upi--2020-08-21--Watch: The Killers perform 'Blowback' on 'The Late Show'

Aug. 21 ( UPI ) -- The Killers took the stage on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert .
The rock band performed the song `` Blowback '' during Thursday 's episode of the CBS late-night show .
`` Blowback '' appears on the Killers ' sixth studio album , Imploding the Mirage , released Friday .
The group performed on The Late Show just ahead of the album 's release .
Imploding the Mirage features the singles `` Caution , '' `` Fire in Bone , '' `` My Own Soul 's Warning '' and `` Dying Breed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for `` My Soul 's Own Warning '' in July .
In addition , the Killers released a new music video for `` My Soul 's Own Warning '' Thursday .
The new video , directed by Michael Hili , shows the Killers ' Brandon Flowers hitch a ride in a pickup truck .
`` Want more hot video action ?
Well , ok .
Here it is .
A song so good it needed two separate videos .
We did the same thing with Brightside , '' the Killers wrote on Instagram @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Brightside . ''
Imploding the Mirage is the Killers ' first album since Wonderful Wonderful , released in 2017 .
Flowers described the album as `` celestial rock and roll '' in an interview with Entertainment Weekly released Thursday .
He also expressed his eagerness to take the album on tour in 2021 .
`` The only thing that comes close to beating those moments of inspiration that you get when you 're writing songs is when those moments are celebrated with other people , '' Flowers said .

Aug. 21 (UPI) -- The Killers took the stage on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
The rock band performed the song "Blowback" during Thursday's episode of the CBS late-night show.
Advertisement
"Blowback" appears on the Killers' sixth studio album, Imploding the Mirage, released Friday. The group performed on The Late Show just ahead of the album's release.
Imploding the Mirage features the singles "Caution," "Fire in Bone," "My Own Soul's Warning" and "Dying Breed." The Killers shared a music video for "My Soul's Own Warning" in July.
In addition, the Killers released a new music video for "My Soul's Own Warning" Thursday. The new video, directed by Michael Hili, shows the Killers' Brandon Flowers hitch a ride in a pickup truck.
"Want more hot video action? Well, ok. Here it is. A song so good it needed two separate videos. We did the same thing with Brightside," the Killers wrote on Instagram, referencing their hit song "Mr. Brightside."
Imploding the Mirage is the Killers' first album since Wonderful Wonderful, released in 2017. Flowers described the album as "celestial rock and roll" in an interview with Entertainment Weekly released Thursday. He also expressed his eagerness to take the album on tour in 2021.
Advertisement
"The only thing that comes close to beating those moments of inspiration that you get when you're writing songs is when those moments are celebrated with other people," Flowers said.


upi--2020-08-21--EU says Britain 'wasting time' as deadline nears for Brexit trade deal

Aug. 21 ( UPI ) -- A free trade agreement between Britain and the European Union before a deadline in two months `` seems unlikely , '' the bloc 's chief negotiator said Friday after days of largely fruitless negotiations .
Michel Barnier told reporters in Belgium that a week-long negotiating session with British representative David Frost produced few signs of progress , and said both sides remain far apart on key issues -- including how fisheries would be governed once the Brexit transition period ends in January .
`` Today at this stage , an agreement between the U.K. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barnier said .
`` I simply do not understand why we are wasting valuable time . ''
Barnier said he 's `` disappointed '' and `` worried '' that no draft agreement will be ready before the deadline in late October .
`` Too often this week it felt as if we were going backwards more than forwards , '' he added .
If there 's no agreement on Jan. 1 , Britain and the EU will revert to default World Trade Organization rules , which would include higher tariffs on automobiles and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The EU wants a deal for Britain to commit to EU standards on issues like the environment , workers ' rights and state aid in exchange for tariff-free access to the bloc 's single market .
British negotiators , however , are pushing for a similar arrangement the alliance has with Canada , which provides tariff-free access without committing to EU rules .
The EU has said , however , that is not possible for Britain due to geographical reasons .
It also is concerned that London is trying to cherry-pick benefits of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules as EU states .
Frost pinned blame for the lack of progress on the EU 's insistence that the fisheries issue be negotiated in parallel with the trade talks .
`` The EU is still insisting not only that we must accept continuity with EU state aid and fisheries policy , but also that this must be agreed before any further substantive work can be done in any other area of the negotiation , including on legal texts , '' he said Friday .
`` This makes it unnecessarily difficult to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a relationship which ensures we regain sovereign control of our own laws , borders , and waters , and centered upon a trading relationship based on [ a deal ] like those the EU has concluded with a range of other international partners ... in areas such as aviation , scientific programs and law enforcement . ''

European Union Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier speaks to reporters on Friday after a meeting with chief British negotiator David Frost, in Brussels, Belgium. Photo by Yves Herman/EPA-EFE/Pool
Aug. 21 (UPI) -- A free trade agreement between Britain and the European Union before a deadline in two months "seems unlikely," the bloc's chief negotiator said Friday after days of largely fruitless negotiations. Michel Barnier told reporters in Belgium that a week-long negotiating session with British representative David Frost produced few signs of progress, and said both sides remain far apart on key issues -- including how fisheries would be governed once the Brexit transition period ends in January. Advertisement
"Today at this stage, an agreement between the U.K. and the EU seems unlikely," Barnier said. "I simply do not understand why we are wasting valuable time."
Barnier said he's "disappointed" and "worried" that no draft agreement will be ready before the deadline in late October.
"Too often this week it felt as if we were going backwards more than forwards," he added.
If there's no agreement on Jan. 1, Britain and the EU will revert to default World Trade Organization rules, which would include higher tariffs on automobiles and agricultural products and strict border controls.
The EU wants a deal for Britain to commit to EU standards on issues like the environment, workers' rights and state aid in exchange for tariff-free access to the bloc's single market.
Advertisement
British negotiators, however, are pushing for a similar arrangement the alliance has with Canada, which provides tariff-free access without committing to EU rules.
The EU has said, however, that is not possible for Britain due to geographical reasons. It also is concerned that London is trying to cherry-pick benefits of the single market without following the same rules as EU states.
Frost pinned blame for the lack of progress on the EU's insistence that the fisheries issue be negotiated in parallel with the trade talks.
"The EU is still insisting not only that we must accept continuity with EU state aid and fisheries policy, but also that this must be agreed before any further substantive work can be done in any other area of the negotiation, including on legal texts," he said Friday. "This makes it unnecessarily difficult to make progress."
Frost reiterated Britain's preference for a Canada-style deal.
"We are seeking a relationship which ensures we regain sovereign control of our own laws, borders, and waters, and centered upon a trading relationship based on [a deal] like those the EU has concluded with a range of other international partners ... in areas such as aviation, scientific programs and law enforcement."


upi--2020-08-21--Washington Football Team coach Ron Rivera diagnosed with skin cancer

Aug. 21 ( UPI ) -- Washington Football Team coach Ron Rivera has been diagnosed with skin cancer .
Rivera , 58 , announced his squamous cell carcinoma diagnosis Thursday after he detected it during a self-care check .
Washington said the cancer is in an early stage and is considered very treatable and curable . ''
Squamous cell carcinoma is a common form of skin cancer , which develops in the squamous cells located in the middle and outer layers of skin .
It is usually not life threatening , but can be aggressive .
`` Stephanie , Christopher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son and daughter ] and I thank you all for your love and support , '' Rivera tweeted Thursday .
The veteran coach has consulted with oncology specialists , the team 's medical staff and other doctors to establish a treatment plan .
Rivera met with reporters Thursday , but did not speak about the diagnosis .
`` For now , coach has asked that the team keep things business as usual and remain focused , but a 'Plan B ' is in place if it is determined that he should take some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many coaches , players and teams around the NFL posted messages of support for Rivera Thursday on social media .
`` Adding my prayers for health to the innate strength and deep resilience in Ron Rivera 's body , mind , and spirit , '' tweeted Washington Football Team President Jason Wright , who was hired Monday .
Rivera began his NFL coaching career in defensive quality control for the Chicago Bears in 1997 .
He later served as linebackers coach for the Philadelphia Eagles before he returned to the Bears as defensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent four seasons as linebackers coach and defensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers before he was hired to coach the Carolina Panthers in 2011 .
The Panthers fired Rivera in December .
Washington hired Rivera on Jan. 1 .
Washington hosts the Philadelphia Eagles in their first game of the season at 1 p.m. EDT Sept. 13 at FedEx Field in Landover , Md .

Washington Football Team coach Ron Rivera announced a skin cancer diagnosis on Thursday, but plans to keep his normal schedule for the 2020 season. File Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Washington Football Team coach Ron Rivera has been diagnosed with skin cancer. Rivera, 58, announced his squamous cell carcinoma diagnosis Thursday after he detected it during a self-care check. Washington said the cancer is in an early stage and is considered very treatable and curable." Advertisement
Squamous cell carcinoma is a common form of skin cancer, which develops in the squamous cells located in the middle and outer layers of skin. It is usually not life threatening, but can be aggressive.
"Stephanie, Christopher, Courtney [Rivera's wife, son and daughter] and I thank you all for your love and support," Rivera tweeted Thursday.
The veteran coach has consulted with oncology specialists, the team's medical staff and other doctors to establish a treatment plan. Rivera met with reporters Thursday, but did not speak about the diagnosis.
"For now, coach has asked that the team keep things business as usual and remain focused, but a 'Plan B' is in place if it is determined that he should take some time off," Washington said.
Advertisement
Many coaches, players and teams around the NFL posted messages of support for Rivera Thursday on social media.
"Adding my prayers for health to the innate strength and deep resilience in Ron Rivera's body, mind, and spirit," tweeted Washington Football Team President Jason Wright, who was hired Monday.
Rivera began his NFL coaching career in defensive quality control for the Chicago Bears in 1997. He later served as linebackers coach for the Philadelphia Eagles before he returned to the Bears as defensive coordinator from 2004 through 2006.
Sending love & well wishes to our friend, @RiverboatRonHC.— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 21, 2020
Rivera spent four seasons as linebackers coach and defensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers before he was hired to coach the Carolina Panthers in 2011. The Panthers fired Rivera in December. Washington hired Rivera on Jan. 1.
Washington hosts the Philadelphia Eagles in their first game of the season at 1 p.m. EDT Sept. 13 at FedEx Field in Landover, Md.


upi--2020-08-21--Fruit flies reveal first known social cue of safety

Aug. 21 ( UPI ) -- All over the world , humans are doing their best to avoid crowds .
But for many animals , there is still safety in numbers .
In herds or schools , animals can momentarily let down their guard and focus on grazing and foraging .
But the safety of a crowd is n't simply a numbers game .
Herding or schooling behavior allows animals to take advantage of social cues .
Until now , scientists had only identified social cues of danger , a shriek or yelp , for example .
It turns out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social cue of safety .
Scientists discovered the world 's first known social cue of safety while observing how different numbers of fruit flies respond to an imminent threat .
`` When people think about social communication of danger , they normally think about alarm calls , '' Marta Moita , a principal investigator at the Champalimaud Center for the Unknown in Portugal , said in a news release .
`` But we are interested in a different type of threat cue , the expression of the defensive behaviors themselves . ''
Researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experiments Friday in the journal Nature Communications .
In many animals , danger triggers a flight or fight response .
But for some animals , there is a third option : freezing .
Cats are one animal that often freezes when danger lurks .
Fruit flies are another .
`` Freezing may actually be a safer way of conveying the existence of danger to others , '' Moita said .
`` This manner of social communication does not require the active production of a signal that may result in drawing unwelcome attention .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cue that can be used by any surrounding animal regardless of species . ''
In the lab , Moita and her research partners observed how different size groups of fruit flies responded to an inescapable threat .
`` We placed the flies in a transparent closed chamber and repeatedly exposed them to an expanding dark disc , which mimics an object on a collision course .
Just imagine the visual effect of an approaching open palm , '' Ferreira explains .
`` Many visual animals that are exposed to such a stimulus respond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freeze , they often stay motionless for quite some time , even after the threat is gone . ''
Researchers found that fruit flies froze for longest when they were alone or surrounded by a just two or three other flies .
In groups of five or more , the flies were quicker to freeze in the face of danger but remained frozen for shorter amounts of time .
`` These results were very intriguing , '' Ferreira said .
`` This was the first time the effect of group size on freezing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it revealed a fascinating and intricate relation . ''
Fruit flies do n't communicate with sound , so they must rely on visual cues .
In followup experiments , researchers determined that fruit flies were more likely to freeze when their peers , whether decoys or real , frozen in response to a threat .
`` We were somewhat expecting to see this , '' Ferreira said .
`` Previous studies in the lab showed that in specific situations , freezing is a social cue of danger in rats .
Here , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' But scientists were more surprised when they found flies were quicker to move again if their peers started moving .
The resumption of motion works as a social cue of safety .
`` There are many types of recorded social alarm cues , but this is the first social safety cue to be identified in any animal species , '' Moita said .
In future studies , researchers plan to examine how the brain and neural circuits receive and respond to social cues .

Social cues help fruit flies know when to freeze in the face of danger and when to resume motion when the threat is gone. Photo courtesy of Pixabay
Aug. 21 (UPI) -- All over the world, humans are doing their best to avoid crowds. But for many animals, there is still safety in numbers. In herds or schools, animals can momentarily let down their guard and focus on grazing and foraging. But the safety of a crowd isn't simply a numbers game. Herding or schooling behavior allows animals to take advantage of social cues. Until now, scientists had only identified social cues of danger, a shriek or yelp, for example. It turns out, at least one animal uses a social cue of safety. Advertisement
Scientists discovered the world's first known social cue of safety while observing how different numbers of fruit flies respond to an imminent threat.
"When people think about social communication of danger, they normally think about alarm calls," Marta Moita, a principal investigator at the Champalimaud Center for the Unknown in Portugal, said in a news release. "But we are interested in a different type of threat cue, the expression of the defensive behaviors themselves."
Advertisement
Researchers published the results of their fruit fly experiments Friday in the journal Nature Communications.
In many animals, danger triggers a flight or fight response. But for some animals, there is a third option: freezing. Cats are one animal that often freezes when danger lurks. Fruit flies are another.
"Freezing may actually be a safer way of conveying the existence of danger to others," Moita said. "This manner of social communication does not require the active production of a signal that may result in drawing unwelcome attention. Also, freezing may constitute a public cue that can be used by any surrounding animal regardless of species."
In the lab, Moita and her research partners observed how different size groups of fruit flies responded to an inescapable threat.
"We placed the flies in a transparent closed chamber and repeatedly exposed them to an expanding dark disc, which mimics an object on a collision course. Just imagine the visual effect of an approaching open palm," Ferreira explains. "Many visual animals that are exposed to such a stimulus respond defensively, including humans. If they freeze, they often stay motionless for quite some time, even after the threat is gone."
Researchers found that fruit flies froze for longest when they were alone or surrounded by a just two or three other flies. In groups of five or more, the flies were quicker to freeze in the face of danger but remained frozen for shorter amounts of time.
Advertisement
"These results were very intriguing," Ferreira said. "This was the first time the effect of group size on freezing was systematically characterized in any species and it revealed a fascinating and intricate relation."
Fruit flies don't communicate with sound, so they must rely on visual cues. In followup experiments, researchers determined that fruit flies were more likely to freeze when their peers, whether decoys or real, frozen in response to a threat.
"We were somewhat expecting to see this," Ferreira said. "Previous studies in the lab showed that in specific situations, freezing is a social cue of danger in rats. Here, we witnessed a similar behavior in flies."
But scientists were more surprised when they found flies were quicker to move again if their peers started moving. The resumption of motion works as a social cue of safety.
"There are many types of recorded social alarm cues, but this is the first social safety cue to be identified in any animal species," Moita said.
In future studies, researchers plan to examine how the brain and neural circuits receive and respond to social cues.


upi--2020-08-21--Islanders, Stars advance to Stanley Cup playoffs conference semifinals

Aug. 21 ( UPI ) -- The New York Islanders and Dallas Stars have each clinched conference semifinals spots after four-goal victories in their first-round series finales .
The Stars beat the Flames 7-3 in Game 6 Thursday at Rogers Place in Edmonton , Alberta , Canada , to win their series 4-2 .
The Islanders beat the Capitals 4-0 in Game 5 Thursday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto to win that series 4-1 .
The Stars trailed 3-0 in the first period of their Western Conference affair before they scored seven unanswered goals .
Denis Gurianov scored three times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second period .
He added a fourth score in the third period .
`` We had a tough first period , '' Gurianov told reporters .
`` We went in the locker room and forgot about the first period and moved on and started to play our game . ''
Andrew Mangiapane lit the lamp for the first time 3:42 into the game for Calgary .
Johnny Gaudreau scored on a power play less than two minutes later to double the Flames lead .
Rasmus Andersson gave the Flames a 3-0 edge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goal .
Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen scored on a power play midway through the first period to spark Dallas ' offensive explosion .
Gurianov cut the deficit to one score with a goal 59 seconds into the bridge period .
The Stars right wing tied the score 3:25 into the second period .
Radek Faksa gave Dallas a 4-3 edge on a power play 5:47 into the second period .
Joe Pavelski pushed the lead to 5-3 about two minutes later .
Gurianov completed his hat trick with 4:30 remaining in the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midway through the third frame .
`` There was no panic , '' Stars coach Rick Bowness said .
`` We had to battle back and we did .
The Stars will face the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference semifinals at Rogers Place .
The Islanders advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals after their win over the Capitals , but their opponent for the next round is to be determined .
New York 's series finale win over Washington featured much less drama than the Stars and Flames affair .
Anthony Beauvillier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first two periods before Nick Leddy pushed the lead to 3-0 with score with less than three minutes remaining .
Josh Bailey netted a fourth score with 1:29 remaining in the victory .
Bailey had a goal and two assists for New York .
Semyon Varlamov made 21 saves for the Islanders .

Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen's score at the end of the first period sparked a run of seven unanswered goals to help his squad beat the Calgary Flames Thursday in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 21 (UPI) -- The New York Islanders and Dallas Stars have each clinched conference semifinals spots after four-goal victories in their first-round series finales. The Stars beat the Flames 7-3 in Game 6 Thursday at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, to win their series 4-2. The Islanders beat the Capitals 4-0 in Game 5 Thursday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto to win that series 4-1. Advertisement
The Stars trailed 3-0 in the first period of their Western Conference affair before they scored seven unanswered goals. Denis Gurianov scored three times of the Stars' five goals in the second period. He added a fourth score in the third period.
"We had a tough first period," Gurianov told reporters. "We went in the locker room and forgot about the first period and moved on and started to play our game."
Andrew Mangiapane lit the lamp for the first time 3:42 into the game for Calgary. Johnny Gaudreau scored on a power play less than two minutes later to double the Flames lead. Rasmus Andersson gave the Flames a 3-0 edge less than a minute after the Gaudreau goal.
Advertisement
Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen scored on a power play midway through the first period to spark Dallas' offensive explosion.
Gurianov cut the deficit to one score with a goal 59 seconds into the bridge period. The Stars right wing tied the score 3:25 into the second period. Radek Faksa gave Dallas a 4-3 edge on a power play 5:47 into the second period. Joe Pavelski pushed the lead to 5-3 about two minutes later.
Gurianov completed his hat trick with 4:30 remaining in the second period. He added his fourth score midway through the third frame.
"There was no panic," Stars coach Rick Bowness said. "We had to battle back and we did.
The Stars will face the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference semifinals at Rogers Place.
Islanders 4, Capitals 0
The Islanders advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals after their win over the Capitals, but their opponent for the next round is to be determined.
New York's series finale win over Washington featured much less drama than the Stars and Flames affair. Anthony Beauvillier scored a goal in each of the first two periods before Nick Leddy pushed the lead to 3-0 with score with less than three minutes remaining.
Advertisement
Josh Bailey netted a fourth score with 1:29 remaining in the victory. Bailey had a goal and two assists for New York. Semyon Varlamov made 21 saves for the Islanders.


upi--2020-08-21--Full text: Joe Biden accepts Democratic nomination for president

Aug. 21 ( UPI ) -- Former Vice President Joe Biden accepted the Democratic nomination for president on Thursday in Delaware , capping the party 's virtual national convention .
The speech follows a 50-year career in politics for Biden , 77 , who was elected to the U.S. Senate at age 29 .
He delivered his acceptance speech via video from his home state of Delaware , without a live audience , as a precaution amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Here is the full text of Biden 's speech as prepared for delivery , released by the Democratic National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the civil rights movement , left us with this wisdom : Give people light and they will find a way .
Those are words for our time .
The current president has cloaked America in darkness for much too long .
Too much anger .
Too much fear .
Too much division .
Here and now , I give you my word : If you entrust me with the presidency , I will draw on the best of us not the worst .
I will be an ally of the light not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for us , for we the people , to come together .
For make no mistake .
United we can , and will , overcome this season of darkness in America .
We will choose hope over fear , facts over fiction , fairness over privilege .
I am a proud Democrat and I will be proud to carry the banner of our party into the general election .
So , it is with great honor and humility that I accept this nomination for president of the United States of America .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I will be an American president .
I will work as hard for those who did n't support me as I will for those who did .
That 's the job of a president .
To represent all of us , not just our base or our party .
This is not a partisan moment .
This must be an American moment .
It 's a moment that calls for hope and light and love .
Hope for our futures , light to see our way forward and love for one another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of clashing interests of red states or blue states .
We 're so much bigger than that .
We 're so much better than that .
Nearly a century ago , Franklin Roosevelt pledged a New Deal in a time of massive unemployment , uncertainty and fear .
Stricken by disease , stricken by a virus , FDR insisted that he would recover and prevail and he believed America could as well .
And he did .
And so can we .
This campaign is n't just about winning votes .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the soul of America .
Winning it for the generous among us , not the selfish .
Winning it for the workers who keep this country going , not just the privileged few at the top .
Winning it for those communities who have known the injustice of the 'knee on the neck . '
For all the young people who have known only an America of rising inequity and shrinking opportunity .
They deserve to experience America 's promise in full .
No generation ever knows what history will ask of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is whether we 'll be ready when that moment arrives .
And now history has delivered us to one of the most difficult moments America has ever faced .
Four historic crises .
All at the same time .
A perfect storm .
The worst pandemic in over 100 years .
The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression .
The most compelling call for racial justice since the '60s .
And the undeniable realities and accelerating threats of climate change .
So , the question for us is simple : Are we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We must be .
All elections are important .
But we know in our bones this one is more consequential .
America is at an inflection point .
A time of real peril , but of extraordinary possibilities .
We can choose the path of becoming angrier , less hopeful and more divided .
Or we can choose a different path , and together , take this chance to heal , to be reborn , to unite .
A path of hope and light .
This is a life-changing election that will determine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
Character is on the ballot .
Compassion is on the ballot .
Decency , science , democracy .
They are all on the ballot .
Who we are as a nation .
What we stand for .
And , most importantly , who we want to be .
That 's all on the ballot .
And the choice could not be clearer .
No rhetoric is needed .
Just judge this president on the facts .
Five million Americans infected with COVID-19 .
More than 170,000 Americans have died .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Earth .
More than 50 million people have filed for unemployment this year .
More than 10 million people are going to lose their health insurance this year .
Nearly 1 in 6 small businesses have closed this year .
If this president is re-elected , we know what will happen .
Cases and deaths will remain far too high .
More mom-and-pop businesses will close their doors for good .
Working families will struggle to get by , and yet , the wealthiest 1 percent will get tens of billions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the assault on the Affordable Care Act will continue until it 's destroyed , taking insurance away from more than 20 million people -- including more than 15 million people on Medicaid -- and getting rid of the protections that President [ Barack ] Obama and I passed for people who suffer from a pre-existing condition .
And speaking of President Obama , a man I was honored to serve alongside for eight years as vice president , let me take this moment to say something we do n't say nearly enough .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were a great president .
A president our children could -- and did -- look up to .
No one will say that about the current occupant of the office .
What we know about this president is if he 's given four more years he will be what he 's been the last four years .
A president who takes no responsibility , refuses to lead , blames others , cozies up to dictators and fans the flames of hate and division .
He will wake up every day believing the job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you .
Is that the America you want for you , your family , your children ?
I see a different America .
One that is generous and strong .
Selfless and humble .
It 's an America we can rebuild together .
As president , the first step I will take will be to get control of the virus that 's ruined so many lives .
Because I understand something this president does n't .
We will never get our economy back on track , we will never get our kids safely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have our lives back , until we deal with this virus .
The tragedy of where we are today is it did n't have to be this bad .
Just look around .
It 's not this bad in Canada .
Or Europe .
Or Japan .
Or almost anywhere else in the world .
The president keeps telling us the virus is going to disappear .
He keeps waiting for a miracle .
Well , I have news for him , no miracle is coming .
We lead the world in confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths .
Our economy is in tatters , with Black , Latino , Asian American and Native American communities bearing the brunt of it .
And after all this time , the president still does not have a plan .
Well , I do .
If I 'm president , on day one we 'll implement the national strategy I 've been laying out since March .
We 'll develop and deploy rapid tests with results available immediately .
We 'll make the medical supplies and protective equipment our country needs .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So we will never again be at the mercy of China and other foreign countries in order to protect our own people .
We 'll make sure our schools have the resources they need to be open , safe and effective .
We 'll put the politics aside and take the muzzle off our experts so the public gets the information they need and deserve .
The honest , unvarnished truth .
They can deal with that .
We 'll have a national mandate to wear a mask -- not as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's a patriotic duty .
In short , I will do what we should have done from the very beginning .
Our current president has failed in his most basic duty to this nation .
He failed to protect us .
He failed to protect America .
And , my fellow Americans , that is unforgivable .
As president , I will make you this promise : I will protect America .
I will defend us from every attack .
Seen .
And unseen .
Always .
Without exception .
Every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's hard to have hope right now .
On this summer night , let me take a moment to speak to those of you who have lost the most .
I know how it feels to lose someone you love .
I know that deep black hole that opens up in your chest .
That you feel your whole being is sucked into it .
I know how mean and cruel and unfair life can be sometimes .
But I 've learned two things .
First , your loved ones may have left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart .
They will always be with you .
And second , I found the best way through pain and loss and grief is to find purpose .
As God 's children , each of us has a purpose in our lives .
And we have a great purpose as a nation : To open the doors of opportunity to all Americans .
To save our democracy .
To be a light to the world once again .
To finally live up to and make real the words written in the sacred documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and women are created equal .
Endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights .
Among them life , liberty , and the pursuit of happiness .
You know , my dad was an honorable , decent man .
He got knocked down a few times pretty hard , but always got up .
He worked hard and built a great middle-class life for our family .
He used to say , `` Joey , I do n't expect the government to solve my problems , but I expect it to understand them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Joey , a job is about a lot more than a paycheck .
It 's about your dignity .
It 's about respect .
It 's about your place in your community .
It 's about looking your kids in the eye and say , honey , it 's going to be okay . ''
I 've never forgotten those lessons .
That 's why my economic plan is all about jobs , dignity , respect and community .
Together , we can , and we will , rebuild our economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'll not only build it back , we 'll build it back better .
With modern roads , bridges , highways , broadband , ports and airports as a new foundation for economic growth .
With pipes that transport clean water to every community .
With 5 million new manufacturing and technology jobs so the future is made in America .
With a healthcare system that lowers premiums , deductibles and drug prices by building on the Affordable Care Act he 's trying to rip away .
With an education system that trains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 21st century , where cost does n't prevent young people from going to college and student debt does n't crush them when they get out .
With child care and elder care that make it possible for parents to go to work and for the elderly to stay in their homes with dignity .
With an immigration system that powers our economy and reflects our values .
With newly empowered labor unions .
With equal pay for women .
With rising wages you can raise a family on .
Yes , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our essential workers .
We 're finally going to pay them .
We can , and we will , deal with climate change .
It 's not only a crisis , it 's an enormous opportunity .
An opportunity for America to lead the world in clean energy and create millions of new good-paying jobs in the process .
And we can pay for these investments by ending loopholes and the president 's $ 1.3 trillion tax giveaway to the wealthiest 1 percent and the biggest , most profitable corporations , some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because we do n't need a tax code that rewards wealth more than it rewards work .
I 'm not looking to punish anyone .
Far from it .
But it 's long past time the wealthiest people and the biggest corporations in this country paid their fair share .
For our seniors , Social Security is a sacred obligation , a sacred promise made .
The current president is threatening to break that promise .
He 's proposing to eliminate the tax that pays for almost half of Social Security without any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revenue .
I will not let it happen .
If I 'm your president , we 're going to protect Social Security and Medicare .
You have my word .
One of the most powerful voices we hear in the country today is from our young people .
They 're speaking to the inequity and injustice that has grown up in America .
Economic injustice .
Racial injustice .
Environmental injustice .
I hear their voices and if you listen , you can hear them , too .
And whether it 's the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the daily fear of being gunned down in school , or the inability to get started in their first job -- it will be the work of the next president to restore the promise of America to everyone .
I wo n't have to do it alone .
Because I will have a great vice president at my side -- Sen. Kamala Harris .
She is a powerful voice for this nation .
Her story is the American story .
She knows about all the obstacles thrown in the way of so many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women , Black Americans , South Asian Americans , immigrants , the left out and left behind .
But she 's overcome every obstacle she 's ever faced .
No one 's been tougher on the big banks or the gun lobby .
No one 's been tougher in calling out this current administration for its extremism , its failure to follow the law and its failure to simply tell the truth .
Kamala and I both draw strength from our families .
For Kamala , it 's Doug and their families .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ours .
No man deserves one great love in his life .
But I 've known two .
After losing my first wife in a car accident , Jill came into my life and put our family back together .
She 's an educator .
A mom .
A military mom .
And an unstoppable force .
If she puts her mind to it , just get out of the way .
Because she 's going to get it done .
She was a great second lady and she will make a great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loves this country so much .
And I will have the strength that can only come from family .
Hunter , Ashley and all our grandchildren , my brothers , my sister .
They give me courage and lift me up .
And while he is no longer with us , Beau inspires me every day .
Beau served our nation in uniform .
A decorated Iraq War veteran .
So I take very personally the profound responsibility of serving as commander in chief .
I will be a president who will stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will make it clear to our adversaries the days of cozying up to dictators are over .
Under President Biden , America will not turn a blind eye to Russian bounties on the heads of American soldiers .
Nor will I put up with foreign interference in our most sacred democratic exercise -- voting .
I will stand always for our values of human rights and dignity .
And I will work in common purpose for a more secure , peaceful and prosperous world .
History has thrust one more urgent task on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that finally wipes the stain of racism from our national character ?
I believe we 're up to it .
I believe we 're ready .
Just a week ago yesterday was the third anniversary of the events in Charlottesville .
Remember seeing those neo-Nazis and Klansmen and white supremacists coming out of the fields with lighted torches ?
Veins bulging ?
Spewing the same anti-Semitic bile heard across Europe in the '30s ?
Remember the violent clash that ensued between those spreading hate and those with the courage to stand against it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There were quote `` very fine people on both sides . ''
It was a wake-up call for us as a country .
And for me , a call to action .
At that moment , I knew I 'd have to run .
My father taught us that silence was complicity .
And I could not remain silent or complicit .
At the time , I said we were in a battle for the soul of this nation .
And we are .
One of the most important conversations I 've had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is too young to vote .
I met with 6-year-old Gianna Floyd a day before her daddy , George Floyd , was laid to rest .
She is incredibly brave .
I 'll never forget .
When I leaned down to speak with her , she looked into my eyes and said `` Daddy changed the world . ''
Her words burrowed deep into my heart .
Maybe George Floyd 's murder was the breaking point .
Maybe John Lewis ' passing the inspiration .
However it has come to be , America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words , to lay down `` the heavy burdens of hate at last '' and to do the hard work of rooting out our systemic racism .
America 's history tells us that it has been in our darkest moments that we 've made our greatest progress .
That we 've found the light .
And in this dark moment , I believe we are poised to make great progress again .
That we can find the light once more .
I have always believed you can define America in one word : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I mean everyone , should be given the opportunity to go as far as their dreams and God-given ability will take them .
We can never lose that .
In times as challenging as these , I believe there is only one way forward .
As a united America .
United in our pursuit of a more perfect union .
United in our dreams of a better future for us and for our children .
united in our determination to make the coming years bright .
Are we ready ?
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great nation .
And we are a good and decent people .
This is the United States of America .
And there has never been anything we 've been unable to accomplish when we 've done it together .
The Irish poet Seamus Heaney once wrote : 'History says , Do n't hope on this side of the grave , But then , once in a lifetime The longed-for tidal wave Of justice can rise up , And hope and history rhyme . '
This is our moment to make hope and history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let us begin -- you and I together , one nation , under God -- united in our love for America and united in our love for each other .
For love is more powerful than hate .
Hope is more powerful than fear .
Light is more powerful than dark .
This is our moment .
This is our mission .
May history be able to say that the end of this chapter of American darkness began here tonight as love and hope and light joined in the battle for the soul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a battle that we , together , will win .
I promise you .
Thank you .
And may God bless you .
And may God protect our troops . ''

Former Vice President Joe Biden accepts the Democratic Party's nomination for president on Thursday during the virtual Democratic National Convention. UPI Photo | License Photo
Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Former Vice President Joe Biden accepted the Democratic nomination for president on Thursday in Delaware, capping the party's virtual national convention. The speech follows a 50-year career in politics for Biden, 77, who was elected to the U.S. Senate at age 29. Advertisement
He delivered his acceptance speech via video from his home state of Delaware, without a live audience, as a precaution amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Here is the full text of Biden's speech as prepared for delivery, released by the Democratic National Convention. (Read Poynter's fact check of the speech here.)
"Good evening.
Ella Baker, a giant of the civil rights movement, left us with this wisdom: Give people light and they will find a way.
Give people light.
Those are words for our time.
The current president has cloaked America in darkness for much too long. Too much anger. Too much fear. Too much division.
Advertisement
Here and now, I give you my word: If you entrust me with the presidency, I will draw on the best of us not the worst. I will be an ally of the light not of the darkness. It's time for us, for we the people, to come together.
For make no mistake. United we can, and will, overcome this season of darkness in America. We will choose hope over fear, facts over fiction, fairness over privilege.
I am a proud Democrat and I will be proud to carry the banner of our party into the general election. So, it is with great honor and humility that I accept this nomination for president of the United States of America.
But while I will be a Democratic candidate, I will be an American president. I will work as hard for those who didn't support me as I will for those who did.
That's the job of a president. To represent all of us, not just our base or our party. This is not a partisan moment. This must be an American moment.
It's a moment that calls for hope and light and love. Hope for our futures, light to see our way forward and love for one another. America isn't just a collection of clashing interests of red states or blue states.
Advertisement
We're so much bigger than that. We're so much better than that.
Nearly a century ago, Franklin Roosevelt pledged a New Deal in a time of massive unemployment, uncertainty and fear. Stricken by disease, stricken by a virus, FDR insisted that he would recover and prevail and he believed America could as well.
And he did.
And so can we.
This campaign isn't just about winning votes. It's about winning the heart, and yes, the soul of America. Winning it for the generous among us, not the selfish. Winning it for the workers who keep this country going, not just the privileged few at the top. Winning it for those communities who have known the injustice of the 'knee on the neck.' For all the young people who have known only an America of rising inequity and shrinking opportunity. They deserve to experience America's promise in full.
No generation ever knows what history will ask of it. All we can ever know is whether we'll be ready when that moment arrives.
And now history has delivered us to one of the most difficult moments America has ever faced.
Four historic crises. All at the same time. A perfect storm.
Advertisement
The worst pandemic in over 100 years. The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.
The most compelling call for racial justice since the '60s. And the undeniable realities and accelerating threats of climate change.
So, the question for us is simple: Are we ready?
I believe we are. We must be. All elections are important. But we know in our bones this one is more consequential. America is at an inflection point. A time of real peril, but of extraordinary possibilities.
We can choose the path of becoming angrier, less hopeful and more divided.
A path of shadow and suspicion.
Or we can choose a different path, and together, take this chance to heal, to be reborn, to unite. A path of hope and light.
This is a life-changing election that will determine America's future for a very long time.
Character is on the ballot. Compassion is on the ballot. Decency, science, democracy. They are all on the ballot.
Who we are as a nation. What we stand for. And, most importantly, who we want to be. That's all on the ballot.
And the choice could not be clearer. No rhetoric is needed. Just judge this president on the facts. Five million Americans infected with COVID-19. More than 170,000 Americans have died. By far the worst performance of any nation on Earth.
Advertisement
More than 50 million people have filed for unemployment this year. More than 10 million people are going to lose their health insurance this year. Nearly 1 in 6 small businesses have closed this year.
If this president is re-elected, we know what will happen. Cases and deaths will remain far too high. More mom-and-pop businesses will close their doors for good. Working families will struggle to get by, and yet, the wealthiest 1 percent will get tens of billions of dollars in new tax breaks.
And the assault on the Affordable Care Act will continue until it's destroyed, taking insurance away from more than 20 million people -- including more than 15 million people on Medicaid -- and getting rid of the protections that President [Barack] Obama and I passed for people who suffer from a pre-existing condition.
And speaking of President Obama, a man I was honored to serve alongside for eight years as vice president, let me take this moment to say something we don't say nearly enough. Thank you, Mr. President. You were a great president. A president our children could -- and did -- look up to.
Advertisement
No one will say that about the current occupant of the office. What we know about this president is if he's given four more years he will be what he's been the last four years. A president who takes no responsibility, refuses to lead, blames others, cozies up to dictators and fans the flames of hate and division.
He will wake up every day believing the job is all about him. Never about you.
Is that the America you want for you, your family, your children? I see a different America. One that is generous and strong. Selfless and humble. It's an America we can rebuild together.
As president, the first step I will take will be to get control of the virus that's ruined so many lives. Because I understand something this president doesn't. We will never get our economy back on track, we will never get our kids safely back to school, we will never have our lives back, until we deal with this virus.
The tragedy of where we are today is it didn't have to be this bad. Just look around. It's not this bad in Canada. Or Europe. Or Japan. Or almost anywhere else in the world.
Advertisement
The president keeps telling us the virus is going to disappear. He keeps waiting for a miracle. Well, I have news for him, no miracle is coming.
We lead the world in confirmed cases. We lead the world in deaths. Our economy is in tatters, with Black, Latino, Asian American and Native American communities bearing the brunt of it.
And after all this time, the president still does not have a plan.
Well, I do. If I'm president, on day one we'll implement the national strategy I've been laying out since March. We'll develop and deploy rapid tests with results available immediately. We'll make the medical supplies and protective equipment our country needs. And we'll make them here in America. So we will never again be at the mercy of China and other foreign countries in order to protect our own people.
We'll make sure our schools have the resources they need to be open, safe and effective. We'll put the politics aside and take the muzzle off our experts so the public gets the information they need and deserve. The honest, unvarnished truth. They can deal with that. We'll have a national mandate to wear a mask -- not as a burden, but to protect each other. It's a patriotic duty.
Advertisement
In short, I will do what we should have done from the very beginning. Our current president has failed in his most basic duty to this nation. He failed to protect us. He failed to protect America. And, my fellow Americans, that is unforgivable.
As president, I will make you this promise: I will protect America. I will defend us from every attack. Seen. And unseen. Always. Without exception. Every time.
Look, I understand it's hard to have hope right now. On this summer night, let me take a moment to speak to those of you who have lost the most.
I know how it feels to lose someone you love. I know that deep black hole that opens up in your chest. That you feel your whole being is sucked into it. I know how mean and cruel and unfair life can be sometimes. But I've learned two things. First, your loved ones may have left this Earth but they never leave your heart. They will always be with you. And second, I found the best way through pain and loss and grief is to find purpose.
As God's children, each of us has a purpose in our lives. And we have a great purpose as a nation: To open the doors of opportunity to all Americans. To save our democracy. To be a light to the world once again. To finally live up to and make real the words written in the sacred documents that founded this nation that all men and women are created equal. Endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. Among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Advertisement
You know, my dad was an honorable, decent man. He got knocked down a few times pretty hard, but always got up. He worked hard and built a great middle-class life for our family. He used to say, "Joey, I don't expect the government to solve my problems, but I expect it to understand them." And then he would say: "Joey, a job is about a lot more than a paycheck. It's about your dignity. It's about respect. It's about your place in your community. It's about looking your kids in the eye and say, honey, it's going to be okay."
I've never forgotten those lessons. That's why my economic plan is all about jobs, dignity, respect and community. Together, we can, and we will, rebuild our economy. And when we do, we'll not only build it back, we'll build it back better. With modern roads, bridges, highways, broadband, ports and airports as a new foundation for economic growth. With pipes that transport clean water to every community. With 5 million new manufacturing and technology jobs so the future is made in America. With a healthcare system that lowers premiums, deductibles and drug prices by building on the Affordable Care Act he's trying to rip away.
Advertisement
With an education system that trains our people for the best jobs of the 21st century, where cost doesn't prevent young people from going to college and student debt doesn't crush them when they get out. With child care and elder care that make it possible for parents to go to work and for the elderly to stay in their homes with dignity. With an immigration system that powers our economy and reflects our values. With newly empowered labor unions. With equal pay for women. With rising wages you can raise a family on. Yes, we're going to do more than praise our essential workers. We're finally going to pay them.
We can, and we will, deal with climate change. It's not only a crisis, it's an enormous opportunity. An opportunity for America to lead the world in clean energy and create millions of new good-paying jobs in the process. And we can pay for these investments by ending loopholes and the president's $1.3 trillion tax giveaway to the wealthiest 1 percent and the biggest, most profitable corporations, some of which pay no tax at all.
Because we don't need a tax code that rewards wealth more than it rewards work. I'm not looking to punish anyone. Far from it. But it's long past time the wealthiest people and the biggest corporations in this country paid their fair share. For our seniors, Social Security is a sacred obligation, a sacred promise made. The current president is threatening to break that promise. He's proposing to eliminate the tax that pays for almost half of Social Security without any way of making up for that lost revenue.
Advertisement
I will not let it happen. If I'm your president, we're going to protect Social Security and Medicare. You have my word.
One of the most powerful voices we hear in the country today is from our young people. They're speaking to the inequity and injustice that has grown up in America. Economic injustice. Racial injustice. Environmental injustice. I hear their voices and if you listen, you can hear them, too. And whether it's the existential threat posed by climate change, the daily fear of being gunned down in school, or the inability to get started in their first job -- it will be the work of the next president to restore the promise of America to everyone.
I won't have to do it alone. Because I will have a great vice president at my side -- Sen. Kamala Harris. She is a powerful voice for this nation. Her story is the American story. She knows about all the obstacles thrown in the way of so many in our country. Women, Black women, Black Americans, South Asian Americans, immigrants, the left out and left behind.
But she's overcome every obstacle she's ever faced. No one's been tougher on the big banks or the gun lobby. No one's been tougher in calling out this current administration for its extremism, its failure to follow the law and its failure to simply tell the truth.
Advertisement
Kamala and I both draw strength from our families. For Kamala, it's Doug and their families. For me, it's Jill and ours. No man deserves one great love in his life. But I've known two. After losing my first wife in a car accident, Jill came into my life and put our family back together. She's an educator. A mom. A military mom. And an unstoppable force. If she puts her mind to it, just get out of the way. Because she's going to get it done. She was a great second lady and she will make a great first lady for this nation, she loves this country so much. And I will have the strength that can only come from family. Hunter, Ashley and all our grandchildren, my brothers, my sister. They give me courage and lift me up.
And while he is no longer with us, Beau inspires me every day. Beau served our nation in uniform. A decorated Iraq War veteran. So I take very personally the profound responsibility of serving as commander in chief.
I will be a president who will stand with our allies and friends. I will make it clear to our adversaries the days of cozying up to dictators are over. Under President Biden, America will not turn a blind eye to Russian bounties on the heads of American soldiers. Nor will I put up with foreign interference in our most sacred democratic exercise -- voting.
Advertisement
I will stand always for our values of human rights and dignity. And I will work in common purpose for a more secure, peaceful and prosperous world.
History has thrust one more urgent task on us. Will we be the generation that finally wipes the stain of racism from our national character? I believe we're up to it. I believe we're ready.
Just a week ago yesterday was the third anniversary of the events in Charlottesville. Remember seeing those neo-Nazis and Klansmen and white supremacists coming out of the fields with lighted torches? Veins bulging? Spewing the same anti-Semitic bile heard across Europe in the '30s? Remember the violent clash that ensued between those spreading hate and those with the courage to stand against it? Remember what the president said? There were quote "very fine people on both sides."
It was a wake-up call for us as a country. And for me, a call to action. At that moment, I knew I'd have to run. My father taught us that silence was complicity. And I could not remain silent or complicit. At the time, I said we were in a battle for the soul of this nation. And we are.
Advertisement
One of the most important conversations I've had this entire campaign is with someone who is too young to vote. I met with 6-year-old Gianna Floyd a day before her daddy, George Floyd, was laid to rest. She is incredibly brave. I'll never forget. When I leaned down to speak with her, she looked into my eyes and said "Daddy changed the world."
Her words burrowed deep into my heart. Maybe George Floyd's murder was the breaking point. Maybe John Lewis' passing the inspiration. However it has come to be, America is ready to, in John's words, to lay down "the heavy burdens of hate at last" and to do the hard work of rooting out our systemic racism.
America's history tells us that it has been in our darkest moments that we've made our greatest progress. That we've found the light. And in this dark moment, I believe we are poised to make great progress again. That we can find the light once more.
I have always believed you can define America in one word: possibilities. That in America, everyone, and I mean everyone, should be given the opportunity to go as far as their dreams and God-given ability will take them. We can never lose that. In times as challenging as these, I believe there is only one way forward. As a united America. United in our pursuit of a more perfect union. United in our dreams of a better future for us and for our children. united in our determination to make the coming years bright. Are we ready?
Advertisement
I believe we are. This is a great nation. And we are a good and decent people. This is the United States of America. And there has never been anything we've been unable to accomplish when we've done it together. The Irish poet Seamus Heaney once wrote: 'History says, Don't hope on this side of the grave, But then, once in a lifetime The longed-for tidal wave Of justice can rise up, And hope and history rhyme.'
This is our moment to make hope and history rhyme. With passion and purpose, let us begin -- you and I together, one nation, under God -- united in our love for America and united in our love for each other. For love is more powerful than hate. Hope is more powerful than fear. Light is more powerful than dark. This is our moment.
This is our mission. May history be able to say that the end of this chapter of American darkness began here tonight as love and hope and light joined in the battle for the soul of the nation.
And this is a battle that we, together, will win. I promise you.
Thank you. And may God bless you. And may God protect our troops."
Advertisement
Moments from the virtual Democratic National Convention


upi--2020-08-21--Watch: Yara Shahidi thanks her 'support network' for success on 'Kimmel,' hosted by Anthony Anderson

Aug. 21 ( UPI ) -- Yara Shahidi told her Black-ish co-star Anthony Anderson , who was the guest host on Jimmy Kimmel Live , how her family and colleagues have helped her be successful .
Anderson , on Thursday , asked Shahidi how she has managed to attend Harvard , star in her own show Grown-ish , launch her own company and have an overall deal at Disney at 20-years-old .
`` With an incredible team of folks .
I have the best support network .
I mean , you know my whole family and I think we operate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families involved in every step of the process , '' Shahidi said .
`` I think fortunately I 've been surrounded by people who encourage me to do it all , '' she continued before mentioning how welcomed she felt on the set of Black-ish .
`` Even my first days on set , everyone 's supporting , figuring out how to balance my education with this show and every other passion that I had , '' the actress said .
Anderson was recently honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of @ @

Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Yara Shahidi told her Black-ish co-star Anthony Anderson, who was the guest host on Jimmy Kimmel Live, how her family and colleagues have helped her be successful.
Anderson, on Thursday, asked Shahidi how she has managed to attend Harvard, star in her own show Grown-ish, launch her own company and have an overall deal at Disney at 20-years-old.
Advertisement
"With an incredible team of folks. I have the best support network. I mean, you know my whole family and I think we operate very similarly, just always having our families involved in every step of the process," Shahidi said.
"I think fortunately I've been surrounded by people who encourage me to do it all," she continued before mentioning how welcomed she felt on the set of Black-ish.
"Even my first days on set, everyone's supporting, figuring out how to balance my education with this show and every other passion that I had," the actress said.
Shahidi stars in Netflix animated film, Fearless.
Anderson was recently honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.


upi--2020-08-21--In photos: Moments from the Democratic National Convention

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms , addressing the convention Thursday , had also been considered as a running mate for @ @ @ @ @ `` We know how important it is that we elect real servant leaders , leaders @ @ @ @ @ Harris -- people of honor and integrity , who hold justice close to their hearts @ @ @ @ @ of my four Black children matter . ''
UPI Photo

Joe Biden, joined by his wife, Jill Biden, said "This is a life-changing election that will determine America's future for a very long time. Character is on the ballot. Compassion is on the ballot. Decency, science, democracy. They're all on the ballot." UPI Photo


upi--2020-08-21--U.S. sees 44K new COVID-19 cases; CDC head expects more declines

Aug. 21 ( UPI ) -- For the third day in a row , new COVID-19 cases in the United States remained below 50,000 but new deaths exceeded 1,000 , according to new research data Friday .
There were 44,000 new cases on Thursday , according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University , a decrease of more than 2,000 cases from the previous day .
Thursday was the sixth straight day with fewer than 50,000 cases .
Last week , new U.S. cases averaged 52,500 per day .
The updated figures show there have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start of the pandemic , by far the most of any nation .
National data also showed nearly 1,100 deaths on Thursday , a slight decline , but the third straight day of at least 1,000 .
There have been 174,300 deaths in the United States since the start of the health crisis .
New cases have been on a gradual decline since their peak in the middle of July , and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield said Thursday there are positive signals .
`` Interventions are going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , '' he told the Journal of the American Medical Association in an interview .
`` You and I are going to see the cases continue to drop , and then hopefully this week and next week , you 're going to start seeing the death rate really start to drop again . ''
Redfield again warned the upcoming flu season could hamper efforts to curb the coronavirus unless Americans continue to be vigilant in taking necessary precautions , like distancing and wearing face coverings .
`` This fall and winter could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health times we have with the two coming at the same time , '' he said , adding that the CDC bought an additional 9 million doses of flu vaccine to prepare .
The CDC head said he 's optimistic that Americans will heed warnings to keep complying with mitigation measures in the coming months .
More than 100 of Thursday 's deaths were recorded in Florida , where the state 's case total is near 590,000 .
The only other state with more cases is California , which has seen nearly 640,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In South Dakota , several new cases have been linked to the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally , health officials said Thursday .
Panhandle Public Health Director Kim Engel told reporters Sturgis was identified as the point of origin through contact investigations .
More than 460,000 people attended the annual 10-day event , which ended Sunday .
The crowds were only slightly smaller than they were in 2019 , despite the health crisis .
The rally drew widespread concern that it could become a `` super-spreader '' event .
Witnesses reported crowds of attendees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerts .
South Dakota has recorded just 10,600 COVID-19 cases , fewer than all but nine other states .
USA Today reported Friday that the state 's neighbor to the north , North Dakota , set a record for new cases over the past week , as did Iowa .
Nevada , Tennessee and Puerto Rico saw record deaths over that same span , the report noted .

A construction worker is seen wearing a face mask to guard against and prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease as he directs traffic in New York City on Thursday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 21 (UPI) -- For the third day in a row, new COVID-19 cases in the United States remained below 50,000 but new deaths exceeded 1,000, according to new research data Friday. There were 44,000 new cases on Thursday, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, a decrease of more than 2,000 cases from the previous day. Advertisement
Thursday was the sixth straight day with fewer than 50,000 cases. Last week, new U.S. cases averaged 52,500 per day.
The updated figures show there have been 5.575 million coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic, by far the most of any nation.
National data also showed nearly 1,100 deaths on Thursday, a slight decline, but the third straight day of at least 1,000. There have been 174,300 deaths in the United States since the start of the health crisis.
New cases have been on a gradual decline since their peak in the middle of July, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield said Thursday there are positive signals.
"Interventions are going to have a lag of three or four weeks," he told the Journal of the American Medical Association in an interview. "You and I are going to see the cases continue to drop, and then hopefully this week and next week, you're going to start seeing the death rate really start to drop again."
Advertisement
Redfield again warned the upcoming flu season could hamper efforts to curb the coronavirus unless Americans continue to be vigilant in taking necessary precautions, like distancing and wearing face coverings.
"This fall and winter could be one of the most complicated public health times we have with the two coming at the same time," he said, adding that the CDC bought an additional 9 million doses of flu vaccine to prepare.
The CDC head said he's optimistic that Americans will heed warnings to keep complying with mitigation measures in the coming months.
More than 100 of Thursday's deaths were recorded in Florida, where the state's case total is near 590,000. The only other state with more cases is California, which has seen nearly 640,000 since the start of the pandemic.
In South Dakota, several new cases have been linked to the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally, health officials said Thursday.
Panhandle Public Health Director Kim Engel told reporters Sturgis was identified as the point of origin through contact investigations.
More than 460,000 people attended the annual 10-day event, which ended Sunday. The crowds were only slightly smaller than they were in 2019, despite the health crisis.
The rally drew widespread concern that it could become a "super-spreader" event. Witnesses reported crowds of attendees without face masks at packed bars and concerts.
Advertisement
South Dakota has recorded just 10,600 COVID-19 cases, fewer than all but nine other states.
USA Today reported Friday that the state's neighbor to the north, North Dakota, set a record for new cases over the past week, as did Iowa. Nevada, Tennessee and Puerto Rico saw record deaths over that same span, the report noted.


upi--2020-08-21--NBA playoffs: Davis leads Lakers to bounce-back win over Blazers

Aug. 21 ( UPI ) -- The top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers looked vulnerable in Game 1 of their playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers , but bounced back to rout the No .
8 seed in Game 2 behind a strong effort from Anthony Davis .
Davis scored a game-high 31 points and had 11 rebounds in the 111-88 win Thursday in Orlando , Fla. , to help his squad even the first-round Western Conference series at 1-1 .
`` I knew I could be better on both ends of the floor , '' Davis told reporters .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mindset to be aggressive and do whatever I had to do to help us get the win . ''
LeBron James had 10 points , seven assists and six rebounds in the win .
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 16 points for the Lakers .
`` It 's just one game , '' James said .
`` We wanted to execute for 48 minutes .
... We knew we could n't have as many defensive lapses and breakdowns coming into this game , no matter the score , which would give us a chance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blazers to just 35 % shooting in the first half and Davis scored 21 points to spark a 56-39 lead at the break .
Los Angeles pushed the lead to 88-58 by the end of the third quarter .
The Lakers led by as many as 32 points .
J.R. Smith came off the Lakers bench to score 11 points in the fourth quarter .
Blazers guard Damian Lillard scored 18 points and made just one of his seven 3-point attempts in the loss .
C.J .
McCollum scored 13 points for Portland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- dislocated the index finger on his left hand during the loss , but expects to play in the next game of the series .
The Blazers face the Lakers in Game 3 at 8:30 p.m. EDT Saturday in Orlando .
`` We just got outplayed , '' Lillard said .
`` We came out and won the first game so it 's natural for them to come out and be a little more aggressive and have more fight .
We did n't come out relaxed , they just went after it harder @ @ @ @ @

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis scored a game-high 31 points in a win over the Portland Trail Blazers Thursday in Orlando, Fla. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 21 (UPI) -- The top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers looked vulnerable in Game 1 of their playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers, but bounced back to rout the No. 8 seed in Game 2 behind a strong effort from Anthony Davis. Davis scored a game-high 31 points and had 11 rebounds in the 111-88 win Thursday in Orlando, Fla., to help his squad even the first-round Western Conference series at 1-1. Advertisement
"I knew I could be better on both ends of the floor," Davis told reporters. "I wanted to come out with the mindset to be aggressive and do whatever I had to do to help us get the win."
LeBron James had 10 points, seven assists and six rebounds in the win. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 16 points for the Lakers.
"It's just one game," James said. "We wanted to execute for 48 minutes. ... We knew we couldn't have as many defensive lapses and breakdowns coming into this game, no matter the score, which would give us a chance of winning."
Advertisement
The Lakers held the Blazers to just 35% shooting in the first half and Davis scored 21 points to spark a 56-39 lead at the break. Los Angeles pushed the lead to 88-58 by the end of the third quarter. The Lakers led by as many as 32 points.
J.R. Smith came off the Lakers bench to score 11 points in the fourth quarter.
Blazers guard Damian Lillard scored 18 points and made just one of his seven 3-point attempts in the loss. C.J. McCollum scored 13 points for Portland.
Lillard -- the NBA Bubble MVP -- dislocated the index finger on his left hand during the loss, but expects to play in the next game of the series.
The Blazers face the Lakers in Game 3 at 8:30 p.m. EDT Saturday in Orlando.
"We just got outplayed," Lillard said. "We came out and won the first game so it's natural for them to come out and be a little more aggressive and have more fight. We didn't come out relaxed, they just went after it harder than we did."
Moments from LeBron James' career


upi--2020-08-21--Comedy Central cancels 'Tosh.O,' series to end with Season 12

Aug. 21 ( UPI ) -- Comedy Central has canceled comedy series Tosh.O ahead of the show 's Season 12 premiere .
The show will end on Comedy Central with Season 12 , which will arrive on Sept. 15 with 10 episodes .
The finale will air on Nov. 24 .
Comedy Central previously renewed the series for four more seasons in January .
ViacomCBS , which owns Comedy Central , and host Daniel Tosh , will be shopping the show to other networks and digital platforms .
Tosh.O , first launched in 2009 , features Tosh poking fun at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Central 's longest-running weekly live-action show .
Comedy Central recently canceled Drunk History after six seasons after the show was renewed for a seventh season .
The network has been moving toward animated programming and has ordered a Beavis and Butt-Head revival , a Ren & Stimpy Show reboot and a Daria spinoff titled Jodie .
`` After 12 years together , comedy central and i are consciously uncoupling .
they get the cartoons , and i 'm heading to any network with stronger wifi # twelvemoreyears , '' Tosh said on Twitter @

Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Comedy Central has canceled comedy series Tosh.O ahead of the show's Season 12 premiere.
The show will end on Comedy Central with Season 12, which will arrive on Sept. 15 with 10 episodes. The finale will air on Nov. 24.
Advertisement
Comedy Central previously renewed the series for four more seasons in January. ViacomCBS, which owns Comedy Central, and host Daniel Tosh, will be shopping the show to other networks and digital platforms.
Tosh.O, first launched in 2009, features Tosh poking fun at viral videos. The series is Comedy Central's longest-running weekly live-action show.
Comedy Central recently canceled Drunk History after six seasons after the show was renewed for a seventh season.
The network has been moving toward animated programming and has ordered a Beavis and Butt-Head revival, a Ren & Stimpy Show reboot and a Daria spinoff titled Jodie.
Advertisement
"After 12 years together, comedy central and i are consciously uncoupling. they get the cartoons, and i'm heading to any network with stronger wifi #twelvemoreyears," Tosh said on Twitter.


upi--2020-08-21--Russian doctors deny effort to move Alexei Navalny to Germany

Aug. 21 ( UPI ) -- Russian doctors treating opposition leader Alexei Navalny refused Friday to allow him to be transferred to Germany , adding to the mystery of his condition .
Navalny , a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin , remained unconscious at a Siberian Hospital in Omsk .
He was traveling from Tomsk to Moscow on Thursday after supporting independent candidates when he became ill. Kira Yarmysh , Navalny 's spokeswoman , said Friday doctors believe he was poisoned but the chief physician said they could find `` no trace '' of poison in his system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reluctance to transfer him to a facility in Germany .
`` Until now , doctors had said that they are ready to authorize transportation , '' Yarmysh tweeted .
`` That is why we organized it in the shortest possible time .
Now , at the last moment , doctors are not giving permission .
`` This decision , of course , was not made by them but by the Kremlin . ''
Siberian doctors said Navalny 's condition was unstable and he could not be moved -- despite an air ambulance team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron both have offered assistance expatriating Navalny for specialist treatment in Germany .
Navalny 's supporters say they believe his best chance for recovery is to get out of Russia .
Omsk hospital chief Alexander Murakhovsky said his medical staff is working on five possible diagnoses for Navalny 's illness , and that it will take two days for test results .

Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny addresses supporters and speaks against the re-election of President Vladimir Putin, in Moscow, Russia, on May 5, 2018. File Photo by Dmitry Serebryakov/EPA-EFE
Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Russian doctors reversed course Friday and gave permission for opposition leader Alexei Navalny to be transferred to a hospital in Berlin for treatment of a mysterious condition. Earlier Friday, the medical team treating Navalny at Omsk Emergency Hospital No. 1 refused to allow him to be moved, insisting he was too unstable to travel. Advertisement
Navalny, a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was unconscious at a Siberian hospital Friday. His spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh, said an emergency medical plane plans to transfer him to Charite hospital in Berlin soon.
"The patient is in stable condition," said Anatoly Kalinichenko, deputy chief physician at the Omsk hospital. "Having the request from relatives to allow him to be transported somewhere, we have at this point decided that we do not object to his transfer to another hospital, as will be indicated by his relatives."
Navalny was traveling with Yarmysh from Tomsk to Moscow on Thursday after supporting independent candidates when he became ill.
Yarmysh doctors believe he was poisoned but the chief physician said they could find "no trace" of poison in his system so far, raising suspicion about the reluctance to transfer him to a facility in Germany.
Advertisement
"This decision, of course, was not made by them [the doctors] but by the Kremlin," she said earlier Friday.
Alexander Murakhovsky, chief of medicine at Omsk hospital, said Navalny's condition may be caused by a metabolic disorder.
"Today we have some working diagnoses. The main one we are arriving at is the disorder in the carbohydrate balance, that is, a metabolic disorder. It may have been caused by a sudden drop in blood sugar levels," he said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron both have offered assistance expatriating Navalny for specialist treatment in Germany. Navalny's supporters say they believe his best chance for recovery is to get out of Russia.


upi--2020-08-21--Duncan Robinson pushes Heat to 2-0 lead on Pacers with 3-point barrage

Aug. 21 ( UPI ) -- Duncan Robinson made a franchise playoff record seven 3-pointers to lead the Miami Heat to a 109-100 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series .
The Heat now have a 2-0 lead in the series after the victory Thursday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando , Fla. Robinson scored a game-high 24 points and missed just one attempt from downtown in the triumph .
`` We wanted to come out with a really heightened sense of urgency and I thought we did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Game 3 is going to require more adjustments and we just have to continue to adapt . ''
The Heat made 51.4 % of their 3-point attempts in the win .
Miami 's 18 made 3-pointers as a team also set a franchise playoff record .
Goran Dragic and Jimmy Butler scored 20 and 18 points , respectively , for Miami .
Victor Oladipo scored 22 points for the Pacers .
The Pacers took a balanced approach and led 24-22 after the first quarter .
Miami and Indiana exchanged the lead several times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended the frame on a 7-2 run and took a 51-46 lead at halftime .
Robinson made three 3-pointers in the third quarter and the Heat used an 11-2 run for their biggest lead of the game before they ended the third frame with an 88-77 edge .
The Pacers used a late 6-0 run to climb within eight points of the lead , but could not close the gap down the stretch .
Heat rookie Tyler Herro had 15 points , five rebounds and three assists in the win .
Jae Crowder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Miami .
The Pacers held Heat star Bam Adebayo to just seven points .
`` Our guys understand what the pathway is for our success , '' Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said .
`` A lot of guys have to contribute .
We know where the ball will end up in the moments of truth , but we need a lot of contributions . ''
Myles Turner and Malcolm Brogdon scored 17 points apiece for the Pacers .
T.J. Warren scored 14 points in the loss .
The Heat face the Pacers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday in Orlando .
`` We have to go look at the film and just be better , honestly , '' Oladipo said after the loss .
`` The series is not over .
`` They are up 2-0 , but we just have to make adjustments to give ourselves a better chance to win next game . ''

Miami Heat guard Duncan Robinson (L) made 7 of 8 of his 3-point attempts during a playoff game against the Indiana Pacers Thursday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla. Photo by John G. Mabanglo/EPA-EFE
Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Duncan Robinson made a franchise playoff record seven 3-pointers to lead the Miami Heat to a 109-100 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series. The Heat now have a 2-0 lead in the series after the victory Thursday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla. Robinson scored a game-high 24 points and missed just one attempt from downtown in the triumph. Advertisement
"We wanted to come out with a really heightened sense of urgency and I thought we did that," Robinson said. "Game 3 is going to require more adjustments and we just have to continue to adapt."
The Heat made 51.4% of their 3-point attempts in the win. Miami's 18 made 3-pointers as a team also set a franchise playoff record.
Goran Dragic and Jimmy Butler scored 20 and 18 points, respectively, for Miami. Victor Oladipo scored 22 points for the Pacers.
The Pacers took a balanced approach and led 24-22 after the first quarter. Miami and Indiana exchanged the lead several times in the second quarter before the Heat ended the frame on a 7-2 run and took a 51-46 lead at halftime.
Advertisement
Robinson made three 3-pointers in the third quarter and the Heat used an 11-2 run for their biggest lead of the game before they ended the third frame with an 88-77 edge. The Pacers used a late 6-0 run to climb within eight points of the lead, but could not close the gap down the stretch.
Heat rookie Tyler Herro had 15 points, five rebounds and three assists in the win. Jae Crowder chipped in 10 points and eight rebounds for Miami. The Pacers held Heat star Bam Adebayo to just seven points.
"Our guys understand what the pathway is for our success," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "A lot of guys have to contribute. We know where the ball will end up in the moments of truth, but we need a lot of contributions."
Myles Turner and Malcolm Brogdon scored 17 points apiece for the Pacers. T.J. Warren scored 14 points in the loss.
The Heat face the Pacers in Game 3 at 3:30 p.m. EDT Saturday in Orlando.
"We have to go look at the film and just be better, honestly," Oladipo said after the loss. "The series is not over.
Advertisement
"They are up 2-0, but we just have to make adjustments to give ourselves a better chance to win next game."


upi--2020-08-21--Ben Affleck set to return as Batman in 'The Flash'

Aug. 21 ( UPI ) -- Ben Affleck will be suiting up as Batman once again in DC 's upcoming The Flash movie starring Ezra Miller as the Scarlet Speedster .
The film 's director Andy Muschietti ( It ) made the announcement on Thursday in an interview with Vanity Fair .
`` He 's a very substantial part of the emotional impact of the movie .
The interaction and relationship between Barry and Affleck 's Wayne will bring an emotional level that we have n't seen before , '' the filmmaker said .
Miller 's Flash 's real name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be joined by Micheal Keaton in the film who is also reprising his role as Batman .
Keaton famously played the Caped Crusader in 1989 's Batman and 1992 's Batman Returns , both from director Tim Burton .
Miller 's Flash will be traveling through different dimensions where he will meet different versions of DC 's stable of characters .
Affleck and Miller already teamed up in 2017 's Justice League .
The Flash has no release date .
Affleck announced in February 2019 that he would not be returning as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 's Batman v Superman : Dawn of Justice , 2016 's Suicide Squad and then Justice League .
The actor appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live where he retired his cape and cowl .
Affleck was also set to star in and direct his own standalone Batman film but stepped down from the project in 2017 .
Filmmaker Matt Reeves stepped in and will be releasing The Batman starring Robert Pattinson as The Dark Knight on Oct. 1 , 2021 .
Affleck 's Batman and Miller 's Flash will also be featured in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes to HBO Max in 2021 .
Zack Snyder 's Justice League is a different version of the Justice League film that was handled by Joss Whedon after Snyder left the project following a family tragedy .
This new version will be Snyder 's original vision for the film and will feature new scenes and characters .
Footage and announcements regarding Zack Snyder 's Justice League , The Batman and more will be release Saturday during the DC FanDome virtual event .

1/3
Ben Affleck will be returning as Batman in the upcoming "Flash" movie. File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Ben Affleck will be suiting up as Batman once again in DC's upcoming The Flash movie starring Ezra Miller as the Scarlet Speedster. The film's director Andy Muschietti (It) made the announcement on Thursday in an interview with Vanity Fair. Advertisement
"He's a very substantial part of the emotional impact of the movie. The interaction and relationship between Barry and Affleck's Wayne will bring an emotional level that we haven't seen before," the filmmaker said. Miller's Flash's real name is Barry Allen.
Affleck and Miller will be joined by Micheal Keaton in the film who is also reprising his role as Batman. Keaton famously played the Caped Crusader in 1989's Batman and 1992's Batman Returns, both from director Tim Burton.
Miller's Flash will be traveling through different dimensions where he will meet different versions of DC's stable of characters. Affleck and Miller already teamed up in 2017's Justice League.
The Flash has no release date.
Affleck announced in February 2019 that he would not be returning as Batman after appearing as the character in 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, 2016's Suicide Squad and then Justice League. The actor appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live where he retired his cape and cowl.
Advertisement
Affleck was also set to star in and direct his own standalone Batman film but stepped down from the project in 2017. Filmmaker Matt Reeves stepped in and will be releasing The Batman starring Robert Pattinson as The Dark Knight on Oct. 1, 2021.
Affleck's Batman and Miller's Flash will also be featured in Zack Snyder's Justice League, which comes to HBO Max in 2021.
Zack Snyder's Justice League is a different version of the Justice League film that was handled by Joss Whedon after Snyder left the project following a family tragedy. This new version will be Snyder's original vision for the film and will feature new scenes and characters.
Footage and announcements regarding Zack Snyder's Justice League, The Batman and more will be release Saturday during the DC FanDome virtual event.


upi--2020-08-21--Watch live: Postmaster General Louis DeJoy testifies in Senate on USPS changes

Aug. 21 ( UPI ) -- Postmaster General Louis DeJoy will testify before the Senate on Friday amid some concern about the ability of the United States Postal Service to adequately deliver mail-in ballots for the November presidential election .
DeJoy will appear before the Senate homeland security and governmental affairs committee at 9 a.m. EDT to discuss recent policy changes made in the USPS that are believed to be delaying mail delivery times , as many states prepare for an influx of ballots due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` There is simply no excuse for why Postmaster General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disrupted mail service for Michiganders and people in communities all across the country during an unprecedented public health and economic crisis , '' said Sen. Gary Peters , D-Mich. , the panel 's ranking Democrat .
Amid budget issues , DeJoy has led an organizational overhaul of the USPS .
Among the changes has been removing mail sorting machines , including some typically used to process mail-in ballots , and cutting overtime for postal carriers .
Earlier this month , the USPS warned 46 states and Washington , D.C. , that some mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the election , saying time frames and deadlines for absentee voting would be `` incongruous '' with delivery standards .
DeJoy said Tuesday , however , that the USPS would suspend some of the changes until after the Nov. 3 vote , `` to avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail '' and pledged the service would be able to handle the expected increase of the volume of mail-in ballots .
The postmaster general , who was appointed by President Donald Trump in June , has said he will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to coordinate with state and local officials and keep retail hours at post offices the same .
He also vowed that mail sorting equipment and collection boxes will remain in place , that no mail processing facilities will be closed and overtime will be approved as needed .
It was not immediately clear whether DeJoy will return collection boxes and sorting machines that have already been removed .
DeJoy has also agreed to testify before the House oversight and reform committee on Monday .
Trump has repeatedly denounced voting by mail , claiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but all available evidence has found that mailing absentee ballots does not increase the likelihood of fraud .
Trump himself regularly votes by mail in Florida .

Postmaster General of the United States Louis DeJoy is seen on August 5 as he walks to a meeting with Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to discuss the agency's need for emergency funding, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Photo by Sarah Silbiger/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Postmaster General Louis DeJoy told senators Friday that he's "extremely, highly confident" that the U.S. Postal Service will be able to process all mail-in ballots, even those sent close to Election Day. Despite his confidence, he warned all Americans who will vote by mail to send in their ballots as soon as possible to avoid delays. Advertisement
DeJoy appeared before the Senate homeland security and governmental affairs committee to defend recent changes to the USPS and address concerns by Democrats that President Donald Trump's administration is attempting to hinder the postal service's ability to deliver absentee ballots for a political advantage.
"We will scour every plant each night leading up to Election Day," he said in response to questioning by Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah.
He said some state deadlines for returning ballots complicates the USPS' ability to process them in a timely manner.
Advertisement
Earlier this month, the USPS warned 46 states and Washington, D.C., that some mail ballots might not be counted in time for the election, saying time frames and deadlines for absentee voting would be "incongruous" with delivery standards.
"As we head into the election season, I want to assure this committee and the American public that the Postal Service is fully capable and committed to delivering the nation's election mail securely and on time," DeJoy said in his opening statement.
"This sacred duty is my number one priority between now and election day."
Citing financial hardships that existed before the COVID-19 pandemic, DeJoy said the USPS is "at fundamental risk" of failing its goals to deliver mail "in an efficient and financially self-sustaining fashion." He also called for a quick infusion of aid to cover the budget gaps exacerbated by the health crisis.
DeJoy said accusations that arose from changes he ordered for the Postal Service -- including the removal of mail sorting machines and cuts to overtime pay -- have been politically motivated.
"I'd like to emphasize that there has been no changes in any policies with regard to election mail for the 2020 election," he testified, adding that he didn't consult with Trump about the changes.
Advertisement
Responding to questioning by Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., DeJoy said that though he's placed a hold on changes he was brought in to make at the USPS, there will be multiple cost-cutting measures put in place after the election is over. Those changes include increased pricing, and post office and processing plant closures.
"We are considering dramatic changes to improve the service to the American people, yes," he said, adding that mail delivery is "a very, very competitive market out there now."
Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., the panel's ranking Democrat, said in his opening statement that DeJoy owes Americans an apology for "harm" he's caused.
"The country is anxious about whether the damage you have inflicted so far can be quickly reversed and what other plans you have in store that could further disrupt or damage reliable, timely delivery from the Postal Service," Peters said.
DeJoy said Tuesday that some of the changes would be delayed until after the Nov. 3 vote, "to avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail" and pledged the service would be able to handle the expected increase of the volume of mail-in ballots.
Advertisement
The postmaster general, who took office in June, said he will expand a task force on election mail to coordinate with state and local officials and keep retail hours at post offices the same. He also vowed that mail sorting equipment and collection boxes will remain in place, that no mail processing facilities will be closed, and overtime will be approved as needed.
DeJoy also agreed to testify before the House oversight and reform committee on Monday.
Trump has repeatedly denounced voting by mail, claiming that it would invite voter fraud. A study by Stanford University's Democracy and Polarization Lab in April, though, found that mail-in voting doesn't favor one political party over another, nor does it invite more frequent incidents of fraud.
Trump himself regularly votes by mail in Florida.
A Gallup poll released in April indicated that 70% of Americans favor allowing all registered voters to vote by mail.