upi--2020-08-10--Hong Kong police arrest media tycoon, 8 others under new security law

Aug. 10 ( UPI ) -- Police in Hong Kong on Monday raided the offices of local newspaper Apple Daily and arrested several people , including the media organization 's outspoken pro-democracy founder Jimmy Lai under a new controversial national security law .
Samuel Chu , a Hong Kong activist and managing director of the Hong Kong Democracy Council , and Mark Simon , a senior aide to Lai 's Next Digital group , confirmed on Twitter that the 71-year-old media tycoon had been arrested .
`` Jimmy Lai is being arrested for collusion with foreign powers , '' Simon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it has arrested nine people between the ages of 39 and 72 on Monday on suspicion of breaching the new national security law that went into effect early last month criminalizing acts of secession , sedition , subversion , terrorism and working with foreign powers to undermine the national security of the People 's Republic of China in Hong Kong .
Specifically , police said the offenses include collusion with a foreign country or external elements .
`` Operation is still ongoing , '' the force said via Twitter , after earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police officers also raided the Apple Daily offices in Tseung Kwan O in accordance with a warrant issued by a magistrate to gather evidence , police said in a statement published on Facebook .
Apple Daily reported that nearly 200 officers arrived at its building around 10 a.m. and that Lai 's sons Timothy and Ian , along with several senior management of Next Media , were arrested .
Simon said police searched the homes of Lai and at least one of his sons and executed a warrant for the newsroom floor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the group have been detained or taken in for questioning , '' Simon said .
Nathan Law , a Hong Kong activist and former politician , identified one of those arrested Agnes Chow , a prominent activist of the pro-democracy moment .
`` It is a devastating move from the Chinese govt that they want to silence the voice of resistance in Hong Kong , '' Law tweeted .
`` I urge the world to keep an eye on what 's happening . ''
Law said she had been charged for inciting secession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
ITV News reported that Wilson Li , a freelance reporter for the British television network , and activist Andy Li were also among the nine arrested on the suspicion of collusion with foreign powers .
`` We confirm that Wilson Li works for ITV News in a freelance capacity , '' a spokesperson with the news organization said .
`` We are concerned to hear of his arrest and are urgently seeking clarification of the circumstances . ''
More than a dozen people have been arrested under the new law since it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro-Hong Kong independence banners or chanting such slogans .
Four student protesters were arrested late last month on accusations that they created an online organization to unite pro-democracy activists .
Lai , however , is the first household name to be arrested under the law , and his arrest is expected to attract the condemnation of rights groups and Western nations that have previously voiced anger and concern over Beijing 's imposition of the draconian national security law on Hong Kong over fears it would be used to punish dissidents , critics and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media tycoon Jimmy Lai bears out the worst fears that Hong Kong 's national security law would be used to suppress critical pro-democracy opinion and restrict press freedom , '' Steven Butler , the Committee to Protect Journalists ' Asia program coordinator , said in a statement .
`` Jimmy Lai should be released at once and any charges dropped . ''
Joshua Wong , a prominent pro-democracy student activist in Hong Kong , described the police action as `` the end of press freedom '' and `` the darkest day of journalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strongly condemn the latest arrest of Jimmy Lai , '' he tweeted .
The Foreign Correspondents Club of Hong Kong described the arrests and the raid on Apple Daily in a statement as `` a dark new phase in the erosion of the city 's global reputation . ''
The organization said police blocked local and international media outlets from a press briefing at the Apple Daily headquarters and quoted police at the scene as saying `` only those who 've not been obstructing police in the past '' were allowed to participate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of State Mike Pompeo tweeted that he was `` deeply troubled '' by the arrest of Lai , calling it further proof that the Chinese Communist Party `` has eviscerated Hong Kong 's freedoms and eroded the rights of its people . ''
The United States ' top diplomat has described the law as the `` death knell '' for the former British colony 's autonomy from mainland China , and he joined the foreign ministers of Australia , Canada , New Zealand and Britain on Sunday stating they are `` gravely concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to postpone Legislative Council elections by a year and to disqualify 12 pro-democracy candidates from running in the contest .
Late last week , the United States imposed sanctions against Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam and 10 other officials the Trump administration blames with helping Beijing to implement the national security law .

Jimmy Lai (C), media tycoon and founder of Apple Daily, is escorted by police after he was arrested at his home in Hong Kong on Monday. Photo by Vernon Yuen/EPA-EFE
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Police in Hong Kong on Monday raided the offices of local newspaper Apple Daily and arrested several people, including the media organization's outspoken pro-democracy founder Jimmy Lai under a new controversial national security law. Samuel Chu, a Hong Kong activist and managing director of the Hong Kong Democracy Council, and Mark Simon, a senior aide to Lai's Next Digital group, confirmed on Twitter that the 71-year-old media tycoon had been arrested. Advertisement
"Jimmy Lai is being arrested for collusion with foreign powers," Simon said.
The Hong Kong Police Force said it has arrested nine people between the ages of 39 and 72 on Monday on suspicion of breaching the new national security law that went into effect early last month criminalizing acts of secession, sedition, subversion, terrorism and working with foreign powers to undermine the national security of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong.
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Specifically, police said the offenses include collusion with a foreign country or external elements.
"Operation is still ongoing," the force said via Twitter, after earlier saying it had only arrested seven.
Police officers also raided the Apple Daily offices in Tseung Kwan O in accordance with a warrant issued by a magistrate to gather evidence, police said in a statement published on Facebook.
Apple Daily reported that nearly 200 officers arrived at its building around 10 a.m. and that Lai's sons Timothy and Ian, along with several senior management of Next Media, were arrested.
Simon said police searched the homes of Lai and at least one of his sons and executed a warrant for the newsroom floor of Apple Daily.
"Other members of the group have been detained or taken in for questioning," Simon said.
Nathan Law, a Hong Kong activist and former politician, identified one of those arrested Agnes Chow, a prominent activist of the pro-democracy moment.
"It is a devastating move from the Chinese govt that they want to silence the voice of resistance in Hong Kong," Law tweeted. "I urge the world to keep an eye on what's happening."
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Law said she had been charged for inciting secession, adding that police searched her home.
ITV News reported that Wilson Li, a freelance reporter for the British television network, and activist Andy Li were also among the nine arrested on the suspicion of collusion with foreign powers.
"We confirm that Wilson Li works for ITV News in a freelance capacity," a spokesperson with the news organization said. "We are concerned to hear of his arrest and are urgently seeking clarification of the circumstances."
More than a dozen people have been arrested under the new law since it went into effect but mostly for waving pro-Hong Kong independence banners or chanting such slogans. Four student protesters were arrested late last month on accusations that they created an online organization to unite pro-democracy activists.
Lai, however, is the first household name to be arrested under the law, and his arrest is expected to attract the condemnation of rights groups and Western nations that have previously voiced anger and concern over Beijing's imposition of the draconian national security law on Hong Kong over fears it would be used to punish dissidents, critics and media organizations.
"The arrest of media tycoon Jimmy Lai bears out the worst fears that Hong Kong's national security law would be used to suppress critical pro-democracy opinion and restrict press freedom," Steven Butler, the Committee to Protect Journalists' Asia program coordinator, said in a statement. "Jimmy Lai should be released at once and any charges dropped."
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Joshua Wong, a prominent pro-democracy student activist in Hong Kong, described the police action as "the end of press freedom" and "the darkest day of journalists" in Hong Kong.
"I strongly condemn the latest arrest of Jimmy Lai," he tweeted.
The Foreign Correspondents Club of Hong Kong described the arrests and the raid on Apple Daily in a statement as "a dark new phase in the erosion of the city's global reputation."
The organization said police blocked local and international media outlets from a press briefing at the Apple Daily headquarters and quoted police at the scene as saying "only those who've not been obstructing police in the past" were allowed to participate in the media conference.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted that he was "deeply troubled" by the arrest of Lai, calling it further proof that the Chinese Communist Party "has eviscerated Hong Kong's freedoms and eroded the rights of its people."
The United States' top diplomat has described the law as the "death knell" for the former British colony's autonomy from mainland China, and he joined the foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Britain on Sunday stating they are "gravely concerned" over Hong Kong's recent decision to postpone Legislative Council elections by a year and to disqualify 12 pro-democracy candidates from running in the contest.
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Late last week, the United States imposed sanctions against Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam and 10 other officials the Trump administration blames with helping Beijing to implement the national security law.


upi--2020-08-10--Major gas explosion destroys 3 homes in Baltimore; at least 1 dead, 7 injured

Aug. 10 ( UPI ) -- At least one person was killed and seven others were injured in Baltimore on Monday by a natural gas explosion that destroyed three homes , authorities said .
The explosion occurred in the northwestern part of the city shortly before 10 a.m. , officials said .
The cause of the explosion was not immediately known .
The Baltimore City Fire Department confirmed that as of Monday night one person was killed and seven others were injured and transported to local hospitals .
Four people were in serious condition , the department said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debris through the night , '' the department said via Twitter .
`` The cause remains under investigation .
WBAL-TV reported earlier that a woman had died in the blast .
The explosion occurred behind the Reisterstown Plaza shopping center on the Baltimore City-County line .
Mayor Bernard Young told reporters during a press briefing that the explosion shattered windows throughout the community and they were working with Red Cross to get housing for those affected by the blast .
`` We just want to make sure we take care of these people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Electric Co. said in a statement that it 's working with the fire department to `` make the situation safe '' and switch off gas to buildings in the area .
`` We are closely monitoring the situation in northwest Baltimore following this morning 's horrific explosion , '' Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan tweeted .
`` We have reached out to offer our full support to the ongoing response and recovery efforts , and are deeply grateful to the first responders on the scene . ''
Residents reported feeling the force @ @ @ @ @ @ @

At least one person was killed in Monday's explosion, authorities said. A cause is not yet known. Photo courtesy of Baltimore County Fire Department
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- At least one person was killed and seven others were injured in Baltimore on Monday by a natural gas explosion that destroyed three homes, authorities said. The explosion occurred in the northwestern part of the city shortly before 10 a.m., officials said. The cause of the explosion was not immediately known. Advertisement
The Baltimore City Fire Department confirmed that as of Monday night one person was killed and seven others were injured and transported to local hospitals. Four people were in serious condition, the department said.
"We will continue to dig through the debris through the night," the department said via Twitter. "The cause remains under investigation.
WBAL-TV reported earlier that a woman had died in the blast.
The explosion occurred behind the Reisterstown Plaza shopping center on the Baltimore City-County line.
Mayor Bernard Young told reporters during a press briefing that the explosion shattered windows throughout the community and they were working with Red Cross to get housing for those affected by the blast.
"We just want to make sure we take care of these people," he said.
Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. said in a statement that it's working with the fire department to "make the situation safe" and switch off gas to buildings in the area.
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"We are closely monitoring the situation in northwest Baltimore following this morning's horrific explosion," Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan tweeted. "We have reached out to offer our full support to the ongoing response and recovery efforts, and are deeply grateful to the first responders on the scene."
Residents reported feeling the force of the explosion several miles away.


upi--2020-08-10--Clippers' Montrezl Harrell returns to NBA bubble after death of grandmother

Aug. 10 ( UPI ) -- Los Angeles Clippers forward Montrezl Harrell announced Monday on social media that he has returned to the NBA bubble in Orlando , Fla .
In a series of posts , Harrell said he has rejoined the Clippers after leaving the team July 17 to tend to his grandmother .
The Sixth Man of the Year candidate 's grandmother died recently .
Harrell first posted a video on his Instagram of a view outside his hotel window with the location set to Disney Springs in Lake Buena Vista , Fla .
Shortly later , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return .
Harrell will be required to quarantine for at least four days , according to the league 's protocols .
The Clippers have two seeding games left : Wednesday against the Denver Nuggets and Friday against the Oklahoma City Thunder .
Before the NBA halted play in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic , Harrell was averaging career highs in points ( 18.6 ) and rebounds ( 7.1 ) .
The team has posted a 3-3 record in the bubble without him .
The Clippers ( 47-23 ) currently sit at No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They lead the third-seeded Denver Nuggets by one game .

Before the NBA halted play in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic, Los Angeles Clippers forward Montrezl Harrell (5) was averaging career highs in points (18.6) and rebounds (7.1). File Photo by Alex Edelman/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Clippers forward Montrezl Harrell announced Monday on social media that he has returned to the NBA bubble in Orlando, Fla. In a series of posts, Harrell said he has rejoined the Clippers after leaving the team July 17 to tend to his grandmother. The Sixth Man of the Year candidate's grandmother died recently. Advertisement
Harrell first posted a video on his Instagram of a view outside his hotel window with the location set to Disney Springs in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Shortly later, he sent out a tweet to confirm his return.
"I'm back!!!!!!!!" Harrell wrote on Twitter.
I'm back!!!!!!!!— Montrezl Harrell (@MONSTATREZZ) August 10, 2020
Harrell will be required to quarantine for at least four days, according to the league's protocols. The Clippers have two seeding games left: Wednesday against the Denver Nuggets and Friday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Before the NBA halted play in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic, Harrell was averaging career highs in points (18.6) and rebounds (7.1). The team has posted a 3-3 record in the bubble without him.
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The Clippers (47-23) currently sit at No. 2 in the Western Conference. They lead the third-seeded Denver Nuggets by one game.


upi--2020-08-10--76ers star Joel Embiid to miss Tuesday's game vs. Suns with ankle injury

Aug. 10 ( UPI ) -- Philadelphia 76ers All-Star big man Joel Embiid will miss Tuesday 's game against the Phoenix Suns because of a left ankle injury .
The team made the announcement Monday and said Embiid will undergo treatment and evaluation on his ankle Monday night .
According to ESPN , the 76ers are optimistic that his injury is n't serious and he will be able to return soon .
Embiid suffered the ankle injury in the first quarter of Sunday 's matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers .
He awkwardly stepped on the stanchion behind the basket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early exit against the Trail Blazers , Embiid was averaging 30.3 points , 13.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists in the 76ers ' previous four games in the league 's bubble .
Also Monday , 76ers point forward Ben Simmons underwent surgery to have a loose body removed from his left knee .
He will be reevaluated in two weeks and is expected to miss the rest of the season .
The 76ers ' game against the Suns will be their sixth inside the NBA bubble in Orlando , Fla. Philadelphia will finish up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Houston Rockets on Friday .

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid was averaging 30.3 points, 13.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists in the 76ers' previous four games in the NBA's bubble before leaving Sunday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. File Photo by Peter Foley/EPA-EFE
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Philadelphia 76ers All-Star big man Joel Embiid will miss Tuesday's game against the Phoenix Suns because of a left ankle injury. The team made the announcement Monday and said Embiid will undergo treatment and evaluation on his ankle Monday night. According to ESPN, the 76ers are optimistic that his injury isn't serious and he will be able to return soon. Advertisement
Embiid suffered the ankle injury in the first quarter of Sunday's matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. He awkwardly stepped on the stanchion behind the basket after contesting a shot.
Before his early exit against the Trail Blazers, Embiid was averaging 30.3 points, 13.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists in the 76ers' previous four games in the league's bubble.
Also Monday, 76ers point forward Ben Simmons underwent surgery to have a loose body removed from his left knee. He will be reevaluated in two weeks and is expected to miss the rest of the season.
The 76ers' game against the Suns will be their sixth inside the NBA bubble in Orlando, Fla. Philadelphia will finish up with the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday and the Houston Rockets on Friday.


upi--2020-08-10--New York Rangers win NHL draft lottery, first chance at Alexis Lafreniere

Aug. 10 ( UPI ) -- The New York Rangers won Monday 's NHL draft lottery and will have the first chance to select consensus No .
1 overall pick Alexis Lafreniere .
A ping-pong ball with the Rangers ' logo was drawn during the second phase of the NHL 's lottery , giving the team the top pick in October 's draft .
It is only the second time in the franchise 's 94-year history that it holds the top-overall selection .
`` Really good news , '' Lafreniere said in an interview on NHL Network .
`` Rangers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players and a really nice city .
So for sure it 's really good news , and I 'm really happy . ''
Lafreniere is represented by Emilie Castonguay , who could become the first woman to represent a No .
1 overall pick as an NHLPA-certified agent .
The NHL held its initial draft lottery in June , which consisted of the seven teams that failed to qualify for the league 's 24-team tournament , as well as a placeholder pick for one of the eight clubs that lost in the qualification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's lottery to force a second drawing Monday .
The Nashville Predators , Pittsburgh Penguins , Toronto Maple Leafs , Florida Panthers , Edmonton Oilers , Winnipeg Jets , Minnesota Wild and Rangers each had a 12.5 % chance to win the No .
1 pick .
The seven losers of Monday 's drawing now will be slotted nine to 15 based on their regular-season points percentage .
The Carolina Hurricanes swept the Rangers in the qualification round to put the team in the running for the top pick .
Last year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall pick in the NHL Draft and picked Finnish winger Kaapo Kakko .
The Los Angeles Kings were awarded the second-overall selection in the initial draft lottery , and the Ottawa Senators will pick third .
The Detroit Red Wings , who had the fewest points in the league this season , slid to No .
4 .
The Senators will pick again at No .
5 , the Anaheim Ducks sixth , the New Jersey Devils seventh , the Buffalo Sabres eighth , the Wild ninth , the Jets 10th , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hurricanes 13th , the Oilers 14th and the Penguins 15th .
Picks 16-31 will be determined by the results of the Stanley Cup playoffs .
Lafreniere , a native of Quebec , Canada , led the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with 112 points in 52 games before the season was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The 18-year-old won the Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year award for the second consecutive season , joining Penguins star Sidney Crosby as the only players to win the award twice .

New York Rangers rookie Kaapo Kakko is introduced before the Rangers' game against the Winnipeg Jets on Oct. 3, 2019, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Rangers selected Kakko with the No. 2 overall pick last year. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- The New York Rangers won Monday's NHL draft lottery and will have the first chance to select consensus No. 1 overall pick Alexis Lafreniere. A ping-pong ball with the Rangers' logo was drawn during the second phase of the NHL's lottery, giving the team the top pick in October's draft. It is only the second time in the franchise's 94-year history that it holds the top-overall selection. Advertisement
"Really good news," Lafreniere said in an interview on NHL Network. "Rangers are an unreal team with really good players and a really nice city. So for sure it's really good news, and I'm really happy."
Lafreniere is represented by Emilie Castonguay, who could become the first woman to represent a No. 1 overall pick as an NHLPA-certified agent.
The NHL held its initial draft lottery in June, which consisted of the seven teams that failed to qualify for the league's 24-team tournament, as well as a placeholder pick for one of the eight clubs that lost in the qualification round. The placeholder pick won June's lottery to force a second drawing Monday.
The Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild and Rangers each had a 12.5% chance to win the No. 1 pick. The seven losers of Monday's drawing now will be slotted nine to 15 based on their regular-season points percentage.
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The Carolina Hurricanes swept the Rangers in the qualification round to put the team in the running for the top pick. Last year, New York had the No. 2 overall pick in the NHL Draft and picked Finnish winger Kaapo Kakko.
The Los Angeles Kings were awarded the second-overall selection in the initial draft lottery, and the Ottawa Senators will pick third. The Detroit Red Wings, who had the fewest points in the league this season, slid to No. 4.
The Senators will pick again at No. 5, the Anaheim Ducks sixth, the New Jersey Devils seventh, the Buffalo Sabres eighth, the Wild ninth, the Jets 10th, the Predators 11th, the Panthers 12th, the Hurricanes 13th, the Oilers 14th and the Penguins 15th.
Picks 16-31 will be determined by the results of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Lafreniere, a native of Quebec, Canada, led the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with 112 points in 52 games before the season was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The 18-year-old won the Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year award for the second consecutive season, joining Penguins star Sidney Crosby as the only players to win the award twice.
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upi--2020-08-10--Governors push back on Trump's unemployment executive order

Aug. 10 ( UPI ) -- U.S. governors said they ca n't afford the shared costs in President Donald Trump 's $ 400 weekly unemployment rescue payment passed as an executive order Saturday as part of an emergency coronavirus pandemic package .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom said the state would face a $ 700 million per week outlay in California that would blow holes in the state budget if state funds were used to pay $ 100 of the coronavirus pandemic unemployment subsidy .
`` The state does not have an identified resource of $ 700 million per week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Newsom said Monday .
`` There is no money sitting in the piggy bank . ''
Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis said the state could pay its quarter-share of the federal unemployment payments for `` two or three weeks '' and that the state 's unemployment trust fund is almost out of money .
The state would have to come up with $ 30 million per week , the governor said Monday .
Colorado is `` still awaiting technical guidance from the US Department of Labor on options for implementation within the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , deputy executive director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo responded Sunday to the new shared-payment plan calling it `` impossible , '' `` laughable '' and `` just a chapter in the book of Washington COVID mismanagement . ''
Cuomo said the president 's proposal could cost the state $ 4 billion .
`` I do n't know if the president in genuine in thinking the executive order is a resolution or this is just a tactic in the negotiation , but this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuomo said .
Other governors also said their state budgets could not afford an increase in unemployment claim payouts .
Trump at first suggested that states set aside $ 44 million from the federal CARES Act payments tp cover their 25 % share , but California has already burned through 75 % of their funding and has allocated the rest , Newsom said Monday .
But a U.S. Labor Department spokesman told the Wall Street Journal Sunday that states `` are encouraged , but not required '' to pay the $ 100 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive a $ 300 federal payment .
Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine , a Republican , said Monday that his state will not participate in any matching program from the federal government , but will pass through the $ 300 payment to current unemployment recipients and add $ 100 from existing state unemployment benefits .
Like in other states , the new program would involve reconfiguring computer software programs that determine the state 's jobless benefits , causing even more expense , DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney told the Columbus Dispatch .
Many state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can hammer out a second pandemic relief bill on their own , or if Trump 's executive orders are declared unconstitutional or stopped by lawsuits .
`` My hope is that the president 's executive order wo n't have to be implemented in the end because we can actually get our act together in Congress this week and come up with an agreement , '' said Sen .
Rob Portman , R-Ohio , on Monday .

California would have to pay $700 million per week to participate in the state cost-share for federal jobless benefits under President Donald Trump's executive orders, Gov. Gavin Newsome said Monday. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. governors said they can't afford the shared costs in President Donald Trump's $400 weekly unemployment rescue payment passed as an executive order Saturday as part of an emergency coronavirus pandemic package. California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state would face a $700 million per week outlay in California that would blow holes in the state budget if state funds were used to pay $100 of the coronavirus pandemic unemployment subsidy. Advertisement
"The state does not have an identified resource of $700 million per week that we haven't already obliged," Newsom said Monday. "There is no money sitting in the piggy bank."
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said the state could pay its quarter-share of the federal unemployment payments for "two or three weeks" and that the state's unemployment trust fund is almost out of money. The state would have to come up with $30 million per week, the governor said Monday.
Colorado is "still awaiting technical guidance from the US Department of Labor on options for implementation within the states," wrote Cher Roybal Haavind, deputy executive director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo responded Sunday to the new shared-payment plan calling it "impossible," "laughable" and "just a chapter in the book of Washington COVID mismanagement." Cuomo said the president's proposal could cost the state $4 billion.
"I don't know if the president in genuine in thinking the executive order is a resolution or this is just a tactic in the negotiation, but this is irreconcilable for the state," Cuomo said.
Other governors also said their state budgets could not afford an increase in unemployment claim payouts.
Trump at first suggested that states set aside $44 million from the federal CARES Act payments tp cover their 25% share, but California has already burned through 75% of their funding and has allocated the rest, Newsom said Monday.
But a U.S. Labor Department spokesman told the Wall Street Journal Sunday that states "are encouraged, but not required" to pay the $100. Unemployment recipients in those states would just receive a $300 federal payment.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, said Monday that his state will not participate in any matching program from the federal government, but will pass through the $300 payment to current unemployment recipients and add $100 from existing state unemployment benefits.
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Like in other states, the new program would involve reconfiguring computer software programs that determine the state's jobless benefits, causing even more expense, DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney told the Columbus Dispatch.
Many state governments are waiting to see if Congress can hammer out a second pandemic relief bill on their own, or if Trump's executive orders are declared unconstitutional or stopped by lawsuits.
"My hope is that the president's executive order won't have to be implemented in the end because we can actually get our act together in Congress this week and come up with an agreement," said Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, on Monday.


upi--2020-08-10--California judge orders Uber, Lyft to reclassify drivers as employees

Aug. 10 ( UPI ) -- A California court on Monday ordered Uber and Lyft to reclassify their drivers in the state as employees .
San Francisco Superior Court Judge Ethan Schulman ordered the ridesharing companies , which currently treat their drivers as independent contractors , to grant them the status of employees in the state , citing decreased usage of the services amid the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to restructure their workforces .
`` Now , when Defendant 's ridership is at an all-time low , may be the best time ( or the least worst time ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to conform to California law without causing widespread adverse effects on their drivers , '' the ruling stated .
Schulman added that drivers for the companies do not perform work that is `` outside the usual course '' of their business .
`` Defendants ' insistence that their businesses are 'multi-sided platforms ' rather than transportation companies is flatly inconsistent with the statutory provisions that govern their businesses as transportation network companies , '' Schulman wrote .
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and the attorneys general of three major cities filed a lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on them to reclassify workers , saying classifying workers as contractors evades obligations to provide workers with minimum wage , overtime , payroll taxes and workers ' compensation insurance .
`` Our state and workers should n't have to foot the bill when big businesses try to skip out on their responsibilities , '' Becerra told The Hill on Monday .
`` We 're going to keep working to make sure Uber and Lyft play by the rules . ''
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi published an op-ed in The New York Times on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requiring Uber and other gig economy companies to establish benefits funds to provide workers money for benefits , including insurance or paid time off .
`` Uber is ready , right now , to pay more to give drivers new benefits and protections , '' Khosrowshahi wrote .
`` But America needs to change the status quo to protect all workers , not just one type of work . ''
Lyft representative Julie Wood said that `` drivers do not want to be employees , full stop '' in a statement to CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruling .
`` Ultimately we believe this issue will be decided by California voters and that they will side with drivers , '' Wood said .

A judge in California sided with the state's attorney general, ruling that Uber and Lyft must reclassify their drivers in the state as employees. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- A California court on Monday ordered Uber and Lyft to reclassify their drivers in the state as employees. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Ethan Schulman ordered the ridesharing companies, which currently treat their drivers as independent contractors, to grant them the status of employees in the state, citing decreased usage of the services amid the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to restructure their workforces. Advertisement
"Now, when Defendant's ridership is at an all-time low, may be the best time (or the least worst time) for Defendants to change their business practices to conform to California law without causing widespread adverse effects on their drivers," the ruling stated.
Schulman added that drivers for the companies do not perform work that is "outside the usual course" of their business.
"Defendants' insistence that their businesses are 'multi-sided platforms' rather than transportation companies is flatly inconsistent with the statutory provisions that govern their businesses as transportation network companies," Schulman wrote.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and the attorneys general of three major cities filed a lawsuit against the companies in May, calling on them to reclassify workers, saying classifying workers as contractors evades obligations to provide workers with minimum wage, overtime, payroll taxes and workers' compensation insurance.
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"Our state and workers shouldn't have to foot the bill when big businesses try to skip out on their responsibilities," Becerra told The Hill on Monday. "We're going to keep working to make sure Uber and Lyft play by the rules."
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi published an op-ed in The New York Times on Monday calling on states to pass legislation requiring Uber and other gig economy companies to establish benefits funds to provide workers money for benefits, including insurance or paid time off.
"Uber is ready, right now, to pay more to give drivers new benefits and protections," Khosrowshahi wrote. "But America needs to change the status quo to protect all workers, not just one type of work."
Lyft representative Julie Wood said that "drivers do not want to be employees, full stop" in a statement to CNN, declaring the company would appeal the ruling.
"Ultimately we believe this issue will be decided by California voters and that they will side with drivers," Wood said.


upi--2020-08-10--Secret Service officer, male subject taken to hospital after shooting outside White House

Aug. 10 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump was escorted out of a press conference on Monday evening after @ @ @ @ @ Secret Service outside of the White House .
The Secret Service tweeted Monday night that @ @ @ @ @ a male subject were both taken to a local hospital after an officer-involved shooting took @ @ @ @ @ Pennsylvania Ave. '' At no time during this incident was the White House complex breached @ @ @ @ @ danger , '' the Secret Service wrote .
A Secret Service agent approached Trump as @ @ @ @ @ press briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room .
After about 10 minutes @ @ @ @ @ the press conference , stating that there had been a shooting outside the White House @ @ @ @ @ actual shooting and somebody 's been taken to the hospital .
I do n't know @ @ @ @ @ , '' Trump said .
`` It seems that the person was shot by Secret @ @ @ @ @ see what happens . ''

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President Donald Trump was removed from the White House Briefing Room by a U.S. Secret Service agent during a press briefing Monday. Photo by Stefani Reynolds/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump was escorted out of a press conference on Monday evening after a person was shot by Secret Service outside of the White House. The Secret Service tweeted Monday night that a Secret Service officer and a male subject were both taken to local hospitals after an officer-involved shooting took place at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Ave. Advertisement
Later Monday night, the Secret Service said a 51-year-old male approached a Secret Service officer and said he had a weapon.
"The suspect then turned around, ran aggressively towards the officer and in a drawing motion, withdrew an object from his clothing. He then crouched into a shooter's stance as if about to fire a weapon," the Secret Service said.
The Secret Service said the officer then shot the suspect in the torso and officers immediately rendered first aid before both the suspect and the officer were taken to hospitals.
"At no time during this incident was the White House complex breached or were any protectees in danger," the Secret Service wrote.
A Secret Service agent approached Trump as he was delivering his daily press briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room.
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After about 10 minutes the president returned and resumed the press conference, stating that there had been a shooting outside the White House.
"There was an actual shooting and somebody's been taken to the hospital. I don't know the condition of the person," Trump said. "It seems that the person was shot by Secret Service, so we'll see what happens."
This is a developing story.


upi--2020-08-10--Nigerian gospel singer, 22, sentenced to death for blasphemy in Sharia court

Aug. 10 ( UPI ) -- A Nigerian Sharia court in Kano sentenced a 22-year-old gospel singer to death by hanging for alleged blasphemy in a song the singer wrote and circulated on WhatsApp .
The Hausawa Filin Hockey upper-Sharia court found Yahaya Sharif-Aminu guilty of blaspheming the Prophet Muhammed by praising a local imam from the Tijaniya Muslim brotherhood in one line of a song circulated by Sharif-Aminu in March .
Sharif-Aminu did not deny the charges .
Sharia Judge Aliyu Muhammad Kani said Sharif-Aminu could appeal the ruling within 90 days .
The prosecutor , Inspector Aminu Yargoje @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would deter future blasphemy in the state .
The Sharia courts are a separate Muslim-only court system used along with civil courts in majority-Muslim areas of Nigeria .
Death sentences handed down in Sharia courts have rarely been carried out , with the most recent execution happening in 1999 , according to BBC News .
The civil supreme court can overturn a death conviction of the Sharia courts .
Sharif-Aminu went into hiding after his song was released , but angry youth protesters burned down his family 's home and demanded action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hisbah .
`` When I heard about the judgment I was so happy because it showed our protest was n't in vain , '' the leader of the protesters , Idris Ibrahim , said Monday .
But other young Nigerians were upset by the ruling .
`` No one should ever be sentenced to death for blasphemy , '' youth film director Enioluwa Adeoluwa tweeted .
`` This is an extreme violation of human rights and the FG must act to stop the sentence from being carried out .
It is Sharif-Aminu today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sharif-Aminu is not a well-known singer in Nigeria , being one of many gospel musicians within the Tijaniya Muslim brotherhood sect , the BBC reported .
He is currently being held in jail .
Another member of the Tijaniya sect was sentenced to death in Sharia courts in 2016 and remains in prison .
Abdulazeez Inyass was convicted of blasphemy in Kano after a secret trial for allegedly proclaiming that Tijaniya founder Sheikh Ibrahim Niasse `` was bigger than Prophet Muhammad '' during a sermon .
Outraged protesters at Inyass 's trial set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

A Nigerian Sharia court in the state of Kano handed down a death sentence for blasphemy for a young gospel singer who allegedly insulted the Prophet Muhammed in a song. File Photo by Akintunde Akinleye/EPA-EFE
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- A Nigerian Sharia court in Kano sentenced a 22-year-old gospel singer to death by hanging for alleged blasphemy in a song the singer wrote and circulated on WhatsApp. The Hausawa Filin Hockey upper-Sharia court found Yahaya Sharif-Aminu guilty of blaspheming the Prophet Muhammed by praising a local imam from the Tijaniya Muslim brotherhood in one line of a song circulated by Sharif-Aminu in March. Advertisement
Sharif-Aminu did not deny the charges.
Sharia Judge Aliyu Muhammad Kani said Sharif-Aminu could appeal the ruling within 90 days.
The prosecutor, Inspector Aminu Yargoje, said the verdict was fair because it would deter future blasphemy in the state.
The Sharia courts are a separate Muslim-only court system used along with civil courts in majority-Muslim areas of Nigeria. Death sentences handed down in Sharia courts have rarely been carried out, with the most recent execution happening in 1999, according to BBC News.
The civil supreme court can overturn a death conviction of the Sharia courts.
Sharif-Aminu went into hiding after his song was released, but angry youth protesters burned down his family's home and demanded action from the Islamic police, called the Hisbah.
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"When I heard about the judgment I was so happy because it showed our protest wasn't in vain," the leader of the protesters, Idris Ibrahim, said Monday.
But other young Nigerians were upset by the ruling.
"No one should ever be sentenced to death for blasphemy," youth film director Enioluwa Adeoluwa tweeted. "This is an extreme violation of human rights and the FG must act to stop the sentence from being carried out. It is Sharif-Aminu today it may be you tomorrow."
Sharif-Aminu is not a well-known singer in Nigeria, being one of many gospel musicians within the Tijaniya Muslim brotherhood sect, the BBC reported. He is currently being held in jail.
Another member of the Tijaniya sect was sentenced to death in Sharia courts in 2016 and remains in prison. Abdulazeez Inyass was convicted of blasphemy in Kano after a secret trial for allegedly proclaiming that Tijaniya founder Sheikh Ibrahim Niasse "was bigger than Prophet Muhammad" during a sermon.
Outraged protesters at Inyass's trial set the courthouse on fire, BBC reported.


upi--2020-08-10--Mountain West becomes second FBS conference to postpone fall sports

Aug. 10 ( UPI ) -- The Mountain West has postponed its fall sports season because of the coronavirus pandemic , the conference announced Monday .
`` Since the start of the pandemic , our membership and staff have been working diligently to prepare for a fall sports season , '' MWC Commissioner Craig Thompson said in a statement .
`` We were hopeful we could carefully and responsibly conduct competition as originally scheduled with essential protocols in place .
`` However , numerous external factors and unknowns outside our control made this difficult decision necessary .
I fully understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student-athletes , coaches , administrators and staff who work so hard daily to play the sports we all love , and I share in their disappointment .
`` We will continue to navigate this pandemic together , overcome the obstacles and return to intercollegiate athletics at the earliest opportunity . ''
The Mountain West becomes the second FBS conference to postpone football and other fall sports this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The Mid-American Conference ( MAC ) voted to do so Saturday morning .
The postponement is indefinite , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the feasibility of holding fall sports in the spring .
The decision impacts football , men 's and women 's cross country , women 's soccer and women 's volleyball .

Aug. 10 (UPI) -- The Mountain West has postponed its fall sports season because of the coronavirus pandemic, the conference announced Monday.
"Since the start of the pandemic, our membership and staff have been working diligently to prepare for a fall sports season," MWC Commissioner Craig Thompson said in a statement. "We were hopeful we could carefully and responsibly conduct competition as originally scheduled with essential protocols in place.
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"However, numerous external factors and unknowns outside our control made this difficult decision necessary. I fully understand the impact of this outcome on our student-athletes, coaches, administrators and staff who work so hard daily to play the sports we all love, and I share in their disappointment.
"We will continue to navigate this pandemic together, overcome the obstacles and return to intercollegiate athletics at the earliest opportunity."
The Mountain West becomes the second FBS conference to postpone football and other fall sports this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mid-American Conference (MAC) voted to do so Saturday morning.
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The postponement is indefinite, although the Mountain West said it will explore the feasibility of holding fall sports in the spring. The decision impacts football, men's and women's cross country, women's soccer and women's volleyball.


upi--2020-08-10--New England Patriots to sign ex-Houston Texans RB Lamar Miller

Aug. 10 ( UPI ) -- The New England Patriots are signing former Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller to a short-term contract .
Miller 's agent , Drew Rosenhaus , told ESPN and NFL Media on Monday that his client agreed to a one-year deal with the Patriots .
Financial details of the agreement -- which is pending a physical -- were n't disclosed .
The Patriots were in the market for another tailback after starter Sony Michel underwent off-season foot surgery and opened training camp on the active/physically unable to perform list .
The team also lost backup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the 2020 season .
Miller , who missed the entire 2019 season after he suffered a torn ACL in the Texans ' third preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys , will join a Patriots backfield that includes Michel , James White , Rex Burkhead , Damien Harris and undrafted free agent J.J. Taylor .
The Miami Dolphins selected Miller in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of the University of Miami .
He spent his first four seasons in Miami before signing a four-year deal with the Texans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active seasons with the Texans , Miller recorded 2,934 yards and 13 touchdowns on 716 carries .
He also caught 92 passes for 678 yards and five touchdowns .
The 29-year-old running back 's best season for the Texans came in 2018 , when he averaged 4.6 yards per carry and was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time .

Former Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) was a Pro Bowl selection in 2018. He missed the entire 2019 season because of a torn ACL. File Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- The New England Patriots are signing former Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller to a short-term contract. Miller's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN and NFL Media on Monday that his client agreed to a one-year deal with the Patriots. Financial details of the agreement -- which is pending a physical -- weren't disclosed. Advertisement
The Patriots were in the market for another tailback after starter Sony Michel underwent off-season foot surgery and opened training camp on the active/physically unable to perform list. The team also lost backup running back Brandon Bolden, who opted out of the 2020 season.
Miller, who missed the entire 2019 season after he suffered a torn ACL in the Texans' third preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys, will join a Patriots backfield that includes Michel, James White, Rex Burkhead, Damien Harris and undrafted free agent J.J. Taylor.
The Miami Dolphins selected Miller in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of the University of Miami. He spent his first four seasons in Miami before signing a four-year deal with the Texans in March 2016.
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During his three active seasons with the Texans, Miller recorded 2,934 yards and 13 touchdowns on 716 carries. He also caught 92 passes for 678 yards and five touchdowns.
The 29-year-old running back's best season for the Texans came in 2018, when he averaged 4.6 yards per carry and was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time.


upi--2020-08-10--Study: Rumors, conspiracy theories made up 82% of early online COVID-19 posts

Aug. 10 ( UPI ) -- Nearly 82 % of COVID-19 information posted on news sites , global health organizations and social media platforms between late December and early April were rumors or conspiracy theories , a study published Monday by the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene found .
Misinformation and efforts to stigmatize victims of the new coronavirus , which the researchers described as an `` infodemic , '' have collectively been linked with hundreds of deaths globally , the analysis said .
`` The public should rely [ on ] information that has been provided by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and international health agencies , '' study co-author M. Saiful Islam told UPI .
In addition , `` social media users should not share an information without verifying the source , '' said Islam , a sociologist with the International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research in Bangladesh .
The World Health Organization coined the term `` infodemics '' to refer to what it calls `` an overabundance of information -- some accurate and some not -- that makes it hard for people to find trustworthy sources . ''
For the study , researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact-checking websites ; social media , including Facebook and Twitter ; and websites for television networks and newspapers .
They also reviewed the sites for the WHO and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Researchers then categorized information as rumors , stigma or conspiracy theories .
They defined rumors `` as unverified information '' that could be deemed `` true , fabricated or entirely false after verification . ''
They described conspiracy theories as `` explanatory beliefs about an individual or group of people working in secret to achieve malicious goals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constructed process through which a person ... can experience discrimination and devaluation , '' they said .
From late December 2019 through early April , the researchers identified 2,311 reports related to COVID-19 , published in 25 languages , from 87 countries .
Of 2,276 reports for which the researchers obtained text ratings , 82 percent -- or 1,856 -- `` were false . ''
Of these , 2,049 , or 89 % , of the reports were classified as rumors -- that might have been confirmed later to be true -- while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conspiracy theories , and 82 , or 3.5 % , were efforts to stigmatize victims of the virus , researchers said .
One such rumor -- that consuming methanol , or highly concentrated alcohol , could disinfect the body and kill the new coronavirus -- spread quickly via social media .
It since has been linked with more than 800 deaths and nearly 6,000 hospitalizations across several countries , researchers said .
Similarly , in March , reports in India suggested that people there were afraid to be tested for COVID-19 over concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local communities , the researchers said .
This reluctance likely stems at least in part from efforts to stigmatize -- or , in some cases , blame -- victims of the virus for its spread , they said .
Efforts to stigmatize healthcare workers treating patients with COVID-19 and people of `` Asian ethnicity '' as threats to community health have been linked with dozens of violent attacks worldwide , according to the researchers .
Generally , COVID-19 misinformation follows a similar pattern to that seen in other outbreaks , including HIV and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health crises , people often concentrate more on rumor and hoaxes than on science , '' the researchers observed .
They called on world governments and international agencies to monitor and debunk false claims and `` engage with social media companies to spread correct information . ''
`` Governments should run media surveillance to identify misinformation in real-time and correct that information with scientific evidence , '' Islam said .
`` Since social media is the platform through which misinformation spreads so quickly , policymakers should also use this platform to spread correct @ @ @

Roughly 82% of coronvirus-related information online was rumors or misinformation, though some of it may proved to be true, researchers say. Photo by niekverlaan /Pixabay
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Nearly 82% of COVID-19 information posted on news sites, global health organizations and social media platforms between late December and early April were rumors or conspiracy theories, a study published Monday by the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene found. Misinformation and efforts to stigmatize victims of the new coronavirus, which the researchers described as an "infodemic," have collectively been linked with hundreds of deaths globally, the analysis said. Advertisement
"The public should rely [on] information that has been provided by the ministry of health of their countries and international health agencies," study co-author M. Saiful Islam told UPI.
In addition, "social media users should not share an information without verifying the source," said Islam, a sociologist with the International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research in Bangladesh.
The World Health Organization coined the term "infodemics" to refer to what it calls "an overabundance of information -- some accurate and some not -- that makes it hard for people to find trustworthy sources."
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For the study, researchers reviewed COVID-19 information published or posted on fact-checking websites; social media, including Facebook and Twitter; and websites for television networks and newspapers. They also reviewed the sites for the WHO and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Researchers then categorized information as rumors, stigma or conspiracy theories. They defined rumors "as unverified information" that could be deemed "true, fabricated or entirely false after verification."
They described conspiracy theories as "explanatory beliefs about an individual or group of people working in secret to achieve malicious goals."
Stigma is a "socially constructed process through which a person ... can experience discrimination and devaluation," they said.
From late December 2019 through early April, the researchers identified 2,311 reports related to COVID-19, published in 25 languages, from 87 countries.
Of 2,276 reports for which the researchers obtained text ratings, 82 percent -- or 1,856 -- "were false."
Of these, 2,049, or 89%, of the reports were classified as rumors -- that might have been confirmed later to be true -- while 182, or 7.8%, were conspiracy theories, and 82, or 3.5%, were efforts to stigmatize victims of the virus, researchers said.
One such rumor -- that consuming methanol, or highly concentrated alcohol, could disinfect the body and kill the new coronavirus -- spread quickly via social media. It since has been linked with more than 800 deaths and nearly 6,000 hospitalizations across several countries, researchers said.
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Similarly, in March, reports in India suggested that people there were afraid to be tested for COVID-19 over concerns that they will be ostracized by their local communities, the researchers said.
This reluctance likely stems at least in part from efforts to stigmatize -- or, in some cases, blame -- victims of the virus for its spread, they said.
Efforts to stigmatize healthcare workers treating patients with COVID-19 and people of "Asian ethnicity" as threats to community health have been linked with dozens of violent attacks worldwide, according to the researchers.
Generally, COVID-19 misinformation follows a similar pattern to that seen in other outbreaks, including HIV and Ebola, suggesting that "during public health crises, people often concentrate more on rumor and hoaxes than on science," the researchers observed.
They called on world governments and international agencies to monitor and debunk false claims and "engage with social media companies to spread correct information."
"Governments should run media surveillance to identify misinformation in real-time and correct that information with scientific evidence," Islam said.
"Since social media is the platform through which misinformation spreads so quickly, policymakers should also use this platform to spread correct information."


upi--2020-08-10--Derecho thunderstorms slam Chicago, leave devastation in Iowa

An intense line of storms known as a derecho developed over the central United States Monday , causing significant damage and widespread power outages as it blitzed eastward , striking Chicago during evening rush hour .
Thunderstorms ignited in southeastern South Dakota and eastern Nebraska on Monday morning , but gained strength and evolved into a derecho across central Iowa by midday .
Winds between 70-100 mph were expected after the worst of the storms swept eastward through northern Illinois .
A tornado warning for Cook County another northern Illinois counties from the National Weather Service warned that 80 mph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be `` dangerous to those caught without shelter . ''
Mobile homes may be heavily damaged , the weather service warned .
`` Expect considerable damage to roofs , windows , and vehicles .
Extensive tree damage and power outages are likely , '' the weather service said .
High wind speeds were measured at 72 mph at Midway airport , the NWS said .
Earlier Monday , across Iowa , large trees , branches , debris and power lines littered streets and yards , with many residents finding themselves in the dark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Over 400,000 were without power across Iowa alone as of early Monday afternoon , according to PowerOutage.us , including the entire town of Ames - and these numbers may continue to climb into the evening .
Marshalltown , Iowa , has been one of the towns hit the hardest by the derecho and recorded a wind gust of 95 mph observed at the town 's airport .
Major damage has been reported in Cedar Rapids , Iowa , the second-most populated city in the state .
A wind gust of 100 mph was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few miles north of Cedar Rapids .
Derechos are sometimes called `` inland hurricanes '' due to the extensive damage that they can cause and how they appear on radar images .
By definition , a derecho is a long-lived complex of intense thunderstorms that travels at least 250 miles .
Additionally , wind gusts along its path must exceed 58 mph with at least several reports of gusts over 75 mph , according to the Storm Prediction Center .
In 2012 , a particularly strong derecho traveled 800 miles from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , causing $ 3 billion in damage and leaving some in the dark for days during the peak of summer heat .

A derecho storm system with high-speed winds over 70 mph hit Chicago and northern Illinois Monday during evening rush hour. Image by National Weather Service
CHICAGO, UPI -- An intense line of storms known as a derecho developed over the central United States Monday, causing significant damage and widespread power outages as it blitzed eastward, striking Chicago during evening rush hour. Advertisement
Thunderstorms ignited in southeastern South Dakota and eastern Nebraska on Monday morning, but gained strength and evolved into a derecho across central Iowa by midday. Winds between 70-100 mph were expected after the worst of the storms swept eastward through northern Illinois.
A tornado warning for Cook County another northern Illinois counties from the National Weather Service warned that 80 mph winds would pick up flying debris and be "dangerous to those caught without shelter."
Mobile homes may be heavily damaged, the weather service warned. "Expect considerable damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles. Extensive tree damage and power outages are likely," the weather service said.
High wind speeds were measured at 72 mph at Midway airport, the NWS said.
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Earlier Monday, across Iowa, large trees, branches, debris and power lines littered streets and yards, with many residents finding themselves in the dark in the wake of the storms.
Over 400,000 were without power across Iowa alone as of early Monday afternoon, according to PowerOutage.us, including the entire town of Ames - and these numbers may continue to climb into the evening. Marshalltown, Iowa, has been one of the towns hit the hardest by the derecho and recorded a wind gust of 95 mph observed at the town's airport.
Major damage has been reported in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the second-most populated city in the state. A wind gust of 100 mph was clocked in Hiawatha, which is just a few miles north of Cedar Rapids.
Derechos are sometimes called "inland hurricanes" due to the extensive damage that they can cause and how they appear on radar images.
By definition, a derecho is a long-lived complex of intense thunderstorms that travels at least 250 miles. Additionally, wind gusts along its path must exceed 58 mph with at least several reports of gusts over 75 mph, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
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In 2012, a particularly strong derecho traveled 800 miles from the Midwest to the coast of the mid-Atlantic, causing $3 billion in damage and leaving some in the dark for days during the peak of summer heat.


upi--2020-08-10--Maryland woman collects her second large lottery jackpot

Aug. 10 ( UPI ) -- A Maryland woman who scratched off a $ 57,777 lottery jackpot is no stranger @ @ @ @ @ -- the jackpot was her second large prize in recent years .
The 35-year-old Prince @ @ @ @ @ identified only as Lovita , told Maryland Lottery officials she was filling up her gas @ @ @ @ @ scratch off the lottery tickets she had purchased from Town Center Liquors .
Lovita said @ @ @ @ @ instant winner when she revealed a shamrock symbol on a Lucky 7 's Tripler ticket @ @ @ @ @ to scratch of the prize amount and discover she had won $ 57,777 .
The @ @ @ @ @ especially shocking after she recently collected a $ 10,000 lottery jackpot .
`` We were @ @ @ @ @ win to pay off our car , but this win is going to allow us @ @ @ @ @ are currently renting .
This is truly a blessing for our family , '' Lovita @ @

A Maryland woman collected a $57,777 jackpot from a scratch-off lottery ticket after previously winning $10,000. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Aug. 10 (UPI) -- A Maryland woman who scratched off a $57,777 lottery jackpot is no stranger to the winner's circle -- the jackpot was her second large prize in recent years. The 35-year-old Prince George's County woman, identified only as Lovita, told Maryland Lottery officials she was filling up her gas tank when she decided to scratch off the lottery tickets she had purchased from Town Center Liquors. Advertisement
Lovita said she knew she had an instant winner when she revealed a shamrock symbol on a Lucky 7's Tripler ticket, but she was shocked to scratch of the prize amount and discover she had won $57,777.
The winner said the prize was especially shocking after she recently collected a $10,000 lottery jackpot.
"We were able to use our previous win to pay off our car, but this win is going to allow us to buy the house we are currently renting. This is truly a blessing for our family," Lovita said.


upi--2020-08-10--Facebook announces new financial team for online payments

Aug. 10 ( UPI ) -- Facebook unveiled Monday a new leadership team for Facebook Pay ahead of a broad roll out in the United States on Instagram .
David Marcus , co-creator of Facebook 's Libra cryptocurrency project , will head up the new group , called F2 , which is short for Facebook Financial , Bloomberg first reported .
Stephane Kasriel , a former CEO of freelancing platform UpWork , and former PayPal executive , will serve as payments vice president .
The social media company launched Facebook Pay in November with the goal of allowing users to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with initial roll out on Facebook and Messenger .
It recently started rolling out Facebook Pay in WhatsApp in Brazil .
And it plans to roll out Facebook Pay on Instagram in the coming weeks in the United States .
Facebook also introduced a digital wallet for the Libra network of cryptocurrency to help people send money across the world under the name Calibra in June of last year .
In May of this year , the digital wallet was renamed and re-branded as Novi , after criticism with policymakers concerned about virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of money laundering and competing with the U.S. dollar .
Marcus testified before skeptical lawmakers at a Senate banking committee last summer , members of which were concerned about misuse and money laundering .
He said Libra is backed on a one-to-one basis through cash bank deposits , short term government securities and hard currencies , and the entire system would be fully vetted before launch .

| License Photo David Marcus, who testified on Facebook's cryptocurrency plan last year, will head the Facebook Financial initiative for Facebook's online payment system. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Facebook unveiled Monday a new leadership team for Facebook Pay ahead of a broad roll out in the United States on Instagram. David Marcus, co-creator of Facebook's Libra cryptocurrency project, will head up the new group, called F2, which is short for Facebook Financial, Bloomberg first reported. Advertisement
Stephane Kasriel, a former CEO of freelancing platform UpWork, and former PayPal executive, will serve as payments vice president.
The social media company launched Facebook Pay in November with the goal of allowing users to make payments across its suite of applications with initial roll out on Facebook and Messenger. It recently started rolling out Facebook Pay in WhatsApp in Brazil. And it plans to roll out Facebook Pay on Instagram in the coming weeks in the United States.
Facebook also introduced a digital wallet for the Libra network of cryptocurrency to help people send money across the world under the name Calibra in June of last year.
In May of this year, the digital wallet was renamed and re-branded as Novi, after criticism with policymakers concerned about virtual currency disrupting the global financial system and risk of money laundering and competing with the U.S. dollar.
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Marcus testified before skeptical lawmakers at a Senate banking committee last summer, members of which were concerned about misuse and money laundering.
He said Libra is backed on a one-to-one basis through cash bank deposits, short term government securities and hard currencies, and the entire system would be fully vetted before launch.


upi--2020-08-10--New U.S. COVID-19 cases under 50,000 for the first time in a week

Aug. 10 ( UPI ) -- The United States saw a decline in new COVID-19 cases on Sunday -- under 50,000 -- according to updated figures Monday from researchers at Johns Hopkins University .
There were additions of about 47,000 cases , according to the university 's Center for Systems Science and Engineering , a decline of several thousand from the previous day and the first single-day tally under 50,000 since Aug. 3 .
To date , there have been about 5.05 million cases and 163,000 deaths in the United States , Johns Hopkins data showed .
About 600 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the COVID Tracking Project -- a sizable decline after three consecutive days of at least 1,250 .
Florida on Monday set a record for weekly hospitalizations with 3,355 people admitted to hospitals from Aug.2 through Monday .
In total , 30,785 people have been hospitalized due to the coronavirus since the onset of the pandemic .
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children 's Hospital Association said more than 97,000 U.S. children tested positive for COVID-19 over the last two weeks of July -- a 40 % increase since March .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still account for just a small portion of total cases , the number of childhood cases is growing as schools nationwide prepare to begin the new academic year .
There have been nearly 339,000 total child cases since the start of the pandemic , representing 8.8 % of all cases , the AAP found .
Six states had at least 15,000 cases -- California , Florida , Arizona , Tennessee , Illinois and Georgia .
Arizona had the most , more than 1,000 cases per 100,000 children .
The U.S. average was 447 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children are uncommon and severe illnesses are rare , at least 86 have died of the disease since May , according to the report .
In Georgia , six students and three staff members at North Paulding High School tested positive after a viral photo showed students crowded in hallways after classes began last week .
In Texas , state officials on Monday are debating whether to collect data on the number of coronavirus cases at public schools .
The Texas Education Agency and the Texas Department of State Health Services say they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to collect the data and provide it to the public .
`` This question on data collection is still under active deliberation by the agency , and we expect to have an update in coming weeks on what , if any , data will be required and how it will be recorded , '' TEA spokesman Frank Ward said .

Fans peek through a chain link fence during the second round of the 102nd PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- The United States saw a decline in new COVID-19 cases on Sunday -- under 50,000 -- according to updated figures Monday from researchers at Johns Hopkins University. There were additions of about 47,000 cases, according to the university's Center for Systems Science and Engineering, a decline of several thousand from the previous day and the first single-day tally under 50,000 since Aug. 3. Advertisement
To date, there have been about 5.05 million cases and 163,000 deaths in the United States, Johns Hopkins data showed.
About 600 deaths were reported nationwide Sunday, according to the COVID Tracking Project -- a sizable decline after three consecutive days of at least 1,250.
Florida on Monday set a record for weekly hospitalizations with 3,355 people admitted to hospitals from Aug.2 through Monday. In total, 30,785 people have been hospitalized due to the coronavirus since the onset of the pandemic.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children's Hospital Association said more than 97,000 U.S. children tested positive for COVID-19 over the last two weeks of July -- a 40% increase since March.
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The data shows that while children under 19 still account for just a small portion of total cases, the number of childhood cases is growing as schools nationwide prepare to begin the new academic year.
There have been nearly 339,000 total child cases since the start of the pandemic, representing 8.8% of all cases, the AAP found.
Six states had at least 15,000 cases -- California, Florida, Arizona, Tennessee, Illinois and Georgia. Arizona had the most, more than 1,000 cases per 100,000 children. The U.S. average was 447.
Although COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths in children are uncommon and severe illnesses are rare, at least 86 have died of the disease since May, according to the report.
In Georgia, six students and three staff members at North Paulding High School tested positive after a viral photo showed students crowded in hallways after classes began last week.
In Texas, state officials on Monday are debating whether to collect data on the number of coronavirus cases at public schools.
The Texas Education Agency and the Texas Department of State Health Services say they are "in discussions" about whether to collect the data and provide it to the public.
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"This question on data collection is still under active deliberation by the agency, and we expect to have an update in coming weeks on what, if any, data will be required and how it will be recorded," TEA spokesman Frank Ward said.


upi--2020-08-10--U.S. deficit "more than tripled" because of coronavirus rescue spending, report says

Aug. 10 ( UPI ) -- The federal budget deficit tripled in the first 10 months of the fiscal year 2020 , up to $ 2.8 trillion compared with $ 0.9 trillion during the same period last year , the U.S. Congressional Budget Office said in a report Monday .
As Congress approved trillions of dollars in emergency economic rescue funding , federal outlays were 51 % higher in the period , while tax revenues were 1 % lower due to the economic downturn caused by the pandemic , the non-partisan agency said .
An analysis showed that revenue collections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic 's economic disruption , the agency said .
`` Through March , receipts were running 6 % above last year 's amounts , '' the report said .
`` And from April through July , they were 10 % below last year 's amounts . ''
Amounts withheld from workers ' paychecks decreased by $ 74 billion , or about 9 percent because of a decline in wages .
Corporate taxes fell by $ 27 billion , or 26 % , because of economic disruption and emergency CARES Act tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because individual and corporate taxpayers were allowed to file taxes on July 15 instead of in April this year , tax revenues in July were up to $ 563 billion , about 225 % more than $ 251 billion in July 2019 .
However , revenues in the latest months of the pandemic this year dropped by 10 % from last year all told , the agency said .
The delayed tax payments helped lower the federal budget deficit for July 2020 to $ 61 billion , the CBO estimated , down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month last year .
Spending in July rose to $ 624 billion , the agency estimated , about 68 % more than $ 371 billion in outlays in July 2019 .
Most of those outlays were for federal unemployment payments , which increased to $ 110 billion this year mostly because of the $ 600 weekly federal benefit provided by the CARES Act , the agency said .
Other pandemic-related outlays included hospital and health-care provider reimbursements for pandemic losses , which rose to $ 17 billion this July , as compared with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency said .
Medicaid spending increased by $ 7 billion as enrollment increased by 6.2 % and states were required to keep enrollees on Medicaid until the end of the health emergency .
Congressional Republicans in the U.S. Senate have pointed to the national deficit as a reason to slow down a second round of national COVID-19 rescue payments .
House Democrats rolled out a $ 3 trillion rescue bill in May , and GOP Senators unveiled a slimmed-down $ 1 trillion bill last month .
When negotiations stalled , President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra $ 400 in weekly unemployment aid , a payroll tax , eviction protection and relief from student loan debt .
It remains to be seen whether Trump 's orders will be challenged in court as outside the scope of the executive office , since most tax and financial legislation must be approved by Congress .

A report released Monday by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office shows how emergency rescue payments during the coronavirus pandemic and falling tax revenue have tripled the U.S. budget deficit in the first 10 months of fiscal year 2020. File Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- The federal budget deficit tripled in the first 10 months of the fiscal year 2020, up to $2.8 trillion compared with $0.9 trillion during the same period last year, the U.S. Congressional Budget Office said in a report Monday. As Congress approved trillions of dollars in emergency economic rescue funding, federal outlays were 51% higher in the period, while tax revenues were 1% lower due to the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, the non-partisan agency said. Advertisement
An analysis showed that revenue collections differed starkly before and after the start of the pandemic's economic disruption, the agency said.
"Through March, receipts were running 6% above last year's amounts," the report said. "And from April through July, they were 10% below last year's amounts."
Amounts withheld from workers' paychecks decreased by $74 billion, or about 9 percent because of a decline in wages. Corporate taxes fell by $27 billion, or 26%, because of economic disruption and emergency CARES Act tax incentives, the agency said.
Meanwhile, because individual and corporate taxpayers were allowed to file taxes on July 15 instead of in April this year, tax revenues in July were up to $563 billion, about 225% more than $251 billion in July 2019. However, revenues in the latest months of the pandemic this year dropped by 10% from last year all told, the agency said.
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The delayed tax payments helped lower the federal budget deficit for July 2020 to $61 billion, the CBO estimated, down from $120 billion in the same month last year.
Spending in July rose to $624 billion, the agency estimated, about 68% more than $371 billion in outlays in July 2019. Most of those outlays were for federal unemployment payments, which increased to $110 billion this year mostly because of the $600 weekly federal benefit provided by the CARES Act, the agency said.
Other pandemic-related outlays included hospital and health-care provider reimbursements for pandemic losses, which rose to $17 billion this July, as compared with $243 million last July, the agency said. Medicaid spending increased by $7 billion as enrollment increased by 6.2% and states were required to keep enrollees on Medicaid until the end of the health emergency.
Congressional Republicans in the U.S. Senate have pointed to the national deficit as a reason to slow down a second round of national COVID-19 rescue payments. House Democrats rolled out a $3 trillion rescue bill in May, and GOP Senators unveiled a slimmed-down $1 trillion bill last month.
When negotiations stalled, President Donald Trump issued executive orders Saturday to provide an extra $400 in weekly unemployment aid, a payroll tax, eviction protection and relief from student loan debt. It remains to be seen whether Trump's orders will be challenged in court as outside the scope of the executive office, since most tax and financial legislation must be approved by Congress.


upi--2020-08-10--Dow gains 357 points, tech stocks fall

Dow gains 357 points, tech stocks fall

Aug. 10 ( UPI ) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained more than 350 points on Monday as gains @ @ @ @ @ Caterpillar helped to offset falling tech stocks .
The blue-chip index ended the day up @ @ @ @ @ % , while the S & P 500 gained 0.27 % and tech stocks pushed @ @ @ @ @ % .
Boeing stock was among the best-performing stocks in the Dow on Monday , @ @ @ @ @ Caterpillar -- considered a bellwether for the global economy -- increased 5.26 % and Nike @ @ @ @ @ stocks , which have helped to push markets higher in recent weeks , faltered on @ @ @ @ @ 2.29 % , Facebook dropped 2.03 % , Microsoft declined 1.99 % and Google 's @ @ @ @ @ slid 0.1 % .
Apple stock , meanwhile , gained 1.45 % as the company @ @ @ @ @ .
Monday 's gains came after the Dow rose 3.8 % last week , while @ @ @ @ @ and the Nasdaq Composite increased 2.5 % .

The Dow rose more than 350 points Monday following strong gains from Boeing, Nike and Caterpillar. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained more than 350 points on Monday as gains by Boeing, Nike and Caterpillar helped to offset falling tech stocks. The blue-chip index ended the day up 357.96 points, or 1.3%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.27% and tech stocks pushed the Nasdaq Composite down 0.39%. Advertisement
Boeing stock was among the best-performing stocks in the Dow on Monday, rising 5.52%, while Caterpillar -- considered a bellwether for the global economy -- increased 5.26% and Nike gained 3.49%.
Tech stocks, which have helped to push markets higher in recent weeks, faltered on Monday.
Netflix stock fell 2.29%, Facebook dropped 2.03%, Microsoft declined 1.99% and Google's parent company, Alphabet, slid 0.1%. Apple stock, meanwhile, gained 1.45% as the company nears $2 trillion valuation.
Monday's gains came after the Dow rose 3.8% last week, while the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite increased 2.5%.


upi--2020-08-10--Watch: Escaped goat evades capture on slope next to railroad tracks

Aug. 10 ( UPI ) -- An escaped goat has become a local celebrity in Japanese city after evading capture @ @ @ @ @ a concrete-reinforced slope next to railroad tracks .
The 63-year-old owner of the animal said @ @ @ @ @ young goat for a short time before it escaped from his property in Sakura , @ @ @ @ @ , nicknamed Ponyo by local admirers , climbed a concrete-reinforced slope next to the railroad @ @ @ @ @ on the slope for about two months , locals said .
Local authorities said they @ @ @ @ @ the goat 's new home because trains travel directly underneath its location , complicating rescue @ @ @ @ @ goat has plenty of grass graze on without wandering to an area where it could @ @ @ @ @ The goat 's owner said he has been consulting with wildlife experts to create a @ @ @ @ @ He apologized to the railway operator and anyone else who has been inconvenienced by the @ @ @ @ @

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Aug. 10 (UPI) -- An escaped goat has become a local celebrity in Japanese city after evading capture by taking up residence on a concrete-reinforced slope next to railroad tracks.
The 63-year-old owner of the animal said he had only had the young goat for a short time before it escaped from his property in Sakura, Chiba Prefecture.
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The goat, nicknamed Ponyo by local admirers, climbed a concrete-reinforced slope next to the railroad tracks and has been living on the slope for about two months, locals said.
Local authorities said they have been unable to reach the goat's new home because trains travel directly underneath its location, complicating rescue plans. Witnesses said the goat has plenty of grass graze on without wandering to an area where it could be more easily captured.
The goat's owner said he has been consulting with wildlife experts to create a plan to rescue Ponyo. He apologized to the railway operator and anyone else who has been inconvenienced by the escaped animal's presence.


upi--2020-08-10--Watch: Woman celebrates 103rd birthday by getting first tattoo

Aug. 10 ( UPI ) -- A Michigan woman celebrated her 103rd birthday and being sprung from lockdown at a nursing home by trying something new : getting her first tattoo .
Dorothy Pollack celebrated her 103rd birthday in COVID-19 lockdown at a Muskegon nursing home June 16 , and her family said they soon realized they needed to get her back out into the world .
`` The nurse in the home said she was horribly depressed and we needed to get her out .
We could n't see her so we had no idea how she really was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so phone calls were not helpful , '' granddaughter Teresa Zavitz-Jones told CNN .
Pollack celebrated her freedom Friday by getting her first tattoo : a small frog on her arm .
`` It was pretty exciting because years ago my grandson wanted me to get one and I would n't do it , '' Pollack said .
`` All of a sudden , I decided I would like to have one .
And if I could , a frog .
Because I like frogs . ''
Ray Reasoner Jr. of A.W.O.L .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the oldest person he has ever tattooed .
`` She took it like a champ .
I did n't even see her wince .
Maybe she had half a wince once , '' he said .
Pollack followed up her first body ink with another personal first : taking a motorcycle ride .
The centenarian said she and her family are now planning further adventures .

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Aug. 10 (UPI) -- A Michigan woman celebrated her 103rd birthday and being sprung from lockdown at a nursing home by trying something new: getting her first tattoo.
Dorothy Pollack celebrated her 103rd birthday in COVID-19 lockdown at a Muskegon nursing home June 16, and her family said they soon realized they needed to get her back out into the world.
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"The nurse in the home said she was horribly depressed and we needed to get her out. We couldn't see her so we had no idea how she really was. She's extremely hard of hearing so phone calls were not helpful," granddaughter Teresa Zavitz-Jones told CNN.
Pollack celebrated her freedom Friday by getting her first tattoo: a small frog on her arm.
"It was pretty exciting because years ago my grandson wanted me to get one and I wouldn't do it," Pollack said. "All of a sudden, I decided I would like to have one. And if I could, a frog. Because I like frogs."
Ray Reasoner Jr. of A.W.O.L. Custom Tattooing in Muskegon said Pollack is the oldest person he has ever tattooed.
"She took it like a champ. I didn't even see her wince. Maybe she had half a wince once," he said.
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Pollack followed up her first body ink with another personal first: taking a motorcycle ride.
The centenarian said she and her family are now planning further adventures.


upi--2020-08-10--U.S. hypersonic weapon system completes second test on B-52 Stratofortress

Aug. 10 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin said Monday have completed the second successful hypersonic air-to-ground weapon test on a B-52 Stratofortress bomber out of Edwards Air Force Base , Calif..
The second AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon , ARRW , was successfully flight tested Saturday , officials said .
The first sensor-only prototype of AGM-183A ARRW was carried externally by a B-52 during a successful flight test last year .
Officials said at the time they had set an accelerated development schedule for the weapon system .
`` We are in a competition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to stay ahead of our adversaries who are vigorously pursuing similar weapon systems , '' Gen. Arnold W. Bunch , Jr. , Air Force Materiel Command commander , said in a statement .
`` Across the enterprise , our research , acquisition and testing communities are well-coordinated to deliver critical hypersonic capabilities to the nation , '' Bunch said .
Hypersonic weapons can travel at five times the speed of sound or higher , denoted as Mach 5 and above , making them more difficult to intercept or defense against , military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to provide the U.S. Air Force `` time critical capability that will overcome distance in contested environments using high speed , altitude and maneuverability , '' Lockheed said in the statement .
`` The team overcame significant challenges driven by the COVID-19 pandemic to achieve this significant milestone for the program , '' Dave Berganini , ARRW program director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control , said in a statement .
`` This captive carry mission is the precurser for our fire booster test flight planned for early 2020s . ''

The U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin successfully tested hypersonic weapon aboard a B-52 a second time Saturday from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Photo courtesy of U.S. Air Force
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin said Monday have completed the second successful hypersonic air-to-ground weapon test on a B-52 Stratofortress bomber out of Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.. The second AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon, ARRW, was successfully flight tested Saturday, officials said. Advertisement
The first sensor-only prototype of AGM-183A ARRW was carried externally by a B-52 during a successful flight test last year. Officials said at the time they had set an accelerated development schedule for the weapon system.
"We are in a competition and we must remain diligent in our efforts to stay ahead of our adversaries who are vigorously pursuing similar weapon systems," Gen. Arnold W. Bunch, Jr., Air Force Materiel Command commander, said in a statement.
"Across the enterprise, our research, acquisition and testing communities are well-coordinated to deliver critical hypersonic capabilities to the nation," Bunch said.
Hypersonic weapons can travel at five times the speed of sound or higher, denoted as Mach 5 and above, making them more difficult to intercept or defense against, military officials have said.
Hypersonic weapons are expected to provide the U.S. Air Force "time critical capability that will overcome distance in contested environments using high speed, altitude and maneuverability," Lockheed said in the statement.
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"The team overcame significant challenges driven by the COVID-19 pandemic to achieve this significant milestone for the program," Dave Berganini, ARRW program director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said in a statement. "This captive carry mission is the precurser for our fire booster test flight planned for early 2020s."


upi--2020-08-10--Tropical Storm Mekkhala drops heavy rain across eastern China

A week after Typhoon Hagupit 's damaging strike on eastern China , another tropical system is targeting the country .
On Sunday night , local time , a tropical depression emerged in the South China Sea , just west of the island of Luzon in the northern Philippines .
The tropical system eventually strengthened into a tropical storm , and was given the name Mekkhala by the Japan Meteorological Agency .
This same tropical storm is also referred to as Ferdie in the Philippines .
As it continues to move north through Tuesday , Mekkhala is expected to make landfall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city of Quanzhou .
Other cities along the populous coast of the Fujian province include Xiamen and Fuzhou .
Widespread rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible across this region .
This amount of rainfall can lead to areas of flooding and even mudslides , especially in the mountains .
Areas near landfall , especially just east of where Mekkhala moves ashore , could also experience coastal flooding .
Gusty winds will also follow the center of the storm and could bring wind gusts up to 53 mph .
Impacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Heavy rainfall in Taiwan will continue through Tuesday , threatening much of the island with heavy , flooding rainfall .
In the mountainous regions of the island , mudslides will also be possible .
AccuWeather meteorologists expect Mekkhala to fall apart rather quickly Tuesday afternoon after making landfall as it moves over the mountainous terrain of eastern China .
Still , heavy rain could be a threat through Tuesday night or early Wednesday as far north as the southern half of the Zhejiang Province .
Some of the same areas hit by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with another round of tropical rainfall through Tuesday night .
Hagupit forced over 200,000 residents in China to evacuate prior to the storm 's arrival .
The potent storm created wave heights of 13.8 feet as it made landfall .
Rui'an reported 8.33 inches of rainfall , while 7.68 inches fell in Xianju from Hagupit .

Tropical Storm Mekkhala is expected to make landfall in China Tuesday morning. Image courtesy of NOAA
A week after Typhoon Hagupit's damaging strike on eastern China, another tropical system is targeting the country. On Sunday night, local time, a tropical depression emerged in the South China Sea, just west of the island of Luzon in the northern Philippines. The tropical system eventually strengthened into a tropical storm, and was given the name Mekkhala by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Advertisement
This same tropical storm is also referred to as Ferdie in the Philippines.
As it continues to move north through Tuesday, Mekkhala is expected to make landfall in China during the morning, near the city of Quanzhou. Other cities along the populous coast of the Fujian province include Xiamen and Fuzhou.
Widespread rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible across this region. This amount of rainfall can lead to areas of flooding and even mudslides, especially in the mountains.
Areas near landfall, especially just east of where Mekkhala moves ashore, could also experience coastal flooding. Gusty winds will also follow the center of the storm and could bring wind gusts up to 53 mph.
Impacts will not be limited to just China. Heavy rainfall in Taiwan will continue through Tuesday, threatening much of the island with heavy, flooding rainfall. In the mountainous regions of the island, mudslides will also be possible.
Image courtesy of NOAA
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AccuWeather meteorologists expect Mekkhala to fall apart rather quickly Tuesday afternoon after making landfall as it moves over the mountainous terrain of eastern China. Still, heavy rain could be a threat through Tuesday night or early Wednesday as far north as the southern half of the Zhejiang Province.
Some of the same areas hit by heavy rain from Hagupit will be doused with another round of tropical rainfall through Tuesday night.
Hagupit forced over 200,000 residents in China to evacuate prior to the storm's arrival. The potent storm created wave heights of 13.8 feet as it made landfall.
Rui'an reported 8.33 inches of rainfall, while 7.68 inches fell in Xianju from Hagupit.


upi--2020-08-10--Space Force doctrine defines 'spacepower' as essential to U.S. security, prosperity

Aug. 10 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Space Force published Monday its first capstone doctrine , Spacepower , eight months after its creation , outlining what the new military branch calls a guidepost for its mission .
The doctrine `` elevates spacepower as a distinct formulation of military power on par with landpower , seapower , airpower and cyberpower , '' according to the Space Capstone Publication , called Spacepower .
`` One of the principles of an independent service is the creation of doctrine , '' Gen. Jay Raymond , chief of space operations at U.S. Space Force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Space Capstone Publication explains why spacepower is a vital element of U.S. prosperity and security -- now and in the future -- and guides its employment in multidomain operations .
As the USSF continues to grow and mature , we will continue to evolve our doctrine to stay on the cutting edge of defending our interests in space . ''
According to the statement , space was once regarded as a `` benign domain , '' for exploration of the cosmos , but that has changed .
`` Humankind has changed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significantly increased the likelihood of warfare in the space domain , '' the doctrine said .
`` Agility , innovation , and boldness have always been the touchstone of military space forces , '' Raymond wrote in the doctrine 's forward .
`` Today , we must harness these traits to pioneer a new service and a new professional body of knowledge . ''
Raymond added that given that the doctrine is in its early stages and will evolve as it is tested over time .
President Donald Trump signed a $ 738 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ establishing the Space Force in a compromise with Democrats , who signed off on the Space Force in exchange for the bill also including granting federal employees 12 weeks of paid parental leave .
Last month , the Space Force announced administration realignments to unify command , including inactivating three space wings and eight lower echelon commands , and then activating Space Training and Readiness Delta Provisional , two garrison commands and eight mission deltas .
The Space Force also unveiled its official logo and motto last month , `` Semper Supra , @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Chief of Space Operations at US Space Force General John Raymond testifies before a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., in May. Pool photo by Shawn Thew/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- The U.S. Space Force published Monday its first capstone doctrine, Spacepower, eight months after its creation, outlining what the new military branch calls a guidepost for its mission. The doctrine "elevates spacepower as a distinct formulation of military power on par with landpower, seapower, airpower and cyberpower," according to the Space Capstone Publication, called Spacepower. Advertisement
"One of the principles of an independent service is the creation of doctrine," Gen. Jay Raymond, chief of space operations at U.S. Space Force, said in a statement.
"The Space Capstone Publication explains why spacepower is a vital element of U.S. prosperity and security -- now and in the future -- and guides its employment in multidomain operations. As the USSF continues to grow and mature, we will continue to evolve our doctrine to stay on the cutting edge of defending our interests in space."
According to the statement, space was once regarded as a "benign domain," for exploration of the cosmos, but that has changed.
"Humankind has changed, and our potential adversaries' actions have significantly increased the likelihood of warfare in the space domain," the doctrine said.
"Agility, innovation, and boldness have always been the touchstone of military space forces," Raymond wrote in the doctrine's forward. "Today, we must harness these traits to pioneer a new service and a new professional body of knowledge."
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Raymond added that given that the doctrine is in its early stages and will evolve as it is tested over time.
President Donald Trump signed a $738 billion defense bill into law in December establishing the Space Force in a compromise with Democrats, who signed off on the Space Force in exchange for the bill also including granting federal employees 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
Last month, the Space Force announced administration realignments to unify command, including inactivating three space wings and eight lower echelon commands, and then activating Space Training and Readiness Delta Provisional, two garrison commands and eight mission deltas.
The Space Force also unveiled its official logo and motto last month, "Semper Supra," or "Always Above."