skynewsus--2020-07-27--Disney composer wins Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony to join elusive 'EGOT' club

Renowned Disney and Broadway composer Alan Menken has become only the 16th person in history to reach the status of `` EGOT '' - after winning Emmy , Grammy , Oscar and Tony awards .
Menken , who is best known for writing the music for Disney films such as Aladdin and The Little Mermaid , sealed his name in the history books after being awarded a Daytime Emmy on Sunday .
The 71-year-old was honoured in the best original song in a children 's , young adult or animated programme category for a song he wrote for Disney Channel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a message to his Twitter followers after his win , Menken said : `` Really proud of everyone who contributed to the TANGLED series .
`` As far as me finally reaching my official EGOT status ( Howard Ashman and I did actually get an honorary Emmy back in the '80s ) , what can I say ?
I 'm honoured , thrilled and humbled . ''
Menken joins names such as Whoopi Goldberg , John Legend and Andrew Lloyd Webber on the elusive list of people who have won all four major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career , Menken has won eight Oscars and 11 Grammy awards for songs written for Aladdin , Beauty And The Beast , Pocahontas and The Little Mermaid , and picked up a Tony Award , which honours musical theatre in the US , for his music in Newsies .
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker It took 31 years since winning his first award in 1989 to achieve EGOT status .
The term EGOT was first used by Miami Vice actor Philip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his desire to win all four of the awards within five years after the show brought him instant fame .
Here is the full list of people who have achieved EGOT status :

Renowned Disney and Broadway composer Alan Menken has become only the 16th person in history to reach the status of "EGOT" - after winning Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards.
Menken, who is best known for writing the music for Disney films such as Aladdin and The Little Mermaid, sealed his name in the history books after being awarded a Daytime Emmy on Sunday.
The 71-year-old was honoured in the best original song in a children's, young adult or animated programme category for a song he wrote for Disney Channel's Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure.
Image: Menken pictured with Will Smith at the European premiere of Aladdin
In a message to his Twitter followers after his win, Menken said: "Really proud of everyone who contributed to the TANGLED series.
"As far as me finally reaching my official EGOT status (Howard Ashman and I did actually get an honorary Emmy back in the '80s), what can I say? I'm honoured, thrilled and humbled."
Menken joins names such as Whoopi Goldberg, John Legend and Andrew Lloyd Webber on the elusive list of people who have won all four major awards in US entertainment.
During his career, Menken has won eight Oscars and 11 Grammy awards for songs written for Aladdin, Beauty And The Beast, Pocahontas and The Little Mermaid, and picked up a Tony Award, which honours musical theatre in the US, for his music in Newsies.
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 the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
It took 31 years since winning his first award in 1989 to achieve EGOT status.
Advertisement
The term EGOT was first used by Miami Vice actor Philip Michael Thomas in 1984 when he expressed his desire to win all four of the awards within five years after the show brought him instant fame.
Here is the full list of people who have achieved EGOT status:


skynewsus--2020-07-27--US closes consulate in China as tensions escalate

The US has closed its consulate in Chengdu , China , in a tit-for-tat battle as tensions between the two countries escalate .
China ordered the US consulate to close in retaliation to last week 's forced closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston .
A statement from the US State Department said that the consulate suspended operations at 10am on Monday .
It expressed disappointment at China 's decision and said the US would try to continue its outreach to the region through its other missions in the country .
The statement added that the consulate in southwestern China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our relations with the people in Western China , including , Tibet , for 35 years '' .
The consulate in Chengdu , in Sichuan province , is the westernmost of the five US consulates in mainland China .
The tit-for-tat closings marks an escalation in tensions between the two countries over a range of issues including trade , technology , security and human rights .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The Trump administration has also accused China over coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and accusing the country 's ruling Communist Party of exploiting `` this disaster to further its own interests '' .
The US alleged that China was using the Houston consulate to spy and steal data from facilities in Texas , including the Texas A & M medical system .
China said the accusations were `` malicious slander '' .
Moving vans arrived at the US consulate on Sunday afternoon and left a few hours later , while cars with diplomatic plates drove away from the area .
Late at night , flatbed trailers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later emerged carrying a large shipping container and a crane .
The impending closure of the consulate drew a steady stream of onlookers over the weekend as Chengdu found itself in the limelight of international politics , with people stopping to take selfies and photos .
Police shut the street in front of the consulate and set up metal barriers along the pavement on the other side of the road .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Uniformed and plainclothes police officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barriers in the wake of several incidents since the Chengdu announcement on Friday , including a man setting off firecrackers and hecklers cursing at foreign media shooting video and photos of the scene .

The US has closed its consulate in Chengdu, China, in a tit-for-tat battle as tensions between the two countries escalate.
China ordered the US consulate to close in retaliation to last week's forced closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston.
A statement from the US State Department said that the consulate suspended operations at 10am on Monday.
Image: The closure has drawn a steady stream of onlookers for two days
It expressed disappointment at China's decision and said the US would try to continue its outreach to the region through its other missions in the country.
The statement added that the consulate in southwestern China "has stood at the centre of our relations with the people in Western China, including, Tibet, for 35 years".
The consulate in Chengdu, in Sichuan province, is the westernmost of the five US consulates in mainland China.
The tit-for-tat closings marks an escalation in tensions between the two countries over a range of issues including trade, technology, security and human rights.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
The Trump administration has also accused China over coronavirus, saying the pandemic was "preventable" and accusing the country's ruling Communist Party of exploiting "this disaster to further its own interests".
Advertisement
The US alleged that China was using the Houston consulate to spy and steal data from facilities in Texas, including the Texas A&M medical system.
Image: The consulate is in southwestern China's Sichuan province
China said the accusations were "malicious slander".
Moving vans arrived at the US consulate on Sunday afternoon and left a few hours later, while cars with diplomatic plates drove away from the area.
Late at night, flatbed trailers were seen entering the complex and one later emerged carrying a large shipping container and a crane.
Image: US-China relations have plunged to their worst in decades
The impending closure of the consulate drew a steady stream of onlookers over the weekend as Chengdu found itself in the limelight of international politics, with people stopping to take selfies and photos.
Police shut the street in front of the consulate and set up metal barriers along the pavement on the other side of the road.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Uniformed and plainclothes police officers kept watch on both sides of the barriers in the wake of several incidents since the Chengdu announcement on Friday, including a man setting off firecrackers and hecklers cursing at foreign media shooting video and photos of the scene.


skynewsus--2020-07-26--Hurricane Hanna leaves trail of devastation in coronavirus-hit Texas

Thousands of homes and businesses have been left without power after Hurricane Hanna swept through southern Texas .
It came ashore on Saturday as a category one storm ( the lowest of the five levels ) and later was downgraded to a tropical storm .
But winds of up to 60mph still battered towns , the US National Hurricane Center ( NHC ) said , toppling vehicles and forcing a two mile stretch of US Route 77 in Sarita , near the Mexican border , to be closed for rescue missions .
In Port Mansfield , winds ripped roofs off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levelled trees .
The storm led to 283,000 homes and businesses losing electricity on Sunday , but the figure fell to 230,000 by the afternoon , according to poweroutage.us .
As it moved across Texas , it was forecast to become less severe , prompting weather officials to cancel the storm surge warning for the coast .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker But while the winds have passed , there could be up to 18 inches of rain in isolated areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman for the NHC said : `` This rain will produce , life-threatening flash flooding , rapid rises on small streams , and isolated minor to moderate river flooding . ''
The storm has added to the ongoing problems Texas has already been dealing with in recent weeks , after it was faced with a surge in coronavirus cases .
The first landfall happened at 5pm on Saturday , 15 miles north of Port Mansfield , which is about 130 miles south of Corpus Christi .
The second took place nearby in eastern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in South Texas , including Corpus Christi , Harlingen and Brownsville , were without power on Saturday evening .
In a tweet , President Donald Trump said his administration was monitoring Hanna , along with Hurricane Douglas , which was heading toward Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean .
The White House also approved an emergency disaster declaration for Texas .
Resident Sherry Boehme , who lives along a beach in Corpus Christi , said the storm had increased the anxiety she felt during the pandemic .
The 67-year-old has mostly stayed at home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lung disease .
She said : `` It 's almost like a double whammy to us .
I think it 's made a lot of people nervous .
`` We 'll get through it .
Everybody is good and strong and sticks together . ''

Thousands of homes and businesses have been left without power after Hurricane Hanna swept through southern Texas.
It came ashore on Saturday as a category one storm (the lowest of the five levels) and later was downgraded to a tropical storm.
But winds of up to 60mph still battered towns, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said, toppling vehicles and forcing a two mile stretch of US Route 77 in Sarita, near the Mexican border, to be closed for rescue missions.
Image: Homeowners have been left with plenty of damage to clear
Image: Trucks blown aside along US Route 77 in Sarita, Texas
In Port Mansfield, winds ripped roofs off homes, flattened sugar cane fields and levelled trees.
The storm led to 283,000 homes and businesses losing electricity on Sunday, but the figure fell to 230,000 by the afternoon, according to poweroutage.us.
As it moved across Texas, it was forecast to become less severe, prompting weather officials to cancel the storm surge warning for the coast.
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
But while the winds have passed, there could be up to 18 inches of rain in isolated areas of southern Texas on Monday.
A spokesman for the NHC said: "This rain will produce, life-threatening flash flooding, rapid rises on small streams, and isolated minor to moderate river flooding."
Advertisement
The storm has added to the ongoing problems Texas has already been dealing with in recent weeks, after it was faced with a surge in coronavirus cases.
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
The first landfall happened at 5pm on Saturday, 15 miles north of Port Mansfield, which is about 130 miles south of Corpus Christi.
The second took place nearby in eastern Kenedy County.
Image: Hurricane Hanna pictured as it neared Texas
Image: A storm surge swelled in Corpus Christi Bay as Hanna approached
More than 43,700 people in South Texas, including Corpus Christi, Harlingen and Brownsville, were without power on Saturday evening.
In a tweet, President Donald Trump said his administration was monitoring Hanna, along with Hurricane Douglas, which was heading toward Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean.
The White House also approved an emergency disaster declaration for Texas.
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
Resident Sherry Boehme, who lives along a beach in Corpus Christi, said the storm had increased the anxiety she felt during the pandemic.
The 67-year-old has mostly stayed at home because of health issues related to chronic lung disease.
She said: "It's almost like a double whammy to us. I think it's made a lot of people nervous.
"We'll get through it. Everybody is good and strong and sticks together."


skynewsus--2020-07-26--'Thank you, sir': Civil rights hero John Lewis crosses Selma bridge for final time

US congressman John Lewis has made his final journey across a historic bridge central to the civil rights movement .
The casket of the late Mr Lewis , who died on 17 July , was taken across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma , Alabama , on Sunday in a horse-drawn carriage draped with an American flag .
Crowds gathered to watch the casket go over the bridge , 55 years after Mr Lewis and other civil rights marchers were beaten there on what became known as Bloody Sunday .
Footage from the procession showed people cheering , clapping and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and red rose petals were also strewn across the bridge as part of the proceedings .
On 7 March 1965 , non-violent demonstrators calling for equal voting rights for black Americans marched across the bridge .
But they were met by Alabama state troopers , at the direction of segregationist Alabama Governor George Wallace , and beaten brutally .
Mr Lewis was attacked so badly during the incident that his scars were visible decades later .
But the activists refused to be prevented from campaigning for their rights , and successfully walked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 March .
The brutality of Bloody Sunday inspired President Lyndon Johnson to demand Congress approve legislation removing barriers to votes for black Americans , and lawmakers passed the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965 .
The bridge was made a US national landmark in 2013 .
Sunday 's procession is one of a series of events to be held in memory of Mr Lewis , who was the last surviving member of the so-called Big Six leaders who organised the march .
The first memorial event was on Saturday in Mr Lewis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His body will lie in state at the US capital next week before his private funeral on Thursday at Atlanta 's historic Ebenezer Baptist Church , which was previously led by Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Mr Lewis died aged 80 , several months after he was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer .
Born in 1950 , he was a sharecropper 's son and went on to play an important role in campaigning against segregation and racial biogtry .
Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr , he was a fiercely determined champion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics in 1981 , when he was elected to the Atlanta City Council .
He won his seat in Congress in 1986 and spent much of his career in the minority .
After the Democrats won control of the House in 2006 , Lewis became his party 's senior deputy whip , a behind-the-scenes leadership post in which he helped keep the party unified .
He remained in his position in the House until his death , which was met by tributes from leading Democrats including former president Barack Obama and Speaker of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hailed him as `` one of the greatest heroes of American history '' , while Mr Obama said Mr Lewis `` gave all of himself to the cause of freedom and justice ( and ) inspired generations that followed to try to live up to his example '' .

US congressman John Lewis has made his final journey across a historic bridge central to the civil rights movement.
The casket of the late Mr Lewis, who died on 17 July, was taken across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, on Sunday in a horse-drawn carriage draped with an American flag.
Crowds gathered to watch the casket go over the bridge, 55 years after Mr Lewis and other civil rights marchers were beaten there on what became known as Bloody Sunday.
Footage from the procession showed people cheering, clapping and shouting "thank you, sir", and red rose petals were also strewn across the bridge as part of the proceedings.
Image: The casket of John Lewis is carried over the Edmund Pettus Bridge
On 7 March 1965, non-violent demonstrators calling for equal voting rights for black Americans marched across the bridge.
But they were met by Alabama state troopers, at the direction of segregationist Alabama Governor George Wallace, and beaten brutally.
Mr Lewis was attacked so badly during the incident that his scars were visible decades later.
But the activists refused to be prevented from campaigning for their rights, and successfully walked across the bridge two weeks later on 21 March.
The brutality of Bloody Sunday inspired President Lyndon Johnson to demand Congress approve legislation removing barriers to votes for black Americans, and lawmakers passed the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Advertisement
The bridge was made a US national landmark in 2013.
Image: Crowds of people gathered in Selma to pay their respects to the hero
Sunday's procession is one of a series of events to be held in memory of Mr Lewis, who was the last surviving member of the so-called Big Six leaders who organised the march.
The first memorial event was on Saturday in Mr Lewis's hometown of Troy, Alabama.
His body will lie in state at the US capital next week before his private funeral on Thursday at Atlanta's historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, which was previously led by Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.
Image: John Lewis was one of the Big Six leaders who organised the march
Mr Lewis died aged 80, several months after he was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer.
Born in 1950, he was a sharecropper's son and went on to play an important role in campaigning against segregation and racial biogtry.
Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr, he was a fiercely determined champion of non-violent protests.
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
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Mr Lewis turned to politics in 1981, when he was elected to the Atlanta City Council.
He won his seat in Congress in 1986 and spent much of his career in the minority.
After the Democrats won control of the House in 2006, Lewis became his party's senior deputy whip, a behind-the-scenes leadership post in which he helped keep the party unified.
He remained in his position in the House until his death, which was met by tributes from leading Democrats including former president Barack Obama and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
Ms Pelosi hailed him as "one of the greatest heroes of American history", while Mr Obama said Mr Lewis "gave all of himself to the cause of freedom and justice (and) inspired generations that followed to try to live up to his example".


skynewsus--2020-07-26--Portland: A city under siege, overrun with anarchists? It's a far more complex picture

There is nothing straightforward about what is happening here in Portland .
After the arrival of federal troops this month it has morphed into something else .
There are still thousands of people who protest peacefully in support of Black Lives Matter each evening .
But as night falls , a crowd surrounds the federal courthouse .
Among them , a violent contingent who lob fireworks and push against the temporary metal fence separating the troops and the public .
For 11 nights tear gas and rubber bullets have been fired back at protesters .
But their response is well-coordinated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blowers , the bullets with homemade shields .
There are troublemakers here , there 's no question .
Some who clearly seek to antagonise and hurt the federal troops .
They 're not the majority but images of this violence support Donald Trump 's narrative that this is a city under siege , overrun with anarchists .
The reality is very different , the picture far more complex .
Day to day life for most people has not changed , with the unrest confined to a few square blocks in the city centre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest demographic here , on the streets each evening to protest racial injustice .
But after the president deployed federal troops earlier this month to protect monuments and federal property , more people have gathered to protest against their presence in the city .
As many peaceful protesters leave at night , the remaining crowd gets more angry and some violent .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Opposite the federal courthouse , a park has now become a protest camp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - mixed with the protesters are the homeless , drug addicts , and the mentally ill. A traffic cone , thrown in broad daylight at an unmarked police car , triggered a rapid response from federal police .
A fragile stand-off followed between the protest camp and federal officers .
Some chanted `` Feds go home '' , others hurled abuse .
It felt volatile , like it could kick off at any moment .
A young black man appointed himself mediator and bravely stood between the protesters and federal agents .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was worrying but the conversation went well and the situation was defused .
The man told me he had explained the person who threw the traffic cone suffered from bipolar disorder .
Without his involvement it could have ended very differently .
The arrival of federal officers on the scene antagonised protesters who responded by shouting abuse .
It feels on a knife edge .
Even during the day some of the scenes in Portland are surreal .
In the early afternoon I see a protester running through the streets dragging a table @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As they reach the traffic lights they stop to yell at a police car following at a safe distance .
Their destination is the federal court house , where they tell me they 've been protesting with the group Riot Ribs since 30 May .
In the constant melee outside the courthouse I spot two men on the periphery who look out of place .
The father and son have driven from Sandy , around 30 miles away , to see what 's going on .
Both voted for Donald Trump at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him again in November .
`` They should just disperse them .
Get it done , '' the father , Randy , tells me .
`` The election is where this ends .
If he takes over the house and senate then this is going to escalate , huge . ''
I ask if that 's what he wants to happen .
`` No .
No .
I want Trump to win and I want this to go away .
And if Biden wins I think it 'll go away because they 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Away from the square , the volatile epicentre of this unrest , I seek views from local people who are n't involved in the demonstrations .
One government worker walks with me as he carries his groceries home .
I ask him how he feels about what he 's seeing in his city .
`` If the federal agents were n't here , a lot of the protesters would n't be either , '' he says .
`` I 'm happy that people want to get out and make their voices heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' A hotel worker who does n't attend the protests either tells me he supports a lot of the reasons behind the demonstrations , despite the financial impact it 's having on business .
He tells me he has been affected by the tear gas at work after three canisters were deployed in the street outside .
`` I had to go and deliver sheets to a guest 's room after being tear gassed , '' he says .
`` The reality is before the feds arrived the protests had dropped to around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had stopped and it had calmed down .
Now look . ''
The presence of federal troops in Portland has upset many , even some who are n't demonstrating .
The government has the right to protect federal buildings but it 's very unusual for an administration to send in law enforcement without an invitation from local officials and the local police .
That is what has happened here and this is what has made so many people so angry .
The mayor of Portland and the governor of Oregon have said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state 's senators has said America is staring down the barrel of martial law .
Meanwhile , the intense stand-off between federal troops and protesters is entering a 12th night .
Neither side is showing any sign of backing down - if anything they 're upping the ante .
It feels increasingly dangerous .
The only common ground I 've found in this complex picture is that no one can see how it is going to end .

There is nothing straightforward about what is happening here in Portland.
After the arrival of federal troops this month it has morphed into something else.
There are still thousands of people who protest peacefully in support of Black Lives Matter each evening. But as night falls, a crowd surrounds the federal courthouse. Among them, a violent contingent who lob fireworks and push against the temporary metal fence separating the troops and the public.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:33 Majority 'protesting peacefully' in Portland
Image: Federal police are guarding the courthouse in downtown Portland
For 11 nights tear gas and rubber bullets have been fired back at protesters. But their response is well-coordinated, repelling the CS gas with leaf blowers, the bullets with homemade shields.
There are troublemakers here, there's no question. Some who clearly seek to antagonise and hurt the federal troops. They're not the majority but images of this violence support Donald Trump's narrative that this is a city under siege, overrun with anarchists.
The reality is very different, the picture far more complex.
Day to day life for most people has not changed, with the unrest confined to a few square blocks in the city centre.
Peaceful protesters are still by far the biggest demographic here, on the streets each evening to protest racial injustice. But after the president deployed federal troops earlier this month to protect monuments and federal property, more people have gathered to protest against their presence in the city. As many peaceful protesters leave at night, the remaining crowd gets more angry and some violent.
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
Advertisement
Opposite the federal courthouse, a park has now become a protest camp. Even here the picture is complex - mixed with the protesters are the homeless, drug addicts, and the mentally ill. A traffic cone, thrown in broad daylight at an unmarked police car, triggered a rapid response from federal police. A fragile stand-off followed between the protest camp and federal officers. Some chanted "Feds go home", others hurled abuse. It felt volatile, like it could kick off at any moment.
A young black man appointed himself mediator and bravely stood between the protesters and federal agents. The mere sight of him appealing to officers was worrying but the conversation went well and the situation was defused. The man told me he had explained the person who threw the traffic cone suffered from bipolar disorder. Without his involvement it could have ended very differently. The arrival of federal officers on the scene antagonised protesters who responded by shouting abuse. It feels on a knife edge.
Image: For 11 nights tear gas and rubber bullets have been fired back at protesters
Even during the day some of the scenes in Portland are surreal. In the early afternoon I see a protester running through the streets dragging a table, followed by a police car. As they reach the traffic lights they stop to yell at a police car following at a safe distance. Their destination is the federal court house, where they tell me they've been protesting with the group Riot Ribs since 30 May.
In the constant melee outside the courthouse I spot two men on the periphery who look out of place. The father and son have driven from Sandy, around 30 miles away, to see what's going on. Both voted for Donald Trump at the last election and plan to vote for him again in November. "They should just disperse them. Get it done," the father, Randy, tells me. "The election is where this ends. If he takes over the house and senate then this is going to escalate, huge." I ask if that's what he wants to happen. "No. No. I want Trump to win and I want this to go away. And if Biden wins I think it'll go away because they're going to get what they want."
Away from the square, the volatile epicentre of this unrest, I seek views from local people who aren't involved in the demonstrations. One government worker walks with me as he carries his groceries home. I ask him how he feels about what he's seeing in his city. "If the federal agents weren't here, a lot of the protesters wouldn't be either," he says. "I'm happy that people want to get out and make their voices heard because most Americans are super complacent."
Image: Unrest is confined to a few square blocks in the city centre
A hotel worker who doesn't attend the protests either tells me he supports a lot of the reasons behind the demonstrations, despite the financial impact it's having on business. He tells me he has been affected by the tear gas at work after three canisters were deployed in the street outside. "I had to go and deliver sheets to a guest's room after being tear gassed," he says. "The reality is before the feds arrived the protests had dropped to around 100 hardcore people. The big marches had stopped and it had calmed down. Now look."
The presence of federal troops in Portland has upset many, even some who aren't demonstrating. The government has the right to protect federal buildings but it's very unusual for an administration to send in law enforcement without an invitation from local officials and the local police. That is what has happened here and this is what has made so many people so angry. The mayor of Portland and the governor of Oregon have said they're not welcome. One of the state's senators has said America is staring down the barrel of martial law.
Meanwhile, the intense stand-off between federal troops and protesters is entering a 12th night. Neither side is showing any sign of backing down - if anything they're upping the ante. It feels increasingly dangerous.
The only common ground I've found in this complex picture is that no one can see how it is going to end.


skynewsus--2020-07-26--Garmin obtains decryption key after ransomware attack

Smartwatch maker Garmin has obtained the decryption key to recover its computer files from a ransomware attack last Thursday , Sky News has learned .
Last week , Garmin 's services were taken offline after hackers infected the company 's networks with a ransomware virus known as WastedLocker .
A number of the company 's services are operational again and the business has now confirmed the `` cyber attack '' for the first time , stating : `` Affected systems are being restored and we expect to return to normal operation over the next few days . ''
Last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Garmin 's corporate network and demanded a ransom be paid in order for the files to be decrypted , essentially shuttering the firm 's entire business .
Security sources who spoke to Sky News said WastedLocker is believed to be developed by Evil Corp , a hacking group based in Russia which was sanctioned by the US Treasury last December .
The sanctions mean that `` US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions '' with the cyber criminals , although the US Treasury did not respond to questions about whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of extortion .
Sources with knowledge of the Garmin incident who spoke to Sky News on the condition of anonymity said that the company - an American multinational which is publicly listed on the NASDAQ - did not directly make a payment to the hackers .
If a payment was made through a third party it could also be covered by the Treasury sanctions , which warn : `` Foreign persons may be subject to secondary sanctions for knowingly facilitating a significant transaction or transactions with these designated persons . ''
Any ransom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid using contact details left in a tailored message the virus included alongside the encrypted files , meaning the company could potentially be seen has having engaged in the transaction if it contracted a third party to do so on its behalf .
Garmin 's representatives declined to respond to repeated offers by Sky News to challenge the sources ' claims , stating the company `` does not comment on rumour and speculation '' .
Last week , the company confirmed to customers that it was `` experiencing an outage that affects Garmin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owners of the company 's smartwatches to track their running performance and other health and fitness goals .
Garmin 's website , mobile app and customer service call centres were also taken offline as a result of the incident .
A representative for Garmin told Sky News that they did not have any information to share regarding the ransom payment .
They stated : `` We are working to restore our systems as quickly as possible and apologise for the inconvenience .
Additional updates will be provided as they become available . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` We have no indication that any customer data , including payment information from Garmin Pay , was accessed , lost or stolen .
`` Additionally , the functionality of Garmin products was not affected , other than the ability to access online services . ''
However , Brett Callow , a cyber security researcher at Emsisoft , told Sky News : `` Absence of indication is not indication of absence . ''
A growing cyber criminal threat facing companies involves something called post-intrusion encryption , in which the victim 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stolen data .
This stolen data is then usually leaked piecemeal on the criminals ' `` name and shame '' websites in order to extort a ransom payment from the victim .
Victims of such extortion have included a US nuclear missile military contractor and foreign exchange company Travelex .
Although stolen information may not be released after a ransom is paid , it could still be held by the criminals and potentially used to target the individuals it belongs to .

Smartwatch maker Garmin has obtained the decryption key to recover its computer files from a ransomware attack last Thursday, Sky News has learned.
Last week, Garmin's services were taken offline after hackers infected the company's networks with a ransomware virus known as WastedLocker.
A number of the company's services are operational again and the business has now confirmed the "cyber attack" for the first time, stating: "Affected systems are being restored and we expect to return to normal operation over the next few days."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:17 Supercars and a lion cub: Evil Corp's riches
Last week, the malicious software encrypted the files on Garmin's corporate network and demanded a ransom be paid in order for the files to be decrypted, essentially shuttering the firm's entire business.
Security sources who spoke to Sky News said WastedLocker is believed to be developed by Evil Corp, a hacking group based in Russia which was sanctioned by the US Treasury last December.
The sanctions mean that "US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions" with the cyber criminals, although the US Treasury did not respond to questions about whether the general prohibition applied in the circumstances of extortion.
Sources with knowledge of the Garmin incident who spoke to Sky News on the condition of anonymity said that the company - an American multinational which is publicly listed on the NASDAQ - did not directly make a payment to the hackers.
If a payment was made through a third party it could also be covered by the Treasury sanctions, which warn: "Foreign persons may be subject to secondary sanctions for knowingly facilitating a significant transaction or transactions with these designated persons."
Any ransom payment would be specific to Garmin, paid using contact details left in a tailored message the virus included alongside the encrypted files, meaning the company could potentially be seen as having engaged in the transaction if it contracted a third party to do so on its behalf.
Advertisement
Garmin's representatives declined to respond to repeated offers by Sky News to challenge the sources' claims, stating the company "does not comment on rumour and speculation".
Image: Members of Evil Corp indicted last year. Pic: NCA
Last week, the company confirmed to customers that it was "experiencing an outage that affects Garmin Connect", the service used by owners of the company's smartwatches to track their running performance and other health and fitness goals.
Garmin's website, mobile app and customer service call centres were also taken offline as a result of the incident.
A representative for Garmin told Sky News that they did not have any information to share regarding the ransom payment.
They stated: "We are working to restore our systems as quickly as possible and apologise for the inconvenience. Additional updates will be provided as they become available."
In a fresh statement, the company said: "We have no indication that any customer data, including payment information from Garmin Pay, was accessed, lost or stolen.
"Additionally, the functionality of Garmin products was not affected, other than the ability to access online services."
However, Brett Callow, a cyber security researcher at Emsisoft, told Sky News: "Absence of indication is not indication of absence."
Image: Evil Corp members have purchased sports cars with their stolen funds . Pic: NCA
A growing cyber criminal threat facing companies involves something called post-intrusion encryption, in which the victim's machines are encrypted after the criminals have stolen data.
This stolen data is then usually leaked piecemeal on the criminals' "name and shame" websites in order to extort a ransom payment from the victim.
Victims of such extortion have included a US nuclear missile military contractor and foreign exchange company Travelex.
Although stolen information may not be released after a ransom is paid, it could still be held by the criminals and potentially used to target the individuals it belongs to.


skynewsus--2020-07-25--'They call us the COVID family': Why shame is fuelling virus spike in one LA community

A devastating surge of COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles is hitting one small community hardest of all , it has been revealed .
People with heritage in the Pacific Islands have been found to have the highest infection rate of any racial or ethnic group in LA County .
Health department data shows it is six times higher than that for white people , five times higher than black people and three times higher than Latinos .
While the Pacific Islander community is relatively small , the statistics are alarming and those who have fallen victim say some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pele Ili documented his own family 's encounter with the coronavirus through a video diary .
His mother Lina , father Aoga and brother Taylor all ended up in intensive care after falling ill with COVID-19 .
They have all since recovered and are now back home .
`` It was definitely an emotional time .
I think the scariest part was just not knowing what was going to happen , '' said Pele .
Experts say Pacific Islanders are prone to some of the same health conditions as other groups who face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Low income , multi-generational housing and poor access to healthcare also play a part , but so does a feeling of shame about health issues .
Lina said : `` In our community they 're embarrassed to share their story even with their family because they see it as a stigma , that they 'll frown upon you . ''
As if to prove their point , they say they have been labelled `` the COVID family '' since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take the virus seriously .
`` It was hurtful , '' said Lina .
`` It was n't anything we wished upon ourselves , or I would wish on anybody , and no-one should be calling people names , especially for other families who do n't have a mum or dad anymore or their children passed away because of COVID .
Why would anyone say that ?
`` When we see on the news the numbers and all the people passing away , I sit and wonder 'Why am I here ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ purpose , to tell my community about what we 've gone through . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Lina and Aoga were born in Samoa and the community is made up of those from other islands including Fiji and Tonga .
Pele said his decision to document the family 's suffering , while still trying to look after his youngest brother , was an attempt to educate the community .
The family is still cautious about gatherings and have urged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` If we can save a life , we 'll take the name calling and the backlash .
`` As long as we can inform somebody that was n't informed , we 'll keep putting that message out there . ''

A devastating surge of COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles is hitting one small community hardest of all, it has been revealed.
People with heritage in the Pacific Islands have been found to have the highest infection rate of any racial or ethnic group in LA County.
Image: The Ali family has been labelled 'the COVID family' after speaking out
Image: LA's Pacific Islander community has the highest infection rate of any racial or ethnic group
Health department data shows it is six times higher than that for white people, five times higher than black people and three times higher than Latinos.
While the Pacific Islander community is relatively small, the statistics are alarming and those who have fallen victim say some of the community's traditions are to blame.
Pele Ili documented his own family's encounter with the coronavirus through a video diary.
His mother Lina, father Aoga and brother Taylor all ended up in intensive care after falling ill with COVID-19.
They have all since recovered and are now back home.
Image: Some blame the community's traditions for the coronavirus surge
"It was definitely an emotional time. I think the scariest part was just not knowing what was going to happen," said Pele.
Experts say Pacific Islanders are prone to some of the same health conditions as other groups who face an increased risk.
Advertisement
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
Low income, multi-generational housing and poor access to healthcare also play a part, but so does a feeling of shame about health issues.
Lina said: "In our community they're embarrassed to share their story even with their family because they see it as a stigma, that they'll frown upon you."
As if to prove their point, they say they have been labelled "the COVID family" since deciding to speak out to encourage others to take the virus seriously.
"It was hurtful," said Lina.
"It wasn't anything we wished upon ourselves, or I would wish on anybody, and no-one should be calling people names, especially for other families who don't have a mum or dad anymore or their children passed away because of COVID. Why would anyone say that?
"When we see on the news the numbers and all the people passing away, I sit and wonder 'Why am I here?' Maybe this is part of my purpose, to tell my community about what we've gone through."
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
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 the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Lina and Aoga were born in Samoa and the community is made up of those from other islands including Fiji and Tonga.
Pele said his decision to document the family's suffering, while still trying to look after his youngest brother, was an attempt to educate the community.
The family is still cautious about gatherings and have urged others to follow their lead.
Aoga said: "If we can save a life, we'll take the name calling and the backlash.
"As long as we can inform somebody that wasn't informed, we'll keep putting that message out there."


skynewsus--2020-07-28--White House 'to send more federal troops to Portland' amid protests

The White House is planning to send more federal troops to Portland in a bid to quell ongoing protests , reports claim .
Donald Trump 's administration wants to deploy an additional 50 US Customs and Border Protection personnel to the Oregon city , adding to the 100 sent last week , according to the Washington Post .
Federal troops arrived in Portland earlier this month without the consent of local police and politicians , sparking outrage and accusations they were breaching the constitution .
Daily protests have taken place in Portland ever since the killing of George Floyd in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The Black Lives Matter demonstrations had dwindled to around 100 hardcore activists , but numbers shot up into the thousands after Mr Trump 's decision to deploy federal agents .
During the past two weeks of violent clashes authorities have used tear gas and rubber bullets , but their efforts to protect the central courthouse from protesters have failed .
Attorney General William Barr has defended the use of federal troops , saying attacks on the courthouse are `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States '' .
He will tell Congress in an address on Tuesday : `` The most basic responsibility of government is to ensure the rule of law , so that people can live their lives safely and without fear .
`` The Justice Department will continue working to meet that solemn responsibility . ''
Late on Monday , Mr Trump described demonstrators in Portland as `` anarchists '' and `` agitators '' .
He tweeted that any attacks on federal buildings `` will be prosecuted under our recently-enacted Statue and Monuments Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MINIMUM TEN YEARS IN PRISON .
Do n't do it ! ''
On Sunday a video emerged of a police officer kneeling on a young woman 's neck as they arrested her during the protests .
She was heard shouting : `` I ca n't breathe '' - the last words spoken by Mr Floyd before he died .

The White House is planning to send more federal troops to Portland in a bid to quell ongoing protests, reports claim.
Donald Trump's administration wants to deploy an additional 50 US Customs and Border Protection personnel to the Oregon city, adding to the 100 sent last week, according to the Washington Post.
Federal troops arrived in Portland earlier this month without the consent of local police and politicians, sparking outrage and accusations they were breaching the constitution.
Daily protests have taken place in Portland ever since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:12 'I can't breathe': Federal officer kneels on woman
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
The Black Lives Matter demonstrations had dwindled to around 100 hardcore activists, but numbers shot up into the thousands after Mr Trump's decision to deploy federal agents.
During the past two weeks of violent clashes authorities have used tear gas and rubber bullets, but their efforts to protect the central courthouse from protesters have failed.
Image: Donald Trump has described demonstrators as 'anarchists' and 'agitators'
Attorney General William Barr has defended the use of federal troops, saying attacks on the courthouse are "an assault on the government of the United States".
He will tell Congress in an address on Tuesday: "The most basic responsibility of government is to ensure the rule of law, so that people can live their lives safely and without fear.
Advertisement
Image: The past two weeks have seen violent clashes between activists and officers
"The Justice Department will continue working to meet that solemn responsibility."
Late on Monday, Mr Trump described demonstrators in Portland as "anarchists" and "agitators".
He tweeted that any attacks on federal buildings "will be prosecuted under our recently-enacted Statue and Monuments Act".
Image: Black Lives Matter protests have taken place in the city ever since the death of George Floyd
The president added: "MINIMUM TEN YEARS IN PRISON. Don't do it!"
On Sunday a video emerged of a police officer kneeling on a young woman's neck as they arrested her during the protests.
She was heard shouting: "I can't breathe" - the last words spoken by Mr Floyd before he died.


skynewsus--2020-07-28--Swimmer killed in apparent shark attack off coast of New England

A swimmer has died in an apparent shark attack off the coast of Maine , New England .
Maine Marine Patrol said a witness saw the woman swimming off the shore of Bailey Island when she was injured .
Two kayakers helped her to shore , and an ambulance provided further assistance , a spokeswoman for the US Coast Guard said .
The woman has not yet been named and authorities have not yet officially confirmed the incident as a shark attack .
Interactions between humans and sharks are incredibly rare in Maine .
The only other recorded unprovoked attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to use his underwater camera to fend off a porbeagle that circled him before closing in .
Mr MacNichol estimated the shark to be about 8ft long and weighing 300lbs .
In the US as a whole there were 460 shark attacks between 2010 and 2019 , with just six fatalities , according to the International Shark Attack File .
Florida has the highest number of recorded attacks , although scientists have warned that warming oceans mean that sharks could migrate further north along the US eastern seaboard and the frequency of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase .

A swimmer has died in an apparent shark attack off the coast of Maine, New England.
Maine Marine Patrol said a witness saw the woman swimming off the shore of Bailey Island when she was injured.
Two kayakers helped her to shore, and an ambulance provided further assistance, a spokeswoman for the US Coast Guard said.
The woman has not yet been named and authorities have not yet officially confirmed the incident as a shark attack.
Interactions between humans and sharks are incredibly rare in Maine.
The only other recorded unprovoked attack happened in 2010 when diver Scott MacNichol had to use his underwater camera to fend off a porbeagle that circled him before closing in.
Mr MacNichol estimated the shark to be about 8ft long and weighing 300lbs.
In the US as a whole there were 460 shark attacks between 2010 and 2019, with just six fatalities, according to the International Shark Attack File.
Florida has the highest number of recorded attacks, although scientists have warned that warming oceans mean that sharks could migrate further north along the US eastern seaboard and the frequency of attacks in states such as Maine could increase.


skynewsus--2020-07-27--Eight things you need to know about the Mars 2020 launch

NASA 's Mars 2020 mission is set to launch this Thursday , taking the Perseverance rover to the red planet , armed with some of the most sophisticated scientific instruments ever sent into space , to explore if Mars could have ever harboured life .
It follows in the tracks of the car-sized Curiosity rover which landed in 2012 and is - despite NASA 's expectations - still operational , having confirmed its landing site , the Gale Crater , hosted a lake billions of years ago which could have supported microbial life .
NASA gave the mission the green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jim Bridenstine stating : `` The launch readiness review is complete , and we are indeed go for launch .
`` We are in extraordinary times right now with the coronavirus pandemic , and yet we have in fact persevered and we have protected this mission because it is so important , '' he added .
The launch is scheduled for 12.50pm UK time on Thursday , and you will be able to follow it live with Sky News .
Until then , here 's what you need to know about the mission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life on Mars .
1 .
It 's part of a wave of human invasion The NASA launch will mean that in July 2020 humanity sent a wave of unmanned spacecraft to Mars to see if it was ever habitable , and to find out if it could be again .
The three spacecraft are being sent by the United States , China and the United Arab Emirates , and they will land on or orbit the red planet next year after at least a six-month journey .
The timing of the launches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's orbits , with a single one-month window during which the planets are close enough together permitting the six-month journey .
If the launches failed or were postponed , this window wo n't open again for another 26 months - but both the Chinese Tianwen-1 ( Questions to Heaven ) mission , and the UAE 's Amal ( Hope ) satellite launches have taken place successfully .
Missions to Mars are rarely successful , and only the US has actually managed to put a spacecraft on the planet 's surface - which it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half of the spacecraft sent there have either blown up , burned up or crashed into the surface , including China 's last attempt - in collaboration with Russia - in 2011 .
Both NASA and China 's spacecraft will need to plummet through the Martian atmosphere before landing , something which NASA 's teams have dubbed the `` seven minutes of terror '' considering the high rate of failure to land on the planet .
3 .
By the time they know what 's happening , it will already be too late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ land on Mars until the early afternoon of 18 February 2021 , there will not be much time for deliberation when it is heading towards the Martian surface .
The rover , which has a mass of 1,050kg ( 2,313lbs ) , could easily simply add to the craters on the planet 's surface .
NASA hopes its brand new guidance and parachute-triggering technology will help steer the rover away from these hazards but its controllers back on Earth will be helpless .
Radio transmissions from Mars take 10 minutes to reach Earth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Perseverance has entered the atmosphere , it will have either already landed or been destroyed .
NASA 's launch is currently scheduled for 30 July and the Perseverance rover is intended to touch down in an ancient river delta and former lake on the Martian surface known as the Jezero Crater .
The Jezero Crater is full of obstacles and dangers to the rover , including boulders , cliffs , sand dunes and depressions , any one of which could end the mission , both in landing and as the rover drives along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crater is rich in clay minerals , which form in the presence of water , meaning life may have once existed there - and such sediments on Earth have been known to store microscopic fossils .
Scientists have also noted that the crater does n't have a depth which matches its diameter , which means sediment likely entered the crater through flowing water - potentially up to a kilometre of it .
Perseverance is also equipped with a miniature helicopter named Ingenuity which weighs just 4lb ( 1.8kg ) and will be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The laws of physics may say it 's near impossible to fly on Mars , but actually flying a heavier-than-air vehicle on the red planet is much harder than that , '' the space agency quipped .
The little chopper underwent a series of drills simulating the mission in a testing facility in California , including a high-vibration environment to mimic how it will hold up under the launch and landing conditions , and extreme temperature swings such as those experienced on Mars .
The autonomous test helicopter will have an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a solar panel , but will not contain any scientific instruments .
NASA aims to develop the drone as a prototype to see if it could be worth attaching scientific sensors to similar devices in future .
NASA intends to send the first woman to the moon in 2024 and from there the first astronauts to Mars in the 2030s , and so some samples of its spacesuit material are also being sent with Perseverance to analyse how they stand up against the environment .
The agency plans to use what it learns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what it describes as `` humanity 's next giant leap - sending astronauts to Mars '' .
The aim is to establish a permanent human presence on the moon within the next decade to uncover new scientific discoveries as well as lay the foundations for private companies to build a lunar economy .
`` It all starts with US companies delivering scientific instruments and technology demonstrations to the lunar surface , followed by a spaceship , called the Gateway , in orbit around the moon that will support human and scientific missions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the surface , '' NASA says .
But scale is an issue .
Missions to the International Space Station are a regular success , but the moon is 1,000 times further away - requiring systems which need to be very robust and safe - and Mars is even further away still .
7 .
The first leg of a round trip to Mars NASA says that verifying ancient life on Mars carries an enormous burden of proof .
While the remnants of microbial life on Mars could have left telltale marks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down into , it might be difficult to analyse them on the planet itself .
After drilling into the best rocks the rover will cache about half a kilogram of rock sample in dozens of titanium tubes that will be collected by another rover in approximately a decade 's time .
NASA and the European Space Agency are planning a Mars sample return campaign , where these samples can be examined with instruments that are far too large and complex to send to Mars .
8 .
You will get to ride along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cameras than any interplanetary mission in history , according to NASA .
The rover itself has 19 cameras which will send back breathtaking images of the Martian landscape , while four other cameras are attached to the parts of the spacecraft involved in entry , descent and landing .
These will allow engineers to put together a high-definition view of the landing process , as well as allow people at home to follow along with raw and processed images .
As part of a public awareness initiative NASA also undertook a `` Send @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through which people could send their names to Mars on three silicon chips stored aboard Perseverance .
Almost 11 million names were submitted during the registration period , which has now closed - however names may still be submitted ahead of the 2024 mission .
You can get your boarding pass here .

NASA's Mars 2020 mission is set to launch today, taking the Perseverance rover to the red planet, armed with some of the most sophisticated scientific instruments ever sent into space, to explore if Mars could have ever harboured life.
It follows in the tracks of the car-sized Curiosity rover which landed in 2012 and is - despite NASA's expectations - still operational, having confirmed its landing site, the Gale Crater, hosted a lake billions of years ago which could have supported microbial life.
NASA gave the mission the green light on Monday, with agency administrator Jim Bridenstine stating: "The launch readiness review is complete, and we are indeed go for launch.
"We are in extraordinary times right now with the coronavirus pandemic, and yet we have in fact persevered and we have protected this mission because it is so important," he added.
The launch is scheduled for 12.50pm UK time, and you will be able to follow it live with Sky News. Until then, here's what you need to know about the mission and what it might teach us about life on Mars.
1. It's part of a wave of human invasion
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:08 UAW successfully launches mission to Mars
The NASA launch will mean that in July 2020 humanity sent a wave of unmanned spacecraft to Mars to see if it was ever habitable, and to find out if it could be again.
The three spacecraft are being sent by the United States, China and the United Arab Emirates, and they will land on or orbit the red planet next year after at least a six-month journey.
Image: China's Tianwen-1 mission was launched successfully last week
The timing of the launches has been dictated by Mars and Earth's orbits, with a single one-month window during which the planets are close enough together permitting the six-month journey.
Advertisement
If the launches failed or were postponed, this window won't open again for another 26 months - but both the Chinese Tianwen-1 (Questions to Heaven) mission, and the UAE's Amal (Hope) satellite launches have taken place successfully.
2. A successful launch doesn't mean a successful landing
Image: The Perseverance rover inside the payload fairing, or nose cone
Missions to Mars are rarely successful, and only the US has actually managed to put a spacecraft on the planet's surface - which it has done eight times.
More than half of the spacecraft sent there have either blown up, burned up or crashed into the surface, including China's last attempt - in collaboration with Russia - in 2011.
Both NASA and China's spacecraft will need to plummet through the Martian atmosphere before landing, something which NASA's teams have dubbed the "seven minutes of terror" considering the high rate of failure to land on the planet.
3. By the time they know what's happening, it will already be too late
Image: The Atlas V rocket is upright at the Kennedy Space Centre
Although the mission is not set to land on Mars until the early afternoon of 18 February 2021, there will not be much time for deliberation when it is heading towards the Martian surface.
The rover, which has a mass of 1,050kg (2,313lbs), could easily simply add to the craters on the planet's surface.
NASA hopes its brand new guidance and parachute-triggering technology will help steer the rover away from these hazards but its controllers back on Earth will be helpless.
Radio transmissions from Mars take 10 minutes to reach Earth so by the time the controllers see Perseverance has entered the atmosphere, it will have either already landed or been destroyed.
4. The Jezero Crater
Image: NASA has announced the rover will land in the Jezero crater
NASA's launch is currently scheduled for 30 July and the Perseverance rover is intended to touch down in an ancient river delta and former lake on the Martian surface known as the Jezero Crater.
The Jezero Crater is full of obstacles and dangers to the rover, including boulders, cliffs, sand dunes and depressions, any one of which could end the mission, both in landing and as the rover drives along the surface.
The deposits in the crater is rich in clay minerals, which form in the presence of water, meaning life may have once existed there - and such sediments on Earth have been known to store microscopic fossils.
Scientists have also noted that the crater doesn't have a depth which matches its diameter, which means sediment likely entered the crater through flowing water - potentially up to a kilometre of it.
5. It has a helicopter
Image: The helicopter has been put through gruelling tests on Earth
Perseverance is also equipped with a miniature helicopter named Ingenuity which weighs just 4lb (1.8kg) and will be the first rotorcraft to fly on another planet.
"The laws of physics may say it's near impossible to fly on Mars, but actually flying a heavier-than-air vehicle on the red planet is much harder than that," the space agency quipped.
Image: An artist's impression of the helicopter on Mars
The little chopper underwent a series of drills simulating the mission in a testing facility in California, including a high-vibration environment to mimic how it will hold up under the launch and landing conditions, and extreme temperature swings such as those experienced on Mars.
The autonomous test helicopter will have an on-board camera and will be powered by a solar panel, but will not contain any scientific instruments.
NASA aims to develop the drone as a prototype to see if it could be worth attaching scientific sensors to similar devices in future.
6. Preparation for a manned mission
Image: A manned mission to Mars is being planned
NASA intends to send the first woman to the moon in 2024 and from there the first astronauts to Mars in the 2030s, and so some samples of its spacesuit material are also being sent with Perseverance to analyse how they stand up against the environment.
The agency plans to use what it learns from the Artemis missions to prepare for what it describes as "humanity's next giant leap - sending astronauts to Mars".
The aim is to establish a permanent human presence on the moon within the next decade to uncover new scientific discoveries as well as lay the foundations for private companies to build a lunar economy.
Image: NASA recorded wind on Mars to see what the environment is like
"It all starts with US companies delivering scientific instruments and technology demonstrations to the lunar surface, followed by a spaceship, called the Gateway, in orbit around the moon that will support human and scientific missions, and human landers that will take astronauts to the surface," NASA says.
But scale is an issue. Missions to the International Space Station are a regular success, but the moon is 1,000 times further away - requiring systems which need to be very robust and safe - and Mars is even further away still.
7. The first leg of a round trip to Mars
Image: Dark narrow streaks on Mars are believed to be formed by liquid water
NASA says that verifying ancient life on Mars carries an enormous burden of proof. While the remnants of microbial life on Mars could have left telltale marks in the sediment layers which Perseverance will drill down into, it might be difficult to analyse them on the planet itself.
After drilling into the best rocks the rover will cache about half a kilogram of rock sample in dozens of titanium tubes that will be collected by another rover in approximately a decade's time.
NASA and the European Space Agency are planning a Mars sample return campaign, where these samples can be examined with instruments that are far too large and complex to send to Mars.
8. You will get to ride along
Image: Engineers worked on the rover for years before the launch
The Mars 2020 Perseverance mission carries more cameras than any interplanetary mission in history, according to NASA.
The rover itself has 19 cameras which will send back breathtaking images of the Martian landscape, while four other cameras are attached to the parts of the spacecraft involved in entry, descent and landing.
These will allow engineers to put together a high-definition view of the landing process, as well as allow people at home to follow along with raw and processed images.
Image: Mars is over 100 times further from the Earth than the moon. Pic. Ed Reeve
As part of a public awareness initiative NASA also undertook a "Send Your Name to Mars" campaign, through which people could send their names to Mars on three silicon chips stored aboard Perseverance.
Almost 11 million names were submitted during the registration period, which has now closed - however names may still be submitted ahead of the 2024 mission. You can get your boarding pass here.


skynewsus--2020-07-28--Chainsmokers gig investigated after crowds 'ignore social distancing rules'

A charity concert headlined by The Chainsmokers is being investigated after crowds were accused of ignoring social distancing rules .
The Safe and Sound gig was held in Southampton , New York , over the weekend and was intended to be a drive-in event with space for about 600 cars .
But authorities launched an investigation after videos from the concert showed a large crowd apparently gathered in close proximity .
One of the clips appeared to be filmed from the stage and showed some of the crowd bouncing up and down .
State governor Andrew Cuomo said he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that there were `` egregious social distancing violations '' .
New York has been one of the states worst-hit by America 's COVID-19 outbreak , recording more coronavirus-related deaths than any other .
Saturday night 's concert was the first in a series planned by main organisers In The Know Experiences , aiming to raise money for local charities helping with the response to the pandemic .
Tickets cost up to $ 25,000 ( £19,400 ) , according to Billboard , and the proceeds will go to several local charities - including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York .
In a post on their website , organisers said : `` We are excited about this opportunity as with the current situation in the country people do want to get out of their homes and experience things that they are used to experiencing , but doing them in the RIGHT & SAFE way . ''
Electronic duo The Chainsmokers headlined the gig , supported by Goldman Sachs Group boss David Solomon - under his stage name DJ D-Sol - and Southampton town supervisor Jay Schneiderman 's own band .
Mr Solomon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in an interview with Bloomberg : `` The group that put this together did an incredible job in a difficult environment . ''
The organisers said they had worked with state and local health officials to keep people safe - but New York 's state health commissioner is among those who have criticised the event .
Howard Zucker said he was `` greatly disturbed '' in a formal letter of inquiry to Mr Schneiderman .
He said the concert had `` involved thousands of people in close proximity , out of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was no pretence of a vehicle , and generally not adhering to social distancing guidance '' .
`` I am at a loss as to how the town of Southampton could have issued a permit for such an event , how they believed it was legal , and not an obvious health threat , '' Mr Zucker added , according to a copy of the letter seen by Newsday .
Mr Schneiderman said he had not seen the letter , but acknowledged that `` aspects of the event violated the permit '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ opened that was not approved by the town .
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A spokesperson for In The Know Experiences said there were dividers separating groups in the front viewing area and security guards to enforce mask wearing , according to a statement provided to Buzzfeed News .
They also said concert-goers had their temperatures checked at the entrance , while hand sanitiser and masks were made readily available .
Representatives for The Chainsmokers could not immediately be reached for @ @

A charity concert headlined by The Chainsmokers is being investigated after crowds were accused of ignoring social distancing rules.
The Safe and Sound gig was held in Southampton, New York, over the weekend and was intended to be a drive-in event with space for about 600 cars.
But authorities launched an investigation after videos from the concert showed a large crowd apparently gathered in close proximity.
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
One of the clips appeared to be filmed from the stage and showed some of the crowd bouncing up and down.
State governor Andrew Cuomo said he was "appalled" by the footage, adding that there were "egregious social distancing violations".
New York has been one of the states worst-hit by America's COVID-19 outbreak, recording more coronavirus-related deaths than any other.
Saturday night's concert was the first in a series planned by main organisers In The Know Experiences, aiming to raise money for local charities helping with the response to the pandemic.
Tickets cost up to $25,000 (£19,400), according to Billboard, and the proceeds will go to several local charities - including the Children's Medical Fund of New York.
In a post on their website, organisers said: "We are excited about this opportunity as with the current situation in the country people do want to get out of their homes and experience things that they are used to experiencing, but doing them in the RIGHT & SAFE way."
Advertisement
Image: Electonic duo The Chainsmokers
Electronic duo The Chainsmokers headlined the gig, supported by Goldman Sachs Group boss David Solomon - under his stage name DJ D-Sol - and Southampton town supervisor Jay Schneiderman's own band.
Mr Solomon, who performed for an hour, said in an interview with Bloomberg: "The group that put this together did an incredible job in a difficult environment."
The organisers said they had worked with state and local health officials to keep people safe - but New York's state health commissioner is among those who have criticised the event.
Howard Zucker said he was "greatly disturbed" in a formal letter of inquiry to Mr Schneiderman.
He said the concert had "involved thousands of people in close proximity, out of their vehicles, a VIP area where there was no pretence of a vehicle, and generally not adhering to social distancing guidance".
"I am at a loss as to how the town of Southampton could have issued a permit for such an event, how they believed it was legal, and not an obvious health threat," Mr Zucker added, according to a copy of the letter seen by Newsday.
Mr Schneiderman said he had not seen the letter, but acknowledged that "aspects of the event violated the permit".
He said a VIP area had been opened that was not approved by the town.
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 the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
A spokesperson for In The Know Experiences said there were dividers separating groups in the front viewing area and security guards to enforce mask wearing, according to a statement provided to Buzzfeed News.
They also said concert-goers had their temperatures checked at the entrance, while hand sanitiser and masks were made readily available.
Representatives for The Chainsmokers could not immediately be reached for comment.


skynewsus--2020-07-28--US attorney general denies 'aiding and abetting' Trump

US attorney general William Barr has rejected accusations that he has `` aided and abetted '' Donald Trump .
At the start of a long-anticipated hearing with the House Judiciary Committee looking into whether the US Justice Department has become politicised , chairman Jerrold Nadler told Mr Barr there had been a `` persistent war against the department 's professional core '' that had been an `` apparent effort to secure favours '' for Mr Trump .
He said the department had , under Mr Barr 's tenure , been `` twisted '' into a `` shadow of its former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powerful , and added that the committee needed to protect citizens `` from that kind of corruption '' .
The department is currently facing criticism for a number of decisions , including the sending of federal agents to disperse protesters in Portland , Oregon , and Washington DC , and for other action to help the president 's associates .
Mr Nadler accused Mr Barr of ignoring necessary police department reforms , Black Lives Matter protests , and for using federal agents to stop demonstrations .
But Mr Barr repudiated the claims on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` complete freedom to do what I feel what is right '' .
He also said he did not deploy federal agents to help with Mr Trump 's re-election campaign , and denied aiding Mr Trump 's associates - saying they do not deserve either special nor harsher treatment .
`` Many of the Democrats on this committee have attempted to discredit me by conjuring up a narrative that I am simply the president 's factotum who disposes of criminal cases according to his instructions , '' he said .
`` Judging from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that appears to be your agenda today . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The inquiry comes after Mr Barr 's intervention in several high-profile cases that involved people connected to the US president , including his decision to pull back a sentencing recommendation for Mr Trump 's friend Roger Stone .
Mr Barr also looked to drop a criminal charge against former national security adviser Michael Flynn , and ousted Manhattan 's top federal prosecutor amid an investigation into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Turning to the recent protests , which have been widespread and largely peaceful in the wake of the death of George Floyd , the attorney general defended his decision to deploy federal agents - insisting this was not to boost Mr Trump 's election chances .
He told the committee that violence in Portland was not connected to the demonstrations for Mr Floyd , and that it was actually evidence of `` violent rioters and anarchists '' who had `` hijacked legitimate protests '' .
`` Largely absent from these scenes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rioters to connect their actions to George Floyd 's death or any legitimate call for reform , '' he said .
Mr Floyd 's death , Mr Barr added , was `` horrible '' and had rekindled concerns around how America 's black population is treated differently by law enforcement .
But in response to Mr Barr 's earlier comments that also paid respect to the late civil rights hero John Lewis , US Representative Cedric Richmond said it was `` systematic racism '' that the attorney general did not have any black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` That , sir , is systematic racism .
That 's exactly what John Lewis spent his life fighting .
`` And so I would just suggest that actions speak louder than words , and you should really keep the name of the honourable John Lewis out of the Department of Justice 's mouth . ''

US attorney general William Barr has rejected accusations that he has "aided and abetted" Donald Trump.
At the start of a long-anticipated hearing with the House Judiciary Committee looking into whether the US Justice Department has become politicised, chairman Jerrold Nadler told Mr Barr there had been a "persistent war against the department's professional core" that had been an "apparent effort to secure favours" for Mr Trump.
He said the department had, under Mr Barr's tenure, been "twisted" into a "shadow of its former self" by looking after the most powerful, and added that the committee needed to protect citizens "from that kind of corruption".
YouTube YouTube , 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 YouTube 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 YouTube cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow YouTube cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
The department is currently facing criticism for a number of decisions, including the sending of federal agents to disperse protesters in Portland, Oregon, and Washington DC, and for other action to help the president's associates.
Mr Nadler accused Mr Barr of ignoring necessary police department reforms, Black Lives Matter protests, and for using federal agents to stop demonstrations.
But Mr Barr repudiated the claims on Tuesday, saying he felt he had "complete freedom to do what I feel what is right".
He also said he did not deploy federal agents to help with Mr Trump's re-election campaign, and denied aiding Mr Trump's associates - saying they do not deserve either special nor harsher treatment.
"Many of the Democrats on this committee have attempted to discredit me by conjuring up a narrative that I am simply the president's factotum who disposes of criminal cases according to his instructions," he said.
"Judging from the letter inviting me to this hearing, that appears to be your agenda today."
Advertisement
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 the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The inquiry comes after Mr Barr's intervention in several high-profile cases that involved people connected to the US president, including his decision to pull back a sentencing recommendation for Mr Trump's friend Roger Stone.
Mr Barr also looked to drop a criminal charge against former national security adviser Michael Flynn, and ousted Manhattan's top federal prosecutor amid an investigation into Mr Trump's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani.
Turning to the recent protests, which have been widespread and largely peaceful in the wake of the death of George Floyd, the attorney general defended his decision to deploy federal agents - insisting this was not to boost Mr Trump's election chances.
He told the committee that violence in Portland was not connected to the demonstrations for Mr Floyd, and that it was actually evidence of "violent rioters and anarchists" who had "hijacked legitimate protests".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:42 Barr: Portland 'cannot' be seen as a protest
"Largely absent from these scenes of destruction are even superficial attempts by the rioters to connect their actions to George Floyd's death or any legitimate call for reform," he said.
Mr Floyd's death, Mr Barr added, was "horrible" and had rekindled concerns around how America's black population is treated differently by law enforcement.
But in response to Mr Barr's earlier comments that also paid respect to the late civil rights hero John Lewis, US Representative Cedric Richmond said it was "systematic racism" that the attorney general did not have any black people on his staff.
He said: "That, sir, is systematic racism. That's exactly what John Lewis spent his life fighting.
"And so I would just suggest that actions speak louder than words, and you should really keep the name of the honourable John Lewis out of the Department of Justice's mouth."