upi--2020-07-23--Watch: Cameron Diaz on life with daughter Raddix amid lockdown

July 23 ( UPI ) -- Cameron Diaz says life with her infant daughter , Raddix , has been `` heaven '' amid the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) lockdown .
The 47-year-old actress discussed motherhood on Wednesday 's episode of The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon after welcoming Raddix , her first child , with her husband , singer and musician Benji Madden .
`` It 's been heaven , Jimmy , '' Diaz told host Jimmy Fallon .
`` You get to have every moment , and it goes so fast . ''
`` Literally every single day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these things that happen .
She 's not the same baby that she was yesterday , '' she said .
`` It 's so gratifying to actually get to see that growth and to be a part of it , and to help just let her be her . ''
Diaz said seeing her daughter grow is `` just amazing . ''
`` It 's the best thing that ever happened to both Benj and I , '' she said of parenthood .
`` We 're just so happy . ''
Diaz said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Elmo 's Song '' and Sesame Street on rotation for Raddix , even though she previously vowed to `` never play that type of music '' for her child .
`` But you watch their response and they 're so taken by it , '' she said of her daughter .
`` It 's like she changes .
She 's like , 'Oh !
My people ! '
'' Diaz and Madden married in January 2015 and announced Raddix 's birth in January of this year .
`` We are so happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new decade by announcing the birth of our daughter , Raddix Madden , '' Diaz said on Instagram .
`` She has instantly captured our hearts and completed our family , '' she added .
Diaz said on Instagram Live in April that being a mom is the `` best , best , best part '' of her life .
Diaz is known for such films as There 's Something About Mary , Gangs of New York and Charlie 's Angels .
She last appeared in a 2014 remake of Annie , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September issue of InStyle .

July 23 (UPI) -- Cameron Diaz says life with her infant daughter, Raddix, has been "heaven" amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown.
The 47-year-old actress discussed motherhood on Wednesday's episode of The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon after welcoming Raddix, her first child, with her husband, singer and musician Benji Madden.
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"It's been heaven, Jimmy," Diaz told host Jimmy Fallon. "You get to have every moment, and it goes so fast."
"Literally every single day, there's just leaps and bounds and these things that happen. She's not the same baby that she was yesterday," she said. "It's so gratifying to actually get to see that growth and to be a part of it, and to help just let her be her."
Diaz said seeing her daughter grow is "just amazing."
"It's the best thing that ever happened to both Benj and I," she said of parenthood. "We're just so happy."
Diaz said she keeps "Baby Shark," "Elmo's Song" and Sesame Street on rotation for Raddix, even though she previously vowed to "never play that type of music" for her child.
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"But you watch their response and they're so taken by it," she said of her daughter. "It's like she changes. She's like, 'Oh! My people!'"
Diaz and Madden married in January 2015 and announced Raddix's birth in January of this year.
"We are so happy, blessed and grateful to begin this new decade by announcing the birth of our daughter, Raddix Madden," Diaz said on Instagram.
"She has instantly captured our hearts and completed our family," she added.
Diaz said on Instagram Live in April that being a mom is the "best, best, best part" of her life.
Diaz is known for such films as There's Something About Mary, Gangs of New York and Charlie's Angels. She last appeared in a 2014 remake of Annie, and discussed her break from acting in the September issue of InStyle.


upi--2020-07-23--Willie Nelson tells 'Kimmel' guest host George Lopez about getting 'too high'

July 23 ( UPI ) -- Willie Nelson appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live to talk marijuana with guest host George @ @ @ @ @ , `` I Never Cared for You . ''
Nelson guested on Wednesday night 's @ @ @ @ @ , and the remote interview featured guest host Lopez asking the singer about his famous @ @ @ @ @ the benefits -- medical and otherwise -- of its use .
The country superstar admitted @ @ @ @ @ marijuana before a show and had to go on stage and apologetically tell the crowd @ @ @ @ @ night .
`` I came back about a month later and said , ' I @ @ @ @ @ before , ' '' Nelson recounted .
Nelson 's second segment on the show featured @ @ @ @ @ Never Cared for You , '' from First Rose of Spring , his 70th album @ @ @ @ @ in the performance by his sons , Micah and Lukas Nelson .

July 23 (UPI) -- Willie Nelson appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live to talk marijuana with guest host George Lopez and perform his song, "I Never Cared for You."
Nelson guested on Wednesday night's episode of the ABC series, and the remote interview featured guest host Lopez asking the singer about his famous lifelong love of cannabis and the benefits -- medical and otherwise -- of its use.
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The country superstar admitted he once smoked too much marijuana before a show and had to go on stage and apologetically tell the crowd he couldn't perform that night.
"I came back about a month later and said, 'I think I remember being here before,'" Nelson recounted.
Nelson's second segment on the show featured a performance of "I Never Cared for You," from First Rose of Spring, his 70th album release. He was accompanied in the performance by his sons, Micah and Lukas Nelson.


upi--2020-07-23--Underdog FC Cincinnati advances in MLS Is Back Tournament

July 23 ( UPI ) -- FC Cincinnati -- the worst team in Major League Soccer last year -- has advanced into the knockout round of the MLS Is Back Tournament in Orlando , Fla .
The second-year MLS club stunned the New York Red Bulls 2-0 Wednesday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex to advance out of group play and into the round of 16 .
`` We are still in like a preseason in Week 4 , '' FC Cincinnati coach Jaap Stam told reporters .
`` Getting this success against these very good opponents tells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mentality we have . ''
FC Cincinnati appeared outmatched to start the MLS Is Back Tournament after a 4-0 loss to the Columbus Crew .
They rebounded with a 1-0 win against Atlanta United before another shutout Wednesday in Orlando .
Columbus also advanced out of Group E and into the knockout stage .
Five spots remain in the round of 16 after Wednesday 's slate of games .
FC Cincinnati and New York were scoreless through 42 minutes before the Red Bulls defense misplayed a clearance deep inside their own half .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the loose ball while about 30 yards from the New York net .
He took a few touches toward the box before he ripped a shot into the lower right corner of the net in the 43rd minute .
Kubo 's goal helped FC Cincinnati carry a narrow lead through the halftime whistle .
Another miscue helped the underdogs double their lead in the 56th minute .
FC Cincinnati center midfielder Haris Medunjanin lined up for a corner kick to set up the second score .
He bent the cross toward the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Valot ran in and attempted to head the ball out of the area , but instead deflected it past goalie David Jensen and into his own net .
`` We knew with one [ more ] point [ in the standings ] we could go through , '' Medunjanin said of FC Cincinnati 's spot in the knockout stage .
`` Most of the time you lose when you play for one point , but we gave everything we had . ''
FC Cincinnati will play their knockout stage match against LAFC or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday in Orlando .

FC Cincinnati striker Yuya Kubo scored his team's first goal in a win against the New York Red Bulls Wednesday in Orlando, Fla. Photo courtesy of Jared Martinez and Devin L'Amoreaux/MLS
July 23 (UPI) -- FC Cincinnati -- the worst team in Major League Soccer last year -- has advanced into the knockout round of the MLS Is Back Tournament in Orlando, Fla. The second-year MLS club stunned the New York Red Bulls 2-0 Wednesday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex to advance out of group play and into the round of 16. Advertisement
"We are still in like a preseason in Week 4," FC Cincinnati coach Jaap Stam told reporters. "Getting this success against these very good opponents tells you something about this team and the mentality we have."
FC Cincinnati appeared outmatched to start the MLS Is Back Tournament after a 4-0 loss to the Columbus Crew. They rebounded with a 1-0 win against Atlanta United before another shutout Wednesday in Orlando. Columbus also advanced out of Group E and into the knockout stage. Five spots remain in the round of 16 after Wednesday's slate of games.
The knockout round begins Saturday.
FC Cincinnati and New York were scoreless through 42 minutes before the Red Bulls defense misplayed a clearance deep inside their own half. FC Cincinnati striker Yuya Kubo gained control of the loose ball while about 30 yards from the New York net.
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He took a few touches toward the box before he ripped a shot into the lower right corner of the net in the 43rd minute.
Kubo's goal helped FC Cincinnati carry a narrow lead through the halftime whistle. Another miscue helped the underdogs double their lead in the 56th minute.
FC Cincinnati center midfielder Haris Medunjanin lined up for a corner kick to set up the second score. He bent the cross toward the near post. Red Bulls midfielder Florian Valot ran in and attempted to head the ball out of the area, but instead deflected it past goalie David Jensen and into his own net.
"We knew with one [more] point [in the standings] we could go through," Medunjanin said of FC Cincinnati's spot in the knockout stage. "Most of the time you lose when you play for one point, but we gave everything we had."
FC Cincinnati will play their knockout stage match against LAFC or the Portland Timbers at 10:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday in Orlando.


upi--2020-07-23--In photos: Baseball kicks off with preseason training

Kansas City Royals batter Alex Gordon connects for a sacrifice RBI during an exhibition game against the St. Louis Cardinals @ @ @ @ @ Louis on July 22 .
Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

Kansas City Royals batter Alex Gordon connects for a sacrifice RBI during an exhibition game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on July 22. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI


upi--2020-07-23--TikTok tries to distance from Beijing in effort to avoid global blacklist

July 23 ( UPI ) -- TikTok , the made-in-China , video-sharing platform beloved by youth and influencers alike , is suddenly everywhere in our new world of COVID-19 lockdowns and social distancing .
The platform 's growth has been tremendous , but this has come at a cost : It has come under increasing scrutiny from politicians in the United States and allies like Australia over concerns about potential breaches of data security and the platform 's perceived ties to the Chinese government .
The Trump administration is considering banning the platform -- and Australia may well follow suit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around its Chinese origins , and its potential connections or compliance with the Chinese Communist Party and its authoritarian system .
There are some reasons to be concerned .
The platform is known to censor material deemed sensitive by the Chinese government .
Last year , for example , TikTok was accused of manipulating videos relating to Hong Kong pro-democracy protests and was forced to apologize for censoring a video criticizing China 's crackdown on Uighurs .
This prompted claims of it being an arm of China 's state-run media system .
Digital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the data TikTok collects from users to be sent to China 's servers .
But there is not clear evidence yet that TikTok poses a threat to the national security of countries like the United States or Australia , or that the CCP interferes in the overseas operations of the company .
TikTok is owned by the Beijing-based technology company Bytedance , which also operates a Chinese version of the platform called Douyin .
TikTok and Douyin are completely separate entities .
They store their data in different centers and are governed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations .
TikTok is designed for the overseas market with its data stored in Singapore and the United States , while Douyin targets solely the Chinese domestic market with its data stored in China .
As the pressure has mounted against the platform in the West , however , TikTok has shifted into survival mode through de-Sinicization .
While users are posting videos on TikTok from the safety of their bedrooms , the company is deliberately distancing itself from Beijing .
Part of this distancing strategy involves announcing plans to move its operational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports in China this involved disbanding the Beijing-based overseas operation team , as well as cutting off the Chinese team 's access to its international data pool .
The company also announced plans this week to add 10,000 jobs in the United States , following a commitment to open a transparency center in Los Angeles earlier this year .
TikTok 's most prominent PR move has been hiring key international players in communications , entertainment , government relations , IP protection , cybersecurity and global business solutions to change the way the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets .
The appointment of non-Chinese executives , such as new U.S. CEO Kevin Mayer ( Walt Disney 's former top streaming executive ) , illustrates its global aspirations .
Of course , bringing foreigners into the corporate tent is not a new strategy for a Chinese tech firm .
Alibaba and Huawei have done this with mixed success ; Huawei , in particular , has failed to convince Western governments it would not pose a security risk to their 5G networks .
But TikTok is a different kind of proposition .
Unlike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as WeChat ) , TikTok does not operate in China .
The platform was created to be global .
The response to TikTok 's rise in the United States comes from the Donald Trump manual of political strategy .
When the trade war between the United States and China broke in January 2018 , the two nations engaged in a tit-for-tat series of tariffs , from steel and automobiles to pork and soybeans .
In the latest round of recriminations and political bluster , Trump suggested he was considering using TikTok as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its handling of the coronavirus .
The idea is to erect a barrier against TikTok and ask like-minded allies to do the same .
What this reaction precipitates , however , is a move toward national Internet sovereignty .
Some are calling this the age of the `` splinternet , '' rather than the Internet as we know it , a borderless space .
For starters , erecting barriers against platforms offers limited effectiveness because users will find a way around them .
But banning TikTok , or any other Chinese platform , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese President Xi Jinping 's `` little red book '' for the digital age .
The list of Western platforms and news sites blocked in China is very long .
Playing China 's game of shuttering foreign sites will only provide more ammunition for Chinese propaganda against the West -- and lead to more tit-for-tat closures .
Blacklisting companies or individuals based on country of origin and citing national security concerns sets a dangerous precedent .
It 's akin to going down the path of digital McCarthyism ; not only will this erode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more significant problems of data harvesting and news manipulation -- practices that are not unique to Chinese platforms .
Some critics have instead argued for more coordinated global governance of tech companies .
As Samm Sacks writes in Foreign Affairs , `` We need stricter rules for data security and privacy for all companies , not just Chinese ones ... regardless of country of origin , [ to ] manage online content in an era of misinformation . ''
As with all user-driven platforms , content moderation on TikTok runs up against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will continue be a concern for the platform , and TikTok 's content moderators will inevitably be tested by those who want to use it to challenge China .
In the interest of maintaining its brand credibility as a truly global company , TikTok 's smartest move would be to continue to distance itself from Beijing -- and for Beijing to do the same .
Michael Keaneis a professor of Chinese digital media and culture at Curtin University .
Haiqing Yu is an associate professor in the school of media and communication at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

The controversies surrounding TikTok are centered around its Chinese origins, and its potential connections or compliance with the Chinese Communist Party and its authoritarian system. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
July 23 (UPI) -- TikTok, the made-in-China, video-sharing platform beloved by youth and influencers alike, is suddenly everywhere in our new world of COVID-19 lockdowns and social distancing. The platform's growth has been tremendous, but this has come at a cost: It has come under increasing scrutiny from politicians in the United States and allies like Australia over concerns about potential breaches of data security and the platform's perceived ties to the Chinese government. Advertisement
The Trump administration is considering banning the platform -- and Australia may well follow suit.
The controversies surrounding TikTok are centered around its Chinese origins, and its potential connections or compliance with the Chinese Communist Party and its authoritarian system.
There are some reasons to be concerned. The platform is known to censor material deemed sensitive by the Chinese government.
Last year, for example, TikTok was accused of manipulating videos relating to Hong Kong pro-democracy protests and was forced to apologize for censoring a video criticizing China's crackdown on Uighurs. This prompted claims of it being an arm of China's state-run media system.
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Digital security experts also point to the potential for the data TikTok collects from users to be sent to China's servers.
But there is not clear evidence yet that TikTok poses a threat to the national security of countries like the United States or Australia, or that the CCP interferes in the overseas operations of the company.
Distancing from Beijing
TikTok is owned by the Beijing-based technology company Bytedance, which also operates a Chinese version of the platform called Douyin.
TikTok and Douyin are completely separate entities. They store their data in different centers and are governed by different sets of rules and business operations. TikTok is designed for the overseas market with its data stored in Singapore and the United States, while Douyin targets solely the Chinese domestic market with its data stored in China.
As the pressure has mounted against the platform in the West, however, TikTok has shifted into survival mode through de-Sinicization. While users are posting videos on TikTok from the safety of their bedrooms, the company is deliberately distancing itself from Beijing.
Part of this distancing strategy involves announcing plans to move its operational headquarters outside China. According to industry reports in China this involved disbanding the Beijing-based overseas operation team, as well as cutting off the Chinese team's access to its international data pool.
Advertisement
The company also announced plans this week to add 10,000 jobs in the United States, following a commitment to open a transparency center in Los Angeles earlier this year.
TikTok's most prominent PR move has been hiring key international players in communications, entertainment, government relations, IP protection, cybersecurity and global business solutions to change the way the company is structured and run in its overseas markets.
The appointment of non-Chinese executives, such as new U.S. CEO Kevin Mayer (Walt Disney's former top streaming executive), illustrates its global aspirations.
Of course, bringing foreigners into the corporate tent is not a new strategy for a Chinese tech firm. Alibaba and Huawei have done this with mixed success; Huawei, in particular, has failed to convince Western governments it would not pose a security risk to their 5G networks.
But TikTok is a different kind of proposition. Unlike other Chinese tech companies and platforms (such as WeChat), TikTok does not operate in China. The platform was created to be global.
Tit-for-tat retaliations
The response to TikTok's rise in the United States comes from the Donald Trump manual of political strategy. When the trade war between the United States and China broke in January 2018, the two nations engaged in a tit-for-tat series of tariffs, from steel and automobiles to pork and soybeans.
Advertisement
In the latest round of recriminations and political bluster, Trump suggested he was considering using TikTok as a way to retaliate against China for its handling of the coronavirus. The idea is to erect a barrier against TikTok and ask like-minded allies to do the same.
What this reaction precipitates, however, is a move toward national Internet sovereignty. Some are calling this the age of the "splinternet," rather than the Internet as we know it, a borderless space.
For starters, erecting barriers against platforms offers limited effectiveness because users will find a way around them.
But banning TikTok, or any other Chinese platform, is also taking a page directly from Chinese President Xi Jinping's "little red book" for the digital age.
The list of Western platforms and news sites blocked in China is very long. Playing China's game of shuttering foreign sites will only provide more ammunition for Chinese propaganda against the West -- and lead to more tit-for-tat closures.
Blacklisting companies or individuals based on country of origin and citing national security concerns sets a dangerous precedent. It's akin to going down the path of digital McCarthyism; not only will this erode online freedom, it won't address the more significant problems of data harvesting and news manipulation -- practices that are not unique to Chinese platforms.
Advertisement
Some critics have instead argued for more coordinated global governance of tech companies. As Samm Sacks writes in Foreign Affairs, "We need stricter rules for data security and privacy for all companies, not just Chinese ones ... regardless of country of origin, [to] manage online content in an era of misinformation."
As with all user-driven platforms, content moderation on TikTok runs up against issues of freedom of speech. Censorship will continue be a concern for the platform, and TikTok's content moderators will inevitably be tested by those who want to use it to challenge China.
In the interest of maintaining its brand credibility as a truly global company, TikTok's smartest move would be to continue to distance itself from Beijing -- and for Beijing to do the same.
Michael Keaneis a professor of Chinese digital media and culture at Curtin University. Haiqing Yu is an associate professor in the school of media and communication at RMIT University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


upi--2020-07-23--American, Southwest report combined Q2 losses of $3 billion

July 23 ( UPI ) -- U.S. carriers American and Southwest reported substantial second-quarter losses on Thursday , the latest signals of the COVID-19 pandemic 's enormous impact on global air travel .
American Airlines reported a $ 2.1 billion loss in the second quarter and said revenue tumbled more than 86 % .
Southwest similarly reported a $ 915 million loss for the quarter .
American said it mitigated losses by cutting daily spending to $ 30 million in June , reducing flights , grounding planes and furloughing workers .
`` This was one of the most challenging quarters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and CEO Doug Parker said in a statement .
`` COVID-19 and the resulting shutdown of the U.S. economy have caused severe disruptions to global demand for air travel . ''
Hoping to attract customers , American said it will waive fees to change reservations for new tickets by July 31 , extend the fee waiver for travel through Sept. 30 and allow flyers to rebook on less crowded flights at no cost .
American also said it plans to reduce its total operating and capital expenditures this year by more than $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 83 % to just over $ 1 billion , down from $ 5.9 billion a year ago .
The budget carrier said second-quarter sales beat analysts ' estimates and projects third-quarter capacity to decrease between 20 % and 30 % .
Excluding federal assistance from the Payroll Support Program , part of the CARES Act , Southwest said the quarterly loss rose to $ 1.5 billion .
`` We were encouraged by improvements in May and June leisure passenger traffic trends , compared with March and April , '' Southwest CEO Gary Kelly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trends in revenue and bookings have recently stalled in July with the rise in COVID-19 cases .
`` We expect air travel demand to remain depressed until a vaccine or therapeutics are available . ''

Jetliners belonging to Southwest Airlines and American Airlines are seen at St. Louis-Lambert International Airport in St. Louis, Mo., on March 28. Both carriers reported substantial second-quarter losses on Thursday. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
July 23 (UPI) -- U.S. carriers American and Southwest reported substantial second-quarter losses on Thursday, the latest signals of the COVID-19 pandemic's enormous impact on global air travel. American Airlines reported a $2.1 billion loss in the second quarter and said revenue tumbled more than 86%. Southwest similarly reported a $915 million loss for the quarter. Advertisement
American said it mitigated losses by cutting daily spending to $30 million in June, reducing flights, grounding planes and furloughing workers.
"This was one of the most challenging quarters in American history," AA Chairman and CEO Doug Parker said in a statement. "COVID-19 and the resulting shutdown of the U.S. economy have caused severe disruptions to global demand for air travel."
Hoping to attract customers, American said it will waive fees to change reservations for new tickets by July 31, extend the fee waiver for travel through Sept. 30 and allow flyers to rebook on less crowded flights at no cost.
American also said it plans to reduce its total operating and capital expenditures this year by more than $15 billion.
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Southwest revenue fell nearly 83% to just over $1 billion, down from $5.9 billion a year ago. The budget carrier said second-quarter sales beat analysts' estimates and projects third-quarter capacity to decrease between 20% and 30%.
Excluding federal assistance from the Payroll Support Program, part of the CARES Act, Southwest said the quarterly loss rose to $1.5 billion.
"We were encouraged by improvements in May and June leisure passenger traffic trends, compared with March and April," Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said. "However, the improving trends in revenue and bookings have recently stalled in July with the rise in COVID-19 cases.
"We expect air travel demand to remain depressed until a vaccine or therapeutics are available."


upi--2020-07-23--Kim Jong Un visits poultry farm as food remains top concern

July 23 ( UPI ) -- Kim Jong Un provided field guidance at North Korea 's Kwangchon Chicken Farm , where he raised concerns about the regime 's food supply , state media reported Thursday .
Kim , whose health came under international scrutiny during a four-week absence in the spring , was seen in images released by KCNA visiting the site without a mask .
Top North Korean officials , including Kim 's sister Kim Yo Jong , propaganda vice chief Hyon Song Wol , and Pak Jong Chon , chief of the general staff of the Korean People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to KCNA .
Kim and Pak were recently named in a South Korean lawsuit filed following the destruction of the inter-Korean liaison office at Kaesong .
The North Korean leader said at the chicken farm in North Hwanghae Province the farm has been a much anticipated project for the Korean Workers ' Party .
`` The construction of this chicken plant is an enterprise that our party has long envisioned , '' Kim said , according to KCNA .
`` We made preparations with a great deal of work . ''
Kim , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2020 as North Korea remains closed during COVID-19 , said he expects the Kwangchon plant to `` actually contribute to solving the food problems of the people '' who care deeply about the regime .
The North Korean leader , who recently rebuked officials for `` careless '' work at the site for a new hospital in Pyongyang , said the chicken plant 's facilities `` must be built to standard . ''
Kim said the Workers ' Party is to provide the poultry farm with the `` most advanced '' equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ integration '' of facilities and ordered construction be carried out with the highest standards in mind .
Yang Moo-jin , a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul , told South Korean news service Seoul Pyongyang News Kim 's field guidance visit to the farm indicates Kim is making food a top priority in the country .
United Nations agencies said earlier this year the food shortage in the country could be worsening due to closures and COVID-19 .

Kim Jong Un (C) provided instructions at North Korea’s Kwangchon Chicken Farm in North Hwanghae Province, state media said Thursday. Photo by KCNA
July 23 (UPI) -- Kim Jong Un provided field guidance at North Korea's Kwangchon Chicken Farm, where he raised concerns about the regime's food supply, state media reported Thursday. Kim, whose health came under international scrutiny during a four-week absence in the spring, was seen in images released by KCNA visiting the site without a mask. Advertisement
Top North Korean officials, including Kim's sister Kim Yo Jong, propaganda vice chief Hyon Song Wol, and Pak Jong Chon, chief of the general staff of the Korean People's Army, accompanied Kim, according to KCNA.
Kim and Pak were recently named in a South Korean lawsuit filed following the destruction of the inter-Korean liaison office at Kaesong.
The North Korean leader said at the chicken farm in North Hwanghae Province the farm has been a much anticipated project for the Korean Workers' Party.
"The construction of this chicken plant is an enterprise that our party has long envisioned," Kim said, according to KCNA. "We made preparations with a great deal of work."
Kim, who has made far fewer public appearances in 2020 as North Korea remains closed during COVID-19, said he expects the Kwangchon plant to "actually contribute to solving the food problems of the people" who care deeply about the regime.
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The North Korean leader, who recently rebuked officials for "careless" work at the site for a new hospital in Pyongyang, said the chicken plant's facilities "must be built to standard."
Kim said the Workers' Party is to provide the poultry farm with the "most advanced" equipment for the "modernization, automation and integration" of facilities and ordered construction be carried out with the highest standards in mind.
Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, told South Korean news service Seoul Pyongyang News Kim's field guidance visit to the farm indicates Kim is making food a top priority in the country. United Nations agencies said earlier this year the food shortage in the country could be worsening due to closures and COVID-19.


upi--2020-07-23--New Taylor Swift album 'folklore' to drop at midnight

July 23 ( UPI ) -- Taylor Swift announced Thursday her eighth studio album , folklore , will be released in a surprise drop at midnight , accompanied by the music video for the first single , `` cardigan . ''
Swift announced in an Instagram post that the midnight release will feature 16 new songs , with 11 of the tracks co-written with Aaron Dessner and to co-written with William Bowery .
Bon Iver also co-wrote one song , `` exile , '' and sings with Swift on the track , she said .
`` Most of the things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end up happening , but there is something I had n't planned on that DID happen .
And that thing is my 8th studio album , folklore .
Surprise .
Tonight at midnight I 'll be releasing my entire brand new album of songs I 've poured all of my whims , dreams , fears , and musings into , '' Swift wrote .
The album was engineered by Laura Sisk and Jon Low , and mixed by Low and Serban Ghenea .
The photos for folklore were taken by Beth Garrabrant .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've overthought when to release this music at the 'perfect ' time , but the times we 're living in keep reminding me that nothing is guaranteed .
My gut is telling me that if you make something you love , you should just put it out into the world .
That 's the side of uncertainty I can get on board with .
Love you guys so much , '' the Instagram post says .
The music video for the album 's first single , `` cardigan , '' will also premiere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thanked her `` brilliant '' video team , comprised of `` cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto , producer Jil Hardin , executive producer Rebecca Skinner , AD Joe 'Oz ' Osbourne , editor Chancler Haynes , special effects wizards David Lebensfeld & Grant Miller , and set designer Ethan Tobman . ''
The singer said precautions were taken while filming .
`` The entire shoot was overseen by a medical inspector , everyone wore masks , stayed away from each other , and I even did my own hair , makeup , and styling , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be eight deluxe CD editions and eight deluxe vinyl editions of folklore available for one week .
The deluxe editions will feature a bonus track , `` the lakes , '' as well as `` unique covers , photos , and artwork . ''

July 23 (UPI) -- Taylor Swift announced Thursday her eighth studio album, folklore, will be released in a surprise drop at midnight, accompanied by the music video for the first single, "cardigan."
Swift announced in an Instagram post that the midnight release will feature 16 new songs, with 11 of the tracks co-written with Aaron Dessner and to co-written with William Bowery.
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Bon Iver also co-wrote one song, "exile," and sings with Swift on the track, she said.
"Most of the things I had planned this summer didn't end up happening, but there is something I hadn't planned on that DID happen. And that thing is my 8th studio album, folklore. Surprise. Tonight at midnight I'll be releasing my entire brand new album of songs I've poured all of my whims, dreams, fears, and musings into," Swift wrote.
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The album was engineered by Laura Sisk and Jon Low, and mixed by Low and Serban Ghenea.
The photos for folklore were taken by Beth Garrabrant.
"Before this year I probably would've overthought when to release this music at the 'perfect' time, but the times we're living in keep reminding me that nothing is guaranteed. My gut is telling me that if you make something you love, you should just put it out into the world. That's the side of uncertainty I can get on board with. Love you guys so much," the Instagram post says.
The music video for the album's first single, "cardigan," will also premiere Thursday night, Swift said.
She thanked her "brilliant" video team, comprised of "cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, producer Jil Hardin, executive producer Rebecca Skinner, AD Joe 'Oz' Osbourne, editor Chancler Haynes, special effects wizards David Lebensfeld & Grant Miller, and set designer Ethan Tobman."
The singer said precautions were taken while filming.
"The entire shoot was overseen by a medical inspector, everyone wore masks, stayed away from each other, and I even did my own hair, makeup, and styling," she wrote.
Swift said there will be eight deluxe CD editions and eight deluxe vinyl editions of folklore available for one week. The deluxe editions will feature a bonus track, "the lakes," as well as "unique covers, photos, and artwork."
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Taylor Swift's career: awards, No. 1 hits and red carpets


upi--2020-07-23--Coronavirus keeps Texas prisoners approved for parole behind bars

July 23 ( UPI ) -- Thousands of Texas prisoners are stuck in limbo during the public health disaster , approved for parole yet still sitting inside disease-prone lockups as the coronavirus rages across the state .
Many have been waiting six months or longer for release .
During that time , Texas has seen more state prisoners die with the virus than any other state prison system in America .
They 've been told they 're still behind bars because there 's nowhere to send them , they need to finish a life skills program or they ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done and over with , '' according to prisoners ' responses to questionnaires sent by advocacy groups .
Sometimes the prisoners are n't told anything at all , the elation of winning parole morphing into dread as they watch prison coronavirus infections and deaths rise .
`` Some of these people were eligible [ for release ] months and months and months ago , and they 're still there , '' said Jorge Renaud , southwest regional director of policy and advocacy for LatinoJustice , one of the advocacy groups .
`` They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
In May , more than 15,000 Texas prisoners had been approved for parole but were not yet released , according to records from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice .
That 's about 12 % of the state prison population .
About 4,300 prisoners had been granted parole at least six months earlier .
Parole releases are never immediate , and it 's a common requirement for prisoners to first undergo in-prison education or rehabilitation programming before their release .
But the coronavirus has delayed some of those classes and also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people who have completed such programming or never needed to take it .
Jon Reynolds , an inmate at the geriatric Pack Unit , where state attorneys say at least 19 men have died with the virus , testified in federal court last week that he finished his board-required programming in May but has remained in the highly infected prison .
He said that 's because the unit 's parole officer , who approves housing plans , has n't been there .
State attorneys questioned if his delay was instead because his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reynolds denied that .
`` People are still getting sick over and over , '' the 51-year-old said at a videoconference trial in a case over TDCJ 's handling of the pandemic .
`` I 'm not understanding what it is that is keeping TDCJ from letting people go that have already completed their program . ''
Other inmates whose required programming was unavailable at their prisons had to wait months while transfers between units were stopped to limit the virus ' spread .
And units confirmed to have active infections -- nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozens of prisons Wednesday -- are locked down , restricting activity within and halting movement in and out of them , including releases into the free world .
A TDCJ representative said that although the agency ca n't release inmates during lockdowns , it has started directly releasing inmates at prisons without known infections to family instead of first moving them to a transfer facility .
He added that he did not think any prison had been consistently restricted since the virus first hit the prison system in March , saying most cycled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for some releases .
Several units have been on lockdown because of the virus for more than a month at a time , according to agency reports .
`` From the very beginning of the pandemic , there became more and more issues with the way that we would normally transport folks , '' spokesman Jeremy Desel said .
`` We move to process them as quickly as we can , but they 're still going to need to uphold whatever conditions are set . ''
More than 13,500 of about 130,000 TDCJ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as of Wednesday , according to agency reports .
At least 94 have died with it , the highest death toll in the country among state prison systems .
The virus has also infected nearly 2,900 prison employees and killed 14 people who worked in state lockups .
But despite continued pleas from inmates , their loved ones and advocates for immediate release of those who are granted parole during the public health disaster , the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has repeatedly said it has not changed how it makes parole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that parole approval rates rose in the last year to an average of about 39 % , but state data indicate a slight decrease in the average rate since March .
The board still sets release dates far in the future or requires monthslong , in-prison programming before an inmate can be released .
Gov .
Greg Abbott , who oversees the board , said in March that releasing `` dangerous criminals '' was n't the answer to controlling the virus in prison hot spots and has since remained silent on the issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeated questions , including on Wednesday , on whether his stance changed as cases and deaths have risen behind prison walls .
Renaud said he and other advocates plan to push in the 2021 legislative session for required parole programming , like drug rehabilitation , to be permitted in the community instead of in prison .
For Donald Mickens , that would mean his wife would be home with their children .
Mickens ' wife , serving a three-year stint out of Galveston County on a probation violation , was approved for parole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to complete a six-month drug rehabilitation program , Mickens said .
That meant sending her to another unit , according to Mickens , a move that was delayed for months until June because of a halt in unit transfers as the virus swept through the system .
`` Now she 's there and they 're not even doing the classes , they 're just giving them paperwork underneath the door , '' he said , because of a lack of counselors at the unit .
`` She 's struggling real bad in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's going to get '' the coronavirus .
For Kambri Crews , programming on the outside may have allowed her to say goodbye to her dying father in person instead of on a hard-fought FaceTime call .
Theodore `` Cigo '' Crews , 73 , died in a prison hospital earlier this month after a late cancer diagnosis , 30 days after he 'd been granted parole after serving 18 years .
His daughter believes the harsh conditions and poor food inmates get in coronavirus lockdowns quickened his death .
She said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` He would have died anyway , but it would have been nice for him to die in the free world , '' Crews said .
Her father was required to take a drug and alcohol program first , she said , but she did n't understand why he could n't have taken classes any other time in his nearly two decades behind bars , or outside with her .
Inmates who are set to leave on parole and are n't required to take programming have been stuck as well during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the calendar when units go on or extend the medical lockdowns , and the parole board has set release dates far in the future , to the dismay of prisoners ' loved ones .
Debra Boyd 's son won parole in May , with the caveat that he first had to undergo the prisons ' life-skills program .
The three-month class -- which Renaud and other prison reform advocates criticize on its effectiveness -- focuses on managing stress , time and money and personal assessments .
To try to hasten his homecoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her 41-year-old son had completed the program months earlier .
His parole condition was changed after her phone call so that her son could be released without completing a program -- but not until January .
`` It was real exciting , '' she said , when she first learned her son was approved for parole , even if he had to redo the program .
`` Then when everything switched around to January , it 's like , 'Oh my god , what has happened ? '
'' The board 's chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boyd 's son 's release was never intended to be before 2021 .
His release was first set to be after he completed the three-month program , which the board directed to begin in November at the earliest , McDonnell said .
A future release date for parole approvals is often issued when the parole panel wants the inmate to serve more time , but not necessarily as long as it would take for the next parole review , he said .
With the second week of trial nearing an end , TDCJ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions whether the agency adequately protected inmates at the Pack Unit .
State attorneys argued that the question of parole , which inmate Reynolds raised in his testimony , was irrelevant to the case since the lawsuit focuses on how TDCJ protects inmates .
But advocates and epidemiologists have said for months that releasing inmates and reducing the prison population is the most effective strategy to promote social distancing and keep infections from spreading like wildfire among prisoners and into the community .
`` There were two ways to go , '' Renaud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is on parole ... or not let anybody go and not take anybody in and hope that little by little that the disease would just wear itself out , that it would just burn out . ''
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune .
Read the original here .
The Texas Tribune is proud to celebrate 10 years of exceptional journalism for an exceptional state .
Explore the next 10 years with us .

July 23 (UPI) -- Thousands of Texas prisoners are stuck in limbo during the public health disaster, approved for parole yet still sitting inside disease-prone lockups as the coronavirus rages across the state.
Many have been waiting six months or longer for release. During that time, Texas has seen more state prisoners die with the virus than any other state prison system in America.
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They've been told they're still behind bars because there's nowhere to send them, they need to finish a life skills program or they can't leave until the new coronavirus is "done and over with," according to prisoners' responses to questionnaires sent by advocacy groups. Sometimes the prisoners aren't told anything at all, the elation of winning parole morphing into dread as they watch prison coronavirus infections and deaths rise.
"Some of these people were eligible [for release] months and months and months ago, and they're still there," said Jorge Renaud, southwest regional director of policy and advocacy for LatinoJustice, one of the advocacy groups. "They are putting these people at risk unnecessarily."
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In May, more than 15,000 Texas prisoners had been approved for parole but were not yet released, according to records from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. That's about 12% of the state prison population. About 4,300 prisoners had been granted parole at least six months earlier.
Parole releases are never immediate, and it's a common requirement for prisoners to first undergo in-prison education or rehabilitation programming before their release. But the coronavirus has delayed some of those classes and also pushed back release for an unknown number of people who have completed such programming or never needed to take it.
Jon Reynolds, an inmate at the geriatric Pack Unit, where state attorneys say at least 19 men have died with the virus, testified in federal court last week that he finished his board-required programming in May but has remained in the highly infected prison. He said that's because the unit's parole officer, who approves housing plans, hasn't been there. State attorneys questioned if his delay was instead because his housing plan was not adequate, but Reynolds denied that.
"People are still getting sick over and over," the 51-year-old said at a videoconference trial in a case over TDCJ's handling of the pandemic. "I'm not understanding what it is that is keeping TDCJ from letting people go that have already completed their program."
Advertisement
Other inmates whose required programming was unavailable at their prisons had to wait months while transfers between units were stopped to limit the virus' spread. And units confirmed to have active infections -- nearly 3,000 inmates had recently tested positive at dozens of prisons Wednesday -- are locked down, restricting activity within and halting movement in and out of them, including releases into the free world.
A TDCJ representative said that although the agency can't release inmates during lockdowns, it has started directly releasing inmates at prisons without known infections to family instead of first moving them to a transfer facility. He added that he did not think any prison had been consistently restricted since the virus first hit the prison system in March, saying most cycled on and off lockdown, which allows for some releases. Several units have been on lockdown because of the virus for more than a month at a time, according to agency reports.
"From the very beginning of the pandemic, there became more and more issues with the way that we would normally transport folks," spokesman Jeremy Desel said. "We move to process them as quickly as we can, but they're still going to need to uphold whatever conditions are set."
Advertisement
More than 13,500 of about 130,000 TDCJ inmates have tested positive for the coronavirus as of Wednesday, according to agency reports. At least 94 have died with it, the highest death toll in the country among state prison systems. The virus has also infected nearly 2,900 prison employees and killed 14 people who worked in state lockups.
But despite continued pleas from inmates, their loved ones and advocates for immediate release of those who are granted parole during the public health disaster, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has repeatedly said it has not changed how it makes parole decisions. A board representative said Wednesday that parole approval rates rose in the last year to an average of about 39%, but state data indicate a slight decrease in the average rate since March. The board still sets release dates far in the future or requires monthslong, in-prison programming before an inmate can be released.
Gov. Greg Abbott, who oversees the board, said in March that releasing "dangerous criminals" wasn't the answer to controlling the virus in prison hot spots and has since remained silent on the issue. A representative has not responded to repeated questions, including on Wednesday, on whether his stance changed as cases and deaths have risen behind prison walls.
Advertisement
Renaud said he and other advocates plan to push in the 2021 legislative session for required parole programming, like drug rehabilitation, to be permitted in the community instead of in prison. For Donald Mickens, that would mean his wife would be home with their children.
Mickens' wife, serving a three-year stint out of Galveston County on a probation violation, was approved for parole in October. But the 41-year-old first had to complete a six-month drug rehabilitation program, Mickens said. That meant sending her to another unit, according to Mickens, a move that was delayed for months until June because of a halt in unit transfers as the virus swept through the system.
"Now she's there and they're not even doing the classes, they're just giving them paperwork underneath the door," he said, because of a lack of counselors at the unit. "She's struggling real bad in there because she's so scared she's going to get" the coronavirus.
For Kambri Crews, programming on the outside may have allowed her to say goodbye to her dying father in person instead of on a hard-fought FaceTime call.
Theodore "Cigo" Crews, 73, died in a prison hospital earlier this month after a late cancer diagnosis, 30 days after he'd been granted parole after serving 18 years. His daughter believes the harsh conditions and poor food inmates get in coronavirus lockdowns quickened his death. She said he lost 15 pounds from May to June.
Advertisement
"He would have died anyway, but it would have been nice for him to die in the free world," Crews said.
Her father was required to take a drug and alcohol program first, she said, but she didn't understand why he couldn't have taken classes any other time in his nearly two decades behind bars, or outside with her.
Inmates who are set to leave on parole and aren't required to take programming have been stuck as well during the pandemic. Long-awaited release dates are taken off the calendar when units go on or extend the medical lockdowns, and the parole board has set release dates far in the future, to the dismay of prisoners' loved ones.
Debra Boyd's son won parole in May, with the caveat that he first had to undergo the prisons' life-skills program. The three-month class -- which Renaud and other prison reform advocates criticize on its effectiveness -- focuses on managing stress, time and money and personal assessments. To try to hasten his homecoming, Boyd informed the parole board that her 41-year-old son had completed the program months earlier.
His parole condition was changed after her phone call so that her son could be released without completing a program -- but not until January.
Advertisement
"It was real exciting," she said, when she first learned her son was approved for parole, even if he had to redo the program. "Then when everything switched around to January, it's like, 'Oh my god, what has happened?'"
The board's chief of staff, Timothy McDonnell, said Boyd's son's release was never intended to be before 2021. His release was first set to be after he completed the three-month program, which the board directed to begin in November at the earliest, McDonnell said. A future release date for parole approvals is often issued when the parole panel wants the inmate to serve more time, but not necessarily as long as it would take for the next parole review, he said.
With the second week of trial nearing an end, TDCJ continues defending itself in a case that questions whether the agency adequately protected inmates at the Pack Unit. State attorneys argued that the question of parole, which inmate Reynolds raised in his testimony, was irrelevant to the case since the lawsuit focuses on how TDCJ protects inmates. But advocates and epidemiologists have said for months that releasing inmates and reducing the prison population is the most effective strategy to promote social distancing and keep infections from spreading like wildfire among prisoners and into the community.
Advertisement
"There were two ways to go," Renaud said. "Either kick everybody out who is on parole ... or not let anybody go and not take anybody in and hope that little by little that the disease would just wear itself out, that it would just burn out."
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune. Read the original here. The Texas Tribune is proud to celebrate 10 years of exceptional journalism for an exceptional state. Explore the next 10 years with us.


upi--2020-07-23--Labor Dept.: Another 1.4 million in U.S. file for unemployment

July 23 ( UPI ) -- Another 1.4 million American workers have filed for new unemployment benefits , the Labor @ @ @ @ @ weekly report .
The department said 1,416,000 workers filed new claims by the end of @ @ @ @ @ of 109,000 from the previous week .
The report put the unemployment rate at 11.1 @ @ @ @ @ up last week 's report by 7,000 claims .
Most analysts had expected between 1.2 @ @ @ @ @ claims .
Thursday 's figure marked the 15th consecutive week of declines since a peak @ @ @ @ @ new claims filed during a two-week period in April .
It also represents the 17th @ @ @ @ @ 1 million new claims .
Meanwhile , Senate Republicans and the Trump administration say they @ @ @ @ @ on the next COVID-19 relief bill , including a new round of direct stimulus checks @ @ @ @ @ how to extend enhanced unemployment benefits of an additional $ 600 a week , which @ @ @ @ @ not been decided .

Patrons dine outside at a Thai restaurant in Palo Alto, Calif., on Wednesday. Many restaurants have been allowed to reopen at limited capacity and for outdoor dining only, measures intended to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
July 23 (UPI) -- Another 1.4 million American workers have filed for new unemployment benefits, the Labor Department said Thursday in its weekly report. The department said 1,416,000 workers filed new claims by the end of last week, an increase of 109,000 from the previous week. The report put the unemployment rate at 11.1%. It also revised up last week's report by 7,000 claims. Advertisement
Most analysts had expected between 1.2 million and 1.5 million new claims.
Thursday's figure marked the 15th consecutive week of declines since a peak of more than 13 million new claims filed during a two-week period in April. It also represents the 17th straight week of at least 1 million new claims.
Thursday's report cited 16.2 million continuing claims, which lag initial claims by a week.
Meanwhile, Senate Republicans and the Trump administration say they have reached a broad consensus on the next COVID-19 relief bill, including a new round of direct stimulus checks to Americans.
Whether or how to extend enhanced unemployment benefits of an additional $600 a week, which expire next week, has not been decided.


upi--2020-07-23--Bol Bol, son of NBA star Manute Bol, impresses in bubble debut

July 23 ( UPI ) -- Former Oregon standout Bol Bol , the son of NBA star Manute Bol , impressed his new coach and fans in his debut in the league 's Florida bubble in a Denver Nuggets exhibition win against the Washington Wizards .
The 7-foot-2 forward scored 16 points , grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked six shots in the 89-82 victory Wednesday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex inside the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando , Fla. '' I 've been working really hard , especially since I got here in the bubble , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was just trying not to be nervous . ''
Bol , 20 , was part of a gigantic starting lineup for the Nuggets .
Forward Paul Millsap -- listed at 6-foot-7 -- was the shortest player in the Nuggets ' starting five .
Seven-footer Nikola Jokic , 6-foot-8 Jerami Grant and 6-foot-11 Mason Plumlee also were on the floor to start the scrimmage .
Bol made the game appear easy in his 32 minutes of action .
He roamed in transition with fluidity as a force on offense and defense .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Nuggets coach Mike Malone said .
`` For him to go out there and get 16 and 10 with six blocks is great . ''
Troy Daniels scored a game-high 22 points for the Nuggets .
Jokic had 16 points , seven assists and seven rebounds in the win .
Rui Hachimura paced the Wizards with 18 points and nine rebounds .
Bol was picked by the Miami Heat in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft before he was traded to the Nuggets a day later .
He averaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocks per game in just nine games as a freshman at Oregon before his season ended with a foot injury .
Bol 's father , Manute , was a 7-foot-7 center who played 10 NBA seasons and twice led the league in blocked shots .
The Nuggets and Wizards were among eight teams to take the floor for the first day of scrimmages inside the league 's isolated setup in Orlando .
The Los Angeles Clippers beat the Orlando Magic 99-90 , the New Orleans Pelicans obliterated the Brooklyn Nets 99-68 and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Nuggets have scrimmages against the Pelicans on Saturday and Magic on Monday before they resume their season with an Aug. 1 clash against the Heat .

July 23 (UPI) -- Former Oregon standout Bol Bol, the son of NBA star Manute Bol, impressed his new coach and fans in his debut in the league's Florida bubble in a Denver Nuggets exhibition win against the Washington Wizards.
The 7-foot-2 forward scored 16 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked six shots in the 89-82 victory Wednesday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex inside the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla.
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"I've been working really hard, especially since I got here in the bubble," Bol told reporters. "I was just trying not to be nervous."
Bol, 20, was part of a gigantic starting lineup for the Nuggets. Forward Paul Millsap -- listed at 6-foot-7 -- was the shortest player in the Nuggets' starting five. Seven-footer Nikola Jokic, 6-foot-8 Jerami Grant and 6-foot-11 Mason Plumlee also were on the floor to start the scrimmage.
Bol made the game appear easy in his 32 minutes of action. He roamed in transition with fluidity as a force on offense and defense.
Advertisement
"This was his first game against NBA competition," Nuggets coach Mike Malone said. "For him to go out there and get 16 and 10 with six blocks is great."
Troy Daniels scored a game-high 22 points for the Nuggets. Jokic had 16 points, seven assists and seven rebounds in the win. Rui Hachimura paced the Wizards with 18 points and nine rebounds.
Bol was picked by the Miami Heat in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft before he was traded to the Nuggets a day later. He averaged 21 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game in just nine games as a freshman at Oregon before his season ended with a foot injury.
Bol's father, Manute, was a 7-foot-7 center who played 10 NBA seasons and twice led the league in blocked shots.
The Nuggets and Wizards were among eight teams to take the floor for the first day of scrimmages inside the league's isolated setup in Orlando. The Los Angeles Clippers beat the Orlando Magic 99-90, the New Orleans Pelicans obliterated the Brooklyn Nets 99-68 and the Heat slipped by the Sacramento Kings 104-98.
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The Nuggets have scrimmages against the Pelicans on Saturday and Magic on Monday before they resume their season with an Aug. 1 clash against the Heat.


upi--2020-07-23--Watch: Trailer released for 'RuPaul’s Drag Race: Vegas Revue' docuseries

VH1 announced the series , the third spin-off of RuPaul 's Drag Race this year , will follow six former @ @ @ @ @ prepare for the RuPaul 's Drag Race Live !
residency in Las Vegas , which @ @ @ @ @ Flamingo Hotel and Casino before shutting down prematurely in March due to COVID-19 .
The @ @ @ @ @ from World of Wonder Productions , features Drag Race alums Yvie Oddly , Asia O'Hara @ @ @ @ @ Michaels , Naomi Smalls and Vanessa `` Vanjie '' Mateo .
Fenton Bailey , Randy @ @ @ @ @ Danielle King and RuPaul Charles serve as executive producers .
Vegas Revue , set to @ @ @ @ @ the third Drag Race spin-off in 2020 .
RuPaul 's Drag Race Secret Celebrity aired @ @ @ @ @ April and May , while Canada 's Drag Race premiered in the titular country July @ @ @ @ @ 27 U.S. premiere scheduled on cable network Logo .

July 23 (UPI) -- VH1 released a trailer for upcoming series RuPaul's Drag Race: Vegas Revue, a six-episode docuseries set to premiere Aug. 21.
VH1 announced the series, the third spin-off of RuPaul's Drag Race this year, will follow six former Drag Race contestants as they prepare for the RuPaul's Drag Race Live! residency in Las Vegas, which opened in January at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino before shutting down prematurely in March due to COVID-19.
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The cast of the series, from World of Wonder Productions, features Drag Race alums Yvie Oddly, Asia O'Hara, Derrick Barry, Kameron Michaels, Naomi Smalls and Vanessa "Vanjie" Mateo. Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, Danielle King and RuPaul Charles serve as executive producers.
Vegas Revue, set to premiere Aug. 21, is the third Drag Race spin-off in 2020. RuPaul's Drag Race Secret Celebrity aired its four-episode first season in April and May, while Canada's Drag Race premiered in the titular country July 2, with a July 27 U.S. premiere scheduled on cable network Logo.


upi--2020-07-23--New England Patriots QB Cam Newton arrives in Boston ahead of training camp

July 23 ( UPI ) -- New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton said he was `` ecstatic '' when he arrived in Boston a week before the start of training camp .
Wednesday , the longtime Carolina Panthers star flew into Boston Logan International Airport , where he was met by a camera from WHDH-TV .
Newton was tight-lipped -- an indicator that he 's already bought into the typical stoic way Patriots players speak with reporters -- but did say he was excited to get started .
`` No disrespect to anybody , I 'm extremely ecstatic , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Newton added , `` who knows ?
, '' when asked if he would say anything else .
He then said `` Go Pats '' and walked away .
The Patriots signed Newton to a one-year deal worth up to $ 7.5 million on July 8 .
He was released by the Panthers in March and spent most of the off-season unsigned before joining the Patriots .
He 's expected to take over as starting quarterback in New England after the team lost longtime franchise cornerstone Tom Brady to Tampa Bay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video Wednesday of a throwing session he had with Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman in Los Angeles .
He also has worked with Patriots wide receivers N'Keal Harry and Mohamed Sanu this off-season as the team facility was closed to players due to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` It very well could be like that , '' Edelman said after he made a catch in the video Newton posted to social media .
`` Great ball . ''
The Patriots are not expected to report to training camp until Monday .
All 32 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response plans to the players union ahead of their training camps .
The Patriots ' plan is under review .
Eight teams have had their plans approved .
The NFL has canceled preseason games this year due to the pandemic .
The Patriots are scheduled to face the Miami Dolphins in the first week of the 2020 regular season at 1 p.m. EDT on Sept. 13 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough , Mass .

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton arrived in Boston Wednesday and is expected to report to training camp on Monday. File Photo by Nell Redmond/UPI | License Photo
July 23 (UPI) -- New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton said he was "ecstatic" when he arrived in Boston a week before the start of training camp. Wednesday, the longtime Carolina Panthers star flew into Boston Logan International Airport, where he was met by a camera from WHDH-TV. Newton was tight-lipped -- an indicator that he's already bought into the typical stoic way Patriots players speak with reporters -- but did say he was excited to get started. Advertisement
"No disrespect to anybody, I'm extremely ecstatic, but I'm not talking," he said.
Newton added, "who knows?," when asked if he would say anything else. He then said "Go Pats" and walked away.
New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton touched down at Boston Logan Airport around 7 p.m. Wednesday telling #7NEWS he is "ecstatic" to be playing with the team this season. pic.twitter.com/eL0EjhK7QT— 7News Boston WHDH (@7News) July 22, 2020
The Patriots signed Newton to a one-year deal worth up to $7.5 million on July 8. He was released by the Panthers in March and spent most of the off-season unsigned before joining the Patriots. He's expected to take over as starting quarterback in New England after the team lost longtime franchise cornerstone Tom Brady to Tampa Bay in free agency.
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Newton posted a video Wednesday of a throwing session he had with Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman in Los Angeles. He also has worked with Patriots wide receivers N'Keal Harry and Mohamed Sanu this off-season as the team facility was closed to players due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"It very well could be like that," Edelman said after he made a catch in the video Newton posted to social media. "Great ball."
The Patriots are not expected to report to training camp until Monday. All 32 NFL teams have submitted infectious disease emergency response plans to the players union ahead of their training camps. The Patriots' plan is under review. Eight teams have had their plans approved.
The NFL has canceled preseason games this year due to the pandemic. The Patriots are scheduled to face the Miami Dolphins in the first week of the 2020 regular season at 1 p.m. EDT on Sept. 13 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.


upi--2020-07-23--Senate, White House reach agreement on COVID-19 relief bill

July 23 ( UPI ) -- Senate Republicans and the Trump administration say they have reached a broad consensus on the next COVID-19 relief bill , including a new round of direct stimulus checks to Americans and $ 105 billion for schools .
A group of senators and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin told reporters Wednesday night they have `` a fundamental agreement '' on their version of the bill , which will be introduced Thursday as a series of measures rather than in a single bill .
`` We 'll have one appropriations bill , we 'll have several authorization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that appropriated money will be spent , and obviously there will be a bill that will talk about any money that is distributed in direct payments or any other way , '' said Sen. Roy Blunt , R-Mo.
, chair of the Senate rules committee .
The Senate bill will be a starting point for negotiations with the Democratic-led House , which in May passed a $ 3 trillion bill that seeks to extend a $ 600 per week increase for unemployment benefits -- a measure mostly opposed by Republican senators .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed before they break for August recess .
While cautioning that the proposal is still fluid due to disagreements among GOP lawmakers and the White House , senators said late Wednesday the bill will likely have a price tag of around $ 1 trillion .
Mnuchin said the bill it will include another stimulus payment for many Americans , but it 's not yet clear what the qualifying criteria will be .
Most Americans received at least $ 1,200 during the first round of stimulus .
Under the agreement , schools would get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion for K-12 schools , $ 30 billion for colleges and $ 5 billion for governors to give to either .
About half of the K-12 funding will be contingent on whether schools have fully reopened during the pandemic .
Still undecided , however , is whether or how to extend enhanced unemployment benefits , which expire next week .
Deep divisions remain within the Republican caucus on the issue , which has given unemployed an additional $ 600 per week .
One of President Donald Trump 's top priorities , a payroll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP leaders said .
Senate finance committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said it might be not be possible to have a new round of stimulus and a payroll tax cut and remain within a $ 1 trillion spending limit .
`` I do n't think you can fit them both in , '' he said .

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Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the Republican proposal for a $1 trillion COVID-19 relief bill won't pass Congress. Photo by Sarah Silbiger/UPI | License Photo
July 23 (UPI) -- Democrats on Thursday said the coronavirus relief bill that Senate Republicans and the White House have hashed out falls "very short" of their expectations and said it likely won't pass through Congress. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York lambasted the proposed legislation for failing to include food, and rent assistance, money for local and state governments, hazard pay for essential workers and elections funding. Advertisement
"What we have seen so far falls very short of the challenge that we face in order to defeat the virus, and in order to open our schools and open our economy," Pelosi said during her weekly news conference. "We have to act. And what they're proposing falls far short."
A group of senators and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told reporters Wednesday night they have "a fundamental agreement" on their version of the bill, which they expected to introduce Thursday as a series of measures rather than in a single bill.
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"We'll have one appropriations bill, we'll have several authorization bills that explain in more detail how that appropriated money will be spent, and obviously there will be a bill that will talk about any money that is distributed in direct payments or any other way," said Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., chair of the Senate rules committee.
The Senate bill will be a starting point for negotiations with the Democratic-led House, which in May passed a $3 trillion bill that seeks to extend a $600-per-week increase for unemployment benefits -- a measure mostly opposed by Republican senators. Both sides have said they want a deal signed before the August recess.
Schumer described the proposal as partisan and said it will never pass Congress.
"Republicans need to pull their head out of the sand, get their act together, sit down with Speaker Pelosi and me, and start negotiating a real package," he said Thursday.
Tune in as @SenSchumer & I take questions from reporters at the U.S. Capitol during my weekly press conference. https://t.co/VjJMPQXSTz— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 23, 2020
While cautioning that the proposal is still fluid due to disagreements among GOP lawmakers and the White House, senators said late Wednesday the bill will likely have a price tag of around $1 trillion.
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Mnuchin said the bill will include another stimulus payment for many Americans, but it's not yet clear what the qualifying criteria will be. Most Americans received at least $1,200 during the first round of stimulus.
Under the agreement, schools would get $105 billion, including $70 billion for K-12 schools, $30 billion for colleges and $5 billion for governors to give to either. About half of the K-12 funding will be contingent on whether schools have fully reopened during the pandemic.
Still undecided, however, is whether or how to extend enhanced unemployment benefits, which expire next week. Deep divisions remain within the Republican caucus on the issue, which has given unemployed Americans an additional $600 per week.
One of President Donald Trump's top priorities, a payroll tax cut, is also unclear, GOP leaders said.
Senate finance committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said it might not be possible to have a new round of stimulus and a payroll tax cut and remain within a $1 trillion spending limit.
"I don't think you can fit them both in," he said.


upi--2020-07-23--Demi Lovato announces engagement to actor Max Ehrich

July 23 ( UPI ) -- Singer Demi Lovato and actor Max Ehrich announced in social media posts that they are engaged to be married .
The `` I Love Me '' singer and the Young and the Restless actor , who were reported to be dating in March , shared photos taken on a beach in Malibu , Calif. , showing off the large engagement ring on Lovato 's finger .
`` I knew I loved you the moment I met you , '' Lovato , 27 , wrote to Ehrich , 29 , in her Instagram post .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything other than myself .
And you make me want to be the best version of myself .
I 'm honored to accept your hand in marriage . ''
Ehrich shared the same series of photos , taken by photographer Angelo Kritikos , on his Instagram account .
`` You are every love song , every film , every lyric , every poem , everything I could ever dream of and then some in a partner in life , '' he wrote .
`` Words can not express how infinitely in love with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then some .
I can not spend another second of my time here on Earth without the miracle of having you as my wife . ''

Demi Lovato has announced her engagement to actor Max Ehrich. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 23 (UPI) -- Singer Demi Lovato and actor Max Ehrich announced in social media posts that they are engaged to be married. The "I Love Me" singer and the Young and the Restless actor, who were reported to be dating in March, shared photos taken on a beach in Malibu, Calif., showing off the large engagement ring on Lovato's finger. Advertisement
"I knew I loved you the moment I met you," Lovato, 27, wrote to Ehrich, 29, in her Instagram post.
"You never pressure me to be anything other than myself. And you make me want to be the best version of myself. I'm honored to accept your hand in marriage."
Ehrich shared the same series of photos, taken by photographer Angelo Kritikos, on his Instagram account.
"You are every love song, every film, every lyric, every poem, everything I could ever dream of and then some in a partner in life," he wrote. "Words cannot express how infinitely in love with you I am forever and always and then some. I cannot spend another second of my time here on Earth without the miracle of having you as my wife."
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Demi Lovato turns 30: a look back
Demi Lovato takes part in the Arthur Ashe Kids Day at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center during the U.S Open in New York City on August 23, 2008. Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI | License Photo


upi--2020-07-23--Justice Dept. says SF consulate used to shield Chinese from U.S. law

July 23 ( UPI ) -- A Chinese researcher wanted for a visa violation has taken refuge in the Chinese consulate in San Francisco , U.S. officials said , adding tension the deteriorating relationship between the world 's two largest economies .
Juan Tang , a biology researcher who was working at the University of California , Davis , is accused of lying to the FBI over her association with the Chinese military .
The agency interviewed Tang on June 20 and raided her residence .
In a court filing this week , the FBI said it believes Tang went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and remained there to evade arrest .
Prosecutors say Tang was working in the United States on a J-1 visa but was charged for a violation .
`` Her J-1 visa application stated she had never served in the military , but [ an ] open source investigation revealed photographs of her in the uniform of the Civilian Cadre of the [ People 's Liberation Army ] , and that she had been employed as a researcher at the Air Force Military Medical University , which is another name for [ Fourth Military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the court documents .
`` During an interview with FBI agents on June 20 , Tang denied serving in the Chinese military , claimed she did not know the meaning of the insignia on her uniform , and that wearing a military uniform was required for attendance at FMMU because it was a military school . ''
Authorities said their raid of Tang 's home turned up evidence of her connection with the Chinese military , and prosecutors said in the complaint the San Francisco consulate was used to shield Chinese nationals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's evasion of the FBI comes one day after the Trump administration said it closed the Chinese consulate in Houston `` to protect American intellectual property and Americans ' private information '' -- and a top diplomat testifying in Congress on the state of U.S.-China relations , which have deteriorated over the last four years under President Donald Trump .

The Golden Gate Bridge and downtown San Francisco, Calif., are seen on March 16. Prosecutors said in a complaint this week that China's San Francisco consulate has been used to shield Chinese nationals from U.S. prosecution. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
July 23 (UPI) -- A Chinese researcher wanted for a visa violation has taken refuge in the Chinese consulate in San Francisco, U.S. officials said, adding tension to the deteriorating relationship between the world's two largest economies. The Justice Department said in a release Thursday it has charged four Chinese researchers with fraud for lying about their status as members of China's military, the People's Liberation Army. Advertisement
Authorities have arrested three of them but Juan Tang, a biology researcher who was working at the University of California, Davis, is believed to have sought refuge at the Chinese consulate in San Fransico, prosecutors said.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations interviewed Tang on June 20 and raided her residence.
In a court filing this week, the FBI said it believes Tang went to the San Francisco consulate shortly afterward and remains there to evade arrest.
Prosecutors say Tang was working in the United States on a J-1 visa but was charged for a violation.
"Her J-1 visa application stated she had never served in the military, but [an] open source investigation revealed photographs of her in the uniform of the Civilian Cadre of the [People's Liberation Army], and that she had been employed as a researcher at the Air Force Military Medical University, which is another name for [Fourth Military Medical University]," prosecutors said in the court documents.
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"During an interview with FBI agents on June 20, Tang denied serving in the Chinese military, claimed she did not know the meaning of the insignia on her uniform, and that wearing a military uniform was required for attendance at FMMU because it was a military school."
Authorities said their raid of Tang's home turned up evidence of her connection with the Chinese military, and prosecutors said in the complaint the San Francisco consulate was used to shield Chinese nationals from U.S. prosecution.
News of Tang's evasion of the FBI comes one day after the Trump administration said it closed the Chinese consulate in Houston "to protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information" -- and a top diplomat testifying in Congress on the state of U.S.-China relations, which have deteriorated over the last four years under President Donald Trump.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described the consulate on Thursday during a speech at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum as "a hub of spying and intellectual property theft."


upi--2020-07-23--China launches orbiter, lander, rover to Mars

July 23 ( UPI ) -- China on Thursday launched its initial attempt to reach Mars -- the first such mission in history to include an orbiter , lander and rover .
The Chinese Long March 5 rocket was loaded with the Tianwen-1 spacecraft at China 's Wenchang Space Launch Center , on Hainan Island about 290 miles south of Hong Kong .
The vessel lifted off at 12:41 a.m. EDT , or 12:41 p.m. local time , Chinese state-run media reported .
Success would mean China joins the United States and the former Soviet Union as the only nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China 's interplanetary history is very short , having only reached the moon in 2009 .
A scientist who has worked on other Mars missions said the odds are against a full success for the mission .
`` To have an orbiter , a lander and a rover -- that 's amazing , '' said Raymond Arvidson , professor of earth and planetary sciences at Washington University in St. Louis .
The riskiest operation is having a lander and rover reach the surface of Mars intact , because the atmosphere is too thin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough to cause friction that results in tremendous re-entry heat , said Arvidson , who has been a part of all U.S. Mars missions since the 1970s .
`` There 's just so much that has to happen in a Mars landing , and it must all take place robotically , millions of miles from Earth , '' Arvidson said .
He pointed out that many missions have crashed or failed during Mars landings , including the 1999 landing attempt by the U.S. Mars Polar Lander .
Another fairly recent attempt -- Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Phobos -- failed to leave Earth 's orbit and crashed in 2012 .
China 's heavy-lift Long March 5 rocket must also perform perfectly to get the probe to Mars , Arvidson said .
At 184 feet tall , the rocket can lift up to 31,000 pounds to the orbit needed to push Tianwen-1 to the Red Planet .
The rover weighs about 530 pounds .
Long March 5 is relatively new to the space launch world , with its first mission in 2016 .
A first-stage booster on a Long March 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ satellite , but it has launched successfully since then .
After Tianwen-1 leaves Earth , it will travel for seven months with a goal of reaching Mars in February .
Other countries ' missions should arrive around the same time .
This summer 's other missions are the United Arab Emirates ' Hope orbiter , which was launched Sunday , and NASA 's Perseverance rover -- which also carries a drone helicopter -- planned for July 30 .
The missions are designed to reach Mars as the two planets are at their closest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
`` The [ Tianwen-1 ] lander/rover will perform a soft landing on the Martian surface some two to three months after arrival of the spacecraft , '' according to a brief article published July 13 in the journal Nature by Chinese scientists working on the mission .
Tianwen means `` questions to heaven , '' and according to the article was taken from the name of a poem by Qu Yuan , an ancient Chinese poet .
The mission target for the lander is the northern Mars plain of Utopia Planitia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Martian maps .
Tianwen-1 's seven science instruments are intended to investigate topographical and geological features , magnetic fields and internal structure of the planet , along with the atmosphere , ionosphere , climate and environment .
`` No planetary missions have ever been implemented in this way .
If successful , it would signify a major technical breakthrough , '' the scientists wrote in the Nature article .
European and American scientists struggled to communicate with China about the mission , said Tom Stein , a senior systems manager with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempts to ensure that major space exploration missions can share data with scientists around the globe .
Chinese scientists had discussed the mission 's goals , instruments and data goals in 2019 , Stein said , and they were expected at the alliance 's annual meeting in Paris that year .
They did n't show up , and no one responded to emails or letters after that , he said .
`` I do feel like there are quite a few people in China that really do want to cooperate and find ways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Some of the decision-makers there also want to be seen as participating in the global science community . ''
The lack of communication about the mission in the months leading up to the planned launch is normal in China said , said Quanzhi Ye , astronomer and assistant research scientist at the University of Maryland .
He sees much discussion about Tianwen-1 on Chinese social media site Weibo and in the Chinese state-run media .
`` They usually do n't make much noise until a mission actually launches or starts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that launches can be delayed because of weather , or hardware or software issues . ''
Ye said Chinese scientists will share data , but the language and cultural barriers may be obstacles .
`` I think they are trying to make sure it 's more accessible to people outside China .
We really need to collaborate across borders when it comes to space , '' Ye said .

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The rocket carrying China's Tianwen-1 Mars rover is seen after liftoff in Wenchang, Hainan province, China, on Thursday. Photo by EPA-EFE
July 23 (UPI) -- China on Thursday launched its initial attempt to reach Mars -- the first such mission in history to include an orbiter, lander and rover. The Chinese Long March 5 rocket was loaded with the Tianwen-1 spacecraft at China's Wenchang Space Launch Center, on Hainan Island about 290 miles south of Hong Kong. Advertisement
The vessel lifted off at 12:41 a.m. EDT, or 12:41 p.m. local time, Chinese state-run media reported.
Success would mean China joins the United States and the former Soviet Union as the only nations that have landed on Mars.
But China's interplanetary history is very short, having only reached the moon in 2009. A scientist who has worked on other Mars missions said the odds are against a full success for the mission.
"To have an orbiter, a lander and a rover -- that's amazing," said Raymond Arvidson, professor of earth and planetary sciences at Washington University in St. Louis.
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The riskiest operation is having a lander and rover reach the surface of Mars intact, because the atmosphere is too thin to slow spacecraft much, but thick enough to cause friction that results in tremendous re-entry heat, said Arvidson, who has been a part of all U.S. Mars missions since the 1970s.
"There's just so much that has to happen in a Mars landing, and it must all take place robotically, millions of miles from Earth," Arvidson said.
He pointed out that many missions have crashed or failed during Mars landings, including the 1999 landing attempt by the U.S. Mars Polar Lander. Another fairly recent attempt -- Russia's planned landing on the Martian moon Phobos -- failed to leave Earth's orbit and crashed in 2012.
China's heavy-lift Long March 5 rocket must also perform perfectly to get the probe to Mars, Arvidson said.
At 184 feet tall, the rocket can lift up to 31,000 pounds to the orbit needed to push Tianwen-1 to the Red Planet. The rover weighs about 530 pounds.
Long March 5 is relatively new to the space launch world, with its first mission in 2016. A first-stage booster on a Long March 5 failed in 2017 and destroyed a Chinese satellite, but it has launched successfully since then.
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After Tianwen-1 leaves Earth, it will travel for seven months with a goal of reaching Mars in February. Other countries' missions should arrive around the same time.
This summer's other missions are the United Arab Emirates' Hope orbiter, which was launched Sunday, and NASA's Perseverance rover -- which also carries a drone helicopter -- planned for July 30.
The missions are designed to reach Mars as the two planets are at their closest proximity, which only happens every two years.
"The [Tianwen-1] lander/rover will perform a soft landing on the Martian surface some two to three months after arrival of the spacecraft," according to a brief article published July 13 in the journal Nature by Chinese scientists working on the mission.
Tianwen means "questions to heaven," and according to the article was taken from the name of a poem by Qu Yuan, an ancient Chinese poet. The mission target for the lander is the northern Mars plain of Utopia Planitia, a large flat plain easily recognized on Martian maps.
Tianwen-1's seven science instruments are intended to investigate topographical and geological features, magnetic fields and internal structure of the planet, along with the atmosphere, ionosphere, climate and environment.
Advertisement
"No planetary missions have ever been implemented in this way. If successful, it would signify a major technical breakthrough," the scientists wrote in the Nature article.
European and American scientists struggled to communicate with China about the mission, said Tom Stein, a senior systems manager with the International Planetary Data Alliance. The group attempts to ensure that major space exploration missions can share data with scientists around the globe.
Chinese scientists had discussed the mission's goals, instruments and data goals in 2019, Stein said, and they were expected at the alliance's annual meeting in Paris that year. They didn't show up, and no one responded to emails or letters after that, he said.
"I do feel like there are quite a few people in China that really do want to cooperate and find ways to share data," Stein said. "Some of the decision-makers there also want to be seen as participating in the global science community."
The lack of communication about the mission in the months leading up to the planned launch is normal in China said, said Quanzhi Ye, astronomer and assistant research scientist at the University of Maryland.
He sees much discussion about Tianwen-1 on Chinese social media site Weibo and in the Chinese state-run media.
Advertisement
"They usually don't make much noise until a mission actually launches or starts," Ye said. "They know that launches can be delayed because of weather, or hardware or software issues."
Ye said Chinese scientists will share data, but the language and cultural barriers may be obstacles.
"I think they are trying to make sure it's more accessible to people outside China. We really need to collaborate across borders when it comes to space," Ye said.


upi--2020-07-23--Lawsuit: Former cardinal abused boys in N.J. 'sex ring'

July 23 ( UPI ) -- An unnamed man has accused former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and other clerics in a lawsuit of sexually abusing him and other boys as part of a `` sex ring '' operated out of a New Jersey beach house in the early 1980s .
Jeff Anderson , one of the lawyers for the unnamed plaintiff , told reporters in a virtual press conference Wednesday that the lawsuit brings into `` bright and broad focus over 50 years of criminal sexual predation by Cardinal Theodore McCarrick -- all of it cloaked in papal power . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Jersey , accuses McCarrick , 90 , and five other officials of the Roman Catholic church of sexually abusing him when he was 14 along with other boys at the Sea Grit beach house from 1982 to 1983 .
The unnamed accuser said in the lawsuit that McCarrick and other clerics would take the boys on overnight and weekend trips to the beach house where he would assign sleeping arrangements and `` minor boys were assigned to different rooms and paired with adult clerics . ''
`` And in the night and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would creep into this kid 's bed and engage in criminal sexual assault of him , whispering 'it is okay , ' '' Anderson said .
McCarrick has been accused of sexual assault before , and in December of last year , a New Jersey man filed a lawsuit against him for abusing him when he was 14 in 1995 .
The former Archdiocese of Washington from 2000 to 2006 resigned from the College of Cardinal in July 2018 amid fallout from an Archdiocese Review Board investigation into allegations be abused an altar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of New York .
Pope Francis defrocked McCarrick in February of 2019 after the Vatican found him guilty of sexual abuse .
The suit also accuses Father Anthony Nardino , Brother Andrew Thomas Hewitt , Father Gerald Ruane , Father Michael Walters and Father John Laferrera of sexually abusing the unnamed plaintiff .
The Archdiocese of Newark has Ruane , Walters and Laferrera on a list of credibly accused clergy .
All three are said to have been accused by multiple victims with Laferrera and Walters being permanently removed from the ministry .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Cardinal Theodore McCarrick has been accused of sexually abusing a boy at a New Jersey beach house in the early 1980s. Photo by Patrick D. McDermott/UPI | License Photo
July 23 (UPI) -- An unnamed man has accused former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and other clerics in a lawsuit of sexually abusing him and other boys as part of a "sex ring" operated out of a New Jersey beach house in the early 1980s. Jeff Anderson, one of the lawyers for the unnamed plaintiff, told reporters in a virtual press conference Wednesday that the lawsuit brings into "bright and broad focus over 50 years of criminal sexual predation by Cardinal Theodore McCarrick -- all of it cloaked in papal power." Advertisement
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday evening in New Jersey, accuses McCarrick, 90, and five other officials of the Roman Catholic church of sexually abusing him when he was 14 along with other boys at the Sea Grit beach house from 1982 to 1983.
The unnamed accuser said in the lawsuit that McCarrick and other clerics would take the boys on overnight and weekend trips to the beach house where he would assign sleeping arrangements and "minor boys were assigned to different rooms and paired with adult clerics."
"And in the night and with the assistance of others, McCarrick would creep into this kid's bed and engage in criminal sexual assault of him, whispering 'it is okay,'" Anderson said.
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McCarrick has been accused of sexual assault before, and in December of last year, a New Jersey man filed a lawsuit against him for abusing him when he was 14 in 1995.
The former Archdiocese of Washington from 2000 to 2006 resigned from the College of Cardinal in July 2018 amid fallout from an Archdiocese Review Board investigation into allegations be abused an altar boy as a priest of the Archdiocese of New York.
Pope Francis defrocked McCarrick in February of 2019 after the Vatican found him guilty of sexual abuse.
The suit also accuses Father Anthony Nardino, Brother Andrew Thomas Hewitt, Father Gerald Ruane, Father Michael Walters and Father John Laferrera of sexually abusing the unnamed plaintiff.
The Archdiocese of Newark has Ruane, Walters and Laferrera on a list of credibly accused clergy. All three are said to have been accused by multiple victims with Laferrera and Walters being permanently removed from the ministry. Ruane, it said, is dead.