upi--2020-07-06--Regeneron to launch Phase 3 trials of antibody 'cocktail' for COVID-19

July 6 ( UPI ) -- Drugmaker Regeneron announced plans Monday to begin Phase 3 clinical trials of a `` double antibody cocktail '' for use as a possible treatment for COVID-19 .
The Phase 3 trial , the last stage of evaluation in the drug approval process , will assess the ability of the cocktail , called REGN-COV2 , to prevent infection among uninfected people who have had `` close exposure '' to someone with COVID-19 , company officials said .
COVID-19 is the disease caused by the new coronavirus , SARS-CoV-2 .
`` We are running simultaneous adaptive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as possible to provide a potential solution to prevent and treat COVID-19 infections , even in the midst of an ongoing global pandemic , '' Dr. George D. Yancopoulos , Regeneron 's co-founder , president and chief scientific officer , said in a statement .
The Phase 3 trial will be run by Regeneron and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases .
The cocktail , which is administered as a single IV infusion , is simultaneously undergoing Phase 2 and 3 trials designed to test its ability to treat hospitalized and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company said .
The antibody cocktail is the result of research by company scientists in which thousands of fully human antibodies produced by Regeneron 's proprietary VelocImmune mice were evaluated along with antibodies collected from people who have recovered from COVID-19 , according to Yancopoulos .
The VelocImmune mice have been genetically modified to have a human immune system , he said .
Scientists selected the two most potent antibodies against the new coronavirus to create REGN-COV2 , which contains two antibodies that bind to the virus 's spike protein , diminishing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and protecting against spike variants that have arisen in the human population , according to the company .
Researchers described the potential role for REGN-COV2 in an analysis published last month by the journal Science .
`` We are pleased to collaborate with NIAID to study REGN-COV2 in our quest to further prevent the spread of the virus with an anti-viral antibody cocktail that could be available much sooner than a vaccine , '' Yancopoulos said .

Regeneron plans to begin Phase 3 trial of an antibody cocktail for COVID-19 that may prevent infection among people in close contact with patients. Photo by Colin/Flickr
July 6 (UPI) -- Drugmaker Regeneron announced plans Monday to begin Phase 3 clinical trials of a "double antibody cocktail" for use as a possible treatment for COVID-19. The Phase 3 trial, the last stage of evaluation in the drug approval process, will assess the ability of the cocktail, called REGN-COV2, to prevent infection among uninfected people who have had "close exposure" to someone with COVID-19, company officials said. Advertisement
COVID-19 is the disease caused by the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.
"We are running simultaneous adaptive trials in order to move as quickly as possible to provide a potential solution to prevent and treat COVID-19 infections, even in the midst of an ongoing global pandemic," Dr. George D. Yancopoulos, Regeneron's co-founder, president and chief scientific officer, said in a statement.
The Phase 3 trial will be run by Regeneron and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The cocktail, which is administered as a single IV infusion, is simultaneously undergoing Phase 2 and 3 trials designed to test its ability to treat hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients who have COVID-19, the company said.
The antibody cocktail is the result of research by company scientists in which thousands of fully human antibodies produced by Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune mice were evaluated along with antibodies collected from people who have recovered from COVID-19, according to Yancopoulos.
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The VelocImmune mice have been genetically modified to have a human immune system, he said.
Scientists selected the two most potent antibodies against the new coronavirus to create REGN-COV2, which contains two antibodies that bind to the virus's spike protein, diminishing the ability of mutant viruses to escape treatment and protecting against spike variants that have arisen in the human population, according to the company.
Researchers described the potential role for REGN-COV2 in an analysis published last month by the journal Science.
"We are pleased to collaborate with NIAID to study REGN-COV2 in our quest to further prevent the spread of the virus with an anti-viral antibody cocktail that could be available much sooner than a vaccine," Yancopoulos said.


upi--2020-07-06--Lottery winner's 'random' numbers came from drawing a picture

July 6 ( UPI ) -- An Australian woman who won a lottery jackpot worth more than $ 1 million said she used an unusual method to choose her numbers : drawing a picture .
The Waterways , Victoria , woman told The Lott officials she buys two tickets each week for the TattsLotto drawing .
`` I play every week .
I usually buy two separate entries .
One entry I use numbers of family birthdays and things like that , but on the second entry , I use random numbers , '' the woman said .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or a pattern on the coupon . ''
The picture she drew on her betting slip for Saturday 's drawing ended up giving her the winnings numbers , earning a jackpot worth $ 1,071,092.81 .
The winner said she and her husband are already making plans for their winnings .
`` We are definitely going to buy a house , '' she said .
`` We 've only ever been able to rent so being able to buy a house outright will be amazing . ''
`` We are also going to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My husband and I always wanted to go to Mexico on our honeymoon , but it just was n't possible .
So a trip to Mexico is definitely on the cards when we can travel again . ''

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July 6 (UPI) -- An Australian woman who won a lottery jackpot worth more than $1 million said she used an unusual method to choose her numbers: drawing a picture.
The Waterways, Victoria, woman told The Lott officials she buys two tickets each week for the TattsLotto drawing.
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"I play every week. I usually buy two separate entries. One entry I use numbers of family birthdays and things like that, but on the second entry, I use random numbers," the woman said. "I choose the numbers by drawing a picture or a pattern on the coupon."
The picture she drew on her betting slip for Saturday's drawing ended up giving her the winnings numbers, earning a jackpot worth $1,071,092.81.
The winner said she and her husband are already making plans for their winnings.
"We are definitely going to buy a house," she said. "We've only ever been able to rent so being able to buy a house outright will be amazing."
"We are also going to go on an amazing holiday, too. My husband and I always wanted to go to Mexico on our honeymoon, but it just wasn't possible. So a trip to Mexico is definitely on the cards when we can travel again."


upi--2020-07-06--U.S. Supreme Court upholds cell phone robocall ban ahead of 2020 election

July 6 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday upheld a decades-old ruling banning robocalls from cell phones and expanded restrictions to prohibit robocallers from attempting to collect government-backed debts .
As the 2020 federal election looms , political consultants , pollsters and non-profits challenged the 1991 Telephone Consumer Protection Act banning automated calls as unconstitutional under the First Amendment .
Plaintiffs in the case were the American Association of Political Consultants and three other political organizations .
A loophole passed in 2015 by the U.S. Congress previously allowed phone calls from creditors for mortgages and student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forms of speech , but not others in robocalls .
Plaintiffs said debt collectors were benefitting from free speech while others were banned .
But the court ruled 6 to 3 on Monday that even debt collection calls should be prohibited going forward .
`` Americans passionately disagree about many things .
But they are largely united in their disdain for robocalls , '' wrote Justice Brett Kavanaugh in the majority opinion .
`` The federal government receives a staggering number of complaints about robocalls -- 3.7 million complaints in 2019 alone , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likewise field a constant barrage of complaints ...
Plaintiffs still may not make political robocalls to cell phones , but their speech is now treated equally with debt-collection speech . ''
`` I 'm glad to hear that Americans , who are sick and tired of robocalls will now get the relief from federal debt collector robocalls they have long deserved , '' said Ajit Pai , chairman of the Federal Communications Commission , in statement .
A dissenting opinion by Justice Neil Gorsuch said Congress ' 1991 cell phone ban sprang from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cell calls instead of a monthly plan for unlimited calls .
He called for protection of debt collectors ' ability to contact borrowers , and said political pollsters should be allowed to partake in free speech as well .
`` Somehow , in the name of vindicating the First Amendment , our remedial course today leads to the unlikely result that not a single person will be allowed to speak more freely and , instead , more speech will be banned , '' Gorsuch wrote .

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ruled 6 to 3 to uphold a ban on political robocalls for cell phones and expanded the ban to debt collectors as well. Photo by MGN Online/Pixabay
July 6 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday upheld a decades-old ruling banning robocalls from cell phones and expanded restrictions to prohibit robocallers from attempting to collect government-backed debts. As the 2020 federal election looms, political consultants, pollsters and non-profits challenged the 1991 Telephone Consumer Protection Act banning automated calls as unconstitutional under the First Amendment. Plaintiffs in the case were the American Association of Political Consultants and three other political organizations. Advertisement
A loophole passed in 2015 by the U.S. Congress previously allowed phone calls from creditors for mortgages and student loans, which plaintiffs said allowed some forms of speech, but not others in robocalls. Plaintiffs said debt collectors were benefitting from free speech while others were banned.
But the court ruled 6 to 3 on Monday that even debt collection calls should be prohibited going forward.
"Americans passionately disagree about many things. But they are largely united in their disdain for robocalls," wrote Justice Brett Kavanaugh in the majority opinion.
"The federal government receives a staggering number of complaints about robocalls -- 3.7 million complaints in 2019 alone," Kavanaugh wrote. "The states likewise field a constant barrage of complaints ... Plaintiffs still may not make political robocalls to cell phones, but their speech is now treated equally with debt-collection speech."
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Other officials praised the decision.
"I'm glad to hear that Americans, who are sick and tired of robocalls will now get the relief from federal debt collector robocalls they have long deserved," said Ajit Pai, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, in statement.
A dissenting opinion by Justice Neil Gorsuch said Congress' 1991 cell phone ban sprang from a time when consumers paid for unwanted cell calls instead of a monthly plan for unlimited calls. He called for protection of debt collectors' ability to contact borrowers, and said political pollsters should be allowed to partake in free speech as well.
"Somehow, in the name of vindicating the First Amendment, our remedial course today leads to the unlikely result that not a single person will be allowed to speak more freely and, instead, more speech will be banned," Gorsuch wrote.


upi--2020-07-06--Watch: Estonian town approves letter sculpture to celebrate dialect

July 6 ( UPI ) -- An Estonian city with a proud pronunciation history will host a sculpture of the @ @ @ @ @ Ö , '' thanks to a compromise between residents and the Road Administration .
The @ @ @ @ @ celebrated the letter with a sign at the side of the Kuressaare-Kuivastu poking fun at @ @ @ @ @ the Estonian letter `` Õ '' as the letter `` Ö . ''
The sign @ @ @ @ @ after it was erected in May 2019 due to the Road Administration arguing the measurements @ @ @ @ @ conform to standards .
The Road Administration and representatives from the municipality negotiated for nearly @ @ @ @ @ 's potential return , but they have now landed on a compromise : a roadside @ @ @ @ @ `` Ö . ''
`` Discussions about the location are still ongoing , but it @ @ @ @ @ can stop and take pictures of this beautiful sculpture , '' Mark Grimitliht , a @ @ @ @ @ project , told Estonian Public Broadcasting .

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July 6 (UPI) -- An Estonian city with a proud pronunciation history will host a sculpture of the favorite local letter, "Ö," thanks to a compromise between residents and the Road Administration.
The island town of Saaremaa initially celebrated the letter with a sign at the side of the Kuressaare-Kuivastu poking fun at the local tendency to pronounce the Estonian letter "Õ" as the letter "Ö."
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The sign was taken down just days after it was erected in May 2019 due to the Road Administration arguing the measurements of the sign did not conform to standards.
The Road Administration and representatives from the municipality negotiated for nearly a year about the sign's potential return, but they have now landed on a compromise: a roadside sculpture of the locally revered "Ö."
"Discussions about the location are still ongoing, but it should be somewhere where visitors can stop and take pictures of this beautiful sculpture," Mark Grimitliht, a Saaremaa architect involved in the project, told Estonian Public Broadcasting.


upi--2020-07-06--Look: Firefighters rescue fox with leg stuck in picnic table

July 6 ( UPI ) -- Firefighters in Britain came to the rescue of small fox spotted by witnesses with @ @ @ @ @ a wooden picnic table .
The Castle Donington Fire Station in Leicestershire , England , @ @ @ @ @ contacted the department Sunday to report a small fox appeared to be trapped in a @ @ @ @ @ extracted the fox 's hind leg from the table , but the animal appeared to @ @ @ @ @ with the animal until RSPCA rescuers arrived .
`` This fox found itself in a @ @ @ @ @ crews were on hand to free its hind leg from the bench it was trapped @ @ @ @ @ station tweeted .

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July 6 (UPI) -- Firefighters in Britain came to the rescue of small fox spotted by witnesses with its hind leg stuck in a wooden picnic table.
The Castle Donington Fire Station in Leicestershire, England, said members of the public contacted the department Sunday to report a small fox appeared to be trapped in a picnic table.
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The firefighters extracted the fox's hind leg from the table, but the animal appeared to be injured so they waited with the animal until RSPCA rescuers arrived.
"This fox found itself in a bit of bother, fortunately crews were on hand to free its hind leg from the bench it was trapped in," the fire station tweeted.


upi--2020-07-06--Athletics GM David Forst 'livid' amid COVID-19 test delays

July 6 ( UPI ) -- Oakland Athletics general manager David Forst is very unhappy with delays in the COVID-19 test result process , which have held up team workouts prior to MLB 's planned 2020 season .
The Athletic obtained a WhatsApp message Forst recently sent to players and Athletics staff members .
A team source described the manager as `` livid '' and `` frustrated . ''
Athletics players were scheduled to have their first workout Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum .
Pitchers and catchers attended the workout , but position players were not allowed to attend because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and analyzed .
Forst said the delay was caused by the observance of the Fourth of July .
`` MLB has informed me this evening that our test samples from Friday have not arrived at the lab , '' Forst wrote in the WhatsApp message .
`` They were not delivered as intended on Saturday because of the federal holiday and then were not switched to Sunday delivery in time to arrive [ Sunday ] .
`` As of this moment , they are sitting at [ San Francisco International Airport ] waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] to be delivered to the lab by 1:30 Mountain Time [ Monday ] .
`` On top of screwing up the logistics of this whole thing , neither MLB nor [ the company that collects the samples ] communicated any of this to us until we pressed them for information , at which point all they could do was apologize , which frankly does n't really do much for us . ''
Forst blamed MLB and Comprehensive Drug Testing Inc. for the delays .
`` Despite having our schedule a week ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us to the possibility of any complications around the [ Fourth of July ] , and once there were issues , they did nothing to communicate that to us or remedy the situation until Nick [ Paparesta , the Athletics ' athletic trainer ] and I forced the issue at various times [ Sunday ] , '' he wrote .
`` If possible , I 'm as frustrated and pissed as [ players ] are and I assure you the rest of the staff is , as well . ''
Athletics manager Bob @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like his team 's position players are now `` five days behind '' other teams ' position players in preparing for the 2020 season .
The 2020 campaign had been scheduled to start March 26 , but was pushed into late July due to the pandemic .
The scheduled for a shortened 60-game season will be revealed at 6 p.m. EDT Monday on MLB Network .
The 2020 schedule will begin July 23 .

Oakland Athletics pitchers and catchers worked out Sunday in Oakland, Calif., but position players can't join the workouts until they receive COVID-19 test results. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
July 6 (UPI) -- Oakland Athletics general manager David Forst is very unhappy with delays in the COVID-19 test result process, which have held up team workouts prior to MLB's planned 2020 season. The Athletic obtained a WhatsApp message Forst recently sent to players and Athletics staff members. A team source described the manager as "livid" and "frustrated." Advertisement
Athletics players were scheduled to have their first workout Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum. Pitchers and catchers attended the workout, but position players were not allowed to attend because their results had yet to be processed and analyzed.
Forst said the delay was caused by the observance of the Fourth of July.
"MLB has informed me this evening that our test samples from Friday have not arrived at the lab," Forst wrote in the WhatsApp message. "They were not delivered as intended on Saturday because of the federal holiday and then were not switched to Sunday delivery in time to arrive [Sunday].
"As of this moment, they are sitting at [San Francisco International Airport] waiting to fly to Salt Lake [City] to be delivered to the lab by 1:30 Mountain Time [Monday].
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"On top of screwing up the logistics of this whole thing, neither MLB nor [the company that collects the samples] communicated any of this to us until we pressed them for information, at which point all they could do was apologize, which frankly doesn't really do much for us."
Forst blamed MLB and Comprehensive Drug Testing Inc. for the delays.
"Despite having our schedule a week ahead of time, they didn't alert us to the possibility of any complications around the [Fourth of July], and once there were issues, they did nothing to communicate that to us or remedy the situation until Nick [Paparesta, the Athletics' athletic trainer] and I forced the issue at various times [Sunday]," he wrote.
"If possible, I'm as frustrated and pissed as [players] are and I assure you the rest of the staff is, as well."
Athletics manager Bob Melvin told reporters Sunday that he feels like his team's position players are now "five days behind" other teams' position players in preparing for the 2020 season.
The 2020 campaign had been scheduled to start March 26, but was pushed into late July due to the pandemic.
The scheduled for a shortened 60-game season will be revealed at 6 p.m. EDT Monday on MLB Network. The 2020 schedule will begin July 23.
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Baseball kicks off with preseason training


upi--2020-07-06--Frog stows away from Colombia to Wales in shipment of bananas

July 6 ( UPI ) -- Animal rescuers in Wales said an exotic frog hitched a ride with a shipment of bananas and was found at a grocery store 5,000 miles from its home in Colombia .
RSPCA Cymru said workers at the Asda grocery store in Llanelli contacted the animal rescue charity when the small frog was found hiding in a shipment of bananas from Colombia .
`` I thought I 'd seen everything working for the RSPCA -- but this banana drama was a new one for me , '' RSPCA inspector Gemma Cooper said .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles amid a bunch of bananas ; splitting from his native Colombia before ending up at a Llanelli superstore .
It 's certainly a long old journey for the weekly shop , '' Cooper said .
She said the frog , believed to be a banana tree frog , will have a new home at the Silent World to You specialist care center in Pembrokeshire .
`` We 're so grateful to the members of the Asda team who contacted us .
One team member spotted the frog , while another confined the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quick thinking helped keep this frog safe , '' Cooper said .
The frog was named Asda in honor of the grocery store where it was found .

A frog took a 5,000 mile journey from Colombia to Wales by stowing away in a shipment of bananas. Photo courtesy of RSPCA Cymru
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe July 6 (UPI) -- Animal rescuers in Wales said an exotic frog hitched a ride with a shipment of bananas and was found at a grocery store 5,000 miles from its home in Colombia. RSPCA Cymru said workers at the Asda grocery store in Llanelli contacted the animal rescue charity when the small frog was found hiding in a shipment of bananas from Colombia. Advertisement
"I thought I'd seen everything working for the RSPCA -- but this banana drama was a new one for me," RSPCA inspector Gemma Cooper said.
"This adventurous frog has traveled more than 5,000 miles amid a bunch of bananas; splitting from his native Colombia before ending up at a Llanelli superstore. It's certainly a long old journey for the weekly shop," Cooper said.
She said the frog, believed to be a banana tree frog, will have a new home at the Silent World to You specialist care center in Pembrokeshire.
"We're so grateful to the members of the Asda team who contacted us. One team member spotted the frog, while another confined the frog and took him home. This quick thinking helped keep this frog safe," Cooper said.
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The frog was named Asda in honor of the grocery store where it was found.


upi--2020-07-07--Kristian Alfonso to leave 'Days of Our Lives' after 37 years

July 7 ( UPI ) -- Days of Our Lives star Kristian Alfonso is leaving the long-running series .
The 56-year-old actress said Monday on Instagram that she wo n't return to the NBC soap opera when it resumes filming in September .
`` Days of Our Lives has been a vital part of both my personal and professional journey , '' Alfonso wrote .
`` I am forever grateful to NBC and the late Betty Corday , who took a chance on me many years ago and changed my life . ''
`` I have built some lifelong friendships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
`` Days has one of the hardest working crews in all of television , many of whom have become part of my extended family . ''
Alfonso said she feels `` blessed and honored '' to have appeared on the show for over three decades but is ready to write her `` next chapter . ''
`` I will not be returning to Days when it resumes production in September .
I 've already filmed my last episode several months ago , '' the actress said .
`` Finally -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - many of you have been with me on this journey from the beginning .
I can not thank you enough for your generosity , love and support .
I could not have done it without YOU !
!
! ''
she concluded .
Alfonso 's Days of Our Lives co-stars Mary Beth Evans , Robert Scott Wilson , Sal Stowers and Linsey Godfrey were among those to wish the actress well in the comments .
`` Iconic .
Kristian , it was an honor to share the stage with you .
From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arms and I 'm grateful to have had the opportunity to tell stories alongside you , especially these last few months .
I 'm rooting for you .
Here 's to your next chapter !
# BostonStrong , '' Wilson wrote .
`` It 's had truly been an honor getting to know you and working with you .
Thank you for all your beautiful words of wisdom and being such a dear friend to me .
I love you , '' Stowers added .
`` I love you so much , Mama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at work .
I will miss you so much but I 'm grateful for every minute I got with you and for our friendship , '' Godfrey said .
Alfonso plays Hope Williams Brady on Days of Our Lives .
She first joined the series in 1983 and is one of the show 's most recognizable and longest-tenured stars .
Days of Our Lives was renewed for a 56th season in January .
The series will resume production Sept. 1 after shutting down in March due to the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) pandemic @

Kristian Alfonso, who plays Hope Williams Brady on "Days of Our Lives," won't return to the soap opera when it resumes filming Sept. 1. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
July 7 (UPI) -- Days of Our Lives star Kristian Alfonso is leaving the long-running series. The 56-year-old actress said Monday on Instagram that she won't return to the NBC soap opera when it resumes filming in September. Advertisement
"Days of Our Lives has been a vital part of both my personal and professional journey," Alfonso wrote. "I am forever grateful to NBC and the late Betty Corday, who took a chance on me many years ago and changed my life."
"I have built some lifelong friendships with my extraordinarily talented castmates," she said. "Days has one of the hardest working crews in all of television, many of whom have become part of my extended family."
Alfonso said she feels "blessed and honored" to have appeared on the show for over three decades but is ready to write her "next chapter."
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"I will not be returning to Days when it resumes production in September. I've already filmed my last episode several months ago," the actress said.
"Finally -- to the incredibly loyal fans of Days - many of you have been with me on this journey from the beginning. I cannot thank you enough for your generosity, love and support. I could not have done it without YOU!!!" she concluded.
Alfonso's Days of Our Lives co-stars Mary Beth Evans, Robert Scott Wilson, Sal Stowers and Linsey Godfrey were among those to wish the actress well in the comments.
"Iconic. Kristian, it was an honor to share the stage with you. From day 1 you welcomed me with open arms and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to tell stories alongside you, especially these last few months. I'm rooting for you. Here's to your next chapter! #BostonStrong," Wilson wrote.
"It's had truly been an honor getting to know you and working with you. Thank you for all your beautiful words of wisdom and being such a dear friend to me. I love you," Stowers added.
"I love you so much, Mama. You're such sunshine and joy at work. I will miss you so much but I'm grateful for every minute I got with you and for our friendship," Godfrey said.
Alfonso plays Hope Williams Brady on Days of Our Lives. She first joined the series in 1983 and is one of the show's most recognizable and longest-tenured stars.
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Days of Our Lives was renewed for a 56th season in January. The series will resume production Sept. 1 after shutting down in March due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.


upi--2020-07-07--Updated EU forecast projects greater declines in 2020 before rebound

Stylist Katie Winston ( R ) cuts the hair of customer Dee Broderick on the sidewalk outside the 7-0-3 Salon @ @ @ @ @ on May 26 .
Although stylists and customers wear masks , the salon has offered @ @ @ @ @ outdoors for those who may have coronavirus concerns .
Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | Dentist @ @ @ @ @ drill at his office in Chesterfield , Mo.
, on May 19 .
Sherstoff has @ @ @ @ @ that destroys airborne viruses that could be transmitted by the drill , and all staff @ @ @ @ @ masks , gloves and face shields to protect themselves .
Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI |

A construction worker wears a face mask on a beach in Genoa, Italy, on April 14. The EU forecast Tuesday projects Italy's economy to contract by more than 11 percent for 2020. File Photo by Luca Zennaro/EPA-EFE
July 7 (UPI) -- The European Commission on Tuesday updated its economic forecast for the rest of 2020 and 2021, which mostly projects steeper declines across the 27-member bloc. The commission said it expects the bloc's collective economies will contract by 8.3 percent this year before seeing growth of 5.8 percent next year. That's a change from May when it forecast at 7.4 percent contraction for 2020 and 6.1 percent growth in 2021. Advertisement
"The economic impact of the lockdown is more severe than we initially expected," Valdis Dombrovskis, executive vice president for an Economy that Works for People, said in a statement released by the commission. "We continue to navigate in stormy waters and face many risks, including another major wave of infections.
Dombrovskis said although recovery is expected, the commission must "be vigilant about the differing pace of the recovery."
"We need to continue protecting workers and companies and coordinate our policies closely at EU level to ensure we emerge stronger and united," he said.
The commission projects Italy's economy to contract by the greatest margin this year, 11.2 percent. The forecast for Germany's decline was actually upgraded from 6.5 percent to 6.3 percent.
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"This forecast shows the devastating economic effects of that pandemic," Paolo Gentiloni, the bloc's economic commissioner, said. "The policy response across Europe has helped to cushion the blow for our citizens, yet this remains a story of increasing divergence, inequality and insecurity.
"This is why it is so important to reach a swift agreement on the recovery plan proposed by the commission."
World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic
Visitors wear face masks as they tour the Whitney Museum of American Art as it reopens on September 3. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo


upi--2020-07-07--'I Can See Your Voice': Mystery music game show coming to BBC

July 7 ( UPI ) -- BBC One has ordered a new primetime mystery music game , titled I Can See Your Voice , based on the South Korean series of the same name .
I Can See Your Voice , which will air on BBC One in 2021 , will follow teams of two players attempting to win a cash prize by guessing who can and ca n't sing from a group of mystery performers .
A panel of celebrity experts and a different music star will appear each week to help the teams make a choice .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in lip sync challenges and offer clues to their singing ability .
The mystery performer chosen by the contestants will sing a duet with the guest music star to prove their singing ability .
The teams who guessed right will win a cash prize , but guessing wrong will allow the performer to keep the money .
BBC One has ordered eight , hour-long episodes .
Studio Fremantle is producing through its labels Thames and Naked .
`` This addictive , fun and immersive new entertainment series will offer BBC One viewers jaw-dropping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance to get involved in this compelling new guessing game , '' Charlotte Moore , director BBC content said in a statement .

Can you tell the difference between a singing sensation and someone who's faking it? Then @BBCOne has the show for you... #ICanSeeYourVoice: https://t.co/WPhfoRuf60 pic.twitter.com/3QDyVFFG8u— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) July 7, 2020
July 7 (UPI) -- BBC One has ordered a new primetime mystery music game, titled I Can See Your Voice, based on the South Korean series of the same name.
I Can See Your Voice, which will air on BBC One in 2021, will follow teams of two players attempting to win a cash prize by guessing who can and can't sing from a group of mystery performers.
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A panel of celebrity experts and a different music star will appear each week to help the teams make a choice. The group of mystery performers will take part in lip sync challenges and offer clues to their singing ability.
The mystery performer chosen by the contestants will sing a duet with the guest music star to prove their singing ability. The teams who guessed right will win a cash prize, but guessing wrong will allow the performer to keep the money.
BBC One has ordered eight, hour-long episodes. Studio Fremantle is producing through its labels Thames and Naked.
"This addictive, fun and immersive new entertainment series will offer BBC One viewers jaw-dropping reveals and gives the whole family a chance to get involved in this compelling new guessing game," Charlotte Moore, director BBC content said in a statement.


upi--2020-07-07--Kim Jong Un must compensate South Korean war veterans, court rules

July 7 ( UPI ) -- A South Korean court has ruled North Korean leader Kim Jong Un must compensate former South Korean prisoners of war who were made to work as forced laborers while in captivity .
Judge Kim Young-ah of the Seoul Central District Court said Tuesday two South Korean victims must receive reparations of about $ 17,570 each from the regime in Pyongyang , local news service Seoul Pyongyang News reported .
The two plaintiffs had filed a lawsuit against the North Korean government in October 2016 after fleeing the regime .
On Tuesday they were identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
During a press conference outside the courthouse on Tuesday , the two veterans of the 1950-53 Korean War said they were held captive in the North even after the signing of the 1953 Armistice and the two sides agreed to exchange prisoners .
The plaintiffs ' attorneys said they have plans to collect the payments from the South-North Economic and Cultural Cooperation , a private foundation established by Im Jong-seok , a South Korean politician who served as presidential secretary to President Moon Jae-in .
The foundation has `` currently deposited about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with South Korean courts , the attorneys said .
The funds were set aside to pay the North copyright fees for the use of North Korea-produced footage , but fund transfers to the North were blocked after a shooting incident in 2008 at Mount Kumgang .
`` We plan to pay to Han and other plaintiffs , after acquiring a right of claim to the deposit and an order of collection , '' the attorneys said .
Han said Tuesday he is happy with the court 's decision , Newsis reported .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the cooperation of the lawyers , '' Han said .
`` It 's too bad political circles and society remain uninterested in the issue of military prisoners of war . ''
Han has said he was taken prisoner during the Korean War , and was held captive until he fled between 2000 and 2001 .
He originally sued North Korea founder Kim Il Sung for nearly $ 430,000 , and his son Kim Jong Il for more than $ 75,000 , according to Newsis .

Two South Korean victims must receive reparations from the Kim Jong Un regime, a South Korean court ruled Tuesday. File Photo by KCNA/EPA-EFE
July 7 (UPI) -- A South Korean court has ruled North Korean leader Kim Jong Un must compensate former South Korean prisoners of war who were made to work as forced laborers while in captivity. Judge Kim Young-ah of the Seoul Central District Court said Tuesday two South Korean victims must receive reparations of about $17,570 each from the regime in Pyongyang, local news service Seoul Pyongyang News reported. Advertisement
The two plaintiffs had filed a lawsuit against the North Korean government in October 2016 after fleeing the regime. On Tuesday they were identified by their surnames, Noh and Han.
During a press conference outside the courthouse on Tuesday, the two veterans of the 1950-53 Korean War said they were held captive in the North even after the signing of the 1953 Armistice and the two sides agreed to exchange prisoners.
The plaintiffs' attorneys said they have plans to collect the payments from the South-North Economic and Cultural Cooperation, a private foundation established by Im Jong-seok, a South Korean politician who served as presidential secretary to President Moon Jae-in.
The foundation has "currently deposited about $1.67 million as a guarantee" with South Korean courts, the attorneys said.
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The funds were set aside to pay the North copyright fees for the use of North Korea-produced footage, but fund transfers to the North were blocked after a shooting incident in 2008 at Mount Kumgang.
"We plan to pay to Han and other plaintiffs, after acquiring a right of claim to the deposit and an order of collection," the attorneys said.
Han said Tuesday he is happy with the court's decision, Newsis reported.
"The results have been good today thanks to the cooperation of the lawyers," Han said.
"It's too bad political circles and society remain uninterested in the issue of military prisoners of war."
Han has said he was taken prisoner during the Korean War, and was held captive until he fled between 2000 and 2001. He originally sued North Korea founder Kim Il Sung for nearly $430,000, and his son Kim Jong Il for more than $75,000, according to Newsis.


upi--2020-07-07--Hong Kong will stay global financial center, despite new security law

July 7 ( UPI ) -- Following the introduction of a new Chinese national security law , some are questioning the sustainability of Hong Kong 's position as an international financial center .
These doubts are augmented by China 's plans to transform Hainan , another island off the southern coast of the Chinese mainland , into a free-trade hub .
This further calls into question the idea that Hong Kong is irreplaceable for some .
But Hong Kong 's success as a center of international finance , connecting the world to mainland China , is built on several foundations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environment , the free flow of capital , low tax rates and a reliable legal system based on English common law .
While we can not underestimate some individuals ' fears that they may be arbitrarily detained under the new national security law , there is also evidence that the law will curb the social unrest that has been detrimental to business in Hong Kong .
Crucially , our research supports the idea that Hong Kong 's legal system remains stronger than China 's for international business activity .
This will ensure it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time being .
Under Article 8 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong , which serves as the city 's de facto constitution , Hong Kong has a common law system that it inherited from the United Kingdom .
In this kind of legal system , judges have the ability to make laws in the form of case law , which is determined by rulings on legal precedents .
This makes Hong Kong 's legal system much stronger than China 's civil law system , where vast numbers of laws have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessarily been tried , tested and applied yet .
The ability of judges to make new laws in a common law system means that any issues arising from rapidly evolving financial markets can be dealt with more efficiently .
And there is also research showing that common law countries tend to be more responsive to investors ' interests .
Hence , in Hong Kong 's new pitch book to the global financial industry , it emphasizes the city 's `` common law system familiar to international investors . ''
Research shows that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to financial development .
It makes investors feel more comfortable and thereby expands the size of financial markets .
In our research , we 've found that Hong Kong 's economic success since the 1997 handover can be attributed to the `` one country , two systems '' principle .
We argue this is due to its common law system and because Hong Kong has been able to maintain an independent set of company and financial laws from the ones in China .
Nevertheless , the regulatory gap between Hong Kong and China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , China is doing very well in investor protection -- something that has been recognized by both the Center for Business Research at the University of Cambridge and World Bank research .
Generally speaking , investor-protection mechanisms include corporate transparency , shareholders ' decision rights and their rights to sue when things go wrong .
All of this contributes toward investors feeling that their money is adequately protected .
When the two stock markets in China were established in early 1990s , China did not even have a proper set of company and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in writing the necessary laws and for the most part making sure they are stuck to .
In 2009 the Chinese government decided to turn Shanghai into an international financial center .
Shanghai is now home to the fourth-largest stock exchange in the world in terms of market capitalization , with Hong Kong the fifth .
Shanghai has also recently leapfrogged Hong Kong to the fourth in the recent Global Financial Centers Index , showing its increasing global recognition and competitiveness .
There have been many economic initiatives in China over the years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been more successful than others but the strategies of development have been similar .
They do not go much beyond financial incentives and offering investors a more open business environment .
Yet Shanghai , and indeed the rest of mainland China , still suffer from limitations like currency control and impartiality of judges .
To pose more threats to Hong Kong , deeper reform may be required to address these shortcomings .
China is introducing a more case-based approach to its legal system , reflecting the importance of the common law system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development gains more traction , we believe that Hong Kong still occupies a unique position in China 's future economic development given the prominence of English legal principles in international finance and commerce .
Traditional English legal principles , such as good faith and the legal concept of trusts , still lie at the heart of the legal language of modern commerce .
These have yet to become embedded in mainland China 's legal system .
Horace Yeung is an associate professor in commercial law at the University of Leicester .
Flora Huang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the University of Derby .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

Hong Kong’s success as a center of international finance is built on several foundations -- having a stable business environment, the free flow of capital, low tax rates and a reliable legal system based on English common law. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
July 7 (UPI) -- Following the introduction of a new Chinese national security law, some are questioning the sustainability of Hong Kong's position as an international financial center. These doubts are augmented by China's plans to transform Hainan, another island off the southern coast of the Chinese mainland, into a free-trade hub. This further calls into question the idea that Hong Kong is irreplaceable for some. Advertisement
But Hong Kong's success as a center of international finance, connecting the world to mainland China, is built on several foundations. These include having a stable business environment, the free flow of capital, low tax rates and a reliable legal system based on English common law.
While we cannot underestimate some individuals' fears that they may be arbitrarily detained under the new national security law, there is also evidence that the law will curb the social unrest that has been detrimental to business in Hong Kong. Crucially, our research supports the idea that Hong Kong's legal system remains stronger than China's for international business activity. This will ensure it has a competitive edge over China for the time being.
Advertisement
Under Article 8 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong, which serves as the city's de facto constitution, Hong Kong has a common law system that it inherited from the United Kingdom. In this kind of legal system, judges have the ability to make laws in the form of case law, which is determined by rulings on legal precedents. This makes Hong Kong's legal system much stronger than China's civil law system, where vast numbers of laws have been written in recent decades but have not necessarily been tried, tested and applied yet.
The ability of judges to make new laws in a common law system means that any issues arising from rapidly evolving financial markets can be dealt with more efficiently. And there is also research showing that common law countries tend to be more responsive to investors' interests. Hence, in Hong Kong's new pitch book to the global financial industry, it emphasizes the city's "common law system familiar to international investors."
Research shows that a robust legal system is of paramount importance to financial development. It makes investors feel more comfortable and thereby expands the size of financial markets.
In our research, we've found that Hong Kong's economic success since the 1997 handover can be attributed to the "one country, two systems" principle. We argue this is due to its common law system and because Hong Kong has been able to maintain an independent set of company and financial laws from the ones in China.
Advertisement
Closing the gap
Nevertheless, the regulatory gap between Hong Kong and China is becoming narrower and narrower. Nowadays, China is doing very well in investor protection -- something that has been recognized by both the Center for Business Research at the University of Cambridge and World Bank research. Generally speaking, investor-protection mechanisms include corporate transparency, shareholders' decision rights and their rights to sue when things go wrong. All of this contributes toward investors feeling that their money is adequately protected.
When the two stock markets in China were established in early 1990s, China did not even have a proper set of company and financial laws. But it has succeeded in writing the necessary laws and for the most part making sure they are stuck to.
In 2009 the Chinese government decided to turn Shanghai into an international financial center. Shanghai is now home to the fourth-largest stock exchange in the world in terms of market capitalization, with Hong Kong the fifth. Shanghai has also recently leapfrogged Hong Kong to the fourth in the recent Global Financial Centers Index, showing its increasing global recognition and competitiveness.
There have been many economic initiatives in China over the years to create new financial centers. Some have been more successful than others but the strategies of development have been similar. They do not go much beyond financial incentives and offering investors a more open business environment. Yet Shanghai, and indeed the rest of mainland China, still suffer from limitations like currency control and impartiality of judges. To pose more threats to Hong Kong, deeper reform may be required to address these shortcomings.
Advertisement
China is introducing a more case-based approach to its legal system, reflecting the importance of the common law system for international investors. But before this development gains more traction, we believe that Hong Kong still occupies a unique position in China's future economic development given the prominence of English legal principles in international finance and commerce. Traditional English legal principles, such as good faith and the legal concept of trusts, still lie at the heart of the legal language of modern commerce. These have yet to become embedded in mainland China's legal system.
Horace Yeung is an associate professor in commercial law at the University of Leicester. Flora Huang is a professor of law and business at the University of Derby. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


upi--2020-07-07--Cincinnati Reds primed for fast start when MLB season begins

July 7 ( UPI ) -- The Cincinnati Reds could get off to a quick start if the Major League Baseball season begins as planned later this month .
Six of the Reds ' first 10 games will be against last season 's worst team : the Detroit Tigers .
Regular season wins and losses will hold much more significance this season , which has been shortened from 162 to 60 games due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The MLB season is scheduled to start July 23 .
The league announced full season schedules Monday on MLB Network Fans will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on but some teams have n't ruled out the possibility for attendance later in the season .
The Reds begin their campaign against the Tigers from July 24-26 in Cincinnati , Ohio , then host the Chicago Cubs from July 27-30 .
The Reds travel for a three-game series against the Tigers from July 31 to August 2 in Detroit .
The Tigers had a 47-114 record in 2019 , the worst in baseball .
Cincinnati also has the easiest strength of schedule through the first two weeks of the 2020 season , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a .437 winning percentage last season .
MLB teams will play 40 of the 60 games against teams in their divisions , with 10 match-ups against each team .
The other 20 games will be against teams in corresponding geographical regions .
The Reds ' six matchups against the Tigers are more than they have against any other American League Central franchise .
The Reds posted a 75-87 record and finished in fourth place last season in the National League Central .
Cincinnati is a popular underdog favorite in 2020 after the franchise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which included signing Pedro Strop , Nick Castellanos , Wade Miley , Mike Moustakas and Shogo Akiyama .
The Reds ' first game is scheduled to begin at 6:10 p.m. EDT July 24 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati .
The first MLB games are scheduled for July 23 , first with a clash between the 2019 World Series champion Washington Nationals and New York Yankees at 7:08 p.m. EDT at Nationals Park in Washington , D.C .
The second game will feature the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Joey Votto (19) and Nick Senzel (15) are expected to be two of the Cincinnati Reds' key players in 2020. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
July 7 (UPI) -- The Cincinnati Reds could get off to a quick start if the Major League Baseball season begins as planned later this month. Six of the Reds' first 10 games will be against last season's worst team: the Detroit Tigers. Advertisement
Regular season wins and losses will hold much more significance this season, which has been shortened from 162 to 60 games due to the coronavirus pandemic. The MLB season is scheduled to start July 23. The league announced full season schedules Monday on MLB Network
Fans will not be allowed to attend games early on but some teams haven't ruled out the possibility for attendance later in the season.
The Reds begin their campaign against the Tigers from July 24-26 in Cincinnati, Ohio, then host the Chicago Cubs from July 27-30. The Reds travel for a three-game series against the Tigers from July 31 to August 2 in Detroit.
The Tigers had a 47-114 record in 2019, the worst in baseball. Cincinnati also has the easiest strength of schedule through the first two weeks of the 2020 season, as the Reds' early opponents owned a .437 winning percentage last season.
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MLB teams will play 40 of the 60 games against teams in their divisions, with 10 match-ups against each team. The other 20 games will be against teams in corresponding geographical regions. The Reds' six matchups against the Tigers are more than they have against any other American League Central franchise.
The Reds posted a 75-87 record and finished in fourth place last season in the National League Central. Cincinnati is a popular underdog favorite in 2020 after the franchise made a series of moves this off-season, which included signing Pedro Strop, Nick Castellanos, Wade Miley, Mike Moustakas and Shogo Akiyama.
The Reds' first game is scheduled to begin at 6:10 p.m. EDT July 24 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
The first MLB games are scheduled for July 23, first with a clash between the 2019 World Series champion Washington Nationals and New York Yankees at 7:08 p.m. EDT at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. The second game will feature the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants at 10:08 p.m. EDT at Dodger Stadium.
Baseball kicks off with preseason training


upi--2020-07-07--Watch: Tracee Ellis Ross says mom, Diana Ross, is tech-savvy

July 7 ( UPI ) -- Tracee Ellis Ross discussed how her mother Diana Ross is tech-savvy while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live Monday , which was hosted by her Black-ish co-star Anthony Anderson .
Kimmel is taking the summer off to spend more time with his family .
Billy Eichner is also set to serve as a guest host .
Tracee Ellis Ross said that it 's easy to keep in touch with her mother during the COVID-19 pandemic due to her being tech-savvy .
`` My mom will pop up on a zoom and I 'm like , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' She 's like , 'What ?
I 'm just in my sweats . '
She 's like gorgeous , '' Tracee Ellis Ross said .
`` My mother calls it face gramming and insta booking , '' Anderson joked about how his mother is not as tech-savvy .
Tracee Ellis Ross also discussed her latest film The High Note which featured her singing for the first time .
The actress said that even though she was terrified to sing , music that she recorded for the film has reached No .
16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm heading up the charts , '' Tracee Ellis Ross said .

July 7 (UPI) -- Tracee Ellis Ross discussed how her mother Diana Ross is tech-savvy while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live Monday, which was hosted by her Black-ish co-star Anthony Anderson.
Kimmel is taking the summer off to spend more time with his family. Billy Eichner is also set to serve as a guest host.
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Tracee Ellis Ross said that it's easy to keep in touch with her mother during the COVID-19 pandemic due to her being tech-savvy.
"My mom will pop up on a zoom and I'm like, 'Why do you look so gorgeous?' She's like, 'What? I'm just in my sweats.' She's like gorgeous," Tracee Ellis Ross said.
"My mother calls it face gramming and insta booking," Anderson joked about how his mother is not as tech-savvy.
Tracee Ellis Ross also discussed her latest film The High Note which featured her singing for the first time.
The actress said that even though she was terrified to sing, music that she recorded for the film has reached No. 16 on the Adult Contemporary charts.
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"I'm heading up the charts," Tracee Ellis Ross said.


upi--2020-07-07--New Jersey, Delaware hold primaries Tuesday; Huntsman loses in Utah

July 7 ( UPI ) -- New Jersey and Delaware stage their primary elections on Tuesday amid expected glitches and delays caused by quick maneuvers to send out mail-in ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The bulk of the voting in both states will be mainly conducted via mail ballots in an effort to reduce COVID-19 transmission risks of in-person voting .
Election officials in New Jersey said they expect troubles similar to the ones they saw in May when local elections were held entirely by mail .
The state 's quick move to a mail ballot primary posed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and state workers have struggled to cope with the large volume of ballots , resulting in delays and ballots or applications being sent to people who have died , officials said .
Every registered Republican and Democrat in the state was sent a ballot for Tuesday 's primary , which was originally scheduled for June 2 before it was postponed .
Only about half of the state 's in-person polling places will be open , mostly to accommodate voters with physical disabilities .
In one race , Democrats in the state 's 2nd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge Rep. Jeff Van Drew in November .
Van Drew won election two years ago as a Democrat but later switched to the Republican Party .
Van Drew 's 2018 election in the district that includes Atlantic City flipped the seat to the Democrats as part of that year 's `` Blue Wave , '' and his five Democratic challengers are eager to regain it .
In the 3rd District , Republican candidates Kate Gibbs and David Richter are engaged in a bitter fight for the nomination to challenge freshman Democratic Rep. Andy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate , faces opposition in the Democratic primary from progressive activist Lawrence Hamm .
After the state 's primary was delayed twice by the health crisis , in April and June , the only contests on the ballot Tuesday are the presidential primaries.Residents will see former Vice President and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden 's name on a ballot as the party 's presidential front-runner for the first time .
Biden represented Delaware in the U.S. Senate from 1973 to 2009 and ran for president twice before , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got close to the nomination .
Like New Jersey , Delaware 's election will be conducted mostly by mail-in ballots .
Twice-elected former Utah Gov .
Jon Huntsman Jr. will not win back his old job in November .
Republican gubernatorial candidate and Lt. Gov .
Spencer Cox will be the GOP nominee in the general election after Huntsman conceded the primary race on Monday night .
Cox and Huntsman were locked in a close race in Utah 's Republican primary .
Monday , the race was called in Cox 's favor and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The result was a surprise to many , who expected the former Utah governor to win the GOP primary and the election in November .
Huntsman won election in 2004 and 2008 , but did not finish his second term -- instead , opting to accept an appointment as President Barack Obama 's ambassador to China .
Monday 's victory gives Cox front-runner status to succeed Gov .
Gary Herbert , as no Democrat has been elected Utah governor in decades .
Cox will face Democratic nominee and University of Utah law professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @

New Jersey and Delaware had originally planned to hold their nominating contests in June, but they were delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
July 7 (UPI) -- Joe Biden won primary elections in both New Jersey and Delaware in votes held amid expected glitches and delays caused by quick maneuvers to send out mail-in ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic. Biden won 85.9 percent of the vote in New Jersey while Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont received 12.6 percent of the vote. In Delaware, which Biden represented in the U.S. Senate from 1973 to 2009, the former vice president won 90.3 percent of the vote, Sanders received 6.6 percent and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren received 3.1 percent. Advertisement
Having already secured the delegates necessary to clinch the nomination, Biden is the presumptive pick to represent the Democratic Party in the presidential election and challenge President Donald Trump. Sanders dropped out of the race in April but has remained on the ballot to continue to collect delegates.
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The bulk of the voting in both states will be mainly conducted via mail ballots in an effort to reduce COVID-19 transmission risks of in-person voting. Election officials in New Jersey said they expected troubles similar to the ones they saw in May when local elections were held entirely by mail.
New Jersey
The state's quick move to a mail ballot primary posed challenges for a new voter registration system and state workers have struggled to cope with the large volume of ballots, resulting in delays and ballots or applications being sent to people who have died, officials said.
Every registered Republican and Democrat in the state was sent a ballot for Tuesday's primary, which was originally scheduled for June 2 before it was postponed. Only about half of the state's in-person polling places were open, mostly to accommodate voters with physical disabilities.
Amy Kennedy won a race among Democrats in the state's 2nd District for the opportunity to challenge Rep. Jeff Van Drew in November. Van Drew was elected two years ago as a Democrat but later switched to the Republican Party.
Van Drew's 2018 election in the district that includes Atlantic City flipped the seat to the Democrats as part of that year's "Blue Wave," and his five Democratic challengers are eager to regain it.
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In the 3rd District, Republican Kate Gibbs emerged victorious from a bitter fight with David Richter for the nomination to challenge freshman Democratic Rep. Andy Kim.
Sen. Cory Booker, a former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, was able to fend off opposition in the Democratic primary from progressive activist Lawrence Hamm, winning 88.8 percent of the vote to Hamm's 11.
Huntsman loses
Twice-elected former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. will not win back his old job in November.
Republican gubernatorial candidate and Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox will be the GOP nominee in the general election after Huntsman conceded the primary race on Monday night.
Cox and Huntsman were locked in a close race in Utah's Republican primary. Monday, the race was called in Cox's favor and Huntsman decided to make the concession.
The result was a surprise to many, who expected the former Utah governor to win the GOP primary and the election in November. Huntsman won election in 2004 and 2008, but did not finish his second term -- instead, opting to accept an appointment as President Barack Obama's ambassador to China.
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Monday's victory gives Cox front-runner status to succeed Gov. Gary Herbert, as no Democrat has been elected Utah governor in decades. Cox will face Democratic nominee and University of Utah law professor Chris Peterson in the general election.


upi--2020-07-07--Dwight Howard to join Lakers for NBA restart, donate salary

July 7 ( UPI ) -- Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard will join the team for the resumed NBA season this month in Orlando after concern that he could opt out .
`` Yes , I will be joining my team in Orlando , '' Howard told CNN on Monday .
Howard will donate the remainder of his season salary -- expected to be $ 700,000 -- to his Breathe Again campaign with his D12 Foundation .
Breathe Again aims to bridge gaps among races and to end racism and hatred '' I have a contractual obligation to my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lakers , the organization and everyone , but at the same time , I also have an obligation to my family and to my community , '' Howard said .
`` We will be getting a lot of work done here in Atlanta and around the nation as far as making sure people do n't forget about us and what 's going on in our communities . ''
Howard in May called basketball and entertainment `` distractions '' amid the Black Lives Matter social justice movement .
He also cares for his 6-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in March .
Howard is in Georgia to satisfy the NBA 's home quarantine and testing protocols for players who will participate in the season restart .
The Lakers said last week that they expected Howard to join the team for the resumed season .
The 2019-20 NBA season has been suspended since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic but is scheduled to resume July 30 at Disney 's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando .
Some Lakers players participated in a practice last week in El Segundo , Calif. Howard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen , despite players who have decided to opt out and increased concern about the pandemic .
`` The NBA has done a really good job these last couple of weeks of trying to do the best they can to make sure the bubble is as safe as possible for all the players that will be in attendance , '' Howard said .
`` They have been working countless hours to make sure everything is right for everybody that 's down there and the families that will be joining later on . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Year averaged 7.5 points , 7.4 rebounds , 1.2 blocks and just over 19 minutes per game in 62 appearances before the season was suspended .

Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (39) plays to donate the remainder of his 2019-20 salary to his charitable initiative Breathe Again. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
July 7 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard will join the team for the resumed NBA season this month in Orlando after concern that he could opt out. "Yes, I will be joining my team in Orlando," Howard told CNN on Monday. Advertisement
Howard will donate the remainder of his season salary -- expected to be $700,000 -- to his Breathe Again campaign with his D12 Foundation. Breathe Again aims to bridge gaps among races and to end racism and hatred
"I have a contractual obligation to my teammates, to my fans, the Lakers, the organization and everyone, but at the same time, I also have an obligation to my family and to my community," Howard said.
"We will be getting a lot of work done here in Atlanta and around the nation as far as making sure people don't forget about us and what's going on in our communities."
Howard in May called basketball and entertainment "distractions" amid the Black Lives Matter social justice movement. He also cares for his 6-year-old son, David, whose mother died in March. Howard is in Georgia to satisfy the NBA's home quarantine and testing protocols for players who will participate in the season restart.
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The Lakers said last week that they expected Howard to join the team for the resumed season.
The 2019-20 NBA season has been suspended since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic but is scheduled to resume July 30 at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. Some Lakers players participated in a practice last week in El Segundo, Calif. Howard said he believes the resumed season will happen, despite players who have decided to opt out and increased concern about the pandemic.
"The NBA has done a really good job these last couple of weeks of trying to do the best they can to make sure the bubble is as safe as possible for all the players that will be in attendance," Howard said.
"They have been working countless hours to make sure everything is right for everybody that's down there and the families that will be joining later on."
The 6-foot-10, 265-pound three-time Defensive Player of the Year averaged 7.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and just over 19 minutes per game in 62 appearances before the season was suspended.


upi--2020-07-07--'Blackout Day' calls for black Americans to wield economic power

July 7 ( UPI ) -- Tuesday is designated as Blackout Day , a solidarity movement that calls for black Americans to demonstrate their economic influence as a measure to spur equality and justice nationwide .
Blackout Day asks black Americans to refrain from spending money on anything for one day -- and if necessary , to spend it at black-owned businesses , according to the Blackout website .
The movement to dedicate one day to support black-owned businesses has been around for decades , but ongoing outcry over police brutality and inequality has added significance to this year 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning of a lifelong pursuit of economic empowerment as a reality for all black people .
United , we are an unstoppable force , '' organizers state on their website .
Reshauna Striggles , an activist in Arizona , said buyers can make a statement against systemic racism by spending money only at businesses owned by blacks and Latinos .
`` That 's where you 're going to spend money , '' Striggles said .
`` And do n't spend money anywhere else . ''
Texas activist Calvin Martyr compares the movement to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ala. , after Rosa Parks was jailed for sitting in a seat reserved for whites .
The boycott gave rise to the leadership of Martin Luther King Jr. and an end to segregated buses in the city .
`` If we get enough black people , all black people , we can unite like they did in Montgomery , Ala. , where not one single black person rode a bus , '' Martyr said in a video posted to YouTube .
`` That right there is what caused the civil-rights legislation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles said Tuesday 's movement is a way to bring attention to the economic challenges of black Americans .
`` We need to use our power , both our spending power , our vote and our voice , to demand criminal justice reform and to address income inequality , '' OneUnited Chairman Kevin Cohee said in a statement .

A composite image of a "Black Lives Matter" mural is pictured in Pittsburgh, Pa., last Friday. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo
July 7 (UPI) -- Tuesday is designated as Blackout Day, a solidarity movement that calls for black Americans to demonstrate their economic influence as a measure to spur equality and justice nationwide. Blackout Day asks black Americans to refrain from spending money on anything for one day -- and if necessary, to spend it at black-owned businesses, according to the Blackout website. Advertisement
The movement to dedicate one day to support black-owned businesses has been around for decades, but ongoing outcry over police brutality and inequality has added significance to this year's observance.
"This is only the beginning of a lifelong pursuit of economic empowerment as a reality for all black people. United, we are an unstoppable force," organizers state on their website.
Reshauna Striggles, an activist in Arizona, said buyers can make a statement against systemic racism by spending money only at businesses owned by blacks and Latinos.
"That's where you're going to spend money," Striggles said. "And don't spend money anywhere else."
Texas activist Calvin Martyr compares the movement to the 1950s public bus boycott in Montgomery, Ala., after Rosa Parks was jailed for sitting in a seat reserved for whites. The boycott gave rise to the leadership of Martin Luther King Jr. and an end to segregated buses in the city.
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"If we get enough black people, all black people, we can unite like they did in Montgomery, Ala., where not one single black person rode a bus," Martyr said in a video posted to YouTube. "That right there is what caused the civil-rights legislation to come."
Black-owned OneUnited Bank in Los Angeles said Tuesday's movement is a way to bring attention to the economic challenges of black Americans.
"We need to use our power, both our spending power, our vote and our voice, to demand criminal justice reform and to address income inequality," OneUnited Chairman Kevin Cohee said in a statement.
Protesters march for social justice


upi--2020-07-07--WWE Raw: Asuka takes on Bayley in champion vs. champion match

July 7 ( UPI ) -- Raw Women 's Champion Asuka battled SmackDown Women 's Champion Bayley in a champion vs. champion match in the main event of Raw .
Bayley Dos Straps , who is also the Women 's Tag Team Champion with Sasha Banks , was accompanied to the ring by The Boss on Monday .
Asuka was joined by her tag team partner Kairi Sane who faced Banks earlier in the night in a match that ended in a no-contest after Bayley interfered .
Also at ringside was Nikki Cross of SmackDown who joined the commentary team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , after Bayley angered her by knocking off her headset .
Bayley dominated the majority of the bout , but Asuka would not stay down .
Banks was able to attack The Empress of Tomorrow while the referee 's back was turned .
Bayley started to mock Asuka by throwing water into her face before Cross returned on the audience side and started banging on the plexiglass dividers .
Asuka took advantage of the distraction and grabbed Bayley to place her into the Asuka Lock .
Asuka continued to apply the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ring to prevent Banks from intervening .
Asuka ended things by keeping Bayley down and pinning her to win the match .
Asuka will be defending her Raw Women 's Championship against Banks at Extreme Rules : The Horror Show on July 19 while Bayley will be defending the SmackDown Women 's Championship against Cross at the event .
Also on Raw , WWE Champion Drew McIntyre demanded to know the stipulation Dolph Ziggler is choosing for their championship bout at Extreme Rules .
Ziggler said that the stipulation is a secret but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his close friend , Heath Slater .
McIntyre and Slater were former teammates together as members of 3MB , or Three Man Band , along with Jinder Mahal .
Slater mentioned how he was fired from WWE in April , but that he felt abandoned by McIntyre afterwards .
Slater then demanded a match and slapped McIntyre who agreed to his demand .
Slater only got in a few hits on McIntyre thanks to Ziggler .
The WWE Champion responded with a Claymore to quickly end the match .
McIntyre , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the ring to save Slater from Ziggler after a fight broke out .
Rey Mysterio returned to action and teamed up with Kevin Owens to take on his rival Seth Rollins and his disciple Murphy .
Mysterio 's original partner Aleister Black was attacked backstage .
Mysterio , after pinning Murphy to win the match , was given the right to choose the stipulation for his Extreme Rules bout against Rollins .
The high-flyer said that he wanted to face Rollins in an Eye for an Eye match .
Other moments from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States Championship ; Bobby Lashley and MVP defeating Ricochet and Cedric Alexander ; Billie Kay defeating Ruby Riott ; and Randy Orton teaming up with Andrade and Angel Garza to defeat Big Show and The Viking Raiders .

July 7 (UPI) -- Raw Women's Champion Asuka battled SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley in a champion vs. champion match in the main event of Raw.
Bayley Dos Straps, who is also the Women's Tag Team Champion with Sasha Banks, was accompanied to the ring by The Boss on Monday. Asuka was joined by her tag team partner Kairi Sane who faced Banks earlier in the night in a match that ended in a no-contest after Bayley interfered.
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Also at ringside was Nikki Cross of SmackDown who joined the commentary team. Cross was quickly ejected by security, however, after Bayley angered her by knocking off her headset.
Bayley dominated the majority of the bout, but Asuka would not stay down. Banks was able to attack The Empress of Tomorrow while the referee's back was turned.
Bayley started to mock Asuka by throwing water into her face before Cross returned on the audience side and started banging on the plexiglass dividers. Asuka took advantage of the distraction and grabbed Bayley to place her into the Asuka Lock.
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Asuka continued to apply the Asuka Lock as Sane ran into the ring to prevent Banks from intervening. Asuka ended things by keeping Bayley down and pinning her to win the match.
Asuka will be defending her Raw Women's Championship against Banks at Extreme Rules: The Horror Show on July 19 while Bayley will be defending the SmackDown Women's Championship against Cross at the event.
Also on Raw, WWE Champion Drew McIntyre demanded to know the stipulation Dolph Ziggler is choosing for their championship bout at Extreme Rules.
Ziggler said that the stipulation is a secret but he did surprise McIntyre with the return of his close friend, Heath Slater. McIntyre and Slater were former teammates together as members of 3MB, or Three Man Band, along with Jinder Mahal.
Slater mentioned how he was fired from WWE in April, but that he felt abandoned by McIntyre afterwards. Slater then demanded a match and slapped McIntyre who agreed to his demand.
Slater only got in a few hits on McIntyre thanks to Ziggler. The WWE Champion responded with a Claymore to quickly end the match. McIntyre, as he was leaving the arena, returned to the ring to save Slater from Ziggler after a fight broke out.
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Rey Mysterio returned to action and teamed up with Kevin Owens to take on his rival Seth Rollins and his disciple Murphy. Mysterio's original partner Aleister Black was attacked backstage.
Mysterio, after pinning Murphy to win the match, was given the right to choose the stipulation for his Extreme Rules bout against Rollins. The high-flyer said that he wanted to face Rollins in an Eye for an Eye match.
Other moments from Raw included MVP presenting a newly designed United States Championship; Bobby Lashley and MVP defeating Ricochet and Cedric Alexander; Billie Kay defeating Ruby Riott; and Randy Orton teaming up with Andrade and Angel Garza to defeat Big Show and The Viking Raiders.


upi--2020-07-07--Google, Facebook, Twitter 'pause' requests from Hong Kong authorities for user data

July 7 ( UPI ) -- Google , Facebook , Twitter and WhatsApp announced they have stopped processing requests from Hong Kong authorities for user data in the wake of a sweeping new national security law Beijing imposed last week on the city while TikTok said it would no longer operate in the former British colony .
Tech giants Google and Facebook said in statements to UPI that they have stopped fielding such requests as they review the new controversial national security law that went into effect at 11 p.m. on June 30 despite critics and Western countries condemning it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colony 's autonomy from mainland China .
`` We are pausing the review of government requests for user data from Hong Kong pending further assessment of the National Security Law , including human rights due diligence and consultations with international human rights experts , '' a Facebook company spokesman said in the statement .
In a single-sentence statement , a Google spokesman said it `` paused production of any new data requests from Hong Kong authorities '' on Wednesday after the law went into effect .
Twitter and WhatsApp also issued similar statements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further comment .
Meanwhile , TikTok , which is owned by Chinese internet company ByteDance , said in a statement Tuesday to UPI that `` in light of recent events , we 've decided to stop operations of the TikTok app in Hong Kong . ''
The moves were made by the tech giants as Hong Kong late Monday revealed a slew of new rules under the draconian national security law that allows police to force service providers to delete messages they say threaten national security and to imprison employees at those companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not follow their orders .
Facebook said as little was known about the law prior to its imposition , it was now reviewing the details to understand the implications for the company and its users .
`` We believe freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and support the right of people to express themselves without fear for their safety or other repercussions , '' the Facebook spokesman said .
On Sunday , Telegram , a messaging application that was popular with Hong Kong protesters , told the Hong Kong Free Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hong Kong authorities until an international consensus was agreed to on the new law .
The law criminalizes acts of secession , sedition , subversion , terrorism and working with foreign agencies to undermine the national security of the People 's Republic of China in Hong Kong .
Since its imposition , protesters have been arrested for waving flags espousing Hong Kong independence or for possessing similar material .
The law followed a year of pro-democracy protests and was met with widespread condemnation .
Western countries and rights groups chastised Beijing for failing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made in a U.N.-filed declaration that returned Hong Kong from British rule to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 .
Under the agreement , China was to maintain Hong Kong 's high degree of autonomy from the mainland for 50 years .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo condemned Beijing 's `` Orwellian censorship '' of Hong Kong on Monday , accusing the Chinese Communist Party of continuing its `` destruction '' of the financial hub .
`` With the ink barely dry on the repressive National Security Law , local authorities -- in an Orwellian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government national security office , started removing books critical of the [ ruling Chinese Communist Party ] from library shelves , banned political slogans and are now requiring schools to enforce censorship , '' he said in a statement on Monday .

Tech companies are stopping to process requests for user data from Hong Kong authorities as they review a new national security law. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI | License Photo
July 7 (UPI) -- Zoom and Microsoft added their names Tuesday to a growing list of tech companies that have "paused" processing requests from Hong Kong authorities for user data in the wake of a sweeping new national security law Beijing imposed last week. Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp announced they had taken the step on Monday while Google said it had done so on Wednesday, the day after Beijing passed the draconian national security law. Advertisement
TikTok, which is owned by Chinese internet company Bytedance, on Tuesday, told UPI in a statement that it was going a step further and that it has "decided to stop operations of the TikTok app in Hong Kong."
Tech giants Google and Facebook said in statements to UPI that they have stopped fielding such requests as they review the new controversial national security law that went into effect at 11 p.m. on June 30 despite critics and Western countries condemning it as all but ending the former British colony's autonomy from mainland China.
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"We are pausing the review of government requests for user data from Hong Kong pending further assessment of the National Security Law, including human rights due diligence and consultations with international human rights experts," a Facebook company spokesman said in the statement.
In a single-sentence statement, a Google spokesman said it "paused production of any new data requests from Hong Kong authorities" on Wednesday after the law went into effect.
Twitter and WhatsApp also issued similar statements and have been contacted by UPI for further comment.
A Zoom spokesperson said they were "actively monitoring the developments" in Hong Kong as well as listening to potential guidance from the U.S. government.
"We have paused processing any data requests from, and related to, Hong Kong [Special Administrative Region]," it said referring to the former British colony by its official name.
UPI has reached out to Microsoft for comment, but a spokesperson for the company said in a statement that they have received only a small number of requests from Hong Kong authorities "but we are pausing our responses to these requests as we conduct our review."
The moves were made by the tech giants as Hong Kong late Monday revealed a slew of new rules under the draconian national security law that allows police to force service providers to delete messages they say threaten national security and to imprison employees at those companies for up six months if they do not follow their orders.
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Facebook said it was now reviewing the details to understand the implications for the company and its users as little was known about the law prior to its implementation.
"We believe freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and support the right of people to express themselves without fear for their safety or other repercussions," the Facebook spokesman said.
On Sunday, Telegram, a messaging application that was popular with Hong Kong protesters, told the Hong Kong Free Press it would temporarily refuse data requests from Hong Kong authorities until an international consensus was agreed to on the new law.
The law criminalizes acts of secession, sedition, subversion, terrorism and working with foreign agencies to undermine the national security of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong. Since its implementation, protesters have been arrested for waving flags espousing Hong Kong independence and for possessing similar material.
The law followed a year of pro-democracy protests and was met with widespread condemnation. Western countries and rights groups chastised Beijing for failing to live up to the commitments it made in a U.N.-filed declaration that returned Hong Kong from British rule to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.
Under the agreement, China was to maintain Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy from the mainland for 50 years.
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Secretary of State Mike Pompeo condemned Beijing's "Orwellian censorship" of Hong Kong on Monday, accusing the Chinese Communist Party of continuing its "destruction" of the financial hub.
"With the ink barely dry on the repressive National Security Law, local authorities -- in an Orwellian move -- have now established a central government national security office, started removing books critical of the [ruling Chinese Communist Party] from library shelves, banned political slogans and are now requiring schools to enforce censorship," he said in a statement.
The moves also came a week after the U.S. Federal Communications Commission designated Chinese communications companies Huawei and ZTE as national security threats.
Pompeo told Fox News' Laura Ingraham on Monday that the United States was "looking at" whether to restrict access to Chinese apps, such as TikTok, in the United States after India banned nearly 60 such smartphone applications the week prior.
"With respect to Chinese apps on people's cell phones, I can assure you the United States will get this one right, too," he said. "I don't want to get out in front of the president, but it's something we're looking at."


upi--2020-07-07--Military confirms remains as Vanessa Guillen's; politicians call for watchdog probe

July 7 ( UPI ) -- Human remains found last week in Texas belong to missing U.S. soldier Vanessa Guillen , military officials confirmed as politicians demanded the Pentagon watchdog launch an independent investigation into the woman 's death .
Maj. Gen. Scott Efflandt told reporters during a press conference Monday the Armed Forces forensic examiner has determined through DNA analysis that human remains found a week ago near the Leon River in Bell County belong to Guillen , who was reported missing from nearby Fort Hood in mid-April .
`` There are no words that convey the sense of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and her fellow soldiers that I feel during this tremulously difficult time , '' he said .
`` We all feel her loss , the loss of a vibrant young woman who bravely volunteered to serve her country , the loss of a talented soldier , the loss of a loving family member and the loss of a friend with a bright future ahead of her . ''
The announcement came after Natalie Khawam , an attorney for the Guillen family , said Sunday the Army had confirmed that the bones , hair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ belonged to Guillen .
Efflandt said Guillen 's family was notified Sunday and the Army will complete its own sexual harassment investigation connected to Guillen 's death and disappearance .
`` Every person who raises their right hand to serve their family and their country in uniform deserves to be safe and treated with dignity and respect , '' he said .
Guillen , 20 , was last seen April 22 in the parking lot of her Regimental Engineer Squadron Headquarters at Fort Hood , and was reported missing the next day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discovery of her remains last week .
The Army Criminal Investigation Command identified Spc .
Aaron David Robinson as a suspect in the case .
He died by suicide last week as law enforcement attempted to make contact with him .
A second suspect , 22-year-old Cecily Aguilar , has been arrested on accusations she helped Robinson , her boyfriend , dismember Guillen 's body and bury it in three different locations .
The affidavit states Robinson bludgeoned Guillen to death with a hammer on April 22 in the armory where she worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the body .
Guillen 's family has said that Robinson had sexually harassed Guillen but she was afraid to issue a formal complaint .
Eighty-seven lawmakers signed a letter Monday supporting calls for the Department of Defense Inspector General 's Office to conduct `` a full and independent investigation '' into Guillen 's disappearance and death .
According to a Pentagon report in April , reports of sexual assault increased by 3 percent in 2019 to a total of 7,825 complaints .
Texas Reps. Vicente Gonzalez and Filemon Vela issued a joint statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the military is `` incapable of policing '' itself and urged civilian reforms for the military .
`` It is time to demand civilian oversight , accountability and reform , '' Gonzalez said .
`` The family of Spc .
Vanessa Guillen and all who are affected by these tragic events deserve more than our thoughts and prayers -- they deserve action and answers . ''
Aguilar made her initial appearance in court on Monday for charges of conspiracy to tamper with evidence .

Spc. Vanessa Guillen was reported missing April 23, a day after she was last seen in the parking lot of her Regimental Engineer Squadron Headquarters at Fort Hood in Texas. Photo courtesy Fort Hood/ Twitter
July 7 (UPI) -- Human remains found last week in Texas belong to missing U.S. soldier Vanessa Guillen, military officials confirmed as politicians demanded the Pentagon watchdog launch an independent investigation into the woman's death. Maj. Gen. Scott Efflandt told reporters during a press conference Monday the Armed Forces forensic examiner has determined through DNA analysis that human remains found a week ago near the Leon River in Bell County belong to Guillen, who was reported missing from nearby Fort Hood in mid-April. Advertisement
"There are no words that convey the sense of loss to her family, her friends and her fellow soldiers that I feel during this tremulously difficult time," he said. "We all feel her loss, the loss of a vibrant young woman who bravely volunteered to serve her country, the loss of a talented soldier, the loss of a loving family member and the loss of a friend with a bright future ahead of her."
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The announcement came after Natalie Khawam, an attorney for the Guillen family, said Sunday the Army had confirmed that the bones, hair and other remains found near the base belonged to Guillen.
Efflandt said Guillen's family was notified Sunday and the Army will complete its own sexual harassment investigation connected to Guillen's death and disappearance.
"Every person who raises their right hand to serve their family and their country in uniform deserves to be safe and treated with dignity and respect," he said.
Guillen, 20, was last seen April 22 in the parking lot of her Regimental Engineer Squadron Headquarters at Fort Hood, and was reported missing the next day, prompting a search that led to the discovery of her remains last week.
The Army Criminal Investigation Command identified Spc. Aaron David Robinson as a suspect in the case. He died by suicide last week as law enforcement attempted to make contact with him.
A second suspect, 22-year-old Cecily Aguilar, has been arrested on accusations she helped Robinson, her boyfriend, dismember Guillen's body and bury it in three different locations.
The affidavit states Robinson bludgeoned Guillen to death with a hammer on April 22 in the armory where she worked before contacting Aguilar to help dispose of the body.
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Guillen's family has said that Robinson had sexually harassed Guillen but she was afraid to issue a formal complaint.
Eighty-seven lawmakers signed a letter Monday supporting calls for the Department of Defense Inspector General's Office to conduct "a full and independent investigation" into Guillen's disappearance and death.
According to a Pentagon report in April, reports of sexual assault increased by 3 percent in 2019 to a total of 7,825 complaints.
Texas Reps. Vicente Gonzalez and Filemon Vela issued a joint statement on Monday supporting an investigation, saying the military is "incapable of policing" itself and urged civilian reforms for the military.
"It is time to demand civilian oversight, accountability and reform," Gonzalez said. "The family of Spc. Vanessa Guillen and all who are affected by these tragic events deserve more than our thoughts and prayers -- they deserve action and answers."
Aguilar made her initial appearance in court on Monday for charges of conspiracy to tamper with evidence.


upi--2020-07-07--North Korea: 'No intention' to meet with the U.S. again

SEOUL , July 7 ( UPI ) -- North Korea on Tuesday doubled down on its stance that it had `` no intention '' of meeting with the United States again and criticized South Korea 's `` meddling '' in its relationship with Washington .
`` Explicitly speaking once again , we have no intention to sit face to face with U.S. , '' Kwon Jong Gun , director-general in charge of U.S. affairs at North Korea 's foreign ministry , said in a statement carried by state-run Korean Central News Agency .
Kwon 's statement came on the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biegun , Washington 's point man on North Korean affairs , arrived in South Korea for a three-day visit .
The North Korean official also derided the South 's continuing efforts to mediate another engagement between Pyongyang and Washington .
`` It is just the time for [ South Korea ] to stop meddling in other 's affairs but it seems there is no cure or prescription for its bad habit , '' Kwon said .
`` The inter-Korean relations are bound to go further bankrupt as they only talk nonsense , unaware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Moon Jae-in has said he would push for another meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un before the presidential election in November .
A spokesman for South Korea 's unification ministry reiterated Monday that the government was still supporting efforts for another U.S.-North Korea summit .
Former White House national security adviser John Bolton told reporters in New York last week that Trump might meet with Kim ahead of the election as an `` October surprise . ''
However , Biegun called a summit before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seminar held by the German Marshall Fund 's Brussels Forum in late June .
North Korea slammed the idea of another U.S.-North Korea summit on Saturday , saying the United States `` is mistaken if it thinks things like negotiations would still work on us . ''
`` Is it possible to hold dialogue or have any dealings with the U.S. , which persists in the hostile policy toward the DPRK in disregard of the agreements already made at the past summit ? ''
Choe Son Hui , North Korea 's first vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement carried by KCNA .
The Democratic People 's Republic of Korea is the official name of North Korea .
Choe also dismissed an `` October surprise '' meeting between Trump and Kim .
`` It is clear to us , even without meeting , with what shallow trick the U.S. will approach us as it has neither intention nor will to go back to the drawing board , '' she said .
Relations between the United States and North Korea have frozen over since the second Trump-Kim summit , held last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to produce an agreement on issues such as sanctions relief for the North and a timetable for proceeding with denuclearization .
The U.S. State Department said in a statement Monday that Biegun would travel to South Korea and Japan from Tuesday to Friday `` to continue close allied cooperation on a range of bilateral and global issues and further strengthen coordination on the final , fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK . ''

| License Photo Pyongyang dismissed the prospect of another summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in a statement issued Tuesday. File Photo by Shealah Craighead/White House
SEOUL, July 7 (UPI) -- North Korea on Tuesday doubled down on its stance that it had "no intention" of meeting with the United States again and criticized South Korea's "meddling" in its relationship with Washington. "Explicitly speaking once again, we have no intention to sit face to face with U.S.," Kwon Jong Gun, director general in charge of U.S. affairs at North Korea's foreign ministry, said in a statement carried by state-run Korean Central News Agency. Advertisement
Kwon's statement came on the same day U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun, Washington's point man on North Korean affairs, arrived in South Korea for a three-day visit.
The North Korean official also derided the South's continuing efforts to mediate another engagement between Pyongyang and Washington.
"It is just the time for [South Korea] to stop meddling in other's affairs but it seems there is no cure or prescription for its bad habit," Kwon said. "The inter-Korean relations are bound to go further bankrupt as they only talk nonsense, unaware of the time."
South Korean President Moon Jae-in has said he would push for another meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un before the presidential election in November. A spokesman for South Korea's unification ministry reiterated Monday that the government was still supporting efforts for another U.S.-North Korea summit.
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Former White House national security adviser John Bolton told reporters in New York last week that Trump might meet with Kim ahead of the election as an "October surprise."
However, Biegun called a summit before the election "unlikely" at a virtual seminar held by the German Marshall Fund's Brussels Forum in late June.
North Korea slammed the idea of another U.S.-North Korea summit on Saturday, saying the United States "is mistaken if it thinks things like negotiations would still work on us."
"Is it possible to hold dialogue or have any dealings with the U.S., which persists in the hostile policy toward the DPRK in disregard of the agreements already made at the past summit?" Choe Son Hui, North Korea's first vice minister of foreign affairs, said in a statement carried by KCNA.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the official name of North Korea.
Choe also dismissed an "October surprise" meeting between Trump and Kim.
"It is clear to us, even without meeting, with what shallow trick the U.S. will approach us as it has neither intention nor will to go back to the drawing board," she said.
Relations between the United States and North Korea have frozen over since the second Trump-Kim summit, held last year in Hanoi, Vietnam, failed to produce an agreement on issues such as sanctions relief for the North and a timetable for proceeding with denuclearization.
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The U.S. State Department said in a statement Monday that Biegun would travel to South Korea and Japan from Tuesday to Friday "to continue close allied cooperation on a range of bilateral and global issues and further strengthen coordination on the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK."