upi--2020-06-26--Travelers Championship: Phil Mickelson takes second-round lead

June 26 ( UPI ) -- Playing in his first tournament since turning 50 less than two weeks ago , Phil Mickelson shot a 7-under 63 Friday to take a one-stroke lead in the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell , Conn .
The five-time major champion 's score in the second round of the Travelers was his best in a PGA Tour tournament since recording that same score in the fourth round of the Dell Technologies Championship in 2018 .
Mickelson had eight birdies and one bogey Friday and was at 13-under 127 after two rounds .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , regardless of age , '' Mickelson said .
`` But it would be a great accomplishment .
It was a fun day .
I had a great session with [ swing coach ] Andrew Getson earlier this week , and we keyed in on something that just kind of calmed me down and felt like I could strike it a little bit better .
It 's only two rounds , but it 's been very positive . ''
Mackenzie Hughes , who was the leader after the first round of play , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fall into a second-place tie with 23-year-old Will Gordon , who held the lead for most of the day after shooting an early 62 .
Rory McIlroy -- the top-ranked player in the world -- followed his first-round 63 with a 68 .
He was tied for fourth with Xander Schauffele , Brendan Steele , Brendon Todd and Marc Leishman at 9-under 131 .
Bryson DeChambeau shared ninth place with 10 others at 8-under after his 67 Friday .
Dustin Johnson shot a 64 , while Jordan Spieth was 4-under par after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bubba Watson , Justin Rose , Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa were among those who missed the cut .
Before play began Friday , two players withdrew from the Travelers because of the coronavirus .
Denny McCarthy -- who shot a 67 in the first round -- tested positive for the virus and was forced to pull out of the event .
Bud Cauley , who tested negative , opted to remove himself from the field after playing alongside McCarthy on Thursday .
There have been seven withdrawals related to COVID-19 .

Phil Mickelson's score in the second round of the Travelers Championship was his best in a PGA Tour tournament since recording that same score in the fourth round of the Dell Technologies Championship in 2018. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo
June 26 (UPI) -- Playing in his first tournament since turning 50 less than two weeks ago, Phil Mickelson shot a 7-under 63 Friday to take a one-stroke lead in the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn. The five-time major champion's score in the second round of the Travelers was his best in a PGA Tour tournament since recording that same score in the fourth round of the Dell Technologies Championship in 2018. Advertisement
Mickelson had eight birdies and one bogey Friday and was at 13-under 127 after two rounds.
"It's special to win anytime, regardless of age," Mickelson said. "But it would be a great accomplishment. It was a fun day. I had a great session with [swing coach] Andrew Getson earlier this week, and we keyed in on something that just kind of calmed me down and felt like I could strike it a little bit better. It's only two rounds, but it's been very positive."
Mackenzie Hughes, who was the leader after the first round of play, followed his opening 60 with a 68 to fall into a second-place tie with 23-year-old Will Gordon, who held the lead for most of the day after shooting an early 62.
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Rory McIlroy -- the top-ranked player in the world -- followed his first-round 63 with a 68. He was tied for fourth with Xander Schauffele, Brendan Steele, Brendon Todd and Marc Leishman at 9-under 131.
Bryson DeChambeau shared ninth place with 10 others at 8-under after his 67 Friday. Dustin Johnson shot a 64, while Jordan Spieth was 4-under par after a second-round 69.
Tony Finau, Bubba Watson, Justin Rose, Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa were among those who missed the cut.
Before play began Friday, two players withdrew from the Travelers because of the coronavirus. Denny McCarthy -- who shot a 67 in the first round -- tested positive for the virus and was forced to pull out of the event.
Bud Cauley, who tested negative, opted to remove himself from the field after playing alongside McCarthy on Thursday. There have been seven withdrawals related to COVID-19.


upi--2020-06-26--NBA releases complete restart schedule for 2019-20 season

June 26 ( UPI ) -- Hours after officially finalizing a plan to resume the 2019-20 season , the NBA released a complete revised schedule for its 22-team restart in Orlando , Fla .
The season will resume -- without fans -- on July 30 at ESPN 's Wide World of Sports Complex .
On the opening night of competition , Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans will face Rudy Gobert and the Utah Jazz , while LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers will square off against Kawhi Leonard 's L.A. Clippers .
Gobert was the first NBA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , leading to the league suspending play in mid-March .
`` We ca n't outrun the virus , '' NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a conference call Friday .
`` This is what we 're going to be living with for the foreseeable future .
This is a closed network .
While it 's not impermeable , it is protected . ''
There will be six games taking place on July 31 , which will occur seven times in the seeding portion of the restart schedule .
The Portland Trail Blazers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game for the eighth spot in the Western Conference that night .
Also on the second night of play , the Boston Celtics will challenge the Eastern Conference-leading Milwaukee Bucks , while James Harden and the Houston Rockets will take on the Dallas Mavericks .
The seeding games will run through Aug. 14 .
If a team is within four games of the eighth seed in either conference at the conclusion of the seeding games , there will be a play-in series to determine the final playoff seed .
Once the 16-team playoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will continue with the normal postseason format .
The NBA Finals will start Aug. 17 and end no later than Oct. 13 .
Earlier Friday , the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association announced that 16 players tested positive for the coronavirus in the first wave of mandatory testing in preparation for the restart .
Those 16 players were part of a pool of 302 players who were tested Tuesday .
Silver said the numbers were close to what the league expected and that none of the 16 individuals were seriously ill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and teams participating in the NBA 's 22-team restart can begin arriving in Orlando for camp July 7 .
Training camps will run from July 9 to 29 .

LeBron James (pictured) and the Los Angeles Lakers will square off against Kawhi Leonard's L.A. Clippers on the opening night of the NBA's restart. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo
June 26 (UPI) -- Hours after officially finalizing a plan to resume the 2019-20 season, the NBA released a complete revised schedule for its 22-team restart in Orlando, Fla. The season will resume -- without fans -- on July 30 at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex. On the opening night of competition, Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans will face Rudy Gobert and the Utah Jazz, while LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers will square off against Kawhi Leonard's L.A. Clippers. Advertisement
Gobert was the first NBA player to test positive for the coronavirus, leading to the league suspending play in mid-March.
"We can't outrun the virus," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a conference call Friday. "This is what we're going to be living with for the foreseeable future. This is a closed network. While it's not impermeable, it is protected."
There will be six games taking place on July 31, which will occur seven times in the seeding portion of the restart schedule. The Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies will play in a key game for the eighth spot in the Western Conference that night.
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Also on the second night of play, the Boston Celtics will challenge the Eastern Conference-leading Milwaukee Bucks, while James Harden and the Houston Rockets will take on the Dallas Mavericks.
The seeding games will run through Aug. 14. If a team is within four games of the eighth seed in either conference at the conclusion of the seeding games, there will be a play-in series to determine the final playoff seed.
Once the 16-team playoff field has been set, the league will continue with the normal postseason format. The NBA Finals will start Aug. 17 and end no later than Oct. 13.
Earlier Friday, the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association announced that 16 players tested positive for the coronavirus in the first wave of mandatory testing in preparation for the restart.
Those 16 players were part of a pool of 302 players who were tested Tuesday. Silver said the numbers were close to what the league expected and that none of the 16 individuals were seriously ill.
Mandatory workouts begin July 1, and teams participating in the NBA's 22-team restart can begin arriving in Orlando for camp July 7. Training camps will run from July 9 to 29.


upi--2020-06-26--President Donald Trump signs executive order protecting federal monuments

June 26 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump on Friday said he signed an executive order protecting U.S. monuments like those toppled in recent weeks for having connections to racism or slavery .
Trump hinted at such an order earlier in the week .
`` I just had the privilege of signing a very strong Executive Order protecting American Monuments , Memorials , and Statues - and combatting recent Criminal Violence .
Long prison terms for these lawless acts against our Great Country ! ''
he tweeted .
On Tuesday , he said he authorized police to arrest and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on federal property .
He tweeted then that prison terms for such offenses would be up to 10 years .
A statement from the office of White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the order authorities the federal government to withhold `` certain federal support '' from state and local governments that fail to protect public monuments from vandalism .
`` President Trump will never allow violence to control our streets , rewrite our history or harm the American way of life , '' her statement said .
Trump 's order comes as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statues , particularly those honoring Confederate leaders because of their support for slavery .
On Monday , demonstrators attempted to topple a statue of President Andrew Jackson -- who owned slaves and forcibly removed Native Americans from their lands -- in Lafayette Park near the White House .
In some places , local leaders have approved the official removal of such statues , including a Confederate monument in Denton , Texas .

The Andrew Jackson statue is seen vandalized after protesters attempted to tear it down overnight Tuesday in Lafayette Park near the White House. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
June 26 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Friday said he signed an executive order protecting U.S. monuments like those toppled in recent weeks for having connections to racism or slavery. Trump hinted at such an order earlier in the week. Advertisement
"I just had the privilege of signing a very strong Executive Order protecting American Monuments, Memorials, and Statues - and combatting recent Criminal Violence. Long prison terms for these lawless acts against our Great Country!" he tweeted.
On Tuesday, he said he authorized police to arrest and prosecute anyone who vandalizes statues or monuments on federal property. He tweeted then that prison terms for such offenses would be up to 10 years.
A statement from the office of White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the order authorities the federal government to withhold "certain federal support" from state and local governments that fail to protect public monuments from vandalism.
"President Trump will never allow violence to control our streets, rewrite our history or harm the American way of life," her statement said.
Trump's order comes as protesters across the nation have pulled down statues, particularly those honoring Confederate leaders because of their support for slavery.
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On Monday, demonstrators attempted to topple a statue of President Andrew Jackson -- who owned slaves and forcibly removed Native Americans from their lands -- in Lafayette Park near the White House.
In some places, local leaders have approved the official removal of such statues, including a Confederate monument in Denton, Texas.


upi--2020-06-26--Detroit Pistons sign former first-round pick Justin Patton

June 26 ( UPI ) -- The Detroit Pistons signed former Oklahoma City Thunder center Justin Patton , the team @ @ @ @ @ did n't disclose financial details of the agreement .
The Chicago Bulls selected Patton with @ @ @ @ @ pick in the 2017 NBA Draft out of Creighton .
The Bulls then traded him @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota Timberwolves as part of the Jimmy Butler deal .
In his first two NBA @ @ @ @ @ at 6-foot-11 and 241 pounds -- appeared in only four combined games for the Timberwolves @ @ @ @ @ two foot surgeries .
Patton has averaged 1.8 points , 1.2 rebounds and 0.6 assists @ @ @ @ @ the Timberwolves , 76ers and Thunder .

June 26 (UPI) -- The Detroit Pistons signed former Oklahoma City Thunder center Justin Patton, the team announced Friday.
The team didn't disclose financial details of the agreement.
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The Chicago Bulls selected Patton with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft out of Creighton. The Bulls then traded him on draft night to the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of the Jimmy Butler deal.
In his first two NBA seasons, Patton -- listed at 6-foot-11 and 241 pounds -- appeared in only four combined games for the Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers due to two foot surgeries.
OFFICIAL: The Pistons have signed center Justin Patton to a contract. Welcome to the squad @JustinPatton17! #DetroitBasketball pic.twitter.com/12yrl2XP7F— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) June 26, 2020
Patton has averaged 1.8 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.6 assists in nine career games with the Timberwolves, 76ers and Thunder.


upi--2020-06-26--Mexico City security chief injured, 3 killed in ambush attack

June 26 ( UPI ) -- Three people died Friday in an attempt to assassinate Mexico City 's top security @ @ @ @ @ ambush , local authorities said .
Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said her security secretary , Omar @ @ @ @ @ with three gunshot wounds .
He was traveling to work early Friday when police said @ @ @ @ @ .
Among the dead were two bodyguards and a female passerby .
Sheinbaum said the @ @ @ @ @ in was struck by .50-caliber gunfire .
Garcia Harfuch blamed the attack on the Jalisco @ @ @ @ @ a tweet translated by CNN .
`` This morning we were cowardly attacked by the @ @ @ @ @ , using an acronym for the cartel .
`` Two colleagues and friends of mine @ @ @ @ @ have three bullet-wounds and several shards .
Our nation must continue to confront the cowardly @ @ @ @ @ continue working . ''
Police have arrested 12 suspects in the shooting .

A vehicle in which Mexico City's security chief, Omar Garcia Harfuch, was riding, is riddled with bullet holes June 26, 2020. File Photo courtesy of the Mexico Prosecutor OfficeEPA-EFE
June 26 (UPI) -- Three people died Friday in an attempt to assassinate Mexico City's top security official, who survived the ambush, local authorities said. Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said her security secretary, Omar Garcia Harfuch, was hospitalized with three gunshot wounds. Advertisement
He was traveling to work early Friday when police said armed gunmen attacked his motorcade. Among the dead were two bodyguards and a female passerby.
Sheinbaum said the vehicle Garcia Harfuch was riding in was struck by .50-caliber gunfire.
Garcia Harfuch blamed the attack on the Jalisco Nueva Generacion drug cartel in a tweet translated by CNN.
"This morning we were cowardly attacked by the CJNG," he said, using an acronym for the cartel.
"Two colleagues and friends of mine lost their lives. I have three bullet-wounds and several shards. Our nation must continue to confront the cowardly organized crime. We will continue working."
Police have arrested 12 suspects in the shooting.


upi--2020-06-26--Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Jason Pierre-Paul undergoes knee surgery

June 26 ( UPI ) -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul underwent minor arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Friday .
Pierre-Paul posted a video of himself on Snapchat as he waited at the hospital to have the procedure .
He also recorded himself walking on crutches with his knee bandaged and getting into his car after the operation .
`` Get this surgery .
You feel me ?
But I 'm 'Gucci ' though .
You feel me ? ''
Pierre-Paul said in the video .
`` Because your boy just had to do it .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Your boy good .
I just had a little tune-up .
But to be honest , if I 'm going to break that sack record this year , I needed to do the surgery .
So I did it . ''
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Pierre-Paul is expected to be ready for training camp .
Pierre-Paul -- who suffered two fractured vertebrae in his neck last off-season -- notched 27 total tackles , 8.5 sacks and two passes defensed in 10 games last season .
The neck ailment forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 2019-20 campaign , and he was listed on the team 's injury report with a knee injury on multiple occasions last year .
The two-time Pro Bowl selection was traded from the New York Giants to the Buccaneers before the 2018 season .
Earlier this off-season , Pierre-Paul signed a two-year , $ 25 million deal with the Buccaneers .

Former Giants edge rusher Jason Pierre-Paul (90) was traded to the Buccaneers before the 2018 season. Earlier this off-season, he signed a two-year, $25 million deal with the Bucs. File Photo by Rich Kane/UPI | License Photo
June 26 (UPI) -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul underwent minor arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Friday. Pierre-Paul posted a video of himself on Snapchat as he waited at the hospital to have the procedure. He also recorded himself walking on crutches with his knee bandaged and getting into his car after the operation. Advertisement
"Get this surgery. You feel me? But I'm 'Gucci' though. You feel me?" Pierre-Paul said in the video. "Because your boy just had to do it. He just had to do it. ... Your boy good. I just had a little tune-up. But to be honest, if I'm going to break that sack record this year, I needed to do the surgery. So I did it."
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Pierre-Paul is expected to be ready for training camp.
Pierre-Paul -- who suffered two fractured vertebrae in his neck last off-season -- notched 27 total tackles, 8.5 sacks and two passes defensed in 10 games last season. The neck ailment forced him to miss the first six games of the 2019-20 campaign, and he was listed on the team's injury report with a knee injury on multiple occasions last year.
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The two-time Pro Bowl selection was traded from the New York Giants to the Buccaneers before the 2018 season. Earlier this off-season, Pierre-Paul signed a two-year, $25 million deal with the Buccaneers.


upi--2020-06-26--U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear request to allow all Texans to vote by mail

June 26 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an initial bid by state Democrats to expand voting by mail to all Texas voters during the coronavirus pandemic .
Justice Samuel Alito -- whose oversight of federal courts includes cases coming through Texas -- on Friday issued the court 's denial of the Texas Democratic Party 's request to let a federal district judge 's order to expand mail-in voting take effect while the case is on appeal .
U.S. District Judge Fred Biery ruled in May that Texas must allow all voters fearful of becoming infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even if they would n't ordinarily qualify for mail-in ballots under state election law .
The 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals stayed Biery 's order while Texas appeals his ruling .
The decision means the state 's strict rules to qualify for ballots that can be filled out at home will remain in place for the July 14 primary runoff election , for which early voting starts Monday .
Under current law , mail-in ballots are available only if voters are 65 or older , cite a disability or illness , will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election period or are confined in jail .
Still left pending is the Democrats ' separate request for the justices to take up their case before the November general election .
The party 's case focuses primarily on the claim that the state 's age restrictions for voting by mail violate the 26th Amendment 's protections against voting restrictions that discriminate based on age .
The court 's only comment on the decision came from Justice Sonia Sotomayor , who said she agrees with the ruling but indicated the Democrats ' case `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Twenty-Sixth Amendment '' and urged the appeals court to consider the case in a timely manner before the general election .
`` But I hope that the Court of Appeals will consider the merits of the legal issues in this case well in advance of the November election , '' Sotomayor said .
In order for someone to vote by mail in the July 14 primary runoffs , counties must receive their application for a mail-in ballot by July 2 .
A favorable decision for Democrats by the Supreme Court by early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expansion in voting by mail during the November general election .
In his initial ruling , Biery agreed with individual Texas voters and the Texas Democratic Party that voters would face irreparable harm if existing age eligibility rules for voting by mail remain in place for elections held while the coronavirus remains in wide circulation .
And he agreed with the plaintiffs ' argument that the age limitation violates the U.S. Constitution because it imposes additional burdens on voters who are younger than 65 during the pandemic .
In his appeal to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paxton argued that Biery 's injunction threatened `` irreparable injury '' to the state `` by injecting substantial confusion into the Texas voting process mere days before ballots are distributed and weeks before runoff elections . ''
Democrats and voting rights groups have been fighting the state 's restrictions on multiple fronts , but have been so far unsuccessful in making mail-in ballots available to all voters during the pandemic .
In a separate case , the Texas Supreme found last month that lack of immunity alone does not meet the state election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it could be considered a factor as part of a voter 's medical situation .
The Texas election code defines disability as a `` sickness or physical condition '' that prevents a voter from appearing in person without the risk of `` injuring the voter 's health . ''
And the Texas Supreme Court reiterated that it is up to voters to assess their own health and determine if they meet the election code 's definition of disability .
But the litigation has left some voters confused about the rules , and some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by mail are instead considering risking exposure to the virus .
`` We are disappointed that the Supreme Court did not weigh in now and provide needed relief and clarity for voters ahead of the primary runoff , '' Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said in a Friday statement .
`` The case proceeds on in other filings before the U.S. Supreme Court and the Fifth Circuit and therefore , hope remains that the federal courts will restore equal voting rights in time for the November elections .
This article originally appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ original here .
The Texas Tribune is a non-profit , non-partisan media organization that informs Texans -- and engages with them -- about public policy , politics , government and statewide issues .

The decision means the state’s strict rules to qualify for ballots that can be filled out at home will remain in place for the July 14 primary runoff election. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
June 26 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an initial bid by state Democrats to expand voting by mail to all Texas voters during the coronavirus pandemic. Justice Samuel Alito -- whose oversight of federal courts includes cases coming through Texas -- on Friday issued the court's denial of the Texas Democratic Party's request to let a federal district judge's order to expand mail-in voting take effect while the case is on appeal. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery ruled in May that Texas must allow all voters fearful of becoming infected at polling places to vote by mail even if they wouldn't ordinarily qualify for mail-in ballots under state election law. The 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals stayed Biery's order while Texas appeals his ruling. Advertisement
The decision means the state's strict rules to qualify for ballots that can be filled out at home will remain in place for the July 14 primary runoff election, for which early voting starts Monday. Under current law, mail-in ballots are available only if voters are 65 or older, cite a disability or illness, will be out of the county during the election period or are confined in jail.
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Still left pending is the Democrats' separate request for the justices to take up their case before the November general election. The party's case focuses primarily on the claim that the state's age restrictions for voting by mail violate the 26th Amendment's protections against voting restrictions that discriminate based on age.
The court's only comment on the decision came from Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who said she agrees with the ruling but indicated the Democrats' case "raises weighty but seemingly novel questions regarding the Twenty-Sixth Amendment" and urged the appeals court to consider the case in a timely manner before the general election.
"But I hope that the Court of Appeals will consider the merits of the legal issues in this case well in advance of the November election," Sotomayor said.
In order for someone to vote by mail in the July 14 primary runoffs, counties must receive their application for a mail-in ballot by July 2. A favorable decision for Democrats by the Supreme Court by early October could still allow for a massive expansion in voting by mail during the November general election.
In his initial ruling, Biery agreed with individual Texas voters and the Texas Democratic Party that voters would face irreparable harm if existing age eligibility rules for voting by mail remain in place for elections held while the coronavirus remains in wide circulation. And he agreed with the plaintiffs' argument that the age limitation violates the U.S. Constitution because it imposes additional burdens on voters who are younger than 65 during the pandemic.
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In his appeal to the 5th Circuit, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton argued that Biery's injunction threatened "irreparable injury" to the state "by injecting substantial confusion into the Texas voting process mere days before ballots are distributed and weeks before runoff elections."
Democrats and voting rights groups have been fighting the state's restrictions on multiple fronts, but have been so far unsuccessful in making mail-in ballots available to all voters during the pandemic. In a separate case, the Texas Supreme found last month that lack of immunity alone does not meet the state election code's definition of disability, but it could be considered a factor as part of a voter's medical situation.
The Texas election code defines disability as a "sickness or physical condition" that prevents a voter from appearing in person without the risk of "injuring the voter's health." And the Texas Supreme Court reiterated that it is up to voters to assess their own health and determine if they meet the election code's definition of disability.
But the litigation has left some voters confused about the rules, and some who may actually be eligible to vote by mail are instead considering risking exposure to the virus.
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"We are disappointed that the Supreme Court did not weigh in now and provide needed relief and clarity for voters ahead of the primary runoff," Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said in a Friday statement. "The case proceeds on in other filings before the U.S. Supreme Court and the Fifth Circuit and therefore, hope remains that the federal courts will restore equal voting rights in time for the November elections.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune. Read the original here. The Texas Tribune is a non-profit, non-partisan media organization that informs Texans -- and engages with them -- about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.


upi--2020-06-26--House votes in favor of granting Washington, D.C., statehood

June 26 ( UPI ) -- The House voted Friday in favor of a bill granting Washington , D.C. , statehood , legislation that 's not expected to gain traction in the Senate .
The lower chamber voted 232-180 in favor of statehood , largely along party lines .
Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota was the only Democrat to vote against the bill , along with Rep. Justin Amash , I-Mich .
Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton , D-D.C. , who introduced the bill , praised its passage .
`` We are buoyed by the priority the House gave D.C. statehood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that only essential bills are coming to the floor this year , '' she said .
`` We are undaunted by the lack of support in the Republican-controlled Senate , and the White House .
We are certainly not discouraged by President [ Donald ] Trump 's outspoken opposition to home rule and his attempts to control the District of Columbia and the city 's police force in acts of brazen presidential irresponsibility . ''
House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland declared the measure to recognize Washington , D.C. , as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are going to pass a bill in the House of Representatives that says those who happen to live within these three-quarters and river are full citizens of America and should be accorded , therefore , the full rights of citizenship in our country , '' Hoyer said .
The measure would admit all land in the federal district , except for existing federal buildings and monuments , as a state and provide it with two U.S. senators and at least one House member with voting powers .
It would also rename Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commonwealth after Frederick Douglass .
The Congressional Budget Office estimated it would cost about $ 3 million over 10 years to pay for the new salaries needed in Congress .
Friday 's vote marks the first time either chamber of Congress has approved a measure on statehood for Washington , D.C. '' We know that statehood is the only way to ensure that we have full representation , that we have votes here in the United States of America capital , but also to make sure that we 're fully autonomous .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D.C. , Mayor Muriel Bowser said .
The vote comes amid an increased push for statehood after the Trump administration deployed federal law enforcement officers to disperse protesters from an area near St. John 's Church , where the president was preparing for a photo opportunity earlier this month .
Supporters also have said the area was shortchanged for funding under the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act , under which it was treated as a territory rather than a state .
Despite strong support in the House and 40 co-sponsors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received pushback from Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Trump .
McConnell has objected the proposition of statehood for Washington , D.C. , and has said he would not bring the measure up for a floor vote in the chamber .
A White House policy statement issued on Wednesday also stated that Trump 's advisers would recommend that he veto a statehood bill if passed by Congress .
The president told the New York Post that Republicans would be `` very , very stupid '' to allow Washington , D.C. , @ @ @ @ @

1/4
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., wears a DC 51st state mask as she attends a press conference on voting rights Friday on Capitol Hill. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
June 26 (UPI) -- The House voted Friday in favor of a bill granting Washington, D.C., statehood, legislation that's not expected to gain traction in the Senate. The lower chamber voted 232-180 in favor of statehood, largely along party lines. Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota was the only Democrat to vote against the bill, along with Rep. Justin Amash, I-Mich. Advertisement
Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., who introduced the bill, praised its passage.
"We are buoyed by the priority the House gave D.C. statehood at a time when COVID-19 has meant that only essential bills are coming to the floor this year," she said. "We are undaunted by the lack of support in the Republican-controlled Senate, and the White House. We are certainly not discouraged by President [Donald]Trump's outspoken opposition to home rule and his attempts to control the District of Columbia and the city's police force in acts of brazen presidential irresponsibility."
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House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland declared the measure to recognize Washington, D.C., as a state "long overdue."
"We are going to pass a bill in the House of Representatives that says those who happen to live within these three-quarters and river are full citizens of America and should be accorded, therefore, the full rights of citizenship in our country," Hoyer said.
The measure would admit all land in the federal district, except for existing federal buildings and monuments, as a state and provide it with two U.S. senators and at least one House member with voting powers.
It would also rename Washington, D.C., to Washington, Douglass Commonwealth after Frederick Douglass.
The Congressional Budget Office estimated it would cost about $3 million over 10 years to pay for the new salaries needed in Congress.
Friday's vote marks the first time either chamber of Congress has approved a measure on statehood for Washington, D.C.
"We know that statehood is the only way to ensure that we have full representation, that we have votes here in the United States of America capital, but also to make sure that we're fully autonomous. And that is our birthright," Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser said.
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The vote comes amid an increased push for statehood after the Trump administration deployed federal law enforcement officers to disperse protesters from an area near St. John's Church, where the president was preparing for a photo opportunity earlier this month.
Supporters also have said the area was shortchanged for funding under the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act, under which it was treated as a territory rather than a state.
Despite strong support in the House and 40 co-sponsors in the Senate, the bill has received pushback from Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Trump.
McConnell has objected the proposition of statehood for Washington, D.C., and has said he would not bring the measure up for a floor vote in the chamber.
A White House policy statement issued on Wednesday also stated that Trump's advisers would recommend that he veto a statehood bill if passed by Congress. The president told the New York Post that Republicans would be "very, very stupid" to allow Washington, D.C., to become a state.


upi--2020-06-26--Defense Secretary Mark Esper visits NATO with assurance of U.S. commitment

June 26 ( UPI ) -- Defense Secretary Mark Esper reaffirmed U.S.commitment to NATO during a meeting Friday with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg .
Although videoconferencing has become standard meeting procedure because of the COVID-19 pandemic , Esper made the trip to Brussels , the Pentagon said .
The trip comes a week after a videoconference meeting of NATO member defense ministers in which President Donald Trump 's decision to reduce U.S. troop strength in Germany was a topic of concern .
`` At last week 's defense ministerial meeting , we also discussed U.S. military presence in Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reduce its presence in Germany , '' Stoltenberg said in welcoming remarks .
`` I welcome that the U.S. is consulting with allies , while making clear that the U.S. commitment to European security remains strong . ''
Esper and Stoltenberg each wore face masks as they approached their lecterns during the ceremonial greeting .
Esper and Stoltenberg discussed the importance of fighting an expected second wave of the pandemic , arms control , recent Russian actions regarded by NATO as destabilizing and `` the importance of key partnerships , '' a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Wednesday , Trump reinforced his interest in seeing U.S. troop deployment diminished , from the current level of about 54,000 to about 25,000 .
`` We 're going to be reducing our forces in Germany , '' Trump said during a joint press conference Polish President Andrzej Duda at the White House .
`` Some will be coming home and some will be going to other places but Poland would be one of those other places . ''

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper, L, met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, R., in Brussels on Friday. Photo courtesy of NATO
June 26 (UPI) -- Defense Secretary Mark Esper reaffirmed U.S.commitment to NATO during a meeting Friday with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Although videoconferencing has become standard meeting procedure because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Esper made the trip to Brussels, the Pentagon said. Advertisement
The trip comes a week after a videoconference meeting of NATO member defense ministers in which President Donald Trump's decision to reduce U.S. troop strength in Germany was a topic of concern.
"At last week's defense ministerial meeting, we also discussed U.S. military presence in Europe, particularly in light of the U.S.plan to reduce its presence in Germany," Stoltenberg said in welcoming remarks. "I welcome that the U.S. is consulting with allies, while making clear that the U.S. commitment to European security remains strong."
Esper and Stoltenberg each wore face masks as they approached their lecterns during the ceremonial greeting.
Esper and Stoltenberg discussed the importance of fighting an expected second wave of the pandemic, arms control, recent Russian actions regarded by NATO as destabilizing and "the importance of key partnerships," a Defense Department statement on Friday said.
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On Wednesday, Trump reinforced his interest in seeing U.S. troop deployment diminished, from the current level of about 54,000 to about 25,000.
"We're going to be reducing our forces in Germany," Trump said during a joint press conference Polish President Andrzej Duda at the White House. "Some will be coming home and some will be going to other places but Poland would be one of those other places."


upi--2020-06-26--Earth has been recycling crust for most of its history

June 26 ( UPI ) -- New research suggests roughly 5 to 6 percent of the Earth 's mantle is made up of recycled crust .
The discovery , detailed Friday in the journal Science Advances , suggests Earth has been producing new crust at a similar rate for most of the planet 's history .
Geologists knew that some of Earth 's crust regularly sinks back into the mantle , but until now , they were n't sure how much gets recycled -- a key to understanding the history of crustal formation and subduction .
To better understand the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the mantle , scientists collected 500 samples of basalt from mid-ocean ridges all over the world .
`` The chemical composition of oceanic basalt -- Mid-Oceanic Ridge Basalt , or MORB -- that erupted along the 40,000-kilometer long oceanic ridge system is systematically depleted in elements -- termed incompatible elements -- that are concentrated in the continental crust : elements like potassium , thorium , uranium and lead , '' study co-author Munir Humayun told UPI in an email .
What has long perplexed scientists is that MORB comes in three flavors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elements .
`` Normal MORB is depleted to an extent sufficient to explain extraction of the continental crust from the mantle , but there are basalts that are more depleted than Normal MORB ( depleted-MORB ) and basalts that are more enriched than Normal-MORB ( enriched-MORB ) , and both are present in significant abundances , '' Humayun , a professor and geochemist at the Florida State University-headquartered National High Magnetic Field Laboratory , said .
Until now , researchers were n't sure what accounted for the differences in the amounts of incompatible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that recycled crust might help explain the formation of the three types of basalt .
`` Recycled oceanic crust that melts at ridges produces melts that are lower in the ratio of the element germanium ( Ge ) to the element silicon ( Si ) , two elements that are geochemically very similar in their behavior during melting , '' Humayun said .
`` We developed a way of measuring small variations in the Ge/Si ratio and used this to show that enriched basalts have lower Ge/Si ratios consistent with the addition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Researchers found that lower Ge/Si ratios were present in enriched basalts from all of the 30 different regions -- scattered across the globe -- from which the samples were sourced .
This , they say , is evidence of a globally and historically consistent rate of crust recycling .
Many scientists have hypothesized that the crust that gets pulled back into the mantle sinks deep into the mantle 's bottom layers and remains there -- with only small plumes floating back toward the upper mantle .
Others have estimated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mantle , like a chocolate swirl in a vanilla cake -- the `` marble cake '' theory .
The latest findings support the latter theory .
The findings have implications for the history of crustal formation and subduction .
`` We were most surprised to confirm the theory of professor Alex Sobolev of the University of Grenoble that the mantle under ridges has an average of about 5 percent recycled crust , '' Humayun said .
`` It could only have that much recycled crust if the vigor of subduction has been similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that most of the recycled crust is not ponded in 'subduction graveyards ' at the bottom of the mantle , '' he said .

To better understand the movement and distribution of recycled crust in the mantle, researchers analyzed the ratios of certain minerals in mid ocean basalts. Photo by James St. John/ Flickr
June 26 (UPI) -- New research suggests roughly 5 to 6 percent of the Earth's mantle is made up of recycled crust. The discovery, detailed Friday in the journal Science Advances, suggests Earth has been producing new crust at a similar rate for most of the planet's history. Advertisement
Geologists knew that some of Earth's crust regularly sinks back into the mantle, but until now, they weren't sure how much gets recycled -- a key to understanding the history of crustal formation and subduction.
To better understand the trajectory of crust that gets swallowed back into the mantle, scientists collected 500 samples of basalt from mid-ocean ridges all over the world.
"The chemical composition of oceanic basalt -- Mid-Oceanic Ridge Basalt, or MORB -- that erupted along the 40,000-kilometer long oceanic ridge system is systematically depleted in elements -- termed incompatible elements -- that are concentrated in the continental crust: elements like potassium, thorium, uranium and lead," study co-author Munir Humayun told UPI in an email.
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What has long perplexed scientists is that MORB comes in three flavors, each with different concentrations of incompatible elements.
"Normal MORB is depleted to an extent sufficient to explain extraction of the continental crust from the mantle, but there are basalts that are more depleted than Normal MORB (depleted-MORB) and basalts that are more enriched than Normal-MORB (enriched-MORB), and both are present in significant abundances," Humayun, a professor and geochemist at the Florida State University-headquartered National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, said.
Until now, researchers weren't sure what accounted for the differences in the amounts of incompatible elements found in basalt. Scientists surmised that recycled crust might help explain the formation of the three types of basalt.
"Recycled oceanic crust that melts at ridges produces melts that are lower in the ratio of the element germanium (Ge) to the element silicon (Si), two elements that are geochemically very similar in their behavior during melting," Humayun said.
"We developed a way of measuring small variations in the Ge/Si ratio and used this to show that enriched basalts have lower Ge/Si ratios consistent with the addition of melts from subducted recycled crust," he said.
Researchers found that lower Ge/Si ratios were present in enriched basalts from all of the 30 different regions -- scattered across the globe -- from which the samples were sourced. This, they say, is evidence of a globally and historically consistent rate of crust recycling.
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Many scientists have hypothesized that the crust that gets pulled back into the mantle sinks deep into the mantle's bottom layers and remains there -- with only small plumes floating back toward the upper mantle.
Others have estimated that recycled crust gets evenly distributed throughout the mantle, like a chocolate swirl in a vanilla cake -- the "marble cake" theory.
The latest findings support the latter theory. The findings have implications for the history of crustal formation and subduction.
"We were most surprised to confirm the theory of professor Alex Sobolev of the University of Grenoble that the mantle under ridges has an average of about 5 percent recycled crust," Humayun said.
"It could only have that much recycled crust if the vigor of subduction has been similar throughout most of Earth's history and that most of the recycled crust is not ponded in 'subduction graveyards' at the bottom of the mantle," he said.


upi--2020-06-26--Trip to the store for hot dogs leads man to $100,000 lottery jackpot

June 26 ( UPI ) -- A Virginia man who made a trip to the store to buy some hot @ @ @ @ @ dinner when he won a $ 100,000 lottery jackpot .
Girard Forry of Rocky Mount @ @ @ @ @ went to the Ravens Country Store in Rocky Mount to buy some hot dogs and @ @ @ @ @ buy a ticket for the June 8 Cash 5 drawing .
Forry said he checked @ @ @ @ @ and discovered he had won $ 100,000 .
The player said he remained calm .
@ @ @ @ @ excitable person , '' Forry said .
`` But I was pleasantly surprised . ''
@ @ @ @ @ reaction was less reserved .
`` I told my wife .
She was very excited @ @ @ @ @ Forry said he has not yet made any plans for his winnings .

A Virginia man said a trip to the store for hot dogs lead to his winning a $100,000 lottery jackpot. Photo courtesy of the Virginia Lottery
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe June 26 (UPI) -- A Virginia man who made a trip to the store to buy some hot dogs brought home more than dinner when he won a $100,000 lottery jackpot. Girard Forry of Rocky Mount told Virginia Lottery officials he went to the Ravens Country Store in Rocky Mount to buy some hot dogs and while shopping he decided to buy a ticket for the June 8 Cash 5 drawing. Advertisement
Forry said he checked his numbers the next day and discovered he had won $100,000. The player said he remained calm.
"I'm not an excitable person," Forry said. "But I was pleasantly surprised."
He said his wife's reaction was less reserved.
"I told my wife. She was very excited," he said.
Forry said he has not yet made any plans for his winnings.


upi--2020-06-26--Repeated head impacts, brain injury increase risk for depression, study finds

June 26 ( UPI ) -- Head injuries experienced while young may increase a person 's risk for depression and dementia decades later , according to a study published Friday by the journal Neurology .
In general , those with a history of repetitive head impacts scored 1.24 points higher on a 15-point depression symptom scale than those without a history , the researchers found .
Study participants with a history of traumatic brain injury , or TBI , had scores up to 0.75 points higher , they said .
`` The findings underscore that repetitive hits to the head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participation or physical abuse , might be associated with later-life symptoms of depression , '' study co-author Michael Alosco said in a press release .
`` It should be made clear that this association is likely to be dependent on the dose or duration of repetitive head impacts and this information was not available for this study , '' said Alosco , associate professor of neurology at the Boston University School of Medicine .
BU researchers have focused on the long-term effects of chronic traumatic encephalopathy , or CTE , a brain condition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football and hockey , and some in youth sports , who have experienced head impact-related injuries .
For the new study , Alosco and colleagues analyzed data on more than 13,000 adults aged 40 and older -- with an average age of 62 -- from the internet-based Brain Health Registry .
Among participants , 725 , or 5 percent , reported sustaining previous repetitive head impacts through contact sports , abuse or military service .
In all , 7,277 said they had experienced TBI , 2,604 with loss of consciousness .
Researchers measured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Geriatric Depression Scale-15 , and assessed cognitive function with CogState Brief Battery and Lumos Labs NeuroCognitive Performance Tests .
Overall , there was a dose-response-like pattern between head trauma and depression symptoms , the researchers said .
Specifically , participants without any history of either TBI or repetitive head impacts had the fewest symptoms of depression , they said .
However , depression symptoms were highest for the groups who had a history of both repetitive head impacts and TBI , according to the researchers .
A similar cumulative effect was observed among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TBI on tests of memory , learning , processing speed and reaction time , the researchers said .
Study participants with a history of repetitive head impacts or TBI had worse performance on some of the tests compared to those without any head trauma history .
Those with both a history of repetitive head impacts and TBI with loss of consciousness had worse performance on almost all of these computerized cognitive tests , they said .
The findings were independent of age , sex , racial identity and education level , researchers said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not all people with a history of repetitive hits to the head will develop later-life problems with cognitive functioning and depression , '' said study co-author Robert Stern .
`` However , results from this study provide further evidence that exposure to repetitive head impacts , such as through the routine play of tackle football , plays an important role in the development in these later-life cognitive and emotional problems , '' said Stern , director of clinical research at the BU CTE Center .

Head injuries sustained in sports and other situations may increase risk for depression and dementia later in life, a new study has found. Photo by Keith Johnston/Pixabay
June 26 (UPI) -- Head injuries experienced while young may increase a person's risk for depression and dementia decades later, according to a study published Friday by the journal Neurology. In general, those with a history of repetitive head impacts scored 1.24 points higher on a 15-point depression symptom scale than those without a history, the researchers found. Advertisement
Study participants with a history of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, had scores up to 0.75 points higher, they said.
"The findings underscore that repetitive hits to the head, such as those from contact sport participation or physical abuse, might be associated with later-life symptoms of depression," study co-author Michael Alosco said in a press release.
"It should be made clear that this association is likely to be dependent on the dose or duration of repetitive head impacts and this information was not available for this study," said Alosco, associate professor of neurology at the Boston University School of Medicine.
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BU researchers have focused on the long-term effects of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a brain condition seen by professional athletes in sports like football and hockey, and some in youth sports, who have experienced head impact-related injuries.
For the new study, Alosco and colleagues analyzed data on more than 13,000 adults aged 40 and older -- with an average age of 62 -- from the internet-based Brain Health Registry. Among participants, 725, or 5 percent, reported sustaining previous repetitive head impacts through contact sports, abuse or military service.
In all, 7,277 said they had experienced TBI, 2,604 with loss of consciousness.
Researchers measured depression symptoms among study participants using the Geriatric Depression Scale-15, and assessed cognitive function with CogState Brief Battery and Lumos Labs NeuroCognitive Performance Tests.
Overall, there was a dose-response-like pattern between head trauma and depression symptoms, the researchers said. Specifically, participants without any history of either TBI or repetitive head impacts had the fewest symptoms of depression, they said.
However, depression symptoms were highest for the groups who had a history of both repetitive head impacts and TBI, according to the researchers.
A similar cumulative effect was observed among those exposed to repetitive head impacts and TBI on tests of memory, learning, processing speed and reaction time, the researchers said.
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Study participants with a history of repetitive head impacts or TBI had worse performance on some of the tests compared to those without any head trauma history. Those with both a history of repetitive head impacts and TBI with loss of consciousness had worse performance on almost all of these computerized cognitive tests, they said.
The findings were independent of age, sex, racial identity and education level, researchers said.
"It should be noted that not all people with a history of repetitive hits to the head will develop later-life problems with cognitive functioning and depression," said study co-author Robert Stern.
"However, results from this study provide further evidence that exposure to repetitive head impacts, such as through the routine play of tackle football, plays an important role in the development in these later-life cognitive and emotional problems," said Stern, director of clinical research at the BU CTE Center.


upi--2020-06-26--Appeals court declares Trump use of military funds for border wall 'unlawful'

June 26 ( UPI ) -- A federal appeals court on Friday ruled the Trump administration does n't have the authority to divert $ 2.5 billion in military funds to carry out construction of the border wall .
The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals said the move violated the Appropriations Clause of the Constitution because Congress originally designated the funds for defense spending , not the Department of Homeland Security .
`` These funds were appropriated for other purposes , and the transfer amounted to 'drawing funds from the Treasury without authorization by statute and thus violating the Appropriations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Therefore , the transfer of funds here was unlawful . ''
Trump declared a national emergency in February 2019 due to an influx of migrants along the southern border .
As part of the declaration , he directed $ 2.5 billion from the Department of Defense to spend on border security .
He faced multiple lawsuits and attempts to block the emergency declaration in Congress , including a legal challenge by the Sierra Club , which the 9th Circuit ruled on Friday .
The organization praised the court 's 2-1 ruling .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ our border communities and desert wildlands , '' said Gloria Smith , managing attorney for the Sierra Club .
`` The appeals court ruled against Trump 's unconstitutional wall construction .
We should be protecting communities , our democracy , and the environment , not tearing these things apart as Trump hoped to do .
`` We rise with border communities to stop this administration from further inflicting its relentless agenda -- harming the people and places we know and love . ''
Though lower courts ruled against President Donald Trump in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July allowed the administration to begin construction on a section of the border as the battle made its way through the courts .

The appeals court said the Trump administration's move to divert funds from the Department of Defense to the Department of Homeland Security violated the Appropriations Clause of the Constitution. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
June 26 (UPI) -- A federal appeals court on Friday ruled the Trump administration doesn't have the authority to divert $2.5 billion in military funds to carry out construction of the border wall. The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals said the move violated the Appropriations Clause of the Constitution because Congress originally designated the funds for defense spending, not the Department of Homeland Security. Advertisement
"These funds were appropriated for other purposes, and the transfer amounted to 'drawing funds from the Treasury without authorization by statute and thus violating the Appropriations Clause," the majority wrote.
"Therefore, the transfer of funds here was unlawful."
Trump declared a national emergency in February 2019 due to an influx of migrants along the southern border. As part of the declaration, he directed $2.5 billion from the Department of Defense to spend on border security.
He faced multiple lawsuits and attempts to block the emergency declaration in Congress, including a legal challenge by the Sierra Club, which the 9th Circuit ruled on Friday. The organization praised the court's 2-1 ruling.
"Today's decision is monumental for our border communities and desert wildlands," said Gloria Smith, managing attorney for the Sierra Club. "The appeals court ruled against Trump's unconstitutional wall construction. We should be protecting communities, our democracy, and the environment, not tearing these things apart as Trump hoped to do.
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"We rise with border communities to stop this administration from further inflicting its relentless agenda -- harming the people and places we know and love."
Though lower courts ruled against President Donald Trump in the lawsuit, the U.S. Supreme Court in July allowed the administration to begin construction on a section of the border as the battle made its way through the courts.


upi--2020-06-26--House bill calls for Congressional oversight of Afghanistan withdrawal

June 26 ( UPI ) -- A bipartisan bill introduced this week in the U.S. House of Representatives would give Congress oversight of the U.S. troop drawdown in Afghanistan .
The Afghanistan Partnership and Transparency Act , introduced on Thursday , would require the White House , State Department , Office of National Intelligence and Defense Department to provide reports to Congress when U.S. troop levels are reduced to below 8,000 troops , and again at 5,000 troops , according to members of Congress behind the bill .
In March , the United States began withdrawing troops from Afghanistan under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in February with the Taliban .
The United States committed to reducing its forces from 13,000 troops to 8,600 within 135 days , although a further drawdown is anticipated .
The legislation was introduced by two Democratic and two Republican members of the House : Reps. Jason Crow , D-Colo. ; Michael Waltz , R-Fla. ; Liz Cheney , R-Wyo .
and Susan Davis , D-Calif. Crow served two tours of duty in Afghanistan as an Army Ranger , and Waltz is a former Army Special Forces Green Beret .
The bill requires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comprehensive , interagency report and certification '' of the drawdown , including U.S. , national security implication and its effect on NATO partners , a statement on Crow 's website said on Friday .
The agreement between the United States and the Taliban , signed in February , calls for NATO and U.S. troops to leave Afghanistan within 14 months , assuming the Taliban upholds its commitments .
The United States has had a military presence in the country for 18 years .
`` This legislation will help ensure that Congress and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's withdrawal from Afghanistan and the impact it is having and will have on our security , '' Cheney said in a statement on Friday .

U.S. soldiers attend a training session for the Afghan Army in Herat, Afghanistan. Legislation introduced in the House on Thursday calls for Congressional oversight of the U.S. military withdrawal from the country. Photo by Jalil Rezayee/EPA-EFE/UPI
June 26 (UPI) -- A bipartisan bill introduced this week in the U.S. House of Representatives would give Congress oversight of the U.S. troop drawdown in Afghanistan. The Afghanistan Partnership and Transparency Act, introduced on Thursday, would require the White House, State Department, Office of National Intelligence and Defense Department to provide reports to Congress when U.S. troop levels are reduced to below 8,000 troops, and again at 5,000 troops, according to members of Congress behind the bill. Advertisement
In March, the United States began withdrawing troops from Afghanistan under the terms of a peace deal signed in February with the Taliban. The United States committed to reducing its forces from 13,000 troops to 8,600 within 135 days, although a further drawdown is anticipated.
The legislation was introduced by two Democratic and two Republican members of the House: Reps. Jason Crow, D-Colo.; Michael Waltz,R-Fla.; Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. and Susan Davis, D-Calif.
Crow served two tours of duty in Afghanistan as an Army Ranger, and Waltz is a former Army Special Forces Green Beret.
The bill requires the White House to submit "a comprehensive, interagency report and certification" of the drawdown, including U.S., national security implication and its effect on NATO partners, a statement on Crow's website said on Friday.
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The agreement between the United States and the Taliban, signed in February, calls for NATO and U.S. troops to leave Afghanistan within 14 months, assuming the Taliban upholds its commitments.
The United States has had a military presence in the country for 18 years.
"This legislation will help ensure that Congress and the American people are fully informed about America's withdrawal from Afghanistan and the impact it is having and will have on our security," Cheney said in a statement on Friday.


upi--2020-06-26--Watch: Message in a bottle's 700-mile journey sparks friendship between girls

June 26 ( UPI ) -- A pair of 11-year-old U.S. girls struck up a friendship thanks to a message @ @ @ @ @ about 700 miles in just two weeks .
Sofia Wilson , 11 , of Clifton @ @ @ @ @ she and her family were in Florida during COVID-19 lockdown , and she wrote about @ @ @ @ @ that was placed into a bottle and tossed into the water off the Fort Lauderdale @ @ @ @ @ .
Sarah Beth Walters , 11 , of Jacksonville , Fla. , said she and @ @ @ @ @ water during a trip to Olden Beach , N.C. , when she spotted what initially @ @ @ @ @ the beach .
Walters found Wilson 's message and the two 11-year-olds -- who share @ @ @ @ @ as similar blonde hair -- struck up a friendship using the contact information included in @ @ @ @ @ girls ' families said they now talk constantly and are working on a plan to @ @ @ @

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June 26 (UPI) -- A pair of 11-year-old U.S. girls struck up a friendship thanks to a message in a bottle that traveled about 700 miles in just two weeks.
Sofia Wilson, 11, of Clifton Park, N.Y., said she and her family were in Florida during COVID-19 lockdown, and she wrote about her feelings in a letter that was placed into a bottle and tossed into the water off the Fort Lauderdale coast during a boating outing.
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Sarah Beth Walters, 11, of Jacksonville, Fla., said she and her family were by the water during a trip to Olden Beach, N.C., when she spotted what initially appeared to be trash on the beach.
Walters found Wilson's message and the two 11-year-olds -- who share the same initials as well as similar blonde hair -- struck up a friendship using the contact information included in Wilson's note.
The girls' families said they now talk constantly and are working on a plan to meet in person.


upi--2020-06-26--Air Force staffing shortage causing health issues in drone pilots, GAO report says

The Air Force does not have enough pilots and operators to meet its staffing targets for unmanned aircraft , causing mental and physical health problems for existing personnel , a Government Accountability Office report said .
Since 9/11 , there has been a dramatic increase in demand for trained personnel to operate the Air Force 's drones as they have become increasingly important for intelligence and 24-hour surveillance for national security .
According to the report , released Thursday , Air Force officials stated that they need to hire and retain more Remotely Piloted Aircraft , or RPA , personnel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that tries to balance the ratio between the period of time a person is deployed and the time someone spends at home .
The Air Force has not been able to hire the number of authorized drone operators since fiscal 2016 , officials said .
The report also said that while one of the Air Force 's declared goals is to have enough pilots and sensor operators by 2024 to allow them sufficient breaks from combat operations , the branch does n't track progress on RPA personnel recruitment and retention .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Project on Government Oversight and a former Marine Corps captain , the problem is not limited to the unmanned system pilots .
`` There 's been a lot of reporting over the last couple of years about the Air Force 's shortage of pilots , '' Grazier said .
`` The Navy , the Marine Corps and the Army have all had some trouble , to greater or lesser degrees , in retaining pilots . ''
Grazier said that many of the pilots have left the military to work for airlines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are better .
The pilot shortage has led to numerous health and psychological problems such as routinely rotating schedules for the drone operators every five to eight weeks , the GAO reported .
According to the Human Performance Team at Creech Air Force Base , which treats physical and psychological problems of RPA personnel , the pilots should have shifts that last at least three to four months so that their circadian rhythms or day-night cycles are not disrupted .
The disruption of the day-night cycle also damages the crew 's relationships with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekends , the crew , especially those serving on late night shifts , either lose their normal rhythm to spend time with the family or limit time with their family to be well-rested enough when work resumes .
`` We did an internal survey of how much sleep people on nights for months at a time were getting , and it was like three-four hours , '' one of the pilots told GAO investigators in a focus group .
`` And they are flying combat for eight-12 hours at a time . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ environment was causing many physical problems such as loss of hearing , deteriorating eyesight and bad posture .
The Air Force has offered increased retention bonuses and financial incentives to RPA personnel , but it still has difficulty in retaining enough personnel to fill its staffing quota .
`` The low quality of life is the biggest factor , '' Grazier said .
`` With deteriorating family relationships and increasing workplace stress , even high financial incentives are no longer attractive . ''

Air Force officials say they need to hire and retain more drone aircraft personnel personnel to fully implement combat-to-dwell, a policy aimed at balancing the time a person is deployed and the time they spend at home. Photo by Airman 1st Class Haley Stevens/U.S. Air Force
The Air Force does not have enough pilots and operators to meet its staffing targets for unmanned aircraft, causing mental and physical health problems for existing personnel, a Government Accountability Office report said. Since 9/11, there has been a dramatic increase in demand for trained personnel to operate the Air Force's drones as they have become increasingly important for intelligence and 24-hour surveillance for national security. Advertisement
According to the report, released Thursday, Air Force officials stated that they need to hire and retain more Remotely Piloted Aircraft, or RPA, personnel to fully implement combat-to-dwell, the policy that tries to balance the ratio between the period of time a person is deployed and the time someone spends at home.
The Air Force has not been able to hire the number of authorized drone operators since fiscal 2016, officials said.
The report also said that while one of the Air Force's declared goals is to have enough pilots and sensor operators by 2024 to allow them sufficient breaks from combat operations, the branch doesn't track progress on RPA personnel recruitment and retention.
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According to Dan Grazier, a Pentagon reform expert at the Project on Government Oversight and a former Marine Corps captain, the problem is not limited to the unmanned system pilots.
"There's been a lot of reporting over the last couple of years about the Air Force's shortage of pilots," Grazier said. "The Navy, the Marine Corps and the Army have all had some trouble, to greater or lesser degrees, in retaining pilots."
Grazier said that many of the pilots have left the military to work for airlines because the pay and quality of life are better.
The pilot shortage has led to numerous health and psychological problems such as routinely rotating schedules for the drone operators every five to eight weeks, the GAO reported.
According to the Human Performance Team at Creech Air Force Base, which treats physical and psychological problems of RPA personnel, the pilots should have shifts that last at least three to four months so that their circadian rhythms or day-night cycles are not disrupted.
The disruption of the day-night cycle also damages the crew's relationships with their families. When at home on weekends, the crew, especially those serving on late night shifts, either lose their normal rhythm to spend time with the family or limit time with their family to be well-rested enough when work resumes.
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"We did an internal survey of how much sleep people on nights for months at a time were getting, and it was like three-four hours," one of the pilots told GAO investigators in a focus group. "And they are flying combat for eight-12 hours at a time."
The report also stated that the working environment was causing many physical problems such as loss of hearing, deteriorating eyesight and bad posture.
The Air Force has offered increased retention bonuses and financial incentives to RPA personnel, but it still has difficulty in retaining enough personnel to fill its staffing quota.
"The low quality of life is the biggest factor," Grazier said. "With deteriorating family relationships and increasing workplace stress, even high financial incentives are no longer attractive."


upi--2020-06-26--Coronavirus vaccine trial could start by August

Animal studies of a potential COVID-19 vaccine have been so encouraging that researchers plan to speed up testing of the vaccine in humans .
Initially , the next phase of the trial was expected to begin in September , but that start date has now been moved to August .
Developed by researchers at the Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore , the vaccine uses genetic material called messenger RNA to trigger an immune response in the body .
Once injected , the vaccine prompts the body to make proteins like those of the actual virus .
The body will then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can learn to fight them off .
Most vaccines are purely preventive , but this vaccine may also be able to treat an active case of coronavirus , the scientists added .
The vaccine activates `` two arms of the immune system , '' explained study author Dr. Eng Eong Ooi , deputy director of the Emerging Infectious Diseases Program at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore .
One `` arm , '' Ooi explained , prevents a coronavirus infection by teaching the body to recognize the virus .
The other kills off infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within the body .
`` In preclinical studies , that 's come true -- that we can develop both arms of the immune response against coronavirus , '' Ooi said during a Wednesday media briefing on the vaccine .
Ooi was joined by Thomas Denny , chief operating officer of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute , and David Ridley , faculty director of the health sector management program at Duke 's Fuqua School of Business , to discuss the challenges ahead in the race to produce a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 140 vaccines against the coronavirus , according to The New York Times ' vaccine tracker .
There are currently 18 potential vaccines being tested for safety and correct dosing in Phase 1 or 2 clinical trials , and three vaccines are in Phase 3 trials , where they are undergoing large-scale testing .
The Duke team emphasized that any expectation for a vaccine by the end of this year is overly optimistic .
`` I think it 's entirely possible that a vaccine will be approved this year , but not at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We might have some people vaccinated this year , but the average person wo n't be vaccinated . ''
Denny added , `` We may have some good science by the end of the year and think we have some leading candidates .
But manufacturing them to have it all administered , that 's a tall order to be ready by the beginning of 2021 . ''
There are currently no RNA vaccines on the market for any disease , the researchers said , but many are being tested in clinical trials , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Most coronavirus vaccines being studied require two doses -- including Moderna 's RNA vaccine -- but Ooi said the vaccine being developed by Duke-NUS and the pharmaceutical company Arcturus Therapeutics is different .
So far , it appears this vaccine requires only one dose because it has a replicating effect that makes the vaccine `` expand in the body , '' Ooi explained .
The vaccine will likely be the first of its kind to get this far in clinical trials if the trials proceed as expected .
Although there is some level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this one , the research thus far has demonstrated that the vaccine is safe .
`` We are quite confident that given the kind of safety profile we observe with using RNA to deliver drugs , we should be able to get a fairly decent safety profile , '' Ooi said .
`` I would think this vaccine will be tolerable and acceptable to the public . ''
There are several steps and many months of testing ahead for this vaccine .
If the next phase of the trial begins in August , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a small group of healthy adults .
If it is shown to be safe , it may be tested on more vulnerable populations , such as the elderly .
This phase is `` quite standard , '' according to Ooi .
The following step , though , is less certain .
In the next phase , a large population would be given either the vaccine or a placebo , and then studied to see if they are infected with the virus naturally .
But the speed and efficacy of that stage depend on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , Ooi explained .
`` We can vaccinate the individuals and then see whether that would protect them from COVID , compared to a group where they got the placebo instead , '' Ooi said .
`` But , if for whatever reason the disease incidence or prevalence of disease goes down , then it 'll take us a much longer time to assess efficacy . ''
Even if the trials go according to plan , it is difficult to say when the vaccine could become available for general use .
Ooi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the soonest . ''
The research and development of the vaccine is being funded , in part , by the government of Singapore .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19 .

A potential COVID-19 vaccine developed by researchers at the Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore could enter human trials in August. Photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Lotz/U.S. Air Force
Animal studies of a potential COVID-19 vaccine have been so encouraging that researchers plan to speed up testing of the vaccine in humans. Initially, the next phase of the trial was expected to begin in September, but that start date has now been moved to August. Advertisement
Developed by researchers at the Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, the vaccine uses genetic material called messenger RNA to trigger an immune response in the body. Once injected, the vaccine prompts the body to make proteins like those of the actual virus. The body will then know what coronavirus-infected cells look like and can learn to fight them off.
Most vaccines are purely preventive, but this vaccine may also be able to treat an active case of coronavirus, the scientists added.
The vaccine activates "two arms of the immune system," explained study author Dr. Eng Eong Ooi, deputy director of the Emerging Infectious Diseases Program at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore.
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One "arm," Ooi explained, prevents a coronavirus infection by teaching the body to recognize the virus. The other kills off infected cells, preventing the illness from spreading within the body.
"In preclinical studies, that's come true -- that we can develop both arms of the immune response against coronavirus," Ooi said during a Wednesday media briefing on the vaccine.
Ooi was joined by Thomas Denny, chief operating officer of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute, and David Ridley, faculty director of the health sector management program at Duke's Fuqua School of Business, to discuss the challenges ahead in the race to produce a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine.
Researchers around the world are developing more than 140 vaccines against the coronavirus, according to The New York Times' vaccine tracker. There are currently 18 potential vaccines being tested for safety and correct dosing in Phase 1 or 2 clinical trials, and three vaccines are in Phase 3 trials, where they are undergoing large-scale testing.
The Duke team emphasized that any expectation for a vaccine by the end of this year is overly optimistic.
"I think it's entirely possible that a vaccine will be approved this year, but not at scale," Ridley explained. "We might have some people vaccinated this year, but the average person won't be vaccinated."
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Denny added, "We may have some good science by the end of the year and think we have some leading candidates. But manufacturing them to have it all administered, that's a tall order to be ready by the beginning of 2021."
There are currently no RNA vaccines on the market for any disease, the researchers said, but many are being tested in clinical trials, both for coronavirus and other diseases.
Most coronavirus vaccines being studied require two doses -- including Moderna's RNA vaccine -- but Ooi said the vaccine being developed by Duke-NUS and the pharmaceutical company Arcturus Therapeutics is different. So far, it appears this vaccine requires only one dose because it has a replicating effect that makes the vaccine "expand in the body," Ooi explained.
The vaccine will likely be the first of its kind to get this far in clinical trials if the trials proceed as expected.
Although there is some level of uncertainty with a unique vaccine like this one, the research thus far has demonstrated that the vaccine is safe. "We are quite confident that given the kind of safety profile we observe with using RNA to deliver drugs, we should be able to get a fairly decent safety profile," Ooi said. "I would think this vaccine will be tolerable and acceptable to the public."
Advertisement
There are several steps and many months of testing ahead for this vaccine.
If the next phase of the trial begins in August, the vaccine will initially be tested on a small group of healthy adults. If it is shown to be safe, it may be tested on more vulnerable populations, such as the elderly. This phase is "quite standard," according to Ooi.
The following step, though, is less certain. In the next phase, a large population would be given either the vaccine or a placebo, and then studied to see if they are infected with the virus naturally. But the speed and efficacy of that stage depend on how common coronavirus infections are at that time, Ooi explained.
"We can vaccinate the individuals and then see whether that would protect them from COVID, compared to a group where they got the placebo instead," Ooi said. "But, if for whatever reason the disease incidence or prevalence of disease goes down, then it'll take us a much longer time to assess efficacy."
Even if the trials go according to plan, it is difficult to say when the vaccine could become available for general use. Ooi predicted this time next year "at the soonest."
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The research and development of the vaccine is being funded, in part, by the government of Singapore.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-06-26--Coronavirus spikes fuel markets decline

Coronavirus spikes fuel markets decline

June 26 ( UPI ) -- The three major U.S. stock indexes slid Friday and closed down for the week @ @ @ @ @ taking a further hit from spiking coronavirus cases .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped @ @ @ @ @ percent Friday , the S & P 500 dropped 74 points , or 2.42 percent @ @ @ @ @ 259 points , or 2.59 percent .
The indexes hit their lowest levels in two @ @ @ @ @ in Florida and Texas , causing two of the largest economies in the country to @ @ @ @ @ .
Leaders in both states announced the closure of all bars and nightclubs , and @ @ @ @ @ at which restaurants can operate .
The Dow was down 3.31 percent for the week @ @ @ @ @ 500 down 2.86 percent and the Nasdaq down 1.9 percent .
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross @ @ @ @ @ economy was in recovery as consumer spending saw an 8.2 percent uptick in May .

U.S. Park Police vehicles are parked by a statue of George Washington on the steps of Federal Hall before the closing bell on Wall Street in New York City on Friday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 26 (UPI) -- The three major U.S. stock indexes slid Friday and closed down for the week amid fears of the economy taking a further hit from spiking coronavirus cases. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 731 points, or 2.84 percent Friday, the S&P 500 dropped 74 points, or 2.42 percent, and Nasdaq Composite dropped 259 points, or 2.59 percent. Advertisement
The indexes hit their lowest levels in two weeks as COVID-19 cases spiked in Florida and Texas, causing two of the largest economies in the country to roll back some reopening efforts. Leaders in both states announced the closure of all bars and nightclubs, and Texas further restricted the capacity at which restaurants can operate.
The Dow was down 3.31 percent for the week, the S&P 500 down 2.86 percent and the Nasdaq down 1.9 percent.
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, though, indicated the economy was in recovery as consumer spending saw an 8.2 percent uptick in May.


upi--2020-06-26--COVID-19 may raise risk for stroke, confusion, other brain effects, study shows

Patients with severe COVID-19 may be at risk for a variety of brain complications -- from stroke to psychosis , new research suggests .
`` There have been growing reports of an association between COVID-19 infection and possible neurological or psychiatric complications , but until now these have typically been limited to studies of 10 patients or fewer , '' said lead study author Benedict Michael .
He is a fellow in the Institute of Infection and Global Health at the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom .
The study , described as the first nationwide look at neurological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , looked at 125 COVID-19 patients treated in U.K. hospitals during April .
Michael emphasized that it focused only on cases that were serious enough to require hospitalization .
The most common brain complication was stroke , which occurred in 77 patients .
Of those strokes , 57 were caused by a blood clot in the brain , nine by bleeding in the brain and one by inflammation in the blood vessels of the brain .
Most of the patients who had a stroke were older than 60 years of age .
Thirty-nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggested they had an altered mental state , the study found .
Of those , nine had unspecified brain dysfunction ( encephalopathy ) , seven had inflammation of the brain ( encephalitis ) , and 23 were diagnosed with psychiatric conditions , the researchers said .
Ninety-two percent of the psychiatric diagnoses were believed to be new .
Ten patients had a new-onset psychosis six had dementia-like conditions and seven had signs of a mood disorder , including depression and anxiety , the study found .
Age information was available for 37 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state .
Forty-nine percent were younger than 60 , according to the study published June 25 in The Lancet Psychiatry journal .
The findings could help guide future research into the neurological complications of COVID-19 and may lead to treatments , the study authors said in a journal news release .
According to study co-author Sarah Pett , a lecturer in infectious diseases at University College London , `` This data represents an important snapshot of the brain-related complications of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients .
It is critically important that we continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus fully . ''
Pett said researchers also need to understand brain complications in COVID-19 patients who are n't sick enough to be hospitalized .
`` Our study provides the foundations for larger , hospital and community-based studies , '' she said .
`` These studies will help inform on the frequency of these brain complications , who 's most at risk of getting them , and ultimately how best to treat . ''
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19 .

A healthcare worker takes care of a patient that arrived in an ambulance at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center on Monday, April 6, 2020, in New York City. A new study suggests that COVID-19 may increase risk for brain complications from stroke to psychosis. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Patients with severe COVID-19 may be at risk for a variety of brain complications -- from stroke to psychosis, new research suggests. "There have been growing reports of an association between COVID-19 infection and possible neurological or psychiatric complications, but until now these have typically been limited to studies of 10 patients or fewer," said lead study author Benedict Michael. He is a fellow in the Institute of Infection and Global Health at the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom. Advertisement
The study, described as the first nationwide look at neurological complications of infection with the new coronavirus, looked at 125 COVID-19 patients treated in U.K. hospitals during April. Michael emphasized that it focused only on cases that were serious enough to require hospitalization.
The most common brain complication was stroke, which occurred in 77 patients.
Of those strokes, 57 were caused by a blood clot in the brain, nine by bleeding in the brain and one by inflammation in the blood vessels of the brain. Most of the patients who had a stroke were older than 60 years of age.
Thirty-nine patients experienced confusion or behavior changes that suggested they had an altered mental state, the study found.
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Of those, nine had unspecified brain dysfunction (encephalopathy), seven had inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), and 23 were diagnosed with psychiatric conditions, the researchers said.
Ninety-two percent of the psychiatric diagnoses were believed to be new. Ten patients had a new-onset psychosis six had dementia-like conditions and seven had signs of a mood disorder, including depression and anxiety, the study found.
Age information was available for 37 of the 39 patients with an altered mental state. Forty-nine percent were younger than 60, according to the study published June 25 in The Lancet Psychiatry journal.
The findings could help guide future research into the neurological complications of COVID-19 and may lead to treatments, the study authors said in a journal news release.
According to study co-author Sarah Pett, a lecturer in infectious diseases at University College London, "This data represents an important snapshot of the brain-related complications of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. It is critically important that we continue to collect this information to really understand this virus fully."
Pett said researchers also need to understand brain complications in COVID-19 patients who aren't sick enough to be hospitalized.
"Our study provides the foundations for larger, hospital and community-based studies," she said. "These studies will help inform on the frequency of these brain complications, who's most at risk of getting them, and ultimately how best to treat."
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More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-06-26--Sweden tests new ground-to-air defense missile

June 26 ( UPI ) -- Sweden 's ground-launched short-range air defense missile , the RBS 98 , was successfully tested this week , the Swedish armed forces announced on Friday .
The surface-to-air missile is a variant of the German-made IRIS-T air-to-air missile , in use by 11 countries , including several NATO countries , according to Swedish officials .
In the test , conducted on June 22 , the missiles were launched from a trailer pulled by a BvS 10 all-terrain amphibious armored vehicle , known as a Bandvagn 410 .
The vehicle consists of two tracked units @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the other carrying four missiles .
The RBS 98 , officially the Robotsystem 98 , was designed to replace the U.S.-made AIM-9 Sidewinder missile , and can engage a target at altitudes up to 12.5 miles .
The missiles are equipped with a global positioning system and inertial navigation system technology for autonomous navigation , officials said .
Target data from the missile are sent by radio link from external radar , and high-precision passive infrared seekers are incorporated to provide missile guidance and high target accuracy .
`` I ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result , '' Lt. Col. Thomas Wessman , deputy chief of the Swedish Air Defense Regiment , said after the test .
`` The new system gives us increased operational effect with the air defense units and gives us even better opportunity to fight a modern opponent . ''

Sweden successfully tested its new RBS 98 ground-to-air defense missile this week. Photo by Anders Aberg/Swedish Defense Material Administration
June 26 (UPI) -- Sweden's ground-launched short-range air defense missile, the RBS 98, was successfully tested this week, the Swedish armed forces announced on Friday. The surface-to-air missile is a variant of the German-made IRIS-T air-to-air missile, in use by 11 countries, including several NATO countries, according to Swedish officials. Advertisement
In the test, conducted on June 22, the missiles were launched from a trailer pulled by a BvS 10 all-terrain amphibious armored vehicle, known as a Bandvagn 410. The vehicle consists of two tracked units, one carrying a crew of four, and the other carrying four missiles.
The RBS 98, officially the Robotsystem 98, was designed to replace the U.S.-made AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, and can engage a target at altitudes up to 12.5 miles.
The missiles are equipped with a global positioning system and inertial navigation system technology for autonomous navigation, officials said. Target data from the missile are sent by radio link from external radar, and high-precision passive infrared seekers are incorporated to provide missile guidance and high target accuracy.
"I can't help but be pleased with the result," Lt. Col. Thomas Wessman, deputy chief of the Swedish Air Defense Regiment, said after the test. "The new system gives us increased operational effect with the air defense units and gives us even better opportunity to fight a modern opponent."


upi--2020-06-26--Watch: Diver recovers $17,000 ring from bottom of California river

June 26 ( UPI ) -- A California diver known as `` Merman Mike '' plunged into the Sacramento River and was able to recover a lost ring worth $ 17,000 .
Mike Pelley , who uses the alias `` Merman Mike '' on his YouTube channel , said he was approached by a man named Bill Fitty who heard about his underwater exploits and needed help finding a lost item .
Fitty said in a video posted by Pelley that he had dropped a ring into the Sacramento River that was a gift from his brother .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pelley said his first dive came up empty , so he dropped a brick into the water in the same spot where Fitty lost the ring , so he would have a better idea of where to look .
Pelley surfaced from his second dive with the ring in his hand .
Fitty said he wanted to reward Pelley with $ 1,500 to buy an underwater metal detector for future dives .
`` I 'm like getting choked up talking about it , '' Pelley told CBS Sacramento .
`` Doing this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in me because everyone I talk to is always so grateful and happy . ''
Pelley said the metal detector will help him on the search for two wedding rings he has been trying to find for their owners .

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June 26 (UPI) -- A California diver known as "Merman Mike" plunged into the Sacramento River and was able to recover a lost ring worth $17,000.
Mike Pelley, who uses the alias "Merman Mike" on his YouTube channel, said he was approached by a man named Bill Fitty who heard about his underwater exploits and needed help finding a lost item.
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Fitty said in a video posted by Pelley that he had dropped a ring into the Sacramento River that was a gift from his brother. He said the item was worth about $17,000.
Pelley said his first dive came up empty, so he dropped a brick into the water in the same spot where Fitty lost the ring, so he would have a better idea of where to look.
Pelley surfaced from his second dive with the ring in his hand.
Fitty said he wanted to reward Pelley with $1,500 to buy an underwater metal detector for future dives.
"I'm like getting choked up talking about it," Pelley told CBS Sacramento. "Doing this has brought back the good in humanity in me because everyone I talk to is always so grateful and happy."
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Pelley said the metal detector will help him on the search for two wedding rings he has been trying to find for their owners.


upi--2020-06-26--Astronauts complete spacewalk to replace batteries on space station

Astronauts return to space from U.S. soil Newly arrived NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley , front row from left to right , pose for a photo with the rest of the crew aboard the International Space Station on May 31 .
On the back row , from left to right are Roscosmos flight engineer Anatoly Ivanishin , NASA Commander Chris Cassidy and Roscosmos engineer Ivan Vagner .
Photo courtesy of NASA Hans Koenigsmann , vice president for build and flight reliability at SpaceX , looks at a monitor showing a live feed of the rocket carrying the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the countdown on May 27 .
The launch was scrubbed with only minutes to go .
Photo by Joel Kowsky/NASA | A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon spacecraft onboard is seen as it is rolled out of the horizontal integration facility at Kennedy Space Center as preparations continue on May 21 for the Demo-2 mission .
Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA | Hurley ( L ) and Behnken stand near Launch Pad 39A during a dress rehearsal ahead of the SpaceX uncrewed In-Flight Abort Test at Kennedy Space Center on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company 's Falcon 9 rocket is topped by the Crew Dragon spacecraft .
The flight test will demonstrate the spacecraft 's escape capabilities .
Photo by Kim Shiflett/NASA |

A U.S. spacesuit is pictured in the Quest airlock during a break in spacewalk preparations on the International Space Station on Sunday. Photo courtesy of NASA
June 26 (UPI) -- Two NASA astronauts conducted a spacewalk to replace lithium ion batteries outside of the International Space Station on Friday with only a minor snafu -- the loss of a mirror. Astronauts Chris Cassidy and Robert Behnken began the spacewalk at 7:32 a.m. EDT and were back safely inside the ISS just over 6 hours later. Advertisement
Upon first exiting the ISS, though, Cassidy said a small mirror became detached from his spacesuit and floated into space. Astronauts use small mirrors on their spacesuits to help them see different angles while on spacewalks.
NASA said the loss of the mirror didn't pose a hazard and allowed the spacewalk to continue.
The spacewalk was the seventh for Cassidy, while Behnken ventured in open space for the eighth time.
Friday's spacewalk was the first of four to replace old nickel-hydrogen batteries with new lithium-ion batteries. The next spacewalk is scheduled for Wednesday.
Behnken and fellow NASA astronaut Douglas Hurley lifted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 30 in a commercially built and operated spacecraft, the SpaceX Crew Dragon. It marked the first time in history NASA astronauts left American soil in a commercial spacecraft.
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It also ended a nine-year absence of human spaceflight from U.S. territory and was the first time since the final space shuttle mission in 2011 that NASA astronauts didn't have to rely on Russia to get into space.
Behnken and Hurley docked with the Space Station May 31. Cassidy and Russian cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner were already aboard the station.
Astronauts make round trip to space station from U.S. soil