upi--2020-06-28--Mississippi votes to remove Confederate emblem from state flag

June 28 ( UPI ) -- Lawmakers in Mississippi voted to remove the Confederate insignia from the state 's flag on Sunday , forwarding the bill to the desk of Gov .
Tate Reeves who said he will sign it .
The legislation calling for the redesign of the Mississippi state flag and for the new flag to not include the Confederate battle emblem passed the state House 91-23 and the state Senate 37-14 on Sunday .
The flag with blue , white and red stripes and the Confederate emblem in its corner was adopted in 1894 and if Reeves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signs the legislation into law , the last remaining state flag to fly the Confederate symbol will be retired .
`` I thank my colleagues , constituents and the activists who fought so hard to bring about this historic moment , '' said Rep. Jeramey Anderson via Twitter on Sunday following the votes .
`` I thank those who came before us , who with courage and resolve nurtured the Civil Rights Movement that helped us to this day .
What a beautiful moment of unity . ''
The bill specifically calls for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state flag , and prescribes for it `` not include the design of the Confederate battle flag '' but to include the words `` in God we trust . ''
The commission is to submit its recommendation on a new design by Sept. 14 and it will then be placed on the ballot in a special election to be held on Nov. 3 .
The Confederate emblem on the state 's flag has long been a source of controversy , but debate over it resumed in the legislature following the police-involved death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of nationwide protests against police brutality and racial inequality .
Floyd , a black man , was killed late last month while being pinned to the ground for more than eight minutes by the knee of a white police officer .
Amid the protests , demonstrators have demanded for statues and symbols honoring those of the Confederacy to be removed as critics say they celebrate slavery .
In the past few weeks , several such statues have been torn down by protesters or removed by politicians .
Earlier this month , the NCAA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being held in states that fly the Confederate flag and Walmart said it would no longer display the flag at its Mississippi locations .
Reeves said in a statement that he would sign the bill after it is sent to him , stating that what needs to occur now is for the state to heal .
`` It will be harder than recovering from tornadoes , harder than historic floods , harder than agency corruption or prison riots or the coming hurricane season -- even harder than battling the coronavirus , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a better future for my kids and yours , we must find a way to come together .
To heal our wounds , to forgive , to resolve that the page has been turned , to trust each other . ''

The House and Senate in Mississippi on Sunday voted to create a commission to design a new state flag, effectively retiring the nation's last state flag to fly the Confederate emblem. Photo by Tony Webster/ Flickr
June 28 (UPI) -- Lawmakers in Mississippi voted to remove the Confederate insignia from the state's flag on Sunday, forwarding the bill to the desk of Gov. Tate Reeves, who said he will sign it. The legislation calling for the redesign of the Mississippi state flag and for the new flag to not include the Confederate battle emblem passed the state House 91-23 and the state Senate 37-14 on Sunday. Advertisement
The flag with blue, white and red stripes and the Confederate emblem in its corner was adopted in 1894. If Reeves, a Republican, signs the legislation into law, the last remaining state flag to fly the Confederate symbol will be retired.
"I thank my colleagues, constituents and the activists who fought so hard to bring about this historic moment," Rep. Jeramey Anderson, a Democrat, said via Twitter on Sunday following the votes. "I thank those who came before us, who with courage and resolve nurtured the Civil Rights Movement that helped us to this day. What a beautiful moment of unity."
The bill specifically calls for the establishment of a commission to redesign the state flag and prescribes that it "not include the design of the Confederate battle flag" but to include the words "in God we trust." The commission is to submit its recommendation on a new design by Sept. 14. It will then be placed on the ballot in a special election to be held Nov. 3.
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The Confederate emblem on the flag has long been a source of controversy, but debate over it resumed in the legislature following the police-involved death of George Floyd, which ignited weeks of nationwide protests against police brutality and racial inequality.
Floyd, a black man, died on Memorial Day while being pinned to the ground for more than eight minutes by the knee of a white police officer in Minneapolis.
Amid the protests, demonstrators have demanded statues and symbols honoring those of the Confederacy to be removed as critics say they celebrate slavery.
In the past few weeks, several such statues have been torn down by protesters or removed by politicians.
Earlier this month, the NCAA board of governors banned championship events from being held in states that fly the Confederate flag and Walmart said it would no longer display the flag at its Mississippi locations.
Reeves said in a statement that he would sign the bill after it is sent to him, stating that what needs to occur now is for the state to heal.
"It will be harder than recovering from tornadoes, harder than historic floods, harder than agency corruption or prison riots or the coming hurricane season -- even harder than battling the coronavirus," he said. "For economic prosperity and for a better future for my kids and yours, we must find a way to come together. To heal our wounds, to forgive, to resolve that the page has been turned, to trust each other."
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upi--2020-07-01--Astronomers find first exposed planetary core 730 light-years from Earth

July 1 ( UPI ) -- For the first time , scientists have found an exposed planetary core .
The discovery -- published Wednesday in the journal Nature -- could offer astronomers new insights into the interiors of planets .
Earth 's core remains a source of many scientific mysteries , and planetary scientists know even less about the cores of Earth 's neighbors .
To understand planetary formation and evolution , researchers need to know more about the inside of planets .
For obvious reason , planetary cores are difficult to study .
Now , scientists have found a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they said .
Researchers estimate the core , located 730 light-years from Earth , once formed the interior of a gas giant .
It 's possible the gas giant 's growth was stunted during its infancy , but researchers suspect it 's more likely the gas giant had its outer layers stripped away over billions of years .
The planetary core , named TOI-849 b , is too big to be a rocky planet , researchers say .
David Armstrong , lead researcher on the study , told UPI that researchers concluded the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas giant based on its size and an expectation it underwent `` runaway gas accretion , '' a process of accumulating gas and growing even bigger .
`` For such massive planets , gases like hydrogen and helium fall onto the forming planet very quickly , until the planet becomes something like Jupiter , '' said Armstrong , an astrophysicist at the University of Warwick .
`` It 's very difficult to make a planet as massive and dense as TOI-849 b without it becoming a gas giant . ''
But if TOI-849 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its gas layers are now nowhere to be found , researchers say .
Scientists suspect they were expelled during an unusually violent period of planetary evolution .
`` This could be because it collided with another planet toward the end of its formation , or later ventured too close to its host star and was stripped of its atmosphere , '' Armstrong said .
`` An alternative is that the planet got stuck while forming , building up a core but failing to collect the gas we would normally expect .
That can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large gap in the disk of material it forms from , which is easier to do very close to the star . ''
The planetary core enjoys an extremely intimate orbit , completing a lap around its sun once every 18 hours .
Its surface is a scorching 1,800 degrees Kelvin .
The core is located in what 's called the `` Neptunian desert , '' as large planets are rarely found so close to their host stars .
`` It suggests that the planet had a more unusual history , which supports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planetary impact or tidal disruption by the host star , '' Armstrong said .
Astronomers first spotted the planetary core using data collected by NASA 's TESS mission .
`` We see small dips in the brightness of the star as the planet blocks some of the light reaching Earth , '' Armstrong said .
`` We followed up the discovery using the HARPS spectrograph at the European Southern Observatory , trying to measure the mass of the planet using the 'doppler technique , ' where we measure the movement of the host @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To better understand how such a big , dense core ended up without gas layers and so close to its host stars , scientists need to acquire more detailed observations , Armstrong said .
`` We are trying to measure the alignment of the planet 's orbit with the spin of its host star , which will help us work out what its past evolution was , '' Armstrong said .
`` In the longer term , we would like to measure the constituents of the planet 's atmosphere , but that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @

An artist's impression of the exposed planetary core. Photo by University of Warwick/Mark Garlick
July 1 (UPI) -- For the first time, scientists have found an exposed planetary core. The discovery -- published Wednesday in the journal Nature -- could offer astronomers new insights into the interiors of planets. Earth's core remains a source of many scientific mysteries, and planetary scientists know even less about the cores of Earth's neighbors. To understand planetary formation and evolution, researchers need to know more about the inside of planets. Advertisement
For obvious reason, planetary cores are difficult to study. Now, scientists have found a planetary core that is entirely exposed, they said.
Researchers estimate the core, located 730 light-years from Earth, once formed the interior of a gas giant. It's possible the gas giant's growth was stunted during its infancy, but researchers suspect it's more likely the gas giant had its outer layers stripped away over billions of years.
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The planetary core, named TOI-849 b, is too big to be a rocky planet, researchers say.
David Armstrong, lead researcher on the study, told UPI that researchers concluded the planetary core was the remains of a gas giant based on its size and an expectation it underwent "runaway gas accretion," a process of accumulating gas and growing even bigger.
"For such massive planets, gases like hydrogen and helium fall onto the forming planet very quickly, until the planet becomes something like Jupiter," said Armstrong, an astrophysicist at the University of Warwick. "It's very difficult to make a planet as massive and dense as TOI-849 b without it becoming a gas giant."
But if TOI-849 b was once a gas giant, its gas layers are now nowhere to be found, researchers say.
Scientists suspect they were expelled during an unusually violent period of planetary evolution.
"This could be because it collided with another planet toward the end of its formation, or later ventured too close to its host star and was stripped of its atmosphere," Armstrong said. "An alternative is that the planet got stuck while forming, building up a core but failing to collect the gas we would normally expect. That can happen if the core opens up a large gap in the disk of material it forms from, which is easier to do very close to the star."
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The planetary core enjoys an extremely intimate orbit, completing a lap around its sun once every 18 hours. Its surface is a scorching 1,800 degrees Kelvin.
The core is located in what's called the "Neptunian desert," as large planets are rarely found so close to their host stars.
"It suggests that the planet had a more unusual history, which supports a more aggressive past such as a planetary impact or tidal disruption by the host star," Armstrong said.
Astronomers first spotted the planetary core using data collected by NASA's TESS mission.
"We see small dips in the brightness of the star as the planet blocks some of the light reaching Earth," Armstrong said. "We followed up the discovery using the HARPS spectrograph at the European Southern Observatory, trying to measure the mass of the planet using the 'doppler technique,' where we measure the movement of the host star as the planet orbits."
To better understand how such a big, dense core ended up without gas layers and so close to its host stars, scientists need to acquire more detailed observations, Armstrong said.
"We are trying to measure the alignment of the planet's orbit with the spin of its host star, which will help us work out what its past evolution was," Armstrong said. "In the longer term, we would like to measure the constituents of the planet's atmosphere, but that will require next-generation telescopes to do."


upi--2020-07-01--Peacock inks deal with ViacomCBS, acquires 'Charmed,' 'Ray Donovan'

July 1 ( UPI ) -- NBCUniversal and ViacomCBS have come to terms on a deal to bring television shows such as the original Charmed and Ray Donovan to the Peacock streaming service .
The deal , which comes before Peacock 's national launch on July 15 , also includes films .
The Affair , Everybody Hates Chris , The Game , Undercover Boss , Real Husbands of Hollywood and more are also joining Peacock when it launches .
Charmed , however , will arrive on Peacock in October .
Each show will continue to be available on ViacomCBS platforms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Affair or for content that also appears on CBS All Access .
The Godfather trilogy , Catch Me If You Can , Old School , Seabiscuit , Fatal Attraction , The Firm , The Talented Mr. Ripley , Last Holiday , An Officer and a Gentleman , Patriot Games , American Beauty and more are coming to Peacock on the film side .
The films will stream in limited , exclusivity windows throughout 2021 , 2022 and 2023 .
More movies will be announced at a later date .
Peacock is available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launch on April 15 .
The streaming service will be the home of The Office and a Saved by the Bell revival .
`` We are truly excited to bring some of the most popular movies and series from across the ViacomCBS family of brands to Peacock , '' Frances Manfredi , president of content acquisition and strategy at Peacock said in a statement .
`` We continue to expand the Peacock catalog with premium programming from NBCUniversal and beyond ; partnering with companies like ViacomCBS to ensure that all of our viewers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available in the market today , '' she continued .

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Former "Charmed" star Alyssa Milano arrives on the red carpet at the 14th Annual UNICEF Snowflake Ball on November 2018. Peacock has inked a deal with ViacomCBS to have shows such as "Charmed" and "Ray Donovan" appear on the streaming service. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 1 (UPI) -- NBCUniversal and ViacomCBS have come to terms on a deal to bring television shows such as the original Charmed and Ray Donovan to the Peacock streaming service. The deal, which comes before Peacock's national launch on July 15, also includes films. Advertisement
The Affair, Everybody Hates Chris, The Game, Undercover Boss, Real Husbands of Hollywood and more are also joining Peacock when it launches. Charmed, however, will arrive on Peacock in October.
Each show will continue to be available on ViacomCBS platforms such as Showtime for Ray Donovan and The Affair or for content that also appears on CBS All Access.
The Godfather trilogy, Catch Me If You Can, Old School, Seabiscuit, Fatal Attraction, The Firm, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Last Holiday, An Officer and a Gentleman, Patriot Games, American Beauty and more are coming to Peacock on the film side.
The films will stream in limited, exclusivity windows throughout 2021, 2022 and 2023. More movies will be announced at a later date.
Peacock is available now for Comcast customers after a soft launch on April 15. The streaming service will be the home of The Office and a Saved by the Bell revival.
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"We are truly excited to bring some of the most popular movies and series from across the ViacomCBS family of brands to Peacock," Frances Manfredi, president of content acquisition and strategy at Peacock said in a statement.
"We continue to expand the Peacock catalog with premium programming from NBCUniversal and beyond; partnering with companies like ViacomCBS to ensure that all of our viewers can choose from the best entertainment options available in the market today," she continued.


upi--2020-07-01--Apple acquires Will Smith, Antoine Fuqua film 'Emancipation'

July 1 ( UPI ) -- Apple has acquired world rights to Will Smith and Antoine Fuqua 's film Emancipation .
The studio landed the new movie after bidding against Warner Bros. and other studios during the Cannes virtual market .
Deadline said the deal was the largest film festival acquisition in movie history .
Sources said the acquisition cost a net $ 105 million and will exceed $ 120 million when backend gross buyouts are factored in .
Emancipation will first open in theaters before premiering on Apple TV+ .
The new film is written by Willam N. Collage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fuqua ( Training Day ) .
The movie follows Peter , a runaway slave who makes a perilous journey North and ultimately joins the Union Army .
Emancipation is based on the true story of Gordon , known as `` Whipped Peter , '' a former slave .
Photos of his back , which was scarred from a whipping during his enslavement , were published in 1863 , prompting many free Blacks to join the Union Army .
Smith and Fuqua will co-produce the film with James Lassiter , Jon Mone , Todd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-executive produce with Cliff Roberts .
In May , Apple acquired the rights to Martin Scorsese 's upcoming film Killers of the Flower Moon .
The studio also has Greyhound , starring Tom Hanks , which premieres July 10 on Apple TV+ .

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Apple landed "Emancipation," a new movie starring Will Smith and directed by Antoine Fuqua about a runaway slave. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
July 1 (UPI) -- Apple has acquired world rights to Will Smith and Antoine Fuqua's film Emancipation. The studio landed the new movie after bidding against Warner Bros. and other studios during the Cannes virtual market. Advertisement
Deadline said the deal was the largest film festival acquisition in movie history. Sources said the acquisition cost a net $105 million and will exceed $120 million when backend gross buyouts are factored in.
Emancipation will first open in theaters before premiering on Apple TV+.
The new film is written by Willam N. Collage, stars Smith and is directed by Fuqua (Training Day). The movie follows Peter, a runaway slave who makes a perilous journey North and ultimately joins the Union Army.
Emancipation is based on the true story of Gordon, known as "Whipped Peter," a former slave. Photos of his back, which was scarred from a whipping during his enslavement, were published in 1863, prompting many free Blacks to join the Union Army.
Smith and Fuqua will co-produce the film with James Lassiter, Jon Mone, Todd Black and Joey McFarland. Fuqua will co-executive produce with Cliff Roberts.
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In May, Apple acquired the rights to Martin Scorsese's upcoming film Killers of the Flower Moon. The studio also has Greyhound, starring Tom Hanks, which premieres July 10 on Apple TV+.


upi--2020-07-01--Liverpool stars likely to play against Manchester City despite Premier League title win

July 1 ( UPI ) -- Liverpool 's soccer stars are still expected to take the field against Manchester City Thursday in Manchester , England , despite the Reds ' cemented position as Premier League champions .
The Reds claimed the Premier League crown last Thursday when second-place City lost to Chelsea .
The Sky Blues will honor the Reds before Thursday 's game at Etihad Stadium but Reds manager Jurgen Klopp said his squad will play to win .
`` We take it , it 's a nice gesture , 100 percent , '' Klopp told reporters Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be honest , because we go there and want to play a football game and either way we want to win the football game .
`` I do n't celebrate things what happened a week before or stuff like that .
Again , it 's a nice gesture but that 's it pretty much . ''
Liverpool and Manchester City will face off at 3:15 p.m. EDT Thursday in Manchester .
The game will air on NBCSN and at NBCSports.com .
Mohamed Salah , Virgil van Dijk , Sadio Mane , Roberto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andy Robertson were among the Reds stars who took part in training Tuesday at Melwood Training Ground in Liverpool .
`` You can not defend City if you do n't play an intense game , '' Klopp said .
`` I think it 's difficult to defend us if you do n't play an intense game .
So that already makes clear how this game will be . ''
The Reds lead the Sky Blues by 23 points in the Premier League standings .
Liverpool still can beat the Sky Blues ' record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was set in 2017-2018 .
The Reds have 28 wins with seven games remaining .
Liverpool can also break the Sky Blues ' record for the most points in a season ( 100 ) with 14 points from a possible 21 points remaining .
Reds players also still eye several individual accomplishments like goal and assist totals .
The Sky Blues were the Premier League champions last season and in 2017-2018 .
`` In sports you have to prove [ yourself ] every time , '' Sky Blues manager Pep Guardiola said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are doing but the past is the past .
`` What we have done remains in our soul and memories . ''
BetOnline.AG and Caesars have the Sky Blues as a favorite to beat the Reds .
Liverpool 's next game will be against Aston Villa at 11:30 p.m. EDT Sunday at Anfield in Liverpool .
City has a battle against Southampton at 2 p.m. EDT Sunday at St. Mary 's Stadium in Southampton .

Liverpool's head coach Jurgen Klopp (L) is expected to keep star players like Mohamed Salah (R) in the Reds' lineup for a clash against Manchester City Thursday in Manchester, England. Photo by Peter Powell/EPA-EFE
July 1 (UPI) -- Liverpool's soccer stars are still expected to take the field against Manchester City Thursday in Manchester, England, despite the Reds' cemented position as Premier League champions. The Reds claimed the Premier League crown last Thursday when second-place City lost to Chelsea. The Sky Blues will honor the Reds before Thursday's game at Etihad Stadium but Reds manager Jurgen Klopp said his squad will play to win. Advertisement
"We take it, it's a nice gesture, 100 percent," Klopp told reporters Wednesday. "I wouldn't need it, to be honest, because we go there and want to play a football game and either way we want to win the football game.
"I don't celebrate things what happened a week before or stuff like that. Again, it's a nice gesture but that's it pretty much."
Liverpool and Manchester City will face off at 3:15 p.m. EDT Thursday in Manchester. The game will air on NBCSN and at NBCSports.com.
Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Andy Robertson were among the Reds stars who took part in training Tuesday at Melwood Training Ground in Liverpool.
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"You cannot defend City if you don't play an intense game," Klopp said. "I think it's difficult to defend us if you don't play an intense game. So that already makes clear how this game will be."
The Reds lead the Sky Blues by 23 points in the Premier League standings. Liverpool still can beat the Sky Blues' record of 32 wins in a season, which was set in 2017-2018. The Reds have 28 wins with seven games remaining. Liverpool can also break the Sky Blues' record for the most points in a season (100) with 14 points from a possible 21 points remaining. Reds players also still eye several individual accomplishments like goal and assist totals.
The Sky Blues were the Premier League champions last season and in 2017-2018.
"In sports you have to prove [yourself] every time," Sky Blues manager Pep Guardiola said. "We are satisfied with what we are doing but the past is the past.
"What we have done remains in our soul and memories."
BetOnline.AG and Caesars have the Sky Blues as a favorite to beat the Reds.
Liverpool's next game will be against Aston Villa at 11:30 p.m. EDT Sunday at Anfield in Liverpool. City has a battle against Southampton at 2 p.m. EDT Sunday at St. Mary's Stadium in Southampton.
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upi--2020-07-01--ADP-Moody's: U.S. added 2.4 million jobs in June

July 1 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. economy added 2.4 million jobs during the month of June , ADP and Moody 's Analytics said in their monthly report Wednesday .
The firms said private payrolls grew by 2.37 million last month , just under the 2.5 million most analysts are predicting .
Small businesses led the gains , with 937,000 .
Those with fewer than 20 employees added 574,000 and companies with between 20 and 50 workers added 363,000 .
Larger businesses , with 500 employees or more , added 873,000 jobs in June and those with more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 559,000 .
`` Small business hiring picked up in the month of June , '' Ahu Yildirmaz , vice president and co-head of the ADP Research Institute , said in a statement .
`` As the economy slowly continues to recover , we are seeing a significant rebound in industries that once experienced the greatest job losses .
`` In fact , 70 percent of the jobs added [ in June ] were in the leisure and hospitality , trade and construction industries . ''
Leisure and hospitality added 961,000 jobs and construction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added 288,000 .
The companies/enterprises management sector lost 29,000 jobs last month and natural resources/mining shed 26,000 .
ADP and Moody 's also noted a significant revision to their May report -- changing an initially reported loss of 2.7 million jobs into a gain of nearly 3.1 million for the month .
`` Our objective here is to predict the [ Labor Department ] number with the ADP data and to do that as accurately as possible , '' said Moody 's Chief Economist Mark Zandi .
`` You ca n't glean from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the labor market . ''
The Labor Department will issue its June jobs report on Thursday , a day earlier than usual because Friday is a federal holiday .
Last month , the department stunned Wall Street by reporting a growth of 2.5 million jobs for May when analysts were projecting a loss of between 7 and 8 million .

Harry's Bar and Restaurant is seen on May 29 after it reopened following weeks of closure, due to the coronavirus pandemic, in downtown Washington, D.C., just a few blocks from the White House. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo
July 1 (UPI) -- The U.S. economy added 2.4 million jobs during the month of June, ADP and Moody's Analytics said in their monthly report Wednesday. The firms said private payrolls grew by 2.37 million last month, just under the 2.5 million most analysts are predicting. Advertisement
Small businesses led the gains, with 937,000. Those with fewer than 20 employees added 574,000 and companies with between 20 and 50 workers added 363,000.
Larger businesses, with 500 employees or more, added 873,000 jobs in June and those with more than 1,000 gained 772,000. Medium-size companies added 559,000.
"Small business hiring picked up in the month of June," Ahu Yildirmaz, vice president and co-head of the ADP Research Institute, said in a statement. "As the economy slowly continues to recover, we are seeing a significant rebound in industries that once experienced the greatest job losses.
"In fact, 70 percent of the jobs added [in June] were in the leisure and hospitality, trade and construction industries."
Leisure and hospitality added 961,000 jobs and construction accounted for 394,000. The trade/transportation/utilities sector added 288,000.
The companies/enterprises management sector lost 29,000 jobs last month and natural resources/mining shed 26,000.
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ADP and Moody's also noted a significant revision to their May report -- changing an initially reported loss of 2.7 million jobs into a gain of nearly 3.1 million for the month.
"Our objective here is to predict the [Labor Department] number with the ADP data and to do that as accurately as possible," said Moody's Chief Economist Mark Zandi. "You can't glean from that that something positive is happening in the labor market."
The Labor Department will issue its June jobs report on Thursday, a day earlier than usual because Friday is a federal holiday. Last month, the department stunned Wall Street by reporting a growth of 2.5 million jobs for May when analysts were projecting a loss of between 7 and 8 million.
World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-07-01--U.S. military chief in South Korea dismisses troop withdrawal reports

July 1 ( UPI ) -- U.S .
Forces Korea commander Gen. Robert Abrams said Wednesday there are no plans for the United States to withdraw its troops from South Korea amid speculation about defense cost sharing and the status of troops on the peninsula .
Speaking at a forum organized by the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation , Abrams said any statements on reducing the U.S. military presence in South Korea are `` wildly speculative , '' Yonhap and The Hankyoreh reported .
Abrams said the United States maintains solidarity with South Korea and has a commitment to defend the South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement comes after former White House national security adviser John Bolton said in his memoir , The Room Where It Happened , that President Donald Trump had threatened to pull out all 28,500 troops from South Korea more than once .
Trump has demanded a five-fold increase in payments from South Korea , but Seoul has said the cost hikes can not be justified .
Speculation has also been rising in South Korea since U.S. plans to pull out about 30 percent of its troops from Germany were confirmed in June .
Former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had said Trump made it clear he wants U.S. troops to return from South Korea and Japan .
On Wednesday , Abrams also addressed the issue of transfer of wartime operational control to South Korea from the United States , known as OPCON .
Abrams said at the forum the two militaries made progress in 2019 in evaluating OPCON .
He also said there is still work to be done to fully meet the standards of a transfer .
The U.S. commander said North Korea 's missile threat is evolving , and missile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ THAAD and Aegis Ashore are important systems of deterrence .
`` I believe North Korea will continue to test and refine asymmetrical capability .
We should continue to hold them accountable in accordance with standing policies and procedures , '' Abrams said .
Troops should maintain a ready to `` fight tonight '' posture on the peninsula , Abrams added .
Last month the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said North Korea has in its possession 30 to 40 nuclear weapons .

South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-Doo (L) and U.S. Forces Korea commander Gen. Robert Abrams (R, front), salute their national flags at the sixth Korea-U.S. alliance forum at the defense ministry's convention center in Seoul on Wednesday. Photo by Yonhap/EPA-EFE
July 1 (UPI) -- U.S. Forces Korea commander Gen. Robert Abrams said Wednesday there are no plans for the United States to withdraw its troops from South Korea amid speculation about defense cost sharing and the status of troops on the peninsula. Speaking at a forum organized by the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation, Abrams said any statements on reducing the U.S. military presence in South Korea are "wildly speculative," Yonhap and The Hankyoreh reported. Advertisement
Abrams said the United States maintains solidarity with South Korea and has a commitment to defend the South, according to Hankyoreh.
Abrams' statement comes after former White House national security adviser John Bolton said in his memoir, The Room Where It Happened, that President Donald Trump had threatened to pull out all 28,500 troops from South Korea more than once. Trump has demanded a five-fold increase in payments from South Korea, but Seoul has said the cost hikes cannot be justified.
Speculation has also been rising in South Korea since U.S. plans to pull out about 30 percent of its troops from Germany were confirmed in June. Former U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell had said Trump made it clear he wants U.S. troops to return from South Korea and Japan.
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On Wednesday, Abrams also addressed the issue of transfer of wartime operational control to South Korea from the United States, known as OPCON.
Abrams said at the forum the two militaries made progress in 2019 in evaluating OPCON. He also said there is still work to be done to fully meet the standards of a transfer.
The U.S. commander said North Korea's missile threat is evolving, and missile defense including the surface-to-air Patriot missiles, THAAD and Aegis Ashore are important systems of deterrence.
"I believe North Korea will continue to test and refine asymmetrical capability. We should continue to hold them accountable in accordance with standing policies and procedures," Abrams said.
Troops should maintain a ready to "fight tonight" posture on the peninsula, Abrams added.
Last month the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said North Korea has in its possession 30 to 40 nuclear weapons.


upi--2020-07-01--Owner searching for escaped exotic cat in Oklahoma

July 1 ( UPI ) -- An Oklahoma woman is asking members of the public to keep an eye out @ @ @ @ @ her Savannah cat , a hybrid between an African serval and a domestic cat , @ @ @ @ @ Samantha Lawler said the large cat , named Dayo , broke free from her harness @ @ @ @ @ yard in Muskogee on Tuesday .
`` This has happened one other time , but @ @ @ @ @ , '' Lawler told the Muskogee Phoenix .
`` That 's why I think something @ @ @ @ @ the dogs in the other yard or something , because she typically stays around .
@ @ @ @ @ one time and she stayed right there . ''
Lawler is asking members of the @ @ @ @ @ out for Dayo , but she is warning residents not to approach the feline , @ @ @ @ @ and not friendly to strangers .

An Oklahoma woman is warning neighbors not to approach her Savannah cat -- a hybrid of an African serval and a domestic cat -- after the feline escaped from her yard. Photo by skeeze/Pixabay.com
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe July 1 (UPI) -- An Oklahoma woman is asking members of the public to keep an eye out for an exotic feline after her Savannah cat, a hybrid between an African serval and a domestic cat, escaped from her yard. Samantha Lawler said the large cat, named Dayo, broke free from her harness and escaped from Lawler's yard in Muskogee on Tuesday. Advertisement
"This has happened one other time, but she stayed in the yard," Lawler told the Muskogee Phoenix. "That's why I think something spooked her, one of the dogs in the other yard or something, because she typically stays around. She's only gotten out one time and she stayed right there."
Lawler is asking members of the public to keep an eye out for Dayo, but she is warning residents not to approach the feline, as she is easily spooked and not friendly to strangers.


upi--2020-07-01--COVID-19 blood test may predict patient ventilator need

A blood test may predict which COVID-19 patients are likely to need a ventilator .
This finding could lead to a scoring system that would flag at-risk patients for closer monitoring and to personalized treatments .
It may also help explain how diabetes makes outcomes worse , according to researchers from the University of Virginia School of Medicine .
The study focused on 57 COVID-19 patients who needed a ventilator to breathe .
Researchers compared samples of their blood to that from patients who did not need a ventilator .
They found that blood levels of a certain cytokine are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cytokines are proteins that are central to the immune system overreaction known as a cytokine storm .
This overactive immune response is a hallmark of COVID-19 and some other illnesses .
`` The immune response that we discovered to predict severe shortness of breath in COVID-19 is known in other pulmonary diseases to cause damage , '' said researcher Dr. Bill Petri , chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health at UVA in Charlottesville .
`` So this could lead to a novel way to prevent respiratory failure in individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inhibiting this immune cytokine , '' he said in a university news release .
Petri said his team plans to test this in a model before considering a clinical trial .
Researchers also found higher levels of two cytokines in patients with high blood sugar .
They said this may explain why diabetes is linked with worse COVID-19 outcomes .
Though researchers linked two other cytokines to severe infection , they were less reliable predictors of the need for a ventilator .
According to Petri , the finding on cytokines sheds light on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection and may help doctors to develop immune therapy for COVID-19 .
Researchers shared their findings June 28 on the website medRxiv.org .
The study has not been peer-reviewed and should be considered preliminary .
For more on COVID-19 , visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

Researchers say a blood test could predict which COVID-19 patients need a ventilator. Pictured, healthcare professionals with Children's National Hospital collect samples for COVID-19 testing at Trinity Washington University in Washington, D.C., in April. Photo by Sarah Silbiger/UPI | License Photo
A blood test may predict which COVID-19 patients are likely to need a ventilator. This finding could lead to a scoring system that would flag at-risk patients for closer monitoring and to personalized treatments. It may also help explain how diabetes makes outcomes worse, according to researchers from the University of Virginia School of Medicine. Advertisement
The study focused on 57 COVID-19 patients who needed a ventilator to breathe. Researchers compared samples of their blood to that from patients who did not need a ventilator.
They found that blood levels of a certain cytokine are predictive of the course of COVID-19. Cytokines are proteins that are central to the immune system overreaction known as a cytokine storm. This overactive immune response is a hallmark of COVID-19 and some other illnesses.
"The immune response that we discovered to predict severe shortness of breath in COVID-19 is known in other pulmonary diseases to cause damage," said researcher Dr. Bill Petri, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health at UVA in Charlottesville.
"So this could lead to a novel way to prevent respiratory failure in individuals infected with the new coronavirus, by inhibiting this immune cytokine," he said in a university news release.
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Petri said his team plans to test this in a model before considering a clinical trial. Researchers also found higher levels of two cytokines in patients with high blood sugar. They said this may explain why diabetes is linked with worse COVID-19 outcomes.
Though researchers linked two other cytokines to severe infection, they were less reliable predictors of the need for a ventilator.
According to Petri, the finding on cytokines sheds light on how the immune system reacts to coronavirus infection and may help doctors to develop immune therapy for COVID-19.
Researchers shared their findings June 28 on the website medRxiv.org. The study has not been peer-reviewed and should be considered preliminary.
More information
For more on COVID-19, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-07-01--Listen: Katy Perry shares acoustic version of 'Daisies'

July 1 ( UPI ) -- Katy Perry has released an acoustic version of her single `` Daisies . ''
The 35-year-old singer shared the stripped-down version of the song Tuesday .
`` Daisies '' is the lead single from Perry 's forthcoming fifth studio album , known as KP5 .
She released the original version of the song in May .
Perry said on Instagram in May that `` Daisies '' has new meaning for her since the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) pandemic .
`` I wrote this song a couple months ago as a call to remain true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yourself , regardless of what others may think , '' she said .
`` Each one of us is one in more than seven billion , with our own story of strength and resilience to tell . ''
Perry released a dance remix of `` Daisies '' in June in honor of Pride month .
KP5 is slated for release Aug. 14 .
The album is Perry 's first since Witness , released in June 2017 .
`` I 'm going to put out a record this year , quarantined or not , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no coronavirus stop us from dancing , even if we 're dancing in our homes , '' she said during a Facebook Q & A in May .
Perry is expecting her first child with her fiancé , actor Orlando Bloom .
She announced in April that she is pregnant with a baby girl .

July 1 (UPI) -- Katy Perry has released an acoustic version of her single "Daisies."
The 35-year-old singer shared the stripped-down version of the song Tuesday.
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"Daisies" is the lead single from Perry's forthcoming fifth studio album, known as KP5. She released the original version of the song in May.
Perry said on Instagram in May that "Daisies" has new meaning for her since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
"I wrote this song a couple months ago as a call to remain true to the course you've set for yourself, regardless of what others may think," she said. "Each one of us is one in more than seven billion, with our own story of strength and resilience to tell."
Perry released a dance remix of "Daisies" in June in honor of Pride month.
KP5 is slated for release Aug. 14. The album is Perry's first since Witness, released in June 2017.
"I'm going to put out a record this year, quarantined or not, because we ain't gonna let no coronavirus stop us from dancing, even if we're dancing in our homes," she said during a Facebook Q&A in May.
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Perry is expecting her first child with her fiancé, actor Orlando Bloom. She announced in April that she is pregnant with a baby girl.
Moments from Katy Perry's music career


upi--2020-07-01--Pfizer, BioNTech: COVID-19 vaccine trial 'encouraging' so far

July 1 ( UPI ) -- An experimental COVID-19 vaccine under development by pharma giant Pfizer and U.S. firm BioNTech has proven effective at producing neutralizing antibodies , the companies announced Wednesday .
Pfizer and BioNTech said in a study that all 24 participants in an early-phase clinical trial who received lower dose levels of the vaccine candidate , BNT162b1 , generated antibodies against the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 .
Some of the antibodies were found to be `` neutralizing , '' or sufficiently powerful to halt the virus , the research states .
The level of `` neutropenia '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not yet known and must be determined in a larger safety and efficacy trial scheduled for July .
The BNT162 program is testing at least four experimental vaccines , each of which represents a unique combination of mRNA format and target antigen , the companies said .
`` We are encouraged by the clinical data of BNT162b1 , one of four mRNA constructs we are evaluating clinically , and for which we have positive , preliminary , topline findings , '' Kathrin Jansen , Pfizer head of vaccine research and development , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look forward to publishing our clinical data in a peer-reviewed journal as quickly as possible . ''
BioNTech CEO Ugur Sahin said the preliminary data is promising because the vaccine candidate activated antibody responses at least as robust as convalescent sera , which is the antibody collected from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 .
The companies said last month they 're preparing a large-scale rollout that will produce millions of vaccine doses this year , and hundreds of millions next year .
Other vaccine candidates have also shown early promise in fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inovio Pharmaceuticals and Moderna .
A potential vaccine in China was approved this week for immediate use by military personnel .

Pfizer said last month it's preparing to produce millions of doses of the potential vaccine, if it's ultimately successful at fighting COVID-19. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
July 1 (UPI) -- An experimental COVID-19 vaccine under development by pharma giant Pfizer and U.S. firm BioNTech has proven effective at producing neutralizing antibodies, the companies announced Wednesday. Pfizer and BioNTech said in a study that all 24 participants in an early-phase clinical trial who received lower dose levels of the vaccine candidate, BNT162b1, generated antibodies against the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Advertisement
Some of the antibodies were found to be "neutralizing," or sufficiently powerful to halt the virus, the research states.
The level of "neutropenia" necessary to provide immunity, however, is not yet known and must be determined in a larger safety and efficacy trial scheduled for July.
The BNT162 program is testing at least four experimental vaccines, each of which represents a unique combination of mRNA format and target antigen, the companies said.
"We are encouraged by the clinical data of BNT162b1, one of four mRNA constructs we are evaluating clinically, and for which we have positive, preliminary, topline findings," Kathrin Jansen, Pfizer head of vaccine research and development, said in a statement.
"We look forward to publishing our clinical data in a peer-reviewed journal as quickly as possible."
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BioNTech CEO Ugur Sahin said the preliminary data is promising because the vaccine candidate activated antibody responses at least as robust as convalescent sera, which is the antibody collected from patients who have recovered from COVID-19.
The companies said last month they're preparing a large-scale rollout that will produce millions of vaccine doses this year, and hundreds of millions next year.
Other vaccine candidates have also shown early promise in fighting COVID-19, including those begin developed by Inovio Pharmaceuticals and Moderna. A potential vaccine in China was approved this week for immediate use by military personnel.
World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-07-01--Official COVID-19 count may understimate deaths by 28 percent

July 1 ( UPI ) -- Official counts of COVID-19 cases in the United States may underestimate deaths by as much as 28 percent , according to an analysis published Wednesday by JAMA Internal Medicine .
From March 1 through May 30 , an estimated 122,300 Americans died after being infected with the new coronavirus , SARS-CoV-2 , the researchers said .
That 's higher than the Center for Disease Control and Prevention 's tally of 95,235 .
The difference is based on the researchers ' assessment of `` excess deaths '' across the country -- the actual number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same period for the previous five years .
`` There have been questions about whether the reported statistics overcount COVID-19 deaths , but our analyses suggest the opposite , '' study co-author Daniel Weinberger , an associate professor of epidemiology at Yale University School of Medicine , told UPI .
`` The number of reported COVID-19 deaths likely represents an undercount of the true burden caused by the virus . ''
Analyses of `` excess deaths '' have been used to estimate deaths caused by infectious diseases in the past , including pneumonia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Weinberger and his colleagues .
As of Wednesday morning , nearly 2.7 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with COVID-19 , and more than 127,000 have died , according to figures from Johns Hopkins University .
CDC officials acknowledged last week that the total number of people actually infected with COVID-19 may be 10 times higher than official estimates because many who are infected do n't experience symptoms and do n't know they have it .
For the study , researchers reviewed mortality data from the CDC 's National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected '' number of deaths for the period -- based on an average of totals for 2015-19 -- and compared it to the total for 2020 .
The period covers the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak so far in parts of the United States .
The excess deaths for the three-month period in 2020 could be attributed to COVID-19 , but may also be influenced by `` people avoiding care for emergency medical conditions , like heart attacks , '' as well as declines in certain categories of deaths , like car accidents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can provide useful information in addition to the traditional statistics that are based on laboratory testing , [ but ] the data need to be interpreted with caution , '' Weinberger said .
`` Looking at changes in deaths due to any cause provides a more complete picture of the epidemic . ''

Researchers say the number of deaths caused by COVID-19 may be undercounted by up to 28 percent. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 1 (UPI) -- Official counts of COVID-19 cases in the United States may underestimate deaths by as much as 28 percent, according to an analysis published Wednesday by JAMA Internal Medicine. From March 1 through May 30, an estimated 122,300 Americans died after being infected with the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, the researchers said. That's higher than the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's tally of 95,235. Advertisement
The difference is based on the researchers' assessment of "excess deaths" across the country -- the actual number of reported deaths compared to figures from the same period for the previous five years."
There have been questions about whether the reported statistics overcount COVID-19 deaths, but our analyses suggest the opposite," study co-author Daniel Weinberger, an associate professor of epidemiology at Yale University School of Medicine, told UPI.
"The number of reported COVID-19 deaths likely represents an undercount of the true burden caused by the virus."
Analyses of "excess deaths" have been used to estimate deaths caused by infectious diseases in the past, including pneumonia, the flu and HIV, according to Weinberger and his colleagues.
As of Wednesday morning, nearly 2.7 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with COVID-19, and more than 127,000 have died, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.
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CDC officials acknowledged last week that the total number of people actually infected with COVID-19 may be 10 times higher than official estimates because many who are infected don't experience symptoms and don't know they have it.
For the study, researchers reviewed mortality data from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics.They compared the "expected" number of deaths for the period -- based on an average of totals for 2015-19 -- and compared it to the total for 2020. The period covers the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak so far in parts of the United States.
The excess deaths for the three-month period in 2020 could be attributed to COVID-19, but may also be influenced by "people avoiding care for emergency medical conditions, like heart attacks," as well as declines in certain categories of deaths, like car accidents, Weinberger said.
"Excess deaths can provide useful information in addition to the traditional statistics that are based on laboratory testing, [but] the data need to be interpreted with caution," Weinberger said. "Looking at changes in deaths due to any cause provides a more complete picture of the epidemic."


upi--2020-07-01--John Prine named first honorary poet laureate for Illinois

July 1 ( UPI ) -- The late John Prine was named the first honorary poet laureate of the state of Illinois by Governor J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday .
Prine , who was born in Maywood , Illinois , is the first to receive the honorary designation which seeks to commemorate the music legend 's life and to celebrate his writing and musical contributions .
The state of Illinois is searching for a new poet laureate with the position not having been filed since 2017 .
Prine died in April at 73-years-old due to complications from the coronavirus .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be proud and delighted to receive this recognition from his home state of Illinois .
Although he had moved to Nashville in the early 1980s , he continued to visit Chicago , and Maywood in particular , to spend time with his family .
John continued to follow Chicago sports teams and had never found a hot dog , pizza or Italian beef sandwich to rival the originals .
Watching John , as I did many time , play to an Illinois audience was always thrilling .
A home boy delighting in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - some them family , longtime friends , old school buddies and neighbors , '' Prine 's wife , Fiona Whelan Prine , said in a statement .
`` John had a great respect for writers of all kinds .
He regarded poets as being among those whose work carried weight , relevance and elevated craft .
It is such an honor for me , our sons , and the entire Prine family to acknowledge that our beloved John will be named an honorary poet laureate of the state of Illinois .
Thank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wonderful recognition , '' she continued .

The late John Prine has been named the first honorary poet laureate of Illinois. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
July 1 (UPI) -- The late John Prine was named the first honorary poet laureate of the state of Illinois by Governor J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday. Prine, who was born in Maywood, Illinois, is the first to receive the honorary designation which seeks to commemorate the music legend's life and to celebrate his writing and musical contributions. Advertisement
The state of Illinois is searching for a new poet laureate with the position not having been filed since 2017.
Prine died in April at 73-years-old due to complications from the coronavirus.
"I have no doubt that John would be proud and delighted to receive this recognition from his home state of Illinois. Although he had moved to Nashville in the early 1980s, he continued to visit Chicago, and Maywood in particular, to spend time with his family. John continued to follow Chicago sports teams and had never found a hot dog, pizza or Italian beef sandwich to rival the originals. Watching John, as I did many time, play to an Illinois audience was always thrilling. A home boy delighting in the love and approval of his loyal fans - some them family, longtime friends, old school buddies and neighbors," Prine's wife, Fiona Whelan Prine, said in a statement.
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"John had a great respect for writers of all kinds. He regarded poets as being among those whose work carried weight, relevance and elevated craft. It is such an honor for me, our sons, and the entire Prine family to acknowledge that our beloved John will be named an honorary poet laureate of the state of Illinois. Thank you, Governor Pritzker, for this wonderful recognition," she continued.


upi--2020-07-01--Look: Heather Dubrow celebrates daughter Max's coming out

July 1 ( UPI ) -- Heather Dubrow is celebrating her daughter Max 's coming out as bisexual .
The 51-year-old television personality voiced her love for Max in an Instagram post Tuesday after the 16-year-old came out on social media .
`` I love you my beautiful , hilarious , amazing child !
I am SO proud to be your Mother ! ''
she captioned the post .
Max responded to her mom 's message in the comments .
`` HAHAH i love u mom !
!
!
thanks for being the best , most supportive mom in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had shared the picture on her own account earlier in the day .
`` i always knew i was bi , i just thought it was bipolar , '' the teenager wrote .
Max said in a Q & A on Instagram Stories that she is single .
She said she `` of course '' wants to get married in the future .
Max is Dubrow 's daughter with her husband , Terry Dubrow .
The couple have three other children : son Nicholas , who is Max 's twin , and daughters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new family photo while celebrating Mother 's Day in May .
`` Mother 's Day 2020 !
Mastering the self timer for my ONE family photo ( that NO ONE complained about !
!
! )
, '' she wrote .
`` The most thoughtful , amazing cards , memories , gratitude & flowers ! ''
She posted another slideshow with Terry Dubrow and their kids while celebrating Father 's Day in June .
Dubrow starred in Seasons 7-11 of the Bravo series The Real Housewives of Orange County .
Terry Dubrow and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Adrienne Maloof , are plastic surgeons who co-host the Bravo series Botched .

July 1 (UPI) -- Heather Dubrow is celebrating her daughter Max's coming out as bisexual.
The 51-year-old television personality voiced her love for Max in an Instagram post Tuesday after the 16-year-old came out on social media.
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Dubrow re-posted a photo that shows Max draped in a rainbow flag.
"I love you my beautiful, hilarious, amazing child! I am SO proud to be your Mother!" she captioned the post.
Max responded to her mom's message in the comments.
"HAHAH i love u mom!!! thanks for being the best, most supportive mom in the world," she said.
Max had shared the picture on her own account earlier in the day.
"i always knew i was bi, i just thought it was bipolar," the teenager wrote.
Max said in a Q&A on Instagram Stories that she is single. She said she "of course" wants to get married in the future.
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Max is Dubrow's daughter with her husband, Terry Dubrow. The couple have three other children: son Nicholas, who is Max's twin, and daughters Katarina and Collette.
Dubrow shared a new family photo while celebrating Mother's Day in May.
"Mother's Day 2020! Mastering the self timer for my ONE family photo (that NO ONE complained about!!!)," she wrote. "The most thoughtful, amazing cards, memories, gratitude & flowers!"
She posted another slideshow with Terry Dubrow and their kids while celebrating Father's Day in June.
"#fathersday #fathersday2020," the star wrote.
Dubrow starred in Seasons 7-11 of the Bravo series The Real Housewives of Orange County. Terry Dubrow and Paul Nassif, the ex-husband of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Adrienne Maloof, are plastic surgeons who co-host the Bravo series Botched.


upi--2020-07-01--Ron Rivera says Cam Newton 'ready to bust out' for Patriots

July 1 ( UPI ) -- Washington Redskins coach Ron Rivera says Cam Newton is `` ready to bust out '' this season for the New England Patriots .
Rivera -- who coached Newton with the Carolina Panthers from 2011 to 2019 -- made the comment Monday on 670 The Score .
Newton agreed to a one-year contract with the Patriots on Sunday after a long period of going unsigned in free agency .
`` He 's headed in the right direction , '' Rivera said of Newton .
`` I mean , he 's probably about as healthy as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on video .
I think he 's ready to bust out . ''
Newton , 31 , completed a career-high 67.9 percent of his throws for 3,395 yards , 24 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 14 starts for the Panthers in 2018 .
The 2015 NFL MVP also had 488 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns during that campaign , which was his last full season .
Newton appeared in just two games in 2019 due to a foot injury .
He also dealt with shoulder issues at the end of his tenure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never bet against the young man , that 's for sure , '' Rivera said .
Rivera also said he believes the coronavirus pandemic , which prevented teams from in-person workouts , was one of the reasons more teams did n't try to sign Newton .
The former Panthers star was also linked to the Los Angeles Chargers , Cleveland Browns and Rivera 's Redskins .
Newton has posted videos of himself at workouts throughout the off-season on social media .
He also has posted footage of himself throwing deep passes , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The three-time Pro Bowl selection posted a YouTube video on Monday titled `` Farewell Carolina , hello New England . ''
Newton said he was `` angry '' and felt `` let down '' by the way his tenure with the Panthers ended .
He also said he `` never wanted to leave Carolina '' and he only asked for a trade after the team decided the parties should part ways .
The Panthers released Newton on March 24 .

Cam Newton's former coach, Ron Rivera, thinks the former Carolina Panthers quarterback will excel in 2020 with the New England Patriots. File Photo by Derik Hamilton/UPI | License Photo
July 1 (UPI) -- Washington Redskins coach Ron Rivera says Cam Newton is "ready to bust out" this season for the New England Patriots. Rivera -- who coached Newton with the Carolina Panthers from 2011 to 2019 -- made the comment Monday on 670 The Score. Newton agreed to a one-year contract with the Patriots on Sunday after a long period of going unsigned in free agency. Advertisement
"He's headed in the right direction," Rivera said of Newton. "I mean, he's probably about as healthy as it gets from what I've seen on video. I think he's ready to bust out."
Newton, 31, completed a career-high 67.9 percent of his throws for 3,395 yards, 24 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 14 starts for the Panthers in 2018. The 2015 NFL MVP also had 488 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns during that campaign, which was his last full season. Newton appeared in just two games in 2019 due to a foot injury. He also dealt with shoulder issues at the end of his tenure with the Panthers.
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"I would never bet against the young man, that's for sure," Rivera said.
Rivera also said he believes the coronavirus pandemic, which prevented teams from in-person workouts, was one of the reasons more teams didn't try to sign Newton. The former Panthers star was also linked to the Los Angeles Chargers, Cleveland Browns and Rivera's Redskins.
Newton has posted videos of himself at workouts throughout the off-season on social media. He also has posted footage of himself throwing deep passes, an indicator that his shoulder is likely healthy. The three-time Pro Bowl selection posted a YouTube video on Monday titled "Farewell Carolina, hello New England."
Newton said he was "angry" and felt "let down" by the way his tenure with the Panthers ended. He also said he "never wanted to leave Carolina" and he only asked for a trade after the team decided the parties should part ways. The Panthers released Newton on March 24.


upi--2020-07-01--Watch live: NASA holds second spacewalk on historic mission

July 1 ( UPI ) -- NASA is conducting another spacewalk Wednesday , that will last up to seven hours , to replace aging batteries on the International Space Station .
The spacewalk began about 7:20 a.m. with live streaming video coverage .
NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Chris Cassidy braved the extreme conditions of outer space for the second time in six days .
Three hours into the spacewalk , NASA reported that Wednesday 's battery work was completed .
The astronauts started to prepare the outside of the space station for the next spacewalk later this month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The new batteries installed on Wednesday `` are up and running and storing power , '' a NASA spokesman said .
Behnken and astronaut Doug Hurley arrived at the space station May 31 as part of the historic return to human spaceflight from U.S. soil .
The mission marked the first time SpaceX carried people into space .
NASA extended the historic trip to space , which was originally a brief five-day demonstration , by months to ensure the battery replacement in a timely manner .
The battery replacements will `` put the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term , '' said Kenneth Todd , the space station 's manager for integration and operations , during a press conference leading up to the spacewalks .
`` I think it 's safe to say , barring any unforeseen type of failures , we will be good on batteries for a number of years to come , '' Todd said .
During their previous spacewalk on Friday , Behnken and Cassidy spent 6 hours , 7 minutes in space , working on battery replacement .
The space station is powered largely by solar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new batteries provide an improved and more efficient power capacity , according to NASA .
On Wednesday , Cassidy and Behnken removed an aging nickel-hydrogen battery , which was placed into an external storage unit .
They installed a new lithium-ion battery and then reroute electrical and ethernet wiring .
Early in Friday 's spacewalk , a small mirror detached from Cassidy 's spacesuit and floated away slowly -- joining millions of pieces of space trash circling the planet , usually at high speeds .
But NASA said the lost object posed no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ station .
Astronaut Hurley was on duty to help the spacewalkers in and out their spacesuits and monitor the outing .
Russian cosmonaut Ivan Vagner assisted the NASA trio .
As they plan and execute spacewalks , the astronauts on the space station also evaluate how the Dragon capsule functions while attached to the structure .
`` Dragon is generating more power than we predicted , so we should have 114 or more days '' in space , said Steve Stich , manager of NASA 's Commercial Crew Program , during the spacewalk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to Earth in a final test of SpaceX 's Crew Dragon capsule as early as Aug. 2 , Stich said .

1/2
An unidentified spacewalker's spacesuit gloves and camera are reflected in the helmet visor in this photo taken during a six-hour and seven-minute spacewalk by astronauts Bob Behnken and Chris Cassidy on June 26. Photo courtesy of NASA
July 1 (UPI) -- NASA concluded a spacewalk of 6 hours and 1 minute on Wednesday to replace aging batteries on the International Space Station. NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Chris Cassidy braved the extreme conditions of outer space for the second time in six days. Advertisement
Three hours into the spacewalk, which started around 7:20 a.m, NASA reported that Wednesday's battery work was completed. The astronauts also prepared the outside of the space station for the next spacewalk later this month, which is to replace more batteries.
The new batteries installed on Friday and Wednesday "are up and running and storing power," a NASA spokesman said.
Behnken and astronaut Doug Hurley arrived at the space station May 31 as part of the historic return to human spaceflight from U.S. soil. The mission marked the first time SpaceX carried people into space.
NASA extended the historic trip to space, which was originally a brief five-day demonstration, by months to ensure the battery replacement in a timely manner.
The battery replacements will "put the station in a much better configuration long term," said Kenneth Todd, the space station's manager for integration and operations, during a press conference leading up to the spacewalks.
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"I think it's safe to say, barring any unforeseen type of failures, we will be good on batteries for a number of years to come," Todd said.
During their previous spacewalk on Friday, Behnken and Cassidy spent 6 hours, 7 minutes in space, working on battery replacement.
The space station is powered largely by solar energy stored in the batteries. The new batteries provide an improved and more efficient power capacity, according to NASA.
On Wednesday, Cassidy and Behnken removed an aging nickel-hydrogen battery, which was placed into an external storage unit. They installed a new lithium-ion battery and then rerouted electrical and ethernet wiring.
Early in Friday's spacewalk, a small mirror detached from Cassidy's spacesuit and floated away slowly -- joining millions of pieces of space trash circling the planet, usually at high speeds. But NASA said the lost object posed no threat to the spacewalk or the space station.
Astronaut Hurley was on duty inside the space station to help the spacewalkers in and out of their spacesuits and monitor the outing. Russian cosmonaut Ivan Vagner assisted the NASA trio.
As they plan and execute spacewalks, the astronauts on the space station also evaluate how SpaceX's Dragon capsule functions while attached to the structure.
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"Dragon is generating more power than we predicted, so we should have 114 or more days" in space, said Steve Stich, manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, during the spacewalk press conference.
Hurley and Behnken could return to Earth in a final test of SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule as early as Aug. 2, Stich said.
Astronauts make round trip to space station from U.S. soil


upi--2020-07-01--Elton John announces 'Classic Concert Series' for YouTube

July 1 ( UPI ) -- Elton John announced on Wednesday he will be launching a new series on YouTube that will present classic concert footage .
Elton John : Classic Concert Series will premiere Friday at 12 p.m. EDT on the music legend 's official YouTube page .
The first episode will feature John 's 1976 Live at Playhouse Theatre performance from Edinburgh , Scotland .
John performed a number of hit songs at the concert including `` Rocket Man , '' `` Saturday Night 's Alright ( For Fighting ) , '' and `` Bennie and the Jets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ episode showcasing a different classic concert will then premiere every Saturday at 12 p.m. EDT for six weeks .
The series will raise funds for the Elton John AIDS Foundation in support of COVID-19 relief efforts .
`` My Foundation 's COVID-19 Emergency Fund helps frontline partners prepare for and respond to the pandemic and its effects on HIV prevention and care for the most marginalized communities , '' John said in a statement .
`` We can not jeopardize HIV testing and care during this time or else the results could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with HIV .
So , I 'm really happy to connect this YouTube concert series to benefit our Foundation 's urgent COVID response , '' he continued .
John , in March , hosted The iHeart Living Room Concert which featured Billie Eilish , Mariah Carey , Dave Grohl and more performing from their homes in order to support Feeding America and the First Responders Children Foundation .

July 1 (UPI) -- Elton John announced on Wednesday he will be launching a new series on YouTube that will present classic concert footage.
Elton John: Classic Concert Series will premiere Friday at 12 p.m. EDT on the music legend's official YouTube page.
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The first episode will feature John's 1976 Live at Playhouse Theatre performance from Edinburgh, Scotland. John performed a number of hit songs at the concert including "Rocket Man," "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)," and "Bennie and the Jets," among others.
A new episode showcasing a different classic concert will then premiere every Saturday at 12 p.m. EDT for six weeks. The series will raise funds for the Elton John AIDS Foundation in support of COVID-19 relief efforts.
"My Foundation's COVID-19 Emergency Fund helps frontline partners prepare for and respond to the pandemic and its effects on HIV prevention and care for the most marginalized communities," John said in a statement.
"We cannot jeopardize HIV testing and care during this time or else the results could be disastrous for the 37.5 million people living with HIV. So, I'm really happy to connect this YouTube concert series to benefit our Foundation's urgent COVID response," he continued.
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John, in March, hosted The iHeart Living Room Concert which featured Billie Eilish, Mariah Carey, Dave Grohl and more performing from their homes in order to support Feeding America and the First Responders Children Foundation.


upi--2020-07-01--School breaks Guinness record with chain of 323,103 plastic bottle caps

July 1 ( UPI ) -- Children and faculty at a school in Saudi Arabia broke a Guinness World Record when they arranged 323,103 plastic bottle caps into an 8,984.6-foot chain .
Guinness said the British International School of Jeddah 's chain of bottle caps beat the previous record for longest chain of bottle caps , which was set in the Netherlands with 260,866 bottle caps .
The cap record came at the close of the school 's plastic pollution awareness campaign , which saw students collecting the bottle caps with an eventual goal of taking them to a recycling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised money for local children in need of wheelchairs , leg braces and other needs .
`` We have tried to break the Guinness World Records title for over a year with an aim to raising community awareness of the problem of plastic pollution , especially in oceans , '' Sonja Sutcliffe , deputy head teacher at the BISJ , told Arab News .
`` We started by collecting as many bottle caps as we could , even cleaning up the local areas a little on the way , '' she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ how many plastic bottles we use and see how the tops could be converted into specialized equipment for less-fortunate children .
This is an amazing achievement of teamwork , vision , and resilience . ''

A school in Saudi Arabia broke a Guinness World Record when it assembled a chain of 323,103 plastic bottle caps. Photo courtesy of Guinness World Records
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe July 1 (UPI) -- Children and faculty at a school in Saudi Arabia broke a Guinness World Record when they arranged 323,103 plastic bottle caps into an 8,984.6-foot chain. Guinness said the British International School of Jeddah's chain of bottle caps beat the previous record for longest chain of bottle caps, which was set in the Netherlands with 260,866 bottle caps. Advertisement
The cap record came at the close of the school's plastic pollution awareness campaign, which saw students collecting the bottle caps with an eventual goal of taking them to a recycling center.
The school's record attempt raised money for local children in need of wheelchairs, leg braces and other needs.
"We have tried to break the Guinness World Records title for over a year with an aim to raising community awareness of the problem of plastic pollution, especially in oceans," Sonja Sutcliffe, deputy head teacher at the BISJ, told Arab News.
"We started by collecting as many bottle caps as we could, even cleaning up the local areas a little on the way," she said. "The message was to visually represent how many plastic bottles we use and see how the tops could be converted into specialized equipment for less-fortunate children. This is an amazing achievement of teamwork, vision, and resilience."
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upi--2020-07-01--Sia is a grandmother to twins: 'They call me Nana'

The 44-year-old recording artist said Tuesday during an interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 's Beats 1 that her younger son recently welcomed twins .
`` My youngest son just had two babies , '' Sia said .
`` I 'm just immediately horrified ... No , I 'm cool .
They call me 'Nana . '
'' `` I 'm trying to get them to call me 'Lovey ' like Kris [ Jenner ] , '' she added .
`` I 'm like , 'Call me Lovey . '
'' Sia announced on SiriusXM 's The Morning Mash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teenage boys in 2019 .
`` They were 18 -- they 're both 19 years old now .
They were aging out of the foster care system , '' she said .
`` Yeah , and I love them . ''
Sia said her sons are struggling amid the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) pandemic but were focused on their education .
`` They are both finding it pretty difficult -- one more so than the other -- but they 're both doing things that are really good for them right now , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing a lot of educational stuff that 's good for them . ''
Sia released the holiday album Everyday is Christmas in 2017 .
She last released the song `` Together '' in May from her upcoming musical film Music .

Sia, 44, announced she is a grandmother after adopting two teenage boys in 2019. File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo
July 1 (UPI) -- Australian singer-songwriter Sia is a new grandmother. The 44-year-old recording artist said Tuesday during an interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music's Beats 1 that her younger son recently welcomed twins. Advertisement
"My youngest son just had two babies," Sia said. "I'm just immediately horrified ... No, I'm cool. They call me 'Nana.'"
"I'm trying to get them to call me 'Lovey' like Kris [Jenner]," she added. "I'm like, 'Call me Lovey.'"
Sia announced on SiriusXM's The Morning Mash Up in May that she adopted two teenage boys in 2019.
"They were 18 -- they're both 19 years old now. They were aging out of the foster care system," she said. "Yeah, and I love them."
Sia said her sons are struggling amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic but were focused on their education.
"They are both finding it pretty difficult -- one more so than the other -- but they're both doing things that are really good for them right now," she said. "They're really doing a lot of educational stuff that's good for them."
Sia released the holiday album Everyday is Christmas in 2017. She last released the song "Together" in May from her upcoming musical film Music.


upi--2020-07-01--Chiefs' Chris Jones hints he could skip 2020 season without new contract

July 1 ( UPI ) -- Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones hinted on Twitter that he could skip the 2020 NFL season if he does n't get a new contract from the Super Bowl champions .
Jones posted his comment Tuesday on the social media platform .
The 6-foot-7 , 310-pound defender responded to a tweet on an NFL Network report , which said Jones wants at least $ 20 million annually from the Chiefs .
Jones also referenced New York Jets running back Le'Veon Bell in the tweet .
Bell had a holdout in 2018 while he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned down a contract offer and was designated as the Steelers ' franchise tag player before he opted to skip the entire season and become a free agent the next off-season .
He then signed a four-year , $ 52.5 million deal with the Jets in March 2019 .
The Chiefs placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jones in March .
They have until July 15 to agree to a long-term contract with the defensive lineman .
Jones will play for $ 16.1 million in 2020 if he signs his franchise tag tender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 25 , had 36 total tackles , 20 quarterback hits , nine sacks , eight tackles for a loss , four passes defensed , a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 13 games last season for the Chiefs .
The second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft also made his first Pro Bowl in 2019 .
Jones had a career-high 15.5 sacks in 16 games in 2018 .
Bell and Jones each responded to criticism they received on social media after Jones ' tweet about a possible missed 2020 season .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is and how to read and understand contracts ... Jones knows what he 's doing , '' Bell tweeted .
NFL team facilities remain closed to players -- who do n't need medical treatment -- amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Teams are expected to report to training camp in late July .

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) will consider not playing in 2020 if he doesn't get a contract extension from the AFC West franchise this off-season. File Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
July 1 (UPI) -- Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones hinted on Twitter that he could skip the 2020 NFL season if he doesn't get a new contract from the Super Bowl champions. Jones posted his comment Tuesday on the social media platform. The 6-foot-7, 310-pound defender responded to a tweet on an NFL Network report, which said Jones wants at least $20 million annually from the Chiefs. Advertisement
"Or I won't play," Jones responded.
Jones also referenced New York Jets running back Le'Veon Bell in the tweet. Bell had a holdout in 2018 while he was with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He turned down a contract offer and was designated as the Steelers' franchise tag player before he opted to skip the entire season and become a free agent the next off-season. He then signed a four-year, $52.5 million deal with the Jets in March 2019.
The Chiefs placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jones in March. They have until July 15 to agree to a long-term contract with the defensive lineman. Jones will play for $16.1 million in 2020 if he signs his franchise tag tender and reports to the team.
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Jones, 25, had 36 total tackles, 20 quarterback hits, nine sacks, eight tackles for a loss, four passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 13 games last season for the Chiefs. The second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft also made his first Pro Bowl in 2019. Jones had a career-high 15.5 sacks in 16 games in 2018.
Bell and Jones each responded to criticism they received on social media after Jones' tweet about a possible missed 2020 season.
"I just know what my worth is and how to read and understand contracts ... Jones knows what he's doing," Bell tweeted.
NFL team facilities remain closed to players -- who don't need medical treatment -- amid the coronavirus pandemic. Teams are expected to report to training camp in late July.


upi--2020-07-01--Listen: Roger and Brian Eno share 'Manganese' from 'Mixing Colours' deluxe edition

July 1 ( UPI ) -- Roger and Brian Eno are back with new music .
The brothers released a @ @ @ @ @ Manganese '' on Wednesday .
`` Manganese '' appears on a forthcoming expanded edition of @ @ @ @ @ Colours album .
The original version was released in March .
The Eno brothers will @ @ @ @ @ of Mixing Colours on July 17 .
The album features six new tracks , `` @ @ @ @ @ , '' `` Violet , '' `` Vermilion , '' `` Marble '' and `` @ @ @ @ @ the song `` Pewter , '' previously released as a bonus track in Japan .
@ @ @ @ @ Luminous , a vinyl EP featuring all seven of the new songs , on Aug. @ @ @ @ @ the Eno brothers ' first full collaborative album .
The pair previously worked together on @ @ @ @ @ Atmospheres and Soundtracks and More Music for Films .

July 1 (UPI) -- Roger and Brian Eno are back with new music.
The brothers released a video for the song "Manganese" on Wednesday.
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"Manganese" appears on a forthcoming expanded edition of the Eno brothers' Mixing Colours album. The original version was released in March.
The Eno brothers will release the deluxe digital version of Mixing Colours on July 17. The album features six new tracks, "Manganese," "Moss," "Violet," "Vermilion," "Marble" and "Malachite," along with the song "Pewter," previously released as a bonus track in Japan.
The siblings will also release Luminous, a vinyl EP featuring all seven of the new songs, on Aug. 14.
Mixing Colours marked the Eno brothers' first full collaborative album. The pair previously worked together on Brian Eno's Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks and More Music for Films.


upi--2020-07-01--North Korea praises Xi Jinping after signing of Hong Kong security law

July 1 ( UPI ) -- North Korean state media said victory awaits Chinese President Xi Jinping following China 's imposition of a national security law in Hong Kong .
Korean Workers ' Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun claimed Wednesday the North Korean people support Chinese actions that strengthens one-party rule in China .
The statement comes after Xi signed a law that would criminalize anyone in the city challenging Beijing 's authority .
`` Our people are confident that the Chinese people will surely achieve victory in their struggle to build a modernized socialist power under the leadership of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Comrade Xi Jinping , '' the Rodong said .
Pyongyang 's state media said the Chinese Communist Party has `` realized achievements in various fields '' that `` demonstrate the legitimacy and vitality '' of the CCP .
The Rodong also said China took exemplary action in response to the outbreak of COVID-19 that began in the central Chinese city of Wuhan .
`` In a war against the epidemic , China took the initiative and is [ now ] strategically and tactically managing the overall situation . ''
North Korea has claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ novel coronavirus in the country , but China has said it has sent medical assistance earlier this year .
While Pyongyang has not released data related to COVID-19 , international agencies have begun to provide details on the epidemic .
The World Health Organization says North Korea has quarantined 255 people in connection to the infectious disease , Radio Free Asia reported Wednesday .
North Korea also screened 922 people for COVID-19 but all reportedly tested negative for the virus , according to the report .
North Korea has previously expressed support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In June , North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Son Kwon expressed support for `` China 's internal affairs '' and had said the `` interference of external forces [ on the issue of Hong Kong ] is a violent infringement of China 's sovereignty and international law . ''

Summits between Kim Jong Un (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2018 and 2019 have been followed by North Korean statements of support for the Chinese government. File Photo by KCNA/UPI | License Photo
July 1 (UPI) -- North Korean state media said victory awaits Chinese President Xi Jinping following China's imposition of a national security law in Hong Kong. Korean Workers' Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun claimed Wednesday the North Korean people support Chinese actions that strengthens one-party rule in China. The statement comes after Xi signed a law that would criminalize anyone in the city challenging Beijing's authority. Advertisement
"Our people are confident that the Chinese people will surely achieve victory in their struggle to build a modernized socialist power under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and its core, Comrade Xi Jinping," the Rodong said.
Pyongyang's state media said the Chinese Communist Party has "realized achievements in various fields" that "demonstrate the legitimacy and vitality" of the CCP.
The Rodong also said China took exemplary action in response to the outbreak of COVID-19 that began in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.
"In a war against the epidemic, China took the initiative and is [now] strategically and tactically managing the overall situation."
North Korea has claimed there have been no cases of the novel coronavirus in the country, but China has said it has sent medical assistance earlier this year.
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While Pyongyang has not released data related to COVID-19, international agencies have begun to provide details on the epidemic.
The World Health Organization says North Korea has quarantined 255 people in connection to the infectious disease, Radio Free Asia reported Wednesday.
North Korea also screened 922 people for COVID-19 but all reportedly tested negative for the virus, according to the report.
North Korea has previously expressed support for Beijing on the situation in Hong Kong.
In June, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Son Kwon expressed support for "China's internal affairs" and had said the "interference of external forces [on the issue of Hong Kong] is a violent infringement of China's sovereignty and international law."


upi--2020-07-01--Discrimination increases hypertension risk by 49 percent in black Americans, study finds

July 1 ( UPI ) -- Facing racial discrimination increases risk for high blood pressure among black Americans , according to a study published Wednesday by the journal Hypertension .
Black people who reported `` medium levels '' of lifetime discrimination had a 49 percent increased risk for high blood pressure , or hypertension , compared to those who indicated low levels of lifetime discrimination , the researchers found .
The study was based on nearly 2,000 black Americans who participated in The Jackson Heart Study , which focused on cardiovascular disease among residents in the tri-county region of Jackson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be disproportionately affected by hypertension , making it imperative to identify the drivers of hypertension in this population , '' co-author Allana T. Forde , said in a statement .
`` Greater lifetime discrimination was associated with an increased risk for hypertension among African Americans in this study , which reflects the impact of cumulative exposure to stressors over one 's lifetime and the physiological reactions to stress that contribute to deleterious health outcomes , '' said Forde , a postdoctoral research fellow at the Urban Health Collaborative at Drexel University .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ black Americans , aged 21 to 85 , who were enrolled in The Jackson Heart Study .
None of the participants had a history of hypertension at the start of the research , the authors said .
Participants self-reported their discrimination experiences through in-home interviews , questionnaires and in-clinic examinations , researchers said .
For the purposes of the study , having hypertension was defined as taking blood pressure-lowering medication , having a systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or above or having diastolic blood pressure higher than 90 mm Hg at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
During the follow-up period , more than half of the participants -- 954 , or 52 percent -- developed hypertension .
The study results , Forde said , `` suggest how social determinants such as racism and discrimination affect health in measurable ways . ''
Strategies to reduce health inequities and improve health are needed to address these broader social determinants , she added .
Although the study included experiences of discrimination among a large sample of black Americans , discrimination was measured at a single point in time , which limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in discrimination experiences over the entire follow-up period , according to the researchers .
In all , nearly 80 million American adults are living with high blood pressure , including more than 40 percent of black Americans , according to the American Heart Association .
`` Previous studies have shown that discrimination affects African Americans ' health , '' Forde said .
`` Traditional risk factors , such as diet and physical activity , have been strongly correlated with hypertension , yet important psychosocial factors like discrimination , which also have the potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered , '' she said .

July 1 (UPI) -- Facing racial discrimination increases risk for high blood pressure among black Americans, according to a study published Wednesday by the journal Hypertension.
Black people who reported "medium levels" of lifetime discrimination had a 49 percent increased risk for high blood pressure, or hypertension, compared to those who indicated low levels of lifetime discrimination, the researchers found.
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The study was based on nearly 2,000 black Americans who participated in The Jackson Heart Study, which focused on cardiovascular disease among residents in the tri-county region of Jackson, Mississippi.
"African Americans continue to be disproportionately affected by hypertension, making it imperative to identify the drivers of hypertension in this population," co-author Allana T. Forde, said in a statement.
"Greater lifetime discrimination was associated with an increased risk for hypertension among African Americans in this study, which reflects the impact of cumulative exposure to stressors over one's lifetime and the physiological reactions to stress that contribute to deleterious health outcomes," said Forde, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Urban Health Collaborative at Drexel University.
Forde and colleagues reviewed data on 1,845 black Americans, aged 21 to 85, who were enrolled in The Jackson Heart Study. None of the participants had a history of hypertension at the start of the research, the authors said.
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Participants self-reported their discrimination experiences through in-home interviews, questionnaires and in-clinic examinations, researchers said.
For the purposes of the study, having hypertension was defined as taking blood pressure-lowering medication, having a systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or above or having diastolic blood pressure higher than 90 mm Hg at follow-up visits, according to the authors.
During the follow-up period, more than half of the participants -- 954, or 52 percent -- developed hypertension.
The study results, Forde said, "suggest how social determinants such as racism and discrimination affect health in measurable ways."
Strategies to reduce health inequities and improve health are needed to address these broader social determinants, she added.
Although the study included experiences of discrimination among a large sample of black Americans, discrimination was measured at a single point in time, which limited the researchers' ability to capture changes in discrimination experiences over the entire follow-up period, according to the researchers.
In all, nearly 80 million American adults are living with high blood pressure, including more than 40 percent of black Americans, according to the American Heart Association.
"Previous studies have shown that discrimination affects African Americans' health," Forde said.
"Traditional risk factors, such as diet and physical activity, have been strongly correlated with hypertension, yet important psychosocial factors like discrimination, which also have the potential to negatively impact health, are rarely considered," she said.


upi--2020-07-01--States looking for ways to slow COVID-19 spikes over July 4th weekend

Volunteers distribute food during a Virtual Drive-Thru and Walk-Up Giveaway sponsored by United Hands Multi-Purpose Center to help feed thousands @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 pandemic in Compton , California on Saturday , May 2 , 2020 .
@ @ @ @ @ has announced a plan to purchase more food from struggling farmers and distribute it to @ @ @ @ @ 470 million this time .
The purchases , announced this week , will come in @ @ @ @ @ billion the USDA pledged to buy farm products as part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance @ @ @ @ @ 17 .
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | Hundreds of passengers form a line to @ @ @ @ @ China Southern Airlines flight to China on April 19 in Los Angeles .
Passengers at @ @ @ @ @ arrived at 5:30 a.m. , with many others standing in line since 8 a.m. to @ @ @ @ @ seat before the plane was full .
Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI |

Beachgoers gather at Seal Beach in southern California on May 25. Los Angeles and Ventura County officials have closed beaches for the Fourth of July weekend. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
July 1 (UPI) -- As states moved to implement restrictions to stymie the spread of COVID-19, health officials on Wednesday reported more than 50,000 new cases of the infectious and deadly coronavirus, making it the highest single-day increase in infections since the pandemic began. Some 50,700 people in the United States were diagnosed with COVID-19 on Wednesday, which pushed the overall national total to 2.68 million cases. Since the pandemic began, 128,000 people have died in the United States, according to Johns Hopkins University. Advertisement
Arizona, Georgia and Texas all set record highs on Wednesday, according to their departments of health, as California, Florida, New York and Oregon implemented new restrictions designed to tamp down on rises in COVID-19 cases ahead of the holiday weekend.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled new restrictions Wednesday to handle a growing number of cases there.
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He ordered all restaurants, wineries, movie theaters, family entertainment venues, zoos, museums, card rooms and bars be closed in 19 counties. The order applies to Contra Costa, Fresno, Glenn, Imperial, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Merced, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Solano, Stanislaus, Tulare and Ventura counties.
Newsom likened the measures to a "dimmer switch" to mitigate the virus' spread ahead of the Fourth of July weekend.
"The framework for us is this: If you're not going to stay home and you're not going to wear masks in public, we have to enforce and we will."
Newsom said the surge in cases will delay planned reopenings statewide and refine orders for indoor public activities.
Los Angeles and Ventura counties announced earlier that beaches will close for the holiday weekend.
Los Angeles County reported 2,800 new cases Tuesday, its highest single-day tally, which pushed its total beyond 100,000. Neighboring Orange County also reported a single-day record of new cases.
"We need to act with haste and urgency," said County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer. "The increases in cases and hospitalizations we are seeing will result in more deaths."
The City of Miami Beach, Fla., ordered a curfew from 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. each day, closed all restaurants for dine-in and takeout between 12:01 a.m. and 6 a.m., and halted the sale of all alcohol after 8 p.m. All new rules go into effect Thursday.
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Meanwhile, Miami-Dade County ordered all hotels to close their pools between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. from Friday through Monday.
In Miami. Mayor Carlos Gimenez ordered that most restaurants must close in the popular South Florida city between midnight and 6 a.m. each day until further notice.
A major tourism destination year-round, Florida cases have spiked over the past two weeks.
"We must take this action," he said. "Too many people were crowding into restaurants late at night, turning these establishments into breeding grounds for this deadly virus."
More than 6,000 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Florida on Tuesday, where about 3,500 patients have died of the coronavirus so far.
In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that he's postponing indoor dining indefinitely. The state is scheduled to reopen indoor dining Monday as part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Phase 3 reopening plan.
"We're working with the State to postpone indoor dining as we move towards Phase 3. We've made too much progress fighting COVID-19 to risk going backwards," de Blasio tweeted.
New York state reported 458 new cases Tuesday, and has had 31,790 deaths so far.
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The state of Oregon made wearing a face covering mandatory in all indoor public places on Wednesday, with Gov. Kate Brown citing COVID-19 cases spreading at "an alarming rate" in both rural and urban counties.
"I do not want to have to close down businesses again like other states are now doing. If you want your local shops and restaurants to stay open, then wear a face covering when out in public," said Brown.
Oregon has reported 8,525 coronavirus cases and 208 deaths.
Texas on Wednesday reported 8,076 new coronavirus cases, its largest single-day increase since the onset of the pandemic, as the state has reported a total of 169,062 positive cases and 2,481 deaths.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler on Wednesday said he is considering a new stay-at-home order as Travis County is expected to surpass 10,000 cases and added wearing masks should be mandatory for the next year.
California life in the COVID-19 pandemic