upi--2020-07-07--Famous birthdays for July 7: Ringo Starr, Jim Gaffigan

July 7 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Cancer .

Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band perform at the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock Music Festival at Bethel Woods Center For The Arts on August 16 in Bethel, N.Y. He turns 80 on July 7. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 7 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Cancer. They include: Advertisement
-- Austrian composer Gustav Mahler in 1860
-- Russian painter Marc Chagall in 1887
-- Film director George Cukor in 1899
-- Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Leroy "Satchel" Paige in 1906
-- Bandleader Doc Severinsen in 1927 (age 93)
-- Singer Mary Ford in 1924
-- Historian/author David McCullough in 1933 (age 87)
-- Former Beatle Ringo Starr, born Richard Starkey, in 1940 (age 80)
-- Film critic Joel Siegel in 1943
File Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI
-- Actor Joe Spano in 1946 (age 74)
-- Actor Shelley Duvall in 1949 (age 71)
-- Actor Billy Campbell in 1959 (age 61)
-- Comedian Jim Gaffigan in 1966 (age 54)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Actor Kirsten Vangsness in 1972 (age 48)
-- Figure skater Michelle Kwan in 1980 (age 40)
-- Singer Amber "Sevyn" Streeter in 1986 (age 34)
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-- Actor Jack Whitehall in 1988 (age 32)
-- Singer Ally Brooke in 1993 (age 27)


upi--2020-07-07--On This Day, July 7: West Point begins enrolling women

July 7 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1846 , U.S. Navy Commodore J.D .
Sloat proclaimed the annexation of California by the United States .
In 1865 , four people convicted of conspiring with John Wilkes Booth in the assassination of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln were hanged in Washington .
In 1898 , U.S. President William McKinley signed a joint resolution of Congress authorizing the annexation of Hawaii by the United States .
In 1930 , construction began on the Giant Boulder Dam , which in 1947 was renamed the Hoover Dam .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1850-1917 ) became the first American to be canonized a saint in the Roman Catholic Church .
In 1976 , the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York enrolled female cadets for the first time in the institution 's then-174-year-old history .
In 1981 , Sandra Day O'Connor was chosen by U.S. President Ronald Reagan to become the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court .
She was unanimously approved by the Senate .
In 1999 , a Miami-Dade County jury held the leading tobacco companies liable for various illnesses of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed in 1994 , was the first of its kind to reach trial .
In 2005 , terrorists struck the London transit system , setting off explosions in three subway cars and a double-decker bus in coordinated rush-hour attacks .
Fifty-two people were killed and more than 700 injured .
In 2010 , a Paris court sentenced former Panama ruler Manuel Noriega to seven years in prison for money laundering .
He was convicted of funneling about $ 3 million of Colombian drug money into French bank accounts .
In 2012 , U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longtime partner , Jim Ready , in a ceremony officiated by Gov .
Deval Patrick .
He was the first member of Congress to publicly come out as gay and first to marry a same-sex partner while in office .
In 2013 , Andy Murray became the first British player in 77 years to win the men 's singles title at Wimbledon , defeating Serb Novak Djokovic in straight sets in the championship match .
In 2016 , a gunman opened fire at an otherwise peaceful Black Lives Matter rally in Dallas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer , and injuring seven others .
Police killed the gunmen , who was holed up in a parking garage , using a robot strapped with an explosive .
In 2017 , Elon Musk 's Tesla Motors produced its first mass-market vehicle , the Model 3 .
In 2019 , a toxic algae bloom shut down all the beaches along Mississippi 's Gulf Coast .

1/4
An Army cadet stands on the field at the 118th meeting between Army and Navy at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on December 9, 2017. On July 7, 1976, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York enrolled female cadets for the first time in the institution's then-174-year-old history. File Photo by Derik Hamilton/UPI | License Photo
July 7 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1846, U.S. Navy Commodore J.D. Sloat proclaimed the annexation of California by the United States. Advertisement
In 1865, four people convicted of conspiring with John Wilkes Booth in the assassination of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln were hanged in Washington.
In 1898, U.S. President William McKinley signed a joint resolution of Congress authorizing the annexation of Hawaii by the United States.
In 1930, construction began on the Giant Boulder Dam, which in 1947 was renamed the Hoover Dam.
In 1946, Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917) became the first American to be canonized a saint in the Roman Catholic Church.
In 1976, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York enrolled female cadets for the first time in the institution's then-174-year-old history.
In 1981, Sandra Day O'Connor was chosen by U.S. President Ronald Reagan to become the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court. She was unanimously approved by the Senate.
File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI
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In 1999, a Miami-Dade County jury held the leading tobacco companies liable for various illnesses of Florida smokers. The class-action lawsuit, filed in 1994, was the first of its kind to reach trial.
In 2005, terrorists struck the London transit system, setting off explosions in three subway cars and a double-decker bus in coordinated rush-hour attacks. Fifty-two people were killed and more than 700 injured.
In 2010, a Paris court sentenced former Panama ruler Manuel Noriega to seven years in prison for money laundering. He was convicted of funneling about $3 million of Colombian drug money into French bank accounts.
In 2012, U.S. Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts married his longtime partner, Jim Ready, in a ceremony officiated by Gov. Deval Patrick. He was the first member of Congress to publicly come out as gay and first to marry a same-sex partner while in office.
File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
In 2013, Andy Murray became the first British player in 77 years to win the men's singles title at Wimbledon, defeating Serb Novak Djokovic in straight sets in the championship match.
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In 2016, a gunman opened fire at an otherwise peaceful Black Lives Matter rally in Dallas, killing four police officers and one transit officer, and injuring seven others. Police killed the gunmen, who was holed up in a parking garage, using a robot strapped with an explosive.
In 2017, Elon Musk's Tesla Motors produced its first mass-market vehicle, the Model 3.
In 2019, a toxic algae bloom shut down all the beaches along Mississippi's Gulf Coast.


upi--2020-07-07--‘Dirty Jobs’ star Mike Rowe: Skilled labor needs better PR

July 7 ( UPI ) -- Mike Rowe says Dirty Jobs : Rowe 'd Trip might be the perfect TV show for people living through the coronavirus pandemic and developing a new appreciation for how important farming , trucking , plumbing , electricity and the Internet are to civilization 's survival .
`` All of that stuff has an infrastructure that needs to be tended to , so finding and celebrating the people who will tend to that infrastructure was always the mission of the show , '' Rowe told UPI in a recent phone interview .
`` Checking back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are hurtling down Route 1 [ in California ] , with the ocean on our right and the Redwoods to our left , was really great . ''
Set to debut Tuesday on the Discovery Channel , the four-episode series is a followup to Dirty Jobs , which explored various unusual , messy , occasionally dangerous and always necessary occupations .
It ran eight seasons , wrapping up in 2012 .
Rowe 'd Trip follows Rowe and the rest of the original Dirty Jobs crew as they travel and visit old friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a specific theme , including infrastructure , innovator , isolation and animals .
`` We spent a week taking a series of road trips every day to someplace kind of cool and , along the way , we reminisce , we catch up , we get into some trouble , we look back at our favorite parts from Dirty Jobs and check in with a few of the old Jobbers , '' Rowe said .
Did the trip go completely as planned ?
`` Nothing in my life has gone completely as planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ QVC home-shopping network host and opera singer who went on to become a beloved TV personality , bestselling author and advocate for the blue-collar trades .
`` The road trip did come off more or less as I 'd hoped , '' he added .
`` The original plan was to be out in the world in March and April , shooting a new season of Dirty Jobs .
I wanted to bring the show back because I thought the whole notion of essential work had once again found its way into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of essential worker shows . ''
Asked if the trip reinforced his belief that the United States is a land of grit and ingenuity , Rowe said he is an optimist who never doubts what people can accomplish when they keep an open mind and work hard .
`` The virus is a huge challenge for a lot of people , but it was checking in with our favorite Dirty Jobbers that did remind me that life never stops .
Work never stops , '' Rowe said .
During the course of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300 `` dirty jobs . ''
`` You spend a couple of days on a pig farm and then you move on to a wastewater treatment plant and you kind of forget about the pig farm , '' he said .
`` But when you check back 10 , 12 , 15 years later with the pig farmer , you start to realize that guy has been doing that every single day since you left and he has been helping feed millions of people three times a day .
`` That 's something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is also something , I think , the country wants to be reminded of . ''
For years , Rowe has championed the trades and challenged the widely held opinion that a four-year college degree , frequently accompanied by a mountain of student loan debt , is the only path to a fulfilling , important and high-paying job .
`` Most of what I do , in real life these days , is run a foundation called Mike Rowe Works .
That evolved out of Dirty Jobs in 2008 , '' Rowe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are giving away $ 1 million in work-ethic scholarships to coincide with the release of Rowe 'd Trip .
I 've been doing this every year .
We try to affirmatively encourage people to learn skills and master trades that are already in demand . ''
Those who have skills and are able to think outside the box are the most likely to thrive when something like the coronavirus pandemic upends their lives , he said .
`` The ability to pivot and reinvent yourself right now is more important than ever , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freelance , eat what you kill , think differently about the nature of security , '' he said .
`` I also think workers who are already ensconced in skilled trades are going to have a new level of job security , too . ''
Teaching job skills during the pandemic when social distancing is practiced has been a challenge , he acknowledged .
`` It 's impacted everything .
Every single vocation that I know of has had to recalibrate and pivot .
It 's hard to teach welding in a pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teach history , '' Rowe said .
`` This pandemic does n't care what your chosen field is , what your politics are .
It does n't go on holiday , whether you are having a beer in a bar or marching in a protest or learning to weld or learning accounting . ''
While unemployment has soared in recent months , many positions go unfilled because people wo n't consider something outside their field , feeling their happiness is tied directly to the career they have chosen .
`` It is difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been the message of the last 40 years that says , 'You should n't have to pivot , ' '' Rowe said .
`` It 's not just a skills gap , it 's a will gap .
Skilled labor needs better PR and parents need a better understanding , I think , of the reality of pressuring a kid into signing on the dotted line and graduating with a political science degree and $ 90,000 in debt . ''
Rowe avoids explicitly discussing politics and appears equally at ease chatting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their talk shows about the job-skills gap , current events and whatever projects he is promoting .
He applauds President Donald Trump 's recent executive order prioritizing job skills over college degrees in federal hiring , as well as the passage of the USMCA trade agreement , which is intended to bring manufacturing jobs home to North America from overseas .
During such divisive times -- with a pandemic and social justice movement rocking the country during a particularly contentious presidential election year -- it 's not easy for a media personality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly impossible , '' Rowe said .
`` I try to stay in my lane , but I also weigh in on education and work , so , yeah , it 's difficult , '' he said .
`` You ca n't run a foundation and weigh in on every single thing you want to , but you also ca n't sit on the sidelines .
People are being weighed and measured these days .
You have to have some kind of an opinion . ''
Rowe is the author of The Way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ host of Facebook 's Returning the Favor .
His other credits include Somebody 's Got ta Do It , Deadliest Catch , How the Universe Works , Ghost Hunters , The Most and Last Man Standing .

"Dirty Jobs: Rowe'd Trip" with Mike Rowe will debut Tuesday. Photo by Troy Paff/Discovery Channel
July 7 (UPI) -- Mike Rowe says Dirty Jobs: Rowe'd Trip might be the perfect TV show for people living through the coronavirus pandemic and developing a new appreciation for how important farming, trucking, plumbing, electricity and the Internet are to civilization's survival. "All of that stuff has an infrastructure that needs to be tended to, so finding and celebrating the people who will tend to that infrastructure was always the mission of the show," Rowe told UPI in a recent phone interview. Advertisement
"Checking back in with them from an RV as we are hurtling down Route 1 [in California], with the ocean on our right and the Redwoods to our left, was really great."
Set to debut Tuesday on the Discovery Channel, the four-episode series is a followup to Dirty Jobs, which explored various unusual, messy, occasionally dangerous and always necessary occupations. It ran eight seasons, wrapping up in 2012.
Advertisement
Rowe'd Trip follows Rowe and the rest of the original Dirty Jobs crew as they travel and visit old friends via video-conference technology. Each episode spotlights a specific theme, including infrastructure, innovator, isolation and animals.
"We spent a week taking a series of road trips every day to someplace kind of cool and, along the way, we reminisce, we catch up, we get into some trouble, we look back at our favorite parts from Dirty Jobs and check in with a few of the old Jobbers," Rowe said.
Did the trip go completely as planned?
"Nothing in my life has gone completely as planned," joked Rowe, a former QVC home-shopping network host and opera singer who went on to become a beloved TV personality, bestselling author and advocate for the blue-collar trades.
"The road trip did come off more or less as I'd hoped," he added.
"The original plan was to be out in the world in March and April, shooting a new season of Dirty Jobs. I wanted to bring the show back because I thought the whole notion of essential work had once again found its way into the headlines and Dirty Jobs was the granddaddy of essential worker shows."
Advertisement
Asked if the trip reinforced his belief that the United States is a land of grit and ingenuity, Rowe said he is an optimist who never doubts what people can accomplish when they keep an open mind and work hard.
"The virus is a huge challenge for a lot of people, but it was checking in with our favorite Dirty Jobbers that did remind me that life never stops. Work never stops," Rowe said.
During the course of the original show, Rowe tried out about 300 "dirty jobs."
"You spend a couple of days on a pig farm and then you move on to a wastewater treatment plant and you kind of forget about the pig farm," he said.
"But when you check back 10, 12, 15 years later with the pig farmer, you start to realize that guy has been doing that every single day since you left and he has been helping feed millions of people three times a day.
"That's something that is personally impressive to me and it is also something, I think, the country wants to be reminded of."
For years, Rowe has championed the trades and challenged the widely held opinion that a four-year college degree, frequently accompanied by a mountain of student loan debt, is the only path to a fulfilling, important and high-paying job.
Advertisement
"Most of what I do, in real life these days, is run a foundation called Mike Rowe Works. That evolved out of Dirty Jobs in 2008," Rowe said.
"This month, we are giving away $1 million in work-ethic scholarships to coincide with the release of Rowe'd Trip. I've been doing this every year. We try to affirmatively encourage people to learn skills and master trades that are already in demand."
Those who have skills and are able to think outside the box are the most likely to thrive when something like the coronavirus pandemic upends their lives, he said.
"The ability to pivot and reinvent yourself right now is more important than ever, [as is] the willingness to freelance, eat what you kill, think differently about the nature of security," he said. "I also think workers who are already ensconced in skilled trades are going to have a new level of job security, too."
Teaching job skills during the pandemic when social distancing is practiced has been a challenge, he acknowledged.
"It's impacted everything. Every single vocation that I know of has had to recalibrate and pivot. It's hard to teach welding in a pandemic, but it's also hard to teach history," Rowe said.
Advertisement
"This pandemic doesn't care what your chosen field is, what your politics are. It doesn't go on holiday, whether you are having a beer in a bar or marching in a protest or learning to weld or learning accounting."
While unemployment has soared in recent months, many positions go unfilled because people won't consider something outside their field, feeling their happiness is tied directly to the career they have chosen.
"It is difficult to pivot, but of greater concern has been the message of the last 40 years that says, 'You shouldn't have to pivot,'" Rowe said.
"It's not just a skills gap, it's a will gap. Skilled labor needs better PR and parents need a better understanding, I think, of the reality of pressuring a kid into signing on the dotted line and graduating with a political science degree and $90,000 in debt."
Rowe avoids explicitly discussing politics and appears equally at ease chatting with progressive Bill Maher and conservative Tucker Carlson on their talk shows about the job-skills gap, current events and whatever projects he is promoting.
He applauds President Donald Trump's recent executive order prioritizing job skills over college degrees in federal hiring, as well as the passage of the USMCA trade agreement, which is intended to bring manufacturing jobs home to North America from overseas.
Advertisement
During such divisive times -- with a pandemic and social justice movement rocking the country during a particularly contentious presidential election year -- it's not easy for a media personality to stay neutral.
"It's nearly impossible," Rowe said.
"I try to stay in my lane, but I also weigh in on education and work, so, yeah, it's difficult," he said. "You can't run a foundation and weigh in on every single thing you want to, but you also can't sit on the sidelines. People are being weighed and measured these days. You have to have some kind of an opinion."
Rowe is the author of The Way I Heard It, and is the host of Facebook's Returning the Favor. His other credits include Somebody's Gotta Do It, Deadliest Catch, How the Universe Works, Ghost Hunters, The Most and Last Man Standing.


upi--2020-07-07--Black patients fare worse after angioplasty

Even after undergoing the artery-clearing procedure angioplasty , black patients with heart disease are more likely than whites to suffer a heart attack or die within the next several years .
That 's the conclusion of a new analysis of 10 clinical trials : On balance , both black and Hispanic patients fared worse after angioplasty , versus white patients .
And that was particularly true for black patients , whose risk of dying within five years of the procedure was elevated .
The findings are no surprise .
For years , U.S. studies have turned up racial disparities in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dying from it .
The new results `` reaffirm '' that the racial gap exists , and highlight the need to find solutions , according to senior researcher Dr. Gregg Stone .
He 's a professor of cardiology at Mount Sinai 's Icahn School of Medicine in New York City .
Stone said the study could not weed out the reasons for the worse outcomes among minority patients .
Among Hispanic patients , much of the disparity seemed to be related to higher rates of heart disease risk factors , like diabetes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cautioned that might not be the whole story -- partly because there were so few Hispanic patients involved in the trials .
Meanwhile , higher rates of risk factors did not account for black patients ' worse prognosis .
`` This is a tremendously complex issue , '' Stone said .
Many factors could be at work , he explained , from differences in health insurance and financial resources to disparities in patients ' care before or after the angioplasty .
`` We need to be able to better understand the causes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely a complicated mix of things , agreed Dr. Michael Nanna , a cardiology fellow at Duke University Medical Center in Durham , N.C. '' Racial disparities , unfortunately , have been documented for decades , and the solution to closing these gaps is n't straightforward , '' said Nanna , who co-wrote an editorial published with the study .
It will require a `` multipronged '' approach , he said .
That means tackling economic disparities that make people more vulnerable to heart disease lack of health insurance and unequal access to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few issues .
`` Another important part of the solution , '' Nanna said , `` is to improve the diversity of our health care workforce . ''
The findings were published online July 6 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology : Cardiovascular Interventions .
The trials Stone 's team analyzed included a total of over 22,600 patients who underwent angioplasty to clear blockages from their heart arteries .
The large majority were white , while 4 percent were black , and 2 percent were Hispanic .
In the five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of black patients suffered a heart attack , needed a repeat procedure , or died .
That compared with 19 percent of white patients , and nearly 22 percent of Hispanic patients .
When Stone 's team accounted for health factors , like co-existing conditions and smoking habits , Black patients still had a higher risk of heart attack or death .
They were 35 percent more likely to die within five years , versus white patients , for example .
Those persistent disparities are `` certainly discouraging , '' said Nanna .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward change , he noted .
`` We have medicines and procedures that really work for individuals with heart disease , '' Nanna said .
`` How do we now make sure those effective therapies are being implemented and delivered equitably to all of our patients ?
That 's where we need to turn our focus . ''
Nationwide , deaths from heart disease have dropped over the last 20 years , across racial and ethnic groups , according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
However , Black Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDC figures show , Black Americans ' death rate from heart disease was more than double that of Asian/Pacific Islanders -- the group with the lowest rate .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on racial disparities in heart disease .

Even after undergoing the artery-clearing procedure angioplasty, black patients with heart disease are more likely than whites to suffer a heart attack or die within the next several years.
That's the conclusion of a new analysis of 10 clinical trials: On balance, both black and Hispanic patients fared worse after angioplasty, versus white patients. And that was particularly true for black patients, whose risk of dying within five years of the procedure was elevated.
Advertisement
The findings are no surprise. For years, U.S. studies have turned up racial disparities in heart disease -- including in the risk of dying from it.
The new results "reaffirm" that the racial gap exists, and highlight the need to find solutions, according to senior researcher Dr. Gregg Stone.
He's a professor of cardiology at Mount Sinai's Icahn School of Medicine in New York City.
Stone said the study could not weed out the reasons for the worse outcomes among minority patients.
Advertisement
Among Hispanic patients, much of the disparity seemed to be related to higher rates of heart disease risk factors, like diabetes and high blood pressure. But Stone cautioned that might not be the whole story -- partly because there were so few Hispanic patients involved in the trials.
Meanwhile, higher rates of risk factors did not account for black patients' worse prognosis.
"This is a tremendously complex issue," Stone said. Many factors could be at work, he explained, from differences in health insurance and financial resources to disparities in patients' care before or after the angioplasty.
"We need to be able to better understand the causes," Stone said.
And it's likely a complicated mix of things, agreed Dr. Michael Nanna, a cardiology fellow at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C.
"Racial disparities, unfortunately, have been documented for decades, and the solution to closing these gaps isn't straightforward," said Nanna, who co-wrote an editorial published with the study.
It will require a "multipronged" approach, he said. That means tackling economic disparities that make people more vulnerable to heart disease lack of health insurance and unequal access to high-quality health care, to name a few issues.
"Another important part of the solution," Nanna said, "is to improve the diversity of our health care workforce."
Advertisement
The findings were published online July 6 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Interventions.
The trials Stone's team analyzed included a total of over 22,600 patients who underwent angioplasty to clear blockages from their heart arteries. The large majority were white, while 4 percent were black, and 2 percent were Hispanic.
In the five years after undergoing angioplasty, 24 percent of black patients suffered a heart attack, needed a repeat procedure, or died. That compared with 19 percent of white patients, and nearly 22 percent of Hispanic patients.
When Stone's team accounted for health factors, like co-existing conditions and smoking habits, Black patients still had a higher risk of heart attack or death. They were 35 percent more likely to die within five years, versus white patients, for example.
Those persistent disparities are "certainly discouraging," said Nanna. But highlighting them is an important step toward change, he noted.
"We have medicines and procedures that really work for individuals with heart disease," Nanna said. "How do we now make sure those effective therapies are being implemented and delivered equitably to all of our patients? That's where we need to turn our focus."
Nationwide, deaths from heart disease have dropped over the last 20 years, across racial and ethnic groups, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, Black Americans are still hardest-hit.
Advertisement
In 2017, CDC figures show, Black Americans' death rate from heart disease was more than double that of Asian/Pacific Islanders -- the group with the lowest rate.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on racial disparities in heart disease.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-07-07--Britain sanctions dozens under new human rights regime

July 7 ( UPI ) -- Britain said it is imposing sanctions against dozens of people involved in committing the `` most notorious '' human rights violations including those it accuses of killing Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky and Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi .
The British government announced Monday that it was blacklisting 49 individuals and organizations under a new Britain-only human rights regime that gives the European nation for the first time powers to sanction individuals or entities rather than nations .
The sanctions ban individuals from entering the country , channeling funds through British banks or profiting from its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release .
`` As we forge a dynamic new vision for a truly global Britain , this government is absolutely committed to the United Kingdom being an even stronger force for good in the world , '' Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told lawmakers in Parliament on Monday .
`` And on human rights , we will defend media freedoms , protect freedom of religion and , with the measures we are announcing and enacting today , hold to account the perpetrators of the worst human rights abuses . ''
Under the new regime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implicates in the 2009 death of Magnitsky who exposed the largest tax fraud in the Kremlin 's history , 20 Saudi nationals it accuses of being involved in the death of Khashoggi who was killed in 2018 and two high-ranking Myanmar officials it says are involved in the systematic and brutal violence against the Rohingya people and other ethnic minorities .
Two organizations were also punished over their believed involvement in the forced labor , torture and killings of prisoners in North Korean gulags .
Raab said these are targeted sanctions that allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human rights abuses without harming the wider country and arms Britain with the ability to sanction kleptocrats and those involved in organized crime , preventing them from laundry money through British banks .
`` Today , this government and this House sends a very clear message on behalf of the British people : that those with blood on their hands , the thugs and despots or the henchmen of dictators wo n't be free to waltz into this country to buy up property on the Kings Road or do their Christmas shopping in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dirty money through British banks or financial institutions , '' he said .
Following his announcement in Parliament , Raab met with Magnitsky 's widow , Natalia , and his son , Nikita , the British government said .
The Russian Embassy in Britain threatened to retaliate against Britain 's `` unfriendly '' decision to impose sanctions , stating in a statement that `` it will not improve Russian-British relations . ''
Britain said the ability to impose the Magnitsky-style sanctions will allow it to work independently with partners the United States and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new regime .
`` This sanctions regime marks the beginning of a new era for U.K. sanctions policy and cooperation between our two democracies , '' U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement .
`` The U.K .
Global Human Rights sanctions regime will give the U.K. a powerful new economic tool to promote accountability for human rights abuses on a global scale .
The U.K. 's new powers will complement the efforts of the United States and Canada , further enhancing our ability to act together . ''
Global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' to see Britain launch its new sanctions regime , stating `` we will continue working alongside [ Britain ] to respond to gross violations of human rights . ''

Britain on Monday imposed dozens of sanctions against those who it accuses of committing gross human rights violations. Among those targeted include 20 Saudi nationals it accuses of being connected to the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Photo by Erdem Sahin/EPA-EFE
July 7 (UPI) -- Britain said it is imposing sanctions against dozens of people involved in committing the "most notorious" human rights violations including those it accuses of killing Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky and Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The British government announced Monday that it was blacklisting 49 individuals and organizations under a new Britain-only human rights regime that gives the European nation for the first time powers to sanction individuals or entities rather than nations. Advertisement
The sanctions ban individuals from entering the country, channeling funds through British banks or profiting from its economy, the government said in a release.
"As we forge a dynamic new vision for a truly global Britain, this government is absolutely committed to the United Kingdom being an even stronger force for good in the world," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told lawmakers in Parliament on Monday. "And on human rights, we will defend media freedoms, protect freedom of religion and, with the measures we are announcing and enacting today, hold to account the perpetrators of the worst human rights abuses."
Advertisement
Under the new regime, Britain sanctioned 25 Russian nationals it implicates in the 2009 death of Magnitsky who exposed the largest tax fraud in the Kremlin's history, 20 Saudi nationals it accuses of being involved in the death of Khashoggi who was killed in 2018 and two high-ranking Myanmar officials it says are involved in the systematic and brutal violence against the Rohingya people and other ethnic minorities.
Two organizations were also punished over their believed involvement in the forced labor, torture and killings of prisoners in North Korean gulags.
Raab said these are targeted sanctions that allow Britain to punish those directly involved in human rights abuses without harming the wider country and arms Britain with the ability to sanction kleptocrats and those involved in organized crime, preventing them from laundry money through British banks.
"Today, this government and this House sends a very clear message on behalf of the British people: that those with blood on their hands, the thugs and despots or the henchmen of dictators won't be free to waltz into this country to buy up property on the Kings Road or do their Christmas shopping in Knightsbridge or, frankly, to siphon dirty money through British banks or financial institutions," he said.
Advertisement
Following his announcement in Parliament, Raab met with Magnitsky's widow, Natalia, and his son, Nikita, the British government said.
The Russian Embassy in Britain threatened to retaliate against Britain's "unfriendly" decision to impose sanctions, stating in a statement that "it will not improve Russian-British relations."
Britain said the ability to impose the Magnitsky-style sanctions will allow it to work independently with partners the United States and Canada, both of whom welcomed the new regime.
"This sanctions regime marks the beginning of a new era for U.K. sanctions policy and cooperation between our two democracies," U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement. "The U.K. Global Human Rights sanctions regime will give the U.K. a powerful new economic tool to promote accountability for human rights abuses on a global scale. The U.K.'s new powers will complement the efforts of the United States and Canada, further enhancing our ability to act together."
Global Affairs Canada tweeted it was "happy" to see Britain launch its new sanctions regime, stating "we will continue working alongside [Britain] to respond to gross violations of human rights."


upi--2020-07-07--Concerns high for mental health crisis caused by COVID-19 pandemic

Stressed from home-schooling your kids ?
Lonely from lockdown ?
Worried about a sick loved one isolated in a nursing home ?
Worried you might lose your job ?
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is affecting everyone 's mental health in ways small and large , and experts are concerned that for many , today 's anxiety will become a tidal wave of mental health problems in the years ahead .
The pandemic is adding to what already was an underrecognized mental health crisis in the United States , according to Dr. Don Mordecai , national mental health and wellness lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rates of anxiety and depression have steadily risen for years , as have deaths of despair related to suicide and drug overdose , he said during a HD Live !
interview .
`` All those things have been going up for decades , really , and now you bring the pandemic in , '' Mordecai said .
`` It 's not like we were in good shape in terms of our mental health and now it 's getting worse .
It 's more like we were not in good shape , and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Clinical psychologist Jelena Kecmanovic also is concerned about the toll of the anxiety-provoking changes to everyday life that people are enduring .
`` Anxiety is exhausting and terrifying , '' said Kecmanovic , director of the Arlington/DC Behavior Therapy Institute in Arlington , Va. `` If it is happening long enough , you 're going to get depressed about it .
You 're going to get hopeless and maybe even suicidal . ''
`` This is going to go on long enough and it 's going to be traumatic enough for enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect we 'll spring back to normal , '' Kecmanovic said .
America 's pandemic-related mental health crisis has n't rolled out as you might think , she said .
There was n't much of an initial uptick in people seeking help even as the lockdown altered everyday life in profound ways .
`` After these couple of first months , when reopening started , that 's when we started really seeing people 's mental health worsen quite a bit , '' she said .
`` What 's dawning on us is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the long haul , '' Kecmanovic said .
`` The uncertainty is really hitting people , that this is going to be a year or a year and a half living with this ever-changing normal .
The new normal is changing every day , every week . ''
Surveys have shown that people are concerned about the pandemic 's effect on their mental health , and symptoms of anxiety and depression are on the rise , Mordecai said .
But `` that 's different from a full-blown mental health disorder , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be seen how it translates long term . ''
The folks most at risk for long-term problems are those most directly impacted by COVID-19 , Mordecai and Kecmanovic said .
These include front-line health care workers , people who have been infected , and people who have lost loved ones .
`` There 's going to be a & hellip tremendous amount of grief that 's not being processed , '' Kecmanovic said , adding that it 's impossible to paper over it .
`` It 's going to catch up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dire , but both experts predict most people will bounce back .
`` I am hoping that essential human resilience will prevail -- people might not be able to snap their fingers and be back to normal , but they will generally be fine , '' Kecmanovic said .
`` When we look at studies of past natural disasters and pandemics , most people do OK , which I think gives me some reason for optimism , '' he said .
`` But there will be some people who have long-term effects .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected by the pandemic . ''
People worried about their own mental state should double down on efforts to stay healthy and happy , Mordecai said .
`` The greatest risk is that when people get socially isolated , they drop their routines around maintaining their mental health and their physical health -- that 's really a set up , '' he said .
A daily workout can do much to lower your stress .
People should also consider meditation or yoga as a means of reducing stress , as well as limiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Do n't dwell on the news , he advised .
`` It 's important to stay up to date , but that does n't require hours and hours a day , '' Mordecai said .
`` If the TV 's on in the background , maybe turn it off , because it 's a constant message that 's anxiety-provoking . ''
It 's also important to acknowledge how you 're feeling , and that your feelings are valid , Kecmanovic said .
`` These are crazy times .
These are unprecedented times .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it 's OK , '' she said .
Some potential bright spots could come out of the pandemic , too .
Some people might emerge with a sense of pride in enduring the crisis , she said .
`` It can be realizing & hellip I 'm stronger than I thought I would be , '' Kecmanovic said .
`` I never thought of myself as a strong and hearty person , but what I 've lived through for the last year and a half , it 's amazing I was able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts also hope that what people have endured will help them empathize with those who struggle with their mental health .
`` One of the silver linings here may be that so many of us have had to deal with symptoms of anxiety and concerns about isolation , '' Mordecai said .
`` Those are things that people with mental health conditions have known for a long time .
If the rest of us essentially get a taste of it , does that allow us all to talk more openly about it ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about coping with stress during COVID-19 .

A woman wears a protective face mask and shield while walking by a space for lease sign in Rockefeller Center in New York City in June. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Stressed from home-schooling your kids? Lonely from lockdown? Worried about a sick loved one isolated in a nursing home? Worried you might lose your job? The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is affecting everyone's mental health in ways small and large, and experts are concerned that for many, today's anxiety will become a tidal wave of mental health problems in the years ahead. Advertisement
The pandemic is adding to what already was an underrecognized mental health crisis in the United States, according to Dr. Don Mordecai, national mental health and wellness lead at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, Calif.
Rates of anxiety and depression have steadily risen for years, as have deaths of despair related to suicide and drug overdose, he said during a HD Live! interview.
"All those things have been going up for decades, really, and now you bring the pandemic in," Mordecai said. "It's not like we were in good shape in terms of our mental health and now it's getting worse. It's more like we were not in good shape, and then you bring in another big stressor."
Advertisement
Clinical psychologist Jelena Kecmanovic also is concerned about the toll of the anxiety-provoking changes to everyday life that people are enduring.
"Anxiety is exhausting and terrifying," said Kecmanovic, director of the Arlington/DC Behavior Therapy Institute in Arlington, Va. "If it is happening long enough, you're going to get depressed about it. You're going to get hopeless and maybe even suicidal."
She expects some long-lasting emotional scars.
"This is going to go on long enough and it's going to be traumatic enough for enough people that it's not realistic to expect we'll spring back to normal," Kecmanovic said.
America's pandemic-related mental health crisis hasn't rolled out as you might think, she said. There wasn't much of an initial uptick in people seeking help even as the lockdown altered everyday life in profound ways.
"After these couple of first months, when reopening started, that's when we started really seeing people's mental health worsen quite a bit," she said.
What changed?
"What's dawning on us is the realization that we're in this for the long haul," Kecmanovic said. "The uncertainty is really hitting people, that this is going to be a year or a year and a half living with this ever-changing normal. The new normal is changing every day, every week."
Advertisement
Surveys have shown that people are concerned about the pandemic's effect on their mental health, and symptoms of anxiety and depression are on the rise, Mordecai said.
But "that's different from a full-blown mental health disorder," he noted. "I think it remains to be seen how it translates long term."
The folks most at risk for long-term problems are those most directly impacted by COVID-19, Mordecai and Kecmanovic said. These include front-line health care workers, people who have been infected, and people who have lost loved ones.
"There's going to be a &hellip tremendous amount of grief that's not being processed," Kecmanovic said, adding that it's impossible to paper over it. "It's going to catch up with you eventually."
All this sounds dire, but both experts predict most people will bounce back.
"I am hoping that essential human resilience will prevail -- people might not be able to snap their fingers and be back to normal, but they will generally be fine," Kecmanovic said.
Mordecai said past experience offers reason for hope.
"When we look at studies of past natural disasters and pandemics, most people do OK, which I think gives me some reason for optimism," he said. "But there will be some people who have long-term effects. It's people who've been profoundly affected by the pandemic."
Advertisement
People worried about their own mental state should double down on efforts to stay healthy and happy, Mordecai said.
"The greatest risk is that when people get socially isolated, they drop their routines around maintaining their mental health and their physical health -- that's really a set up," he said.
A daily workout can do much to lower your stress. People should also consider meditation or yoga as a means of reducing stress, as well as limiting their news intake, Mordecai added.
Don't dwell on the news, he advised.
"It's important to stay up to date, but that doesn't require hours and hours a day," Mordecai said. "If the TV's on in the background, maybe turn it off, because it's a constant message that's anxiety-provoking."
It's also important to acknowledge how you're feeling, and that your feelings are valid, Kecmanovic said. "These are crazy times. These are unprecedented times. No wonder I'm feeling anxious, and it's OK," she said.
Some potential bright spots could come out of the pandemic, too. Some people might emerge with a sense of pride in enduring the crisis, she said.
"It can be realizing &hellip I'm stronger than I thought I would be," Kecmanovic said. "I never thought of myself as a strong and hearty person, but what I've lived through for the last year and a half, it's amazing I was able to go through this."
Advertisement
The experts also hope that what people have endured will help them empathize with those who struggle with their mental health.
"One of the silver linings here may be that so many of us have had to deal with symptoms of anxiety and concerns about isolation," Mordecai said. "Those are things that people with mental health conditions have known for a long time. If the rest of us essentially get a taste of it, does that allow us all to talk more openly about it? I hope so."
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about coping with stress during COVID-19.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-07-06--National Guardsman dies in non-combat-related incident in Kosovo

July 6 ( UPI ) -- The Pentagon announced late Monday the death of a National Guardsman who died on @ @ @ @ @ Pfc .
Alexander Blake Klass , 20 , died Saturday as the result of a @ @ @ @ @ Selo , in northern Kosovo , the Department of Defense said in a release .
@ @ @ @ @ investigation , '' the release said .
The native of Willamina , Ore. , was @ @ @ @ @ 162nd Infantry Regiment , 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team , Oregon National Guard in Springfield @ @ @ @ @ tragic situation and our primary focus is supporting the family during this difficult time , @ @ @ @ @ J. Prendergast IV , land component commander of the Oregon Army National Gaurd , said @ @ @ @ @ Department of Defense said Klass died while supporting Operation Joint Guardian , which is also @ @ @ @ @ the NATO-led peacekeeping mission that launched in June 1999 to maintain peace and stability in @ @ @ @ @ contacted the U.S. military for further comment .

Pfc. Alexander Blake Klass, 20, of the Oregon Army National Guard was stationed in Kosovo in support of Operation Joint Guardian. Photo courtesy of Oregon Military Department/ Website
July 6 (UPI) -- The Pentagon announced late Monday the death of a National Guardsman who died on Independence Day in Kosovo. Pfc. Alexander Blake Klass, 20, died Saturday as the result of a non-combat-related incident at Camp Novo Selo, in northern Kosovo, the Department of Defense said in a release. Advertisement
"The incident is under investigation," the release said.
The native of Willamina, Ore., was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oregon National Guard in Springfield.
"This is a tragic situation and our primary focus is supporting the family during this difficult time," Brig. Gen. William J. Prendergast IV, land component commander of the Oregon Army National Gaurd, said in a statement.
The Department of Defense said Klass died while supporting Operation Joint Guardian, which is also known as Kosovo Force, the NATO-led peacekeeping mission that launched in June 1999 to maintain peace and stability in the region.
UPI has contacted the U.S. military for further comment.


upi--2020-07-06--Publisher moves up release date of tell-all book by Trump's niece to July 14

July 6 ( UPI ) -- A book by President Donald Trump 's niece , Mary Trump , will be released two weeks ahead of its original scheduled release date , publisher Simon & Schuster announced Monday .
The publisher said that the book titled Too Much and Never Enough : How my Family Created the World 's Most Dangerous Man will be released on July 14 citing `` high demand and extraordinary interest in this book . ''
The book was originally scheduled to release on July 28 and had faced a legal challenge related to a non-disclosure agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family barring them from writing about each other .
Last week , A New York State appellate judge ruled Simon & Schuster would be allowed to proceed with the release of the book , stating that the publisher was not party to the settlement agreement .
Simon & Schuster said last week that 75,000 copies of the book have already shipped ahead of the official publication date .
In a statement Monday , Chris Bastardi , a representative for Mary Trump , condemned the president for attempting to block the book 's release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president to muzzle a private citizen is just the latest in a series of disturbing behaviors which have already destabilized a fractured nation in the face of a global pandemic , '' Bastardi said .
`` If Mary can not comment , one can only help but wonder : what is Donald Trump so afraid of ? ''
According to the publisher , the tell-all book will seek to describe `` the dark history of their family in order to explain how her uncle became the man who now threatens the world 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Publisher Simon and Schuster announced Monday that it has pushed the release date of a tell-all book written by Donald Trump's niece, Mary Trump, two weeks to July 14. Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI | License Photo
July 6 (UPI) -- A book by President Donald Trump's niece, Mary Trump, will be released two weeks ahead of its original scheduled release date, publisher Simon & Schuster announced Monday. The publisher said that the book titled Too Much and Never Enough: How my Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man will be released on July 14 citing "high demand and extraordinary interest in this book." Advertisement
The book was originally scheduled to release on July 28 and had faced a legal challenge related to a non-disclosure agreement signed between the members of the Trump family barring them from writing about each other.
Last week, A New York State appellate judge ruled Simon & Schuster would be allowed to proceed with the release of the book, stating that the publisher was not party to the settlement agreement.
Simon & Schuster said last week that 75,000 copies of the book have already shipped ahead of the official publication date.
In a statement Monday, Chris Bastardi, a representative for Mary Trump, condemned the president for attempting to block the book's release.
"The act by a sitting president to muzzle a private citizen is just the latest in a series of disturbing behaviors which have already destabilized a fractured nation in the face of a global pandemic," Bastardi said. "If Mary cannot comment, one can only help but wonder: what is Donald Trump so afraid of?"
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According to the publisher, the tell-all book will seek to describe "the dark history of their family in order to explain how her uncle became the man who now threatens the world's health, economic security and social fabric."


upi--2020-07-06--NHL, players' union reach agreement on return-to-play plan, CBA extension

July 6 ( UPI ) -- The NHL and the NHL Players Association have reached a tentative agreement on a return-to-play plan to resume the 2019-20 season this month , the league and union announced Monday .
The NHL and the players ' union also agreed in principle on a memorandum of understanding that adds an additional four years to the term of the collective bargaining agreement , extending it through the 2025-26 season .
The current CBA -- ratified in January 2013 -- was set to expire in September 2022 .
The NHL board of governors now must approve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive committee -- which consists of one player representative from each of the 31 teams -- approves the package , the agreement will move forward to a full-membership vote .
The union is expected to conduct a vote among the players sometime this week .
The return-to-play plan includes rules and requirements for Phases 3 and 4 of the NHL 's restart after the league suspended play March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Phase 3 is the reopening of training camps -- which is set to happen July 13 in teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traveling to hub cities July 26 for additional training and exhibition games .
Eastern Conference teams will play in Toronto and Western Conference clubs will hold games in Edmonton .
The conference finals and Stanley Cup Final will take place in Edmonton .
Phase 4 is the resumption of play in those hub cities with a 24-team postseason tournament .
The qualification round of five-game series for the Nos .
5-12 seeds in the Eastern and Western Conferences is set to begin Aug. 1 .
The return-to-play proposal also outlines testing protocols and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handled .
Earlier Monday , the NHL announced that 23 out of 396 players who have reported for Phase 2 activities have tested positive for the virus .
The league also said it is aware of 12 additional positive cases among players since June 8 -- the date when players reported to their teams for optional training .
The NHL said it has administered more than 2,900 coronavirus tests since June 8 , including more than 1,400 last week .
If players decide to opt out of the restart , they can do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full-member vote ratifies the new collective bargaining agreement .

The NHL season was halted in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
July 6 (UPI) -- The NHL and the NHL Players Association have reached a tentative agreement on a return-to-play plan to resume the 2019-20 season this month, the league and union announced Monday. The NHL and the players' union also agreed in principle on a memorandum of understanding that adds an additional four years to the term of the collective bargaining agreement, extending it through the 2025-26 season. The current CBA -- ratified in January 2013 -- was set to expire in September 2022. Advertisement
The NHL board of governors now must approve the agreements. Once the NHLPA's executive committee -- which consists of one player representative from each of the 31 teams -- approves the package, the agreement will move forward to a full-membership vote. The union is expected to conduct a vote among the players sometime this week.
The return-to-play plan includes rules and requirements for Phases 3 and 4 of the NHL's restart after the league suspended play March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Phase 3 is the reopening of training camps -- which is set to happen July 13 in teams' respective cities -- as well as traveling to hub cities July 26 for additional training and exhibition games. Eastern Conference teams will play in Toronto and Western Conference clubs will hold games in Edmonton. The conference finals and Stanley Cup Final will take place in Edmonton.
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Phase 4 is the resumption of play in those hub cities with a 24-team postseason tournament. The qualification round of five-game series for the Nos. 5-12 seeds in the Eastern and Western Conferences is set to begin Aug. 1.
The return-to-play proposal also outlines testing protocols and explains how positive COVID-19 tests will be handled.
Earlier Monday, the NHL announced that 23 out of 396 players who have reported for Phase 2 activities have tested positive for the virus. The league also said it is aware of 12 additional positive cases among players since June 8 -- the date when players reported to their teams for optional training.
The NHL said it has administered more than 2,900 coronavirus tests since June 8, including more than 1,400 last week.
If players decide to opt out of the restart, they can do so within a three-day window after the full-member vote ratifies the new collective bargaining agreement.


upi--2020-07-06--Treasury Department releases data on Paycheck Protection Program loan recipients

July 6 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Treasury Department on Monday released the names of more than 650,000 companies that received loans under the Paycheck Protection Program .
Businesses named by the Treasury Department on Monday included only those that received more than $ 150,000 in forgivable loans meant to allow companies to pay their employees amid the COVID-19 pandemic , representing less than 15 percent of the businesses that received loans under the program .
In total , nearly 4.9 million businesses received more than $ 521 billion in loans through the program established by the government 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Recipients of the loans employed 51 million people prior to the pandemic , accounting for about 85 percent of the workforce at companies with fewer than 500 employees .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the average loan size provided by the program was $ 107,000 and that 27 percent of the loans were distributed to businesses in low- and moderate-income communities .
`` Today 's release of loan data strikes the appropriate balance of providing the American people with transparency while protecting sensitive payroll and personal income information of small businesses , sole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mnuchin .
Businesses in California received the most loans at $ 68.2 billion , with Texas receiving the second most at $ 41.1 billion followed by New York with $ 38.3 billion .
Several recipients listed by the Treasury Department include businesses linked to members of the Trump administration including Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao , Agriculture Secretary Sonny Purdue and a school named after the grandfather of President Donald Trump 's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner .
Businesses linked to West Virginia Gov .
Jim Justice and Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the program has about $ 132 billion in funding remaining , as Trump on Saturday signed a law extending the deadline for applications through Aug. 8 .

Jovita Carranza, administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchinlisten during a Paycheck Protection Program event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. File Photo by Al Drago/UPI | License Photo
July 6 (UPI) -- The U.S. Treasury Department on Monday released the names of more than 650,000 companies that received loans under the Paycheck Protection Program. Businesses named by the Treasury Department on Monday included only those that received more than $150,000 in forgivable loans meant to allow companies to pay their employees amid the COVID-19 pandemic, representing less than 15 percent of the businesses that received loans under the program. Advertisement
In total, nearly 4.9 million businesses received more than $521 billion in loans through the program established by the government's $2 trillion economic stimulus bill.
Recipients of the loans employed 51 million people prior to the pandemic, accounting for about 85 percent of the workforce at companies with fewer than 500 employees.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the average loan size provided by the program was $107,000 and that 27 percent of the loans were distributed to businesses in low- and moderate-income communities.
"Today's release of loan data strikes the appropriate balance of providing the American people with transparency while protecting sensitive payroll and personal income information of small businesses, sole proprietors and independent contractors," said Mnuchin.
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Businesses in California received the most loans at $68.2 billion, with Texas receiving the second most at $41.1 billion followed by New York with $38.3 billion.
Several recipients listed by the Treasury Department include businesses linked to members of the Trump administration including Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Purdue and a school named after the grandfather of President Donald Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner. Businesses linked to West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine were also included.
The Treasury Department reported that the program has about $132 billion in funding remaining, as Trump on Saturday signed a law extending the deadline for applications through Aug. 8.


upi--2020-07-07--Tropical Storm Cristina forms in Pacific, expected to become season's 1st hurricane

July 7 ( UPI ) -- Tropical Storm Cristina formed in the Pacific Ocean late Monday and is on track to become the first hurricane of 2020 , forecasters say .
The National Hurricane Center said Cristina first took shape off the Mexican coast and is expected to become a hurricane in the coming days .
The center said in its 10 p.m. update Cristina was located about 365 miles south of Manzanillo , Mexico , moving at 15 mph and had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph .
Forecasters said the storm is expected to maintain a path parallel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well away from land .
Cristina could develop into a Category 2 hurricane but is not expected to make landfall , AccuWeather hurricane tracker Dan Kottlowski said .
`` During the weekend , Cristina is forecast to move into an area that is more hostile for its existence and it should begin to weaken , '' he said .
Should Cristina evolve into a hurricane , it would be first of the Atlantic or Pacific season .
In the northern Atlantic , Tropical Storm Edouard was downgraded on Monday to a post-tropical cyclone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dolly and Edouard became tropical storms in the Atlantic , along with Amanda and Boris in the Pacific .
Remnants of Bertha and Cristobal affected the U.S. Southeast .

Tropical Storm Cristina, at center, this week is expected to become the first hurricane of the Atlantic or Pacific season. It is not, however, expected to make landfall anywhere. Image courtesy NOAA/NHC
July 7 (UPI) -- Tropical Storm Cristina formed in the Pacific Ocean late Monday and is on track to become the first hurricane of 2020, forecasters say. The National Hurricane Center said Cristina first took shape off the Mexican coast and is expected to become a hurricane in the coming days. Advertisement
The center said in its 10 p.m. update Cristina was located about 365 miles south of Manzanillo, Mexico, moving at 15 mph and had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph.
Forecasters said the storm is expected to maintain a path parallel to the Mexican coast, keeping it well away from land.
Cristina could develop into a Category 2 hurricane but is not expected to make landfall, AccuWeather hurricane tracker Dan Kottlowski said.
"During the weekend, Cristina is forecast to move into an area that is more hostile for its existence and it should begin to weaken," he said.
Should Cristina evolve into a hurricane, it would be first of the Atlantic or Pacific season.
In the northern Atlantic, Tropical Storm Edouard was downgraded on Monday to a post-tropical cyclone.
Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly and Edouard became tropical storms in the Atlantic, along with Amanda and Boris in the Pacific. Remnants of Bertha and Cristobal affected the U.S. Southeast.


upi--2020-07-07--Ryder Cup to be postponed until 2021 due to coronavirus pandemic

July 7 ( UPI ) -- With coronavirus cases spiking around the country , the PGA of America is electing to postpone the Ryder Cup until 2021 .
Sources told ESPN and the Golf Channel on Tuesday that the PGA of America and European Tour are expected to make the announcement Wednesday morning .
The 43rd Ryder Cup matches were originally scheduled to take place Sept. 25-27 at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan , Wisc .
According to the outlets , the location and time frame of the event will remain the same next year .
As a result of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Presidents Cup -- originally set to run in 2021 from Sept. 30 through Oct. 3 at Quail Hollow in Charlotte , N.C. -- will move to 2022 .
According to ESPN , this year 's Ryder Cup will take that window , and the next Ryder Cup -- scheduled from Sept. 30 through Oct. 2 , 2022 , in Rome -- will be pushed back to 2023 .
Many top PGA Tour players , including world No .
1 Rory McIlroy , voiced their concerns in recent weeks about holding the Ryder Cup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ones that make the Ryder Cup , '' McIlroy told reporters in May .
`` If they are not on board with it and do n't want to play , then there is no Ryder Cup .
I see it being pushed back until 2021 , and honestly , I think that will be the right call . ''
The Ryder Cup features 12-person teams from the United States and Europe , with Steve Stricker tabbed as the U.S. captain and Padraig Harrington as the European captain .
The last time the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the terrorist attacks in New York City on Sept. 11 .
The Ryder Cup -- which began in 1927 and is played every other year -- was outright canceled in 1939 , 1941 , 1943 and 1945 due to World War II .

The 43rd Ryder Cup matches were originally scheduled to take place Sept. 25-27 at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan, Wisc. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo
July 7 (UPI) -- With coronavirus cases spiking around the country, the PGA of America is electing to postpone the Ryder Cup until 2021. Sources told ESPN and the Golf Channel on Tuesday that the PGA of America and European Tour are expected to make the announcement Wednesday morning. Advertisement
The 43rd Ryder Cup matches were originally scheduled to take place Sept. 25-27 at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan, Wisc. According to the outlets, the location and time frame of the event will remain the same next year.
As a result of the Ryder Cup's impending postponement, the Presidents Cup -- originally set to run in 2021 from Sept. 30 through Oct. 3 at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, N.C. -- will move to 2022. According to ESPN, this year's Ryder Cup will take that window, and the next Ryder Cup -- scheduled from Sept. 30 through Oct. 2, 2022, in Rome -- will be pushed back to 2023.
Many top PGA Tour players, including world No. 1 Rory McIlroy, voiced their concerns in recent weeks about holding the Ryder Cup without fans.
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"The players are the ones that make the Ryder Cup," McIlroy told reporters in May. "If they are not on board with it and don't want to play, then there is no Ryder Cup. I see it being pushed back until 2021, and honestly, I think that will be the right call."
The Ryder Cup features 12-person teams from the United States and Europe, with Steve Stricker tabbed as the U.S. captain and Padraig Harrington as the European captain.
The last time the event was postponed came in 2001 following the terrorist attacks in New York City on Sept. 11. The Ryder Cup -- which began in 1927 and is played every other year -- was outright canceled in 1939, 1941, 1943 and 1945 due to World War II.


upi--2020-07-07--Biden wins N.J., Delaware primaries; Booker fends of Democrat challenger

July 7 ( UPI ) -- Joe Biden won primary elections in both New Jersey and Delaware in votes held amid expected glitches and delays caused by quick maneuvers to send out mail-in ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Biden won 85.9 percent of the vote in New Jersey while Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont received 12.6 percent of the vote .
In Delaware , which Biden represented in the U.S. Senate from 1973 to 2009 , the former vice president won 90.3 percent of the vote , Sanders received 6.6 percent and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren received 3.1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary to clinch the nomination , Biden is the presumptive pick to represent the Democratic Party in the presidential election and challenge President Donald Trump .
Sanders dropped out of the race in April but has remained on the ballot to continue to collect delegates .
The bulk of the voting in both states will be mainly conducted via mail ballots in an effort to reduce COVID-19 transmission risks of in-person voting .
Election officials in New Jersey said they expected troubles similar to the ones they saw in May when local elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state 's quick move to a mail ballot primary posed challenges for a new voter registration system and state workers have struggled to cope with the large volume of ballots , resulting in delays and ballots or applications being sent to people who have died , officials said .
Every registered Republican and Democrat in the state was sent a ballot for Tuesday 's primary , which was originally scheduled for June 2 before it was postponed .
Only about half of the state 's in-person polling places were open , mostly to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kennedy won a race among Democrats in the state 's 2nd District for the opportunity to challenge Rep. Jeff Van Drew in November .
Van Drew was elected two years ago as a Democrat but later switched to the Republican Party .
Van Drew 's 2018 election in the district that includes Atlantic City flipped the seat to the Democrats as part of that year 's `` Blue Wave , '' and his five Democratic challengers are eager to regain it .
In the 3rd District , Republican Kate Gibbs emerged victorious from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nomination to challenge freshman Democratic Rep. Andy Kim .
Sen. Cory Booker , a former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate , was able to fend off opposition in the Democratic primary from progressive activist Lawrence Hamm , winning 88.8 percent of the vote to Hamm 's 11 .
Twice-elected former Utah Gov .
Jon Huntsman Jr. will not win back his old job in November .
Republican gubernatorial candidate and Lt. Gov .
Spencer Cox will be the GOP nominee in the general election after Huntsman conceded the primary race on Monday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a close race in Utah 's Republican primary .
Monday , the race was called in Cox 's favor and Huntsman decided to make the concession .
The result was a surprise to many , who expected the former Utah governor to win the GOP primary and the election in November .
Huntsman won election in 2004 and 2008 , but did not finish his second term -- instead , opting to accept an appointment as President Barack Obama 's ambassador to China .
Monday 's victory gives Cox front-runner status to succeed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat has been elected Utah governor in decades .
Cox will face Democratic nominee and University of Utah law professor Chris Peterson in the general election .

New Jersey and Delaware had originally planned to hold their nominating contests in June, but they were delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
July 7 (UPI) -- Joe Biden won primary elections in both New Jersey and Delaware in votes held amid expected glitches and delays caused by quick maneuvers to send out mail-in ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic. Biden won 85.9 percent of the vote in New Jersey while Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont received 12.6 percent of the vote. In Delaware, which Biden represented in the U.S. Senate from 1973 to 2009, the former vice president won 90.3 percent of the vote, Sanders received 6.6 percent and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren received 3.1 percent. Advertisement
Having already secured the delegates necessary to clinch the nomination, Biden is the presumptive pick to represent the Democratic Party in the presidential election and challenge President Donald Trump. Sanders dropped out of the race in April but has remained on the ballot to continue to collect delegates.
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The bulk of the voting in both states will be mainly conducted via mail ballots in an effort to reduce COVID-19 transmission risks of in-person voting. Election officials in New Jersey said they expected troubles similar to the ones they saw in May when local elections were held entirely by mail.
New Jersey
The state's quick move to a mail ballot primary posed challenges for a new voter registration system and state workers have struggled to cope with the large volume of ballots, resulting in delays and ballots or applications being sent to people who have died, officials said.
Every registered Republican and Democrat in the state was sent a ballot for Tuesday's primary, which was originally scheduled for June 2 before it was postponed. Only about half of the state's in-person polling places were open, mostly to accommodate voters with physical disabilities.
Amy Kennedy won a race among Democrats in the state's 2nd District for the opportunity to challenge Rep. Jeff Van Drew in November. Van Drew was elected two years ago as a Democrat but later switched to the Republican Party.
Van Drew's 2018 election in the district that includes Atlantic City flipped the seat to the Democrats as part of that year's "Blue Wave," and his five Democratic challengers are eager to regain it.
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In the 3rd District, Republican Kate Gibbs emerged victorious from a bitter fight with David Richter for the nomination to challenge freshman Democratic Rep. Andy Kim.
Sen. Cory Booker, a former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, was able to fend off opposition in the Democratic primary from progressive activist Lawrence Hamm, winning 88.8 percent of the vote to Hamm's 11.
Huntsman loses
Twice-elected former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. will not win back his old job in November.
Republican gubernatorial candidate and Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox will be the GOP nominee in the general election after Huntsman conceded the primary race on Monday night.
Cox and Huntsman were locked in a close race in Utah's Republican primary. Monday, the race was called in Cox's favor and Huntsman decided to make the concession.
The result was a surprise to many, who expected the former Utah governor to win the GOP primary and the election in November. Huntsman won election in 2004 and 2008, but did not finish his second term -- instead, opting to accept an appointment as President Barack Obama's ambassador to China.
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Monday's victory gives Cox front-runner status to succeed Gov. Gary Herbert, as no Democrat has been elected Utah governor in decades. Cox will face Democratic nominee and University of Utah law professor Chris Peterson in the general election.


upi--2020-07-07--MLS postpones second match in 'MLS is Back Tournament' due to COVID-19

July 7 ( UPI ) -- Major League Soccer announced Tuesday that Nashville SC 's match against the Chicago Fire in the `` MLS is Back Tournament '' has been postponed because of coronavirus concerns .
The postponement of the game between Nashville and Chicago comes after the withdrawal of FC Dallas from the tournament Monday due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Since arriving at ESPN 's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando , Fla. , last month , FC Dallas has had 10 players and one member of its technical staff record positive tests .
Nashville 's match @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 10:30 p.m. EDT .
`` Since arriving in Orlando on July 3 , five Nashville players have had confirmed positive tests for COVID-19 , '' MLS said in a statement Tuesday .
`` Two of the players received the confirmed positive results during the weekend and three players received confirmed positive results last night .
`` In addition , four other players have received inconclusive test results , and require further testing .
In conjunction with the club , MLS will continue to evaluate Nashville SC 's participation in the MLS is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing . ''
The league also announced Tuesday that the match between FC Toronto and D.C. United -- originally scheduled for Friday -- will now take place Sunday due to Toronto 's delayed arrival in Orlando .
As a result , the game between the San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders set for Friday will now happen at 9 p.m. EDT .
The `` MLS is Back Tournament '' is set to begin at 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday when Orlando City SC takes on Inter Miami CF .

July 7 (UPI) -- Major League Soccer announced Tuesday that Nashville SC's match against the Chicago Fire in the "MLS is Back Tournament" has been postponed because of coronavirus concerns.
The postponement of the game between Nashville and Chicago comes after the withdrawal of FC Dallas from the tournament Monday due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since arriving at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla., last month, FC Dallas has had 10 players and one member of its technical staff record positive tests.
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Nashville's match against Chicago was originally scheduled for Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. EDT.
"Since arriving in Orlando on July 3, five Nashville players have had confirmed positive tests for COVID-19," MLS said in a statement Tuesday. "Two of the players received the confirmed positive results during the weekend and three players received confirmed positive results last night.
"In addition, four other players have received inconclusive test results, and require further testing. In conjunction with the club, MLS will continue to evaluate Nashville SC's participation in the MLS is Back Tournament following the results of additional testing."
The league also announced Tuesday that the match between FC Toronto and D.C. United -- originally scheduled for Friday -- will now take place Sunday due to Toronto's delayed arrival in Orlando. As a result, the game between the San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders set for Friday will now happen at 9 p.m. EDT.
The "MLS is Back Tournament" is set to begin at 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday when Orlando City SC takes on Inter Miami CF.


upi--2020-07-07--Thousands in Serbia protest new COVID-19 restrictions

July 7 ( UPI ) -- Thousands of people gathered in Serbia 's capital on Tuesday to protest new restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
Protesters congregated in front of the National Assembly Building in Belgrade in response to President Aleksandar Vucic announcing a weekend curfew in an effort to curb the spread of the virus .
A group of protesters pushed past a police cordon and broke into the parliament building before being pushed back by police .
Vucic announced that beginning on Wednesday , public gatherings must be limited to five or fewer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Friday until at least Monday .
He also declared that more than two million people will need to be vaccinated before the fall in preparation for a second wave of the virus .
`` We will have to avoid the collision of the corona and the flu , which means that we will have to vaccinate more than two million people against the flu , '' Vucic said .
Serbia has reported 16,719 positive COVID-19 cases and 330 deaths related to the virus , according to figures by John 's Hopkins University @

Thousands of people in Serbia gathered in front of the National Assembly Building in Belgrade on Tuesday night to protest a weekend curfew announced by President Aleksandar Vucic. Photo by Andrej Cukic/EPA-EFE
July 7 (UPI) -- Thousands of people gathered in Serbia's capital on Tuesday to protest new restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Protesters congregated in front of the National Assembly Building in Belgrade in response to President Aleksandar Vucic announcing a weekend curfew in an effort to curb the spread of the virus. Advertisement
A group of protesters pushed past a police cordon and broke into the parliament building before being pushed back by police.
Vucic announced that beginning on Wednesday, public gatherings must be limited to five or fewer people and a curfew will be instituted from Friday until at least Monday.
He also declared that more than two million people will need to be vaccinated before the fall in preparation for a second wave of the virus.
"We will have to avoid the collision of the corona and the flu, which means that we will have to vaccinate more than two million people against the flu," Vucic said.
Serbia has reported 16,719 positive COVID-19 cases and 330 deaths related to the virus, according to figures by John's Hopkins University.


upi--2020-07-07--Wizards star Bradley Beal out of NBA restart due to shoulder injury

July 7 ( UPI ) -- Washington Wizards star guard Bradley Beal wo n't play in the NBA 's restart this month because of a right rotator cuff injury , the team announced Tuesday .
The Wizards said Beal has experienced shoulder discomfort since early this season , and the guard 's injury worsened during the league 's hiatus that began in March due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Beal wo n't travel with the team to Orlando , Fla. , and will continue his rehabilitation over the summer .
He is n't expected to require surgery on his shoulder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be ready to play , but after closely monitoring his individual workouts we came to the conclusion that it was best for him to sit out the upcoming games in Orlando and avoid the risk of further injury , '' Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard said in a statement Tuesday .
`` Although he was able to play through the majority of the season with the injury , the layoff from March until now did not leave any of us feeling comfortable that he would have enough time to be ready to perform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all accustomed to seeing and agreed that not participating in the games in Orlando was the right decision . ''
The Wizards ( 24-40 ) are the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference standings , trailing the Orlando Magic by 5 1/2 games for the No .
8 spot .
Before the NBA suspended play , Beal was the league 's second-leading scorer .
`` This was a difficult decision and one that I did not take lightly as the leader of this team , '' Beal said .
`` I wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spot in Orlando , but also understand that this will be best for all of us in the long term .
`` I appreciate the support of my teammates , the fans and the entire organization and look forward to returning next season to continue the progress we have made . ''
Beal , 27 , averaged a career-best 30.5 points and 6.1 assists per game this season .
He became only the sixth player in league history to record back-to-back 50-point games when he scored 53 against the Chicago Bulls on Feb. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Feb. 24 .

Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal averaged a career-best 30.5 points and 6.1 assists per game this season. File Photo by Alex Edelman/UPI | License Photo
July 7 (UPI) -- Washington Wizards star guard Bradley Beal won't play in the NBA's restart this month because of a right rotator cuff injury, the team announced Tuesday. The Wizards said Beal has experienced shoulder discomfort since early this season, and the guard's injury worsened during the league's hiatus that began in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement
Beal won't travel with the team to Orlando, Fla., and will continue his rehabilitation over the summer. He isn't expected to require surgery on his shoulder.
"Bradley did everything possible to be ready to play, but after closely monitoring his individual workouts we came to the conclusion that it was best for him to sit out the upcoming games in Orlando and avoid the risk of further injury," Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard said in a statement Tuesday.
"Although he was able to play through the majority of the season with the injury, the layoff from March until now did not leave any of us feeling comfortable that he would have enough time to be ready to perform at the extremely high level we are all accustomed to seeing and agreed that not participating in the games in Orlando was the right decision."
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The Wizards (24-40) are the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference standings, trailing the Orlando Magic by 5 1/2 games for the No. 8 spot. Before the NBA suspended play, Beal was the league's second-leading scorer.
"This was a difficult decision and one that I did not take lightly as the leader of this team," Beal said. "I wanted to help my teammates compete for a playoff spot in Orlando, but also understand that this will be best for all of us in the long term.
"I appreciate the support of my teammates, the fans and the entire organization and look forward to returning next season to continue the progress we have made."
Beal, 27, averaged a career-best 30.5 points and 6.1 assists per game this season. He became only the sixth player in league history to record back-to-back 50-point games when he scored 53 against the Chicago Bulls on Feb. 23 and 55 versus the Milwaukee Bucks on Feb. 24.


upi--2020-07-07--Lightning strike claims 2 lives in rural Pennsylvania

A pair of men were struck and killed by lightning in Granville Township , Pa. , marking the state 's first lightning fatalities in over a year .
According to Bradford County coroner Thomas Carman , the men were standing in an open field under a wooden tree stand around 2 p.m. Monday when the tragedy occurred in the northern Pennsylvania town , located 50 miles north of Williamsport and less than 30 miles south of the New York border .
Two other men were with the stricken individuals and were taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital .
Carman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from southern Pennsylvania .
Carman told PAhomepage.com that the two men killed by the bolt , 43-year-old Jason Gamba of Havertown , and 34-year-old Craig Keleman of Philadelphia , were touching a metal ladder at the time of the strike .
The two other men , John Maiale and his son , Joseph Maiale , both from Franklin Square , N.Y. , were not in contact with the ladder .
According to WETM , the two survivors were hospitalized in stable condition .
Data from the National Lightning Safety Council show that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total lightning deaths for the United States to seven .
Three of those deaths have occurred in July , which has historically been the most dangerous month of the year for fatal lightning strikes .
Over the past 10 years , an average of eight people are killed by lightning each July .
The other July lightning fatality occurred last week , when a 9-year-old girl was struck in Moultrie , Ga .
According to the Moultrie Observer , the girl , Nicole Mateo Pedro , was walking on a trail with her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through .
Along with two other individuals , the family members huddled under a wooden shelter when a bolt struck a tree near the bench where Nicole was sitting .
The fatality marked the first lightning death in Georgia in nearly two years .
Of the Pennsylvania tragedy , AccuWeather senior meteorologist Brian Wimer said slow-moving storms had drenched the area around the time of the incident .
`` There were slow-moving thunderstorms in the area with heavy downpours , '' he said .
`` The storms were producing numerous lightning strikes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ specialist with the NLSC , shared data that shows the United States has averaged 11 lightning deaths through July 6 over the past 10 years .
While the United States is behind that pace so far this summer , more and more people may be spending time outdoors after sheltering in their homes for the spring in the coming days , coinciding with the most dangerous lightning fatality month of the year .

A pair of men were struck and killed by lightning in Granville Township, Pa., marking the state's first lightning fatalities in over a year.
According to Bradford County coroner Thomas Carman, the men were standing in an open field under a wooden tree stand around 2 p.m. Monday when the tragedy occurred in the northern Pennsylvania town, located 50 miles north of Williamsport and less than 30 miles south of the New York border.
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Two other men were with the stricken individuals and were taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital. Carman said the two men who died were from southern Pennsylvania.
Carman told PAhomepage.com that the two men killed by the bolt, 43-year-old Jason Gamba of Havertown, and 34-year-old Craig Keleman of Philadelphia, were touching a metal ladder at the time of the strike. The two other men, John Maiale and his son, Joseph Maiale, both from Franklin Square, N.Y., were not in contact with the ladder. According to WETM, the two survivors were hospitalized in stable condition.
Data from the National Lightning Safety Council show that the two fatalities increase the current year's total lightning deaths for the United States to seven. Three of those deaths have occurred in July, which has historically been the most dangerous month of the year for fatal lightning strikes. Over the past 10 years, an average of eight people are killed by lightning each July.
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The other July lightning fatality occurred last week, when a 9-year-old girl was struck in Moultrie, Ga. According to the Moultrie Observer, the girl, Nicole Mateo Pedro, was walking on a trail with her mother and sister when a storm moved through. Along with two other individuals, the family members huddled under a wooden shelter when a bolt struck a tree near the bench where Nicole was sitting. The fatality marked the first lightning death in Georgia in nearly two years.
Of the Pennsylvania tragedy, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Brian Wimer said slow-moving storms had drenched the area around the time of the incident.
"There were slow-moving thunderstorms in the area with heavy downpours," he said. "The storms were producing numerous lightning strikes."
John Jensenius, a lightning safety specialist with the NLSC, shared data that shows the United States has averaged 11 lightning deaths through July 6 over the past 10 years. While the United States is behind that pace so far this summer, more and more people may be spending time outdoors after sheltering in their homes for the spring in the coming days, coinciding with the most dangerous lightning fatality month of the year.