upi--2020-08-06--Watch: Jamie Foxx plays 'Auto-Tune Up' with Jimmy Fallon on 'Tonight Show'

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Jamie Foxx and Jimmy Fallon used auto-tune to sing about mundane things while playing new game Auto-Tune Up on The Tonight Show .
The actor and late night host were each given a random , boring paragraph on Wednesday that they tried to turn into a song using auto-tune .
Foxx performed by reading from a DVD copyright warning and from an article on how to spider-proof a shed while Fallon performed by reading an Amazon review of a screwdriver set and the ingredients listed on a bag of Combos .
`` Baby , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going on the road , '' Foxx said after Fallon sang .
Foxx also discussed his friendship with the late Kobe Bryant and how he motivated the basketball great to get his fifth NBA championship ring .
The actor said he met with Bryant while doing a show in Los Angeles when the pair started a debate about basketball .
Bryant left the show to go work out while Foxx continued to text him about how he was n't going to win another championship .
`` He says , 'Do you have some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'Huh ? '
He says , 'You 're gon na need it , because you 're gon na choke on my fifth ring , ' '' Foxx recalled .
`` You know , when you look at the lay of the land and what has transpired and how he was taken from us so fast man , I cherish that story , '' Foxx continued .
Foxx will next be seen in action thriller Project Power alongside Joseph Gordon-Levitt .
The film is coming to Netflix on Aug. 14 .

Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Jamie Foxx and Jimmy Fallon used auto-tune to sing about mundane things while playing new game Auto-Tune Up on The Tonight Show.
The actor and late night host were each given a random, boring paragraph on Wednesday that they tried to turn into a song using auto-tune.
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Foxx performed by reading from a DVD copyright warning and from an article on how to spider-proof a shed while Fallon performed by reading an Amazon review of a screwdriver set and the ingredients listed on a bag of Combos.
"Baby, when we come out this quarantine we going on the road," Foxx said after Fallon sang.
Foxx also discussed his friendship with the late Kobe Bryant and how he motivated the basketball great to get his fifth NBA championship ring.
The actor said he met with Bryant while doing a show in Los Angeles when the pair started a debate about basketball. Bryant left the show to go work out while Foxx continued to text him about how he wasn't going to win another championship.
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"He says, 'Do you have some water?' And I said, 'Huh?' He says, 'You're gonna need it, because you're gonna choke on my fifth ring,'" Foxx recalled.
"You know, when you look at the lay of the land and what has transpired and how he was taken from us so fast man, I cherish that story," Foxx continued.
Foxx will next be seen in action thriller Project Power alongside Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The film is coming to Netflix on Aug. 14.


upi--2020-08-06--Watch: Meghan McCain says she'll return to 'The View' after baby's birth

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- The View co-host Meghan McCain says she 'll return to the series after her baby 's birth .
The 35-year-old television personality discussed her future at the talk show during Wednesday 's episode of Watch What Happens Live .
McCain is expecting her first child with her husband , Ben Domenech .
On WWHL , she voiced frustration with the people speculating whether she 'll leave The View .
`` Why does everyone ask me if I 'm getting fired or quitting every 20 seconds ?
No other host has to deal with this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yes , I 'm coming back .
It 's an election cycle . ''
`` I hate this , '' she added with a laugh .
McCain , the daughter of late senator John McCain , announced her pregnancy in March .
She said in May that she 's keeping her pregnancy private and off of social media for the `` comfort '' and `` safety '' of her family .
`` People keep asking and requesting I show pics & details of my pregnancy .
Given that people write on photos I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glad my Dad got cancer and he 's in hell , I thought I would leave my unborn child out of the social media cess pool as much as possible , '' McCain tweeted .
On WWHL , McCain also discussed the upcoming presidential election .
She declined to say whether she will vote for former vice president Joe Biden , but said she wo n't be voting for President Donald Trump .
McCain also named her pick for Biden 's vice presidential running mate .
`` I think if he 's smart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because she 's very hard to attack , '' she said .
`` I know 100 % who he should n't pick -- I do n't think Susan Rice is a good choice at all , because she 's never been elected to anything . ''

Aug. 6 (UPI) -- The View co-host Meghan McCain says she'll return to the series after her baby's birth.
The 35-year-old television personality discussed her future at the talk show during Wednesday's episode of Watch What Happens Live.
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McCain is expecting her first child with her husband, Ben Domenech. On WWHL, she voiced frustration with the people speculating whether she'll leave The View.
"Why does everyone ask me if I'm getting fired or quitting every 20 seconds? No other host has to deal with this B.S.," McCain said. "Yes, I'm coming back. It's an election cycle."
"I hate this," she added with a laugh.
McCain, the daughter of late senator John McCain, announced her pregnancy in March. She said in May that she's keeping her pregnancy private and off of social media for the "comfort" and "safety" of her family.
"People keep asking and requesting I show pics & details of my pregnancy. Given that people write on photos I put up of my family they are glad my Dad got cancer and he's in hell, I thought I would leave my unborn child out of the social media cess pool as much as possible," McCain tweeted.
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On WWHL, McCain also discussed the upcoming presidential election. She declined to say whether she will vote for former vice president Joe Biden, but said she won't be voting for President Donald Trump.
McCain also named her pick for Biden's vice presidential running mate.
"I think if he's smart he'll choose someone like Tammy Duckworth, because she's very hard to attack," she said. "I know 100% who he shouldn't pick -- I don't think Susan Rice is a good choice at all, because she's never been elected to anything."


upi--2020-08-06--Younger House members a bit more bipartisan, study shows

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Younger members of the U.S. House of Representatives are more likely to work across the aisle than their older colleagues , a new study shows .
Bipartisanship is extraordinarily hard to come by on Capitol Hill , one of the main reasons why the legislative branch has devolved into near total dysfunction and further hobbled the regular operations of democracy .
The report provides a glimmer of hope the next generation of lawmaker leaders may be willing to change that .
The findings were released this week by the Millennial Action Project , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bipartisanship , and the Lugar Center , a think tank promoting civility and collaboration across party lines .
For the study , researchers created a formula to quantify the bipartisan tendencies of every current House member .
It was based on how often in this term they have signed on to bills introduced by someone of the opposite party , and how many of their own proposals have attracted sponsorship from across the aisle .
( The numbers are one of the few ways to quantify behavior that often manifests itself in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The results were compared to how members of Congress behaved from 1993 to 2018 , a period when partisan loyalties soared while collaborative legislating fell into disfavor and disuse each year more than the last .
High scores identified members acting in a more bipartisan way than the average of the previous quarter-century .
One in six House members , 75 of them , were identified as young because at the start of this Congress they had not yet turned 45 .
But they accounted for 22 percent of the members who scored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of 185 members represents 43 percent of the House . )
`` This correlation is all the more impressive in that it has held true for three Congresses in a row and both younger Republicans and younger Democrats are scoring above the historical average , '' said Dan Diller of the Lugar Center .
Overall , 56 percent of younger members were in positive territory for being more bipartisan than the recent historical average -- but that was true of only 40 percent of their older colleagues .
Steven Olikara , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this study affirms that `` the next generation of leaders is already redefining how we govern . ''
This story originally appeared at The Fulcrum .

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Rep. Josh Gottheimer (L), D-N.J., shown here with Republican President Donald Trump and Rep. Tom Reed (R), R-N.Y., is one of the younger members of the House with a high score for bipartisanship in a recent study. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Younger members of the U.S. House of Representatives are more likely to work across the aisle than their older colleagues, a new study shows. Bipartisanship is extraordinarily hard to come by on Capitol Hill, one of the main reasons why the legislative branch has devolved into near total dysfunction and further hobbled the regular operations of democracy. The report provides a glimmer of hope the next generation of lawmaker leaders may be willing to change that. Advertisement
The findings were released this week by the Millennial Action Project, which was created to champion young legislators committed to bipartisanship, and the Lugar Center, a think tank promoting civility and collaboration across party lines.
For the study, researchers created a formula to quantify the bipartisan tendencies of every current House member. It was based on how often in this term they have signed on to bills introduced by someone of the opposite party, and how many of their own proposals have attracted sponsorship from across the aisle. (The numbers are one of the few ways to quantify behavior that often manifests itself in subjective acts of behind-closed-doors cooperation.)
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The results were compared to how members of Congress behaved from 1993 to 2018, a period when partisan loyalties soared while collaborative legislating fell into disfavor and disuse each year more than the last. High scores identified members acting in a more bipartisan way than the average of the previous quarter-century.
One in six House members, 75 of them, were identified as young because at the start of this Congress they had not yet turned 45. But they accounted for 22 percent of the members who scored above zero for bipartisanship. (That group of 185 members represents 43 percent of the House.)
"This correlation is all the more impressive in that it has held true for three Congresses in a row and both younger Republicans and younger Democrats are scoring above the historical average," said Dan Diller of the Lugar Center.
Overall, 56 percent of younger members were in positive territory for being more bipartisan than the recent historical average -- but that was true of only 40 percent of their older colleagues.
Steven Olikara, who runs the Millennial Action Project, said this study affirms that "the next generation of leaders is already redefining how we govern."
Younger members with the highest bipartisanship scores:
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1. Democrat Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey
2. Republican Lee Zeldin of New York
3. Republican Elise Stefanik of New York
4. Democrat Joe Cunningham of South Carolina
5. Democrat Abigail Spanberger of Virginia
Younger members with the lowest bipartisanship scores:
73. Democrat Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts
72. Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York
71. Democrat Ilhan Omar of Minnesota
70. Republican Michael Cloud of Texas
69. Democrat Rashida Tlaib of Michigan
Older members with the highest bipartisanship scores:
1. Republican Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania
2. Republican John Katko of New York
3. Republican Peter King of New York
4. Republican Don Young of Alaska
5. Republican Chris Smith of New Jersey
Older members with the lowest bipartisanship scores:
360. Republican Gary Palmer of Alabama
359. Republican Rick Allen of Georgia
358. Republican Chip Roy of Texas
357. Republican Jim Jordan of Ohio
356. Republican Tom McClintock of California
This story originally appeared at The Fulcrum.


upi--2020-08-06--Portland Timbers clinch spot in MLS Is Back championship

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- The Portland Timbers clinched a spot in the MLS Is Back Tournament championship with a 2-1 semifinal win against the Philadelphia Union in Orlando , Fla. Jeremy Ebobisse and Sebastian Blanco scored for Portland in the triumph Wednesday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex inside Walt Disney World Resort .
Andrew Wooten scored for Philadelphia .
`` I think our performance today was great , '' Timbers center midfielder Diego Valeri told reporters .
`` It would mean a lot for me in this part of my career to get back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- the 2017 MLS MVP -- set up the first score when he sent in a corner kick from the right side in the 13th minute .
Valeri 's cross sailed through the box and found Ebobisse , who redirected the feed into the right side of the net .
The Timbers held on to the 1-0 lead through halftime before Blanco doubled the advantage in the 70th minute .
That score also came off a corner kick .
Valeri sent that service in from the right side before defender Dario Zuparic headed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blanco then headed the ball in from point-blank range for a 2-0 lead .
Wooten cut the Timbers lead in half in the 85th minute .
Union midfielder Jamiro Monteiro started that play with a free kick from about 20 yards out .
Timbers keeper Steve Clark blocked Monteiro 's attempt , but the ball bounced away from the net-minder .
Wooten then ran in and netted a follow-up shot from about five yards out .
The Union appeared to score an equalizer less than a minute later , but referees called Kacper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the score .
`` It was a great performance from our players , '' Timbers coach Giovanni Savarese said .
`` I 'm extremely proud of the way our guys were able to execute our plan .
`` We had a lot of discipline , work and honesty from our guys to make sure we got a very important result . ''
Orlando City will play Minnesota United at 8 p.m. EDT Thursday in Orlando to decide the Timbers ' championship opponent .
The MLS Is Back Tournament final will be at 8:30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World of Sports complex .

Portland Timbers goalie Steve Clark had seven saves in a win against the Philadelphia Union in the MLS Is Back Tournament semifinals Wednesday in Orlando, Fla. Photo courtesy of Jared Martinez/Matt Stith/Devin L'Amoreaux/MLS
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- The Portland Timbers clinched a spot in the MLS Is Back Tournament championship with a 2-1 semifinal win against the Philadelphia Union in Orlando, Fla. Jeremy Ebobisse and Sebastian Blanco scored for Portland in the triumph Wednesday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex inside Walt Disney World Resort. Andrew Wooten scored for Philadelphia. Advertisement
"I think our performance today was great," Timbers center midfielder Diego Valeri told reporters. "It would mean a lot for me in this part of my career to get back to Portland with another trophy."
Valeri -- the 2017 MLS MVP -- set up the first score when he sent in a corner kick from the right side in the 13th minute. Valeri's cross sailed through the box and found Ebobisse, who redirected the feed into the right side of the net.
The Timbers held on to the 1-0 lead through halftime before Blanco doubled the advantage in the 70th minute. That score also came off a corner kick. Valeri sent that service in from the right side before defender Dario Zuparic headed the feed toward the near post. Blanco then headed the ball in from point-blank range for a 2-0 lead.
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Wooten cut the Timbers lead in half in the 85th minute. Union midfielder Jamiro Monteiro started that play with a free kick from about 20 yards out. Timbers keeper Steve Clark blocked Monteiro's attempt, but the ball bounced away from the net-minder. Wooten then ran in and netted a follow-up shot from about five yards out.
The Union appeared to score an equalizer less than a minute later, but referees called Kacper Przybylko offside on the play and disallowed the score.
"It was a great performance from our players," Timbers coach Giovanni Savarese said. "I'm extremely proud of the way our guys were able to execute our plan.
"We had a lot of discipline, work and honesty from our guys to make sure we got a very important result."
Orlando City will play Minnesota United at 8 p.m. EDT Thursday in Orlando to decide the Timbers' championship opponent. The MLS Is Back Tournament final will be at 8:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex.


upi--2020-08-06--Seth Rogen takes on dual roles in 'American Pickle'

LOS ANGELES , Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Seth Rogen , facing visual effects challenges in playing two characters in HBO Max 's An American Pickle , decided to add one more : He 'd grow his own beard for one of them .
That meant Rogen had to complete all the scenes for Herschel Greenbaum -- who was frozen in a pickle factory accident in 1920 -- before he could shave and play Ben , Herschel 's only living descendant .
Normally in films where one actor plays multiple roles , they can film each side immediately after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beard meant Rogen had to film Ben 's side of a scene long after filming Herschel 's .
`` It would 've made it easier to do it the other way , '' Rogen said in a Zoom Q & A after the film 's virtual premiere on Tuesday .
The show began streaming Thursday .
Rogen said movie beards often look fake and he feared it would spoil the illusion of the film .
Even in the blockbuster Avengers : Endgame , Rogen joked that Chris Hemsworth 's Thor beard was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better do thousands of portals with thousands of characters emerging through them than they can one man 's fake beard , '' Rogen said .
To put the scenes together , Ian Poake filled in as Rogen 's scene partner .
When Rogen played Ben , Poake played Herschel and vice versa .
If Ben handed Poake an object , it appeared as though Rogen handed a cup to himself when the scene was completed .
The interactions had to be precisely timed .
Rogen wore an earpiece that cued him with three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At first , Rogen said , the cues distracted him .
`` I remember the first time I heard it in my ear I was just like , ' I ca n't do this .
I do n't think this is going to work . '
'' Rogen said .
`` Eventually , I got it . ''
As stressful as hitting those cues was , Rogen preferred it to his usual comedy scene partners .
Rogen said other actors stress him out more .
`` I hate to break it to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Actors are kind of hard to deal with sometimes .
Removing as many other actors from the equation as humanly possible actually made for a much easier filmmaking experience . ''
In one scene , Ben shows Herschel his seltzer maker .
Herschel is impressed with this modern technology .
Rogen said the viewer never notices the precise timing that went into allowing him to share a drink with himself on screen , and Poake 's contributions will be erased entirely .
`` If it works , no one notices anything , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a normal scene of two guys making seltzer . ''
Ideally , once Rogen shaved , Herschel 's scenes would be finished .
However , Rogen ended up growing his beard again for a reshoot .
Despite requiring another 10 months of hair growth , the filmmakers still made their Thursday release date with the additional scene .
`` We thought of one joke we wanted to film that was literally 10 seconds long , '' Rogen said .
`` I grew a beard for 10 months so we could go back @ @ @ @ @

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Seth Rogen stars in the HBO Max original movie "An American Pickle." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Seth Rogen, facing visual effects challenges in playing two characters in HBO Max's An American Pickle, decided to add one more: He'd grow his own beard for one of them. That meant Rogen had to complete all the scenes for Herschel Greenbaum -- who was frozen in a pickle factory accident in 1920 -- before he could shave and play Ben, Herschel's only living descendant. Advertisement
Normally in films where one actor plays multiple roles, they can film each side immediately after the actor changes costume. Having the beard meant Rogen had to film Ben's side of a scene long after filming Herschel's.
"It would've made it easier to do it the other way," Rogen said in a Zoom Q&A after the film's virtual premiere on Tuesday. The show began streaming Thursday.
Rogen said movie beards often look fake and he feared it would spoil the illusion of the film.
Even in the blockbuster Avengers: Endgame, Rogen joked that Chris Hemsworth's Thor beard was the least convincing effect.
"They can better do thousands of portals with thousands of characters emerging through them than they can one man's fake beard," Rogen said.
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Precise timing
To put the scenes together, Ian Poake filled in as Rogen's scene partner. When Rogen played Ben, Poake played Herschel and vice versa.
If Ben handed Poake an object, it appeared as though Rogen handed a cup to himself when the scene was completed. The interactions had to be precisely timed.
Rogen wore an earpiece that cued him with three beeps before the moment of contact. At first, Rogen said, the cues distracted him.
"I remember the first time I heard it in my ear I was just like, 'I can't do this. I don't think this is going to work.'" Rogen said. "Eventually, I got it."
As stressful as hitting those cues was, Rogen preferred it to his usual comedy scene partners. Rogen said other actors stress him out more.
"I hate to break it to the world," Rogen said. "Actors are kind of hard to deal with sometimes. Removing as many other actors from the equation as humanly possible actually made for a much easier filmmaking experience."
In one scene, Ben shows Herschel his seltzer maker. Herschel is impressed with this modern technology. Rogen said the viewer never notices the precise timing that went into allowing him to share a drink with himself on screen, and Poake's contributions will be erased entirely.
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"If it works, no one notices anything," Rogen said. "It just seems like a normal scene of two guys making seltzer."
10 months for 10 seconds
Ideally, once Rogen shaved, Herschel's scenes would be finished. However, Rogen ended up growing his beard again for a reshoot.
Despite requiring another 10 months of hair growth, the filmmakers still made their Thursday release date with the additional scene.
"We thought of one joke we wanted to film that was literally 10 seconds long," Rogen said. "I grew a beard for 10 months so we could go back and film it."


upi--2020-08-06--In photos: Moments from the 2020 PGA Championship

Jordan Spieth hits golf balls at the practice tee at the 102nd PGA Championship in San Francisco on Wednesday .
@ @ @ @

Collin Morikawa reacts Sunday as the lid comes off of the Wanamaker trophy on the 18th green after the final round of the PGA Championship in San Francisco. Morikawa wins the PGA Championship with a score of 13 under par. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI


upi--2020-08-06--Herbivores at greater risk of extinction than carnivores, study says

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Plant-eaters , not predators , are at a greater risk of extinction , according to a new survey of more than 24,500 species .
For the study , published in the journal Science Advances , researchers organized and analyzed previously collected data on the extinction risk and diets of thousands of birds , mammals and reptiles .
The analysis showed 25 percent of herbivores are at risk of extinction , while only 15 percent of carnivores face the risk of extinction .
Approximately 17 percent of omnivores , species that eat both meat and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study said .
And among all groups , the data showed larger animals are more at risk than smaller animals .
Scientists say they have often predicted that large predators -- because they eat larger amounts of food and roam across larger swaths of land -- are most at risk of extinction .
`` The results were somewhat shocking , '' lead study author Trisha Atwood said in a news release .
`` Our highly publicized and fraught relationship with predatory animals such as lions and wolves has led to the unfounded perception @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any other trophic group , '' said Atwood , a researcher at Utah State University .
Overall , researchers found that herbivores were the most threatened , but the data showed a few specific groups of meat-eaters face an especially great risk of extinction .
This includes scavengers like vultures , as well as animals that mostly prey on fish , such as seabirds .
`` These surprising results do n't change the nature of our race to save biodiversity , but they do drive home how quickly we must act , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Imperial College London .
`` Preserving and restoring the entire of ecosystems , not just charismatic carnivores , is vital if we are to maintain a healthy and productive planet . ''
Among herbivores , the analysis showed plant-eating reptiles were particularly vulnerable , researchers said .
Tortoises , for example , are especially sensitive to the threats of invasive species .
The new research also revealed connections between groups at the highest risk of extinction and the specific threats posed by human activities .
`` Documenting a pattern in extinctions is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss of species , '' said Atwood .
`` Our next step is to understand the intricacies of why this pattern is occurring ; only then will we really have a chance at stopping these future extinctions . ''
Different herbivores and carnivores provide a variety of unique ecological services , like cycling nutrients through an ecosystem or minimizing local fire risk .
Researchers say their work can help ecologists and conservationists identify the impacts of species losses and prioritize protection efforts accordingly .

Sloths provide important ecological services, like spreading seeds from fruit of trees throughout the forests of South America. Many sloth species face a heightened risk of extinction due to habitat fragmentation. Photo by Geoff Gallice/ Flickr
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Plant-eaters, not predators, are at a greater risk of extinction, according to a new survey of more than 24,500 species. For the study, published in the journal Science Advances, researchers organized and analyzed previously collected data on the extinction risk and diets of thousands of birds, mammals and reptiles. Advertisement
The analysis showed 25 percent of herbivores are at risk of extinction, while only 15 percent of carnivores face the risk of extinction.
Approximately 17 percent of omnivores, species that eat both meat and plants, are at risk, the study said. And among all groups, the data showed larger animals are more at risk than smaller animals.
Scientists say they have often predicted that large predators -- because they eat larger amounts of food and roam across larger swaths of land -- are most at risk of extinction.
"The results were somewhat shocking," lead study author Trisha Atwood said in a news release.
"Our highly publicized and fraught relationship with predatory animals such as lions and wolves has led to the unfounded perception that we are losing predators more than any other trophic group," said Atwood, a researcher at Utah State University.
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Overall, researchers found that herbivores were the most threatened, but the data showed a few specific groups of meat-eaters face an especially great risk of extinction. This includes scavengers like vultures, as well as animals that mostly prey on fish, such as seabirds.
"These surprising results don't change the nature of our race to save biodiversity, but they do drive home how quickly we must act," said co-author Will Pearce, life scientist at Imperial College London. "Preserving and restoring the entire of ecosystems, not just charismatic carnivores, is vital if we are to maintain a healthy and productive planet."
Among herbivores, the analysis showed plant-eating reptiles were particularly vulnerable, researchers said. Tortoises, for example, are especially sensitive to the threats of invasive species.
The new research also revealed connections between groups at the highest risk of extinction and the specific threats posed by human activities.
"Documenting a pattern in extinctions is only the first step towards curbing the loss of species," said Atwood. "Our next step is to understand the intricacies of why this pattern is occurring; only then will we really have a chance at stopping these future extinctions."
Different herbivores and carnivores provide a variety of unique ecological services, like cycling nutrients through an ecosystem or minimizing local fire risk.
Advertisement
Researchers say their work can help ecologists and conservationists identify the impacts of species losses and prioritize protection efforts accordingly.


upi--2020-08-06--In photos: Moments from Major League Baseball for the week of Aug. 2, 2020

Cincinnati Reds Nick Senzel looks on after being defeated 2-0 by the Cleveland Indians in Cleveland on Wednesday .
Photo @ @ @

The Miami Marlins celebrate their 4-3 win against the New York Mets in New York on Friday. The Marlins also beat the Orioles on Thursday. Photo by Corey Sipkin/UPI


upi--2020-08-06--Look: Alyssa Milano says she had COVID-19: 'I thought I was dying'

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Alyssa Milano announced on Instagram that she has tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies after taking three other tests that came back negative .
Milano , on Wednesday , said that she became sick in March and had multiple COVID-19 symptoms .
`` I had never been this kind of sick .
Everything hurt .
Loss of smell .
It felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest .
I could n't breathe .
I could n't keep food in me .
I lost nine pounds in two weeks , '' the actress said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oxygen mask and a photo of her positive test result .
Milano said that she took two COVID-19 tests at the end of March which came back negative followed by an antibody test that also came back negative .
The 47-year-old then took a second antibody test that was done from a blood draw after having lingering symptoms for four months .
`` I had COVID-19 .
I just want you to be aware that our testing system is flawed and we do n't know the real numbers .
I also want you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hoax .
I thought I was dying .
It felt like I was dying , '' Milano said .
`` I will be donating my plasma with hopes that I might save a life .
Please take care of yourselves .
Please wash your hands and wear a mask and social distance .
I do n't want anyone to feel the way I felt , '' she continued .
Milano is set to star in a sequel series to classic sitcom Who 's the Boss ?
along with her former co-star , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow Milano 's Samantha who is a single-mom living in the same house from the first series .

Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Alyssa Milano announced on Instagram that she has tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies after taking three other tests that came back negative.
Milano, on Wednesday, said that she became sick in March and had multiple COVID-19 symptoms.
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"I had never been this kind of sick. Everything hurt. Loss of smell. It felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't keep food in me. I lost nine pounds in two weeks," the actress said alongside a photo of herself wearing an oxygen mask and a photo of her positive test result.
Milano said that she took two COVID-19 tests at the end of March which came back negative followed by an antibody test that also came back negative. The 47-year-old then took a second antibody test that was done from a blood draw after having lingering symptoms for four months.
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"I had COVID-19. I just want you to be aware that our testing system is flawed and we don't know the real numbers. I also want you to know, this illness is not a hoax. I thought I was dying. It felt like I was dying," Milano said.
"I will be donating my plasma with hopes that I might save a life. Please take care of yourselves. Please wash your hands and wear a mask and social distance. I don't want anyone to feel the way I felt," she continued.
Milano is set to star in a sequel series to classic sitcom Who's the Boss? along with her former co-star, Tony Danza. The new series will follow Milano's Samantha who is a single-mom living in the same house from the first series.


upi--2020-08-06--Labor Dept.: Another 1.2 million U.S. workers file for unemployment

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Another 1.2 million U.S. workers have filed for new unemployment benefits , the Labor @ @ @ @ @ report Thursday .
The report listed 1,186,000 new claims for the week ending Aug. 1 @ @ @ @ @ from the previous week .
It listed the unemployment rate at 11 % .
Thursday @ @ @ @ @ last week 's claims by 1,000 .
Most economists expected about 1.4 million new claims @ @ @ @ @ are 16.1 million continuing claims , which lag initial claims by a week .
Thursday @ @ @ @ @ week in a row of at least 1 million new claims , and comes one @ @ @ @ @ its monthly jobs report for July .
A private assessment by ADP and Moody 's @ @ @ @ @ U.S. economy added just 167,000 non-farm payrolls for the month of July .
Most economists @ @ @ @ @ show an addition of about 1.6 million jobs , which would be a sharp decline @ @ @ @ @ in June .

A worker performs maintenance on the front of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City on July 29. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Another 1.2 million U.S. workers have filed for new unemployment benefits, the Labor Department said in its weekly report Thursday. The report listed 1,186,000 new claims for the week ending Aug. 1, a decrease of 249,000 from the previous week. It listed the unemployment rate at 11%. Advertisement
Thursday's report also revised up last week's claims by 1,000.
Most economists expected about 1.4 million new claims.
The department said there are 16.1 million continuing claims, which lag initial claims by a week.
Thursday's figure marks the 20th week in a row of at least 1 million new claims, and comes one day before the department issues its monthly jobs report for July.
A private assessment by ADP and Moody's Analytics on Wednesday said the U.S. economy added just 167,000 non-farm payrolls for the month of July.
Most economists expect the government report will show an addition of about 1.6 million jobs, which would be a sharp decline from nearly 5 million added in June.


upi--2020-08-06--Gallup poll: More than half of Americans 'uncomfortable' flying amid COVID-19

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- More than half of Americans who have flown somewhere over the past year say they 're not comfortable with air travel in the age of coronavirus , a new Gallup survey showed Thursday .
The pollster found that 52 % of U.S. adults expressed discomfort about taking a commercial flight amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
Of that group , more than two-thirds aged 55 and older said they 're not comfortable flying at all , along with 51 % of the 35-54 age range .
The 18-34 age group is the most comfortable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't .
`` Differences in comfort level by age group might be expected given that older adults are more vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19 , '' Gallup wrote .
`` But the extent of those differences is especially noteworthy given that baby boomers and retirees are important market segments for leisure travel . ''
Along political lines , 59 % of Democrats , 54 % of independents and 42 % of Republicans said they are n't comfortable with present air travel .
Flight length had an impact on most respondents ' comfort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be comfortable taking a flight that lasted less than two hours , and 47 % said they 'd feel the same for a flight up to three hours .
Just 27 % said they would be comfortable on a flight lasting four to six hours and 21 % said so for trips longer than six hours .
Gallup polled more than 10,000 U.S. adults in early July for the survey , which was conducted as part of the Franklin Templeton-Gallup Economics of Recovery Study .

Travelers wait at a gate in Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City on Tuesday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- More than half of Americans who have flown somewhere over the past year say they're not comfortable with air travel in the age of coronavirus, a new Gallup survey showed Thursday. The pollster found that 52% of U.S. adults expressed discomfort about taking a commercial flight amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement
Of that group, more than two-thirds aged 55 and older said they're not comfortable flying at all, along with 51% of the 35-54 age range. The 18-34 age group is the most comfortable, with just 33% saying they aren't.
"Differences in comfort level by age group might be expected given that older adults are more vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19," Gallup wrote. "But the extent of those differences is especially noteworthy given that baby boomers and retirees are important market segments for leisure travel."
Along political lines, 59% of Democrats, 54% of independents and 42% of Republicans said they aren't comfortable with present air travel.
Flight length had an impact on most respondents' comfort level. Forty-four percent said they would be comfortable taking a flight that lasted less than two hours, and 47% said they'd feel the same for a flight up to three hours.
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Just 27% said they would be comfortable on a flight lasting four to six hours and 21% said so for trips longer than six hours.
Gallup polled more than 10,000 U.S. adults in early July for the survey, which was conducted as part of the Franklin Templeton-Gallup Economics of Recovery Study.


upi--2020-08-06--Jays' Ryu baffles Braves with changeup, eight strikeouts

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Hyun-Jin Ryu bewildered batters with his elite changeup and had eight strikeouts to earn his first win as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays in a stellar showing against the Atlanta Braves .
Ryu allowed just one hit in five scoreless innings in the 2-1 win Wednesday at Truist Park in Atlanta .
He allowed a total of 13 hits and eight runs in his first two starts this season for Toronto after he signed a four-year , $ 80 million contract with the franchise this off-season .
`` My fastball and cutter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Ryu told reporters .
`` My changeup , fastball , cutter -- they all improved in [ Wednesday 's ] game .
I just think I need to brush up on it a little bit more .
`` One thing that I do n't like is the amount of base on balls that I gave up in the outings that I 've pitched , so I still need to brush up on my command and make sure that I go through the lineup more easily . ''
Ryu walked Ronald Acuna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contest .
He retired the next three hitters he faced before he allowed his only hit of the day -- a single to Adam Duvall .
The Blue Jays took a 1-0 lead on a Danny Jansen sacrifice fly in the top of the second frame .
Toronto doubled the lead on a Cavan Biggio RBI single in the fifth inning .
Duvall brought in the Braves ' only score with a solo home run in the seventh inning .
Bo Bichette went 2 for 4 with a run scored in the win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an RBI .
Duvall went 2 for 3 with an RBI , a run scored and a walk for the Braves .
Braves starter Sean Newcomb allowed five hits and two runs in 4 2/3 innings .
The Braves ( 8-5 ) host the Blue Jays ( 4-5 ) in the final game of the series at 7:10 p.m. EDT Thursday in Atlanta .

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu allowed just one hit in five innings to earn his first win of the season Wednesday in Atlanta. Photo by Tami Chappell/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Hyun-Jin Ryu bewildered batters with his elite changeup and had eight strikeouts to earn his first win as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays in a stellar showing against the Atlanta Braves. Ryu allowed just one hit in five scoreless innings in the 2-1 win Wednesday at Truist Park in Atlanta. He allowed a total of 13 hits and eight runs in his first two starts this season for Toronto after he signed a four-year, $80 million contract with the franchise this off-season. Advertisement
"My fastball and cutter got better compared to the last outing," Ryu told reporters. "My changeup, fastball, cutter -- they all improved in [Wednesday's] game. I just think I need to brush up on it a little bit more.
"One thing that I don't like is the amount of base on balls that I gave up in the outings that I've pitched, so I still need to brush up on my command and make sure that I go through the lineup more easily."
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Ryu walked Ronald Acuna in his first exchange of Wednesday's contest. He retired the next three hitters he faced before he allowed his only hit of the day -- a single to Adam Duvall. The Blue Jays took a 1-0 lead on a Danny Jansen sacrifice fly in the top of the second frame.
Toronto doubled the lead on a Cavan Biggio RBI single in the fifth inning. Duvall brought in the Braves' only score with a solo home run in the seventh inning.
Bo Bichette went 2 for 4 with a run scored in the win. Biggio was 1 for 4 with an RBI. Duvall went 2 for 3 with an RBI, a run scored and a walk for the Braves.
Braves starter Sean Newcomb allowed five hits and two runs in 4 2/3 innings.
The Braves (8-5) host the Blue Jays (4-5) in the final game of the series at 7:10 p.m. EDT Thursday in Atlanta.


upi--2020-08-06--Mike Clevinger sharp in Indians shutout of rival Reds

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Mike Clevinger allowed just two hits in 5 2/3 innings to lead the Cleveland Indians to a shutout win against the Cincinnati Reds in the latest chapter of the Battle of Ohio rivalry .
Clevinger also had four strikeouts in his pristine performance Wednesday at Progressive Field in Cleveland .
The Reds and Indians combined for just seven hits in the rivalry squabble .
The Reds ( 5-7 ) and Indians ( 7-6 ) were scoreless through the first 4 1/2 innings before Cleveland finally took control .
Indians second baseman Cesar Hernandez singled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bottom of the fifth frame to plate Jordan Luplow for first blood .
Jose Ramirez plated the game 's only other run when he grounded into a force out in the next at-bat .
Oscar Mercado came around to score on that play .
An Indians bullpen combination of Dominic Leone , Oliver Perez , James Karinchak and Brad Hand then silenced the Reds ' bats for the final 3 1/3 innings .
Hand earned his fourth save of the season after he pitched a perfect ninth inning .
Reds starter Tejay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run in 4 1/3 innings , but took his first loss of the season .
The Reds and Indians split a two-game series in Cincinnati before the home-and-home series continued with the first of two games Wednesday in Cleveland .
The Reds and Indians face off in the final game of the matchup at 6:10 p.m. EDT Thursday at Progressive Field .

Cleveland Indians pitcher Mike Clevinger and the team's bullpen held the Cincinnati Reds to just three hits in a win Wednesday in Cleveland. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Mike Clevinger allowed just two hits in 5 2/3 innings to lead the Cleveland Indians to a shutout win against the Cincinnati Reds in the latest chapter of the Battle of Ohio rivalry. Clevinger also had four strikeouts in his pristine performance Wednesday at Progressive Field in Cleveland. The Reds and Indians combined for just seven hits in the rivalry squabble. Advertisement
The Reds (5-7) and Indians (7-6) were scoreless through the first 4 1/2 innings before Cleveland finally took control. Indians second baseman Cesar Hernandez singled off Reds relief pitcher Michael Lorenzen in the bottom of the fifth frame to plate Jordan Luplow for first blood.
Jose Ramirez plated the game's only other run when he grounded into a force out in the next at-bat. Oscar Mercado came around to score on that play.
An Indians bullpen combination of Dominic Leone, Oliver Perez, James Karinchak and Brad Hand then silenced the Reds' bats for the final 3 1/3 innings. Hand earned his fourth save of the season after he pitched a perfect ninth inning.
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Reds starter Tejay Antone allowed just two hits and one run in 4 1/3 innings, but took his first loss of the season.
The Reds and Indians split a two-game series in Cincinnati before the home-and-home series continued with the first of two games Wednesday in Cleveland. The Reds and Indians face off in the final game of the matchup at 6:10 p.m. EDT Thursday at Progressive Field.


upi--2020-08-06--WWE NXT: Pat McAfee takes out Adam Cole

WWE NXT: Pat McAfee takes out Adam Cole

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Former NFL star and ESPN analyst Pat McAfee had a violent confrontation with Adam Cole on WWE NXT .
McAfee was invited onto NXT on Wednesday as a guest commentator .
Cole had recently appeared on The Pat McAfee Show which ended badly after the former NXT Champion felt that he was being made fun of .
McAfee provided commentary as Cole 's Undisputed Era teammates Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly challenged Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner of Imperium for the NXT Tag Team Championships .
Cole confronted McAfee in the middle of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NFL punter make jokes about his size and height .
Cole splashed water onto McAfee after he called him an angry elf .
NXT head Triple H , Shawn Michaels and WWE officials had to break up the heated exchange as Cole was ready to fight .
Imperium took advantage of the situation and defeated Fish with the European Bomb to remain NXT Tag Team Champions .
The situation between Cole and McAfee went from bad to worse as McAfee charged at his rival and kicked Cole in the head .
Cole was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
Triple H pushed McAfee as he left the arena .
Also on WWE NXT , Rhea Ripley battled Dakota Kai to see who would become the No .
1 contender for Io Shirai 's NXT Women 's Championship .
Kai received an assist from Mercedes Martinez who attacked Ripley while the referee was distracted .
Kai followed that up with the Go-To-Kick to win the match and a title shot against Shirai at NXT TakeOver : XXX on Aug. 22 .
Martinez continued to attack Ripley after the match , causing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NXT Champion Keith Lee was in action against Cameron Grimes in a non-title match .
Grimes tried his best to take the champ off his feet but Lee weathered all of his attacks and won the bout with a thunderous Spirit Bomb .
Lee then received yet another message from Karrion Kross who is demanding an NXT Championship match .
Kross spoke to Lee from the backstage area where he had decimated a number of NXT stars including Danny Burch .
Other moments from WWE NXT included Bronson Reed defeating Shane Thorne ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holland to earn a spot in the North American Title Ladder match at NXT : TakeOver ; and Tegan Nox defeating Indi Hartwell .

Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Former NFL star and ESPN analyst Pat McAfee had a violent confrontation with Adam Cole on WWE NXT.
McAfee was invited onto NXT on Wednesday as a guest commentator. Cole had recently appeared on The Pat McAfee Show which ended badly after the former NXT Champion felt that he was being made fun of.
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McAfee provided commentary as Cole's Undisputed Era teammates Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly challenged Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner of Imperium for the NXT Tag Team Championships.
Cole confronted McAfee in the middle of the match as he kept hearing the former NFL punter make jokes about his size and height. Cole splashed water onto McAfee after he called him an angry elf.
NXT head Triple H, Shawn Michaels and WWE officials had to break up the heated exchange as Cole was ready to fight. Imperium took advantage of the situation and defeated Fish with the European Bomb to remain NXT Tag Team Champions.
The situation between Cole and McAfee went from bad to worse as McAfee charged at his rival and kicked Cole in the head. Cole was completely knocked out as Michaels checked on him. Triple H pushed McAfee as he left the arena.
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Also on WWE NXT, Rhea Ripley battled Dakota Kai to see who would become the No. 1 contender for Io Shirai's NXT Women's Championship.
Kai received an assist from Mercedes Martinez who attacked Ripley while the referee was distracted. Kai followed that up with the Go-To-Kick to win the match and a title shot against Shirai at NXT TakeOver: XXX on Aug. 22.
Martinez continued to attack Ripley after the match, causing her to bleed from her nose.
NXT Champion Keith Lee was in action against Cameron Grimes in a non-title match.
Grimes tried his best to take the champ off his feet but Lee weathered all of his attacks and won the bout with a thunderous Spirit Bomb.
Lee then received yet another message from Karrion Kross who is demanding an NXT Championship match. Kross spoke to Lee from the backstage area where he had decimated a number of NXT stars including Danny Burch.
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Other moments from WWE NXT included Bronson Reed defeating Shane Thorne; Damian Priest defeating Oney Lorcan and Ridge Holland to earn a spot in the North American Title Ladder match at NXT: TakeOver; and Tegan Nox defeating Indi Hartwell.


upi--2020-08-06--COVID-19 cases in U.S. decline to 52,800; Trump to visit Ohio

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- New COVID-19 cases in the United States have declined again by a few thousand , according to updated data Thursday by researchers at Johns Hopkins University .
After new cases spiked once again to nearly 60,000 on Tuesday , the figure declined to 52,800 on Wednesday , the updated data showed .
Cases on Sunday and Monday were below 50,000 on both days .
There were also 1,400 deaths in the United States on Wednesday , according to the COVID Tracking Project -- the third-highest single-day toll since the start of the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 158,300 deaths in the United States since the outbreak started , according to Johns Hopkins .
President Donald Trump will visit a manufacturing center in Ohio on Thursday and make remarks at about 3 p.m. EDT .
During his visit , Trump will sign an order requiring the federal government to buy `` essential '' drugs from U.S. companies instead of overseas .
In California , the state with the most cases , officials reported another 200 deaths -- the second-most daily toll to date .
State health chief Dr. Mark Ghaly said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resulted in an underreporting of new cases for several days .
Officials have since attached a disclaimer to its COVID-19 website cautioning that figures may be lower than the actual caseload .
More than 500,000 cases have been recorded in California to date .
In North Carolina .
Gov .
Roy Cooper said bars , gyms and entertainment venues will remain closed until at least the second week of September .
The state , he said , will `` remain paused '' or another five weeks as schools reopen in an effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that lifted restrictions quickly have had to go backward as their hospital capacity ran dangerously low and their cases jumped higher .
We will not make that mistake in North Carolina , '' he said .
North Carolina health secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said the state 's key COVID-19 indicators have stabilized , but remain at high levels .

Beauticians cut patrons' hair outside at a business in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Wednesday. The state has more coronavirus cases than any other in the United States, with more than a half-million to date. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- New COVID-19 cases in the United States have declined again by a few thousand, according to updated data Thursday by researchers at Johns Hopkins University. After new cases spiked once again to nearly 60,000 on Tuesday, the figure declined to 52,800 on Wednesday, the updated data showed. Cases on Sunday and Monday were below 50,000 on both days. Advertisement
There were also 1,400 deaths in the United States on Wednesday, according to the COVID Tracking Project -- the third-highest single-day toll since the start of the pandemic.
There have been 4.82 million cases and 158,300 deaths in the United States since the outbreak started, according to Johns Hopkins.
In California, the state with the most cases, officials reported another 200 deaths -- the second-most daily toll to date.
State health chief Dr. Mark Ghaly said a glitch in electronic reporting there has resulted in an underreporting of new cases for several days. Officials have since attached a disclaimer to its COVID-19 website cautioning that figures may be lower than the actual caseload.
More than 500,000 cases have been recorded in California to date.
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In North Carolina. Gov. Roy Cooper said bars, gyms and entertainment venues will remain closed until at least the second week of September.
The state, he said, will "remain paused" or another five weeks as schools reopen in an effort to decrease COVID-19 numbers.
"Other states that lifted restrictions quickly have had to go backward as their hospital capacity ran dangerously low and their cases jumped higher. We will not make that mistake in North Carolina," he said.
North Carolina health secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said the state's key COVID-19 indicators have stabilized, but remain at high levels.


upi--2020-08-06--North Korea fears information the most, analyst says

NEW YORK , Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Kim Yo Jong 's outburst over North Korean defectors in the South who distribute anti-Pyongyang leaflets could be driven by genuine fear of information seeping into the country , a human rights expert says .
Leaflets condemning the single-minded authoritarian rule of Kim Jong Un do not always make it across the border in helium balloons .
But when they do , they can end up in the hands of the people who serve as a pillar for the regime 's security , according to Greg Scarlatoiu , executive director at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea .
`` The key point about the balloons is that 80 percent of the Korean People 's Army is forward deployed south of the Pyongyang-Wonsan line , '' Scarlatoiu told UPI .
`` Many of these units are within reach [ of the balloons ] .
Even if they round up all of the leaflets , the North Korean officers in charge are going to read them . ''
Kim Yo Jong , Kim Jong Un 's sister who has called defectors `` human scum '' and `` rubbish-like mongrel dogs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolation of ordinary North Koreans , who live only a few hours away from Koreans in the South , one of the most wired societies in the world .
The regime keeps a tight lid on outside information .
There are only 2,000 IP addresses for a population of 25 million people , according to Scarlatoiu .
In response to North Korean threats of retaliation against the South , Seoul recently moved to ban balloon launches and revoked the operating licenses of two organizations , Fighters for a Free North Korea and Kuensaem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued engagement even after Pyongyang demolished the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong .
South Korea 's decision to penalize activists diminishes the prospect of delivering information to North Korea , says Suzanne Scholte , the chair of North Korea Freedom Coalition in Washington .
Scholte recently sent letters to South Korean President Moon Jae-in .
`` We should be amplifying the voices of the North Korean defectors , as they are our most powerful , peaceful way to reach people in North Korea , '' Scholte said in an email to UPI .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : rice , money , protective masks , [ South Korean ] Choco Pies , shortwave radios , memory cards and leaflets with information to North Korea .
`` Meanwhile , the North Korean regime threatens to attack with missiles and cigarette butts . ''
Jihyun Park , a North Korean defector and activist in Britain , said the policies being upheld in Seoul are part of a greater problem : lack of public awareness in South Korea about the plight of North Koreans trying to flee the country .
While South Koreans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , North Korean defectors are not perceived as refugees escaping a repressive regime , Park said .
Those perceptions have enabled Seoul to target defector groups for `` inspections '' without any real repercussions .
`` The crackdown is taking place in [ democratic ] South Korea , '' Park said .
`` It 's unfortunate . ''
The government 's warnings against anti-North Korea activity could be an attempt to appease the North .
Moon , who remains determined to complete his quest to sign a peace treaty with Kim Jong Un @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activity could help diplomacy and burnish his legacy .
`` The South Korean government may hope that this would placate the North Korean regime and create the space for Seoul to make inroads into inter-Korea cooperation , '' said Soo Kim , a policy analyst at the RAND Corp. `` But allowing North Korea 's deeds to go unpunished only emboldens Kim and gives Pyongyang greater leeway . ''
Scarlatoiu , who says the Moon administration has been tougher on North Korean defectors raising human rights awareness than previous progressive administrations , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong cue to defectors and the North Korean leadership .
`` The signal is be afraid , stop engaging in these activities , '' Scarlatoiu said .
`` Well , guess what .
It 's balloons today , radio tomorrow .
It 's any human rights NGO '' activities that could fall under scrutiny , he said .

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, may be nervous about outside information reaching North Koreans. Kim has condemned defectors who send leaflets, movies and South Korean snacks across the border. File Photo by Jorge Silva/EPA-EFE/Pool
NEW YORK, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Kim Yo Jong's outburst over North Korean defectors in the South who distribute anti-Pyongyang leaflets could be driven by genuine fear of information seeping into the country, a human rights expert says. Leaflets condemning the single-minded authoritarian rule of Kim Jong Un do not always make it across the border in helium balloons. But when they do, they can end up in the hands of the people who serve as a pillar for the regime's security, according to Greg Scarlatoiu, executive director at the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea. Advertisement
"The key point about the balloons is that 80 percent of the Korean People's Army is forward deployed south of the Pyongyang-Wonsan line," Scarlatoiu told UPI.
"Many of these units are within reach [of the balloons]. Even if they round up all of the leaflets, the North Korean officers in charge are going to read them."
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Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un's sister who has called defectors "human scum" and "rubbish-like mongrel dogs," could be nervous about the eroding isolation of ordinary North Koreans, who live only a few hours away from Koreans in the South, one of the most wired societies in the world.
The regime keeps a tight lid on outside information. There are only 2,000 IP addresses for a population of 25 million people, according to Scarlatoiu.
In response to North Korean threats of retaliation against the South, Seoul recently moved to ban balloon launches and revoked the operating licenses of two organizations, Fighters for a Free North Korea and Kuensaem. South Korea has also called for continued engagement even after Pyongyang demolished the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong.
South Korea's decision to penalize activists diminishes the prospect of delivering information to North Korea, says Suzanne Scholte, the chair of North Korea Freedom Coalition in Washington. Scholte recently sent letters to South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
"We should be amplifying the voices of the North Korean defectors, as they are our most powerful, peaceful way to reach people in North Korea," Scholte said in an email to UPI.
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"Remember what the defectors are sending: rice, money, protective masks, [South Korean] Choco Pies, shortwave radios, memory cards and leaflets with information to North Korea.
"Meanwhile, the North Korean regime threatens to attack with missiles and cigarette butts."
Jihyun Park, a North Korean defector and activist in Britain, said the policies being upheld in Seoul are part of a greater problem: lack of public awareness in South Korea about the plight of North Koreans trying to flee the country.
While South Koreans are informed about the global refugee crisis, North Korean defectors are not perceived as refugees escaping a repressive regime, Park said. Those perceptions have enabled Seoul to target defector groups for "inspections" without any real repercussions.
"The crackdown is taking place in [democratic] South Korea," Park said. "It's unfortunate."
The government's warnings against anti-North Korea activity could be an attempt to appease the North. Moon, who remains determined to complete his quest to sign a peace treaty with Kim Jong Un, could be thinking that curbing defector activity could help diplomacy and burnish his legacy.
"The South Korean government may hope that this would placate the North Korean regime and create the space for Seoul to make inroads into inter-Korea cooperation," said Soo Kim, a policy analyst at the RAND Corp. "But allowing North Korea's deeds to go unpunished only emboldens Kim and gives Pyongyang greater leeway."
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Scarlatoiu, who says the Moon administration has been tougher on North Korean defectors raising human rights awareness than previous progressive administrations, said the decision to audit activists sends the wrong cue to defectors and the North Korean leadership.
"The signal is be afraid, stop engaging in these activities," Scarlatoiu said.
"Well, guess what. It's balloons today, radio tomorrow. It's any human rights NGO" activities that could fall under scrutiny, he said.


upi--2020-08-06--Yu Darvish, Cubs bats spark 6-1 win over Royals

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Pitcher Yu Darvish allowed just five hits and one run in seven innings and the top of the Chicago Cubs batting order came alive to spark a lopsided win Wednesday night against the Kansas City Royals .
The Cubs ( 10-2 ) remain tied with the Minnesota Twins for the best record in Major League Baseball after the 6-1 triumph at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City , Mo .
Chicago is on a six-game winning streak .
Darvish kept the Royals at bay before the Cubs bullpen closed out the victory with two no-hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1-0 deficit with six unanswered runs to earn the win .
Whit Merrifield gave the Royals their initial edge with a ground out into a double play in the third inning .
Maikel Franco came around to score on the play .
The Cubs answered with a Javier Baez RBI single in the top of the fourth frame .
Willson Contreras then gave Chicago a 2-1 lead when he plated Anthony Rizzo as he grounded into a double play in the same inning .
Baez and Contreras each recorded RBI singles in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 4-1 .
Victor Caratini then hit another RBI single in the ninth inning before the Cubs scored their final run on a Royals error during a Kris Bryant single .
Bryant , Rizzo , Baez and Caratini each had two hits in the win .
Baez went 2 for 4 with two RBIs .
Royals starter Kris Bubic allowed just four hits and two runs in six innings , but took his second loss of 2020 .
The Cubs next face the Royals ( 3-10 ) in the final game of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kauffman Stadium .

1/3
Starting pitcher Yu Darvish led the Chicago Cubs to their six consecutive win Wednesday in Kansas City, Mo. Photo by Kyle Rivas/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Pitcher Yu Darvish allowed just five hits and one run in seven innings and the top of the Chicago Cubs batting order came alive to spark a lopsided win Wednesday night against the Kansas City Royals. The Cubs (10-2) remain tied with the Minnesota Twins for the best record in Major League Baseball after the 6-1 triumph at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Chicago is on a six-game winning streak. Advertisement
Darvish kept the Royals at bay before the Cubs bullpen closed out the victory with two no-hit innings. The Cubs overcame an early 1-0 deficit with six unanswered runs to earn the win.
Whit Merrifield gave the Royals their initial edge with a ground out into a double play in the third inning. Maikel Franco came around to score on the play.
The Cubs answered with a Javier Baez RBI single in the top of the fourth frame. Willson Contreras then gave Chicago a 2-1 lead when he plated Anthony Rizzo as he grounded into a double play in the same inning.
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Baez and Contreras each recorded RBI singles in the eighth frame to push the Cubs lead to 4-1. Victor Caratini then hit another RBI single in the ninth inning before the Cubs scored their final run on a Royals error during a Kris Bryant single.
Bryant, Rizzo, Baez and Caratini each had two hits in the win. Baez went 2 for 4 with two RBIs. Royals starter Kris Bubic allowed just four hits and two runs in six innings, but took his second loss of 2020.
The Cubs next face the Royals (3-10) in the final game of the series at 7:07 p.m. EDT Thursday at Kauffman Stadium.


upi--2020-08-06--Japan marks 75th anniversary of U.S. atomic bombing at Hiroshima

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Japan on Thursday commemorated the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing at Hiroshima with a smaller ceremony , due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Fewer than 800 people took part in the main ceremony at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park to mark the moment U.S. forces dropped the first nuclear weapon during World War II .
In the past , about 50,000 have attended the annual event .
Attendees on Thursday participated in a moment of silence at the precise time the bomb was dropped in 1945 .
`` While maintaining our three non-nuclear principles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a bridge among nations with differing views and persistently encourage dialogue and actions among the various nations , '' Japan 's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said .
Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui urged countries to band together and fight nuclear proliferation so no nation is ever threatened by nuclear weapons again .
`` Civil society must reject self-centered nationalism and unite against all threats , '' Matsui said .
`` Hiroshima considers it our duty to build in civil society a consensus that the people of the world must unite to achieve nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Aug. 6 and Nagasaki three days later killed hundreds of thousands and accelerated Japan 's surrender in World War II .
Japan 's health ministry says the average age of survivors is now 83.3 years .
Some said they fear the lessons from the bombing could be lost .
`` My mother was in the house when it collapsed , '' survivor Kazuko Naganuma , 72 , said of his 95-year-old mother .
`` She also lost her younger sister .
`` I grew up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day about thinking about the bombing .
But when you look outside Hiroshima , I 've noticed that even Japanese people now do n't know so much about it . ''

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Attendees pray Thursday for the atomic bomb victims at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park marking the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Japan on Thursday commemorated the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing at Hiroshima with a smaller ceremony, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fewer than 800 people took part in the main ceremony at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park to mark the moment U.S. forces dropped the first nuclear weapon during World War II. In the past, about 50,000 have attended the annual event. Advertisement
Attendees on Thursday participated in a moment of silence at the precise time the bomb was dropped in 1945.
"While maintaining our three non-nuclear principles, we will make efforts to serve as a bridge among nations with differing views and persistently encourage dialogue and actions among the various nations," Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.
Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui urged countries to band together and fight nuclear proliferation so no nation is ever threatened by nuclear weapons again.
"Civil society must reject self-centered nationalism and unite against all threats," Matsui said. "Hiroshima considers it our duty to build in civil society a consensus that the people of the world must unite to achieve nuclear weapons abolition and lasting world peace."
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The atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Aug. 6 and Nagasaki three days later killed hundreds of thousands and accelerated Japan's surrender in World War II.
Japan's health ministry says the average age of survivors is now 83.3 years. Some said they fear the lessons from the bombing could be lost.
"My mother was in the house when it collapsed," survivor Kazuko Naganuma, 72, said of his 95-year-old mother. "She also lost her younger sister.
"I grew up in Hiroshima, so Aug. 6 is a day about thinking about the bombing. But when you look outside Hiroshima, I've noticed that even Japanese people now don't know so much about it."
Japan marks 75th anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) speaks during a ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki at the Peace Park in Nagasaki, Japan on Sunday. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo


upi--2020-08-06--AEW Dynamite: Jon Moxley defends title against Darby Allin

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defended his title against Darby Allin in the main event of Dynamite .
Allin , on Wednesday , arrived to the ring wearing a cardboard cut-out of Moxley 's face which the champion quickly ripped off .
Allin slapped Moxley who responded with a punch that caused Allin to bleed from his mouth .
The grapplers took their battle outside the ring where Moxley tossed Allin from the entrance ramp down to the ring post .
The highly-competitive match was interrupted by Wardlow , the bodyguard of MJF , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the AEW World Championship in recent weeks .
Wardlow distracted the referee , allowing MJF to slide into the ring with the championship belt .
MJF attacked Moxley using the belt and quickly escaped .
Moxley began bleeding as Allin took advantage of the situation and delivered a Coffin Drop from the top rope which nearly won him the match .
Allin continued his attack but Moxley recovered and placed his opponent in a choke hold after Allin attempted a second Coffin Drop .
Moxley hit Allin with a Gotch-Style Piledriver followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ match and remain AEW World Champion .
Also on Dynamite , The Elite consisting of AEW World Tag Team Champions Kenny Omega and Hangman Adam Page and The Young Bucks teamed up with FTR to take on The Dark Order including their leader , The Exalted One Mr. Brodie Lee , in 12-man Tag Team match .
The Dark Order gained an advantage after Dax Hardwood of FTR injured his knee and was carried to the back by his partner Cash Wheeler and Page , who has been hanging out with FTR in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his team needed him most and took on The Dark Order himself .
Lee , Colt Cabana and Stu Grayson of the Dark Order attacked Page one-by-one but were unable to keep the cowboy down .
The Dark Order won the match after Page missed his Buckshot Lariat with Lee responding with his own Lariat for the three count .
The Dark Order had prevented the other members of The Elite from breaking up the pin .
Rivals Chris Jericho and Orange Cassidy had presidential-like debate in the ring that was moderated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bischoff , who made a surprise appearance .
Jericho mocked Cassidy throughout the debate with Cassidy not answering any questions until the pair were asked about Global Warming .
Cassidy gave a well-thought- out answer .
Cassidy eventually interrupted Jericho and promised to defeat Le Champion next week in their rematch .
Bischoff declared Cassidy the winner of the debate due to his answer on global warming .
Jericho , upset , had his partner Jake Hager attack Cassidy before he knocked out his rival with the Judas Effect .
Other moments from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Best Friends defeating Santana and Ortiz ; Santana and Ortiz responding by destroying Trent 's mother 's car ; MJF showing off his campaign headquarters where he continues to campaign for an AEW World Championship match ; Sammy Guevara attacking Matt Hardy and leaving him bloody after sending him through a table ; TNT Champion Cody and Matt Cardona in his AEW in-ring debut defeating John Silver and Alex Reynolds of The Dark Order ; and Big Swole defeating Dr. Britt Baker 's caretaker , Reba .

Aug. 6 (UPI) -- AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defended his title against Darby Allin in the main event of Dynamite.
Allin, on Wednesday, arrived to the ring wearing a cardboard cut-out of Moxley's face which the champion quickly ripped off. Allin slapped Moxley who responded with a punch that caused Allin to bleed from his mouth.
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The grapplers took their battle outside the ring where Moxley tossed Allin from the entrance ramp down to the ring post.
The highly-competitive match was interrupted by Wardlow, the bodyguard of MJF, who has expressed his interest in challenging for the AEW World Championship in recent weeks. Wardlow distracted the referee, allowing MJF to slide into the ring with the championship belt.
MJF attacked Moxley using the belt and quickly escaped. Moxley began bleeding as Allin took advantage of the situation and delivered a Coffin Drop from the top rope which nearly won him the match.
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Allin continued his attack but Moxley recovered and placed his opponent in a choke hold after Allin attempted a second Coffin Drop. Moxley hit Allin with a Gotch-Style Piledriver followed by the Paradigm Shift to win the match and remain AEW World Champion.
Also on Dynamite, The Elite consisting of AEW World Tag Team Champions Kenny Omega and Hangman Adam Page and The Young Bucks teamed up with FTR to take on The Dark Order including their leader, The Exalted One Mr. Brodie Lee, in 12-man Tag Team match.
The Dark Order gained an advantage after Dax Hardwood of FTR injured his knee and was carried to the back by his partner Cash Wheeler and Page, who has been hanging out with FTR in recent weeks.
Page would return when his team needed him most and took on The Dark Order himself. Lee, Colt Cabana and Stu Grayson of the Dark Order attacked Page one-by-one but were unable to keep the cowboy down.
The Dark Order won the match after Page missed his Buckshot Lariat with Lee responding with his own Lariat for the three count. The Dark Order had prevented the other members of The Elite from breaking up the pin.
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Rivals Chris Jericho and Orange Cassidy had presidential-like debate in the ring that was moderated by the former head of WCW, Eric Bischoff, who made a surprise appearance.
Jericho mocked Cassidy throughout the debate with Cassidy not answering any questions until the pair were asked about Global Warming. Cassidy gave a well-thought- out answer.
Cassidy eventually interrupted Jericho and promised to defeat Le Champion next week in their rematch. Bischoff declared Cassidy the winner of the debate due to his answer on global warming.
Jericho, upset, had his partner Jake Hager attack Cassidy before he knocked out his rival with the Judas Effect.
Other moments from Dynamite included Trent and Chuck Taylor of Best Friends defeating Santana and Ortiz; Santana and Ortiz responding by destroying Trent's mother's car; MJF showing off his campaign headquarters where he continues to campaign for an AEW World Championship match; Sammy Guevara attacking Matt Hardy and leaving him bloody after sending him through a table; TNT Champion Cody and Matt Cardona in his AEW in-ring debut defeating John Silver and Alex Reynolds of The Dark Order; and Big Swole defeating Dr. Britt Baker's caretaker, Reba.


upi--2020-08-06--Watch live: Experts testify in Congress on reopening schools

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Congress will hear expert testimony Thursday about the safety challenges that come with reopening U.S. schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
The coronavirus subcommittee of the House oversight and reform committee will hold a hearing titled `` Challenges to Safely Reopening K-12 Schools . ''
The expert witnesses for the hearing are former Education Secretary Arne Duncan ; Dr. Caitlan Rivers of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security ; Robert W. Runcie , superintendent of Broward County Public Schools in Florida ; school district official Hayden Winkelman ; and teacher Angela Skillings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been pushing schools to reopen with in-person instruction and even threatened to cut funding to schools that do not .
Many school districts in the United States -- including some in California , Florida , Virginia and most recently Chicago -- have announced plans to begin the school year with online distance learning .
Others have reopened with in-person classes .
Rep. James Clyburn , D-S.C. , chairman of the coronavirus subcommittee , sent a letter to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos calling on her to rescind the threat to defund schools .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vitally important , but disregarding local , state and federal public health guidance could put children , teachers and families at risk of infection and death from the coronavirus , '' Clyburn wrote .
`` I am particularly concerned that , contrary to the laws passed by Congress , you have threatened to cut off federal funds from schools that do not accede your potentially dangerous demands . ''
Last week , the American Federation of Teachers -- the second-largest U.S. teachers union -- said it will strike in districts that open where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` as a last resort '' to protect health .
Trump was criticized on Wednesday for a tweet that said children are `` almost immune '' to COVID-19 -- something he was flagged for online and which Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation 's top infectious diseases expert and leader of the White House Coronavirus Task Force , said is patently false .
`` Children do get infected .
We know that .
So , therefore , they are not immune , '' he told the coronavirus subcommittee last week .

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


upi--2020-08-06--Rights groups call for independent probe of Beirut explosion

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Human rights nonprofit organizations are calling for an independent investigation into Tuesday 's explosion that ripped through the Lebanese capital of Beirut , killing at least 137 people and injuring thousands .
The explosion was the equivalent of a 3.3-magnitude earthquake that rocked the city , made hundreds of thousands homeless and caused billions of dollars in damage .
Authorities believe thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate to be the source of the massive blast , which followed smaller explosions at a warehouse near the Beirut port .
Human Rights Watch on Thursday urged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conduct an independent investigation into the blast to determine its cause and who is responsible .
`` The level of devastation in Beirut is incomprehensible , and the responsible authorities should be held accountable , '' Aya Majzoub , Lebanon 's researcher at Human Rights Watch , said in a statement .
`` Given the Lebanese authorities ' repeated failure to investigate serious government failings and the public 's distrust of government institutions , an independent investigation with international experts is the best guarantee that victims of the explosion will get the justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has placed port officials under house arrest as authorities conduct an investigation into why the explosive material was stored at nearby warehouses .
However , Human Rights Watch voiced `` serious concerns '' over the Lebanese judiciary 's ability to conduct a transparent probe .
The New York-based group said it has documented previous instances in which the judiciary failed to uphold the rule of law or to conduct a thorough independent investigation , adding that there is evidence some judges knew of the ammonium nitrate being stored at the port and did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did in fact have notification of a clear threat to life and failed to take reasonable steps to address that threat , then they are responsible for the unlawful deaths , '' it said .
The call by Human Rights Watch came a day after Amnesty International issued a similar plea , demanding an international mechanism to be quickly set up to investigate the explosion 's cause and for increased humanitarian aid to be sent to the country .
`` The horrific scenes in the aftermath of the explosion yesterday were devastating for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of multiple crises , '' the nonprofit said , stating it has occurred while Lebanon struggles with a severe economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic .

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


upi--2020-08-06--State Dept.: Russia spreads disinformation through 'a propaganda ecosystem'

Aug. 6 ( UPI ) -- Russia is spreading disinformation and propaganda through the use of official , proxy and unattributed communications channels , the State Department said in a new report while offering a $ 10 million reward for information concerning those working to interfere in U.S. elections .
The report titled `` Pillars of Russia 's Disinformation and Propaganda Ecosystem '' published Wednesday accuses the Kremlin of creating a `` propaganda ecosystem '' through government communications , state-funded global messaging , proxy sources , weaponized social media and cyber-enabled disinformation to propagandize to the United States and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head of the State Department 's Global Engagement Center , which produced the extensive 77-page report , told reporters that these five pillars of the ecosystem reinforce one another and their interactions create `` a media multiplier effect that amplifies false narratives . ''
`` The Kremlin bears direct responsibility for cultivating these tactics and platforms as part of its approach to using information and disinformation as a weapon , '' she said .
Gabrielle explained that while the Kremlin invests heavily in propaganda channels , proxy websites `` serve as critical connective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The report mentions seven such sites the Kremlin uses to create audiences for its messages while appearing independent .
`` Russia tries to hide its affiliation with these different proxy sites , and that 's what makes them effective is that it 's difficult for just an average person who is online to look at these sites and know that it 's actually Russian disinformation , '' she said .
The Kremlin is not only pushing its own propaganda , she said , but also that of China with the goal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The threat of both China 's and Russia 's disinformation is real and it 's dangerous , '' Gabrielle said .
`` Authoritarian governments seek to manipulate open and free information environments . ''
The Kremlin 's general aims with this disinformation ecosystem is to undermine democratic institutions and weaken the international credibility of the United States and its allies and partners , the report said .
Russia balked at the report Wednesday , saying it is an attempt to silence Russian official proposals to resume cooperation in key security areas .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the existence of alternative sources of information , '' the embassy said in a Facebook post .
`` Serious resources are employed to discredit them .
Any voice that contradicts Washington is dubbed 'disinformation ' in the service of the 'Kremlin ' and Russian intelligence . ''
While the report does not mention Russian interference in U.S. elections , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced a $ 10 million reward Wednesday for information leading to the identification or location of anyone who works for a foreign government with the intent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters that while their report was n't focused on elections but on Russia 's overall disinformation campaign , the Kremlin 's goal is to undermine such democratic practices .
`` Russia typically looks to undermine democratic institutions and democratic norms and to spread fear and confusion as well as trying to create doubts about democratic norms , '' she said .
`` They also look for diverse issues to focus on . ''

Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Russia is spreading disinformation and propaganda through the use of official, proxy and unattributed communications channels, the State Department said in a new report while offering a $10 million reward for information concerning those working to interfere in U.S. elections.
The report titled "Pillars of Russia's Disinformation and Propaganda Ecosystem" published Wednesday accuses the Kremlin of creating a "propaganda ecosystem" through government communications, state-funded global messaging, proxy sources, weaponized social media and cyber-enabled disinformation to propagandize to the United States and other Western nations.
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Lea Gabrielle, the head of the State Department's Global Engagement Center, which produced the extensive 77-page report, told reporters that these five pillars of the ecosystem reinforce one another and their interactions create "a media multiplier effect that amplifies false narratives."
"The Kremlin bears direct responsibility for cultivating these tactics and platforms as part of its approach to using information and disinformation as a weapon," she said.
Gabrielle explained that while the Kremlin invests heavily in propaganda channels, proxy websites "serve as critical connective tissue" to promote its disinformation narratives.
The report mentions seven such sites the Kremlin uses to create audiences for its messages while appearing independent.
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"Russia tries to hide its affiliation with these different proxy sites, and that's what makes them effective is that it's difficult for just an average person who is online to look at these sites and know that it's actually Russian disinformation," she said.
The Kremlin is not only pushing its own propaganda, she said, but also that of China with the goal of undermining democratic norms and institutions.
"The threat of both China's and Russia's disinformation is real and it's dangerous," Gabrielle said. "Authoritarian governments seek to manipulate open and free information environments."
The Kremlin's general aims with this disinformation ecosystem is to undermine democratic institutions and weaken the international credibility of the United States and its allies and partners, the report said.
Russia balked at the report Wednesday, saying it is an attempt to silence Russian official proposals to resume cooperation in key security areas.
"The United States is not very fond of the existence of alternative sources of information," the embassy said in a Facebook post. "Serious resources are employed to discredit them. Any voice that contradicts Washington is dubbed 'disinformation' in the service of the 'Kremlin' and Russian intelligence."
While the report does not mention Russian interference in U.S. elections, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced a $10 million reward Wednesday for information leading to the identification or location of anyone who works for a foreign government with the intent to meddle in the democratic institution.
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Gabrielle told reporters that while their report wasn't focused on elections but on Russia's overall disinformation campaign, the Kremlin's goal is to undermine such democratic practices.
"Russia typically looks to undermine democratic institutions and democratic norms and to spread fear and confusion as well as trying to create doubts about democratic norms," she said. "They also look for diverse issues to focus on."