upi--2020-04-20--UNHCR: Refugee women, girls losing abuse protections during coronavirus pandemic

Pope Francis , isolated in front of an empty square from the sagrato of St. Peter 's Basilica in St. @ @ @ @ @ City , offers an extraordinary moment of prayer in time of pandemic , the adoration @ @ @ @ @ on March 27 .
The `` Salus Populi Romani '' icon and the crucifix of @ @ @ @ @ in front of the central door of the basilica .
Vatican media broadcast the ceremony @ @ @ @ @ it could also be followed in several languages on Facebook and YouTube .
Photo by @ @ @

A Syrian refugee girl sits near makeshift tents at the Al Faydah refugee camps near Zahleh in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, on March 12. File Photo by Nabil Mounzer/EPA-EFE
April 20 (UPI) -- Lockdowns and quarantines adopted across the world in response to the coronavirus pandemic have created "massive" risks for displaced and stateless women and girls, the United Nations Refugee Agency said Monday. The UNHCR said refugee women and girls are at much higher risk of violence at the hands of domestic partners due to isolation and social distancing requirements and the closures of services have reduced their protections. Advertisement
The lockdowns are also generally worsening refugee women's socioeconomic conditions, said Gillian Triggs, UNHCR assistant high commissioner for protection.
"We need to pay urgent attention to the protection of refugee, displaced and stateless women and girls at the time of this pandemic," she said. "They are among those most at-risk. Doors should not be left open for abusers and no help spared for women surviving abuse and violence."
Because of the coronavirus restrictions, some women and girls may become trapped with abusers at homes and shelters without the option to call for help, she said, and others may be forced into "survival sex" or child marriages by their families.
Health and security support for refugee women has been temporarily suspended or closed in many countries, the agency added, and the UNHCR is distributing emergency cash assistance to support them.
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Earlier this month, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres decried "a horrifying global surge in domestic violence" amid the pandemic. Triggs on Monday called on world governments to take the women's plight into consideration when formulating their national responses to the pandemic.
"All women and girls have the right to a life free from all forms of violence," she said. "We must stand with displaced and stateless women and girls as we reiterate the secretary-general's message and urge all governments to put all women and girls' safety first as they respond to the pandemic."
Scenes from a pandemic: World copes with COVID-19


upi--2020-04-20--Broncos' Melvin Gordon looks forward to Chargers rivalry

April 20 ( UPI ) -- New Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon says he is looking forward to facing his former team at least twice annually in the AFC West .
Gordon signed with the Broncos in March after he spent the first five years of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers .
The two-time Pro Bowl selection will play on a two-year contract with Denver .
`` Ah man , I 'm looking forward to it , '' Gordon told SiriusXM NFL Radio when asked about facing the Chargers .
`` I 'm definitely looking forward to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his former Chargers teammates .
He said they `` talk trash '' to him about future match-ups .
The Broncos are likely glad to have Gordon on their sideline after he piled up 805 yards from scrimmage against Denver in nine games when he played for the Chargers .
Gordon had 908 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns in 12 games last season after he sat out the first four games of the season for a contract holdout .
He scored a career-high 14 touchdowns in 12 games in 2018 .
The veteran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chargers ' division rival was n't the `` biggest '' reason he decided to join the Broncos .
`` It is what it is , I 'll see them boys on Sunday , '' Gordon said .

Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon said his former Los Angeles Chargers teammates are talking trash to him this off-season, fueling his motivation to play against them in 2020. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
April 20 (UPI) -- New Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon says he is looking forward to facing his former team at least twice annually in the AFC West. Gordon signed with the Broncos in March after he spent the first five years of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers. The two-time Pro Bowl selection will play on a two-year contract with Denver. Advertisement
"Ah man, I'm looking forward to it," Gordon told SiriusXM NFL Radio when asked about facing the Chargers. "I'm definitely looking forward to it."
Gordon still communicates with his former Chargers teammates. He said they "talk trash" to him about future match-ups.
The Broncos are likely glad to have Gordon on their sideline after he piled up 805 yards from scrimmage against Denver in nine games when he played for the Chargers.
Gordon had 908 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns in 12 games last season after he sat out the first four games of the season for a contract holdout.
He scored a career-high 14 touchdowns in 12 games in 2018.
The veteran running back said the rivalry with the Chargers' division rival wasn't the "biggest" reason he decided to join the Broncos.
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"It is what it is, I'll see them boys on Sunday," Gordon said.


upi--2020-04-20--Massive screening key to lifting coronavirus lockdown

April 20 ( UPI ) -- The world is watching closely following the lifting of the public lockdown in the city of Wuhan , where the coronavirus pandemic started .
The metropolitan-wide quarantine was in place for 76 days starting Jan. 23 , and restrictions were seemingly effective , with the daily reported confirmed cases of COVID-19 significantly reduced from 1,500-2,000 at the peak to 10 cases or fewer a day now .
Meanwhile , those of us in or heading toward our second month of lockdown are starting to wonder when it will be our turn to lift or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for countries where the spread of the virus , related hospitalizations and deaths are showing signs of slowing down .
The lifting of the lockdown in Wuhan followed a gradual easing of the restrictions by allowing residents to leave their residences on a limited basis .
But importantly , this was combined with a massive screening program to test people at high risk from the disease or anyone who had been in close contact with infected patients .
This enabled authorities to contain the infection and reduce the number of cases by 90 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in other countries will depend on their ability to contain the virus and protect the public once restrictions have gone .
To asses this and decide when to end the lockdown , we need to answer three questions .
First , have we suppressed the spread of the virus enough so that it wo n't produce a second surging wave of infections and deaths in the future ?
Answering yes to this is the most pressing item .
It requires us to be sure that we have passed the peak of the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have n't just temporarily suppressed the spread .
In mathematical modelling terms , this requires the average number of people to which every infected person spreads the virus ( known as the basic reproduction number or R0 ) to fall to and remain less than 1 .
The estimated value of R0 for COVID-19 spreading through the population without restrictions is between 2 and 3 .
Bringing this number below 1 will lead to fewer people catching the disease than recovering from it , so the number of new infections will decline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is where the lockdown and social distancing come in .
Modeling studies suggest that travel restrictions in Wuhan brought R0 down from 2.35 to 1.05 in two weeks .
For the United Kingdom , an initial analysis suggests that R0 has dropped by 73 percent since the lockdown began .
But another recent paper modeled the spread of the virus in China outside of Hubei province where Wuhan is located .
It showed that relaxing the lockdown too early would mean R0 would exceed 1 after restrictions are lifted and lead to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are indications that some countries may be reaching the peak of the virus , but realistically it will be a while before we can be certain this is not just a temporary suppression .
This is because there may be possible delays in the reported number of infections and deaths .
Importantly , by stopping the spread of the virus with current social distancing measures , we are n't just preventing people from dying .
We are also buying time for scientists to learn more about the disease and its pattern of spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective vaccine .
This brings us to the second question .
Can we identify all infections and prevent new infections emerging ?
To do this , we need to make sure everyone who has the disease is in isolation .
Then we need a way to trace everyone they have recently come into contact with to see if they too need to be isolated .
But we also need to know whether people can carry the virus without showing any symptoms of the disease .
Recent studies have suggested that this may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we need to urgently undertake large-scale antibody testing of the population .
Looking for antibodies in the blood that the body has produced in response to the virus will tell us who has had it and give us a more realistic picture of its spread .
There are antibody tests available and more in development , but it 's not yet clear that they are accurate enough for a reliable mass-screening program .
Only when this is possible can we make sure that no new infections can emerge from undiagnosed cases .
Finally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would happen if a second wave occurred once restrictions were lifted .
The only way to be sure the public would be fully protected is with effective antiviral drugs or a vaccine against the virus .
Although progress has been made in this direction , an effective vaccine appears many months away .
If we want to lift the lockdown before then , we must make sure we have a strategy that will minimize the risk of a secondary pandemic wave that could cause more deaths .
Second waves occurred in all four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in some cases killing more than the initial waves .
One way to do this would be to follow Wuhan 's example of continuing some social distancing measures and protecting the most vulnerable after the strictest elements of the lockdown have been lifted .
At the same time , we need to continue monitoring and modeling the disease to ensure we catch any second wave at its onset and act quickly to prevent its spread .
But before we get to this point , we still need to be sure we have passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and introduce a mass testing and contact-tracing program to identify and contain any remaining infections .
And for many countries , that could still be weeks -- if not months -- away .
Jasmina Panovska-Griffiths is a senior research fellow and lecturer in mathematical modelling at UCL .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

A man wearing a protective face mask walks in a nearly empty Times Square in New York on Sunday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
April 20 (UPI) -- The world is watching closely following the lifting of the public lockdown in the city of Wuhan, where the coronavirus pandemic started. The metropolitan-wide quarantine was in place for 76 days starting Jan. 23, and restrictions were seemingly effective, with the daily reported confirmed cases of COVID-19 significantly reduced from 1,500-2,000 at the peak to 10 cases or fewer a day now. Meanwhile, those of us in or heading toward our second month of lockdown are starting to wonder when it will be our turn to lift or relax restrictions. This is especially true for countries where the spread of the virus, related hospitalizations and deaths are showing signs of slowing down. Advertisement
The lifting of the lockdown in Wuhan followed a gradual easing of the restrictions by allowing residents to leave their residences on a limited basis. But importantly, this was combined with a massive screening program to test people at high risk from the disease or anyone who had been in close contact with infected patients. This enabled authorities to contain the infection and reduce the number of cases by 90 percent.
Advertisement
Similarly, lifting the lockdown in other countries will depend on their ability to contain the virus and protect the public once restrictions have gone. To asses this and decide when to end the lockdown, we need to answer three questions.
First, have we suppressed the spread of the virus enough so that it won't produce a second surging wave of infections and deaths in the future? Answering yes to this is the most pressing item. It requires us to be sure that we have passed the peak of the disease, that infections are declining and that we haven't just temporarily suppressed the spread.
In mathematical modelling terms, this requires the average number of people to which every infected person spreads the virus (known as the basic reproduction number or R0) to fall to and remain less than 1. The estimated value of R0 for COVID-19 spreading through the population without restrictions is between 2 and 3. Bringing this number below 1 will lead to fewer people catching the disease than recovering from it, so the number of new infections will decline and the epidemic will die out.
Lockdown effects
This is where the lockdown and social distancing come in. Modeling studies suggest that travel restrictions in Wuhan brought R0 down from 2.35 to 1.05 in two weeks. For the United Kingdom, an initial analysis suggests that R0 has dropped by 73 percent since the lockdown began.
Advertisement
But another recent paper modeled the spread of the virus in China outside of Hubei province where Wuhan is located. It showed that relaxing the lockdown too early would mean R0 would exceed 1 after restrictions are lifted and lead to a second wave of infections.
There are indications that some countries may be reaching the peak of the virus, but realistically it will be a while before we can be certain this is not just a temporary suppression. This is because there may be possible delays in the reported number of infections and deaths.
Importantly, by stopping the spread of the virus with current social distancing measures, we aren't just preventing people from dying. We are also buying time for scientists to learn more about the disease and its pattern of spread, and to work on producing an effective vaccine.
This brings us to the second question. Can we identify all infections and prevent new infections emerging? To do this, we need to make sure everyone who has the disease is in isolation. Then we need a way to trace everyone they have recently come into contact with to see if they too need to be isolated.
Advertisement
But we also need to know whether people can carry the virus without showing any symptoms of the disease. Recent studies have suggested that this may be the case. But to be sure we need to urgently undertake large-scale antibody testing of the population.
Looking for antibodies in the blood that the body has produced in response to the virus will tell us who has had it and give us a more realistic picture of its spread. There are antibody tests available and more in development, but it's not yet clear that they are accurate enough for a reliable mass-screening program. Only when this is possible can we make sure that no new infections can emerge from undiagnosed cases.
Second wave
Finally, there's the question of what would happen if a second wave occurred once restrictions were lifted. The only way to be sure the public would be fully protected is with effective antiviral drugs or a vaccine against the virus. Although progress has been made in this direction, an effective vaccine appears many months away.
If we want to lift the lockdown before then, we must make sure we have a strategy that will minimize the risk of a secondary pandemic wave that could cause more deaths. Second waves occurred in all four respiratory pandemics of the past century, in some cases killing more than the initial waves.
Advertisement
One way to do this would be to follow Wuhan's example of continuing some social distancing measures and protecting the most vulnerable after the strictest elements of the lockdown have been lifted. At the same time, we need to continue monitoring and modeling the disease to ensure we catch any second wave at its onset and act quickly to prevent its spread.
But before we get to this point, we still need to be sure we have passed the peak of the disease's spread and introduce a mass testing and contact-tracing program to identify and contain any remaining infections. And for many countries, that could still be weeks -- if not months -- away.
Jasmina Panovska-Griffiths is a senior research fellow and lecturer in mathematical modelling at UCL. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


upi--2020-04-20--BBC Two announces Peter Sellers documentary film for May

April 20 ( UPI ) -- BBC Two announced on Monday that a new documentary film about the late Peter @ @ @ @ @ of Comic Ecstasy , will air on May 9 .
The documentary will mark the @ @ @ @ @ death .
The actor , who died in 1980 , was best known for portraying @ @ @ @ @ Pink Panther series of films .
A State of Comic Ecstasy will explore Sellers ' @ @ @ @ @ feature interviews with his daughters Sarah and Victoria , second wife Britt Ekland , director @ @ @ @ @ Williams and more .
John O'Rourke is serving as producer and director .
Mark Bell @ @ @ @ @ Arts , commissioned the documentary .
`` Peter Sellers had a profound impact on film @ @ @ @ @ as a performer but a mercurial personality ; this in-depth look offers many revealing insights @ @ @ @ @ and I hope will offer an engaging diversion for people in lockdown , '' Bell @ @ @ @ @

Think you know everything there is to know about #PeterSellers? A new documentary is coming to @BBCTwo to mark the 40th anniversary of his death on Saturday 9 May. https://t.co/rYMm5VBP4W pic.twitter.com/kY4smlWlXX— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) April 20, 2020
April 20 (UPI) -- BBC Two announced on Monday that a new documentary film about the late Peter Sellers, titled A State of Comic Ecstasy, will air on May 9.
The documentary will mark the 40th anniversary of Sellers' death. The actor, who died in 1980, was best known for portraying Chief Inspector Clouseau in the Pink Panther series of films.
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A State of Comic Ecstasy will explore Sellers' career and personal life and feature interviews with his daughters Sarah and Victoria, second wife Britt Ekland, director Joe McGrath, actor Simon Williams and more.
John O'Rourke is serving as producer and director. Mark Bell, the director of BBC Arts, commissioned the documentary.
"Peter Sellers had a profound impact on film and comedy, a genius as a performer but a mercurial personality; this in-depth look offers many revealing insights into his life and times and I hope will offer an engaging diversion for people in lockdown," Bell said in a statement.


upi--2020-04-20--Yasiel Puig rejects Marlins offer, remains a free agent

April 20 ( UPI ) -- Veteran Major League Baseball outfielder Yasiel Puig said he rejected a contract offer this off-season from the Miami Marlins .
Puig , 29 , split time between the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds last off-season after he played the first six seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers .
He told El Nuevo Herald he has spoken to several teams and has been given multiple contract offers .
`` They were among the first to offer me , '' Puig said of the Marlins .
`` I did not agree with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more to play in front of my Cubans [ fans ] , close to my homeland .
But it is also difficult . ''
Puig hit .252 and had 22 home runs and 61 RBIs in 100 games for the Reds in 2019 before he was traded to the Indians in July .
The 2014 All-Star hit .297 with two home runs and 23 RBIs in 49 games with Cleveland .
He became a free agent after his 2019 campaign .
The MLB season has been suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 2020 season and said he `` hopes '' to play in 2021 .
`` I have to stay positive , '' Puig said .
`` If the coronavirus has not made me negative , nothing will make me negative . ''
Puig has a .277 career batting average with 132 home runs in 861 games .

Yasiel Puig said he has spoken to multiple Major League Baseball teams about a contract for the 2020 season. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
April 20 (UPI) -- Veteran Major League Baseball outfielder Yasiel Puig said he rejected a contract offer this off-season from the Miami Marlins. Puig, 29, split time between the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds last off-season after he played the first six seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Advertisement
He told El Nuevo Herald he has spoken to several teams and has been given multiple contract offers.
"They were among the first to offer me," Puig said of the Marlins. "I did not agree with the quantity. I asked for a little more to play in front of my Cubans [fans], close to my homeland. But it is also difficult."
Puig hit .252 and had 22 home runs and 61 RBIs in 100 games for the Reds in 2019 before he was traded to the Indians in July. The 2014 All-Star hit .297 with two home runs and 23 RBIs in 49 games with Cleveland. He became a free agent after his 2019 campaign.
Puig earned a salary of $9.7 million last season.
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The MLB season has been suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic. Puig believes there won't be a 2020 season and said he "hopes" to play in 2021.
"I have to stay positive," Puig said. "If the coronavirus has not made me negative, nothing will make me negative."
Puig has a .277 career batting average with 132 home runs in 861 games.


upi--2020-04-20--Burkina Faso killed 31 after anti-terror sweep, Human Rights Watch says

April 20 ( UPI ) -- An international watchdog reported Monday security forces in the western African country of Burkina Faso killed 31 unarmed detainees this month after a counter-terrorism sweep .
Human Rights Watch said they were killed April 9 as fighting intensified between government security forces and armed Islamic groups tied to al-Qaida and the Islamic State that have displaced more than 775,000 since March , the New York-based organization said .
The watchdog said government forces captured the detainees in Djibo , some 125 miles north of the capital Ouagadougou , and said it interviewed 17 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 witnesses to the arrests and burials .
`` The Burkinabe security forces apparently executed 31 men in a brutal mockery of a counter-terrorism operation that may amount to a war crime and could fuel further atrocities , '' Corinne Dufka , HRW 's West Africa director said in a statement .
`` The government should stop the abuse , fully investigate this terrible incident , and commit to a rights-respecting counter-terrorism strategy . ''
Last week , Burkina Faso reported its first coronavirus-related death as militants stepped up attacks against government forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , executing soldiers in raids and kidnapping at least two people .
Burkina Faso officials have ordered dusk-to-dawn curfews in hopes of slowing the virus , and the violence .
`` We are all focused on coronavirus while terrorism is another threat and the enemy is not far away , '' Zougmore Chrysostome , president of the Burkinabe Movement for Human and People 's Rights , said .
Burkina Faso has reported 547 cases of the coronavirus and 32 deaths , according to the World Health Organization .

Smoke rises in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, following a terrorist attack in 2018. Human Rights Watch accused government forces Monday of killing nearly three dozen unarmed detainees suspected of terrorism. File Photo by EPA-EFE
April 20 (UPI) -- An international watchdog reported Monday security forces in the western African country of Burkina Faso killed 31 unarmed detainees this month after a counter-terrorism sweep. Human Rights Watch said they were killed April 9 as fighting intensified between government security forces and armed Islamic groups tied to al-Qaida and the Islamic State that have displaced more than 775,000 since March, the New York-based organization said. Advertisement
The watchdog said government forces captured the detainees in Djibo, some 125 miles north of the capital Ouagadougou, and said it interviewed 17 people with knowledge of the killings, including 12 witnesses to the arrests and burials.
"The Burkinabe security forces apparently executed 31 men in a brutal mockery of a counter-terrorism operation that may amount to a war crime and could fuel further atrocities," Corinne Dufka, HRW's West Africa director said in a statement.
"The government should stop the abuse, fully investigate this terrible incident, and commit to a rights-respecting counter-terrorism strategy."
Last week, Burkina Faso reported its first coronavirus-related death as militants stepped up attacks against government forces, including setting fire to a park office, executing soldiers in raids and kidnapping at least two people.
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Burkina Faso officials have ordered dusk-to-dawn curfews in hopes of slowing the virus, and the violence.
"We are all focused on coronavirus while terrorism is another threat and the enemy is not far away," Zougmore Chrysostome, president of the Burkinabe Movement for Human and People's Rights, said.
Burkina Faso has reported 547 cases of the coronavirus and 32 deaths, according to the World Health Organization.


upi--2020-04-20--Serena Williams' coach Patrick Mouratoglou plans global tennis matches

April 20 ( UPI ) -- Serena Williams ' coach , Patrick Mouratoglou , has announced a live global tennis competition to launch next month .
Alexei Popryin will face David Goffin in the first match of the Ultimate Tennis Showdown at 8 a.m. EDT on May 16 at the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Biot , France .
The match will be played without spectators and will air at utslive.tv .
The full player lineup for the competition will be announced at a later date .
Mouratoglou plans to host 10 matches every weekend through May and June , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UTS is simply meant to be an alternative to what already exists , '' Mouratoglou said .
`` It is a platform created to showcase the incredible talent , athleticism and personalities of the wide range of tennis players .
`` It offers a new and innovative approach , targeting a younger tennis audience and proposes a different way to distribute the money among the players . ''
In addition to Williams and Popryin , Mouratoglou also coaches Cori `` Coco '' Gauff and Stefanos Tsitsipas .
He said he plans to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professional players '' at the tournament .
The WTA and ATP tours have been suspended since March and will not resume play until at least mid-July due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Mouratoglou published an open letter on social media on April 7 stating that he has issues with the way prize money is distributed among tennis players .
He said the new tournament features a system focusing on the `` redistribution of income among the players . ''
`` This system could be particularly beneficial for lower-ranked players , '' Mouratoglou said @

Tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou will host a tennis competition at his academy for five weeks in Biot, France. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo
April 20 (UPI) -- Serena Williams' coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, has announced a live global tennis competition to launch next month. Alexei Popryin will face David Goffin in the first match of the Ultimate Tennis Showdown at 8 a.m. EDT on May 16 at the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Biot, France. The match will be played without spectators and will air at utslive.tv. Advertisement
The full player lineup for the competition will be announced at a later date.
Mouratoglou plans to host 10 matches every weekend through May and June, and 50 matches in all.
"The UTS is simply meant to be an alternative to what already exists," Mouratoglou said. "It is a platform created to showcase the incredible talent, athleticism and personalities of the wide range of tennis players.
"It offers a new and innovative approach, targeting a younger tennis audience and proposes a different way to distribute the money among the players."
In addition to Williams and Popryin, Mouratoglou also coaches Cori "Coco" Gauff and Stefanos Tsitsipas. He said he plans to have some of the "world's best professional players" at the tournament.
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The WTA and ATP tours have been suspended since March and will not resume play until at least mid-July due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Mouratoglou published an open letter on social media on April 7 stating that he has issues with the way prize money is distributed among tennis players. He said the new tournament features a system focusing on the "redistribution of income among the players."
"This system could be particularly beneficial for lower-ranked players," Mouratoglou said.


upi--2020-04-20--Last 3 cruise ships with passengers to let them disembark Monday

The Pacific Princess, pictured in July 2019, will finally be allowed to dock Monday after remaining at sea for months due to concerns about the coronavirus disease. File Photo by Niels Wenstedt/EPA-EFE
April 20 (UPI) -- The last three cruise ships with passengers aboard will finally be allowed to disembark those travelers Monday after each spent months at sea due to the coronavirus pandemic. Passengers aboard the MSC Magnifica, the Costa Deliziosa and the Pacific Princess are expected to finally touch dry land, ending their epic journeys that were prolonged by the refusal of local officials to allow travelers to come ashore amid the global outbreak. Advertisement
The MSC Magnifica, which left Genoa, Italy, on Jan. 5 with 1,760 travelers aboard, will disembark its passengers in Marseilles, France.
The 115 passengers remaining aboard the Pacific Princess, which also began an around-the-world cruise on Jan. 5, will finally be allowed to exit the ship Monday in Los Angeles.
The Italian cruise ship Costa Deliziosa, which has also been at sea since the beginning of January, will disembark 168 Spanish passengers in Barcelona while the remaining 453 Italian citizens will be allowed to leave Wednesday in Genoa, Italy.
Italian Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Paola De Micheli announced over that weekend that a deal had been reached with regional officials in Liguria to dock the Costa Deliziosa in Genoa after it was refused permission to dock in France.
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Neither the Costa Deliziosa nor the MSC Magnifica were allowed to disembark passengers after mid-March despite a lack of evidence any of the ships' passengers or crew had the coronavirus disease.
The Magnifica was last anchored in Fremantle, Australia, where it drew protests from local residents who mistakenly were told by Australian state officials there were infected people aboard.
Scenes from a pandemic: World copes with COVID-19


upi--2020-04-20--Police: Gunman fatally shot after hijacking Texas bus

April 20 ( UPI ) -- Police in Texas have fatally shot an armed man during a firefight after the suspect hijacked a bus and led officers on a chase through several cities in the state , authorities said .
At least two officers were shot during the incident Sunday and were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries , the Garland Police Department said in a statement .
The suspect , 31-year-old Ramon Thomas Villagomez who was killed during the exchange of bullets with police , was wanted in San Antonio in connection to the slaying of his girlfriend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapon of a relative in Brazoria County .
Police said they were alerted to the hijacking of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit bus in Richardson , Texas , at about 11 a.m. Garland Police Department spokesman Pedro Barineau said during a briefing that the officers were told there was an armed man on a dark bus holding the driver hostage .
Authorities said a sole female passenger was on the bus when Villagomez boarded and instructed the driver at gunpoint where to go .
DART officers attempted to have the suspect , later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but he began shooting at the police , striking one of them in the leg , the department said .
Garland officers arrived and joined the other law enforcement agency in pursuit of the vehicle through Dallas , Richardson , Garland and Rockwall as the suspect fired numerous shots at the pursuing officers , striking multiple police cruisers , authorities said .
Police said one of the rounds pierced the windshield of a cruiser and struck a Garland officer in the neck .
The chase was brought to a halt at about noon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deploy spike strips along the highway that burst the bus ' tires .
`` The gunman exited the bus and shots were continuing to be fired and he was struck by our officers , '' Barineau told reporters .
Villagomez was transferred to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead , he said .
Investigators were working to determine the motive behind the shooting and the hijacking .
The driver and the female passenger were uninjured , the Garland Police Department said .
The shooting caused authorities to close the President George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grove Road during the investigation .
`` We were very fortunate , '' Barineau said .
`` As of now , we have not received any reports that anyone else was injured . ''
The shooting occurred less than a day after a police officer was killed and two others were critically injured during a shooting in San Marcos , Texas .

Ramon Thomas Villagomez, 31, was wanted by police in San Antonio in connection to the death of his girlfriend and the assault of a relative. Photo courtesy Garland Police Department/ Facebook
April 20 (UPI) -- Texas police say they fatally shot an armed man after he shot two officers and hijacked a bus before leading officers on a chase through several cities. The suspect, 31-year-old Ramon Thomas Villagomez, who was killed during the gunfight, was wanted in San Antonio in connection to the death of his girlfriend and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Advertisement
Police said they were alerted to the hijacking of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit bus in Richardson, Texas, on Sunday. Garland Police Department spokesman Pedro Barineau said officers were inforned of an armed man holding the bus driver hostage.
DART officers attempted to have the suspect pull over but he began shooting at police, striking one in the leg, the department said.
The ensuing chase spanned through Dallas, Richardson, Garland and Rockwall and officials said he fired numerous shots. One round pierced the windshield of a cruiser and struck an officer in the neck.
The chase stopped in Rowlett, where officers deployed spike strips along the highway.
"The gunman exited the bus and shots were continuing to be fired and he was struck by our officers," Barineau told reporters.
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Villagomez died at a local hospital. Investigators are trying to determine a motive.
"We were very fortunate," Barineau said. "As of now, we have not received any reports that anyone else was injured."
The shooting occurred less than a day after a police officer was killed and two others were critically injured during a shooting in San Marcos, Texas.


upi--2020-04-20--Germany, Norway, New Zealand to begin easing coronavirus restrictions

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Newlyweds pose for wedding photos in Beijing, China, on Sunday without wearing protective face masks, as the government has declared the threat of the COVID-19 outbreak is basically over. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
April 20 (UPI) -- The leader of the World Health Organization on Monday decried the politicization of the coronavirus pandemic and warned that "the worst was yet to come" if international unity is lost. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, speaking during a daily update from the U.N. organization's headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, said the consequences of losing focus on fighting the pandemic because of political disagreements would be dire. Advertisement
"Unity is the only option to defeat this virus," he said. "The worst is yet to come if we don't rush to ensure unity."
U.S. President Donald Trump last week blasted the health organization for being "very China-centric" and moved to cut off funding from the United States.
He accused the WHO of ignoring early warning signs and heaping praise on China even though it prevented other countries from properly responding to the initial outbreak by not informing the WHO of the virus until Dec. 31.
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U.S. Democrats and others around the world, however, accused Trump of trying to deflect the blame for his own administration's slow response to the outbreak, which has claimed nearly 41,000 American lives.
Ghebreyesus didn't specify how he thought the pandemic could worsen, although he has voiced warnings that Africa, with its poor public health infrastructure, could be hit very hard.
"My focus is saving lives, we don't do politics in the WHO," Ghebreyesus said, adding, "There is a very clear line: a fight between humanity and this virus. That's it. That's what we should use to fight and win."
Worldwide, there were nearly 2.5 million cases and more than 167,000 deaths due to the virus as of Monday afternoon, according to Johns Hopkins University.
The shifting patterns of the pandemic prompted some countries, such as Germany, Denmark and the Czech Republic, to lift restrictions, while others such as Turkey continued to see infections rise.
Germany, which has the world's fifth-highest number of cases, permitted small stores to reopen as well as car dealerships, bookstores and others. In Poland, which has fewer than 10,000 cases, citizens were again allowed to visit public parks and forests.
Authorities in Spain and France have decided to hold off on lifting restrictions. French officials said they will last for at least three more weeks.
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"It is an epidemic unique in modern history and it is not finished," said French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe. "We are making progress against this epidemic. The situation is improving slowly but surely ... but we are not out of the health crisis. To think the epidemic is behind us would be an error."
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was also among the leaders announcing eased restrictions Monday.
Ardern said the lifting of restrictions will begin at midnight on April 27, and New Zealand will move from its highest Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3, which will allow for the reopening of some businesses and schools will prepare to begin holding classes.
In Turkey, however, the outbreak remained on an upward trajectory. Its caseload jumped by 4,700 on Monday while 123 people died, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said.
Those figures brought Turkey's total death toll to 2,140 while the number of confirmed cases rose to nearly 91,000 -- the most in any country outside of Europe and the United States.
Koca found some positives, however, noting that the rate of infection has fallen by more than a third, from 15 percent to 9 percent in the last seven days despite rising numbers of positive tests. There has been a three-fold surge in recoveries, he said.
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Scenes from a pandemic: World copes with COVID-19


upi--2020-04-20--Drought hobbles farmers in California, Texas, Florida

April 20 ( UPI ) -- As farmers deal with supply chain disruptions due to the coronavirus pandemic , drought conditions have gripped California , Florida , parts of the Southwest and south Texas .
The drought means additional expense for some farmers to find water or bring their livestock to a water source .
It also increases the cost and a lack of selection at grocery stores for some crops grown in the United States .
But any impact on price is hard to track amid widespread disruptions in the supply chain during the pandemic , farmers said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ country was experiencing moderate to exceptional drought at the end of March , and Florida 's condition worsened to severe drought late last week , according to reports from U.S. Drought Monitor .
Rainfall , soil moisture and satellite imagery of vegetation indicated fire risk , water shortages and crop loss in the state .
California and Florida are the only areas with significant winter produce crops , and farmers in both states harvested as drought concerns grew this spring .
Florida produces a broad variety of fruit and vegetables in winter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almonds and other nuts .
Drought in the winter in other regions of the country can affect cattle and production of winter wheat .
`` One-fourth of my land will be fallow going forward due to drought concerns , '' said Joe del Bosque , who farms 2,000 acres of almonds and produce in Central California 's Fresno County .
`` People are talking about the pandemic and not the water problem here , but it is a problem and it will impact food supply locally and jobs in this community , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in the San Joaquin Valley , which relies on irrigation from northern California , where reservoirs still are full , but drought conditions have worsened .
He started planting melons in late March .
`` I do n't know what the market will be like , but I have to plant in the hopes there will be enough water , '' Bosque said .
Areas of northwestern California have significant rainfall deficit , said David Simeral , associate research climatologist at the Western Regional Climate Center in Reno , Nev. '' Stream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions with pasture and rangeland , '' Simeral said .
In Florida , the South Florida Water Management District , which oversees 16 counties from Orlando to Miami and the Florida Keys , recorded the driest March in history -- with just a quarter-inch of rain .
Hundley Farms , which is based in South Florida 's Palm Beach County , has seen reduced yield for corn and other vegetables because of the drought , said Eric Hopkins , vice president and part owner .
The company manages or owns about 20,000 acres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's been in the 90s on many days -- like it 's August .
Everything is crispy , '' Hopkins said .
He said the company also dealt with the sudden lack of demand at hotels and restaurants because of this pandemic .
`` Since we could n't sell a lot of our sweet corn , we shipped some north for the cattle , where the grass had died in the heat , '' he said .
Florida 's Lake Okeechobee , which is half the size of Rhode Island , is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that also lead to coastal cities .
`` Lake Okeechobee is dropping and will soon be below normal levels [ for this time of year ] , '' said Eric Swartz , lead meteorologist with the water district .
Texas has seen an improvement in drought conditions over the last few months , but not along the Gulf Coast , said Victor Murphy , a climate service program manager for the National Weather Service in the Dallas area .
Texas winters generally do n't allow crop production , but cattlemen along the Rio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to move herds to water sources and add grain or other feed to offset the lack of grass , said Victor Murphy , climate service program manager with the National Weather Service in the Dallas area .

Melon fields show dry conditions in Fresno County, Calif., where drought has taken hold. Photo courtesy of Del Bosque Farms
April 20 (UPI) -- As farmers deal with supply chain disruptions due to the coronavirus pandemic, drought conditions have gripped California, Florida, parts of the Southwest and south Texas. The drought means additional expense for some farmers to find water or bring their livestock to a water source. It also increases the cost and a lack of selection at grocery stores for some crops grown in the United States. Advertisement
But any impact on price is hard to track amid widespread disruptions in the supply chain during the pandemic, farmers said.
A little over 12 percent of the country was experiencing moderate to exceptional drought at the end of March, and Florida's condition worsened to severe drought late last week, according to reports from U.S. Drought Monitor.
Rainfall, soil moisture and satellite imagery of vegetation indicated fire risk, water shortages and crop loss in the state.
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California and Florida are the only areas with significant winter produce crops, and farmers in both states harvested as drought concerns grew this spring. Florida produces a broad variety of fruit and vegetables in winter, while California's production includes groves of almonds and other nuts.
Drought in the winter in other regions of the country can affect cattle and production of winter wheat.
"One-fourth of my land will be fallow going forward due to drought concerns," said Joe del Bosque, who farms 2,000 acres of almonds and produce in Central California's Fresno County.
"People are talking about the pandemic and not the water problem here, but it is a problem and it will impact food supply locally and jobs in this community," del Bosque said.
Bosque's farms are in the San Joaquin Valley, which relies on irrigation from northern California, where reservoirs still are full, but drought conditions have worsened. He started planting melons in late March.
"I don't know what the market will be like, but I have to plant in the hopes there will be enough water," Bosque said.
Areas of northwestern California have significant rainfall deficit, said David Simeral, associate research climatologist at the Western Regional Climate Center in Reno, Nev.
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"Stream flows are low and there are poor conditions with pasture and rangeland," Simeral said.
In Florida, the South Florida Water Management District, which oversees 16 counties from Orlando to Miami and the Florida Keys, recorded the driest March in history -- with just a quarter-inch of rain.
Hundley Farms, which is based in South Florida's Palm Beach County, has seen reduced yield for corn and other vegetables because of the drought, said Eric Hopkins, vice president and part owner. The company manages or owns about 20,000 acres in Florida and Georgia.
"It's been in the 90s on many days -- like it's August. Everything is crispy," Hopkins said.
He said the company also dealt with the sudden lack of demand at hotels and restaurants because of this pandemic.
"Since we couldn't sell a lot of our sweet corn, we shipped some north for the cattle, where the grass had died in the heat," he said.
Florida's Lake Okeechobee, which is half the size of Rhode Island, is the main reservoir for farmers and supplies canals that also lead to coastal cities.
"Lake Okeechobee is dropping and will soon be below normal levels [for this time of year]," said Eric Swartz, lead meteorologist with the water district.
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Texas has seen an improvement in drought conditions over the last few months, but not along the Gulf Coast, said Victor Murphy, a climate service program manager for the National Weather Service in the Dallas area.
Texas winters generally don't allow crop production, but cattlemen along the Rio Grande River and the Gulf Coast also have to move herds to water sources and add grain or other feed to offset the lack of grass, said Victor Murphy, climate service program manager with the National Weather Service in the Dallas area.


upi--2020-04-20--Migrating monarch butterflies to find expanded habitats

DENVER , April 20 ( UPI ) -- Monarch butterflies expected to appear in the Midwest and northeastern United States in the next few weeks can expect help with their habitats this year along U.S. highways , railroad embankments and electrical corridors .
Now that the U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service is considering listing the monarch as protected under the Endangered Species Act , transportation agencies , railroads and energy companies have agreed to create monarch-friendly habitats for the butterflies and other pollinators on millions of acres of rights-of-way .
`` It 's not that big of a lift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agencies and energy companies are already managing vegetation , '' said Iris Caldwell , project manager in the Energy Resources Group at the University of Illinois-Chicago .
Caldwell and the Rights-of-Way as Habitat Working Group helped the federal wildlife agency coordinate the wildlife service 's agreement , released earlier this month .
Cooperating agencies and organizations will receive special federal waivers on future permits and licenses if the butterfly is listed as endangered , as long as they make changes now to provide butterfly habitat , the Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropping by 80 percent from an estimated 1 billion in the 1990s to 200 million in 2018 for the migrating monarchs that travel thousands of miles from the U.S. Midwest to Mexico , according to a 2019 study by the Portland , Ore. , -based Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation .
The situation was more dire for another group that migrates along the Pacific Coast , which has dropped by 98 percent from 1.2 million in the 1990s to just 30,000 in 2018 .
During the 2019-2020 wintering season , the area of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7 acres , down from 15 acres in the 2018-2019 season , according to the World Wildlife Fund .
The monarch habitat has been declining in the United States , said Laura Lukens , national monitoring coordinator for the St. Paul , Minn. , -based Monarch Joint Venture , a non-profit monarch advocacy group .
`` There are lots of factors and threats the monarchs face , and habitat loss is a big one , '' Lukens said .
`` We 've lost a lot of milkweed from the landscape , and native @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be .
But there are millions of acres along roadsides in the U.S. that can contribute to bringing native habitat back , '' she said .
Highway departments , such as the Delaware Department of Transportation are planting roadways with milkweed , on which monarchs lay their eggs .
Caterpillars eat leaves , stems and flowers before creating a chrysalis .
When the butterflies emerge , they gain energy from other nectar flowers , like the wildflowers planted beneath power line corridors in Ohio by FirstEnergy .
`` By removing uncertainty and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encourages a place for monarch butterflies and will hopefully eliminate their need to be listed on the Endangered Species Act , '' said Melissa Savage , director of the Washington , D.C. , -based American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials Center for Environmental Excellence .
That will save time and money for future transportation projects , she said .
This year 's monarch butterflies started their generations-long journey clumped together in cool , moist forests 10,000 feet above sea level in central Mexico .
In February , the butterflies begin their flights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ runs the non-profit Butterflies & Their People , near the Cerro Pelon Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in central Mexico .
`` Suddenly , the trees turn orange and they all flap their wings in the sun and start to fly , '' Sharp said .
`` There 's a sound like running water or rain on a roof .
It 's magical . ''
The Mexican butterflies fly from central Mexico north to the `` Texas Funnel '' near San Antonio where they lay eggs , reproduce and die .
Scientists tracking the monarchs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hatched .
By early April , a second generation has traveled farther north , roughly along Interstate 35 through Oklahoma , Kansas and Missouri , according to the citizen online butterfly tracker Journey North .
It 's the third `` super generation '' born in the northern U.S. states and Canada that makes the 2,500-mile autumn trek , flying at 5 mph back to Mexico , said Karen Kinkead , wildlife diversity program coordinator at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources .
To give insects the strength for their momentous journey , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer is crucial to the monarch -- and it also benefits other pollinators , too , Kinkead said .
`` If you build it they will come , '' she said .
`` Even a small patch of flowers in a yard or planters on a deck can help .
It 's unusual that a wildlife species can be helped on a large scale by actions in small areas . ''

Monarch butterflies cluster together in February at the Cerro Pelon sanctuary in central Mexico before traveling north. Photo courtesy Butterflies & Their People, A.C.
DENVER, April 20 (UPI) -- Monarch butterflies expected to appear in the Midwest and northeastern United States in the next few weeks can expect help with their habitats this year along U.S. highways, railroad embankments and electrical corridors. Now that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering listing the monarch as protected under the Endangered Species Act, transportation agencies, railroads and energy companies have agreed to create monarch-friendly habitats for the butterflies and other pollinators on millions of acres of rights-of-way. Advertisement
"It's not that big of a lift [to convert rights-of-way] since transportation agencies and energy companies are already managing vegetation," said Iris Caldwell, project manager in the Energy Resources Group at the University of Illinois-Chicago.
Caldwell and the Rights-of-Way as Habitat Working Group helped the federal wildlife agency coordinate the wildlife service's agreement, released earlier this month.
Cooperating agencies and organizations will receive special federal waivers on future permits and licenses if the butterfly is listed as endangered, as long as they make changes now to provide butterfly habitat, the Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances says.
Advertisement
Populations of monarchs have diminished, dropping by 80 percent from an estimated 1 billion in the 1990s to 200 million in 2018 for the migrating monarchs that travel thousands of miles from the U.S. Midwest to Mexico, according to a 2019 study by the Portland, Ore.,-based Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
The situation was more dire for another group that migrates along the Pacific Coast, which has dropped by 98 percent from 1.2 million in the 1990s to just 30,000 in 2018.
During the 2019-2020 wintering season, the area of Mexican forest occupied by monarch butterflies was 7 acres, down from 15 acres in the 2018-2019 season, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
The monarch habitat has been declining in the United States, said Laura Lukens, national monitoring coordinator for the St. Paul, Minn.,-based Monarch Joint Venture, a non-profit monarch advocacy group.
"There are lots of factors and threats the monarchs face, and habitat loss is a big one," Lukens said.
"We've lost a lot of milkweed from the landscape, and native prairie isn't there as it used to be. But there are millions of acres along roadsides in the U.S. that can contribute to bringing native habitat back," she said.
Advertisement
Highway departments, such as the Delaware Department of Transportation are planting roadways with milkweed, on which monarchs lay their eggs.
Caterpillars eat leaves, stems and flowers before creating a chrysalis. When the butterflies emerge, they gain energy from other nectar flowers, like the wildflowers planted beneath power line corridors in Ohio by FirstEnergy.
"By removing uncertainty and creating habitats, [this agreement] encourages a place for monarch butterflies and will hopefully eliminate their need to be listed on the Endangered Species Act," said Melissa Savage, director of the Washington, D.C.,-based American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials Center for Environmental Excellence.
That will save time and money for future transportation projects, she said.
This year's monarch butterflies started their generations-long journey clumped together in cool, moist forests 10,000 feet above sea level in central Mexico.
In February, the butterflies begin their flights north, said Ellen Sharp, who runs the non-profit Butterflies & Their People, near the Cerro Pelon Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in central Mexico.
"Suddenly, the trees turn orange and they all flap their wings in the sun and start to fly," Sharp said. "There's a sound like running water or rain on a roof. It's magical."
The Mexican butterflies fly from central Mexico north to the "Texas Funnel" near San Antonio where they lay eggs, reproduce and die. Scientists tracking the monarchs with isotope studies can determine where they hatched.
Advertisement
By early April, a second generation has traveled farther north, roughly along Interstate 35 through Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri, according to the citizen online butterfly tracker Journey North.
It's the third "super generation" born in the northern U.S. states and Canada that makes the 2,500-mile autumn trek, flying at 5 mph back to Mexico, said Karen Kinkead, wildlife diversity program coordinator at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
To give insects the strength for their momentous journey, a nectar-rich habitat of flowering native plants all summer is crucial to the monarch -- and it also benefits other pollinators, too, Kinkead said.
"If you build it they will come," she said. "Even a small patch of flowers in a yard or planters on a deck can help. It's unusual that a wildlife species can be helped on a large scale by actions in small areas."


upi--2020-04-20--On This Day, April 20: Deepwater Horizon oil rig explodes

April 20 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1871 , the U.S. Congress passed the Third Force Act , popularly known as the Ku Klux Klan Act , authorizing President Ulysses S. Grant to declare martial law , impose heavy penalties against terrorist organizations and use military force to suppress the Klan .
In 1902 , Marie Curie and Pierre Curie isolated radioactive radium salts from the mineral pitchblende in their laboratory in Paris .
In 1961 , Radio Havana announced that seven members of the group which attempted an overthrow of Fidel Castro 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It raised the number of executions over the previous three days to 24 .
In 1976 , the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that federal courts could order low-cost housing for minorities in a city 's white suburbs to ease racial segregation .
In 1983 , President Ronald Reagan signed a $ 165 billion Social Security rescue plan to keep the retirement system solvent .
In 1991 , the United States announced plans to open an office in Hanoi to investigate unresolved cases of 2,278 U.S. military personnel listed as MIAs and POWs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multimillion-dollar deal with Time Warner to form an entertainment company that would make her the world 's highest paid female pop star .
In 1999 , two teenage boys killed 12 students and a teacher at Columbine High School in Littleton , Colo. , before turning their guns on themselves .
In 2008 , Danica Patrick won the Indy Japan 300 auto race , becoming the first woman to win an IndyCar event .
In 2010 , an explosion and fire on the Deepwater Horizon BP oil rig off the Louisiana coast in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and caused a massive oil spill .
It became the largest U.S. marine oil spill in history , stretching over almost three months and releasing about 4.9 million barrels of crude .
In 2011 , Michel Martelly , an entertainer who performed under the name `` Sweet Micky , '' was elected president of Haiti in a runoff with former first lady Mirlande Manigat .
In 2012 , a Pakistani Bhoja Air jetliner on a flight from Karachi crashed 5 miles from Islamabad , killing all 127 people aboard .
In 2013 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed nearly 200 people and injured thousands .
In 2018 , British commonwealth leaders decided Prince Charles will succeed his mother , Queen Elizabeth II , as head of the commonwealth , a role that is not necessarily hereditary and must have unanimous support .

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Fire boat response crews battle the blazing remnants of off shore oil rig Deepwater Horizon off the coast of New Orleans on April 21, 2010. File Photo courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard | License Photo
April 20 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1871, the U.S. Congress passed the Third Force Act, popularly known as the Ku Klux Klan Act, authorizing President Ulysses S. Grant to declare martial law, impose heavy penalties against terrorist organizations and use military force to suppress the Klan. Advertisement
In 1902, Marie Curie and Pierre Curie isolated radioactive radium salts from the mineral pitchblende in their laboratory in Paris.
In 1961, Radio Havana announced that seven members of the group which attempted an overthrow of Fidel Castro's communist government in Cuba had been executed. It raised the number of executions over the previous three days to 24.
In 1976, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that federal courts could order low-cost housing for minorities in a city's white suburbs to ease racial segregation.
In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a $165 billion Social Security rescue plan to keep the retirement system solvent.
In 1991, the United States announced plans to open an office in Hanoi to investigate unresolved cases of 2,278 U.S. military personnel listed as MIAs and POWs.
In 1992, Madonna signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Time Warner to form an entertainment company that would make her the world's highest paid female pop star.
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File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
In 1999, two teenage boys killed 12 students and a teacher at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., before turning their guns on themselves.
In 2008, Danica Patrick won the Indy Japan 300 auto race, becoming the first woman to win an IndyCar event.
In 2010, an explosion and fire on the Deepwater Horizon BP oil rig off the Louisiana coast in the Gulf of Mexico killed 11 workers and caused a massive oil spill. It became the largest U.S. marine oil spill in history, stretching over almost three months and releasing about 4.9 million barrels of crude.
In 2011, Michel Martelly, an entertainer who performed under the name "Sweet Micky," was elected president of Haiti in a runoff with former first lady Mirlande Manigat.
File Photo by Olivier Douliery/UPI
In 2012, a Pakistani Bhoja Air jetliner on a flight from Karachi crashed 5 miles from Islamabad, killing all 127 people aboard.
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In 2013, an earthquake in China's Sichuan province killed nearly 200 people and injured thousands.
In 2018, British commonwealth leaders decided Prince Charles will succeed his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, as head of the commonwealth, a role that is not necessarily hereditary and must have unanimous support.


upi--2020-04-20--Famous birthdays for April 20: Jessica Lange, George Takei

April 20 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus .
-- Former @ @ @ @ @ Paul Stevens in 1920

Jessica Lange arrives for the 69th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on September 17, 2017. The actor turns 71 on April 20. File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo
April 20 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus. They include: Advertisement
-- Roman Catholic St. Rose of Lima in 1586
-- French Emperor Napoleon III in 1808
-- Sculptor Daniel Chester French in 1850
-- German dictator Adolf Hitler in 1889
-- Silent film comedian Harold Lloyd in 1893
-- Spanish surrealist painter Joan Miro in 1893
-- Musician Lionel Hampton in 1908
-- Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens in 1920
-- Actor Nina Foch in 1924
-- Actor George Takei in 1937 (age 83)
File Photo by Steve Ferdman/UPI
-- Actor Ryan O'Neal in 1941 (age 78)
-- Steve Spurrier, football coach/1966 Heisman Trophy winner, in 1945 (age 75)
-- Actor Jessica Lange in 1949 (age 71)
-- Actor Veronica Cartwright in 1949 (age 71)
-- Singer Luther Vandross in 1951
-- Actor Clint Howard in 1959 (age 61)
File Photo by Michael Tweed/UPI
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-- Actor Crispin Glover in 1964 (age 56)
-- Actor Andy Serkis in 1964 (age 56)
-- Actor Shemar Moore in 1970 (age 50)
-- Actor Carmen Electra in 1972 (age 48)
-- Rapper Killer Mike, born Michael Render, in 1975 (age 45)
-- Actor Joey Lawrence in 1976 (age 44)
-- Fashion designer/TV personality Tan France in 1983 (age 37)
-- Model Miranda Kerr in 1983 (age 37)


upi--2020-04-20--Trump invokes DPA for COVID-19 testing swabs

April 19 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump said he plans to force a U.S. company through the Defense Production Act to produce medical swabs used for coronavirus tests .
Trump announced during a White House news briefing Sunday night that he is preparing to use the Korean War-era law to compel an unnamed company to produce more than 20 million swabs a month .
`` We 're calling in the Defense Production Act and we 'll be getting swabs very easily , '' Trump said .
`` Swabs are easy , ventilators are hard . ''
Trump explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration has had `` a little difficulty '' trying to get the company to make the swabs through negotiations .
The president has previously used the Defense Production Act amid the pandemic on companies , including General Motors , to produce ventilators .
The announcement follows governors stating that they do n't have enough swabs and other supplies that prevent COVID-19 tests from being conducted .
Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer told NBC 's `` Meet The Press '' that the state has the capacity to preform double or triple the tests it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The reagents and the swabs are absolutely essential , '' she said .
`` You ca n't process all these tests if you ca n't take the sample and protect it and move forward through testing .
And so while our capabilities are there , these important supplies are not . ''
Trump said during the press conference that the administration continues to work with companies to procure millions of swabs .
`` We 've ordered a lot of them , they have a lot of them , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swabs `` but they do n't know where they are . ''
Earlier Sunday , Vice President Mike Pence announced that the United States will be ramping up COVID-19 testing in order to facilitate plans to lift stay-at-homes orders and reopen the economy .
During the evening press conference , Trump said more than 4.8 million Americans have been tested for the coronavirus .
The United States leads the world in COVID-19 cases with more than 750,000 confirmed infections and it has more than 40,000 deaths linked to the virus , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johns Hopkins University .

United States President Donald J. Trump holds up swabs during the coronavirus pandemic briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing room at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Sunday. Photo by Stefani Reynolds/UPI | License Photo
April 19 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said he plans to force a U.S. company through the Defense Production Act to produce medical swabs used for coronavirus tests. Trump announced during a White House news briefing Sunday night that he is preparing to use the Korean War-era law to compel an unnamed company to produce more than 20 million swabs a month. Advertisement
"We're calling in the Defense Production Act and we'll be getting swabs very easily," Trump said. "Swabs are easy, ventilators are hard."
Trump explained the law was being used as his administration has had "a little difficulty" trying to get the company to make the swabs through negotiations.
The president has previously used the Defense Production Act amid the pandemic on companies, including General Motors, to produce ventilators.
The announcement follows governors stating that they don't have enough swabs and other supplies that prevent COVID-19 tests from being conducted.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told NBC's "Meet The Press" that the state has the capacity to preform double or triple the tests it is now but they lack the supplies.
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"The reagents and the swabs are absolutely essential," she said. "You can't process all these tests if you can't take the sample and protect it and move forward through testing. And so while our capabilities are there, these important supplies are not."
Trump said during the press conference that the administration continues to work with companies to procure millions of swabs.
"We've ordered a lot of them, they have a lot of them," he said, adding that states have been shipped swabs "but they don't know where they are."
Earlier Sunday, Vice President Mike Pence announced that the United States will be ramping up COVID-19 testing in order to facilitate plans to lift stay-at-homes orders and reopen the economy.
During the evening press conference, Trump said more than 4.8 million Americans have been tested for the coronavirus.
The United States leads the world in COVID-19 cases with more than 750,000 confirmed infections and it has more than 40,000 deaths linked to the virus, according to a live tracker of the disease by Johns Hopkins University.


upi--2020-04-19--Gunman dead after posing as police officer, killing at least 16 in Nova Scotia

April 19 ( UPI ) -- The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said Sunday a gunman disguised as a police officer killed at least 16 people during a 12-hour shooting rampage that spanned miles throughout Nova Scotia .
Among the dead was Heidi Stevenson , a 23-year veteran of the RCMP .
The suspect , identified as Gabriel Wortman , 51 , was also killed , police said .
`` Today is a devastating day for Nova Scotia and it will remain etched in the minds of many for years to come , '' assistant police commissioner Lee Bergerman told reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What has unfolded overnight and into the morning is incomprehensible and many families are experiencing the loss of a loved one . ''
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki confirmed there were at least 16 known victims aside from the shooter , making it one of the worst mass shootings in Canadian history .
RCMP first reported an active shooter situation in Portapique at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday , urging residents to remain inside their homes and lock their doors .
RCMP Chief Superintendent Chris Leather said officers responded to the firearms call at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside and outside the home , '' spurring a search for the missing suspect , later identified as Wortman .
Police warned that Wortman may have been driving a vehicle resembling an RCMP cruiser and wearing an RCMP uniform as he traveled southbound from the area of the initial incident .
`` To clarify , the suspect in our active shooter investigation , Gabriel Wortman is NOT employed by the RCMP but he may be wearing an RCMP uniform .
He is considered armed and dangerous .
If you see him , do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' RCMP wrote on Twitter .
Police conducted a search for the suspect through crime scenes , several of which were set on fire , Leather said , adding that bodies were also discovered .
The manhunt ended at around 11:40 a.m. Sunday in Enfield , about 60 miles south of Portapique .
In a statement , the Nova Scotia Serious Incident Response Team said that there was a `` confrontation '' with the suspect in Enfield , resulting in police discharging their weapons .
`` The suspect was found to be deceased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Leather confirmed during the evening press conference that Wortman had been disguised , at least in part , as a police officer during the shooting .
`` At one point during the course of the evening he appears to have been wearing -- if not a portion of -- a police uniform and that we believe he was driving at one point a mock-up or a vehicle that was made to look like an RCMP police cruiser , '' he said .
Lucki told CBC News that she believes there was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that then `` turned to randomness . ''
`` We do n't know for sure and we 're going to have to do a lot of work on finding the motivation -- a lot of background , a lot of profiling type of events and a lot of crime scene processing , '' she said .
Bergerman confirmed during the press conference that Const .
Stevenson was among the victims .
`` Heidi answered the call of duty and lost her life while protecting those she served .
Earlier this afternoon I met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no words to describe their pain , '' said Bergerman .
`` Two children have lost their mother .
And a husband has lost his wife .
Parents have lost their daughter and countless others lost an incredible friend and colleague . ''
Bergerman also said another officer was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries .
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement that he spoke with Lucki and Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil to offer his condolences on behalf of the government .
`` The people of Nova Scotia are strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here to support them as they heal from this tragedy , '' he said .

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Const. Heidi Stevenson was one of 16 people killed during a shooting rampage in Nova Scotia. Photo courtesy of Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Nova Scotia/ Facebook
April 19 (UPI) -- Some of the victims killed in a mass-shooting in Nova Scotia were remembered Monday after a man impersonating a police officer killed 19 people during a 12-hour shooting rampage that spanned miles. Heidi Stevenson, RCMP Advertisement
Among the dead was Heidi Stevenson, a 23-year veteran of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who was killed by the gunman during an altercation that ended in a gun battle at an Enfield, N.S. gas station.
"Heidi answered the call of duty and lost her life while protecting those she served," wrote RCMP assistant commissioner Lee Bergerman on Facebook.
"Earlier this afternoon, I met with Heidi's family and there are no words to describe their pain. Two children have lost their mother and a husband his wife. Parents lost their daughter and countless others lost an incredible friend and colleague."
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The suspect, identified as Gabriel Wortman, 51, who was wearing a Mountie uniform, was also killed, police said. Authorities said it is the worst mass shooting in Canadian history.
Family of 3
A Portapique family of three, Aaron Tuck, 45, Jolene Oliver, 40, a former waitress from Calgary, and daughter Emily Tuck, 17, were remembered as recent residents who had moved to be closer to a grandmother.
Emily was a violinist and would help her father, Aaron, an auto mechanic, fix cars in the garage, her aunt told CBCNews.
"She knew everything underneath the hood," said Tammy Oliver-McCurdie. "She didn't even get to live her life. She had so much potential ... so much love, so, smart, so caring, so humble." Family members started a GoFundMe page to pay for the burials.
Elementary teacher
Shooting victim and mother of two, Lisa McCully taught elementary school, the Nova Scotia Teachers Union said Sunday.
"[Our] hearts are broken along with those of her colleagues and students at Debert Elementary, as well as her family and friends who knew her not only as a passionate teacher but as a shining love in their lives," Paul Wozney, union president wrote on Facebook.
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Two nurses
Two nurses were identified as victims by the Victorian Order of Nurses in a statement released Monday.
"All of our frontline care providers are heroes," the statement said.
"Yesterday, two of those heroes, Heather O'Brien and Kristen Beaton, were taken from their families, and from VON. We mourn their loss, and we mourn for their families."
O'Brien, a wife, mother and grandmother, was a licensed practical nurse for nearly 17 years, the organization said.
Beaton, a young wife and mother, worked for six years as a continuing care assistant, the nursing agency said.
Married couple
Greg and Jamie Blair were confirmed by CBCNews to be among the victims. Greg Blair worked at a gas company and the two were parents of young children.
"Two beautiful souls were lost today ... and many more," family member Jessica MacBurnie wrote on Facebook. "I have absolutely no words for the heartache my family & many others are going through."
Corrections employees and passerby
Sean McLeod and Alanna Jenkins worked for Correctional Service Canada and lived together in West Wentworth, about 31 miles north of Portapique. The couple was found dead in their home, which exploded.
A neighbor called 911 after hearing gunshots Sunday morning and reported that the home was on fire.
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Tom Bagley, a neighbor was shot and killed when he passed by the scene Sunday morning.
"He was the type of person who would have run to help," neighbor Darrol Thurier told the local Chronicle Herald.
RCMP first reported an active shooter situation in Portapique at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, urging residents to remain inside their homes and lock their doors.
RCMP Chief Superintendent Chris Leather said officers responded to a call, discovering "several casualties inside and outside the home," spurring a search for the missing suspect, later identified as Wortman.
Police said Wortman was driving a vehicle resembling an RCMP cruiser and wearing an RCMP uniform.
The manhunt ended at around 11:40 a.m. Sunday in Enfield, about 60 miles south of Portapique.
In a statement, the Nova Scotia Serious Incident Response Team said that there was a "confrontation" with the suspect in Enfield, resulting in police discharging their weapons and killing Wortman.
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki told CBC News that she believes there was "an initial motivation" behind the shooting that then "turned to randomness."
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement that he spoke with Lucki and Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil to offer his condolences on behalf of the government.
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"The people of Nova Scotia are strong and resilient, and we will be here to support them as they heal from this tragedy," he said.


upi--2020-04-19--Baltimore Ravens to sign ex-Green Bay Packers LB Jake Ryan

April 19 ( UPI ) -- The Baltimore Ravens reached an agreement on a short-term contract with former Green Bay Packers linebacker Jake Ryan .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media on Saturday that Ryan agreed to a one-year deal with the Ravens .
Financial details of the agreement , which is pending a physical , were n't disclosed .
Ryan , who has n't played a defensive snap since 2017 , has dealt with a major knee injury in the last two seasons .
In 2018 , the 28-year-old linebacker tore his ACL in training camp with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last year , he played in only two games -- on special teams -- with the Jacksonville Jaguars before experiencing a setback with the knee .
The Jaguars did n't pick up Ryan 's option this off-season , making him a free agent .
The Packers selected Ryan in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Michigan .
Since entering the league , he has recorded 213 total tackles , two fumble recoveries , one sack , one forced fumble and three passes defensed in 45 career games ( 27 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Ravens were expected to sign a veteran at middle linebacker after the losses of Josh Bynes ( Cincinnati Bengals ) and Patrick Onwuasor ( New York Jets ) this off-season .
The only inside linebackers currently on the team 's roster are L.J .
Fort , Otaro Alaka and Chris Board , who have combined for 11 career starts .

Former Green Bay Packers linebacker Jake Ryan played only two games last season because of a knee injury. File Photo by Art Foxall/UPI | License Photo
April 19 (UPI) -- The Baltimore Ravens reached an agreement on a short-term contract with former Green Bay Packers linebacker Jake Ryan. League sources told ESPN and NFL Media on Saturday that Ryan agreed to a one-year deal with the Ravens. Financial details of the agreement, which is pending a physical, weren't disclosed. Advertisement
Ryan, who hasn't played a defensive snap since 2017, has dealt with a major knee injury in the last two seasons. In 2018, the 28-year-old linebacker tore his ACL in training camp with the Packers and missed the entire season. Last year, he played in only two games -- on special teams -- with the Jacksonville Jaguars before experiencing a setback with the knee.
The Jaguars didn't pick up Ryan's option this off-season, making him a free agent.
The Packers selected Ryan in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Michigan. Since entering the league, he has recorded 213 total tackles, two fumble recoveries, one sack, one forced fumble and three passes defensed in 45 career games (27 starts) between the Packers and Jaguars.
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The Ravens were expected to sign a veteran at middle linebacker after the losses of Josh Bynes (Cincinnati Bengals) and Patrick Onwuasor (New York Jets) this off-season. The only inside linebackers currently on the team's roster are L.J. Fort, Otaro Alaka and Chris Board, who have combined for 11 career starts.


upi--2020-04-20--Michigan Gov. Whitmer says she'll take pay cut during pandemic

April 20 ( UPI ) -- Democrat Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer announced Monday that she and her top staff would take pay cuts to do their part to tighten the state budget during the coronavirus pandemic .
Whitmer told reporters she will take a 10 percent pay cut , while her top staff will shave off 5 percent of their pay during the COVID-19 economic crisis .
`` I 'm going to lead by example , '' the governor said .
`` I know that times are tough and that we as a state are going to be confronting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economic shutdown . ''
Whitmer 's salary in 2019 was $ 159,300 , according to a survey by Business Insider .
As of Monday , Michigan health authorities confirmed more than 32,000 cases of coronavirus and nearly 2,400 deaths .
Monday , the state confirmed 575 new cases .
The youngest death so far in the Michigan was Skylar Herbert , age 5 , of Detroit .
Whitmer praised the child 's mother LaVondria Herbert , a Detroit police officer , and her father , Ebbie a city firefighter .
`` They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 've served with honor and integrity , '' Whitmer said Monday .
`` They did not deserve to lose their child to this virus .
Nobody does . ''
State health agencies were working to ramp up testing , contact tracing and hospital capacity , health officials said Monday .
Gov .
Whitmer said current stay-at-home orders are scheduled to end May 1 .
Seven midwestern governors , include Whitmer , are working together to hammer out a data-driven process to reopen the region , they announced last week .
These include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Tony Evers , Minnesota Gov .
Tim Walz , Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker , Indiana Gov .
Eric Holcomb and Kentucky Gov .
Andy Beshear .
Whitmer faced criticism by protesters in the state capital , Lansing , in recent days some of whom brought confederate flags and open-carry weapons to protest the Michigan stay-at-home orders .
The Michigan Conservative Council , organizers of the event , said Whitmer 's measures to slow the coronavirus violated constitutional rights .

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Monday she would take a 10 percent payout and ask her top staff to also take a pay reduction to "lead by example" during the state budget crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Photo courtesy of Michigan State Police livestream
April 20 (UPI) -- Democrat Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Monday that she and her top staff would take pay cuts to do their part to tighten the state budget during the coronavirus pandemic. Whitmer told reporters she will take a 10 percent pay cut, while her top staff will shave off 5 percent of their pay during the COVID-19 economic crisis. Advertisement
"I'm going to lead by example," the governor said. "I know that times are tough and that we as a state are going to be confronting a tough budget as a result of the economic shutdown."
Whitmer's salary in 2019 was $159,300, according to a survey by Business Insider.
As of Monday, Michigan health authorities confirmed more than 32,000 cases of coronavirus and nearly 2,400 deaths. Monday, the state confirmed 575 new cases.
The youngest death so far in the Michigan was Skylar Herbert, age 5, of Detroit. Whitmer praised the child's mother LaVondria Herbert, a Detroit police officer, and her father, Ebbie a city firefighter.
"They've been on the front line and they've served with honor and integrity," Whitmer said Monday. "They did not deserve to lose their child to this virus. Nobody does."
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State health agencies were working to ramp up testing, contact tracing and hospital capacity, health officials said Monday.
Gov. Whitmer said current stay-at-home orders are scheduled to end May 1.
Seven midwestern governors, include Whitmer, are working together to hammer out a data-driven process to reopen the region, they announced last week. These include Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
Whitmer faced criticism by protesters in the state capital, Lansing, in recent days some of whom brought confederate flags and open-carry weapons to protest the Michigan stay-at-home orders. The Michigan Conservative Council, organizers of the event, said Whitmer's measures to slow the coronavirus violated constitutional rights.


upi--2020-04-20--Ex-Colts linebacker, Super Bowl V hero Mike 'Mad Dog' Curtis dies at 77

April 20 ( UPI ) -- Former Baltimore Colts star linebacker Mike `` Mad Dog '' Curtis has died at the age of 77 , the team announced .
`` Rest in peace , Mike Curtis , '' Irsay wrote on Twitter .
`` One of the game 's most legendary non-Hall-of-Famers .
Ferocious on the field , a gentleman off the field . ''
Curtis , who was born March 27 , 1943 , in Rockville , Md.
, starred at Duke University before being selected with the No .
14 overall pick by the Colts in the 1965 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fullback but eventually moved to linebacker .
Curtis was a four-time Pro Bowl selection , two-time first-team All-Pro and AFC Defensive Player of the Year in 1970 with the Colts .
During his 11 years with the franchise , he recorded 21 interceptions , including two that he returned for touchdowns , and eight fumble recoveries while starting 105 of the 125 games he appeared in .
Curtis ' most memorable outing came in the Colts ' win over the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V on Jan. 17 , 1971 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ only 1:09 remaining on the clock , Curtis intercepted Cowboys quarterback Craig Morton and returned it 13 yards to Dallas ' 28-yard line .
The interception set up Jim O'Brien 's game-winning field goal from 32 yards out to give the Colts their first Super Bowl championship in franchise history .
Curtis also played for the Seattle Seahawks ( 1976 ) and Washington Redskins ( 1977-78 ) in his 14-year career .
He finished with 25 career interceptions and nine fumble recoveries .

April 20 (UPI) -- Former Baltimore Colts star linebacker Mike "Mad Dog" Curtis has died at the age of 77, the team announced.
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay confirmed Curtis' death with a post on social media Monday.
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"Rest in peace, Mike Curtis," Irsay wrote on Twitter. "One of the game's most legendary non-Hall-of-Famers. Ferocious on the field, a gentleman off the field."
Curtis, who was born March 27, 1943, in Rockville, Md., starred at Duke University before being selected with the No. 14 overall pick by the Colts in the 1965 NFL Draft. He was drafted as a fullback but eventually moved to linebacker.
Rest in peace, Mike Curtis. One of the game's most legendary non-Hall-of-Famers. Ferocious on the field, a gentleman off the field.— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) April 20, 2020
#Former Colts great LB Mike "Mad Dog" Curtis, whose clutch late interception helped earn the franchise's first Super Bowl title in the 1970 season, has passed away at 77:https://t.co/bLFBmIAR80— Andrew Walker (@AWalkerColts) April 20, 2020
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Curtis was a four-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time first-team All-Pro and AFC Defensive Player of the Year in 1970 with the Colts. During his 11 years with the franchise, he recorded 21 interceptions, including two that he returned for touchdowns, and eight fumble recoveries while starting 105 of the 125 games he appeared in.
Curtis' most memorable outing came in the Colts' win over the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V on Jan. 17, 1971. With the game tied at 13 and only 1:09 remaining on the clock, Curtis intercepted Cowboys quarterback Craig Morton and returned it 13 yards to Dallas' 28-yard line.
The interception set up Jim O'Brien's game-winning field goal from 32 yards out to give the Colts their first Super Bowl championship in franchise history.
Curtis also played for the Seattle Seahawks (1976) and Washington Redskins (1977-78) in his 14-year career. He finished with 25 career interceptions and nine fumble recoveries.


upi--2020-04-20--Jaguars' Yannick Ngakoue rips franchise, executive Tony Khan

April 20 ( UPI ) -- Star defensive end Yannick Ngakoue lashed out at the Jaguars and team executive Tony Khan , the son of owner Shad Khan , on social media Monday , escalating his attempts to force his way out of Jacksonville .
The exchange between Ngakoue and Tony Khan , the Jaguars ' senior vice president of football administration and technology , started when Ngakoue sent out a tweet that read : # FREEYANN .
Shortly later , Ngakoue told Tony Khan to `` stop hiding . ''
After Tony Khan responded to the post , Ngakoue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rusher `` had a discussion that the [ Los Angeles ] Chargers game [ on Dec. 8 ] was my last game '' in a Jaguars uniform .
Ngakoue also said Tony Khan was n't returning calls from his representatives and ended the Twitter post with a clown emoji .
Ngakoue 's feud with the organization began last summer when then-executive vice president of football operations Tom Coughlin broke off contract negotiations with the pass-rusher and his agent , Ari Nissim .
The Jaguars reportedly offered Ngakoue a contract that would pay him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After an 11-day holdout in training camp , Ngakoue rejected the offer and played last season for $ 2.025 million , according to Spotrac .
The Jaguars placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Ngakoue on March 13 .
Ngakoue , who has been urging the team on social media to trade him for the past few months , has yet to sign the tender , which would pay him about $ 17.8 million in 2020 .
In 15 regular-season games in 2019 , Ngakoue set a new career high with 41 total tackles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fumbles , six passes defensed , one interception and a defensive touchdown .
The Jaguars selected Ngakoue in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Maryland .
Since entering the league , he has tallied 121 total tackles , 37.5 sacks , nine passes defensed , two picks and a defensive score .

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) has yet to sign his non-exclusive franchise tag this off-season. File Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
April 20 (UPI) -- Star defensive end Yannick Ngakoue lashed out at the Jaguars and team executive Tony Khan, the son of owner Shad Khan, on social media Monday, escalating his attempts to force his way out of Jacksonville. The exchange between Ngakoue and Tony Khan, the Jaguars' senior vice president of football administration and technology, started when Ngakoue sent out a tweet that read: #FREEYANN. Shortly later, Ngakoue told Tony Khan to "stop hiding." Advertisement
After Tony Khan responded to the post, Ngakoue claimed that the executive and the edge rusher "had a discussion that the [Los Angeles] Chargers game [on Dec. 8] was my last game" in a Jaguars uniform.
Ngakoue also said Tony Khan wasn't returning calls from his representatives and ended the Twitter post with a clown emoji.
Since your feeling might today let's both let the world in on the truth. We been had a discussion that the chargers game was my last game. Yet you try to back door the situation without answering any of my camps calls. Smh you spoiled bra.. holding up people for no reason — Yannick Ngakoue (@YannickNgakoue) April 20, 2020
Advertisement Just trade me . I don't need the speech — Yannick Ngakoue (@YannickNgakoue) April 20, 2020
Show me the compensation. I'm sure you're really driving up the price today btw.— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) April 20, 2020
Ngakoue's feud with the organization began last summer when then-executive vice president of football operations Tom Coughlin broke off contract negotiations with the pass-rusher and his agent, Ari Nissim. The Jaguars reportedly offered Ngakoue a contract that would pay him about $19 million per year.
After an 11-day holdout in training camp, Ngakoue rejected the offer and played last season for $2.025 million, according to Spotrac.
The Jaguars placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Ngakoue on March 13. Ngakoue, who has been urging the team on social media to trade him for the past few months, has yet to sign the tender, which would pay him about $17.8 million in 2020.
In 15 regular-season games in 2019, Ngakoue set a new career high with 41 total tackles and recorded eight sacks, four forced fumbles, six passes defensed, one interception and a defensive touchdown.
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The Jaguars selected Ngakoue in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Maryland. Since entering the league, he has tallied 121 total tackles, 37.5 sacks, nine passes defensed, two picks and a defensive score.