upi--2020-07-07--Eagles condemn DeSean Jackson's 'appalling' anti-Semitic messages

July 7 ( UPI ) -- The Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday denounced anti-Semitic messages that wide receiver DeSean Jackson posted on social media and said it would take `` appropriate action . ''
On his Instagram story Monday , Jackson posted an image of a quote falsely attributed to Adolf Hitler that said white Jews `` will blackmail America .
[ They ] will extort America , their plan for world domination wo n't work if the Negroes know who they were . ''
Jackson shared two additional posts on social media -- which have since been deleted -- over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admiration for Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan .
The Anti-Defamation League and Southern Poverty Law Center have identified Farrakhan as anti-Semitic and homophobic .
The Eagles called Jackson 's posts `` offensive , harmful and absolutely appalling . ''
According to ESPN , Jackson already discussed the incident with general manager Howie Roseman and team owner Jeffrey Lurie , who expressed disappointment with the speedy receiver .
Lurie and Roseman are Jewish .
`` We have spoken with DeSean Jackson about his social media posts , '' the team said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the messages he shared were offensive , harmful and absolutely appalling .
They have no place in our society , and are not condoned or supported in any way by the organization .
`` We are disappointed and we reiterated to DeSean the importance of not only apologizing , but also using his platform to take action to promote unity , equality and respect .
We are continuing to evaluate the circumstances and will take appropriate action .
`` We take these matters very seriously and are committed to continuing to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as all of our players and staff , in order to educate , learn and grow . ''
The NFL released a statement Tuesday saying Jackson 's posts were `` highly inappropriate , offensive and divisive and stand in stark contrast to the NFL 's values of respect , equality and inclusion . ''
The league said it has been in communication with the Eagles about the matter .
Jackson , 33 , posted an apology video Tuesday on Instagram and said he `` really did n't realize what this passage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
He said he was `` sorry for any hurt I have caused . ''
`` I just want to first off extend an apology on behalf of me and what I stand for because ...
I never want to put any race down or any people down , '' Jackson said in the video .
`` My post was definitely not intended for anybody of any race to feel any type of way , especially the Jewish community .
`` What I posted , I definitely did n't mean it to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I just wanted to let you guys know that I 'm , you know , very apologetic , and I just want you guys to understand that it never was intended ... to put any race down or any religion down .
`` ...
I just probably should have never posted anything that Hitler did , because Hitler was a bad person , and I know that .
I was just trying to uplift African Americans and slavery and just enlighten my people .
...
I did n't intend any harm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ...
I 'm for love and I extend it every day . ''
Later Tuesday , Jackson issued another apology on social media , promising to `` fully educate myself and work with local and national organizations to be more informed and make a difference in our community . ''
The Anti-Defamation League of Philadelphia on Tuesday condemned Jackson 's messages and asked him to `` immediately apologize '' and learn more about Farrakhan 's `` disturbing history of hate and antisemitism . ''
The Philadelphia organization later reacted to Jackson 's apology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wideout 's social media posts .
`` ADL appreciates @ DeSeanJackson10 apology for the # antisemitic posts on his Instagram and the @ Eagles condemnation of them , '' the organization wrote on Twitter .
`` It 's our hope he uses this moment as a chance to work with the Jewish community and educate himself further on how dangerous and hurtful antisemitism is . ''
The Eagles signed Jackson to a three-year contract in March 2019 .
It is his second stint with the franchise after spending the previous five seasons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buccaneers .

The Philadelphia Eagles signed receiver DeSean Jackson to a three-year contract in March 2019. It is his second stint with the franchise after spending the previous five seasons with the Washington Redskins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. File Photo by Derik Hamilton/UPI | License Photo
July 7 (UPI) -- The Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday denounced anti-Semitic messages that wide receiver DeSean Jackson posted on social media and said it would take "appropriate action." On his Instagram story Monday, Jackson posted an image of a quote falsely attributed to Adolf Hitler that said white Jews "will blackmail America. [They] will extort America, their plan for world domination won't work if the Negroes know who they were." Advertisement
Jackson shared two additional posts on social media -- which have since been deleted -- over the last few days, expressing his admiration for Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. The Anti-Defamation League and Southern Poverty Law Center have identified Farrakhan as anti-Semitic and homophobic.
The Eagles called Jackson's posts "offensive, harmful and absolutely appalling." According to ESPN, Jackson already discussed the incident with general manager Howie Roseman and team owner Jeffrey Lurie, who expressed disappointment with the speedy receiver. Lurie and Roseman are Jewish.
Advertisement
"We have spoken with DeSean Jackson about his social media posts," the team said in a statement. "Regardless of his intentions, the messages he shared were offensive, harmful and absolutely appalling. They have no place in our society, and are not condoned or supported in any way by the organization.
"We are disappointed and we reiterated to DeSean the importance of not only apologizing, but also using his platform to take action to promote unity, equality and respect. We are continuing to evaluate the circumstances and will take appropriate action.
"We take these matters very seriously and are committed to continuing to have productive and meaningful conversations with DeSean, as well as all of our players and staff, in order to educate, learn and grow."
The NFL released a statement Tuesday saying Jackson's posts were "highly inappropriate, offensive and divisive and stand in stark contrast to the NFL's values of respect, equality and inclusion." The league said it has been in communication with the Eagles about the matter.
Jackson, 33, posted an apology video Tuesday on Instagram and said he "really didn't realize what this passage [attributed to Hitler] was saying." He said he was "sorry for any hurt I have caused."
Advertisement
"I just want to first off extend an apology on behalf of me and what I stand for because ... I never want to put any race down or any people down," Jackson said in the video. "My post was definitely not intended for anybody of any race to feel any type of way, especially the Jewish community.
"What I posted, I definitely didn't mean it to the extent that you guys took it, and I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm, you know, very apologetic, and I just want you guys to understand that it never was intended ... to put any race down or any religion down.
"... I just probably should have never posted anything that Hitler did, because Hitler was a bad person, and I know that. I was just trying to uplift African Americans and slavery and just enlighten my people. ... I didn't intend any harm or any hatred toward any people. ... I'm for love and I extend it every day."
Later Tuesday, Jackson issued another apology on social media, promising to "fully educate myself and work with local and national organizations to be more informed and make a difference in our community."
The Anti-Defamation League of Philadelphia on Tuesday condemned Jackson's messages and asked him to "immediately apologize" and learn more about Farrakhan's "disturbing history of hate and antisemitism."
The Philadelphia organization later reacted to Jackson's apology and the Eagles' quick response to the wideout's social media posts.
"ADL appreciates @DeSeanJackson10 apology for the #antisemitic posts on his Instagram and the @Eagles condemnation of them," the organization wrote on Twitter. "It's our hope he uses this moment as a chance to work with the Jewish community and educate himself further on how dangerous and hurtful antisemitism is."
The Eagles signed Jackson to a three-year contract in March 2019. It is his second stint with the franchise after spending the previous five seasons with the Washington Redskins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.


upi--2020-07-07--More than 1,000 faith leaders call for halt to federal executions

July 7 ( UPI ) -- A group of more than 1,000 faith leaders on Tuesday called on President Donald Trump and Attorney General William Barr to halt four federal executions scheduled over the next two months .
The leaders from a variety of faiths said that with the coronavirus pandemic , economic crisis and systemic racism in the justice system , the country should be focused on `` protecting and preserving life , not carrying out executions . ''
`` As an evangelical , I am heartbroken to see our country return to killing its citizens .
We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and people are hurting .
Restarting executions during a pandemic should be the farthest thing from our minds , '' said Carlos Malavé , executive director of Christian Churches Together .
Among the leaders to sign the statement were Bishop Joe Wilson of the United Methodist Church in Georgetown , Texas ; the Rev .
Lisa Enders Tunstall of McCarty Memorial Christian Church in Los Angeles ; Bishop Richard Pates , the apostolic administrator of the Joliet Catholic Diocese in Illinois ; and Shane Claiborne , founder of Red Letter Christians .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of four death row inmates in June as part of Barr 's yearlong effort to resume federal executions .
Among those scheduled were Daniel Lewis Lee ( Monday ) , Wesley Purkey ( July 15 ) , Dustin Lee Honken ( July 17 ) and Keith Dwayne Nelson ( Aug. 28 ) .
Barr ordered the federal government to resume capital punishment in July 2019 , 16 years after the last federal execution .
He told the Bureau of Prisons to schedule executions for five death row inmates starting in December 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dates until this month .
The four inmates who were originally scheduled to be executed in December -- Lee , Purkey , Honken and Alfred Bourgeois -- mounted a legal challenge against Barr 's efforts .
At issue was the Justice Department 's plan to institute a uniform lethal injection protocol rather than follow the individual protocols used by each state , which the law requires .
Barr proposed using a single drug , pentobarbital , rather than the common three-drug cocktail used in many state executions .
Under a 1994 statute , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a `` manner prescribed by the law of the state in which the sentence is imposed . ''
Government attorneys had argued the drugs used in the protocol are irrelevant , since the method of execution -- lethal injection -- is the same .
The District of Columbia U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the injunction in April , giving Barr the green light to reschedule the executions .
In 2014 , former President Barack Obama ordered then-Attorney General Eric Holder to review the use of the death penalty in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on executions .
The last federal execution was that of Gulf War veteran Louis Jones Jr. in March 2003 for the rape and murder of a fellow soldier , Pvt .
Tracie McBride in 1995 .
Jones admitted kidnapping the young female recruit at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo , Texas , but his lawyer sought clemency by arguing Jones suffered behavior-altering brain damage from exposure to nerve gas during the Gulf War that gave him uncontrollable , violent urges .
Lee , the first federal death row inmate scheduled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to death for his role as an accomplice in the murders of William Mueller , his wife Nancy Mueller , and his stepdaughter Sarah Powell in 1996 .
Family members of the murder victims on Tuesday filed a motion asking for Lee 's execution to be postponed due to the coronavirus .
They said the pandemic `` ravaging the federal prison population '' would put them at risk if they attended the execution , especially those family members considered to be medically vulnerable .
`` There is no legitimate reason for [ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lee 's execution on July 13 , 2020 as opposed to a later date , '' the complaint reads .

The federal government is scheduled to execute Daniel Lewis Lee on Monday. File Photo courtesy of Doug Smith/Florida Department of Corrections/Wikimedia Commons
July 7 (UPI) -- A group of more than 1,000 faith leaders on Tuesday called on President Donald Trump and Attorney General William Barr to halt four federal executions scheduled over the next two months. The leaders from a variety of faiths said that with the coronavirus pandemic, economic crisis and systemic racism in the justice system, the country should be focused on "protecting and preserving life, not carrying out executions." Advertisement
"As an evangelical, I am heartbroken to see our country return to killing its citizens. We have seen so much death in recent months and people are hurting. Restarting executions during a pandemic should be the farthest thing from our minds," said Carlos Malavé, executive director of Christian Churches Together.
Among the leaders to sign the statement were Bishop Joe Wilson of the United Methodist Church in Georgetown, Texas; the Rev. Lisa Enders Tunstall of McCarty Memorial Christian Church in Los Angeles; Bishop Richard Pates, the apostolic administrator of the Joliet Catholic Diocese in Illinois; and Shane Claiborne, founder of Red Letter Christians.
Advertisement
The federal Bureau of Prisons scheduled the executions of four death row inmates in June as part of Barr's yearlong effort to resume federal executions. Among those scheduled were Daniel Lewis Lee (Monday), Wesley Purkey (July 15), Dustin Lee Honken (July 17) and Keith Dwayne Nelson (Aug. 28).
Barr ordered the federal government to resume capital punishment in July 2019, 16 years after the last federal execution. He told the Bureau of Prisons to schedule executions for five death row inmates starting in December 2019, but a number of injunctions delayed the dates until this month.
The four inmates who were originally scheduled to be executed in December -- Lee, Purkey, Honken and Alfred Bourgeois -- mounted a legal challenge against Barr's efforts.
At issue was the Justice Department's plan to institute a uniform lethal injection protocol rather than follow the individual protocols used by each state, which the law requires. Barr proposed using a single drug, pentobarbital, rather than the common three-drug cocktail used in many state executions.
Under a 1994 statute, all federal executions must be carried out in a "manner prescribed by the law of the state in which the sentence is imposed." Government attorneys had argued the drugs used in the protocol are irrelevant, since the method of execution -- lethal injection -- is the same.
Advertisement
The District of Columbia U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the injunction in April, giving Barr the green light to reschedule the executions.
In 2014, former President Barack Obama ordered then-Attorney General Eric Holder to review the use of the death penalty in the United States, effectively implementing a moratorium on executions.
The last federal execution was that of Gulf War veteran Louis Jones Jr. in March 2003 for the rape and murder of a fellow soldier, Pvt. Tracie McBride in 1995.
Jones admitted kidnapping the young female recruit at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas, but his lawyer sought clemency by arguing Jones suffered behavior-altering brain damage from exposure to nerve gas during the Gulf War that gave him uncontrollable, violent urges.
Lee, the first federal death row inmate scheduled to be executed next week, was sentenced to death for his role as an accomplice in the murders of William Mueller, his wife Nancy Mueller, and his stepdaughter Sarah Powell in 1996.
Family members of the murder victims on Tuesday filed a motion asking for Lee's execution to be postponed due to the coronavirus. They said the pandemic "ravaging the federal prison population" would put them at risk if they attended the execution, especially those family members considered to be medically vulnerable.
Advertisement
"There is no legitimate reason for [the government] to go forward with Mr. Lee's execution on July 13, 2020 as opposed to a later date," the complaint reads.


upi--2020-07-07--Lawmakers urge Pentagon to stop buying F-35 parts from Turkey

July 7 ( UPI ) -- A bipartisan group of lawmakers sent a letter to Defense Secretary Mark Esper this week asking the Pentagon to more quickly end its F-35 partnership with Turkey .
Sens .
James Lankford , R-Okla. , Jeanne Shaheen , D-N.H. , Thom Tillis-R-N.C. , and Chris Van Hollen , D-Md.
, wrote that the Pentagon 's plans to continue buying F-35 parts into 2022 hampers the United States ' ability to put pressure on the country over its ties to Russia .
`` As you know , we have worked together in the Senate on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and remain concerned about the direction Turkey is taking under the leadership of President Erdogan .
From human rights violations in Syria to arbitrary arrests of Americans in Ankara to defense cooperation with Russia , Turkey is not behaving like a responsible actor or working collaboratively with the West at the level we expect from a NATO ally , '' the letter said .
The U.S. formally removed Turkey from the international F-35 partnership in 2019 after it received delivery of a Su-35 Russian missile defense system , which the U.S. has warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord said the Pentagon would allow prime F-35 contractor Lockheed Martin to honor existing contractual obligations with Turkish manufacturers for F-35 components .
Turkish manufacturers have been involved in building more than 900 parts for the F-35 , and while Pentagon officials have found replacement suppliers for most , the shift could cost more than $ 500 million .

The active-duty 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings conducted an F-35A Combat Power Exercise at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, in January. A group of bipartisan lawmakers has urged the Pentagon to more quickly stop buying parts for the jet from Turkey. Photo by R. Nial Bradshaw/U.S. Air Force/UPI | License Photo
July 7 (UPI) -- A bipartisan group of lawmakers sent a letter to Defense Secretary Mark Esper this week asking the Pentagon to more quickly end its F-35 partnership with Turkey. Sens. James Lankford, R-Okla., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Thom Tillis-R-N.C., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., wrote that the Pentagon's plans to continue buying F-35 parts into 2022 hampers the United States' ability to put pressure on the country over its ties to Russia. Advertisement
"As you know, we have worked together in the Senate on issues of US-Turkey relations for several years and remain concerned about the direction Turkey is taking under the leadership of President Erdogan. From human rights violations in Syria to arbitrary arrests of Americans in Ankara to defense cooperation with Russia, Turkey is not behaving like a responsible actor or working collaboratively with the West at the level we expect from a NATO ally," the letter said.
The U.S. formally removed Turkey from the international F-35 partnership in 2019 after it received delivery of a S-400 Russian missile defense system, which the U.S. has warned could compromise the F-35.
Advertisement
But in January Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord said the Pentagon would allow prime F-35 contractor Lockheed Martin to honor existing contractual obligations with Turkish manufacturers for F-35 components.
Turkish manufacturers have been involved in building more than 900 parts for the F-35, and while Pentagon officials have found replacement suppliers for most, the shift could cost more than $500 million.


upi--2020-07-07--State Department approves $23M sale of Black Hawk to Jordan

July 7 ( UPI ) -- The State Department has approved the possible $ 23 million deal to sell one @ @ @ @ @ related equipment to the government of Jordan , the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ , Jordan 's government asked to buy one UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter in standard U.S. @ @ @ @ @ related equipment , including a common missile warning system as well as AMPS software development @ @ @ @ @ other related elements of logistical , engineering , and program support .
`` This proposed @ @ @ @ @ policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of @ @ @ @ @ is an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East , @ @ @ @ @ .
The UH-60M will supplement Jordan 's existing fleet of Black Hawk helicopters and be @ @ @ @ @ Royal Family .
The principal contractors for this deal will be Sikorsky Aircraft Company in @ @ @ @ @ General Electric Aircraft Company in Lynn , Mass .

In this 2018 photo, the crew of a UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter conduct a Pathfinder demonstration on Eubanks Field. This week the State Department approved the possible sale of a UH-60M helicopter to the government of Jordan. Photo by Megan Garcia/Department of Defense
July 7 (UPI) -- The State Department has approved the possible $23 million deal to sell one UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter and related equipment to the government of Jordan, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced Tuesday. According to the DSCA, Jordan's government asked to buy one UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter in standard U.S. Army configuration, along with related equipment, including a common missile warning system as well as AMPS software development and support services; and other related elements of logistical, engineering, and program support. Advertisement
"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East," said the DSCA announcement.
The UH-60M will supplement Jordan's existing fleet of Black Hawk helicopters and be used to transport the Jordanian Royal Family.
The principal contractors for this deal will be Sikorsky Aircraft Company in Stratford, Conn., and General Electric Aircraft Company in Lynn, Mass.


upi--2020-07-07--Delta, JetBlue, Alaska airlines sign letters of intent to receive CARES loans

July 7 ( UPI ) -- Delta , United , JetBlue , Southwest and Alaska airlines signed letters of intent to receive federal loans to help the industry weather the COVID-19 pandemic , the Treasury Department announced Tuesday .
The companies will receive a portion of the $ 25 billion in loans allocated for U.S. passenger airlines in the $ 2 trillion Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act passed in March .
Last week American Airlines , Hawaiian Airlines , Sky West Airlines and Spirit Airlines signed letters of intent to receive the loans .
`` The major U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy and are critical to domestic and international travel and commerce , '' Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said .
`` These airlines are among the companies most heavily affected by the disruptions to social and economic activity caused by the pandemic . ''
The terms of the potential loans were not released , but Delta in April said it would accept $ 5.4 billion in relief aid from the Treasury Department .
Delta reported its first quarterly loss in five years in April , and projected a decline of as much as 90 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Airline stocks have struggled amid rising COVID-19 cases and limited travel , as United stock fell 7.55 percent on Tuesday..
Some states , such as New York and New Jersey , have required travelers from areas most affected by the virus to quarantine .

Delta, United, JetBlue, Southwest and Alaska Airlines signed letters of intent to receive federal loans to help the industry weather the COVID-19 pandemic, the Treasury Department announced Tuesday. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
July 7 (UPI) -- Delta, United, JetBlue, Southwest and Alaska airlines signed letters of intent to receive federal loans to help the industry weather the COVID-19 pandemic, the Treasury Department announced Tuesday. The companies will receive a portion of the $25 billion in loans allocated for U.S. passenger airlines in the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act passed in March. Advertisement
Last week American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Sky West Airlines and Spirit Airlines signed letters of intent to receive the loans.
"The major U.S. airlines play a vital role in our economy and are critical to domestic and international travel and commerce," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said. "These airlines are among the companies most heavily affected by the disruptions to social and economic activity caused by the pandemic."
The terms of the potential loans were not released, but Delta in April said it would accept $5.4 billion in relief aid from the Treasury Department.
Delta reported its first quarterly loss in five years in April, and projected a decline of as much as 90 percent for April, May and June.
Advertisement
Airline stocks have struggled amid rising COVID-19 cases and limited travel, as United stock fell 7.55 percent on Tuesday.. Some states, such as New York and New Jersey, have required travelers from areas most affected by the virus to quarantine.


upi--2020-07-07--Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian recovering from heart surgery

July 7 ( UPI ) -- Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian had heart surgery last week and is expected to make a full recovery , the school announced Tuesday .
The university said Sarkisian , 46 , underwent the procedure July 2 in Birmingham , Ala .
According to the school , his condition was discovered during an annual physical .
`` During Coach Sarkisian 's physical last week , it was determined that he needed a procedure to correct a congenital cardiovascular anomaly before it became an issue , '' the school said in a statement Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedure this past Thursday [ July 2 ] in Birmingham .
`` He is back home in Tuscaloosa and is expected to make a full recovery . ''
Sarkisian served as the Crimson Tide 's offensive coordinator last season after spending the previous two years in the same position with the NFL 's Atlanta Falcons .
Under Sarkisian , Alabama -- with both Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones starting at quarterback -- ranked second in college football in points per game ( 47.2 ) last season .
Jones , who is a redshirt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in for the injured Tagovailoa on four occasions last year .
Tagovailoa was selected with the No .
5 overall pick in April 's NFL Draft .
Five-star freshman Bryce Young , whom Sarkisian helped recruit , will join Jones in the Crimson Tide 's quarterback room for the upcoming season .

Steve Sarkisian served as the Alabama Crimson Tide's offensive coordinator last season after spending the previous two years in the same position with the NFL's Atlanta Falcons. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
July 7 (UPI) -- Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian had heart surgery last week and is expected to make a full recovery, the school announced Tuesday. The university said Sarkisian, 46, underwent the procedure July 2 in Birmingham, Ala. According to the school, his condition was discovered during an annual physical. Advertisement
"During Coach Sarkisian's physical last week, it was determined that he needed a procedure to correct a congenital cardiovascular anomaly before it became an issue," the school said in a statement Tuesday. "Coach Sarkisian underwent a successful procedure this past Thursday [July 2] in Birmingham.
"He is back home in Tuscaloosa and is expected to make a full recovery."
Sarkisian served as the Crimson Tide's offensive coordinator last season after spending the previous two years in the same position with the NFL's Atlanta Falcons.
Under Sarkisian, Alabama -- with both Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones starting at quarterback -- ranked second in college football in points per game (47.2) last season.
Jones, who is a redshirt junior, returns to Alabama after filling in for the injured Tagovailoa on four occasions last year. Tagovailoa was selected with the No. 5 overall pick in April's NFL Draft.
Advertisement
Five-star freshman Bryce Young, whom Sarkisian helped recruit, will join Jones in the Crimson Tide's quarterback room for the upcoming season.


upi--2020-07-07--Trump says White House will pressure governors to open schools this fall

July 7 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the White House plans to pressure state and local lawmakers to reopen schools in the fall months after they closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Trump , first lady Melania Trump and Vice President Mike Pence participated in a roundtable discussion at the White House following multiple sessions in Washington , D.C. , recently that examined how education officials can transition back to physical classes .
`` We 're very much going to put pressure on the governors and the schools to reopen , '' President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fall . ''
President Trump , who tweeted Monday that `` SCHOOLS MUST OPEN IN THE FALL !
!
! ''
continued to downplay the effects of the coronavirus and its longterm effects saying that the fall is going to be `` a much better climate than right now '' as multiple states have experienced a surge in cases .
`` We want to get our schools open -- we want to get them open quickly , '' he said .
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar agreed that schools must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get people back to work , back to school , back to healthcare , because we ca n't stay locked in our homes forever , '' Azar said .
`` It 's bad for our physical and mental and emotional health -- us as adults , as well as for our kids . ''
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said it was `` not a question of if -- it 's just a question of how '' schools reopen this fall and warned against `` excuse-making or fear-mongering '' after earlier in the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ districts .
`` Education leaders need to examine real data and weigh risk ... risk is involved in everything we do , from learning to ride a bike to riding a rocket into space and everything in between , '' DeVos said .
Senior administration officials told reporters in a conference call earlier that it 's important for schools to reopen in the fall , as they fill critical needs for students and parents .
Citing similar needs , the state of Florida on Monday ordered its schools to reopen next month .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the ultimate decision about whether to reopen schools will be made at the state and municipal level .
`` At the end of the day , these are state and local decisions , '' a senior White House official said .
`` We recognize education officials will need the leadership of public health officials .
We are starting with the goal of having students physically in school [ for the fall ] . ''
Florida 's order requires public schools to reopen in August and they must remain open at least five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen classrooms in a few weeks is sure to be met by some opposition .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force , said Monday the United States is still `` knee deep '' in the first wave of COVID-19 and still has a long road ahead before the end .
`` We have confidence the local leaders are looking out for those best practices and leveraging those to make these decisions , '' the White House official added .
The official noted that the Centers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. schools in the spring -- and said opening classes would actually be a benefit , since schools can provide health and other key resources for children .
The White House said Pence planned to speak to governors Tuesday in a conference call about reopening schools .
Panel discussions will then be held to focus on best safety practices and how the federal government can provide aid .

1/4
U.S. President Donald Trump participates in a national dialogue on safely reopening schools Tuesday at the White House. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo
July 7 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the White House plans to pressure state and local lawmakers to reopen schools in the fall months after they closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump, first lady Melania Trump and Vice President Mike Pence participated in a roundtable discussion at the White House following multiple sessions in Washington, D.C., recently that examined how education officials can transition back to physical classes. Advertisement
"We're very much going to put pressure on the governors and the schools to reopen," President Trump said. "Open your schools in the fall."
President Trump, who tweeted Monday that "SCHOOLS MUST OPEN IN THE FALL!!!" continued to downplay the effects of the coronavirus and its longterm effects saying that the fall is going to be "a much better climate than right now" as multiple states have experienced a surge in cases.
Advertisement
"We want to get our schools open -- we want to get them open quickly," he said.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar agreed that schools must reopen.
"We've got to get people back to work, back to school, back to healthcare, because we can't stay locked in our homes forever," Azar said. "It's bad for our physical and mental and emotional health -- us as adults, as well as for our kids."
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said it was "not a question of if -- it's just a question of how" schools reopen this fall and warned against "excuse-making or fear-mongering" after earlier in the day criticizing implementation of distance learning in some districts.
"Education leaders need to examine real data and weigh risk ... risk is involved in everything we do, from learning to ride a bike to riding a rocket into space and everything in between," DeVos said.
Senior administration officials told reporters in a conference call earlier that it's important for schools to reopen in the fall, as they fill critical needs for students and parents. Citing similar needs, the state of Florida on Monday ordered its schools to reopen next month.
Advertisement
Despite Tuesday's event and federal discussions, the ultimate decision about whether to reopen schools will be made at the state and municipal level.
"At the end of the day, these are state and local decisions," a senior White House official said. "We recognize education officials will need the leadership of public health officials. We are starting with the goal of having students physically in school [for the fall]."
Florida's order requires public schools to reopen in August and they must remain open at least five days a week.
Any decision to reopen classrooms in a few weeks is sure to be met by some opposition. Dr. Anthony Fauci, a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, said Monday the United States is still "knee deep" in the first wave of COVID-19 and still has a long road ahead before the end.
"We have confidence the local leaders are looking out for those best practices and leveraging those to make these decisions," the White House official added.
The official noted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention never recommended closing U.S. schools in the spring -- and said opening classes would actually be a benefit, since schools can provide health and other key resources for children.
Advertisement
The White House said Pence planned to speak to governors Tuesday in a conference call about reopening schools. Panel discussions will then be held to focus on best safety practices and how the federal government can provide aid.
COVID-19 pandemic alters life in New York City


upi--2020-07-07--Healthier school meal programs helped poorer kids avoid obesity

Just how healthy has the introduction of healthier new meals at America 's schools been for kids ?
A new study ties the policy move to about a half-million fewer obese U.S. children .
The study covered kids aged 10 to 17 .
It found that after the introduction in 2012-2013 of school meals with less fat and sugar , and more whole grains , the risk of obesity fell by 47 percent among kids from low-income families .
All of that has translated to an estimated 500,000 fewer obese poor American children , according to the research team .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ low incomes participate the most in school meals , so it stands to reason that they would benefit the most , '' researcher Erica Kenney , an assistant professor of public health nutrition at the Harvard T.H .
Chan School of Public Health in Boston , said in a news release from the nonprofit Robert Wood Johnson Foundation , or RWJF .
`` These students are also at highest risk for obesity , food insecurity and poor health .
Our study shows that the healthier nutrition standards are working as intended for these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2010 , Congress passed the Healthy , Hunger-Free Kids Act to upgrade nutrition standards for schools , and those standards went into effect in 2012-2013 .
Poorer kids were especially impacted , because the new health-oriented policies `` included the National School Lunch Program , which affects 30 million students nationwide , and the School Breakfast Program , which affects 14 million students nationwide , '' Kenney 's team noted .
Some of the changes included providing `` nutritionally adequate meals during the school day '' boost the amount of fruits and vegetables @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as French fries -- serve only fat-free or low-fat milk and increase the amount of whole grains in meals .
Even vending machines were affected : the Smart Snacks program `` eliminated most sugary beverages and reduced the sugar and calorie content of food products for sale , '' Kenney 's team reported .
But did any of this actually boost kids ' health ?
To find out , the Boston team looked at obesity data for kids aged 10 to 17 from the ongoing National Survey of Children 's Health .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ found .
Although the healthier food program did n't affect obesity overall , among children living in poverty , the predicted percentage of children with obesity in 2018 was 21 percent , but without the introduction of healthier school meals and snacks , it would have been 31 percent -- a 47 percent reduction , the researchers said .
The authors pointed out that -- even among kids -- obesity can raise the risk for high blood pressure , type 2 diabetes and heart disease .
Katrina Hartog is clinical nutrition manager at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Reviewing the new data , she agreed that changes to school meals have been a success and `` no other legislation was passed that could explain the positive decline in obesity prevalence during this period . ''
Kenney 's team warned , however , that Trump administration efforts to roll back Obama-era changes in school nutrition could threaten these advances .
For example , the study authors pointed out that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has sought to rescind parts of the program with moves such as the reintroduction of flavored milk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requirements and delays on limits on salt in school meals .
The agency has also tried to cut one million kids from free meals programs and allow schools to serve less fruit , fewer whole grains , fewer varieties of vegetables , and more starchy vegetables , such as French fries , Kenney 's group said .
That 's the wrong direction for kids , Hartog believes .
`` We ought to be maintaining or strengthening these standards versus weakening them .
Healthy children are more likely to develop into healthy adults and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generations , '' Hartog said .
According to Jamie Bussel , a senior program officer at the RWJF , `` Healthier school meals have been an unqualified success . ''
She also believes the coronavirus crisis has made it tougher on low-income families to ensure their kids get good nutrition .
`` To provide some certainty during the ongoing pandemic , USDA should allow schools to serve free meals to every student during the coming school year -- universal free school meals -- and Congress should appropriate any necessary additional funding to cover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Bussel said in the news release .
The report was published July 7 in the journal Health Affairs .
For more on healthy school meals , head to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

Changes to school lunches in the 2012-2013 school year translated to an estimated 500,000 fewer obese poor American children, researchers report. Photo by Tim Lauer /USDA/Wikimedia
Just how healthy has the introduction of healthier new meals at America's schools been for kids? A new study ties the policy move to about a half-million fewer obese U.S. children. The study covered kids aged 10 to 17. It found that after the introduction in 2012-2013 of school meals with less fat and sugar, and more whole grains, the risk of obesity fell by 47 percent among kids from low-income families. Advertisement
All of that has translated to an estimated 500,000 fewer obese poor American children, according to the research team.
"Students growing up in families with low incomes participate the most in school meals, so it stands to reason that they would benefit the most," researcher Erica Kenney, an assistant professor of public health nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, said in a news release from the nonprofit Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, or RWJF.
Advertisement
"These students are also at highest risk for obesity, food insecurity and poor health. Our study shows that the healthier nutrition standards are working as intended for these students," she said.
In 2010, Congress passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act to upgrade nutrition standards for schools, and those standards went into effect in 2012-2013.
Poorer kids were especially impacted, because the new health-oriented policies "included the National School Lunch Program, which affects 30 million students nationwide, and the School Breakfast Program, which affects 14 million students nationwide," Kenney's team noted.
Some of the changes included providing "nutritionally adequate meals during the school day" boost the amount of fruits and vegetables in meals while lowering starchy vegetables -- such as French fries -- serve only fat-free or low-fat milk and increase the amount of whole grains in meals.
Even vending machines were affected: the Smart Snacks program "eliminated most sugary beverages and reduced the sugar and calorie content of food products for sale," Kenney's team reported.
But did any of this actually boost kids' health?
To find out, the Boston team looked at obesity data for kids aged 10 to 17 from the ongoing National Survey of Children's Health.
Family income seemed key, the study found. Although the healthier food program didn't affect obesity overall, among children living in poverty, the predicted percentage of children with obesity in 2018 was 21 percent, but without the introduction of healthier school meals and snacks, it would have been 31 percent -- a 47 percent reduction, the researchers said.
Advertisement
The authors pointed out that -- even among kids -- obesity can raise the risk for high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Katrina Hartog is clinical nutrition manager at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. Reviewing the new data, she agreed that changes to school meals have been a success and "no other legislation was passed that could explain the positive decline in obesity prevalence during this period."
Kenney's team warned, however, that Trump administration efforts to roll back Obama-era changes in school nutrition could threaten these advances.
For example, the study authors pointed out that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has sought to rescind parts of the program with moves such as the reintroduction of flavored milk, a weakening of the whole grains requirements and delays on limits on salt in school meals.
The agency has also tried to cut one million kids from free meals programs and allow schools to serve less fruit, fewer whole grains, fewer varieties of vegetables, and more starchy vegetables, such as French fries, Kenney's group said.
That's the wrong direction for kids, Hartog believes.
"We ought to be maintaining or strengthening these standards versus weakening them. Healthy children are more likely to develop into healthy adults and continue to pass these habits to future generations," Hartog said.
Advertisement
According to Jamie Bussel, a senior program officer at the RWJF, "Healthier school meals have been an unqualified success." She also believes the coronavirus crisis has made it tougher on low-income families to ensure their kids get good nutrition.
"To provide some certainty during the ongoing pandemic, USDA should allow schools to serve free meals to every student during the coming school year -- universal free school meals -- and Congress should appropriate any necessary additional funding to cover the full cost of all meals served," Bussel said in the news release.
The report was published July 7 in the journal Health Affairs.
More information
For more on healthy school meals, head to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-07-07--Exposure to iodine in the NICU may affect infant thyroid function

Exposure to iodine in the neonatal intensive care unit ( NICU ) may increase a baby 's risk for loss of thyroid function , a new study suggests .
Iodine solutions are often used as disinfectants on the skin before surgical or other medical procedures .
Iodine also is given internally for imaging procedures used in infants , researchers explained .
Investigators found higher blood levels of iodine in babies with congenital hypothyroidism ( partial or total loss of thyroid function ) who had a stay in the NICU .
All these infants had normal thyroid function when they went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposure among this group of infants whenever possible may help lower the risk of losing thyroid function , '' researcher Dr. James Mills said in a news release from the U.S. National Institutes of Health .
Mills is from the epidemiology branch of the NIH 's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development .
For babies with congenital hypothyroidism , treatment with thyroid hormone has to start within four weeks after birth or permanent intellectual disability can happen .
For the study , Mills and his colleagues compared iodine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congenital hypothyroidism to more than 900 children who did not have the condition .
Among the kids , 183 were cared for in the NICU .
Of these , 114 had congenital hypothyroidism and 69 did not .
Children with congenital hypothyroidism were more likely to have been in a NICU than those without the condition , the researchers found .
When they looked at only kids who had been in the NICU , they found those with congenital hypothyroidism had higher iodine levels than those without the condition .
Higher iodine levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NICU stay might be linked to exposure to iodine during treatment , although only an association was observed and the research did n't include information on the infants ' exact medical procedures .
The researchers caution NICU staff not to use disinfectants containing iodine and to avoid exposing babies to iodine unless necessary .
Preemie infants absorb iodine more readily through their skin than older infants , they noted .
The report was published July 7 in the Journal of Nutrition .
For more on congenital hypothyroidism , head to the U.S. Department @ @ @ @ @ @

Investigators found higher blood levels of iodine in babies with congenital hypothyroidism (partial or total loss of thyroid function) who had a stay in the NICU. Photo by ramosiquitios/Pixabay
Exposure to iodine in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may increase a baby's risk for loss of thyroid function, a new study suggests. Iodine solutions are often used as disinfectants on the skin before surgical or other medical procedures. Iodine also is given internally for imaging procedures used in infants, researchers explained. Advertisement
Investigators found higher blood levels of iodine in babies with congenital hypothyroidism (partial or total loss of thyroid function) who had a stay in the NICU. All these infants had normal thyroid function when they went to the NICU.
"Limiting iodine exposure among this group of infants whenever possible may help lower the risk of losing thyroid function," researcher Dr. James Mills said in a news release from the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
Mills is from the epidemiology branch of the NIH's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
For babies with congenital hypothyroidism, treatment with thyroid hormone has to start within four weeks after birth or permanent intellectual disability can happen.
For the study, Mills and his colleagues compared iodine levels from more than 900 children with congenital hypothyroidism to more than 900 children who did not have the condition.
Advertisement
Among the kids, 183 were cared for in the NICU. Of these, 114 had congenital hypothyroidism and 69 did not.
Children with congenital hypothyroidism were more likely to have been in a NICU than those without the condition, the researchers found.
When they looked at only kids who had been in the NICU, they found those with congenital hypothyroidism had higher iodine levels than those without the condition.
Higher iodine levels among babies with congenital hypothyroidism and a NICU stay might be linked to exposure to iodine during treatment, although only an association was observed and the research didn't include information on the infants' exact medical procedures.
The researchers caution NICU staff not to use disinfectants containing iodine and to avoid exposing babies to iodine unless necessary. Preemie infants absorb iodine more readily through their skin than older infants, they noted.
The report was published July 7 in the Journal of Nutrition.
More information
For more on congenital hypothyroidism, head to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-07-07--Ontario woman wins two big lottery prizes in three weeks

July 7 ( UPI ) -- An Ontario woman said she was shocked to discover she had won two big @ @ @ @ @ of only three weeks with scratch-off tickets .
Susan Sos , 45 , told Ontario @ @ @ @ @ for a drive a few weeks ago when she stopped at Mac 's on Division @ @ @ @ @ gas and an Instant Crossword scratch-off ticket .
`` I found a nice quiet place @ @ @ @ @ sunshine and play my ticket , '' Sos recalled .
`` The words started coming @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Sos said she was visiting a cottage three weeks later when she made @ @ @ @ @ on the Run on Highway 35 in Minden and bought an Instant Crossword Tripler ticket @ @ @ @ @ to be a $ 73,500 winner .
`` Since January I have been focused on @ @ @ @ @ off my debt , take a small vacation and save a down payment for a @ @ @ @ @ will help accomplish all of my goals , '' Sos said .

An Ontario woman won two top prizes from scratch-off lottery tickets in a three-week period. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe July 7 (UPI) -- An Ontario woman said she was shocked to discover she had won two big lottery prizes in a span of only three weeks with scratch-off tickets. Susan Sos, 45, told Ontario Lottery officials she was out for a drive a few weeks ago when she stopped at Mac's on Division Street in Cobourg to buy gas and an Instant Crossword scratch-off ticket. Advertisement
"I found a nice quiet place to stop, enjoy the sunshine and play my ticket," Sos recalled. "The words started coming up and I got excited."
The ticket was a $36,750 top-prize winner.
Sos said she was visiting a cottage three weeks later when she made a stop at the Pioneer on the Run on Highway 35 in Minden and bought an Instant Crossword Tripler ticket. That ticket turned out to be a $73,500 winner.
"Since January I have been focused on three major goals -- pay off my debt, take a small vacation and save a down payment for a home. These two wins will help accomplish all of my goals," Sos said.


upi--2020-07-07--President Donald Trump formally gives notice of WHO withdrawal

July 7 ( UPI ) -- The Trump administration sent formal notice to Congress and the United Nations on Tuesday that the United States is withdrawing from the World Health Organization .
Sen. Bob Menendez , D-N.J. , announced Congress ' receipt of the notification `` in the midst of a pandemic . ''
`` To call [ President Donald ] Trump 's response to [ COVID-19 ] chaotic & incoherent does n't do it justice , '' he tweeted .
`` This wo n't protect American lives or interests -- it leaves Americans sick & America alone . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was sent to the United Nations , which operates WHO .
`` The United States ' notice of withdrawal , effective July 6 , 2021 , has been submitted to the U.N. secretary-general , who is the depository for the WHO , '' the official told The New York Times .
Trump announced his plans to cut ties with WHO in May , accusing the agency of enabling China to cover up the origins of the novel coronavirus , which has killed more than 540,000 people and sickened 11.7 million as of Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The United States has been the hardest hit by the virus , with 130,900 deaths and 2.9 million confirmed cases .
WHO member countries are required to give a one-year notice before fully withdrawing from the agency .
The United States was the largest financial contributor to WHO in 2018-19 .
The United States dedicated $ 893 million for the two-year budget cycle , about $ 300 million more than donated by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation .
The next largest government contributor was Britain , at $ 435 million .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same time period .
`` China has total control over the World Health Organization despite only paying $ 40 million per year compared to what the United States has been paying , which is approximately $ 450 million a year , '' Trump said in May .
China has balked at the United States ' allegations that it covered up the origins of the virus , often pointing to praise from the WHO as proof of its openness and strong response .

President Donald Trump has accused the World Health Organization of enabling China to cover up the origins of COVID-19. Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI | License Photo
July 7 (UPI) -- The Trump administration sent formal notice to Congress and the United Nations on Tuesday that the United States is withdrawing from the World Health Organization. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., announced Congress' receipt of the notification "in the midst of a pandemic." Advertisement
"To call [President Donald] Trump's response to [COVID-19] chaotic & incoherent doesn't do it justice," he tweeted. "This won't protect American lives or interests -- it leaves Americans sick & America alone."
A senior administration official confirmed the notice was sent to the United Nations, which operates WHO.
"The United States' notice of withdrawal, effective July 6, 2021, has been submitted to the U.N. secretary-general, who is the depository for the WHO," the official told The New York Times.
Trump announced his plans to cut ties with WHO in May, accusing the agency of enabling China to cover up the origins of the novel coronavirus, which has killed more than 540,000 people and sickened 11.7 million as of Tuesday afternoon, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has been the hardest hit by the virus, with 130,900 deaths and 2.9 million confirmed cases.
Advertisement
WHO member countries are required to give a one-year notice before fully withdrawing from the agency.
The United States was the largest financial contributor to WHO in 2018-19. The United States dedicated $893 million for the two-year budget cycle, about $300 million more than donated by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The next largest government contributor was Britain, at $435 million.
China dedicated about $80 million in the same time period.
"China has total control over the World Health Organization despite only paying $40 million per year compared to what the United States has been paying, which is approximately $450 million a year," Trump said in May.
China has balked at the United States' allegations that it covered up the origins of the virus, often pointing to praise from the WHO as proof of its openness and strong response.


upi--2020-07-07--Pentagon, VA adapting as number of COVID-19 cases grows, officials say

July 7 ( UPI ) -- The Department of Defense has opened an outdoor facility for `` safe and socially distant workouts , '' and officials say they are closely monitoring and adapting as the number of COVID-19 cases among active duty military continues to climb .
The number of cumulative cases listed on the Pentagon 's website as of Monday was 14,992 , up from 12,521 Thursday .
The number of cases has doubled during June , and 2,471 new cases of COVID-19 were reported over the holiday weekend .
Cases among veterans are also up , with Veterans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus among patients in the agency 's care -- a threefold increase over the last month .
VA Secretary Robert Wilkie told reporters Tuesday that so far the department is managing the new caseload well .
`` We are preparing in case there is a major rebound , '' Wilkie said .
`` But if you remember , the earliest predictions for this were hundreds of thousands of cases and tens of thousands of deaths , and we have not seen that . ''
At a briefing last week , Thomas Muir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said the department is ready to advise local commanders .
They must adhere , however , to clear metrics in relaxing controls -- such as a a 14-day downward trend for flu-like and COVID-like symptoms , and a 14-day downward trend for new cases , he said .
The uptick has not yet affected the `` green list '' of bases where travel restrictions have been lifted .
`` Our policy is tiered , '' Lernes Hebert , the deputy assistant secretary of defense for military personnel , said Monday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet the 'gating criteria , ' but once they meet it , then we devolve down to the installation assessments . ''
Last month U.S. Special Operations Command Central opened a new outdoor human performance facility at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida .
The ideas is to provide `` the opportunity for safe and socially distant workouts while allowing a venue to maintain personal wellness , '' the Pentagon announced in a Tuesday press release .
SOCCENT officials said the opening of the new facility was necessary as indoor gyms largely remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for us to be able to expand the [ human performance ] facilities , '' Navy Rear Adm. H. Wyman Howard III , the Soccent commander .
''With this new workout area , our teammates will have ample room to perform workouts necessary to keep the team fit for the fight . ''

U.S. Special Operations Command Central personnel participate in the first exercise session of a new outdoor human performance facility on the SOCCENT campus at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., on June 3. Photo by Steven Colvin/U.S. Army
July 7 (UPI) -- The Department of Defense has opened an outdoor facility for "safe and socially distant workouts," and officials say they are closely monitoring and adapting as the number of COVID-19 cases among active duty military continues to climb. The number of cumulative cases listed on the Pentagon's website as of Monday was 14,992, up from 12,521 Thursday. Advertisement
The number of cases has doubled during June, and 2,471 new cases of COVID-19 were reported over the holiday weekend.
Cases among veterans are also up, with Veterans Affairs officials reporting nearly 5,000 active cases of coronavirus among patients in the agency's care -- a threefold increase over the last month.
VA Secretary Robert Wilkie told reporters Tuesday that so far the department is managing the new caseload well.
"We are preparing in case there is a major rebound," Wilkie said. "But if you remember, the earliest predictions for this were hundreds of thousands of cases and tens of thousands of deaths, and we have not seen that."
At a briefing last week, Thomas Muir, the director of Washington Headquarters Services, said the department is ready to advise local commanders. They must adhere, however, to clear metrics in relaxing controls -- such as a a 14-day downward trend for flu-like and COVID-like symptoms, and a 14-day downward trend for new cases, he said.
Advertisement
The uptick has not yet affected the "green list" of bases where travel restrictions have been lifted.
"Our policy is tiered," Lernes Hebert, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for military personnel, said Monday. "So, the state has to first meet the 'gating criteria,' but once they meet it, then we devolve down to the installation assessments."
Last month U.S. Special Operations Command Central opened a new outdoor human performance facility at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. The ideas is to provide "the opportunity for safe and socially distant workouts while allowing a venue to maintain personal wellness," the Pentagon announced in a Tuesday press release.
SOCCENT officials said the opening of the new facility was necessary as indoor gyms largely remain closed.
''This is a great moment for us to be able to expand the [human performance] facilities,'' Navy Rear Adm. H. Wyman Howard III, the Soccent commander. ''With this new workout area, our teammates will have ample room to perform workouts necessary to keep the team fit for the fight.''


upi--2020-07-07--COVID-19 outbreaks at meat processing plants are hitting minorities hard

The stats show that nearly 1 of every 10 workers in affected plants were diagnosed with COVID-19 , based on figures from 14 states that reported the total number of workers in facilities with outbreaks .
Among infected workers , 87 percent were from racial or ethnic minorities .
There have been 16,233 reported COVID-19 cases at 239 meat and poultry processing facilities located in 23 states reporting stats to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through May 31 , according to a July 7 analysis in the agency 's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report .
Of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or ethnicity , about 56 percent of infected employees were Hispanic and 19 percent were black , the report found .
Whites represented 13 percent of cases , and Asians accounted for 12 percent .
`` Ongoing efforts to reduce incidence and better understand the effects of COVID-19 on the health of racial and ethnic minorities are important to ensure that workplace-specific prevention strategies and intervention messages are tailored to those groups most affected by COVID-19 , '' the report concluded .
There were 86 deaths related to COVID-19 among the workers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are probably even higher than reported here , given that many states did not submit data for this report , the CDC researchers , led by Dr. Michelle Waltenburg , said .
Outbreaks at meatpacking plants were among the first signs that COVID-19 had started to reach into states previously unaffected by the coronavirus .
Meat and poultry processing plants employ an estimated 525,000 workers in about 3,500 facilities across the nation , the researchers said in background notes .
These new numbers show that `` unsafe working conditions at meatpacking plants placed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Dr. Robert Glatter , an emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City .
Glatter cited crowded working conditions , a lack of personal protective equipment , and inconsistent testing for the coronavirus as some of the major factors in the outbreaks reported around the country .
According to the CDC report , of the facilities with COVID-19 cases , 111 plants in 14 states reported their efforts to protect workers from the coronavirus : • 80 percent said they screened workers upon entry , • 22 percent closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
An infected person who coughs or sneezes produces aerosolized droplets that can remain airborne for at least eight to 14 minutes , Glatter noted .
`` Knowing this , it 's essential that workers in meatpacking plants wear PPE , and have physical partitions along with adequate physical distance between them to reduce risk of transmission , '' Glatter said .
The CDC recommended in its report that plants also provide culturally appropriate health education materials to workers , encourage employees to take sick leave when needed , and screen workers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screen workers as they enter the plant are probably futile since infected people without symptoms account for a large percentage of COVID-19 cases , Glatter said .
`` Temperature checks and symptom screening have limited value , '' Glatter said .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about COVID-19 .

A small group of activists stage a protest outside a slaughterhouse in Vernon, Calif., on May 21 amid outbreaks of COVID-19 at industrial facilities. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Workers from ethnic and minority groups make up nearly all meatpacking employees who've been infected during COVID-19 outbreaks at their facilities, a new government study reveals. The stats show that nearly 1 of every 10 workers in affected plants were diagnosed with COVID-19, based on figures from 14 states that reported the total number of workers in facilities with outbreaks. Among infected workers, 87 percent were from racial or ethnic minorities. There have been 16,233 reported COVID-19 cases at 239 meat and poultry processing facilities located in 23 states reporting stats to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through May 31, according to a July 7 analysis in the agency's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Advertisement
Of the workers with COVID-19 who reported their race or ethnicity, about 56 percent of infected employees were Hispanic and 19 percent were black, the report found. Whites represented 13 percent of cases, and Asians accounted for 12 percent.
Advertisement
"Ongoing efforts to reduce incidence and better understand the effects of COVID-19 on the health of racial and ethnic minorities are important to ensure that workplace-specific prevention strategies and intervention messages are tailored to those groups most affected by COVID-19," the report concluded.
There were 86 deaths related to COVID-19 among the workers, the CDC reported.
The actual numbers are probably even higher than reported here, given that many states did not submit data for this report, the CDC researchers, led by Dr. Michelle Waltenburg, said.
Outbreaks at meatpacking plants were among the first signs that COVID-19 had started to reach into states previously unaffected by the coronavirus.
Meat and poultry processing plants employ an estimated 525,000 workers in about 3,500 facilities across the nation, the researchers said in background notes.
These new numbers show that "unsafe working conditions at meatpacking plants placed workers at high risk for COVID-19," said Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
Glatter cited crowded working conditions, a lack of personal protective equipment, and inconsistent testing for the coronavirus as some of the major factors in the outbreaks reported around the country.
According to the CDC report, of the facilities with COVID-19 cases, 111 plants in 14 states reported their efforts to protect workers from the coronavirus:
80 percent said they screened workers upon entry,
77 percent required face coverings,
65 percent installed more hand hygiene stations,
63 percent educated workers about how infectious diseases spread,
62 percent installed physical barriers between workers,
37 percent offered COVID-19 testing to employees,
22 percent closed temporarily to halt or prevent an outbreak.
Advertisement
An infected person who coughs or sneezes produces aerosolized droplets that can remain airborne for at least eight to 14 minutes, Glatter noted.
"Knowing this, it's essential that workers in meatpacking plants wear PPE, and have physical partitions along with adequate physical distance between them to reduce risk of transmission," Glatter said.
The CDC recommended in its report that plants also provide culturally appropriate health education materials to workers, encourage employees to take sick leave when needed, and screen workers for possible infection.
However, efforts to screen workers as they enter the plant are probably futile since infected people without symptoms account for a large percentage of COVID-19 cases, Glatter said.
"Temperature checks and symptom screening have limited value," Glatter said.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about COVID-19.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-07-07--Dow falls 396 points, reversing Monday's gains

July 7 ( UPI ) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell nearly 400 points on Tuesday as the major U.S. markets reversed gains from the beginning of the week .
The blue-chip index ended the day down 396.85 points , or 1.51 percent , after rising in back-to-back sessions .
The S & P 500 dropped 1.08 percent and the Nasdaq Composite slid 0.86 percent , each snapping five-day winning streaks .
After boosting the Nasdaq to a record high on Monday , tech stocks faltered Tuesday as Amazon stock dropped 1.86 percent and Microsoft fell 1.16 percent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Netflix decreased 0.13 percent .
Markets were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as cases continued to surge in some parts of the nation with the United States recording 2.95 million total cases and as New York and New Jersey added travelers from Delaware , Kansas and Oklahoma to their lists requiring 14 days of quarantine .
Stocks that would benefit from lifting restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and reopening businesses also declined .
United Airlines plummetted 7.55 percent and American Airlines dropped 6.95 percent , while Carnival stock declined 6.66 percent and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday 's gains came after stocks rose sharply to begin the week on Monday as the Dow rose 459 points and the Nasdaq gained more than 2 percent .

Stocks fell sharply on Tuesday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 396 points, largely reversing Monday's gains. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 7 (UPI) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell nearly 400 points on Tuesday as the major U.S. markets reversed gains from the beginning of the week. The blue-chip index ended the day down 396.85 points, or 1.51 percent, after rising in back-to-back sessions. The S&P 500 dropped 1.08 percent and the Nasdaq Composite slid 0.86 percent, each snapping five-day winning streaks. Advertisement
After boosting the Nasdaq to a record high on Monday, tech stocks faltered Tuesday as Amazon stock dropped 1.86 percent and Microsoft fell 1.16 percent. Apple stock also slid 0.31 percent and Netflix decreased 0.13 percent.
Markets were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as cases continued to surge in some parts of the nation with the United States recording 2.95 million total cases and as New York and New Jersey added travelers from Delaware, Kansas and Oklahoma to their lists requiring 14 days of quarantine.
Stocks that would benefit from lifting restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and reopening businesses also declined. United Airlines plummetted 7.55 percent and American Airlines dropped 6.95 percent, while Carnival stock declined 6.66 percent and Norwegian Cruise Lines fell 5.33 percent.
Advertisement
Tuesday's gains came after stocks rose sharply to begin the week on Monday as the Dow rose 459 points and the Nasdaq gained more than 2 percent.


upi--2020-07-07--Train parked on bridge in South Africa becomes luxury hotel

July 7 ( UPI ) -- A luxury hotel preparing to open in South Africa is offering guests the chance @ @ @ @ @ a train permanently parked on a bridge .
Kruger Shalati : The Train on the @ @ @ @ @ constructed from an old train on the Selati Bridge over the Sabie River in Kruger @ @ @ @ @ carriage rooms in retired train cars parked on the bridge 's tracks .
The operators @ @ @ @ @ there is currently no opening date due to construction being paused amid the COVID-19 pandemic @ @ @ @ @ aiming to start accommodating guests by December of this year .
Hotel officials said only @ @ @ @ @ be allowed to stay in the train cars , but family-friendly `` Bridge House '' @ @ @ @ @ in operation by 2022 .
Stays at the hotel , which include meals and guided @ @ @ @ @ 's wildlife , begin at $ 520 per night .

A luxury hotel preparing to open in South Africa's Kruger National Park consists of train cars converted into rooms and permanently parked on a historic bridge. P hoto by Kruger Shalati/Facebook
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe July 7 (UPI) -- A luxury hotel preparing to open in South Africa is offering guests the chance to spend the night in a train permanently parked on a bridge. Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge, a hotel being constructed from an old train on the Selati Bridge over the Sabie River in Kruger National Park, features 24 carriage rooms in retired train cars parked on the bridge's tracks. Advertisement
The operators of the luxury hotel said there is currently no opening date due to construction being paused amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are currently aiming to start accommodating guests by December of this year.
Hotel officials said only guests older than 12 will be allowed to stay in the train cars, but family-friendly "Bridge House" rooms are planned to be in operation by 2022.
Stays at the hotel, which include meals and guided vehicle tours of the park's wildlife, begin at $520 per night.


upi--2020-07-07--FBI Director Christopher Wray: U.S. counterintelligence opens a case on China every 10 hours

July 7 ( UPI ) -- FBI Director Christopher Wray said Tuesday that much of the U.S. government 's counterintelligence @ @ @ @ @ He said that nearly half of the United States ' counterintelligence cases are related to @ @ @ @ @ U.S. information .
A new case is opened every 10 hours or so .
`` @ @ @ @ @ our nation 's information and intellectual property and to our economic vitality is the counterintelligence @ @ @ @ @ China , '' Wray said .
`` At this very moment , China is working @ @ @ @ @ , pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions conducting essential COVID-19 research . ''
He made the @ @ @ @ @ think tank in Washington , D.C. Wray said most American adults have already had their @ @ @ @ @ , noting the 2014 hacking of the Office of Personnel Management , which compromised the @ @ @ @ @ .
He said China 's Communist Party attempts to influence U.S. policy with `` a @ @ @ @ @ , blackmail and covert deals . ''

FBI Director Christopher Wray nearly half of all U.S. counterintelligence cases involve China. File Photo by Alex Edelman/UPI | License Photo
July 7 (UPI) -- FBI Director Christopher Wray said Tuesday that much of the U.S. government's counterintelligence efforts focus on China. He said that nearly half of the United States' counterintelligence cases are related to China's alleged theft of U.S. information. A new case is opened every 10 hours or so. Advertisement
"The greatest long-term threat to our nation's information and intellectual property and to our economic vitality is the counterintelligence and economic espionage threat from China," Wray said.
"At this very moment, China is working to compromise American healthcare organizations, pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions conducting essential COVID-19 research."
He made the comments at the Hudson Institute think tank in Washington, D.C.
Wray said most American adults have already had their personal information stolen by China, noting the 2014 hacking of the Office of Personnel Management, which compromised the data from 21 million records.
He said China's Communist Party attempts to influence U.S. policy with "a highly sophisticated campaign involving bribery, blackmail and covert deals."


upi--2020-07-07--25% of racial minorities report COVID-19 discrimination, survey finds

July 7 ( UPI ) -- One in four minority Americans in the United States face racial discrimination over fears they have been infected with the new coronavirus , according to the findings of a survey released Tuesday by the University of Southern California Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research .
Roughly 33 percent of black , Asian and Latin Americans say they have experienced at least one incident of discrimination related to COVID-19 , the researchers found .
`` The early spike in the percentage of people who experienced COVID-related discrimination was attributable -- in part -- to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people wearing masks or face coverings at the early stage of the pandemic , '' Ying Liu , a research scientist with the center , said in a press release .
`` Asian Americans were the first group to experience substantial discrimination , followed by African Americans and Latinos , '' she said .
We also found that in some earlier weeks of the pandemic , people who were heavy users of social media were more likely to report an experience of discrimination . ''
The Understanding Coronavirus in America Study regularly surveys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learn how COVID-19 impacts their attitudes , lives and behaviors , according to the USC researchers .
To measure incidents of discrimination , respondents were asked if people feared , threatened or harassed them , or treated them poorly , because of concerns that they had COVID-19 , the researchers said .
The percentage of people who experienced a recent incident of COVID-related discrimination peaked in April at 11 percent and steadily declined to 7 percent at the beginning of June , they said .
In early June , Asian Americans were more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans to experience a recent incident of COVID-related discrimination , while black and Latin Americans were nearly twice as likely , according to the researchers .
As of early April , about 70 percent of the country thought people who had COVID-19 were dangerous and nearly 30 percent thought formerly infected people were dangerous , the researchers said .
By early June , the percentage of Americans who considered infected people to be dangerous had dropped to under 30 percent , while only 5 percent thought people who had recovered from the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As growing numbers of people knew family members , friends and coworkers who were infected with COVID-19 , we saw a decrease in the stigma associated with the virus , '' dsif Kyla Thomas , a sociologist at the center .
`` We also saw a steep decline in the percentage of people who perceived coronavirus infection as a sign of personal weakness or failure , '' she said .
Adults aged 18 to 34 were three times as likely as seniors 65 or older to report a recent incident of coronavirus-related discrimination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the study , which is supported in part by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation , is updated daily and available to researchers and the public at covid19pulse.usc.edu .
A separate survey , conducted by the American Heart Association and also released Tuesday , found that approximately 90 percent of older adults -- age 60 and older -- with a history of type 2 diabetes , heart disease or stroke are more worried that , because of the pandemic , health will limit their experiences .
That compared to less than 60 @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Asian, black and Latin Americans are more likely to face discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new survey has found. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 7 (UPI) -- One in four minority Americans in the United States face racial discrimination over fears they have been infected with the new coronavirus, according to the findings of a survey released Tuesday by the University of Southern California Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research. Roughly 33 percent of black, Asian and Latin Americans say they have experienced at least one incident of discrimination related to COVID-19, the researchers found. Advertisement
"The early spike in the percentage of people who experienced COVID-related discrimination was attributable -- in part -- to discriminatory reactions to the growing number of people wearing masks or face coverings at the early stage of the pandemic," Ying Liu, a research scientist with the center, said in a press release.
"Asian Americans were the first group to experience substantial discrimination, followed by African Americans and Latinos," she said. We also found that in some earlier weeks of the pandemic, people who were heavy users of social media were more likely to report an experience of discrimination."
Advertisement
The Understanding Coronavirus in America Study regularly surveys nearly 7,500 people throughout the country to learn how COVID-19 impacts their attitudes, lives and behaviors, according to the USC researchers.
To measure incidents of discrimination, respondents were asked if people feared, threatened or harassed them, or treated them poorly, because of concerns that they had COVID-19, the researchers said.
The percentage of people who experienced a recent incident of COVID-related discrimination peaked in April at 11 percent and steadily declined to 7 percent at the beginning of June, they said.
In early June, Asian Americans were more than 2.5 times as likely as white Americans to experience a recent incident of COVID-related discrimination, while black and Latin Americans were nearly twice as likely, according to the researchers.
As of early April, about 70 percent of the country thought people who had COVID-19 were dangerous and nearly 30 percent thought formerly infected people were dangerous, the researchers said.
By early June, the percentage of Americans who considered infected people to be dangerous had dropped to under 30 percent, while only 5 percent thought people who had recovered from the virus were dangerous, they said.
"As growing numbers of people knew family members, friends and coworkers who were infected with COVID-19, we saw a decrease in the stigma associated with the virus," dsif Kyla Thomas, a sociologist at the center.
Advertisement
"We also saw a steep decline in the percentage of people who perceived coronavirus infection as a sign of personal weakness or failure," she said.
Adults aged 18 to 34 were three times as likely as seniors 65 or older to report a recent incident of coronavirus-related discrimination, the USC researchers found.
Data from the study, which is supported in part by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is updated daily and available to researchers and the public at covid19pulse.usc.edu.
A separate survey, conducted by the American Heart Association and also released Tuesday, found that approximately 90 percent of older adults -- age 60 and older -- with a history of type 2 diabetes, heart disease or stroke are more worried that, because of the pandemic, health will limit their experiences. That compared to less than 60 percent of people without those conditions.


upi--2020-07-07--Scientists move to create single, comprehensive list of Earth's living species

July 7 ( UPI ) -- An international group of scientists hope to convince biologists , taxonomists , conservationists and policy makers the world over to use a single , comprehensive list of the world 's species -- from mammals and birds to plants , fungi and microbes .
On Tuesday , the team of scientists , organized by the International Union of Biological Sciences , published a series of principles in the journal PLOS Biology that they hope will serve as a roadmap for compiling such a list .
It 's not the first time scientists have called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's living things .
`` There have been attempts to do this , and even very good ones , such as the Catalogue of Life , '' IUBS team member Frank Zachos told UPI .
`` But it is a relatively small group of people that decide which species end up in the list , and there is no agreed upon process for deciding on how to deal with discrepancies , '' said Zachos , an evolutionary biologist with the Natural History Museum Vienna in Austria .
Deciding taxonomic questions about whether a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subspecies , or whether a subspecies is actually a species , may seem like a purely academic endeavor .
Researchers say , however , that such decisions have serious implications -- for conservation , trade development , local economies and scientific research .
In 2014 , the different opinions of taxonomists underpinned a petition brought forth by a group of builders associations in California .
The petition alleged that the coastal California gnatcatcher , Polioptila californica californica , was n't a subspecies of the California Gnatcatcher .
`` If it is a subspecies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says it needs protection , '' Zachos said .
`` When it 's endangered , not only is the species protected , but its potential habitat is too . ''
`` If it is a subspecies , multi-billion dollar real estate investments can not be realized , '' he said .
`` The name can make people rich or not . ''
Such disputes are not uncommon , he said .
According to Zachos and his colleagues , consistency , openness and inclusiveness are the keys to settling disputes and compiling a single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have suggested a framework within which a transparent and as democratic a process as possible can be started to get as much authority and legitimacy as we can to a project such as this , '' Zachos said .
`` We are spreading the word and getting participation from people in more and more taxonomic groups . ''
The new paper , co-authored by Zachos , features ten principles for the compilation of a comprehensive species list .
According to the group of IUBS scientists , the list should be dictated exclusively by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way that promotes community support and use , they said , and its composition should be transparent .
`` The governance of validated lists of species is separate from the governance of the names of taxa , '' according to the authors .
`` [ And the ] governance of lists of accepted species must not constrain academic freedom . ''
The authors suggest species boundaries should be as consistent as possible across different plant and animal groups .
Additionally , the list should be archived , accessible and properly recognize contributors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list compilation process should be governed by a principle of diversity -- to include taxonomists and the local knowledge of scientists from outside Europe and North America .
`` Most of biodiversity occurs in countries that are in the tropics , in Africa , in South America , in Southeast Asia , '' Zachos said .
`` We can only benefit from including more scientists and stakeholders from these parts of the world .
We do n't want to perpetuate academic neocolonialism , we want to include people . ''
Zachos said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group are currently working on a series of papers that address in greater detail the process of democratically and transparently settling taxonomic disputes .

An international group of scientists is aiming to create a single, comprehensive list of species on Earth. They say it will help conservation, trade development, local economies and scientific research. Photo by Pexels /Pixabay
July 7 (UPI) -- An international group of scientists hope to convince biologists, taxonomists, conservationists and policy makers the world over to use a single, comprehensive list of the world's species -- from mammals and birds to plants, fungi and microbes. On Tuesday, the team of scientists, organized by the International Union of Biological Sciences, published a series of principles in the journal PLOS Biology that they hope will serve as a roadmap for compiling such a list. Advertisement
It's not the first time scientists have called for a big list of all the planet's living things.
"There have been attempts to do this, and even very good ones, such as the Catalogue of Life," IUBS team member Frank Zachos told UPI.
"But it is a relatively small group of people that decide which species end up in the list, and there is no agreed upon process for deciding on how to deal with discrepancies," said Zachos, an evolutionary biologist with the Natural History Museum Vienna in Austria.
Advertisement
Deciding taxonomic questions about whether a seemingly unique group of organisms is a subspecies, or whether a subspecies is actually a species, may seem like a purely academic endeavor. Researchers say, however, that such decisions have serious implications -- for conservation, trade development, local economies and scientific research.
In 2014, the different opinions of taxonomists underpinned a petition brought forth by a group of builders associations in California. The petition alleged that the coastal California gnatcatcher, Polioptila californica californica, wasn't a subspecies of the California Gnatcatcher.
"If it is a subspecies, the U.S. Endangered Species Act says it needs protection," Zachos said. "When it's endangered, not only is the species protected, but its potential habitat is too."
"If it is a subspecies, multi-billion dollar real estate investments cannot be realized," he said. "The name can make people rich or not."
Such disputes are not uncommon, he said.
According to Zachos and his colleagues, consistency, openness and inclusiveness are the keys to settling disputes and compiling a single, comprehensive species list.
"We have suggested a framework within which a transparent and as democratic a process as possible can be started to get as much authority and legitimacy as we can to a project such as this," Zachos said. "We are spreading the word and getting participation from people in more and more taxonomic groups."
Advertisement
The new paper, co-authored by Zachos, features ten principles for the compilation of a comprehensive species list.
According to the group of IUBS scientists, the list should be dictated exclusively by science. It should be compiled in a way that promotes community support and use, they said, and its composition should be transparent.
"The governance of validated lists of species is separate from the governance of the names of taxa," according to the authors. "[And the] governance of lists of accepted species must not constrain academic freedom."
The authors suggest species boundaries should be as consistent as possible across different plant and animal groups. Additionally, the list should be archived, accessible and properly recognize contributors.
Finally, the authors suggest the list compilation process should be governed by a principle of diversity -- to include taxonomists and the local knowledge of scientists from outside Europe and North America.
"Most of biodiversity occurs in countries that are in the tropics, in Africa, in South America, in Southeast Asia," Zachos said. "We can only benefit from including more scientists and stakeholders from these parts of the world. We don't want to perpetuate academic neocolonialism, we want to include people."
Zachos said that he and his partners with the IUBS group are currently working on a series of papers that address in greater detail the process of democratically and transparently settling taxonomic disputes.


upi--2020-07-08--Watch: 'Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles' stars shade 'Selling Sunset' cast

July 8 ( UPI ) -- The stars of Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles are weighing in on fellow real estate series Selling Sunset .
MDLLA 's Tracy Tutor , Josh Flagg and James Harris discussed the cast of Selling Sunset during Tuesday 's episode of Watch What Happens Live .
MDLLA and Selling Sunset both follow real estate agents as they sell high-end properties in the Los Angeles area .
The MDLLA team is mostly composed of men , while the Selling Sunset crew is mostly women .
Tutor said Selling Sunset focuses more on the women 's personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'll say this -- I have mad respect for women in real estate in Los Angeles , '' the star said .
`` I just think that the show is not really about selling real estate .
I think it 's about dating bachelors in the Hollywood Hills , and it should really actually be a Bravo show . ''
`` That being said , if you want to sell real estate , maybe kind of come on over to our show and figure out how that works , '' she added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` a totally different animal '' than MDLLA .
Both Tutor and Flagg said they 've never encountered any Selling Sunset stars at a listing .
`` I 've never seen any of those people in real life , except for the boys , '' Flagg said , referencing Jason and Brett Oppenheim .
Harris chimed in to say Selling Sunset is `` shot beautifully . ''
`` The way they shot the show , the cinematography was phenomenal , '' he said .
MDLLA premiered on Bravo in 2006 and is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ premiered on Netflix in March 2019 and will return for a third season in August .

July 8 (UPI) -- The stars of Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles are weighing in on fellow real estate series Selling Sunset.
MDLLA's Tracy Tutor, Josh Flagg and James Harris discussed the cast of Selling Sunset during Tuesday's episode of Watch What Happens Live.
Advertisement
MDLLA and Selling Sunset both follow real estate agents as they sell high-end properties in the Los Angeles area. The MDLLA team is mostly composed of men, while the Selling Sunset crew is mostly women.
Tutor said Selling Sunset focuses more on the women's personal lives than selling real estate.
"I'll say this -- I have mad respect for women in real estate in Los Angeles," the star said. "I just think that the show is not really about selling real estate. I think it's about dating bachelors in the Hollywood Hills, and it should really actually be a Bravo show."
"That being said, if you want to sell real estate, maybe kind of come on over to our show and figure out how that works," she added.
Tutor said she considers Selling Sunset "a totally different animal" than MDLLA. Both Tutor and Flagg said they've never encountered any Selling Sunset stars at a listing.
Advertisement
"I've never seen any of those people in real life, except for the boys," Flagg said, referencing Jason and Brett Oppenheim.
Harris chimed in to say Selling Sunset is "shot beautifully."
"The way they shot the show, the cinematography was phenomenal," he said.
MDLLA premiered on Bravo in 2006 and is now in its 12th season. Selling Sunset premiered on Netflix in March 2019 and will return for a third season in August.


upi--2020-07-08--'Hair Love' characters to appear in HBO Max series

`` Filled with comedy and heart , Young Love is an honest look into the world of the Young family @ @ @ @ @ and Angela , their daughter Zuri and her pet cat Rocky -- as they juggle @ @ @ @ @ parenthood , social issues , and multi-generational dynamics all while striving to make a better @ @ @ @ @ a press release from the streaming service said .
The show is based on characters @ @ @ @ @ 's Oscar-winning short film , Hair Love .
Cherry will serve as show-runner along with @ @ @ @ @ The Boondocks and Black Dynamite .
`` I am beyond excited to continue telling the @ @ @ @ @ and Zuri and further explore the family dynamics of a young Black millennial family we @ @ @ @ @ Hair Love as an animated series , '' said Cherry in a statement .
`` @ @ @ @ @ partners in Sony Pictures Animation and HBO Max in helping us get Young Love out @ @ @ @ @

Matthew A. Cherry and Karen Rupert Toliver, winners of Animated Short Film for "Hair Love," appear backstage with their Oscars in Los Angeles on February 9. The film inspired an HBO Max series called "Young Love." File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 8 (UPI) -- HBO Max has ordered a 12-episode, animated series called Young Love. "Filled with comedy and heart, Young Love is an honest look into the world of the Young family -- including millennial parents Stephen and Angela, their daughter Zuri and her pet cat Rocky -- as they juggle their careers, marriage, parenthood, social issues, and multi-generational dynamics all while striving to make a better life for themselves," a press release from the streaming service said. Advertisement
The show is based on characters featured in Matthew A. Cherry's Oscar-winning short film, Hair Love.
Cherry will serve as show-runner along with Carl Jones whose credits include The Boondocks and Black Dynamite.
"I am beyond excited to continue telling the story of Stephen, Angela and Zuri and further explore the family dynamics of a young Black millennial family we established in our short film Hair Love as an animated series," said Cherry in a statement. "Couldn't ask for better partners in Sony Pictures Animation and HBO Max in helping us get Young Love out to the world."


upi--2020-07-08--Watch: 'Stockton On My Mind': HBO doc follows young mayor in new trailer

July 8 ( UPI ) -- HBO explores the rise of Mayor Michael Tubbs , the youngest and first Africa-American mayor of Stockton , Calif. , in the new trailer for documentary Stockton on My Mind .
The documentary , from Emmy winner Marc Levin , will follow how Tubbs grew up amid poverty and violence to make a difference in his hometown of Stockton .
Tubbs was 26 when he was elected in 2016 while Stockton 's future looked bleak .
Tubbs launched social and economic policy experiments to help his city which was known as one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the nation .
The film culminates in rapper and activist Common visiting Stockton .
`` I think that quote , 'Be the change that you wish to see in the world , ' is super important because oftentimes people get scared to try to make change because it 's like , well what if it does n't work ?
The bigger question is what happens if you do n't do anything ? ''
Tubbs says in the clip .
Stockton on My Mind premieres July 28 at 9 p.m. EDT on HBO @

July 8 (UPI) -- HBO explores the rise of Mayor Michael Tubbs, the youngest and first Africa-American mayor of Stockton, Calif., in the new trailer for documentary Stockton on My Mind.
The documentary, from Emmy winner Marc Levin, will follow how Tubbs grew up amid poverty and violence to make a difference in his hometown of Stockton.
Advertisement
Tubbs was 26 when he was elected in 2016 while Stockton's future looked bleak. Tubbs launched social and economic policy experiments to help his city which was known as one of the poorest, most violent and least literate in the nation.
The film culminates in rapper and activist Common visiting Stockton.
"I think that quote, 'Be the change that you wish to see in the world,' is super important because oftentimes people get scared to try to make change because it's like, well what if it doesn't work? The bigger question is what happens if you don't do anything?" Tubbs says in the clip.
Stockton on My Mind premieres July 28 at 9 p.m. EDT on HBO.