upi--2020-07-14--Data on COVID-19 in children lacking as states debate school reopenings, experts say

July 14 ( UPI ) -- With little data on the effects of COVID-19 in children -- and their role in virus transmission -- decisions on whether to open schools in the fall should be based on spread of the disease in local areas , experts said Tuesday .
Rulings on school reopenings should be left to local leaders because of variation in virus spread from community to community , Duke University specialists in child health , infectious diseases and public policy told reporters during a conference call .
The comments came one day after education leaders in two of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles and San Diego counties in California -- announced plans to hold classes online in the fall .
Limited data shows significant spread of the new coronavirus , SARS-CoV-2 , among children , researchers say .
Health officials in Israel , however , have blamed a recent uptick in cases on the decision to reopen schools in May , according to a report published by public health experts at the University of Washington .
Israel closed schools again in early June after 244 infections were identified among children and staff across multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the report said .
`` We need to avoid broad , sweeping mandates requiring schools to open and children to attend in person , '' Dr. Charlene Wong , an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Duke School of Medicine , said Tuesday on the call .
`` It 's still early in the pandemic , '' said Wong , who plans to send her own kindergartner to school in the fall , should the local district decide to reopen .
Several states across the country have reported record highs in cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arizona , California , Florida and Texas .
Wong said officials at the city or county level can best assess risks posed to children , teachers and staff members , as well as the potential social and economic effects of school decisions .
With one in five American children living in poverty , schools across the United States do more than educate , said Lisa Gennetian an associate professor of early learning policy studies in Duke 's Sanford School of Public Policy , who was on the call .
Schools also offer childcare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important source of health services -- and food -- for young students in need , she said .
Parents face `` understandable stress '' because a decision on whether their child 's school will reopen might influence their ability to go back to work and provide for their families , Wong said .
Reopening schools could also create `` unpredictable needs for quarantining '' as the school year progress , Wong said .
Children who have had close contact with someone who has been infected with the new coronavirus , either at school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to quarantine for 14 days , she said .
`` Will parents be able to take time off work or find a grandparent or nanny willing to watch a child potentially exposed to COVID-19 ? ''
Wong asked .
But , she said , remaining at home could have `` lifelong consequences '' for children , as school is not only vital for learning , but also socialization .
While evidence to date suggests that the new coronavirus `` behaves differently '' in children than in adults -- with children getting a milder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small proportion '' of existing research on the virus focuses on children , Wong said .
In addition to data from Israel , evidence from several European countries suggests that the virus spread significantly among school-age children , the University of Washington report indicates .
This includes countries like Denmark and Germany , which closed schools in March and began phased reopenings later in the spring , and Sweden , which kept schools open , the report authors said .
Just two of 34 households with multiple lab-confirmed COVID-19 infections in Chicago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and only two others had instances of child-to-adult transmission , a study published last month in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society found .
Duke experts said that should districts choose to reopen in the fall , they should take steps to ensure teachers and staff members have adequate supplies of personal protective equipment .
They said , however , that if schools remain closed , legislators should ensure that access to online learning is available to all students , and that employers offer childcare services to workers .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to have a comprehensive approach to reduce transmission within the community , and the United States is quite unique in that it could be the first country to reopen schools with rising infection rates in some places , '' Dr. Ibukun Christine Akinboyo , medical director of pediatric infection prevention at Duke University Medical Center , said Tuesday .
`` I do n't think its premature to have the conversation , but I also do n't think it 's wise to rush into any decisions , '' she said .

Data on spread of COVID-19 in children remains limited even as cities across the U.S. debate reopening schools, experts say. Pictured, Israeli students wear protective masks as they return to the Yankus Korchak Elementary School in Jerusalem in May. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo
July 14 (UPI) -- With little data on the effects of COVID-19 in children -- and their role in virus transmission -- decisions on whether to open schools in the fall should be based on spread of the disease in local areas, experts said Tuesday. Rulings on school reopenings should be left to local leaders because of variation in virus spread from community to community, Duke University specialists in child health, infectious diseases and public policy told reporters during a conference call. Advertisement
The comments came one day after education leaders in two of the country's largest school districts -- Los Angeles and San Diego counties in California -- announced plans to hold classes online in the fall.
Limited data shows significant spread of the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, among children, researchers say.
Health officials in Israel, however, have blamed a recent uptick in cases on the decision to reopen schools in May, according to a report published by public health experts at the University of Washington.
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Israel closed schools again in early June after 244 infections were identified among children and staff across multiple schools, including 130 at one alone, the report said.
"We need to avoid broad, sweeping mandates requiring schools to open and children to attend in person," Dr. Charlene Wong, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Duke School of Medicine, said Tuesday on the call.
"It's still early in the pandemic," said Wong, who plans to send her own kindergartner to school in the fall, should the local district decide to reopen.
Several states across the country have reported record highs in cases in the last two weeks, including Arizona, California, Florida and Texas. Wong said officials at the city or county level can best assess risks posed to children, teachers and staff members, as well as the potential social and economic effects of school decisions.
With one in five American children living in poverty, schools across the United States do more than educate, said Lisa Gennetian an associate professor of early learning policy studies in Duke's Sanford School of Public Policy, who was on the call.
Schools also offer childcare to working parents and serve as an important source of health services -- and food -- for young students in need, she said.
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Parents face "understandable stress" because a decision on whether their child's school will reopen might influence their ability to go back to work and provide for their families, Wong said.
Reopening schools could also create "unpredictable needs for quarantining" as the school year progress, Wong said.
Children who have had close contact with someone who has been infected with the new coronavirus, either at school or at home, would likely need to quarantine for 14 days, she said.
"Will parents be able to take time off work or find a grandparent or nanny willing to watch a child potentially exposed to COVID-19?" Wong asked.
But, she said, remaining at home could have "lifelong consequences" for children, as school is not only vital for learning, but also socialization.
While evidence to date suggests that the new coronavirus "behaves differently" in children than in adults -- with children getting a milder form of the disease -- "a small proportion" of existing research on the virus focuses on children, Wong said.
In addition to data from Israel, evidence from several European countries suggests that the virus spread significantly among school-age children, the University of Washington report indicates.
This includes countries like Denmark and Germany, which closed schools in March and began phased reopenings later in the spring, and Sweden, which kept schools open, the report authors said.
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Just two of 34 households with multiple lab-confirmed COVID-19 infections in Chicago, however, had cases of child-to-child transmission, and only two others had instances of child-to-adult transmission, a study published last month in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society found.
Duke experts said that should districts choose to reopen in the fall, they should take steps to ensure teachers and staff members have adequate supplies of personal protective equipment.
They said, however, that if schools remain closed, legislators should ensure that access to online learning is available to all students, and that employers offer childcare services to workers.
"The only way to open schools safely is to have a comprehensive approach to reduce transmission within the community, and the United States is quite unique in that it could be the first country to reopen schools with rising infection rates in some places," Dr. Ibukun Christine Akinboyo, medical director of pediatric infection prevention at Duke University Medical Center, said Tuesday.
"I don't think its premature to have the conversation, but I also don't think it's wise to rush into any decisions," she said.


upi--2020-07-14--Trump rescinds policy forcing foreign students to attend in-person classes

July 14 ( UPI ) -- The Trump administration on Tuesday dropped its rule denying visas to international students attending classes entirely online , a federal judge in Boston announced .
The decision means foreign students wo n't have to choose between returning to their home countries or transferring to a school holding in-person classes during the coronavirus pandemic .
U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs made the surprise announcement ahead of a hearing on a lawsuit brought by Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology challenging the rule .
`` I have been informed by the parties that they have come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the start of proceedings .
`` They will return to the status quo . ''
`` Thankfully , this attack on students is over .
But the administration will undoubtedly continue in its failure to protect the people in America by using the pandemic for its hateful agenda to dismantle our immigration system , rather than creating a coordinated response for the future of our nation .
These actions continue to do one thing : harm us all .
But today , we are reminded that victories are possible -- our fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced the new policy July 6 and was shortly met by multiple lawsuits , including one from a coalition of 17 states .
Dozens of U.S. colleges and universities have said they plan to only hold online classes or a mixture of online and in-person coursework starting in the fall in response to the spread of COVID-19 .
States ' stay-at-home orders in the spring forced many to shutter schools entirely in March and April , though many are returning to on-campus learning at the start of the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushed hard on schools -- from K-12 to college -- to return to business as usual in an effort to reopen the U.S. economy .
Harvard President Larry Bacon said last week that ICE 's new policy seemed designed to force schools to reopen campuses for in-person classes `` without regard to concerns for the health and safety of students , instructors and others . ''
`` We believe that the ICE order is bad public policy , and we believe that it is illegal , '' he said .

The rule would have forced international students at all U.S. colleges and universities to either return to their home countries or transfer to schools holding in-person classes in the fall. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
July 14 (UPI) -- The Trump administration on Tuesday dropped its rule denying visas to international students attending classes entirely online, a federal judge in Boston announced. The decision means foreign students won't have to choose between returning to their home countries or transferring to a school holding in-person classes during the coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement
U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs made the surprise announcement ahead of a hearing on a lawsuit brought by Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology challenging the rule.
"I have been informed by the parties that they have come to a resolution," she said at the start of proceedings. "They will return to the status quo."
The American Civil Liberties Union released a statement welcoming the announcement.
"Thankfully, this attack on students is over. But the administration will undoubtedly continue in its failure to protect the people in America by using the pandemic for its hateful agenda to dismantle our immigration system, rather than creating a coordinated response for the future of our nation. These actions continue to do one thing: harm us all. But today, we are reminded that victories are possible -- our fight continues," the organization said.
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced the new policy July 6 and was shortly met by multiple lawsuits, including one from a coalition of 17 states.
Dozens of U.S. colleges and universities have said they plan to only hold online classes or a mixture of online and in-person coursework starting in the fall in response to the spread of COVID-19. States' stay-at-home orders in the spring forced many to shutter schools entirely in March and April, though many are returning to on-campus learning at the start of the new school year.
President Donald Trump has pushed hard on schools -- from K-12 to college -- to return to business as usual in an effort to reopen the U.S. economy.
Harvard President Larry Bacon said last week that ICE's new policy seemed designed to force schools to reopen campuses for in-person classes "without regard to concerns for the health and safety of students, instructors and others."
"We believe that the ICE order is bad public policy, and we believe that it is illegal," he said.


upi--2020-07-14--Ghislaine Maxwell pleads not guilty to Jeffrey Epstein-related charges

July 14 ( UPI ) -- Ghislaine Maxwell , a friend of late financier Jeffrey Epstein , pleaded not guilty Tuesday in a New York court to charges she conspired to traffic minors .
During her appearance by video at a Manhattan federal courthouse , the British socialite denied that she helped Epstein sexually exploit and abuse multiple minor girls as young as 14 from 1994 to 1997 .
Maxwell , 58 , faces eight counts , including conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts , enticement of a minor to travel to engage in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity , transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and perjury .
Prosecutors said Maxwell used her position as a trusted adult to locate and `` groom '' underage girls for Epstein , gaining their trust by taking them to movies and on shopping trips and urging them to accept gifts from the powerful financier .
U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan said Maxwell posed `` a substantial risk of flight '' and ordered her held without bond .
Trial was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maxwell 's lawyers asked the judge to release her from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on a $ 5 million bond .
Prosecutors said her wealth and dozens of overseas bank accounts make her an `` extreme '' flight risk .
They asked that she be held without bail .
Law enforcement officials arrested Maxwell on July 2 at her New Hampshire home .
Epstein , who was convicted of trafficking underage girls in Florida , was accused of procuring teen girls for sex with wealthy and powerful men in New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Virgin Islands .
Epstein killed himself in his New York federal detention center jail cell in August after pleading not guilty .
Maxwell is the daughter of the late British media magnate Robert Maxwell and was frequently seen at Epstein 's side in a high-profile social life among leading figures from the worlds of politics and the arts .

Ghislaine Maxwell appeared in Manhattan federal court Tuesday by video teleconference. File Photo by Rick Bajornas/EPA-EFE
July 14 (UPI) -- Ghislaine Maxwell, a friend of late financier Jeffrey Epstein, pleaded not guilty Tuesday in a New York court to charges she conspired to traffic minors. During her appearance by video at a Manhattan federal courthouse, the British socialite denied that she helped Epstein sexually exploit and abuse multiple minor girls as young as 14 from 1994 to 1997. Advertisement
Maxwell, 58, faces eight counts, including conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sexual acts, conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and perjury.
Prosecutors said Maxwell used her position as a trusted adult to locate and "groom" underage girls for Epstein, gaining their trust by taking them to movies and on shopping trips and urging them to accept gifts from the powerful financier.
U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan said Maxwell posed "a substantial risk of flight" and ordered her held without bond. Trial was set for July 12, 2021.
Maxwell's lawyers asked the judge to release her from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on a $5 million bond. Prosecutors said her wealth and dozens of overseas bank accounts make her an "extreme" flight risk. They asked that she be held without bail.
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Law enforcement officials arrested Maxwell on July 2 at her New Hampshire home.
Epstein, who was convicted of trafficking underage girls in Florida, was accused of procuring teen girls for sex with wealthy and powerful men in New York and on private estates in New Mexico and the Virgin Islands. Epstein killed himself in his New York federal detention center jail cell in August after pleading not guilty.
Maxwell is the daughter of the late British media magnate Robert Maxwell and was frequently seen at Epstein's side in a high-profile social life among leading figures from the worlds of politics and the arts.


upi--2020-07-14--Andrew McCarthy memoir 'BRAT' announced at Grand Central Publishing

July 14 ( UPI ) -- Actor , director and writer Andrew McCarthy 's memoir , BRAT : An '80s Story , has found a home at Grand Central Publishing , the publishing house said .
Grand Central Publishing said it acquired the North American rights to the memoir by McCarthy , who rose to fame as a member of the `` Brat Pack '' with roles in films including Pretty in Pink , St. Elmo 's Fire , Weekend at Bernie 's and Less Than Zero .
`` For years people have asked me , on a near daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the day ? '
Routinely , I 'd offer up any number of stock responses .
Finally I thought , 'Let 's take a hard look under that rock , ' '' McCarthy said .
`` What I found surprised me , at times scared me , and finally made sense of a lot of seemingly disparate parts of my life . ''
Suzanne O'Neill , vice president and executive editor at Grand Central , said the book will be particularly notable to the generation who grew up with the films of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the center of a significant cultural moment , one that 's made an indelible imprint on the hearts of so many of us who grew up in the eighties .
But , in BRAT , readers are going to be delighted to discover that Andrew is so much more than a member of the Brat Pack -- he 's also a gifted writer who lays himself bare on every page of this book , '' she said .
`` He has crafted a moving , relatable , and ultimately hopeful narrative of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he wants in life , but who has to learn how to get out of his own way , '' O'Neill said .
Since the 1980s , McCarthy has become a noted travel writer with National Geographic Traveler and directed episodes of various TV shows including Orange is the New Black , Grace & Frankie , The Blacklist , New Amsterdam , Good Girls and Gossip Girl .
He recently returned to acting and has been cast in upcoming seasons of Netflix 's 13 Reasons Why and NBC 's Good Girls .

"Brat Pack" actor Andrew McCarthy is writing a memoir, "BRAT: An '80s Story," to be published by Grand Central Publishing, the publisher said. File Photo by Laura Cavanaug/UPI | License Photo
July 14 (UPI) -- Actor, director and writer Andrew McCarthy's memoir, BRAT: An '80s Story, has found a home at Grand Central Publishing, the publishing house said. Grand Central Publishing said it acquired the North American rights to the memoir by McCarthy, who rose to fame as a member of the "Brat Pack" with roles in films including Pretty in Pink, St. Elmo's Fire, Weekend at Bernie's and Less Than Zero. Advertisement
"For years people have asked me, on a near daily basis, 'What was it like back in the day?' Routinely, I'd offer up any number of stock responses. Finally I thought, 'Let's take a hard look under that rock,'" McCarthy said. "What I found surprised me, at times scared me, and finally made sense of a lot of seemingly disparate parts of my life."
Suzanne O'Neill, vice president and executive editor at Grand Central, said the book will be particularly notable to the generation who grew up with the films of the 1980s.
"Andrew McCarthy was at the center of a significant cultural moment, one that's made an indelible imprint on the hearts of so many of us who grew up in the eighties. But, in BRAT, readers are going to be delighted to discover that Andrew is so much more than a member of the Brat Pack -- he's also a gifted writer who lays himself bare on every page of this book," she said.
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"He has crafted a moving, relatable, and ultimately hopeful narrative of an ambitious young person who knows what he wants in life, but who has to learn how to get out of his own way," O'Neill said.
Since the 1980s, McCarthy has become a noted travel writer with National Geographic Traveler and directed episodes of various TV shows including Orange is the New Black, Grace & Frankie, The Blacklist, New Amsterdam, Good Girls and Gossip Girl. He recently returned to acting and has been cast in upcoming seasons of Netflix's 13 Reasons Why and NBC's Good Girls.


upi--2020-07-14--Malian accused of war crimes refuses to enter plea at ICC

July 14 ( UPI ) -- An accused Islamist militant declined to enter a plea in response to war crimes charges at the start of his International Criminal Court trial Tuesday in The Hague .
Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud , 42 , refused to plead guilty or not guilty to the charges , but acknowledged he understood the charges .
He told the judges , `` I can not answer that question , '' when they read each of the 13 charges .
Hassan is accused of joining the Ansar Dine militant group and leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islamist occupation of Timbuktu , Mali , in mid-2012 .
Prosecutors said he enforced a strict version of Sharia law , allegedly torturing offenders and encouraging forced marriages , which `` led to repeated rapes and sexual enslavement of women and girls . ''
ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said that the city was subjected to Hassan 's `` tyranny '' for 10 months .
`` Their plan and design was to subjugate the men and women of Timbuktu to their power and control , '' Bensouda said .
Hassan 's lawyers said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has post-traumatic stress disorder but has been unable to undergo an assessment because of coronavirus restrictions .
They also said their client was not a radical and that his behavior was coerced .

Alleged Malian Islamist militant Al-Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud's lawyers said their client has post-traumatic stress disorder. File Photo by Eva Plevier/EPA-EFE
July 14 (UPI) -- An accused Islamist militant declined to enter a plea in response to war crimes charges at the start of his International Criminal Court trial Tuesday in The Hague. Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud, 42, refused to plead guilty or not guilty to the charges, but acknowledged he understood the charges. Advertisement
He told the judges, "I cannot answer that question," when they read each of the 13 charges.
Hassan is accused of joining the Ansar Dine militant group and leading a force of religious police during an Islamist occupation of Timbuktu, Mali, in mid-2012. Prosecutors said he enforced a strict version of Sharia law, allegedly torturing offenders and encouraging forced marriages, which "led to repeated rapes and sexual enslavement of women and girls."
ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said that the city was subjected to Hassan's "tyranny" for 10 months.
"Their plan and design was to subjugate the men and women of Timbuktu to their power and control," Bensouda said.
Hassan's lawyers said he's not fit to stand trial because he has post-traumatic stress disorder but has been unable to undergo an assessment because of coronavirus restrictions.
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They also said their client was not a radical and that his behavior was coerced.


upi--2020-07-15--Nissan unveils Ariya, its first all-electric SUV

July 15 ( UPI ) -- Nissan unveiled its first all-electric sport-utility vehicle Wednesday , the Ariya , saying it can go as far as 300 miles on a single charge .
The vehicle is part of the `` Nissan Next '' program -- a four-year restructuring program under which the carmaker will seek `` sustainable growth , financial stability and profitability . ''
The Ariya is set to go on sale in the United States next year , starting at $ 40,000 .
`` It 's the first production model to represent Nissan 's new electrified brand identity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ era where electrification , optimized platform packaging and seamless vehicle AI technology will become standard , '' the automaker said in a statement .
U.S. buyers will be eligible for a $ 7,500 federal tax credit and various state incentives , Nissan said .
`` The Nissan Ariya is a truly beautiful and remarkable car , '' Chief Operating Officer Ashwani Gupta said .
`` The Ariya is designed to impress , and to express what Nissan strives for -- making our customers ' lives better . ''
The Ariya is the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the arrest of former Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi Chairman Carlos Ghosn in 2018 on financial misconduct charges .
He eluded charges with an elaborate escape from Japan last year and fled to Lebanon .
The episode tinged Nissan 's reputation as the automaker also faced challenges from declining sales and profits .
Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida , the company 's third leader in three years , said in March `` Nissan Next '' would include cutting 12,500 jobs .

The Ariya is set to go on sale in the United States next year, starting at $40,000. Photo courtesy Nissan Motors
July 15 (UPI) -- Nissan unveiled its first all-electric sport-utility vehicle Wednesday, the Ariya, saying it can go as far as 300 miles on a single charge. The vehicle is part of the "Nissan Next" program -- a four-year restructuring program under which the carmaker will seek "sustainable growth, financial stability and profitability." Advertisement
The Ariya is set to go on sale in the United States next year, starting at $40,000.
"It's the first production model to represent Nissan's new electrified brand identity, forging a path toward a new automotive era where electrification, optimized platform packaging and seamless vehicle AI technology will become standard," the automaker said in a statement.
U.S. buyers will be eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit and various state incentives, Nissan said.
"The Nissan Ariya is a truly beautiful and remarkable car," Chief Operating Officer Ashwani Gupta said. "The Ariya is designed to impress, and to express what Nissan strives for -- making our customers' lives better."
The Ariya is the first new vehicle from the Japanese automaker since the arrest of former Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi Chairman Carlos Ghosn in 2018 on financial misconduct charges. He eluded charges with an elaborate escape from Japan last year and fled to Lebanon.
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The episode tinged Nissan's reputation as the automaker also faced challenges from declining sales and profits.
Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida, the company's third leader in three years, said in March "Nissan Next" would include cutting 12,500 jobs.


upi--2020-07-15--Blue Jays' Bo Bichette smashes homer on first pitch of intrasquad game

July 15 ( UPI ) -- Toronto Blue Jays infielder Bo Bichette wasted no time at the plate during an intrasquad game as he smashed the first pitch of the clash against his own team over the center field fence for a mammoth home run .
Bichette 's bomb came in a Team Bichette victory against Team Grichuk Tuesday at Blue Jays summer camp in Toronto .
Bichette and Blue Jays outfielder Randal Grichuk drafted the teams for the intrasquad clash .
Blue Jays pitcher Jacob Waguespack began the game by tossing a hanging curveball to Bichette .
The Toronto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bat .
He sent the Waguespack offering deep to left center field , well over the outfield fence .
Waguespack went on to surrender four more runs before the inning ended due to a mercy rule , which limits the amount of runs allowed to be scored in an inning by a respective team .
The Blue Jays pitcher did not allow a run in the second inning .
Team Bichette starter Matt Shoemaker allowed six hits and four runs in 4.2 innings .
Bichette also drew a walk and had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McGuire , Andy Burns and Anthony Alford also hit home runs in the clash .
Bichette -- the son of former MLB star Dante Bichette -- hit .311 with 11 home runs and 21 RBIs in 36 games during his rookie campaign in 2019 .
He was a second-round pick by the Blue Jays in the 2016 MLB Draft .
He also hit a home run in an intrasquad game last Thursday in Toronto .
Bichette believes the Blue Jays can be a threat in the postseason in 2020 as Major League Baseball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Bottom line , we have a lot of really good players in here , '' Bichette told reporters .
`` Short season , long season , I 've told you guys plenty of times that I think we were going to compete , regardless of 162 or 60 [ games ] .
I believe in everybody in here .
I believe we 're a lot better than people think . ''
The Blue Jays are scheduled to start the 2020 season with a game against the Tampa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 in Tampa , Fla .

July 15 (UPI) -- Toronto Blue Jays infielder Bo Bichette wasted no time at the plate during an intrasquad game as he smashed the first pitch of the clash against his own team over the center field fence for a mammoth home run.
Bichette's bomb came in a Team Bichette victory against Team Grichuk Tuesday at Blue Jays summer camp in Toronto. Bichette and Blue Jays outfielder Randal Grichuk drafted the teams for the intrasquad clash.
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Blue Jays pitcher Jacob Waguespack began the game by tossing a hanging curveball to Bichette. The Toronto slugger responded with a loud crack of the bat. He sent the Waguespack offering deep to left center field, well over the outfield fence.
Waguespack went on to surrender four more runs before the inning ended due to a mercy rule, which limits the amount of runs allowed to be scored in an inning by a respective team. The Blue Jays pitcher did not allow a run in the second inning. Team Bichette starter Matt Shoemaker allowed six hits and four runs in 4.2 innings.
Bichette also drew a walk and had a groundout in three plate appearances. Reece McGuire, Andy Burns and Anthony Alford also hit home runs in the clash.
Bichette -- the son of former MLB star Dante Bichette -- hit .311 with 11 home runs and 21 RBIs in 36 games during his rookie campaign in 2019. He was a second-round pick by the Blue Jays in the 2016 MLB Draft.
He also hit a home run in an intrasquad game last Thursday in Toronto. Bichette believes the Blue Jays can be a threat in the postseason in 2020 as Major League Baseball prepares for a shortened regular season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Bottom line, we have a lot of really good players in here," Bichette told reporters. "Short season, long season, I've told you guys plenty of times that I think we were going to compete, regardless of 162 or 60 [games]. I believe in everybody in here. I believe we're a lot better than people think."
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The Blue Jays are scheduled to start the 2020 season with a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at 6:40 p.m. EDT July 24 in Tampa, Fla.


upi--2020-07-15--ABC gives early look at 'Bachelorette' Season 16 contestants

July 15 ( UPI ) -- ABC released on Wednesday a sneak peak at 42 men who may star on Season 16 of The Bachelorette featuring Clare Crawley .
The official Bachelorette Facebook page uploaded photos of the potential contestants and asked users to comment with a rose emoji on the men they would give the show 's first impression rose to .
The men range in age from 25 to 40 and contain contestants who were meant to appear on The Bachelorette Season 16 before it was postponed in April due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The new season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety precautions in place , Variety reported .
The show will be filmed in a quarantined location with all cast and crew members living on-site .
Testing and temperature checks are expected to take place .
Crawley , 39 , was announced as the next Bachelorette in March .
She previously appeared on Season 18 of The Bachelor featuring Juan Pablo , Season 1 and 2 of Bachelor in Paradise and Bachelor Winter Games where she met Benoit Beausejour-Savard .
Crawley and Beausejour-Savard got engaged on the Bachelor Winter Games finale in February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off .
Matt James , 28 , who was supposed to be a contestant on Crawley 's season , was instead selected to be the next Bachelor .
James will be the first black Bachelor in franchise history .

We are giving you an early look at the men who may be on this season of #TheBachelorette! Leave a on Facebook for who would get your first impression rose. https://t.co/j160fg9pKt pic.twitter.com/AGWYjrF9d6— The Bachelorette (@BacheloretteABC) July 15, 2020
July 15 (UPI) -- ABC released on Wednesday a sneak peak at 42 men who may star on Season 16 of The Bachelorette featuring Clare Crawley.
The official Bachelorette Facebook page uploaded photos of the potential contestants and asked users to comment with a rose emoji on the men they would give the show's first impression rose to.
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The men range in age from 25 to 40 and contain contestants who were meant to appear on The Bachelorette Season 16 before it was postponed in April due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new season will be going into production soon with safety precautions in place, Variety reported. The show will be filmed in a quarantined location with all cast and crew members living on-site. Testing and temperature checks are expected to take place.
Crawley, 39, was announced as the next Bachelorette in March. She previously appeared on Season 18 of The Bachelor featuring Juan Pablo, Season 1 and 2 of Bachelor in Paradise and Bachelor Winter Games where she met Benoit Beausejour-Savard.
Crawley and Beausejour-Savard got engaged on the Bachelor Winter Games finale in February 2018 but the pair eventually broke things off.
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Matt James, 28, who was supposed to be a contestant on Crawley's season, was instead selected to be the next Bachelor. James will be the first black Bachelor in franchise history.


upi--2020-07-15--Watch: Marlo Thomas confirms she turned down 'Rosemary's Baby'

July 15 ( UPI ) -- Marlo Thomas says she turned down Rosemary 's Baby because the story initially seemed `` ridiculous . ''
The 82-year-old actress confirmed on Tuesday 's episode of Watch What Happens Live that she passed on the lead role in the 1968 film , directed by Roman Polanski .
The title role of Rosemary Woodhouse was ultimately played by Mia Farrow .
Rosemary 's Baby was critically acclaimed upon its release and is now considered a classic horror film .
On WWHL , Thomas said she turned down the movie after reading Ira Levin 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ film is based on .
She called the decision `` so stupid . ''
`` I read the book , and the guy who was producing it , Bill Castle , had made all horror movies , '' the star said .
`` I thought , 'Oh , god .
She gets impregnated by the devil . '
It felt ridiculous . ''
`` I did n't know that Roman Polanski was going to direct it and it was going to turn into this big hit , '' she added .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Thomas appeared on WWHL with her husband , actor Phil Donahue .
The couple , who released the book What Makes a Marriage Last : 40 Celebrated Couples Share with Us the Secrets to a Happy Life in May , discussed the secrets to a long-lasting marriage .
When asked if there is a main lesson from or commonality between the longtime couples in the book , Thomas said , `` I think it 's that you really want it to last .
`` These couples , they 've all been married @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the actress said .
`` The one theme is they wanted it to last -- they went to marriage counseling , they went to retreats , they go on holiday alone together , they found ways to stay connected . ''
`` Kyra Sedgwick said it really beautifully in just one line .
She said , 'When you get married , there 's no plan B , ' '' she added .
`` None of these couples were looking for an escape route .
They were looking forward together . ''
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once danced with Princess Diana at a gala .
`` I had to fight off all the guys who wanted to cut in , '' the actor said .
Thomas is best known for playing Ann Marie on the ABC series That Girl , which aired from 1966 to 1971 .
Donahue created and hosted The Phil Donahue Show from 1967 to 1996 .

July 15 (UPI) -- Marlo Thomas says she turned down Rosemary's Baby because the story initially seemed "ridiculous."
The 82-year-old actress confirmed on Tuesday's episode of Watch What Happens Live that she passed on the lead role in the 1968 film, directed by Roman Polanski.
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The title role of Rosemary Woodhouse was ultimately played by Mia Farrow. Rosemary's Baby was critically acclaimed upon its release and is now considered a classic horror film.
On WWHL, Thomas said she turned down the movie after reading Ira Levin's novel Rosemary's Baby, which the film is based on. She called the decision "so stupid."
"I read the book, and the guy who was producing it, Bill Castle, had made all horror movies," the star said. "I thought, 'Oh, god. She gets impregnated by the devil.' It felt ridiculous."
"I didn't know that Roman Polanski was going to direct it and it was going to turn into this big hit," she added. "I turned it down from the book."
Thomas appeared on WWHL with her husband, actor Phil Donahue. The couple, who released the book What Makes a Marriage Last: 40 Celebrated Couples Share with Us the Secrets to a Happy Life in May, discussed the secrets to a long-lasting marriage.
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When asked if there is a main lesson from or commonality between the longtime couples in the book, Thomas said, "I think it's that you really want it to last.
"These couples, they've all been married from 70 years to 18 years," the actress said. "The one theme is they wanted it to last -- they went to marriage counseling, they went to retreats, they go on holiday alone together, they found ways to stay connected."
"Kyra Sedgwick said it really beautifully in just one line. She said, 'When you get married, there's no plan B,'" she added. "None of these couples were looking for an escape route. They were looking forward together."
On WWHL, Donahue also recalled how he once danced with Princess Diana at a gala.
"I had to fight off all the guys who wanted to cut in," the actor said.
Thomas is best known for playing Ann Marie on the ABC series That Girl, which aired from 1966 to 1971. Donahue created and hosted The Phil Donahue Show from 1967 to 1996.
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Longest celebrity relationships


upi--2020-07-15--China’s amphibious assault ship to enter full deployment, reports say

July 15 ( UPI ) -- China is expected to soon deploy its first-in-class Type 075 amphibious assault ship , a vessel capable of `` island seizing , '' Chinese-language media said Wednesday .
The 40,000-ton ship that first launched in September of last year after a ceremony at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai , has been equipped with weapons and is to undergo operational testing , China 's Global Times and Taiwan 's China Times reported Wednesday .
The assault ship is to be named after one of China 's two biggest cities , Beijing and Shanghai , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rivals the USS Wasp , a U.S. Navy multipurpose amphibious assault ship .
The Chinese vessel is capable of sailing at 30 knots and can carry up to 1,208 crew and 28 helicopters .
The amphibious assault ship can also be equipped with China 's HongQi-10 surface-to-air missile system and a close-in weapon system that can deliver 10,000 shots per minute , reports say .
The deployment of China 's first Type 075 ship could affect cross-strait relations .
Chinese state media quoted a local military expert , who said the ship would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Taiwan were to be reunified by force . ''
Under its One-China policy , Beijing does not recognize Taiwanese sovereignty .
China 's increased presence in the South China Sea recently drew condemnations from the Trump administration .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said Beijing 's territorial claims are `` completely unlawful '' and accused the Chinese government of bullying neighbors .
Rising tensions between the United States and China continue to draw responses from North Korea .
Pyongyang 's foreign ministry said Wednesday in a statement to KCNA Pompeo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` blatant disregard . ''
Pyongyang also said Pompeo `` links everything to the Chinese Communist Party '' and recklessly attacks the Chinese government .
The foreign ministry also said it has `` caught on many occasions Pompeo confronting our [ North Korean ] system of socialism . ''
Pompeo has previously said the United States remains open to dialogue with Pyongyang .

China's Type 075 amphibious assault ship can be equipped with China's HongQi-10 surface-to-air missile system and a close-in weapon system that can deliver 10,000 shots per minute. File Photo courtesy of People’s Liberation Army Navy
July 15 (UPI) -- China is expected to soon deploy its first-in-class Type 075 amphibious assault ship, a vessel capable of "island seizing," Chinese-language media said Wednesday. The 40,000-ton ship that first launched in September of last year after a ceremony at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai, has been equipped with weapons and is to undergo operational testing, China's Global Times and Taiwan's China Times reported Wednesday. Advertisement
The assault ship is to be named after one of China's two biggest cities, Beijing and Shanghai, according to reports.
China's Type 075 rivals the USS Wasp, a U.S. Navy multipurpose amphibious assault ship. The Chinese vessel is capable of sailing at 30 knots and can carry up to 1,208 crew and 28 helicopters.
The amphibious assault ship can also be equipped with China's HongQi-10 surface-to-air missile system and a close-in weapon system that can deliver 10,000 shots per minute, reports say.
The deployment of China's first Type 075 ship could affect cross-strait relations.
Chinese state media quoted a local military expert, who said the ship would be a "powerful addition" if "Taiwan were to be reunified by force." Under its One-China policy, Beijing does not recognize Taiwanese sovereignty.
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China's increased presence in the South China Sea recently drew condemnations from the Trump administration.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said Beijing's territorial claims are "completely unlawful" and accused the Chinese government of bullying neighbors.
Rising tensions between the United States and China continue to draw responses from North Korea.
Pyongyang's foreign ministry said Wednesday in a statement to KCNA Pompeo had insulted the Chinese people and displayed "blatant disregard."
Pyongyang also said Pompeo "links everything to the Chinese Communist Party" and recklessly attacks the Chinese government.
The foreign ministry also said it has "caught on many occasions Pompeo confronting our [North Korean] system of socialism."
Pompeo has previously said the United States remains open to dialogue with Pyongyang.


upi--2020-07-15--'Survivor' postponed due to coronavirus pandemic

July 15 ( UPI ) -- The reality competition show Survivor -- hosted by Jeff Probst -- will not be @ @ @ @ @ lineup due to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Producers for Survivor , the network 's @ @ @ @ @ , are continuing to work with officials in Fiji on the appropriate time to start @ @ @ @ @ , with health and safety matters the top priority for everyone involved , '' a @ @ @ @ @ Amazing Race Season 32 will take over the time slot for Survivor , which is @ @ @ @ @ .
The last edition of Survivor , which was filmed before the pandemic , finished @ @ @ @ @ Vlachos was the winner .

July 15 (UPI) -- The reality competition show Survivor -- hosted by Jeff Probst -- will not be part of the CBS fall lineup due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Producers for Survivor, the network's perennial Wednesday 8 p.m. series, are continuing to work with officials in Fiji on the appropriate time to start production on its next edition, with health and safety matters the top priority for everyone involved," a press release said.
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The Amazing Race Season 32 will take over the time slot for Survivor, which is going into its 41st season.
The last edition of Survivor, which was filmed before the pandemic, finished airing in May. Tony Vlachos was the winner.


upi--2020-07-15--In Photos: Moments from Scarlett Johansson's career

Scarlett Johansson takes a photo with fans at the Toronto International Film Festival premiere of `` Lost in Translation '' @ @ @ @ @ Toronto , on September 5 , 2003 .
Johansson went on to win the BAFTA @ @ @ @ @ an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical for her role in `` @ @ @ @ @ Photo by Christine Chew/UPI

Scarlett Johansson takes a photo with fans at the Toronto International Film Festival premiere of "Lost in Translation" at the Elgin Theater in Toronto, on September 5, 2003. Johansson went on to win the BAFTA award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical for her role in "Lost in Translation." Photo by Christine Chew/UPI


upi--2020-07-15--Cowboys QB Dak Prescott expected to play 2020 season on franchise tag

July 15 ( UPI ) -- Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is expected to play the 2020 season on the franchise tag as the parties have yet to agree to a long-term contract as they near Wednesday 's 4 p.m. EDT deadline .
Sources told NFL Network the final offer for Prescott from the Cowboys is worth between $ 33 million and $ 35 million per season and includes more than $ 100 million in guarantees .
The Cowboys have offered a five-year deal while Prescott wants a four-year pact .
The shorter contract would give Prescott the flexibility to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
NFL Network , the Dallas Morning News and ESPN reported that no additional negotiations were scheduled between the Cowboys and Prescott before Wednesday 's deadline .
Prescott will receive about $ 31.4 million in 2020 under the terms of the franchise tag .
He would hit free agency after the 2020 season if he does n't agree to a long-term deal before Wednesday 's deadline .
The Cowboys could opt to place the franchise tag on Prescott again in 2021 if they do n't agree to a long-term contract or let him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26 , joined the Cowboys as a fourth-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft .
The Mississippi State product has made the Pro Bowl in two of his four seasons .
Prescott completed 65.1 percent of his passes for a career-high 30 touchdowns and 4,902 yards last season .
He also threw 11 interceptions in his 16 starts .
Prescott has never missed a start in his career as the Cowboys ' quarterback .
Prescott will be the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL for the 2020 season under the terms of the franchise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million from his rookie pact .
The Cowboys are scheduled to report to training camp on July 28 .
Dallas is scheduled to start the regular season with a game against the Los Angeles Rams at 8:20 p.m. EDT Sept. 13 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles .

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) is expected to play on the franchise tag in 2020 and could be a free agent in 2021. File Photo by Ian Halperin/UPI | License Photo
July 15 (UPI) -- Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is expected to play the 2020 season on the franchise tag as the parties have yet to agree to a long-term contract as they near Wednesday's 4 p.m. EDT deadline. Sources told NFL Network the final offer for Prescott from the Cowboys is worth between $33 million and $35 million per season and includes more than $100 million in guarantees. The Cowboys have offered a five-year deal while Prescott wants a four-year pact. The shorter contract would give Prescott the flexibility to receive another lucrative contract one year earlier. Advertisement
NFL Network, the Dallas Morning News and ESPN reported that no additional negotiations were scheduled between the Cowboys and Prescott before Wednesday's deadline.
Prescott will receive about $31.4 million in 2020 under the terms of the franchise tag. He would hit free agency after the 2020 season if he doesn't agree to a long-term deal before Wednesday's deadline. The Cowboys could opt to place the franchise tag on Prescott again in 2021 if they don't agree to a long-term contract or let him become a free agent.
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Prescott, 26, joined the Cowboys as a fourth-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. The Mississippi State product has made the Pro Bowl in two of his four seasons. Prescott completed 65.1 percent of his passes for a career-high 30 touchdowns and 4,902 yards last season. He also threw 11 interceptions in his 16 starts. Prescott has never missed a start in his career as the Cowboys' quarterback.
Prescott will be the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL for the 2020 season under the terms of the franchise tag. He made about $5 million from his rookie pact.
The Cowboys are scheduled to report to training camp on July 28. Dallas is scheduled to start the regular season with a game against the Los Angeles Rams at 8:20 p.m. EDT Sept. 13 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.


upi--2020-07-15--In photos: Longest celebrity relationships

Ron Howard ( L ) and his wife Cheryl Howard arrive for the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills @ @ @ @ @ 4 , 2018 .
Ron and Cheryl Howard got married in 1975 .
Howard tweeted @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , `` Cheryl is a total all-time-great as far as the Howard family is @ @ @ @ @ by Christine Chew/UPI

Ozzy Osbourne (L) and Sharon Osbourne attend a press conference to announce Ozzfest Meets Knotfest, a two-day festival featuring headlining performances by Black Sabbath and Slipknot at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on May 12, 2016. The two married in 1982 and are celebrating 40 years of marriage . Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI


upi--2020-07-15--Tax Day in America: Nearly 134M have already filed returns

July 15 ( UPI ) -- After a three-month delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic , Wednesday is Tax Day in America .
Taxpayers have until the end of the day to file their tax returns or request an automatic extension , which would defer paperwork -- but not payments for taxes owed -- for another three months .
According to the IRS , nearly 134 million taxpayers have already filed returns for 2019 , including about 119 million who filed electronically .
The Internal Revenue Service announced in March that it pushed the typical April 15 tax deadline back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move to aid Americans dealing with economic hardship brought on by the health crisis , as millions of workers were laid off or furloughed .
The IRS had considered moving back the tax deadline again , but ultimately decided against it , primarily because taxpayers can receive the automatic extension .
Those who do must file their returns by October 15 .
What if you owe , but ca n't pay ?
If you owe tax and can not pay the amount in full , experts say it 's best to still file @ @ @ @ @ @ @ willing to make payment arrangements , which would avert costly penalties .
The government waived interest and penalties prior to the extended deadline , but they will begin to accrue on Thursday .
Payments can be made on the IRS website using debit or credit cards , direct bank transfers or Electronic Fund Withdrawal .
Taxpayers can also mail estimated payments with Form 1040-ES , pay by phone , or use the IRS2Go mobile app .
In addition to filing taxes , taxpayers also have until the end of Wednesday to make contributions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IRA , for 2019 .
IRA contributions can be tax-deductible and lower the amount of tax you 're liable for .
The maximum contribution for traditional and Roth IRAs for most Americans is $ 6,000 , but those over the age of 50 can contribute an additional $ 1,000 .
Some taxpayers may be forced to file paper returns by mail , due to an unanticipated glitch related to an online tool the IRS set up in the spring to distribute stimulus payments to Americans , as part of the $ 2 trillion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tool for Americans for whom they did n't have banking information , and who did n't earn enough to file a tax return .
The IRS set up the tool to get payments to these Americans quicker , but it created an unintended problem .
The system treated their submitted financial information as an actual tax return -- so for those taxpayers who now must file a return electronically , the system will reject it , thinking they have already filed one .
`` If you did this and you 're now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax return e-file will be rejected , '' H & R Block said in a notice on its website .
H & R Block recommends that taxpayers who used the IRS non-filer tool to file a return listing income of $ 0 or $ 1 to send a new paper tax return through U.S. mail with `` Amended EIP Return '' written or printed at the top .
Those who filed with $ 2 or more of income should file their 2019 taxes using Form 1040-X to amend the return .
`` A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stimulus registration is seen by the IRS as a duplicate , because there is already a tax return with that Social Security Number on file and will be rejected , '' Ashley McMahon , a spokeswoman for TurboTax-maker Intuit , told the Detroit Free Press .
The agency has several pages on its website to help filers , particularly due to the unusual circumstances of COVID19 .
Filers can find help using the IRS ' Interactive Tax Assistant , get answers to frequently asked questions and find tools to help them file a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tax refund .

If you owe taxes this year, but cannot pay them in full, experts say it's best to still file a return by the end of Wednesday. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
July 15 (UPI) -- After a three-month delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wednesday is Tax Day in America. Taxpayers have until the end of the day to file their tax returns or request an automatic extension, which would defer paperwork -- but not payments for taxes owed -- for another three months. Advertisement
According to the IRS, nearly 134 million taxpayers have already filed returns for 2019, including about 119 million who filed electronically.
Automatic extension
The Internal Revenue Service announced in March that it pushed the typical April 15 tax deadline back to July 15. It made the move to aid Americans dealing with economic hardship brought on by the health crisis, as millions of workers were laid off or furloughed.
The IRS had considered moving back the tax deadline again, but ultimately decided against it, primarily because taxpayers can receive the automatic extension. Those who do must file their returns by October 15.
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What if you owe, but can't pay?
If you owe tax and cannot pay the amount in full, experts say it's best to still file your tax return. The IRS is willing to make payment arrangements, which would avert costly penalties.
The government waived interest and penalties prior to the extended deadline, but they will begin to accrue on Thursday.
Payments can be made on the IRS website using debit or credit cards, direct bank transfers or Electronic Fund Withdrawal.
Taxpayers can also mail estimated payments with Form 1040-ES, pay by phone, or use the IRS2Go mobile app.
Still time for IRAs
In addition to filing taxes, taxpayers also have until the end of Wednesday to make contributions to an individual retirement account, or IRA, for 2019.
IRA contributions can be tax-deductible and lower the amount of tax you're liable for.
The maximum contribution for traditional and Roth IRAs for most Americans is $6,000, but those over the age of 50 can contribute an additional $1,000.
Some must file a paper return
Some taxpayers may be forced to file paper returns by mail, due to an unanticipated glitch related to an online tool the IRS set up in the spring to distribute stimulus payments to Americans, as part of the $2 trillion coronavirus relief package.
Advertisement
The agency established the tool for Americans for whom they didn't have banking information, and who didn't earn enough to file a tax return. The IRS set up the tool to get payments to these Americans quicker, but it created an unintended problem.
The system treated their submitted financial information as an actual tax return -- so for those taxpayers who now must file a return electronically, the system will reject it, thinking they have already filed one.
"If you did this and you're now trying to file for 2019, your tax return e-file will be rejected," H&R Block said in a notice on its website.
H&R Block recommends that taxpayers who used the IRS non-filer tool to file a return listing income of $0 or $1 to send a new paper tax return through U.S. mail with "Amended EIP Return" written or printed at the top.
Those who filed with $2 or more of income should file their 2019 taxes using Form 1040-X to amend the return.
"A tax return that is filed after a stimulus registration is seen by the IRS as a duplicate, because there is already a tax return with that Social Security Number on file and will be rejected," Ashley McMahon, a spokeswoman for TurboTax-maker Intuit, told the Detroit Free Press.
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Visit IRS.gov for help
The agency has several pages on its website to help filers, particularly due to the unusual circumstances of COVID19.
Filers can find help using the IRS' Interactive Tax Assistant, get answers to frequently asked questions and find tools to help them file a return online or check the status of a tax refund.


upi--2020-07-15--Watch: Tom Hanks says wearing a mask is 'the least you can do'

July 15 ( UPI ) -- Tom Hanks appeared on The Late Show to discuss being diagnosed with COVID-19 -- along with his wife Rita Wilson , the importance of wearing a mask and the experience he had working with his son on new film Greyhound .
Hanks and Rita announced in March that they were diagnosed with the virus while the actor was in Australia shooting a movie .
Hanks said that he has no idea where they could have contracted it and that he experienced different symptoms from his wife .
`` Very different , other than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than I did .
She had horrible nausea , '' Hanks told host Stephen Colbert on Tuesday before noting that Wilson also experienced a loss of taste of smell while he had body aches .
`` I had bones that felt like they were made out of soda crackers .
Every time I moved around I felt like something was cracking inside me , '' he said .
Hanks called into question those in the United States who refuse to wear a mask or follow other health guidelines such as washing hands and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It 's literally the least you can do is wear a cloth or a thing .
I mean I wear bandanas double layered , '' the 64-year-old said .
`` Is this impossible now ?
I think of George Washington 's troops at Valley Forge you know .
If you ask them to wear a mask , they 'd love it because it would keep them a little bit warm , '' he continued .
Greyhound , a World War II epic which Hanks wrote and stars in , was released onto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son Chet also stars in the film .
`` It was incredible fun because he was just so good and I actually got to have that dad-like face with him you know , '' Hanks said about how he was able to give Chet stern looks during certain scenes .
`` It 's one of the pleasures of having enough clout , being sort of the star of the movie where you can ask for certain people to be in it , '' he continued .

July 15 (UPI) -- Tom Hanks appeared on The Late Show to discuss being diagnosed with COVID-19 -- along with his wife Rita Wilson, the importance of wearing a mask and the experience he had working with his son on new film Greyhound.
Hanks and Rita announced in March that they were diagnosed with the virus while the actor was in Australia shooting a movie. Hanks said that he has no idea where they could have contracted it and that he experienced different symptoms from his wife.
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"Very different, other than a headache. She had a higher fever than I did. She had horrible nausea," Hanks told host Stephen Colbert on Tuesday before noting that Wilson also experienced a loss of taste of smell while he had body aches.
"I had bones that felt like they were made out of soda crackers. Every time I moved around I felt like something was cracking inside me," he said.
Hanks called into question those in the United States who refuse to wear a mask or follow other health guidelines such as washing hands and keeping a safe distance from others.
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"It's literally the least you can do is wear a cloth or a thing. I mean I wear bandanas double layered," the 64-year-old said.
"Is this impossible now? I think of George Washington's troops at Valley Forge you know. If you ask them to wear a mask, they'd love it because it would keep them a little bit warm," he continued.
Greyhound, a World War II epic which Hanks wrote and stars in, was released onto Apple TV+ on Friday. Hanks' son Chet also stars in the film.
"It was incredible fun because he was just so good and I actually got to have that dad-like face with him you know," Hanks said about how he was able to give Chet stern looks during certain scenes.
"It's one of the pleasures of having enough clout, being sort of the star of the movie where you can ask for certain people to be in it," he continued.
Longest celebrity relationships


upi--2020-07-15--Washington WR Kelvin Harmon to miss NFL season after ACL tear

July 15 ( UPI ) -- Washington wide receiver Kelvin Harmon will miss the 2020 NFL season after he tore the ACL in his right knee .
Harmon announced the injury Tuesday on social media .
He had knee surgery last week .
Harmon sustained the injury a month ago while he worked out prior to the team 's training camp , which is scheduled to start July 28 .
`` Surgery went well , '' Harmon wrote Tuesday on Twitter and Instagram .
`` God got me . ''
Harmon was a sixth-round pick by Washington in the 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 365 yards in 16 games last season .
The 6-foot-2 , 215-pound wide receiver was expected to compete for the second wide receiver job in the Washington offense , behind No .
1 option Terry McLaurin .
`` [ The ] hardest part about this [ and ] being private for a month , was getting tagged in media stuff about the season , '' Harmon tweeted .
`` I know y'all just doing y'all jobs but do not tag me anymore . ''
Trey Quinn will compete to be Washington 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has Cam Sims , Cody Latimer , Steven Sims Jr. , Antonio Gibson , Jester Weah , Antonio Gandy-Golden , Emmanuel Hall , Jordan Veasy , Darvin Kidsy , Johnathon Johnson and Isaiah Wright at the position as they head into camp .
Washington is scheduled to start the 2020 regular season against the Philadelphia Eagles at 1 p.m. EDT Sept. 13 at FedEx Field in Landover , Md .

Washington wide receiver Kelvin Harmon (13) was expected to compete for the No. 2 wide receiver job before he sustained a season-ending ACL tear. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
July 15 (UPI) -- Washington wide receiver Kelvin Harmon will miss the 2020 NFL season after he tore the ACL in his right knee. Harmon announced the injury Tuesday on social media. He had knee surgery last week. Harmon sustained the injury a month ago while he worked out prior to the team's training camp, which is scheduled to start July 28. Advertisement
"Surgery went well," Harmon wrote Tuesday on Twitter and Instagram. "God got me."
Harmon was a sixth-round pick by Washington in the 2019 NFL Draft. He had 30 catches for 365 yards in 16 games last season. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound wide receiver was expected to compete for the second wide receiver job in the Washington offense, behind No. 1 option Terry McLaurin.
"[The] hardest part about this [and] being private for a month, was getting tagged in media stuff about the season," Harmon tweeted. "I know y'all just doing y'all jobs but do not tag me anymore."
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Trey Quinn will compete to be Washington's slot receiver in 2020. Washington also has Cam Sims, Cody Latimer, Steven Sims Jr., Antonio Gibson, Jester Weah, Antonio Gandy-Golden, Emmanuel Hall, Jordan Veasy, Darvin Kidsy, Johnathon Johnson and Isaiah Wright at the position as they head into camp.
Washington is scheduled to start the 2020 regular season against the Philadelphia Eagles at 1 p.m. EDT Sept. 13 at FedEx Field in Landover, Md.


upi--2020-07-15--North Korea boosts Mount Kumgang tourism amid COVID-19

July 15 ( UPI ) -- A North Korea state-owned travel agency is promoting tourism to Mount Kumgang , the resort where a South Korean tourist was fatally shot in 2008 .
The Choson Mount Kumgang International Travel Agency uploaded previously unseen photos of mountain and rock formations to its website Wednesday , promoting the mountain 's unique features .
South Korean tourism to the North never completely resumed after the 2008 incident .
In January , South Korean President Moon Jae-in proposed allowing individuals to travel to the North , but the coronavirus pandemic may have postponed Seoul 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also publicized tourism to the mountain on July 4 , according to South Korean news agency Yonhap and Seoul Economic Daily .
The promotional message included `` interview excerpts '' from Chinese and Singaporean travelers and a statement from the travel agency welcoming future tourists to the area .
Prior to the pandemic , China encouraged North Korea-bound tourism following landmark summits between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un .
In 2019 , Xi instructed Chinese travel agencies to increase the number of tourists to the North to 5 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` even out '' the 4.78 million Chinese travelers to South Korea annually , according to the Asahi Shimbun last year .
In the South , politicians of the ruling Democratic Party are calling for the resumption of South Korean tourism to the North , as COVID-19 subsides in the country .
Lawmaker Sul Hoon said last week the `` most realistic means '' of improving inter-Korea relations is to pursue independent tourism , or allowing solo South Korean travelers to take trips to the North , according to Seoul Economic Daily .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lee In-young has proposed greater independence on inter-Korea policy decisions .
In January , U.S .
Ambassador Harry Harris said South Korea 's North Korea initiatives `` should be done in consultation with the United States , '' which drew a rebuke from Moon 's office .

North Korea is publicizing tourism despite closing its border in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Mount Kumgang and other attractions in the North are off-limits to South Koreans. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
July 15 (UPI) -- A North Korea state-owned travel agency is promoting tourism to Mount Kumgang, the resort where a South Korean tourist was fatally shot in 2008. The Choson Mount Kumgang International Travel Agency uploaded previously unseen photos of mountain and rock formations to its website Wednesday, promoting the mountain's unique features. Advertisement
South Korean tourism to the North never completely resumed after the 2008 incident. In January, South Korean President Moon Jae-in proposed allowing individuals to travel to the North, but the coronavirus pandemic may have postponed Seoul's plans.
The North Korean travel agency also publicized tourism to the mountain on July 4, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap and Seoul Economic Daily.
The promotional message included "interview excerpts" from Chinese and Singaporean travelers and a statement from the travel agency welcoming future tourists to the area.
Prior to the pandemic, China encouraged North Korea-bound tourism following landmark summits between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un.
In 2019, Xi instructed Chinese travel agencies to increase the number of tourists to the North to 5 million people a year, a figure that would "even out" the 4.78 million Chinese travelers to South Korea annually, according to the Asahi Shimbun last year.
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In the South, politicians of the ruling Democratic Party are calling for the resumption of South Korean tourism to the North, as COVID-19 subsides in the country.
Lawmaker Sul Hoon said last week the "most realistic means" of improving inter-Korea relations is to pursue independent tourism, or allowing solo South Korean travelers to take trips to the North, according to Seoul Economic Daily.
Sul also said newly appointed Unification Minister Lee In-young has proposed greater independence on inter-Korea policy decisions. In January, U.S. Ambassador Harry Harris said South Korea's North Korea initiatives "should be done in consultation with the United States," which drew a rebuke from Moon's office.


upi--2020-07-15--Bruce Campbell announces 'Brisco County Jr.' reunion

July 15 ( UPI ) -- Bruce Campbell has announced he and the cast of The Adventures of Brisco County @ @ @ @ @ script reading of the sci-fi/western 's pilot episode on July 31 .
`` Guess who @ @ @ @ @ more ride ... ? ''
Campbell tweeted Tuesday , along with a link to a @ @ @ @ @ online event .
Also participating will be his former cast-mates Kelly Rutherford , Christian Clemenson @ @ @ @ @ Brisco brought hope , humor , and heroics to a generation of fans and fictional @ @ @ @ @ the world needs those things again , Brisco is back , running head-long and heart-hearty @ @ @ @ @ very first episode , '' the event 's website said .
The show ran for @ @ @ @ @ 1993 .

1/2
Bruce Campbell is set to take part in a virtual table read of his 1993 show "The Adventures of Brisco County Jr." File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 15 (UPI) -- Bruce Campbell has announced he and the cast of The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. are planning a virtual script reading of the sci-fi/western's pilot episode on July 31. "Guess who's coming back for one more ride...?" Campbell tweeted Tuesday, along with a link to a website with details about the online event. Advertisement
Also participating will be his former cast-mates Kelly Rutherford, Christian Clemenson and J.P. Ferguson.
"Brisco brought hope, humor, and heroics to a generation of fans and fictional townfolk. Now, when the world needs those things again, Brisco is back, running head-long and heart-hearty into a rerun of his very first episode," the event's website said.
The show ran for one, 27-episode season in 1993.


upi--2020-07-15--Trump administration's national security process is failing

Bill Clinton campaigned and won on the slogan in 1992 `` that it 's the economy , stupid . ''
That comment should apply to the Trump administration 's National Security Council process .
Except it is not the economy -- it is the process , stupid -- or one might reverse that and say it is the stupidity of the process .
That President Donald Trump is on his fourth national security adviser is an ominous sign .
That the interagency process seems incapable of producing a coordinated and integrated policy on most anything , given the president 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , likewise is not good .
And the failure to have a national strategy to cope with the coronavirus and economic recovery is inexplicable and further proof of a failing process .
The most recent piece of evidence demonstrating a failing NSC process is the ongoing saga over The New York Times stories in late June claiming the GRU was offering $ 100,000 bounties in Afghanistan to kill American and British troops .
It turns out that Russia has been re-engaged in Afghanistan for nearly a decade with the possible intent of disrupting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America 's longest war .
From a Russian perspective , U.S. support of the mujahedin during the 1980-89 Soviet War with weapons and intelligence ultimately forced Moscow to capitulate .
While that was 30 years ago , Moscow may not be inclined to be helpful to the United States , especially after the imposition of sanctions against Russia following the 2014 annexation of Crimea .
On the other hand , it is not inconceivable that Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin may have some sort of `` deal '' over Afghanistan that both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House nor senior American military has clarified either the bounty or Russian involvement questions yet .
On July 8 , in a phone interview , Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie , Central Command commander , answered the question of GRU bounties , saying he was `` skeptical '' and that he told his intelligence officer to investigate the allegation and report back .
In a House hearing on Thursday , Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley acknowledged having been briefed on the report .
But there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` payments '' as opposed to `` bounties '' regarding what the Taliban may have received .
What Milley then testified was stunning : `` If in fact there 's bounties , I am an outraged ...
If there 's bounties ... to kill American soldiers , that 's a big deal .
That 's a real big deal . ''
Milley 's revelations raise profound questions .
Is there a basis for the bounty story or not , and why has the Pentagon not been more expeditious in determining an answer ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ full extent of Russian engagement in Afghanistan and how is that affecting the United States and its partners ?
Had the NSC process been working properly , once the report of possible bounties was included in the President 's Daily Intelligence Brief in late February , alarm bells should have triggered some action if only to pre-empt possible leaks .
Once the story broke four months later , an immediate and credible response was essential to defuse the negative reaction .
Now that it appears the Russian presence in Afghanistan may be significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afford to defer confronting what may be an explosive story .
Meanwhile , many still wonder about the validity of the intelligence and , more importantly , why after several weeks confusion about its authenticity persists , fueling further speculation about presidential ignorance or inaction .
With the intense cynicism that pervades politics today , some will conclude that White House officials were afraid to confront the president with bad news about Russia .
And did the Pentagon leadership regard this as a White House matter , choosing not to intervene possibly for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did offer bounties or if Russia was out to stymie U.S. efforts in Afghanistan is imperative .
Or , is there another explanation as to the nature of the president 's relationship with Putin and why the administration seems reluctant to address this issue .
In an election year , the perception of a president not taking every action to protect American troops in harm 's way could be politically fatal .
If the generals are correct and these reports are exaggerated , why has this not come out sooner and will any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be business as usual ?
And perhaps the famous PDB should be terminated , since few of importance , namely the president , seem to read it .
But , put another way , it ai n't the PDB that 's broken .
It is the NSC process , stupid.Harlan Ullman is UPI 's Arnaud de Borchgrave Distinguished Columnist , a senior adviser at the Atlantic Council and author of the upcoming book , `` The Fifth Horseman : To Be Feared , Friended or Fought in a MAD-Driven Age . ''

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley said he would be outraged if there were bounties on U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Pool Photo by Michael Reynolds/UPI | License Photo
Bill Clinton campaigned and won on the slogan in 1992 "that it's the economy, stupid." That comment should apply to the Trump administration's National Security Council process. Except it is not the economy -- it is the process, stupid -- or one might reverse that and say it is the stupidity of the process. That President Donald Trump is on his fourth national security adviser is an ominous sign. That the interagency process seems incapable of producing a coordinated and integrated policy on most anything, given the president's reliance on Twitter to post his decisions, likewise is not good. And the failure to have a national strategy to cope with the coronavirus and economic recovery is inexplicable and further proof of a failing process. Advertisement
The most recent piece of evidence demonstrating a failing NSC process is the ongoing saga over The New York Times stories in late June claiming the GRU was offering $100,000 bounties in Afghanistan to kill American and British troops. It turns out that Russia has been re-engaged in Afghanistan for nearly a decade with the possible intent of disrupting and even sabotaging U.S. efforts to end America's longest war.
Advertisement
From a Russian perspective, U.S. support of the mujahedin during the 1980-89 Soviet War with weapons and intelligence ultimately forced Moscow to capitulate. While that was 30 years ago, Moscow may not be inclined to be helpful to the United States, especially after the imposition of sanctions against Russia following the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
On the other hand, it is not inconceivable that Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin may have some sort of "deal" over Afghanistan that both want to remain undisclosed. But neither the White House nor senior American military has clarified either the bounty or Russian involvement questions yet. On July 8, in a phone interview, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, Central Command commander, answered the question of GRU bounties, saying he was "skeptical" and that he told his intelligence officer to investigate the allegation and report back.
In a House hearing on Thursday, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley acknowledged having been briefed on the report. But there was confusion over Esper's use of "payments" as opposed to "bounties" regarding what the Taliban may have received.
What Milley then testified was stunning: "If in fact there's bounties, I am an outraged...If there's bounties...to kill American soldiers, that's a big deal. That's a real big deal."
Advertisement
Milley's revelations raise profound questions. Is there a basis for the bounty story or not, and why has the Pentagon not been more expeditious in determining an answer? Beyond the bounties, what is the full extent of Russian engagement in Afghanistan and how is that affecting the United States and its partners?
Had the NSC process been working properly, once the report of possible bounties was included in the President's Daily Intelligence Brief in late February, alarm bells should have triggered some action if only to pre-empt possible leaks. Once the story broke four months later, an immediate and credible response was essential to defuse the negative reaction. Now that it appears the Russian presence in Afghanistan may be significant, the White House can no longer afford to defer confronting what may be an explosive story.
Meanwhile, many still wonder about the validity of the intelligence and, more importantly, why after several weeks confusion about its authenticity persists, fueling further speculation about presidential ignorance or inaction. With the intense cynicism that pervades politics today, some will conclude that White House officials were afraid to confront the president with bad news about Russia. And did the Pentagon leadership regard this as a White House matter, choosing not to intervene possibly for similar reasons?
Advertisement
Determining if the GRU did offer bounties or if Russia was out to stymie U.S. efforts in Afghanistan is imperative. Or, is there another explanation as to the nature of the president's relationship with Putin and why the administration seems reluctant to address this issue. In an election year, the perception of a president not taking every action to protect American troops in harm's way could be politically fatal.
If the generals are correct and these reports are exaggerated, why has this not come out sooner and will any lessons be learned? Or will it be business as usual? And perhaps the famous PDB should be terminated, since few of importance, namely the president, seem to read it.
But, put another way, it ain't the PDB that's broken. It is the NSC process, stupid.Harlan Ullman is UPI's Arnaud de Borchgrave Distinguished Columnist, a senior adviser at the Atlantic Council and author of the upcoming book, "The Fifth Horseman: To Be Feared, Friended or Fought in a MAD-Driven Age."


upi--2020-07-15--Study projects world population by 2100 will be 2 billion less than previously estimated

July 15 ( UPI ) -- A new study said Wednesday the global population wo n't grow as quickly by the year 2100 as was previously estimated .
The study , published in the Lancet , said fertility issues , improvements in contraception and higher educational attainment by women are some of the main factors in the revised estimate , which now projects a world population of 8.8 billion by 2100 .
Previous estimates put the figure closer to 11 billion .
The analysis said elderly persons will make up the bulk of the population in 23 countries by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italy , Spain and Thailand -- where total populations could shrink by more than 50 percent .
China and India , two of the most populous countries , are expected to see sharp decreases in working-age populations .
Christopher Murray , director of the Institute of Health Metrics and Education at the University of Washington , said the once-believed theory that Earth 's population will continue to grow through the end of the century is no longer a given .
`` This study provides governments of all countries an opportunity to start rethinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic development to address the challenges presented by demographic change , '' Murray , who led the study , said in a statement .
The study also said countries like Australia , Canada and the United States , which have fertility rates lower than their replacement rates , could navigate the decline of the working-age population through net migration .
It mentioned , however , that recent backlash against migration could threaten economic growth in those nations .
`` While demographers continue to debate the long-term implications of migration as a remedy for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need a fundamental rethink of global politics , '' Ibrahim Abubakar , chair of the Lancet Migration at the University College London , said in a statement .
`` Greater multilateralism and a new global leadership should enable both migrant-sending and migrant-receiving countries to benefit , while protecting the rights of individuals . ''

Bicyclists ride through a historic area of Beijing, China, on June 30. Wednesday's study said populous nations like China and India are expected to see sharp declines in their working-age populations by the turn of the next century. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
July 15 (UPI) -- A new study said Wednesday the global population won't grow as quickly by the year 2100 as was previously estimated. The study, published in the Lancet, said fertility issues, improvements in contraception and higher educational attainment by women are some of the main factors in the revised estimate, which now projects a world population of 8.8 billion by 2100. Previous estimates put the figure closer to 11 billion. Advertisement
The analysis said elderly persons will make up the bulk of the population in 23 countries by the start of the next century -- including Italy, Spain and Thailand -- where total populations could shrink by more than 50 percent. China and India, two of the most populous countries, are expected to see sharp decreases in working-age populations.
Christopher Murray, director of the Institute of Health Metrics and Education at the University of Washington, said the once-believed theory that Earth's population will continue to grow through the end of the century is no longer a given.
"This study provides governments of all countries an opportunity to start rethinking their policies on migration, workforces and economic development to address the challenges presented by demographic change," Murray, who led the study, said in a statement.
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The study also said countries like Australia, Canada and the United States, which have fertility rates lower than their replacement rates, could navigate the decline of the working-age population through net migration. It mentioned, however, that recent backlash against migration could threaten economic growth in those nations.
"While demographers continue to debate the long-term implications of migration as a remedy for declining [fertility rates], we need a fundamental rethink of global politics," Ibrahim Abubakar, chair of the Lancet Migration at the University College London, said in a statement.
"Greater multilateralism and a new global leadership should enable both migrant-sending and migrant-receiving countries to benefit, while protecting the rights of individuals."


upi--2020-07-15--Orlando SC becomes first team to clinch spot in MLS Is Back knockout round

July 15 ( UPI ) -- Orlando SC became the first team to clinch a spot in the round of 16 in the MLS Is Back Tournament after a 3-1 group-stage triumph over New York City FC .
Chris Mueller scored two first-half goals in the win Tuesday at ESPN 's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando , Fla .
The Lions beat Inter Miami CF 2-1 in the first match of the tournament July 8 in Orlando .
They have seven points atop Group A .
The Philadelphia Union also clinched a knockout spot out of Group A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Orlando and Philadelphia play Monday , with the winner able to clinch Group A and a better seed in the knockout round .
`` I think we were looking forward to another opportunity to play a game , '' Mueller told reporters .
`` I think we were excited to get out and knew what we wanted to do going into the game .
We had a gameplan and wanted to come out with a lot of energy to try and catch them in the first 15 minutes . ''
Mueller helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the fourth minute .
Orlando midfielder Joao Moutinho stood about 40 yards from the New York net for a free kick to spark the sequence .
He then stepped up and curled a long pass over the defense and toward the far post .
Mueller caught up to the pass and smashed a volley into the right side of the net .
The Orlando midfielder doubled the lead just six minutes later .
Orlando defender Ruan lifted a cross from the right side to the opposite field during that play .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dom Dwyer .
The Orlando striker then headed the ball to the far post to find a wide-open Mueller .
Mueller brought the ball down before he dribbled around New York goalie Sean Johnson and buried a shot into the middle of the net .
New York midfielder Jesus Medina cut the Orlando lead in half in the 38th minute .
Striker Heber lobbed a pass to the top of the Orlando box during that play .
Medina touched the ball down with his chest before he smacked a half-volley effort into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orlando keeper Pedro Gallese .
Orlando 's Tesha Akindele scored the final goal of the match in the 81st minute .
The Lions striker was at the right post of New York 's goal when a deflected ball fell to his area .
He finished the play with a head ball into the empty net .
Orlando and Philadelphia match up at 8 p.m. EDT Monday in Orlando .

Orlando City SC midfielder Chris Mueller (R) scored two first-half goals in a 3-1 win against New York City FC Tuesday in Orlando, Fla. Photo courtesy of Orlando City SC
July 15 (UPI) -- Orlando SC became the first team to clinch a spot in the round of 16 in the MLS Is Back Tournament after a 3-1 group-stage triumph over New York City FC. Chris Mueller scored two first-half goals in the win Tuesday at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla. The Lions beat Inter Miami CF 2-1 in the first match of the tournament July 8 in Orlando. They have seven points atop Group A. The Philadelphia Union also clinched a knockout spot out of Group A with a win Tuesday against Inter Miami. Advertisement
Orlando and Philadelphia play Monday, with the winner able to clinch Group A and a better seed in the knockout round.
"I think we were looking forward to another opportunity to play a game," Mueller told reporters. "I think we were excited to get out and knew what we wanted to do going into the game. We had a gameplan and wanted to come out with a lot of energy to try and catch them in the first 15 minutes."
Mueller helped Orlando get started early with a score in the fourth minute. Orlando midfielder Joao Moutinho stood about 40 yards from the New York net for a free kick to spark the sequence. He then stepped up and curled a long pass over the defense and toward the far post. Mueller caught up to the pass and smashed a volley into the right side of the net.
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The Orlando midfielder doubled the lead just six minutes later. Orlando defender Ruan lifted a cross from the right side to the opposite field during that play. The ball fell into the box and found Dom Dwyer. The Orlando striker then headed the ball to the far post to find a wide-open Mueller. Mueller brought the ball down before he dribbled around New York goalie Sean Johnson and buried a shot into the middle of the net.
New York midfielder Jesus Medina cut the Orlando lead in half in the 38th minute. Striker Heber lobbed a pass to the top of the Orlando box during that play. Medina touched the ball down with his chest before he smacked a half-volley effort into the right side of the net to beat Orlando keeper Pedro Gallese.
Orlando's Tesha Akindele scored the final goal of the match in the 81st minute. The Lions striker was at the right post of New York's goal when a deflected ball fell to his area. He finished the play with a head ball into the empty net.
Orlando and Philadelphia match up at 8 p.m. EDT Monday in Orlando.


upi--2020-07-15--Mickey Madden taking a break from Maroon 5 after arrest

July 15 ( UPI ) -- Bassist Mickey Madden has announced he is taking a break from performing with the @ @ @ @ @ `` I have some things that I need to deal with and address right now @ @ @ @ @ to take a leave of absence from Maroon 5 for the foreseeable future , '' @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
`` During this time , I do not want to be a distraction @ @ @ @ @ wish them the absolute best . ''
Madden 's temporary departure was announced more than @ @ @ @ @ arrested in California for alleged domestic violence .
He was released after posting $ 50,000 @ @ @ @ @ in court in September .
`` We are deeply devastated by this disappointing news .
@ @ @ @ @ we are looking at this very seriously , '' Maroon 5 said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ month .
`` For now , we are allowing all of the individuals involved the @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Left to right, musicians Mickey Madden, Matt Flynn, PJ Morton, James Valentine and Adam Levine of Maroon 5 appear backstage during the 2016 American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Madden has announced he is taking a break from the band. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
July 15 (UPI) -- Bassist Mickey Madden has announced he is taking a break from performing with the pop/rock band Maroon 5. "I have some things that I need to deal with and address right now and so I have decided to take a leave of absence from Maroon 5 for the foreseeable future," Madden said in a statement Tuesday. Advertisement
"During this time, I do not want to be a distraction to my bandmates. I wish them the absolute best."
Madden's temporary departure was announced more than two weeks after he was arrested in California for alleged domestic violence.
He was released after posting $50,000 bail and is due back in court in September.
"We are deeply devastated by this disappointing news. As we learn more, we are looking at this very seriously," Maroon 5 said in a statement after Madden's arrest last month.
"For now, we are allowing all of the individuals involved the space to work things through."


upi--2020-07-15--Mets ace Jacob deGrom leaves intrasquad start due to back tightness

July 15 ( UPI ) -- New York Mets ace pitcher Jacob deGrom was forced to leave an intrasquad start @ @ @ @ @ .
The two-time Cy Young Award winner made his second appearance at Mets summer camp @ @ @ @ @ New York .
The team had no further update on deGrom 's injury status .
@ @ @ @ @ before he left the game and did not return .
He has dealt with back @ @ @ @ @ DeGrom allowed a single to Amed Rosario and struck out Brandon Nimmo and J.D .
@ @ @ @ @ start .
The three-time All-Star is scheduled to be the Mets ' opening-day starter against @ @ @ @ @ p.m. EDT July 24 at Citi Field .
DeGrom won his second-consecutive Cy Young Award @ @ @ @ @ a 2.43 ERA and an 11-8 record in 32 starts .
He also had a @ @ @ @ @ He led Major League Baseball with a 1.70 ERA in 2018 .
His 2.62 ERA @ @ @ @ @ among active MLB pitchers .

New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom had two strikeouts in one inning of work before he left an intrasquad start due to back tightness Tuesday in New York. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 15 (UPI) -- New York Mets ace pitcher Jacob deGrom was forced to leave an intrasquad start early due to back tightness. The two-time Cy Young Award winner made his second appearance at Mets summer camp Tuesday at Citi Field in New York. The team had no further update on deGrom's injury status. Advertisement
DeGrom pitched for one inning before he left the game and did not return. He has dealt with back tightness throughout his career.
DeGrom allowed a single to Amed Rosario and struck out Brandon Nimmo and J.D. Davis in Tuesday's brief start.
The three-time All-Star is scheduled to be the Mets' opening-day starter against the Atlanta Braves at 4:10 p.m. EDT July 24 at Citi Field.
DeGrom won his second-consecutive Cy Young Award last season after he posted a 2.43 ERA and an 11-8 record in 32 starts. He also had a National League-high 255 strikeouts. He led Major League Baseball with a 1.70 ERA in 2018. His 2.62 ERA for his career is second-best among active MLB pitchers.