upi--2020-05-26--Iran's death grip on Syria begins to loosen

May 26 ( UPI ) -- The Iranian regime has begun to withdraw its forces from Syria .
This was the news from James Jeffrey , former U.S .
Ambassador to Iraq and current special presidential envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter Daesh .
Jeffrey was addressing an online meeting of the Washington-based think tank , the Hudson Institute , in mid-May .
Citing the accomplishment of the Trump administration 's `` maximum pressure '' campaign against the regime , he said : `` We have seen the Iranians pulling in some of their outlying activities and such in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems ... in terms of the huge success of the Trump administration 's sanctions policies against Iran .
It 's having a real effect in Syria . ''
Jeffrey went on to outline the range of problems confronting the bankrupt Iranian regime , including the coronavirus pandemic , the management of which has been badly bungled by the mullahs .
Tehran continues to insist that it has controlled the outbreak of COVID-19 , telling the world that it has recorded just over 7,000 deaths , when in fact , accurate information gleaned daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mojahedin Organisation of Iran ( PMOI/MEK ) , indicate that the real toll is in excess of 44,000 and probably much higher .
The Iranian economy is in freefall , with over 70 percent of the population living under the absolute international poverty line , unable to meet their basic daily needs .
But rather than diverting funds to help , the mullahs have continued to spend billions on proxy wars around the Middle East .
Jeffrey 's statement was backed on Thursday by U.S. State Department Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran has growing incentives to pull out of a multibillion-dollar military campaign in Syria as the coronavirus pandemic has ravaged the country .
He said the United States had seen `` tactical displacement '' of Iranian troops in Syria , where Tehran-backed militias have provided much of the firepower for the Bashar al-Assad regime 's assault on Idlib province , one of the last remaining opposition holdouts in the war-torn country .
The regime 's backing for Assad and his bloody civil war has continued for nine years , costing billions of dollars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that Iranian forces and their proxy militias have been obliged to begin their withdrawal from Syria , proves that U.S. sanctions are effective in obstructing military campaigns .
Now the Caesar Act , which will sanction governments and companies that continue to support and assist the Assad regime , will be introduced on June 17 , further tightening the squeeze on the Iranian mullahs and their allies .
U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Caesar Act into law just before Christmas .
It has been hailed by human rights groups as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold the Assad regime accountable for the war crimes it has committed and continues to commit against its own people .
The act will impose tough sanctions on the Assad regime and individuals that cooperate with it , as well as , for the first time , on the governments of Russia and Iran for their support for Damascus .
The devastating impact of U.S. sanctions on the corrupt Iranian regime was confirmed in April at a meeting in Damascus between Mohammad Zarif , Iran 's foreign minister , and Assad .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war-ravaged nation in a year and he admitted that his country was now facing financial difficulties , ludicrously calling for the United States to lift its sanctions against Iran and Syria .
Zarif 's plea was made against a background where Iranian proxy forces loyal to the Syrian regime have started shelling villages in southeast Idlib , one of the last outposts of anti-Assad rebels , murdering men , women and children .
Zarif seemed oblivious to the irony of his own remarks when he accused America of showing `` its inhumane face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lift sanctions during the pandemic .
With Israel increasingly targeting missile-manufacturing sites in Syria with repeated airstrikes , the Iranian regime has begun a massive infrastructure project , digging a tunnel at the Imam Ali military base in Albukamal , eastern Syria , west of the Iraqi border .
The groundwork , exposed by recent satellite images , revealed bulldozers at the entrance to a 5-meter-wide tunnel being constructed to store advance weapon systems , to keep them safe from Israeli attacks .
It is an embarrassing revelation for the mullahs , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and asking the IMF for $ 5 billion in emergency aid .
Squandering cash looted from the Iranian people on advanced weapons bunkers in Syria is hardly likely to inspire the IMF to provide emergency coronavirus aid .
Indeed , with its health service overwhelmed by the pandemic and an acute shortage of vital personal protective equipment such as face masks , rubber gloves and plastic gowns , Iran 's beleaguered doctors and nurses will be appalled to learn that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps , the mullah 's Gestapo , has sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hezbollah in Lebanon .
The Iranian ambassador to Lebanon , Mohammad Jalal Firuz-Nia , said in May , `` In addition to masks and personal protective equipment and disinfectants , this aid includes 15 ventilators ( artificial respiration devices ) and 5,000 diagnostic kits for COVID-19 . ''
The ayatollah 's response to the spiraling budget deficit inside Iran has been to increase the price of bread and gasoline , heaping further hardship on its 80 million impoverished citizens .
On May 9 , U.S. Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are making Iran 's presence in Syria `` increasingly costly . ''
He continued : `` Iran has been persistent in its efforts to establish this beachhead basically on Israel 's border and to bring in advanced weaponry and assets targeting Israel and moving equipment , of course , through Syria to Hezbollah [ in Lebanon ] with this sort of land bridge .
And we see repeatedly , often times with no claims of responsibility , that these assets are being hit with great regularity , just pounded , and it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran would want to cut its losses and downsize its presence there just because it 's increasingly costly to them in terms of life and property . ''
Schenker 's predictions appear to be coming true .
All the signs are that the theocratic regime 's costly foreign adventures are no longer financially sustainable and their malign death grip on Syria is beginning to loosen .
Struan Stevenson is the coordinator of the Campaign for Iran Change .
He was a member of the European Parliament representing Scotland ( 1999-2014 ) , president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Iraq ( 2009-14 ) and chairman of the Friends of a Free Iran Intergroup ( 2004-14 ) .
He is an international lecturer on the Middle East and is also president of the European Iraqi Freedom Association .

Iranian people visit the Abdol Azim holy shrine in the city of Shahre Ray, south of Tehran on Monday. Photo by Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA-EFE
May 26 (UPI) -- The Iranian regime has begun to withdraw its forces from Syria. This was the news from James Jeffrey, former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq and current special presidential envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter Daesh. Jeffrey was addressing an online meeting of the Washington-based think tank, the Hudson Institute, in mid-May. Citing the accomplishment of the Trump administration's "maximum pressure" campaign against the regime, he said: "We have seen the Iranians pulling in some of their outlying activities and such in Syria because of, frankly, financial problems...in terms of the huge success of the Trump administration's sanctions policies against Iran. It's having a real effect in Syria." Advertisement
Jeffrey went on to outline the range of problems confronting the bankrupt Iranian regime, including the coronavirus pandemic, the management of which has been badly bungled by the mullahs. Tehran continues to insist that it has controlled the outbreak of COVID-19, telling the world that it has recorded just over 7,000 deaths, when in fact, accurate information gleaned daily from resistance units of the People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI/MEK), indicate that the real toll is in excess of 44,000 and probably much higher.
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The Iranian economy is in freefall, with over 70 percent of the population living under the absolute international poverty line, unable to meet their basic daily needs. But rather than diverting funds to help, the mullahs have continued to spend billions on proxy wars around the Middle East.
Jeffrey's statement was backed on Thursday by U.S. State Department Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook, who claimed the Trump administration believes Iran has growing incentives to pull out of a multibillion-dollar military campaign in Syria as the coronavirus pandemic has ravaged the country. He said the United States had seen "tactical displacement" of Iranian troops in Syria, where Tehran-backed militias have provided much of the firepower for the Bashar al-Assad regime's assault on Idlib province, one of the last remaining opposition holdouts in the war-torn country.
The regime's backing for Assad and his bloody civil war has continued for nine years, costing billions of dollars and over 700,000 lives. But the fact that Iranian forces and their proxy militias have been obliged to begin their withdrawal from Syria, proves that U.S. sanctions are effective in obstructing military campaigns. Now the Caesar Act, which will sanction governments and companies that continue to support and assist the Assad regime, will be introduced on June 17, further tightening the squeeze on the Iranian mullahs and their allies.
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U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Caesar Act into law just before Christmas. It has been hailed by human rights groups as a great victory in their determined effort to hold the Assad regime accountable for the war crimes it has committed and continues to commit against its own people. The act will impose tough sanctions on the Assad regime and individuals that cooperate with it, as well as, for the first time, on the governments of Russia and Iran for their support for Damascus.
The devastating impact of U.S. sanctions on the corrupt Iranian regime was confirmed in April at a meeting in Damascus between Mohammad Zarif, Iran's foreign minister, and Assad. It was Zarif's first visit to the war-ravaged nation in a year and he admitted that his country was now facing financial difficulties, ludicrously calling for the United States to lift its sanctions against Iran and Syria.
Zarif's plea was made against a background where Iranian proxy forces loyal to the Syrian regime have started shelling villages in southeast Idlib, one of the last outposts of anti-Assad rebels, murdering men, women and children. Zarif seemed oblivious to the irony of his own remarks when he accused America of showing "its inhumane face to the world" by refusing to lift sanctions during the pandemic.
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With Israel increasingly targeting missile-manufacturing sites in Syria with repeated airstrikes, the Iranian regime has begun a massive infrastructure project, digging a tunnel at the Imam Ali military base in Albukamal, eastern Syria, west of the Iraqi border. The groundwork, exposed by recent satellite images, revealed bulldozers at the entrance to a 5-meter-wide tunnel being constructed to store advance weapon systems, to keep them safe from Israeli attacks. It is an embarrassing revelation for the mullahs, at a time when they are pleading poverty and asking the IMF for $5 billion in emergency aid. Squandering cash looted from the Iranian people on advanced weapons bunkers in Syria is hardly likely to inspire the IMF to provide emergency coronavirus aid.
Indeed, with its health service overwhelmed by the pandemic and an acute shortage of vital personal protective equipment such as face masks, rubber gloves and plastic gowns, Iran's beleaguered doctors and nurses will be appalled to learn that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, the mullah's Gestapo, has sent a humanitarian cargo to its terrorist ally Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Iranian ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammad Jalal Firuz-Nia, said in May, "In addition to masks and personal protective equipment and disinfectants, this aid includes 15 ventilators (artificial respiration devices) and 5,000 diagnostic kits for COVID-19."
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The ayatollah's response to the spiraling budget deficit inside Iran has been to increase the price of bread and gasoline, heaping further hardship on its 80 million impoverished citizens.
On May 9, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker suggested that Israeli attacks on Iranian assets are making Iran's presence in Syria "increasingly costly." He continued: "Iran has been persistent in its efforts to establish this beachhead basically on Israel's border and to bring in advanced weaponry and assets targeting Israel and moving equipment, of course, through Syria to Hezbollah [in Lebanon] with this sort of land bridge. And we see repeatedly, often times with no claims of responsibility, that these assets are being hit with great regularity, just pounded, and it would make sense at a certain point that Iran would want to cut its losses and downsize its presence there just because it's increasingly costly to them in terms of life and property."
Schenker's predictions appear to be coming true. All the signs are that the theocratic regime's costly foreign adventures are no longer financially sustainable and their malign death grip on Syria is beginning to loosen.
Struan Stevenson is the coordinator of the Campaign for Iran Change. He was a member of the European Parliament representing Scotland (1999-2014), president of the Parliament's Delegation for Relations with Iraq (2009-14) and chairman of the Friends of a Free Iran Intergroup (2004-14). He is an international lecturer on the Middle East and is also president of the European Iraqi Freedom Association.


upi--2020-05-26--Rihanna celebrates 15th anniversary of first single, 'Pon de Replay'

May 26 ( UPI ) -- Rihanna celebrated on her Instagram Story the 15th anniversary of her first single , `` Pon de Replay . ''
`` Thank you for all the love on this hashtag today !
Man this is trippy .
Feels like just yesterday I was shaking in the hallways of Def Jam waiting to audition for Jay , '' the singer said on Sunday , thanking fans for # 15YearsOfRihanna .
`` Pon de Replay is where it all began ... 15 years later and I 'm here because God led me to you , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supported me , tolerated me , loved me , kept it too real with me , and we gon always be connected because of that ! ''
she continued before further thanking fans .
`` Pon de Replay , '' released in 2005 , appeared on Rihanna 's debut album titled Music of the Sun .
The singer last released Anti in 2016 .
Rihanna confirmed in March that she is working on a new album without the restrictions of rules or format .
Rihanna is a featured artist on PartyNextDoor 's song @ @ @ @ @ @ @ track she has appeared on since N.E.R.D .
's 2017 track `` Lemon . ''

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Rihanna celebrated the 15th anniversary of her first single. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo
May 26 (UPI) -- Rihanna celebrated on her Instagram Story the 15th anniversary of her first single, "Pon de Replay." "Thank you for all the love on this hashtag today! Man this is trippy. Feels like just yesterday I was shaking in the hallways of Def Jam waiting to audition for Jay," the singer said on Sunday, thanking fans for #15YearsOfRihanna. Advertisement
"Pon de Replay is where it all began...15 years later and I'm here because God led me to you, and you guys have held me up, supported me, tolerated me, loved me, kept it too real with me, and we gon always be connected because of that!" she continued before further thanking fans.
"Pon de Replay," released in 2005, appeared on Rihanna's debut album titled Music of the Sun. The singer last released Anti in 2016.
Rihanna confirmed in March that she is working on a new album without the restrictions of rules or format.
Rihanna is a featured artist on PartyNextDoor's song "Believe It," the first track she has appeared on since N.E.R.D.'s 2017 track "Lemon."
Moments from Rihanna's career
Rihanna points her finger during a performance at Arthur Ashe Kids Day held at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, New York on August 27 , 2005. The following month her album "Music of the Sun" debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard album chart. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
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upi--2020-05-26--NASCAR: Kyle Busch takes lead on final lap to win Xfinity race

May 26 ( UPI ) -- Kyle Busch used a side-draft technique to propel his car into the lead on the final lap and win the NASCAR Xfinity Series Alsco 300 Monday at Charlotte Motor Speedway .
Busch led a race-high eight times for 94 laps at the event in Charlotte , N.C .
The race -- held without fans due to the coronavirus pandemic -- was NASCAR 's fifth event since its season resumed on May 17 .
`` Those guys were putting up some really good battles on restarts there , '' Busch said .
`` Overall a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On that last restart , he really stayed with me and even got in front of me and passed me .
We had a drag race down the backstretch and I knew I had to run it in as far as I could to Turn 3 and hope it sticks . ''
Pole winner Ross Chastain led the first 31 laps of Monday 's race before Busch took over .
Chastain and Busch swapped the top position 12 times in the first 103 laps before Austin Cindric and Noah Gragson pushed to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No .
9 Chevrolet caused a five-car wreck on lap No .
197 for the 11th caution of the night .
Cindric then passed Busch during the overtime restart on lap No .
202 .
Cindric held onto the lead until Busch ignited on the final lap .
Busch drove his No .
54 Toyota up close to Gragson from behind and to both sides before he got inside of the No .
6 Ford on turn No .
3 .
Busch used the draft off Cindric 's car to edge just past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crossed the finish line for his 97th career Xfinity victory .
Daniel Hemric -- who had fresh tires -- passed Cindric for second place and Cindric finished third , followed by Chastain and Justin Allgaier .
`` He just had way more grip than I did , '' Cindric said of Busch .
`` ...
I just gave up second but did n't really care at that point .
I just wanted to win the race .
Overall , it was a great night , and I 'm really proud of my team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Alsco Uniforms 500 at 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway .
The speedway hosts a Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series event at 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday .

Kyle Busch (C), who won Monday's Xfinity Series race, has a goal to race in 7 events in 11 days. File Photo By Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo
May 26 (UPI) -- Kyle Busch used a side-draft technique to propel his car into the lead on the final lap and win the NASCAR Xfinity Series Alsco 300 Monday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Busch led a race-high eight times for 94 laps at the event in Charlotte, N.C. The race -- held without fans due to the coronavirus pandemic -- was NASCAR's fifth event since its season resumed on May 17. Advertisement
"Those guys were putting up some really good battles on restarts there," Busch said. "Overall a great battle and an exciting finish. On that last restart, he really stayed with me and even got in front of me and passed me. We had a drag race down the backstretch and I knew I had to run it in as far as I could to Turn 3 and hope it sticks."
Pole winner Ross Chastain led the first 31 laps of Monday's race before Busch took over. Chastain and Busch swapped the top position 12 times in the first 103 laps before Austin Cindric and Noah Gragson pushed to the front of the pack.
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Gragson's No. 9 Chevrolet caused a five-car wreck on lap No. 197 for the 11th caution of the night. Cindric then passed Busch during the overtime restart on lap No. 202. Cindric held onto the lead until Busch ignited on the final lap.
Busch drove his No. 54 Toyota up close to Gragson from behind and to both sides before he got inside of the No. 6 Ford on turn No. 3. Busch used the draft off Cindric's car to edge just past his front left fender. He then crossed the finish line for his 97th career Xfinity victory.
Daniel Hemric -- who had fresh tires -- passed Cindric for second place and Cindric finished third, followed by Chastain and Justin Allgaier.
"He just had way more grip than I did," Cindric said of Busch. "... I just gave up second but didn't really care at that point. I just wanted to win the race. Overall, it was a great night, and I'm really proud of my team."
The Cup Series continues with the Alsco Uniforms 500 at 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The speedway hosts a Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series event at 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday.
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upi--2020-05-26--Afghanistan government to release 900 Taliban prisoners

May 26 ( UPI ) -- The government in Afghanistan said Tuesday it will release 900 more Taliban prisoners as @ @ @ @ @ with the militant group .
The Afghan government has so far released 1,100 prisoners in @ @ @ @ @ to free 900 is the most it has released at one time .
Afghan President @ @ @ @ @ to release about 2,000 more .
The Taliban was promised as part of a peace @ @ @ @ @ in February 5,000 captured fighters would be released .
The Taliban announced a cease-fire last @ @ @ @ @ of the Muslim month of Ramadan .
The group welcomed the release of more prisoners @ @ @ @ @ same for government fighters it has in custody .
Authorities say it 's only released @ @ @ @ @

Afghan Army soldiers man a checkpoint in Helmand, Afghanistan, on February 22. File Photo by Watan Yar/EPA-EFE
May 26 (UPI) -- The government in Afghanistan said Tuesday it will release 900 more Taliban prisoners as part of a cease-fire agreement with the militant group. The Afghan government has so far released 1,100 prisoners in small groups but its plan to free 900 is the most it has released at one time. Advertisement
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he plans to release about 2,000 more.
The Taliban was promised as part of a peace deal signed with U.S. negotiators in February 5,000 captured fighters would be released.
The Taliban announced a cease-fire last weekend to mark the end of the Muslim month of Ramadan.
The group welcomed the release of more prisoners and promised to do the same for government fighters it has in custody. Authorities say it's only released about 100 so far.


upi--2020-05-26--WWE Raw: Drew McIntyre brawls with Bobby Lashley, Nia Jax wins big

May 26 ( UPI ) -- WWE Champion Drew McIntyre and Bobby Lashley had to be restrained during a massive brawl on Raw .
McIntyre , who will be defending his title against Lashley at the Backlash pay-per-view-event on June 14 , first met with Lashley 's new manager MVP on talk show The VIP Lounge on Monday .
MVP told McIntyre that after his managerial services were denied by the champ weeks ago , he decided that he would personally play a role in McIntyre losing the WWE Championship .
McIntyre said that the only way Lashley will ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the title from McIntyre 's dead hands .
Lashley then made his way to the ring but chose not to confront his future opponent , even after McIntyre took out MVP with a Claymore .
Lashley and MVP teamed up together in the main event to face Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits in a non-title match .
The Street Profits were poised to win the hard-hitting bout after member Montez Ford connected with the Frog Splash on MVP .
Lashley , who had not been tagged in , ran into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nelson .
The referee called for the bell as Lashley would not let go of the hold , ending the match in a disqualification .
McIntyre then entered the ring and starting fighting with Lashley in a preview of what will happen at Backlash .
McIntyre and Lashley had to be restrained by WWE trainees who were watching Raw from ringside .
McIntyre fought off some of the trainees and Lashley took him down with a Spear .
Eventually the trainees were able to end the brawl after more entered the ring .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Champion Charlotte Flair , Natalya and Nia Jax faced off in a Triple Threat match to determine who will face Asuka for the Raw Women 's Championship at Backlash .
Flair was able to place Jax into the Figure-Eight but Natalya broke things up and then applied the Sharpshooter to Flair before Jax re-entered the fight .
Jax won the highly-competitive match after she nailed Flair with a Leg Drop and delivered a Samoan Drop to Natalya for the three count .
Other moments from Raw included The IIconics attacking Women 's Tag @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; Angel Garza defeating Kevin Owens after he attacked Owens before the match started ; The Street Profits defeating The Viking Raiders in a golf competition ; Seth Rollins ' disciples Murphy and Austin Theory defeating Aleister Black and Humberto Carrillo ; Edge stating he will dig deep to defeat Randy Orton at Backlash ; and Apollo Crews defeating Andrade to become the new United States Champion .
Crews was able to withstand Andrade 's attacks on his injured knee and won the match after delivering a Standing Moonsault followed by a Shooting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first championship win in WWE .

May 26 (UPI) -- WWE Champion Drew McIntyre and Bobby Lashley had to be restrained during a massive brawl on Raw.
McIntyre, who will be defending his title against Lashley at the Backlash pay-per-view-event on June 14, first met with Lashley's new manager MVP on talk show The VIP Lounge on Monday.
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MVP told McIntyre that after his managerial services were denied by the champ weeks ago, he decided that he would personally play a role in McIntyre losing the WWE Championship.
McIntyre said that the only way Lashley will ever become WWE Champion is if he takes the title from McIntyre's dead hands. Lashley then made his way to the ring but chose not to confront his future opponent, even after McIntyre took out MVP with a Claymore.
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Lashley and MVP teamed up together in the main event to face Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits in a non-title match.
The Street Profits were poised to win the hard-hitting bout after member Montez Ford connected with the Frog Splash on MVP. Lashley, who had not been tagged in, ran into the ring and placed Ford into the Full Nelson.
The referee called for the bell as Lashley would not let go of the hold, ending the match in a disqualification. McIntyre then entered the ring and starting fighting with Lashley in a preview of what will happen at Backlash.
McIntyre and Lashley had to be restrained by WWE trainees who were watching Raw from ringside. McIntyre fought off some of the trainees and Lashley took him down with a Spear. Eventually the trainees were able to end the brawl after more entered the ring.
Also on Raw, NXT Women's Champion Charlotte Flair, Natalya and Nia Jax faced off in a Triple Threat match to determine who will face Asuka for the Raw Women's Championship at Backlash.
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Flair was able to place Jax into the Figure-Eight but Natalya broke things up and then applied the Sharpshooter to Flair before Jax re-entered the fight.
Jax won the highly-competitive match after she nailed Flair with a Leg Drop and delivered a Samoan Drop to Natalya for the three count.
Other moments from Raw included The IIconics attacking Women's Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross; Angel Garza defeating Kevin Owens after he attacked Owens before the match started; The Street Profits defeating The Viking Raiders in a golf competition; Seth Rollins' disciples Murphy and Austin Theory defeating Aleister Black and Humberto Carrillo; Edge stating he will dig deep to defeat Randy Orton at Backlash; and Apollo Crews defeating Andrade to become the new United States Champion.
Crews was able to withstand Andrade's attacks on his injured knee and won the match after delivering a Standing Moonsault followed by a Shooting Star Press. This is Crews' first championship win in WWE.


upi--2020-05-26--Novavax says COVID-19 vaccine candidate in clinical trials

May 26 ( UPI ) -- U.S. biotechnology company Novavax says it has entered clinical trials for a potential coronavirus vaccine , with first results expected within weeks .
The `` NVX‑CoV2373 '' vaccine candidate has began a combined Phase I/II preliminary immunogenicity and safety trial , Novax announced Monday .
Results from the trial are expected in July , Novavax President and CEO Stanley Erck said .
`` Administering our vaccine in the first participants of this clinical trial is a significant achievement , bringing us one step closer toward addressing the fundamental need for a vaccine in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said in a statement .
`` We look forward to sharing the clinical results in July and , if promising , quickly initiating the Phase 2 portion of the trial . ''
Novavax said NVX‑CoV2373 demonstrated `` high immunogenicity and high levels of neutralizing antibodies '' during pre-clinical tests and showed `` strong evidence '' it will be effective in fighting COVID‑19 in humans .
Novavax 's vaccine candidate joins a list of several others that are in clinical trials .
U.S. biotech firm Moderna announced last week positive stage-one results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researchers at the University of Oxford have begun enrolling subjects in its advanced-stage trial for its candidate .

Visitors wear face masks as they tour the Whitney Museum of American Art as it reopens on September 3. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 26 (UPI) -- U.S. biotechnology company Novavax says it has entered clinical trials for a potential coronavirus vaccine, with first results expected within weeks. The "NVX‑CoV2373" vaccine candidate has begun a combined Phase I/II preliminary immunogenicity and safety trial, Novavax announced Monday. Advertisement
Results from the trial are expected in July, Novavax President and CEO Stanley Erck said.
"Administering our vaccine in the first participants of this clinical trial is a significant achievement, bringing us one step closer toward addressing the fundamental need for a vaccine in the fight against the global COVID‑19 pandemic," he said in a statement. "We look forward to sharing the clinical results in July and, if promising, quickly initiating the Phase 2 portion of the trial."
Novavax said NVX‑CoV2373 demonstrated "high immunogenicity and high levels of neutralizing antibodies" during pre-clinical tests and showed "strong evidence" it will be effective in fighting COVID‑19 in humans.
Novavax's vaccine candidate joins a list of several others that are in clinical trials.
U.S. biotech firm Moderna announced last week positive stage-one results for its candidate and AstraZeneca said British researchers at the University of Oxford have begun enrolling subjects in its advanced-stage trial for its candidate.


upi--2020-05-26--Hulu: What's coming and going in June 2020

May 26 ( UPI ) -- Hulu subscribers can watch Love , Victor , a new series set in the @ @ @ @ @ Simon , and Crossing Swords , an animated comedy from the creators of Robot Chicken @ @ @ @ @ streaming service released a list of the movies , TV shows , documentaries and specials @ @ @ @ @ .
Here 's the full list of what 's being added to Hulu in June @ @ @ @ @ from Hell I Still Know What You Did Last Summer Up in the Air You @ @ @ @ @ Zohan The Best of the Bachelor Series Premiere Tyler Perry 's The Haves and the @ @ @ @ @ the Dark : Good Boy New Episode Premiere ( Hulu Original ) The U.S. vs. @ @ @ @ @ : Robbie Robertson and the Band One for the Money Here 's the full list @ @ @ @ @ in June : Let Me In The Jewel of the Nile The Men Who Stare @ @ @ @ @ I Want to Believe

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Cookbook author and "Top Chef" host Padma Lakshmi hosts the new Hulu travel series "Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi." File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo
May 26 (UPI) -- Hulu subscribers can watch Love, Victor, a new series set in the same world as Love, Simon, and Crossing Swords, an animated comedy from the creators of Robot Chicken, in June. The streaming service released a list of the movies, TV shows, documentaries and specials coming and going next month. Advertisement
Here's the full list of what's being added to Hulu in June:
June 1
Celebrity Family Feud Season 6 Premiere
Press Your Luck Season 2 Premiere
Match Game Season 5 Premiere
Childrens Hospital Seasons 1-7
Mike Tyson Mysteries Seasons 1-3
10 Year Plan
4th Man Out
Above & Beyond
Almost Adults
Born to Be Wild
Casino
Charlie Wilson's War
Cliffhanger
Constantine
Dave
Digging for Fire
Dirty Dancing
Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights
Equilibrium
Fair Game
Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell
Futureworld
Grown Ups
Happily N'Ever After
Happily N'Ever After 2
Honey
Honey 2
I Am Legend
I Love You, Beth Cooper
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer
Incident at Loch Ness
Joyride
Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story
Kingpin
Losing Isaiah
Meet Me in Montenegro
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Meet the Fockers
Meet the Parents
Mo' Money
My Girl
My Girl 2
Nate and Hayes
October Sky
Quigley Down Under
Robin Hood: Men in Tights
Sex Drive
The American President
The Cookout
The Marine 3: Homefront
The Pawnbroker
The Scout
The Tuxedo
The Wood
The X-Files
Thelma & Louise
Trade
Treading Water
True Romance (Director's Cut)
Undertow
Up in the Air
Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins
Women and Sometimes Men
Wristcutters: A Love Story
You Don't Mess with the Zohan
Zardoz
June 2
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
June 4
Miss Snake Charmer
June 5
We Are Freestyle Love Supreme Premiere (Hulu Original)
Shirley
Intrigo: Dear Agnes
June 6
The Appearance
June 7
Where's Waldo? Season 1
June 8
My Absolute Boyfriend Season 1
Radiant Season 1
From Paris with Love
June 9
The Best of the Bachelor Series Premiere
June 10
Tyler Perry's The Haves and the Have Nots Season 10
June 12
Crossing Swords Series Premiere (Hulu Original)
Into the Dark: Good Boy New Episode Premiere (Hulu Original)
Don't Series Premiere
Intrigo: Samaria
Child's Play
Awakenings
Fools Rush In
Poetic Justice
Seven Pounds
June 13
Eye in the Skye
Dragonheart
Windtalkers
June 15
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Pan
Breakup at a Wedding
Dustwalker
The U.S. vs. John Lennon
June 16
Brockmire Season 4
Larry Crowne
June 17
Nostalgia
June 18
Buffaloed
Crawl
June 19
Love, Victor Series Premiere (Hulu Original)
Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi Series Premiere (Hulu Original)
Bean
Gigli
Hart's War
La Bamba
Mr. Bean's Holiday
Natural Born Killers
Out of Sight
The Peacemaker
Tears of the Sun
Zoom
June 21
The Chi Season 3
June 22
Clemency
XX
June 25
Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band
Charlie's Angels
June 29
Carrion
June 30
The Gallows Act II
One for the Money
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
6 Souls
That's My Boy
Here's the full list of what's leaving Hulu in June:
June 30
Aeon Flux
Bangkok Dangerous
Bend It Like Beckham
Blazing Saddles
Blue City
Demolition Man
Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who
Dr. T and the Women
Foxfire
Get Smart
Gods and Monsters
GoodFellas
Grown Ups
House of D
I Am Legend
Kill Bill: Vol. 1
Kill Bill: Vol. 2
Kingpin
Let Me In
Monster House
Phone Booth
Repentance
Romancing the Stone
The Boost
The Conjuring
The Eternal
The Full Monty
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The Green Mile
The Jewel of the Nile
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
The Men Who Stare at Goats
The Mexican
The Pirates! Band of Misfits
The X-Files: I Want to Believe


upi--2020-05-26--Watch live: HHS watchdog Christi Grimm testifies about shortages of medical supplies amid coronaviru

Watch live: HHS watchdog Christi Grimm testifies about shortages of medical supplies amid coronavirus

May 26 ( UPI ) -- House lawmakers will hear testimony on Tuesday from Department of Health and Human Services Principal Deputy Inspector General Christi Grimm about the Trump administration 's response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Grimm is scheduled to appear by video before the House oversight committee at 11 a.m. EDT to discuss a report she issued a month ago that detailed severe shortages of medical supplies .
The briefing will also address the inspector general 's plan to review and report on other aspects of the administration 's coronavirus response , including testing , the Strategic National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HHS employees and the department 's emergency preparedness throughout the pandemic , as well as the role of the HHS watchdog after President Donald Trump moved this month to have Grimm replaced .
Grimm issued a report on On April 6 that was based on a survey of 323 U.S. hospitals that found severe shortages of coronavirus tests and wait times of a week or longer for test results .
The report also found that hospitals experienced widespread shortages of personal protective equipment including masks and gloves due to increased use and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump dismissed the report during a briefing by the White House Coronavirus Task Force and on May 1 nominated Jason Weida to serve as a permanent replacement for Grimm , who has been in the role since Trump took office in 2017 .
Democrats on the committee introduced a bill last week to protect inspectors general from political retaliation after four other watchdogs were removed by Trump in recent weeks .

Nurses hold photos of fellow nurses who have died from COVID-19 during a protest on April 21 at the White House, to demand the Trump administration provide more protective equipment for healthcare workers during the coronavirus pandemic. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
May 26 (UPI) -- The former acting inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday defended a report she issued a month ago that detailed severe shortages of medical supplies. Christi Grimm, appearing by video before the House oversight committee as it probed the Trump administration's response to the COVID-19 crisis, said she stood by her April 6 report, which found severe shortages of coronavirus tests and wait times of a week or longer for test results. Advertisement
"The report provided quick and reliable data from the ground," Grimm said, adding that it was intended to help hospitals manage scarce resources during the early stages of the pandemic.
Based on a survey of 323 U.S. hospitals, it also determined that hospitals experienced widespread shortages of personal protective equipment including masks and gloves due to increased use and the lack of a robust supply chain.
The report drew the ire of President Donald Trump, who criticized Grimm at a news conference on the day of its release, accusing her findings of being politically motivated.
Three weeks later he nominated Jason Weida to serve as a permanent replacement for Grimm, who has been in the role since Trump took office in 2017.
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Democratic committee members see the move as part of a pattern in which the White House has retaliated against several independent government watchdogs. They introduced a bill last week to protect IGs from political retaliation after four other watchdogs were removed by Trump in recent weeks.
Asked by committee chairman Gerald Connolly, D-Va., if she is "concerned professionally that the independence of IGs or your own independence are at risk ... by recent statements and actions taken by the executive," Grimm said independence is a "cornerstone" of the law establishing such IGs.
"I view, and the community views, independence and effectiveness of an IG as a key safeguard for the programs that we oversee," she said. "It's a cornerstone of the IG Act and it's a foundational element of the work of any IG."
She added, "I personally and professionally cannot let the idea of providing unpopular information drive decision-making in the work that we do."


upi--2020-05-26--Lam: National security law will 'only target a handful of people’ in Hong Kong

May 26 ( UPI ) -- Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam defended a controversial China-proposed national security law from criticism that it will strip the city of its autonomy , stating it will `` only target a handful of people '' while protecting the majority of citizens in the special administrative region .
During a press conference Tuesday , Lam , the city 's chief executive , explained the recently proposed law will `` plug the loophole '' and protect national security from acts of secession , sedition , subversion and terrorism as well as from international forces .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law-abiding citizens in Hong Kong , '' she said .
`` They will continue to enjoy [ their ] rights and freedoms . ''
Late last week , China proposed the national security law following nearly a year of pro-democracy protests that Beijing has claimed were at least partially fueled by foreign actors .
The protests , which calmed amid the coronavirus protests , re-erupted over the weekend , resulting in at least 180 arrests .
Critics have warned the law will essentially be the end of the One Country , Two Systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997 and which affords it freedoms the mainland does not have .
The law has attracted widespread international worry and 233 parliamentarians from 26 countries signed a petition calling the law a `` flagrant break of the Sino-British Joint Declaration , '' which promised Hong Kong 50 years of a `` high degree of autonomy , rights and freedoms '' after returning to Chinese rule .
Lam onTuesday dismissed these concerns , stating the law will ensure the longevity of the One Country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from countries with similar laws of being hypocritical .
`` Most countries have their own national security legislation ; why is it that in Hong Kong , which is an inalienable part of thePeople 's Republic of China , will legislation for national security have anegative impact ? ''
she said .
She dismissed claims it will weaken the city 's freedoms as `` groundless '' and said that the semi-autonomous region 's rights will continue .
The press conference came a day after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen promised `` necessary assistance '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling the law a threat to the city 's democratic freedoms and judicial independence .

Protesters burn a sign celebrating the 70th anniversary of China during an anti-government rally in Hong Kong on October 1. File Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI | License Photo
May 26 (UPI) -- Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam defended a controversial China-proposed national security law from criticism that it will strip the city of its autonomy, stating it will "only target a handful of people" while protecting the majority of citizens in the special administrative region. During a press conference Tuesday, Lam, the city's chief executive, explained the recently proposed law will "plug the loophole" and protect national security from acts of secession, sedition, subversion and terrorism, as well as from international forces. Advertisement
"We are protecting the large majority of law-abiding citizens in Hong Kong," she said. "They will continue to enjoy [their] rights and freedoms."
Late last week, China proposed the national security law following nearly a year of pro-democracy protests that Beijing has claimed were at least partially fueled by foreign actors. The protests, which calmed amid the coronavirus protests, reignited over the weekend, resulting in at least 180 arrests.
Read More China scraps 2020 growth target amid coronavirus uncertainty
Critics have warned the law will essentially be the end of the One Country, Two Systems framework Hong Kong has functioned under since it was returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997 and which affords it freedoms the mainland does not have.
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The law has attracted widespread international worry and 233 parliamentarians from 26 countries signed a petition calling the law a "flagrant break of the Sino-British Joint Declaration," which promised Hong Kong 50 years of a "high degree of autonomy, rights and freedoms" after returning to Chinese rule.
Lam on Tuesday dismissed these concerns, stating the law will ensure the longevity of the One Country, Two Systems framework while accusing foreign politicians from countries with similar laws of being hypocritical.
"Most countries have their own national security legislation; why is it that in Hong Kong, which is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China, will legislation for national security have a negative impact?" she said.
She dismissed claims it will weaken the city's freedoms as "groundless" and said that the semi-autonomous region's rights will continue.
The press conference came a day after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen promised "necessary assistance" to the people of Hong Kong, calling the law a threat to the city's democratic freedoms and judicial independence.


upi--2020-05-26--UNC Report: Unclear whether North Korean gunfire across DMZ was accidental

SEOUL , May 26 ( UPI ) -- The U.S.-led United Nations Command announced Tuesday that it had finished its investigation into a gunfire exchange between North and South Korean forces inside the Demilitarized Zone in early May and was not able to determine whether the initial shots fired by the North were accidental or deliberate .
The incident occurred on May 3 , when four bullets from the North Korean side of the DMZ hit a South Korean guard post in the center of the 160-mile-long buffer zone that divides the Korean Peninsula , prompting South Korean soldiers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Afterward , South Korean officials said they believed the gunfire from the North was accidental , a position later echoed by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo when discussing the incident on ABC 's This Week .
The UNC investigation , which was conducted with the cooperation of the South Korean military but not the North , stopped short of reaching that conclusion .
`` The investigation determined the [ Korean People 's Army ] committed an Armistice Agreement violation , '' when it fired four rounds of small arms fire on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement released Tuesday said .
`` However , the investigation was unable to definitively determine if the four rounds were fired intentionally or by mistake . ''
The Korean People 's Army are the military forces of North Korea .
The North was given the opportunity to participate in the probe but declined , the UNC said .
`` UNC invited the Korean People 's Army to provide information on the incident , and while the KPA acknowledged receipt of the request , they have not offered a formal response , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , signed in 1953 by the UNC , North Korea and China , brought about an end to hostilities in the Korean War .
A formal peace treaty has never been signed , leaving the two countries still technically at war .
The UNC investigation determined that South Korean forces responded with two volleys of gunfire and two broadcast warnings 32 minutes later .
The return fire also violated the armistice agreement , the UNC said .
`` The UNC determined that both the KPA and the [ Republic of Korea ] army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arms fire across the military demarcation line , '' said Col. Lee Peters , a UNC spokesman , in a video posted to the command 's Facebook page .
The Republic of Korea is the official name of South Korea .
A military accord signed by the two Koreas at a Pyongyang summit in September 2018 led to the removal of 11 guard posts by each side in the DMZ , but dozens of fortifications remain .
There have been numerous gunfire exchanges in the DMZ over the years , including in 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Joint Security Area in the truce village of Panmunjom , where soldiers from both sides stand face-to-face .
The United Nations Command was created in 1950 as a U.S.-led coalition of American , South Korean and international forces fighting to defend South Korea during the Korean War .
Its primary role in recent decades has been to enforce the armistice agreement that has remained in effect since the end of hostilities in1953 .
`` Based on the investigation 's comprehensive findings , UNC personnel will engage in follow-on discussions with both sides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent a recurrence of Armistice violations , '' the command 's statement said .

An investigation released Tuesday by the United Nations Command concluded that both North and South Korea violated the 1953 armistice agreement that ended hostilities in the Korean War during an exchange of gunfire in the DMZ on May 3. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
SEOUL, May 26 (UPI) -- The U.S.-led United Nations Command announced Tuesday that it had finished its investigation into a gunfire exchange between North and South Korean forces inside the Demilitarized Zone in early May and was not able to determine whether the initial shots fired by the North were accidental or deliberate. The exchange occurred on May 3, when four bullets from the North Korean side of the DMZ hit a South Korean guard post in the center of the 160-mile-long buffer zone that divides the Korean Peninsula, prompting South Korean soldiers to return fire. No casualties were reported. Advertisement
Afterward, South Korean officials said they believed the gunfire from the North was accidental, a position later echoed by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on ABC's This Week.
The UNC investigation, which was conducted with the cooperation of the South Korean military but not the North, stopped short of reaching that conclusion.
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"The investigation determined the [Korean People's Army] committed an Armistice Agreement violation" when it fired four rounds of small arms fire on the South Korean guard post, a statement released Tuesday said. "However, the investigation was unable to definitively determine if the four rounds were fired intentionally or by mistake."
The Korean People's Army are the military forces of North Korea. The North was given the opportunity to participate in the probe but declined, the UNC said.
"UNC invited the Korean People's Army to provide information on the incident, and while the KPA acknowledged receipt of the request, they have not offered a formal response," the UNC statement said.
The armistice agreement, signed in 1953 by the UNC, North Korea and China, brought about an end to hostilities in the Korean War. A formal peace treaty has never been signed, leaving the two countries still technically at war.
The UNC investigation determined that South Korean forces responded with two volleys of gunfire and two broadcast warnings 32 minutes later. The return fire also violated the armistice agreement, the UNC said.
"The UNC determined that both the KPA and the [Republic of Korea] army committed armistice agreement violations with unauthorized small arms fire across the military demarcation line," Col. Lee Peters, a UNC spokesman, said in a video posted to the command's Facebook page.
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The Republic of Korea is the official name of South Korea.
A military accord signed by the two Koreas at a Pyongyang summit in September 2018 led to the removal of 11 guard posts by each side in the DMZ, but dozens of fortifications remain.
There have been numerous gunfire exchanges in the DMZ over the years, including in 2017 when a North Korean soldier defected across the Joint Security Area in the truce village of Panmunjom, where soldiers from both sides stand face to face.
The United Nations Command was created in 1950 as a U.S.-led coalition of American, South Korean and international forces fighting to defend South Korea during the Korean War. Its primary role in recent decades has been to enforce the armistice agreement that has remained in effect since the end of hostilities in 1953.
"Based on the investigation's comprehensive findings, UNC personnel will engage in follow-on discussions with both sides to encourage an implementation of measures to prevent a recurrence of Armistice violations," the command's statement said.


upi--2020-05-26--LATAM, Latin America's largest airline, files for bankruptcy

May 26 ( UPI ) -- The largest Latin American air carrier , LATAM Airlines , has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States , the airline said early Tuesday , becoming the second major airline in May to go bankrupt due to the coronavirus pandemic .
In a statement on its website , LATAM said its board approved it filing for Chapter 11 protection as it will offer the company the ability to work with creditors and stakeholders to reduce debt and access new funding while it reorganizes its operations to the new aviation environment caused by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 pandemic as a healthy and profitable airline group , yet exceptional circumstances have led to a collapse in global demand and has not only brought aviation to a virtual standstill , but it has also changed the industry for the foreseeable future , '' said LATAM CEO Roberto Alvo in a statement .
Alvo said the company has already implemented measures to mitigate the effects of the pandemic but filing for bankruptcy is the best way for it to prepare for where the aviation industry is heading next .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and are focused on transforming our group to adapt to a new and evolving way of flying , with the health and safety of our passengers and employees being paramount , '' he said .
The company added that it , and its affiliates , are in talks with Chile , Brazil , Colombia and Peru to gain funding to protect jobs and to minimize service disruptions .
It will be continue operating passenger and cargo flights and will honor all current and future tickets , travel vouchers and frequent flyer miles and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , Avianca , a Colombian airline , filed for Chapter 11 in the Southern District of New York in order to reorganize its business , it said .
It also attributed its filing to the pandemic , citing a global decrease in passenger traffic .
On Monday , Lufthansa Group , the biggest airline in Europe , announced it had received a $ 10 billion bailout from Germany in exchange for a 20 percent stake in the company and two seats on its board .
It said it had lost about $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 due to COVID-19 .
And in late March , U.S. President Donald signed a bailout bill that included billions of dollars to aid fledgling airlines .
The coronavirus , which first emerged in China in early December , has hit the aviation industry hard as countries closed borders and restricted internal movement .
The drop in demand has eaten cash reserves to the point CAPA - Center for Aviation in March said that by the end of May most airlines will be bankrupt .

Latam, Latin America's biggest airline and headquartered in Santiago, Chile, filed for bankruptcy in the United States on Tuesday. Photo by Jason Szenes/EPA
May 26 (UPI) -- The largest Latin American air carrier, LATAM Airlines, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States, the airline said early Tuesday, becoming the second major airline in May to go bankrupt due to the coronavirus pandemic. In a statement on its website, LATAM said its board approved it filing for Chapter 11 protection as it will offer the company the ability to work with creditors and stakeholders to reduce debt and access new funding while it reorganizes its operations to the new aviation environment caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement
"LATAM entered the COVID-19 pandemic as a healthy and profitable airline group, yet exceptional circumstances have led to a collapse in global demand and has not only brought aviation to a virtual standstill, but it has also changed the industry for the foreseeable future," said LATAM CEO Roberto Alvo in a statement.
Alvo said the company has already implemented measures to mitigate the effects of the pandemic but filing for bankruptcy is the best way for it to prepare for where the aviation industry is heading next.
"We are looking ahead to a post-COVID-19 future and are focused on transforming our group to adapt to a new and evolving way of flying, with the health and safety of our passengers and employees being paramount," he said.
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The company added that it, and its affiliates, are in talks with Chile, Brazil, Colombia and Peru to gain funding to protect jobs and to minimize service disruptions.
It will be continue operating passenger and cargo flights and will honor all current and future tickets, travel vouchers and frequent flyer miles and benefits, it said.
Earlier this month, Avianca, a Colombian airline, filed for Chapter 11 in the Southern District of New York in order to reorganize its business, it said.
It also attributed its filing to the pandemic, citing a global decrease in passenger traffic.
On Monday, Lufthansa Group, the biggest airline in Europe, announced it had received a $10 billion bailout from Germany in exchange for a 20 percent stake in the company and two seats on its board.
It said it had lost about $1.3 billion during the first quarter of 2020 due to COVID-19.
And in late March, U.S. President Donald signed a bailout bill that included billions of dollars to aid fledgling airlines.
The coronavirus, which first emerged in China in early December, has hit the aviation industry hard as countries closed borders and restricted internal movement. The drop in demand has eaten cash reserves to the point CAPA - Center for Aviation in March said that by the end of May most airlines will be bankrupt.


upi--2020-05-26--On This Day, May 26: Evacuation of Dunkirk begins

On this date in history : In 1864 , U.S. President Abraham Lincoln , anxious to create new free territories during the Civil War , signed an act establishing the Montana Territory .
Montana became a state 25 years later .
In 1868 , at the end of a historic two-month trial , the U.S. Senate acquitted President Andrew Johnson of impeachment charges levied against him by the House of Representatives .
Johnson won acquittal by one vote on each count .
In 1896 , Nicholas II became the Russian czar .
In 1897 , Dracula was published by Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final Ford Model T was built .
More than 15 million of the vehicles were produced .
Henry Ford revealed details about the car 's successor , the Model A , the same day to the United Press .
In 1940 , the evacuation of Dunkirk began .
Sailing vessels of every kind were pressed into service to ferry British , French and Belgian soldiers trapped by advancing German forces in northern France across the English Channel .
In 1954 , more than 100 crewmembers of the aircraft carrier USS Bennington died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 1972 , at a Moscow summit , U.S. President Richard Nixon and Soviet Communist Party leader Leonid Brezhnev signed a pact limiting nuclear weapons .
In 1985 , a cyclone struck the Bay of Bengal , killing 1,400 people in Bangladesh .
In 1991 , a Lauda Air Boeing 767-300 exploded over Thailand after takeoff , killing all 223 people aboard .
In 1994 , Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley , the only child of Elvis Presley , were married in the Dominican Republic .
They divorced two years later .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkey killed all 74 people aboard , including 62 Spanish soldiers returning from peacekeeping duties in Afghanistan .
In 2019 , the Nepalese government blamed overcrowding and poor weather conditions for a spate of deaths as climbers tried to reach the peak of Mount Everest .
The season 's death toll would eventually reach 12 , with photos of traffic jams of people balanced precariously along the upper ridge of the mountain shocking viewers across the globe .

1/4
A hospital ship carries injured soldiers away from Dunkirk in May or June 1940. In the background can be seen columns of smoke and flames from fires burning in the bomb- and shell-shattered port. Photo courtesy the Imperial War Museum
On this date in history: In 1864, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, anxious to create new free territories during the Civil War, signed an act establishing the Montana Territory. Montana became a state 25 years later. Advertisement
In 1868, at the end of a historic two-month trial, the U.S. Senate acquitted President Andrew Johnson of impeachment charges levied against him by the House of Representatives. Johnson won acquittal by one vote on each count.
In 1896, Nicholas II became the Russian czar.
In 1897, Dracula was published by Irish writer Bram Stoker.
File Photo by Joe Marino-Bill Cantrell/UPI
In 1927, the final Ford Model T was built. More than 15 million of the vehicles were produced. Henry Ford revealed details about the car's successor, the Model A, the same day to the United Press.
In 1940, the evacuation of Dunkirk began. Sailing vessels of every kind were pressed into service to ferry British, French and Belgian soldiers trapped by advancing German forces in northern France across the English Channel.
In 1954, more than 100 crewmembers of the aircraft carrier USS Bennington died in an explosion off Rhode Island.
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In 1972, at a Moscow summit, U.S. President Richard Nixon and Soviet Communist Party leader Leonid Brezhnev signed a pact limiting nuclear weapons.
UPI File Photo
In 1985, a cyclone struck the Bay of Bengal, killing 1,400 people in Bangladesh.
In 1991, a Lauda Air Boeing 767-300 exploded over Thailand after takeoff, killing all 223 people aboard.
In 1994, Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of Elvis Presley, were married in the Dominican Republic. They divorced two years later.
In 2003, a plane crash in Turkey killed all 74 people aboard, including 62 Spanish soldiers returning from peacekeeping duties in Afghanistan.
In 2019, the Nepalese government blamed overcrowding and poor weather conditions for a spate of deaths as climbers tried to reach the peak of Mount Everest. The season's death toll would eventually reach 12, with photos of traffic jams of people balanced precariously along the upper ridge of the mountain shocking viewers across the globe.
File Photo by Praphat Rattanayanon/Shutterstock


upi--2020-05-26--Dolphins' Ryan Fitzpatrick wants to start over rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa

MIAMI , May 26 ( UPI ) -- NFL journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick said he wants to be the Miami Dolphins ' starting quarterback in 2020 rather than No .
5 overall 2020 NFL Draft pick Tua Tagovailoa .
Fitzpatrick , 37 , has played 15 seasons for eight franchises during his NFL career .
The Harvard graduate started 13 games for the Dolphins in 2019 , and the AFC East franchise posted a 5-11 record , giving it the chance to pick Tagovailoa early in the draft .
`` I 'm as competitive as they come , so I want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Fitzpatrick said last week .
`` I know there are a lot of forces that go into it from all kinds of different sides .
Whether that happens or not , who knows ?
`` I know that in order for our team to be successful , whoever is playing from that quarterback room has to be successful -- whether that 's me out there , doing everything I can to put the team in position to win , or whether that 's somebody else [ like ] Tua who is out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to do the best I can to help him to make sure our position is doing the things that are going to make our team win .
That 's my mentality .
That 's how I think about it .
You know me very well , I think , from last year , and you know I want to be out there competing on Sundays . ''
Fitzpatrick completed 62 percent of his throws for 3,529 yards , 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last season .
He also was sacked a career-high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contract with the Dolphins last off-season , less than a month after the team traded for former first-round pick Josh Rosen .
Fitzpatrick won a training camp competition against Rosen to be named the team 's Week 1 starter .
Fitzpatrick has received praise by teammates and coaches for his leadership .
He also has a good working relationship with Dolphins offensive coordinator Chan Gailey .
They worked together for a combined five years while with several different teams .
Fitzpatrick , the father of seven , has spent the off-season with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities remain mostly closed and in-person activities are suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Fitzpatrick said he does n't throw much during the off-season , preferring to let his arm rest .
He plans to ramp up activity once organized team activities begin .
Tagovailoa praised Fitzpatrick 's leadership and experience on draft night .
He said he plans to ask him for advice about preparation and hopes to `` learn under him . ''
The former Alabama star said before the draft that he would n't mind sitting behind a veteran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to play as a competitor , but a lot of the guys that are really good and a lot of the greats have been mentored by big-time quarterbacks , veteran quarterbacks , '' Tagovailoa said in February at the NFL Scouting Combine .
`` If a team needs me to go out and start for them , I 'll do that .
But if they need me to sit behind and learn from him [ a veteran quarterback ] , I ca n't see what 's wrong with that . ''
Fitzpatrick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself this off-season and wants to make sure younger players are comfortable enough to approach him with questions .
He has been active in Zoom calls with teammates because Dolphins players were n't allowed to meet physically like they had at this time in previous years .
`` I 'm excited for him to be here , '' Fitzpatrick said of Tagovailoa .
`` I loved watching him play in college .
I think he 's going to be an awesome addition to the team for a long time . ''

Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) said he wants to start for the team in 2020, but will also help Tua Tagovailoa learn during his rookie campaign. File Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
MIAMI, May 26 (UPI) -- NFL journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick said he wants to be the Miami Dolphins' starting quarterback in 2020 rather than No. 5 overall 2020 NFL Draft pick Tua Tagovailoa. Fitzpatrick, 37, has played 15 seasons for eight franchises during his NFL career. The Harvard graduate started 13 games for the Dolphins in 2019, and the AFC East franchise posted a 5-11 record, giving it the chance to pick Tagovailoa early in the draft. Advertisement
"I'm as competitive as they come, so I want to go out there and start," Fitzpatrick said last week. "I know there are a lot of forces that go into it from all kinds of different sides. Whether that happens or not, who knows?
"I know that in order for our team to be successful, whoever is playing from that quarterback room has to be successful -- whether that's me out there, doing everything I can to put the team in position to win, or whether that's somebody else [like] Tua who is out there doing it.
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"I'm going to do the best I can to help him to make sure our position is doing the things that are going to make our team win. That's my mentality. That's how I think about it. You know me very well, I think, from last year, and you know I want to be out there competing on Sundays."
Fitzpatrick completed 62 percent of his throws for 3,529 yards, 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last season. He also was sacked a career-high 40 times.
He signed a two-year contract with the Dolphins last off-season, less than a month after the team traded for former first-round pick Josh Rosen. Fitzpatrick won a training camp competition against Rosen to be named the team's Week 1 starter.
Fitzpatrick has received praise by teammates and coaches for his leadership. He also has a good working relationship with Dolphins offensive coordinator Chan Gailey. They worked together for a combined five years while with several different teams.
Fitzpatrick, the father of seven, has spent the off-season with his wife and family in Arizona as NFL facilities remain mostly closed and in-person activities are suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Fitzpatrick said he doesn't throw much during the off-season, preferring to let his arm rest. He plans to ramp up activity once organized team activities begin.
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Tagovailoa praised Fitzpatrick's leadership and experience on draft night. He said he plans to ask him for advice about preparation and hopes to "learn under him."
The former Alabama star said before the draft that he wouldn't mind sitting behind a veteran quarterback.
"I want to be able to play as a competitor, but a lot of the guys that are really good and a lot of the greats have been mentored by big-time quarterbacks, veteran quarterbacks," Tagovailoa said in February at the NFL Scouting Combine.
"If a team needs me to go out and start for them, I'll do that. But if they need me to sit behind and learn from him [a veteran quarterback], I can't see what's wrong with that."
Fitzpatrick said he is just going to be himself this off-season and wants to make sure younger players are comfortable enough to approach him with questions. He has been active in Zoom calls with teammates because Dolphins players weren't allowed to meet physically like they had at this time in previous years.
"I'm excited for him to be here," Fitzpatrick said of Tagovailoa. "I loved watching him play in college. I think he's going to be an awesome addition to the team for a long time."


upi--2020-05-26--America gets ready to again see astronauts head into space from U.S. soil

ORLANDO , Fla. , May 26 ( UPI ) -- NASA and SpaceX plan to provide more than 24 hours of live coverage for the return of human spaceflight from the United States , with programming starting at noon Wednesday .
Astronauts Bob Behnken and Douglas Hurley are scheduled to lift off at 4:33 p.m. EDT that day , sitting in a SpaceX-built capsule atop a SpaceX-built rocket .
They will head for the International Space Station , with arrival projected 19 hours later .
The extended broadcast will be available on NASA 's YouTube Channel -- NASA LIve -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major TV and cable news networks are expected to air the liftoff , with ABC News providing deeper coverage .
The Walt Disney-owned unit will air a two-hour special report , `` Launch America : Mission to Space Live '' from 3 to 5 p.m. EDT Wednesday on the National Geographic cable network , while ABC News will air a special report on the network minutes before the launch .
The big day , which took years of preparation , will come down to last-minute assessments of conditions around the world .
Because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any moment and land in the ocean , controllers are monitoring weather risk along thousands of miles of the flight path .
But the biggest potential problem might lie right at the Kennedy Space Center launch site in Florida .
Rain and clouds from an entrenched weather system prompted flood warnings starting on Monday that run through Wednesday .
For launch time , the U.S. Space Force forecast shows a 60 percent chance of unfavorable conditions .
Flight rules prohibit launching a rocket in rain or with a thick layer of cumulus clouds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
But the outlook has improved somewhat , said Mike McAleenan , launch weather officer for the Space Force , at an early evening preflight briefing Monday .
If the launch does appear to be a `` go '' Wednesday , astronauts Behnken and Hurley will don their black and white SpaceX flight suits about four hours before liftoff .
They will then drive to Launch Complex 39A and be locked into the capsule atop a Falcon 9 rocket about two hours before launch .
For the dress rehearsal Saturday , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tesla , built by Elon Musk 's company .
Musk also is the SpaceX chief executive officer .
A little over nine minutes after launch , TV and online viewers should be able to see SpaceX 's reusable first-stage booster travel back to Earth , hopefully landing on a company barge in the Atlantic Ocean .
At the 12-minute mark , the Crew Dragon capsule will separate from the second-stage booster , and the capsule 's nose cone will open to prepare for docking at the International Space Station .
NASA plans a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , which will be aired on NASA-TV and other outlets .
It 's not clear from NASA 's schedule how much of the broadcast overnight will include communication with the astronauts .
They are scheduled to perform tests of the capsule 's features , including manual flying , according to the space agency .
Docking is planned for 11:29 a.m. EDT Thursday , but the hatch wo n't open until 1:55 p.m. so the capsule can be checked .
Thirty minutes later , NASA will broadcast the traditional welcoming ceremony for new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefing is to wrap up the live coverage at 4 p.m. EDT Thursday , beamed from Johnson Space Center in Houston .
In Florida , NASA has urged the public to stay away from the the Kennedy Space Center area .
Historic launches have attracted a million visitors , who jammed the roads and beaches .
But this launch will take place amid the COVID-19 pandemic and a poor weather outlook .
A return date for Hurley and Behnken aboard the Crew Dragon has not been determined .
Their mission was extended to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to SpaceX , to allow them to perform maintenance on the space station with astronaut Chris Cassidy .
He already is aboard .
Once the Crew Dragon heads back to Earth , it will be tested for a final time during a fiery re-entry and the first astronaut splashdown since the Apollo era -- in the Atlantic Ocean near Florida .

1/2
The astronaut walkway is extended to SpaceX's Crew Dragon space capsule atop a Falcon 9 rocket to prepare for liftoff Wednesday from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo courtesy of SpaceX
ORLANDO, Fla., May 26 (UPI) -- NASA and SpaceX plan to provide more than 24 hours of live coverage for the return of human spaceflight from the United States, with programming starting at noon Wednesday. Astronauts Bob Behnken and Douglas Hurley are scheduled to lift off at 4:33 p.m. EDT that day, sitting in a SpaceX-built capsule atop a SpaceX-built rocket. They will head for the International Space Station, with arrival projected 19 hours later. Advertisement
The extended broadcast will be available on NASA's YouTube Channel -- NASA Live -- and on SpaceX's feed. The major TV and cable news networks are expected to air the liftoff, with ABC News providing deeper coverage.
The Walt Disney-owned unit will air a two-hour special report, "Launch America: Mission to Space Live," from 3 to 5 p.m. EDT Wednesday on the National Geographic cable network, while ABC News will air a special report on the network minutes before the launch.
Advertisement
The big day, which took years of preparation, will come down to last-minute assessments of conditions around the world.
Because the astronauts could need to abort at any moment and land in the ocean, controllers are monitoring weather risk along thousands of miles of the flight path. But the biggest potential problem might lie right at the Kennedy Space Center launch site in Florida.
Rain and clouds from an entrenched weather system prompted flood warnings starting on Monday that run through Wednesday. For launch time, the U.S. Space Force forecast show a 40 percent chance of unfavorable conditions.
Flight rules prohibit launching a rocket in rain or with a thick layer of cumulus clouds, and those are the concerns for Wednesday. But the outlook has improved somewhat, Mike McAleenan, launch weather officer for the Space Force, said at an early evening preflight briefing Monday.
If the launch does appear to be a go for Wednesday, astronauts Behnken and Hurley will don their black-and-white SpaceX flight suits about four hours before liftoff. They will then drive to Launch Complex 39A and be locked into the capsule atop a Falcon 9 rocket about two hours before launch.
For the dress rehearsal Saturday, they made the 20-minute drive in a white Tesla, built by Elon Musk's company. Musk also is the SpaceX chief executive officer.
Advertisement
A little over nine minutes after launch, TV and online viewers should be able to see SpaceX's reusable first-stage booster travel back to Earth, hopefully landing on a company barge in the Atlantic Ocean.
At the 12-minute mark, the Crew Dragon capsule will separate from the second-stage booster, and the capsule's nose cone will open to prepare for docking at the International Space Station.
NASA plans a post-launch news conference at 6 p.m. Wednesday, which will be aired on NASA-TV and other outlets.
It's not clear from NASA's schedule how much of the broadcast overnight will include communication with the astronauts. They are scheduled to perform tests of the capsule's features, including manual flying, according to the space agency.
Docking is planned for 11:29 a.m. EDT Thursday, but the hatch won't open until 1:55 p.m. so the capsule can be checked. Thirty minutes later, NASA will broadcast the traditional welcoming ceremony for new arrivals to the space station.
Another briefing is to wrap up the live coverage at 4 p.m. EDT Thursday, beamed from Johnson Space Center in Houston.
In Florida, NASA has urged the public to stay away from the the Kennedy Space Center area. Historic launches have attracted a million visitors, who jammed the roads and beaches. But this launch will take place amid the COVID-19 pandemic and a poor weather outlook.
Advertisement
A return date for Hurley and Behnken aboard the Crew Dragon has not been determined. Their mission was extended to between six and 16 weeks, according to SpaceX, to allow them to perform maintenance on the space station with astronaut Chris Cassidy. He already is aboard.
Once the Crew Dragon heads back to Earth, it will be tested for a final time during a fiery re-entry and the first astronaut splashdown since the Apollo era -- in the Atlantic Ocean near Florida.
Astronauts make round trip to space station from U.S. soil


upi--2020-05-26--Famous birthdays for May 26: Hank Williams Jr., Helena Bonham Carter

May 26 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Gemini .
-- Sally @ @ @ @ @ in space , in 1951

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Inductee Stevie Nicks arrives in the press room at the 34th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies at Barclays Center in New York City on March 29, 2019. The singer turns 72 on May 26. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 26 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Gemini. They include: Advertisement
-- Pope Clement VII in 1478
-- Dancer Isadora Duncan in 1877
-- Entertainer Al Jolson in 1886
-- Photographer Dorothea Lange in 1895
-- Actor John Wayne in 1907
-- Actor Jay Silverheels in 1912
-- Actor Peter Cushing in 1913
-- Singer Peggy Lee in 1920
-- Actor James Arness in 1923
-- Jazz trumpeter Miles Davis in 1926
-- Right-to-die advocate Jack Kevorkian in 1928
-- Sportscaster Brent Musburger in 1939 (age 81)
File Photo by Gary C. Caskey/UPI
-- Singer Stevie Nicks in 1948 (age 72)
-- Singer Hank Williams Jr. in 1949 (age 71)
-- Actor Pam Grier in 1949 (age 71)
-- Actor Philip Michael Thomas in 1949 (age 71)
-- Sally Ride, first U.S. woman in space, in 1951
-- Actor Genie Francis in 1962 (age 58)
-- Actor Bobcat Goldthwait in 1962 (age 58)
-- Musician Lenny Kravitz in 1964 (age 56)
-- Actor Helena Bonham Carter in 1966 (age 54)
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File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Filmmaker/actor Matt Stone in 1971 (age 49)
-- Singer-songwriter Lauryn Hill in 1975 (age 45)
-- Actor Astrid Berges-Frisbey in 1986 (age 34)


upi--2020-05-26--Police search for UConn student linked to two killings

May 25 ( UPI ) -- Police in Connecticut said they are searching for a university student they have accused of killing two people and leading officers on a multi-state manhunt .
Peter Manfredonia , 23 , is wanted in connection to a crime spree that began Friday , police said in a statement .
Michael Dolan , the Manfredonia family 's attorney , attempted to speak with the suspect through the media on Monday , pleading with him to turn himself in to the authorities .
`` Now , Peter , if you 're listening , you are loved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference .
`` Your parents , your sisters , your entire family loves you .
Nobody wants any harm to come to you .
It is time to let the healing process begin .
It 's time to surrender . ''
Manfredonia was last seen Sunday in East Stroudsburg , Pa. , wearing dark shorts , a white t-shirt and carrying a large duffel bag , Pennsylvania State Police said via Twitter while releasing a picture of the suspect walking along railway tracks .
`` If seen , DO NOT APPROACH , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The manhunt for Manfredonia began Friday morning after he was seen leaving a residence in Willington , some 25 miles east of Hartford , where he is accused of having killed one person and seriously assaulting another , police said .
Authorities said Manfredonia invaded the home and held one of the two people against their will before stealing firearms and a truck from the residence .
Police identified the deceased victim as Theodore Demers , 62 .
The second victim 's name was not released .
Manfredonia then went to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles southwest of the first crime scene , where he is accused of killing an acquaintance , identified as Nicholas J. Eisele and whose body was discovered by police Sunday , Trooper First Class Christine Jeltema told CNN .
From there , he is alleged to have stolen a vehicle , which was recovered by police in New Jersey , authorities said .
Dolan , the family 's attorney , said Manfredonia has struggled with mental health issues and has sought help from several therapists .
University of Connecticut spokeswoman Stephanie Reitz confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school and had first enrolled in the fall of 2015 .
`` The university expresses its deepest , most heartfelt sympathies to the victims and their families in this horrible .
Incomprehensible tragedy , '' Reitz said .

Peter Manfredonia, 23, was last seen Sunday in East Stroudsburg, Pa., wearing dark shorts, a white t-shirt and carrying a large duffel bag. Photo courtesy of Connecticut State Police Department/ Twitter
May 25 (UPI) -- Police in Connecticut said they are searching for a university student they have accused of killing two people and leading officers on a multi-state manhunt. Peter Manfredonia, 23, is wanted in connection to a crime spree that began Friday, police said in a statement. Advertisement
Michael Dolan, the Manfredonia family's attorney, attempted to speak with the suspect through the media on Monday, pleading with him to turn himself in to the authorities.
"Now, Peter, if you're listening, you are loved," Dolan said during a press conference. "Your parents, your sisters, your entire family loves you. Nobody wants any harm to come to you. It is time to let the healing process begin. It's time to surrender."
Manfredonia was last seen Sunday in East Stroudsburg, Pa., wearing dark shorts, a white t-shirt and carrying a large duffel bag, Pennsylvania State Police said via Twitter while releasing a picture of the suspect walking along railway tracks.
"If seen, DO NOT APPROACH," police said. "ARMED & DANGEROUS."
The manhunt for Manfredonia began Friday morning after he was seen leaving a residence in Willington, some 25 miles east of Hartford, where he is accused of having killed one person and seriously assaulting another, police said.
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Authorities said Manfredonia invaded the home and held one of the two people against their will before stealing firearms and a truck from the residence.
Police identified the deceased victim as Theodore Demers, 62. The second victim's name was not released.
Manfredonia then went to a residence in Derby, about 70 miles southwest of the first crime scene, where he is accused of killing an acquaintance, identified as Nicholas J. Eisele and whose body was discovered by police Sunday, Trooper First Class Christine Jeltema told CNN.
From there, he is alleged to have stolen a vehicle, which was recovered by police in New Jersey, authorities said.
Dolan, the family's attorney, said Manfredonia has struggled with mental health issues and has sought help from several therapists.
University of Connecticut spokeswoman Stephanie Reitz confirmed that Manfredonia was a senior at the school and had first enrolled in the fall of 2015.
"The university expresses its deepest, most heartfelt sympathies to the victims and their families in this horrible. Incomprehensible tragedy," Reitz said.


upi--2020-05-25--WHO warns of 'immediate second peak' if restrictions eased too soon; global cases near 5.5M

May 25 ( UPI ) -- Amid a rash of countries and regions the globe over moving to reopen their economies and lift their people out from under lockdown measures , the World Health Organization on Monday warned there could be an `` immediate second peak '' of the coronavirus before there is a second wave .
With infections on the decline , countries such as Japan , New Zealand and Britain on Monday announced further easing to restrictive measures imposed months earlier when their number of coronavirus cases surged .
However , Dr. Mike Ryan , executive director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a reporter 's question concerning scenarios of a second wave , stating the world is still in the middle of the first wave of infections with cases still increasing .
`` Right now , we 're not in the second wave , we 're right in the middle of the first wave , globally , and if we look at the data from Central and South America , for Africa , for South Asia and for many other countries , we 're still very much in a phase where the disease is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said during a televised press conference .
Since the virus emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan early December and then spread the globe over , former epicenters , such as Europe and Asia , have seen daily infections decline to low numbers .
While Ryan said those countries should be applauded for containing and suppressing the virus the percentage of people in those nations who have been infected is low meaning many more are still susceptible to the disease .
A second wave , he explained , follows when a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slows before resurging several months later .
Concerning COVID-19 , he said countries need to be cognizant it can `` jump up at any time . ''
`` We can not make assumptions that just because the disease is on the way down now that it 's going to keep going down and we 're going to get a number of months to get ready for a second wave , '' he said .
`` We may get a second peak in this wave . ''
A second peak has occurred during previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , North American and Southeast Asian countries to continue public health , social surveillance , testing and other measures as well as implement a comprehensive strategy to prevent `` an immediate second peak '' in cases .
Discussions over a possible second wave can be had later in the year , he said .
Maria Van Kerkhove , the technical COVID-19 lead with the WHO Health Emergencies Programme , added that all countries need to be on `` high alert '' against the virus .
`` Let us be perfectly clear : All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here , '' she said .
`` All countries need to be ready to rapidly detect cases -- even countries that have had success in suppression .
Even countries thave have seen a decline in cases must remain ready . ''
Based on studies of the virus , a large portion of the population remains susceptible to it , meaning if it finds an opportunity to start an outbreak , it will , she said .
The warning came as the number of global infections climbed to 5.5 million on Monday .
Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5,494,287 coronavirus patients as of late Monday , with the United States reporting by far the highest number of infections at more than 1.6 million .
Japan , with 16,581 cases and 820 deaths , according to its health ministry , has been experiencing a decline since a peak in mid-April , and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday lifted a state of emergency in Tokyo .
The prime minister also declared an end to the emergency in Chiba , Kanagawa and Saitama prefectures , as well as Hokkaido , about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the emergency in Tokyo on April 16 in response to climbing coronavirus cases and deaths .
At its peak , Japan was reporting about 1,000 confirmed new cases in a day , but that number has dwindled .
`` Recently , new infection cases have fallen below 50 for the entire nation , '' Abe said , `` and what was once nearly 10,000 hospitalized cases -- that has now fallen below 2,000 .
`` The lifting of the emergency does not mean the virus is gone or infections are down to zero @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue . ''
In Britain , Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that starting early June thousands of shuttered shops , department stores and shopping centers may resume business .
The prime minister said from June 1 outdoor markets and car showrooms may reopen if they can ensure COVID-19 guidelines are met and all other non-essential retail may open their doors to the public on June 15 , his office said in a release .
Shops , such as supermarkets and pharmacies , have been open during the pandemic .
`` I want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they too can get ready , '' Johnson said in a press conference .
The announcement came as the British Department of Health and Social Care reported 261,184 confirmed positive cases of the virus after recording 1,625 new patients in the previous 24 hours .
Nearly 37,000 have died from the virus in the country .
In Palestine , the government also announced Monday it would be ending its lockdown amid falling coronavirus numbers .
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health , there have been 602 cases of infection with zero @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday .
The lifting of lockdown measures permits industry to resume after the Eid holiday and churches and mosques to reopen from Tuesday with social distancing practices in place , Arab News reported .
In New Zealand , Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the limit on gatherings will be expanded to 100 people by the week 's end .
`` We want to get our economy moving quickly without losing the gains we have made to date , '' she said during a news conference .
The archipelago nation has been one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic through issuing strict lockdown measures in mid-March , which have since been slowly eased .
Currently at level 2 , the second-lowest of its four-level lockdown measure , New Zealand has permitted gatherings of up to 10 people , but staring Friday that limit will be upped to 100 , Ardern said .
Ardern said the government will regularly adjust restrictions to allow for more activity when medical advice permits it .
New Zealand moved to level 2 on May 14 .
The New Zealand Ministry of Health has reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 15 new cases this month .
Ardern said its drop in cases despite easing of restrictions runs counter to what other countries have experienced and that is due to New Zealanders following the rules to maintain social distancing .
The expanded limit on gatherings , she said , will still prevent large concerts but more events can occur from noon Friday when the measure goes into effect .
`` These changes are good news for business and for those who look to plan larger gatherings , '' she said .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we continue to stamp out the virus . ''
In neighboring Australia , schools in New South Wales and Queensland reopened Monday with their premiers encouraging people to continue to work from home if possible to relieve pressure on the transit system .
`` I am very pleased that the system has n't been overwhelmed , '' NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said during a press conference .
Australia , like New Zealand , has fared better than most countries amid the COVID-19 pandemic , recording 7,109 total cases and 102 deaths from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four new cases in the past 24 hours .
Oceania nations have so far fought off the worst of the pandemic with stringent lockdown measures , recording 8,726 cases and 123 deaths , according to worldometers.info .

1/2
An employee wears a face shield and face masks at the Matsuya Ginza department store, which partially reopened Monday in Tokyo. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
May 25 (UPI) -- Amid a rash of countries and regions the globe over moving to reopen their economies and lift their people out from under lockdown measures, the World Health Organization on Monday warned there could be an "immediate second peak" of the coronavirus before there is a second wave. With infections on the decline, countries such as Japan, New Zealand and Britain on Monday announced further easing to restrictive measures imposed months earlier when their number of coronavirus cases surged. Advertisement
However, Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme, responded to a reporter's question concerning scenarios of a second wave, stating the world is still in the middle of the first wave of infections with cases still increasing.
"Right now, we're not in the second wave, we're right in the middle of the first wave, globally, and if we look at the data from Central and South America, for Africa, for South Asia and for many other countries, we're still very much in a phase where the disease is actually on the way up," he said during a televised press conference.
Advertisement
Since the virus emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan early December and then spread the globe over, former epicenters, such as Europe and Asia, have seen daily infections decline to low numbers.
While Ryan said those countries should be applauded for containing and suppressing the virus the percentage of people in those nations who have been infected is low meaning many more are still susceptible to the disease.
A second wave, he explained, follows when a virus, once having rampantly spread, slows before resurging several months later. Concerning COVID-19, he said countries need to be cognizant it can "jump up at any time."
"We cannot make assumptions that just because the disease is on the way down now that it's going to keep going down and we're going to get a number of months to get ready for a second wave," he said. "We may get a second peak in this wave."
A second peak has occurred during previous pandemics, he explained, urging European, North American and Southeast Asian countries to continue public health, social surveillance, testing and other measures as well as implement a comprehensive strategy to prevent "an immediate second peak" in cases.
Advertisement
Discussions over a possible second wave can be had later in the year, he said.
Maria Van Kerkhove, the technical COVID-19 lead with the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, added that all countries need to be on "high alert" against the virus.
"Let us be perfectly clear: All countries need to remain on high alert here," she said. "All countries need to be ready to rapidly detect cases -- even countries that have had success in suppression. Even countries thave have seen a decline in cases must remain ready."
Based on studies of the virus, a large portion of the population remains susceptible to it, meaning if it finds an opportunity to start an outbreak, it will, she said.
The warning came as the number of global infections climbed to 5.5 million on Monday.
Health experts at Johns Hopkins University have tallied 5,494,287 coronavirus patients as of late Monday, with the United States reporting by far the highest number of infections at more than 1.6 million.
Japan, with 16,581 cases and 820 deaths, according to its health ministry, has been experiencing a decline since a peak in mid-April, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday lifted a state of emergency in Tokyo.
Advertisement
The prime minister also declared an end to the emergency in Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama prefectures, as well as Hokkaido, about a week earlier than expected. He declared the emergency in Tokyo on April 16 in response to climbing coronavirus cases and deaths.
At its peak, Japan was reporting about 1,000 confirmed new cases in a day, but that number has dwindled.
"Recently, new infection cases have fallen below 50 for the entire nation," Abe said, "and what was once nearly 10,000 hospitalized cases -- that has now fallen below 2,000.
"The lifting of the emergency does not mean the virus is gone or infections are down to zero. Our battle against the virus will continue."
In Britain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that starting early June thousands of shuttered shops, department stores and shopping centers may resume business.
The prime minister said from June 1 outdoor markets and car showrooms may reopen if they can ensure COVID-19 guidelines are met and all other non-essential retail may open their doors to the public on June 15, his office said in a release.
Shops, such as supermarkets and pharmacies, have been open during the pandemic.
Advertisement
"I want to give the retail notice of our intention that they too can get ready," Johnson said in a press conference.
The announcement came as the British Department of Health and Social Care reported 261,184 confirmed positive cases of the virus after recording 1,625 new patients in the previous 24 hours. Nearly 37,000 have died from the virus in the country.
In Palestine, the government also announced Monday it would be ending its lockdown amid falling coronavirus numbers.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, there have been 602 cases of infection with zero new cases recorded on Sunday and nine on Saturday.
The lifting of lockdown measures permits industry to resume after the Eid holiday and churches and mosques to reopen from Tuesday with social distancing practices in place, Arab News reported.
In New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the limit on gatherings will be expanded to 100 people by the week's end.
"We want to get our economy moving quickly without losing the gains we have made to date," she said during a news conference.
The archipelago nation has been one of the fastest to bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic through issuing strict lockdown measures in mid-March, which have since been slowly eased.
Advertisement
Currently at level 2, the second-lowest of its four-level lockdown measure, New Zealand has permitted gatherings of up to 10 people, but staring Friday that limit will be upped to 100, Ardern said.
Ardern said the government will regularly adjust restrictions to allow for more activity when medical advice permits it. New Zealand moved to level 2 on May 14.
The New Zealand Ministry of Health has reported 1,154 cases of COVID-19 and 21 deaths with 15 new cases this month.
Ardern said its drop in cases despite easing of restrictions runs counter to what other countries have experienced and that is due to New Zealanders following the rules to maintain social distancing.
The expanded limit on gatherings, she said, will still prevent large concerts but more events can occur from noon Friday when the measure goes into effect.
"These changes are good news for business and for those who look to plan larger gatherings," she said. "It's another step in renormalizing life as we continue to stamp out the virus."
In neighboring Australia, schools in New South Wales and Queensland reopened Monday with their premiers encouraging people to continue to work from home if possible to relieve pressure on the transit system.
Advertisement
"I am very pleased that the system hasn't been overwhelmed," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said during a press conference.
Australia, like New Zealand, has fared better than most countries amid the COVID-19 pandemic, recording 7,109 total cases and 102 deaths from the virus. The ministry of health reported four new cases in the past 24 hours.
Oceania nations have so far fought off the worst of the pandemic with stringent lockdown measures, recording 8,726 cases and 123 deaths, according to worldometers.info.
World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic