skynewsus--2020-07-09--COVID-19 is not the only pandemic 'plaguing' African-Americans - and it's getting worse

The doctors in Houston are not the only ones who ’ ve noticed an alarming number of African-Americans are going down with coronavirus in the Texan city .
And there are growing demands for investigations to find out why .
Those running the food charities see thousands of black Americans regularly lining up out of desperation .
People of colour make up a large proportion of those waiting for hours to get COVID-19 tests .
And the statistics jump out .
The latest figures show although only about 23 % of Houston 's population is African-American , around 66 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group .
The editor of the only African-American newspaper in the area says the authorities urgently need to be alert to the disparities because the city 's black citizens are facing multiple challenges .
`` There are two serious pandemics that have plagued African-Americans , '' says Jeffrey L Boney .
`` One has been here since its inception and that is racism - and the other is COVID-19 .
`` Those two are vicious pandemics that are impacting the lives and quality of lives of African-Americans in this country . ''
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas posted yet another daily record high in infections , we returned to the Houston Memorial Medical Centre less than a week after we 'd last been there .
The number of coronavirus patients they 're now treating has jumped by 50 % .
A new ward of 30 beds which has been opened since our last visit is virtually full .
`` We are packed , '' says Dr Joseph Varon , the hospital 's chief medical officer .
`` There 's no question that people of colour get affected with coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we had more than 90 % [ that ] were African-American and Hispanics . ''
One African-American mother-of-two described from her hospital bed the scramble to get into a nearby hospital .
Latanya Robinson told us : `` The biggest fear is that there 's not going to be enough beds ...
Even with me there was not enough beds .
`` They wanted to send me to Corpus Christie ; they wanted to send me to Lufkin ...
Places where I have n't been before , with doctors I do n't know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Where maybe you 'll survive , maybe you wo n't . ''
The racial health disparity hits an ethnic group which is also suffering hardship because of the impact that the pandemic has had on the economy .
While most of the population has been adversely affected by COVID-19 , those who feel most discriminated against are hardest hit .
You do n't need to look far to see suffering on display around multiple street corners in certain parts of Houston , with people scavenging through bins and begging for small change .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 've been in this city during the past fortnight without us being approached for help by hungry people .
`` We need change in the system , '' Antoine Taylor told us .
The 34-year-old works nights making steel drum kits , adding : `` We 're not asking for hand-outs , we 're not asking for sympathy , we just want to be equal .
We want equal opportunities . ''
None of the group we spoke to wore face masks , despite knowing they were statistically at higher risk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them , racism is a far bigger challenge than the pandemic .
`` We got so much other s*** to worry about , '' Caesar Bambino explained .
He 's served seven years for aggravated robbery and insists he fell into crime out of desperation .
A father-of-one nearby said : `` We ca n't get jobs ...
The only way of getting money for people like us is to sell drugs . ''
Houston is where George Floyd grew up .
There are graffiti memorials to him dotted across the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ graphically captured on video , whilst he cried out for his mother and begged the police officer with his knee on his neck to let him breathe .
Mr Floyd 's death provoked mass protests about racism across the globe .
But for the African-Americans we spoke to in Houston , despite the worldwide horror and demands for change , there 's little difference in their everyday lives .
And they 're now being affected disproportionately by a double whammy of coronavirus and racism .

The doctors in Houston are not the only ones who’ve noticed an alarming number of African-Americans are going down with coronavirus in the Texan city.
And there are growing demands for investigations to find out why.
Those running the food charities see thousands of black Americans regularly lining up out of desperation.
Image: The number of coronavirus patients being treated at the Houston Memorial Medical Centre has jumped by 50%
People of colour make up a large proportion of those waiting for hours to get COVID-19 tests.
And the statistics jump out. The latest figures show although only about 23% of Houston's population is African-American, around 66% of coronavirus-related deaths are from this ethnic group.
The editor of the only African-American newspaper in the area says the authorities urgently need to be alert to the disparities because the city's black citizens are facing multiple challenges.
"There are two serious pandemics that have plagued African-Americans," says Jeffrey L Boney.
"One has been here since its inception and that is racism - and the other is COVID-19.
"Those two are vicious pandemics that are impacting the lives and quality of lives of African-Americans in this country."
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Image: A graffiti memorial to George Floyd, who grew up in Houston
And the situation is getting worse.
As Texas posted yet another daily record high in infections, we returned to the Houston Memorial Medical Centre less than a week after we'd last been there.
The number of coronavirus patients they're now treating has jumped by 50%.
A new ward of 30 beds which has been opened since our last visit is virtually full.
"We are packed," says Dr Joseph Varon, the hospital's chief medical officer.
"There's no question that people of colour get affected with coronavirus. At some point in time, we had more than 90% [that] were African-American and Hispanics."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:52 'We're fighting two wars - COVID-19 and stupidity'
One African-American mother-of-two described from her hospital bed the scramble to get into a nearby hospital.
Latanya Robinson told us: "The biggest fear is that there's not going to be enough beds... Even with me there was not enough beds.
"They wanted to send me to Corpus Christi; they wanted to send me to Lufkin... Places where I haven't been before, with doctors I don't know and treatments I don't know... Where maybe you'll survive, maybe you won't."
The racial health disparity hits an ethnic group which is also suffering hardship because of the impact that the pandemic has had on the economy.
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While most of the population has been adversely affected by COVID-19, those who feel most discriminated against are hardest hit.
You don't need to look far to see suffering on display around multiple street corners in certain parts of Houston, with people scavenging through bins and begging for small change.
Not a day has gone by whilst we've been in this city during the past fortnight without us being approached for help by hungry people.
"We need change in the system," Antoine Taylor told us.
The 34-year-old works nights making steel drum kits, adding: "We're not asking for hand-outs, we're not asking for sympathy, we just want to be equal. We want equal opportunities."
None of the group we spoke to wore face masks, despite knowing they were statistically at higher risk of being infected by coronavirus.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:18 Texan berates 'stupid' reporter for wearing mask
To many of them, racism is a far bigger challenge than the pandemic.
"We got so much other s*** to worry about," Caesar Bambino explained.
He's served seven years for aggravated robbery and insists he fell into crime out of desperation.
A father-of-one nearby said: "We can't get jobs... The only way of getting money for people like us is to sell drugs."
Houston is where George Floyd grew up. There are graffiti memorials to him dotted across the city.
His killing six weeks ago was graphically captured on video, whilst he cried out for his mother and begged the police officer with his knee on his neck to let him breathe.
Image: George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis. Pic: Shutterstock
Mr Floyd's death provoked mass protests about racism across the globe.
But for the African-Americans we spoke to in Houston, despite the worldwide horror and demands for change, there's little difference in their everyday lives.
And they're now being affected disproportionately by a double whammy of coronavirus and racism.


skynewsus--2020-07-09--'Political prosecution': Trump blasts court ruling on his tax returns

Donald Trump 's tax returns can be seen by a New York prosecutor , the US Supreme Court has ruled .
The request to view the documents is part of a criminal investigation into alleged hush-money payments to women who claim they had affairs with the US president .
However in a separate ruling , Supreme Court justices said Mr Trump does not have to hand over his financial records to Congress , which has sought them for more than a year .
In response , the US president - who has tried hard to keep his financial records private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political prosecution . ''
`` I won the Mueller Witch Hunt , and others , and now I have to keep fighting in a politically corrupt New York , '' he wrote .
`` Not fair to this Presidency or Administration ! ''
He added : `` Courts in the past have given 'broad deference ' .
BUT NOT ME ! ''
In the New York case , Supreme Court judges rejected arguments by Mr Trump 's lawyers and the US Justice Department that the president is immune from investigation while he holds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show a greater need than normal to obtain the records .
The tax returns are held by the president 's longtime accounting firm , Mazars USA , which has said it would comply with a court order .
It is likely to be at least several weeks before the court issues a formal judgment that would trigger the turnover of the documents .
Because the grand jury process is confidential , the rulings make it unlikely any of Mr Trump 's financial records will become public soon .
Unlike other recent presidents , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax returns and other documents that could provide details on his wealth and the activities of his family real estate company , the Trump Organisation .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker As part of a criminal investigation by the Manhattan district attorney 's office , court writs were issued to Mazars for financial records - including nearly a decade of Mr Trump 's tax returns - to be turned over to a grand jury in New York City .
The investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump Organisation was spurred by claims of hush payments to two women who said they had past sexual relationships with him ; adult film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal .
Mr Trump has denied having relationships with the women .
Following the Supreme Court 's ruling , Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance said : `` This is a tremendous victory for our nation 's system of justice and its founding principle that no one - not even a president - is above the law . ''
The ruling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's financial records returns the case to lower courts , with no clear prospect for when the case might ultimately be resolved .

Donald Trump's tax returns can be seen by a New York prosecutor, the US Supreme Court has ruled.
The request to view the documents is part of a criminal investigation into alleged hush-money payments to women who claim they had affairs with the US president.
However in a separate ruling, Supreme Court justices said Mr Trump does not have to hand over his financial records to Congress, which has sought them for more than a year.
In response, the US president - who has tried hard to keep his financial records private - tweeted: "This is all political prosecution."
Image: Mr Trump's tax returns are held by the president's longtime accounting firm Mazars USA
"I won the Mueller Witch Hunt, and others, and now I have to keep fighting in a politically corrupt New York," he wrote.
"Not fair to this Presidency or Administration!"
He added: "Courts in the past have given 'broad deference'. BUT NOT ME!"
In the New York case, Supreme Court judges rejected arguments by Mr Trump's lawyers and the US Justice Department that the president is immune from investigation while he holds office, or that a prosecutor must show a greater need than normal to obtain the records.
The tax returns are held by the president's longtime accounting firm, Mazars USA, which has said it would comply with a court order.
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It is likely to be at least several weeks before the court issues a formal judgment that would trigger the turnover of the documents.
Because the grand jury process is confidential, the rulings make it unlikely any of Mr Trump's financial records will become public soon.
Unlike other recent presidents, Mr Trump has refused to release his tax returns and other documents that could provide details on his wealth and the activities of his family real estate company, the Trump Organisation.
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
As part of a criminal investigation by the Manhattan district attorney's office, court writs were issued to Mazars for financial records - including nearly a decade of Mr Trump's tax returns - to be turned over to a grand jury in New York City.
The investigation launched in 2018 into Mr Trump and the Trump Organisation was spurred by claims of hush payments to two women who said they had past sexual relationships with him; adult film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal.
Mr Trump has denied having relationships with the women.
Following the Supreme Court's ruling, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance said: "This is a tremendous victory for our nation's system of justice and its founding principle that no one - not even a president - is above the law."
The ruling on Congress' request for Mr Trump's financial records returns the case to lower courts, with no clear prospect for when the case might ultimately be resolved.


skynewsus--2020-07-09--Johnny Depp 'used his blood to paint mirrors and walls during drug-fuelled ordeal'

Actor Johnny Depp used his sliced finger to daub graffiti on a mirror and walls in blood and paint , during an alleged drug-fuelled `` three-day ordeal '' he put his ex-wife Amber Heard through in Australia , the High Court has been told .
In another day of explosive revelations during the Hollywood star 's high-profile libel action against The Sun , the court in London has heard more details about the volatile nature of the former couple 's relationship .
As well as the incident in Australia in 2015 , while Depp was shooting a Pirates Of The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of alleged violence later that year in LA , where it is claimed Depp headbutted Heard - and pictures of the actress with bruises around her eyes were shown to the court .
The actor strenuously denies allegations of abuse and claims it was Heard who abused him .
Here are some of the key moments from day three in court • Photographs of a mirror and wall covered in graffiti - some in blood , some in paint - were shown in court .
Depp admitted using his seriously wounded finger to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then couple were in Australia • The house he was staying in was allegedly left in a `` state of complete carnage '' after it was trashed by the actor • On more than one occasion throughout proceedings , Depp accused Heard of `` building a dossier '' about him and claimed her allegations of domestic abuse are a hoax • He also accused the actress of telling `` porky pies '' about him to a psychiatrist - Heard allegedly told the medical professional that a film she made with actor James Franco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put Depp in hospital • The actor apologised for giving misleading evidence after he was shown a text message in which he said he `` drank all night '' and took `` powders '' and pills before drinking two bottles of champagne on a private flight , after playing down the incident in his witness statement Depp and Heard met in 2011 and began living together in 2012 , before marrying in Los Angeles in February 2015 .
They split in May 2016 .
Their relationship is being put under the microscope as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , News Group Newspapers ( NGN ) , and executive editor Dan Wootton , over an article published in 2018 that labelled him a `` wife beater '' .
The actor 's finger was injured during a prolonged argument at a rented house in Australia , the court heard - he claims he sustained the wound when Heard threw a bottle at him .
The 57-year-old has been accused of assaulting Heard , 34 , and `` completely destroying '' the house in a drink and drug-fuelled rage .
Depp said he `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` three-day ordeal of assaults '' during the Australia trip , saying it was `` pedestrian fiction '' .
Sasha Wass QC , the lead counsel for NGN , put it to Depp that he was `` drinking regularly '' and `` taking controlled drugs '' at the time , to which he replied : `` I respectfully disagree with your assumptions . ''
The actor said it was not a `` three-day ordeal '' and claimed there was an argument when Heard `` started yelling '' about signing a post-nuptial agreement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Depp of slapping Heard , grabbing her by the throat and throwing her `` against a ping-pong table which collapsed '' , all of which the actor denied .
The barrister said that by the last day the couple were in the house , it was `` completely destroyed '' .
She then went on to discuss the scrawlings on the mirror .
`` You had written on a mirror , '' Ms Wass said to Depp .
`` You had written in paint but you had used your finger , your injured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so you had dipped your injured finger in the paint and then used your finger to do the graffiti . ''
Mr Depp said : `` At first , I had used my blood . ''
The actor later said that when he realised the top of his finger was missing `` and pouring blood profusely and the bone was sticking out , I believe that I went into some kind of breakdown '' .
Depp 's case against NGN relates to an article which ran with the headline : `` Gone Potty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happy ' casting wife beater Johnny Depp in the new Fantastic Beasts film ? ''
.
NGN is defending the article and says Depp was `` controlling and verbally and physically abusive towards Ms Heard , particularly when he was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs '' between early 2013 and May 2016 , when the couple broke up .

Actor Johnny Depp used his sliced finger to daub graffiti on a mirror and walls in blood and paint, during an alleged drug-fuelled "three-day ordeal" he put his ex-wife Amber Heard through in Australia, the High Court has been told.
In another day of explosive revelations during the Hollywood star's high-profile libel action against The Sun, the court in London has heard more details about the volatile nature of the former couple's relationship.
As well as the incident in Australia in 2015, while Depp was shooting a Pirates Of The Caribbean film, the court heard details of alleged violence later that year in LA, where it is claimed Depp headbutted Heard - and pictures of the actress with bruises around her eyes were shown to the court.
Image: Photos of Amber Heard with bruises were shown to the court
The actor strenuously denies allegations of abuse and claims it was Heard who abused him.
Here are some of the key moments from day three in court
Photographs of a mirror and wall covered in graffiti - some in blood, some in paint - were shown in court. Depp admitted using his seriously wounded finger to write some of the words while the then couple were in Australia
The house he was staying in was allegedly left in a "state of complete carnage" after it was trashed by the actor
On more than one occasion throughout proceedings, Depp accused Heard of "building a dossier" about him and claimed her allegations of domestic abuse are a hoax
He also accused the actress of telling "porky pies" about him to a psychiatrist - Heard allegedly told the medical professional that a film she made with actor James Franco led to a "binge" that put Depp in hospital
The actor apologised for giving misleading evidence after he was shown a text message in which he said he "drank all night" and took "powders" and pills before drinking two bottles of champagne on a private flight, after playing down the incident in his witness statement
Depp and Heard met in 2011 and began living together in 2012, before marrying in Los Angeles in February 2015. They split in May 2016.
Their relationship is being put under the microscope as Depp is suing The Sun's publisher, News Group Newspapers (NGN), and executive editor Dan Wootton, over an article published in 2018 that labelled him a "wife beater".
The actor's finger was injured during a prolonged argument at a rented house in Australia, the court heard - he claims he sustained the wound when Heard threw a bottle at him.
The 57-year-old has been accused of assaulting Heard, 34, and "completely destroying" the house in a drink and drug-fuelled rage.
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Image: Heard is due to give evidence later in the trial
Image: Dozens of photographers greeted Johnny Depp as he arrived for day three
Depp said he "vehemently denied" subjecting Heard to a "three-day ordeal of assaults" during the Australia trip, saying it was "pedestrian fiction".
Sasha Wass QC, the lead counsel for NGN, put it to Depp that he was "drinking regularly" and "taking controlled drugs" at the time, to which he replied: "I respectfully disagree with your assumptions."
The actor said it was not a "three-day ordeal" and claimed there was an argument when Heard "started yelling" about signing a post-nuptial agreement.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 Depp and Heard arrive for third day of court
During her cross-examination, Ms Wass accused Depp of slapping Heard, grabbing her by the throat and throwing her "against a ping-pong table which collapsed", all of which the actor denied.
The barrister said that by the last day the couple were in the house, it was "completely destroyed".
She then went on to discuss the scrawlings on the mirror.
Image: The court was shown Depp's graffiti on a mirror - said to be in paint and blood
"You had written on a mirror," Ms Wass said to Depp. "You had written in paint but you had used your finger, your injured finger, in place of a paintbrush so you had dipped your injured finger in the paint and then used your finger to do the graffiti."
Mr Depp said: "At first, I had used my blood."
The actor later said that when he realised the top of his finger was missing "and pouring blood profusely and the bone was sticking out, I believe that I went into some kind of breakdown".
Depp's case against NGN relates to an article which ran with the headline: "Gone Potty: How can JK Rowling be 'genuinely happy' casting wife beater Johnny Depp in the new Fantastic Beasts film?".
NGN is defending the article and says Depp was "controlling and verbally and physically abusive towards Ms Heard, particularly when he was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs" between early 2013 and May 2016, when the couple broke up.
The trial continues.


skynewsus--2020-07-09--Toddler thrown from burning building caught by former American football player

Video footage shows the moment a toddler was caught by a former American football player after being thrown out of a burning building by his mother in Phoenix , Arizona .
The three-year-old boy was `` twirling in the air like a propeller '' , Phillip Blanks told ABC7 - adding that it was just `` instinct '' that led to him rushing out , barefoot , to help .
The 28-year-old ex-player said : `` There was n't much thinking .
I just reacted .
I just did it .
`` I just did my best .
His head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ankle got twisted up as I was diving .
The guy who was there with me - it looked like he was n't going to catch him .
So that 's why I stepped in .
`` I just wanted to make a better catch . ''
The child 's mother , Rachel Long , 30 , did not survive the fire ; her other child , an eight-year-old girl , was taken to hospital , along with her younger brother , according to local reports .
Mr Blanks , a former US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Mission Viejo , California , said their mother was `` the real hero '' , saying `` she made the ultimate sacrifice to save her children '' .
The fire started on the third floor of the building on the morning of 3 July , and several residents were evacuated before the fire department arrived , it is claimed .
Spokesman Captain Kenny Overton has been quoted as saying that no firefighters were hurt , but that an adult victim was taken to hospital with a leg injury .

Video footage shows the moment a toddler was caught by a former American football player after being thrown out of a burning building by his mother in Phoenix, Arizona.
The three-year-old boy was "twirling in the air like a propeller", Phillip Blanks told ABC7 - adding that it was just "instinct" that led to him rushing out, barefoot, to help.
The 28-year-old ex-player said: "There wasn't much thinking. I just reacted. I just did it.
Image: Phillip Blanks said his instinct had led him to rush to help
"I just did my best. His head landed perfectly on my elbow. His ankle got twisted up as I was diving. The guy who was there with me - it looked like he wasn't going to catch him. So that's why I stepped in.
"I just wanted to make a better catch."
The child's mother, Rachel Long, 30, did not survive the fire; her other child, an eight-year-old girl, was taken to hospital, along with her younger brother, according to local reports.
Mr Blanks, a former US marine and wide receiver for Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, California, said their mother was "the real hero", saying "she made the ultimate sacrifice to save her children".
The fire started on the third floor of the building on the morning of 3 July, and several residents were evacuated before the fire department arrived, it is claimed.
Spokesman Captain Kenny Overton has been quoted as saying that no firefighters were hurt, but that an adult victim was taken to hospital with a leg injury.


skynewsus--2020-07-09--Javicia Leslie cast as TV's first black Batwoman

Actor Javicia Leslie has been unveiled as the new lead of The CW 's Batwoman , joining the show when it returns next year .
Leslie is set to play a brand new version of the Gotham City hero called Ryan Wilder , who is described as `` likeable , messy , a little goofy , and untamed '' .
The actor 's previous credits include the romcom Always A Bridesmaid and comedy-drama God Friended Me .
She takes over from Ruby Rose , who played season one 's Batwoman - Kate Kane .
Rose exited the show in May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , describing it as a `` very difficult decision '' .
On Instagram , she praised Leslie for taking over the role , saying she would be `` amazing '' .
Producers had originally planned to recast the role of Kane , but instead put a casting call out for an entirely new character in June .
Leslie - who will be the first black person to play the superhero in a live-action TV show or film - said : `` I am extremely proud to be the first Black actress to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` And as a bisexual woman , I am honoured to join this groundbreaking show , which has been such a trailblazer for the LGBTQ+ community . ''
Batwoman has been lauded for being the first superhero series on TV whose central character is a member of the LGBT+ community .
Rose has been openly gay since 2006 and her take on Batwoman was TV 's first openly gay superhero lead .
Leslie 's new character is described as a former drug runner , who previously spent years evading Gotham City Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Deadline .
She now lives in a van with her plant .
Show creator Caroline Dries wrote a note to fans on Twitter to explain why Leslie will play a completely new character .
She said : `` As a lesbian who 's been working as a writer for the past fifteen years , I 'm well aware of the 'Bury Your Gays ' trope , and I have no interest in participating in it . ''
`` Bury Your Gays '' is a term used to describe the high rates of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly among LBT+ women .
Some critics say TV writers show negative experiences of queer people more than positive ones , often to raise up straight , cisgender characters .
`` We 'll never erase her , '' Dries said of Rose 's character .
`` In fact , her disappearance will be one of the mysteries of season two .
`` LGBTQ+ justice is at the very core of what Batwoman is and we have no intention of abandoning that . ''
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Praise for Leslie has come from Batwoman cast member Meagan Tandy , as well as British actor David Harewood , who stars in fellow DC Comics-based show Supergirl .
Batwoman airs in the UK on E4 .

Actor Javicia Leslie has been unveiled as the new lead of The CW's Batwoman, joining the show when it returns next year.
Leslie is set to play a brand new version of the Gotham City hero called Ryan Wilder, who is described as "likeable, messy, a little goofy, and untamed".
The actor's previous credits include the romcom Always A Bridesmaid and comedy-drama God Friended Me.
Image: Leslie's character is a former drug runner, who now lives in a van with her plant
She takes over from Ruby Rose, who played season one's Batwoman - Kate Kane.
Rose exited the show in May, much to the surprise of fans, describing it as a "very difficult decision".
On Instagram, she praised Leslie for taking over the role, saying she would be "amazing".
Producers had originally planned to recast the role of Kane, but instead put a casting call out for an entirely new character in June.
Leslie - who will be the first black person to play the superhero in a live-action TV show or film - said: "I am extremely proud to be the first Black actress to play the iconic role of Batwoman on television.
"And as a bisexual woman, I am honoured to join this groundbreaking show, which has been such a trailblazer for the LGBTQ+ community."
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Batwoman has been lauded for being the first superhero series on TV whose central character is a member of the LGBT+ community.
Rose has been openly gay since 2006 and her take on Batwoman was TV's first openly gay superhero lead.
Leslie's new character is described as a former drug runner, who previously spent years evading Gotham City Police, according to a casting note seen by Deadline.
She now lives in a van with her plant.
Image: Ruby Rose left Batwoman after only one series in the lead role
Show creator Caroline Dries wrote a note to fans on Twitter to explain why Leslie will play a completely new character.
She said: "As a lesbian who's been working as a writer for the past fifteen years, I'm well aware of the 'Bury Your Gays' trope, and I have no interest in participating in it."
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
"Bury Your Gays" is a term used to describe the high rates of death among LGBT+ characters on TV - particularly among LBT+ women.
Some critics say TV writers show negative experiences of queer people more than positive ones, often to raise up straight, cisgender i characters.
"We'll never erase her," Dries said of Rose's character.
"In fact, her disappearance will be one of the mysteries of season two.
"LGBTQ+ justice is at the very core of what Batwoman is and we have no intention of abandoning that."
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Praise for Leslie has come from Batwoman cast member Meagan Tandy, as well as British actor David Harewood, who stars in fellow DC Comics-based show Supergirl.
Batwoman airs in the UK on E4.


skynewsus--2020-07-10--Footage shows last movements of missing Glee star

Security footage has been released showing the last known movements of Glee star Naya Rivera , who is feared to have drowned after taking her son out on a lake in southern California .
The surveillance video was made public by police after an extensive search of the area , involving dive teams and helicopters , failed to find the 33-year-old actress , who is presumed dead .
She was reported missing on Wednesday after disappearing during a boating trip on Lake Piru with her four-year-old son Josey Hollis .
The rental craft was found drifting after it failed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board .
Rivera was nowhere to be seen .
The CCTV shows Rivera arriving at the lake in her black 4x4 vehicle and taking her son from the back seat before walking to the pontoon .
It also shows her boat leaving the dock and heading out on to the lake .
Emergency teams said the effort to find her had now moved from a rescue to a `` search and recovery operation '' .
A Ventura County Sheriff spokesman said it may be some time before any body is found .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entangled on something beneath the water , it may never come back up .
`` There 's no way to really say .
We 're putting our best foot forward to try and locate her , we 're using all the assets that are available to us including technology like sonar . ''
More than 100 people have been involved in the search operation , which was hampered by poor underwater visibility .
Police have also released the emergency 911 call raising the alarm .
The caller , a woman whose husband was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the child , mistakenly identified the four-year-old as a girl .
`` The emergency is we found a little girl in a boat all by herself and her mom is nowhere to be found , '' the caller says .
Rivera is best known for playing high school cheerleader Santana Lopez on musical comedy series Glee from 2009-15 .
The California-born star made her film debut in 2014 horror movie At The Devil 's Door , and later had a role in the Lifetime TV series Devious Maids .
Rivera was engaged to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but they ended their relationship in April the following year .
She then began dating actor Ryan Dorsey and they got married in Mexico in July 2014 .
Josey was born in September 2015 , but Rivera filed for divorce after two years of marriage .
Rivera later called off the separation , but the pair then finalised their divorce in June 2018 .

Security footage has been released showing the last known movements of Glee star Naya Rivera, who is feared to have drowned after taking her son out on a lake in southern California.
The surveillance video was made public by police after an extensive search of the area, involving dive teams and helicopters, failed to find the 33-year-old actress, who is presumed dead.
Image: The effort to find the star is now 'a search and recovery operation'
She was reported missing on Wednesday after disappearing during a boating trip on Lake Piru with her four-year-old son Josey Hollis.
The rental craft was found drifting after it failed to return, with the sleeping child on board. Rivera was nowhere to be seen.
The CCTV shows Rivera arriving at the lake in her black 4x4 vehicle and taking her son from the back seat before walking to the pontoon.
It also shows her boat leaving the dock and heading out on to the lake.
Emergency teams said the effort to find her had now moved from a rescue to a "search and recovery operation".
Image: The boat that Rivera was using when she went missing
A Ventura County Sheriff spokesman said it may be some time before any body is found.
He said: "If the body is entangled on something beneath the water, it may never come back up.
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"There's no way to really say. We're putting our best foot forward to try and locate her, we're using all the assets that are available to us including technology like sonar."
Image: Helicopters were involved in the extensive search operation
More than 100 people have been involved in the search operation, which was hampered by poor underwater visibility.
Police have also released the emergency 911 call raising the alarm.
The caller, a woman whose husband was one of the first people to find the child, mistakenly identified the four-year-old as a girl.
"The emergency is we found a little girl in a boat all by herself and her mom is nowhere to be found," the caller says.
Rivera is best known for playing high school cheerleader Santana Lopez on musical comedy series Glee from 2009-15.
The California-born star made her film debut in 2014 horror movie At The Devil's Door, and later had a role in the Lifetime TV series Devious Maids.
Image: Rivera and ex-husband Ryan Dorsey
Rivera was engaged to rapper Big Sean in October 2013, but they ended their relationship in April the following year.
She then began dating actor Ryan Dorsey and they got married in Mexico in July 2014.
Josey was born in September 2015, but Rivera filed for divorce after two years of marriage.
Rivera later called off the separation, but the pair then finalised their divorce in June 2018.


skynewsus--2020-07-10--Ghislaine Maxwell made to wear paper clothes in jail over suicide risk

Jeffrey Epstein 's confidante Ghislaine Maxwell has been made to wear paper clothing and had her bedding removed while in custody in New York over fears she may try to take her own life , an official has said .
Maxwell , 58 , the ex-lover of convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein , has been given a cellmate to keep her company and is also being constantly monitored at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn .
Someone is also always with her while she is behind bars , an official revealed to the AP news agency on condition of anonymity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ than when she was initially arrested in New Hampshire last week .
Federal officials , rather than those at the Bureau of Prisons , have been specifically tasked with making sure she is protected in case she is attacked by other inmates .
Prison staff were seen to have failed to adequately protect Epstein , who took his own life while in custody awaiting trial last year on charges of sex trafficking .
The financier , 66 , was found dead in his cell in New York in August .
Maxwell , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is accused of facilitating his crimes and even joining in sexually abusing girls , according to the indictment against her .
Several Epstein victims have described her as his chief enabler , recruiting and grooming young girls for abuse .
She has denied wrongdoing and called claims against her `` absolute rubbish '' , but faces up to 35 years in jail if convicted .
Maxwell was arrested by the FBI last week at an isolated estate she had bought in New Hampshire .
She had switched her email address , ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registered at least one new phone number under an alias `` G Max '' , prosecutors have said .
When the agents arrested her , they were not sure that she was even at the home and thought she may have already fled the US to avoid prosecution , the official said .
Maxwell is said to have introduced Epstein to former US president Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew , Duke of York .
One woman , Virginia Roberts Giuffre , claims Andrew had sex with her when she was still a minor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have denied the claims .
The prince last week said he was `` bewildered '' by claims from US prosecutors investigating Epstein that he was being unco-operative .

Jeffrey Epstein's confidante Ghislaine Maxwell has been made to wear paper clothing and had her bedding removed while in custody in New York over fears she may try to take her own life, an official has said.
Maxwell, 58, the ex-lover of convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, has been given a cellmate to keep her company and is also being constantly monitored at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
Someone is also always with her while she is behind bars, an official revealed to the AP news agency on condition of anonymity.
She is being much more closely monitored than when she was initially arrested in New Hampshire last week.
Federal officials, rather than those at the Bureau of Prisons, have been specifically tasked with making sure she is protected in case she is attacked by other inmates.
Prison staff were seen to have failed to adequately protect Epstein, who took his own life while in custody awaiting trial last year on charges of sex trafficking.
The financier, 66, was found dead in his cell in New York in August.
Maxwell, the daughter of late media magnate Robert Maxwell, is accused of facilitating his crimes and even joining in sexually abusing girls, according to the indictment against her.
Several Epstein victims have described her as his chief enabler, recruiting and grooming young girls for abuse.
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She has denied wrongdoing and called claims against her "absolute rubbish", but faces up to 35 years in jail if convicted.
Maxwell was arrested by the FBI last week at an isolated estate she had bought in New Hampshire.
Image: Ghislaine Maxwell and the Duke of York leaving the wedding of his former girlfriend Aurelia Cecil in 2000
Image: Ghislaine Maxwell (R) with Prince Andrew and Virginia Roberts Giuffre in Maxwell's London home
She had switched her email address, ordered packages under someone else's name and registered at least one new phone number under an alias "G Max", prosecutors have said.
When the agents arrested her, they were not sure that she was even at the home and thought she may have already fled the US to avoid prosecution, the official said.
Image: Prosecutors announce charges against Ghislaine Maxwell
Maxwell is said to have introduced Epstein to former US president Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew, Duke of York.
One woman, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, claims Andrew had sex with her when she was still a minor. Both Prince Andrew and Buckingham Palace have denied the claims.
The prince last week said he was "bewildered" by claims from US prosecutors investigating Epstein that he was being unco-operative.


skynewsus--2020-07-10--FBI investigates alleged attempted lynching of black civil rights activist

The FBI is investigating the attempted lynching of a black civil rights activist by a group of white men in Indiana .
Vauhxx Booker , who is a member of the Monroe County Human Rights Commission , claims the men pinned him against a tree before beating him , and one shouted at the others to `` get a noose '' .
Onlookers including his friends - all of whom were white - filmed the incident and shouted `` let him go ! ''
but one of the men shouted back : `` You get out of here , leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a social media post on Friday , Mr Booker said : `` Some moments I feel like myself again , until I wake from nightmares drenched in sweat during the middle of the night . ''
He wrote about the 4 July confrontation on his Facebook page , which he said took place at Lake Monroe , near Bloomington , where he and his friends had decided to watch the lunar eclipse rather than celebrate Independence Day .
On their way to a park a man wearing a cap emblazoned with a Confederate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property , he said .
They told him they believed event organisers had received permission to cross the area , but apologised and warned others to use a public beach to get to the site to avoid conflict .
They later discovered it had been blocked off by a group .
`` They yelled 'white power ' at them , '' and other derogatory remarks he said in his account , so he decided to speak to the men , which is when the altercation turned violent .
The 36-year-old said he suffered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bruises .
He also said the men ripped out some of his hair .
When he was finally let go , he and others called the police , and when officers arrived at the scene he said they spoke to the other group first , made no arrests and told him they would file a report .
A spokesman for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources , whose officers responded to the incident and were criticised for failing to make arrests at the time , said the agency is co-operating with the FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecutors .
Mr Booker 's lawyer , Katharine Liell , wrote on Facebook : `` The FBI has opened an investigation into the attack on Vauhxx as a hate crime .
We welcome this inquiry and feel we are one step closer to justice . ''
She told reporters the attack was `` clearly racially motivated '' and that her client only survived because witnesses came to his aid .
`` I had friends and strangers who were willing to put their lives and their bodies on the line to make sure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who looked different than them was able to survive the situation , '' Mr Booker said at a news conference this week .

The FBI is investigating the attempted lynching of a black civil rights activist by a group of white men in Indiana.
Vauhxx Booker, who is a member of the Monroe County Human Rights Commission, claims the men pinned him against a tree before beating him, and one shouted at the others to "get a noose".
Onlookers including his friends - all of whom were white - filmed the incident and shouted "let him go!" but one of the men shouted back: "You get out of here, leave the boy with us."
In a social media post on Friday, Mr Booker said: "Some moments I feel like myself again, until I wake from nightmares drenched in sweat during the middle of the night."
Image: Vauhxx Booker says he has had 'nightmares' about the incident. Pic: Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/Shutterstock
He wrote about the 4 July confrontation on his Facebook page, which he said took place at Lake Monroe, near Bloomington, where he and his friends had decided to watch the lunar eclipse rather than celebrate Independence Day.
On their way to a park a man wearing a cap emblazoned with a Confederate flag accused them of trespassing on private property, he said.
They told him they believed event organisers had received permission to cross the area, but apologised and warned others to use a public beach to get to the site to avoid conflict. They later discovered it had been blocked off by a group.
"They yelled 'white power' at them," and other derogatory remarks he said in his account, so he decided to speak to the men, which is when the altercation turned violent.
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The 36-year-old said he suffered concussion, as well as cuts and bruises. He also said the men ripped out some of his hair.
When he was finally let go, he and others called the police, and when officers arrived at the scene he said they spoke to the other group first, made no arrests and told him they would file a report.
A spokesman for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, whose officers responded to the incident and were criticised for failing to make arrests at the time, said the agency is co-operating with the FBI while continuing its own investigation with local prosecutors.
Mr Booker's lawyer, Katharine Liell, wrote on Facebook: "The FBI has opened an investigation into the attack on Vauhxx as a hate crime. We welcome this inquiry and feel we are one step closer to justice."
She told reporters the attack was "clearly racially motivated" and that her client only survived because witnesses came to his aid.
"I had friends and strangers who were willing to put their lives and their bodies on the line to make sure that a man they didn't know, who looked different than them was able to survive the situation," Mr Booker said at a news conference this week.


skynewsus--2020-07-10--Elon Musk's Tesla on the verge of joining S&P 500 index

Tesla is on the verge of joining the prestigious S & P 500 stock market index following a year in which its shares have risen by more than 580 % .
The electric car maker exceeded expectations for deliveries in the second quarter , according to an announcement last week , and analysts expect the company will announce a profit during its quarterly report on 22 July .
If they are right , then chief executive Elon Musk will have led Tesla to its first four-quarter profit - a key hurdle to being added to the S & P .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Tesla , which rocketed up from around $ 233 ( £184 ) per share last July to more than $ 1,365 ( £1,079 ) per share today - an increase of roughly 585 % .
The company currently has a market capitalisation - or the cumulative value of all of its shares in circulation - of about $ 250bn .
This would make it one of the most valuable companies ever added to the S & P 500 , and larger than 95 % of the companies already on the list .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then its shares could face even more demand .
Howard Silverblatt , a senior analyst at S & P Dow Jones , told Reuters news agency that the most recent comparable situation he could recall was Yahoo in 1999 .
Over the course of just five trading days , the company 's shares surged 64 % from when the announcement was made it would be added to the index to when it was actually included .
`` The lesson learned from Yahoo was that when you have an up-and-coming issue that may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should already own a little of it , '' said Mr Silverblatt .
`` If you had to get into that stock , you were paying a heck of a premium compared to owning it a week earlier . ''
However , some short sellers are betting $ 19bn that Tesla 's shares will fall .
Short sellers are people who borrow and then sell stock , anticipating a decline in price when they will then buy it back for less money - thus making a profit when the stock drops in value @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest short level in dollars on record for an American company , according to S3 Partners .
The mood of short sellers has obviously irked Musk , who followed through on a joke to sell short shorts through Tesla 's online store last weekend .
The items are being sold in a limited-edition run , apparently only for the purpose of criticising Tesla 's short sellers , at a price which references a puerile internet meme about a sexual position and cannabis consumption .
The Tesla chief executive jibed that he would `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to comfort them through these difficult times '' - and said they would cost $ 69.420 .
The Securities and Exchange Commission is the US agency which regulates stock and options exchanges .
Musk has had numerous run-ins with the agency , including after tweeting that he was considering taking the company private at a price of $ 420 a share - again , the number being a popular reference to cannabis consumption .
Musk - who is also the majority owner and chief executive of SpaceX - settled this suit for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company 's chairman .

Tesla is on the verge of joining the prestigious S&P 500 stock market index following a year in which its shares have risen by more than 580%.
The electric car maker exceeded expectations for deliveries in the second quarter, according to an announcement last week, and analysts expect the company will announce a profit during its quarterly report on 22 July.
If they are right, then chief executive Elon Musk will have led Tesla to its first four-quarter profit - a key hurdle to being added to the S&P.
Image: Tesla could join the S&P 500 index in the coming weeks
It follows a year of remarkable gains for Tesla, which rocketed up from around $233 (£184) per share last July to more than $1,365 (£1,079) per share today - an increase of roughly 585%.
The company currently has a market capitalisation - or the cumulative value of all of its shares in circulation - of about $250bn.
This would make it one of the most valuable companies ever added to the S&P 500, and larger than 95% of the companies already on the list.
If it is added to the index, then its shares could face even more demand.
Howard Silverblatt, a senior analyst at S&P Dow Jones, told Reuters news agency that the most recent comparable situation he could recall was Yahoo in 1999.
Over the course of just five trading days, the company's shares surged 64% from when the announcement was made it would be added to the index to when it was actually included.
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Image: There is also a large short bet against Tesla at the moment
"The lesson learned from Yahoo was that when you have an up-and-coming issue that may possibly go into the index, you should already own a little of it," said Mr Silverblatt.
"If you had to get into that stock, you were paying a heck of a premium compared to owning it a week earlier."
However, some short sellers are betting $19bn that Tesla's shares will fall.
Short sellers are people who borrow and then sell stock, anticipating a decline in price when they will then buy it back for less money - thus making a profit when the stock drops in value.
The bet against Tesla is the largest short level in dollars on record for an American company, according to S3 Partners.
The mood of short sellers has obviously irked Musk, who followed through on a joke to sell short shorts through Tesla's online store last weekend.
The items are being sold in a limited-edition run, apparently only for the purpose of criticising Tesla's short sellers, at a price which references a puerile internet meme about a sexual position and cannabis consumption.
Image: Tesla was selling the 'S3XY' shorts on its website
The Tesla chief executive jibed that he would "send some to the Shortseller Enrichment Commission to comfort them through these difficult times" - and said they would cost $69.420.
The Securities and Exchange Commission is the US agency which regulates stock and options exchanges.
Musk has had numerous run-ins with the agency, including after tweeting that he was considering taking the company private at a price of $420 a share - again, the number being a popular reference to cannabis consumption.
Musk - who is also the majority owner and chief executive of SpaceX - settled this suit for a $20m fine and stepped down as the company's chairman.


skynewsus--2020-07-10--Johnny Depp ended marriage to Amber Heard after 'she defecated in their bed'

Johnny Depp decided to end his marriage with Amber Heard after she allegedly defecated in their bed , a court has heard .
During another day of lurid evidence at the Hollywood star 's high-profile libel action against The Sun , the court in London heard more details about `` the defecation incident '' at their LA penthouse .
Depp rejected assertions from Sasha Wass QC , representing News Group Newspapers , that it was Boo , one of the couple 's two Yorkshire terriers , who `` had problems with her toilet habits '' and had pooed on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court he thought Heard `` or possibly one of her friends '' was responsible , with Heard allegedly describing it as `` just a harmless prank '' .
Mr Depp said on Friday the dogs `` were very well trained '' , adding that it was `` a mystery '' who defecated in the bed `` and it was not left by a three or four-pound dog '' .
Ms Wass continued that Mr Depp was later sent photographs of the faeces , which the actor found `` hilarious '' .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 've laughed that hard for years .
At least the photos are hilarious . ''
Ms Wass added : `` There were jokes like 'Amber Turd ' , 'Amber in the dumps ' going on . ''
Mr Depp replied : `` It was one of the most absurd , unexpected statements that I have ever witnessed in my life so , yes , initially I did laugh because it was so strange . ''
Asked if he accused Ms Heard 's friends of defecating in the bed , Depp replied : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either Ms Heard herself or one of her cohort involved in leaving human faeces on the bed . ''
Depp said in his witness statement that after the April 2016 incident , Heard `` repeatedly tried to contact me either directly or through her sister '' .
He said : `` I was n't in a mindset - I did n't want anything to do with her any more . ''
Mr Depp said he thought the `` defecation incident '' was `` a fitting end to the relationship '' .
Depp and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together in 2012 , before marrying in Los Angeles in February 2015 .
They split in May 2016 .
Depp is suing The Sun 's publisher , News Group Newspapers ( NGN ) , after an article referred to `` overwhelming evidence '' that he attacked Heard during their relationship .
The Pirates Of The Caribbean star has strenuously denied being a `` wife beater '' and accused Heard of being the abuser in their marriage .

Johnny Depp decided to end his marriage with Amber Heard after she allegedly defecated in their bed, a court has heard.
During another day of lurid evidence at the Hollywood star's high-profile libel action against The Sun, the court in London heard more details about "the defecation incident" at their LA penthouse.
Depp rejected assertions from Sasha Wass QC, representing News Group Newspapers, that it was Boo, one of the couple's two Yorkshire terriers, who "had problems with her toilet habits" and had pooed on the bed.
He had previously told the court he thought Heard "or possibly one of her friends" was responsible, with Heard allegedly describing it as "just a harmless prank".
Mr Depp said on Friday the dogs "were very well trained", adding that it was "a mystery" who defecated in the bed "and it was not left by a three or four-pound dog".
Image: Amber Heard and Depp split in 2016
Here are some of the key moments from day four in court:
An audio recording was played in court which Ms Wass said showed Depp "playing with a knife" and threatening to cut himself in front of Heard
Depp said he threatened to cut himself because "I thought that's what she was doing anyway"
The couple rowed after Depp arrived late at Heard's 30th birthday party in April 2016 after being given some "rather unfortunate news" about his financial affairs
The actor claimed he went to bed and was reading when he was confronted by Heard "venting how upset she was that I was so late for her birthday dinner and that I had made a fool of her and that I didn't care and everybody was talking about how awful it was of me to do such a thing and it ramped up and became aggressive... she was very, very angry"
Ms Wass accused Depp of throwing a magnum of champagne at Heard, which missed and the bottle smashed. Depp denied that had happened
She then accused the actor of grabbing Heard by her hair and pushing her on to the bed. Depp denied this
Ms Wass accused Depp of throwing a mobile phone at Heard's face when he went to their LA penthouse to collect some belongings on May 23 2016, which he denied
Heard was at the property with a friend, Mr Tillett Wright, who told her to call the police and also sent a text to another friend, Raquel Pennington, saying Depp was attacking Heard. Depp said the messages were "a choreographed hoax"
Depp called Heard a "spoiled brat" in a text message the next day, told her "the purity of whatever was, has been gone for a long time" and that he he would "never be able to understand how I fell in love with you", adding: "All you wanted was to make me f****** miserable"
He sent a message to Heard's agent Christian Carino which said he wanted her replaced on Warner Brothers' Aquaman sequel
Depp said he had gone from "Cinderella to Quasimodo in 0.6 seconds and I was without a voice at that point"
Ms Wass continued that Mr Depp was later sent photographs of the faeces, which the actor found "hilarious".
He said in a text: "Not sure I've laughed that hard for years. At least the photos are hilarious."
Ms Wass added: "There were jokes like 'Amber Turd', 'Amber in the dumps' going on."
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Mr Depp replied: "It was one of the most absurd, unexpected statements that I have ever witnessed in my life so, yes, initially I did laugh because it was so strange."
Asked if he accused Ms Heard's friends of defecating in the bed, Depp replied: "I was convinced that it was either Ms Heard herself or one of her cohort involved in leaving human faeces on the bed."
Depp said in his witness statement that after the April 2016 incident, Heard "repeatedly tried to contact me either directly or through her sister".
He said: "I wasn't in a mindset - I didn't want anything to do with her any more."
Mr Depp said he thought the "defecation incident" was "a fitting end to the relationship".
Depp and Heard met in 2011 and began living together in 2012, before marrying in Los Angeles in February 2015. They split in May 2016.
Depp is suing The Sun's publisher, News Group Newspapers (NGN), after an article referred to "overwhelming evidence" that he attacked Heard during their relationship.
The Pirates Of The Caribbean star has strenuously denied being a "wife beater" and accused Heard of being the abuser in their marriage.
The hearing continues.


skynewsus--2020-07-11--Roger Stone: US President commutes sentence of former adviser

Donald Trump has commuted the sentence of his former adviser Roger Stone - just days before he was due to report to prison to serve 40 months for crimes related to an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US election .
The White House confirmed the commuting of the sentence in a statement , saying Stone was a victim of the Russia `` hoax '' .
`` Roger Stone has already suffered greatly , '' the White House added .
`` He was treated very unfairly , as were many others in this case .
Roger Stone is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a full pardon , the commutation is sure to alarm critics who have long been critical of the president 's repeated interventions in the nation 's justice system .
Stone had been sentenced in February for lying to Congress , witness tampering and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to win the election .
He was set to report to prison by Tuesday .
A commutation would not erase Stone 's felony convictions in the same way a pardon would , but it would protect him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The decision reflects Mr Trump 's anger over the Russia investigation and is a testament to his conviction that he and his associates were mistreated by agents and prosecutors .
His administration has been eager to rewrite the narrative of special counsel Robert Mueller 's Russia investigation , with Mr Trump 's own Justice Department moving to dismiss the criminal case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn in May .
Stone , for his part , had been open about his desire for a pardon or commutation , appealing for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instagram posts in which he maintained that his life could be in jeopardy if imprisoned during a pandemic .
Mr Trump had repeatedly publicly inserted himself into Stone 's case , including just before Stone 's sentencing , when he suggested in a tweet that Stone was being subjected to a different standard than several prominent Democrats .
He said the conviction `` should be thrown out '' and called the Justice Department 's initial sentencing recommendation `` horrible and very unfair '' .
`` Can not allow this miscarriage of justice !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sixth aide or adviser of Mr Trump to have been convicted of charges brought as part of Mr Mueller 's investigation into election interference .
Mr Trump has also offered clemency to other political allies , including Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio , who was awaiting sentencing at the time , conservative commentator Dinesh D'Souza , who had been convicted on campaign finance violations , and Conrad Black , a newspaper publisher convicted of fraud who had written a flattering book about the president .

Donald Trump has commuted the sentence of his former adviser Roger Stone - just days before he was due to report to prison to serve 40 months for crimes related to an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US election.
The White House confirmed the commuting of the sentence in a statement, saying Stone was a victim of the Russia "hoax".
"Roger Stone has already suffered greatly," the White House added.
"He was treated very unfairly, as were many others in this case. Roger Stone is now a free man!"
Following the decision, Stone told reporters: "I was worried about my safety there. I was worried about my health. So the president has saved my life."
Stone, 67, had been sentenced in February for lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to win the election.
He was set to report to prison by Tuesday.
A commutation would not erase Stone's felony convictions in the same way a pardon would, but it would protect him from serving prison time as a result.
The decision reflects Mr Trump's anger over the Russia investigation and is a testament to his conviction that he and his associates were mistreated by agents and prosecutors.
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His administration has been eager to rewrite the narrative of special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, with Mr Trump's own Justice Department moving to dismiss the criminal case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn in May.
Stone, for his part, had been open about his desire for a pardon or commutation, appealing for the president's help in a series of Instagram posts in which he maintained that his life could be in jeopardy if imprisoned during a pandemic.
Mr Trump had repeatedly intervened in Stone's case, including just before his sentencing when the president suggested in a tweet that Stone was being subjected to a different standard than several prominent Democrats.
Image: Left to right: Roger Stone, Robert Mueller and Donald Trump
He said the conviction "should be thrown out" and called the Justice Department's initial sentencing recommendation "horrible and very unfair".
"Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice!" he wrote.
Congressional Democrats and other critics have accused Mr Trump of undermining the rule of law and democracy.
House of Representatives Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff said: "With this commutation, Trump makes clear that there are two systems of justice in America: one for his criminal friends, and one for everyone else."
The top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Mark Warner, added: "The United States was founded on the rule of law. It seems our president has nothing but contempt for it."
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:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
Bill Russo, a spokesman for Mr Trump's Democratic election opponent Joe Biden, accused the president of abusing his power "as he lays waste to the norms and the values that make our country a shining beacon to the rest of the world".
Stone was the sixth aide or adviser of Mr Trump to have been convicted of charges brought as part of Mr Mueller's investigation into election interference.
Mr Trump has also offered clemency to other political allies, including Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was awaiting sentencing at the time, conservative commentator Dinesh D'Souza, who had been convicted on campaign finance violations, and Conrad Black, a newspaper publisher convicted of fraud who had written a flattering book about the president.


skynewsus--2020-07-10--Storm Fay makes landfall on US east coast

Tropical Storm Fay is set to drench New York City , as it makes landfall on the US east coast .
The storm , which is expected to dump up to 10cm of rain across the region , has already forced President Donald Trump to postpone a campaign rally in New Hampshire , as it begins to batter the US .
Beaches in Delaware have been closed as a result of the winds , which have been reported at speeds of up to 50mph ( 85kph ) , while flooding in the east of the state has made roads impassable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place across Fenwick Island , Delaware , up to Watch Hill in Rhode Island , and includes Long Island in New York , according to forecasters .
New York City experienced heavy downpours on Friday as the centre of Storm Fay approached the area , with videos showing part of the city 's subway flooded as a result .
`` We expect some pretty heavy winds , and we need people to be ready for that , and some flash flooding in certain parts of the city , '' New York City Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He added : `` If you were going to go out tonight , instead order in and keep helping our restaurant community . ''
In the state of Connecticut , the coastal town of Old Saybrook was getting ready to open a local high school as a shelter , but police warned people will be kept away from public areas and kept in family units , due to the coronavirus restrictions .
President Donald Trump said the storm was being monitored by the Miami-based Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed to assist people .
He told reporters : `` We 're fully prepared .
FEMA 's ready in case it 's bad .
Should n't be too bad , but you never know . ''
FEMA said on Friday : `` The centre of Fay will move near or over portions of the New Jersey coast this evening and then move inland over south-eastern New York and western New England tonight and Saturday . ''

Tropical Storm Fay is set to drench New York City, as it makes landfall on the US east coast.
The storm, which is expected to dump up to 10cm of rain across the region, has already forced President Donald Trump to postpone a campaign rally in New Hampshire, as it begins to batter the US.
Beaches in Delaware have been closed as a result of the winds, which have been reported at speeds of up to 50mph (85kph), while flooding in the east of the state has made roads impassable.
Image: Roads in some places are impassable as a result of the storm
Image: Storm Fay is likely to bring flooding to New York City
A tropical storm warning is in place across Fenwick Island, Delaware, up to Watch Hill in Rhode Island, and includes Long Island in New York, according to forecasters.
New York City experienced heavy downpours on Friday as the centre of Storm Fay approached the area, with videos showing part of the city's subway flooded as a result.
"We expect some pretty heavy winds, and we need people to be ready for that, and some flash flooding in certain parts of the city," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Friday morning.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:22 New York subway is flooded
He added: "If you were going to go out tonight, instead order in and keep helping our restaurant community."
More on Delaware Joe Biden marks 49 years since car crash that killed his first wife and infant daughter
In the state of Connecticut, the coastal town of Old Saybrook was getting ready to open a local high school as a shelter, but police warned people will be kept away from public areas and kept in family units, due to the coronavirus restrictions.
President Donald Trump said the storm was being monitored by the Miami-based Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), adding it was on hand if it needed to assist people.
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Image: New York City will be hit with the worst of the storm
He told reporters: "We're fully prepared. FEMA's ready in case it's bad. Shouldn't be too bad, but you never know."
FEMA said on Friday: "The centre of Fay will move near or over portions of the New Jersey coast this evening and then move inland over south-eastern New York and western New England tonight and Saturday."


skynewsus--2020-07-11--'A free man': Trump commutes sentence of former adviser Roger Stone

Donald Trump has commuted the sentence of his former adviser Roger Stone - just days before he was due to report to prison to serve 40 months for crimes related to an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US election .
The White House confirmed the commuting of the sentence in a statement , saying Stone was a victim of the Russia `` hoax '' .
`` Roger Stone has already suffered greatly , '' the White House added .
`` He was treated very unfairly , as were many others in this case .
Roger Stone is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision , Stone told reporters : `` I was worried about my safety there .
I was worried about my health .
So the president has saved my life . ''
Stone , 67 , had been sentenced in February for lying to Congress , witness tampering and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to win the election .
He was set to report to prison by Tuesday .
A commutation would not erase Stone 's felony convictions in the same way a pardon would , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time as a result .
The decision reflects Mr Trump 's anger over the Russia investigation and is a testament to his conviction that he and his associates were mistreated by agents and prosecutors .
His administration has been eager to rewrite the narrative of special counsel Robert Mueller 's Russia investigation , with Mr Trump 's own Justice Department moving to dismiss the criminal case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn in May .
Stone , for his part , had been open about his desire for a pardon or commutation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a series of Instagram posts in which he maintained that his life could be in jeopardy if imprisoned during a pandemic .
Mr Trump had repeatedly intervened in Stone 's case , including just before his sentencing when the president suggested in a tweet that Stone was being subjected to a different standard than several prominent Democrats .
He said the conviction `` should be thrown out '' and called the Justice Department 's initial sentencing recommendation `` horrible and very unfair '' .
`` Can not allow this miscarriage of justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other critics have accused Mr Trump of undermining the rule of law and democracy .
House of Representatives Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff said : `` With this commutation , Trump makes clear that there are two systems of justice in America : one for his criminal friends , and one for everyone else . ''
The top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee , Mark Warner , added : `` The United States was founded on the rule of law .
It seems our president has nothing but contempt for it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Bill Russo , a spokesman for Mr Trump 's Democratic election opponent Joe Biden , accused the president of abusing his power `` as he lays waste to the norms and the values that make our country a shining beacon to the rest of the world '' .
Stone was the sixth aide or adviser of Mr Trump to have been convicted of charges brought as part of Mr Mueller 's investigation into election interference .
Mr Trump has also offered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio , who was awaiting sentencing at the time , conservative commentator Dinesh D'Souza , who had been convicted on campaign finance violations , and Conrad Black , a newspaper publisher convicted of fraud who had written a flattering book about the president .


skynewsus--2020-07-11--Outraged Democrats will have to wait for American people to decide Trump's fate

It had become a case of when , not if , Donald Trump would save his old pal Roger Stone from prison .
When Stone failed in a court bid to delay the start of his sentence next week because of a coronavirus outbreak at the jail , the president stepped in .
Stone was there for Trump at the birth of his presidential ambitions and has remained a loyal defender ever since .
That loyalty has come in handy at a critical moment .
Minutes after the White House made the announcement , Stone was asked what he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do everything I possibly can to get the president re-elected , '' he said .
For the president 's opponents this is just another example of a Commander-in-Chief yanking the legal levers for the benefit of friends and allies at the expense of the rule of law and democracy .
Trump has never given any indication he cares about criticism like that .
But there is genuine unease in the Department of Justice at the president commuting the sentence of a man convicted of a series of offences that could have got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There have been so many moments in the Trump presidency when pundits have looked for parallels to Richard Nixon 's infamous Saturday Night Massacre .
This will be just another one .
But , for all their outrage , Democrats who tried and failed to bring Trump to heel through impeachment once know there is little appetite for another long-drawn out legal process now .
They also know we are less than four months from the presidential election .
And , at this point , the only realistic option is to wait for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is the man they want in the White House for four more years .

It had become a case of when, not if, Donald Trump would save his old pal Roger Stone from prison.
When Stone failed in a court bid to delay the start of his sentence next week because of a coronavirus outbreak at the jail, the president stepped in.
Stone was there for Trump at the birth of his presidential ambitions and has remained a loyal defender ever since. That loyalty has come in handy at a critical moment.
Minutes after the White House made the announcement, Stone was asked what he would do now.
"I'm going to do everything I possibly can to get the president re-elected," he said.
You scratch my back...
For the president's opponents this is just another example of a Commander-in-Chief yanking the legal levers for the benefit of friends and allies at the expense of the rule of law and democracy.
Trump has never given any indication he cares about criticism like that.
But there is genuine unease in the Department of Justice at the president commuting the sentence of a man convicted of a series of offences that could have got him almost a decade in prison.
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Image: Roger Stone was there for Trump at the birth of his presidential ambitions
There have been so many moments in the Trump presidency when pundits have looked for parallels to Richard Nixon's infamous Saturday Night Massacre. This will be just another one.
But, for all their outrage, Democrats who tried and failed to bring Trump to heel through impeachment once know there is little appetite for another long-drawn out legal process now.
They also know we are less than four months from the presidential election.
And, at this point, the only realistic option is to wait for the American people to decide whether Donald Trump is the man they want in the White House for four more years.


skynewsus--2020-07-11--Naya Rivera's four-year-old son watched her disappear beneath water

Naya Rivera 's four-year-old son told police he watched her disappear beneath the water at the California lake she is feared to have drowned in .
Police told the PA news agency that Josey Hollis , who is safe and well , saw his mother disappear under the waves during their boat trip on Wednesday .
There is no evidence to suggest Rivera , 33 , left Lake Piru , Ventura County Sheriff 's Office sergeant Kevin Donoghue said .
He was speaking in response to an online petition , which has attracted almost 25,000 signatures , demanding the search @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donoghue said : `` Our first day was a rescue effort , it was a life-saving effort .
`` We searched with people on the ground , on the shoreline .
We were looking not just for her physically , we were looking for any clues , any evidence that suggested she made it to shore .
`` We did n't find any clues , any evidence that suggested she made it to shore .
The most conclusive piece of evidence we 're really holding on to right now is the statements from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` He observed his mother disappear beneath the water .
So we are very confident she is in the water and that at some point in time we will recover her from the lake . ''
Josey was found asleep and alone on the boat while wearing a life jacket .
An adult-sized life jacket was also found on board .
Sgt Donoghue added : `` If we thought for a moment that there was any chance she could be on land somewhere , if we had any other clues or corroborating information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we would do that and we would be out there searching and looking . ''
Rivera , best known for playing a high school cheerleader on musical-comedy series Glee , is feared to have drowned at Lake Piru - a popular spot for swimmers about 56 miles northwest of central Los Angeles .
CCTV from the dock shows her rented boat departing at about 1pm on Wednesday and it was later found drifting in the northern area of the lake at around 4pm .
Side-scanning sonar systems , which are towed along the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bottom of the lake for any objects that resemble a human body .

Naya Rivera's four-year-old son told police he watched her disappear beneath the water at the California lake she is feared to have drowned in.
Police told the PA news agency that Josey Hollis, who is safe and well, saw his mother disappear under the waves during their boat trip on Wednesday.
There is no evidence to suggest Rivera, 33, left Lake Piru, Ventura County Sheriff's Office sergeant Kevin Donoghue said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:46 CCTV captures Rivera's final moments
He was speaking in response to an online petition, which has attracted almost 25,000 signatures, demanding the search be extended beyond the lake.
Sgt Donoghue said: "Our first day was a rescue effort, it was a life-saving effort.
"We searched with people on the ground, on the shoreline. We were looking not just for her physically, we were looking for any clues, any evidence that suggested she made it to shore.
"We didn't find any clues, any evidence that suggested she made it to shore. The most conclusive piece of evidence we're really holding on to right now is the statements from her son, the only witness.
"He observed his mother disappear beneath the water. So we are very confident she is in the water and that at some point in time we will recover her from the lake."
Josey was found asleep and alone on the boat while wearing a life jacket. An adult-sized life jacket was also found on board.
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Sgt Donoghue added: "If we thought for a moment that there was any chance she could be on land somewhere, if we had any other clues or corroborating information that led us in that direction, we would do that and we would be out there searching and looking."
Image: The boat that Rivera was using when she went missing
Rivera, best known for playing a high school cheerleader on musical-comedy series Glee, is feared to have drowned at Lake Piru - a popular spot for swimmers about 56 miles northwest of central Los Angeles.
CCTV from the dock shows her rented boat departing at about 1pm on Wednesday and it was later found drifting in the northern area of the lake at around 4pm.
Side-scanning sonar systems, which are towed along the water by boats, have been scanning the bottom of the lake for any objects that resemble a human body.


skynewsus--2020-07-11--Jada Pinkett Smith reveals affair with singer during marriage to Will Smith

Jada Pinkett Smith has revealed she had a relationship with another man during her marriage to Will Smith .
Talking to her husband on her Facebook show Red Table Talk , Pinkett Smith said the affair with singer-songwriter August Alsina took place during a period of separation .
Smith described the split , saying : `` We decided we were going to separate for a period of time and you go figure out how to make yourself happy and I will go figure out how to make myself happy . ''
Pinkett Smith added : `` From there , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a different kind of entanglement with August . ''
The 48-year-old actress also said she wanted `` to clear up '' reports that Smith , 51 , had given her `` permission '' to stray .
In a radio interview with The Breakfast Club , Alsina had confirmed that he and Pinkett Smith dated during the marriage and said it was with the full-knowledge and `` blessing '' of Smith - leading to speculation the couple were in an open marriage .
Pinkett Smith clarified : `` The only person who can give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
She said she could see how August `` would perceive it as permission - because we were separated amicably '' .
`` I think he also wanted to make it clear that he 's not a homewrecker , which he 's not , '' she said .
Pinkett Smith said she pursued the relationship around four years ago in a bid `` to feel good '' but said that she and Alsina are no longer in contact .
She said she did not look at her time with the singer as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pinkett Smith married in 1997 , after meeting on the set of 1990s sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air .
The couple have two children together - son Jaden , 22 , and daughter Willow , 20 - both of whom work in the entertainment industry .
Later in the husband and wife chat , Smith admitted he once thought that he and his wife would never speak again .
The couple are now reconciled , with Pinkett Smith describing their union as `` unconditional love '' .
They concluded the interview with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catchphrase from Smith 's Bad Boys franchise : `` We ride together , we die together .
Bad marriage for life '' .

Jada Pinkett Smith has revealed she had a relationship with another man during her marriage to Will Smith.
Talking to her husband on her Facebook show Red Table Talk, Pinkett Smith said the affair with singer-songwriter August Alsina took place during a period of separation.
Smith described the split, saying: "We decided we were going to separate for a period of time and you go figure out how to make yourself happy and I will go figure out how to make myself happy."
Image: Pinkett Smith with Alsina at the 2017 BET Awards
Pinkett Smith added: "From there, as time went on, I got into a different kind of entanglement with August."
The 48-year-old actress also said she wanted "to clear up" reports that Smith, 51, had given her "permission" to stray.
In a radio interview with The Breakfast Club, Alsina had confirmed that he and Pinkett Smith dated during the marriage and said it was with the full-knowledge and "blessing" of Smith - leading to speculation the couple were in an open marriage.
Pinkett Smith clarified: "The only person who can give permission in that particular circumstance is myself".
She said she could see how August "would perceive it as permission - because we were separated amicably".
"I think he also wanted to make it clear that he's not a homewrecker, which he's not," she said.
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Pinkett Smith said she pursued the relationship around four years ago in a bid "to feel good" but said that she and Alsina are no longer in contact.
She said she did not look at her time with the singer as a "transgression".
Smith and Pinkett Smith married in 1997, after meeting on the set of 1990s sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air.
The couple have two children together - son Jaden, 22, and daughter Willow, 20 - both of whom work in the entertainment industry.
Later in the husband and wife chat, Smith admitted he once thought that he and his wife would never speak again.
The couple are now reconciled, with Pinkett Smith describing their union as "unconditional love".
They concluded the interview with a fist-bump, joking around with a catchphrase from Smith's Bad Boys franchise: "We ride together, we die together. Bad marriage for life".


skynewsus--2020-07-12--Trump wears mask in public for first time amid surge in COVID-19 cases

Donald Trump has been seen wearing a mask in public , despite previously appearing reluctant to endorse their use .
The US president was visiting a military hospital in Washington where he met injured service personnel and health workers caring for COVID-19 patients .
The pandemic reached the US in March , and has infected more than 3.2 million people and killed at least 134,000 - a higher number of deaths than in any other country .
But , despite health officials recommending face coverings as a way of limiting the spread of the coronavirus , Mr Trump has previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Associated Press quoted sources close to the president as saying he feared wearing a mask would make him look weak and that it would shift the focus away from the economic recovery .
He has acknowledged that a mask should be worn if people are close together indoors but he has accused reporters of wearing them to be politically correct .
He has also retweeted messages making fun of his Democratic presidential rival Joe Biden for wearing a mask .
When asked about why he had worn a mask on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When you 're in a hospital especially ...
I think it 's expected to wear a mask . ''
The only other time Mr Trump has been seen wearing a mask was during a private tour of a factory in Michigan in May but he was reluctant to be photographed .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker He said later : `` I had one on before .
I wore one in the back area .
I did n't want to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Meanwhile on Saturday , Texas reported a record rise in the number of new cases and a record high in the number of people in hospital with the disease .
The number of cases rose by 10,351 to 250,462 and the number of people in hospital was up by 81 to 10,083 , according to the state 's health department .
Texas governor Greg Abbott warned residents `` things will get worse '' , just a day after he said new rules could be imposed if the state could not stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Donald Trump has been seen wearing a mask in public, despite previously appearing reluctant to endorse their use.
The US president was visiting a military hospital in Washington where he met injured service personnel and health workers caring for COVID-19 patients.
The pandemic reached the US in March, and has infected more than 3.2 million people and killed at least 134,000 - a higher number of deaths than in any other country.
But, despite health officials recommending face coverings as a way of limiting the spread of the coronavirus, Mr Trump has previously refused to wear them at public events.
Image: The US president wore a mask while visiting the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington
The Associated Press quoted sources close to the president as saying he feared wearing a mask would make him look weak and that it would shift the focus away from the economic recovery.
He has acknowledged that a mask should be worn if people are close together indoors but he has accused reporters of wearing them to be politically correct.
He has also retweeted messages making fun of his Democratic presidential rival Joe Biden for wearing a mask.
When asked about why he had worn a mask on Saturday, Mr Trump told reporters: "When you're in a hospital especially... I think it's expected to wear a mask."
The only other time Mr Trump has been seen wearing a mask was during a private tour of a factory in Michigan in May but he was reluctant to be photographed.
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:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
He said later: "I had one on before. I wore one in the back area. I didn't want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it."
A spokesman for Mr Biden said: "Rather than taking responsibility and leading, (Trump) wasted four months that Americans have been making sacrifices by stoking divisions and actively discouraging people from taking a very basic step to protect each other."
Meanwhile on Saturday, Texas reported a record rise in the number of new cases and a record high in the number of people in hospital with the disease.
The number of cases rose by 10,351 to 250,462 and the number of people in hospital was up by 81 to 10,083, according to the state's health department.
Texas governor Greg Abbott warned residents "things will get worse", just a day after he said new rules could be imposed if the state could not stop the number of cases from rising.