upi--2020-06-25--Still divided, North, South Korea mark 70th anniversary of start of war

CHEORWON , South Korea , June 25 ( UPI ) -- North and South Korea commemorated the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War on Thursday , with ceremonies and speeches recalling a devastating conflict that left millions of soldiers and civilians dead and ravaged much of the peninsula .
The war , which started on June 25 , 1950 , has technically never ended , as hostilities ceased with a truce but not a peace treaty .
At a ceremony held in Cheorwon county , an area on the border with North Korea that saw some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of veterans and family members arrived Thursday morning to remember the past and honor those who died .
The veterans , many using canes and walkers , gathered near a memorial for the brutal Battle of White Horse for songs , a flag presentation and a dramatic re-enactment of a wartime scene .
A procession moved up to lay wreaths and burn incense for the victims of the war before doves were released from a vantage point overlooking North Korea , less than two miles away .
Veteran Choi Han-wook , 90 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an all-consuming struggle to survive .
`` The war is about life and death -- only those two things , '' he said , wearing military ribbons and a medal pinned to his suit .
`` You do n't have thoughts about your family and hometown -- all that is lost .
It was a fierce battle .
War should n't happen , but if it does , you want to win .
Choi , who fought in the city of Inje in 1951 , said he was still hoping for peace to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decades later , but found the current impasse with North Korea discouraging .
`` I want peace to arrive as soon as possible , '' he said .
`` South Korea wants peace but North Korea does n't listen to us .
It 's not very easy . ''
This year 's anniversary comes as the relationship between the two Koreas has deteriorated dramatically since a period of rapprochement in 2018 that many hoped would lead to denuclearization , economic cooperation and a lasting peace .
North Korea , however , demolished a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it blew up the inter-Korean liaison office in its border city of Kaesong , meant to be a place where both sides could communicate and cooperate on joint projects .
Pyongyang has ramped up its vitriol toward Seoul in recent weeks , referring to the South as `` the enemy '' and threatening to bring troops back to border zones that had been demilitarized under a 2018 inter-Korean agreement .
A statement issued from a meeting held by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday put a halt to the military plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relations are still at a nadir , with joint economic projects on ice and thoughts of eventual unification a distant dream .
South Korean President Moon Jae-in , who has made closer ties with the North a centerpiece of his administration since taking office in 2017 , struck a measured tone in his speech commemorating the anniversary on Thursday night .
Moon spoke about the hope for `` becoming friendly neighbors '' going forward but also cautioned against any military aggression .
`` We long for peace , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's safety and lives , we will firmly respond .
Our national defense capabilities are strong enough to repel any provocation from any direction . ''
Moon made his remarks at Seoul Air Base during a repatriation ceremony for the remains of 147 South Korean soldiers that had been recovered in North Korea in previous years before undergoing forensic review at the U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in Hawaii .
The president said there was no competition left between Seoul and Pyongyang , with South Korea 's GDP more than 50 times greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battles over political systems a thing of the distant past .
`` We do not have any intention to force our system on the North , '' he said .
`` We pursue peace and intend to live well together .
We will continuously search for routes that are mutually beneficial for both Koreas through peace .
Before speaking of unification , I hope that we can become friendly neighbors first . ''
Moon added that he hoped North Korea would play its part in finally ending the Korean War .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embark on an endeavor to end the most sorrowful war in world history , '' Moon continued .
`` If we are going to talk about unification , we have to achieve peace first , and only after peace has continued for a long time will we be able to finally see the door to unification . ''
North Korean state media carried a muted message for the anniversary , with newspaper Rodong Sinmun running a single commentary that praised the `` great spirit of the former generation '' of war veterans and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upon it .
`` When the rising generation successfully carries forward the spirit of defending the country as its soul and lifeblood , the advance of socialism is further accelerated and the security of the country and the nation firmly guaranteed , '' the commentary said .
The anniversary was also remembered by the United States , which sent nearly 1.8 million troops and suffered 36,574 deaths in the 1950-53 conflict .
U.S .
Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris said in a video message posted to social media that the U.S.-South Korea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of war and hardened by blood spilled together . ''
He called the Korean War a `` struggle that culminated in the victory of democracy over communism , of freedom over oppression '' and added that the alliance `` serves as a foundation for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and a linchpin for the security and stability throughout the region . ''
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper and his South Korean counterpart , Jeong Kyeong-doo , issued a joint statement to commemorate the anniversary , saying that the alliance was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' on this day in 1950 .
`` [ B ] oth leaders reaffirm their commitment to a combined defense posture that ensures everlasting peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula , '' the statement said .
While the United States maintains roughly 28,500 troops on the peninsula , the two countries have been locked in a stalemate over a new cost-sharing agreement for this year .
The United States is seeking an increase of some 50 percent over the nearly $ 900 million South Korea contributed last year .
For most in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a day to remember those who were lost and to be reminded of what they fought for all those decades ago .
`` The Korean War is the war that has made us what we are today , '' Moon said .
`` The tragedy that the war brought about , the determination that overcame it , the pride in the economic growth achieved from the post-war ruins and the ideological scars left by the war .
.
.
even after 70 years have passed , they , in their totality , @ @ @ @ @ @

1/8
A soldier in Korean War-era uniform releases a dove near the Demilitarized Zone during a ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War on Thursday. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI
CHEORWON, South Korea, June 25 (UPI) -- North and South Korea commemorated the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War on Thursday, with ceremonies and speeches recalling a devastating conflict that left millions of soldiers and civilians dead and ravaged much of the peninsula. The war, which started on June 25, 1950, has technically never ended, as hostilities ceased with a truce but not a peace treaty. Advertisement
At a ceremony held in Cheorwon county, an area on the border with North Korea that saw some of the fiercest fighting during the war, hundreds of veterans and family members arrived Thursday morning to remember the past and honor those who died.
The veterans, many using canes and walkers, gathered near a memorial for the brutal Battle of White Horse for songs, a flag presentation and a dramatic re-enactment of a wartime scene.
Advertisement
A procession moved up to lay wreaths and burn incense for the victims of the war before doves were released from a vantage point overlooking North Korea, less than two miles away.
Veteran Choi Han-wook, 90, said he remembers the war as an all-consuming struggle to survive.
"The war is about life and death -- only those two things," he said, wearing military ribbons and a medal pinned to his suit. "You don't have thoughts about your family and hometown -- all that is lost. It was a fierce battle. War shouldn't happen, but if it does, you want to win.
Choi, who fought in the city of Inje in 1951, said he was still hoping for peace to arrive on the Korean Peninsula some seven decades later, but found the current impasse with North Korea discouraging.
"I want peace to arrive as soon as possible," he said. "South Korea wants peace but North Korea doesn't listen to us. It's not very easy."
This year's anniversary comes as the relationship between the two Koreas has deteriorated dramatically since a period of rapprochement in 2018 that many hoped would lead to denuclearization, economic cooperation and a lasting peace.
North Korea, however, demolished a symbol of that rapprochement last week when it blew up the inter-Korean liaison office in its border city of Kaesong, meant to be a place where both sides could communicate and cooperate on joint projects.
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Pyongyang has ramped up its vitriol toward Seoul in recent weeks, referring to the South as "the enemy" and threatening to bring troops back to border zones that had been demilitarized under a 2018 inter-Korean agreement.
A statement issued from a meeting held by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday put a halt to the military plans and seemed to lower tensions, but relations are still at a nadir, with joint economic projects on ice and thoughts of eventual unification a distant dream.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who has made closer ties with the North a centerpiece of his administration since taking office in 2017, struck a measured tone in his speech commemorating the anniversary on Thursday night. Moon spoke about the hope for "becoming friendly neighbors" going forward but also cautioned against any military aggression.
"We long for peace," he said. "However, if anyone threatens our people's safety and lives, we will firmly respond. Our national defense capabilities are strong enough to repel any provocation from any direction."
Moon made his remarks at Seoul Air Base during a repatriation ceremony for the remains of 147 South Korean soldiers that had been recovered in North Korea in previous years before undergoing forensic review at the U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in Hawaii.
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The president said there was no competition left between Seoul and Pyongyang, with South Korea's GDP more than 50 times greater than that of North Korea and ideological battles over political systems a thing of the distant past.
"We do not have any intention to force our system on the North," he said. "We pursue peace and intend to live well together. We will continuously search for routes that are mutually beneficial for both Koreas through peace. Before speaking of unification, I hope that we can become friendly neighbors first."
Moon added that he hoped North Korea would play its part in finally ending the Korean War.
"I hope that North Korea will also boldly embark on an endeavor to end the most sorrowful war in world history," Moon continued. "If we are going to talk about unification, we have to achieve peace first, and only after peace has continued for a long time will we be able to finally see the door to unification."
North Korean state media carried a muted message for the anniversary, with newspaper Rodong Sinmun running a single commentary that praised the "great spirit of the former generation" of war veterans and called on the younger generation to build upon it.
Advertisement
"When the rising generation successfully carries forward the spirit of defending the country as its soul and lifeblood, the advance of socialism is further accelerated and the security of the country and the nation firmly guaranteed," the commentary said.
The anniversary was also remembered by the United States, which sent nearly 1.8 million troops and suffered 36,574 deaths in the 1950-53 conflict.
U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris said in a video message posted to social media that the U.S.-South Korea alliance was "forged in the crucible of war and hardened by blood spilled together."
He called the Korean War a "struggle that culminated in the victory of democracy over communism, of freedom over oppression" and added that the alliance "serves as a foundation for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and a linchpin for the security and stability throughout the region."
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper and his South Korean counterpart, Jeong Kyeong-doo, issued a joint statement to commemorate the anniversary, saying that the alliance was "born of necessity and forged in blood" on this day in 1950.
"[B]oth leaders reaffirm their commitment to a combined defense posture that ensures everlasting peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula," the statement said.
Advertisement
While the United States maintains roughly 28,500 troops on the peninsula, the two countries have been locked in a stalemate over a new cost-sharing agreement for this year. The United States is seeking an increase of some 50 percent over the nearly $900 million South Korea contributed last year.
For most in South Korea, however, the anniversary was a day to remember those who were lost and to be reminded of what they fought for all those decades ago.
"The Korean War is the war that has made us what we are today," Moon said. "The tragedy that the war brought about, the determination that overcame it, the pride in the economic growth achieved from the post-war ruins and the ideological scars left by the war . . . even after 70 years have passed, they, in their totality, reflect what we are."


upi--2020-06-25--Russians vote on allowing President Vladimir Putin to keep power, gay marriage

June 25 ( UPI ) -- Polls opened across Russia on Thursday for voting that could allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in power for another 12 years and ban gay marriages .
Voters will cast ballots for the next week on proposals for several constitutional amendments .
The original voting date of April 22 was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic .
Officials said there were more than 3,600 polling locations in Moscow .
`` Everyone is guaranteed the opportunity to vote at a polling station or at home , '' said Dmitry Reut , deputy chairman of the Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow sitting and former presidents to run again for office , no matter how many terms they 'd previously served .
For Putin , it would allow him to run again when his term expires in 2024 .
Another proposal classifies marriage as a union of a man and woman , and critics say it would be another step away from gay rights .
Russian officials have previously blocked gay adoptions .
Moscow political scientist Ekaterina Schulmann said in March Thursday 's vote is a referendum on traditional values .
`` If turnout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amended constitution will be legitimized both in the eyes of the internal audience and international community , '' Schulmann said .
Voters will decide another proposal that would give priority to the Russian Constitution over international treaties and other foreign laws -- an effort to blunt recent moves by European courts to fine Moscow on various rights accusations .
Other amendments would enshrine the phrase `` faith in God '' in the constitution , expand presidential powers over regional and local authorities and prohibit giving away Russian territory .
The latter is connected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crimea from Ukraine .

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to lawmakers in Moscow, Russia, on March 10. Thursday's vote was originally scheduled for April 22 but was postponed by the coronavirus pandemic. File Photo by Yuri Kochetkov/EPA-EFE
June 25 (UPI) -- Polls opened across Russia on Thursday for voting that could allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in power for another 12 years and ban gay marriages. Voters will cast ballots for the next week on proposals for several constitutional amendments. The original voting date of April 22 was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement
Officials said there were more than 3,600 polling locations in Moscow.
"Everyone is guaranteed the opportunity to vote at a polling station or at home," said Dmitry Reut, deputy chairman of the Moscow City Election Commission.
One amendment would allow sitting and former presidents to run again for office, no matter how many terms they'd previously served. For Putin, it would allow him to run again when his term expires in 2024.
Another proposal classifies marriage as a union of a man and woman, and critics say it would be another step away from gay rights. Russian officials have previously blocked gay adoptions.
Moscow political scientist Ekaterina Schulmann said in March Thursday's vote is a referendum on traditional values.
"If turnout is properly high, then this new amended constitution will be legitimized both in the eyes of the internal audience and international community," Schulmann said.
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Voters will decide another proposal that would give priority to the Russian Constitution over international treaties and other foreign laws -- an effort to blunt recent moves by European courts to fine Moscow on various rights accusations.
Other amendments would enshrine the phrase "faith in God" in the constitution, expand presidential powers over regional and local authorities and prohibit giving away Russian territory. The latter is connected to Moscow's controversial 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.


Notable deaths of 2020

Ian Holm attends the premiere of `` The Duchess '' in London on September 3 , 2008 .
The actor @ @ @ @ @ portrayal as Bilbo Baggins in `` The Lord of the Rings , '' died on @ @ @ @ @ at from the age of 88 .
Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI

Dawn Wells
Dawn Wells poses with the original, fully restored S.S. Minnow from "Gilligan's Island" to meet and greet fans and visitors at the Vancouver International Boat Show in Vancouver on January 23, 2014. Best known for her role as Mary Ann from "Gilligan's Island," Wells died of COVID-19 on December 30 at the age of 82. Photo by Heinz Ruckemann/UPI


upi--2020-06-25--Watch: Ben Platt is 'hopeful' for a 'Dear Evan Hansen' film

June 25 ( UPI ) -- Ben Platt addressed rumors about a potential film version of Broadway play Dear Evan Hansen while appearing on The Tonight Show .
`` We 're kind of in this weird , like , COVID limbo where kind of anything can happen .
It 's something we definitely have been trying to get together and make happen , '' Platt told host Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday .
`` I know Universal really wants to make the film and you know , it 's kind of a toss-up at this point just based on , can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we get it together in time ?
Some of us are getting a little long in the tooth so I think it 's like kind of a now-or-never kind of thing , '' the actor continued .
Dear Evan Hansen , which starred Platt in the title role , follows a high school senior with social anxiety disorder who goes on a journey to discover himself after a classmate dies by suicide .
Platt won a Tony Award for the role and gave his last Dear Evan Hansen performance in November 2017 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopeful that it can come together and we can find a safe way to do it , '' Platt said about the film version .
Platt , during his Tonight Show apperance , was rocking a new mustache .
`` I 've always wanted to do it .
I 've been afraid to do it and I figured like , quarantine , now-or-never kind of thing .
My boyfriend Noah really likes it so it makes me really like it , '' Platt said about the mustache .
Platt stars in The Politician @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

June 25 (UPI) -- Ben Platt addressed rumors about a potential film version of Broadway play Dear Evan Hansen while appearing on The Tonight Show.
"We're kind of in this weird, like, COVID limbo where kind of anything can happen. It's something we definitely have been trying to get together and make happen," Platt told host Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday.
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"I know Universal really wants to make the film and you know, it's kind of a toss-up at this point just based on, can we do it safely? And can we get it together in time? Some of us are getting a little long in the tooth so I think it's like kind of a now-or-never kind of thing," the actor continued.
Dear Evan Hansen, which starred Platt in the title role, follows a high school senior with social anxiety disorder who goes on a journey to discover himself after a classmate dies by suicide. Platt won a Tony Award for the role and gave his last Dear Evan Hansen performance in November 2017.
"I'm hoping, I'm hopeful that it can come together and we can find a safe way to do it," Platt said about the film version.
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Platt, during his Tonight Show apperance, was rocking a new mustache.
"I've always wanted to do it. I've been afraid to do it and I figured like, quarantine, now-or-never kind of thing. My boyfriend Noah really likes it so it makes me really like it," Platt said about the mustache.
Platt stars in The Politician Season 2 which recently premiered on Netflix.


upi--2020-06-25--NFL cancels Cowboys, Steelers Hall of Fame Game due to coronavirus

June 25 ( UPI ) -- The NFL has canceled the Hall of Fame Game preseason clash between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The game was scheduled for Aug. 6 in Canton , Ohio .
Sources told ESPN and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Thursday that the game was canceled .
The 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony -- scheduled for Aug. 8 -- has been postponed .
The cancellation marks the first time the NFL has canceled a game due to the pandemic .
The league made its first pandemic-related schedule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international games back to the United States .
NFL team facilities remained closed to players but training camps are scheduled to open in late July .
The Hall of Fame game is the first preseason game on the NFL 's annual schedule .
The Steelers and Cowboys are expected to keep their preseason matchup for a 2021 Hall of Fame Game .
NFL owners are set to have a conference call Thursday about the pandemic .
The first game on the new preseason schedule is now between the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis .

The Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers will have to wait until 2021 for their Pro Football Hall of Fame Game matchup at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, after their 2020 game was canceled. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
June 25 (UPI) -- The NFL on Thursday canceled the Hall of Fame Game preseason clash between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers due to the coronavirus pandemic. The game had been scheduled for Aug. 6 in Canton, Ohio. The cancellation marks the first time the NFL has canceled a game due to the pandemic. The league made its first pandemic-related schedule alteration in May when it moved four international games back to the United States. Advertisement
The 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony -- scheduled for Aug. 8 -- has been postponed until Aug. 5 to 9, 2021.
"The health and safety of our Hall of Famers, fans and volunteers who make enshrinement week so special remains our top priority," said David Baker, president and CEO of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
"The Hall will honor the centennial class of 2020 next August, along with what promises to be an equally spectacular class of 2021, as part of a multi-day celebration of football with an atmosphere that will deliver for fans twice the fun in '21."
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NFL team facilities remained closed to players but training camps are scheduled to open in late July. The Hall of Fame game is the first preseason game on the NFL's annual schedule.
The Steelers and Cowboys will keep their preseason matchup for an Aug. 5, 2021, Hall of Fame Game. The Hall of Fame said tickets for that matchup this year sold out 22 minutes after they went on sale in March.
NFL owners plan to hold a conference call Thursday about the pandemic.
The first game on the new preseason schedule is now between the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles at 7 p.m. EDT Aug. 13 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.


upi--2020-06-25--Labor Dept.: 1.5 million more U.S. workers file for unemployment

Stylist Katie Winston ( R ) cuts the hair of customer Dee Broderick on the sidewalk outside the 7-0-3 Salon @ @ @ @ @ on May 26 .
Although stylists and customers wear masks , the salon has offered @ @ @ @ @ outdoors for those who may have coronavirus concerns .
Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | Dentist @ @ @ @ @ drill at his office in Chesterfield , Mo.
, on May 19 .
Sherstoff has @ @ @ @ @ that destroys airborne viruses that could be transmitted by the drill , and all staff @ @ @ @ @ masks , gloves and face shields to protect themselves .
Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI |

Shoppers walk past retail shops on Monday in New York City's Herald Square, after the city entered the second stage of a reopening strategy that followed weeks of restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 25 (UPI) -- Roughly 1.5 million more American workers have filed for unemployment benefits, the Labor Department said in its weekly report Thursday. The department said 1.48 million filed for jobless benefits, a decrease of 60,000 from the previous week. The report also revised last week's total up by 32,000 claims. Advertisement
Many economists had expected about 1.4 million new claims.
The unemployment rate was 13.4 percent at the end of last week, the report said, a half-percent decrease.
Thursday's figures continue a steady and slow decline from a peak of more than 13 million new claims over a two-week period in April. They also represent the 14th consecutive week with at least 1 million new claims.
Continuing claims, which lag new filings by a week, fell more than expected to a total of 19.5 million.
World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic
Visitors wear face masks as they tour the Whitney Museum of American Art as it reopens on September 3. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo


upi--2020-06-25--Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott questions how NFL can 'keep players healthy'

June 25 ( UPI ) -- Dallas Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott says he feels `` good '' after a positive test for COVID-19 but questions how the NFL will be able to keep players healthy for the 2020 season .
Elliott was arguably the league 's highest-profile player to test positive for the coronavirus when he confirmed the diagnosis more than a week ago .
Elliott spoke about his recovery Wednesday on Twitch as he played Call of Duty : Modern Warfare with Scooter Magruder .
Elliott , 24 , said he had a cough and shortness of breath due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' otherwise .
`` I would say I had one or two days where I felt symptoms , and even then it was n't too bad .
I had a cough and a little bit of shortness of breath , '' Elliott said .
`` But now I would say I feel good , I feel normal .
`` I still ca n't work out .
I could 've gone and gotten retested this week .
I just decided it wo n't hurt just to wait another week and just give myself more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel good . ''
Elliott led the NFL with 304 carries and 1,434 rushing yards in 2018 .
He had 1,357 yards on 301 carries in 16 starts last season .
The three-time Pro Bowl selection had 1,777 yards from scrimmage and 14 scores in 2019 .
NFL team facilities remain closed to players but the league plans to allow teams to have training camp in late July .
The league has announced extensive safety protocols for players to return but the guidelines have been criticized .
Elliott said he `` does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen .
`` I just feel like there 's a lot of moving parts that have to be figured out , '' Elliott said .
`` I just do n't know how they can keep the players healthy .
You 've got to put the health of the players first .
`` And it 's not even so much I would say the players ' health because I got corona and it did n't really affect me much .
But a lot of people have kids , they may have kids with asthma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with them .
`` We have to find a way to make sure the players and their families , and the coaches and their families , are n't put at risk . ''
The Cowboys were scheduled to play in the Aug. 6 NFL Hall of Fame game , the first game of the preseason , before the game was canceled Thursday .
Dallas ' first regular-season clash is against the Los Angeles Rams at 8:20 p.m. EDT Sept. 13 in Los Angeles .

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21), who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, said he doesn't know how the NFL can keep players healthy this season. File Photo by Ian Halperin/UPI | License Photo
June 25 (UPI) -- Dallas Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott says he feels "good" after a positive test for COVID-19 but questions how the NFL will be able to keep players healthy for the 2020 season. Elliott was arguably the league's highest-profile player to test positive for the coronavirus when he confirmed the diagnosis more than a week ago. Elliott spoke about his recovery Wednesday on Twitch as he played Call of Duty: Modern Warfare with Scooter Magruder. Advertisement
Elliott, 24, said he had a cough and shortness of breath due to the coronavirus but felt "normal" otherwise.
"I would say I had one or two days where I felt symptoms, and even then it wasn't too bad. I had a cough and a little bit of shortness of breath," Elliott said. "But now I would say I feel good, I feel normal.
"I still can't work out. I could've gone and gotten retested this week. I just decided it won't hurt just to wait another week and just give myself more time to rest up. But I feel good."
Elliott led the NFL with 304 carries and 1,434 rushing yards in 2018. He had 1,357 yards on 301 carries in 16 starts last season. The three-time Pro Bowl selection had 1,777 yards from scrimmage and 14 scores in 2019.
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NFL team facilities remain closed to players but the league plans to allow teams to have training camp in late July. The league has announced extensive safety protocols for players to return but the guidelines have been criticized.
Elliott said he "doesn't know" if an NFL season will happen.
"I just feel like there's a lot of moving parts that have to be figured out," Elliott said. "I just don't know how they can keep the players healthy. You've got to put the health of the players first.
"And it's not even so much I would say the players' health because I got corona and it didn't really affect me much. But a lot of people have kids, they may have kids with asthma, their parents or grandparents may live with them.
"We have to find a way to make sure the players and their families, and the coaches and their families, aren't put at risk."
The Cowboys were scheduled to play in the Aug. 6 NFL Hall of Fame game, the first game of the preseason, before the game was canceled Thursday.
Dallas' first regular-season clash is against the Los Angeles Rams at 8:20 p.m. EDT Sept. 13 in Los Angeles.


upi--2020-06-25--AEW Dynamite: Chris Jericho, Orange Cassidy have arena brawl

June 25 ( UPI ) -- Chris Jericho and Orange Cassidy battled throughout the arena before their match at Fyter Fest on Dynamite .
Jericho and Cassidy , who are quickly becoming heated rivals , had a confrontation during Dynamite 's final segment Wednesday that quickly turned violent .
Cassidy pushed Le Champion 's buttons by delivering his signature series of light kicks which he followed up by placing his hands into his pockets .
Jericho responded by grabbing Cassidy 's sunglasses and breaking them .
Cassidy and Jericho fought outside the ring and started heading into the stands where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jericho , after reaching a production area , struck Cassidy with a camera .
Cassidy , who was bleeding from his right ear , ended things by running down the arena steps to punch Jericho in the face , causing him to crash through a table .
Cassidy and Jericho will be facing each other on night two of Fyter Fest on July 8 .
Wardlow , the bodyguard of MJF , and Luchasaurus of Jurassic Express kicked off Dynamite with an explosive Lumberjack match .
A Lumberjack match involves multiple wrestlers surrounding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and throw them back into the ring if they exit it .
The towering grapplers eventually took the bout outside the ring , bringing all of the lumberjacks with them .
Luchasaurus was able to throw Wardlow off the entrance ramp , causing him to crash land onto the lumberjacks .
Luchasaurus then followed that up with an impressive Shooting Star Press .
Luchasaurus , back in the ring , was in control and planted Wardlow with a Chokeslam .
MJF then started to distract the referee as Luchasaurus went for the pin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to spear MJF into a group of lumberjacks .
Wardlow took advantage of the situation and struck Luchasaurus below the belt .
Wardlow then delivered the F-10 to win the match .
MJF and Wardlow will be battling Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy next week during night one of Fyter Fest .
Also on Dynamite , AEW Women 's World Champion Hikaru Shida faced off against Red Velvet .
Shida 's Fyter Fest opponent Penelope Ford was watching the action from ringside with her fiance Kip Sabian .
Ford slapped Shida before her match @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Velvet with a Falcon Arrow and quickly went back to fight with Ford .
Shida , during the ensuing melee , was able to take down Sabian with a punch .
Shida defends her AEW Women 's World Championship against Ford next week during night one of Fyter Fest .
Other moments from Dynamite included TNT Champion Cody holding a press conference with Jake Hager for their upcoming title match ; The Exalted One Mr. Brodie Lee and Colt Cabana defeating Joey Janela and Sonny Kiss ; # FTR defeating SCU ; Brian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matt Hardy defeating Santana .

June 25 (UPI) -- Chris Jericho and Orange Cassidy battled throughout the arena before their match at Fyter Fest on Dynamite.
Jericho and Cassidy, who are quickly becoming heated rivals, had a confrontation during Dynamite's final segment Wednesday that quickly turned violent.
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Cassidy pushed Le Champion's buttons by delivering his signature series of light kicks which he followed up by placing his hands into his pockets. Jericho responded by grabbing Cassidy's sunglasses and breaking them.
Cassidy and Jericho fought outside the ring and started heading into the stands where a group of fans were located. Jericho, after reaching a production area, struck Cassidy with a camera.
Cassidy, who was bleeding from his right ear, ended things by running down the arena steps to punch Jericho in the face, causing him to crash through a table. Cassidy and Jericho will be facing each other on night two of Fyter Fest on July 8.
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Wardlow, the bodyguard of MJF, and Luchasaurus of Jurassic Express kicked off Dynamite with an explosive Lumberjack match.
A Lumberjack match involves multiple wrestlers surrounding the ring who can fight the competitors and throw them back into the ring if they exit it.
The towering grapplers eventually took the bout outside the ring, bringing all of the lumberjacks with them. Luchasaurus was able to throw Wardlow off the entrance ramp, causing him to crash land onto the lumberjacks. Luchasaurus then followed that up with an impressive Shooting Star Press.
Luchasaurus, back in the ring, was in control and planted Wardlow with a Chokeslam. MJF then started to distract the referee as Luchasaurus went for the pin, causing Jungle Boy of Jurassic Express to spear MJF into a group of lumberjacks.
Wardlow took advantage of the situation and struck Luchasaurus below the belt. Wardlow then delivered the F-10 to win the match. MJF and Wardlow will be battling Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy next week during night one of Fyter Fest.
Also on Dynamite, AEW Women's World Champion Hikaru Shida faced off against Red Velvet. Shida's Fyter Fest opponent Penelope Ford was watching the action from ringside with her fiance Kip Sabian.
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Ford slapped Shida before her match started. The champ then quickly defeated Velvet with a Falcon Arrow and quickly went back to fight with Ford. Shida, during the ensuing melee, was able to take down Sabian with a punch.
Shida defends her AEW Women's World Championship against Ford next week during night one of Fyter Fest.
Other moments from Dynamite included TNT Champion Cody holding a press conference with Jake Hager for their upcoming title match; The Exalted One Mr. Brodie Lee and Colt Cabana defeating Joey Janela and Sonny Kiss; #FTR defeating SCU; Brian Cage defeating Jon Cruz; and Broken Matt Hardy defeating Santana.


upi--2020-06-25--Women divers of South Korea swim into America’s imagination

NEW YORK , June 25 ( UPI ) -- The female divers of a small South Korean island are winning the hearts and minds of American writers and filmmakers , even as their way of life slowly disappears amid modernity 's push into remote parts of the country .
Lisa See , author of the bestselling 2019 novel The Island of Sea Women , told UPI she was motivated to write her first book of historical fiction set in 20th century Korea because of the haenyeo -- brave Korean diving women of Jeju Island , who can plunge up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their breath for more than 3 minutes under water .
`` What really inspired me from the very beginning was their physical courage , '' See said .
`` To go down that deep , in an environment that 's unforgiving , and not allowing for any mistakes -- I felt that was really powerful . ''
The siren song of a vanishing culture at the far southern end of the peninsula was also difficult to resist for Nicole Gormley , a documentary director and television producer who has worked on the Netflix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the influential chef and founder of the Momofuku restaurants in New York .
The haenyeo represent a sisterhood , said Gormley , who filmed her friend , U.S. National Spearfishing Champion Kimi Werner , on the island only a few months before the coronavirus pandemic .
Her work , a short documentary featured at this year 's virtual Brooklyn Film Festival , includes narration from a pregnant Werner , who frankly discusses her fears about motherhood and its impact on her diving career .
Korean haenyeo are known to dive during pregnancy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the haenyeo , there 's no one all-star diver , '' Gormley told UPI .
`` There 's a kind of collective sharing of the burden of the haenyeo sisterhood . ''
Gormley , who has felt the pressure of working in a male-dominated industry that sometimes seems to `` pit women against other women , '' said she was able to reconnect and recharge with the help of strong women like Werner and the haenyeo .
`` No strong woman is ever created individually , or in a vacuum , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our strength or ability to collaborate with other women . ''
Jeju remains somewhat of an outlier in South Korea , which has often been described as a deeply male-dominated society .
See , whose great-grandfather was the patriarch of Los Angeles Chinatown , said she struggled with the Confucian culture that assigns women to an inferior position .
`` On Jeju , I saw a real rejection of that , '' said See , referring to the island 's partly matriarchal economy ruled by women .
The author also began working on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration 's `` chest beating '' over North Korea .
`` Especially at the beginning of Trump 's presidency , '' she said , referring to the president 's threats of `` fire and fury '' against Kim Jong Un .
`` If we are going to declare war [ on the peninsula ] , I 'd like to know the history behind it . ''
See , who conducted extensive research into modern Korean history , including the period of Japanese colonial rule and the Korean War that led to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divers on Jeju in her novel .
Young-sook , the protagonist , inherits her sea diving livelihood from her mother .
Her closest friend , Mi-ja , is an orphan whose father once worked with the Japanese -- an enemy whose soldiers terrorize the villagers and pose a threat to young and vulnerable women .
`` For Young-sook , there 's this sort of expectation she is going to take her mother 's place , '' See said .
`` But to be Mi-ja , the daughter of a Japanese collaborator , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forehead . ''
In the course of her investigations into the haenyeo , See said her interviews with women on Jeju yielded surprises , including hidden stories .
One woman who may have been the inspiration for Mi-ja spoke to See for an entire day , as her daughter , who was hearing the stories for the first time , translated her phrases into English .
The woman 's daughter , pale and shaky after eight hours , said she was hearing stories from her mother that she had never heard in her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was such an incredible moment for me , '' she said .
`` In all families , there are certain stories we do n't tell and standard stories we do tell .
`` But there are these huge blocks of stories we do n't tell , because they 're too painful . ''
The author , who is socially distancing herself from family and friends amid COVID-19 , said her virtual meetings with book clubs across the country indicate The Island of Sea Women may be giving her readers perspective in challenging times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in such a hard time right now .
And we are .
People have died .
They 've lost their jobs .
I have n't seen my kids , and I have n't seen my grandson , my friends .
It 's very isolating and difficult in many ways , '' she said .
`` But it 's not like having a war or Japanese soldiers , or a [ historical massacre ] happening literally right outside your door .
`` What we 're going through right now does n't even begin to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ island or on the Korean Peninsula in general . ''
South Korea observed the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War on Thursday .

1/3
South Korea's Jeju Island women divers, the subject of films and books published in the United States, have been declining in number since UNESCO inscribed the divers as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2016. Photo courtesy of Nicole Gormley
NEW YORK, June 25 (UPI) -- The female divers of a small South Korean island are winning the hearts and minds of American writers and filmmakers, even as their way of life slowly disappears amid modernity's push into remote parts of the country. Lisa See, author of the bestselling 2019 novel The Island of Sea Women, told UPI she was motivated to write her first book of historical fiction set in 20th century Korea because of the haenyeo -- brave Korean diving women of Jeju Island, who can plunge up to 65 feet into the ocean while holding their breath for more than 3 minutes under water. Advertisement
"What really inspired me from the very beginning was their physical courage," See said. "To go down that deep, in an environment that's unforgiving, and not allowing for any mistakes -- I felt that was really powerful."
Advertisement
The siren song of a vanishing culture at the far southern end of the peninsula was also difficult to resist for Nicole Gormley, a documentary director and television producer who has worked on the Netflix series Ugly Delicious with David Chang, the influential chef and founder of the Momofuku restaurants in New York.
The haenyeo represent a sisterhood, said Gormley, who filmed her friend, U.S. National Spearfishing Champion Kimi Werner, on the island only a few months before the coronavirus pandemic. Her work, a short documentary featured at this year's virtual Brooklyn Film Festival, includes narration from a pregnant Werner, who frankly discusses her fears about motherhood and its impact on her diving career. Korean haenyeo are known to dive during pregnancy.
"If you look at the women, the haenyeo, there's no one all-star diver," Gormley told UPI. "There's a kind of collective sharing of the burden of the haenyeo sisterhood."
Gormley, who has felt the pressure of working in a male-dominated industry that sometimes seems to "pit women against other women," said she was able to reconnect and recharge with the help of strong women like Werner and the haenyeo.
"No strong woman is ever created individually, or in a vacuum," she said. "It comes from our strength or ability to collaborate with other women."
Advertisement
Jeju remains somewhat of an outlier in South Korea, which has often been described as a deeply male-dominated society.
See, whose great-grandfather was the patriarch of Los Angeles Chinatown, said she struggled with the Confucian culture that assigns women to an inferior position.
"On Jeju, I saw a real rejection of that," said See, referring to the island's partly matriarchal economy ruled by women.
The author also began working on her book after feeling dismayed by the Trump administration's "chest beating" over North Korea.
"Especially at the beginning of Trump's presidency," she said, referring to the president's threats of "fire and fury" against Kim Jong Un.
"If we are going to declare war [on the peninsula], I'd like to know the history behind it."
See, who conducted extensive research into modern Korean history, including the period of Japanese colonial rule and the Korean War that led to the peninsula's division, portrays two women divers on Jeju in her novel.
Young-sook, the protagonist, inherits her sea diving livelihood from her mother. Her closest friend, Mi-ja, is an orphan whose father once worked with the Japanese -- an enemy whose soldiers terrorize the villagers and pose a threat to young and vulnerable women.
Advertisement
"For Young-sook, there's this sort of expectation she is going to take her mother's place," See said. "But to be Mi-ja, the daughter of a Japanese collaborator, that's a very different stamp on your forehead."
In the course of her investigations into the haenyeo, See said her interviews with women on Jeju yielded surprises, including hidden stories.
One woman who may have been the inspiration for Mi-ja spoke to See for an entire day, as her daughter, who was hearing the stories for the first time, translated her phrases into English.
The woman's daughter, pale and shaky after eight hours, said she was hearing stories from her mother that she had never heard in her life, See said.
"That was such an incredible moment for me," she said. "In all families, there are certain stories we don't tell and standard stories we do tell.
"But there are these huge blocks of stories we don't tell, because they're too painful."
The author, who is socially distancing herself from family and friends amid COVID-19, said her virtual meetings with book clubs across the country indicate The Island of Sea Women may be giving her readers perspective in challenging times.
"We think we're really in such a hard time right now. And we are. People have died. They've lost their jobs. I haven't seen my kids, and I haven't seen my grandson, my friends. It's very isolating and difficult in many ways," she said.
Advertisement
"But it's not like having a war or Japanese soldiers, or a [historical massacre] happening literally right outside your door.
"What we're going through right now doesn't even begin to compare to what has happened on that island or on the Korean Peninsula in general."
South Korea observed the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War on Thursday.


upi--2020-06-25--Scientists warn: Affluence is killing the planet

June 25 ( UPI ) -- Would you like to be rich ?
Chances are your answer is : `` Yes !
Who would n't want to be rich ? ''
Clearly , in societies where money can buy almost everything , being rich is generally perceived as something good .
It implies more freedom , fewer worries , more happiness , higher social status .
But here is the catch : Affluence trashes our planetary life support systems .
What 's more , it also obstructs the necessary transformation toward sustainability by driving power relations and consumption norms .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do more harm than good .
This is what we found in a new study for the journal Nature Communications .
Together with co-author Lorenz Keyßer from ETH Zürich , we reviewed recent scientific literature on the links between affluence and environmental impacts , on the systemic mechanisms leading to over-consumption and on possible solutions to the problem .
The article is one of a series of Scientists ' Warnings to Humanity .
The facts are clear : the wealthiest 0.54 percent , about 40 million people , are responsible for 14 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bottom 50 percent of income earners , almost 4 billion people , only emit around 10 percent .
The world 's top 10 percent income earners are responsible for at least 25 percent and up to 43 percent of our environmental impact .
Most people living in developed countries would fit into this category , meaning you do n't have to consider yourself rich in order to be globally affluent .
Even many poorer people in wealthy countries have a disproportionately large and unsustainable resource footprint compared to the global average .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to address the problems that come with affluence .
Progressive mainstream policymakers talk about `` greening consumption '' or `` sustainable growth '' to `` decouple '' affluence from climate breakdown , biodiversity loss and other planetary-scale destruction .
Yet our research confirms that , in reality , there is no evidence that this decoupling is actually happening .
While technological improvements have helped to reduce emissions and other environmental impacts , the worldwide growth in affluence has consistently outpaced these gains , driving all the impacts back up .
And it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change in the future .
Even the cleanest technologies have their limitations and still require specific resources to function , while efficiency savings often simply lead to more consumption .
If technology alone is not enough , it is therefore imperative to reduce the consumption of the affluent , resulting in sufficiency-oriented lifestyles : `` better but less . ''
This is all easier said than done though , for there is a problem .
The lockdown has seen a massive drop in consumption .
But the resulting unprecedented dive in CO₂ and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lockdown , not a deliberate part of it , and will not last .
So how can we reduce consumption as much as necessary in a socially sustainable way , while still safeguarding human needs and social security ?
Here it turns out the main stumbling block is not technological limits or economics itself , but the economic imperative to grow the economy , spurred by over-consumption and the political power of the super affluent .
Affluent , powerful people and their governments have a vested interest in deliberately promoting high consumption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions by individuals are strongly influenced by information and by others , this can lock in high-consumption lifestyles .
`` Positional consumption '' is another key mechanism , where people increasingly consume status goods once their basic needs are satisfied .
This creates a growth spiral , driven by the affluent , with everyone striving to be `` superior '' relative to their peers while the overall consumption level rises .
What appears average or normal in a developed country then rapidly becomes a top contribution at the global level .
So , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dilemma ?
We reviewed a variety of different approaches that may have the solution .
They range from reformist to radical ideas , and include post-development , de-growth , eco-feminism , eco-socialism and eco-anarchism .
All these approaches have in common that they focus on positive environmental and social outcomes and not on economic growth .
Interestingly , there seems to be quite some strategic overlap between them , at least in the short term .
Most agree on the necessity to `` prefigure '' bottom-up as much as possible of the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old , while still demonstrating sufficiency-oriented lifestyles to be desirable .
Grass-roots initiatives such as Transition Initiatives and eco-villages can be examples of this , leading to cultural and consciousness change .
Eventually , however , far-reaching policy reforms are needed , including maximum and minimum incomes , eco-taxes , collective firm ownership and more .
Examples of policies that start to incorporate some of these mechanisms are the Green New Deals in the United States , United Kingdom and Europe or the New Zealand Well-being Budget 2019 .
Social movements will play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reforms .
They can challenge the notion that riches and economic growth are inherently good and bring forward `` social tipping points . ''
Ultimately , the goal is to establish economies and societies that protect the climate and ecosystems and enrich people with more well-being , health and happiness instead of more money .
Thomas Wiedmann is a professor of sustainability research at UNSW ; Julia K. Steinberger is a professor in social ecology and ecological economics at the University of Leeds ; and Manfred Lenzen is a professor of sustainability research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of Sydney .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

The world’s top 10 percent income earners are responsible for at least 25 percent and up to 43 percent of our environmental impact. Photo by Midnight Runner/Wiki
June 25 (UPI) -- Would you like to be rich? Chances are your answer is: "Yes! Who wouldn't want to be rich?" Clearly, in societies where money can buy almost everything, being rich is generally perceived as something good. It implies more freedom, fewer worries, more happiness, higher social status. But here is the catch: Affluence trashes our planetary life support systems. What's more, it also obstructs the necessary transformation toward sustainability by driving power relations and consumption norms. To put it bluntly: The rich do more harm than good. Advertisement
This is what we found in a new study for the journal Nature Communications. Together with co-author Lorenz Keyßer from ETH Zürich, we reviewed recent scientific literature on the links between affluence and environmental impacts, on the systemic mechanisms leading to over-consumption and on possible solutions to the problem. The article is one of a series of Scientists' Warnings to Humanity.
Advertisement
Technology and consumption
The facts are clear: the wealthiest 0.54 percent, about 40 million people, are responsible for 14 percent of lifestyle-related greenhouse gas emissions, while the bottom 50 percent of income earners, almost 4 billion people, only emit around 10 percent. The world's top 10 percent income earners are responsible for at least 25 percent and up to 43 percent of our environmental impact.
Most people living in developed countries would fit into this category, meaning you don't have to consider yourself rich in order to be globally affluent. Even many poorer people in wealthy countries have a disproportionately large and unsustainable resource footprint compared to the global average.
It is less clear, however, how to address the problems that come with affluence. Progressive mainstream policymakers talk about "greening consumption" or "sustainable growth" to "decouple" affluence from climate breakdown, biodiversity loss and other planetary-scale destruction.
Yet our research confirms that, in reality, there is no evidence that this decoupling is actually happening. While technological improvements have helped to reduce emissions and other environmental impacts, the worldwide growth in affluence has consistently outpaced these gains, driving all the impacts back up.
And it appears highly unlikely that this relationship will change in the future. Even the cleanest technologies have their limitations and still require specific resources to function, while efficiency savings often simply lead to more consumption.
Advertisement
If technology alone is not enough, it is therefore imperative to reduce the consumption of the affluent, resulting in sufficiency-oriented lifestyles: "better but less." This is all easier said than done though, for there is a problem.
The super affluent
The lockdown has seen a massive drop in consumption. But the resulting unprecedented dive in CO₂ and air pollutant emissions was merely incidental to the lockdown, not a deliberate part of it, and will not last.
So how can we reduce consumption as much as necessary in a socially sustainable way, while still safeguarding human needs and social security? Here it turns out the main stumbling block is not technological limits or economics itself, but the economic imperative to grow the economy, spurred by over-consumption and the political power of the super affluent.
Affluent, powerful people and their governments have a vested interest in deliberately promoting high consumption and hampering sufficiency-oriented lifestyles. Since consumption decisions by individuals are strongly influenced by information and by others, this can lock in high-consumption lifestyles.
"Positional consumption" is another key mechanism, where people increasingly consume status goods once their basic needs are satisfied. This creates a growth spiral, driven by the affluent, with everyone striving to be "superior" relative to their peers while the overall consumption level rises. What appears average or normal in a developed country then rapidly becomes a top contribution at the global level.
Advertisement
So, how can we get out of this dilemma?
We reviewed a variety of different approaches that may have the solution. They range from reformist to radical ideas, and include post-development, de-growth, eco-feminism, eco-socialism and eco-anarchism. All these approaches have in common that they focus on positive environmental and social outcomes and not on economic growth. Interestingly, there seems to be quite some strategic overlap between them, at least in the short term. Most agree on the necessity to "prefigure" bottom-up as much as possible of the new, less affluent, economy in the old, while still demonstrating sufficiency-oriented lifestyles to be desirable.
Grass-roots initiatives such as Transition Initiatives and eco-villages can be examples of this, leading to cultural and consciousness change. Eventually, however, far-reaching policy reforms are needed, including maximum and minimum incomes, eco-taxes, collective firm ownership and more. Examples of policies that start to incorporate some of these mechanisms are the Green New Deals in the United States, United Kingdom and Europe or the New Zealand Well-being Budget 2019.
Social movements will play a crucial role in pushing for these reforms. They can challenge the notion that riches and economic growth are inherently good and bring forward "social tipping points." Ultimately, the goal is to establish economies and societies that protect the climate and ecosystems and enrich people with more well-being, health and happiness instead of more money.
Advertisement
Thomas Wiedmann is a professor of sustainability research at UNSW; Julia K. Steinberger is a professor in social ecology and ecological economics at the University of Leeds; and Manfred Lenzen is a professor of sustainability research in the School of Physics at the University of Sydney. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


upi--2020-06-25--Former MLB player, manager and executive Eddie Kasko dies at 88

June 25 ( UPI ) -- Eddie Kasko -- a former Major League Baseball All-Star infielder , manager and executive -- has died at the age of 88 , his former team said .
The Boston Red Sox said Kasko died Wednesday but did not disclose the cause of death .
Kasko held various MLB roles for 38 years .
Kasko spent 10 seasons as a player for the St. Louis Cardinals , Cincinnati Reds , Houston Astros and Red Sox from 1957 through 1966 .
He was an All-Star in 1961 for the eventual National League-champion Reds .
Kasko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1961 World Series against the New York Yankees , who ultimately won the title in five games .
That Yankees squad featured baseball greats Mickey Mantle , Roger Maris , Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford .
A native of Elizabeth , N.J. , Kasko attended Linden High School before he signed a minor league deal with the New York Giants at age 17 .
He played three seasons in Minor League Baseball before stepping away from the game for two years with the United States Army Combat Engineers during the Korean War , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for three additional minor league seasons before he made his MLB debut in 1957 for the Cardinals .
Kasko later managed the Red Sox 's Triple-A affiliate after his final season as a player .
He coached the minor league team from 1967 through 1969 before he was hired to manage the Red Sox at age 38 .
Kasko would lead Boston to four consecutive winning seasons and an overall record of 345-295 .
His players included Hall of Famers Carl Yastrzemski , Carlton Fisk , Orlando Cepeda and Luis Aparicio .
Following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years in the Red Sox front office -- working as a scout , director of scouting and vice president of baseball development .
He helped the team sign several top draft picks , including Hall of Fame pitcher Roger Clemens and sluggers Mo Vaughn and Jeff Bagwell .
He also helped the franchise scout opponents during the World Series in 1967 , 1975 and 1986 , during which the team went 0-3 in the championship round .
Kasko , who was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2010 , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His wife , Catherine , died in 2015 after 57 years of marriage .

Eddie Kasko spent more than three decades in Major League Baseball as a player, manager and executive before he died Wednesday. Photo courtesy Jay Publishing/Wikimedia Commons
June 25 (UPI) -- Eddie Kasko -- a former Major League Baseball All-Star infielder, manager and executive -- has died at the age of 88, his former team said. The Boston Red Sox said Kasko died Wednesday but did not disclose the cause of death. Kasko held various MLB roles for 38 years. Advertisement
Kasko spent 10 seasons as a player for the St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros and Red Sox from 1957 through 1966. He was an All-Star in 1961 for the eventual National League-champion Reds.
Kasko hit .318 for the Reds during the 1961 World Series against the New York Yankees, who ultimately won the title in five games. That Yankees squad featured baseball greats Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford.
A native of Elizabeth, N.J., Kasko attended Linden High School before he signed a minor league deal with the New York Giants at age 17. He played three seasons in Minor League Baseball before stepping away from the game for two years with the United States Army Combat Engineers during the Korean War, from 1952 to 1954. He returned for three additional minor league seasons before he made his MLB debut in 1957 for the Cardinals.
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Kasko later managed the Red Sox's Triple-A affiliate after his final season as a player. He coached the minor league team from 1967 through 1969 before he was hired to manage the Red Sox at age 38. Kasko would lead Boston to four consecutive winning seasons and an overall record of 345-295. His players included Hall of Famers Carl Yastrzemski, Carlton Fisk, Orlando Cepeda and Luis Aparicio.
Following his managerial days, Kasko spent 21 years in the Red Sox front office -- working as a scout, director of scouting and vice president of baseball development. He helped the team sign several top draft picks, including Hall of Fame pitcher Roger Clemens and sluggers Mo Vaughn and Jeff Bagwell. He also helped the franchise scout opponents during the World Series in 1967, 1975 and 1986, during which the team went 0-3 in the championship round.
Kasko, who was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2010, is survived by sons Michael and James. His wife, Catherine, died in 2015 after 57 years of marriage.
Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-06-25--Democrats shift national convention in August to smaller, more virtual event

June 25 ( UPI ) -- The Democratic Party says there will be adjustments to its nominating convention in August , which will now be more of a virtual event -- with delegates staying home and presumptive nominee Joe Biden accepting in person in Milwaukee .
The Democratic National Committee announced the changes late Wednesday .
For one , the main venue for the event changed from the Fiserv Forum to the smaller Wisconsin Center , a short distance away .
DNC Chair Tom Perez said the event , scheduled for Aug. 17-20 , will be influenced by medical experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will appear at the convention center in Milwaukee at the end of the four-day event and deliver his acceptance speech there , the party noted .
The moves were made to accommodate safety related to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Democrats are listening to health experts and adjusting our plans , '' Perez tweeted .
`` I could not be prouder of the work the [ convention ] is doing and can not wait for us to officially nominate [ Biden ] this August . ''
`` The city of Milwaukee has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to highlighting Wisconsin as a key battleground state a tour convention this August , '' Jen O'Malley Dillon , Biden 's campaign manager , said in a statement .
`` This will be a convention for all Americans who wish to join our mission to win the battle for the soul of this nation and build a fairer , more united country for us all . ''
Milwaukee had hoped for 50,000 attendees at the convention , which occurs for both major political parties just once every four years .
Now , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feature satellite venues .
`` Everything is on the line this November , which is why we must find creative and forward-looking ways to organize , mobilize , and unite our party around our shared values at the convention so that we can launch Joe Biden to victory this fall , '' said convention CEO Joe Solmonese .
The Republican Party said this month its convention to renominate President Donald Trump will shift to Jacksonville , Fla. , after the first and only day in Charlotte , N.C. , to accommodate large crowds @ @ @ @ @

Joe Biden speaks at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pa., on July 27, 2016. The 2020 convention in Milwaukee was adjusted Wednesday to a smaller and more virtual event in response to the coronavirus crisis. File Photo by Pete Marovich/UPI | License Photo
June 25 (UPI) -- The Democratic Party says there will be adjustments to its nominating convention in August, which will now be more of a virtual event -- with delegates staying home and presumptive nominee Joe Biden accepting in person in Milwaukee. The Democratic National Committee announced the changes late Wednesday. For one, the main venue for the event changed from the Fiserv Forum to the smaller Wisconsin Center, a short distance away. Advertisement
DNC Chair Tom Perez said the event, scheduled for Aug. 17-20, will be influenced by medical experts and delegates will participate remotely.
Biden will appear at the convention center in Milwaukee at the end of the four-day event and deliver his acceptance speech there, the party noted.
The moves were made to accommodate safety related to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Democrats are listening to health experts and adjusting our plans," Perez tweeted. "I could not be prouder of the work the [convention] is doing and cannot wait for us to officially nominate [Biden] this August."
"The city of Milwaukee has been an incredible partner and we are committed to highlighting Wisconsin as a key battleground state a tour convention this August," Jen O'Malley Dillon, Biden's campaign manager, said in a statement. "This will be a convention for all Americans who wish to join our mission to win the battle for the soul of this nation and build a fairer, more united country for us all."
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Milwaukee had hoped for 50,000 attendees at the convention, which occurs for both major political parties just once every four years. Now, the gathering will be much smaller and will feature satellite venues.
"Everything is on the line this November, which is why we must find creative and forward-looking ways to organize, mobilize, and unite our party around our shared values at the convention so that we can launch Joe Biden to victory this fall," said convention CEO Joe Solmonese.
The Republican Party said this month its convention to renominate President Donald Trump will shift to Jacksonville, Fla., after the first and only day in Charlotte, N.C., to accommodate large crowds with fewer coronavirus restrictions.


upi--2020-06-25--WWE NXT: Keith Lee defends title against Finn Balor, Johnny Gargano

June 25 ( UPI ) -- NXT North American Champion Keith Lee defended his title against Finn Balor and Johnny Gargano in the main event of WWE NXT .
Lee , Balor and Gargano were also fighting on Wednesday for the chance to face NXT Champion Adam Cole on July 8 in a Winner Takes All match with the victor becoming a double champion .
Lee was able to take care of both Balor and Gargano using his impressive strength , however , the veteran grapplers eventually teamed up to keep the champ down .
Balor and Gargano threw Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concentrating on each other .
Gargano nearly stole the victory by using the ropes as leverage while pinning Lee but The Limitless Superstar broke out of it .
Lee brought down Gargano with a Big Bang Catastrophe but Balor stopped the pin with a Coup de Grace that struck Gargano .
Lee then performed a Big Bang Catastrophe on Balor to win the match and remain NXT North American Champion .
Cole entered the ring and held up his NXT Championship and stared down Lee who held up his NXT North American Championship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took on Bronson Reed in a hard-hitting match .
Kross , who has appeared to be nearly unstoppable , seemed to enjoy the challenge Reed brought as the two competitors pummeled each other with strikes .
Kross started to take control and tossed Reed around the ring until he applied his Kross Jacket submission hold , causing Reed to tap out .
Roderick Strong of The Undisputed Era continued his therapy sessions to try and recover from Dexter Lumis abducting him weeks ago by placing him in the trunk of a car .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly who ended up being Strong 's therapist in disguise .
The Undisputed Era had Strong get back into the trunk of a car in order to conquer his fears .
Strong was able to do it but still seemed uneasy and unready to face Lumis one-on-one later in the night .
Strong , during the match , was completely scared of Lumis and kept exiting the ring .
Strong ended up running away , giving Lumis the victory via count-out .
Lumis then crawled across the ring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lumis locked in his Kata Gatame hold onto Fish who was able to escape and run away .
Other moments from WWE NXT included Cameron Grimes defeating Damian Priest ; NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar defeating Jake Atlas in a non-title match ; Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez defeating Kayden Carter and Kacy Catanzaro ; and Rhea Ripley defeating Aliyah .
It was announced that next week Mia Yim , Tegan Nox , Candice LeRae and Dakota Kai will battle each other in a Fatal 4-Way match to determine the No .
1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Championship .

June 25 (UPI) -- NXT North American Champion Keith Lee defended his title against Finn Balor and Johnny Gargano in the main event of WWE NXT.
Lee, Balor and Gargano were also fighting on Wednesday for the chance to face NXT Champion Adam Cole on July 8 in a Winner Takes All match with the victor becoming a double champion.
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Lee was able to take care of both Balor and Gargano using his impressive strength, however, the veteran grapplers eventually teamed up to keep the champ down. Balor and Gargano threw Lee into the steel steps before they started concentrating on each other.
Gargano nearly stole the victory by using the ropes as leverage while pinning Lee but The Limitless Superstar broke out of it.
Lee brought down Gargano with a Big Bang Catastrophe but Balor stopped the pin with a Coup de Grace that struck Gargano. Lee then performed a Big Bang Catastrophe on Balor to win the match and remain NXT North American Champion.
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Cole entered the ring and held up his NXT Championship and stared down Lee who held up his NXT North American Championship.
Also on NXT, Karrion Kross took on Bronson Reed in a hard-hitting match. Kross, who has appeared to be nearly unstoppable, seemed to enjoy the challenge Reed brought as the two competitors pummeled each other with strikes.
Kross started to take control and tossed Reed around the ring until he applied his Kross Jacket submission hold, causing Reed to tap out.
Roderick Strong of The Undisputed Era continued his therapy sessions to try and recover from Dexter Lumis abducting him weeks ago by placing him in the trunk of a car. Strong was joined by his teammates Cole, Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly who ended up being Strong's therapist in disguise.
The Undisputed Era had Strong get back into the trunk of a car in order to conquer his fears. Strong was able to do it but still seemed uneasy and unready to face Lumis one-on-one later in the night.
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Strong, during the match, was completely scared of Lumis and kept exiting the ring. Strong ended up running away, giving Lumis the victory via count-out. Lumis then crawled across the ring and grabbed Fish who standing nearby.
Lumis locked in his Kata Gatame hold onto Fish who was able to escape and run away.
Other moments from WWE NXT included Cameron Grimes defeating Damian Priest; NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar defeating Jake Atlas in a non-title match; Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez defeating Kayden Carter and Kacy Catanzaro; and Rhea Ripley defeating Aliyah.
It was announced that next week Mia Yim, Tegan Nox, Candice LeRae and Dakota Kai will battle each other in a Fatal 4-Way match to determine the No. 1 contender for Io Shirai's NXT Women's Championship.


upi--2020-06-25--Qantas to lay off 6,000 workers, keep 15,000 on furlough

June 25 ( UPI ) -- Australian airline Qantas on Thursday announced at least 6,000 employees will be laid off and another 15,000 will remain on furlough , due to economic conditions linked to the COVID-19 crisis .
The carrier said it will also ground as many as 100 planes , including most of its international fleet , for up to a year as part of a three-year plan to cut costs by more than $ 10 billion .
Warning that it will take `` years '' for international air travel to return to what it was before the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the job losses and other moves are painful , but necessary .
`` We have to position ourselves for several years where revenue will be much lower , '' he said in a statement .
`` And that means becoming a smaller airline in the short term . ''
The job cuts , he added , are especially difficult because Qantas , the flag carrier of Australia , had been growing quickly prior to the health crisis .
`` What makes this even harder is that right before this crisis hit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crew and ground staff , '' Joyce said .
`` We 're now facing a sudden reversal of fortune that is no one 's fault , but is very hard to accept . ''
In addition to the layoffs and groundings , Qantas said it hopes to raise more than $ 1 billion in equity to `` accelerate '' recovery .
Shares sold to private investors will carry a discount of nearly 13 percent .
Airlines worldwide are expected to lose $ 84 billion in 2020 , the International Air Transport Association estimated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are down 82 percent compared to last June , as travelers remain reluctant to fly , even with extensive safety precautions and international travel bans , IATA said .
Airlines have responded by trying to raise cash and tapping emergency government funding .
American Airlines said this week it intends to secure $ 3.5 billion in new financing and United expects to borrow $ 4.5 billion from the federal government .

Qantas also said it hopes to raise more than $1 billion in equity to "accelerate" recovery. File Photo by Brent Winstone/Qantas/EPA-EFE
June 25 (UPI) -- Australian airline Qantas on Thursday announced at least 6,000 employees will be laid off and another 15,000 will remain on furlough, due to economic conditions linked to the COVID-19 crisis. The carrier said it will also ground as many as 100 planes, including most of its international fleet, for up to a year as part of a three-year plan to cut costs by more than $10 billion. Advertisement
Warning that it will take "years" for international air travel to return to what it was before the coronavirus pandemic, Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the job losses and other moves are painful, but necessary.
"We have to position ourselves for several years where revenue will be much lower," he said in a statement. "And that means becoming a smaller airline in the short term."
The job cuts, he added, are especially difficult because Qantas, the flag carrier of Australia, had been growing quickly prior to the health crisis.
"What makes this even harder is that right before this crisis hit, we were actively recruiting pilots, cabin crew and ground staff," Joyce said. "We're now facing a sudden reversal of fortune that is no one's fault, but is very hard to accept."
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In addition to the layoffs and groundings, Qantas said it hopes to raise more than $1 billion in equity to "accelerate" recovery. Shares sold to private investors will carry a discount of nearly 13 percent.
Airlines worldwide are expected to lose $84 billion in 2020, the International Air Transport Association estimated this month.
Overall bookings this month are down 82 percent compared to last June, as travelers remain reluctant to fly, even with extensive safety precautions and international travel bans, IATA said.
Airlines have responded by trying to raise cash and tapping emergency government funding.
American Airlines said this week it intends to secure $3.5 billion in new financing and United expects to borrow $4.5 billion from the federal government.
World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-06-25--With limited options for fun, Americans flood pool-builders with new demand

June 25 ( UPI ) -- While the coronavirus pandemic has depressed a number of industries over the last three months , others are finding a new flood of momentum -- including , since the arrival of warmer weather , new demand for private swimming pools .
Like the bicycling industry this year , businesses that build pools have seen a recent renaissance -- mainly due to American families spending more time at home .
Demand for both below- and above-ground models , pool equipment and services began to grow in April after widespread restrictions related to the COVID-19 outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to close , along with many other recreational businesses , leaving Americans with limited options .
Industry officials say the hiatus has been a boon for companies that install and maintain backyard pools , which have been allowed to continue operating as essential providers .
And bored Americans by the thousands responded by flooding builders with calls .
`` Because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated there 's no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs , there 's a sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president and CEO of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance , told UPI .
`` [ That 's ] as long as the pool or hot tub is properly maintained and disinfected . ''
HIckman said the demand has been aided during the pandemic by `` health and well-being benefits '' of pools and hot tubs .
Pool Corp. , a Louisiana-based company that calls itself the world 's largest distributor of supplies , was one of the first to note the surge .
After sales sagged in the first few weeks of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand soared .
CEO Peter Arvan said last month that sales of supplies like chemicals , filters and pumps were `` trending favorably '' compared with early 2019 and was benefiting from `` strong demand . ''
`` Increased demand for these products demonstrates positive pool ownership trends [ post-COVID-19 ] , '' he said .
More evidence of growing demand emerged in a survey of the top 50 U.S. builders by Pool and Spa News , which found 86 percent of builders have reported an increase in potential sales this year over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they expect an uptick in pool building .
Nationwide , pool dealers have been swamped with new business , and pools have sold out at retailers like Home Depot and Lowe 's .
Metro Pools in Kinnelon , N.J. , said it fielded 1,000 pricing requests this spring -- compared to an average of 30 pools it builds over an entire season .
A recent survey showed that 40 percent of Pool & Hot Tub Alliance builders said April sales were up 10 percent or more over 2019 .
Nearly half projected an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer revenue , and more than half expected more total sales revenue for 2020 -- particularly for above-ground pools .
`` Many families , especially those with smaller back yards and shorter summers , are opting for an above-ground pool so that they can enjoy many of the benefits ... on a smaller budget , '' Hickman noted .
Whether the demand spike will shape the long-term fortunes of the industry -- especially once the health crisis ends and other entertainment options return -- is a question that can not be answered .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ crystal ball , there 's something to be said about the security of the 'staycation . '
'' Hickman said .
`` Google retail reports show significant upticks in searches for swimming pools , pool equipment and pool toys .
`` While the demographics have n't changed , the behavior has shifted .
But for how long is hard to predict . ''

A section of beach is closed at Rye Playland Beach in New York on May 24 due to restrictions associated with the coronavirus pandemic. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 25 (UPI) -- While the coronavirus pandemic has depressed a number of industries over the last three months, others are finding a new flood of momentum -- including, since the arrival of warmer weather, new demand for private swimming pools. Like the bicycling industry this year, businesses that build pools have seen a recent renaissance -- mainly due to American families spending more time at home. Advertisement
Demand for both below- and above-ground models, pool equipment and services began to grow in April after widespread restrictions related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Emergency measures forced public swimming pools to close, along with many other recreational businesses, leaving Americans with limited options.
Industry officials say the hiatus has been a boon for companies that install and maintain backyard pools, which have been allowed to continue operating as essential providers. And bored Americans by the thousands responded by flooding builders with calls.
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"Because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated there's no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs, there's a sense of security," Sabeena Hickman, president and CEO of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, told UPI. "[That's] as long as the pool or hot tub is properly maintained and disinfected."
HIckman said the demand has been aided during the pandemic by "health and well-being benefits" of pools and hot tubs.
Pool Corp., a Louisiana-based company that calls itself the world's largest distributor of supplies, was one of the first to note the surge. After sales sagged in the first few weeks of the health crisis, it said, demand soared.
CEO Peter Arvan said last month that sales of supplies like chemicals, filters and pumps were "trending favorably" compared with early 2019 and was benefiting from "strong demand."
"Increased demand for these products demonstrates positive pool ownership trends [post-COVID-19]," he said.
More evidence of growing demand emerged in a survey of the top 50 U.S. builders by Pool and Spa News, which found 86 percent of builders have reported an increase in potential sales this year over last. More than 40 percent said they expect an uptick in pool building.
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Nationwide, pool dealers have been swamped with new business, and pools have sold out at retailers like Home Depot and Lowe's. Metro Pools in Kinnelon, N.J., said it fielded 1,000 pricing requests this spring -- compared to an average of 30 pools it builds over an entire season.
A recent survey showed that 40 percent of Pool & Hot Tub Alliance builders said April sales were up 10 percent or more over 2019. Nearly half projected an increase of at least 10 percent in summer revenue, and more than half expected more total sales revenue for 2020 -- particularly for above-ground pools.
"Many families, especially those with smaller back yards and shorter summers, are opting for an above-ground pool so that they can enjoy many of the benefits ... on a smaller budget," Hickman noted.
Whether the demand spike will shape the long-term fortunes of the industry -- especially once the health crisis ends and other entertainment options return -- is a question that cannot be answered.
"While we don't have a crystal ball, there's something to be said about the security of the 'staycation.'" Hickman said. "Google retail reports show significant upticks in searches for swimming pools, pool equipment and pool toys.
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"While the demographics haven't changed, the behavior has shifted. But for how long is hard to predict."
World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-06-25--Trump sanctions Iranian oil tanker captains for aiding Venezuela

June 24 ( UPI ) -- The Trump administration has sanctioned the captains of five tankers for shipping Iranian gasoline to Venezuela , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said , as the United States continues to pressure both adversary nations .
In a statement Wednesday , the United States ' top diplomat accused the five Iranian ship captains of delivering some 1.5 million barrels of Iranian gasoline and related components to the South American nation in support of its embattled president , Nicolas Maduro .
The five men -- Ali Danaei Kenarsari , Mohsen Gohardehi , Alireza Rahnavard , Reza @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added to the Treasury 's Specially Designated National and Blocked Persons List , barring U.S. citizens from doing business with them and freezing all their U.S. assets .
`` As a result of today 's sanctions , these captains ' assets will be blocked .
Their careers and prospects will suffer from this designation , '' Pompeo said .
`` Mariners who are considering work with Iran and Venezuela should understand that aiding these oppressive regimes is simply not worth the risk . ''
The Trump administration has repeatedly imposed sanctions against both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to coerce Tehran back to the negotiating table over a new nuclear deal .
Maduro has been continuously squeezed diplomatically and financially by the United States since his 2018 re-election was deemed illegitimate early last year , but he has managed to cling to power with the support of Russia , Cuba , China and Iran .
Iran , the Treasury said , has plans of shipping more oil to Caracas in the months to come despite its people suffering under fuel supply rationing `` due to the Iranian regime 's corruption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` The rogue regimes in Caracas and Tehran are unified by their penchant for repressing their people , corruption , self-enrichment and gross mismanagement of their peoples ' wealth , '' Pompeo said .
Pompeo accused Maduro of squandering Venezuela 's abundant natural resources to the point of needing assistance from Iran while he chastised the Middle Eastern country 's support of Caracas as wasting its peoples ' resources on `` ill-conceived foreign adventurism that prolongs suffering abroad . ''
The United States leads a coalition of some 60 mostly Western nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim to the interim presidency of Venezuela in the push to oust the socialist regime in favor of a democratic government .
`` We will continue to support the National Assembly , interim president Guaido and the Venezuelan people in their quest to restore democracy , '' Pompeo told reporters later Wednesday .
Venezuela has repeatedly threatened to file charges against the United States with the International Criminal Court over its imposing sanctions , calling them illegal and crimes against humanity .
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza reiterated such claims on Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the ICC .
`` In an outburst of arrogance , [ Pompeo ] announces sanctions against the Iranian ship captains that delivered gasoline to Venezuela .
More evidence of the hatred of Trump 's hawks against ALL Venezuelans , regardless of their political positions , '' Arreaza tweeted .
Abbas Mousavi , the spokesman for Iran 's foreign ministry , tweeted that the sanctions signal the `` miserable failure '' of the Trump administration 's so-called maximum pressure campaign it began when President Donald Trump pulled the United States out from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of negotiating a new deal aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon .
`` Despite U.S. pressure , Iran & Venezuela remain steadfast in countering unlawful American sanctions , '' he said .

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced sanctions Wednesday imposed against five Iranian ship captains for shipping oil to Venezuela. Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI | License Photo
June 24 (UPI) -- The Trump administration has sanctioned the captains of five tankers for shipping Iranian gasoline to Venezuela, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, as the United States continues to pressure both adversary nations. In a statement Wednesday, the United States' top diplomat accused the five Iranian ship captains of delivering some 1.5 million barrels of Iranian gasoline and related components to the South American nation in support of its embattled president, Nicolas Maduro. Advertisement
The five men -- Ali Danaei Kenarsari, Mohsen Gohardehi, Alireza Rahnavard, Reza Vaziri and Yahya Zadeh -- have been added to the Treasury's Specially Designated National and Blocked Persons List, barring U.S. citizens from doing business with them and freezing all their U.S. assets.
"As a result of today's sanctions, these captains' assets will be blocked. Their careers and prospects will suffer from this designation," Pompeo said. "Mariners who are considering work with Iran and Venezuela should understand that aiding these oppressive regimes is simply not worth the risk."
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The Trump administration has repeatedly imposed sanctions against both countries to force Maduro to step down and to coerce Tehran back to the negotiating table over a new nuclear deal.
Maduro has been continuously squeezed diplomatically and financially by the United States since his 2018 re-election was deemed illegitimate early last year, but he has managed to cling to power with the support of Russia, Cuba, China and Iran.
Iran, the Treasury said, has plans of shipping more oil to Caracas in the months to come despite its people suffering under fuel supply rationing "due to the Iranian regime's corruption, mismanagement and global malign activities."
"The rogue regimes in Caracas and Tehran are unified by their penchant for repressing their people, corruption, self-enrichment and gross mismanagement of their peoples' wealth," Pompeo said.
Pompeo accused Maduro of squandering Venezuela's abundant natural resources to the point of needing assistance from Iran while he chastised the Middle Eastern country's support of Caracas as wasting its peoples' resources on "ill-conceived foreign adventurism that prolongs suffering abroad."
The United States leads a coalition of some 60 mostly Western nations backing opposition leader Juan Guaido's self-appointed claim to the interim presidency of Venezuela in the push to oust the socialist regime in favor of a democratic government.
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"We will continue to support the National Assembly, interim president Guaido and the Venezuelan people in their quest to restore democracy," Pompeo told reporters later Wednesday.
Venezuela has repeatedly threatened to file charges against the United States with the International Criminal Court over its imposing sanctions, calling them illegal and crimes against humanity.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza reiterated such claims on Wednesday, calling the new sanctions "elements" for the ICC.
"In an outburst of arrogance, [Pompeo] announces sanctions against the Iranian ship captains that delivered gasoline to Venezuela. More evidence of the hatred of Trump's hawks against ALL Venezuelans, regardless of their political positions," Arreaza tweeted.
Abbas Mousavi, the spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry, tweeted that the sanctions signal the "miserable failure" of the Trump administration's so-called maximum pressure campaign it began when President Donald Trump pulled the United States out from a multination nuclear deal in 2018 in hopes of negotiating a new deal aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
"Despite U.S. pressure, Iran & Venezuela remain steadfast in countering unlawful American sanctions," he said.


upi--2020-06-25--U.S. COVID-19 death toll likely to hit 150K in July, CDC cautions

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President Donald Trump meets with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in the Oval Office on May 7. After months of phased reopenings, Abbott paused plans during an uptick in coronavirus cases in Texas. File Photo by Doug Mills/UPI | License Photo
June 25 (UPI) -- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott halted all elected medical procedures and paused further business reopenings Thursday, one day after the state recorded a 24-hour high for new coronavirus cases. Texas is one of several states experiencing an uptick in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations as the United States begins to loosen restrictions on non-essential businesses and workers. The state reported 5,551 new infections Wednesday, a record. Advertisement
Coronavirus-related hospitalizations in the state increased for the 13th-straight day Wednesday, with 4,389 patients seeking treatment statewide. That number increased by nearly 300 from the day before and tripled since Memorial Day.
"As we experience an increase in both positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, we are focused on strategies that slow the spread of this virus while also allowing Texans to continue earning a paycheck to support their families," Abbott said in a statement Thursday.
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"The last thing we want to do as a state is go backwards and close down businesses."
Texas never declared a statewide stay-at-home order like New York and Michigan. Instead, Abbott left it to individual counties to have control over certain restrictions on non-essential businesses and activities.
The governor, did, however, begin issuing statewide orders to reopen the economy in late April, superseding local orders.
Initially reluctant to allow cities and counties to require residents to wear face coverings, Abbott gave them permission last week and amid record increases this week began to encourage Texans to wear them.
"I ask all Texans to do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a mask, washing their hands regularly and socially distancing from others," he said Thursday.
Abbott's orders come the same day that U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials warned the true number of coronavirus cases in the country could be 10 times higher than reported.
Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the CDC, told reporters that more than 20 million may have been infected with the virus. According to Johns Hopkins University, the United States leads the world in both coronavirus infections and deaths at 2.4 million confirmed cases and more than 122,000 fatalities.
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"Our best estimate right now is that for every case that's reported, there actually are 10 other infections," he said.
The CDC on Wednesday predicted that the U.S. death toll from the pandemic will reach up to 150,000 by July 18.
The virus first emerged late December in the central Chinese city of Wuhan with the United States diagnosing its first cases in mid-January.
Comprising 20 individual national forecasts, the ensemble prediction shows new deaths reported over the next four weeks will likely surpass the number reported over the previous month in 13 states, including Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Hawaii, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah.
"For other states, the number of new deaths is expected to be similar to the number seen in the previous four weeks or to decrease slightly," the federal agency said.
The prediction was announced on the same day the CDC said there were at least 34,313 new COVID-19 cases recorded in the previous 24 hours -- the country's third-highest single-day total. However, Johns Hopkins had it at more than 34,700, placing it second to only April 24 when more than 36,400 cases were recorded.
The health departments of California, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma and South Carolina said Wednesday that they each recorded single-day highs over the previous 24 hours. Meanwhile, more than two dozen states are experiencing an upward trend in new infections, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
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California, which has the second-highest number of infections at 190,222, reported 7,149 new cases over Tuesday, which shattered its previous record of more than 5,500 set the day prior.
In Florida, health officials registered 5,508 new infections over the previous 24 hours, beating its record of 4,049 cases reported Friday. The state now has 109,014 cases.
Oklahoma also reported a 24-hour high of 482 new cases, lifting its total to 11,510. And South Carolina announced 1,291 new cases over Tuesday for a total of 27,842.
COVID-19 pandemic alters life in New York City