foxnews--2020-06-17--North Korea: Redeploying troops, resuming military exercises at inter-Korean cooperation sites

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SEOUL , South Korea — North Korea said Wednesday it will redeploy troops to now-shuttered inter-Korean cooperation sites , reinstall guard posts and resume military exercises at front-line areas , nullifying the landmark tension-reducing deals reached with South Korea just two years ago .
The announcement came a day after North Korea destroyed an inter-Korean liaison office in a choreographed display of anger that puts pressure on Washington and Seoul amid deadlocked nuclear diplomacy .
The demolition was the most provocative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuclear talks in 2018 , though the building in its border town of Kaesong was empty and the North had previously signaled plans to blow it up .
The North ’ s General Staff said military units will be deployed to the Diamond Mountain resort and the Kaesong industrial complex , both just north of the heavily fortified border .
Those sites , once symbols of inter-Korean cooperation , have been shuttered for years due to inter-Korean disputes and the economic sanctions imposed on North Korea because of its nuclear program .
CHRIS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LIASON OFFICE INDICATES NUKE TALKS 'HAVE BASICALLY COLLAPSED' The North said it will resume military exercises and reestablish guard posts in border areas and and open front-line sites for flying propaganda balloons toward South Korea .
It said it ’ ll upgrade front-line military readiness to “ top-class combat duty system , ” while citizens are ready to “ launch the largest ever leaflet scattering with a blitz.
” These steps would end September 2018 agreements reached during inter-Korean diplomacy that were aimed at lowering military tensions at border areas .
Under those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , removed some land mines and destroyed guard posts inside the world ’ s most heavily armed border .
Some outside experts have said these moves undermined South Korea ’ s security more as the North ’ s nuclear weapons arsenal remain intact .
South Korea ’ s government didn ’ t immediately respond to the North Korean military statement .
Seoul ’ s Defense Ministry had said Tuesday it would strongly deal with future provocation by North Korea .
US IN 'CLOSE COORDINATION ' WITH SOUTH KOREA AFTER NORTH KOREA BLOWS UP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea would resort to provocation to wrest outside concessions because its economy has likely worsened under the persistent U.S.-led sanctions and the coronavirus pandemic .
North Korea may also be frustrated because the sanctions prevent Seoul from breaking away from Washington to resume joint economic projects with Pyongyang .
The North ’ s official Korean Central News Agency on Wednesday said the hard-line steps were taken to retaliate for South Korea ’ s failure to prevent activists from floating propaganda leaflets across the border .
The building destruction was a “ reflection of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punish human scum who challenged the noblest dignity and prestige of our country and those who sheltered the scum , perpetrators of shuddering crime.
” It said the destruction was the first step in the retaliation and North Korea will set the intensity and timing for its additional steps while closely monitoring South Korean moves .
“ Under such an acute situation as now , shameless and reckless attitude and response of the South Korean authorities will lead to our tougher retaliation plans , ” it said .
The liaison office , built @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost of $ 8.3 million , was opened days before the 2018 tension-reduction deals were reached .
It was the first such office established between the Koreas since their 1945 division .
Kim Yo Jong , the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un , issued a separate statement saying North Korea had rebuffed a recent offer by South Korean President Moon Jae-in to send special envoys to Pyongyang to defuse animosities .
NORTH KOREA BLOWS UP SOUTH KOREA LIAISON OFFICE : SEOUL She said Moon had offered to dispatch his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief Suh Hun at the earliest possible date that North Korea would want .
Moon ’ s office didn ’ t immediately confirm the North ’ s report .
Kim Yo Jong , who has spearheaded the North ’ s recent fiery rhetoric against South Korea , called Moon ’ s offer “ unrealistic ” and “ nonsensical.
” “ The ( South Korean ) chief executive greatly favors sending special envoys for ‘ tiding over crises ’ and raises preposterous proposals frequently , but he has to clearly understand that such a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Kim Yo Jong said .
She said the current Korean crisis “ can be terminated only when proper price is paid ” for South Korea .
South Korea on Tuesday expressed “ strong regret ” over the destruction of the liaison office the two Koreas had opened in 2018 when ties flourished .
The statement also warned of a stern response if North Korea takes additional steps that aggravate tensions .
North Korea ’ s moves have been a serious setback to Moon ’ s efforts at engagement .
Moon champions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kim Jong Un three times and was a driving force behind the diplomacy between Pyongyang and Washington , including the first summit between Kim and President Donald Trump in Singapore in June 2018 .
Inter-Korean relations have been strained since the second Kim-Trump summit in early 2019 fell apart due to wrangling over the sanctions .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Moon and Kim , after the first of their three 2018 summits , agreed to stop all forms of hostile acts against each other , including leafleting campaigns .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ say civilian leafleting should also be banned .
Jang Kum Chol , director of the inter-Korean affairs department at North Korea ’ s ruling party , said Wednesday that Seoul is responsible for the building ’ s destruction because activists and North Korean defectors in South Korea continued launching leaflets .
“ Therefore , there can be no exchange or exchange with ( the South ’ s ) government .
No words will be exchanged at all , ” Jang said .

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SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea said Wednesday it will redeploy troops to now-shuttered inter-Korean cooperation sites, reinstall guard posts and resume military exercises at front-line areas, nullifying the landmark tension-reducing deals reached with South Korea just two years ago.
The announcement came a day after North Korea destroyed an inter-Korean liaison office in a choreographed display of anger that puts pressure on Washington and Seoul amid deadlocked nuclear diplomacy. The demolition was the most provocative act by North Korea since it entered nuclear talks in 2018, though the building in its border town of Kaesong was empty and the North had previously signaled plans to blow it up.
The North’s General Staff said military units will be deployed to the Diamond Mountain resort and the Kaesong industrial complex, both just north of the heavily fortified border. Those sites, once symbols of inter-Korean cooperation, have been shuttered for years due to inter-Korean disputes and the economic sanctions imposed on North Korea because of its nuclear program.
CHRIS WALLACE SAYS NORTH KOREA'S DESTRUCTION OF LIASON OFFICE INDICATES NUKE TALKS 'HAVE BASICALLY COLLAPSED'
The North said it will resume military exercises and reestablish guard posts in border areas and and open front-line sites for flying propaganda balloons toward South Korea. It said it’ll upgrade front-line military readiness to “top-class combat duty system,” while citizens are ready to “launch the largest ever leaflet scattering with a blitz.”
These steps would end September 2018 agreements reached during inter-Korean diplomacy that were aimed at lowering military tensions at border areas.
Under those agreements, both Koreas halted live-firing exercises, removed some land mines and destroyed guard posts inside the world’s most heavily armed border. Some outside experts have said these moves undermined South Korea’s security more as the North’s nuclear weapons arsenal remain intact.
South Korea’s government didn’t immediately respond to the North Korean military statement. Seoul’s Defense Ministry had said Tuesday it would strongly deal with future provocation by North Korea.
US IN 'CLOSE COORDINATION' WITH SOUTH KOREA AFTER NORTH KOREA BLOWS UP LIAISON OFFICE
Some outside analysts predicted North Korea would resort to provocation to wrest outside concessions because its economy has likely worsened under the persistent U.S.-led sanctions and the coronavirus pandemic. North Korea may also be frustrated because the sanctions prevent Seoul from breaking away from Washington to resume joint economic projects with Pyongyang.
The North’s official Korean Central News Agency on Wednesday said the hard-line steps were taken to retaliate for South Korea’s failure to prevent activists from floating propaganda leaflets across the border.
The building destruction was a “reflection of the zeal of our enraged people to punish human scum who challenged the noblest dignity and prestige of our country and those who sheltered the scum, perpetrators of shuddering crime.”
It said the destruction was the first step in the retaliation and North Korea will set the intensity and timing for its additional steps while closely monitoring South Korean moves. “Under such an acute situation as now, shameless and reckless attitude and response of the South Korean authorities will lead to our tougher retaliation plans,” it said.
The liaison office, built with South Korean money at a reported cost of $8.3 million, was opened days before the 2018 tension-reduction deals were reached. It was the first such office established between the Koreas since their 1945 division.
Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, issued a separate statement saying North Korea had rebuffed a recent offer by South Korean President Moon Jae-in to send special envoys to Pyongyang to defuse animosities.
NORTH KOREA BLOWS UP SOUTH KOREA LIAISON OFFICE: SEOUL
She said Moon had offered to dispatch his National Security Director Chung Eui-yong and spy chief Suh Hun at the earliest possible date that North Korea would want. Moon’s office didn’t immediately confirm the North’s report.
Kim Yo Jong, who has spearheaded the North’s recent fiery rhetoric against South Korea, called Moon’s offer “unrealistic” and “nonsensical.”
“The (South Korean) chief executive greatly favors sending special envoys for ‘tiding over crises’ and raises preposterous proposals frequently, but he has to clearly understand that such a trick will no longer work on us,” Kim Yo Jong said. She said the current Korean crisis “can be terminated only when proper price is paid” for South Korea.
South Korea on Tuesday expressed “strong regret” over the destruction of the liaison office the two Koreas had opened in 2018 when ties flourished. The statement also warned of a stern response if North Korea takes additional steps that aggravate tensions.
North Korea’s moves have been a serious setback to Moon’s efforts at engagement. Moon champions greater reconciliation with North Korea, met Kim Jong Un three times and was a driving force behind the diplomacy between Pyongyang and Washington, including the first summit between Kim and President Donald Trump in Singapore in June 2018.
Inter-Korean relations have been strained since the second Kim-Trump summit in early 2019 fell apart due to wrangling over the sanctions.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Moon and Kim, after the first of their three 2018 summits, agreed to stop all forms of hostile acts against each other, including leafleting campaigns. But the agreement doesn’t clearly say civilian leafleting should also be banned.
Jang Kum Chol, director of the inter-Korean affairs department at North Korea’s ruling party, said Wednesday that Seoul is responsible for the building’s destruction because activists and North Korean defectors in South Korea continued launching leaflets.
“Therefore, there can be no exchange or exchange with (the South’s) government. No words will be exchanged at all,” Jang said.


foxnews--2020-06-17--DeMario Jackson warns new 'Bachelor' lead Matt James about 'scrutiny' he could face as a black man

Former `` Bachelor in Paradise '' star DeMario Jackson has a warning for Matt James , who was recently announced as the ABC show 's first black male lead .
Jackson , who was previously accused of sexual assault following an incident that occurred with former co-star Corrine Olympios on `` Bachelor in Paradise , '' said he believes James will face heavy scrutiny for his dating choices when the show airs next year .
Jackson , a black man , said he knows from experience that James may face criticism if he ends up falling in love , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a white contestant .
FORMER 'BACHELOR ' NICK VIALL REACTS TO REWATCHING 'FAILED ENGAGEMENT ' TO KAITLYN BRISTOWE '' I think the world 's gon na go crazy when he picks a white woman .
I do n't think we 're ready for that , '' Jackson told TMZ in a recent interview .
`` Till this day black people come up to me all the time : 'Do n't mess with those white women . '
'' Jackson said he still receives direct messages on social media from strangers directing him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I ca n't imagine the scrutiny that he will go through if he goes with his heart and picks somebody who he genuinely likes who happens to be white , '' Jackson said .
FORMER 'BACHELORETTE ' RACHEL LINDSAY SAYS SHE 'LL QUIT FRANCHISE UNLESS DIVERSITY PROBLEMS ARE SOLVED The former embattled ABC star , who was vindicated after the production company for `` Bachelor in Paradise '' concluded no misconduct occurred , said the only option for James is to follow his heart and turn a blind eye to the naysayers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think pieces on whoever he picks .
So knowing that , pick whoever you want to be in love with !
Pick whoever you love ! ''
DeMario added .
`` If you 're going to get heat and people are going to talk s -- t on you , you might as well receive all that hate and be 100 percent you versus somebody else . ''
The ABC show announced on Friday that Matt James , 28 , will be the star of the show 's upcoming 25th season .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backlash the franchise has received from its former contestants in recent weeks for its yearslong lack of diversity .
'FANTASTIC FOUR ' DIRECTOR JOSH TRANK CLAIMS HE GOT 'PRETTY HEAVY PUSHBACK ' FOR WANTING TO CAST BLACK ACTRESS According to reports , James is a real estate broker and entrepreneur .
He was previously set to be a contestant on Clare Crawley 's upcoming season of `` The Bachelorette '' before the coronavirus pandemic postponed production .
He 's also a close friend and roommate of Bachelor Nation favorite Tyler Cameron .
ABC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement last week that James was one of producers ' top choices when deciding who to cast for Season 25 .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “ Matt has been on our radar since February , when producers first approached him to join Bachelor Nation , as part of Clare ’ s season .
When filming couldn ’ t move forward as planned , we were given the benefit of time to get to know Matt and all agreed he would make a perfect Bachelor , '' Burke said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 .

Former "Bachelor in Paradise" star DeMario Jackson has a warning for Matt James, who was recently announced as the ABC show's first black male lead.
Jackson, who was previously accused of sexual assault following an incident that occurred with former co-star Corrine Olympios on "Bachelor in Paradise," said he believes James will face heavy scrutiny for his dating choices when the show airs next year.
Jackson, a black man, said he knows from experience that James may face criticism if he ends up falling in love, and aptly giving his final rose, to a white contestant.
FORMER 'BACHELOR' NICK VIALL REACTS TO REWATCHING 'FAILED ENGAGEMENT' TO KAITLYN BRISTOWE
"I think the world's gonna go crazy when he picks a white woman. I don't think we're ready for that," Jackson told TMZ in a recent interview. "Till this day black people come up to me all the time: 'Don't mess with those white women.'"
Jackson said he still receives direct messages on social media from strangers directing him to "leave white women alone."
"I can't imagine the scrutiny that he will go through if he goes with his heart and picks somebody who he genuinely likes who happens to be white," Jackson said.
FORMER 'BACHELORETTE' RACHEL LINDSAY SAYS SHE'LL QUIT FRANCHISE UNLESS DIVERSITY PROBLEMS ARE SOLVED
The former embattled ABC star, who was vindicated after the production company for "Bachelor in Paradise" concluded no misconduct occurred, said the only option for James is to follow his heart and turn a blind eye to the naysayers.
"There's going to be think pieces on whoever he picks. So knowing that, pick whoever you want to be in love with! Pick whoever you love!" DeMario added. "If you're going to get heat and people are going to talk s--t on you, you might as well receive all that hate and be 100 percent you versus somebody else."
The ABC show announced on Friday that Matt James, 28, will be the star of the show's upcoming 25th season. The decision comes amid an overwhelming amount of backlash the franchise has received from its former contestants in recent weeks for its yearslong lack of diversity.
'FANTASTIC FOUR' DIRECTOR JOSH TRANK CLAIMS HE GOT 'PRETTY HEAVY PUSHBACK' FOR WANTING TO CAST BLACK ACTRESS
According to reports, James is a real estate broker and entrepreneur. He was previously set to be a contestant on Clare Crawley's upcoming season of "The Bachelorette" before the coronavirus pandemic postponed production.
He's also a close friend and roommate of Bachelor Nation favorite Tyler Cameron.
ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke said in a statement last week that James was one of producers' top choices when deciding who to cast for Season 25.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Matt has been on our radar since February, when producers first approached him to join Bachelor Nation, as part of Clare’s season. When filming couldn’t move forward as planned, we were given the benefit of time to get to know Matt and all agreed he would make a perfect Bachelor," Burke said.
Season 25 is scheduled to premiere in 2021.


foxnews--2020-06-17--George Floyd's brother, Philonise, gives message to UN panel investigating 'systemic racism' in US

The brother of George Floyd made an earnest plea on Wednesday , urging the top human rights body of the United Nations to launch intense international scrutiny of systemic racism , the killing of black people by police and violence against peaceful protesters in the United States .
Philonise Floyd , in a video message to the Human Rights Council , backed a call by dozens of African countries hoping to create a Commission of Inquiry — the council ’ s most powerful tool of scrutiny — to report on racism and violence against protesters by police in the U.S @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potentially uncomfortable spotlight on the U.S. , which calls itself the world ’ s “ leading advocate ” for human rights , comes as it has no voice in the room : The Trump administration pulled out of the 47-member body two years ago .
Floyd joined the U.N. human rights chief , the council ’ s independent rapporteur on racism , and many diplomats at an “ urgent debate ” championed by the Africa Group in the wake of his brother ’ s death .
George Floyd , a black man , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressed a knee into his neck for almost 10 minutes as he pleaded for air and eventually stopped moving .
“ I am my brother ’ s keeper .
You in the United Nations are your brothers and sisters ’ keepers in America — and you have the power to help us get justice for my brother George Floyd , ” Philonise Floyd said .
“ I am asking you to help him .
I am asking you to help me .
I am asking you to help us — black people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police brutality and racial profiling in the United States , and they were major themes during its last turn five years ago for a regular review of its human rights record that all countries go through at the council .
But never before has the United States ’ record in those areas of verminization and dehumanization led to an “ urgent debate ” on its record in those areas — and some rivals pounced .
Russia ’ s envoy accused the United States of ignoring racism for decades , and derided a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. China ’ s representative said his country was “ saddened and shocked ” by Floyd ’ s death , saying it wasn ’ t an isolated case and one that exposed “ chronic and deep-rooted racial discrimination ” in the United States .
The U.S. ambassador in Geneva , Andrew Bremberg — in a statement ahead of the debate — acknowledged “ shortcomings ” in the United States , including racial discrimination and insisted the government was “ transparent ” about dealing with it .
President Trump has condemned the actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Floyd ’ s death , and on Tuesday signed an executive order on police reform .
“ The United States recognizes and is committed to addressing its shortcomings , including racial discrimination , and injustices that stem from such discrimination , that persist in our society , ” said Bremberg .
“ Every democracy faces challenges — the difference is how we deal with them.
” The executive order , Bremberg said in a statement , was “ an example of how transparent and responsive our government leaders are in holding violators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own system.
” The U.N.-backed council , which counts 47 member states , was also discussing a draft resolution floated by the Africa Group that singles out the United States .
The text calls for a commission of inquiry to examine and report on “ systemic racism ” and abuses against “ Africans and of people of African descent ” in the U.S. and beyond .
Such work would be carried out “ with a view to bringing perpetrators to justice , ” the text states .
Calling the U.S. the world ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights , Bremberg said : “ We are not above scrutiny ; however , any HRC ( Human Rights Council ) resolution on this topic that calls out countries by name should be inclusive , noting the many countries where racism is a problem .
“ We call upon all governments to demonstrate the same level of transparency and accountability that the U.S. and our democratic partners practice , ” Bremberg said , making veiled references to Iran and China over their alleged shortcomings when it comes to human rights , too .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ concentration camps directed at an ethnic minority ” and a policy of “ systemic racial discrimination against African nationals during the COVID-19 crisis ” — a reference to detention centers for China ’ s Uighur minority and allegations of racial discrimination against black people in China during the coronavirus outbreak .
Bremberg pointed to how “ another member state brutally murders more than 1,500 peaceful protesters , ” in a reference to a crackdown against anti-government protesters in Iran in November .
That figure is far in excess of the 304 people that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bayefsky , director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust and president of Human Rights Voices , also questioned the debate and resolution .
“ The U.N. ‘ Human Rights ’ Council is now gearing up to create a Commission of Inquiry focusing on human rights violations in the United States .
The same Council has never created a Commission of Inquiry on Mauritania – a world capital of slavery , on Saudi Arabia – home turf for gender-apartheid -- on Iran – the world leader in terror and antisemitism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ethnic prejudice -- or on Russia – a systemic practitioner of LGBTQ oppression , ” she told Fox News Wednesday afternoon .
The U.S. has not participated in any of the thrice-yearly council sessions since the Trump administration pulled out in June 2018 , citing an alleged anti-Israel bias and acceptance of rights-abusing autocratic states as members .
The United States has a right to respond as a “ concerned country ” in the debate , but was not expected to use it — at least not in person .
CORONAVIRUS : WHAT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to continue on Thursday , when a vote on the African resolution could come up .
Bayefsky , a human rights scholar and activist , added : “ Today ’ s Human Rights Council ’ s ‘ urgent debate ’ featured Syria 's chemical weapons aficionados lecturing the United States on solutions for ‘ brutality ’ and ‘ social inequality.
’ The members of the U.N. Human Rights Council who will vote on tomorrow ’ s resolution include some of the world ’ s most appalling examples of racism , racial and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo , Somalia , Sudan , and Libya .
`` The saddest part of invoking the U.N. ’ s so-called ‘ Human Rights Council ' as a means to encourage reform in a democratic society like the United States , is that the U.N. ’ s lead human rights body is a global vehicle to cover-up and promote intolerance , not to eradicate it .
Hypocrisy , double standards , deceit and duplicity is not a recipe for moral progress.
” Many countries , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appealed for greater time to discuss the Africa Group resolution , but expressed overwhelming support for efforts to fight racism .
Defenders of the resolution say such abuses in the U.S. are too common despite a working judicial system , and now is the time to act — through intensified scrutiny .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .

The brother of George Floyd made an earnest plea on Wednesday, urging the top human rights body of the United Nations to launch intense international scrutiny of systemic racism, the killing of black people by police and violence against peaceful protesters in the United States.
Philonise Floyd, in a video message to the Human Rights Council, backed a call by dozens of African countries hoping to create a Commission of Inquiry — the council’s most powerful tool of scrutiny — to report on racism and violence against protesters by police in the U.S.
The unprecedented effort to train a potentially uncomfortable spotlight on the U.S., which calls itself the world’s “leading advocate” for human rights, comes as it has no voice in the room: The Trump administration pulled out of the 47-member body two years ago.
Floyd joined the U.N. human rights chief, the council’s independent rapporteur on racism, and many diplomats at an “urgent debate” championed by the Africa Group in the wake of his brother’s death. George Floyd, a black man, died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee into his neck for almost 10 minutes as he pleaded for air and eventually stopped moving.
“I am my brother’s keeper. You in the United Nations are your brothers and sisters’ keepers in America — and you have the power to help us get justice for my brother George Floyd,” Philonise Floyd said. “I am asking you to help him. I am asking you to help me. I am asking you to help us — black people in America.”
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
The council has regularly addressed police brutality and racial profiling in the United States, and they were major themes during its last turn five years ago for a regular review of its human rights record that all countries go through at the council.
But never before has the United States’ record in those areas of verminization and dehumanization led to an “urgent debate” on its record in those areas — and some rivals pounced.
Russia’s envoy accused the United States of ignoring racism for decades, and derided a “calamitous state of human rights” in the U.S. China’s representative said his country was “saddened and shocked” by Floyd’s death, saying it wasn’t an isolated case and one that exposed “chronic and deep-rooted racial discrimination” in the United States.
The U.S. ambassador in Geneva, Andrew Bremberg — in a statement ahead of the debate — acknowledged “shortcomings” in the United States, including racial discrimination and insisted the government was “transparent” about dealing with it.
President Trump has condemned the actions of police officers who were linked to George Floyd’s death, and on Tuesday signed an executive order on police reform.
“The United States recognizes and is committed to addressing its shortcomings, including racial discrimination, and injustices that stem from such discrimination, that persist in our society,” said Bremberg. “Every democracy faces challenges — the difference is how we deal with them.”
The executive order, Bremberg said in a statement, was “an example of how transparent and responsive our government leaders are in holding violators accountable for their actions and reforming our own system.”
The U.N.-backed council, which counts 47 member states, was also discussing a draft resolution floated by the Africa Group that singles out the United States. The text calls for a commission of inquiry to examine and report on “systemic racism” and abuses against “Africans and of people of African descent” in the U.S. and beyond.
Such work would be carried out “with a view to bringing perpetrators to justice,” the text states.
Calling the U.S. the world’s “leading advocate” for human rights, Bremberg said: “We are not above scrutiny; however, any HRC (Human Rights Council) resolution on this topic that calls out countries by name should be inclusive, noting the many countries where racism is a problem.
“We call upon all governments to demonstrate the same level of transparency and accountability that the U.S. and our democratic partners practice,” Bremberg said, making veiled references to Iran and China over their alleged shortcomings when it comes to human rights, too.
He alluded to recent accusations of “concentration camps directed at an ethnic minority” and a policy of “systemic racial discrimination against African nationals during the COVID-19 crisis” — a reference to detention centers for China’s Uighur minority and allegations of racial discrimination against black people in China during the coronavirus outbreak.
Bremberg pointed to how “another member state brutally murders more than 1,500 peaceful protesters,” in a reference to a crackdown against anti-government protesters in Iran in November. That figure is far in excess of the 304 people that Amnesty International estimated were killed.
Anne Bayefsky, director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust and president of Human Rights Voices, also questioned the debate and resolution.
“The U.N. ‘Human Rights’ Council is now gearing up to create a Commission of Inquiry focusing on human rights violations in the United States. The same Council has never created a Commission of Inquiry on Mauritania – a world capital of slavery, on Saudi Arabia – home turf for gender-apartheid--on Iran – the world leader in terror and antisemitism--on China – an epicenter of ethnic prejudice--or on Russia – a systemic practitioner of LGBTQ oppression,” she told Fox News Wednesday afternoon.
The U.S. has not participated in any of the thrice-yearly council sessions since the Trump administration pulled out in June 2018, citing an alleged anti-Israel bias and acceptance of rights-abusing autocratic states as members. The United States has a right to respond as a “concerned country” in the debate, but was not expected to use it — at least not in person.
CORONAVIRUS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The debate was expected to continue on Thursday, when a vote on the African resolution could come up.
Bayefsky, a human rights scholar and activist, added: “Today’s Human Rights Council’s ‘urgent debate’ featured Syria's chemical weapons aficionados lecturing the United States on solutions for ‘brutality’ and ‘social inequality.’ The members of the U.N. Human Rights Council who will vote on tomorrow’s resolution include some of the world’s most appalling examples of racism, racial and religious discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Sudan, and Libya.
"The saddest part of invoking the U.N.’s so-called ‘Human Rights Council' as a means to encourage reform in a democratic society like the United States, is that the U.N.’s lead human rights body is a global vehicle to cover-up and promote intolerance, not to eradicate it. Hypocrisy, double standards, deceit and duplicity is not a recipe for moral progress.”
Many countries, including other Western countries like the U.S., appealed for greater time to discuss the Africa Group resolution, but expressed overwhelming support for efforts to fight racism.
Defenders of the resolution say such abuses in the U.S. are too common despite a working judicial system, and now is the time to act — through intensified scrutiny.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


foxnews--2020-06-17--Prince William says he’s ‘worried about the waistline’ after keeping busy baking during quarantine

Prince William admitted he spent plenty of time in the kitchen during lockdown .
The British royal made his first public appearance on Tuesday since the coronavirus pandemic hit the U.K. , People magazine reported on Wednesday .
The 37-year-old visited ambulance workers in Norfolk and got candid about the extra time he had at home .
“ I ’ m worried about the waistline of the nation as well with all the chocolate and cakes , ” said the father of three , as reported by the outlet .
“ I ’ ve done a lot of baking at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” William previously revealed his weakness for chocolate during Easter when he and his wife Kate Middleton participated in their first-ever royal engagement via video call with a school .
“ There will be a lot of chocolate being eaten here , don ’ t worry !
” he boasted at the time .
KATE MIDDLETON SHARES PHOTO OF PRINCE GEORGE AND PRINCESS CHARLOTTE VOLUNTEERING WITH PRINCE WILLIAM Middleton , 38 , looked at the Duke of Cambridge and chuckled .
In April , the Duchess of Cambridge told the BBC that cooking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three children busy while quarantining at Anmer Hall , their country home .
“ The children have got such stamina , I don ’ t know how , ” said Middleton .
“ Honestly , you get to the end of the day and you write down the list of all the things that you ’ ve done on that day .
So , you pitch a tent , take the tent down again , cook , bake .
You get to the end of the day – they have had a lovely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much you can cram into one day that ’ s for sure.
” This time , William stepped away from Anmer Hall to visit a base at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King ’ s Lynn , the outlet shared .
His office at Kensington Palace revealed William wanted to personally thank the frontline workers “ for their work and dedication responding to the COVID-19 outbreak and to hear more about their experiences over the past few months.
” PRINCE CHARLES REVEALS WHAT HE MISSES ABOUT HIS FAMILY WHILE IN QUARANTINE PRINCE WILLIAM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RETURN TO LONDON OR MOVE ELSEWHERE SAFER ' BEYOND LA , SOURCE CLAIMS William ’ s public outing came as the U.K. government started lifting some restrictions .
His father , Prince Charles , as well as his stepmother , Camilla , Duchess of Cornwall , were the first senior royals to step out and thank those who have been fighting the crisis .
The royal couple was spotted on Tuesday morning meeting essential workers in Gloucestershire .
The Duke of Cambridge 's work with Shout 85258 — an around-the-clock text messaging helpline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made public to mark Volunteers Week .
Last month , he told fellow volunteers in a video call that was shared on social media late Friday : “ I ’ m going to share a little secret with you guys , but I ’ m actually on the platform volunteering . ''

Prince William admitted he spent plenty of time in the kitchen during lockdown.
The British royal made his first public appearance on Tuesday since the coronavirus pandemic hit the U.K., People magazine reported on Wednesday. The 37-year-old visited ambulance workers in Norfolk and got candid about the extra time he had at home.
“I’m worried about the waistline of the nation as well with all the chocolate and cakes,” said the father of three, as reported by the outlet. “I’ve done a lot of baking at home. Chocolate goes down very well.”
William previously revealed his weakness for chocolate during Easter when he and his wife Kate Middleton participated in their first-ever royal engagement via video call with a school.
“There will be a lot of chocolate being eaten here, don’t worry!” he boasted at the time.
KATE MIDDLETON SHARES PHOTO OF PRINCE GEORGE AND PRINCESS CHARLOTTE VOLUNTEERING WITH PRINCE WILLIAM
PRINCE WILLIAM REVEALS HE'S SECRETLY BEEN A HELPLINE VOLUNTEER AMID CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
Middleton, 38, looked at the Duke of Cambridge and chuckled.
“You keep eating it!” she exclaimed.
In April, the Duchess of Cambridge told the BBC that cooking and baking were helpful in keeping their three children busy while quarantining at Anmer Hall, their country home.
“The children have got such stamina, I don’t know how,” said Middleton. “Honestly, you get to the end of the day and you write down the list of all the things that you’ve done on that day. So, you pitch a tent, take the tent down again, cook, bake. You get to the end of the day – they have had a lovely time – but it is amazing how much you can cram into one day that’s for sure.”
This time, William stepped away from Anmer Hall to visit a base at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, the outlet shared.
His office at Kensington Palace revealed William wanted to personally thank the frontline workers “for their work and dedication responding to the COVID-19 outbreak and to hear more about their experiences over the past few months.”
PRINCE CHARLES REVEALS WHAT HE MISSES ABOUT HIS FAMILY WHILE IN QUARANTINE
PRINCE WILLIAM ‘ADVISED’ PRINCE HARRY ‘TO RETURN TO LONDON OR MOVE ELSEWHERE SAFER' BEYOND LA, SOURCE CLAIMS
William’s public outing came as the U.K. government started lifting some restrictions.
His father, Prince Charles, as well as his stepmother, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, were the first senior royals to step out and thank those who have been fighting the crisis. The royal couple was spotted on Tuesday morning meeting essential workers in Gloucestershire.
William recently revealed he’s secretly been a helpline volunteer amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Duke of Cambridge's work with Shout 85258 — an around-the-clock text messaging helpline developed by the Royal Foundation — was made public to mark Volunteers Week.
Last month, he told fellow volunteers in a video call that was shared on social media late Friday: “I’m going to share a little secret with you guys, but I’m actually on the platform volunteering."
Fox News’ Nate Day contributed to this report.


foxnews--2020-06-17--Steve Scalise demands answers from Dem governors over 'heartbreaking' COVID-19 nursing home deaths

House Minority Whip Steve Scalise , R-La.
, is demanding answers from Democratic governors in five states who he said went “ a dangerous and a deadly direction ” by ignoring protocols and forcing COVID-19 patients into nursing homes .
Scalise sent a letter to five governors asking them to explain why they ignored protocols .
He told “ Fox & Friends ” on Wednesday that five states “ for whatever reason ” chose to contradict The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ( CMS ) guidelines for long-term care facilities or nursing homes , which he said “ ended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unnecessarily.
” Scalise made the comments as the U.S. death toll from the novel coronavirus in nursing homes and other long-term-care facilities has topped 50,000 , The Wall Street Journal reported , citing state data .
The coronavirus is much more dangerous for older people than it is for the young and healthy , a fact that was underscored by the blowback New York Democratic Gov .
Andrew Cuomo received after it was revealed he issued a directive requiring nursing homes to admit COVID-19 patients before eventually reversing course .
“ We 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but 40 percent of all the nursing homes deaths in America came down to five states who violated and contradicted the CMS guidelines that were out , that were very clear , that told states how to properly handle nursing home patients who were COVID positive , ” Scalise said .
He emphasized that “ most of those states , 45 of those states followed the guidelines , Republican and Democrat governors alike , but five states , for whatever reason , chose to go a different direction.
” CUOMO DOWNPLAYS CALLS FOR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : 'ASK PRESIDENT TRUMP' He noted that questions he wants answered include : “ Why did they give those orders ?
Why did they go against the safety guidelines that were issued from CMS ?
And why wo n't they give us all the disclosure of the patient information that they were giving and then all of a sudden when we started discovering this they clammed up and they ’ re not letting the public see what these numbers really are ?
” He pointed out that five states , including New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do their own thing and they forced the nursing homes to take back the patient ” after they tested positive for COVID-19 .
Scalise noted that Cuomo “ prohibited the nursing homes from even testing COVID-positive patients.
” “ He said , ‘ You ca n't even test them , you have to take them back even if you do n't have the ability to isolate them ’ and this turned out to be a death sentence for thousands of seniors in each of these states ’ nursing homes , ” Scalise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see it happen.
” He went on to say that he asked “ the governors to come testify and explain why they did this and also to give us the data that they have , ” which he said “ they just stopped reporting ” to the public .
Cuomo has defended his directive as in line with guidance from the Trump administration and noted that other states did the same thing .
But Scalise pointed out that the Trump administration changed its guidance in mid-March to caution against sending coronavirus patients to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handle the disease .
New York 's policy remained in place until May 10 .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Cuomo 's defense is not stopping Scalise from putting Democratic governors whose decision-making might have contributed to preventable deaths in their states on the hot seat -- he also mentioned Democrat-led Pennsylvania , Michigan and California in his remarks in a briefing for the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis last week .
Fox News ’ Tyler Olson and The Associated Press contributed to this report .

House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., is demanding answers from Democratic governors in five states who he said went “a dangerous and a deadly direction” by ignoring protocols and forcing COVID-19 patients into nursing homes.
Scalise sent a letter to five governors asking them to explain why they ignored protocols. He told “Fox & Friends” on Wednesday that five states “for whatever reason” chose to contradict The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines for long-term care facilities or nursing homes, which he said “ended up killing thousands of nursing homes patients unnecessarily.”
Scalise made the comments as the U.S. death toll from the novel coronavirus in nursing homes and other long-term-care facilities has topped 50,000, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing state data.
The coronavirus is much more dangerous for older people than it is for the young and healthy, a fact that was underscored by the blowback New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo received after it was revealed he issued a directive requiring nursing homes to admit COVID-19 patients before eventually reversing course.
“We're still trying to get more information, but 40 percent of all the nursing homes deaths in America came down to five states who violated and contradicted the CMS guidelines that were out, that were very clear, that told states how to properly handle nursing home patients who were COVID positive,” Scalise said.
He emphasized that “most of those states, 45 of those states followed the guidelines, Republican and Democrat governors alike, but five states, for whatever reason, chose to go a different direction.”
“We've been calling for answers,” Scalise continued.
CUOMO DOWNPLAYS CALLS FOR FEDERAL PROBE INTO NURSING HOME CORONAVIRUS DEATHS: 'ASK PRESIDENT TRUMP'
He noted that questions he wants answered include: “Why did they give those orders? Why did they go against the safety guidelines that were issued from CMS? And why won't they give us all the disclosure of the patient information that they were giving and then all of a sudden when we started discovering this they clammed up and they’re not letting the public see what these numbers really are?”
He pointed out that five states, including New York, “decided they’re going to do their own thing and they forced the nursing homes to take back the patient” after they tested positive for COVID-19.
Scalise noted that Cuomo “prohibited the nursing homes from even testing COVID-positive patients.”
“He said, ‘You can't even test them, you have to take them back even if you don't have the ability to isolate them’ and this turned out to be a death sentence for thousands of seniors in each of these states’ nursing homes,” Scalise said. “It was heartbreaking to see it happen.”
He went on to say that he asked “the governors to come testify and explain why they did this and also to give us the data that they have,” which he said “they just stopped reporting” to the public.
Cuomo has defended his directive as in line with guidance from the Trump administration and noted that other states did the same thing. But Scalise pointed out that the Trump administration changed its guidance in mid-March to caution against sending coronavirus patients to nursing homes "not prepared" to handle the disease. New York's policy remained in place until May 10.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Cuomo's defense is not stopping Scalise from putting Democratic governors whose decision-making might have contributed to preventable deaths in their states on the hot seat -- he also mentioned Democrat-led Pennsylvania, Michigan and California in his remarks in a briefing for the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis last week.
Fox News’ Tyler Olson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.


foxnews--2020-06-17--Eli Lilly pharmaceutical company starts Phase 3 coronavirus trial with drug used to treat arthritis

The first patient has been enrolled in Eli Lilly ’ s Phase 3 clinical trial to test whether an arthritis drug , baricitinib , marketed as Olumiant , can treat hospitalized COVID-19 patients .
The pharmaceutical company made the announcement on Monday , saying it expected to enroll 400 patients in the trial , with data to come in the next few months .
OREGON CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK LINKED TO ONE CHURCH , AUTHORITIES SAY '' Lilly is committed to fighting this global pandemic , and this includes testing whether existing medicines including baricitinib could help treat the complications of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Lilly senior vice president and president of Lilly Bio-Medicines , according to the press release .
`` This randomized controlled study is an important step in our understanding of baricitinib as a potential COVID-19 treatment . ''
The study will be conducted in the U.S. , Europe and Latin America .
It will include hospitalized COVID-19 patients showing at least one elevated marker of inflammation but don ’ t need mechanical ventilation at study entry .
Baricitinib is approved in 70 countries to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the drug can reduce the aggressive immune response , or cytokine storm , sometimes associated with COVID-19 infections .
Baricitinib may also reduce the ability of infected cells to make more virus .
Patients involved in the study will receive drug or a placebo for up to 14 days or until discharge from the hospital .
On a separate note , one doctor voiced promise earlier in the pandemic for arthritis drug , Tocilizumab , in the treatment of COVID-19 .
California pulmonary disease specialist , Dr. Imran Sharief , recalled a patient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as shortness of breath and fever when conditions started suddenly deteriorating .
The patient was depending on maximum support from a ventilator upon treatment with tocilizumab .
“ We were already cautious and we were worried because this patient was extremely young , so we started the medication right away , ” Sharief told Fox News .
He reported seeing a response within 72 hours and , after five days , he transitioned the patient off the ventilator and into a regular ward .
Sharief still recommends other doctors start the medication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high oxygen requirement .

The first patient has been enrolled in Eli Lilly’s Phase 3 clinical trial to test whether an arthritis drug, baricitinib, marketed as Olumiant, can treat hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
The pharmaceutical company made the announcement on Monday, saying it expected to enroll 400 patients in the trial, with data to come in the next few months.
OREGON CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK LINKED TO ONE CHURCH, AUTHORITIES SAY
"Lilly is committed to fighting this global pandemic, and this includes testing whether existing medicines including baricitinib could help treat the complications of COVID-19 in patients," said Patrik Jonsson, Lilly senior vice president and president of Lilly Bio-Medicines, according to the press release. "This randomized controlled study is an important step in our understanding of baricitinib as a potential COVID-19 treatment."
The study will be conducted in the U.S., Europe and Latin America. It will include hospitalized COVID-19 patients showing at least one elevated marker of inflammation but don’t need mechanical ventilation at study entry.
NIH LAUNCHES PLATFORM FOR NATIONWIDE CORONAVIRUS PATIENT DATA
Baricitinib is approved in 70 countries to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis, the company wrote.
Lilly hypothesizes the drug can reduce the aggressive immune response, or cytokine storm, sometimes associated with COVID-19 infections. Baricitinib may also reduce the ability of infected cells to make more virus.
Patients involved in the study will receive drug or a placebo for up to 14 days or until discharge from the hospital.
WHO CHEERS COVID-19 TRIAL RESULTS OF DEXAMETHASONE
On a separate note, one doctor voiced promise earlier in the pandemic for arthritis drug, Tocilizumab, in the treatment of COVID-19. California pulmonary disease specialist, Dr. Imran Sharief, recalled a patient in their 30s, exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms such as shortness of breath and fever when conditions started suddenly deteriorating. The patient was depending on maximum support from a ventilator upon treatment with tocilizumab.
“We were already cautious and we were worried because this patient was extremely young, so we started the medication right away,” Sharief told Fox News.
He reported seeing a response within 72 hours and, after five days, he transitioned the patient off the ventilator and into a regular ward.
Sharief still recommends other doctors start the medication quickly for deteriorating COVID-19 patients with a high oxygen requirement.


foxnews--2020-06-17--Laura Ingraham says Dems, left doing all they can to distract Americans from 'Wizard of Uhhs' Biden

Laura Ingraham kicked off `` The Ingraham Angle '' Tuesday by comparing Joe Biden to the Wizard of Oz .
`` Are n't you reminded of the wizard hiding behind that curtain , trying to project a figure of strength to the public yet ultimately failing ? ''
Ingraham asked after playing clips of Biden speaking in roundabout ways and apparently losing his train of thought .
`` Lucky for Joe , his staff limits his interview time and the press blocks and tackles for him as he mutters and stumbles along as you just saw , '' she added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave Biden `` cover '' to avoid television interviews and unscripted public events , and allowed `` anti-Trump forces '' to distract the public with false narratives and `` perpetual fear . ''
For example , Ingraham cited the criticism of Trump 's plan to hold a rally in Tulsa , Okla. while massive protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement pack the streets of cities like New York , which has been devastated by the virus .
`` [ They say ] 'Trump does n't care about people 's health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week earlier , it was 'Wow , those massive BLM protests are inspiring ' [ or ] 'Trump will refuse to leave office if he loses ' . ''
Another distraction , Ingraham claimed , is the ongoing vandalism of public monuments and other buildings .
`` Now , the new generals of idiocracy bravely tear down monuments to all generals of the Confederacy .
One problem .
These anti-history buffs end up defacing other monuments of people who actually worked for the abolitionist movement , '' she said .
`` All of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appears at times , is a complete diversion , '' she said .
`` The new Bolsheviks hope you will be so riveted by whatever pixie dust is thrown in the air that you 'll forget that your party is about to nominate someone who struggles with that whole subject-verb/direct object thing .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP '' Beyond the verbal and cognitive miscues , [ Biden ] is just a Washington dinosaur that roamed the swamp for 40 years or so , and yet failed to make any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ irredeemably corrupt system . ''
Ingraham concluded by wondering why , if Biden is the man for the moment , he was unable to take sweeping actions on issues such as policing in his more than four decades as a senator and vice president .
`` After [ the deaths of ] Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown , they could have rallied Congress , '' she said .
`` Instead , they tossed out crumbs to satisfy their angry activist base .
`` How hard is it to imagine Biden doing his own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tour ?
And while Joe was busy apologizing , China and the E.U .
will clean his and our clock -- [ and ] just like Dorothy and friends , Americans will be disappointed if it becomes apparent that Biden behind that curtain wo n't make their wishes come true .
He is just `` The Wizard of Uhhs . ''

Laura Ingraham kicked off "The Ingraham Angle" Tuesday by comparing Joe Biden to the Wizard of Oz.
"Aren't you reminded of the wizard hiding behind that curtain, trying to project a figure of strength to the public yet ultimately failing?" Ingraham asked after playing clips of Biden speaking in roundabout ways and apparently losing his train of thought.
"Lucky for Joe, his staff limits his interview time and the press blocks and tackles for him as he mutters and stumbles along as you just saw," she added.
Ingraham noted that the coronavirus crisis gave Biden "cover" to avoid television interviews and unscripted public events, and allowed "anti-Trump forces" to distract the public with false narratives and "perpetual fear."
For example, Ingraham cited the criticism of Trump's plan to hold a rally in Tulsa, Okla. while massive protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement pack the streets of cities like New York, which has been devastated by the virus.
"[They say] 'Trump doesn't care about people's health,' [but] remember a week earlier, it was 'Wow, those massive BLM protests are inspiring' [or] 'Trump will refuse to leave office if he loses'."
Another distraction, Ingraham claimed, is the ongoing vandalism of public monuments and other buildings.
"Now, the new generals of idiocracy bravely tear down monuments to all generals of the Confederacy. One problem. These anti-history buffs end up defacing other monuments of people who actually worked for the abolitionist movement," she said.
"All of this is, as dramatic as it appears at times, is a complete diversion," she said. "The new Bolsheviks hope you will be so riveted by whatever pixie dust is thrown in the air that you'll forget that your party is about to nominate someone who struggles with that whole subject-verb/direct object thing.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
"Beyond the verbal and cognitive miscues, [Biden] is just a Washington dinosaur that roamed the swamp for 40 years or so, and yet failed to make any meaningful structural changes to our supposedly almost irredeemably corrupt system."
Ingraham concluded by wondering why, if Biden is the man for the moment, he was unable to take sweeping actions on issues such as policing in his more than four decades as a senator and vice president.
"After [the deaths of] Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, they could have rallied Congress," she said. "Instead, they tossed out crumbs to satisfy their angry activist base.
"How hard is it to imagine Biden doing his own version of Obama's post-Bush 2009 apology tour? And while Joe was busy apologizing, China and the E.U. will clean his and our clock -- [and] just like Dorothy and friends, Americans will be disappointed if it becomes apparent that Biden behind that curtain won't make their wishes come true. He is just "The Wizard of Uhhs."


foxnews--2020-06-16--Dallas Stars' Roman Polak won't return to NHL amid season restart unless he has to: 'It's not for me

Dallas Stars' Roman Polak won't return to NHL amid season restart unless he has to: 'It's not for me'

Dallas Stars fans can likely expect that Roman Polak will not return for playoffs when the NHL returns , after the 34-year-old defensemen told a Czech website on Monday that he will do what he can to “ avoid it.
” Polak told iSport that he ’ s “ determined to stay at home ” and that he would only return “ if I relly had to finish , ” ESPN reported , citing a google translation .
“ I will not lie , it is not for me , ” Polak added , reffering to the conditions the players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea that I should jump on the ice after three weeks of training and start playing live .
This is unimaginable at my age .
Younger players may be able to do it , but I need two months before I get off the ground so I do n't have to do anything else.
” He continued : “ It 's weird to go back to it like this .
Sometimes it occurs to me that there are an awful lot of questions .
If it 's really worth the money and effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , that we should only stay at the hotel , at the stadium , and slowly they should n't see each other .
Even that costs a lot of money to start everything .
Earnings would have to be worth it.
” The league has previously said that it will be open to players concerns regarding their return but that it ’ s something they will deal with then the time comes .
AUSTRALIAN NICK KYRGIOS CALLS DECISION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH US OPEN ‘ SELFISH ’ The NHL and NHL Players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for teams to open training camp on July 10 in the next step forward toward completing the pandemic-delayed season .
Camps are expected to last two weeks , if not slightly longer .
Under this timeline , exhibition games could begin as soon as July 24 with playoff games starting roughly a week later .
The league and union have already approved a 24-team playoff format but still need to decide on testing and health and safety protocols along with potential host cities for the games .
This is no guarantee hockey is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CLICK HERE TO GET MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Polak spent 15 years in the NHL , a majority of which he played for the St. Louis Blues .
He signed a one-year contract with Dallas in 2018 and opted to extend his contract by another year the following season .
On Monday he signed a three-year deal with HC Vitkovice that is set to begin after the NHL season ends .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .

Dallas Stars fans can likely expect that Roman Polak will not return for playoffs when the NHL returns, after the 34-year-old defensemen told a Czech website on Monday that he will do what he can to “avoid it.”
Polak told iSport that he’s “determined to stay at home” and that he would only return “if I relly had to finish,” ESPN reported, citing a google translation.
SPIKE LEE LIKENS KNICKS’ JAMES DOLAN RESPONSE TO GEORGE FLOYD TO TRUMP’S CHARLOTTESVILLE RALLY REMARK
“I will not lie, it is not for me,” Polak added, reffering to the conditions the players will have to face. “The idea that I should jump on the ice after three weeks of training and start playing live. This is unimaginable at my age. Younger players may be able to do it, but I need two months before I get off the ground so I don't have to do anything else.”
He continued: “It's weird to go back to it like this. Sometimes it occurs to me that there are an awful lot of questions. If it's really worth the money and effort. The bubble, as they call it, that we should only stay at the hotel, at the stadium, and slowly they shouldn't see each other. Even that costs a lot of money to start everything. Earnings would have to be worth it.”
The league has previously said that it will be open to players concerns regarding their return but that it’s something they will deal with then the time comes.
AUSTRALIAN NICK KYRGIOS CALLS DECISION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH US OPEN ‘SELFISH’
The NHL and NHL Players' Association gave the go-ahead last week for teams to open training camp on July 10 in the next step forward toward completing the pandemic-delayed season.
Camps are expected to last two weeks, if not slightly longer. Under this timeline, exhibition games could begin as soon as July 24 with playoff games starting roughly a week later.
The league and union have already approved a 24-team playoff format but still need to decide on testing and health and safety protocols along with potential host cities for the games. This is no guarantee hockey is coming back amid the coronavirus pandemic.
CLICK HERE TO GET MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Polak spent 15 years in the NHL, a majority of which he played for the St. Louis Blues. He signed a one-year contract with Dallas in 2018 and opted to extend his contract by another year the following season.
On Monday he signed a three-year deal with HC Vitkovice that is set to begin after the NHL season ends.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


foxnews--2020-06-17--Dr. Saphier on prolonged school and summer camp closures: The mental health effects for kids are rea

Dr. Saphier on prolonged school and summer camp closures: The mental health effects for kids are real

Fox News medical contributor Dr. Nicole Saphier said Wednesday that the mental health effects on children during the coronavirus shutdowns are a real concern , as many summer camps have declined to open this year .
Speaking on `` Fox & Friends , '' Saphier said `` 94 percent of superintendents '' across the country are not ready to talk about plans for reopening schools in the fall , raising concerns about the effects on children .
`` This conversation is being prompted by surveys out of Italy and China where they reported that children were experiencing anxiety up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they were having feelings of anxiety or difficulty breathing .
Those surveys were done from March and April .
I would like to see more modern ones or more up-to-date ones .
Let me tell you , as a mother having three kids at home , the mental health effects of these shutdowns are real , '' she said .
GOP REPS INTRODUCE BILL TO HALT A SCHOOL 'S FEDERAL FUNDING IF NOT OPEN FOR IN-PERSON LEARNING IN THE FALL Saphier said she 's concerned that the negative impact on children will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept at home rather than going to school .
`` Going to school for children is not just the fundamental basics of education .
It 's learning conflict resolution , socialization skills and building the very necessary relationships and my biggest concern is that the mental health effects are going to be here to stay , '' she said , adding that doctors have learned more about COVID-19 , including that children are `` significantly less susceptible to illness '' and they are less likely to transmit the virus than adults .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come together and get those kids back in session . ''
DR. FAUCI SAYS GEORGE FLOYD PROTESTS PROVIDE ‘ PERFECT RECIPE ’ FOR NEW CORONAVIRUS SURGES Sen. Lamar Alexander , R-Tenn. , said last week that there is a `` growing awareness '' among Americans that kids need to go back to school as soon as possible and plans must be created to do that in a safe way .
In an interview on `` America 's Newsroom '' with hosts Sandra Smith and Ed Henry , the chairman of the Senate Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HELP ) Committee pointed out that while kids must be kept safe from coronavirus , both children and their parents are `` about up to here with remote learning . ''
`` Any teacher or parent can tell you [ about ] the emotional [ and ] the intellectual impact , especially among minority kids , '' Alexander told the `` Newsroom '' hosts .
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP '' I mean , this is a time when we ’ re all talking a lot about racial injustice and disproportionate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The single best thing we can do to help minority children [ and ] low-income children is to get them back in school .
That 's where they learn .
That ’ s where they learn to deal with other children .
That ’ s where many get one meal , sometimes two , '' Alexander concluded .

Fox News medical contributor Dr. Nicole Saphier said Wednesday that the mental health effects on children during the coronavirus shutdowns are a real concern, as many summer camps have declined to open this year.
Speaking on "Fox & Friends," Saphier said "94 percent of superintendents" across the country are not ready to talk about plans for reopening schools in the fall, raising concerns about the effects on children.
"This conversation is being prompted by surveys out of Italy and China where they reported that children were experiencing anxiety up to 70 percent of the time, saying that they were having feelings of anxiety or difficulty breathing. Those surveys were done from March and April. I would like to see more modern ones or more up-to-date ones. Let me tell you, as a mother having three kids at home, the mental health effects of these shutdowns are real," she said.
GOP REPS INTRODUCE BILL TO HALT A SCHOOL'S FEDERAL FUNDING IF NOT OPEN FOR IN-PERSON LEARNING IN THE FALL
Saphier said she's concerned that the negative impact on children will be long-lasting if they continue to be kept at home rather than going to school.
"Going to school for children is not just the fundamental basics of education. It's learning conflict resolution, socialization skills and building the very necessary relationships and my biggest concern is that the mental health effects are going to be here to stay," she said, adding that doctors have learned more about COVID-19, including that children are "significantly less susceptible to illness" and they are less likely to transmit the virus than adults.
"There are smart ways that schools can come together and get those kids back in session."
DR. FAUCI SAYS GEORGE FLOYD PROTESTS PROVIDE ‘PERFECT RECIPE’ FOR NEW CORONAVIRUS SURGES
Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said last week that there is a "growing awareness" among Americans that kids need to go back to school as soon as possible and plans must be created to do that in a safe way.
In an interview on "America's Newsroom" with hosts Sandra Smith and Ed Henry, the chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee pointed out that while kids must be kept safe from coronavirus, both children and their parents are "about up to here with remote learning."
"Any teacher or parent can tell you [about] the emotional [and] the intellectual impact, especially among minority kids," Alexander told the "Newsroom" hosts.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP
"I mean, this is a time when we’re all talking a lot about racial injustice and disproportionate effects on low-income and minority kids. The single best thing we can do to help minority children [and] low-income children is to get them back in school. That's where they learn. That’s where they learn to deal with other children. That’s where many get one meal, sometimes two," Alexander concluded.
Fox News' Julia Musto contributed to this report.


foxnews--2020-06-17--Jon Stewart says police brutality is the fault of society, slams 'malevolent' Donald Trump’s respons

Jon Stewart says police brutality is the fault of society, slams 'malevolent' Donald Trump’s response

Jon Stewart spoke about the ongoing protests against police brutality as well as Donald Trump ’ s handling of the situation amid the coronavirus pandemic in a lengthy new interview .
The former “ Daily Show ” host spoke to The New York Times Magazine to promote his upcoming film “ Irresistible , ” which focuses on a Democratic strategist helping a man from a small conservative town win his mayoral election .
The wide-ranging interview touched upon the news of the day , prompting the comedian to note that he believes the problem with policing in the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I ’ d like to say I ’ m surprised by what happened to him , but I ’ m not , ” he said of the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis , Minn. , that sparked the ongoing protests around the country .
“ This is a cycle , and I feel that , in some ways , the issue is that we ’ re addressing the wrong problem .
We continue to make this about the police — the how of it .
How can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and de-escalation training and community policing ?
All that can make for a less-egregious relationship between the police and people of color .
But the how isn ’ t as important as the why , which we never address .
The police are a reflection of a society .
They ’ re not a rogue alien organization that came down to torment the black community.
” JON STEWART : 9/11 VICTIMS ARE 'AT THE END OF THEIR ROPE ' SEEKING HELP FROM CONGRESS He continued : “ They ’ re enforcing segregation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ never ended .
The police are , in some respects , a border patrol , and they patrol the border between the two Americas .
We have that so that the rest of us don ’ t have to deal with it .
Then that situation erupts , and we express our shock and indignation .
But if we don ’ t address the anguish of a people , the pain of being a people who built this country through forced labor — people say , ‘ ’ I ’ m tired of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imagine how [ expletive ] exhausting it is to live that.
” Stewart went on to note that police brutality is a symptom of that larger schism in American society .
However , he explained that the problem can be fixed without demonizing law enforcement .
“ There are always going to be consequences of authority .
When you give someone a badge and a gun , that ’ s going to create its own issues , and there ’ s no question that those issues can be addressed with greater accountability , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be true that you can value and admire the contribution and sacrifice that it takes to be a law-enforcement officer or an emergency medical worker in this country and yet still feel that there should be standards and accountability .
Both can be true .
But I still believe that the root of this problem is the society that we ’ ve created that contains this schism , and we don ’ t deal with it , because we ’ ve outsourced our accountability to the police.
” The 57-year-old comedian also spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as the public ’ s reaction to them .
He noted that every advancement toward equality has “ come with the spilling of blood.
” He explained that those willing to put in the work for equality can bring about change .
However , he notes that far too many people aren ’ t willing to do that work .
“ There ’ s always this begrudging sense that black people are being granted something , when it ’ s white people ’ s lack of being able to live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ birth of the country that is the problem .
There ’ s a lack of recognition of the difference in our system , ” he said .
“ Chris Rock used to do a great bit : ‘ No white person wants to change places with a black person .
They don ’ t even want to exchange places with me , and I ’ m rich.
’ It ’ s true .
There ’ s not a white person out there who would want to be treated like even a successful black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we don ’ t address the why of that treatment , the how is just window dressing.
” Later in the interview , Stewart directly addressed the president ’ s response to the situation amid the coronavirus pandemic .
He scolded Trump for not rising to this historic occasion , arguing that he ’ s merely playing his usual brand of politics .
“ You would have thought that somebody would have mentioned to Trump the idea of rising to greatness .
Instead it ’ s : ‘ Why don ’ t I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Would that be good in a pandemic ?
’ I guess his behavior is understandable , because what ’ s he going to run on , his record ?
He ’ s just going to pick at scabs.
” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP He later added of Trump : “ He ’ s a man who has suffered no consequences .
His is a recklessness born of experience .
He ’ s like a malevolent Mr. Magoo .
He always knows the I-beam is going to swing down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — but who cares , because he ’ ll walk out unscathed .
That ’ s what he has learned .
”

Jon Stewart spoke about the ongoing protests against police brutality as well as Donald Trump’s handling of the situation amid the coronavirus pandemic in a lengthy new interview.
The former “Daily Show” host spoke to The New York Times Magazine to promote his upcoming film “Irresistible,” which focuses on a Democratic strategist helping a man from a small conservative town win his mayoral election. The wide-ranging interview touched upon the news of the day, prompting the comedian to note that he believes the problem with policing in the United States has to do with larger societal issues.
“I’d like to say I’m surprised by what happened to him, but I’m not,” he said of the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis, Minn., that sparked the ongoing protests around the country. “This is a cycle, and I feel that, in some ways, the issue is that we’re addressing the wrong problem. We continue to make this about the police — the how of it. How can they police? Is it about sensitivity and de-escalation training and community policing? All that can make for a less-egregious relationship between the police and people of color. But the how isn’t as important as the why, which we never address. The police are a reflection of a society. They’re not a rogue alien organization that came down to torment the black community.”
JON STEWART: 9/11 VICTIMS ARE 'AT THE END OF THEIR ROPE' SEEKING HELP FROM CONGRESS
He continued: “They’re enforcing segregation. Segregation is legally over, but it never ended. The police are, in some respects, a border patrol, and they patrol the border between the two Americas. We have that so that the rest of us don’t have to deal with it. Then that situation erupts, and we express our shock and indignation. But if we don’t address the anguish of a people, the pain of being a people who built this country through forced labor — people say, ‘’I’m tired of everything being about race.’ Well, imagine how [expletive] exhausting it is to live that.”
Stewart went on to note that police brutality is a symptom of that larger schism in American society. However, he explained that the problem can be fixed without demonizing law enforcement.
“There are always going to be consequences of authority. When you give someone a badge and a gun, that’s going to create its own issues, and there’s no question that those issues can be addressed with greater accountability,” he said. “It can be true that you can value and admire the contribution and sacrifice that it takes to be a law-enforcement officer or an emergency medical worker in this country and yet still feel that there should be standards and accountability. Both can be true. But I still believe that the root of this problem is the society that we’ve created that contains this schism, and we don’t deal with it, because we’ve outsourced our accountability to the police.”
The 57-year-old comedian also spoke about the protests happening across the country, as well as the public’s reaction to them. He noted that every advancement toward equality has “come with the spilling of blood.” He explained that those willing to put in the work for equality can bring about change. However, he notes that far too many people aren’t willing to do that work.
JON STEWART BLASTS RAND PAUL'S 9/11 COMPENSATION FUND VOTE DELAY, ACCUSES HIM OF 'FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY VIRTUE SIGNALING'
“There’s always this begrudging sense that black people are being granted something, when it’s white people’s lack of being able to live up to the defining words of the birth of the country that is the problem. There’s a lack of recognition of the difference in our system,” he said. “Chris Rock used to do a great bit: ‘No white person wants to change places with a black person. They don’t even want to exchange places with me, and I’m rich.’ It’s true. There’s not a white person out there who would want to be treated like even a successful black person in this country. And if we don’t address the why of that treatment, the how is just window dressing.”
Later in the interview, Stewart directly addressed the president’s response to the situation amid the coronavirus pandemic. He scolded Trump for not rising to this historic occasion, arguing that he’s merely playing his usual brand of politics.
“You would have thought that somebody would have mentioned to Trump the idea of rising to greatness. Instead it’s: ‘Why don’t I tweet out that Joe Scarborough killed people? Would that be good in a pandemic?’ I guess his behavior is understandable, because what’s he going to run on, his record? He’s just going to pick at scabs.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
He later added of Trump: “He’s a man who has suffered no consequences. His is a recklessness born of experience. He’s like a malevolent Mr. Magoo. He always knows the I-beam is going to swing down and the building is going to collapse — but who cares, because he’ll walk out unscathed. That’s what he has learned.”


foxnews--2020-06-18--Americans are having trouble sleeping because of coronavirus — here are tips to help

“ I took two Benadryl and still can ’ t sleep , I feel like I ’ ve hit a new low , ” Christine Larochelle tweeted at 12:45 a.m. Tuesday .
“ Sunday night I was up ’ til like 3 a.m .
I was just tossing and turning , and nothing was helping me , ” the 26-year-old who works in social media advertising tells The Post .
“ The moment I hit the bed and turn off the lights , my mind just races to everything that ’ s happened in my life.
” CLICK HERE TO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weren ’ t off-nights for her .
For the past few months , Larochelle has struggled with falling — and staying — asleep .
She joins a horde of zzzzz-free zombies around the world who have been starved for a restful night since the coronavirus pandemic started .
In the United States , 22 % of people say that their sleep quality is worse because of the COVID-19 crisis , according to a survey done by SleepHelp.org .
Elsewhere around the globe , researchers also are harping on this nighttime uprising .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Critical Sleep Medicine found that insomnia and its symptoms drastically increased for COVID-19-free participants in China , the first epicenter of the disease , from January to February of this year .
In Italy , another major coronavirus hot spot , reports of decreased sleep increased more than 12 % from February to March as the second week of lockdown kicked in , according to a study published in the Journal of Sleep Research .
THE FOODS THAT CAN HELP YOU SLEEP BETTER ( AND THE FOODS THAT MIGHT KEEP YOU UP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world is having a sleep crisis , Dr. Alcibiades Rodriguez , the director of the sleep center at NYU Langone , says that we actually have an anxiety problem .
“ Sleep is interconnected with mood and anxiety disorders , ” Dr. Rodriguez tells The Post .
“ This is an unprecedented situation .
It ’ s a high level of stress , especially in the middle of this in New York.
” Trouble sleeping is actually a symptom of anxiety and depression , which he says are on the rise because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS “ [ We ’ re ] stressed about our health , about our family ’ s health , the economy , our jobs , ” he says .
Being isolated from our friends isn ’ t helping .
“ Besides that the quarantine , to be at home , can make you actually depressed .
Human beings , we are social animals , and we need contact.
” Larochelle ’ s sleep has gotten even worse recently , as the Black Lives Matter movement continues in reaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in police custody in Minneapolis last month .
“ I ’ m a black woman ; I ’ m extremely outraged at all that ’ s going on .
It ’ s been very emotionally draining to read about all this stuff , ” she says .
“ There ’ s so much work to do , and that ’ s daunting .
I was already very stressed seeing the number of deaths and the pandemic and being closed in , and to add on to experience all of this that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased my stress.
” Nighttime is particularly tough for Larochelle because it lacks the easy distractions of the daytime .
“ I can do work or watch a show or do something .
At night is when I ’ m alone with my thoughts , ” she says .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP In addition to being a symptom of a mental health issue , sleep can be affected by a change in your daily routines , says Dr. Rodriguez .
“ Being confined at home can disrupt your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he says .
“ I work in New York City , but I live in Jersey , so I think having the commute , walking around more , that just tires you out without you really realizing it , ” says Larochelle .
“ I feel like I ’ m a lot more rested on a regular basis because [ now ] I can only go from my bedroom to my living room .
I feel like I ’ m not as tired at night.
” Lack of sleep will affect just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Dr. Rodriguez .
“ You ’ ll have tension , your concentration is decreased , your memory may be affected , you may be moody , ” he says .
“ Suppose you have a medical condition , you have back pain or you suffer from migraines : You ’ re going to feel worse .
If you feel that way , it may lead to more anxiety and more depression ; it ’ s a vicious cycle.
” Although Larochelle says she hasn ’ t noticed a strong change in her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gotten worse .
Larochelle says she has cut out coffee and tried meditation apps to help her relax .
“ White noise works really well for me , so keeping my fan on or using a rain app — that works really well to hum me to sleep , ” she says .
Larochelle also recently purchased melatonin sleep supplements to pick up where Benadryl couldn ’ t help her .
However , Dr. Rodriguez recommends consulting a doctor before starting a medicinal treatment .
“ I have many patients that actually just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medication will control your anxiety , ” he says .
Dr. Rodriguez suggests creating established routines in order to help combat life ’ s pressures .
“ Stress is something that we can not control .
Try to create some type of normalcy if you can , ” the doctor says .
That should include going to bed and waking up at the same time every day .
He also suggests squeezing in exercise , which is something you can control ; socializing in one way or another , even via virtual gatherings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alcohol , especially right before bed ; and avoiding anxiety-inducing “ bad news ” at night .
“ Those things are easier said than done , ” Dr. Rodriguez says .
“ I ’ m guilty of that sometimes .
I don ’ t do the best.
” But he says the key is to “ control the little things in your world that you can control.
” And when other options fail , don ’ t be afraid to seek professional help .
“ If you ’ re having trouble sleeping , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open , and we are here to help , ” he says .
This article originally appeared on the New York Post .

“I took two Benadryl and still can’t sleep, I feel like I’ve hit a new low,” Christine Larochelle tweeted at 12:45 a.m. Tuesday.
“Sunday night I was up ’til like 3 a.m. I was just tossing and turning, and nothing was helping me,” the 26-year-old who works in social media advertising tells The Post. “The moment I hit the bed and turn off the lights, my mind just races to everything that’s happened in my life.”
Those weren’t off-nights for her. For the past few months, Larochelle has struggled with falling — and staying — asleep. She joins a horde of zzzzz-free zombies around the world who have been starved for a restful night since the coronavirus pandemic started.
In the United States, 22% of people say that their sleep quality is worse because of the COVID-19 crisis, according to a survey done by SleepHelp.org.
Elsewhere around the globe, researchers also are harping on this nighttime uprising. One study published in April by the Journal of Critical Sleep Medicine found that insomnia and its symptoms drastically increased for COVID-19-free participants in China, the first epicenter of the disease, from January to February of this year.
In Italy, another major coronavirus hot spot, reports of decreased sleep increased more than 12% from February to March as the second week of lockdown kicked in, according to a study published in the Journal of Sleep Research.
Although the data suggests the world is having a sleep crisis, Dr. Alcibiades Rodriguez, the director of the sleep center at NYU Langone, says that we actually have an anxiety problem.
Sleep deprivation = depression
“Sleep is interconnected with mood and anxiety disorders,” Dr. Rodriguez tells The Post. “This is an unprecedented situation. It’s a high level of stress, especially in the middle of this in New York.” Trouble sleeping is actually a symptom of anxiety and depression, which he says are on the rise because of the pandemic.
“[We’re] stressed about our health, about our family’s health, the economy, our jobs,” he says. Being isolated from our friends isn’t helping. “Besides that the quarantine, to be at home, can make you actually depressed. Human beings, we are social animals, and we need contact.”
Larochelle’s sleep has gotten even worse recently, as the Black Lives Matter movement continues in reaction to the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis last month.
“I’m a black woman; I’m extremely outraged at all that’s going on. It’s been very emotionally draining to read about all this stuff,” she says. “There’s so much work to do, and that’s daunting. I was already very stressed seeing the number of deaths and the pandemic and being closed in, and to add on to experience all of this that’s been going on, that’s increased my stress.”
‘This is an unprecedented situation. It’s a high level of stress, especially in the middle of this in New York.’
Nighttime is particularly tough for Larochelle because it lacks the easy distractions of the daytime. “I can do work or watch a show or do something. At night is when I’m alone with my thoughts,” she says.
In addition to being a symptom of a mental health issue, sleep can be affected by a change in your daily routines, says Dr. Rodriguez. “Being confined at home can disrupt your circadian rhythm, the sleep-wake cycle,” he says.
“I work in New York City, but I live in Jersey, so I think having the commute, walking around more, that just tires you out without you really realizing it,” says Larochelle. “I feel like I’m a lot more rested on a regular basis because [now] I can only go from my bedroom to my living room. I feel like I’m not as tired at night.”
Lack of sleep will affect just about every part of your day, says Dr. Rodriguez.
“You’ll have tension, your concentration is decreased, your memory may be affected, you may be moody,” he says. “Suppose you have a medical condition, you have back pain or you suffer from migraines: You’re going to feel worse. If you feel that way, it may lead to more anxiety and more depression; it’s a vicious cycle.”
Although Larochelle says she hasn’t noticed a strong change in her moods, her migraines and headaches have gotten worse.
Tips for improving your sleep
Larochelle says she has cut out coffee and tried meditation apps to help her relax.
“White noise works really well for me, so keeping my fan on or using a rain app — that works really well to hum me to sleep,” she says.
Larochelle also recently purchased melatonin sleep supplements to pick up where Benadryl couldn’t help her.
However, Dr. Rodriguez recommends consulting a doctor before starting a medicinal treatment. “I have many patients that actually just need medication for anxiety. No sleep medication will control your anxiety,” he says.
Dr. Rodriguez suggests creating established routines in order to help combat life’s pressures.
“Stress is something that we cannot control. Try to create some type of normalcy if you can,” the doctor says. That should include going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
He also suggests squeezing in exercise, which is something you can control; socializing in one way or another, even via virtual gatherings on apps like Zoom; cutting out alcohol, especially right before bed; and avoiding anxiety-inducing “bad news” at night.
“Those things are easier said than done,” Dr. Rodriguez says. “I’m guilty of that sometimes. I don’t do the best.” But he says the key is to “control the little things in your world that you can control.”
And when other options fail, don’t be afraid to seek professional help.
“If you’re having trouble sleeping, consult your doctor. Sleep clinics are open, and we are here to help,” he says.


foxnews--2020-06-12--Airbnb host boasting about coronavirus 'immunity' has rental temporarily shut down

Airbnb host Martin Eaton thought he had a golden ticket , but the short-term rental marketplace demoted him to bronze .
After the Brooklyn resident found out he tested positive for coronavirus antibodies , he crowed about it on his Airbnb listing for a “ Williamsburg Penthouse Guestroom.
” Eaton described himself as an “ IMMUNE HOST ” in the title of the listing .
INTERACTIVE MAP INDICATES COUNTRIES WHERE CORONAVIRUS TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS HAVE BEEN LIFTED But Airbnb slapped him on the wrists .
“ [ My ] account was suspended , ” the 48-year-old writer told The Post via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their basic customer service and they said it was being blocked from taking reservations … I couldn ’ t say I had antibodies in my title or description.
” CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER In its content policy for hosts , Airbnb makes its pandemic-related restrictions fairly clear : “ Airbnb hosts may not reference COVID-19 , coronavirus or quarantine in listing titles.
” Other forbidden flexes include “ promises that hosts or listings are not impacted by or exposed to COVID-19.
” Airbnb did not respond to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listing removal .
The 41-photo gallery for Eaton ’ s now-suspended room for rent included a stylish living room , a sunset as seen from his rooftop and a picture of a positive antibody test , according to the Guardian , which first spotted the Airbnb boast .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “ If I was having to travel to New York , I ’ d prefer staying with somebody who had the antibodies versus somebody who didn ’ t , ” Eaton told the Guardian before the listing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s proved pretty successful.
” Even though a positive antibody test may indicate some resistance to the coronavirus , medical experts say , the person could still pass the virus to others or perhaps even catch COVID-19 again .
“ The presence of antibodies doesn ’ t mean immunity , or at least we don ’ t know that it means immunity , ” says Navya Mysore , a family physician at One Medical .
“ I can understand how this test feels tempting , like , ‘ I can go back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS Mysore adds that social-distancing , mask-wearing and hand-washing recommendations still apply , along with strictly limiting in-person interactions with anyone outside your household .
“ You still need to practice the same kinds of precautions that you would be doing otherwise , ” she says .
Singles are flaunting their antibody status on their dating app profiles , using it as a kind of assurance of safety to convince online matches to meet up in person .
Read the full article on the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the New York Post .

Airbnb host Martin Eaton though he had a golden ticket, but the short-term rental marketplace demoted him to bronze.
After the Brooklyn resident found out he tested positive for coronavirus antibodies, he crowed about it on his Airbnb listing for a “Williamsburg Penthouse Guestroom.” Eaton described himself as an “IMMUNE HOST” in the title of the listing.
But Airbnb slapped him on the wrists. “[My] account was suspended,” the 48-year-old writer told The Post via text message. “I spoke to their basic customer service and they said it was being blocked from taking reservations … I couldn’t say I had antibodies in my title or description.”
In its content policy for hosts, Airbnb makes its pandemic-related restrictions fairly clear: “Airbnb hosts may not reference COVID-19, coronavirus or quarantine in listing titles.” Other forbidden flexes include “promises that hosts or listings are not impacted by or exposed to COVID-19.” Airbnb did not respond to a request for comment about Eaton’s listing removal.
The 41-photo gallery for Eaton’s now-suspended room for rent included a stylish living room, a sunset as seen from his rooftop and a picture of a positive antibody test, according to the Guardian, which first spotted the Airbnb boast.
“If I was having to travel to New York, I’d prefer staying with somebody who had the antibodies versus somebody who didn’t,” Eaton told the Guardian before the listing was taken down. “It’s proved pretty successful.”
Even though a positive antibody test may indicate some resistance to the coronavirus, medical experts say, the person could still pass the virus to others or perhaps even catch COVID-19 again.
“The presence of antibodies doesn’t mean immunity, or at least we don’t know that it means immunity,” says Navya Mysore, a family physician at One Medical. “I can understand how this test feels tempting, like, ‘I can go back to what I was doing before.’ ”
Mysore adds that social-distancing, mask-wearing and hand-washing recommendations still apply, along with strictly limiting in-person interactions with anyone outside your household. “You still need to practice the same kinds of precautions that you would be doing otherwise,” she says.
Singles are flaunting their antibody statues on their dating app profiles, using it as a kind of assurance of safety to convince online matches to meet up in person.
Sometimes, though, sharing personal space with new people is unavoidable.
So if you’re looking for a little herd immunity, it’s pretty unlikely that you’ll get coronavirus from us! - Allison Schingel, a 25-year-old tutor in Brooklyn who tested positive for coronavirus antibodies and is looking for a third roommate
In the Gypsy Housing Facebook group, where members post rooms for rent, at least three posts by folks looking for new roommates put COVID-19 must-haves front and center.
A share in Midtown offers no antibody claims but touts rigorous cleaning requirements, including that all residents wipe down groceries, maintain six feet of distance and ban visitors. The stringent rules for prospective roommates are tempered with an apology: “I’m sorry for how tough this sounds. We are all mentally fatigued from COVID-19. But until the household [has] the vaccination or antibodies and [knows] about the mutation/immunity, it’s very hard.”
In a three-bedroom Brooklyn apartment, where one resident, Allison Schingel, has tested positive for antibodies and the other expects to test positive as well, the living sounds a bit easier: “So if you’re looking for a little herd immunity,” reads Schingel’s ad for their $700/month spare room, “it’s pretty unlikely that you’ll get coronavirus from us!”
Schingel, a 25-year-old reading tutor, tells The Post, “Leaving COVID-19 disclaimers is the right thing to do. I will ask people if they are conscientious [about social distancing and other precautions]. If you are someone who wants to have a lot of people over, we won’t tolerate that. I also want people to know that there was COVID in the apartment. “
She and her roommate were sick months ago, she adds, “and we really cleaned. So I don’t think there is any COVID now.”