skynewsus--2020-09-06--Rihanna injured in electric scooter accident

Rihanna has suffered facial injuries after `` flipping over '' on an electric scooter , according to reports in the US .
It comes after photos emerged of the star with what appeared to be bruising on her face as she sat in a car outside a restaurant in Los Angeles on Friday .
Entertainment websites People and TMZ reported that Rihanna was involved in an accident on an electric scooter .
In a statement to People , the singer 's representative said she was `` healing quickly '' .
`` Rihanna is completely fine now but flipped over on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her forehead and face , '' the star 's representative was quoted as saying .
`` Luckily there were no major injuries and she is healing quickly . ''
TMZ said it had been told the injuries looked worse than they were .
Best known for hits including Umbrella , Work , SOS , Only Girl In The World and Rude Boy , Rihanna is one of the biggest pop stars in the world and has also found success with her cosmetics and fashion brand Fenty .
Earlier this year , she made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ List countdown of the UK 's wealthiest musicians , entering at number three now she is based in London - only behind Andrew Lloyd Webber and Paul McCartney , and ahead of the likes of Elton John and Mick Jagger .
: : Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Her accident comes after Simon Cowell broke his back while testing an electric bicycle at his home in California in August .
The music mogul , 60 , thanked medics after having surgery involving a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a metal rod .
He has been replaced by Kelly Clarkson on the judging panel for America 's Got Talent , and UK TV viewers on Saturday night saw Amanda Holden filling in as head judge on Britain 's Got Talent in his absence .

Rihanna has suffered facial injuries after "flipping over" on an electric scooter, according to reports in the US.
It comes after photos emerged of the star with what appeared to be bruising on her face as she sat in a car outside a restaurant in Los Angeles on Friday.
Image: Simon Cowell broke his back in an accident on an electric bike last month
Entertainment websites People and TMZ reported that Rihanna was involved in an accident on an electric scooter.
In a statement to People, the singer's representative said she was "healing quickly".
"Rihanna is completely fine now but flipped over on an electric scooter last week and bruised her forehead and face," the star's representative was quoted as saying.
"Luckily there were no major injuries and she is healing quickly."
TMZ said it had been told the injuries looked worse than they were.
Best known for hits including Umbrella, Work, SOS, Only Girl In The World and Rude Boy, Rihanna is one of the biggest pop stars in the world and has also found success with her cosmetics and fashion brand Fenty.
Earlier this year, she made it into the annual Sunday Times Rich List countdown of the UK's wealthiest musicians, entering at number three now she is based in London - only behind Andrew Lloyd Webber and Paul McCartney, and ahead of the likes of Elton John and Mick Jagger.
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Her accident comes after Simon Cowell broke his back while testing an electric bicycle at his home in California in August.
The music mogul, 60, thanked medics after having surgery involving a number of procedures, including the insertion of a metal rod.
He has been replaced by Kelly Clarkson on the judging panel for America's Got Talent, and UK TV viewers on Saturday night saw Amanda Holden filling in as head judge on Britain's Got Talent in his absence.


skynewsus--2020-09-06--Djokovic 'so sorry' after being disqualified from US Open for hitting line judge with ball

Tennis star Novak Djokovic has apologised after he accidentally hit a line judge with a ball - causing him to be disqualified from the US Open .
The world number one and top seed had been bidding for his 18th Grand Slam win but his title hopes were dashed after he was defaulted from the fourth-round match against Pablo Carreno Busta .
Djokovic smacked a ball behind him in annoyance as he walked to the sideline after losing a game in the first set .
The ball hit a female line judge , who dropped to her knees at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her neck .
There were several minutes of discussion with officials on court - with Djokovic arguing his case - before it was announced he was out of the competition .
After the decision was made , the Serbian player collected his rackets and walked off court .
The star did not attend the post-match press conference , but in a post on his Instagram following the incident he said he was `` so sorry '' .
`` This whole situation has left me really sad and empty , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the tournament told me that thank God she is feeling ok. '' I 'm extremely sorry to have caused her such stress .
So unintended .
So wrong . ''
The player said he would turn the incident into a `` lesson '' for his `` growth and evolution as a player and human being '' .
`` I apologize to the @ usopen tournament and everyone associated for my behavior , '' he said .
It appeared Djokovic had not meant to hit the line judge and he quickly rushed over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been disqualified in the past over similar incidents .
The tournament 's organisers have said Djokovic hit the ball `` dangerously or recklessly '' with `` negligent disregard of the consequences '' .
In a statement , US Open officials said he will lose all ranking points earned and will also be fined the prize money he has won .
Djokovic will face another fine for not doing the press conference , after he was seen getting into a car and leaving the site .
He was the overwhelming favourite to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ match all season .
His shock departure means there is no man remaining in the tournament who has previously won a Grand Slam singles title .
Second seed Dominic Thiem , who has reached Grand Slam finals three times without a win , is now the highest-ranked player remaining .
Tim Henman , who was disqualified from Wimbledon 25 years ago for accidentally hitting a ball girl with a ball during a doubles match , said there was `` no doubt that it 's the right decision '' .
Speaking on Amazon Prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amazing for me to talk about this because it happened to me at Wimbledon in 1995 .
It was that moment of frustration , hit the ball away when I was n't looking and I hit a ball girl in the ear . ''
Djokovic has already courted controversy this year , after he revealed he was an anti-vaxxer and organised a controversial tennis tournament where players were seen not social distancing and dancing in nightclubs .
The world number one and several other players who took part in the tournament later tested @ @ @ @

Tennis star Novak Djokovic has apologised after he accidentally hit a line judge with a ball - causing him to be disqualified from the US Open.
The world number one and top seed had been bidding for his 18th Grand Slam win but his title hopes were dashed after he was defaulted from the fourth-round match against Pablo Carreno Busta.
Djokovic smacked a ball behind him in annoyance as he walked to the sideline after losing a game in the first set.
Image: The woman was seen clutching her throat
The ball hit a female line judge, who dropped to her knees at the back of the court and reached for her neck.
There were several minutes of discussion with officials on court - with Djokovic arguing his case - before it was announced he was out of the competition.
After the decision was made, the Serbian player collected his rackets and walked off court.
The star did not attend the post-match press conference, but in a post on his Instagram following the incident he said he was "so sorry".
"This whole situation has left me really sad and empty," he said.
"I checked on the lines person and the tournament told me that thank God she is feeling ok.
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"I'm extremely sorry to have caused her such stress. So unintended. So wrong."
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The player said he would turn the incident into a "lesson" for his "growth and evolution as a player and human being".
"I apologize to the @usopen tournament and everyone associated for my behavior," he said.
It appeared Djokovic had not meant to hit the line judge and he quickly rushed over to check on her, but players have been disqualified in the past over similar incidents.
The tournament's organisers have said Djokovic hit the ball "dangerously or recklessly" with "negligent disregard of the consequences".
In a statement, US Open officials said he will lose all ranking points earned and will also be fined the prize money he has won.
Djokovic will face another fine for not doing the press conference, after he was seen getting into a car and leaving the site.
Image: Novak Djokovic walks off court after being disqualified
He was the overwhelming favourite to win the title, having not lost a match all season.
His shock departure means there is no man remaining in the tournament who has previously won a Grand Slam singles title.
Second seed Dominic Thiem, who has reached Grand Slam finals three times without a win, is now the highest-ranked player remaining.
Image: Djokovic and the line judge he accidentally hit with a ball
Tim Henman, who was disqualified from Wimbledon 25 years ago for accidentally hitting a ball girl with a ball during a doubles match, said there was "no doubt that it's the right decision".
Speaking on Amazon Prime, he said: "It's amazing for me to talk about this because it happened to me at Wimbledon in 1995. It was that moment of frustration, hit the ball away when I wasn't looking and I hit a ball girl in the ear."
Djokovic has already courted controversy this year, after he revealed he was an anti-vaxxer and organised a controversial tennis tournament where players were seen not social distancing and dancing in nightclubs.
The world number one and several other players who took part in the tournament later tested positive for coronavirus.


skynewsus--2020-09-06--Amazon bans foreign seed sales in US after thousands receive mystery packages from China

Amazon has banned foreign sales of seeds in the US after mysterious unsolicited packages were sent to thousands of people .
US authorities have warned people not to plant the seeds , which were mostly postmarked from China , and say they could be part of a scam .
According to plant experts , seeds from other parts of the world could harm local ecosystems .
In July , the US Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) identified more than a dozen plant species in the packages , ranging from morning glories to mustard .
It says the packages were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' scam - when sellers send items to people without them placing orders , and then post false positive customer reviews to boost sales .
In August , the USDA said experts analysing some of the seeds from China found very few problems , but both countries were working jointly on an investigation into the incident .
Amazon changed its policy on seed sales in the US earlier this week .
In a statement on Saturday , the online retail giant said : `` Moving forward , we are only permitting the sale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the US . ''
It also warned sellers that failure to comply could see their accounts being removed .

Amazon has banned foreign sales of seeds in the US after mysterious unsolicited packages were sent to thousands of people.
US authorities have warned people not to plant the seeds, which were mostly postmarked from China, and say they could be part of a scam.
According to plant experts, seeds from other parts of the world could harm local ecosystems.
Image: Morning glories were among the plant species found in the bags of seeds
In July, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) identified more than a dozen plant species in the packages, ranging from morning glories to mustard.
It says the packages were most likely part of a "brushing" scam - when sellers send items to people without them placing orders, and then post false positive customer reviews to boost sales.
In August, the USDA said experts analysing some of the seeds from China found very few problems, but both countries were working jointly on an investigation into the incident.
Amazon changed its policy on seed sales in the US earlier this week.
In a statement on Saturday, the online retail giant said: "Moving forward, we are only permitting the sale of seeds by sellers who are based in the US."
It also warned sellers that failure to comply could see their accounts being removed.


skynewsus--2020-09-08--Record heatwave in LA, but apathy and politics drown out climate change fears

There have always been a few things that Los Angeles residents had good reason to worry about .
The traffic , the wildfires , being button-holed in the coffee shop by would-be movie scriptwriter .
And the earthquakes , of course .
But the weather has rarely been cause for concern .
The perennial Mediterranean climate , always seemingly sunny and in the mid-70s Fahrenheit ( mid-20s Celsius ) is boringly , reassuringly predictable .
This week 's heatwave then - the second in less than a month - has been a brutal wake-up call .
And everyone , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notice .
`` One isolated heatwave does not climate change make , '' said Julien Emile-Gaey , an associate professor in earth sciences at the University of Southern California .
`` But when they multiply throughout the season and year after year and there 's more of them and they 're getting hotter and hotter , as is the case , that 's definitely a sign of climate change .
`` The message from this heatwave is keep paying attention even though we have other problems our hands . ''
Until recently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to the mountains in the San Fernando Valley , was most notable as being home to rapper Dr Dre .
The temperature reading there on Sunday , almost 50C , was literally breath-taking .
Woodland Hills is now officially the hottest place ever recorded in Los Angeles but records were tumbling across the county , even close to cooling effects of the Pacific Ocean .
It was surprising then that quite so many of the people we spoke to on the Labor Day holiday , the unofficial end of summer for Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the reason for the rising temperatures .
`` I just think it 's a natural process , '' one woman told us .
`` I do n't know if it 's because of what we 're doing to the earth .
It 's just a natural process , it 's just getting hotter , I think it 's part of nature . ''
The statistics show an undeniable warming trend but , as another beach-goer pointed out , there is more at play : `` I think it probably depends on your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate change , we have n't seen these temperatures this high ever but the political right will tell you it 's not .
It depends on who you ask . ''
That would be a depressing truth even if this were not an election year .
But with everything else that will drown out discussion of climate change before polling day in November , public apathy and division worries the scientific community .
And experts point to the impact to people 's health of increased temperatures , poorer air quality and the stress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate .
Extreme heat is already said to be the deadliest by-product of global warming , not hurricanes or wildfires .
There is a lot to be worried about - and the scorching of Los Angeles is an alarm bell .
The City of Angels has played host to plenty of apocalyptic scenes over the years .
Thankfully most have been on movie screens .
For many , the impact of climate change on their city is now very , very real .

There have always been a few things that Los Angeles residents had good reason to worry about.
The traffic, the wildfires, being button-holed in the coffee shop by a would-be movie scriptwriter. And the earthquakes, of course.
But the weather has rarely been cause for concern.
The climate, always seemingly sunny and in the mid-70s Fahrenheit (mid-20s Celsius) is boringly, reassuringly predictable.
This week's heatwave then - the second in less than a month - has been a brutal wake-up call. And everyone, in California and beyond, needs to take notice.
"One isolated heatwave does not climate change make," said Julien Emile-Geay, an associate professor in earth sciences at the University of Southern California.
"But when they multiply throughout the season and year after year and there's more of them and they're getting hotter and hotter, as is the case, that's definitely a sign of climate change.
"The message from this heatwave is keep paying attention even though we have other problems our hands."
Until recently, the LA neighbourhood of Woodland Hills, close to the mountains in the San Fernando Valley, was most notable as being home to rapper Dr Dre. The temperature reading there on Sunday, almost 50C (122F), was literally breath-taking.
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Woodland Hills is now officially the hottest place ever recorded in Los Angeles but records were tumbling across the county, even close to the cooling effects of the Pacific Ocean.
Image: The record temperatures have seen a state already prone to wildfires left even more vulnerable
It was surprising then that quite so many of the people we spoke to on the Labor Day holiday, the unofficial end of summer for Americans, dismissed the possibility that climate change was the reason for the rising temperatures.
"I just think it's a natural process," one woman told us. "I don't know if it's because of what we're doing to the earth. It's just a natural process, it's just getting hotter, I think it's part of nature."
The statistics show an undeniable warming trend but, as another beach-goer pointed out, there is more at play: "I think it probably depends on your political party. We probably agree its climate change, we haven't seen these temperatures this high ever, but the political right will tell you it's not. It depends on who you ask."
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That would be a depressing truth even if this were not an election year. But with everything else that will drown out discussion of climate change before polling day in November, public apathy and division worries the scientific community.
And experts point to the impact to people's health of increased temperatures, poorer air quality and the stress of fighting pre-existing conditions in a hotter climate.
Extreme heat is already said to be the deadliest by-product of global warming, not hurricanes or wildfires.
There is a lot to be worried about - and the scorching heat of Los Angeles is an alarm bell.
The City of Angels has played host to plenty of apocalyptic scenes over the years. Thankfully most have been on movie screens. For many, the impact of climate change on their city is now very, very real.


skynewsus--2020-09-07--Fires burn record two million acres in California

A record of more than two million acres have burned in California so far in 2020 - with authorities warning the worse could still be to come .
More than 14,000 firefighters are battling around 24 major fires in the state , according to California 's Department of Forestry and Fire Protection 's ( Cal Fire ) .
Those active fires have burned 1.7 million of the 2.2 million acres scorched so far this year .
At least eight people have died and more than 3,800 structures have been destroyed or damaged .
There have been around 900 fires in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hot winds are expected over the coming days , raising the danger to critical levels , with evacuation orders widened for rural communities in the Sierra National Forest .
State governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency and residents are being warned to limit their electricity use to avoid possible outages .
Los Angeles County recorded its highest-ever temperature on Sunday , according to the National Weather Service , when 49.4C ( 121F ) was recorded in the Woodland Hills neighbourhood of the San Fernando Valley .
Earlier , Cal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest fires , which has been burning since Saturday , was `` a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device used during a baby 's gender reveal party '' .
It led to more than 200 people being airlifted out from the area , after becoming trapped at a nearby camping spot in San Bernardino , east of Los Angeles .
The previous wildfires record was the 1.96 million acres burned in 2018 when villages and towns were ravaged by the blazes .

A record of more than two million acres have burned in California so far in 2020 - with authorities warning the worse could still be to come.
More than 14,000 firefighters are battling around 24 major fires in the state, according to California's Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's (Cal Fire).
Those active fires have burned 1.7 million of the 2.2 million acres scorched so far this year.
At least eight people have died and more than 3,800 structures have been destroyed or damaged.
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There have been around 900 fires in the state since 15 August.
Dry, hot winds are expected over the coming days, raising the danger to critical levels, with evacuation orders widened for rural communities in the Sierra National Forest.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:36 People airlifted to safety in California fire
State governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency and residents are being warned to limit their electricity use to avoid possible outages.
Searing temperatures are making the problem worse.
Los Angeles County recorded its highest-ever temperature on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service, when 49.4C (121F) was recorded in the Woodland Hills neighbourhood of the San Fernando Valley.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:20 A Californian fire captain documented his crew's battle against the 5,350-square acre blaze east of San Diego on September 6
Central Los Angeles also reached 44C (111F).
Earlier, Cal Fire revealed the cause of one of the latest fires, which has been burning since Saturday, was "a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device used during a baby's gender reveal party".
It led to more than 200 people being airlifted out from the area, after becoming trapped at a nearby camping spot in San Bernardino, east of Los Angeles.
The previous wildfires record was the 1.96 million acres burned in 2018 when villages and towns were ravaged by the blazes.
The Cal Fire records began in 1987.


skynewsus--2020-09-07--Ethan Is Supreme: Beauty influencer dies aged 17

Beauty influencer Ethan Peters has died at the age of 17 , his father has confirmed .
Tributes have poured in for the Instagram and YouTube star , who used the professional name Ethan Is Supreme .
His father Gerald Fox described him as a `` kind soul , who accepted everyone for who they were , '' speaking to Fox News .
Peters had over half-a-million followers on Instagram and 139k subscribers on his YouTube channel , which featured make up and beauty tutorials .
He had also recently launched his own clothing line called Hellboy .
In his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picture of himself as a child next to a black and white shot of him now , with a message written to people he said had victimised him in the past .
He wrote : `` Would just like to thank everyone who bullied me .
I do this like once every year to see how much I 've changed and the only thing that has n't is the dark circles sksks . ''
Based in Texas , Peters had left his private Christian school to pursue his social media career .
Responding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fellow influencer Ava Louise posted a picture of the pair together on Twitter .
She wrote : `` My best friend in the entire world , my twin flame ...
The only person there for me when I had no one .
I love you Ethan , I am at a loss for words .
I wish I knew how bad it was .
I know what you 'd want me to say to the Internet rn but I 'm to heartbroken to say it .
Rip '' .
She said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FaceTime call the night before his death and was sorry for cutting it short .
In another of her posts on Instagram she wrote a long message , alluding to past criticism of Peters , and also his struggles with addiction .
Along with a short video showing Peters visiting her on her birthday , part of her message read : `` Ethan Made mistakes but they were so small .
He was a teenager struggling with drug addiction- drugs make you act so out of character .
He was the most caring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Make-up artist and influencer Manny MUA wrote on Twitter : `` He 's made many , many mistakes ... but to say he deserved to pass away is horrible and inhuman . ''
Peters had been accused of racism and transphobia in the past .
: : Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Ava Louise later posted on Twitter saying Peter 's death `` was n't intentional it was an awful , awful accident '' .
His official cause of death is @ @ @ @ @

Beauty influencer Ethan Peters has died at the age of 17, his father has confirmed.
Tributes have poured in for the Instagram and YouTube star, who used the professional name Ethan Is Supreme.
His father Gerald Fox described him as a "kind soul, who accepted everyone for who they were," speaking to Fox News.
Peters had over half-a-million followers on Instagram and 139k subscribers on his YouTube channel, which featured makeup and beauty tutorials.
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He had also recently launched his own clothing line called Hellboy.
In his last Instagram post, he posted a picture of himself as a child next to a black and white shot of him now, with a message written to people he said had victimised him in the past.
He wrote: "Would just like to thank everyone who bullied me. I do this like once every year to see how much I've changed and the only thing that hasn't is the dark circles sksks."
Based in Texas, Peters had left his private Christian school to pursue his social media career.
Responding to his death, his best friend and fellow influencer Ava Louise posted a picture of the pair together on Twitter.
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She wrote: "My best friend in the entire world, my twin flame... The only person there for me when I had no one. I love you Ethan, I am at a loss for words. I wish I knew how bad it was. I know what you'd want me to say to the Internet rn but I'm to heartbroken to say it. Rip".
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She said she had last spoken to him in a FaceTime call the night before his death and was sorry for cutting it short.
In another of her posts on Instagram she wrote a long message, alluding to past criticism of Peters, and also his struggles with addiction.
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Along with a short video showing Peters visiting her on her birthday, part of her message read: "Ethan Made mistakes but they were so small. He was a teenager struggling with drug addiction- drugs make you act so out of character. He was the most caring and smart person I've ever met."
Makeup artist and influencer Manny MUA wrote on Twitter: "He's made many, many mistakes... but to say he deserved to pass away is horrible and inhuman."
Peters had been accused of racism and transphobia in the past.
Here's the code:
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Ava Louise later posted on Twitter saying Peter's death "wasn't intentional it was an awful, awful accident".
His official cause of death is yet to be confirmed.


skynewsus--2020-09-07--Assange arrested over 18 new allegations as he appears in court to fight extradition

Julian Assange has failed to get new allegations against him thrown out as he battles extradition to the US .
The WikiLeaks founder , 49 , appeared at the Old Bailey in London after being held for months on remand at high-security Belmarsh Prison .
He was re-arrested in the court 's cells on Monday over new charges contained in a US indictment .
It details a further 18 charges , lodged in June , which accuse him of plotting to hack computers and obtain and disclose national defence information .
They allege that he conspired with army intelligence analyst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , known as `` hash '' , to a classified US defence department computer .
The charges also offer further details of alleged hacking plotters that Assange and his WikiLeaks colleagues are said to have recruited .
The 49-year-old spoke only to state he `` does not consent to extradition '' and confirm his name .
Assange , who is wanted in the US for publishing hundreds of thousands of classified documents in 2010 and 2011 , was clean-shaven with short hair and wore glasses , a dark suit , maroon tie and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faces a maximum possible sentence of 175 years in jail .
His lawyer , Mark Summers QC , said the `` fresh allegations at the 11th hour '' were brought without warning or explanation , which meant they had no time to prepare a response .
He highlighted the difficulties Assange faced in speaking to his lawyers in the midst of ongoing restrictions .
`` It would be an impossible task for the defence to deal with these fresh allegations in any meaningful way in the time that has been afforded to them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of weeks in respect of which we are provided absolutely no explanation for the late arrival of these matters . ''
He added : `` What is happening is abnormal , unfair and liable to create injustice if allowed to continue . ''
But District Judge Vanessa Baraitser rejected the defence 's bid to `` excise '' the allegations , saying : `` These are issues which must take place in the context of considering the extradition request and not before it . ''
Outside court , hundreds of protesters gathered in support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shipton and fashion designer Vivienne Westwood .
She said : `` I 'm an activist , I am very frightened , I 've lost days and years of sleep worrying about Julian Assange .
`` Julian Assange is the trigger , he is shining the light on all the corruption in the world . ''
His father described the proceedings as an `` abuse trial '' , which his defence claims has been targeted by Donald Trump 's re-election campaign for `` political reasons '' .
His partner , Stella Moris , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the public gallery after delivering an 80,000-signature petition against his extradition to Downing Street .
Dozens of witnesses are expected to be called to give evidence at the Old Bailey over the four-week hearing , with the judgment likely to be delivered at a later date .
Assange has been on remand in Belmarsh Prison since last September after serving a 50-week sentence for breaching bail conditions while he was in London 's Ecuadorian embassy for nearly seven years .

Julian Assange has failed to get new allegations against him thrown out as he battles extradition to the US.
The WikiLeaks founder, 49, appeared at the Old Bailey in London after being held for months on remand at high-security Belmarsh Prison.
He was re-arrested in the court's cells on Monday over new charges contained in a US indictment.
It details a further 18 charges, lodged in June, which accuse him of plotting to hack computers and obtain and disclose national defence information.
Image: An artist's impression of Assange in the dock at the Old Bailey on Monday
They allege that he conspired with army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to crack a scrambled password, known as "hash", to a classified US defence department computer.
The charges also offer further details of alleged hacking plotters that Assange and his WikiLeaks colleagues are said to have recruited.
The 49-year-old spoke only to state he "does not consent to extradition" and confirm his name.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:50 Assange's dad: US extradition hearing 'abuse trial'
Assange, who is wanted in the US for publishing hundreds of thousands of classified documents in 2010 and 2011, was clean-shaven with short hair and wore glasses, a dark suit, maroon tie and white shirt.
If convicted, he faces a maximum possible sentence of 175 years in jail.
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His lawyer, Mark Summers QC, said the "fresh allegations at the 11th hour" were brought without warning or explanation, which meant they had no time to prepare a response.
He highlighted the difficulties Assange faced in speaking to his lawyers in the midst of ongoing restrictions.
Image: Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood was outside court
"It would be an impossible task for the defence to deal with these fresh allegations in any meaningful way in the time that has been afforded to them, and that time is a matter of weeks in respect of which we are provided absolutely no explanation for the late arrival of these matters."
He added: "What is happening is abnormal, unfair and liable to create injustice if allowed to continue."
But District Judge Vanessa Baraitser rejected the defence's bid to "excise" the allegations, saying: "These are issues which must take place in the context of considering the extradition request and not before it."
Outside court, hundreds of protesters gathered in support of Assange, including his father John Shipton and fashion designer Vivienne Westwood.
She said: "I'm an activist, I am very frightened, I've lost days and years of sleep worrying about Julian Assange.
"Julian Assange is the trigger, he is shining the light on all the corruption in the world."
Image: Assange has spent months on remand at Belmarsh Prison in south London
His father described the proceedings as an "abuse trial", which his defence claims has been targeted by Donald Trump's re-election campaign for "political reasons".
His partner, Stella Moris, who he shares two children with, was in the public gallery after delivering an 80,000-signature petition against his extradition to Downing Street.
Dozens of witnesses are expected to be called to give evidence at the Old Bailey over the four-week hearing, with the judgment likely to be delivered at a later date.
Assange has been on remand in Belmarsh Prison since last September after serving a 50-week sentence for breaching bail conditions while he was in London's Ecuadorian embassy for nearly seven years.


skynewsus--2020-09-07--First 'plug and play' brain prosthesis demoed in paralysed individual

A breakthrough in brain-controlled prosthetics could give paralysed individuals the ability to control computer cursors and potentially limbs in the future .
Using machine learning techniques , scientists were able to read brain signals simply by placing an array of electrodes on the surface of the brain .
It allowed the patient to control a computer cursor straight away , without the extensive daily retraining normally required .
Brain-control interfaces are a rapidly developing area of research , but while some remain critical of claims - such as those by Elon Musk , a number of trials are reporting significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nature Biotechnology , scientists from the University of California , San Francisco ( UCSF ) were able to demonstrate so-called `` plug and play '' performance by using an electrocorticography ( ECoG ) array .
ECoG arrays are pads of electrodes about the size of a Post-it note that are surgically placed on the surface of the brain to record neural activity .
Unlike other brain-computer interface devices , which used so-called `` pin-cushion '' style arrays of sharp electrodes which penetrate the brain tissue , ECoG pads do n't move in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to change over time .
It means long-term stable recordings of neural activity can be logged , which allowed the team to develop an algorithm that recognised the patients ' brain signals and matched them to their desired cursor movements .
`` We found that we could further improve learning by making sure that the algorithm was n't updating faster than the brain could follow - a rate of about once every 10 seconds , '' said Dr Karunesh Ganguly , a practising neurologist and author on the study .
`` We see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between two learning systems - brain and computer - that ultimately lets the artificial interface become an extension of the user , like their own hand or arm , '' he said .
Over the course of the study the participant 's brain was able to amplify patterns of neural activity it could use to move the cursor via the ECoG array , while eliminating the less effective signals .
This pruning process is believed to be how the brain learns any complex task , according to the researchers , who said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an ingrained and consistent mental `` model '' for controlling the interface .
Once the participant had established expertise in using the interface to move the cursor , the researchers were able to introduce additional learned skills - including clicking a virtual button - without losing any performance .
According to UCSF , the participant is `` also enrolled in a clinical trial designed to test the use of ECoG arrays to allow paralysed patients to control a prosthetic arm and hand '' - although this current paper only focused on controlling a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study , titled `` First 'plug and play ' brain prosthesis demoed in paralysed person '' , is published in the journal Nature Biotechnology .

A breakthrough in brain-controlled prosthetics could give paralysed individuals the ability to control computer cursors and potentially limbs in the future.
Using machine learning techniques, scientists were able to read brain signals simply by placing an array of electrodes on the surface of the brain.
It allowed the patient to control a computer cursor straight away, without the extensive daily retraining normally required.
Brain-control interfaces are a rapidly developing area of research, but while some remain critical of claims - such as those by Elon Musk, a number of trials are reporting significant findings.
In a peer-reviewed paper in Nature Biotechnology, scientists from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) were able to demonstrate so-called "plug and play" performance by using an electrocorticography (ECoG) array.
ECoG arrays are pads of electrodes about the size of a Post-it note that are surgically placed on the surface of the brain to record neural activity.
Image: Dr Ganguly studied the signals captured by the ECoG array. Pic: UCSF
Unlike other brain-computer interface devices, which used so-called "pin-cushion" style arrays of sharp electrodes which penetrate the brain tissue, ECoG pads don't move in the brain, causing the signal they receive to change over time.
It means long-term stable recordings of neural activity can be logged, which allowed the team to develop an algorithm that recognised the patients' brain signals and matched them to their desired cursor movements.
"We found that we could further improve learning by making sure that the algorithm wasn't updating faster than the brain could follow - a rate of about once every 10 seconds," said Dr Karunesh Ganguly, a practising neurologist and author on the study.
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"We see this as trying to build a partnership between two learning systems - brain and computer - that ultimately lets the artificial interface become an extension of the user, like their own hand or arm," he said.
Over the course of the study the participant's brain was able to amplify patterns of neural activity it could use to move the cursor via the ECoG array, while eliminating the less effective signals.
This pruning process is believed to be how the brain learns any complex task, according to the researchers, who said the participant's brain activity seemed to develop an ingrained and consistent mental "model" for controlling the interface.
Once the participant had established expertise in using the interface to move the cursor, the researchers were able to introduce additional learned skills - including clicking a virtual button - without losing any performance.
According to UCSF, the participant is "also enrolled in a clinical trial designed to test the use of ECoG arrays to allow paralysed patients to control a prosthetic arm and hand" - although this current paper only focused on controlling a cursor on a computer screen.
The study, titled "First 'plug and play' brain prosthesis demoed in paralysed person", is published in the journal Nature Biotechnology.


skynewsus--2020-09-08--LA is used to apocalyptic scenes in films - but this heatwave shows real impact of climate change

There have always been a few things that Los Angeles residents had good reason to worry about .
The traffic , the wildfires , being button-holed in the coffee shop by a would-be movie scriptwriter .
And the earthquakes , of course .
But the weather has rarely been cause for concern .
The climate , always seemingly sunny and in the mid-70s Fahrenheit ( mid-20s Celsius ) is boringly , reassuringly predictable .
This week 's heatwave then - the second in less than a month - has been a brutal wake-up call .
And everyone , in California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` One isolated heatwave does not climate change make , '' said Julien Emile-Geay , an associate professor in earth sciences at the University of Southern California .
`` But when they multiply throughout the season and year after year and there 's more of them and they 're getting hotter and hotter , as is the case , that 's definitely a sign of climate change .
`` The message from this heatwave is keep paying attention even though we have other problems our hands . ''
Until recently , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the mountains in the San Fernando Valley , was most notable as being home to rapper Dr Dre .
The temperature reading there on Sunday , almost 50C ( 122F ) , was literally breath-taking .
Woodland Hills is now officially the hottest place ever recorded in Los Angeles but records were tumbling across the county , even close to the cooling effects of the Pacific Ocean .
It was surprising then that quite so many of the people we spoke to on the Labor Day holiday , the unofficial end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that climate change was the reason for the rising temperatures .
`` I just think it 's a natural process , '' one woman told us .
`` I do n't know if it 's because of what we 're doing to the earth .
It 's just a natural process , it 's just getting hotter , I think it 's part of nature . ''
The statistics show an undeniable warming trend but , as another beach-goer pointed out , there is more at play : `` I think it probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably agree its climate change , we have n't seen these temperatures this high ever , but the political right will tell you it 's not .
It depends on who you ask . ''
That would be a depressing truth even if this were not an election year .
But with everything else that will drown out discussion of climate change before polling day in November , public apathy and division worries the scientific community .
And experts point to the impact to people 's health of increased temperatures , poorer air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions in a hotter climate .
Extreme heat is already said to be the deadliest by-product of global warming , not hurricanes or wildfires .
There is a lot to be worried about - and the scorching heat of Los Angeles is an alarm bell .
The City of Angels has played host to plenty of apocalyptic scenes over the years .
Thankfully most have been on movie screens .
For many , the impact of climate change on their city is now very , very real .


skynewsus--2020-09-09--Keeping Up With The Kardashians to end after 14 years

Keeping Up With The Kardashians is ending after 14 years on air , Kim Kardashian West has announced .
The reality show , which followed the lives of the Kardashian family over 20 seasons , made its stars household names .
It will come to an end after its 20th season in early 2021 , Kardashian West said on Instagram .
`` It is with heavy hearts that we 've made the difficult decision as a family to say goodbye to Keeping Up With The Kardashians , '' she said .
`` After what will be 14 years , 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spin-off shows , we are beyond grateful to all of you who 've watched us for all of these years - through the good times , the bad times , the happiness , the tears , and the many relationships and children .
`` We 'll forever cherish the wonderful memories and countless people we 've met along the way . ''
The model and businesswoman said she `` would n't be where I am today '' without the popular show , which was aired on E !
network .
It is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an end , but E !
said in a statement that it respects `` the family 's decision to live their lives without our cameras '' .
Kardashian West first gained attention as a friend and stylist of Paris Hilton , although became more widely known following a leaked sex tape .
But it was n't until after Keeping Up With The Kardashians premiered in 2007 that she truly shot to fame .
The programme initially focused on Kim and her sisters Kourtney and Khloe , but later began featuring other family members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her now-ex-husband Caitlyn Jenner , and sisters Kylie and Kendall .
Kendall , 24 , and Kylie , 23 , were children when the show premiered but have since become two of the most influential young people in the world .
Other famous faces have featured including Kardashian West 's husband Kanye West , Khloe 's ex-husband Lamar Odom and Rob Kardashian 's ex-fiance Blac Chyna .
It chronicled the personal and professional lives of the family , including marriages , an armed robbery in Paris , Khloe 's split with Odom and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Responding to the news , Khloe , 36 , said she was `` too emotional '' to sum up her feelings .
`` I am so grateful and thankful to everyone who has supported us and been there through it all ... '' My sappy post will come soon .
Change is hard but also needed at times .
I love you all .
Thank you for the memories ! ''
Kourtney , 41 , said she would `` gather my thoughts '' before speaking .
In recent years , the Kardashians have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kylie Jenner has her own makeup line , Kylie Cosmetics , and is one of the most followed people on Instagram , with over 195 million followers .
Kardashian West has become politically active , lobbying President Donald Trump for prison reform and also starting studies to become a lawyer , following in the footsteps of her late father Robert Kardashian .

Keeping Up With The Kardashians is ending after 14 years on air, Kim Kardashian West has announced.
The reality show, which followed the lives of the Kardashian family over 20 seasons, made its stars household names.
It will come to an end after its 20th season in early 2021, Kardashian West said on Instagram.
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"It is with heavy hearts that we've made the difficult decision as a family to say goodbye to Keeping Up With The Kardashians," she said.
"After what will be 14 years, 20 seasons, hundreds of episodes and numerous spin-off shows, we are beyond grateful to all of you who've watched us for all of these years - through the good times, the bad times, the happiness, the tears, and the many relationships and children.
"We'll forever cherish the wonderful memories and countless people we've met along the way."
The model and businesswoman said she "wouldn't be where I am today" without the popular show, which was aired on E! network.
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It is not known why the show has come to an end, but E! said in a statement that it respects "the family's decision to live their lives without our cameras".
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Kardashian West first gained attention as a friend and stylist of Paris Hilton, although became more widely known following a leaked sex tape.
Image: Kim Kardashian West announced the news on Instagram
But it wasn't until after Keeping Up With The Kardashians premiered in 2007 that she truly shot to fame.
The programme initially focused on Kim and her sisters Kourtney and Khloe, but later began featuring other family members including "momager" Kris Jenner, her now-ex-husband Caitlyn Jenner, and sisters Kylie and Kendall.
Kendall, 24, and Kylie, 23, were children when the show premiered but have since become two of the most influential young people in the world.
Image: Kendall and Kylie Jenner were children when the show first aired
Other famous faces have featured including Kardashian West's husband Kanye West, Khloe's ex-husband Lamar Odom and Rob Kardashian's ex-fiance Blac Chyna.
It chronicled the personal and professional lives of the family, including marriages, an armed robbery in Paris, Khloe's split with Odom and the gender transition of Caitlyn Jenner.
Responding to the news, Khloe, 36, said she was "too emotional" to sum up her feelings.
"I am so grateful and thankful to everyone who has supported us and been there through it all...
"My sappy post will come soon. Change is hard but also needed at times. I love you all. Thank you for the memories!"
Kourtney, 41, said she would "gather my thoughts" before speaking.
Image: Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian pose at a viewing party in 2007
In recent years, the Kardashians have worked on several of their own projects.
Kylie Jenner has her own makeup line, Kylie Cosmetics, and is one of the most followed people on Instagram, with over 195 million followers.
Kardashian West has become politically active, lobbying President Donald Trump for prison reform and also starting studies to become a lawyer, following in the footsteps of her late father Robert Kardashian.


skynewsus--2020-09-09--Trump nominated for Nobel Peace Prize after helping to broker Israel-UAE deal

Donald Trump has been nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize following his efforts to broker a deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) .
The US president 's name has been put forward by Norwegian politician Christian Tybring-Gjedde , according to Fox News .
`` For his merit , I think he has done more trying to create peace between nations than most other Peace Prize nominees , '' Mr Tybring-Gjedde , a four-term member of parliament , told the channel .
On Tuesday , a White House official announced Mr Trump will hold a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groundbreaking Middle East agreement normalising relations between Israel and the UAE .
As part of the deal , announced at the White House on 13 August following what officials said were 18 months of talks , the Gulf state agreed to normal relations with Israel , while Israel agreed to continue with plans to suspend its annexation of the West Bank .
In 2020 , there were 318 candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize .
Submissions must be made online and all nominees are discussed before a shortlist of the most worthy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's letter to the Nobel Committee praised the US president 's role in improving relations between the Middle Eastern nations .
He wrote : `` As it is expected other Middle Eastern countries will follow in the footsteps of the UAE , this agreement could be a game changer that will turn the Middle East into a region of cooperation and prosperity . ''
This is not the first time Mr Trump has been nominated for the prize .
In 2018 , Mr Tybring-Gjedde submitted his name following his Singapore summit with North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US president did not win .
The Norwegian told Fox News he is `` not a big supporter of Trump '' but added that other people have won the prize for doing much less .
There was criticism in 2009 when President Barack Obama won the prize just nine months into his first term .

Donald Trump has been nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize following his efforts to broker a deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The US president's name has been put forward by Norwegian politician Christian Tybring-Gjedde, according to Fox News.
"For his merit, I think he has done more trying to create peace between nations than most other Peace Prize nominees," Mr Tybring-Gjedde, a four-term member of parliament, told the channel.
Image: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and US presidential adviser Jared Kushner last month
On Tuesday, a White House official announced Mr Trump will hold a signing ceremony on 15 September for a groundbreaking Middle East agreement normalising relations between Israel and the UAE.
As part of the deal, announced at the White House on 13 August following what officials said were 18 months of talks, the Gulf state agreed to normal relations with Israel, while Israel agreed to continue with plans to suspend its annexation of the West Bank.
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In 2020, there were 318 candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Submissions must be made online and all nominees are discussed before a shortlist of the most worthy and interesting is drawn up.
Mr Tybring-Gjedde's letter to the Nobel Committee praised the US president's role in improving relations between the Middle Eastern nations.
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He wrote: "As it is expected other Middle Eastern countries will follow in the footsteps of the UAE, this agreement could be a game changer that will turn the Middle East into a region of cooperation and prosperity."
Image: Mr Trump leads a meeting in August with leaders of Israel and UAE announcing a peace agreement
This is not the first time Mr Trump has been nominated for the prize.
In 2018, Mr Tybring-Gjedde submitted his name following his Singapore summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The US president did not win.
Image: Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009
The Norwegian told Fox News he is "not a big supporter of Trump" but added that other people have won the prize for doing much less.
There was criticism in 2009 when President Barack Obama won the prize just nine months into his first term.


skynewsus--2020-09-09--US to withdraw more than 2,000 troops from Iraq

The US military has formally announced that 2,200 of its troops will be withdrawing from Iraq this month .
The move had been widely expected .
The US has around 5,200 troops in the country that were deployed to fight the Islamic State militant group .
This number will be cut to 3,000 .
Officials in the US-led coalition say Iraqi forces are now mostly able to handle the remnants of IS on their own .
`` We are continuing to expand on our partner capacity programs that enable Iraqi forces and allow us to reduce our footprint in Iraq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the head of US Central Command , said during a visit to Iraq .
In June the US and Iraq affirmed their commitment to the reduction of troops in the country , with no plans by Washington to maintain permanent bases or a permanent military presence .
In 2016 US President Donald Trump campaigned on ending America 's `` endless wars , '' but American troops remain in Afghanistan , Iraq and Syria .
The announcement comes as Mr Trump tries to secure a second term in the White House .
The administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further troop withdrawals from Afghanistan soon .

The US military has formally announced that 2,200 of its troops will be withdrawing from Iraq this month.
The move had been widely expected.
The US has around 5,200 troops in the country that were deployed to fight the Islamic State militant group.
Image: An Iraqi soldiers stands guard in front of US military air carrier at the Qayyarah air base
This number will be cut to 3,000.
Officials in the US-led coalition say Iraqi forces are now mostly able to handle the remnants of IS on their own.
"We are continuing to expand on our partner capacity programs that enable Iraqi forces and allow us to reduce our footprint in Iraq," said the head of US Central Command, Marine General Frank McKenzie, during a visit to Iraq.
In June, the US and Iraq affirmed their commitment to the reduction of troops in the country, with no plans by Washington to maintain permanent bases or a permanent military presence.
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In the 2016 White House race, Donald Trump campaigned on ending America's "endless wars," but US troops remain in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.
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The announcement comes as the president tries to secure a second term in office.
The administration has said it also intends to announce further troop withdrawals from Afghanistan soon.


skynewsus--2020-09-09--White House garden re-turfed after Trump convention wrecks lawn

The White House has run up a reportedly hefty bill to repair damage to its lawn after it was used for last month 's Republican National Convention .
The famous Rose Garden and South Lawn are undergoing extensive re-turfing as crews work to repair the damage - at cost of $ 79,675 ( £61,504 ) , according to TMZ .
President Donald Trump had gone against long-held norms by using the White House grounds as the stage for a campaigning event ahead of the presidential election .
He accepted his party 's nomination for presidential candidate on the South Lawn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,500 people .
Supporters watched the event - capped with an elaborate fireworks show - while sat on closely-packed white chairs .
Earlier , First Lady Melania Trump had delivered her convention speech in the Rose Garden .
It followed extensive renovations to the garden that included the removal of crab apple trees , the addition of a 3ft-wide limestone path and improvements to its drainage and broadcast infrastructure .
: : Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Officials said the set-up for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and after a bout of heavy rain , which may have prevented the new sod ( grass ) from taking as well as it should have .
On the day of the first lady 's speech , Astroturf was placed over the garden lawn because it was deemed too swampy .
`` The sod is being replaced at no cost to taxpayers .
Additionally , there has been other planned infrastructure work taking place on the south grounds , '' said White House spokesperson Judd Deere .
The work is expected to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .
Officials also noted that some sod replacement is not unusual after major events , including the annual Easter Egg Roll and major state visits .
The White House has avoided using the Rose Garden and South Lawn for public events since the convention .

The White House has run up a reportedly hefty bill to repair damage to its lawn after it was used for last month's Republican National Convention.
The famous Rose Garden and South Lawn are undergoing extensive re-turfing as crews work to repair the damage - at cost of $79,675 (£61,504), according to TMZ.
President Donald Trump had gone against long-held norms by using the White House grounds as the stage for a campaigning event ahead of the presidential election.
Image: Donald Trump delivers his acceptance speech on the South Lawn
Image: Trump supporters at the Republican convention
He accepted his party's nomination for presidential candidate on the South Lawn in front of an audience of about 1,500 people.
Supporters watched the event - capped with an elaborate fireworks show - while sat on closely-packed white chairs.
Earlier, First Lady Melania Trump had delivered her convention speech in the Rose Garden.
It followed extensive renovations to the garden that included the removal of crab apple trees, the addition of a 3ft-wide limestone path and improvements to its drainage and broadcast infrastructure.
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Officials said the set-up for the event had begun just after the renovation and after a bout of heavy rain, which may have prevented the new sod (grass) from taking as well as it should have.
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On the day of the first lady's speech, Astroturf was placed over the garden lawn because it was deemed too swampy.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:43 'We need my husband to be president'
"The sod is being replaced at no cost to taxpayers. Additionally, there has been other planned infrastructure work taking place on the south grounds," said White House spokesperson Judd Deere.
The work is expected to be completed by early Wednesday or Thursday, he added.
Officials also noted that some sod replacement is not unusual after major events, including the annual Easter Egg Roll and major state visits.
The White House has avoided using the Rose Garden and South Lawn for public events since the convention.


skynewsus--2020-09-09--Amy Schumer reveals Lyme disease diagnosis

Amy Schumer has revealed she has Lyme disease .
The American comedian told fans she may have had it `` for years '' and asked for advice in a post on her Instagram account .
`` Anyone get LYME this summer ?
I got it and I 'm on doxycycline , '' she wrote .
`` Any advice ?
Can you have a glass of wine or 2 on it ?
I know to stay out of the sun . ''
The Trainwreck actress , 39 , reassured supporters she feels `` good '' and is `` excited to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also shared a throwback photo of herself holding a fishing pole as a child .
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks .
Early stage symptoms can include headaches , flu-like symptoms , joint pain and sometimes a rash that can look like a bullseye .
: : Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Most people with the disease get better after taking antibiotics , although this can take months for some , while a small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last years .
Earlier this year , Justin Bieber said he had been diagnosed with Lyme disease .
Singer Avril Lavigne is another high-profile name who has battled the disease , telling Billboard that it had left her struggling to get out of bed for two years .
Schumer has previously opened up about her health , describing her struggles with severe morning sickness while she was pregnant with son Gene David .

Amy Schumer has revealed she has Lyme disease.
The American comedian told fans she may have had it "for years" and asked for advice in a post on her Instagram account.
"Anyone get LYME this summer? I got it and I'm on doxycycline," she wrote. "Any advice? Can you have a glass of wine or 2 on it? I know to stay out of the sun."
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The Trainwreck actress, 39, reassured supporters she feels "good" and is "excited to get rid of" the disease.
She also shared a throwback photo of herself holding a fishing pole as a child.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks.
Early stage symptoms can include headaches, flu-like symptoms, joint pain and sometimes a rash that can look like a bullseye.
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Most people with the disease get better after taking antibiotics, although this can take months for some, while a small number of people can have symptoms that last years.
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Earlier this year, Justin Bieber said he had been diagnosed with Lyme disease.
Singer Avril Lavigne is another high-profile name who has battled the disease, telling Billboard that it had left her struggling to get out of bed for two years.
Schumer has previously opened up about her health, describing her struggles with severe morning sickness while she was pregnant with son Gene David.


skynewsus--2020-09-09--Oscars introduce new best picture guidelines to improve diversity

The Oscars has introduced a new set of guidelines for its most prestigious award , best picture .
The rules mean that films applying for the category will soon have to meet certain diversity standards , in a bid to improve representation on and off screen and more accurately reflect the movie-going audience .
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences faced criticism in 2015 , when the # OscarsSoWhite movement highlighted a lack of black and Asian actors nominated for the film industry 's top awards .
It faced similar criticism when this year 's nominees were announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British actress Cynthia Erivo , shortlisted in the acting categories .
And no women and only one non-white director , South Korea 's Bong Joon-ho , featured in the directing category .
He went on to win , as Parasite also became the first foreign language film to win best picture .
The new guidelines cover four areas : on-screen representation and storyline , creative leadership and crew , apprenticeships and training , and audience development .
A film must meet at least two of the four standards to be eligible for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not be enforced until 2024 , meaning that the 2025 winner of the category will be the first to have had to comply .
Movies applying in 2022 and 2023 will supply a confidential `` Academy inclusion standards form '' as part of their application .
The new standards have been created from a template inspired by the British Film Institute ( BFI ) Diversity Standards , used for certain funding eligibility in the UK and eligibility in some categories of the British Academy of Film and Television Awards ( BAFTA ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over lack of diversity in this year 's awards , with the nominees in the main acting categories all white and no women up for best director or best film .
Eligibility criteria for all other Oscar categories will remain unchanged .
The move is part of a wider Academy initiative to advance inclusion in the entertainment industry and increase representation within its membership and the larger film community by 2025 .
Academy President David Rubin and Academy CEO Dawn Hudson said they believe the new standards `` will be a catalyst for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Chair of the BAFTA Film Committee , Marc Samuelson , said they were `` delighted '' about the introduction of the new rules , adding that BAFTA hope to introduce universal diversity standards in all its film categories by 2024. : : Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Last year , the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences invited 819 stars , directors and other industry experts to join its voting body in a bid to diversify its members .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 36 % people of colour and 45 % women .
Actresses including Cynthia Erivo , Ana De Armas , Eva Longoria and Awkwafina all made the list , alongside several stars from Parasite .
Next year 's Oscars will take place on Sunday 25 April 2021 , two months later than usual .
The Academy 's new best picture guidelines can be found here .

The Oscars has introduced a new set of guidelines for its most prestigious award, best picture.
The rules mean that films applying for the category will soon have to meet certain diversity standards, in a bid to improve representation on and off screen and more accurately reflect the movie-going audience.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences faced criticism in 2015, when the #OscarsSoWhite movement highlighted a lack of black and Asian actors nominated for the film industry's top awards.
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It faced similar criticism when this year's nominees were announced, with just one black star, British actress Cynthia Erivo, shortlisted in the acting categories.
And no women and only one non-white director, South Korea's Bong Joon-ho, featured in the directing category. He went on to win, as Parasite also became the first foreign language film to win best picture.
The new guidelines cover four areas: on-screen representation and storyline, creative leadership and crew, apprenticeships and training, and audience development.
A film must meet at least two of the four standards to be eligible for the best picture category, but the rules will not be enforced until 2024, meaning that the 2025 winner of the category will be the first to have had to comply.
Movies applying in 2022 and 2023 will supply a confidential "Academy inclusion standards form" as part of their application.
The new standards have been created from a template inspired by the British Film Institute (BFI) Diversity Standards, used for certain funding eligibility in the UK and eligibility in some categories of the British Academy of Film and Television Awards (BAFTA).
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The BAFTAs also came under fire over lack of diversity in this year's awards, with the nominees in the main acting categories all white and no women up for best director or best film.
Eligibility criteria for all other Oscar categories will remain unchanged.
The move is part of a wider Academy initiative to advance inclusion in the entertainment industry and increase representation within its membership and the larger film community by 2025.
Academy President David Rubin and Academy CEO Dawn Hudson said they believe the new standards "will be a catalyst for long-lasting, essential change in our industry."
Chair of the BAFTA Film Committee, Marc Samuelson, said they were "delighted" about the introduction of the new rules, adding that BAFTA hope to introduce universal diversity standards in all its film categories by 2024.
Image: Black Panther made history in 2019, when black artists won in in the costume and production design category
Here's the code:
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Last year, the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences invited 819 stars, directors and other industry experts to join its voting body in a bid to diversify its members, the majority of which are male and white.
The new batch of invitees were made up of 36% people of colour and 45% women.
Actresses including Cynthia Erivo, Ana De Armas, Eva Longoria and Awkwafina all made the list, alongside several stars from Parasite.
Earlier this month the Academy permanently expanded its Best Picture category to 10 films, in the hope this would make more room for diverse films.
Next year's Oscars will take place on Sunday 25 April 2021, two months later than usual.
The Academy's new best picture guidelines can be found here.


skynewsus--2020-09-09--'We have to show calm': Trump on claims he deliberately played down coronavirus

Donald Trump has defended his approach in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic following claims he admitted he was playing down the US outbreak .
According to Rage , a new book by journalist Bob Woodward , the US president appeared to understand the threat of COVID-19 as he was telling the nation it was no worse than the flu .
`` This is deadly stuff , '' Mr Trump is quoted as saying on 7 February .
`` Its also more deadly than even your strenuous flus . ''
On 19 March , Woodward says Mr Trump told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play it down .
I still like playing it down because I do n't want to create a panic . ''
Asked about the remarks during a White House briefing on Wednesday , Mr Trump said he attempted to avoid panic in the US in the weeks after the first cases were recorded .
He said : `` We have to show calm .
[ I 'm ] certainly I 'm not going to drive this country or the world into a frenzy .
`` We do n't want to go around screaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this . '
'' The book also claims that the president was told that coronavirus would be `` the biggest national security threat '' he would face during his term in office .
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has said Mr Trump 's reported comments were `` beyond despicable '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Speaking at a rally in Michigan , Mr Biden said : `` It was a life and death betrayal of the American people .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dereliction of duty , a disgrace .
`` He knew how deadly it was .
He knew and purposely played it down .
Worse , he lied . ''
The US has had the biggest COVID-19 outbreak in the world , with more than 6.3 million confirmed cases , and more than 190,000 coronavirus-related deaths .

Donald Trump has defended his approach in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic following claims he admitted he was playing down the US outbreak.
According to Rage, a new book by journalist Bob Woodward, the US president appeared to understand the threat of COVID-19 as he was telling the nation it was no worse than the flu.
"This is deadly stuff," Mr Trump is quoted as saying on 7 February. "Its also more deadly than even your strenuous flus."
On 19 March, Woodward says Mr Trump told him: "I wanted to always play it down. I still like playing it down because I don't want to create a panic."
Image: Donald Trump told a journalist he was playing down the coronavirus outbreak in the US
Asked about the remarks during a White House briefing on Wednesday, Mr Trump said he attempted to avoid panic in the US in the weeks after the first cases were recorded.
He said: "We have to show calm. [I'm] certainly I'm not going to drive this country or the world into a frenzy.
"We don't want to go around screaming, 'Look at this, look at this'."
The book also claims that the president was told that coronavirus would be "the biggest national security threat" he would face during his term in office.
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has said Mr Trump's reported comments were "beyond despicable".
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Speaking at a rally in Michigan, Mr Biden said: "It was a life and death betrayal of the American people. It's beyond despicable. It's a dereliction of duty, a disgrace.
"He knew how deadly it was. He knew and purposely played it down. Worse, he lied."
The US has had the biggest COVID-19 outbreak in the world, with more than 6.3 million confirmed cases, and more than 190,000 coronavirus-related deaths.


skynewsus--2020-09-10--'Superspreader' biker rally responsible for more than 260,000 cases of COVID-19

A 10-day biker rally in South Dakota was responsible for more than 260,000 cases of coronavirus costing $ 12.2 billion in treatment , according to a study by San Diego State University .
That represents almost one in five of the 1.4 million new cases of COVID-19 in the US between 2 August and 2 September .
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally attracted almost half a million visitors over ten days at the start of August .
San Diego scientists decided to evaluate its part in any increased infection rates after large crowds , coupled with minimal mask-wearing and social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve as a coronavirus `` superspreader '' .
The rally featured bands such as Drowning Pool and Smash Mouth , with some performances criticised for a lack of social distancing .
The research used mobile phone data to track footfall at restaurants and bars , shops , entertainment venues , hotels and campgrounds .
This was combined with figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) which recorded infection rates in Meade County where the rally took place , neighbouring districts and areas across the country from which the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The authors concluded that the event was linked to 263,708 across the US and the data provided `` strong evidence that the Sturgis Rally appears to have been a super-spreader event for COVID-19 '' .
It added : `` If we conservatively assume that all of these cases were non-fatal , then these cases represent a cost of over $ 12.2 billion ( £9.4bn ) , based on the statistical cost of a COVID-19 case of $ 46,000 estimated by Kniesner and Sullivan ( 2020 ) .
`` This is enough to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attendees $ 26,553.64 not to attend . ''
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally began in 1938 and has been held every year since , apart from during WW11 when it was called off because of petrol rationing .
As well as live music , it features bike races and stunts and generates millions of dollars in income for the local area .

A 10-day biker rally in South Dakota was responsible for more than 260,000 cases of coronavirus costing $12.2bn in treatment, according to a study by San Diego State University.
That represents almost one in five of the 1.4 million new cases of COVID-19 in the US between 2 August and 2 September.
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally attracted almost half a million visitors over 10 days at the start of August.
San Diego scientists decided to evaluate its part in any increased infection rates after large crowds, coupled with minimal mask-wearing and social distancing, raised concerns that the event could serve as a coronavirus "superspreader".
The rally featured bands such as Drowning Pool and Smash Mouth, with some performances criticised for a lack of social distancing.
Image: A concert at the Full Throttle Saloon during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on 7 August
The research used mobile phone data to track footfall at restaurants and bars, shops, entertainment venues, hotels and campgrounds.
This was combined with figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which recorded infection rates in Meade County where the rally took place, neighbouring districts and areas across the country from which the largest numbers of people had attended.
The authors concluded that the event was linked to 263,708 cases across the US and the data provided "strong evidence that the Sturgis Rally appears to have been a superspreader event for COVID-19".
It added: "If we conservatively assume that all of these cases were non-fatal, then these cases represent a cost of over $12.2bn (£9.4bn), based on the statistical cost of a COVID-19 case of $46,000 estimated by Kniesner and Sullivan (2020).
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"This is enough to have paid each of the estimated 462,182 rally attendees $26,553.64 not to attend."
Image: The Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally usually attracts around 500,000 people
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally began in 1938 and has been held every year since, apart from during the Second World War when it was called off because of petrol rationing.
As well as live music, it features bike races and stunts and generates millions of dollars in income for the local area.
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skynewsus--2020-09-09--500,000 coronavirus cases among US children

More than 500,000 children in the United States have now been diagnosed with coronavirus - as the rate of new cases continues to rise .
Over 70,000 COVID-19 infections were reported among youngsters in the two weeks between 20 August and 3 September , the American Academy of Paediatrics ( AAP ) said .
This marks a 16 % rise and brings the national total to 513,415 , while at least 103 children have died from the illness , said the report , according to NBC .
Live coverage of the latest coronavirus news and updates Academy president , Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers are a chilling reminder of why we need to take this virus seriously .
`` While much remains unknown about COVID-19 , we do know that the spread among children reflects what is happening in the broader communities . ''
And just as among adults , minorities and disadvantaged groups are faring worst .
`` A disproportionate number of cases are reported in black and hispanic children and in places where there is high poverty , '' Dr Goza added .
Researchers said much of the surge over the summer was driven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Midwest and the west .
Indiana , Kentucky , Missouri , Montana , North Dakota and South Dakota were the worst-affected states .
Dr Sean O'Leary , vice-chair of the academy 's committee on infectious diseases , said : `` This rapid rise in positive cases occurred over the summer , and as the weather cools , we know people will spend more time indoors . ''
The academy wants every child over six months old to get the flu vaccine before the end of October , to help prevent a so-called `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this winter .
Dr O'Leary said : `` The goal is to get children back into schools for in-person learning , but in many communities , this is not possible as the virus spreads unchecked .
`` We must take this seriously and implement the public health measures we know can help ; that includes wearing masks , avoiding large crowds , and maintaining social distance . ''
The half a million child cases represent almost 10 % of the overall US total of more than six million , but child deaths make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's total of more than 189,000 .

More than 500,000 children in the United States have now been diagnosed with coronavirus - as the rate of new cases continues to rise.
Over 70,000 COVID-19 infections were reported among youngsters in the two weeks between 20 August and 3 September, the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) said.
This marks a 16% rise and brings the national total to 513,415, while at least 103 children have died from the illness, said the report, according to NBC.
Live coverage of the latest coronavirus news and updates
Academy president, Dr Sara Goza, said: "These numbers are a chilling reminder of why we need to take this virus seriously.
"While much remains unknown about COVID-19, we do know that the spread among children reflects what is happening in the broader communities."
And just as among adults, minorities and disadvantaged groups are faring worst.
"A disproportionate number of cases are reported in black and hispanic children and in places where there is high poverty," Dr Goza added.
Researchers said much of the surge over the summer was driven by infections in the south, the Midwest and the west.
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Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota were the worst-affected states.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:20 Coronavirus in Texas 'a perfect storm'
Dr Sean O'Leary, vice-chair of the academy's committee on infectious diseases, said: "This rapid rise in positive cases occurred over the summer, and as the weather cools, we know people will spend more time indoors."
The academy wants every child over six months old to get the flu vaccine before the end of October, to help prevent a so-called "twindemic" of influenza and the coronavirus this winter.
Dr O'Leary said: "The goal is to get children back into schools for in-person learning, but in many communities, this is not possible as the virus spreads unchecked.
"We must take this seriously and implement the public health measures we know can help; that includes wearing masks, avoiding large crowds, and maintaining social distance."
The half a million child cases represent almost 10% of the overall US total of more than six million, but child deaths make up a tiny fraction of the country's total of more than 189,000.