upi--2020-04-28--Iraq's prime ministerial merry-go-round lands on spy chief

April 28 ( UPI ) -- Iraq 's prime ministerial merry-go-round continues to spin apace .
Spy chief Mustafa al-Kadhimi , director of the country 's National Intelligence Service , is the third prime minister designate this year , following the withdrawal of Adnan al-Zurfi , the previous prospective candidate , after he failed to secure enough support to form a government .
Al-Zurfi had tried to step into the shoes of Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi , who suffered a similar fate , leaving Iraq under the tremulous caretaker control of Adil Abdul-Mahdi , the crooked former prime minister and puppet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced to resign last November amidst widespread protests .
Under the Iraqi constitution , a prime minister designate has 30 days to secure the backing of parliament for his new government .
This has been the stumbling block for each of Abdul-Mahdi 's chosen successors so far , as they have attempted to gain the approval of the wide range of deeply divided and sectarian factions that make up Iraq 's Majilis .
The biggest problem for each of the prospective prime ministers has , however , been obtaining the blessing of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a servile province .
Al-Kadhimi is expected to present his nominees for the cabinet to the Iraqi Council of Representatives shortly .
He appears to have won the backing of all of the main Shi'ite parties , as well as the key Kurdish and Sunni factions .
Crucially , he also seems to have been given the green light by the Iranian mullahs , despite objections from Kataib Hezbollah , one of the Popular Mobilization Units ' more dangerous Iranian-backed terrorist militias , who accused al-Kadhimi of having been involved in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the PMU 's deputy chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis .
Kataib Hezbollah 's accusations have , however , fallen on stony ground and do not appear to have caused any ripple of dissent in Tehran .
Iraq 's President Barham Salih hosted a special televised designation ceremony for al-Kadhimi , attended by most of the country 's top political figures , as a show of solidarity for the 53-year-old spy chief .
None of the previous designated contenders for the post had been honured with a similar ceremony .
Prominent at the event was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken over the role of head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force , following the assassination of his predecessor , Soleimani , in a U.S. drone strike at Baghdad Airport in January .
Although the coronavirus has driven most of the protesters out of their encampment in Baghdad 's Tahrir Square and off the streets of Iraq 's towns and cities , their demand for a government of independent technocrats to replace the venally corrupt political elite is still bubbling under the surface .
Demonstrators in the nationwide uprising in Iraq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and corruption and the ruling elite 's slavish subservience to the fascist Iranian regime for the country 's collapsing economy and security breakdown .
But such is the extent of the institutionalized corruption and Iranian meddling in Iraq 's internal affairs , that al-Kadhimi , like his predecessors , will find it difficult to appoint a cabinet that meets the demands of the protesters and the approval of the political factions .
Nevertheless , his chances of survival appear to have improved following statements supporting his appointment from the United States , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Iraq .
Indeed , al-Kadhimi has said that his government will seek to cooperate with the United States in the forthcoming `` strategic dialogue '' between the two countries due to be held in June , where discussion will focus on a continuing American military presence in Iraq to lead the ongoing fight against the Islamic State .
Al-Kadhimi has also suggested calling early `` free and fair '' elections in Iraq to gain approval for his choice of government , although free and fair elections would be something of a novelty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are guarded by militias , armed and financed by Tehran .
Al-Kadhimi was born in Baghdad , but grew up in the southern governate of Dhi Qar , a hotbed of anti-government dissent .
As a lawyer and journalist who opposed Saddam Hussein , he fled from Iraq in 1985 and continued to pen articles attacking the Iraqi dictator from his exile first in Iran , then in Germany and the U.K .
He returned to Iraq after the U.S. invasion in 2003 and was appointed as head of the National Intelligence Service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assuming he wins the approval of the deeply divided and sectarian Majilis , he faces a daunting task .
After years of mismanagement and corruption , Iraq is a basket case .
Its economy has been destroyed and its security devolved to pro-Iranian warlords .
The collapse in oil prices , coupled with the coronavirus pandemic have crippled the nation .
Al-Khadimi 's two pressing priorities will be to tackle corruption and to identify and hold to account those responsible for shooting dead hundreds of mostly young , unarmed protesters during the uprising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both cases are the very people he looks to for support as prime minister , so he is faced with an impossible task .
Taking over the helm of a failed state , ravaged by COVID-19 , drained of resources by decades of venal corruption and ruled by corrupt Shi'ia warlords , is not an enviable prospect .
As the compromise candidate , seen as bridging the divide between Iran and America , al-Kadhimi has lost the support of the protesters and seems set to resort to the same tired , old strategy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment the lockdown ends , the protesters have made clear that they will take to the streets again in their tens of thousands , to rid Iraq of the Iranian regime 's gangsters and to restore a legitimate and accountable government in Baghdad .
With another similar rebellion ready to explode in Iran , the turbaned tyrants in Tehran may be facing their closing chapter .
Struan Stevenson is the Coordinator of the Campaign for Iran Change .
He was a member of the European Parliament representing Scotland ( 1999-2014 ) , president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Iraq ( 2009-14 ) and chairman of the Friends of a Free Iran Intergroup ( 2004-14 ) .
He is an international lecturer on the Middle East and president of the European Iraqi Freedom Association .

An Iraqi protester holds the Iraqi national flag during a protest at the Al-Tahrir square in central Baghdad on March 1. Thousands demonstrated against the appointment of Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi as prime minister-designate. File Photo by Ahmed Jalil/EPA-EFE
April 28 (UPI) -- Iraq's prime ministerial merry-go-round continues to spin apace. Spy chief Mustafa al-Kadhimi, director of the country's National Intelligence Service, is the third prime minister designate this year, following the withdrawal of Adnan al-Zurfi, the previous prospective candidate, after he failed to secure enough support to form a government. Al-Zurfi had tried to step into the shoes of Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi, who suffered a similar fate, leaving Iraq under the tremulous caretaker control of Adil Abdul-Mahdi, the crooked former prime minister and puppet of the Iranian mullahs, who was forced to resign last November amidst widespread protests. Advertisement
Under the Iraqi constitution, a prime minister designate has 30 days to secure the backing of parliament for his new government. This has been the stumbling block for each of Abdul-Mahdi's chosen successors so far, as they have attempted to gain the approval of the wide range of deeply divided and sectarian factions that make up Iraq's Majilis.
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The biggest problem for each of the prospective prime ministers has, however, been obtaining the blessing of the Iranian regime, who now regard Iraq as a servile province. Al-Kadhimi is expected to present his nominees for the cabinet to the Iraqi Council of Representatives shortly.
He appears to have won the backing of all of the main Shi'ite parties, as well as the key Kurdish and Sunni factions. Crucially, he also seems to have been given the green light by the Iranian mullahs, despite objections from Kataib Hezbollah, one of the Popular Mobilization Units' more dangerous Iranian-backed terrorist militias, who accused al-Kadhimi of having been involved in the U.S. assassination of Gen. Qassem Soleimani and the PMU's deputy chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Kataib Hezbollah's accusations have, however, fallen on stony ground and do not appear to have caused any ripple of dissent in Tehran.
Iraq's President Barham Salih hosted a special televised designation ceremony for al-Kadhimi, attended by most of the country's top political figures, as a show of solidarity for the 53-year-old spy chief. None of the previous designated contenders for the post had been honured with a similar ceremony. Prominent at the event was Iranian Gen. Esmail Qaani, who has taken over the role of head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force, following the assassination of his predecessor, Soleimani, in a U.S. drone strike at Baghdad Airport in January.
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Although the coronavirus has driven most of the protesters out of their encampment in Baghdad's Tahrir Square and off the streets of Iraq's towns and cities, their demand for a government of independent technocrats to replace the venally corrupt political elite is still bubbling under the surface. Demonstrators in the nationwide uprising in Iraq last October and November blamed government incompetence and corruption and the ruling elite's slavish subservience to the fascist Iranian regime for the country's collapsing economy and security breakdown. But such is the extent of the institutionalized corruption and Iranian meddling in Iraq's internal affairs, that al-Kadhimi, like his predecessors, will find it difficult to appoint a cabinet that meets the demands of the protesters and the approval of the political factions.
Nevertheless, his chances of survival appear to have improved following statements supporting his appointment from the United States, the United Arab Emirates and the United Nations in Iraq. Indeed, al-Kadhimi has said that his government will seek to cooperate with the United States in the forthcoming "strategic dialogue" between the two countries due to be held in June, where discussion will focus on a continuing American military presence in Iraq to lead the ongoing fight against the Islamic State. Al-Kadhimi has also suggested calling early "free and fair" elections in Iraq to gain approval for his choice of government, although free and fair elections would be something of a novelty in a country where the polling stations are guarded by militias, armed and financed by Tehran.
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Al-Kadhimi was born in Baghdad, but grew up in the southern governate of Dhi Qar, a hotbed of anti-government dissent. As a lawyer and journalist who opposed Saddam Hussein, he fled from Iraq in 1985 and continued to pen articles attacking the Iraqi dictator from his exile first in Iran, then in Germany and the U.K. He returned to Iraq after the U.S. invasion in 2003 and was appointed as head of the National Intelligence Service in 2016.
As prime minister, assuming he wins the approval of the deeply divided and sectarian Majilis, he faces a daunting task. After years of mismanagement and corruption, Iraq is a basket case. Its economy has been destroyed and its security devolved to pro-Iranian warlords. The collapse in oil prices, coupled with the coronavirus pandemic have crippled the nation. Al-Khadimi's two pressing priorities will be to tackle corruption and to identify and hold to account those responsible for shooting dead hundreds of mostly young, unarmed protesters during the uprising. Unfortunately, the guilty parties in both cases are the very people he looks to for support as prime minister, so he is faced with an impossible task.
Taking over the helm of a failed state, ravaged by COVID-19, drained of resources by decades of venal corruption and ruled by corrupt Shi'ia warlords, is not an enviable prospect. As the compromise candidate, seen as bridging the divide between Iran and America, al-Kadhimi has lost the support of the protesters and seems set to resort to the same tired, old strategy of sectarian conflict and disunion. The moment the lockdown ends, the protesters have made clear that they will take to the streets again in their tens of thousands, to rid Iraq of the Iranian regime's gangsters and to restore a legitimate and accountable government in Baghdad. With another similar rebellion ready to explode in Iran, the turbaned tyrants in Tehran may be facing their closing chapter.
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Struan Stevenson is the Coordinator of the Campaign for Iran Change. He was a member of the European Parliament representing Scotland (1999-2014), president of the Parliament's Delegation for Relations with Iraq (2009-14) and chairman of the Friends of a Free Iran Intergroup (2004-14). He is an international lecturer on the Middle East and president of the European Iraqi Freedom Association.


upi--2020-04-28--Israel holds Memorial Day ceremony without audience at Jerusalem cemetery

April 28 ( UPI ) -- Israelis observed various Memorial Day ceremonies remotely on Tuesday and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a state ceremony from his office due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The official ceremony was staged without the usual audience at the Har Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem , where nearly 25,000 service members are buried .
Lt. Aviv Kochavi , Israel Defense Forces chief of staff , and Mossad chief Yossi Cohen physically attended .
Before noon , millions of Israelis stood in silence for two minutes to honor the dead .
`` [ Israel 's fallen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to live in security and health , '' Netanyahu wrote in an op-ed in Israel Hayom Tuesday .
`` The central consideration that has guided us this year is to preserve life and to preserve health , to not take risks -- with lives or health -- for no reason .
`` Therefore , this year we have prevented gatherings in military cemeteries , and we will instead place honor guards of IDF soldiers there , '' Israel 's Memorial Day , Yom Hazikaron in Hebrew , started Monday night with a symbolic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though , had banned families from attending due to the health crisis .
Instead , officials encouraged them to visit any of Israel 's 53 military cemeteries before the holiday to limit possible exposure to the coronavirus .
`` This special day has an additional important goal for us , to strengthen our obligation , '' said Nadav Argaman , chief of the Israel counter-terrorism security force Shin Bet .
`` Our obligation to continue in the way of those who sacrificed their lives to protect our home . ''

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People observe two minutes of silence as sirens wail across the country. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo
April 28 (UPI) -- Israelis observed various Memorial Day ceremonies remotely on Tuesday and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a state ceremony from his office due to the coronavirus pandemic. The official ceremony was staged without the usual audience at the Har Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, where nearly 25,000 service members are buried. Lt. Aviv Kochavi, Israel Defense Forces chief of staff, and Mossad chief Yossi Cohen physically attended. Advertisement
Before noon, millions of Israelis stood in silence for two minutes to honor the dead.
"[Israel's fallen soldiers] would want us to continue to live in security and health," Netanyahu wrote in an op-ed in Israel Hayom Tuesday. "The central consideration that has guided us this year is to preserve life and to preserve health, to not take risks -- with lives or health -- for no reason.
"Therefore, this year we have prevented gatherings in military cemeteries, and we will instead place honor guards of IDF soldiers there,"
A second Memorial Day service honored victims of terrorism.
Israel's Memorial Day, Yom Hazikaron in Hebrew, started Monday night with a symbolic air raid siren. The health ministry, though, had banned families from attending due to the health crisis. Instead, officials encouraged them to visit any of Israel's 53 military cemeteries before the holiday to limit possible exposure to the coronavirus.
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"This special day has an additional important goal for us, to strengthen our obligation," said Nadav Argaman, chief of the Israel counter-terrorism security force Shin Bet. "Our obligation to continue in the way of those who sacrificed their lives to protect our home."


upi--2020-04-28--WWE Raw: Drew McIntyre, Seth Rollins sign contract for title match

April 28 ( UPI ) -- WWE Champion Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins came face-to-face on Raw as they signed a contract for their title match at Money in the Bank on May 10 .
McIntyre , on Monday , cut right to the chase and signed on the dotted line as he sat down with Rollins in the middle of the ring .
Rollins took his time and instead delivered a speech about how he does n't want to be WWE Champion , but that he must win the title as McIntyre is n't a leader yet .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Champion is a burden that he must bear .
McIntyre said he will be going for Rollins ' throat at Money in the Bank as Rollins finally signed the contract .
The champ quickly smashed Rollins ' face into the desk before he threw everything out the ring .
McIntyre got ready to hit his future opponent with a Claymore but Rollins ' disciple Murphy came to the rescue .
Rollins hugged Murphy to thank him for his help but McIntyre came charging back , hitting Murphy with a Claymore as Rollins escaped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenged Andrade for his United Staes Championship after Crews was able to pin Andrade earlier in the night in a Six-Man Tag Team match .
The Tag Team match featured Crews teaming up with fellow Money in the Bank participants Aleister Black and Rey Mysterio to take on Andrade , Angel Garza and Austin Theory , a trio formed by their manager Zelina Vega .
Crews , took the fight to Andrade in the United States Championship match , but he hurt his left knee while competing .
The injury was severe enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and awarded the victory to Andrade .
WWE later reported that Crews , due to the injury , will be unable to compete in the Men 's Money in the Bank ladder match on May 10 .
Women 's Money in the Bank Ladder match participants Nia Jax , Asuka and Shayna Baszler were scheduled to face each other in a Triple Threat match but the bout never took place .
Jax , Asuka and Baszler instead brawled outside the ring , throwing each other into the ringside barricade .
Jax , back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asuka and Baszler by using a ladder which ended the fight .
Other moments from Raw included Bobby Lashley defeating Denzel Dejournette after he asked his wife Lana not to come to ringside ; Liv Morgan defeating Ruby Riott ; Ricochet and Cedric Alexander defeating Ever-Rise ; and former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal returning to defeat Akira Tozawa .
Mahal has been missing out of action for months due to an injury .
The Modern Day Maharaja , who had shorter hair , used his superior size and strength to manhandle Tozawa and @ @ @ @ @ @ @

April 28 (UPI) -- WWE Champion Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins came face-to-face on Raw as they signed a contract for their title match at Money in the Bank on May 10.
McIntyre, on Monday, cut right to the chase and signed on the dotted line as he sat down with Rollins in the middle of the ring.
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Rollins took his time and instead delivered a speech about how he doesn't want to be WWE Champion, but that he must win the title as McIntyre isn't a leader yet. The Monday Night Messiah said that being WWE Champion is a burden that he must bear.
McIntyre said he will be going for Rollins' throat at Money in the Bank as Rollins finally signed the contract.
The champ quickly smashed Rollins' face into the desk before he threw everything out the ring. McIntyre got ready to hit his future opponent with a Claymore but Rollins' disciple Murphy came to the rescue.
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Rollins hugged Murphy to thank him for his help but McIntyre came charging back, hitting Murphy with a Claymore as Rollins escaped.
Also on Raw, Apollo Crews challenged Andrade for his United Staes Championship after Crews was able to pin Andrade earlier in the night in a Six-Man Tag Team match.
The Tag Team match featured Crews teaming up with fellow Money in the Bank participants Aleister Black and Rey Mysterio to take on Andrade, Angel Garza and Austin Theory, a trio formed by their manager Zelina Vega.
Crews, took the fight to Andrade in the United States Championship match, but he hurt his left knee while competing. The injury was severe enough that the referee called for the bell and awarded the victory to Andrade.
WWE later reported that Crews, due to the injury, will be unable to compete in the Men's Money in the Bank ladder match on May 10.
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Women's Money in the Bank Ladder match participants Nia Jax, Asuka and Shayna Baszler were scheduled to face each other in a Triple Threat match but the bout never took place. Jax, Asuka and Baszler instead brawled outside the ring, throwing each other into the ringside barricade.
Jax, back inside the ring, laid out both Asuka and Baszler by using a ladder which ended the fight.
Other moments from Raw included Bobby Lashley defeating Denzel Dejournette after he asked his wife Lana not to come to ringside; Liv Morgan defeating Ruby Riott; Ricochet and Cedric Alexander defeating Ever-Rise; and former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal returning to defeat Akira Tozawa.
Mahal has been missing out of action for months due to an injury. The Modern Day Maharaja, who had shorter hair, used his superior size and strength to manhandle Tozawa and defeated him after unleashing The Khallas.


upi--2020-04-28--Houston Texans exercise fifth-year option on QB Deshaun Watson

April 28 ( UPI ) -- The Houston Texans have picked up the fifth-year option on quarterback Deshaun Watson 's contract .
Sources informed ESPN and the Houston Chronicle of the move Monday .
Watson 's fifth-year option has a value of $ 17.5 million for the 2021 season .
The Texans can still negotiate for a long-term pact with Watson before that season .
Watson , 24 , completed 67.3 percent of his throws for 3,852 yards , 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 15 starts last season .
The two-time Pro Bowl selection posted a 10-5 record as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who joined the Texans as the No .
12 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft , has a 24-13 record in three seasons with the AFC South franchise .
Watson is 1-2 in the post-season after the Texans beat the Buffalo Bills in the AFC wildcard round in January .
The star quarterback has worked out with Texans teammate Laremy Tunsil this off-season .
Tunsil signed a three-year , $ 66 million contract this week to become the NFL 's highest-paid offensive lineman .
Watson could become the league 's highest-paid quarterback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That would likely mean he receives between $ 35 million and $ 40 million annually .
The 24-year-old quarterback will make less than $ 4.5 million in 2020 .

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is now under contract through 2021 after the team picked up his fifth-year contract option. File Photo by Kyle Rivas/UPI | License Photo
April 28 (UPI) -- The Houston Texans have picked up the fifth-year option on quarterback Deshaun Watson's contract. Sources informed ESPN and the Houston Chronicle of the move Monday. Watson's fifth-year option has a value of $17.5 million for the 2021 season. The Texans can still negotiate for a long-term pact with Watson before that season. Advertisement
Watson, 24, completed 67.3 percent of his throws for 3,852 yards, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 15 starts last season. The two-time Pro Bowl selection posted a 10-5 record as a starter in 2019.
Watson, who joined the Texans as the No. 12 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, has a 24-13 record in three seasons with the AFC South franchise.
Watson is 1-2 in the post-season after the Texans beat the Buffalo Bills in the AFC wildcard round in January.
The star quarterback has worked out with Texans teammate Laremy Tunsil this off-season. Tunsil signed a three-year, $66 million contract this week to become the NFL's highest-paid offensive lineman. Watson could become the league's highest-paid quarterback when he signs his new deal. That would likely mean he receives between $35 million and $40 million annually.
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The 24-year-old quarterback will make less than $4.5 million in 2020.


upi--2020-04-28--2019 saw record number of internally displaced persons, IDMC report shows

Widespread flooding in Bangkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia, on April 28, 2019, killed at least 17 people and displaced thousands. File Photo by Diva Marha/EPA-EFE
April 28 (UPI) -- A record-high 51 million people around the world are living as refugees within their native countries at a time when the coronavirus pandemic is providing an added threat, advocates said in a report Tuesday. The Internal Displacement Monitoring Center, part of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said in its annual report that the vast majority of "internally displaced people" -- some 46 million -- were uprooted in 2019 due to conflicts and violence in 61 countries. Advertisement
The 136-page Global Report on Internal Displacement counted most of them in five nations -- Syria, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Yemen and Afghanistan.
Another 5 million across 95 countries were displaced because of natural disasters, including more than 1 million in Afghanistan who were made homeless following years of drought and floods and 500,000 victims of monsoon rains in India.
More than 33 million new displaced persons were added to the total last year, the highest annual figure in seven years, said Jan Egeland, secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council.
"Year after year, conflict and violence uproot millions of people from their homes," he said, urging politicians, generals and diplomats to "rise above stalemates and seek cease-fires and peace talks, not guns and grenades.
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"In this age of coronavirus, continued political violence is utterly senseless."
The global pandemic has presented new dangers, said IDMC Director Alexandra Bilak.
"[The displaced] are often highly vulnerable people living in crowded camps, emergency shelters and informal settlements with little or no access to healthcare," she said. "The global coronavirus pandemic will make them more vulnerable still. It will compromise their already precarious living conditions, by further limiting their access to essential services and humanitarian aid."
The IDMC said it's closely monitoring COVID-19 cases among the displaced in Iraq and fears others in Syria, Burkina Faso and Colombia may also be at risk.
Scenes from a pandemic: World copes with COVID-19


upi--2020-04-28--Google brings back cricket game in latest Doodle

April 28 ( UPI ) -- Google has re-released its 2017 cricket video game in the latest Doodle .
Google @ @ @ @ @ `` G '' in the company 's logo playing cricket indoors with the letter `` @ @ @ @ @ appears next to the logo .
The interactive game features a team of crickets vs. @ @ @ @ @ a game of cricket .
The Doodle was originally made in honor of the international @ @ @ @ @ and Wales in June 2017 .
Google will continue to re-release past Doodle games as @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 pandemic .
The company re-released its 2017 coding video game for kids on @ @ @ @ @ continues to impact communities around the world , people and families everywhere are spending more @ @ @ @ @ light of this , we 're launching a throwback Doodle series looking back at some @ @ @ @ @ Doodle games , '' Google said .

Google is once again featuring its cricket video game in the latest Doodle. The company will feature old Doodle games in the coming days. Image courtesy of Google
April 28 (UPI) -- Google has re-released its 2017 cricket video game in the latest Doodle. Google's homepage features the letter "G" in the company's logo playing cricket indoors with the letter "E." A play button appears next to the logo. Advertisement
The interactive game features a team of crickets vs. a team of snails in a game of cricket.
The Doodle was originally made in honor of the international cricket tournament held in England and Wales in June 2017.
Google will continue to re-release past Doodle games as many stay indoors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The company re-released its 2017 coding video game for kids on Monday.
"As COVID-19 continues to impact communities around the world, people and families everywhere are spending more time at home. In light of this, we're launching a throwback Doodle series looking back at some of our popular interactive Google Doodle games," Google said.


upi--2020-04-28--Self-employed, contractors, gig workers across U.S. get unemployment benefits

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An engineering firm in Pasadena, Calif., announces on April 16 it's temporarily closed due to COVID-19. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
April 28 (UPI) -- California will begin accepting applications Tuesday for unemployment benefits for those who typically don't qualify, like gig workers, the self-employed and freelancers -- joining a number of other states that have already done so. State Labor Secretary Julie Su said applicants who file under the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program can expect to receive benefits within 2-4 days. Advertisement
"In order for us to get unemployment benefits out as quickly as possible, we will be automatically paying the $167 a week minimum," she said.
Self-employed, independent contractors and freelancers typically don't qualify for jobless benefits because they don't pay into the system with unemployment taxes or their company doesn't pay the taxes for them. Independent contractors, online platform workers, contract and on-call workers and temporary workers are known as "gig" workers.
Under the program, individuals who are otherwise able and available to work -- including gig workers, independent contractors, freelancers and the self-employed, as well as those who lack sufficient work history or otherwise don't qualify for regular unemployment -- can receive up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits through Dec. 26.
Alabama, Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, New York, Rhode Island, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma and Utah have already implemented the program and begun paying benefits -- while North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Missouri, Washington, Wisconsin, Maryland, North Carolina and South Carolina have started taking applications.
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Su said the application process in California couldn't begin until Tuesday because the state's Employment Development Department had to build a new system to manage claims.
Arizona has also announced that it will begin to process applications on May 12, through a private vendor, and will begin paying claims that week.
"This solution will help get benefits to people faster, with payments being made retroactively to for those eligible. We will continue to put forward all available resources, including working nights and weekends, to stand up this brand-new program to get individuals the help they need," said Arizona Department of Economic Security Interim Director Tom Betlach.
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-04-28--AG William Barr tells prosecutors to watch for unlawful coronavirus policies

April 28 ( UPI ) -- U.S. Attorney General William Barr has instructed federal prosecutors throughout the country to be on the lookout for state and local directives implemented in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic that violate the Constitution and the rights of citizens .
In a memo on Monday , the country 's chief prosecutor told U.S. attorneys that they must stay vigilant to ensure staunch measures recently implement to curb COVID-19 infections and deaths do not break the law , and if they do the Justice Department may have to intercede .
`` If a state or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appropriate exercise of authority to stop the spread of COVID-19 into an overbearing infringement of constitutional and statutory protections , the Department of Justice may have an obligation to address that overreach in federal court , '' he said .
Since the first COVID-19 infection was reported in the United States on Jan. 21 , the country has been upended as schools and businesses have been shuttered and millions of Americans have been ordered to stay home aside from purchasing essentials such as food and medicine -- rules Barr said were unthinkable a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions `` have been necessary '' to fight the coronavirus that has killed more than 56,000 people in the country , they are also `` tremendous burdens on the daily lives of all Americans , '' he said .
`` We do not want to unduly interfere with the important efforts of state and local officials to protect the public , '' he said .
`` But the Constitution is not suspended in times of crisis .
We must , therefore , be vigilant to ensure its protections are preserved at the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The memo follows protesters in several states having railed against lockdown measures , calling for them to be lifted .
President Donald Trump has also been keen on reopening the country , encouraging governors to remove measures as quickly and safely as possible .
`` We want them to do it , we recommend that they do it as quickly as possible but safely , '' Trump said Monday during a White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing .
`` We want everyone to be safe . ''
In his memo , Barr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Justice Department 's Civil Rights division , and Matthew Schneider , an attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan , to oversee and coordinate the monitoring of state and local policies and `` if necessary , take action to correct them . ''

Attorney General William Barr speaks during a press conference with members of the coronavirus task force in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, April 1. Photo by Oliver Contreras/UPI | License Photo
April 28 (UPI) -- U.S. Attorney General William Barr has instructed federal prosecutors throughout the country to be on the lookout for state and local directives implemented in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic that violate the Constitution and the rights of citizens. In a memo on Monday, the country's chief prosecutor told U.S. attorneys that they must stay vigilant to ensure staunch measures recently implement to curb COVID-19 infections and deaths do not break the law, and if they do the Justice Department may have to intercede. Advertisement
"If a state or local ordinance crosses the line from an appropriate exercise of authority to stop the spread of COVID-19 into an overbearing infringement of constitutional and statutory protections, the Department of Justice may have an obligation to address that overreach in federal court," he said.
Since the first COVID-19 infection was reported in the United States on Jan. 21, the country has been upended as schools and businesses have been shuttered and millions of Americans have been ordered to stay home aside from purchasing essentials such as food and medicine -- rules Barr said were unthinkable a few weeks ago.
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And while the restrictions "have been necessary" to fight the coronavirus that has killed more than 56,000 people in the country, they are also "tremendous burdens on the daily lives of all Americans," he said.
"We do not want to unduly interfere with the important efforts of state and local officials to protect the public," he said. "But the Constitution is not suspended in times of crisis. We must, therefore, be vigilant to ensure its protections are preserved at the same time that the public is protected."
The memo follows protesters in several states having railed against lockdown measures, calling for them to be lifted. President Donald Trump has also been keen on reopening the country, encouraging governors to remove measures as quickly and safely as possible.
"We want them to do it, we recommend that they do it as quickly as possible but safely," Trump said Monday during a White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing. "We want everyone to be safe."
In his memo, Barr directed Eric Dreiband, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Civil Rights division, and Matthew Schneider, an attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, to oversee and coordinate the monitoring of state and local policies and "if necessary, take action to correct them."


upi--2020-04-28--On-the-job stress raises risk for peripheral artery disease, study finds

April 28 ( UPI ) -- Stress on the job may increase a person 's risk for peripheral artery disease , according to a study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Heart Association .
People with work-related stress are 1.4 times as likely as those without it to be hospitalized with peripheral artery disease , according to the analysis of more than 135,000 working-age adults in Denmark , Finland , Sweden and Britain .
`` Our findings suggest that work-related stress may be a risk factor for peripheral artery disease in a similar way as it is for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-author Katriina Heikkilä , a senior researcher at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden , said in a press release .
PAD is a cardiovascular condition that affects more than 8.5 million people across the United States , according to the American Heart Association .
It occurs when cholesterol or other fatty substances build up in the blood vessels away from the heart , typically in the legs , impeding blood flow .
Symptoms can include leg pain while walking and , if left untreated , PAD increases a person 's risk for heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or job strain , refers to psychological and social stress at work , often from high expectations from colleagues or employers combined with lower levels of personal control .
Earlier research has linked work-related stress to other forms of atherosclerotic disease , but not peripheral artery disease specifically , and stress , in general , is associated with increased inflammation and higher blood glucose levels .
Heikkilä and her colleagues evaluated data on more than 139,000 adults -- 36.4 percent of whom were men -- from 11 separate studies conducted between 1985 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ranged from 39 to 49 years of age , and had no prior history of peripheral artery disease when the research began .
The team analyzed hospitalization records as well as participants ' responses to a questionnaire on work-related stress .
Nearly one-fourth of participants with no previous hospitalization for peripheral artery disease reported work-related stress at the beginning of the 11 studies included in the analysis .
In all , 667 of the study participants were hospitalized for peripheral artery disease .
In addition to stress , the researchers noted increased risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ status and smokers , but noted such subgroup analysis was limited by the small number of people with peripheral artery disease .

Work stress may increase risk for peripheral artery disease, a new study suggests. File photo by stevedimatteo /Pixabay
April 28 (UPI) -- Stress on the job may increase a person's risk for peripheral artery disease, according to a study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Heart Association. People with work-related stress are 1.4 times as likely as those without it to be hospitalized with peripheral artery disease, according to the analysis of more than 135,000 working-age adults in Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Britain. Advertisement
"Our findings suggest that work-related stress may be a risk factor for peripheral artery disease in a similar way as it is for heart disease and stroke," study co-author Katriina Heikkilä, a senior researcher at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, said in a press release.
PAD is a cardiovascular condition that affects more than 8.5 million people across the United States, according to the American Heart Association. It occurs when cholesterol or other fatty substances build up in the blood vessels away from the heart, typically in the legs, impeding blood flow.
Symptoms can include leg pain while walking and, if left untreated, PAD increases a person's risk for heart disease and stroke.
Work-related stress, or job strain, refers to psychological and social stress at work, often from high expectations from colleagues or employers combined with lower levels of personal control.
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Earlier research has linked work-related stress to other forms of atherosclerotic disease, but not peripheral artery disease specifically, and stress, in general, is associated with increased inflammation and higher blood glucose levels.
Heikkilä and her colleagues evaluated data on more than 139,000 adults -- 36.4 percent of whom were men -- from 11 separate studies conducted between 1985 and 2008. On average, study participants ranged from 39 to 49 years of age, and had no prior history of peripheral artery disease when the research began.
The team analyzed hospitalization records as well as participants' responses to a questionnaire on work-related stress. Nearly one-fourth of participants with no previous hospitalization for peripheral artery disease reported work-related stress at the beginning of the 11 studies included in the analysis.
In all, 667 of the study participants were hospitalized for peripheral artery disease. In addition to stress, the researchers noted increased risk among men, those with high socioeconomic status and smokers, but noted such subgroup analysis was limited by the small number of people with peripheral artery disease.


upi--2020-04-28--Saudi-led coalition, U.N. worry over Yemen separatists' self-rule

April 28 ( UPI ) -- A declaration of self-rule by a separatist group in Yemen has caused military and diplomatic leaders to call for calm , fearing the move may reignite violence between the Southern Transitional Council and the internationally recognized Yemeni government .
The Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen , diplomats and the United Nations on Monday called on the STC to refrain from escalating tensions in the already war-torn country , urging it to adhere to a power-sharing agreement it signed with the government of Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi in November .
`` The coalition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and calls for return to the agreement by participating parities , stressing the immediate need for implementation without delay and the need to prioritize the Yemeni peoples ' interests above all else , '' the coalition said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency .
The STC move runs counter to the Riyadh Agreement to share control of the country signed between the separatists and the Hadi government and supported by the United Arab Emirates .
The agreement followed the separatists capturing the interim capital of Aden in August from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The STC , which is backed by the United Arab Emirates , and the military coalition have fought on the same side against the Houthi rebels in Yemen .
However , while the coalition seeks to reinstate Hadi , the STC wants independence for southern Yemen .
On Saturday , the STC declare self-rule over the strategically important port city of Aden and other southern governorates it controls , accusing the Saudi-backed government of Yemen of failing to live up to its end of the Riyadh Agreement and of facilitating corruption that threatens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.N. special envoy for Yemen , called the move by the STC `` disappointing '' and urged both sides to live up to their end of the November agreement .
`` Now , more than ever , all political actors must cooperate in good faith , refrain from taking escalatory actions , and put the interests of Yemenis first .
The Riyadh Agreement provides for the participation of the STC in consultations on the final political solution to end the conflict in Yemen and serving the interests of Yemenis nationwide , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , James Cleverly , the minister of the Middle East and North Africa , said he was `` deeply concerned '' about the move fearing it may prolong the conflict and derail efforts to establish a unified Yemeni government .
`` The STC and the government of Yemen must immediately and fully implement the Riyadh Agreement , '' he said in a statement .
`` This is the only way to deliver the peace and stability that southern Yemen so desperately needs . ''
The Yemeni government has also called on the international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coup d'etat , '' stating it has adhered to all of its obligations in the Riyadh Agreement while the separatists have kept `` sidestepping '' their end of the deal until finally declaring self-rule .
`` These militias represent only themselves , not the people of the south who exemplified the national unity by their courageous stances , '' Yemen Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement .
The UAE has also rejected the move , with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Garash stating via Twitter that frustration over delays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unilateral upheaval of the situation .
Tensions escalate between the two sides as the country combats the coronavirus pandemic and the south deals with catastrophic flooding .
Lise Grande , the U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Yemen , said more than 100,000 people across the country have been affected by torrential rains and flooding since mid-April with Aden being one of the hardest-hit areas .
At least seven people , including four children , have died , she said in a statement .
`` Truly , none of us know how much more suffering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Grande said .
`` The solution is clear .
The parties to the conflict need to find the courage to stop fighting and start negotiating .
This is the only way this never-ending tragedy will finally stop . ''

Armed supporters of the separatist Southern Transitional Council patrol a street following clashes in the southern port city of Aden, Yemen, on Jan. 28, 2018. Photo courtesy STR/EPA-EFE
April 28 (UPI) -- A declaration of self-rule by a separatist group in Yemen has caused military and diplomatic leaders to call for calm, fearing the move may reignite violence between the Southern Transitional Council and the internationally recognized Yemeni government. The Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen, diplomats and the United Nations on Monday called on the STC to refrain from escalating tensions in the already war-torn country, urging it to adhere to a power-sharing agreement it signed with the government of Yemeni President Abdu Rabbo Mansour Hadi in November. Advertisement
"The coalition demands an end to any escalatory actions and calls for return to the agreement by participating parities, stressing the immediate need for implementation without delay and the need to prioritize the Yemeni peoples' interests above all else," the coalition said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency.
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The STC move runs counter to the Riyadh Agreement to share control of the country signed between the separatists and the Hadi government and supported by the United Arab Emirates. The agreement followed the separatists capturing the interim capital of Aden in August from government-loyal forces following days of fighting.
The STC, which is backed by the United Arab Emirates, and the military coalition have fought on the same side against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. However, while the coalition seeks to reinstate Hadi, the STC wants independence for southern Yemen.
On Saturday, the STC declare self-rule over the strategically important port city of Aden and other southern governorates it controls, accusing the Saudi-backed government of Yemen of failing to live up to its end of the Riyadh Agreement and of facilitating corruption that threatens its so-called revolution.
Martin Griffiths, U.N. special envoy for Yemen, called the move by the STC "disappointing" and urged both sides to live up to their end of the November agreement.
"Now, more than ever, all political actors must cooperate in good faith, refrain from taking escalatory actions, and put the interests of Yemenis first. The Riyadh Agreement provides for the participation of the STC in consultations on the final political solution to end the conflict in Yemen and serving the interests of Yemenis nationwide," he said in a statement.
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In Britain, James Cleverly, the minister of the Middle East and North Africa, said he was "deeply concerned" about the move fearing it may prolong the conflict and derail efforts to establish a unified Yemeni government.
"The STC and the government of Yemen must immediately and fully implement the Riyadh Agreement," he said in a statement. "This is the only way to deliver the peace and stability that southern Yemen so desperately needs."
The Yemeni government has also called on the international community to condemn the STC's "coup d'etat," stating it has adhered to all of its obligations in the Riyadh Agreement while the separatists have kept "sidestepping" their end of the deal until finally declaring self-rule.
"These militias represent only themselves, not the people of the south who exemplified the national unity by their courageous stances," the Yemeni Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The UAE has also rejected the move, with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Garash stating via Twitter that frustration over delays implementing the Riyadh Agreement does not warrant unilateral upheaval of the situation.
Tensions escalate between the two sides as the country combats the coronavirus pandemic and the south deals with catastrophic flooding.
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Lise Grande, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Yemen, said more than 100,000 people across the country have been affected by torrential rains and flooding since mid-April with Aden being one of the hardest-hit areas.
At least seven people, including four children, have died, she said in a statement.
"Truly, none of us know how much more suffering the people of Yemen can take," Grande said. "The solution is clear. The parties to the conflict need to find the courage to stop fighting and start negotiating. This is the only way this never-ending tragedy will finally stop."


upi--2020-04-28--Farmers fear USDA's $19B in coronavirus aid won't 'scratch the surface'

EVANSVILLE , Ind.
, April 28 ( UPI ) -- As the federal government prepares to distribute an unprecedented $ 19 billion in aid to farmers struggling through the coronavirus pandemic , farm industry experts say it wo n't be enough .
`` That $ 19 billion helps , '' said Pat Westhoff , director of the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Minnesota .
`` But if things deteriorate further , that may not even scratch the surface for what people are going to need to get through this . ''
The issue is especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That sector is facing an immediate crisis because the widespread closure of meat packing plants because of outbreaks of the virus makes it impossible for many farmers to sell all their animals .
`` It 's a mess , '' said Jim Petrik , a South Dakota rancher who raises cattle and hogs .
`` Almost all our local plants are out .
It 's going to be a bloodbath for producers . ''
Hog producers are losing money every day .
The National Pork Producers Council on April 17 released a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would lose a collective $ 5 billion in 2020 .
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has allocated $ 1.6 billion in aid for the hog industry .
The cattle and chicken industry also are in peril from the slaughterhouse closures .
The National Cattlemen 's Beef Association has estimated that producers will lose some $ 13.6 billion , a far cry from the $ 5.1 billion they 've been allocated in direct USDA aid .
With losses quickly outpacing the promised aid , the American Farm Bureau Federation has called the federal aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bolster the rapidly deteriorating farm industry .
`` More help will be needed , '' the organization has said .
Other farming sectors also are in crisis , industry leaders say .
Both fresh produce growers and dairy farmers are reeling from the sudden loss of the food service industry market after governors across the country closed restaurants , schools and other institutions in an effort to slow the virus ' spread .
Before the virus hit , roughly half of the money Americans spent on food was from food service , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goods have plummeted .
Milk prices have fallen to around 12 cents per pound from nearly 18 cents in January , according to trading on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange , But , as with the livestock industry , the price matters little as farmers across the country are struggling to sell their products .
Dairy farmers are dumping milk across the country , while fresh produce growers are tilling vegetables into the dirt and livestock producers are beginning to euthanize animals .
`` Congress and the Trump administration and the USDA are all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Todd Van Hoose , the president and CEO of the Farm Credit Council , an agricultural lending firm based in Washington , D.C. '' But we 've never been here before .
We 're off the map .
No one knows just how bad this is going to get . ''

The livestock industry is facing a crisis as meat packing plant closures are making it difficult for ranchers to sell their animals. Photo courtesy of Pixabay
EVANSVILLE, Ind., April 28 (UPI) -- As the federal government prepares to distribute an unprecedented $19 billion in aid to farmers struggling through the coronavirus pandemic, farm industry experts say it won't be enough. "That $19 billion helps," said Pat Westhoff, director of the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Minnesota. "But if things deteriorate further, that may not even scratch the surface for what people are going to need to get through this." Advertisement
The issue is especially severe among livestock producers, Westhoff said.
That sector is facing an immediate crisis because the widespread closure of meat packing plants because of outbreaks of the virus makes it impossible for many farmers to sell all their animals.
"It's a mess," said Jim Petrik, a South Dakota rancher who raises cattle and hogs. "Almost all our local plants are out. It's going to be a bloodbath for producers."
Hog producers are losing money every day. The National Pork Producers Council on April 17 released a "conservative" estimate that hog farmers would lose a collective $5 billion in 2020.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has allocated $1.6 billion in aid for the hog industry.
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The cattle and chicken industry also are in peril from the slaughterhouse closures. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association has estimated that producers will lose some $13.6 billion, a far cry from the $5.1 billion they've been allocated in direct USDA aid.
With losses quickly outpacing the promised aid, the American Farm Bureau Federation has called the federal aid "an important down payment" to bolster the rapidly deteriorating farm industry.
"More help will be needed," the organization has said.
Other farming sectors also are in crisis, industry leaders say.
Both fresh produce growers and dairy farmers are reeling from the sudden loss of the food service industry market after governors across the country closed restaurants, schools and other institutions in an effort to slow the virus' spread.
Before the virus hit, roughly half of the money Americans spent on food was from food service, according to the USDA.
Prices for those goods have plummeted. Milk prices have fallen to around 12 cents per pound from nearly 18 cents in January, according to trading on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange,
But, as with the livestock industry, the price matters little as farmers across the country are struggling to sell their products.
Dairy farmers are dumping milk across the country, while fresh produce growers are tilling vegetables into the dirt and livestock producers are beginning to euthanize animals.
Advertisement
"Congress and the Trump administration and the USDA are all doing exceptional things to support this industry," said Todd Van Hoose, the president and CEO of the Farm Credit Council, an agricultural lending firm based in Washington, D.C.
"But we've never been here before. We're off the map. No one knows just how bad this is going to get."


upi--2020-04-28--Famous birthdays for April 28: Elena Kagan, Jay Leno

April 28 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus .
-- James @ @ @ @ @ the United States , in 1758 -- German industrialist Oskar Schindler , credited with saving @ @ @ @ @ World War II Holocaust , in 1908 -- Former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker @ @ @ @ @ )

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Associate Justice Elena Kagan turns 60 on April 28. File Photo by Olivier Douliery/UPI | License Photo
April 28 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus. They include: Advertisement
-- British King Edward IV in 1442
-- James Monroe, fifth president of the United States, in 1758
-- British engineer/mathematician/physicist/inventor Hertha Marks Ayrton in 1854
-- Actor Lionel Barrymore in 1878
-- German industrialist Oskar Schindler, credited with saving almost 1,200 Jews during the World War II Holocaust, in 1908
-- Automaker Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1916
-- Novelist Harper Lee in 1926
-- Former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker in 1930 (age 90)
File Photo by David J. Phillip/UPI
-- Actor Carolyn Jones in 1930
-- Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in 1937
-- Actor Madge Sinclair in 1940
-- Actor Ann-Margret in 1941 (age 79)
-- Actor Marcia Strassman in 1948
-- Author Terry Pratchett in 1948
-- Actor Bruno Kirby in 1949
-- Comedian Jay Leno in 1950 (age 70)
File Photo by Heinz Ruckemann/UPI
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-- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan in 1960 (age 60)
-- Author Ian Rankin in 1960 (age 60)
-- Hall of Fame baseball player Barry Larkin in 1964 (age 56)
-- Golfer John Daly in 1966 (age 54)
-- Rapper Too Short, born Todd Anthony Shaw, in 1966 (age 54)
-- Actor Bridget Moynahan in 1971 (age 49)
File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
-- Actor Jorge Garcia in 1973 (age 47)
-- Actor Penelope Cruz in 1974 (age 46)
-- Actor Michael Carbonaro in 1976 (age 44)
-- TV personality Drew Scott in 1978 (age 42)
-- TV personality Jonathan Scott in 1978 (age 42)
-- Actor Jessica Alba in 1981 (age 39)
-- Actor Harry Shum Jr. in 1982 (age 38)
-- Actor Jenna Ushkowitz in 1986 (age 34)


upi--2020-04-28--On This Day, April 28: Cabinet approved in Iraq's first freely elected government

April 28 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1788 , Maryland ratified the U.S. Constitution , becoming the seventh state of the Union .
In 1789 , the most famous of all naval mutinies took place aboard the HMS Bounty en route from Tahiti to Jamaica .
In 1915 , the International Congress of Women , convening in The Hague , selected Miss Jane Addams of Chicago as its permanent chairman .
In 1930 , the first night game in organized baseball history was played in Independence , Kan .
In 1945 , fascist leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his friends were executed by Italian partisans .
In 1947 , Thor Heyerdahl and five crew members began a trip from Peru to Polynesia on the Kon-Tiki , a raft raft made of balsa logs and other natural materials .
The voyage covered 4,300 miles over 101 days .
In 1955 , the Public Health Service urged parents to move swiftly in having their children vaccinated for polio .
In 1975 , North Vietnamese forces advanced to the outskirts of Saigon in the Vietnam War .
Two days later , South Vietnam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airlines Boeing 737 lost an 18-foot section of its roof at 24,000 feet between Hilo , Hawaii , and Honolulu , killing a flight attendant .
The pilot landed on Maui with the remaining 94 passengers and crew members , 61 of them injured .
In 1994 , former CIA officer Aldrich Ames pleaded guilty to spying for the Soviet Union .
He was sentenced to life in prison .
In 1995 , an underground gas explosion at a subway construction site killed about 100 people in Taegu , South Korea .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Port Arthur , Tasmania , Australia , killed 35 people .
In 2001 , California businessman Dennis Tito became the first tourist in space .
He reportedly paid Russia 's space agency $ 20 million to give him a ride to the International Space Station .
In 2005 , a Shiite-led Cabinet was approved by Iraq 's National Assembly for its first freely elected government .
In 2009 , three Albanian immigrant brothers were sentenced to life in prison for their part in a plot to attack soldiers at Fort Dix .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Pennsylvania , winding up his fifth term as a Republican stalwart , announced he would seek re-election in 2010 as a Democrat , switching parties because he found himself `` increasingly at odds '' with the Republican Party .
In 2019 , Game of Thrones episode `` The Long Night '' airs on HBO with the longest battle scene ever filmed , lasting about 80 minutes .

1/4
Members of the Iraqi Transitional National Assembly raise their hands to vote on an April 17, 2005, resolution during the assembly session in Baghdad, Iraq. On April 28, 2005, a Shiite-led Cabinet was approved by Iraq's National Assembly for its first freely elected government. File Photo by Wathiq Khuzaie/UPI | License Photo
April 28 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1788, Maryland ratified the U.S. Constitution, becoming the seventh state of the Union. Advertisement
In 1789, the most famous of all naval mutinies took place aboard the HMS Bounty en route from Tahiti to Jamaica.
In 1915, the International Congress of Women, convening in The Hague, selected Miss Jane Addams of Chicago as its permanent chairman.
In 1930, the first night game in organized baseball history was played in Independence, Kan.
In 1945, fascist leader Benito Mussolini, his mistress and several of his friends were executed by Italian partisans.
In 1947, Thor Heyerdahl and five crew members began a trip from Peru to Polynesia on the Kon-Tiki, a raft raft made of balsa logs and other natural materials. The voyage covered 4,300 miles over 101 days.
File Photo by Joel Rennich/UPI
In 1955, the Public Health Service urged parents to move swiftly in having their children vaccinated for polio.
In 1975, North Vietnamese forces advanced to the outskirts of Saigon in the Vietnam War. Two days later, South Vietnam surrendered.
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In 1988, an Aloha Airlines Boeing 737 lost an 18-foot section of its roof at 24,000 feet between Hilo, Hawaii, and Honolulu, killing a flight attendant. The pilot landed on Maui with the remaining 94 passengers and crew members, 61 of them injured.
In 1994, former CIA officer Aldrich Ames pleaded guilty to spying for the Soviet Union. He was sentenced to life in prison.
In 1995, an underground gas explosion at a subway construction site killed about 100 people in Taegu, South Korea.
In 1996, a rampage by a gunman in Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia, killed 35 people.
In 2001, California businessman Dennis Tito became the first tourist in space. He reportedly paid Russia's space agency $20 million to give him a ride to the International Space Station.
File Photo ny Michael Levkin/UPI
In 2005, a Shiite-led Cabinet was approved by Iraq's National Assembly for its first freely elected government.
In 2009, three Albanian immigrant brothers were sentenced to life in prison for their part in a plot to attack soldiers at Fort Dix.
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In 2009, U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, winding up his fifth term as a Republican stalwart, announced he would seek re-election in 2010 as a Democrat, switching parties because he found himself "increasingly at odds" with the Republican Party.
In 2019, Game of Thrones episode "The Long Night" airs on HBO with the longest battle scene ever filmed, lasting about 80 minutes.


upi--2020-04-28--FDA bans products that help teens hide vaping

With more American teens taking up e-cigarettes , there 's a flood of products designed to allow them to vape without getting caught by parents or teachers -- and federal officials want to put a stop to it .
On Monday , the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it was sending warning letters to 10 manufacturers to stop making these products targeting youth .
`` The public should really be outraged by these products , '' said Mitch Zeller , director of the FDA 's Center for Tobacco Products .
The products being targeted by the FDA include : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pockets to hold and conceal an e-cigarette • Vaping products that resemble smartwatches or children 's toys such as a portable video game system or fidget spinner • vaping liquids that imitate packaging for food products that often are marketed and appeal to youth , such as candy , or feature cartoon characters like SpongeBob SquarePants .
`` The FDA is especially disturbed by some of these new products being marketed to children and teens by promoting the ease with which they can be used to conceal product use , '' Zeller said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to kids because they allow `` them to conceal tobacco product use from parents , teachers , law enforcement or other adults , '' he said .
Warning letters were issued to : Vaprwear Gear , LLC , a manufacturer and online retailer ; Vapewear , LLC , a manufacturer and online retailer ; Wizman Limited , a manufacturer and online retailer ; EightCig , LLC , an online retailer ; Ejuicepack , LLC , an online retailer ; Vape Royalty , LLC an online retailer ; VapeCentric , Inc. , an online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retailer ; VapeSourcing , an online retailer ; Shenzhen Uwell Technology Co. , Ltd. d/b/a DTD Distribution Inc. , an importer and retailer .
If the companies do n't stop the manufacture , distribution or sale of these unauthorized products , they risk additional FDA action such as an injunction , seizure or fines , the agency said in a news release .
`` These warning letters should send a clear message to all tobacco product manufacturers and retailers that the FDA is keeping a close watch on the marketplace , '' Zeller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or selling these products to youth , the FDA will not tolerate it . ''
One anti-smoking/vaping advocacy group applauded the FDA 's move , but said more can and should be done .
`` Today 's FDA action is a timely reminder of how the e-cigarette industry continues to shamelessly target kids with its products and marketing , '' said Matthew Myers , president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids , and banning products that allow kids to hide a vaping habit is `` a positive step . ''
But Myers said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought to be especially enticing for teens -- would go even further in curbing vaping among youth .
`` Rather than clearing the market of all flavored e-cigarettes , as it initially proposed , the Trump administration in February implemented a loophole-ridden policy that left thousands of flavored e-cigarettes for sale , and provided a roadmap for manufacturers to continue targeting and addicting kids , '' Myers said in a news release from his organization .
`` The kid-friendly products that remain on the market include cheap , disposable e-cigarettes sold in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in over 15,000 flavors , refillable devices and menthol-flavored pod products like Juul , '' Myers noted .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the risks of vaping .

With more American teens taking up e-cigarettes, there's a flood of products designed to allow them to vape without getting caught by parents or teachers -- and federal officials want to put a stop to it.
On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it was sending warning letters to 10 manufacturers to stop making these products targeting youth.
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"The public should really be outraged by these products," said Mitch Zeller, director of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products.
The products being targeted by the FDA include:
Backpacks and sweatshirts designed with stealth pockets to hold and conceal an e-cigarette
Vaping products that resemble smartwatches or children's toys such as a portable video game system or fidget spinner
vaping liquids that imitate packaging for food products that often are marketed and appeal to youth, such as candy, or feature cartoon characters like SpongeBob SquarePants.
Advertisement
"The FDA is especially disturbed by some of these new products being marketed to children and teens by promoting the ease with which they can be used to conceal product use," Zeller said. Of course, the products appeal to kids because they allow "them to conceal tobacco product use from parents, teachers, law enforcement or other adults," he said.
Warning letters were issued to: Vaprwear Gear, LLC, a manufacturer and online retailer; Vapewear, LLC, a manufacturer and online retailer; Wizman Limited, a manufacturer and online retailer; EightCig, LLC, an online retailer; Ejuicepack, LLC, an online retailer; Vape Royalty, LLC an online retailer; VapeCentric, Inc., an online retailer; Dukhan Store, an online retailer; VapeSourcing, an online retailer; Shenzhen Uwell Technology Co., Ltd. d/b/a DTD Distribution Inc., an importer and retailer.
If the companies don't stop the manufacture, distribution or sale of these unauthorized products, they risk additional FDA action such as an injunction, seizure or fines, the agency said in a news release.
"These warning letters should send a clear message to all tobacco product manufacturers and retailers that the FDA is keeping a close watch on the marketplace," Zeller said. "If you're marketing or selling these products to youth, the FDA will not tolerate it."
Advertisement
One anti-smoking/vaping advocacy group applauded the FDA's move, but said more can and should be done.
"Today's FDA action is a timely reminder of how the e-cigarette industry continues to shamelessly target kids with its products and marketing," said Matthew Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and banning products that allow kids to hide a vaping habit is "a positive step."
But Myers said a ban on all flavored e-cigarettes -- thought to be especially enticing for teens -- would go even further in curbing vaping among youth.
"Rather than clearing the market of all flavored e-cigarettes, as it initially proposed, the Trump administration in February implemented a loophole-ridden policy that left thousands of flavored e-cigarettes for sale, and provided a roadmap for manufacturers to continue targeting and addicting kids," Myers said in a news release from his organization.
"The kid-friendly products that remain on the market include cheap, disposable e-cigarettes sold in an assortment of flavors, nicotine e-liquids sold in over 15,000 flavors, refillable devices and menthol-flavored pod products like Juul," Myers noted.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the risks of vaping.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-04-28--Police arrest suspect after finding 5 dead in Milwaukee home

April 28 ( UPI ) -- Police in Wisconsin said they have a man in custody after five people were found dead in a Milwaukee residence .
Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales told reporters during a press conference that officers were called to the home at 10:30 a.m. Monday by a man who said his family was dead .
Upon their arrival , officers discovered five bodies and arrested the man who reported the slayings , he said , adding , the ages of the victims ranged from 14 to 41 .
`` The subject who called is taken into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we know of right now out to the community , '' he said .
The unknown weapon was also recovered , he said without elaborating .
Mayor Tom Barrett told reporters a toddler was also found at the scene and was being evaluated .
`` I think that child is fine , '' Barrett said .
`` The loss of life is something I take very seriously , and this is obviously a horrific incident in our city . ''
The relationship between the victims and the unnamed suspect was being investigated @ @ @ @

April 28 (UPI) -- Police in Wisconsin said they have a man in custody after five people were found dead in a Milwaukee residence.
Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales told reporters during a press conference that officers were called to the home at 10:30 a.m. Monday by a man who said his family was dead.
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Upon their arrival, officers discovered five bodies and arrested the man who reported the slayings, he said, adding, the ages of the victims ranged from 14 to 41.
"The subject who called is taken into custody and there is no active threat that we know of right now out to the community," he said.
The unknown weapon was also recovered, he said without elaborating.
Mayor Tom Barrett told reporters a toddler was also found at the scene and was being evaluated.
"I think that child is fine," Barrett said. "The loss of life is something I take very seriously, and this is obviously a horrific incident in our city."
The relationship between the victims and the unnamed suspect was being investigated, Morales said.


upi--2020-04-27--Donald Trump: I know how Kim Jong Un is doing

SEOUL , April 27 ( UPI ) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he has information about Kim Jong Un 's condition amid swirling speculation about the North Korean leader 's health but did not offer any details .
`` Yes , I do have a very good idea , but I ca n't talk about it now , '' Trump said during a Coronavirus Task Force press briefing at the White House .
`` I just wish him well .
I 've had a very good relationship with Kim Jong Un . ''
Trump said Kim 's whereabouts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I hope he 's fine , '' he said .
`` I do know how he 's doing , relatively speaking .
We will see .
You 'll probably be hearing in the not-too-distant future . ''
However , Trump later added , `` Nobody knows where he is . ''
The president 's comments come after several days of rumors and media reports claiming that Kim , who has not made a public appearance in over two weeks , is gravely ill or even dead .
Speculation has been rife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since he did not attend April 15 ceremonies observing the birth anniversary of founder Kim Il Sung for the first time since he fully assumed power in 2012 .
Kim was also absent from a celebration of the founding of North Korea 's armed forces on Saturday .
Last week , a report by the Daily NK , a Seoul-based website that receives information from sources inside North Korea , claimed that Kim was receiving treatment at a hospital after undergoing a cardiovascular procedure .
Citing an unnamed source , the article said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Hyangsan Clinic , a private hospital for the Kim family in North Pyongyan Province , as a result of `` excessive smoking , obesity and overwork . ''
CNN reported that the leader was in `` grave danger '' following surgery , citing an anonymous U.S. official .
Trump later said he believed the report was `` incorrect . ''
Further rumors followed , including a social media posting by the vice director of a Hong Kong satellite television network claiming that Kim was dead , and a report from Japanese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vegetative state after heart surgery .
South Korean newspaper JoongAng Daily reported Monday that Kim was self-quarantining because one of his personal bodyguards contracted COVID-19 , citing an unnamed source in China .
Another newspaper , Dong-a Ilbo , published an article by a high-ranking North Korean defector , Ri Jong Ho , speculating that Kim may have been injured during missile tests on April 14 .
South Korean officials , however , have said that there are no indications that Kim Jong Un is in dire health , with presidential adviser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kim is `` alive and well '' and has been staying in the coastal resort area of Wonsan since April 13 .
A report from 38 North , a website that analyzes developments in North Korea , used satellite data to conclude that a train likely belonging to Kim has been parked at his Wonsan resort since at least April 21 .
`` The train 's presence does not prove the whereabouts of the North Korean leader or indicate anything about his health , but it does lend weight to reports that Kim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country 's eastern coast , '' the report said .
North Korean state run-media has not addressed any of the speculation surrounding Kim and has reported on correspondence he has had over the past week with other heads of state , including the presidents of Syria and Cuba .
The most recent report citing Kim came Monday , when state-run Korean Central News Agency said that the leader sent `` a message of greeting '' to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa .
Kim 's last officially reported public appearance came in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of fighter jets at an airfield in the western part of the country .
He also attended an April 11 meeting of the ruling party 's political bureau , according to KCNA , during which he called for stricter measures to contain the coronavirus in North Korea .

President Donald Trump said Monday he knows the health condition of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who has not been seen publicly in over two weeks. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo
SEOUL, April 27 (UPI) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he has information about Kim Jong Un's condition amid swirling speculation about the North Korean leader's health but did not offer any details. "Yes, I do have a very good idea, but I can't talk about it now," Trump said during a Coronavirus Task Force press briefing at the White House. "I just wish him well. I've had a very good relationship with Kim Jong Un." Advertisement
Trump said Kim's whereabouts and health would soon be widely known.
"I hope he's fine," he said. "I do know how he's doing, relatively speaking. We will see. You'll probably be hearing in the not-too-distant future."
However, Trump later added, "Nobody knows where he is."
The president's comments come after several days of rumors and media reports claiming that Kim, who has not made a public appearance in over two weeks, is gravely ill or even dead.
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Speculation has been rife about the North Korean leader's health since he did not attend April 15 ceremonies observing the birth anniversary of founder Kim Il Sung for the first time since he fully assumed power in 2012.
Kim was also absent from a celebration of the founding of North Korea's armed forces on Saturday.
Last week, a report by the Daily NK, a Seoul-based website that receives information from sources inside North Korea, claimed that Kim was receiving treatment at a hospital after undergoing a cardiovascular procedure.
Citing an unnamed source, the article said Kim underwent the procedure on April 12 at the Hyangsan Clinic, a private hospital for the Kim family in North Pyongyan Province, as a result of "excessive smoking, obesity and overwork."
CNN reported that the leader was in "grave danger" following surgery, citing an anonymous U.S. official. Trump later said he believed the report was "incorrect."
Further rumors followed, including a social media posting by the vice director of a Hong Kong satellite television network claiming that Kim was dead, and a report from Japanese magazine Shukan Gendai that Kim was in a vegetative state after heart surgery.
South Korean newspaper JoongAng Daily reported Monday that Kim was self-quarantining because one of his personal bodyguards contracted COVID-19, citing an unnamed source in China. Another newspaper, Dong-a Ilbo, published an article by a high-ranking North Korean defector, Ri Jong Ho, speculating that Kim may have been injured during missile tests on April 14.
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South Korean officials, however, have said that there are no indications that Kim Jong Un is in dire health, with presidential adviser Moon Chung-in telling CNN on Monday that Kim is "alive and well" and has been staying in the coastal resort area of Wonsan since April 13.
A report from 38 North, a website that analyzes developments in North Korea, used satellite data to conclude that a train likely belonging to Kim has been parked at his Wonsan resort since at least April 21.
"The train's presence does not prove the whereabouts of the North Korean leader or indicate anything about his health, but it does lend weight to reports that Kim is staying at an elite area on the country's eastern coast," the report said.
North Korean state run-media has not addressed any of the speculation surrounding Kim and has reported on correspondence he has had over the past week with other heads of state, including the presidents of Syria and Cuba.
The most recent report citing Kim came Monday, when state-run Korean Central News Agency said that the leader sent "a message of greeting" to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Kim's last officially reported public appearance came in an April 12 photo showing him inspecting a group of fighter jets at an airfield in the western part of the country. He also attended an April 11 meeting of the ruling party's political bureau, according to KCNA, during which he called for stricter measures to contain the coronavirus in North Korea.


upi--2020-04-27--House committee launches probe of Trump's halting of WHO funds

April 27 ( UPI ) -- The House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs on Monday launched an investigation into President Donald Trump 's halting of funds to the World Health Organization , ordering the State Department to hand over pertinent files by next week .
The Democratic chairman of the committee , Eliot Engel , told Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a letter the Trump administration 's explanation for withholding future money from the U.N. health agency is `` inadequate '' and that he has until May 4 to deliver to the committee a slew of documents , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of personnel involved with the U.N. agency .
`` The Committee of Foreign Affairs is determined to understand the reasons behind this self-defeating withdrawal from global leadership , '' Engel wrote .
Trump announced the controversial order to stop funding the WHO on April 14 , receiving praise from some Republicans and widespread condemnation from Democrats .
The Trump administration has defended the decision stating the organization has n't fulfilled its responsibility while being `` China-centric '' and aiding the Asian nation in its disinformation campaign .
The White House has repeatedly accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initial response to the outbreak and producing an opaque front concerning information about the virus .
Pompeo said late last week China has resisted cooperating with the United States concerning the virus and the WHO has failed to force it to comply .
He said the United States may never reinstate funding to the organization , saying it is in need of `` a structural fix . ''
Engel agreed in his letter to Pompeo that the WHO is an `` imperfect organization '' that has `` made mistakes during the course of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has played `` an invaluable role '' in curbing the spread of the virus and Trump 's decision to cut funding was to create a political distraction from his `` calamitous '' response .
He also said by withholding funding from the WHO the United States will be ceding space for China to continue to exert its influence .
`` Attacking the WHO , rather than the COVID-19 outbreak , will only worsen an already dire situation by undermining one of our key tools to fight the spreading disease , '' Engel wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ materials by next Monday , the committee said it will `` consider all other measures at its disposal . ''
The United States was by far the largest funder of the WHO contributing more than $ 890 million during the two-year cycle of 2018 and 2019 .

President Donald Trump delivers remarks on the COVID-19 pandemic during the Coronavirus Task Force briefing in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo
April 27 (UPI) -- The House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs on Monday launched an investigation into President Donald Trump's halting of funds to the World Health Organization, ordering the State Department to hand over pertinent files by next week. The Democratic chairman of the committee, Eliot Engel, told Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a letter the Trump administration's explanation for withholding future money from the U.N. health agency is "inadequate" and that he has until May 4 to deliver to the committee a slew of documents, including correspondence regarding WHO funding and lists of personnel involved with the U.N. agency. Advertisement
"The Committee of Foreign Affairs is determined to understand the reasons behind this self-defeating withdrawal from global leadership," Engel wrote.
Trump announced the controversial order to stop funding the WHO on April 14, receiving praise from some Republicans and widespread condemnation from Democrats.
The Trump administration has defended the decision stating the organization hasn't fulfilled its responsibility while being "China-centric" and aiding the Asian nation in its disinformation campaign. The White House has repeatedly accused China of having attempted to cover-up its initial response to the outbreak and producing an opaque front concerning information about the virus.
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Pompeo said late last week China has resisted cooperating with the United States concerning the virus and the WHO has failed to force it to comply.
He said the United States may never reinstate funding to the organization, saying it is in need of "a structural fix."
Engel agreed in his letter to Pompeo that the WHO is an "imperfect organization" that has "made mistakes during the course of this unprecedented emergency," but it has played "an invaluable role" in curbing the spread of the virus and Trump's decision to cut funding was to create a political distraction from his "calamitous" response.
He also said by withholding funding from the WHO the United States will be ceding space for China to continue to exert its influence.
"Attacking the WHO, rather than the COVID-19 outbreak, will only worsen an already dire situation by undermining one of our key tools to fight the spreading disease," Engel wrote.
If Pompeo does not provide the materials by next Monday, the committee said it will "consider all other measures at its disposal."
The United States was by far the largest funder of the WHO contributing more than $890 million during the two-year cycle of 2018 and 2019.


upi--2020-04-27--New England Patriots FB James Develin retires from NFL

April 27 ( UPI ) -- Longtime New England Patriots fullback James Develin is retiring from the NFL due to `` unforeseen complications '' from a neck injury that required surgery last year .
`` Due to unforeseen complications with the injury that ended my season last year , I have decided it is both in my and my family 's best interest to retire from the game of football , '' Develin wrote Monday on Instagram .
`` I 've always maintained a [ belief ] that in the sport , the team is much more important than myself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ belief ] still rings true , as I have to prioritize my team at home before anything else .
To sit here , the man I am today , and think of my personal growth both on the field and off in the past 10 years of my NFL career is truly humbling .
I am incredibly proud of my journey within the sport , and I will forever be indebted to the game that gave me so much . ''
After playing as a defensive lineman at Brown University , Develin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Football League and Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz of AF2 -- the minor league organization of the Arena Football League .
He went on to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals ' practice squad for the last five games of the 2010 campaign .
Develin spent the 2011 season on the Bengals ' practice squad before he was released in August 2012 .
The Patriots signed him to their practice unit the day after the Bengals cut him , and he played in all 16 regular-season games from 2013-18 .
`` In football , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and dependable people who bring positive leadership on a daily basis , but the name James Develin represents those qualities at an elite level , '' Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said in a statement .
`` A tribute to the impact James had on our success , of the five seasons in which he appeared in every game , we won three championships .
Any team would be fortunate to have a James Develin type on its roster , but the reality is he is a rarity and we are very fortunate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 31 , was a Pro Bowl selection with the Patriots in 2017 and won three Super Bowl titles with the franchise .

New England Patriots fullback James Develin (46) was a Pro Bowl selection in 2017 and won three Super Bowl titles. File Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
April 27 (UPI) -- Longtime New England Patriots fullback James Develin is retiring from the NFL due to "unforeseen complications" from a neck injury that required surgery last year. "Due to unforeseen complications with the injury that ended my season last year, I have decided it is both in my and my family's best interest to retire from the game of football," Develin wrote Monday on Instagram. "I've always maintained a [belief] that in the sport, the team is much more important than myself as an individual. Advertisement
"And that [belief] still rings true, as I have to prioritize my team at home before anything else. To sit here, the man I am today, and think of my personal growth both on the field and off in the past 10 years of my NFL career is truly humbling. I am incredibly proud of my journey within the sport, and I will forever be indebted to the game that gave me so much."
After playing as a defensive lineman at Brown University, Develin joined the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League and Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz of AF2 -- the minor league organization of the Arena Football League. He went on to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad for the last five games of the 2010 campaign.
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Develin spent the 2011 season on the Bengals' practice squad before he was released in August 2012. The Patriots signed him to their practice unit the day after the Bengals cut him, and he played in all 16 regular-season games from 2013-18.
"In football, there are a lot of tough, unselfish and dependable people who bring positive leadership on a daily basis, but the name James Develin represents those qualities at an elite level," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said in a statement.
"A tribute to the impact James had on our success, of the five seasons in which he appeared in every game, we won three championships. Any team would be fortunate to have a James Develin type on its roster, but the reality is he is a rarity and we are very fortunate he was a Patriot."
Develin, 31, was a Pro Bowl selection with the Patriots in 2017 and won three Super Bowl titles with the franchise.


upi--2020-04-27--Chicago Blackhawks fire president, CEO John McDonough

April 27 ( UPI ) -- The Chicago Blackhawks parted ways with president and CEO John McDonough , the team announced Monday .
McDonough , who was hired by the Blackhawks in 2007 , was viewed as an important piece of the franchise 's championship-winning teams .
Under McDonough , the Blackhawks won Stanley Cups in 2010 , 2013 and 2015 .
Before those titles , the team had n't won a Stanley Cup since 1961 .
McDonough came to the Blackhawks after spending 24 years with Major League Baseball 's Chicago Cubs .
`` Thirteen years ago , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his leadership , direction and vision , '' Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz said in a statement .
`` John brought all of that to the table and more .
His contributions went well beyond leading the team to three Stanley Cup championships .
He rebuilt the front office and helped guide the organization toward a winning vision .
`` As difficult as this is , we believe it was the right decision for the future of the organization and its fans . ''
Rocky Wirtz 's son , Daniel , will be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently serves as vice president of the Blackhawks .
The Blackhawks missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons and have failed to reach the second round since winning the Cup in 2015 .
The team fired head coach Joel Quenneville , who led the team to all three championships , in 2018 .
McDonough oversaw multiple aspects of the team 's business operations , including partnerships , marketing and fan experience .
Since his arrival , the Blackhawks frequently ranked first in NHL attendance .
Before this season was halted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was on a record run of 531 sellouts at home .

Chicago Blackhawks president and CEO John McDonough (L) came to the Blackhawks after spending 24 years with the Chicago Cubs. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
April 27 (UPI) -- The Chicago Blackhawks parted ways with president and CEO John McDonough, the team announced Monday. McDonough, who was hired by the Blackhawks in 2007, was viewed as an important piece of the franchise's championship-winning teams. Under McDonough, the Blackhawks won Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013 and 2015. Before those titles, the team hadn't won a Stanley Cup since 1961. Advertisement
McDonough came to the Blackhawks after spending 24 years with Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs.
"Thirteen years ago, I recruited John to the Blackhawks because of his leadership, direction and vision," Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz said in a statement. "John brought all of that to the table and more. His contributions went well beyond leading the team to three Stanley Cup championships. He rebuilt the front office and helped guide the organization toward a winning vision.
"As difficult as this is, we believe it was the right decision for the future of the organization and its fans."
Rocky Wirtz's son, Daniel, will be the team's interim president. Daniel Wirtz currently serves as vice president of the Blackhawks.
The Blackhawks missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons and have failed to reach the second round since winning the Cup in 2015. The team fired head coach Joel Quenneville, who led the team to all three championships, in 2018.
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McDonough oversaw multiple aspects of the team's business operations, including partnerships, marketing and fan experience. Since his arrival, the Blackhawks frequently ranked first in NHL attendance. Before this season was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, Chicago was on a record run of 531 sellouts at home.


upi--2020-04-28--Two men charged with violating DPA to sell face masks 50% mark-up

April 28 ( UPI ) -- Two men were charged with conspiring to violate the Defense Production Act by seeking to resell protective masks at increased prices .
Kent Bulloch and William Young , Sr. , were charged in a criminal complaint unsealed in a federal court in Brooklyn for attempting to sell one million KN95 protective masks at a 50 percent mark-up in New York City , the Department of Justice said .
The actions violated the Defense Production Act , which President Donald Trump invoked in an executive order on March 18 , in response to the global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegal to acquire medical supplies and devices designated as scarce by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in order to hoard or sell them for excessive prices .
Young and Bulloch sought investors to purchase the one million KN95 masks for double or triple their original purchase price , the complaint alleges .
Bulloch also created an escrow agreement for a federal law enforcement agent posing as an investor falsely stating that the profits on the re-sale of the masks would not exceed 10 percent .
Bulloch was arrested Monday night in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via teleconference in San Francisco and Young will appear via teleconference in Phoenix .

April 28 (UPI) -- Two men were charged with conspiring to violate the Defense Production Act by seeking to resell protective masks at increased prices.
Kent Bulloch and William Young, Sr., were charged in a criminal complaint unsealed in a federal court in Brooklyn for attempting to sell one million KN95 protective masks at a 50 percent mark-up in New York City, the Department of Justice said.
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The actions violated the Defense Production Act, which President Donald Trump invoked in an executive order on March 18, in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The measure makes it illegal to acquire medical supplies and devices designated as scarce by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in order to hoard or sell them for excessive prices.
Young and Bulloch sought investors to purchase the one million KN95 masks for double or triple their original purchase price, the complaint alleges.
Bulloch also created an escrow agreement for a federal law enforcement agent posing as an investor falsely stating that the profits on the re-sale of the masks would not exceed 10 percent.
Bulloch was arrested Monday night in California and will appear in federal court via teleconference in San Francisco and Young will appear via teleconference in Phoenix.