upi--2020-07-28--New blood test 96% accurate at spotting Alzheimer's disease, study finds

July 28 ( UPI ) -- A blood test intended to measure levels of a protein in the human body is 96 % accurate in identifying people with Alzheimer 's disease instead of other forms of dementia , a study published Tuesday by JAMA Network Open found .
That 's just as accurate as positron emission tomography , or PET , scans and spinal taps , and more precise than magnetic resonance imaging and other blood tests , the researchers said .
The new blood test could make the diagnosis of Alzheimer 's disease easier , cheaper and , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently used methods , they said .
The test measures levels of a protein in blood called tau , which is one of a handful of proteins linked with Alzheimer 's disease .
Beta-amyloid is another protein linked to the disease , the researchers said .
People with Alzheimer 's disease produce higher amounts of tau and beta-amyloid , and the cells `` clump '' together to form plaques in the brain , according to research .
`` This tau blood test may come to market as early as next year and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clinical care and research , '' Dr. Howard Fillit , founding executive director of the Alzheimer 's Drug Discovery Foundation , said in a statement .
`` This is one of the breakthroughs we 've been waiting for -- a simple and accessible blood test that can diagnose Alzheimer 's , '' he said , describing the new test as the `` cholesterol '' of Alzheimer 's .
More than 6 million Americans live with some form of dementia , and most of them have Alzheimer 's , according to the Alzheimer 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PET scans to check for signs of damage to the brain associated with the disease -- such as the accumulation of beta-amyloid -- but these methods are n't always able to distinguish between Alzheimer 's and other forms of dementia , research suggests .
The equipment needed to perform these tests also is expensive and not widely available in some parts of the United States , the researchers said .
Finally , checking cerebrospinal fluid for tau protein levels requires a spinal tap , which is an invasive and often painful procedure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the international team of researchers enrolled just over 1,400 participants at three sites in Sweden , Colombia and Arizona .
Participants ranged in age from roughly 36 to 84 .
Based on the findings with the blood test , people with Alzheimer 's disease had seven times more the specific tau protein , called p-tau217 , than people without dementia or those with other forms of the condition , the researchers said .
Although additional studies are needed , the new blood test could potentially boost the search for new treatments for Alzheimer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less expensive to screen participants for clinical trials , experts said .
`` There is an urgent need for simple , inexpensive , non-invasive and easily available diagnostic tools for Alzheimer 's .
New testing technologies could also support drug development ... by helping identify the right people for clinical trials , and by tracking the impact of therapies being tested , '' Maria C. Carrillo , chief science officer at the Alzheimer 's Association , said in a statement .

Researchers say the new blood test could make the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease easier, cheaper and, in some cases, less invasive than those currently used methods. Photo by Belova59 /Pixabay
July 28 (UPI) -- A blood test intended to measure levels of a protein in the human body is 96% accurate in identifying people with Alzheimer's disease instead of other forms of dementia, a study published Tuesday by JAMA Network Open found. That's just as accurate as positron emission tomography, or PET, scans and spinal taps, and more precise than magnetic resonance imaging and other blood tests, the researchers said. Advertisement
The new blood test could make the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease easier, cheaper and, in some cases, less invasive than those currently used methods, they said.
The test measures levels of a protein in blood called tau, which is one of a handful of proteins linked with Alzheimer's disease. Beta-amyloid is another protein linked to the disease, the researchers said.
People with Alzheimer's disease produce higher amounts of tau and beta-amyloid, and the cells "clump" together to form plaques in the brain, according to research.
"This tau blood test may come to market as early as next year and it will be a real game-changer, advancing clinical care and research," Dr. Howard Fillit, founding executive director of the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, said in a statement.
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"This is one of the breakthroughs we've been waiting for -- a simple and accessible blood test that can diagnose Alzheimer's," he said, describing the new test as the "cholesterol" of Alzheimer's.
More than 6 million Americans live with some form of dementia, and most of them have Alzheimer's, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
Neurologists typically use MRI and PET scans to check for signs of damage to the brain associated with the disease -- such as the accumulation of beta-amyloid -- but these methods aren't always able to distinguish between Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, research suggests.
The equipment needed to perform these tests also is expensive and not widely available in some parts of the United States, the researchers said.
Finally, checking cerebrospinal fluid for tau protein levels requires a spinal tap, which is an invasive and often painful procedure, researchers said.
For this study, the international team of researchers enrolled just over 1,400 participants at three sites in Sweden, Colombia and Arizona. Participants ranged in age from roughly 36 to 84.
Based on the findings with the blood test, people with Alzheimer's disease had seven times more the specific tau protein, called p-tau217, than people without dementia or those with other forms of the condition, the researchers said.
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Although additional studies are needed, the new blood test could potentially boost the search for new treatments for Alzheimer's disease by making it easier and less expensive to screen participants for clinical trials, experts said.
"There is an urgent need for simple, inexpensive, non-invasive and easily available diagnostic tools for Alzheimer's. New testing technologies could also support drug development ... by helping identify the right people for clinical trials, and by tracking the impact of therapies being tested," Maria C. Carrillo, chief science officer at the Alzheimer's Association, said in a statement.


upi--2020-07-28--Carbon dioxide removal is critical in next decade, experts tell Congress

Removing excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is a critical step in tamping down global temperature rise and meeting the Paris Agreement 's long-term temperature goal , energy experts told Congress on Tuesday .
Experts from the U.S. Department of Energy , energy research centers and consulting firms , and the educational system testified at a hearing before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources .
The panel sought information on the development of large-scale carbon dioxide management technologies in the United States .
`` It is now becoming clear that technologies to permanently remove carbon dioxide from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real , but they are needed , '' Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski , R-Alaska , said .
`` They 're certainly worth pursuing when coupled with the increased deployment of low- and zero-emission technologies . ''
Sen. Joe Manchin , D-W.Va. , said carbon dioxide removal is critical to achieve net-zero emissions because it is not feasible to eliminate all human-caused sources of greenhouse gas over the next few decades .
`` Technologies that reduce or avoid further emissions , including renewables nuclear , carbon capture and storage must be advanced aggressively , together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the net-zero goal possible , '' he said .
The Paris Agreement -- which President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from -- targets net-zero emissions by 2050 .
Some state governments and major companies in the United States are promoting net-zero emission targets to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the middle of this century .
S. Julio Friedmann , a senior research scholar at the Center for Global Energy Policy at Columbia University , said net-zero means that any residual carbon dioxide emissions must be balanced by removal .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be returned to the earth .
It must go back to the geosphere , '' Friedmann said .
`` We need all approaches , both engineered systems as well as the work in managed ecosystems . ''
According to a study from the U.S. National Academies , constraining global warming prudently will require a ramp up to 10 gigatons of carbon dioxide removal by mid-century .
Steven Winberg , the assistant secretary for fossil energy at the U.S. Department of Energy , said the necessity of carbon dioxide removal is highlighted by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sectors that are harder to decarbonize , including transportation , industry and agriculture .
He added that scientists separate the approaches to carbon dioxide removal into three major categories : natural , such as forestation ; technology , such as direct air capture ; and technologically enhanced natural , such as the development of new cultivars with deep root systems .
`` The CDR innovation program needs to be supercharged starting now if we got to have the necessary optionality in time , '' Winberg said .
The Section 45Q tax credit helps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States , reducing the costs and risks to private capital of investing in the deployment of carbon-capture technology across a range of industries .
On May 28 , the Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service issued proposed regulations for Section 45Q .
However , the finalized guidance from the Department of the Treasury still has not come out , increasing uncertainty to the rule .
Winberg said the Department of Energy will work with the IRS on the final rulemaking in the future .
`` I can commit to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can to assist IRS , not only to make sure that the rule accommodates projects , but does it as expeditiously as possible , '' Winberg said .

According to a study from the U.S. National Academies, constraining global warming prudently will require a ramp up to 10 gigatons of carbon dioxide removal by mid-century. File Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo
Removing excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is a critical step in tamping down global temperature rise and meeting the Paris Agreement's long-term temperature goal, energy experts told Congress on Tuesday. Experts from the U.S. Department of Energy, energy research centers and consulting firms, and the educational system testified at a hearing before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The panel sought information on the development of large-scale carbon dioxide management technologies in the United States. Advertisement
"It is now becoming clear that technologies to permanently remove carbon dioxide from the air and the ocean are not only real, but they are needed," Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said. "They're certainly worth pursuing when coupled with the increased deployment of low- and zero-emission technologies."
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said carbon dioxide removal is critical to achieve net-zero emissions because it is not feasible to eliminate all human-caused sources of greenhouse gas over the next few decades.
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"Technologies that reduce or avoid further emissions, including renewables nuclear, carbon capture and storage must be advanced aggressively, together with carbon dioxide removal options, to make the net-zero goal possible," he said.
The Paris Agreement -- which President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from -- targets net-zero emissions by 2050. Some state governments and major companies in the United States are promoting net-zero emission targets to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the middle of this century. S. Julio Friedmann, a senior research scholar at the Center for Global Energy Policy at Columbia University, said net-zero means that any residual carbon dioxide emissions must be balanced by removal.
"Any carbon taken from the earth must be returned to the earth. It must go back to the geosphere," Friedmann said. "We need all approaches, both engineered systems as well as the work in managed ecosystems."
According to a study from the U.S. National Academies, constraining global warming prudently will require a ramp up to 10 gigatons of carbon dioxide removal by mid-century. Steven Winberg, the assistant secretary for fossil energy at the U.S. Department of Energy, said the necessity of carbon dioxide removal is highlighted by the power sector, as well as other sectors that are harder to decarbonize, including transportation, industry and agriculture.
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He added that scientists separate the approaches to carbon dioxide removal into three major categories: natural, such as forestation; technology, such as direct air capture; and technologically enhanced natural, such as the development of new cultivars with deep root systems.
"The CDR innovation program needs to be supercharged starting now if we got to have the necessary optionality in time," Winberg said.
The Section 45Q tax credit helps increase deployment of carbon capture projects in the United States, reducing the costs and risks to private capital of investing in the deployment of carbon-capture technology across a range of industries. On May 28, the Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service issued proposed regulations for Section 45Q. However, the finalized guidance from the Department of the Treasury still has not come out, increasing uncertainty to the rule.
Winberg said the Department of Energy will work with the IRS on the final rulemaking in the future.
"I can commit to you that we will do everything that we can to assist IRS, not only to make sure that the rule accommodates projects, but does it as expeditiously as possible," Winberg said.


upi--2020-07-28--CBD a safe treatment for cannabis use disorders, study finds

July 28 ( UPI ) -- People with cannabis use disorders can safely use cannabidiol , or CBD , to reduce their reliance on the drug , a study published Tuesday by The Lancet Psychiatry found .
Although the Phase 2 study was designed to assess safety -- and not effectiveness -- of CBD for cannabis use disorder , preliminary findings indicate that a daily dose of 400 or 800 milligrams helps people with the condition abstain from using the drug , researchers said .
However , they cautioned against `` self-medication '' with commercially available products because they do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 mg. -- and have not been tested for quality and safety .
`` Our study provides the first causal evidence to support CBD as a treatment for cannabis use disorders , '' study co-author Dr. Tom Freeman said in a statement .
`` This is encouraging '' because although cannabis addiction affects an estimated 22 million people worldwide , `` there are currently no drug treatments for cannabis addiction , '' said Freeman , director of the Addiction and Mental Health Group at the University of Bath in England .
Cannabis use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marijuana that cause problems in life or carry a compulsive need to use the drug , according to previous research .
CBD is one of more than 80 chemicals present in cannabis , or marijuana .
By itself , CBD has been reported to induce feelings of relaxation and calm , but not the `` high '' associated with cannabis use -- which is caused by the chemical tetrahydrocannabinol , or THC -- the researchers said .
Earlier studies have suggested that taking CBD might help to reduce withdrawal symptoms in people trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they either used an open-label design -- in which participants knew what medications they were taking , biasing the results -- or CBD was given together with THC , the researchers said .
For their study , Freeman and his colleagues enrolled 82 people diagnosed with a cannabis use disorder of at least moderate severity , which means they experienced at least four out of 11 possible symptoms of addiction .
All of the study participants had expressed a desire to quit cannabis use within the next month , and had tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researchers said .
Participants were were asked to take either two capsules of CBD , or placebo capsules containing no CBD , twice daily for four weeks , they said .
The CBD capsules contained either 200 mg. , 400 mg. or 800 mg. of CBD , with 12 participants receiving each dose amount , the researchers said .
In addition , all participants underwent six counseling sessions designed to help them quit using cannabis , which took place before and during the study period , according to the researchers .
Participants underwent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ THC , and they were also asked to report how many days they had abstained from using cannabis during the past week , the researchers said .
After the first phase of the study , the 200 mg. dose was found to be ineffective and these participants were removed from the trial , they said .
An additional 34 people were recruited to the second stage of the study and randomly assigned to receive daily doses of either the placebo , 400 mg. CBD or 800 mg. CBD , according to the researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 800 mg. were both found to reduce participants ' cannabis intake , based on levels of THC in the participants ' urine , with the higher dose appearing to be more effective , the researchers said .
In addition , abstinence from cannabis use increased by an average of 0.5 days per week in the group who received the 400 mg. daily dose of CBD and 0.3 days per week in the group who received 800 mg. CBD daily , they said .
There were no serious side effects during the study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well tolerated at the doses tested , according to the researchers .
These findings are important in light of recent increases in the number of people entering treatment for cannabis use disorders worldwide , they said .
`` People with concerns about their cannabis use should always speak to a healthcare professional , '' Freeman said .

CBD might be a safe and effective treatment for cannabis use disorders, a new study has found. Photo by 7raysmarketing/Pixabay
July 28 (UPI) -- People with cannabis use disorders can safely use cannabidiol, or CBD, to reduce their reliance on the drug, a study published Tuesday by The Lancet Psychiatry found. Although the Phase 2 study was designed to assess safety -- and not effectiveness -- of CBD for cannabis use disorder, preliminary findings indicate that a daily dose of 400 or 800 milligrams helps people with the condition abstain from using the drug, researchers said. Advertisement
However, they cautioned against "self-medication" with commercially available products because they do not contain enough CBD -- usually about 25 mg. -- and have not been tested for quality and safety.
"Our study provides the first causal evidence to support CBD as a treatment for cannabis use disorders," study co-author Dr. Tom Freeman said in a statement.
"This is encouraging" because although cannabis addiction affects an estimated 22 million people worldwide, "there are currently no drug treatments for cannabis addiction," said Freeman, director of the Addiction and Mental Health Group at the University of Bath in England.
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Cannabis use disorders include abuse of or dependence on marijuana that cause problems in life or carry a compulsive need to use the drug, according to previous research.
CBD is one of more than 80 chemicals present in cannabis, or marijuana. By itself, CBD has been reported to induce feelings of relaxation and calm, but not the "high" associated with cannabis use -- which is caused by the chemical tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC -- the researchers said.
Earlier studies have suggested that taking CBD might help to reduce withdrawal symptoms in people trying to stop using cannabis. However, they either used an open-label design -- in which participants knew what medications they were taking, biasing the results -- or CBD was given together with THC, the researchers said.
For their study, Freeman and his colleagues enrolled 82 people diagnosed with a cannabis use disorder of at least moderate severity, which means they experienced at least four out of 11 possible symptoms of addiction.
All of the study participants had expressed a desire to quit cannabis use within the next month, and had tried to quit at least once before, the researchers said.
Participants were were asked to take either two capsules of CBD, or placebo capsules containing no CBD, twice daily for four weeks, they said.
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The CBD capsules contained either 200 mg., 400 mg. or 800 mg. of CBD, with 12 participants receiving each dose amount, the researchers said.
In addition, all participants underwent six counseling sessions designed to help them quit using cannabis, which took place before and during the study period, according to the researchers.
Participants underwent weekly urine testing to measure levels of THC, and they were also asked to report how many days they had abstained from using cannabis during the past week, the researchers said.
After the first phase of the study, the 200 mg. dose was found to be ineffective and these participants were removed from the trial, they said. An additional 34 people were recruited to the second stage of the study and randomly assigned to receive daily doses of either the placebo, 400 mg. CBD or 800 mg. CBD, according to the researchers.
Daily CBD doses of 400 mg. and 800 mg. were both found to reduce participants' cannabis intake, based on levels of THC in the participants' urine, with the higher dose appearing to be more effective, the researchers said.
In addition, abstinence from cannabis use increased by an average of 0.5 days per week in the group who received the 400 mg. daily dose of CBD and 0.3 days per week in the group who received 800 mg. CBD daily, they said.
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There were no serious side effects during the study, suggesting that CBD is safe and well tolerated at the doses tested, according to the researchers.
These findings are important in light of recent increases in the number of people entering treatment for cannabis use disorders worldwide, they said.
"People with concerns about their cannabis use should always speak to a healthcare professional," Freeman said.


upi--2020-07-28--Panel chairman: AG William Barr has enabled Trump's 'worst failings'

July 28 ( UPI ) -- The Democratic chairman of the House judiciary committee accused Attorney General William Barr at a hearing Tuesday of enabling the failings of President Donald Trump .
Rep. Jerrold Nadler , delivering opening remarks at the hearing , said Barr 's tenure as the nation 's top law enforcement officer `` has been marked by a persistent war '' against the Justice Department 's `` professional core in an apparent attempt to secure favors for the president . ''
`` In your time at the department , you have aided and abetted the worst failings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Barr appeared before the panel to testify about his leadership of the department and answer criticisms on issues such as politicizing the department and the federal police response to anti-racism protests .
The hearing was originally scheduled to start at 10 a.m. , but was briefly delayed after Nadler was involved in a traffic collision .
He was unhurt .
Nadler criticized Barr for sending federal police to Portland , Ore. , to monitor demonstrations outside the U.S. courthouse -- action that was taken over the objections of state and local officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a number of arrests .
`` There is no precedent for the Department of Justice actively seeking out conflict with American citizens , under such flimsy pretext , or for such petty purposes , '' Nadler said .
Rep. Jim Jordan , the panel 's ranking Republican , defended Barr in his opening statement and played a 10-minute video clip of images that showed violent protests .
Democrats have accused Barr of politicizing the Justice Department and using its authority to protect Trump rather than the American people .
Democratic lawmakers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week to inspectors general at the departments of Justice and Homeland Security requesting an investigation into reports that Trump administration officials have abused emergency authorities to prevent Americans from exercising their right to peaceful assembly .
In his opening remarks , Barr said some of the Portland demonstrators have been overly violent and protests have damaged federal property .
`` What unfolds nightly around the courthouse can not reasonably be called a protest ; it is , by any objective measure , an assault on the government of the United States , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the front door of the courthouse , pried plywood off the windows with crowbars , and thrown commercial-grade fireworks into the building in an apparent attempt to burn it down with federal personnel inside .
The rioters have started fires outside the building , and then systematically attacked federal law enforcement officers who attempt to put them out -- for example , by pelting the officers with rocks , frozen water bottles , cans of food , and balloons filled with fecal matter .
`` Remarkably , the response from many in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organized assault has been to blame the federal government .
To state what should be obvious ... such acts are in fact federal crimes under statutes enacted by this Congress . ''
Barr also testified that Democrats have sought to `` discredit '' him over the department 's Russia investigation , which he called a `` bogus '' scandal .
Barr was criticized after receiving the report from special counsel Robert Mueller in early 2019 , particularly for refusing to publicize the entire report -- and instead releasing only a four-page summary that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Trump .
Barr said an attorney general has a `` unique obligation '' to ensure that the standard of justice is applied to everyone equally , and that he 's sought to uphold this obligation without interference from Trump .
`` The president has not attempted to interfere in these decisions , '' he said .
`` On the contrary , he has told me from the start that he expects me to exercise my independent judgment to make whatever call I think is right .
That is precisely what I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not discuss his recommendation for a lighter sentence for Trump ally Roger Stone with him , anyone at the White House or outside the Justice Department .
`` Do you think it 's fair for a 67-year-old man to be sent to prison for seven to nine years ? ''
Barr said .
Stone was sentenced to 40 months in prison after prosecutors , who recommended a sentence of seven years to nine years , were overruled by Barr , prompting four of the prosecutors in the case quit , two of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Office in Washington , D.C. Trump commuted the sentence earlier this month .
Barr also did not commit to withholding the results of U.S. Attorney John Durham 's investigation into the origin of the FBI 's Russia investigation until after the 2020 presidential election , saying any report released ahead of the election `` will be in my judgment not the one that is covered '' by a Justice Department policy against investigations that may disrupt an election .
`` We 're not going to interfere , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very clear that I 'm not going to tolerate it . ''
Further discussing November 's elections , Barr said there was no reason to believe the election would be `` rigged '' but did back Trump 's skepticism of mail-in voting , saying `` there 's a high risk '' for voter fraud if the practice is widely adopted .

1/4
U.S. Attorney General William Barr testifies Tuesday before the House Judiciary Committee at the U.S. Capitol to face questions from the committee about his deployment of federal law enforcement agents in regards to the Black Lives Matter protests. Pool Photo by Chip Somodevilla/UPI | License Photo
July 28 (UPI) -- The Democratic chairman of the House judiciary committee accused Attorney General William Barr at a hearing Tuesday of enabling the failings of President Donald Trump. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, delivering opening remarks at the hearing, said Barr's tenure as the nation's top law enforcement officer "has been marked by a persistent war" against the Justice Department's "professional core in an apparent attempt to secure favors for the president." Advertisement
"In your time at the department, you have aided and abetted the worst failings of the president," he added.
Barr appeared before the panel to testify about his leadership of the department and answer criticisms on issues such as politicizing the department and the federal police response to anti-racism protests.
The hearing was originally scheduled to start at 10 a.m., but was briefly delayed after Nadler was involved in a traffic collision. He was unhurt.
Advertisement
Nadler criticized Barr for sending federal police to Portland, Ore., to monitor demonstrations outside the U.S. courthouse -- action that was taken over the objections of state and local officials in Oregon. The clashes have resulted in a number of arrests.
"There is no precedent for the Department of Justice actively seeking out conflict with American citizens, under such flimsy pretext, or for such petty purposes," Nadler said.
Rep. Jim Jordan, the panel's ranking Republican, defended Barr in his opening statement and played a 10-minute video clip of images that showed violent protests.
Democrats have accused Barr of politicizing the Justice Department and using its authority to protect Trump rather than the American people.
Democratic lawmakers, including Nadler, sent a letter last week to inspectors general at the departments of Justice and Homeland Security requesting an investigation into reports that Trump administration officials have abused emergency authorities to prevent Americans from exercising their right to peaceful assembly.
In his opening remarks, Barr said some of the Portland demonstrators have been overly violent and protests have damaged federal property.
"What unfolds nightly around the courthouse cannot reasonably be called a protest; it is, by any objective measure, an assault on the government of the United States," he said.
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"Rioters have barricaded the front door of the courthouse, pried plywood off the windows with crowbars, and thrown commercial-grade fireworks into the building in an apparent attempt to burn it down with federal personnel inside. The rioters have started fires outside the building, and then systematically attacked federal law enforcement officers who attempt to put them out -- for example, by pelting the officers with rocks, frozen water bottles, cans of food, and balloons filled with fecal matter.
"Remarkably, the response from many in the media and local elected offices to this organized assault has been to blame the federal government. To state what should be obvious ... such acts are in fact federal crimes under statutes enacted by this Congress."
Barr also testified that Democrats have sought to "discredit" him over the department's Russia investigation, which he called a "bogus" scandal.
Barr was criticized after receiving the report from special counsel Robert Mueller in early 2019, particularly for refusing to publicize the entire report -- and instead releasing only a four-page summary that largely excluded Mueller's most serious criticisms of Trump.
Barr said an attorney general has a "unique obligation" to ensure that the standard of justice is applied to everyone equally, and that he's sought to uphold this obligation without interference from Trump.
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"The president has not attempted to interfere in these decisions," he said. "On the contrary, he has told me from the start that he expects me to exercise my independent judgment to make whatever call I think is right. That is precisely what I have done."
Barr said that he did not discuss his recommendation for a lighter sentence for Trump ally Roger Stone with him, anyone at the White House or outside the Justice Department.
"Do you think it's fair for a 67-year-old man to be sent to prison for seven to nine years?" Barr said.
Stone was sentenced to 40 months in prison after prosecutors, who recommended a sentence of seven years to nine years, were overruled by Barr, prompting four of the prosecutors in the case quit, two of whom resigned entirely from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C. Trump commuted the sentence earlier this month.
Barr also did not commit to withholding the results of U.S. Attorney John Durham's investigation into the origin of the FBI's Russia investigation until after the 2020 presidential election, saying any report released ahead of the election "will be in my judgment not the one that is covered" by a Justice Department policy against investigations that may disrupt an election.
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"We're not going to interfere," he said. "In fact, I've made it very clear that I'm not going to tolerate it."
Further discussing November's elections, Barr said there was no reason to believe the election would be "rigged" but did back Trump's skepticism of mail-in voting, saying "there's a high risk" for voter fraud if the practice is widely adopted.


upi--2020-07-28--Assembly begins on world's largest nuclear fusion reactor

July 28 ( UPI ) -- Assembly on the world 's largest nuclear fusion project began Tuesday in France as a coalition of 35 countries seek to replicate the reactions that power the sun to generate clean energy .
The approximately $ 23 billion International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor , or ITER , is expected to be assembled by 2025 when it is expected to become the first to achieve a `` burning '' of self-heating plasma that can generate 10 times more heat than is originally provided .
`` Constructing the machine piece-by-piece will be like assembling a three-dimensional puzzle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precision of a Swiss watch , '' ITER director-general Bernard Bigot said .
Millions of components including 3,000 tons of superconducting magnets and more than 100 miles of superconducting cables will be combined to assemble the reactor that will weigh 23,000 tons .
Nuclear fusion releases significant amounts of energy , while the process does not produce carbon dioxide and unlike nuclear fission reactors can not meltdown and produce less radioactive waste .
Scientists have successfully achieved fusion but it has only been done for short periods of time and has not produced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fusion reaction occur .
`` Delivering fusion energy for humanity is far from easy .
It requires combining the scientific knowledge of Astrophysics with the technical know-how of nuclear power engineering , '' Michael Mauel , a professor of applied physics at Columbia University , told CBS News .
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe praised the project as a move toward addressing the climate crisis .
`` I believe disruptive innovation will play a key role in addressing global issues including climate change and realizing a sustainable carbon-free society , '' said Abe @

July 28 (UPI) -- Assembly on the world's largest nuclear fusion project began Tuesday in France as a coalition of 35 countries seek to replicate the reactions that power the sun to generate clean energy.
The approximately $23 billion International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, or ITER, is expected to be assembled by 2025 when it is expected to become the first to achieve a "burning" of self-heating plasma that can generate 10 times more heat than is originally provided.
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"Constructing the machine piece-by-piece will be like assembling a three-dimensional puzzle on an intricate timeline and with the precision of a Swiss watch," ITER director-general Bernard Bigot said.
Millions of components including 3,000 tons of superconducting magnets and more than 100 miles of superconducting cables will be combined to assemble the reactor that will weigh 23,000 tons.
Nuclear fusion releases significant amounts of energy, while the process does not produce carbon dioxide and unlike nuclear fission reactors cannot meltdown and produce less radioactive waste.
Scientists have successfully achieved fusion but it has only been done for short periods of time and has not produced more energy than needed to make the fusion reaction occur.
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"Delivering fusion energy for humanity is far from easy. It requires combining the scientific knowledge of Astrophysics with the technical know-how of nuclear power engineering," Michael Mauel, a professor of applied physics at Columbia University, told CBS News.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe praised the project as a move toward addressing the climate crisis.
"I believe disruptive innovation will play a key role in addressing global issues including climate change and realizing a sustainable carbon-free society," said Abe.


upi--2020-07-28--Tropical storm warnings issued for Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands

July 28 ( UPI ) -- With Gonzalo and Hanna hardly even a distant memory , a new tropical threat has emerged in the Atlantic basin that is expected to rapidly strengthen .
A broad area of showers and thunderstorms -- a feature that forecasters have been monitoring for tropical development for days -- became better organized Tuesday .
The National Hurricane Center designated the area potential Tropical Cyclone 9 at 11 a.m. EST .
The system was located about 340 miles southeast of the Leeward Islands with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and was moving west-northwest at 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say it is likely to soon become the next tropical depression and storm of the 2020 season and could remain a viable threat for the next five to 10 days .
Tropical storm warnings were issued for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in advance of the developing system .
The government of Antigua also issued tropical storm warnings for Antigua , Barbuda , the British Virgin Islands , Montserrat , St. Kitts and Nevis .
Unlike Gonzalo , which was a very compact storm that developed in a similar area , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extend along a swath of ocean about 700 miles long .
In comparison , Gonzalo 's tropical storm-force winds only extended across 50 miles .
Despite the size of the budding system , there have been hurdles for it to overcome for development .
And even though its 40-mph sustained winds met the criteria for a tropical storm , the system 's lack of a well-defined center is keeping forecasters from upgrading it to a tropical storm status .
However , it may soon enter an atmosphere with more favorable conditions for strengthening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feature and dry air to its north has prevented the broad area of thunderstorms from becoming better organized the past few days , '' AccuWeather senior meteorologist Rob Miller said .
Strong wind shear , or the changing of winds with altitude , can limit tropical development and even tear apart organized systems , causing them to weaken .
`` As this feature moves briskly along to the west-northwest , wind shear is forecast to weaken , which should allow a better-defined center to take shape , '' Miller said .
AccuWeather meteorologists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season .
If it strengthens into a named storm , it would be called Isaias .
This name was added after Ike was retired in 2008 but has not yet been used .
Should the tropical storm form prior to Aug. 7 , it would set another early-formation record for the season .
Irene from 2005 , holds the title for earliest ever `` I-storm '' in the basin .
A NOAA hurricane hunter aircraft is scheduled to fly into the region for further investigation and when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center of the feature is situated , that information could be key in determining where the system may track and its impact in the coming days .
If the center of the disturbance was to take shape on the northern part of the mass of moisture , then there would be a greater chance for the system to take a curved path to the northwest , north and then northeast , but perhaps east of the United States over the next seven to 10 days .
Should the center organize much farther south @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance for the system to pass near or right over the islands of the northern Caribbean from the Lesser Antilles , as well as Puerto Rico , Hispaniola and Cuba later this week and this weekend .
This land interaction , especially the mountainous terrain of the larger islands , would exert a drag on the feature and would tend to take the edge off the overall strength .
Such a close track over the islands of the northern Caribbean would also raise the risk to lives and property from flooding rain , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expected to gradually gain strength over the next couple of days .
`` A large portion of the Leeward Islands , Puerto Rico , and northern sections of the Dominican Republic should prepare for wind gusts of 40-60 mph , regardless of the exact track of the center , '' according to AccuWeather meteorologist Randy Adkins .
`` Damage to some trees , poorly constructed buildings and temporary structures should be anticipated and power outages may result which could last several days in more remote areas , '' he said .
Wind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most likely over Puerto Rico .
The high mountains on Hispaniola , and to some extent Puerto Rico and Cuba , act as a natural barrier to the path of the storm .
Tropical systems generally avoid tracking over the heart of these islands as a result .
However , the mountains can cause the center of an approaching tropical storm or hurricane to jump from one coast to the other and re-form in the process .
The overall strength of the system may also determine its fate as far as a track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well-organized , stronger system is more likely to curve northwestward and northward faster than one that remains poorly organized and stays weak .
`` At this juncture , the realm of possibilities of potential tracks for this system range from the Gulf of Mexico to waters east of the United States and Canada and includes all areas in between , '' Miller said .
It matters where the center forms , how quickly it develops and how strong it becomes before a call can be made for the Gulf , the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
AccuWeather chief broadcast meteorologist Bernie Rayno said that whether or not Florida sees impacts depends on whether the storm moves over Hispaniola , where he said it could fall apart .
If it stays north of the island and maintains a circulation over water , however , `` There could be some development or certainly moisture approaching Florida , or even [ elsewhere on ] the southeast coast of the United States , '' he said .
Other factors include the amount of wind shear near North America , which is never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system , associated with a dip in the jet stream , may also help to steer the system to the north and northeast once it approaches the United States .
Waters over the northern Caribbean , western Atlantic and in the Gulf of Mexico are sufficiently warm to not only sustain a tropical system but also potentially add to its strength .
Either way , the mass of moisture will cause an uptick in drenching downpours and gusty thunderstorms that will spread westward through the Leeward and Windward islands at midweek , followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Turks and Caicos , eastern Cuba and the southeastern Bahamas late this week and into this weekend .
`` Rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches will be common across the Lesser Antilles , Puerto Rico , and the Dominican Republic .
Locally higher amounts of 4-8 inches ... are possible over the higher terrain , particularly over Puerto Rico .
Flash flooding is likely to result in a number of areas with mudslides a threat along the hills and mountains , '' Adkins said .
All interests from the northern Caribbean to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and northeastern Mexico should monitor the progress.The 2020 season has outpaced the formation speed of the 2005 season , but not so much in terms of the number of hurricanes .
Hanna became the first hurricane of the Atlantic season early on Saturday and also became the first hurricane to strike the United States .
By the time Hanna became a hurricane , the 2005 season had already spawned three hurricanes -- Cindy , Dennis and Emily .
Dennis and Emily became major hurricanes with peak winds of 150 and 160 mph respectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2005 .
Irene peaked with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph , which is a Category 2 hurricane .
Disturbances are lining up over Africa and moving westward with one feature every one to three days apart .
This series of disturbances is known as the Cabo Verde part of the hurricane season and is just beginning to ramp up .
Most likely more early-season formation records will be set in the coming weeks with 2005 holdings being swapped with 2020 newcomers .
Following Irene 's record from Aug. 7 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jose on Aug. 22 , 2005 with the `` K-storm '' record held by the infamous Katrina on Aug. 24 , 2005 .
The 10th and 11th names on this year 's tropical list , should they be needed , are Josephine and Kyle .

Isaias was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone as it moved into Canada Tuesday night. Photo courtesy of NOAA
Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Isaias made its way into southeastern Canada after being downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone on Tuesday night. The epicenter of the post-tropical cyclone was about 55 miles north-northwest of Quebec City, Quebec, in Canada, the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 a.m. Wednesday update. Advertisement
The storm was traveling north-northeast at 28 mph but its speed was expected to decrease and its maximum sustained winds of 40 mph with higher gusts was to weaken and drop below tropical storm force through Wednesday morning, the NHC said.
"The post-tropical cyclone is expected to dissipate over southeastern Canada on Thursday," the NHC said.
Forecasters said one to three inches of rain should fall along and near Isaias' track across southern Quebec.
Hurricane-force wind gusts were reported Monday night as the eyewall went ashore in Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., with the highest gust reported over land at 93 mph. As the hurricane approached, the system spawned a tornado that touched down on Bald Head Island, N.C.
All told, Isaias is predicted to cause between $2 billion and $3 billion in damages and economic loss, according to AccuWeather founder and CEO Joel N. Myers.
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One of the main threats for the areas from Virginia to Maine was from torrential rain that can lead to flash, urban and small-stream flooding.
Following its impact on the U.S., Isaias is forecast to spread a swath of rain and gusty winds rapidly through a portion of Atlantic Canada Wednesday into Thursday.
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has already left its mark in history with several of the earliest-forming tropical storms on record. Cristobal, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna and Isaias all set early-season formation records for their respective letter. All of the July-forming storms from Edouard through Isaias broke the records set during the infamous 2005 season.
Hanna became the first hurricane of the 2020 season, and Isaias became the second.
There is a high potential that the 2020 season could become "hyperactive" as the peak of hurricane season nears and tropical storm numbers may end up rivaling the historic 2005 season numbers, which produced 28 storms. AccuWeather meteorologists are already monitoring a few areas of disturbed weather beyond Isaias.


upi--2020-07-28--Rep. John Lewis lies in state at U.S. Capitol for final day

July 28 ( UPI ) -- The public paid tribute to civil rights leader and longtime Rep. John Lewis as he lay in state for the final day on Tuesday before he will be moved to his native Georgia .
Colleagues and friends , including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , Vice President Mike Pence and former Vice President Joe Biden , paid tribute Monday during an invitation-only ceremony before the public viewing period began outside the Capitol as a safety precaution due to COVID-19 pandemic .
Thousands of mourners wrapped around the Supreme Court Monday evening for the public viewing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apart before reaching the U.S. Capitol 's East Front Steps where the civil rights icon rested at the top , The Washington Post reported .
The public viewing , which extended until 10 p.m. Tuesday , followed a service in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda Monday .
Lewis was the first black lawmaker to lie in state in the Rotunda , joining other famous historic figures including Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy , and the second to lie in state in the Capitol following Rep. Elijah Cummings .
Lewis ' body laid upon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did .
Cummings was the first lawmaker to lie in state in the Capitol , but was honored in Statuary Hall , not in the Rotunda .
President Donald Trump did not attend , as he 'd left for a trip to North Carolina .
Trump told reporters at the White House Monday that he wo n't attend any memorial service for Lewis this week .
Lewis , 80 , died of pancreatic cancer on July 17 .
His body arrived at the Capitol Monday after a procession through Washington , D.C. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and paid their respects , according to The Washington Post .
The procession passed notable landmarks , including the Martin Luther King , Jr. Memorial , the Lincoln Memorial and Black Lives Matter Plaza .
A recording of Lewis ' 1963 March on Washington speech was played from a loudspeaker at the Black Lives Matter Plaza and when Lewis arrived in state a record of his 2014 commencement address at Emory University was played .
In the commencement address , he told students : `` You must find a way to get in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` At the end , you saw something that I have never seen , at least at a commemoration , and that is that the entire group of members rose and gave a standing ovation that looked like it would not stop , '' Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton , D-D.C. , and a close friend of Lewis , said after the ceremony .
`` That was by far the most moving moment . ''
Norton , 83 , met Lewis while he was working in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with voter drives .
She also witnessed his historic speech at the March on Washington and remembered when he was arrested while protesting for civil rights through nonviolent resistance .
`` In SNCC , John was respected because he put his life on the line , '' Norton said .
`` He got to be chair of SNCC not because he was the strongest , not because he was the smartest - - but because he was the bravest .
Pure and simple . ''
Norton added that although he was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The humility was very deep , '' she said .
`` The humility was part of his nonviolence . ''
Lewis led SNCC for three years in the 1960s , including service as chairman when he led over 600 people in the Selma-to-Montgomery march for voting rights , known as `` Bloody Sunday , '' and he suffered a skull fracture after state troopers beat him to the ground with a nightstick on the Edmund Pettus Bridge .
The march led to President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that determined nine states with a history of discrimination would require federal permission before making changes to voting procedures .
Lewis described the provision that the Shelby vs. Holder decision struck down as `` the heart and soul of the Voting Rights Act , '' which was the `` preclearance formula , '' to ensure that the burden was not on the citizens whose rights were violated , in a statement last month .
`` The majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rare ; looking at the current state of our country , we know this to be false , '' Lewis said in the statement .
Norton said the best way to honor Lewis 's legacy would be to pass a bill named after him that would fully restore the protections of the Voting Rights Act .
In December , the Democratic-led House passed legislation to restore the Voting Rights Act , but since then it has languished in the Republican-controlled Senate with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refusing to hold hearings or move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the House approved renaming the bill in his honor , and amending the 1965 law to create a new way of measuring if states require oversight for violating voting rights .
Rep. Marcia Fudge , D-Ohio , who heads a House subcommittee on elections and held a Tuesday hearing on U.S. territories ' voting rights , said lawmakers who are praising Lewis , need `` to put up or shut up . ''
`` They ca n't continue to give lip service and not support what somebody like John stood for , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , Lewis ' body will be taken to Atlanta and he will lie in state at the Georgia State Capitol for four hours on Wednesday afternoon .
A private funeral service is scheduled for Thursday at Atlanta 's Ebenezer Baptist Church Horizon Sanctuary , and Lewis will subsequently be buried at the city 's South-View Cemetery .

The casket of civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis is carried down the steps of the U.S. Capitol after lying in state in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Pool Photo by Erin Scott/UPI | License Photo
July 28 (UPI) -- The public paid tribute to civil rights leader and longtime Rep. John Lewis as he lay in state for the final day on Tuesday before he will be moved to his native Georgia. Colleagues and friends, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Vice President Mike Pence and former Vice President Joe Biden, paid tribute Monday during an invitation-only ceremony before the public viewing period began outside the Capitol as a safety precaution due to COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement
Thousands of mourners wrapped around the Supreme Court Monday evening for the public viewing while attempting to social distance 6 feet apart before reaching the U.S. Capitol's East Front Steps where the civil rights icon rested at the top, The Washington Post reported.
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The public viewing, which extended until 10 p.m. Tuesday, followed a service in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda Monday.
Lewis was the first black lawmaker to lie in state in the Rotunda, joining other famous historic figures including Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy, and the second to lie in state in the Capitol following Rep. Elijah Cummings. Lewis' body laid upon the same catafalque that Lincoln's body did. Cummings was the first lawmaker to lie in state in the Capitol, but was honored in Statuary Hall, not in the Rotunda.
President Donald Trump did not attend, as he'd left for a trip to North Carolina. Trump told reporters at the White House Monday that he won't attend any memorial service for Lewis this week.
Lewis, 80, died of pancreatic cancer on July 17. His body arrived at the Capitol Monday after a procession through Washington, D.C., where scores of people lined the streets and paid their respects, according to The Washington Post. The procession passed notable landmarks, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and Black Lives Matter Plaza.
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A recording of Lewis' 1963 March on Washington speech was played from a loudspeaker at the Black Lives Matter Plaza and when Lewis arrived in state a record of his 2014 commencement address at Emory University was played.
In the commencement address, he told students: "You must find a way to get in trouble. Good trouble. Necessary trouble."
"At the end, you saw something that I have never seen, at least at a commemoration, and that is that the entire group of members rose and gave a standing ovation that looked like it would not stop," Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., and a close friend of Lewis, said after the ceremony. "That was by far the most moving moment."
Norton, 83, met Lewis while he was working in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, which led sit-ins at segregated lunch counters along with voter drives. She also witnessed his historic speech at the March on Washington and remembered when he was arrested while protesting for civil rights through nonviolent resistance.
"In SNCC, John was respected because he put his life on the line," Norton said. "He got to be chair of SNCC not because he was the strongest, not because he was the smartest - - but because he was the bravest. Pure and simple."
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Norton added that although he was a civil rights hero, he remained humble.
"The humility was very deep," she said. "The humility was part of his nonviolence."
Lewis led SNCC for three years in the 1960s, including service as chairman when he led over 600 people in the Selma-to-Montgomery march for voting rights, known as "Bloody Sunday," and he suffered a skull fracture after state troopers beat him to the ground with a nightstick on the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
The march led to President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act into law six months later.
In 2013, the Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that determined nine states with a history of discrimination would require federal permission before making changes to voting procedures.
Lewis described the provision that the Shelby vs. Holder decision struck down as "the heart and soul of the Voting Rights Act," which was the "preclearance formula," to ensure that the burden was not on the citizens whose rights were violated, in a statement last month.
"The majority argued that blatant, racist discrimination is rare; looking at the current state of our country, we know this to be false," Lewis said in the statement.
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Norton said the best way to honor Lewis's legacy would be to pass a bill named after him that would fully restore the protections of the Voting Rights Act.
In December, the Democratic-led House passed legislation to restore the Voting Rights Act, but since then it has languished in the Republican-controlled Senate with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refusing to hold hearings or move towards a Senate vote.
On Monday, the House approved renaming the bill in his honor, and amending the 1965 law to create a new way of measuring if states require oversight for violating voting rights.
Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio, who heads a House subcommittee on elections and held a Tuesday hearing on U.S. territories' voting rights, said lawmakers who are praising Lewis, need "to put up or shut up."
"They can't continue to give lip service and not support what somebody like John stood for," she said.
Following the viewing Tuesday, Lewis' body will be taken to Atlanta and he will lie in state at the Georgia State Capitol for four hours on Wednesday afternoon.
A private funeral service is scheduled for Thursday at Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church Horizon Sanctuary, and Lewis will subsequently be buried at the city's South-View Cemetery.


upi--2020-07-28--Yet another study finds vaccines are safe

Vaccines remain a `` remarkably safe '' way to protect human health , thanks to a rigorous system of safety monitoring that continues after approval , a new review shows .
Ongoing safety monitoring led to safety-related label changes in 25 out of 57 vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over a two-decade period , mostly related to the vaccine 's effect on specific groups of vulnerable people , an Israeli research team found .
`` This report is the most comprehensive study of post-marketing vaccine safety published , and it shows that vaccines are remarkably safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and post-marketing surveillance processes are robust and effective , '' said senior researcher Dr. Daniel Shepshelovich , of Tel Aviv University 's Sackler School of Medicine .
Vaccine hesitancy among Americans has been highlighted as a potential problem in the nation 's response to the COVID-19 pandemic , with some experts concerned that too many people simply wo n't get a coronavirus vaccine even if one proves safe and effective .
`` The current COVID-19 outbreak makes us further appreciate the importance of safe and effective vaccines against infectious diseases , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CHOC Children 's in Orange , Calif. `` As the world races to create a vaccine against COVID-19 , we will now more than any other time in recent history be dependent on a robust vaccine adverse event reporting system to ensure that the chosen vaccines are safe for the greater population , '' he said .
For the study , Shepshelovich and his colleagues tracked the progress of 57 vaccines that were FDA-approved between January 1996 and December 2015 .
Researchers found that 25 of the vaccines had a total 58 safety-related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
More than a third of the label changes involved specific groups of people that were found to be potentially at a higher risk of health problems related to specific vaccines -- for example , immune-compromised patients , pregnant women or preterm infants , Shepshelovich said .
Another 22 % of label changes involved allergic reactions to vaccines , researchers reported .
Most of these allergies related to latex used in the packaging .
Only one vaccine was withdrawn from the market , a rotavirus vaccine that increased the risk of an intestinal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ timely alarm was sounded , and the vaccine was quickly removed from use , '' Mackey said .
Overall , the safety monitoring data `` represents an excellent track record , probably reflecting the professionalism and diligence of the personnel involved in the development , approval and regulation of vaccines , '' Shepshelovich concluded .
Flu vaccines were found to have the fewest post-approval safety issues , with only 3 of 21 influenza vaccines requiring a label change , compared with 22 of 36 other vaccines .
`` It 's important for people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are robust studies out there that support the use of vaccines , '' said Dr. Amesh Adalja , a senior scholar with the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security in Baltimore .
`` These are rigorously tested , and even after something is approved we 're continuing to track the safety of that vaccine , '' he noted .
`` It really should give people who worry about vaccine safety a lot of confidence about how robust the process is for assessing the safety of these vaccines . ''
The new study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Internal Medicine .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about vaccine safety .

Vaccines remain a "remarkably safe" way to protect human health, thanks to a rigorous system of safety monitoring that continues after approval, a new review shows.
Ongoing safety monitoring led to safety-related label changes in 25 out of 57 vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over a two-decade period, mostly related to the vaccine's effect on specific groups of vulnerable people, an Israeli research team found.
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"This report is the most comprehensive study of post-marketing vaccine safety published, and it shows that vaccines are remarkably safe, and that the current vaccine approval and post-marketing surveillance processes are robust and effective," said senior researcher Dr. Daniel Shepshelovich, of Tel Aviv University's Sackler School of Medicine.
Vaccine hesitancy among Americans has been highlighted as a potential problem in the nation's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with some experts concerned that too many people simply won't get a coronavirus vaccine even if one proves safe and effective.
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"The current COVID-19 outbreak makes us further appreciate the importance of safe and effective vaccines against infectious diseases," said Dr. Daniel Mackey, a pediatrician with CHOC Children's in Orange, Calif. "As the world races to create a vaccine against COVID-19, we will now more than any other time in recent history be dependent on a robust vaccine adverse event reporting system to ensure that the chosen vaccines are safe for the greater population," he said.
For the study, Shepshelovich and his colleagues tracked the progress of 57 vaccines that were FDA-approved between January 1996 and December 2015.
Researchers found that 25 of the vaccines had a total 58 safety-related label changes that occurred following the approval.
More than a third of the label changes involved specific groups of people that were found to be potentially at a higher risk of health problems related to specific vaccines -- for example, immune-compromised patients, pregnant women or preterm infants, Shepshelovich said.
Another 22% of label changes involved allergic reactions to vaccines, researchers reported. Most of these allergies related to latex used in the packaging.
Only one vaccine was withdrawn from the market, a rotavirus vaccine that increased the risk of an intestinal obstruction, researchers found.
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"A timely alarm was sounded, and the vaccine was quickly removed from use," Mackey said.
Overall, the safety monitoring data "represents an excellent track record, probably reflecting the professionalism and diligence of the personnel involved in the development, approval and regulation of vaccines," Shepshelovich concluded.
Flu vaccines were found to have the fewest post-approval safety issues, with only 3 of 21 influenza vaccines requiring a label change, compared with 22 of 36 other vaccines.
"It's important for people who have vaccine hesitancy to see that there are robust studies out there that support the use of vaccines," said Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar with the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security in Baltimore. "These are rigorously tested, and even after something is approved we're continuing to track the safety of that vaccine," he noted. "It really should give people who worry about vaccine safety a lot of confidence about how robust the process is for assessing the safety of these vaccines."
The new study was published July 27 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about vaccine safety.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-07-28--Police search German plot in Madeleine McCann probe

July 28 ( UPI ) -- Police began searching a garden in north-central Germany this week as part of an investigation into the 13-year disappearance of Briton Madeleine McCann , prosecutors said Tuesday .
The search is linked to law enforcement 's investigation of convicted sex offender Christian Bruckner , who is serving time in a German prison .
Investigators first named Bruckner as a suspect last month after he was suspected in the disappearance of 5-year-old Inga Gehrike in 2015 .
Madeleine disappeared in 2007 at age 3 while her family vacationed in Portugal .
Her body was never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigators believe it 's likely she 's dead , and they 're treating the case as a homicide investigation .
Inga , known as `` the German Maddie '' in the German press , is believed to have wandered off into the forest while looking for firewood .
Officials said Bruckner owned an allotment within 60 miles of where Inga disappeared and was in Portugal when McCann vanished .
Police began searching the allotment Monday and were expected to complete their work Wednesday .
The plot of land is about 40 miles from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hanover .
Officials said Bruckner has been known to law enforcement for years , but detectives now believe they have enough evidence to advance the McCann investigation .
Police have asked the public for help in contributing evidence .
Bruckner , 43 , has a list of criminal convictions that includes child sexual abuse , theft and drug dealing , and was convicted in December for the 2005 rape of a U.S. tourist .
Madeleine 's parents were initially considered suspects when she disappeared in 2007 , and cleared by Portuguese police the @ @ @

Three-year-old Madeleine McCann went missing from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal on May 3, 2007. UPI File Photo
July 28 (UPI) -- Police began searching a garden in north-central Germany this week as part of an investigation into the 13-year disappearance of Briton Madeleine McCann, prosecutors said Tuesday. The search is linked to law enforcement's investigation of convicted sex offender Christian Bruckner, who is serving time in a German prison. Investigators first named Bruckner as a suspect last month after he was suspected in the disappearance of 5-year-old Inga Gehrike in 2015. Advertisement
Madeleine disappeared in 2007 at age 3 while her family vacationed in Portugal. Her body was never found but British, German and Portuguese investigators believe it's likely she's dead, and they're treating the case as a homicide investigation.
Inga, known as "the German Maddie" in the German press, is believed to have wandered off into the forest while looking for firewood. Officials said Bruckner owned an allotment within 60 miles of where Inga disappeared and was in Portugal when McCann vanished.
Police began searching the allotment Monday and were expected to complete their work Wednesday. The plot of land is about 40 miles from Brunswick, near the major city of Hanover.
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Officials said Bruckner has been known to law enforcement for years, but detectives now believe they have enough evidence to advance the McCann investigation. Police have asked the public for help in contributing evidence.
Bruckner, 43, has a list of criminal convictions that includes child sexual abuse, theft and drug dealing, and was convicted in December for the 2005 rape of a U.S. tourist.
Madeleine's parents were initially considered suspects when she disappeared in 2007, and cleared by Portuguese police the following year.


upi--2020-07-28--Look: Fox rescued after getting head stuck in middle of plastic reel

July 28 ( UPI ) -- A fox that got its head stuck through the middle of a plastic reel outside a church in Britain received assistance from animal rescuers and veterinarians .
The RSPCA said Father Carl Davies spotted the fox outside St. Catherine 's Catholic Church with its head stuck through the middle of the discarded wire reel .
`` At first I thought it must be a dead dog but then I saw the poor thing was alive and had a cable tunnel stuck on his head and he was in a lot of distress , struggling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a terrible thing to see an animal suffer like that , '' Davies said .
Davies contacted the RSPCA , which dispatched Deputy Chief Inspector Charlotte Baumann to the scene .
`` We do n't know how long he had been stuck like that but the poor thing must have been very stressed out , '' Baumann said .
`` I had to take him , with the holder attached , to a nearby vets where he could be sedated and gently removed from the plastic reel . ''
Baumann said the fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was released the next day .
Davies said the incident highlights the hazards of littering .
`` I 'm so delighted I was able to help the fox and that he has been released .
Sadly , a lot of people throw rubbish over into the back yard of the church so I do n't know where the reel came from .
It 's so irresponsible when people litter as it can hurt both animals and humans alike , '' he said .

1/2
A fox was rescued after being found outside a British church with its head stuck through the middle of a discarded plastic reel. Photo courtesy of the RSPCA
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe July 28 (UPI) -- A fox that got its head stuck through the middle of a plastic reel outside a church in Britain received assistance from animal rescuers and veterinarians. The RSPCA said Father Carl Davies spotted the fox outside St. Catherine's Catholic Church with its head stuck through the middle of the discarded wire reel. Advertisement
"At first I thought it must be a dead dog but then I saw the poor thing was alive and had a cable tunnel stuck on his head and he was in a lot of distress, struggling to get it off. It was a terrible thing to see an animal suffer like that," Davies said.
Davies contacted the RSPCA, which dispatched Deputy Chief Inspector Charlotte Baumann to the scene.
"We don't know how long he had been stuck like that but the poor thing must have been very stressed out," Baumann said. "I had to take him, with the holder attached, to a nearby vets where he could be sedated and gently removed from the plastic reel."
Baumann said the fox was kept for observation over night and was released the next day.
Davies said the incident highlights the hazards of littering.
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"I'm so delighted I was able to help the fox and that he has been released. Sadly, a lot of people throw rubbish over into the back yard of the church so I don't know where the reel came from. It's so irresponsible when people litter as it can hurt both animals and humans alike," he said.


upi--2020-07-29--Child care stress, hunger harming U.S. families during pandemic

With everyday life turned upside down , efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are taking a toll on the well-being and health of American families , a new poll reveals .
More than 1,000 parents nationwide were surveyed in early June .
`` Without question , COVID-19 had a sudden and profound effect on families nationwide , '' said survey leader Dr. Stephen Patrick .
He 's director of the Center for Child Health Policy at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville .
Physical distance requirements , he noted , resulted in total upheaval , with `` abrupt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community programs and workplaces .
Parents lost jobs , child care , social networks .
For kids , schools closed , they stopped going to pediatricians . ''
In many households , access to basic needs like food and supplies has been hard to come by , too .
As a result , just over a quarter of parents said their mental health had deteriorated during the pandemic , and about 14 % said their kids ' behavioral health suffered .
Four percent said their kids ' physical health had suffered and nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also worsened .
The online survey found women , unmarried parents and young children appeared to be most vulnerable .
But the health impacts were similar for all races and ethnic groups , income levels , educational backgrounds and locations .
The poll revealed that insurance coverage and medical routines have been compromised .
About 3 % of respondents said they had lost their employer-based health coverage since March .
And close to 40 % said scheduled medical appointments for their child had been canceled or delayed .
The pandemic has also brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the poll showed .
Fewer than a third said access to adequate food was a problem in March , compared to 36 % by early June .
`` Put simply , there are millions of children who will go hungry tonight , and the pandemic has made that worse , '' Patrick said .
Child care routines also took a hit .
Almost a quarter of parents said their pre-pandemic child care arrangements had evaporated .
And for families with children 5 years old or younger , nearly 39 % experienced disruptions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were heightened among the 10 % who said that both their mental health and their child 's had suffered .
Half of those parents said they had lost their child care , according to Patrick , while 16 % said their health insurance coverage had been affected .
Just over 1 in 10 said they struggled with `` food insecurity . ''
Patrick suggested that any effort to address these concerns should recognize the particular vulnerability of children .
`` The pandemic exposes how fractured the safety net is for American families , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-pandemic children were twice as likely to live in poverty as seniors , and six times more likely to be uninsured .
The good news ?
Though school reopenings are a matter of debate , Patrick said U.S. Congress is weighing legislation now to support schools and caregivers .
`` Millions of children receive food from schools , and since the pandemic began free food has been an important source of food for families , '' he said .
What 's needed , Patrick said , is a `` more cohesive approach '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by many factors that extend well beyond the walls of a pediatrician 's exam room .
This thought was echoed by Julia Yeary , director of military family projects for the child advocacy group ZERO to THREE in Washington , D.C. '' For our children , their world has been turned upside down , '' she noted .
`` They have experienced so many losses : loss of teachers , friends , playing freely in the neighborhood , even playground restrictions .
`` [ And ] when a family does n't know if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food , it will impact [ children ] emotionally and physically , '' Yeary added .
So how can parents cope ?
`` Caregivers need to start with taking care of themselves [ and ] finding the emotional support they need , '' Yeary said .
`` This is critical if they are going to help their child to feel safe during this pandemic . ''
She suggested parents look into the federal Women , Infants and Children , or WIC , food assistance program and community food banks to help stretch food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can dial 211 , a family service helpline .
Results of the online poll appear in the July issue of the journal Pediatrics .
More information For tips on pandemic-era parenting , visit the Child Mind Institute .

A new poll suggests the coronavirus has turned life upside down for many families in the United States. Pictured, a family leaves a grocery store after shopping in San Francisco in March. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
With everyday life turned upside down, efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are taking a toll on the well-being and health of American families, a new poll reveals. More than 1,000 parents nationwide were surveyed in early June. Advertisement
"Without question, COVID-19 had a sudden and profound effect on families nationwide," said survey leader Dr. Stephen Patrick. He's director of the Center for Child Health Policy at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville.
Physical distance requirements, he noted, resulted in total upheaval, with "abrupt closures of schools, child care, community programs and workplaces. Parents lost jobs, child care, social networks. For kids, schools closed, they stopped going to pediatricians." In many households, access to basic needs like food and supplies has been hard to come by, too.
As a result, just over a quarter of parents said their mental health had deteriorated during the pandemic, and about 14% said their kids' behavioral health suffered.
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Four percent said their kids' physical health had suffered and nearly 1 in 5 said their own had also worsened.
The online survey found women, unmarried parents and young children appeared to be most vulnerable.
But the health impacts were similar for all races and ethnic groups, income levels, educational backgrounds and locations.
The poll revealed that insurance coverage and medical routines have been compromised. About 3% of respondents said they had lost their employer-based health coverage since March.
And close to 40% said scheduled medical appointments for their child had been canceled or delayed.
The pandemic has also brought a rise in "food insecurity," the poll showed. Fewer than a third said access to adequate food was a problem in March, compared to 36% by early June.
"Put simply, there are millions of children who will go hungry tonight, and the pandemic has made that worse," Patrick said.
Child care routines also took a hit. Almost a quarter of parents said their pre-pandemic child care arrangements had evaporated. And for families with children 5 years old or younger, nearly 39% experienced disruptions in child care.
All these issues were heightened among the 10% who said that both their mental health and their child's had suffered.
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Half of those parents said they had lost their child care, according to Patrick, while 16% said their health insurance coverage had been affected. Just over 1 in 10 said they struggled with "food insecurity."
Patrick suggested that any effort to address these concerns should recognize the particular vulnerability of children.
"The pandemic exposes how fractured the safety net is for American families," he noted, given that even pre-pandemic children were twice as likely to live in poverty as seniors, and six times more likely to be uninsured.
The good news? Though school reopenings are a matter of debate, Patrick said U.S. Congress is weighing legislation now to support schools and caregivers.
"Millions of children receive food from schools, and since the pandemic began free food has been an important source of food for families," he said.
What's needed, Patrick said, is a "more cohesive approach" recognizing that children's health is driven by many factors that extend well beyond the walls of a pediatrician's exam room.
This thought was echoed by Julia Yeary, director of military family projects for the child advocacy group ZERO to THREE in Washington, D.C.
"For our children, their world has been turned upside down," she noted. "They have experienced so many losses: loss of teachers, friends, playing freely in the neighborhood, even playground restrictions.
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"[And] when a family doesn't know if they can pay their rent or buy food, it will impact [children] emotionally and physically," Yeary added.
So how can parents cope?
"Caregivers need to start with taking care of themselves [and] finding the emotional support they need," Yeary said. "This is critical if they are going to help their child to feel safe during this pandemic."
She suggested parents look into the federal Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, food assistance program and community food banks to help stretch food dollars. In some states, parents can dial 211, a family service helpline.
Results of the online poll appear in the July issue of the journal Pediatrics.
More information For tips on pandemic-era parenting, visit the Child Mind Institute.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-07-29--Look: Megan Fox, Machine Gun Kelly go Instagram official with new selfie

July 29 ( UPI ) -- Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly are making their relationship Instagram official .
The 34-year-old actress and 30-year-old rapper got close in a new photo Tuesday after previously confirming dating rumors .
Machine Gun Kelly posted a photo that shows himself and Fox putting an arm around each other as they pose in front of a mirror .
The couple are both sticking their tongues out .
`` waited for eternity to find you again , '' Kelly captioned the post .
Rapper Mod Sun was among those to celebrate Fox and Kelly 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so big for u both , '' he wrote .
Fox and Kelly met on the set of the upcoming film Midnight in the Switchgrass .
The couple confirmed their romance in June following Fox 's split from her husband , actor Brian Austin Green .
Fox and Kelly gave their first joint interview during an episode of the Give Them Lala ... with Randall podcast last week .
Fox recalled her instant connection with Kelly , saying she `` knew right away '' that Kelly was her `` twin flame . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a twin flame is actually where a soul has ascended into a high enough level that it can be split into two different bodies at the same time .
So we 're actually two halves of the same soul , I think , '' she said .
Green confirmed his split from Fox in May after nearly 10 years of marriage .
At the time , Green addressed Fox 's then-rumored romance with Kelly .
`` They 're just friends at this point , '' Green said .
`` I trust her judgment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sons together , Noah , 7 , Bodhi , 6 , and Journey , 3 .

July 29 (UPI) -- Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly are making their relationship Instagram official.
The 34-year-old actress and 30-year-old rapper got close in a new photo Tuesday after previously confirming dating rumors.
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Machine Gun Kelly posted a photo that shows himself and Fox putting an arm around each other as they pose in front of a mirror. The couple are both sticking their tongues out.
"waited for eternity to find you again," Kelly captioned the post.
Rapper Mod Sun was among those to celebrate Fox and Kelly's love in the comments.
"Smiling so big for u both," he wrote.
Fox and Kelly met on the set of the upcoming film Midnight in the Switchgrass. The couple confirmed their romance in June following Fox's split from her husband, actor Brian Austin Green.
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Fox and Kelly gave their first joint interview during an episode of the Give Them Lala... with Randall podcast last week. Fox recalled her instant connection with Kelly, saying she "knew right away" that Kelly was her "twin flame."
"Instead of a soul mate, a twin flame is actually where a soul has ascended into a high enough level that it can be split into two different bodies at the same time. So we're actually two halves of the same soul, I think," she said.
Green confirmed his split from Fox in May after nearly 10 years of marriage. At the time, Green addressed Fox's then-rumored romance with Kelly.
"They're just friends at this point," Green said. "I trust her judgment."
Green and Fox have three sons together, Noah, 7, Bodhi, 6, and Journey, 3.


upi--2020-07-29--Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rakes first home run of 2020

July 29 ( UPI ) -- Toronto Blue Jays phenom Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his first home run of 2020 in a 5-1 win against the World Series champion Washington Nationals in Washington , D.C. Guerrero 's solo shot came in the second inning of the victory Tuesday at Nationals Park .
The Blue Jays designated hitter went 1 for 3 with an RBI , a run scored , a walk and a strikeout in the win .
The Blue Jays and Nationals went hitless in the first inning before Guerrero settled in against Nationals starter Austin Voth to start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even 1-1 count against the Nationals ' right-handed pitcher before Voth tossed in an 86.2-mph slider .
Guerrero pounced on the pitch and belted the ball toward left field .
The 385-foot home run just managed to clear the outfield fence before it landed in the Blue Jays bullpen .
Guerrero 's long ball left the field in 5.5 seconds and had an exit velocity of 99 mph , according to Statcast .
Adam Eaton singled in the Nationals ' lone run in the bottom of the third inning .
Toronto 's Lourdes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the top of the fourth frame for a 2-1 edge .
Teoscar Hernandez and Rowdy Tellez Jr. each added RBI singles to cushion the Blue Jays ' lead down the stretch .
Tanner Roark allowed three hits and one run in five innings to pick up his first win of 2020 .
Voth took the loss after he allowed four hits and three runs in five innings .
Nationals shortstop Trea Turner was the only player to collect multiple hits in the affair .
Turner went 2 for 3 with a run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former No .
1 prospect in baseball -- is hitting .238 with one home run and one RBI in 21 at-bats this season .
He has five hits in five games in 2020 .
He hit .272 with 15 home runs and 69 RBIs in 123 games last season .
The Nationals host the Blue Jays in the third game of the four-game series at 6:05 p.m. EDT Wednesday at Nationals Park .

Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. gave his team a 1-0 lead with a second-inning home run against the Washington Nationals Tuesday at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
July 29 (UPI) -- Toronto Blue Jays phenom Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his first home run of 2020 in a 5-1 win against the World Series champion Washington Nationals in Washington, D.C. Guerrero's solo shot came in the second inning of the victory Tuesday at Nationals Park. The Blue Jays designated hitter went 1 for 3 with an RBI, a run scored, a walk and a strikeout in the win. Advertisement
The Blue Jays and Nationals went hitless in the first inning before Guerrero settled in against Nationals starter Austin Voth to start the second frame.
Guerrero worked an even 1-1 count against the Nationals' right-handed pitcher before Voth tossed in an 86.2-mph slider. Guerrero pounced on the pitch and belted the ball toward left field. The 385-foot home run just managed to clear the outfield fence before it landed in the Blue Jays bullpen.
Guerrero's long ball left the field in 5.5 seconds and had an exit velocity of 99 mph, according to Statcast.
Adam Eaton singled in the Nationals' lone run in the bottom of the third inning. Toronto's Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth frame for a 2-1 edge. Teoscar Hernandez and Rowdy Tellez Jr. each added RBI singles to cushion the Blue Jays' lead down the stretch.
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Tanner Roark allowed three hits and one run in five innings to pick up his first win of 2020. Voth took the loss after he allowed four hits and three runs in five innings.
Nationals shortstop Trea Turner was the only player to collect multiple hits in the affair. Turner went 2 for 3 with a run scored and a walk.
Guerrero -- the former No. 1 prospect in baseball -- is hitting .238 with one home run and one RBI in 21 at-bats this season. He has five hits in five games in 2020. He hit .272 with 15 home runs and 69 RBIs in 123 games last season.
The Nationals host the Blue Jays in the third game of the four-game series at 6:05 p.m. EDT Wednesday at Nationals Park.


upi--2020-07-29--Iran fires ballistic missiles, targets dummy U.S. ship in war games

July 29 ( UPI ) -- Iran said it fired ballistic missiles and destroyed a mock-up of a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Strait of Hormuz early Wednesday during a second day of drills .
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps ' Aerospace Force fired the missiles , hidden in camouflage , from deep underground sites as part of `` The Great Prophet '' war games in southern Iran , the semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported .
State television called the missile drill an `` important achievement '' for Iran that could pose `` serious challenges to enemy intelligence organizations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ target the dummy U.S. warship , which some saw as a warning to U.S. forces in the region .
The ship resembled the 980-foot-long USS Nimitz , only 300 feet shorter .
The vessel carried 16 fighter jet replicas on its deck , satellite photos showed , and was similar to a target Iran used in drills five years ago .
Then , Iranian troops fired machine guns and rockets from speedboats and eventually sank the ship with a surface-to-sea missile .
Military drills also included Iranian Sukhoi-22 fighter jets firing `` smart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Persian Gulf , and a mock missile combat operation .
The war games prompted two U.S. military bases in the region -- the Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates and the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar -- to move temporarily to a heightened alert .
Tensions between Tehran and the United States have steadily risen under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump .
The administration withdrew from the landmark nuclear deal two years ago and the governments sparred after the U.S. killing of Iranian commander Qassem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retaliated with missile strikes on two U.S. bases in Iraq .
More than 100 U.S. troops were injured in the attacks and suffered concussion-like effects .

A photo from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps shows an Iranian missile fired at a mock-up of a U.S. aircraft carrier in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, off southern Iran, on Wednesday. Photo by SepahNews/EPA-EFE
July 29 (UPI) -- Iran said it fired ballistic missiles and destroyed a mock-up of a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Strait of Hormuz early Wednesday during a second day of drills. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps' Aerospace Force fired the missiles, hidden in camouflage, from deep underground sites as part of "The Great Prophet" war games in southern Iran, the semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported. Advertisement
State television called the missile drill an "important achievement" for Iran that could pose "serious challenges to enemy intelligence organizations."
Iranian forces used combat drones to target the dummy U.S. warship, which some saw as a warning to U.S. forces in the region. The ship resembled the 980-foot-long USS Nimitz, only 300 feet shorter.
The vessel carried 16 fighter jet replicas on its deck, satellite photos showed, and was similar to a target Iran used in drills five years ago. Then, Iranian troops fired machine guns and rockets from speedboats and eventually sank the ship with a surface-to-sea missile.
Military drills also included Iranian Sukhoi-22 fighter jets firing "smart bombs" at targets on Farur Island in the Persian Gulf, and a mock missile combat operation.
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The war games prompted two U.S. military bases in the region -- the Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates and the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar -- to move temporarily to a heightened alert.
Tensions between Tehran and the United States have steadily risen under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. The administration withdrew from the landmark nuclear deal two years ago and the governments sparred after the U.S. killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in Iraq in January.
Iran retaliated with missile strikes on two U.S. bases in Iraq. More than 100 U.S. troops were injured in the attacks and suffered concussion-like effects.


upi--2020-07-29--Watch: Cameron Diaz on life with Benji Madden, daughter Raddix during lockdown

July 29 ( UPI ) -- Cameron Diaz is grateful her husband , musician Benji Madden , is able to be home more during the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) lockdown .
The 47-year-old actress discussed her life at home with Madden , 41 , and their 7-month-old daughter , Raddix , during Tuesday 's episode of Late Night with Seth Meyers .
Diaz said she 's enjoying her time with family amid the health crisis .
`` Before , my baby was an excuse to stay home .
Now I do n't have to make that excuse , it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be with her , '' she said .
Diaz said the `` best part '' of lockdown is Madden being able to work from home and spend more time with their daughter .
`` He works from home , so he gets to be with her as much as I do -- well , not as much , because he 's working all day long -- but he actually gets to come out of a meeting and give her a kiss and play with her for a little bit , where if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would n't have been able to do that , '' she said .
`` We 're just having a lot of gratitude for that . ''
Diaz and Madden married in January 2015 and welcomed their daughter in January of this year .
Diaz said on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon last week that life with Raddix has been `` heaven '' amid the health crisis .
`` You get to have every moment , and it goes so fast , '' she said .
`` Literally every single day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these things happen .
She 's not the same baby that she was yesterday . ''
Diaz said on Instagram Live in April that being a mom is the `` best , best , best part '' of her life .
On Late Night , Diaz also discussed how she and her friend Katherine Power launched Avaline , a new vegan and organic wine brand , this month amid the lockdown .
Diaz said they chose the name `` Avaline '' after seeing it on a baby name website .
`` Avaline just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written .
The meaning is sensitive , humble and lively , which it really felt like embodied what we want our brand to be , '' she said .

July 29 (UPI) -- Cameron Diaz is grateful her husband, musician Benji Madden, is able to be home more during the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown.
The 47-year-old actress discussed her life at home with Madden, 41, and their 7-month-old daughter, Raddix, during Tuesday's episode of Late Night with Seth Meyers.
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Diaz said she's enjoying her time with family amid the health crisis.
"Before, my baby was an excuse to stay home. Now I don't have to make that excuse, it's just what it is and I get to be with her," she said.
Diaz said the "best part" of lockdown is Madden being able to work from home and spend more time with their daughter.
"He works from home, so he gets to be with her as much as I do -- well, not as much, because he's working all day long -- but he actually gets to come out of a meeting and give her a kiss and play with her for a little bit, where if he was going to the office everyday he wouldn't have been able to do that," she said. "We're just having a lot of gratitude for that."
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Diaz and Madden married in January 2015 and welcomed their daughter in January of this year. Diaz said on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon last week that life with Raddix has been "heaven" amid the health crisis.
"You get to have every moment, and it goes so fast," she said. "Literally every single day, there's just leaps and bounds and these things happen. She's not the same baby that she was yesterday."
Diaz said on Instagram Live in April that being a mom is the "best, best, best part" of her life.
On Late Night, Diaz also discussed how she and her friend Katherine Power launched Avaline, a new vegan and organic wine brand, this month amid the lockdown. Diaz said they chose the name "Avaline" after seeing it on a baby name website.
"Avaline just looked beautiful, we thought, as written. The meaning is sensitive, humble and lively, which it really felt like embodied what we want our brand to be," she said.