npr--2020-07-09--Bolivian President Tests Positive For Coronavirus

Days after Brazil 's president said he had contracted COVID-19 , another South American leader , Bolivia 's interim president , Jeanine Áñez , said she too had tested positive for the coronavirus .
`` I feel good , I feel strong , I will continue to work virtually from my isolation , '' Áñez said in a video posted to her Twitter account .
Áñez assumed the presidency in Bolivia in November , following the resignation of longtime President Evo Morales , who was forced out of office amid widespread protests alleging of election fraud .
Áñez is set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled for September .
She is among the candidates running to succeed Morales .
Three other Bolivian government ministers have also tested positive for the coronavirus in recent days , including Eidy Roca , the country 's health minister .
The announcement from Áñez came on the same day that Venezuela 's socialist party chief , Diosdado Cabello — considered the second-most powerful person in the country after President Nicolás Maduro — also announced that he had become ill with COVID-19 .
Bolivia has confirmed nearly 43,000 infections and more than 1,500 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hopkins University .
Officially , Venezuela has fewer cases than much of the rest of the continent , but those numbers have been increasing .
Earlier this week , Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro confirmed that he too had tested positive for the virus .
Brazil ranks second only to the U.S. in the number of cases and deaths from the virus – with more than 1.7 million confirmed infections and nearly 68,000 deaths .

Bolivian President Tests Positive For Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Aizar Raldes/AFP via Getty Images Aizar Raldes/AFP via Getty Images
Days after Brazil's president said he had contracted COVID-19, another South American leader, Bolivia's interim president, Jeanine Áñez, said she too had tested positive for the coronavirus.
"I feel good, I feel strong, I will continue to work virtually from my isolation," Áñez said in a video posted to her Twitter account.
He dado positivo a Covid19, estoy bien, trabajaré desde mi aislamiento. Juntos, vamos a salir adelante. pic.twitter.com/oA4YVYlZFa — Jeanine Añez Chavez (@JeanineAnez) July 9, 2020
Áñez assumed the presidency in Bolivia in November, following the resignation of longtime President Evo Morales, who was forced out of office amid widespread protests alleging of election fraud. Áñez is set to remain until elections, which are scheduled for September. She is among the candidates running to succeed Morales.
Three other Bolivian government ministers have also tested positive for the coronavirus in recent days, including Eidy Roca, the country's health minister.
The announcement from Áñez came on the same day that Venezuela's socialist party chief, Diosdado Cabello — considered the second-most powerful person in the country after President Nicolás Maduro — also announced that he had become ill with COVID-19.
Bolivia has confirmed nearly 43,000 infections and more than 1,500 deaths, according to data collated by Johns Hopkins University. Officially, Venezuela has fewer cases than much of the rest of the continent, but those numbers have been increasing.
Earlier this week, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro confirmed that he too had tested positive for the virus. Brazil ranks second only to the U.S. in the number of cases and deaths from the virus – with more than 1.7 million confirmed infections and nearly 68,000 deaths.


npr--2020-07-09--Starbucks Says Customers Must Wear Masks At Its Cafes

Starbucks Says Customers Must Wear Masks At Its Cafes Starbucks announced on Thursday that it would require all patrons to @ @ @ @ @ locations across the United States .
The order will take effect on July 15 , @ @ @ @ @ Starbucks .
Several states have already mandated that residents wear masks in public spaces like @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , though many still have no such requirement .
Starbucks said that at stores @ @ @ @ @ mandate regarding masks customers will still be able to use the drive-thru , order for @ @ @ @ @ their order delivered .
The company also emphasized that it will continue enhanced cleaning measures @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the coronavirus , which has killed over 133,000 people in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ .

Starbucks Says Customers Must Wear Masks At Its Cafes
Enlarge this image toggle caption Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Starbucks announced on Thursday that it would require all patrons to wear face masks at its locations across the United States.
The order will take effect on July 15, according to a statement from Starbucks.
Several states have already mandated that residents wear masks in public spaces like coffee shops because of the coronavirus, though many still have no such requirement.
Starbucks said that at stores where there's no local mandate regarding masks customers will still be able to use the drive-thru, order for curbside pickup, or get their order delivered.
The company also emphasized that it will continue enhanced cleaning measures and other precautions to stem the spread of the coronavirus, which has killed over 133,000 people in the U.S. according to Johns Hopkins University.


npr--2020-07-09--Supreme Court Rules That About Half Of Oklahoma Is Indian Land

Supreme Court Rules That About Half Of Oklahoma Is Indian Land The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that about half of the land in Oklahoma is within an Indian reservation , a decision that will have major consequences for both past and future criminal and civil cases .
The court 's decision hinged on the question of whether the Creek reservation continued to exist after Oklahoma became a state .
`` Today we are asked whether the land these treaties promised remains an Indian reservation for purposes of federal criminal law .
Because Congress has not said otherwise , we hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in the majority opinion .
The decision was 5-4 , with Justices Gorsuch , Sonia Sotomayor , Ruth Bader Ginsburg , Elena Kagan and Stephen Breyer in the majority , while Justices John Roberts , Brett Kavanaugh , Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented .
The ruling will have significant legal implications for eastern Oklahoma .
Much of Tulsa , the state 's second-largest city , is located on Muscogee ( Creek ) land .
The Muscogee ( Creek ) Nation cheered the court 's decision .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' sacred promise to the Muscogee ( Creek ) Nation of a protected reservation , '' the tribe said in a statement .
`` Today 's decision will allow the Nation to honor our ancestors by maintaining our established sovereignty and territorial boundaries . ''
In a dissenting opinion , Roberts , the chief justice , wrote that the decision `` will undermine numerous convictions obtained by the State , as well as the State 's ability to prosecute serious crimes committed in the future , '' and `` may destabilize the governance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kevin Washburn is dean of the law school at the University of Iowa , where he teaches a course on federal Indian law — `` It 's basically 15 weeks of how the law in the United States has failed my people , '' he said .
He served as assistant secretary of Indian affairs from 2012 to 2016 , and he 's a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma .
He called the court 's ruling `` a great decision . ''
`` For Indian people , their land is really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They 're sacred .
And this reaffirms the sacredness of those promises and those treaties . ''
`` Now and then there 's a great case that helps you keep the faith about the rule of law , '' he said .
`` And this is one of those . ''
The ruling has a number of significant consequences for criminal law in the relevant portion of Oklahoma .
The first is that going forward , certain major crimes committed within the boundaries of reservations must be prosecuted in federal court rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American is involved .
So if a Native American is accused of a major crime in downtown Tulsa , the federal government rather than the state government will prosecute it .
Less serious crimes involving Native Americans on Indian land will be handled in tribal courts .
This arrangement is already common in Western states like Arizona , New Mexico and Montana , said Washburn .
Then there 's the issue of past decisions — many of them are now considered wrongful convictions because the state lacked jurisdiction .
A number of criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past will now have grounds to challenge their convictions , arguing that the state never had jurisdiction to try them .
The case before the court , McGirt v. Oklahoma , concerned Jimcy McGirt , an enrolled member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma who was convicted of sex crimes against a child on Creek land .
In post-conviction proceedings , McGirt argued that the state lacked jurisdiction in the case and that he must be retried in federal court .
The high court agreed .
The ruling will affect lands of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identical treaties .
Civil court issues are also affected .
It 's important to note that the case concerned jurisdiction , not land ownership .
Ruling that these lands are in fact reservations `` does n't mean the tribe owns all the land within the reservation , just like the county does n't own all the land within the county .
In fact , it probably does n't own very much of that land , '' Washburn explained .
`` That 's not what a reservation is these days . ''
Oklahoma Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Muscogee ( Creek ) , Cherokee , Chickasaw , Choctaw and Seminole nations on Thursday , indicating that they `` have made substantial progress toward an agreement to present to Congress and the U.S. Department of Justice addressing and resolving any significant jurisdictional issues . ''
Ian Heath Gershengorn , an attorney at Jenner & Block , argued McGirt 's case before the Supreme Court .
He said his team was thrilled with the result and had felt optimistic knowing that Gorsuch could prove to be the deciding vote .
Gorsuch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members in the decision .
Prior to his appointment to the high court , Gorsuch was a judge on the 10th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals , which frequently sees cases involving Indian lands .
`` Justice Gorsuch has made very clear in his short time on the bench that he takes the text deeply seriously , '' Gershengorn said .
`` And I think you saw that the core of his analysis today was a textual one .
We felt like we had the right argument at the right time for @ @ @ @ @

Supreme Court Rules That About Half Of Oklahoma Is Native American Land
Enlarge this image toggle caption Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that about half of the land in Oklahoma is within a Native American reservation, a decision that will have major consequences for both past and future criminal and civil cases.
The court's decision hinged on the question of whether the Creek reservation continued to exist after Oklahoma became a state.
"Today we are asked whether the land these treaties promised remains an Indian reservation for purposes of federal criminal law. Because Congress has not said otherwise, we hold the government to its word," Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in the majority opinion.
The decision was 5-4, with Justices Gorsuch, Sonia Sotomayor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan and Stephen Breyer in the majority, while Justices John Roberts, Brett Kavanaugh, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented.
The ruling will have significant legal implications for eastern Oklahoma. Much of Tulsa, the state's second-largest city, is located on Muscogee (Creek) land. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation cheered the court's decision.
"The Supreme Court today kept the United States' sacred promise to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of a protected reservation," the tribe said in a statement. "Today's decision will allow the Nation to honor our ancestors by maintaining our established sovereignty and territorial boundaries."
In a dissenting opinion, Roberts, the chief justice, wrote that the decision "will undermine numerous convictions obtained by the State, as well as the State's ability to prosecute serious crimes committed in the future," and "may destabilize the governance of vast swathes of Oklahoma."
Kevin Washburn is dean of the law school at the University of Iowa, where he teaches a course on federal Indian law — "It's basically 15 weeks of how the law in the United States has failed my people," he said.
He served as assistant secretary of Indian affairs from 2012 to 2016, and he's a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma. He called the court's ruling "a great decision."
"For Indian people, their land is really important, and treaties are really important. They're sacred. And this reaffirms the sacredness of those promises and those treaties."
"Now and then there's a great case that helps you keep the faith about the rule of law," he said. "And this is one of those."
The ruling has a number of significant consequences for criminal law in the relevant portion of Oklahoma.
The first is that going forward, certain major crimes committed within the boundaries of reservations must be prosecuted in federal court rather than state court, if a Native American is involved. So if a Native American is accused of a major crime in downtown Tulsa, the federal government rather than the state government will prosecute it. Less serious crimes involving Native Americans on American Indian land will be handled in tribal courts. This arrangement is already common in Western states like Arizona, New Mexico and Montana, said Washburn.
Then there's the issue of past decisions — many of them are now considered wrongful convictions because the state lacked jurisdiction. A number of criminal defendants who have been convicted in the past will now have grounds to challenge their convictions, arguing that the state never had jurisdiction to try them.
The case before the court, McGirt v. Oklahoma, concerned Jimcy McGirt, an enrolled member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma who was convicted of sex crimes against a child on Creek land. In post-conviction proceedings, McGirt argued that the state lacked jurisdiction in the case and that he must be retried in federal court. The high court agreed.
The ruling will affect lands of the Muscogee and four other Oklahoma tribes with identical treaties. Civil court issues are also affected.
It's important to note that the case concerned jurisdiction, not land ownership.
Ruling that these lands are in fact reservations "doesn't mean the tribe owns all the land within the reservation, just like the county doesn't own all the land within the county. In fact, it probably doesn't own very much of that land," Washburn explained. "That's not what a reservation is these days."
Washburn compares a reservation to a county — terms that describe jurisdictional boundaries.
Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter released a joint statement with the Muscogee (Creek), Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw and Seminole nations on Thursday, indicating that they "have made substantial progress toward an agreement to present to Congress and the U.S. Department of Justice addressing and resolving any significant jurisdictional issues."
Ian Heath Gershengorn, an attorney at Jenner & Block, argued McGirt's case before the Supreme Court. He said his team was thrilled with the result and had felt optimistic knowing that Gorsuch could prove to be the deciding vote.
Gorsuch joined with the court's more liberal members in the decision. Prior to his appointment to the high court, Gorsuch was a judge on the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which frequently sees cases involving Native American lands.
"Justice Gorsuch has made very clear in his short time on the bench that he takes the text deeply seriously," Gershengorn said. "And I think you saw that the core of his analysis today was a textual one. We felt like we had the right argument at the right time for the right justice."


npr--2020-07-09--Death Of Robert Fuller, Who Was Found Hanging From Tree, Ruled Suicide

Death Of Robert Fuller , Who Was Found Hanging From Tree , Ruled Suicide A 24-year-old Black man who was found hanging from a tree in a park in Southern California last month died by suicide , the Los Angeles County Sheriff 's office said Thursday .
Robert Fuller 's death was initially ruled a suicide , but that conclusion outraged his family , who insisted that he would not take his own life .
Locals , too , were skeptical , citing the area 's troubled racial history .
Thousands of people turned out in Palmdale in the days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent investigation by California 's attorney general into what many believed was a lynching .
An attorney for the family said he would make a statement or hold a news conference later , according to The Associated Press .
Fuller 's death occurred against the backdrop of the police killing of George Floyd and as Black Lives Matter protests ramped up .
The situation was further inflamed days after Fuller 's death when his half brother , Terron Jammal Boone , was killed during an interaction with LA County sheriff 's deputies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pored over the evidence and determined that Fuller 's death was consistent with suicide and that a number of factors had led them to rule out other possibilities .
Fuller had a history of mental illness , and there were prior reports of suicidal ideation and that he had disclosed `` a plan to kill himself '' prior to his death , sheriff 's Commander Chris Marks said at a news conference .
He said investigators had also concluded that Fuller appeared to have purchased the rope he was found hanging from .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ local Dollar Tree store made on May 14 , 2020 , in which a red rope , consistent with the one used in the hanging was purchased with the card registered to Mr. Fuller , '' Marks said .
Fuller 's body was found at Poncitlán Square in Palmdale , Calif. , by a passerby on June 10 at around 3:30 a.m. LA County Fire Chief Daryl Osby said two paramedics were called to the scene and that Fuller was soon after declared dead .
The rope and fabric around his neck `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in more than one spot , accessible from only up in the tree , indicating that the victim was not hoisted into that position , '' Marks said .
He said there was no evidence of a ladder or chair and that the tree `` was easily climbable by someone of Mr. Fuller 's age and physical stature . ''
`` There were no signs of a struggle , no defensive wounds observed , and no other signs of trauma visible to Mr. Fuller , '' he said .
`` Mr. Fuller 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no signs that he attempted to remove the ligature from his neck . ''
`` Investigators observed several prominent linear scars on Mr. Fuller 's left wrist consistent with suicidal intent , '' he said , adding that Fuller was found hanging `` within reach of the trunk and the crook of the tree . ''
Despite the conclusion , Sheriff Alex Villanueva acknowledged the `` rather odd way in which this death occurred . ''
Fuller 's death came just weeks after the body of Malcolm Harsch , 38 , was found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Victorville , Calif. , about 50 miles from Palmdale .
His death was also ruled a suicide .
In the case of Harsch , authorities obtained surveillance video from a vacant building near where his body was found and confirmed the absence of foul play , according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff 's Department .
If you 're experiencing thoughts of suicide , call 1-800-273-TALK ( 8255 ) or text START to 741-741 to get in touch with someone who can help .

Death Of Robert Fuller, Who Was Found Hanging From Tree, Ruled Suicide
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kyle Grillot/AFP via Getty Images Kyle Grillot/AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 9:08 p.m. ET
A 24-year-old Black man who was found hanging from a tree in a park in Southern California last month died by suicide, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's office said Thursday.
Robert Fuller's death was initially ruled a suicide, but that conclusion outraged his family, who insisted that he would not take his own life. Locals, too, were skeptical, citing the area's troubled racial history. Thousands of people turned out in Palmdale in the days after Fuller's death to demand an independent investigation by California's attorney general into what many believed was a lynching.
An attorney for the family said he would make a statement or hold a news conference later, according to The Associated Press.
Fuller's death occurred against the backdrop of the police killing of George Floyd and as Black Lives Matter protests ramped up. The situation was further inflamed days after Fuller's death when his half brother, Terron Jammal Boone, was killed during an interaction with LA County sheriff's deputies.
On Thursday, authorities said they had pored over the evidence and determined that Fuller's death was consistent with suicide and that a number of factors had led them to rule out other possibilities.
Press Conference: Sheriff Villanueva and Sheriff’s Officials to Discuss Robert Fuller Death Investigation https://t.co/ZbTzf4lohc — LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) July 9, 2020
Fuller had a history of mental illness, and there were prior reports of suicidal ideation and that he had disclosed "a plan to kill himself" prior to his death, sheriff's Commander Chris Marks said at a news conference.
He said investigators had also concluded that Fuller appeared to have purchased the rope he was found hanging from. "Detectives identified a purchase from a local Dollar Tree store made on May 14, 2020, in which a red rope, consistent with the one used in the hanging was purchased with the card registered to Mr. Fuller," Marks said.
Fuller's body was found at Poncitlán Square in Palmdale, Calif., by a passerby on June 10 at around 3:30 a.m. LA County Fire Chief Daryl Osby said two paramedics were called to the scene and that Fuller was soon after declared dead.
The rope and fabric around his neck "was tied directly to the tree branches in more than one spot, accessible from only up in the tree, indicating that the victim was not hoisted into that position," Marks said.
He said there was no evidence of a ladder or chair and that the tree "was easily climbable by someone of Mr. Fuller's age and physical stature."
"There were no signs of a struggle, no defensive wounds observed, and no other signs of trauma visible to Mr. Fuller," he said. "Mr. Fuller's hands were not bound and there were no signs that he attempted to remove the ligature from his neck."
"Investigators observed several prominent linear scars on Mr. Fuller's left wrist consistent with suicidal intent," he said, adding that Fuller was found hanging "within reach of the trunk and the crook of the tree."
Despite the conclusion, Sheriff Alex Villanueva acknowledged the "rather odd way in which this death occurred."
Fuller's death came just weeks after the body of Malcolm Harsch, 38, was found hanging from a tree in the city of Victorville, Calif., about 50 miles from Palmdale. His death was also ruled a suicide.
In the case of Harsch, authorities obtained surveillance video from a vacant building near where his body was found and confirmed the absence of foul play, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
If you're experiencing thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text START to 741-741 to get in touch with someone who can help.


npr--2020-07-09--WHO: Aerosolized Particles Unlikely To Be Significant Source Of COVID-19 Transmission

WHO : Aerosolized Particles Unlikely To Be Significant Source Of COVID-19 Transmission The World Health Organization has issued a new scientific brief that summarizes what 's known about the different ways the coronavirus can transmit .
The 10-page brief , posted Thursday , considers all the ways researchers think the coronavirus may be able to spread : through close contact with droplets expelled when an infected person coughs , sneezes , speaks or breathes ; through the expulsion of small microdroplets that have the potential to spread over greater distances ; and through contaminated surfaces .
The report also looks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be transmitted from mother to child , from animals to humans and through contact with urine , feces and blood .
Weighing the evidence , WHO maintains that the virus is mostly spread through close contact with infected people but calls for more research into the matter of transmission by aerosolized particles .
The WHO brief follows the publication Monday of an open letter from 239 scientists asking the agency to reconsider its position on aerosol transmission , The term refers to microscopic viral particles that can linger in the air and infect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particles .
`` There is some evidence emerging , but it is not definitive , '' said Dr. Benedetta Allegranzi , WHO 's technical lead for infection prevention and control , at a press conference Tuesday .
`` The possibility of airborne transmission in public settings , especially in very specific conditions — crowded , closed , poorly ventilated settings — can not be ruled out . ''
WHO 's scientific brief references `` some outbreak reports related to indoor crowded spaces [ which ] have suggested the possibility of aerosol transmission , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , during choir practice , in restaurants or in fitness classes , '' but says that transmission in these cases could also be explained by close contact with respiratory droplets and touching contaminated surfaces .
WHO recommends taking specific precautions against aerosols only in hospital settings during specific procedures such as inserting a breathing tube into a patient .
That 's been WHO 's position since its first guidance documents on infection prevention and control of the novel coronavirus , issued Jan. 10 .
But Thursday 's brief does emphasize additional WHO guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks when physical distancing is difficult and avoiding crowded , enclosed spaces with poor ventilation .
Dr. Donald Milton , an aerobiologist at the University of Maryland and a lead author on the open letter pushing for more attention to aerosol transmission , says he still believes that aerosols could be responsible for superspreading events such as a choir practice in Washington state .
He says he has `` mixed feelings '' about the latest WHO brief : `` I 'm glad to see they 've moved a little bit .
I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

WHO: Airborne Transmission Plays Limited Role In Coronavirus Spread
Enlarge this image toggle caption NIAID NIAID
The World Health Organization has issued a new scientific brief that summarizes what's known about the different ways the coronavirus can transmit.
The 10-page brief, posted Thursday, considers all the ways researchers think the coronavirus may be able to spread: through close contact with droplets expelled when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks or breathes; through the expulsion of small microdroplets that have the potential to spread over greater distances; and through contaminated surfaces.
The report also looks at the possibilities for the virus to be transmitted from mother to child, from animals to humans and through contact with urine, feces and blood.
Weighing the evidence, WHO maintains that the virus is mostly spread through close contact with infected people but calls for more research into the matter of transmission by aerosolized particles.
The WHO brief follows the publication Monday of an open letter from 239 scientists asking the agency to reconsider its position on aerosol transmission. The term refers to microscopic viral particles that can linger in the air and infect people who inhale clouds of those aerosolized particles.
"There is some evidence emerging, but it is not definitive," said Dr. Benedetta Allegranzi, WHO's technical lead for infection prevention and control, at a press conference Tuesday. "The possibility of airborne transmission in public settings, especially in very specific conditions — crowded, closed, poorly ventilated settings — cannot be ruled out."
WHO's scientific brief references "some outbreak reports related to indoor crowded spaces [which] have suggested the possibility of aerosol transmission, combined with droplet transmission, for example, during choir practice, in restaurants or in fitness classes," but says that transmission in these cases could also be explained by close contact with respiratory droplets and touching contaminated surfaces.
WHO recommends taking specific precautions against aerosols only in hospital settings during specific procedures such as inserting a breathing tube into a patient. That's been WHO's position since its first guidance documents on infection prevention and control of the novel coronavirus, issued Jan. 10.
But Thursday's brief does emphasize additional WHO guidance, including the wearing of fabric masks when physical distancing is difficult and avoiding crowded, enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.
Dr. Donald Milton, an aerobiologist at the University of Maryland and a lead author on the open letter pushing for more attention to aerosol transmission, says he still believes that aerosols could be responsible for superspreading events such as a choir practice in Washington state. He says he has "mixed feelings" about the latest WHO brief: "I'm glad to see they've moved a little bit. I'm disappointed they didn't move further."


npr--2020-07-09--An Enzyme That Increases With Exercise Can Improve Memory In Mice, And Maybe People

An Enzyme That Increases With Exercise Can Improve Memory In Mice , And Maybe People Scientists say they 've identified an enzyme that could help explain how exercise can slow or even reverse some signs of aging in the brain .
`` Exercise in a bottle '' is n't around the corner , but it 's not out of the question either .
The idea builds on an observation a few years ago that certain parts of the brain can actually grow , even in older people .
`` Just because you have an old brain , it does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Saul Villeda , who researches aging at the University of California , San Francisco .
`` And one of the best-known interventions that has a benefit on the brain is exercise .
The problem is many of the elderly are frail .
They ca n't physically do the exercise . ''
So Villeda and his colleagues have been on the hunt for factors in the blood that are induced by exercise and can improve memory and other brain functions .
`` Can we actually then transfer the benefits of exercise without actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the exercise itself ? ''
he asks .
The team of researchers reported Thursday in the journal Science that it thinks it has a great lead .
The researchers took blood plasma from mice that got plenty of exercise and infused it into older sedentary mice .
Sure enough , those mice showed improvements in their brains and in mental tasks in a maze .
The scientists then narrowed their search to about a dozen proteins in the blood .
One in particular , an enzyme called GPLD1 , seemed to be key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this enzyme in older mice , nerves grew in part of their brains , and the animals performed better in the maze .
`` Exercise causes this protein to be produced in the liver , '' Villeda says .
And among other things , when this enzyme enters the bloodstream , it seems to tamp down aspects of inflammation , which contributes to age-related brain damage .
`` The result of that is that you actually have improvement in cognitive function in these older mice . ''
The research team also looked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UCSF Memory and Aging Center .
Researchers measured their physical activity with Fitbits .
Those who exercised more produced more of this enzyme .
Aging and exercise are both complicated , involving all sorts of variables that interact in unexpected ways .
So Villeda had to think hard about whether a single protein could really have a big effect .
`` I was definitely surprised that one protein could have that much effect , '' he says .
But when he realized GPLD1 is changing about 100 other proteins , it seemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the complex relationship among all these interacting parts .
`` It 's a long step between identifying this enzyme and , say , making a pill out of that , '' says neuroscientist Bradley Wise at the National Institute on Aging .
But he finds the results intriguing — and in keeping with a line of research his institute is actively encouraging .
`` This is one piece of the puzzle . ''
The team at UCSF is eager to see if it can find its way to making a medication out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discovery at least suggests a path forward .
`` We do n't have that exercise pill right now , '' he says .
`` This lets us know that this is a viable thing to pursue , but we 're not there yet .
My mom gets really excited — she [ says ] , 'Oh , exercise in a bottle ! '
`` But that is not around the corner .
`` I would n't rush out and make GPLD1 and give it to people , '' says Willard `` Bill '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Oklahoma City .
Freeman co-wrote a commentary about the paper for Science .
He 's encouraged by the new findings but cautions that almost nothing is known about the potential downsides of tinkering with this enzyme and the complicated system it affects .
`` There 's a lot more research to be done .
And in the meantime , one of the things we can all do is exercise .
We have that within our own power . ''
Exercise has all sorts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strengthening bones to helping control blood pressure .
So if this discovery ever does lead to a medication , it would be most helpful for people who , through injury or old age , simply ca n't exercise on their own .
You can contact NPR science correspondent Richard Harris at rharris @ npr.org .

An Enzyme That Increases With Exercise Can Improve Memory In Mice, And Maybe People
Enlarge this image toggle caption Owen Franken/Getty Images Owen Franken/Getty Images
Scientists say they've identified an enzyme that could help explain how exercise can slow or even reverse some signs of aging in the brain. "Exercise in a bottle" isn't around the corner, but it's not out of the question either.
The idea builds on an observation a few years ago that certain parts of the brain can actually grow, even in older people.
"Just because you have an old brain, it doesn't have to stay that way," says Saul Villeda, who researches aging at the University of California, San Francisco. "And one of the best-known interventions that has a benefit on the brain is exercise. The problem is many of the elderly are frail. They can't physically do the exercise."
So Villeda and his colleagues have been on the hunt for factors in the blood that are induced by exercise and can improve memory and other brain functions.
"Can we actually then transfer the benefits of exercise without actually having to do the physical component of the exercise itself?" he asks.
The team of researchers reported Thursday in the journal Science that it thinks it has a great lead.
The researchers took blood plasma from mice that got plenty of exercise and infused it into older sedentary mice. Sure enough, those mice showed improvements in their brains and in mental tasks in a maze.
The scientists then narrowed their search to about a dozen proteins in the blood. One in particular, an enzyme called GPLD1, seemed to be key. When scientists revved up the production of this enzyme in older mice, nerves grew in part of their brains, and the animals performed better in the maze.
"Exercise causes this protein to be produced in the liver," Villeda says. And among other things, when this enzyme enters the bloodstream, it seems to tamp down aspects of inflammation, which contributes to age-related brain damage. "The result of that is that you actually have improvement in cognitive function in these older mice."
The research team also looked at a group of older people at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center. Researchers measured their physical activity with Fitbits. Those who exercised more produced more of this enzyme.
Aging and exercise are both complicated, involving all sorts of variables that interact in unexpected ways. So Villeda had to think hard about whether a single protein could really have a big effect.
"I was definitely surprised that one protein could have that much effect," he says. But when he realized GPLD1 is changing about 100 other proteins, it seemed plausible.
Scientists are nowhere near understanding the complex relationship among all these interacting parts.
"It's a long step between identifying this enzyme and, say, making a pill out of that," says neuroscientist Bradley Wise at the National Institute on Aging. But he finds the results intriguing — and in keeping with a line of research his institute is actively encouraging. "This is one piece of the puzzle."
The team at UCSF is eager to see if it can find its way to making a medication out of its now-patented discovery. Villeda says the discovery at least suggests a path forward.
"We don't have that exercise pill right now," he says. "This lets us know that this is a viable thing to pursue, but we're not there yet. My mom gets really excited — she [says], 'Oh, exercise in a bottle!' "
But that is not around the corner. "I wouldn't rush out and make GPLD1 and give it to people," says Willard "Bill" Freeman at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Oklahoma City. Freeman co-wrote a commentary about the paper for Science.
He's encouraged by the new findings but cautions that almost nothing is known about the potential downsides of tinkering with this enzyme and the complicated system it affects.
"There's a lot more research to be done. And in the meantime, one of the things we can all do is exercise. We have that within our own power."
Exercise has all sorts of health benefits beyond the brain, from strengthening bones to helping control blood pressure. So if this discovery ever does lead to a medication, it would be most helpful for people who, through injury or old age, simply can't exercise on their own.
You can contact NPR science correspondent Richard Harris at rharris@npr.org.


npr--2020-07-09--'Please Scream Inside Your Heart,' Japanese Amusement Park Tells Thrill-Seekers

The Fuji-Q Highland amusement park near Tokyo has an unorthodox request for its roller coaster riders .
`` Please scream inside your heart , '' and not out loud , the park is asking .
The unusual ask is meant to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus .
While some may be skeptical that it 's possible to quietly ride a roller coaster , a promotional video from Fuji-Q proves that it can be done .
The video shows two stone-faced , suit-wearing , and completely silent executives ride the Fujiyama roller coaster , the park 's main attraction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several recommendations that Japanese amusement park operators released in late May as the country was beginning to reopen after shutting down due to the coronavirus , according to the Agence France-Presse .
Thrill-seekers have been asked to `` refrain from vocalizing loudly '' to avoid spreading droplets of the virus , according to the guidelines .
Several park-goers have complained that the request was unrealistic , according to a report from the Wall Street Journal .
One visitor at Tokyo Disneyland told the Journal that he thought it was `` too strict .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it comes out , '' he said .
In Japan , spread of the coronavirus has been relatively slow compared to many other countries .
Japan has seen just over 20,000 confirmed cases and recorded 982 deaths due to the virus .
The United States is the global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic , with more than 3 million confirmed cases and 132,000 deaths due to the virus .
But some theme parks are welcoming guests back in the U.S. , too .
Orlando 's Disney World park is reopening to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity .
A preview for annual pass holders is happening on Thursday , according to the Orlando Sentinel .
No scream ban has been announced there .
Florida has seen a surge in coronavirus numbers .
Its number of new cases reported per day has risen by 146 % compared to two weeks prior .

'Please Scream Inside Your Heart,' Japanese Amusement Park Tells Thrill-Seekers
Enlarge this image toggle caption Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Fuji-Q Highland amusement park near Tokyo has an unorthodox request for its roller coaster riders.
"Please scream inside your heart," and not out loud, the park is asking. The unusual ask is meant to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus.
While some may be skeptical that it's possible to quietly ride a roller coaster, a promotional video from Fuji-Q proves that it can be done.
The video shows two stone-faced, suit-wearing, and completely silent executives ride the Fujiyama roller coaster, the park's main attraction.
YouTube
The no-screaming guideline was one of several recommendations that Japanese amusement park operators released in late May as the country was beginning to reopen after shutting down due to the coronavirus, according to the Agence France-Presse.
Thrill-seekers have been asked to "refrain from vocalizing loudly" to avoid spreading droplets of the virus, according to the guidelines.
Several park-goers have complained that the request was unrealistic, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. One visitor at Tokyo Disneyland told the Journal that he thought it was "too strict."
"If a scream comes out, it comes out," he said.
In Japan, spread of the coronavirus has been relatively slow compared to many other countries. Japan has seen just over 20,000 confirmed cases and recorded 982 deaths due to the virus.
The United States is the global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, with more than 3 million confirmed cases and 132,000 deaths due to the virus. But some theme parks are welcoming guests back in the U.S., too.
Orlando's Disney World park is reopening to the general public on July 11 at reduced capacity. A preview for annual pass holders is happening on Thursday, according to the Orlando Sentinel. No scream ban has been announced there.
Florida has seen a surge in coronavirus numbers. Its number of new cases reported per day has risen by 146% compared to two weeks prior.


npr--2020-07-09--Defense Secretary Esper, In Careful Exchange, Denies Being Briefed On 'Bounties'

Defense Secretary Esper , In Careful Exchange , Denies Being Briefed On 'Bounties' Defense Secretary Mark Esper never received a briefing about alleged Russian practices against U.S. troops in Afghanistan that included the term `` bounty , '' he told Congress on Thursday .
Esper said so in an answer to a carefully worded question from Rep. Mike Turner , R-Ohio , who appeared to be aware about how to cue Esper , potentially from the lawmaker 's own awareness of the still-secret underlying intelligence about the Russian allegations .
`` To the best of my recollection , I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ word 'bounty , ' `` Esper said .
He and Gen. Mark Milley , chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , vowed they are working to ensure American forces in Afghanistan are as well-equipped and well-protected as possible and they suggested the reports about alleged bounties paid by Russian intelligence to Taliban insurgents still are n't confirmed .
Turner also asked Esper whether , if he had been told about `` bounties '' specifically , he would have taken action .
Yes , he said .
`` If it was a credible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that used those words , certainly it would have been brought to my attention by chain of command , by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and others , for action .
We would have taken upon that action an interagency effort to make sure we addressed it , '' Esper said .
Neither Esper nor Milley appeared to dispute that some underlying activity might be playing out in Afghanistan , but they both presented the situation as one still unresolved or requiring further investigation .
`` We 're going to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Milley said .
Another Republican , Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York , suggested that she and other lawmakers had been briefed about the alleged bounties on Thursday and asked the witnesses to restate their commitment to protecting American forces serving abroad .
`` You have a thousand percent commitment , '' Milley said .
Esper revealed another clue about the origins of the bounty allegations in a separate answer to a question about whether the Defense Department was responsible for assessing that bounties have been paid to Afghan insurgents .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not produced by a DOD intelligence agency '' — which rules out a number of big organizations , including the intelligence components of the military services , the Defense Intelligence Agency and perhaps the National Security Agency .
The NSA is structured organizationally as a support agency to the Pentagon .
Esper said he 'd first learned about the allegations in February in an `` intelligence piece of paper '' — perhaps a reference to a reported classified CIA bulletin that has been described by The New York Times .
Republicans on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defend President Trump on Thursday and puncture the criticism that his administration bungled the discovery of the alleged bounty practices .
In their telling , officials continue to assess unreliable reports and that 's why the matter was never singled out for the president in an in-person presentation .
Trump has called the alleged bounty practices a `` hoax , '' and the White House has n't said it 'll take any action against Russia in retaliation for whatever is taking place on the ground in Afghanistan .
The underlying intelligence has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports , however , including those led by The New York Times , have described a broad range of evidence , including electronic wire transfers and personal comments by Taliban insurgents , confirming that Russia offered monetary incentives to insurgents for targeting Western troops .
Critics have faulted Trump for creating a process inside his administration in which he reportedly is n't given pertinent intelligence because it might upset him or in which aides effectively bury unpleasant material in written documents that Trump does n't read .
Rep. Seth Moulton , D-Mass.
, @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specific term in official briefing materials `` proves nothing — what matters is the substance . ''
Also on Thursday , Sen. Tammy Duckworth , D-Ill. , asked Esper in a letter whether the Defense Department is investigating if any American deaths in Afghanistan may have been linked with the alleged Russian bounty practices .
Her letter alluded to the families of such fallen troops , often denoted with a gold star , and the Russian military intelligence agency that has been connected with the practice , the GRU .
`` It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration appears to be ignoring a matter of great importance to Gold Star family members whose loved ones were killed while serving in Afghanistan : Were any U.S. troop casualties in Afghanistan connected with the alleged GRU bounty payments to Taliban-linked militants ? ''
Duckworth asked .
`` Gold Star families deserve an answer to this question . ''

Defense Secretary Esper, In Careful Exchange, Denies Being Briefed On 'Bounties'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Greg Nash/Pool/Getty Images Greg Nash/Pool/Getty Images
Defense Secretary Mark Esper never received a briefing about alleged Russian practices against U.S. troops in Afghanistan that included the term "bounty," he told Congress on Thursday.
Esper said so in an answer to a carefully worded question from Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, who appeared to be aware about how to cue Esper, potentially from the lawmaker's own awareness of the still-secret underlying intelligence about the Russian allegations.
"To the best of my recollection, I have not received a briefing that included the word 'bounty,' " Esper said.
He and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, vowed they are working to ensure American forces in Afghanistan are as well-equipped and well-protected as possible and they suggested the reports about alleged bounties paid by Russian intelligence to Taliban insurgents still aren't confirmed.
Turner also asked Esper whether, if he had been told about "bounties" specifically, he would have taken action.
Yes, he said.
"If it was a credible report, a credible, corroborated report, that used those words, certainly it would have been brought to my attention by chain of command, by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and others, for action. We would have taken upon that action an interagency effort to make sure we addressed it," Esper said.
Neither Esper nor Milley appeared to dispute that some underlying activity might be playing out in Afghanistan, but they both presented the situation as one still unresolved or requiring further investigation.
"We're going to get to the bottom of all that," Milley said.
Another Republican, Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, suggested that she and other lawmakers had been briefed about the alleged bounties on Thursday and asked the witnesses to restate their commitment to protecting American forces serving abroad.
"You have a thousand percent commitment," Milley said.
Esper revealed another clue about the origins of the bounty allegations in a separate answer to a question about whether the Defense Department was responsible for assessing that bounties have been paid to Afghan insurgents.
The defense secretary said this: "It was not produced by a DOD intelligence agency" — which rules out a number of big organizations, including the intelligence components of the military services, the Defense Intelligence Agency and perhaps the National Security Agency. The NSA is structured organizationally as a support agency to the Pentagon.
Esper said he'd first learned about the allegations in February in an "intelligence piece of paper" — perhaps a reference to a reported classified CIA bulletin that has been described by The New York Times.
Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee sought to defend President Trump on Thursday and puncture the criticism that his administration bungled the discovery of the alleged bounty practices.
In their telling, officials continue to assess unreliable reports and that's why the matter was never singled out for the president in an in-person presentation.
Trump has called the alleged bounty practices a "hoax," and the White House hasn't said it'll take any action against Russia in retaliation for whatever is taking place on the ground in Afghanistan.
The underlying intelligence has not become public.
A number of press reports, however, including those led by The New York Times, have described a broad range of evidence, including electronic wire transfers and personal comments by Taliban insurgents, confirming that Russia offered monetary incentives to insurgents for targeting Western troops.
Critics have faulted Trump for creating a process inside his administration in which he reportedly isn't given pertinent intelligence because it might upset him or in which aides effectively bury unpleasant material in written documents that Trump doesn't read.
Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., said the presence or absence of a specific term in official briefing materials "proves nothing — what matters is the substance."
Also on Thursday, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., asked Esper in a letter whether the Defense Department is investigating if any American deaths in Afghanistan may have been linked with the alleged Russian bounty practices.
Her letter alluded to the families of such fallen troops, often denoted with a gold star, and the Russian military intelligence agency that has been connected with the practice, the GRU.
"It is unacceptable that to date, the Trump administration appears to be ignoring a matter of great importance to Gold Star family members whose loved ones were killed while serving in Afghanistan: Were any U.S. troop casualties in Afghanistan connected with the alleged GRU bounty payments to Taliban-linked militants?" Duckworth asked. "Gold Star families deserve an answer to this question."


npr--2020-07-09--Cameo Celebrity App: Will Birthday Wishes From Snoop Dogg Mean A Big Investor Payday?

Cameo Celebrity App : Will Birthday Wishes From Snoop Dogg Mean A Big Investor Payday ?
About a year ago , former Trump aide Anthony Scaramucci got a call from an executive with the celebrity video-sharing startup Cameo .
`` He called me and he 's like , 'Mooch , I 'd like to get you on Cameo , ' '' Scaramucci recalled to NPR .
`` I did n't even know what it was .
He said , 'We 're trying to get some guys who are improvisational and can have a little fun with this . ''
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Communications Director for 11 days .
Do n't say 10 , it hurts my feelings ! ''
Scaramucci has found a way to capitalize on his brief tenure .
`` It 's a fun thing to do .
It 's a way to stay in touch with — I do n't want to say fans — but just people out there , '' he said .
Scaramucci , who runs a hedge fund , says he has made more than 1,100 videos to date and earned $ 62,700 .
`` I 'm giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he emphasized .
He is one of more than 40,000 entertainers , folk heroes , Internet influencers and now-disgraced members of the political class that form the talent roster of one of the fastest-growing tech startups .
Birthday greetings from 'NSync or Lance Armstrong Started in 2017 , Cameo enlists stars , some more faded and obscure than others , to produce mostly short , handheld smartphone videos on demand .
The stars set the fees for their personalized greetings .
Scaramucci started off charging $ 100 per video , then knocked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heartthrob Lance Bass of the 1990 's boy band 'NSync will press record for $ 249 .
`` He has sent me here to officially help you say , 'Bye , Bye , Bye ' to your 20s and welcome to the best decade of your life , '' says a 41-year-old Bass in one video .
There 's no makeup or fancy lighting .
Bass is dressed in a plain t-shirt , in front of a blank wall in a dimly-lit room .
For about $ 50 more , actress Lindsay Lohan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Dubai .
Just do n't mind the desert sunlight washing out most of the frame .
There are bargains , like comedian Carrot Top , who charges $ 15 a pop for a video .
Boxer Floyd Mayweather is among the pricier options , asking $ 999 for a video .
Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong is on the roster ( $ 400 ) , as is Snoop Dogg ( $ 750 ) .
`` Gabriella , happy birthday .
Happy Birthday .
Eighteen years old ? ''
said Snoop Dogg with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` What a beautiful thing . ''
'People are more famous than they are rich' The way CEO Steven Galanis tells it , he came up with the concept of Cameo after pondering this fact : nearly 80 percent of retired NFL players go broke within two years of retirement .
`` This was really shocking to me .
When you look at the people that have gone broke , it is boldnamers , it 's hall of famers , '' said Galanis , 32 and a former Chicago stock trader .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Whether pro athletes or TikTok stars , more people than ever are considered famous in some fashion .
Cameo helps them make money off of it .
`` Big clout does n't mean enduring wealth , '' Galanis said .
`` People are more famous than they are rich , especially in the social media age . ''
The coronavirus pandemic has been a boon for Galanis ' business model , with stars unable to perform and fans trapped at home , unable to socialize .
`` In a world where all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whole creative class finds themselves unemployed all at one time , '' he said .
`` All celebrities are gig economy workers . ''
Cameo 's business has grown sevenfold from last year , with an estimated market valuation of $ 300 million , according to analytics firm PitchBook .
Venture capitalists are watching closely .
`` Cameo is on a tear , '' said Ilya Fushman with the Silicon Valley firm Kleiner Perkins , which has invested in Cameo .
`` I do n't know of many places where you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing literally 30 seconds of work . ''
'Tiger King ' activist brought in $ 100,000 in one week Cameo pockets 25 % of every video purchase .
Still , Gallanis says , some stars make enough videos to pull in six-figure sums a month .
Carole Baskin , from the hit Netflix show Tiger King , is cranking out hundreds of $ 199 videos a day , pulling in $ 100,000 in just a single week , Gallanis said .
But who pays for shaky selfies by celebrities whose 15 minutes may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tim Davis of Nashville .
He found the website while searching for a gift for his wife .
She happens to be a fan of the sci-fi TV show Outlander .
For $ 40 , actor Steven Cree , who plays Ian Murray , would record a birthday wish for her .
`` It was something that I thought would be a little bit different .
And it was completely unexpected , '' Davis said .
Davis ' wife Coralie Le Coguic says at first she did n't know what to make of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confused , '' she said .
But Cree 's message about following her dreams brought her to tears .
She says it was a fun and moving experience .
Also , a little strange .
`` I always think any time you do something that is celebrity , fan-oriented , it 's a little bizarre - that this one person who does n't know you is so special , '' she said .
Silicon Valley investors , meanwhile , are betting that celebrity Cameos are not just a passing fad , but maybe @ @ @ @ @

Cameo Celebrity App: Will Birthday Wishes From Snoop Dogg Mean A Big Investor Payday?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Cameo/Screenshot by NPR Cameo/Screenshot by NPR
About a year ago, former Trump aide Anthony Scaramucci got a call from an executive with the celebrity video-sharing startup Cameo.
"He called me and he's like, 'Mooch, I'd like to get you on Cameo,'" Scaramucci recalled to NPR. "I didn't even know what it was. He said, 'We're trying to get some guys who are improvisational and can have a little fun with this."
With a Cameo bio of "White House Communications Director for 11 days. Don't say 10, it hurts my feelings!" Scaramucci has found a way to capitalize on his brief tenure.
"It's a fun thing to do. It's a way to stay in touch with — I don't want to say fans — but just people out there," he said.
Scaramucci, who runs a hedge fund, says he has made more than 1,100 videos to date and earned $62,700.
"I'm giving all the proceeds to charity," he emphasized.
He is one of more than 40,000 entertainers, folk heroes, Internet influencers and now-disgraced members of the political class that form the talent roster of one of the fastest-growing tech startups.
Birthday greetings from 'NSync or Lance Armstrong
Started in 2017, Cameo enlists stars, some more faded and obscure than others, to produce mostly short, handheld smartphone videos on demand. The stars set the fees for their personalized greetings.
Scaramucci started off charging $100 per video, then knocked the price down to $50.
Former heartthrob Lance Bass of the 1990's boy band 'NSync will press record for $249.
"He has sent me here to officially help you say, 'Bye, Bye, Bye' to your 20s and welcome to the best decade of your life," says a 41-year-old Bass in one video. There's no makeup or fancy lighting. Bass is dressed in a plain t-shirt, in front of a blank wall in a dimly-lit room.
For about $50 more, actress Lindsay Lohan will film a selfie from her home in Dubai. Just don't mind the desert sunlight washing out most of the frame.
There are bargains, like comedian Carrot Top, who charges $15 a pop for a video. Boxer Floyd Mayweather is among the pricier options, asking $999 for a video. Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong is on the roster ($400), as is Snoop Dogg ($750).
"Gabriella, happy birthday. Happy Birthday. Eighteen years old?" said Snoop Dogg with a whistle on a video for a fan. "What a beautiful thing."
'People are more famous than they are rich'
The way CEO Steven Galanis tells it, he came up with the concept of Cameo after pondering this fact: nearly 80 percent of retired NFL players go broke within two years of retirement.
"This was really shocking to me. When you look at the people that have gone broke, it is boldnamers, it's hall of famers," said Galanis, 32 and a former Chicago stock trader.
Fame is an expansive concept in 2020: Whether pro athletes or TikTok stars, more people than ever are considered famous in some fashion. Cameo helps them make money off of it.
"Big clout doesn't mean enduring wealth," Galanis said. "People are more famous than they are rich, especially in the social media age."
The coronavirus pandemic has been a boon for Galanis' business model, with stars unable to perform and fans trapped at home, unable to socialize.
"In a world where all live entertainment has shut down, suddenly the whole creative class finds themselves unemployed all at one time," he said. "All celebrities are gig economy workers."
Cameo's business has grown sevenfold from last year, with an estimated market valuation of $300 million, according to analytics firm PitchBook. Venture capitalists are watching closely.
"Cameo is on a tear," said Ilya Fushman with the Silicon Valley firm Kleiner Perkins, which has invested in Cameo."I don't know of many places where you can get paid a few hundred bucks for doing literally 30 seconds of work."
'Tiger King' activist brought in $100,000 in one week
Cameo pockets 25% of every video purchase. Still, Gallanis says, some stars make enough videos to pull in six-figure sums a month.
Carole Baskin, from the hit Netflix show Tiger King, is cranking out hundreds of $199 videos a day, pulling in $100,000 in just a single week, Gallanis said.
But who pays for shaky selfies by celebrities whose 15 minutes may be long behind them? People like Tim Davis of Nashville.
He found the website while searching for a gift for his wife. She happens to be a fan of the sci-fi TV show Outlander. For $40, actor Steven Cree, who plays Ian Murray, would record a birthday wish for her.
"It was something that I thought would be a little bit different. And it was completely unexpected," Davis said.
Davis' wife Coralie Le Coguic says at first she didn't know what to make of the video.
"I was so confused," she said. "Because I didn't know why this person was saying my name and talking about my life on the video."
But when she figured it out, Cree's sincere message about following her dreams brought her to tears.
She says it was a fun and moving experience. Also, a little strange.
"I always think any time you do something that is celebrity, fan-oriented, it's a little bizarre — that this one person who doesn't know you is so special," she said.
Silicon Valley investors, meanwhile, are betting that celebrity Cameos are not just a passing fad, but maybe the future of fame.


npr--2020-07-09--U.S. Sanctions Chinese Officials, Including Politburo Member, For Xinjiang Abuses

The Trump administration on Thursday put visa and asset sanctions on several Chinese officials — including Politburo member Chen Quanguo — for what it says has been their role in `` gross violations of human rights '' in China 's far western region of Xinjiang .
The move comes at a time when U.S.-China relations are at their worst in decades and is likely to anger Beijing , potentially leading to similar sanctions from China on American officials .
Chen , the ruling Communist Party 's top official in Xinjiang , has overseen a harsh persecution of ethnic Uighurs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrorism since he was posted to the region in 2016 .
Critics accuse the government of severe rights abuses in Xinjiang , with invasive surveillance , mass extrajudicial detentions , forced sterilization and abortions and mandatory birth control .
The move marked the first time since the U.S. established diplomatic ties with China in 1979 that Washington has sanctioned a member of China 's elite Politburo , comprising the party 's top two dozen officials , say scholars of Chinese politics .
In a statement , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Chen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party 's political and legal affairs chief Zhu Hailun and police boss Wang Mingshan — were now ineligible for entry into the United States .
Their immediate families were also barred .
Pompeo said the State Department was placing additional visa restrictions on other , unnamed Communist Party officials `` believed to be responsible for , or complicit in , the unjust detention or abuse of Uyghurs , ethnic Kazakhs , and members of other minority groups in Xinjiang . ''
In a coordinated statement , the Treasury said it was `` building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctioning Chen , Zhu and Wang .
It was also sanctioning the Xinjiang Public Security Bureau , or police , and the former party leader of the Xinjiang police , Huo Liujun .
Any assets they own in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. entities `` are blocked , '' it said .
Transactions involving any of their property or interests in the United States , or involving Americans , are prohibited .
`` The United States is committed to using the full breadth of its financial powers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Xinjiang and across the world , '' Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in the statement .
The Chinese Embassy did not answer NPR 's calls and emails for comment about the sanctions .
Jude Blanchette , an expert in Chinese politics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies , said the sanctions were symbolic but significant .
`` The sanctions are unlikely to have any practical impact on the Chinese officials , as they undoubtedly have the bulk of their wealth in domestic assets , yet by targeting China 's senior-most officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong signal to Beijing , '' he said .

U.S. Sanctions Chinese Officials, Including Politburo Member, For Xinjiang Abuses
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Schiefelbein/AP Mark Schiefelbein/AP
The Trump administration on Thursday put visa and asset sanctions on several Chinese officials — including Politburo member Chen Quanguo — for what it says has been their role in "gross violations of human rights" in China's far western region of Xinjiang.
The move comes at a time when U.S.-China relations are at their worst in decades and is likely to anger Beijing, potentially leading to similar sanctions from China on American officials.
Chen, the ruling Communist Party's top official in Xinjiang, has overseen a harsh persecution of ethnic Uighurs and other Muslims in the name of combating terrorism since he was posted to the region in 2016. Critics accuse the government of severe rights abuses in Xinjiang, with invasive surveillance, mass extrajudicial detentions, forced sterilization and abortions and mandatory birth control.
The move marked the first time since the U.S. established diplomatic ties with China in 1979 that Washington has sanctioned a member of China's elite Politburo, comprising the party's top two dozen officials, say scholars of Chinese politics.
In a statement, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Chen and two other Xinjiang officials — the party's political and legal affairs chief Zhu Hailun and police boss Wang Mingshan — were now ineligible for entry into the United States. Their immediate families were also barred.
Pompeo said the State Department was placing additional visa restrictions on other, unnamed Communist Party officials "believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, the unjust detention or abuse of Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, and members of other minority groups in Xinjiang."
In a coordinated statement, the Treasury said it was "building upon" the Global Magnitsky Act in sanctioning Chen, Zhu and Wang. It was also sanctioning the Xinjiang Public Security Bureau, or police, and the former party leader of the Xinjiang police, Huo Liujun.
Any assets they own in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. entities "are blocked," it said. Transactions involving any of their property or interests in the United States, or involving Americans, are prohibited.
"The United States is committed to using the full breadth of its financial powers to hold human rights abusers accountable in Xinjiang and across the world," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in the statement.
The Chinese Embassy did not answer NPR's calls and emails for comment about the sanctions.
Jude Blanchette, an expert in Chinese politics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the sanctions were symbolic but significant.
"The sanctions are unlikely to have any practical impact on the Chinese officials, as they undoubtedly have the bulk of their wealth in domestic assets, yet by targeting China's senior-most officials, the U.S. is sending an extraordinarily strong signal to Beijing," he said.


npr--2020-07-09--Seoul's Mayor Found Dead After Massive Search

The mayor of South Korea 's capital , and a possible future presidential candidate , was found dead after disappearing Thursday morning local time .
A rescue dog found Park Won-soon just after midnight Friday morning in a wooded park northeast of the presidential office , Seoul police official Choi Ik-su told reporters about two hours after the discovery .
Choi said the cause of death is under investigation , but there is no evidence of homicide so far .
South Korea 's Yonhap News Agency reported that Park 's daughter filed a missing persons report Thursday afternoon .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ verbal message that sounded like a will and had later turned off his mobile phone .
Police earlier told reporters that Park was last seen in surveillance camera footage in a nearby park just before 11 a.m. Thursday .
Park did not come to work Thursday and canceled an afternoon appointment for unspecified reasons .
Hundreds of police , firefighters and rescue teams , along with dogs and drones , then scoured the hilly , forested park area .
Choi said Park 's phone , bag and business cards were found near his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or message with them .
Following local media reports that a municipal employee had filed a sexual harassment complaint against Park , Choi confirmed that police had received a complaint , which they were investigating , but he did not elaborate .
Like South Korean President Moon Jae-in , Park was a human rights lawyer and activist in the fight against the former military government that ruled South Korea for nearly three decades until the late 1980s .
He was briefly jailed and expelled from college in the mid-1970s over protesting the rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a visiting research fellow at the Harvard Law School 's Human Rights Program in 1993 .
The following year , he founded the People 's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy , a progressive coalition later involved in the `` Candlelight Revolution '' in 2016-2017 .
Those street protests culminated in the impeachment and removal of former President Park Geun-hye — the daughter of Park Chung-hee .
Park Won-soon was first voted in as mayor of Seoul in 2011 and won an unprecedented third term in elections in 2018 .
He was considered a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the conclusion of Moon 's single five-year term .

Seoul's Mayor Found Dead After Massive Search
Enlarge this image toggle caption Cheon Jin-hwan/Newsis via AP Cheon Jin-hwan/Newsis via AP
The mayor of South Korea's capital, and a possible future presidential candidate, was found dead after disappearing Thursday morning local time.
A rescue dog found Park Won-soon just after midnight Friday morning in a wooded park northeast of the presidential office, Seoul police official Choi Ik-su told reporters about two hours after the discovery.
Choi said the cause of death is under investigation, but there is no evidence of homicide so far.
South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported that Park's daughter filed a missing persons report Thursday afternoon. She told police her father had left a verbal message that sounded like a will and had later turned off his mobile phone.
Police earlier told reporters that Park was last seen in surveillance camera footage in a nearby park just before 11 a.m. Thursday. Park did not come to work Thursday and canceled an afternoon appointment for unspecified reasons.
Hundreds of police, firefighters and rescue teams, along with dogs and drones, then scoured the hilly, forested park area.
Choi said Park's phone, bag and business cards were found near his body, but there was no note or message with them.
Following local media reports that a municipal employee had filed a sexual harassment complaint against Park, Choi confirmed that police had received a complaint, which they were investigating, but he did not elaborate.
Like South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Park was a human rights lawyer and activist in the fight against the former military government that ruled South Korea for nearly three decades until the late 1980s.
He was briefly jailed and expelled from college in the mid-1970s over protesting the rule of former President Park Chung-hee.
Park was a visiting research fellow at the Harvard Law School's Human Rights Program in 1993.
The following year, he founded the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, a progressive coalition later involved in the "Candlelight Revolution" in 2016-2017.
Those street protests culminated in the impeachment and removal of former President Park Geun-hye — the daughter of Park Chung-hee.
Park Won-soon was first voted in as mayor of Seoul in 2011 and won an unprecedented third term in elections in 2018. He was considered a contender for presidency in 2022 elections, after the conclusion of Moon's single five-year term.
NPR's Se Eun Gong in Seoul contributed to this report.


npr--2020-07-09--You Won't See Trump's Taxes Before Election Day, But He Could Face Bigger Problems

You Wo n't See Trump 's Taxes Before Election Day , But He Could Face Bigger Problems Supreme Court cases are complicated , and their implications can be muddy .
But a few things are clear from what the court decided Thursday about the President Trump 's financial records .
Presidents do not have absolute immunity from having to release financial records , and more specifically to Trump , we likely wo n't see his taxes until after the presidential election .
That , though , may be beside the point , because allowing a New York grand jury — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mine his records could jeopardize his brand , the fortune he built and even possibly his children , who work for the Trump Organization .
Here are some key questions answered about what the court decided and what it means politically .
Maybe eventually , but not before the November presidential election .
That 's for a couple of reasons .
Take the congressional case — the Supreme Court said that the case has to go back to the lower courts and that Congress has to better define what it is looking for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more hearings and appeals and the case eventually finding its way back to the Supreme Court .
That would certainly not happen before November .
The other case involves a New York grand jury that is seeking Trump 's financial records , including his taxes , from third parties , like banks and accountants , and not from the president directly .
Little is known about that New York investigation , led by New York County District Attorney Cyrus Vance .
The only way Trump 's taxes or other financial records would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people were indicted , the case went to trial and the financial records were used as evidence .
That would take months , if not longer .
Is this a win or loss for the president ?
Overall , it 's a big loss .
Details of his financial dealings are likely to eventually be made public — something Trump has long tried to avoid .
Now , he and his allies could argue that it 's not all bad , given that none of the information is likely to come out before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have an impact on his potential reelection .
But given the country 's polarization , unless something provably criminal came out , it 's probably unlikely that it would have had much impact on the presidential election anyway .
But that may not be the point .
( More on that below . )
After all , the Access Hollywood tape , which showed Trump engaged in a lewd conversation about women , came out in October 2016 , and Trump still won .
And when it comes to taxes , Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smart '' to figure out how not to pay them .
His base has never abandoned him .
All that said , look at how Trump is reacting to what were big decisions from the court — and in a 7-to-2 manner — that , bottom line , said a president does not have categorical immunity to block a subpoena just because he 's president .
Trump tweeted that it 's `` not fair '' that he has `` to keep fighting in a politically corrupt New York '' and that , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` broad deference '' to presidents .
Setting the record straight , though : The high court has never said a president has immunity from all forms of subpoenas .
While the Justice Department 's Office of Legal Counsel has advised that a president should not be indicted while in office , the Supreme Court in U.S. v. Nixon forced the release of secret White House tape recordings that eventually led to Richard Nixon 's resignation .
Do we know what the New York grand jury is investigating ?
We do n't know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — it 's a secret .
But it could be anything and everything related to Trump , the Trump Organization and people around him .
That was made pretty clear by the reaction from Vance after the ruling .
`` This is a tremendous victory for our nation 's system of justice and its founding principle that no one — not even a president — is above the law , '' Vance said in a statement .
`` Our investigation , which was delayed for almost a year by this lawsuit , will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grand jury 's solemn obligation to follow the law and the facts , wherever they may lead . ''
`` Wherever they may lead '' is pretty expansive and shows why Trump is so irritated by all of this .
There are some clues from last year 's congressional testimony from Trump 's former lawyer and fixer , Michael Cohen .
`` It was my experience that Mr. Trump inflated his total assets when it served his purposes , such as trying to be listed among the wealthiest people in Forbes , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estate taxes , '' Cohen said .
That 's just one example .
A mysterious $ 50 million loan for a project in Chicago is also under scrutiny .
With all that , whether this matters to the presidential election might be beside the point .
His financial records being fully investigated has the potential to imperil the organization he built and the people who work for it , including himself — and his children .
Remember , Trump was already ordered last year to pay $ 2 million in damages for misuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was in the process of dissolving because of that .
How does Biden try to leverage this ?
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has already been trying to make this a matter of corruption and transparency .
It certainly helps blunt Trump 's attacks on Biden for his son Hunter 's role in sitting on an energy company board in Ukraine while Ukraine was part of Biden 's portfolio as vice president .
Biden has gone after Trump on his taxes , pointing out that he himself has released 21 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the court 's ruling , Biden tweeted that point again : `` As I was saying . ''

You Won't See Trump's Taxes Before Election Day, But He Could Face Bigger Problems
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Supreme Court cases are complicated, and their implications can be muddy.
But a few things are clear from what the court decided Thursday about the President Trump's financial records. Presidents do not have absolute immunity from having to release financial records, and more specifically to Trump, we likely won't see his taxes until after the presidential election.
That, though, may be beside the point, because allowing a New York grand jury — and a motivated district attorney — to mine his records could jeopardize his brand, the fortune he built and even possibly his children, who work for the Trump Organization.
Here are some key questions answered about what the court decided and what it means politically.
Will I see Trump's taxes?
Maybe eventually, but not before the November presidential election. That's for a couple of reasons. Take the congressional case — the Supreme Court said that the case has to go back to the lower courts and that Congress has to better define what it is looking for from the president.
That could mean more hearings and appeals and the case eventually finding its way back to the Supreme Court. That would certainly not happen before November.
The other case involves a New York grand jury that is seeking Trump's financial records, including his taxes, from third parties, like banks and accountants, and not from the president directly.
Little is known about that New York investigation, led by New York County District Attorney Cyrus Vance. The only way Trump's taxes or other financial records would be made known to the public is if people were indicted, the case went to trial and the financial records were used as evidence. That would take months, if not longer.
Is this a win or loss for the president?
Overall, it's a big loss. Details of his financial dealings are likely to eventually be made public — something Trump has long tried to avoid.
Now, he and his allies could argue that it's not all bad, given that none of the information is likely to come out before November and, therefore, won't have an impact on his potential reelection.
But given the country's polarization, unless something provably criminal came out, it's probably unlikely that it would have had much impact on the presidential election anyway. But that may not be the point. (More on that below.)
After all, the Access Hollywood tape, which showed Trump engaged in a lewd conversation about women, came out in October 2016, and Trump still won. And when it comes to taxes, Trump has said before that it made him "smart" to figure out how not to pay them. His base has never abandoned him.
All that said, look at how Trump is reacting to what were big decisions from the court — and in a 7-to-2 manner — that, bottom line, said a president does not have categorical immunity to block a subpoena just because he's president.
Trump tweeted that it's "not fair" that he has "to keep fighting in a politically corrupt New York" and that, in the past, the court has given "broad deference" to presidents.
Setting the record straight, though: The high court has never said a president has immunity from all forms of subpoenas. While the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel has advised that a president should not be indicted while in office, the Supreme Court in U.S. v. Nixon forced the release of secret White House tape recordings that eventually led to Richard Nixon's resignation.
Do we know what the New York grand jury is investigating?
We don't know exactly what the grand jury is investigating — it's a secret. But it could be anything and everything related to Trump, the Trump Organization and people around him. That was made pretty clear by the reaction from Vance after the ruling.
"This is a tremendous victory for our nation's system of justice and its founding principle that no one — not even a president — is above the law," Vance said in a statement. "Our investigation, which was delayed for almost a year by this lawsuit, will resume, guided as always by the grand jury's solemn obligation to follow the law and the facts, wherever they may lead."
"Wherever they may lead" is pretty expansive and shows why Trump is so irritated by all of this.
There are some clues from last year's congressional testimony from Trump's former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen.
"It was my experience that Mr. Trump inflated his total assets when it served his purposes, such as trying to be listed among the wealthiest people in Forbes, and deflated his assets to reduce his real estate taxes," Cohen said.
That's just one example. A mysterious $50 million loan for a project in Chicago is also under scrutiny.
With all that, whether this matters to the presidential election might be beside the point. His financial records being fully investigated has the potential to imperil the organization he built and the people who work for it, including himself — and his children.
Remember, Trump was already ordered last year to pay $2 million in damages for misuse of funds from his foundation, and it was in the process of dissolving because of that.
How does Biden try to leverage this?
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has already been trying to make this a matter of corruption and transparency.
It certainly helps blunt Trump's attacks on Biden for his son Hunter's role in sitting on an energy company board in Ukraine while Ukraine was part of Biden's portfolio as vice president.
Biden has gone after Trump on his taxes, pointing out that he himself has released 21 years of tax returns.
On Thursday, after the court's ruling, Biden tweeted that point again: "As I was saying."