upi--2020-06-16--Ravens' Lamar Jackson officially revealed as 'Madden NFL 21' cover athlete

June 16 ( UPI ) -- Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson was officially unveiled as the cover athlete for EA Sports ' Madden NFL 21 on Tuesday .
`` With style and swag uniquely his own , reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson dazzles on the new Madden NFL 21 cover as he does against the opposition on gameday , '' EA Sports wrote on its official website .
`` Dynamic agility and blazing speed make the Baltimore Ravens superstar QB untouchable in the open field .
`` The face of a fearless new generation of rising NFL stars , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When the football video game officially releases worldwide Aug. 28 , Jackson -- at 23 years old -- will be the third-youngest player to grace the cover of the Madden NFL series , behind only star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. on Madden NFL 16 and former scrambler Michael Vick on Madden NFL 04 .
Jackson also is the ninth quarterback -- and sixth black signal-caller -- to appear on the cover , following Daunte Culpepper ( 2002 ) , Vick ( 2004 ) , Donovan McNabb ( 2006 ) , Vince Young ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , Drew Brees ( 2011 ) , Tom Brady ( 2018 ) and Patrick Mahomes ( 2020 ) .
`` My manager told me Madden was interested in me being on the cover .
I was very excited , '' Jackson said in an interview with The Undefeated .
`` That 's a kid 's dream and I 'm a grown man now .
From getting drafted two years ago to winning MVP , it feels like everything has happened so fast .
`` Now , I 'm happy to be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other greats who have been on the cover . ''
Madden NFL 21 -- which will have standard , deluxe and MVP editions -- will first be playable Aug. 25 to those who pre-order the game or have EA Access .
It will be released for Xbox One , PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows , then will be available on the upcoming consoles Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 .

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) scrambles against the Tennessee Titans in the second quarter of a divisional playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md., on January 11. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
June 16 (UPI) -- Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson was officially unveiled as the cover athlete for EA Sports' Madden NFL 21 on Tuesday. "With style and swag uniquely his own, reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson dazzles on the new Madden NFL 21 cover as he does against the opposition on gameday," EA Sports wrote on its official website. "Dynamic agility and blazing speed make the Baltimore Ravens superstar QB untouchable in the open field. Advertisement
"The face of a fearless new generation of rising NFL stars, Jackson has changed the game."
When the football video game officially releases worldwide Aug. 28, Jackson -- at 23 years old -- will be the third-youngest player to grace the cover of the Madden NFL series, behind only star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. on Madden NFL 16 and former scrambler Michael Vick on Madden NFL 04.
Jackson also is the ninth quarterback -- and sixth black signal-caller -- to appear on the cover, following Daunte Culpepper (2002), Vick (2004), Donovan McNabb (2006), Vince Young (2008), Brett Favre (2009), Drew Brees (2011), Tom Brady (2018) and Patrick Mahomes (2020).
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"My manager told me Madden was interested in me being on the cover. I was very excited," Jackson said in an interview with The Undefeated. "That's a kid's dream and I'm a grown man now. From getting drafted two years ago to winning MVP, it feels like everything has happened so fast.
"Now, I'm happy to be a part of this, just like all the other greats who have been on the cover."
Madden NFL 21 -- which will have standard, deluxe and MVP editions -- will first be playable Aug. 25 to those who pre-order the game or have EA Access. It will be released for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows, then will be available on the upcoming consoles Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5.


upi--2020-06-16--North Korea to deploy troops to demilitarized areas, restart drills

SEOUL , June 16 ( UPI ) -- North Korea announced Wednesday it would deploy troops to the Kaesong Industrial Zone and Mount Kumgang tourist area , locations that were once the sites of joint economic ventures with South Korea , as Pyongyang continued to ratchet up tensions a day after it demolished an inter-Korean liaison office .
The North will also reinstall guard posts that had been removed from the Demilitarized Zone and conduct military drills in border areas , according to a statement by a spokesman for the General Staff of the Korean People 's Army .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Demilitarized Zone under the North-South agreement in the military field will be set up again to strengthen the guard over the front line , '' the statement said .
The two Koreas each removed 11 guard posts from the DMZ as part of a 2018 inter-Korean military agreement designed to reduce tension .
North Korea will `` resume all kinds of regular military exercises in the areas close to the boundary , '' the statement , carried on state-run Korean Central News Agency , continued .
Pyongyang has been issuing angry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past two weeks , triggered by the practice of North Korean defectors sending information leaflets across the border via balloons .
Last week , North Korea severed communications lines with the South and on Tuesday the communist state blew up the inter-Korean liaison office in its border city of Kaesong , saying the action was done `` to force human scum and those who have sheltered the scum to pay dearly for their crimes . ''
The office had been established in September 2018 to facilitate cooperation and communication between the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a series of summits between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un .
South Korea 's National Security Council expressed `` strong regret '' over the demolition on Tuesday and said it would `` respond strongly '' if the North takes further actions to exacerbate the situation .
In an unsigned commentary in KCNA , North Korea warned Wednesday that the destruction of the liaison office could be a `` prelude to the total catastrophe of the North-South relations '' and threatened Seoul directly .
`` Wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensuing result , '' the commentary said .
`` It can be the story of setting Seoul on fire that was raised long ago or more horrible threats , and the [ S ] outh Korean authorities have to take care of themselves just in case . ''
Pyongyang also rejected what it claims was an offer by South Korea to send special envoys to defuse hostilities .
`` Upon the urgent message sent by the south side in a hurry , Kim Yo Jong , first vice department director of the Central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea , made known the stand that we flatly reject the tactless and sinister proposal , '' the KCNA said .
The bellicose actions and rhetoric from North Korea are the latest setbacks in a peace process that has stalled out since a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un last year failed to produce an agreement on issues such as sanctions relief for the North and a timetable for proceeding with denuclearization .
Moon 's administration , which has been eager to restart joint economic projects with the North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defector groups responsible for sending the leaflets .
Last week , the government announced it would press charges against two activist groups , while police and the coast guard have stepped up patrols at border areas .
North Korea said Wednesday it would respond by sending leaflets of its own .
`` Areas favorable for scattering leaflets against the South will open on the whole front line and our people 's drive for scattering leaflets will be guaranteed militarily and thorough-going security measures will be taken , '' the spokesman for the Korean @ @ @ @ @ @ @

South Korean marines patrol a beach on Yeonpyeong Island bordering North Korea on Wednesday as Pyongyang announced it would deploy troops to demilitarized areas one day after it blew up the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong. Photo by Yonhap
SEOUL, June 16 (UPI) -- North Korea announced Wednesday it would deploy troops to the Kaesong Industrial Zone and Mount Kumgang tourist area, locations that were once the sites of joint economic ventures with South Korea, as Pyongyang continued to ratchet up tensions a day after it demolished an inter-Korean liaison office. The North will also reinstall guard posts that had been removed from the Demilitarized Zone and conduct military drills in border areas, according to a statement by a spokesman for the General Staff of the Korean People's Army. Advertisement
"Civil police posts that had been withdrawn from the Demilitarized Zone under the North-South agreement in the military field will be set up again to strengthen the guard over the front line," the statement said.
The two Koreas each removed 11 guard posts from the DMZ as part of a 2018 inter-Korean military agreement designed to reduce tension.
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North Korea will "resume all kinds of regular military exercises in the areas close to the boundary," the statement, carried on state-run Korean Central News Agency, continued.
Pyongyang has been issuing angry statements and threats against Seoul regularly over the past two weeks, triggered by the practice of North Korean defectors sending information leaflets across the border via balloons.
Last week, North Korea severed communications lines with the South and on Tuesday the communist state blew up the inter-Korean liaison office in its border city of Kaesong, saying the action was done "to force human scum and those who have sheltered the scum to pay dearly for their crimes."
The office had been established in September 2018 to facilitate cooperation and communication between the two Koreas during a period of rapprochement marked by a series of summits between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
South Korea's National Security Council expressed "strong regret" over the demolition on Tuesday and said it would "respond strongly" if the North takes further actions to exacerbate the situation.
In an unsigned commentary in KCNA, North Korea warned Wednesday that the destruction of the liaison office could be a "prelude to the total catastrophe of the North-South relations" and threatened Seoul directly.
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"Wrong words and actions are bound to bring ensuing result," the commentary said. "It can be the story of setting Seoul on fire that was raised long ago or more horrible threats, and the [S]outh Korean authorities have to take care of themselves just in case."
Pyongyang also rejected what it claims was an offer by South Korea to send special envoys to defuse hostilities.
"Upon the urgent message sent by the south side in a hurry, Kim Yo Jong, first vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, made known the stand that we flatly reject the tactless and sinister proposal," the KCNA said.
The bellicose actions and rhetoric from North Korea are the latest setbacks in a peace process that has stalled out since a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un last year failed to produce an agreement on issues such as sanctions relief for the North and a timetable for proceeding with denuclearization.
Moon's administration, which has been eager to restart joint economic projects with the North, has moved to rein in the defector groups responsible for sending the leaflets. Last week, the government announced it would press charges against two activist groups, while police and the coast guard have stepped up patrols at border areas.
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North Korea said Wednesday it would respond by sending leaflets of its own.
"Areas favorable for scattering leaflets against the South will open on the whole front line and our people's drive for scattering leaflets will be guaranteed militarily and thorough-going security measures will be taken," the spokesman for the Korean People's Army said via KCNA.


upi--2020-06-16--Ex-Bumble Bee CEO sentenced to 40 months in prison for price fixing

June 16 ( UPI ) -- The former CEO and president of Bumble Bee Foods was sentenced to more than three years in prison for fixing prices on canned tuna , the Justice Department announced Tuesday .
Christopher Lischewski was sentenced to 40 months in prison and ordered to pay a $ 100,000 criminal fine for his role in a three-year antitrust price-fixing conspiracy .
`` Executives who cheat American consumers out of the benefits of competition will be brought to justice , particularly when their antitrust crimes affect the most basic necessity , food , '' said Assistant Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Antitrust Division .
Lischewski was indicted in May 2019 on charges that he conspired with rival seafood companies to artificially inflate tuna prices .
He was found guilty in December and Bumble Bee agreed to plead guilty and to pay a criminal fine of at least $ 25 million as a result of an ongoing investigation by the government into the conspiracy .
Fellow canned tuna company StarKist was also sentenced to pay a $ 100 million criminal fine , as three other individuals pleaded guilty and testified in Lischewski 's trial @

June 16 (UPI) -- The former CEO and president of Bumble Bee Foods was sentenced to more than three years in prison for fixing prices on canned tuna, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.
Christopher Lischewski was sentenced to 40 months in prison and ordered to pay a $100,000 criminal fine for his role in a three-year antitrust price-fixing conspiracy.
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"Executives who cheat American consumers out of the benefits of competition will be brought to justice, particularly when their antitrust crimes affect the most basic necessity, food," said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Justice Department's Antitrust Division.
Lischewski was indicted in May 2019 on charges that he conspired with rival seafood companies to artificially inflate tuna prices.
He was found guilty in December and Bumble Bee agreed to plead guilty and to pay a criminal fine of at least $25 million as a result of an ongoing investigation by the government into the conspiracy.
Fellow canned tuna company StarKist was also sentenced to pay a $100 million criminal fine, as three other individuals pleaded guilty and testified in Lischewski's trial.


upi--2020-06-16--Justice Dept. sues to block release of John Bolton's memoir

June 16 ( UPI ) -- The Department of Justice on Tuesday asked a federal judge to block the publication of former national security adviser John Bolton 's upcoming book discussing his time in the White House .
The lawsuit calls for the judge to prevent Bolton from `` compromising national security '' by publishing the 500-page manuscript the government described as `` rife with classified information , '' stating his plan to release the book is a breach of his employment agreement with the White House .
`` The United States seeks an order requiring defendant to abide by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the prepublication review process and not disclose classified information without written authorization , thereby protecting the national security of the United States , '' the suit states .
The suit cites media reports stating that Bolton and his publisher plan to release his book In the Room Where It Happened : A White House Memoir on June 23 , even though the review process has not been completed .
`` Simply put , defendant struck a bargain with the United States as a condition of his employment in one of the most sensitive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States government and now wants to renege on that bargain by unilaterally deciding that the pre-publication review process is complete and deciding for himself whether classified information should be made public , '' the suit says .
Bolton served as national security adviser in Trump 's White House from April 2018 until September 2019 and later announced a deal for a book discussing his time in the Trump administration The White House sent a letter to Bolton 's lawyer in January saying a preliminary review of his book found it contained `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including some at the top-secret level , which was required to be removed before publishing .
In the following days , The New York Times and The Washington Post published articles detailing the book 's contents .
After the White House warning , Bolton submitted the book for review by Ellen Knight , senior director for records access and information security management at the National Security Council .
On April 27 , she made the judgment that the revised version of the manuscript did not contain classified information , the suit states .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ NSC 's director for intelligence , Michael Ellis , began an additional review at the request of Robert O'Brien , who succeeded Bolton as national security adviser .
The suit states that O'Brien was `` concerned that the manuscript still appeared to contain classified information , in part because the same administration the author served is still in office and the manuscript described sensitive information about ongoing foreign policy issues . ''
Ellis completed his initial review on June 9 and the legal adviser to the NSC sent a letter to Bolton 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contains classified information , because , among other things , it includes information that he himself classified and designated for declassification only after the lapse of 25 years . ''
The suit states that publication of the book including the information cited in Ellis ' review would violate the terms of Bolton 's non-disclosure agreements .

The Trump administration requested that a federal judge prevent former national security adviser John Bolton from publishing a book about his time in the White House, citing the inclusion of classified information. File Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo
June 16 (UPI) -- The Department of Justice on Tuesday asked a federal judge to block the publication of former national security adviser John Bolton's upcoming book discussing his time in the White House. The lawsuit calls for the judge to prevent Bolton from "compromising national security" by publishing the 500-page manuscript the government described as "rife with classified information," stating his plan to release the book is a breach of his employment agreement with the White House. Advertisement
"The United States seeks an order requiring defendant to abide by his contractual and fiduciary duties to complete the prepublication review process and not disclose classified information without written authorization, thereby protecting the national security of the United States," the suit states.
The suit cites media reports stating that Bolton and his publisher plan to release his book In the Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir on June 23, even though the review process has not been completed.
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"Simply put, defendant struck a bargain with the United States as a condition of his employment in one of the most sensitive and important national security positions in the United States government and now wants to renege on that bargain by unilaterally deciding that the pre-publication review process is complete and deciding for himself whether classified information should be made public," the suit says.
Bolton served as national security adviser in Trump's White House from April 2018 until September 2019 and later announced a deal for a book discussing his time in the Trump administration
The White House sent a letter to Bolton's lawyer in January saying a preliminary review of his book found it contained "significant amounts of classified information," including some at the top-secret level, which was required to be removed before publishing.
In the following days, The New York Times and The Washington Post published articles detailing the book's contents.
After the White House warning, Bolton submitted the book for review by Ellen Knight, senior director for records access and information security management at the National Security Council. On April 27, she made the judgment that the revised version of the manuscript did not contain classified information, the suit states.
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However, on May 2, the NSC's director for intelligence, Michael Ellis, began an additional review at the request of Robert O'Brien, who succeeded Bolton as national security adviser.
The suit states that O'Brien was "concerned that the manuscript still appeared to contain classified information, in part because the same administration the author served is still in office and the manuscript described sensitive information about ongoing foreign policy issues."
Ellis completed his initial review on June 9 and the legal adviser to the NSC sent a letter to Bolton's lawyer stating that "the manuscript still contains classified information, because, among other things, it includes information that he himself classified and designated for declassification only after the lapse of 25 years."
The suit states that publication of the book including the information cited in Ellis' review would violate the terms of Bolton's non-disclosure agreements.


upi--2020-06-17--PGA Tour reports no positive coronavirus tests ahead of RBC Heritage

June 17 ( UPI ) -- For the second consecutive week since its return to competition , the PGA Tour reported zero positive coronavirus tests with the RBC Heritage set to begin Thursday at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head , S.C .
The Tour has administered 954 total tests over the two-week period , according to ESPN and Golf Digest .
That number includes the 98 players , caddies and family members who took chartered flights from Dallas to Hilton Head on Monday for the second tournament on the PGA Tour 's revised schedule after a three-month hiatus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals who traveled to South Carolina on their own were required to take an on-site test .
`` It does n't surprise me , because I feel like the plan that has been put in place here has been very good , '' Rory McIlroy , the top-ranked player in the world , told reporters Wednesday .
`` It 's great to hear that two weeks in a row there 's no positive tests .
That 's what we just have to keep doing .
`` Just because things are starting to lift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal does n't mean that we just stop doing what we 've been doing over the last 12 weeks .
We still need to stay pretty vigilant . ''
The Korn Ferry Tour , however , recorded two positive tests -- both caddies -- this week ahead of The King & Bear Classic in St. Augustine , Fla. , according to the Tour .
Last week , three caddies and one player on the Korn Ferry Tour tested positive for COVID-19 .
The first five events of the PGA Tour 's revised schedule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Tour plans to allow a limited number of fans for the Memorial Tournament beginning July 16 .

June 17 (UPI) -- For the second consecutive week since its return to competition, the PGA Tour reported zero positive coronavirus tests with the RBC Heritage set to begin Thursday at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, S.C.
The Tour has administered 954 total tests over the two-week period, according to ESPN and Golf Digest. That number includes the 98 players, caddies and family members who took chartered flights from Dallas to Hilton Head on Monday for the second tournament on the PGA Tour's revised schedule after a three-month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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The individuals who traveled to South Carolina on their own were required to take an on-site test.
"It doesn't surprise me, because I feel like the plan that has been put in place here has been very good," Rory McIlroy, the top-ranked player in the world, told reporters Wednesday. "It's great to hear that two weeks in a row there's no positive tests. That's what we just have to keep doing.
"Just because things are starting to lift and it's getting a little more normal doesn't mean that we just stop doing what we've been doing over the last 12 weeks. We still need to stay pretty vigilant."
Advertisement BIG SWING in Four Parts     #RBCHeritage pic.twitter.com/IFwtW32gqE— RBC Heritage (@RBC_Heritage) June 17, 2020
The Korn Ferry Tour, however, recorded two positive tests -- both caddies -- this week ahead of The King & Bear Classic in St. Augustine, Fla., according to the Tour. Last week, three caddies and one player on the Korn Ferry Tour tested positive for COVID-19.
The first five events of the PGA Tour's revised schedule are being played without fans in attendance. The Tour plans to allow a limited number of fans for the Memorial Tournament beginning July 16.


upi--2020-06-17--John Bolton: Trump asked Chinese President Xi for help winning 2020 election

June 17 ( UPI ) -- Former national security adviser John Bolton said in his upcoming book that President Donald Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to help him win the 2020 presidential election .
An excerpt from Bolton 's memoir about his time serving in the Trump administration , published in The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday , said Trump brought up China 's economic capability , `` pleading with Xi '' to ensure he would win the upcoming election during a meeting in Osaka during the G20 Summit last June .
`` He stressed the importance of farmers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wheat in the electoral outcome , '' Bolton wrote .
`` I would print Trump 's exact words , but the government prepublication review process has decided otherwise . ''
Trump then returned the conversation to trade negotiations proposing that the United States would not impose tariffs on the remaining trade imbalances between the two countries before returning to `` importuning Xi to buy as many American farm products as China could , '' Bolton said .
Bolton also described a conversation between Trump and Xi during which the Chinese president said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more years and `` Trump replied that people were saying that the two-term constitutional limit on presidents should be repealed for him . ''
During another conversation , Bolton said Trump defended China 's construction of camps to house the Uyghur Muslim minority in Xinjiang .
`` According to our interpreter , Trump said that Xi should go ahead with building the camps , which Trump thought was exactly the thing to do , '' Bolton said .
`` The National Security Council 's top Asia staffer , Matthew Pottinger , told me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his November 2017 trip to China . ''
Bolton further accused Trump of commingling personal and national interests `` across the whole field of national security . ''
`` I am hard-pressed to identify any significant Trump decision during my White House tenure that was n't driven by re-election calculations , '' Bolton said .
Bolton also suggested that the outcome of Trump 's impeachment trial to start the year may have ended differently had Congress sought out information about his dealings with China .
`` Had Democratic impeachment advocates not been so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had they taken the time to inquire more systematically about Trump 's behavior across his entire foreign policy , the impeachment outcome might well have been different , '' he said .
Bolton said he would testify in Trump 's impeachment proceedings if subpoenaed but never appeared before Congress during the process .
A report by The New York Times in January said that Bolton acknowledged in his upcoming book that there was a connection between Trump 's withholding aid to Ukraine last year in exchange for investigations of Democratic presidential candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
House intelligence committee Chairman Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , who was the lead impeachment manager , responded to Bolton 's essay saying he `` may be an author , but he 's no patriot . ''
`` Bolton 's staff were asked to testify before the House to Trump 's abuses and did .
They had a lot to lose and showed real courage , '' Schiff wrote on Twitter .
`` When Bolton was asked , he refused and said he 'd sue if subpoenaed .
Instead , he saved it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the White House asked a federal judge to block the publication of Bolton 's book , scheduled for June 23 , stating that it contained classified information .
The Justice Department followed up on Wednesday by asking U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth for a hearing Friday , seeking an emergency order to formally enjoin Bolton from allowing the book to be published , stating disclosure of the manuscript will damage the national security of the United States .
`` To be clear : Defendant 's manuscript still contains classified information , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's most senior national-security and intelligence officials , '' the Justice Department wrote .

An excerpt from former national security adviser John Bolton's upcoming book states that President Donald Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to help him win the 2020 presidential election by buying farm goods. File Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo
June 17 (UPI) -- Former national security adviser John Bolton said in his upcoming book that President Donald Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to help him win the 2020 presidential election. An excerpt from Bolton's memoir about his time serving in the Trump administration, published in The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, said Trump brought up China's economic capability, "pleading with Xi" to ensure he would win the upcoming election during a meeting in Osaka during the G20 Summit last June. Advertisement
"He stressed the importance of farmers and increased Chinese purchases of soybeans and wheat in the electoral outcome," Bolton wrote. "I would print Trump's exact words, but the government prepublication review process has decided otherwise."
Trump then returned the conversation to trade negotiations proposing that the United States would not impose tariffs on the remaining trade imbalances between the two countries before returning to "importuning Xi to buy as many American farm products as China could," Bolton said.
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Bolton also described a conversation between Trump and Xi during which the Chinese president said he wanted to work with Trump for six more years and "Trump replied that people were saying that the two-term constitutional limit on presidents should be repealed for him."
During another conversation, Bolton said Trump defended China's construction of camps to house the Uyghur Muslim minority in Xinjiang.
"According to our interpreter, Trump said that Xi should go ahead with building the camps, which Trump thought was exactly the thing to do," Bolton said. "The National Security Council's top Asia staffer, Matthew Pottinger, told me that Trump said something very similar during his November 2017 trip to China."
Bolton further accused Trump of commingling personal and national interests "across the whole field of national security."
"I am hard-pressed to identify any significant Trump decision during my White House tenure that wasn't driven by re-election calculations," Bolton said.
Bolton also suggested that the outcome of Trump's impeachment trial to start the year may have ended differently had Congress sought out information about his dealings with China.
"Had Democratic impeachment advocates not been so obsessed with their Ukraine blitzkrieg in 2019, had they taken the time to inquire more systematically about Trump's behavior across his entire foreign policy, the impeachment outcome might well have been different," he said.
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Bolton said he would testify in Trump's impeachment proceedings if subpoenaed but never appeared before Congress during the process. A report by The New York Times in January said that Bolton acknowledged in his upcoming book that there was a connection between Trump's withholding aid to Ukraine last year in exchange for investigations of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden.
House intelligence committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who was the lead impeachment manager, responded to Bolton's essay saying he "may be an author, but he's no patriot."
"Bolton's staff were asked to testify before the House to Trump's abuses and did. They had a lot to lose and showed real courage," Schiff wrote on Twitter. "When Bolton was asked, he refused and said he'd sue if subpoenaed. Instead, he saved it for a book."
On Tuesday, the White House asked a federal judge to block the publication of Bolton's book, scheduled for June 23, stating that it contained classified information.
The Justice Department followed up on Wednesday by asking U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth for a hearing Friday, seeking an emergency order to formally enjoin Bolton from allowing the book to be published, stating disclosure of the manuscript will damage the national security of the United States.
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"To be clear: Defendant's manuscript still contains classified information, as confirmed by some of the government's most senior national-security and intelligence officials," the Justice Department wrote.


upi--2020-06-17--House Democrats call for SBA to turnover data related to CARES Act oversight

June 17 ( UPI ) -- House Democrats on Wednesday accused the Small Business Administration of illegally withholding information regarding its handling of the sweeping coronavirus economic relief program .
A group of five Democratic committee and subcommittee chairs sent a letter to SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza , calling for the agency to immediately comply with requests from the Government Accountability Office for interviews , documents and data related to its oversight of the Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security Act .
`` To date , SBA has not granted GAO access to all requested SBA officials for interviews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials ho have been interviewed have not been fully cooperative in providing timely , fulsome and transparent responses to interview questions , '' the lawmakers wrote .
The CARES Act tasks GAO with overseeing the more than $ 2 trillion appropriated by Congress for financial assistance to individuals , business loans , support for medical providers , and economic relief for businesses and industries .
The letter cites issues in the implementation of the Paycheck Protection Program that allowed large companies to obtain loans intended for small businesses .
`` Refusing to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appears to be an attempt to avoid such oversight and accountability , '' the letter stated .
Lawmakers requested that the SBA provide GAO with all data , documents , interviews and other information requested by June 29 .

House Democrats on Wednesday sent a leter to Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carrenza calling for the agency to comply with requests from the Government Accountability Office for interviews, documents and data related to the CARES Act by June 29. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
June 17 (UPI) -- House Democrats on Wednesday accused the Small Business Administration of illegally withholding information regarding its handling of the sweeping coronavirus economic relief program. A group of five Democratic committee and subcommittee chairs sent a letter to SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza, calling for the agency to immediately comply with requests from the Government Accountability Office for interviews, documents and data related to its oversight of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. Advertisement
"To date, SBA has not granted GAO access to all requested SBA officials for interviews and, according to GAO, SBA officials ho have been interviewed have not been fully cooperative in providing timely, fulsome and transparent responses to interview questions," the lawmakers wrote.
The CARES Act tasks GAO with overseeing the more than $2 trillion appropriated by Congress for financial assistance to individuals, business loans, support for medical providers, and economic relief for businesses and industries.
The letter cites issues in the implementation of the Paycheck Protection Program that allowed large companies to obtain loans intended for small businesses.
"Refusing to provide basic data to GAO about PPP loans appears to be an attempt to avoid such oversight and accountability," the letter stated.
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Lawmakers requested that the SBA provide GAO with all data, documents, interviews and other information requested by June 29.


upi--2020-06-17--Florissant, Mo., officer charged with assault for hitting suspect with SUV

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Former Florissant, Mo., police officer Joshua Smith faces two counts of assault and one count of armed criminal action. Photo courtesy of the St. Louis County Justice Center | License Photo
June 17 (UPI) -- Prosecutors on Wednesday charged a former Florissant, Mo., police detective with assault after he was caught on camera appearing to strike a suspect with an SUV. St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney Time Lohmar announced the charges against Joshua Smith, 31, including first-degree assault, fourth-degree assault and armed criminal action. Advertisement
Lohmar said the charges stem from a June 2 incident in which Smith hit a suspect with an unmarked police SUV before exiting the vehicle, and kicking and jumping on the suspect. Investigators haven't released the name of the suspect.
"The police SUV turned directly toward the victim, continued to accelerate and collided with the victim, causing a severe leg injury," Lohmar said during a news conference.
"Immediately thereafter the victim, you see is knocked down, he's in tremendous pain and he's screaming. He gets up and tries to run away and realizes he can't do that. So he falls in the yard, which is just about 6 feet away from the point of impact. And he's on his back and you see officer Smith -- before he tries to apprehend the victim -- he kicks him and later strikes him.
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"That would constitute the misdemeanor assault charges that we have filed."
Florissant police Chief Tim Fagan said Smith chased the suspect and two other men because their vehicle matched the description of a vehicle from a shots-fired call.
Fagan said Smith initially wrote in his report that he tried to avoid hitting the man.
"The video evidence just proves that was patently false, that didn't happen that way," Fagan said.
The chief fired Smith last week.
The video footage prompted protesters to gather outside the Florissant police headquarters to call for Smith's prosecution. They blamed the incident on police brutality and racial bias; the suspect is black and Smith is white.
The incident comes amid weeks of protests against police brutality after the police-involved killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Protesters demand justice in police killing of George Floyd
Demonstrators hold a sign in Los Angeles on June 14 for Breonna Taylor, a black woman who was shot by police in her home while she was sleeping. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
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upi--2020-06-17--Chargers coach Anthony Lynn eyeing Colin Kaepernick for possible workout

June 17 ( UPI ) -- Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said Wednesday that NFL teams `` would be crazy '' not to hold workouts for Colin Kaepernick in preparation for the upcoming season .
Lynn told reporters the 32-year-old Kaepernick fits the Chargers ' offensive scheme , but the team has yet to make contact with the free-agent quarterback .
`` I have n't spoken with Colin , not sure where he 's at as far as in his career , what he wants to do , '' Lynn said .
`` But Colin definitely fits the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're going to be running .
I 'm very confident and happy with the three quarterbacks that I have , but you can never have too many people waiting on the runway . ''
Kaepernick played six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before parting ways with the franchise following the 2016 campaign .
He has n't played in the NFL since that season , when he started kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality in the United States .
Although the Chargers have n't scheduled a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open the possibility that one could take place later this off-season .
The Chargers coach previously voiced concerns about how the coronavirus could impact roster depth this season .
`` It would be something that I think any team right now would have to explore , '' Lynn said .
`` A talent of that caliber that 's available , under these circumstances that we 're in right now , I would think most teams would explore that . ''
The Chargers parted ways with veteran signal-caller Philip Rivers this off-season .
Tyrod @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the backup to Rivers , is expected to take over as the team 's starting quarterback .
Los Angeles used the No .
6 overall pick in this year 's NFL Draft to select former Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert , who is expected to develop into the Chargers ' franchise quarterback .
Easton Stick -- a fifth-round pick in the 2019 draft -- also is on the roster .
The Chargers are the first NFL team to publicly mention Kaepernick as a workout candidate amid the widespread social unrest that began last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police custody .

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn (pictured) said NFL teams "would be crazy" not to hold a workout for Colin Kaepernick ahead of this season. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
June 17 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said Wednesday that NFL teams "would be crazy" not to hold workouts for Colin Kaepernick in preparation for the upcoming season. Lynn told reporters the 32-year-old Kaepernick fits the Chargers' offensive scheme, but the team has yet to make contact with the free-agent quarterback. Advertisement
"I haven't spoken with Colin, not sure where he's at as far as in his career, what he wants to do," Lynn said. "But Colin definitely fits the style of quarterback for the system that we're going to be running. I'm very confident and happy with the three quarterbacks that I have, but you can never have too many people waiting on the runway."
Kaepernick played six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before parting ways with the franchise following the 2016 campaign. He hasn't played in the NFL since that season, when he started kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality in the United States.
Although the Chargers haven't scheduled a private workout with Kaepernick, Lynn left open the possibility that one could take place later this off-season. The Chargers coach previously voiced concerns about how the coronavirus could impact roster depth this season.
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"It would be something that I think any team right now would have to explore," Lynn said. "A talent of that caliber that's available, under these circumstances that we're in right now, I would think most teams would explore that."
The Chargers parted ways with veteran signal-caller Philip Rivers this off-season. Tyrod Taylor, who spent last season as the backup to Rivers, is expected to take over as the team's starting quarterback.
Los Angeles used the No. 6 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft to select former Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert, who is expected to develop into the Chargers' franchise quarterback. Easton Stick -- a fifth-round pick in the 2019 draft -- also is on the roster.
The Chargers are the first NFL team to publicly mention Kaepernick as a workout candidate amid the widespread social unrest that began last month following the death of George Floyd in police custody.


upi--2020-06-17--Being lonely makes it harder to quit smoking

Being lonely may make it harder to quit smoking , a new British study suggests .
Using genetic and survey data from hundreds of thousands of people , researchers found that loneliness makes it more likely that someone will smoke .
This type of analysis is called Mendelian randomization .
`` This method has never been applied to this question before and so the results are novel , but also tentative , '' said co-lead author Robyn Wootton , a senior research associate at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom .
`` We found evidence to suggest that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people more likely to start smoking , to smoke more cigarettes and to be less likely to quit , '' Wootton said in a university news release .
These data mesh with an observation that during the coronavirus pandemic , more British people are smoking .
Senior study author Jorien Treur said , `` Our finding that smoking may also lead to more loneliness is tentative , but it is in line with other recent studies that identified smoking as a risk factor for poor mental health .
A potential mechanism for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interferes with neurotransmitters such as dopamine in the brain . ''
Treur is a visiting research associate from Amsterdam UMC .
The researchers also looked for a connection between loneliness and drinking but found none .
Still , if loneliness causes people to smoke , it is important to alert smoking cessation services so they can add this factor as they help people to quit , the study authors said .
The report was published June 16 in the journal Addiction .
For tips on quitting smoking , visit the American Cancer Society @

Being lonely may make it harder to quit smoking, a new British study suggests.
Using genetic and survey data from hundreds of thousands of people, researchers found that loneliness makes it more likely that someone will smoke. This type of analysis is called Mendelian randomization.
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"This method has never been applied to this question before and so the results are novel, but also tentative," said co-lead author Robyn Wootton, a senior research associate at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom.
"We found evidence to suggest that loneliness leads to increased smoking, with people more likely to start smoking, to smoke more cigarettes and to be less likely to quit," Wootton said in a university news release.
These data mesh with an observation that during the coronavirus pandemic, more British people are smoking.
Senior study author Jorien Treur said, "Our finding that smoking may also lead to more loneliness is tentative, but it is in line with other recent studies that identified smoking as a risk factor for poor mental health. A potential mechanism for this relationship is that nicotine from cigarette smoke interferes with neurotransmitters such as dopamine in the brain." Treur is a visiting research associate from Amsterdam UMC.
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The researchers also looked for a connection between loneliness and drinking but found none.
Still, if loneliness causes people to smoke, it is important to alert smoking cessation services so they can add this factor as they help people to quit, the study authors said.
The report was published June 16 in the journal Addiction.
More information
For tips on quitting smoking, visit the American Cancer Society.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-06-17--Brother of George Floyd asks U.N. to take action on violence against black people

Philonise Floyd called on the United Nations to take action to address violence against black people and police brutality during an Urgent Debate on racism Wednesday. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
June 17 (UPI) -- Philonise Floyd urged the United Nations to launch an international probe into the killings of black people in the United States following the police-involved killing of his brother George Floyd. During the U.N Human Right's Council's urgent debate on racism, Floyd delivered an impassioned plea on Wednesday for the international body to take action in response to police brutality in the United States as exhibited in the killing of his brother by Minneapolis police and violence against protesters who have demonstrated throughout the world in response to his death. Advertisement
"You watched my brother die. That could have been me," Floyd said in a recording played during the debate. "I am my brother's keeper. You in the United Nations are your brothers' and sisters' keepers in America and you have the power to help us get justice for my brother George Floyd. I am asking you to help him. I am asking you to help me. I am asking you to help us. Black people in America."
U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed opened the debate by saying that George Floyd's death was the "most recent trigger" for the global protests but said that the violence "spans history and borders alike" throughout the world.
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"Today people are saying loudly and movingly, 'enough.' The United Nations has a duty to respond to the anguish that has been felt by so many for so long," Mohammed said. "This cause is at the heart of our organization's identity. Equal rights are enshrined in our founding charter. Just as we fought apartheid years ago, so must we fight the hatred, oppression and humiliation today."
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet issued a similar statement declaring "Time is of the essence. Patience has run out."
Bachelet called for specific institutions and law enforcement agencies throughout the world to be reformed in addition to implementing measures to address "pervasive racism," adding that lethal harm results too often.
"Gratuitous brutality has come to symbolize the systemic racism that harms millions of people of African descent," she said.
Bachelet also said she has been "disturbed by the criminal acts undertaken by a small number of people amid the many peaceful protests around the world" while adding video evidence has shown excessive use of force by police "including during entirely peaceful protests."
Philonise Floyd detailed some of the violence he has witnessed during the protests, which he said was an effort to silence the voices of the demonstrators.
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"When people dared to raise their voice and protest for my brother, they were tear-gassed, run over with police vehicles, several people lost eyes and suffered brain damage from rubber bullets and peaceful protesters were shot and killed by police," he said. "Journalists were beaten and blinded when they tried to show the world the brutality happening at the protests. When people raise their voices to protest the treatment of black people in America they are silenced; they are shot and killed."
Protesters demand justice in police killing of George Floyd


upi--2020-06-17--Senate passes conservation bill to clear national parks repair backlog

June 17 ( UPI ) -- The Senate on Wednesday passed a conservation package to restore national parks and forests and create 100,000 jobs .
The chamber voted 73-25 to pass the legislation , which doubles spending -- about $ 900 million each year -- for the Land and Water Conservation Fund .
Sen. Cory Gardner , R-Colo. , a sponsor of the Great American Outdoors Act , praised its passage and called on the House to also give its approval .
`` Years of bipartisan work have led to this moment and this historic opportunity for conservation , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed not only the single greatest conservation achievement in generations , but also a lifeline to mountain towns and recreation communities hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic . ''
In addition to funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund , the Great American Outdoors Act provides $ 1.9 billion annually to carry out a backlog repairs and improvements at national parks , forests and wildlife refuges .
About 75 percent of the funds would go directly to the National Parks Service .
The NPS said there 's currently about a $ 20 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States , and if unresolved it could threaten the safety of park visitors and staff .
President Donald Trump has said he 'll sign the measure if passed by both chambers of Congress .
Earlier this week , the NPS said park visitors contributed about $ 21 billion to local communities in 2019 , supporting about 341,000 jobs .
Some 328 million people visited national parks in 2019 .
Most spending went toward local hotels and restaurants .

Funding from the package would repair damage to the 120-year-old seawall at the National Mall's Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., which is endangering the city's famous cherry trees. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
June 17 (UPI) -- The Senate on Wednesday passed a conservation package to restore national parks and forests and create 100,000 jobs. The chamber voted 73-25 to pass the legislation, which doubles spending -- about $900 million each year -- for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Advertisement
Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., a sponsor of the Great American Outdoors Act, praised its passage and called on the House to also give its approval.
"Years of bipartisan work have led to this moment and this historic opportunity for conservation," he said. "Today the Senate passed not only the single greatest conservation achievement in generations, but also a lifeline to mountain towns and recreation communities hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic."
In addition to funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Great American Outdoors Act provides $1.9 billion annually to carry out a backlog repairs and improvements at national parks, forests and wildlife refuges. About 75 percent of the funds would go directly to the National Parks Service.
The NPS said there's currently about a $20 billion backlog in maintenance projects across the United States, and if unresolved it could threaten the safety of park visitors and staff.
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President Donald Trump has said he'll sign the measure if passed by both chambers of Congress.
Earlier this week, the NPS said park visitors contributed about $21 billion to local communities in 2019, supporting about 341,000 jobs. Some 328 million people visited national parks in 2019.
Most spending went toward local hotels and restaurants.


upi--2020-06-17--MLB proposes 60-game season to players with full prorated salaries

June 17 ( UPI ) -- Major League Baseball has submitted a proposal for a 60-game season at full prorated pay to the MLB Players Association .
Under the owners ' proposal , the MLB regular season would begin July 19 and conclude in late September , with the 60-game schedule containing 10 days off , according to ESPN and The Athletic .
The new offer also includes expanded playoffs in 2020 and 2021 , and the waiving of any potential grievance .
Negotiations between the league and players are expected to continue and could result in a schedule of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Athletic .
The latest proposal comes after a meeting between MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and MLBPA executive director Tony Clark on Tuesday in Arizona .
Manfred said the session produced the framework of a deal .
`` At my request , Tony Clark and I met for several hours yesterday in Phoenix , '' Manfred said in a statement Wednesday .
`` We left that meeting with a jointly developed framework that we agreed could form the basis of an agreement and subject to conversations with our respective constituents .
`` I summarized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sent Tony a written summary today .
Consistent with our conversations yesterday , I am encouraging the clubs to move forward and I trust Tony is doing the same . ''
The latest offer is viewed as a significant step toward having a baseball season this year .
MLB previously made three proposals to begin the 2020 season and the players ' union made two , but the parties were about $ 1 billion apart in guaranteed salary .
MLB players were set to earn about $ 4 billion in total salaries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broke off negotiations Saturday , a day after the league 's previous proposal .
The union told MLB it was done negotiating and for the league to go ahead and impose a season , but Manfred said the league would n't while there was a threat of a grievance .
On Monday , Manfred said he was `` not confident '' that a 2020 season would take place .
His comments were a reversal from his statement last week , when he said `` unequivocally , we are going to play Major League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chances at `` 100 percent . ''
Manfred 's comments triggered a response from Clark , who revealed that players were `` disgusted '' over the commissioner 's threat to cancel this season after previously saying it would happen .
`` Players are disgusted that after Rob Manfred unequivocally told players and fans that there would '100 percent ' be a 2020 season , he has decided to go back on his word and is now threatening to cancel the entire season , '' Clark said in the statement .
`` Any implication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progress on health and safety protocols is completely false , as Rob has recently acknowledged the parties are 'very , very close . '
This latest threat is just one more indication that Major League Baseball has been negotiating in bad faith since the beginning . ''
MLB and the players ' union reached an agreement in late March , with players agreeing to prorated salaries and guaranteed service time even if no games are played in 2020 .
The league 's previous proposal to the players -- which was declined -- included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their prorated pay , with a maximum of 83 percent after the postseason is finished .

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said Monday he wasn't confident that MLB would have a season in 2020. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
June 17 (UPI) -- Major League Baseball has submitted a proposal for a 60-game season at full prorated pay to the MLB Players Association. Under the owners' proposal, the MLB regular season would begin July 19 and conclude in late September, with the 60-game schedule containing 10 days off, according to ESPN and The Athletic. The new offer also includes expanded playoffs in 2020 and 2021, and the waiving of any potential grievance. Advertisement
Negotiations between the league and players are expected to continue and could result in a schedule of about 65 games, according to The Athletic.
The latest proposal comes after a meeting between MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and MLBPA executive director Tony Clark on Tuesday in Arizona. Manfred said the session produced the framework of a deal.
"At my request, Tony Clark and I met for several hours yesterday in Phoenix," Manfred said in a statement Wednesday. "We left that meeting with a jointly developed framework that we agreed could form the basis of an agreement and subject to conversations with our respective constituents.
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"I summarized that framework numerous times in the meeting and sent Tony a written summary today. Consistent with our conversations yesterday, I am encouraging the clubs to move forward and I trust Tony is doing the same."
The latest offer is viewed as a significant step toward having a baseball season this year. MLB previously made three proposals to begin the 2020 season and the players' union made two, but the parties were about $1 billion apart in guaranteed salary. MLB players were set to earn about $4 billion in total salaries before the coronavirus pandemic.
The MLBPA broke off negotiations Saturday, a day after the league's previous proposal. The union told MLB it was done negotiating and for the league to go ahead and impose a season, but Manfred said the league wouldn't while there was a threat of a grievance.
On Monday, Manfred said he was "not confident" that a 2020 season would take place. His comments were a reversal from his statement last week, when he said "unequivocally, we are going to play Major League Baseball this year" and labeled the chances at "100 percent."
Manfred's comments triggered a response from Clark, who revealed that players were "disgusted" over the commissioner's threat to cancel this season after previously saying it would happen.
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"Players are disgusted that after Rob Manfred unequivocally told players and fans that there would '100 percent' be a 2020 season, he has decided to go back on his word and is now threatening to cancel the entire season," Clark said in the statement.
"Any implication that the Players Association has somehow delayed progress on health and safety protocols is completely false, as Rob has recently acknowledged the parties are 'very, very close.' This latest threat is just one more indication that Major League Baseball has been negotiating in bad faith since the beginning."
MLB and the players' union reached an agreement in late March, with players agreeing to prorated salaries and guaranteed service time even if no games are played in 2020.
The league's previous proposal to the players -- which was declined -- included 72 games and guaranteed 70 percent of their prorated pay, with a maximum of 83 percent after the postseason is finished.


upi--2020-06-17--Nelson Fire burns 4 homes in Thermalito, Calif.

June 17 ( UPI ) -- A fast-moving wildfire in Northern California has destroyed at least four houses and prompted @ @ @ @ @ orders Wednesday .
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said it responded to @ @ @ @ @ County before noon , and by 2 p.m. , the blaze consumed 95 acres with @ @ @ @ @ agency said it stopped the forward progress of the fire .
Cal Fire said the @ @ @ @ @ Thermalito , but did n't report any injuries .
The Butte County Sheriff 's Office @ @ @ @ @ and set up a temporary evacuation point at the Nelson Softball Complex .

The blaze burned at least four homes in Thermalito, Calif. Photo courtesy of Cal Fire
June 17 (UPI) -- A fast-moving wildfire in Northern California has destroyed at least four houses and prompted local officials to issue evacuation orders Wednesday. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said it responded to the Nelson Fire in Butte County before noon, and by 2 p.m., the blaze consumed 95 acres with 50 percent containment. The agency said it stopped the forward progress of the fire. Advertisement
Cal Fire said the fire burned four homes in Thermalito, but didn't report any injuries.
The Butte County Sheriff's Office ordered evacuations in the area and set up a temporary evacuation point at the Nelson Softball Complex.


upi--2020-06-17--Wife's bathroom break earns husband $500,000 lottery prize

June 17 ( UPI ) -- A South Carolina man said his wife 's urgent need for a bathroom break @ @ @ @ @ 500,000 from a scratch-off lottery ticket .
The man told South Carolina Education Lottery officials @ @ @ @ @ a stop at the Aynor Food Mart in Aynor because she urgently needed to use @ @ @ @ @ said he decided to fill up the gas tank while he was waiting , and @ @ @ @ @ the pumps scratching off a lottery ticket .
He told his wife he was going @ @ @ @ @ type ticket .
`` I said 'No ' at first , '' the wife recalled @ @ @ @ @ went into the store to buy a $ 500,000 Jackpot scratch-off ticket , which he @ @ @ @ @ 500,000 top prize winner .
The couple said they plan to use some of their @ @ @ @ @ trips .

A South Carolina man said his wife's urgent need for a bathroom break led to his winning $500,000 from a scratch-off lottery ticket. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe June 17 (UPI) -- A South Carolina man said his wife's urgent need for a bathroom break led to his winning $500,000 from a scratch-off lottery ticket. The man told South Carolina Education Lottery officials he and his wife made a stop at the Aynor Food Mart in Aynor because she urgently needed to use the restroom. Advertisement
The man said he decided to fill up the gas tank while he was waiting, and he spotted another person at the pumps scratching off a lottery ticket.
He told his wife he was going inside to buy the same type ticket.
"I said 'No' at first," the wife recalled.
The husband insisted and went into the store to buy a $500,000 Jackpot scratch-off ticket, which he immediately discovered was a $500,000 top prize winner.
The couple said they plan to use some of their winnings to fund future road trips.


upi--2020-06-17--U.S. soldier's family reunited with button found in Australia

June 17 ( UPI ) -- An Australian couple who found a U.S. Army soldier 's tag and button on the site of a former base in Queensland were able to reunite them with the family of the man who lost them 80 years earlier .
Jasmine Neal and Jason Van Sleeuwen said they were using their metal detector at the former site of a U.S. Army base when they found two small objects that initially appeared to be coins .
`` I grabbed it off of Jasmine and I started pulling all the dirt off of it and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sleeuwen told WKOW-TV .
The items were a button from a soldier 's uniform and a tag bearing a serial number .
The pair searched the serial number on an Army database and discovered it belonged to Harold Henderson , an Army sharpshooter who was stationed in Queensland during World War II .
A little more research online led them to the Facebook profile of Wisconsin resident Melissa Goodman , Henderson 's granddaughter .
Goodman said she initially thought the message was spam , but realized it was n't when she saw the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Van Sheeuwen and Neal mailed the items to Goodman , who presented them to her mother , Sue Goodman , Henderson 's daughter .
`` She was surprised and she cried , '' Goodman said of her mother .
`` We all cried .
Everyone 's cried . ''
Goodman said her family was grateful to the couple for giving them back a piece of her grandfather 's life .
`` Even though he ca n't see that we have the tag I just feel like he 's with us , '' Goodman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ piece of him that 's back home . ''

An Australian couple using a metal detector at the former site of a U.S. Army base in Queensland discovered a soldier's button and tag that had been lost about 80 years earlier. Photo by photo-graphe/Pixabay.com
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe June 17 (UPI) -- An Australian couple who found a U.S. Army soldier's tag and button on the site of a former base in Queensland were able to reunite them with the family of the man who lost them 80 years earlier. Jasmine Neal and Jason Van Sleeuwen said they were using their metal detector at the former site of a U.S. Army base when they found two small objects that initially appeared to be coins. Advertisement
"I grabbed it off of Jasmine and I started pulling all the dirt off of it and I realized what it was," Van Sleeuwen told WKOW-TV.
The items were a button from a soldier's uniform and a tag bearing a serial number.
The pair searched the serial number on an Army database and discovered it belonged to Harold Henderson, an Army sharpshooter who was stationed in Queensland during World War II.
A little more research online led them to the Facebook profile of Wisconsin resident Melissa Goodman, Henderson's granddaughter.
Goodman said she initially thought the message was spam, but realized it wasn't when she saw the photos the couple sent to her.
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Van Sheeuwen and Neal mailed the items to Goodman, who presented them to her mother, Sue Goodman, Henderson's daughter.
"She was surprised and she cried," Goodman said of her mother. "We all cried. Everyone's cried."
Goodman said her family was grateful to the couple for giving them back a piece of her grandfather's life.
"Even though he can't see that we have the tag I just feel like he's with us," Goodman said. "It's just another piece of him that's back home."


upi--2020-06-17--Study: Azithromycin doubles risk for cardiovascular death versus amoxicillin

June 17 ( UPI ) -- People taking the commonly prescribed antibiotic azithromycin were nearly twice as likely to die from a heart attack , stroke or other cardiovascular event than users of the antibiotic amoxicillin , an analysis published Wednesday by JAMA Network Open found .
Although azithromycin has been linked with irregular heartbeat and other cardiac-related side effects , the findings do not necessarily suggest that it causes death in people with cardiovascular problems or who are at risk for heart health events , the authors said .
`` There was a statistically significantly increased relative risk and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ azithromycin exposure compared with amoxicillin , '' the authors wrote .
Azithromycin received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2002 .
Since then , it has been used to treat a variety of infections , including those that affect the lungs and sinuses .
More recently , the drug has been explored for use in the treatment of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the new coronavirus , SARS-CoV-2 .
Studies to date have evaluated it as part of a regimen that includes the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine , but many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to heart-related side effects .
In addition , the combination 's effectiveness remains a subject for debate among researchers .
For the study , researchers reviewed data on more than 7.8 million people who were administered antibiotics over a 17-year period .
More than 1.7 million of the prescriptions involved azithromycin , the researchers said .
Most of those who died from a cardiovascular event after taking the drug did so within five days of exposure .
Azithromycin users were also more than twice as likely to die from other causes not related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Varying disease severity within the specific indication for antibiotic use may be associated with both choice of antibiotic and risk of cardiovascular death , '' the authors wrote .
In addition , other health conditions -- referred to as comorbities -- may contribute to `` increased risk of cardiovascular or non-cardiovascular death , '' they said .

Azithromycin use increases risk for death from heart-related health events, according to a new study. Photo by Anonymous1941/Wikimedia
June 17 (UPI) -- People taking the commonly prescribed antibiotic azithromycin were nearly twice as likely to die from a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular event than users of the antibiotic amoxicillin, an analysis published Wednesday by JAMA Network Open found. Although azithromycin has been linked with irregular heartbeat and other cardiac-related side effects, the findings do not necessarily suggest that it causes death in people with cardiovascular problems or who are at risk for heart health events, the authors said. Advertisement
"Though the relative increase in risk was large, the absolute increase in risk was very small -- approximately 13 additional cardiovascular deaths per 1 million azithromycin prescriptions," study co-author Dr. Jonathan G. Zaroff, told UPI.
"These small risks need to be weighed against the well-established benefits of azithromycin for a broad range of infections, including serious infections such as pneumonia," said Zaroff, a cardiologist with Kaiser Permanente in California.
Azithromycin received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2002. Since then, it has been used to treat a variety of infections, including those that affect the lungs and sinuses.
More recently, the drug has been explored for use in the treatment of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.
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Studies to date have evaluated it as part of a regimen that includes the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine, but many of these trials have been discontinued due to heart-related side effects. In addition, the combination's effectiveness remains a subject for debate among researchers.
For the study, researchers reviewed data on more than 7.8 million people who were administered antibiotics over a 17-year period. More than 1.7 million of the prescriptions involved azithromycin, the researchers said.
Most of those who died from a cardiovascular event after taking the drug did so within five days of exposure. Azithromycin users were also more than twice as likely to die from other causes not related to heart disease, the researchers found.
In addition, other health conditions -- referred to as comorbities -- may contribute to "increased risk of cardiovascular or non-cardiovascular death," they said.
"For azithromycin and related antibiotics such as clarithromycin, prior reports have indicated that these drugs can alter the normal flow of electricity within the heart muscle and increase the risk of life threatening arrhythmia or irregular heartbeats," Zaroff said.
"Though [we] did report some deaths that were sudden and likely related to arrhythmia, more of the cardiovascular deaths were due to other heart conditions such as heart attack and heart failure, and there is no known theory to explain why azithromycin exposure would cause a heart attack or worsen heart failure," he said.
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upi--2020-06-17--Navy receives first two Block III F/A-18 Super Hornets

June 17 ( UPI ) -- The first two F/A-18 Block II Super Hornet fighter planes were delivered to the U.S. Navy for testing purposes , manufacturer Boeing announced on Wednesday .
`` The aircraft will be used for carrier suitability and integration testing of all Block III mission system components , '' Steve Wade of Boeing said in a statement .
`` These test jets will ensure crews have plenty of time to become comfortable with the new , next-generation systems before receiving operational aircraft . ''
In February , Boeing delivered its newest modified Super Hornet , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hundreds of F/A-18s have been built since the plane entered service in 1999 , but the Block III 's capability upgrades include a cockpit touchscreen display , a reduced radar signature , longer range and an enhanced communications system .
Its expected 10,000-hour flying life is an extension over the previous model , by 4,000 hours .
Its redesigned fuel tanks also provide less aerodynamic drag and can carry 3,500 pounds of fuel , allowing the aircraft to operate longer , go faster and carry more weight .
The Block III version @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with use of a Block II Infrared Search and Track system of sensors detecting threats without the use of radar The Navy now intends to upgrade a significant number of its 540 Super Hornets to the new Block III standard .
Boeing has also expressed interest in selling the planes to foreign customers , including Kuwait , which helped fund the development of the Block III program , as well as Germany and India .

The U.S. Navy received its first two F/A-18 Super Hornet Block III fighter planes from Boeing Co. on Wednesday. Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy
June 17 (UPI) -- The first two F/A-18 Block II Super Hornet fighter planes were delivered to the U.S. Navy for testing purposes, manufacturer Boeing announced on Wednesday. "The aircraft will be used for carrier suitability and integration testing of all Block III mission system components," Steve Wade of Boeing said in a statement. "These test jets will ensure crews have plenty of time to become comfortable with the new, next-generation systems before receiving operational aircraft." Advertisement
In February, Boeing delivered its newest modified Super Hornet, which will be upgraded to Block III standards.
Hundreds of F/A-18s have been built since the plane entered service in 1999, but the Block III's capability upgrades include a cockpit touchscreen display, a reduced radar signature, longer range and an enhanced communications system.
Its expected 10,000-hour flying life is an extension over the previous model, by 4,000 hours. Its redesigned fuel tanks also provide less aerodynamic drag and can carry 3,500 pounds of fuel, allowing the aircraft to operate longer, go faster and carry more weight.
The Block III version will also have new long-range detection capabilities with use of a Block II Infrared Search and Track system of sensors detecting threats without the use of radar
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The Navy now intends to upgrade a significant number of its 540 Super Hornets to the new Block III standard.
Boeing has also expressed interest in selling the planes to foreign customers, including Kuwait, which helped fund the development of the Block III program, as well as Germany and India.


upi--2020-06-17--Astronomers observe rare newborn star

Astronomers observe rare newborn star

The neutron star , estimated to be just 240 years old , was first spotted in early March by NASA 's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory .
The star made its presence known with a massive eruption of X-rays .
Shortly after the X-rays were spotted , astronomers in the United States and Europe trained NASA 's NuSTAR telescope and the European Space Agency 's XMM-Newton observatory on the stellar object .
The observations , detailed Wednesday in the Astrophysical Journal Letters , the unique physical attributes of the neutron star .
Neutron stars are the super dense collapsed cores of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive stars die explosive , fiery deaths .
The stars are also some of the densest objects in the universe , causing their atoms to behave in strange ways .
The newly discovered neutron star is especially unusual , being so young and powerful .
The star , dubbed Swift J1818.0-1607 , boasts a magnetic field 1,000 times more powerful than the magnetic fields typical of neutron stars .
Swift J1818.0-1607 is part of a unique group of neutron stars known as magnetars .
Scientists were able to estimate the neutron star 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ characteristics .
The research suggests Swift J1818.0-1607 is the youngest magnetar yet discovered .
`` This object is showing us an earlier time in a magnetar 's life than we 've ever seen before , very shortly after its formation , '' Nanda Rea , a researcher at the Institute of Space Sciences in Barcelona , said in a news release .
Of the 3,000 neutron stars found by astronomers , there are only 31 confirmed magnetars .
Astrophysicists suspect that magnetars hold the answers to myriad mysteries of the physical world .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ story of these objects , we 'll understand why there is such a huge difference between the number of magnetars we 've found and the total number of known neutron stars , '' Rea said .
Because most magnetar models suggest the unusual stars change their behavior as they get older , studying a young magnetar will help scientists refine their models .
Magnetars are known as sources of extremely powerful eruptions of energy , and models suggest the a variety of mechanisms can trigger outbursts .
An eruption of X-rays allowed scientists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientists know the magnetar emits long-lived radio beams , too , making it an even rare radio pulsar .
Some magnetars also emit gamma rays , the highest energy form of light in the cosmos .
Now that astronomers know where Swift J1818.0-1607 is , they will watch and wait for another outburst -- ready to train their telescopes on the neutron star for closer observation .

A newly found neutron star, estimated to be just 240 years old, is a source of powerful X-ray and radio wave emissions. Photo by ESO
June 17 (UPI) -- Astronomers have spotted a rare newborn star located 16,000 light-years away. The neutron star, estimated to be just 240 years old, was first spotted in early March by NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. The star made its presence known with a massive eruption of X-rays. Advertisement
Shortly after the X-rays were spotted, astronomers in the United States and Europe trained NASA's NuSTAR telescope and the European Space Agency's XMM-Newton observatory on the stellar object.
The observations, detailed Wednesday in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, the unique physical attributes of the neutron star.
Neutron stars are the super dense collapsed cores of giant stars -- what's leftover after massive stars die explosive, fiery deaths. The stars are also some of the densest objects in the universe, causing their atoms to behave in strange ways.
The newly discovered neutron star is especially unusual, being so young and powerful. The star, dubbed Swift J1818.0-1607, boasts a magnetic field 1,000 times more powerful than the magnetic fields typical of neutron stars.
Swift J1818.0-1607 is part of a unique group of neutron stars known as magnetars.
Scientists were able to estimate the neutron star's age by studying the object's physical characteristics. The research suggests Swift J1818.0-1607 is the youngest magnetar yet discovered.
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"This object is showing us an earlier time in a magnetar's life than we've ever seen before, very shortly after its formation," Nanda Rea, a researcher at the Institute of Space Sciences in Barcelona, said in a news release.
Of the 3,000 neutron stars found by astronomers, there are only 31 confirmed magnetars. Astrophysicists suspect that magnetars hold the answers to myriad mysteries of the physical world.
"Maybe if we understand the formation story of these objects, we'll understand why there is such a huge difference between the number of magnetars we've found and the total number of known neutron stars," Rea said.
Because most magnetar models suggest the unusual stars change their behavior as they get older, studying a young magnetar will help scientists refine their models.
Magnetars are known as sources of extremely powerful eruptions of energy, and models suggest the a variety of mechanisms can trigger outbursts.
An eruption of X-rays allowed scientists to locate Swift J1818.0-1607. Now, scientists know the magnetar emits long-lived radio beams, too, making it an even rare radio pulsar.
Some magnetars also emit gamma rays, the highest energy form of light in the cosmos.
Now that astronomers know where Swift J1818.0-1607 is, they will watch and wait for another outburst -- ready to train their telescopes on the neutron star for closer observation.
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upi--2020-06-17--Dow falls 170 points, ending 3-day winning streak

June 17 ( UPI ) -- The Dow Jones closed with losses for the first time in four sessions on Wednesday amid concerns about the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic .
The Dow ended the day down 170.37 points , or 0.65 percent , while the S & P 500 dropped 0.36 percent and the Nasdaq Composite was up 0.15 percent .
Stocks that would benefit most from the lifting of restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus such as airlines , cruise lines and retail struggled on Wednesday .
United Airlines stock dropped 2.39 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Airlines declined 0.29 percent , while Norwegian Cruise Line stock dipped 8.40 percent , Royal Caribbean slid 7.09 percent and Carnival lost 6.51 percent .
Tech stocks , however , outperformed the rest of the market allowing the tech-heavy Nasdaq to end the day with gains .
Stocks were also affected by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell 's second day of testimony before Congress , during which he said the central bank will adopt direct corporate-bond purchases , rather than corporate bond ETFs .
Wednesday 's losses came after the markets started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closing up 526 points on Tuesday .

The Fearless Girl Statue faces the New York Stock Exchange after the opening bell on Wall Street in New York City. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 17 (UPI) -- The Dow Jones closed with losses for the first time in four sessions on Wednesday amid concerns about the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Dow ended the day down 170.37 points, or 0.65 percent, while the S&P 500 dropped 0.36 percent and the Nasdaq Composite was up 0.15 percent. Advertisement
Stocks that would benefit most from the lifting of restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus such as airlines, cruise lines and retail struggled on Wednesday.
United Airlines stock dropped 2.39 percent, Delta fell 1.92 percent and American Airlines declined 0.29 percent, while Norwegian Cruise Line stock dipped 8.40 percent, Royal Caribbean slid 7.09 percent and Carnival lost 6.51 percent.
Additionally, Nordstrom stock fell 5.54 percent and Gap dropped 5.49 percent.
Tech stocks, however, outperformed the rest of the market allowing the tech-heavy Nasdaq to end the day with gains.
Netflix stock rose 2.67 percent, Amazon gained 0.98 percent and Google's parent company, Alphabet, increased 0.42 percent.
Stocks were also affected by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's second day of testimony before Congress, during which he said the central bank will adopt direct corporate-bond purchases, rather than corporate bond ETFs.
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Wednesday's losses came after the markets started the week with gains with the Dow closing up 526 points on Tuesday.


upi--2020-06-17--Former Atlanta officer faces murder charge for Rayshard Brooks shooting

June 17 ( UPI ) -- A former Atlanta police officer faces murder charges for shooting and killing a man outside a Wendy 's restaurant , sparking protests against racism and excessive force in law enforcement , prosecutors announced Wednesday .
In addition to the murder count , Garrett Rolfe has been charged with three counts of aggravated assault and seven counts of violation of oath by an officer , all felonies .
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard announced the charges during a news conference .
Rolfe shot and killed Rayshard Brooks on Friday while trying to arrest the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the scene , Devin Brosnan , also faces one count of aggravated assault and two counts of violation of oath .
Howard said Brosnan , who is on administrative duty , plans to testify against Rolfe in the state 's case .
Video from the arrest released by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation appears to show Brooks taking a Taser from an officer , running from police and then turning back toward them before Rolfe shot at him .
Howard said that after the shooting , Rolfe kicked Brooks and stood on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dying on the ground .
L. Chris Stewart , one of the attorneys for Brooks ' family , said he `` saw a lot of hope today . ''
`` As the district attorney said , this is the first time another officer has decided to be a government witness and testify against another officer .
That 's what policing is , '' he said .
`` That 's the kind of officers that make these streets safe , that stop instances like this from happening .
When you 're willing to step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' '' One day after Brooks ' death , Atlanta police Chief Erika Shields resigned from the department and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms pushed for Rolfe to be fired .
Brooks ' death , which came amid weeks of protests over police brutality targeted primarily at African Americans , renewed the urgency of demonstrations in Atlanta .
Protesters called for police reforms in the city , and some burned down the Wendy 's restaurant outside where Brooks was killed .
Demonstrators gathered there again Wednesday after Howard announced the charges , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' according to CNN .
Howard called for both Rolfe and Brosnan to turn themselves in to police by 6 p.m .
He recommended no bond for Rolfe and a $ 50,000 bond for Brosnan .

Protesters rally Sunday in front of a Wendy's restaurant that was set on fire after an Atlanta police officer fatally shot Rayshard Brooks on Friday. File Photo by John Amis/EPA-EFE
June 17 (UPI) -- A former Atlanta police officer faces murder charges for shooting and killing a man outside a Wendy's restaurant, sparking protests against racism and excessive force in law enforcement, prosecutors announced Wednesday. In addition to the murder count, Garrett Rolfe has been charged with three counts of aggravated assault and seven counts of violation of oath by an officer, all felonies. Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard announced the charges during a news conference. Advertisement
Rolfe shot and killed Rayshard Brooks on Friday while trying to arrest the man for suspected DUI.
Another officer on the scene, Devin Brosnan, also faces one count of aggravated assault and two counts of violation of oath. Howard said Brosnan, who is on administrative duty, plans to testify against Rolfe in the state's case.
Video from the arrest released by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation appears to show Brooks taking a Taser from an officer, running from police and then turning back toward them before Rolfe shot at him.
Howard said that after the shooting, Rolfe kicked Brooks and stood on the man's shoulders as he was dying on the ground.
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L. Chris Stewart, one of the attorneys for Brooks' family, said he "saw a lot of hope today."
"As the district attorney said, this is the first time another officer has decided to be a government witness and testify against another officer. That's what policing is," he said.
"That's the kind of officers that make these streets safe, that stop instances like this from happening. When you're willing to step up and say 'that was wrong.'"
One day after Brooks' death, Atlanta police Chief Erika Shields resigned from the department and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms pushed for Rolfe to be fired.
Brooks' death, which came amid weeks of protests over police brutality targeted primarily at African Americans, renewed the urgency of demonstrations in Atlanta.
Protesters called for police reforms in the city, and some burned down the Wendy's restaurant outside where Brooks was killed.
Demonstrators gathered there again Wednesday after Howard announced the charges, some chanting "Whose streets? Our streets," according to CNN.
Howard called for both Rolfe and Brosnan to turn themselves in to police by 6 p.m. He recommended no bond for Rolfe and a $50,000 bond for Brosnan.


upi--2020-06-17--Cows take over beer garden at closed restaurant and hotel

June 17 ( UPI ) -- A British hotel and restaurant temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic shared video of the beer garden being overrun by some unusual premature customers -- a herd of cows .
The Motat House in Acton Trussell , near Stafford , England , said workers preparing for the business ' planned reopening looked outside Tuesday and spotted a dozen cows wandering through the outside seating area .
`` We had spaced out the tables and chairs to try our meter or two-meter social distancing , but they showed no respect for that .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immunity , '' Chris Lewis , managing partner of Moat House owner Lewis Partnership , told the Express & Star newspaper .
Lewis said the herd wandered over from a nearby farm .
`` They had a look at all our outside wedding facilities and at one stage they looked like guests at a wedding , '' he said .
Staff contacted the cows owner , who led them away from the business .
`` Even the cows ca n't wait for us to reopen , '' The Moat House quipped in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which closed in March .
plans to reopen in early July .

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June 17 (UPI) -- A British hotel and restaurant temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic shared video of the beer garden being overrun by some unusual premature customers -- a herd of cows.
The Motat House in Acton Trussell, near Stafford, England, said workers preparing for the business' planned reopening looked outside Tuesday and spotted a dozen cows wandering through the outside seating area.
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"We had spaced out the tables and chairs to try our meter or two-meter social distancing, but they showed no respect for that. We wondered if they thought they had herd immunity," Chris Lewis, managing partner of Moat House owner Lewis Partnership, told the Express & Star newspaper.
Lewis said the herd wandered over from a nearby farm.
"They had a look at all our outside wedding facilities and at one stage they looked like guests at a wedding," he said.
Staff contacted the cows owner, who led them away from the business.
"Even the cows can't wait for us to reopen," The Moat House quipped in a Facebook post.
The Moat House, which closed in March. plans to reopen in early July.


upi--2020-06-17--Scientists find unique underwater rivers along Australia's continental shelves

June 17 ( UPI ) -- Underwater rivers running along Australia 's continental shelves are unlike any others in the world , according to a group of scientists at the University of Western Australia .
Researchers claim the scale of the underwater rivers is unprecedented .
`` This is the most significant discovery for coastal oceanography in recent decades , not only in Australia but globally , '' Chari Pattiaratchi , professor of coastal oceanography , said in a news release .
Researchers detailed their discovery of these unique underwater rivers this week in the journal Scientific Reports .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicles , part of Australia 's Integrated Marine Observing System , to observe the underwater rivers as they shifted through the seasons .
`` The data spanned more than a decade and is the equivalent to spending more than 2500 days at sea , '' said Tanziha Mahjabin , who completed the research as part of her doctoral thesis at University of Western Australia .
`` We were able to examine data from different areas of Australia and also look at the seasonal variability . ''
Scientists typically use satellites to study river @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large amounts of freshwater meet bodies of saltwater .
But the large , unique flow patterns found along Australia 's continental shelves are hidden beneath the surface , invisible to satellites .
Unlike coastal freshwater inflows in other parts of the world , where freshwater remains buoyant and flows on top of the water , Australia 's freshwater is quickly evaporated as a result of its hot , dry summers .
As a result , coastal waters are actually denser than surrounding ocean water .
Scientists estimate the underwater rivers are fueled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and temperature of coastal and deep ocean water masses .
As temperature and composition differences in the adjacent water masses shift through the seasons , the rivers ebb and flow in size and strength .
`` The coastal ocean is the receiving basin for suspended and dissolved matter that includes nutrients , plant and animal matter and pollutants and represents an important component of the ocean environment , connecting the land to the deeper ocean , '' said UWA researcher Yasha Hetzel .
According to the study 's authors , their findings suggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the transportation of sediments , pollution and marine nutrients along the coasts of continents all over world .

Researchers say the scale of underwater rivers along the Australian continental shelves is unprecedented. Photo by palinska /Pixabay
June 17 (UPI) -- Underwater rivers running along Australia's continental shelves are unlike any others in the world, according to a group of scientists at the University of Western Australia. Researchers claim the scale of the underwater rivers is unprecedented. "This is the most significant discovery for coastal oceanography in recent decades, not only in Australia but globally," Chari Pattiaratchi, professor of coastal oceanography, said in a news release. Advertisement
Researchers detailed their discovery of these unique underwater rivers this week in the journal Scientific Reports.
The scientists used a fleet of underwater autonomous vehicles, part of Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System, to observe the underwater rivers as they shifted through the seasons.
"The data spanned more than a decade and is the equivalent to spending more than 2500 days at sea," said Tanziha Mahjabin, who completed the research as part of her doctoral thesis at University of Western Australia. "We were able to examine data from different areas of Australia and also look at the seasonal variability."
Scientists typically use satellites to study river plumes, the flow patterns formed where large amounts of freshwater meet bodies of saltwater.
But the large, unique flow patterns found along Australia's continental shelves are hidden beneath the surface, invisible to satellites.
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Unlike coastal freshwater inflows in other parts of the world, where freshwater remains buoyant and flows on top of the water, Australia's freshwater is quickly evaporated as a result of its hot, dry summers. As a result, coastal waters are actually denser than surrounding ocean water.
Scientists estimate the underwater rivers are fueled by these differences in density, sediment load and temperature of coastal and deep ocean water masses. As temperature and composition differences in the adjacent water masses shift through the seasons, the rivers ebb and flow in size and strength.
"The coastal ocean is the receiving basin for suspended and dissolved matter that includes nutrients, plant and animal matter and pollutants and represents an important component of the ocean environment, connecting the land to the deeper ocean," said UWA researcher Yasha Hetzel.
According to the study's authors, their findings suggest underwater rivers play an underappreciated role in the transportation of sediments, pollution and marine nutrients along the coasts of continents all over world.