upi--2020-07-06--19 people hospitalized after tree falls on Maryland garage

July 6 ( UPI ) -- Authorities said 19 people in Maryland were rushed to local hospitals after a tree collapsed on a detached garage with more than 20 people inside seeking shelter from a thunderstorm .
The Anne Arundel County Fire Department said Sunday evening that 17 adults and two children were transported to five local hospitals in Pasadena , about 20 miles southeast of Baltimore , with one person in critical condition and five others suffering from serious injuries .
Thirteen others were transferred with only minor injuries , the statement said .
Capt .
Russ Davies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters they received calls that the tree fell on the garage at around 5:25 p.m .
Firefighters arrived at the residence to find six people trapped under the crushed building but were able to extract them within 45 minutes , the fire department said on Twitter .
Earlier Sunday , the National Weather Service had issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the area that lasted until 5:45 p.m. An official said the group is believed to have been at the residence to celebrate a child 's birthday party when they sought shelter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powerful storm .

A tree fell on a garage in Pasadena, Maryland, Sunday, injuring 19 people. Photo courtesy of Anne Arundel County Fire Department/ Twitter
July 6 (UPI) -- Authorities said 19 people in Maryland were rushed to local hospitals after a tree collapsed on a detached garage with more than 20 people inside seeking shelter from a thunderstorm. The Anne Arundel County Fire Department said Sunday evening that 17 adults and two children were transported to five local hospitals in Pasadena, about 20 miles southeast of Baltimore, with one person in critical condition and five others suffering from serious injuries. Thirteen others were transferred with only minor injuries, the statement said. Advertisement
Capt. Russ Davies, a spokesman for the fire department, told reporters they received calls that the tree fell on the garage at around 5:25 p.m.
Firefighters arrived at the residence to find six people trapped under the crushed building but were able to extract them within 45 minutes, the fire department said on Twitter.
Earlier Sunday, the National Weather Service had issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the area that lasted until 5:45 p.m.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Annapolis MD, Severna Park MD, Pasadena MD until 5:45 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/SPUaT8R4Zi— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) July 5, 2020 Advertisement
An official said the group is believed to have been at the residence to celebrate a child's birthday party when they sought shelter in the garage from the brief yet powerful storm.


upi--2020-07-06--Lawyer: Army identified remains as missing soldier Vanessa Guillen

July 5 ( UPI ) -- Human remains found near Texas ' Fort Hood military base have been positively identified as Spc .
Vanessa Guillen , the lawyer for the missing soldier 's family said Sunday evening .
In a statement , attorney Natalie Khawam wrote the Army confirmed to her on Friday that the bones , hair and other remains found near the base belong to Guillen who was stationed at Fort Hood .
`` We are at a loss for words , '' Khawam said in the statement to FOX 7 Austin .
`` This should never have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beautiful young soldier because the system is broken . ''
Guillen , 20 , was last seen April 22 in the parking lot of her Regimental Engineer Squadron Headquarters at Fort Hood , spurring a search for her whereabouts that led to the discovery of a set of partial human remains late last month in an area of interest to the investigation close to Leon River in Bell County .
Last week , the Army Criminal Investigation Command identified Spc .
Aaron David Robinson as a suspect in the case and said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas city of Killeen after having fled Fort Hood earlier that day .
A second suspect in the case , 22-year-old Cecily Aguilar who has been identified as Robinson 's girlfriend , has been arrested on accusations that she helped him dismember Guillen 's body and then bury it in three different locations .
According to the criminal complaint , Robinson bludgeoned Guillen to death with a hammer on April 22 in the Armory where she worked before calling Aguilar to help him dispose of her body .
In a telephone interview with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guillen , Vanessa 's older sister , said the family waited until Sunday to release the confirmation to allow for a priest and Army chaplain to formally notify Gloria Guillen , Vanessa 's mother .
`` She did feel Vanessa was no longer with us , '' she said .
`` She had a hard time accepting there is n't a whole body . ''

Prosecutors have said that Spc. Vanessa Guillen was bludgeoned to death with a hammer while on the Texas Fort Hood military base on April 22. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army/ Twitter
July 5 (UPI) -- Human remains found near Texas' Fort Hood military base have been positively identified as Spc. Vanessa Guillen, the lawyer for the missing soldier's family said Sunday evening. In a statement, attorney Natalie Khawam wrote the Army confirmed to her on Friday that the bones, hair and other remains found near the base belong to Guillen who was stationed at Fort Hood. Advertisement
"We are at a loss for words," Khawam said in the statement to FOX 7 Austin. "This should never have happened. Our country has lost a beautiful young soldier because the system is broken."
Guillen, 20, was last seen April 22 in the parking lot of her Regimental Engineer Squadron Headquarters at Fort Hood, spurring a search for her whereabouts that led to the discovery of a set of partial human remains late last month in an area of interest to the investigation close to Leon River in Bell County.
Last week, the Army Criminal Investigation Command identified Spc. Aaron David Robinson as a suspect in the case and said that he had died by suicide in the Texas city of Killeen after having fled Fort Hood earlier that day.
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A second suspect in the case, 22-year-old Cecily Aguilar who has been identified as Robinson's girlfriend, has been arrested on accusations that she helped him dismember Guillen's body and then bury it in three different locations.
According to the criminal complaint, Robinson bludgeoned Guillen to death with a hammer on April 22 in the Armory where she worked before calling Aguilar to help him dispose of her body.
In a telephone interview with The Washington Post on Sunday, Mayra Guillen, Vanessa's older sister, said the family waited until Sunday to release the confirmation to allow for a priest and Army chaplain to formally notify Gloria Guillen, Vanessa's mother.
"She did feel Vanessa was no longer with us," she said. "She had a hard time accepting there isn't a whole body."


upi--2020-07-06--Fathers 15% more likely to get diet, exercise counseling than childless men, study finds

July 2 ( UPI ) -- Fathers are more likely to be referred for diet or exercise counseling because they are overweight than childless men , according to a study published Monday in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior .
In general , men with children were up to twice as likely to report being overweight or obese than those without offspring , the researchers said .
As a result , they were nearly 15 percent more likely to referred to nutritionists and other specialists for consultation on physical activity , weight management or both , the researchers said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the link between paternal obesity and child obesity , providers have a great opportunity to positively influence family outcomes , so not just the health outcomes for their patients , but also the health outcomes for their patients ' children , '' study co-author Dr. Alicia Boykin said in a press release .
Boykin and her colleagues at the UPMC Children 's Hospital of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing studied 2,562 adult males who participated in the 2015-2017 National Survey of Family Growth and who visited their healthcare provider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goal of the study was to assess whether overweight or obese men discussed their weight with their providers and , if needed , were referred for specialist care , the researchers said .
Overall , 89 percent of the men in the study said they had been weighed by a healthcare provider within the past year , said Boykin , a physician at the Pittsburgh hospital .
In addition , 76 percent reported they had been informed of their weight status , she and her colleagues said .
However , overweight and obese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nutritional or exercise counseling 49 percent of the time , compared to 34 percent of the time for childless men , according to the researchers .
In all , 40 percent of men with children reported that they were overweight , while 38 percent said they were obese , the researchers found .
In comparison , 34 percent of childless men identified as overweight and 32 percent reported being obese , the researchers said .
Meanwhile , 20 percent of fathers reported being of normal weight , compared to 34 percent of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Research [ shows ] that fathers play a central role in child development , but also in their weight-related health outcomes , '' Boykin said .
In addition , `` men are willing to make positive changes during fatherhood and the results may suggest that providers are capitalizing on this time , '' she said .

Fathers are more likely to be referred for diet and exercise counselling than childless men, a new study has found. Photo courtesy of pxhere
July 6 (UPI) -- Fathers are more likely to be referred for diet or exercise counseling because they are overweight than childless men, according to a study published Monday in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. In general, men with children were up to twice as likely to report being overweight or obese than those without offspring, the researchers said. Advertisement
As a result, they were nearly 15 percent more likely to referred to nutritionists and other specialists for consultation on physical activity, weight management or both, the researchers said.
The findings suggest that "given the link between paternal obesity and child obesity, providers have a great opportunity to positively influence family outcomes, so not just the health outcomes for their patients, but also the health outcomes for their patients' children," study co-author Dr. Alicia Boykin said in a press release.
Boykin and her colleagues at the UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing studied 2,562 adult males who participated in the 2015-2017 National Survey of Family Growth and who visited their healthcare provider for routine or sick visits.
The goal of the study was to assess whether overweight or obese men discussed their weight with their providers and, if needed, were referred for specialist care, the researchers said.
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Overall, 89 percent of the men in the study said they had been weighed by a healthcare provider within the past year, said Boykin, a physician at the Pittsburgh hospital.
In addition, 76 percent reported they had been informed of their weight status, she and her colleagues said.
However, overweight and obese men who were fathers were referred for nutritional or exercise counseling 49 percent of the time, compared to 34 percent of the time for childless men, according to the researchers.
In all, 40 percent of men with children reported that they were overweight, while 38 percent said they were obese, the researchers found.
In comparison, 34 percent of childless men identified as overweight and 32 percent reported being obese, the researchers said. Meanwhile, 20 percent of fathers reported being of normal weight, compared to 34 percent of their childless counterparts, according to the researchers.
"Research [shows] that fathers play a central role in child development, but also in their weight-related health outcomes," Boykin said. In addition, "men are willing to make positive changes during fatherhood and the results may suggest that providers are capitalizing on this time," she said.


upi--2020-07-06--Braves' Nick Markakis opts out after 'eye-opening' talk with Freddie Freeman

July 6 ( UPI ) -- Atlanta Braves veteran outfielder Nick Markakis has opted out of the 2020 MLB season after an `` eye-opening '' discussion with All-Star first baseman and teammate Freddie Freeman .
Markakis , 36 , said he felt uneasy about playing the season without fans in attendance .
He was then swayed by a phone conversation with Freeman , who has experienced a fever and other symptoms after testing positive for the coronavirus .
`` Just hearing him , the way he sounded on the phone , it was tough , '' Markakis told reporters Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With everything that 's going on , not just with baseball but all over the world , it makes you open your eyes . ''
Markakis became the second Braves player to opt out of MLB 's 60-game restart .
Over the weekend , veteran pitcher Felix Hernandez said he wo n't play this year .
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher David Price , Washington Nationals infielder Ryan Zimmerman and Colorado Rockies outfielder Ian Desmond are among the other notable players who have opted out .
Braves first-base coach Eric Young also will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Markakis , a 14-year veteran , was entering his sixth season with the Braves .
He was competing for a spot in the team 's outfield after the off-season signing of slugger Marcell Ozuna .
Markakis , who was an All-Star selection in 2018 , had a .285 batting average with nine home runs and 62 RBIs last season .
`` Hopefully this is n't the end of my road , '' Markakis said .
`` We 'll see how this season plays out going into next year .
I 'll base my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I hope everybody stays healthy .
I hope this virus gets kicked soon .
...
When we have fans in the stands and there 's a competitive edge , this is the best game .
`` This is America 's game right here .
You just hate to see it in this state of mind .
I get it , but when you 're used to something for so long and they take it from you , it kind of puts things in perspective .
I 'm definitely going to miss it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the Baltimore Orioles and Braves , Markakis has a .288 lifetime average with 188 home runs , 1,031 RBIs and 2,355 hits .
According to Spotrac , he was set to earn a base salary of $ 4 million in 2020 before becoming an unrestricted free agent next year .

Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis (pictured) was entering his sixth season with the Braves. He was competing for a spot in the team's outfield after the off-season signing of slugger Marcell Ozuna. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
July 6 (UPI) -- Atlanta Braves veteran outfielder Nick Markakis has opted out of the 2020 MLB season after an "eye-opening" discussion with All-Star first baseman and teammate Freddie Freeman. Markakis, 36, said he felt uneasy about playing the season without fans in attendance. He was then swayed by a phone conversation with Freeman, who has experienced a fever and other symptoms after testing positive for the coronavirus. Advertisement
"Just hearing him, the way he sounded on the phone, it was tough," Markakis told reporters Monday. "It was kind of eye-opening. With everything that's going on, not just with baseball but all over the world, it makes you open your eyes."
Markakis became the second Braves player to opt out of MLB's 60-game restart. Over the weekend, veteran pitcher Felix Hernandez said he won't play this year.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher David Price, Washington Nationals infielder Ryan Zimmerman and Colorado Rockies outfielder Ian Desmond are among the other notable players who have opted out.
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Braves first-base coach Eric Young also will sit out of the upcoming season.
Markakis, a 14-year veteran, was entering his sixth season with the Braves. He was competing for a spot in the team's outfield after the off-season signing of slugger Marcell Ozuna.
Markakis, who was an All-Star selection in 2018, had a .285 batting average with nine home runs and 62 RBIs last season.
"Hopefully this isn't the end of my road," Markakis said. "We'll see how this season plays out going into next year. I'll base my decision off what happens after this year. I hope everybody stays healthy. I hope this virus gets kicked soon. ... When we have fans in the stands and there's a competitive edge, this is the best game.
"This is America's game right here. You just hate to see it in this state of mind. I get it, but when you're used to something for so long and they take it from you, it kind of puts things in perspective. I'm definitely going to miss it this year."
In 14 seasons between the Baltimore Orioles and Braves, Markakis has a .288 lifetime average with 188 home runs, 1,031 RBIs and 2,355 hits. According to Spotrac, he was set to earn a base salary of $4 million in 2020 before becoming an unrestricted free agent next year.


upi--2020-07-06--FC Dallas withdrawn from MLS tournament due to coronavirus

July 6 ( UPI ) -- FC Dallas was forced to withdraw from the `` MLS is Back Tournament '' after numerous members of the club tested positive for the coronavirus , Major League Soccer announced Monday .
Since arriving at ESPN 's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando , Fla. , last month , the club has had 10 players and one member of its technical staff record positive tests .
According to the league , the team has been under quarantine since then and been unable to train .
`` Given the impact of the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to train and play competitive matches , we have made the decision to withdraw FC Dallas from the MLS is Back Tournament , '' MLS commissioner Don Garber said in a statement Monday .
`` The health of everyone involved in our return to play has always been our top priority , and we will continue to make decisions consistent with that priority . ''
Before arriving in Florida , the club had three positive tests .
Of the 557 players currently in Orlando , 13 total players have tested positive for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FC Dallas players and the remaining three coming from two other clubs .
FC Dallas was scheduled to play the Vancouver Whitecaps on Thursday in the opening match of the tournament , but that game was postponed .
`` As we continue to focus on the well-being of our players , coaches and staff who are in isolation in Orlando , we understand it is not in their best interests to compete at this time , '' FC Dallas head coach Luchi Gonzalez said Monday .
`` While we 're disappointed , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as our league partners is our highest priority . ''
FC Dallas had been drawn into Group B of the MLS tournament .
The team was set to face the Seattle Sounders , San Jose Earthquakes and Whitecaps .

July 6 (UPI) -- FC Dallas was forced to withdraw from the "MLS is Back Tournament" after numerous members of the club tested positive for the coronavirus, Major League Soccer announced Monday.
Since arriving at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla., last month, the club has had 10 players and one member of its technical staff record positive tests. According to the league, the team has been under quarantine since then and been unable to train.
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"Given the impact of the number of positive tests on the club's ability to train and play competitive matches, we have made the decision to withdraw FC Dallas from the MLS is Back Tournament," MLS commissioner Don Garber said in a statement Monday.
"The health of everyone involved in our return to play has always been our top priority, and we will continue to make decisions consistent with that priority."
anything can happen at the night show #DTID pic.twitter.com/oPwdLf04Mk— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) June 30, 2020
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Before arriving in Florida, the club had three positive tests. Of the 557 players currently in Orlando, 13 total players have tested positive for the virus -- with 10 of those being FC Dallas players and the remaining three coming from two other clubs.
FC Dallas was scheduled to play the Vancouver Whitecaps on Thursday in the opening match of the tournament, but that game was postponed.
"As we continue to focus on the well-being of our players, coaches and staff who are in isolation in Orlando, we understand it is not in their best interests to compete at this time," FC Dallas head coach Luchi Gonzalez said Monday. "While we're disappointed, the health and safety of our traveling delegation as well as our league partners is our highest priority."
FC Dallas had been drawn into Group B of the MLS tournament. The team was set to face the Seattle Sounders, San Jose Earthquakes and Whitecaps.


upi--2020-07-06--MLB reveals 60-game schedule for 2020 season

July 6 ( UPI ) -- Major League Baseball on Monday unveiled its 60-game schedule for the pandemic-delayed and shortened 2020 season .
The defending World Series champion Washington Nationals will host the New York Yankees in the first game of the season July 23 , followed by the San Francisco Giants visiting the rival Los Angeles Dodgers .
ESPN will broadcast both games , starting with the Nationals-Yankees matchup at 7 p.m. EDT and the Giants-Dodgers game at 10 p.m. EDT .
After opening night , 14 games will take place July 24 -- including the first contest at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Field as they host the Colorado Rockies .
Other highlights of the schedule include Madison Bumgarner 's return to San Francisco when the Arizona Diamondbacks visit the Giants on Aug. 21-23 and Oakland A 's pitcher Mike Fiers taking on the Houston Astros .
Fiers -- who played for Houston in parts of three seasons -- was the whistle-blower on the Astros ' sign-stealing scandal .
Each club will play 60 games -- 40 against divisional opponents and 20 against teams in the corresponding regional division in the opposite league -- as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , teams in the National League West will play American League West teams .
This year 's All-Star Game and matchups planned for London , Mexico City and Puerto Rico have been canceled .
But the St. Louis Cardinals will still play the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 13 in the inaugural `` Field of Dreams '' game in Dyersville , Iowa .
Jackie Robinson Day -- typically celebrated April 15 -- will be Aug. 28 .
The regular season will conclude Sept. 27 .
The 2020 MLB season was scheduled to start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into late July due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The league scrapped training camps in mid-March , but players have since returned to stadiums in preparation for the upcoming campaign .

The Washington Nationals participate in the first day of training camp Friday at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. The Nationals will play the New York Yankees on opening night July 23. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
July 6 (UPI) -- Major League Baseball on Monday unveiled its 60-game schedule for the pandemic-delayed and shortened 2020 season. The defending World Series champion Washington Nationals will host the New York Yankees in the first game of the season July 23, followed by the San Francisco Giants visiting the rival Los Angeles Dodgers. ESPN will broadcast both games, starting with the Nationals-Yankees matchup at 7 p.m. EDT and the Giants-Dodgers game at 10 p.m. EDT. Advertisement
After opening night, 14 games will take place July 24 -- including the first contest at the Texas Rangers' new Globe Life Field as they host the Colorado Rockies.
Other highlights of the schedule include Madison Bumgarner's return to San Francisco when the Arizona Diamondbacks visit the Giants on Aug. 21-23 and Oakland A's pitcher Mike Fiers taking on the Houston Astros. Fiers -- who played for Houston in parts of three seasons -- was the whistle-blower on the Astros' sign-stealing scandal.
Advertisement MLB's regular season begins on July 23rd with two great matchups. pic.twitter.com/jXH6OO8Doc— MLB (@MLB) July 6, 2020
Each club will play 60 games -- 40 against divisional opponents and 20 against teams in the corresponding regional division in the opposite league -- as part of the revised schedule. For example, teams in the National League West will play American League West teams.
This year's All-Star Game and matchups planned for London, Mexico City and Puerto Rico have been canceled. But the St. Louis Cardinals will still play the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 13 in the inaugural "Field of Dreams" game in Dyersville, Iowa.
Jackie Robinson Day -- typically celebrated April 15 -- will be Aug. 28. The regular season will conclude Sept. 27.
The 2020 MLB season was scheduled to start March 26, but it was pushed into late July due to the coronavirus pandemic. The league scrapped training camps in mid-March, but players have since returned to stadiums in preparation for the upcoming campaign.
Baseball kicks off with preseason training


upi--2020-07-06--McConnell hints at second individual pandemic payment in new rescue package

July 6 ( UPI ) -- A second round of stimulus checks to residents could be part of Congress 's fourth rescue package to boost the economy during the coronavirus pandemic , U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , said Monday .
In remarks at a Kentucky hospital , McConnell said Congress would be hammering out a new stimulus package in late July and that individual payments `` could well be a part of it . ''
`` The question is where do we go from here ? ''
McConnell asked .
`` We ca n't shut the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the service sector were hit hardest by the pandemic when jobs disappeared , McConnell said in a speech at Flaget Memorial Hospital in Bardstown , Ky. '' I think the people who have been hit the hardest are people who make about $ 40,000 a year or less .
Many of them work in the hospitality industry .
The hospitality industry , as all of you know , just got rim-racked - hotels , restaurants - and so [ more stimulus checks ] could well be a part of it , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one last boost . ''
The U.S. House passed a $ 3 trillion stimulus bill called the HEROES Act in May , which included money for state and local governments , and increased funding for the U.S .
Postal Service .
The bill also included another $ 1,200 direct payment stimulus check .
Republicans in the Senate vowed to challenge the bill .
But as the COVID-19 pandemic drags on , the economic pain appears to be more prolonged .
Federal pandemic unemployment assistance is scheduled to end at the end of July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would support another direct round of stimulus checks .
Trump extended the deadline Saturday for the Small Business Association 's Paycheck Protection Program to give employers more time to apply for funds .
The proposed congressional package would be the final rescue bailout , McConnell said Monday .
The Senate will not resume discussion until after the July 4 recess .
`` This will have to be the last rescue package , because we now have a debt the size of our economy for the first time since World War II .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., arrives for a briefing on the allegations that Russia paid bounties to the Taliban to kill U.S. troops, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on Thursday, July 2, 2020. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
July 6 (UPI) -- A second round of stimulus checks could be part of a new congressional rescue package to boost the economy during the coronavirus pandemic, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Monday. In remarks at a Kentucky hospital, McConnell said Congress would be hammering out a new stimulus package in late July and that individual payments "could well be a part of it." Advertisement
"The question is where do we go from here?" McConnell asked. "We can't shut the economy down again."
Low-income residents in the service sector were hit hardest by the pandemic when jobs disappeared, McConnell said in a speech at Flaget Memorial Hospital in Bardstown, Ky.
"I think the people who have been hit the hardest are people who make about $40,000 a year or less. Many of them work in the hospitality industry. The hospitality industry, as all of you know, just got rim-racked - hotels, restaurants - and so [more stimulus checks] could well be a part of it," McConnell said. "The country needs one last boost."
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The House passed a $3 trillion stimulus bill called the HEROES Act in May, which included money for state and local governments, and increased funding for the U.S. Postal Service.
The bill also included another $1,200 direct payment stimulus check. Republicans in the Senate vowed to challenge the bill.
But as the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, the economic pain appears to be more prolonged. Federal pandemic unemployment assistance is scheduled to end at the end of July.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he would support another direct round of stimulus checks. Trump extended the deadline Saturday for the Small Business Association's Paycheck Protection Program to give employers more time to apply for funds.
The proposed congressional package would be the final rescue bailout, McConnell said Monday. The Senate will not resume discussion until after the July 4 recess.
"This will have to be the last rescue package, because we now have a debt the size of our economy for the first time since World War II. We cannot keep doing this," he said.


upi--2020-07-06--Nasdaq hits new record as tech stocks push markets higher

July 6 ( UPI ) -- The Nasdaq Composite hit a record high on Monday as stocks rose sharply behind strong tech stocks to begin the week .
The Nasdaq ended the day up 2.2 percent , it 's largest single-day gain since mid-May , led by tech stocks such as Amazon , which rose 5.77 percent and shares climbed above $ 3,000 for the first time .
Netflix stock also rose 3.55 percent to an all-time high .
Shares of Microsoft , Apple and Google 's parent company Alphabet , also rose more than 2 percent each .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or 1.78 percent , while the S & P 500 climbed 1.59 percent .
Sunday 's announcement that Duke Energy and Dominion Energy canceled plans to develop the Atlantic Coast Pipeline also affected stocks as Duke stock fell 2.47 percent and Dominion dropped 10.98 percent .
Berkshire Hathaway stock rose 2.43 percent after it purchased Dominion Energy 's natural gas transmission and storage assets .
Uber stock also climbed 6 percent after it acquired food delivery service Postmates .
Markets began the week with a strong showing after the Dow and S & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Nasdaq gained 5.2 percent last week after a slight rise on Thursday as the Dow gained 92 points .

Markets rose on Monday, following a positive week on Wall Street, as tech stocks traded higher. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 6 (UPI) -- The Nasdaq Composite hit a record high on Monday as stocks rose sharply behind strong tech stocks to begin the week. The Nasdaq ended the day up 2.2 percent, it's largest single-day gain since mid-May, led by tech stocks such as Amazon, which rose 5.77 percent and shares climbed above $3,000 for the first time. Advertisement
Netflix stock also rose 3.55 percent to an all-time high. Shares of Microsoft, Apple and Google's parent company Alphabet, also rose more than 2 percent each.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average 459.67 percent, or 1.78 percent, while the S&P 500 climbed 1.59 percent.
Sunday's announcement that Duke Energy and Dominion Energy canceled plans to develop the Atlantic Coast Pipeline also affected stocks as Duke stock fell 2.47 percent and Dominion dropped 10.98 percent.
Berkshire Hathaway stock rose 2.43 percent after it purchased Dominion Energy's natural gas transmission and storage assets.
Uber stock also climbed 6 percent after it acquired food delivery service Postmates.
Markets began the week with a strong showing after the Dow and S&P 500 climbed more than 3.7 percent and Nasdaq gained 5.2 percent last week after a slight rise on Thursday as the Dow gained 92 points.
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upi--2020-07-06--Georgia governor declares state of emergency, deploys National Guard after girl shot dead

July 6 ( UPI ) -- Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency and deployed the National Guard on Monday in response to violence in Atlanta , including the shooting death of an 8-year-old girl over the weekend .
Kemp announced that 1,000 Georgia National Guard troops will be deployed to three areas in Atlanta including the Georgia State Capitol , the Georgia Department of Public Safety Headquarters and the Governor 's Mansion .
`` Peaceful protests were hijacked by criminals with a dangerous , destructive agenda .
Now innocent Georgians are being targeted , shot and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` This lawlessness must be stopped and order restored in our capital city . ''
The announcement came as Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms pleaded with the public to end violence in the city after 8-year-old Secoriea Turner was shot and killed over the weekend .
Secoriea was shot Saturday night near a Wendy 's restaurant that 's become a focal point of anti-police brutality protests that followed the death of Rayshard Brooks on June 12 .
`` Enough is enough , '' Bottoms said during a press conference on Sunday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement that Secoriea , her mother and an adult friend were in a vehicle that was attempting to enter a parking lot that demonstrators had illegally barricaded .
They were confronted by armed people and gunfire erupted , authorities said .
Bottoms said at least two people in the group shot at the car and appealed for anyone with information about the shooting to come forward .
`` If you know who did this , please turn them in , '' she said .
`` These people are a danger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been more than 75 shootings in the last few weeks , including two other fatal ones Saturday night .
Bottoms warned the violence may harm the protesters ' movement demanding police reforms and racial equality .
`` This random , wild , wild west shot 'em up because you can has got to stop .
It has to stop .
You ca n't blame this on the police officer , you ca n't say this is about criminal justice reform -- this is about some people carrying some weapons who shot up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the car .
For what ? ''
she said .
`` It 's simple : We got to stop this .
We 're doing each other more harm than any police officer on this force . ''
Kemp also urged anyone with information to contact police .
`` Our hearts absolutely break for this precious life senselessly taken , '' he posted to Facebook .

July 6 (UPI) -- Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency and deployed the National Guard on Monday in response to violence in Atlanta, including the shooting death of an 8-year-old girl over the weekend.
Kemp announced that 1,000 Georgia National Guard troops will be deployed to three areas in Atlanta including the Georgia State Capitol, the Georgia Department of Public Safety Headquarters and the Governor's Mansion.
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"Peaceful protests were hijacked by criminals with a dangerous, destructive agenda. Now innocent Georgians are being targeted, shot and left for dead," said Kemp. "This lawlessness must be stopped and order restored in our capital city."
The announcement came as Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms pleaded with the public to end violence in the city after 8-year-old Secoriea Turner was shot and killed over the weekend.
Secoriea was shot Saturday night near a Wendy's restaurant that's become a focal point of anti-police brutality protests that followed the death of Rayshard Brooks on June 12.
"Enough is enough," Bottoms said during a press conference on Sunday. "Enough is enough."
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Police said in a statement that Secoriea, her mother and an adult friend were in a vehicle that was attempting to enter a parking lot that demonstrators had illegally barricaded. They were confronted by armed people and gunfire erupted, authorities said.
Secoriea later died at a hospital.
Bottoms said at least two people in the group shot at the car and appealed for anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.
"If you know who did this, please turn them in," she said. "These people are a danger to all of us."
There have been more than 75 shootings in the last few weeks, including two other fatal ones Saturday night. Bottoms warned the violence may harm the protesters' movement demanding police reforms and racial equality.
"This random, wild, wild west shot 'em up because you can has got to stop. It has to stop. You can't blame this on the police officer, you can't say this is about criminal justice reform -- this is about some people carrying some weapons who shot up a car with an 8-year-old baby in the car. For what?" she said. "It's simple: We got to stop this. We're doing each other more harm than any police officer on this force."
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Kemp also urged anyone with information to contact police.
"Our hearts absolutely break for this precious life senselessly taken," he posted to Facebook.
Police have offered a $10,000 reward.


upi--2020-07-06--Kansas City Chiefs sign Patrick Mahomes to largest contract in sports history

July 6 ( UPI ) -- The Kansas City Chiefs and Super Bowl MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes have reached an agreement on a massive 10-year contract extension , the team announced Monday .
League sources told NFL Media and ESPN that Mahomes ' 10-year extension is worth more than $ 500 million and contains an injury guarantee of $ 140 million .
The team did n't disclose financial details of the agreement .
The contract also includes a no-trade clause , according to NFL Media .
Mahomes -- the No .
10 overall pick in the 2017 draft -- had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picked up in April , putting him under contract with the Chiefs for the next 12 seasons .
It is the largest contract in professional sports history as Mahomes becomes the first athlete with a half-billion-dollar pact .
He is the first NFL player to be the highest-paid athlete in professional sports .
MLB star Mike Trout previously held the distinction of being the top-paid athlete in the world when he signed a 12-year , $ 426.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels in March 2019 .
However , Trout 's contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a significant moment for our franchise and for the Chiefs Kingdom , '' Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said in a statement Monday .
`` Since he joined the Chiefs just a few years ago , Patrick has developed into one of the most prolific athletes in all of sports .
`` With his dynamic play and infectious personality , he is one of the most recognized and beloved figures to put on the Chiefs uniform .
He 's an extraordinary leader and a credit to the Kansas City community , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a member of the Chiefs for many years to come . ''
After the deal was announced , Mahomes posted a video on social media with the caption , `` Here to stay . ''
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said the agreement was a priority for `` quite a while now . ''
`` His abilities are so rare , and to couple that with an incredible personality is outstanding , '' Veach said of Mahomes .
`` We 're going to continue to do everything we can to surround him with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more flexibility to do that .
`` He 's obviously an integral part to our success and we 're thrilled he 's going to be the quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs for a long time . ''
Mahomes becomes the fourth quarterback since 2011 to receive an extension before the start of his fourth NFL season .
He joins Ryan Tannehill ( Miami Dolphins in 2015 ) , Carson Wentz ( Philadelphia Eagles in 2019 ) and Jared Goff ( Los Angeles Rams in 2019 ) .
Mahomes , 24 , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' 31-20 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV earlier this year , becoming the first signal-caller in league history to win a league MVP and Super Bowl before turning 25 .
He was the youngest quarterback to be named Super Bowl MVP .
Mahomes has thrown for 9,412 yards with 76 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in 31 regular-season games in his career .
In five postseason games , he has recorded 1,474 passing yards with 13 touchdowns and two picks .

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and Super Bowl LIV MVP Patrick Mahomes has thrown for 9,412 yards with 76 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in 31 regular-season games in his career. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 6 (UPI) -- The Kansas City Chiefs and Super Bowl MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes have reached an agreement on a massive 10-year contract extension, the team announced Monday. League sources told NFL Media and ESPN that Mahomes' 10-year extension is worth more than $500 million and contains an injury guarantee of $140 million. The team didn't disclose financial details of the agreement. Advertisement
The contract also includes a no-trade clause, according to NFL Media. Mahomes -- the No. 10 overall pick in the 2017 draft -- had his fifth-year option for the 2021 season picked up in April, putting him under contract with the Chiefs for the next 12 seasons.
It is the largest contract in professional sports history as Mahomes becomes the first athlete with a half-billion-dollar pact. He is the first NFL player to be the highest-paid athlete in professional sports.
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MLB star Mike Trout previously held the distinction of being the top-paid athlete in the world when he signed a 12-year, $426.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels in March 2019. However, Trout's contract is fully guaranteed.
"This is a significant moment for our franchise and for the Chiefs Kingdom," Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said in a statement Monday. "Since he joined the Chiefs just a few years ago, Patrick has developed into one of the most prolific athletes in all of sports.
"With his dynamic play and infectious personality, he is one of the most recognized and beloved figures to put on the Chiefs uniform. He's an extraordinary leader and a credit to the Kansas City community, and I'm delighted that he will be a member of the Chiefs for many years to come."
After the deal was announced, Mahomes posted a video on social media with the caption, "Here to stay."
Here to stay. . .! pic.twitter.com/mfwMga3Kl0— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) July 6, 2020
We have signed QB Patrick Mahomes to a 10 year extension. Mahomes secured with Chiefs for the next 12 seasons. pic.twitter.com/ZsADdVkvxZ— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) July 6, 2020
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Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said the agreement was a priority for "quite a while now."
"His abilities are so rare, and to couple that with an incredible personality is outstanding," Veach said of Mahomes. "We're going to continue to do everything we can to surround him with talent, and this deal provides us more flexibility to do that.
"He's obviously an integral part to our success and we're thrilled he's going to be the quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs for a long time."
Mahomes becomes the fourth quarterback since 2011 to receive an extension before the start of his fourth NFL season. He joins Ryan Tannehill (Miami Dolphins in 2015), Carson Wentz (Philadelphia Eagles in 2019) and Jared Goff (Los Angeles Rams in 2019).
Mahomes, 24, was named Most Valuable Player in the Chiefs' 31-20 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV earlier this year, becoming the first signal-caller in league history to win a league MVP and Super Bowl before turning 25. He was the youngest quarterback to be named Super Bowl MVP.
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Mahomes has thrown for 9,412 yards with 76 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in 31 regular-season games in his career. In five postseason games, he has recorded 1,474 passing yards with 13 touchdowns and two picks.


upi--2020-07-06--Louvre Museum reopens to limited visitors, new health rules

July 6 ( UPI ) -- The Louvre Museum in Paris reopened this week with fewer visitors and new rules regarding face masks and social distancing .
Visitors can still see the museum 's most famous portrait , Leonardo da Vinci 's Mona Lisa , but about 30 percent of the exhibits in the Musée du Louvre will remain closed , museum officials said .
The museum was shuttered for four months because of the coronavirus pandemic .
During a typical year , about 10 million people tour the museum , most from out of town .
But with tourists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health restrictions , the museum is expecting a significantly smaller number of visitors .
The museum has lost almost $ 45 million in revenue since the lockdown , officials said .
`` I am very , very happy to welcome visitors back , '' the Louvre 's director , Jean-Luc Martinez said as the museum reopened on Monday .
`` A museum is made above all to welcome visitors .
We have devoted our lives to art and we like to share it . ''
Martinez added that about 7,000 people reserved tickets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usually expect up to 50,000 a day in the summer months .
France has brought the coronavirus under control , the Santé Publique France health agency announced in early June .
Restaurants were allowed to reopen on June 5 .
The weekly reported clusters have been stable for the past four weeks , the health agency said July 2 .
But complaints about how the French government handled the coronavirus pandemic led to a shakeup in the government of President Emmanuel Macron .
Macron replaced Prime Minister Édouard Philippe , who is being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republic regarding the country 's coronavirus response .
Philippe was replaced by Jean Castex , the architect of the country 's re-opening plan .
France reported a total of more than 196,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 29,836 deaths , according to the Johns Hopkins University pandemic online tracker .

The Louvre reopened to guests on Monday with restrictions including keeping 30 percent of exhibits closed and new rules regarding face masks and social distancing. Photo by Christophe Petit Teson/EPA-EFE
July 6 (UPI) -- The Louvre Museum in Paris reopened this week with fewer visitors and new rules regarding face masks and social distancing. Visitors can still see the museum's most famous portrait, Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, but about 30 percent of the exhibits in the Musée du Louvre will remain closed, museum officials said. The museum was shuttered for four months because of the coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement
During a typical year, about 10 million people tour the museum, most from out of town. But with tourists from non-European Union countries blocked by COVID-19 health restrictions, the museum is expecting a significantly smaller number of visitors. The museum has lost almost $45 million in revenue since the lockdown, officials said.
"I am very, very happy to welcome visitors back," the Louvre's director, Jean-Luc Martinez said as the museum reopened on Monday. "A museum is made above all to welcome visitors. We have devoted our lives to art and we like to share it."
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Martinez added that about 7,000 people reserved tickets to visit the museum while it would usually expect up to 50,000 a day in the summer months.
France has brought the coronavirus under control, the Santé Publique France health agency announced in early June. Restaurants were allowed to reopen on June 5. The weekly reported clusters have been stable for the past four weeks, the health agency said July 2.
But complaints about how the French government handled the coronavirus pandemic led to a shakeup in the government of President Emmanuel Macron.
Macron replaced Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, who is being investigated by the Law Court of the Republic regarding the country's coronavirus response. Philippe was replaced by Jean Castex, the architect of the country's re-opening plan.
France reported a total of more than 196,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 29,836 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University pandemic online tracker.


upi--2020-07-06--Digital reconstruction shows Saint Thomas Becket's shrine in stunning detail

July 6 ( UPI ) -- No one has seen the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket since the 1538 , when it was destroyed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries , a Reformation decree issued by King Henry VIII .
Now , a team of historians has digitally reconstructed one of the most important medieval shrines .
The reconstruction , published Monday , shows what it might have been like to visit the martyr 's shrine at the height of its splendor .
After its completion during the early 13th century AD , the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most important pilgrimage destination in medieval England .
Becket became a martyr after he was murdered by the knights of his former friend , King Henry II , who was attempting to weaken the legal powers of the Catholic Church in England .
`` What makes the shrine particularly special is that for 400 years , between 1220 and 1538 , it was the foremost pilgrim shrine in England , and the only English pilgrim destination which was popular throughout Europe , '' John Jenkins , who led the digital reconstruction efforts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 1489 it was one of four pilgrimage sites in Europe that pilgrims from India traveled specifically to see , '' Jenkins said .
The impressive new CGI reconstruction was informed by a combination of historical documents and artifacts recovered from the site of the long-lost shrine .
Researchers began by recreating the shrine 's marble base , having analyzed fragments and studied depictions of the base on medieval pilgrim badges .
According to Jenkins , the shrine 's marble base was most likely to constructed at the same time as the Trinity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , using the same marble .
`` This is the first reconstruction to take that idea of its unity with surroundings as the starting-point , and the first to incorporate the shrine fragments , '' said Jenkins , researcher with the Center for the Study of Christianity and Culture , at the University of York .
`` We also were the first to notice that the shrine would have been surrounded by iron grilles . ''
Jenkins and his colleagues found corrosion marks on remnants of the marble pillars , signatures left by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's splendor is referenced in dozens of historical documents and first-person accounts .
Written sources suggest the shrine featured one of the most expensive collections of gold and precious stones in Medieval Europe .
`` Writers at the time were unanimous in recording how lavishly decorated the golden shrine casket was , '' Jenkins said .
The new digital reconstruction was released to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the creation of Saint Thomas Becket 's shrine , and researchers hope it will provide context for the many pilgrims that continue to visit Trinity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we hope the models will do , especially in their use at Canterbury Cathedral as part of the visitor experience , is help modern-day pilgrims and visitors not only see what medieval pilgrims would have seen -- the sumptuous golden shrine -- but also through the animated videos to understand how they interacted with it , '' Jenkins said .
`` They give an idea of the authentic medieval pilgrim experience , and this helps visitors and pilgrims today understand how they fit into a long tradition of finding meaning and comfort in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Researchers used a combination of historical documents and archaeological artifacts to create a CGI reconstruction of Thomas Beckets shrine. Photo by John Jenkins
July 6 (UPI) -- No one has seen the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket since the 1538, when it was destroyed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, a Reformation decree issued by King Henry VIII. A team of historians has digitally reconstructed it, one of the most important medieval shrines. The reconstruction, published Monday, shows what it might have been like to visit at the height of its splendor. Advertisement
After its completion during the early 13th century AD, the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral's Trinity Chapel became the most important pilgrimage destination in medieval England.
Becket became a martyr after he was murdered by the knights of his former friend, King Henry II, who was attempting to weaken the legal powers of the Catholic Church in England.
"What makes the shrine particularly special is that for 400 years, between 1220 and 1538, it was the foremost pilgrim shrine in England, and the only English pilgrim destination which was popular throughout Europe," John Jenkins, who led the digital reconstruction efforts, told UPI in an email.
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"In 1489 it was one of four pilgrimage sites in Europe that pilgrims from India traveled specifically to see," Jenkins said.
The new CGI reconstruction was informed by a combination of historical documents and artifacts recovered from the site of the long-lost shrine. Researchers began by recreating the shrine's marble base, having analyzed fragments and studied depictions of the base on medieval pilgrim badges.
According to Jenkins, the shrine's marble base was most likely to constructed at the same time as the Trinity Chapel -- and by the same masons, using the same marble.
"This is the first reconstruction to take that idea of its unity with surroundings as the starting point, and the first to incorporate the shrine fragments," said Jenkins, a researcher with the Center for the Study of Christianity and Culture at the University of York. "We also were the first to notice that the shrine would have been surrounded by iron grilles."
Jenkins and his colleagues found corrosion marks on remnants of the marble pillars, signatures left by the ancient iron grilles.
The shrine's splendor is referenced in dozens of historical documents and first-person accounts. Written sources suggest the shrine featured one of the most expensive collections of gold and precious stones in Medieval Europe.
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"Writers at the time were unanimous in recording how lavishly decorated the golden shrine casket was," Jenkins said.
The new digital reconstruction was released to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the creation of the shrine, and researchers hope it will provide context for the many pilgrims who continue to visit Trinity Chapel.
"One of the things we hope the models will do, especially in their use at Canterbury Cathedral as part of the visitor experience, is help modern-day pilgrims and visitors not only see what medieval pilgrims would have seen -- the sumptuous golden shrine -- but also through the animated videos to understand how they interacted with it," Jenkins said.
"They give an idea of the authentic medieval pilgrim experience, and this helps visitors and pilgrims today understand how they fit into a long tradition of finding meaning and comfort in England's cathedrals," Jenkins said.
Researchers detailed the digital reconstruction process in a paper published in the Journal of the British Archaeological Association.


upi--2020-07-06--ICE to require students on visas to leave universities that transition to fully online

July 6 ( UPI ) -- International students in the United States on student visas can not attend a university this fall if their studies are entirely online , Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Monday .
In a statement , ICE announced that students on non-immigrant F-1 and M-1 visas who attend universities that operate entirely online amid the COVID-19 pandemic `` may not take a full online course load and remain in the United States . ''
`` The U.S. Department of State will not issue visas to students enrolled in schools and/or programs that are fully online for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Customs and Border Protection permit these students to enter the United States , '' ICE said .
The agency added that F-1 students who attend schools that provide a mixture of online and in-person classes will be permitted to take some online courses .
ICE added that the schools must certify to the Student Exchange Visitor Program `` that the program is not entirely online , that the student is not taking an entirely online course load ... [ and ] that the student is taking the minimum number of online classes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ degree . ''
F-1 students whose universities will maintain full in-person classes will remain bound by federal laws that allow a maximum of one class or three credit hours online .
Students who remain in the United States while taking only online courses could face `` immigration consequences , '' including `` the initiation of removal proceedings , '' ICE said .
The policy announcement came on the same day that Harvard University announced it plans to allow 40 percent of undergraduates to return to campus for the fall 2020 semester , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be on campus to `` progress academically . ''
Princeton announced it will allow undergraduate students to return with reduced capacity , with first-year students and juniors returning for the fall semester and sophomores and seniors returning in the spring .

Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Monday that students attending universities on some visas will be required to leave the country, transfer schools or face deportation if their school moves exclusively online. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
July 6 (UPI) -- International students in the United States on student visas cannot attend a university this fall if their studies are entirely online, Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Monday. In a statement, ICE announced that students on non-immigrant F-1 and M-1 visas who attend universities that operate entirely online amid the COVID-19 pandemic "may not take a full online course load and remain in the United States." Advertisement
"The U.S. Department of State will not issue visas to students enrolled in schools and/or programs that are fully online for the fall semester, nor will the U.S. Customs and Border Protection permit these students to enter the United States," ICE said.
The agency added that F-1 students who attend schools that provide a mixture of online and in-person classes will be permitted to take some online courses.
ICE added that the schools must certify to the Student Exchange Visitor Program "that the program is not entirely online, that the student is not taking an entirely online course load ... [and] that the student is taking the minimum number of online classes required to make normal progress in their degree."
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F-1 students whose universities will maintain full in-person classes will remain bound by federal laws that allow a maximum of one class or three credit hours online.
Students who remain in the United States while taking only online courses could face "immigration consequences," including "the initiation of removal proceedings," ICE said.
The policy announcement came on the same day that Harvard University announced it plans to allow 40 percent of undergraduates to return to campus for the fall 2020 semester, including all first-year students and those who need to be on campus to "progress academically."
Princeton announced it will allow undergraduate students to return with reduced capacity, with first-year students and juniors returning for the fall semester and sophomores and seniors returning in the spring.


upi--2020-07-06--Disney announces deal with Colin Kaepernick for ESPN documentary

July 6 ( UPI ) -- The Walt Disney Co. on Monday announced a partnership between ESPN Films and Colin Kaepernick for an exclusive documentary series on the former NFL player 's football career and racial activism .
The deal between Kaepernick 's production arm , Ra Vision Media , and Disney will tell `` scripted and unscripted stories that explore race , social injustice and the quest for equity , '' a statement from ESPN said .
The partnership also will showcase the work of minority directors and producers .
`` During this unprecedented time , The Walt Disney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inclusive content that resonates and matters , '' said Bob Iger , Disney 's executive chairman in a statement .
`` Colin 's experience gives him a unique perspective on the intersection of sports , culture and race , which will undoubtedly create compelling stories that will educate , enlighten and entertain , and we look forward to working with him on this important collaboration . ''
The project will extend across all Disney platforms , including Walt Disney Television , ESPN , Hulu , Pixar and The Undefeated , a series that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company said .
One of the project 's producers will be Jemele Hill , who formerly worked with ESPN and The Undefeated .
The first-look series will feature unpublished footage from Kaepernick 's football career and his activism , the company said .
`` I am excited to announce this historic partnership with Disney across all of its platforms to elevate Black and Brown directors , creators , storytellers , and producers , and to inspire the youth with compelling and authentic perspectives , '' Kaepernick said in a statement .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my life story , in addition to many other culturally impactful projects we are developing . ''
`` Colin has had a singular path as both an athlete and an activist , and , as the nation continues to confront racism and social injustice , it feels particularly relevant to hear Colin 's voice on his evolution and motivations , '' Jimmy Piatro , ESPN 's president , told Variety .
Kaepernick played quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers until controversy erupted when he knelt during the 2016 season during the National Anthem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kaepernick became a free agent in 2017 .
Kaepernick complained that he was blackballed by the National Football League and moved forward with philanthropic and media projects .
He became a corporate spokesman for Nike in 2018 .
But after protests over the Memorial Day police-involved death of George Floyd , NFL commissioner Roger Goodell put out a video saying `` we were wrong '' for not listening to NFL players earlier who were protesting police brutality .
Goodell in June urged NFL teams to consider rehiring Kaepernick and said that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and `` guide '' the NFL on social issues .
The league has committed $ 250 million per year over 10 years to address racism in sports , the NFL said .

The Walt Disney Co. announced a partnership with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's Ra Vision Media for an ESPN documentary series. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
July 6 (UPI) -- The Walt Disney Co. on Monday announced a partnership between ESPN Films and Colin Kaepernick for an exclusive documentary series on the former NFL player's football career and racial activism. The deal between Kaepernick's production arm, Ra Vision Media, and Disney will tell "scripted and unscripted stories that explore race, social injustice and the quest for equity," a statement from ESPN said. Advertisement
The partnership also will showcase the work of minority directors and producers.
"During this unprecedented time, The Walt Disney Co. remains committed to creating diverse and inclusive content that resonates and matters," said Bob Iger, Disney's executive chairman in a statement.
"Colin's experience gives him a unique perspective on the intersection of sports, culture and race, which will undoubtedly create compelling stories that will educate, enlighten and entertain, and we look forward to working with him on this important collaboration."
The project will extend across all Disney platforms, including Walt Disney Television, ESPN, Hulu, Pixar and The Undefeated, a series that showcases race in professional sports, the company said.
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One of the project's producers will be Jemele Hill, who formerly worked with ESPN and The Undefeated. The first-look series will feature unpublished footage from Kaepernick's football career and his activism, the company said.
"I am excited to announce this historic partnership with Disney across all of its platforms to elevate Black and Brown directors, creators, storytellers, and producers, and to inspire the youth with compelling and authentic perspectives," Kaepernick said in a statement.
"I look forward to sharing the docuseries on my life story, in addition to many other culturally impactful projects we are developing."
"Colin has had a singular path as both an athlete and an activist, and, as the nation continues to confront racism and social injustice, it feels particularly relevant to hear Colin's voice on his evolution and motivations," Jimmy Piatro, ESPN's president,told Variety.
Kaepernick played quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers until controversy erupted when he knelt during the 2016 season during the National Anthem to protest police violence against African Americans. Kaepernick became a free agent in 2017.
Kaepernick complained that he was blackballed by the National Football League and moved forward with philanthropic and media projects. He became a corporate spokesman for Nike in 2018.
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But after protests over the Memorial Day police-involved death of George Floyd, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell put out a video saying "we were wrong" for not listening to NFL players earlier who were protesting police brutality.
Goodell in June urged NFL teams to consider rehiring Kaepernick and said that the league welcomed him to "help" and "guide" the NFL on social issues. The league has committed $250 million per year over 10 years to address racism in sports, the NFL said.


upi--2020-07-06--'Memory immune' responses as child could help fight flu later, researchers say

July 6 ( UPI ) -- The first case of flu a person experiences as a child might impact the ability to fight off other strains of the virus later in life , according to a study published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences .
Infection with H1N1 , the strain of influenza that caused a global pandemic in 2009 , resulted in immunity against the more common H3N2 strain later in life , the researchers said .
Infection with H3N2 as a child , however , did not offer protection against H1N1 , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flu infection by age 5 , the researchers said .
`` The specific types of influenza virus that an individual encounters in childhood may affect susceptibility to different influenza virus strains later in life , '' study co-author Scott E. Hensley told UPI .
`` Influenza virus infections in childhood establish memory immune responses that can be recalled later in life , '' said Hensley , an associate professor of microbiology at the University of Pennsylvania .
This is a concept called `` Original Antigenic Sin , '' according to Hensley and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system 's antibody response to a first influenza infection will be boosted with each subsequent infection with a distinct influenza virus strain over the course of person 's lifetime , they said .
Such `` memory immune '' responses have particular relevance now in light of the ongoing new coronavirus pandemic , Hensley said .
He and his team already are working on similar research with the new coronavirus , SARS-CoV-2 , which causes the disease COVID-19 .
For the influenza study , Hensley and his colleagues used ferrets and blood samples from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They infected both with H1N1 and H3N2 at separate times to see how each virus impacted immunity against the other , they said .
In general , their findings indicate that seasonal influenza viruses are highly transmissible to those who have never had them , the researchers said .
They could aid future research into flu vaccines , they said .
`` Our study suggests that humans have immune responses that are biased toward viruses that they encountered early in life , '' Hensley said .
`` It may be possible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memory by designing new vaccines that delivery many influenza virus antigens early in life . ''

July 6 (UPI) -- The first case of flu a person experiences as a child might impact the ability to fight off other strains of the virus later in life, according to a study published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Infection with H1N1, the strain of influenza that caused a global pandemic in 2009, resulted in immunity against the more common H3N2 strain later in life, the researchers said.
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Infection with H3N2 as a child, however, did not offer protection against H1N1, they said.
Most people experience their first flu infection by age 5, the researchers said.
"The specific types of influenza virus that an individual encounters in childhood may affect susceptibility to different influenza virus strains later in life," study co-author Scott E. Hensley told UPI.
"Influenza virus infections in childhood establish memory immune responses that can be recalled later in life," said Hensley, an associate professor of microbiology at the University of Pennsylvania.
This is a concept called "Original Antigenic Sin," according to Hensley and his colleagues.
It means that the immune system's antibody response to a first influenza infection will be boosted with each subsequent infection with a distinct influenza virus strain over the course of person's lifetime, they said.
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Such "memory immune" responses have particular relevance now in light of the ongoing new coronavirus pandemic, Hensley said. He and his team already are working on similar research with the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease COVID-19.
For the influenza study, Hensley and his colleagues used ferrets and blood samples from 69 children 2 to 6 years old. They infected both with H1N1 and H3N2 at separate times to see how each virus impacted immunity against the other, they said.
In general, their findings indicate that seasonal influenza viruses are highly transmissible to those who have never had them, the researchers said. They could aid future research into flu vaccines, they said.
"Our study suggests that humans have immune responses that are biased toward viruses that they encountered early in life," Hensley said.
"It may be possible to [create] universal influenza virus immune memory by designing new vaccines that delivery many influenza virus antigens early in life."


upi--2020-07-06--State Dept. approves $2B sale of 8 MV-22 Osprey aircraft to Indonesia

July 6 ( UPI ) -- The State Department has approved a potential $ 2 billion sale of eight MV-22 Osprey and related equipment to Indonesia , the State Department said on Monday .
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the possible sale Saturday , an agency statement said .
The potential sale is based on the Government of Indonesia 's request to buy eight MV-22 Block C Osprey aircraft , along with other military equipment , including machine guns , engines , radars , navigation and missile warning systems estimated to cost a total of $ 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of an important regional partner that is a force for political stability , and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region , '' the agency statement said .
`` It is vital to U.S. national interest to assist Indonesia in developing and maintaining a strong and effective self-defense capability . ''
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency added that the proposed sale could also improve Indonesia 's humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities .
Prime contractors include Bell Textron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boeing Company , in Ridley Park , Pennsylvanita .
The MV-22 Osprey is `` unlike any aircraft , '' according to the U.S. Navy .
It uses `` tiltrotor technology to combine the vertical performance of a helicopter with the speed and range of fixed-wind aircraft , '' the Navy statement said .
The Block C Osprey includes upgrades that improve navigation in poor weather conditions and situational awareness .

The State Department has approved the potential sale of eight MV-22 Osprey to Indonesia. Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy
July 6 (UPI) -- The State Department has approved a potential $2 billion sale of eight MV-22 Osprey and related equipment to Indonesia, the State Department said on Monday. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the possible sale Saturday, an agency statement said. Advertisement
The potential sale is based on the Government of Indonesia's request to buy eight MV-22 Block C Osprey aircraft, along with other military equipment, including machine guns, engines, radars, navigation and missile warning systems estimated to cost a total of $2 billion.
"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of an important regional partner that is a force for political stability, and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region," the agency statement said. "It is vital to U.S. national interest to assist Indonesia in developing and maintaining a strong and effective self-defense capability."
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency added that the proposed sale could also improve Indonesia's humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities.
Prime contractors include Bell Textron, in Amarillo, Texas and The Boeing Company, in Ridley Park, Pennsylvanita.
The MV-22 Osprey is "unlike any aircraft," according to the U.S. Navy.
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It uses "tiltrotor technology to combine the vertical performance of a helicopter with the speed and range of fixed-wind aircraft," the Navy statement said. The Block C Osprey includes upgrades that improve navigation in poor weather conditions and situational awareness.


upi--2020-07-06--Major medical groups urge Americans to wear face masks amid coronavirus pandemic

Three major medical groups are urging Americans to wear face masks , wash their hands and practice social distancing as coronavirus cases continue to surge in the United States .
In an open letter to the public released Monday , the groups noted that stay-at-home orders and other social distancing policies curbed the spread of COVID-19 in the spring .
`` But in the weeks since states began reopening , some of the steps that were critical to the progress we made were too quickly abandoned .
And we are now watching in real-time as a dramatic uptick in COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' stated the letter from the American Medical Association , the American Hospital Association , and American Nurses Association .
`` Hospitals in some states are at or nearing their ICU capacity .
Shortages of personal protective equipment and testing supplies continue to pose a dire threat to health care workers and patients alike , '' the letter said .
`` And last week , Dr. Anthony Fauci told Congress that the U.S. could see 100,000 new coronavirus cases each day if we do not take more precautions .
`` This is why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health system leaders , researchers and public health experts , we are urging the American public to take the simple steps we know will help stop the spread of the virus : wearing a face mask , maintaining physical distancing , and washing hands , '' the letter advised .
The time to do so is now : The United States set another record for the seven-day rolling average of new cases for the 27th day in a row on Sunday , with 48,000 new infections .
More than 2.9 million Americans have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , coronavirus-related hospitalizations rose to their highest levels to date in Arizona and Nevada .
But Americans `` are not powerless in this public health crisis , and we can defeat it in the same way we defeated previous threats to public health -- by allowing science and evidence to shape our decisions and inform our actions , '' the groups said .
`` But what is certain -- and what the science and evidence are telling us -- is that COVID-19 is not behind us and we must resist confusing re-opening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will escalate this crisis and result in more suffering and death , '' the letter warned .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19 protection .

Director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci wears a face mask while he waits to testifiy before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on the Trump Administration's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on June 23. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Three major medical groups are urging Americans to wear face masks, wash their hands and practice social distancing as coronavirus cases continue to surge in the United States. In an open letter to the public released Monday, the groups noted that stay-at-home orders and other social distancing policies curbed the spread of COVID-19 in the spring. Advertisement
"But in the weeks since states began reopening, some of the steps that were critical to the progress we made were too quickly abandoned. And we are now watching in real-time as a dramatic uptick in COVID-19 cases is erasing our hard-won gains," stated the letter from the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, and American Nurses Association.
"Hospitals in some states are at or nearing their ICU capacity. Shortages of personal protective equipment and testing supplies continue to pose a dire threat to health care workers and patients alike," the letter said. "And last week, Dr. Anthony Fauci told Congress that the U.S. could see 100,000 new coronavirus cases each day if we do not take more precautions.
"This is why as physicians, nurses, hospital and health system leaders, researchers and public health experts, we are urging the American public to take the simple steps we know will help stop the spread of the virus: wearing a face mask, maintaining physical distancing, and washing hands," the letter advised.
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The time to do so is now: The United States set another record for the seven-day rolling average of new cases for the 27th day in a row on Sunday, with 48,000 new infections. More than 2.9 million Americans have now been infected. At the same time, coronavirus-related hospitalizations rose to their highest levels to date in Arizona and Nevada.
But Americans "are not powerless in this public health crisis, and we can defeat it in the same way we defeated previous threats to public health -- by allowing science and evidence to shape our decisions and inform our actions," the groups said.
"But what is certain -- and what the science and evidence are telling us -- is that COVID-19 is not behind us and we must resist confusing re-opening with returning to normalcy. Doing so will escalate this crisis and result in more suffering and death," the letter warned.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19 protection.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-07-06--Iran's IRGC touts underground 'missile cities' along Gulf Coast

July 6 ( UPI ) -- The commander of Iran 's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has touted underground `` missile cities , '' along the Gulf coastline .
Navy Rear Admiral Alireza Tangisiri announced the construction of new underground `` missile cities '' Sunday , as he warned that they would be a `` nightmare '' for Iran 's `` enemies . ''
`` We have missile-launching floating cities which we will display whenever our leaders see fit , '' Tangsiri told the Sobh-e Sadegh weekly .
Tangsiri also referred to the new missile cities as `` underground cities that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that southern Iran 's entire shoreline has weapons .
The weapons , mostly in the hands of the IRGC , include units of Basij and 428 flotillas operating along the coastline and concentrated along the Persian Gulf , according to state media reports .
The boasting comes in the aftermath of a fire Thursday at Iran 's Natanz nuclear complex .
Atomic Energy Organization of Iran spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said the incident damaged one of the under-construction sheds at the complex and there were no casualties or damage to current activities at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Times has reported that since then the government has acknowledged that the incident caused significant damage , which will set back Iran 's nuclear program by months .
Furthermore , the Jerusalem Post cited an Arabic-language daily newspaper , Kuwait 's Al-Jarida , which said an Israeli cyberattack struck Iran 's Natanz Nuclear Facility on Thursday .
According to the the Kuwaiti paper , the explosion and another explosion near Parchin targeted UF6 gas storage used for uranium enrichment and Iran has now lost 80 percent of its stock of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities '' also comes after state media reported that Iran successfully test fired short and long-range cruise missiles in a naval exercise in the Oman Sea and northern Indian Ocean last month , hitting targets at a distance of about 174 miles .
On the other hand , Iran in May shot a missile that mistakenly hit its own ship during naval exercises in the Sea of Oman , killing at least 19 sailors and injuring 15 others , according to Islamic Republic News Agency .

July 6 (UPI) -- The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has touted underground "missile cities," along the Gulf coastline.
Navy Rear Admiral Alireza Tangisiri announced the construction of new underground "missile cities" Sunday, as he warned that they would be a "nightmare" for Iran's "enemies."
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"We have missile-launching floating cities which we will display whenever our leaders see fit," Tangsiri told the Sobh-e Sadegh weekly.
Tangsiri also referred to the new missile cities as "underground cities that house vessels and missiles."
He added that southern Iran's entire shoreline has weapons.
The weapons, mostly in the hands of the IRGC, include units of Basij and 428 flotillas operating along the coastline and concentrated along the Persian Gulf, according to state media reports.
The boasting comes in the aftermath of a fire Thursday at Iran's Natanz nuclear complex.
Atomic Energy Organization of Iran spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said the incident damaged one of the under-construction sheds at the complex and there were no casualties or damage to current activities at the nuclear facility.
However, the New York Times has reported that since then the government has acknowledged that the incident caused significant damage, which will set back Iran's nuclear program by months.
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Furthermore, the Jerusalem Post cited an Arabic-language daily newspaper, Kuwait's Al-Jarida, which said an Israeli cyberattack struck Iran's Natanz Nuclear Facility on Thursday. According to the the Kuwaiti paper, the explosion and another explosion near Parchin targeted UF6 gas storage used for uranium enrichment and Iran has now lost 80 percent of its stock of this gas.
The touting of "missile cities" also comes after state media reported that Iran successfully test fired short and long-range cruise missiles in a naval exercise in the Oman Sea and northern Indian Ocean last month, hitting targets at a distance of about 174 miles.
On the other hand, Iran in May shot a missile that mistakenly hit its own ship during naval exercises in the Sea of Oman, killing at least 19 sailors and injuring 15 others, according to Islamic Republic News Agency.


upi--2020-07-06--Common blood pressure meds may lower colon cancer risk

Millions of Americans take medication to keep their blood pressure down .
A new study suggests that two types of blood pressure drugs might do double-duty , keeping colon cancer away , too .
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors ( often called ACE inhibitors ) and angiotensin II receptor blockers ( ARBs ) help lower blood pressure by relaxing and opening up narrowed blood vessels , allowing blood to flow freely .
Researchers analyzed the health records of almost 200,000 adult patients in Hong Kong from 2005 to 2013 .
Compared to nonusers of the drugs , those who took ACE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower risk of developing colon cancer in the three years following a colonoscopy that declared them cancer-free , they found .
The researchers , from the University of Hong Kong , excluded all patients who had a prior history of colon cancer .
The benefit was especially true for patients 55 or older , and those with a history of colon polyps -- potentially cancerous growths .
In the three years following a clean colonoscopy , there is already low risk of developing colon cancer .
Still , study author Dr. Wai Leung @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of Hong Kong , said that cancer can develop during this period .
`` We found that there 's a very strong , protective effect , particularly within that short period of time after a negative colonoscopy , '' Leung explained .
But the protective effects only lasted for those first three years .
The results were published July 6 in the journal Hypertension .
They showed that the drugs do not reduce the risk of all colon cancer , but are particularly beneficial in preventing colon cancer that arrives soon after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide .
If commonly prescribed drugs could be repurposed to prevent colon cancer , it would have a significant public health impact , said Dr. Raymond Townsend , director of the hypertension program and a professor of medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania .
Townsend said the results of this study are significant , especially since the researchers looked at such a large population .
`` A 22 percent reduction is not trivial , so I think there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Townsend , who had no role in the study .
The study also found that the longer you use the medications , the more likely you are to experience a benefit .
For every year that the patients took the drugs , the risk of developing colon cancer in the three years following a clear colonoscopy was lowered by 5 percent .
But Townsend emphasized that studies like this generate more questions than answers .
The population of people who take medications to lower their blood pressure are often older and have other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age , their chances of developing high blood pressure go up dramatically -- as do their chances of developing cancer .
`` You 've got a population that is primed to develop the problem in the first place , '' Townsend said .
Since the study looked at people in the real world , there are risk factors and variables that naturally affect the results .
`` Is it the person , or is it the medication ? ''
Townsend wondered .
And prior research has shown the opposite effect -- that medications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , instead of preventing it .
`` Since 1976 or so , this issue of cancer in patients on blood pressure medicines has been in the literature repeatedly , '' Townsend explained .
Based on how these blood pressure medications work , there is some reason to believe they could prevent cancer .
For cancers to grow , they have to develop new blood vessels , and blood pressure medications may block the formation of these new vessels .
`` It 's possible that these medications really cut off the blood supply of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Dr. Andrew Chan , a colon cancer specialist and professor at Harvard Medical School .
He was not involved in the study .
However , the study can not show a direct cause-and-effect relationship .
And Chan added , `` one study is not enough to sway clinical practice , and you really need to verify that you have similar associations in other studies . ''
There 's more about colon cancer at the American Cancer Society .

Compared to nonusers of the drugs, those who took ACE inhibitors or ARBs had a 22 percent lower risk of developing colon cancer in the three years following a colonoscopy that declared them cancer-free, researchers found. Photo by Bru-nO /Pixabay
Millions of Americans take medication to keep their blood pressure down. A new study suggests that two types of blood pressure drugs might do double-duty, keeping colon cancer away, too. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (often called ACE inhibitors) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) help lower blood pressure by relaxing and opening up narrowed blood vessels, allowing blood to flow freely. Advertisement
Researchers analyzed the health records of almost 200,000 adult patients in Hong Kong from 2005 to 2013. Compared to nonusers of the drugs, those who took ACE inhibitors or ARBs had a 22 percent lower risk of developing colon cancer in the three years following a colonoscopy that declared them cancer-free, they found.
The researchers, from the University of Hong Kong, excluded all patients who had a prior history of colon cancer.
The benefit was especially true for patients 55 or older, and those with a history of colon polyps -- potentially cancerous growths.
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In the three years following a clean colonoscopy, there is already low risk of developing colon cancer. Still, study author Dr. Wai Leung, a professor of medicine at the University of Hong Kong, said that cancer can develop during this period.
"We found that there's a very strong, protective effect, particularly within that short period of time after a negative colonoscopy," Leung explained.
But the protective effects only lasted for those first three years.
The results were published July 6 in the journal Hypertension. They showed that the drugs do not reduce the risk of all colon cancer, but are particularly beneficial in preventing colon cancer that arrives soon after a colonoscopy.
Colon cancer is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide.
If commonly prescribed drugs could be repurposed to prevent colon cancer, it would have a significant public health impact, said Dr. Raymond Townsend, director of the hypertension program and a professor of medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Townsend said the results of this study are significant, especially since the researchers looked at such a large population.
"A 22 percent reduction is not trivial, so I think there's a story here," added Townsend, who had no role in the study.
Advertisement
The study also found that the longer you use the medications, the more likely you are to experience a benefit.
For every year that the patients took the drugs, the risk of developing colon cancer in the three years following a clear colonoscopy was lowered by 5 percent.
But Townsend emphasized that studies like this generate more questions than answers.
The population of people who take medications to lower their blood pressure are often older and have other risk factors for cancer.
As people age, their chances of developing high blood pressure go up dramatically -- as do their chances of developing cancer.
"You've got a population that is primed to develop the problem in the first place," Townsend said.
Since the study looked at people in the real world, there are risk factors and variables that naturally affect the results.
"Is it the person, or is it the medication?" Townsend wondered.
And prior research has shown the opposite effect -- that medications for high blood pressure could cause cancer, instead of preventing it.
"Since 1976 or so, this issue of cancer in patients on blood pressure medicines has been in the literature repeatedly," Townsend explained.
Based on how these blood pressure medications work, there is some reason to believe they could prevent cancer.
Advertisement
For cancers to grow, they have to develop new blood vessels, and blood pressure medications may block the formation of these new vessels.
"It's possible that these medications really cut off the blood supply of these tumors and prevent them from growing," said Dr. Andrew Chan, a colon cancer specialist and professor at Harvard Medical School. He was not involved in the study.
However, the study cannot show a direct cause-and-effect relationship. And Chan added, "one study is not enough to sway clinical practice, and you really need to verify that you have similar associations in other studies."
More information
There's more about colon cancer at the American Cancer Society.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-07-06--Canadian PM Trudeau will stay home for USMCA trade deal event in DC

July 6 ( UPI ) -- Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau will not travel to Washington , D.C. , to celebrate the ratification of a new trade agreement between Canada , the United States and Mexico Wednesday , the prime minister 's office said Monday .
U.S. President Donald Trump will host Mexican President Andrés López Obrador to celebrate the USMCA trade agreement , which replaced the 1994 NAFTA agreement between the three North American nations .
Trudeau had a conflict in his schedule , a spokeswoman said .
`` While there were recent discussions about the possible participation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ottawa this week for scheduled cabinet meetings and the long-planned sitting of Parliament , '' Chantal Gagnon from the Prime Minister 's Office said in a statement .
Under Canadian health regulations during the coronavirus pandemic , Trudeau would have to self-quarantine for 14 days after traveling to the United States , which would interfere with his duties connected to the start of Parliament .
Trudeau , 48 , and his wife had to self-quarantine in March , after Sofie Trudeau , 44 , tested positive for the coronavirus .
The updated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three nations , went into effect on July 1 .
Trudeau said he would talk to Trump by phone .
Trudeau also said he was concerned about threats by the United States to reimpose 10 percent tariffs on aluminum imports from Canada , a decision opposed by U.S. aluminum businesses .
`` We 're obviously concerned about the proposed issue of tariffs on aluminum and steel that the Americans have floated recently , '' Trudeau said Monday .
U.S. tariffs in 2018 on steel and aluminum imported from Mexico , Canada and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on $ 12.5 billion worth of imported U.S. goods until the two countries agreed to lift them in May 2019 .

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will not be visiting the White House to mark the new USMCA trade agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico, officials said. File photo by Shealah Craighead/UPI | License Photo
July 6 (UPI) -- Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau will not travel to Washington, D.C., to celebrate the ratification of a new trade agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico Wednesday, the prime minister's office said Monday. U.S. President Donald Trump will host Mexican President Andrés López Obrador to celebrate the USMCA trade agreement, which replaced the 1994 NAFTA agreement between the three North American nations. Advertisement
Trudeau had a conflict in his schedule, a spokeswoman said.
"While there were recent discussions about the possible participation of Canada, the prime minister will be in Ottawa this week for scheduled cabinet meetings and the long-planned sitting of Parliament," Chantal Gagnon from the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.
Under Canadian health regulations during the coronavirus pandemic, Trudeau would have to self-quarantine for 14 days after traveling to the United States, which would interfere with his duties connected to the start of Parliament.
Trudeau, 48, and his wife had to self-quarantine in March, after Sofie Trudeau, 44, tested positive for the coronavirus.
The updated NAFTA agreement modernizing trade rules between the three nations, went into effect on July 1. Trudeau said he would talk to Trump by phone.
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Trudeau also said he was concerned about threats by the United States to reimpose 10 percent tariffs on aluminum imports from Canada, a decision opposed by U.S. aluminum businesses.
"We're obviously concerned about the proposed issue of tariffs on aluminum and steel that the Americans have floated recently," Trudeau said Monday.
U.S. tariffs in 2018 on steel and aluminum imported from Mexico, Canada and the European Union led to retaliatory Canadian tariffs on $12.5 billion worth of imported U.S. goods until the two countries agreed to lift them in May 2019.