upi--2020-06-23--FBI: NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace not victim of hate crime

June 23 ( UPI ) -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation has determined that NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace was n't the victim of a hate crime after a pull rope fashioned like a noose was discovered in his garage stall Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway .
The FBI report concluded that the pull rope had been on a garage door at the central Alabama racetrack since as early as October .
`` The FBI report concludes , and photographic evidence confirms , that the garage door pull rope fashioned like a noose had been positioned there since as early as last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement Tuesday .
`` This was obviously well before the 43 team 's arrival and garage assignment .
`` We appreciate the FBI 's quick and thorough investigation and are thankful to learn that this was not an intentional , racist act against Bubba .
We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all who love racing . ''
U.S. Attorney Jay Town and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp Jr. said its investigation determined `` although the noose is now known to have been in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could have known Mr. Wallace would be assigned to garage number 4 last week . ''
No charges will be filed , the FBI said .
`` After a thorough review of the facts and evidence surrounding this event , we have concluded that no federal crime was committed , '' the agency said in its statement .
A crew member for Richard Petty Motorsports found the rope Sunday at the track .
NASCAR was alerted and contacted the FBI , which sent 15 agents to conduct multiple interviews about the incident Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , the Wood Brothers Racing team said one of its employees recalled `` seeing a tied handle in the garage pull down rope from last fall , '' when NASCAR held an event in October at Talladega .
The racing team said it immediately informed NASCAR and assisted the federal investigation .
Wallace , who is the only black driver in the Cup Series , recently led a successful push to ban the Confederate flag at NASCAR events and properties less than two weeks ago .
Before Monday 's running of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pit crew personnel stood beside Wallace during the national anthem and then pushed his No .
43 Chevrolet to the front of the grid before the Cup Series race .
He was emotional when climbing out of his car .
`` The sport is changing .
The deal that happened [ Sunday ] , I just wanted to show whoever it was that you 're not going to take away my smile , '' Wallace said after the race .
`` I 'm going to keep on going .
...
The pre-race deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hardest things I 've ever had to witness in my life .
`` From all the supporters , from drivers , crew members and everybody here ...
It was truly incredible and I 'm proud to be a part of this sport . ''
Wallace ranks 21st in the Cup Series standings with a pair of top-10 finishes in 13 starts .

Bubba Wallace, who is the only black driver in the Cup Series, recently led a successful push to ban the Confederate flag at NASCAR events and properties less than two weeks ago. File Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo
June 23 (UPI) -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation has determined that NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace wasn't the victim of a hate crime after a pull rope fashioned like a noose was discovered in his garage stall Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway. The FBI report concluded that the pull rope had been on a garage door at the central Alabama racetrack since as early as October. Advertisement
"The FBI report concludes, and photographic evidence confirms, that the garage door pull rope fashioned like a noose had been positioned there since as early as last fall," NASCAR said in a statement Tuesday. "This was obviously well before the 43 team's arrival and garage assignment.
"We appreciate the FBI's quick and thorough investigation and are thankful to learn that this was not an intentional, racist act against Bubba. We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all who love racing."
U.S. Attorney Jay Town and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp Jr. said its investigation determined "although the noose is now known to have been in garage number 4 in 2019, nobody could have known Mr. Wallace would be assigned to garage number 4 last week."
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No charges will be filed, the FBI said.
"After a thorough review of the facts and evidence surrounding this event, we have concluded that no federal crime was committed," the agency said in its statement.
A crew member for Richard Petty Motorsports found the rope Sunday at the track. NASCAR was alerted and contacted the FBI, which sent 15 agents to conduct multiple interviews about the incident Monday at Talladega.
In a statement released Tuesday, the Wood Brothers Racing team said one of its employees recalled "seeing a tied handle in the garage pull down rope from last fall," when NASCAR held an event in October at Talladega. The racing team said it immediately informed NASCAR and assisted the federal investigation.
Wallace, who is the only black driver in the Cup Series, recently led a successful push to ban the Confederate flag at NASCAR events and properties less than two weeks ago.
Before Monday's running of the GEICO 500 in Alabama, drivers and pit crew personnel stood beside Wallace during the national anthem and then pushed his No. 43 Chevrolet to the front of the grid before the Cup Series race. He was emotional when climbing out of his car.
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"The sport is changing. The deal that happened [Sunday], I just wanted to show whoever it was that you're not going to take away my smile," Wallace said after the race. "I'm going to keep on going. ... The pre-race deal [Monday] was probably one of the hardest things I've ever had to witness in my life.
"From all the supporters, from drivers, crew members and everybody here ... It was truly incredible and I'm proud to be a part of this sport."
Wallace ranks 21st in the Cup Series standings with a pair of top-10 finishes in 13 starts.


upi--2020-06-23--Dementia risk doubled in adults with inflammatory bowel disease, study finds

June 23 ( UPI ) -- Adults with inflammatory bowel disease are more than twice as likely to develop dementia than those without IBD , a study published Tuesday in the journal Gut found .
In addition , adults with IBD were diagnosed with dementia , on average , seven years earlier than those without the digestive disorder , the researchers found .
`` The identification of increased dementia risk and earlier onset among patients with IBD suggest that [ they ] might benefit from education and increased clinical vigilance '' to slow cognitive decline and improve quality of life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a group of digestive disorders that includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn 's disease .
As many as 3 million American adults have these conditions , according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Meanwhile , roughly 6 million Americans are have some form of dementia , based on estimates from the Alzheimer 's Association .
Evidence is mounting that communication between the gut , its resident bacteria -- also called the microbiome -- and the central nervous system is involved in various aspects of health and disease , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This connection has been referred to as the `` gut-brain axis . ''
While the cause of IBD is not clear , it is thought to develop from an impaired immune response to changes in the gut microbiome , the researchers said .
In addition , recent research has linked the condition with another neurodegenerative disorder , Parkinson 's disease .
For the Gut study , researchers analyzed data for 1,742 people 45 years old and older who were diagnosed with either ulcerative colitis or Crohn 's disease between 1998 and 2011 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Insurance program , which was established in 1995 and is compulsory for all Taiwanese residents .
The researchers monitored participants ' cognitive health for 16 years after diagnosis and compared it with that of 17,420 people who were matched for sex , age , access to healthcare , income and underlying health conditions , but who did n't have IBD .
During the study period , a larger proportion of those with IBD -- 5.5 percent -- developed dementia , including Alzheimer 's disease , than those without IBD -- 1.5 percent -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people with IBD were diagnosed with dementia at an average age of 76 years , compared to an average age of 83 years for those without IBD , the researchers said .
Those with IBD were six times as likely to develop Alzheimer 's disease as were those without IBD , they said .
The risk for dementia seemed to be associated with the length of time a person has IBD , they added .
Although the findings stop short of indicating a causal relationship between IBD and dementia , earlier studies have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in gut bacteria are potential contributors to cognitive decline , the researchers said .

Inflammatory bowel disease might increase dementia risk, a new study has found. Photo by guvo59 /Pixabay
June 23 (UPI) -- Adults with inflammatory bowel disease are more than twice as likely to develop dementia than those without IBD, a study published Tuesday in the journal Gut found. In addition, adults with IBD were diagnosed with dementia, on average, seven years earlier than those without the digestive disorder, the researchers found. Advertisement
"The identification of increased dementia risk and earlier onset among patients with IBD suggest that [they] might benefit from education and increased clinical vigilance" to slow cognitive decline and improve quality of life," the authors wrote.
IBD is a group of digestive disorders that includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. As many as 3 million American adults have these conditions, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Meanwhile, roughly 6 million Americans are have some form of dementia, based on estimates from the Alzheimer's Association.
Evidence is mounting that communication between the gut, its resident bacteria -- also called the microbiome -- and the central nervous system is involved in various aspects of health and disease, the authors of the Gut study said.
This connection has been referred to as the "gut-brain axis."
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While the cause of IBD is not clear, it is thought to develop from an impaired immune response to changes in the gut microbiome, the researchers said. In addition, recent research has linked the condition with another neurodegenerative disorder, Parkinson's disease.
For the Gut study, researchers analyzed data for 1,742 people 45 years old and older who were diagnosed with either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease between 1998 and 2011, and registered with the Taiwan National Health Insurance program, which was established in 1995 and is compulsory for all Taiwanese residents.
The researchers monitored participants' cognitive health for 16 years after diagnosis and compared it with that of 17,420 people who were matched for sex, age, access to healthcare, income and underlying health conditions, but who didn't have IBD.
During the study period, a larger proportion of those with IBD -- 5.5 percent -- developed dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, than those without IBD -- 1.5 percent -- the researchers found.
In addition, people with IBD were diagnosed with dementia at an average age of 76 years, compared to an average age of 83 years for those without IBD, the researchers said.
Those with IBD were six times as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease as were those without IBD, they said. The risk for dementia seemed to be associated with the length of time a person has IBD, they added.
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Although the findings stop short of indicating a causal relationship between IBD and dementia, earlier studies have suggested that chronic inflammation and an imbalance in gut bacteria are potential contributors to cognitive decline, the researchers said.


upi--2020-06-23--Appeals court rules Trump administration can expand expedited deportation policies

June 23 ( UPI ) -- A federal appeals court on Tuesday ruled that the Trump administration can move forward with a measure to more quickly deport undocumented immigrants although it faces legal challenges .
The District of Columbia U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a preliminary injunction blocking the administration from expanding the Department of Homeland Security 's ability to conduct expedited removals .
The three-judge panel ruled 2-1 that a group of non-profits had legal standing to bring a lawsuit challenging the action but immigration law that grants broad authority to the Department of Homeland Security would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` There could hardly be a more definitive expression of congressional intent to leave the decision about the scope of expedited removal , within statutory bounds , to the Secretary 's independent judgment , '' Judge Patricia Millett wrote .
Judge Neomi Rao issued a dissent , stating that the lawsuit by the non-profit groups should have been dismissed .
Under the previous expedited removal policy , immigration officials were permitted to deport unauthorized immigrants who entered the United States by sea up to two years after arrival or immigrants who arrived by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the border within two weeks without a hearing before an immigration judge .
The Department of Homeland Security published an order in the Federal Register in July that would expand the policy to make any undocumented immigrants who entered the United States by land or sea eligible for expedited removal if they can not prove they have been physically present in the United States for at least two years .
Immigration groups Make the Road New York , La Union Del Pueblo Entero and We County !
filed a lawsuit in August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removal process , which they described as `` rife with errors , '' would result in violations of individuals ' legal rights .
Make the Road New York said it would continue to fight to block the policy .
`` While we applaud the court 's finding that this change is reviewable , we strongly reject its allowing the policy take effect .
We will continue to fight against Trump 's illegal fast-track deportation policy , '' the organization said .

A U.S. Border Patrol agent speaks to the women and children that crossed illegally into San Ysidro, Calif., on December 2, 2018. An appeals court said the Trump administration can expand its expedited deportation efforts. File Photo by Ariana Drehsler/UPI | License Photo
June 23 (UPI) -- A federal appeals court on Tuesday ruled that the Trump administration can move forward with a measure to more quickly deport undocumented immigrants although it faces legal challenges. The District of Columbia U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a preliminary injunction blocking the administration from expanding the Department of Homeland Security's ability to conduct expedited removals. Advertisement
The three-judge panel ruled 2-1 that a group of non-profits had legal standing to bring a lawsuit challenging the action but immigration law that grants broad authority to the Department of Homeland Security would make the case unlikely to succeed.
"There could hardly be a more definitive expression of congressional intent to leave the decision about the scope of expedited removal, within statutory bounds, to the Secretary's independent judgment," Judge Patricia Millett wrote.
Judge Neomi Rao issued a dissent, stating that the lawsuit by the non-profit groups should have been dismissed.
Under the previous expedited removal policy, immigration officials were permitted to deport unauthorized immigrants who entered the United States by sea up to two years after arrival or immigrants who arrived by land and were captured within 100 miles of the border within two weeks without a hearing before an immigration judge.
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The Department of Homeland Security published an order in the Federal Register in July that would expand the policy to make any undocumented immigrants who entered the United States by land or sea eligible for expedited removal if they cannot prove they have been physically present in the United States for at least two years.
Immigration groups Make the Road New York, La Union Del Pueblo Entero and We County! filed a lawsuit in August stating that the expansion of the expedited removal process, which they described as "rife with errors," would result in violations of individuals' legal rights.
Make the Road New York said it would continue to fight to block the policy.
"While we applaud the court's finding that this change is reviewable, we strongly reject its allowing the policy take effect. We will continue to fight against Trump's illegal fast-track deportation policy," the organization said.


upi--2020-06-23--Lord: Pentagon needs more funding to reimburse contractors for COVID-19 claims

June 23 ( UPI ) -- The Department of Defense may have to reach into fiscal 2021 appropriations to reimburse contractors for costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic , Undersecretary for Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord told reporters this week .
Lord said Monday that the Pentagon needs an amount of money in the `` lower double-digit billions '' to be included in the fiscal 2021 Defense appropriations bill to meet an expected wave of claims by contractors related to the pandemic .
Lord said the Pentagon might have to dip into its modernization and readiness funding to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the CARES Act .
The section of the law allows DoD and other agencies to modify contract terms to allow contractors to keep their employees who are not working onsite but ca n't work from home at a `` ready state , '' and reimburse up to 40 hours of paid leave per employee .
It also allows agencies some discretion in how they reimburse contractors .
So far the agency has not released its criteria for claims , nor received any from contractors , according to Lord .
`` We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe the defense industrial base is waiting to more clearly understand what the process is and we are working with them on the criteria , '' Lord said .
Lord said the Pentagon has seen `` an enormous amount of recovery '' in the defense industrial base , depending on the location and type of work being performed .
The Pentagon also entered into an agreement this week with the U.S. International Development Finance Corp. to create a two-year , $ 100 million loan program to create , protect , maintain , expand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 response .

Ellen M. Lord, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, briefs reporters on the Defense Department’s COVID-19 acquisition policy at the Pentagon Monday. Photo by Jackie Sanders/U.S. Air Force
June 23 (UPI) -- The Department of Defense may have to reach into fiscal 2021 appropriations to reimburse contractors for costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Undersecretary for Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord told reporters this week. Lord said Monday that the Pentagon needs an amount of money in the "lower double-digit billions" to be included in the fiscal 2021 Defense appropriations bill to meet an expected wave of claims by contractors related to the pandemic. Advertisement
Lord said the Pentagon might have to dip into its modernization and readiness funding to address anticipated contractor claims under Section 3610 of the CARES Act.
The section of the law allows DoD and other agencies to modify contract terms to allow contractors to keep their employees who are not working onsite but can't work from home at a "ready state," and reimburse up to 40 hours of paid leave per employee.
It also allows agencies some discretion in how they reimburse contractors.
So far the agency has not released its criteria for claims, nor received any from contractors, according to Lord.
"We have not yet received any claims because I believe the defense industrial base is waiting to more clearly understand what the process is and we are working with them on the criteria," Lord said.
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Lord said the Pentagon has seen "an enormous amount of recovery" in the defense industrial base, depending on the location and type of work being performed.
The Pentagon also entered into an agreement this week with the U.S. International Development Finance Corp. to create a two-year, $100 million loan program to create, protect, maintain, expand or restore domestic industrial capabilities in support of COVID-19 response.


upi--2020-06-23--Alaskan volcano eruption triggered Rome's transition from republic to empire

June 23 ( UPI ) -- Ancient ice cores suggest a giant volcanic eruption in what 's now Alaska set off a series of climatic shocks that sowed economic disruption and political upheaval across the Mediterranean during the middle of the 1st century B.C .
In the wake of the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 B.C.
, Rome 's power brokers jockeyed for control as the Roman Republic disintegrated and the Roman Empire emerged .
Several hundred miles to the Southeast , Cleopatra 's attempt to restore Egypt to its former glory was complicated by failed floods , famine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ancient climate change influenced the trajectory of this turbulent period of history , researchers analyzed paleoclimatic , archaeological and historical records .
When scientists compared their climatic data to historical records , they found evidence that the climatic shocks triggered by the Alaskan eruption reverberated across the Mediterranean .
The research team shared their findings this week in the journal PNAS .
Ice cores extracted from the Arctic revealed the remnants of one of the largest volcanic eruptions during the 2,500 years .
Scientists dated the volcanic rocks to the year 43 B.C @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Okmok volcano in Alaska .
Paleoclimate records showed the year 43 and 42 B.C .
were two of the coldest years in the Northern Hemisphere -- and the beginning of a decade-long cold spell .
`` We know that the Nile River did not flood in 43 B.C.E .
and 42 B.C.E .
-- and now we know why , '' Joe Manning , professor of classics and history at Yale University , said in a news release .
`` This volcanic eruption greatly affected the Nile watershed . ''
In one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an Egyptian historian describes the large-scale famine and social unrest that plagued the empire during the previous decade .
`` This inscription does not describe collapse or resilience , '' Manning said .
`` It is a more complicated story of trying to survive and to figure out how to distribute grain during a very chaotic time . ''
Historical records from Rome suggest the entirety of the Mediterranean experienced the ill effects of the climatic shocks caused by the massive eruption on the island of Okmok .
`` While it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thinly documented historical events , the wet and very cold conditions from this massive eruption on the opposite side of Earth probably resulted in crop failures , famine , and disease , exacerbating social unrest and contributing to political realignments throughout the Mediterranean region at this critical juncture of Western civilization , '' researchers wrote in their new paper .

When Alaska’s Okmok volcano erupted a little more than 2,000 years ago, the event triggered climatic shocks that caused economic and political instability across the Mediterranean, according to a new study. Photo by Christina Neal/Alaska Volcano Observatory/USGS
June 23 (UPI) -- Ancient ice cores suggest a giant volcanic eruption in what's now Alaska set off a series of climatic shocks that sowed economic disruption and political upheaval across the Mediterranean during the middle of the 1st century B.C. In the wake of the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 B.C., Rome's power brokers jockeyed for control as the Roman Republic disintegrated and the Roman Empire emerged. Several hundred miles to the Southeast, Cleopatra's attempt to restore Egypt to its former glory was complicated by failed floods, famine and disease. Advertisement
To better understand how ancient climate change influenced the trajectory of this turbulent period of history, researchers analyzed paleoclimatic, archaeological and historical records.
When scientists compared their climatic data to historical records, they found evidence that the climatic shocks triggered by the Alaskan eruption reverberated across the Mediterranean. The research team shared their findings this week in the journal PNAS.
Ice cores extracted from the Arctic revealed the remnants of one of the largest volcanic eruptions during the 2,500 years. Scientists dated the volcanic rocks to the year 43 B.C. and traced the ejected particles to the Okmok volcano in Alaska.
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Paleoclimate records showed the year 43 and 42 B.C. were two of the coldest years in the Northern Hemisphere -- and the beginning of a decade-long cold spell.
"We know that the Nile River did not flood in 43 B.C.E. and 42 B.C.E. -- and now we know why," Joe Manning, professor of classics and history at Yale University, said in a news release. "This volcanic eruption greatly affected the Nile watershed."
In one written source, penned in 39 B.C., an Egyptian historian describes the large-scale famine and social unrest that plagued the empire during the previous decade.
"This inscription does not describe collapse or resilience," Manning said. "It is a more complicated story of trying to survive and to figure out how to distribute grain during a very chaotic time."
Historical records from Rome suggest the entirety of the Mediterranean experienced the ill effects of the climatic shocks caused by the massive eruption on the island of Okmok.
"While it is difficult to establish direct causal linkages to thinly documented historical events, the wet and very cold conditions from this massive eruption on the opposite side of Earth probably resulted in crop failures, famine, and disease, exacerbating social unrest and contributing to political realignments throughout the Mediterranean region at this critical juncture of Western civilization," researchers wrote in their new paper.
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upi--2020-06-23--Many Americans lose health insurance amid pandemic job losses

Furloughs and layoffs stemming from the coronavirus pandemic have left many Americans without health insurance , a new survey reveals .
`` Here in the fourth month of COVID-19-related job losses , a growing number of people wo n't be able to afford healthcare in the midst of the worst public health crisis in modern times , '' said report author Sara Collins , vice president for healthcare coverage and access with the Commonwealth Fund , a survey sponsor .
`` It has never been clearer how important it is to ensure that all U.S. residents have affordable , comprehensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she said in a Commonwealth Fund news release .
For the study , almost 2,300 U.S. adults were asked whether they or their spouse had been out of work since February , whether they were insured through their job , and about their current healthcare coverage .
The survey , co-sponsored by the market research group SSRS , was conducted between May 13 and June 2 .
Of those who said they or a spouse had been laid off or furloughed , 41 percent said either or both had job-based health coverage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those , 1 in 5 said they and/or their spouse or partner is now uninsured .
Fifty-three percent said one or both still had job-based coverage despite a furlough .
Hispanic and middle- and low-income workers had the highest rates of furloughs and layoffs .
Thirty-one percent of Hispanics reported job disruptions , compared to 18 percent of whites .
Twenty-seven percent of respondents with annual incomes under than $ 50,000 and 16 percent of those with larger incomes had experienced job disruptions .
Most respondents ( 74 percent ) said workers with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buy government-regulated and subsidized health plans that offer coverage at a similar cost .
Dr. David Blumenthal , president of the Commonwealth Fund , said coverage is out of reach for many who need it most -- workers and their families who have lost their incomes in the middle of a severe recession and global pandemic .
`` While there is tremendous uncertainty over how long this crisis will last , ensuring that everyone has access to affordable , high-quality healthcare will relieve one major source of insecurity for millions of households , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Respondents were also asked whether they support requirements such as mandatory face masks , regular COVID-19 testing , and contact tracing to help ensure a safe work environment .
Eighty-five percent of respondents supported face mask requirements , and 81 percent favored both regular testing and contact tracing , the survey found .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19 .

Furloughs and layoffs stemming from the coronavirus pandemic have left many Americans without health insurance, a new survey reveals.
"Here in the fourth month of COVID-19-related job losses, a growing number of people won't be able to afford healthcare in the midst of the worst public health crisis in modern times," said report author Sara Collins, vice president for healthcare coverage and access with the Commonwealth Fund, a survey sponsor. "It has never been clearer how important it is to ensure that all U.S. residents have affordable, comprehensive coverage regardless of their employment status," she said in a Commonwealth Fund news release.
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For the study, almost 2,300 U.S. adults were asked whether they or their spouse had been out of work since February, whether they were insured through their job, and about their current healthcare coverage. The survey, co-sponsored by the market research group SSRS, was conducted between May 13 and June 2.
Of those who said they or a spouse had been laid off or furloughed, 41 percent said either or both had job-based health coverage, according to the survey.
Of those, 1 in 5 said they and/or their spouse or partner is now uninsured. Fifty-three percent said one or both still had job-based coverage despite a furlough.
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Hispanic and middle- and low-income workers had the highest rates of furloughs and layoffs. Thirty-one percent of Hispanics reported job disruptions, compared to 18 percent of whites. Twenty-seven percent of respondents with annual incomes under than $50,000 and 16 percent of those with larger incomes had experienced job disruptions.
Most respondents (74 percent) said workers with job-based insurance should have the option to buy government-regulated and subsidized health plans that offer coverage at a similar cost.
Dr. David Blumenthal, president of the Commonwealth Fund, said coverage is out of reach for many who need it most -- workers and their families who have lost their incomes in the middle of a severe recession and global pandemic. "While there is tremendous uncertainty over how long this crisis will last, ensuring that everyone has access to affordable, high-quality healthcare will relieve one major source of insecurity for millions of households," he said in the release.
Respondents were also asked whether they support requirements such as mandatory face masks, regular COVID-19 testing, and contact tracing to help ensure a safe work environment.
Eighty-five percent of respondents supported face mask requirements, and 81 percent favored both regular testing and contact tracing, the survey found.
More information
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-06-23--Yemen's Houthi rebels fire missile and drone strikes on Saudi capital

The attacks targeted the Saudi defense ministry and intelligence along with an air base , a rebel military spokesman said .
One ballistic missile targeting the capital was intercepted by the Saudi-led military coalition deployed in neighboring Yemen , the coalition said .
At least one of the missiles reached as far as the Saudi capital , the Independent reported .
The Houthis claimed explosions `` pounded '' the Saudi defense ministry and the military base and also targeted military sites in Jizan and Najran cities in the south , close to the Yemen border .
The Saudi military coalition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministry and base were hit .
Still , Mamoun Abu-Nowar , a retired Jordanian air force general , told Al Jazeera that the missiles fired from the Yemeni capital of Sanaa were far-reaching enough to make Saudi Arabia question its military might amid the more than five-year war in Yemen .
`` Reaching Riyadh with that accuracy and targeting the ministry of defense and some other military [ base ] is a big escalation because the Houthis are winning now in Jawf and some parts in Yemen , '' he told the Qatari @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insecure and unstable for any investment in the future , and it 's a big threat for the Saudi defense air system , which I feel is a bit weak to intercept such missiles . ''
Since 2015 , Houthi rebels have been fighting the Saudi-led coalition which aims to restore internationally recognized Yemeni government .
The U.S.-backed coalition has also tried to stop Iran , which is aligned with the rebels , from gaining power in the region .
The attacks come amid Saudi Arabia attempting to ease tensions in Yemen 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yemeni government the Southern Transitional Council , a separatist group that controls areas in southern Yemen .
They have occasionally clashed even though they 're both fighting Houthis .
Saudi Arabia announced Monday that the Yemeni government and the separatists group had reached a cease-fire and are working to negotiate a peace deal , but their alliance fighting the Houthis is ongoing .
The ongoing war in Yemen has killed more than 100,000 people , including 12,000 civilians , according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project .
Amid the war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic that has been getting worse this year with the United States recently slashing funding .
According to Save the Children aid agency , the Saudi and Emirate-led coalition on June 15 killed 13 people in two airstrikes , including at least four children .
On the same day , the United Nations removed the Saudi-led coalition from the Children and Armed Conflict report 's `` list of shame . ''
`` This year 's report on children and armed conflict , which documents the U.N.-verified grave violations against children in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold the Saudi- and Emirati-led coalition to account for killing and injuring at least 222 children , and at least four incidents of attacks on schools and hospitals verified by the United Nations in 2019 , '' a Save the Children statement said .
More than 10 million children in Yemen are starving , 70 percent do n't have access to clean water and sanitation , and almost one in five children have lost their homes , according to the aid agency .

Yemenis walk among portraits on the graves of people allegedly killed in Yemen's prolonged fighting, at a cemetery in Sanaa, Yemen, Tuesday. A rebel military spokesman claimed Tuesday that rebels fired missiles from Sanaa toward defense ministry, intelligence and air base in the Saudi capital. Photo by Yahya Arhab/EPA-EFE
June 23 (UPI) -- Yemen's Houthi rebels fired drone and ballistic missiles Tuesday toward Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh. The attacks targeted the Saudi defense ministry and intelligence along with an air base, a rebel military spokesman said. Advertisement
One ballistic missile targeting the capital was intercepted by the Saudi-led military coalition deployed in neighboring Yemen, the coalition said.
At least one of the missiles reached as far as the Saudi capital, the Independent reported.
The Houthis claimed explosions "pounded" the Saudi defense ministry and the military base and also targeted military sites in Jizan and Najran cities in the south, close to the Yemen border.
The Saudi military coalition did not immediately respond to claims the ministry and base were hit.
Still, Mamoun Abu-Nowar, a retired Jordanian air force general, told Al Jazeera that the missiles fired from the Yemeni capital of Sanaa were far-reaching enough to make Saudi Arabia question its military might amid the more than five-year war in Yemen.
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"Reaching Riyadh with that accuracy and targeting the ministry of defense and some other military [base] is a big escalation because the Houthis are winning now in Jawf and some parts in Yemen," he told the Qatari broadcaster. "This makes the Saudis insecure and unstable for any investment in the future, and it's a big threat for the Saudi defense air system, which I feel is a bit weak to intercept such missiles."
Since 2015, Houthi rebels have been fighting the Saudi-led coalition which aims to restore internationally recognized Yemeni government. The U.S.-backed coalition has also tried to stop Iran, which is aligned with the rebels, from gaining power in the region.
The attacks come amid Saudi Arabia attempting to ease tensions in Yemen's south between two key allies, the Yemeni government the Southern Transitional Council, a separatist group that controls areas in southern Yemen. They have occasionally clashed even though they're both fighting Houthis.
Saudi Arabia announced Monday that the Yemeni government and the separatists group had reached a cease-fire and are working to negotiate a peace deal, but their alliance fighting the Houthis is ongoing.
The ongoing war in Yemen has killed more than 100,000 people, including 12,000 civilians, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.
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Amid the war, a humanitarian crisis emerged prior to the coronavirus pandemic that has been getting worse this year with the United States recently slashing funding.
According to Save the Children aid agency, the Saudi and Emirate-led coalition on June 15 killed 13 people in two airstrikes, including at least four children. On the same day, the United Nations removed the Saudi-led coalition from the Children and Armed Conflict report's "list of shame."
"This year's report on children and armed conflict, which documents the U.N.-verified grave violations against children in conflict zones in 2019, failed to hold the Saudi- and Emirati-led coalition to account for killing and injuring at least 222 children, and at least four incidents of attacks on schools and hospitals verified by the United Nations in 2019," a Save the Children statement said.
More than 10 million children in Yemen are starving, 70 percent don't have access to clean water and sanitation, and almost one in five children have lost their homes, according to the aid agency.


upi--2020-06-23--Federal death row inmate Wesley Purkey seeks stay due to dementia

June 23 ( UPI ) -- Attorneys for a federal death row inmate scheduled for execution next month have requested a stay , saying their client 's advancing Alzheimer 's disease prevents him from understanding his punishment .
Wesley Purkey , 68 , is scheduled for execution July 15 , 22 years after he killed 16-year-old Jennifer Long in Kansas City , Kan .
In a filing made in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Monday , Purkey 's lawyers said executing him in his current condition violates the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Wes Purkey is a severely brain-damaged and mentally ill man who suffers from Alzheimer 's disease , '' defense attorney Rebecca Woodman said .
`` He has long accepted responsibility for the crime that put him on death row , but as his dementia has progressed , he no longer has a rational understanding of why the government plans to execute him .
He believes his execution is part of a large-scale conspiracy against him by the federal government in retaliation for his frequent challenges to prison conditions , and he believes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within this conspiracy . ''
Purkey 's lawyers said two medical experts -- Dr. Bhushan Agharkar and Dr. Jonathan DeRight -- have both diagnosed Purkey with dementia and Alzheimer 's disease .
The stay request also cites the current coronavirus pandemic and the danger it poses to those who will be brought to the U.S. Penitentiary , Terre Haute , Ind.
, for the execution , including lawyers and family members .
Purkey is also part of a lawsuit on behalf of four death row inmates challenging Attorney General William Barr 's efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also names Daniel Lewis Lee , Alfred Bourgeois and Dustin Lee Honken as plaintiffs .
The four sued the Trump administration last year after Barr ordered the Bureau of Prisons to resume carrying out death sentences 16 years after the last federal execution .
The plaintiffs were among the first batch of executions scheduled to take place starting in December 2019 , but a federal judge imposed a temporary moratorium in response to their lawsuit .
The District of Columbia U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the injunction in April , giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executions of Lee ( July 13 ) , Purkey ( July 15 ) , Honken ( July 17 ) and Keith Dwayne Nelson ( Aug. 28 ) .
Bourgeois ' has not been rescheduled .
The plaintiffs appealed the case to the Supreme Court , where it was awaiting litigation when Barr scheduled the executions .
At issue in the lawsuit is the Justice Department 's plan to institute a uniform lethal injection protocol rather than follow the individual protocols used by each state , which the law requires .
Barr proposed using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the common three-drug cocktail used in many state executions .
Under a 1994 statute , all federal executions must be carried out in a `` manner prescribed by the law of the state in which the sentence is imposed . ''
Government attorneys had argued the drugs used in the protocol are irrelevant , since the method of execution -- lethal injection -- is the same .
Cate Stetson , an attorney for one of the death row inmates who challenged Barr 's plan , told UPI earlier this year the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to carry out death sentences .
`` The district court 's injunction was aimed at preventing the government from 'short-circuiting legitimate judicial process ' and serving the public interest by 'attempting to ensure that the most serious punishment is imposed lawfully , ' '' she said .
In 2014 , former President Barack Obama ordered then-Attorney General Eric Holder to review the use of the death penalty in the United States , effectively implementing a moratorium on executions .
The last federal execution was that of Gulf War veteran Louis Jones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and murder of a fellow soldier , Pvt .
Tracie McBride in 1995 .
Jones admitted kidnapping the young female recruit at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo , Texas , but his lawyer sought clemency by arguing Jones suffered behavior-altering brain damage from exposure to nerve gas during the Gulf War that gave him uncontrollable , violent urges .
Purkey was sentenced to death in 2004 for raping and killing Long .
He was also convicted of the 1998 murder of 80-year-old Mary Ruth Bales in Kansas City , Kan .

Wesley Purkey received the death penalty for the 1998 rape and murder of 16-year-old Jennifer Long. Photo courtesy of attorney for Wesley Purkey
June 23 (UPI) -- Attorneys for a federal death row inmate scheduled for execution next month have requested a stay, saying their client's advancing Alzheimer's disease prevents him from understanding his punishment. Wesley Purkey, 68, is scheduled for execution July 15, 22 years after he killed 16-year-old Jennifer Long in Kansas City, Kan. Advertisement
In a filing made in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Monday, Purkey's lawyers said executing him in his current condition violates the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, which protects against cruel and unusual punishment.
"Wes Purkey is a severely brain-damaged and mentally ill man who suffers from Alzheimer's disease," defense attorney Rebecca Woodman said.
"He has long accepted responsibility for the crime that put him on death row, but as his dementia has progressed, he no longer has a rational understanding of why the government plans to execute him. He believes his execution is part of a large-scale conspiracy against him by the federal government in retaliation for his frequent challenges to prison conditions, and he believes his own lawyers are working against him within this conspiracy."
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Purkey's lawyers said two medical experts -- Dr. Bhushan Agharkar and Dr. Jonathan DeRight -- have both diagnosed Purkey with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
The stay request also cites the current coronavirus pandemic and the danger it poses to those who will be brought to the U.S. Penitentiary, Terre Haute, Ind., for the execution, including lawyers and family members.
Purkey is also part of a lawsuit on behalf of four death row inmates challenging Attorney General William Barr's efforts to resume federal executions. The suit also names Daniel Lewis Lee, Alfred Bourgeois and Dustin Lee Honken as plaintiffs.
The four sued the Trump administration last year after Barr ordered the Bureau of Prisons to resume carrying out death sentences 16 years after the last federal execution. The plaintiffs were among the first batch of executions scheduled to take place starting in December 2019, but a federal judge imposed a temporary moratorium in response to their lawsuit.
The District of Columbia U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the injunction in April, giving Barr the green light to reschedule the executions of Lee (July 13), Purkey (July 15), Honken (July 17) and Keith Dwayne Nelson (Aug. 28). Bourgeois' has not been rescheduled.
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The plaintiffs appealed the case to the Supreme Court, where it was awaiting litigation when Barr scheduled the executions.
At issue in the lawsuit is the Justice Department's plan to institute a uniform lethal injection protocol rather than follow the individual protocols used by each state, which the law requires. Barr proposed using a single drug, pentobarbital, rather than the common three-drug cocktail used in many state executions.
Under a 1994 statute, all federal executions must be carried out in a "manner prescribed by the law of the state in which the sentence is imposed." Government attorneys had argued the drugs used in the protocol are irrelevant, since the method of execution -- lethal injection -- is the same.
Cate Stetson, an attorney for one of the death row inmates who challenged Barr's plan, told UPI earlier this year the federal government "rushed" its execution protocol in order to carry out death sentences.
"The district court's injunction was aimed at preventing the government from 'short-circuiting legitimate judicial process' and serving the public interest by 'attempting to ensure that the most serious punishment is imposed lawfully,'" she said.
In 2014, former President Barack Obama ordered then-Attorney General Eric Holder to review the use of the death penalty in the United States, effectively implementing a moratorium on executions.
Advertisement
The last federal execution was that of Gulf War veteran Louis Jones Jr. in March 2003 for the rape and murder of a fellow soldier, Pvt. Tracie McBride in 1995.
Jones admitted kidnapping the young female recruit at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas, but his lawyer sought clemency by arguing Jones suffered behavior-altering brain damage from exposure to nerve gas during the Gulf War that gave him uncontrollable, violent urges.
Purkey was sentenced to death in 2004 for raping and killing Long. He was also convicted of the 1998 murder of 80-year-old Mary Ruth Bales in Kansas City, Kan.


upi--2020-06-23--Headache leads Virginia woman to $500,000 lottery jackpot

June 23 ( UPI ) -- A Virginia woman said a painful headache turned out to be a blessing in @ @ @ @ @ to a $ 500,000 lottery jackpot .
Olga Ritchie , of Henrico , told Virginia @ @ @ @ @ from a headache recently , so she went to Tony 's Market in town to @ @ @ @ @ she decided to buy a Mega Money scratch-off ticket while checking out , and she @ @ @ @ @ she had won the $ 500,000 top prize .
`` I could n't believe my @ @ @ @ @ recalled .
`` I almost fainted ! ''
Ritchie said she plans to use her @ @ @ @ @ her home and save for retirement .
She said she now is grateful for the @ @ @ @ @ it was just my lucky day , '' she said .

A Virginia woman said a trip to the store to buy headache medicine led to her winning a $500,000 lottery jackpot. Photo courtesy of the Virginia Lottery
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe June 23 (UPI) -- A Virginia woman said a painful headache turned out to be a blessing in disguise when it led her to a $500,000 lottery jackpot. Olga Ritchie, of Henrico, told Virginia Lottery officials she was suffering from a headache recently, so she went to Tony's Market in town to buy medicine. Advertisement
Ritchie said she decided to buy a Mega Money scratch-off ticket while checking out, and she discovered at home later that she had won the $500,000 top prize.
"I couldn't believe my eyes," the winner recalled. "I almost fainted!"
Ritchie said she plans to use her winnings to make updates to her home and save for retirement.
She said she now is grateful for the headache.
"Turns out it was just my lucky day," she said.


upi--2020-06-23--Ultra rare Pokemon card expected to fetch up to $100,000

June 23 ( UPI ) -- An extremely rare Pokemon card , thought to be one of only seven ever produced , is up for auction online and experts said it could sell for up to $ 100,000 .
The Pokemon Super Secret Battle No .
1 Trainer card , being sold by Heritage Auctions , is billed by the auction house as the `` holy grail '' of collectible cards and its condition was rated a perfect 10 by experts at PSA Card .
The card is one of seven that were distributed to winners of regional tournaments in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the finals in Tokyo .
`` The Pokemon Card Game Official Tournament 's champion is recognized here , and this honor is praised .
By presenting this card , you may gain preferential entry into the Secret Super Battle , '' the card reads in Japanese .
Heritage Auctions said the card is `` perhaps the most sought-after card , and arguably one of the rarest cards in the entire Pokemon Trading Card Game . ''
Experts said the card could sell for up to $ 100,000 .
The auction ends July @ @

A rare Pokemon card believed to be one of only seven ever printed is being auctioned online and is expected to sell for up to $100,000. Photo courtesy of Heritage Auctions
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe June 23 (UPI) -- An extremely rare Pokemon card, thought to be one of only seven ever produced, is up for auction online and experts said it could sell for up to $100,000. The Pokemon Super Secret Battle No. 1 Trainer card, being sold by Heritage Auctions, is billed by the auction house as the "holy grail" of collectible cards and its condition was rated a perfect 10 by experts at PSA Card. Advertisement
The card is one of seven that were distributed to winners of regional tournaments in Japan in 1999, granting them entry into the finals in Tokyo.
"The Pokemon Card Game Official Tournament's champion is recognized here, and this honor is praised. By presenting this card, you may gain preferential entry into the Secret Super Battle," the card reads in Japanese.
Heritage Auctions said the card is "perhaps the most sought-after card, and arguably one of the rarest cards in the entire Pokemon Trading Card Game."
Experts said the card could sell for up to $100,000. The auction ends July 8.


upi--2020-06-23--Watch: Botched painting restoration gives Virgin Mary a cartoon face

June 23 ( UPI ) -- The Spanish owner of a painting by famed artist Bartolome Esteban Murillo said he paid more than $ 1,300 to have it restored and the process made a mess of the Virgin Mary 's face .
The Valencia owner of The Immaculate Conception of Los Venerables by baroque artist Bartolome Esteban Murillo said he paid $ 1,356.69 to have a furniture restorer clean the painting , but the attempt destroyed the face of the Virgin Mary .
The owner said the restorer made two attempts to restore the face , and the results left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The botched restoration drew comparisons to the Ecce Homo painting , which was redubbed `` Monkey Christ '' after an 81-year-old church member attempted an amateur restoration in 2012 .
Fernando Carrera , a professor at the Galician School for the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage and a former president of Spain 's Professional Association of Restorers and Conservators , said the latest incident highlights the need for regulation in the business of restoration .
`` I do n't think this guy -- or these people -- should be referred to as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Let 's be honest : they 're bodgers who botch things up .
They destroy things . ''
Carrera said current laws in Spain allow people to sell their services as art restoration experts even if they lack the necessary skills .
`` Can you imagine just anyone being allowed to operate on other people ?
Or someone being allowed to sell medicine without a pharmacist 's license ?
Or someone who 's not an architect being allowed to put up a building ? ''
he said .

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe
June 23 (UPI) -- The Spanish owner of a painting by famed artist Bartolome Esteban Murillo said he paid more than $1,300 to have it restored and the process made a mess of the Virgin Mary's face.
The Valencia owner of The Immaculate Conception of Los Venerables by baroque artist Bartolome Esteban Murillo said he paid $1,356.69 to have a furniture restorer clean the painting, but the attempt destroyed the face of the Virgin Mary.
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The owner said the restorer made two attempts to restore the face, and the results left the painting with a cartoon-like visage.
The botched restoration drew comparisons to the Ecce Homo painting, which was redubbed "Monkey Christ" after an 81-year-old church member attempted an amateur restoration in 2012.
Fernando Carrera, a professor at the Galician School for the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage and a former president of Spain's Professional Association of Restorers and Conservators, said the latest incident highlights the need for regulation in the business of restoration.
"I don't think this guy -- or these people -- should be referred to as restorers," Carrera told the Guardian. "Let's be honest: they're bodgers who botch things up. They destroy things."
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Carrera said current laws in Spain allow people to sell their services as art restoration experts even if they lack the necessary skills.
"Can you imagine just anyone being allowed to operate on other people? Or someone being allowed to sell medicine without a pharmacist's license? Or someone who's not an architect being allowed to put up a building?" he said.


upi--2020-06-24--Lionel Messi denied of 700th goal, gets nutmeg assist in win vs. Athletic Bilbao

June 24 ( UPI ) -- Barcelona 's Lionel Messi was denied of his 700th career goal but provided a nutmeg assist in a 1-0 win against Athletic Bilbao in Spain 's La Liga .
Messi 's through-the-legs helper came in the 71st minute of the triumph Tuesday at Camp Nou in Barcelona .
Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao played a scoreless first half before the six-time Ballon d'Or winner led the game 's lone scoring sequence .
Barcelona 's Arturo Vidal headed a ball from the far post back toward the middle of the box at the start of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed to clear the ball and kicked it directly to Messi inside the box .
Messi then also turned it over before he got it back .
He used his first touch to slide a pass between the legs of defender Yeray Alvarez .
The feed found Ivan Rakitic on the right flank .
Rakitic took one touch before he blasted a shot by Athletic Bilbao keeper Unai Simon .
Messi scored career goal No .
699 in the 69th minute of a win against Leganes June 16 at Camp Nou .
Barcelona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 a.m. EDT Saturday in Vigo , Spain .
La Liga made its return from a three-month coronavirus suspension on June 11 .
Barcelona is three points ahead of Real Madrid for first place in the La Liga standings .

FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi (L) assisted Ivan Rakitic (R) for the only goal in a 1-0 win against Athletic Bilbao Tuesday in Barcelona. Photo by Alberto Perez/EPA-EFE
June 24 (UPI) -- Barcelona's Lionel Messi was denied of his 700th career goal but provided a nutmeg assist in a 1-0 win against Athletic Bilbao in Spain's La Liga. Messi's through-the-legs helper came in the 71st minute of the triumph Tuesday at Camp Nou in Barcelona. Advertisement
Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao played a scoreless first half before the six-time Ballon d'Or winner led the game's lone scoring sequence. Barcelona's Arturo Vidal headed a ball from the far post back toward the middle of the box at the start of the play.
The Athletic Bilbao defense then failed to clear the ball and kicked it directly to Messi inside the box. Messi then also turned it over before he got it back. He used his first touch to slide a pass between the legs of defender Yeray Alvarez. The feed found Ivan Rakitic on the right flank.
Rakitic took one touch before he blasted a shot by Athletic Bilbao keeper Unai Simon.
Messi scored career goal No. 699 in the 69th minute of a win against Leganes June 16 at Camp Nou. Barcelona returns to action against Celta Vigo at 11 a.m. EDT Saturday in Vigo, Spain.
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La Liga made its return from a three-month coronavirus suspension on June 11. Barcelona is three points ahead of Real Madrid for first place in the La Liga standings.


upi--2020-06-24--BBC pledges $125M for diverse content

BBC pledges $125M for diverse content

June 24 ( UPI ) -- Britain 's BBC television and radio network has announced plans to spend about $ 125 million towards creating diverse and inclusive content .
The broadcaster said it wants its programming to better represent the public it serves .
In an effort to accomplish this , it is setting a new mandatory 20 percent `` diverse-talent target '' in all new BBC commissions starting in April .
`` The senseless killing of George Floyd -- and what it tells us about the stain of systemic racism -- has had a profound impact on all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ourselves about what more we can do to help tackle racism -- and drive inclusion within our organization and in society as a whole , '' BBC Director General Tony Hall said in a statement .
`` This is our response -- it 's going to drive change in what we make and who makes it .
It 's a big leap forward -- and we 'll have more to announce in the coming weeks . ''
`` When I met ( filmmaker ) Steve McQueen last year during the making of Small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBC to set meaningful targets and take proper action , '' added Charlotte Moore , the BBC 's director of content .
`` He was right .
Today 's announcement represents a truly transformational commitment to both on and off screen representation .
Concrete , tangible action is the only way we can bring about real sustainable change . ''
McQueen -- whose films include 12 Years a Slave and Widows -- recently wrote in an essay for The Observer about the changes he would like to see made in the entertainment industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
I do n't want to hear anyone say , 'Oh , yes , it 's terrible ' ever again .
I 've heard it a thousand times .
They all agree , but nothing gets done .
What I want is to see change , not hear excuses , '' he said .
`` It 's just not healthy .
It 's wrong .
And yet , many people in the industry go along with it as if it is normal .
It 's not normal .
It is anything but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong .
It 's blatant racism .
Fact .
I grew up with it . ''
The BBC made its announcement as protesters around the world demand racial equality and social justice in the wake of the death of George Floyd , a black man who died at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis this spring .

Steve McQueen celebrates after winning the Best Picture Oscar for "12 Years A Slave" in 2014 in Los Angeles. The filmmaker recently criticized the British film and TV industry for what he called "blatant racism." File Photo by Phil McCarten/UPI | License Photo
June 24 (UPI) -- Britain's BBC television and radio network has announced plans to spend about $125 million towards creating diverse and inclusive content. The broadcaster said it wants its programming to better represent the public it serves. Advertisement
In an effort to accomplish this, it is setting a new mandatory 20 percent "diverse-talent target" in all new BBC commissions starting in April.
"The senseless killing of George Floyd -- and what it tells us about the stain of systemic racism -- has had a profound impact on all of us. It's made us question ourselves about what more we can do to help tackle racism -- and drive inclusion within our organization and in society as a whole," BBC Director General Tony Hall said in a statement. "This is our response -- it's going to drive change in what we make and who makes it. It's a big leap forward -- and we'll have more to announce in the coming weeks."
"When I met (filmmaker) Steve McQueen last year during the making of Small Axe, he challenged me and the BBC to set meaningful targets and take proper action," added Charlotte Moore, the BBC's director of content. "He was right. Today's announcement represents a truly transformational commitment to both on and off screen representation. Concrete, tangible action is the only way we can bring about real sustainable change."
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McQueen -- whose films include 12 Years a Slave and Widows -- recently wrote in an essay for The Observer about the changes he would like to see made in the entertainment industry.
"Yes, I'm fed up. I don't want to hear anyone say, 'Oh, yes, it's terrible' ever again. I've heard it a thousand times. They all agree, but nothing gets done. What I want is to see change, not hear excuses," he said. "It's just not healthy. It's wrong. And yet, many people in the industry go along with it as if it is normal. It's not normal. It is anything but normal. It's blindingly, obviously wrong. It's blatant racism. Fact. I grew up with it."
The BBC made its announcement as protesters around the world demand racial equality and social justice in the wake of the death of George Floyd, a black man who died at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis this spring.


upi--2020-06-24--Look: Stassi Schroeder expecting daughter

June 24 ( UPI ) -- Former Vanderpump Rules star Stassi Schroeder is pregnant with a baby girl .
The 32-year-old television personality announced in an Instagram post Tuesday that she 's expecting a daughter with her fiancé , Beau Clark .
Schroeder shared a photo of Clark kissing her on the cheek while holding up a pink onesie reading `` # OOTD , '' or `` Outfit of the Day . ''
`` We 're having a baby girl , '' Schroeder captioned the post .
Vanderpump Rules stars Katie Maloney-Schwartz and Jax Taylor , Real Housewives of Dallas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giudici were among those to congratulate Schroeder in the comments .
`` ca n't wait to meet her !
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
! ''
Maloney-Schwartz wrote .
`` I am so happy !
!
!
Love you both , '' Taylor added .
`` Congrats girl .
There is nothing better than being a mom .
You are in for the sweetest ride of your life , '' Hollman said .
Clark posted a similar photo on his own account .
`` I was raised by great women , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'll FW to my daughter and then some ! ''
he wrote .
`` She will be great , powerful , humble , kind , loving , compassionate , and a dash from Kesha ... 'She 'll be a [ expletive ] woman !
!
! '
# thankful . ''
People reported June 16 that Schroeder and Clark are expecting their first child .
The news followed Schroeder , Kristen Doute , Max Boyens and Brett Caprioni 's firings from Vanderpump Rules on June 9 due to their past racist actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7 after their former co-star Faith Stowers shared how Schroeder and Doute once called the police on her after seeing an article about a black woman wanted for theft .
`` Racially insensitive comments from my past have resurfaced , '' Schroeder said on Instagram .
`` I have grown significantly from the person I was then , and I am still filled with remorse and regret for the hurt I caused . ''
Schroeder and Clark got engaged in August .
The couple said on Watch What Happens Live in March that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' that their October wedding in Rome , Italy , is able to happen .

June 24 (UPI) -- Former Vanderpump Rules star Stassi Schroeder is pregnant with a baby girl.
The 32-year-old television personality announced in an Instagram post Tuesday that she's expecting a daughter with her fiancé, Beau Clark.
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Schroeder shared a photo of Clark kissing her on the cheek while holding up a pink onesie reading "#OOTD," or "Outfit of the Day."
"We're having a baby girl," Schroeder captioned the post.
Vanderpump Rules stars Katie Maloney-Schwartz and Jax Taylor, Real Housewives of Dallas star Stephanie Hollman and Bachelor alum Catherine Giudici were among those to congratulate Schroeder in the comments.
"can't wait to meet her!!!!!!!!!" Maloney-Schwartz wrote.
"I am so happy!!! Love you both," Taylor added.
"Congrats girl. There is nothing better than being a mom. You are in for the sweetest ride of your life," Hollman said.
Clark posted a similar photo on his own account.
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"I was raised by great women, and the lessons I learned from them I'll FW to my daughter and then some!" he wrote. "She will be great, powerful, humble, kind, loving, compassionate, and a dash from Kesha... 'She'll be a [expletive] woman!!!' #thankful."
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People reported June 16 that Schroeder and Clark are expecting their first child. The news followed Schroeder, Kristen Doute, Max Boyens and Brett Caprioni's firings from Vanderpump Rules on June 9 due to their past racist actions.
Schroeder and Doute had apologized June 7 after their former co-star Faith Stowers shared how Schroeder and Doute once called the police on her after seeing an article about a black woman wanted for theft.
"Racially insensitive comments from my past have resurfaced," Schroeder said on Instagram. "I have grown significantly from the person I was then, and I am still filled with remorse and regret for the hurt I caused."
Schroeder and Clark got engaged in August. The couple said on Watch What Happens Live in March that they are keeping their "fingers crossed" that their October wedding in Rome, Italy, is able to happen.


upi--2020-06-24--China warns Japan against new military plans

June 24 ( UPI ) -- China warned Japan against pursuing a new national security strategy following reports of discussions at Tokyo 's National Security Council .
Beijing foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Wednesday at a regular press briefing that the `` world knows '' of hidden intentions , when asked to comment about reported developments in Japan .
`` People of the world know of the intentions of Sima Zhao , '' the Chinese spokesman said , referring to a military general who ruled during the Three Kingdoms period of China .
According to chronicles of ancient Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and took control of the state of Cao Wei , which had been seized by his father , Sima Yi .
Zhao said for `` historical reasons , '' Japan 's neighbors are wary of trends in Japan 's military and security .
`` Some people in Japan are using external threats as an excuse to loosen military restrictions , '' Zhao said , referring to Tokyo 's recent moves to amend its pacifist Constitution .
`` We want Japan to accept the lessons of history with all its heart and adhere to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy , '' Zhao said .
`` In addition , [ China ] wants Japan to continue walking on the path of peaceful development . ''
Zhao 's comments come a day after the Nikkei reported Japan 's National Security Council is undertaking a `` comprehensive review '' of security strategy following a decision to suspend the deployment of Aegis Ashore , a missile defense system .
China 's defense ministry also issued a warning on Wednesday , following a report from Japan 's Mainichi Shimbun on Saturday that the United States and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intermediate-range ballistic missiles in Japan .
Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said China `` firmly opposes '' any plans for deployment in the Asia-Pacific .
`` If the United States insists on missile deployment , it would be understood as a provocation , right outside China 's doorstep , '' Wu said .
`` China will not sit idly by . ''
The United States withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in August .

China cautioned Japan on Wednesday against expanding its military capabilities beyond an exclusively defensive policy. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
June 24 (UPI) -- China warned Japan against pursuing a new national security strategy following reports of discussions at Tokyo's National Security Council. Beijing foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Wednesday at a regular press briefing that the "world knows" of hidden intentions, when asked to comment about reported developments in Japan. Advertisement
"People of the world know of the intentions of Sima Zhao," the Chinese spokesman said, referring to a military general who ruled during the Three Kingdoms period of China.
According to chronicles of ancient Chinese history, Sima Zhao crushed internal opposition and took control of the state of Cao Wei, which had been seized by his father, Sima Yi.
Zhao said for "historical reasons," Japan's neighbors are wary of trends in Japan's military and security.
"Some people in Japan are using external threats as an excuse to loosen military restrictions," Zhao said, referring to Tokyo's recent moves to amend its pacifist Constitution.
"We want Japan to accept the lessons of history with all its heart and adhere to the principle of an exclusively defensive security policy," Zhao said. "In addition, [China] wants Japan to continue walking on the path of peaceful development."
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Zhao's comments come a day after the Nikkei reported Japan's National Security Council is undertaking a "comprehensive review" of security strategy following a decision to suspend the deployment of Aegis Ashore, a missile defense system.
China's defense ministry also issued a warning on Wednesday, following a report from Japan's Mainichi Shimbun on Saturday that the United States and Japan are allegedly negotiating the deployment of intermediate-range ballistic missiles in Japan.
Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said China "firmly opposes" any plans for deployment in the Asia-Pacific.
"If the United States insists on missile deployment, it would be understood as a provocation, right outside China's doorstep," Wu said. "China will not sit idly by."
The United States withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in August.


upi--2020-06-24--Ariana Grande sends food, coffee to voters in Kentucky

June 24 ( UPI ) -- Ariana Grande sent over food and coffee trucks to voters in Kentucky who were @ @ @ @ @ The trucks were sent outside the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville on Tuesday where voters @ @ @ @ @ in the Democratic primary election .
`` Sent some food and coffee trucks for everyone @ @ @ @ @ pull up , enjoy and use your voice today we need u , '' Grande @ @ @ @ @ the Black Voters Matter account which displayed a photo of voters gathering together .
The @ @ @ @ @ from earlier dates due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Long lines formed due to Kentucky @ @ @ @ @ in-person polling places from 3,700 to 170 , citing health concerns .
Voters decided between @ @ @ @ @ for the right to take on Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell this fall .
Grande @ @ @ @ @ George Floyd protestors in Los Angeles and was spotted holding up a Black Lives Matter @ @

Ariana Grande sent over food and coffee trucks for voters taking part in Kentucky's Democratic primary election. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
June 24 (UPI) -- Ariana Grande sent over food and coffee trucks to voters in Kentucky who were waiting in long lines. The trucks were sent outside the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville on Tuesday where voters had gathered to take part in the Democratic primary election. Advertisement
"Sent some food and coffee trucks for everyone waiting in line! Please pull up, enjoy and use your voice today we need u," Grande said on Twitter while retweeting the Black Voters Matter account which displayed a photo of voters gathering together.
The primary in Kentucky was rescheduled from earlier dates due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Long lines formed due to Kentucky officials reducing the number of in-person polling places from 3,700 to 170, citing health concerns.
Voters decided between Amy McGrath and Charles Booker for the right to take on Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell this fall.
Grande, in May, joined George Floyd protestors in Los Angeles and was spotted holding up a Black Lives Matter sign.


upi--2020-06-24--Rose Paterson, wife of British Parliament member Owen Paterson, found dead at home

June 24 ( UPI ) -- The wife of British lawmaker and former cabinet minister Owen Paterson has been found dead in her home , officials said Wednesday .
Rose Paterson , chairwoman of the Aintree Racecourse , home of the Grand National Steeplechase , died at the couple 's home in Shropshire , about 120 miles northwest of downtown London .
She was 63 .
The cause of Paterson 's death has not been determined but it is not being treated as suspicious .
Owen Paterson is a Conservative Party lawmaker who served in multiple cabinet posts between 2007 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including secretary of state to Northern Ireland .
He 's been a member of Parliament for North Shropshire since 1997 .
`` It is with great sadness that I must inform you that my wife , Rose , has been found dead at our family home in Shropshire , '' he said .
`` Rose and I were married for 40 happy years .
She was a wonderful , caring wife , mother and grandmother .
`` Her death has come as a terrible shock to us all . ''
Rose Paterson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2014 and served as Grand National since 2005 .
She was named a steward at The Jockey Club last year .
`` Rose was a wonderful person and involved in so many aspects of our sport , '' Sandy Dudgeon , senior steward at The Jockey Club , said in a statement .
`` She was a skilled chairman at Aintree , a valued member of our board of stewards and headed up our Horse Welfare Group .
She also enjoyed participating at the grassroots level over many years . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Owen Paterson (L) walks with British Prime Minister David Cameron at Stormont Castle in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on May 20, 2010. Paterson's wife, Rose, was found dead at their home in Shropshire. File Photo by Jose Tafani/EPA
June 24 (UPI) -- The wife of British lawmaker and former cabinet minister Owen Paterson has been found dead in her home, officials said Wednesday. Rose Paterson, chairwoman of the Aintree Racecourse, home of the Grand National Steeplechase, died at the couple's home in Shropshire, about 120 miles northwest of downtown London. She was 63. Advertisement
The cause of Paterson's death has not been determined but it is not being treated as suspicious.
Owen Paterson is a Conservative Party lawmaker who served in multiple cabinet posts between 2007 and 2014 under Prime Minister David Cameron, including secretary of state to Northern Ireland. He's been a member of Parliament for North Shropshire since 1997.
"It is with great sadness that I must inform you that my wife, Rose, has been found dead at our family home in Shropshire," he said.
"Rose and I were married for 40 happy years. She was a wonderful, caring wife, mother and grandmother.
"Her death has come as a terrible shock to us all."
Rose Paterson was appointed chair of the Aintree Racecourse in 2014 and served as Grand National since 2005. She was named a steward at The Jockey Club last year.
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"Rose was a wonderful person and involved in so many aspects of our sport," Sandy Dudgeon, senior steward at The Jockey Club, said in a statement. "She was a skilled chairman at Aintree, a valued member of our board of stewards and headed up our Horse Welfare Group. She also enjoyed participating at the grassroots level over many years."
The Patersons have two sons and a daughter.


upi--2020-06-24--'SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run' set for VOD release

June 24 ( UPI ) -- The animated SpongeBob Movie : Sponge on the Run is scheduled to get a video-on-demand release in early 2021 .
Featuring a voice cast that includes Tom Kenny , Awkwafina , Clancy Brown , Rodger Bumpass , Bill Fagerbakke , Carolyn Lawrence , Douglas Lawrence and Reggie Watts , the cartoon adventure is about what happens when SpongeBob 's pet snail Gary goes missing .
After the pay-per-view window closes , the film will then move to ViacomCBS ' subscription streaming service CBS All Access , which will soon be the home of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TV show .
`` We are thrilled to have The SpongeBob Movie : Sponge on the Run , a premier , first-run movie from one of ViacomCBS ' biggest brands , join CBS All Access ' expanding slate of franchise content from across ViacomCBS , '' Marc DeBevoise -- chief digital officer for ViacomCBS and president and chief executive officer of ViacomCBS Digital -- said in a statement .
`` This launch will be perfectly timed with our continued expansion and planned rebranding of the service in early 2021 , as we welcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the service in the biggest way possible . ''
The announcement was made as many movie theaters remain closed and social-distancing practices are in place in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus .

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A new SpongeBob movie is set for video-on-demand release in 2021. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 24 (UPI) -- The animated SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run is scheduled to get a video-on-demand release in early 2021. Featuring a voice cast that includes Tom Kenny, Awkwafina, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Douglas Lawrence and Reggie Watts, the cartoon adventure is about what happens when SpongeBob's pet snail Gary goes missing. Advertisement
After the pay-per-view window closes, the film will then move to ViacomCBS' subscription streaming service CBS All Access, which will soon be the home of all prior seasons of Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants TV show.
"We are thrilled to have The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run, a premier, first-run movie from one of ViacomCBS' biggest brands, join CBS All Access' expanding slate of franchise content from across ViacomCBS," Marc DeBevoise -- chief digital officer for ViacomCBS and president and chief executive officer of ViacomCBS Digital -- said in a statement.
"This launch will be perfectly timed with our continued expansion and planned rebranding of the service in early 2021, as we welcome SpongeBob and the gang from Bikini Bottom to the service in the biggest way possible."
The announcement was made as many movie theaters remain closed and social-distancing practices are in place in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.


upi--2020-06-24--Spurs' Harry Kane scores first goal of 2020 in win vs. West Ham

June 24 ( UPI ) -- English striker Harry Kane scored his first goal of 2020 in Tottenham Hotspur 's 2-0 win against West Ham United in London .
Kane scored the clincher in the 82nd minute of the shutout Tuesday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium .
He also made his 200th career appearance in the Premier League .
Spurs resumed their season with a 1-1 draw against Manchester United Friday after a three-month suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` It was a great night , '' Kane told SpursTV .
`` The most important thing was the win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draw on Friday we needed to get back to winning ways , especially for the momentum for the last seven games . ''
Kane had n't played for Spurs since he sustained a hamstring injury on Jan. 1 .
Spurs and West Ham played a scoreless first half before a mistake handed Tottenham a 1-0 edge .
Giovani Lo Celso sent a corner kick in for Spurs at the start of the 64th-minute sequence .
The ball fell into the middle of the box before it was deflected toward the net .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the feet of West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek before he could see it land .
Soucek accidentally flicked the ball into his own net past keeper Lukasz Fabianski .
Kane struck about 20 minutes later .
West Ham turned the ball over on an attack during that sequence .
Erik Lamela started the play with an interception at the top of Spurs ' box .
Lamela then did a give-and-go pass to get out of traffic before he played the ball up to Heung-min Son .
The Spurs striker then split the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ball ahead for Kane .
The Spurs star sprinted through the middle of the field before he spotted up for a one-on-one with Fabianski from about 20 yards out .
Kane finished the play by firing a shot just outside of Fabianski 's left hip for the final score of the match .
`` It 's been a while , it 's been nearly six months , '' Kane said of his injury absence .
`` I 'd had a couple of chances before so it was nice to get that one through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel for a Premier League clash against Sheffield United at 1 p.m. EDT July 2 at Bramall Lane in Sheffield , England .
`` It was deserved , not an amazing match , but it 's very difficult to play amazing in this period , '' Spurs manager Jose Mourinho said of Tuesday 's win .
`` We were consistent , always under control and we always had the feeling of 'we are going to win this game . ''

Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane hadn't played since Jan. 1 before he made his 200th career Premier League appearance Tuesday in London. Photo by Neil Hall/EPA-EFE
June 24 (UPI) -- English striker Harry Kane scored his first goal of 2020 in Tottenham Hotspur's 2-0 win against West Ham United in London. Kane scored the clincher in the 82nd minute of the shutout Tuesday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He also made his 200th career appearance in the Premier League. Spurs resumed their season with a 1-1 draw against Manchester United Friday after a three-month suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement
"It was a great night," Kane told SpursTV. "The most important thing was the win, for sure. Coming off a draw on Friday we needed to get back to winning ways, especially for the momentum for the last seven games."
Kane hadn't played for Spurs since he sustained a hamstring injury on Jan. 1.
Spurs and West Ham played a scoreless first half before a mistake handed Tottenham a 1-0 edge. Giovani Lo Celso sent a corner kick in for Spurs at the start of the 64th-minute sequence. The ball fell into the middle of the box before it was deflected toward the net. It then trickled to the ground and landed at the feet of West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek before he could see it land. Soucek accidentally flicked the ball into his own net past keeper Lukasz Fabianski.
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Kane struck about 20 minutes later. West Ham turned the ball over on an attack during that sequence. Erik Lamela started the play with an interception at the top of Spurs' box. Lamela then did a give-and-go pass to get out of traffic before he played the ball up to Heung-min Son. The Spurs striker then split the last line of defense and laced a ball ahead for Kane.
The Spurs star sprinted through the middle of the field before he spotted up for a one-on-one with Fabianski from about 20 yards out. Kane finished the play by firing a shot just outside of Fabianski's left hip for the final score of the match.
"It's been a while, it's been nearly six months," Kane said of his injury absence. "I'd had a couple of chances before so it was nice to get that one through and finish it off."
Spurs travel for a Premier League clash against Sheffield United at 1 p.m. EDT July 2 at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, England.
"It was deserved, not an amazing match, but it's very difficult to play amazing in this period," Spurs manager Jose Mourinho said of Tuesday's win. "We were consistent, always under control and we always had the feeling of 'we are going to win this game."


upi--2020-06-24--Taye Diggs to host the Critics' Choice Awards show

June 24 ( UPI ) -- Empire and Murder in the First alum Taye Diggs is set to host the 26th annual Critics ' Choice Awards ceremony on The CW Network .
The event honoring excellence in TV and film is slated to take place on March 7 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica , `` health considerations permitting , '' the network said in a press release .
Many performances and prize presentations have been live-streamed or televised from remote locations using video-conference technology due to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Now more than ever , people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source of comfort , as a means of education , and as a way to connect , '' Critics ' Choice Association CEO Joey Berlin said in a statement .
`` With the revised timeline , we are looking forward to celebrating all of the brilliant new work created during this extended season . ''
The Daytime Emmy Awards and the BET Awards will be presented during virtual ceremonies this weekend in keeping with social-distancing practices intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Emmy Awards for television are to be handed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Globes for film and TV are set for Feb. 28 and the Oscars for cinema will be presented on April 25 .

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Taye Diggs is set to host the Critics' Choice Awards show in March. File Photo by James Atoa/UPI | License Photo
June 24 (UPI) -- Empire and Murder in the First alum Taye Diggs is set to host the 26th annual Critics' Choice Awards ceremony on The CW Network. The event honoring excellence in TV and film is slated to take place on March 7 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, "health considerations permitting," the network said in a press release. Advertisement
Many performances and prize presentations have been live-streamed or televised from remote locations using video-conference technology due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Now more than ever, people are turning to film and television as a source of comfort, as a means of education, and as a way to connect," Critics' Choice Association CEO Joey Berlin said in a statement. "With the revised timeline, we are looking forward to celebrating all of the brilliant new work created during this extended season."
The Daytime Emmy Awards and the BET Awards will be presented during virtual ceremonies this weekend in keeping with social-distancing practices intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Emmy Awards for television are to be handed out on Sept. 20, the Golden Globes for film and TV are set for Feb. 28 and the Oscars for cinema will be presented on April 25.
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upi--2020-06-24--Tom Brady, Buccaneers players have Fla. workout despite NFLPA warning

June 24 ( UPI ) -- Tom Brady , Rob Gronkowski and several Tampa Bay Buccaneers players had a workout in Tampa , Fla. , days after the NFL players ' union said players should not train together due to a rise in COVID-19 cases in certain states .
Brady posted photos of the workout Tuesday at Berkeley Preparatory School on his Instagram story .
Sources told the Tampa Bay Times at least a dozen players attended the two-hour workout .
Florida has been one of the states with a surge in coronavirus cases in the last week .
Players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday advised players against such workouts .
`` Please be advised that it is our consensus medical opinion that in light of the increase in COVID-19 cases in certain states that no players should be engaged in practicing together in private workouts , '' Mayer said in a statement .
`` Our goal is to have all players and your families as healthy as possible in the coming months .
`` We are working on the best mitigation procedures at team facilities for both training camps and the upcoming season , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest of all players that we advise against any voluntary joint practices before training camp commences . ''
The Buccaneers on Saturday also announced that `` individuals '' at their training facilities have tested positive for COVID-19 .
Team facilities are still not open to players due to pandemic safety precautions .
The Buccaneers started the first phase of facility reopening June 10 , which allowed for a limited amount of staff members to return to AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa .
Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin , quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Ryan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jamel Dean and safety Mike Edwards were also at the workout .
No face masks were visible on any of the workout attendees on Brady 's Instagram .
Training camps are scheduled to open in late July .

New Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady was among at least a dozen players at a workout Tuesday in Tampa, Fla. Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
June 24 (UPI) -- Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and several Tampa Bay Buccaneers players had a workout in Tampa, Fla., days after the NFL players' union said players should not train together due to a rise in COVID-19 cases in certain states. Brady posted photos of the workout Tuesday at Berkeley Preparatory School on his Instagram story. Sources told the Tampa Bay Times at least a dozen players attended the two-hour workout. Florida has been one of the states with a surge in coronavirus cases in the last week. Advertisement
Players' union medical director Dr. Thom Mayer on Saturday advised players against such workouts.
"Please be advised that it is our consensus medical opinion that in light of the increase in COVID-19 cases in certain states that no players should be engaged in practicing together in private workouts," Mayer said in a statement. "Our goal is to have all players and your families as healthy as possible in the coming months.
"We are working on the best mitigation procedures at team facilities for both training camps and the upcoming season, and believe that it is in the best interest of all players that we advise against any voluntary joint practices before training camp commences."
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The Buccaneers on Saturday also announced that "individuals" at their training facilities have tested positive for COVID-19. Team facilities are still not open to players due to pandemic safety precautions. The Buccaneers started the first phase of facility reopening June 10, which allowed for a limited amount of staff members to return to AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa.
Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin, quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Ryan Griffin, center Ryan Jensen, cornerback Jamel Dean and safety Mike Edwards were also at the workout. No face masks were visible on any of the workout attendees on Brady's Instagram.
Training camps are scheduled to open in late July.


upi--2020-06-24--Poll: More than 80% in U.S. confident they can ward off COVID-19

A group of girls wear masks to guard against the coronavirus as they snap a selfie at Rye Playland Beach in New York City on May 24. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 24 (UPI) -- More than 80 percent of Americans say they're confident they can protect themselves from COVID-19, a significant increase over just two months ago, a new survey showed Wednesday. According to the Gallup survey, 82 percent of U.S. adults polled said they're either "very" or "somewhat" confident they can fight off the disease on their own. Advertisement
Twenty-seven percent of U.S. adults said they're "very" confident, an increase of 14 percent since early April, and 55 percent said they're "somewhat" confident.
Nearly one in five, the survey showed, said they're not too confident or not at all confident they can protect themselves from the virus.
Men (34 percent) and whites (28 percent) were most confident -- along with Republicans (46 percent), who voiced substantially more confidence than they did in the last survey. That figure is just 10 percent among Democrats.
The survey showed that the highest level of confidence grew almost evenly across age categories -- with 22 percent of respondents aged 18-44 saying they're "very" confident, along with 33 percent of adults 45-64 and 27 percent among those 65 and older.
Gallup polled more than 3,600 U.S. adults between June 15-21 for the survey, which has a margin of error of 3 points.
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COVID-19 pandemic alters life in New York City


upi--2020-06-24--Watch: Kenya Barris, Pharrell developing Juneteenth musical for Netflix

June 24 ( UPI ) -- Kenya Barris appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and discussed how he is developing a Juneteenth musical with Pharrell .
Barris said on Tuesday he will be executive producing the play with Pharrell who will handle the music .
The plan is to release the project on Netflix by next Juneteenth .
Juneteenth , short for June Nineteenth , marks the true end of slavery across the United States in 1865 .
The holiday marks the day when enslaved black people in Galveston , Texas , finally learned that they were free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in the United States in 1863 .
`` I feel like , you know , the notion of people understanding that slavery is the recessive scar that all of us , black , white , whatever .
Asian , Latinx like we all as Americans , it 's the thing that we all share , '' Barris said .
`` There 's never been an apology for slavery .
There 's never been anything that said slavery was legally wrong .
Greatest human atrocity in like , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I feel like the idea of celebrating that from an American standpoint , might really start to help the healing .
So it 's something really important to me , '' he continued .
Barris also discussed how his 21-year-old daughter Kaleigh got COVID-19 after going to Miami for her birthday .
`` I want people to know like it can happen to anyone .
I pray that she 's gon na be okay , '' Barris said .

June 24 (UPI) -- Kenya Barris appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and discussed how he is developing a Juneteenth musical with Pharrell.
Barris said on Tuesday he will be executive producing the play with Pharrell who will handle the music. The plan is to release the project on Netflix by next Juneteenth.
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Juneteenth, short for June Nineteenth, marks the true end of slavery across the United States in 1865. The holiday marks the day when enslaved black people in Galveston, Texas, finally learned that they were free, two years after President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in the United States in 1863.
"I feel like, you know, the notion of people understanding that slavery is the recessive scar that all of us, black, white, whatever. Asian, Latinx like we all as Americans, it's the thing that we all share," Barris said.
"There's never been an apology for slavery. There's never been anything that said slavery was legally wrong. Greatest human atrocity in like, you know, modern history. And so I feel like the idea of celebrating that from an American standpoint, might really start to help the healing. So it's something really important to me," he continued.
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Barris also discussed how his 21-year-old daughter Kaleigh got COVID-19 after going to Miami for her birthday.
"I want people to know like it can happen to anyone. I pray that she's gonna be okay," Barris said.


upi--2020-06-24--China, North Korea trade on the rise, data show

June 24 ( UPI ) -- Bilateral trade between China and North Korea may be recovering as the coronavirus outbreak subsides in the region , according to the latest Chinese data .
China 's General Administration of Customs said Wednesday two-way trade between the two countries reached $ 63.3 million in May , up more than 160 percent from the previous month but still significantly lower , or down 77 percent , from May 2019 .
In April , two-way trade was estimated to be about $ 24 million .
In May North Korea imported more than $ 58 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 168 percent from April , when the country imported about $ 21.8 million , Chinese statistics show .
The most recent data show North Korea has also increased exports to China , delivering more than $ 4.7 million in goods to the world 's second-largest economy , an increase of 115.2 percent from April , when North Korea exported about $ 2.2 million in goods .
Analysts have said North Korea relies on China for about 90 percent of trade .
Trade and exchange was reduced significantly after North Korea closed its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initial outbreak of COVID-19 in China .
Chinese data is pointing to a gradual recovery .
Two-way trade was estimated to be $ 18.6 million in March .
North Korea 's trade with China began to recover in April , when it rose 28.7 percent from the previous month .
Prior to the adoption of United Nation Security Council sanctions Resolution 2270 in 2016 , the two countries traded more than $ 2 billion in May 2015 , according to South Korean news service News 1 .
Recent satellite imagery also indicate activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the Chinese city of Dandong and the North Korean city of Sinuiju .
According to analysis published on 38 North on Tuesday , imagery from June 15 shows more than a dozen trucks waiting to pass through Chinese border control .

Chinese data published Wednesday indicate two-way trade with North Korea is resuming after a steep decline in the wake of the global coronavirus pandemic. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
June 24 (UPI) -- Bilateral trade between China and North Korea may be recovering as the coronavirus outbreak subsides in the region, according to the latest Chinese data. China's General Administration of Customs said Wednesday two-way trade between the two countries reached $63.3 million in May, up more than 160 percent from the previous month but still significantly lower, or down 77 percent, from May 2019. Advertisement
In April, two-way trade was estimated to be about $24 million.
In May North Korea imported more than $58 million in goods from China, up more than 168 percent from April, when the country imported about $21.8 million, Chinese statistics show.
The most recent data show North Korea has also increased exports to China, delivering more than $4.7 million in goods to the world's second-largest economy, an increase of 115.2 percent from April, when North Korea exported about $2.2 million in goods. Analysts have said North Korea relies on China for about 90 percent of trade.
Trade and exchange was reduced significantly after North Korea closed its borders in January in response to the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in China.
Chinese data is pointing to a gradual recovery. Two-way trade was estimated to be $18.6 million in March. North Korea's trade with China began to recover in April, when it rose 28.7 percent from the previous month.
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Prior to the adoption of United Nation Security Council sanctions Resolution 2270 in 2016, the two countries traded more than $2 billion in May 2015, according to South Korean news service News 1.
Recent satellite imagery also indicate activities may have resumed at the border, between the Chinese city of Dandong and the North Korean city of Sinuiju.
According to analysis published on 38 North on Tuesday, imagery from June 15 shows more than a dozen trucks waiting to pass through Chinese border control.