upi--2020-07-31--Art imitates life for Val Kilmer, daughter Mercedes, in 'Paydirt'

NEW YORK , July 31 ( UPI ) -- Mercedes Kilmer said she was happy to make her feature film debut in Paydirt opposite a talented leading man -- her father , Top Gun and The Doors icon Val Kilmer .
`` It gave me a challenge because it was like getting in touch with an experience that is so close to my own that it is nearly indistinguishable .
It was really fun , '' she told UPI in a phone interview Friday .
The crime thriller casts Val Kilmer as retired Sheriff Tucker , who is tracking a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crew to reclaim millions of dollars stolen five years earlier during a Drug Enforcement Agency bust gone awry .
The actress plays the lawman 's daughter , Jamie , a young assistant district attorney and the peacekeeper between Tucker and her mother .
`` It is really similar to life , although neither my father nor I would be in law enforcement , if we were n't actors , '' Kilmer laughed .
`` They are in a similar business and this idea of him passing on some of his experience to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that does have a real-life reflection does give the material a lot of depth . ''
A battle with throat cancer several years ago damaged Val 's voice , leaving it difficult for him to speak .
A voice-over actor was used to dub his lines in Paydirt .
`` It was such a profound learning experience to work with -- not only my dad -- but any disabled actor , '' Kilmer said .
`` It really revealed how narrow my training had been . ''
She described her dad 's performance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't really think of a lot of films that have a lead with such a pronounced disability , especially one that is so central to acting as a disability of speech , '' Kilmer said .
`` The fact that he is doing this , I think , will open a lot of doors for other actors of different abilities and I could n't be more proud to have been involved in that . ''
Kilmer said she was `` not at liberty to discuss '' whether she or anyone from her family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on which filmmaker Ron Howard is working for Disney+ '' That 's very exciting .
I love Willow .
That is why I exist , '' she said , referring to how her now-divorced parents Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley met and fell in love in the original 1988 film .
While most film and TV productions have been shut down in North America due to the coronavirus pandemic , Kilmer has been making good use of her time -- learning new technologies for performance , auditioning for roles and doing voice work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 40 plays on Zoom , '' the actress said .
`` We were doing three a week and then I actually had to slow down because I had no time to do anything else , '' she added .
`` What I love about being an actor is that it gives you tools to make any challenge into a source of potential inspiration . ''
Co-starring Luke Goss , Mirtha Michelle , Mara Fimbres and Mike Hatton , Paydirt will be released in theaters and on digital and video-on-demand platforms Aug. 7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christian Sesma .

Val Kilmer (L) and Mercedes Kilmer star in "Paydirt." Photo courtesy of Uncork'd Entertainment
NEW YORK, July 31 (UPI) -- Mercedes Kilmer said she was happy to make her feature film debut in Paydirt opposite a talented leading man -- her father, Top Gun and The Doors icon Val Kilmer. "It gave me a challenge because it was like getting in touch with an experience that is so close to my own that it is nearly indistinguishable. It was really fun," she told UPI in a phone interview Friday. Advertisement
The crime thriller casts Val Kilmer as retired Sheriff Tucker, who is tracking a parolee as he reunites with his old crew to reclaim millions of dollars stolen five years earlier during a Drug Enforcement Agency bust gone awry.
The actress plays the lawman's daughter, Jamie, a young assistant district attorney and the peacekeeper between Tucker and her mother.
"It is really similar to life, although neither my father nor I would be in law enforcement, if we weren't actors," Kilmer laughed.
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"They are in a similar business and this idea of him passing on some of his experience to the next generation, and the fact that that does have a real-life reflection does give the material a lot of depth."
A battle with throat cancer several years ago damaged Val's voice, leaving it difficult for him to speak.
A voice-over actor was used to dub his lines in Paydirt.
"It was such a profound learning experience to work with -- not only my dad -- but any disabled actor," Kilmer said. "It really revealed how narrow my training had been."
She described her dad's performance "historic."
"I can't really think of a lot of films that have a lead with such a pronounced disability, especially one that is so central to acting as a disability of speech," Kilmer said.
"The fact that he is doing this, I think, will open a lot of doors for other actors of different abilities and I couldn't be more proud to have been involved in that."
Kilmer said she was "not at liberty to discuss" whether she or anyone from her family will be in the new Willow series on which filmmaker Ron Howard is working for Disney+
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"That's very exciting. I love Willow. That is why I exist," she said, referring to how her now-divorced parents Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley met and fell in love in the original 1988 film.
While most film and TV productions have been shut down in North America due to the coronavirus pandemic, Kilmer has been making good use of her time -- learning new technologies for performance, auditioning for roles and doing voice work remotely.
"I did at least over 40 plays on Zoom," the actress said.
"We were doing three a week and then I actually had to slow down because I had no time to do anything else," she added. "What I love about being an actor is that it gives you tools to make any challenge into a source of potential inspiration."
Co-starring Luke Goss, Mirtha Michelle, Mara Fimbres and Mike Hatton, Paydirt will be released in theaters and on digital and video-on-demand platforms Aug. 7. It was written and directed by Christian Sesma.


upi--2020-07-31--Watch: Deputies rescue bear cubs trapped in Colorado dumpster

July 31 ( UPI ) -- Sheriff 's deputies in Colorado came to the rescue of three bear cubs that @ @ @ @ @ commercial dumpster .
The Jefferson County Sheriff 's Office said deputies responded to a late @ @ @ @ @ of the public who reported finding the cubs trapped in the trash receptacle .
`` @ @ @ @ @ they approached the dumpster , the angry mom was guarding her babies and would n't @ @ @ @ @ the sheriff 's office said in a Facebook post .
Deputies arrived to find the @ @ @ @ @ and it was surrounded on all sides by a metal fence .
`` Deputies worked @ @ @ @ @ on mom while safely flipping open the dumpster lids , '' the post said .
@ @ @ @ @ out while a third , affectionately referred to as 'sweet pea ' in the video @ @ @ @ @ help to rejoin the family . ''

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July 31 (UPI) -- Sheriff's deputies in Colorado came to the rescue of three bear cubs that wound up trapped inside a commercial dumpster.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded to a late night call from a member of the public who reported finding the cubs trapped in the trash receptacle.
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"The caller reported that when they approached the dumpster, the angry mom was guarding her babies and wouldn't let anyone near," the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post.
Deputies arrived to find the dumpster's lid was closed and it was surrounded on all sides by a metal fence.
"Deputies worked together to keep an eye on mom while safely flipping open the dumpster lids," the post said. "Two cubs immediately scrambled out while a third, affectionately referred to as 'sweet pea' in the video, needed a little extra help to rejoin the family."


upi--2020-07-31--Navy's esports team streaming again after pause for review

July 31 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Navy said its esports team will resume streaming on the Twitch social media channel on Friday , after pausing several weeks ago to review guidelines .
The esports team , called Goats and Glory , is comprised of Navy personnel engaged in military-oriented video games , welcoming online observers to watch and chat .
A Navy statement on Thursday said the program is `` designed for outreach and awareness '' and is specifically not a recruiting tool , although anyone inquiring about Navy enlistment is directed to a recruiting website .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Internet on Friday , the statement said .
The team , and another formed by the U.S. Army , banned about 300 viewers after questions about war crimes were brought up .
First Amendment advocacy groups , notably the Knight First Amendment Institute , decried the bans last week , demanding that viewer privileges be restored .
`` When the government intentionally opens a space to the public at large for expressive activity , it has created a 'public forum'under the First Amendment , and it can not constitutionally bar speakers from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the institute said last week in letters to the Army and Navy .
The institute 's opinion led to a week-long pause of esports streaming to `` review internal policies and procedures , as well as platform-specific policies , to ensure guidelines for participating in the space are clear , '' Thursday 's statement from the Navy said .
Each service branch has an esports team , used not only to play video games but to answer questions posed to active and reserve personnel on a variety of matters , including life in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an avenue to start a conversation , '' Maj. Gen. Frank Muth , Army Recruiting Command chief , said in an interview in July .
`` We go out there and we have a shared passion for esports , and it naturally devolves into a conversation ... 'What do you do ? '
' I 'm in the army . '
'' The outreach included a chat , since dropped after viewer complaints , offering prizes in a giveaway to viewers who clicked a certain link .
That link took them to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a platform owned by Amazon.com , said is a a violation of its terms of service .
An amendment to the House Committee on Appropriations bill setting the Pentagon budget , calling for a ban on military recruiting on Twitch , failed in a House vote on Thursday .
`` Children should not be targeted in general for many marketing purposes in addition to military service , '' Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , D-N.Y. , said on the House floor in support of the amendment .
`` Right now , currently , children on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banner ads linked to recruitment signup forms that can be submitted by children as young as 12 years old , '' Ocasio-Cortez said .
`` These are not education outreach programs for the military . ''

The U.S. Navy's "Goats and Glory" esports team will return to the Internet on Friday, following a review of its policies and procedures. Photo by MCS2 Zachary Eshleman/U.S. Navy
July 31 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy said its esports team will resume streaming on the Twitch social media channel on Friday, after pausing several weeks ago to review guidelines. The esports team, called Goats and Glory, is comprised of Navy personnel engaged in military-oriented video games, welcoming online observers to watch and chat. Advertisement
A Navy statement on Thursday said the program is "designed for outreach and awareness" and is specifically not a recruiting tool, although anyone inquiring about Navy enlistment is directed to a recruiting website.
The Navy esports team planned to return to the Internet on Friday, the statement said.
The team, and another formed by the U.S. Army, banned about 300 viewers after questions about war crimes were brought up. First Amendment advocacy groups, notably the Knight First Amendment Institute, decried the bans last week, demanding that viewer privileges be restored.
"When the government intentionally opens a space to the public at large for expressive activity, it has created a 'public forum'under the First Amendment, and it cannot constitutionally bar speakers from that forum based on viewpoint," the institute said last week in letters to the Army and Navy.
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The institute's opinion led to a week-long pause of esports streaming to "review internal policies and procedures, as well as platform-specific policies, to ensure guidelines for participating in the space are clear," Thursday's statement from the Navy said.
Each service branch has an esports team, used not only to play video games but to answer questions posed to active and reserve personnel on a variety of matters, including life in the military.
"Esports is just an avenue to start a conversation,"Maj. Gen. Frank Muth, Army Recruiting Command chief, said in an interview in July. "We go out there and we have a shared passion for esports, and it naturally devolves into a conversation ... 'What do you do?' 'I'm in the army.'"
The outreach included a chat, since dropped after viewer complaints, offering prizes in a giveaway to viewers who clicked a certain link. That link took them to a military recruiting website, which Twitch, a platform owned by Amazon.com, said is a a violation of its terms of service.
An amendment to the House Committee on Appropriations bill setting the Pentagon budget, calling for a ban on military recruiting on Twitch, failed in a House vote on Thursday.
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"Children should not be targeted in general for many marketing purposes in addition to military service," Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said on the House floor in support of the amendment.
"Right now, currently,children on platforms such as Twitch are bombarded with banner ads linked to recruitment signup forms that can be submitted by children as young as 12 years old," Ocasio-Cortez said. "These are not education outreach programs for the military."


upi--2020-07-31--CDC: 44% of attendees at Georgia overnight camp test positive for COVID-19

July 31 ( UPI ) -- Nearly half of the children and staff at an overnight camp held in Georgia in June tested positive for COVID-19 , according to data released Friday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Of 344 campers and staff members for whom test results were available , 260 -- or 44 % -- tested positive for the virus , according to the CDC .
Sixty-nine percent of the positive tests involved children aged 11 to 17 , and 20 % were reported in children aged 6 to 10 , the agency said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for only 344 of the 597 campers and staff members who attended , so it is possible more were infected with the virus , CDC researchers said .
The camp was held in compliance with an executive order issued by Georgia governor Brian Kemp that allowed overnight camps to operate beginning May 31 , the agency said .
The order required all trainees , staff members and campers to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 12 days of arrival and mandated that all staffers wear face coverings , CDC said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps '' for the agency 's guidance for youth and summer camps , it did not require campers to wear masks and `` camp attendees engaged in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities that included daily vigorous singing and cheering , which might have contributed to transmission , '' the agency said .
Its research of the outbreak `` found efficient spread of the virus among campers and staff while noting key steps to minimize the risk for [ COVID-19 ] introduction and transmission in camps were not strictly followed . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 27 , including a three-day staff orientation from June 17 to 20 , CDC said .
On June 23 , a teenage staff member left camp after developing chills the previous evening and tested positive for COVID-19 the next day , the agency said .
The camp then began to send attendees home .
More than 75 % of the confirmed cases had been residing in `` large cabins '' shared by up to 26 attendees and staff , CDC said .
Among 136 cases with available symptom data , 26 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 with symptoms , the most common were fever , 65 % ; headache , 61 % , and sore throat , 46 % , the agency said .
`` Settings , like multi-day , overnight summer camps , pose a unique challenge when it comes to preventing the spread of infectious diseases , considering the amount of time campers and staff members spend in close proximity , '' the CDC said .

Forty-four percent of attendees at an overnight camp in Georgia in June tested positive for COVID-19, CDC said. Photo by David Nisley/Pixabay
July 31 (UPI) -- Nearly half of the children and staff at an overnight camp held in Georgia in June tested positive for COVID-19, according to data released Friday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of 344 campers and staff members for whom test results were available, 260 -- or 44% -- tested positive for the virus, according to the CDC. Advertisement
Sixty-nine percent of the positive tests involved children aged 11 to 17, and 20% were reported in children aged 6 to 10, the agency said.
However, testing results were available for only 344 of the 597 campers and staff members who attended, so it is possible more were infected with the virus, CDC researchers said.
The camp was held in compliance with an executive order issued by Georgia governor Brian Kemp that allowed overnight camps to operate beginning May 31, the agency said.
The order required all trainees, staff members and campers to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 12 days of arrival and mandated that all staffers wear face coverings, CDC said.
While "the camp adopted some mitigation steps" for the agency's guidance for youth and summer camps, it did not require campers to wear masks and "camp attendees engaged in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities that included daily vigorous singing and cheering, which might have contributed to transmission," the agency said.
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Its research of the outbreak "found efficient spread of the virus among campers and staff while noting key steps to minimize the risk for [COVID-19] introduction and transmission in camps were not strictly followed."
The camp was held from June 17 to 27, including a three-day staff orientation from June 17 to 20, CDC said.
On June 23, a teenage staff member left camp after developing chills the previous evening and tested positive for COVID-19 the next day, the agency said. The camp then began to send attendees home.
More than 75% of the confirmed cases had been residing in "large cabins" shared by up to 26 attendees and staff, CDC said.
Among 136 cases with available symptom data, 26% patients reported no symptoms. For the 100 with symptoms, the most common were fever, 65%; headache, 61%, and sore throat, 46%, the agency said.
"Settings, like multi-day, overnight summer camps, pose a unique challenge when it comes to preventing the spread of infectious diseases, considering the amount of time campers and staff members spend in close proximity," the CDC said.


upi--2020-07-31--House passes $1.3T spending bill

House passes $1.3T spending bill

July 31 ( UPI ) -- The House on Friday approved a six-bill spending package to the tune of $ 1.3 trillion that includes some $ 210 billion for emergency funding in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
The chamber voted 217-197 in favor of the legislation , which funds the bulk of the government starting Oct. 1 .
The funding covers the departments of Defense , Labor , Health and Human Services , Education , Homeland Security , Justice , Transportation , and Energy .
The passage comes one week after the House voted for a spending bundle to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , interior and environment , military construction and Veterans Affairs .
That leaves two spending bills yet to be decided upon .
Included in the six bills passed Friday was a 3 % increase in pay for troops , $ 9.3 billion for F-25 fighter jets , $ 22.3 billion for new Navy ships and $ 758 million to fight COVID-19 among defense subcontractors .
It also provides funding for state and local health departments , medical research and other public health efforts .
Other funds are slotted for NASA , the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
`` This package prioritizes the lives and livelihoods of the American people and makes the strong investments needed to build a stronger future for every person , '' said Rep. Nita Lowey , D-N.Y. , chairwoman of the House appropriations committee .
Politico reported the legislation likely wo n't pass the Republican-held Senate , and President Donald Trump has threatened to veto it if it makes it to his desk .
If Congress and the president ca n't agree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it could threaten a government shutdown beginning with the new fiscal year , which could be devastating considering the economic downturn during the pandemic .

The latest spending package likely won't pass the Senate, and President Donald Trump has promised to veto it. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
July 31 (UPI) -- The House on Friday approved a six-bill spending package to the tune of $1.3 trillion that includes some $210 billion for emergency funding in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The chamber voted 217-197 in favor of the legislation, which funds the bulk of the government starting Oct. 1. The funding covers the departments of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Homeland Security, Justice, Transportation, and Energy. Advertisement
The passage comes one week after the House voted for a spending bundle to fund state and foreign operations, agriculture, interior and environment, military construction and Veterans Affairs.
That leaves two spending bills yet to be decided upon.
Included in the six bills passed Friday was a 3% increase in pay for troops, $9.3 billion for F-25 fighter jets, $22.3 billion for new Navy ships and $758 million to fight COVID-19 among defense subcontractors.
It also provides funding for state and local health departments, medical research and other public health efforts. Other funds are slotted for NASA, the National Science Foundation, law enforcement reforms, the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"This package prioritizes the lives and livelihoods of the American people and makes the strong investments needed to build a stronger future for every person," said Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., chairwoman of the House appropriations committee.
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Politico reported the legislation likely won't pass the Republican-held Senate, and President Donald Trump has threatened to veto it if it makes it to his desk.
If Congress and the president can't agree to terms on the spending bills, it could threaten a government shutdown beginning with the new fiscal year, which could be devastating considering the economic downturn during the pandemic.


upi--2020-07-31--Watch: Paramedics pull over to rescue skunk with cup stuck over head

July 31 ( UPI ) -- A pair of Ontario paramedics came to the rescue of a skunk struggling to @ @ @ @ @ stuck over its head .
Katelyn Knaap and Mary Schermel , paramedics with the Simcoe @ @ @ @ @ they were returning from a call in Barrie about 3:30 a.m. when they spotted a @ @ @ @ @ at the side of the road .
The women said they initially kept driving , @ @ @ @ @ and check on the animal 's welfare .
They said they returned to find the @ @ @ @ @ was running through the road with a Tim Hortons cup stuck over its head .
@ @ @ @ @ case the skunk sprayed and removed the cup while Schermel filmed video .
The paramedics @ @ @ @ @ after the rescue without spraying .

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July 31 (UPI) -- A pair of Ontario paramedics came to the rescue of a skunk struggling to free itself from a cup stuck over its head.
Katelyn Knaap and Mary Schermel, paramedics with the Simcoe County Paramedic Service, said they were returning from a call in Barrie about 3:30 a.m. when they spotted a small animal in apparent distress at the side of the road.
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The women said they initially kept driving, but decided to turn back and check on the animal's welfare.
They said they returned to find the animal, a skunk, was running through the road with a Tim Hortons cup stuck over its head.
Knaap donned protective gear in case the skunk sprayed and removed the cup while Schermel filmed video.
The paramedics said the skunk ran off after the rescue without spraying.


upi--2020-07-31--Look: Alligator removed from suburban Chicago lake

July 31 ( UPI ) -- Firefighters in a Chicago suburb said a 3 1/2-foot alligator was captured after being @ @ @ @ @ lake .
The Lynwood Fire Department said firefighters and police officers responded to Lake Lynwood @ @ @ @ @ of the public reported a large reptile swimming in the water .
A Chicago Herpetological @ @ @ @ @ alligators was summoned to the lake and the gator was safely captured Thursday .
The @ @ @ @ @ locals , will be quarantined for 30 days before being relocated to a new home @ @ @ @ @ .
It was unclear how the alligator ended up in the lake .

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July 31 (UPI) -- Firefighters in a Chicago suburb said a 3 1/2-foot alligator was captured after being spotted swimming in a local lake.
The Lynwood Fire Department said firefighters and police officers responded to Lake Lynwood on Wednesday morning after members of the public reported a large reptile swimming in the water.
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A Chicago Herpetological Society expert with experience capturing alligators was summoned to the lake and the gator was safely captured Thursday.
The alligator, dubbed Alex by locals, will be quarantined for 30 days before being relocated to a new home at a licensed reptile park.
It was unclear how the alligator ended up in the lake.


upi--2020-07-31--Lockheed, Boeing and Saab bid on Canada's fighter jet contract

July 31 ( UPI ) -- Lockheed Martin , with its F-35 fighter plane , joined Boeing and Saab on Friday in submitting bids to build advanced aircraft for Canada 's armed forces .
An upgrade to Canada 's fleet of CF-18 planes , first purchased in 1977 , is regarded as long overdue , and the process has been onerous .
A plan to purchase new planes first emerged in the 1990s , but changes in Canadian government , questions about the F-35 's cost , and longstanding suspicions that the Canadian military has preferred the F-35 over competitors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government/industry consultations and reviews .
The COVID-19 pandemic also pushed the final bid submission date to the end of July .
Lockheed 's F-35 , Boeing 's F/A-18 Super Hornet Block III and Saab 's Gripen E are under consideration .
The choice is further complicated by the benefits to Canadian industry if the F-35 is chosen .
`` Canada has been a valued partner since the inception of the Joint Strike Fighter competition , '' a Lockheed Martin statement on Friday said .
`` Canadian industry plays an integral role in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant technical expertise over the past 15-plus year involvement in the F-35 production . ''
The F-35 program would continue to bring manufacturing and production opportunities to Canada , with an estimated 150,000 jobs supported over the life of the program , in which more than 3,200 aircraft are expected to be delivered by 2060 , the Canadian Defense Review estimated on Friday .
The $ 19 billion program calls for eventual purchase of 88 new fighter planes , with initial payments due as Canada begins paying for four new Navy frigates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accrued in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic .
The first planes will not arrive until 2025 , and defense analyst Michael Byers of the University of British Columbia suggested that Canada will purchase fewer planes .
Byers noted that Conservative Party leadership , no longer in power , planned to buy only 65 planes , the minimum number the Canadian Air Force said at the time was required .

Lockheed Martin, builder of the F-35, submitted its bid to equip the Canadian armed forces with advanced fighter planes, it said on Friday. Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin/Flickr
July 31 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin, with its F-35 fighter plane, joined Boeing and Saab on Friday in submitting bids to build advanced aircraft for Canada's armed forces. An upgrade to Canada's fleet of CF-18 planes, first purchased in 1977, is regarded as long overdue, and the process has been onerous. Advertisement
A plan to purchase new planes first emerged in the 1990s, but changes in Canadian government, questions about the F-35's cost, and longstanding suspicions that the Canadian military has preferred the F-35 over competitors led to delays, and rounds of government/industry consultations and reviews.
The COVID-19 pandemic also pushed the final bid submission date to the end of July.
Lockheed's F-35, Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet Block III and Saab's Gripen E are under consideration. The choice is further complicated by the benefits to Canadian industry if the F-35 is chosen.
"Canada has been a valued partner since the inception of the Joint Strike Fighter competition," a Lockheed Martin statement on Friday said. "Canadian industry plays an integral role in the global F-35 supply chain and has gained significant technical expertise over the past 15-plus year involvement in the F-35 production."
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The F-35 program would continue to bring manufacturing and production opportunities to Canada, with an estimated 150,000 jobs supported over the life of the program, in which more than 3,200 aircraft are expected to be delivered by 2060, the Canadian Defense Review estimated on Friday.
The $19 billion program calls for eventual purchase of 88 new fighter planes, with initial payments due as Canada begins paying for four new Navy frigates, as well as dealing with the debt accrued in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first planes will not arrive until 2025, and defense analyst Michael Byers of the University of British Columbia suggested that Canada will purchase fewer planes. Byers noted that Conservative Party leadership, no longer in power, planned to buy only 65 planes, the minimum number the Canadian Air Force said at the time was required.


upi--2020-07-31--Even as air pollution declines, disparities in exposure remain

July 31 ( UPI ) -- The amount of particulate matter in the air in the United States has declined significantly over the last several decades , but new research suggests disparities between the most and least polluted communities persist .
Dozens of studies have previously confirmed the reality of environmental inequity .
Poorer communities and minority communities are more likely to be exposed to air pollution than those living in wealthier neighborhoods .
But until now , little analysis had been done to understand if and how those disparities change over time , researchers say .
For the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virginia combined 36-years worth of records on fine particulate matter , particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter , with U.S. census data in order to rank communities from the least to the most polluted for each year between 1981 and 2016 .
The data -- detailed Friday in the journal Science -- revealed a remarkable level of continuity .
Across the 36-year timeline , the most polluted places remained the most polluted places .
`` Our findings call attention to the scope , scale , and remarkable persistence of air pollution disparities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study author Jonathan Colmer , an assistant professor of economics at UVA , told UPI .
Studies suggest that each year dirty air sends some 5.5 million people around the world to an early grave .
But in the United States , the number of deaths caused by air pollution has been steadily dropping .
One study determined total air pollution deaths were reduced by half between 1990 and 2010 .
If there is a silver lining to the latest research , it is that communities rich and poor , black and white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pollution reductions measured over the last few decades .
`` We found that pollution reductions were larger in areas that were more polluted in 1981 but these locations were starting from a much higher starting point , '' study co-author Jay Shimshack told UPI .
`` Disadvantaged neighborhoods did not experience disproportionate reductions in fine particulate matter air pollution , '' said Shimshack , an associate professor of public policy and economics at UVA .
`` Broadly speaking , everywhere experienced a 60 to 70 percent reduction between 1981 and 2016 . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to be , particulate matter pollution remains a serious environmental problem in many parts of the country , and the latest research suggests it 's still a much bigger problem in poorer communities and communities of color .
Breathing dirty air can trigger and exacerbate a variety of health problems , including asthma , diabetes , heart disease and some cancers .
The health problems made worse by pollution are many of the same problems that already disproportionately impact minority communities .
The authors of the latest study do n't have specific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study the impacts of political advocacy and policy reforms on pollution in the near future .
`` We still do n't fully understand why disparities exist , let alone why they persist , '' Colmer said .
`` Better answers to these questions will lead to sharper policy recommendations . ''
For now , they said they hope that by simply detailing the problem , they can begin to plot a path for progress -- and inspire others to do the same .
`` Federal and state guidelines aim for all people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environmental hazards and argue that no groups should bear a disproportionate share of pollution , '' Shimshack said .
`` On this front we are falling short . ''

Though air pollution has declined by nearly 70 percent across much of the United States, new research showed that the most polluted places in 35 years ago are still the most polluted today. Photo by Etienne Laurent/EPA-EFE
July 31 (UPI) -- The amount of particulate matter in the air in the United States has declined significantly over the last several decades, but new research suggests disparities between the most and least polluted communities persist. Dozens of studies have previously confirmed the reality of environmental inequity. Poorer communities and minority communities are more likely to be exposed to air pollution than those living in wealthier neighborhoods. Advertisement
But until now, little analysis had been done to understand if and how those disparities change over time, researchers say.
For the new study, researchers at the University of Virginia combined 36-years worth of records on fine particulate matter, particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, with U.S. census data in order to rank communities from the least to the most polluted for each year between 1981 and 2016.
The data -- detailed Friday in the journal Science -- revealed a remarkable level of continuity. Across the 36-year timeline, the most polluted places remained the most polluted places.
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"Our findings call attention to the scope, scale, and remarkable persistence of air pollution disparities in the United States," lead study author Jonathan Colmer, an assistant professor of economics at UVA, told UPI.
Studies suggest that each year dirty air sends some 5.5 million people around the world to an early grave. But in the United States, the number of deaths caused by air pollution has been steadily dropping. One study determined total air pollution deaths were reduced by half between 1990 and 2010.
If there is a silver lining to the latest research, it is that communities rich and poor, black and white, have shared equally in the air pollution reductions measured over the last few decades.
"We found that pollution reductions were larger in areas that were more polluted in 1981 but these locations were starting from a much higher starting point," study co-author Jay Shimshack told UPI.
"Disadvantaged neighborhoods did not experience disproportionate reductions in fine particulate matter air pollution," said Shimshack, an associate professor of public policy and economics at UVA. "Broadly speaking, everywhere experienced a 60 to 70 percent reduction between 1981 and 2016."
While air quality is better than it used to be, particulate matter pollution remains a serious environmental problem in many parts of the country, and the latest research suggests it's still a much bigger problem in poorer communities and communities of color.
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Breathing dirty air can trigger and exacerbate a variety of health problems, including asthma, diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. The health problems made worse by pollution are many of the same problems that already disproportionately impact minority communities.
The authors of the latest study don't have specific policy prescriptions, but they hope to study the impacts of political advocacy and policy reforms on pollution in the near future.
"We still don't fully understand why disparities exist, let alone why they persist," Colmer said. "Better answers to these questions will lead to sharper policy recommendations."
For now, they said they hope that by simply detailing the problem, they can begin to plot a path for progress -- and inspire others to do the same.
"Federal and state guidelines aim for all people to enjoy the same degree of protection from environmental hazards and argue that no groups should bear a disproportionate share of pollution," Shimshack said. "On this front we are falling short."


upi--2020-08-01--COVID-19: India sets new record of cases; sanitizer kills 10

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- India has set a new record single-day increase of 57,118 COVID-19 cases , public health officials said Saturday .
The new cases bring India 's total cases to date to more than 1.69 million .
Within a single day , 764 people also died of the virus , bringing the total death toll to 36,511 , according to Union Health Ministry data updated at 8 a.m. , the Press Trust of India reported .
Meanwhile , the number of patients recovered from the virus in India increased to more than 1 million .
Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that COVID-19 cases increased by more than 50,000 .
Ten people also died this week after drinking alcohol-based sanitizer , district police chief Siddharth Kaushal said .
The official said the victims drank the sanitizer after liquor shops were closed in the village of Kurichedu in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh .
The liquor stores were closed because of a COVID-19 lockdown after a surge in cases .
Japan also set a new daily record with 1,579 new COVID-19 cases Friday , according to the health ministry .
It was the third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily infections , ministry data shows .
Nearly one-third of the increase was in the capital Tokyo , which reported its highest daily increase with 463 new cases Friday .
The total number of cases in Japan since the start of the pandemic now stands at 37,746 cases with 1,008 deaths , according to the Johns Hopkins University global tracker .
Mexico also reported a new daily record of 8,458 new cases Friday , bringing the total tally to 424,637 cases , according to the health ministry .
The ministry also reported 688 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll to 46,688 .
This means that Mexico has now surpassed the Britain to become the country with the third-highest number of deaths globally , Johns Hopkins University data shows .
Still , on Friday British Prime Minister Boris Johnson put a hold on reopening plans and announced extended mask-wearing rules due to a surge in new cases .
Infections have risen from an estimated 2,000 infections a day in June to 4,900 infections a day , Johnson said .
Britain has 304,800 cases and 46,204 deaths , according to the global tracker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 lockdown measures prompted a protest of 17,000 people through the city center .
Germany has confirmed 210,676 cases and 9,154 deaths from COVID-19 , Johns Hopkins University data shows .
In South Korea , authorities arrested religious sect leader Lee Man-hee , 88 , head of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus after more than 5,000 members became infected .
COVID-19 cases within the sect alone make up 36 % of all cases in the country .
Authorities arrested him based on accusations that he hid information about the group 's gatherings from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14,336 cases and 301 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins .
The United States currently is the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic , with more than 4.5 million cases and over 150,000 deaths , according to the global tracker .
Brazil has the second-highest number of cases at more than 2.6 million and the second-highest death toll at over 92,000 .
India has the third-highest number of cases worldwide , according to the global tracker .
Worldwide , COVID-19 has sickened more than 17.6 million people and killed 679,987 people .

A medical staff collects a swab sample from a woman during COVID-19 tests last month in Jammu, India. File Photo by Jaipal Singh/EPA-EFE
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- India has set a new record single-day increase of 57,118 COVID-19 cases, public health officials said Saturday. The new cases bring India's total cases to date to more than 1.69 million. Advertisement
Within a single day, 764 people also died of the virus, bringing the total death toll to 36,511, according to Union Health Ministry data updated at 8 a.m., the Press Trust of India reported.
Meanwhile, the number of patients recovered from the virus in India increased to more than 1 million.
Saturday was the third day in a row that COVID-19 cases increased by more than 50,000.
Ten people also died this week after drinking alcohol-based sanitizer, district police chief Siddharth Kaushal said. The official said the victims drank the sanitizer after liquor shops were closed in the village of Kurichedu in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
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The liquor stores were closed because of a COVID-19 lockdown after a surge in cases.
Japan also set a new daily record with 1,579 new COVID-19 cases Friday, according to the health ministry.
It was the third straight day the country reported its highest daily infections, ministry data shows.
Nearly one-third of the increase was in the capital Tokyo, which reported its highest daily increase with 463 new cases Friday.
The total number of cases in Japan since the start of the pandemic now stands at 37,746 cases with 1,008 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University global tracker.
Mexico also reported a new daily record of 8,458 new cases Friday, bringing the total tally to 424,637 cases, according to the health ministry.
The ministry also reported 688 new COVID-19 deaths, bringing the death toll to 46,688.
This means that Mexico has now surpassed the Britain to become the country with the third-highest number of deaths globally, Johns Hopkins University data shows.
Still, on Friday British Prime Minister Boris Johnson put a hold on reopening plans and announced extended mask-wearing rules due to a surge in new cases.
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Infections have risen from an estimated 2,000 infections a day in June to 4,900 infections a day, Johnson said.
Britain has 304,800 cases and 46,204 deaths, according to the global tracker.
In Berlin, the state's COVID-19 lockdown measures prompted a protest of 17,000 people through the city center.
Germany has confirmed 210,676 cases and 9,154 deaths from COVID-19, Johns Hopkins University data shows.
In South Korea, authorities arrested religious sect leader Lee Man-hee, 88, head of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus after more than 5,000 members became infected. COVID-19 cases within the sect alone make up 36% of all cases in the country. Authorities arrested him based on accusations that he hid information about the group's gatherings from contact tracers.
South Korea has reported 14,336 cases and 301 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins.
The United States currently is the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, with more than 4.5 million cases and over 150,000 deaths, according to the global tracker. Brazil has the second-highest number of cases at more than 2.6 million and the second-highest death toll at over 92,000.
India has the third-highest number of cases worldwide, according to the global tracker.
Worldwide, COVID-19 has sickened more than 17.6 million people and killed 679,987 people.
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World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-08-01--Courteney Cox returning for 'Scream 5'

Courteney Cox returning for 'Scream 5'

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- Friends alum Courteney Cox confirmed on Instagram she will return for the upcoming fifth @ @ @ @ @ movie franchise .
Cox posted Friday a brief video of the film series logo -- @ @ @ @ @ a black hood -- and wrote across it , `` I ca n't wait to @ @ @ @ @ '' She tagged `` @ screammovies @ spyglassmediagr @ paramountpics '' in the message .
@ @ @ @ @ Weathers in the four previous movies -- 1996 's Scream , 1997 's Scream 2 @ @ @ @ @ and 2011 's Scream 4 .
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett are slated to direct @ @ @ @ @ N.C .

Courteney Cox will be back for "Scream 5." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Friends alum Courteney Cox confirmed on Instagram she will return for the upcoming fifth installment in the Scream horror movie franchise. Cox posted Friday a brief video of the film series logo -- a white ghost mask with a black hood -- and wrote across it, "I can't wait to see this face again." Advertisement
She tagged "@screammovies @spyglassmediagr @paramountpics" in the message.
Cox starred as reporter Gale Weathers in the four previous movies -- 1996's Scream, 1997's Scream 2, 2000's Scream 3 and 2011's Scream 4.
Her ex-husband, David Arquette , who played Deputy Dewey Riley, is also returning for the new chapter.
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett are slated to direct the movie in Wilmington, N.C.
James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick wrote the screenplay.


upi--2020-08-01--Juice WRLD's 'Legends Never Die' is the No. 1 album in the U.S.

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- Rapper Juice WRLD 's Legends Never Die is the No .
1 album in @ @ @ @ @ second consecutive week .
Coming in at No .
2 on the Billboard 200 chart @ @ @ @ @ Pop Smoke 's Shoot For the Stars Aim for the Moon , followed by The @ @ @ @ @ .
3 , the soundtrack to the Broadway musical Hamilton at No .
4 and @ @ @ @ @ at No .
5 .
Rounding out the top tier are Jhene Aiko 's Chilombo @ @ @ @ @ Post Malone 's Hollywood 's Bleeding at No .
7 , DaBaby 's Blame It @ @ @ @ @ 8 , Harry Styles ' Fine Line at No .
9 and The Weeknd 's @ @ @ @ @ 10 .

Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Rapper Juice WRLD's Legends Never Die is the No. 1 album in the United States for a second consecutive week.
Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart dated Saturday is the late Pop Smoke's Shoot For the Stars Aim for the Moon, followed by The Chicks' Gaslighter at No. 3, the soundtrack to the Broadway musical Hamilton at No. 4 and Lil Baby's My Turn at No. 5.


upi--2020-08-01--Florida braces for impact as Hurricane Isaias bears down

July 31 ( UPI ) -- Hurricane Isaias continued to lash the Bahamas with strong winds and heavy rains early Saturday as it crept closer to the coast of the mainland United States .
Isaias had strengthened a bit and was packing 85-mph winds Saturday morning , up from 80 mph on Friday .
The National Hurricane Center described Isaias ' eye as `` ragged '' as the storm system approached the eastern portion of Andros Island in the Bahamas .
It was 50 miles south of the Bahamian capital of Nassau as of 8 a.m .
It was moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in every coastal county of Florida 's Atlantic Coast , stretching from Miami-Dade to Nassau counties , on Friday in preparation for the storm .
He also requested President Donald Trump to declare an emergency .
Meanwhile , the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning for portions of Florida 's Atlantic coast .
Residents in Florida were bracing for impact and stocking up on essentials ahead of Isaia 's potential arrival , all while wearing masks -- a sign of the confluence of hurricane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapidly strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane Thursday night , shortly after pulling away from Hispaniola .
AccuWeather forecasters expect it to make a run along the Eastern Seaboard of the United States this weekend into early next week and could result in a multi-billion-dollar disaster .
Hurricane warnings were in effect for the Bahamas on Friday , including hard-hit areas from Dorian in 2019 like the Abaco Islands , although meteorologists expect the impacts to pale in comparison to the monster storm that stalled for 24 hours and caused utter devastation there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a 1 on the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes in the Bahamas and the coastal southeastern U.S. due to flooding and damaging winds , '' AccuWeather senior meteorologist Rob Miller said .
This scale is a more nuanced method the company introduced in 2019 to assess the potential damage a tropical system could cause .
It has been 25 years since a hurricane tracked through the Bahamas so early in the season , specifically prior to the middle of August .
Erin strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane near Rum Cay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ island chain on Aug. 1-2 , 1995 , according to Colorado State tropical meteorologist Philip Klotzbach .
The storm passed over the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama , causing generally minor damages , before heading toward Florida .
Isaias ' recent strengthening will help the hurricane forge a track more to the north .
And the system could potentially strengthen even more over the very warm waters of the Gulf Stream , especially since Isaias is now expected to avoid the large land mass of Cuba this weekend .
Forecasters have ruled out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with these developments .
Conditions will deteriorate rapidly from south to north over the Bahamas and the eastern part of the Florida Peninsula this weekend as Isaias takes a northwestward , then northward path over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream .
How far west versus east Isaias tracks and exactly how strong and large the eye wall becomes will determine the severity of conditions in the Bahamas and along the Florida Atlantic coast .
Tropical storm warnings remained in effect for the the Turks and Caicos .
The National Guard released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , showing young children and infants being pulled from high waters left behind after Isaias ' torrential downpours .
Parts of the island picked up more than 10 inches of rain as Isaias moved just south of the island on Thursday .
AccuWeather meteorologists expect Isaias to fluctuate in strength through this weekend with intensity ranging from a Category 1 hurricane to a tropical storm and perhaps as strong as a Category 2 hurricane for a time .
A Category 1 hurricane has winds ranging from 74 mph to 95 mph , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 96 mph to 110 mph .
A tropical storm has winds of 39 mph to 73 mph .
Isaias will be moving over water that is very warm this weekend , with temperatures ranging from 84 degrees to 90 degrees Fahrenheit , which is more than sufficient to allow for abrupt strengthening .
However , wind shear may factor into the storm 's future into this weekend and beyond .
Wind shear is the increase in wind speed or direction with altitude or across a horizontal distance .
When wind shear is strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and potential tropical systems may fail to develop .
Since wind shear is almost never in a constant state , it can lead to fluctuations in strength , structure and forward speed of tropical storms and hurricanes as they move along .
`` Wind shear can cause Isaias to weaken for a time into Friday night and perhaps again before approaching the Carolina coast [ next week ] , '' Miller said .
`` The forward speed of Isaias will also fluctuate , meaning that Isaias 's speed can slow down a bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , this will not evolve into another situation like Hurricane Dorian from 2019 , which stalled over the Bahamas for days .
Isaias will keep moving , and it is not expected to be nearly as strong as Dorian .
Impact on Florida and the Bahamas may be similar to or perhaps not as severe as that of Matthew from September 2016 , provided the eyewall of the storm does not reach much of Florida 's east coast .
Rainfall and tropical storm-force winds will continue to advance northward through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reach southeastern Florida , including Miami , late Friday night to early Saturday morning and then spread northward over the Florida Peninsula this weekend .
Seas and coastal water levels will also build in advance of the storm by roughly 24 hours .
People along the coast can expect a quickening breeze in advance of the storm as well .
`` Widespread rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches can be expected over the Bahamas and the eastern part of the Florida Peninsula , with totals of 4-8 inches with an AccuWeather Local StormMax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Miller said .
The fast-forward motion of Isaias should limit the overall amount of rain , but there can still be incidents of urban flooding in the Bahamas and from Florida to the Carolinas .
But , a track farther to the east would bring less rain to the U.S. and more rain to the Bahamas , for example .
Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in every coastal county of Florida 's Atlantic Coast , stretching from Miami-Dade to Nassau counties , on Friday in preparation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warning has been issued for the east coast of Florida from Ocean Reef to Sebastian Inlet in addition to Lake Okeechobee -- and forecasters say that conditions could begin to deteriorate as early as Friday night .
A tropical storm watch was in effect farther north along the Florida coast to the Volusia-Brevard County Line .
`` While current projections have the eye of Isaias remaining at sea , the situation remains fluid and can change quickly , '' DeSantis said at a press conference on Isaias Friday .
The Florida division for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelters amid the pandemic should they become necessary , he added .
DeSantis called on Floridians to remain vigilant and heed warnings .
Florida officials have been urging residents to prepare now for days , especially as the state responds to another disaster , the coronavirus pandemic .
The state has been experiencing a tremendous surge in COVID-19 cases over the last month .
On Wednesday , the state reported 253 COVID-19 fatalities , the third daily coronavirus death record in a row , according to the Orlando Sentinel .
The state has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began , data from the John Hopkins University shows .
Still , officials are preparing for the worst in case shelters need to be opened to keep residents safe from the hurricane expected to run up the Sunshine State 's coast this weekend .
`` We have 20 evacuation centers on standby , they 're not open , should they need to open them , should we need to open them and we will have them set up with COVID-19 safety measures .
It 's really too early to tell yet , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez said at a press conference about hurricane preparation .
Residents along the southeastern and mid-Atlantic coasts of the U.S. were also being urged to closely monitor the storm 's track and strength in the coming days .
`` Wind gusts of 60-70 mph can occur over the Bahamas and eastern Florida through the weekend , with an AccuWeather Local StormMax wind gust of 80 mph possible in eastern Florida and 100 mph expected in the western parts of the Bahamas , '' Miller said .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poorly constructed buildings and temporary structures should be anticipated .
Power outages may result , and disruption of electricity may last several days in more remote areas .
Sporadic power outages are possible along the east coast of Florida .
Residents and property owners should secure loose items and protect windows from flying debris that often accompanies storms of this magnitude .
As Isaias continues to move northward , impact from rain , wind and storm surge will move northward as well along the southeastern U.S. coast .
A storm surge of 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the northwestern Bahamas with 1-3 feet likely along much of the Florida east coast and along the shoreline of Georgia and South Carolina .
Depending on the track of Isaias , a storm surge of 3 feet to 6 feet is possible in parts of eastern North Carolina and perhaps southeastern Virginia .
`` A general 2-4 inches of rain can occur early next week over the eastern Carolinas with wind gusts of 50-60 mph with an AccuWeather Local StormMax wind gust of 80 mph , '' Miller said .
A non-tropical storm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upon nearing the U.S. coast .
`` We sometimes see jet stream troughs like this draw tropical systems closer in to the U.S. , rather than drive them away , '' AccuWeather Chief Broadcast Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said .
The storm will tend to draw the storm closer to the coast for a time , before likely shoving the system off to the northeast .
How quickly the northeast turn occurs early next week will determine whether landfall occurs along the North Carolina coast and perhaps other points in the mid-Atlantic and New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moves just inland over these areas or perhaps stays just offshore .
Following a slow-down in forward speed this weekend , an increase in forward speed of the storm seems likely next week , so stormy conditions may be brief and limited to less than 24 hours at any one spot in the Northeast .
Hurricane Isaias , pronounced ees-ah-ee-ahs , is already one for the record books .
It was named Isaias when it strengthened to a tropical storm Wednesday night -- and , with its upgrade from the NHC , became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history , surpassing Irene , which formed on Aug. 7 , 2005 .
Isaias could become the second named system to make landfall in the United States in about a week 's time following Hanna 's arrival as a Category 1 hurricane in South Texas on Saturday .
But after its abrupt strengthening during Thursday night , the system 's curved path could keep most of the hurricane-force winds east of the U.S. coastline .
The Atlantic basin is showing no signs of letting up in the coming weeks , and forecasters are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas of concern .
AccuWeather 's top hurricane expert Dan Kottlowski issued an update to the numbers of tropical storms and direct impacts to the United States for the Atlantic season this week .
He warned that the tropics could become `` hyperactive '' as the heart of hurricane season nears , and that one area in particular should remain `` very vigilant '' of the pattern setting up .
Six of the nine tropical storms thus far in 2020 have set new records for early formation for their respective letters in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Gonzalo , Hanna and Isaias -- and more are likely to fall as the season progresses , according to forecasters .
The `` J-storm '' record is currently held by Jose on Aug. 22 , 2005 , with the `` K-storm '' record held by the infamous Katrina , which formed on Aug. 24 , 2005 .
The 10th and 11th names on this year 's tropical list are Josephine and Kyle .
For more names on the 2020 Atlantic list and all tropical weather information , please visit the AccuWeather hurricane @ @

Isaias was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone as it moved into Canada Tuesday night. Photo courtesy of NOAA
Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Isaias made its way into southeastern Canada after being downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone on Tuesday night. The epicenter of the post-tropical cyclone was about 55 miles north-northwest of Quebec City, Quebec, in Canada, the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 a.m. Wednesday update. Advertisement
The storm was traveling north-northeast at 28 mph but its speed was expected to decrease and its maximum sustained winds of 40 mph with higher gusts was to weaken and drop below tropical storm force through Wednesday morning, the NHC said.
"The post-tropical cyclone is expected to dissipate over southeastern Canada on Thursday," the NHC said.
Forecasters said one to three inches of rain should fall along and near Isaias' track across southern Quebec.
Hurricane-force wind gusts were reported Monday night as the eyewall went ashore in Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., with the highest gust reported over land at 93 mph. As the hurricane approached, the system spawned a tornado that touched down on Bald Head Island, N.C.
All told, Isaias is predicted to cause between $2 billion and $3 billion in damages and economic loss, according to AccuWeather founder and CEO Joel N. Myers.
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One of the main threats for the areas from Virginia to Maine was from torrential rain that can lead to flash, urban and small-stream flooding.
Following its impact on the U.S., Isaias is forecast to spread a swath of rain and gusty winds rapidly through a portion of Atlantic Canada Wednesday into Thursday.
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has already left its mark in history with several of the earliest-forming tropical storms on record. Cristobal, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna and Isaias all set early-season formation records for their respective letter. All of the July-forming storms from Edouard through Isaias broke the records set during the infamous 2005 season.
Hanna became the first hurricane of the 2020 season, and Isaias became the second.
There is a high potential that the 2020 season could become "hyperactive" as the peak of hurricane season nears and tropical storm numbers may end up rivaling the historic 2005 season numbers, which produced 28 storms. AccuWeather meteorologists are already monitoring a few areas of disturbed weather beyond Isaias.


upi--2020-08-01--Famous birthdays for August 1: Jack O'Connell, Sam Mendes

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Leo .
-- Francis @ @ @ @ @ `` The Star-Spangled Banner , '' in 1779 -- Henrietta Lacks , cancer patients whose @ @ @ @ @ medial research , in 1920

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Jack O'Connell attends a photo call for "Seberg" at the 76th Venice Film Festival on August 30. The actor turns 30 on August 1. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Leo. They include: Advertisement
-- Roman Emperor Claudius I, born in 10 B.C.
-- Explorer William Clark in 1770
-- Francis Scott Key, composer of "The Star-Spangled Banner," in 1779
-- Astronomer Maria Mitchell in 1818
-- Author Herman Melville in 1819
-- Activist/labor organizer Mary Harris "Mother" Jones in 1837
-- Businessman Charles Clinton Spaulding in 1874
-- Photojournalist Gerda Taro in 1910
-- Henrietta Lacks, cancer patients whose cells became the subject of medial research, in 1920
-- Actor Geoffrey Holder in 1930
-- Musician Ramblin' Jack Elliott, born Elliot Adnopoz, in 1931 (age 89)
File Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI
-- Comic actor Dom DeLuise in 1933
-- French fashion designer Yves St. Laurent in 1936
-- Musician Jerry Garcia in 1942
-- Basketball Hall of Fame member Roy Williams in 1950 (age 70)
-- Rapper Chuck D, born Carlton Douglas Ridenhour, in 1960 (age 60)
-- Rapper Coolio, born Artis Leon Ivey Jr., in 1963 (age 57)
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-- British film director Sam Mendes in 1965 (age 55)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Actor Tempestt Bledsoe in 1973 (age 47)
-- Actor Jason Momoa in 1979 (age 41)
-- Actor Elijah Kelley in 1986 (age 34)
-- Actor Max Carver in 1988 (age 32)
-- Actor Jack O'Connell in 1990 (age 30)
-- Actor Oona Laurence in 2002 (age 18)


upi--2020-08-01--Astronauts prepare for splashdown aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule

ORLANDO , Fla. , Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- Two NASA astronauts plan to fly SpaceX 's groundbreaking Crew Dragon capsule from space Saturday to a landing near Florida , but an approaching hurricane could delay splashdown and change the location .
NASA plans for the spacecraft , named Endeavour by the astronauts aboard , to undock from the International Space Station at 7:34 p.m. EDT Saturday and splash down at 2:42 p.m. Sunday .
That is around the time the National Hurricane Center predicts Hurricane Isaias will arrive near the coast of central Florida and close to what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We 're going to watch the weather very carefully , '' said Steve Stich , manager of the agency 's Commercial Crew Program .
`` This is a test flight , and we 're going to take our time to come home .
We have plenty of opportunities here in August , and we 're in no hurry . ''
The schedule has astronauts traveling for more than 19 hours in the capsule , but they could spend up to three or four days above Earth if needed , Stich said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the hurricane shifted unexpectedly and made it impossible to land , the astronauts could remain in orbit until the storm passed and seas calmed .
Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken will return after two months in space .
They made history when they flew the capsule to the space station May 31 -- the first crewed launch from U.S. soil in nine years .
The two said during a press conference from space Friday that they enjoyed their time on the space station , especially Behnken 's four spacewalks with fellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there .
Hurley helped the spacewalkers from inside .
The astronauts acknowledged weather is their primary concern about the return , but said they were n't going to worry about potential delays .
`` We do n't control the weather , and we know we can stay up here longer -- there 's more chow and I know the space station programs have more work that we can do , '' Behnken said .
Behnken said he will have a few tips for his wife , Meghan McArthur , who is scheduled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a flight to the International Space Station later this year , notably `` where best to pack all your personal items so that you can get to them conveniently . ''
The SpaceX mission is considered a demonstration flight -- a final step before the capsule is fully certified for regular ferry service to the space station .
The return to Earth would mark the first splashdown of a U.S. space capsule carrying astronauts since the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project that was launched from Kennedy Space Center in 1975 .
It was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The astronauts anticipate they might become seasick and nauseated after they land in the water , probably the Gulf of Mexico , Hurley said .
`` There are bags , if you need them , and we 'll have those handy .
We 'll probably have some towels handy , as well .
And , you know ... it certainly would n't be the first time that that 's happened in a space vehicle , but it will be the first time in this particular vehicle if we do , '' Hurley said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Crew Dragon are off the coasts of Pensacola , Tampa , Tallahassee , Panama City , Cape Canaveral , Daytona Beach and Jacksonville .
As of Friday , Hurley said splashdown most likely will be in the Gulf because of Hurricane Isaias off the state 's east coast .
NASA said it would make a decision on the primary splashdown target about six hours before the undocking .
About 40 workers from NASA and SpaceX will be stationed on each of two recovery ships to retrieve the astronauts from their capsules -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Atlantic Ocean .
Crew Dragon will travel about 17,500 mph as it re-enters the atmosphere .
The re-entry will create a communications blackout , expected to last about six minutes .
Dragon Endeavour has two sets of parachutes will that deploy once back inside Earth 's atmosphere to slow the capsule before splashdown .
The recovery vessel is expected to secure the astronauts within an hour .
Behnken completed four spacewalks while aboard the space station .
The mission had been planned to last just five days , but it was extended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project to upgrade the power system .
No issues with the capsule have been reported -- a situation described by a SpaceX commentator as `` pretty boring for the astronauts , but that 's what we wanted . ''
SpaceX secured a contract to provide ferry service to the space station for a fixed cost in 2014 , and developed the rocket and capsule with NASA 's cooperation .
If the flight home is successful , NASA plans to launch another SpaceX capsule to the space station in September , officials said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be NASA astronauts Mike Hopkins , Victor Glover and Shannon Walker , along with Soichi Noguchi from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency .
Over the past decade , NASA astronauts only used Russian Soyuz rockets and capsules to reach the space station , at a cost of more than $ 70 million per seat .
Behnken , 49 , and Hurley , 53 , have been astronauts since their selection in 2000 .
They worked closely with SpaceX to develop the new spacecraft systems .

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SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule, Endeavor, is shown May 31 as it docks with the International Space Station. It is scheduled to depart Sunday. Photo courtesy of NASA | License Photo
ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Two NASA astronauts left the International Space Station on Saturday evening in SpaceX's groundbreaking Crew Dragon capsule, headed for an at-sea landing Sunday afternoon off Pensacola, Fla., in the Gulf of Mexico. The astronauts, flying in the capsule they named Endeavour, began to undock from the International Space Station at 7:30 p.m. EDT, a few minutes ahead of schedule. They are to splash down at 2:48 p.m. EDT Sunday. Advertisement
During the undocking, a command from Earth released 12 hooks on the International Space Station that had held the SpaceX capsule in place.
Then, two very quick engine burns fully separated the capsule from the space station at 7:35 p.m. EDT, followed by a longer engine burn that further distanced Endeavor from the space station.
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The original landing site had been in the Atlantic Ocean near Kennedy Space Center, but splashdown would have occurred around the time Tropical Storm Isaias was due to arrive along central Florida's east coast.
"We're going to watch the weather very carefully," said Steve Stich, manager of the agency's Commercial Crew Program, said Friday before the decision to land Sunday had been made.
"This is a test flight, and we're going to take our time to come home. We have plenty of opportunities here in August, and we're in no hurry," Stich said.
The astronauts will travel for more than 19 hours in the capsule, but they could spend up to three or four days above Earth if needed, Stich said.
For example, if the track of the storm shifted unexpectedly and made it impossible to land, the astronauts could remain in orbit until the storm passes and seas calm.
Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken are returning after two months in space. They made history when they flew the capsule to the space station May 31 -- the first crewed launch from U.S. soil in nine years.
The two said during a press conference from space Friday that they enjoyed their time on the space station, especially Behnken's four spacewalks with fellow astronaut Chris Cassidy, who will remain there. Hurley helped the spacewalkers from inside.
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The astronauts acknowledged weather is their primary concern about the return, but said they weren't going to worry about potential delays.
"We don't control the weather, and we know we can stay up here longer -- there's more chow and I know the space station programs have more work that we can do," Behnken said.
Behnken said he will have a few tips for his wife, Meghan McArthur, who is scheduled to sit in his seat on the Dragon during a flight to the International Space Station later this year, notably "where best to pack all your personal items so that you can get to them conveniently."
He tweeted Saturday morning, "All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go."
All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go... #LandAmerica pic.twitter.com/FvyzeA58sb- Bob Behnken (@AstroBehnken) August 1, 2020
The SpaceX mission is considered a demonstration flight -- a final step before the capsule is fully certified for regular ferry service to the space station.
The return to Earth will mark the first splashdown of a U.S. space capsule carrying astronauts since the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project that was launched from Kennedy Space Center in 1975. That was the final flight of the Apollo spacecraft.
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The astronauts anticipate they might become seasick and nauseated after they land in the water, probably the Gulf of Mexico, Hurley said.
"There are bags, if you need them, and we'll have those handy. We'll probably have some towels handy, as well. And, you know ... it certainly wouldn't be the first time that that's happened in a space vehicle, but it will be the first time in this particular vehicle if we do," Hurley said.
Two SpaceX recovery ships in the Gulf will head to the capsule once it lands. The first vessel's crew will pull the capsule from the water and help the astronauts out, NASA said.
A second ship will recover two sets of parachutes that are to deploy and slow the capsule's descent once it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere.
If the astronauts experience an emergency, a helicopter aboard the first ship can evacuate them to a hospital.
Crew Dragon will travel about 17,500 mph as it re-enters the atmosphere. The re-entry will create a communications blackout, expected to last about six minutes.
Behnken completed four spacewalks while aboard the space station. The mission had been planned to last just five days, but it was extended so Behnken could help finish a years-long project to upgrade the power system.
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No issues with the capsule have been reported -- a situation described by a SpaceX commentator as "pretty boring for the astronauts, but that's what we wanted."
SpaceX secured a contract to provide ferry service to the space station for a fixed cost in 2014, and developed the rocket and capsule with NASA's cooperation.
If the flight home is successful, NASA plans to launch another SpaceX capsule to the space station in September, officials said.
Crew members for that mission are to be NASA astronauts Mike Hopkins, Victor Glover and Shannon Walker, along with Soichi Noguchi from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
Over the past decade, NASA astronauts only used Russian Soyuz rockets and capsules to reach the space station, at a cost of more than $70 million per seat.
Behnken, 49, and Hurley, 53, have been astronauts since their selection in 2000. They worked closely with SpaceX to develop the new spacecraft systems.
Astronauts make round trip to space station from U.S. soil


upi--2020-08-01--On This Day, Aug. 1: Cluster bomb ban goes into effect

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1498 , Italian explorer Christopher Columbus set foot on the American mainland for the first time , at the Paria Peninsula in present-day Venezuela .
In 1790 , the first U.S. census showed a population of 3,929,214 people in 17 states .
In 1907 , an Aeronautical Division was added to the Army Signals Corps .
The first aircraft bought by this forerunner of the U.S. Air Force was built by the Wright brothers .
In 1961 , the first Six Flags amusement park opened on 212 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its opening year , admission for adults cost $ 2.75 and for children cost $ 2.25 .
In 1966 , Charles Whitman killed 16 people , including his wife and mother , in Austin , Texas .
Thirty-two people were wounded .
Most of Whitman 's victims were struck by shots fired from the University of Texas Tower .
The gunman , a student and ex-Marine , was killed by a police officer .
In 1977 , Francis Gary Powers , pilot of a U-2 spy plane shot down over the Soviet Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crash of his weather helicopter in Los Angeles .
In 1981 , MTV premiered with the Buggles ' `` Video Killed the Radio Star . ''
In 1994 , Lisa Marie Presley confirmed rumors that she had married pop star Michael Jackson May 26 in the Dominican Republic .
The couple divorced less than two years later .
In 2004 , nearly 400 people died in a supermarket fire on the outskirts of Asuncion , Paraguay .
In 2005 , Saudi King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz , who had ruled since 1982 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age of 83 .
He was succeeded by his half-brother , Crown Prince Abdullah .
In 2007 , an eight-lane bridge across the Mississippi River at Minneapolis , collapsed during the evening rush hour , killing 13 people and injuring nearly 150 .
About 50 vehicles were thrown into or near the water when the steel-and-concrete Interstate 35W span buckled and fell .
In 2010 , a worldwide ban on cluster bombs went into effect .
Cluster bombs , usually dropped from planes , are filled with smaller anti-personnel bombs , which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , U.S. President Barack Obama said some CIA agents who interrogated suspects after the Sept. 11 , 2001 , terrorist attacks on the United States `` crossed a line '' and `` tortured some folks . ''
In 2018 , thieves stole two crowns and an orb dating back to the 17th century from Sweden 's Strängnäs Cathedral in a heist that ended with the thieves escaping in a motorboat .

1/4
Airman David Rodriguez (R) prepares cluster bombs aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence on February 12, 1998. On August 1, 2010, a worldwide ban on cluster bombs went into effect. File Photo by Felix Garza/U.S. Navy | License Photo
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1498, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus set foot on the American mainland for the first time, at the Paria Peninsula in present-day Venezuela. Advertisement
In 1790, the first U.S. census showed a population of 3,929,214 people in 17 states.
In 1907, an Aeronautical Division was added to the Army Signals Corps. The first aircraft bought by this forerunner of the U.S. Air Force was built by the Wright brothers.
In 1961, the first Six Flags amusement park opened on 212 acres in Arlington, Texas. In its opening year, admission for adults cost $2.75 and for children cost $2.25.
File Photo by Ian Halperin/UPI
In 1966, Charles Whitman killed 16 people, including his wife and mother, in Austin, Texas. Thirty-two people were wounded. Most of Whitman's victims were struck by shots fired from the University of Texas Tower. The gunman, a student and ex-Marine, was killed by a police officer.
In 1977, Francis Gary Powers, pilot of a U-2 spy plane shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960, was killed in the crash of his weather helicopter in Los Angeles.
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In 1981, MTV premiered with the Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star."
In 1994, Lisa Marie Presley confirmed rumors that she had married pop star Michael Jackson May 26 in the Dominican Republic. The couple divorced less than two years later.
In 2004, nearly 400 people died in a supermarket fire on the outskirts of Asuncion, Paraguay.
In 2005, Saudi King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz, who had ruled since 1982, died after a long illness at the age of 83. He was succeeded by his half-brother, Crown Prince Abdullah.
File Photo courtesy the Arafat press office
In 2007, an eight-lane bridge across the Mississippi River at Minneapolis, collapsed during the evening rush hour, killing 13 people and injuring nearly 150. About 50 vehicles were thrown into or near the water when the steel-and-concrete Interstate 35W span buckled and fell.
In 2010, a worldwide ban on cluster bombs went into effect. Cluster bombs, usually dropped from planes, are filled with smaller anti-personnel bombs, which are scattered over wide areas.
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In 2014, U.S. President Barack Obama said some CIA agents who interrogated suspects after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States "crossed a line" and "tortured some folks."
In 2018, thieves stole two crowns and an orb dating back to the 17th century from Sweden's Strängnäs Cathedral in a heist that ended with the thieves escaping in a motorboat.


upi--2020-07-31--Magic's Jonathan Isaac first in NBA bubble to stand during anthem

July 31 ( UPI ) -- Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac became the first NBA player inside the league 's bubble to stand for the national anthem before a seeding game .
Isaac 's decision not to kneel during the anthem came before the Magic 's 128-118 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday .
It was the third game played in the NBA 's bubble in Lake Buena Vista , Fla. Later Friday , San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich and assistant Becky Hammon -- both who wore `` Black Lives Matter '' T-shirts -- also stood during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sacramento Kings .
In the NBA 's two previous games Thursday -- the Utah Jazz 's win over the New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Lakers ' victory over the L.A. Clippers -- all players and coaches kneeled during the anthem .
Along with standing for the anthem , Isaac , who is Black , was the first player in the bubble not to wear a `` Black Lives Matter '' T-shirt over his jersey .
Following Orlando 's win , he was asked whether he believed that Black lives matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters .
`` I believe that Black lives matter .
A lot went into my decision and part of it is my thought that kneeling while wearing a Black Lives Matter T-shirt does n't go hand in hand with supporting Black lives .
`` And so I felt like , just me personally and what it is that I believe in , standing on a stance that I do believe that Black lives matter , but I just felt like it was a decision that I had to make and I did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand in hand with supporting Black lives . ''
Isaac , who became an ordained minister earlier this year , referenced his faith multiple times while describing why he made his decision .
`` I do n't think that kneeling or putting on a T-shirt , for me personally , is the answer , '' Isaac said .
`` I feel like , for me , Black lives are supported through the Gospel .
All lives are supported through the Gospel .
That we all have things that we do wrong and sometimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fingers about which wrong is worse .
`` I feel like the Bible tells us we all fall short of God 's glory and at the end of the day whoever will humble themselves and seek God and repent of their sins that we could see it in a different light -- see our mistakes and people 's mistakes in a different light , see people 's evil in a different light .
`` And that it would help bring us closer together and get past anything that 's on the surface that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of men and women . ''
Isaac , 22 , also noted that he spoke with his teammates and coaches in a team meeting before Friday 's game .
`` We had a team meeting , '' he said .
`` I told them that they know who I am as a man , they know who I am as a person .
They know what it is that I believe and they respected me for the decision that I made and it was all love .
`` So they understood that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming from a position of wanting to be popular or seen or anything other than a humble [ servant ] of Jesus .
And that 's where I stake my flag and that 's just how I felt and they respected me for it because they know who I am , they know my heart . ''
The NBA has had a rule in place since the early 1980s saying players must stand for the national anthem .
But in a statement released Thursday night , when players from the Jazz , Pelicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the anthem , league commissioner Adam Silver said he was relaxing that policy in these times .
Isaac scored 16 points in 16 minutes in his first game back since injuring his knee in January .
The Magic ( 31-35 ) play the Kings ( 28-37 ) on Sunday night .

Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (R) scored 16 points in 16 minutes against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, his first game back since injuring his knee in January. File Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA-EFE
July 31 (UPI) -- Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac became the first NBA player inside the league's bubble to stand for the national anthem before a seeding game. Isaac's decision not to kneel during the anthem came before the Magic's 128-118 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. It was the third game played in the NBA's bubble in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Advertisement
Later Friday, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich and assistant Becky Hammon -- both who wore "Black Lives Matter" T-shirts -- also stood during the anthem prior to their game against the Sacramento Kings. In the NBA's two previous games Thursday -- the Utah Jazz's win over the New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Lakers' victory over the L.A. Clippers -- all players and coaches kneeled during the anthem.
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Along with standing for the anthem, Isaac, who is Black, was the first player in the bubble not to wear a "Black Lives Matter" T-shirt over his jersey. Following Orlando's win, he was asked whether he believed that Black lives matter.
"Absolutely," Isaac told reporters. "I believe that Black lives matter. A lot went into my decision and part of it is my thought that kneeling while wearing a Black Lives Matter T-shirt doesn't go hand in hand with supporting Black lives.
"And so I felt like, just me personally and what it is that I believe in, standing on a stance that I do believe that Black lives matter, but I just felt like it was a decision that I had to make and I didn't feel like putting that shirt on went hand in hand with supporting Black lives."
Isaac, who became an ordained minister earlier this year, referenced his faith multiple times while describing why he made his decision.
"I don't think that kneeling or putting on a T-shirt, for me personally, is the answer," Isaac said. "I feel like, for me, Black lives are supported through the Gospel. All lives are supported through the Gospel. That we all have things that we do wrong and sometimes it gets into a place of pointing fingers about which wrong is worse.
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"I feel like the Bible tells us we all fall short of God's glory and at the end of the day whoever will humble themselves and seek God and repent of their sins that we could see it in a different light -- see our mistakes and people's mistakes in a different light, see people's evil in a different light.
"And that it would help bring us closer together and get past anything that's on the surface that doesn't really deal with the hearts of men and women."
Isaac, 22, also noted that he spoke with his teammates and coaches in a team meeting before Friday's game.
"We had a team meeting," he said. "I told them that they know who I am as a man, they know who I am as a person. They know what it is that I believe and they respected me for the decision that I made and it was all love.
"So they understood that, for me personally, it's not coming from a position of wanting to be popular or seen or anything other than a humble [servant] of Jesus. And that's where I stake my flag and that's just how I felt and they respected me for it because they know who I am, they know my heart."
The NBA has had a rule in place since the early 1980s saying players must stand for the national anthem. But in a statement released Thursday night, when players from the Jazz, Pelicans, Lakers and Clippers all kneeled for the anthem, league commissioner Adam Silver said he was relaxing that policy in these times.
Isaac scored 16 points in 16 minutes in his first game back since injuring his knee in January. The Magic (31-35) play the Kings (28-37) on Sunday night.


upi--2020-08-01--UAE launches operations in first nuclear power plant in the Arab world

Aug. 1 ( UPI ) -- The United Arab Emirates announced Saturday that it has launched operations in the first of four reactors at the Barakah nuclear power station , which has been described as the first nuclear power plant in the Arab world .
Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation , which is building and operating the plant with Korea Electric Power Corporation in the Al Dhafrah Region of Abu Dhabi , published a press release saying Unit 1 of the plant has successfully started .
`` The start-up of Unit 1 marks the first time that the reactor safely produces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steam , turning a turbine to generate electricity , '' the release said .
The plant , Barakah , was scheduled to open in 2017 , but has run billions of dollars over budget and been troubled by delays , Al-Jazeera reported .
Nuclear energy veterans have raised concerns about potential risks associated with the plant .
Last year Paul Dorfman , an honorary senior research fellow at the Energy Institute , University College London and founder and chair of the Nuclear Consulting Group , authored a report last year saying Barakah 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standard in newly-built nuclear plants elsewhere .
The missing features include `` core catcher '' to stop the core of a reactor from breaching containment in the event of a meltdown , and reinforcements that would shield against a radiological release resulting from a missile or fighter jet attack .
There have been at least 13 aerial attacks on nuclear facilities in the Middle East .
Barakah is located near Qatar , which is a regional rival of the UAE and which has called the plant a `` flagrant threat to regional peace @ @ @ @

The United Arab Emirates announced Saturday that it has launched operations at Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi, shown here in 2017. Photo courtesy Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp.
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- The United Arab Emirates announced Saturday that it has launched operations in the first of four reactors at the Barakah nuclear power station, which has been described as the first nuclear power plant in the Arab world. Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, which is building and operating the plant with Korea Electric Power Corporation in the Al Dhafrah Region of Abu Dhabi, published a press release saying Unit 1 of the plant has successfully started. Advertisement
"The start-up of Unit 1 marks the first time that the reactor safely produces heat, which is used to create steam, turning a turbine to generate electricity," the release said.
The plant, Barakah, was scheduled to open in 2017, but has run billions of dollars over budget and been troubled by delays, Al-Jazeera reported.
Nuclear energy veterans have raised concerns about potential risks associated with the plant.
Last year Paul Dorfman, an honorary senior research fellow at the Energy Institute, University College London and founder and chair of the Nuclear Consulting Group, authored a report last year saying Barakah's reactors lack key safety features that are standard in newly-built nuclear plants elsewhere.
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The missing features include "core catcher" to stop the core of a reactor from breaching containment in the event of a meltdown, and reinforcements that would shield against a radiological release resulting from a missile or fighter jet attack.
There have been at least 13 aerial attacks on nuclear facilities in the Middle East.
Barakah is located near Qatar, which is a regional rival of the UAE and which has called the plant a "flagrant threat to regional peace and environment."


upi--2020-08-01--Isaias downgrades to tropical storm ahead of skimming Florida's coastline

July 31 ( UPI ) -- Final preparations were being made along Florida 's Atlantic coast Saturday as the state braced for its first encounter from a hurricane this season .
But as the storm approached the Sunshine State , forecasters said Isaias weakened to a tropical storm on Saturday afternoon with winds dropping to 70 mph and looked ragged on satellite as the storm emerged over the Florida Straits .
Hurricane watches and warnings were in effect ahead of Isaias ' expected arrival later Saturday .
At 8 p.m. EDT Saturday , the National Hurricane Center ( NHC ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles southeast of Fort Lauderdale , Fla .
The storm was expected to continue its unwelcomed stay as it comes within 25 miles of the Florida coast before it tracks farther north along the East Coast .
Hurricane warnings were in effect Saturday night for Boca Raton to the Volusia/Flagler County Line in Florida and for Bimini , the Berry Islands , and Grand Bahama Island in the Bahamas .
Isaias made landfall around 11 a.m. Eastern Time Saturday on the northern part of Andros Island in the Bahamas , NHC reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fluctuated between 80 and 85 mph throughout the morning , before the storm weakened a bit due to its interaction with land .
Its forward speed had also slowed as it crept along at around 12 mph , down from as much as 18 mph on Friday .
The storm came within 40 miles west-southwest of Nassau , the capital city of the Bahamas Saturday , after leaving behind scenes of flooding in Puerto Rico late in the week .
`` People are doing the best they can to prepare , but a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repaired their roofs or their structures '' since devastating Hurricane Dorian struck in 2019 , Miller said .
`` Even a lower level storm could really set them back . ''
The NHC said preparations to protect life and property in Florida `` should be rushed to completion . ''
Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in every coastal county of Florida 's Atlantic Coast , stretching from Miami-Dade to Nassau counties , on Friday in preparation for the storm .
The governor also sent a letter to President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Saturday morning , DeSantis noted on Twitter that the president had approved the request .
`` This will help our state respond quickly to any impacts from the storm , '' he wrote .
`` While current projections have the eye of Isaias remaining at sea , the situation remains fluid and can change quickly , '' DeSantis said at a press conference on Friday .
The Florida division for emergency management created new guidance on opening shelters amid the pandemic should they become necessary , he added .
DeSantis called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warnings .
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Giménez said Friday that 20 storm shelters were on standby to be opened .