upi--2020-06-09--Heart patients may benefit from tai chi

Heart patients may benefit from tai chi

Tai chi might be just what doctors should order for their heart patients , new research suggests .
Many of these folks experience anxiety , stress and depression .
For example , depression affects about 20 percent of people with heart disease or heart failure , 27 percent of those with high blood pressure , and 35 percent of stroke survivors .
Tai chi is a mind-body exercise that combines set movements with relaxation and breathing .
It requires concentration on posture , relaxation and breathing .
Researchers analyzed 15 clinical trials that examined how tai chi affected the mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average age 66 , who had heart disease , heart failure , high blood pressure , or had survived a stroke .
Overall , tai chi was associated with lower levels of mental distress , reductions in depression , and improved quality of life , including : mental health quality of life ( how patients felt and their ability to go out and socialize ) and physical health quality of life ( walking and ability to do daily activities ) .
So how does tai chi benefit your mental state ?
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and breathing .
During tai chi you have good body posture , and research has shown that this enhances mood .
We also know that holding your breath can cause stress and anxiety , '' explained study author Ruth Taylor-Piliae , from the University of Arizona .
However , the study found no statistically significant association between tai chi and reduced anxiety , and tai chi did not have a noticeable impact on the well-being of stroke survivors .
The findings were published June 8 in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ few studies on psychological well-being or quality of life variables in this group .
There is a lot of research on tai chi in stroke survivors but nearly all of them looked at physical function such as balance and gait , '' Taylor-Piliae said in a journal news release .
Further research is needed to learn how tai chi can improve mental health , she noted .
`` If you 've had a heart attack or stroke , or are affected by another heart condition , I would strongly recommend adding tai chi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taylor-Piliae said .
`` There are physical benefits like improved balance , and it 's good for mental health , too . ''
Harvard Medical School has more on tai chi .

Tai chi was associated with lower levels of mental distress, reductions in depression, and improved quality of life, a new study found. Photo by kalhh/Pixabay
Tai chi might be just what doctors should order for their heart patients, new research suggests. Many of these folks experience anxiety, stress and depression. For example, depression affects about 20 percent of people with heart disease or heart failure, 27 percent of those with high blood pressure, and 35 percent of stroke survivors. Advertisement
Tai chi is a mind-body exercise that combines set movements with relaxation and breathing. It requires concentration on posture, relaxation and breathing.
Researchers analyzed 15 clinical trials that examined how tai chi affected the mental well-being of more than 1,800 people, average age 66, who had heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, or had survived a stroke.
Overall, tai chi was associated with lower levels of mental distress, reductions in depression, and improved quality of life, including: mental health quality of life (how patients felt and their ability to go out and socialize) and physical health quality of life (walking and ability to do daily activities).
So how does tai chi benefit your mental state?
"I think it's the synergy between postures and breathing. During tai chi you have good body posture, and research has shown that this enhances mood. We also know that holding your breath can cause stress and anxiety," explained study author Ruth Taylor-Piliae, from the University of Arizona.
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However, the study found no statistically significant association between tai chi and reduced anxiety, and tai chi did not have a noticeable impact on the well-being of stroke survivors. The findings were published June 8 in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing.
"This is because there were very few studies on psychological well-being or quality of life variables in this group. There is a lot of research on tai chi in stroke survivors but nearly all of them looked at physical function such as balance and gait," Taylor-Piliae said in a journal news release.
Further research is needed to learn how tai chi can improve mental health, she noted.
"If you've had a heart attack or stroke, or are affected by another heart condition, I would strongly recommend adding tai chi to your recovery and rehabilitation," Taylor-Piliae said. "There are physical benefits like improved balance, and it's good for mental health, too."
More information
Harvard Medical School has more on tai chi.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-06-09--Senate confirms Charles Q. Brown as first black Air Force chief of staff

June 9 ( UPI ) -- The Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to make Gen. Charles Q .
Brown the Air Force 's 22nd chief of staff -- and the first African-American to lead a U.S. military branch .
Brown , who is currently the commander of the Pacific Air Forces , will replace Gen. Dave Goldfein as the Air Force 's top general .
`` Congratulations to Gen CQ Brown on his nomination to be our next Chief .
He 's led worldwide - in the Pacific , Europe , the Middle East and Africa , '' Goldfein tweeted when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brown `` one of the finest warriors '' the Air Force has ever produced .
On Tuesday , President Donald Trump tweeted that Brown 's confirmation marked a `` historic day in America . ''
Last week , Sen. Dan Sullivan , R-Alaska , delayed Brown 's nomination from moving forward due to questions about the KC-46 aerial-refueling tanker -- but Sullivan dropped the hold Wednesday , allowing the vote to proceed .
`` It is an absolute privilege for Sharene and I to serve our Airmen and families , '' Brown said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed to building upon our foundation and legacy to ensure we remain the most respected and capable Air Force in the world . ''
The confirmation comes after more than two weeks of demonstrations against police brutality disproportionately targeting black Americans , and a renewed conversation about racial tension in the United Stations .
Last week , the Pacific Air Forces posted a video to its Twitter account in which Brown reflects on the death of Minneapolis man George Floyd and the racism he has experienced both inside and outside the military , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having with his own children amid the protests .
`` I 'm thinking about the African Americans that went before me to make this opportunity possible .
I 'm thinking about the immense expectations that come with this historic nomination , particularly through the lens of current events plaguing our nation , '' Brown said in the video , which is just under five minutes long .
`` I 'm thinking about how I may have fallen short in my career , and how I may continue to fall short living up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I 'm thinking about how my nomination provides some hope , but also comes with a heavy burden .
I ca n't fix centuries of racism in our country , nor can I fix decades of discrimination that may have impacted members of our Air Force .
`` I 'm thinking about how I can make improvements -- personally , professionally and institutionally , so that all airmen , both today and tomorrow , appreciate the value of diversity and can serve in an environment where they can reach their full @ @ @ @ @ @

Gen. Charles Q. Brown was confirmed Tuesday as the Air Force's 22nd chief of staff -- and the first African-American man to lead a military branch. Photo courtesy of U.S. Air Force
June 9 (UPI) -- The Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to make Gen. Charles Q. Brown the Air Force's 22nd chief of staff -- and the first African-American to lead a U.S. military branch. Brown, who is currently the commander of the Pacific Air Forces, will replace Gen. Dave Goldfein as the Air Force's top general. Advertisement
"Congratulations to Gen CQ Brown on his nomination to be our next Chief. He's led worldwide - in the Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa," Goldfein tweeted when Brown was nominated in March, calling Brown "one of the finest warriors" the Air Force has ever produced.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump tweeted that Brown's confirmation marked a "historic day in America."
Last week, Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, delayed Brown's nomination from moving forward due to questions about the KC-46 aerial-refueling tanker -- but Sullivan dropped the hold Wednesday, allowing the vote to proceed.
"It is an absolute privilege for Sharene and I to serve our Airmen and families," Brown said in a statement. "We are committed to building upon our foundation and legacy to ensure we remain the most respected and capable Air Force in the world."
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The confirmation comes after more than two weeks of demonstrations against police brutality disproportionately targeting black Americans, and a renewed conversation about racial tension in the United Stations.
Last week, the Pacific Air Forces posted a video to its Twitter account in which Brown reflects on the death of Minneapolis man George Floyd and the racism he has experienced both inside and outside the military, as well as the conversations he is having with his own children amid the protests.
"I'm thinking about the African Americans that went before me to make this opportunity possible. I'm thinking about the immense expectations that come with this historic nomination, particularly through the lens of current events plaguing our nation," Brown said in the video, which is just under five minutes long.
"I'm thinking about how I may have fallen short in my career, and how I may continue to fall short living up to all those expectations," Brown said. "I'm thinking about how my nomination provides some hope, but also comes with a heavy burden. I can't fix centuries of racism in our country, nor can I fix decades of discrimination that may have impacted members of our Air Force.
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"I'm thinking about how I can make improvements -- personally, professionally and institutionally, so that all airmen, both today and tomorrow, appreciate the value of diversity and can serve in an environment where they can reach their full potential," Brown said.


upi--2020-06-09--Migraine with aura tied to increased risk for heart disease in women

June 9 ( UPI ) -- Women who suffer migraines with aura might be at increased risk for heart disease , an analysis published Tuesday by JAMA has found .
Women older than 45 with a history of migraines were more than twice as likely than those with obesity and high cholesterol to have a heart attack or stroke or be diagnosed with another cardiovascular condition , the researchers said .
Women with high blood pressure and migraine -- extremely painful headaches that can cause vision problems and other complications -- were at four times higher cardiovascular disease , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The association of migraine and migraine with aura on overall and specific CVD events has been evaluated using relative risk in many clinic- and population-based studies , '' researchers at Charité-University Medicine Berlin and Brigham and Women 's Hospital in Boston wrote in the study .
And while several biological mechanisms are thought to link migraine to cardiovascular events , they wrote that `` the precise mechanisms linking migraine with aura to CVD coincidence are still not well understood . ''
Earlier research , however , has linked migraine-related complications such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For the new study , researchers reviewed data from the U.S. Women 's Health Study on nearly 28,000 women 45 years old and older .
They tracked the health of study participants with no history of heart disease from 1992 through the end of 2018 .
In all , approximately 5 percent -- or 1,435 -- of the women in the study suffered from migraine with aura , the authors said .
Women with a history of migraine with aura were found to 2.29-times as likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the authors said .
The risk for heart disease was 2.85-times as high among women with migraine with aura than in those with high cholesterol , they added .
However , the risk for heart disease remained higher in women with diabetes -- nearly six times greater -- and among current smokers -- more than four times greater -- than in those with migraine with aura , the authors said .
Roughly one in four households in the United States has at least one resident who experiences migraines , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times as likely to experience migraines as men , the foundation estimates .
Migraine with aura -- also called a classic migraine -- is a recurring headache that strikes after or at the same time as sensory disturbances like flashes of light , blind spots and other vision changes or tingling in your hand or face , according to the research foundation .
About one in three people with migraine experience aura , according to researchers on the JAMA study .
`` The clinical importance of these findings , and whether they generalize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research , '' they wrote .

Women who suffer migraines might be at higher risk for heart disease, a new study has found. Photo by kizzzbeth/Flickr
June 9 (UPI) -- Women who suffer migraines with aura might be at increased risk for heart disease, an analysis published Tuesday by JAMA has found. Women older than 45 with a history of migraines were more than twice as likely than those with obesity and high cholesterol to have a heart attack or stroke or be diagnosed with another cardiovascular condition, the researchers said. Advertisement
Women with high blood pressure and migraine -- extremely painful headaches that can cause vision problems and other complications -- were at four times higher cardiovascular disease, or CVD, risk, researchers said.
"The association of migraine and migraine with aura on overall and specific CVD events has been evaluated using relative risk in many clinic- and population-based studies," researchers at Charité-University Medicine Berlin and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston wrote in the study.
And while several biological mechanisms are thought to link migraine to cardiovascular events, they wrote that "the precise mechanisms linking migraine with aura to CVD coincidence are still not well understood."
Earlier research, however, has linked migraine-related complications such as endovascular impairment and inflammation to CVD.
For the new study, researchers reviewed data from the U.S. Women's Health Study on nearly 28,000 women 45 years old and older. They tracked the health of study participants with no history of heart disease from 1992 through the end of 2018.
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In all, approximately 5 percent -- or 1,435 -- of the women in the study suffered from migraine with aura, the authors said.
Women with a history of migraine with aura were found to 2.29-times as likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke than those with a history of obesity, the authors said.
The risk for heart disease was 2.85-times as high among women with migraine with aura than in those with high cholesterol, they added.
However, the risk for heart disease remained higher in women with diabetes -- nearly six times greater -- and among current smokers -- more than four times greater -- than in those with migraine with aura, the authors said.
Roughly one in four households in the United States has at least one resident who experiences migraines, according to the Migraine Research Foundation. Women are three times as likely to experience migraines as men, the foundation estimates.
Migraine with aura -- also called a classic migraine -- is a recurring headache that strikes after or at the same time as sensory disturbances like flashes of light, blind spots and other vision changes or tingling in your hand or face, according to the research foundation.
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About one in three people with migraine experience aura, according to researchers on the JAMA study.
"The clinical importance of these findings, and whether they generalize beyond this study population, require further research," they wrote.


upi--2020-06-09--New guidelines discourage use of probiotics for digestive woes

There is n't enough scientific evidence to support using probiotics to treat most digestive disorders , according to a new American Gastroenterological Association ( AGA ) guideline .
Probiotics are living , microscopic organisms found in foods or dietary supplements , according to the AGA .
They include certain bacteria and yeasts .
An estimated 3.9 million American adults have taken probiotics and many do so to improve their digestive health , so the AGA reviewed published research on their use for digestive disorders .
The review found insufficient evidence to recommend probiotics for treatment of Crohn 's disease , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IBS ) and C. difficile infection , the AGA reported June 9 in the journal Gastroenterology .
`` Patients taking probiotics for Crohn 's , ulcerative colitis or IBS should consider stopping , '' said Dr. Grace Su , a professor of gastroenterology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor , who led the guideline panel .
`` The supplements can be costly and there is n't enough evidence to prove a benefit or confirm lack of harm .
Talk with your doctor . ''
The new AGA guideline also recommends against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infectious gastroenteritis in children .
The guideline does support the use of certain probiotic formulations in three situations : prevention of C. difficile infection in adults and children taking antibiotics prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm , low birth weight infants and management of pouchitis , a complication of inflammatory bowel disease .
`` While our guideline does highlight a few use cases for probiotics , it more importantly underscores that the public 's assumptions about the benefits of probiotics are not well-founded , and that there is also a major variation in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probiotic product , '' Su said in an AGA news release .
The AGA said well-designed clinical trials are needed to refine probiotics guidelines and investigate other relevant clinical conditions .
The association said gastroenterologists should suggest probiotics to their patients only if there is clear benefit .
They should keep in mind that the effects of probiotics apply to specific strains of bacteria and combinations of strains , the AGA added .
The American Gastroenterological Association has more on probiotics .

There isn't enough scientific evidence to support using probiotics to treat most digestive disorders, according to a new American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) guideline.
Probiotics are living, microscopic organisms found in foods or dietary supplements, according to the AGA. They include certain bacteria and yeasts.
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An estimated 3.9 million American adults have taken probiotics and many do so to improve their digestive health, so the AGA reviewed published research on their use for digestive disorders.
The review found insufficient evidence to recommend probiotics for treatment of Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and C. difficile infection, the AGA reported June 9 in the journal Gastroenterology.
"Patients taking probiotics for Crohn's, ulcerative colitis or IBS should consider stopping," said Dr. Grace Su, a professor of gastroenterology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, who led the guideline panel. "The supplements can be costly and there isn't enough evidence to prove a benefit or confirm lack of harm. Talk with your doctor."
The new AGA guideline also recommends against the use of probiotics to treat acute infectious gastroenteritis in children.
The guideline does support the use of certain probiotic formulations in three situations: prevention of C. difficile infection in adults and children taking antibiotics prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm, low birth weight infants and management of pouchitis, a complication of inflammatory bowel disease.
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"While our guideline does highlight a few use cases for probiotics, it more importantly underscores that the public's assumptions about the benefits of probiotics are not well-founded, and that there is also a major variation in results based on the formulation of the probiotic product," Su said in an AGA news release.
The AGA said well-designed clinical trials are needed to refine probiotics guidelines and investigate other relevant clinical conditions.
The association said gastroenterologists should suggest probiotics to their patients only if there is clear benefit. They should keep in mind that the effects of probiotics apply to specific strains of bacteria and combinations of strains, the AGA added.
More information
The American Gastroenterological Association has more on probiotics.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-06-09--Florida man wins $100,000 lottery prize during North Carolina vacation

June 9 ( UPI ) -- A Florida man who took a chance during a trip to North Carolina found traveling pays off when he scored a $ 100,000 lottery jackpot .
Mark Hoti of Greenacres told North Carolina Education Lottery officials he was visiting his sister and brother-in-law in Raleigh when he stopped at the S N Food Mart in Raleigh to buy supplies for a cookout .
Hoti said he decided to buy some scratch-off lottery tickets and a $ 300,000,000 Supreme Riches ticket caught his eye .
`` I hesitated to buy the $ 30 ticket , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting ready to walk away , but , I do n't know , for some reason I thought , 'You know what , I 'm up here , I 'm on vacation , I 'll take it . '
'' The player said he found his risk-taking paid off when he scratched the ticket off at his sister 's house .
`` I got to the dollar sign , '' he said , `` and I scratched it off a little , and I said , 'Oh , I won $ 100 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to the fact that he was n't done scratching .
`` She goes , 'Wait a minute , you still have to scratch ! '
And she scratched it a little more and that 's what revealed the other three zeros , '' Hoti said .
`` It was kind of like flip out time . ''
Hoti said when he collected his winnings Monday that he will `` probably use it on a lot of sensible things , '' such as paying off some bills .

A Florida man visiting his sister in North Carolina splurged on a $30 scratch-off lottery ticket and won a $100,000 jackpot. Photo courtesy of the North Carolina Education Lottery
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe June 9 (UPI) -- A Florida man who took a chance during a trip to North Carolina found traveling pays off when he scored a $100,000 lottery jackpot. Mark Hoti of Greenacres told North Carolina Education Lottery officials he was visiting his sister and brother-in-law in Raleigh when he stopped at the S N Food Mart in Raleigh to buy supplies for a cookout. Advertisement
Hoti said he decided to buy some scratch-off lottery tickets and a $300,000,000 Supreme Riches ticket caught his eye.
"I hesitated to buy the $30 ticket," Hoti recalled. "I was getting ready to walk away, but, I don't know, for some reason I thought, 'You know what, I'm up here, I'm on vacation, I'll take it.'"
The player said he found his risk-taking paid off when he scratched the ticket off at his sister's house.
"I got to the dollar sign," he said, "and I scratched it off a little, and I said, 'Oh, I won $100.'"
He said his sister alerted him to the fact that he wasn't done scratching.
"She goes, 'Wait a minute, you still have to scratch!' And she scratched it a little more and that's what revealed the other three zeros," Hoti said. "It was kind of like flip out time."
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The ticket was a $100,000 winner.
Hoti said when he collected his winnings Monday that he will "probably use it on a lot of sensible things," such as paying off some bills.


upi--2020-06-09--EU diplomat: U.S. claim to role in Iran nuke deal invalid since it left

June 9 ( UPI ) -- The European Union 's top diplomat Josep Borrell said Tuesday that the United States claim to a role in the nuclear arms deal is no longer a valid negotiating chip since it left the deal .
The EU foreign policy chief told reporters Tuesday after talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi , that the United States can not use its former membership in the 2015 nuclear agreement , also known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action , to extend an arms embargo on Iran .
The U.N. embargo expires in October .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ JCPOA , and now they can not claim that they are still part of the JCPOA in order to deal with this issue from the JCPOA agreement , '' Borrell said .
Borrell also said Tuesday that the European Union does not seek confrontation with China .
In late April , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he plans to use the country 's former membership in the Iran nuclear deal to extend an arms embargo on Iran after U.N. sanctions expire in October .
The arms embargo has been in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution , and in 2015 , the U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution endorsing the JCPOA .
The nuclear agreement lifted sanctions against Iran in exchange for limits on Iran 's nuclear program .
The United States unilaterally pulled out of the deal in 2018 with President Donald Trump calling it `` defective at its core , '' and reimposed sanctions against Iran .
In response , Iran restarted nuclear activities banned under the agreement with Britain , China , France , Germany and Russia .
The United States has recently launched a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a resolution at the Security Council .
To pass , the resolution needs not only the approval of nine Security Council members , but also Russia and China not to veto it , Mehr News Agency reported .
With the possibility that Russia and China could veto it , the United States has said it could circumvent their veto by arguing it remains in the nuclear pact as a `` participant state . ''
EU officials have maintained the JCPOA is critical in maintaining regional and international security .
Similar to Borrell , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its right to use its membership in the nuclear deal to push for an extension of arms embargo since it pulled out of the deal .
Russian 's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov agrees that the United States lost its right to have a say in the agreement when it withdrew from the deal .

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters Tuesday that the United States cannot invoke the JCPOA because it's withdrawn from it. Photo by Kenzo Tribouillard/ EPA-EFE
June 9 (UPI) -- The European Union's top diplomat Josep Borrell said Tuesday that the United States claim to a role in the nuclear arms deal is no longer a valid negotiating chip since it left the deal. The EU foreign policy chief told reporters Tuesday after talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, that the United States cannot use its former membership in the 2015 nuclear agreement, also known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, to extend an arms embargo on Iran. The U.N. embargo expires in October. Advertisement
"The United States has withdrawn from the JCPOA, and now they cannot claim that they are still part of the JCPOA in order to deal with this issue from the JCPOA agreement," Borrell said.
Borrell also said Tuesday that the European Union does not seek confrontation with China.
In late April, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he plans to use the country's former membership in the Iran nuclear deal to extend an arms embargo on Iran after U.N. sanctions expire in October.
The arms embargo has been in place since 2006 through a U.N. Security Council resolution, and in 2015, the U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution endorsing the JCPOA. The nuclear agreement lifted sanctions against Iran in exchange for limits on Iran's nuclear program.
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The United States unilaterally pulled out of the deal in 2018 with President Donald Trump calling it "defective at its core," and reimposed sanctions against Iran. In response, Iran restarted nuclear activities banned under the agreement with Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia.
The United States has recently launched a campaign to renew the arms ban through a resolution at the Security Council.
To pass, the resolution needs not only the approval of nine Security Council members, but also Russia and China not to veto it, Mehr News Agency reported.
With the possibility that Russia and China could veto it, the United States has said it could circumvent their veto by arguing it remains in the nuclear pact as a "participant state."
EU officials have maintained the JCPOA is critical in maintaining regional and international security.
Similar to Borrell, Tehran says that the United States lost its right to use its membership in the nuclear deal to push for an extension of arms embargo since it pulled out of the deal.
Russian's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov agrees that the United States lost its right to have a say in the agreement when it withdrew from the deal.


upi--2020-06-09--Watch: Water rescue team helps cat stranded next to river in London

June 9 ( UPI ) -- A water rescue team came to the assistance of a cat spotted stranded on a vanishing piece of land next to a high river wall in London .
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution , a British water rescue charity , said the Chiswick Lifeboat team rushed into action Sunday afternoon when a black cat was spotted stranded on a piece of land that was slowly being consumed by the rising water level of the River Thames .
The RNLI said crews often conduct rescues on dogs that are `` usually glad to see their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ displayed `` very different behavior . ''
`` This cat greeted the crew by snarling and spitting , and then tried to climb the sheer wall .
He then wriggled out of the clutches of RNLI crewman Mark Pusey and started swimming away , '' the group said .
Pussey was able to wade out into the water and wrap the cat in a blanket for safe transport back to shore .
The cat was released on dry land , where rescuers said it quickly ran off , `` pursued by a dog @ @

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June 9 (UPI) -- A water rescue team came to the assistance of a cat spotted stranded on a vanishing piece of land next to a high river wall in London.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, a British water rescue charity, said the Chiswick Lifeboat team rushed into action Sunday afternoon when a black cat was spotted stranded on a piece of land that was slowly being consumed by the rising water level of the River Thames.
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The RNLI said crews often conduct rescues on dogs that are "usually glad to see their human rescuers," but the cat displayed "very different behavior."
"This cat greeted the crew by snarling and spitting, and then tried to climb the sheer wall. He then wriggled out of the clutches of RNLI crewman Mark Pusey and started swimming away," the group said.
Pussey was able to wade out into the water and wrap the cat in a blanket for safe transport back to shore.
The cat was released on dry land, where rescuers said it quickly ran off, "pursued by a dog."


upi--2020-06-09--Analysis: COVID-19 might have started in Wuhan in August, not November

June 9 ( UPI ) -- The COVID-19 outbreak may have started in Wuhan , China , in August 2019 -- at least three months earlier than previously thought -- according to an analysis by researchers at Harvard University .
The findings , based on satellite images of city streets and search engine use among local residents , show a marked increase in traffic outside five hospitals in Wuhan from late August to December .
This coincides with a spike in online searches for symptoms like `` cough '' and `` diarrhea , '' the researchers said .
Chinese officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` ridiculous . ''
`` I think it is ridiculous , incredibly ridiculous , to come up with this conclusion based on superficial observations such as traffic volume , '' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said during a press briefing Tuesday , the BBC reported .
The analysis has been posted online and has not yet been peer-reviewed , meaning it has n't been evaluated by independent experts for accuracy .
Until now , Chinese officials and the World Health Organization have maintained that the new coronavirus , SARS-CoV-2 , first appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Wuhan reported an unusual cluster of pneumonia cases to the WHO on Dec. 31 .
Since then , nearly 7.2 million people have been infected globally , including almost 2 million in the United States , according to Johns Hopkins University .
To reach their conclusion , the Harvard researchers examined commercial satellite data from outside five hospitals in Wuhan , comparing images from late summer and fall 2018 to the same period in 2019 .
Increases in traffic and parked cars were found at all five hospitals , including one that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to year , researchers said .
At the same time , online searches for words associated with the symptoms of COVID-19 on the Chinese search engine Baidu began to increase in late summer -- before rising dramatically in late November .
Genetic analyses of coronavirus strains circulating globally also have indicated that the virus first emerged late last year , said Dr. Yonatan Grad , an assistant professor of immunology and infectious diseases at Harvard T.H .
Chan School of Public Health , who was not part of the traffic and search engine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counter to the genetic data , '' Grad said during a call with reporters Tuesday .
However , he said , `` having an understanding of the timing in relation to the cases , and the mitigation efforts will help us understand the impact of those mitigation efforts , and which mitigation efforts had impact on the spread of the virus and which did not . ''

Chinese people head to a bus station wearing protective masks in Beijing in January, as the coronavirus became a threat to the city. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
June 9 (UPI) -- The COVID-19 outbreak may have started in Wuhan, China, in August 2019 -- at least three months earlier than previously thought -- according to an analysis by researchers at Harvard University. The findings, based on satellite images of city streets and search engine use among local residents, show a marked increase in traffic outside five hospitals in Wuhan from late August to December. Advertisement
This coincides with a spike in online searches for symptoms like "cough" and "diarrhea," the researchers said.
Chinese officials have refuted the findings, calling them "ridiculous."
"I think it is ridiculous, incredibly ridiculous, to come up with this conclusion based on superficial observations such as traffic volume," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said during a press briefing Tuesday, the BBC reported.
The analysis has been posted online and has not yet been peer-reviewed, meaning it hasn't been evaluated by independent experts for accuracy.
Until now, Chinese officials and the World Health Organization have maintained that the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, first appeared in Wuhan in November. Health officials in Wuhan reported an unusual cluster of pneumonia cases to the WHO on Dec. 31.
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Since then, nearly 7.2 million people have been infected globally, including almost 2 million in the United States, according to Johns Hopkins University.
To reach their conclusion, the Harvard researchers examined commercial satellite data from outside five hospitals in Wuhan, comparing images from late summer and fall 2018 to the same period in 2019.
Increases in traffic and parked cars were found at all five hospitals, including one that showed a 67 percent increase from year to year, researchers said.
At the same time, online searches for words associated with the symptoms of COVID-19 on the Chinese search engine Baidu began to increase in late summer -- before rising dramatically in late November.
Genetic analyses of coronavirus strains circulating globally also have indicated that the virus first emerged late last year, said Dr. Yonatan Grad, an assistant professor of immunology and infectious diseases at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who was not part of the traffic and search engine analysis.
"So these findings run counter to the genetic data," Grad said during a call with reporters Tuesday.
However, he said, "having an understanding of the timing in relation to the cases, and the mitigation efforts will help us understand the impact of those mitigation efforts, and which mitigation efforts had impact on the spread of the virus and which did not."


upi--2020-06-09--Chicago's deadliest weekend in decades could mean a violent summer

June 9 ( UPI ) -- Experts and residents believe a violent summer may be in store for Chicago after gun violence exploded to record highs during the first weekend of unrest following the police-involved killing of George Floyd .
On Monday , Chicago police arrested a man who shot and wounded an officer responding to a domestic violence call on the city 's West Side .
Another off-duty officer was shot early Tuesday morning in an attempted robbery on the South Side .
In the weekend following Floyd 's death in Minneapolis , University of Chicago Crime Lab reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 31 , the most violent day since the early 1960s .
Police resources were thin , as looting and protests raged in the city .
That weekend , a total of 85 people were shot with 24 killed , according to the Chicago Sun-Times .
`` We 've never seen anything like it , at all , '' Max Kapustin , the senior research director at the crime lab told the Sun-Times .
`` I do n't even know how to put it into context .
It 's beyond anything that we 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Chicago Police Department ] has to turn its attention elsewhere and there 's suddenly this vacuum that opens up , you also unfortunately see a picture like you saw with [ last ] weekend where you see an absurd amount of carnage , people getting injured and killed , '' Kapustin added .
`` Those forces are still there . ''
To deal with the extra murder victims , the Cook County medical examiner 's office called in extra pathologists to conduct autopsies , the Chicago Tribune reported .
The highest number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been on Aug. 4 , 1991 , when 13 people were killed in the city .
The number of murders in Chicago has been dropping in the past few years , to 492 murders last year from 764 in 2016 .
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the city 's 911 dispatch department received 65,000 police calls on May 31 , about 50,000 more than a usual day .
Residents worry that the pandemic-caused high unemployment and social restrictions along with a sense of lawlessness might cause a violent summer .
South-side journalist James Porter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son of a Chicago police officer , said the unrest on television reminded him of his father 's 1968 police experiences after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and at the Democratic convention .
`` [ When ] I learned about the unrest in Minneapolis , it soon dawned on me : Summer is coming , and this might be the Rodney King uprising of 2020 .
And I was right . ''
Teyonna Lofton of the city 's Gresham neighborhood was shot in the elbow at a gas station by unknown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sun-Times she called 911 repeatedly for help .
`` When I needed help , to call the police and stuff , nobody responded .
Nobody answered , '' Lofton said .
`` My mom had to come from home , and we had to get to the hospital . ''
Chicago Police spokesman Thomas Ahern called the number of violent acts and shootings `` unprecedented '' and said the department was investigating .
`` The Department is actively working to seek justice for all the residents impacted , especially those who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acts of violence , '' Ahern said in a statement .
Activists said the violence was a response to building pressure from COVID-19 , joblessness and housing insecurity .
South-siders are bracing for the summer and hoping that the trend wo n't continue .
`` It 's like a time bomb out here , '' Rev .
Michael Pfleger , pastor of St. Sabina church and anti-gun activist told the Sun-Times .
`` People are on the edge , people are angry , people are poor , and they do n't even know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

A spike in violence during the last weekend in May has Chicagoans worried about crime during the summer ahead. File photo courtesy Chicago Police Department via Twitter
June 9 (UPI) -- Experts and residents believe a violent summer may be in store for Chicago after gun violence exploded to record highs during the first weekend of unrest following the police-involved killing of George Floyd. On Monday, Chicago police arrested a man who shot and wounded an officer responding to a domestic violence call on the city's West Side. Another off-duty officer was shot early Tuesday morning in an attempted robbery on the South Side. Advertisement
In the weekend following Floyd's death in Minneapolis, University of Chicago Crime Lab reported 18 fatal shootings on Sunday, May 31, the most violent day since the early 1960s. Police resources were thin, as looting and protests raged in the city.
That weekend, a total of 85 people were shot with 24 killed, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
"We've never seen anything like it, at all," Max Kapustin, the senior research director at the crime lab told the Sun-Times. "I don't even know how to put it into context. It's beyond anything that we've ever seen before."
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"When [Chicago Police Department] has to turn its attention elsewhere and there's suddenly this vacuum that opens up, you also unfortunately see a picture like you saw with [last] weekend where you see an absurd amount of carnage, people getting injured and killed," Kapustin added. "Those forces are still there."
To deal with the extra murder victims, the Cook County medical examiner's office called in extra pathologists to conduct autopsies, the Chicago Tribune reported.
The highest number of deaths in the city previously had been on Aug. 4, 1991, when 13 people were killed in the city. The number of murders in Chicago has been dropping in the past few years, to 492 murders last year from 764 in 2016.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the city's 911 dispatch department received 65,000 police calls on May 31, about 50,000 more than a usual day.
Residents worry that the pandemic-caused high unemployment and social restrictions along with a sense of lawlessness might cause a violent summer.
South-side journalist James Porter, who is African American and the son of a Chicago police officer, said the unrest on television reminded him of his father's 1968 police experiences after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and at the Democratic convention.
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"[When] I learned about the unrest in Minneapolis, it soon dawned on me: Summer is coming, and this might be the Rodney King uprising of 2020. And I was right."
Teyonna Lofton of the city's Gresham neighborhood was shot in the elbow at a gas station by unknown people in an SUV, she told the Sun-Times she called 911 repeatedly for help.
"When I needed help, to call the police and stuff, nobody responded. Nobody answered," Lofton said. "My mom had to come from home, and we had to get to the hospital."
Chicago Police spokesman Thomas Ahern called the number of violent acts and shootings "unprecedented" and said the department was investigating.
"The Department is actively working to seek justice for all the residents impacted, especially those who have been killed or injured by these senseless acts of violence," Ahern said in a statement.
Activists said the violence was a response to building pressure from COVID-19, joblessness and housing insecurity. South-siders are bracing for the summer and hoping that the trend won't continue.
"It's like a time bomb out here," Rev. Michael Pfleger, pastor of St. Sabina church and anti-gun activist told the Sun-Times. "People are on the edge, people are angry, people are poor, and they don't even know when it's going to change."


upi--2020-06-09--Monkeys prefer to interact with a more realistic avatar

June 9 ( UPI ) -- Just like humans , monkeys experience the uncanny valley effect , but researchers were able to overcome the effect using a more realistic avatar .
The uncanny valley effect describes the feelings of uneasiness inspired by the appearance of an avatar .
Humans tend to be made uncomfortable by avatars that appear especially lifelike .
`` Anyone using synthetic stimuli like avatars should be aware of the uncanny valley effect , '' Ramona Siebert , researcher at the University of Tübingen in Germany , told UPI in an email .
`` This describes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avatars turns into discomfort once the avatar becomes too realistic .
The phenomenon has also been described for monkeys before , highlighting its evolutionary origin . ''
However , the latest research -- published this week in the journal eNeuro -- suggests monkeys experience the uncanny valley effect differently than humans .
Creating an avatar that make monkeys most comfortable is important for scientists conducting neuroscience and psychology research .
`` Our goal was to create a naturalistic avatar in order to systematically investigate how monkeys perceive their conspecifics ' facial information , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the system works on a neuronal level might offer insights into the nature of the communication deficit in human autism spectrum disorder , which includes problems understanding the gaze and the facial expression of others . ''
For the study , researchers exposed Rhesus monkeys to five different types of monkey faces : video footage from real monkeys , a natural looking avatar with fur and facial details , a furless avatar , a greyscale avatar and a wireframe face .
The monkeys showed the strongest positive approaching behavior , such as lip-smacking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When facing the most realistic avatar , the monkeys behaved similar to the ways they behave in front of real monkeys .
Based on research into the uncanny valley effect as experienced by humans , scientists expected Rhesus monkeys to show aversion to the most realistic avatars .
`` Instead , less realistic avatars , which possessed eerie features like lack of fur or natural coloring , were avoided , '' Siebert said .
`` This indicates that not the high realism , but other eerie features elicit the avoidance and demonstrates that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insurmountable obstacle . ''
Siebert and her colleagues hope their new avatar will help neuroscientists design and execute more standardized and reproducible social cognition studies .

When shown avatars of monkey faces, rhesus macaques preferred those made using real video of other monkeys. Photo by Siebert et al./eNeuro
June 9 (UPI) -- Just like humans, monkeys experience the uncanny valley effect, but researchers were able to overcome the effect using a more realistic avatar. The uncanny valley effect describes the feelings of uneasiness inspired by the appearance of an avatar. Humans tend to be made uncomfortable by avatars that appear especially lifelike. Advertisement
"Anyone using synthetic stimuli like avatars should be aware of the uncanny valley effect," Ramona Siebert, researcher at the University of Tübingen in Germany, told UPI in an email. "This describes the phenomenon that human's affinity for human-like avatars turns into discomfort once the avatar becomes too realistic. The phenomenon has also been described for monkeys before, highlighting its evolutionary origin."
However, the latest research -- published this week in the journal eNeuro -- suggests monkeys experience the uncanny valley effect differently than humans. Creating an avatar that make monkeys most comfortable is important for scientists conducting neuroscience and psychology research.
"Our goal was to create a naturalistic avatar in order to systematically investigate how monkeys perceive their conspecifics' facial information," Siebert said. "Understanding how the system works on a neuronal level might offer insights into the nature of the communication deficit in human autism spectrum disorder, which includes problems understanding the gaze and the facial expression of others."
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For the study, researchers exposed Rhesus monkeys to five different types of monkey faces: video footage from real monkeys, a natural looking avatar with fur and facial details, a furless avatar, a greyscale avatar and a wireframe face.
The monkeys showed the strongest positive approaching behavior, such as lip-smacking, toward the most realistic avatar. When facing the most realistic avatar, the monkeys behaved similar to the ways they behave in front of real monkeys.
Based on research into the uncanny valley effect as experienced by humans, scientists expected Rhesus monkeys to show aversion to the most realistic avatars.
"Instead, less realistic avatars, which possessed eerie features like lack of fur or natural coloring, were avoided," Siebert said. "This indicates that not the high realism, but other eerie features elicit the avoidance and demonstrates that the uncanny valley effect is not an insurmountable obstacle."
Siebert and her colleagues hope their new avatar will help neuroscientists design and execute more standardized and reproducible social cognition studies.


upi--2020-06-09--Watch: Boy, 5, hits hole-in-one at Florida golf course

June 9 ( UPI ) -- A 5-year-old boy 's golf skills are being celebrated after he hit a hole-in-one @ @ @ @ @ Florida .
William Kelly , 5 , sank a hole-in-one on Hole 13 at The @ @ @ @ @ in Sunrise during his golf clinic Friday .
`` I hit a 7 iron , @ @ @ @ @ `` It took two bounces off the fairway and one bounce off the green , @ @ @ @ @ flag and then it went in . ''
`` It was an unbelievable moment , @ @ @ @ @ Some people play golf their whole lives and never get a hole-in-one .
He 's @ @ @ @ @ third- ( or ) fourth-grader .
He 's got some natural talent . ''
William @ @ @ @ @ attention of the Sunrise government , which hailed the `` impressive '' young golfer in @ @ @ @

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June 9 (UPI) -- A 5-year-old boy's golf skills are being celebrated after he hit a hole-in-one at a popular course in Florida.
William Kelly, 5, sank a hole-in-one on Hole 13 at The Bridges at Springtree Golf Club in Sunrise during his golf clinic Friday.
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"I hit a 7 iron," William told WPLG-TV. "It took two bounces off the fairway and one bounce off the green, and then it hit the flag and then it went in."
Mike Freglette, William's golf coach, praised the boy's skills.
"It was an unbelievable moment," Freglette said. "Some people play golf their whole lives and never get a hole-in-one. He's playing as good as a third- (or) fourth-grader. He's got some natural talent."
William's feat came to the attention of the Sunrise government, which hailed the "impressive" young golfer in a Facebook post.


upi--2020-06-09--Watch: Man reunited with lost class ring after 22 years

June 9 ( UPI ) -- A Kentucky man was reunited with his class ring after more than 20 years as demolition began on the building where it was last seen .
Stephen Turner of Owensboro said he lost his Apollo High School class ring at a party at Gabe 's Tower in Owensboro in 1998 , and he did n't see the item again until a Facebook post was brought to his attention .
Becki Burton , an employee at Apollo High School , had posted photos of the ring on Facebook , writing that it had been mailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Classmates tagged Turner in the post , believing it to be his ring .
Burton said the origin of the package containing the ring was unknown .
Turner theorized the ring might have been found during preparations for the demolition and mailed back to the school .
`` The fact that they were tearing down the tower , I instantly thought maybe they were tearing out some things at the tower and they found it wedged behind one of the dressers .
It 's pretty crazy , '' Turner told WEHT/WTVW .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ landmark building that opened as a hotel in 1963 , began Monday .

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June 9 (UPI) -- A Kentucky man was reunited with his class ring after more than 20 years as demolition began on the building where it was last seen.
Stephen Turner of Owensboro said he lost his Apollo High School class ring at a party at Gabe's Tower in Owensboro in 1998, and he didn't see the item again until a Facebook post was brought to his attention.
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Becki Burton, an employee at Apollo High School, had posted photos of the ring on Facebook, writing that it had been mailed to the school by an unknown person. Classmates tagged Turner in the post, believing it to be his ring.
Burton said the origin of the package containing the ring was unknown. Turner theorized the ring might have been found during preparations for the demolition and mailed back to the school.
"The fact that they were tearing down the tower, I instantly thought maybe they were tearing out some things at the tower and they found it wedged behind one of the dressers. It's pretty crazy," Turner told WEHT/WTVW.
Demolition of Gabe's Tower, a landmark building that opened as a hotel in 1963, began Monday.


upi--2020-06-09--HHS to dole out $25B to Medicaid, CHIP, safety-net hospital providers

June 9 ( UPI ) -- The Trump administration said Tuesday it would dole out $ 25 billion in delayed funding to Medicaid , CHIP and safety-net hospital providers after coming under pressure to do so .
The Department of Health and Human Services said that it will distribute $ 15 billion to providers who participate in state Medicaid and Children 's Health Insurance Program .
It will also dole out $ 10 billion to safety-net hospitals that treat the most vulnerable citizens , including a lot of Medicaid patients .
`` Healthcare providers who focus on treating the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients , are absolutely essential to our fight against COVID-19 , '' said HHS Secretary Alex Azar .
`` HHS is using funds from Congress , secured by President Trump , to provide new targeted help for America 's safety-net providers and clinicians who treat millions of Medicaid beneficiaries . ''
The distribution of the $ 25 billion has been largely delayed since it was allocated in April .
The CARES Act and the `` Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act '' allocated $ 175 in relief funds to hospital and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Last week a bipartisan group of lawmakers pushed to distribute the funding to Medicaid providers as soon as possible .
The delay `` could result in long-term financial hardship for providers who service some of our most vulnerable populations , '' a letter from the bipartisan group of lawmakers said .
Authors of the letter included Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley , R-Iowa , Sen. Ron Wyden , D-Ore. , House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone , Jr. D-N.J. and Rep. Greg Walden , R-Ore. Health policy experts had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distributed directly to the most vulnerable .
Billions in funding has already been distributed to providers of Medicare , the federal health insurance program for age 65 or older , which is federally-funded .
The Medicaid process is more complex .
State governments pay Medicaid providers and the federal government reimburses them at various rates .
The Department of HHS announced that on Wednesday it will launch a `` portal '' for Medicaid and CHIP providers to report their annual patient revenue , which will be used to determine the amount of aid @

HHS Secretary Alex Azar announced Tuesday that $25 billion will be distributed to healthcare providers for Medicaid, CHIP and safety-net hospitals. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
June 9 (UPI) -- The Trump administration said Tuesday it would dole out $25 billion in delayed funding to Medicaid, CHIP and safety-net hospital providers after coming under pressure to do so. The Department of Health and Human Services said that it will distribute $15 billion to providers who participate in state Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program. It will also dole out $10 billion to safety-net hospitals that treat the most vulnerable citizens, including a lot of Medicaid patients. Advertisement
"Healthcare providers who focus on treating the most vulnerable Americans, including low-income and minority patients, are absolutely essential to our fight against COVID-19," said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. "HHS is using funds from Congress, secured by President Trump, to provide new targeted help for America's safety-net providers and clinicians who treat millions of Medicaid beneficiaries."
The distribution of the $25 billion has been largely delayed since it was allocated in April. The CARES Act and the "Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act" allocated $175 in relief funds to hospital and healthcare providers, including the most vulnerable.
Last week a bipartisan group of lawmakers pushed to distribute the funding to Medicaid providers as soon as possible.
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The delay "could result in long-term financial hardship for providers who service some of our most vulnerable populations," a letter from the bipartisan group of lawmakers said. Authors of the letter included Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. D-N.J. and Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore.
Health policy experts had also pushed for more funds to be distributed directly to the most vulnerable.
Billions in funding has already been distributed to providers of Medicare, the federal health insurance program for age 65 or older, which is federally-funded. The Medicaid process is more complex. State governments pay Medicaid providers and the federal government reimburses them at various rates.
The Department of HHS announced that on Wednesday it will launch a "portal" for Medicaid and CHIP providers to report their annual patient revenue, which will be used to determine the amount of aid.


upi--2020-06-09--More than 8,500 Airmen volunteer for Space Force

June 9 ( UPI ) -- More than 8,500 active-duty members of the Air Force volunteered to build the ranks of the newly-created Space Force in May .
According to the Space Force , the service is currently reviewing transfer applications and analyzing packages to determine where transfer boards are needed .
A total of 6,000 members will be selected for transfer .
According to the service , 16,000 military members and civilians have already been assigned to Space Force since the branch 's creation in December .
`` I am incredibly proud of the men and women who made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Space Force and defend the ultimate high ground , '' said Gen. Jay Raymond , chief of space operations , U.S. Space Force .
`` It is a critical time for space , and those Airmen will build the Space Force necessary to compete , deter , and win as required to meet the needs of the National Defense Strategy , '' Raymond said .
Volunteers include officers and enlisted members in Air Force Specialty Codes of space operations and space systems operations , as well as officers and enlisted members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Air Force and Space Force .
Volunteers in the organic space career fields will begin transferring Sept. 1 , and for those in other career fields , transfer boards will be scheduled by Air Force Space Command as needed between July and November .

More than 8,500 active-duty members of the Air Force have volunteered for the U.S. Space Force, the branch announced Tuesday. Photo by Robert Barnett/U.S. Air Force
June 9 (UPI) -- More than 8,500 active-duty members of the Air Force volunteered to build the ranks of the newly-created Space Force in May. According to the Space Force, the service is currently reviewing transfer applications and analyzing packages to determine where transfer boards are needed. Advertisement
A total of 6,000 members will be selected for transfer.
According to the service, 16,000 military members and civilians have already been assigned to Space Force since the branch's creation in December.
"I am incredibly proud of the men and women who made the bold decision to volunteer to join the U.S. Space Force and defend the ultimate high ground," said Gen. Jay Raymond, chief of space operations, U.S. Space Force.
"It is a critical time for space, and those Airmen will build the Space Force necessary to compete, deter, and win as required to meet the needs of the National Defense Strategy," Raymond said.
Volunteers include officers and enlisted members in Air Force Specialty Codes of space operations and space systems operations, as well as officers and enlisted members in several career fields common to both the Air Force and Space Force.
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Volunteers in the organic space career fields will begin transferring Sept. 1, and for those in other career fields, transfer boards will be scheduled by Air Force Space Command as needed between July and November.


upi--2020-06-10--Michael Irvin Jr. to transfer from Miami to Florida Atlantic

June 10 ( UPI ) -- Michael Irvin Jr. -- the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin -- will transfer from the University of Miami and head 45 miles north to Florida Atlantic University for his final season of college football .
Irvin announced his plans to leave the Hurricanes in March .
He announced his decision to play at FAU on Monday .
`` I have had a riddled college football career so far , which is why I have made this decision very carefully , '' Irvin tweeted .
`` I have learned a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the relationships I have made throughout the process .
`` I 'm thankful for everything that I have been able to do .
After a number of discussions with my family , we believe that I have been granted an opportunity that I ca n't pass up .
I have decided I will spend my last year of college football as an FAU Owl . ''
Irvin struggled to produce for the Hurricanes .
He had two catches for 33 yards last season and nine grabs for 78 yards in 2017 .
Irvin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a knee injury .
Former Owls star Harrison Bryant was one of the best tight ends in college football in 2019 .
Bryant -- the John Mackey Award winner -- was a fourth-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 2020 NFL Draft .
`` I would like to thank recruiting coach [ Raymond ] Woodie for starting this recruiting process with me , '' Irvin wrote .
`` Also to coach [ Willie ] Taggart for making me feel comfortable with the move and coach [ tight ends coach Jaron ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I have received unparalleled amounts of love from the staff and I am extremely excited to start this new chapter of my life . ''
Irvin attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale , Fla. , before he played at Miami .
His father attended both of schools before his decorated NFL tenure with Dallas Cowboys .
Florida Atlantic University , in Boca Raton , is 45 miles north of the Miami campus in Coral Gables .

June 10 (UPI) -- Michael Irvin Jr. -- the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin -- will transfer from the University of Miami and head 45 miles north to Florida Atlantic University for his final season of college football.
Irvin announced his plans to leave the Hurricanes in March. He announced his decision to play at FAU on Monday.
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"I have had a riddled college football career so far, which is why I have made this decision very carefully," Irvin tweeted. "I have learned a lot and would not change my experience and the relationships I have made throughout the process.
"I'm thankful for everything that I have been able to do. After a number of discussions with my family, we believe that I have been granted an opportunity that I can't pass up. I have decided I will spend my last year of college football as an FAU Owl."
Irvin struggled to produce for the Hurricanes. He had two catches for 33 yards last season and nine grabs for 78 yards in 2017. Irvin missed most of the 2018 season due to a knee injury.
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Former Owls star Harrison Bryant was one of the best tight ends in college football in 2019. Bryant -- the John Mackey Award winner -- was a fourth-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 2020 NFL Draft.
"I would like to thank recruiting coach [Raymond] Woodie for starting this recruiting process with me," Irvin wrote. "Also to coach [Willie] Taggart for making me feel comfortable with the move and coach [tight ends coach Jaron] Fairman for making the communication easy.
"I have received unparalleled amounts of love from the staff and I am extremely excited to start this new chapter of my life."
Irvin attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., before he played at Miami. His father attended both of schools before his decorated NFL tenure with Dallas Cowboys.
Florida Atlantic University, in Boca Raton, is 45 miles north of the Miami campus in Coral Gables.


upi--2020-06-10--Chimpanzees have a rare bone in their hearts

June 10 ( UPI ) -- Scientists have discovered a rare heart bone , known as an os cordis bone , in chimpanzees .
The discovery of the tiny bone , found in only a small number of animal species , could help researchers protect chimpanzees from heart disease .
Wild chimpanzees are endangered , and their numbers are expected to continue to fall in the decades ahead .
Heart disease is common in chimpanzees , and the development of effective treatments could help protect them .
For the new study , published Wednesday in the journal Scientific Reports , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ micro-computed tomography to scan the chests of dozens of chimpanzees .
The survey showed the os cordis bone was more likely to be present in chimpanzees with idiopathic myocardial fibrosis , a type of heart disease that plagues both apes and humans .
The condition , the most common form of heart disease in chimpanzees , can cause arrhythmia and trigger sudden death .
`` The discovery of a new bone in a new species is a rare event , especially in chimps , which have such similar anatomy to people , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the University of Nottingham 's School of Veterinary Medicine and Science , said in a news release .
`` It raises the question as to whether some people could have an os cordis too . ''
The heart bone is regularly found in cattle , oxen and other bovine species .
It is also sometimes present in sheep , otters , dogs and camels .
In some species , the bone is common , found in most members of a population .
In other animals , the bone is less common and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still working to understand how and why the os cordis bone grows .
Researchers have found the bone in male and female chimps , both young and old .
The researchers speculate that it 's possible the bone causes problems , but it 's also possible the bone grows to support the heart , perhaps in response to problems with the heart .
The finding , researchers say , highlights the need for further study of the heart bone .

For the first time, scientists have found a tiny heart bone, called the os cordis, in chimpanzees. Photo by Rutland/University of Nottingham
June 10 (UPI) -- Scientists have discovered a rare heart bone, known as an os cordis bone, in chimpanzees. The discovery of the tiny bone, found in only a small number of animal species, could help researchers protect chimpanzees from heart disease. Wild chimpanzees are endangered, and their numbers are expected to continue to fall in the decades ahead. Heart disease is common in chimpanzees, and the development of effective treatments could help protect them. Advertisement
For the new study, published Wednesday in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers used an advanced imaging method called micro-computed tomography to scan the chests of dozens of chimpanzees.
The survey showed the os cordis bone was more likely to be present in chimpanzees with idiopathic myocardial fibrosis, a type of heart disease that plagues both apes and humans. The condition, the most common form of heart disease in chimpanzees, can cause arrhythmia and trigger sudden death.
"The discovery of a new bone in a new species is a rare event, especially in chimps, which have such similar anatomy to people," lead study author Catrin Rutland, researcher at the University of Nottingham's School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, said in a news release. "It raises the question as to whether some people could have an os cordis too."
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The heart bone is regularly found in cattle, oxen and other bovine species. It is also sometimes present in sheep, otters, dogs and camels. In some species, the bone is common, found in most members of a population. In other animals, the bone is less common and associated with heart disease.
Scientists are still working to understand how and why the os cordis bone grows. Researchers have found the bone in male and female chimps, both young and old.
The researchers speculate that it's possible the bone causes problems, but it's also possible the bone grows to support the heart, perhaps in response to problems with the heart.
The finding, researchers say, highlights the need for further study of the heart bone.


upi--2020-06-10--USC to end blackout with former star running back Reggie Bush

June 10 ( UPI ) -- The University of Southern California is expected to end their dissociation with Reggie Bush -- stemming from NCAA sanctions on the Trojans ' football program -- due to a rule change from college sports ' governing body .
A source told ESPN Bush is in the process of finalizing an agreement that would allow him to be reinstated and the Los Angeles Times reported the school plans to welcome Bush back .
Bush starred at running back for the Trojans from 2003 through 2005 .
The NCAA imposed sanctions on the Trojans in 2010 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits Bush received while enrolled .
The NCAA determined Bush and family members accepted cash , travel expenses and lived rent-free at a San Diego , Calif. , home while he was a student-athlete on the Los Angeles campus .
The Trojans were forced to vacate 14 wins , including a national championship in 2004 , and dissociate from Bush .
The program lost 30 scholarships and was given a two-year bowl ban .
Bush also surrendered his 2005 Heisman Trophy .
The NCAA Committee on Infractions adopted a rule three years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a school to 10 years .
USC 's sanctions began on June 10 , 2010 , exactly 10 years Wednesday .
Bush , 35 , recorded 2,218 yards from scrimmage and 19 touchdowns during his final season with the Trojans in 2005 and totaled 3,169 rushing yards , 1,301 receiving yards and 43 scores in three seasons at USC .
Bush also was an electrifying punt and kick returner , with four special teams touchdowns in 39 games .
Bush was drafted No .
2 overall in the 2006 NFL Draft and played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orleans Saints , helping the team win a Super Bowl title in 2010 .
He later played for the Miami Dolphins , Detroit Lions , San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills , but never made a Pro Bowl , before retiring in 2017 .

USC Trojans tailback Reggie Bush (5) runs with the ball against the Texas Longhorns at the Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, Calif., on January 4, 2004. File Photo by Michael Tweed/UPI | License Photo
June 10 (UPI) -- The University of Southern California is expected to end their dissociation with Reggie Bush -- stemming from NCAA sanctions on the Trojans' football program -- due to a rule change from college sports' governing body. A source told ESPN Bush is in the process of finalizing an agreement that would allow him to be reinstated and the Los Angeles Times reported the school plans to welcome Bush back. Advertisement
Bush starred at running back for the Trojans from 2003 through 2005. The NCAA imposed sanctions on the Trojans in 2010 after a four-year investigation into potential extra benefits Bush received while enrolled. The NCAA determined Bush and family members accepted cash, travel expenses and lived rent-free at a San Diego, Calif., home while he was a student-athlete on the Los Angeles campus.
The Trojans were forced to vacate 14 wins, including a national championship in 2004, and dissociate from Bush. The program lost 30 scholarships and was given a two-year bowl ban. Bush also surrendered his 2005 Heisman Trophy.
The NCAA Committee on Infractions adopted a rule three years ago that limits dissociation between former players and a school to 10 years. USC's sanctions began on June 10, 2010, exactly 10 years Wednesday.
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Bush, 35, recorded 2,218 yards from scrimmage and 19 touchdowns during his final season with the Trojans in 2005 and totaled 3,169 rushing yards, 1,301 receiving yards and 43 scores in three seasons at USC. Bush also was an electrifying punt and kick returner, with four special teams touchdowns in 39 games.
Bush was drafted No. 2 overall in the 2006 NFL Draft and played his first five seasons for the New Orleans Saints, helping the team win a Super Bowl title in 2010. He later played for the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills, but never made a Pro Bowl, before retiring in 2017.


upi--2020-06-10--Iran's destitute street children abused, blamed for coronavirus

June 10 ( UPI ) -- Nelson Mandela said , `` The true character of a society is revealed in how it treats its children . ''
The true character of the fascist dictatorship that rules Iran has certainly been revealed during the coronavirus pandemic .
While scientists across the world have agreed that children appear to be less vulnerable to COVID-19 than adults , in Iran the regime has shamefully blamed street children for spreading the disease .
There are an estimated 33,000 destitute street children , sleeping rough in Iran 's towns and cities .
They range in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are starved and abused and forced to sleep on the same streets where they try to eke out a paltry living selling flowers , gum , washing windows and grabbing any chance of menial labor to survive .
But now one of the members of the theocratic regime 's parliamentary commission on health has called these child laborers `` the most important source of transmission of the coronavirus . ''
This completely unsubstantiated accusation has exposed these vulnerable children to further hatred and abuse .
The Islamic Republic of Iran signed the UN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1991 and ratified it in 1994 .
Typically , upon ratification , the clerical regime made the following reservation : `` If the text of the convention is or becomes incompatible with the domestic laws and Islamic standards at any time or in any case , the government of the Islamic Republic shall not abide by it . ''
With this religious loophole as a blatant get-out clause , Iran has repeatedly violated its obligations under the treaty and has been routinely criticized by foreign governments and international human rights organizations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the country is faced with thousands , if not millions of hungry children , the mullahs have chosen to blame Iran 's street kids for spreading the virus to deflect attention from their own rank incompetence and venal corruption .
According to accurate daily reports from resistance units of the People 's Mojahedin Organization of Iran ( PMOI/MEK ) , well in excess of 50,000 have died from COVID-19 , although the mullahs tell the world that only 8,500 deaths have occurred .
Their lies are an attempt to hide the fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disease , sending supplies of personal protective equipment and ventilators to their Hezbollah terrorist allies in Lebanon and to their Shi'ia militia proxies in Iraq and selling most of what remained at huge , inflated prices on the black market , while their own doctors and nurses are left with little or no protection .
President Hassan Rouhani has insisted that his government has overcome the disease and ordered people to go back to work , spreading the contagion .
But the latest phase of blaming the virus on vulnerable children has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depravity .
A recent video recorded in Tehran by a member of the brutal Basij internal security forces shows two terrified children , no more than 6 or 7 years old , being forced to eat the flowers they were trying to sell on the streets , including their plastic coverings .
The Basij thug had apprehended the kids for illegal street trading and proudly recorded the video to post on social media as a warning to other children against breaking the law .
In the deeply disturbing film , the Basij thug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eat it , eat it '' at the petrified children as they struggle to chew and swallow the plastic-wrapped flowers , choking and gagging in distress .
This is how the Iranian regime treats its deprived kids .
The governments of most civilized nations would deem feeding any starving children as a priority .
But the repressive regime regards them with derision as some sort of contaminant to be cleansed from the streets .
Some brave human rights activists inside Iran estimate that there are now millions of child laborers in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are forced to work for a pittance to avoid death from starvation .
Many children can be seen rummaging through garbage bins and landfill dumps , looking for items to eat or to sell .
Iran , despite its rich , civilized and open culture , has become an international pariah , its religious fascist regime condemned for human rights abuse and the export of terror , while its 80 million beleaguered citizens , over half of whom are under 30 , struggle to feed their families .
Over 70 precent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international poverty line .
For a country that boasts the world 's second-largest reserve of natural gas and fourth-largest reserve of oil , Iran 's descent into economic chaos can be traced directly to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Rouhani .
Their policy of aggressive military expansionism across the Middle East has seen them squandering billions on the export of terror and on proxy wars in Syria , Yemen , Lebanon , Gaza and Iraq .
At home , the ayatollahs spend billions on their top-secret nuclear weapons program while stuffing bags @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accounts .
They now face the perfect storm of an economy in free fall due to brazen corruption and mismanagement and U.S. President Donald Trump 's `` maximum pressure '' sanctions policy , combined with the mushrooming impact of the coronavirus pandemic .
Iran 's children are the unwitting victims of this chaos , forced to take to the streets in search of money for a day 's meager meal .
They are routinely exploited by child traffickers .
Many are forced into drug use and more are sexually abused and raped , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Any country 's future relies on its children and the mullahs are destroying that future .
There is no fear that any of Nelson Mandela 's wisdom and vision will ever have penetrated the medieval minds of the mullahs .
The only hope for the future is the rapid removal of this malevolent regime .
Struan Stevenson is the coordinator of the Campaign for Iran Change .
He was a member of the European Parliament representing Scotland ( 1999-2014 ) , president of the Parliament 's Delegation for Relations with Iraq ( 2009-14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Free Iran Intergroup ( 2004-14 ) .
He is an international lecturer on the Middle East and president of the European Iraqi Freedom Association .

According to accurate daily reports from resistance units of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), well in excess of 50,000 have died from COVID-19 in Iran. Photo by Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA-EFE
June 10 (UPI) -- Nelson Mandela said, "The true character of a society is revealed in how it treats its children." The true character of the fascist dictatorship that rules Iran has certainly been revealed during the coronavirus pandemic. While scientists across the world have agreed that children appear to be less vulnerable to COVID-19 than adults, in Iran the regime has shamefully blamed street children for spreading the disease. There are an estimated 33,000 destitute street children, sleeping rough in Iran's towns and cities. They range in age from 5 to 18. They are starved and abused and forced to sleep on the same streets where they try to eke out a paltry living selling flowers, gum, washing windows and grabbing any chance of menial labor to survive. Advertisement
But now one of the members of the theocratic regime's parliamentary commission on health has called these child laborers "the most important source of transmission of the coronavirus." This completely unsubstantiated accusation has exposed these vulnerable children to further hatred and abuse.
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The Islamic Republic of Iran signed the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991 and ratified it in 1994. Typically, upon ratification, the clerical regime made the following reservation: "If the text of the convention is or becomes incompatible with the domestic laws and Islamic standards at any time or in any case, the government of the Islamic Republic shall not abide by it."
With this religious loophole as a blatant get-out clause, Iran has repeatedly violated its obligations under the treaty and has been routinely criticized by foreign governments and international human rights organizations. Now, as the Iranian economy collapses and the country is faced with thousands, if not millions of hungry children, the mullahs have chosen to blame Iran's street kids for spreading the virus to deflect attention from their own rank incompetence and venal corruption.
According to accurate daily reports from resistance units of the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), well in excess of 50,000 have died from COVID-19, although the mullahs tell the world that only 8,500 deaths have occurred. Their lies are an attempt to hide the fact that they have bungled the handling of the disease, sending supplies of personal protective equipment and ventilators to their Hezbollah terrorist allies in Lebanon and to their Shi'ia militia proxies in Iraq and selling most of what remained at huge, inflated prices on the black market, while their own doctors and nurses are left with little or no protection.
Advertisement
President Hassan Rouhani has insisted that his government has overcome the disease and ordered people to go back to work, spreading the contagion. But the latest phase of blaming the virus on vulnerable children has plumbed the depths of the mullahs' depravity.
A recent video recorded in Tehran by a member of the brutal Basij internal security forces shows two terrified children, no more than 6 or 7 years old, being forced to eat the flowers they were trying to sell on the streets, including their plastic coverings. The Basij thug had apprehended the kids for illegal street trading and proudly recorded the video to post on social media as a warning to other children against breaking the law.
In the deeply disturbing film, the Basij thug can be heard shouting threateningly, "Eat it, eat it" at the petrified children as they struggle to chew and swallow the plastic-wrapped flowers, choking and gagging in distress. This is how the Iranian regime treats its deprived kids. The governments of most civilized nations would deem feeding any starving children as a priority. But the repressive regime regards them with derision as some sort of contaminant to be cleansed from the streets.
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Some brave human rights activists inside Iran estimate that there are now millions of child laborers in the country. Deprived of even basic welfare, they are forced to work for a pittance to avoid death from starvation. Many children can be seen rummaging through garbage bins and landfill dumps, looking for items to eat or to sell. Iran, despite its rich, civilized and open culture, has become an international pariah, its religious fascist regime condemned for human rights abuse and the export of terror, while its 80 million beleaguered citizens, over half of whom are under 30, struggle to feed their families. Over 70 precent of the population live at or below the international poverty line.
For a country that boasts the world's second-largest reserve of natural gas and fourth-largest reserve of oil, Iran's descent into economic chaos can be traced directly to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Rouhani. Their policy of aggressive military expansionism across the Middle East has seen them squandering billions on the export of terror and on proxy wars in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, Gaza and Iraq. At home, the ayatollahs spend billions on their top-secret nuclear weapons program while stuffing bags of cash into their own private bank accounts. They now face the perfect storm of an economy in free fall due to brazen corruption and mismanagement and U.S. President Donald Trump's "maximum pressure" sanctions policy, combined with the mushrooming impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Iran's children are the unwitting victims of this chaos, forced to take to the streets in search of money for a day's meager meal. They are routinely exploited by child traffickers. Many are forced into drug use and more are sexually abused and raped, subsequently falling into lifelong drug addiction. Any country's future relies on its children and the mullahs are destroying that future. There is no fear that any of Nelson Mandela's wisdom and vision will ever have penetrated the medieval minds of the mullahs. The only hope for the future is the rapid removal of this malevolent regime.
Struan Stevenson is the coordinator of the Campaign for Iran Change. He was a member of the European Parliament representing Scotland (1999-2014), president of the Parliament's Delegation for Relations with Iraq (2009-14) and chairman of the Friends of a Free Iran Intergroup (2004-14). He is an international lecturer on the Middle East and president of the European Iraqi Freedom Association.


upi--2020-06-10--Watch: 'Queer Eye's Tan France 'grateful' to become a U.S. citizen

June 10 ( UPI ) -- Tan France of Netflix 's Queer Eye celebrated becoming an American citizen on The Tonight Show alongside the other members of the Fab Five , Jonathan Van Ness , Karamo Brown , Antoni Porowski and Bobby Berk .
France , who was born in England to Pakistani parents , had just become an American citizen minutes before he started talking with host Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday .
France was wearing a shirt that featured the American flag .
`` It 's taken 20 years to get here and we 're so darn grateful , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Queer Eye said he was excited to vote , was emotional during the process and discussed what he was thinking about as he became a citizen .
`` I was just thinking of all the times I 've been sent home and the people I 've missed .
I was away from my husband for six years because I was sent home , '' France said .
`` And so just to now be in a position where I know nobody can kick me out and I can actually truly make some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encourage people to vote to change the state of this country .
Like that really made me feel very emotional .
The timing could n't be more perfect for me , '' he continued .
Queer Eye Season 5 , which features the Fab Five helping people reinvent themselves in Philadelphia , premiered on Netflix Friday .
`` Philly people are tough nuts to crack and so it was a challenge for all of us , '' Brown said about filming in Philadelphia where he previously was for Season 15 of MTV 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To come back , it 's wild because now I 'm like this mature adult with kids and when I was there , I was a 23-year-old drunk , '' Brown continued .

June 10 (UPI) -- Tan France of Netflix's Queer Eye celebrated becoming an American citizen on The Tonight Show alongside the other members of the Fab Five, Jonathan Van Ness, Karamo Brown, Antoni Porowski and Bobby Berk.
France, who was born in England to Pakistani parents, had just become an American citizen minutes before he started talking with host Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday. France was wearing a shirt that featured the American flag.
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"It's taken 20 years to get here and we're so darn grateful," France said.
The fashion expert of Queer Eye said he was excited to vote, was emotional during the process and discussed what he was thinking about as he became a citizen.
"I was just thinking of all the times I've been sent home and the people I've missed. I was away from my husband for six years because I was sent home," France said.
"And so just to now be in a position where I know nobody can kick me out and I can actually truly make some changes, actually vote to change and encourage people to vote to change the state of this country. Like that really made me feel very emotional. The timing couldn't be more perfect for me," he continued.
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Queer Eye Season 5, which features the Fab Five helping people reinvent themselves in Philadelphia, premiered on Netflix Friday.
"Philly people are tough nuts to crack and so it was a challenge for all of us," Brown said about filming in Philadelphia where he previously was for Season 15 of MTV's The Real World in 2004.
"To come back, it's wild because now I'm like this mature adult with kids and when I was there, I was a 23-year-old drunk," Brown continued.


upi--2020-06-10--Sweden closes inquiry on PM Olof Palme's 1986 assassination

June 10 ( UPI ) -- Swedish authorities said Wednesday they 're closing an investigation into the unsolved assassination more than 30 years ago of Prime Minister Olof Palme because the main suspect is dead .
Palme was shot dead in Stockholm on Feb. 28 , 1986 , while walking home from a movie theater with his wife Lisbet .
Authorities said they were never able to make a case against main suspect Stig Engstrom , who died in 2000 .
`` We have come as far as we can do with regards to this investigation , '' Sweden 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` My decision is to discontinue the investigation since the suspect is deceased . ''
Suspect Christer Pettersson was originally convicted of Palme 's death in 1988 , based largely on the testimony of Lisbet Palme , who survived the attack .
The conviction was later dismissed by an appeals court for lack of evidence .
Pettersson died in 2004 .
After Pettersson was freed , Palme 's death swirled in speculation that included theories about possible involvement by the Swedish military , Kurdish separatists and even the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspects and more than 130 have claimed responsibility over the last 34 years .
Palme served two stints as Swedish prime minister , first from 1969 to 1976 and then from 1982 until his death .
During his leadership , he voiced opposition to the Vietnam War , supported communist-backed governments in Cuba and Nicaragua and criticized South Africa 's apartheid rule .

Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme, pictured in Stockholm in 1985, was assassinated 34 years ago while walking home with his wife. File Photo by Tobbe Gustavsson/EPA-EFE
June 10 (UPI) -- Swedish authorities said Wednesday they're closing an investigation into the unsolved assassination more than 30 years ago of Prime Minister Olof Palme because the main suspect is dead. Palme was shot dead in Stockholm on Feb. 28, 1986, while walking home from a movie theater with his wife Lisbet. Authorities said they were never able to make a case against main suspect Stig Engstrom, who died in 2000. Advertisement
"We have come as far as we can do with regards to this investigation," Sweden's Chief Prosecutor Krister Petersson told reporters. "My decision is to discontinue the investigation since the suspect is deceased."
Suspect Christer Pettersson was originally convicted of Palme's death in 1988, based largely on the testimony of Lisbet Palme, who survived the attack. The conviction was later dismissed by an appeals court for lack of evidence. Pettersson died in 2004.
After Pettersson was freed, Palme's death swirled in speculation that included theories about possible involvement by the Swedish military, Kurdish separatists and even the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
Authorities have questioned more than 10,000 potential suspects and more than 130 have claimed responsibility over the last 34 years.
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Palme served two stints as Swedish prime minister, first from 1969 to 1976 and then from 1982 until his death. During his leadership, he voiced opposition to the Vietnam War, supported communist-backed governments in Cuba and Nicaragua and criticized South Africa's apartheid rule.


upi--2020-06-10--Tennis: Roger Federer has injury setback, out until 2021

June 10 ( UPI ) -- Roger Federer will not play competitive tennis until 2021 after he had a setback with his right knee injury .
Federer , 38 , announced the roadblock in his recovery Wednesday on Twitter .
The 20-time Grand Slam winner had arthroscopic surgery on the knee in February .
He lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the 2020 Australian Open semifinals on Jan. 30 in Melbourne prior to the surgery .
He was set to miss the 2020 French Open before that Grand Slam was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The tennis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the COVID-19 crisis .
Wimbledon -- scheduled for late June and early July -- was also canceled for the first time since World War II .
Federer has a record eight Wimbledon men 's singles titles .
Federer said he had an `` additional quick arthroscopic procedure '' on his right knee a few days ago .
`` Much like I did leading up the 2017 season , I plan to take the necessary time to be 100 percent ready to play at my highest level , '' Federer wrote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the tour dearly but , I will look forward to seeing everyone back on tour at the start of the 2021 season . ''
Federer sustained a left knee injury in 2016 and missed the second half of the season to recover .
He returned to win the 2017 Australian Open and Wimbledon .
He won his most-recent Grand Slam -- the 2018 Australian Open -- a year later .

Roger Federer will miss the 2020 French Open and U.S. Open -- if they are played -- as he recovers from a right knee injury. File Photo by Corey Sipkin/UPI | License Photo
June 10 (UPI) -- Roger Federer will not play competitive tennis until 2021 after he had a setback with his right knee injury. Federer, 38, announced the roadblock in his recovery Wednesday on Twitter. The 20-time Grand Slam winner had arthroscopic surgery on the knee in February. He lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the 2020 Australian Open semifinals on Jan. 30 in Melbourne prior to the surgery. Advertisement
He was set to miss the 2020 French Open before that Grand Slam was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The tennis season is suspended until at least August due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Wimbledon -- scheduled for late June and early July -- was also canceled for the first time since World War II. Federer has a record eight Wimbledon men's singles titles.
Federer said he had an "additional quick arthroscopic procedure" on his right knee a few days ago.
"Much like I did leading up the 2017 season, I plan to take the necessary time to be 100 percent ready to play at my highest level," Federer wrote. "I will be missing my fans and the tour dearly but, I will look forward to seeing everyone back on tour at the start of the 2021 season."
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Federer sustained a left knee injury in 2016 and missed the second half of the season to recover. He returned to win the 2017 Australian Open and Wimbledon. He won his most-recent Grand Slam -- the 2018 Australian Open -- a year later.