skynewsus--2020-07-16--Winona Ryder and Vanessa Paradis have written statements for Depp libel trial - here they are in ful

Winona Ryder and Vanessa Paradis have written statements for Depp libel trial - here they are in full

The witness statements of two of Johnny Depp 's former partners - the Hollywood star Winona Ryder and French singer Vanessa Paradis - have been released to the media in full .
The High Court heard on Thursday that the women will no longer be called to give evidence in Depp 's libel claim against The Sun 's publisher News Group Newspapers over an article that labelled him a `` wife beater '' .
They were due to appear via video-link this week , but the actor 's barrister David Sherborne told the court that Depp 's legal team had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from them .
Ryder was in a relationship with Depp for four years and the couple were engaged from 1990 to 1993 .
This is her statement in full : '' I knew Johnny very well years ago .
We were together as a couple for four years , and I counted him as my best friend , and as close to me as family .
`` I count our relationship as one of the more significant relationships of my life .
`` I understand that it is very important that I speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obviously was not there during his marriage to Amber , but , from my experience , which was so wildly different , I was absolutely shocked , confused and upset when I heard the accusations against him .
`` The idea that he is an incredibly violent person is the farthest thing from the Johnny I knew and loved .
`` I can not wrap my head around these accusations .
He was never , never violent towards me .
He was never , never abusive at all towards me .
`` He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anybody I have seen .
I truly and honestly only know him as a really good man - an incredibly loving , extremely caring guy who was so very protective of me and the people that he loves , and I felt so very , very safe with him .
`` I do not want to call anyone a liar but from my experience of Johnny , it is impossible to believe that such horrific allegations are true .
I find it extremely upsetting knowing him as I do . ''
Paradis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was with Depp for 14 years .
The couple have two children together - Lily-Rose , 21 , and Jack , 18 .
This is her statement in full : '' I have known Johnny for more than 25 years .
`` We 've been partners for 14 years and we raised our two children together .
`` Through all these years I 've known Johnny to be a kind , attentive , generous , and non-violent person and father .
`` On movie sets the actors , directors and entire crews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respectful to everyone , as well as being one of the best actors we 've seen .
`` I am aware of the allegations which Amber Heard has publicly accused Johnny of for more than four years now .
This is nothing like the true Johnny I have known , and from my personal experience of many years , I can say he was never violent or abusive to me .
`` I have seen that these outrageous statements have been really distressing , and also caused damage to his career because unfortunately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facts .
`` This is so upsetting as he has helped so many persons in his personal and professional life , with kindness and generosity . ''
The case is due to last for at least three weeks .

The witness statements of two of Johnny Depp's former partners - the Hollywood star Winona Ryder and French singer Vanessa Paradis - have been released to the media in full.
The High Court heard on Thursday that the women will no longer be called to give evidence in Depp's libel claim against The Sun's publisher News Group Newspapers over an article that labelled him a "wife beater".
They were due to appear via video-link this week, but the actor's barrister David Sherborne told the court that Depp's legal team had decided there is no need to hear from them.
Image: Amber Heard has accused Depp of violence towards her
Ryder was in a relationship with Depp for four years and the couple were engaged from 1990 to 1993.
She told lawyers she found Amber Heard's allegations "horrific".
This is her statement in full:
"I knew Johnny very well years ago. We were together as a couple for four years, and I counted him as my best friend, and as close to me as family.
"I count our relationship as one of the more significant relationships of my life.
"I understand that it is very important that I speak from my own experience, as I obviously was not there during his marriage to Amber, but, from my experience, which was so wildly different, I was absolutely shocked, confused and upset when I heard the accusations against him.
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Image: Winona Ryder and Johnny Depp in 1990
"The idea that he is an incredibly violent person is the farthest thing from the Johnny I knew and loved.
"I cannot wrap my head around these accusations. He was never, never violent towards me. He was never, never abusive at all towards me.
"He has never been violent or abusive towards anybody I have seen. I truly and honestly only know him as a really good man - an incredibly loving, extremely caring guy who was so very protective of me and the people that he loves, and I felt so very, very safe with him.
"I do not want to call anyone a liar but from my experience of Johnny, it is impossible to believe that such horrific allegations are true. I find it extremely upsetting knowing him as I do."
Image: Ryder and Depp in Edward Scissorhands in 1991. Pic: 20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock
Paradis, who is also an actress and model, was with Depp for 14 years.
The couple have two children together - Lily-Rose, 21, and Jack, 18.
This is her statement in full:
"I have known Johnny for more than 25 years.
"We've been partners for 14 years and we raised our two children together.
"Through all these years I've known Johnny to be a kind, attentive, generous, and non-violent person and father.
"On movie sets the actors, directors and entire crews adore him because he is humble and respectful to everyone, as well as being one of the best actors we've seen.
Image: Johnny Depp with Vanessa Paradis at the LA premiere of his movie Sleepy Hollow in 1999
"I am aware of the allegations which Amber Heard has publicly accused Johnny of for more than four years now. This is nothing like the true Johnny I have known, and from my personal experience of many years, I can say he was never violent or abusive to me.
"I have seen that these outrageous statements have been really distressing, and also caused damage to his career because unfortunately people have gone on believing these false facts.
"This is so upsetting as he has helped so many persons in his personal and professional life, with kindness and generosity."
The case is due to last for at least three weeks.


skynewsus--2020-07-16--'Pal, you're a hero': Boy, 6, who saved sister from dog attack gets message from Captain America

A brave six-year-old boy saved his little sister from a dog attack after he stepped in to shield her - and was left needing more than 90 stitches .
Bridger Walker , from Wyoming , was bitten several times on the face and head by the German Shepherd mix after it charged at the siblings while they played in a garden on 9 July .
His family said that when asked why he had saved his sister , he replied : `` If someone had to die , I thought it should be me . ''
The young boy - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been praised by celebrities including Chris Evans , Mark Ruffalo , Tom Holland and Anne Hathaway .
Evans , who plays Captain America in the Marvel film franchise , told him : `` Pal , you 're a hero . ''
The siblings had been at a friend 's house when the attack happened , their aunt Nicole Walker said in an Instagram post .
Bridger later told his family that the child with them had pointed to two dogs while they were in the garden , describing one as the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the `` mean one '' .
The `` mean one '' then charged at them , so Bridger stood between the dog and his sister to stop it reaching her .
Instead of running off , the dog leaped up and grabbed hold of Bridger 's cheek .
The six-year-old told his sister to run before managing to break free and leading her to a different part of the garden where he hoped they would be safe .
The dog 's owners secured the dog and ran Bridger inside the house before calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was a `` lot of blood '' , and firefighters who arrived at the scene had asked to cut off his shirt .
But Bridger refused , saying `` My mum likes me in this shirt '' .
He was taken to hospital by ambulance , where he received 90 stitches to his face during a nearly two-hour surgery .
Bridger - who trains in jiu-jitsu - was told by a doctor that he was the `` bravest patient '' they ever had , his family said in an Instagram post .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he got the IV , '' the family said .
Bridger was described by his family as an `` absolute joy '' and `` full of love '' .
They added that when the attack happened `` it was no surprise that he stepped up to the plate in a major way '' .
The six-year-old 's heroic actions have caught the attention a number of film stars , and he even received a video message from Evans .
In the heartwarming video shared by Bridger 's family , Evans tells the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Captain America here .
How you doing buddy ?
`` So I read your story , I saw what you did .
Now I 'm sure you 've heard a lot of this over the last couple of days but let me be the next one to tell you - pal , you 're a hero .
`` Your sister is so lucky to have you as a big brother .
Your parents must be so proud of you . ''

A brave six-year-old boy saved his little sister from a dog attack after he stepped in to shield her - and was left needing more than 90 stitches.
Bridger Walker, from Wyoming, was bitten several times on the face and head by the German Shepherd mix after it charged at the siblings while they played in a garden on 9 July.
His family said that when asked why he had saved his sister, he replied: "If someone had to die, I thought it should be me."
Image: Bridger saved his younger sister from the attack. Pic: @nicolenoelwalker
Image: The young boy has been described as an 'absolute joy'. Pic: @nicolenoelwalker
The young boy - who is an avid Marvel fan - has been praised by celebrities including Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Tom Holland and Anne Hathaway.
Evans, who plays Captain America in the Marvel film franchise, told him: "Pal, you're a hero."
The siblings had been at a friend's house when the attack happened, their aunt Nicole Walker said in an Instagram post.
Bridger later told his family that the child with them had pointed to two dogs while they were in the garden, describing one as the "nice dog" and the other as the "mean one".
The "mean one" then charged at them, so Bridger stood between the dog and his sister to stop it reaching her.
Instead of running off, the dog leaped up and grabbed hold of Bridger's cheek.
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The six-year-old told his sister to run before managing to break free and leading her to a different part of the garden where he hoped they would be safe.
Image: The pair were at a friend's house at the time. Pic: @nicolenoelwalker
The dog's owners secured the dog and ran Bridger inside the house before calling emergency services.
Bridger's family said there was a "lot of blood", and firefighters who arrived at the scene had asked to cut off his shirt.
But Bridger refused, saying "My mum likes me in this shirt".
He was taken to hospital by ambulance, where he received 90 stitches to his face during a nearly two-hour surgery.
Image: Bridger needed more than 90 stitches. Pic: @nicolenoelwalker
Bridger - who trains in jiu-jitsu - was told by a doctor that he was the "bravest patient" they ever had, his family said in an Instagram post.
"The only time he cried was when he got the IV," the family said.
Bridger was described by his family as an "absolute joy" and "full of love".
They added that when the attack happened "it was no surprise that he stepped up to the plate in a major way".
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The six-year-old's heroic actions have caught the attention of a number of film stars, and he even received a video message from Evans.
In the heartwarming video shared by Bridger's family, Evans tells the young boy: "Hey Bridger, Captain America here. How you doing buddy?
"So I read your story, I saw what you did. Now I'm sure you've heard a lot of this over the last couple of days but let me be the next one to tell you - pal, you're a hero.
"Your sister is so lucky to have you as a big brother. Your parents must be so proud of you."


skynewsus--2020-07-16--Kelly Rowland opens up about difficulties of being compared to Beyonce

Destiny 's Child star Kelly Rowland has opened up about the `` torture '' of constantly being compared to one-time bandmate Beyonce .
Rowland , 39 , was a founding member of the 1990s R & B band and went on to have a highly successful solo career .
But when a contestant on The Voice Australia said he feared being overshadowed by his older brother , who is already a singer , she admitted she suffered the same problem .
She told the show : `` I know this feeling .
Can you imagine what it 's like being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would just torture myself in my head . ''
Speaking in her role as a coach on the talent show , she said that being in a band with someone as successful as Beyonce made her question her choices .
The singer said she would often think : `` ' I ca n't wear this dress because they 're going to say it 's like B . '
Or , ' I ca n't have a song like that because it sounds too much like B . '
They 're gon na compare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a more famous bandmate felt like an `` elephant in the room '' for `` a whole decade '' and she `` would be lying '' if she said it never bothered her .
Rowland was speaking to contestant Chris Sebastian , whose brother Guy is now a successful singer-songwriter after winning the first Australian Idol in 2003 .
Now a TV presenter and an actress as well as a performer , Rowland first teamed up with Beyonce in 1990 to form Girl 's Tyme with two others in their home city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker They were signed to Columbia Records as Destiny 's Child in 1997 and replaced LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett with Michelle Williams to form a trio .
They were managed by Beyonce 's father Mathew Knowles and are now regarded as one of the most successful female groups of all time .
They split in 2006 but were reunited on stage during Beyonce 's set at Coachella in 2018 .

Destiny's Child star Kelly Rowland has opened up about the "torture" of constantly being compared to one-time bandmate Beyonce.
Rowland, 39, was a founding member of the 1990s R&B band and went on to have a highly successful solo career.
But when a contestant on The Voice Australia said he feared being overshadowed by his older brother, who is already a singer, she admitted she suffered the same problem.
Image: Rowland, 39, is an actress and a TV presenter as well as a singer
She told the show: "I know this feeling. Can you imagine what it's like being in a group with Beyonce? I would just torture myself in my head."
Speaking in her role as a coach on the talent show, she said that being in a band with someone as successful as Beyonce made her question her choices.
The singer said she would often think: "'I can't wear this dress because they're going to say it's like B.' Or, 'I can't have a song like that because it sounds too much like B.' They're gonna compare anyway."
She added that having a more famous bandmate felt like an "elephant in the room" for "a whole decade" and she "would be lying" if she said it never bothered her.
Rowland was speaking to contestant Chris Sebastian, whose brother Guy is now a successful singer-songwriter after winning the first Australian Idol in 2003.
Now a TV presenter and an actress as well as a performer, Rowland first teamed up with Beyonce in 1990 to form Girl's Tyme with two others in their home city of Houston, Texas.
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They were signed to Columbia Records as Destiny's Child in 1997 and replaced LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett with Michelle Williams to form a trio.
Image: Destiny's Child were reunited on stage in 2018 for Beyonce's Coachella performance
They were managed by Beyonce's father Mathew Knowles and are now regarded as one of the most successful female groups of all time.
They split in 2006 but were reunited on stage during Beyonce's set at Coachella in 2018.


skynewsus--2020-07-15--'Tough day for us at Twitter': Tech giant investigates 'social engineering attack'

Twitter is investigating after hackers targeted several high-profile US figures in a `` co-ordinated social engineering attack '' .
Fake tweets were posted to the accounts of Amazon chief Jeff Bezos , Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and SpaceX billionaire Elon Musk , offering to send $ 2,000 for every $ 1,000 sent to a Bitcoin address .
Chief executive Jack Dorsey tweeted : `` Tough day for us at Twitter .
We all feel terrible this happened . ''
He added that staff are `` working hard to make this right '' .
Also among those affected were former US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden .
Businessman Mike Bloomberg , reality TV star Kim Kardashian , rapper Kanye West , and the corporate accounts for Uber and Apple were also reported to have been hit by the scam .
Blockchain records , which store data about monetary transactions , showed the suspected scammers had received more than $ 100,000 worth of cryptocurrency , according to Reuters .
Just before 11pm UK time , Twitter confirmed it was investigating a `` security incident impacting accounts '' .
Around four hours later , the social media platform said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a coordinated social engineering attack by people who successfully targeted some of our employees with access to internal systems and tools .
`` We know they used this access to take control of many highly-visible ( including verified ) accounts and tweet on their behalf .
We 're looking into what other malicious activity they may have conducted or information they may have accessed and will share more here as we have it .
`` Once we became aware of the incident , we immediately locked down the affected accounts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Twitter said it had also limited functionality for a `` much larger group of accounts , like all verified accounts ( even those with no evidence of being compromised ) '' .
`` This was disruptive , but it was an important step to reduce risk , '' the platform said before adding that most functions had been restored .
The compromised accounts were locked and access will be restored to the original account holder `` Only when we are certain we can do so securely '' .
`` Internally , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to internal systems and tools while our investigation is ongoing . ''
Experts were surprised at the scale of the incident , which suggested the hackers may have gained access through Twitter 's system , rather than through individual accounts .
Michael Borohovski , director of software engineering at security company Synopsys , said : `` It is highly likely that the attackers were able to hack into the back end or service layer of the Twitter application .
`` If the hackers do have access to the backend of Twitter , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potentially stopping them from pilfering data in addition to using this tweet-scam as a distraction , '' he added .
Dmitri Alperovitch , co-founder of cybersecurity company CrowdStrike , said : `` This appears to be the worst hack of a major social media platform yet .
`` We are lucky that , given the power of sending out tweets from the accounts of many famous people , the only thing that the hackers have done is scammed about $ 110,000 in bitcoins from about 300 people . ''
Shares in Twitter were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after-hours trading on Wednesday in the US .

Twitter is investigating after hackers targeted several high-profile US figures in a "co-ordinated social engineering attack".
Fake tweets were posted to the accounts of Amazon chief Jeff Bezos, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and SpaceX billionaire Elon Musk, offering to send $2,000 for every $1,000 sent to a Bitcoin address.
Chief executive Jack Dorsey tweeted: "Tough day for us at Twitter. We all feel terrible this happened."
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He added that staff are "working hard to make this right".
Also among those affected were former US president Barack Obama and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.
Businessman Mike Bloomberg, reality TV star Kim Kardashian, rapper Kanye West, and the corporate accounts for Uber and Apple were also reported to have been hit by the scam.
Blockchain records, which store data about monetary transactions, showed the suspected scammers had received more than $100,000 worth of cryptocurrency, according to Reuters.
Just before 11pm UK time, Twitter confirmed it was investigating a "security incident impacting accounts".
Around four hours later, the social media platform said: "We detected what we believe to be a coordinated social engineering attack by people who successfully targeted some of our employees with access to internal systems and tools.
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Image: Joe Biden and Barack Obama's accounts were compromised
"We know they used this access to take control of many highly-visible (including verified) accounts and tweet on their behalf. We're looking into what other malicious activity they may have conducted or information they may have accessed and will share more here as we have it.
"Once we became aware of the incident, we immediately locked down the affected accounts and removed tweets posted by the attackers."
Twitter said it had also limited functionality for a "much larger group of accounts, like all verified accounts (even those with no evidence of being compromised)".
"This was disruptive, but it was an important step to reduce risk," the platform said before adding that most functions had been restored.
The compromised accounts were locked and access will be restored to the original account holder "Only when we are certain we can do so securely".
"Internally, we've taken significant steps to limit access to internal systems and tools while our investigation is ongoing."
Experts were surprised at the scale of the incident, which suggested the hackers may have gained access through Twitter's system, rather than through individual accounts.
Michael Borohovski, director of software engineering at security company Synopsys, said: "It is highly likely that the attackers were able to hack into the back end or service layer of the Twitter application.
"If the hackers do have access to the backend of Twitter, or direct database access, there is nothing potentially stopping them from pilfering data in addition to using this tweet-scam as a distraction," he added.
Dmitri Alperovitch, co-founder of cybersecurity company CrowdStrike, said: "This appears to be the worst hack of a major social media platform yet.
"We are lucky that, given the power of sending out tweets from the accounts of many famous people, the only thing that the hackers have done is scammed about $110,000 in bitcoins from about 300 people."
Shares in Twitter were down by more than 3% in after-hours trading on Wednesday in the US.


skynewsus--2020-07-15--US disease expert Fauci says White House attacks on him are 'a bit bizarre'

US infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci has described White House efforts to discredit him as `` bizarre '' and a `` major mistake '' .
His words came after the Trump administration published a list of statements Dr Fauci made in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic - statements which later turned out to be wrong as experts learned more about the disease .
Dr Fauci told The Atlantic magazine : `` You know , it is a bit bizarre .
I do n't really fully understand it .
`` I think if you talk to reasonable people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a major mistake on their part because it does n't do anything but reflect poorly on them , and I do n't think that was their intention .
`` I can not figure out in my wildest dreams why they would want to do that . ''
US President Donald Trump said this week that he values Dr Fauci 's contribution but does not always agree with him .
Coronavirus has infected more than three million people in the US , killing more than 136,000 .
Mr Trump has turned the blame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others , frustrated by their advice as it often threatens his focus on reopening the economy .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The doctor also said on Wednesday that he was confident the US could produce an effective coronavirus vaccine by the end of the year .
He told Reuters that while there are no guarantees : `` I feel good about the projected timetable . ''
The latest positive news comes from biotech company Moderna , which said this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in early stage one trials .
The vaccine was developed at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , which Dr Fauci directs , and is one of more than 100 being tested worldwide .
Dr Fauci said that the work behind the scenes was of more interest to him than the attacks from some politicians , adding : `` I do n't let ( the attacks ) bother me .
`` What we 're doing with vaccines , what we 're doing with therapeutics , what we 're doing with clinical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .

US infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci has described White House efforts to discredit him as "bizarre" and a "major mistake".
His words came after the Trump administration published a list of statements Dr Fauci made in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic - statements which later turned out to be wrong as experts learned more about the disease.
Dr Fauci told The Atlantic magazine: "You know, it is a bit bizarre. I don't really fully understand it.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:47 The US could soon see 100,000 new cases of coronavirus every day
"I think if you talk to reasonable people in the White House they realise that was a major mistake on their part because it doesn't do anything but reflect poorly on them, and I don't think that was their intention.
"I cannot figure out in my wildest dreams why they would want to do that."
US President Donald Trump said this week that he values Dr Fauci's contribution but does not always agree with him.
Coronavirus has infected more than three million people in the US, killing more than 136,000.
Mr Trump has turned the blame on health institutions and experts, among others, frustrated by their advice as it often threatens his focus on reopening the economy.
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The doctor also said on Wednesday that he was confident the US could produce an effective coronavirus vaccine by the end of the year.
He told Reuters that while there are no guarantees: "I feel good about the projected timetable."
The latest positive news comes from biotech company Moderna, which said this week that its vaccine had shown promising results in early stage one trials.
The vaccine was developed at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which Dr Fauci directs, and is one of more than 100 being tested worldwide.
Dr Fauci said that the work behind the scenes was of more interest to him than the attacks from some politicians, adding: "I don't let (the attacks) bother me.
"What we're doing with vaccines, what we're doing with therapeutics, what we're doing with clinical trials is the real substance," he said.


skynewsus--2020-07-16--Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry's dog Mighty is missing

Film star Orlando Bloom has pleaded for help to find his and fiancee Katy Perry 's dog Mighty , who has gone missing .
Mighty disappeared near the couple 's home in Montecito , California .
The poodle is chipped and his collar has a number to call if he is found .
Bloom , 43 , is offering a reward for the dog 's safe return but the Lord of The Rings star asked fans only to send `` real info '' .
He wrote on Instagram to his 4.1 million followers : `` MIGHTY IS MISSING in Montecito @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his collar has a number to call - if you take him to your local vet or shelter or police station he can be traced back to me for a reward .
`` Please only send REAL INFO - my heart is already broken so please do n't add insult to injury . ''
There were best wishes from at least one of the couple 's famous friends .
Danish supermodel Helena Christensen commented on Bloom 's Instagram post : `` I ca n't imagine the pain you 're going through .
Mighty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker British star Bloom and Perry , 35 , who are expecting their first child together , also own another poodle called Nugget .
Nugget and Mighty often appear on the stars ' social media accounts .

Film star Orlando Bloom has pleaded for help to find his and fiancee Katy Perry's dog Mighty, who has gone missing.
Mighty disappeared near the couple's home in Montecito, California.
The poodle is chipped and his collar has a number to call if he is found.
Bloom, 43, is offering a reward for the dog's safe return but the Lord of The Rings star asked fans only to send "real info".
He wrote on Instagram to his 4.1 million followers: "MIGHTY IS MISSING in Montecito California.
"He is chipped and his collar has a number to call - if you take him to your local vet or shelter or police station he can be traced back to me for a reward.
"Please only send REAL INFO - my heart is already broken so please don't add insult to injury."
Image: Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom have two dogs: Mighty and Nugget
There were best wishes from at least one of the couple's famous friends.
Danish supermodel Helena Christensen commented on Bloom's Instagram post: "I can't imagine the pain you're going through. Mighty must and will be found."
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British star Bloom and Perry, 35, who are expecting their first child together, also own another poodle called Nugget.
Nugget and Mighty often appear on the stars' social media accounts.


skynewsus--2020-07-16--Trump press secretary says 'science should not stand in the way' of schools reopening

The White House press secretary has revived Donald Trump 's calls for schools to reopen , saying `` the science should not stand in the way of this '' .
Echoing the president 's push for pupils to return to classrooms , Kayleigh McEnany said `` we do n't think children should be locked up at home , with devastating consequences '' .
`` You know , the president has said unmistakably that he wants schools to open , and I was just in the Oval talking to him about that , and when he says open , he means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attend each and every day at their school .
The science should not stand in the way of this . ''
She claimed `` many medical experts '' had said it was safe for children to attend schools , before later adding : `` The science is on our side here , and we encourage localities and states to just simply follow the science . ''
Ms McEnany also said a study had indicated that the risk to children from COVID-19 was `` far less '' than that from seasonal flu .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ new poll has shown only one in four Americans thinks it is safe for public schools to reopen this autumn as US coronavirus cases climb .
Four in 10 parents said they would probably keep their children at home if classes resume , the Reuters/Ipsos survey indicates .
The July 14-15 national online poll was conducted as the US 's 13,000 school districts grappled with how to safely resume instruction after closing in the spring as infections spread .
Only 26 % of American adults said they thought it was safe for schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while 55 % felt they were not safe , and 19 % were not sure .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker New coronavirus infections are now climbing in 40 states , while 22 states have either paused or reversed efforts to reopen their economies , according to Bank of America .
Florida reported a single-day record of 156 deaths , along with nearly 14,000 new cases , reflecting a broader trend this week that has seen the national death rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new deaths has risen to 730 , up more than 21 % from a week ago .

The White House press secretary has revived Donald Trump's calls for schools to reopen, saying "the science should not stand in the way of this".
Echoing the president's push for pupils to return to classrooms, Kayleigh McEnany said "we don't think children should be locked up at home, with devastating consequences".
"You know, the president has said unmistakably that he wants schools to open," said Ms McEnany.
"And I was just in the Oval talking to him about that, and when he says open, he means open in full - kids being able to attend each and every day at their school. The science should not stand in the way of this."
Image: Donald Trump has been eager to get pupils back into the classroom
She claimed "many medical experts" had said it was safe for children to attend schools, before later adding: "The science is on our side here, and we encourage localities and states to just simply follow the science."
Ms McEnany also said a study had indicated that the risk to children from COVID-19 was "far less" than that from seasonal flu.
Despite Donald Trump's urgings, a new poll has shown only one in four Americans thinks it is safe for public schools to reopen this autumn as US coronavirus cases climb.
Four in 10 parents said they would probably keep their children at home if classes resume, the Reuters/Ipsos survey indicates.
The July 14-15 national online poll was conducted as the US's 13,000 school districts grappled with how to safely resume instruction after closing in the spring as infections spread.
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Only 26% of American adults said they thought it was safe for schools in their community to bring students back, while 55% felt they were not safe, and 19% were not sure.
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New coronavirus infections are now climbing in 40 states, while 22 states have either paused or reversed efforts to reopen their economies, according to Bank of America.
Florida reported a single-day record of 156 deaths, along with nearly 14,000 new cases, reflecting a broader trend this week that has seen the national death rate spike.
The seven-day rolling average for new deaths has risen to 730, up more than 21% from a week ago.


skynewsus--2020-07-17--The Good Doctor or Doctor Doom? Anthony Fauci is not an easy enemy for Trump to have

Dr Anthony Fauci is the talk of the town in Washington DC - there 's almost a folk-like nostalgia that surrounds him .
I was in the park the other day when a couple introduced their dog to me and my son .
`` Fauci , '' they replied , with wide smiles and even wider eyes .
He is viewed with enormous affection by his supporters , cast as a heroic voice of reason in the face on unreasonable pressure .
He 's become a figurehead to those Americans desperate for facts and concerned about science being overlooked for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a price in this city .
The doctor leading the US 's COVID-19 response has reportedly been held back from network TV interviews for fear he might be too out of step with the man who is meant to be running the show at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue .
The small , sprightly looking scientist took to print instead this week becoming a cover star for InStyle fashion magazine .
He was photographed wearing sunglasses by the pool , and a title that read `` The Good Doctor '' .
It was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 79-year old immunologist .
He 'd gone from reliable uncle to pin-up .
Next up in his messaging voyage was a Facebook Live with Mark Zuckerberg .
The tech boss clearly wanted to show he is dedicated to stopping the spread of misinformation on COVID-19 by getting some hard facts and data .
He tried to achieve that by playing the role of slightly awkward reporter .
But he did get Dr Fauci to concede he had changed the way he thinks about stuff .
`` You have to be humble , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evolution has been around masks .
He recently said he has `` no regrets '' for not forcefully pushing people to wear them at the beginning of the crisis .
But he 's clearly determined to make up for lost ground , emphatically promoting them at every turn now - convinced masks and social distancing will be critical to the US 's recovery .
This week , though , there appeared to be a concerted effort to undermine him .
In a blistering op-ed Peter Navarro , White House trade adviser , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about everything I 've interacted with him on . ''
His perceived mistakes were being circulated .
And yet soon after that devastating analysis of a man who has been at the coal face of the crisis for months , he seemed fully in favour at the White House .
In his InStyle interview , Dr Fauci said he was an `` apolitical person '' and that the tension with President Trump is `` stressful '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had `` made mistakes '' , though he 's been playing down things ever since .
The fact is , he 's not an easy enemy for the president or the public .
And with the pandemic still out of control in this country , there 's not a whole lot of space to start making big changes .
Dr Fauci is far from perfect .
Like everyone in this pandemic , his actions will be pored over for years to come .
But he should get kudos for his staying power - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times bizarre response to COVID-19 .
He has been called Dr Doom by some of the right .
His truth-telling may have got him taken off the TV , but it seems he 's considered too valuable to get rid of - however uncomfortable he makes others feel .

Dr Anthony Fauci is the talk of the town in Washington DC - there's almost a folk-like nostalgia that surrounds him.
I was in the park the other day when a couple introduced their dog to me and my son.
"What's his name?" I asked.
Image: Dr Fauci says tension with the president is stressful
"Fauci," they replied, with wide smiles and even wider eyes.
He is viewed with enormous affection by his supporters, cast as a heroic voice of reason in the face of unreasonable pressure.
He's become a figurehead to those Americans desperate for facts and concerned about science being overlooked for political expedience.
But speaking out comes at a price in this city.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:43 'US could reach 100,000 cases per day' - Fauci
The doctor leading the US's COVID-19 response has reportedly been held back from network TV interviews for fear he might be too out of step with the man who is meant to be running the show at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
The small, sprightly looking scientist took to print instead this week becoming a cover star for InStyle fashion magazine.
Advertisement
He was photographed wearing sunglasses by the pool, and a title that read "The Good Doctor".
It was a symbolic, slightly amusing ascent for the 79-year old immunologist. He'd gone from reliable uncle to pin-up.
Next up in his messaging voyage was a Facebook Live with Mark Zuckerberg.
The tech boss clearly wanted to show he is dedicated to stopping the spread of misinformation on COVID-19 by getting some hard facts and data.
He tried to achieve that by playing the role of slightly awkward reporter.
But he did get Dr Fauci to concede he had changed the way he thinks about stuff.
"You have to be humble," the immunologist said.
Image: Dr Fauci is encouraging people to wear masks
Part of his evolution has been around masks.
He recently said he has "no regrets" for not forcefully pushing people to wear them at the beginning of the crisis.
But he's clearly determined to make up for lost ground, emphatically promoting them at every turn now - convinced masks and social distancing will be critical to the US's recovery.
This week, though, there appeared to be a concerted effort to undermine him.
In a blistering op-ed Peter Navarro, White House trade adviser, said: "Anthony Fauci has been wrong about everything I've interacted with him on."
His perceived mistakes were being circulated.
And yet soon after that devastating analysis of a man who has been at the coalface of the crisis for months, he seemed fully in favour at the White House.
In his InStyle interview, Dr Fauci said he was an "apolitical person" and that the tension with President Trump is "stressful".
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:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
Mr Trump recently claimed the scientist had "made mistakes", though he's been playing down things ever since.
The fact is, he's not an easy enemy for the president or the public.
And with the pandemic still out of control in this country, there's not a whole lot of space to start making big changes.
Dr Fauci is far from perfect. Like everyone in this pandemic, his actions will be pored over for years to come.
But he should get kudos for his staying power - diplomatically navigating an often chaotic and at times bizarre response to COVID-19.
He has been called Dr Doom by some of the right.
His truth-telling may have got him taken off the TV, but it seems he's considered too valuable to get rid of - however uncomfortable he makes others feel.


skynewsus--2020-07-16--Biden widens polling lead as voters lose faith in Trump's handling of economy

Donald Trump 's hopes of being re-elected in November appear to have been dealt a major blow after his Democrat challenger Joe Biden opened up a 15 % lead in a new national opinion poll .
To make matters worse for the US president , the data suggests voters are losing faith in his handling of the economy , which Mr Trump has long seen as his key to winning a second term .
More than half ( 52 % ) of the 1,273 voters surveyed by Quinnipiac University between 9 July and 13 July said they would support Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 37 % saying they would back Mr Trump .
The university 's poll last month had the split at a slightly narrower 49 % to 41 % in Mr Biden 's favour .
On the day the president replaced his campaign manager , it emerged the US public seem to be questioning whether he is the best candidate to manage the economy .
Again , more than half ( 53 % ) of those surveyed by Quinnipiac University said they disapproved of his performance on that front - compared to 44 % who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his efforts were supported by 52 % against 45 % .
But there was better news for Mr Trump regarding his handling of the economy in another poll released on Thursday .
An NBC/Wall Street Journal ( WSJ ) survey found that 54 % of registered voters still approved of his work on the economy against 42 % who disapprove .
It was all grim reading for Mr Trump in the Quinnipiac poll , however , which also found 60 % of voters are unhappy with the overall job the president is doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Participants in the Quinnipiac poll said Mr Biden would do a better job on handling the ongoing coronavirus pandemic , health care and racial inequality .
The former vice president also leads his Republican opponent in voters ' eyes on honesty , leadership skills and caring about average Americans .
And in another bad sign for the president , the NBC/WSJ poll also found 57 % of voters would rather vote for a candidate who is more focused on controlling the spread of COVID-19 , while only 25 % would back someone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his poll numbers have dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic , Mr Trump has been urging businesses to reopen to get the economy firing again before November 's ballot .
But many state governors have been more cautious and some states , having reopened , have locked down again after experiencing a surge in cases .
More than 137,000 Americans have died after testing positive for COVID-19 and the US comfortably leads the world in confirmed cases with more than 3.5 million , according to figures being tracked by Johns Hopkins University .

Donald Trump's hopes of being re-elected in November appear to have been dealt a major blow after his Democrat challenger Joe Biden opened up a 15% lead in a new national opinion poll.
To make matters worse for the US president, the data suggests voters are losing faith in his handling of the economy, which Mr Trump has long seen as his key to winning a second term.
More than half (52%) of the 1,273 voters surveyed by Quinnipiac University between 9 July and 13 July said they would support Mr Biden in the presidential election, with 37% saying they would back Mr Trump.
The university's poll last month had the split at a slightly narrower 49% to 41% in Mr Biden's favour.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:32 How to win a US election
On the day the president replaced his campaign manager, it emerged the US public seem to be questioning whether he is the best candidate to manage the economy.
Again, more than half (53%) of those surveyed by Quinnipiac University said they disapproved of his performance on that front - compared to 44% who backed him.
The month before, his efforts were supported by 52% against 45%.
But there was better news for Mr Trump regarding his handling of the economy in another poll released on Thursday.
An NBC/Wall Street Journal (WSJ) survey found that 54% of registered voters still approved of his work on the economy against 42% who disapprove.
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It was all grim reading for Mr Trump in the Quinnipiac poll, however, which also found 60% of voters are unhappy with the overall job the president is doing, against 35% who approve.
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Participants in the Quinnipiac poll said Mr Biden would do a better job on handling the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, health care and racial inequality.
The former vice president also leads his Republican opponent in voters' eyes on honesty, leadership skills and caring about average Americans.
And in another bad sign for the president, the NBC/WSJ poll also found 57% of voters would rather vote for a candidate who is more focused on controlling the spread of COVID-19, while only 25% would back someone who will focus on reopening businesses.
Image: Voters are said to be losing faith in Mr Trump's handling of the economy and are more keen on Mr Biden (below)
As his poll numbers have dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Trump has been urging businesses to reopen to get the economy firing again before November's ballot.
But many state governors have been more cautious and some states, having reopened, have locked down again after experiencing a surge in cases.
More than 137,000 Americans have died after testing positive for COVID-19 and the US comfortably leads the world in confirmed cases with more than 3.5 million, according to figures being tracked by Johns Hopkins University.


skynewsus--2020-07-16--This is what Winona Ryder and Vanessa Paradis wrote in statements for Johnny Depp libel trial


skynewsus--2020-07-17--Jim Carrey reveals what he did when he thought he had 10 minutes to live

Jim Carrey has revealed what went through his mind when he thought he had only 10 minutes to live after a missile alert was mistakenly broadcast in Hawaii .
The actor said he spent what he believed were his last moments staring into the Pacific Ocean when the warning of an imminent ballistic missile was broadcast to the island in 2018 .
Carrey revealed he had initially tried to flee , before realising it would not be possible .
He said he had thought to himself : `` I do n't want to die in my car '' .
Speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he recalled : `` At that point , I started going , 'OK , what can I do with this last moment of time ' .
`` I just decided to go through a list of gratitudes and honest to God I just could not stop thinking of wonderful things that have happened to me and blessings I 've had . ''
He added : `` It was lovely .
And I got to a point of grace at about two minutes to spare when I found out it was n't actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do was closing my eyes and be thankful because it 's been a good ride . ''
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Asked how he reacted to the news that the alert was a mistake , Carrey said : `` I got p***** off and heads rolled . ''
The alert was sent on 13 January 2018 and told residents to take shelter from an incoming missile .
The message warned : `` This is not a drill . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ miscommunication during an exercise at the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency .
An employee was fired after the incident .
Carrey appeared on Fallon 's The Tonight Show show to promote his book Memoirs and Misinformation , which features a picture of his panic-stricken face on the cover .
`` The cover is actually my face after being told I have 10 minutes to live , '' the 58-year-old said .
`` It was completely real to us . ''

Jim Carrey has revealed what went through his mind when he thought he had only 10 minutes to live after a missile alert was mistakenly broadcast in Hawaii.
The actor said he spent what he believed were his last moments staring into the Pacific Ocean when the warning of an imminent ballistic missile was broadcast to the island in 2018.
Carrey revealed he had initially tried to flee, before realising it would not be possible.
Image: An alert sent to the US state had warned: 'This is not a drill'
He said he had thought to himself: "I don't want to die in my car".
Speaking to US talk show host Jimmy Fallon, he recalled: "At that point, I started going, 'OK, what can I do with this last moment of time'.
"I just decided to go through a list of gratitudes and honest to God I just could not stop thinking of wonderful things that have happened to me and blessings I've had."
He added: "It was lovely. And I got to a point of grace at about two minutes to spare when I found out it wasn't actually happening.
"All I was planning to do was closing my eyes and be thankful because it's been a good ride."
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Asked how he reacted to the news that the alert was a mistake, Carrey said: "I got p***** off and heads rolled."
The alert was sent on 13 January 2018 and told residents to take shelter from an incoming missile. The message warned: "This is not a drill."
Authorities later said there had been a miscommunication during an exercise at the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.
An employee was fired after the incident.
Carrey appeared on Fallon's The Tonight Show show to promote his book Memoirs and Misinformation, which features a picture of his panic-stricken face on the cover.
"The cover is actually my face after being told I have 10 minutes to live," the 58-year-old said.
"It was completely real to us."


skynewsus--2020-07-17--US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has cancer again

US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is receiving chemotherapy for a recurrence of cancer , but says she has no intention of retiring .
Ms Ginsburg , who at 87 is the court 's oldest member , said a scan in February , followed by a biopsy , revealed lesions on her liver .
The information she revealed about her condition indicated she was experiencing a spread of pancreatic cancer , according to oncologists .
The liberal 's health is closely watched as a Supreme Court vacancy could give Republican President Donald Trump the opportunity to appoint his third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right .
Ms Ginsburg said she began her treatment in May and is currently seeing `` positive results '' , adding that she will continue it twice a week .
She said : `` I am tolerating chemotherapy well and am encouraged by the success of my current treatment . ''
`` I have often said I would remain a member of the court as long as I can do the job full steam .
I remain fully able to do that , '' she continued .
She experienced bouts with lung @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , for which she also received treatment in 2009 - and suffered with colon cancer 10 years before that .
In May , Ms Ginsburg also underwent non-surgical treatment for a gallstone that had caused an infection .
The Supreme Court currently has a 5-4 conservative majority including two justices appointed by Mr Trump - Brett Kavanaugh in 2018 and Neil Gorsuch in 2017. : : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Ms Ginsburg is the second-longest serving among the current justices , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a lifetime post on the court by President Bill Clinton in 1993 .
Described as a trail-blazing lawyer , she was the second woman ever named to the court , after Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was appointed 12 years earlier .
Ms Ginsburg won gender equality cases at the Supreme Court in the 1970s , and as a justice , she has provided key votes in landmark rulings , securing equal rights for women , expanding gay rights and safeguarding abortion rights .

US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is receiving chemotherapy for a recurrence of cancer, but says she has no intention of retiring.
Ms Ginsburg, who at 87 is the court's oldest member, said a scan in February, followed by a biopsy, revealed lesions on her liver.
The information she revealed about her condition indicated she was experiencing a spread of pancreatic cancer, according to oncologists.
The liberal's health is closely watched as a Supreme Court vacancy could give Republican President Donald Trump the opportunity to appoint his third justice and move the panel further to the right.
Image: Ms Ginsburg has had cancer several times
Ms Ginsburg said she began her treatment in May and is currently seeing "positive results", adding that she will continue it twice a week.
She said: "I am tolerating chemotherapy well and am encouraged by the success of my current treatment."
"I have often said I would remain a member of the court as long as I can do the job full steam. I remain fully able to do that," she continued.
She experienced bouts with lung cancer in 2018 and pancreatic cancer in 2019, for which she also received treatment in 2009 - and suffered with colon cancer 10 years before that.
In May, Ms Ginsburg also underwent non-surgical treatment for a gallstone that had caused an infection.
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The Supreme Court currently has a 5-4 conservative majority including two justices appointed by Mr Trump - Brett Kavanaugh in 2018 and Neil Gorsuch in 2017.
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Ms Ginsburg is the second-longest serving among the current justices, behind Clarence Thomas, having been appointed to a lifetime post on the court by President Bill Clinton in 1993.
Described as a trail-blazing lawyer, she was the second woman ever named to the court, after Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was appointed 12 years earlier.
Ms Ginsburg won gender equality cases at the Supreme Court in the 1970s, and as a justice, she has provided key votes in landmark rulings, securing equal rights for women, expanding gay rights and safeguarding abortion rights.


skynewsus--2020-07-17--Three white men deny murder over fatal shooting of unarmed black jogger

Three white men have pleaded not guilty to murder charges over the fatal shooting of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia .
Mr Arbery , 25 , was unarmed when he was shot dead while jogging in the coastal town of Brunswick on 23 February .
His death sparked a national outcry after phone footage of the incident went viral , and became a touchstone for many who joined widespread Black Lives Matter protests following the police killing of George Floyd in May .
Former police officer Gregory McMichael , 64 , and his son Travis , 34 , denied killing him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court on Friday .
Their neighbour , William `` Roddie '' Bryan Jr , 50 , who is said to have filmed the video , has also denied murder and a separate charge of attempting to illegally detain and confine .
Police say the older McMichael had seen Mr Arbery jogging through his neighbourhood and believed he looked like a burglary suspect .
He is accused of calling his son , with the pair - both armed - then said to have driven after Mr Arbery .
Bryan is accused of joining the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the video , which appeared to show the McMichaels confronting Mr Arbery before he was fired upon with a shotgun .
Judge Timothy Walmsley accepted the not guilty pleas on Friday and waived arraignment at the request of the defendants ' lawyers .
No court date was immediately set , but there were several motions pending for later on Friday on behalf of Bryan , including a request for bond .
`` Keeping him in jail is n't going to accomplish anything , '' Bryan 's attorney , Kevin Gough , told reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of jail is difficult because of the virus , and being in jail is tough with the virus , '' he added .
It is also reported that he plans to ask that the state replace the lead prosecutor .

Three white men have pleaded not guilty to murder charges over the fatal shooting of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia.
Mr Arbery, 25, was unarmed when he was shot dead while jogging in the coastal town of Brunswick on 23 February.
His death sparked a national outcry after phone footage of the incident went viral, and became a touchstone for many who joined widespread Black Lives Matter protests following the police killing of George Floyd in May.
Image: Travis McMichael fired the shots that killed Ahmaud Arbery, police say. Pic: Georgia Bureau of Investigations
Image: Gregory McMichael is a former police officer. Pic: Georgia Bureau of Investigations
Former police officer Gregory McMichael, 64, and his son Travis, 34, denied killing him when they appeared before Chatham County Superior Court on Friday.
Their neighbour, William "Roddie" Bryan Jr, 50, who is said to have filmed the video, has also denied murder and a separate charge of attempting to illegally detain and confine.
Police say the older McMichael had seen Mr Arbery jogging through his neighbourhood and believed he looked like a burglary suspect.
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He is accused of calling his son, with the pair - both armed - then said to have driven after Mr Arbery.
Bryan is accused of joining the chase in his own vehicle and recording the video, which appeared to show the McMichaels confronting Mr Arbery before he was fired upon with a shotgun.
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Judge Timothy Walmsley accepted the not guilty pleas on Friday and waived arraignment at the request of the defendants' lawyers.
Image: Ahmaud Arbery was shot dead on 23 February in Brunswick
No court date was immediately set, but there were several motions pending for later on Friday on behalf of Bryan, including a request for bond.
"Keeping him in jail isn't going to accomplish anything," Bryan's attorney, Kevin Gough, told reporters on Thursday.
"Going in and out of jail is difficult because of the virus, and being in jail is tough with the virus," he added.
It is also reported that he plans to ask that the state replace the lead prosecutor.


skynewsus--2020-07-17--Any UK coronavirus vaccine to be made in Britain 'for fear US will take it'

British scientists developing a vaccine against COVID-19 wo n't make the jab in the United States in case the Trump administration insists it is used to protect America first .
In an exclusive interview with Sky News , Professor Robin Shattock , who has just started clinical trials of a prototype vaccine at Imperial College London , said he had been urged by the government to make the vaccine in the UK .
The White House recently cornered the global supply of the US-made coronavirus treatment Remdesivir , leading to fears that vaccines made on American soil could be prevented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` One of the things that sounds alarm bells is the nationalism of wanting to buy things out .
`` Luckily we are not making our vaccine in the United States .
`` It is a deliberate policy , it is something we were encouraged to do by the UK government , to make sure there is capacity in the UK for manufacturing .
`` It would be naive to think there wo n't be a scramble for the first vaccine shown to work .
But it 's important there is equitable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is one of 23 prototypes now in clinical trials around the world , with a further 140 in early development .
Sky News will track their progress in the coming months as part of a new project called Race for a Vaccine .
`` Definitely there is pressure to deliver , '' said Professor Shattock .
`` We recognise how much we need to prevent fatalities and get the economy up and running again .
[ The pandemic ] has affected everybody 's life . ''
The UK government is confident that Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine trials or even steal the formula .
He said : `` What we are more concerned about , and the world will wake up to very soon , is as soon as one vaccine works there will be the issue of fake vaccine .
`` If people can not access the ( real ) vaccine there will be people who say they have a special deal .
People will seek to profiteer out of selling fake vaccines to vulnerable populations .
`` The best way to solve that problem is the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine as fast as possible at an affordable price . ''
The Imperial vaccine , code-named LNP-nCoVsaRNA , contains a short section of the genetic material RNA from the virus that causes COVID-19 .
The RNA is taken up by muscle cells near the injection site , which then produce large quantities of a viral protein that should stimulate an immune response to protect against the real virus .
Sky News was given access to Professor Shattock 's laboratory to film scientists analysing volunteers ' blood samples for antibodies and T-cells , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system .
There are no safety concerns so far , but the Imperial scientists wo n't reveal whether volunteers make high levels of antibodies that can neutralise the virus .
`` It 's too early to say , '' said Professor Shattock .
`` We 're very resistant to leaking early information .
We 've seen other companies trying to leak information and influence share prices . ''
A small number of healthy volunteers are being given the vaccine as part of a phase 1 safety trial , but the team hopes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks to test whether the vaccine protects against the virus .
It 's likely those trials will take place in South Africa and Brazil , where the COVID-19 epidemic is out of control .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Although Imperial currently trails behind the Jenner Institute in Oxford and the US company Moderna , which have both completed phase 1 studies of their prototype vaccines , the team is confident they can catch up .
The amount of RNA needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a thousandth of a gram - and 10 million doses a week could be made in a small manufacturing facility .
Professor Shattock believes the first COVID-19 vaccines will be available in the first half of next year , but warned it 's unwise to bet on which one of the many candidates will be first .
`` There is always a danger of over-promising , '' he said .
`` It 's better to under-promise and over-deliver .
`` There is no certainty for any individual candidate .
But there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have so many candidates . ''

British scientists developing a vaccine against COVID-19 won't make the jab in the United States in case the Trump administration insists it is used to protect America first.
In an exclusive interview with Sky News, Professor Robin Shattock, who has just started clinical trials of a prototype vaccine at Imperial College London, said he had been urged by the government to make the vaccine in the UK.
The White House recently cornered the global supply of the US-made coronavirus treatment Remdesivir, leading to fears that vaccines made on American soil could be prevented from being exported.
Professor Shattock said: "One of the things that sounds alarm bells is the nationalism of wanting to buy things out.
"Luckily we are not making our vaccine in the United States.
"It is a deliberate policy, it is something we were encouraged to do by the UK government, to make sure there is capacity in the UK for manufacturing.
"It would be naive to think there won't be a scramble for the first vaccine shown to work. But it's important there is equitable access globally."
The Imperial vaccine is one of 23 prototypes now in clinical trials around the world, with a further 140 in early development. Sky News will track their progress in the coming months as part of a new project called Race for a Vaccine.
"Definitely there is pressure to deliver," said Professor Shattock.
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"We recognise how much we need to prevent fatalities and get the economy up and running again. [The pandemic] has affected everybody's life."
The UK government is confident that Russian state-sponsored hackers have attempted to disrupt British vaccine trials or even steal the formula.
But Professor Shattock downplayed the risk.
He said: "What we are more concerned about, and the world will wake up to very soon, is as soon as one vaccine works there will be the issue of fake vaccine.
"If people cannot access the (real) vaccine there will be people who say they have a special deal. People will seek to profiteer out of selling fake vaccines to vulnerable populations.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:09 The science behind face masks
"The best way to solve that problem is the world community coming together and making a real vaccine as fast as possible at an affordable price."
The Imperial vaccine, code-named LNP-nCoVsaRNA, contains a short section of the genetic material RNA from the virus that causes COVID-19.
The RNA is taken up by muscle cells near the injection site, which then produce large quantities of a viral protein that should stimulate an immune response to protect against the real virus.
Sky News was given access to Professor Shattock's laboratory to film scientists analysing volunteers' blood samples for antibodies and T-cells, which are another key part of the immune system.
There are no safety concerns so far, but the Imperial scientists won't reveal whether volunteers make high levels of antibodies that can neutralise the virus.
"It's too early to say," said Professor Shattock.
"We're very resistant to leaking early information. We've seen other companies trying to leak information and influence share prices."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:30 PM taking SAGE lockdown advice 'very seriously'
A small number of healthy volunteers are being given the vaccine as part of a phase 1 safety trial, but the team hopes to quickly progress to much larger studies within weeks to test whether the vaccine protects against the virus.
It's likely those trials will take place in South Africa and Brazil, where the COVID-19 epidemic is out of control.
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Although Imperial currently trails behind the Jenner Institute in Oxford and the US company Moderna, which have both completed phase 1 studies of their prototype vaccines, the team is confident they can catch up.
The amount of RNA needed in the vaccine is just a thousandth of a thousandth of a gram - and 10 million doses a week could be made in a small manufacturing facility.
Image: Experts at Oxford university are also working on a vaccine against the coronavirus
Professor Shattock believes the first COVID-19 vaccines will be available in the first half of next year, but warned it's unwise to bet on which one of the many candidates will be first.
"There is always a danger of over-promising," he said. "It's better to under-promise and over-deliver.
"There is no certainty for any individual candidate. But there is a high chance of success because globally we have so many candidates."
A government spokesperson said: "The race to discover a coronavirus vaccine is not a competition between countries, but the most urgent shared endeavour of our lifetimes. The UK government is working closely with the US and other countries on our response to COVID."


skynewsus--2020-07-18--'He gave all of himself to the cause of freedom': Civil rights icon dies at 80

US civil rights hero John Lewis , whose beating by Alabama state troopers in 1965 helped galvanise opposition to racial segregation , has died aged 80 .
The veteran Democratic politician announced in December that he had been diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer .
Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi confirmed Mr Lewis 's death on Friday evening , calling him `` one of the greatest heroes of American history '' .
Barack Obama said Mr Lewis `` gave all of himself to the cause of freedom and justice ( and ) inspired generations that followed to try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Lewis was the youngest and last survivor of the Big Six civil rights activists , a group led by Martin Luther King Jr that had the greatest impact on the movement .
He was best known for leading some 600 protesters in the Bloody Sunday march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma , Alabama .
At age 25 Mr Lewis was knocked to the ground and beaten by police .
His skull was fractured and nationally televised images of the brutality forced the country 's attention on racial oppression in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ King led more marches in the state , and President Lyndon Johnson soon was pressing Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act .
The bill became law later that year , removing barriers that had barred black people from voting .
Recounting the Bloody Sunday confrontation , Mr Lewis said : `` Selma is a place where we injected something very meaningful into our democracy .
We opened up the political process and made it possible for hundreds and thousands and millions of people to come in and be participants .
`` Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Since then , America has made a lot of progress .
We are a different society than we were in 1961 .
And in 2008 we showed the world the true promise of America when we elected President Barack Obama . ''
Mr Lewis turned to politics in 1981 , when he was elected to the Atlanta City Council .
He won his seat in Congress in 1986 and spent much of his career in the minority .
After Democrats won control of the House in 2006 , Lewis became his party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership post in which he helped keep the party unified .
Mr Lewis said he had been arrested 40 times in the 1960s , five more as a congressman .
At 78 , he told a rally he would do it again to help reunite immigrant families separated by the Trump government .
`` There can not be any peace in America until these young children are returned to their parents and set all of our people free , '' Mr Lewis said in June , recalling the `` good trouble '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man .
`` If we fail to do it , history will not be kind to us , '' he said .
`` I will go to the border .
I 'll get arrested again .
If necessary , I 'm prepared to go to jail . ''
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker In a speech the day of the House impeachment vote of Mr Trump , Mr Lewis explained the importance of that vote .
`` When you see something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not fair , you have a moral obligation to say something , to do something .
Our children and their children will ask us , 'What did you do ?
What did you say ? '
`` We have a mission and a mandate to be on the right side of history . ''
Mr Lewis 's wife of four decades , Lillian Miles , died in 2012 .
They had one son , John Miles Lewis .

US civil rights hero John Lewis, whose beating by Alabama state troopers in 1965 helped galvanise opposition to racial segregation, has died aged 80.
The veteran Democratic politician announced in December that he had been diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi confirmed Mr Lewis's death on Friday evening, calling him "one of the greatest heroes of American history".
Barack Obama said Mr Lewis "gave all of himself to the cause of freedom and justice (and) inspired generations that followed to try to live up to his example".
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Image: Mr Lewis was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2011
Mr Lewis was the youngest and last survivor of the Big Six civil rights activists, a group led by Martin Luther King Jr that had the greatest impact on the movement.
He was best known for leading some 600 protesters in the Bloody Sunday march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama.
At age 25 Mr Lewis was knocked to the ground and beaten by police. His skull was fractured and nationally televised images of the brutality forced the country's attention on racial oppression in the South.
Within days, Reverend King led more marches in the state, and President Lyndon Johnson soon was pressing Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act.
The bill became law later that year, removing barriers that had barred black people from voting.
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Recounting the Bloody Sunday confrontation, Mr Lewis said: "Selma is a place where we injected something very meaningful into our democracy. We opened up the political process and made it possible for hundreds and thousands and millions of people to come in and be participants.
"Our goal was true freedom for every American. Since then, America has made a lot of progress. We are a different society than we were in 1961. And in 2008 we showed the world the true promise of America when we elected President Barack Obama."
Image: Mr Lewis holds hands with Nancy Pelosi during a sit-in on Capitol Hill over gun-control law
Mr Lewis turned to politics in 1981, when he was elected to the Atlanta City Council.
He won his seat in Congress in 1986 and spent much of his career in the minority.
After Democrats won control of the House in 2006, Lewis became his party's senior deputy whip, a behind-the-scenes leadership post in which he helped keep the party unified.
Mr Lewis said he had been arrested 40 times in the 1960s, five more as a congressman.
At 78, he told a rally he would do it again to help reunite immigrant families separated by the Trump government.
"There cannot be any peace in America until these young children are returned to their parents and set all of our people free," Mr Lewis said in June, recalling the "good trouble" he got into protesting segregation as a young man.
"If we fail to do it, history will not be kind to us," he said. "I will go to the border. I'll get arrested again. If necessary, I'm prepared to go to jail."
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:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
In a speech the day of the House impeachment vote of Mr Trump, Mr Lewis explained the importance of that vote.
"When you see something that is not right, not just, not fair, you have a moral obligation to say something, to do something. Our children and their children will ask us, 'What did you do? What did you say?'
"We have a mission and a mandate to be on the right side of history."
Mr Lewis's wife of four decades, Lillian Miles, died in 2012. They had one son, John Miles Lewis.


skynewsus--2020-07-18--'I don't believe in that': Trump says he will not order Americans to wear masks

Donald Trump has said he will not consider a national mandate requiring people to wear masks to combat the spread of coronavirus .
Asked in an interview on Fox News to be broadcast on Sunday if he would consider the move , the US president said : `` No , I want people to have a certain freedom , and I do n't believe in that . ''
It comes nearly a week after Mr Trump was seen wearing a mask at a military hospital in Washington after previously appearing reluctant to endorse their use .
Public health experts pleaded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noses as Americans remained divided over mask mandates on Friday .
States and localities have been choosing conflicting strategies in the face of surging coronavirus cases .
Top infectious disease doctor Anthony Fauci said he `` would urge the leaders - the local political leaders in states and cities and towns - to be as forceful as possible in getting your citizenry to wear masks '' .
Governor Brian Kemp in the state of Georgia sued Atlanta 's mayor to prevent her from mandating masks .
Mr Kemp , a Republican and Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks for at least four weeks but said mandates were unenforceable and suggested they would hobble the economy .
Atlanta 's Democratic Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms , who has tested positive for the coronavirus , told CNN on Friday : `` Brian Kemp does the bidding of President Trump .
`` Over 130,000 people in our state have tested positive for COVID-19 ... and this governor is taking taxpayer money to sue me personally . ''
Louis Charles , 68 , of Atlanta , sided with the mayor on Friday as he wore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through his mail outside a post office .
`` The mayor is trying to help people .
This is a pandemic .
How much worse does he want it ? ''
Oklahoma City 's council voted in favour of an indoor mask requirement in the absence of a statewide face-covering mandate .
Republican Mayor David Holt said : `` This ordinance is our best chance right now to protect our healthcare system from collapse . ''
Mask defiance has touched a nerve among medical professionals in the US .
: : Listen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker More than 1,200 of them , including 161 nurses , have died from the coronavirus in the US , according to the National Nurses United union .
Sharon Taylor , 48 , a cardiothoracic nurse in Atlanta , said : `` Everybody saying that ( wearing a mask ) is a violation of their freedom - no , it 's not because a seatbelt is mandated and that 's to save your life . ''
The US has been averaging about 60,000 coronavirus cases a day in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday , based on a Reuters analysis of cases over the past two weeks compared with the prior two weeks .
Deaths rose in 19 states , according to the analysis .
Texas and Arkansas reported a record number of deaths on Friday as Kansas , Ohio , North Dakota and Puerto Rico reported record case numbers .

Donald Trump has said he will not consider a national mandate requiring people to wear masks to combat the spread of coronavirus.
Asked in an interview on Fox News to be broadcast on Sunday if he would consider the move, the US president said: "No, I want people to have a certain freedom, and I don't believe in that."
It comes nearly a week after Mr Trump was seen wearing a mask at a military hospital in Washington after previously appearing reluctant to endorse their use.
Public health experts pleaded with people to cover their mouths and noses as Americans remained divided over mask mandates on Friday.
States and localities have been choosing conflicting strategies in the face of surging coronavirus cases.
Top infectious disease doctor Anthony Fauci said he "would urge the leaders - the local political leaders in states and cities and towns - to be as forceful as possible in getting your citizenry to wear masks".
Governor Brian Kemp in the state of Georgia sued Atlanta's mayor to prevent her from mandating masks.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:42 Trump wears mask in public for first time
Mr Kemp, a Republican and Trump supporter, urged all Georgians to wear masks for at least four weeks but said mandates were unenforceable and suggested they would hobble the economy.
Atlanta's Democratic Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who has tested positive for the coronavirus, told CNN on Friday: "Brian Kemp does the bidding of President Trump.
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"Over 130,000 people in our state have tested positive for COVID-19... and this governor is taking taxpayer money to sue me personally."
Louis Charles, 68, of Atlanta, sided with the mayor on Friday as he wore a mask, all alone, sorting through his mail outside a post office.
Mr Charles said: "It's wrong.
"The mayor is trying to help people. This is a pandemic. How much worse does he want it?"
Oklahoma City's council voted in favour of an indoor mask requirement in the absence of a statewide face-covering mandate.
Republican Mayor David Holt said: "This ordinance is our best chance right now to protect our healthcare system from collapse."
Mask defiance has touched a nerve among medical professionals in the US.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:43 'US could reach 100,000 cases per day' - Fauci
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
More than 1,200 of them, including 161 nurses, have died from the coronavirus in the US, according to the National Nurses United union.
Sharon Taylor, 48, a cardiothoracic nurse in Atlanta, said: "Everybody saying that (wearing a mask) is a violation of their freedom - no, it's not because a seatbelt is mandated and that's to save your life."
The US has been averaging about 60,000 coronavirus cases a day in July with cases rising in 41 states on Friday, based on a Reuters analysis of cases over the past two weeks compared with the prior two weeks.
Deaths rose in 19 states, according to the analysis.
Texas and Arkansas reported a record number of deaths on Friday as Kansas, Ohio, North Dakota and Puerto Rico reported record case numbers.


skynewsus--2020-07-18--Kanye asks fans to sign petition to get him on presidential ballot

Kanye West is asking fans to sign a petition calling for him to be added to the presidential ballot in South Carolina .
It follows his announcement earlier this month that he intends to run for the White House under the banner of The Birthday Party - `` because when we win , it 's everybody 's birthday '' .
He qualified to appear on the ballot in Oklahoma earlier this week , but appears to have missed the cut-off in South Carolina .
Both states had a deadline of Wednesday , according to the Federal Election Commission ( FEC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's account said : `` If you 're a voter in South Carolina , please sign this petition to place me on the ballot .
Sponsored by Ye 2020 . ''
The petition is being funded by the Kanye 2020 political committee , which filed paperwork with the FEC this week .
It is not clear how serious the 43-year-old star - who is said to have a net worth of $ 1.3bn - is about his political ambitions .
When he announced his intentions on 5 July , he said he wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by trusting God '' , winning the backing of Tesla chief executive Elon Musk .
In the past , however , he has shown support for Donald Trump , visiting the president in the Oval Office .
New York Magazine 's Intelligencer has suggested he will not try to replace Mr Trump , reporting that West adviser Steve Kramer said `` he 's out '' .
The Kanye 2020 committee has filed a statement organisation form , also known as the FEC Form 1 .
The FEC said the next step would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FEC Form 2 .
That is done when an individual has raised or spent more than $ 5,000 dollars ( £3,900 ) , triggering candidacy status .
As of Friday , there was no record of a Kanye 2020 FEC Form 2 online .

Kanye West is asking fans to sign a petition calling for him to be added to the presidential ballot in South Carolina.
It follows his announcement earlier this month that he intends to run for the White House under the banner of The Birthday Party - "because when we win, it's everybody's birthday".
He qualified to appear on the ballot in Oklahoma earlier this week, but appears to have missed the cut-off in South Carolina.
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Both states had a deadline of Wednesday, according to the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
A tweet sent from West's account said: "If you're a voter in South Carolina, please sign this petition to place me on the ballot. Sponsored by Ye 2020."
The petition is being funded by the Kanye 2020 political committee, which filed paperwork with the FEC this week.
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
It is not clear how serious the 43-year-old star - who is said to have a net worth of $1.3bn - is about his political ambitions.
When he announced his intentions on 5 July, he said he wanted to "realise the promise of America by trusting God", winning the backing of Tesla chief executive Elon Musk.
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In the past, however, he has shown support for Donald Trump, visiting the president in the Oval Office.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:25 Trump and Kanye's extraordinary bromance
New York Magazine's Intelligencer has suggested he will not try to replace Mr Trump, reporting that West adviser Steve Kramer said "he's out".
The Kanye 2020 committee has filed a statement organisation form, also known as the FEC Form 1.
The FEC said the next step would be filing a statement of candidacy, or the FEC Form 2.
That is done when an individual has raised or spent more than $5,000 dollars (£3,900), triggering candidacy status.
As of Friday, there was no record of a Kanye 2020 FEC Form 2 online.