upi--2020-05-13--State Department adds Cuba to counterterrorism blacklist

May 13 ( UPI ) -- The Trump administration said Wednesday it has added Cuba to the list of countries that do not cooperate with the United States ' counterterrorism efforts .
In a statement , the State Department announced it had notified Congress Tuesday of Cuba 's recertification under the Arms Export Control Act for `` not cooperating fully '' with the U.S. efforts last year .
It was Cuba 's first time being added to the list since 2015 .
The State Department explained the move was in response to Cuba 's refusal to extradite members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Havana to Colombia after the group claimed responsibility for the January 2019 bombing of a Bogata police academy that killed 22 people and injured more than 60 others .
`` As the United States maintains an enduring security partnership with Colombia and shares with Colombia the important counterterrorism objective of combating organizations like the ELN , Cuba 's refusal to productively engage with the Colombian government demonstrates that it is not cooperating with the U.S. work to support Colombia 's efforts to secure a just and lasting peace , security and opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department said .
Ten leaders of the group had traveled to Havana to conduct peace talks with the government in 2017 and have remained there since .
The State Department added Havana also harbors several U.S. fugitives wanted on charges of political violence , some who have been sought for decades including Joanne Chesimard , also known as Assata Shakur , who was convicted with killing New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster in 1973 .
Chesimard , a member of the Black Liberation Amry , has been sought by the Federal Burea of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jersey while serving a life sentence for murder .
Carlos F. de Cossio , the Cuban Foreign Ministry 's general director for U.S. affairs , rejected the listing and claimed Cuba has been a victim of U.S. terrorism .
`` There is a long history of terrorist acts committed by the U.S. government vs. Cuba and complicity of U.S. authorities with individuals and organizations that have organized , financed and executed such actions from U.S. territory , '' he tweeted .
The listing comes in the wake of a shooting at the Cuba @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been taken into custody , but Havana has balked at the silence from the Trump administration over the incident .
Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno Rodriguez held a press conference to denounce `` the complicit silence '' of the U.S. government on the attack , stating the shooting could have been avoided if the United States had shared with it information it had on the matter .
On Wednesday , Rodriguez rejected Cuba 's inclusion on the `` spurious '' list while failing to condemn the shooting .
`` It conceals its own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impunity of violence groups in the U.S. , '' he tweeted .
The State Department also said Iran , North Korea , Syria and Venezuela were recertified on the list , which prohibits them the sale or license for export of defense articles and services .

The State Department Wednesday blacklisted Cuba over its refusal to extradite members of the National Liberation Army to Colombia after the organization took responsibility for the January 2019 bombing of the Santander General Police School in Bogota. File Photo by Mauricio Duenas Castaneda/EPA-EFE
May 13 (UPI) -- The Trump administration said Wednesday it has added Cuba to the list of countries that do not cooperate with the United States' counterterrorism efforts. In a statement, the State Department announced it had notified Congress Tuesday of Cuba's recertification under the Arms Export Control Act for "not cooperating fully" with the U.S. efforts last year. It was Cuba's first time being added to the list since 2015. Advertisement
The State Department explained the move was in response to Cuba's refusal to extradite members of the National Liberation Army known as ELN living in Havana to Colombia after the group claimed responsibility for the January 2019 bombing of a Bogata police academy that killed 22 people and injured more than 60 others.
"As the United States maintains an enduring security partnership with Colombia and shares with Colombia the important counterterrorism objective of combating organizations like the ELN, Cuba's refusal to productively engage with the Colombian government demonstrates that it is not cooperating with the U.S. work to support Colombia's efforts to secure a just and lasting peace, security and opportunity for its people," the State Department said.
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Ten leaders of the group had traveled to Havana to conduct peace talks with the government in 2017 and have remained there since.
The State Department added Havana also harbors several U.S. fugitives wanted on charges of political violence, some who have been sought for decades including Joanne Chesimard, also known as Assata Shakur, who was convicted with killing New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster in 1973.
Chesimard, a member of the Black Liberation Amry, has been sought by the Federal Burea of Investigation since she escaped from a New Jersey while serving a life sentence for murder.
Carlos F. de Cossio, the Cuban Foreign Ministry's general director for U.S. affairs, rejected the listing and claimed Cuba has been a victim of U.S. terrorism.
"There is a long history of terrorist acts committed by the U.S. government vs. Cuba and complicity of U.S. authorities with individuals and organizations that have organized, financed and executed such actions from U.S. territory," he tweeted.
The listing comes in the wake of a shooting at the Cuba Embassy in Washington, D.C. A suspect has been taken into custody, but Havana has balked at the silence from the Trump administration over the incident.
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Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno Rodriguez held a press conference to denounce "the complicit silence" of the U.S. government on the attack, stating the shooting could have been avoided if the United States had shared with it information it had on the matter.
On Wednesday, Rodriguez rejected Cuba's inclusion on the "spurious" list while failing to condemn the shooting.
"It conceals its own history of state terrorism vs. Cuba & impunity of violence groups in the U.S.," he tweeted.
The State Department also said Iran, North Korea, Syria and Venezuela were recertified on the list, which prohibits them the sale or license for export of defense articles and services.


upi--2020-05-13--Wisconsin Supreme Court overturns state's stay-at-home order

May 13 ( UPI ) -- The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Wednesday overturned the state 's stay-at-home order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
The high court issued a 4-3 decision , ruling that Wisconsin 's Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm exceeded her powers by issuing the order and threatening imprisonment for noncompliance .
`` In issuing her order , she arrogated unto herself the power to make the law and the power to execute it , excluding the people from the lawmaking process altogether , '' the judges ruled .
Republicans in the state legislature brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , arguing that the measure would hurt businesses and cost residents their jobs .
They requested that the court stay the order for a week to allow them to work out a deal with Gov .
Tony Evers to manage the pandemic , but the court ultimately declined to do so .
The ruling immediately lifts all restrictions on businesses and gatherings imposed by the order but keeps in place Evers ' order closing schools until the fall .
Evers , who directed Palm and the Health Department to issue the order and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had already begun to lift some restrictions as cases in the state declined .
`` Republican legislators convinced four members of the Supreme Court to throw the state into chaos , '' Evers said Wednesday .
`` Republicans control that chaos . ''
Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald , who brought the suit challenging the order , said it was instead Evers who `` set the table for chaos '' by straying from his plan 's requirements for certain benchmarks when he chose to lift restrictions on retail businesses this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skeptical , '' he said .
The decision comes amid protests and anger in some states against stay-at-home orders put in place to curb COVID-19 infections that have grown to nearly 1.4 million in the country since its first case was recorded mid-January .
On Tuesday , Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sent letters to local governments warning emergency measures , such as face-covering mandates , were unlawful and to rectify the situation .
Last month , Attorney General William Barr ordered state prosecutors to be on the watch for local coronavirus directives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of citizens .

The Wisconsin Supreme court issued a 4-3 decision Wednesday overturning Gov. Tony Evers' stay-at-home order, lifting all restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. File Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License Photo
May 13 (UPI) -- The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Wednesday overturned the state's stay-at-home order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The high court issued a 4-3 decision, ruling that Wisconsin's Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm exceeded her powers by issuing the order and threatening imprisonment for noncompliance. Advertisement
"In issuing her order, she arrogated unto herself the power to make the law and the power to execute it, excluding the people from the lawmaking process altogether," the judges ruled.
Republicans in the state legislature brought the case against the order last month, arguing that the measure would hurt businesses and cost residents their jobs.
They requested that the court stay the order for a week to allow them to work out a deal with Gov. Tony Evers to manage the pandemic, but the court ultimately declined to do so.
The ruling immediately lifts all restrictions on businesses and gatherings imposed by the order but keeps in place Evers' order closing schools until the fall.
Evers, who directed Palm and the Health Department to issue the order and to later extend it through May 26, had already begun to lift some restrictions as cases in the state declined.
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"Republican legislators convinced four members of the Supreme Court to throw the state into chaos," Evers said Wednesday. "Republicans control that chaos."
Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, who brought the suit challenging the order, said it was instead Evers who "set the table for chaos" by straying from his plan's requirements for certain benchmarks when he chose to lift restrictions on retail businesses this week.
"The public started to become skeptical," he said.
The decision comes amid protests and anger in some states against stay-at-home orders put in place to curb COVID-19 infections that have grown to nearly 1.4 million in the country since its first case was recorded mid-January.
On Tuesday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sent letters to local governments warning emergency measures, such as face-covering mandates, were unlawful and to rectify the situation.
Last month, Attorney General William Barr ordered state prosecutors to be on the watch for local coronavirus directives that violate the Constitution and the rights of citizens.


upi--2020-05-13--Wilson to replace Spalding as NBA's official basketball manufacturer

May 13 ( UPI ) -- The NBA and Wilson announced a multiyear partnership Wednesday that will make the sporting goods company the official game ball of the league again .
Wilson will replace Spalding starting with the 2021-22 season , according to the league .
The 2020-21 campaign will be Spalding 's 37th and final season as the NBA 's basketball manufacturer .
Wilson , the NBA 's original ball producer , also will provide game basketballs for the WNBA , the G League and the upstart Basketball Africa League .
`` This partnership with Wilson returns us to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future , '' Salvatore LaRocca , NBA President of Global Partnerships , said in a statement .
`` We were partners for 37 seasons dating back to when Wilson manufactured the first official NBA basketballs in 1946 , and we look forward to growing the game of basketball together . ''
The WNBA will switch to the Wilson basketball in 2022 .
The NBA said Wilson will create the game balls using the same leather provider , and the new basketballs will keep the same eight-panel configuration and performance specifications as the ones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will work jointly with Wilson to develop and approve the new ball .

Wilson will replace Spalding as the league's ball manufacturer starting in the 2021-22 season. File Photo by Gary C. Caskey/UPI | License Photo
May 13 (UPI) -- The NBA and Wilson announced a multiyear partnership Wednesday that will make the sporting goods company the official game ball of the league again. Wilson will replace Spalding starting with the 2021-22 season, according to the league. The 2020-21 campaign will be Spalding's 37th and final season as the NBA's basketball manufacturer. Advertisement
Wilson, the NBA's original ball producer, also will provide game basketballs for the WNBA, the G League and the upstart Basketball Africa League.
"This partnership with Wilson returns us to our roots as we plan for the future," Salvatore LaRocca, NBA President of Global Partnerships, said in a statement. "We were partners for 37 seasons dating back to when Wilson manufactured the first official NBA basketballs in 1946, and we look forward to growing the game of basketball together."
The WNBA will switch to the Wilson basketball in 2022.
The NBA said Wilson will create the game balls using the same leather provider, and the new basketballs will keep the same eight-panel configuration and performance specifications as the ones currently used. Players in the league will work jointly with Wilson to develop and approve the new ball.


upi--2020-05-13--Indianapolis Colts' T.Y. Hilton: 'I want to be a Colt' for last contract

May 13 ( UPI ) -- Colts star wide receiver T.Y .
Hilton wants to sign his final contract with Indianapolis and retire with the franchise after the end of the deal .
Hilton , who is entering the final year of his current pact , told ESPN on Wednesday that he had contract discussions with the Colts this off-season , but the team put those talks on hold once the coronavirus pandemic hit .
`` It takes two sides , '' Hilton said .
`` It 's up to [ Colts owner Jim ] Irsay and [ general manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the job done .
I want to be a Colt .
So you heard it from me . ''
Hilton , who turns 31 in November , said the contract -- if the parties can reach an agreement -- will be his last in the NFL , regardless of the deal 's length .
`` Whether it 's two years , three years , four years , '' Hilton said .
`` Whatever it is . ''
Hilton is coming off the worst season of his eight-year NFL career .
He recorded 45 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a career-low 10 regular-season games in 2019 .
The four-time Pro Bowl wideout missed six games last season because of injuries .
He missed only four games in the first seven years of his career combined .
During that span , he notched five 1,000-yard seasons and led the league in receiving yards in 2016 .
`` I kind of let my teammates down last year being hurt , being injured , things you really ca n't control , '' Hilton said .
`` It 's not like you 're playing Madden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm working out twice a day , so I do n't let my teammates down .
My motivation is to getting back to where I was , and that 's getting back on top of the game . ''
The Colts selected Hilton in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of FIU .
Since entering the league , he has tallied 552 receptions for 8,598 receiving yards and 45 touchdowns .

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton is entering the final year of his current contract. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
May 13 (UPI) -- Colts star wide receiver T.Y. Hilton wants to sign his final contract with Indianapolis and retire with the franchise after the end of the deal. Hilton, who is entering the final year of his current pact, told ESPN on Wednesday that he had contract discussions with the Colts this off-season, but the team put those talks on hold once the coronavirus pandemic hit. Advertisement
"It takes two sides," Hilton said. "It's up to [Colts owner Jim] Irsay and [general manager] Chris [Ballard] to get the job done. I want to be a Colt. So you heard it from me."
Hilton, who turns 31 in November, said the contract -- if the parties can reach an agreement -- will be his last in the NFL, regardless of the deal's length.
"Whether it's two years, three years, four years," Hilton said. "Whatever it is."
Hilton is coming off the worst season of his eight-year NFL career. He recorded 45 catches for 501 yards and five touchdowns in a career-low 10 regular-season games in 2019.
The four-time Pro Bowl wideout missed six games last season because of injuries. He missed only four games in the first seven years of his career combined. During that span, he notched five 1,000-yard seasons and led the league in receiving yards in 2016.
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"I kind of let my teammates down last year being hurt, being injured, things you really can't control," Hilton said. "It's not like you're playing Madden and cutting injuries off. ... I'm working out twice a day, so I don't let my teammates down. My motivation is to getting back to where I was, and that's getting back on top of the game."
The Colts selected Hilton in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of FIU. Since entering the league, he has tallied 552 receptions for 8,598 receiving yards and 45 touchdowns.


upi--2020-05-14--Arrest warrants issued for Giants' DeAndre Baker, Seahawks' Quinton Dunbar

May 14 ( UPI ) -- Police in Florida have issued arrest warrants for New York Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker and Seattle Seahawks defensive back Quinton Dunbar in connection to an armed robbery investigation .
The Miramar Police Department announced Thursday that Baker is wanted on four counts of armed robbery with a firearm and four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm .
Dunbar is wanted on four counts of armed robbery with a firearm .
Police said the charges stem from an incident early Thursday morning in Miramar , which is located about 30 minutes outside of Miami @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baker and Dunbar are accused of stealing money and watches while armed with semi-automatic weapons .
Baker intentionally threatened the victims with a firearm , police said .
Multiple witnesses said at one point during the incident Baker told another suspect wearing a red mask to shoot someone who was just arriving at the party , according to police .
`` We are aware of the situation .
We have been in contact with DeAndre , '' the Giants said in a statement .
`` We have no further comment at this time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is `` aware of the matter but will decline further comment at this time . ''
The Seahawks acquired Dunbar in an off-season trade with the Washington Redskins in March .
Seattle introduced him to the media on a video conference call earlier Thursday .
The Giants selected Baker in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Georgia .
Baker and Dunbar are from Miami .

New York Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker (27) is wanted on four counts of armed robbery with a firearm and four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm. File Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
May 14 (UPI) -- Police in South Florida have issued arrest warrants for New York Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker and Seattle Seahawks defensive back Quinton Dunbar in connection to an armed robbery investigation. The Miramar Police Department announced Thursday that Baker is wanted on four counts of armed robbery with a firearm and four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm. Dunbar's arrest warrant is for four counts of armed robbery with a firearm. Advertisement
Police said the charges stem from an alleged incident late Wednesday night at a party in Miramar, which is located about 30 minutes outside of Miami.
According to the police report, Baker and Dunbar are accused of stealing money and watches while armed with semi-automatic weapons. Baker intentionally threatened the victims with a firearm, police said.
Multiple witnesses said at one point during the incident Baker told another suspect wearing a red mask to shoot someone who was just arriving at the party, according to police.
The police report includes conflicting accounts from witnesses as to whether Dunbar possessed a firearm, with some individuals saying they didn't see him with a weapon.
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"We are aware of the situation. We have been in contact with DeAndre," the Giants said in a statement. "We have no further comment at this time."
The NFL said Thursday it is "aware of the matter but will decline further comment at this time."
The Seahawks acquired Dunbar, 27, in an off-season trade with the Washington Redskins in March. Seattle introduced him to the media on a video conference call earlier Thursday.
The Giants selected Baker, 22, in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Georgia. Baker and Dunbar are from Miami.


upi--2020-05-14--Lockheed awarded $904.8M to make MH-60Rs for U.S., India

May 14 ( UPI ) -- Lockheed Martin was awarded a $ 904.8 million contract modification Thursday for the production @ @ @ @ @ maritime aircraft for the United States and for the government of India , according to @ @ @ @ @ contract , Lockheed will produce and delivery three MH-60Rs to the U.S. Navy and 21 @ @ @ @ @ India .
The MH-60R Seahawk is a multi-mission Navy helicopter jointly built by Lockheed and @ @ @ @ @ for combat duty as well as high-risk rescues .
In January Lockheed was awarded a @ @ @ @ @ parts maintenance for MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters for the U.S. Navy .
Just over half @ @ @ @ @ will be performed in Owego , N.Y. , with other parts being performed in Stratford @ @ @ @ @ , Ala. Fiscal 2020 Navy funds for aircraft procurement in the amount of $ 113.1 @ @ @ @ @ in Foreign Military Sales funds will be obligated at the time of the award .

An MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, assigned to the “Proud Warriors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 72, prepares to land aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in this 2018 photo. On Thursday Lockheed Martin was awarded $904.8 million to produce and deliver MH-60Rs to the United States and India. Photo by Joseph A.D. Phillips/U.S. Navy
May 14 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin was awarded a $904.8 million contract modification Thursday for the production and delivery of MH-60R Seahawk maritime aircraft for the United States and for the government of India, according to the Pentagon. Under the contract, Lockheed will produce and delivery three MH-60Rs to the U.S. Navy and 21 MH-60Rs to the government of India. Advertisement
The MH-60R Seahawk is a multi-mission Navy helicopter jointly built by Lockheed and Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. and used for combat duty as well as high-risk rescues.
In January Lockheed was awarded a $2.3 billion contract for parts maintenance for MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters for the U.S. Navy.
Just over half the work on the contract will be performed in Owego, N.Y., with other parts being performed in Stratford, Conn., and Troy, Ala.
Fiscal 2020 Navy funds for aircraft procurement in the amount of $113.1 million and $791.7 million in Foreign Military Sales funds will be obligated at the time of the award.


upi--2020-05-14--Justin Thomas to grace cover of new PGA Tour video game

May 14 ( UPI ) -- Justin Thomas , a 12-time winner on the PGA Tour , was revealed as the cover athlete of the upcoming PGA Tour 2K21 video game , which is set to release later this summer .
Thomas joins Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy as cover athletes on an officially licensed PGA Tour game .
Thomas will be joined by 11 other PGA Tour pros in the game , which also features 15 Tour courses and real-world brands such as Callaway , Adidas and TaylorMade , among others .
`` Being chosen to be the first-ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2K game is a tremendous honor , '' Thomas said in a statement Thursday .
`` I 'm excited to join the 2K family and challenge players everywhere on the digital links . ''
Gamers can create and customize their own players and go through a PGA Tour career mode , complete with FedEx Cup branding .
Players also will be able to compete in online matches with others , with formats such as alternate shot , stroke play , skins and scrambles .
PGA Tour 2K21 is a follow-up to The Golf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video game to have official PGA Tour licensing since EA Sports ' Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy series came to an end in 2015 .
PGA Tour 2K21 is scheduled to release Aug. 21 on PlayStation 4 , Xbox One , Nintendo Switch , Google Stadia and Steam .

May 14 (UPI) -- Justin Thomas, a 12-time winner on the PGA Tour, was revealed as the cover athlete of the upcoming PGA Tour 2K21 video game, which is set to release later this summer.
Thomas joins Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy as cover athletes on an officially licensed PGA Tour game. Thomas will be joined by 11 other PGA Tour pros in the game, which also features 15 Tour courses and real-world brands such as Callaway, Adidas and TaylorMade, among others.
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"Being chosen to be the first-ever cover athlete for the premiere PGA Tour 2K game is a tremendous honor," Thomas said in a statement Thursday. "I'm excited to join the 2K family and challenge players everywhere on the digital links."
Gamers can create and customize their own players and go through a PGA Tour career mode, complete with FedEx Cup branding. Players also will be able to compete in online matches with others, with formats such as alternate shot, stroke play, skins and scrambles.
Play against real-life @PGATOUR Pros on real deal courses. Swing with swag, and get your victory dance ready... #PGATOUR2K21 is coming August 21! Golf Got Game pic.twitter.com/TOhrdyaYOb— PGA TOUR 2K (@PGATOUR2K) May 14, 2020 Advertisement
PGA Tour 2K21 is a follow-up to The Golf Club 2019, which was the first video game to have official PGA Tour licensing since EA Sports' Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy series came to an end in 2015.
PGA Tour 2K21 is scheduled to release Aug. 21 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia and Steam.


upi--2020-05-14--Expert calls hopes for COVID-19 vaccine within year 'optimistic'

May 14 ( UPI ) -- Vaccines expert Dr. Rick Bright warned in congressional testimony Thursday the administration 's hopes of developing and deploying a vaccine against COVID-19 within 18 months are likely too optimistic .
Appearing before a hearing of the subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce , Bright said hopes of having a vaccine within an 18-month time frame assumes `` everything goes perfectly . ''
`` We 've never seen everything go perfectly . ''
He added that even if a vaccine were perfected by then , `` We need to have a strategy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure that we can not only fill that vaccine , make it , distribute it , but administer it in a fair and equitable plan .
`` We do not have that yet , and it is a significant concern , '' he said .
President Donald Trump said in a television interview Thursday he believed `` we will have a vaccine by the end of the year '' and that the U.S. military could be tapped to help distribute it quickly .
Bright , the former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month from the federal post that 's tasked with developing vaccines and other medical countermeasures .
He was transferred to a job at the National Institutes of Health .
BARDA is an office of the Department of Health and Human Services .
He said Americans face `` the darkest winter in modern history '' if proper preparations are n't taken to avert a future resurgence of the coronavirus disease , asserting that time is running out to prevent a potentially catastrophic rise in the number of COVID-19 cases this fall and winter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said in his opening remarks .
`` If we fail to improve our response now , based on science , I fear the pandemic will get far worse and be prolonged .
`` There will likely be a resurgence of COVID-19 this fall that will be greatly compounded by the challenges of seasonal influenza .
Without better planning , 2020 could be darkest winter in modern history . ''
Bright also said Americans `` deserve the truth '' about the federal response to the health crisis and asked that scientists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of retribution . ''
`` We need to be truthful with the American people .
Americans deserve the truth , '' he said .
`` The truth must be based on science .
We have the world 's greatest scientists .
Let us lead . ''
Bright filed a whistle-blower complaint concerning his removal from BARDA and said it occurred after he resisted Trump administration efforts to make potentially harmful drugs -- including chloroquine , which was promoted early in the crisis by Trump -- widely available as a coronavirus treatment .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` dire predictions '' about the potential impact of an outbreak and was unwilling to act on his recommendation that the United States ramp up production of face masks , respirators and other critical supplies .
Trump attacked Bright on Twitter , calling him `` not liked or respected '' and labeling him a `` disgruntled employee . ''
The HHS issued a statement saying Bright `` has not yet shown up for work , but continues to collect his $ 285,010 salary , while using his taxpayer-funded medical leave to work with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to COVID-19 . ''
Thursday 's hearing began with a moment of silence to honor more than 80,000 Americans who have died since the start of the health crisis .
Subcommittee Chairwoman Anna Eshoo , D-Calif. , called the administration 's response `` inept , ineffective and extremely late . ''
`` We are the greatest country on earth and yet we have the most cases and the most deaths from COVID-19 of any nation in the world , '' Eshoo said .
Eshoo said Bright 's whistle-blower report is one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she 's ever seen .
`` We ca n't have a system where the government fires those who get it right and reward those who get it completely wrong , '' she said .
Bright said the federal government still needs to assemble a comprehensive strategy that encompasses nationwide contact tracing , increased testing and a vaccine .
`` With proper leadership and collaboration across government , with the best science leading the way , we can devise a comprehensive strategy , '' he said .
`` We can devise a plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help us guide us through this pandemic . ''
Michael Bowen , executive vice president of surgical mask manufacturer Prestige Ameritech , also testified on Thursday that in 2004 , major domestic mask sellers in the United States switched from selling domestically made masks to selling masks imported from foreign nations .
Bowen said Prestige Ameritech identified this shift as a national security risk in 2006 .
Under questioning from Eshoo , Bowen said he has increased his production of masks from 75,000 a month to 2 million a month after HHS accepted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the pandemic and will double that production to 4 million per month within about 40 days .
He added he had the capacity to produce an additional 7 million N95 respirators per month but said this level of production would require at least three to four months and 100 additional workers .
Bowen said he feared that hiring that many employees without at least a one-year contract from the U.S. government could lead to a similar situation that the company faced during the H1N1 outbreak during which he increased hiring to meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 150 people after the government no longer purchased from the company .
`` America has a weakness for low prices , '' he said .
In his testimony , Bowen also said that Bright and previous BARDA directors , Robin Robinson and Richard Hatchett , were helpful and encouraged him to `` continue warning people about the mask supply . ''
He also confirmed that he sent emails to Bright included in his whistle-blower complaint warning of a shortage of masks amid the coronavirus pandemic .

1/9
Dr. Richard Bright, former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, testifies Thursday before the House energy and commerce subcommittee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Photo by Shawn Thew/UPI/Pool | License Photo
May 14 (UPI) -- Vaccines expert Dr. Rick Bright warned in congressional testimony Thursday the administration's hopes of developing and deploying a vaccine against COVID-19 within 18 months are likely too optimistic. Appearing before a hearing of the subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Bright said hopes of having a vaccine within an 18-month time frame assumes "everything goes perfectly." Advertisement
"We've never seen everything go perfectly."
He added that even if a vaccine were perfected by then, "We need to have a strategy and plan in place now to make sure that we cannot only fill that vaccine, make it, distribute it, but administer it in a fair and equitable plan.
"We do not have that yet, and it is a significant concern," he said.
President Donald Trump said in a television interview Thursday he believed "we will have a vaccine by the end of the year" and that the U.S. military could be tapped to help distribute it quickly.
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Bright, the former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, was removed last month from the federal post that's tasked with developing vaccines and other medical countermeasures. He was transferred to a job at the National Institutes of Health. BARDA is an office of the Department of Health and Human Services.
He said Americans face "the darkest winter in modern history" if proper preparations aren't taken to avert a future resurgence of the coronavirus disease, asserting that time is running out to prevent a potentially catastrophic rise in the number of COVID-19 cases this fall and winter.
"Our window of opportunity is closing," he said in his opening remarks. "If we fail to improve our response now, based on science, I fear the pandemic will get far worse and be prolonged.
"There will likely be a resurgence of COVID-19 this fall that will be greatly compounded by the challenges of seasonal influenza. Without better planning, 2020 could be darkest winter in modern history."
Bright also said Americans "deserve the truth" about the federal response to the health crisis and asked that scientists be allowed to speak "without fear of retribution."
"We need to be truthful with the American people. Americans deserve the truth," he said. "The truth must be based on science. We have the world's greatest scientists. Let us lead."
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Bright filed a whistle-blower complaint concerning his removal from BARDA and said it occurred after he resisted Trump administration efforts to make potentially harmful drugs -- including chloroquine, which was promoted early in the crisis by Trump -- widely available as a coronavirus treatment.
He said the HHS was dismissive of his "dire predictions" about the potential impact of an outbreak and was unwilling to act on his recommendation that the United States ramp up production of face masks, respirators and other critical supplies.
Trump attacked Bright on Twitter, calling him "not liked or respected" and labeling him a "disgruntled employee."
The HHS issued a statement saying Bright "has not yet shown up for work, but continues to collect his $285,010 salary, while using his taxpayer-funded medical leave to work with partisan attorneys who are politicizing the response to COVID-19."
Thursday's hearing began with a moment of silence to honor more than 80,000 Americans who have died since the start of the health crisis. Subcommittee Chairwoman Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., called the administration's response "inept, ineffective and extremely late."
"We are the greatest country on earth and yet we have the most cases and the most deaths from COVID-19 of any nation in the world," Eshoo said.
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Eshoo said Bright's whistle-blower report is one of the "most specific" and "troubling" she's ever seen.
"We can't have a system where the government fires those who get it right and reward those who get it completely wrong," she said.
Bright said the federal government still needs to assemble a comprehensive strategy that encompasses nationwide contact tracing, increased testing and a vaccine.
"With proper leadership and collaboration across government, with the best science leading the way, we can devise a comprehensive strategy," he said. "We can devise a plan that includes all Americans and help them help us guide us through this pandemic."
Michael Bowen, executive vice president of surgical mask manufacturer Prestige Ameritech, also testified on Thursday that in 2004, major domestic mask sellers in the United States switched from selling domestically made masks to selling masks imported from foreign nations.
Bowen said Prestige Ameritech identified this shift as a national security risk in 2006.
Under questioning from Eshoo, Bowen said he has increased his production of masks from 75,000 a month to 2 million a month after HHS accepted his offer to produce masks in response to the pandemic and will double that production to 4 million per month within about 40 days.
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He added he had the capacity to produce an additional 7 million N95 respirators per month but said this level of production would require at least three to four months and 100 additional workers.
Bowen said he feared that hiring that many employees without at least a one-year contract from the U.S. government could lead to a similar situation that the company faced during the H1N1 outbreak during which he increased hiring to meet government needs but had to lay off 150 people after the government no longer purchased from the company.
"America has a weakness for low prices," he said.
In his testimony, Bowen also said that Bright and previous BARDA directors, Robin Robinson and Richard Hatchett, were helpful and encouraged him to "continue warning people about the mask supply."
He also confirmed that he sent emails to Bright included in his whistle-blower complaint warning of a shortage of masks amid the coronavirus pandemic.
COVID-19 pandemic alters life in New York City


upi--2020-05-14--Pentagon removes official in charge of executing Defense Production Act

May 14 ( UPI ) -- The Department of Defense confirmed Thursday that it has removed its lead official responsible for executing the Defense Production Act to increase production of masks and other equipment to fight the COVID-19 pandemic .
Politico first reported Thursday that Jennifer Santos , who had been the Deputy Assistance Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy , is moving to a new role in the Navy .
`` The Department can confirm that Ms. Jennifer Santos is moving from her current position as the Department 's Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson Lt. Col. Mike Andrews said told CNN .
Santos , who was appointed to the job in 2019 , was working on the Pentagon 's efforts to ramp up production of N-95 respirator masks , swabs for COVID-19 tests and supplies needed to prevent the spread of the virus .
Santos previously was a staffer on the U.S. Senate 's appropriations defense subcommittee , and also help finance- and acquisition-related roles in the Air Force .
Democrats in Congress have criticized the Trump administration 's response to the coronavirus , including its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DPA to produce safety gear and medical equipment needed to address the pandemic .

The Pentagon removed Jennifer Santos, pictured, from her position as the lead official responsible for executing the Defense Production Act. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army
May 14 (UPI) -- The Department of Defense confirmed Thursday that it has removed its lead official responsible for executing the Defense Production Act to increase production of masks and other equipment to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Politico first reported Thursday that Jennifer Santos, who had been the Deputy Assistance Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy, is moving to a new role in the Navy. Advertisement
"The Department can confirm that Ms. Jennifer Santos is moving from her current position as the Department's Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy to the Department of the Navy," Pentagon spokesperson Lt. Col. Mike Andrews said told CNN.
Santos, who was appointed to the job in 2019, was working on the Pentagon's efforts to ramp up production of N-95 respirator masks, swabs for COVID-19 tests and supplies needed to prevent the spread of the virus.
Santos previously was a staffer on the U.S. Senate's appropriations defense subcommittee, and also help finance- and acquisition-related roles in the Air Force.
Democrats in Congress have criticized the Trump administration's response to the coronavirus, including its slowness to use the powers of the DPA to produce safety gear and medical equipment needed to address the pandemic.


upi--2020-05-14--At least one sailor tests positive for COVID-19 after returning to Roosevelt carrier

May 14 ( UPI ) -- At least one sailor has tested positive for COVID-19 this week after being cleared to return to duty on the USS Theodore Roosevelt , the Navy said on Thursday .
The sailor is no longer aboard the aircraft carrier , CBS News reported , which has been docked in Guam since the end of March in an effort to contain a coronavirus outbreak on board .
As many as five sailors who returned to the ship after self-isolating on Guam have tested positive for the virus , CNN and the New York Times reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sailors started experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 after returning to the ship .
The Roosevelt has been preparing to return to sea in recent weeks , but Navy officials have not issued an update on the number of cases on board since the end of April , when 1,102 sailors of the ship 's 4,800-strong crew were reported to have an active case of the virus .
The Navy installed a screening process for recovered sailors to return to the ship after two negative tests .
The Roosevelt , meanwhile , underwent intensive cleaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the island .
The new positive cases may not prevent the vessel from returning to sea , but instead the ship may embark with a reduced crew , officials said .
The coronavirus outbreak on the aircraft carrier touched off a political firestorm this spring , as its captain , Brett Crozier , was dismissed after a memo on the subject went public .
The acting secretary of the Navy , Thomas Modly , who fired Crozier and subsequently called him `` stupid , '' later resigned .

U.S. Navy Hospitalmen Christian Akins, left, and Austin Brunt, assigned to Naval Hospital Guam, take a nasal sample from a sailor assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in April. Photo by Kaylianna Genier/U.S. Navy
May 14 (UPI) -- At least one sailor has tested positive for COVID-19 this week after being cleared to return to duty on the USS Theodore Roosevelt, the Navy said on Thursday. The sailor is no longer aboard the aircraft carrier, CBS News reported, which has been docked in Guam since the end of March in an effort to contain a coronavirus outbreak on board. Advertisement
As many as five sailors who returned to the ship after self-isolating on Guam have tested positive for the virus, CNN and the New York Times reported.
Navy officials also said that several sailors started experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 after returning to the ship.
The Roosevelt has been preparing to return to sea in recent weeks, but Navy officials have not issued an update on the number of cases on board since the end of April, when 1,102 sailors of the ship's 4,800-strong crew were reported to have an active case of the virus.
The Navy installed a screening process for recovered sailors to return to the ship after two negative tests. The Roosevelt, meanwhile, underwent intensive cleaning and sailors quarantined or received treatment on the island.
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The new positive cases may not prevent the vessel from returning to sea, but instead the ship may embark with a reduced crew, officials said.
The coronavirus outbreak on the aircraft carrier touched off a political firestorm this spring, as its captain, Brett Crozier, was dismissed after a memo on the subject went public. The acting secretary of the Navy, Thomas Modly, who fired Crozier and subsequently called him "stupid," later resigned.


upi--2020-05-14--Cats can catch COVID-19, no evidence they pass it to humans

With sporadic reports of tigers and housecats picking up the new coronavirus from nearby humans , a new trial gives more details on whether cats can pass the virus to each other .
The answer : Yes , and quite easily , according to the new trial involving six felines .
But there was good news , too : Even though cats can transmit the new SARS-CoV-2 virus to other felines , none of the kitties infected in the new study appeared to get sick .
Still , the team of American and Japanese researchers said that domestic cats `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SARS-CoV-2 , because infected cats may not show any appreciable symptoms that might be recognized by their owners . ''
So far , however , there 's been no evidence that cats can pass the virus to humans -- only evidence that humans might pass the virus to a pet cat .
In the study , a team led by Yoshihiro Kawaoka , of the University of Tokyo , first deliberately infected -- via inoculation -- three domestic cats with the new coronavirus .
By three days after the inoculation , the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all three cats .
At the same time , each of the three infected cats were paired with an uninfected cat on day 1 after their inoculation , with the pairs housed in close contact .
Within five days , `` virus was detected [ via nasal swab ] in all three cats that were co-housed with the inoculated cats , '' the team reported May 13 in the New England Journal of Medicine .
However , none of the six cats in the study `` showed any symptoms '' of illness , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss , the team said .
What does all this mean for people ?
While there 's as yet no evidence that an infected cat can pass the new coronavirus to humans , Kawaoka 's group said it 's not out of the realm of possibility .
The researchers pointed to cases in 2016 , when `` an H7N2 influenza outbreak in New York City cat shelters highlighted the public health implications of cat-to-human transmission to workers in animal shelters . ''
In that outbreak , `` virus isolated from the infected human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus isolated from a cat , '' researchers reported in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases in 2017 .
Right now , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's guidance on COVID-19 and animals states that , `` based on the limited information available to date , the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low .
We are still learning about this virus , but it appears that it can spread from people to animals in some situations . ''
More research is needed , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Given the need to stop the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic through various mechanisms , including breaking transmission chains , a better understanding of the role cats may play in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to humans is needed , '' the researchers concluded .
Here 's the full guidance on coronavirus and animals from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

With sporadic reports of tigers and housecats picking up the new coronavirus from nearby humans, a new trial gives more details on whether cats can pass the virus to each other.
The answer: Yes, and quite easily, according to the new trial involving six felines.
Advertisement
But there was good news, too: Even though cats can transmit the new SARS-CoV-2 virus to other felines, none of the kitties infected in the new study appeared to get sick.
Still, the team of American and Japanese researchers said that domestic cats "may be a silent intermediate host of SARS-CoV-2, because infected cats may not show any appreciable symptoms that might be recognized by their owners."
So far, however, there's been no evidence that cats can pass the virus to humans -- only evidence that humans might pass the virus to a pet cat.
In the study, a team led by Yoshihiro Kawaoka, of the University of Tokyo, first deliberately infected -- via inoculation -- three domestic cats with the new coronavirus. By three days after the inoculation, the virus was detected in nasal swab tests in all three cats.
At the same time, each of the three infected cats were paired with an uninfected cat on day 1 after their inoculation, with the pairs housed in close contact.
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Within five days, "virus was detected [via nasal swab] in all three cats that were co-housed with the inoculated cats," the team reported May 13 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
However, none of the six cats in the study "showed any symptoms" of illness, including fever, eye infections or weight loss, the team said.
What does all this mean for people?
While there's as yet no evidence that an infected cat can pass the new coronavirus to humans, Kawaoka's group said it's not out of the realm of possibility.
The researchers pointed to cases in 2016, when "an H7N2 influenza outbreak in New York City cat shelters highlighted the public health implications of cat-to-human transmission to workers in animal shelters."
In that outbreak, "virus isolated from the infected human [worker] was closely related to virus isolated from a cat," researchers reported in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases in 2017.
Right now, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidance on COVID-19 and animals states that, "based on the limited information available to date, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low. We are still learning about this virus, but it appears that it can spread from people to animals in some situations."
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More research is needed, however, according to the new study's authors.
"Given the need to stop the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic through various mechanisms, including breaking transmission chains, a better understanding of the role cats may play in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to humans is needed," the researchers concluded.
More information
Here's the full guidance on coronavirus and animals from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-05-14--IOC anticipates $800M in costs for postponed Tokyo Olympics

May 14 ( UPI ) -- The International Olympic Committee announced Thursday that it anticipates it will bear $ 800 million in expenses following the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Games .
The IOC said the figure includes $ 650 million in costs for the organization of the event originally planned for this summer as well as a $ 150 million aid package to allow various Olympic organizations to continue their sports and activities , and support their athletes .
`` The Olympic Movement is facing an unprecedented challenge .
The IOC has to organize postponed Olympic Games for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its stakeholders come through this global crisis , '' IOC President Thomas Bach said .
The IOC said the $ 150 million aid package will be used to allow the International Federations , the National Olympic Committees and other IOC-Recognized Organizations `` to continue their mission to develop their sports , prepare for the Olympic Games and support their athletes . ''
Additionally , the Swiss Federal Council agreed to offer support to International Federations based in Switzerland alongside the IOC .
`` The IOC thanks the Swiss Federal Council for the offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the IOC .
We are fully committed to successfully delivering this International Sports Federation support program in cooperation with the Swiss authorities , '' Bach said .
The IOC delayed the Summer Games earlier this year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The Olympics are now scheduled to take place in Tokyo starting July 23 , 2021 .
The Games were initially scheduled to begin this July , but the spread of the novel coronavirus led to a global suspension of sporting events .

The International Olympic Committee on Thursday announced it anticipates owing $800 million in expenses for planning the postponed 2020 Summer Olympics and aid for organizations supporting sports and athletes. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
May 14 (UPI) -- The International Olympic Committee announced Thursday that it anticipates it will bear $800 million in expenses following the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Games. The IOC said the figure includes $650 million in costs for the organization of the event originally planned for this summer as well as a $150 million aid package to allow various Olympic organizations to continue their sports and activities, and support their athletes. Advertisement
"The Olympic Movement is facing an unprecedented challenge. The IOC has to organize postponed Olympic Games for the first time ever and has to help its stakeholders come through this global crisis," IOC President Thomas Bach said.
The IOC said the $150 million aid package will be used to allow the International Federations, the National Olympic Committees and other IOC-Recognized Organizations "to continue their mission to develop their sports, prepare for the Olympic Games and support their athletes."
Additionally, the Swiss Federal Council agreed to offer support to International Federations based in Switzerland alongside the IOC.
"The IOC thanks the Swiss Federal Council for the offer to support the International Federations jointly with the IOC. We are fully committed to successfully delivering this International Sports Federation support program in cooperation with the Swiss authorities," Bach said.
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The IOC delayed the Summer Games earlier this year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Olympics are now scheduled to take place in Tokyo starting July 23, 2021.
The Games were initially scheduled to begin this July, but the spread of the novel coronavirus led to a global suspension of sporting events.


upi--2020-05-14--Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sgt. Ronald Shurer dies at 41

May 14 ( UPI ) -- Former U.S. Army medic and Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sgt .
Ronald Shurer II died Thursday , the U.S. Secret Service said .
He was 41 .
Though his family has n't revealed a cause of death , Shurer was hospitalized this week for treatment related to lung cancer .
`` Today , we lost an American hero : Husband , Father , Son , Medal of Honor Recipient - Special Agent Ronald J. Shurer II .
From a grateful Nation and Agency - your memory and legacy will live on forever .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service said on its Twitter account .
Shurer posted Wednesday about being placed on a ventilator at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington , D.C. '' Very upset to write this ... .
been unconscious for a week .
They are going to try and take it out in a couple hours , they ca n't tell me if it will work , '' he wrote on Instagram alongside of photo of himself in a hospital bed with his wife , Miranda Shurer .
President Donald Trump awarded Shurer the Medal of Honor on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid to troops during a firefight in an Afghan valley .
He was honored for assisting teammates during combat with Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin in the Shok Valley in the Nuristan province of Afghanistan on April 6 , 2008 .
He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions , but after review military officials decided to upgrade it to a Medal of Honor .
The Special Operations Task Force 's mission Shurer took part in was to kill or capture the leader of the militant group , Gulbuddin Hekmatyar , but they came under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the valley .
Another element of the team also came under fire at a separate location , some of whom were critically hurt .
`` With disregard for his safety , Shurer moved quickly through a hail of bullets toward the base of the mountain to reach the pinned-down forward element , '' the U.S. Army said .
`` After providing aid , Shurer spent the next hour fighting across several hundred meters and killing multiple insurgents .
Eventually , Shurer arrived to support the pinned down element and immediately rendered aid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injured commandos until teammates arrived . ''
The Army said Shurer saved the lives of all the teammates he treated despite being shot in the arm .
He also assisted evacuating three teammates who could n't walk down a near-vertical 60-foot cliff while taking fire .
In addition to his wife , Shurer is survived by his sons , Cameron and Tyler .

1/2
President Donald Trump awards the Medal of Honor to former Army medic Staff Sgt. Ronald Shurer during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House on October 1, 2018. Shurer died Thursday. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
May 14 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Army medic and Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sgt. Ronald Shurer II died Thursday, the U.S. Secret Service said. He was 41. Though his family hasn't revealed a cause of death, Shurer was hospitalized this week for treatment related to lung cancer. Advertisement
"Today, we lost an American hero: Husband, Father, Son, Medal of Honor Recipient - Special Agent Ronald J. Shurer II. From a grateful Nation and Agency - your memory and legacy will live on forever. Rest in Peace," the Secret Service said on its Twitter account.
Shurer posted Wednesday about being placed on a ventilator at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C.
"Very upset to write this.... been unconscious for a week. They are going to try and take it out in a couple hours, they can't tell me if it will work," he wrote on Instagram alongside of photo of himself in a hospital bed with his wife, Miranda Shurer.
President Donald Trump awarded Shurer the Medal of Honor on Oct. 1, 2018, for rendering aid to troops during a firefight in an Afghan valley.
He was honored for assisting teammates during combat with Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin in the Shok Valley in the Nuristan province of Afghanistan on April 6, 2008.
He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions, but after review military officials decided to upgrade it to a Medal of Honor.
The Special Operations Task Force's mission Shurer took part in was to kill or capture the leader of the militant group, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, but they came under fire as they made their way through the valley. Another element of the team also came under fire at a separate location, some of whom were critically hurt.
"With disregard for his safety, Shurer moved quickly through a hail of bullets toward the base of the mountain to reach the pinned-down forward element," the U.S. Army said.
"After providing aid, Shurer spent the next hour fighting across several hundred meters and killing multiple insurgents. Eventually, Shurer arrived to support the pinned down element and immediately rendered aid to four critically wounded U.S. units and 10 injured commandos until teammates arrived."
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The Army said Shurer saved the lives of all the teammates he treated despite being shot in the arm. He also assisted evacuating three teammates who couldn't walk down a near-vertical 60-foot cliff while taking fire.
In addition to his wife, Shurer is survived by his sons, Cameron and Tyler.
Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-05-14--'Frozen' will not reopen on Broadway post pandemic

May 14 ( UPI ) -- Disney Theatrical Productions announced Thursday that Frozen will not reopen when Broadway theaters resume after the coronavirus pandemic .
It is the first Broadway play to officially close since the theater district shut down in March , Playbill reported .
Hangmen and a new production of Who 's Afraid of Virginia Woolf ?
had not yet opened and will not be able to open at any point .
On Tuesday , The Broadway League announced theaters will remain closed through Sept. 6 .
Productions are processing refunds for ticketholders through those dates .
Frozen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when large theater gatherings become safe again .
Openings in the West End , Australia , Japan and Germany have been postponed until 2021 .
They will attempt to reuse materials from the Broadway show on tour .
Caissie Levy , who played Elsa from March 2018 through February tweeted her condolences for the current production .
Former Anna Patti Murin also tweeted she was heartbroken .
Ciara Renee took over the role of Elsa and McKenzie Kurtz took over as Anna .
Frozen was a theatrical production of Disney 's animated film @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christian Andersen legend of The Snow Queen .
Sisters Anna and Elsa rule their kingdom of Arendelle , but Elsa lives in exile due to her uncontrollable snow powers .
She learns to `` Let It Go '' in the movie 's signature song , sung by Idina Menzel in the film .
Kristen Bell voices Anna in the movies .
Songwriters Bobby Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez wrote additional music for the stage musical .
They were Tony nominated for the show 's score , as was Jennifer Lee for writing the book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , too .

Caissie Levy played Elsa in "Frozen" on Broadway until February. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 14 (UPI) -- Disney Theatrical Productions announced Thursday that Frozen will not reopen when Broadway theaters resume after the coronavirus pandemic. It is the first Broadway play to officially close since the theater district shut down in March, Playbill reported. Hangmen and a new production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? had not yet opened and will not be able to open at any point. Advertisement
On Tuesday, The Broadway League announced theaters will remain closed through Sept. 6. Productions are processing refunds for ticketholders through those dates.
Frozen will still embark on an international tour when large theater gatherings become safe again. Openings in the West End, Australia, Japan and Germany have been postponed until 2021. They will attempt to reuse materials from the Broadway show on tour.
Caissie Levy, who played Elsa from March 2018 through February tweeted her condolences for the current production.
What a heartbreak. I'm so proud of what we built, @FrozenBroadway. We will always be family. Also sending love to all the devoted fans of our beautiful show. https://t.co/FwTYS8phAB— Caissie Levy (@CaissieLevy) May 14, 2020 Advertisement
Former Anna Patti Murin also tweeted she was heartbroken. Ciara Renee took over the role of Elsa and McKenzie Kurtz took over as Anna.
Frozen was a theatrical production of Disney's animated film, which was based on the Hans Christian Andersen legend of The Snow Queen. Sisters Anna and Elsa rule their kingdom of Arendelle, but Elsa lives in exile due to her uncontrollable snow powers. She learns to "Let It Go" in the movie's signature song, sung by Idina Menzel in the film. Kristen Bell voices Anna in the movies.
Songwriters Bobby Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez wrote additional music for the stage musical. They were Tony nominated for the show's score, as was Jennifer Lee for writing the book. Frozen was nominated for Best Musical, too.


upi--2020-05-14--Losing weight before bariatric surgery reduces risk of death by 40%, study finds

May 14 ( UPI ) -- Losing even a little weight before bariatric surgery can reduce the risk of complications from the procedure , a study published Thursday by JAMA Network Open found .
Compared to those who had a body mass index , or BMI , of 35 to 39.9 before the weight-loss procedure , people with BMIs of 40 and higher were up to five times more likely to die during the first 30 days after surgery , the authors observed .
Patients who were able to reduce their body weight by 10 percent or more before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 40 percent , the authors said .
`` Each year , hundreds of patients in the U.S. die after undergoing bariatric surgery , '' researchers from the University of Iowa , Wuhan University and Abbott Nutrition wrote in the study .
`` Our study showed that preoperative weight loss , even at a moderate degree , was associated with lower risk of 30-day mortality , '' they wrote .
BMI is calculated by taking a person 's weight in kilograms and dividing it by the square of their height in meters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disease Control and Prevention .
It is a common measure of obesity , which affects more than 40 percent of American adults , according to agency estimates .
More than 250,000 weight-loss procedures are performed in the United States each year , according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery .
This includes surgeries in which the size of the stomach is reduced -- known as gastric bypass -- or a portion of the digestive tract is removed to change the way a person 's body processes food .
Both are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In general , the risk of death in the first 30 days after the procedure is far less than 1 percent .
However , surgeons have suggested that this risk may be reduced further if patients begin to lose weight before surgery .
Current surgery society guidelines do n't recommend preoperative weight loss , due to a lack of evidence of its benefits , the authors of the JAMA Network Open analysis said .
For their study , researchers reviewed data on more than 480,000 bariatric procedures performed in the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nearly 80 percent of the patients were women -- with median age of 45 -- and just 511 , or 0.1 percent , died within 30 days of surgery .
Compared with patients with a preoperative BMI of 35.0 to 39.9 , patients with a preoperative BMI of 40.0 to 44.9 had a 37 percent higher risk for death during the first 30 days after surgery , the authors found .
Similarly , those with BMIs of 50 and above were more than twice as likely to die during the first 30 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In addition , compared to patients who did not lose any weight preoperatively , those who lost up to 5 percent of their body weight before surgery reduced their risk of death within 30 days by nearly 25 percent .
Those who shed up to 9.9 percent of their weight reduced their risk by more than 30 percent .
Those who dropped more than 10 percent of their weight before surgery reduced their risk of death within 30 days by more than 40 percent .
The authors suggested the reasons for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lowers patients ' chances of developing complications like venous thromboembolism , including deep vein thrombosis , as well as apneic episodes -- or breathing problems -- during and after surgery .
The weight loss also might lessen the complexity of the surgery , further reducing risk for complications , the authors said .
`` Although current clinical guidelines do not require preoperative weight loss , and a decision to perform bariatric surgery should not be based on whether and how much preoperative weight loss is achieved , it may be beneficial for patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ established weight loss program before surgery to reduce the risk of mortality , '' the authors wrote .

Losing weight prior to bariatric surgery can reduce risk for complications and death, a new study has found. Photo by Tumisu/Pixabay
May 14 (UPI) -- Losing even a little weight before bariatric surgery can reduce the risk of complications from the procedure, a study published Thursday by JAMA Network Open found. Compared to those who had a body mass index, or BMI, of 35 to 39.9 before the weight-loss procedure, people with BMIs of 40 and higher were up to five times more likely to die during the first 30 days after surgery, the authors observed. Advertisement
Patients who were able to reduce their body weight by 10 percent or more before the operation reduced their risk of death by more than 40 percent, the authors said.
"Each year, hundreds of patients in the U.S. die after undergoing bariatric surgery," researchers from the University of Iowa, Wuhan University and Abbott Nutrition wrote in the study.
"Our study showed that preoperative weight loss, even at a moderate degree, was associated with lower risk of 30-day mortality," they wrote.
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BMI is calculated by taking a person's weight in kilograms and dividing it by the square of their height in meters, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is a common measure of obesity, which affects more than 40 percent of American adults, according to agency estimates.
More than 250,000 weight-loss procedures are performed in the United States each year, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. This includes surgeries in which the size of the stomach is reduced -- known as gastric bypass -- or a portion of the digestive tract is removed to change the way a person's body processes food.
Both are commonly used approaches to treat severe obesity.
In general, the risk of death in the first 30 days after the procedure is far less than 1 percent. However, surgeons have suggested that this risk may be reduced further if patients begin to lose weight before surgery.
Current surgery society guidelines don't recommend preoperative weight loss, due to a lack of evidence of its benefits, the authors of the JAMA Network Open analysis said.
For their study, researchers reviewed data on more than 480,000 bariatric procedures performed in the United States and Canada between 2015 and 2017. Nearly 80 percent of the patients were women -- with median age of 45 -- and just 511, or 0.1 percent, died within 30 days of surgery.
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Compared with patients with a preoperative BMI of 35.0 to 39.9, patients with a preoperative BMI of 40.0 to 44.9 had a 37 percent higher risk for death during the first 30 days after surgery, the authors found.
Similarly, those with BMIs of 50 and above were more than twice as likely to die during the first 30 days following the procedure, the authors said.
In addition, compared to patients who did not lose any weight preoperatively, those who lost up to 5 percent of their body weight before surgery reduced their risk of death within 30 days by nearly 25 percent. Those who shed up to 9.9 percent of their weight reduced their risk by more than 30 percent.
Those who dropped more than 10 percent of their weight before surgery reduced their risk of death within 30 days by more than 40 percent.
The authors suggested the reasons for this reduced risk might be that weight loss lowers patients' chances of developing complications like venous thromboembolism, including deep vein thrombosis, as well as apneic episodes -- or breathing problems -- during and after surgery.
The weight loss also might lessen the complexity of the surgery, further reducing risk for complications, the authors said.
Advertisement
"Although current clinical guidelines do not require preoperative weight loss, and a decision to perform bariatric surgery should not be based on whether and how much preoperative weight loss is achieved, it may be beneficial for patients with obesity to be referred to an established weight loss program before surgery to reduce the risk of mortality," the authors wrote.


upi--2020-05-14--'Scarface' remake taps Luca Guadagnino as director

May 14 ( UPI ) -- Universal Pictures announced Thursday that its Scarface reboot has found a director -- Luca Guadagnino .
Variety first reported the news and the studio later tweeted the story .
The film will be the third version of Scarface .
The first , in 1932 , starred Paul Muni as gangster Tony Camonte , and was directed by Howard Hawks and Richard Rosson .
Universal 's 1983 remake starred Al Pacino as Tony Montana .
Brian De Palma directed the film , famous for its chainsaw torture scene and Pacino 's line , `` Say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Both films depicted the gangster 's rise to power and corruption by the life of crime .
A video game , Scarface : The World Is Yours , came out in 2006 with Pacino 's likeness as Montana .
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen wrote the new script based on previous drafts by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer , Jonathan Herman and Paul Attanasio .
Variety reported the script is set in Los Angeles , a departure from the 1983 film 's setting in Miami and the 1932 version 's setting in Chicago .
The lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be an immigrant , as both Tony Camonte and Montana were .
Scarface is not the first remake for Guadagnino .
He directed 2018 's Suspiria , based on the Dario Argento film , and developed an adaptation of Lord of the Flies .
He directed Call Me By Your Name which was Oscar nominated for Best Picture , Timothee Chalamet 's performance and the song `` Mystery of Love . ''
It won the Oscar for James Ivory 's adapted screenplay .

Luca Guadagnino is attached to direct a "Scarface" remake at Univerasl. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
May 14 (UPI) -- Universal Pictures announced Thursday that its Scarface reboot has found a director -- Luca Guadagnino. Variety first reported the news and the studio later tweeted the story. Advertisement
The film will be the third version of Scarface. The first, in 1932, starred Paul Muni as gangster Tony Camonte, and was directed by Howard Hawks and Richard Rosson.
Universal's 1983 remake starred Al Pacino as Tony Montana. Brian De Palma directed the film, famous for its chainsaw torture scene and Pacino's line, "Say hello to my little friend."
Both films depicted the gangster's rise to power and corruption by the life of crime. A video game, Scarface: The World Is Yours, came out in 2006 with Pacino's likeness as Montana.
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen wrote the new script based on previous drafts by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, Jonathan Herman and Paul Attanasio. Variety reported the script is set in Los Angeles, a departure from the 1983 film's setting in Miami and the 1932 version's setting in Chicago. The lead character in the new film is said to be an immigrant, as both Tony Camonte and Montana were.
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Scarface is not the first remake for Guadagnino. He directed 2018's Suspiria, based on the Dario Argento film, and developed an adaptation of Lord of the Flies.
He directed Call Me By Your Name which was Oscar nominated for Best Picture, Timothee Chalamet's performance and the song "Mystery of Love." It won the Oscar for James Ivory's adapted screenplay.


upi--2020-05-14--PlayStation details exploration, combat tools of 'Ghost of Tsushima'

May 14 ( UPI ) -- Sony on Thursday detailed the systems behind its PlayStation 4 exclusive title Ghost of Tsushima during a State of Play live stream on Thursday .
Developer Sucker Punch showed off how players can traverse the world , take part in varied combat , and create and share photos of their gameplay experience .
Ghost of Tsushima is a samurai action title in which players will take on the role of Jin Sakai who vows to protect his home from Mongol invaders .
Jin will embark on an epic journey where he must turn his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ samurai in order to become a different kind of warrior and exact his revenge .
Rather than providing players with a small map or location indicators displayed on the screen while playing , Ghosts of Tsushima uses a mechanic dubbed `` Guiding Wind '' to traverse the world .
Players can select a location on the world map and will then be guided by gusts of wind in the environment to their destination , while other visual indicators such as smokestacks and oddly shaped trees can mark areas of interest .
In combat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ samurai-style lethal battles while also utilizing a range of weapons including bows and arrows as well as techniques including parties and varying combat styles to fight large groups .
Combat encounters can also be completed using a stealthier approach including distracting enemies in order to drive them away from crowds and executing silent assassinations .
Both styles of play will alter Jin 's reputation , with stealth combat increasing his reputation as `` The Ghost '' which will cause enemies to fear him .
Players can also customize Jin with various sets of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The game also features an elaborate photo mode allowing players to set up custom shots by posing Jin , altering lighting and color as well as wind directions and particles such as leaves and fireflies .
This mode allows players to select tracks from the soundtrack to play in the background to create their own videos .
Before beginning the game players will be able to choose to play with a Japanese voice track with English subtitles as well as a black-and-white filtered mode designed to replicate the look of classic samurai films @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tsushima during the live stream and did not offer any updates on their upcoming next-generation console , the PlayStation 5 .
Ghost of Tsushima is set to be released for the PlayStation 4 on July 17 .

May 14 (UPI) -- Sony detailed the systems behind its PlayStation 4 exclusive title Ghost of Tsushima during a State of Play live stream on Thursday.
Developer Sucker Punch showed off how players can traverse the world, take part in varied combat, and create and share photos of their gameplay experience.
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Ghost of Tsushima is a samurai action title in which players will take on the role of Jin Sakai who vows to protect his home from Mongol invaders.
Jin will embark on an epic journey where he must turn his back on the traditional ways of the samurai in order to become a different kind of warrior and exact his revenge.
Rather than providing players with a small map or location indicators displayed on the screen while playing, Ghosts of Tsushima uses a mechanic dubbed "Guiding Wind" to traverse the world.
Players can select a location on the world map and will then be guided by gusts of wind in the environment to their destination, while other visual indicators such as smokestacks and oddly shaped trees can mark areas of interest.
In combat, Jin can challenge individual enemies to samurai-style lethal battles while also utilizing a range of weapons including bows and arrows as well as techniques including parties and varying combat styles to fight large groups.
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Combat encounters can also be completed using a stealthier approach including distracting enemies in order to drive them away from crowds and executing silent assassinations.
Both styles of play will alter Jin's reputation, with stealth combat increasing his reputation as "The Ghost" which will cause enemies to fear him. Players can also customize Jin with various sets of armor that will complement each playstyle.
The game also features an elaborate photo mode allowing players to set up custom shots by posing Jin, altering lighting and color as well as wind directions and particles such as leaves and fireflies. This mode allows players to select tracks from the soundtrack to play in the background to create their own videos.
Before beginning the game players will be able to choose to play with a Japanese voice track with English subtitles as well as a black-and-white filtered mode designed to replicate the look of classic samurai films.
Sony focused solely on Ghost of Tsushima during the live stream and did not offer any updates on their upcoming next-generation console, the PlayStation 5.
Ghost of Tsushima is set to be released for the PlayStation 4 on July 17.


upi--2020-05-14--IRS to increase health coverage flexibility amid COVID-19

May 14 ( UPI ) -- The IRS has released new guidance to allow more flexibility in employer-based health plans because of unexpected expenses related to the coronavirus pandemic .
Under the new guidance , temporary relief for high deductible plans related to covering expenses for testing and treatment of COVID-19 applies retroactively to Jan. 1 .
The guidance also allows telehealth services exemptions to apply retroactively to the same date .
It also allows mid-year changes to health coverage for pre-tax flexible spending accounts and dependent care assistance programs as a result of unanticipated expenses from the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees drop their existing coverage in exchange for other health coverage not offered by their employer outside of the normal fall enrollment period .
Employers can also allow employees to enroll in different coverage offered by the same employer or add family members to their current plans .
`` This is important for individuals that were on a spouse or partner 's plan and they lost their job due to COVID-19 , '' said Chatrane Birbal , director of policy engagement at the Society for Human Resource Management .
New guidance also allows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the unexpected closures of school and child-care services to decrease allocations to dependent care assistance .
`` This is an opportunity to take back some of that money and have it in their pocket at this time , '' Birbal said .
The new guidance also increases the `` carryover '' amount of unused FSA expenses to $ 550 from $ 500 as adjusted for inflation and extends the claims period for taxpayers to apply unused FSA expenses through Dec. 31 .
It also extends the period to apply unused dependent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date .
`` I can not think of a time when the IRS has been this flexible , '' said David Speier , managing director of benefits accounts at Willis Tower Watson .
Speier added that it will still be up to employers to weigh the additional costs and decide whether their employees can take advantage of the new options .
`` It 's very important that there is communication going on between employers and employees , '' he said .

The Internal Revenue Service issued new guidance this week to provide increased flexibility for employer-based health plans amid the COVID-19 pandemic. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
May 14 (UPI) -- The IRS has released new guidance to allow more flexibility in employer-based health plans because of unexpected expenses related to the coronavirus pandemic. Under the new guidance, temporary relief for high deductible plans related to covering expenses for testing and treatment of COVID-19 applies retroactively to Jan. 1. The guidance also allows telehealth services exemptions to apply retroactively to the same date. Advertisement
It also allows mid-year changes to health coverage for pre-tax flexible spending accounts and dependent care assistance programs as a result of unanticipated expenses from the pandemic.
Among these changes, employers can let employees drop their existing coverage in exchange for other health coverage not offered by their employer outside of the normal fall enrollment period.
Employers can also allow employees to enroll in different coverage offered by the same employer or add family members to their current plans.
"This is important for individuals that were on a spouse or partner's plan and they lost their job due to COVID-19," said Chatrane Birbal, director of policy engagement at the Society for Human Resource Management.
New guidance also allows parents watching children while working from home due to the unexpected closures of school and child-care services to decrease allocations to dependent care assistance.
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"This is an opportunity to take back some of that money and have it in their pocket at this time," Birbal said.
The new guidance also increases the "carryover" amount of unused FSA expenses to $550 from $500 as adjusted for inflation and extends the claims period for taxpayers to apply unused FSA expenses through Dec. 31. It also extends the period to apply unused dependent care assistance program expenses to the same date.
"I cannot think of a time when the IRS has been this flexible," said David Speier, managing director of benefits accounts at Willis Tower Watson.
Speier added that it will still be up to employers to weigh the additional costs and decide whether their employees can take advantage of the new options.
"It's very important that there is communication going on between employers and employees," he said.


upi--2020-05-14--'Good bacteria' might help fight a common gynecologic infection

A dose of healthy bacteria could give women the upper hand in ridding themselves of a common but annoying vaginal infection , a new clinical trial reports .
Women treated with Lactin-V -- an experimental vaginal suppository containing live bacteria -- were much more likely to end their recurring bouts of bacterial vaginosis than women treated with a placebo , the researchers said .
`` What we 're doing essentially is knocking down the bad bacteria and then replacing the good bacteria , allowing them to grow and keep at bay the bad bacteria as part of an optimal balance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cohen , a professor of obstetrics , gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of California , San Francisco .
Bacterial vaginosis ( BV ) is the most common vaginal condition in women aged 15 to 44 , affecting nearly 30 percent of women of reproductive age in the United States , researchers said in background notes .
Every vagina is colonized with different strains of bacteria , Cohen said .
Vaginosis occurs when `` bad '' bacteria overwhelm the normal `` good '' bacteria .
Symptoms include a thin white or gray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vagina , and a strong fishlike odor , according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The condition also increases the risk of premature birth or low birth weight among newborns , as well as upping a woman 's risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases , the CDC says .
Standard therapy is to treat the infection with a six-month course of a topical antibiotic gel called metronidazole , said Dr. Taraneh Shirazian , director of global women 's health at New York University 's School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his team sees it , there 's a problem with that standard therapy .
Once the antibiotic therapy is done , there 's nothing to prevent the bad bacteria from overwhelming the vaginal microbiome again .
Because of that , as many as 75 percent of women have their infection recur within three months of treatment , researchers said .
`` They 're doing what their provider recommends , they 're taking antibiotics , and even though they 're doing that , it 's coming back , '' Cohen said .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis were treated with a five-day course of metronidazole gel .
Two-thirds of those women were then assigned to receive Lactin-V for 11 weeks .
Lactin-V is a powder that women self-administer with a vaginal applicator .
It contains Lactobacillus crispatus , a strain of bacteria that naturally occurs in the vagina .
This bacteria produces lactic acid , which inhibits the growth of bad bacteria .
By the end of the initial three months , 30 percent of women in the Lactin-V group had experienced recurrence of their infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the placebo group , results showed .
`` Essentially , it 's associated with a 34 percent reduced risk of recurrence during that 12-week time period , '' Cohen said .
The women were tracked out for six months total , and those who received Lactin-V continued to do better , Cohen said .
`` We also found approximately 80 percent of women who were in the Lactin-V arm were successfully colonized with Lactobacillus crispatus , the actual strain we tested , '' Cohen said .
The findings were published May 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Shirazian said this new treatment looks promising , given that it took three months as opposed to the standard treatment of six months .
Currently , women apply antibiotic gel for seven days , then twice weekly for six months to treat recurring bacterial vaginosis .
`` That 's a lot shorter , which is advantageous , '' said Shirazian , who was n't part of the study .
`` It 's hard to continue a therapy for six months .
It 's hard to maintain it . ''
However , Shirazian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stronger results if they compare the new treatment against the current standard therapy as well as placebo .
Researchers are discussing proceeding to stage 3 clinical trials with the maker of Lactin-V , California-based Osel , Inc. , Cohen said .
There 's currently no timeline for getting the new treatment to market .
`` I know there are a lot of women suffering from BV , and this product is not available now .
It 's a long timeline to go through the drug approval process with the [ U.S. Food and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have more about bacterial vaginosis .

Pixabay Women treated with Lactin-V -- an experimental vaginal suppository containing live bacteria -- were much more likely to end their recurring bouts of bacterial vaginosis than women treated with a placebo, a new study found. Photo by Chokniti Khongchum
A dose of healthy bacteria could give women the upper hand in ridding themselves of a common but annoying vaginal infection, a new clinical trial reports. Women treated with Lactin-V -- an experimental vaginal suppository containing live bacteria -- were much more likely to end their recurring bouts of bacterial vaginosis than women treated with a placebo, the researchers said. Advertisement
"What we're doing essentially is knocking down the bad bacteria and then replacing the good bacteria, allowing them to grow and keep at bay the bad bacteria as part of an optimal balance," explained lead researcher Dr. Craig Cohen, a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of California, San Francisco.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal condition in women aged 15 to 44, affecting nearly 30 percent of women of reproductive age in the United States, researchers said in background notes.
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Every vagina is colonized with different strains of bacteria, Cohen said. Vaginosis occurs when "bad" bacteria overwhelm the normal "good" bacteria.
Symptoms include a thin white or gray vaginal discharge, itching or burning of the vagina, and a strong fishlike odor, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The condition also increases the risk of premature birth or low birth weight among newborns, as well as upping a woman's risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, the CDC says.
Standard therapy is to treat the infection with a six-month course of a topical antibiotic gel called metronidazole, said Dr. Taraneh Shirazian, director of global women's health at New York University's School of Global Public Health.
As Cohen and his team sees it, there's a problem with that standard therapy. Once the antibiotic therapy is done, there's nothing to prevent the bad bacteria from overwhelming the vaginal microbiome again.
Because of that, as many as 75 percent of women have their infection recur within three months of treatment, researchers said.
"They're doing what their provider recommends, they're taking antibiotics, and even though they're doing that, it's coming back," Cohen said.
In the study, 228 women who were diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis were treated with a five-day course of metronidazole gel. Two-thirds of those women were then assigned to receive Lactin-V for 11 weeks.
Advertisement
Lactin-V is a powder that women self-administer with a vaginal applicator. It contains Lactobacillus crispatus, a strain of bacteria that naturally occurs in the vagina. This bacteria produces lactic acid, which inhibits the growth of bad bacteria.
By the end of the initial three months, 30 percent of women in the Lactin-V group had experienced recurrence of their infection, compared with 45 percent of women in the placebo group, results showed.
"Essentially, it's associated with a 34 percent reduced risk of recurrence during that 12-week time period," Cohen said.
The women were tracked out for six months total, and those who received Lactin-V continued to do better, Cohen said.
"We also found approximately 80 percent of women who were in the Lactin-V arm were successfully colonized with Lactobacillus crispatus, the actual strain we tested," Cohen said.
The findings were published May 14 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Shirazian said this new treatment looks promising, given that it took three months as opposed to the standard treatment of six months. Currently, women apply antibiotic gel for seven days, then twice weekly for six months to treat recurring bacterial vaginosis.
"That's a lot shorter, which is advantageous," said Shirazian, who wasn't part of the study. "It's hard to continue a therapy for six months. It's hard to maintain it."
Advertisement
However, Shirazian said future trials of Lactin-V would produce stronger results if they compare the new treatment against the current standard therapy as well as placebo.
Researchers are discussing proceeding to stage 3 clinical trials with the maker of Lactin-V, California-based Osel, Inc., Cohen said. There's currently no timeline for getting the new treatment to market.
"I know there are a lot of women suffering from BV, and this product is not available now. It's a long timeline to go through the drug approval process with the [U.S. Food and Drug Administration]," Cohen said.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have more about bacterial vaginosis.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-05-14--Bank stocks oil prices spur Dow rebound after string of losses this week

May 14 ( UPI ) -- Strong performances by bank stocks and rising oil prices caused U.S. markets to rise Thursday , recovering amid a new report of unemployment figures in the United States .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped more than 400 points to start the day but closed up 377.37 points , or 1.62 percent .
The S & P 500 climbed 1.15 percent and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.91 percent .
Influencing the markets on Thursday was a weekly report from the Labor Department that said another 3 million U.S. workers have filed new unemployment claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed claims over the past eight weeks .
Meanwhile , Wells Fargo stock shot up 6.84 percent , JPMorgan Chase rose 4.10 percent , Bank of America climbed 4.02 percent and Citigroup gained 3.60 percent to drive the markets higher .
Oil prices also climbed Thursday as West Texas Intermediate rose 9 percent to $ 27.76 per barrel , while Brent crude gained 7 percent to hit $ 31.28 per barrel .
The Dow fell on Wednesday by 516 points and had yet to close with gains this week , after a strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the index had lost about 1,100 points for the week .
Despite Thursday 's rally , the major averages remained on pace for their worst weekly performance since March 20 , as the S & P 500 and the Dow have each lost more than 3.5 percent and the Nasdaq has dropped 3 percent .

The New York Stock Exchange is seen Wednesday on Wall Street in New York City. The Dow has yet to close with any gains so far this week. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 14 (UPI) -- Strong performances by bank stocks and rising oil prices caused U.S. markets to rise Thursday, recovering amid a new report of unemployment figures in the United States. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped more than 400 points to start the day but closed up 377.37 points, or 1.62 percent. The S&P 500 climbed 1.15 percent and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.91 percent. Advertisement
Influencing the markets on Thursday was a weekly report from the Labor Department that said another 3 million U.S. workers have filed new unemployment claims. More than 36 million have now filed claims over the past eight weeks.
Meanwhile, Wells Fargo stock shot up 6.84 percent, JPMorgan Chase rose 4.10 percent, Bank of America climbed 4.02 percent and Citigroup gained 3.60 percent to drive the markets higher.
Oil prices also climbed Thursday as West Texas Intermediate rose 9 percent to $27.76 per barrel, while Brent crude gained 7 percent to hit $31.28 per barrel.
The Dow fell on Wednesday by 516 points and had yet to close with gains this week, after a strong performance last week. Going into Thursday, the index had lost about 1,100 points for the week.
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Despite Thursday's rally, the major averages remained on pace for their worst weekly performance since March 20, as the S&P 500 and the Dow have each lost more than 3.5 percent and the Nasdaq has dropped 3 percent.