skynewsus--2020-08-21--Astronaut captures stunning pictures of Hurricane Genevieve

Stunning pictures of Hurricane Genevieve have been captured by an astronaut aboard the International Space Station ( ISS ) .
The hurricane , which has now been downgraded to a tropical storm , was rushing in on the Baja coast of Mexico in the eastern Pacific Ocean when the photographs were taken by NASA 's Chris Cassidy .
Despite the downgrade , the US National Hurricane Center is warning that Genevieve could still `` lead to life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides '' , with ocean swells expected to hit the Baja peninsula throughout Friday .
Two people have already drowned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sur as a result of Genevieve .
Mr Cassidy 's photographs were posted to Twitter , and show the storm appearing to spread over almost the entirety of the Earth as visible from the ISS .
Its maximum sustained winds had dropped to 50mph by Friday morning , but at its peak the storm was a powerful category four hurricane with winds of 130mph on Tuesday .
The storm knocked out power and phone service to a large part of the Los Cabos area , flooded streets in poor neighbourhoods and toppled palm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destination for tourists .
Mr Cassidy was formerly a captain in the US Navy , and a Navy SEAL , before joining NASA in 2004 .
He joined the ISS for his third spaceflight back in April and is currently the only American on board , after Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley left earlier this month for the final part of a SpaceX test flight .
He is now the ISS commander , accompanied by Russian cosmonauts Anatoli Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner as flight engineers .

Stunning pictures of Hurricane Genevieve have been captured by an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
The hurricane, which has now been downgraded to a tropical storm, was rushing in on the Baja coast of Mexico in the eastern Pacific Ocean when the photographs were taken by NASA's Chris Cassidy.
Despite the downgrade, the US National Hurricane Center is warning that Genevieve could still "lead to life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides", with ocean swells expected to hit the Baja peninsula throughout Friday.
Two people have already drowned in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur as a result of Genevieve.
Image: The storm could cause loss of life, authorities warn. Pic: Chris Cassidy
Mr Cassidy's photographs were posted to Twitter, and show the storm appearing to spread over almost the entirety of the Earth as visible from the ISS.
Its maximum sustained winds had dropped to 50mph by Friday morning, but at its peak the storm was a powerful category four hurricane with winds of 130mph on Tuesday.
The storm knocked out power and phone service to a large part of the Los Cabos area, flooded streets in poor neighbourhoods and toppled palm trees across what is normally a popular destination for tourists.
Image: Landslides and ocean swells are expected on Friday. Pic: Chris Cassidy
Mr Cassidy was formerly a captain in the US Navy, and a Navy SEAL, before joining NASA in 2004.
He joined the ISS for his third spaceflight back in April and is currently the only American on board, after Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley left earlier this month for the final part of a SpaceX test flight.
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He is now the ISS commander, accompanied by Russian cosmonauts Anatoli Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner as flight engineers.


skynewsus--2020-08-21--'R.I.P. you beautiful angel': Star of RuPaul's Drag Race dies aged 34

Drag queen Chi Chi DeVayne , a popular contestant on the competition reality series RuPaul 's Drag Race , has @ @ @ @ @ , the stage name of Zavion Davenport , was reportedly admitted to hospital in the @ @ @ @ @ Her death was announced on the official Twitter page of the US TV programme alongside @ @ @ @ @ : `` I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Chi Chi DeVayne .
@ @ @ @ @ that we got to experience her kind and beautiful soul .
`` She will be @ @ @ @ @ forgotten .
`` May her generous and loving spirit shine down on us all .
@ @ @ @ @ eighth series of RuPaul 's Drag Race , as well as the third series of @ @ @ @ @ Stars .
Baga Chipz , who starred on the UK version of RuPaul 's Drag @ @ @ @ @ Chi Chi was so kind to me .
At a time I was really low @ @ @ @ @ sat here in tears .
R.I.P .
you beautiful angel . ''

Drag queen Chi Chi DeVayne, a popular contestant on the competition reality series RuPaul's Drag Race, has died aged 34.
DeVayne, the stage name of Zavion Davenport, was reportedly admitted to hospital in the last month with pneumonia.
Her death was announced on the official Twitter page of the US TV programme alongside a tribute.
RuPaul said: "I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Chi Chi DeVayne.
"I am so grateful that we got to experience her kind and beautiful soul.
Image: DeVayne was recently admitted to hospital with pneumonia, reports say
"She will be dearly missed, but never forgotten.
"May her generous and loving spirit shine down on us all."
DeVayne appeared on the eighth series of RuPaul's Drag Race, as well as the third series of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.
Baga Chipz, who starred on the UK version of RuPaul's Drag Race, said: "Chi Chi was so kind to me. At a time I was really low.
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"I'm just sat here in tears. R.I.P. you beautiful angel."


skynewsus--2020-08-21--Meghan tells women they are 'complicit' if they don't vote

The Duchess of Sussex has urged women to vote in the upcoming US presidential election , saying : `` If you are n't going out there and voting , then you 're complicit . ''
Meghan appeared via videolink at a virtual event held by When All Women Vote , which aims to increase participation in US elections .
She thanked Michelle Obama , one of the co-chairwomen of the initiative , before making a plea to female voters to make a `` change '' by going to the polls .
The duchess said : `` When I think about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important for all of us , I would frame it as , we vote to honour those who came before us and to protect those who will come after us .
`` Because that 's what community is all about and that 's specifically what this election is all about .
`` We 're only 75 days away from election day and that is so very close , and yet there 's so much work to be done in that amount of time , because we all know what 's at stake this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think all of you certainly know if you 're here on this fun event with us , then you 're just as mobilised and energised to see the change that we all need and deserve . ''
As well as encouraging voter participation , the event commemorated the centennial of America 's 19th Amendment , which granted some women the right to vote .
Meghan said it was `` simply not OK '' that women in some communities are `` still struggling to see that right come to fruition '' .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter suppression and what that 's doing , all the more reason we need each of you to be out there supporting each other to understand that this fight is worth fighting and we all have to be out there mobilising to have our voices heard , '' she told the event .
`` I think we are obviously faced with a lot of problems in our world right now , both in the physical world and in the digital world , but we can and must do everything we can to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Because at this juncture , if we are n't part of the solution , we are part of the problem .
`` If you are n't going out there and voting , then you 're complicit .
`` If you are complacent , you 're complicit . ''
The duchess - who did not refer to any specific candidate or political party during the virtual event - has previously suggested she will use her vote in the US election .
Members of the Royal Family traditionally do not vote , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know what it 's like to have a voice , and also what it 's like to feel voiceless , '' Meghan told Marie Claire .
Although UK law does not ban royalty from voting , it is considered unconstitutional for them to do so .
American-born Meghan quit as a senior working royal in March and now lives in the US , although she still remains a member of the Royal Family .
She and Harry have reportedly bought an £11m home in the celebrity hotspot of Santa Barbara .
Speaking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Meghan encouraged Americans to register to vote and remarked about the Duke of Sussex : `` My husband , for example .
`` He 's never been able to vote , and I think it 's such an interesting thing to say that the right to vote is not a privilege , it 's a right in and of itself . ''

The Duchess of Sussex has urged women to vote in the upcoming US presidential election, saying: "If you aren't going out there and voting, then you're complicit."
Meghan appeared via videolink at a virtual event held by When All Women Vote, which aims to increase participation in US elections.
She thanked Michelle Obama, one of the co-chairwomen of the initiative, before making a plea to female voters to make a "change" by going to the polls.
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
The duchess said: "When I think about voting and why this is so exceptionally important for all of us, I would frame it as, we vote to honour those who came before us and to protect those who will come after us.
"Because that's what community is all about and that's specifically what this election is all about.
"We're only 75 days away from election day and that is so very close, and yet there's so much work to be done in that amount of time, because we all know what's at stake this year.
"I know it, I think all of you certainly know if you're here on this fun event with us, then you're just as mobilised and energised to see the change that we all need and deserve."
As well as encouraging voter participation, the event commemorated the centennial of America's 19th Amendment, which granted some women the right to vote.
Meghan said it was "simply not OK" that women in some communities are "still struggling to see that right come to fruition".
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Image: Harry and Meghan now live in the US
"And we look at the attempts of voter suppression and what that's doing, all the more reason we need each of you to be out there supporting each other to understand that this fight is worth fighting and we all have to be out there mobilising to have our voices heard," she told the event.
"I think we are obviously faced with a lot of problems in our world right now, both in the physical world and in the digital world, but we can and must do everything we can to ensure all women have their voices heard.
"Because at this juncture, if we aren't part of the solution, we are part of the problem.
"If you aren't going out there and voting, then you're complicit.
"If you are complacent, you're complicit."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 Meghan on 'toxicity' of clickbait
The duchess - who did not refer to any specific candidate or political party during the virtual event - has previously suggested she will use her vote in the US election.
Members of the Royal Family traditionally do not vote, and the Queen is politically neutral.
"I know what it's like to have a voice, and also what it's like to feel voiceless," Meghan told Marie Claire.
Although UK law does not ban royalty from voting, it is considered unconstitutional for them to do so.
American-born Meghan quit as a senior working royal in March and now lives in the US, although she still remains a member of the Royal Family.
She and Harry have reportedly bought an £11m home in the celebrity hotspot of Santa Barbara.
Speaking to The 19th online news site last week, Meghan encouraged Americans to register to vote and remarked about the Duke of Sussex: "My husband, for example.
"He's never been able to vote, and I think it's such an interesting thing to say that the right to vote is not a privilege, it's a right in and of itself."


skynewsus--2020-08-21--Is Trump trying to sabotage US Postal Service to rig election? Here's what we know

The head of the United States Postal Service ( USPS ) is due to give evidence before senators on Friday following allegations of attempts to sabotage this year 's presidential election .
US postmaster general Louis DeJoy , a key ally of President Donald Trump , took control of the postal service in June and swiftly engineered cuts and operational changes that have disrupted mail delivery operations .
Critics fear widespread delays could disrupt November 's election , which is expected to bring a surge of postal votes - known as mail-in ballots in the US - because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answers the key questions surrounding the row .
Anything in the post ?
Lots .
In this pandemic , more Americans than ever before are planning to vote by mail , creating a huge volume of work .
According to a recent survey by the Democracy Fund & UCLA Nationscape project , 37 % of registered voters are planning to cast their ballot through the post , ensuring a socially distant process .
The same survey found more Democrat voters planned to vote by mail than Republican - 48 % versus 23 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signs the US Postal Service will struggle to cope with the avalanche of election ballots .
At the end of July , it wrote to 46 states warning it ca n't guarantee that all mailed-in ballots will arrive in time to be counted , which could render them invalid and disenfranchise a large chunk of the electorate .
They are , largely , the same .
An absentee ballot is posted by someone absent from their local voting jurisdiction who requests a vote through the mail .
Mail-in ballots are when a state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , regardless of whether they request it or not .
President Trump endorses the absentee ballot - in fact , he uses one to vote in Florida .
He views mail-in ballots rather differently , warning repeatedly that it 's prone to voter fraud and could corrupt the election - but there is little evidence to support this .
States have rigorous procedures to ensure the security of ballot papers .
Recent analysis by The Washington Post of three states that conduct universal mail elections found a `` miniscule '' rate of ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims ( without evidence ) that mail-in voting will create a free-for-all on cheating , forgery and theft which will lead to a rigged election .
He has speculated that Americans will `` maybe never know '' the election result and floated the idea of delaying the election and staging a rerun .
What do President Trump 's opponents say ?
Critics say he wants to sabotage the postal service and suppress voting by mail because it favours his opponents .
They accuse him of undermining confidence in the integrity of the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he loses .
They say he 's politicising the postal service and slowing down the system by blocking an injection of $ 25bn in emergency funds , plus an extra $ 3.6bn to help it through the election .
The proposal came from the Democrats .
Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi called President Trump 's refusal `` an obstruction of our democracy , a degrading of the sacred right to vote '' .
He was appointed postmaster-general in June .
Mr DeJoy is a big friend of the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign and Republican Party .
The president put him in charge of the USPS despite him having had no prior experience in the postal service .
Unions say changes he implemented have slowed down the mail system - eliminating overtime , reassigning more than 20 executives and hastening the removal of mail-sorting machines .
Pictures on social media showed post boxes being removed from streets in cities across America .
Mr DeJoy argues the changes are necessary to help stabilise the organisation financially .
Incidentally , Mr DeJoy and his wife have assets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is committed to compliance with USPS regulations , stating : `` I take my ethical obligations seriously . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Where are we now ?
Following significant pressure - which included crowds demonstrating outside Mr DeJoy 's home - he has announced that restructuring changes will be suspended until after the election `` to avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail '' .
Critics point out he did n't say he would reverse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and USPS Board of Governors Chairman Robert Duncan have been called to testify in both chambers of Congress , during which they will be grilled on the changes made and their timing .
Separately , Ms Pelosi has called the House back from its break for a special session to vote on legislation prohibiting the postal service from making any changes to the level of service it had on 1 January this year .

Critics fear widespread delays could disrupt November's election, which is expected to bring a surge of postal votes - known as mail-in ballots in the US - because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Here, Sky News answers the key questions surrounding the row.
Anything in the post?
Lots. In this pandemic, more Americans than ever before are planning to vote by mail, creating a huge volume of work.
According to a recent survey by the Democracy Fund & UCLA Nationscape project, 37% of registered voters are planning to cast their ballot through the post, ensuring a socially distant process.
The same survey found more Democrat voters planned to vote by mail than Republican - 48% versus 23%.
So what's the problem?
Workload, principally. There are signs the US Postal Service will struggle to cope with the avalanche of election ballots.
At the end of July, it wrote to 46 states warning it can't guarantee that all mailed-in ballots will arrive in time to be counted, which could render them invalid and disenfranchise a large chunk of the electorate.
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Mail-in ballots vs absentee ballots - what's the difference?
They are, largely, the same. An absentee ballot is posted by someone absent from their local voting jurisdiction who requests a vote through the mail.
Mail-in ballots are when a state pro-actively sends out mail ballots to voters, regardless of whether they request it or not.
<
Trump says absentee ballot 'good', mail-in ballot 'bad'
President Trump endorses the absentee ballot - in fact, he uses one to vote in Florida.
He views mail-in ballots rather differently, warning repeatedly that it's prone to voter fraud and could corrupt the election - but there is little evidence to support this.
States have rigorous procedures to ensure the security of ballot papers.
Recent analysis by The Washington Post of three states that conduct universal mail elections found a "miniscule" rate of ballots that were potentially fraudulent.
Image: Donald Trump has speculated that Americans will 'maybe never know' the election result
Fraud, you say?
Donald Trump claims (without evidence) that mail-in voting will create a free-for-all on cheating, forgery and theft which will lead to a rigged election.
He has speculated that Americans will "maybe never know" the election result and floated the idea of delaying the election and staging a rerun.
What do President Trump's opponents say?
Critics say he wants to sabotage the postal service and suppress voting by mail because it favours his opponents.
They accuse him of undermining confidence in the integrity of the election so that he can question its legitimacy if he loses.
They say he's politicising the postal service and slowing down the system by blocking an injection of $25bn in emergency funds, plus an extra $3.6bn to help it through the election.
The proposal came from the Democrats. Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi called President Trump's refusal "an obstruction of our democracy, a degrading of the sacred right to vote".


skynewsus--2020-08-21--Almost 12,000 lightning strikes spark some of biggest ever California wildfires

Wildfires in northern California - sparked by almost 12,000 lightning strikes - have grown into some of the largest in the state 's history .
One of them is within a mile of the University of California Santa Cruz , with residents in the city being told to have evacuation `` go bags '' already packed .
Bulldozers have dug fire lines on the northern edge of the university 's campus .
Most of the fires are in the San Francisco Bay Area .
The biggest , known as the SCU Complex , east of Palo Alto , is covering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York City .
Across the state , at least six people have died , 43 firefighters and civilians have been injured , and more than 500 homes and other structures have been destroyed .
About 175,000 people have had to leave their homes .
Around 560 fires have been fought , and an area larger than the US state of Rhode Island has been burned .
The dry-lightning storms are California 's worst in almost two decades , and have been driven by record temperatures , which have parched the land .
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Mojave Desert reached 54.4C ( 130F ) - one of the hottest air temperatures recorded anywhere on the planet for at least a century .
Almost 12,000 firefighters are on duty , and crews from Oregon , Idaho and Arizona have arrived to assist .
Governor Gavin Newsom said the fierce heat was caused by climate change and that more lightning storms were expected on Sunday .
`` If you are in denial about climate change , come to California , '' he told the Democratic National Convention .

Wildfires in northern California - sparked by almost 12,000 lightning strikes - have grown into some of the largest in the state's history.
One of them is within a mile of the University of California Santa Cruz, with residents in the city being told to have evacuation "go bags" already packed.
Bulldozers have dug fire lines on the northern edge of the university's campus.
Image: Firefighter Anthony Quiroz during an operation to defend a home in Boulder Creek
Most of the fires are in the San Francisco Bay area. The biggest, known as the SCU Complex, east of Palo Alto, is covering an area approaching the size of New York City.
Across the state, at least six people have died, 43 firefighters and civilians have been injured, and more than 500 homes and other structures have been destroyed.
About 175,000 people have had to leave their homes.
Around 560 fires have been fought, and an area larger than the US state of Rhode Island has been burned.
The dry-lightning storms are California's worst in almost two decades, and have been driven by record temperatures, which have parched the land.
Last weekend, the temperature at Death Valley in the Mojave Desert reached 54.4C (130F) - one of the hottest air temperatures recorded anywhere on the planet for at least a century.
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Image: Dave Broome, who's part of a group of friends who call themselves Rescue One, helps douse the flames
Almost 12,000 firefighters are on duty, and crews from Oregon, Idaho and Arizona have arrived to assist.
Governor Gavin Newsom said the fierce heat was caused by climate change and that more lightning storms were expected on Sunday.
"If you are in denial about climate change, come to California," he told the Democratic National Convention.


skynewsus--2020-08-21--'Sick monster': Golden State Killer jailed for life over serial rapes and murders

The former police officer known as the Golden State Killer , who terrorised California for over a decade , has been sentenced to life in prison .
Joseph DeAngelo , 74 , pleaded guilty in June to 13 murders and nearly 50 rapes between 1975 and 1986 , and has now been told by a Sacramento judge that he will die in prison .
Over three days of hearings , the serial killer was branded a `` sick monster '' , a `` horrible man '' and `` subhuman '' by survivors and the families of victims .
The son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You are gone and the bogeyman is done . ''
Ahead of his sentencing , DeAngelo rose from his wheelchair and took off his mask to tell victims he was `` truly sorry '' .
DeAngelo had managed to evade capture for decades , until he was finally caught when investigators used DNA from a popular genealogy site to track him down .
He had made incriminating statements after his arrest claiming he was driven by an uncontrollable force inside of him , a Sacramento court heard .
DeAngelo agreed to admit to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of rapes too old to prosecute - as part of a plea deal which spared him from a potential death sentence .
Nearly three dozen victims and survivors told their stories while DeAngelo sat in court wearing a face mask and orange prison scrubs .
The son of Winnie Schultz , who was raped in her home on 18 October 1976 , asked DeAngelo : `` You remember me ? ''
Pete Schultz , who was 11 at the time of the attack and his sister aged five , described how the attacker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the bedpost until my hands turned blue , locked my sister in her room and performed horrific acts against my mother while she was bound and blindfolded '' .
He continued : `` We have lived with this for 44 years as a family and we are here to say our mother is not Jane Doe number 22 and we are not just number 37 uncharged offence .
`` We are the family of Winnie Schultz and we have all survived because of her bravery and resolve to do whatever it took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The attack on Ms Schultz is uncharged as it is too old to prosecute .
Jane Carson-Sandler , who was raped in 1976 , told DeAngelo : `` You are finally going to prison and will remain there until you die . ''
She recalled how he had famously left behind a roast in the oven when he was arrested in 2018 , and said the survivors now plan to celebrate each anniversary of his arrest with a similar feast `` in memory of your capture '' .
`` Too bad you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she said .
DeAngelo 's ex-wife , Sharon Huddle , also said in a court filing how she was fooled and refused to refer to him by name .
`` I trusted the defendant when he told me he had to work , or was going pheasant hunting , or going to visit his parents hundreds of miles away , '' she wrote .

The former police officer known as the Golden State Killer, who terrorised California for over a decade, has been sentenced to life in prison.
Joseph DeAngelo, 74, pleaded guilty in June to 13 murders and nearly 50 rapes between 1975 and 1986, and has now been told by a Sacramento judge that he will die in prison.
Over three days of hearings, the serial killer was branded a "sick monster", a "horrible man" and "subhuman" by survivors and the families of victims.
Image: Former police officer Joseph James DeAngelo
The son of one victim told him: "You are gone and the bogeyman is done."
Ahead of his sentencing, DeAngelo rose from his wheelchair and took off his mask to tell victims he was "truly sorry".
DeAngelo had managed to evade capture for decades, until he was finally caught when investigators used DNA from a popular genealogy site to track him down.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:47 DeAngelo tells victims he is 'truly sorry' before being sentenced
He had made incriminating statements after his arrest claiming he was driven by an uncontrollable force inside of him, a Sacramento court heard.
DeAngelo agreed to admit to all allegations against him - including dozens of rapes too old to prosecute - as part of a plea deal which spared him from a potential death sentence.
Nearly three dozen victims and survivors told their stories while DeAngelo sat in court wearing a face mask and orange prison scrubs.
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The son of Winnie Schultz, who was raped in her home on 18 October 1976, asked DeAngelo: "You remember me?"
Image: Pete Schultz, the son of Winnie Schultz who was raped by Joseph DeAngelo in 1976
Pete Schultz, who was 11 at the time of the attack and his sister aged five, described how the attacker "woke us up, tied me to the bedpost until my hands turned blue, locked my sister in her room and performed horrific acts against my mother while she was bound and blindfolded".
He continued: "We have lived with this for 44 years as a family and we are here to say our mother is not Jane Doe number 22 and we are not just number 37 uncharged offence.
"We are the family of Winnie Schultz and we have all survived because of her bravery and resolve to do whatever it took to save herself and her family."
The attack on Ms Schultz is uncharged as it is too old to prosecute.
Jane Carson-Sandler, who was raped in 1976, told DeAngelo: "You are finally going to prison and will remain there until you die."
Image: Jane Carson-Sandler said DeAngelo will remain in prison until he dies
She recalled how he had famously left behind a roast in the oven when he was arrested in 2018, and said the survivors now plan to celebrate each anniversary of his arrest with a similar feast "in memory of your capture".
"Too bad you won't get to enjoy it," she said.
DeAngelo's ex-wife, Sharon Huddle, also said in a court filing how she was fooled and refused to refer to him by name.
"I trusted the defendant when he told me he had to work, or was going pheasant hunting, or going to visit his parents hundreds of miles away," she wrote.


skynewsus--2020-08-21--Trump: 'You might never know election result - maybe years but maybe never'

Donald Trump has claimed the result of November 's election may never be known , warning that `` crazy Nancy Pelosi '' could become president instead .
Mr Trump , who is behind Democrat rival Joe Biden in many polls , was speaking ahead of next week 's Republican National Convention .
He said : `` You 're not going to be able to know the end of this election , in my opinion , for weeks , months , maybe never - maybe years but maybe never .
`` There 's a theory that if you do n't have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , crazy Nancy Pelosi ( Speaker of the House ) would become president , you know that , right ?
`` No no , think of that , think of that - that mad theory too , you have heard that theory .
`` Now I do n't know if it 's a theory or a fact but I said : 'that 's not good ' . ''
Just hours earlier , former vice president Joe Biden vowed to end America 's `` season of darkness '' under Donald Trump as he accepted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech to end the Democratic Convention in Delaware , Mr Biden said the US president had `` cloaked America in darkness for much too long '' , accusing him of creating `` too much anger , too much fear , too much division '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' Here and now I give you my word , if you entrust me with the presidency , I will draw on the best of us not the worst , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticised his opponent 's response to the coronavirus pandemic - the US has the world 's highest recorded death toll from the virus .
But Mr Trump said on Friday that where Mr Biden saw `` American darkness '' , he sees `` American greatness '' .
He said : `` Over the last week , the Democrats held the darkest and angriest and gloomiest convention in American history .
`` They spent four straight days attacking America as racist , a horrible country that must be redeemed . ''
Mr Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and order but Mr Biden has described him as someone who tries to divide Americans .
Vice President Mike Pence , who is also running to be reelected on the Republican ticket , said next week 's party convention would focus on what Mr Trump had accomplished , including on the economy and coronavirus .
He promised supporters that a `` great line-up of leaders '' would join the convention to `` talk about what this president has done '' .
Among the speakers are Mr Trump , Mr Pence and Mr Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Donald Trump has claimed the result of November's election may never be known, warning that "crazy Nancy Pelosi" could become president instead.
Mr Trump, who is behind Democrat rival Joe Biden in many polls, was speaking ahead of next week's Republican National Convention.
He said: "You're not going to be able to know the end of this election, in my opinion, for weeks, months, maybe never - maybe years but maybe never.
<
"There's a theory that if you don't have it by the end of the year, crazy Nancy Pelosi (Speaker of the House) would become president, you know that, right?
"No no, think of that, think of that - that mad theory too, you have heard that theory.
"Now I don't know if it's a theory or a fact but I said: 'that's not good'."
Just hours earlier, former vice president Joe Biden vowed to end America's "season of darkness" under Donald Trump as he accepted the Democratic presidential nomination.
In a speech to end the Democratic Convention in Delaware, Mr Biden said the US president had "cloaked America in darkness for much too long", accusing him of creating "too much anger, too much fear, too much division".
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"Here and now I give you my word, if you entrust me with the presidency, I will draw on the best of us not the worst," Mr Biden said.
Mr Biden also criticised his opponent's response to the coronavirus pandemic - the US has the world's highest recorded death toll from the virus.
But Mr Trump said on Friday that where Mr Biden saw "American darkness", he sees "American greatness".
He said: "Over the last week, the Democrats held the darkest and angriest and gloomiest convention in American history.
"They spent four straight days attacking America as racist, a horrible country that must be redeemed."
Mr Trump has portrayed himself as a defender of law and order but Mr Biden has described him as someone who tries to divide Americans.
Vice President Mike Pence, who is also running to be reelected on the Republican ticket, said next week's party convention would focus on what Mr Trump had accomplished, including on the economy and coronavirus.
He promised supporters that a "great line-up of leaders" would join the convention to "talk about what this president has done".
Among the speakers are Mr Trump, Mr Pence and Mr Trump's wife, first lady Melania.


skynewsus--2020-08-21--Lori Loughlin gets two months in prison over bribes for daughters' uni places

Actress Lori Loughlin has been sentenced to two months in prison after she and her husband admitted paying $ 500,000 ( £382,000 ) in bribes to get their daughters into the University of Southern California ( USC ) .
The 56-year-old , who starred in US sitcom Full House , will also pay a $ 150,000 ( £114,000 ) fine and do 100 hours of community service .
Her husband , fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli , 57 , was handed a longer sentence - five months - and a fine of $ 250,000 ( £191,000 ) .
He was ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also do 250 hours of community service .
Giannulli was a more active participant in the scheme , prosecutors said .
He took `` full responsibility '' for his conduct and said he was `` ready to accept the consequences '' .
The pair are among nearly 30 prominent parents to plead guilty in the case , as bribes totalling $ 25m ( £19m ) were paid to help get teenagers into some of the most elite universities in the US , including Stanford and Yale .
Cash was paid to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scores or fake athletics credentials .
Until March , when Loughlin and Giannulli admitted what they had done , they had spent more than a year claiming their payments were legitimate donations .
In fact , they had been funnelling money through a bogus charity operated by college admissions consultant Rick Singer .
The idea was to get their daughters into USC as rowing recruits , even though neither of them rowed .
Prosecutors said the couple got the girls to pose on rowing machines , and told their younger daughter not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counsellor in case they got caught .
Singer , who has admitted facilitating cheating , was expected to testify against Loughlin and Giannulli if the case had gone to trial .
During Giannulli 's sentencing , Assistant US Attorney Kristen Kearney said : `` This kind of behaviour is not just overzealous parenting .
It is criminal and deserving of the sentence . ''

Actress Lori Loughlin has been sentenced to two months in prison after she and her husband admitted paying $500,000 (£382,000) in bribes to get their daughters into the University of Southern California (USC).
The 56-year-old, who starred in US sitcom Full House, will also pay a $150,000 (£114,000) fine and do 100 hours of community service.
Her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, 57, was handed a longer sentence - five months - and a fine of $250,000 (£191,000).
He was ordered to surrender on 19 November, and will also do 250 hours of community service.
Image: Lori Loughlin has been sentenced to two months in prison
Giannulli was a more active participant in the scheme, prosecutors said.
He took "full responsibility" for his conduct and said he was "ready to accept the consequences".
The pair are among nearly 30 prominent parents to plead guilty in the case, as bribes totalling $25m (£19m) were paid to help get teenagers into some of the most elite universities in the US, including Stanford and Yale.
Cash was paid to get undeserving youngsters into college using rigged test scores or fake athletics credentials.
Until March, when Loughlin and Giannulli admitted what they had done, they had spent more than a year claiming their payments were legitimate donations.
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In fact, they had been funnelling money through a bogus charity operated by college admissions consultant Rick Singer.
The idea was to get their daughters into USC as rowing recruits, even though neither of them rowed.
Image: One of Lori Loughlin's daughters, Olivia Jade Giannulli
Prosecutors said the couple got the girls to pose on rowing machines, and told their younger daughter not to say too much to a high school counsellor in case they got caught.
Singer, who has admitted facilitating cheating, was expected to testify against Loughlin and Giannulli if the case had gone to trial.
During Giannulli's sentencing, Assistant US Attorney Kristen Kearney said: "This kind of behaviour is not just overzealous parenting. It is criminal and deserving of the sentence."


skynewsus--2020-08-21--Two hurricanes forecast to hit US Gulf at same time in unprecedented weather event

A pair of tropical cyclones forecast to become hurricanes early next week are headed for the US Gulf Coast , in what would be an unprecedented weather event that could cause major damage .
Tropical Storm Laura and a separate tropical depression brewing near Honduras may make landfall as hurricanes in an area stretching from Texas to the Florida Panhandle , the National Hurricane Centre says .
It would be the first time two cyclones have entered the US Gulf of Mexico since 1959 - and meteorologists say two storms have converged in the Gulf simultaneously on only a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Category 3 hurricane and moderate tropical storm hit the US Gulf of Mexico together in 1933 , there are no records of two hurricanes occurring in the ocean basin at the same time .
However , meteorologists say there is still considerable uncertainty around how the systems may develop and move in coming days , particularly as they cross land .
Dan Kottlowski , of AccuWeather , said the two storms currently looked on track to remain separate , but that any interaction between the two could change their intensity or trajectory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would combine , but added : `` More than likely one will become stronger , and inflict more vertical wind shear causing the other to weaken .
`` But if they stay of equal strength , then they will probably prevent each other from getting really strong . ''
David Streit , of Commodity Weather Group , said that sometimes when storms interact , they can orbit each other and the speed of one cyclone can accelerate the other .
This is part of something known as the `` Fujiwhara effect '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Antilles and was upgraded from a depression on Friday , with sustained winds of 45 miles per hour .
It is forecast to make landfall as a hurricane on Wednesday in an area spanning Louisiana to the Florida panhandle .
Tropical Depression 14 - which would be named Marco if it strengthens - is on course to make landfall on Tuesday near the Texas and Louisiana border .
That day would mark the three-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey , which battered parts of Houston with 50 inches and caused billions of dollars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't look robust right now , but it looks to be in an environment conducive to strengthening , '' said Phil Klotzbach , a research scientist at Colorado State University .
Mr Kottlowski added that Tropical Depression 14 would likely become the stronger storm because it was on track to pass over a relatively flat area of the Yucatan Peninsula before gaining strength after entering the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico .

A pair of tropical cyclones forecast to become hurricanes early next week are headed for the US Gulf Coast, in what would be an unprecedented weather event that could cause major damage.
Tropical Storm Laura and a separate tropical depression brewing near Honduras may make landfall as hurricanes in an area stretching from Texas to the Florida Panhandle, the National Hurricane Centre says.
It would be the first time two cyclones have entered the US Gulf of Mexico since 1959 - and meteorologists say two storms have converged in the Gulf simultaneously on only a very small number of occasions.
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
And while a Category 3 hurricane and moderate tropical storm hit the US Gulf of Mexico together in 1933, there are no records of two hurricanes occurring in the ocean basin at the same time.
However, meteorologists say there is still considerable uncertainty around how the systems may develop and move in coming days, particularly as they cross land.
Dan Kottlowski, of AccuWeather, said the two storms currently looked on track to remain separate, but that any interaction between the two could change their intensity or trajectory.
He said it was unlikely they would combine, but added: "More than likely one will become stronger, and inflict more vertical wind shear causing the other to weaken.
"But if they stay of equal strength, then they will probably prevent each other from getting really strong."
David Streit, of Commodity Weather Group, said that sometimes when storms interact, they can orbit each other and the speed of one cyclone can accelerate the other.
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This is part of something known as the "Fujiwhara effect".
Tropical Storm Laura is currently east of the Antilles and was upgraded from a depression on Friday, with sustained winds of 45 miles per hour.
It is forecast to make landfall as a hurricane on Wednesday in an area spanning Louisiana to the Florida panhandle.
Tropical Depression 14 - which would be named Marco if it strengthens - is on course to make landfall on Tuesday near the Texas and Louisiana border.
That day would mark the three-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey, which battered parts of Houston with 50 inches and caused billions of dollars in damage.
"Tropical Depression 14 doesn't look robust right now, but it looks to be in an environment conducive to strengthening," said Phil Klotzbach, a research scientist at Colorado State University.
Mr Kottlowski added that Tropical Depression 14 would likely become the stronger storm because it was on track to pass over a relatively flat area of the Yucatan Peninsula before gaining strength after entering the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.


skynewsus--2020-08-21--AI system beats US military pilot in F-16 dogfight

An artificial intelligence ( AI ) system has beaten a US military pilot in a five-round challenge to demonstrate whether autonomous computer systems could be capable of flying fighter jets .
America 's Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency ( DARPA ) ran its final AlphaDogfight trial this week as part of a programme to see whether autonomous systems could defeat adversary aircraft in a simulated dogfight .
It 's a precursor to DARPA 's air combat evolution ( ACE ) programme , which will eventually fly live aircraft using AI algorithms to demonstrate that the technology will work in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AI developed by Heron Systems defeated an experienced F-16 pilot in each of the five rounds - although the success in a simulation is just one step towards fully autonomous systems being used on F-16 fighter jets .
The moment is not quite as seminal as when IBM 's computer Deep Blue defeated the former world chess champion Garry Kasparov in 1997 , effectively confirming that computers were capable of playing chess better than humans .
Chess is a game with a finite number of possible moves , and accommodating all possible moves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be well within the ability of a modern computer .
Although the computer simulation for the dogfight programme is much more complicated than the game of chess , it is similarly constrained by the number of moves and variables which have already been coded into the simulation - and there are no such constraints on dogfights in real life .
The simulation also presented a Second World War-style scenario for the planes , where the aerial battle was based on the idea that the fighter aircraft had only forward-facing guns to attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be much more complex , especially when they include missiles , which were not used during the simulations .
US Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Dan Javorsek , who is DARPA 's ACE programme manager , was cautious about the limitations of the simulation in proving the AI 's superiority to a human pilot .
Lt Col Javorsek said : `` Just because the outcome went the way it did today it does not mean that the AI was n't latching on to some weird digital artefact that we were n't thinking about or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving them an advantage . ''
`` There were certainly some peculiar behaviours in the engagement , '' he added , before stressing that the result was still a human triumph , as humans developed Heron 's successful AI system .

An artificial intelligence (AI) system has beaten a US military pilot in a five-round challenge to demonstrate whether autonomous computer systems could be capable of flying fighter jets.
America's Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) ran its final AlphaDogfight trial this week as part of a programme to see whether autonomous systems could defeat adversary aircraft in a simulated dogfight.
It's a precursor to DARPA's air combat evolution (ACE) programme, which will eventually fly live aircraft using AI algorithms to demonstrate that the technology will work in the real world.
Image: One of the AlphaDogfight simulated battles. Pic: DARPA
On Thursday, the AI developed by Heron Systems defeated an experienced F-16 pilot in each of the five rounds - although the success in a simulation is just one step towards fully autonomous systems being used on F-16 fighter jets.
The moment is not quite as seminal as when IBM's computer Deep Blue defeated the former world chess champion Garry Kasparov in 1997, effectively confirming that computers were capable of playing chess better than humans.
Chess is a game with a finite number of possible moves, and accommodating all possible moves to defeat any human opponent has proven to be well within the ability of a modern computer.
Although the computer simulation for the dogfight programme is much more complicated than the game of chess, it is similarly constrained by the number of moves and variables which have already been coded into the simulation - and there are no such constraints on dogfights in real life.
The simulation also presented a Second World War-style scenario for the planes, where the aerial battle was based on the idea that the fighter aircraft had only forward-facing guns to attack each other with.
Modern dogfights can be much more complex, especially when they include missiles, which were not used during the simulations.
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US Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Dan Javorsek, who is DARPA's ACE programme manager, was cautious about the limitations of the simulation in proving the AI's superiority to a human pilot.
Lt Col Javorsek said: "Just because the outcome went the way it did today it does not mean that the AI wasn't latching on to some weird digital artefact that we weren't thinking about or considering, and that's what was giving them an advantage."
"There were certainly some peculiar behaviours in the engagement," he added, before stressing that the result was still a human triumph, as humans developed Heron's successful AI system.


skynewsus--2020-08-22--Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Jack Sherman dies aged 64

The American rock band broke the news in a social media post .
The cause of death was not disclosed .
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' We of the RHCP family would like to wish Jack Sherman smooth sailing into the worlds beyond , for he has passed , '' the band wrote on their Instagram page .
`` Jack played on our debut album as well as our first tour of the USA .
`` He was a unique dude and we thank him for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Peace on the boogie platform . ''
Sherman replaced on/off guitarist Hillel Slovak in 1983 , in time to play on the group 's 1984 debut album .
He co-wrote much of the second studio album , Freaky Styley , but was replaced by Slovak by the time the album was released in 1985 .
The guitarist later featured on two more Chili Peppers albums , Mother 's Milk and The Abbey Road EP .
He was not included in the band 's induction to the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as `` painful '' in an interview with Billboard at the time .
`` I 'm being dishonoured , and it sucks , '' he said .
Sherman went on to work on other albums including Bob Dylan 's Knocked Out Loaded , Tonio K 's Notes from the Lost Civilization and Feargal Sharkey 's Wish .

Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Jack Sherman has died aged 64.
The American rock band broke the news in a social media post.
The cause of death was not disclosed.
:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"We of the RHCP family would like to wish Jack Sherman smooth sailing into the worlds beyond, for he has passed," the band wrote on their Instagram page.
"Jack played on our debut album as well as our first tour of the USA.
"He was a unique dude and we thank him for all times good, bad and in between. Peace on the boogie platform."
Sherman replaced on/off guitarist Hillel Slovak in 1983, in time to play on the group's 1984 debut album.
He co-wrote much of the second studio album, Freaky Styley, but was replaced by Slovak by the time the album was released in 1985.
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The guitarist later featured on two more Chili Peppers albums, Mother's Milk and The Abbey Road EP.
Image: The Red Hot Chili Peppers in December 1986 in New York: (L-R) Jack Irons, Hillel Slovak , Flea and Anthony Kiedis
He was not included in the band's induction to the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2012 - a decision he described as "painful" in an interview with Billboard at the time.
"I'm being dishonoured, and it sucks," he said.
Sherman went on to work on other albums including Bob Dylan's Knocked Out Loaded, Tonio K's Notes from the Lost Civilization and Feargal Sharkey's Wish.


skynewsus--2020-08-23--This panda cub is the size of a stick of butter

The birth of a giant panda cub caused a zoo 's livestream to crash as animal lovers tried to catch a glimpse of the mother and her baby .
The National Zoo in Washington 's Panda Cam traffic spiked 1,200 % over the past week after the pregnancy was announced .
The newborn , whose gender has not been confirmed , was born at about 6.35pm on Friday .
It will not be named for 100 days in accordance with tradition .
The cub , which is roughly the size of a stick of butter , could be heard squealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named Mei Xiang , picked it up and started cradling it .
Brandie Smith , a former curator of the zoo 's giant pandas who has overseen several births there , said : `` We can tell the cub is doing well from its vocalisations and the mother 's behaviour . ''
Zoo staff remain ready to intervene if something seems wrong , but Ms Smith said the mother has reared three cubs to adulthood and `` knows exactly what she is doing '' .
Zoo officials had a hard time accessing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the extra traffic .
Ms Smith said : `` When we have a giant panda baby , the whole world celebrates . ''
Zoo staff are letting the mother and baby share some private time for now .
Mei Xiang will remain with her baby in a small indoor enclosure where she has built a modest nest .
She will not leave her baby 's side even to eat or drink for about a week .
The cub will remain in the den for its first few months of life .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their distinctive black and white fur comes later .
Meanwhile , its father Tian Tian seems blissfully oblivious - rolling around his outdoor enclosure on Saturday morning .
Giant pandas are almost entirely solitary , and in the wild it would be normal for Tian Tian to never meet his offspring .

The birth of a giant panda cub caused a zoo's livestream to crash as animal lovers tried to catch a glimpse of the mother and her baby.
The National Zoo in Washington's Panda Cam traffic spiked 1,200% over the past week after the pregnancy was announced.
The newborn, whose gender has not been confirmed, was born at about 6.35pm on Friday.
It will not be named for 100 days in accordance with tradition.
Image: The mother Mei Xiang is seen cuddling her baby in their enclosure
Image: The mother cuddles her tiny baby after the rare birth in Washington DC
The cub, which is roughly the size of a stick of butter, could be heard squealing in the livestream.
Its mother, named Mei Xiang, picked it up and started cradling it.
Brandie Smith, a former curator of the zoo's giant pandas who has overseen several births there, said: "We can tell the cub is doing well from its vocalisations and the mother's behaviour."
Zoo staff remain ready to intervene if something seems wrong, but Ms Smith said the mother has reared three cubs to adulthood and "knows exactly what she is doing".
Zoo officials had a hard time accessing the livestream themselves after it started crashing due to the extra traffic.
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Ms Smith said: "When we have a giant panda baby, the whole world celebrates."
Image: The mother will not leave her baby's side for about a week
Zoo staff are letting the mother and baby share some private time for now.
Mei Xiang will remain with her baby in a small indoor enclosure where she has built a modest nest.
She will not leave her baby's side even to eat or drink for about a week.
The cub will remain in the den for its first few months of life.
For now it is pink and hairless; their distinctive black and white fur comes later.
Meanwhile, its father Tian Tian seems blissfully oblivious - rolling around his outdoor enclosure on Saturday morning.
Giant pandas are almost entirely solitary, and in the wild it would be normal for Tian Tian to never meet his offspring.


skynewsus--2020-08-23--Trump wants to fast-track Oxford's potential coronavirus vaccine in time for election - report

US President Donald Trump is considering fast-tracking approval of a possible coronavirus vaccine so it can be used before the election , according to a report .
The administration is looking at the potential vaccine being developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca , the Financial Times says .
One option could involve the US Food And Drug Administration ( FDA ) authorising it for emergency use in October , a month before Mr Trump hopes to beat Democratic rival Joe Biden for the presidency , the paper reports .
Mr Trump is behind Mr Biden in most presidential election polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican National Convention , progress with a vaccine would boost his chances .
The US has the highest rate of infections and deaths from COVID-19 , the illness caused by the coronavirus : almost six million infections have been recorded and deaths are heading towards 177,000 , according to figures from Johns Hopkins University .
The White House declined comment on the story , which cited people briefed on the plan .
AstraZeneca denied having discussed emergency use authorisation for the potential vaccine with the US government , adding : `` It would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Phase 2 and 3 trials of the potential vaccine are continuing in the UK and other countries and results are expected later this year .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The project is seen as a leading candidate among more than 100 others moving through the trials process .
Meanwhile , Mr Trump has announced emergency authorisation of convalescent plasma as a treatment for COVID-19 .
It is thought that blood plasma from COVID-19 survivors could help those fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But evidence is not conclusive about its effectiveness , when it is needed or how much is needed .
More than 70,000 patients in the US have received the plasma , which uses a technique previously used to fight diseases such as measles before a vaccine was developed .
Chief scientist for the FDA , Denise Hinton , said it should not be considered a new standard of care for the treatment of patients with COVID-19 and that more data should come from trials in the coming months .
Mr Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been looking to do for a long time .
`` Today I 'm pleased to make a truly historic announcement in our battle against the China virus that will save countless lives . ''

US President Donald Trump is considering fast-tracking approval of a possible coronavirus vaccine so it can be used before the election, according to a report.
The administration is looking at the potential vaccine being developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, the Financial Times says.
One option could involve the US Food And Drug Administration (FDA) authorising it for emergency use in October, a month before Mr Trump hopes to beat Democratic rival Joe Biden for the presidency, the paper reports.
Mr Trump is behind Mr Biden in most presidential election polls and, ahead of this week's Republican National Convention, progress with a vaccine would boost his chances.
The US has the highest rate of infections and deaths from COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.
Almost six million infections have been recorded and deaths are heading towards 177,000, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.
<
The White House declined to comment on the story, which cited people briefed on the plan.
AstraZeneca denied having discussed emergency use authorisation for the potential vaccine with the US government, adding: "It would be premature to speculate on that possibility."
Phase 2 and 3 trials of the potential vaccine are continuing in the UK and other countries and results are expected later this year.
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Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
The project is seen as a leading candidate among more than 100 others moving through the trials process.
Meanwhile, Mr Trump has announced emergency authorisation of convalescent plasma as a treatment for COVID-19.
It is thought that blood plasma from COVID-19 survivors could help those fighting the disease, as it contains antibodies.
But evidence is not conclusive about its effectiveness, when it is needed, or how much is needed.
More than 70,000 patients in the US have received the plasma, which uses a technique previously used to fight diseases such as measles, before a vaccine was developed.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:52 World 'exploding' with coronavirus - Trump
Chief scientist for the FDA, Denise Hinton, said it should not be considered a new standard of care for the treatment of patients with COVID-19 and that more data should come from trials in the coming months.
Mr Trump said: "This is what I've been looking to do for a long time.
"Today I'm pleased to make a truly historic announcement in our battle against the China virus that will save countless lives."


skynewsus--2020-08-23--'Misleading' Trump tweet flagged as it 'could dissuade people from voting'

Twitter has flagged one of Donald Trump 's tweets as `` violating '' its policy for `` making misleading health claims that could potentially dissuade people from participation in voting '' .
The US president has repeatedly criticised postal voting ahead of November 's election , but in a tweet on Sunday he suggested without evidence that mail drop boxes would encourage fraud and put people at risk of contracting coronavirus .
`` So now the Democrats are using Mail Drop Boxes , which are a voter security disaster .
Among other things , they make it possible for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` Also , who controls them , are they placed in Republican or Democrat areas ?
They are not Covid sanitised .
A big fraud ! ''
The social media site later put a disclaimer on the tweet and limited how people can interact with it - meaning people can no longer like , reply or retweet it .
But it said it may be `` in the public 's interest for the tweet to remain accessible '' .
Twitter pointed to its Civic Integrity Policy , which states that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's services for the purpose of manipulating or interfering in elections or other civic processes .
`` This includes posting or sharing content that may suppress participation or mislead people about when , where , or how to participate in a civic process . ''
Users who violate the policy can have their tweets deleted or accounts locked , or they could even be permanently suspended if there are `` severe or repeated violations '' .
Mr Trump was first given a fact-check label on one of his tweets in May .
Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notice in June after the site said it violated policy against abusive behaviour .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Democrats have been promoting drop boxes as a convenient option for voters who do not want to use the US Postal Service , but Republican officials in other states have prevented their use .

Twitter has flagged one of Donald Trump's tweets as "violating" its policy for "making misleading health claims that could potentially dissuade people from participation in voting".
The US president has repeatedly criticised postal voting ahead of November's election, but in a tweet on Sunday he suggested without evidence that mail drop boxes would encourage fraud and put people at risk of contracting coronavirus.
"So now the Democrats are using Mail Drop Boxes, which are a voter security disaster. Among other things, they make it possible for a person to vote multiple times," he said.
"Also, who controls them, are they placed in Republican or Democrat areas? They are not Covid sanitised. A big fraud!"
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The social media site later put a disclaimer on the tweet and limited how people can interact with it - meaning people can no longer like, reply or retweet it.
But it said it may be "in the public's interest for the tweet to remain accessible".
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Twitter pointed to its Civic Integrity Policy, which states that: "You may not use Twitter's services for the purpose of manipulating or interfering in elections or other civic processes.
"This includes posting or sharing content that may suppress participation or mislead people about when, where, or how to participate in a civic process."
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Users who violate the policy can have their tweets deleted or accounts locked, or they could even be permanently suspended if there are "severe or repeated violations".
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
Mr Trump was first given a fact-check label on one of his tweets in May.
Another of his posts was given a warning notice in June after the site said it violated policy against abusive behaviour.
Democrats have been promoting drop boxes as a convenient option for voters who do not want to use the US Postal Service, but Republican officials in other states have prevented their use.


skynewsus--2020-08-23--'I'm mad I didn't go first': Kobe Bryant's wife pays tribute to late star on his 42nd birthday

Kobe Bryant 's wife has paid tribute to her late husband on what would have been his 42nd birthday , saying she wishes she could `` wake up from this horrible nightmare '' .
Vanessa Bryant shared a lengthy message to her nearly 14 million Instagram followers in which she said she loved and missed her US basketball star husband and daughter Gianna `` more than I can ever explain '' .
The pair were killed in a helicopter crash which also took the lives of seven other people in January .
Mrs Bryant wrote : `` To my baby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and miss you more than I can ever explain .
I wish you and Gigi were here to celebrate YOU ! ''
She continued : `` I wish I could make your fav food or a birthday cake with my Gigi .
I miss your big hugs , your kisses , your smile , your loud a** deep laugh . ''
The widow described how she wanted to break down but had to keep a positive attitude for her surviving children , Natalia , Bianka , and Capri .
`` Our lives feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 've been completely broken inside .
As much as I want to cry , I put a smile on my face to make our daughters ' days shine a little brighter .
I 'm not the strong one , they are , '' she wrote .
Mrs Bryant said she wished she had died before her husband and daughter as it was too painful to live without them .
`` I 'm mad I did n't go first ...
It should 've been me , '' she said .
`` I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always has on our special days .
I miss my thoughtful princess so much . ''
In May , Mrs Bryant marked the birthday of her eldest daughter Gianna , who would have turned 14 .
`` Happy 14th Birthday to my sweet baby girl , Gianna , '' she wrote on Instagram .
`` Mommy loves you more than I can ever show you .
You are part of MY SOUL forever . ''
She also shared a letter from her husband which she found unopened after his death .
Mrs Bryant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to open the letter , which had been addressed to `` The Love of my Life '' .

Kobe Bryant's wife has paid tribute to her late husband on what would have been his 42nd birthday, saying she wishes she could "wake up from this horrible nightmare".
Vanessa Bryant shared a message with her nearly 14 million Instagram followers in which she said she loved and missed her basketball star husband and daughter Gianna "more than I can ever explain".
The pair and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash in January.
Image: Kobe Bryant pictured with his daughter Gianna in Las Vegas in July 2019
Mrs Bryant wrote: "To my baby. Happy birthday. I love you and miss you more than I can ever explain. I wish you and Gigi were here to celebrate YOU!"
She continued: "I wish I could make your fav food or a birthday cake with my Gigi. I miss your big hugs, your kisses, your smile, your loud a** deep laugh."
The widow described how she wanted to break down but had to keep a positive attitude for her surviving children, Natalia, Bianka, and Capri.
"Our lives feel so empty without you and Gigi. I've been completely broken inside. As much as I want to cry, I put a smile on my face to make our daughters' days shine a little brighter. I'm not the strong one, they are," she wrote.
Mrs Bryant said she wished she had died before her husband and daughter as it was too painful to live without them.
"I'm mad I didn't go first... It should've been me," she said.
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"I know my Gigi is celebrating you like she always has on our special days. I miss my thoughtful princess so much."
Image: Vanessa Bryant at a memorial for her husband in February
In May, Mrs Bryant marked the birthday of her eldest daughter Gianna, who would have turned 14.
"Happy 14th Birthday to my sweet baby girl, Gianna," she wrote on Instagram. "Mommy loves you more than I can ever show you. You are part of MY SOUL forever."
She also shared a letter from her husband which she found unopened after his death.
Mrs Bryant said she had waited until her birthday to open the letter, which had been addressed to 'The Love of my Life'.


skynewsus--2020-08-24--Black man shot in the back seven times by Wisconsin police

A black man is in a serious condition after being shot seven times at close range by police in Wisconsin .
The man , identified by the state governor as Jacob Blake , was flown by helicopter to hospital on Sunday evening after being shot repeatedly in the back in the city of Kenosha .
Footage circulating on social media showed the incident with Mr Blake , who does not appear to be carrying a weapon , seen walking towards a car as two officers followed him with their guns drawn .
As Mr Blake opens the car door , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grabbing his vest and shooting him in the back .
Seven shots can be heard followed by the car 's horn continuously beeping .
Civil rights lawyer Benjamin Crump , who represents George Floyd 's family , said Mr Blake 's three sons were in the car when he was shot .
Police said they had been called to a domestic incident at 5.11pm but gave no further details as to what led to the shooting that followed .
Witnesses said Mr Blake was trying to break up a fight between two women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave , the Wisconsin Department of Justice said early on Monday .
Wisconsin state governor Tony Evers wrote in a tweet : `` We stand against excessive use of force and immediate escalation when engaging with black Wisconsinites . ''
Wisconsin 's division of criminal investigation is looking into the shooting and said it will seek to `` provide a report of the incident to the prosecutor within 30 days '' .
A city-wide curfew was imposed until 7am on Monday after large protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bricks at police , with one officer reportedly injured by a brick .
A large rubbish truck parked on the road to prevent demonstrators marching towards the police station could be seen on fire before one of its tyres exploded , while people were seen kicking police cars and smashing their windows .
Kenosha 's protests are the latest in a series of ongoing demonstrations against police brutality and racism since 25 May when George Floyd died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds @

The seven gun shots fired at a black man at close range by Wisconsin police pierced "the soul of our nation," US presidential hopeful Joe Biden has said.
The victim, identified by the state governor as Jacob Blake, was flown by helicopter to hospital on Sunday evening after being shot repeatedly in the back in the city of Kenosha. He is in a serious condition.
Footage circulating on social media showed the incident with Mr Blake, who does not appear to be carrying a weapon, seen walking towards a car as two officers followed him with their guns drawn.
Image: Jacob Blake's three sons were reportedly in the car
As Mr Blake opens the car door, one of the officers can be seen grabbing his vest and shooting him in the back.
Seven shots can be heard followed by the car's horn continuously beeping.
Image: Police pointed their guns at the man as he walked to his car
Image: As the man opened his car, one of the officers grabbed his vest
Civil rights lawyer Benjamin Crump, who represents George Floyd's family, said Mr Blake's three sons were in the car when he was shot.
Police said they had been called to a domestic incident at 5.11pm but gave no further details as to what led to the shooting that followed.
Image: The officer could be seen holding the man's vest and shooting at his back
Witnesses said Mr Blake was trying to break up a fight between two women when the officers arrived.
Presidential front-runner Mr Biden condemned the shooting of 29-year-old Mr Blake, calling for "an immediate, full and transparent investigation" and that the officers "must be held accountable."
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Image: Joe Biden condemned the shooting
He said in a statement: "And this morning, the nation wakes up yet again with grief and outrage that yet another Black American is a victim of excessive force.
"These shots pierce the soul of our nation."
Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also tweeted: "I'm praying for Jacob Blake today. I'm standing with everyone who believes justice must be served in this horrific case and too many others like it. Black lives matter. Black lives matter. Black lives matter."
Image: Police have been confronted by protesters outside Kenosha Police Department since the shooting
The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, the Wisconsin Department of Justice said early on Monday.
Wisconsin state governor Tony Evers wrote in a tweet: "We stand against excessive use of force and immediate escalation when engaging with black Wisconsinites."
Wisconsin's division of criminal investigation is looking into the shooting and said it will seek to "provide a report of the incident to the prosecutor within 30 days".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 55:57 Documentary: 8 Minutes and 46 Seconds
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A city-wide curfew was imposed until 7am on Monday after large protests marched down the streets throwing Molotov cocktails and bricks at police, with one officer reportedly injured by a brick.
A large rubbish truck parked on the road to prevent demonstrators marching towards the police station could be seen on fire before one of its tyres exploded, while people were seen kicking police cars and smashing their windows.
Kenosha's protests are the latest in a series of ongoing demonstrations against police brutality and racism since 25 May when George Floyd died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds.


skynewsus--2020-08-24--Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway to leave White House

White House adviser Kellyanne Conway has announced she is leaving the role at the end of August .
The 53-year-old said she was leaving to focus on her family , adding : `` This is completely my choice and my voice .
`` For now , and for my beloved children , it will be less drama , more mama . ''
She said her husband George , a lawyer and well-known critic of Donald Trump , would also be `` making changes '' .
`` We disagree about plenty but we are united on what matters most : the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children in middle school and high school and Mrs Conway said : `` As millions of parents nationwide know , kids 'doing school from home ' requires a level of attention and vigilance that is as unusual as these times '' .
She was a regular spokeswoman for Donald Trump during his presidential campaign , when she loyally sold his vision to the public .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker She worked for years as a Republican pollster and originally backed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary .
But she moved to the Trump campaign , becoming the first woman to successfully steer a White House bid .
After Mr Trump won the election she became senior counsellor to the president , but has been less visible recently following a number of gaffes .
In 2017 , she was criticised after blaming two Iraqis for a `` massacre '' that never happened .
She had said : `` I bet it 's brand new information to people that President Obama had a six-month ban on the Iraqi refugee programme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , were radicalised and they were the masterminds behind the Bowling Green massacre .
`` Most people do n't know that because it did n't get covered . ''
Mrs Conway later said she had made an `` honest mistake '' .
She was also reprimanded by the government ethics office for promoting Ivanka Trump 's clothing line during a live television interview from the White House in February 2017 .
The same month , she was criticised after being photographed kneeling on a sofa in the Oval Office .
Her determination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inauguration crowd sizes led to her using the now-famous phrase `` alternative facts '' .

White House adviser Kellyanne Conway has announced she is leaving the role at the end of August.
The 53-year-old said she was leaving to focus on her family, adding: "This is completely my choice and my voice.
"In time, I will announce future plans.
<
"For now, and for my beloved children, it will be less drama, more mama."
She said her husband George, a lawyer and well-known critic of Donald Trump, would also be "making changes".
"We disagree about plenty but we are united on what matters most: the kids."
The couple have four children in middle school and high school and Mrs Conway said: "As millions of parents nationwide know, kids 'doing school from home' requires a level of attention and vigilance that is as unusual as these times".
She was a regular spokeswoman for Donald Trump during his presidential campaign, when she loyally sold his vision to the public.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
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She worked for years as a Republican pollster and originally backed Senator Ted Cruz in the 2016 Republican primary.
But she moved to the Trump campaign, becoming the first woman to successfully steer a White House bid.
After Mr Trump won the election she became senior counsellor to the president, but has been less visible recently following a number of gaffes.
In 2017, she was criticised after blaming two Iraqis for a "massacre" that never happened.
She had said: "I bet it's brand new information to people that President Obama had a six-month ban on the Iraqi refugee programme after two Iraqis came here to this country, were radicalised and they were the masterminds behind the Bowling Green massacre.
"Most people don't know that because it didn't get covered."
Mrs Conway later said she had made an "honest mistake".
She was also reprimanded by the government ethics office for promoting Ivanka Trump's clothing line during a live television interview from the White House in February 2017.
The same month, she was criticised after being photographed kneeling on a sofa in the Oval Office.
Her determination to defend false White House statements about inauguration crowd sizes led to her using the now-famous phrase "alternative facts".


skynewsus--2020-08-24--COVID-19 treatment hailed by Trump as 'breakthrough' is 'inconclusive', NHS says

The NHS has said the use of blood plasma in treating COVID-19 patients is `` not conclusive '' - despite Donald Trump giving emergency authorisation for the `` powerful therapy '' in the US .
The president on Sunday announced the move to make it easier for some patients to obtain convalescent plasma , a treatment for which trials are still continuing .
Mr Trump hailed the `` truly historic announcement '' as a `` major therapeutic breakthrough '' in the battle against coronavirus .
The use of convalescent plasma involves taking blood plasma from patients who have recovered from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ antibodies - and transfusing it to those fighting the disease .
It is a commonly-trialled treatment in the outbreak of new diseases , but the NHS said it was still unclear whether it worked with coronavirus patients .
`` NHS Blood and Transplant is already collaborating with the wider NHS on world-leading treatment trials of convalescent plasma , '' a spokesperson said .
`` The observational studies coming from America are promising and support the need for people to continue to donate convalescent plasma in England .
However , they are not conclusive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gold standard for determining the effectiveness of a new treatment .
`` The UK is leading the world in setting up randomised controlled trials for COVID-19 convalescent plasma . ''
The NHS is urging people who have recovered from COVID-19 to offer to donate convalescent plasma .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Trump 's announcement of emergency authorisation is not the same as full approval by the US Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) .
The FDA 's chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` COVID-19 convalescent plasma should not be considered a new standard of care for the treatment of patients with COVID-19 .
`` Additional data will be forthcoming from other analyses and ongoing , well-controlled clinical trials in the coming months . ''
Some health experts were sceptical about the timing of Mr Trump 's announcement , which came on the eve of the Republican National Convention .
The convention is a key moment in the president 's bid to remain in the White House for another four years .
It will see Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's candidate for November 's presidential election .
The Financial Times reported on Monday that Mr Trump is considering fast-tracking approval of a possible Oxford University coronavirus vaccine so it can be used before the election .

The NHS has said the use of blood plasma in treating COVID-19 patients is "not conclusive" - despite Donald Trump giving emergency authorisation for the "powerful therapy" in the US.
The president on Sunday announced the move to make it easier for some patients to obtain convalescent plasma, a treatment for which trials are still continuing.
Mr Trump hailed the "truly historic announcement" as a "major therapeutic breakthrough" in the battle against coronavirus.
Image: Blood plasma is taken from those who have recovered from COVID-19
The use of convalescent plasma involves taking blood plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 - and is therefore rich in antibodies - and transfusing it to those fighting the disease.
It is a commonly-trialled treatment in the outbreak of new diseases, but the NHS said it was still unclear whether it worked with coronavirus patients.
"NHS Blood and Transplant is already collaborating with the wider NHS on world-leading treatment trials of convalescent plasma," a spokesperson said.
"The observational studies coming from America are promising and support the need for people to continue to donate convalescent plasma in England. However, they are not conclusive.
"Randomised control trials are the gold standard for determining the effectiveness of a new treatment.
"The UK is leading the world in setting up randomised controlled trials for COVID-19 convalescent plasma."
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The NHS is urging people who have recovered from COVID-19 to offer to donate convalescent plasma.
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Mr Trump's announcement of emergency authorisation is not the same as full approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The FDA's chief scientist, Denise Hinton, warned: "COVID-19 convalescent plasma should not be considered a new standard of care for the treatment of patients with COVID-19.
"Additional data will be forthcoming from other analyses and ongoing, well-controlled clinical trials in the coming months."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:32 How to win a US election
Some health experts were sceptical about the timing of Mr Trump's announcement, which came on the eve of the Republican National Convention.
The convention is a key moment in the president's bid to remain in the White House for another four years.
It will see Mr Trump formally nominated as the Republican Party's candidate for November's presidential election.
The Financial Times reported on Monday that Mr Trump is considering fast-tracking approval of a possible Oxford University coronavirus vaccine so it can be used before the election.


skynewsus--2020-08-23--'I'm mad I didn't go first': Bryant's wife pays tribute on his 42nd birthday

Kobe Bryant 's wife has paid tribute to her late husband on what would have been his 42nd birthday , saying she wishes she could `` wake up from this horrible nightmare '' .
Vanessa Bryant shared a message with her nearly 14 million Instagram followers in which she said she loved and missed her basketball star husband and daughter Gianna `` more than I can ever explain '' .
The pair and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash in January .
Mrs Bryant wrote : `` To my baby .
Happy birthday .
I love you and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explain .
I wish you and Gigi were here to celebrate YOU ! ''
She continued : `` I wish I could make your fav food or a birthday cake with my Gigi .
I miss your big hugs , your kisses , your smile , your loud a** deep laugh . ''
The widow described how she wanted to break down but had to keep a positive attitude for her surviving children , Natalia , Bianka , and Capri .
`` Our lives feel so empty without you and Gigi .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much as I want to cry , I put a smile on my face to make our daughters ' days shine a little brighter .
I 'm not the strong one , they are , '' she wrote .
Mrs Bryant said she wished she had died before her husband and daughter as it was too painful to live without them .
`` I 'm mad I did n't go first ...
It should 've been me , '' she said .
`` I know my Gigi is celebrating you like she always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miss my thoughtful princess so much . ''
In May , Mrs Bryant marked the birthday of her eldest daughter Gianna , who would have turned 14 .
`` Happy 14th Birthday to my sweet baby girl , Gianna , '' she wrote on Instagram .
`` Mommy loves you more than I can ever show you .
You are part of MY SOUL forever . ''
She also shared a letter from her husband which she found unopened after his death .
Mrs Bryant said she had waited until her birthday to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addressed to 'The Love of my Life ' .


skynewsus--2020-08-24--Firefighters arrive from nearby states to fight blazes in California

Firefighters , military planes and National Guard troops are arriving in California from nearby states to help fight two dozen wildfires .
Crews have arrived from Arizona , Montana , Nevada , Texas , Utah , and more are on the way .
Some 200 members of the National Guard have been activated and military planes have been sent .
The fires , ignited by lightning from dry storms in northern and central California , have killed at least six people and destroyed around 700 buildings .
Nearly one million acres have been blackened and smoke has been so thick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The worst of the fires , including the second and third-largest in California since records began , are burning around the San Francisco Bay Area .
Some 200,000 people have been told to leave their homes .
Officials warned that more dry lightning storms are approaching , bringing a risk of further fires .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said : `` Extreme fire behaviour with short and long range spotting are continuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to make runs in multiple directions and impacting multiple communities . ''
One of the largest fires is the LNU Lightning Complex fire , which began as several smaller fires and has burned through 340,000 acres in Napa , Sonoma , Lake , Yolo and Solano counties .
A high-pressure ridge has been taking moisture from a now-dissipated tropical storm off Mexico , creating ideal conditions for thunderstorms in California .
Most of the precipitation evaporates before hitting the ground , leaving dry lightning that has made the fire season more volatile @

Firefighters, military planes and National Guard troops are arriving in California from nearby states to help fight two dozen wildfires.
Crews have arrived from Arizona, Montana, Nevada, Texas, Utah, and more are on the way.
Some 200 members of the National Guard have been activated and military planes have been sent.
The fires, ignited by lightning from dry storms in northern and central California, have killed at least six people and destroyed around 700 buildings.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:01 Firefighters drive through flame-ravaged road
Nearly one million acres have been blackened and smoke has been so thick it could be seen from other states.
The worst of the fires, including the second and third-largest in California since records began, are burning around the San Francisco Bay Area.
Some 200,000 people have been told to leave their homes.
Officials warned that more dry lightning storms are approaching, bringing a risk of further fires.
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California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said: "Extreme fire behaviour with short and long range spotting are continuing to challenge firefighting efforts.
"Fires continue to make runs in multiple directions and impacting multiple communities."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:59 Fighting Californian wildfires from the air
One of the largest fires is the LNU Lightning Complex fire, which began as several smaller fires and has burned through 340,000 acres in Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Yolo and Solano counties.
A high-pressure ridge has been taking moisture from a now-dissipated tropical storm off Mexico, creating ideal conditions for thunderstorms in California.
Most of the precipitation evaporates before hitting the ground, leaving dry lightning that has made the fire season more volatile.