upi--2020-07-13--COVID-19 may trigger high blood sugar, raising death risk, study shows

Bodies stressed by severe COVID-19 could produce abnormally high blood sugar levels , even in people without diagnosed diabetes .
And that appears tied to a doubling of the odds of dying from COVID-19 , Chinese researchers report .
High blood sugar ( glucose ) levels , measured at the time of admission to the hospital , were also linked to more severe disease and complications , according to researchers led by Dr. Yang Jin , of the Union Hospital and Tongji Medical College , in Wuhan , China .
Wuhan was the originating epicenter of the global pandemic of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diabetes has long been known to greatly raise the odds for severe and even fatal COVID-19 in people infected with the new coronavirus .
But what about the effect of high blood sugar levels , even in people who do n't have a diabetes diagnosis ?
To find out , Jin 's group looked over the medical records of more than 600 consecutive patients treated at two Wuhan hospitals for nearly a month in January and February .
Patients averaged 59 years of age .
The researchers looked especially at each patient 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their COVID-19-linked pneumonia , and patient outcomes in terms of illness severity and death .
None of the patients had been diagnosed with diabetes .
A total of 114 patients died in the hospital from their illness , Jin 's team said .
Men were 75 percent more likely to die than women .
A high level of fasting blood glucose was found to be highly predictive of death , the researchers reported July 10 in the journal Diabetologia .
That held true `` regardless of whether the patient has [ COVID-19-linked ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the team said -- suggesting that the effect of high blood sugar on the death risk is independent of just how severe the patient 's respiratory illness might be .
Of the total patient group , about one-third ( 29 percent ) fell into a category of very high fasting blood glucose -- so high that , if consistent over time , these patients would be diagnosed with having type 2 diabetes .
Another 17 percent had levels that were similar to people in `` pre-diabetes . ''
Patients in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times more likely to die of COVID-19 than those with the lowest blood sugar readings , the study showed , and even those with readings suggestive of pre-diabetes had a 71 percent higher risk of death .
The odds for dangerous complications of COVID-19 were also four times higher in people in the high blood sugar category , and 2.6 times higher in those with a pre-diabetes level of blood sugar , the Chinese team said in a news release from the European Association for the Study of Diabetes .
Diabetes expert Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hill Hospital in New York City .
Reading over the new study , she noted that even in non-diabetic people , blood sugar levels can spike in response to serious illness .
`` The rise in blood sugar due to an illness is called stress hyperglycemia , '' she explained .
`` The body , under stress , produces hormones and a reaction to the illness which elevates blood glucose . ''
However , such spikes typically do n't happen in previously healthy individuals , Sood noted .
`` The higher blood glucose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ versus other patients with normal blood glucose despite a COVID-19 infection may be a sign that their underlying systems are not as healthy as those who do not have stress hyperglycemia , '' she said .
According to the Chinese authors , stress hyperglycemia may indeed have stricken many of the Wuhan patients , since the 29 percent of patients who landed in the highest blood sugar group `` is much higher than the estimated prevalence of diabetes in the Chinese population at 12 percent . ''
Based on the findings , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blood sugar levels be added to the list of tests that doctors use to monitor risks for patients battling COVID-19 .
`` The bottom line is that everyone will respond to illness in their unique way , '' she said , `` and it would be helpful to have ways to predict who may have a worse outcome from a COVID-19 infection .
Having a high blood glucose on admission to the hospital may be one of those predictive measures . ''
For more on COVID-19 , head to the U.S. Centers for @ @ @ @ @

Diabetes has long been known to greatly raise the odds for severe and even fatal COVID-19 in people infected with the new coronavirus. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
Bodies stressed by severe COVID-19 could produce abnormally high blood sugar levels, even in people without diagnosed diabetes. And that appears tied to a doubling of the odds of dying from COVID-19, Chinese researchers report. High blood sugar (glucose) levels, measured at the time of admission to the hospital, were also linked to more severe disease and complications, according to researchers led by Dr. Yang Jin, of the Union Hospital and Tongji Medical College, in Wuhan, China. Wuhan was the originating epicenter of the global pandemic of COVID-19. Advertisement
As the researchers explained, diabetes has long been known to greatly raise the odds for severe and even fatal COVID-19 in people infected with the new coronavirus.
But what about the effect of high blood sugar levels, even in people who don't have a diabetes diagnosis?
To find out, Jin's group looked over the medical records of more than 600 consecutive patients treated at two Wuhan hospitals for nearly a month in January and February. Patients averaged 59 years of age.
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The researchers looked especially at each patient's blood sugar readings, the severity of their COVID-19-linked pneumonia, and patient outcomes in terms of illness severity and death. None of the patients had been diagnosed with diabetes.
A total of 114 patients died in the hospital from their illness, Jin's team said. Men were 75 percent more likely to die than women.
A high level of fasting blood glucose was found to be highly predictive of death, the researchers reported July 10 in the journal Diabetologia.
That held true "regardless of whether the patient has [COVID-19-linked] pneumonia that is more or less severe," the team said -- suggesting that the effect of high blood sugar on the death risk is independent of just how severe the patient's respiratory illness might be.
Of the total patient group, about one-third (29 percent) fell into a category of very high fasting blood glucose -- so high that, if consistent over time, these patients would be diagnosed with having type 2 diabetes. Another 17 percent had levels that were similar to people in "pre-diabetes."
Patients in the very high blood sugar category were 2.3 times more likely to die of COVID-19 than those with the lowest blood sugar readings, the study showed, and even those with readings suggestive of pre-diabetes had a 71 percent higher risk of death.
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The odds for dangerous complications of COVID-19 were also four times higher in people in the high blood sugar category, and 2.6 times higher in those with a pre-diabetes level of blood sugar, the Chinese team said in a news release from the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.
Diabetes expert Dr. Minisha Sood is an endocrinologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. Reading over the new study, she noted that even in non-diabetic people, blood sugar levels can spike in response to serious illness.
"The rise in blood sugar due to an illness is called stress hyperglycemia," she explained. "The body, under stress, produces hormones and a reaction to the illness which elevates blood glucose."
However, such spikes typically don't happen in previously healthy individuals, Sood noted.
"The higher blood glucose in patients who ultimately succumb to COVID-19 versus other patients with normal blood glucose despite a COVID-19 infection may be a sign that their underlying systems are not as healthy as those who do not have stress hyperglycemia," she said.
According to the Chinese authors, stress hyperglycemia may indeed have stricken many of the Wuhan patients, since the 29 percent of patients who landed in the highest blood sugar group "is much higher than the estimated prevalence of diabetes in the Chinese population at 12 percent."
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Based on the findings, the study authors advised that close tracking of blood sugar levels be added to the list of tests that doctors use to monitor risks for patients battling COVID-19.
Sood agreed.
"The bottom line is that everyone will respond to illness in their unique way," she said, "and it would be helpful to have ways to predict who may have a worse outcome from a COVID-19 infection. Having a high blood glucose on admission to the hospital may be one of those predictive measures."
More information
For more on COVID-19, head to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-07-13--Husband's lottery prank foreshadows wife's jackpot win

July 13 ( UPI ) -- An Australian man 's joke about his scratch-off lottery ticket being a top-prize winner @ @ @ @ @ when his wife scratched off an actual jackpot .
The Carlingford , New South Wales @ @ @ @ @ officials they bought two scratch-off lottery tickets from the Carlingford Court Newsagency .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ I said to my wife that I had won the top prize but I was @ @ @ @ @ nothing , '' the man recalled .
`` And then she scratched the second one @ @ @ @ @ won the top prize . ''
`` Of course I did n't believe her , @ @ @ @ @ the ticket it was actually there , '' he said .
The man said the @ @ @ @ @ Cupcake Cash Instant Scratch-Its ticket will help the couple treat themselves .
`` We 're @ @ @ @ @ a little shopping spree and spoil ourselves , '' he said .
`` And then @ @ @ @ @ toward some bills .
It 's unreal . ''

An Australian man said he was skeptical of his wife's claim of winning a jackpot from a scratch-off lottery ticket because he had moments before jokingly claimed his ticket was a big winner. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe July 13 (UPI) -- An Australian man's joke about his scratch-off lottery ticket being a top-prize winner caused him to experience disbelief when his wife scratched off an actual jackpot. The Carlingford, New South Wales, couple told The Lott officials they bought two scratch-off lottery tickets from the Carlingford Court Newsagency. Advertisement
"I scratched the first one and I said to my wife that I had won the top prize but I was kidding! I had won nothing," the man recalled. "And then she scratched the second one and told me she'd won the top prize."
"Of course I didn't believe her, but when she showed me the ticket it was actually there," he said.
The man said the $7,000 prize from the Cupcake Cash Instant Scratch-Its ticket will help the couple treat themselves.
"We're both going to go on a little shopping spree and spoil ourselves," he said. "And then we will put the rest toward some bills. It's unreal."


upi--2020-07-13--Watch: Tiger fleeing flooding takes shelter in villager's goat shed

July 13 ( UPI ) -- A tiger seeking refuge from flooding wandered into an Indian town and found shelter @ @ @ @ @ shed .
The Kaziranga National Park in Assam said the tiger was spotted Monday taking @ @ @ @ @ Village , located on the edge of the park .
Park officials said a team @ @ @ @ @ and found the tiger , a sub-adult male , sheltering inside a goat shed .
@ @ @ @ @ was being monitored while experts worked on a plan to return the big cat to @ @ @ @ @ Bengal tigers are believed to be living inside the boundaries of the park .

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July 13 (UPI) -- A tiger seeking refuge from flooding wandered into an Indian town and found shelter inside a resident's goat shed.
The Kaziranga National Park in Assam said the tiger was spotted Monday taking shelter from floodwaters in Kandolimari Village, located on the edge of the park.
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Park officials said a team was dispatched to the village and found the tiger, a sub-adult male, sheltering inside a goat shed. The officials said the situation was being monitored while experts worked on a plan to return the big cat to the park.
About 118 Bengal tigers are believed to be living inside the boundaries of the park.


upi--2020-07-13--States sue to block deportation of international university students

July 13 ( UPI ) -- Attorneys general in 18 states sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Monday over a new threat to deport international university students enrolled in online-only classes this fall .
Calling a July 6 Immigration and Customs Enforcement ruling `` senseless and cruel , '' states led by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey said the ICE decision imposes `` an insuperable burden on our colleges and universities . ''
The higher-learning institutions have until Aug. 4 to provide to ICE a list of every international student and certify that they are attending in-person classes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address how and whether students can return to in-person classes based on health recommendations amid the coronavirus pandemic .
An earlier March ICE ruling allowed international students to switch to online classes `` for the duration of the emergency '' the suit said .
Non-immigrant student F-1 and M-1 student visas were permitted under the previous rules .
Universities have developed protocols for the 2020 fall school schedule and which classes will be online and in-person , the suit said .
Universities will have to choose `` between keeping their international students enrolled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their campuses , '' the complaint said .
Losing international students will be devastating for university budgets , as they pay higher international tuition , the suit said .
States could lose hundreds of billions of dollars in lost tuition , as well as fees for housing and other services , the suit said .
States co-filing the suit include Colorado , Connecticut , Delaware , District of Columbia , Illinois , Maryland , Michigan , Minnesota , Nevada , New Jersey , New Mexico , Oregon , Pennsylvania , Rhode Island , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ universities Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology filed similar lawsuits earlier .
The directive by ICE attacking university systems ' bottom line was followed by a tweet Friday by U.S. President Donald Trump attacking the `` Radical Left indoctrination '' on college campuses .
`` Too many universities and school systems are about radical left indoctrination , not education .
Therefore , I am telling the Treasury Department to re-examine their tax-exempt status ... and/or Funding , '' Trump tweeted `` ... which will be taken away if this propaganda or act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be Educated , not Indoctrinated ! ''

Universities will have to choose "between keeping their international students enrolled and protecting the health and safety of their campuses," attorneys general said in filing their complaint. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
July 13 (UPI) -- Attorneys general in 18 states sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Monday over a new threat to deport international university students enrolled in online-only classes this fall. Calling a July 6 Immigration and Customs Enforcement ruling "senseless and cruel," states led by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey said the ICE decision imposes "an insuperable burden on our colleges and universities." The higher-learning institutions have until Aug. 4 to provide to ICE a list of every international student and certify that they are attending in-person classes. Advertisement
Universities have been developing programs to address how and whether students can return to in-person classes based on health recommendations amid the coronavirus pandemic. An earlier March ICE ruling allowed international students to switch to online classes "for the duration of the emergency" the suit said. Non-immigrant student F-1 and M-1 student visas were permitted under the previous rules.
Universities have developed protocols for the 2020 fall school schedule and which classes will be online and in-person, the suit said. Universities will have to choose "between keeping their international students enrolled and protecting the health and safety of their campuses," the complaint said.
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Losing international students will be devastating for university budgets, as they pay higher international tuition, the suit said. States could lose hundreds of billions of dollars in lost tuition, as well as fees for housing and other services, the suit said.
States co-filing the suit include Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington. Private universities Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology filed similar lawsuits earlier.
The directive by ICE attacking university systems' bottom line was followed by a tweet Friday by U.S. President Donald Trump attacking the "Radical Left indoctrination" on college campuses.
"Too many universities and school systems are about radical left indoctrination, not education. Therefore, I am telling the Treasury Department to re-examine their tax-exempt status... and/or Funding," Trump tweeted "...which will be taken away if this propaganda or act against public policy continues. Our children must be Educated, not Indoctrinated!"


upi--2020-07-13--NFL's Kelce, Urlacher, Murray join Alex Rodriguez-Jennifer Lopez bid to buy Mets

July 13 ( UPI ) -- Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce and former NFL players DeMarco Murray and Brian Urlacher have joined celebrity couple Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez in their bid to purchase the New York Mets .
Kelce and Urlacher spoke to ESPN Monday about their addition to the group .
`` I had a chance to meet Alex Rodriguez a couple years ago and just told him how much of a fan I was as a kid of him , '' Kelce told ESPN .
I 'm very thankful for the success that I 've had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have an opportunity like this come across the table .
`` I could n't think of a more unique set of people to be in charge of this . ''
Former Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Joe Thomas , Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal and Denver Nuggets center Mason Plumlee also have joined the potential ownership group .
Rodriguez and Lopez in April retained a bank to raise money for a possible bid for a share of the Major League Baseball franchise .
The Rodriguez-Lopez group also includes Florida Panthers owner Vinnie Viola and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez are a star-studded couple that have gotten to where they are because they work their tails off and they 're good human beings , '' Kelce said .
`` I thank them for letting me be a part of this . ''
The addition of star athletes to the group comes after Rodriguez said in April that he was interested in buying the team .
The Wilpon family , who owns the Mets , said it still plans to sell the team after a deal with billionaire Steve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a minority owner of the Mets .
The team is valued at about $ 2.6 billion .
The first round of bids for the team were due Thursday .

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is part of an athlete-filled group that wants to buy the New York Mets. File Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo
July 13 (UPI) -- Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce and former NFL players DeMarco Murray and Brian Urlacher have joined celebrity couple Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez in their bid to purchase the New York Mets. Kelce and Urlacher spoke to ESPN Monday about their addition to the group. Advertisement
"I had a chance to meet Alex Rodriguez a couple years ago and just told him how much of a fan I was as a kid of him," Kelce told ESPN. I'm very thankful for the success that I've had in the NFL [and] to have an opportunity like this come across the table.
"I couldn't think of a more unique set of people to be in charge of this."
Former Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Joe Thomas, Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal and Denver Nuggets center Mason Plumlee also have joined the potential ownership group.
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Rodriguez and Lopez in April retained a bank to raise money for a possible bid for a share of the Major League Baseball franchise. The Rodriguez-Lopez group also includes Florida Panthers owner Vinnie Viola and Vitamin Water co-founder Mike Repole.
"Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez are a star-studded couple that have gotten to where they are because they work their tails off and they're good human beings," Kelce said. "I thank them for letting me be a part of this."
The addition of star athletes to the group comes after Rodriguez said in April that he was interested in buying the team.
The Wilpon family, who owns the Mets, said it still plans to sell the team after a deal with billionaire Steve Cohen fell through in February. Cohen is a minority owner of the Mets. The team is valued at about $2.6 billion.
The first round of bids for the team were due Thursday.


upi--2020-07-13--Watch: Man keeps three balloons in the air for over an hour for Guinness record

July 13 ( UPI ) -- An Idaho man with a talent for breaking Guinness World Records kept three balloons @ @ @ @ @ hour , 12 minutes and 50 seconds .
David Rush , who has broken more @ @ @ @ @ promote STEM education , said he secured use of an empty gym for his attempt @ @ @ @ @ longest duration to keep three balloons in the air .
Rush controlled the balloons with @ @ @ @ @ head for 1 hour , 12 minutes and 50 seconds , enough to beat the @ @ @ @ @ and 49 seconds .
Rush said he previously beat the same record with a 15-minute @ @ @ @ @ but was beaten by the current record , which he said actually occurred before his @ @ @ @ @ adjudicated by Guinness until after he was awarded the record .

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July 13 (UPI) -- An Idaho man with a talent for breaking Guinness World Records kept three balloons in the air for 1 hour, 12 minutes and 50 seconds.
David Rush, who has broken more than 150 Guinness records to promote STEM education, said he secured use of an empty gym for his attempt to take the record for longest duration to keep three balloons in the air.
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Rush controlled the balloons with his hands, feet and head for 1 hour, 12 minutes and 50 seconds, enough to beat the previous record of 39 minutes and 49 seconds.
Rush said he previously beat the same record with a 15-minute attempt in January 2019, but was beaten by the current record, which he said actually occurred before his attempt but hadn't been adjudicated by Guinness until after he was awarded the record.


upi--2020-07-13--Trade benefits developed countries environmentally, but hurts developing countries

July 13 ( UPI ) -- Researchers said Monday that international trade bodes well for developed countries ' environmental sustainability , but has the opposite effect on developing countries .
Their new study , titled `` Impacts of international trade on global sustainable development , '' was published Monday in Nature Sustainability .
It analyzed this issue by looking at sustainable development goals ( SDG ) with environment-related targets that the United Nations has adopted .
The study showed that international trade helped developed countries like the United States , Canada and Europe , but harmed Russia and part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement said .
International trade improved the SDG target scores of most -- 65 percent -- of the developed countries analyzed , but reduced the SDG target scores of 60 percent of developing countries , scientists from the United States and China said in the study .
Scientists analyzed the impact of international trade starting in 1995 on nine SDG targets related to goals to address the following environmental issues : sustainable water use , energy , economic growth , industrialization , consumption and production , and combating climate change .
Trade can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transfers production burdens to exporters , according to researchers .
For instance , if the United States buys wooden furniture from southeast Asia that could help U.S. forests , but harm southeast Asia through deforestation and biodiversity loss .
Another example researchers noted was related to carbon emissions .
From 1990-2008 , international trade displaced 16 Gt of carbon dioxide from developed to developing counties , the research paper noted .
This stabilized carbon emissions for the most part in developed countries , but caused carbon emissions in developing countries to double .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ international trade 's impact on the United Nations SDG , said co-lead author Zhenci Xu , a University of Michigan research associate and former PhD student at MSU 's Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability in the MSU statement .
`` As the countries connected with each other more in the globalization area , understanding how trade shapes progress toward national and global sustainable development can provide useful information for policy making aiming at achieving SDGs together , '' Xu added .

A ship is shown as it moves goods through the Panama Canal. Photo by Sue Nichols/MSU
July 13 (UPI) -- Researchers said Monday that international trade bodes well for developed countries' environmental sustainability, but has the opposite effect on developing countries. Their new study, titled "Impacts of international trade on global sustainable development," was published Monday in Nature Sustainability. It analyzed this issue by looking at sustainable development goals (SDG) with environment-related targets that the United Nations has adopted. Advertisement
The study showed that international trade helped developed countries like the United States, Canada and Europe, but harmed Russia and part of East Asia, a Michigan State University statement said.
International trade improved the SDG target scores of most -- 65 percent -- of the developed countries analyzed, but reduced the SDG target scores of 60 percent of developing countries, scientists from the United States and China said in the study.
Scientists analyzed the impact of international trade starting in 1995 on nine SDG targets related to goals to address the following environmental issues: sustainable water use, energy, economic growth, industrialization, consumption and production, and combating climate change.
Trade can help save local environmental resources, but transfers production burdens to exporters, according to researchers. For instance, if the United States buys wooden furniture from southeast Asia that could help U.S. forests, but harm southeast Asia through deforestation and biodiversity loss.
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Another example researchers noted was related to carbon emissions.
From 1990-2008, international trade displaced 16 Gt of carbon dioxide from developed to developing counties, the research paper noted. This stabilized carbon emissions for the most part in developed countries, but caused carbon emissions in developing countries to double.
The study is the first to examine international trade's impact on the United Nations SDG, said co-lead author Zhenci Xu, a University of Michigan research associate and former PhD student at MSU's Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability in the MSU statement.
"As the countries connected with each other more in the globalization area, understanding how trade shapes progress toward national and global sustainable development can provide useful information for policy making aiming at achieving SDGs together," Xu added.


upi--2020-07-13--Beta blockers may increase heart failure risk in women, study finds

July 13 ( UPI ) -- Women who take beta blockers for high blood pressure are at nearly 5 percent higher risk for heart failure than men , even if they have no history of heart disease , a study published Monday in the journal Hypertension found .
Women who had a type of heart attack called acute myocardial infarction were just over 6 percent more likely to have heart failure than men with the condition , the researchers found .
`` What we found presents a solid case for re-examination of the use of beta blocker therapy for women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' study co-author Dr. Raffaele Bugiardini , professor of cardiology at the University of Bologna in Italy , said in a statement .
`` It 's possible that the increased risk of heart failure for women is due to an interaction between hormone replacement therapy and beta blockers , though this information was not collected or tested in our study , '' he said .
The findings are based on an analysis of health data on patients admitted to the hospital with acute coronary syndrome , or ACS , a group of conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flow to the heart , Bugiardini and his colleagues said .
Roughly 40 percent of those with ACS suffer an acute myocardial infarction , also known as ST-segment elevation MI , or STEMI , according to the American Heart Association .
STEMI occurs when a coronary artery is completely blocked and a large part of the heart muscle is unable to receive blood , Bugiardini said .
Beta blockers like atenolol , metoprolol , nadolol and propranolol are designed to reduce high blood pressure , he said .
They are typically prescribed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hypertension , which is a leading cause of heart disease , he said .
The researchers focused on nearly 14,000 patients from 12 European countries included in three clinical registries for heart failure between October 2010 and July 2018 .
All of the patients had hypertension , but no history of heart disease , the researchers said .
Patients were classified by sex and then separated into two groups : those taking beta blockers and those who were not .
Among those taking beta blockers , women had a 4.6 percent higher rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admitted to the hospital with acute coronary syndrome , according to the researchers .
Similarly , women who suffered a STEMI had a 6.1 percent higher rate of heart failure than men who suffered the same type of acute myocardial infarction , the researchers said .
In general , risk for death among both men and women with heart failure was about seven times higher than that of patients with acute myocardial infarction and no heart failure complications , they said , noting that men and women not taking beta blockers had about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` For women who have no history of cardiovascular disease and only hypertension , we think it is incredibly important for them to regulate their blood pressure through diet and exercise , '' Bugiardini said .

Women on beta blockers may be at higher risk for heart failure than men on the drugs, a new study has found. Photo by Debora Cartagena/Pixnio
July 13 (UPI) -- Women who take beta blockers for high blood pressure are at nearly 5 percent higher risk for heart failure than men, even if they have no history of heart disease, a study published Monday in the journal Hypertension found. Women who had a type of heart attack called acute myocardial infarction were just over 6 percent more likely to have heart failure than men with the condition, the researchers found. Advertisement
"What we found presents a solid case for re-examination of the use of beta blocker therapy for women with [high blood pressure]," study co-author Dr. Raffaele Bugiardini, professor of cardiology at the University of Bologna in Italy, said in a statement.
"It's possible that the increased risk of heart failure for women is due to an interaction between hormone replacement therapy and beta blockers, though this information was not collected or tested in our study," he said.
The findings are based on an analysis of health data on patients admitted to the hospital with acute coronary syndrome, or ACS, a group of conditions associated with a sudden loss of blood flow to the heart, Bugiardini and his colleagues said.
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Roughly 40 percent of those with ACS suffer an acute myocardial infarction, also known as ST-segment elevation MI, or STEMI, according to the American Heart Association.
STEMI occurs when a coronary artery is completely blocked and a large part of the heart muscle is unable to receive blood, Bugiardini said.
Beta blockers like atenolol, metoprolol, nadolol and propranolol are designed to reduce high blood pressure, he said. They are typically prescribed for adults with the condition, also called hypertension, which is a leading cause of heart disease, he said.
The researchers focused on nearly 14,000 patients from 12 European countries included in three clinical registries for heart failure between October 2010 and July 2018. All of the patients had hypertension, but no history of heart disease, the researchers said.
Patients were classified by sex and then separated into two groups: those taking beta blockers and those who were not.
Among those taking beta blockers, women had a 4.6 percent higher rate of heart failure than men after being admitted to the hospital with acute coronary syndrome, according to the researchers.
Similarly, women who suffered a STEMI had a 6.1 percent higher rate of heart failure than men who suffered the same type of acute myocardial infarction, the researchers said.
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In general, risk for death among both men and women with heart failure was about seven times higher than that of patients with acute myocardial infarction and no heart failure complications, they said, noting that men and women not taking beta blockers had about the same rate of heart failure.
"For women who have no history of cardiovascular disease and only hypertension, we think it is incredibly important for them to regulate their blood pressure through diet and exercise," Bugiardini said.


upi--2020-07-13--Serval captured after two weeks on the loose in Japanese city

July 13 ( UPI ) -- Officials in a Japanese city said a serval , an exotic cat native to @ @ @ @ @ about two weeks on the loose .
The City of Shizuoka said the 1-year-old cat @ @ @ @ @ as an exotic pet in the city , escaped June 27 and was on the @ @ @ @ @ before being captured Monday .
Officials said a witness spotted the serval wandering near Shizuoka @ @ @ @ @ a mile from its owner 's home , and alerted authorities .
The cat was @ @ @ @ @ Officials said the serval 's owner told authorities the cat had been acting agitated and @ @ @ @ @ its cage to check on it .
Servals require permits to be kept in the @ @ @ @ @ It was unclear whether the cat 's owner had a permit for the animal or @ @ @ @ @ to the owner .

An African serval was captured near a Japanese heliport about two weeks after escaping from its owner's home. Photo by gayleenfroese2/Pixabay.com
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe July 13 (UPI) -- Officials in a Japanese city said a serval, an exotic cat native to Africa, was captured after about two weeks on the loose. The City of Shizuoka said the 1-year-old cat, which was being kept as an exotic pet in the city, escaped June 27 and was on the loose for over two weeks before being captured Monday. Advertisement
Officials said a witness spotted the serval wandering near Shizuoka Heliport, more than half a mile from its owner's home, and alerted authorities.
The cat was safely captured without injury.
Officials said the serval's owner told authorities the cat had been acting agitated and escaped when the owner opened its cage to check on it.
Servals require permits to be kept in the city, officials said. It was unclear whether the cat's owner had a permit for the animal or whether it would be returned to the owner.


upi--2020-07-14--Watch: Jimmy Fallon, 'Tonight Show' return to Rockefeller Center

July 14 ( UPI ) -- Jimmy Fallon returned to NBC 's studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City to host The Tonight Show for the first time since March .
Fallon , along with the other late night hosts , have been filming episodes from their home due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Fallon returned to the Tonight Show studio on Monday .
The comedian was filmed walking to the building while wearing a mask and was given a temperature check before he entered into an elevator .
There was no live audience present and guests will still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was joined by members of The Roots and a limited amount of crew members , noted that everyone is standing six feet apart and that everyone in the studio has tested negative for COVID-19 .
`` I do n't know if anyone else feels this way , but normalcy , any type of normalcy feels great .
So hopefully we can put a smile on your face for an hour every night and let you sit back and relax while we try to bring you just a little bit of normal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performed a remixed version of `` It 's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas , '' titled `` It 's Beginning to Look a Bit Like Normal . ''
The segment featured a guest appearance by Tracy Morgan , who appeared virtually from his home and could n't be understood due to a stuttering video feed .
Charlize Theron was Fallon 's guest and discussed her new Netflix film The Old Guard along with how she spoke to her daughters about the death of George Floyd and the ensuring protests .
Little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performed their song `` Wine , Beer , Whiskey . ''
Conan O'Brien recently started filming his show , Conan , from Los Angeles comedy and music venue Largo at the Coronet .

July 14 (UPI) -- Jimmy Fallon returned to NBC's studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City to host The Tonight Show for the first time since March.
Fallon, along with the other late night hosts, have been filming episodes from their home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Fallon returned to the Tonight Show studio on Monday. The comedian was filmed walking to the building while wearing a mask and was given a temperature check before he entered into an elevator.
There was no live audience present and guests will still speak with Fallon virtually. Fallon, who was joined by members of The Roots and a limited amount of crew members, noted that everyone is standing six feet apart and that everyone in the studio has tested negative for COVID-19.
"I don't know if anyone else feels this way, but normalcy, any type of normalcy feels great. So hopefully we can put a smile on your face for an hour every night and let you sit back and relax while we try to bring you just a little bit of normal," Fallon told viewers.
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Fallon also performed a remixed version of "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas," titled "It's Beginning to Look a Bit Like Normal." The segment featured a guest appearance by Tracy Morgan, who appeared virtually from his home and couldn't be understood due to a stuttering video feed.
Charlize Theron was Fallon's guest and discussed her new Netflix film The Old Guard along with how she spoke to her daughters about the death of George Floyd and the ensuring protests.
Little Big Town was the musical guest and performed their song "Wine, Beer, Whiskey."
Conan O'Brien recently started filming his show, Conan, from Los Angeles comedy and music venue Largo at the Coronet.


upi--2020-07-14--China is becoming increasingly assertive, not just regarding Hong Kong

July 14 ( UPI ) -- China 's enforcement of a new security law in Hong Kong marks the de facto end of the `` one country , two systems '' model that came into effect following the British handover in 1997 .
This has repercussions that go far beyond Hong Kong .
The Sino-British Joint Declaration , signed by China and the United Kingdom in 1984 paved the way for the handover .
It states clearly that the territory shall enjoy `` basic rights and freedom '' and `` a high degree of autonomy '' for 50 years -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the United Nations and so any breach of it is a breach of international law .
Arguing that the new security law prematurely removed Hong Kong 's high degree of autonomy , the United Kingdom proposed a pathway for an estimated 3 million Hong Kongers to gain British citizenship .
China was quick to assert that this decision breached the terms of its agreements with the United Kingdom .
The Chinese government has made no secret of its contempt for the joint declaration in the past , deriding it as nothing more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a number of China 's other territorial claims could equally be brought into question using the very same logic .
China 's sovereignty over Tibet , for example , is rooted in international law governing the succession of states , which China claims makes it the successor state to the Qing government that signed the Anglo-Chinese Convention of 1906 .
Claims by China that Taiwan should be `` reunified '' with the mainland rest partially on its interpretation of the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty , which stipulates that Japan is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Formosa ( Taiwan ) and the Pescadores ( Penghu ) .
China 's claims over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea -- which are disputed between Japan , Taiwan and China -- are also based on the 1943 Cairo and 1945 Potsdam declarations , which declared that Japan should return all of its occupied territory at the end of the war .
All this means that China should be careful its neighbors do n't take such a dismissive approach to these historical treaties as it has done with the joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happening in China 's foreign policy toward friends and rivals than just a rejection of a historical agreement .
Recent deadly clashes along the border with India in the Himalayas , attempts to shift the parameters of the Senkaku/Diaoyu dispute with a near-continuous presence around the islands , and continuing moves to strengthen its control of the South China Sea all point to a conscious shift in China 's behavior .
What really matters , it would seem , is China 's relative power in the international system -- both against its neighbors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's likely that Chinese officials see this as a chance to shift the parameters of operations in a number of areas while the United States is distracted domestically by COVID-19 and led by a non-internationalist president .
Since the new security law makes secession , subversion , terrorism and foreign intervention illegal in Hong Kong , it has certain spillover effects .
Not least is the issue of extradition , which is a controversial issue in Hong Kong .
A proposed new extradition bill sparked mass protests in Hong Kong in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people took to the streets , over fears people could be extradited to China .
The period of terror that is enveloping the island would mean that those commenting on issues of independence for Hong Kong run the risk of breaching the new security law outside Hong Kong 's territory .
It 's possible that even this article might fall foul of it .
This brings into question the other extradition agreements that Hong Kong has with 30 countries , most of whom do not have similar arrangements with mainland China .
Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treaty with Hong Kong in early July 2020 and Australia followed suit a few days later .
These countries are right to respond to such a danger to their citizens and residents .
Others with such agreements include the United States , New Zealand , the United Kingdom , Germany , Singapore , Malaysia and India .
It 's likely only a matter of time before others make similar decisions .
China 's actions in Hong Kong are symptomatic of its changing outlook and attitude to its neighbors .
The days of taoguang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy under Deng Xiaoping in the late 1970s and 1980s that is frequently translated as `` keeping a low profile '' -- are long gone .
However , a clear willingness to disregard international treaties in this way shows that China now has the confidence and courage to challenge the status quo of the international system .
The global reaction indicates that this will not be left unanswered , laying the groundwork for an increasingly difficult relationship between China and other world powers .
Niki JP Alsford is a professor in Asia Pacific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Studies Institutes and Ed Griffith is a principal lecturer in Asia Pacific studies at the University of Central Lancashire .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

A crowd of protesters under umbrellas leave an anti-government rally in Hong Kong's Victoria Park last August. Organizers estimated 1.7 million people turned out for the demonstration. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI | License Photo
July 14 (UPI) -- China's enforcement of a new security law in Hong Kong marks the de facto end of the "one country, two systems" model that came into effect following the British handover in 1997. This has repercussions that go far beyond Hong Kong. The Sino-British Joint Declaration, signed by China and the United Kingdom in 1984 paved the way for the handover. It states clearly that the territory shall enjoy "basic rights and freedom" and "a high degree of autonomy" for 50 years -- until 2047. The treaty was lodged with the United Nations and so any breach of it is a breach of international law. Advertisement
Arguing that the new security law prematurely removed Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, the United Kingdom proposed a pathway for an estimated 3 million Hong Kongers to gain British citizenship. China was quick to assert that this decision breached the terms of its agreements with the United Kingdom.
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The Chinese government has made no secret of its contempt for the joint declaration in the past, deriding it as nothing more than a simple historical document. However, a number of China's other territorial claims could equally be brought into question using the very same logic. China's sovereignty over Tibet, for example, is rooted in international law governing the succession of states, which China claims makes it the successor state to the Qing government that signed the Anglo-Chinese Convention of 1906.
Claims by China that Taiwan should be "reunified" with the mainland rest partially on its interpretation of the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty, which stipulates that Japan is to renounce all right, title and claim to Formosa (Taiwan) and the Pescadores (Penghu). China's claims over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea -- which are disputed between Japan, Taiwan and China -- are also based on the 1943 Cairo and 1945 Potsdam declarations, which declared that Japan should return all of its occupied territory at the end of the war.
All this means that China should be careful its neighbors don't take such a dismissive approach to these historical treaties as it has done with the joint declaration.
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Flexing muscles
But something more nuanced is happening in China's foreign policy toward friends and rivals than just a rejection of a historical agreement. Recent deadly clashes along the border with India in the Himalayas, attempts to shift the parameters of the Senkaku/Diaoyu dispute with a near-continuous presence around the islands, and continuing moves to strengthen its control of the South China Sea all point to a conscious shift in China's behavior.
What really matters, it would seem, is China's relative power in the international system -- both against its neighbors in the region and the wider world. It's likely that Chinese officials see this as a chance to shift the parameters of operations in a number of areas while the United States is distracted domestically by COVID-19 and led by a non-internationalist president.
Extradition disagreements
Since the new security law makes secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign intervention illegal in Hong Kong, it has certain spillover effects. Not least is the issue of extradition, which is a controversial issue in Hong Kong. A proposed new extradition bill sparked mass protests in Hong Kong in June 2019 in which nearly 2 million people took to the streets, over fears people could be extradited to China.
Advertisement
The period of terror that is enveloping the island would mean that those commenting on issues of independence for Hong Kong run the risk of breaching the new security law outside Hong Kong's territory. It's possible that even this article might fall foul of it.
This brings into question the other extradition agreements that Hong Kong has with 30 countries, most of whom do not have similar arrangements with mainland China. Canada was the first to suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in early July 2020 and Australia followed suit a few days later. These countries are right to respond to such a danger to their citizens and residents.
Others with such agreements include the United States, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, Malaysia and India. It's likely only a matter of time before others make similar decisions.
China's actions in Hong Kong are symptomatic of its changing outlook and attitude to its neighbors. The days of taoguang yanghui -- the approach taken to foreign policy under Deng Xiaoping in the late 1970s and 1980s that is frequently translated as "keeping a low profile" -- are long gone. However, a clear willingness to disregard international treaties in this way shows that China now has the confidence and courage to challenge the status quo of the international system.
Advertisement
The global reaction indicates that this will not be left unanswered, laying the groundwork for an increasingly difficult relationship between China and other world powers.
Niki JP Alsford is a professor in Asia Pacific studies and director of the Asia Pacific Studies Institutes and Ed Griffith is a principal lecturer in Asia Pacific studies at the University of Central Lancashire. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


upi--2020-07-14--U.S. executes killer Daniel Lewis Lee after Supreme Court ruling

July 14 ( UPI ) -- The federal government carried out its first execution in 17 years on Tuesday , putting killer Daniel Lewis Lee to death at a facility in Indiana after a rare early morning decision by the U.S. Supreme Court .
Lee was put to death by lethal injection at the Federal Correctional Institution in Terre Haute , a medium-security prison operated by the federal Bureau of Prisons .
It was the first federal execution since 2003 .
Lee was pronounced dead at 8:07 a.m. EDT .
The Indianapolis Star reported that his last words were , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
About six hours earlier , a divided U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Justice Department may resume federal executions , vacating an appellate court 's last-minute injunction that prevented Lee 's death on Monday afternoon .
The injunction , granted by a District Judge Tanya Chutkan in Washington , D.C. , had also barred the pending executions of three other federal death row inmates .
Chutkan in her ruling cited concerns that the lethal injection process is `` very likely to cause extreme pain and needless suffering . ''
The high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ row inmates `` have not made the showing required to justify last-minute intervention by a federal court . ''
`` 'Last-minute stays ' like that issued [ Monday ] morning 'should be the extreme exception , not the norm , ' '' the high court wrote in its order .
`` It is our responsibility 'to ensure that method-of-execution challenges to lawfully issued sentences are resolved fairly and expeditiously , so that 'the question of capital punishment ' can remain with 'the people and their representatives , not the courts , to resolve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility , we vacate the District Court 's preliminary injunction so that the plaintiffs ' executions may proceed as planned . ''
The District Court injunction blocked the four executions on the grounds that the use of the drug pentobarbital in lethal injections constitutes cruel and unusual punishment , a violation of the Eighth Amendment .
The other three death row inmates covered by the vacated injunction are scheduled to be executed soon -- Wesley Purkey on Wednesday , Dustin Honken on Friday and Keith Dwayne Nelson on Aug. 28 .
The Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since July of last year when it outlined new execution protocols , but the process has wound through the courts over the planned use of the single-drug pentobarbital instead of the three-drug cocktail previously used in federal executions .
Fourteen states have used the single-drug process in more than 200 executions since 2010 , but adoption by the Federal Bureau of Prisons has led to legal challenges .
U.S. Attorney General William Barr had scheduled the four executions in June after a U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C .
Circuit vacated an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Supreme Court wrote that although the plaintiffs cite experts who suggest pentobarbital causes respiratory distress that mimics the sensation of drowning , government attorneys have produced competing expert testimony that the condition occurs only `` after the prisoner has died or been rendered fully insensate . ''
`` The government is poised to carry out the first federal executions in nearly two decades .
Yet , because of the court 's rush to dispose of this litigation in an emergency posture , there will be no meaningful judicial review of the grave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way in which the government plans to execute them , '' Sotomayor wrote .
Lee was sentenced to die for his role as an accomplice in the 1996 murders of William Mueller , his wife , Nancy Mueller , and stepdaughter Sarah Powell in Georgia .

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled early Tuesday that four federal executions that had been blocked on Monday can proceed. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
July 14 (UPI) -- The federal government carried out its first execution in 17 years on Tuesday, putting killer Daniel Lewis Lee to death at a facility in Indiana after a rare early morning decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. Lee was put to death by lethal injection at the Federal Correctional Institution in Terre Haute, a medium-security prison operated by the federal Bureau of Prisons. It was the first federal execution since 2003. Advertisement
Lee was pronounced dead at 8:07 a.m. EDT. The Indianapolis Star reported that his last words were, "You're killing an innocent man."
About six hours earlier, a divided U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Justice Department may resume federal executions, vacating an appellate court's last-minute injunction that prevented Lee's death on Monday afternoon.
The injunction, granted by a District Judge Tanya Chutkan in Washington, D.C., had also barred the pending executions of three other federal death row inmates. Chutkan in her ruling cited concerns that the lethal injection process is "very likely to cause extreme pain and needless suffering."
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The high court justices ruled that the four death row inmates "have not made the showing required to justify last-minute intervention by a federal court."
"'Last-minute stays' like that issued [Monday] morning 'should be the extreme exception, not the norm,'" the high court wrote in its order. "It is our responsibility 'to ensure that method-of-execution challenges to lawfully issued sentences are resolved fairly and expeditiously, so that 'the question of capital punishment' can remain with 'the people and their representatives, not the courts, to resolve.'
"In keeping with that responsibility, we vacate the District Court's preliminary injunction so that the plaintiffs' executions may proceed as planned."
The District Court injunction blocked the four executions on the grounds that the use of the drug pentobarbital in lethal injections constitutes cruel and unusual punishment, a violation of the Eighth Amendment.
The other three death row inmates covered by the vacated injunction are scheduled to be executed soon -- Wesley Purkey on Wednesday, Dustin Honken on Friday and Keith Dwayne Nelson on Aug. 28.
The Justice Department has sought to execute the inmates since July of last year when it outlined new execution protocols, but the process has wound through the courts over the planned use of the single-drug pentobarbital instead of the three-drug cocktail previously used in federal executions.
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Fourteen states have used the single-drug process in more than 200 executions since 2010, but adoption by the Federal Bureau of Prisons has led to legal challenges.
U.S. Attorney General William Barr had scheduled the four executions in June after a U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit vacated an earlier injunction.
In its decision, the Supreme Court wrote that although the plaintiffs cite experts who suggest pentobarbital causes respiratory distress that mimics the sensation of drowning, government attorneys have produced competing expert testimony that the condition occurs only "after the prisoner has died or been rendered fully insensate."
Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan dissented.
"The government is poised to carry out the first federal executions in nearly two decades. Yet, because of the court's rush to dispose of this litigation in an emergency posture, there will be no meaningful judicial review of the grave, fact-heavy challenges respondents bring to the way in which the government plans to execute them," Sotomayor wrote.
Lee was sentenced to die for his role as an accomplice in the 1996 murders of William Mueller, his wife, Nancy Mueller, and stepdaughter Sarah Powell in Georgia.


upi--2020-07-14--Tiger Woods grouped with Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka at Memorial

July 14 ( UPI ) -- Tiger Woods will golf in a group with world No .
1 Rory McIlroy and No .
6 Brooks Koepka in this week 's Memorial Tournament , his first appearance since the PGA Tour resumed from a coronavirus pandemic suspension .
Woods , McIlroy and Koepka were among four featured groups for the tournament announced Monday by the PGA Tour .
The four-day tournament starts Thursday at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin , Ohio .
No .
69 Phil Mickelson , No .
16 Justin Rose and No .
26 Shane Lowry also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A third group consists of No .
7 Bryson DeChambeau , No .
13 Collin Morikawa and No .
10 Patrick Cantlay .
The final featured group will be a trio of No .
3 Justin Thomas , No .
11 Xander Schauffele and No .
4 Dustin Johnson .
Thomas ranks No .
1 in the FedExCup Ranking .
DeChambeau ( 4 ) , McIlroy ( 5 ) and Morikawa ( 6 ) also rank inside the Top-10 in the FedExCup Ranking .
Woods ranks No .
41 and Koepka ranks No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will golf together Thursday and Friday for the first and second round , respectively .
Other groupings and tee times for the Memorial Tournament will be released at 5 p.m. EDT Tuesday on PGATour.com .
The Memorial Tournament will be the sixth event since the PGA Tour season resumed June 11 .
The event had been scheduled to be the first tournament with spectators since the PGA Tour resumed its season , but that plan was canceled July 6 .

Tiger Woods (L) and Rory McIlroy (R) will golf with Brooks Koepka for the first and second round of the Memorial Tournament this week in Dublin, Ohio. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
July 14 (UPI) -- Tiger Woods will golf in a group with world No. 1 Rory McIlroy and No. 6 Brooks Koepka in this week's Memorial Tournament, his first appearance since the PGA Tour resumed from a coronavirus pandemic suspension. Woods, McIlroy and Koepka were among four featured groups for the tournament announced Monday by the PGA Tour. The four-day tournament starts Thursday at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. Advertisement
No. 69 Phil Mickelson, No. 16 Justin Rose and No. 26 Shane Lowry also will play in a featured group. A third group consists of No. 7 Bryson DeChambeau, No. 13 Collin Morikawa and No. 10 Patrick Cantlay. The final featured group will be a trio of No. 3 Justin Thomas, No. 11 Xander Schauffele and No. 4 Dustin Johnson.
Thomas ranks No. 1 in the FedExCup Ranking. DeChambeau (4), McIlroy (5) and Morikawa (6) also rank inside the Top-10 in the FedExCup Ranking. Woods ranks No. 41 and Koepka ranks No. 156.
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The four featured groups will golf together Thursday and Friday for the first and second round, respectively. Other groupings and tee times for the Memorial Tournament will be released at 5 p.m. EDT Tuesday on PGATour.com.
The Memorial Tournament will be the sixth event since the PGA Tour season resumed June 11. The event had been scheduled to be the first tournament with spectators since the PGA Tour resumed its season, but that plan was canceled July 6.


upi--2020-07-14--Delta reports $7 billion second-quarter loss due to COVID-19

"We continue to believe that it will be more than two years before we see a sustainable recovery," Delta CEO Ed Bastian said Tuesday. File Photo by John Dickerson/UPI | License Photo
July 14 (UPI) -- Delta Air Lines on Tuesday reported a $7 billion pretax loss for the second quarter, citing a severe decrease in revenues due to the depressed demand wreaked by the coronavirus pandemic. Revenues tumbled nearly 90 percent to $1.47 billion, illustrating "the truly staggering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business," Delta CEO Ed Bastian said. Advertisement
Bastian added that Delta was able to reduce its average "daily cash burn" rate by more than 70 percent to $27 million during the second quarter, but the airline foresees more of the same kind of lost revenue in the near term.
"Given the combined effects of the pandemic and associated financial impact on the global economy, we continue to believe that it will be more than two years before we see a sustainable recovery," he said.
The U.S. and global airline industries have seen travel demand plummet since the coronavirus crisis arrived in March. Per-mile revenue contracted by 91 percent year-over-year in May after posting a 94 percent decline the previous month, according to the International Air Transport Association.
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Although airlines have canceled flights and grounded thousands of aircraft in response to the health crisis, global passenger demand still fell faster than capacity in May, the industry group said.
U.S. airlines are trying to cope with the downturn through layoffs and furloughs.
American Airlines warned unions this week that labor notices will soon be sent to workers and United said last week as much as 40 percent of its staff could be furloughed if not enough employees opt for buyouts or early retirement.
In Australia, national carrier Qantas has removed almost all international flights from its website through March -- which will be a full year from the month it grounded its fleet due to the pandemic.
The removals don't mean the flights have been canceled, but they prevent new bookings for overseas Qantas routes except for those to New Zealand, Executive Traveler reported.
Qantas said last month it expects 6,000 employees to be laid off and 15,000 furloughed due to economic fallout related to the health crisis. It also said it would ground dozens of planes for as long as a year as part of a long-term plan to cut costs by $10 billion.
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COVID-19 pandemic alters life in New York City


upi--2020-07-14--States ask teens to staff polling places on Election Day

July 14 ( UPI ) -- Recruiting enough workers to staff the more than 200,000 polling places across the country has been a longstanding struggle .
Now , the coronavirus is making the problem even worse -- because older people , who are the majority of poll workers , are also at the greatest risk of getting the infection .
In response , states are getting creative , increasingly asking their younger populations -- including some not yet old enough to vote -- to step up and play an essential role in the election process .
While it 's not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be poll workers in 45 states and the District of Columbia .
Recruiting members of Generation Z has become critical this year because aging Baby Boomers are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 .
But long before the pandemic transformed the country -- and the way elections are run -- in a matter of weeks , keeping up the supply of election workers has long been a sore subject for election officials .
And it has been getting worse .
Even in a year when the share of ballots cast remotely is sure to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generally promising to keep a reasonable number of polling stations open for those who prefer them as well as those who require them , like many disabled or homeless voters .
And that means several hundred thousand people will be needed to check in voters , verify their identities , register people in states where that 's allowed on Election Day and then answer questions about voting equipment -- which is brand new this year in thousands of locations .
The shortage is likely to be particularly acute in Texas and other states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail voting despite new surges of coronavirus .
Handfuls of polling places have been shuttered in Fort Worth and San Antonio for Tuesday 's primary runoffs , for example , because of a lack of people willing to staff them .
Wisconsin infamously had to call out the National Guard to replace no-shows for its April primary .
The surge in the number of cities and counties struggling to find sufficient help on Election Day is made plain in the surveys of election officials taken after every election by the federal Election Assistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least some difficulty in filling their poll worker jobs rose from only about one-third a decade ago to 70 percent in 2018 .
The poll found that for every general election going back at least to 2010 , fewer than one in five poll workers was 40 or younger .
The surveys also consistently found about one-fourth of poll workers were 71 or older -- results that make intuitive sense , because older people are likelier to be retired and have fewer weekday commitments while people in their 20s and 30s are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trouble recruiting election workers during the pandemic is magnified by demographics : Three in five poll workers in 2018 were older than 61 , an age group at high risk of COVID-19 , while just one in five was younger than 40 .
One way to expand the pool : Grow the share ( 4 percent last time ) not yet old enough to vote , something most states allow .
To help solve its version of the problem , Minneapolis implemented a Student Election Judge Program in the early 1990s and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bilingual , tech-savvy and ethnically diverse corps of high school students to work in its polling centers .
The city partnered with local schools to help enlist teenagers , even establishing volunteer advisers at some schools to help advocate for the program and coordinate recruiting .
The law in Minnesota , which usually has the strongest voter turnout of any state , permits high school students to work at polling centers after they turn 16 .
The coordinator of the program , Caryn Scheel , says that over the years , Minneapolis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs -- more than 800 in a typical year , when only about 400 students are needed on Election Day .
She estimates that between one-fifth and one-quarter of the city 's polling centers have high school students at work .
`` They leave really inspired about what it 's like to be part of a community during an election , '' Scheel said .
`` They really take it seriously , this idea that they are there to help voters to do what they can within the legal process to help people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ empowering . ''
Three years ago , the EAC singled out the Minneapolis program in a competition for recruiting , training and retaining election workers .
Hamilton County , Ohio , won the same award in 2016 for its Youth at the Booth program , which recruits Cincinnati high schoolers older than 17 to work at the polls .
The effort extends to older students , too .
Members of the Election Law Society at William & Mary 's law school recently started looking for a way to contribute their expertise during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
The result , formally launched last week , is ASAP -- the Alliance of Students at the Polls .
The nonpartisan program plans to recruit fellow law schools across the country to build an online database of local resources related to voting and the electoral process .
The organization also plans to recruit law students to be poll workers either on campus or at home , where many will be studying online this fall .
`` Having every state that has in-person voting be a part of our database and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to volunteer in that state , if we can pull that off , I will consider this a huge success , in terms of just providing access and hopefully recruiting enough poll workers to open some more precincts across the country , '' said Max Weiss , co-president of the Election Law Society .
Poll work compensation varies widely , although about a quarter of states dictate a flat fee that 's often less than the minimum wage for what is sometimes a 12-hour ( or longer ) day .
Other states offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pay more .
The National Council of State Legislatures has also promoted the idea of youth poll workers , pointing out that these digital natives have a willingness to operate electronic poll books and other voting technology .
Having more young people part of the electoral process , serving as poll workers or election judges , may motivate a younger voting bloc to cast their own ballots once they turn 18 .
Scheel , of Minneapolis ' Student Election Judge program , said surveys of participants show students are much more likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of her program .
`` You look at research that has been done on youth voter participation and you find that the earlier people get involved , the more likely it is that they 'll stay involved , '' she said .
The notion of using poll worker jobs to promote high school civic engagement crosses ideological lines .
The most recent state to allow teens to do the work was reliably Republican Alabama , which made the switch last year .
This article originally appeared at The Fulcrum .

Poll workers wears protective equipment as they organize ballots in a special election for Maryland's 7th Congressional District on April 28. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
July 14 (UPI) -- Recruiting enough workers to staff the more than 200,000 polling places across the country has been a longstanding struggle. Now, the coronavirus is making the problem even worse -- because older people, who are the majority of poll workers, are also at the greatest risk of getting the infection. In response, states are getting creative, increasingly asking their younger populations -- including some not yet old enough to vote -- to step up and play an essential role in the election process. While it's not widely known, people younger than 18 can be poll workers in 45 states and the District of Columbia. Advertisement
Recruiting members of Generation Z has become critical this year because aging Baby Boomers are especially vulnerable to COVID-19. But long before the pandemic transformed the country -- and the way elections are run -- in a matter of weeks, keeping up the supply of election workers has long been a sore subject for election officials. And it has been getting worse.
Advertisement
Even in a year when the share of ballots cast remotely is sure to shatter past records, election officials are generally promising to keep a reasonable number of polling stations open for those who prefer them as well as those who require them, like many disabled or homeless voters. And that means several hundred thousand people will be needed to check in voters, verify their identities, register people in states where that's allowed on Election Day and then answer questions about voting equipment -- which is brand new this year in thousands of locations.
The shortage is likely to be particularly acute in Texas and other states that have not done much to promote mail voting despite new surges of coronavirus. Handfuls of polling places have been shuttered in Fort Worth and San Antonio for Tuesday's primary runoffs, for example, because of a lack of people willing to staff them. Wisconsin infamously had to call out the National Guard to replace no-shows for its April primary.
The surge in the number of cities and counties struggling to find sufficient help on Election Day is made plain in the surveys of election officials taken after every election by the federal Election Assistance Commission. The number of jurisdictions reporting at least some difficulty in filling their poll worker jobs rose from only about one-third a decade ago to 70 percent in 2018.
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The poll found that for every general election going back at least to 2010, fewer than one in five poll workers was 40 or younger. The surveys also consistently found about one-fourth of poll workers were 71 or older -- results that make intuitive sense, because older people are likelier to be retired and have fewer weekday commitments while people in their 20s and 30s are generally working and committed to family obligations.
Trouble recruiting election workers during the pandemic is magnified by demographics: Three in five poll workers in 2018 were older than 61, an age group at high risk of COVID-19, while just one in five was younger than 40. One way to expand the pool: Grow the share (4 percent last time) not yet old enough to vote, something most states allow.
To help solve its version of the problem, Minneapolis implemented a Student Election Judge Program in the early 1990s and has since seen immense success with recruiting a bilingual, tech-savvy and ethnically diverse corps of high school students to work in its polling centers. The city partnered with local schools to help enlist teenagers, even establishing volunteer advisers at some schools to help advocate for the program and coordinate recruiting. The law in Minnesota, which usually has the strongest voter turnout of any state, permits high school students to work at polling centers after they turn 16.
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The coordinator of the program, Caryn Scheel, says that over the years, Minneapolis has received far more applications than it needs -- more than 800 in a typical year, when only about 400 students are needed on Election Day. She estimates that between one-fifth and one-quarter of the city's polling centers have high school students at work.
"They leave really inspired about what it's like to be part of a community during an election," Scheel said. "They really take it seriously, this idea that they are there to help voters to do what they can within the legal process to help people vote. And they find that very empowering."
Three years ago, the EAC singled out the Minneapolis program in a competition for recruiting, training and retaining election workers. Hamilton County, Ohio, won the same award in 2016 for its Youth at the Booth program, which recruits Cincinnati high schoolers older than 17 to work at the polls.
The effort extends to older students, too. Members of the Election Law Society at William & Mary's law school recently started looking for a way to contribute their expertise during the current election, especially in light of the pandemic.
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The result, formally launched last week, is ASAP -- the Alliance of Students at the Polls. The nonpartisan program plans to recruit fellow law schools across the country to build an online database of local resources related to voting and the electoral process. The organization also plans to recruit law students to be poll workers either on campus or at home, where many will be studying online this fall.
"Having every state that has in-person voting be a part of our database and have resources available to people that want to volunteer in that state, if we can pull that off, I will consider this a huge success, in terms of just providing access and hopefully recruiting enough poll workers to open some more precincts across the country," said Max Weiss, co-president of the Election Law Society.
Poll work compensation varies widely, although about a quarter of states dictate a flat fee that's often less than the minimum wage for what is sometimes a 12-hour (or longer) day. Other states offer the minimum wage or allow local jurisdictions to pay more.
The National Council of State Legislatures has also promoted the idea of youth poll workers, pointing out that these digital natives have a willingness to operate electronic poll books and other voting technology.
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Having more young people part of the electoral process, serving as poll workers or election judges, may motivate a younger voting bloc to cast their own ballots once they turn 18.
Scheel, of Minneapolis' Student Election Judge program, said surveys of participants show students are much more likely to vote as a result of being part of her program.
"You look at research that has been done on youth voter participation and you find that the earlier people get involved, the more likely it is that they'll stay involved," she said.
The notion of using poll worker jobs to promote high school civic engagement crosses ideological lines. The most recent state to allow teens to do the work was reliably Republican Alabama, which made the switch last year.
This article originally appeared at The Fulcrum.


upi--2020-07-14--WNBA star Elena Delle Donne says medical opt-out denied

July 14 ( UPI ) -- An independent group of doctors has denied WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne 's request to opt out of the 2020 WNBA season .
Delle Donne wanted to skip the season due to medical concerns .
The six-time All-Star has Lyme disease and said her personal physician told her she is `` at high risk for contracting and having complications from COVID-19 . ''
The WNBA season was scheduled to begin May 15 before it was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The new 22-game regular season is scheduled to start July 25 at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The independent panel of doctors the league appointed to review high-risk cases have advised that I 'm not high risk , and should be permitted to play in the bubble , '' Delle Donne said in a statement .
Delle Donne entered the WNBA 's player medical evaluation protocol July 8 .
She did not travel with the team to Bradenton .
Delle Donne said then that she missed her teammates , but health and safety were her priorities .
`` I love my team , and we had an unbelievable season last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
But the question is whether or not the WNBA bubble is safe for me , '' Delle Donne said .
Delle Donne said she will think things over and decide her next move after she talks to her doctor and wife .
She still could decide to opt out of the season , but the move would cost her from a financial standpoint .
Players deemed to be high risk by the league and players union 's appointed panel of doctors -- or have a medical reason to opt out -- will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skip the season .
Players who opt out after the panel does n't grant them a waiver will not receive their salary .
Lyme disease is not on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's list of conditions that could put someone at more risk for severe illness from COVID-19 .
Delle Donne , 30 , averaged 19.5 points , 8.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game last season .
The Mystics battle the Indiana Fever at 5 p.m. EDT July 25 in Bradenton .

Washington Mystics star Elena Delle Donne (C) said she might still opt out of the 2020 WNBA season after her medical opt out request was denied. Photo courtesy of lorie Shaull/Wikimedia Commons
July 14 (UPI) -- An independent group of doctors has denied WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne's request to opt out of the 2020 WNBA season. Delle Donne wanted to skip the season due to medical concerns. The six-time All-Star has Lyme disease and said her personal physician told her she is "at high risk for contracting and having complications from COVID-19." Advertisement
The WNBA season was scheduled to begin May 15 before it was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. The new 22-game regular season is scheduled to start July 25 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
"The independent panel of doctors the league appointed to review high-risk cases have advised that I'm not high risk, and should be permitted to play in the bubble," Delle Donne said in a statement.
Delle Donne entered the WNBA's player medical evaluation protocol July 8. She did not travel with the team to Bradenton. Delle Donne said then that she missed her teammates, but health and safety were her priorities.
"I love my team, and we had an unbelievable season last year, and I want to play! But the question is whether or not the WNBA bubble is safe for me," Delle Donne said.
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Delle Donne said she will think things over and decide her next move after she talks to her doctor and wife. She still could decide to opt out of the season, but the move would cost her from a financial standpoint.
Players deemed to be high risk by the league and players union's appointed panel of doctors -- or have a medical reason to opt out -- will receive full salary if they choose to skip the season. Players who opt out after the panel doesn't grant them a waiver will not receive their salary.
Lyme disease is not on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's list of conditions that could put someone at more risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Delle Donne, 30, averaged 19.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game last season. The Mystics battle the Indiana Fever at 5 p.m. EDT July 25 in Bradenton.


upi--2020-07-14--'Glee' stars mourn Naya Rivera: 'You gave life your all'

July 14 ( UPI ) -- Former Glee stars , such as Kevin McHale , Jenna Ushkowitz , Demi Lovato and more , paid tribute to Naya Rivera on social media following her death .
Rivera 's body was discovered Monday after the 33-year-old actress went missing Wednesday while on a lake in Southern California and was presumed drowned .
Family members , co-stars from Glee -- including Heather Morris who portrayed Brittany on the series -- and other friends helped search the lake for Rivera .
Authorities found Rivera 's 4-year-old son alone wearing a life jacket and sleeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called the death an accident and did not suspect foul play .
Rivera starred on Glee as Santana .
The actress was also known for appearing in Devious Maids and Step Up : High Water .
`` I just hope more than anything that her family is given the space and time to come to terms with this .
For having such a tiny body , Naya had such a gigantic presence , a void that will now be felt by all of us - those of us who knew her personally and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through your TVs .
I love you , Bee , '' McHale , who portrayed Artie on Glee , said on Instagram alongside a black and white photo of himself with Rivera .
`` I was lucky enough to share so many laughs , martinis and secrets with you .
I can not believe I took for granted that you 'd always be here .
Our friendship went in waves as life happens and we grow , so I will not look back and regret but now I love you and promise to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humor , light and loyalty live on , '' Ushkowitz , who portrayed Tina on Glee , said on Instagram alongside a black and white photo of herself with Rivera .
Ushkowitz , on her Instagram Story , posted a number of photos of herself with Rivera during their time on the musical series .
`` I '' ll forever cherish the opportunity to play your girlfriend on Glee .
The character you played was groundbreaking for tons of closeted queer girls ( like me at the time ) and open queer girls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspiring to Latina women all over the world .
My heart goes out to your loved ones at this time , '' Lovato , who portrayed Dani on Glee , said on Instagram next to a photo of Rivera .
`` You deserved more .
I 'm so sorry but you deserved more .
You gave life your all and I hope all the good that you have given to the world will be returned in abundance when you reunite with our brother in the heavenly skies .
I 'm so grateful for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who portrayed Mike on Glee , said on Instagram .
`` Her brilliance and humor were unmatched .
Her beauty and talent were otherworldly She spoke truth to power with poise and fearlessness .
She could turn a bad day into a great day with a single remark .
She inspired and uplifted people without even trying .
Being close to her was both a bade of honor and a suit of armor , '' Chris Colfer , who portrayed Kurt on Glee , said on Instagram alongside a black and white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even as I sit here , struggling to comprehend , gutted beyond description- the very thought of her cracks me up and still brings a smile to my face .
That was Naya 's gift .
And it 's a gift that will never go away , '' Darren Criss , who portrayed Blaine on Glee , said on Instagram alongside a photo of Rivera .

Naya Rivera attends The 40th Annual People's Choice Awards on January 2014. A number of "Glee" stars, including Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz, paid homage to Rivera following her death. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
July 14 (UPI) -- Former Glee stars, such as Kevin McHale, Jenna Ushkowitz, Demi Lovato and more, paid tribute to Naya Rivera on social media following her death. Rivera's body was discovered Monday after the 33-year-old actress went missing Wednesday while on a lake in Southern California and was presumed drowned. Advertisement
Family members, co-stars from Glee-- including Heather Morris who portrayed Brittany on the series -- and other friends helped search the lake for Rivera.
Authorities found Rivera's 4-year-old son alone wearing a life jacket and sleeping inside a rented pontoon boat. Authorities called the death an accident and did not suspect foul play.
Rivera starred on Glee as Santana. The actress was also known for appearing in Devious Maids and Step Up: High Water.
"I just hope more than anything that her family is given the space and time to come to terms with this. For having such a tiny body, Naya had such a gigantic presence, a void that will now be felt by all of us - those of us who knew her personally and the millions of you who loved her through your TVs. I love you, Bee," McHale, who portrayed Artie on Glee, said on Instagram alongside a black and white photo of himself with Rivera.
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"I was lucky enough to share so many laughs, martinis and secrets with you. I can not believe I took for granted that you'd always be here. Our friendship went in waves as life happens and we grow, so I will not look back and regret but now I love you and promise to help the legacy of your talent, humor, light and loyalty live on," Ushkowitz, who portrayed Tina on Glee, said on Instagram alongside a black and white photo of herself with Rivera.
Ushkowitz, on her Instagram Story, posted a number of photos of herself with Rivera during their time on the musical series.
"I''ll forever cherish the opportunity to play your girlfriend on Glee. The character you played was groundbreaking for tons of closeted queer girls (like me at the time) and open queer girls, and your ambition and accomplishments were inspiring to Latina women all over the world. My heart goes out to your loved ones at this time," Lovato, who portrayed Dani on Glee, said on Instagram next to a photo of Rivera.
"You deserved more. I'm so sorry but you deserved more. You gave life your all and I hope all the good that you have given to the world will be returned in abundance when you reunite with our brother in the heavenly skies. I'm so grateful for our memories," Harry Shum Jr., who portrayed Mike on Glee, said on Instagram.
"Her brilliance and humor were unmatched. Her beauty and talent were otherworldly She spoke truth to power with poise and fearlessness. She could turn a bad day into a great day with a single remark. She inspired and uplifted people without even trying. Being close to her was both a bade of honor and a suit of armor," Chris Colfer, who portrayed Kurt on Glee, said on Instagram alongside a black and white photo of himself with Rivera.
"Even as I sit here, struggling to comprehend, gutted beyond description- the very thought of her cracks me up and still brings a smile to my face. That was Naya's gift. And it's a gift that will never go away," Darren Criss, who portrayed Blaine on Glee, said on Instagram alongside a photo of Rivera.


upi--2020-07-14--Defense white paper: Japan within range of North Korea missiles

July 14 ( UPI ) -- Japan said Tuesday in a new defense white paper that North Korea has the capability to launch an attack against Japan with a nuclear warhead , a first-time admission in official documents as tensions grow in the region .
North Korea appears to have the capability to attack Japan because the Kim Jong Un regime has perfected the capability to miniaturize nuclear warheads and mount them on ballistic missiles capable of reaching their targets , the report says .
The Japanese analysis indicates North Korean missiles may have overcome technical challenges , including atmospheric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korean news agency Yonhap .
The report says North Korea 's short-range missiles that place South Korea and some areas of Japan within range , can be launched undetected and take Japan 's defense networks by surprise .
On Monday , Japan 's defense ministry said Pyongyang used solid fuel in the three types of new short-range ballistic missiles launched after May 2019 .
The ministry had also said the missiles under development travel at an unpredictable trajectory and at low altitudes .
`` There is also a possibility that advanced technology may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer range , '' the ministry said .
The Japanese white paper included four images of North Korean ballistic missile launches , including the submarine-launched ballistic missile Pukguksong-3 .
Japan is growing increasingly wary of advances in North Korean weapons development .
The government has proposed the country have the potential ability to mount a pre-emptive first strike against enemy bases , in the face of a pending missile attack .
`` All cards should be on the table , '' Defense Minister Taro Kono said last week .
North Korea is allocating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortage persists in the country .
The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World , a joint report from U.N. agencies published Monday , says nearly half of the North Korean population suffers from malnutrition , the second-highest rate after Haiti , Radio Free Asia and Voice of America reported .

Japan says North Korea is making advances in short-range missile development, which resumed in 2019 under the guidance of Kim Jong Un. File Photo by KCNA/UPI | License Photo
July 14 (UPI) -- Japan said Tuesday in a new defense white paper that North Korea has the capability to launch an attack against Japan with a nuclear warhead, a first-time admission in official documents as tensions grow in the region. North Korea appears to have the capability to attack Japan because the Kim Jong Un regime has perfected the capability to miniaturize nuclear warheads and mount them on ballistic missiles capable of reaching their targets, the report says. Advertisement
The Japanese analysis indicates North Korean missiles may have overcome technical challenges, including atmospheric heating from re-entry, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap.
The report says North Korea's short-range missiles that place South Korea and some areas of Japan within range, can be launched undetected and take Japan's defense networks by surprise.
On Monday, Japan's defense ministry said Pyongyang used solid fuel in the three types of new short-range ballistic missiles launched after May 2019.
The ministry had also said the missiles under development travel at an unpredictable trajectory and at low altitudes.
"There is also a possibility that advanced technology may be being applied to missiles with a longer range," the ministry said.
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The Japanese white paper included four images of North Korean ballistic missile launches, including the submarine-launched ballistic missile Pukguksong-3.
Japan is growing increasingly wary of advances in North Korean weapons development. The government has proposed the country have the potential ability to mount a pre-emptive first strike against enemy bases, in the face of a pending missile attack.
"All cards should be on the table," Defense Minister Taro Kono said last week.
North Korea is allocating resources to arms development as a food shortage persists in the country.
The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, a joint report from U.N. agencies published Monday, says nearly half of the North Korean population suffers from malnutrition, the second-highest rate after Haiti, Radio Free Asia and Voice of America reported.


upi--2020-07-14--Primaries in Texas, Alabama, Maine to advance Senate challengers

July 14 ( UPI ) -- A slate of primary elections on Tuesday will determine the challengers this fall for incumbent Sens .
Doug Jones of Alabama , John Cornyn of Texas and Susan Collins of Maine .
In Alabama , former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions , who represented the state in the U.S. Senate between 1997 and 2017 , is trying to win back his old seat .
Trump , who asked for Sessions ' resignation as Attorney General in 2018 , has supported the other Republican in the race , former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winner will face Jones , who scored an upset win against GOP favorite Roy Moore in 2017 to serve the remainder of Sessions ' term and is considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats in the Senate .
`` Alabama , do not trust Jeff Sessions .
He let our country down .
That 's why I endorsed Coach Tommy Tuberville , '' Trump said in a recent tweet .
Tuberville has said in television advertisements , `` I 'll always have President Trump 's back . ''
In Texas , Democrats hoping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a runoff Tuesday .
Air Force veteran M.J. Hegar is widely considered the favorite after her unsuccessful bid for a Republican-held House seat two years ago .
She earned a Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery and established her political credentials by challenging the Pentagon 's policy of excluding women from ground combat .
Hegar faces a challenge from longtime state lawmaker and former prosecutor Royce West , who last week accused Hegar of being a recently converted Democrat who harbors sympathy for the conservative Tea Party movement .
Hegar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March while West won about 15 percent .
In Maine , Democrats will nominate a candidate to challenge Collins in November .
The favorite is Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon , who has built a state record war chest of $ 23 million after securing support from national Democrats .
Seeking to become the state 's first female Democratic senator , Gideon has prioritized bipartisanship and has polled ahead of Collins in some surveys .
Two other progressive candidates for the Democratic nomination are attorney Bre Kidman and social activist Betsy Sweet .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP candidate in this fall 's election , in which Democrats are hoping to take control of the Senate .

Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions has conceded defeat in the Alabama Senate GOP nomination runoff election. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
July 14 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions lost the Alabama Senate GOP runoff contest on Tuesday as a slate of primary elections were held to determine the challengers this fall for Sens. Doug Jones of Alabama, John Cornyn of Texas and Susan Collins of Maine. Sessions, who represented the state in the U.S. Senate between 1997 and 2017, lost to former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville, who had the backing of President Donald Trump to take on Jones in November. Advertisement
"We fought a good fight and the people of Alabama have spoken," Sessions said via Twitter, conceding defeat late Tuesday while urging his supporters to stand behind Tuberville. "Although this chapter is closed, we all must continue to stand up for what's right -- in the right way."
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Trump, who asked for Sessions' resignation as attorney general in 2018, was quick to congratulate the former football coach, saying he "will be a GREAT senator" on Twitter while taking a jab at Jones, calling him "a Super Liberal puppet" of the Democratic Party.
Tuberville will now face Jones, who scored an upset win against GOP favorite Roy Moore in 2017, to serve the remainder of Sessions' term and is considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats in the Senate.
In Texas, Air Force veteran M.J. Hegar claimed victory of the Democratic nomination to challenge for Cornyn's seat as she held a narrow lead over longtime state lawmaker and former prosecutor Royce West, who last week accused her of being a recently converted Democrat who harbors sympathy for the conservative Tea Party movement.
"Thank you, Texas!" she said on Twitter. "I'm so proud to be your Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate. I won't let you down."
West said he would make a statement early Wednesday and his campaign was waiting for more results to come in.
Hegar held a narrow lead of 52 percent of the votes to West's 48 percent with 90 percent of locations reporting.
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Hegar earned a Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery and established her political credentials by challenging the Pentagon's policy of excluding women from ground combat.
In Maine, House Speaker Sara Gideon won to challenge Collins in November.
Gideon has built a state-record war chest of $23 million after securing support from national Democrats. Seeking to become the state's first female Democratic senator, Gideon has prioritized bipartisanship and has polled ahead of Collins in some surveys.
The Bangor Daily News called the race at 9:06 p.m. as results showed Gideon had captured well above the 50 percent threshold needed to avoid a runoff.
With nearly 70 percent of districts reporting, Gideon had nearly 72 percent of the vote. The two other progressive candidates for the Democratic nomination were attorney Bre Kidman, who had secured less than 6 percent of ballots cast, and social activist Betsy Sweet, who earned 22.5 percent.
"We did it!" Gideon said via Twitter. "Thank you to everyone who has supported our campaign to elect a senator who will fight for Mainers -- not special interests. Onward to November!"
Collins is considered by some a vulnerable GOP candidate in this fall's election, in which Democrats are hoping to take control of the Senate.