upi--2020-08-18--WWE Raw: Randy Orton assaults Shawn Michaels, Drew McIntyre

Aug. 18 ( UPI ) -- Randy Orton 's path of destruction continued on Raw as The Viper set his sights on two-time Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels .
Michaels returned to Raw on Monday to criticize Orton for attacking Ric Flair last week and to throw his support behind WWE Champion Drew McIntyre .
Orton faces McIntyre for the title on Sunday at SummerSlam .
Orton , after Michaels was done talking , attacked from behind and took out the Heartbreak Kid with an RKO .
Orton then quickly delivered his signature Punt Kick to Michaels , before McIntyre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finally got his hands on his future opponent and tossed Orton around the outside ring area .
Orton recovered and unleashed an RKO onto the champ as he helped Michaels to his feet .
Orton , on his way to SummerSlam , has taken out Edge , Christian , Big Show Ric Flair and now Michaels .
Also on Raw , Rey Mysterio returned for the first time since he lost to Seth Rollins in an Eye for an Eye match at The Horror Show in July .
Rey Mysterio said that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's corner when he faces Rollins in a Street Fight at SummerSlam .
Rey Mysterio said what hurt more than his eye was watching Rollins and his disciple Murphy brutally beat down his son using kendo sticks last week .
Dominik Mysterio looked less than 100 % on Monday following the attack .
Rollins and Murphy entered the ring looking to take advantage of an injured Mysterio family who retreated to the ringside area .
Rey Mysterio started to distract Rollins while Dominik Mysterio , who was pretending to appear hurt , attacked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dominik and Rey Mysterio then proceeded to whack Rollins and Murphy one-by-one with kendo sticks before The Monday Night Messiah could escape .
Raw Women 's Champion Sasha Banks and her partner , SmackDown Women 's Champion Bayley , were in action against the unlikely pairing of Asuka and Shayna Baszler .
Banks and Bayley are also collectively the Women 's Tag Team Champions .
Asuka was left alone early in the match as Nia Jax started brawling with Baszler , taking her out of the contest .
Two Belts Banks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation and worked together to bring down Asuka .
Banks placed The Empress of Tomorrow in a Bank Statement before Baszler returned to even the odds .
Asuka was able to take Banks out of the match by trapping her with the Asuka Lock outside the ring .
Baszler , inside the ring , locked in the Kirifuda Clutch on Bayley , forcing her to tap out .
Asuka will be pulling double duty at SummerSlam as she faces Bayley first for the SmackDown Women 's Championship on Sunday , and then later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Women 's Championship .
Baszler , later in the show , reunited with her NXT partners Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke .
Shafir competed in Shane McMahon 's MMA-like Raw Underground and picked up a victory before she was attacked by Jax .
Baszler challenged Jax on the spot to a match but Jax left Raw Underground before the bout could begin .
Other moments from Raw included mysterious group Retribution messing with the opening of Raw as they attacked the television production truck ; United States Champion Apollo Crews defeating Shelton Benjamin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his match against MVP at SummerSlam ; Angel Garza defeating Ivar ; Zelina Vega being exposed as the one who poisoned Montez Ford weeks ago ; Natalya defeating Mickie James via count-out ; Peyton Royce defeating Ruby Riott ; Dolph Ziggler defeating Erik at Raw Underground ; The Hurt Business defeating Crews , Mustafa Ali and Ricochet in a Six-Man Elimination Tag Match ; Benjamin becoming the new 24/7 Champion after the title changed hands multiple times ; and Ford defeating Andrade .

Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Randy Orton's path of destruction continued on Raw as The Viper set his sights on two-time Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels.
Michaels returned to Raw on Monday to criticize Orton for attacking Ric Flair last week and to throw his support behind WWE Champion Drew McIntyre. Orton faces McIntyre for the title on Sunday at SummerSlam.
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Orton, after Michaels was done talking, attacked from behind and took out the Heartbreak Kid with an RKO. Orton then quickly delivered his signature Punt Kick to Michaels, before McIntyre could come to the rescue.
McIntyre finally got his hands on his future opponent and tossed Orton around the outside ring area. Orton recovered and unleashed an RKO onto the champ as he helped Michaels to his feet. Orton, on his way to SummerSlam, has taken out Edge, Christian, Big Show Ric Flair and now Michaels.
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Also on Raw, Rey Mysterio returned for the first time since he lost to Seth Rollins in an Eye for an Eye match at The Horror Show in July. Rey Mysterio said that he will be in his son Dominik Mysterio's corner when he faces Rollins in a Street Fight at SummerSlam.
Rey Mysterio said what hurt more than his eye was watching Rollins and his disciple Murphy brutally beat down his son using kendo sticks last week. Dominik Mysterio looked less than 100% on Monday following the attack.
Rollins and Murphy entered the ring looking to take advantage of an injured Mysterio family who retreated to the ringside area. Rey Mysterio started to distract Rollins while Dominik Mysterio, who was pretending to appear hurt, attacked Rollins from behind with a kendo stick.
Dominik and Rey Mysterio then proceeded to whack Rollins and Murphy one-by-one with kendo sticks before The Monday Night Messiah could escape.
Raw Women's Champion Sasha Banks and her partner, SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley, were in action against the unlikely pairing of Asuka and Shayna Baszler. Banks and Bayley are also collectively the Women's Tag Team Champions.
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Asuka was left alone early in the match as Nia Jax started brawling with Baszler, taking her out of the contest. Two Belts Banks and Bayley Dos Straps took advantage of the situation and worked together to bring down Asuka.
Banks placed The Empress of Tomorrow in a Bank Statement before Baszler returned to even the odds. Asuka was able to take Banks out of the match by trapping her with the Asuka Lock outside the ring. Baszler, inside the ring, locked in the Kirifuda Clutch on Bayley, forcing her to tap out.
Asuka will be pulling double duty at SummerSlam as she faces Bayley first for the SmackDown Women's Championship on Sunday, and then later that night against Banks for the Raw Women's Championship.
Baszler, later in the show, reunited with her NXT partners Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke. Shafir competed in Shane McMahon's MMA-like Raw Underground and picked up a victory before she was attacked by Jax. Baszler challenged Jax on the spot to a match but Jax left Raw Underground before the bout could begin.
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Other moments from Raw included mysterious group Retribution messing with the opening of Raw as they attacked the television production truck; United States Champion Apollo Crews defeating Shelton Benjamin to ban The Hurt Business from interfering in his match against MVP at SummerSlam; Angel Garza defeating Ivar; Zelina Vega being exposed as the one who poisoned Montez Ford weeks ago; Natalya defeating Mickie James via count-out; Peyton Royce defeating Ruby Riott; Dolph Ziggler defeating Erik at Raw Underground; The Hurt Business defeating Crews, Mustafa Ali and Ricochet in a Six-Man Elimination Tag Match; Benjamin becoming the new 24/7 Champion after the title changed hands multiple times; and Ford defeating Andrade.


upi--2020-08-18--Gallup: More Americans now engaged in 2020 election race

Aug. 18 ( UPI ) -- More Americans are now more engaged in the 2020 U.S. presidential election than at any other point in this election cycle , a Gallup survey showed Tuesday .
More than seven in 10 of respondents said they have given a lot of thought to the vote in November .
The figure was under 60 % in late April in the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic .
According to the survey , Republicans ( 70 % ) hold a six-point lead over Democrats ( 64 % ) when it comes to `` enthusiasm '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that Republicans were also more enthusiastic in 2012 , before Democratic President Barack Obama won a second term .
`` Today 's level of enthusiasm is relatively high for August of an election year , matched only by 2004 , when 67 % said they felt more enthusiastic than usual about voting , '' Gallup wrote .
`` However , the trends show that enthusiasm typically increases to the low to mid-60s by Election Day .
The one exception is 2016 , when relatively few adults felt more enthusiastic about voting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November ( 47 % ) , perhaps because of the historical unpopularity of the two major-party candidates . ''
Gallup said more insight for voter enthusiasm will come after both parties hold their national conventions .
The Democrats are staging theirs this week and Republicans will next week .
Gallup polled more than 1,000 U.S. adults for the survey , which has a margin of error of between 4 and 6 points .

Voters cast ballots at the Arlington Arts Center during the Democratic presidential primary on March 3 in Arlington, Va. File Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 18 (UPI) -- More Americans are now more engaged in the 2020 U.S. presidential election than at any other point in this election cycle, a Gallup survey showed Tuesday. More than seven in 10 of respondents said they have given a lot of thought to the vote in November. The figure was under 60% in late April in the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement
According to the survey, Republicans (70%) hold a six-point lead over Democrats (64%) when it comes to "enthusiasm" about voting.
Republicans held a similar enthusiasm lead in 2016.
Gallup noted, however, that Republicans were also more enthusiastic in 2012, before Democratic President Barack Obama won a second term.
"Today's level of enthusiasm is relatively high for August of an election year, matched only by 2004, when 67% said they felt more enthusiastic than usual about voting," Gallup wrote.
"However, the trends show that enthusiasm typically increases to the low to mid-60s by Election Day. The one exception is 2016, when relatively few adults felt more enthusiastic about voting in both May (46%) and November (47%), perhaps because of the historical unpopularity of the two major-party candidates."
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Gallup said more insight for voter enthusiasm will come after both parties hold their national conventions. The Democrats are staging theirs this week and Republicans will next week.
Gallup polled more than 1,000 U.S. adults for the survey, which has a margin of error of between 4 and 6 points.


upi--2020-08-18--Luke Voit homers twice, Yankees sweep Red Sox

Aug. 18 ( UPI ) -- First baseman Luke Voit homered twice to lead the New York Yankees to a win over the rival Boston Red Sox Monday night and cap off a series sweep at Yankee Stadium .
Voit homered in the second and fifth innings of the 6-3 triumph and posted a 2 for 4 line at the plate with three RBIs and two runs scored .
The Yankees also picked up wins over their chief rival on Friday , Saturday and Sunday .
New York also swept Boston in a three-game series at the start of August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history of this rivalry , '' Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters .
`` I just think it 's a stretch where we 've had a few really good series against them .
They 've had some things not go their way , so I do n't put a whole lot into it . ''
Aaron Hicks plated Tyler Wade on an RBI double in the bottom of the second inning to draw first blood for the Yankees .
Voit then stepped up to the plate in the next at-bat .
The Yankees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Martin Perez .
Perez worked an even count against Voit before he tossed in a 2-2 changeup .
Voit sent the offering into the center field seats for a 428-foot homer .
The two-run blast had an exit velocity of 108 mph , traveled 131 feet above the field and took 6.4 seconds to leave the ballpark , according to Statcast .
Red Sox catcher Christian Vasquez then hit an RBI double in the top of the fourth frame to cut the Yankees ' lead to two runs .
Thairo Estrada regained a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solo homer in the bottom of the fourth inning .
Voit then returned to the plate for his second homer of the game to lead off the bottom of the next inning .
Red Sox relief pitcher Josh Osich began the exchange with a slider outside of the strike zone .
He evened the count before he threw Voit a 1-1 cutter .
Voit smashed the pitch over the left field fence for a 380-foot homer .
That blast left the field in 4.5 seconds and gave the Yankees a 5-1 edge .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ double in the sixth frame for the Red Sox .
Hicks then hit a solo shot for the Yankees in the bottom of the seventh inning .
Jonathan Arauz brought in the final run with a ninth-inning RBI double for Boston .
Yankees starter Jordan Montgomery allowed three hits and one run in 3 2/3 innings , but was not on the record for a decision .
Perez allowed two hits and three runs in three innings and took his third loss of the season for the Red Sox .
Hicks went 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ runs scored in the win .
Vazquez went 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored for Boston .
The Yankees ( 16-9 ) next host the Tampa Bay Rays at 7:05 p.m. EDT on at Yankee Stadium and the Red Sox ( 6-17 ) host the Philadelphia Phillies at 7:30 p.m. EDT at Fenway Park in Boston .

New York Yankees first baseman Luke Voit is now hitting .281 with seven homers and 15 RBIs this season after he homered twice in a win over the Boston Red Sox Monday in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 18 (UPI) -- First baseman Luke Voit homered twice to lead the New York Yankees to a win over the rival Boston Red Sox Monday night and cap off a series sweep at Yankee Stadium. Voit homered in the second and fifth innings of the 6-3 triumph and posted a 2 for 4 line at the plate with three RBIs and two runs scored. Advertisement
The Yankees also picked up wins over their chief rival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. New York also swept Boston in a three-game series at the start of August.
"That's unique in the history of this rivalry," Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters. "I just think it's a stretch where we've had a few really good series against them. They've had some things not go their way, so I don't put a whole lot into it."
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Aaron Hicks plated Tyler Wade on an RBI double in the bottom of the second inning to draw first blood for the Yankees. Voit then stepped up to the plate in the next at-bat. The Yankees infielder settled in against Red Sox starter Martin Perez.
Perez worked an even count against Voit before he tossed in a 2-2 changeup. Voit sent the offering into the center field seats for a 428-foot homer. The two-run blast had an exit velocity of 108 mph, traveled 131 feet above the field and took 6.4 seconds to leave the ballpark, according to Statcast.
Red Sox catcher Christian Vasquez then hit an RBI double in the top of the fourth frame to cut the Yankees' lead to two runs.
Thairo Estrada regained a three-run lead for the Yankees with a solo homer in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Voit then returned to the plate for his second homer of the game to lead off the bottom of the next inning. Red Sox relief pitcher Josh Osich began the exchange with a slider outside of the strike zone. He evened the count before he threw Voit a 1-1 cutter. Voit smashed the pitch over the left field fence for a 380-foot homer. That blast left the field in 4.5 seconds and gave the Yankees a 5-1 edge.
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Alex Verdugo plated Vazquez with an RBI double in the sixth frame for the Red Sox. Hicks then hit a solo shot for the Yankees in the bottom of the seventh inning. Jonathan Arauz brought in the final run with a ninth-inning RBI double for Boston.
Yankees starter Jordan Montgomery allowed three hits and one run in 3 2/3 innings, but was not on the record for a decision. Perez allowed two hits and three runs in three innings and took his third loss of the season for the Red Sox.
Hicks went 2 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored in the win. Vazquez went 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored for Boston.
The Yankees (16-9) next host the Tampa Bay Rays at 7:05 p.m. EDT on at Yankee Stadium and the Red Sox (6-17) host the Philadelphia Phillies at 7:30 p.m. EDT at Fenway Park in Boston.
This week in Major League Baseball


upi--2020-08-18--6.6-magnitude earthquake strikes Philippines; 1 dead

Aug. 18 ( UPI ) -- A 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck central Philippines Tuesday , killing at least one person , @ @ @ @ @ struck at 8:03 a.m. at a depth of 13 miles about 4 miles east of @ @ @ @ @ central island province of Masbate , the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said in @ @ @ @ @ officer Venus Rojo confirmed to local media that a retired police senior superintendent had died @ @ @ @ @ house , which had collapsed in the quake .
According to the Philippine Red Cross @ @ @ @ @ and many buildings had collapsed in Masbate due to the temblor , forcing at least @ @ @ @ @ at the Cataingan National High School .
`` Psychosocial support is ongoing , '' Red @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
Phvolcs warned that damage was expected as were aftershocks .
It @ @ @ @ @ '' effects were felt in Cataingan while Intensity 5 `` strong '' effects reverberated through @ @ @ @ @ well as Almagro and Tagapul-an in Samar province .

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Several structures collapsed in Cataingan, Masbate, in the earthquake Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Philippine Red Cross - Masbate Chapter/ Facebook
Aug. 18 (UPI) -- A 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck central Philippines Tuesday, killing at least one person, officials said. The temblor struck at 8:03 a.m. at a depth of 13 miles about 4 miles east of the Cataingan municipality in the central island province of Masbate, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said in a statement. Advertisement
Cataingan disaster officer Venus Rojo confirmed to local media that a retired police senior superintendent had died after becoming pinned under his house, which had collapsed in the quake.
According to the Philippine Red Cross, several roads were damaged and many buildings had collapsed in Masbate due to the temblor, forcing at least 11 people to seek shelter at the Cataingan National High School.
"Psychosocial support is ongoing," Red Cross' Masbate chapter said in a statement.
Phvolcs warned that damage was expected as were aftershocks.
It said Intensity 7 "destructive" effects were felt in Cataingan while Intensity 5 "strong" effects reverberated through the cities of Masbate as well as Almagro and Tagapul-an in Samar province.


upi--2020-08-18--Puerto Rico legislator, family indicted for theft, bribery, fraud

Aug. 18 ( UPI ) -- The Department of Justice has indicted Maria Milagros Charbonier-Laureano , a member of Puerto Rico 's House of Representatives , her family and one of her associates for running a years-long scheme of theft , bribery and kickbacks to defraud the Commonwealth .
In a 13-count indictment returned Monday , a federal grand jury in Puerto Rico charged Charbonier-Laureano ; her husband , Orlando Montes-Rivera ; their son , Orlando Gabriel Montes-Charbonier ; and her assistant , Frances Acevedo-Ceballos , in the conspiracy .
`` When elected officials betray the people 's trust in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's expense , the Justice Department will hold them accountable , '' Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department 's Criminal Division said in a statement .
According to the complaint , the conspiracy ran from early 2017 through to July during which time Charbonier is accused of inflating Acevedo 's salary at least twice in an agreement that she , her husband and son would receive a kickback of between $ 1,000 and $ 1,500 from every paycheck .
The complaint states that Acevedo was paid $ 800 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charbonier-Laureano increased her paycheck to $ 2,100 .
It was again increased to $ 2,900 in September , prosecutors said .
Acevedo would keep a portion of the increase and deliver the kickback to Charbonier-Laureano and her family members by hand , through an intermediary and in increments through a smartphone application , among other methods , prosecutors said .
`` This general pattern of Acevedo receiving a government paycheck , retaining a portion of the paycheck for herself , and then withholding or withdrawing approximately $ 1,500 in cash to be used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , '' the complaint said .
U.S. Attorney Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico called on the public for anyone with information of public officials involved in criminal acts to come forward .
`` We will continue investigating and prosecuting elected officials whose criminal conduct enriches themselves at the expense of the government and their constituents , '' Muldrow said in a statement .
Among the 13 counts , Charbonier-Laureano and her family face several money laundering charges for secretively transferring the stolen funds among themselves while the prominent politician known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice as she is accused of attempting to delete certain data from her phone after learning that an investigated had been spearheaded into her conduct .

Aug. 18 (UPI) -- The Department of Justice has indicted Maria Milagros Charbonier-Laureano, a member of Puerto Rico's House of Representatives, her family and one of her associates for running a years-long scheme of theft, bribery and kickbacks to defraud the Commonwealth.
In a 13-count indictment returned Monday, a federal grand jury in Puerto Rico charged Charbonier-Laureano; her husband, Orlando Montes-Rivera; their son, Orlando Gabriel Montes-Charbonier; and her assistant, Frances Acevedo-Ceballos, in the conspiracy.
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"When elected officials betray the people's trust in order to enrich themselves at the public's expense, the Justice Department will hold them accountable," Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department's Criminal Division said in a statement.
According to the complaint, the conspiracy ran from early 2017 through to July during which time Charbonier is accused of inflating Acevedo's salary at least twice in an agreement that she, her husband and son would receive a kickback of between $1,000 and $1,500 from every paycheck.
The complaint states that Acevedo was paid $800 semi-weekly from 2014 to early 2017 when Charbonier-Laureano increased her paycheck to $2,100. It was again increased to $2,900 in September, prosecutors said.
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Acevedo would keep a portion of the increase and deliver the kickback to Charbonier-Laureano and her family members by hand, through an intermediary and in increments through a smartphone application, among other methods, prosecutors said.
"This general pattern of Acevedo receiving a government paycheck, retaining a portion of the paycheck for herself, and then withholding or withdrawing approximately $1,500 in cash to be used as a kickback payment, continued for years," the complaint said.
U.S. Attorney Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico called on the public for anyone with information of public officials involved in criminal acts to come forward.
"We will continue investigating and prosecuting elected officials whose criminal conduct enriches themselves at the expense of the government and their constituents," Muldrow said in a statement.
Among the 13 counts, Charbonier-Laureano and her family face several money laundering charges for secretively transferring the stolen funds among themselves while the prominent politician known as Tata also faces charges of obstruction justice as she is accused of attempting to delete certain data from her phone after learning that an investigated had been spearheaded into her conduct.


upi--2020-08-18--Ex-CIA agent charged with selling classified information to China

Aug. 18 ( UPI ) -- Federal prosecutors have charged and arrested a former Central Intelligence Agency officer for selling classified information to China for more than a decade .
In a statement , the Justice Department said Alexander Yuk Ching Ma , 67 , a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Hong Kong , was arrested late last week on charges unsealed Monday of conspiracy to communicate national defense information to aid a foreign government .
Ma is scheduled to make his initial appearance in a Hawaii court on Tuesday .
If convicted , he faces a maximum penalty of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday , days after he accepted $ 2,000 from an undercover Federal Bureau of Investigation agent posing as a Chinese intelligence officer .
During the meeting , Ma told the undercover agent that he was willing to continue working for China and that he wanted the `` motherland '' to succeed in its mission , federal prosecutors said in the complaint .
`` The trail of Chinese espionage is long and , sadly , strewn with former American intelligence officers who betrayed their colleagues , their country and its liberal democratic values to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers said in a statement .
The complaint states that Ma , who joined the CIA in 1982 and maintained a Top Secret clearance , began selling information to the People 's Republic of China in March 2001 during a trip to his native Hong Kong .
During three days of meetings in the Chinese semi-autonomous city , Ma is accused of providing China with information about the CIA 's personnel , operations and methods of concealing communications in return for $ 50,000 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the FBI office there to gain access to classified U.S. government information for China , the complaint states , adding that he was hired as a contract linguist at the Honolulu field office in 2004 to review and translate Chinese language documents .
`` Over the following six years , Ma regularly copied , photographed and stole documents that displayed U.S. classification markings such as 'SECRET , ' '' the Justice Department said in the statement .
`` Ma took some of the stolen documents and images with him on his frequent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to his handlers . ''
Federal prosecutors accuse Ma of returning to the United States from these trips with thousands in cash and expensive gifts , such as a new set of golf clubs .
Digital images of documents related to guided missile and weapons system technology research as well as photographs of translation documents were among the information Ma is accused of selling to China , the complaint states .
`` The betrayal is never worth it , '' Demers said .
`` Whether immediately , or many years after they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will find these traitors and we will bring them to justice .
To the Chinese intelligence services , these individuals are expendable .
To us , they are sad but urgent reminders of the need to stay vigilant . ''
Prosecutors said Ma worked with a relative , who was also a CIA agent until resigning in 1983 after using his position to assist Chinese nationals in obtaining entry to the United States .
Identified as co-conspirator # 1 in the complaint , Ma 's relative worked with Ma to deliver sensitive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources and individuals in photographs , but no charges were brought against him as he `` suffers from an advanced and debilitating cognitive disease , '' the complaint states .
The United States has charged several people , including members of its intelligence community , over the past few years with spying for China as relations between Washington and Beijing fray .
Last year , Jerry Chun Shing Lee , a 13-year veteran of the CIA who was long suspected of espionage , pleaded guilty to spying for China .
And most recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chinese consulate in Houston as U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described it as `` a hub for spying and intellectual property theft . ''

Alexander Yuk Ching Ma, 67, was arrested last week on charges of selling classified information to China. Photo courtesy of U.S Department of Justice
Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Federal prosecutors have charged and arrested a former Central Intelligence Agency officer for selling classified information to China for more than a decade. In a statement, the Justice Department said Alexander Yuk Ching Ma, 67, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Hong Kong, was arrested late last week on charges unsealed Monday of conspiracy to communicate national defense information to aid a foreign government. Advertisement
Ma is scheduled to make his initial appearance in a Hawaii court on Tuesday. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Ma was arrested Friday, days after he accepted $2,000 from an undercover Federal Bureau of Investigation agent posing as a Chinese intelligence officer. During the meeting, Ma told the undercover agent that he was willing to continue working for China and that he wanted the "motherland" to succeed in its mission, federal prosecutors said in the complaint.
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"The trail of Chinese espionage is long and, sadly, strewn with former American intelligence officers who betrayed their colleagues, their country and its liberal democratic values to support an authoritarian communist regime," said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers said in a statement.
The complaint states that Ma, who joined the CIA in 1982 and maintained a Top Secret clearance, began selling information to the People's Republic of China in March 2001 during a trip to his native Hong Kong.
During three days of meetings in the Chinese semi-autonomous city, Ma is accused of providing China with information about the CIA's personnel, operations and methods of concealing communications in return for $50,000.
Ma then moved to Hawaii and applied to the FBI office there to gain access to classified U.S. government information for China, the complaint states, adding that he was hired as a contract linguist at the Honolulu field office in 2004 to review and translate Chinese language documents.
"Over the following six years, Ma regularly copied, photographed and stole documents that displayed U.S. classification markings such as 'SECRET,'" the Justice Department said in the statement. "Ma took some of the stolen documents and images with him on his frequent trips to China with intent to provide them to his handlers."
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Federal prosecutors accuse Ma of returning to the United States from these trips with thousands in cash and expensive gifts, such as a new set of golf clubs.
Digital images of documents related to guided missile and weapons system technology research as well as photographs of translation documents were among the information Ma is accused of selling to China, the complaint states.
"The betrayal is never worth it," Demers said. "Whether immediately, or many years after they thought they got away with it, we will find these traitors and we will bring them to justice. To the Chinese intelligence services, these individuals are expendable. To us, they are sad but urgent reminders of the need to stay vigilant."
Prosecutors said Ma worked with a relative, who was also a CIA agent until resigning in 1983 after using his position to assist Chinese nationals in obtaining entry to the United States.
Identified as co-conspirator #1 in the complaint, Ma's relative worked with Ma to deliver sensitive information to China, including identifying human sources and individuals in photographs, but no charges were brought against him as he "suffers from an advanced and debilitating cognitive disease," the complaint states.
The United States has charged several people, including members of its intelligence community, over the past few years with spying for China as relations between Washington and Beijing fray.
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Last year, Jerry Chun Shing Lee, a 13-year veteran of the CIA who was long suspected of espionage, pleaded guilty to spying for China.
And most recently, the Trump administration last month closed the Chinese consulate in Houston as U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described it as "a hub for spying and intellectual property theft."


upi--2020-08-18--Depression may hinder recovery from narrowed arteries

People with peripheral artery disease , or PAD , and depression have worse recovery than those who are n't depressed , a new study finds .
That 's especially true for women , the researchers said .
`` This is the first study to document how depressive symptoms may complicate PAD recovery even among patients receiving specialty care , '' said senior author Kim Smolderen .
She 's co-director of the Vascular Medicine Outcomes Research Program at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven , Conn. PAD is a narrowing of the peripheral arteries in the legs , stomach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a patient 's risk of death and illness from heart disease .
It can cause severe pain while walking and may affect mobility , functioning , overall health and quality of life .
For a year , the researchers followed more than 1,200 patients who were being treated for PAD at vascular clinics in the United States , the Netherlands and Australia .
Among the study group , 21 % of women and 13 % of men said they had depressive symptoms .
Those patients had worse health than those who did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report .
One in five women with a new PAD diagnosis or worsening PAD symptoms had clinically relevant depression symptoms after a year -- about two times higher than men .
Women also had poorer health outcomes , which are partially explained by their depressive symptoms , the researchers said .
According to study first author Dr. Qurat-Ul-Ain Jelani , a clinical fellow at Yale School of Medicine , `` A major goal of PAD treatment is improving patients ' health status and quality of life .
Not recognizing or treating depressive symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ optimal recovery . ''
Smolderen added that `` PAD is more than treating the legs and the corresponding pain .
We need awareness for the patient as a whole in order to provide patient-centric care . ''
The report was published online Aug. 12 in the Journal of the American Heart Association .
To learn more about peripheral artery disease , visit the American Heart Association .

People with peripheral artery disease, or PAD, and depression have worse recovery than those who aren't depressed, a new study finds.
That's especially true for women, the researchers said.
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"This is the first study to document how depressive symptoms may complicate PAD recovery even among patients receiving specialty care," said senior author Kim Smolderen. She's co-director of the Vascular Medicine Outcomes Research Program at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn.
PAD is a narrowing of the peripheral arteries in the legs, stomach, arms and head. It increases a patient's risk of death and illness from heart disease. It can cause severe pain while walking and may affect mobility, functioning, overall health and quality of life.
For a year, the researchers followed more than 1,200 patients who were being treated for PAD at vascular clinics in the United States, the Netherlands and Australia.
Among the study group, 21% of women and 13% of men said they had depressive symptoms. Those patients had worse health than those who did not report such symptoms, according to the report.
One in five women with a new PAD diagnosis or worsening PAD symptoms had clinically relevant depression symptoms after a year -- about two times higher than men.
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Women also had poorer health outcomes, which are partially explained by their depressive symptoms, the researchers said.
According to study first author Dr. Qurat-Ul-Ain Jelani, a clinical fellow at Yale School of Medicine, "A major goal of PAD treatment is improving patients' health status and quality of life. Not recognizing or treating depressive symptoms may stand in the way of realizing optimal recovery."
Smolderen added that "PAD is more than treating the legs and the corresponding pain. We need awareness for the patient as a whole in order to provide patient-centric care."
The report was published online Aug. 12 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
More information
To learn more about peripheral artery disease, visit the American Heart Association.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-08-18--Famous birthdays for Aug. 18: Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Rosalynn Carter

Aug. 18 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Leo .
-- Virginia @ @ @ @ @ born in the American colonies , in 1587 -- Former first lady Rosalynn Carter in @ @ @ @ @

1/3
Malcolm-Jamal Warner attends the annual BAFTA Los Angeles TV Tea at the SLS Hotel on September 19, 2015. The actor turns 50 on August 18. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Leo. They include: Advertisement
-- Virginia Dare, first English settler born in the American colonies, in 1587
-- Explorer Meriwether Lewis in 1774
-- Chicago department store founder Marshall Field in 1834
-- Cosmetics businessman Max Factor in 1904
-- Actor Shelley Winters in 1920
-- Former first lady Rosalynn Carter in 1927 (age 93)
File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI
-- Film director Roman Polanski in 1933 (age 87)
-- Baseball Hall of Fame member Roberto Clemente in 1934
-- Olympic gold medal winning decathlete Rafer Johnson in 1935 (age 85)
-- Actor Robert Redford in 1936 (age 84)
-- Actor Martin Mull in 1943 (age 77)
-- Actor Patrick Swayze in 1952
-- Actor Denis Leary in 1957 (age 63)
-- Actor Madeleine Stowe in 1958 (age 62)
-- Actor Edward Norton in 1969 (age 51)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
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-- Actor Christian Slater in 1969 (age 51)
-- Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner in 1970 (age 50)
-- Actor Kaitlin Olson in 1975 (age 45)
-- Actor Andy Samberg in 1978 (age 42)
-- Model Frances Bean Cobain in 1992 (age 28)
-- Actor Maia Mitchell in 1993 (age 27)
-- Actor Madelaine Petsch in 1994 (age 26)
-- Actor Josephine Langford in 1997 (age 23)


upi--2020-08-18--Watch live: SpaceX seeks booster reuse record for satellite launch

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SpaceX launches 58 more Starlink satellites Tuesday on its Falcon 9 rocket from Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 18 (UPI) -- SpaceX reused the same first-stage Falcon 9 rocket booster for the sixth time in a launch from Florida Tuesday morning, setting a record for the launch industry. The rocket carried 58 of the company's Starlink satellites into space, along with three small Earth-imaging SkySat satellites for San Francisco-based Planet (formerly Planet Labs). Advertisement
The rocket lifted off as planned at 10:31 a.m. EDT into a partly cloudy sky from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, adjacent to Kennedy Space Center.
SpaceX also recovered the booster successfully by landing it on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean -- the sixth recovery of that booster. The Starlink satellites deployed into orbit about 46 minutes after launch.
SpaceX said it caught one of two rocket nose-cone halves -- or fairings -- in a net aboard another ship. The other fairing fell into the ocean and is to be recovered later.
"This will mark the first time that we're flying a booster for its sixth mission -- that's the bottom two-thirds of the vehicle," SpaceX engineer Kate Tice said in a launch broadcast.
"And if you look closely you can actually see ... there are soot markings still on the vehicle from its previous five flights."
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The company has said that it can use a Falcon 9 booster about 10 times without a major overhaul.
The booster launched three previous Starlink missions and two other communications satellites for customers since 2018. Elon Musk's SpaceX started to reuse boosters the year before, saying that reduces launch costs.
SpaceX said the mission was their 90th launch on a Falcon 9 rocket. It was also the second Starlink launch this year to carry SkySats.
Former NASA scientists Will Marshall, Robbie Schingler and Chris Boshuizen founded the company in 2010, "with a goal to use space to enhance life on Earth," according to the company.
Planet said it has sent more than 100 satellites into orbit -- some the size of a shoebox -- collecting almost 100 million square miles of imagery daily.
The SkySat spacecraft are part of Planet's Earth-imaging constellation. The company provides surveillance and images of the planet's surface, updated frequently for emergency service providers, security firms and other customers.
Astronauts make round trip to space station from U.S. soil


upi--2020-08-18--On This Day, Aug. 18: 19th Amendment ratified giving women the vote

Aug. 18 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1227 , Genghis Khan , the Mongol leader who forged an empire stretching from the east coast of China west to the Aral Sea , died in camp during a campaign against the Chinese kingdom of Xi Xia .
In 1587 , Virginia Dare was the first child of English parents to be born in the New World -- at Roanoke Island , part of what would become North Carolina .
In 1920 , the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution , guaranteeing women the right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving it the two-thirds majority of state ratification necessary to make it the law of the land .
The law took effect eight days later .
In 1960 , the first commercially produced oral contraceptives went on the market .
In 1963 , James Meredith graduated from the University of Mississippi .
He was the first African American to attend the school , and his enrollment touched off deadly riots , necessitating the use of armed guards .
In 1976 , U.S. President Gerald Ford was nominated in Kansas City , Mo.
, @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He lost to Democrat Jimmy Carter in November .
In 1982 , Lebanon and the Palestine Liberation Organization approved a plan for withdrawal of PLO fighters from besieged West Beirut .
Israel approved it the following day .
In 2005 , Dennis Rader , the Kansas man who called himself BTK -- for bind , torture , kill -- and confessed to slaying 10 people , was sentenced to 10 consecutive life terms .
In 2008 , threatened by impeachment and badgered by faltering economy and security , Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combat forces completed their withdrawal from Iraq but 50,000 American troops remained , primarily as trainers .
In 2012 , a small plane carrying Philippine Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo and three others crashed into the sea off the country 's Masbate Island .
A Robredo aide survived the crash .
Divers later found the bodies of the secretary and two pilots .
In 2013 , Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt , competing in Moscow , became the most decorated track and field athlete in World Championship history .
In 2019 , more than 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Victory Park against the Chinese government and police brutality .

1/3
A member of the League of Women Voters participates in a demonstration to protest the lack of voting rights for the citizens of Washington, D.C., on the 90th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing women the right to vote, in front of the White House in Washington on August 26, 2010. On August 19, 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified by Tennessee, giving it the two-thirds majority of state ratification necessary to make it the law of the land. The law took effect eight days later. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 18 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1227, Genghis Khan, the Mongol leader who forged an empire stretching from the east coast of China west to the Aral Sea, died in camp during a campaign against the Chinese kingdom of Xi Xia. Advertisement
In 1587, Virginia Dare was the first child of English parents to be born in the New World -- at Roanoke Island, part of what would become North Carolina.
In 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing women the right to vote, was ratified by Tennessee, giving it the two-thirds majority of state ratification necessary to make it the law of the land. The law took effect eight days later.
In 1960, the first commercially produced oral contraceptives went on the market.
In 1963, James Meredith graduated from the University of Mississippi. He was the first African American to attend the school, and his enrollment touched off deadly riots, necessitating the use of armed guards.
In 1976, U.S. President Gerald Ford was nominated in Kansas City, Mo., to head the Republican presidential ticket. He lost to Democrat Jimmy Carter in November.
Advertisement
UPI File Photos
In 1982, Lebanon and the Palestine Liberation Organization approved a plan for withdrawal of PLO fighters from besieged West Beirut. Israel approved it the following day.
In 2005, Dennis Rader, the Kansas man who called himself BTK -- for bind, torture, kill -- and confessed to slaying 10 people, was sentenced to 10 consecutive life terms.
In 2008, threatened by impeachment and badgered by faltering economy and security, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation.
In 2010, U.S. combat forces completed their withdrawal from Iraq but 50,000 American troops remained, primarily as trainers.
File Photo by Ali Jasim/UPI
In 2012, a small plane carrying Philippine Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo and three others crashed into the sea off the country's Masbate Island. A Robredo aide survived the crash. Divers later found the bodies of the secretary and two pilots.
In 2013, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, competing in Moscow, became the most decorated track and field athlete in World Championship history.
Advertisement
In 2019, more than 1 million pro-democracy demonstrators gathered in Hong Kong's Victory Park against the Chinese government and police brutality.


upi--2020-08-18--Michelle Obama at DNC: Trump is 'wrong president' for U.S.

Aug. 17 ( UPI ) -- A list of prominent Democrats called for new leadership Monday night to address a multitude of issues in the United States on the first night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention .
The convention , staged mostly remotely for the first time in its history , featured speakers during the prime-time portion that included former presidential candidate and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer and a number of others .
The first night culminated with an address by former first lady Michelle Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change in leadership .
`` Four years ago , too many people chose to believe that their votes did n't matter .
Maybe they were fed up .
Maybe they thought the outcome would n't be close .
Maybe the barriers felt too steep , '' she said .
`` Whatever the reason , in the end , those choices sent someone to the Oval Office who lost the national popular vote by nearly 3 million votes .
`` And we 've all been living with the consequences . ''
Obama praised Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic nomination for president this week , for his work as vice president alongside her husband , former President Barack Obama .
She called President Donald Trump `` the wrong president for our country . ''
`` A president 's words have the power to move markets .
They can start wars or broker peace .
They can summon our better angels or awaken our worst instincts .
You simply can not fake your way through this job , '' she said .
`` More than 150,000 people have died [ of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shambles because of a virus that this president downplayed for too long .
It has left millions of people jobless .
Too many have lost their healthcare .
Too many are struggling to take care of basic necessities like food and rent .
Too many communities have been left in the lurch to grapple with whether and how to open our schools safely .
`` Internationally , we 've turned our back , not just on agreements forged by my husband , but on alliances championed by presidents like [ Ronald ] Reagan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And here at home , as George Floyd , Breonna Taylor and a never-ending list of innocent people of color continue to be murdered , stating the simple fact that a Black life matters is still met with derision from the nation 's highest office . ''
Biden also received messages of support from former rivals in the race for the Democratic nomination to challenge Trump in the Nov. 3 election .
`` To everyone who supported other candidates in the primary and to those who may have voted for Donald Trump in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our democracy is at stake , '' Sanders said .
`` The future of our economy is at stake .
The future of our planet is at stake .
`` We must come together , defeat Donald Trump and elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as our next president and vice president .
My friends , the price of failure is just too great to imagine . ''
Monday night 's theme was `` We the People '' and promoted solutions for social and racial equality , the coronavirus pandemic and climate change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , remembered his brother in a segment as a `` selfless '' man whose spirit was reflected in the protests that followed his death .
He said his brother , as well as Breonna Taylor , Ahmaud Arbery , Eric Garner , Stephon Clark , Atatiana Jefferson and Sandra Bland , should all still be alive today .
`` It 's up to us to carry on the fight for justice , our actions will be their legacies , '' he said .
`` We must always find ourselves in what [ late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trouble , ' '' he added before leading a moment of silence for those who lost their lives to `` hate and injustice . ''
Washington , D.C. , Mayor Muriel Bowser condemned Trump 's decision to deploy federal law enforcement to disperse peaceful protesters near the city 's St. John 's Episcopal Church in June so the president could pose for a photo holding a Bible .
`` I knew if he did this to D.C. , he would do it to your city or your town and that 's when I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I said 'enough ' for every Black and Brown American who has experienced injustice .
'Enough ' for every American who believes in justice . ''
Rep. Jim Clyburn , D-S.C. , delivered a message hailing Biden as a candidate capable of unifying the country amid ongoing injustices facing people of color .
`` We will need a president who sees unifying people as a requirement of the job , '' he said .
`` A president who understands the true meaning of community -- and how to build it through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so many families experiencing loss in this pandemic -- lost jobs , lost loved ones and lost confidence in the president to keep us safe -- we need a president who understands both profound loss and what it takes to bounce back . ''
Cuomo described how New York has been devastated by COVID-19 and how it has rebounded .
`` For all the pain and all the tears , our way worked .
And it was beautiful , '' he said .
`` We showed that our better angels are strong and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We saw that even at the end of the day , even if it is a long day , that love wins . ''
Kristin Urquiza , an Arizona woman whose father was a Trump supporter , spoke about how he trusted the president and did n't take the pandemic seriously enough .
He eventually was sickened by COVID-19 and died .
Urquiza , who pledged to vote for Biden , said her father 's only pre-existing condition was `` believing in Donald Trump . ''
Later in the evening , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohio Gov .
John Kasich , pledged their support for Biden and criticized Trump 's leadership .
Kasich , who appeared at a fork on a dirt road , said the United States is at a crossroads and described Biden as a `` man for our time . ''
He assured conservatives that the former vice president will not `` turn sharp left and leave them behind '' and warned of the dangers of keeping Trump in the White House for a second term .
`` Many of us have been deeply concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the past four years , '' he said .
`` Continuing to follow that path will have terrible consequences for America 's soul , because we are being taken down the road by a president who has pitted one against the other . ''
The convention 's second night on Tuesday will feature appearances and speeches from a prominent Democrats , including Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer , former Secretary of State John Kerry and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez .
The evening will conclude with addresses from former President Bill Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden .

1/5
Live feeds for the remote Democratic National Convention are managed in a control room at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee on Monday. Pool Photo by Scott Olson/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 17 (UPI) -- A list of prominent Democrats called for new leadership Monday night to address a multitude of issues in the United States on the first night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention. The convention, staged mostly remotely for the first time in its history, featured speakers during the prime-time portion that included former presidential candidate and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and a number of others. Advertisement
The first night culminated with an address by former first lady Michelle Obama, who urged voters to make a change in leadership.
"Four years ago, too many people chose to believe that their votes didn't matter. Maybe they were fed up. Maybe they thought the outcome wouldn't be close. Maybe the barriers felt too steep," she said. "Whatever the reason, in the end, those choices sent someone to the Oval Office who lost the national popular vote by nearly 3 million votes.
Advertisement
"And we've all been living with the consequences."
Obama praised Joe Biden, who will officially clinch the Democratic nomination for president this week, for his work as vice president alongside her husband, former President Barack Obama. She called President Donald Trump "the wrong president for our country."
"A president's words have the power to move markets. They can start wars or broker peace. They can summon our better angels or awaken our worst instincts. You simply cannot fake your way through this job," she said.
"More than 150,000 people have died [of COVID-19], and our economy is in shambles because of a virus that this president downplayed for too long. It has left millions of people jobless. Too many have lost their healthcare. Too many are struggling to take care of basic necessities like food and rent. Too many communities have been left in the lurch to grapple with whether and how to open our schools safely.
"Internationally, we've turned our back, not just on agreements forged by my husband, but on alliances championed by presidents like [Ronald] Reagan and [Dwight D.] Eisenhower. And here at home, as George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and a never-ending list of innocent people of color continue to be murdered, stating the simple fact that a Black life matters is still met with derision from the nation's highest office."
Advertisement
Biden also received messages of support from former rivals in the race for the Democratic nomination to challenge Trump in the Nov. 3 election.
"To everyone who supported other candidates in the primary and to those who may have voted for Donald Trump in the last election: The future of our democracy is at stake," Sanders said. "The future of our economy is at stake. The future of our planet is at stake.
"We must come together, defeat Donald Trump and elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as our next president and vice president. My friends, the price of failure is just too great to imagine."
Monday night's theme was "We the People" and promoted solutions for social and racial equality, the coronavirus pandemic and climate change.
Floyd's brother, Philonise Floyd, remembered his brother in a segment as a "selfless" man whose spirit was reflected in the protests that followed his death.
He said his brother, as well as Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Eric Garner, Stephon Clark, Atatiana Jefferson and Sandra Bland, should all still be alive today.
"It's up to us to carry on the fight for justice, our actions will be their legacies," he said.
Advertisement
"We must always find ourselves in what [late Georgia Rep.] John Lewis called 'good trouble,'" he added before leading a moment of silence for those who lost their lives to "hate and injustice."
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser condemned Trump's decision to deploy federal law enforcement to disperse peaceful protesters near the city's St. John's Episcopal Church in June so the president could pose for a photo holding a Bible.
"I knew if he did this to D.C., he would do it to your city or your town and that's when I said 'enough,'" she said. "I said 'enough' for every Black and Brown American who has experienced injustice. 'Enough' for every American who believes in justice."
Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., delivered a message hailing Biden as a candidate capable of unifying the country amid ongoing injustices facing people of color.
"We will need a president who sees unifying people as a requirement of the job," he said. "A president who understands the true meaning of community -- and how to build it through trust and humility.
"And with so many families experiencing loss in this pandemic -- lost jobs, lost loved ones and lost confidence in the president to keep us safe -- we need a president who understands both profound loss and what it takes to bounce back."
Advertisement
Cuomo described how New York has been devastated by COVID-19 and how it has rebounded.
"For all the pain and all the tears, our way worked. And it was beautiful," he said.
"We showed that our better angels are strong and that Americans would rise to their call. We saw that even at the end of the day, even if it is a long day, that love wins."
Kristin Urquiza, an Arizona woman whose father was a Trump supporter, spoke about how he trusted the president and didn't take the pandemic seriously enough. He eventually was sickened by COVID-19 and died.
Urquiza, who pledged to vote for Biden, said her father's only pre-existing condition was "believing in Donald Trump."
Later in the evening, a group of Republicans, led by former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, pledged their support for Biden and criticized Trump's leadership.
Kasich, who appeared at a fork on a dirt road, said the United States is at a crossroads and described Biden as a "man for our time." He assured conservatives that the former vice president will not "turn sharp left and leave them behind" and warned of the dangers of keeping Trump in the White House for a second term.
Advertisement
"Many of us have been deeply concerned about the path we have been following for the past four years," he said. "Continuing to follow that path will have terrible consequences for America's soul, because we are being taken down the road by a president who has pitted one against the other."
The convention's second night on Tuesday will feature appearances and speeches from a prominent Democrats, including Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, former Secretary of State John Kerry and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The evening will conclude with addresses from former President Bill Clinton and Joe Biden's wife, Jill Biden.


upi--2020-08-18--Weight-loss surgery can prevent early death, study shows

For those who are obese , weight-loss surgery can boost quality of life and quickly improve some chronic health conditions , like type 2 diabetes .
Now , a new study confirms that weight-loss procedures probably also add years to your life .
Canadian researchers found that people who had bariatric surgery reduced their risk of dying from any cause by about one-third over five years .
Folks 55 and over seemed to fare even better -- cutting their risk nearly in half .
The study also found that the risk of dying from heart disease and stroke ( cardiovascular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduced by about 50 % .
`` People sometimes shy away from having surgery because they think the damage has been done , but our findings show there 's no reason not to do bariatric surgery in older age groups , '' said study lead author Dr. Aristithes Doumouras .
He 's an associate professor and bariatric surgeon at McMaster University and St. Joseph 's Healthcare 's Centre for Minimal Access Surgery in Toronto .
More than 26,000 people from Ontario participated in the study .
Based on their height and weight measurements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or BMI , was 47 -- extremely obese .
A BMI of 30 or more is considered obese .
Half underwent weight-loss surgery half did not .
Nearly 9 in 10 of those who had surgery underwent gastric bypass -- a procedure that allows food to bypass most of the stomach and part of the small intestine .
The rest had the newer gastric sleeve procedure -- a surgery that removes most of the stomach .
The researchers then followed their health for an average of nearly five years .
Doumouras said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specific benefits from the surgery itself , or if it 's just the weight loss that provides benefits .
He said this is a hard question to answer because people who have the surgery lose substantial amounts of weight , and it 's difficult to lose large amounts of weight and keep it off on your own without an operation .
`` My personal opinion is that I think surgery does have specific benefits for type 2 diabetes and heart disease .
With surgery , people often can come off their diabetes medications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think surgery offers metabolic effects beyond weight loss , '' Doumouras said .
The study was published Aug. 17 in the Annals of Internal Medicine .
Another study in the same issue of the journal -- conducted by researchers led by Dr. Carlos Schiavon from the HCor Research Institute in Sao Paolo , Brazil -- found a benefit from weight-loss surgery in 100 people with mild obesity -- BMI of 30 to 40 -- and high blood pressure .
After three years , people who had surgery took one blood pressure medication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Plus , about 1 in 3 people who underwent surgery were able to come off their high blood pressure medications entirely .
These study authors suggest that weight-loss surgery may be a good option for people who are n't very obese , but have hard-to-control high blood pressure .
While weight-loss surgery clearly has significant benefits , it 's not a panacea .
Some people regain weight .
Others have to contend with side effects such as vitamin deficiencies and nausea or diarrhea after eating ( dumping syndrome ) , usually when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases .
Dr. Marc Bessler is chief of minimal access/bariatric surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center .
`` We tell patients that bariatric surgery is a tool , '' he said .
`` Obesity is n't just one disease , so there is n't just one answer .
For some patients , everything falls into place after surgery , but for some , they 'll regain weight . ''
Bessler said the idea that weight-loss surgery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said what was interesting about the Canadian study was that even older patients can see a benefit .
He said people sometimes do n't have the surgery because they think they wo n't have time to accrue benefits from the procedure .
But Bessler advised , `` Do n't wait till you have diabetes or cancer to get surgery .
Damage to your joints , your cells and metabolic stress are n't always reversible , so do n't put it off .
For obese patients with type 2 diabetes , bariatric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achieving remission . ''
Doumouras added , `` People up to age 70 can probably have benefits . ''
Learn more about weight-loss surgery from the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases .

For those who are obese, weight-loss surgery can boost quality of life and quickly improve some chronic health conditions, like type 2 diabetes.
Now, a new study confirms that weight-loss procedures probably also add years to your life.
Advertisement
Canadian researchers found that people who had bariatric surgery reduced their risk of dying from any cause by about one-third over five years. Folks 55 and over seemed to fare even better -- cutting their risk nearly in half.
The study also found that the risk of dying from heart disease and stroke (cardiovascular disease) or from cancer was also reduced by about 50%.
"People sometimes shy away from having surgery because they think the damage has been done, but our findings show there's no reason not to do bariatric surgery in older age groups," said study lead author Dr. Aristithes Doumouras. He's an associate professor and bariatric surgeon at McMaster University and St. Joseph's Healthcare's Centre for Minimal Access Surgery in Toronto.
Advertisement
More than 26,000 people from Ontario participated in the study. Based on their height and weight measurements, their average body mass index, or BMI, was 47 -- extremely obese. A BMI of 30 or more is considered obese.
Half underwent weight-loss surgery half did not. Nearly 9 in 10 of those who had surgery underwent gastric bypass -- a procedure that allows food to bypass most of the stomach and part of the small intestine. The rest had the newer gastric sleeve procedure -- a surgery that removes most of the stomach. The researchers then followed their health for an average of nearly five years.
Doumouras said it's not clear yet whether there are specific benefits from the surgery itself, or if it's just the weight loss that provides benefits. He said this is a hard question to answer because people who have the surgery lose substantial amounts of weight, and it's difficult to lose large amounts of weight and keep it off on your own without an operation.
"My personal opinion is that I think surgery does have specific benefits for type 2 diabetes and heart disease. With surgery, people often can come off their diabetes medications, sometimes within hours of surgery. I think surgery offers metabolic effects beyond weight loss," Doumouras said.
Advertisement
The study was published Aug. 17 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Another study in the same issue of the journal -- conducted by researchers led by Dr. Carlos Schiavon from the HCor Research Institute in Sao Paolo, Brazil -- found a benefit from weight-loss surgery in 100 people with mild obesity -- BMI of 30 to 40 -- and high blood pressure.
After three years, people who had surgery took one blood pressure medication versus three medications for the nonsurgery group. Plus, about 1 in 3 people who underwent surgery were able to come off their high blood pressure medications entirely. These study authors suggest that weight-loss surgery may be a good option for people who aren't very obese, but have hard-to-control high blood pressure.
While weight-loss surgery clearly has significant benefits, it's not a panacea. Some people regain weight. Others have to contend with side effects such as vitamin deficiencies and nausea or diarrhea after eating (dumping syndrome), usually when they don't follow a recommended diet, according to the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Dr. Marc Bessler is chief of minimal access/bariatric surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center. "We tell patients that bariatric surgery is a tool," he said. "Obesity isn't just one disease, so there isn't just one answer. For some patients, everything falls into place after surgery, but for some, they'll regain weight."
Advertisement
Bessler said the idea that weight-loss surgery can decrease mortality rates isn't new. He said what was interesting about the Canadian study was that even older patients can see a benefit. He said people sometimes don't have the surgery because they think they won't have time to accrue benefits from the procedure.
But Bessler advised, "Don't wait till you have diabetes or cancer to get surgery. Damage to your joints, your cells and metabolic stress aren't always reversible, so don't put it off. For obese patients with type 2 diabetes, bariatric surgery is two times as effective at achieving remission."
Doumouras added, "People up to age 70 can probably have benefits."
More information
Learn more about weight-loss surgery from the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-08-18--U.S. targets Uganda adoption scheme with charges, sanctions

Aug. 17 ( UPI ) -- The Trump administration has filed charges and imposed sanctions against an adoption scheme that removed more than two dozen Ugandan children from their families and placed them in American homes .
The Justice Department on Monday announced a 13-count indictment filed in the Northern District of Ohio late last week charging three women with arranging adoptions of Ugandan children through bribing Ugandan officials and defrauding U.S. adoptive parents as well as participating in a polish adoption scheme .
The indicted names Margaret Cole , 73 , of Strongsville , Ohio ; Debra Parris , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Ugandan lawyer Dorah Mirembe as defendants who face a slew of conspiracy and fraud charges .
`` These three defendants preyed on the emotions of parents , those wanting the best for their child and those wishing to give what they thought was an orphaned child a family to love , '' Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith of the Federal Bureau of Investigation 's Cleveland Field Office said in a statement .
`` These defendants allegedly lied to both sides of the adoption process , and bribed Ugandan officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children .
Parents , prospective parents and children were emotionally vested and were heartbroken when they learned of the selfishness and greed in which these three engaged . ''
According to the complaint , Cole ran an adoption agency out of Strongsville that facilitated intercountry adoptions from Uganda , Poland and other countries with Parris responsible for managing aspects of the agency 's Uganda program while Mirembe , a Ugandan citizen , provided them with adoption-related services , such as legal representation .
The complaint accuses Parris and Mirembe of bribing Ugandan government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ugandan children '' while concealing that fact from Americans seeking to adopt the children through the U.S. adoption agency .
`` Many of the Ugandan children whose adoptions Parris and Mirembe had procured through bribery and fraud were not properly determined to be orphans , and certain of the children were ultimately returned to their birth mothers in Uganda after Adoption Agency 's clients came to believe that these birth mothers had not knowingly given their children up for adoption , '' the complaint states .
More than 30 Ugandan children were adopted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than $ 900,000 between 2013 and 2016 during this scheme , prosecutors said in the complaint .
The State Department said in a statement that Mirembe 's law firm sought out `` vulnerable families in remote Ugandan villages , '' promising parents that their children would be moved to Uganda 's capital of Kampala to further their education .
Once in Kampala , the children would be placed in an unlicensed children 's home and American prospective parents would travel to the African country to adopt them .
The U.S. Treasury Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the scheme , stating they removed young children from Ugandan families under promises of special education programs and study in the United States .
Mirembe , her associate Patrick Ecobu and Ugandan Judges Moses Mukiibi and Wilson Musalu Musene were blacklisted Monday by the Treasury 's Office of Foreign Assets Control , blocking all property and interests in property that they control in the United States while barring American citizens from doing business with them .
The State Department said Mirembe , with Ecobu , facilitated bribes to the Ugandan judges and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
`` Deceiving innocent Ugandan families into giving up their children for adoption has caused great suffering , '' Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Justin G. Muzinich said in a statement .
`` The individuals involved in this corrupt scam deliberately exploited the good faith of Ugandans and Americans to enrich themselves . ''
The Justice Department also charged Cole and Parris over transferring a Polish adoptee to Parris ' relatives who were not eligible for adoption as one of them had a criminal arrest record .
After the child was physically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improper conduct from U.S. officials and from the Polish authority responsible for adoptions to continue profiting from such practices .

Secretary of State Michael Pompeo announced sanctions against four Ugandans who participated in a scheme to take children from Ugandan parents to place with American families. Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 17 (UPI) -- The Trump administration has filed charges and imposed sanctions against an adoption scheme that removed more than two dozen Ugandan children from their families and placed them in American homes. The Justice Department on Monday announced a 13-count indictment filed in the Northern District of Ohio late last week charging three women with arranging adoptions of Ugandan children through bribing Ugandan officials and defrauding U.S. adoptive parents as well as participating in a polish adoption scheme. Advertisement
The indicted names Margaret Cole, 73, of Strongsville, Ohio; Debra Parris, 68, of Lake Dallas, Texas, and Ugandan lawyer Dorah Mirembe as defendants who face a slew of conspiracy and fraud charges.
"These three defendants preyed on the emotions of parents, those wanting the best for their child and those wishing to give what they thought was an orphaned child a family to love," Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Cleveland Field Office said in a statement. "These defendants allegedly lied to both sides of the adoption process, and bribed Ugandan officials who were responsible for the welfare of children. Parents, prospective parents and children were emotionally vested and were heartbroken when they learned of the selfishness and greed in which these three engaged."
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According to the complaint, Cole ran an adoption agency out of Strongsville that facilitated intercountry adoptions from Uganda, Poland and other countries with Parris responsible for managing aspects of the agency's Uganda program while Mirembe, a Ugandan citizen, provided them with adoption-related services, such as legal representation.
The complaint accuses Parris and Mirembe of bribing Ugandan government officials to "corruptly procure adoptions of Ugandan children" while concealing that fact from Americans seeking to adopt the children through the U.S. adoption agency.
"Many of the Ugandan children whose adoptions Parris and Mirembe had procured through bribery and fraud were not properly determined to be orphans, and certain of the children were ultimately returned to their birth mothers in Uganda after Adoption Agency's clients came to believe that these birth mothers had not knowingly given their children up for adoption," the complaint states.
More than 30 Ugandan children were adopted by U.S. clients who paid the agency more than $900,000 between 2013 and 2016 during this scheme, prosecutors said in the complaint.
The State Department said in a statement that Mirembe's law firm sought out "vulnerable families in remote Ugandan villages," promising parents that their children would be moved to Uganda's capital of Kampala to further their education.
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Once in Kampala, the children would be placed in an unlicensed children's home and American prospective parents would travel to the African country to adopt them.
The U.S. Treasury Department on Monday sanctioned four Ugandans for participating in the scheme, stating they removed young children from Ugandan families under promises of special education programs and study in the United States.
Mirembe, her associate Patrick Ecobu and Ugandan Judges Moses Mukiibi and Wilson Musalu Musene were blacklisted Monday by the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, blocking all property and interests in property that they control in the United States while barring American citizens from doing business with them.
The State Department said Mirembe, with Ecobu, facilitated bribes to the Ugandan judges and other government officials to fraudulently procure adoption cases.
"Deceiving innocent Ugandan families into giving up their children for adoption has caused great suffering," Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Justin G. Muzinich said in a statement. "The individuals involved in this corrupt scam deliberately exploited the good faith of Ugandans and Americans to enrich themselves."
The Justice Department also charged Cole and Parris over transferring a Polish adoptee to Parris' relatives who were not eligible for adoption as one of them had a criminal arrest record. After the child was physically abused, Cole and Parris concealed the improper conduct from U.S. officials and from the Polish authority responsible for adoptions to continue profiting from such practices.


upi--2020-08-17--Judge blocks Trump's reversal of transgender ACA protections

Aug. 17 ( UPI ) -- A day before the policy change was to go into effect , a federal judge blocked the Trump administration on Monday from rolling back Obama-era healthcare protections for people who identify as transgender .
U.S. District Judge Frederic Block issued a preliminary injunction against the move , citing a recent Supreme Court decision that ruled it unlawful to discriminate against a transgender person as to do so is to discriminate against them based on their sex .
In his 26-page ruling , Block chastised the Department of Health and Human Services for attempting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's decision , stating `` when the Supreme Court announces a major decision , it seems a sensible thing to pause and reflect on the decision 's impact .
`` Since HHS has been unwilling to take that path voluntarily , the court now imposes it . ''
The department 's new rule was set to go into effect Tuesday and would have removed protections in the Affordable Care Act that made it unlawful to discriminate on the basis of sex .
The ACA 's anti-discrimination protection has been blocked from going into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , HHS gave notice of its proposal to repeal those protections , raising the ire of LGBTQ activists .
However , in June of this year , the Supreme Court ruled in favor in a civil rights case concerning protections granted to employees against discrimination in the workplace .
Alphonso David , president of the Human Rights Campaign , which brought the lawsuit against the Trump administration on behalf of two women of color , called Monday 's decision a `` crucial early '' victory , not only for their clients but for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are pleased the court recognized this irrational rule for what it is : discrimination , plain and simple .
LGBTQ Americans deserve the healthcare that they need without fear of mistreatment , harassment or humiliation , '' David said in a statement .
The ruling , however , did not address all of the revisions proposed by the Trump administration to the healthcare law that has attracted legal challenges to eliminations of language access and other protections .
Lambda Legal , which is suing HHS over its proposed changes to the rule , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration of targeting LGBTQ people during a pandemic when they require medical services .
`` LGBTQ people , particularly transgender people , have been under constant attack by the Trump administration .
HHS ' healthcare discrimination rule threatens to wreak havoc and confusion , hurting our most vulnerable populations , who already are suffering disproportionately at the hands of the COVID-19 pandemic , '' Lambda legal staff attorney Carl Charles said in a statement .
`` We applaud today 's decision and look forward to continuing our fight against this rule that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for discrimination during their most critical time of need -- when seeking healthcare . ''

In his ruling Monday, U.S. District Judge Frederick Block cited the Supreme Court's June decision that bans LGBTQ employment discrimination. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 17 (UPI) -- A day before the policy change was to go into effect, a federal judge blocked the Trump administration on Monday from rolling back Obama-era healthcare protections for people who identify as transgender. U.S. District Judge Frederic Block issued a preliminary injunction against the move, citing a recent Supreme Court decision that ruled it unlawful to discriminate against a transgender person as to do so is to discriminate against them based on their sex. Advertisement
In his 26-page ruling, Block chastised the Department of Health and Human Services for attempting to implement the rule despite the highest court's decision, stating "when the Supreme Court announces a major decision, it seems a sensible thing to pause and reflect on the decision's impact.
"Since HHS has been unwilling to take that path voluntarily, the court now imposes it."
The department's new rule was set to go into effect Tuesday and would have removed protections in the Affordable Care Act that made it unlawful to discriminate on the basis of sex.
The ACA's anti-discrimination protection has been blocked from going into effect since 2016. In June 2019, HHS gave notice of its proposal to repeal those protections, raising the ire of LGBTQ activists.
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However, in June of this year, the Supreme Court ruled in favor in a civil rights case concerning protections granted to employees against discrimination in the workplace.
Alphonso David, president of the Human Rights Campaign, which brought the lawsuit against the Trump administration on behalf of two women of color, called Monday's decision a "crucial early" victory, not only for their clients but for the entire LGBTQ community.
"We are pleased the court recognized this irrational rule for what it is: discrimination, plain and simple. LGBTQ Americans deserve the healthcare that they need without fear of mistreatment, harassment or humiliation," David said in a statement.
The ruling, however, did not address all of the revisions proposed by the Trump administration to the healthcare law that has attracted legal challenges to eliminations of language access and other protections.
Lambda Legal, which is suing HHS over its proposed changes to the rule, applauded Monday's decision, accusing the Trump administration of targeting LGBTQ people during a pandemic when they require medical services.
"LGBTQ people, particularly transgender people, have been under constant attack by the Trump administration. HHS' healthcare discrimination rule threatens to wreak havoc and confusion, hurting our most vulnerable populations, who already are suffering disproportionately at the hands of the COVID-19 pandemic," Lambda legal staff attorney Carl Charles said in a statement. "We applaud today's decision and look forward to continuing our fight against this rule that unlawfully targets and singles out LGBTQ people for discrimination during their most critical time of need -- when seeking healthcare."


upi--2020-08-18--Genevieve explodes into major hurricane near Mexico's Pacific coast

Aug. 18 ( UPI ) -- Genevieve strengthened into the second major hurricane in the eastern Pacific basin of the 2020 season on Monday night as it rapidly intensified into a Category 4 storm .
It has since weakened slightly to a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph .
Genevieve has been churning up water along Mexico 's Pacific coast since it formed over the weekend , and as the week progresses , tropical downpours and huge swells are in store along its path , as further strengthening is possible .
Favorable conditions , including very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the area , are acting to fuel the monster of a storm .
A huge eye was visible on satellite images on Tuesday morning .
Genevieve was born first as Tropical Depression 12-E when it emerged in the warm waters just off the coast of El Salvador and Nicaragua Sunday morning .
As a result of the favorable conditions in the area , Genevieve had strengthened to hurricane status just one day later .
In its 6 p.m. update , the National Hurricane Center located the storm about 280 miles south-southeast of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maximum sustained winds of 125 mph with stronger gusts .
It was moving northwest at 12 mph and was forecast to continue this general motion through Thursday as its speed decreases .
`` The center of Genevieve is forecast to move near but southwest of the southern portion of the Baja California peninsula on Wednesday night and Thursday , '' the update said .
The storm though downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane is expected to hold its intensity or even strengthen slightly through Wednesday but will steadily weaken after that .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ status so far in the East Pacific was Hurricane Douglas .
Douglas went on to track along the north side of the Hawaiian Islands in the central Pacific during the second half of July , bringing tropical downpours and gusty winds to the island chain .
Genevieve will not take a path similar to Douglas in the coming days , as the storm is expected to bring the bulk of the impactful weather to waters just west of Mexico 's Pacific coast .
Even on relatively tranquil days , the shore break along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waves , posing dangerous conditions for swimmers .
As Genevieve churns just off the coast through the week , very large and dangerous swells are expected .
The hurricane 's most significant impact along the coast and waters offshore will be for dangerous surf and heavy seas .
Forecasters urge people to avoid the surf and avoid watching the storm from adjacent coastal areas .
Large breaking waves can lead to substantial overwash along the coast with the risk of coastal flooding and damage to vessels .
Small craft should remain in port @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the path of the hurricane .
As of Tuesday morning , tropical storm watches were in place across both coasts of the northern part of the Baja California with a tropical storm warning in effect from Los Barriles to Todos Santos , Mexico , in anticipation of a glancing blow from the powerful storm .
The tropical storm warning that is in effect includes Cabo San Lucas , a city that is no stranger to tropical activity .
Outer bands of Genevieve will also bring along tropical downpours to coastal cities through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for flash flooding and mudslides .
Cities in line to possibly deal with wet weather from Genevieve include Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta and all areas in-between .
Rainfall from Genevieve 's outer bands can and likely will track into the higher terrain just inland of the aforementioned cities .
The mountainous terrain across this region can act to wring out ample amounts of moisture from the atmosphere , enhancing rainfall totals .
As this rain funnels into creeks and rivers , towns along their path could face the threat of flash flooding and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parallel the coast , it will begin to track into cooler water off Baja California , into late week .
This interaction will undoubtedly begin a weakening trend of the hurricane , but that does n't mean the impacts will end there .
The storm 's exact track through this weekend and into early next week is still unclear , but it is possible that some of the residual moisture from the storm could stream into the West Coast of the United States .
Along with a potential influx of moisture , increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be possible early next week .

Tropical Storm Genevieve was expected to weaken to a depression Friday. Photo courtesy of NOAA
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Tropical Storm Genevieve gradually weakened Friday as it moved north away from the Baja California Peninsula, forecasters said. The storm is expected to become a tropical depression later Friday as it moved away from the coast. It will likely maintain that strength through the weekend. Advertisement
In its 9 a.m. MDT update, the National Hurricane Center said the center of the storm was about 155 miles west of Cabo San Lazaro, Mexico. It was moving northwest at 10 mph and had 45 mph maximum sustained winds.
There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
Genevieve strengthened into the second major hurricane in the eastern Pacific basin of the 2020 season on Monday night as it rapidly intensified into Category 4 storm.
The storm has been churning up the water along Mexico's Pacific coast since it formed over the past weekend, and as the week progresses, tropical downpours and huge swells will continue to extend outward from the powerful center of the storm.
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"Total rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches with an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 6 inches and wind gusts of 50-60 mph with an AccuWeather Local StormMax wind gust of 70 mph will impact the southern Baja Peninsula," AccuWeather hurricane expert Dan Kottlowski said Thursday night.
Favorable conditions, including very warm water and weak wind shear in the area, helped Genevieve become a monstrous storm earlier this week. A huge eye was visible on satellite images on Tuesday morning.
Genevieve was born first as Tropical Depression 12-E when it emerged in the warm waters just off the coast of El Salvador and Nicaragua Sunday morning. As a result of the favorable conditions in the area, Genevieve had strengthened to hurricane status just one day later.
The only other storm to achieve major hurricane status so far in the East Pacific was Hurricane Douglas. Douglas went on to track along the north side of the Hawaiian Islands in the central Pacific during the second half of July, bringing tropical downpours and gusty winds to the island chain.
Genevieve will not take a path similar to Douglas in the coming days, as the storm is expected to bring the bulk of the impactful weather to waters just west of Mexico's Pacific coast.
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Even on relatively tranquil days, the shore break along Mexico's west coast can feature large waves, posing dangerous conditions for swimmers. As Genevieve churns just off the coast through the week, very large and dangerous swells are expected.
The hurricane's most significant impacts along the coast and waters offshore will be dangerous surf and heavy seas.
Forecasters urge people to avoid the surf and avoid watching the storm from adjacent coastal areas. Large breaking waves can lead to substantial overwash along the coast with the risk of coastal flooding and damage to vessels. Small craft should remain in port and larger ships should avoid the region and the path of the hurricane.
Outer bands of Genevieve will also bring along tropical downpours to coastal cities through the coming days, especially over the southern portion of the Baja California Peninsula. Enough rain can fall to cause flash flooding and debris flows. Cities along the west coast of Mexico that are forecast to experience impact from Genevieve include in line to possibly deal with wet weather from Genevieve include Cabo San Lucas, La Paz and San Carlos.
Rainfall from Genevieve's outer bands can and likely will track into the higher terrain just inland of the aforementioned cities. The mountainous terrain across this region can act to wring out ample amounts of moisture from the atmosphere, enhancing rainfall totals. As this rain funnels into small streams and rivers, towns along their path could face flooding.
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As the storm continues to parallel the coast, it will begin to track into cooler water off Baja California, into late week. This interaction will undoubtedly begin a weakening trend of the hurricane, but that doesn't mean the impacts will end there.
Genevieve is forecast to take a slightly curved path that takes the center of the storm progressively farther away from the west coast of Mexico and California later this weekend to early next week. During this time, Genevieve is expected to transition into a non-tropical storm.
But it is possible that some of the residual moisture from the storm could stream into the southwestern United States in the form of clouds with a slight chance of spotty thunderstorm activity. Along with a potential influx of moisture, increased swells, especially across Southern California, will be possible early next week.


upi--2020-08-18--Boston Celtics' Gordon Hayward out for one month with ankle sprain

Aug. 18 ( UPI ) -- The Boston Celtics will be without Gordon Hayward until at least the Eastern Conference finals after the All-Star forward suffered a sprained right ankle in Monday 's series opener against the Philadelphia 76ers .
The team announced Tuesday that Hayward was diagnosed with a Grade 3 right ankle sprain .
He is expected to miss at least four weeks , meaning the Celtics would likely need to reach the conference finals before he is able to return .
`` Really tough for him .
Obviously tough for us , '' Celtics head coach Brad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a heck of a season and played well here .
...
I feel for him , more than anything else , and it 's our job to make up for all of the great things that he does by committee , and we 'll attempt to do so . ''
Hayward , who is averaging 17.5 points , 6.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game this season , suffered the injury late in the fourth quarter of the Celtics ' Game 1 win over the Sixers .
He twisted his ankle while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big man Joel Embiid .
The Celtics are expected to slot Marcus Smart into the starting lineup in Hayward 's absence .
The Celtics and the 76ers continue their first-round playoff series Wednesday .

Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward is averaging 17.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game this season. File Photo by CJ Gunther/EPA-EFE
Aug. 18 (UPI) -- The Boston Celtics will be without Gordon Hayward until at least the Eastern Conference finals after the All-Star forward suffered a sprained right ankle in Monday's series opener against the Philadelphia 76ers. The team announced Tuesday that Hayward was diagnosed with a Grade 3 right ankle sprain. He is expected to miss at least four weeks, meaning the Celtics would likely need to reach the conference finals before he is able to return. Advertisement
"Really tough for him. Obviously tough for us," Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said Tuesday. "He's had a heck of a season and played well here. ... I feel for him, more than anything else, and it's our job to make up for all of the great things that he does by committee, and we'll attempt to do so."
Hayward, who is averaging 17.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game this season, suffered the injury late in the fourth quarter of the Celtics' Game 1 win over the Sixers. He twisted his ankle while attempting to grab a rebound over 76ers big man Joel Embiid.
Advertisement Gordon Hayward being helped off the court after appearing to injure his ankle. pic.twitter.com/ePanph0cwZ— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) August 18, 2020
The Celtics are expected to slot Marcus Smart into the starting lineup in Hayward's absence.
The Celtics and the 76ers continue their first-round playoff series Wednesday.


upi--2020-08-18--WHO: Young people are 'increasingly driving' spread of COVID-19

Aug. 18 ( UPI ) -- The World Health Organization warned Tuesday that young people have become the primary source of coronavirus spread .
Takeshi Kasai , the WHO 's Western Pacific regional director , said that people in their 20s , 30s and 40s are `` increasingly driving '' the spread of COVID-19 as colleges in the United States resume classes .
`` Many are unaware they 're infected -- with very mild symptoms or none at all .
This can result in them unknowingly passing on the virus to others , '' said Kasai .
`` This increases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vulnerable : the elderly , the sick , people in long-term care , people who live in densely populated urban areas and under-served rural areas . ''
Kasai said the world must `` redouble efforts '' to stop the virus from moving into such vulnerable communities through rapid virus detection and contact tracing , increasing capacity for health systems and persistent implementation of masks , social distancing and hand hygiene .
`` If we make these choices , we can use more moderate control measures -- avoiding blanket , nationwide lockdowns , extreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and death -- and find a way to improve both health and the economy together , '' said Kasai .
As of Tuesday evening , more than 22 million coronavirus cases have been reported worldwide and 778,577 people have died as a result of the virus , according to data collected by John 's Hopkins University .
In the United States , which leads the world in cases and deaths , the University of Notre Dame and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill both suspended in-person classes this week after more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for COVID-19 .

A man wears a face mask as he walks in New York City on Monday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 18 (UPI) -- The World Health Organization warned Tuesday that young people have become the primary source of coronavirus spread. Takeshi Kasai, the WHO's Western Pacific regional director, said that people in their 20s, 30s and 40s are "increasingly driving" the spread of COVID-19 as colleges in the United States resume classes. Advertisement
"Many are unaware they're infected -- with very mild symptoms or none at all. This can result in them unknowingly passing on the virus to others," said Kasai. "This increases the risks of spillovers to the most vulnerable: the elderly, the sick, people in long-term care, people who live in densely populated urban areas and under-served rural areas."
Kasai said the world must "redouble efforts" to stop the virus from moving into such vulnerable communities through rapid virus detection and contact tracing, increasing capacity for health systems and persistent implementation of masks, social distancing and hand hygiene.
"If we make these choices, we can use more moderate control measures -- avoiding blanket, nationwide lockdowns, extreme economic closures and high rates of infection and death -- and find a way to improve both health and the economy together," said Kasai.
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As of Tuesday evening, more than 22 million coronavirus cases have been reported worldwide and 778,577 people have died as a result of the virus, according to data collected by John's Hopkins University.
In the United States, which leads the world in cases and deaths, the University of Notre Dame and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill both suspended in-person classes this week after more than 100 students at each school tested positive for COVID-19.