upi--2020-08-06--New drug against MS relapse may be more effective than old one

A new injection drug can prevent multiple sclerosis flare-ups better than an existing medication , a clinical trial has found .
The drug , called ofatumumab , beat a standard MS medication in reducing patients ' symptom relapses .
It also slowed down the progression of their disability over six months .
The researchers said the findings , published Aug. 6 in the New England Journal of Medicine , support a new focus that MS drug development has taken in recent years .
It 's an approach that has been `` astoundingly effective '' against the most common form of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead investigator on the new trial .
MS is a neurological disorder caused by a misguided immune system attack on the body 's own myelin -- the protective sheath around nerve fibers in the spine and brain .
Depending on where the damage occurs , symptoms include vision problems , muscle weakness , numbness , and difficulty with balance and coordination .
Most people with MS have the relapsing-remitting form -- where symptoms flare for a time , then ease .
Over time , the disease becomes more steadily progressive .
Immune system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an especially key role in MS , Hauser explained .
That understanding led some doctors to start prescribing a cancer drug called rituximab to MS patients the drug depletes the number of B cells in the blood .
Eventually , researchers developed a B-cell-depleting drug called Ocrevus , which was approved in 2017 for treating MS. Ofatumumab also lowers B-cell numbers , but the mechanism is a bit different , Hauser said .
For the new trial , his team recruited nearly 2,000 patients with relapsing-remitting MS .
Roughly half were randomly assigned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half took Aubagio , or teriflunomide , an oral MS medication .
Over the next year-and-a-half , patients on ofatumumab fared better : They had about half as many relapses , and were one-third less likely to see their disability worsen .
Overall , 8 % of ofatumumab patients had worsened by month six , versus 12 % of Aubagio patients .
They also showed fewer new brain lesions on MRI scans , the researchers found .
The findings are encouraging news for MS patients , according to Hauser , director of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of California , San Francisco .
`` Having more treatment options is a good thing , '' he said .
The trial was funded by drugmaker Novartis , which has submitted an application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to have ofatumumab approved for MS .
The company recently said it expects a decision in September .
Should everyone with MS be on a B-cell-depleting drug ?
No , according to Dr. Barbara Giesser , a neurologist with the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica , Calif. , and a fellow of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are numerous disease-modifying drugs for MS , and no `` one-size-fits-all '' treatment , Giesser said .
`` Disease-modifying '' means they slow the disease course .
`` Choosing a disease-modifying drug is very nuanced , '' said Giesser , who was not involved in the trial .
`` It has to be an individualized decision . ''
There are various factors to consider , she explained -- like the severity of the MS , any co-existing health conditions , or plans to have children .
If ofatumumab is approved , patients will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since there has been no head-to-head comparison with Ocrevus , it 's impossible to say whether one might work better than the other , according to Giesser .
Hauser said studies are needed to compare the drugs ' ability to slow MS progression in the longer term .
Giesser noted that there is an obvious difference between ofatumumab and Ocrevus : The former is given by monthly self-injection .
The latter requires going to a medical facility for infusions every six months .
Each infusion takes several hours .
As for safety , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- which create antibodies -- is that it could leave people more susceptible to infections .
In this trial , 2.5 % of ofatumumab patients had a `` serious '' infection -- most often appendicitis or a gastrointestinal bug .
Based on what 's been seen with B-cell-depleting therapies so far , there seems to be a small increase in infection risk , Giesser said .
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic , there have been questions about whether the treatment could put patients at increased risk .
At this point , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear indication of heightened COVID-19 risk among patients on Ocrevus .
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has more on MS medications .

A new injection drug can prevent multiple sclerosis flare-ups better than an existing medication, a clinical trial has found.
The drug, called ofatumumab, beat a standard MS medication in reducing patients' symptom relapses. It also slowed down the progression of their disability over six months.
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The researchers said the findings, published Aug. 6 in the New England Journal of Medicine, support a new focus that MS drug development has taken in recent years.
It's an approach that has been "astoundingly effective" against the most common form of MS, said Dr. Stephen Hauser, lead investigator on the new trial.
MS is a neurological disorder caused by a misguided immune system attack on the body's own myelin -- the protective sheath around nerve fibers in the spine and brain. Depending on where the damage occurs, symptoms include vision problems, muscle weakness, numbness, and difficulty with balance and coordination.
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Most people with MS have the relapsing-remitting form -- where symptoms flare for a time, then ease. Over time, the disease becomes more steadily progressive.
Immune system cells called B cells seem to play an especially key role in MS, Hauser explained. That understanding led some doctors to start prescribing a cancer drug called rituximab to MS patients the drug depletes the number of B cells in the blood.
Eventually, researchers developed a B-cell-depleting drug called Ocrevus, which was approved in 2017 for treating MS.
Ofatumumab also lowers B-cell numbers, but the mechanism is a bit different, Hauser said.
For the new trial, his team recruited nearly 2,000 patients with relapsing-remitting MS. Roughly half were randomly assigned to take monthly ofatumumab injections the other half took Aubagio, or teriflunomide, an oral MS medication.
Over the next year-and-a-half, patients on ofatumumab fared better: They had about half as many relapses, and were one-third less likely to see their disability worsen.
Overall, 8% of ofatumumab patients had worsened by month six, versus 12% of Aubagio patients. They also showed fewer new brain lesions on MRI scans, the researchers found.
The findings are encouraging news for MS patients, according to Hauser, director of the Weill Institute for Neurosciences at the University of California, San Francisco.
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"Having more treatment options is a good thing," he said.
The trial was funded by drugmaker Novartis, which has submitted an application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to have ofatumumab approved for MS. The company recently said it expects a decision in September.
Should everyone with MS be on a B-cell-depleting drug? No, according to Dr. Barbara Giesser, a neurologist with the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, Calif., and a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology.
There are numerous disease-modifying drugs for MS, and no "one-size-fits-all" treatment, Giesser said. "Disease-modifying" means they slow the disease course.
"Choosing a disease-modifying drug is very nuanced," said Giesser, who was not involved in the trial. "It has to be an individualized decision."
There are various factors to consider, she explained -- like the severity of the MS, any co-existing health conditions, or plans to have children.
If ofatumumab is approved, patients will have a choice among B-cell-depleting treatments. Since there has been no head-to-head comparison with Ocrevus, it's impossible to say whether one might work better than the other, according to Giesser.
Hauser said studies are needed to compare the drugs' ability to slow MS progression in the longer term.
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Giesser noted that there is an obvious difference between ofatumumab and Ocrevus: The former is given by monthly self-injection. The latter requires going to a medical facility for infusions every six months. Each infusion takes several hours.
As for safety, a main concern with depleting B cells -- which create antibodies -- is that it could leave people more susceptible to infections. In this trial, 2.5% of ofatumumab patients had a "serious" infection -- most often appendicitis or a gastrointestinal bug.
Based on what's been seen with B-cell-depleting therapies so far, there seems to be a small increase in infection risk, Giesser said.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been questions about whether the treatment could put patients at increased risk.
At this point, Giesser said, there has been no clear indication of heightened COVID-19 risk among patients on Ocrevus.
More information
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has more on MS medications.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-08-06--Famous birthdays for Aug. 6: M. Night Shyamalan, Geri Halliwell

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Leo .
-- Scottish @ @ @ @ @ discoverer of penicillin , in 1881

M. Night Shyamalan arrives on the red carpet at the world premiere of Apple TV+'s "Servant" at BAM Howard Gilman Opera House on November 19 in New York City. The filmmaker turns 50 on August 6. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Leo. They include: Advertisement
-- English poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson in 1809
-- First lady Edith Roosevelt in 1861
-- Hollywood gossip columnist Louella Parsons in 1881
-- Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin, in 1881
-- Basketball Hall of Fame member Henry Iba in 1904
-- Comedian Lucille Ball in 1911
President Ronald Reagan greets Lucille Ball during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington on December 7, 1986. Ball was born on this day in 1911. File Photo by Vince Mannino/UPI
-- Actor Robert Mitchum in 1917
-- Artist Andy Warhol in 1928
-- Writer Piers Anthony in 1934 (age 86)
-- Actor Catherine Hicks in 1951 (age 69)
-- Basketball Hall of Fame member David Robinson in 1965 (age 55)
-- Film director M. Night Shyamalan in 1970 (age 50)
-- Singer Geri Halliwell in 1972 (age 48)
File Photo by Rune Hellestad/ UPI
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-- Actor Vera Farmiga in 1973 (age 47)
-- Actor Soleil Moon Frye in 1976 (age 44)
-- Actor Leslie Odom Jr. in 1981 (age 39)
-- Model Adrianne Curry in 1982 (age 38)
-- Actor Ty Simpkins in 2001 (age 19)


upi--2020-08-06--Jaguars' Rashaan Melvin, Jets' Josh Doctson opt out; 66 total players sitting out

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Rashaan Melvin and New York Jets wide receiver Josh Doctson have opted out of the 2020 season because of coronavirus concerns , bringing the NFL 's opt-out total to 66 players as its deadline passed Thursday .
Melvin , who signed a one-year contract with the Jaguars in March , became the team 's third defensive player to sit out this season .
He was expected to compete with third-year pro Tre Herndon to start alongside rookie first-round pick C.J .
Henderson in 2020 .
Melvin , 30 , had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week and informed the team of his decision Thursday .
Defensive lineman Al Woods and edge rusher Lerentee McCray previously opted out of the season .
Meanwhile , Doctson became the third Jets player to voluntarily opt out , joining former Pro Bowl linebacker C.J .
Mosley and backup offensive lineman Leo Koloamatangi .
Doctson , a former first-round pick by the Washington Football Team , signed a one-year deal with the Jets in February .
In total , 66 players decided to opt out of the 2020 season because of COVID-19 concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 p.m. EDT deadline passed .
Twenty offensive linemen and 11 defensive linemen opted out , accounting for nearly half of the league 's total .
The New England Patriots saw eight players opt out , more than any other team .
Players with a medical opt-out will receive a $ 350,000 stipend , while those voluntarily opting out will be eligible for a $ 150,000 salary advance .

Former Washington wide receiver Josh Doctson (18) signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets earlier this off-season. He became the third Jets player to opt out. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Rashaan Melvin and New York Jets wide receiver Josh Doctson have opted out of the 2020 season because of coronavirus concerns, bringing the NFL's opt-out total to 66 players as its deadline passed Thursday. Melvin, who signed a one-year contract with the Jaguars in March, became the team's third defensive player to sit out this season. He was expected to compete with third-year pro Tre Herndon to start alongside rookie first-round pick C.J. Henderson in 2020. Advertisement
Melvin, 30, had been at the Jaguars' practice facility all week and informed the team of his decision Thursday. Defensive lineman Al Woods and edge rusher Lerentee McCray previously opted out of the season.
Meanwhile, Doctson became the third Jets player to voluntarily opt out, joining former Pro Bowl linebacker C.J. Mosley and backup offensive lineman Leo Koloamatangi.
Doctson, a former first-round pick by the Washington Football Team, signed a one-year deal with the Jets in February.
In total, 66 players decided to opt out of the 2020 season because of COVID-19 concerns, the league announced Thursday after its 4 p.m. EDT deadline passed.
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Twenty offensive linemen and 11 defensive linemen opted out, accounting for nearly half of the league's total. The New England Patriots saw eight players opt out, more than any other team.
Players with a medical opt-out will receive a $350,000 stipend, while those voluntarily opting out will be eligible for a $150,000 salary advance.


upi--2020-08-06--Judge dismisses Republican challenge to House proxy voting resolution

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- A federal judge on Thursday tossed out a Republican challenge to the proxy voting system approved by House Democrats amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras denied the GOP motion for an injunction against the historic proxy voting system stating that the Speech or Debate Clause of the Constitution prohibits lawsuits regarding the legislative efforts of Congress .
`` The Court can conceive of few other actions , besides actually debating , speaking or voting , that could more accurately be described as 'legislative ' than the regulation of how votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Contreras did not weigh in on the constitutionality of proxy voting in his decision .
The Democrat-held House passed a resolution in May , temporarily allowing lawmakers to vote remotely by proxy and for committee proceedings to take place remotely .
About two weeks later , the chamber conducted the first proxy vote in its 200-year history , approving legislation calling for sanctions against Chinese officials for the detention of Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang region , with more than 70 Democrats designating a lawmaker to cast a vote on their behalf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow lawmakers to stay home and maintain social distance , measures meant to protect them from the coronavirus .
No Republicans designated proxies in the vote and House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy and 20 other GOP lawmakers filed a lawsuit , challenging the practice as unconstitutional .
`` This is not simply arcane parliamentary procedure .
It is a brazen violation of the Constitution , a dereliction of our duty as elected officials and would silence the American people 's voice during a crisis , '' McCarthy , R-Calif. , said at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter could have been solved on a bipartisan basis , the stakes are too high to let this injustice go unaddressed . ''

A federal judge on Thursday dismissed a challenge to a resolution allowing members of the House to vote by proxy amid the pandemic. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- A federal judge on Thursday tossed out a Republican challenge to the proxy voting system approved by House Democrats amid the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras denied the GOP motion for an injunction against the historic proxy voting system stating that the Speech or Debate Clause of the Constitution prohibits lawsuits regarding the legislative efforts of Congress. Advertisement
"The Court can conceive of few other actions, besides actually debating, speaking or voting, that could more accurately be described as 'legislative' than the regulation of how votes may be cast," Contreras wrote.
Contreras did not weigh in on the constitutionality of proxy voting in his decision.
The Democrat-held House passed a resolution in May, temporarily allowing lawmakers to vote remotely by proxy and for committee proceedings to take place remotely.
About two weeks later, the chamber conducted the first proxy vote in its 200-year history, approving legislation calling for sanctions against Chinese officials for the detention of Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang region, with more than 70 Democrats designating a lawmaker to cast a vote on their behalf.
House Democrats said the provision would allow lawmakers to stay home and maintain social distance, measures meant to protect them from the coronavirus.
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No Republicans designated proxies in the vote and House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy and 20 other GOP lawmakers filed a lawsuit, challenging the practice as unconstitutional.
"This is not simply arcane parliamentary procedure. It is a brazen violation of the Constitution, a dereliction of our duty as elected officials and would silence the American people's voice during a crisis," McCarthy, R-Calif., said at the time. "Although I wish this matter could have been solved on a bipartisan basis, the stakes are too high to let this injustice go unaddressed."


upi--2020-08-06--Milwaukee Bucks clinch No. 1 seed with comeback win over Miami Heat

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- The Milwaukee Bucks secured the No .
1 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 130-116 win over the Miami Heat on Thursday inside the NBA 's bubble in Orlando , Fla .
The Bucks -- entering the game on a two-game losing streak -- rallied from a 23-point deficit to clinch the top seed .
Milwaukee opened the second half with a 20-5 to get back into the contest , and then closed the game with another 20-5 run to turn it into a rout .
`` It was just effort , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We all spoke about it [ at halftime ] and realized we just were n't playing our best basketball .
We were one or two steps behind on everything .
So our focus was just play harder , play better . ''
Middleton tied with Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo to lead the team with 33 points .
The short-handed Heat , playing without Jimmy Butler ( foot ) and Goran Dragic ( ankle ) , stormed out to a 17-point lead at halftime after hitting 13 3-pointers in the opening half .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a renewed effort on defense , swarming whoever had the ball for the Heat .
`` You have to give them credit , '' Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said .
`` They stepped up their pressure .
We felt that more in the second half .
And we did n't help ourselves , either , with the fouling , particularly in the third quarter .
We were hacking and reaching .
`` That allowed them to slow the game down a little bit and get to the free throw line and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but you have to give them credit , for sure . ''
Duncan Robinson led the Heat with 21 points on 5-of-9 shooting from 3-point range .
Tyler Herro chipped in 20 points in 33 minutes off the bench .
Bucks big man Brook Lopez had 17 points and four rebounds , while Pat Connaughton added 11 points off the bench .
The Bucks claimed the No .
1 seed in the East with four games to spare .
The Los Angeles Lakers already secured the top seed in the Western Conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin Aug. 17 .

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo gestures during the first half of a game against the Miami Heat on Thursday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla. Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA-EFE
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- The Milwaukee Bucks secured the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 130-116 win over the Miami Heat on Thursday inside the NBA's bubble in Orlando, Fla. The Bucks -- entering the game on a two-game losing streak -- rallied from a 23-point deficit to clinch the top seed. Milwaukee opened the second half with a 20-5 to get back into the contest, and then closed the game with another 20-5 run to turn it into a rout. Advertisement
"It was just effort," Bucks sharpshooter Khris Middleton said. "We all spoke about it [at halftime] and realized we just weren't playing our best basketball. We were one or two steps behind on everything. So our focus was just play harder, play better."
Middleton tied with Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo to lead the team with 33 points.
The short-handed Heat, playing without Jimmy Butler (foot) and Goran Dragic (ankle), stormed out to a 17-point lead at halftime after hitting 13 3-pointers in the opening half. But the Bucks emerged from the locker room with a renewed effort on defense, swarming whoever had the ball for the Heat.
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"You have to give them credit," Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said. "They stepped up their pressure. We felt that more in the second half. And we didn't help ourselves, either, with the fouling, particularly in the third quarter. We were hacking and reaching.
"That allowed them to slow the game down a little bit and get to the free throw line and just kind of crawl back into it, but you have to give them credit, for sure."
Duncan Robinson led the Heat with 21 points on 5-of-9 shooting from 3-point range. Tyler Herro chipped in 20 points in 33 minutes off the bench.
Bucks big man Brook Lopez had 17 points and four rebounds, while Pat Connaughton added 11 points off the bench.
The Bucks claimed the No. 1 seed in the East with four games to spare. The Los Angeles Lakers already secured the top seed in the Western Conference.
The NBA playoffs are set to begin Aug. 17.


upi--2020-08-06--NBA fines Brooklyn Nets $25K for injury-reporting violation

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- The Brooklyn Nets have been fined $ 25,000 for failing to comply with league policies governing injury reporting , the NBA announced Thursday .
In its statement , the league did n't disclose the specific reason for the Nets ' fine .
The Nets had all 13 active players take the floor in the team 's 149-115 loss to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night .
Caris LeVert , Joe Harris , Jarrett Allen , Jamal Crawford and Rodions Kurucs have all appeared on Brooklyn 's injury report inside the league 's bubble in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Nets ' official injury report for Wednesday 's matchup against the Celtics .
Harris and LeVert were listed as probable , while Crawford was ruled out with a left hamstring strain .
Harris and LeVert played 25 and 27 minutes , respectively .
Harris and LeVert both missed the Nets ' 119-116 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday .
Brooklyn listed them as out along with Allen , who was being rested .
Crawford was listed as questionable for that game because of conditioning concerns .
The Nets ( 32-36 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) on Friday .
Brooklyn , playing without injured stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving , are currently the No .
7 seed in the Eastern Conference .

Brooklyn Nets guard Caris LeVert (22) was one of three Nets players listed on the team's injury report before Wednesday's game against the Boston Celtics. He was listed as probable and played 27 minutes. File Photo by Jason Szenes/EPA-EFE
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- The Brooklyn Nets have been fined $25,000 for failing to comply with league policies governing injury reporting, the NBA announced Thursday. In its statement, the league didn't disclose the specific reason for the Nets' fine. Advertisement
The Nets had all 13 active players take the floor in the team's 149-115 loss to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night. Caris LeVert, Joe Harris, Jarrett Allen, Jamal Crawford and Rodions Kurucs have all appeared on Brooklyn's injury report inside the league's bubble in Orlando, Fla.
Three players were listed on the Nets' official injury report for Wednesday's matchup against the Celtics. Harris and LeVert were listed as probable, while Crawford was ruled out with a left hamstring strain. Harris and LeVert played 25 and 27 minutes, respectively.
Harris and LeVert both missed the Nets' 119-116 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. Brooklyn listed them as out along with Allen, who was being rested. Crawford was listed as questionable for that game because of conditioning concerns.
The Nets (32-36) play the Sacramento Kings (29-39) on Friday. Brooklyn, playing without injured stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, are currently the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference.


upi--2020-08-06--Justice Department seeks forfeiture of property from Ukrainian bank owners

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- The Justice Department on Thursday moved to seize property from the owners of one of the largest banks in Ukraine for alleged money laundering .
The Department of Justice filed two civil forfeiture complaints against the owners of PrivatBank , Ihor Kollomoisky and Gennadiy Boholiubov , alleging they obtained fraudulent loans and lines of credit from 2008 through 2016 and laundered the illegally obtained funds through a series of shell companies ' bank accounts before transferring the money to the United States .
The complaints seek the seizure of an office park in Dallas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ky. , which the Justice Department estimates are worth a combined $ 70 million .
According to the complaint , Mordechai Korf and Uriel Laber , accomplices of Kollomoisky and Boholiubov , created a web of entities -- usually under some variation of the name `` Optima '' -- to launder the funds .
The pair then allegedly purchased millions of dollars of real estate throughout the country , including the two properties designated for seizure .
In 2016 , the scheme was discovered and the Ukrainian government seized control of PrivatBank .

Aug. 6 (UPI) -- The Justice Department on Thursday moved to seize property from the owners of one of the largest banks in Ukraine for alleged money laundering.
The Department of Justice filed two civil forfeiture complaints against the owners of PrivatBank, Ihor Kollomoisky and Gennadiy Boholiubov, alleging they obtained fraudulent loans and lines of credit from 2008 through 2016 and laundered the illegally obtained funds through a series of shell companies' bank accounts before transferring the money to the United States.
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The complaints seek the seizure of an office park in Dallas and an office tower in Louisville, Ky., which the Justice Department estimates are worth a combined $70 million.
According to the complaint, Mordechai Korf and Uriel Laber, accomplices of Kollomoisky and Boholiubov, created a web of entities -- usually under some variation of the name "Optima" -- to launder the funds.
The pair then allegedly purchased millions of dollars of real estate throughout the country, including the two properties designated for seizure.
In 2016, the scheme was discovered and the Ukrainian government seized control of PrivatBank.


upi--2020-08-06--Arizona school teacher testifies in-person classes place students into 'petri dish'

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- A coworker of an Arizona teacher who died after contracting COVID-19 said that returning to schools with in-person instruction will expose students , teachers and other staff to the virus in testimony before Congress on Thursday .
Appearing before the coronavirus subcommittee of the House oversight and reform committee , teacher Angela Skillings noted she has seen children spread pink eye , stomach flu and influenza in her classroom and fears the coronavirus can spread in the same manner .
`` We put them in seclusion , we took them out of the classroom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least in our community , '' Skillings said , referring to low numbers of children who have contracted COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic .
`` To me , we are forcing schools to open and that is going to put students back into the petri dish that we have in our classrooms . ''
Skillings is one of three teachers at the Hayden Winkelman Unified School District who contracted COVID-19 while teaching virtual summer school in Arizona .
Skillings and fellow teacher Jena Martinez-Inzunza recovered from the virus but Kimberly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing positive for COVID-19 on June 13 and being placed on a ventilator a day later .
During Thursday 's hearing , Skillings said students have expressed concerns that she would die , which she described as `` emotionally damning '' for both students and staff .
`` Together as a staff , we are worried about each other and about what can happen and we are not ready to lose another staff member , '' she said .
Robert W. Runcie , superintendent of Broward County Public Schools in Florida , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choice '' but to open with online learning amid a recent surge in cases in the state .
`` That is the only way we can educate our students , while still keeping them , their teachers and all employees healthy and safe , '' he said .
`` We simply can not risk exposing our students and staff until the coronavirus is under control . ''
Runcie added that local positivity test rates remain above 10 % , citing expert recommendations that schools should not reopen until rates are between 3 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average .
`` We will not compromise the health and safety of our students , teachers and staff .
That 's our highest priority .
Period , '' he said .
Chairman Rep. James Clyburn , D-S.C. , reiterated his skepticism and called on Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and the Trump administration to rescind threats to cut funding from schools that choose to instead open with online-only instruction .
`` Getting our kids back to school is vitally important , but disregarding local , state and federal public health guidance could put children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection and death from the coronavirus , '' Clyburn previously wrote in a letter to DeVos .
`` I am particularly concerned that , contrary to the laws passed by Congress , you have threatened to cut off federal funds from schools that do not accede your potentially dangerous demands . ''
Former Education Secretary Arne Duncan , condemned the national response , asserting that the challenges facing school reopenings could have been avoided if protocols to prevent the spread of the virus had been followed .
`` If we had done what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks , socially distancing , testing at scale , contact tracing , we could have brought students back in the summer to recoup that lost learning time , '' he said .
`` If we had valued our students and teachers more than our bars and restaurants , we 'd be sitting here today with a far better chance at more districts safely reopening . ''
He also said that lack of funding from Congress has `` both exposed and unfortunately exacerbated '' equity gaps within communities and called on lawmakers to deploy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and districts for or low income schools and students experiencing homelessness , disabilities and English language learners .
Dan Lips , visiting fellow for education policy with the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity , testified that time out of school results in months of lost learning which is most acute for low-income students .
`` The bottom line is that prolonged school closures will create a large achievement gap for a generation of American children , '' he said .
Ranking member Rep. Steve Scalise , R-La.
, pushed for schools to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotspots , citing low rates of infection and deaths among people under 18 years old .
`` The question is not 'Should we reopen ? '
The question really is why have n't we started planning more widespread to reopen safely , '' he said .
President Donald Trump was criticized on Wednesday for a tweet that said children are `` almost immune '' to COVID-19 -- something he was flagged for online and which Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation 's top infectious diseases expert and member of the White House Coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Children do get infected .
We know that .
So , therefore , they are not immune , '' Fauci told the coronavirus subcommittee last week .
Dr. Caitlan Rivers of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security noted that while the numbers of deaths and infections among children are low , they are still affected by the virus and that teachers , staff and family members who are at high risk from the virus face risk of contracting it from their children .
`` Schools are not attended only by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teachers and staff who may be at higher risk for severe illness because of their age , and children return home to family members , many of whom may be older adults or have underlying health conditions , '' she said .
Trump and his administration have been pushing schools to reopen with in-person instruction and even threatened to cut funding to schools that do not .
Many school districts in the United States -- including some in California , Florida , Virginia and most recently Chicago -- have announced plans to begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Others have reopened with in-person classes .
Last week , the American Federation of Teachers -- the second-largest U.S. teachers union -- said it will strike in districts that open where it 's unsafe for schools to resume , `` as a last resort '' to protect health .

| License Photo Imani Baucom, a second-grade English teacher at DC Bilingual Public Charter School, teaches her students remotely from her home in Bowie, Md., in May. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- A coworker of an Arizona teacher who died after contracting COVID-19 said that returning to schools with in-person instruction will expose students, teachers and other staff to the virus in testimony before Congress on Thursday. Appearing before the coronavirus subcommittee of the House oversight and reform committee, teacher Angela Skillings noted she has seen children spread pink eye, stomach flu and influenza in her classroom and fears the coronavirus can spread in the same manner. Advertisement
"We put them in seclusion, we took them out of the classroom in March. They have been sheltered at least in our community," Skillings said, referring to low numbers of children who have contracted COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic. "To me, we are forcing schools to open and that is going to put students back into the petri dish that we have in our classrooms."
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Skillings is one of three teachers at the Hayden Winkelman Unified School District who contracted COVID-19 while teaching virtual summer school in Arizona. Skillings and fellow teacher Jena Martinez-Inzunza recovered from the virus but Kimberly Chavez Lopez Byrd died June 26 after testing positive for COVID-19 on June 13 and being placed on a ventilator a day later.
During Thursday's hearing, Skillings said students have expressed concerns that she would die, which she described as "emotionally damning" for both students and staff.
"Together as a staff, we are worried about each other and about what can happen and we are not ready to lose another staff member," she said.
Robert W. Runcie, superintendent of Broward County Public Schools in Florida, said schools in the county had "no choice" but to open with online learning amid a recent surge in cases in the state.
"That is the only way we can educate our students, while still keeping them, their teachers and all employees healthy and safe," he said. "We simply cannot risk exposing our students and staff until the coronavirus is under control."
Runcie added that local positivity test rates remain above 10%, citing expert recommendations that schools should not reopen until rates are between 3% and 5% over a rolling two-week average.
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"We will not compromise the health and safety of our students, teachers and staff. That's our highest priority. Period," he said.
Chairman Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., reiterated his skepticism and called on Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and the Trump administration to rescind threats to cut funding from schools that choose to instead open with online-only instruction.
"Getting our kids back to school is vitally important, but disregarding local, state and federal public health guidance could put children, teachers and families at risk of infection and death from the coronavirus," Clyburn previously wrote in a letter to DeVos. "I am particularly concerned that, contrary to the laws passed by Congress, you have threatened to cut off federal funds from schools that do not accede your potentially dangerous demands."
Former Education Secretary Arne Duncan, condemned the national response, asserting that the challenges facing school reopenings could have been avoided if protocols to prevent the spread of the virus had been followed.
"If we had done what was necessary in the spring, wearing masks, socially distancing, testing at scale, contact tracing, we could have brought students back in the summer to recoup that lost learning time," he said. "If we had valued our students and teachers more than our bars and restaurants, we'd be sitting here today with a far better chance at more districts safely reopening."
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He also said that lack of funding from Congress has "both exposed and unfortunately exacerbated" equity gaps within communities and called on lawmakers to deploy $200 billion in funding to states and districts for or low income schools and students experiencing homelessness, disabilities and English language learners.
Dan Lips, visiting fellow for education policy with the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, testified that time out of school results in months of lost learning which is most acute for low-income students.
"The bottom line is that prolonged school closures will create a large achievement gap for a generation of American children," he said.
Ranking member Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., pushed for schools to reopen throughout the country, including in hotspots, citing low rates of infection and deaths among people under 18 years old.
"The question is not 'Should we reopen?' The question really is why haven't we started planning more widespread to reopen safely," he said.
President Donald Trump was criticized on Wednesday for a tweet that said children are "almost immune" to COVID-19 -- something he was flagged for online and which Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious diseases expert and member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, said is patently false.
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"Children do get infected. We know that. So, therefore, they are not immune," Fauci told the coronavirus subcommittee last week.
Dr. Caitlan Rivers of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security noted that while the numbers of deaths and infections among children are low, they are still affected by the virus and that teachers, staff and family members who are at high risk from the virus face risk of contracting it from their children.
"Schools are not attended only by children, they are also workplaces for teachers and staff who may be at higher risk for severe illness because of their age, and children return home to family members, many of whom may be older adults or have underlying health conditions," she said.
Trump and his administration have been pushing schools to reopen with in-person instruction and even threatened to cut funding to schools that do not.
Many school districts in the United States -- including some in California, Florida, Virginia and most recently Chicago -- have announced plans to begin the school year with online distance learning. Others have reopened with in-person classes.
Last week, the American Federation of Teachers -- the second-largest U.S. teachers union -- said it will strike in districts that open where it's unsafe for schools to resume, "as a last resort" to protect health.


upi--2020-08-06--Packers ban fans at Lambeau Field for first two home games of 2020 season

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- The Green Bay Packers wo n't allow fans into Lambeau Field for their first two home games of the 2020 NFL season because of the coronavirus pandemic , the team announced Thursday .
The decision means the Packers ' iconic stadium will remain empty in Week 2 against the NFC North rival Detroit Lions and Week 4 versus the Atlanta Falcons on ESPN 's Monday Night Football .
Packers President Mark Murphy previously said he was hopeful the team could allow between 10,000 and 12,000 fans to attend games at Lambeau Field .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without our fans ' energetic support in the stands , '' Murphy said in a statement Thursday .
`` Given the extraordinary circumstances this year and the additional protocols in place , though , we determined it was best to take incremental steps to start the regular season .
These two games will allow us to focus our attention on safely conducting games inside the stadium with all necessary participants .
`` We are hopeful that we will be able to host fans for games later in the season , should conditions allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community healthcare and public health officials on the pandemic conditions in our area .
We ask our fans to continue to help by wearing masks and maintaining social distancing guidelines . ''
The Packers ' first potential home game with fans in attendance at Lambeau is now Nov. 1 against the division rival Minnesota Vikings .
Green Bay has a streak of 350 consecutive regular-season sellouts at Lambeau Field .

The Green Bay Packers have a streak of 350 consecutive regular-season sellouts at Lambeau Field. The team's first potential home game with fans in attendance is now Nov. 1 against the Minnesota Vikings. File Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- The Green Bay Packers won't allow fans into Lambeau Field for their first two home games of the 2020 NFL season because of the coronavirus pandemic, the team announced Thursday. The decision means the Packers' iconic stadium will remain empty in Week 2 against the NFC North rival Detroit Lions and Week 4 versus the Atlanta Falcons on ESPN's Monday Night Football. Advertisement
Packers President Mark Murphy previously said he was hopeful the team could allow between 10,000 and 12,000 fans to attend games at Lambeau Field.
"Lambeau Field will not be the same without our fans' energetic support in the stands," Murphy said in a statement Thursday. "Given the extraordinary circumstances this year and the additional protocols in place, though, we determined it was best to take incremental steps to start the regular season. These two games will allow us to focus our attention on safely conducting games inside the stadium with all necessary participants.
"We are hopeful that we will be able to host fans for games later in the season, should conditions allow. We will continue to consult with community healthcare and public health officials on the pandemic conditions in our area. We ask our fans to continue to help by wearing masks and maintaining social distancing guidelines."
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The Packers' first potential home game with fans in attendance at Lambeau is now Nov. 1 against the division rival Minnesota Vikings.
Green Bay has a streak of 350 consecutive regular-season sellouts at Lambeau Field.


upi--2020-08-06--Army Secretary acknowledges Fort Hood concerns during visit

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy has offered reforms related to missing person policies and may implement further reforms as investigators review recent deaths at or near Fort Hood in Texas .
During a Thursday news conference at the base , McCarthy said he will listen to members of the community during his time at the base this week to figure out what changes will help prevent similar events from recurring in the future .
The disappearance and death of Spc .
Vanessa Guillen earlier this year has prompted at least four investigations and sparked discussion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as the treatment of women and people of color in the Army .
They include a review conducted by an Army-authorized independent panel as well as a criminal investigation .
`` Anger and frustration in a case like Vanessa 's is necessary .
I 'm angry , frustrated and disappointed .
We 're heartbroken , '' McCarthy said .
`` We rely on these units to protect our way of life .
We 're going to do everything that we can to prevent these types of things from happening , to learn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But we will do everything we can to protect her legacy by making enduring changes . ''
McCarthy said he attended nine listening sessions during a two-day visit to the base .
Those included meetings with soldiers of various ranks as well as community and civic leaders from surrounding cities .
In 2020 eight soldiers have died on or near Fort Hood this year , and five of those incidents have been publicly linked to foul play .
Its rate of certain violent crime is the highest of all military installations across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assigned , McCarthy said .
`` The numbers are high here , '' McCarthy added .
`` They are the highest , in most cases , for sexual assault and harassment and murders for our entire formation - the U.S .
Army . ''
Guillen disappeared April 22 and her remains were found in July .
Army investigators identified the suspect as Aaron David Robinson , who later died by suicide after fleeing the base .
Guillen had told her family she experienced sexual harassment on the base .
McCarthy said the Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Last week Col. Patrick Wempe , the Army Forces Command inspector general , told lawmakers that a written survey was distributed to 225 Fort Hood soldiers in late June .
Of the 52 women who participated , 18 said they had been sexually harassed .
McCarthy also said the Army is likely to change the way it decides whether a soldier is legitimately missing or absent without leave .
In June investigators found the remains of Pvt .
Gregory Wedel-Morales , who was initially listed as a deserter .
Wedel-Morales ' death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- a change his family had to fight for in order to have his remains buried at a veterans cemetery .

Secretary of the Army, Ryan D. McCarthy, shown here at a congressional breakfast in October 2019, has promised to implement necessary measures to address recent violent deaths at Fort Hood in Texas. Photo by Dana Clarke/U.S. Army
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy has offered reforms related to missing person policies and may implement further reforms as investigators review recent deaths at or near Fort Hood in Texas. During a Thursday news conference at the base, McCarthy said he will listen to members of the community during his time at the base this week to figure out what changes will help prevent similar events from recurring in the future. Advertisement
The disappearance and death of Spc. Vanessa Guillen earlier this year has prompted at least four investigations and sparked discussion about the installation's culture, as well as the treatment of women and people of color in the Army.
They include a review conducted by an Army-authorized independent panel as well as a criminal investigation.
"Anger and frustration in a case like Vanessa's is necessary. I'm angry, frustrated and disappointed. We're heartbroken," McCarthy said. "We rely on these units to protect our way of life. We're going to do everything that we can to prevent these types of things from happening, to learn from this and to move on. But we will do everything we can to protect her legacy by making enduring changes."
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McCarthy said he attended nine listening sessions during a two-day visit to the base.
Those included meetings with soldiers of various ranks as well as community and civic leaders from surrounding cities.
In 2020 eight soldiers have died on or near Fort Hood this year, and five of those incidents have been publicly linked to foul play.
Its rate of certain violent crime is the highest of all military installations across the country, where roughly 45,000 soldiers are assigned, McCarthy said.
"The numbers are high here," McCarthy added. "They are the highest, in most cases, for sexual assault and harassment and murders for our entire formation -- the U.S. Army."
Guillen disappeared April 22 and her remains were found in July.
Army investigators identified the suspect as Aaron David Robinson, who later died by suicide after fleeing the base.
Guillen had told her family she experienced sexual harassment on the base.
McCarthy said the Army is investigating harassment Guillen may have experienced.
Last week Col. Patrick Wempe, the Army Forces Command inspector general, told lawmakers that a written survey was distributed to 225 Fort Hood soldiers in late June. Of the 52 women who participated, 18 said they had been sexually harassed.
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McCarthy also said the Army is likely to change the way it decides whether a soldier is legitimately missing or absent without leave.
In June investigators found the remains of Pvt. Gregory Wedel-Morales, who was initially listed as a deserter.
Wedel-Morales' death is now being investigated as a homicide -- a change his family had to fight for in order to have his remains buried at a veterans cemetery.


upi--2020-08-06--Lakers star LeBron James out vs. Rockets due to sore groin

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James was ruled out for Thursday night 's game against the Houston Rockets because of groin soreness , the team announced .
James , 35 , missed 27 games last season due to a groin injury suffered Christmas Day .
This season , he also sat out games in December and February because of his right groin .
Since the season restarted , James has averaged 33.5 minutes in the Lakers ' four games in the NBA 's bubble .
In those matchups , he has averaged 19.3 points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game .
Meanwhile , the Rockets could be without star guard Russell Westbrook .
The team listed him as questionable because of a right quadriceps contusion .
According to ESPN , he is expected to sit out Thursday 's game against the Lakers .
Lakers guard Alex Caruso was listed as questionable on the team 's official injury report with neck muscle spasms .
Anthony Davis ( sprained right ankle ) , Markieff Morris ( left hip contusion ) , Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ( right ribs contusion ) and Dwight Howard ( sore right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have already clinched the No .
1 seed in the Western Conference .
Los Angeles has a 2-2 record in the Orlando , Fla. , bubble , but the team has struggled offensively .
The Lakers are the only team out of the 22 playing in the restart averaging less than 100 points per game .

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James has averaged 19.3 points, 10 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game in the NBA's bubble. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James was ruled out for Thursday night's game against the Houston Rockets because of groin soreness, the team announced. James, 35, missed 27 games last season due to a groin injury suffered Christmas Day. This season, he also sat out games in December and February because of his right groin. Advertisement
Since the season restarted, James has averaged 33.5 minutes in the Lakers' four games in the NBA's bubble. In those matchups, he has averaged 19.3 points, 10 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game.
Meanwhile, the Rockets could be without star guard Russell Westbrook. The team listed him as questionable because of a right quadriceps contusion. According to ESPN, he is expected to sit out Thursday's game against the Lakers.
Lakers guard Alex Caruso was listed as questionable on the team's official injury report with neck muscle spasms. Anthony Davis (sprained right ankle), Markieff Morris (left hip contusion), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (right ribs contusion) and Dwight Howard (sore right knee) are probable.
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The Lakers have already clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. Los Angeles has a 2-2 record in the Orlando, Fla., bubble, but the team has struggled offensively. The Lakers are the only team out of the 22 playing in the restart averaging less than 100 points per game.
Moments from LeBron James' career


upi--2020-08-06--16 arrested in probe of Beirut port explosions

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Officials in Lebanon on Thursday arrested 16 people in connection to their investigation of a series of explosions at a Beirut port that killed at least 137 people .
Lebanon 's state-run NNA news agency reported that Judge Fadi Akiki , a government representative at the military court , said officials questioned at least 18 ports and customs officials as part of the probe .
No further details were given about the identities of those questioned or arrested .
The arrests come one day after the Lebanese government said it planned to place port @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to determine why 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate was stored at nearby warehouses .
Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab blamed the chemical for the larger of two explosions that rocked the city Tuesday .
Human Rights Watch urged Lebanese authorities Thursday to invite international experts to conduct an independent investigation .
`` The level of devastation in Beirut is incomprehensible , and the responsible authorities should be held accountable , '' Aya Majzoub , Lebanese researcher at Human Rights Watch , said in a statement .
`` Given the Lebanese authorities ' repeated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public 's distrust of government institutions , an independent investigation with international experts is the best guarantee that victims of the explosion will get the justice they deserve . ''
Human Rights Watch voiced `` serious concerns , '' however , about the Lebanese judiciary 's ability to investigate .
The group said it has documented previous instances in which the judiciary failed to uphold the rule of law or conduct a thorough inquiry .
It added that there 's evidence some judges knew ammonium nitrate was stored at the port and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials did in fact have notification of a clear threat to life and failed to take reasonable steps to address that threat , then they are responsible for the unlawful deaths , '' HRW said .
Wednesday , Amnesty International issued a similar plea , demanding an international mechanism to quickly investigate and asked for humanitarian aid .
`` The horrific scenes in the aftermath of the explosion yesterday were devastating for a country already suffering under the strain of multiple crises , '' the group said .
Meanwhile , French President Emmanuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a visit to Beirut on Thursday .
After meeting Lebanese President Michel Aoun upon arrival , Macron told survivors in Beirut 's Gemmayzeh neighborhood that providing help is `` the priority . ''
He also , however , urged government reform in Lebanon and vowed French aid `` wo n't end up in corrupt hands . ''
Macron asked Lebanese leaders to recognize their `` historic responsibility '' to embrace reforms after the disaster , calling the situation `` a political , moral , economic and financial crisis whose first victim is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marwan Abboud said at least 300,000 people are homeless and officials estimated damage in the billions .

1/4
Palestinian children in Rafah in southern Gaza light candles and carry the flags of Lebanon to show support for the Lebanese people on Wednesday. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Officials in Lebanon on Thursday arrested 16 people in connection to their investigation of a series of explosions at a Beirut port that killed at least 137 people. Lebanon's state-run NNA news agency reported that Judge Fadi Akiki, a government representative at the military court, said officials questioned at least 18 ports and customs officials as part of the probe. Advertisement
No further details were given about the identities of those questioned or arrested.
The arrests come one day after the Lebanese government said it planned to place port officials under house arrest amid an investigation to determine why 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate was stored at nearby warehouses.
Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab blamed the chemical for the larger of two explosions that rocked the city Tuesday.
Human Rights Watch urged Lebanese authorities Thursday to invite international experts to conduct an independent investigation.
"The level of devastation in Beirut is incomprehensible, and the responsible authorities should be held accountable," Aya Majzoub, Lebanese researcher at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. "Given the Lebanese authorities' repeated failure to investigate serious government failings and the public's distrust of government institutions, an independent investigation with international experts is the best guarantee that victims of the explosion will get the justice they deserve."
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Human Rights Watch voiced "serious concerns," however, about the Lebanese judiciary's ability to investigate.
The group said it has documented previous instances in which the judiciary failed to uphold the rule of law or conduct a thorough inquiry. It added that there's evidence some judges knew ammonium nitrate was stored at the port and did nothing about it.
"If officials did in fact have notification of a clear threat to life and failed to take reasonable steps to address that threat, then they are responsible for the unlawful deaths," HRW said.
Wednesday, Amnesty International issued a similar plea, demanding an international mechanism to quickly investigate and asked for humanitarian aid.
"The horrific scenes in the aftermath of the explosion yesterday were devastating for a country already suffering under the strain of multiple crises," the group said.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron promised "unconditional help" during a visit to Beirut on Thursday.
After meeting Lebanese President Michel Aoun upon arrival, Macron told survivors in Beirut's Gemmayzeh neighborhood that providing help is "the priority." He also, however, urged government reform in Lebanon and vowed French aid "won't end up in corrupt hands."
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Macron asked Lebanese leaders to recognize their "historic responsibility" to embrace reforms after the disaster, calling the situation "a political, moral, economic and financial crisis whose first victim is the Lebanese population."
Beirut Gov. Marwan Abboud said at least 300,000 people are homeless and officials estimated damage in the billions.


upi--2020-08-06--Developing tropical system looms for flood-weary South Korea, Japan

AccuWeather meteorologists are monitoring the opportunity for a new tropical system to form in the West Pacific Ocean that could eventually result in more heavy rain for an already flood-weary portion of Asia .
A tropical disturbance that caught forecasters ' eyes earlier this week in the Philippine Sea continues to meander to the northwest toward the northern island of Luzon .
This westward motion will continue into late Friday and take the disturbance into a more favorable zone for tropical development .
As the disturbance is redirected northward , ahead of reaching the Philippines , it is expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The tropical low will turn north-northwestward into the weekend and may become a tropical depression or tropical storm by the time it passes near the southern Ryukyu Islands on Sunday , '' said AccuWeather lead international forecaster Jason Nicholls .
The Ryukyu Islands are expected to be lashed with heavy rainfall and gusty winds Saturday night into Sunday as the system passes by .
`` The overall wind intensity will be determined by how strong the tropical system is able to get as it tracks over the Philippine Sea , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moves farther north , it will encounter more wind shear , or winds disruptive to a tropical system , into Monday .
Still , tropical moisture looks to reach parts of South Korea and Japan by early next week .
`` The tropical system is likely to weaken as it nears southwestern Japan and South Korea early next week , but regardless of development , spells of heavy rain are expected to hit the region , '' Nicholls said .
As this tropical low shifts northward , it will move into the East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have already been hit very hard rain so far this summer , increasing the chances of flooding early next week .
Hagupit moved away from the Korean Peninsula late Thursday , after bringing drenching downpours that left more than 7.5 inches of rain and caused river flooding and hitting several cities in North Korea and South Korea .
Torrential rains from early in July left at least 60 people dead in Kumamoto , Japan .
The island of Kyushu received a historic 15 inches of rainfall in 6 hours , triggering landslides and @ @ @ @ @ @ @

AccuWeather meteorologists are monitoring the opportunity for a new tropical system to form in the West Pacific Ocean that could eventually result in more heavy rain for an already flood-weary portion of Asia.
A tropical disturbance that caught forecasters' eyes earlier this week in the Philippine Sea continues to meander to the northwest toward the northern island of Luzon.
The above satellite image shows a tropical disturbance moving westward towards the Philippines on Thursday evening. Photo courtesy of RAMMB
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This westward motion will continue into late Friday and take the disturbance into a more favorable zone for tropical development. As the disturbance is redirected northward, ahead of reaching the Philippines, it is expected to become better organized into a tropical low.
"The tropical low will turn north-northwestward into the weekend and may become a tropical depression or tropical storm by the time it passes near the southern Ryukyu Islands on Sunday," said AccuWeather lead international forecaster Jason Nicholls.
The Ryukyu Islands are expected to be lashed with heavy rainfall and gusty winds Saturday night into Sunday as the system passes by.
"The overall wind intensity will be determined by how strong the tropical system is able to get as it tracks over the Philippine Sea," explained Nicholls.
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As the tropical system moves farther north, it will encounter more wind shear, or winds disruptive to a tropical system, into Monday. Still, tropical moisture looks to reach parts of South Korea and Japan by early next week.
"The tropical system is likely to weaken as it nears southwestern Japan and South Korea early next week, but regardless of development, spells of heavy rain are expected to hit the region," Nicholls said.
As this tropical low shifts northward, it will move into the East China Sea and threaten some areas that have already been hit very hard rain so far this summer, increasing the chances of flooding early next week.
Hagupit moved away from the Korean Peninsula late Thursday, after bringing drenching downpours that left more than 7.5 inches of rain and caused river flooding and hitting several cities in North Korea and South Korea.
Torrential rains from early in July left at least 60 people dead in Kumamoto, Japan. The island of Kyushu received a historic 15 inches of rainfall in 6 hours, triggering landslides and causing 3 million residents to evacuate.


upi--2020-08-06--Charles Q. Brown  installed as Air Force's first Black chief of staff

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Gen. Charles Q .
Brown was officially installed Thursday as the Air Force 's 22nd Chief of Staff , becoming the first African American in history to lead a military service as its highest ranking officers .
`` Today is possible due to the perseverance of those who went before me serving as an inspiration to me and many others , '' Brown said during a formal `` Change of Responsibility '' ceremony during which he took over from retiring Gen. David L. Goldfein .
`` Those like the Tuskegee Airmen , Benjamin O.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ American leaders across our Air Force and military , past and present , to include today 's special guest , Ed Dwight , America 's first African American astronaut candidate , '' Brown said .
`` It is due to their trials and tribulations in breaking barriers that I can address you today as the Air Force Chief of Staff . ''
Brown , who was confirmed by the Senate in June and nominated in March , was elevated to his new role during a socially distanced 90-minute ceremony attended by Defense Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley , as well as Goldfein .
Brown , who has served in the Air Force for more than 35 years , had previously served as commander of Pacific Air Forces .
As chief of staff , Brown will be responsible for ensuring the Air Force is trained , ready and equipped to accomplish any mission at any time .
`` I am confident you will take the Air Force to greater heights and I 'm excited to watch you lead , '' Esper said .

Sharene Brown, spouse of incoming Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., presents the official Air Force Chief of Staff service cap to her husband during the CSAF transition ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Aug. 6, 2020. Brown is the 22nd Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Photo by Chad Trujillo/U.S. Air Force
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Gen. Charles Q. Brown was officially installed Thursday as the Air Force's 22nd Chief of Staff, becoming the first African American in history to lead a military service as its highest ranking officers. "Today is possible due to the perseverance of those who went before me serving as an inspiration to me and many others," Brown said during a formal "Change of Responsibility" ceremony during which he took over from retiring Gen. David L. Goldfein. Advertisement
"Those like the Tuskegee Airmen, Benjamin O. Davis Jr., Chappie James, African American leaders across our Air Force and military, past and present, to include today's special guest, Ed Dwight, America's first African American astronaut candidate," Brown said. "It is due to their trials and tribulations in breaking barriers that I can address you today as the Air Force Chief of Staff."
Brown, who was confirmed by the Senate in June and nominated in March, was elevated to his new role during a socially distanced 90-minute ceremony attended by Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley, as well as Goldfein.
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Esper presented Goldfein with a Defense Distinguished Service Medal.
Brown, who has served in the Air Force for more than 35 years, had previously served as commander of Pacific Air Forces.
As chief of staff, Brown will be responsible for ensuring the Air Force is trained, ready and equipped to accomplish any mission at any time.
"I am confident you will take the Air Force to greater heights and I'm excited to watch you lead," Esper said.


upi--2020-08-06--Apple Fire expected to be contained by Aug. 17

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Fire officials on Thursday said they expect the Apple Fire in Southern California to @ @ @ @ @ days .
The U.S. Forest Service , which is overseeing firefighting efforts , said it @ @ @ @ @ put out Aug. 17 .
The 28,085-acre blaze was 30 percent contained as of Thursday @ @ @ @ @ is burning in parts of Oak Glen and Banning Canyon in southwest San Bernardino County @ @ @ @ @ The fire was sparked July 31 by a vehicle .
Riverside County officials lifted evacuations @ @ @ @ @ still in effect for portions of the affected area .
An evacuation order was in @ @ @ @ @ San Bernardino County .
The fire has destroyed 12 structures and injured one person .
@ @ @ @ @ 2,500 fire personnel have been deployed to battle the blaze .

A portion of the Pacific Crest Trail was closed Thursday due to the Apple Fire in San Bernardino County. Photo courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management California
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Fire officials on Thursday said they expect the Apple Fire in Southern California to be contained in about 10 days. The U.S. Forest Service, which is overseeing firefighting efforts, said it estimates the wildfire to be put out Aug. 17. The 28,085-acre blaze was 30 percent contained as of Thursday morning. Advertisement
The Apple Fire is burning in parts of Oak Glen and Banning Canyon in southwest San Bernardino County, just outside Riverside. The fire was sparked July 31 by a vehicle.
Riverside County officials lifted evacuations orders but evacuation warnings were still in effect for portions of the affected area. An evacuation order was in effect for Oak Glen in San Bernardino County.
The fire has destroyed 12 structures and injured one person. Forty crews with more than 2,500 fire personnel have been deployed to battle the blaze.


upi--2020-08-06--'E! News,' two other E! shows canceled due to financial fallout from COVID-19

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- The E !
network announced it has canceled E !
News and two other @ @ @ @ @ representative for the network said E !
News , which premiered in 1991 , was @ @ @ @ @ fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic , along with the celebrity news show Pop of the @ @ @ @ @ In the Room , hosted by Jason Kennedy .
The cancelations come amid a restructuring @ @ @ @ @ company , NBCUniversal , in June , in which it said it would shift its @ @ @ @ @ streaming and away from traditional television . ''
Despite the cancelation of Pop of the @ @ @ @ @ Pop and Nightly Pop will still be filmed live in Los Angeles .
Pop of @ @ @ @ @ shared her reaction to the news in a post on Instagram .
`` Thankful for @ @ @ @ @ will miss this team and crew beyond belief .
Yes ... even the 4 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ wrote .

'Pop of the Morning' host Lilliana Vazquez expressed her sadness Thursday after the E! network canceled the show along with 'E! News' and 'In the Room.' Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- The E! network announced it has canceled E! News and two other programs on Thursday. A representative for the network said E! News, which premiered in 1991, was canceled due to the financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the celebrity news show Pop of the Morning and the interview series In the Room, hosted by Jason Kennedy. Advertisement
The cancelations come amid a restructuring at E!'s parent company, NBCUniversal, in June, in which it said it would shift its programming to "focus on streaming and away from traditional television."
Despite the cancelation of Pop of the Morning, the shows Daily Pop and Nightly Pop will still be filmed live in Los Angeles.
Pop of the Morning host Lilliana Vazquez shared her reaction to the news in a post on Instagram.
"Thankful for this incredible adventure and I will miss this team and crew beyond belief. Yes ... even the 4 a.m. call time," she wrote.


upi--2020-08-06--Senate passes bill to expand suicide prevention for veterans

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- A bill to expand mental health care for transitioning service members , as well as create a grant program for local veterans ' organizations , was passed by the U.S. Senate this week .
Wednesday night , the Senate approved the bill , S. 785 , after the White House and the Department of Veterans affairs opted to support it .
The bill had been sitting in the Senate for more than a year .
The bill , which now needs to go before the House of Representatives before it can be signed into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the VA secretary for 2021 through 2025 .
`` This bill will make necessary investments in suicide prevention , '' said Sen. Jerry Moran , R-Kan. , chairman of the Senate Veterans ' Affairs Committee , who worked on the bill with Sen. Jon Tester , D-Mont .
`` It will improve and support innovative research .
It will make improvements and increase the availability of mental health care .
VA will be required to better collaborate with community organizations across the country serving veterans . ''
The legislation mandates that the department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one year after they transition from active duty , as well as increasing mental health staffing , access to alternative therapies and suicide prevention research at the VA .
It also creates a grant program providing up to $ 750,000 to state and local organizations that offer suicide prevention services to veterans and their families .
The bill is titled the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act .
Hannon was a Montana veteran and advocate with Montana 's chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness who died by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hannon , who served as a leader of SEAL Team Two , a member of SEAL Team Six and a Special Operations and policy staff officer at U.S. Special Operations Command , had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder , traumatic brain injury , severe depression and bipolar disorder .
About 17 veterans die by suicide every day , according to the most recent figures from the VA , and veterans are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than those who have never served in the military .
`` People have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solutions , and the fact is there is no silver bullet , '' Tester said Wednesday .
`` But what we 've done today is give the VA more tools in their toolbox to be able to address this problem . ''

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., shown here at a 2018 press conference, co-sponsored a bill passed Wednesday that appropriates $174 million to the secretary of Veterans Affairs for suicide prevention services. Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- A bill to expand mental health care for transitioning service members, as well as create a grant program for local veterans' organizations, was passed by the U.S. Senate this week. Wednesday night, the Senate approved the bill, S. 785, after the White House and the Department of Veterans affairs opted to support it. The bill had been sitting in the Senate for more than a year. Advertisement
The bill, which now needs to go before the House of Representatives before it can be signed into law, appropriates $174 million to the VA secretary for 2021 through 2025.
"This bill will make necessary investments in suicide prevention," said Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, who worked on the bill with Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont. "It will improve and support innovative research. It will make improvements and increase the availability of mental health care. VA will be required to better collaborate with community organizations across the country serving veterans."
The legislation mandates that the department provide health care to all veterans for one year after they transition from active duty, as well as increasing mental health staffing, access to alternative therapies and suicide prevention research at the VA.
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It also creates a grant program providing up to $750,000 to state and local organizations that offer suicide prevention services to veterans and their families.
The bill is titled the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act. Hannon was a Montana veteran and advocate with Montana's chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness who died by suicide in 2018 at age 46.
Hannon, who served as a leader of SEAL Team Two, a member of SEAL Team Six and a Special Operations and policy staff officer at U.S. Special Operations Command, had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, severe depression and bipolar disorder.
About 17 veterans die by suicide every day, according to the most recent figures from the VA, and veterans are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than those who have never served in the military.
"People have been looking for solutions and looking for solutions, and the fact is there is no silver bullet," Tester said Wednesday. "But what we've done today is give the VA more tools in their toolbox to be able to address this problem."


upi--2020-08-06--U.S. military sending food, water, medical supplies to Lebanon

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III delivered 11 pallets of food , water and medical supplies to Beirut , Lebanon , Thursday to aid with disaster relief following an explosion earlier in the week .
`` The U.S. is actively engaged in delivering food , water , and medical supplies to the Lebanese Armed Forces to meet the critical needs of the Lebanese people , '' Gen. Frank McKenzie , Commander of U.S. Central Command said in a press release from CENTCOM .
`` We are closely coordinating with the Lebanon Armed Forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide additional assistance throughout Lebanon 's recovery effort . ''
Thursday 's delivery is the first of three planes of disaster relief shipments McKenzie promised during a phone call with Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun to express condolences for the loss of life and devastation in Beirut Tuesday .
According to a readout of that call released by CENTCOM , McKenzie told Aoun the United States is willing to keep working with the Lebanese Armed Forces , the U.S. Embassy in Beirut , and USAID to help provide aid and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people during the country 's recovery effort after an explosion killed 137 people and leveled part of the city Tuesday .
The shipment followed public comments from Defense Secretary Mark Esper Wednesday in which he said the United States would soon offer aid to the country .
Contradicting President Donald Trump , who said U.S. military officials had told him the blast was caused by `` a bomb of some kind , '' Esper said most officials believed the event was an accident .
An estimated 5,000 people were injured and 300,000 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force equivalent to a 3.3-magnitude earthquake .
Beirut Gov .
Marwan Abboud estimated that it could cost $ 3 billion to $ 5 billion to repair damage from the blast .
France and Britain have also pledged to send aid to Lebanon , where Canada 's government has said it will send money to third-party humanitarian organizations rather than provide direct aid to the government .
Lebanese authorities say a warehouse storing ammonium nitrate exploded and ignited a fire near the port in Beirut .
Human Rights Watch has asked for an independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government 's `` repeated failure to investigate serious government failings and the public 's distrust of government institutions . ''

U.S. Air Force Airmen unload humanitarian aid supplies from a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Beirut. Photo courtesy of U.S. Central Command
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III delivered 11 pallets of food, water and medical supplies to Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday to aid with disaster relief following an explosion earlier in the week. "The U.S. is actively engaged in delivering food, water, and medical supplies to the Lebanese Armed Forces to meet the critical needs of the Lebanese people," Gen. Frank McKenzie, Commander of U.S. Central Command said in a press release from CENTCOM. "We are closely coordinating with the Lebanon Armed Forces, and expect that we will continue to provide additional assistance throughout Lebanon's recovery effort." Advertisement U.S. Air Force Airmen unload humanitarian aid supplies from a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at #Beirut, #Lebanon on Aug. 6, 2020. @LebarmyOfficial #BeirutInOurHearts @usembassybeirut @USAFCENT pic.twitter.com/6SO7xmIteF— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) August 6, 2020
Thursday's delivery is the first of three planes of disaster relief shipments McKenzie promised during a phone call with Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun to express condolences for the loss of life and devastation in Beirut Tuesday.
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According to a readout of that call released by CENTCOM, McKenzie told Aoun the United States is willing to keep working with the Lebanese Armed Forces, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, and USAID to help provide aid and assistance to meet the needs of Lebanese people during the country's recovery effort after an explosion killed 137 people and leveled part of the city Tuesday.
The shipment followed public comments from Defense Secretary Mark Esper Wednesday in which he said the United States would soon offer aid to the country.
Contradicting President Donald Trump, who said U.S. military officials had told him the blast was caused by "a bomb of some kind," Esper said most officials believed the event was an accident.
An estimated 5,000 people were injured and 300,000 in Tuesday's explosion, which produced a force equivalent to a 3.3-magnitude earthquake.
Beirut Gov. Marwan Abboud estimated that it could cost $3 billion to $5 billion to repair damage from the blast.
France and Britain have also pledged to send aid to Lebanon, where Canada's government has said it will send money to third-party humanitarian organizations rather than provide direct aid to the government.
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Lebanese authorities say a warehouse storing ammonium nitrate exploded and ignited a fire near the port in Beirut.
Human Rights Watch has asked for an independent international investigation of the incident, given the government's "repeated failure to investigate serious government failings and the public's distrust of government institutions."


upi--2020-08-06--PlayStation details third-party PS4, PS5 releases in State of Play live stream

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- PlayStation showed off various third-party games coming to both its current PlayStation 4 and upcoming PlayStation 5 platform in a new State of Play live stream address Thursday .
The event featured details about Crash Bandicoot 4 : It 's About Time , the first new installment in the series in 10 years , which is set to release for multiple platforms including PlayStation 4 on Oct. 2 , in addition to providing an extended look at Gearbox 's Greedfall , a third-person `` looter-slasher '' game set to release on the PlayStation 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sony 's PSVR virtual reality console was also announced at the event including VR versions of all three games in the rebooted Hitman series and Vader Immortal , a Star Wars VR Series , which is set to release Aug. 25 .
Spelunky 2 was announced for release on Sept. 15 on PlayStation 4 , with creator Derek Yu providing insight into the design philosophy while Braid : Anniversary Edition , a remastered version of the 2008 Xbox Live Arcade puzzle platformer Braid , is set to release in 2021 on PlayStation 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come to the PlayStation 4 on Oct. 31 , while the creature-collecting game Temtem will release on the PlayStation 5 in 2021 .
The Pathless was announced for release on the PlayStation 5 , while the event featured an extended look at the gameplay of Bugsnax , set to release on PlayStation 5 this holiday season .
The event , however , did not include any major announcements regarding the PlayStation 5 in terms of hardware , pricing and release date .
The PlayStation 5 is expected to launch this holiday season .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Miles Morales , Ratchet and Clank : Rift Apart and Horizon : Forbidden West , among others .

Aug. 6 (UPI) -- PlayStation showed off various third-party games coming to both its current PlayStation 4 and upcoming PlayStation 5 platform in a new State of Play live stream address Thursday.
The event featured details about Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, the first new installment in the series in 10 years, which is set to release for multiple platforms including PlayStation 4 on Oct. 2, in addition to providing an extended look at Gearbox's Godfall, a third-person "looter-slasher" game set to release on the PlayStation 5 this holiday season.
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New content for Sony's PSVR virtual reality console was also announced at the event including VR versions of all three games in the rebooted Hitman series and Vader Immortal, a Star Wars VR Series, which is set to release Aug. 25.
Spelunky 2 was announced for release on Sept. 15 on PlayStation 4, with creator Derek Yu providing insight into the design philosophy while Braid: Anniversary Edition, a remastered version of the 2008 Xbox Live Arcade puzzle platformer Braid, is set to release in 2021 on PlayStation 4.
Popular strategy game Auto Chess will come to the PlayStation 4 on Oct. 31, while the creature-collecting game Temtem will release on the PlayStation 5 in 2021.
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The Pathless was announced for release on the PlayStation 5, while the event featured an extended look at the gameplay of Bugsnax, set to release on PlayStation 5 this holiday season.
The event, however, did not include any major announcements regarding the PlayStation 5 in terms of hardware, pricing and release date.
The PlayStation 5 is expected to launch this holiday season. Games coming to the platform include Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart and Horizon: Forbidden West, among others.


upi--2020-08-06--President Donald Trump signs order for government to buy 'essential' drugs in U.S.

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump on Thursday said she signed an executive order designed to lure more medical manufacturing to the United States .
The move would require the U.S. government to buy what he described as `` essential '' drugs from U.S. companies , not overseas , where they might be cheaper .
He announced the order during an appearance at the Whirlpool Corporation Manufacturing Plant in Clyde , Ohio .
`` We can not rely on China and other nations across the globe that could one day deny us products , '' Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 've seen in this pandemic , the U.S. must produce essential equipment supplies and pharmaceuticals for ourselves . ''
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro told reporters earlier in the day that the United States has been losing out to countries such as China and India because of an `` unfair competitive advantage because of their lax regulatory environment . ''
Navarro , an assistant to Trump and director of trade and manufacturing policy , complained during a conference call with reporters , that governments in Ireland , Singapore and Switzerland also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of their tax advantages .
`` You see a country like Ireland punching way above its weight simply because of its tax advantage , '' Navarro said .
The adviser said one section of Trump 's order will require several departments , including Health and Human Services , Veterans Affairs and Defense , to `` buy American '' when it comes to drugs and medical supplies .
Another section will focus on deregulation , which he says should free up regulators such as the Food and Drug Administration to accelerate drug approvals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities .
`` This is a broad order that covers not just medicines , but medical supplies and equipment , '' he said .
`` If we learned anything from the [ COVID-19 ] pandemic , it 's that we 're dangerously overdependent on foreign nations for our essential medicines or medical supplies . ''
The overarching goal of the order , he added , is to encourage pharmaceutical companies and other medical manufacturers to make products in the United States .
It will also address drug pricing and ensure proper stockpiles of @ @ @ @ @ @ @

1/10
Protesters stand along the streets in Clyde, Ohio, on Thursday prior to President Donald Trump's arrival at the Whirlpool corporation manufacturing plant. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Thursday said he signed an executive order designed to lure more medical manufacturing to the United States. The move would require the U.S. government to buy what he described as "essential" drugs from U.S. companies, not overseas, where they might be cheaper. Advertisement
He announced the order during an appearance at the Whirlpool Corporation Manufacturing Plant in Clyde, Ohio.
"We cannot rely on China and other nations across the globe that could one day deny us products," Trump said after touring the plant. "As we've seen in this pandemic, the U.S. must produce essential equipment supplies and pharmaceuticals for ourselves."
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro told reporters earlier in the day that the United States has been losing out to countries such as China and India because of an "unfair competitive advantage because of their lax regulatory environment."
Navarro, an assistant to Trump and director of trade and manufacturing policy, complained during a conference call with reporters, that governments in Ireland, Singapore and Switzerland also draw industry away from the United States because of their tax advantages.
"You see a country like Ireland punching way above its weight simply because of its tax advantage," Navarro said.
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The adviser said one section of Trump's order will require several departments, including Health and Human Services, Veterans Affairs and Defense, to "buy American" when it comes to drugs and medical supplies.
Another section will focus on deregulation, which he says should free up regulators such as the Food and Drug Administration to accelerate drug approvals and the Environmental Protection Agency for manufacturing facilities.
"This is a broad order that covers not just medicines, but medical supplies and equipment," he said. "If we learned anything from the [COVID-19] pandemic, it's that we're dangerously overdependent on foreign nations for our essential medicines or medical supplies."
The overarching goal of the order, he added, is to encourage pharmaceutical companies and other medical manufacturers to make products in the United States. It will also address drug pricing and ensure proper stockpiles of drugs and supplies for future pandemics.


upi--2020-08-06--Dow rises 185 points, gold futures hit another record price

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Markets rose on Thursday behind strong performances by tech stocks , while gold futures continued a rally , hitting a record for a fifth straight day .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the day up 185.46 points , or 0.68 % , while the S & P 500 gained 0.61 % and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite increased 1 % , pushing it to a record high .
Facebook stock helped to lead the way , closing the day up 6.49 % , while Apple increased 3.49 % , Microsoft gained 1.6 % , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rose 0.62 % .
`` It 's a tale of a bifurcated market , '' Dryden Pence , chief investment officer at Pence Wealth Management , told CNBC .
`` You 've got a few sectors that are doing well ... and they 've left a lot of the rest of the market behind . ''
Gold futures rose 1.27 % for another record price of $ 2,063 after surpassing the $ 2,000 threshold for the first time earlier this week .
The rise came as demand for precious metals surged in part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest round of COVID-19 stimulus legislation .
Markets were also affected by better-than-expected unemployment numbers as an additional 1.2 million U.S. workers filed for new unemployment benefits , a decrease of 249,00 .
The Labor Department listed the unemployment rate at 11 % .
`` Gold is surging once again after better-than-expected jobless claims , real yields resume their freefall and as lawmakers struggle to make further progress on stimulus talks , '' senior market analyst at Oanda , Edward Moya , wrote .

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 185 points on Thursday, while gold futures hit another record price. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Markets rose on Thursday behind strong performances by tech stocks, while gold futures continued a rally, hitting a record for a fifth straight day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the day up 185.46 points, or 0.68%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.61% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite increased 1%, pushing it to a record high. Advertisement
Facebook stock helped to lead the way, closing the day up 6.49%, while Apple increased 3.49%, Microsoft gained 1.6%, Netflix stock grew 1.39% and Amazon rose 0.62%.
"It's a tale of a bifurcated market," Dryden Pence, chief investment officer at Pence Wealth Management, told CNBC. "You've got a few sectors that are doing well ... and they've left a lot of the rest of the market behind."
Gold futures rose 1.27% for another record price of $2,063 after surpassing the $2,000 threshold for the first time earlier this week.
The rise came as demand for precious metals surged in part due to indecision in Congress over the latest round of COVID-19 stimulus legislation.
Markets were also affected by better-than-expected unemployment numbers as an additional 1.2 million U.S. workers filed for new unemployment benefits, a decrease of 249,00. The Labor Department listed the unemployment rate at 11%.
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"Gold is surging once again after better-than-expected jobless claims, real yields resume their freefall and as lawmakers struggle to make further progress on stimulus talks," senior market analyst at Oanda, Edward Moya, wrote.


upi--2020-08-06--Michigan man wins $1 million thanks to low car tire

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- A Michigan man said he has a leaky car tire to thank for his @ @ @ @ @ jackpot from a scratch-off lottery ticket .
The Ionia County man told Michigan Lottery officials @ @ @ @ @ gas station in Webberville because he was having trouble keeping one of his tires inflated @ @ @ @ @ trouble with a tire going low on my car , so I stopped to fill @ @ @ @ @ sandwich and that 's when I got the ticket , '' the man said .
@ @ @ @ @ in the car and got so excited I forgot to even eat the sandwich I @ @ @ @ @ said he plans to use his money to pay bills , help his family and @ @ @ @

A Michigan man said stopping to put air in a leaky car tire led to his winning $1 million from a scratch-off lottery ticket. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Aug. 6 (UPI) -- A Michigan man said he has a leaky car tire to thank for his winning a $1 million jackpot from a scratch-off lottery ticket. The Ionia County man told Michigan Lottery officials he stopped at the Mobil gas station in Webberville because he was having trouble keeping one of his tires inflated. Advertisement
"I was having trouble with a tire going low on my car, so I stopped to fill it up and buy a sandwich and that's when I got the ticket," the man said. "I scratched the ticket in the car and got so excited I forgot to even eat the sandwich I bought."
The winner said he plans to use his money to pay bills, help his family and bolster his savings.


upi--2020-08-06--Microbe reveals link between primordial organisms, complex life

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Primordial , single-celled organisms and complex life share an important cellular process , according to a new study published Thursday in the journal Science , which researchers say supports a theory on the origin of complex life on Earth .
The new research showed Sulfolobus acidocaldarius , a microbe that thrives inside acidic hot springs , uses a protein called proteasome to manage cell division and break down other proteins .
Sulfolobus acidocaldarius is a member of the single-celled domain known as archaea , which emerged alongside bacteria some 3.5 billion years ago .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , scientists estimate a bacteria cell and archaea cell merged , yielding eukaryotes -- cells that contain a clearly defined nucleus .
All protozoa , fungi , plants and animals are comprised of eukaryotic cells .
The findings lend credence to the theory that a merging event involving early archaea and bacteria cells spawned more complex life forms , researchers say .
`` It has become increasingly apparent that the complex eukaryotic cells arose following an endosymbiotic event between an ancestral archaea cell and an alpha-proteobacterium , which subsequently became the mitochondria within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to study 's authors .
Mitochondria produce energy that powers a cell 's biochemical reactions .
The proteasome , sometimes referred to as a cell 's waste disposal system , has been well-documented among eukaryotes , but scientists were surprised to find the cell division mechanism at work inside Sulfolobus acidocaldarius cells .
`` This is important because the proteasome has not previously been shown to control the cell division process of archaea , '' researchers wrote in their paper .
`` Our study suggests that the vital role of the proteasome in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today has its evolutionary origins in archaea , '' they wrote .

The archaea microbe Sulfolobus acidocaldarius thrives in hot springs and geothermal mud pools. Photo by Lancaster University
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Primordial, single-celled organisms and complex life share an important cellular process, according to a new study published Thursday in the journal Science, which researchers say supports a theory on the origin of complex life on Earth. The new research showed Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, a microbe that thrives inside acidic hot springs, uses a protein called proteasome to manage cell division and break down other proteins. Advertisement
Sulfolobus acidocaldarius is a member of the single-celled domain known as archaea, which emerged alongside bacteria some 3.5 billion years ago.
Roughly 1 billion years after they emerged, scientists estimate a bacteria cell and archaea cell merged, yielding eukaryotes -- cells that contain a clearly defined nucleus. All protozoa, fungi, plants and animals are comprised of eukaryotic cells.
The findings lend credence to the theory that a merging event involving early archaea and bacteria cells spawned more complex life forms, researchers say.
"It has become increasingly apparent that the complex eukaryotic cells arose following an endosymbiotic event between an ancestral archaea cell and an alpha-proteobacterium, which subsequently became the mitochondria within the resulting eukaryotic cell," according to study's authors. Mitochondria produce energy that powers a cell's biochemical reactions.
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The proteasome, sometimes referred to as a cell's waste disposal system, has been well-documented among eukaryotes, but scientists were surprised to find the cell division mechanism at work inside Sulfolobus acidocaldarius cells.
"This is important because the proteasome has not previously been shown to control the cell division process of archaea," researchers wrote in their paper.
"Our study suggests that the vital role of the proteasome in the cell cycle of all eukaryotic life today has its evolutionary origins in archaea," they wrote.