upi--2020-06-12--New England Patriots RB Sony Michel recovering from foot surgery

June 12 ( UPI ) -- New England Patriots running back Sony Michel is recovering from foot surgery he underwent last month .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Michel had the procedure in May .
According to ESPN , the surgery was viewed as maintenance-based to help relieve discomfort that Michel was experiencing .
The Patriots are set to report for training camp in late July , but Michel has already returned to the team 's facility in Foxborough , Mass.
, as part of his rehabilitation , according to ESPN .
His timetable for a return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been the Patriots ' leading rusher in each of the last two seasons , finishing last year with 912 yards and seven touchdowns on 247 carries .
In the 2018 campaign , he recorded 931 yards and six touchdowns on 209 carries .
New England selected Michel in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Georgia .
The tailback has battled multiple knee injuries since entering the league , but he has missed only three games .
If Michel misses time , the Patriots have James White , Rex Burkhead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ J.J. Taylor at the position .

New England Patriots running back Sony Michel (26) underwent surgery on his foot in May. File Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
June 12 (UPI) -- New England Patriots running back Sony Michel is recovering from foot surgery he underwent last month. League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Michel had the procedure in May. According to ESPN, the surgery was viewed as maintenance-based to help relieve discomfort that Michel was experiencing. Advertisement
The Patriots are set to report for training camp in late July, but Michel has already returned to the team's facility in Foxborough, Mass., as part of his rehabilitation, according to ESPN. His timetable for a return is not yet known.
Michel has been the Patriots' leading rusher in each of the last two seasons, finishing last year with 912 yards and seven touchdowns on 247 carries. In the 2018 campaign, he recorded 931 yards and six touchdowns on 209 carries.
New England selected Michel in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Georgia. The tailback has battled multiple knee injuries since entering the league, but he has missed only three games.
If Michel misses time, the Patriots have James White, Rex Burkhead, Brandon Bolden, Damien Harris and J.J. Taylor at the position.


upi--2020-06-12--Carbon dioxide reaches a record level despite COVID-19's drastic impact

Atmospheric carbon dioxide reached a seasonal peak of 417.1 parts per million for 2020 in May , the highest monthly reading ever recorded , according to scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego , who used measurements at Mauna Loa Observatory .
That 's a carbon dioxide level not experienced by the atmosphere in at least several million years , according to the scientists ' press release .
This year 's peak value was 2.4 ppm higher than the previous peak of 414.7 ppm recorded in May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mauna Loa first topped the 400 ppm mark in 2014 .
The peak comes despite worldwide government policies during the coronavirus pandemic that have drastically altered patterns of energy demand , according to a recent study in the journal Nature Climate Change .
The study estimates daily global CO2 emissions decreased by 17 percent by early April because of stay-at-home orders , reductions in transportation and changing consumption patterns .
Emissions in individual countries decreased by 26 percent on average at their peak , the study notes .
`` People may be surprised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus outbreak has n't done more to influence CO2 levels , '' said geochemist Ralph Keeling in the release .
Keeling runs the Scripps Oceanography program at Mauna Loa .
`` But the buildup of CO2 is a bit like trash in a landfill .
As we keep emitting , it keeps piling up .
`` The crisis has slowed emissions , but not enough to show up perceptibly at Mauna Loa .
What will matter much more is the trajectory we take coming out of this situation , '' Keeling said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , says government actions and economic incentives post-crisis will likely influence the global CO2 emissions path for decades .
The impact on 2020 annual emissions depends on the duration of the confinement and related actions , with a low estimate of a four percent decrease if pre-pandemic conditions return by mid-June and a high estimate of seven percent decrease if some restrictions remain worldwide until the end of 2020 .
The late Charles David Keeling , Ralph 's father , began on-site CO2 measurements at NOAA 's weather building on Mauna Loa in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longest unbroken record of CO2 measurements in the world .
The Mauna Loa observatory is on a barren volcano in the middle of the Pacific Ocean , making it ideally situated for sampling well-mixed air -- undisturbed by the influence of local pollution sources or vegetation -- that represents the global background for the northern hemisphere , according to the release .

Atmospheric carbon dioxide reached a seasonal peak of 417.1 parts per million for 2020 in May, the highest monthly reading ever recorded, according to scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego, who used measurements at Mauna Loa Observatory.
That's a carbon dioxide level not experienced by the atmosphere in at least several million years, according to the scientists' press release.
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This year's peak value was 2.4 ppm higher than the previous peak of 414.7 ppm recorded in May 2019. Monthly carbon dioxide values at Mauna Loa first topped the 400 ppm mark in 2014.
The peak comes despite worldwide government policies during the coronavirus pandemic that have drastically altered patterns of energy demand, according to a recent study in the journal Nature Climate Change.
The study estimates daily global CO2 emissions decreased by 17 percent by early April because of stay-at-home orders, reductions in transportation and changing consumption patterns. Emissions in individual countries decreased by 26 percent on average at their peak, the study notes.
"People may be surprised to hear that the response to the coronavirus outbreak hasn't done more to influence CO2 levels," said geochemist Ralph Keeling in the release. Keeling runs the Scripps Oceanography program at Mauna Loa. "But the buildup of CO2 is a bit like trash in a landfill. As we keep emitting, it keeps piling up.
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"The crisis has slowed emissions, but not enough to show up perceptibly at Mauna Loa. What will matter much more is the trajectory we take coming out of this situation," Keeling said.
The Nature Climate Change study, meanwhile, says government actions and economic incentives post-crisis will likely influence the global CO2 emissions path for decades. The impact on 2020 annual emissions depends on the duration of the confinement and related actions, with a low estimate of a four percent decrease if pre-pandemic conditions return by mid-June and a high estimate of seven percent decrease if some restrictions remain worldwide until the end of 2020.
The late Charles David Keeling, Ralph's father, began on-site CO2 measurements at NOAA's weather building on Mauna Loa in 1958, initiating what has become the longest unbroken record of CO2 measurements in the world.
The Mauna Loa observatory is on a barren volcano in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, making it ideally situated for sampling well-mixed air -- undisturbed by the influence of local pollution sources or vegetation -- that represents the global background for the northern hemisphere, according to the release.
World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-06-12--Tiger Woods to skip next week's RBC Heritage at Hilton Head

June 12 ( UPI ) -- Tiger Woods will not participate in next week 's RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head , S.C .
The deadline for entry to the tournament passed Friday and Woods declined to put his name on the commitment list , meaning the star golfer is skipping the first two PGA Tour events in the revised schedule that started this week with the Charles Schwab Challenge .
Despite Woods ' absence , the Hilton Head tournament will have a strong field .
For the second consecutive week , the top five golfers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jon Rahm , Justin Thomas , Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson -- will compete as golf resumes its schedule amid the coronavirus pandemic .
McIlroy , the world 's No .
1-ranked player , will be at Hilton Head for the first time since 2009 .
Koepka will be playing for the first time .
Webb Simpson , Tony Finau , Patrick Cantlay , Rickie Fowler , Sergio Garcia and Xander Schauffele also will join that group at the event .
Woods has n't competed in a Tour event since finishing last among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Genesis Invitational in mid-February .
He missed three tournaments after that due to back stiffness , including The Players Championship -- which was canceled after one round in March because of the COVID-19 outbreak .
Woods later said he was healthy and could have played in the Masters in April .
Last month , he competed alongside Phil Mickelson and NFL legends Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in a one-day charity golf event .
Woods has played only three times this season , winning the Zozo Championship in October for his 82nd PGA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ninth at the Farmers Insurance Open and placed 67th at the Genesis Invitational .

Tiger Woods hasn't competed in PGA Tour competition since finishing last among those to make the cut at the Genesis Invitational in February. File Photo by Scott Barbour/EPA-EFE
June 12 (UPI) -- Tiger Woods will not participate in next week's RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, S.C. The deadline for entry to the tournament passed Friday and Woods declined to put his name on the commitment list, meaning the star golfer is skipping the first two PGA Tour events in the revised schedule that started this week with the Charles Schwab Challenge. Advertisement
Despite Woods' absence, the Hilton Head tournament will have a strong field. For the second consecutive week, the top five golfers in the world -- Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson -- will compete as golf resumes its schedule amid the coronavirus pandemic.
McIlroy, the world's No. 1-ranked player, will be at Hilton Head for the first time since 2009. Koepka will be playing for the first time.
Webb Simpson, Tony Finau, Patrick Cantlay, Rickie Fowler, Sergio Garcia and Xander Schauffele also will join that group at the event.
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Woods hasn't competed in a Tour event since finishing last among those to make the cut at the Genesis Invitational in mid-February. He missed three tournaments after that due to back stiffness, including The Players Championship -- which was canceled after one round in March because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Woods later said he was healthy and could have played in the Masters in April. Last month, he competed alongside Phil Mickelson and NFL legends Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in a one-day charity golf event.
Woods has played only three times this season, winning the Zozo Championship in October for his 82nd PGA Tour title. He also tied for ninth at the Farmers Insurance Open and placed 67th at the Genesis Invitational.


upi--2020-06-12--'Tenet,' 'Wonder Woman 1984' announce new release dates

June 12 ( UPI ) -- Warner Brothers announced Friday it would delay the scheduled release dates of its films Tenet and Wonder Woman 1984 .
Tenet moves from July 17 to July 31 while Wonder Woman moves from Aug. 14 to Oct. 2 , Variety reported .
Theaters in some cities received permission to open this weekend provided they follow guidelines such as temperature checks , social distancing , mask wearing and only 25 percent capacity .
Most theaters are not ready to reopen but expect to in July .
The Hollywood Reporter reported that Tenet 's original release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nolan 's Inception , celebrating its 10th anniversary .
Playing older movies in theaters is one plan to get audiences to return to cinemas .
`` We are excited that our partners at Warner Bros. will offer a new generation of film fans the opportunity to enjoy Inception the way it was originally intended to be seen -- on the big screen , '' the National Association of Theater Owners said in a statement to the trades .
`` Over these last months we have been keeping Warner Bros. closely informed of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with governmental health and safety requirements , '' NATO continued `` We are looking forward to audiences enjoying Tenet in our theaters all around the world on July 31st . ''
Tenet will not be the first new movie to welcome audiences back to cinemas .
Solstice Studios plans to release the Russell Crowe thriller Unhinged on July 10 , delayed from its original July 1 release .
The Wonder Woman sequel already moved from a June 5 release date to August when theaters shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oct. 2 date , also .

Christopher Nolan's latest film "Tenet" will delay its release from July 17 to July 31 and screen Nolan's "Inception" in its place on the 17th. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo
June 12 (UPI) -- Warner Brothers announced Friday it would delay the scheduled release dates of its films Tenet and Wonder Woman 1984. Tenet moves from July 17 to July 31 while Wonder Woman moves from Aug. 14 to Oct. 2, Variety reported. Advertisement
Theaters in some cities received permission to open this weekend provided they follow guidelines such as temperature checks, social distancing, mask wearing and only 25 percent capacity. Most theaters are not ready to reopen but expect to in July.
The Hollywood Reporter reported that Tenet's original release date will go to its director Christopher Nolan's Inception, celebrating its 10th anniversary. Playing older movies in theaters is one plan to get audiences to return to cinemas.
"We are excited that our partners at Warner Bros. will offer a new generation of film fans the opportunity to enjoy Inception the way it was originally intended to be seen -- on the big screen," the National Association of Theater Owners said in a statement to the trades.
"Over these last months we have been keeping Warner Bros. closely informed of our work towards reopening our theatres in accordance with governmental health and safety requirements," NATO continued "We are looking forward to audiences enjoying Tenet in our theaters all around the world on July 31st."
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Tenet will not be the first new movie to welcome audiences back to cinemas. Solstice Studios plans to release the Russell Crowe thriller Unhinged on July 10, delayed from its original July 1 release.
The Wonder Woman sequel already moved from a June 5 release date to August when theaters shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. The film's official Twitter account announced the Oct. 2 date, also.


upi--2020-06-12--Trump administration rolls back LGBTQ health protections

June 12 ( UPI ) -- The Trump administration on Friday rolled back non-discrimination protections for people based on sexual orientation or gender identity .
The move by the Department of Health and Human Services scraps a rule under the Affordable Care Act .
The department said under the amended rule , the government will take a more narrow interpretation of sex discrimination .
`` HHS will enforce [ the rule ] by returning to the government 's interpretation of sex discrimination according to the plain meaning of the word `` sex '' as male or female and as determined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a news release .
That means there wo n't be protections in place for LGBTQ individuals , including those who are gay , lesbian and/or transgender .
HHS said the change will save hospitals and insurers $ 2.9 billion in `` unnecessary regulatory burdens '' over five years .
The department said the new rule means those regulated entities wo n't have to send patients and customers notices about non-discrimination practices .
`` HHS respects the dignity of every human being , and as we have shown in our response to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the civil rights of all to the fullest extent permitted by our laws as passed by Congress , '' said Roger Severino , director of the Office for Civil Rights at HHS .
`` We are unwavering in our commitment to enforcing civil rights in healthcare . ''
The announcement comes on the four-year anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando , Fla. , that killed 49 people -- a venue that mostly catered to an LGBTQ crowd .
It also coincides with Pride Month , during which LGBTQ celebrations and parades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it plans to sue the Trump administration for the rule change , which it described as an attack .
`` Today , the Human Rights Campaign is announcing plans to sue the Trump administration for exceeding their legal authority and attempting to remove basic healthcare protections from vulnerable communities including LGBTQ people , '' HRC President Alphonso David said .
`` LGBTQ people get sick .
LGBTQ people need health care .
LGBTQ people should not live in fear that they can not get the care they need simply because of who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this administration does not believe that LGBTQ people , or other marginalized communities , deserve equality under the law . ''

The new rule eliminates non-discrimination protections for people based on sexual orientation or whether they're transgender . File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
June 12 (UPI) -- The Trump administration on Friday rolled back non-discrimination protections for people based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The move by the Department of Health and Human Services scraps a rule under the Affordable Care Act. The department said under the amended rule, the government will take a more narrow interpretation of sex discrimination. Advertisement
"HHS will enforce [the rule] by returning to the government's interpretation of sex discrimination according to the plain meaning of the word "sex" as male or female and as determined by biology," the department said in a news release.
That means there won't be protections in place for LGBTQ individuals, including those who are gay, lesbian and/or transgender.
HHS said the change will save hospitals and insurers $2.9 billion in "unnecessary regulatory burdens" over five years. The department said the new rule means those regulated entities won't have to send patients and customers notices about non-discrimination practices.
"HHS respects the dignity of every human being, and as we have shown in our response to the pandemic, we vigorously protect and enforce the civil rights of all to the fullest extent permitted by our laws as passed by Congress," said Roger Severino, director of the Office for Civil Rights at HHS. "We are unwavering in our commitment to enforcing civil rights in healthcare."
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The announcement comes on the four-year anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Fla., that killed 49 people -- a venue that mostly catered to an LGBTQ crowd. It also coincides with Pride Month, during which LGBTQ celebrations and parades take place.
The Human Rights Campaign said it plans to sue the Trump administration for the rule change, which it described as an attack.
"Today, the Human Rights Campaign is announcing plans to sue the Trump administration for exceeding their legal authority and attempting to remove basic healthcare protections from vulnerable communities including LGBTQ people," HRC President Alphonso David said.
"LGBTQ people get sick. LGBTQ people need health care. LGBTQ people should not live in fear that they cannot get the care they need simply because of who they are. It is clear that this administration does not believe that LGBTQ people, or other marginalized communities, deserve equality under the law."


upi--2020-06-12--Therapy dogs help some kids with autism more than others

Therapy dogs may help some children with autism improve their social skills , but this approach does n't work in all cases , a new study finds .
Many people with autism have difficulty socializing with others , and previous research has suggested that therapy dogs can help children with autism feel more comfortable speaking with others and socializing .
In this study , University of Missouri researchers compared the willingness of children with autism to speak to a therapist when in the presence of a therapy dog , when they were able to earn time to play with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to earn time playing with a favorite toy .
Some of the children spoke with the therapist more often when the dog was present or when they could earn time to play with the dog , but others spoke more often when they earned time to play with a favorite toy .
The findings , published recently in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis , show that while therapy dogs can improve the social skills of children with autism , using the animals should n't be regarded as a blanket approach , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is incredibly broad , so what might be an effective intervention technique for one child might not necessarily be the best option for another , '' said study co-author Courtney Jorgenson , a doctoral student in the university 's College of Arts and Science .
`` With so many different options available , this research can help parents make the best choices for their child , '' Jorgenson added in a university news release .
She advised that parents of children with autism should talk with their doctor to determine if a therapy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child , and not assume these dogs will benefit every child in the same way .
Children with autism tend to have higher rates of anxiety and depression .
Therapy dogs may help reduce their stress and make them feel more comfortable socializing , according to Jorgenson .
`` Petting a dog can raise your oxytocin levels , the same hormone that gets released when you hug a loved one , '' Jorgenson said .
`` There 's a long way to go in figuring out how dogs can best support children on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can help identify which kids might benefit the most . ''
The Autism Society has more on autism .

Therapy dogs may help some children with autism improve their social skills, but this approach doesn't work in all cases, a new study finds.
Many people with autism have difficulty socializing with others, and previous research has suggested that therapy dogs can help children with autism feel more comfortable speaking with others and socializing.
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In this study, University of Missouri researchers compared the willingness of children with autism to speak to a therapist when in the presence of a therapy dog, when they were able to earn time to play with the dog, or when they were able to earn time playing with a favorite toy.
Some of the children spoke with the therapist more often when the dog was present or when they could earn time to play with the dog, but others spoke more often when they earned time to play with a favorite toy.
The findings, published recently in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, show that while therapy dogs can improve the social skills of children with autism, using the animals shouldn't be regarded as a blanket approach, the researchers said.
"The autism spectrum is incredibly broad, so what might be an effective intervention technique for one child might not necessarily be the best option for another," said study co-author Courtney Jorgenson, a doctoral student in the university's College of Arts and Science.
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"With so many different options available, this research can help parents make the best choices for their child," Jorgenson added in a university news release.
She advised that parents of children with autism should talk with their doctor to determine if a therapy dog is the best option for their child, and not assume these dogs will benefit every child in the same way.
Children with autism tend to have higher rates of anxiety and depression. Therapy dogs may help reduce their stress and make them feel more comfortable socializing, according to Jorgenson.
"Petting a dog can raise your oxytocin levels, the same hormone that gets released when you hug a loved one," Jorgenson said. "There's a long way to go in figuring out how dogs can best support children on the autism spectrum, but this research can help identify which kids might benefit the most."
More information
The Autism Society has more on autism.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-06-12--Dow claws back some of huge loss in trading Friday

June 12 ( UPI ) -- After its worst single-day decline since March , the bellwether blue-chip U.S. stock index @ @ @ @ @ loss in trading Friday .
A day after falling 1,800 points , the Dow Jones @ @ @ @ @ or 1.9 percent by the end of day Friday .
Thursday 's plunge was the @ @ @ @ @ since the dawn of the COVID-19 crisis three months ago .
The Dow initially rose @ @ @ @ @ the opening bell Friday .
The S & P 500 was up 1.31 percent and @ @ @ @ @ 1 percent .
Friday 's surges were n't enough to overcome losses for the week @ @ @ @ @ finished the week down 5.5 percent , the S & P 500 was down 4.7 @ @ @ @ @ down 2.3 percent -- their worst weeks since March .

Sunlight hits the front facade of the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street in New York City on Friday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 12 (UPI) -- After its worst single-day decline since March, the bellwether blue-chip U.S. stock index reclaimed a chunk of the loss in trading Friday. A day after falling 1,800 points, the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 477 points or 1.9 percent by the end of day Friday. Thursday's plunge was the index's worst single-day performance since the dawn of the COVID-19 crisis three months ago. Advertisement
The Dow initially rose more than 800 points after the opening bell Friday.
The S&P 500 was up 1.31 percent and the Nasdaq composite was up 1 percent.
Friday's surges weren't enough to overcome losses for the week, though. The Dow finished the week down 5.5 percent, the S&P 500 was down 4.7 percent and the Nasdaq was down 2.3 percent -- their worst weeks since March.
Travel stocks, including airlines and cruise lines, fueled part of Friday's rebound.


upi--2020-06-12--Tennessee stays execution of Byron Black citing COVID-19

June 12 ( UPI ) -- The Tennessee Supreme Court on Friday ordered a stay of execution for a man convicted of killing a woman and her two daughters .
Byron Black requested the stay in April citing disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
His lawyers said they 've been unable to conduct the investigations required in the months leading up to his execution , which was scheduled for Oct. 8 .
`` The COVID-19 crisis is unlike anything we have ever seen before and the court is correct to stay the execution of Bryon Black , '' Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The stay will help protect guards , witnesses , attorneys representing the prisoners , attorneys for the state and everyone else involved in these cases . ''
Black was convicted in 1988 for killing Angela Clay and her two daughters , Latoya and Lakeisha .
Tennessee has now stayed the executions of two men in response to COVID-19 .
In April , the court delayed the June execution of Oscar Smith .
Texas also has put off the executions of John Hummel , Tracy Beatty , Fabian Hernandez , Billy Wardlow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beyond the delay , Black 's lawyers are seeking to have his execution stayed based on grounds he 's not competent for execution .
They said he has brain damage and schizophrenia , and an IQ of 67 .
They said the experts needed to examine Black in order to hold a competency hearing ca n't travel to Tennessee because of COVID-19 mitigation efforts .
`` In addition to the mental defects that make him incompetent to be executed , he suffers from many medical ailments .
He is physically infirm , can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two hip replacements , and suffers from congestive heart failure .
He gets around the prison by being pushed in an office chair with wheels , '' Henry said .
`` Mr. Black 's attorneys are preparing a motion for a competency hearing because the Eighth Amendment prohibits the execution of a prisoner who , like Mr. Black , has lost his sanity . ''

June 12 (UPI) -- The Tennessee Supreme Court on Friday ordered a stay of execution for a man convicted of killing a woman and her two daughters.
Byron Black requested the stay in April citing disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
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His lawyers said they've been unable to conduct the investigations required in the months leading up to his execution, which was scheduled for Oct. 8.
"The COVID-19 crisis is unlike anything we have ever seen before and the court is correct to stay the execution of Bryon Black," Black's lawyer, Kelley Henry, said. "The stay will help protect guards, witnesses, attorneys representing the prisoners, attorneys for the state and everyone else involved in these cases."
Black was convicted in 1988 for killing Angela Clay and her two daughters, Latoya and Lakeisha.
Tennessee has now stayed the executions of two men in response to COVID-19. In April, the court delayed the June execution of Oscar Smith. Texas also has put off the executions of John Hummel, Tracy Beatty, Fabian Hernandez, Billy Wardlow, Carlos Trevino and Edward Busby.
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Beyond the delay, Black's lawyers are seeking to have his execution stayed based on grounds he's not competent for execution. They said he has brain damage and schizophrenia, and an IQ of 67.
They said the experts needed to examine Black in order to hold a competency hearing can't travel to Tennessee because of COVID-19 mitigation efforts.
"In addition to the mental defects that make him incompetent to be executed, he suffers from many medical ailments. He is physically infirm, can barely walk, is in need of two hip replacements, and suffers from congestive heart failure. He gets around the prison by being pushed in an office chair with wheels," Henry said.
"Mr. Black's attorneys are preparing a motion for a competency hearing because the Eighth Amendment prohibits the execution of a prisoner who, like Mr. Black, has lost his sanity."


upi--2020-06-12--Alabama district attorney seeks new trial for Toforest Johnson

June 12 ( UPI ) -- A district attorney in Alabama said Friday that a man who 's been on death row for 22 years should receive a new trial in the slaying of a sheriff 's deputy .
Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr filed an amicus brief supporting Toforest Johnson 's efforts to be retried .
Johnson , 47 , was convicted and sentenced to death in 1998 for the 1995 death of Jefferson County Deputy William Hardy .
Hardy was shot to death while working at his part-time job as a security guard at a Birmingham hotel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seek justice requires intervention on this case . ''
He said Johnson 's conviction largely relies on a witness whose testimony appears to be at odds with evidence in the case .
Additionally , documents indicated prosecutors secretly paid the witness $ 5,000 to testify .
Carr also called into question the fact that state prosecutors `` presented as many as five different theories of relative to who shot Deputy Hardy . ''
Additionally , he said there were a number of alibi witnesses who said they saw Johnson elsewhere during the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testify at trial .
The amicus brief said the original lead prosecutor in the case met with Carr and said he agreed with his concerns and his support for a new trial .
`` It is the district attorney 's position that in the interest of justice , Mr. Johnson , who has spent more than two decades on death row , be granted a new trial , '' Carr wrote in the brief .
He said he 's not taking a position on whether he thinks Johnson is guilty of murder .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ amicus brief supporting a new trial for Johnson .

Toforest Johnson has served more than 22 years on death row for the fatal shooting of an Alabama sheriff's deputy. File Photo courtesy of the Alabama Department of Corrections
June 12 (UPI) -- A district attorney in Alabama said Friday that a man who's been on death row for 22 years should receive a new trial in the slaying of a sheriff's deputy. Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr filed an amicus brief supporting Toforest Johnson's efforts to be retried. Advertisement
Johnson, 47, was convicted and sentenced to death in 1998 for the 1995 death of Jefferson County Deputy William Hardy. Hardy was shot to death while working at his part-time job as a security guard at a Birmingham hotel.
Carr said his "duty to seek justice requires intervention on this case." He said Johnson's conviction largely relies on a witness whose testimony appears to be at odds with evidence in the case. Additionally, documents indicated prosecutors secretly paid the witness $5,000 to testify.
Carr also called into question the fact that state prosecutors "presented as many as five different theories of relative to who shot Deputy Hardy." Additionally, he said there were a number of alibi witnesses who said they saw Johnson elsewhere during the time of the killing, but didn't testify at trial.
The amicus brief said the original lead prosecutor in the case met with Carr and said he agreed with his concerns and his support for a new trial.
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"It is the district attorney's position that in the interest of justice, Mr. Johnson, who has spent more than two decades on death row, be granted a new trial," Carr wrote in the brief.
He said he's not taking a position on whether he thinks Johnson is guilty of murder.
The Innocence Project has also filed an amicus brief supporting a new trial for Johnson.


upi--2020-06-12--Motion Picture Academy sets new diversity initiatives

June 12 ( UPI ) -- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Friday its Academy Aperture 2025 program to further its equity and inclusion initiative .
Earlier , the Academy appointed filmmaker Ava DuVernay to its board of governors .
Phase 1 of this initiative includes a new task force , in collaboration with the Producers Guild of America , to develop new representation and inclusion standards for Oscars eligibility .
David Rubin and DeVon Franklin head up that task force , with a deadline of July 31 for new standards to go into effect for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2021 ) .
The 94th Academy Awards , to air in 2022 , will set the Best Picture Nominees to 10 possible films .
Quarterly viewing through the Academy online screeners is intended to ensure a level playing field , allowing more potential nominees to be seen .
The 93rd Oscars in 2021 will still have a fluctuating number of Best Picture nominees .
The Academy is implementing mandatory unconscious bias training for all of its governors .
Training will also be open to all 9,000-plus Academy members on a voluntary basis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two , three-year governor terms will allow more frequent rotation of governors .
After a two-year hiatus , a former governor could serve two more three-year terms up to a lifetime maximum of 12 years .
New term limits apply to current sitting board members and those newly elected .
Governors serving a third term will be allowed to finish their term .
`` Academy Dialogue : It Starts With Us '' panels will be open to members and the public .
The Academy hopes this new series will promote dialogue about race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moviemaking .
Whoopi Goldberg has agreed to host a panel on racist tropes and stereotypes in movies .
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has committed to providing contextualization for historic films with racist content .
They will work with the Inclusion Advisory Committee .
This week , HBO Max added a note to its library title Gone with the Wind in response to an editorial by director Steve McQueen .
Aperture 2025 will also institute an Office of Representation , Inclusion and Equity led by Christine Simmons , the chief operating officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of member relations and awards Lorenza Munoz .
The office is tasked with ensuring implementation and best practices of the initiatives .
Employee Resource Groups are also formed to address diversity , equity and inclusion in the workplace .

Brad Pitt won the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood," File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 12 (UPI) -- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Friday its Academy Aperture 2025 program to further its equity and inclusion initiative. Earlier, the Academy appointed filmmaker Ava DuVernay to its board of governors. Phase 1 of this initiative includes a new task force, in collaboration with the Producers Guild of America, to develop new representation and inclusion standards for Oscars eligibility. David Rubin and DeVon Franklin head up that task force, with a deadline of July 31 for new standards to go into effect for the 2022 Oscar competition (for films released in 2021). Advertisement
The 94th Academy Awards, to air in 2022, will set the Best Picture Nominees to 10 possible films. Quarterly viewing through the Academy online screeners is intended to ensure a level playing field, allowing more potential nominees to be seen. The 93rd Oscars in 2021 will still have a fluctuating number of Best Picture nominees.
The Academy is implementing mandatory unconscious bias training for all of its governors. Training will also be open to all 9,000-plus Academy members on a voluntary basis. Also, a new limit of two, three-year governor terms will allow more frequent rotation of governors. After a two-year hiatus, a former governor could serve two more three-year terms up to a lifetime maximum of 12 years.
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New term limits apply to current sitting board members and those newly elected. Governors serving a third term will be allowed to finish their term.
"Academy Dialogue: It Starts With Us" panels will be open to members and the public. The Academy hopes this new series will promote dialogue about race, ethnicity, history, opportunity and moviemaking. Whoopi Goldberg has agreed to host a panel on racist tropes and stereotypes in movies.
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has committed to providing contextualization for historic films with racist content. They will work with the Inclusion Advisory Committee. This week, HBO Max added a note to its library title Gone with the Wind in response to an editorial by director Steve McQueen.
Aperture 2025 will also institute an Office of Representation, Inclusion and Equity led by Christine Simmons, the chief operating officer of the Academy, and managing director of member relations and awards Lorenza Munoz. The office is tasked with ensuring implementation and best practices of the initiatives.
Employee Resource Groups are also formed to address diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.


upi--2020-06-12--Woman wins Caribbean Lottery jackpot for a second time

June 12 ( UPI ) -- A woman matched all four numbers in a Caribbean Lottery drawing to win an $ 8,666 prize -- for the second time .
Lisa Wilkins , 65 , told Caribbean Lottery officials she bought her Pick 4 ticket from Cece 's Bar & Restaurant in Sandy Point , on the island of St. Kitts , using a set of lucky numbers .
`` I play a combination of birthdays .
This number was both my children 's birthdays , '' Wilkins said when she collected her money at lottery headquarters in Basseterre , St. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 8,666 -- the same amount she collected from winning a previous Pick 4 drawing .
`` I will continue playing because this came in handy when I needed it the most , '' she said .
Wilkins said the money will help her pay off medical bills for one of her children .
`` We are very happy for Ms. Wilkins on her second big win , '' said Sabina Harrinarain , office manager for the Caribbean Lottery .
`` We know that she will continue to play Pick 4 as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is very easy to play . ''

A woman from the Caribbean island of St. Kitts collected her second $8,666 jackpot after winning a Pick 4 lottery drawing for the second time. Photo courtesy of the Caribbean Lottery
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe June 12 (UPI) -- A woman matched all four numbers in a Caribbean Lottery drawing to win an $8,666 prize -- for the second time. Lisa Wilkins, 65, told Caribbean Lottery officials she bought her Pick 4 ticket from Cece's Bar & Restaurant in Sandy Point, on the island of St. Kitts, using a set of lucky numbers. Advertisement
"I play a combination of birthdays. This number was both my children's birthdays," Wilkins said when she collected her money at lottery headquarters in Basseterre, St. Kitts.
Wilkins collected a prize of $8,666 -- the same amount she collected from winning a previous Pick 4 drawing.
"I will continue playing because this came in handy when I needed it the most," she said.
Wilkins said the money will help her pay off medical bills for one of her children.
"We are very happy for Ms. Wilkins on her second big win," said Sabina Harrinarain, office manager for the Caribbean Lottery. "We know that she will continue to play Pick 4 as it is one of our most popular games and is very easy to play."


upi--2020-06-12--CDC: COVID-19 deaths in U.S. could reach 140K by July 4

June 12 ( UPI ) -- The number of U.S. deaths caused by the coronavirus could reach 140,000 by July 4 , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday .
The CDC 's prediction represented a downward revision in its forecast last week , which said deaths could reach up to 143,000 by June 27 .
The latest prediction was based on an analysis of 17 individual national forecasts , which collectively say there could be between 124,000 to 140,000 U.S. deaths from COVID-19 as of July 4 .
Those forecasts indicate that over the next four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the previous four weeks in Arizona , Arkansas , Hawaii , North Carolina , Utah and Vermont .
A New York Times analysis is already seeing a spike in cases over the past two weeks in each of those states .
Texas , alone , reported its highest daily total of new virus infections this week , with more than 2,000 cases each on Wednesday and Thursday .
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said the increased number of cases is due to expanded testing and a reopened economy .
According to the Times ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 million confirmed cases nationwide , with at least 114,000 deaths .
Also Friday , CDC officials told reporters that a survey it conducted found a vast majority of Americans -- 80 percent or more -- support social distancing and other measures aimed at containing the novel coronavirus .

People wait in line near the boarded-up windows at the Shops at Columbus Circle in New York City on Friday. The CDC predicted Friday that up to 140,000 people in the United States could die from the coronavirus by July 4. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 12 (UPI) -- The number of U.S. deaths caused by the coronavirus could reach 140,000 by July 4, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. The CDC's prediction represented a downward revision in its forecast last week, which said deaths could reach up to 143,000 by June 27. Advertisement
The latest prediction was based on an analysis of 17 individual national forecasts, which collectively say there could be between 124,000 to 140,000 U.S. deaths from COVID-19 as of July 4.
Those forecasts indicate that over the next four weeks, deaths will increase compared to the previous four weeks in Arizona, Arkansas, Hawaii, North Carolina, Utah and Vermont.
A New York Times analysis is already seeing a spike in cases over the past two weeks in each of those states.
Texas, alone, reported its highest daily total of new virus infections this week, with more than 2,000 cases each on Wednesday and Thursday. Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said the increased number of cases is due to expanded testing and a reopened economy.
According to the Times' tracker, there have been more than 2 million confirmed cases nationwide, with at least 114,000 deaths.
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Also Friday, CDC officials told reporters that a survey it conducted found a vast majority of Americans -- 80 percent or more -- support social distancing and other measures aimed at containing the novel coronavirus.


upi--2020-06-12--Denmark to compensate homeowners for excessive noise from F-35s

June 12 ( UPI ) -- Denmark 's government will compensate homeowners near an air base affected by excessive noise caused by arrivals and departures of F-35 fighter planes .
`` A broad political majority consisting of the Left , Conservatives , the Danish People 's Party , the Liberal Alliance , the Radical Left , and the Social Democracy is behind the political agreement to compensate approximately 1,600 homes in the area of the additional noise the F-35 aircraft brings in comparison to the current F-16 , '' the Ministry of Defense said Thursday .
Denmark will acquire its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2022 , with purchase of 26 more planned .
As early as 2017 , noise problems caused by other countries ' F-35s were reported to have affected at least 41 private homes near the Skrydstrup air base .
In 2016 the Danish parliament advised the installation of noise monitoring systems at other air bases in the country .
Thursday 's announcement did not mention plans for noise reduction at Skrydstrup , or potential compensation figures for homeowners .
However , parliament approved building facilities at the base for the exclusive use of F-35 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flyvestation .
The dedicated airspace will presumably take noise issues into account .
`` Today , I have passed an important law , '' said a Facebook comment by Defense Secretary Trine Bramsen on Thursday .
`` It ensures that our new F-35 fighter aircraft can light up and land . ''

The Danish government will compensate 1,600 homeowners whose property near the Skrydstrup air base, pictured, has been affected by noise from F-35 fighter planes. Photo courtesy of Royal Dutch Air Force
June 12 (UPI) -- Denmark's government will compensate homeowners near an air base affected by excessive noise caused by arrivals and departures of F-35 fighter planes. "A broad political majority consisting of the Left, Conservatives, the Danish People's Party, the Liberal Alliance, the Radical Left, and the Social Democracy is behind the political agreement to compensate approximately 1,600 homes in the area of the additional noise the F-35 aircraft brings in comparison to the current F-16," the Ministry of Defense said Thursday. Advertisement
Denmark will acquire its first F-35A from builder Lockheed Martin in 2022, with purchase of 26 more planned. As early as 2017, noise problems caused by other countries' F-35s were reported to have affected at least 41 private homes near the Skrydstrup air base. In 2016 the Danish parliament advised the installation of noise monitoring systems at other air bases in the country.
Thursday's announcement did not mention plans for noise reduction at Skrydstrup, or potential compensation figures for homeowners. However, parliament approved building facilities at the base for the exclusive use of F-35 planes at another air base, Skveststrup Flyvestation. The dedicated airspace will presumably take noise issues into account.
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"Today, I have passed an important law," said a Facebook comment by Defense Secretary Trine Bramsen on Thursday. "It ensures that our new F-35 fighter aircraft can light up and land."


upi--2020-06-12--Surfer's lost GoPro washes up months later, still works

June 12 ( UPI ) -- A GoPro camera that fell from a young surfer 's mount off the coast of an Australian island was recovered months later when it washed up on a beach -- and it still works .
Pete Cole , 12 , said he was surfing in February off King Island , Tasmania , when a wave tore the camera from his new mouthguard mount .
`` I thought , 'Oh no , I 've lost my GoPro ! '
And it was the newest GoPro at the time , '' Cole told The Advocate newspaper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , it was quite deep and rocky and I probably would n't of had much chance of finding it because the swell was moving around a lot . ''
Cole said he had given up hope of recovering the camera , until earlier this month when a couple walking the Naracoopa beach on the island found a camera with a cracked screen washed up in the sand .
Jenny Masters said she and her husband connected the GoPro to their computer and found it was still loaded with photos and videos of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite a bit .
The rocks at Naracoopa are really quite rugged , '' Masters said .
`` But it 's amazing how it survived .
It just shows how tough those little things are . ''
Masters posted a photo from the camera on Facebook in the hopes of finding its owner , and within 10 minutes someone had identified the GoPro as Cole 's lost camera .
`` It was like a message in a bottle but with a modern day twist , '' Masters said .
Cole was reunited with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to take it back out on the waves once the screen is replaced .

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June 12 (UPI) -- A GoPro camera that fell from a young surfer's mount off the coast of an Australian island was recovered months later when it washed up on a beach -- and it still works.
Pete Cole, 12, said he was surfing in February off King Island, Tasmania, when a wave tore the camera from his new mouthguard mount.
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"I thought, 'Oh no, I've lost my GoPro!' And it was the newest GoPro at the time," Cole told The Advocate newspaper. "It was very murky that day, it was quite deep and rocky and I probably wouldn't of had much chance of finding it because the swell was moving around a lot."
Cole said he had given up hope of recovering the camera, until earlier this month when a couple walking the Naracoopa beach on the island found a camera with a cracked screen washed up in the sand.
Jenny Masters said she and her husband connected the GoPro to their computer and found it was still loaded with photos and videos of surfing.
"It was beaten up quite a bit. The rocks at Naracoopa are really quite rugged," Masters said. "But it's amazing how it survived. It just shows how tough those little things are."
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Masters posted a photo from the camera on Facebook in the hopes of finding its owner, and within 10 minutes someone had identified the GoPro as Cole's lost camera.
"It was like a message in a bottle but with a modern day twist," Masters said.
Cole was reunited with the camera, and he said he plans to take it back out on the waves once the screen is replaced.


upi--2020-06-12--Crustal forces, not weathering and erosion, control the height of mountains

June 12 ( UPI ) -- What controls the upper limits of a mountain or mountain range 's height ?
According to a new study , it 's not weathering and erosion , as many geoscientists assumed .
New analysis of convergent plate boundaries -- home to the planet 's largest mountain ranges , the Andes and Himalayas -- suggests an equilibrium of crustal forces controls the height of mountains .
Mountain ranges are formed along subduction boundaries , where one tectonic plate slides under another .
Over millions of years , earthquakes crumple the crust , while tectonic forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher .
For the study , a team of researchers at the GFZ German Research Center for Geoscience and the University of Münster used a diversity of data from the scientific literature , including seismic observations , subsurface heat-flow measurements and frictional energy estimates , to characterize the strength of plate boundaries and nature of forces acting on plate interfaces .
By comparing the subsurface frictional forces found beneath different mountain chains , including the Himalayas , Andes , Sumatra and Japan , scientists pinpointed the sources of stress that dictate mountain heights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the journal Nature -- showed the forces acting on the plate boundary remain in balance with the forces created by the weight and height of the rising mountains .
Though Earth 's tallest peaks are found in a variety of climate zones , where weathering and erosion rates differ dramatically , the same equilibrium of forces was present throughout the world 's mountain ranges .
`` We show that the height of mountain ranges around the globe matches this elevation , irrespective of climatic conditions and the rate of erosion , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that mountain ranges are close to force equilibrium and that their height is primarily controlled by the megathrust shear force . ''

An equilibrium of crustal forces dictates the height of Earth's largest mountain ranges, according to a new study. Photo by EPA/OLIVIER MATTHYS
June 12 (UPI) -- What controls the upper limits of a mountain or mountain range's height? According to a new study, it's not weathering and erosion, as many geoscientists assumed. New analysis of convergent plate boundaries -- home to the planet's largest mountain ranges, the Andes and Himalayas -- suggests an equilibrium of crustal forces controls the height of mountains. Advertisement
Mountain ranges are formed along subduction boundaries, where one tectonic plate slides under another. Over millions of years, earthquakes crumple the crust, while tectonic forces continue to push crustal layers higher and higher.
For the study, a team of researchers at the GFZ German Research Center for Geoscience and the University of Münster used a diversity of data from the scientific literature, including seismic observations, subsurface heat-flow measurements and frictional energy estimates, to characterize the strength of plate boundaries and nature of forces acting on plate interfaces.
By comparing the subsurface frictional forces found beneath different mountain chains, including the Himalayas, Andes, Sumatra and Japan, scientists pinpointed the sources of stress that dictate mountain heights.
Their analysis -- detailed this week in the journal Nature -- showed the forces acting on the plate boundary remain in balance with the forces created by the weight and height of the rising mountains.
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Though Earth's tallest peaks are found in a variety of climate zones, where weathering and erosion rates differ dramatically, the same equilibrium of forces was present throughout the world's mountain ranges.
"We show that the height of mountain ranges around the globe matches this elevation, irrespective of climatic conditions and the rate of erosion," researchers wrote. "This finding indicates that mountain ranges are close to force equilibrium and that their height is primarily controlled by the megathrust shear force."


upi--2020-06-12--Watch: Mystery pig on the loose in Pennsylvania neighborhood

June 12 ( UPI ) -- Residents of a Pennsylvania neighborhood said a large black pig has been spotted wandering @ @ @ @ @ through gardens , but no one knows where the portly porker came from .
Marsha @ @ @ @ @ of the Spring Street area in Yukon to report spotting the big pig earlier in @ @ @ @ @ hurried up and ran back into the house , because I thought it was a @ @ @ @ @ told WTAE-TV .
`` It was a big , large , black pig . ''
@ @ @ @ @ of the apparent escaped pig before it wandered away from the area .
Neighbors said @ @ @ @ @ appearances in the ensuing days , but no one has come forward to claim the @ @ @ @ @ or farm animal .
Tomay said she suspects the pig might have been someone 's @ @ @ @ @ friendly demeanor .
`` It was friendly and wanted to be around people , '' @ @ @ @ @

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June 12 (UPI) -- Residents of a Pennsylvania neighborhood said a large black pig has been spotted wandering through the area and rooting through gardens, but no one knows where the portly porker came from.
Marsha Tomay was the first resident of the Spring Street area in Yukon to report spotting the big pig earlier in the week,
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"I hurried up and ran back into the house, because I thought it was a small bear," Tomay told WTAE-TV. "It was a big, large, black pig."
Tomay managed to capture photos of the apparent escaped pig before it wandered away from the area.
Neighbors said the pig has made repeated appearances in the ensuing days, but no one has come forward to claim the swine as an escaped pet or farm animal.
Tomay said she suspects the pig might have been someone's pet, due to its friendly demeanor.
"It was friendly and wanted to be around people," she told CBS Pittsburgh.


upi--2020-06-12--Older, more anxious people likely to stockpile toilet paper during pandemic

June 12 ( UPI ) -- People who stockpiled toilet paper as the COVID-19 pandemic reached U.S. shores in March likely felt more threatened by the virus and emphasize preparedness in other facets of their lives , according to a study published Friday by the journal PLOS ONE .
Using the Brief HEXACO Inventory , which ranks six broad personality traits , people who tend to worry more and feel anxious -- characteristics that fall under the category of `` emotionality '' -- were more likely to stockpile supplies like toilet paper , the researchers found .
Similarly , those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- which includes traits like organization , diligence , perfectionism and prudence -- also were more likely to hoard the product , they said .
`` The perceived threat by COVID-19 was an important driver for toilet paper stockpiling , '' study co-author Theo Toppe , a doctoral student in the Department of Comparative Cultural Psychology at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany , told UPI .
`` This finding hints to the importance of the reduction of people 's perceived threat in a pandemic , which might be achieved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a predictor of stockpiling , '' he said .
Following the fast spread of COVID-19 across Europe and North America in March , toilet paper sales skyrocketed , in some places by as much as 700 percent , according to Toppe .
This came despite calls from governments worldwide to refrain from `` panic buying , '' he said .
Toppe and his colleagues surveyed 1,029 adults from 35 countries , recruited through social media , between March 23 and 29 .
Participants completed the Brief HEXACO Inventory and shared information on their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , quarantine behaviors and toilet paper consumption in recent weeks , the researchers said .
The most robust predictor of toilet paper stockpiling was the perceived threat posed by the pandemic , the researchers found .
Older people -- or those considered at increased risk for serious illness with COVID-19 -- stockpiled more toilet paper than younger people and Americans stockpiled more than Europeans , they said .

Toilet paper stockpiling during the COVID-19 pandemic likely was fueled by anxiety and perceived risk, a new study suggests. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
June 12 (UPI) -- People who stockpiled toilet paper as the COVID-19 pandemic reached U.S. shores in March likely felt more threatened by the virus and emphasize preparedness in other facets of their lives, according to a study published Friday by the journal PLOS ONE. Using the Brief HEXACO Inventory, which ranks six broad personality traits, people who tend to worry more and feel anxious -- characteristics that fall under the category of "emotionality" -- were more likely to stockpile supplies like toilet paper, the researchers found. Advertisement
Similarly, those with personalities high in "conscientiousness" -- which includes traits like organization, diligence, perfectionism and prudence -- also were more likely to hoard the product, they said.
"The perceived threat by COVID-19 was an important driver for toilet paper stockpiling," study co-author Theo Toppe, a doctoral student in the Department of Comparative Cultural Psychology at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany, told UPI.
"This finding hints to the importance of the reduction of people's perceived threat in a pandemic, which might be achieved by clear communication of governments as also a predictor of stockpiling," he said.
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Following the fast spread of COVID-19 across Europe and North America in March, toilet paper sales skyrocketed, in some places by as much as 700 percent, according to Toppe. This came despite calls from governments worldwide to refrain from "panic buying," he said.
Toppe and his colleagues surveyed 1,029 adults from 35 countries, recruited through social media, between March 23 and 29. Participants completed the Brief HEXACO Inventory and shared information on their demographics, perceived threat level of COVID-19, quarantine behaviors and toilet paper consumption in recent weeks, the researchers said.
The most robust predictor of toilet paper stockpiling was the perceived threat posed by the pandemic, the researchers found.
Older people -- or those considered at increased risk for serious illness with COVID-19 -- stockpiled more toilet paper than younger people and Americans stockpiled more than Europeans, they said.


upi--2020-06-12--Metal detector hobbiest finds 97-year-old class ring in Illinois park

June 12 ( UPI ) -- An Illinois man walking with his metal detector in a public park found a class ring dating back 97 years underneath the soil .
Steve Aimone of Godfrey said he was using his metal detector at Rock Springs Park in Alton when he found the 10-karat gold ring at the top of a steep hill .
He said he does not think the ring was intentionally buried .
`` It was only about 3 inches below ground , '' he told The Telegraph newspaper .
The ring , a 1923 class ring from Western @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the name of its owner , Mervin E. Volle .
Aimone said his research indicated Volle served in World War II and moved to California , where he later died .
He said he was able to contact a distant family member who said Volle had a child before he died .
The metal detector hobbiest said he is now hoping to identify and contact Volle 's child so he can give them their father 's ring .
`` I think the family would be grateful to have the ring back , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Western Military Academy historian , expressed interest in adding the ring to his collection in Volle 's family ca n't be found .

A man using a metal detector in an Illinois park found a 10-karat gold class ring dating from 1923. Photo by the Western Military Academy/Facebook
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe June 12 (UPI) -- An Illinois man walking with his metal detector in a public park found a class ring dating back 97 years underneath the soil. Steve Aimone of Godfrey said he was using his metal detector at Rock Springs Park in Alton when he found the 10-karat gold ring at the top of a steep hill. Advertisement
He said he does not think the ring was intentionally buried.
"It was only about 3 inches below ground," he told The Telegraph newspaper.
The ring, a 1923 class ring from Western Military Academy in Alton, was engraved with the name of its owner, Mervin E. Volle.
Aimone said his research indicated Volle served in World War II and moved to California, where he later died. He said he was able to contact a distant family member who said Volle had a child before he died.
The metal detector hobbiest said he is now hoping to identify and contact Volle's child so he can give them their father's ring.
"I think the family would be grateful to have the ring back," Aimone said.
C.B. Jackson, a Western Military Academy historian, expressed interest in adding the ring to his collection in Volle's family can't be found.


upi--2020-06-12--Lockheed Martin awarded $368.2M to build six F-35s for Italy

June 12 ( UPI ) -- Lockheed Martin received a $ 368.2 million contract to build six F-35 fighter planes for the Italian defense ministry , the Pentagon announced .
Italy will receive five F-35As and one F-35B by 2023 , according to a statement from the Defense Department on Thursday .
Italy currently has 15 F-35s in service , with plans to acquire 60 more .
Lockheed Martin 's facility at Cameri Air Base will undertake the new plane 's final assembly and checkout .
The purchase has been a recent source of contention in Italian politics .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party has sought a temporary halt to new acquisitions , a call amplified by the costs of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic .
On May 28 , Defense Minister Lorenzo Guerini confirmed that the purchases will continue .
Last month the 800-foot long Cavour , one of two aircraft carriers in the Italian Navy , completed a two-year , $ 76 million upgrade to accommodate F-35s , regarded as the most advanced fighter planes in the world .
The work included the addition of a layer of heat-resisting material to the carrier 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the vertical-takeoff-and-landing F-35B will not melt the deck .
The Cavour will travel to the United States in the summer to receive its first F-35B planes , which currently are in testing phase at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort , S.C .

The Italian Navy's aircraft carrier Cavour finished upgrades in May to accommodate F-35 fighter planes. Photo courtesy of Italian Navy
June 12 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin received a $368.2 million contract to build six F-35 fighter planes for the Italian defense ministry, the Pentagon announced. Italy will receive five F-35As and one F-35B by 2023, according to a statement from the Defense Department on Thursday. Advertisement
Italy currently has 15 F-35s in service, with plans to acquire 60 more. Lockheed Martin's facility at Cameri Air Base will undertake the new plane's final assembly and checkout.
The purchase has been a recent source of contention in Italian politics. In the past year, the minority FiveStar Party has sought a temporary halt to new acquisitions, a call amplified by the costs of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
On May 28, Defense Minister Lorenzo Guerini confirmed that the purchases will continue.
Last month the 800-foot long Cavour, one of two aircraft carriers in the Italian Navy, completed a two-year, $76 million upgrade to accommodate F-35s, regarded as the most advanced fighter planes in the world.
The work included the addition of a layer of heat-resisting material to the carrier's flight deck, so the downward exhaust of the vertical-takeoff-and-landing F-35B will not melt the deck.
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The Cavour will travel to the United States in the summer to receive its first F-35B planes, which currently are in testing phase at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.


upi--2020-06-12--Bighorn Fire doubles in size, forces evacuations near Tucson, Ariz.

June 12 ( UPI ) -- Hundreds of residents were forced to flee northern parts of Tucson , Ariz. , with little notice as the Bighorn Fire raged near the Catalina Foothills .
Forecasters said a dangerous combination of weather conditions will keep the threat high for fires like Bighorn to spread further and for new fires to ignite through the weekend .
Arizona has the largest concentration of ongoing wildfires across the southwestern United States , according to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group , with California , Nevada , Colorado , New Mexico and West Texas also reporting blazes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 5 , and it has spread rapidly in recent days .
On Wednesday , the Bighorn Fire had scorched around 3,200 acres , but by Friday morning , it had grown to over 7,000 acres with 10 percent containment , according to InciWeb .
One of the biggest challenges in battling this blaze is the landscape of the Catalina Mountains where it is burning .
`` This fire has been really complex from the [ beginning ] .
With that terrain , it 's super steep , super rocky , so a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our firefighters to be on the ground up there unfortunately , so a lot of this fire has been surpassed and managed from the air with helicopters and air tankers , '' Adam Jarrold told AccuWeather .
Jarrold is the public information officer assigned to the Bighorn Fire .
The Pima County Sheriff 's Department went door-to-door in the northern parts of the Catalina Foothills to ensure that residents in danger of the fire were able to get to safety in time .
People that live nearby should monitor the situation closely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandatory evacuation orders are expanded .
`` As the fire gets closer to the homes , we have hotshots getting behind the communities to create firebreaks , using hand tools , chainsaws to remove any fuel for the fire , '' said Jarrold .
Those that need to evacuate should make sure to keep safety precautions in mind amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` Residents should avoid close contact with those who are sick and should practice public health recommendations when relocating , '' the department stated in its evacuation notice .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in mind unique needs for your family or special equipment for pets and livestock . ''
Local resident Scott Fadynich is dangerously close to the fire and is preparing to evacuate the moment that evacuation orders are given .
`` It 's just my wife and myself .
We took some time [ Thursday ] , put the breaks on everything else I 've been doing and just gathered important documents and a few things that we feel like are priceless , '' Fadynich told AccuWeather news reporter Bill Wadell on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Elizabeth Fire and the Lime Fire , both burning in Ventura County , Calif .
The Lime Fire is the bigger of the two with mandatory evacuations in place around the 700-acre fire , according to Cal Fire .
Rather calm conditions observed on Thursday across the Southwest should not have people letting their guard down on the dangerous fire weather to come .
Forecasters say the upcoming pattern can fan ongoing blazes and help spark new ones in a hurry .
`` The potential for new fires and the rapid spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Southwest on Friday and Saturday , '' AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said .
`` This time the main threat area may focus more on the Great Basin across the interior . ''
Any type of outdoor burning is strongly discouraged in the pattern as wind gusts are likely to frequent 20 mph to 30 mph with an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 60 mph possible .
Such winds can easily turn a few sparks into a rapidly spreading blaze in minutes .
The use of outdoor power equipment should also be limited , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The gusty winds can also lead to blowing dust in the deserts , resulting in poor visibility for motorists at times .
Loose , lightweight outdoor items should be brought inside before the winds pick up .
The highest fire danger will mostly be east of California this weekend , but forecasters say gusty winds and an elevated risk for wildfire spread can not be ruled out for the Golden State .
`` During Saturday evening , we will have to watch for the potential for a Sundowner wind situation during the evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Santa Barbara County , California , '' AccuWeather meteorologist Brett Rossio said .
Even moderate wind gusts could be enough to raise concern in this area , especially with the blazes that are already ongoing in the region .
AccuWeather meteorologists expect additional fire threats next week with several more rounds of gusty winds across the Southwest .

The Bighorn Fire consumed nearly 9,000 acres as of Friday evening. Photo courtesy of the Oro Valley Police Department
June 12 (UPI) -- Hundreds of residents were forced to flee northern parts of Tucson, Ariz., with little notice as the Bighorn Fire raged near the Catalina Foothills. Forecasters said a dangerous combination of weather conditions will keep the threat high for fires like Bighorn to spread further and for new fires to ignite through the weekend. Advertisement
Arizona has the largest concentration of ongoing wildfires across the southwestern United States, according to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, with California, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and West Texas also reporting blazes.
Lightning sparked the blaze back on June 5, and it has spread rapidly in recent days. On Wednesday, the Bighorn Fire had scorched around 3,200 acres, but by Friday night, it had grown to nearly 9,000 acres with 10 percent containment, according to InciWeb.
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One of the biggest challenges in battling this blaze is the landscape of the Catalina Mountains where it is burning.
"This fire has been really complex from the [beginning]. With that terrain, it's super steep, super rocky, so a lot of it is just not safe for our firefighters to be on the ground up there unfortunately, so a lot of this fire has been surpassed and managed from the air with helicopters and air tankers," Adam Jarrold told AccuWeather. Jarrold is the public information officer assigned to the Bighorn Fire.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department went door-to-door in the northern parts of the Catalina Foothills to ensure that residents in danger of the fire were able to get to safety in time. People that live nearby should monitor the situation closely and be prepared to leave if the mandatory evacuation orders are expanded.
"As the fire gets closer to the homes, we have hotshots getting behind the communities to create firebreaks, using hand tools, chainsaws to remove any fuel for the fire," said Jarrold.
Those that need to evacuate should make sure to keep safety precautions in mind amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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"Residents should avoid close contact with those who are sick and should practice public health recommendations when relocating," the department stated in its evacuation notice. "Grab your emergency go kit. Keep in mind unique needs for your family or special equipment for pets and livestock."
Local resident Scott Fadynich is dangerously close to the fire and is preparing to evacuate the moment that evacuation orders are given.
"It's just my wife and myself. We took some time [Thursday], put the breaks on everything else I've been doing and just gathered important documents and a few things that we feel like are priceless," Fadynich told AccuWeather news reporter Bill Wadell on Friday.
Friday afternoon, the Pima County Office of Emergency Management and the Pima County Sheriff's Department downgraded the evacuation status, allowing previously evacuated residents to return to their homes. However, they caution for people to remain alert and prepared.
Other notable fires across the Southwest include the Elizabeth Fire and the Lime Fire, both burning in Ventura County, Calif. The Lime Fire is the bigger of the two with mandatory evacuations in place around the 700-acre fire, according to Cal Fire.
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"The potential for new fires and the rapid spread of existing fires will increase over the Southwest on Friday and Saturday," AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said. "This time the main threat area may focus more on the Great Basin across the interior."
On Friday afternoon around 1 p.m., Cal Fire declared a new fire, the Grant Fire, in Sacramento County, California. Within four hours, the blaze exploded from 100 acres to 5,000 acres, though at 60 percent containment. Video of damage from the fire shows charred fields and small flames still eating away at the remaining plant life. In Fresno County, California, the Hog Fire ignited, reaching up to 500 acres by around 5 p.m. Friday.
Any type of outdoor burning is strongly discouraged in the pattern as wind gusts are likely to frequent 20 mph to 30 mph with an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 60 mph possible. Such winds can easily turn a few sparks into a rapidly spreading blaze in minutes.
The use of outdoor power equipment should also be limited, and cigarettes should be properly discarded.
The gusty winds can also lead to blowing dust in the deserts, resulting in poor visibility for motorists at times. Loose, lightweight outdoor items should be brought inside before the winds pick up.
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The highest fire danger will mostly be east of California this weekend, but forecasters say gusty winds and an elevated risk for wildfire spread cannot be ruled out for the Golden State.
"During Saturday evening, we will have to watch for the potential for a Sundowner wind situation during the evening hours across the north-south oriented valleys in Santa Barbara County, California," AccuWeather meteorologist Brett Rossio said.
Even moderate wind gusts could be enough to raise concern in this area, especially with the blazes that are already ongoing in the region.
AccuWeather meteorologists expect additional fire threats next week with several more rounds of gusty winds across the Southwest.


upi--2020-06-12--Listen: D1CE shares 'Draw You: Remember Me' highlight medley

June 12 ( UPI ) -- South Korean boy band D1CE is giving fans a preview of its new EP @ @ @ @ @ a highlight medley Friday for the forthcoming mini album , Draw You : Remember Me @ @ @ @ @ of the title track , `` Draw You , '' and four other songs : @ @ @ @ @ Remember , '' `` Another One '' and `` I 'll Be Your Light .
@ @ @ @ @ You : Remember Me on June 17 .
The group previously shared a schedule of @ @ @ @ @ release .
D1CE will release a new music video teaser for `` Draw You '' @ @ @ @ @ .
The group shared a first teaser Wednesday .
D1CE consists of Jo Yong-geun , @ @ @ @ @ , Park Woo-dam and Woo Jin-young .
The group released its debut EP , Wake @ @ @ @ @ , in August .

June 12 (UPI) -- South Korean boy band D1CE is giving fans a preview of its new EP.
The K-pop group shared a highlight medley Friday for the forthcoming mini album, Draw You: Remember Me.
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The video features clips of the title track, "Draw You," and four other songs: "Intro," "Remember," "Another One" and "I'll Be Your Light."
D1CE will release Draw You: Remember Me on June 17. The group previously shared a schedule of events leading up to the release.
D1CE will release a new music video teaser for "Draw You" on Monday, June 15. The group shared a first teaser Wednesday.
D1CE consists of Jo Yong-geun, Kim Hyun-soo, Jung Yoo-jun, Park Woo-dam and Woo Jin-young. The group released its debut EP, Wake Up: Roll the World, in August.


upi--2020-06-12--Look: Teyana Taylor, Iman Shumpert expecting second child

June 12 ( UPI ) -- Singer and actress Teyana Taylor and professional basketball player Iman Shumpert are expecting their second child .
Taylor , 29 , announced her pregnancy in her music video for the new song `` Wake Up Love , '' released Friday .
At the end of the video , Taylor is seen in bed with Shumpert and their 4-year-old daughter , Iman Tayla , aka Junie .
Taylor pulls up her shirt to show her baby bump .
Taylor confirmed the news in a statement to People and said she is expecting a baby girl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're very excited , '' she said .
`` Iman is super excited .
Junie is ecstatic -- I 'm talking super ecstatic .
Everybody is just excited .
I ca n't wait .
I 've got three more months until we meet our little princess . ''
Taylor said Junie is `` so excited '' to become a big sister .
`` She constantly kisses my stomach , she constantly talks to the baby , '' she said of Junie .
`` Even when we go to the store , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is for the baby . '
She 's so ready .
She 's going to be such a great big sister . ''
Taylor shared new family photos in March from a trip to Disney World .
Taylor is expected to release her third studio album , The Album , this month .
Shumpert last played in the NBA for the Brooklyn Nets .

June 12 (UPI) -- Singer and actress Teyana Taylor and professional basketball player Iman Shumpert are expecting their second child.
Taylor, 29, announced her pregnancy in her music video for the new song "Wake Up Love," released Friday.
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At the end of the video, Taylor is seen in bed with Shumpert and their 4-year-old daughter, Iman Tayla, aka Junie. Taylor pulls up her shirt to show her baby bump.
Taylor confirmed the news in a statement to People and said she is expecting a baby girl.
"We're ready, and we're very excited," she said. "Iman is super excited. Junie is ecstatic -- I'm talking super ecstatic. Everybody is just excited. I can't wait. I've got three more months until we meet our little princess."
Taylor said Junie is "so excited" to become a big sister.
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"She constantly kisses my stomach, she constantly talks to the baby," she said of Junie. "Even when we go to the store, she's like, 'Okay, mom, this is for the baby.' She's so ready. She's going to be such a great big sister."
Taylor shared new family photos in March from a trip to Disney World.
Taylor is expected to release her third studio album, The Album, this month. Shumpert last played in the NBA for the Brooklyn Nets.


upi--2020-06-12--Survey: Social separation among biggest challenges of learning at home

June 12 ( UPI ) -- Children being separated from classmates and teachers is one the biggest challenges of distance learning during the coronavirus pandemic , parents said in a new Gallup survey released Friday .
Other challenges include children 's attention spans and motivation , and balancing jobs with helping children with school .
The survey is based on interviews with 1,200 parents around the country .
Forty-five percent of parents said having their children separated from classmates and teachers was a major challenge .
Forty-four percent of parents said their children 's attention span and motivation were major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job and helping children with schoolwork was a major hurdle .
Two of the concerns many had when schools shut down because of the coronavirus -- technical issues with learning online and access to materials -- have not been major challenges for parents .
Only 10 percent of parents listed technical issues with computers or the Internet as a major challenge , and 4 % said access to resources was a major challenge .
Fifty-eight percent of parents said technical issues with computers or the Internet were not a problem and another 33 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sixty-seven percent of parents said the inability to access educational websites and resources were not a problem at all of 29 percent it was only a minor problem .
`` For the most part , parents believe their child 's school has met the challenge [ of distance learning during the coronavirus ] well , '' Gallup said .
`` Still , despite the best efforts of schools , distance learning presents practical challenges for parents and students .
`` Being isolated from classmates and teachers , inspiring motivation in children to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a paying job are the biggest challenges . ''
When asked how would they rate their child 's school in its distance learning efforts , 77 percent said their teachers did an excellent or good job at being available to answer questions , 71 percent said the same about communication about distance learning programs from the superintendent or principal .
Seventy-five parents said schools did an excellent or good job at providing the materials and equipment their children needed to do their work .

Imani Baucom, a second-grade English teacher at D.C. Bilingual Public Charter School, instructs her students remotely from her home in Bowie, Md., on May 4. A new Gallup survey said parents found their children's separation from teachers and classmates among their biggest challenges in the format. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
June 12 (UPI) -- Children being separated from classmates and teachers is one the biggest challenges of distance learning during the coronavirus pandemic, parents said in a new Gallup survey released Friday. Other challenges include children's attention spans and motivation, and balancing jobs with helping children with school. The survey is based on interviews with 1,200 parents around the country. Advertisement
Forty-five percent of parents said having their children separated from classmates and teachers was a major challenge. Forty-four percent of parents said their children's attention span and motivation were major challenges. Forty-three percent said balancing their job and helping children with schoolwork was a major hurdle.
Two of the concerns many had when schools shut down because of the coronavirus -- technical issues with learning online and access to materials -- have not been major challenges for parents. Only 10 percent of parents listed technical issues with computers or the Internet as a major challenge, and 4% said access to resources was a major challenge.
Fifty-eight percent of parents said technical issues with computers or the Internet were not a problem and another 33 percent said it was a minor problem.
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Sixty-seven percent of parents said the inability to access educational websites and resources were not a problem at all of 29 percent it was only a minor problem.
"For the most part, parents believe their child's school has met the challenge [of distance learning during the coronavirus] well," Gallup said. "Still, despite the best efforts of schools, distance learning presents practical challenges for parents and students.
"Being isolated from classmates and teachers, inspiring motivation in children to complete their assignments, and balancing teaching with a paying job are the biggest challenges."
When asked how would they rate their child's school in its distance learning efforts, 77 percent said their teachers did an excellent or good job at being available to answer questions, 71 percent said the same about communication about distance learning programs from the superintendent or principal.
Seventy-five parents said schools did an excellent or good job at providing the materials and equipment their children needed to do their work.


upi--2020-06-12--Gov. Andrew Cuomo signs law banning N.Y. police from using chokeholds

In addition to banning chokeholds, the new law makes New York police disciplinary records public. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 12 (UPI) -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation Friday banning police from using chokeholds on citizens and making race-based false police reports a crime. The governor signed the law as well as an executive order requiring local police agencies to develop reforms amid worldwide police brutality protests in recent weeks. Advertisement
"The protests taking place throughout the nation and in communities across New York in response to the murder of George Floyd illustrate the loss of community confidence in our local police agencies -- a reality that has been fueled by our country's history of police-involved deaths of black and brown people," Cuomo said.
"Our law enforcement officers are essential to ensuring public safety -- they literally put themselves in harm's way every day to protect us. This emergency regulation will help rebuild that confidence and restore trust between police and the communities they serve by requiring localities to develop a new plan for policing in the community based on fact-finding and meaningful community input."
In New York City giving my daily press briefing and making an announcement. Watch Live: https://t.co/HTdy1as5Hh— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 12, 2020
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The executive order said local police forces must adopt a reform plan by April 1 to be eligible for future state funding. They must also certify they've consulted with the public on policing strategies and gotten local legislative approval for a reform plan.
In addition to banning chokeholds and making false race-based 911 calls a crime, the state Legislature-approved law repealed what's known as a 50-a measure, which keeps police disciplinary records from public view.
The law also designates the state's attorney general an independent prosecutor in cases of police-involved deaths of unarmed civilians.
"There is no trust between the community and police," Cuomo said during a news conference. "That has to be restored and repaired.
Protesters demand justice in police killing of George Floyd


upi--2020-06-13--SpaceX launches 58 Starlink, 3 SkySat satellites from Florida

June 13 ( UPI ) -- SpaceX has expanded the company 's historic Starlink constellation by launching 58 more satellites from Florida on Saturday morning .
The payload lifted off on time aboard a Falcon 9 rocket at 5:21 a.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station , which is adjacent to Kennedy Space Center .
The launch was the ninth regular Starlink mission , boosting the number of those communications satellites in orbit to 538 -- the most ever for any such constellation .
Starting with the next cluster launch planned for June 22 , SpaceX intends to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the company 's effort to make them less visible from the ground .
Astronomers and other sky gazers have complained that bright reflections from the satellites can ruin observations of the heavens .
The rocket also carried three SkySat satellites for the San Francisco-based space company Planet , formerly branded as Planet Labs , representing the first launch for SpaceX 's SmallSat rideshare program .
Planet was founded in 2010 by ex-NASA scientists Will Marshall , Robbie Schingler and Chris Boshuizen , with a goal to use space to enhance life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has over 100 satellites in orbit -- some the size of a shoebox -- collecting almost 100 million square miles of imagery daily .
Elon Musk 's SpaceX routinely launches 60 Starlink satellites at a time , but packing the three other satellites into the nose cone means this launch carried two fewer Starlinks .
The SkySat spacecraft are part of Planet 's Earth-imaging constellation .
The company provides surveillance and images of the planet 's surface , updated frequently for emergency service providers , security and other customers .
SpaceX said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain hours when they reflect the sun in the week after launch .
The company will make the spacecraft tilt their smallest side toward the sun to minimize reflection .
`` We are working on implementing this as soon as possible for all satellites since it is a software change , '' according to a statement published on the company 's website .
The company also intends to post information about the location of all Starlink satellites on tracking website Space-Track.org , to help astronomers schedule observations .
The first-stage booster used on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into space , carrying cargo in Dragon capsules to the International Space Station .
It was recovered successfully aboard a SpaceX barge , Of Course I Still Love You , in the Atlantic Ocean .

1/3
SpaceX launches the third Falcon 9 rocket in less than a month from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Saturday. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
June 13 (UPI) -- SpaceX has expanded the company's historic Starlink constellation by launching 58 more satellites from Florida on Saturday morning. The payload lifted off on time aboard a Falcon 9 rocket at 5:21 a.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, which is adjacent to Kennedy Space Center. Advertisement
The launch was the ninth regular Starlink mission, boosting the number of those communications satellites in orbit to 538 -- the most ever for any such constellation.
Starting with the next cluster launch planned for June 22, SpaceX intends to put sunshades on all the Starlink satellites as part of the company's effort to make them less visible from the ground.
Astronomers and other sky gazers have complained that bright reflections from the satellites can ruin observations of the heavens.
The rocket also carried three SkySat satellites for the San Francisco-based space company Planet, formerly branded as Planet Labs, representing the first launch for SpaceX's SmallSat rideshare program.
Planet was founded in 2010 by ex-NASA scientists Will Marshall, Robbie Schingler and Chris Boshuizen, with a goal to use space to enhance life on Earth.
The company said it has over 100 satellites in orbit -- some the size of a shoebox -- collecting almost 100 million square miles of imagery daily.
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Elon Musk's SpaceX routinely launches 60 Starlink satellites at a time, but packing the three other satellites into the nose cone means this launch carried two fewer Starlinks.
The SkySat spacecraft are part of Planet's Earth-imaging constellation. The company provides surveillance and images of the planet's surface, updated frequently for emergency service providers, security and other customers.
SpaceX said the Starlink satellites still might be visible at certain hours when they reflect the sun in the week after launch. The company will make the spacecraft tilt their smallest side toward the sun to minimize reflection.
"We are working on implementing this as soon as possible for all satellites since it is a software change," according to a statement published on the company's website.
The company also intends to post information about the location of all Starlink satellites on tracking website Space-Track.org, to help astronomers schedule observations.
The first-stage booster used on Saturday's mission already traveled two times into space, carrying cargo in Dragon capsules to the International Space Station. It was recovered successfully aboard a SpaceX barge, Of Course I Still Love You, in the Atlantic Ocean.
Astronauts make round trip to space station from U.S. soil