skynewsus--2020-09-01--Trump appears to defend teen street vigilante accused of double murder

What must he have thought inside his cell at a juvenile facility in Vernon Hills , Illinois ?
Kyle Rittenhouse , the 17-year-old street vigilante who shot dead two people in Kenosha , is currently staring down the barrel of a double murder charge .
It 's a lonely place , no doubt , but perhaps a little less so with support from the president of the United States .
The teenager is already celebrated by some in America .
Social media footage shows people wearing T-shirts adorned by his image and the words `` American Hero '' .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Free Kyle . ''
If President Trump did n't quite articulate that sentiment in a Monday news briefing , he did n't quite reject it either .
Asked to condemn the shootings , the president spoke of the fact that the teenager was being attacked when shots were fired .
There was no condemnation , rather , mitigation .
He spoke like a lawyer mapping out a case for self-defence .
`` He was trying to get away from them , I guess it looks like , and he fell and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
Likewise when asked about Trump supporters involved in violent confrontations with rival protesters in Portland , Oregon , at the weekend before a man was shot dead ( police have n't confirmed a direct link ) .
He was quizzed about his supporters ' use of paint guns and pepper spray .
The president said : `` That was a peaceful protest and… paint is not bullets . ''
Presidents , through time , have brought calm and comfort to troubled circumstances .
It 's part of the job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , blanket condemnation of violence on all sides would be a start .
However , that does n't necessarily sit with a president , behind in the polls , who views America 's summer of unrest through the prism of his re-election .
Critics point to a divide-and-conquer campaign strategy , a president inflaming a toxic situation and stirring racial tension to appeal to his voter base .
His challenger for the White House , Joe Biden , has accused him of `` fanning the flames of hate and division in our society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in part at least , in the appeal by local government politicians in Kenosha , Wisconsin , who are preparing - reluctantly - for a presidential visit on Tuesday .
The Democratic governor Tony Evers has said he 's concerned his presence will `` only hinder our healing '' .
The president has countered that the visit could `` increase love and respect for our country '' .
If he could use the love , he needs the fear - in the suburbs .
It 's where the Trump voter base resides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past four years .
Dark warnings of riots and anarchy coming to a street near you are a classic play on the politics of fear , designed to unsettle the comfortable middle classes and reel in a wavering vote .
Joe Biden said that Donald Trump viewed violence as a political lifeline .
The president , himself , might not disagree .

What must he have thought inside his cell at a juvenile facility in Vernon Hills, Illinois?
Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old street vigilante who shot dead two people in Kenosha, is currently staring down the barrel of a double murder charge.
It's a lonely place, no doubt, but perhaps a little less so with support from the president of the United States.
Image: Kyle Rittenhouse is accused of killing two people and wounding a third. Pic: Adam Rogan/The Journal Times via AP.
The teenager is already celebrated by some in America. Social media footage shows people wearing T-shirts adorned by his image and the words "American Hero".
You can buy a shirt bearing the words: "Free Kyle."
Image: A man wearing a 'Free Kyle' T-shirt at a pro-Trump rally in New England
If President Trump didn't quite articulate that sentiment in a Monday news briefing, he didn't quite reject it either.
Asked to condemn the shootings, the president spoke of the fact that the teenager was being attacked when shots were fired.
There was no condemnation, rather, mitigation. He spoke like a lawyer mapping out a case for self-defence.
"He was trying to get away from them, I guess it looks like, and he fell and then they very violently attacked him," he said.
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Likewise when asked about Trump supporters involved in violent confrontations with rival protesters in Portland, Oregon, at the weekend before a man was shot dead (police haven't confirmed a direct link).
He was quizzed about his supporters' use of paint guns and pepper spray. The president said: "That was a peaceful protest and… paint is not bullets."
Presidents, through time, have brought calm and comfort to troubled circumstances. It's part of the job description. Perhaps, at this time, blanket condemnation of violence on all sides would be a start.
However, that doesn't necessarily sit with a president, behind in the polls, who views America's summer of unrest through the prism of his re-election.
Critics point to a divide-and-conquer campaign strategy, a president inflaming a toxic situation and stirring racial tension to appeal to his voter base.
His challenger for the White House, Joe Biden, has accused him of "fanning the flames of hate and division in our society".
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It's a view reflected, in part at least, in the appeal by local government politicians in Kenosha, Wisconsin, who are preparing - reluctantly - for a presidential visit on Tuesday.
The Democratic governor Tony Evers has said he's concerned his presence will "only hinder our healing".
The president has countered that the visit could "increase love and respect for our country".
If he could use the love, he needs the fear - in the suburbs. It's where the Trump voter base resides and where it has ebbed away in the past four years.
Dark warnings of riots and anarchy coming to a street near you are a classic play on the politics of fear, designed to unsettle the comfortable middle classes and reel in a wavering vote.
Joe Biden said that Donald Trump viewed violence as a political lifeline.
The president, himself, might not disagree.


skynewsus--2020-08-31--Biden asks Americans if they want 'four more years of Trump' as he quotes Pope John Paul II

Joe Biden has come out fighting as he asked Americans if they wanted the `` toxin '' that is Donald Trump to continue leading the nation .
The Democratic presidential nominee , speaking in a rare public appearance away from his hometown , criticised the president for his handling of the pandemic , police shootings , protests and job losses .
Speaking in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , Mr Biden said : `` The incumbent president is incapable of telling us the truth , incapable of facing the facts , incapable of healing .
`` He does n't want to shed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And he 's stoking violence in our cities .
`` Ask yourself , do I look like a radical socialist with a soft spot for rioters ?
Really ?
I want a safe America , safe from COVID .
`` Safe from crime and looting .
Safe from racially motivated violence .
Safe from bad cops .
Let me be crystal clear , safe from four more years of Donald Trump . ''
He told voters that he is `` in this campaign for you '' and that he does `` not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , he said .
The former vice-president has used the campaign so far to highlight Mr Trump 's handling of the pandemic , but he broadened his attack on Monday to several other issues , including law and order - one of the president 's main focuses .
`` Does anyone believe there will be less violence in America if Donald Trump is re-elected ? ''
he asked the crowd .
Mr Biden accused the president of failing to protect the nation as violent protests have dominated several cities over the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of black Americans .
`` He failed to protect this nation so he 's trying to scare America , '' he said as he added that Mr Trump has `` no problem with right-wing militia '' who are `` more heavily armed than the police '' taking over the protests .
Mr Biden dismissed Mr Trump as incapable of tackling the violence `` because for years he 's fomented it '' and said the president does not want to stop it because it plays to his base .
In reaction to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condemn the violence , the Democrat said : `` It 's lawlessness , plain and simple .
And those who do it should be prosecuted . ''
But the president hit back , tweeting : `` To me , he 's blaming the police far more than he 's blaming the rioters , anarchists , agitators , and looters , which he could never blame or he would lose the radical left Bernie supports ! ''
Mr Trump also retweeted a clip of Mr Biden seemingly stumbling over his words during the speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing a `` subservient role '' to Russian president Vladimir Putin , and said he had a plan for economic recovery , a plan to tackle COVID-19 and increasing murder rates .
He added that he had a clean energy strategy and emphasised he would not ban fracking `` no matter how many times Donald Trump lies about me '' .
The president has been a `` toxic presence '' who is `` poisoning '' how Americans talk to each other and view each other , he said .
`` Will we rid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a permanent part of our nation 's character ? ''
As he finished his speech he quoted Pope John Paul II , saying : `` Be not afraid , fear never builds the future but hope does . ''

Joe Biden has come out fighting as he asked Americans if they wanted the "toxin" that is Donald Trump to continue leading the nation.
The Democratic presidential nominee, speaking in a rare public appearance away from his hometown, criticised the president for his handling of the pandemic, police shootings, protests and job losses.
Speaking in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mr Biden said: "The incumbent president is incapable of telling us the truth, incapable of facing the facts, incapable of healing.
Image: Joe Biden arrived in Pennsylvania ahead of his campaign speech in Pittsburgh
"He doesn't want to shed light, he wants to generate heat. And he's stoking violence in our cities.
"Ask yourself, do I look like a radical socialist with a soft spot for rioters? Really? I want a safe America, safe from COVID.
"Safe from crime and looting. Safe from racially motivated violence. Safe from bad cops. Let me be crystal clear, safe from four more years of Donald Trump."
Image: Mr Trump accepted the Republican nomination - and attacked what he called the 'radicalism' of Joe Biden
He told voters that he is "in this campaign for you" and that he does "not think about myself" - unlike Mr Trump, he said.
The former vice-president has used the campaign so far to highlight Mr Trump's handling of the pandemic, but he broadened his attack on Monday to several other issues, including law and order - one of the president's main focuses.
"Does anyone believe there will be less violence in America if Donald Trump is re-elected?" he asked the crowd.
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Mr Biden accused the president of failing to protect the nation as violent protests have dominated several cities over the past few months following the police shootings of a number of black Americans.
"He failed to protect this nation so he's trying to scare America," he said as he added that Mr Trump has "no problem with right-wing militia" who are "more heavily armed than the police" taking over the protests.
Mr Biden dismissed Mr Trump as incapable of tackling the violence "because for years he's fomented it" and said the president does not want to stop it because it plays to his base.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:24 Trump says he will 'probably go' to Kenosha
In reaction to the president saying Mr Biden will not condemn the violence, the Democrat said: "It's lawlessness, plain and simple. And those who do it should be prosecuted."
But the president hit back, tweeting: "To me, he's blaming the police far more than he's blaming the rioters, anarchists, agitators, and looters, which he could never blame or he would lose the radical left Bernie supports!"
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Mr Trump also retweeted a clip of Mr Biden seemingly stumbling over his words during the speech.
The Democrat accused Mr Trump of playing a "subservient role" to Russian president Vladimir Putin, and said he had a plan for economic recovery, a plan to tackle COVID-19 and increasing murder rates.
He added that he had a clean energy strategy and emphasised he would not ban fracking "no matter how many times Donald Trump lies about me".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:50 Trump: Biden will 'demolish' the American dream
The president has been a "toxic presence" who is "poisoning" how Americans talk to each other and view each other, he said.
"Will we rid ourselves of this toxin or make it a permanent part of our nation's character?"
As he finished his speech he quoted Pope John Paul II, saying: "Be not afraid, fear never builds the future but hope does."


skynewsus--2020-08-31--Porn star Ron Jeremy facing further 20 sexual assault charges on 13 women and girls

Adult film star Ron Jeremy has been charged with a further 20 counts of sexual assault involving 13 women from 2004 to January this year , prosecutors have said .
The 67-year-old was charged with raping three women and sexually assaulting another in June and has been held in jail on $ 6.6m ( £4.86m ) bail since .
New charges were announced on Monday , including six counts of sexual battery by restraint , five counts of rape and lewd conduct with a 15-year-old girl .
The new charges against the highly successful actor , whose full name is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years and the alleged victims range from 15 to 54-years-old , prosecutors said .
They said the teenager was allegedly attacked at a house party in Santa Clarita , a city 33 miles north of Los Angeles .
The latest incident occurred on New Year 's Day this year when he is said to have sexually assaulted a 21-year-old woman outside a business in Hollywood , prosecutors allege .
Six other alleged assaults happened inside a West Hollywood bar the actor frequented , while another was in the bar 's car park , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges , Jeremy faces a possible maximum sentence of more than 250 years to life in state prison .
When the initial charges were filed in June , the Los Angeles County Sheriff 's Department urged more alleged victims to come forward .
Nicknamed `` The Hedgehog '' , Jeremy is one of the porn industry 's most high-profile figures , appearing in more than 2,000 films since he started in the 1970s .
In June , he denied the allegations in a tweet which said : `` I am innocent of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prove my innocence in court !
Thank you to everyone for all the support . ''

Adult film star Ron Jeremy has been charged with a further 20 counts of sexual assault involving 13 women from 2004 to January this year, prosecutors have said.
The 67-year-old was charged with raping three women and sexually assaulting another in June and has been held in jail on $6.6m (£4.86m) bail since.
New charges were announced on Monday, including six counts of sexual battery by restraint, five counts of rape and lewd conduct with a 15-year-old girl.
Image: Ron Jeremy denied the initial charges in June
The new charges against the actor, whose full name is Ron Jeremy Hyatt, span over 16 years and the alleged victims range from 15 to 54-years-old, prosecutors said.
They said the teenager was attacked at a house party in Santa Clarita, a city 33 miles north of Los Angeles.
The latest incident occurred on New Year's Day this year when he is said to have sexually assaulted a 21-year-old woman outside a business in Hollywood, prosecutors allege.
Six other assaults happened inside a West Hollywood bar the actor frequented, while another was in the bar's car park, prosecutors claim.
If convicted of the charges, Jeremy faces a possible maximum sentence of more than 250 years to life in state prison.
When the initial charges were filed in June, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department urged more alleged victims to come forward.
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Nicknamed "The Hedgehog", Jeremy is one of the porn industry's most high-profile figures, appearing in more than 2,000 films since he started in the 1970s.
In June, he denied the allegations in a tweet which said: "I am innocent of all charges. I can't wait to prove my innocence in court! Thank you to everyone for all the support."


skynewsus--2020-08-31--US tops six million coronavirus cases - up one million in three weeks

More than six million coronavirus cases have now been recorded in the US , according to Johns Hopkins University .
On Monday , researchers at the university recorded 6,006,327 COVID-19 cases in the US and 183,203 deaths .
Three weeks ago , the US reached five million confirmed cases .
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have been tracking global cases since the start of the pandemic .
The US has had the highest number of cases over the past few months , with Brazil coming in second with 3,862,311 cases and 120,828 deaths as of Monday .
The UK has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world , at 338,079 , with 41,588 deaths , according to the university .
Health officials in the US believe the number of cases there are much higher , with around 10 times as many people infected for every reported case , due to limits on testing and the large number of mild cases that have gone unreported or unrecognised .
Many Americans have resisted wearing face masks and social distancing , with the US failure to contain the spread of coronavirus met with astonishment and alarm in the rest of the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 70-minute long speech in which he accepted the Republican presidential nomination to claim the US has had one of the best responses in the world to the pandemic .
The president said : `` The United States has among the lowest case fatality rates of any major country in the world .
`` The European Union 's case fatality rate is nearly three times higher than ours .
Altogether , the nations of Europe have experienced a 30 % greater increase in excess mortality than the United States .
`` Unfortunately , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shown themselves capable of nothing but a partisan ability to criticise .
`` When I took bold action to issue a travel ban on China , Joe Biden called it hysterical and xenophobic .
If we had listened to Joe , hundreds of thousands more Americans would have died . ''
The coronavirus pandemic has slashed support for Mr Trump , but he sought to improve his chances in his speech by declaring there will be a vaccine before the end of 2020 - despite virulent disagreement from epidemiologists .

More than six million coronavirus cases have now been recorded in the US, according to Johns Hopkins University.
On Monday, researchers at the university recorded 6,006,327 COVID-19 cases in the US and 183,203 deaths.
Three weeks ago, the US reached five million confirmed cases.
Image: American Football has started up again in some states, with players wearing masks to warm up but not to play
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have been tracking global cases since the start of the pandemic.
The US has had the highest number of cases over the past few months, with Brazil coming in second with 3,862,311 cases and 120,828 deaths as of Monday.
The UK has the 13th highest number of cases in the world, at 338,079, with 41,588 deaths, according to the university.
Health officials in the US believe the number of cases there are much higher, with around 10 times as many people infected for every reported case, due to limits on testing and the large number of mild cases that have gone unreported or unrecognised.
Many Americans have resisted wearing face masks and social distancing, with the US failure to contain the spread of coronavirus met with astonishment and alarm in the rest of the world.
On Friday, Donald Trump used a 70-minute long speech in which he accepted the Republican presidential nomination to claim the US has had one of the best responses in the world to the pandemic.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:34 Trump accepts Republican presidential nomination
The president said: "The United States has among the lowest case fatality rates of any major country in the world.
"The European Union's case fatality rate is nearly three times higher than ours. Altogether, the nations of Europe have experienced a 30% greater increase in excess mortality than the United States.
"Unfortunately, from the beginning, our opponents have shown themselves capable of nothing but a partisan ability to criticise.
"When I took bold action to issue a travel ban on China, Joe Biden called it hysterical and xenophobic. If we had listened to Joe, hundreds of thousands more Americans would have died."
The coronavirus pandemic has slashed support for Mr Trump, but he sought to improve his chances in his speech by declaring there will be a vaccine before the end of 2020 - despite virulent disagreement from epidemiologists.


skynewsus--2020-08-31--Katy Perry shares post-partum underwear selfie days after giving birth

Revealing photos of stars in their underwear are not unusual , but Katy Perry has raised the stakes by sharing a selfie in her pants and bra just days after giving birth .
The 35-year-old 's refreshingly honest Instagram story shows her standing in front of her bathroom mirror wearing just a beige nursing bra and a pair of comfortable grey knickers .
Despite many people erroneously believing a baby bump disappears the moment a baby is born , a mother 's raised stomach can take up to three months to return to a semblance of its pre-pregnancy state .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pigmentation called Linea Nigra are also added extras for most new mums to deal with , but rarely discussed in polite company .
In captions added to her selfie , Perry credited her hair and makeup to `` exhaustion '' , as well as name checking the makers of her post-pregnancy support wear .
Perry became a mother for the first time earlier this week , announcing the birth of her daughter with British actor Orlando Bloom - Daisy Dove - on social media .
In a world that 's keen to encourage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures as soon after birth as possible , Perry 's willingness to show the reality of a post-partum body is likely to earn her credit from mothers around the world .
The later part of Perry 's pregnancy took place amid the coronavirus pandemic , an experience she called an `` emotional roller-coaster '' .
Most women do n't get back to their pre-pregnancy weight until about six months after their baby 's birth .
Perry and Bloom , 43 , said they were both `` floating with love '' following Daisy 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ page to raise money for new mothers and their children .
The couple are both goodwill ambassadors for the United Nations charity .
Perry shared her bathroom photo on the night of the virtual MTV Video Music Awards , adding a VMA logo and the cover of her latest album to the snap .
Despite the lack of a red carpet , her outfit was n't actually a world away from her 2008 VMA look , when Perry rocked a Wonder Woman style sequined bodice and skin coloured silk hot pants .
: @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker She had been nominated in the best cinematography category for her single Harleys in Hawaii , but lost out to Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande for their duet Rain On Me .
It 's been a productive time for the pop star , who also released her sixth studio album - Smile - last week .

Revealing photos of stars in their underwear are not unusual, but Katy Perry has raised the stakes by sharing a selfie in her pants and bra just days after giving birth.
The 35-year-old's refreshingly honest Instagram story shows her standing in front of her bathroom mirror wearing just a beige nursing bra and a pair of comfortable grey knickers.
Despite many people erroneously believing a baby bump disappears the moment a baby is born, a mother's raised stomach can take up to three months to return to a semblance of its pre-pregnancy state.
Image: In the most refreshing celebrity selfie of the year, Perry celebrates the female body. Pic: Instagram/@KatyPerry
Stretch marks and a line of dark pigmentation called Linea Nigra are also added extras for most new mums to deal with, but rarely discussed in polite company.
In captions added to her selfie, Perry credited her hair and makeup to "exhaustion", as well as name checking the makers of her post-pregnancy support wear.
Perry became a mother for the first time earlier this week, announcing the birth of her daughter with British actor Orlando Bloom - Daisy Dove - on social media.
In a world that's keen to encourage women to snap back to their pre-baby figures as soon after birth as possible, Perry's willingness to show the reality of a post-partum body is likely to earn her credit from mothers around the world.
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The later part of Perry's pregnancy took place amid the coronavirus pandemic, an experience she called an "emotional roller-coaster".
Most women don't get back to their pre-pregnancy weight until about six months after their baby's birth.
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Perry and Bloom, 43, said they were both "floating with love" following Daisy's birth and set up a UNICEF donation page to raise money for new mothers and their children.
The couple are both goodwill ambassadors for the United Nations charity.
Perry shared her bathroom photo on the night of the virtual MTV Video Music Awards, adding a VMA logo and the cover of her latest album to the snap.
Despite the lack of a red carpet, her outfit wasn't actually a world away from her 2008 VMA look, when Perry rocked a Wonder Woman style sequined bodice and skin coloured silk hot pants.
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She had been nominated in the best cinematography category for her single Harleys in Hawaii, but lost out to Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande for their duet Rain On Me.
It's been a productive time for the pop star, who also released her sixth studio album - Smile - last week.


skynewsus--2020-09-01--Kanye denies being paid by Republicans to run for president

Kanye West has denied claims he is being paid by Republicans to run for president - insisting he has `` more money than Trump '' .
Speaking on fellow rapper Nick Cannon 's podcast , Cannon 's Class , he admitted there were rumours that he and the president 's party were `` in cahoots '' .
It has been suggested that his campaign is a ruse to draw voters away from Donald Trump 's Democratic Party rival , Joe Biden .
But West said : `` People keep on saying , ' I think that y'all - you and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' He added : `` Bro , ca n't nobody pay me .
I 've got more money than Trump . ''
The musician is a billionaire , according to Forbes magazine , largely because of his Yeezy range of trainers .
Cannon said : `` But people are saying that you 're a distraction , and because they do n't want four more years of Trump , maybe you might .
You want an alternative of four years of Ye .
Is that realistic right now in 2020 ? ''
West said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president - I 'm walking . ''
West announced he was running for the highest office in the land in early July , tweeting that `` we must now realise the promise of America '' , immediately attracting the support of fellow billionaire and Tesla founder Elon Musk .
A few days later he said he had `` lost confidence '' in Mr Trump , the man he appeared to stun into silence during an expletive-filled rant at the White House in 2018 .
Outlining his appeal to voters , he said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banner of The Birthday Party - `` because when we win , it 's everybody 's birthday '' .
He also suggested that anyone who had a baby under his presidency would be paid a million dollars .
But the seriousness of his campaign came into question as he asked fans to sign a petition calling for him to be added to the presidential ballot in South Carolina after appearing to miss the cut-off date .
He also failed to make the ballot in his home state of Illinois , Wisconsin and Montana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state 's election chief to try to get on the ballot there after being deemed unqualified as an independent candidate .
Some opponents of Mr Trump fear West 's presence on the ballot in key battleground states could split the vote against the current president .
His wife , Kim Kardashian West , recently spoke about his bipolar disorder , describing him as a `` brilliant but complicated person '' .

Kanye West has denied claims he is being paid by Republicans to run for president - insisting he has "more money than Trump".
Speaking on fellow rapper Nick Cannon's podcast, Cannon's Class, he admitted there were rumours that he and the president's party were "in cahoots".
It has been suggested that his campaign is a ruse to draw voters away from Donald Trump's Democratic Party rival, Joe Biden.
But West said: "People keep on saying, 'I think that y'all - you and Republicans - are in cahoots'."
He added: "Bro, can't nobody pay me. I've got more money than Trump."
The musician is a billionaire, according to Forbes magazine, largely because of his Yeezy range of trainers.
Cannon said: "But people are saying that you're a distraction, and because they don't want four more years of Trump, maybe you might. You want an alternative of four years of Ye. Is that realistic right now in 2020?"
West said: "I'm not running for president - I'm walking."
West announced he was running for the highest office in the land in early July, tweeting that "we must now realise the promise of America", immediately attracting the support of fellow billionaire and Tesla founder Elon Musk.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:06 'People expect that if you're black, you have to be Democrat'
A few days later he said he had "lost confidence" in Mr Trump, the man he appeared to stun into silence during an expletive-filled rant at the White House in 2018.
Outlining his appeal to voters, he said he was running as an independent under the banner of The Birthday Party - "because when we win, it's everybody's birthday".
He also suggested that anyone who had a baby under his presidency would be paid a million dollars.
Image: Kim Kardashian West has described her husband as 'brilliant but complicated'
But the seriousness of his campaign came into question as he asked fans to sign a petition calling for him to be added to the presidential ballot in South Carolina after appearing to miss the cut-off date.
He also failed to make the ballot in his home state of Illinois, Wisconsin and Montana.
In Ohio, he sued the state's election chief to try to get on the ballot there after being deemed unqualified as an independent candidate.
Some opponents of Mr Trump fear West's presence on the ballot in key battleground states could split the vote against the current president.
His wife, Kim Kardashian West, recently spoke about his bipolar disorder, describing him as a "brilliant but complicated person".


skynewsus--2020-09-01--Zoom profits shoot higher as it eyes 'future of working anywhere'

Zoom has reported a more than thirty-fold rise in quarterly profits and lifted its outlook as it set its sights on a `` future of working anywhere '' .
The US-based video conferencing platform has thrived during the pandemic as lockdowns meant office , school , court hearings and social gatherings were forced online .
It reported a 355 % rise in revenues to $ 663.5m ( £494m ) for the second quarter to the end of July while profits spiralled to $ 185.7m ( £138m ) compared to $ 5.5m a year ago .
The company also lifted its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just under $ 2.4bn , up from $ 1.8bn forecast in June , as it sees firms adopting video meeting technology in the longer term - not just as temporary measure .
Zoom had previously warned that it might suffer a wave of cancellations during the second half of the year if efforts to contain the coronavirus allowed more workers to return to offices .
But continued worries about fresh spikes in case numbers mean many companies are holding off full reopenings until the end of the year and possibly into well into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Organisations are shifting from addressing their immediate business continuity needs to supporting a future of working anywhere , learning anywhere , and connecting anywhere on Zoom 's video-first platform . ''
The company has been working to convert its mass of free users to paying customers and said by the end of the second quarter it had 370,200 subscribers with at least ten employees , up from 105,000 at the end of April and 66,300 a year ago .
There were 988 customers worth $ 100,000 or more in annual revenue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the company have risen fivefold so far this year and were up by 23 % in after-hours trading following the release of its update late on Monday .
An upsurge in demand for Zoom 's services initially appeared to catch it off guard as hackers and others exploited security weaknesses to snoop on meetings but it now says it has closed most of the loopholes .
: : Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker More recently , it suffered a major outage on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were resuming online lessons after a summer break .

Zoom has reported a more than thirty-fold rise in quarterly profits and lifted its outlook as it set its sights on a "future of working anywhere".
The US-based video conferencing platform has thrived during the pandemic as lockdowns meant office, school, court hearings and social gatherings were forced online.
It reported a 355% rise in revenues to $663.5m (£494m) for the second quarter to the end of July while profits spiralled to $185.7m (£138m) compared to $5.5m a year ago.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:49 COVID-19: Britons urged to return to office
The company also lifted its revenue outlook for the full year to just under $2.4bn, up from $1.8bn forecast in June, as it sees firms adopting video meeting technology in the longer term - not just as temporary measure.
Zoom had previously warned that it might suffer a wave of cancellations during the second half of the year if efforts to contain the coronavirus allowed more workers to return to offices.
But continued worries about fresh spikes in case numbers mean many companies are holding off full reopenings until the end of the year and possibly into well into 2021.
Zoom boss Eric Yuan said: "Organisations are shifting from addressing their immediate business continuity needs to supporting a future of working anywhere, learning anywhere, and connecting anywhere on Zoom's video-first platform."
The company has been working to convert its mass of free users to paying customers and said by the end of the second quarter it had 370,200 subscribers with at least ten employees, up from 105,000 at the end of April and 66,300 a year ago.
There were 988 customers worth $100,000 or more in annual revenue, doubling from last year.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:56 Confidence to go back to work safely 'crucial for our cities'
Shares in the company have risen fivefold so far this year and were up by 23% in after-hours trading following the release of its update late on Monday.
An upsurge in demand for Zoom's services initially appeared to catch it off guard as hackers and others exploited security weaknesses to snoop on meetings but it now says it has closed most of the loopholes.
:: Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
More recently, it suffered a major outage on the same day many schools said they were resuming online lessons after a summer break.


skynewsus--2020-09-01--Trump accuses protesters of carrying out acts of 'domestic terror'

Donald Trump has accused protesters of carrying out acts of `` domestic terror '' after a white police officer was filmed shooting a black man in the back in Wisconsin .
The US president made the remarks on a visit to the city of Kenosha , where Jacob Blake , 29 , was left paralysed from the waist down following the shooting on 23 August .
Protesters have marched in Kenosha every night since the shooting , with some demonstrations resulting in buildings and vehicles being damaged and set on fire .
When he arrived in Kenosha , he toured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unrest in the Wisconsin city , before sitting down with leaders to discuss the violence .
Mr Trump said during a roundtable discussion on Tuesday : `` Violent mobs demolished or damaged at least 25 businesses , burned down public buildings and threw bricks at police officers - which your police officers wo n't stand for , and they did n't stand for it .
`` These are not acts of peaceful protest but really domestic terror . ''
Around 1,000 people joined a mile-long march in Kenosha on Saturday night chanting `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice , No Peace '' and `` seven bullets , seven days '' - a reference to the number of times Mr Blake was shot .
Referencing demonstrations that have taken place since the shooting , the US president continued : `` To stop the political violence we must also confront the radical ideology that includes this violence .
`` Reckless far-left politicians continue to push the destructive message that our nation and our law enforcement are oppressive or racist , they 'll throw out any word that comes to them .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to our law enforcement .
It 's all about giving them additional support . ''
Mr Trump went on to say `` you can do 10,000 great jobs as a policeman or a policewoman ... and then you have one bad apple or something happens that 's bad , and that 's the nightly news for three weeks '' .
He added the federal government will provide $ 1m ( £750,000 ) to local law enforcement in Wisconsin , $ 4m ( £3m ) for small businesses and $ 42m ( £31m ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump later claimed crime rates were highest in cities run by Democrats before adding : `` We want to increase police funding substantially . ''
: : Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The US president is offering himself as the `` law and order '' candidate who is best positioned to keep Americans safe leading up to the election on 3 November .
He met with police officers at a high school as part of his visit to Kenosha .
Mr Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been charged with killing two demonstrators in Kenosha on 25 August was acting in self-defence .
Justin Blake , one of Jacob Blake 's uncles , earlier said on Tuesday the justice system needs to be changed so that black children can play outside without worrying about being shot by police .
He also is calling for authorities to charge the officer who shot his nephew on 23 August .

Donald Trump has accused protesters of carrying out acts of "domestic terror" after a white police officer was filmed shooting a black man in the back in Wisconsin.
The US president made the remarks on a visit to the city of Kenosha, where Jacob Blake, 29, was left paralysed from the waist down following the shooting on 23 August.
Protesters have marched in Kenosha every night since the shooting, with some demonstrations resulting in buildings and vehicles being damaged and set on fire.
Image: US President Donald Trump went to visit the areas damaged by violence in Kenosha
Image: Buildings have been damaged in the Kenosha protests, whch were sparked by the shooting of Jacob Blake
When he arrived in Kenosha, he toured some of the areas damaged by the unrest in the Wisconsin city, before sitting down with leaders to discuss the violence.
Mr Trump said during a roundtable discussion on Tuesday: "Violent mobs demolished or damaged at least 25 businesses, burned down public buildings and threw bricks at police officers - which your police officers won't stand for, and they didn't stand for it.
"These are not acts of peaceful protest but really domestic terror."
Image: Flares go off in front of a police vehicle during the demonstrations in Kenosha
Image: Law enforcement officers stand behind shields during one of the nights of protest last week
Around 1,000 people joined a mile-long march in Kenosha on Saturday night chanting "Black Lives Matter", "No Justice, No Peace" and "seven bullets, seven days" - a reference to the number of times Mr Blake was shot.
Referencing demonstrations that have taken place since the shooting, the US president continued: "To stop the political violence we must also confront the radical ideology that includes this violence.
"Reckless far-left politicians continue to push the destructive message that our nation and our law enforcement are oppressive or racist, they'll throw out any word that comes to them.
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"Actually we must give far greater support to our law enforcement. It's all about giving them additional support."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 'We deserve better': Jesse Jackson criticises Trump
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:30 Video shows moments before shooting
Mr Trump went on to say "you can do 10,000 great jobs as a policeman or a policewoman... and then you have one bad apple or something happens that's bad, and that's the nightly news for three weeks".
He added the federal government will provide $1m (£750,000) to local law enforcement in Wisconsin, $4m (£3m) for small businesses and $42m (£31m) to support public safety statewide.
Mr Trump later claimed crime rates were highest in cities run by Democrats before adding: "We want to increase police funding substantially."
Image: Mr Trump has called the protesters 'violent mobs'
:: Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
The US president is offering himself as the "law and order" candidate who is best positioned to keep Americans safe leading up to the election on 3 November.
He met with police officers at a high school as part of his visit to Kenosha.
Mr Trump has appeared to suggest a 17-year-old who has been charged with killing two demonstrators in Kenosha on 25 August was acting in self-defence.
Justin Blake, one of Jacob Blake's uncles, earlier said on Tuesday the justice system needs to be changed so that black children can play outside without worrying about being shot by police.
He also is calling for authorities to charge the officer who shot his nephew on 23 August.


skynewsus--2020-09-02--The spin politics of Trump's Kenosha visit could still spiral out of control

When I asked Jacob Blake ’ s mother about Donald Trump last week , a woman by her side answered : “ Donald Trump can kiss my a**.
” Julia Jackson , Jacob 's mother , waved a disapproving finger and said : `` Scratch that . ''
It was two days after her son had been shot by police .
The world had watched the mobile phone footage and screamed its verdict on the incident and circumstances around shooting a man seven times in the back .
When many waded into the politics of blame , Julia Jackson stepped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news conference , she used the platform to call for an end to violent protest and a healing for the country .
Ms Jackson said she was praying for police officers and their families .
It was the noble and dignified contribution from a mother who brought a stand-out serenity to the fall-out from her son 's shooting .
She left it to others to debate the rights and wrongs of Donald Trump 's visit to Kenosha .
Family members viewed it as an exercise in electioneering that used their suffering as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the president toured damaged buildings , Jacob 's uncle Justin Blake told me : `` Do n't take focus away from the real story .
The real story is a cop went out of his position and shot our nephew seven times and we want justice . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He spoke in the street where Jacob was shot .
Neighbours had organised a street party to showcase a positive community and detract from the president 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been peaceful for nearly a week .
Last Tuesday night was the last night of serious violence , when two people were shot and killed as armed vigilantes took to the streets .
It was , perhaps , the moment when the dangers of armed militia patrolling the streets crystallised the risks in the minds of everyone , on both sides .
Peace in Kenosha fed into the irritation of the local mayor and state governor who asked Donald Trump to stay away .
They view his visit as a campaigning president wading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already resolving itself , with the inherent risk that he could re-ignite it .
Kenosha 's civic centre square , which had witnessed some of its worst rioting a week ago , is still busy with the sight and sound of anger and protest .
Groups do still gather and , on the Tuesday the president came to the city , there were heated arguments among a small crowd - albeit more Jerry Springer than American revolution .
Among the President 's supporters engaging heartily was Terry Schimke .
He offered the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a real good idea he came here .
`` The local government did n't want him to come because they were thinking they were going to be embarrassed by how they let Kenosha down .
`` They did n't protect the people , the businesses , they just let the rioting happen .
`` I 'm glad he came because he 's the guy that can do things .
When he says he 's going to do something , he does it .
`` It might not always be the right thing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He cares about people , he cares about America . ''
Donald Trump is n't the first politician to spin a crisis their way in an election , and he wo n't be the last - not even in this race for the White House .
The relative calm in Kenosha might remove it from the election spotlight for now but it will remain as an issue - a very delicate one .
On matters of public safety , even life and death , political spin can too easily spiral out of @ @

When I asked Jacob Blake’s mother about Donald Trump last week, a woman by her side answered: “Donald Trump can kiss my a**.”
Julia Jackson, Jacob's mother, waved a disapproving finger and said: "Scratch that."
It was two days after her son had been shot by police. The world had watched the mobile phone footage and screamed its verdict on the incident and circumstances around shooting a man seven times in the back.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:21 Jacob Blake: Protesters mark Trump visit
When many waded into the politics of blame, Julia Jackson stepped back.
Rather, during an emotional news conference, she used the platform to call for an end to violent protest and a healing for the country.
Ms Jackson said she was praying for police officers and their families.
It was the noble and dignified contribution from a mother who brought a stand-out serenity to the fall-out from her son's shooting.
She left it to others to debate the rights and wrongs of Donald Trump's visit to Kenosha. Family members viewed it as an exercise in electioneering that used their suffering as a political backdrop.
A few blocks from where the president toured damaged buildings, Jacob's uncle Justin Blake told me: "Don't take focus away from the real story. The real story is a cop went out of his position and shot our nephew seven times and we want justice."
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
He spoke in the street where Jacob was shot. Neighbours had organised a street party to showcase a positive community and detract from the president's trip into their town.
Kenosha has been peaceful for nearly a week. Last Tuesday night was the last night of serious violence, when two people were shot and killed as armed vigilantes took to the streets.
It was, perhaps, the moment when the dangers of armed militia patrolling the streets crystallised the risks in the minds of everyone, on both sides.
Image: Neighbours on the street Jacob Blake was shot held a party during Mr Trump's visit
Peace in Kenosha fed into the irritation of the local mayor and state governor who asked Donald Trump to stay away.
They view his visit as a campaigning president wading into a public order situation that was already resolving itself, with the inherent risk that he could re-ignite it.
Kenosha's civic centre square, which had witnessed some of its worst rioting a week ago, is still busy with the sight and sound of anger and protest.
Groups do still gather and, on the Tuesday the president came to the city, there were heated arguments among a small crowd - albeit more Jerry Springer than American revolution.
Among the President's supporters engaging heartily was Terry Schimke.
He offered the Trump view: "I think it's a real good idea he came here.
"The local government didn't want him to come because they were thinking they were going to be embarrassed by how they let Kenosha down.
"They didn't protect the people, the businesses, they just let the rioting happen.
"I'm glad he came because he's the guy that can do things. When he says he's going to do something, he does it.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:11 Trump condemns 'anti-police rhetoric'
"It might not always be the right thing, but most of the time it is. He cares about people, he cares about America."
Donald Trump isn't the first politician to spin a crisis their way in an election, and he won't be the last - not even in this race for the White House.
The relative calm in Kenosha might remove it from the election spotlight for now but it will remain as an issue - a very delicate one.
On matters of public safety, even life and death, political spin can too easily spiral out of control.


skynewsus--2020-09-01--DJ famous for I Like To Move It found dead in Florida

DJ Erick Morillo - famous for his hit 1993 song I Like To Move It - has been found dead in Florida .
The body of the 49-year-old musician was discovered at a property in Miami Beach this morning , according to police .
His 1993 hit , released under the name Reel 2 Real , has featured in swathes of adverts and films over the years .
Miami Police officer Ernesto Rodriguez said : `` We received a 911 call this morning at 10.42am to 5660 La Gorce Drive .
`` Detectives are currently on scene and in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On 6 August , Morillo was arrested and charged with sexual battery against a female DJ who had been working at a private party on an exclusive Miami island with him in December 2019 .
She went to his Miami Beach home after , along with another woman , and claimed Morillo `` made several advances towards her , some sexual in nature , but she refused all of his attempts '' .
Jersey Shore star DJ Pauly D was among those paying tribute on social media , tweeting : `` Sad News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morillo RIP . ''
DJ Yousef said : `` Ca n't believe it .
Only spoke to him last week ... .
he was troubled , less than perfect but was always amazing to me and helped us get circus going in the early days , and we had many amazing times over the 20 years we we 're [ sic ] friends .
Genuinely gutted .
RIP @ ErickMorillo . ''
Born in New York , Morillo spent most of his early years in Cartegena , Colombia , before moving back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his mother and sister in Union City , New Jersey .
He began DJing at weddings for friends and family at the age of 11 , while attending a private grammar school .
The Colombian-American DJ produced music under several different pseudonyms , including Reel 2 Real for I Like To Move It , which reached number 5 on the UK singles chart in 1994 .
The song became an international dance hit and made Morillo a millionaire as he flew between Europe and the US weekly to tape MTV Europe .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ album , Move It !
, released in 2004 which did particularly well in the UK .
In recent years the song has maintained its popularity after featuring in the popular Madagascar film franchise .
: : Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Despite the song 's roaring success , Morillo feared it may have hurt his creative drive and street credibility so produced new music under the Erick Morillo Project , becoming a favourite on the DJ circuit in Ibiza , Europe and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Best International DJ , in 2002 , 2006 and 2009 , receiving a total of 15 nominations from 1998-2010 .
He later set up his own management company with four other DJs and producers , and his own imprint , Subliminal Records - which he described as `` ghetto music but with class '' .
In 2013 , Morillo had to be escorted off stage in Long Island after 45 minutes due to `` erratic behaviour '' after reportedly appearing dazed when he began and at one point leaving the stage with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later said he was going to take a break and `` refocus my attention on my health and wellbeing '' .

DJ Erick Morillo - famous for his hit 1993 song I Like To Move It - has been found dead in Florida.
The body of the 49-year-old musician was discovered at a property in Miami Beach this morning, according to police.
His 1993 hit, released under the name Reel 2 Real, has featured in swathes of adverts and films over the years.
Image: Morillo began DJing at weddings for friends and family at the age of 11
Miami Police officer Ernesto Rodriguez said: "We received a 911 call this morning at 10.42am to 5660 La Gorce Drive.
"Detectives are currently on scene and in the preliminary stages of the investigation."
On 6 August, Morillo was arrested and charged with sexual battery against a female DJ who had been working at a private party on an exclusive Miami island with him in December 2019.
She went to his Miami Beach home after, along with another woman, and claimed Morillo "made several advances towards her, some sexual in nature, but she refused all of his attempts".
Jersey Shore star DJ Pauly D was among those paying tribute on social media, tweeting: "Sad News ?? A True Legend. Erick Morillo RIP."
DJ Yousef said: "Can't believe it. Only spoke to him last week .... he was troubled, less than perfect but was always amazing to me and helped us get circus going in the early days, and we had many amazing times over the 20 years we we're [sic] friends. Genuinely gutted. RIP @ErickMorillo."
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Image: Morillo at the pre-party for his Voodoo Nights in Hollywood in 2010
Born in New York, Morillo spent most of his early years in Cartagena, Colombia, before moving back to the US aged 11 to live with his mother and sister in Union City, New Jersey.
He began DJing at weddings for friends and family at the age of 11, while attending a private grammar school.
The Colombian-American DJ produced music under several different pseudonyms, including Reel 2 Real for I Like To Move It, which reached number 5 on the UK singles chart in 1994.
The song became an international dance hit and made Morillo a millionaire as he flew between Europe and the US weekly to tape MTV Europe.
He followed the single up with a full-length album, Move It!, released in 1994, which did particularly well in the UK.
In recent years the song has maintained its popularity after featuring in the popular Madagascar film franchise.
:: Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Despite the song's roaring success, Morillo feared it may have hurt his creative drive and street credibility so produced new music under the Erick Morillo Project, becoming a favourite on the DJ circuit in Ibiza, Europe and Australia.
Morillo was a three-time winner of Best International DJ, in 2002, 2006 and 2009, receiving a total of 15 nominations from 1998-2010.
He later set up his own management company with four other DJs and producers, and his own imprint, Subliminal Records - which he described as "ghetto music but with class".
In 2013, Morillo had to be escorted off stage in Long Island after 45 minutes due to "erratic behaviour" after reportedly appearing dazed when he began and at one point leaving the stage with a single on a loop.
He later said he was going to take a break and "refocus my attention on my health and wellbeing".


skynewsus--2020-09-01--Apple overtakes value of entire FTSE 100

Apple 's stock market surge has hit a fresh milestone as its value overtook that of the entire FTSE 100 index of UK-listed companies .
The iPhone maker 's market capitalisation hit $ 2.2trn ( £1.6trn ) after a `` stock-split '' - a move that makes owning its pricey shares more accessible for ordinary retail investors .
Tech stocks such as Apple have helped US indices hit new record highs recently despite the global economic devastation wrought by the coronavirus pandemic .
By contrast the FTSE 100 , while having partly recovered from the sharp decline seen at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is yet to recover to its pre-Covid peak .
London 's blue-chip index had another gloomy session on Tuesday , sinking 1.7 % to 5,862 partly thanks to the pound hitting its highest level this year against a weakening dollar .
A stronger pound versus the greenback tends to hit the FTSE because it reduces the sterling value of companies ' overseas dollar earnings .
The UK index 's big fallers on Tuesday included beleaguered Rolls-Royce - which has had a torrid time since reporting a record £5.4bn half-year loss last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Group , another company being crushed by the gloom surrounding the aviation sector .
Britain 's FTSE 100 also lacks the cutting edge pizzazz of Wall Street darlings such as Apple , Facebook and Amazon - stocks that have been doing well in spite or even because of the lockdown .
The FTSE , whose companies include heavyweight global players including banking giant HSBC , oil major Royal Dutch Shell and consumer goods behemoth Unilever , is worth about £1.5trn .
: : Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's latest share surge comes after it last month topped $ 2trn in value for the first time .
On Monday - with the US markets open but London closed - it enjoyed further gains after a four-for-one stock split .
The split divided each share worth around $ 500 to four , each worth around $ 125 , with the idea being to make individual shares more accessible to small-time investors .
It does not make the overall value the stock cheaper .
The shares were up again , to more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , after a report that Apple had asked suppliers to make at least 75 million 5G iPhones for later this year .
Demand for US tech shares has been partly driven by the flood of cheap money created by the US central bank to support the economy as it recovers from its largest slump since the Great Depression .
Market data appears to show that Apple overtook the value of the FTSE 100 some time in late August though the precise timing is hard to pin down because of the fluctuating value @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russ Mould , investment director at AJ Bell , said : `` There are good reasons that support the latest share price advance .
`` Like many tech companies , Apple had a 'good ' lockdown - if such a thing is possible - in that its services and capabilities helped people a lot in their time of need .
`` The ecosystem of apps means customers are even stickier and more loyal than previously and lockdown means we are more reliant on mobile capability than ever before .
`` In addition , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sheet and is still paying dividends at a time when rock-bottom interest rates mean many investors are scrambling to find reliable income . ''

Apple's stock market surge has hit a fresh milestone as its value overtook that of the entire FTSE 100 index of UK-listed companies.
The iPhone maker's market capitalisation hit $2.2trn (£1.6trn) after a "stock-split" - a move that makes owning its pricey shares more accessible for ordinary retail investors.
Tech stocks such as Apple have helped US indices hit new record highs recently despite the global economic devastation wrought by the coronavirus pandemic.
By contrast the FTSE 100, while having partly recovered from the sharp decline seen at the start of the pandemic in the spring, is yet to recover to its pre-Covid peak.
Image: The FTSE 100 index of leading London shares is worth about £1.5trn
London's blue-chip index had another gloomy session on Tuesday, sinking 1.7% to 5,862 partly thanks to the pound hitting its highest level this year against a weakening dollar.
A stronger pound versus the greenback tends to hit the FTSE because it reduces the sterling value of companies' overseas dollar earnings.
The UK index's big fallers on Tuesday included beleaguered Rolls-Royce - which has had a torrid time since reporting a record £5.4bn half-year loss last week - and British Airways owner International Airlines Group, another company being crushed by the gloom surrounding the aviation sector.
Britain's FTSE 100 also lacks the cutting edge pizzazz of Wall Street darlings such as Apple, Facebook and Amazon - stocks that have been doing well in spite or even because of the lockdown.
The FTSE, whose companies include heavyweight global players including banking giant HSBC, oil major Royal Dutch Shell and consumer goods behemoth Unilever, is worth about £1.5trn.
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Image: Heavyweights such as HSBC are among the FTSE 100's constituents
:: Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
California-based Apple's latest share surge comes after it last month topped $2trn in value for the first time.
On Monday - with the US markets open but London closed - it enjoyed further gains after a four-for-one stock split.
The split divided each share worth around $500 to four, each worth around $125, with the idea being to make individual shares more accessible to small-time investors.
It does not make the overall value the stock cheaper.
The shares were up again, to more than $130, in early trading on Tuesday, after a report that Apple had asked suppliers to make at least 75 million 5G iPhones for later this year.
Demand for US tech shares has been partly driven by the flood of cheap money created by the US central bank to support the economy as it recovers from its largest slump since the Great Depression.
Market data appears to show that Apple overtook the value of the FTSE 100 some time in late August though the precise timing is hard to pin down because of the fluctuating value of the pound versus the dollar.
Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: "There are good reasons that support the latest share price advance.
"Like many tech companies, Apple had a 'good' lockdown - if such a thing is possible - in that its services and capabilities helped people a lot in their time of need.
"The ecosystem of apps means customers are even stickier and more loyal than previously and lockdown means we are more reliant on mobile capability than ever before.
"In addition, the company has a net cash balance sheet and is still paying dividends at a time when rock-bottom interest rates mean many investors are scrambling to find reliable income."


skynewsus--2020-09-01--Johnny Depp 'requests delay' to US defamation trial against Amber Heard

Johnny Depp has reportedly asked for a US defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard to be delayed due to filming commitments .
The Hollywood star is suing Heard for an article she wrote in The Washington Post , in separate proceedings to the ongoing case against the publishers of The Sun in the UK .
As filming on the next film in the Fantastic Beasts franchise - in which he stars as dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald - has been pushed back to early 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic , it now overlaps with the dates set for the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hollywood Reporter .
Depp filed for continuance in August , asking the court to delay the trial until between March and June 2021 , the report says .
The US case is over an article written by Heard that was published in December 2018 , which had the headline `` I spoke up against sexual violence - and faced our culture 's wrath .
That has to change '' , but did not mention her ex-husband 's name .
In the opinion piece , Heard said she wanted to `` ensure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence receive more support '' .
Despite not being mentioned by name , Depp is able to file a claim because in Virginia - where the Washington Post is printed - claims can be pursued for defamation by inference , implication or insinuation .
`` When the court set the current trial date in this case , Mr Depp understood that Warner Bros planned to shoot Fantastic Beasts 3 in London long before 11 January 2021 , '' the actor 's filing states , according to the Hollywood Reporter .
`` COVID-19 disrupted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postponements .
With conditions in London having improved somewhat , Warner Bros has now set a shooting schedule that conflicts with the trial date in this case . ''
Depp says he was notified on 19 August that he would be required for filming between early October and mid-February , which clashes with proposed trial dates of 11-28 January .
In the UK , evidence in his case against NGN , the publishers of The Sun , finished at the end of July following a three-week hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published in The Sun in 2018 that referred to the film star as a `` wife beater '' , and the judge 's ruling is expected to come later this year .

Johnny Depp has reportedly asked for a US defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard to be delayed due to filming commitments.
The Hollywood star is suing Heard for an article she wrote in The Washington Post, in separate proceedings to the ongoing case against the publishers of The Sun in the UK.
As filming on the next film in the Fantastic Beasts franchise - in which he stars as dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald - has been pushed back to early 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, it now overlaps with the dates set for the US trial, according to an article in the Hollywood Reporter.
Image: Amber Heard pictured outside court on the final day of the UK case against The Sun
Image: Heard and Depp split up in 2016, just over a year after getting married
Depp filed for continuance in August, asking the court to delay the trial until between March and June 2021, the report says.
The US case is over an article written by Heard that was published in December 2018, which had the headline "I spoke up against sexual violence - and faced our culture's wrath. That has to change", but did not mention her ex-husband's name.
In the opinion piece, Heard said she wanted to "ensure that women who come forward to talk about violence receive more support".
Despite not being mentioned by name, Depp is able to file a claim because in Virginia - where the Washington Post is printed - claims can be pursued for defamation by inference, implication or insinuation.
"When the court set the current trial date in this case, Mr Depp understood that Warner Bros planned to shoot Fantastic Beasts 3 in London long before 11 January 2021," the actor's filing states, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
"COVID-19 disrupted the studio's plans, causing repeated postponements. With conditions in London having improved somewhat, Warner Bros has now set a shooting schedule that conflicts with the trial date in this case."
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Depp says he was notified on 19 August that he would be required for filming between early October and mid-February, which clashes with proposed trial dates of 11-28 January.
In the UK, evidence in his case against NGN, the publishers of The Sun, finished at the end of July following a three-week hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice.
That case is over an article published in The Sun in 2018 that referred to the film star as a "wife beater", and the judge's ruling is expected to come later this year.


skynewsus--2020-09-01--Tom DeLonge on UFO research: 'I wouldn't have left Blink-182 for something pie in the sky'

Rock star Tom DeLonge has spoken to Sky News about his work on UFOs , saying he would not have put music on the backburner to `` chase monsters and ghosts '' and that research into the subject could `` change the world '' .
The musician , best known as the former guitarist and vocalist with US pop-punk band Blink-182 , helped set up the To The Stars Academy of Arts & Science in the US in 2017 , and features in the TV series Unidentified : Inside America 's UFO Investigation .
Earlier this year , three videos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UAP ) that had been released by the organisation in 2017 and 2018 were declassified by the Pentagon .
The black and white videos were recorded by Navy pilots - one in November 2004 and two in January 2015 , the US Department of Defence said .
DeLonge is still the frontman of his other band , Angels & Airwaves , but left Blink-182 at the beginning of 2015 , after headlining the Reading and Leeds festival in the UK the previous summer .
He claims he has seen too much evidence to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that life behind for something `` pie in the sky '' .
`` I personally have seen enormous amounts of data , '' he tells Sky News on a Zoom call from San Diego , California .
`` You 've got to understand , the last show that I played before I started To The Stars Academy was actually in the UK .
My band headlined Reading and Leeds .
`` You know , it 's like , there 's a hundred thousand people there .
'And you decided to just leave that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' You know , I 'm not stupid , I 'm a pretty savvy guy .
`` I 've been brought into a group of people and I 'm a big part of a mechanism that is absolutely profound and [ has ] already started changing the world .
And it 's going to do a lot more .
`` Would I leave rock and roll just to go do something that there 's no data for and it 's just , like , pie in the sky and we 're just imagining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
I mean , that 's insane .
`` But would I leave it for something that I truly think can change the world and have a positive impact and make it a better place , and something that needs to be dealt with , something that 's serious ? ''
DeLonge , 44 , says he realises the theory of UAP might be `` unnerving '' and `` hard to digest '' for some , but that he wants to be `` in the front seat of something that 's going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject '' .
Following the launch of Unidentified last year , the show is now back for a second series .
Investigators followed in the show include former military intelligence official and special agent in-charge , Luis Elizondo , and former deputy assistant secretary of defence and intelligence , Chris Mellon .
Elizondo , who is also on the Zoom call , headed up a top secret $ 22m project - officially called the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program ( AATIP ) - tasked with investigating the possible threat of UFOs , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ topic is `` fraught with taboo and stigma… because most people jump immediately to the conclusion of tin-foil hats and , quote-unquote , 'Elvis being on the mothership . '
'' He continues : `` All of a sudden , lo and behold , the world finds out we actually had a real programme with $ 22 million of taxpayer money to actually look at UFOs , but nobody wanted to talk about it . ''
Elizondo says DeLonge is `` not afraid to take a topic that is controversial and hit it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is helping to get people talking about it .
DeLonge says he first experienced stigma himself in the earlier days of Blink-182 , which he co-founded with Mark Hoppus and former drummer Scott Raynor in the early 1990s .
Current drummer Travis Barker joined in 1998 , a year before the release of their third and biggest album Enema Of The State , and the band now perform with Matt Skiba following DeLonge 's departure .
`` It 's funny , the first stigma that I experienced was actually in my band , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We did n't have iPhones when we were travelling around in a van so I was reading these books on unidentified aerial phenomena ... it 's kind of something that 's been hiding in plain sight , but people never really looked for or read or took seriously .
`` Here I am in the back of the van and I 'm reading this stuff and I remember I was just like , 'oh my God , oh my God , did you know this ? '
I remember my band members just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just hounding them .
`` It kind of became a joke that we all played off of , where I was always talking about it and they knew that was kind of my thing , but that was just the beginning of me really realising that ... you know , it 's really hard for people to digest because we 're stuck in very physical science .
`` Like , what is the temperature of that , or the density of that , or the provable this or that , when things to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using forces of nature ... in a way that we do n't readily study every day , or we 're just beginning to .
`` I mean , 20 years ago , it was very much like , these are craft and they must be from a planet , or they 're an alien , and that 's kind of where I was when I was in my early 20s in the van .
`` Over time , as science moves and it evolves and we 're starting to take these things more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parameters about it , I just think that we 're gon na find - I assume , I do n't know - but my gut is that we 're going to find out there 's a lot more to this .
`` But the only way we get there is if the stigma is gone and we get the best scientists involved and we get the best facilities and the government working together . ''
DeLonge says the Pentagon officially releasing the three videos earlier this year `` was a big deal '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scenes from To The Stars '' .
He continues : `` Those steps are just gigantic .
I mean , nothing has happened in , like , 70 years on this topic that 's substantial… I 'm looking back and going , oh my God , I might have started a spark . ''
Elizondo and Mellon , as well as To The Stars co-founders Dr Hal Puthoff and Jim Semivan , `` took that spark and threw jet fuel on it '' , DeLonge says .
`` I can not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chills to think about what we accomplished in such a short period of time . ''
: : Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The star 's interest in the subject `` started decades ago '' , he says , and Unidentified was set up to provide a `` doorway '' in for other people .
Elizondo claims it is a `` topic that involves potentially every human being on this planet '' .
Speaking about evidence he has seen , he says he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it as he is `` bound by my nondisclosure agreement '' .
However , he says there are politicians in the US who are `` willing to put their reputations or credibility or even their re-election on the line to pursue this issue… '' So that should be a pretty clear indicator that this is a serious topic . ''
Series two of Unidentified airs on Sky HISTORY on Tuesdays at 9pm from 1 September , with all episodes available on catch-up

Rock star Tom DeLonge has spoken to Sky News about his work on UFOs, saying he would not have put music on the backburner to "chase monsters and ghosts" and that research into the subject could "change the world".
The musician, best known as the former guitarist and vocalist with US pop-punk band Blink-182, helped set up the To The Stars Academy of Arts & Science in the US in 2017, and features in the TV series Unidentified: Inside America's UFO Investigation.
Earlier this year, three videos of "unidentified aerial phenomena" (UAP) that had been released by the organisation in 2017 and 2018 were declassified by the Pentagon.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:24 Pentagon releases videos: Is the truth out there?
The black and white videos were recorded by Navy pilots - one in November 2004 and two in January 2015, the US Department of Defence said.
DeLonge is still the frontman of his other band, Angels & Airwaves, but left Blink-182 at the beginning of 2015, after headlining the Reading and Leeds festival in the UK the previous summer.
He claims he has seen too much evidence to not believe and would not have left that life behind for something "pie in the sky".
"I personally have seen enormous amounts of data," he tells Sky News on a Zoom call from San Diego, California.
"You've got to understand, the last show that I played before I started To The Stars Academy was actually in the UK. My band headlined Reading and Leeds.
"You know, it's like, there's a hundred thousand people there. 'And you decided to just leave that to go chase monsters and ghosts?' You know, I'm not stupid, I'm a pretty savvy guy.
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Image: Tom DeLonge on Sky HISTORY's Unidentified. Pic: Andrew Cagle
Image: Blink-182 headlined Reading and Leeds in 2014
"I've been brought into a group of people and I'm a big part of a mechanism that is absolutely profound and [has] already started changing the world. And it's going to do a lot more.
"Would I leave rock and roll just to go do something that there's no data for and it's just, like, pie in the sky and we're just imagining things? No! Why would I? I mean, that's insane.
"But would I leave it for something that I truly think can change the world and have a positive impact and make it a better place, and something that needs to be dealt with, something that's serious?"
DeLonge, 44, says he realises the theory of UAP might be "unnerving" and "hard to digest" for some, but that he wants to be "in the front seat of something that's going to come out and be the most revolutionary subject".
Following the launch of Unidentified last year, the show is now back for a second series.
Investigators followed in the show include former military intelligence official and special agent in-charge, Luis Elizondo, and former deputy assistant secretary of defence and intelligence, Chris Mellon.
Image: Luis Elizondo is a former military intelligence official. Pic: Matt Thompson
Elizondo, who is also on the Zoom call, headed up a top secret $22m project - officially called the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) - tasked with investigating the possible threat of UFOs, from 2007 to 2012.
He says the topic is "fraught with taboo and stigma… because most people jump immediately to the conclusion of tin-foil hats and, quote-unquote, 'Elvis being on the mothership.'"
He continues: "All of a sudden, lo and behold, the world finds out we actually had a real programme with $22 million of taxpayer money to actually look at UFOs, but nobody wanted to talk about it."
Elizondo says DeLonge is "not afraid to take a topic that is controversial and hit it head on" and that his involvement is helping to get people talking about it.
DeLonge says he first experienced stigma himself in the earlier days of Blink-182, which he co-founded with Mark Hoppus and former drummer Scott Raynor in the early 1990s. Current drummer Travis Barker joined in 1998, a year before the release of their third and biggest album Enema Of The State, and the band now perform with Matt Skiba following DeLonge's departure.
Image: (L-R) Mark Hoppus, DeLonge and Barker formed the best-known Blink-182 line-up
"It's funny, the first stigma that I experienced was actually in my band, Blink-182," he says.
"We didn't have iPhones when we were travelling around in a van so I was reading these books on unidentified aerial phenomena... it's kind of something that's been hiding in plain sight, but people never really looked for or read or took seriously.
"Here I am in the back of the van and I'm reading this stuff and I remember I was just like, 'oh my God, oh my God, did you know this?' I remember my band members just thought I was crazy and I was just hounding them.
"It kind of became a joke that we all played off of, where I was always talking about it and they knew that was kind of my thing, but that was just the beginning of me really realising that... you know, it's really hard for people to digest because we're stuck in very physical science.
"Like, what is the temperature of that, or the density of that, or the provable this or that, when things to do with unidentified aerial phenomena might be using forces of nature... in a way that we don't readily study every day, or we're just beginning to.
"I mean, 20 years ago, it was very much like, these are craft and they must be from a planet, or they're an alien, and that's kind of where I was when I was in my early 20s in the van.
Image: DeLonge still performs with Angels & Airwaves
"Over time, as science moves and it evolves and we're starting to take these things more seriously and understand some of the other parameters about it, I just think that we're gonna find - I assume, I don't know - but my gut is that we're going to find out there's a lot more to this.
"But the only way we get there is if the stigma is gone and we get the best scientists involved and we get the best facilities and the government working together."
DeLonge says the Pentagon officially releasing the three videos earlier this year "was a big deal" after "a lot of work behind the scenes from To The Stars".
He continues: "Those steps are just gigantic. I mean, nothing has happened in, like, 70 years on this topic that's substantial… I'm looking back and going, oh my God, I might have started a spark."
Elizondo and Mellon, as well as To The Stars co-founders Dr Hal Puthoff and Jim Semivan, "took that spark and threw jet fuel on it", DeLonge says.
"I cannot be more proud. It gives me the chills to think about what we accomplished in such a short period of time."
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:: Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The star's interest in the subject "started decades ago", he says, and Unidentified was set up to provide a "doorway" in for other people.
Elizondo claims it is a "topic that involves potentially every human being on this planet".
Speaking about evidence he has seen, he says he cannot talk publicly about a lot of it as he is "bound by my nondisclosure agreement".
However, he says there are politicians in the US who are "willing to put their reputations or credibility or even their re-election on the line to pursue this issue…
"So that should be a pretty clear indicator that this is a serious topic."
Series two of Unidentified airs on Sky HISTORY on Tuesdays at 9pm from 1 September, with all episodes available on catch-up


skynewsus--2020-09-02--'I've lost count of the bodies': Coronavirus in Texas a 'perfect storm'

In the Rio Grande Valley , it 's hard to find anyone who has n't been touched by COVID-19 .
The pandemic ravaged the region - an overwhelmingly Hispanic area , where poverty , poor health and close-knit families put them on a collision course .
Dr Ivan Melendez , from Hidalgo County Health Authority , describes how obesity and diabetes have contributed to the crisis .
Almost a third of residents are also uninsured , many are undocumented too , afraid to seek medical help .
`` I hate cliches , but this was the perfect storm , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rushing around trying to co-ordinate the coronavirus response .
We start the day with him in a rare moment of quiet - his morning prayer at home .
But he 's soon off to visit Edinburg Regional Medical Centre , a hospital that 's skilfully and thankfully turned a corner .
They had to adapt when Texas opened up faster than many other states and a surge in infections followed .
We 're taken to what used to be a conference room and has been converted into an intensive care unit .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients being intubated , but Dr Melendez said just weeks ago `` it was filled to the brim with people everywhere '' .
He believes the close-knit community has started to take the virus more seriously , wearing masks and social distancing .
Patient numbers have reduced significantly .
But he 's conscious too , that may in part be because some of the most fragile people in the area `` who were barely holding on , have just gone '' .
Gustavo Ortiz is 55 and has pneumonia from COVID-19 .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall apart .
So many here are under intense financial pressure .
It is a stark reminder of the health and wealth gap that pervades this country .
Another challenge that 's hit this area is the process of transporting the dead - the grim responsibility of Juan Lopez .
Like the doctors in the hospital , he 's seen a reduction in numbers .
But he 's still shocked by the volume .
He said he 's still moving up to 20 bodies a day .
`` For the last six months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I 've lost count , '' he said .
Some have lost more than most of us could imagine .
Both of Priscilla Garcia 's parents died - just four days apart .
She has n't been able to have a funeral for them yet .
`` It 's really sad because it 's not normal to go through that .
To mourn our parents and not be able to say goodbye to them , '' she said .
Funeral Director Tim Brown is doing all he can to support bereaved families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance .
Two weeks ago he had 106 COVID-19 victims .
Today , he has 69 .
It 's a decline , but he still feels overwhelmed .
`` We went from normal business one day to knocking down walls .
It 's taken a huge personal toll , '' he said .
`` I did n't sign up to run bodies through homes .
I wanted to care for my community ... People are talking about first responders .
But there 's a big movement of last responders . ''
: : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Recently he 's been arranging the funeral for his friend , Jorge Cabrera , a celebrated police officer who died with COVID-19 .
Colleagues and friends have to drive by the casket in their patrol cars , waving at his family to pay their respects .
It is deeply moving and deeply sobering .
Jorge is now one of more than 148,000 dead in this country .
More than six million have been infected .
It is not a nation or a region out of @ @ @ @

In the Rio Grande Valley, it's hard to find anyone who hasn't been touched by COVID-19.
The pandemic ravaged the region - an overwhelmingly Hispanic area, where poverty, poor health and close-knit families put them on a collision course.
Dr Ivan Melendez, from Hidalgo County Health Authority, describes how obesity and diabetes have contributed to the crisis.
Almost a third of residents are also uninsured, many are undocumented too, afraid to seek medical help.
"I hate cliches, but this was the perfect storm," he said.
He's spent months rushing around trying to co-ordinate the coronavirus response.
We start the day with him in a rare moment of quiet - his morning prayer at home.
But he's soon off to visit Edinburg Regional Medical Centre, a hospital that's skilfully and thankfully turned a corner.
Image: Dr Ivan Melendez, from Hidalgo County Health Authority, says people have started to take the virus more seriously
They had to adapt when Texas opened up faster than many other states and a surge in infections followed.
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We're taken to what used to be a conference room and has been converted into an intensive care unit.
There's little more than a handful of patients being intubated, but Dr Melendez said just weeks ago "it was filled to the brim with people everywhere".
He believes the close-knit community has started to take the virus more seriously, wearing masks and social distancing.
Patient numbers have reduced significantly. But he's conscious too, that may in part be because some of the most fragile people in the area "who were barely holding on, have just gone".
Gustavo Ortiz is 55 and has pneumonia from COVID-19. But he's also terrified his business will fall apart.
So many here are under intense financial pressure. It is a stark reminder of the health and wealth gap that pervades this country.
Another challenge that's hit this area is the process of transporting the dead - the grim responsibility of Juan Lopez.
Like the doctors in the hospital, he's seen a reduction in numbers. But he's still shocked by the volume.
He said he's still moving up to 20 bodies a day. "For the last six months, I've dealt with 1,000 bodies. I've lost count," he said.
Image: Juan Lopez says he has lost count of the bodies he's had to move
Some have lost more than most of us could imagine.
Both of Priscilla Garcia's parents died - just four days apart. She hasn't been able to have a funeral for them yet.
"It's really sad because it's not normal to go through that. To mourn our parents and not be able to say goodbye to them," she said.
Image: Priscilla Garcia's parents died four days apart
Funeral Director Tim Brown is doing all he can to support bereaved families. But they must mourn at a distance.
Two weeks ago he had 106 COVID-19 victims. Today, he has 69. It's a decline, but he still feels overwhelmed.
"We went from normal business one day to knocking down walls. It's taken a huge personal toll," he said.
"I didn't sign up to run bodies through homes. I wanted to care for my community... People are talking about first responders. But there's a big movement of last responders."
Image: Funeral director Tim Brown says he is overwhelmed by the number of victims
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Recently he's been arranging the funeral for his friend, Jorge Cabrera, a celebrated police officer who died with COVID-19.
Colleagues and friends have to drive by the casket in their patrol cars, waving at his family to pay their respects.
It is deeply moving and deeply sobering.
Jorge is now one of more than 148,000 dead in this country.
More than six million have been infected. It is not a nation or a region out of the woods yet.