upi--2020-07-21--Astronomers track down 'lost' worlds spotted but unconfirmed by TESS survey

July 21 ( UPI ) -- One by one , an international team of astronomers is rediscovering `` lost '' worlds first spotted , but unconfirmed , by NASA 's TESS telescope .
One of those rediscovered worlds , described this week in the Astrophysical Journal Letters , is NGTS-11b , an exoplanet with the size and mass of Saturn but an orbit of just 35 days .
NGTS-11b circles a star located 620 light-years away from Earth .
NASA 's TESS telescope usually scans sections of the sky for 27 days .
The observatory 's images often capture transits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when an exoplanet orbits across the face of its host star .
But because many orbits take more than 27 days , TESS regularly captures just one transit .
To confirm the presence of an exoplanet is a distant star system , and not an asteroid or some other anomaly , astronomers must observe a second transit .
Without a second transit , many of the exoplanet candidates initially spotted by TESS are effectively `` lost , '' like an unstudied artifact collecting dust in a museum closet .
Scientists with the Next-Generation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TESS as a jumping off point for discovering potentially habitable exoplanets .
`` By chasing that second transit down we 've found a longer period planet .
It 's the first of hopefully many such finds pushing to longer periods , '' lead study author Samuel Gill said in a news release .
`` These discoveries are rare but important , since they allow us to find longer period planets than other astronomers are finding .
Longer period planets are cooler , more like the planets in our own solar system , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of Warwick .
Planets with more intimate orbits around their host stars are typically too hot to support life , whereas exoplanets with longer orbital periods -- those spotted but unconfirmed by TESS -- are more likely to have life-supporting temperatures .
With average surface temperatures upwards of 160 degrees Celsius , NGTS-11b is still too hot to host liquid water and support life , but its not as intolerable as most exoplanets initially discovered by TESS .
`` While we have discovered many planets that orbit close to their host star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ periods and cooler temperatures , which makes NGTS-11b an interesting find that takes us one step closer to finding planets in the Goldilocks zone , '' said study co-author Ed Gillen .
`` Longer period planets like NGTS-11b may help us to better understand the various evolutionary processes that planetary systems undergo both during and after their formation , '' said Gillen , a researcher with the University of Cambridge 's Cavendish Laboratory .

Astronomers working on the Next-Generation Transit Survey are using telescopes in Chile to investigate single-transits, potential exoplanet candidates, initially recorded by NASA's TESS telescope. Photo by Y. Beletsky/LCO/ESO
July 21 (UPI) -- One by one, an international team of astronomers is rediscovering "lost" worlds first spotted, but unconfirmed, by NASA's TESS telescope. One of those rediscovered worlds, described this week in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, is NGTS-11b, an exoplanet with the size and mass of Saturn but an orbit of just 35 days. NGTS-11b circles a star located 620 light-years away from Earth. Advertisement
NASA's TESS telescope usually scans sections of the sky for 27 days. The observatory's images often capture transits, the dip in starlight that happens when an exoplanet orbits across the face of its host star.
But because many orbits take more than 27 days, TESS regularly captures just one transit. To confirm the presence of an exoplanet is a distant star system, and not an asteroid or some other anomaly, astronomers must observe a second transit.
Without a second transit, many of the exoplanet candidates initially spotted by TESS are effectively "lost," like an unstudied artifact collecting dust in a museum closet.
Scientists with the Next-Generation Transit Survey are using single-transits captured by TESS as a jumping off point for discovering potentially habitable exoplanets.
"By chasing that second transit down we've found a longer period planet. It's the first of hopefully many such finds pushing to longer periods," lead study author Samuel Gill said in a news release.
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"These discoveries are rare but important, since they allow us to find longer period planets than other astronomers are finding. Longer period planets are cooler, more like the planets in our own solar system," said Gill, a researcher at the University of Warwick.
Planets with more intimate orbits around their host stars are typically too hot to support life, whereas exoplanets with longer orbital periods -- those spotted but unconfirmed by TESS -- are more likely to have life-supporting temperatures.
With average surface temperatures upwards of 160 degrees Celsius, NGTS-11b is still too hot to host liquid water and support life, but its not as intolerable as most exoplanets initially discovered by TESS.
"While we have discovered many planets that orbit close to their host star, we know of fewer at longer periods and cooler temperatures, which makes NGTS-11b an interesting find that takes us one step closer to finding planets in the Goldilocks zone," said study co-author Ed Gillen.
"Longer period planets like NGTS-11b may help us to better understand the various evolutionary processes that planetary systems undergo both during and after their formation," said Gillen, a researcher with the University of Cambridge's Cavendish Laboratory.


upi--2020-07-21--Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Bennett retires from NFL

July 21 ( UPI ) -- Three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Bennett on Tuesday announced his retirement from the NFL .
`` Retiring feels a little like death of self , but I 'm looking forward to the rebirth -- the opportunity to reimagine my purpose , '' Bennett wrote on social media .
`` I would like to thank my wife and children , who have sacrificed so much for me to succeed .
I 'm looking forward to supporting them the same way they have me these past 11 years .
I have never been more at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 34 , appeared in 15 games last season as he split time between the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots .
The 6-foot-4 , 275-pound defensive lineman had 32 total tackles , 11 tackles for a loss , 11 quarterback hits and four sacks in 2019 .
Bennett began his NFL career in 2009 when he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent .
He joined the Seattle Seahawks in 2013 .
Bennett made the Pro Bowl each year from 2015 through 2017 and won a Super Bowl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018 before he joined the Patriots last off-season .
The Patriots traded Bennett to the Cowboys in October .
Bennett had 69.5 sacks in 11 seasons .
His brother , Martellus Bennett , also played tight end in the NFL from 2008 through 2017 .

Michael Bennett played for the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots in 2019 before he announced his retirement on Tuesday. File Photo by Ian Halperin/UPI | License Photo
July 21 (UPI) -- Three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Bennett on Tuesday announced his retirement from the NFL. "Retiring feels a little like death of self, but I'm looking forward to the rebirth -- the opportunity to reimagine my purpose," Bennett wrote on social media. Advertisement
"I would like to thank my wife and children, who have sacrificed so much for me to succeed. I'm looking forward to supporting them the same way they have me these past 11 years. I have never been more at peace in my life."
Bennett, 34, appeared in 15 games last season as he split time between the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound defensive lineman had 32 total tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, 11 quarterback hits and four sacks in 2019.
Bennett began his NFL career in 2009 when he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent. He joined the Seattle Seahawks in 2013. Bennett made the Pro Bowl each year from 2015 through 2017 and won a Super Bowl in 2014 while with the Seahawks. He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018 before he joined the Patriots last off-season. The Patriots traded Bennett to the Cowboys in October.
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Bennett had 69.5 sacks in 11 seasons. His brother, Martellus Bennett, also played tight end in the NFL from 2008 through 2017.


upi--2020-07-21--Watch: Jessica More was 'clear' with Robert Westergaard about wanting relationship

July 21 ( UPI ) -- Jessica More says she was `` very clear '' with Robert Westergaard about wanting a committed relationship .
The television personality explained on Monday 's episode of Watch What Happens Live why her romance with Westergaard , her Below Deck Mediterranean co-star , did n't work out .
More and Westergaard developed a romance during Season 5 but have since split .
When asked if anything sticks out to her while rewatching the episodes , More said Westergaard 's desire for an open relationship .
`` I was very clear with not wanting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not wanting to start anything , because I said I wanted a serious relationship and that I was n't just casually dating anymore , '' More said .
`` Kind of what I was fed was to appease what I said .
I think that was n't exactly the circumstances , '' she added .
More said she made it clear to Westergaard that she was looking for a committed relationship .
`` I am so blunt and honest I do n't know how it was n't clear to him when I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to you , '' she said .
`` I literally said exactly that to him and everybody else , too .
I 'm done casually dating , and that was very clear . ''
Westergaard said on WWHL last week that he was `` open and honest '' with More about wanting an open relationship but `` can see '' how she might feel misled .
`` I can see how it might be taken that way in the episodes leading up to this one , '' he said .
`` Yeah , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misleading . ''
On Monday , More and her co-star Bugsy Drake also discussed their captain , Sandy Yawn .
Drake said she does n't think Yawn is a micromanager .
Below Deck Mediterranean follows the crew of a mega-yacht during charter season .
More 's co-star Alex Radcliff had nothing but praise for Drake , his crush , during an episode of WWHL this month .

July 21 (UPI) -- Jessica More says she was "very clear" with Robert Westergaard about wanting a committed relationship.
The television personality explained on Monday's episode of Watch What Happens Live why her romance with Westergaard, her Below Deck Mediterranean co-star, didn't work out.
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More and Westergaard developed a romance during Season 5 but have since split. When asked if anything sticks out to her while rewatching the episodes, More said Westergaard's desire for an open relationship.
"I was very clear with not wanting to date anybody that was in a relationship and not wanting to start anything, because I said I wanted a serious relationship and that I wasn't just casually dating anymore," More said.
"Kind of what I was fed was to appease what I said. I think that wasn't exactly the circumstances," she added.
More said she made it clear to Westergaard that she was looking for a committed relationship.
"I am so blunt and honest I don't know how it wasn't clear to him when I literally said exactly what I just said to you," she said. "I literally said exactly that to him and everybody else, too. I'm done casually dating, and that was very clear."
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Westergaard said on WWHL last week that he was "open and honest" with More about wanting an open relationship but "can see" how she might feel misled.
"I can see how it might be taken that way in the episodes leading up to this one," he said. "Yeah, I can see how that might be misleading."
On Monday, More and her co-star Bugsy Drake also discussed their captain, Sandy Yawn. Drake said she doesn't think Yawn is a micromanager.
Below Deck Mediterranean follows the crew of a mega-yacht during charter season. More's co-star Alex Radcliff had nothing but praise for Drake, his crush, during an episode of WWHL this month.


upi--2020-07-21--Kanye West sets Friday release date for new album 'Donda'

July 21 ( UPI ) -- Kanye West announced on Twitter he will be releasing a new album titled Donda on Friday .
`` DONDA coming this Friday , '' the rapper tweeted on Tuesday alongside a tracklist for the project .
Donda is the name of West 's late mother who died at the age of 58 in 2007 from post-surgery complications .
The tracklist includes 12 songs , including `` God 's Country , '' which was the original name of his next album , and `` Donda , '' a title track which he recently released in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The song features his mother reciting KRS1 lyrics .
Missing from the tracklist is `` Wash Us in the Blood '' featuring Travis Scott .
West released a music video for the song in June which contained footage of protests against police brutality and racial injustice that took place worldwide following the death of George Floyd .
West last released the gospel-themed Jesus is King in October followed by Jesus is Born with the Sunday Service Choir in December .
West has said he will enter the 2020 presidential race and held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Exquis Event Center in North Charleston , N.C. West wore a bulletproof vest onstage , was critical of civil rights icon Harriet Tubman , said abortion should be legal , every woman having a baby should receive $ 1 million and that marijuana should be available nationwide at no cost .

DONDA coming this Friday pic.twitter.com/HGibF3PHYf— ye (@kanyewest) July 21, 2020
July 21 (UPI) -- Kanye West announced on Twitter he will be releasing a new album titled Donda on Friday.
"DONDA coming this Friday," the rapper tweeted on Tuesday alongside a tracklist for the project.
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Donda is the name of West's late mother who died at the age of 58 in 2007 from post-surgery complications.
The tracklist includes 12 songs, including "God's Country," which was the original name of his next album, and "Donda," a title track which he recently released in honor of his late mother's birthday. The song features his mother reciting KRS1 lyrics.
Missing from the tracklist is "Wash Us in the Blood" featuring Travis Scott. West released a music video for the song in June which contained footage of protests against police brutality and racial injustice that took place worldwide following the death of George Floyd.
West last released the gospel-themed Jesus is King in October followed by Jesus is Born with the Sunday Service Choir in December.
West has said he will enter the 2020 presidential race and held his first campaign rally recently at the Exquis Event Center in North Charleston, N.C.
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West wore a bulletproof vest onstage, was critical of civil rights icon Harriet Tubman, said abortion should be legal, every woman having a baby should receive $1 million and that marijuana should be available nationwide at no cost.


upi--2020-07-21--David Beckham references Real Madrid, Man United amid Inter Miami struggles

July 21 ( UPI ) -- Soccer icon David Beckham , now part-owner of MLS club Inter Miami , referenced the growth of Premier League power Manchester United and La Liga 's Real Madrid in a message that called for patience for his struggling team .
Beckham posted the message Monday on Instagram .
Inter Miami ( 0-5 ) went winless in two games before the MLS regular season was suspended in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The squad went on to be the first team eliminated from the MLS Is Back Tournament , when the 2020 season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inter Miami opened the tournament July 8 with a loss to Orlando City .
Beckham 's squad then lost July 14 to the Philadelphia Union .
New York City FC eliminated Inter Miami with a 1-0 victory Monday in Orlando .
Inter Miami has lost all of its games by one goal .
`` Sometimes the road is long and you need to take a breather , '' Beckham wrote on Instagram .
`` Manchester United , Real Madrid , La Liga and the Premiership was n't built in a day .
Teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flourish , but when they do , all the hard times seem so distant .
`` It 's important to take time to reflect on what we have achieved so far .
I 'm proud of my team , our club and the amazing fans that we have .
Patience is a virtue . ''
Beckham , 45 , enjoyed a spectacular career as a player from 1992 through 2013 .
He stared at Manchester United and Real Madrid before he came to MLS in 2007 to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A and France 's Ligue 1 before he retired as a player .
MLS announced in 2014 that Beckham exercised his option to buy an expansion team , which was part of the contract he signed when he joined the Galaxy .
Inter Miami began its first MLS season in March .

David Beckham's launched MLS club Inter Miami in 2018, but preached patience Monday after the club began its first season with an 0-5 record. File Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo
July 21 (UPI) -- Soccer icon David Beckham, now part-owner of MLS club Inter Miami, referenced the growth of Premier League power Manchester United and La Liga's Real Madrid in a message that called for patience for his struggling team. Beckham posted the message Monday on Instagram. Inter Miami (0-5) went winless in two games before the MLS regular season was suspended in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic. The squad went on to be the first team eliminated from the MLS Is Back Tournament, when the 2020 season resumed in July in Orlando, Fla. Advertisement
Inter Miami opened the tournament July 8 with a loss to Orlando City. Beckham's squad then lost July 14 to the Philadelphia Union. New York City FC eliminated Inter Miami with a 1-0 victory Monday in Orlando. Inter Miami has lost all of its games by one goal.
"Sometimes the road is long and you need to take a breather," Beckham wrote on Instagram. "Manchester United, Real Madrid, La Liga and the Premiership wasn't built in a day. Teams, players and clubs need time to flourish, but when they do, all the hard times seem so distant.
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"It's important to take time to reflect on what we have achieved so far. I'm proud of my team, our club and the amazing fans that we have. Patience is a virtue."
Beckham, 45, enjoyed a spectacular career as a player from 1992 through 2013. He stared at Manchester United and Real Madrid before he came to MLS in 2007 to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Beckham played in Italy's Serie A and France's Ligue 1 before he retired as a player.
MLS announced in 2014 that Beckham exercised his option to buy an expansion team, which was part of the contract he signed when he joined the Galaxy. Inter Miami began its first MLS season in March.


upi--2020-07-21--Watch live: Astronauts on spacewalk for power upgrade at International Space Station

July 21 ( UPI ) -- Two NASA astronauts began a spacewalk early Tuesday to work on a power systems upgrade for the International Space Station .
Bob Behnken and Chris Cassidy successfully installed a protective unit that stores tools , providing them with thermal and physical protection outside the Space Station , shortly after the spacewalk began at 7:12 a.m. EDT .
After nearly an hour , the pair began the task of setting up handling aids at the base of the station 's main solar arrays .
Tuesday 's main goal is to install a final , new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project to upgrade the station 's power systems .
The spacewalk could last up to 7 hours , NASA said .
The walk is the 300th involving U.S. astronauts since Ed White stepped out of his Gemini 4 capsule June 3 , 1965 .
It 's the fourth since June for Behnken and Cassidy , and the final outing for Behnken before he is scheduled to return home Aug. 2 on SpaceX 's historic Crew Dragon demonstration mission .
Behnken and astronaut Doug Hurley arrived at the space station May 31 as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from U.S. soil .
The mission also marked the first time Elon Musk 's SpaceX carried people into space .
NASA extended the SpaceX mission -- originally planned for five days -- to more than eight weeks so that the battery swaps could be finished .
Astronauts have removed 48 aging power cells and installed 23 of the newer , 400-pound batteries .
The space station is powered largely by solar power stored in batteries that are accessible only from space .
Also on Tuesday , the spacewalkers will prepare the exterior of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new commercial airlock built by Houston-based NanoRacks .
SpaceX plans to deliver the specialized airlock later this year that will enable public and private research on the outside of the space station .
Behnken and Hurley are due to splash down off the Florida coast less than 19 hours after they leaving the space station Aug. 1 .

1/2
NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy is shown on a spacewalk outside the International Space Station on June 16. Photo courtesy of NASA
July 21 (UPI) -- Two NASA astronauts on a spacewalk Tuesday completed a years-long project to upgrade the power system at the International Space Station. Bob Behnken and Chris Cassidy installed a final, new lithium-ion battery, adding to 23 of the new power cells that replaced 48 aging nickel-hydrogen power cells. Advertisement
The space station is powered largely by solar power stored in batteries that are accessible only from space.
The spacewalk began at 7:12 p.m. EDT and lasted 6 hours, 29 minutes, the 10th such outing for both astronauts, according to NASA.
"Well it's a little more comfortable on the 10th one than on the first one," Cassidy said as he re-entered the space station. "The view is always amazing, though."
It was the fourth outing since June for Behnken and Cassidy, and the final spacewalk for Behnken before he is scheduled to return home Aug. 2 on SpaceX's historic Crew Dragon demonstration mission.
Behnken and Cassidy are now among only four astronauts in history to walk in space 10 times; Michael López-Alegría and Peggy Whitson are the other two.
Behnken and Doug Hurley arrived at the space station May 31 as part of the historic return to human spaceflight from U.S. soil. The mission also marked the first time Elon Musk's SpaceX carried people into space.
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NASA extended the SpaceX mission -- originally planned for five days -- to more than eight weeks so that the battery swaps could be finished.
Behnken and Cassidy also installed a protective unit that stores tools, providing them with thermal and physical protection outside the Space Station.
And, the spacewalkers successfully prepared the exterior of the space station's Tranquility module for a new commercial airlock built by Houston-based NanoRacks.
SpaceX plans to deliver the specialized airlock later this year that will enable public and private research on the outside of the space station.
Behnken and Hurley are due to splash down off the Florida coast less than 19 hours after they leave the space station Aug. 1.
Astronauts make round trip to space station from U.S. soil


upi--2020-07-21--Amazon delays Prime Day in U.S. due to COVID-19

July 21 ( UPI ) -- Online retailer Amazon officially announced Tuesday that it 's delaying its annual Prime Day shopping event in the United States , which is typically held in mid-July , due safety reasons over the coronavirus pandemic .
The company did not specify a new date for its biggest sales event of the year , in which Amazon Prime members are given access to discounts on merchandise .
`` This year we 'll be holding Prime Day later than usual , while ensuring the safety of our employees and supporting our customers and selling partners , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prime Day on the retailer 's 20th birthday in 2015 as a way to reward members .
Last year , Prime Day lasted for 48 hours in 18 countries , during which members worldwide bought more than 175 million items .
`` Members all around the world will experience Prime Day later this year , '' Amazon said .
The delay was expected as online shopping demand surged during the COVID-19 health crisis and led to supply chain disruptions and delivery delays .
The Wall Street Journal reported in May that the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sometime this fall .

A worker places Amazon Prime items into a cart at a Whole Foods Market in Silver Spring, Md., on March 31. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
July 21 (UPI) -- Online retailer Amazon officially announced Tuesday that it's delaying its annual Prime Day shopping event in the United States, which is typically held in mid-July, due safety reasons over the coronavirus pandemic. The company did not specify a new date for its biggest sales event of the year, in which Amazon Prime members are given access to discounts on merchandise. Advertisement
"This year we'll be holding Prime Day later than usual, while ensuring the safety of our employees and supporting our customers and selling partners," the company said.
Amazon began Prime Day on the retailer's 20th birthday in 2015 as a way to reward members. Last year, Prime Day lasted for 48 hours in 18 countries, during which members worldwide bought more than 175 million items.
"Members all around the world will experience Prime Day later this year," Amazon said.
The delay was expected as online shopping demand surged during the COVID-19 health crisis and led to supply chain disruptions and delivery delays.
The Wall Street Journal reported in May that the company is considering pushing Prime Day back to sometime this fall.


upi--2020-07-21--In photos: Baseball kicks off with preseason training

Pittsburgh Pirates ' Bryan Reynolds is unable to come up with a catch on a ball hit in the third @ @ @ @ @ with the Indians .
Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI

Kansas City Royals batter Alex Gordon connects for a sacrifice RBI during an exhibition game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on July 22. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI


upi--2020-07-21--Seahawks' Russell Wilson: Games will be like practice, defense will hear plays

July 21 ( UPI ) -- Seattle Seahawks star Russell Wilson says there will be a learning curve when the NFL returns for games amid COVID-19 , as the defense will be able to hear offensive play calls without the noise from fans in the stands .
Several NFL teams have ruled out the prospect of allowing fans in their stadiums for the 2020 season amid the coronavirus pandemic , while others have planned for limited attendance .
NFL players are scheduled to report to training camp July 28 .
Seattle 's CenturyLink Field has been a major advantage for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to its loud crowds .
The noise often hampers the ability for their opponents ' coaches and players to communicate play calls .
No crowd noise will allow defensive and offensive players to hear each other when they strategize before each snap .
`` I know some teams are doing no fans .
We are doing a small amount , I believe , '' Wilson said Monday on Jimmy Kimmel Live .
`` It 's going to be interesting being under center and calling plays when they can hear everything and there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd ] .
`` There will be some interesting learning there .
It becomes like practice in a way .
At the end of the day , we want to play , score touchdowns and make plays . ''
Team owners and the players ' union are still in talks about how to return to facilities and what safety procedures will be in place to ensure safety .
Wilson said he has practiced daily with a new mouth shield helmet that the league developed with Oakley to protect against the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was one several NFL stars to tweet about the need for a `` clear plan on player health and family safety . ''
Wilson also mentioned his pregnant wife , Ciara , in the Twitter message .
He said he does n't know if he will be able to go into the hospital when Ciara gives birth .
He also said he will try to balance taking care of his children while he plays football .
`` We ca n't take this time for granted in terms of health and safety , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important we do it the right way at the highest level .
That 's what the concern is , specifically for families .
`` [ Ciara ] is pregnant and we are going to have a new baby in the world soon .
At the end of the day we want to play .
The Seahawks want to go to the Super Bowl and win it all , but we want to do it in a safe way . ''
Wilson also commented on Patrick Mahomes ' record-breaking contract extension with the Kansas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player in NFL history this off-season when he signed the 10-year , $ 503 million pact .
Wilson previously was the league 's highest-paid player .
`` I 'm actually celebrating Mahomes that is making this much money , '' Wilson said .
`` It 's a good thing .
Sounds like the money is going up .
Stock is rising . ''

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson said NFL games will be similar to practices during the 2020 NFL season due to limited or no crowds allowed at stadiums amid the coronavirus pandemic. File Photo by Derik Hamilton/UPI | License Photo
July 21 (UPI) -- Seattle Seahawks star Russell Wilson says there will be a learning curve when the NFL returns for games amid COVID-19, as the defense will be able to hear offensive play calls without the noise from fans in the stands. Several NFL teams have ruled out the prospect of allowing fans in their stadiums for the 2020 season amid the coronavirus pandemic, while others have planned for limited attendance. NFL players are scheduled to report to training camp July 28. Advertisement
Seattle's CenturyLink Field has been a major advantage for the Seahawks for years against road teams due to its loud crowds. The noise often hampers the ability for their opponents' coaches and players to communicate play calls. No crowd noise will allow defensive and offensive players to hear each other when they strategize before each snap.
"I know some teams are doing no fans. We are doing a small amount, I believe," Wilson said Monday on Jimmy Kimmel Live. "It's going to be interesting being under center and calling plays when they can hear everything and there is no real effect [from the crowd].
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"There will be some interesting learning there. It becomes like practice in a way. At the end of the day, we want to play, score touchdowns and make plays."
Team owners and the players' union are still in talks about how to return to facilities and what safety procedures will be in place to ensure safety. Wilson said he has practiced daily with a new mouth shield helmet that the league developed with Oakley to protect against the spread of the coronavirus.
The Seahawks quarterback on Sunday was one several NFL stars to tweet about the need for a "clear plan on player health and family safety." Wilson also mentioned his pregnant wife, Ciara, in the Twitter message.
He said he doesn't know if he will be able to go into the hospital when Ciara gives birth. He also said he will try to balance taking care of his children while he plays football.
"We can't take this time for granted in terms of health and safety," Wilson said. "It's really important we do it the right way at the highest level. That's what the concern is, specifically for families.
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"[Ciara] is pregnant and we are going to have a new baby in the world soon. At the end of the day we want to play. The Seahawks want to go to the Super Bowl and win it all, but we want to do it in a safe way."
Wilson also commented on Patrick Mahomes' record-breaking contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs. Mahomes became the highest-paid player in NFL history this off-season when he signed the 10-year, $503 million pact. Wilson previously was the league's highest-paid player.
"I'm actually celebrating Mahomes that is making this much money," Wilson said. "It's a good thing. Sounds like the money is going up. Stock is rising."


upi--2020-07-21--Watch: David Schwimmer says 'Friends' reunion is 'unscripted' on 'Tonight Show'

July 21 ( UPI ) -- David Schwimmer appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and gave an update on the planned Friends reunion special set for HBO Max .
`` This reunion special , which we would love to shoot , you know , it 's unscripted .
It 's basically a really fun interview and then some other surprise bits , '' Schwimmer told Fallon on Monday .
The Friends reunion , which will bring Schwimmer , Jennifer Aniston , Courteney Cox , Lisa Kudrow , Matt LeBlanc and Matthew Perry back together , was postponed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It 's supposed to happen maybe in August , the middle of August but honestly , we 're gon na wait and see another week or two if we all determine it 's really safe enough to do .
And if not , then we 'll wait until it 's safe , '' Schwimmer said about filming the special .
Schwimmer also gave his thoughts on his character Ross believing that he was on a break with Aniston 's Rachel during a memorable episode of Friends .
`` People are so passionately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a break , '' Schwimmer said .
`` Yeah , it 's not even a question .
They were on a break , '' the actor continued , while giving a serious face before laughing .
Schwimmer stars in new comedy series Intelligence , which is available on the Peacock streaming service .

July 21 (UPI) -- David Schwimmer appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and gave his thoughts on his character Ross believing that he was on a break with Jennifer Aniston's Rachel during a memorable episode of Friends.
"People are so passionately divided about whether or not they were on a break," Schwimmer said.
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"Yeah, it's not even a question. They were on a break," the actor continued, while giving a serious face before laughing.
The actor gave recently gave UPI an update on the planned Friends reunion special set for HBO Max.
"We're hoping to shoot maybe the middle of August if it's safe enough," Schwimmer said. "There's no lines to learn. It's unscripted. It's basically an interview with some other funny bits planned. It should be fun."
The Friends reunion, which will bring Schwimmer, Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and Matthew Perry back together, was postponed in April due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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"Honestly, we're gonna wait and see another week or two if we all determine it's really safe enough to do. And if not, then we'll wait until it's safe," Schwimmer told Fallon Monday about filming the special.
Schwimmer stars in new comedy series Intelligence, which is available on the Peacock streaming service.


upi--2020-07-21--Joe Biden unveils 10-year, $775B economic plan that prioritizes child care

July 21 ( UPI ) -- Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden unveiled a $ 775 billion economic plan Tuesday that would include new tax credits for children , seniors and disabled Americans and build thousands of new child-care centers nationwide .
Biden has previously announced different portions of his economic package as they relate to manufacturing and clean energy .
Tuesday 's 10-page plan is titled `` The Biden Plan for Mobilizing American Talent and Heart to Create a 21st Century Caregiving and Education Workforce . ''
`` The pandemic has laid bare just how hard it is for people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quality caregiving they need for themselves , or to juggle the responsibilities of working and also caring for family members , '' it states .
`` If we truly want to reward work in this country , we have to ease the financial burden of care that families are carrying , and we have to elevate the compensation , benefits , training and education opportunities for certification , and dignity of caregiving workers and educators . ''
The plan offers $ 8,000 in tax credits for most families with one child and $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children .
Partial credits are also available for families in higher tax brackets .
Biden 's plan also would expand after-school , weekend and summer care programs for children and provides pre-kindergarten education at no cost to all 3- and 4-year-old children .
`` And , he is proposing to give caregiving workers and early childhood educators a raise and stronger benefits , treating them as the professionals they are , '' the proposal adds .
`` As a first step , Biden will immediately provide states , tribal , and local governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep workers employed and keep vital public services running , including direct care and child-care services . ''
Part of Biden 's 10-year plan would also clear the waiting list for Medicaid home and community services , and pay for hiring 150,000 community healthcare workers .
The campaign said the plan will be paid for by rolling back `` unproductive '' and `` unequal '' tax breaks for real estate investors with incomes over $ 400,000 , and by taking steps to `` increase tax compliance for high-income earners . ''
Biden will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign appearance in Delaware .

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks during an event at a hotel in downtown Los Angeles, Calif., on March 4. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
July 21 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden unveiled a $775 billion economic plan Tuesday that would include new tax credits for children, seniors and disabled Americans and build thousands of new child-care centers nationwide. Biden has previously announced different portions of his economic package as they relate to manufacturing and clean energy. Tuesday's 10-page plan is titled "The Biden Plan for Mobilizing American Talent and Heart to Create a 21st Century Caregiving and Education Workforce." Advertisement
"The pandemic has laid bare just how hard it is for people in this country to find access to quality caregiving they need for themselves, or to juggle the responsibilities of working and also caring for family members," it states.
"If we truly want to reward work in this country, we have to ease the financial burden of care that families are carrying, and we have to elevate the compensation, benefits,training and education opportunities for certification, and dignity of caregiving workers and educators."
The plan offers $8,000 in tax credits for most families with one child and $16,000 for those with two or more children. Partial credits are also available for families in higher tax brackets.
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Biden's plan also would expand after-school, weekend and summer care programs for children and provides pre-kindergarten education at no cost to all 3- and 4-year-old children.
"And, he is proposing to give caregiving workers and early childhood educators a raise and stronger benefits, treating them as the professionals they are," the proposal adds.
"As a first step, Biden will immediately provide states, tribal, and local governments with the fiscal relief they need to keep workers employed and keep vital public services running, including direct care and child-care services."
Part of Biden's 10-year plan would also clear the waiting list for Medicaid home and community services, and pay for hiring 150,000 community healthcare workers.
The campaign said the plan will be paid for by rolling back "unproductive" and "unequal" tax breaks for real estate investors with incomes over $400,000, and by taking steps to "increase tax compliance for high-income earners."
Biden will expand on the plan Tuesday at a campaign appearance in Delaware.


upi--2020-07-21--Iran regime is beyond its sell-by date

Iran regime is beyond its sell-by date

July 21 ( UPI ) -- Adolf Hitler 's `` Thousand Year Reich '' only lasted 12 years .
On that basis , the Iranian regime is well past its sell-by date .
The 1979 revolution in Iran , which overthrew the despotic rule of the shah , was quickly hijacked by the mullahs and their psychotic figurehead , Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini .
Having promised to restore freedom and democracy , Khomeini quickly reneged on his pledges .
Instead of setting up a democratically elected parliament representing the people , he set up an Assembly of Experts , which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assembly vetted all candidates for election and introduced a constitution based on the `` velayat-e-faqih '' ( absolute rule of the clergy ) .
Khomeini gave himself the title of supreme leader and established the Guardians ' Council , which holds absolute power and controls everything , including all legislative acts , to ensure they are in accordance to their strict and perverted interpretation of the Koran .
Khomeini appointed himself as God 's representative on earth , changing Iranian society overnight and giving birth to what is now known as Islamic fundamentalism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corruption has been steadfastly maintained ever since .
For the past 41 years , the mullahs ' revolutionary creed of radicalized Islam in reality boils down to a policy of hatred .
Hatred of the West and in particular America , a hatred of Sunnis , a visceral hatred of Saudi Arabia and Israel and a hatred of religious minorities of any kind .
To achieve their constitutional objective of spreading revolution to create a fundamentalist Shi'ite caliphate , the clerical regime has vigorously backed Bashar al-Assad 's bloody civil war in Syria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commanded the brutal Shi'ia militias in Iraq ; it has sponsored the Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon and the Houthi rebels in Yemen ; it has bankrolled and inspired the export of proxy wars and terror throughout the Middle East and the wider world .
Every country the mullahs have targeted is now a smoking ruin .
Founded on hatred , this theocratic fascist dictatorship has wrecked the Iranian economy , plundered the people 's wealth , ruined the environment and turned this once great nation into an international pariah .
Deploying the Islamic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gestapo -- the mullahs have unleashed a homicidal blitz on their own population , crushing dissent , wantonly murdering and maiming thousands of peaceful protesters .
Iran 's jails are bursting at the seams with political prisoners , many of them young students , male and female , arrested during the most recent nationwide uprising in November .
The mullahs ' scandalous mismanagement of the coronavirus pandemic has seen the death toll soar to over 70,000 , with half the population reckoned to be infected .
Conditions inside the medieval prisons are horrendous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while no attempts are made at providing any kind of protection or medical assistance .
Under the mullahs , Iran has achieved pole position as the world 's number one executioner on a per capita basis .
The main target for arrest , torture and execution is supporters of the principal opposition movement , the People 's Mojahedin of Iran ( PMOI/MEK ) , and their families .
Over the past four decades , 120,000 of its members and supporters have been executed .
Dozens more have been assassinated outside Iran .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ execution of more than 30,000 political prisoners in Iran took place , in an atrocity that surely must rank as one of the most horrific crimes against humanity of the late 20th century .
The vast majority of the victims were MEK activists .
The mass executions , in jails across Iran , were carried out on the basis of a fatwa by Khomeini .
Today , the mullahs repeatedly blame the MEK and their courageous resistance units that are active in every town and city in Iran for fomenting unrest .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentences for PMOI/MEK supporters and their families has laid bare the mullahs ' fear of the people , who are seething with rage at their criminal rulers .
Iran has become a dangerous powder keg , ready to explode .
In America , it has finally dawned that the only way to restore freedom , democracy and justice for the 80 million Iranian people is to actively encourage regime change .
In June , the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution demanding action to counter the Iranian regime 's threats and recognizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their struggle to establish a democratic , secular and non-nuclear republic of Iran . ''
This bombshell resolution by the U.S. Congress , on top of President Donald Trump 's withering `` maximum pressure '' campaign of sanctions , has brought the mullahs to their knees .
It is time this reality was also recognized in Europe , where pathetic attempts at appeasing the theocratic regime and propping up the wilting nuclear deal , still prevail .
America must lead the way by providing tangible support to the opponents of the regime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by inviting the charismatic leader of the Iranian opposition -- Maryam Rajavi -- to Washington , where she could address a meeting in the House of Representatives .
That would send the clearest possible message to the turbaned tyrants that their behavior is no longer acceptable and their days are numbered .
In addition to taking such steps , Washington should adjust its public diplomacy regarding Iran .
U.S. officials should take every opportunity to highlight the regime 's human rights abuses and to warn that violators , especially those involved in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will be held accountable by the international criminal courts whenever there is a new order in Iran .
At the same time , the United States can do a lot more to counter the theocratic regime 's propaganda and to ensure that the truth is made available to the Iranian people .
America should make much more use of popular social media platforms like Instagram , Facebook , Twitter and Telegram for this purpose The United States must also make sure the mullahs pay the highest possible price for their belligerent adventurism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strike against the terrorist Qassem Soleimani was a good start , but with Lebanon now in flames as the Lebanese population finally tires of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah , the United States should consider the use of naval and air assets to curb the flow of Iranian supplies to the regime 's proxies there , as well as in Syria , Yemen and Iraq .
Years of appeasement by successive American administrations has ended .
The European Union must follow suit .
After 41 years of tyranny , the Iranian regime 's sell-by date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supreme leader , Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , have earned their place in the trash can of history alongside Hitler , Mao Zedong , Joseph Stalin , Pol Pot and every other failed tyrant .
It is time to say goodbye and good riddance .
Struan Stevenson is the coordinator of the Campaign for Iran Change .
He was a member of the European Parliament representing Scotland ( 1999-2014 ) , president of the Parliament 's Delegation for Relations with Iraq ( 2009-14 ) and chairman of the Friends of a Free Iran Intergroup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international lecturer on the Middle East and is also president of the European Iraqi Freedom Association .

Iran's theocratic fascist dictatorship has wrecked the economy, plundered the people’s wealth, ruined the environment and turned this once great nation into an international pariah. File Photo by Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA-EFE
July 21 (UPI) -- Adolf Hitler's "Thousand Year Reich" only lasted 12 years. On that basis, the Iranian regime is well past its sell-by date. The 1979 revolution in Iran, which overthrew the despotic rule of the shah, was quickly hijacked by the mullahs and their psychotic figurehead, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Having promised to restore freedom and democracy, Khomeini quickly reneged on his pledges. Instead of setting up a democratically elected parliament representing the people, he set up an Assembly of Experts, which was essentially made up of clerics. Advertisement
This assembly vetted all candidates for election and introduced a constitution based on the "velayat-e-faqih" (absolute rule of the clergy). Khomeini gave himself the title of supreme leader and established the Guardians' Council, which holds absolute power and controls everything, including all legislative acts, to ensure they are in accordance to their strict and perverted interpretation of the Koran. Khomeini appointed himself as God's representative on earth, changing Iranian society overnight and giving birth to what is now known as Islamic fundamentalism.
Advertisement
Khomeini's legacy of repression and corruption has been steadfastly maintained ever since. For the past 41 years, the mullahs' revolutionary creed of radicalized Islam in reality boils down to a policy of hatred. Hatred of the West and in particular America, a hatred of Sunnis, a visceral hatred of Saudi Arabia and Israel and a hatred of religious minorities of any kind.
To achieve their constitutional objective of spreading revolution to create a fundamentalist Shi'ite caliphate, the clerical regime has vigorously backed Bashar al-Assad's bloody civil war in Syria; it has trained, financed and commanded the brutal Shi'ia militias in Iraq; it has sponsored the Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon and the Houthi rebels in Yemen; it has bankrolled and inspired the export of proxy wars and terror throughout the Middle East and the wider world.
Every country the mullahs have targeted is now a smoking ruin. Founded on hatred, this theocratic fascist dictatorship has wrecked the Iranian economy, plundered the people's wealth, ruined the environment and turned this once great nation into an international pariah.
Deploying the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps -- the regime's Gestapo -- the mullahs have unleashed a homicidal blitz on their own population, crushing dissent, wantonly murdering and maiming thousands of peaceful protesters. Iran's jails are bursting at the seams with political prisoners, many of them young students, male and female, arrested during the most recent nationwide uprising in November.
Advertisement
The mullahs' scandalous mismanagement of the coronavirus pandemic has seen the death toll soar to over 70,000, with half the population reckoned to be infected. Conditions inside the medieval prisons are horrendous, with COVID-19 spreading like wildfire, while no attempts are made at providing any kind of protection or medical assistance.
Under the mullahs, Iran has achieved pole position as the world's number one executioner on a per capita basis. The main target for arrest, torture and execution is supporters of the principal opposition movement, the People's Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI/MEK), and their families. Over the past four decades, 120,000 of its members and supporters have been executed. Dozens more have been assassinated outside Iran.
In the summer of 1988, the summary execution of more than 30,000 political prisoners in Iran took place, in an atrocity that surely must rank as one of the most horrific crimes against humanity of the late 20th century. The vast majority of the victims were MEK activists. The mass executions, in jails across Iran, were carried out on the basis of a fatwa by Khomeini.
Today, the mullahs repeatedly blame the MEK and their courageous resistance units that are active in every town and city in Iran for fomenting unrest. The latest wave of arrests and hard prison sentences for PMOI/MEK supporters and their families has laid bare the mullahs' fear of the people, who are seething with rage at their criminal rulers. Iran has become a dangerous powder keg, ready to explode.
Advertisement
In America, it has finally dawned that the only way to restore freedom, democracy and justice for the 80 million Iranian people is to actively encourage regime change. In June, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution demanding action to counter the Iranian regime's threats and recognizing "the rights of the Iranian people and their struggle to establish a democratic, secular and non-nuclear republic of Iran."
This bombshell resolution by the U.S. Congress, on top of President Donald Trump's withering "maximum pressure" campaign of sanctions, has brought the mullahs to their knees. It is time this reality was also recognized in Europe, where pathetic attempts at appeasing the theocratic regime and propping up the wilting nuclear deal, still prevail.
America must lead the way by providing tangible support to the opponents of the regime. They could start the ball rolling by inviting the charismatic leader of the Iranian opposition -- Maryam Rajavi -- to Washington, where she could address a meeting in the House of Representatives. That would send the clearest possible message to the turbaned tyrants that their behavior is no longer acceptable and their days are numbered.
In addition to taking such steps, Washington should adjust its public diplomacy regarding Iran. U.S. officials should take every opportunity to highlight the regime's human rights abuses and to warn that violators, especially those involved in the use of force to repress popular protests, will be held accountable by the international criminal courts whenever there is a new order in Iran.
Advertisement
At the same time, the United States can do a lot more to counter the theocratic regime's propaganda and to ensure that the truth is made available to the Iranian people. America should make much more use of popular social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Telegram for this purpose
The United States must also make sure the mullahs pay the highest possible price for their belligerent adventurism in the Middle East. The drone strike against the terrorist Qassem Soleimani was a good start, but with Lebanon now in flames as the Lebanese population finally tires of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, the United States should consider the use of naval and air assets to curb the flow of Iranian supplies to the regime's proxies there, as well as in Syria, Yemen and Iraq.
Years of appeasement by successive American administrations has ended. The European Union must follow suit. After 41 years of tyranny, the Iranian regime's sell-by date has expired. The mullahs and their supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have earned their place in the trash can of history alongside Hitler, Mao Zedong, Joseph Stalin, Pol Pot and every other failed tyrant. It is time to say goodbye and good riddance.
Advertisement
Struan Stevenson is the coordinator of the Campaign for Iran Change. He was a member of the European Parliament representing Scotland (1999-2014), president of the Parliament's Delegation for Relations with Iraq (2009-14) and chairman of the Friends of a Free Iran Intergroup (2004-14). He is an international lecturer on the Middle East and is also president of the European Iraqi Freedom Association.


upi--2020-07-21--Giants manager Gabe Kapler kneels during national anthem, gains MLB support

July 21 ( UPI ) -- San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler became the first MLB manager to kneel during the national anthem when he took part in the protest against racial injustice and police brutality before a summer camp game .
Kapler knelt alongside several players and staff members Monday before the Giants faced the Oakland Athletics in a preseason clash at Oakland , Calif. Giants outfielder Jaylin Davis and first-base coach Antoan Richardson were among those who kneeled with Kapler , while shortstop Brandon Crawford stood between Davis and Richardson and put a hand on each of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of congressman and Civil Rights icon John Lewis when asked about the protest .
`` I think what stands out to me about him was his recognition that the fight against injustice is a constant one , one that he gave his entire life to , '' Kapler told reporters .
`` He recognized the difficulty of standing for what is right and yet did so with grace and dignity .
I believe his legacy is most felt in his encouragement for all of us to act , to speak out , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trouble . '
'' The peaceful protest took place on the same field former Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell knelt on in 2017 , when he became the first MLB player to kneel during the anthem .
Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Keynan Middleton on Monday also knelt before the national anthem prior to a summer camp game against the San Diego Padres .
Kapler , 44 , said he had a team meeting with Giants players Monday about the protest .
`` I wanted them to know that I was n't pleased with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brutality and I told them I wanted to amplify their voices and I wanted to amplify the voice of the Black community and marginalized communities as well , '' Kapler said .
`` So I told them that I wanted to use my platform to demonstrate my dissatisfaction with the way we 've handled racism in our country .
I wanted to demonstrate my dissatisfaction with our clear systemic racism in our country and I wanted them to know that they got to make their own decisions and we would respect and support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel safe in speaking up . ''
The MLB social media accounts included a clip of Kapler , Davis and Richardson 's protests on Monday and wrote `` Black Lives Matter '' in the caption .
The league 's official accounts also responded to criticism by saying the `` players and coaches are using their platforms to peacefully protest . ''
The Giants beat the Athletics 6-2 Monday at RingCentral Coliseum .
Alyssa Nakken , the first female coach in MLB history , coached first base for the Giants during the preseason clash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` 60 chances '' to have similar protests during the shortened 2020 MLB season .
`` Right now it 's another opportunity tomorrow [ Tuesday ] night , '' Kapler said .
The Giants host the Athletics in another summer camp game at 9:45 p.m. EDT Tuesday at Oracle Park in San Francisco .

July 21 (UPI) -- San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler became the first MLB manager to kneel during the national anthem when he took part in the protest against racial injustice and police brutality before a summer camp game.
Kapler knelt alongside several players and staff members Monday before the Giants faced the Oakland Athletics in a preseason clash at Oakland, Calif. Giants outfielder Jaylin Davis and first-base coach Antoan Richardson were among those who kneeled with Kapler, while shortstop Brandon Crawford stood between Davis and Richardson and put a hand on each of their shoulders.
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Kapler referenced the Friday death of congressman and Civil Rights icon John Lewis when asked about the protest.
"I think what stands out to me about him was his recognition that the fight against injustice is a constant one, one that he gave his entire life to," Kapler told reporters. "He recognized the difficulty of standing for what is right and yet did so with grace and dignity. I believe his legacy is most felt in his encouragement for all of us to act, to speak out, to 'make some noise and get in good trouble.'"
The peaceful protest took place on the same field former Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell knelt on in 2017, when he became the first MLB player to kneel during the anthem. Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Keynan Middleton on Monday also knelt before the national anthem prior to a summer camp game against the San Diego Padres.
Kapler, 44, said he had a team meeting with Giants players Monday about the protest.
"I wanted them to know that I wasn't pleased with the way our country has handled police brutality and I told them I wanted to amplify their voices and I wanted to amplify the voice of the Black community and marginalized communities as well," Kapler said.
"So I told them that I wanted to use my platform to demonstrate my dissatisfaction with the way we've handled racism in our country. I wanted to demonstrate my dissatisfaction with our clear systemic racism in our country and I wanted them to know that they got to make their own decisions and we would respect and support those decisions. I wanted them to feel safe in speaking up."
Advertisement It has never been about the military or the flag. The players and coaches are using their platforms to peacefully protest.— MLB (@MLB) July 21, 2020
The MLB social media accounts included a clip of Kapler, Davis and Richardson's protests on Monday and wrote "Black Lives Matter" in the caption. The league's official accounts also responded to criticism by saying the "players and coaches are using their platforms to peacefully protest."
The Giants beat the Athletics 6-2 Monday at RingCentral Coliseum. Alyssa Nakken, the first female coach in MLB history, coached first base for the Giants during the preseason clash.
Kapler said the team will have "60 chances" to have similar protests during the shortened 2020 MLB season.
"Right now it's another opportunity tomorrow [Tuesday] night," Kapler said.
The Giants host the Athletics in another summer camp game at 9:45 p.m. EDT Tuesday at Oracle Park in San Francisco.
Baseball kicks off with preseason training


upi--2020-07-21--Tom Ford, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen among CFDA Fashion Award nominees

July 21 ( UPI ) -- The Council of Fashion Designers of America announced the nominees for the 2020 CFDA Fashion Awards , with Tom Ford and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen earning multiple nominations .
Ford and the Olsen twins are nominated for American Womenswear Designer of the Year on Monday , along with Brandon Maxwell , Gabriela Hearst and Marc Jacobs .
Ford is also nominated for American Menswear Designer of the Year next to Emily Adams Bode for Bode , Kerby Jean-Raymond for Pyer Moss , Thom Browne and Todd Snyder .
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Year for The Row alongside Hearst , Stuart Vevers for Coach , Jennifer Fisher for Jennifer Fisher Jewelry and Telfar Clemens for Telfar .
Global Women 's Designer of the Year includes Daniel Lee for Bottega Veneta , Dries Van Noten , Miuccia Prada for Prada , Pierpaolo Piccioli for Valentino and Rick Owens while Global Men 's Designer of the Year includes Craig Green , Noten , Jonathan Anderson for Loewe , Kim Jones for Dior and Virgil Abloh for Louis Vuitton .
Sarah Staudinger and George Augusto for Staud , Christopher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Do , and Reese Cooper are nominated for American Emerging Designer of the Year .
The CFDA Fashion Awards was originally set to take place on June 8 , but was postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Winners will be announced on Sept. 14 to kick off New York Fashion Week on CFDA.com and on CFDA 's social media channels .
`` In this time of unprecedented challenge and change for our industry , we feel very strongly that it is important to recognize the nominees representing the best of fashion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CFDA said in a statement .
`` We look forward to returning to an in-person celebration honoring the American fashion industry in 2021 , '' he continued .

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Tom Ford has been nominated for multiple CFDA Fashion Awards including American Menswear Designer of the Year. File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI | License Photo
July 21 (UPI) -- The Council of Fashion Designers of America announced the nominees for the 2020 CFDA Fashion Awards, with Tom Ford and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen earning multiple nominations. Ford and the Olsen twins are nominated for American Womenswear Designer of the Year on Monday, along with Brandon Maxwell, Gabriela Hearst and Marc Jacobs. Advertisement
Ford is also nominated for American Menswear Designer of the Year next to Emily Adams Bode for Bode, Kerby Jean-Raymond for Pyer Moss, Thom Browne and Todd Snyder.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are also nominated for American Accessories Designer of the Year for The Row alongside Hearst, Stuart Vevers for Coach, Jennifer Fisher for Jennifer Fisher Jewelry and Telfar Clemens for Telfar.
Global Women's Designer of the Year includes Daniel Lee for Bottega Veneta, Dries Van Noten, Miuccia Prada for Prada, Pierpaolo Piccioli for Valentino and Rick Owens while Global Men's Designer of the Year includes Craig Green, Noten, Jonathan Anderson for Loewe, Kim Jones for Dior and Virgil Abloh for Louis Vuitton.
Sarah Staudinger and George Augusto for Staud, Christopher John Rogers, Kenneth Nicholson, Peter Do, and Reese Cooper are nominated for American Emerging Designer of the Year.
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The CFDA Fashion Awards was originally set to take place on June 8, but was postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Winners will be announced on Sept. 14 to kick off New York Fashion Week on CFDA.com and on CFDA's social media channels.
"In this time of unprecedented challenge and change for our industry, we feel very strongly that it is important to recognize the nominees representing the best of fashion creativity," Ford, chairman of the CFDA said in a statement.
"We look forward to returning to an in-person celebration honoring the American fashion industry in 2021," he continued.


upi--2020-07-21--Longtime NBC Sports personality Bob Costas joins CNN

July 21 ( UPI ) -- Veteran sportscaster Bob Costas , who left NBC Sports last year after four decades with the network , has joined CNN as a on-air contributor .
Costas worked at NBC from 1980 through 2019 and is also employed by MLB Network .
He has hosted various sports talk shows and been an analyst for football , baseball , hockey , golf , basketball , NASCAR , boxing and horse racing coverage .
He 's perhaps best remembered , however , for his hosting duties for NBC during a number of Olympic Games .
Costas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , seven World Series , seven Super Bowls and 13 Olympic Games .
He said in January that he took a buyout from NBC .
`` Bob Costas is a legendary , respected voice across the spectrum of sports and beyond , '' said CNN President and WarnerMedia News and Sports Chairman Jeff Zucker .
`` As the world continues to change amid the coronavirus pandemic , we are confident that Bob 's insightful analysis will help our viewers better understand what the future holds as the sports and teams we love evolve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 68 , is a 28-time Emmy award winner .
CNN said he will provide `` commentary and his perspective on a wide range of sports-related issues as the industry adapts to new challenges posed by the coronavirus '' and sports intersecting with `` larger societal issues . ''
`` I 'm very pleased to join CNN 's roster of journalists and commentators , '' Costas said .
`` CNN 's willingness to devote time and attention to sports related topics , makes it a good fit for me . ''
Costas is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sportswriters Hall of Fame and has been inducted into the broadcasters ' wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown .

Sportscaster Bob Costas speaks during a luncheon honoring his many years of charitable service in St. Louis. Mo., on December 14, 2018. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
July 21 (UPI) -- Veteran sportscaster Bob Costas, who left NBC Sports last year after four decades with the network, has joined CNN as a on-air contributor. Costas worked at NBC from 1980 through 2019 and is also employed by MLB Network. He has hosted various sports talk shows and been an analyst for football, baseball, hockey, golf, basketball, NASCAR, boxing and horse racing coverage. He's perhaps best remembered, however, for his hosting duties for NBC during a number of Olympic Games. Advertisement
Costas' coverage has included 10 NBA finals, seven World Series, seven Super Bowls and 13 Olympic Games. He said in January that he took a buyout from NBC.
CNN announced the move Monday.
"Bob Costas is a legendary, respected voice across the spectrum of sports and beyond," said CNN President and WarnerMedia News and Sports Chairman Jeff Zucker. "As the world continues to change amid the coronavirus pandemic, we are confident that Bob's insightful analysis will help our viewers better understand what the future holds as the sports and teams we love evolve to meet this moment."
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Costas, 68, is a 28-time Emmy award winner. CNN said he will provide "commentary and his perspective on a wide range of sports-related issues as the industry adapts to new challenges posed by the coronavirus" and sports intersecting with "larger societal issues."
"I'm very pleased to join CNN's roster of journalists and commentators," Costas said. "CNN's willingness to devote time and attention to sports related topics, makes it a good fit for me."
Costas is a member of the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame and has been inducted into the broadcasters' wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.


upi--2020-07-21--British gov't failed to investigate possible Russian interference, report says

July 21 ( UPI ) -- A long-awaited British intelligence report released Tuesday concludes the government did little to address threats posed by Russian interference to the 2014 Scotland independence referendum and the Brexit vote two years later .
Members of Parliament 's Intelligence and Security Committee concluded in the 55-page report that although evidence showed Russia has targeted Britain 's democratic processes , the government and its intelligence agencies neglected election security -- like a `` hot potato '' -- and did little to investigate .
`` The U.K. is clearly a target for Russia 's disinformation campaigns and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself to counter such efforts , '' the report states , adding that intelligence services `` do not view themselves as holding primary responsibility '' to protect Britain 's democratic processes from hostile foreign interference .
Instead , the report said the issue of defending Britain 's elections `` has appeared to be something of a 'hot potato ' , with no one organization recognizing itself as having an overall lead . ''
The committee said intelligence services did not take the threats seriously until Russian hackers were caught stealing documents from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meddling in the presidential election , in an effort to elect then-Republican nominee Donald Trump .
The report calls the U.S. electoral interference a `` game-changer '' and said the British government `` belatedly realized the level of threat which Russia could pose '' to democratic processes .
The long-delayed report was completed last October , but Prime Minister Boris Johnson refused to release it before the general election two months later , citing security issues .
Intelligence and Security Committee member Kevan Jones on Tuesday criticized Johnson for not signing off on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hosie added that the investigators could n't determine the extent of Russia 's possible interference in the Brexit campaign .
No one in the British government wanted to touch the issue with a `` 10-foot pole '' because `` they did not want to know '' the extent of the meddling , Hosie told reporters .
The report calls for a new investigation into Russia 's role in the Brexit referendum , but Johnson responded with skepticism Tuesday .
`` We have seen no evidence of successful interference in the EU referendum , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20-page response .
`` A retrospective assessment of the EU referendum is not necessary . ''
`` We 've been clear that Russia must desist from its attacks on the U.K. & our allies , '' British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab added in a tweet .
`` We will be resolute in defending our country , our democracy & our values from such hostile state activity . ''
Lisa Nandy , Labor Party shadow foreign minister , tweeted the report makes clear that the government `` underestimated '' the Russian threat and added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learn from the `` mistakes that have been made . ''
`` It is extraordinary that the prime minister ... took the political decision last October ahead of the general election to block the publication of this important report that systematically goes through the threat Russia poses to the U.K. 's national security . ''
Last week , British cybersecurity experts said Russian hackers have also recently attempted to steal critical data on potential COVID-19 vaccines in the United States , Britain and Canada .

Brexit supporters celebrate plans to leave the European Union during a gathering in Parliament Square in London, Britain, on December 31, 2019. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo
July 21 (UPI) -- A long-awaited British intelligence report released Tuesday concludes the government did little to address threats posed by Russian interference to the 2014 Scotland independence referendum and the Brexit vote two years later. Members of Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee concluded in the 55-page report that although evidence showed Russia has targeted Britain's democratic processes, the government and its intelligence agencies neglected election security -- like a "hot potato" -- and did little to investigate. Advertisement
"The U.K. is clearly a target for Russia's disinformation campaigns and political influence operations and must therefore equip itself to counter such efforts," the report states, adding that intelligence services "do not view themselves as holding primary responsibility" to protect Britain's democratic processes from hostile foreign interference.
Instead, the report said the issue of defending Britain's elections "has appeared to be something of a 'hot potato', with no one organization recognizing itself as having an overall lead."
The committee said intelligence services did not take the threats seriously until Russian hackers were caught stealing documents from the U.S. Democratic National Committee in 2016 and meddling in the presidential election, in an effort to elect then-Republican nominee Donald Trump.
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The report calls the U.S. electoral interference a "game-changer" and said the British government "belatedly realized the level of threat which Russia could pose" to democratic processes.
The long-delayed report was completed last October, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson refused to release it before the general election two months later, citing security issues.
Intelligence and Security Committee member Kevan Jones on Tuesday criticized Johnson for not signing off on the report sooner, and member Stuart Hosie added that the investigators couldn't determine the extent of Russia's possible interference in the Brexit campaign.
No one in the British government wanted to touch the issue with a "10-foot pole" because "they did not want to know" the extent of the meddling, Hosie told reporters.
The report calls for a new investigation into Russia's role in the Brexit referendum, but Johnson responded with skepticism Tuesday.
"We have seen no evidence of successful interference in the EU referendum," Johnson's government answered in a 20-page response. "A retrospective assessment of the EU referendum is not necessary."
"We've been clear that Russia must desist from its attacks on the U.K. & our allies," British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab added in a tweet. "We will be resolute in defending our country, our democracy & our values from such hostile state activity."
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Lisa Nandy, Labor Party shadow foreign minister, tweeted the report makes clear that the government "underestimated" the Russian threat and added that it's "imperative" to learn from the "mistakes that have been made."
"It is extraordinary that the prime minister ... took the political decision last October ahead of the general election to block the publication of this important report that systematically goes through the threat Russia poses to the U.K.'s national security."
Last week, British cybersecurity experts said Russian hackers have also recently attempted to steal critical data on potential COVID-19 vaccines in the United States, Britain and Canada.


upi--2020-07-21--WWE Raw: Randy Orton faces Big Show in an unsanctioned match

July 21 ( UPI ) -- Randy Orton and Big Show collided in an unsanctioned match in the main event of Raw .
Orton has spent the last couple of months targeting and eliminating other WWE legends such as Edge and his former tag team partner Christian .
The Viper promised Big Show that he would punt kick him too like he did to the others .
The unsanctioned match on Monday allowed for anything to happen .
Big Show was in control of the bout until he tried to put Orton through a table by delivering a Splash from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which sent Big Show through the table .
Orton delivered an RKO but Big Show was somehow able to survive it .
Orton then started punishing Big Show by repeatedly hitting him with a steel chair .
Orton finished Big Show with a DDT off the ropes followed by a second RKO to score the three count .
Orton , as promised , then punt kicked Big Show in the head as Raw went off the air .
Also on Raw , WWE authority figure Stephanie McMahon appeared via webcam and addressed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ match Sunday between Asuka and Sasha Banks .
Banks was unofficially declared the winner at The Horror Show at Extreme Rules by her partner Bayley who had put on a referee shirt .
The duo then stole the Raw Women 's Championship .
WWE does not recognize the victory and still considers Asuka the Raw Women 's Champion .
McMahon decided that a championship match between Asuka and Banks will take place on Raw next week .
McMahon also said that the title will change hands if anyone interferes or gets disqualified .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Champion and a Women 's Tag Team Champion with Banks , battled Asuka 's partner Kairi Sane .
Sane won the bout after she avoided the Bayley-to-Belly Suplex and rolled up Bayley to score a surprise three count .
Other moments from Raw included Seth Rollins defeating Aleister Black ; Rollins and his disciple Murphy attacking Black afterwards ; Mustafa Ali , Ricochet and Cedric Alexander defeating MVP , Bobby Lashley and the newly crowned 24/7 Champion Shelton Benjamin ; Ruby Riott defeating Peyton Royce ; Raw Tag Team Champions The Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and WWE Champion Drew McIntyre agreeing to a rematch against Dolph Ziggler .
Ziggler pleaded to have another match and even stated that McIntyre could choose the stipulation this time .
McIntyre , after agreeing , said that he will wait until the bell rings to announce the stipulation .

July 21 (UPI) -- Randy Orton and Big Show collided in an unsanctioned match in the main event of Raw.
Orton has spent the last couple of months targeting and eliminating other WWE legends such as Edge and his former tag team partner Christian. The Viper promised Big Show that he would punt kick him too like he did to the others.
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The unsanctioned match on Monday allowed for anything to happen. Big Show was in control of the bout until he tried to put Orton through a table by delivering a Splash from the turnbuckle.
Orton dodged the attack which sent Big Show through the table. Orton delivered an RKO but Big Show was somehow able to survive it. Orton then started punishing Big Show by repeatedly hitting him with a steel chair.
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Orton finished Big Show with a DDT off the ropes followed by a second RKO to score the three count. Orton, as promised, then punt kicked Big Show in the head as Raw went off the air.
Also on Raw, WWE authority figure Stephanie McMahon appeared via webcam and addressed the controversy surrounding the Raw Women's Championship match Sunday between Asuka and Sasha Banks.
Banks was unofficially declared the winner at The Horror Show at Extreme Rules by her partner Bayley who had put on a referee shirt. The duo then stole the Raw Women's Championship. WWE does not recognize the victory and still considers Asuka the Raw Women's Champion.
McMahon decided that a championship match between Asuka and Banks will take place on Raw next week. McMahon also said that the title will change hands if anyone interferes or gets disqualified.
Bayley, who is the SmackDown Women's Champion and a Women's Tag Team Champion with Banks, battled Asuka's partner Kairi Sane.
Sane won the bout after she avoided the Bayley-to-Belly Suplex and rolled up Bayley to score a surprise three count.
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Other moments from Raw included Seth Rollins defeating Aleister Black; Rollins and his disciple Murphy attacking Black afterwards; Mustafa Ali, Ricochet and Cedric Alexander defeating MVP, Bobby Lashley and the newly crowned 24/7 Champion Shelton Benjamin; Ruby Riott defeating Peyton Royce; Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits defeating Andrade and Angel Garza; and WWE Champion Drew McIntyre agreeing to a rematch against Dolph Ziggler.
Ziggler pleaded to have another match and even stated that McIntyre could choose the stipulation this time. McIntyre, after agreeing, said that he will wait until the bell rings to announce the stipulation.


upi--2020-07-21--Florida, Georgia courts to hear challenges to public face mask policies

July 21 ( UPI ) -- Judges in two states will hear legal arguments Tuesday against new mandatory face mask requirements designed to stem the spread of COVID-19 -- which opponents , including the governor of Georgia , are fighting in court .
A number of municipal governments have imposed mandatory requirements for face coverings in public as a measure to fight the spread of COVID-19 .
Health officials have said masks are critical in suppressing and controlling the virus .
In some places , however , the new rules -- designed to keep patients from spreading the coronavirus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been met with fierce opposition .
In Atlanta , Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp has sued Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms to block an order requiring masks for all persons in public places .
He filed the suit last week opposing Bottoms ' order and guidelines to return the city to the first stage of its re-opening plan , which closes restaurant dining rooms and urges residents to leave their homes only for essential activities .
Tuesday morning , Fulton County Superior Court Judge Kelly Ellerbe will hear the legal challenge in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for similar orders nationwide .
The hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. Kemp also signed an executive order that overrules local ordinances requiring face coverings and bars similar orders in the future .
He says the state has the right to impose a less-stringent guideline that only `` strongly urged '' the use of masks .
The governor 's lawsuit argues that Georgia law prohibits Bottoms from giving such orders that are inconsistent and more restrictive than Kemp 's .
`` Governor Kemp must be allowed , as the chief executive of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency without Mayor Bottoms issuing void and unenforceable orders which only serve to confuse the public , '' the suit states .
`` 3,104 Georgians have died and I and my family are amongst the [ 106,000 ] who have tested positive for COVID-19 , '' Bottoms tweeted in response to the suit .
`` Meanwhile , I have been sued by Gov .
Kemp for a mask mandate .
`` A better use of tax payer money would be to expand testing and contact tracing . ''
In Pam Beach County , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be held on Tuesday to weigh a lawsuit filed by residents upset with the county 's public requirement for face coverings .
The state -- particularly the Miami metropolitan area , which includes Palm Beach County -- has been the new U.S. epicenter of the outbreak in recent weeks .
The state has reported more than 10,000 new cases for a number of days and has seen more than 350,000 cases of COVID-19 to date .
The county commission voted last month to approve the mask policy , but attorney Cory Strolla is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the suit and argues that the commissioners overstepped their `` constitutional boundaries . ''
`` A medical face mask used for medical purposes is a medical device , '' he said .
`` Under Florida constitutional case and law , a government entity can not force you into a medical treatment . ''
Before the 37-page complaint was filed on June 30 , some angry residents showed up at a meeting of the commission to voice their opposition to a mandatory mask policy .
`` I hope everyone of you gets voted out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
Shame on you for voting for a mask , '' said one woman .
`` All of you are practicing the Devil 's law , '' said another , who condemned any ruling that goes against `` freedom of choice . ''
`` I 'm asking you to cease-and-desist from the political agendas that you 're being 'propaganded ' to stand with and try to hold us hostage as American citizens , '' ranted another .
The fiery remarks were featured in news reports nationwide and have been the subject of some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the suit by saying the U.S. Supreme Court has `` upheld the government 's authority to protect the people during a public health crisis '' -- and that the order does not violate individual rights .
`` The county 's action in requiring face coverings to be worn in public places is directly and substantially related to the public health and is not an invasion of constitutional rights , '' they said .
The ultimate outcomes of the cases may influence opposition to mask policies in other states , including Ohio and New @ @

Activists hold signs during a protest against Ohio's mandatory order requiring face coverings during the coronavirus pandemic, at Edgewater Park in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 11. Similar orders have been enacted nationwide, but some areas are challenging the mandates in court. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
July 21 (UPI) -- Two judges in Georgia on Tuesday recused themselves form a legal battle between Gov. Brian Kemp and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms over a mask mandate in the city and other restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Kemp sued Bottoms to block an order requiring masks for all persons in public places. He filed the suit last week opposing Bottoms' order, which includes guidelines to return the city to the first stage of its re-opening plan. The order closes restaurant dining rooms and urges residents to leave their homes only for essential activities. Advertisement
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Kelly Ellerbe was set to hold the first hearing in the case on Tuesday but voluntarily recused herself from the case 2 hours before it was scheduled to start, following a request from the state's deputy attorney general, Julie Jacobs.
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"After consultation with our client, the state would respectfully request that you recuse yourself from this matter," Jacobs wrote in an email. "This particular case has drawn significant attention at the state and national level, and therefore, we believe for all parties concerned, that even any potential perception of impropriety could be problematic."
The Georgia attorney general's office issued a statement saying that Ellerbe had notified involved parties about a prior opinion she felt "may have some bearing on the issues" in the case and expressed concern about her involvement.
The case was then reassigned to Judge Shawn Ellen LaGrua, who swiftly recused herself as she had worked as an inspector general for Kemp when he served as Georgia's secretary of state.
Jane C. Barwick was selected to preside over the case and will reschedule the hearing for a later date.
Prior to the lawsuit, Kemp signed an executive order that overrules local ordinances requiring face coverings and bars similar orders in the future. He says the state has the right to impose a less-stringent guideline that only "strongly urged" the use of masks.
The governor's lawsuit argues that Georgia law prohibits Bottoms from giving orders that are inconsistent and more restrictive than Kemp's.
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"Governor Kemp must be allowed, as the chief executive of this state, to manage the public health emergency without Mayor Bottoms issuing void and unenforceable orders which only serve to confuse the public," the suit states.
"3,104 Georgians have died and I and my family are amongst the [106,000] who have tested positive for COVID-19," Bottoms tweeted in response to the suit. "Meanwhile, I have been sued by Gov. Kemp for a mask mandate.
"A better use of tax payer money would be to expand testing and contact tracing."
In Palm Beach County, Fla., a similar court hearing was held on Tuesday to weigh a lawsuit filed by residents upset with the county's public requirement for face coverings.
The state -- particularly the Miami metropolitan area, which includes Palm Beach County -- has been the new U.S. epicenter of the outbreak in recent weeks. The state has reported more than 10,000 new cases for a number of days and has seen more than 350,000 cases of COVID-19 to date.
The county commission voted last month to approve the mask policy, but attorney Cory Strolla is representing several Palm Beach County residents in the suit and argues that the commissioners overstepped their "constitutional boundaries."
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"A medical face mask used for medical purposes is a medical device," he said. "Under Florida constitutional case and law, a government entity cannot force you into a medical treatment."
Louis Leo IV, another attorney representing residents, presented Judge John Kastrenakes with a video of Surgeon General Jerome Adams advising against wearing masks, saying they were ineffective and potentially increased the possibility for people to get sick.
Kastrenekas however, pointed out that recommendations of medical professionals have changed since Adams made the statements included in the video.
Rachel Fahey, an attorney for the county, said the motion lacks merit as residents retain choices to avoid situations where masks are required.
"There is nobody forcing the plaintiffs to ride a Palm Beach County bus, go to a government building, be in public in less than 6 feet away from somebody or go to business establishments in person," Fahey said. "They retain choices about where they can be and not wear facial coverings if that is their choice."
Before the 37-page complaint was filed on June 30, some angry residents showed up at a meeting of the commission to voice their opposition to a mandatory mask policy.
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"I hope everyone of you gets voted out who votes for a mask here today! Shame on you for voting for a mask," said one woman.
"All of you are practicing the Devil's law," said another, who condemned any ruling that goes against "freedom of choice."
"I'm asking you to cease-and-desist from the political agendas that you're being 'propaganded' to stand with and try to hold us hostage as American citizens," said another.
The fiery remarks were featured in news reports nationwide and have been the subject of some ridicule.
The commission has responded to the suit by saying the U.S. Supreme Court has "upheld the government's authority to protect the people during a public health crisis" -- and that the order does not violate individual rights.
"The county's action in requiring face coverings to be worn in public places is directly and substantially related to the public health and is not an invasion of constitutional rights," they said.
The ultimate outcomes of the cases may influence opposition to mask policies in other states, including Ohio and New York.


upi--2020-07-21--ACLU, law firm sue Trump admin over Michael Cohen detention

July 21 ( UPI ) -- The American Civil Liberties Union and a New York law firm have filed a lawsuit seeking the release of Michael Cohen , the former personal attorney of President Donald Trump , arguing his recent imprisonment was in retaliation against his plans to publish a book about his former client .
The habeas petition was filed Monday by the ACLU and Perry Guha LLP in the Southern District of New York on behalf of Cohen , who was taken back into federal custody on July 9 .
`` This case is about a brazen assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of law , '' Danya Perry , founding partner of Perry Guha , said in a statement .
`` We trust that our Constitution will prevail and that free speech will continue to be protected , for our client and for all others by extension . ''
The lawsuit names U.S. Attorney General William Barr , Bureau of Prisons Michael Carvajal and James Petrucci , the warden of the federal correctional institution housing Cohen , as respondents .
Cohen , 53 , was re-detained earlier this month while in a Manhattan courtroom seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confinement after being released on furlough in May as he suffered from underlying health conditions that placed him at higher risk of suffering worse outcomes if infected by the coronavirus .
The lawsuit argues that Cohen 's plans to publish a tell-all book about his decade-long relationship with Trump was the cause of his re-detention .
On July 2 , while out of furlough , Cohen tweeted that he was `` close to completion '' on a book about his decade-long relationship with the president , stating it had an anticipated September release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the day Cohen was taken back into custody , probation officers told Cohen that he could be released into home confinement if he agreed to not speak to or through any form of media , including book .
The lawsuit states that as he and his lawyers negotiated the definitions and limitations of the prohibition , Cohen was detained and taken to the Federal Correctional Institution , Otisville , where he remains in solitary confinement .
`` The government can not imprison Michael Cohen for writing a book about President Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ACLU 's Speech , Privacy and Technology Project , said in a statement .
`` The gag order that the government sought to impose on Mr. Cohen was an unconstitutional prior restraint , and his continued imprisonment is part of a dangerous pattern of retaliation against Trump critics . ''
The lawsuit says the agreement Cohen was presented with was `` custom made '' for him and was not a standardized government form as it was `` riddled '' with typos and other errors .
The book he plans to publish , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Trump and details his `` behavior behind closed doors . ''
`` For example , the narrative describes pointedly certain anti-Semitic remarks against prominent Jewish people and virulently racist remarks against Black leaders as President Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela , '' the lawyers wrote in the document , stating Cohen started writing the book shortly after arriving at Otisville with the consent of the Bureau of Prisons ' regulations .
The lawyers also said Trump had previously tried to stop the publication of the book on April 30 when a Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , arguing he was barred from discussing such matters by a non-disclosure agreement .
Cohen claims he never signed such an agreement , the court documents state .
The former associate of Trump 's was sentenced to a three-year prison term in December 2018 after pleading guilty in connection to arranging to pay hush money during the 2016 presidential campaign to two women who said they had affairs with Trump .

Michael D. Cohen was re-detained on July 9 after having been released to home confinement in May. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo
July 21 (UPI) -- The American Civil Liberties Union and a New York law firm have filed a lawsuit seeking the release of Michael Cohen, the former personal attorney of President Donald Trump, arguing his recent imprisonment was in retaliation against his plans to publish a book about his former client. The habeas petition was filed Monday by the ACLU and Perry Guha LLP in the Southern District of New York on behalf of Cohen, who was taken back into federal custody on July 9. Advertisement
"This case is about a brazen assault on the First Amendment and the rule of law," Danya Perry, founding partner of Perry Guha, said in a statement. "We trust that our Constitution will prevail and that free speech will continue to be protected, for our client and for all others by extension."
Advertisement BREAKING: We're suing the federal government for imprisoning Michael Cohen in retaliation for his plans to publish a book critical of Trump. We will defend the First Amendment from government censorship - as we have for a century now.— ACLU (@ACLU) July 21, 2020
The lawsuit names U.S. Attorney General William Barr, Bureau of Prisons Michael Carvajal and James Petrucci, the warden of the federal correctional institution housing Cohen, as respondents.
Cohen, 53, was re-detained earlier this month while in a Manhattan courtroom seeking to arrange the terms of his home confinement after being released on furlough in May as he suffered from underlying health conditions that placed him at higher risk of suffering worse outcomes if infected by the coronavirus.
The lawsuit argues that Cohen's plans to publish a tell-all book about his decade-long relationship with Trump was the cause of his re-detention.
On July 2, while out of furlough, Cohen tweeted that he was "close to completion" on a book about his decade-long relationship with the president, stating it had an anticipated September release date.
According to the lawsuit, on the day Cohen was taken back into custody, probation officers told Cohen that he could be released into home confinement if he agreed to not speak to or through any form of media, including book.
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The lawsuit states that as he and his lawyers negotiated the definitions and limitations of the prohibition, Cohen was detained and taken to the Federal Correctional Institution, Otisville, where he remains in solitary confinement.
"The government cannot imprison Michael Cohen for writing a book about President Trump," Ben Wizner, director of the ACLU's Speech, Privacy and Technology Project, said in a statement. "The gag order that the government sought to impose on Mr. Cohen was an unconstitutional prior restraint, and his continued imprisonment is part of a dangerous pattern of retaliation against Trump critics."
The lawsuit says the agreement Cohen was presented with was "custom made" for him and was not a standardized government form as it was "riddled" with typos and other errors.
The book he plans to publish, the court documents said, describes first-hand experience with Trump and details his "behavior behind closed doors."
"For example, the narrative describes pointedly certain anti-Semitic remarks against prominent Jewish people and virulently racist remarks against Black leaders as President Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela," the lawyers wrote in the document, stating Cohen started writing the book shortly after arriving at Otisville with the consent of the Bureau of Prisons' regulations.
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The lawyers also said Trump had previously tried to stop the publication of the book on April 30 when a Trump Organization attorney sent Cohen a cease-and-desist letter, arguing he was barred from discussing such matters by a non-disclosure agreement.
Cohen claims he never signed such an agreement, the court documents state.
The former associate of Trump's was sentenced to a three-year prison term in December 2018 after pleading guilty in connection to arranging to pay hush money during the 2016 presidential campaign to two women who said they had affairs with Trump.