upi--2020-07-19--19th-century thriller ‘Alienist’ feels ‘incredibly current,’ actor Daniel Bruhl says

NEW YORK , July 19 ( UPI ) -- Spanish-German actor Daniel Bruhl says the social issues that drive his TNT thriller The Alienist feel `` incredibly current '' even though the show takes place more than 100 years ago .
Based on Caleb Carr 's novels The Alienist and The Angel of Darkness , the period drama follows psychiatrist Laszlo Kreizler ( Bruhl ) , newspaper reporter John Moore ( Luke Evans ) and private detective Sara Howard ( Dakota Fanning ) as they investigate murders in New York .
`` This story was set in 1897 .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and still it feels incredibly current today because it touches so many aspects and conflicts we are still struggling with , '' Bruhl told UPI in a recent Zoom interview .
He cited racism , female empowerment and women 's rights , equality , and corruption as examples .
`` When we shot the show , we felt like this is not 1897 , this is 2019 , '' Bruhl said .
The opportunity to explore complex ideas is one reason the actor was initially attracted to The Alienist .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gripping , dark tale , but on the other hand , also a very entertaining history lesson in which you learn so much about fascinating sciences that were born back in those days , '' he said .
`` You learn so much about New York and about its society back then and the politics , social matters .
That combination made it very rich and attractive . ''
To prepare for Season 2 , Bruhl 's wife , Felicitas Rombold , a real alienist or psychiatrist introduced him to her colleagues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also was hypnotized as part of his research into how the mind works , and he read a book about Nellie Bly , a journalist who went undercover to expose abuses in mental institutions in the 1800s .
Despite the show 's grim storylines -- someone is kidnapping and killing infants in Season 2 -- Bruhl said he does n't have much trouble leaving that world behind at the end of the day and returning to his normal life with his wife and young son .
In fact , he even can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them as a viewer .
`` What 's funny is that -- although you are in the show , you 're shooting it and you know it by heart -- if it 's well done , it still works when you are watching it .
I was shocked when I watched it and it gave me nightmares , '' he laughed .
The actor recalled feeling `` happy and relieved '' when he heard in 2018 that The Alienist was renewed for a second season .
`` Dakota , Luke and I became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the show .
We shared incredible chemistry and always knew that there was so much more to tell that we wanted to explore , '' he said .
Season 1 had raised the bar so high in terms of storytelling and performance , Bruhl knew the challenge would be to make Season 2 just as good or better .
`` You hope that you will have a long breath to make it an equally fascinating and captivating show the second time around and to not feel a certain routine or redundancy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never the case , thanks to the scripts we were sent .
We immediately felt this was a very different endeavor , a different journey . ''
The biggest difference from Season 1 is that Laszlo and John now find themselves assisting Sara on cases instead of the other way around .
`` There is a power shift in our triangle , '' Bruhl said .
`` There is a different focus , a different pulse , a different rhythm and , obviously , different storylines and subject matters . ''
Because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany this spring , Bruhl was able to make his directorial debut with Next Door , a film penned by playwright/novelist Daniel Kehlmann .
Still , he was at home for long stretches of time with his family in recent months because of closures in Europe and the United States intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Whether isolated during a pandemic or experiencing down time between takes on a film/TV production , Bruhl agrees with Laszlo 's theory that `` time is never wasted when one is thinking . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe , but still there was a quarantine , '' Bruhl said .
`` It was horrible what was going on and what is still going on , but , on the other hand , it gave me time , us time to think things through and to spend more time with each other and to appreciate more what you have . ''
Next up for Bruhl is returning to work on the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier , in which he will reprise his role of Helmut Zemo from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actor said he loves the variety and creativity that come with playing a kindly psychiatrist on one show , and then transitioning to portray a terrorist for another project .
`` That 's what keeps you alive and happy and fulfilled as an actor , '' he said .
`` I really see that as a huge privilege , if people give you the chances to explore very different parts , to never feel limited to just one thing . ''
Bruhl was nearly pigeonholed by German filmmakers after playing nice-guy roles early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changed all that by casting him as dangerous or flawed characters in movies such as Inglourious Basterds and Rush .
`` Nobody would have given me the part of a villain and finally it was the eye from outside -- from abroad -- like Quentin Tarantino or Ron Howard or Kevin Feige to see that in me and offer me much darker parts , '' he said .
`` It 's always interesting to be as diverse as you possibly can , to be lucky enough to get chances to prove that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Fifth Estate and The Cloverfield Paradox .
The actor hopes that working with great filmmakers and playing lots of different parts made him a good director on Next Door .
`` I understand the other side [ of the camera ] and , still , so many aspects of filmmaking were new to me .
Thanks to the wonderful people around me , I am learning and absorbing and thinking and , hopefully , it will be an enjoyable film and people will like it as much as I did when I @ @ @ @ @ @

1/3
Season 2 of Daniel Bruhl's "The Alienist" is set to premiere Sunday on TNT. File Photo by Paul Treadway/UPI | License Photo
NEW YORK, July 19 (UPI) -- Spanish-German actor Daniel Bruhl says the social issues that drive his TNT thriller The Alienist feel "incredibly current" even though the show takes place more than 100 years ago. Based on Caleb Carr's novels The Alienist and The Angel of Darkness, the period drama follows psychiatrist Laszlo Kreizler (Bruhl), newspaper reporter John Moore (Luke Evans) and private detective Sara Howard (Dakota Fanning) as they investigate murders in New York. Advertisement
Season 2 is to debut Sunday.
"This story was set in 1897. This book was published in the 1990s, and still it feels incredibly current today because it touches so many aspects and conflicts we are still struggling with," Bruhl told UPI in a recent Zoom interview.
He cited racism, female empowerment and women's rights, equality, and corruption as examples.
Advertisement
"When we shot the show, we felt like this is not 1897, this is 2019," Bruhl said.
The opportunity to explore complex ideas is one reason the actor was initially attracted to The Alienist.
"It's that combination of it being a thrilling and gripping, dark tale, but on the other hand, also a very entertaining history lesson in which you learn so much about fascinating sciences that were born back in those days," he said. "You learn so much about New York and about its society back then and the politics, social matters. That combination made it very rich and attractive."
To prepare for Season 2, Bruhl's wife, Felicitas Rombold, a real alienist or psychiatrist introduced him to her colleagues so he could pick their brains.
He also was hypnotized as part of his research into how the mind works, and he read a book about Nellie Bly, a journalist who went undercover to expose abuses in mental institutions in the 1800s.
Despite the show's grim storylines -- someone is kidnapping and killing infants in Season 2 -- Bruhl said he doesn't have much trouble leaving that world behind at the end of the day and returning to his normal life with his wife and young son.
Advertisement
In fact, he even can watch the episodes and lose himself in them as a viewer.
"What's funny is that -- although you are in the show, you're shooting it and you know it by heart -- if it's well done, it still works when you are watching it. I was shocked when I watched it and it gave me nightmares," he laughed.
The actor recalled feeling "happy and relieved" when he heard in 2018 that The Alienist was renewed for a second season.
"Dakota, Luke and I became very close -- real friends -- thanks to the show. We shared incredible chemistry and always knew that there was so much more to tell that we wanted to explore," he said.
Season 1 had raised the bar so high in terms of storytelling and performance, Bruhl knew the challenge would be to make Season 2 just as good or better.
"You hope that you will have a long breath to make it an equally fascinating and captivating show the second time around and to not feel a certain routine or redundancy," he said. "That was never the case, thanks to the scripts we were sent. We immediately felt this was a very different endeavor, a different journey."
Advertisement
The biggest difference from Season 1 is that Laszlo and John now find themselves assisting Sara on cases instead of the other way around.
"There is a power shift in our triangle," Bruhl said. "There is a different focus, a different pulse, a different rhythm and, obviously, different storylines and subject matters."
Because of the low number of coronavirus cases in Germany this spring, Bruhl was able to make his directorial debut with Next Door, a film penned by playwright/novelist Daniel Kehlmann.
Still, he was at home for long stretches of time with his family in recent months because of closures in Europe and the United States intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Whether isolated during a pandemic or experiencing down time between takes on a film/TV production, Bruhl agrees with Laszlo's theory that "time is never wasted when one is thinking."
"It always felt OK, relatively safe, but still there was a quarantine," Bruhl said.
"It was horrible what was going on and what is still going on, but, on the other hand, it gave me time, us time to think things through and to spend more time with each other and to appreciate more what you have."
Advertisement
Next up for Bruhl is returning to work on the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, in which he will reprise his role of Helmut Zemo from Captain America: Civil War.
The actor said he loves the variety and creativity that come with playing a kindly psychiatrist on one show, and then transitioning to portray a terrorist for another project.
"That's what keeps you alive and happy and fulfilled as an actor," he said. "I really see that as a huge privilege, if people give you the chances to explore very different parts, to never feel limited to just one thing."
Bruhl was nearly pigeonholed by German filmmakers after playing nice-guy roles early in his career, but Hollywood directors changed all that by casting him as dangerous or flawed characters in movies such as Inglourious Basterds and Rush.
"Nobody would have given me the part of a villain and finally it was the eye from outside -- from abroad -- like Quentin Tarantino or Ron Howard or Kevin Feige to see that in me and offer me much darker parts," he said.
"It's always interesting to be as diverse as you possibly can, to be lucky enough to get chances to prove that," added Bruhl whose other credits include The Fifth Estate and The Cloverfield Paradox.
Advertisement
The actor hopes that working with great filmmakers and playing lots of different parts made him a good director on Next Door.
"I understand the other side [of the camera] and, still, so many aspects of filmmaking were new to me. Thanks to the wonderful people around me, I am learning and absorbing and thinking and, hopefully, it will be an enjoyable film and people will like it as much as I did when I was working on it."


upi--2020-07-19--Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial to begin in January

July 19 ( UPI ) -- The corruption trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will begin in January next year , a judge in the case ruled Sunday .
During the trial , witnesses will be called in three sessions a week , District Court Judge Rivkah Friedman Feldman announced in Jerusalem .
One of Netanyahu 's lawyers , Yossi Segev , said `` it will be hard for me to face a masked witness and see if he 's telling the truth '' because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The court said they all need to cope with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the courtroom because a panel of judges , headed by Friedman-Feldman , Moshe Bar-Am and Oded Shaham ruled that in this second hearing only the accused was not required to attend .
In the first hearing on May 24 , it was agreed that Netanyahu 's lawyers would be given two months to discuss the trial 's timeline .
The lawyers , who are headed by Amit Hadad , wanted more time to study the extensive material presented by the prosecutors , which they say contains errors .
The prosecution had wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicted on Jan. 28 though Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit announced on Nov. 23 Netanyahu would be indicted .
Netanyahu , 70 , has been charged with bribery and public corruption .
He has been accused in a media bribery scheme in which Walla owner Shaul Elovitch allegedly gave him positive coverage in exchange for the prime minister making government policies favoring Elovitch 's Bezeq company for $ 510 million .
This is known as Case 4,000 .
In case 2,000 , Netanyahu is accused of receiving gifts worth $ 200,000 from rich tycoons , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for help with business and personal legal initiatives .
Case 1,000 centers on gifts Netanyahu allegedly received from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer .
Lead prosecutor Liat Ben Ari asked the court to hear evidence in Case 4,000 .
Others on trial are Arnon Mozes , publisher of the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper ; Elovitch , and Elovitch 's wife , Iris Elovitch .
Netanyahu has claimed he is innocent .
The trial was delayed because of the election and the pandemic .
Netany is scheduled to transfer power to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November 2021 .

Prosecutors in the case against Benjamin Netanyahu, including Liat Ben Ari (second from left) appear at District Court in Jerusalem, Israel, on Sunday. Photo by Marc Israel/pool/PI | License Photo
July 19 (UPI) -- The corruption trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will begin in January next year, a judge in the case ruled Sunday. During the trial, witnesses will be called in three sessions a week, District Court Judge Rivkah Friedman Feldman announced in Jerusalem. Advertisement
One of Netanyahu's lawyers, Yossi Segev, said "it will be hard for me to face a masked witness and see if he's telling the truth" because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The court said they all need to cope with the difficulties.
Netanyahu was not in the courtroom because a panel of judges, headed by Friedman-Feldman, Moshe Bar-Am and Oded Shaham ruled that in this second hearing only the accused was not required to attend.
In the first hearing on May 24, it was agreed that Netanyahu's lawyers would be given two months to discuss the trial's timeline.
The lawyers, who are headed by Amit Hadad, wanted more time to study the extensive material presented by the prosecutors, which they say contains errors.
The prosecution had wanted to start calling witnesses sooner.
Netanyahu was indicted on Jan. 28 though Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit announced on Nov. 23 Netanyahu would be indicted.
Advertisement
Netanyahu, 70, has been charged with bribery and public corruption. He has been accused in a media bribery scheme in which Walla owner Shaul Elovitch allegedly gave him positive coverage in exchange for the prime minister making government policies favoring Elovitch's Bezeq company for $510 million. This is known as Case 4,000.
In case 2,000, Netanyahu is accused of receiving gifts worth $200,000 from rich tycoons, mostly from Arnon Milchan, in exchange for help with business and personal legal initiatives.
Case 1,000 centers on gifts Netanyahu allegedly received from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer.
Lead prosecutor Liat Ben Ari asked the court to hear evidence in Case 4,000.
Others on trial are Arnon Mozes, publisher of the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper; Elovitch, and Elovitch's wife, Iris Elovitch.
Netanyahu has claimed he is innocent.
The trial was delayed because of the election and the pandemic.
Netany is scheduled to transfer power to Blue and White's Benny Gantz in November 2021.


upi--2020-07-19--SpaceX delays South Korean military satellite launch by a day

July 19 ( UPI ) -- The launch of South Korea 's first dedicated military communications satellite , from Florida , has been postponed to Monday , SpaceX tweeted .
Liftoff of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the satellite had been planned for late Sunday afternoon from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station .
SpaceX did not immediately provide a time for the launch , although it likely could come between 5 p.m. and 8:55 p.m. , according to the Spaceflight Now website .
Weather conditions on Monday are expected to be generally favorable , with a 30 percent chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could delay the launch , according to U.S. Space Force forecasters .
Elon Musk 's SpaceX first delayed the launch Tuesday , with Musk posting on Twitter that the company was being extra cautious and checking everything thoroughly .
As a military project , few details about the satellite -- ANASIS 2 -- have been released .
South Korea launched a similar satellite in 2013 , but it did n't deploy properly and was lost , said Kaitlyn Johnson , associate director at non-profit Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ space program is nascent and very limited , '' Johnson said .
`` This seems to be their first fully classified military satellite . ''
Johnson said the satellite most likely will be positioned directly over the Korean Peninsula , providing secure communications for troops .

South Korea's ANASIS-II military communications satellite is pictured in an artist's rendering. Image courtesy of Airbus
July 19 (UPI) -- The launch of South Korea's first dedicated military communications satellite, from Florida, has been postponed to Monday, SpaceX tweeted. Liftoff of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the satellite had been planned for late Sunday afternoon from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Advertisement
SpaceX did not immediately provide a time for the launch, although it likely could come between 5 p.m. and 8:55 p.m., according to the Spaceflight Now website.
Weather conditions on Monday are expected to be generally favorable, with a 30 percent chance of thick clouds and isolated showers that could delay the launch, according to U.S. Space Force forecasters.
Elon Musk's SpaceX first delayed the launch Tuesday, with Musk posting on Twitter that the company was being extra cautious and checking everything thoroughly.
As a military project, few details about the satellite -- ANASIS 2 -- have been released. South Korea launched a similar satellite in 2013, but it didn't deploy properly and was lost, said Kaitlyn Johnson, associate director at non-profit Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.
"The South Korean military's space program is nascent and very limited," Johnson said. "This seems to be their first fully classified military satellite."
Advertisement
Johnson said the satellite most likely will be positioned directly over the Korean Peninsula, providing secure communications for troops.


upi--2020-07-19--On This Day, July 19: Clinton announces 'don't ask, don't tell' policy

July 19 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1799 , a French soldier discovered the Rosetta Stone , an ancient stele that served as the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics .
In 1848 , `` bloomers , '' a radical departure in women 's clothing , were introduced to the first women 's rights convention in Seneca Falls , N.Y .
They were named after Amelia Jenks Bloomer .
In 1911 , Pennsylvania became the first U.S. state to pass laws censoring movies .
In 1943 , U.S. planes bombed key railway , steel factory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of civilians as part of World War II .
In 1946 , Marilyn Monroe was given her first screen test at Twentieth Century-Fox Studios .
Even without sound , the test was enough to earn Monroe her first contract .
She divorced her first husband , James Dougherty , he told UPI , because of a no-marriage clause in the contract .
In 1969 , John Fairfax of Britain arrived at Fort Lauderdale , Fla. , to become the first person to row across the Atlantic alone .
In 1989 , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Sioux City , Iowa .
One-hundred-eighty-five of the 296 people aboard survived .
In 1991 , boxer Mike Tyson raped a contestant in the Miss Black America pageant in Indianapolis .
He pleaded not guilty to the charge , but was convicted in 1992 .
In 1993 , President Bill Clinton announced its `` do n't ask , do n't tell , do n't pursue '' policy toward homosexuals in the U.S. military .
The policy was lifted in 2011 .
In 1996 , the Summer Olympics opened in Atlanta with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1997 , the IRA declared a cease-fire in its long war to force Britain out of Northern Ireland .
In 2005 , U.S. Appeals Court Judge John Roberts was nominated by President George W. Bush to the U.S. Supreme Court , replacing Sandra Day O'Connor , who resigned .
After the death of William Rehnquist , Roberts ' nomination was changed to make him chief justice .
In 2010 , a speeding express train slammed into the rear of a train preparing to leave a West Bengal station in India , killing more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others .
In 2012 , the U.S. Defense Department said military personnel would be permitted to march in uniform in a San Diego Gay Pride Parade .
In 2018 , Israel passed a law declaring the country a Jewish nation-state , giving only Jewish people self-determination .
A month later , tens of thousands protested the controversial law in Tel Aviv , calling it a form of apartheid .

1/4
President Bill Clinton speaks with a group of U.S. troops just back from Somalia on May 5, 1993. Two months later, on July 19, 1993, Clinton announced its "don't ask, don't tell, don't pursue" policy toward homosexuals in the U.S. military. UPI File Photo | License Photo
July 19 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1799, a French soldier discovered the Rosetta Stone, an ancient stele that served as the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics. Advertisement
In 1848, "bloomers," a radical departure in women's clothing, were introduced to the first women's rights convention in Seneca Falls, N.Y. They were named after Amelia Jenks Bloomer.
In 1911, Pennsylvania became the first U.S. state to pass laws censoring movies.
In 1943, U.S. planes bombed key railway, steel factory and airport targets in Rome, killing thousands of civilians as part of World War II.
In 1946, Marilyn Monroe was given her first screen test at Twentieth Century-Fox Studios. Even without sound, the test was enough to earn Monroe her first contract. She divorced her first husband, James Dougherty, he told UPI, because of a no-marriage clause in the contract.
In 1969, John Fairfax of Britain arrived at Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to become the first person to row across the Atlantic alone.
In 1989, a crippled DC-10 jetliner crash-landed in a cornfield in Sioux City, Iowa. One-hundred-eighty-five of the 296 people aboard survived.
In 1991, boxer Mike Tyson raped a contestant in the Miss Black America pageant in Indianapolis. He pleaded not guilty to the charge, but was convicted in 1992.
Advertisement
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
In 1993, President Bill Clinton announced its "don't ask, don't tell, don't pursue" policy toward homosexuals in the U.S. military. The policy was lifted in 2011.
In 1996, the Summer Olympics opened in Atlanta with a record 197 countries taking part.
In 1997, the IRA declared a cease-fire in its long war to force Britain out of Northern Ireland.
In 2005, U.S. Appeals Court Judge John Roberts was nominated by President George W. Bush to the U.S. Supreme Court, replacing Sandra Day O'Connor, who resigned. After the death of William Rehnquist, Roberts' nomination was changed to make him chief justice.
File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI
In 2010, a speeding express train slammed into the rear of a train preparing to leave a West Bengal station in India, killing more than 60 people and injuring about 100 others.
In 2012, the U.S. Defense Department said military personnel would be permitted to march in uniform in a San Diego Gay Pride Parade.
Advertisement
In 2018, Israel passed a law declaring the country a Jewish nation-state, giving only Jewish people self-determination. A month later, tens of thousands protested the controversial law in Tel Aviv, calling it a form of apartheid.


upi--2020-07-19--Famous birthdays for July 19: Benedict Cumberbatch, Anthony Edwards

July 19 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Cancer .
-- Dr. @ @ @ @ @ of the Mayo Clinic , in 1865

1/3
Benedict Cumberbatch arrives for the CinemaCon 2018 Warner Bros. studio presentation at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on April 24, 2018. The actor turns 44 on July 19. File Photo by James Atoa/UPI | License Photo
July 19 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Cancer. They include: Advertisement
-- American firearms inventor Samuel Colt in 1814
-- French painter Edgar Degas in 1834
-- Famed murder suspect Lizzie Borden in 1860
-- Dr. Charles H. Mayo, co-founder of the Mayo Clinic, in 1865
-- Amateur singer Florence Foster Jenkins in 1868
-- Author A.J. Cronin in 1896
-- Former CIA agent/author Philip Agee in 1935
-- Singer Vikki Carr in 1940 (age 80)
-- Tennis Hall of Fame member Ilie Nastase in 1946 (age 74)
File Photo by David Silpa/UPI
-- Musician Bernie Leadon in 1947 (age 73)
-- Queen guitarist Brian May in 1947 (age 73)
-- Businessman Howard Schultz in 1953 (age 67)
-- Filmmaker Atom Egoyan in 1960 (age 60)
-- Actor Anthony Edwards in 1962 (age 58)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Sportscaster Stuart Scott in 1965
-- TV host Chris Kratt in 1969 (age 51)
Advertisement
-- Actor Benedict Cumberbatch in 1976 (age 44)
-- Actor Jared Padalecki in 1982 (age 38)
-- Actor Trai Byers in 1983 (age 37)
-- Actor Ryan Dorsey in 1983 (age 37)
-- Model Romee Strijd in 1995 (age 25)
File Photo by Gregg DeGuire/UPI


upi--2020-07-19--NFL players plead with league to address health concerns ahead of training camp

July 19 ( UPI ) -- A large group of NFL players took to social media Sunday in a coordinated effort to urge the league to listen to its experts ' guidelines on safely opening training camps during the coronavirus pandemic .
Many of the players -- including Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson , Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett and Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley -- used the hashtag `` # WeWantToPlay '' in their tweets .
`` What you are seeing today is our guys standing up for each other and for the work their union leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as possible , '' NFL Players Association president J.C. Tretter wrote on Twitter .
`` The NFL needs to listen to our union and adopt the experts ' recommendations # WeWantToPlay . ''
The players ' collective response came after the NFL informed teams Saturday that training camps will open on time even though discussions with the union about coronavirus testing and other health and safety protocols are ongoing .
The idea for the social media blitz came from Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones , according to ESPN .
Jones ' plan was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players want to safely play and it is n't about their money or not wanting to show up for camp .
`` I am concerned .
My wife is pregnant .
@ NFL training camp is about to start , '' Wilson wrote on Twitter .
`` And there 's still no clear plan on player health and family safety .
We want to play football but we also want to protect our loved ones # WeWantToPlay . ''
Garrett was among those who said there wo n't be a 2020 season if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part to keep players healthy . ''
`` If the NFL does n't do their part to keep players healthy there is no football in 2020 , '' Garrett wrote .
`` It 's that simple # WeWantToPlay . ''
Houston Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt and Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes were the first players to publicly question whether the NFL is ready to return .
Last week , the duo said many players do n't know the details about safety protocols for training camps amid the COVID-19 outbreak .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Mahomes tweeted Thursday .
`` All this time we had and now we are down to this . ''
On Sunday , Watt posted an updated list of what players do and do n't know with players set to report this month .
Rookies for the Texans and Chiefs -- the teams scheduled to play the Thursday night regular-season opener on Sept. 10 -- are set to report Monday .
Players for all teams are scheduled to report by July 28 .
According to the collective bargaining agreement , players who do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject to fines , forfeiture of salary and bonuses and the loss of an accrued season .

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (pictured) and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt were the first players to question whether the NFL is ready to return. Last week, the duo said many players are unaware of the health and safety protocols. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
July 19 (UPI) -- A large group of NFL players took to social media Sunday in a coordinated effort to urge the league to listen to its experts' guidelines on safely opening training camps during the coronavirus pandemic. Many of the players -- including Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett and Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley -- used the hashtag "#WeWantToPlay" in their tweets. Advertisement
"What you are seeing today is our guys standing up for each other and for the work their union leadership has done to keep everyone as safe as possible," NFL Players Association president J.C. Tretter wrote on Twitter. "The NFL needs to listen to our union and adopt the experts' recommendations #WeWantToPlay."
Advertisement
The players' collective response came after the NFL informed teams Saturday that training camps will open on time even though discussions with the union about coronavirus testing and other health and safety protocols are ongoing.
The idea for the social media blitz came from Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones, according to ESPN. Jones' plan was done to let the public know that players want to safely play and it isn't about their money or not wanting to show up for camp.
"I am concerned. My wife is pregnant. @NFL training camp is about to start," Wilson wrote on Twitter. "And there's still no clear plan on player health and family safety. We want to play football but we also want to protect our loved ones #WeWantToPlay."
Garrett was among those who said there won't be a 2020 season if the NFL doesn't "do their part to keep players healthy."
"If the NFL doesn't do their part to keep players healthy there is no football in 2020," Garrett wrote. "It's that simple #WeWantToPlay."
I am concerned. My wife is pregnant.@NFL Training camp is about to start.. Advertisement And there's still No Clear Plan on Player Health & Family Safety. We want to play football but we also want to protect our loved ones. #WeWantToPlay— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) July 19, 2020
If the NFL doesn't do their part to keep players healthy there is no football in 2020. It's that simple. #WeWantToPlay— Myles Garrett  (@MylesLGarrett) July 19, 2020
You want to watch football this year? Us players need to remain healthy in order to make that happen. The @NFL needs to do their part in order to bring football back safely in 2020. #WeWantToPlay— Todd Gurley II (@TG3II) July 19, 2020
Getting ready to report this week hoping the @NFL will come to agreement with the safe and right protocols so we can feel protected playing the sport we love #WeWantToPlay— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) July 19, 2020
Houston Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt and Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes were the first players to publicly question whether the NFL is ready to return. Last week, the duo said many players don't know the details about safety protocols for training camps amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Advertisement
"Stuff is crazy, man," Mahomes tweeted Thursday. "All this time we had and now we are down to this."
On Sunday, Watt posted an updated list of what players do and don't know with players set to report this month.
Once again in the interest of keeping everyone (players & fans) as informed as possible, here is an updated list of what we as players know and don't know as the first group gets set to report to training camp tomorrow.#WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/xQcjs33zgM— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) July 19, 2020
Rookies for the Texans and Chiefs -- the teams scheduled to play the Thursday night regular-season opener on Sept. 10 -- are set to report Monday. Players for all teams are scheduled to report by July 28.
According to the collective bargaining agreement, players who don't report to training camp could be subject to fines, forfeiture of salary and bonuses and the loss of an accrued season.


upi--2020-07-19--Jon Rahm holds on to win at Memorial; Tiger Woods ties for 40th

July 19 ( UPI ) -- Jon Rahm held off Ryan Palmer to win the Memorial Tournament on Sunday at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin , Ohio .
With the victory , Rahm joined Seve Ballesteros as the only Spaniards to reach No .
1 in the world .
It was the 10th win of Rahm 's career and his fourth on the PGA Tour .
Rahm closed with a 3-over 75 for a 3-shot win over Palmer , which was the highest final round by a Memorial winner since Roger Maltbie shot 76 in the 1976 tournament .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn but saw it reduced to three strokes with three holes left to play .
The Spaniard wrapped up his victory with a magical flop shot on hole No .
16 from deep grass that landed on the fringe and rolled toward the hole , dropping in for birdie .
PGA Tour officials reviewed Rahm 's spectacular shot and gave him a two-shot penalty .
The replay showed his lob wedge slightly moved the ball before the shot , but the penalty did n't impact the outcome .
`` It does n't take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` It 's not going to take anything away from today . ''
Following his victory , Jack Nicklaus greeted Rahm behind the 18th green with a fist bump .
Earlier Sunday , Nicklaus revealed that he and his wife , Barbara , tested positive for the coronavirus in March .
Nicklaus , who has since tested positive for antibodies , said he favored a handshake -- a tradition at the event he created -- but left the decision up to the winner .
Tiger Woods , who was playing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 4-over 76 in the final round to finish 6-over par and tied for 40th .
It was his third-worst total score relative to par at the Memorial in 18 career appearances .
`` These were some of the more difficult conditions I 've played in a long time , '' Woods said .
`` [ Sunday ] the golf course got quick and got fast .
It was hard to get the ball close , and there were n't -- I do n't think there will be too many low scores [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 68 for the lowest score of the final day to finish third .
Jason Day and Matt Wallace tied for fourth at 4-under 284 , while Mackenzie Hughes and Henrik Norlander finished at 3-under 285 for a share of sixth .

July 19 (UPI) -- Jon Rahm held off Ryan Palmer to win the Memorial Tournament on Sunday at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio.
With the victory, Rahm joined Seve Ballesteros as the only Spaniards to reach No. 1 in the world. It was the 10th win of Rahm's career and his fourth on the PGA Tour.
Advertisement
Rahm closed with a 3-over 75 for a 3-shot win over Palmer, which was the highest final round by a Memorial winner since Roger Maltbie shot 76 in the 1976 tournament.
Rahm built an eight-shot lead at the turn but saw it reduced to three strokes with three holes left to play. The Spaniard wrapped up his victory with a magical flop shot on hole No. 16 from deep grass that landed on the fringe and rolled toward the hole, dropping in for birdie.
PGA Tour officials reviewed Rahm's spectacular shot and gave him a two-shot penalty. The replay showed his lob wedge slightly moved the ball before the shot, but the penalty didn't impact the outcome.
"It doesn't take anything from the shot," Rahm said. "It's not going to take anything away from today."
Advertisement UNBELIEVABLE!@JonRahmPGA holes out for birdie on 16. The lead is now 4 with 2 to play.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/jsqB9wK6HB— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 19, 2020
Following his victory, Jack Nicklaus greeted Rahm behind the 18th green with a fist bump. Earlier Sunday, Nicklaus revealed that he and his wife, Barbara, tested positive for the coronavirus in March.
Nicklaus, who has since tested positive for antibodies, said he favored a handshake -- a tradition at the event he created -- but left the decision up to the winner.
Tiger Woods, who was playing in his first competition since February, shot a 4-over 76 in the final round to finish 6-over par and tied for 40th. It was his third-worst total score relative to par at the Memorial in 18 career appearances.
"These were some of the more difficult conditions I've played in a long time," Woods said. "[Sunday] the golf course got quick and got fast. It was hard to get the ball close, and there weren't -- I don't think there will be too many low scores [Sunday]."
Advertisement
Matthew Fitzpatrick had a 68 for the lowest score of the final day to finish third. Jason Day and Matt Wallace tied for fourth at 4-under 284, while Mackenzie Hughes and Henrik Norlander finished at 3-under 285 for a share of sixth.


upi--2020-07-19--Ex-world junior skating champion Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya, 20, dies

July 19 ( UPI ) -- Olympic figure skater Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya , who competed for Australia at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics , died Friday at the age of 20 .
The Australian Olympic Committee on Saturday confirmed the death of Alexandrovskaya .
A cause of death was n't released , with officials investigating whether she took her own life .
Alexandrovskaya was born in Russia but obtained Australian citizenship in 2016 .
She competed for her adopted country in the 2018 Games with skating partner Harley Windsor and finished 18th .
The pair won the 2017 world junior title .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to multiple injuries .
`` It is enormously sad to lose Katia , who was a vibrant and talented person and an incredible athlete , '' Ian Chesterman , Chef de Mission for the Australian team in Pyeongchang , said in a statement .
`` She was quiet and humble in her manner but incredibly determined to be the best she could be .
`` Katia was an important member of our team in Pyeongchang , who loved the opportunity to compete with Harley and embraced her time in the Australian Olympic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hear the news [ Saturday ] .
Life since the Games has not been easy for her and this is another timely reminder of just how fragile life is . ''
In an Instagram post Saturday , Windsor -- Australia 's first Indigenous athlete to compete at a Winter Olympics -- said he was `` devastated '' by the news of Alexandrovskaya 's death .
`` The amount we had achieved during our partnership is something I can never forget and will always hold close to my heart , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Olympian to die this month after snowboarder Alex Pullin -- a two-time world champion and three-time Olympian -- drowned while spearfishing July 8 on the Gold Coast north of Brisbane .
`` Katia 's death is another blow to our winter sports community who are still reeling from our loss of 'Chumpy ' Pullin , '' Chesterman said .
`` But we are a close-knit community that will continue to offer support to each other at this incredibly sad time . ''

Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya (R) and Harley Windsor of Australia compete in the Pairs Figure Skating Short Program during the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics on February 14, 2018. The pair previously won the 2017 world junior title. File Photo by Richard Ellis/UPI | License Photo
July 19 (UPI) -- Olympic figure skater Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya, who competed for Australia at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, died Friday at the age of 20. The Australian Olympic Committee on Saturday confirmed the death of Alexandrovskaya. A cause of death wasn't released, with officials investigating whether she took her own life. Advertisement
Alexandrovskaya was born in Russia but obtained Australian citizenship in 2016. She competed for her adopted country in the 2018 Games with skating partner Harley Windsor and finished 18th.
The pair won the 2017 world junior title. Alexandrovskaya retired from the sport in February due to multiple injuries.
"It is enormously sad to lose Katia, who was a vibrant and talented person and an incredible athlete," Ian Chesterman, Chef de Mission for the Australian team in Pyeongchang, said in a statement. "She was quiet and humble in her manner but incredibly determined to be the best she could be.
"Katia was an important member of our team in Pyeongchang, who loved the opportunity to compete with Harley and embraced her time in the Australian Olympic Team. We are all deeply saddened to hear the news [Saturday]. Life since the Games has not been easy for her and this is another timely reminder of just how fragile life is."
Advertisement Vale Ekaterina 'Katia' Alexandrovskaya, 2000 - 2020 We are deeply saddened by news of the passing of 2018 Winter Olympian Katia Alexandrovskaya. A quiet & humble athlete, incredibly determined to be the best she can be, Katia will be sorely missed. https://t.co/qMQRypG7Uq pic.twitter.com/BomIbvWrn1— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) July 18, 2020
In an Instagram post Saturday, Windsor -- Australia's first Indigenous athlete to compete at a Winter Olympics -- said he was "devastated" by the news of Alexandrovskaya's death.
"The amount we had achieved during our partnership is something I can never forget and will always hold close to my heart," he said.
Alexandrovskaya is the second Australian Winter Olympian to die this month after snowboarder Alex Pullin -- a two-time world champion and three-time Olympian -- drowned while spearfishing July 8 on the Gold Coast north of Brisbane.
"Katia's death is another blow to our winter sports community who are still reeling from our loss of 'Chumpy' Pullin," Chesterman said. "But we are a close-knit community that will continue to offer support to each other at this incredibly sad time."


upi--2020-07-19--UAE’s historic first Mars mission launches from Japan

July 19 ( UPI ) -- The United Arab Emirates ' launched the Arab world 's historic first interplanetary mission to Mars from Japan on Sunday evening .
The Emirati orbiting satellite , named Hope , launched on schedule at 5:58 p.m. EDT aboard a Japanese H-2A rocket , from the Tanegashima Space Center about 450 miles south of Hiroshima .
The UAE chose the Mars science mission as a way to catalyze the technology and space industries there .
The rocket lifted off into a clear blue morning sky in south Japan , with the nose cone enveloped in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barrier .
The flight headed east over the Pacific Ocean as the vehicle jettisoned the first stage booster .
As the mission neared an hour in flight , the Hope orbiter separated from the second stage booster .
A few minutes later , mission controllers reported that the spacecraft 's solar panels deployed and Hope sent a signal back to Earth .
Rocket components were built in Dubai , but the spacecraft was assembled at the University of Colorado and then shipped back to the UAE for checkouts and tests .
The Arab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from several American universities , including the University of Colorado and Arizona State University .
The launch is to be followed by a Chinese Tianwen-1 Mars mission launch planned for July 23 , and then NASA 's Mars Perseverance rover no earlier than July 30 .
If those missions do n't launch this summer , when the planets are near each other , they most likely wo n't happen for another two years as the planets move apart .
The UAE plans a February 2021 arrival at Mars , to coincide with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1971 .
Hope carries three instruments intended to circle Mars for four Earth years -- two years on Mars -- to gather data and images of the atmosphere .
The goal is to gain a better understanding of Martian weather and atmospheric processes around the entire planet in all of its seasons , not just in a few locations .
The data , which UAE intends to share with up to 200 nations , could help scientists understand one of the mysteries about Mars : why the planet lost much of its @ @ @ @ @ @

1/3
A Japanese H-2A rocket like this one is prepared to launch the United Arab Emirates Mars orbiter Hope in Japan on Sunday evening. Photo courtesy of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
July 19 (UPI) -- The United Arab Emirates' launched the Arab world's historic first interplanetary mission to Mars from Japan on Sunday evening. The Emirati orbiting satellite, named Hope, launched on schedule at 5:58 p.m. EDT aboard a Japanese H-2A rocket, from the Tanegashima Space Center about 450 miles south of Hiroshima. Advertisement
The UAE chose the Mars science mission as a way to catalyze the technology and space industries there.
The rocket lifted off into a clear blue morning sky in south Japan, with the nose cone enveloped in fog briefly as it broke the sound barrier. The flight headed east over the Pacific Ocean as the vehicle jettisoned the first stage booster.
As the mission neared an hour in flight, the Hope orbiter separated from the second stage booster. A few minutes later, mission controllers reported that the spacecraft's solar panels deployed and Hope sent a signal back to Earth.
Rocket components were built in Dubai, but the spacecraft was assembled at the University of Colorado and then shipped back to the UAE for checkouts and tests. The Arab nation received help preparing for the mission from several American universities, including the University of Colorado and Arizona State University.
Advertisement
The launch is to be followed by a Chinese Tianwen-1 Mars mission launch planned for July 23, and then NASA's Mars Perseverance rover no earlier than July 30. If those missions don't launch this summer, when the planets are near each other, they most likely won't happen for another two years as the planets move apart.
The UAE plans a February 2021 arrival at Mars, to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the country's founding in 1971.
Hope carries three instruments intended to circle Mars for four Earth years -- two years on Mars -- to gather data and images of the atmosphere. The goal is to gain a better understanding of Martian weather and atmospheric processes around the entire planet in all of its seasons, not just in a few locations.
The data, which UAE intends to share with up to 200 nations, could help scientists understand one of the mysteries about Mars: why the planet lost much of its atmosphere over millions of years.


upi--2020-07-19--Golf legend Jack Nicklaus reveals he had coronavirus in March

July 19 ( UPI ) -- Golf great Jack Nicklaus revealed Sunday during CBS ' telecast of the final round of the Memorial Tournament that he and his wife tested positive for the coronavirus in March .
Nicklaus said he had minor symptoms such as a sore throat and a cough , while his wife experienced none .
He told CBS ' Jim Nantz they were quarantined at their home in North Palm Beach , Fla. , from March 13 until about April 20 .
Nicklaus and his wife , Barbara , turned 80 earlier this year .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we were very , very fortunate , very lucky , '' Nicklaus said .
`` Barbara and I are both of the age , both of us 80 years old , that is an at-risk age .
Our hearts go out to the people who did lose their lives and their families .
We were just a couple of the lucky ones . ''
Tiger Woods , a five-time winner at the Memorial , said Sunday he knew about Nicklaus ' positive test for some time .
`` The fact that they got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here and healthy , it 's all good news for all of us who are a part of golf and who looked up to Jack and [ have ] been around Barbara all these years , '' Woods said .
Nicklaus shared the news when the tournament was coming out of a weather delay .
Earlier this week , he said he would shake the hand of whoever wins the Memorial -- a tradition at the event he created .
The 18-time major championship winner reiterated Sunday that he will still shake hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We 've got the antibodies , and theoretically we ca n't give it and ca n't get it , '' Nicklaus said .
`` That 's a nice position to be in .
...
If the winner wants to shake hands that 's fine .
I would n't put him in that position , but I ca n't give it to him .
We 'll have to see what he wants to do . ''
Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak earlier this year , Nicklaus and his wife have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Nicklaus Children 's Health Care Foundation launched its `` Wear the Bear .
Show You Care . ''
campaign this summer to support the COVID-19 Relief Fund at Nicklaus Children 's Hospital .
Since its launch , the campaign has raised more than $ 155,000 , according to the Palm Beach Post .
Overall , more than $ 400,000 has been raised for Nicklaus Children 's Hospital 's coronavirus relief fund .

Jack Nicklaus said he had minor symptoms such as a sore throat and a cough, while his wife experienced none. File Photo by Dennis Van Tine/UPI | License Photo
July 19 (UPI) -- Golf great Jack Nicklaus revealed Sunday during CBS' telecast of the final round of the Memorial Tournament that he and his wife tested positive for the coronavirus in March. Nicklaus said he had minor symptoms such as a sore throat and a cough, while his wife experienced none. He told CBS' Jim Nantz they were quarantined at their home in North Palm Beach, Fla., from March 13 until about April 20. Advertisement
Nicklaus and his wife, Barbara, turned 80 earlier this year.
"It didn't last very long, and we were very, very fortunate, very lucky," Nicklaus said. "Barbara and I are both of the age, both of us 80 years old, that is an at-risk age. Our hearts go out to the people who did lose their lives and their families. We were just a couple of the lucky ones."
Tiger Woods, a five-time winner at the Memorial, said Sunday he knew about Nicklaus' positive test for some time.
"The fact that they got through it and they're safe and here and healthy, it's all good news for all of us who are a part of golf and who looked up to Jack and [have] been around Barbara all these years," Woods said.
Advertisement
Nicklaus shared the news when the tournament was coming out of a weather delay. Earlier this week, he said he would shake the hand of whoever wins the Memorial -- a tradition at the event he created.
The 18-time major championship winner reiterated Sunday that he will still shake hands if the winner chooses to do so.
"We've got the antibodies, and theoretically we can't give it and can't get it," Nicklaus said. "That's a nice position to be in. ... If the winner wants to shake hands that's fine. I wouldn't put him in that position, but I can't give it to him. We'll have to see what he wants to do."
Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak earlier this year, Nicklaus and his wife have helped their local community in South Florida. The Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation launched its "Wear the Bear. Show You Care." campaign this summer to support the COVID-19 Relief Fund at Nicklaus Children's Hospital.
Since its launch, the campaign has raised more than $155,000, according to the Palm Beach Post. Overall, more than $400,000 has been raised for Nicklaus Children's Hospital's coronavirus relief fund.


upi--2020-07-19--Police: 13 injured in shooting after fight among large crowd in Illinois

July 19 ( UPI ) -- Police in central Illinois said 13 people were injured in a shooting after a @ @ @ @ @ large gathering .
Peoria Police said two victims were transported to a local hospital with @ @ @ @ @ with gunshot injuries to their extremities arrived at local hospitals separately .
Six males and @ @ @ @ @ , were injured in the shooting .
None of the injuries were considered life-threatening .
@ @ @ @ @ large fight broke out among a crowd of nearly 200 people .
`` Investigators have @ @ @ @ @ firing weapons , '' police said .
`` This incident occurred as a result of @ @ @ @ @ people gathered at the riverfront . ''

July 19 (UPI) -- Police in central Illinois said 13 people were injured in a shooting after a fight broke out at a large gathering.
Peoria Police said two victims were transported to a local hospital with serious injuries and 11 others with gunshot injuries to their extremities arrived at local hospitals separately.
Advertisement
Six males and seven females, all adults, were injured in the shooting. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening.
The shooting occurred after a large fight broke out among a crowd of nearly 200 people.
"Investigators have determined there were multiple people firing weapons," police said. "This incident occurred as a result of a dispute among groups of people gathered at the riverfront."


upi--2020-07-19--Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross hospitalized for 'minor, non-coronavirus related issues'

July 19 ( UPI ) -- Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross has been hospitalized for an issue not related to @ @ @ @ @ Commerce Department representative said .
Ross was hospitalized for `` minor , non-coronavirus related issues @ @ @ @ @ be released shortly , a representative told CNN .
`` He is doing well and @ @ @ @ @ , '' the representative said .
Ross began working remotely from his home in Florida @ @ @ @ @ began to spread throughout the country .
At 82 years old , Ross is the @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's Cabinet .
He was selected for the position in November 2016 and confirmed @ @ @ @

Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross has been hospitalized for "minor, non-coronavirus related issues" but is doing well and expected to be released soon, a representative said. File Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo
July 19 (UPI) -- Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross has been hospitalized for an issue not related to the COVID-19 pandemic, a Commerce Department representative said. Ross was hospitalized for "minor, non-coronavirus related issues" but is expected to be released shortly, a representative told CNN. Advertisement
"He is doing well and we anticipate his release soon," the representative said.
Ross began working remotely from his home in Florida in late March as coronavirus began to spread throughout the country.
At 82 years old, Ross is the oldest member of President Donald Trump's Cabinet.
He was selected for the position in November 2016 and confirmed in February 2017.


upi--2020-07-19--Texas reports 10,000 new COVID-19 cases for 5 straight days, Navy deployed

July 19 ( UPI ) -- Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott on Sunday announced the U.S. Navy has been deployed to assist in combatting COVID-19 as the state has reported more than 10,000 cases for five consecutive days .
Abbott said the U.S. Department of Defense has sent five U.S. Navy teams , consisting of medical and support professionals , to support hospitals in Harlingen , Del Rio , Eagle Pass and Rio Grande City .
`` The support from our federal partners is crucial in our work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our communities throughout Texas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grateful for this ongoing partnership with the Department of Defense and the U.S. Navy and the State of Texas will continue to utilize every resource available to protect public health and keep Texans in every community safe . ''
Texas reported 10,158 new COVID-19 cases for a total of 317,730 as of Saturday -- fourth-most in the nation .
The state has reported more than 10,000 new cases every day since July 14 when it tallied 10,745 new cases .
Texas also reported 130 new deaths on Saturday -- down from a record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10th highest death toll in the nation at 3,865 .
The United States leads the world with a total of 3,739,726 cases and 140,294 deaths , according to figures by John 's Hopkins University .
Florida , which has become the latest epicenter for the virus , reported 12,478 new positive cases -- the fifth day in a row more than 10,000 -- and 89 deaths over the past 24 hours Sunday , including 2 nonresidents .
Florida has the third-most cases in the nation with 345,612 and the eighth-highest death toll at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Miami-Dade County 212 new COVID-19 patients were hospitalized on Saturday , with 30 percent total bed capacity but 122.2 percent of ICU capacity .
U.S. Rep. Donna Shalala , D-Fla. , told ABC News ' This Week that a lapse in leadership from President Donald Trump and Gov .
Ron DeSantis led the state to reopen before it was ready .
`` It 's terrible .
We have community spread which means the virus is out of control .
The lack of leadership in the White House and in our governor 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this with a hammer , which is what we needed to do , and starve the virus , '' she said .
`` They opened too soon .
And they misunderstand what you need to do , or they understand it and they 're not willing to do it . ''
New York , which still leads the nation in total cases with 406,807 and death toll at 25,048 since the start of the pandemic , reported 502 new cases and 13 new deaths within the past 24 hours Sunday .
As of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in the nation with 375,363 , including 9,199 new cases .
The state also has the fifth-highest death toll at 7,595 , with 120 new deaths reported on Saturday .
Cases and deaths have continued to surge in parts of the nation as Georgia , Missouri , Wisconsin , North Carolina and Kentucky reported new single-day case records on Saturday , while more than 20 states have reported higher seven-day averages than they did at the end of June , The Washington Post Reported .
Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine told NBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more counties in the state may be placed under a mandate requiring the use of masks and other face coverings in public amid concern of a potential surge as the state has reported a total of 74,932 cases and 3,174 deaths .
`` We are at a crucial stage .
We are at the point where we could become Florida , '' he said .
`` You know , you look at our numbers today versus where Florida was a month ago , we have very similar numbers .
So we 're very @ @ @ @ @

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday announced that the U.S. Navy was deployed to assist hospitals in the state as it reported more than 10,000 new COVID-19 cases for five consecutive days. File Photo Kevin Dietsch | License Photo
July 19 (UPI) -- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday announced the U.S. Navy has been deployed to assist in combatting COVID-19 after the state reported more than 10,000 cases for five consecutive days. Abbott said the U.S. Department of Defense has sent five U.S. Navy teams, consisting of medical and support professionals, to support hospitals in Harlingen, Del Rio, Eagle Pass and Rio Grande City. Advertisement
"The support from our federal partners is crucial in our work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our communities throughout Texas," Abbott said. "I am grateful for this ongoing partnership with the Department of Defense and the U.S. Navy and the State of Texas will continue to utilize every resource available to protect public health and keep Texans in every community safe."
Texas reported 7,300 new COVID-19 cases Sunday afternoon after reporting more than 10,000 cases for five consecutive days. With 325,030 infections, Texas had the fourth-highest number of cases nationwide.
Advertisement
Texas also reported 93 deaths on Sunday after tallying 130 on Saturday for the 10th highest death toll in the nation at 3,958.
The United States leads the world with a total of 3,768,056 cases and 140,500 deaths, according to figures by Johns Hopkins University.
Florida, which has become the latest epicenter for the virus, reported 12,478 new positive cases -- the fifth day in a row more than 10,000 -- and 89 deaths over the past 24 hours Sunday, including 2 nonresidents. Florida has the third-most cases in the nation with 345,612 and the eighth-highest death toll at 4,982 and an additional 109 nonresidents.
In Miami-Dade County 212 new COVID-19 patients were hospitalized on Saturday, with 30 percent total bed capacity but 122.2 percent of ICU capacity.
U.S. Rep. Donna Shalala, D-Fla., told ABC News' This Week that a lapse in leadership from President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis led the state to reopen before it was ready.
"It's terrible. We have community spread which means the virus is out of control. The lack of leadership in the White House and in our governor's office, they simply have not hit this with a hammer, which is what we needed to do, and starve the virus," she said. "They opened too soon. And they misunderstand what you need to do, or they understand it and they're not willing to do it."
Advertisement
New York, which still leads the nation in total cases with 406,807 and death toll at 25,048 since the start of the pandemic, reported 502 new cases and 13 new deaths within the past 24 hours Sunday.
As of Saturday, California had reported the third-most cases in the nation with 375,363, including 9,199 new cases. The state also has the fifth-highest death toll at 7,595, with 120 new deaths reported on Saturday.
Cases and deaths have continued to surge in parts of the nation as Georgia, Missouri, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Kentucky reported new single-day case records on Saturday, while more than 20 states have reported higher seven-day averages than they did at the end of June, The Washington Post Reported.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine told NBC News' Meet the Press that many more counties in the state may be placed under a mandate requiring the use of masks and other face coverings in public amid concern of a potential surge as the state has reported a total of 74,932 cases and 3,174 deaths.
"We are at a crucial stage. We are at the point where we could become Florida," he said. "You know, you look at our numbers today versus where Florida was a month ago, we have very similar numbers. So we're very, very concerned."


upi--2020-07-19--Severe thunderstorms threaten Great Lakes, Northeast early week

July 19 ( UPI ) -- In the wake of damaging thunderstorms that rolled across the northern Plains and Upper Midwest both Friday and Saturday , additional threats of thunderstorm activity will continue through the end of the weekend across the region .
For places like Minneapolis and Duluth , Minn. , a much-needed thunderstorm-free day is in store to close out the weekend .
Instead , through Sunday evening , the threat for locally drenching thunderstorms will shift eastward through the eastern Great Lakes and into portions of the interior Northeast .
For those trying to escape the stifling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trouble for anyone planning on boating or heading to area beaches across the eastern Great Lakes during the afternoon and early evening hours .
Aside from minor flash flooding , and the altering of outdoor plans , this rain is welcomed by some residents .
Abnormally dry conditions have crept northward through the Great Lakes region in recent weeks according to the US Drought Monitor , so the weekend rainfall in the area is expected help to alleviate those concerns .
Downpours may help to water some fields , orchards , vineyards , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In addition to drenching rainfall , a more confined area , from southern Ontario to the central Indiana and Ohio , can expect severe thunderstorms to erupt .
Meteorologists are concerned about heavy downpours , that can cause localized flooding issues , as well as strong wind gusts up to an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 70 mph .
Following the thunderstorms that brought wind damage Thursday afternoon and evening , another round of wind may make it easier for tree limbs to topple .
Residents in the area should keep updated on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially if they are outdoors in the afternoon and evening , or perhaps trying to get a glimpse of the Neowise comet .
Behind the storms , a wave of slightly cooler air will filter in to start , with more relieving conditions by Monday .
Much of the Great Lakes will finally see a drop in humidity as well , bringing down the AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures that peaked near 100 degrees on Sunday afternoon .
While more comfortable conditions usher in across the Great Lakes , the Northeast Atlantic coast is threatened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hot and humid conditions will hold across New England down through the mid-Atlantic early on Monday .
These conditions , combined with the cold front that swept thunderstorms through the eastern Great Lakes on Sunday , may create some stronger storms again on Monday afternoon and evening .
`` At this time , thunderstorms look to be more isolated in coverage on Monday .
However , any storm that does develop could contain some brief downpours and gusty winds , '' said AccuWeather Meteorologist Bill Deger .
Cities like Hartford , Conn. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City could all feel the impacts of these stronger thunderstorms .
At the peak of their intensity , thunderstorms brought a whopping 101-mph wind gust in Churchs Ferry , N.D. , on Friday .
While wind gusts of that caliber are not expected this weekend , there will be thunderstorms capable of producing life-threatening hazards .
The thunderstorms set to target the Great Lakes on Sunday will have plenty of `` fuel '' for development as hot and humid air surges northward into the region .
A storm system in the upper levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border will also be in place to provide the forcing mechanism needed to spark severe thunderstorms once again .

July 19 (UPI) -- In the wake of damaging thunderstorms that rolled across the northern Plains and Upper Midwest both Friday and Saturday, additional threats of thunderstorm activity will continue through the end of the weekend across the region. For places like Minneapolis and Duluth, Minn., a much-needed thunderstorm-free day is in store to close out the weekend. Advertisement
Instead, through Sunday evening, the threat for locally drenching thunderstorms will shift eastward through the eastern Great Lakes and into portions of the interior Northeast.
For those trying to escape the stifling heat settling in, this could spell trouble for anyone planning on boating or heading to area beaches across the eastern Great Lakes during the afternoon and early evening hours.
Aside from minor flash flooding, and the altering of outdoor plans, this rain is welcomed by some residents.
Abnormally dry conditions have crept northward through the Great Lakes region in recent weeks according to the US Drought Monitor, so the weekend rainfall in the area is expected help to alleviate those concerns. Downpours may help to water some fields, orchards, vineyards, lawns and backyard gardens along the way.
Advertisement
In addition to drenching rainfall, a more confined area, from southern Ontario to the central Indiana and Ohio, can expect severe thunderstorms to erupt.
Meteorologists are concerned about heavy downpours, that can cause localized flooding issues, as well as strong wind gusts up to an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 70 mph. Following the thunderstorms that brought wind damage Thursday afternoon and evening, another round of wind may make it easier for tree limbs to topple.
Residents in the area should keep updated on the changing weather in the region, especially if they are outdoors in the afternoon and evening, or perhaps trying to get a glimpse of the Neowise comet.
Behind the storms, a wave of slightly cooler air will filter in to start, with more relieving conditions by Monday. Much of the Great Lakes will finally see a drop in humidity as well, bringing down the AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures that peaked near 100 degrees on Sunday afternoon.
While more comfortable conditions usher in across the Great Lakes, the Northeast Atlantic coast is threatened by gusty thunderstorms in the afternoon.
Hot and humid conditions will hold across New England down through the mid-Atlantic early on Monday. These conditions, combined with the cold front that swept thunderstorms through the eastern Great Lakes on Sunday, may create some stronger storms again on Monday afternoon and evening.
Advertisement
"At this time, thunderstorms look to be more isolated in coverage on Monday. However, any storm that does develop could contain some brief downpours and gusty winds," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Bill Deger.
Cities like Hartford, Conn., Providence, R.I., and New York City could all feel the impacts of these stronger thunderstorms.
At the peak of their intensity, thunderstorms brought a whopping 101-mph wind gust in Churchs Ferry, N.D., on Friday. While wind gusts of that caliber are not expected this weekend, there will be thunderstorms capable of producing life-threatening hazards.
The thunderstorms set to target the Great Lakes on Sunday will have plenty of "fuel" for development as hot and humid air surges northward into the region. A storm system in the upper levels of the atmosphere tracking along the Canadian border will also be in place to provide the forcing mechanism needed to spark severe thunderstorms once again.


upi--2020-07-19--'Selma' actor Stephan James honors the late John Lewis

July 19 ( UPI ) -- Stephan James , the actor who played John Lewis in the film Selma , paid tribute on Twitter to the late congressman and civil rights icon this weekend .
`` Dear John , I remember how small I felt trying to fill your shoes .
You were truly a light like no other .
I am forever changed having known you .
So is the world .
Thank you for your life .
Thank you for your legacy , '' James tweeted Saturday , alongside photos of him and Lewis smiling together .
Selma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Paul Webb and directed by Ava DuVernay .
`` Thank you for your care and kindness , your advice and understanding .
Will never forget what you taught me and what you challenged me to be .
Better .
Stronger .
Bolder .
Braver .
God bless you , Ancestor John Robert Lewis of Troy , Alabama .
Run into His arms , '' DuVernay tweeted after Lewis ' death was announced .
Featuring the Oscar-winning song `` Glory '' by Common and John Legend , Selma starred David Oyelowo as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Carmen Ejogo as Coretta Scott King and Tom Wilkinson as President Lyndon B. Johnson .
The movie was set in the American South in the 1960s when Black people were fighting for the right to register to vote without interference .
Lewis was badly beaten by police during a peaceful protest on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in the titular Alabama city in 1965 .
The incident was known as Bloody Sunday .
Lewis died Friday after a battle with pancreatic cancer .
He was 80 .

July 19 (UPI) -- Stephan James, the actor who played John Lewis in the film Selma, paid tribute on Twitter to the late congressman and civil rights icon this weekend.
"Dear John, I remember how small I felt trying to fill your shoes. You were truly a light like no other. I am forever changed having known you. So is the world. Thank you for your life. Thank you for your legacy," James tweeted Saturday, alongside photos of him and Lewis smiling together.
Advertisement Dear John, I remember how small I felt trying to fill your shoes. You were truly a light like no other. I am forever changed having known you. So is the world. Thank you for your life. Thank you for your legacy pic.twitter.com/OYqvDa34zS— Stephan James (@realstephj) July 18, 2020
Selma was a 2014, fact-based drama written by Paul Webb and directed by Ava DuVernay.
"Thank you for your care and kindness, your advice and understanding. Will never forget what you taught me and what you challenged me to be. Better. Stronger. Bolder. Braver. God bless you, Ancestor John Robert Lewis of Troy, Alabama. Run into His arms," DuVernay tweeted after Lewis' death was announced.


upi--2020-07-19--Worldwide coronavirus death toll passes 600,000 with 43% in Western Hemisphere

July 19 ( UPI ) -- The coronavirus outbreak , which began in mainland China and spread to Europe , has become most deadly in the Western Hemisphere .
Although only 1 billion of the world 's 7.8 billion population live in the Western Hemisphere , 43 % of the deaths have occurred in the Americas .
On Saturday , the total death toll passed 600,000 as cases have risen above 14 million .
The mortality rate worldwide was 4.2 % , including 3.7 % in the United States and thee other Western Hemisphere nations , 3.8 % in Brazil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % in Peru .
With 263,002 deaths through Saturday , four Western Hemisphere nations are in the top 10 : No .
1 U.S. with 142,877 , No .
2 Brazil with 78,817 , No .
4 Mexico with 38,310 and No .
10 Peru with 12,998 .
Further down the list is Chile in 15th with 8,445 .
Elsewhere , Europe holds four places in the top 10 after as many as six .
Britain heads the list in third with 45,300 through Sunday , followed by No .
5 Italy with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30,152 , No .
7 Spain with 28,420 .
Three others nations at one time were in the top ten -- Belgium is now 11th , Germany 13th and Netherlands 17th .
Two Asian nations are in the top 10 -- India in eighth with 26,951 and Iran 10th with 14,188. mainland China has continually slid and is now 23rd with 4,634 and no deaths since late April .
Unlike Europe and most of Asia , the situation has been worsening in Latin America , including Brazil , Mexico and Peru .
Brazil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including 885 on Saturday as well as 26,549 cases .
On May 1 , there were only 6,410 deaths .
With more than 2 million cases , the nation 's hospitals are struggling to deal with the disease .
And officials believe the number is even higher .
`` We 've had many days with a 100 percent of ICU beds occupation , '' Andrea von Zuben , director of the Municipal Health Vigilance Department , told Al Jazeera .
`` For around 10 days , some people had to wait to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could get medical care , but had to wait for vacancy . ''
Brazil 's President Jair Bolsonaro has been in self-isolation and tested positive for a second time Thursday .
Bolsonaro , who has downplayed the seriousness of the epidemic and disdains restrictions , has insisted the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine has minimized his symptoms .
But studies do n't support its effectiveness .
Mexico also has had exponential rises in deaths and cases The nation , which had 1,859 deaths on May 1 , reported 578 deaths late Saturday .
In addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total of 338,913 in seventh place .
Restrictions on non-essential travel at U.S. land borders with Canada and Mexico will be extended through Aug. 21 from later this month .
U.S .
Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf announced the 30-day extension on Twitter that `` close collaboration with our neighbors has allowed us to respond to # COVID19 in a North American approach and slow the travel-related spread of the virus . ''
Canada has controlled the outbreak , reporting only 9 deaths for a total of 8,848 in 14th place and 330 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Most of the 195,199 deaths in North America have occurred in the United States , Mexico and Canada .
Guatemala is fourth with 1,449 .
In South America , Peru 's situation has been worsening .
The nation reported 199 deaths and 3,963 cases Saturday .
Its daily death record was 206 on June 11 .
On May 1 , there were 1,124 deaths .
In South America , there have been 116,575 deaths .
The virus also has been largely contained in Asia , which has 79,792 deaths , including 13,63 Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just 12 from the record , and India , which reported 675 Sunday .
India continually has been setting records in cases -- with a high of 39,135Sunday .
The second-most populous country in the world had 1,223 deaths on May 1 .
Mainland China , the most populous country , has reported only a few new cases daily , mostly contracted from outside the country , including 16 Sunday .
Urumqi , the capital of China 's far western region of Xinjiang with 3.5 million people , has been under lockdown since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days was reported .
On Friday , 17 more cases reported since Thursday and another 11 through Saturday .
Outside mainland China , Hong Kong has recorded its highest one-day increase in cases since the pandemic began , 108 , including 83 local and 25 imported .
The territory 's Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced new restrictions to contain the spread .
In all , Hong Kong has reported 1,777 confirmed cases and 12 deaths with a population of 7.45 million , according to China 's Health Ministry .
Japan also has reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it reported 660 cases Saturday -- the highest since 743 on April 11 -- with 290 in Tokyo .
Last week , Hong Kong Disneyland was shut down again .
The nation 's death toll is 985 with no increase Saturday .
South Korea also has kept its death count down -- 294 with one reported Sunday -- through widespread testing .
In all , the nation has reported 13,711 cases , including 39 more Sunday .
Europe has experienced a drastic reduction in cases and deaths .
In all Europe has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and nearly 2.7 million cases On Sunday , the nations reported only 11,461 cases and 196 deaths , including 27 in Britain , and none in Belgium and Germany .
Spain and France did n't report any data over the weekend .
Britain 's daily high was 1,172 and Ialy 's was 919 .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Saturday it is his `` strong and sincere hope that we will be able to review the outstanding restrictions and allow a more significant return to normality from November at the earliest - possibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aug 1 , companies would have the discretion to bring staff back to the office , in a move that would `` give people hope and give businesses confidence . ''
But Chief medical officer Chris Whitty told a House of Lords committee : `` Distancing remains an important part of this mix and how it is interpreted in different environments has evolved , but it has not gone away .
[ It ] needs to continue for a long period of time . ''
France 's Prime Minister Jean Castex announced Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public spaces starting this week after a rise in infections over the last weeks .
French President Emmanuel Macron originally announced the mandate would start Aug. 1 .
Russia has the fourth-most cases , including an additional 6,109 Sunday , as well as 95 deaths in 11th place .
In Oceania , there have been 122 deaths in Australia and 22 in New Zealand .
In one week , Australia 's toll has increased by 14 .
Victoria recorded 636 new virus infections and three more deaths Sunday .
Premier Daniel Andrews announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Mitchell Shire starting Wednesday night .
`` I would n't call wearing a mask as an alternative , I 'd call it a really important additional measure , '' Brett Sutton , the state 's chief health officer , said Sunday .
`` It is something that can potentially avoid needing to go to different restrictions .
We should do it , it 's going to be a benefit . ''
New Zealand 's last fatality was on May 28 .
Deaths continue to surge in Africa , going from 5,215 six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday .
South Africa leads with 4,948 , including 144 more Sunday , followed by Egypt with 4,259 , including a rise of 63 .

Brazilian accountant Tercio Galdino, 66, and his wife, Alicea Galdino, walk down Leme beach wearing protective suits to avoid contamination with coronaviruses in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Friday. Tercio who has a chronic lung disease, made the helmets at home the same shape as those of astronauts and the suits are the same as those of health professionals. Photo by Antonio Lacerda/EPA-EFE
July 19 (UPI) -- The coronavirus outbreak, which began in mainland China and spread to Europe, has become most deadly in the Western Hemisphere. Although only 1 billion of the world's 7.8 billion population live in the Western Hemisphere, 43% of the deaths have occurred in the Americas. Advertisement
On Saturday, the total death toll passed 600,000 as cases have risen above 14 million. The mortality rate worldwide was 4.2%, including 3.7% in the United States and thee other Western Hemisphere nations, 3.8% in Brazil, 11.5% in Mexico and 3.7% in Peru.
With 263,002 deaths through Saturday, four Western Hemisphere nations are in the top 10: No. 1 U.S. with 142,877, No. 2 Brazil with 78,817, No. 4 Mexico with 38,310 and No. 10 Peru with 12,998. Further down the list is Chile in 15th with 8,445.
Elsewhere, Europe holds four places in the top 10 after as many as six. Britain heads the list in third with 45,300 through Sunday, followed by No. 5 Italy with 35,045, No. 6 France with 30,152, No. 7 Spain with 28,420. Three others nations at one time were in the top ten -- Belgium is now 11th, Germany 13th and Netherlands 17th.
Advertisement
Two Asian nations are in the top 10 -- India in eighth with 26,951 and Iran 10th with 14,188. mainland China has continually slid and is now 23rd with 4,634 and no deaths since late April.
Unlike Europe and most of Asia, the situation has been worsening in Latin America, including Brazil, Mexico and Peru.
Brazil frequently leads the world in daily deaths, including 885 on Saturday as well as 26,549 cases. On May 1, there were only 6,410 deaths.
With more than 2 million cases, the nation's hospitals are struggling to deal with the disease. And officials believe the number is even higher.
"We've had many days with a 100 percent of ICU beds occupation," Andrea von Zuben, director of the Municipal Health Vigilance Department, told Al Jazeera. "For around 10 days, some people had to wait to get an ICU bed. They all could get medical care, but had to wait for vacancy."
Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro has been in self-isolation and tested positive for a second time Thursday.
Bolsonaro, who has downplayed the seriousness of the epidemic and disdains restrictions, has insisted the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine has minimized his symptoms. But studies don't support its effectiveness.
Advertisement
Mexico also has had exponential rises in deaths and cases
The nation, which had 1,859 deaths on May 1, reported 578 deaths late Saturday. In addition, it reported 7,615 cases for a total of 338,913 in seventh place.
Restrictions on non-essential travel at U.S. land borders with Canada and Mexico will be extended through Aug. 21 from later this month.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf announced the 30-day extension on Twitter that "close collaboration with our neighbors has allowed us to respond to #COVID19 in a North American approach and slow the travel-related spread of the virus."
Canada has controlled the outbreak, reporting only 9 deaths for a total of 8,848 in 14th place and 330 cases for a total of 109,999.
Most of the 195,199 deaths in North America have occurred in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Guatemala is fourth with 1,449.
In South America, Peru's situation has been worsening. The nation reported 199 deaths and 3,963 cases Saturday. Its daily death record was 206 on June 11.
On May 1, there were 1,124 deaths.
In South America, there have been 116,575 deaths.
The virus also has been largely contained in Asia, which has 79,792 deaths, including 13,63 Sunday.
Advertisement
They include 209 in Iran, just 12 from the record, and India, which reported 675 Sunday.
India continually has been setting records in cases -- with a high of 39,135Sunday.
The second-most populous country in the world had 1,223 deaths on May 1.
Mainland China, the most populous country, has reported only a few new cases daily, mostly contracted from outside the country, including 16 Sunday.
Urumqi, the capital of China's far western region of Xinjiang with 3.5 million people, has been under lockdown since Thursday after the first case in 150 days was reported. On Friday, 17 more cases reported since Thursday and another 11 through Saturday.
Outside mainland China, Hong Kong has recorded its highest one-day increase in cases since the pandemic began, 108, including 83 local and 25 imported. The territory's Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced new restrictions to contain the spread.
In all, Hong Kong has reported 1,777 confirmed cases and 12 deaths with a population of 7.45 million, according to China's Health Ministry.
Japan also has reported a spike in cases. On Sunday, it reported 510 cases after reporting 660 cases on Saturday -- the highest since 743 on April 11 -- for a total near 25,400.
Advertisement
Last week, Hong Kong Disneyland was shut down again. The nation's death toll is 985 with no increase on either Saturday or Sunday.
South Korea also has kept its death count down -- 294 with one reported Sunday -- through widespread testing. In all, the nation has reported 13,711 cases, including 39 more Sunday.
Europe has experienced a drastic reduction in cases and deaths. In all Europe has had nearly 200,000 deaths -- 199,085 -- and nearly 2.7 million cases
On Sunday, the nations reported only 11,461 cases and 196 deaths, including 27 in Britain, and none in Belgium and Germany. Spain and France didn't report any data over the weekend.
Britain's daily high was 1,172 and Italy's was 919.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Saturday it is his "strong and sincere hope that we will be able to review the outstanding restrictions and allow a more significant return to normality from November at the earliest - possibly in time for Christmas."
On Aug 1, companies would have the discretion to bring staff back to the office, in a move that would "give people hope and give businesses confidence."
But Chief medical officer Chris Whitty told a House of Lords committee: "Distancing remains an important part of this mix and how it is interpreted in different environments has evolved, but it has not gone away. [It] needs to continue for a long period of time."
Advertisement
France's Prime Minister Jean Castex announced Saturday masks will be made mandatory in closed public spaces starting this week after a rise in infections over the last weeks. French President Emmanuel Macron originally announced the mandate would start Aug. 1.
Russia has the fourth-most cases, including an additional 6,109 Sunday, as well as 95 deaths in 11th place.
In Oceania, there have been 122 deaths in Australia and 22 in New Zealand. In one week, Australia's toll has increased by 14.
Victoria recorded 636 new virus infections and three more deaths Sunday. Premier Daniel Andrews announced masks would be mandatory in Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire starting Wednesday night.
"I wouldn't call wearing a mask as an alternative, I'd call it a really important additional measure," Brett Sutton, the state's chief health officer, said Sunday. "It is something that can potentially avoid needing to go to different restrictions. We should do it, it's going to be a benefit."
New Zealand's last fatality was on May 28.
Deaths continue to surge in Africa, going from 5,215 six weeks ago to 14,996, including 279 Saturday. South Africa leads with 4,948, including 144 more Sunday, followed by Egypt with 4,259, including a rise of 63.


upi--2020-07-19--White House pushing back against funding in Republican coronavirus bill

July 19 ( UPI ) -- The White House has been pushing back against proposals by Republican senators seeking to provide funding for COVID-19 testing and contact tracing in an upcoming coronavirus relief bill , according to multiple reports .
The Trump administration is seeking to block billions of dollars to provide testing and contact tracing amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in addition to funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the Pentagon and the State Department to address the pandemic , The Washington Post reported .
Negotiations are focused on a bill Senate Republican Leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week .
Senate Republicans have proposed providing $ 25 billion for states to conduct testing and contact tracing as well as $ 10 billion in new funding for the CDC , but the amount of funding that will be proposed in the final bill is subject to change , CNN reported .
The White House has sought to zero out the testing and contact tracing money , with some officials saying they have already approved billions of dollars for testing that has remained unspent , according to The Washington Post .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal funding for testing sites throughout the nation , moving to end support for 13 drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites in June after the Federal Emergency Management Agency requested that states determine whether they would transition from federal coronavirus testing sites to state-run locations in April .
The United States has reported 3,715,166 coronavirus cases and 140,131 deaths related to the virus , according to figures by John 's Hopkins University .
State and congressional lawmakers have pushed for the federal government to continue support for testing sites , while President Donald Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of positive COVID-19 cases in the United States .
Trump , in an interview with Fox News Sunday suggested that positive cases from younger people should not count toward the national total and said the United States is `` creating trouble '' by pursuing widespread testing .
`` Many of those cases are young people that would heal in a day , '' Trump said .
`` They have the sniffles and we put it down as a test . ''
Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis on Sunday called the national testing scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview with NBC News ' Meet the Press .
`` So every test we send out to private lab partners nationally , Quest , LabCorp , seven days , eight days , nine days , maybe six days if we 're lucky , almost useless from an epidemiological or even diagnostic perspective , '' Polis said .
`` Fortunately , our state lab has done yeoman 's work .
We 're running three shifts a day there 24 hours a day .
So while some are still sent out of state and unfortunately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ca n't count on it , and our country needs to get testing right , we 're trying to build that capacity in Colorado to process tests at that one to two-day turnaround . ''
The White House has also sought to zero out the $ 10 billion in funding for the CDC , while also decreasing funding for the Pentagon and State Department related to foreign aid , The Washington Post reported .
Trump has long been wary of spending on foreign aid and the administration has said the CDC had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that remains unspent , as an official told CNN there is no `` blocking '' of proposed funds but that the White House is best equipped to direct funds for certain agencies .

The Trump administration has been pushing back against plans to include billions of dollars in funding for COVID-19 testing and contact tracing and the CDC in an upcoming relief bill from Senate GOP lawmakers. Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo
July 19 (UPI) -- The White House has been pushing back against proposals by Republican senators seeking to provide funding for COVID-19 testing and contact tracing in an upcoming coronavirus relief bill, according to multiple reports. The Trump administration is seeking to block billions of dollars to provide testing and contact tracing amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in addition to funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pentagon and the State Department to address the pandemic, The Washington Post reported. Advertisement
Negotiations are focused on a bill Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell is preparing to introduce later this week.
Senate Republicans have proposed providing $25 billion for states to conduct testing and contact tracing as well as $10 billion in new funding for the CDC, but the amount of funding that will be proposed in the final bill is subject to change, CNN reported.
Advertisement
The White House has sought to zero out the testing and contact tracing money, with some officials saying they have already approved billions of dollars for testing that has remained unspent, according to The Washington Post.
The Trump administration has sought to roll back federal funding for testing sites throughout the nation, moving to end support for 13 drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites in June after the Federal Emergency Management Agency requested that states determine whether they would transition from federal coronavirus testing sites to state-run locations in April.
The United States has reported 3,715,166 coronavirus cases and 140,131 deaths related to the virus, according to figures by John's Hopkins University.
State and congressional lawmakers have pushed for the federal government to continue support for testing sites, while President Donald Trump has repeatedly linked widespread testing to high numbers of positive COVID-19 cases in the United States.
Trump, in an interview with Fox News Sunday suggested that positive cases from younger people should not count toward the national total and said the United States is "creating trouble" by pursuing widespread testing.
"Many of those cases are young people that would heal in a day," Trump said. "They have the sniffles and we put it down as a test."
Advertisement
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Sunday called the national testing scene "a complete disgrace" in an interview with NBC News' Meet the Press.
"So every test we send out to private lab partners nationally, Quest, LabCorp, seven days, eight days, nine days, maybe six days if we're lucky, almost useless from an epidemiological or even diagnostic perspective," Polis said. "Fortunately, our state lab has done yeoman's work. We're running three shifts a day there 24 hours a day. So while some are still sent out of state and unfortunately that takes a long time, and we can't count on it, and our country needs to get testing right, we're trying to build that capacity in Colorado to process tests at that one to two-day turnaround."
The White House has also sought to zero out the $10 billion in funding for the CDC, while also decreasing funding for the Pentagon and State Department related to foreign aid, The Washington Post reported.
Trump has long been wary of spending on foreign aid and the administration has said the CDC had received adequate funding from previous relief packages that remains unspent, as an official told CNN there is no "blocking" of proposed funds but that the White House is best equipped to direct funds for certain agencies.


upi--2020-07-19--Zachary Quinto, Khary Payton to voice characters in 'Invincible'

July 19 ( UPI ) -- NOS4A2 star Zachary Quinto and The Walking Dead actor Khary Payton have signed on @ @ @ @ @ 's upcoming animated series , Invincible .
Quinto will play Robot and Payton will play @ @ @ @ @ , adult superhero show .
`` Sweet news today !
But I have to point @ @ @ @ @ to the full cast !
More to come !
! ''
Robert Kirkman -- the @ @ @ @ @ on which the show is based -- tweeted Saturday .
The ensemble will also include @ @ @ @ @ , Steven Yeun , Seth Rogen , Zazie Beetz and Mark Hamill .
Kirkman is @ @ @ @ @ Dead .

1/3
Zachary Quinto is to lend his voice to a character on the new animated show "Invincible." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
July 19 (UPI) -- NOS4A2 star Zachary Quinto and The Walking Dead actor Khary Payton have signed on to voice characters in Amazon's upcoming animated series, Invincible. Quinto will play Robot and Payton will play Black Samson in the eight-episode, adult superhero show. Advertisement
"Sweet news today! But I have to point out, not even close to the full cast! More to come!!" Robert Kirkman -- the creator of the comic books on which the show is based -- tweeted Saturday.
The ensemble will also include J.K. Simmons, Walton Goggins, Steven Yeun, Seth Rogen, Zazie Beetz and Mark Hamill.
Kirkman is the co-creator of The Walking Dead.


upi--2020-07-19--Look: Royal family releases Princess Beatrice wedding photos

July 19 ( UPI ) -- Britain 's royal family shared two photos from the wedding of Princess Beatrice , Queen Elizabeth II 's daughter , and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi .
`` The couple were married in a small private ceremony at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge , Windsor on Friday 17th July , '' the photos by Benjamin Wheeler were captioned in Saturday 's post .
`` Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi celebrated their wedding with their closest family .
The happy couple are pictured with Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vintage dress by Norman Hartnell and the Queen Mary diamond fringe tiara , both belonging to Her Majesty The Queen .
The tiara was worn by Her Majesty on her wedding day in 1947 . ''
One image shows the newlyweds outside the chapel socially distancing with the queen and her husband , Prince Philip , during the coronavirus pandemic .
Another shows the bride and groom standing close together in front of an enormous floral arch .
Beatrice is the 31-year-old daughter of Prince Andrew and his ex-wife , Sarah Ferguson .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eugenie and a cousin to Prince William and Prince Harry .
Beatrice and Mozzi , who got engaged in September , initially planned to marry May 29 at the Chapel Royal at St. James 's Palace , but changed their plans due to the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) pandemic .

July 19 (UPI) -- Britain's royal family shared two photos from the wedding of Princess Beatrice, Queen Elizabeth II's daughter, and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
"The couple were married in a small private ceremony at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor on Friday 17th July," the photos by Benjamin Wheeler were captioned in Saturday's post.
Advertisement
"Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi celebrated their wedding with their closest family. The happy couple are pictured with Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. Princess Beatrice wore a vintage dress by Norman Hartnell and the Queen Mary diamond fringe tiara, both belonging to Her Majesty The Queen. The tiara was worn by Her Majesty on her wedding day in 1947."
One image shows the newlyweds outside the chapel socially distancing with the queen and her husband, Prince Philip, during the coronavirus pandemic.
Advertisement
Another shows the bride and groom standing close together in front of an enormous floral arch.
Beatrice is the 31-year-old daughter of Prince Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. She is the elder sister of Princess Eugenie and a cousin to Prince William and Prince Harry.
Beatrice and Mozzi, who got engaged in September, initially planned to marry May 29 at the Chapel Royal at St. James's Palace, but changed their plans due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.