skynewsus--2020-06-25--Coronavirus and gloomy jobs figures have brought US markets back down to earth

Those on Wall Street who fretted that US equity markets had rebounded too strongly and too rapidly from their March lows are finally having their moment in the sun .
Since hitting a post-crisis high on 8 June , the S & P 500 - America 's broadest stock index - is down by nearly 6 % , while the Dow Jones Industrial Average is down by 8 % or so .
Only the Nasdaq , the only major US stock index which is up on 2020 as a whole , continues to march along regardless , having hit a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A combination of factors have knocked US stocks off their stride .
Firstly , there was that unease that the rally had been too strong , leaving many US equities on stretching valuations .
Secondly , the acceleration in COVID-19 outbreaks in states such as Florida , California and Arizona has raised concerns , particularly as some of these - especially the latter - appeared previously to have evaded the worst of the pandemic .
A third factor may well be some of the news now emerging from the US jobs market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the number of Americans signing on for unemployment benefits remains at record highs .
According to the US Department of Labor , some 1.48 million Americans registered as unemployed , a figure worse than economists had expected .
The good news is that the number is well down on some of the shocking figures of nearly seven million seen at the end of March as the US went into lockdown .
: : Listen to the The World Tomorrow on Apple podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The bad news is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the previous week - the number for which was revised up by 32,000 to 1.54 million .
It suggests that , while the huge number of lay-offs that were seen by American employers as the pandemic began appear to have come to an end , those employers are not yet in a position to begin hiring again .
That trend is likely to continue while new COVID-19 cases crop up around the US .
The spread has forced some of America 's best-known employers to reconsider their reopening plans .
For example , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a number of locations , such as Houston , Texas , that it had previously reopened .
Walt Disney has put on hold plans to reopen its theme parks and resort hotels in California , which were due to reopen on 17 July , while the reopening of Walt Disney World in Florida a week earlier may also be delayed .
Jason Ader , chief executive of New York-based fund manager Springowl Asset Management , has argued for a while that markets had rallied too strongly .
He told Sky News : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country , around the US , and the Mid West , Texas , California , the stock prices are really way , way ahead of the reality of what businesses are facing right now . ''
Mr Ader said the jobs numbers today were `` bleak '' .
He added : `` The rules that are in place for various phase two and phase three reopening are really quite constraining for businesses .
There 's a lot of work to do to get people back to work .
There are a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly in the hospitality industry where we focus , and it 's just quite sad to see .
`` But I do n't expect there is going to be any near-term relief - it 's very clear .
I spent part of the pandemic in Arizona .
It was a safe spot - now it 's a hotspot and things are getting worse , not better , in some of those markets that opened up too soon .
It 's a warning marker for all . ''
: : Listen to Divided States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spotify , and Spreaker The concern has to be that , as corporate casualties mount , the job losses will carry on coming .
The department store operator Macy 's , one of America 's most famous retailers , said today it was laying off 3,900 managerial employees on top of 2,000 job cuts announced in February .
Two other major US department store operators , Neiman Marcus and JC Penney , have also filed for bankruptcy protection and are expected to announce job losses .
A cloud also hangs over the aviation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has already said it expects to lay of around one in 10 of its 160,000 employees , while United Airlines and American Airlines - two of the country 's big four carriers - have also recently announced big job cuts .
Another of the quartet , Delta Airlines , said today it would be adding around 1,000 flights in August but said it did not expect to add `` many more '' on top of that .
Elsewhere , the parent company of the popular Chuck E. Cheese restaurant chain , which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states , has filed for bankruptcy protection , having already begun closing sites on a permanent basis in locations such as Sioux City , Iowa , and Long Beach , California .
And , as the world moves into the second half of 2020 , it is hard to find grounds for optimism on the jobs front .
Manpower , the world 's third-largest staffing company , published its regular employment outlook survey today and reported weaker hiring intentions in all 43 countries it surveys compared with this time last year .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employers expect very modest hiring during the next three months , with employers in the leisure and hospitality sectors reporting the weakest outlook in more than a decade .
Jonas Prising , Manpower 's chairman and chief executive , told Sky News : `` The speed of the recovery that some may have hoped for is not manifesting itself in a rapid re-hiring of those who were furloughed .
`` [ Today 's jobless claims ] gives a strong indication of the difficulty the US labour market finds itself in right now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be being priced in by investors is a victory for Joe Biden , the presumptive Democrat candidate , in this November 's presidential election .
This is despite Mr Biden currently leading President Donald Trump in most opinion polls .
Mr Ader said : `` A Biden presidency very likely will have a catastrophic implication for the stock market .
The policies behind him look quite liberal and quite anti-business .
`` There 's a lot of things you could say about either side but the current administration has just been very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you see it in the stock market , in business profitability .
`` The rhetoric on the Democratic side is less clear , are fairly negative [ towards business ] and it 's an unknown .
Something certain is better than the unknown and the devil you know is better than the devil you do n't .
`` In the US , it seems the lesser of two evils as it relates to our election , but we know what we 're getting with the current administration ... the economic conditions have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in now . ''
Ironically , if the jobs data continues to be disappointing , markets may rally in expectation of further fiscal stimulus from the Trump administration and monetary stimulus from the US Federal Reserve .
What is less predictable is what happens if Mr Biden continues to lead Mr Trump in the run-up to the election .

Those on Wall Street who fretted that US equity markets had rebounded too strongly and too rapidly from their March lows are finally having their moment in the sun.
Since hitting a post-crisis high on 8 June, the S&P 500 - America's broadest stock index - is down by nearly 6%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average is down by 8% or so. Only the Nasdaq, the only major US stock index which is up on 2020 as a whole, continues to march along regardless, having hit a new all-time high only two days ago.
A combination of factors have knocked US stocks off their stride.
Image: As the world moves into the second half of 2020, it is hard to find grounds for optimism on the jobs front.
Firstly, there was that unease that the rally had been too strong, leaving many US equities on stretching valuations.
Secondly, the acceleration in COVID-19 outbreaks in states such as Florida, California and Arizona has raised concerns, particularly as some of these - especially the latter - appeared previously to have evaded the worst of the pandemic.
A third factor may well be some of the news now emerging from the US jobs market.
The latest jobless claims data revealed that the number of Americans signing on for unemployment benefits remains at record highs.
According to the US Department of Labor, some 1.48 million Americans registered as unemployed, a figure worse than economists had expected.
The good news is that the number is well down on some of the shocking figures of nearly seven million seen at the end of March as the US went into lockdown.
Advertisement
:: Listen to the The World Tomorrow on Apple podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
The bad news is that it was down by just 60,000 on the previous week - the number for which was revised up by 32,000 to 1.54 million.
It suggests that, while the huge number of lay-offs that were seen by American employers as the pandemic began appear to have come to an end, those employers are not yet in a position to begin hiring again.
That trend is likely to continue while new COVID-19 cases crop up around the US. The spread has forced some of America's best-known employers to reconsider their reopening plans. For example, Apple has announced it is re-closing stores in a number of locations, such as Houston, Texas, that it had previously reopened. Walt Disney has put on hold plans to reopen its theme parks and resort hotels in California, which were due to reopen on 17 July, while the reopening of Walt Disney World in Florida a week earlier may also be delayed.
Jason Ader, chief executive of New York-based fund manager Springowl Asset Management, has argued for a while that markets had rallied too strongly.
He told Sky News: "As I speak to companies around the country, around the US, and the Mid West, Texas, California, the stock prices are really way, way ahead of the reality of what businesses are facing right now."
Mr Ader said the jobs numbers today were "bleak".
He added: "The rules that are in place for various phase two and phase three reopening are really quite constraining for businesses. There's a lot of work to do to get people back to work. There are a lot of businesses that want to start, particularly in the hospitality industry where we focus, and it's just quite sad to see.
"But I don't expect there is going to be any near-term relief - it's very clear. I spent part of the pandemic in Arizona. It was a safe spot - now it's a hotspot and things are getting worse, not better, in some of those markets that opened up too soon. It's a warning marker for all."
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
The concern has to be that, as corporate casualties mount, the job losses will carry on coming. The department store operator Macy's, one of America's most famous retailers, said today it was laying off 3,900 managerial employees on top of 2,000 job cuts announced in February.
Two other major US department store operators, Neiman Marcus and JC Penney, have also filed for bankruptcy protection and are expected to announce job losses. A cloud also hangs over the aviation sector, where aircraft making giant Boeing has already said it expects to lay of around one in 10 of its 160,000 employees, while United Airlines and American Airlines - two of the country's big four carriers - have also recently announced big job cuts. Another of the quartet, Delta Airlines, said today it would be adding around 1,000 flights in August but said it did not expect to add "many more" on top of that.
Elsewhere, the parent company of the popular Chuck E. Cheese restaurant chain, which has more than 600 sites across 47 US states, has filed for bankruptcy protection, having already begun closing sites on a permanent basis in locations such as Sioux City, Iowa, and Long Beach, California.
And, as the world moves into the second half of 2020, it is hard to find grounds for optimism on the jobs front.
Manpower, the world's third-largest staffing company, published its regular employment outlook survey today and reported weaker hiring intentions in all 43 countries it surveys compared with this time last year.
In the US in particular, it found employers expect very modest hiring during the next three months, with employers in the leisure and hospitality sectors reporting the weakest outlook in more than a decade.
Jonas Prising, Manpower's chairman and chief executive, told Sky News: "The speed of the recovery that some may have hoped for is not manifesting itself in a rapid re-hiring of those who were furloughed.
"[Today's jobless claims] gives a strong indication of the difficulty the US labour market finds itself in right now."
Image: Trump and Biden
One factor which does not appear to be being priced in by investors is a victory for Joe Biden, the presumptive Democrat candidate, in this November's presidential election. This is despite Mr Biden currently leading President Donald Trump in most opinion polls.
Mr Ader said: "A Biden presidency very likely will have a catastrophic implication for the stock market. The policies behind him look quite liberal and quite anti-business.
"There's a lot of things you could say about either side but the current administration has just been very good for deregulatory, pro-business environment and you see it in the stock market, in business profitability.
"The rhetoric on the Democratic side is less clear, are fairly negative [towards business] and it's an unknown. Something certain is better than the unknown and the devil you know is better than the devil you don't.
"In the US, it seems the lesser of two evils as it relates to our election, but we know what we're getting with the current administration... the economic conditions have been very healthy with the group that's in now."
Ironically, if the jobs data continues to be disappointing, markets may rally in expectation of further fiscal stimulus from the Trump administration and monetary stimulus from the US Federal Reserve.
What is less predictable is what happens if Mr Biden continues to lead Mr Trump in the run-up to the election.


skynewsus--2020-06-25--'It was wrong': Kristen Bell will no longer voice mixed-race character

Kristen Bell says she will no longer voice the role of mixed-race character Molly Tillerman in the animated series Central Park .
The 39-year-old Frozen star made the announcement on social media , sharing a message from the production team with her 14.4 million Instagram followers .
In a message written alongside the group statement , Bell said now was `` a time to acknowledge our acts of complicity '' .
She went on : `` Playing the character of Molly on Central Park shows a lack of awareness of my pervasive privilege .
`` Casting a mixed-race character with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mixed race and Black American experience .
It was wrong and we , on the Central Park team , are pledging to make it right . ''
A black or mixed-race actress will now replace Bell in the role .
Bell said she was `` happy '' to step down and pass the part on to `` someone who can give a much more accurate portrayal '' .
While acknowledging The Good Place actress 's talent , and early involvement with the show , the team statement said the re-casting was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It also apologised for any contribution it may have made `` to anyone 's feeling of exclusion or erasure '' .
Central Park is a musical comedy , portraying a family fighting to save their home in the urban park in Manhattan , New York .
Created by writers Loren Bouchard , Nora Smith and fellow-Frozen actor Josh Gad , the show originally aired on Fox , but is now on Apple + TV .
Bouchard had previously defended the decision to cast Bell in the role , saying despite the character @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he could n't imagine any other actress playing the part .
The team a have now pledged to do more to `` create opportunities for people of colour and Black people in all roles , and on all projects . ''
It says that promise will cover acting , writing , production and post-production positions .
The statement concluded : `` Our shop and our show will be better for respecting the nuances and complexity around the issue of representation and trying to get it right . ''
In an almost identical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she would no longer play the mixed-race character Missy Foreman-Greenwald in animated comedy Big Mouth , saying it should be voiced by a Black actor .
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Slate highlighted her winning of the Netflix role as `` flawed '' and said it was `` an example of white privilege and unjust allowances made within a system of societal white supremacy '' .
UK shows which have been recently removed from streaming platforms due to the use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fawlty Towers , Little Britain and Bo Selecta .

Kristen Bell says she will no longer voice the role of mixed-race character Molly Tillerman in the animated series Central Park.
The 39-year-old Frozen star made the announcement on social media, sharing a message from the production team with her 14.4 million Instagram followers.
In a message written alongside the group statement, Bell said now was "a time to acknowledge our acts of complicity".
She went on: "Playing the character of Molly on Central Park shows a lack of awareness of my pervasive privilege.
Image: She said her casting demonstrated her 'pervasive privilege'
"Casting a mixed-race character with a white actress undermines the specificity of the mixed race and Black American experience. It was wrong and we, on the Central Park team, are pledging to make it right."
A black or mixed-race actress will now replace Bell in the role.
Bell said she was "happy" to step down and pass the part on to "someone who can give a much more accurate portrayal".
While acknowledging The Good Place actress's talent, and early involvement with the show, the team statement said the re-casting was "an opportunity to get representation right".
It also apologised for any contribution it may have made "to anyone's feeling of exclusion or erasure".
Advertisement
Central Park is a musical comedy, portraying a family fighting to save their home in the urban park in Manhattan, New York.
Instagram Instagram , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Instagram cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Instagram cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Instagram cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
Created by writers Loren Bouchard, Nora Smith and fellow-Frozen actor Josh Gad, the show originally aired on Fox, but is now on Apple + TV.
Bouchard had previously defended the decision to cast Bell in the role, saying despite the character having a black father and white mother, he couldn't imagine any other actress playing the part.
The team a have now pledged to do more to "create opportunities for people of colour and Black people in all roles, and on all projects." It says that promise will cover acting, writing, production and post-production positions.
Image: Jenny Slate has also quit a voice role for similar reasons
The statement concluded: "Our shop and our show will be better for respecting the nuances and complexity around the issue of representation and trying to get it right."
In an almost identical step-down, actress and comedian Jenny Slate said she would no longer play the mixed-race character Missy Foreman-Greenwald in animated comedy Big Mouth, saying it should be voiced by a Black actor.
:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Slate highlighted her winning of the Netflix role as "flawed" and said it was "an example of white privilege and unjust allowances made within a system of societal white supremacy".
UK shows which have been recently removed from streaming platforms due to the use of blackface and perceived racial insensitivity include Fawlty Towers, Little Britain and Bo Selecta.


skynewsus--2020-06-26--Disney ditches controversial theme of Splash Mountain ride

Disney theme park ride Splash Mountain is being remodelled to remove all references to 1946 movie Song of the South , which is widely viewed as racist .
Disney says the ride , which features at California 's Disneyland and Florida 's Magic Kingdom , will now instead be based on The Princess and the Frog , a 2009 film with an African American female lead .
The announcement comes as companies across the globe rename brands deemed to have racist connotations amid the Black Lives Matter movement .
In the post , Disney said the changes had been planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concept is inclusive - one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by , and it speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year , '' it said .
Splash Mountain opened as a log flume ride at Disneyland in the late 1980s .
Song of the South contains racist stereotypes and Old South tropes .
It combines live action , cartoons and music featuring an old black plantation labourer named Uncle Remus who enchants a white city boy with fables of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Advancement of Colored People was among the groups that protested the film 's release .
It is not available on the Disney Plus streaming service , and has not been released in theatres in decades .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker In The Princess and the Frog , actress Anika Noni Rose voices the role of a 1920s aspiring chef in New Orleans who kisses a prince who has been turned into a frog and becomes one herself .
An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be changed read : `` Disney parks should be a home for all to enjoy regardless of race , age , whatever your background may be .
`` While the ride is considered a beloved classic , its history and storyline are steeped in extremely problematic and stereotypical racist tropes from the 1946 film Song of the South . ''

Disney theme park ride Splash Mountain is being remodelled to remove all references to 1946 movie Song of the South, which is widely viewed as racist.
Disney says the ride, which features at California's Disneyland and Florida's Magic Kingdom, will now instead be based on The Princess and the Frog, a 2009 film with an African American female lead.
The announcement comes as companies across the globe rename brands deemed to have racist connotations amid the Black Lives Matter movement.
In the post, Disney said the changes had been planned since last year.
Image: The new Splash Mountain will be based on the film Princess and the Frog. Pic: Disney
"The new concept is inclusive - one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by, and it speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year," it said.
Splash Mountain opened as a log flume ride at Disneyland in the late 1980s.
Song of the South contains racist stereotypes and Old South tropes. It combines live action, cartoons and music featuring an old black plantation labourer named Uncle Remus who enchants a white city boy with fables of talking animals.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was among the groups that protested the film's release. It is not available on the Disney Plus streaming service, and has not been released in theatres in decades.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Advertisement
In The Princess and the Frog, actress Anika Noni Rose voices the role of a 1920s aspiring chef in New Orleans who kisses a prince who has been turned into a frog and becomes one herself.
An online petition calling for the ride to be changed read: "Disney parks should be a home for all to enjoy regardless of race, age, whatever your background may be.
"While the ride is considered a beloved classic, its history and storyline are steeped in extremely problematic and stereotypical racist tropes from the 1946 film Song of the South."


skynewsus--2020-06-26--Comedy vlogger quits YouTube over racist videos

Popular vlogger Jenna Marbles is quitting her YouTube channel over past racist and slut-shaming videos .
The 33-year-old comedian , who has more than 20 million subscribers and has been making YouTube videos for more than 10 years , made the announcement in an emotional 11-minute clip .
She said she had made `` almost all '' of her old content private over the last few days because `` I do n't want someone to watch something and feel hurt or offended now for any reason , at all '' .
`` I think I 'm just going to move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said .
`` I do n't know if that 's forever .
I do n't know how long that 's going to be ...
I want to make sure that the things that I 've put into the world are n't hurting anyone .
`` I 'm ashamed of things I 've said and done in my past . ''
Marbles , real name Jenna Mourey , referred to several videos , including one made in 2011 in which she appears to wear blackface to do a `` cringey and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She explained : `` It was not my intention to do blackface ... but all that matters is that people were offended and it hurt them .
`` This is n't okay , and it has n't existed on the internet , because it is n't okay .
`` I have n't done anything remotely like that , because I heard people say 'this is blackface ' and ' I do n't like that ' . ''
She referred to another video , made in that same year , that included the words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wong/ ...
Sorry , that was racist/ I 'm bad at rap songs . ''
Marbles apologised repeatedly for offending anyone with the videos , adding : `` I should n't have said that .
Ever .
It 's not cool .
It 's not cute .
It 's not okay . ''
The comedian , who was brought up in New York but now lives in Los Angeles , addressed a third video made in 2012 , which she described as `` one of the hardest years of my life '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of internalised misogyny '' at the time , adding : `` I made a video that came across unbelievably slut-shaming and I 'm sorry .
`` I ranted about girls who slept around and that 's wrong .
I just f***** up . ''
She said : `` There 's no-one demanding an apology of me for that video right now , but put it on my tab . ''
Marbles broke down in tears during the announcement , and said it would be her last video on the channel , `` for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' I want to make sure the things I put out into the world are not hurting anyone , '' she said .
Marbles rose to fame for her 2010 video titled How To Trick People Into Thinking You 're Good Looking , which has had more than 69 million views to date .
She is also the first social media star to have a wax figure displayed at Madame Tussauds in New York City .

Popular vlogger Jenna Marbles is quitting her YouTube channel over past racist and slut-shaming videos.
The 33-year-old comedian, who has more than 20 million subscribers and has been making YouTube videos for more than 10 years, made the announcement in an emotional 11-minute clip.
She said she had made "almost all" of her old content private over the last few days because "I don't want someone to watch something and feel hurt or offended now for any reason, at all".
"I think I'm just going to move on from this channel, for now," she said.
"I don't know if that's forever. I don't know how long that's going to be... I want to make sure that the things that I've put into the world aren't hurting anyone.
"I'm ashamed of things I've said and done in my past."
Marbles, real name Jenna Mourey, referred to several videos, including one made in 2011 in which she appears to wear blackface to do a "cringey and embarrassing" impression of Nicki Minaj.
She explained: "It was not my intention to do blackface... but all that matters is that people were offended and it hurt them.
"This isn't okay, and it hasn't existed on the internet, because it isn't okay.
Advertisement
"I haven't done anything remotely like that, because I heard people say 'this is blackface' and 'I don't like that'."
She referred to another video, made in that same year, that included the words: "Hey, Ching Chong Wing Wong/... Sorry, that was racist/ I'm bad at rap songs."
Marbles apologised repeatedly for offending anyone with the videos, adding: "I shouldn't have said that. Ever. It's not cool. It's not cute. It's not okay."
Image: The YouTuber has been making videos for more than 10 years
The comedian, who was brought up in New York but now lives in Los Angeles, addressed a third video made in 2012, which she described as "one of the hardest years of my life".
She said she had "a lot of internalised misogyny" at the time, adding: "I made a video that came across unbelievably slut-shaming and I'm sorry.
"I ranted about girls who slept around and that's wrong. I just f***** up."
She said: "There's no-one demanding an apology of me for that video right now, but put it on my tab."
Marbles broke down in tears during the announcement, and said it would be her last video on the channel, "for some time, possibly forever".
:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"I want to make sure the things I put out into the world are not hurting anyone," she said.
Marbles rose to fame for her 2010 video titled How To Trick People Into Thinking You're Good Looking, which has had more than 69 million views to date.
She is also the first social media star to have a wax figure displayed at Madame Tussauds in New York City.


skynewsus--2020-06-26--'We are facing a serious problem': US suffers biggest single-day rise in coronavirus cases

The US has suffered its biggest single-day rise in coronavirus cases , as America 's leading infectious diseases expert admitted parts of the country were `` facing a serious problem '' .
A total of 37,077 new infections were reported across the country on Thursday , according to Johns Hopkins University - topping the previous high of 36,291 on 24 April .
And while New York became the initial epicentre of the outbreak , figures indicate a growing crisis across the country 's South .
Authorities say 16 states are seeing an increase in infections , with Florida recording a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Alarm over the soaring number of cases there prompted state officials to ban bars from serving alcohol , while Texas 's governor had ordered bars to close down by lunch on Friday .
News of the increases came as the White House announced Donald Trump had cancelled a weekend trip to his golf resort in Bedminster , New Jersey , but did not provide an explanation .
On Friday , Mr Trump said `` we have a little work to do '' on the coronavirus infections , adding `` we 'll get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states have reversed or paused reopening plans , despite the president 's efforts to relax lockdown restrictions across the US .
And while he has repeatedly implied the rising number of cases being recorded is simply due to extensive testing , the high percentage of positive results among those tested - 17 % in Arizona and 13 % in Florida - suggested otherwise .
Dr Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , urged people to consider the welfare of others when taking measures to avoid the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can see , we are facing a serious problem in certain areas , '' he said during the first White House briefing by the official 'coronavirus task force ' in almost two months .
`` What we 're missing in this is something we 've never faced before : a risk for you is not just isolated to you , because if you get infected , you are part of propagating the dynamic process of a pandemic .
`` Chances are that if you get infected , you 're going to infect someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sound an optimistic note at the briefing , while declining to advise people to wear masks - despite that being the official advice issued by the country 's Centre for Disease Control and Infection ( CDC ) .
He claimed 34 states showed signs of stabilising numbers of new cases , but encouraged people to continue social distancing and take other measures to help contain the spread of the virus .
But he said the federal government was focused on the rising number of infections across the South .
`` As we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're tracking them very carefully , there may be a tendency among the American people to think that we are back to that place that we were two months ago , that we 're in a time of great losses and great hardship on the American people , '' he said .
`` The reality is we 're in a much better place .
The truth is we did slow the spread .
We did flatten the curve . ''
More than 2.4 million people have been confirmed to have the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have died .
`` We still have work to do , so we say to every American particularly those in counties and in states that are being impacted by rising cases , now is the time for everybody to do their part , '' Mr Pence added .

The US has suffered its biggest single-day rise in coronavirus cases, as America's leading infectious diseases expert admitted parts of the country were "facing a serious problem".
A total of 37,077 new infections were reported across the country on Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins University - topping the previous high of 36,291 on 24 April.
And while New York became the initial epicentre of the outbreak, figures indicate a growing crisis across the country's South.
Image: The White House has not explained why the president cancelled his planned weekend trip
Authorities say 16 states are seeing an increase in infections, with Florida recording a new daily high of 8,942 COVID-19 cases.
Alarm over the soaring number of cases there prompted state officials to ban bars from serving alcohol, while Texas's governor had ordered bars to close down by lunch on Friday.
News of the increases came as the White House announced Donald Trump had cancelled a weekend trip to his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, but did not provide an explanation.
On Friday, Mr Trump said "we have a little work to do" on the coronavirus infections, adding "we'll get it done".
At least 11 states have reversed or paused reopening plans, despite the president's efforts to relax lockdown restrictions across the US.
And while he has repeatedly implied the rising number of cases being recorded is simply due to extensive testing, the high percentage of positive results among those tested - 17% in Arizona and 13% in Florida - suggested otherwise.
Advertisement
Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, urged people to consider the welfare of others when taking measures to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
"As you can see, we are facing a serious problem in certain areas," he said during the first White House briefing by the official 'coronavirus task force' in almost two months.
"What we're missing in this is something we've never faced before: a risk for you is not just isolated to you, because if you get infected, you are part of propagating the dynamic process of a pandemic.
"Chances are that if you get infected, you're going to infect someone else"
Vice President Mike Pence attempted to sound an optimistic note at the briefing, while declining to advise people to wear masks - despite that being the official advice issued by the country's Centre for Disease Control and Infection (CDC).
He claimed 34 states showed signs of stabilising numbers of new cases, but encouraged people to continue social distancing and take other measures to help contain the spread of the virus.
But he said the federal government was focused on the rising number of infections across the South.
"As we see the new cases rising, and we're tracking them very carefully, there may be a tendency among the American people to think that we are back to that place that we were two months ago, that we're in a time of great losses and great hardship on the American people," he said.
"The reality is we're in a much better place. The truth is we did slow the spread. We did flatten the curve."
More than 2.4 million people have been confirmed to have the coronavirus in the US and at least 124,000 have died.
"We still have work to do, so we say to every American particularly those in counties and in states that are being impacted by rising cases, now is the time for everybody to do their part," Mr Pence added.


skynewsus--2020-06-26--The 51st state? US House passes law to give Washington DC statehood

The House of Representatives has approved a law that would make Washington DC the country 's 51st state - if it were to pass the next stage .
It is the first time a chamber of Congress has passed a DC statehood bill , despite decades of demands from Democratic politicians .
With 700,000 residents , the mainly Democrat-supporting region 's population is larger than those of Wyoming and Vermont .
And though the bill faces seemingly insurmountable opposition in the Senate , if it were to be passed , the new state would be one of seven with populations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insists the city 's inhabitants should be allowed full voting rights and should no longer be subject to `` taxation without representation '' .
Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton , the district 's non-voting representative in Congress , said the region 's $ 15.5bn annual budget is larger than those of 12 states , and DC 's triple-A bond rating is higher that those of 35 states .
But opponents - mostly Republicans - have condemned the bill as a power grab .
Representative Chip Roy from Texas said : `` This is about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
He added that the bill would `` fundamentally alter what DC is '' .
Last month , Donald Trump said `` DC will never be a state '' because that would pave the way for two more Democratic senators .
`` No , thank you .
That 'll never happen , '' he said .
Earlier this year in one piece of legislation , the capital was classified as a territory , rather than a state .
That distinction cost the region more than $ 700m in federal funding .
Sky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` DC 's over 700,000 residents pay some of the highest taxes in the country but they have no representation in Congress , meaning they have no say in how their tax dollars are spent .
`` The fight has been going on since 1980 .
The last time the House of Representatives voted on statehood was in 1993 where the bill failed by a big margin .
`` In 2000 , D.C. started printing 'Taxation Without Representation ' on all of the city 's license plates .
The push has gained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the death of George Floyd .
`` The latest bill passed in the Democrat controlled House but will likely fail in the Republican controlled Senate .
`` Under the legislation the new state would be granted one voting representative in the House and two in the Senate - all likely Democrats - which is why President Trump has said he would veto the bill . ''

The House of Representatives has approved a law that would make Washington DC the country's 51st state - if it were to pass the next stage.
It is the first time a chamber of Congress has passed a DC statehood bill, despite decades of demands from Democratic politicians.
With 700,000 residents, the mainly Democrat-supporting region's population is larger than those of Wyoming and Vermont.
And though the bill faces seemingly insurmountable opposition in the Senate, if it were to be passed, the new state would be one of seven with populations under one million.
The Democratic-controlled House insists the city's inhabitants should be allowed full voting rights and should no longer be subject to "taxation without representation".
Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, the district's non-voting representative in Congress, said the region's $15.5bn annual budget is larger than those of 12 states, and DC's triple-A bond rating is higher that those of 35 states.
But opponents - mostly Republicans - have condemned the bill as a power grab.
Representative Chip Roy from Texas said: "This is about power. Make no mistake about it." He added that the bill would "fundamentally alter what DC is".
Last month, Donald Trump said "DC will never be a state" because that would pave the way for two more Democratic senators.
Advertisement
"No, thank you. That'll never happen," he said.
Image: Mr Trump has said Washington DC will 'never be a state'
Earlier this year in one piece of legislation, the capital was classified as a territory, rather than a state. That distinction cost the region more than $700m in federal funding.
Sky News' US Correspondent Amanda Walker said: "DC's over 700,000 residents pay some of the highest taxes in the country but they have no representation in Congress, meaning they have no say in how their tax dollars are spent.
"The fight has been going on since 1980. The last time the House of Representatives voted on statehood was in 1993 where the bill failed by a big margin.
"In 2000, D.C. started printing 'Taxation Without Representation' on all of the city's license plates. The push has gained momentum in the battle for racial justice following the death of George Floyd.
"The latest bill passed in the Democrat controlled House but will likely fail in the Republican controlled Senate.
"Under the legislation the new state would be granted one voting representative in the House and two in the Senate - all likely Democrats - which is why President Trump has said he would veto the bill."


skynewsus--2020-06-27--Facebook to flag posts that break rules (including Trump's) as ad boycott widens

Facebook has said it will flag posts from `` newsworthy '' politicians that break its rules , including those from US President Donald Trump .
The move came as a number of major advertisers joined a call to boycott the social network .
Facebook 's CEO Mark Zuckerberg had previously shown reluctance to take action against Mr Trump , saying people should be able to read or watch statements from political leaders without them being filtered .
Twitter , meanwhile , has for the last month been stepping in and labelling any of Mr Trump 's tweets it deems break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that had been flagged on Twitter remained unmediated on Facebook , which had led to criticism from Mr Trump 's opponents and some Facebook employees .
On Friday night , Mr Zuckerberg said he was taking action to `` help everyone stay safe , stay informed , and ultimately use their voice where it matters most - voting '' .
He said in a post : `` The policies we 're implementing today are designed to address the reality of the challenges our country is facing and how they 're showing up across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new rules would aim to do four things : provide `` authoritative information on voting during the pandemic '' ; fight `` voter suppression '' ; create `` a higher standard for hateful content in ads '' ; and label `` newsworthy content '' .
The US election is due to take place in November and , in the midst of a coronavirus pandemic that has left the country with the highest number of deaths in the world , some have expressed concerns about misinformation and a growing amount of hate speech circulating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new rules would not mean `` newsworthy '' posts that violate its regulations would be taken down , as `` seeing speech from politicians is in the public interest '' .
But he added : `` We will soon start labelling some of the content we leave up because it is deemed newsworthy , so people can know when this is the case .
We 'll allow people to share this content to condemn it , just like we do with other problematic content… but we 'll add a prompt to tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may violate our policies . ''
Following criticism the social network was not doing enough to speedily remove hate speech , Mr Zuckerberg added : `` We 're prohibiting a wider category of hateful content in ads .
Specifically… to prohibit claims that people from a specific race , ethnicity , national origin , religious affiliation , caste , sexual orientation , gender identity or immigration status are a threat to the physical safety , health or survival of others .
`` We 're also expanding our policies to better protect immigrants , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Anglo-Dutch giant Unilever , which includes Ben and Jerry 's and Dove in its stable , was among the firms which had expressed concern , saying it would suspend Facebook advertising until the end of the year .
It came amid a growing ad boycott campaign called `` Stop Hate for Profit '' that was started by several US civil rights groups to pressure Facebook to act on hate speech and misinformation .
A monitor said more than 90 firms , including Unilever , Honda and The North Face , had joined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coca-Cola also said it would be temporarily suspending ads .
The president of one of the groups behind the Stop Hate for Profit campaign , Color of Change president Rashad Robinson , said Mr Zuckerberg had not gone far enough .
Mr Robinson tweeted : `` If this the response he 's giving to major advertisers withdrawing millions of dollars from the company , we ca n't trust his leadership . ''

Facebook has said it will flag posts from "newsworthy" politicians that break its rules, including those from US President Donald Trump.
The move came as a number of major advertisers joined a call to boycott the social network.
Facebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg had previously shown reluctance to take action against Mr Trump, saying people should be able to read or watch statements from political leaders without them being filtered.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:06 Donald Trump criticises mayor of New York's plan for 'Black Lives Matter' mural
Twitter, meanwhile, has for the last month been stepping in and labelling any of Mr Trump's tweets it deems break its rules.
Until Friday, posts that had been flagged on Twitter remained unmediated on Facebook, which had led to criticism from Mr Trump's opponents and some Facebook employees.
On Friday night, Mr Zuckerberg said he was taking action to "help everyone stay safe, stay informed, and ultimately use their voice where it matters most - voting".
He said in a post: "The policies we're implementing today are designed to address the reality of the challenges our country is facing and how they're showing up across our community."
He said the new rules would aim to do four things: provide "authoritative information on voting during the pandemic"; fight "voter suppression"; create "a higher standard for hateful content in ads"; and label "newsworthy content".
The US election is due to take place in November and, in the midst of a coronavirus pandemic that has left the country with the highest number of deaths in the world, some have expressed concerns about misinformation and a growing amount of hate speech circulating on the site.
Advertisement
Mr Zuckerberg said the new rules would not mean "newsworthy" posts that violate its regulations would be taken down, as "seeing speech from politicians is in the public interest".
But he added: "We will soon start labelling some of the content we leave up because it is deemed newsworthy, so people can know when this is the case. We'll allow people to share this content to condemn it, just like we do with other problematic content… but we'll add a prompt to tell people that the content they're sharing may violate our policies."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:24 US President Donald Trump repeats use of term that's been labelled racist
Following criticism the social network was not doing enough to speedily remove hate speech, Mr Zuckerberg added: "We're prohibiting a wider category of hateful content in ads. Specifically… to prohibit claims that people from a specific race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, caste, sexual orientation, gender identity or immigration status are a threat to the physical safety, health or survival of others.
"We're also expanding our policies to better protect immigrants, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers."
Anglo-Dutch giant Unilever, which includes Ben and Jerry's and Dove in its stable, was among the firms which had expressed concern, saying it would suspend Facebook advertising until the end of the year.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:01 Trump rally fuels debate and division
It came amid a growing ad boycott campaign called "Stop Hate for Profit" that was started by several US civil rights groups to pressure Facebook to act on hate speech and misinformation.
A monitor said more than 90 firms, including Unilever, Honda and The North Face, had joined an ads boycott and on Friday night Coca-Cola also said it would be temporarily suspending ads.
The president of one of the groups behind the Stop Hate for Profit campaign, Color of Change president Rashad Robinson, said Mr Zuckerberg had not gone far enough.
Mr Robinson tweeted: "If this the response he's giving to major advertisers withdrawing millions of dollars from the company, we can't trust his leadership."


skynewsus--2020-06-27--The Simpsons to stop white actors voicing non-white characters

The Simpsons is ending the use of white actors to voice black and ethnic minority characters , producers have said .
The move follows years of controversy about the issue and calls for greater diversity within the entertainment industry .
It also comes against a backdrop of heightened tensions in the US about racism , following mass protests over the killing of black Americans by police , sparked by the death of George Floyd .
In a statement , the Fox network , which broadcasts the show , said : `` Moving forward , The Simpsons will no longer have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Simpsons , which has been on the air since 1989 and is syndicated in more than 100 countries , had faced public pressure for years over for having Hank Azaria , who is white , voicing Indian shopkeeper Apu .
Azaria said in January he would no longer perform the role , which had been criticised for reinforcing racial stereotypes .
He has also voiced the Simpsons characters of black police officer Lou and the Mexican-American Bumblebee Man .
Another white actor - Harry Shearer - voiced the character of Dr Hibbert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcement followed similar steps by another popular animated show .
Mike Henry , a white actor , who had lent his voice to Family Guy character Cleveland Brown since 1999 , said on Twitter he was stepping down .
He said : `` It 's been an honour to play Cleveland on Family Guy for 20 years .
I love this character , but persons of colour should play characters of colour .
Therefore , I will be stepping down from the role . ''
Earlier this week Frozen star Kristen Bell revealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her voice to a non-white character in Apple TV+ comedy Central Park .
In a statement on Instagram , Bell said her playing Molly , a mixed-race character , `` shows a lack of awareness of my pervasive privilege '' .
And actress Jenny Slate announced she will no longer voice a black character in the animated series Big Mouth , saying her taking the role was `` engaging in an act of erasure of black people '' .

The Simpsons is ending the use of white actors to voice black and ethnic minority characters, producers have said.
The move follows years of controversy about the issue and calls for greater diversity within the entertainment industry.
It also comes against a backdrop of heightened tensions in the US about racism, following mass protests over the killing of black Americans by police, sparked by the death of George Floyd.
Image: Hank Azaria confirmed in January he would no longer perform the role of Apu
In a statement, the Fox network, which broadcasts the show, said: "Moving forward, The Simpsons will no longer have white actors voice non-white characters."
The Simpsons, which has been on the air since 1989 and is syndicated in more than 100 countries, had faced public pressure for years over for having Hank Azaria, who is white, voicing Indian shopkeeper Apu.
Azaria said in January he would no longer perform the role, which had been criticised for reinforcing racial stereotypes.
He has also voiced the Simpsons characters of black police officer Lou and the Mexican-American Bumblebee Man.
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
Another white actor - Harry Shearer - voiced the character of Dr Hibbert, who is black.
The Simpsons announcement followed similar steps by another popular animated show.
Advertisement
Mike Henry, a white actor, who had lent his voice to Family Guy character Cleveland Brown since 1999, said on Twitter he was stepping down.
He said: "It's been an honour to play Cleveland on Family Guy for 20 years. I love this character, but persons of colour should play characters of colour. Therefore, I will be stepping down from the role."
Earlier this week Frozen star Kristen Bell revealed she too would no longer be lending her voice to a non-white character in Apple TV+ comedy Central Park.
In a statement on Instagram, Bell said her playing Molly, a mixed-race character, "shows a lack of awareness of my pervasive privilege".
And actress Jenny Slate announced she will no longer voice a black character in the animated series Big Mouth, saying her taking the role was "engaging in an act of erasure of black people".


skynewsus--2020-06-27--Pierce Brosnan 'vaguely' remembers saving Halle Berry from choking

Former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan has said he `` vaguely '' remembers saving Halle Berry from choking on the set of Die Another Day .
According to Berry , Brosnan performed the Heimlich manoeuvre on her when she started choking while they were filming a love scene .
Brosnan said on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that he was `` not sure '' what happened during filming for the 2002 movie .
He said : `` I vaguely remember it , I 've seen little quotes in the press recently .
We were on the set , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I might have Heimliched her , I 'm not sure . ''
A laughing Brosnan added : `` I just patted her on the back . ''
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Oscar-winning actress Berry , 53 , told Fallon in April that Brosnan came to the rescue when a fig got stuck in her throat .
She said : `` I was supposed to be all sexy , trying to seduce him with a fig .
I end up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get up and do the Heimlich .
So not sexy . ''
Berry added : `` James Bond knows how to Heimlich !
He was there for me , he will always be one of my favourite people in the whole world . ''
Die Another Day was the final Bond movie featuring Brosnan .

Former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan has said he "vaguely" remembers saving Halle Berry from choking on the set of Die Another Day.
According to Berry, Brosnan performed the Heimlich manoeuvre on her when she started choking while they were filming a love scene.
Brosnan said on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that he was "not sure" what happened during filming for the 2002 movie.
He said: "I vaguely remember it, I've seen little quotes in the press recently. We were on the set, I'm not quite sure what I did, I might have Heimliched her, I'm not sure."
A laughing Brosnan added: "I just patted her on the back."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Oscar-winning actress Berry, 53, told Fallon in April that Brosnan came to the rescue when a fig got stuck in her throat.
She said: "I was supposed to be all sexy, trying to seduce him with a fig. I end up choking on it and he had to get up and do the Heimlich. So not sexy."
Berry added: "James Bond knows how to Heimlich! He was there for me, he will always be one of my favourite people in the whole world."
Advertisement
Die Another Day was the final Bond movie featuring Brosnan.


skynewsus--2020-06-27--Russia paid Taliban fighters to attack British troops in Afghanistan

Reports that a Russian intelligence unit paid Taliban fighters to kill coalition troops in Afghanistan are true , British security officials have confirmed to Sky News .
The news , which was first published on Friday evening by The New York Times , is `` on the nose '' according to a source briefed on the matter .
`` This is another example of the moral vacuum the GRU ( an arm of Russia 's military intelligence agency ) operate in , '' Sky News has been told .
`` Offering rewards to attack soldiers who are trying to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' There are currently around 1,000 British troops deployed in Afghanistan , mainly in the capital Kabul , and no confirmation any have been hurt as a result of the Russian efforts .
Tom Tugenhadt , chair of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee and a former soldier in Afghanistan , told Sky : `` Reports of Russian attempts to insight attacks on British troops is deeply concerning .
`` We know the GRU have been caught in the UK and are active around the world and that 's a danger to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times reported that 20 US soldiers were killed in Afghanistan last year but `` it was not clear which killings were under suspicion '' .
It is thought that Moscow has been trying to destabilise a possible US-negotiated peace deal in Afghanistan .
In a statement White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany denied that either President Donald Trump or Vice President Mike Pence had been briefed on the `` alleged Russian bounty intelligence '' which the newspaper reported took place in late March .
`` This does not speak to the merit of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the New York Times story erroneously suggesting that President Trump was briefed on this matter , '' the White House added .
It is understood the intelligence was only shared with British officials recently but Boris Johnson has now been briefed .
Downing Street will be under pressure to respond to the news and take action against Moscow .
Sky has been told that the group responsible for the plan is the 29155 unit of the GRU , the same Russian intelligence outfit behind the Skripal poisonings , and the failed 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian plan , and the direct targeting of British troops , will again raise the question of when the long overdue report into Russian interference by parliament 's Intelligence and Security Committee ( ISC ) will be published .
The report , which examined claims of Russian interference in Britain , was sent to Downing Street on 17 October last year for sign-off .
That process usually takes no more than 10 days , but the report is still yet to be published and the ISC has n't been reconvened after December 's @ @ @

A senior Conservative MP is seeking an urgent question in the Commons on Monday about an alleged plot that a Russian intelligence unit offered Taliban-linked fighters bounties to kill coalition troops in Afghanistan.
British security officials have confirmed to Sky News that the reports about the plot are true.
If Tobias Ellwood, chair of the House of Commons Defence Select Committee, is granted his urgent question, it will require a government minister to respond in person.
Mr Ellwood told Sky News: "I think it's completely unacceptable that a fellow permanent member of the UN Security Council is now seen to be training and supplying arms to the very militia that has prevented peaceful conclusions to this decade-old conflict (in Afghanistan).
"So serious is this that I'll be seeking an urgent question on Monday and will be encouraging the UK to raise this matter at the UN and indeed our NATO allies."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:11 Trump's 'entire presidency a gift to Putin'
Mr Ellwood said the Russia allegations in Afghanistan offer a reminder of the need to reconstitute a committee of MPs that scrutinises the work of the UK's intelligence and security services and has the power to release a long-awaited report into alleged Russian meddling in the UK.
He said: "Let's get that intelligence and security committee up and running, let's publish the overdue Russia report, let's make it very, very clear that it is simply unacceptable for a member of the UN security council to place bounties on US and UK heads."
The report, which was first published on Friday evening by The New York Times, is "on the nose", according to a source briefed on the matter.
"This is another example of the moral vacuum the GRU (an arm of Russia's military intelligence agency) operate in," Sky News has been told.
Advertisement
"Offering rewards to attack soldiers who are trying to bring peace to a nation is repugnant."
There are currently around 1,000 British troops deployed in Afghanistan, mainly in the capital Kabul, and no confirmation any have been hurt as a result of the Russian efforts.
Image: Donald Trump said 'nobody briefed or told me' about the alleged plot
Tom Tugenhadt, chair of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee and a former soldier in Afghanistan, told Sky News: "Reports of Russian attempts to incite attacks on British troops are deeply concerning.
"We know the GRU have been caught in the UK and are active around the world and that's a danger to our forces."
The New York Times reported that 20 US soldiers were killed in Afghanistan last year but "it was not clear which killings were under suspicion".
It is thought that Moscow has been trying to destabilise a possible US-negotiated peace deal in Afghanistan.
Donald Trump tweeted that "nobody briefed or told me, or Vice President Mike Pence or Chief of Staff Mark Meadows about the so-called attacks on our troops in Afghanistan by Russians".
The president continued: "Everybody is denying it and there have not been many attacks on us," adding: "Nobody's been tougher on Russia than the Trump Administration."
Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden said: "The truly shocking revelation that if the Times report is true, and I emphasise that again, is that President Trump, the commander-in-chief of American troops serving in a dangerous theatre of war, has known about this for months, according to the Times, and done worse than nothing."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:12 Report on Russian interference being held back
It is understood the intelligence was only shared with British officials recently but Boris Johnson has now been briefed. Downing Street will be under pressure to respond to the news and take action against Moscow.
Sky has been told that the group responsible for the plan is the 29155 unit of the GRU, the same Russian intelligence outfit behind the Skripal poisonings, and the failed 2016 coup in Montenegro.
Arthur Snell, a former UK diplomat who was posted to Helmand, in southern Afghanistan in 2010, said the alleged GRU operation is part of a wider Russian tactic to use deniable means to undermine western allies.
He said: "It is evidence that the Russians are willing to really push the envelope in terms of highly aggressive and completely unethical practices.
"And it also seems to show that the Russians are kind of looking at a worldwide theatre of battle in terms of the places they feel they can target in terms of western assets and western interests."
News of this Russian plan, and the direct targeting of British troops, will again raise the question of when the long overdue report into Russian interference by parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) will be published.
The report, which examined claims of Russian interference in Britain, was sent to Downing Street on 17 October last year for sign-off.
That process usually takes no more than 10 days, but the report is still yet to be published and the ISC hasn't been reconvened after December's general election.


skynewsus--2020-06-27--'The nation is counting on you': CIA's thrilling advert to recruit more diverse candidates

The CIA has launched a recruitment campaign across online video streaming websites , emphasising the value that women and people from minority ethnic backgrounds bring to the agency .
The thrilling commercial - which could play out before audiences watch a geopolitical drama - stars a number of young actors , with the majority of speaking roles belonging to women .
It 's the first time the agency has run such ads , and comes as intelligence communities across the world face challenging competition from the private sector to recruit the best candidates .
The agency 's director Gina Haspel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold the post on a permanent basis - has described tackling recruitment as one of her priorities .
In a statement , she said : `` Advertising on streaming services is an important step forward to reach talented Americans with the diversity of experiences we require . ''
According to the most recent annual demographic report , diversity has been increasing across the American intelligence community - although its demography is n't representative of the US population in general .
Women comprise 38.8 % of staff across the 17 agencies in the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new hires .
Staff from ethnic minority backgrounds account for 26.2 % for the workforce , and 27.9 % of new hires , compared to 38.2 % of the population .
`` Diversity and inclusion is not only important to the workforce at CIA , it 's essential to our mission of keeping America safe , '' the agency said earlier this year .
During the advert , a language specialist flags up how a `` technically accurate '' translation misunderstands the meaning of a phrase given its context , as an example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring to the agency 's work .
Recruitment and retention in the intelligence community has been challenged by persistent criticisms from President Donald Trump , especially regarding the collective assessment that the Russian state interfered in the 2016 election in his favour .
The president has dismissed this assessment as `` ridiculous '' and has had protracted arguments with multiple agencies ' directors regarding their conduct and criticism of him - although notably Secretary of State Mike Pompeo joined the administration from the CIA .
Mr Pompeo 's predecessor , John Brennan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president since leaving office .
The president subsequently revoked Mr Brennan 's security clearance , in a move seen as an unprecedented act of retribution against one of his most qualified and vocal critics .
At the time , Mr Trump accused Mr Brennan of having `` leveraged his status as a former high-ranking official with access to highly sensitive information to make a series of unfounded and outrageous allegations , wild outbursts on the internet and television about this administration '' .
It continued : `` Mr Brennan 's lying and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is wholly inconsistent with access to the nation 's most closely held secrets . ''
Mr Brennan said : `` My principles are worth far more than clearances .
I will not relent . ''

The CIA has launched a recruitment campaign across online video streaming websites, emphasising the value that women and people from minority ethnic backgrounds bring to the agency.
The thrilling commercial - which could play out before audiences watch a geopolitical drama - stars a number of young actors, with the majority of speaking roles belonging to women.
It's the first time the agency has run such ads, and comes as intelligence communities across the world face challenging competition from the private sector to recruit the best candidates.
Image: Graphs showing diversity in US intelligence community in 2018. Pic: US ODNI
The agency's director Gina Haspel - who is the first woman to hold the post on a permanent basis - has described tackling recruitment as one of her priorities.
In a statement, she said: "Advertising on streaming services is an important step forward to reach talented Americans with the diversity of experiences we require."
According to the most recent annual demographic report, diversity has been increasing across the American intelligence community - although its demography isn't representative of the US population in general.
Women comprise 38.8% of staff across the 17 agencies in the US intelligence community, and 41.2% of new hires.
Staff from ethnic minority backgrounds account for 26.2% for the workforce, and 27.9% of new hires, compared to 38.2% of the population.
"Diversity and inclusion is not only important to the workforce at CIA, it's essential to our mission of keeping America safe," the agency said earlier this year.
Advertisement
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:08 Trump dismisses CIA's Russia claims as 'ridiculous'
During the advert, a language specialist flags up how a "technically accurate" translation misunderstands the meaning of a phrase given its context, as an example of the value people from diverse backgrounds bring to the agency's work.
Recruitment and retention in the intelligence community has been challenged by persistent criticisms from President Donald Trump, especially regarding the collective assessment that the Russian state interfered in the 2016 election in his favour.
The president has dismissed this assessment as "ridiculous" and has had protracted arguments with multiple agencies' directors regarding their conduct and criticism of him - although notably Secretary of State Mike Pompeo joined the administration from the CIA.
Mr Pompeo's predecessor, John Brennan, is among those who have repeatedly criticised the president since leaving office.
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
The president subsequently revoked Mr Brennan's security clearance, in a move seen as an unprecedented act of retribution against one of his most qualified and vocal critics.
At the time, Mr Trump accused Mr Brennan of having "leveraged his status as a former high-ranking official with access to highly sensitive information to make a series of unfounded and outrageous allegations, wild outbursts on the internet and television about this administration".
It continued: "Mr Brennan's lying and recent conduct characterised by increasingly frenzied commentary is wholly inconsistent with access to the nation's most closely held secrets."
Mr Brennan said: "My principles are worth far more than clearances. I will not relent."


skynewsus--2020-06-28--One dead after shooting at Breonna Taylor protest park

A man has died after being shot in a park in Kentucky where people had gathered to protest against the death of Breonna Taylor .
The shooting on Saturday night in Louisville also resulted in a second person being taken to hospital with injuries described by police as non-life-threatening .
Video on social media appeared to show a man opening fire as people ran for safety , while later scenes showed at least one person on the ground bleeding .
Police are investigating but no information has been released about arrests , or details about the victims .
Tweets from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just about 9 pm , there were reports of shots fired in Jefferson Square Park .
Calls then came in that Sheriff 's Department personnel were in the park performing life-saving measures on a male who eventually died at the scene .
`` A short time later , we got a report of another shooting victim at the Hall of Justice .
That person was taken to University Hospital with non-life threatening injuries .
`` Officers cleared the park completely and have secured the entire area so homicide detectives can conduct their investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was `` deeply saddened by the violence '' .
`` It is a tragedy that this area of peaceful protest is now a crime scene , '' he added .
Police said they were not expecting to release more information until morning , local time .
Breonna Taylor , a 26-year-old black woman , was killed in her Louisville home in March by police executing a no-knock warrant , which allows them to enter a property without announcing their presence .
It was part of a narcotics investigation but no drugs were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the officers has since been fired .
Protesters have been calling for the officers to face criminal charges .

A man has died after being shot in a park in Kentucky where people had gathered to protest against the death of Breonna Taylor.
The shooting on Saturday night in Louisville also resulted in a second person being taken to hospital with injuries described by police as non-life-threatening.
Video on social media appeared to show a man opening fire as people ran for safety, while later scenes showed at least one person on the ground bleeding.
Image: Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police at her home in March
Police are investigating but no information has been released about arrests, or details about the victims.
Tweets from Louisville Metropolitan Police Department said: "Just about 9 pm, there were reports of shots fired in Jefferson Square Park. Calls then came in that Sheriff's Department personnel were in the park performing life-saving measures on a male who eventually died at the scene.
"A short time later, we got a report of another shooting victim at the Hall of Justice. That person was taken to University Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:59 Police seal scene of shooting in Louisville
"Officers cleared the park completely and have secured the entire area so homicide detectives can conduct their investigation."
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said he was "deeply saddened by the violence".
"It is a tragedy that this area of peaceful protest is now a crime scene," he added.
Advertisement
Image: Jefferson Square Park has seen weeks of demonstrations after the police killings of Taylor and George Floyd
Police said they were not expecting to release more information until morning, local time.
Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old black woman, was killed in her Louisville home in March by police executing a no-knock warrant, which allows them to enter a property without announcing their presence.
It was part of a narcotics investigation but no drugs were found at her property.
One of the officers has since been fired.
Protesters have been calling for the officers to face criminal charges.


skynewsus--2020-06-28--Trump re-election campaign events pulled over COVID-19 spikes

US Vice President Mike Pence has been forced to cancel re-election campaign events as the coronavirus surged in a number of battleground states .
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country rose to more than 2.5 million on Saturday , according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University .
Globally , the figure now stands at more than 10 million .
The latest data also shows more than 125,000 Americans have so far died as a result of the coronavirus pandemic , the highest known number of deaths of any country in the world .
Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections with 9,585 cases on Saturday , while Arizona reported a further 3,591 , matching a previous high .
In response , Mr Pence cancelled planned visits to campaign for the re-election of Donald Trump in those two states next week out of `` an abundance of caution , '' according to officials .
Meanwhile , Nevada recorded 1,099 new cases on Saturday , double its previous record , while South Carolina and Georgia saw 1,604 and 1,990 new infections , respectively , marking new daily highs .
The rise in cases has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ southern and western states that reopened earlier and more quickly .
In contrast , New York and its neighbouring north-eastern states , which were initially hit hardest , have reported a fall in cases and are pressing ahead with reopening plans .
Kami Kim , director of the Division of Infectious Disease and International Medicine at the University of South Florida , said the state 's leaders had claimed victory too soon after lockdowns started to be lifted in early May , amid conflicting messages on face coverings .
She said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge swathe of the politicians .
`` Unfortunately , our community still is n't taking it very seriously .
People are n't wearing masks . ''
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Despite the spike in cases , Florida 's Republican governor Ron DeSantis has not bowed to pressure to issue statewide mandates on wearing masks , opting to leave the decision to local areas .
He blamed the rise in infections on young people interacting more in the last few weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dying than older people .
In Texas , a state that was on the forefront of letting people get back to work , Texas governor Greg Abbott ordered bars across the state to close and required restaurants to limit indoor seating , acknowledging that in hindsight he had opened bars too soon .

US Vice President Mike Pence has been forced to cancel re-election campaign events as the coronavirus surged in a number of battleground states.
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country rose to more than 2.5 million on Saturday, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.
Globally, the figure now stands at more than 10 million.
Image: Mike Pence has cancelled campaign visits to Florida and Arizona
The latest data also shows more than 125,000 Americans have so far died as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the highest known number of deaths of any country in the world.
Florida saw a record second day of new infections with 9,585 cases on Saturday, while Arizona reported a further 3,591, matching a previous high.
In response, Mr Pence cancelled planned visits to campaign for the re-election of Donald Trump in those two states next week out of "an abundance of caution," according to officials.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:31 Fauci: 'The risk is not just isolated to you'
Meanwhile, Nevada recorded 1,099 new cases on Saturday, double its previous record, while South Carolina and Georgia saw 1,604 and 1,990 new infections, respectively, marking new daily highs.
The rise in cases has been seen most in a handful of southern and western states that reopened earlier and more quickly.
In contrast, New York and its neighbouring north-eastern states, which were initially hit hardest, have reported a fall in cases and are pressing ahead with reopening plans.
Advertisement
Kami Kim, director of the Division of Infectious Disease and International Medicine at the University of South Florida, said the state's leaders had claimed victory too soon after lockdowns started to be lifted in early May, amid conflicting messages on face coverings.
She said: "It was just complete denial by a huge swathe of the politicians.
"Unfortunately, our community still isn't taking it very seriously. People aren't wearing masks."
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
Despite the spike in cases, Florida's Republican governor Ron DeSantis has not bowed to pressure to issue statewide mandates on wearing masks, opting to leave the decision to local areas.
He blamed the rise in infections on young people interacting more in the last few weeks, pointing out they faced lower risk of dying than older people.
In Texas, a state that was on the forefront of letting people get back to work, Texas governor Greg Abbott ordered bars across the state to close and required restaurants to limit indoor seating, acknowledging that in hindsight he had opened bars too soon.


skynewsus--2020-06-28--Rolling Stones threaten to sue Trump over use of songs at rallies

Donald Trump has been warned he could face legal action if his campaign continues to use songs by the Rolling Stones .
The band 's lawyers are working with performing rights organisation BMI to stop the US president from using any of their songs at campaign events .
The BMI has told the Trump campaign that any future use will breach license agreements .
The Rolling Stones have sent cease and desist directives to President Trump as far back as his 2016 campaign but his use of You Ca n't Always Get What You Want at the recent rally in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the BMI - to threaten legal consequences if he persists .
The BMI told entertainment website Deadline : `` The Trump campaign has a Political Entities License which authorises the public performance of more than 15 million musical works in BMI 's repertoire wherever campaign events occur .
`` There is a provision , however , that allows BMI to exclude musical works from the license if a songwriter or publisher objects to its use by a campaign .
`` BMI has received such an objection and sent a letter notifying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works have been removed from the campaign license , and advising the campaign that any future use of these musical compositions will be in breach of its license agreement with BMI . ''
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The Rolling Stones are not the first band to take issue with President Trump 's use of their music .
Prince , Rihanna , The Rolling Stones , Pharrell Williams , Aerosmith and Neil Young are among a long list of stars who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their tracks .
Just days ago , the estate of Tom Petty issued the campaign with a cease and desist notice over his use of his song I Wo n't Back Down .
The family had said the song was written for `` the common man '' and they did n't want it used for a `` campaign of hate '' .
Rock band Queen complained after Mr Trump walked on the stage to We Are The Champions during the Republican National Convention in Ohio as he campaigned for the 2016 election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ songs Rolling In The Deep and Skyfall were used at Trump rallies in 2016 without her permission .

Donald Trump has been warned he could face legal action if his campaign continues to use songs by the Rolling Stones.
The band's lawyers are working with performing rights organisation BMI to stop the US president from using any of their songs at campaign events.
The BMI has told the Trump campaign that any future use will breach license agreements.
The Rolling Stones have sent cease and desist directives to President Trump as far back as his 2016 campaign but his use of You Can't Always Get What You Want at the recent rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, pushed them - through the BMI - to threaten legal consequences if he persists.
Image: You Can't Always Get What You Want was played at a recent Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma
The BMI told entertainment website Deadline: "The Trump campaign has a Political Entities License which authorises the public performance of more than 15 million musical works in BMI's repertoire wherever campaign events occur.
"There is a provision, however, that allows BMI to exclude musical works from the license if a songwriter or publisher objects to its use by a campaign.
"BMI has received such an objection and sent a letter notifying the Trump campaign that the Rolling Stones' works have been removed from the campaign license, and advising the campaign that any future use of these musical compositions will be in breach of its license agreement with BMI."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The Rolling Stones are not the first band to take issue with President Trump's use of their music.
Advertisement
Prince, Rihanna, The Rolling Stones, Pharrell Williams, Aerosmith and Neil Young are among a long list of stars who have previously criticised the president for using their tracks.
Just days ago, the estate of Tom Petty issued the campaign with a cease and desist notice over his use of his song I Won't Back Down.
The family had said the song was written for "the common man" and they didn't want it used for a "campaign of hate".
Rock band Queen complained after Mr Trump walked on the stage to We Are The Champions during the Republican National Convention in Ohio as he campaigned for the 2016 election.
Adele's spokesman also complained after her songs Rolling In The Deep and Skyfall were used at Trump rallies in 2016 without her permission.


skynewsus--2020-06-28--Texas governor warns coronavirus outbreak has taken 'very dangerous turn'

The governor of Texas has warned the coronavirus outbreak in the state has taken a `` very swift and very dangerous turn '' .
Greg Abbott was joined at a news conference by US Vice President Mike Pence who strongly recommended that Texans follow local coronavirus rules on wearing masks .
Mr Pence has been forced to cancel re-election campaign events due to the virus .
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country rose to more than 2.5 million on Saturday , according to Johns Hopkins University , which puts the global figure at more than 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 125,000 Americans have so far died as a result of the pandemic , the highest number of known deaths of any nation .
Texas had been at the forefront of states letting people get back to work .
But now Governor Abbott has ordered bars across the state to close and required restaurants to limit indoor seating , acknowledging that in hindsight he had opened bars too soon .
It comes after Texas has seen a rise in the number of coronavirus cases rise from around 2,000 a day to more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has taken a very swift and very dangerous turn in Texas over just the past few weeks , '' he said .
In California , a number of bars have been ordered to close as coronavirus cases again surge in America , with more than 3,861 cases reported in the state on Saturday .
Governor Gavin Newsom has told bars to shut in seven counties , including Los Angeles , in a major rollback of efforts to restart the economy .
The rise in cases has been seen most in a handful of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more quickly .
In contrast , New York and its neighbouring north-eastern states , which were initially hit hardest , have reported a fall in cases and are pressing ahead with reopening plans .
In Florida , more beaches will be closing again to avoid further spread of the virus in a bid to stop large gatherings .
The state 's governor Ron DeSantis said interactions among young people had driven a surge in recent cases .
Kami Kim , director of the division of infectious disease and international medicine at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states ' leaders had claimed victory too soon after lockdowns started to be lifted in early May , amid conflicting messages on face coverings .
She said : `` It was just complete denial by a huge swathe of the politicians .
`` Unfortunately , our community still is n't taking it very seriously .
People are n't wearing masks . ''
Despite the spike in cases , Governor DeSantis has not bowed to pressure to issue statewide mandates on wearing masks , opting to leave the decision to local areas .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people interacting more in the last few weeks , pointing out they faced lower risk of dying than older people .

The governor of Texas has warned the coronavirus outbreak in the state has taken a "very swift and very dangerous turn".
Greg Abbott was joined at a news conference by US vice president Mike Pence, who strongly recommended that Texans follow local coronavirus rules on wearing masks.
Mr Pence has been forced to cancel re-election campaign events due to the virus, which is now confirmed to have taken 500,000 lives worldwide.
Image: Governor Greg Abbott says he relaxed the lockdown too soon
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the US has risen to more than 2.5 million, according to Johns Hopkins University, which puts the global figure at more than 10 million.
The latest data shows more than 125,000 Americans have died so far as a result of the pandemic, the highest number of known deaths of any nation.
Texas had been at the forefront of states letting people get back to work.
But now Governor Abbott has ordered bars across the state to close and required restaurants to limit indoor seating, acknowledging that in hindsight he had opened bars too soon.
It comes after Texas has seen a rise in the number of coronavirus cases rise from around 2,000 a day to more than 5,000.
"COVID-19 has taken a very swift and very dangerous turn in Texas over just the past few weeks," he said.
Advertisement
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
In California, a number of bars have been ordered to close as coronavirus cases again surge in America, with more than 3,861 cases reported in the state on Saturday.
Governor Gavin Newsom has told bars to shut in seven counties, including Los Angeles, in a major rollback of efforts to restart the economy.
The rise in cases has been seen most in a handful of southern and western states that reopened earlier and more quickly.
In contrast, New York and its neighbouring northeastern states, which were initially hit hardest, have reported a fall in cases and are pressing ahead with reopening plans.
In Florida, more beaches will be closing again to avoid further spread of the virus in a bid to stop large gatherings.
The state's governor Ron DeSantis said interactions among young people had driven a surge in recent cases.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:56 Coronavirus: Trump refuses to wear face mask
Kami Kim, director of the division of infectious disease and international medicine at the University of South Florida, said some states' leaders had claimed victory too soon after lockdowns started to be lifted in early May, amid conflicting messages on face coverings.
She said: "It was just complete denial by a huge swathe of the politicians.
"Unfortunately, our community still isn't taking it very seriously. People aren't wearing masks."
Despite the spike in cases, Governor DeSantis has not bowed to pressure to issue statewide mandates on wearing masks, opting to leave the decision to local areas.


skynewsus--2020-06-28--Trump retweets video featuring supporter shouting 'white power'

President Trump has retweeted a video featuring a supporter shouting `` white power '' at other demonstrators in Florida .
The footage shows a man in a golf cart that includes `` Trump 2020 '' and `` America First '' signs responding to protesters who were also shouting and carrying placards expressing their opposition to the president .
According to the person who originally posted the video , it was recorded in a retirement community known as The Villages where the residents were apparently `` protesting against each other '' - the Trump supporters apparently in a parade of golf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parade .
`` White power '' is a white supremacist political slogan designed to mimic the `` black power '' slogan which became popular during the civil rights movement , said the Anti-Defamation League in the US .
`` It is a commonly shouted at white supremacist events as a racist rallying cry , '' the ADL 's glossary of white supremacist terms explains .
Three hours after it was posted , the president 's message apparently endorsing the supporter who shouted this term was deleted .
Before it was deleted , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people of The Villages '' stating : `` The Radical Left Do Nothing Democrats will Fall in the Fall .
Corrupt Joe is shot .
See you soon !
!
! ''
The tweet was criticised by Republican senator Tim Scott , who told CNN 's State of the Union : `` There 's no question .
He should not have retweeted it and he should just take it down . ''
Senator Scott , who is the only black Republican in the US Senate , added : `` We can play politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm not going to .
`` I think it 's indefensible , we should take it down .
That 's what I think . ''
It is not clear if the message was deleted by the president or his team .
The social media company and the Trump administration have repeatedly clashed over the president 's tweets in recent weeks , prompting the White House to drive forward changes to social media regulations .
The original video - which documents both groups of demonstrators shouting at each other , with the counter-Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter .
In a statement to reporters , White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere said the president was a `` big fan of The Villages '' but `` did not hear the one statement made on the video . ''

President Trump has retweeted a video featuring a supporter shouting "white power" at other demonstrators in Florida.
The footage shows a man in a golf cart that includes "Trump 2020" and "America First" signs responding to protesters who were also shouting and carrying placards expressing their opposition to the president.
According to the person who originally posted the video, it was recorded in a retirement community known as The Villages where the residents were apparently "protesting against each other" - the Trump supporters apparently in a parade of golf carts and the others standing beside this parade.
Image: The president's tweet was later deleted
"White power" is a white supremacist political slogan designed to mimic the "black power" slogan which became popular during the civil rights movement, said the Anti-Defamation League in the US.
"It is a commonly shouted at white supremacist events as a racist rallying cry," the ADL's glossary of white supremacist terms explains.
Three hours after it was posted, the president's message apparently endorsing the supporter who shouted this term was deleted.
Before it was deleted, the president's tweet thanked "the great people of The Villages" stating: "The Radical Left Do Nothing Democrats will Fall in the Fall. Corrupt Joe is shot. See you soon!!!"
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
The tweet was criticised by Republican senator Tim Scott, who told CNN's State of the Union: "There's no question. He should not have retweeted it and he should just take it down."
Advertisement
Senator Scott, who is the only black Republican in the US Senate, added: "We can play politics with it or we can't. I'm not going to.
"I think it's indefensible, we should take it down. That's what I think."
It is not clear if the message was deleted by the president or his team.
The social media company and the Trump administration have repeatedly clashed over the president's tweets in recent weeks, prompting the White House to drive forward changes to social media regulations.
The original video - which documents both groups of demonstrators shouting at each other, with the counter-Trump protesters audibly swearing - remains available on Twitter.
In a statement to reporters, White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere said the president was a "big fan of The Villages" but "did not hear the one statement made on the video."