upi--2020-08-14--Dodgers' Mookie Betts ties MLB homer record vs. Padres

Aug. 14 ( UPI ) -- Mookie Betts tied the Major League Baseball record for most three-home run games for a career when he went deep twice in a Los Angeles Dodgers win over the San Diego Padres .
Betts ' bombs came in the second , fourth and fifth innings of the 11-2 triumph Thursday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles .
The Dodgers outfielder went 4 for 4 with five RBIs and four runs scored in the win .
Betts is now hitting .319 with seven home runs and 15 RBIs this season .
His trio of long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sosa and Johnny Mize as the only players in league history to hit three home runs in a game six times during their careers .
Mize was 37 years old when he had his sixth three-homer game in 1950 for the New York Yankees .
Sosa was 33 when he did the same thing in 2002 for the Chicago Cubs .
Betts , 27 , had his fifth career three-homer game on July 26 , 2019 , during his final season with the Boston Red Sox .
Betts had two three-homer games in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It 's pretty cool , but it 's not important as [ World Series ] rings , '' Betts told reporters .
Tommy Pham and Eric Hosmer hit back-to-back home runs in the top of the first inning to give the Padres a 2-0 lead on Thursday .
The Dodgers answered in the bottom of the inning .
Betts was hit by a pitch in the Dodgers ' first plate appearance .
Corey Seager then smashed a two-run homer to right center field to tie the score .
A.J .
Pollock hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the inning for a 3-2 advantage .
Betts returned to the plate in the bottom of the second frame .
The Dodgers outfielder settled in against Padres starter Chris Paddack .
The exchange lasted for just one pitch .
Paddack tossed an outside fastball to Betts , who ripped the offering to center field for a 404-foot , two-run homer .
The blast had an exit velocity of 103 mph and left the field in 4.7 seconds , according to Statcast .
Pollock pushed the Dodgers ' lead to four runs with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Austin Barnes followed with a two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth inning to make the score 8-2 .
Betts returned to the plate in the next at-bat .
Padres relief pitcher Luis Perdomo earned an 0-2 lead in the count before Betts belted the next pitch to left center field for a 398-foot solo shot .
Betts launched his third home run of the night in the next inning .
Joc Pederson began the frame with a ground out before Chris Taylor singled for the Dodgers .
Barnes then pushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's choice before Betts settled in against Perdomo .
Betts earned a 3-0 lead in the count before he teed off on a 3-1 splitter .
The Dodgers outfielder deposited the pitch over the left field fence .
Julio Urias allowed five hits and two runs in 6 1/3 innings to earn his second win of the season for the Dodgers .
Pollock and Barnes each went 2 for 4 with two RBIs in the win .
Taylor went 3 for 4 with three runs scored for the Dodgers .
Wil Myers went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paddack allowed six hits and six runs in three innings to take his second loss of the season for San Diego .
The Dodgers ( 13-7 ) face the Los Angeles Angels at 9:40 p.m. EDT Friday at Angel Stadium in Anaheim , Calif .
The Padres ( 11-9 ) battle the Arizona Diamondbacks at 9:40 p.m. EDT Friday at Chase Field in Phoenix .

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Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts now has seven home runs in 2020 after he went deep three times in a win over the San Diego Padres Thursday in Los Angeles. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Mookie Betts tied the Major League Baseball record for most three-home run games for a career when he went deep twice in a Los Angeles Dodgers win over the San Diego Padres. Betts' bombs came in the second, fourth and fifth innings of the 11-2 triumph Thursday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The Dodgers outfielder went 4 for 4 with five RBIs and four runs scored in the win. Advertisement
Betts is now hitting .319 with seven home runs and 15 RBIs this season. His trio of long balls on Thursday tied him with Sammy Sosa and Johnny Mize as the only players in league history to hit three home runs in a game six times during their careers.
Mize was 37 years old when he had his sixth three-homer game in 1950 for the New York Yankees. Sosa was 33 when he did the same thing in 2002 for the Chicago Cubs. Betts, 27, had his fifth career three-homer game on July 26, 2019, during his final season with the Boston Red Sox.
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Betts had two three-homer games in 2016 and two more in 2018.
"It's pretty cool, but it's not important as [World Series] rings," Betts told reporters.
Tommy Pham and Eric Hosmer hit back-to-back home runs in the top of the first inning to give the Padres a 2-0 lead on Thursday. The Dodgers answered in the bottom of the inning.
Betts was hit by a pitch in the Dodgers' first plate appearance. Corey Seager then smashed a two-run homer to right center field to tie the score. A.J. Pollock hit another home run for the Dodgers later in the inning for a 3-2 advantage.
Betts returned to the plate in the bottom of the second frame. The Dodgers outfielder settled in against Padres starter Chris Paddack. The exchange lasted for just one pitch.
Paddack tossed an outside fastball to Betts, who ripped the offering to center field for a 404-foot, two-run homer. The blast had an exit velocity of 103 mph and left the field in 4.7 seconds, according to Statcast.
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Pollock pushed the Dodgers' lead to four runs with an RBI double in the third frame. Austin Barnes followed with a two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth inning to make the score 8-2. Betts returned to the plate in the next at-bat.
Padres relief pitcher Luis Perdomo earned an 0-2 lead in the count before Betts belted the next pitch to left center field for a 398-foot solo shot.
Betts launched his third home run of the night in the next inning. Joc Pederson began the frame with a ground out before Chris Taylor singled for the Dodgers. Barnes then pushed Taylor to second base with a fielder's choice before Betts settled in against Perdomo.
Betts earned a 3-0 lead in the count before he teed off on a 3-1 splitter. The Dodgers outfielder deposited the pitch over the left field fence.
Julio Urias allowed five hits and two runs in 6 1/3 innings to earn his second win of the season for the Dodgers. Pollock and Barnes each went 2 for 4 with two RBIs in the win. Taylor went 3 for 4 with three runs scored for the Dodgers.
Wil Myers went 2 for 3 for the Padres. Paddack allowed six hits and six runs in three innings to take his second loss of the season for San Diego.
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The Dodgers (13-7) face the Los Angeles Angels at 9:40 p.m. EDT Friday at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif. The Padres (11-9) battle the Arizona Diamondbacks at 9:40 p.m. EDT Friday at Chase Field in Phoenix.


upi--2020-08-14--Watch: Chrissy Teigen, John Legend expecting third child together

Aug. 14 ( UPI ) -- Chrissy Teigen and John Legend are expecting their third child together , the couple @ @ @ @ @ new music video for `` Wild '' featuring Gary Clark Jr. Legend and Teigen enjoy @ @ @ @ @ the beach in the clip released on Thursday .
The married couple are joined by @ @ @ @ @ and 2-year-old Miles , before Teigen is shown holding onto a baby bump as Legend @ @ @ @ @ Entertainment Tonight also reported that Teigen and Legend are expecting their third child together , @ @ @ @ @ wan na drive you/ Wild , wild , wild/ I wan na love you/ For @ @ @ @ @ go slow/ We do n't need to rush/ I 'll take the wheel , make @ @ @ @ @ '' Legend sings on the track .

Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Chrissy Teigen and John Legend are expecting their third child together, the couple subtly announced in Legend's new music video for "Wild" featuring Gary Clark Jr.
Legend and Teigen enjoy a romantic getaway together at the beach in the clip released on Thursday.
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The married couple are joined by their kids, 4-year-old Luna and 2-year-old Miles, before Teigen is shown holding onto a baby bump as Legend holds her from behind.
Entertainment Tonight also reported that Teigen and Legend are expecting their third child together, citing sources.
Teigen and Legend married in 2013.
"I wanna drive you/ Wild, wild, wild/ I wanna love you/ For miles and miles/ We can go slow/ We don't need to rush/ I'll take the wheel, make you feel every touch," Legend sings on the track.
"Wild" appears on Legend's seventh studio album titled Bigger Love.
Moments from John Legend's career


upi--2020-08-14--Turkey, Iran say Israeli-UAE deal 'shameful,' harmful to Palestinians

Aug. 14 ( UPI ) -- NATO ally Turkey and U.S. foe Iran on Friday denounced the normalization of ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates , both saying the Persian Gulf state has abandoned Palestinians in their fight for a homeland .
U.S. President Donald Trump announced a deal to thaw relations between the two nations on Thursday .
As part of the agreement , Israel agreed to suspend controversial and widely condemned plans to annex parts of West Bank .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had promised the annexation against the wishes of the Palestinians and much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also part of Trump 's Middle East peace plan .
`` The Islamic Republic of Iran considers this 'shameful ' action of Abu Dhabi in normalizing ties with the fake , anti-human and illegitimate Zionist regime a dangerous action and warns about any interference of the Zionist regime in equations of the Persian Gulf region and announces that the government of the Emirates and other accompanying governments must admit responsibility for consequences of this action , '' Iran 's foreign ministry said .
Turkey said the UAE was in pursuit of `` secret @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ignoring the `` willpower of Palestine . ''
`` Neither history nor the collective conscience of the region will ever forget and forgive the hypocritical behavior of the UAE , which is trying to depict the deal as a sacrifice for Palestine when in reality it is a betrayal to the Palestinian cause for its own narrow interests , '' Ankara 's foreign ministry said .
The Palestinian Authority indicated it had no previous knowledge about the deal .
`` The Palestinian leadership rejects and denounces the UAE , Israeli and [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcement , '' Nabil Abu Rudeineh , a spokesman for President Mahmoud Abbas , said , adding that the agreement betrays Palestinians .

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces a peace agreement Thursday to establish diplomatic ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates at the prime minster office in Jerusalem, Israel. Photo by Abir Sultan/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 14 (UPI) -- NATO ally Turkey and U.S. foe Iran on Friday denounced the normalization of ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, both saying the Persian Gulf state has abandoned Palestinians in their fight for a homeland. U.S. President Donald Trump announced a deal to thaw relations between the two nations on Thursday. As part of the agreement, Israel agreed to suspend controversial and widely condemned plans to annex parts of West Bank. Advertisement
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had promised the annexation against the wishes of the Palestinians and much of the West. The annexation was also part of Trump's Middle East peace plan.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran considers this 'shameful' action of Abu Dhabi in normalizing ties with the fake, anti-human and illegitimate Zionist regime a dangerous action and warns about any interference of the Zionist regime in equations of the Persian Gulf region and announces that the government of the Emirates and other accompanying governments must admit responsibility for consequences of this action," Iran's foreign ministry said.
Turkey said the UAE was in pursuit of "secret ambitions" and accused the Arab nation of ignoring the "willpower of Palestine."
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"Neither history nor the collective conscience of the region will ever forget and forgive the hypocritical behavior of the UAE, which is trying to depict the deal as a sacrifice for Palestine when in reality it is a betrayal to the Palestinian cause for its own narrow interests," Ankara's foreign ministry said.
The Palestinian Authority indicated it had no previous knowledge about the deal.
"The Palestinian leadership rejects and denounces the UAE, Israeli and [United States] trilateral, surprising, announcement," Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for President Mahmoud Abbas, said, adding that the agreement betrays Palestinians.


upi--2020-08-14--Watch: Miley Cyrus releases self-directed music video for 'Midnight Sky'

Aug. 14 ( UPI ) -- Miley Cyrus released on Friday a self-directed music video for her new single , `` Midnight Sky . ''
Cyrus sings and performs alongside neon lights , a disco ball and later while sitting on top of colorful gumballs in the clip .
`` The midnight sky is the road I 'm takin'/ Head high up in the clouds/ I was born to run , I do n't belong to anyone , oh no/ I do n't need to be loved by you , '' Cyrus sings .
`` Midnight Sky '' will appear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Is Miley Cyrus .
The pop star last released Younger Now in 2017 .
In 2019 , Cyrus released an EP titled She Is Coming which originally was going to lead into She Is Miley Cyrus , along with other EPs .
`` Midnight Sky '' is available on music streaming services such as Spotify , Apple Music , Amazon Music , Deezer , Tidal , Pandora and Soundcloud .
Cyrus and Cody Simpson have broken up , a source has confirmed to E !
News .
The couple started dating in October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kaitlynn Carter .
Cyrus was also previously engaged to Liam Hemsworth before the pair broke up in August 2019 .
TMZ and Entertainment Tonight also confirmed that Cyrus and Simpson have broken up , citing sources close to the former couple .

Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Miley Cyrus released on Friday a self-directed music video for her new single, "Midnight Sky."
Cyrus sings and performs alongside neon lights, a disco ball and later while sitting on top of colorful gumballs in the clip.
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"The midnight sky is the road I'm takin'/ Head high up in the clouds/ I was born to run, I don't belong to anyone, oh no/ I don't need to be loved by you," Cyrus sings.
"Midnight Sky" will appear on her seventh studio album titled She Is Miley Cyrus. The pop star last released Younger Now in 2017.
In 2019, Cyrus released an EP titled She Is Coming which originally was going to lead into She Is Miley Cyrus, along with other EPs.
"Midnight Sky" is available on music streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, Tidal, Pandora and Soundcloud.
Cyrus and Cody Simpson have broken up, a source has confirmed to E! News. The couple started dating in October after the pop star's relationship with Kaitlynn Carter. Cyrus was also previously engaged to Liam Hemsworth before the pair broke up in August 2019.
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TMZ and Entertainment Tonight also confirmed that Cyrus and Simpson have broken up, citing sources close to the former couple.
Miley Cyrus turns 30: a look back


upi--2020-08-14--TS Josephine expected to run into weather hurdles, but not land

Tropical Storm Josephine developed over the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday and is forecast to produce gusty winds and downpours in parts of the Leeward Islands this weekend before it runs into some more weather hurdles .
Initially a depression , the system was upgraded to the ninth tropical storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season and in the process has set another record for the basin .
The National Hurricane Center said in its 5 a.m. update Friday Josephine was 680 miles southeast of the Northern Leeward Islands .
It had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and was moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Josephine is not projected to make landfall anywhere , thanks to a southward dip in the jet stream that will keep the storm at sea .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Cristobal , the storms bumped off record-setters from the 2005 season .
The prior earliest C-named storm was Colin from 2016 .
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 has until later Friday or Friday night to strengthen before encountering increasing vertical wind shear from the southwest , '' AccuWeather 's top hurricane expert , Dan Kottlowski , said .
`` We expect Josephine to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northwest then the north in the coming days . ''
The storm will pass just east and north of the Leeward Islands Friday night and Saturday and pass well east of the Bahamas on Sunday , Kottlowski added .
The Leeward Islands include Antiqua , Guadeloupe , Barbuda , Montserrat , Dominica , St. Martin , Anguilla , St. Kitts and Nevis , and the British and United States Virgin Islands .
There is the risk of gusty squalls and downpours to develop on the southern flank of the storm , even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Leeward Islands .
A weaker , poorly organized system , such as a depression is more likely to drift more to the west , but a stronger , better organized system , such as a strong tropical storm or hurricane , is more likely to turn more to the northwest over time .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shield and prevent systems from getting too close to United States waters and coastal areas .
However , that buffer zone may not last long .
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 .
Tropical storms are named for most letters of the alphabet , with the exception of Q , U , X , Y @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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. The climatological peak for the Atlantic hurricane season is around Sept. 10 .

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.
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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.
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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--2020-08-14--COVID-19 has altered how and where Americans go online, experts say

Aug. 14 ( UPI ) -- Much like what 's been seen in the brick-and-mortar economy , the coronavirus pandemic is producing clear winners and losers online , according to an analysis of web traffic in the United States .
Average traffic per month to the top five most-visited websites across 11 categories jumped by 4.4 % during the first half of 2020 compared with last year as the health crisis increasingly turned Americans toward the Internet for work , shopping and entertainment , web analytics firm SimilarWeb concluded this month .
Some types of websites benefited far more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployment in the United States rose dramatically in the spring -- from a historically low 3.5 % to nearly 15 % in April -- top career sites like Indeed , Monster and Careerbuilder did not benefit .
The top five job sites , in fact , saw markedly lower traffic compared with the first half of 2019 -- including a decline of nearly 35 % for Monster , the report showed .
What seems to be a disconnect between high unemployment rates and lower traffic for career sites could be explained by several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal unemployment payment of $ 600 per week is one .
`` What we found when we looked into this is that visits were down both because employers were slower to post new openings because they were hiring less , '' SimilarWeb Marketing Insights Manager Ilana Marks told UPI .
`` And , also , because of the provisions [ like the $ 600 payment ] , there was less incentive to go back to work . ''
But , she added , the situation has changed in recent weeks .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traffic to these sites -- a bigger demand from them , '' Marks said .
`` This means companies are starting to get back onto the hiring train .
`` There had been a total freeze in both the supply and demand sides of the career website category -- something that was completely unprecedented . ''
Out-of-work Americans stopped receiving the enhanced benefit near the end of July when the program expired .
Negotiators have not agreed on a replacement benefit .
The report showed that other online losers were not as unexpected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severe decline in traffic as demand for travel dried up amid stay-home orders nationwide and restrictions on air and foreign travel .
Traffic to the top five accommodations sites sank by more than 30 % .
Traffic to websites for brick-and-mortar department stores also slowed , as the sector endured one of its worst periods in history .
Retailers including Neiman Marcus , J.C. Penney , Lord & Taylor and several others declared bankruptcy after the pandemic arrived in the United States , and traffic to the top department store sites declined by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the spectrum , the new post-COVID normal saw substantial increases to other sectors online .
Perhaps unsurprisingly , the largest e-commerce retailers like Amazon , Walmart and Target saw great influxes of traffic , including a 9 % hike for Target , the SimilarWeb analysis showed -- also a reflection of Americans being forced to live their lives under unprecedented restrictions .
Also on the rise is the percentage of users who convert their visits into actual purchases , illustrating how online shopping has grown to include everyday , household necessities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , SimilarWeb said , conversion rates were higher during the first half of a year than in the second , when year-end holiday sales occur .
`` To see higher conversion rates higher now than during the holidays and Black Friday , when they 're usually through the roof , really speaks to the 'purchase intent ' now , '' Marks said .
`` People are ordering essential goods online , and so you 're seeing the online marketplaces shooting up in traffic . ''
Top news websites also benefited with a traffic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ searched for the latest information on the pandemic -- and porn websites also showed substantial increases in traffic , generating more than $ 1 billion per month compared to $ 885 million a year ago .
The health crisis has led to some other unprecedented changes , including where flows of traffic originate , SimilarWeb found .
In one of the greatest changes from last year , traffic from desktop computers outstripped that from mobile devices .
`` People are now at home , and they 're spending more time in front of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shifting away from looking at things on their phone while on the go , '' Marks said .
`` The shift was 1.9 percentage points , which sounds small , but that translates into 1.9 percent of 6.1 billion visits to these sites -- that 's very significant . ''

A woman works on a laptop computer in Domino Park in New York City on May 17 as the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has created distinct shifts in the way Americans spend time online. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Much like what's been seen in the brick-and-mortar economy, the coronavirus pandemic is producing clear winners and losers online, according to an analysis of web traffic in the United States. Average traffic per month to the top five most-visited websites across 11 categories jumped by 4.4% during the first half of 2020 compared with last year as the health crisis increasingly turned Americans toward the Internet for work, shopping and entertainment, web analytics firm SimilarWeb concluded this month. Advertisement
Some types of websites benefited far more than others.
For instance, even though unemployment in the United States rose dramatically in the spring -- from a historically low 3.5% to nearly 15% in April -- top career sites like Indeed, Monster and Careerbuilder did not benefit.
The top five job sites, in fact, saw markedly lower traffic compared with the first half of 2019 -- including a decline of nearly 35% for Monster, the report showed.
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What seems to be a disconnect between high unemployment rates and lower traffic for career sites could be explained by several factors, experts say. The enhanced federal unemployment payment of $600 per week is one.
"What we found when we looked into this is that visits were down both because employers were slower to post new openings because they were hiring less," SimilarWeb Marketing Insights Manager Ilana Marks told UPI.
"And, also, because of the provisions [like the $600 payment], there was less incentive to go back to work."
But, she added, the situation has changed in recent weeks.
"We are now seeing an uptrend in employer traffic to these sites -- a bigger demand from them," Marks said. "This means companies are starting to get back onto the hiring train.
"There had been a total freeze in both the supply and demand sides of the career website category -- something that was completely unprecedented."
Out-of-work Americans stopped receiving the enhanced benefit near the end of July when the program expired. Negotiators have not agreed on a replacement benefit.
The report showed that other online losers were not as unexpected.
Major hotel booking sites saw a severe decline in traffic as demand for travel dried up amid stay-home orders nationwide and restrictions on air and foreign travel. Traffic to the top five accommodations sites sank by more than 30%.
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Traffic to websites for brick-and-mortar department stores also slowed, as the sector endured one of its worst periods in history.
Retailers including Neiman Marcus, J.C. Penney, Lord & Taylor and several others declared bankruptcy after the pandemic arrived in the United States, and traffic to the top department store sites declined by nearly one-fifth.
On the other side of the spectrum, the new post-COVID normal saw substantial increases to other sectors online.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the largest e-commerce retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Target saw great influxes of traffic, including a 9% hike for Target, the SimilarWeb analysis showed -- also a reflection of Americans being forced to live their lives under unprecedented restrictions.
Also on the rise is the percentage of users who convert their visits into actual purchases, illustrating how online shopping has grown to include everyday, household necessities.
For the first time since observations began, SimilarWeb said, conversion rates were higher during the first half of a year than in the second, when year-end holiday sales occur.
"To see higher conversion rates higher now than during the holidays and Black Friday, when they're usually through the roof, really speaks to the 'purchase intent' now," Marks said. "People are ordering essential goods online, and so you're seeing the online marketplaces shooting up in traffic."
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Top news websites also benefited with a traffic increase of 22%, as users searched for the latest information on the pandemic -- and porn websites also showed substantial increases in traffic, generating more than $1 billion per month compared to $885 million a year ago.
The health crisis has led to some other unprecedented changes, including where flows of traffic originate, SimilarWeb found. In one of the greatest changes from last year, traffic from desktop computers outstripped that from mobile devices.
"People are now at home, and they're spending more time in front of their computer screens, so they're shifting away from looking at things on their phone while on the go," Marks said.
"The shift was 1.9 percentage points, which sounds small, but that translates into 1.9 percent of 6.1 billion visits to these sites -- that's very significant."


upi--2020-08-14--North Korea lifts lockdown from border city, rejects outside aid

SEOUL , Aug. 14 ( UPI ) -- North Korea has lifted a lockdown in and around Kaesong , the border city where its first suspected case of COVID-19 was reported late last month , state-run media said on Friday .
The communist state claims it has had no coronavirus infections .
In late July , however , authorities placed Kaesong under lockdown after a 24-year-old who had defected from the North snuck back across the heavily guarded border and was displaying symptoms of the disease when he was caught .
The move to ease the lockdown was made at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ruling Workers ' Party of Korea , helmed by leader Kim Jong Un .
The decision was made `` based on the scientific verification and guarantee by a professional anti-epidemic organization , '' KCNA reported .
Kim was quoted as saying that `` it has been proved the situation of anti-epidemic work has been kept and controlled stably . ''
In his remarks at the meeting , Kim thanked those who had been under lockdown for `` having remained faithful to the measure taken by our party and government , despite inconvenience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kim added that North Korea is currently facing `` two challenges : anti-epidemic work to thoroughly cope with the world public health crisis and unexpected sudden natural disaster . ''
The country has been besieged by heavy rains and flooding over recent weeks .
Nearly 17,000 homes and 630 public buildings have been destroyed or inundated and almost 40,000 hectares of crops have been damaged , according to a briefing given at the Worker 's Party meeting .
Several roads , bridges and railway sections have also been broken and a dam of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported .
However , Kim rejected the notion of accepting international assistance to help with the flood damage , citing the threat of the coronavirus .
`` The situation , in which the spread of the worldwide malignant virus has become worse , requires us not to allow any outside aid for the flood damage but shut the border tighter and carry out strict anti-epidemic work , '' Kim said .
North Korea was the first country to close its borders after the outbreak of COVID-19 in neighboring China , shutting down in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it remains coronavirus-free , numerous experts around the world have expressed skepticism that the country has managed to avoid the pandemic .

North Korea announced on Friday that it was lifting a coronavirus lockdown in its border city of Kaesong, while Kim Jong Un rejected outside aid for the damages from rain and flooding that battered the country. Photo by KCNA
SEOUL, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- North Korea has lifted a lockdown in and around Kaesong, the border city where its first suspected case of COVID-19 was reported late last month, state-run media said on Friday. The communist state claims it has had no coronavirus infections. In late July, however, authorities placed Kaesong under lockdown after a 24-year-old who had defected from the North snuck back across the heavily guarded border and was displaying symptoms of the disease when he was caught. Advertisement
The move to ease the lockdown was made at a meeting of the political bureau of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, helmed by leader Kim Jong Un.
The decision was made "based on the scientific verification and guarantee by a professional anti-epidemic organization," KCNA reported.
Kim was quoted as saying that "it has been proved the situation of anti-epidemic work has been kept and controlled stably."
In his remarks at the meeting, Kim thanked those who had been under lockdown for "having remained faithful to the measure taken by our party and government, despite inconvenience in their living under quarantine."
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Kim added that North Korea is currently facing "two challenges: anti-epidemic work to thoroughly cope with the world public health crisis and unexpected sudden natural disaster."
The country has been besieged by heavy rains and flooding over recent weeks. Nearly 17,000 homes and 630 public buildings have been destroyed or inundated and almost 40,000 hectares of crops have been damaged, according to a briefing given at the Worker's Party meeting.
Several roads, bridges and railway sections have also been broken and a dam of a power station gave way, KCNA reported.
However, Kim rejected the notion of accepting international assistance to help with the flood damage, citing the threat of the coronavirus.
"The situation, in which the spread of the worldwide malignant virus has become worse, requires us not to allow any outside aid for the flood damage but shut the border tighter and carry out strict anti-epidemic work," Kim said.
North Korea was the first country to close its borders after the outbreak of COVID-19 in neighboring China, shutting down in late January. Despite its insistence that it remains coronavirus-free, numerous experts around the world have expressed skepticism that the country has managed to avoid the pandemic.


upi--2020-08-14--Lake Fire grows to 11K acres; Ranch Fire erupts

Aug. 14 ( UPI ) -- A fast-moving brush fire in northern Los Angeles County has grown to 11,000 acres , threatening thousands of structures , officials said .
The Lake Fire , which erupted Wednesday afternoon near Lake Hughes , about 65 miles north of Los Angeles , has grown to 11,000 acres and was only 5 % contained , the Los Angeles County Fire Department said in its Thursday night update .
Some 5,420 structures remained threatened by the blaze , which has already destroyed three buildings , the department said .
Evacuation orders are in place for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and North of Dry Gulch Road , East of Ridge Route Road , West of Lake Hughes Road and Fire Station 78 , North of Pine Canyon and Lake Hughes Road and South of SR-138 .
Seneca Smith , public information officer for Angeles National Forest , said the fire has been driven by dense and dry vegetation and steep terrain and that it 's been hard to predict if it will continue to grow and in what direction .
More than 1,000 people were working to contain the fire on Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way .
`` What we are seeing as far as priorities go with this type of fire behavior is we 're working on perimeter control of the fire and structure protection , '' she said in a video published to Twitter .
Fire crews on Thursday took advantage of slightly lower temperatures and moisture from Tropical Storm Elida moving across the area but warmer and drier conditions are forecast for Friday , officials said .
`` Near critical fire weather conditions could develop Friday afternoon and evening as gust onshore winds could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place , '' the Los Angeles County Fire Department said in its update .
`` Rugged terrain with drought-stricken fuels , heavy fuel loading and high temperatures have contributed to the difficulty of suppressing the fire during the initial attack period . ''
Angeles National Forest Chief Robert Garcia said there have been a few small fires in the area before but much of it has n't burned since the late 1960s .
Meanwhile , firefighters were battling a second fast-moving brush blaze in southern California dubbed Ranch Fire that ignited Thursday and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Gabriel Mountains , about 50 miles northeast of Los Angles , with 0 % contained by nightfall .
Angeles National Forest said in a statement that `` structures are threatened . ''
Evacuations had been ordered for Mountain Cove but were lifted by 11 p.m. , the Azusa Police Department said .

Ranch Fire erupted Thursday outside of Los Angeles, growing to 3,000 acres by the end of the day. Photo courtesy of the Azusa Police Department/ Twitter
Aug. 14 (UPI) -- A fast-moving brush fire in northern Los Angeles County has grown to 11,000 acres, threatening thousands of structures, officials said. The Lake Fire, which erupted Wednesday afternoon near Lake Hughes, about 65 miles north of Los Angeles, has grown to 11,000 acres and was only 5% contained, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said in its Thursday night update. Advertisement
Some 5,420 structures remained threatened by the blaze, which has already destroyed three buildings, the department said.
Evacuation orders are in place for Lake Hughes Road West of Pine Canyon and North of Dry Gulch Road, East of Ridge Route Road, West of Lake Hughes Road and Fire Station 78, North of Pine Canyon and Lake Hughes Road and South of SR-138.
Seneca Smith, public information officer for Angeles National Forest, said the fire has been driven by dense and dry vegetation and steep terrain and that it's been hard to predict if it will continue to grow and in what direction.
More than 1,000 people were working to contain the fire on Thursday, she said, with more resources on the way.
"What we are seeing as far as priorities go with this type of fire behavior is we're working on perimeter control of the fire and structure protection," she said in a video published to Twitter.
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Fire crews on Thursday took advantage of slightly lower temperatures and moisture from Tropical Storm Elida moving across the area but warmer and drier conditions are forecast for Friday, officials said.
"Near critical fire weather conditions could develop Friday afternoon and evening as gust onshore winds could combine with warm and dry conditions in place," the Los Angeles County Fire Department said in its update. "Rugged terrain with drought-stricken fuels, heavy fuel loading and high temperatures have contributed to the difficulty of suppressing the fire during the initial attack period."
Angeles National Forest Chief Robert Garcia said there have been a few small fires in the area before but much of it hasn't burned since the late 1960s.
Meanwhile, firefighters were battling a second fast-moving brush blaze in southern California dubbed Ranch Fire that ignited Thursday and had grown to 3,000 acres in the San Gabriel Mountains, about 50 miles northeast of Los Angles, with 0% contained by nightfall.
Angeles National Forest said in a statement that "structures are threatened."
Evacuations had been ordered for Mountain Cove but were lifted by 11 p.m., the Azusa Police Department said.


upi--2020-08-14--U.S. suspends charter flights with Cuba

U.S. suspends charter flights with Cuba

Aug. 14 ( UPI ) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has suspended all private charter flights to Cuba , in a move to deprive the Caribbean nation of a revenue source .
In a statement Thursday , the United States ' top diplomat said he was suspending all charter flights between the United States and Cuba to prevent it from earning money from landing fees , tourism and other travel-related income .
`` The Cuban military and intelligence services own and operate the great majority of hotels and tourism infrastructure in Cuba , '' Pompeo said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reconsider the island nation as a tourism destination .
`` The suspension of private charter flights will deny economic resources to the Castro regime and inhibit its capacity to carry out abuses . ''
The order will be in effect Oct. 13 , the Department of Transportation said in a statement , adding exceptions will be in place for authorized public charters to and from Havana and authorized flights for emergency medical purposes , search and rescue and other travel deemed in the interest of the United States .
`` Dictators can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel , '' Pompeo tweeted .
Carlos Fernandez de Cossio , director-general of U.S. affairs at Cuba 's Ministry of Foreign Affairs , said the measure was of little practical impact but that Cuba rejects it as it affects Cubans with family on both sides of the Florida Straits .
`` The measure seeks to satisfy the electoral political machinery of South Florida and confirms imperialism 's contempt for Cubans and Americans of Cuban origin , '' he said in a statement tweeted by Cuba 's Ministry of Foreign Affairs .
The move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late May to limit the number of public charter round-trip flights to 3,600 , the total number of such flights during 2019 .
In a letter in early January , Pompeo told Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao the move to limit such flights would strengthen the economic pressure on Cuba and force it to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and `` to cease its unconscionable support for the illegitimate and totalitarian regime of former President [ Nicolas ] Maduro in Venezuela . ''
The United States has accused Cuba , along with Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his effort to cling to power despite more than a yearlong campaign of tightening diplomatic and economic vises on the socialist leader to pressure him to step down .
The United States leads a coalition of more than 50 countries backing Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guiado 's claim to the presidency after Maduro 's 2018 re-election was deemed illegitimate early last year .
In October of last year , Pompeo announced the suspension of air service between the United States and Cuban international airports other than Havana 's Jose Marti International Airport .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Cuban regime that has been used to finance its ongoing repression of Cuban people and its support of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela , '' Pompeo said in his announcement last fall .
On Thursday , he said the U.S. message to Cuba has n't changed : `` The United States will continue to stand up for Cuban people and against the regime 's abuses and its interference in Venezuela to prop up Maduro 's illegitimate hold on power . ''

Aug. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has suspended all private charter flights to Cuba, in a move to deprive the Caribbean nation of a revenue source.
In a statement Thursday, the United States' top diplomat said he was suspending all charter flights between the United States and Cuba to prevent it from earning money from landing fees, tourism and other travel-related income.
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"The Cuban military and intelligence services own and operate the great majority of hotels and tourism infrastructure in Cuba," Pompeo said in a statement, urging travelers from all nations to reconsider the island nation as a tourism destination. "The suspension of private charter flights will deny economic resources to the Castro regime and inhibit its capacity to carry out abuses."
The order will be in effect Oct. 13, the Department of Transportation said in a statement, adding exceptions will be in place for authorized public charters to and from Havana and authorized flights for emergency medical purposes, search and rescue and other travel deemed in the interest of the United States.
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"Dictators cannot be allowed to benefit from U.S. travel," Pompeo tweeted.
Today I asked the Department of Transportation to suspend private charter flights between the U.S. and Cuba. The Castro regime uses tourism and travel funds to finance its abuses and interference in Venezuela. Dictators cannot be allowed to benefit from U.S. travel.— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) August 13, 2020
Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, director-general of U.S. affairs at Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the measure was of little practical impact but that Cuba rejects it as it affects Cubans with family on both sides of the Florida Straits.
"The measure seeks to satisfy the electoral political machinery of South Florida and confirms imperialism's contempt for Cubans and Americans of Cuban origin," he said in a statement tweeted by Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The move follows the Transportation Department's step in late May to limit the number of public charter round-trip flights to 3,600, the total number of such flights during 2019.
In a letter in early January, Pompeo told Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao the move to limit such flights would strengthen the economic pressure on Cuba and force it to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and "to cease its unconscionable support for the illegitimate and totalitarian regime of former President [Nicolas] Maduro in Venezuela."
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The United States has accused Cuba, along with Russia and China, of aiding Maduro in his effort to cling to power despite more than a yearlong campaign of tightening diplomatic and economic vises on the socialist leader to pressure him to step down.
The United States leads a coalition of more than 50 countries backing Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guiado's claim to the presidency after Maduro's 2018 re-election was deemed illegitimate early last year.
In October of last year, Pompeo announced the suspension of air service between the United States and Cuban international airports other than Havana's Jose Marti International Airport.
"This action prevents revenue from reaching the Cuban regime that has been used to finance its ongoing repression of Cuban people and its support of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela," Pompeo said in his announcement last fall.
On Thursday, he said the U.S. message to Cuba hasn't changed: "The United States will continue to stand up for Cuban people and against the regime's abuses and its interference in Venezuela to prop up Maduro's illegitimate hold on power."


upi--2020-08-14--Local COVID-19 cases in South Korea rise to highest level since March

SEOUL , Aug. 14 ( UPI ) -- Locally transmitted COVID-19 cases in South Korea have reached their highest level since late March , prompting officials to consider stricter measures to contain the spread .
Most of the 85 new local cases were concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan region across a number of different locations , health officials said Friday .
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also reported more than a dozen new imported cases .
`` We are witnessing continued transmissions at various venues including churches , large market buildings , schools and fast-food restaurants , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a press briefing on Friday .
`` We are very concerned about the current situation . ''
Kim called the local clusters `` grave situations '' and said they were a `` big hurdle to the government 's efforts to contain the virus . ''
Cases tied to a church in Yongin , south of Seoul , jumped to 72 , an increase of 60 from the day before .
At least 34 cases so far have been traced to a church in Goyang , a satellite city just north of Seoul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the closure of a church where cases jumped by 14 to 19 .
Lotteria , a fast-food franchise in Seoul , has been tied to 15 cases , and infections have also been reported among vendors at Seoul 's crowded Namdaemun and Dongdaemun traditional markets .
South Korea has been operating under relaxed distancing guidelines in recent months , with students back in schools and sports fans allowed to return to live events in increasing numbers .
However , Kim cautioned that the government may decide to tighten its social distancing protocols in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The government is reviewing the option of increasing social distancing measures to Level 2 in the [ Seoul ] metropolitan area , '' he said .
South Korea adopted a three-tier distancing plan in June .
If the government goes to Level 2 , all indoor gatherings of 50 or more people and all outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people will be banned .
At Level 3 , gatherings of 10 or more people will be banned and students will be prohibited from attending schools .
Health officials have expressed concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rallies over the upcoming three-day weekend , as South Korea celebrates its National Liberation Day holiday on Saturday , marking the end of Japanese occupation of the country in 1945 .
Seoul city government on Thursday issued an administrative order banning mass rallies that had been planned by a variety of groups for Liberation Day , citing concerns over coronavirus transmission .
Friday 's spike in local cases marked the highest number of infections since March 31 and followed days of rising figures , with 47 local cases reported on Thursday and 35 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tally of 103 cases marked the first time South Korea passed the triple-digit infection mark since July 25 , when 113 cases were reported , driven by a sharp rise in infections from Korean nationals returning from Iraq and sailors aboard a Russian vessel .
South Korea 's total number of COVID-19 cases rose to 14,873 on Friday , while deaths remained at 305 .

South Korea has been operating under relaxed guidelines, with students back to schools and sports fans allowed to return to live events in increasing numbers. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI | License Photo
SEOUL, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Locally transmitted COVID-19 cases in South Korea have reached their highest level since late March, prompting officials to consider stricter measures to contain the spread. Most of the 85 new local cases were concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan region across a number of different locations, health officials said Friday. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also reported more than a dozen new imported cases. Advertisement
"We are witnessing continued transmissions at various venues including churches, large market buildings, schools and fast-food restaurants," said Vice Health Minister Kim Gang-lip at a press briefing on Friday. "We are very concerned about the current situation."
Kim called the local clusters "grave situations" and said they were a "big hurdle to the government's efforts to contain the virus."
Cases tied to a church in Yongin, south of Seoul, jumped to 72, an increase of 60 from the day before. At least 34 cases so far have been traced to a church in Goyang, a satellite city just north of Seoul, while the Seoul city government ordered the closure of a church where cases jumped by 14 to 19.
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Lotteria, a fast-food franchise in Seoul, has been tied to 15 cases, and infections have also been reported among vendors at Seoul's crowded Namdaemun and Dongdaemun traditional markets.
South Korea has been operating under relaxed distancing guidelines in recent months, with students back in schools and sports fans allowed to return to live events in increasing numbers.
However, Kim cautioned that the government may decide to tighten its social distancing protocols in the wake of the rising infections.
"The government is reviewing the option of increasing social distancing measures to Level 2 in the [Seoul] metropolitan area," he said.
South Korea adopted a three-tier distancing plan in June. If the government goes to Level 2, all indoor gatherings of 50 or more people and all outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people will be banned. At Level 3, gatherings of 10 or more people will be banned and students will be prohibited from attending schools.
Health officials have expressed concern about the virus spreading via travel and rallies over the upcoming three-day weekend, as South Korea celebrates its National Liberation Day holiday on Saturday, marking the end of Japanese occupation of the country in 1945.
Seoul city government on Thursday issued an administrative order banning mass rallies that had been planned by a variety of groups for Liberation Day, citing concerns over coronavirus transmission.
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Friday's spike in local cases marked the highest number of infections since March 31 and followed days of rising figures, with 47 local cases reported on Thursday and 35 the day before.
The overall daily tally of 103 cases marked the first time South Korea passed the triple-digit infection mark since July 25, when 113 cases were reported, driven by a sharp rise in infections from Korean nationals returning from Iraq and sailors aboard a Russian vessel.
South Korea's total number of COVID-19 cases rose to 14,873 on Friday, while deaths remained at 305.


upi--2020-08-14--British singer Rumer finds her country voice with 'Nashville Tears'

Aug. 14 ( UPI ) -- British singer Rumer said Nashville Tears ( The Songs of Hugh Prestwood ) represents the `` culmination '' and `` encapsulation '' of the seven years she spent living in the southern United States .
Rumer , whose real name is Sarah Joyce , said the story of Nashville Tears ( The Songs of Hugh Prestwood ) , which is out Friday from label Cooking Vinyl , began when she left London to move to the United States -- first to Los Angeles and then to Arkansas and finally to Macon , Georgia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked a little job , and I was just living as an ordinary mom in Georgia , '' Rumer , 41 , told UPI in a recent interview .
`` I had kind of run away from the music business . ''
The singer of pop hits `` Slow '' and `` Aretha '' said life in the South sparked an appreciation for the music of country artists such as Miranda Lambert , Blake Shelton , Pistol Annies and Lori McKenna .
`` I was living a kind of life where country music @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themes were telling my story at that time , '' she said .
`` I was just living a very ordinary life . ''
Rumer 's budding interest in country music coincided with her hitting a stumbling block with her songwriting .
`` My process for writing songs has always been mysterious , '' she said.
`` It 's like I 've got to pull a rabbit out of a hat , and you do n't really know how you 're going to do it , but I was n't able to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just had a child and I was just not able to access that part of my creativity at that point . ''
So she decided instead to put her musical energies toward shining a spotlight on undiscovered country songs .
`` I felt like I could authentically embody that music , I was standing in a parking lot of a Kroger in middle-central Georgia , putting groceries into my car with my Arkansas plates , and I thought , ' I could sing country music now .
This girl could sing country music @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Nashville Tears originally was going to have a collection of songs from various songwriters .
`` The idea was we were going to comb through the vaults of Nashville to find songs that were not cut , or were cut and did n't get the attention they deserved -- the lost songs of Nashville , '' she recalled .
She was left feeling `` despondent , '' however , as she searched through catalogs without finding what she was looking for .
She said the breakthrough came after producer Fred Mollin sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' by Hugh Prestwood , a songwriter who previously worked with Judy Collins , Trisha Yearwood and Alison Krauss .
`` I thought 'Wow , that 's a really beautiful song , ' and then he sent me another song of his , and another song of his , and I was like , 'Oh my god , this writer is really special , and I do n't know who he is , ' '' Rumer said .
The project soon became `` a Hugh Prestwood songbook . ''
Rumer described Prestwood 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ethereal . ''
The songs `` have an extra dimension to them , which to a singer is really exciting , because then you get to open up extra dimensions of yourself to sing them . ''
The singer said she also connected with the `` universal themes '' of the songs , which she said are endemic of `` good country music . ''
`` Universal themes , ordinary moments that are made extraordinary , '' she said .
Rumer said she wanted Nashville Tears to be `` a piece of work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' starting with exposing the world at large to Prestwood 's writings .
`` It 's going to form an introduction to people like me who have n't heard of Hugh Prestwood -- in Nashville everyone knows who he is , but in England not many people do , or in Germany or Tokyo or other places I could share his music , '' she said .
`` So I wanted it to be a really nice introduction , I wanted it to be a portrait of America through Hugh Prestwood , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and through his work . ''
She said recording the album posed a set of `` musical challenges . ''
`` To get the music right , that 's something that comes with enormous amounts of experience , '' she said .
`` A lot of the original songs that we did had not been cut , so we 've got a blueprint , which is just Hugh Prestwood and his guitar , so we 're trying to find the expression for each song .
`` So it 's a whole different set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complex set of skills , '' she said .
Rumer said putting together an album of someone else 's songs is `` like doing a puzzle , trying to piece together all this music and create this tapestry that 's going to fulfill all these criteria that you want it to fulfill . ''
She said the criteria includes `` to be beautiful musically , to be emotional , for it to connect , for it to create a portrait when you listen to it from start to finish , for it to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said her ultimate goal for the record is to bring people together .
`` In America , you 've got people either on one side or the other .
They 're conservative or they 're liberal , this side or that side , '' she said .
`` I wanted to pull that piece of every American who loves America , beyond politics , beyond all these arguments and discussions -- the part of every single American , regardless of politics , what they love about their country , and who they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and connect with that . ''
Rumer said political divisions have touched her life , but the story of Nashville Tears was one of bridging divides .
`` There 's so much polarization going on in America right now , '' the performer lamented .
`` My husband 's family are all at war with each other , and everyone 's at war with each other .
`` Me and Hugh Prestwood , we 're so different .
He 's a conservative and I 'm a European visitor , and we 've come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I just think that 's really interesting -- to come together and make art rather than politics , '' she said .
Rumer returned to London in June with her husband , Rob Shirakbari , and their son .
She said she decided to `` hit the ground running '' after completing work on Nashville Tears , and she is writing songs for her next record .
`` Things are a little bit easier now my son is nearly 3 1/2 , so I 'm getting to the point where I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on songwriting , '' she said .
`` It 's definitely time for me to work on a new project and to start synthesizing all my thoughts and feelings and come up with something new and find out where this next creative breeze is taking me . ''
Nashville Tears ( The Songs of Hugh Prestwood ) is out Friday from Cooking Vinyl .

British singer Rumer said she wants her latest record, "Nashville Tears (The Songs of Hugh Prestwood)," to bridge political divides in the United States. Photo courtesy of Alan Messer/Cooking Vinyl
Aug. 14 (UPI) -- British singer Rumer said Nashville Tears (The Songs of Hugh Prestwood) represents the "culmination" and "encapsulation" of the seven years she spent living in the southern United States. Rumer, whose real name is Sarah Joyce, said the story of Nashville Tears (The Songs of Hugh Prestwood), which is out Friday from label Cooking Vinyl, began when she left London to move to the United States -- first to Los Angeles and then to Arkansas and finally to Macon, Georgia. Advertisement
"I had a baby, I worked a little job, and I was just living as an ordinary mom in Georgia," Rumer, 41, told UPI in a recent interview. "I had kind of run away from the music business."
The singer of pop hits "Slow" and "Aretha" said life in the South sparked an appreciation for the music of country artists such as Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Pistol Annies and Lori McKenna.
Advertisement
"I was living a kind of life where country music and country music lyrics and country music themes were telling my story at that time," she said. "I was just living a very ordinary life."
Rumer's budding interest in country music coincided with her hitting a stumbling block with her songwriting.
"My process for writing songs has always been mysterious," she said. " It's like I've got to pull a rabbit out of a hat, and you don't really know how you're going to do it, but I wasn't able to do that at the time because I had just had a child and I was just not able to access that part of my creativity at that point."
So she decided instead to put her musical energies toward shining a spotlight on undiscovered country songs.
"I felt like I could authentically embody that music, I was standing in a parking lot of a Kroger in middle-central Georgia, putting groceries into my car with my Arkansas plates, and I thought, 'I could sing country music now. This girl could sing country music,'" she said.
Finding the music
Rumer said Nashville Tears originally was going to have a collection of songs from various songwriters.
Advertisement
"The idea was we were going to comb through the vaults of Nashville to find songs that were not cut, or were cut and didn't get the attention they deserved -- the lost songs of Nashville," she recalled.
She was left feeling "despondent," however, as she searched through catalogs without finding what she was looking for. She said the breakthrough came after producer Fred Mollin sent her a demo of "Oklahoma Stray" by Hugh Prestwood, a songwriter who previously worked with Judy Collins, Trisha Yearwood and Alison Krauss.
"I thought 'Wow, that's a really beautiful song,' and then he sent me another song of his, and another song of his, and I was like, 'Oh my god, this writer is really special, and I don't know who he is,'" Rumer said.
The project soon became "a Hugh Prestwood songbook."
Rumer described Prestwood's songwriting as "sophisticated and deep and ethereal."
The songs "have an extra dimension to them, which to a singer is really exciting, because then you get to open up extra dimensions of yourself to sing them."
The singer said she also connected with the "universal themes" of the songs, which she said are endemic of "good country music."
Advertisement
"Universal themes, ordinary moments that are made extraordinary," she said.
'Musical challenges'
Rumer said she wanted Nashville Tears to be "a piece of work that does a lot of things," starting with exposing the world at large to Prestwood's writings.
"It's going to form an introduction to people like me who haven't heard of Hugh Prestwood -- in Nashville everyone knows who he is, but in England not many people do, or in Germany or Tokyo or other places I could share his music," she said.
"So I wanted it to be a really nice introduction, I wanted it to be a portrait of America through Hugh Prestwood, and through his heart and through his words and through his work."
She said recording the album posed a set of "musical challenges."
"To get the music right, that's something that comes with enormous amounts of experience," she said. "A lot of the original songs that we did had not been cut, so we've got a blueprint, which is just Hugh Prestwood and his guitar, so we're trying to find the expression for each song.
"So it's a whole different set of musical skills -- it's a complex set of skills," she said.
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Rumer said putting together an album of someone else's songs is "like doing a puzzle, trying to piece together all this music and create this tapestry that's going to fulfill all these criteria that you want it to fulfill."
She said the criteria includes "to be beautiful musically, to be emotional, for it to connect, for it to create a portrait when you listen to it from start to finish, for it to make you feel something."
Rumer said her ultimate goal for the record is to bring people together.
"In America, you've got people either on one side or the other. They're conservative or they're liberal, this side or that side," she said.
"I wanted to pull that piece of every American who loves America, beyond politics, beyond all these arguments and discussions -- the part of every single American, regardless of politics, what they love about their country, and who they are as Americans. I wanted to try and connect with that."
Rumer said political divisions have touched her life, but the story of Nashville Tears was one of bridging divides.
"There's so much polarization going on in America right now," the performer lamented. "My husband's family are all at war with each other, and everyone's at war with each other.
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"Me and Hugh Prestwood, we're so different. He's a conservative and I'm a European visitor, and we've come together and collaborated on this project, and I just think that's really interesting -- to come together and make art rather than politics," she said.
Return to songwriting
Rumer returned to London in June with her husband, Rob Shirakbari, and their son. She said she decided to "hit the ground running" after completing work on Nashville Tears, and she is writing songs for her next record.
"Things are a little bit easier now my son is nearly 3 1/2, so I'm getting to the point where I can get a little more time to work on songwriting," she said.
"It's definitely time for me to work on a new project and to start synthesizing all my thoughts and feelings and come up with something new and find out where this next creative breeze is taking me."
Nashville Tears (The Songs of Hugh Prestwood) is out Friday from Cooking Vinyl.


upi--2020-08-14--On This Day, Aug. 14: Lunar Orbiter 1 begins orbit of moon

Aug. 14 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1784 , Grigory Shelikhov , a Russian fur trader , founded the first permanent Russian settlement in Alaska on Kodiak Island .
In 1900 , about 2,000 U.S. Marines joined with European forces to capture Beijing , ending the Boxer Rebellion against the Western presence in China .
In 1935 , the U.S. Congress passed the Social Security Act and President Franklin D. Roosevelt immediately signed it into law .
In 1945 , U.S. President Harry Truman announced that Japan had accepted terms for unconditional surrender .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ending World War II .
In 1947 , more than 400 million people living in Hindustan and Pakistan gained their independence from Britain .
In 1959 , the satellite Explorer VI transmitted man 's first satellite ( orbital ) view of Earth from space .
In 1966 , the unmanned U.S. Orbiter 1 spacecraft began orbiting the moon .
In 1985 , Michael Jackson paid $ 47 million at auction for the rights to 40,000 songs , including most of the Beatles classics .
In 1995 , following a long legal battle , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corps of the previously all-male Citadel .
She resigned from the South Carolina military school four days later .
In 2003 , a massive power failure spread through Ohio , Michigan , the northeastern United States and eastern Canada , leaving 50 million people in eight states and the province of Ontario without electricity for as long as two days .
In 2005 , authorities said the crash of a Helios Airways plane in Greece with 121 people aboard could have been caused by a sudden drop in cabin pressure .
There were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon ended in a truce , effective on this date , after 34 days of fighting .
In 2013 , authorities said hundreds of people were killed and thousands injured in clashes between Egyptian security forces and demonstrators calling for the reinstatement of ousted President Mohamed Morsi .
In 2015 , after 54 years , the U.S. Embassy in Havana , Cuba was re-opened amid a thawing in relations .
In 2017 , about 500 people were confirmed dead with hundreds more missing after heavy rains produced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , rapper A $ AP Rocky was found guilty of assault in Sweden but avoided a jail sentence because it was determined his crime was not of a `` serious nature . ''

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The first photograph of the Earth from the distance of the moon taken by Lunar Orbiter 1 on August 23, 1966. The unmanned spacecraft began orbiting the moon. File Photo courtesy of NASA
Aug. 14 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1784, Grigory Shelikhov, a Russian fur trader, founded the first permanent Russian settlement in Alaska on Kodiak Island. Advertisement
In 1900, about 2,000 U.S. Marines joined with European forces to capture Beijing, ending the Boxer Rebellion against the Western presence in China.
In 1935, the U.S. Congress passed the Social Security Act and President Franklin D. Roosevelt immediately signed it into law.
In 1945, U.S. President Harry Truman announced that Japan had accepted terms for unconditional surrender. Japan formally surrendered Sept. 2, officially ending World War II.
UPI File Photo
In 1947, more than 400 million people living in Hindustan and Pakistan gained their independence from Britain.
In 1959, the satellite Explorer VI transmitted man's first satellite (orbital) view of Earth from space.
In 1966, the unmanned U.S. Orbiter 1 spacecraft began orbiting the moon.
In 1985, Michael Jackson paid $47 million at auction for the rights to 40,000 songs, including most of the Beatles classics.
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In 1995, following a long legal battle, Shannon Faulkner was admitted to the cadet corps of the previously all-male Citadel. She resigned from the South Carolina military school four days later.
In 2003, a massive power failure spread through Ohio, Michigan, the northeastern United States and eastern Canada, leaving 50 million people in eight states and the province of Ontario without electricity for as long as two days.
In 2005, authorities said the crash of a Helios Airways plane in Greece with 121 people aboard could have been caused by a sudden drop in cabin pressure. There were no survivors.
In 2006, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon ended in a truce, effective on this date, after 34 days of fighting.
File Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI
In 2013, authorities said hundreds of people were killed and thousands injured in clashes between Egyptian security forces and demonstrators calling for the reinstatement of ousted President Mohamed Morsi.
In 2014, Major League Baseball owners chose MLB executive Rob Manfred to succeed longtime MLB Commissioner Bud Selig.
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In 2015, after 54 years, the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba was re-opened amid a thawing in relations.
In 2017, about 500 people were confirmed dead with hundreds more missing after heavy rains produced a mudslide in Sierra Leone.
In 2019, rapper A$AP Rocky was found guilty of assault in Sweden but avoided a jail sentence because it was determined his crime was not of a "serious nature."


upi--2020-08-14--Famous birthdays for Aug. 14: Steve Martin, Sarah Brightman

Aug. 14 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Leo .
-- `` @ @ @ @ @ Gary Larson in 1950 ( age 70 ) -- Football player Tim Tebow , winner @ @ @ @ @ 2007 , in 1987 ( age 33 )

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Steve Martin arrives on the red carpet at a screening of "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" at AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13 Theater on October 14, 2016, in New York City. The actor turns 75 on August 14. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Leo. They include: Advertisement
-- Pope Pius VII in 1742
-- American West figure Doc Holliday in 1851
-- Writer Ernest Thayer in 1863
-- Writer Russell Baker in 1925
-- Baseball Hall of Fame member Earl Weaver in 1930
-- Musician David Crosby in 1941 (age 79)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Comedian Steve Martin in 1945 (age 75)
-- Actor Susan Saint James in 1946 (age 74)
-- Author Danielle Steel in 1947 (age 73)
-- "The Far Side" cartoonist Gary Larson in 1950 (age 70)
-- Composer James Horner in 1953
-- Actor Jackee Harry in 1956 (age 64)
-- Actor Marcia Gay Harden in 1959 (age 61)
-- Basketball Hall of Fame member Earvin "Magic" Johnson in 1959 (age 61)
-- Stage soprano Sarah Brightman in 1960 (age 60)
File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI
-- Actor Susan Olsen in 1961 (age 59)
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-- Actor Halle Berry in 1966 (age 54)
-- Actor Mila Kunis in 1983 (age 37)
-- Football player Tim Tebow, winner of the Heisman Trophy in 2007, in 1987 (age 33)
-- Actor Brianna Hildebrand in 1996 (age 24)
-- Actor Marsai Martin in 2004 (age 16)


upi--2020-08-14--Vlade Divac steps down as Sacramento Kings' GM; Joe Dumars takes over

Aug. 14 ( UPI ) -- A day after missing the playoffs for the 14th consecutive season as a franchise , Sacramento Kings general manager Vlade Divac stepped down from his position , the team announced Friday .
Joe Dumars -- the 2002-03 NBA Executive of the Year with the Detroit Pistons -- was named interim executive vice president of basketball operations and will immediately take over general manager duties as well .
`` This was a difficult decision , but we believe it is the best path ahead as we work to build a winning team that our loyal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairman Vivek Ranadive said in a statement Friday .
`` We are thankful for Vlade 's leadership , commitment and hard work both on and off the court .
He will always be a part of our Kings family . ''
The Kings hired Divac , 52 , as the organization 's vice president of basketball and franchise operations in 2015 after Pro Basketball Hall of Famer Chris Mullin left a similar role with the team to become the head coach at his alma mater , St. John 's University .
Divac later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D'Alessandro , and went through two coaches -- George Karl ( 2015-16 ) and Dave Joerger ( 2016-19 ) -- before hiring Luke Walton in 2019 to a contract that runs through the 2022-23 campaign .
According to The Athletic , Walton is expected to remain in his position .
Dumars , who joined the Kings in June 2019 as an advisor , could be considered as the Kings ' long-term replacement at general manager if he is interested in the position , according to The Undefeated .
`` Joe has become a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team last year , and I am grateful to have him take on this role at an important time for the franchise , '' Ranadive said .
Sacramento 's two assistant GMs -- Peja Stojakovic and Ken Catanella -- are expected to remain with the organization during its transition .
Divac was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame last year .
He played six of his 16 seasons in the league with the Kings .
`` It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the general manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
`` I want to thank Vivek for the opportunity and recognize all of the incredible colleagues who I had the great pleasure of working with during my tenure .
`` Sacramento and the Kings will always hold a special place in my heart and I wish them all the best moving forward . ''
The Kings finished with a 3-5 record in the NBA seeding round inside the bubble in Orlando , Fla. Sacramento has n't reached the postseason since the 2005-06 season , when the team lost to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round .

Aug. 14 (UPI) -- A day after missing the playoffs for the 14th consecutive season as a franchise, Sacramento Kings general manager Vlade Divac stepped down from his position, the team announced Friday.
Joe Dumars -- the 2002-03 NBA Executive of the Year with the Detroit Pistons -- was named interim executive vice president of basketball operations and will immediately take over general manager duties as well.
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"This was a difficult decision, but we believe it is the best path ahead as we work to build a winning team that our loyal fans deserve," Kings owner and chairman Vivek Ranadive said in a statement Friday. "We are thankful for Vlade's leadership, commitment and hard work both on and off the court. He will always be a part of our Kings family."
The Kings hired Divac, 52, as the organization's vice president of basketball and franchise operations in 2015 after Pro Basketball Hall of Famer Chris Mullin left a similar role with the team to become the head coach at his alma mater, St. John's University.
Divac later assumed general manager responsibilities, replacing Pete D'Alessandro, and went through two coaches -- George Karl (2015-16) and Dave Joerger (2016-19) -- before hiring Luke Walton in 2019 to a contract that runs through the 2022-23 campaign. According to The Athletic, Walton is expected to remain in his position.
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Dumars, who joined the Kings in June 2019 as an advisor, could be considered as the Kings' long-term replacement at general manager if he is interested in the position, according to The Undefeated.
"Joe has become a trusted and valued advisor since joining the team last year, and I am grateful to have him take on this role at an important time for the franchise," Ranadive said.
Sacramento's two assistant GMs -- Peja Stojakovic and Ken Catanella -- are expected to remain with the organization during its transition.
Divac was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame last year. He played six of his 16 seasons in the league with the Kings.
"It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the general manager for the Kings," Divac said in a statement. "I want to thank Vivek for the opportunity and recognize all of the incredible colleagues who I had the great pleasure of working with during my tenure.
"Sacramento and the Kings will always hold a special place in my heart and I wish them all the best moving forward."
Kings General Manager Vlade Divac Elected Into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame » https://t.co/i87odfctO5 pic.twitter.com/RsI3Fc62KO— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) April 6, 2019
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The Kings finished with a 3-5 record in the NBA seeding round inside the bubble in Orlando, Fla. Sacramento hasn't reached the postseason since the 2005-06 season, when the team lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the first round.


upi--2020-08-14--Heat's Derrick Jones Jr. 'moving better' after being stretchered off court

Aug. 14 ( UPI ) -- Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra expressed optimism about the status of Derrick Jones Jr. after the forward needed to be stretchered off the court following a violent collision Friday against the Indiana Pacers .
`` Let 's just wait and see , '' Spoelstra said after the game .
`` We do n't even know right now .
He 's getting a scan .
He 's already moving better .
So let 's just wait and see before we go on full scale panic mode . ''
League sources told ESPN that Jones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get both an MRI and a CT scan .
The team later announced that Jones sustained a neck strain and will be reevaluated again over the weekend .
Jones suffered the injury while chasing Pacers forward Doug McDermott in the third quarter of the Heat 's 109-92 loss Friday afternoon .
He tried to maneuver around a screen from Indiana backup center Goga Bitadze but collided with the rookie big man .
Jones immediately fell to the floor and stayed down on his stomach for several minutes .
`` He got jarred in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spoelstra said .
`` Obviously a little bit more than a stinger -- and then we 'll just see the results .
He 's getting a scan right now .
We 'll see . ''
Jones was moving his legs but made no attempt to get to his feet as he was attended to by the Heat 's medical staff .
He was immobilized and moved onto a stretcher , and players clapped for him as he was taken off the court .
`` We thought it was a solid screen , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarters .
`` We thought he got his neck caught up in Goga 's shoulder .
You never want to see something like that .
... We hope he 's okay . ''
Jones , 23 , entered Friday 's matchup averaging 8.6 points and four rebounds per game across 59 contests ( 16 starts ) this season .
He had three points , two boards , two assists and two steals in 16 minutes before exiting the game .

Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra expressed optimism about the status of Derrick Jones Jr. after the forward needed to be stretchered off the court following a violent collision Friday against the Indiana Pacers.
"Let's just wait and see," Spoelstra said after the game. "We don't even know right now. He's getting a scan. He's already moving better. So let's just wait and see before we go on full scale panic mode."
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League sources told ESPN that Jones isn't experiencing any numbness and will get both an MRI and a CT scan. The team later announced that Jones sustained a neck strain and will be reevaluated again over the weekend.
Jones suffered the injury while chasing Pacers forward Doug McDermott in the third quarter of the Heat's 109-92 loss Friday afternoon. He tried to maneuver around a screen from Indiana backup center Goga Bitadze but collided with the rookie big man.
Jones immediately fell to the floor and stayed down on his stomach for several minutes.
"He got jarred in the shoulder, neck area," Spoelstra said. "Obviously a little bit more than a stinger -- and then we'll just see the results. He's getting a scan right now. We'll see."
Advertisement Thoughts and prayers are with Derrick Jones Jr., who was wheeled off the court after a collision on a screen. pic.twitter.com/fXhzbmPyrZ— FOX Sports Sun: HEAT (@FOXSportsHEAT) August 14, 2020
Derrick Jones Jr. was down for several minutes and taken off the floor on a stretcher after a hard collision. pic.twitter.com/fCeyU2WjeA— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 14, 2020
Jones was moving his legs but made no attempt to get to his feet as he was attended to by the Heat's medical staff. He was immobilized and moved onto a stretcher, and players clapped for him as he was taken off the court.
"We thought it was a solid screen," Pacers head coach Nate McMillan said between quarters. "We thought he got his neck caught up in Goga's shoulder. You never want to see something like that. ... We hope he's okay."
Jones, 23, entered Friday's matchup averaging 8.6 points and four rebounds per game across 59 contests (16 starts) this season. He had three points, two boards, two assists and two steals in 16 minutes before exiting the game.


upi--2020-08-14--President Donald Trump donates $100K paycheck to National Park Service

Aug. 14 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump announced Friday that he donated his most recent quarterly paycheck to @ @ @ @ @ He revealed the $ 100,000 donation in a tweet along with a photo of the @ @ @ @ @ account number this time .
`` I promised YOU I would not take a dime @ @ @ @ @ .
I donate the entire $ 400,000 !
It is my honor to give $ @ @ @ @ @ help repair and restore our GREAT National Monuments .
So important to our American History @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump tweeted .
This is the second time Trump has donated his salary to @ @ @ @ @ In March 2017 , he gave up his first paycheck as president to the agency @ @ @ @ @ more than a month after Trump signed an executive order protecting U.S. monuments like those @ @ @ @ @ racism or slavery .
The statues were targeted in protests sparked by the police killing @ @ @ @ @ .

President Donald Trump has opposed the toppling or removal of U.S. monuments linked to slavery or racism. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 14 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump announced Friday that he donated his most recent quarterly paycheck to the National Park Service. He revealed the $100,000 donation in a tweet along with a photo of the check -- minus his bank account number this time. Advertisement
"I promised YOU I would not take a dime of salary as your President. I donate the entire $400,000! It is my honor to give $100,000 to @NatlParkService to help repair and restore our GREAT National Monuments. So important to our American History! Thank You!!" Trump tweeted.
This is the second time Trump has donated his salary to the National Park Service. In March 2017, he gave up his first paycheck as president to the agency.
Friday's donation comes more than a month after Trump signed an executive order protecting U.S. monuments like those toppled for having connections to racism or slavery. The statues were targeted in protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.


upi--2020-08-14--Kentucky expands mail-in, early voting for November election

Aug. 14 ( UPI ) -- All voters in Kentucky will be allowed to vote by mail in the November election if they 're concerned about the risks of catching COVID-19 , Gov .
Andy Beshear said Friday .
He and Secretary of State Michael Adams announced new voting procedures for this fall 's election .
While no-excuse absentee voting wo n't be allowed as it was in the June primary , voters can use fear of the coronavirus pandemic as a reason for requesting a mail-in ballot , regardless of their age .
`` Secretary Adams and I were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a plan for the General Election that puts the health and safety of Kentuckians first , '' Beshear said .
`` This plan provides more time and options to vote in this General Election than ever before . ''
The state plans to launch a website within a week which will allow voters to request a ballot through Oct. 9 .
Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 6 to be counted .
Additionally , the state is expanding early voting , which will be allowed each work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as at least 4 hours each Saturday .
In addition to precinct voting locations , each county will have at least one voting super-center at which any resident of the county , regardless of their precinct , may go to vote .
Finally , the state loosened requirements for a driver 's license or photo identification if a voter was unable to get one due to county clerk office closures or if they were afraid of exposing themselves to the virus .
`` We kept the best of what worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters options to safely cast their votes , and we built on that record with improvements -- more in-person voting locations , and faster election results , '' Adams said .
The announcement comes as the U.S .
Postal Service warned states that some mail-in ballots may not be counted in time for the November election .
Thomas Marshall , general counsel and executive vice president for the USPS , told the states their time frames and deadlines for mail-in voting would be `` incongruous '' with delivery standards , meaning some ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counted .

In addition to allowing anyone to vote by mail, the new elections guidelines in Kentucky expanded early voting. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 14 (UPI) -- All voters in Kentucky will be allowed to vote by mail in the November election if they're concerned about the risks of catching COVID-19, Gov. Andy Beshear said Friday. He and Secretary of State Michael Adams announced new voting procedures for this fall's election. While no-excuse absentee voting won't be allowed as it was in the June primary, voters can use fear of the coronavirus pandemic as a reason for requesting a mail-in ballot, regardless of their age. Advertisement
"Secretary Adams and I were able to put partisanship aside and develop a plan for the General Election that puts the health and safety of Kentuckians first," Beshear said. "This plan provides more time and options to vote in this General Election than ever before."
The state plans to launch a website within a week which will allow voters to request a ballot through Oct. 9. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 6 to be counted.
Additionally, the state is expanding early voting, which will be allowed each work day between Oct. 13 and Election Day, as well as at least 4 hours each Saturday.
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In addition to precinct voting locations, each county will have at least one voting super-center at which any resident of the county, regardless of their precinct, may go to vote.
Finally, the state loosened requirements for a driver's license or photo identification if a voter was unable to get one due to county clerk office closures or if they were afraid of exposing themselves to the virus.
"We kept the best of what worked in the June primary, especially giving voters options to safely cast their votes, and we built on that record with improvements -- more in-person voting locations, and faster election results," Adams said.
The announcement comes as the U.S. Postal Service warned states that some mail-in ballots may not be counted in time for the November election. Thomas Marshall, general counsel and executive vice president for the USPS, 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.