wonderful husband , father and grandfather , '' a family statement said .
`` Jim Thompson 's love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifelong dedication to his beloved state of Illinois . ''
The family added that due to COVID-19 restrictions , it would not hold a public wake and a memorial service would be scheduled at a later date .
As governor , Thompson was able to work well with Democratic politicians .
`` Loretta and I extend our sympathies to Jayne and Samantha on the passing of Gov .
Jim Thompson , '' Sen. Dick Durbin , D-Ill. , tweeted .
`` We were political adversaries yet personal friends back in the day when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we might , we Democrats just could not beat Big Jim . ''

Former Illinois Governor Jim Thompson died Friday at age 84. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Illinois' longest-serving governor, James Thompson, has died, his family announced. He was 84. His family told WLS-TV in Chicago he died Friday evening while he was going through rehabilitation at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Streeterville. He had been suffering heart problems. Advertisement
His cause of death was not immediately known.
Affectionately known as "Big Jim," because he stood 6 feet, 6 inches tall, he was first elected in 1976 and served four consecutive terms as a Republican governor until he left the office in 1991.
"On behalf of the entire state of Illinois, MK (my wife) and I offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of former Governor Jim Thompson," Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker tweeted. "As the longest-serving governor in Illinois history, 'Big Jim' was known to treat people he encountered with kindness and decency. He dedicated himself to building positive change for Illinois, and he set an example for public service of which Illinoisans should be proud. He will be remembered and revered as one of the titans in the history of state government."
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Thompson's legacy included restoring Navy Pier, keeping the White Sox Chicago's South Side team and opening a downtown office building that bears his name.
Prior to becoming governor, he served as a federal prosecutor appointed by then-President Richard Nixon.
During his time as a federal prosecutor, he convicted former Illinois Gov. Otto Kerner over a scandal involving a horse racetrack stock.
After leaving the governor's office, Thompson joined the law firm Winston & Strawn, where he became chairman in 1993.
Regional Transit Authority Chairman and former state Sen. Kirk Dillard, who served as a top aide to Thompson as governor, praised him as a career mentor.
"Jim launched the careers of so many of us," Dillard said.
Thompson is survived by his wife, Jayne, his daughter, Samantha, and a granddaughter, age 4.
"The Thompson family is mourning the loss of a wonderful husband, father and grandfather," a family statement said. "Jim Thompson's love and devotion to his family mirrored his lifelong dedication to his beloved state of Illinois."
The family added that due to COVID-19 restrictions, it would not hold a public wake and a memorial service would be scheduled at a later date.
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As governor, Thompson was able to work well with Democratic politicians.
"Loretta and I extend our sympathies to Jayne and Samantha on the passing of Gov. Jim Thompson," Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., tweeted. "We were political adversaries yet personal friends back in the day when that was not uncommon. Try as we might, we Democrats just could not beat Big Jim."