upi--2020-05-22--House Democrats seek protections for inspectors general

May 22 ( UPI ) -- House Democrats on Friday introduced legislation to protect inspectors general from political retaliation after President Donald Trump fired five watchdogs in the past three months .
Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform said the bill -- the Inspector General Independence Act -- would allow an inspector general to be fired only under certain circumstances and would require documentation be sent to Congress .
`` As the chairwoman of the oversight committee , I know firsthand how critical it is to have experienced , competent and independent inspectors general at each agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said .
`` Unfortunately , this bill has become necessary because the Trump administration has launched a campaign against inspectors general for doing their jobs , for investigating waste , fraud and abuse , for reporting the truth , and for holding this administration accountable . ''
The bill comes one week after Trump fired State Department Inspector General Steve Linick and acting Transportation Department Inspector General Mitch Behm .
In recent months , he 's also fired acting Pentagon Inspector General Glenn Fine -- who also served on the Pandemic Response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Atkinson ; and acting Health and Human Services Inspector General Christi Grimm .
Trump came under criticism for Linick 's firing in particular because the watchdog had launched an investigation into allegations that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a staffer run personal errands , including picking up dry cleaning and walking his dog .
Pompeo denied the allegations and said he should 've requested Linick 's firing before the probe began .
Trump said he was unaware of what investigations Linick was conducting and that he fired the watchdog because Pompeo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's `` patently false '' that he sought retaliation against Linick .
The legislation lays out the conditions under which an inspector general may be fired , including documented permanent incapacity ; neglect of duty ; malfeasance ; conviction of a felony or conduct involving moral turpitude ; knowing violation of a law or regulation ; gross mismanagement ; gross waste of funds ; abuse of authority ; or inefficiency .
`` The Trump administration has repeatedly demonstrated complete disregard for independent oversight , '' said Rep. Gerald Connolly , D-Va. , chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This legislation will protect inspectors general from undue political interference and retribution for simply carrying out their responsibilities .
The independence of Its is essential to accountability that is essential to our democracy .
Silence and inaction by Congress will only embolden this reckless behavior . ''

House oversight committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., outlined a series of reasons an inspector general could be dismissed. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
May 22 (UPI) -- House Democrats on Friday introduced legislation to protect inspectors general from political retaliation after President Donald Trump fired five watchdogs in the past three months. Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform said the bill -- the Inspector General Independence Act -- would allow an inspector general to be fired only under certain circumstances and would require documentation be sent to Congress. Advertisement
"As the chairwoman of the oversight committee, I know firsthand how critical it is to have experienced, competent and independent inspectors general at each agency," Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., said.
"Unfortunately, this bill has become necessary because the Trump administration has launched a campaign against inspectors general for doing their jobs, for investigating waste, fraud and abuse, for reporting the truth, and for holding this administration accountable."
The bill comes one week after Trump fired State Department Inspector General Steve Linick and acting Transportation Department Inspector General Mitch Behm. In recent months, he's also fired acting Pentagon Inspector General Glenn Fine -- who also served on the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee; Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson; and acting Health and Human Services Inspector General Christi Grimm.
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Trump came under criticism for Linick's firing in particular because the watchdog had launched an investigation into allegations that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a staffer run personal errands, including picking up dry cleaning and walking his dog.
Pompeo denied the allegations and said he should've requested Linick's firing before the probe began. Trump said he was unaware of what investigations Linick was conducting and that he fired the watchdog because Pompeo requested it.
Pompeo also said it's "patently false" that he sought retaliation against Linick.
The legislation lays out the conditions under which an inspector general may be fired, including documented permanent incapacity; neglect of duty; malfeasance; conviction of a felony or conduct involving moral turpitude; knowing violation of a law or regulation; gross mismanagement; gross waste of funds; abuse of authority; or inefficiency.
"The Trump administration has repeatedly demonstrated complete disregard for independent oversight," said Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va., chairman of the government operations subcommittee.
"This legislation will protect inspectors general from undue political interference and retribution for simply carrying out their responsibilities. The independence of Its is essential to accountability that is essential to our democracy. Silence and inaction by Congress will only embolden this reckless behavior."


upi--2020-05-22--West Point prepares for June 13 graduation ceremony

May 22 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Military Academy announced plans Friday to ensure the safety of cadets at their June 13 graduation ceremony .
The cancellation of the remainder of the semester was announced March 19 , when cadets were ordered to return home instead of the West Point , N.Y. , college and officer training school .
They have not been back since .
President Donald Trump has indicated he plans to attend the ceremony .
There has been criticism over the demand that West Point 's 1,000-member Class of 2020 return , citing travel complications relating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of many returning cadets passing through viral hot spot New York City and the possibility that a large gathering of future Army officers could promote transfer of the virus .
The Army said that , at the bare minimum , graduating cadets must move from their barracks at the school and receive medical screening before entering the next phase of their military careers and go through other aspects of outprocessing .
The first step occurred on May 8 , when graduating cadets received questionnaires regarding any COVID-19 exposures or symptoms .
The data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are eligible to travel to West Point .
They have been divided into five cohorts , each of which will return on a different day next week , beginning Tuesday .
`` We 've never done this at West Point , and it 's very rare to be able to say something like that , '' said Lt. Col. George Mitroka , leader of the organizing team .
`` Most of the time you can pull a CONOP [ concept of operation ] off the shelf .
Graduation is pretty much the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case , we 've never been put under these types of restraints and constraints , social distancing and medical factors .
All those things kind of had to get thrown into the plan for us to consider as we developed it over time . ''
About 40 percent of returning graduates indicated they intend to fly from their hometowns across the United States , Mitroka said .
They have been directed to the airport in Newark , N.J. , where they will be met by an Army representative and bused to West Point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical screening and remain under restrictive safe distancing protocols .
`` The graduation ceremony is an important milestone , and while it may not be a traditional ceremony , our planning efforts will enable them to come together as a class one final time and for all of us to celebrate all of their accomplishments , '' said Brig .
Gen Curtis Buzzard , commandant of cadets , said .
`` We will also rightly honor their official transition into the profession of arms .
They are ready , and I know they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on our Army . ''

Plans for June 13 graduation ceremonies at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., were altered to prevent of the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Photo courtesy of U.S. Military Academy
May 22 (UPI) -- The U.S. Military Academy announced plans Friday to ensure the safety of cadets at their June 13 graduation ceremony. The cancellation of the remainder of the semester was announced March 19, when cadets were ordered to return home instead of the West Point, N.Y., college and officer training school. They have not been back since. Advertisement
President Donald Trump has indicated he plans to attend the ceremony.
There has been criticism over the demand that West Point's 1,000-member Class of 2020 return, citing travel complications relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, the necessity of many returning cadets passing through viral hot spot New York City and the possibility that a large gathering of future Army officers could promote transfer of the virus.
The Army said that, at the bare minimum, graduating cadets must move from their barracks at the school and receive medical screening before entering the next phase of their military careers and go through other aspects of outprocessing.
The first step occurred on May 8, when graduating cadets received questionnaires regarding any COVID-19 exposures or symptoms. The data will be used to identify which cadets are eligible to travel to West Point.
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They have been divided into five cohorts, each of which will return on a different day next week, beginning Tuesday.
"We've never done this at West Point, and it's very rare to be able to say something like that," said Lt. Col. George Mitroka, leader of the organizing team.
"Most of the time you can pull a CONOP [concept of operation] off the shelf. Graduation is pretty much the same every year, but, in this case, we've never been put under these types of restraints and constraints, social distancing and medical factors. All those things kind of had to get thrown into the plan for us to consider as we developed it over time."
About 40 percent of returning graduates indicated they intend to fly from their hometowns across the United States, Mitroka said. They have been directed to the airport in Newark, N.J., where they will be met by an Army representative and bused to West Point.
There, they will undergo a medical screening and remain under restrictive safe distancing protocols.
"The graduation ceremony is an important milestone, and while it may not be a traditional ceremony, our planning efforts will enable them to come together as a class one final time and for all of us to celebrate all of their accomplishments," said Brig. Gen Curtis Buzzard, commandant of cadets, said.
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"We will also rightly honor their official transition into the profession of arms. They are ready, and I know they are going to make a tremendous impact on our Army."


upi--2020-05-22--Court orders zoo to free 'Pakistan's loneliest elephant' after years of Cher campaign

May 22 ( UPI ) -- A Pakistani elephant named Kaavan will soon be set free into the wild after a long campaign by iconic entertainer Cher and a court ruling that said it should be released from a zoo in Islamabad .
The Oscar-winning actress and Grammy-winning singer advocated for the elephant 's release for four years after seeing a photo of the animal appearing lonesome at the Murghazar Zoo .
Thursday , the Islamabad High Court ordered Pakistani officials to work with Sri Lanka , the elephant 's native country , to locate a sanctuary within 30 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kaavan must come to an end by relocating him to an appropriate elephant sanctuary , in or outside the country , '' the court wrote in its ruling .
The 33-year-old Asian elephant was sent to Pakistan more than three decades ago as a gift from former Sri Lanka dictator Gen. Zia-ul-Haq .
Kaavan has been restrained with chains at the zoo on occasion since 2002 because zookeepers were concerned about his increasingly aggressive behavior .
Also , Kaavan began to show more stress after his mate for 22 years , Saheli , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has shown elephants are social animals , no other made was provided for him after Saheli 's death -- leading to Kaavan becoming known as `` Pakistan 's loneliest elephant . ''
Last year , zookeepers were suspended for stealing Kaavan 's food and this year wild boards broke into his habitat and also stole his food .
After the court 's ruling , Cher thanked the Pakistani government and said the news of the elephant 's freedom moved her to tears .
`` This is one of the greatest moments of my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` [ Tears ] down my cheeks .
`` I wish to thank the Pakistani government ! ''
Mark Cowne , chief executive of the charity Free The Wild , said he 's excited Kaavan will soon be freed .
`` We were concerned about his mental health , he was in a very bad condition , '' Cowne said .
`` We really wanted to help him .
He had been through a terrible time , locked up for 26 years , chained up for all that time . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Cher added .
`` Mark is a giant of a man .
He never gave up . ''

May 22 (UPI) -- A Pakistani elephant named Kaavan will soon be set free into the wild after a long campaign by iconic entertainer Cher and a court ruling that said it should be released from a zoo in Islamabad.
The Oscar-winning actress and Grammy-winning singer advocated for the elephant's release for four years after seeing a photo of the animal appearing lonesome at the Murghazar Zoo. Thursday, the Islamabad High Court ordered Pakistani officials to work with Sri Lanka, the elephant's native country, to locate a sanctuary within 30 days.
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"The pain and suffering of Kaavan must come to an end by relocating him to an appropriate elephant sanctuary, in or outside the country," the court wrote in its ruling.
The 33-year-old Asian elephant was sent to Pakistan more than three decades ago as a gift from former Sri Lanka dictator Gen. Zia-ul-Haq. Kaavan has been restrained with chains at the zoo on occasion since 2002 because zookeepers were concerned about his increasingly aggressive behavior.
Also, Kaavan began to show more stress after his mate for 22 years, Saheli, died in 2012. Despite research that has shown elephants are social animals, no other made was provided for him after Saheli's death -- leading to Kaavan becoming known as "Pakistan's loneliest elephant."
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Last year, zookeepers were suspended for stealing Kaavan's food and this year wild boards broke into his habitat and also stole his food.
After the court's ruling, Cher thanked the Pakistani government and said the news of the elephant's freedom moved her to tears.
"This is one of the greatest moments of my life," the legendary musician wrote. "[Tears] down my cheeks.
"I wish to thank the Pakistani government!"
Mark Cowne, chief executive of the charity Free The Wild, said he's excited Kaavan will soon be freed.
"We were concerned about his mental health, he was in a very bad condition," Cowne said. "We really wanted to help him. He had been through a terrible time, locked up for 26 years, chained up for all that time."
"We've been trying so long," Cher added. "Mark is a giant of a man. He never gave up."


upi--2020-05-23--Famous birthdays for May 23: Joan Collins, Melissa McBride

May 23 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Gemini .
-- U.S. @ @ @ @ @ who later was a U.S. senator and for whom sideburns were named , in 1824

Joan Collins arrives on the red carpet at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Benefit "Camp: Notes on Fashion" in New York City on May 6, 2019. The actor turns 87 on May 23. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 23 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Gemini. They include: Advertisement
-- Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1707
-- Social reformer Sarah Margaret Fuller in 1810
-- U.S. Army Gen. Ambrose Burnside, who later was a U.S. senator and for whom sideburns were named, in 1824
-- Musician/actor Scatman Crothers in 1910
-- Clarinetist/bandleader Artie Shaw in 1910
-- Abstract expressionist Franz Kline in 1910
-- Singer Helen O'Connell in 1920
-- Singer Rosemary Clooney in 1928
File Photo by James Bevins/UPI
-- Actor Barbara Barrie in 1931 (age 89)
-- Actor Joan Collins in 1933 (age 87)
-- Tennis Hall of Fame member John Newcombe in 1944 (age 76)
-- Writer Mitch Albom in 1958 (age 62)
-- Comedian Drew Carey in 1958 (age 62)
-- Actor Melissa McBride in 1965 (age 55)
File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
-- Voice actor H. Jon Benjamin in 1966 (age 54)
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-- Singer Maxwell, born Gerald Maxwell Rivera, in 1973 (age 47)
-- Singer Jewel Kilcher in 1974 (age 46)
-- Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings in 1974 (age 46)
-- Actor Kelly Monaco in 1976 (age 44)
-- Actor Richard Ayoade in 1977 (age 43)


upi--2020-05-23--On This Day, May 23: South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun dies amid scandal probe

On this date in history : In 1701 , Capt .
William Kidd was hanged in London for piracy and murder .
In 1829 , Cyrill Demian was granted a patent for his musical instrument called the accordion .
In 1900 , U.S. Army Sgt .
William H. Carney became the first African American to be awarded the Medal of Honor .
He was cited for his efforts during the Civil War battle of Fort Wagner , S.C. , in June 1863 .
In 1934 , Clyde Barrow and his cigar-smoking sweetheart , Bonnie Parker , who lived by violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by police in Bienville Parish , La .
In 1939 , the U.S. Navy submarine Squalus went down off New Hampshire in 240 feet of water .
Twenty-six men died .
Thirty-three were saved in a daring rescue with a diving bell .
The submarine was raised in September 1939 and recommissioned the USS Sailfish .
In 1945 , Heinrich Himmler , the former Gestapo chief , killed himself in a British military prison in Luneburg , Germany .
In 1960 , Israeli agents captured Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in Argentina and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried , convicted and hanged .
In 1963 , the Alabama Supreme Court ousted Birmingham Mayor Art Hanes and two city commissioners , including segregationist Police Commissioner Eugene `` Bull '' Conner .
In 1991 , the U.S. Supreme Court upheld federal regulations prohibiting federally funded women 's clinics from discussing or advising abortion with patients .
In 1992 , President George H.W .
Bush instituted a new Haitian refugee policy , permitting the Coast Guard to immediately return U.S.-bound boat people to their troubled homeland .
In 1997 , Mohammad Khatami , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West , was elected president of Iran .
In 2009 , police said South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun , 62 , linked to a corruption investigation , died in a leap from a cliff near his home after leaving a suicide note .
In 2011 , the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that California 's overcrowded prisons violated the Eighth Amendment banning `` cruel and unusual punishment . ''
In 2013 , the Boy Scouts of America ended a century-old ban on openly gay scouts but still prohibited gay adult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Football League approved a new policy requiring all players to stand for the national anthem or remain in the locker room .
Under the new rule , the league planned to fine teams if players kneel during the anthem .
In 2019 , Interpol announced that 50 children had been rescued and nine people arrested in Thailand , Australia and the United States following a two-year investigation into a dark web pedophile ring .

1/5
Roh Moo-hyun, president of South Korea, (R) and his wife, Kwon Yang, wave to Korean-American community leaders before departing from Boeing Field in Seattle on July 1, 2007. Linked to a corruption investigation, Roh killed himself on this day in 2009. File Photo by Jim Bryant/UPI | License Photo
On this date in history: In 1701, Capt. William Kidd was hanged in London for piracy and murder. Advertisement
In 1829, Cyrill Demian was granted a patent for his musical instrument called the accordion.
In 1900, U.S. Army Sgt. William H. Carney became the first African American to be awarded the Medal of Honor. He was cited for his efforts during the Civil War battle of Fort Wagner, S.C., in June 1863.
In 1934, Clyde Barrow and his cigar-smoking sweetheart, Bonnie Parker, who lived by violence, died by violence after being ambushed by police in Bienville Parish, La.
File Photo courtesy of the FBI
In 1939, the U.S. Navy submarine Squalus went down off New Hampshire in 240 feet of water. Twenty-six men died. Thirty-three were saved in a daring rescue with a diving bell. The submarine was raised in September 1939 and recommissioned the USS Sailfish.
In 1945, Heinrich Himmler, the former Gestapo chief, killed himself in a British military prison in Luneburg, Germany.
In 1960, Israeli agents captured Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in Argentina and spirited him to Israel. He was tried, convicted and hanged.
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In 1963, the Alabama Supreme Court ousted Birmingham Mayor Art Hanes and two city commissioners, including segregationist Police Commissioner Eugene "Bull" Conner.
In 1991, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld federal regulations prohibiting federally funded women's clinics from discussing or advising abortion with patients.
In 1992, President George H.W. Bush instituted a new Haitian refugee policy, permitting the Coast Guard to immediately return U.S.-bound boat people to their troubled homeland.
File Photo by Martin Jeong/UPI
In 1997, Mohammad Khatami, who favored improved economic ties with the West, was elected president of Iran.
In 2009, police said South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, 62, linked to a corruption investigation, died in a leap from a cliff near his home after leaving a suicide note.
In 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that California's overcrowded prisons violated the Eighth Amendment banning "cruel and unusual punishment."
In 2013, the Boy Scouts of America ended a century-old ban on openly gay scouts but still prohibited gay adult scout leaders.
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In 2018, the National Football League approved a new policy requiring all players to stand for the national anthem or remain in the locker room. Under the new rule, the league planned to fine teams if players kneel during the anthem.
In 2019, Interpol announced that 50 children had been rescued and nine people arrested in Thailand, Australia and the United States following a two-year investigation into a dark web pedophile ring.


upi--2020-05-22--Caylin Newton, younger brother of Cam Newton, transferring to Auburn

May 22 ( UPI ) -- Caylin Newton , the younger brother of former NFL MVP Cam Newton , announced that he is joining Auburn as a graduate transfer .
Caylin Newton , whose older brother Cam won the Heisman Trophy and led Auburn to a national championship in 2010 , made his decision publicly on social media Friday .
The former Howard University quarterback will be immediately eligible to play at Auburn after graduating earlier this month , but he enters a program with an established starter at the position .
Bo Nix , the son of Auburn great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Tigers in 2019 and was named SEC Freshman of the Year .
The 6-foot , 195-pound quarterback will have two seasons of college eligibility remaining after taking a redshirt in the 2019 campaign .
Caylin Newton was the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year prior to the start of last season .
He eventually left the Howard football program in October and announced his intention to transfer .
He was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year as a freshman and the conference 's Offensive Player of the Year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who transferred from Florida to Auburn , had one of the best seasons in college football history while with the Tigers in 2010 .
He scored a combined 51 touchdowns while guiding his team to an undefeated record and a win over Oregon in the BCS championship game .

May 22 (UPI) -- Caylin Newton, the younger brother of former NFL MVP Cam Newton, announced that he is joining Auburn as a graduate transfer.
Caylin Newton, whose older brother Cam won the Heisman Trophy and led Auburn to a national championship in 2010, made his decision publicly on social media Friday.
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The former Howard University quarterback will be immediately eligible to play at Auburn after graduating earlier this month, but he enters a program with an established starter at the position. Bo Nix, the son of Auburn great Pat Nix, started every game for the Tigers in 2019 and was named SEC Freshman of the Year.
The 6-foot, 195-pound quarterback will have two seasons of college eligibility remaining after taking a redshirt in the 2019 campaign.
Caylin Newton was the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year prior to the start of last season. He eventually left the Howard football program in October and announced his intention to transfer.
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He was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year as a freshman and the conference's Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore.
Cam Newton, who transferred from Florida to Auburn, had one of the best seasons in college football history while with the Tigers in 2010. He scored a combined 51 touchdowns while guiding his team to an undefeated record and a win over Oregon in the BCS championship game.


upi--2020-05-22--Seattle Seahawks adding RB Carlos Hyde on one-year contract

May 22 ( UPI ) -- The Seattle Seahawks reached an agreement with running back Carlos Hyde on a short-term contract Friday .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Hyde agreed to a one-year deal with the Seahawks .
According to NFL Media , the former Houston Texans tailback can earn up to $ 4 million over the course of the pact .
Hyde , who turns 30 in September , recorded six touchdowns and ran for a career-high 1,070 yards on 245 carries for the Texans last season .
He played in all 16 regular-season games for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career .
Despite his production , Hyde -- along with fellow running back Lamar Miller -- entered free agency .
The Texans later acquired Pro Bowl tailback David Johnson from the Arizona Cardinals in a blockbuster trade that included All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins .
The Seahawks were actively searching for a veteran this off-season to bolster their backfield .
Starter Chris Carson and 2018 first-round draft pick Rashaad Penny are coming off season-ending injuries .
Seattle also offered former Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman a one-year contract , according to ESPN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Hyde , who is expected to play a prominent role alongside Carson .
Penny is still recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL and other damage in his knee , according to ESPN .
The Seahawks believe there 's a strong chance he will need to start the season on the physically unable to perform list , meaning he would have to miss at least the first six games of the 2020 season .
Carson , who suffered a hip injury in 2019 , is expected to be ready by Week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Penny , the Seahawks have second-year back Travis Homer and three rookies : fourth-round pick DeeJay Dallas and undrafted free agents Anthony Jones and Patrick Carr .

Former Houston Texans running back Carlos Hyde (23) ran for a career-best 1,070 yards with the Texans last season. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo
May 22 (UPI) -- The Seattle Seahawks reached an agreement with running back Carlos Hyde on a short-term contract Friday. League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Hyde agreed to a one-year deal with the Seahawks. According to NFL Media, the former Houston Texans tailback can earn up to $4 million over the course of the pact. Advertisement
Hyde, who turns 30 in September, recorded six touchdowns and ran for a career-high 1,070 yards on 245 carries for the Texans last season. He played in all 16 regular-season games for only the second time in his NFL career.
Despite his production, Hyde -- along with fellow running back Lamar Miller -- entered free agency. The Texans later acquired Pro Bowl tailback David Johnson from the Arizona Cardinals in a blockbuster trade that included All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
The Seahawks were actively searching for a veteran this off-season to bolster their backfield. Starter Chris Carson and 2018 first-round draft pick Rashaad Penny are coming off season-ending injuries.
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Seattle also offered former Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman a one-year contract, according to ESPN. Instead, the franchise moved on to Hyde, who is expected to play a prominent role alongside Carson.
Penny is still recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL and other damage in his knee, according to ESPN. The Seahawks believe there's a strong chance he will need to start the season on the physically unable to perform list, meaning he would have to miss at least the first six games of the 2020 season.
Carson, who suffered a hip injury in 2019, is expected to be ready by Week 1.
Behind Carson, Hyde and Penny, the Seahawks have second-year back Travis Homer and three rookies: fourth-round pick DeeJay Dallas and undrafted free agents Anthony Jones and Patrick Carr.


upi--2020-05-23--Coronavirus: Brazil now has third highest number of cases globally

May 23 ( UPI ) -- With a spike of more than 20,000 new infections of COVID-19 within 24 hours , Brazil on Saturday reported the third-highest number of cases in the world behind Russia and the United States .
`` In a sense , South America has become a new epicenter for the disease , '' the World Health Organization 's top emergencies expert , Dr. Mike Ryan , said with Brazil being the `` most affected '' South American country .
Ryan added that authorities in Brazil have broadly approved anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 treatment even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use given potential side effects .
Policy experts said one of the biggest challenges in curbing the spread is Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro .
`` It 's unbelievable what 's happening in Brazil , '' said Natalia Pasternak , a microbiologist and researcher at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Sao Paulo .
`` When the biggest science denier in the country is the president himself , what can we scientists do ? ''
Brazil has reported 21,048 deaths from COVID-19 , according to Johns Hopkins University 's global tracker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of cases at more than 1.6 million and more than 96,000 deaths , according to the Johns Hopkins tracker .
President Donald Trump , an ally of Bolsonaro , has similarly touted the anti-malarial drug as a potential treatment for COVID-19 .
Trump also said earlier this week he started to take hydroxychloroquine , but a study published Friday in The Lancet found that the drug has no clinical benefit , might cause serious heart-related side effects and people with severe illness treated with it were twice as likely to die than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday for places of worship to reopen and threatened to override governors if they do n't allow them to reopen .
Religious ceremonies have also now been allowed to immediately resume in France , according to a legislative decree published Saturday morning .
France 's Interior Ministry has collaborated with faith leaders `` to ensure that religious ceremonies resume , while ensuring the health protection of all , '' Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said in a statement Friday night .
According to the global tracker , France has 182,015 COVID-19 cases and 28,218 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Saturday , the second-highest globally .
The country has had 3,388 deaths from the virus , according to the global tracker .
Britain now has the fourth-highest number of cases worldwide with 255,544 cases and 36,475 deaths .
A spokesperson for the British prime minister 's office told CNN that top aide Dominic Cummings did not breach COVID-19 guidelines after it was revealed that he showed symptoms of the virus while he traveled across the country to stay at his parents ' home .
South Korea has received international praise for largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a monthlong streak of new daily cases below 100 .
But after beginning to loosen its social distancing guidelines , a cluster of cases started to develop linked to multiple Seoul nightclubs that a 29-year-old man infected with the virus had visited .
As of Saturday , 219 cases have been linked to the nightclub cluster , said Kwon Jun-wook , deputy director of Korea 's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
South Korea has 11,165 COVID-19 cases and 266 deaths from the virus , according to the global tracker .
Globally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 5.2 million with over 338,000 deaths from COVID-19 .
In Spain , Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced the country 's longest period of mourning in history -- 10 days .
`` Starting Tuesday , when the entire national territory is in phase one , the government of Spain will approve a formal declaration of official mourning throughout our country in memory of the victims of COVID-19 .
The mourning will last 10 days , the longest official mourning in history of our democracy . ''
`` Those who died in this epidemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , far-right protesters in Spain called for lockdowns to be lifted , driving their cars through major cities to maintain social distancing .
The country imposed some of the tightest restrictions in Europe in mid-March , but large cities are planning on loosening the restrictions gradually -- but protesters , citiing the impact on jobs and the economy , want the lockdown lifted immediately .

Federal public officials wear masks at protest against Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro in front of the Palacio Planalto headquarters in Brasilia. File Photo by Joedson Alves/EPA-EFE
May 23 (UPI) -- With a spike of more than 20,000 new infections of COVID-19 within 24 hours, Brazil on Saturday reported the third-highest number of cases in the world behind Russia and the United States. Brazil's Health Ministry reported 330,890 cases Friday, up 20,803 from Thursday. Advertisement
"In a sense, South America has become a new epicenter for the disease," the World Health Organization's top emergencies expert, Dr. Mike Ryan, said with Brazil being the "most affected" South American country.
Ryan added that authorities in Brazil have broadly approved anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 treatment even though clinical evidence does not support its widespread use given potential side effects.
Policy experts said one of the biggest challenges in curbing the spread is Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
"It's unbelievable what's happening in Brazil," said Natalia Pasternak, a microbiologist and researcher at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Sao Paulo. "When the biggest science denier in the country is the president himself, what can we scientists do?"
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Brazil has reported 21,048 deaths from COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University's global tracker.
The United States has the highest number of cases at more than 1.6 million and more than 96,000 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins tracker.
President Donald Trump, an ally of Bolsonaro, has similarly touted the anti-malarial drug as a potential treatment for COVID-19.
Trump also said earlier this week he started to take hydroxychloroquine, but a study published Friday in The Lancet found that the drug has no clinical benefit, might cause serious heart-related side effects and people with severe illness treated with it were twice as likely to die than a control group. But that study was retracted by the authors on Thursday over questions of the validity of the data.
Trump also called Friday for places of worship to reopen and threatened to override governors if they don't allow them to reopen.
Religious ceremonies have also now been allowed to immediately resume in France, according to a legislative decree published Saturday morning.
France's Interior Ministry has collaborated with faith leaders "to ensure that religious ceremonies resume, while ensuring the health protection of all," Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said in a statement Friday night.
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According to the global tracker, France has 182,015 COVID-19 cases and 28,218 deaths.
Russia reported 335,882 cases as of Saturday, the second-highest globally. The country has had 3,388 deaths from the virus, according to the global tracker.
Britain now has the fourth-highest number of cases worldwide with 255,544 cases and 36,475 deaths.
A spokesperson for the British prime minister's office told CNN that top aide Dominic Cummings did not breach COVID-19 guidelines after it was revealed that he showed symptoms of the virus while he traveled across the country to stay at his parents' home.
South Korea has received international praise for largely bringing the coronavirus under control after continuing a monthlong streak of new daily cases below 100. But after beginning to loosen its social distancing guidelines, a cluster of cases started to develop linked to multiple Seoul nightclubs that a 29-year-old man infected with the virus had visited.
As of Saturday, 219 cases have been linked to the nightclub cluster, said Kwon Jun-wook, deputy director of Korea's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
South Korea has 11,165 COVID-19 cases and 266 deaths from the virus, according to the global tracker.
Globally, the number of cases is more than 5.2 million with over 338,000 deaths from COVID-19.
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In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced the country's longest period of mourning in history -- 10 days.
"Starting Tuesday, when the entire national territory is in phase one, the government of Spain will approve a formal declaration of official mourning throughout our country in memory of the victims of COVID-19. The mourning will last 10 days, the longest official mourning in history of our democracy."
"Those who died in this epidemic deserve to be remembered."
Also Saturday, far-right protesters in Spain called for lockdowns to be lifted, driving their cars through major cities to maintain social distancing.
The country imposed some of the tightest restrictions in Europe in mid-March, but large cities are planning on loosening the restrictions gradually -- but protesters, citiing the impact on jobs and the economy, want the lockdown lifted immediately.
This story has been updated to reflect that a study published in The Lancet was retracted.
World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-05-23--Iranian president says U.S. should leave Venezuela-bound gas tankers alone

May 23 ( UPI ) -- Iran 's President , Hassan Rouhani , warned the United States Saturday not to create trouble for a group of Iranian oil tankers headed for Venezuela to help the latter country address a major fuel shortage .
`` If our oil tankers in the Caribbean Sea or anywhere else in the world get into trouble caused by the Americans , they ( US ) will run into trouble reciprocally , '' Rouhani said in a telephone conversation with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani .
Rouhani said Iran would never `` start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if provoked .
Last month U.S. officials said they were monitoring five oil tankers crossing the Atlantic with 60 million gallons of Iranian gasoline headed toward Venezuelan waters .
The shipment is intended to address a fuel shortage in the formerly oil-rich Venezuela , where produce is said to be rotting on farms for lack of shipping and where sick individuals can not be taken to the hospital .
It 's also evidence of a deepening alliance between the two countries .
`` You have two pariah states finding that they are able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have , '' Elliott Abrams , U.S. special representative to Venezuela , told the Washington Post .
Earlier this spring the Trump administration offered to lift sanctions from Venezuela if the country agreed to create an interim transitional government and hold a free and fair presidential election in less than a year .
The United States has also invoked the Monroe Doctrine -- which rejects outside intervention in the Western Hemisphere -- to move against foreign entities that do business with Venezuela .
In Rouhani 's call with al-Thani Saturday , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the United States was proceeding with `` incorrect decisions and inhumane behavior . ''
He also stressed the need to restart economic relations between Iran and Qatar , with the Emir replying that Qatar would do its utmost to reduce tensions .

In this April photo, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks during a cabinet meeting in Tehran. Photo via EPA-EFE
May 23 (UPI) -- Iran's President, Hassan Rouhani, warned the United States Saturday not to create trouble for a group of Iranian oil tankers headed for Venezuela to help the latter country address a major fuel shortage. "If our oil tankers in the Caribbean Sea or anywhere else in the world get into trouble caused by the Americans, they (US) will run into trouble reciprocally," Rouhani said in a telephone conversation with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. Advertisement
Rouhani said Iran would never "start tensions and clashes" but would retaliate if provoked.
Last month U.S. officials said they were monitoring five oil tankers crossing the Atlantic with 60 million gallons of Iranian gasoline headed toward Venezuelan waters.
The shipment is intended to address a fuel shortage in the formerly oil-rich Venezuela, where produce is said to be rotting on farms for lack of shipping and where sick individuals cannot be taken to the hospital.
It's also evidence of a deepening alliance between the two countries.
"You have two pariah states finding that they are able to exchange things they need for things they have," Elliott Abrams, U.S. special representative to Venezuela, told the Washington Post.
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Earlier this spring the Trump administration offered to lift sanctions from Venezuela if the country agreed to create an interim transitional government and hold a free and fair presidential election in less than a year.
Venezuela's government, led by Nicolas Maduro, rejected that offer.
The United States has also invoked the Monroe Doctrine -- which rejects outside intervention in the Western Hemisphere -- to move against foreign entities that do business with Venezuela.
In Rouhani's call with al-Thani Saturday, he said countries need to cooperate collectively and said the United States was proceeding with "incorrect decisions and inhumane behavior."
He also stressed the need to restart economic relations between Iran and Qatar, with the Emir replying that Qatar would do its utmost to reduce tensions.


upi--2020-05-23--COVID-19 lockdowns impact Eid al-Fitr holiday celebrations

May 23 ( UPI ) -- Many Muslims will celebrate the Eid al-Fitr holiday , marking the end of the Muslim holiday Ramadan differently this weekend due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic .
The annual `` festival of the breaking of the fast , '' begins at sunset Saturday since Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset during Ramadan .
Millions of Muslims globally would typically gather at mosques and prayer areas early Sunday morning to perform Eid prayers and greet each other .
However , this year , due to the coronavirus pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home and have created at-home prayer spaces .
In Afghanistan , Deputy Health Minister Waheed Majroh urged citizens to follow coronavirus safety guidelines and stay home during the holiday amid a rise in COVID-19 cases , Anadolu Agency reported .
`` The number of cases is so high that all ICUs in public hospitals are full , '' Majroh said , adding that citizens should only spend the holiday with immediate family members instead of larger gatherings .
In India , clerics are urging Muslims to celebrate at home , donate , social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the phone instead of the usual shopping , gatherings and festivities .
Deputy prayer leader Syed Shaban Bukhari of New Delhi 's Jama Masjid urged social distancing through avoiding social gatherings in a video posted to Twitter .
`` We can not allow any congregations in courtyards and parks , as it will expose people to an increased risk of contracting the virus , '' Bukhari said in the video .
Bukhari is among other Muslim leaders to urge worshipers to observe the holiday in India at home with mosques closed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ present battling coronavirus , the happiness of Eid is in not hugging each other and not shaking hands this time over , '' said Umer Ahmed Ilyasi , chair imam of the All India Imam Organization .
`` If we want to love them , we have to maintain distance .
.
.
Eid is related to life and happiness and we have to give the same . ''
In Bangladesh , the government banned large gatherings for communal Eid prayers , but has allowed worshipers to gather in mosques provided that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ praying .
The government also advised people to disinfect the mosques before and after each Eid gathering , not to shake hands or hug after praying , and to stay home if sick .
In Germany , a church in Berlin opened its doors to let Muslims hold Friday prayer while maintaining space for social distancing due to the pandemic .
Similar to Christian services , many Muslim services have moved online due to coronavirus restrictions .
In Indonesia , faith leaders urged Muslims not to gather for the traditional dinners to break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's largest mosque , Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta , has set up televised prayers on Sunday .
Saudi Arabia announced last week that it would maintain a national curfew during the holiday because of the pandemic with COVID-19 cases on an upward trajectory at the time , according to health officials .

Men prepare traditional food Saturday for the Eid al-Fitr festival in Herat, Afghanistan. Photo by Jalil Rezayee/EPA-EFE
May 23 (UPI) -- Many Muslims will celebrate the Eid al-Fitr holiday, marking the end of the Muslim holiday Ramadan differently this weekend due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The annual "festival of the breaking of the fast," begins at sunset Saturday since Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset during Ramadan. Advertisement
Millions of Muslims globally would typically gather at mosques and prayer areas early Sunday morning to perform Eid prayers and greet each other.
However, this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, many Muslims have been urged to stay home and have created at-home prayer spaces.
In Afghanistan, Deputy Health Minister Waheed Majroh urged citizens to follow coronavirus safety guidelines and stay home during the holiday amid a rise in COVID-19 cases, Anadolu Agency reported.
"The number of cases is so high that all ICUs in public hospitals are full," Majroh said, adding that citizens should only spend the holiday with immediate family members instead of larger gatherings.
In India, clerics are urging Muslims to celebrate at home, donate, social distance and talk to friends and relatives over the phone instead of the usual shopping, gatherings and festivities.
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Deputy prayer leader Syed Shaban Bukhari of New Delhi's Jama Masjid urged social distancing through avoiding social gatherings in a video posted to Twitter.
"We cannot allow any congregations in courtyards and parks, as it will expose people to an increased risk of contracting the virus," Bukhari said in the video.
Bukhari is among other Muslim leaders to urge worshipers to observe the holiday in India at home with mosques closed.
"Since the entire world is at present battling coronavirus, the happiness of Eid is in not hugging each other and not shaking hands this time over," said Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, chair imam of the All India Imam Organization. "If we want to love them, we have to maintain distance . . . Eid is related to life and happiness and we have to give the same."
In Bangladesh, the government banned large gatherings for communal Eid prayers, but has allowed worshipers to gather in mosques provided that they carry hand sanitizer and wear masks while praying. The government also advised people to disinfect the mosques before and after each Eid gathering, not to shake hands or hug after praying, and to stay home if sick.
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In Germany, a church in Berlin opened its doors to let Muslims hold Friday prayer while maintaining space for social distancing due to the pandemic.
Similar to Christian services, many Muslim services have moved online due to coronavirus restrictions.
In Indonesia, faith leaders urged Muslims not to gather for the traditional dinners to break the fast Saturday evening and the country's largest mosque, Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, has set up televised prayers on Sunday.
Saudi Arabia announced last week that it would maintain a national curfew during the holiday because of the pandemic with COVID-19 cases on an upward trajectory at the time, according to health officials.


upi--2020-05-23--UN report: More than 100 Iraqi protesters abducted since October

May 23 ( UPI ) -- A report released Saturday by the Human Rights Office of the United Nations Assistance says hundreds of Iraqi protesters were killed and thousands were wounded during antigovernment protests in the country last fall .
In addition , the report says , 123 people were verified to have been abducted or detained , of whom 25 remain missing or are of unknown status .
According to the U.N. , none of the perpetrators of the abductions have been detained or tried for their crimes .
Investigators interviewed 25 people who had been abducted , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participated in demonstrations or provided support to demonstrators -- and all had been activists prior to last fall 's demonstrations or posted statements critical of authorities on social media .
There were also common threads in the abduction incidents as victims described them : all said they had been forced into vehicles by multiple masks and armed men in public , while in the vicinity of protest sites or while traveling to or from demonstrations -- or on regular routes they took traveling to and from work .
At least 600 protesters have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the unrest began in October , according to Amnesty International .
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi , who was sworn in earlier this month , has promised to crack down on those targeting protesters and to release protesters from jail unless they were charged with a violent offense .

Iraqi protesters gather on the Al-Jumhuriya bridge, which leads to the headquarters of the Iraqi government inside the high security Green Zone area, during an anti-government protest in Baghdad May 10. A new U.N. report found that in addition to hundreds who were killed and thousands wounded in ongoing protests, more than 100 people were abducted in connection with protest activity. EPA-EFE/MURTAJA LATEEF
May 23 (UPI) -- A report released Saturday by the Human Rights Office of the United Nations Assistance says hundreds of Iraqi protesters were killed and thousands were wounded during antigovernment protests in the country last fall. In addition, the report says, 123 people were verified to have been abducted or detained, of whom 25 remain missing or are of unknown status. Advertisement
According to the U.N., none of the perpetrators of the abductions have been detained or tried for their crimes. Investigators interviewed 25 people who had been abducted, and found that in all cases they had participated in demonstrations or provided support to demonstrators -- and all had been activists prior to last fall's demonstrations or posted statements critical of authorities on social media.
There were also common threads in the abduction incidents as victims described them: all said they had been forced into vehicles by multiple masks and armed men in public, while in the vicinity of protest sites or while traveling to or from demonstrations -- or on regular routes they took traveling to and from work.
At least 600 protesters have been killed and more than 18,000 injured since the unrest began in October, according to Amnesty International.
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Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, who was sworn in earlier this month, has promised to crack down on those targeting protesters and to release protesters from jail unless they were charged with a violent offense.


upi--2020-05-23--Black boxes found in Pakistan plane crash; 97 dead, 2 survive

May 23 ( UPI ) -- Investigators said Saturday that they found the so-called `` black boxes '' from a passenger jet that crashed in Pakistan , killing 97 people .
Two people survived the crash -- Bank of Punjab CEO Zafar Masood and engineer Mohammad Zubair , both of whom were transported to the hospital for treatment .
Zubair said he unfastened his seatbelt after the plane crashed .
He said the aircraft was `` engulfed in flames '' and he heard people screaming .
He jump 10 feet down to exit the plane after he saw a light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me to Jinnah hospital and then I was brought to Civil hospital , where I currently am , '' Zubair said .
Pakistan 's Aviation Ministry said 99 people were aboard the jetliner when it crashed on Friday afternoon .
The commercial airliner for Pakistan International Airlines , Flight PK-8302 , was en route from Lahore to Karachi when it crashed into a narrow residential street in the Jinnah Garden area near Model Colony in Malir , just outside of Karachi airport 's boundary wall .
There was damage to houses in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assisted Model Colony residents from 25 houses with accommodations as the site was cleared for search and rescue .
Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan said the government will bear the cost of repairing the damaged houses and vehicles in the area .
He added that the current priority is to transfer the bodies of the victims to their families .
Several recovered bodies have yet to be identified pending DNA tests results , according to officials .
Among the passengers who died were a senior journalist at 24 News TV Channel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eid al-Fitr , the holiday marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan .
There were also three children and several army officers , Anadolu Agency reported .
Model Zari Abid was also identified as among the dead , Dawn reported .
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan vowed to do an `` immediate inquiry , '' following the crash .
The pilot sent a mayday distress call to controllers saying the plane lost power from both engines on its second attempt to land , according to a recording posted on LiveATC.net @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controller cleared the plane to land , but the pilot appeared to be off-course .
`` The pilot was told that both runways were ready for him to land , '' Pakistan International Airlines chief executive Air Marshal Arshad Malik said .
`` However , the pilot decided to do a go-around .
Why did he do that , due to what technical reason , that we will find out . ''
PIA spokesman Abdullah Khan added Saturday that the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder have been recovered from the crash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been found late yesterday , we are handing it over to the inquiry board , '' Khan said .
Malik said the Aviation Ministry is overseeing a probe into the incident along with the government of Pakistan , the armed forces , and the National Disaster Management Authority .
`` We will need two to three days to complete the operation , '' Malik said .
`` We want the inquiry to be completed as soon as possible but we can not say when .
We do not wish to interfere with the @ @ @ @ @ @

Pakistani security officials stand guard Saturday, a day after a passenger plane of state run Pakistan International Airlines crashed in a residential area, in Karachi, Pakistan. Photo by Shahzaib Akber/EPA-EFE
May 23 (UPI) -- Investigators said Saturday that they found the so-called "black boxes" from a passenger jet that crashed in Pakistan, killing 97 people. Two people survived the crash -- Bank of Punjab CEO Zafar Masood and engineer Mohammad Zubair, both of whom were transported to the hospital for treatment. Advertisement
Zubair said he unfastened his seatbelt after the plane crashed. He said the aircraft was "engulfed in flames" and he heard people screaming. He jump 10 feet down to exit the plane after he saw a light in the distance.
"They took me to Jinnah hospital and then I was brought to Civil hospital, where I currently am," Zubair said.
Pakistan's Aviation Ministry said 99 people were aboard the jetliner when it crashed on Friday afternoon.
The commercial airliner for Pakistan International Airlines, Flight PK-8302, was en route from Lahore to Karachi when it crashed into a narrow residential street in the Jinnah Garden area near Model Colony in Malir, just outside of Karachi airport's boundary wall.
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There was damage to houses in the Jinnah Garden area.
The civil administration assisted Model Colony residents from 25 houses with accommodations as the site was cleared for search and rescue. Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan said the government will bear the cost of repairing the damaged houses and vehicles in the area.
He added that the current priority is to transfer the bodies of the victims to their families.
Several recovered bodies have yet to be identified pending DNA tests results, according to officials.
Among the passengers who died were a senior journalist at 24 News TV Channel Ansar Naqvi who was headed to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. There were also three children and several army officers, Anadolu Agency reported. Model Zari Abid was also identified as among the dead, Dawn reported.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan vowed to do an "immediate inquiry," following the crash.
The pilot sent a mayday distress call to controllers saying the plane lost power from both engines on its second attempt to land, according to a recording posted on LiveATC.net. The recording also indicated that the controller cleared the plane to land, but the pilot appeared to be off-course.
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"The pilot was told that both runways were ready for him to land," Pakistan International Airlines chief executive Air Marshal Arshad Malik said. "However, the pilot decided to do a go-around. Why did he do that, due to what technical reason, that we will find out."
PIA spokesman Abdullah Khan added Saturday that the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder have been recovered from the crash site.
"The black box had been found late yesterday, we are handing it over to the inquiry board," Khan said.
Malik said the Aviation Ministry is overseeing a probe into the incident along with the government of Pakistan, the armed forces, and the National Disaster Management Authority.
"We will need two to three days to complete the operation," Malik said. "We want the inquiry to be completed as soon as possible but we cannot say when. We do not wish to interfere with the inquiry in any way."


upi--2020-05-23--Firefighters battle 4-alarm fire at warehouse in San Francisco

The blaze collapsed portions of the warehouse roof and sent thick , black smoke into the sky spanning for miles .
Officials said the fire response was raised to a four-alarm because of the heat and intensity of the blaze and the warehouse was soon evacuated .
San Francisco firefighters and Police Marine Units responded to the blaze early Saturday and also worked to protect other structures on the pier .
Officials suspect the blaze originated in the warehouse , but investigation was pending .
The warehouse was next to the dock for the SS Jeremiah O'Brien , a historic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saved .
San Francisco 's interactive museum with antique arcade games , Musee Mecanique , along the pier , was also saved .
`` All reports are that Musee Mecanique is is OK , there are multiple buildings on Pier 45 , '' the museum tweeted .
The Fisherman 's Wharf Community Benefit District said in a statement it was `` very thankful '' there were no injuries or casualties reported .
`` The response from SFFD and SFPD was extremely quick and we are thankful that due to the rapid emergency response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O'Brien , were all saved , '' the statement said .

May 23 (UPI) -- Firefighters battled a four-alarm warehouse fire Saturday at San Francisco's Pier 45.
The blaze collapsed portions of the warehouse roof and sent thick, black smoke into the sky spanning for miles.
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Officials said the fire response was raised to a four-alarm because of the heat and intensity of the blaze and the warehouse was soon evacuated.
San Francisco firefighters and Police Marine Units responded to the blaze early Saturday and also worked to protect other structures on the pier.
Officials suspect the blaze originated in the warehouse, but investigation was pending.
The warehouse was next to the dock for the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, a historic World War II ship, which was saved.
San Francisco's interactive museum with antique arcade games, Musee Mecanique, along the pier, was also saved.
"All reports are that Musee Mecanique is is OK, there are multiple buildings on Pier 45," the museum tweeted.
The Fisherman's Wharf Community Benefit District said in a statement it was "very thankful" there were no injuries or casualties reported.
"The response from SFFD and SFPD was extremely quick and we are thankful that due to the rapid emergency response, the surrounding structures including the Jeremiah O'Brien, were all saved," the statement said.


upi--2020-05-23--President Donald Trump to visit Florida for SpaceX launch

May 23 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump is scheduled to travel to Florida on Wednesday to watch as SpaceX launches its Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft into orbit .
If the launch goes according to plan , it will be the first spaceflight launched from U.S. soil with American astronauts on board since 2011 .
On Friday NASA and Space X completed a flight readiness review to launch NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley from Kennedy Space Center in Merritt Island in Florida .
Wednesday 's trip to Florida will be Trump 's first not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two months .
He 's largely kept to the White House since March , when he declared a national emergency .
Vice President Mike Pence is also expected to attend .
NASA and SpaceX are both urging spectators to stay home and watch the event online rather than gather to watch the launch in person .
But local officials -- including Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey -- say they will not discourage members of the public to travel to Merritt Island to watch the launch .
`` I 'm not going to tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ piece of history .
I 'm just not going to do it , '' Ivey told CBS Miami this week .
The Falcon 9 rocket is owned by billionaire Elon Musk , who helms SpaceX and is also the CEO of electric car company Tesla .
Wednesday 's launch , then , marks the first manned space launch using commercially developed , privately owned spacecraft -- as opposed to technology developed and owned by the federal government .
SpaceX has already sent uncrewed cargo Dragons on nearly two dozen missions to the space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 39A Launch Complex which will be used to send the spacecrafts into space .
Many previous Apollo and space shuttle missions were launched from 39A at Kennedy .
According to NASA , the exact duration of the mission has not been determined , but the Crew Dragon being used for this flight test can stay in orbit about 110 days .
The operational Crew Dragon craft will be capable of staying in orbit for at least 210 days , per a NASA requirement .

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon onboard is rolled out of the horizontal integration facility at Launch Complex 39A on Thursday. President Donald Trump will attend Wednesday's launch. Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA | License Photo
May 23 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump is scheduled to travel to Florida on Wednesday to watch as SpaceX launches its Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft into orbit. If the launch goes according to plan, it will be the first spaceflight launched from U.S. soil with American astronauts on board since 2011. Advertisement
On Friday NASA and Space X completed a flight readiness review to launch NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley from Kennedy Space Center in Merritt Island in Florida.
Wednesday's trip to Florida will be Trump's first not directly related to the coronavirus pandemic in two months. He's largely kept to the White House since March, when he declared a national emergency.
Vice President Mike Pence is also expected to attend. NASA and SpaceX are both urging spectators to stay home and watch the event online rather than gather to watch the launch in person.
But local officials -- including Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey -- say they will not discourage members of the public to travel to Merritt Island to watch the launch.
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"I'm not going to tell Americans they can't watch a great piece of history. I'm just not going to do it," Ivey told CBS Miami this week.
The Falcon 9 rocket is owned by billionaire Elon Musk, who helms SpaceX and is also the CEO of electric car company Tesla.
Wednesday's launch, then, marks the first manned space launch using commercially developed, privately owned spacecraft -- as opposed to technology developed and owned by the federal government.
SpaceX has already sent uncrewed cargo Dragons on nearly two dozen missions to the space station.
The company is currently leasing the 39A Launch Complex which will be used to send the spacecrafts into space.
Many previous Apollo and space shuttle missions were launched from 39A at Kennedy.
According to NASA, the exact duration of the mission has not been determined, but the Crew Dragon being used for this flight test can stay in orbit about 110 days.
The operational Crew Dragon craft will be capable of staying in orbit for at least 210 days, per a NASA requirement.


upi--2020-05-23--'Terrace House' star, pro wrestler Hana Kimura dead at 22

May 23 ( UPI ) -- Terrace House star and professional wrestler Hana Kimura has died at age 22 , @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Stardom fans , We are very sorry to report that our Hana Kimura @ @ @ @ @ the organization said in a statement .
`` Please be respectful and allow some time @ @ @ @ @ and keep your thoughts and prayers with her family and friends .
We appreciate your @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Her final Instagram post was Friday .
It was a photo of her @ @ @ @ @ , `` Goodbye , '' in Japanese , according to Variety .
She disclosed in @ @ @ @ @ had been cyber-bullied .
People.com said the cause and manner of her death have not @ @ @

Hana Kimura has died at age 22. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
May 23 (UPI) -- Terrace House star and professional wrestler Hana Kimura has died at age 22, Stardom Wrestling announced on Saturday. "Stardom fans, We are very sorry to report that our Hana Kimura has passed away," the organization said in a statement. Advertisement
"Please be respectful and allow some time for things to process, and keep your thoughts and prayers with her family and friends. We appreciate your support during this difficult time."
Stardom fans, We are very sorry to report that our Hana Kimura has passed away. Please be respectful and allow some time for things to process, and keep your thoughts and prayers with her family and friends. We appreciate your support during this difficult time.— We Are Stardom (@we_are_stardom) May 23, 2020 Advertisement
Her final Instagram post was Friday. It was a photo of her with her cat and said, "Goodbye," in Japanese, according to Variety.
She disclosed in previous social-media posts that she had been cyber-bullied.
People.com said the cause and manner of her death have not been disclosed.
Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-05-23--Steve Carell, Rose Byrne comedy 'Irresistible' set for June 26 video release

May 23 ( UPI ) -- Focus Features has announced plans to release its new comedy Irresistible via video-on-demand platforms @ @ @ @ @ Jon Stewart wrote and directed the film , which stars his former The Daily Show @ @ @ @ @ alum Rose Byrne .
The movie is about a Democratic political consultant who helps a @ @ @ @ @ by Chris Cooper -- run for mayor in a small Wisconsin town , according to @ @ @ @ @ plays the manager of a rival campaign .
The cast also includes Mackenzie Davis , @ @ @ @ @ .
Focus said it will cost $ 19.99 to rent the film for two days @ @ @ @ @ as most U.S. theaters remain closed due to social-distancing practices enacted to slow the spread @ @ @ @ @

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Steve Carell's new comedy "Irresistible" will be released on video-on-demand platforms on June 26. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
May 23 (UPI) -- Focus Features has announced plans to release its new comedy Irresistible via video-on-demand platforms on June 26. Comedian Jon Stewart wrote and directed the film, which stars his former The Daily Show collaborator Steve Carell and Bridesmaids alum Rose Byrne. Advertisement
The movie is about a Democratic political consultant who helps a retired Marine colonel -- played by Chris Cooper -- run for mayor in a small Wisconsin town, according to a press release. Byrne plays the manager of a rival campaign.
The cast also includes Mackenzie Davis, Topher Grace and Natasha Lyonne.
Focus said it will cost $19.99 to rent the film for two days. The release is scheduled as most U.S. theaters remain closed due to social-distancing practices enacted to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.


upi--2020-05-23--Cyclone Amphan: West Bengal seeks Indian army's support

May 23 ( UPI ) -- India 's West Bengal state government on Saturday sought the Indian army 's aid to restore essential services destroyed by Cyclone Amphan , which killed dozens .
Along with the army , the Home Department announced in a series of tweets that it also sought help from railways and the port sector , and manpower and equipment from private entities .
The Home Department also said the Public Health Engineering Department has been charged with supplying water pouches in crisis areas while drinking water and drainage infrastructure is being restored .
The power and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of West Bengal 's capital , Kolkata , prior to the announcement .
The cyclone -- made landfall between Digha , West Bengal , and Bangladesh 's Hatia islands Wednesday as the equivalent of a Category 3 hurricane -- has killed 86 people in the West Bengal state alone .
In total , the storm killed more than 100 in India and Bangladesh .
It has also left millions of people homeless .
`` It is believed that around 10 million people in Bangladesh are impacted by the cyclone , with half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes , '' U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters .
Over 3 million in both countries remain in shelters , ReliefWeb reported Friday .
Most areas were without electricity and blocked roads limited response , the humanitarian situation report said .
In Cox 's Bazar , home to the world 's largest refugee settlement , flooding and landslides have caused damage to 300 shelters , blocked drains and damaged stairs , latrines and bridges .
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged patience as the administration works on restoration .

Heavy rain and wind lash India as Cyclone Amphan approaches the Odisha coast on Wednesday. Photo by Stringer/EPA-EFE
May 23 (UPI) -- India's West Bengal state government on Saturday sought the Indian army's aid to restore essential services destroyed by Cyclone Amphan, which killed dozens. Along with the army, the Home Department announced in a series of tweets that it also sought help from railways and the port sector, and manpower and equipment from private entities. Advertisement
The Home Department also said the Public Health Engineering Department has been charged with supplying water pouches in crisis areas while drinking water and drainage infrastructure is being restored.
The power and water crisis had sparked protests in several parts of West Bengal's capital, Kolkata, prior to the announcement. The cyclone -- made landfall between Digha, West Bengal, and Bangladesh's Hatia islands Wednesday as the equivalent of a Category 3 hurricane -- has killed 86 people in the West Bengal state alone. In total, the storm killed more than 100 in India and Bangladesh.
It has also left millions of people homeless.
"It is believed that around 10 million people in Bangladesh are impacted by the cyclone, with half a million families potentially having lost their homes," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.
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Over 3 million in both countries remain in shelters, ReliefWeb reported Friday.
Most areas were without electricity and blocked roads limited response, the humanitarian situation report said. In Cox's Bazar, home to the world's largest refugee settlement, flooding and landslides have caused damage to 300 shelters, blocked drains and damaged stairs, latrines and bridges.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged patience as the administration works on restoration.


upi--2020-05-23--New York allows gatherings up to 10 people as cases ease

Officially designated social-distancing circles are set up to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Domino Park in New York City on Thursday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 23 (UPI) -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed an order allowing people to gather in groups of 10 people or fewer, loosening some social distancing protocols ahead of the holiday weekend. The executive order, signed Friday, allows gatherings of up to 10 people "for any lawful purpose or reason" anywhere in the state. Advertisement
Earlier in the week, Cuomo said such groups could gather only for Memorial Day or religious observances, but the New York Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit calling for any gatherings of 10 or fewer people to be allowed, The New York Times reported.
New York City Councilman condemned the revised order.
"This shocking order, forced by a lawsuit, changes nothing about the risks associated with group gatherings -- especially those held indoors," he tweeted.
"We need the public to continue to be smart and use judgement about the risks of this virus, regardless of what the court has forced on us."
The loosening of restrictions comes as New York's case rate slows. The state has 362,000 confirmed cases as of Saturday and more than 28,000 deaths.
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Cuomo said Saturday there were 84 new deaths in the past 24 hours and a reduction in the number of hospitalizations.
"The change in hospitalizations is down. The intubations is down. The number of new COVID cases walking in the door, which is a very important number, that's down. And the number of lives lost is down to 84," Cuomo said.
"Eighty four is still a tragedy, no doubt, but the fact that it's down as low as it is, is really, overall good news."
He said more areas of New York are closer to reopening as cases ease.
Across the country, there have been 1.6 million cases with nearly 96,000 deaths.
Of those, there are now at least 4,500 confirmed cases in the Navajo Nation, with 149 deaths reported as of Friday. The area, which spans parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, reported 95 cases in a 24-hour period Friday.
The Navajo Nation entered a second 57-hour weekend lockdown Friday, during which all residents are required to stay home except in emergencies.
COVID-19 pandemic alters life in New York City


upi--2020-05-23--David Tennant, Michael Sheen to star in BBC comedy 'Staged'

May 23 ( UPI ) -- Good Omens stars David Tennant and Michael Sheen are reuniting for a six-episode BBC comedy called Staged .
The 15-minute show will debut in June .
It follows the cast of a play who continue to rehearse remotely after their upcoming West End production is suddenly brought to a halt because of the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Absurd and humorous in equal measure , Staged takes on the challenges of creating a drama in lockdown , on stage and off , with a line-up including Georgia Tennant , Lucy Eaton and Anna Lundberg , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The show will also have a selection of guest stars including Nina Sosanya , with more to be confirmed in due course . ''
Simon Evans and Phin Glynn came up with the idea and Evans penned the screenplay .
It will be recorded using video-conference technology in keeping with social-distancing practices .
`` It 's vital that the BBC provides moments of light relief and this mischievous idea shows what great sports Michael and David are in sending themselves up , '' Charlotte Moore , director of BBC Content , said @ @ @ @

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David Tennant is to star in the new BBC comedy, "Staged." File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 23 (UPI) -- Good Omens stars David Tennant and Michael Sheen are reuniting for a six-episode BBC comedy called Staged. The 15-minute show will debut in June. It follows the cast of a play who continue to rehearse remotely after their upcoming West End production is suddenly brought to a halt because of the coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement
"Absurd and humorous in equal measure, Staged takes on the challenges of creating a drama in lockdown, on stage and off, with a line-up including Georgia Tennant, Lucy Eaton and Anna Lundberg," a BBC press release said. "The show will also have a selection of guest stars including Nina Sosanya, with more to be confirmed in due course."
Simon Evans and Phin Glynn came up with the idea and Evans penned the screenplay.
It will be recorded using video-conference technology in keeping with social-distancing practices.
"It's vital that the BBC provides moments of light relief and this mischievous idea shows what great sports Michael and David are in sending themselves up," Charlotte Moore, director of BBC Content, said in a statement.


upi--2020-05-23--ViacomCBS acquires John Krasinski's 'Some Good News'

May 23 ( UPI ) -- ViacomCBS has acquired John Krasinski 's Some Good News program and plans to air a version of it across its television and digital platforms .
Deadline said Krasinski will executive produce , but not host the show .
It will be produced by Comedy Central Productions .
`` Could not be more excited and proud to be partnering with CBS/Viacom to be able to bring Some Good News to so many more people , '' Krasinksi said in a statement to Variety .
`` From the first episode , our goal was to create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news .
Never did I expect to be joining the ranks of such a historic news organization as CBS . ''
Krasinski created and starred in the YouTube show during the coronavirus pandemic this spring when most Americans were social distancing at home .
Last Sunday , he announced the show -- which highlighted positive stories from around the world -- would be taking a break .
Krasinski is known for starring in the TV shows The Office and Jack Ryan .
He also wrote , directed and acted in the film A @ @ @

ViacomCBS has acquired the rights to John Krasinski's "Some Good News" program. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 23 (UPI) -- ViacomCBS has acquired John Krasinski's Some Good News program and plans to air a version of it across its television and digital platforms. Deadline said Krasinski will executive produce, but not host the show. It will be produced by Comedy Central Productions. Advertisement
"Could not be more excited and proud to be partnering with CBS/Viacom to be able to bring Some Good News to so many more people," Krasinksi said in a statement to Variety.
"From the first episode, our goal was to create a news show dedicated entirely to good news. Never did I expect to be joining the ranks of such a historic news organization as CBS."
Krasinski created and starred in the YouTube show during the coronavirus pandemic this spring when most Americans were social distancing at home.
Last Sunday, he announced the show -- which highlighted positive stories from around the world -- would be taking a break.
Krasinski is known for starring in the TV shows The Office and Jack Ryan. He also wrote, directed and acted in the film A Quiet Place.


upi--2020-05-23--Hertz files for bankruptcy after demand drops due to COVID-19

May 23 ( UPI ) -- Hertz Global Holdings has filed for bankruptcy following a sharp drop in travel because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The company announced in a statement Friday that it has filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 , along with some of its U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries .
`` The impact of COVID-19 on travel demand was sudden and dramatic , causing an abrupt decline in the company 's revenue and future bookings , '' the company said in a statement .
`` Hertz took immediate actions to prioritize the health and safety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending and preserve liquidity . ''
The company said that it has taken steps to reduce unnecessary spending , but it 's unclear when it will recover , so the filing was needed `` to strengthen capital structure . ''
Among the steps the company took to mitigate revenue loss from car rental cancellations , it reduced planned fleet levels , consolidated off-airport rental locations , deferred capital expenditures , and implemented furloughs and layoffs of 20,000 employees , or approximately half of its global workforce .
Hertz , Dollar , Thrifty , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donlen subsidiaries are still open , the statement said .
`` Hertz has over a century of industry leadership and we entered 2020 with strong revenue and earnings momentum , '' Hertz President and CEO Paul Stone said in the statement .
`` With the severity of the COVID-19 impact on our business , and the uncertainty of when travel and the economy will rebound , we need to take further steps to weather a potentially prolonged recovery . ''
The company said that as of the filing date , it had more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand for operations .
Hertz 's principal international operating regions such as Europe , Australia and New Zealand were not included in Friday 's U.S. Chapter 11 proceedings .

Hertz said Friday that it has filed bankruptcy because of revenue loss due to impact of coronavirus pandemic. File Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo
May 23 (UPI) -- Hertz Global Holdings has filed for bankruptcy following a sharp drop in travel because of the coronavirus pandemic. The company announced in a statement Friday that it has filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11, along with some of its U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries. Advertisement
"The impact of COVID-19 on travel demand was sudden and dramatic, causing an abrupt decline in the company's revenue and future bookings," the company said in a statement. "Hertz took immediate actions to prioritize the health and safety of employees and customers, eliminate all non-essential spending and preserve liquidity."
The company said that it has taken steps to reduce unnecessary spending, but it's unclear when it will recover, so the filing was needed "to strengthen capital structure."
Among the steps the company took to mitigate revenue loss from car rental cancellations, it reduced planned fleet levels, consolidated off-airport rental locations, deferred capital expenditures, and implemented furloughs and layoffs of 20,000 employees, or approximately half of its global workforce.
Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, Firefly, Hertz Car Sales, and Donlen subsidiaries are still open, the statement said.
"Hertz has over a century of industry leadership and we entered 2020 with strong revenue and earnings momentum," Hertz President and CEO Paul Stone said in the statement. "With the severity of the COVID-19 impact on our business, and the uncertainty of when travel and the economy will rebound, we need to take further steps to weather a potentially prolonged recovery."
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The company said that as of the filing date, it had more than $1 billion in cash in hand for operations.
Hertz's principal international operating regions such as Europe, Australia and New Zealand were not included in Friday's U.S. Chapter 11 proceedings.


upi--2020-05-23--'Prodigal Son' to return for Season 2

'Prodigal Son' to return for Season 2

May 23 ( UPI ) -- Fox has renewed its crime drama Prodigal Son for a second season .
`` @ @ @ @ @ .
Get ready for Season 2 , Prodigies , '' the show 's Twitter feed @ @ @ @ @ contemporary Manhattan , the show stars Tom Payne as Malcolm , a consultant for the @ @ @ @ @ The cast also includes Halston Sage , Aurora Perrineau , Frank Harts and Keiko Agena @

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Tom Payne's "Prodigal Son" is returning for a second season. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
May 23 (UPI) -- Fox has renewed its crime drama Prodigal Son for a second season. "The story isn't over. Get ready for Season 2, Prodigies," the show's Twitter feed said Thursday. Advertisement
Set in contemporary Manhattan, the show stars Tom Payne as Malcolm, a consultant for the New York Police Department.
Michael Sheen plays his serial-killer father Martin, Lou Diamond Phillips plays Malcolm's cop mentor Gil and Bellamy Young plays Malcolm's wealthy mother Jessica.
"WE. ARE. COMING. BACK," Payne tweeted.
The cast also includes Halston Sage, Aurora Perrineau, Frank Harts and Keiko Agena.


upi--2020-05-23--Severe storms to impact Plains through holiday weekend

After damaging storms blew through portions of the Plains on Friday , the threat for more severe weather will persist over the area through the weekend .
Late Friday afternoon , severe thunderstorms fired up from Texas to Oklahoma and Arkansas .
These storms produced hail , some of it more than 2 inches in diameter , and damaging winds across all three states .
According to the Storm Prediction Center , there were also four reports of tornadoes associated with these storms , three of which occurred in north-central Texas , and the other which occurred in southeastern Oklahoma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extreme southeastern Nebraska , as a result of another cluster of storms .
Areas impacted by severe thunderstorms on Friday , wo n't get much of a breather before severe weather ramps up on Saturday and expands to cover a much larger portion of the central United States .
`` As a piece of energy moves northeastward out of the Rockies and moisture moves northward on Saturday , severe weather will be possible , '' AccuWeather meteorologist Ryan Adamson said .
`` Development of thunderstorms is most likely by the mid- to late-afternoon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday will likely develop in two sections .
One section will encounter widespread severe weather , while the other section will deal with severe weather that is more isolated in nature .
The more widespread area of severe weather on Saturday will include portions of the northern and central Plains .
Storms are forecast to fire up from southwestern North Dakota , to western Nebraska , and push northeastward through Saturday night .
`` The most likely threat will initially be large hail , '' Adamson said .
`` However , as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damaging winds will become more of a risk , with an AccuWeather Local StormMax & trade of 80 mph . ''
The other area of severe weather set to impact the Plains on Saturday will encompass an area from Kansas to Texas .
Storms that develop across the western portion of Kansas and Oklahoma , will be rather localized , or spotty , in nature .
The associated severe weather risks with each of these areas will be the same , with large hail , heavy downpours , damaging winds and even an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since the day is likely to start out dry with sunshine across these areas , residents will need to make sure they stay aware of the weather throughout the day , especially if they are spending any time outdoors , '' said AccuWeather meteorologist Renee Duff .
As if the majority of the Plains under some sort of a severe weather risk was n't enough , AccuWeather meteorologists say portions of the Midwest will also have to brace for hazardous weather on Saturday .
`` A low pressure system over eastern Nebraska is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As this storm and associated warm front moves through central Iowa and into northern Illinois , it will bring the threat for heavy thunderstorms from the afternoon into this evening , '' AccuWeather meteorologist Nicole LoBiondo said .
As a result of rounds of heavy rain across the Midwest in recent weeks , soil across the area will likely remain too saturated to have the capacity to deal with any heavier rainfall without prompting flash flooding conditions .
From May 14-17 , Chicago O'Hare International Airport recorded 7.88 inches of rainfall , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the entire month of May .
The metro will be especially prone to flash flooding damage as many of the hardest-hit areas are still recovering after the last flooding event .
In addition to flash flooding , these heavy thunderstorms can also produce damaging wind gusts with an AccuWeather Local StormMax & trade of 60 mph and even an isolated tornado or two , LoBiondo cautioned .
Sunday , the threat for heavy thunderstorms will ramp up again over portions of the Plains .
Areas from South Dakota and Minnesota , south @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drenched by storms from late Sunday through Sunday night .
The main threats with these storms will be torrential rainfall that can produce flash flooding .
However , a few storms on Sunday may become locally severe and produce damaging winds and hail .
Cities including Sioux Falls , South Dakota Des Moines , Iowa Wichita , Kansas and Oklahoma City will all be at risk for flooding rainfall on Sunday .
Unfortunately , residents across the central U.S. hoping for sunny and beautiful weather for their Memorial Day picnics and outdoor recreation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ persist from the southern Plains to the Midwest on Monday , with many areas receiving rounds of showers and thunderstorms .

Severe weather is expected to ramp up Saturday and expand to cover a large portion of the central United States. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
After damaging storms blew through portions of the Plains on Friday, the threat for more severe weather will persist over the area through the weekend. Late Friday afternoon, severe thunderstorms fired up from Texas to Oklahoma and Arkansas. These storms produced hail, some of it more than 2 inches in diameter, and damaging winds across all three states. Advertisement
According to the Storm Prediction Center, there were also four reports of tornadoes associated with these storms, three of which occurred in north-central Texas, and the other which occurred in southeastern Oklahoma.
An additional tornado was reported in extreme southeastern Nebraska, as a result of another cluster of storms.
Areas impacted by severe thunderstorms on Friday, won't get much of a breather before severe weather ramps up on Saturday and expands to cover a much larger portion of the central United States.
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"As a piece of energy moves northeastward out of the Rockies and moisture moves northward on Saturday, severe weather will be possible," AccuWeather meteorologist Ryan Adamson said. "Development of thunderstorms is most likely by the mid- to late-afternoon hours."
The severe threat on Saturday will likely develop in two sections. One section will encounter widespread severe weather, while the other section will deal with severe weather that is more isolated in nature.
The more widespread area of severe weather on Saturday will include portions of the northern and central Plains. Storms are forecast to fire up from southwestern North Dakota, to western Nebraska, and push northeastward through Saturday night.
"The most likely threat will initially be large hail," Adamson said. "However, as the storms become more of a cluster, damaging winds will become more of a risk, with an AccuWeather Local StormMax&trade of 80 mph."
The other area of severe weather set to impact the Plains on Saturday will encompass an area from Kansas to Texas. Storms that develop across the western portion of Kansas and Oklahoma, will be rather localized, or spotty, in nature.
The associated severe weather risks with each of these areas will be the same, with large hail, heavy downpours, damaging winds and even an isolated tornado or two possible.
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"Since the day is likely to start out dry with sunshine across these areas, residents will need to make sure they stay aware of the weather throughout the day, especially if they are spending any time outdoors," said AccuWeather meteorologist Renee Duff.
As if the majority of the Plains under some sort of a severe weather risk wasn't enough, AccuWeather meteorologists say portions of the Midwest will also have to brace for hazardous weather on Saturday.
"A low pressure system over eastern Nebraska is expected to advance eastward and strengthen Saturday. As this storm and associated warm front moves through central Iowa and into northern Illinois, it will bring the threat for heavy thunderstorms from the afternoon into this evening," AccuWeather meteorologist Nicole LoBiondo said.
As a result of rounds of heavy rain across the Midwest in recent weeks, soil across the area will likely remain too saturated to have the capacity to deal with any heavier rainfall without prompting flash flooding conditions.
From May 14-17, Chicago O'Hare International Airport recorded 7.88 inches of rainfall, 214 percent of the average monthly rainfall for the entire month of May. The metro will be especially prone to flash flooding damage as many of the hardest-hit areas are still recovering after the last flooding event.
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In addition to flash flooding, these heavy thunderstorms can also produce damaging wind gusts with an AccuWeather Local StormMax&trade of 60 mph and even an isolated tornado or two, LoBiondo cautioned.
Sunday, the threat for heavy thunderstorms will ramp up again over portions of the Plains. Areas from South Dakota and Minnesota, south to Oklahoma and Texas, will be drenched by storms from late Sunday through Sunday night.
The main threats with these storms will be torrential rainfall that can produce flash flooding. However, a few storms on Sunday may become locally severe and produce damaging winds and hail.
Cities including Sioux Falls, South Dakota Des Moines, Iowa Wichita, Kansas and Oklahoma City will all be at risk for flooding rainfall on Sunday.
Unfortunately, residents across the central U.S. hoping for sunny and beautiful weather for their Memorial Day picnics and outdoor recreation will be disappointed.
Stormy weather will persist from the southern Plains to the Midwest on Monday, with many areas receiving rounds of showers and thunderstorms.


upi--2020-05-23--NAV's 'Good Intentions' tops the U.S. album chart

May 23 ( UPI ) -- Rapper NAV 's Good Intentions is the No .
1 album in the United @ @ @ @ @ No .
2 on the Billboard 200 chart dated Saturday is Kehlani 's It Was @ @ @ @ @ , followed by Drake 's Dark Lane Demo Tapes at No .
3 , Lil @ @ @ @ @ No .
4 and Lil Durk 's Just Cause Y'all Waited 2 at No .
@ @ @ @ @ top tier are DaBaby 's Blame It On Baby at No .
6 , Bad @ @ @ @ @ Iban A Salir at No .
7 , Lil Uzi Vert 's Eternal Atake at @ @ @ @ @ Weeknd 's After Hours at No .
9 and Post Malone 's Hollywood 's Bleeding @ @ @ @ @

May 23 (UPI) -- Rapper NAV's Good Intentions is the No. 1 album in the United States.
Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart dated Saturday is Kehlani's It Was Good Until It Wasn't, followed by Drake's Dark Lane Demo Tapes at No. 3, Lil Baby's My Turn at No. 4 and Lil Durk's Just Cause Y'all Waited 2 at No. 5.


upi--2020-05-23--President Donald Trump donates paycheck to HHS; Kayleigh McEnany reveals bank account number

May 23 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump donated his latest paycheck to the Department of Health and Human @ @ @ @ @ press secretary Kayleigh McEnany may have shown reporters more of the check than she meant @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's $ 100,000 quarterly paycheck will go toward the HHS ' efforts to develop @ @ @ @ @ vaccine to battle the novel coronavirus .
Trump , like some previous presidents , has @ @ @ @ @ salary payments to various government agencies , such as the National Parks Service , Veterans @ @ @ @ @ Education departments .
`` Here is the check , '' McEnany told reporters Friday , @ @ @ @ @ the president 's bank account and routing numbers .
White House spokesman Judd Deere told @ @ @ @ @ `` Today his salary went to help advance new therapies to treat this virus , @ @ @ @ @ media to find a shameful reason not to simply report the facts , focusing instead @ @ @ @ @ real or not . ''

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Friday inadvertently showed President Donald Trump's bank account and routing numbers when showing his fourth-quarter salary donation Friday. Photo by Andrew Harrer/UPI | License Photo
May 23 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump donated his latest paycheck to the Department of Health and Human Services, but White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany may have shown reporters more of the check than she meant to. The spokeswoman said Trump's $100,000 quarterly paycheck will go toward the HHS' efforts to develop new treatments and a potential vaccine to battle the novel coronavirus. Advertisement
Trump, like some previous presidents, has donated each of his quarterly salary payments to various government agencies, such as the National Parks Service, Veterans Affairs and the Transportation and Education departments.
"Here is the check," McEnany told reporters Friday, holding up a check featuring the president's bank account and routing numbers.
White House spokesman Judd Deere told The New York Times, "Today his salary went to help advance new therapies to treat this virus, but leave it to the media to find a shameful reason not to simply report the facts, focusing instead on whether the check is real or not."