upi--2020-08-03--On This Day, Aug. 3: El Paso, Texas, Walmart shooting leaves 23 dead

Aug. 3 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1492 , Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain , seeking a western route to India , with a convoy of three small ships -- the Nina , the Pinta and the Santa Maria -- and fewer than 100 crew .
They reached land at Guanahani , an island in the Caribbean , on Oct. 12 .
In 1914 , Germany declared war on France and invaded Belgium .
The following day , Britain declared war on Germany and World War I was underway .
In 1923 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil lamp in a little farmhouse at Plymouth , Vt. , his birthplace , Calvin Coolidge took the oath of office as president of the United States following the unexpected death President Warren G. Harding .
In 1943 , Gen. George Patton slapped Private Charles Kuhl , who was in a military hospital in Sicily .
Kuhl was the first of two privates hospitalized for shock that Patton slapped and berated that month , accusing them of cowardice .
The general was later forced to apologize .
In 1958 , the U.S. nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 1975 , a chartered Boeing 707 jetliner carrying Moroccan immigrant workers home from France to their families for the summer holidays crashed into a mountainside in Agadir , Morocco , killing all 188 persons aboard .
In 1981 , U.S. air traffic controllers went on strike .
The strikers were fired within one week .
In 2004 , the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor was opened to the public for the first time since the Sept. 11 , 2001 , terrorist attacks on the United States .
In 2005 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in space , astronauts fixed a potentially dangerous problem by removing two strips of protruding cloth from the underside of the space shuttle Discovery .
In 2007 , the U.S. Congress passed a bill allowing the National Security Agency to monitor email and telephone communications between the United States and foreign countries without a court warrant if terrorism was believed to be involved .
In 2008 , once-exiled Russian writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn , whose works revealed the harshness of the Soviet penal system , died at the age of 89 .
The Nobel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Life of Ivan Denisovich had been ill for years .
In 2008 , People magazine published the first photos of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie 's newborn twins , Vivienne and Knox , after paying up to $ 14 million , the most ever paid for baby pictures .
In 2010 , a Manchester , Conn. , beer and wine distributorship driver who was allegedly caught stealing beer , went on a shooting rampage after a disciplinary hearing at the company , killing eight people and himself .
In 2014 , an earthquake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 400 people , injured 1,800 and destroyed thousands of homes .
In 2019 , a gunman targeting immigrants opened fire at a Walmart in El Paso , Texas , killing 23 people and injuring another 22 .

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Police respond to a mass shooting at Walmart and the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas, on August 3, 2019. File Photo by Justin Hamel/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 3 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain, seeking a western route to India, with a convoy of three small ships -- the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria -- and fewer than 100 crew. They reached land at Guanahani, an island in the Caribbean, on Oct. 12. Advertisement
In 1914, Germany declared war on France and invaded Belgium. The following day, Britain declared war on Germany and World War I was underway.
In 1923, by the dim light of a flickering oil lamp in a little farmhouse at Plymouth, Vt., his birthplace, Calvin Coolidge took the oath of office as president of the United States following the unexpected death President Warren G. Harding.
In 1943, Gen. George Patton slapped Private Charles Kuhl, who was in a military hospital in Sicily. Kuhl was the first of two privates hospitalized for shock that Patton slapped and berated that month, accusing them of cowardice. The general was later forced to apologize.
In 1958, the U.S. nuclear submarine Nautilus crossed under the North Pole.
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File Photo courtesy the U.S. Navy/UPI
In 1975, a chartered Boeing 707 jetliner carrying Moroccan immigrant workers home from France to their families for the summer holidays crashed into a mountainside in Agadir, Morocco, killing all 188 persons aboard.
In 1981, U.S. air traffic controllers went on strike. The strikers were fired within one week.
In 2004, the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor was opened to the public for the first time since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.
In 2005, in the first emergency repair conducted in space, astronauts fixed a potentially dangerous problem by removing two strips of protruding cloth from the underside of the space shuttle Discovery.
In 2007, the U.S. Congress passed a bill allowing the National Security Agency to monitor email and telephone communications between the United States and foreign countries without a court warrant if terrorism was believed to be involved.
File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
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In 2008, once-exiled Russian writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, whose works revealed the harshness of the Soviet penal system, died at the age of 89. The Nobel Prize-winning author of One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich had been ill for years.
In 2008, People magazine published the first photos of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's newborn twins, Vivienne and Knox, after paying up to $14 million, the most ever paid for baby pictures.
In 2010, a Manchester, Conn., beer and wine distributorship driver who was allegedly caught stealing beer, went on a shooting rampage after a disciplinary hearing at the company, killing eight people and himself.
In 2014, an earthquake in southern China's Yunnan province killed nearly 400 people, injured 1,800 and destroyed thousands of homes.
In 2019, a gunman targeting immigrants opened fire at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, killing 23 people and injuring another 22.


upi--2020-08-03--Famous birthdays for Aug. 3: Martin Sheen, Martha Stewart

Aug. 3 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Leo .
-- Elisha @ @ @ @ @ the modern elevator , in 1811

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Martin Sheen arrives for We Day California at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., on April 19, 2018. The actor turns 80 on August 3. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Leo. They include: Advertisement
-- Elisha Graves Otis, inventor of the modern elevator, in 1811
-- World War II correspondent Ernie Pyle in 1900
-- "Monkey Trial" defendant John Scopes in 1900
-- Singer Tony Bennett in 1926 (age 94)
-- Football Hall of Fame member Lance Alworth in 1940 (age 80)
-- Actor Martin Sheen in 1940 (age 80)
-- TV personality/lifestyle consultant Martha Stewart in 1941 (age 79)
File Photo by Louis Lanzano/UPI
-- Film director John Landis in 1950 (age 70)
-- Hockey Hall of Fame member Marcel Dionne in 1951 (age 69)
-- Metallica singer James Hetfield in 1963 (age 57)
-- Actor Isaiah Washington in 1963 (age 57)
-- Actor Lisa Ann Walter in 1963 (age 57)
-- Actor Melissa Ponzio in 1972 (age 48)
-- Actor Michael Ealy in 1973 (age 47)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
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-- Pro football quarterback Tom Brady in 1977 (age 43)
-- Actor Evangeline Lilly in 1979 (age 41)
-- Actor Hannah Simone in 1980 (age 40)
-- Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte in 1984 (age 36)
-- Model Karlie Kloss in 1992 (age 28)


upi--2020-08-03--Atlanta Braves ace Mike Soroka suffers torn Achilles, out for season

Aug. 3 ( UPI ) -- Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Soroka had to be assisted off the field in the third inning of Monday 's game against the New York Mets after suffering a torn Achilles tendon .
Soroka sustained the non-contact injury after delivering a pitch to Mets designated hitter J.D .
Davis , who sent a ground ball toward Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman .
Soroka immediately broke toward first to cover the bag , but he went down on his first step off the mound .
The 2019 All-Star selection appeared to injure his right Achilles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed something pop in Soroka 's right calf or Achilles area as he began to move toward first base .
Soroka attempted to walk for a couple of steps before dropping to his knees .
The 22-year-old right-hander was helped to the dugout with the assistance of a team trainer and manager Brian Snitker .
Following the game , the Braves confirmed that Soroka suffered a torn right Achilles tendon and will miss the remainder of the season .
Soroka 's injury is a major blow to the National League East-leading Braves , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday 's contest against the Mets .
Soroka made his first opening day start for the Braves after posting a 13-4 record and 2.68 ERA last season .
He finished second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting and sixth for the Cy Young Award .
Soroka was making his third start of the season Monday .
He entered the game with a 1.59 ERA and eight strikeouts across 11 1/3 innings .
He allowed three hits , walked four and was charged with four earned runs in 2 1/3 innings before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replaced Soroka .
The Mets beat the Braves 7-2 to snap their five-game winning streak .

Atlanta Braves ace Mike Soroka was making his third start of the season Monday. He entered the game with a 1.59 ERA and eight strikeouts across 11 1/3 innings. Pool Photo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Soroka had to be assisted off the field in the third inning of Monday's game against the New York Mets after suffering a torn Achilles tendon. Soroka sustained the non-contact injury after delivering a pitch to Mets designated hitter J.D. Davis, who sent a ground ball toward Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman. Soroka immediately broke toward first to cover the bag, but he went down on his first step off the mound. Advertisement
The 2019 All-Star selection appeared to injure his right Achilles tendon. A replay from the broadcast showed something pop in Soroka's right calf or Achilles area as he began to move toward first base.
Soroka attempted to walk for a couple of steps before dropping to his knees. The 22-year-old right-hander was helped to the dugout with the assistance of a team trainer and manager Brian Snitker.
Following the game, the Braves confirmed that Soroka suffered a torn right Achilles tendon and will miss the remainder of the season.
Advertisement Mike Soroka has to be helped off the field after getting injured trying to cover first base. Stay tuned. pic.twitter.com/c9OrtccCZC— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) August 3, 2020
Soroka's injury is a major blow to the National League East-leading Braves, who had won five straight games entering Monday's contest against the Mets.
Soroka made his first opening day start for the Braves after posting a 13-4 record and 2.68 ERA last season. He finished second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting and sixth for the Cy Young Award.
Soroka was making his third start of the season Monday. He entered the game with a 1.59 ERA and eight strikeouts across 11 1/3 innings.
He allowed three hits, walked four and was charged with four earned runs in 2 1/3 innings before departing Monday's game. Chris Rusin replaced Soroka.
The Mets beat the Braves 7-2 to snap their five-game winning streak.


upi--2020-08-03--Esper: Nation grieves over 9 service members killed in training

Aug. 3 ( UPI ) -- Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said Monday the United States grieves the deaths of eight Marines and a Sailor who were killed over the weekend when their amphibious assault vehicle sank off the coast of California 's San Clemente Island .
`` A grateful nation and the Department of Defense grieves the tragic loss of the Marines and Sailor lost in the amphibious assault vehicle accident off the coast of San Clemente Island , '' Esper said in a statement .
`` Our prayers and condolences are with the family and friends of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body has been recovered and the other service members are presumed dead after an extensive 40-hour search was called off and became a recovery mission on Sunday after the vessel sank with 15 Marines and one Navy sailor on board during a training exercise in California on Thursday .
Eight Marines were rescued , including one who had died .
Two others injured in the incident were transferred to the hospital , including a Marine rifleman listed as in critical condition .
`` I know all of us in the USMC family are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of SAR operations , '' U.S. Marines Corps Commandant David H. Berger said in a statement .
`` This difficult decision was made after all resources were exhausted .
Our prayers continue to be with the family and friends of the eight Marines and one sailor we lost . ''
Marine officials identified the servicemembers who are presumed dead as Pfc .
Bryan J. Baltierra , 19 , of Corona , Calif. ; Lance Cpl .
Marco A. Barranco , 21 , of Montebello , Calif. ; Pfc .
Evan A. Bath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wis. ; U.S. Navy Hospitalman Christopher Gnem , 22 , of Stockton , Calif. ; Pfc .
Jack Ryan Ostrovsky , 21 , of Bend , Ore. ; Cpl .
Wesley A. Rodd , 23 , of Harris , Texas ; Lance Cpl .
Chase D. Sweetwood , 19 , of Portland , Ore. ; and Cesar A. Villanueva , 21 , of Riverside , Calif. Lance Cpl .
Guillermo S. Perez , 20 , a rifleman from New Braunfels , Texas , was pronounced dead at the scene before being transported by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Diego , the MarineExpeditionary Force said via Twitter .
`` Their service , commitment and courage will always be remembered by the nation they served , '' Esper said .
`` While the incident remains under investigation , I want to assure our service members and their families that we are committed to gathering all the facts , understanding exactly how this incident occurred and preventing similar tragedies in the future . ''

A U.S. Navy MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter conducts aerial search and rescue while Sailors operate a rigid-hull inflatable boat during search and rescue operations after an AAV-P7/A1 assault amphibious vehicle sank off the coast of Southern California on Thursday. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Kassie McDole
Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said Monday the United States grieves the deaths of eight Marines and a Sailor who were killed over the weekend when their amphibious assault vehicle sank off the coast of California's San Clemente Island. "A grateful nation and the Department of Defense grieves the tragic loss of the Marines and Sailor lost in the amphibious assault vehicle accident off the coast of San Clemente Island," Esper said in a statement. "Our prayers and condolences are with the family and friends of these brave young men." Advertisement
Only one body has been recovered and the other service members are presumed dead after an extensive 40-hour search was called off and became a recovery mission on Sunday after the vessel sank with 15 Marines and one Navy sailor on board during a training exercise in California on Thursday.
Eight Marines were rescued, including one who had died. Two others injured in the incident were transferred to the hospital, including a Marine rifleman listed as in critical condition.
"I know all of us in the USMC family are extremely saddened following the announcement of the end of SAR operations," U.S. Marines Corps Commandant David H. Berger said in a statement. "This difficult decision was made after all resources were exhausted. Our prayers continue to be with the family and friends of the eight Marines and one sailor we lost."
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Marine officials identified the servicemembers who are presumed dead as Pfc. Bryan J. Baltierra, 19, of Corona, Calif.; Lance Cpl. Marco A. Barranco, 21, of Montebello, Calif.; Pfc. Evan A. Bath, 19, of Oak Creek, Wis.; U.S. Navy Hospitalman Christopher Gnem, 22, of Stockton, Calif.; Pfc. Jack Ryan Ostrovsky, 21, of Bend, Ore.; Cpl. Wesley A. Rodd, 23, of Harris, Texas; Lance Cpl. Chase D. Sweetwood, 19, of Portland, Ore.; and Cesar A. Villanueva, 21, of Riverside, Calif.
Lance Cpl. Guillermo S. Perez, 20, a rifleman from New Braunfels, Texas, was pronounced dead at the scene before being transported by helicopter to the Scripps Memorial Hospital in San Diego, the MarineExpeditionary Force said via Twitter.
"Their service, commitment and courage will always be remembered by the nation they served," Esper said. "While the incident remains under investigation, I want to assure our service members and their families that we are committed to gathering all the facts, understanding exactly how this incident occurred and preventing similar tragedies in the future."


upi--2020-08-03--Veteran OL Brian Winters signing with Bills after Jets release

Aug. 3 ( UPI ) -- Less than 24 hours after the New York Jets released him , veteran offensive lineman Brian Winters is signing a short-term contract with the Buffalo Bills .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media on Monday that Winters agreed to a one-year deal with the Bills .
Financial details of the agreement were n't disclosed , and the team has yet to confirm the signing .
The Jets released Winters , the team 's starting right guard , after seven seasons with the AFC East franchise .
The team announced the move Sunday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ player on the Jets roster .
He started nine games and was in for 526 offensive snaps last season before he landed on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury .
Winters joined the Jets as a third-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft .
The Kent State product started 16 games in 2018 .
He appeared in 89 games and had 79 starts during his time with the Jets .
Jon Feliciano , the Bills ' starter at right guard last season , will miss between 8-12 weeks after undergoing surgery on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expected to compete for the spot .
Winters was scheduled to earn $ 7.3 million in 2020 before his Jets release .
His salary was not guaranteed .

Brian Winters (67) started nine games last season for the New York Jets but was released Sunday. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Less than 24 hours after the New York Jets released him, veteran offensive lineman Brian Winters is signing a short-term contract with the Buffalo Bills. League sources told ESPN and NFL Media on Monday that Winters agreed to a one-year deal with the Bills. Financial details of the agreement weren't disclosed, and the team has yet to confirm the signing. Advertisement
The Jets released Winters, the team's starting right guard, after seven seasons with the AFC East franchise. The team announced the move Sunday.
Winters, 29, was the longest-tenured player on the Jets roster. He started nine games and was in for 526 offensive snaps last season before he landed on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury.
Winters joined the Jets as a third-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. The Kent State product started 16 games in 2018. He appeared in 89 games and had 79 starts during his time with the Jets.
Jon Feliciano, the Bills' starter at right guard last season, will miss between 8-12 weeks after undergoing surgery on a torn pectoral muscle Friday. Winters is expected to compete for the spot.
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Winters was scheduled to earn $7.3 million in 2020 before his Jets release. His salary was not guaranteed.


upi--2020-08-03--Tedros: There may never be a 'silver bullet' to cure COVID-19

Aug. 3 ( UPI ) -- The head of the World Health Organization said Monday that there may never be a `` silver bullet '' to cure COVID-19 as nations work to develop a vaccine .
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreysus noted that multiple vaccines have entered phase three of clinical trials but said that in the meantime nations must take all measures necessary to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
`` There 's no silver bullet at the moment and there might never be , '' he said .
`` For now , stopping outbreaks comes down to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control .
Testing , isolating patients and tracing and quarantining their contacts .
Do it all . ''
He also encouraged individuals to practice social distancing , wear a mask , clean their hands regularly and cough safely away from others .
`` The message to people and governments is clear : do it all .
And when it 's under control keep going ! ''
Tedros said .
`` Keep strengthening the health system . ''
Tedros ' message came as 18.2 million cases have been reported worldwide and 691,303 have died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to data collected by John 's Hopkins University .
The United States continues to lead the world in reported cases and deaths , with 4.7 million cases and 155,366 deaths .
South America surpassed 5 million cases as Brazil reported 16,641 new cases for a total of 2,750,318 , second only to the United States .
Peru , Chile and Colombia have all also reported more than 300,000 cases each , while in Central America Mexico has reported 439,046 cases .
Norwegian cruise company Hurtigruten on Monday announced that 36 crew members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MS Roald Amundsen expedition cruise ship have tested positive for COVID-19 .
`` In light of the recent increase in new cases of COVID-19 globally , the only responsible choice is to suspend all expedition sailings until we are absolutely confident , we can carry out our operations in line with all requirements from the authorities and with even stricter requirements we have set for ourselves , '' CEO Daniel Skjeldam said .
Norway has reported 9,334 COVID-19 cases and 256 deaths related to the virus .

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreysus said Monday there may not ever be a "silver bullet" cure for COVID-19, encouraging the nations of the world to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. File Photo by Fabrice Coffrini/EPA-EFE
Aug. 3 (UPI) -- The head of the World Health Organization said Monday that there may never be a "silver bullet" to cure COVID-19 as nations work to develop a vaccine. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreysus noted that multiple vaccines have entered phase three of clinical trials but said that in the meantime nations must take all measures necessary to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Advertisement
"There's no silver bullet at the moment and there might never be," he said. "For now, stopping outbreaks comes down to the basics of public health and disease control. Testing, isolating patients and tracing and quarantining their contacts. Do it all."
He also encouraged individuals to practice social distancing, wear a mask, clean their hands regularly and cough safely away from others.
"The message to people and governments is clear: do it all. And when it's under control keep going!" Tedros said. "Keep strengthening the health system."
Tedros' message came as 18.2 million cases have been reported worldwide and 691,303 have died as a result of the virus, according to data collected by John's Hopkins University.
The United States continues to lead the world in reported cases and deaths, with 4.7 million cases and 155,366 deaths.
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South America surpassed 5 million cases as Brazil reported 16,641 new cases for a total of 2,750,318, second only to the United States.
Peru, Chile and Colombia have all also reported more than 300,000 cases each, while in Central America Mexico has reported 439,046 cases.
Norwegian cruise company Hurtigruten on Monday announced that 36 crew members and "several guests" on its MS Roald Amundsen expedition cruise ship have tested positive for COVID-19.
"In light of the recent increase in new cases of COVID-19 globally, the only responsible choice is to suspend all expedition sailings until we are absolutely confident, we can carry out our operations in line with all requirements from the authorities and with even stricter requirements we have set for ourselves," CEO Daniel Skjeldam said.
Norway has reported 9,334 COVID-19 cases and 256 deaths related to the virus.


upi--2020-08-03--Denver Broncos starting right tackle Ja'Wuan James opts out of 2020 season

Aug. 3 ( UPI ) -- Denver Broncos starting offensive lineman Ja'Wuan James has decided to opt out of the 2020 NFL season , the team announced Monday .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that James was considering the move over the past few weeks before informing the team of his decision .
He is the second Broncos player -- joining defensive tackle Kyle Peko -- to sit out this season due to coronavirus-related concerns .
Later Monday , James posted a statement on social media saying it was `` tough , but the right decision , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus & about plans handling it going forward . ''
The Miami Dolphins selected James in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Tennessee .
After spending his first five seasons in Miami , James signed a four-year , $ 51 million contract with the Broncos in March 2019 .
In his first year with the Broncos , James played in only three games ( 63 snaps ) because of knee issues .
Elijah Wilkinson , who started 12 games in place of James last season , was activated from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and could be a candidate to fill in for James again .
Jake Rodgers is the only other offensive tackle on the Broncos ' roster to have started a game for the team .

Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Denver Broncos starting offensive lineman Ja'Wuan James has decided to opt out of the 2020 NFL season, the team announced Monday.
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that James was considering the move over the past few weeks before informing the team of his decision. He is the second Broncos player -- joining defensive tackle Kyle Peko -- to sit out this season due to coronavirus-related concerns.
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Later Monday, James posted a statement on social media saying it was "tough, but the right decision," citing "too much unknown about this virus & about plans handling it going forward."
Ja'Wuan James has informed the team that he is opting out of the 2020 NFL season. pic.twitter.com/k81kboMqBD— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 3, 2020
take care of you & yours pic.twitter.com/tgA5LwkrcM— Ja'Wuan James (@JawuanJames70) August 3, 2020
The Miami Dolphins selected James in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Tennessee. After spending his first five seasons in Miami, James signed a four-year, $51 million contract with the Broncos in March 2019.
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In his first year with the Broncos, James played in only three games (63 snaps) because of knee issues.
Elijah Wilkinson, who started 12 games in place of James last season, was activated from the physically unable to perform list Monday and could be a candidate to fill in for James again. Jake Rodgers is the only other offensive tackle on the Broncos' roster to have started a game for the team.


upi--2020-08-03--Seized Fyre Festival merch auctioned off by U.S. Marshals

Aug. 3 ( UPI ) -- U.S .
Marshals are auctioning promotional hats , clothing , tokens and rubber wristbands left over from the disastrous 2017 Bahamas Fyre Festival fraud scheme as a way to raise forfeiture funds from incarcerated organizer Billy McFarland , the agency said .
Objects for sale in the online auction , which ends Aug. 13 , include shirts , t-shirts , jogger sweatpants and baseball caps emblazoned with the Fyre Festival logo .
Prices quickly escalated with items originally listed for $ 15 now fetching $ 300 or more by Monday .
`` This Fyre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seized from Billy McFarland were originally intended to be sold at the Fyre Festival itself but were kept by McFarland , with the intent to sell the items and use the funds to commit further criminal acts while he was on pre-trial release , '' said U.S .
Marshal Ralph Sozio of the Southern District of New York in a statement .
`` The proceeds from the sale of these items , all traceable to McFarland 's $ 26 million fraud , will go toward the victims of his crimes . ''
McFarland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fyre Media designed and promoted an exclusive and expensive `` life-changing music festival '' which charged as much as $ 400,000 for tickets promoted by Instagram models including Kendall Jenner .
Two concerts promised acts such as Blink-18 and McFarland 's partner Rapper Ja Rule .
Guests expecting luxury villas and gourmet meals on a private island arrived to find improvised FEMA tents and box lunches with bologna sandwiches in a parking lot .
Festival-goers were stranded on the island and the experience was compared to William Golding 's novel Lord of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ canceled , leaving an aftermath of multiple civil lawsuits from investors and attendees .
The festival was the subject of documentaries on both Netflix and Hulu and became an example of a social media fraud and fiasco .
McFarland was charged with wire fraud and defrauding more than 80 investors in his companies causing more than $ 26 million in losses .
He was sentenced to six years in prison , and is scheduled to be released in 2023 .
McFarland befriended Mike `` The Situation '' Sorrentino , star of Jersey Shore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in prison for tax evasion .

U.S. Marshals announced the online auction of seized merchandise from the disastrous 2017 Fyre Festival this week. Photo courtesy of U.S. Marshals
Aug. 3 (UPI) -- U.S. Marshals are auctioning promotional hats, clothing, tokens and rubber wristbands left over from the disastrous 2017 Bahamas Fyre Festival fraud scheme as a way to raise forfeiture funds from incarcerated organizer Billy McFarland, the agency said. Objects for sale in the online auction, which ends Aug. 13, include shirts, t-shirts, jogger sweatpants and baseball caps emblazoned with the Fyre Festival logo. Prices quickly escalated with items originally listed for $15 now fetching $300 or more by Monday. Advertisement
"This Fyre Festival-branded clothing and other items that were seized from Billy McFarland were originally intended to be sold at the Fyre Festival itself but were kept by McFarland, with the intent to sell the items and use the funds to commit further criminal acts while he was on pre-trial release," said U.S. Marshal Ralph Sozio of the Southern District of New York in a statement. "The proceeds from the sale of these items, all traceable to McFarland's $26 million fraud, will go toward the victims of his crimes."
McFarland, then 25, and his company Fyre Media designed and promoted an exclusive and expensive "life-changing music festival" which charged as much as $400,000 for tickets promoted by Instagram models including Kendall Jenner. Two concerts promised acts such as Blink-18 and McFarland's partner Rapper Ja Rule.
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Guests expecting luxury villas and gourmet meals on a private island arrived to find improvised FEMA tents and box lunches with bologna sandwiches in a parking lot.
Festival-goers were stranded on the island and the experience was compared to William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies. The disorganized festival was promptly canceled, leaving an aftermath of multiple civil lawsuits from investors and attendees.
The festival was the subject of documentaries on both Netflix and Hulu and became an example of a social media fraud and fiasco.
McFarland was charged with wire fraud and defrauding more than 80 investors in his companies causing more than $26 million in losses. He was sentenced to six years in prison, and is scheduled to be released in 2023. McFarland befriended Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino, star of Jersey Shore, who was sentenced to eight months in prison for tax evasion.


upi--2020-08-03--MLB postponing 'Field of Dreams' game until 2021 due to coronavirus

Aug. 3 ( UPI ) -- Major League Baseball is postponing its inaugural `` Field of Dreams '' game until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic .
League sources told The Athletic and the Des Moines Register on Monday that MLB decided to err on the side of caution during the pandemic but plans to hold the game next year .
The Chicago White Sox are still expected to be part of the matchup in Dyersville , Iowa .
The other team has n't been determined .
The game -- set to take place at a newly built ballpark on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 1989 movie `` Field of Dreams '' -- had been scheduled for Aug. 13 in Dyersville .
The White Sox initially had been set to host the New York Yankees in the league 's first game in Iowa .
When MLB restructured its schedule following the delayed start to the 2020 season , the St. Louis Cardinals replaced the Yankees in the matchup .
The Cardinals recently experienced a COVID-19 outbreak , which led to the postponement of their four-game series against the Detroit Tigers this week .
The Cardinals ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and includes seven players and six staff members .
Cardinals players have been in quarantine since Thursday in Milwaukee and will continue to be tested daily , league officials said .
`` Field of Dreams '' features actor Kevin Costner portraying Ray Kinsella , who interacts with multiple players from the 1919 White Sox team .
Members of that club were banned from baseball for intentionally losing in the World Series .

Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Major League Baseball is postponing its inaugural "Field of Dreams" game until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
League sources told The Athletic and the Des Moines Register on Monday that MLB decided to err on the side of caution during the pandemic but plans to hold the game next year. The Chicago White Sox are still expected to be part of the matchup in Dyersville, Iowa. The other team hasn't been determined.
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The game -- set to take place at a newly built ballpark on the cornfield adjacent to the filming site of the 1989 movie "Field of Dreams" -- had been scheduled for Aug. 13 in Dyersville.
The White Sox initially had been set to host the New York Yankees in the league's first game in Iowa. When MLB restructured its schedule following the delayed start to the 2020 season, the St. Louis Cardinals replaced the Yankees in the matchup.
The Cardinals recently experienced a COVID-19 outbreak, which led to the postponement of their four-game series against the Detroit Tigers this week. The Cardinals' outbreak has grown to 13 positive tests and includes seven players and six staff members.
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Cardinals players have been in quarantine since Thursday in Milwaukee and will continue to be tested daily, league officials said.
The Field of Dreams is looking like heaven. pic.twitter.com/yhGEXCJkpv— MLB (@MLB) July 18, 2020
"Field of Dreams" features actor Kevin Costner portraying Ray Kinsella, who interacts with multiple players from the 1919 White Sox team. Members of that club were banned from baseball for intentionally losing in the World Series.


upi--2020-08-03--Hurricane Isaias regains strength as it approaches Carolinas

Aug. 3 ( UPI ) -- Hurricane Isaias regained its strength to a Category 1 hurricane Monday evening and is expected to make landfall in North and South Carolina , the National Hurricane Center said in an updated advisory .
The center said in its 8 p.m. update Monday that Isaias had strengthened and was expected to make landfall Monday night with dangerous winds and storm surge .
Strong winds and heavy rainfall were expected Monday night from the eastern Carolinas to the mid-Atlantic coast on Monday and Tuesday .
The hurricane was 60 miles south-southeast of Charleston , S.C. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beach , S.C .
Maximum sustained winds of had risen to 75 mph from 70 mph.
, and the storm was moving north-northeast at 16 mph .
A tropical storm becomes a Category 1 hurricane once it produces maximum sustained winds of 74 mph .
Areas in the Carolinas were under hurricane warning Monday night from the South Santee River in South Carolina to Surf City , N.C. A tropical storm warning was in effect from Surf City north along the eastern United States up to Stonington , Maine , with warnings in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Pamlico and Albemarle and traveling north to Delaware Bay , Long Island and Long Island Sound in New York and Martha 's Vineyard , Nantucket , and Block Island in Massachusetts .
Officials issued a storm surge watch from Cape Fear to Oregon Inlet in North Carolina .
Storm surges can cause life-threatening rising water that moves inland from the coastline .
People living within three miles of the coast should `` promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials , '' the storm agency said Monday .
The agency predicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water from the South Santee River , S.C. to Cape Fear , N.C. , and 2 to 4 feet of surge water between Folly Beach , S.C. to the South Santee River .
Isaias increased its movement speed early Monday as it swirled off the coast of northeastern Florida and Georgia .
Forecasters said Isaias will bring strong winds and heavy rainfall from the Carolina coast to the Mid-Atlantic coast .
`` On the forecast track , the center of Isaias will pass well east of the Georgia coast through this afternoon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center of Isaias will then approach the coasts of northeastern South Carolina and southern North Carolina within the hurricane warning area [ Monday ] evening .
`` The center will then move inland over eastern North Carolina [ Monday night ] , and move along the coast of the mid-Atlantic states on Tuesday and into the northeastern United States Tuesday night . ''
Isaias , which was briefly a Category 1 hurricane near the Bahamas last week , churned up the Atlantic coast of Florida over the weekend .
Radar images showed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offshore , but the east coast of Florida saw some strong winds .
In Charleston , S.C. , local officials were preparing sandbag pickup locations for residents , as a storm surge warning was in effect .
`` All residents visiting these sites will be required to wear masks and gloves , and maintain six feet of distance between themselves and other patrons , '' the city of Charleston said in a statement .
North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency for portions of the state Friday and urged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now is the time for North Carolinians to prepare , '' Cooper said .
`` [ Storm ] preparations will be different given the COVID-19 pandemic , and families need to keep that in mind as they get ready . ''
North Carolina Emergency Management readied the National Guard should crew members need to respond to flood rescues , and the North Carolina Department of Transportation was also on standby with equipment should they need to respond to storm damage early in the week .
Isaias previously made landfall in the Bahamas Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Island .
The storm 's maximum-sustained winds fluctuated between 80 and 85 mph before the storm weakened a bit due to its interaction with land .
The storm came within 40 miles west-southwest of Nassau on Saturday after leaving behind scenes of flooding in Puerto Rico .
Two people were killed in the Dominican Republic : a 53-year-old farmer and a 5-year-old boy crushed by a wall , according to Dominican Today .
Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis had declared a state of emergency in every coastal county of Florida 's Atlantic Coast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Nassau counties .
He 'd also sent a letter to President Donald Trump requesting a pre-landfall emergency declaration , which was approved .
Isaias became the earliest `` I-storm '' in recorded history last week , surpassing Irene , which formed on Aug. 7 , 2005 .
The storm was also the earliest in the season to move through the Bahamas since 1995 when Category 1 Erin passed over the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama on Aug. 1-2 , according to Colorado State tropical meteorologist Philip Klotzbach .

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


upi--2020-08-03--Raiders trade former second-round pick P.J. Hall to Vikings

Aug. 3 ( UPI ) -- The Las Vegas Raiders traded defensive lineman and former second-round draft pick P.J .
Hall to the Minnesota Vikings , the teams announced Monday .
The Raiders shipped Hall to the Vikings for a conditional 2021 draft selection , according to the team .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Las Vegas will receive a seventh-round choice if Hall remains on the Vikings ' 53-man roster for at least six games this season .
The Vikings were in the market for a defensive tackle after Michael Pierce opted out of the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The standout defensive lineman has respiratory issues that put him in the high-risk category during the pandemic .
Pierce , who was the Vikings ' biggest free-agent signing this past off-season , inked a three-year , $ 27 million contract with the team in March .
He was set to replace Linval Joseph at nose tackle .
`` Michael called and he explained to us his situation , as far as having asthma , and a couple of years ago he had pneumonia , so it just was n't safe for him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if a player does n't think he 's safe and should do this , I 'm with him 100 % , '' Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer told reporters .
`` But we 'll figure it out .
Without going into too much detail , we 've got a plan and we 'll stick to it . ''
The Raiders selected Hall with the No .
57 overall pick in the 2018 draft .
Over the past two seasons , the 25-year-old defender has appeared in 30 games ( 18 starts ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sacks and two passes defensed .

Former Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman P.J. Hall (92) has recorded 49 total tackles and 1.5 sacks in 30 career games. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 3 (UPI) -- The Las Vegas Raiders traded defensive lineman and former second-round draft pick P.J. Hall to the Minnesota Vikings, the teams announced Monday. The Raiders shipped Hall to the Vikings for a conditional 2021 draft selection, according to the team. League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Las Vegas will receive a seventh-round choice if Hall remains on the Vikings' 53-man roster for at least six games this season. Advertisement
The Vikings were in the market for a defensive tackle after Michael Pierce opted out of the 2020 season last week due to coronavirus-related concerns. The standout defensive lineman has respiratory issues that put him in the high-risk category during the pandemic.
Pierce, who was the Vikings' biggest free-agent signing this past off-season, inked a three-year, $27 million contract with the team in March. He was set to replace Linval Joseph at nose tackle.
"Michael called and he explained to us his situation, as far as having asthma, and a couple of years ago he had pneumonia, so it just wasn't safe for him to play, and really, honestly, if a player doesn't think he's safe and should do this, I'm with him 100%," Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer told reporters.
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"But we'll figure it out. Without going into too much detail, we've got a plan and we'll stick to it."
The Raiders selected Hall with the No. 57 overall pick in the 2018 draft. Over the past two seasons, the 25-year-old defender has appeared in 30 games (18 starts) and recorded 49 total tackles, 1.5 sacks and two passes defensed.


upi--2020-08-03--U.S. CEOs urge Congress to approve small business coronavirus rescue aid

Aug. 3 ( UPI ) -- Saying American small business owners need a `` Marshall Plan , '' 100 U.S. CEOS of large companies such as Starbucks , Salesforce and Walt Disney Co. urged Congress in a letter to provide more rescue aid for small businesses .
`` Small businesses are essential to our country 's economic and social health , '' said a letter posted on the website of Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz .
`` They employ almost half of all private-sector workers and account for 44 % of U.S. gross domestic product . ''
The letter was also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants , sports , franchises and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce .
CEOs urged lawmakers to put aside partisan bickering and extend federally guaranteed loan programs such as the $ 700 billion Paycheck Protection Program well into 2021 .
These funds must `` flow to all small businesses in need , particularly those run by people of color , '' who have not historically had access to capital , the letter said .
The letter was addressed to Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Senate and House .
`` This is not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CEOs said .
`` It is a defining moment to show how capitalism can benefit all Americans , particularly entrepreneurs who have been forced to shutter or reduce capacity through no fault of their own . ''
On July 27 , Senate Republicans rolled out a $ 1 trillion Health , Economic Assistance Liability Protection and Schools ( HEALS ) package that included a second paycheck protection program installment , as well as a second $ 1,200 individual rescue payment for taxpayers .
This proposed rescue program needs to be reconciled with bills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The $ 3 trillion HEROES Act proposed more generous benefits for local governments and first responders along with unemployment payments and rent and mortgage relief .
Meanwhile , more than 30 million small businesses need emergency relief , right away , the letter said .
By Labor Day , the nation faces an upcoming `` wave of permanent closures '' if the `` right steps '' are not taken soon .
Most small businesses do n't have enough cash in the bank to weather more months of reduced revenue and customer traffic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of Americans have already lost their jobs in this pandemic ... By year end the domino effect of lost jobs -- as well as the lost services and lost products that small business provide -- could be catastrophic , '' the letter continued .

Small businesses in the United States need a "Marshall Plan" to survive the financial challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, a group of 100 U.S. CEOs told Congress in a letter. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Saying American small business owners need a "Marshall Plan," 100 U.S. CEOS of large companies such as Starbucks, Salesforce and Walt Disney Co. urged Congress in a letter to provide more rescue aid for small businesses. "Small businesses are essential to our country's economic and social health," said a letter posted on the website of Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz. "They employ almost half of all private-sector workers and account for 44% of U.S. gross domestic product." Advertisement
The letter was also signed by heads of trade associations for restaurants, sports, franchises and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
CEOs urged lawmakers to put aside partisan bickering and extend federally guaranteed loan programs such as the $700 billion Paycheck Protection Program well into 2021. These funds must "flow to all small businesses in need, particularly those run by people of color," who have not historically had access to capital, the letter said.
The letter was addressed to Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Senate and House.
"This is not a call for bottomless handouts," the CEOs said. "It is a defining moment to show how capitalism can benefit all Americans, particularly entrepreneurs who have been forced to shutter or reduce capacity through no fault of their own."
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On July 27, Senate Republicans rolled out a $1 trillion Health, Economic Assistance Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS) package that included a second paycheck protection program installment, as well as a second $1,200 individual rescue payment for taxpayers.
This proposed rescue program needs to be reconciled with bills passed by House Democrats in May.
The $3 trillion HEROES Act proposed more generous benefits for local governments and first responders along with unemployment payments and rent and mortgage relief.
Meanwhile, more than 30 million small businesses need emergency relief, right away, the letter said. By Labor Day, the nation faces an upcoming "wave of permanent closures" if the "right steps" are not taken soon. Most small businesses don't have enough cash in the bank to weather more months of reduced revenue and customer traffic, the CEOs said.
"Tens of millions of Americans have already lost their jobs in this pandemic ... By year end the domino effect of lost jobs -- as well as the lost services and lost products that small business provide -- could be catastrophic," the letter continued.


upi--2020-08-03--Israel conducts airstrikes in Syria after thwarting explosive attack near Golan Heights

Aug. 3 ( UPI ) -- The Israeli military conducted a series of airstrikes against targets in Syria after it said it thwarted an attempted attack on the border of Golan Heights the night before .
The Israeli Defense Force announced that it struck observation posts , intelligence collection systems , anti-aircraft artillery and command and control systems , adding Israel holds Syria responsibly for an attempted improvised explosive device attack on a security fence between the two countries .
`` In response to the rocket that was fired at Israel from Gaza earlier this evening , our fighter jets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities in Gaza , '' Israeli Defense Forces said .
`` We hold Hamas responsible for all activity emanating from Gaza . ''
The Syrian Arab News Agency reported that a military source said the attack caused `` material damages '' and no injuries .
The IDF said the strike came in response to an attempt by four men to plant explosives near the border fence .
Video of the incident shared by the military showed the men walking in a rocky area near the fence before they were engulfed by an explosion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
IDF said no injuries occurred related to the incident , but all four men were killed .
Weapons and a bag containing explosives were also found near the fence .

Israeli Defense Forces said they conducted a series of airstrikes against multiple targets in Syria on Monday after thwarting a potential IED attack by four men the night before Screenshot/Israeli Defense Forces/Twitter
Aug. 3 (UPI) -- The Israeli military conducted a series of airstrikes against targets in Syria after it said it thwarted an attempted attack on the border of Golan Heights the night before. The Israeli Defense Force announced that it struck observation posts, intelligence collection systems, anti-aircraft artillery and command and control systems, adding Israel holds Syria responsibly for an attempted improvised explosive device attack on a security fence between the two countries. Advertisement
"In response to the rocket that was fired at Israel from Gaza earlier this evening, our fighter jets and aircraft just struck subterranean Hamas terror facilities in Gaza," Israeli Defense Forces said. "We hold Hamas responsible for all activity emanating from Gaza."
The Syrian Arab News Agency reported that a military source said the attack caused "material damages" and no injuries.
The IDF said the strike came in response to an attempt by four men to plant explosives near the border fence.
Video of the incident shared by the military showed the men walking in a rocky area near the fence before they were engulfed by an explosion after strikes from IDF troops and aircraft.
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IDF said no injuries occurred related to the incident, but all four men were killed. Weapons and a bag containing explosives were also found near the fence.
This is the moment when four terrorists attempted to plant explosives near the security fence between #Israel and #Syria last night... ...and the moment we stopped them. We will continue to defend Israel's borders from all enemy threats. pic.twitter.com/bQPGPiJFlg— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 3, 2020


upi--2020-08-03--Former Pro Bowl TE Jordan Reed agrees to one-year deal with 49ers

Aug. 3 ( UPI ) -- Former Washington tight end Jordan Reed and the San Francisco 49ers reached an agreement on a short-term contract , the team announced Monday .
49ers general manager John Lynch told reporters that Reed agreed to a one-year deal with the team .
According to Lynch , the contract is heavy on incentives for the oft-injured Reed , who missed the entire 2019 season due to another concussion .
Reed , 30 , suffered his seventh documented head injury -- since he began playing college football -- on a helmet-to-helmet hit in a preseason game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NFL 's concussion protocol earlier this year , Washington released him .
The 49ers spent time vetting the injury history of Reed -- who has never played a full NFL season due to various injuries -- and felt comfortable with signing him as they open training camp this week .
`` In situations like this , there 's a reason a guy like Jordan Reed is out there , '' Lynch said .
`` So there is some risk-reward .
We got to a point where we felt like the risk that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the potential reward . ''
Reed will be reunited with 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan , who worked as Washington 's offensive coordinator from 2010-13 .
Reed played one season under Shanahan after Washington selected him in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Florida .
In that season , Reed recorded 45 catches for 499 yards and three touchdowns in nine games before injuries forced him to sit out .
`` I think everyone is aware of Jordan 's ability , '' Shanahan said .
`` When he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at an extremely high level .
He 's been one of the best third-down tight ends in the league when healthy .
...
I know he has n't been on the field for a little bit .
I know he 's very hungry to get back out there .
He has n't got to do much of that lately . ''
In 65 career games , Reed -- a Pro Bowl selection in 2016 -- has tallied 329 catches for 3,371 yards and 24 touchdowns .
Reed will join All-Pro George Kittle , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 49ers ' tight end room .

Former Washington tight end Jordan Reed, a Pro Bowl selection in 2016, has tallied 329 catches for 3,371 yards and 24 touchdowns in 65 career games. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Former Washington tight end Jordan Reed and the San Francisco 49ers reached an agreement on a short-term contract, the team announced Monday. 49ers general manager John Lynch told reporters that Reed agreed to a one-year deal with the team. According to Lynch, the contract is heavy on incentives for the oft-injured Reed, who missed the entire 2019 season due to another concussion. Advertisement
Reed, 30, suffered his seventh documented head injury -- since he began playing college football -- on a helmet-to-helmet hit in a preseason game last August. Once he finally cleared the NFL's concussion protocol earlier this year, Washington released him.
The 49ers spent time vetting the injury history of Reed -- who has never played a full NFL season due to various injuries -- and felt comfortable with signing him as they open training camp this week.
"In situations like this, there's a reason a guy like Jordan Reed is out there," Lynch said. "So there is some risk-reward. We got to a point where we felt like the risk that we're taking on was worth it with the potential reward."
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Reed will be reunited with 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, who worked as Washington's offensive coordinator from 2010-13. Reed played one season under Shanahan after Washington selected him in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Florida.
In that season, Reed recorded 45 catches for 499 yards and three touchdowns in nine games before injuries forced him to sit out.
"I think everyone is aware of Jordan's ability," Shanahan said. "When he's been healthy, he's played at an extremely high level. He's been one of the best third-down tight ends in the league when healthy. ... I know he hasn't been on the field for a little bit. I know he's very hungry to get back out there. He hasn't got to do much of that lately."
In 65 career games, Reed -- a Pro Bowl selection in 2016 -- has tallied 329 catches for 3,371 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Reed will join All-Pro George Kittle, Ross Dwelley and rookie Charlie Woerner in the 49ers' tight end room.


upi--2020-08-03--Derek Jeter: 'False sense of security' led to Marlins' COVID-19 outbreak

Aug. 3 ( UPI ) -- Miami Marlins CEO Derek Jeter admitted Monday that the team 's `` false sense of security '' led to 18 players and two coaches testing positive for COVID-19 .
`` I hope people see what happened to us and use that as a warning if you 're not following the protocols 100 % , '' Jeter said .
`` You ca n't let your guard down .
We 're battling something that is invisible . ''
The Marlins have n't played since July 26 due to a coronavirus outbreak , which included positive tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's players and two coaches .
Now , after two consecutive days of no more positive tests , the Marlins are scheduled to return to the field Tuesday for the first game of a four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles in Baltimore .
The healthy members of the Marlins have traveled from Philadelphia to Baltimore to face the Orioles .
The 18 players who tested positive returned to Miami by bus last week and will stay quarantined in the Marlins ' home city .
Jeter said the conditions of the Marlins players who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mild '' illness .
He expects the 18 players to return , but did not give a timetable .
Jeter said Marlins players are upset with reports that they left their hotel and went to bars , which could have made them more likely to contract COVID-19 .
Jeter denied those reports , but admitted Marlins players were not always wearing masks and were not social distancing properly .
`` We have to be better .
We have to be perfect , '' Marlins manager Don Mattingly said .
`` We know the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with this whole thing . ''
Jeter said some players left the team 's hotel in Atlanta during a preseason series against the Braves to get coffee and clothing .
That was just days before the team 's season-opening series against the Phillies in Philadelphia .
`` There was no hanging out at bars , '' Jeter said .
`` No clubs , no running around Atlanta .
What it boiled down to was guys were around each other , they got relaxed and they let their guard down .
They were getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing masks as much as they should have . ''
Jeter denied reports that Marlins players on their own decided to play the Phillies in Philadelphia in the final game of their series after they learned about Miami 's four positive COVID-19 tests .
Jeter said MLB and Phillies and Marlins players and management all were aware of the situation and decided to proceed with the game .
`` Our players and coaches went into this [ season ] knowing their health was on the line , '' Jeter said .
`` They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time over the last week-plus .
We have seen firsthand just how contagious this virus is .
`` After we left spring training and had numerous discussions , some of our traveling party had a false sense of security and comfort in how they handled themselves after we left Miami , '' he said .
With so many players sidelined , Miami has revamped its roster .
Fans will see a collection of younger players and veterans pieced together through promotions , trades and recent signings .
MLB also has increased its safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protocol compliance officer now will travel with the Marlins and every other MLB team .
MLB continues to investigate the cause of the Marlins ' outbreak , but Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Saturday that his team is `` comfortable '' with the Marlins playing in Baltimore .
`` We 're trusting MLB and I feel really strongly that we 've followed the protocols so well here , '' Hyde said .
`` I know that MLB is on top of it .
`` If they feel like they 're comfortable with them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well , just because I know how stringent our protocols are and how they 're keeping the players health and safety first for everybody . ''
The Marlins are scheduled to be on the road for 24 consecutive days as part of their altered schedule .
They are to return to Miami on Aug. 14 .
The Marlins and Orioles will play beginning at 7:35 p.m. EDT Tuesday at Oriole Park in Camden Yards .
The Marlins originally were scheduled to host the Orioles July 27 and 28 before they were to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dates for the Marlins ' suspended series against the Washington Nationals and the Phillies are to be announced later .
Nine MLB teams have had their schedules impacted since the season started as a result of positive COVID-19 tests .
The Phillies also have n't played since July 26 , but they were scheduled to resume their season against the New York Yankees on Monday in New York City .
They will skip Tuesday because of anticipate heavy rain from Tropical Storm Isaias and play a doubleheader in Philadelphia on Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have any positive tests Sunday .
On Thursday , two staff members tested positive for the coronavirus , but no further issues have been reported for four consecutive days .
All of MLB 's initial game postponements were tied to the Marlins outbreak before the announcement Friday that two members of the St. Louis Cardinals had tested positive .
The Cardinals ' outbreak has since grown to 13 positive tests and includes seven players and six staff members .
MLB on Monday also postponed the Detroit Tigers and Cardinals series , planned for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a series against the Milwaukee Brewers this past weekend postponed .
Cardinals players have been in quarantine since Thursday in Milwaukee and will continue to be tested daily , league officials said .
`` The tentative plan is for the team to resume its regular schedule on Friday against the Chicago Cubs in St. Louis , '' MLB said .
The Marlins , Phillies , Orioles , Cardinals , Brewers , Tigers , Toronto Blue Jays , New York Yankees and Washington Nationals are the teams whose schedules have been changed due to @ @ @ @

Shortstop Miguel Rojas is one of 18 Miami Marlins players who had to travel back to Miami from Philadelphia after he tested positive for the coronavirus. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Miami Marlins CEO Derek Jeter admitted Monday that the team's "false sense of security" led to 18 players and two coaches testing positive for COVID-19. "I hope people see what happened to us and use that as a warning if you're not following the protocols 100%," Jeter said. "You can't let your guard down. We're battling something that is invisible.'' Advertisement
The Marlins haven't played since July 26 due to a coronavirus outbreak, which included positive tests for more than half of the team's players and two coaches.
Now, after two consecutive days of no more positive tests, the Marlins are scheduled to return to the field Tuesday for the first game of a four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles in Baltimore.
The healthy members of the Marlins have traveled from Philadelphia to Baltimore to face the Orioles. The 18 players who tested positive returned to Miami by bus last week and will stay quarantined in the Marlins' home city.
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Player expected back
Jeter said the conditions of the Marlins players who tested positive range from asymptomatic to "mild" illness. He expects the 18 players to return, but did not give a timetable.
Jeter said Marlins players are upset with reports that they left their hotel and went to bars, which could have made them more likely to contract COVID-19. Jeter denied those reports, but admitted Marlins players were not always wearing masks and were not social distancing properly.
"We have to be better. We have to be perfect," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "We know the spotlight is going to be on us with this whole thing."
Jeter said some players left the team's hotel in Atlanta during a preseason series against the Braves to get coffee and clothing. That was just days before the team's season-opening series against the Phillies in Philadelphia.
"There was no hanging out at bars," Jeter said. "No clubs, no running around Atlanta. What it boiled down to was guys were around each other, they got relaxed and they let their guard down. They were getting together in groups. They weren't wearing masks as much as they should have."
Jeter denied reports that Marlins players on their own decided to play the Phillies in Philadelphia in the final game of their series after they learned about Miami's four positive COVID-19 tests.
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Jeter said MLB and Phillies and Marlins players and management all were aware of the situation and decided to proceed with the game.
"Our players and coaches went into this [season] knowing their health was on the line," Jeter said. "They have had to endure quite a trying time over the last week-plus. We have seen firsthand just how contagious this virus is.
"After we left spring training and had numerous discussions, some of our traveling party had a false sense of security and comfort in how they handled themselves after we left Miami," he said.
With so many players sidelined, Miami has revamped its roster. Fans will see a collection of younger players and veterans pieced together through promotions, trades and recent signings.
MLB also has increased its safety standards for the coronavirus. A COVID-19 protocol compliance officer now will travel with the Marlins and every other MLB team.
MLB continues to investigate the cause of the Marlins' outbreak, but Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Saturday that his team is "comfortable" with the Marlins playing in Baltimore.
"We're trusting MLB and I feel really strongly that we've followed the protocols so well here," Hyde said. "I know that MLB is on top of it.
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"If they feel like they're comfortable with them playing here, I'm comfortable, as well, just because I know how stringent our protocols are and how they're keeping the players health and safety first for everybody."
The Marlins are scheduled to be on the road for 24 consecutive days as part of their altered schedule. They are to return to Miami on Aug. 14.
The Marlins and Orioles will play beginning at 7:35 p.m. EDT Tuesday at Oriole Park in Camden Yards. The Marlins originally were scheduled to host the Orioles July 27 and 28 before they were to play in Baltimore on Wednesday and Thursday.
Dates for the Marlins' suspended series against the Washington Nationals and the Phillies are to be announced later.
Nine MLB teams have had their schedules impacted since the season started as a result of positive COVID-19 tests.
Cardinals have second outbreak
The Phillies also haven't played since July 26, but they were scheduled to resume their season against the New York Yankees on Monday in New York City. They will skip Tuesday because of anticipate heavy rain from Tropical Storm Isaias and play a doubleheader in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
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Philadelphia announced Monday that it didn't have any positive tests Sunday. On Thursday, two staff members tested positive for the coronavirus, but no further issues have been reported for four consecutive days.
All of MLB's initial game postponements were tied to the Marlins outbreak before the announcement Friday that two members of the St. Louis Cardinals had tested positive.
The Cardinals' outbreak has since grown to 13 positive tests and includes seven players and six staff members. MLB on Monday also postponed the Detroit Tigers and Cardinals series, planned for Tuesday through Thursday. The Cardinals had a series against the Milwaukee Brewers this past weekend postponed.
Cardinals players have been in quarantine since Thursday in Milwaukee and will continue to be tested daily, league officials said.
"The tentative plan is for the team to resume its regular schedule on Friday against the Chicago Cubs in St. Louis," MLB said.
The Marlins, Phillies, Orioles, Cardinals, Brewers, Tigers, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and Washington Nationals are the teams whose schedules have been changed due to positive test results.


upi--2020-08-03--Australian study suggests children less likely to spread COVID-19 than adults

Aug. 3 ( UPI ) -- Children at schools and day-care centers with strong COVID-19 infection prevention controls in place have low levels of virus transmission , according to a study published Monday by The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health .
In seven schools and daycare centers that underwent antibody screening , symptom surveys and testing , the child-to-child transmission rate was found to be 0.3 % , while the child-to-staff transmission rate was 1 % , the researchers said .
The rate of staff-to-child transmission was 1.5 % and staff-to-staff was 4.4 % , suggesting that children are less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they said .
`` It may be that higher rates of transmission occur in areas with higher levels of infection and where contact tracing and public health measures were not as rigorous as in Australia , where borders were closed and quarantine measures were strongly enforced , '' researcher Kristine Macartney said in a statement .
For their study , Macartney -- director of the National Center for Immunization Research and Surveillance at University of Sydney -- and her colleagues analyzed COVID-19 cases in 15 schools and 10 nurseries , or day-care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state of Australia .
Australia , which had comparatively low COVID-19 incidence during the first wave of the epidemic , kept schools open during the first wave , with guidance in place for physical distancing and hygiene , researchers said .
The researchers looked at lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in New South Wales and identified all staff members and children age 18 and under who attended school or day-care centers while infectious based on records in the state 's centralized reporting system .
All patients or their guardians were interviewed at the time of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as any contact with other people , the researchers said .
Close contacts were defined as those who had face-to-face interaction with an infected person for a minimum of 15 minutes , or 40 minutes in an indoor space , the researchers said .
Once identified , the contacts were monitored with regular phone calls , asked to quarantine for 14 days and be tested if they experienced symptoms of the virus , the researchers said .
Twelve children and 15 adults were found to have attended schools or day-care centers while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified 1,448 close contacts , of whom 633 -- 44 % -- were tested , they said .
Of those tested , 18 -- from three schools and one day-care center -- were found to have COVID-19 -- meaning that 1.2 % of all 1,448 close contacts were positive -- the researchers said .
The outbreak at the day-care center involved transmission from one adult to six adults and seven children , suggesting that the transmission in schools and daycare centers stemmed from the staff rather than children , the researchers said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the context '' of the COVID-19 outbreak in New South Wales because transmission might be higher in other areas that did not practice the same types of public health measures as Australia , Macartney said .
For example , schools were closed temporarily for thorough cleaning if a pupil or staff member was found to be infected , she said .

Schools and day-care centers may have lower levels of COVID-19 transmission, Australian researchers said. Photo by Aline Ponce/Pixabay
Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Children at schools and day-care centers with strong COVID-19 infection prevention controls in place have low levels of virus transmission, according to a study published Monday by The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health. In seven schools and daycare centers that underwent antibody screening, symptom surveys and testing, the child-to-child transmission rate was found to be 0.3%, while the child-to-staff transmission rate was 1%, the researchers said. Advertisement
The rate of staff-to-child transmission was 1.5% and staff-to-staff was 4.4%, suggesting that children are less likely than adults to spread the virus, they said.
"It may be that higher rates of transmission occur in areas with higher levels of infection and where contact tracing and public health measures were not as rigorous as in Australia, where borders were closed and quarantine measures were strongly enforced," researcher Kristine Macartney said in a statement.
For their study, Macartney -- director of the National Center for Immunization Research and Surveillance at University of Sydney -- and her colleagues analyzed COVID-19 cases in 15 schools and 10 nurseries, or day-care centers, in the New South Wales state of Australia.
Australia, which had comparatively low COVID-19 incidence during the first wave of the epidemic, kept schools open during the first wave, with guidance in place for physical distancing and hygiene, researchers said.
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The researchers looked at lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in New South Wales and identified all staff members and children age 18 and under who attended school or day-care centers while infectious based on records in the state's centralized reporting system.
All patients or their guardians were interviewed at the time of diagnosis to track their attendance, as well as any contact with other people, the researchers said.
Close contacts were defined as those who had face-to-face interaction with an infected person for a minimum of 15 minutes, or 40 minutes in an indoor space, the researchers said.
Once identified, the contacts were monitored with regular phone calls, asked to quarantine for 14 days and be tested if they experienced symptoms of the virus, the researchers said.
Twelve children and 15 adults were found to have attended schools or day-care centers while infectious, researchers said. Contact tracing identified 1,448 close contacts, of whom 633 -- 44% -- were tested, they said.
Of those tested, 18 -- from three schools and one day-care center -- were found to have COVID-19 -- meaning that 1.2% of all 1,448 close contacts were positive -- the researchers said.
The outbreak at the day-care center involved transmission from one adult to six adults and seven children, suggesting that the transmission in schools and daycare centers stemmed from the staff rather than children, the researchers said.
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The findings must be viewed "in the context" of the COVID-19 outbreak in New South Wales because transmission might be higher in other areas that did not practice the same types of public health measures as Australia, Macartney said.
For example, schools were closed temporarily for thorough cleaning if a pupil or staff member was found to be infected, she said.


upi--2020-08-03--Testing, tracing needed to prevent COVID-19 spread at schools, study finds

Aug. 3 ( UPI ) -- Effective testing and contact tracing is essential for schools and day-care centers to safely reopen during COVID-19 pandemic , a study published Monday by The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health found .
Using workplace , community , demographic and epidemiological data , researchers in Britain modeled six scenarios for school reopening .
These included a full-time scenario , as well as a hybrid system in which half the students would attend school each week on a rotating basis , with online learning supplementing in-person classes .
If schools test between 59 % and 87 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 , they could help Britain avoid a second wave of COVID-19 infections , the researchers said .
This , however , requires effective contact tracing -- identifying others who might have been exposed to an infected person -- and isolation of confirmed cases , they said .
In one model , if school officials traced 68 % of contacts for confirmed COVID-19 cases , 75 % of students with symptoms of the virus would need to be diagnosed and isolated for youngsters to return to classes full-time in September .
If the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the students attend on alternate weeks , 65 % would need to be diagnosed and isolated , researchers said .
But if only 40 % of contacts could be traced , 87 % would need to be diagnosed and isolated under the full-time approach and 75 % would need to be diagnosed and isolated under the hybrid approach , they said .
In addition , if testing and contact tracing falls below these levels across the national population , reopening schools together with a gradual relaxing of the lockdown measures -- including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result in a secondary wave of infections that would peak in December , they said .
The modeling study should be `` a loud call to action to improve the infection control measures -- and test and trace system -- so we can get children back to school without interrupting their learning again for extended periods of time , '' researcher Chris Bonell said in a press release .
`` This is even more important in the context of opening up other areas of society , '' said Bonell , who is head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine .

Effective testing and contact tracing is the only way to open schools and limit spread of COVID-19, researchers say. Pictured, students in Israel wear protective masks as they return to the Yankus Korchak Elementary School in Jerusalem in May. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Effective testing and contact tracing is essential for schools and day-care centers to safely reopen during COVID-19 pandemic, a study published Monday by The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health found. Using workplace, community, demographic and epidemiological data, researchers in Britain modeled six scenarios for school reopening. Advertisement
These included a full-time scenario, as well as a hybrid system in which half the students would attend school each week on a rotating basis, with online learning supplementing in-person classes.
If schools test between 59% and 87% of students that have symptoms of COVID-19, they could help Britain avoid a second wave of COVID-19 infections, the researchers said.
This, however, requires effective contact tracing -- identifying others who might have been exposed to an infected person -- and isolation of confirmed cases, they said.
In one model, if school officials traced 68% of contacts for confirmed COVID-19 cases, 75% of students with symptoms of the virus would need to be diagnosed and isolated for youngsters to return to classes full-time in September.
If the hybrid approach were used, where half of the students attend on alternate weeks, 65% would need to be diagnosed and isolated, researchers said.
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But if only 40% of contacts could be traced, 87% would need to be diagnosed and isolated under the full-time approach and 75% would need to be diagnosed and isolated under the hybrid approach, they said.
In addition, if testing and contact tracing falls below these levels across the national population, reopening schools together with a gradual relaxing of the lockdown measures -- including parents returning to work -- would likely result in a secondary wave of infections that would peak in December, they said.
The modeling study should be "a loud call to action to improve the infection control measures -- and test and trace system -- so we can get children back to school without interrupting their learning again for extended periods of time," researcher Chris Bonell said in a press release.
"This is even more important in the context of opening up other areas of society," said Bonell, who is head of the department of public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.


upi--2020-08-03--New Clorox CEO brings female leadership of top companies to record 38

Aug. 3 ( UPI ) -- When new Clorox Company CEO Linda Rendle takes control of the company in September she will increase the ranks of Fortune 500 female leaders to a record high of 38 , Fortune said Monday .
Clorox announced Monday that Rendle , 42 , currently the company 's president , will become CEO effective Sept. 14 .
She will replace CEO Benno Dorer , who will remain board chairman .
While other companies saw sales fall due to the coronavirus pandemic , the cleaning supply company saw a 15 % spike in sales during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday reported another 8 % increase in sales year over year .
Clorox disposable wipes were in short supply , along with toilet paper , in the early days of the pandemic .
`` We continue to have a significant role supporting public health , given the ongoing needs and changing behaviors of our consumers and communities , '' Rendle said in a statement .
Rendle graduated with an economics undergraduate degree from Harvard University and worked at Procter & Gamble before moving to Clorox in 2003 , the company said Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IGNITE '' strategy , which aims to align company decisions with environmental , social and government priorities , Clorox said in a statement .
Rendle 's IGNITE initiative aims to make the cleaning wipes disposable and expand the company 's brand to include products in wellness and nutraceuticals , the company said .
Females heading Fortune 500 companies is still a tiny fraction of leadership in the U.S. corporations .
Even with a record 38 female CEOs , women run less than 8 % of the Fortune 500 businesses .
Only three of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the helm , and none have Black or Latina women as CEOs , Fortune magazine said in May .
Along with bleach products , Clorox also sells brands such as Pine-Sol , Liquid-Plumr , Glad garbage bags , kitty litter , charcoal and salad dressing .
Revenue for the Oakland , Calif. , -based company totaled $ 6.7 billion last year , Fortune said .

Newly named CEO Linda Randle of the Clorox Company will be the 38th female CEO to lead the U.S. Fortune 500 companies. Photo courtesy of the Clorox Company
Aug. 3 (UPI) -- When new Clorox Company CEO Linda Rendle takes control of the company in September she will increase the ranks of Fortune 500 female leaders to a record high of 38, Fortune said Monday. Clorox announced Monday that Rendle, 42, currently the company's president, will become CEO effective Sept. 14. She will replace CEO Benno Dorer, who will remain board chairman. Advertisement
While other companies saw sales fall due to the coronavirus pandemic, the cleaning supply company saw a 15% spike in sales during the first months of the pandemic, and on Saturday reported another 8% increase in sales year over year.
Clorox disposable wipes were in short supply, along with toilet paper, in the early days of the pandemic.
"We continue to have a significant role supporting public health, given the ongoing needs and changing behaviors of our consumers and communities," Rendle said in a statement.
Rendle graduated with an economics undergraduate degree from Harvard University and worked at Procter & Gamble before moving to Clorox in 2003, the company said Monday.
She spearheaded the company's "IGNITE" strategy, which aims to align company decisions with environmental, social and government priorities, Clorox said in a statement.
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Rendle's IGNITE initiative aims to make the cleaning wipes disposable and expand the company's brand to include products in wellness and nutraceuticals, the company said.
Females heading Fortune 500 companies is still a tiny fraction of leadership in the U.S. corporations. Even with a record 38 female CEOs, women run less than 8% of the Fortune 500 businesses.
Only three of those companies have women of color at the helm, and none have Black or Latina women as CEOs, Fortune magazine said in May.
Along with bleach products, Clorox also sells brands such as Pine-Sol, Liquid-Plumr, Glad garbage bags, kitty litter, charcoal and salad dressing. Revenue for the Oakland, Calif.,-based company totaled $6.7 billion last year, Fortune said.


upi--2020-08-03--World's 'smallest dinosaur' actually a lizard, study retraction says

Aug. 3 ( UPI ) -- New research suggests an ancient skull found inside 99-million-year-old amber belonged to a lizard , not the `` world 's smallest dinosaur , '' as scientists claimed earlier this year .
Lizards and snakes form a group of reptiles that distinct from dinosaurs .
In light of the new evidence , the original Nature article has been retracted .
Originally , scientists in China and the United States claimed the ancient piece of Myanmar amber featured the remains a tiny , hummingbird-like dinosaur , which they named Oculudentavis khaungraae .
`` Amber preservation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us a window into the world of dinosaurs at the lowest end of the body-size spectrum , '' Lars Schmitz , associate professor of biology at Claremont McKenna College in California , said in March .
`` Its unique anatomical features point to one of the smallest and most ancient birds ever found . ''
But according to Nature , their work garnered criticism almost immediately , with several paleobiologists claiming the researchers had found a lizard , not a dinosaur .
At first , the authors of the original study defended their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly identify fossil that the team had classified as a lizard .
The evidence forced the authors of the original paper to acknowledge their mistake .
In a retraction note published in Nature , the scientists said their description of the fossil remained accurate , but admitted that they had likely misclassified the specimen .
Co-author of the original paper , Jingmai O'Connor , a palaeontologist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing , told Nature that the latest data `` do definitively say that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convinced Schmitz , O'Connor and their colleagues to retract their claims has been published on the internet , but it has not yet been peer-reviewed and published in a scientific journal .
O'Connor told Nature that until it is , Oculudentavis khaungraae ca n't be officially reclassified .

New research suggests the 'world's smallest dinosaur' is actually a lizard. Photo by Xing Lida
Aug. 3 (UPI) -- New research suggests an ancient skull found inside 99-million-year-old amber belonged to a lizard, not the "world's smallest dinosaur," as scientists claimed earlier this year. Lizards and snakes form a group of reptiles that distinct from dinosaurs. In light of the new evidence, the original Nature article has been retracted. Advertisement
Originally, scientists in China and the United States claimed the ancient piece of Myanmar amber featured the remains a tiny, hummingbird-like dinosaur, which they named Oculudentavis khaungraae.
"Amber preservation of vertebrates is rare, and this provides us a window into the world of dinosaurs at the lowest end of the body-size spectrum," Lars Schmitz, associate professor of biology at Claremont McKenna College in California, said in March. "Its unique anatomical features point to one of the smallest and most ancient birds ever found."
But according to Nature, their work garnered criticism almost immediately, with several paleobiologists claiming the researchers had found a lizard, not a dinosaur. At first, the authors of the original study defended their work, but eventually critics produced a nearly identify fossil that the team had classified as a lizard.
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The evidence forced the authors of the original paper to acknowledge their mistake. In a retraction note published in Nature, the scientists said their description of the fossil remained accurate, but admitted that they had likely misclassified the specimen.
Co-author of the original paper, Jingmai O'Connor, a palaeontologist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing, told Nature that the latest data "do definitively say that we were wrong."
The evidence that convinced Schmitz, O'Connor and their colleagues to retract their claims has been published on the internet, but it has not yet been peer-reviewed and published in a scientific journal. O'Connor told Nature that until it is, Oculudentavis khaungraae can't be officially reclassified.


upi--2020-08-03--U.S. military trucks land in Israel to be fitted for Iron Dome defense system

Aug. 3 ( UPI ) -- U.S. military Oshkosh trucks were delivered to Israel on Monday , to be fitted for the Iron Dome defense weapons system , hours after Raytheon Co. and Israel 's Rafael announced a joint venture produce the Israeli system in the United States .
The world 's largest cargo plane , an Antonov AN-225 , landed at Israel 's Ben-Gurion Airport Monday afternoon delivering the trucks that will be fitted with the Iron Dome systems .
The U.S. Army purchased several Iron Dome batteries for testing in 2019 .
The Iron Dome system , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2011 to identify and destroy missiles aimed at populated areas , has a 90 percent success rate , according to the companies .
`` This will be the first Iron Dome all-up-round facility outside of Israel , and it will help the U.S. Department of Defense and allies across the globe obtain the system for defense of their service members and critical infrastructure , '' Sam Deneke , vice president of land warfare and air defense business execution at Raytheon , said in a press release .
A site location in the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the year , the companies said .
The system works by tracking incoming short-range projectiles by radar , then analyzes data about the likely impact zone and assesses whether to provide co-ordinates to a missile firing unit to intercept .
The portable system then targets incoming rockets and fires an interceptor missile , typically a Skyhunter missile made in the United States by Raytheon , to destroy the incoming projectile in the air .
The companies claim the system has a 90 percent success rate , with over 2,500 intercepts .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States and Israel also signed an agreement to make the U.S.-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense , or THAAD , defensive missile system interoperable with Iron Dome .
`` After a virtual meeting with the USAFE-AFAFRICA [ U.S. military commands in Europe and Africa ] , the Israeli Air Force & the U.S.A.F .
[ U.S. Air Force ] signed a document defining the interoperability between the American THAAD missile & the Israeli Iron Dome in case of an emergency in Israel , '' the Israel Defense Forces said on Twitter on @ @ @

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The world's largest aircraft carrier, an Antonov An-225, lands at Ben Gurion Airport, in Lod, near Tel Aviv, on Monday, August 3. The Ukrainian cargo plane is carrying U.S. military Oshkosh trucks to be fitted with the Israeli Iron Dome missile defense systems. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 3 (UPI) -- U.S. military Oshkosh trucks were delivered to Israel on Monday, to be fitted for the Iron Dome defense weapons system, hours after Raytheon Co. and Israel's Rafael announced a joint venture produce the Israeli system in the United States. The world's largest cargo plane, an Antonov AN-225, landed at Israel's Ben-Gurion Airport Monday afternoon delivering the trucks that will be fitted with the Iron Dome systems. Advertisement
The U.S. Army purchased several Iron Dome batteries for testing in 2019.
The Iron Dome system, which has been used successfully by Israel since 2011 to identify and destroy missiles aimed at populated areas, has a 90 percent success rate, according to the companies.
"This will be the first Iron Dome all-up-round facility outside of Israel, and it will help the U.S. Department of Defense and allies across the globe obtain the system for defense of their service members and critical infrastructure," Sam Deneke, vice president of land warfare and air defense business execution at Raytheon, said in a press release.
A site location in the United States will be announced by the end of the year, the companies said.
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The system works by tracking incoming short-range projectiles by radar, then analyzes data about the likely impact zone and assesses whether to provide co-ordinates to a missile firing unit to intercept.
The portable system then targets incoming rockets and fires an interceptor missile, typically a Skyhunter missile made in the United States by Raytheon, to destroy the incoming projectile in the air.
The companies claim the system has a 90 percent success rate, with over 2,500 intercepts.
The joint venture was announced days after the United States and Israel also signed an agreement to make the U.S.-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, defensive missile system interoperable with Iron Dome.
"After a virtual meeting with the USAFE-AFAFRICA [U.S. military commands in Europe and Africa], the Israeli Air Force & the U.S.A.F. [U.S. Air Force] signed a document defining the interoperability between the American THAAD missile & the Israeli Iron Dome in case of an emergency in Israel," the Israel Defense Forces said on Twitter on July 30.