upi--2020-06-05--Weekend sports lineup: Nunes-Spencer UFC title bout, soccer, NASCAR

June 4 ( UPI ) -- A UFC women 's featherweight title bout between incumbent champion Amanda Nunes and Felicia Spencer headlines the the weekend sports lineup before the PGA Tour and the La Liga soccer league return to live sports next Thursday .
Bundesliga stars will also return to the field this weekend after the German soccer league made its return May 17 after a coronavirus-related suspension .
NASCAR 's Cup Series also returns for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 on Sunday in Atlanta .
Nunes ( 19-4-0 ) will put her title on the line against Spencer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of UFC 250 Saturday at UFC Apex in Las Vegas .
UFC was one of the first major American sports leagues to bring back live events during the coronavirus pandemic .
UFC , NASCAR and the Bundesliga have not allowed fans to attend their events .
Nunes has n't lost since a Sept. 27 , 2015 , clash against Cat Zingano .
Spencer 's last loss was in July against Cris Cyborg at UFC 240 .
Caesars has Nunes as a heavy favorite to win at -565 , the best odds for any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spencer at +440 .
BetOnline.AG has Nunes as an even bigger favorite at -625 , with Spencer at +450 .
Saturday 's main card begins with a bantamweight bout between Eddie Wineland and Sean O'Malley .
The second fight on the main card is a welterweight clash between Neil Magny and Anthony Rocco Martin .
Americans Aljamain Sterling and Cory Sandhagen will matchup in a bantamweight bout for the third fight .
Raphael Assuncao and Cody Garbrandt will feature in another bantamweight clash prior to the main event .
UFC 250 also features @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fights .
The UFC bouts will air on ESPN and ESPN+ .
The sixth NASCAR Cup Series race since the season resumed May 17 will take place Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway .
Drivers will start their engines at 3 p.m. EDT for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 .
Brad Keselowski has won two Cup Series races since the season resumed , including last Sunday 's Food City 500 in Bristol , Tenn .
The driver of the No .
2 Ford now sits in fourth place in the Cup Series standings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed by Joey Logano , Chase Elliott and Keselowski .
The weekend in Atlanta begins with the Truck Series Vet Tix Camping World 200 at 1 p.m. EDT Saturday .
The Xfinity Series EchoPark 250 will run after the Truck Series race at 4:30 p.m. EDT Saturday .
The trio of races will air on FS1 and Fox .
German soccer stars will return to the field for the fourth consecutive weekend since the Bundesliga season resumed after a coronavirus-related suspension .
SC Freiburg takes on Borussia Monchengladbach at 2:30 p.m. EDT Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Another 10 Bundesliga squads play Saturday .
Sunday 's soccer slate includes three Bundesliga matchups .
Three matches will air simultaneously at 9:30 a.m. EDT Saturday on FS1 , FS2 and Fox Soccer Plus .
Borussia Dortmund will play Hertha Berlin at 12:30 p.m. EDT Saturday on FS2 .
Sunday 's schedule includes three separate time windows to enjoy the Bundesliga action .
Werder Bremen takes on VfL Wolfsburg at 7:30 a.m. EDT Sunday on FS1 .
FC Union Berlin has a matchup against FC Schalke 04 at 9:30 a.m. EDT Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Koln at noon EDT Sunday on FS1 .
• Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich at 9:30 a.m. EDT on FS1 • RB Leipzig vs. S.C. Paderborn at 9:30 a.m. EDT on FS2 • Eintracht Frankfurt vs. FSV Mainz 05 at 9:30 a.m. EDT on Fox Sports Plus • Borussia Dortmund vs. Hertha Berlin at 12:30 p.m. EDT on FS2 • Neil Magny vs. Anthony Rocco Martin after first fight • Aljamain Sterling vs. Cory Sandhagen after second fight • Raphael Assuncao vs. Cody Garbrandt after third fight • Werder Bremen vs. VfL Wolfsburg at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union Berlin vs. FC Schalke 04 at 9:30 a.m. EDT on FS1 • FC Augsburg vs. FC Koln at noon EDT on FS1 • Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at 3 p.m. EDT on Fox

June 4 (UPI) -- A UFC women's featherweight title bout between incumbent champion Amanda Nunes and Felicia Spencer headlines the the weekend sports lineup before the PGA Tour and the La Liga soccer league return to live sports next Thursday.
Bundesliga stars will also return to the field this weekend after the German soccer league made its return May 17 after a coronavirus-related suspension. NASCAR's Cup Series also returns for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 on Sunday in Atlanta.
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UFC
Nunes (19-4-0) will put her title on the line against Spencer (8-1-0) in the main event of UFC 250 Saturday at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. UFC was one of the first major American sports leagues to bring back live events during the coronavirus pandemic.
UFC, NASCAR and the Bundesliga have not allowed fans to attend their events.
Nunes hasn't lost since a Sept. 27, 2015, clash against Cat Zingano. Spencer's last loss was in July against Cris Cyborg at UFC 240. Caesars has Nunes as a heavy favorite to win at -565, the best odds for any fighter on the card. Caesars has Spencer at +440. BetOnline.AG has Nunes as an even bigger favorite at -625, with Spencer at +450.
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Saturday's main card begins with a bantamweight bout between Eddie Wineland and Sean O'Malley. The second fight on the main card is a welterweight clash between Neil Magny and Anthony Rocco Martin. Americans Aljamain Sterling and Cory Sandhagen will matchup in a bantamweight bout for the third fight. Raphael Assuncao and Cody Garbrandt will feature in another bantamweight clash prior to the main event.
UFC 250 also features four preliminary fights and three early preliminary fights. The UFC bouts will air on ESPN and ESPN+.
NASCAR Cup Series
The sixth NASCAR Cup Series race since the season resumed May 17 will take place Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Drivers will start their engines at 3 p.m. EDT for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500.
Brad Keselowski has won two Cup Series races since the season resumed, including last Sunday's Food City 500 in Bristol, Tenn. The driver of the No. 2 Ford now sits in fourth place in the Cup Series standings. Kevin Harvick leads the standings, followed by Joey Logano, Chase Elliott and Keselowski.
The weekend in Atlanta begins with the Truck Series Vet Tix Camping World 200 at 1 p.m. EDT Saturday. The Xfinity Series EchoPark 250 will run after the Truck Series race at 4:30 p.m. EDT Saturday.
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The trio of races will air on FS1 and Fox.
German Bundesliga soccer
German soccer stars will return to the field for the fourth consecutive weekend since the Bundesliga season resumed after a coronavirus-related suspension. SC Freiburg takes on Borussia Monchengladbach at 2:30 p.m. EDT Friday. That game will air on FS2.
Another 10 Bundesliga squads play Saturday. Sunday's soccer slate includes three Bundesliga matchups. Three matches will air simultaneously at 9:30 a.m. EDT Saturday on FS1, FS2 and Fox Soccer Plus. Borussia Dortmund will play Hertha Berlin at 12:30 p.m. EDT Saturday on FS2.
Sunday's schedule includes three separate time windows to enjoy the Bundesliga action. Werder Bremen takes on VfL Wolfsburg at 7:30 a.m. EDT Sunday on FS1. FC Union Berlin has a matchup against FC Schalke 04 at 9:30 a.m. EDT Sunday on FS1. FC Augsburg battles FC Koln at noon EDT Sunday on FS1.
Saturday
Bundesliga
Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich at 9:30 a.m. EDT on FS1
RB Leipzig vs. S.C. Paderborn at 9:30 a.m. EDT on FS2
Eintracht Frankfurt vs. FSV Mainz 05 at 9:30 a.m. EDT on Fox Sports Plus
Borussia Dortmund vs. Hertha Berlin at 12:30 p.m. EDT on FS2
NASCAR
Truck Series Vet Tix Camping World 200 at 1 p.m. EDT on FS1
Xfinity Series EchoPark 250 at 4:30 p.m. EDT on Fox
Advertisement
UFC 250 main card on ESPN/ESPN+
Eddie Wineland vs. Sean O'Malley at 10 p.m. EDT
Neil Magny vs. Anthony Rocco Martin after first fight
Aljamain Sterling vs. Cory Sandhagen after second fight
Raphael Assuncao vs. Cody Garbrandt after third fight
Amanda Nunes vs. Felicia Spencer after fourth fight
Sunday
Bundesliga
Werder Bremen vs. VfL Wolfsburg at 7:30 a.m. EDT on FS1
FC Union Berlin vs. FC Schalke 04 at 9:30 a.m. EDT on FS1
FC Augsburg vs. FC Koln at noon EDT on FS1
NASCAR


upi--2020-06-05--Wristband 'zapper' might help calm Tourette syndrome

A wristband that zaps a key nerve may help quell the uncontrollable tics of Tourette syndrome , according to British researchers .
`` We think we 've come up with a safe and effective piece of technology that we believe is relatively cheap that will give control over tics to people with Tourette syndrome , '' said lead researcher Stephen Jackson , a professor of cognitive neuroscience at the University of Nottingham .
Tics are involuntary movements and sounds such as throat-clearing , blinking and even blurting out swear words associated with the disorder .
Researchers say a technique called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brain activity associated with tics .
`` By delivering electrical pulses to the peripheral nervous system , we reduced both the frequency of tics and their intensity , as well as the self-perceived urge to tic so many people report having before they tic , '' Jackson said .
Brain oscillation shuts down the brain impulses that cause tics and returns them to a quiet state , he said .
Jackson 's team tested the approach in 19 people with Tourette syndrome who wore a specialized wristband .
Participants were randomly given a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right wrist and one-minute periods with no stimulation .
Stimulation reduced the tics and also the urge to tic , the researchers found .
The benefit was greatest in participants with the most severe tics .
And the stimulation had a cumulative effect , Jackson said .
The more times it was used , the bigger the benefit .
The need for this type of treatment is crucial , he said .
Medications used to treat Tourette have side effects and only work in about half of patients , Jackson said , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take them .
Another treatment , involving implantation of electrodes in the brain , is a surgical procedure with its own short- and long-term risks .
And , he said , behavioral therapy can be hard to come by .
Jackson and his team are planning a larger trial with an aim of developing a wristband that patients can activate whenever they feel a tic coming on .
Dr. Alessandro Di Rocco , director of the movement disorders program at Northwell Health in Great Neck , N.Y. , reviewed the findings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an intriguing rationale and promising preliminary clinical data , '' he said , pointing to the disruptive effect that tics have on a person 's personal and psychological well-being .
In recent years , a growing body of evidence has linked abnormal patterns of brain activity to the behavioral impulses associated with tics , Di Rocco said .
This has led to attempts to regulate the abnormal pattern with brain stimulation techniques , including invasive surgical interventions such as deep brain stimulation .
`` While there is evidence that these techniques may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potentially serious complications , while other forms of external stimulation require expensive setup and can only be administered in a clinic setting , '' Di Rocco said .
Using this portable , seemingly easy-to-use device to stimulate the median nerve at the wrist may disrupt the abnormal brain activity and reduce tics with few risks or side effects , he said .
`` If confirmed , this type of stimulation may become an innovative , inexpensive and transformative way to treat tics and possibly other involuntary movements associated with abnormal network activation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was published June 4 in the journal Current Biology .
To learn more about Tourette syndrome , visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

A wristband that zaps a key nerve may help quell the uncontrollable tics of Tourette syndrome, according to British researchers.
"We think we've come up with a safe and effective piece of technology that we believe is relatively cheap that will give control over tics to people with Tourette syndrome," said lead researcher Stephen Jackson, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at the University of Nottingham.
Advertisement
Tics are involuntary movements and sounds such as throat-clearing, blinking and even blurting out swear words associated with the disorder. Researchers say a technique called brain oscillation helps suppress the rhythmic electrical brain activity associated with tics.
"By delivering electrical pulses to the peripheral nervous system, we reduced both the frequency of tics and their intensity, as well as the self-perceived urge to tic so many people report having before they tic," Jackson said.
Brain oscillation shuts down the brain impulses that cause tics and returns them to a quiet state, he said.
Advertisement
Jackson's team tested the approach in 19 people with Tourette syndrome who wore a specialized wristband.
Participants were randomly given a minute of constant electric pulses to their right wrist and one-minute periods with no stimulation.
Stimulation reduced the tics and also the urge to tic, the researchers found. The benefit was greatest in participants with the most severe tics.
And the stimulation had a cumulative effect, Jackson said. The more times it was used, the bigger the benefit.
The need for this type of treatment is crucial, he said. Medications used to treat Tourette have side effects and only work in about half of patients, Jackson said, so many parents don't want their kids to take them. Another treatment, involving implantation of electrodes in the brain, is a surgical procedure with its own short- and long-term risks. And, he said, behavioral therapy can be hard to come by.
Jackson and his team are planning a larger trial with an aim of developing a wristband that patients can activate whenever they feel a tic coming on.
Dr. Alessandro Di Rocco, director of the movement disorders program at Northwell Health in Great Neck, N.Y., reviewed the findings. "This is an exciting study with an intriguing rationale and promising preliminary clinical data," he said, pointing to the disruptive effect that tics have on a person's personal and psychological well-being.
Advertisement
In recent years, a growing body of evidence has linked abnormal patterns of brain activity to the behavioral impulses associated with tics, Di Rocco said.
This has led to attempts to regulate the abnormal pattern with brain stimulation techniques, including invasive surgical interventions such as deep brain stimulation.
"While there is evidence that these techniques may be effective, neurosurgical intervention can lead to potentially serious complications, while other forms of external stimulation require expensive setup and can only be administered in a clinic setting," Di Rocco said.
Using this portable, seemingly easy-to-use device to stimulate the median nerve at the wrist may disrupt the abnormal brain activity and reduce tics with few risks or side effects, he said.
"If confirmed, this type of stimulation may become an innovative, inexpensive and transformative way to treat tics and possibly other involuntary movements associated with abnormal network activation," Di Rocco said.
The report was published June 4 in the journal Current Biology.
More information
To learn more about Tourette syndrome, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-06-05--Tennessee court rules all voters may cast absentee ballots in 2020

June 4 ( UPI ) -- A Tennessee court has ruled that all eligible voters in the state may vote by mail for the entire 2020 calendar , including in the November presidential election , due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Davidson County Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle ruled Thursday night that due to the pandemic the state 's requirement that all but a select few must cast ballots in person `` constitutes an unreasonable burden on the fundamental right to vote guaranteed by the Tennessee Constitution . ''
According to the Tennessee Secretary of State 's office , absentee voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specific categories , such as seniors , the sick and disabled who ca n't access polling stations , out-of-country travelers , out-of-state students and those who will miss the vote due to jury duty , among others .
In the lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee on behalf of several registered voters who either suffer from or live with those suffering from autoimmune conditions , the plaintiffs argued they will not be able to vote in upcoming elections due to the risk of contracting or transmitting the deadly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ qualified for absentee ballots under the state 's rules and were required to vote in person .
The state has implemented social distancing requirements to prevent the spread of COVID-19 , but can not mandate voters to wear masks at polling stations .
The state argued that unlike two-thirds of other states that offer absentee ballots or the 11 states that have relaxed voting-by-mail restrictions this year due to the pandemic , it lacked the money , personnel and equipment for increased voting by mail .
It also cited fears of voter fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be appealed , Lyle ruled the state 's evidence does not support its claims and that its fiscal and resource calculations are `` oddly skewed . ''
`` When , however , normal industry-recognized assumptions are used , the evidence establishes that the resources are there to provide temporary expanded access to voting by mail in Tennessee during the pandemic if the State provides the leadership and motivation as other states have done , '' Lyle wrote .
`` As to voter fraud , the State 's own expert debunks and rejects that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to voting by mail . ''
`` This is a major victory for voting rights , '' Dale Ho , director of the ACLU 's Voting Rights Project , said in a statement .
`` This ruling eliminates the excuse requirement for the 2020 elections , meaning Tennesseans will not have to risk their health in order to vote . ''
Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery rebuked the ruling , stating it failed to take into consideration the `` comprehensive COVID-19 election plan '' they have put together that meets the U.S. Centers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It is yet another court decision replacing legislation passed by the people 's elected officials with its own judgment , largely ignoring the practicalities of implementing such a decision , and doing so in the midst of a pandemic and budget crisis , '' Slatery said in a statement .
The ruling comes amid a larger debate over mail voting , with President Donald Trump , and other GOP politicians , condemning the practice , stating it will lead to rampant voter fraud .
Late last month , Twitter placed labels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweets from the president that allege mail-in 2020 election ballots will be `` substantially fraudulent . ''
Days later , Trump signed an executive order seeking to limit the legal protections of Twitter and other social media companies if they censure or edit user posts .
Ben Lay , a plaintiff in the case , said in a statement Thursday that he is `` grateful '' to be able to vote by mail .
`` Though I am disabled and my wife and I both have conditions that compromise our immune systems , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before , '' he said .
`` Thanks to the court , I can now exercise my right to vote without putting my health or the health of my wife at risk . ''
The ruling follows a three-judge panel on Thursday blocking a lower court 's ruling that would have permitted all Texan voters to qualify to vote by mail during the pandemic .

June 4 (UPI) -- A Tennessee court has ruled that all eligible voters in the state may vote by mail for the entire 2020 calendar, including in the November presidential election, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Davidson County Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle ruled Thursday night that due to the pandemic the state's requirement that all but a select few must cast ballots in person "constitutes an unreasonable burden on the fundamental right to vote guaranteed by the Tennessee Constitution."
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According to the Tennessee Secretary of State's office, absentee voting is permitted to those who fall under specific categories, such as seniors, the sick and disabled who can't access polling stations, out-of-country travelers, out-of-state students and those who will miss the vote due to jury duty, among others.
In the lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee on behalf of several registered voters who either suffer from or live with those suffering from autoimmune conditions, the plaintiffs argued they will not be able to vote in upcoming elections due to the risk of contracting or transmitting the deadly and infectious coronavirus.
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None of the plaintiffs qualified for absentee ballots under the state's rules and were required to vote in person. The state has implemented social distancing requirements to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but cannot mandate voters to wear masks at polling stations.
The state argued that unlike two-thirds of other states that offer absentee ballots or the 11 states that have relaxed voting-by-mail restrictions this year due to the pandemic, it lacked the money, personnel and equipment for increased voting by mail. It also cited fears of voter fraud.
While the decision is likely to be appealed, Lyle ruled the state's evidence does not support its claims and that its fiscal and resource calculations are "oddly skewed."
"When, however, normal industry-recognized assumptions are used, the evidence establishes that the resources are there to provide temporary expanded access to voting by mail in Tennessee during the pandemic if the State provides the leadership and motivation as other states have done," Lyle wrote. "As to voter fraud, the State's own expert debunks and rejects that as a reason for not expanding access to voting by mail."
"This is a major victory for voting rights," Dale Ho, director of the ACLU's Voting Rights Project, said in a statement. "This ruling eliminates the excuse requirement for the 2020 elections, meaning Tennesseans will not have to risk their health in order to vote."
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Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery rebuked the ruling, stating it failed to take into consideration the "comprehensive COVID-19 election plan" they have put together that meets the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines.
"It is yet another court decision replacing legislation passed by the people's elected officials with its own judgment, largely ignoring the practicalities of implementing such a decision, and doing so in the midst of a pandemic and budget crisis," Slatery said in a statement.
The ruling comes amid a larger debate over mail voting, with President Donald Trump, and other GOP politicians, condemning the practice, stating it will lead to rampant voter fraud.
Late last month, Twitter placed labels indicating harmful and misleading information on two tweets from the president that allege mail-in 2020 election ballots will be "substantially fraudulent."
Days later, Trump signed an executive order seeking to limit the legal protections of Twitter and other social media companies if they censure or edit user posts.
Ben Lay, a plaintiff in the case, said in a statement Thursday that he is "grateful" to be able to vote by mail.
"Though I am disabled and my wife and I both have conditions that compromise our immune systems, we were barred from voting by mail before," he said. "Thanks to the court, I can now exercise my right to vote without putting my health or the health of my wife at risk."
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The ruling follows a three-judge panel on Thursday blocking a lower court's ruling that would have permitted all Texan voters to qualify to vote by mail during the pandemic.


upi--2020-06-04--ACLU sues Trump, Barr over 'criminal attack' on Lafayette Square protesters

June 4 ( UPI ) -- Protesters and the American Civil Liberties Union sued President Donald Trump , Attorney General William Barr and other top officials on Thursday , alleging their civil rights were violated when police used violent crowd control measures to disperse hundreds of peaceful demonstrators from Lafayette Square so Trump could pose for photos before a nearby church .
In the lawsuit filed on behalf of Black Lives Matter D.C. and individual protesters in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia , the plaintiffs argue that their First Amendment rights to protest and their Fourth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement agents fired tear gas , pepper spray , rubber bullets and flash bombs to force them and other peaceful protesters to disperse Monday evening near the White House .
`` Defendants had no legitimate basis to destroy the peaceable gathering , '' the court filing reads .
`` Defendants ' professed purpose -- to clear the area to permit the President to walk to a photo opportunity at a nearby church -- was a wholly illegal reason for abridging the constitutional rights of Plaintiffs and the others assembled in Lafayette Square .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the peaceful demonstrations and the subsequent photos of Trump brandishing a bible before the St. John 's Episcopal Church , which had sustained damage from a fire lit in its basement during protests the night before , attracted widespread condemnation from the Democratic Party and the Washington Catholic Diocese as well as some Republicans .
The White House has compared the photo op to seminal images of American and world leaders showing bravery amid tragedy and said that critics were attempting to politicize the event .
Barr , during a press conference Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not connected to Trump 's movement to the church but due to the escalation of the protest in the area and was done to protect federal property and agents by expanding a `` buffer zone , '' stating violent protesters were throwing projectiles amid the peaceful protesters .
`` We could not continue to protect the federal property involved and protect our federal agents with such a tight perimeter and so our object was to move it out by one block , '' he said .
The ACLU argued in the lawsuit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and several others as defendants , that the actions by the Trump administration are `` the manifestation of the very despotism against which the First Amendment was intended to protect . ''
According to the court filing , Trump and Barr directed the law enforcement agents to disperse the crowd , leaving several protesters injured , some severely .
`` The President 's shameless , unconstitutional , unprovoked and frankly criminal attack on protesters because he disagreed with their views shakes the foundation of our nation 's constitutional order , '' Scott Michelman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the District of Columbia , said in a statement .
`` And when the nation 's top law enforcement officer becomes complicit in the tactics of an autocrat , it chills protected speech for all of us . ''
The ACLU said more lawsuits will be filed across the country in response to police attacks against protesters and journalists documenting nationwide protests that have rocked the country demanding justice for the police-involved death of George Floyd , a 46-year-old black man who died May 25 while in police custody .
The arresting officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in video kneeling on a prostrate and handcuffed Floyd 's neck for more than 8 minutes , has been fired and charged with murder .
Three other officers involved in the arrest have been charged with aiding and abetting a murder .
`` Across the country , law enforcement armed with military weaponry are responding with violence to people who are protesting police brutality , '' Ben Wizner , director of the ACLU 's Speech , Privacy and Technology Project , said in a statement .
`` The First Amendment right to protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not let this go unanswered .
This is the first of many lawsuits the ACLU intends to file across the country in response to police brutality against protesters . ''

President Donald J. Trump returns after posing with a bible outside St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., on Monday. Photo by Shawn Thew/UPI | License Photo
June 4 (UPI) -- Protesters and the American Civil Liberties Union sued President Donald Trump, Attorney General William Barr and other top officials on Thursday, alleging their civil rights were violated when police used violent crowd control measures to disperse hundreds of peaceful demonstrators from Lafayette Square so Trump could pose for photos before a nearby church. In the lawsuit filed on behalf of Black Lives Matter D.C. and individual protesters in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the plaintiffs argue that their First Amendment rights to protest and their Fourth Amendment rights were violated when U.S. law enforcement agents fired tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets and flash bombs to force them and other peaceful protesters to disperse Monday evening near the White House. Advertisement Advertisement
"Defendants had no legitimate basis to destroy the peaceable gathering," the court filing reads. "Defendants' professed purpose -- to clear the area to permit the President to walk to a photo opportunity at a nearby church -- was a wholly illegal reason for abridging the constitutional rights of Plaintiffs and the others assembled in Lafayette Square."
The use of force to disperse the peaceful demonstrations and the subsequent photos of Trump brandishing a bible before the St. John's Episcopal Church, which had sustained damage from a fire lit in its basement during protests the night before, attracted widespread condemnation from the Democratic Party and the Washington Catholic Diocese as well as some Republicans.
The White House has compared the photo op to seminal images of American and world leaders showing bravery amid tragedy and said that critics were attempting to politicize the event.
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Barr, during a press conference Thursday, said the use of force was not connected to Trump's movement to the church but due to the escalation of the protest in the area and was done to protect federal property and agents by expanding a "buffer zone," stating violent protesters were throwing projectiles amid the peaceful protesters.
"We could not continue to protect the federal property involved and protect our federal agents with such a tight perimeter and so our object was to move it out by one block," he said.
The ACLU argued in the lawsuit, which also names Defense Secretary Mark Esper and several others as defendants, that the actions by the Trump administration are "the manifestation of the very despotism against which the First Amendment was intended to protect."
According to the court filing, Trump and Barr directed the law enforcement agents to disperse the crowd, leaving several protesters injured, some severely.
"The President's shameless, unconstitutional, unprovoked and frankly criminal attack on protesters because he disagreed with their views shakes the foundation of our nation's constitutional order," Scott Michelman, legal director at the ACLU of the District of Columbia, said in a statement. "And when the nation's top law enforcement officer becomes complicit in the tactics of an autocrat, it chills protected speech for all of us."
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The ACLU said more lawsuits will be filed across the country in response to police attacks against protesters and journalists documenting nationwide protests that have rocked the country demanding justice for the police-involved death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who died May 25 while in police custody.
The arresting officer, Derek Chauvin, who was seen in video kneeling on a prostrate and handcuffed Floyd's neck for more than 8 minutes, has been fired and charged with murder. Three other officers involved in the arrest have been charged with aiding and abetting a murder.
"Across the country, law enforcement armed with military weaponry are responding with violence to people who are protesting police brutality," Ben Wizner, director of the ACLU's Speech, Privacy and Technology Project, said in a statement. "The First Amendment right to protest is under attack, and we will not let this go unanswered. This is the first of many lawsuits the ACLU intends to file across the country in response to police brutality against protesters."


upi--2020-06-04--Former All-Pro LB Luke Kuechly joins Carolina Panthers' front office

June 4 ( UPI ) -- Retired All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly has joined the Carolina Panthers ' front office as a pro scout , the team announced Thursday .
Kuechly , who played eight seasons with the franchise , told the Panthers ' official website that he was also considering a career in broadcasting or coaching .
Instead , he will move into the scouting role with his former team .
`` During the season , it 'll be player evaluation and then advance scouting stuff , '' Kuechly said Thursday .
`` So if we play a team next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything set up and ready to go , so when the coaches come in on Monday , they 're not starting from square one .
`` I 've never really done anything like this , so I 'm just going to take it a day at a time and see what I think .
I think it 'll be fun .
It 's still going to be football .
It 's still going to be around good people .
That 's what matters . ''
The Panthers officially placed Kuechly on the reserve/retired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision to place him on the retired list after June 1 allows the team to spread his dead cap hit over the next two seasons .
Kuechly , 29 , announced his retirement in mid-January , walking away from football after eight seasons in the league .
The standout linebacker cited injury concerns and his inability to play the game with strength , speed and physicality .
The Panthers selected Kuechly with the No .
9 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft out of Boston College .
The seven-time All-Pro choice led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2014 ) and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 .
Since Kuechly 's retirement , the Panthers have signed linebacker Tahir Whitehead and added several undrafted free agents at the position .

Former Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly is joining the team's front office as a pro scout. File Photo by Nell Redmond/UPI | License Photo
June 4 (UPI) -- Retired All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly has joined the Carolina Panthers' front office as a pro scout, the team announced Thursday. Kuechly, who played eight seasons with the franchise, told the Panthers' official website that he was also considering a career in broadcasting or coaching. Instead, he will move into the scouting role with his former team. Advertisement
"During the season, it'll be player evaluation and then advance scouting stuff," Kuechly said Thursday. "So if we play a team next week, we've got to get everything set up and ready to go, so when the coaches come in on Monday, they're not starting from square one.
"I've never really done anything like this, so I'm just going to take it a day at a time and see what I think. I think it'll be fun. It's still going to be football. It's still going to be around good people. That's what matters."
The Panthers officially placed Kuechly on the reserve/retired list earlier this week. Carolina's decision to place him on the retired list after June 1 allows the team to spread his dead cap hit over the next two seasons.
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Kuechly, 29, announced his retirement in mid-January, walking away from football after eight seasons in the league. The standout linebacker cited injury concerns and his inability to play the game with strength, speed and physicality.
Kuechly, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, suffered multiple documented concussions during his NFL career.
The Panthers selected Kuechly with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft out of Boston College. The seven-time All-Pro choice led the league in tackles twice (2012, 2014) and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.
Since Kuechly's retirement, the Panthers have signed linebacker Tahir Whitehead and added several undrafted free agents at the position.


upi--2020-06-04--George Floyd remembered as a 'powerful man' during Minneapolis memorial

June 4 ( UPI ) -- George Floyd 's family praised him as a `` powerful man '' who `` would stand up for injustice anywhere '' during his memorial Thursday in Minneapolis .
The service , which was broadcast on television and live streamed online , began at 1 p.m. at the North Central University sanctuary .
George Floyd 's brother , Philonise Floyd , described his brother as `` powerful , '' and said he `` had a way with words . ''
`` Guys that was doing drugs , smokers and homeless people -- you could n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they felt ... like they were the president , because that is how he made you feel .
`` Every day , he walks outside , there 'd be a line of people , just like when we came in , wanting to greet him and wanting to have fun with him . ''
His younger brother , Rodney Floyd , said George Floyd taught him how to be a man .
George Floyd `` was doing the best that he can and the mistakes that he made and watching him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And learning from him how to be a man . ''
He `` would stand up for injustice anywhere . ''
The Rev .
Al Sharpton and Ben Crump , the civil rights attorney representing Floyd 's family , also eulogized George Floyd .
Crump compared the national attention placed on George Floyd 's death to that of the coronavirus pandemic .
`` It was not the coronavirus pandemic that killed George Floyd .
I want to make it clear on the record .
The other pandemic that we 're far too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of racism and discrimination that killed George Floyd . ''
Sharpton said he `` did not die of common health conditions .
He died of a common American criminal justice malfunction . ''
He said the United States has kept its knee on the neck of black Americans for more than 400 years , invoking the image of the officer who kneeled on George Floyd 's neck , leading to his death .
`` We were smarter than the underfunded schools you put us in but you had your knee on our neck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hustle in the streets , but you had your knee on our neck .
We had creative skills , we could do whatever anybody else could do , but we could n't get your knee off our neck .
`` What happened to Floyd happens every day in this country , in education , in health services and in every area of American life .
It is time for us to stand up in George 's name and say 'get your knee off our necks , ' '' Sharpton said .
The famed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a march on Washington organized by the families of those grieving the deaths of loved ones , such as George Floyd , on Aug. 28 , the anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington when Martin Luther King , Jr. , gave his now-iconic `` I have a dream '' speech before the Lincoln memorial .
`` We 're going back this Aug. 28 , to restore and recommit that dream , '' he said .
`` To stand up , because just like at one era we had to fight slavery , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crow , another era we dealt with voting rights .
This is the era to deal with policing and criminal justice .
We need to go back to Washington and stand up -- black , white , Latino , Arab -- in the shadows of Lincoln and tell them this is the time to stop this . ''
Minneapolis police attempted to arrest George Floyd on May 25 after receiving a report that he 'd passed a counterfeit bill at a store .
He died after former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin kept his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several minutes .
Four officers involved in the arrest have been charged .
Crump tweeted Wednesday that Floyd 's family is relieved that the officers will be prosecuted .
`` This is a bittersweet moment for the family of George Floyd , '' he said .
`` We are deeply gratified that [ Minnesota ] Attorney General Keith Ellison took decisive action in this case , arresting and charging all the officers involved in George Floyd 's death and upgrading the charge against Derek Chauvin to felony second-degree murder . ''
Floyd 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , his hometown .

June 4 (UPI) -- George Floyd's family praised him as a "powerful man" who "would stand up for injustice anywhere" during his memorial Thursday in Minneapolis.
The service, which was broadcast on television and live streamed online, began at 1 p.m. at the North Central University sanctuary.
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George Floyd's brother, Philonise Floyd, described his brother as "powerful," and said he "had a way with words."
"Guys that was doing drugs, smokers and homeless people -- you couldn't tell because when you spoke to George, they felt ... like they were the president, because that is how he made you feel.
"Every day, he walks outside, there'd be a line of people, just like when we came in, wanting to greet him and wanting to have fun with him."
His younger brother, Rodney Floyd, said George Floyd taught him how to be a man.
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George Floyd "was doing the best that he can and the mistakes that he made and watching him, correcting myself as a teenager growing up. And learning from him how to be a man."
He "would stand up for injustice anywhere."
The Rev. Al Sharpton and Ben Crump, the civil rights attorney representing Floyd's family, also eulogized George Floyd.
Crump compared the national attention placed on George Floyd's death to that of the coronavirus pandemic.
"It was not the coronavirus pandemic that killed George Floyd. I want to make it clear on the record. The other pandemic that we're far too familiar with in America, the pandemic of racism and discrimination that killed George Floyd."
Sharpton said he "did not die of common health conditions. He died of a common American criminal justice malfunction."
He said the United States has kept its knee on the neck of black Americans for more than 400 years, invoking the image of the officer who kneeled on George Floyd's neck, leading to his death.
"We were smarter than the underfunded schools you put us in but you had your knee on our neck. We could run corporations and not hustle in the streets, but you had your knee on our neck. We had creative skills, we could do whatever anybody else could do, but we couldn't get your knee off our neck.
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"What happened to Floyd happens every day in this country, in education, in health services and in every area of American life. It is time for us to stand up in George's name and say 'get your knee off our necks,'" Sharpton said.
The famed civil rights activist then announced plans for a march on Washington organized by the families of those grieving the deaths of loved ones, such as George Floyd, on Aug. 28, the anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington when Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his now-iconic "I have a dream" speech before the Lincoln memorial.
"We're going back this Aug. 28, to restore and recommit that dream," he said. "To stand up, because just like at one era we had to fight slavery, another era we had to fight Jim Crow, another era we dealt with voting rights. This is the era to deal with policing and criminal justice. We need to go back to Washington and stand up -- black, white, Latino, Arab -- in the shadows of Lincoln and tell them this is the time to stop this."
Minneapolis police attempted to arrest George Floyd on May 25 after receiving a report that he'd passed a counterfeit bill at a store. He died after former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin kept his knee pressed down onto his neck for several minutes. Four officers involved in the arrest have been charged.
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Crump tweeted Wednesday that Floyd's family is relieved that the officers will be prosecuted.
"This is a bittersweet moment for the family of George Floyd," he said. "We are deeply gratified that [Minnesota] Attorney General Keith Ellison took decisive action in this case, arresting and charging all the officers involved in George Floyd's death and upgrading the charge against Derek Chauvin to felony second-degree murder."
Floyd's funeral is scheduled for Tuesday in Houston, his hometown.
Protesters demand justice in police killing of George Floyd


upi--2020-06-04--NHL, players association reach agreement on playoff format

June 4 ( UPI ) -- The NHL and the NHL Players Association agreed to a postseason format for the league 's 24-team return-to-play plan , the NHL announced Thursday .
Under the format , the qualifying round of the 24-team tournament will be best-of-five series and all four playoff rounds will be best-of-seven series .
The league and the players ' union also determined the tournament wo n't be bracketed but will be reseeded after each round .
The NHL and the NHLPA now must agree on health and safety protocols for games , and decide whether family members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The league and the union also must reach an overall agreement on resuming play .
The NHL announced its return-to-play plan May 26 , which will involve 24 teams competing for the Stanley Cup instead of the typical 16 clubs .
The league previously said the length of the first- and second-round series would be determined at a later date .
Under the plan , the top four seeds in each conference -- determined by the league standings when the regular season was halted in mid-March -- would earn byes through a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams seeded five through 12 .
The games will be played with playoff overtime rules .
Those play-in series would determine which teams advance to the traditional 16-team Stanley Cup tournament , which will now include seven-game series in every round .
The games would be held inside empty arenas at two undecided hub cities , where players , coaches and other staff will be housed during the restart .
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman previously said Chicago , Columbus , Dallas , Edmonton , Las Vegas , Los Angeles , Minneapolis , Pittsburgh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as hub cities .
Bettman noted that the decision on the hub cities and when the Stanley Cup playoffs will begin depends on COVID-19 conditions , government regulations and testing capabilities .
Meanwhile , the NHL on Thursday began transitioning to Phase 2 of its return-to-play plan , as teams will be allowed to reopen their training facilities in their respective cities Monday if local regulations allow it .
Phase 3 of the league 's plan is the reopening of training camps no later than July 1 .
Phase 4 is the return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The NHL paused its regular season in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic .

Capital One Arena, home to the NBA's Washington Wizards and the NHL's Washington Capitals, is quiet after the NHL announced March 12 that it will suspend the season due to the coronavirus pandemic. The NHL announced its return-to-play plan May 26. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
June 4 (UPI) -- The NHL and the NHL Players Association agreed to a postseason format for the league's 24-team return-to-play plan, the NHL announced Thursday. Under the format, the qualifying round of the 24-team tournament will be best-of-five series and all four playoff rounds will be best-of-seven series. The league and the players' union also determined the tournament won't be bracketed but will be reseeded after each round. Advertisement
The NHL and the NHLPA now must agree on health and safety protocols for games, and decide whether family members will be permitted to travel with players. The league and the union also must reach an overall agreement on resuming play.
The NHL announced its return-to-play plan May 26, which will involve 24 teams competing for the Stanley Cup instead of the typical 16 clubs. The league previously said the length of the first- and second-round series would be determined at a later date.
Under the plan, the top four seeds in each conference -- determined by the league standings when the regular season was halted in mid-March -- would earn byes through a qualifying round of best-of-five play-in series featuring teams seeded five through 12. The games will be played with playoff overtime rules.
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Those play-in series would determine which teams advance to the traditional 16-team Stanley Cup tournament, which will now include seven-game series in every round.
The @NHL has announced more details of the playoff format for the Return to Play Plan following approval by the League's Board of Governors and the @NHLPA. The agreement is subject to the NHL and NHLPA reaching an overall agreement on resuming play. https://t.co/KThKX88JBb pic.twitter.com/8GLKgYoYfN— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 4, 2020
The games would be held inside empty arenas at two undecided hub cities, where players, coaches and other staff will be housed during the restart. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman previously said Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Edmonton, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, Toronto and Vancouver are in consideration as hub cities.
Bettman noted that the decision on the hub cities and when the Stanley Cup playoffs will begin depends on COVID-19 conditions, government regulations and testing capabilities.
Meanwhile, the NHL on Thursday began transitioning to Phase 2 of its return-to-play plan, as teams will be allowed to reopen their training facilities in their respective cities Monday if local regulations allow it.
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Phase 3 of the league's plan is the reopening of training camps no later than July 1. Phase 4 is the return of competition in the two hub cities.
The NHL paused its regular season in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic.


upi--2020-06-05--NBA Players Association approves 22-team format to resume season

June 5 ( UPI ) -- NBA Players Association representatives approved the league 's 22-team format to finish the 2019-20 season , the NBPA announced Friday .
The NBA and the players ' union will work through additional details on the season 's resumption next week , but the two sides are moving forward with the plan .
`` The Board of Player Representatives of the National Basketball Players Association has approved further negotiations with the NBA on a 22-team return to play scenario to restart the 2019-20 NBA season , '' the NBPA said in a statement .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the acceptance of the scenario would still require that all parties reach agreement on all issues relevant to resuming play . ''
The NBA 's board of governors voted Thursday to approve the 22-team format , sending the vote to the NBPA for approval .
Teams approved the proposal by a 29-1 margin , with the Portland Trail Blazers voting against the plan .
Under the proposal , 13 Western Conference teams and nine Eastern Conference teams will play eight regular-season `` seeding '' games , a potential play-in tournament for the eighth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando , Fla .
The top 16 teams in the West and the East will be joined by teams currently within six games of the eighth seed in the two conferences -- the New Orleans Pelicans , Trail Blazers , San Antonio Spurs , Sacramento Kings , Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards .
The play-in tournament will include the No .
8 and No .
9 teams in the standings , if the ninth seed ends the regular season within four games of the eighth spot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would essentially be a best-of-two matchup , where the No .
9 seed would have to win twice to earn the final playoff berth , while the No .
8 seed would need to win once .
Teams will start training in Orlando beginning July 9-11 .
Under the plan , the season would resume at the end of July and the NBA Finals would take place in October .
The NBA also offered dates beyond the start and end of this season , with the draft lottery scheduled for Aug. 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the 2020-21 season likely starting Dec. 1 .
The league will have daily testing for the coronavirus at the Disney campus .
If a player tests positive for the virus , the league would remove that individual from the team to quarantine and continue to play .
The NBA suspended its season in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic .

The NBA and the players' union will work through additional details next week, but the two sides are moving forward with a plan to resume the 2019-20 season at the end of July. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 5 (UPI) -- NBA Players Association representatives approved the league's 22-team format to finish the 2019-20 season, the NBPA announced Friday. The NBA and the players' union will work through additional details on the season's resumption next week, but the two sides are moving forward with the plan. Advertisement
"The Board of Player Representatives of the National Basketball Players Association has approved further negotiations with the NBA on a 22-team return to play scenario to restart the 2019-20 NBA season," the NBPA said in a statement.
"Various details remain to be negotiated and the acceptance of the scenario would still require that all parties reach agreement on all issues relevant to resuming play."
The NBA's board of governors voted Thursday to approve the 22-team format, sending the vote to the NBPA for approval. Teams approved the proposal by a 29-1 margin, with the Portland Trail Blazers voting against the plan.
Under the proposal, 13 Western Conference teams and nine Eastern Conference teams will play eight regular-season "seeding" games, a potential play-in tournament for the eighth seeds in each conference and the postseason at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla.
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The top 16 teams in the West and the East will be joined by teams currently within six games of the eighth seed in the two conferences -- the New Orleans Pelicans, Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards.
The play-in tournament will include the No. 8 and No. 9 teams in the standings, if the ninth seed ends the regular season within four games of the eighth spot. If a play-in series occurs, it would essentially be a best-of-two matchup, where the No. 9 seed would have to win twice to earn the final playoff berth, while the No. 8 seed would need to win once.
Teams will start training in Orlando beginning July 9-11. Under the plan, the season would resume at the end of July and the NBA Finals would take place in October.
The NBA also offered dates beyond the start and end of this season, with the draft lottery scheduled for Aug. 25, the NBA Draft on Oct. 15 and the 2020-21 season likely starting Dec. 1.
The league will have daily testing for the coronavirus at the Disney campus. If a player tests positive for the virus, the league would remove that individual from the team to quarantine and continue to play.
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The NBA suspended its season in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic.


upi--2020-06-05--Czech prime minister accuses Russian diplomats of making up poisoning threat

June 5 ( UPI ) -- Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš expelled two Russian Embassy officials Friday , accusing the diplomats of inventing a plot to poison Czech politicians .
The premier accused the Russian officials of making up a story that a Russian diplomat brought a suitcase of ricin into the Czech Republic with a plan to poison three politicians , including Prague Mayor Zdeněk Hřib .
Hřib came under police protection in April in response to the alleged threat .
`` The entire case came to being as a result of internal feuding among workers at the embassy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them sent false information about a planned attack against Czech politicians to our counterintelligence service .
`` We are interested in having good relations with all countries , but we are a sovereign state and such actions are unacceptable on our territory . ''
The Russian Foreign Ministry said the Czech prime minister 's actions were `` dishonest and inappropriate . ''
`` The Czech authorities have done serious damage to the Russian-Czech relations , without any grounds , '' the ministry said in a statement .
`` Prague 's actions will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moreover they will be reckoned with while developing Russia 's policy towards the Czech Republic .
Such provocations should be answered for . ''

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said two Russian diplomats made up a story threatening to poison three Czech politicians, including the mayor of Prague. File Photo by Alex Edelman/UPI | License Photo
June 5 (UPI) -- Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš expelled two Russian Embassy officials Friday, accusing the diplomats of inventing a plot to poison Czech politicians. The premier accused the Russian officials of making up a story that a Russian diplomat brought a suitcase of ricin into the Czech Republic with a plan to poison three politicians, including Prague Mayor Zdeněk Hřib. Advertisement
Hřib came under police protection in April in response to the alleged threat.
"The entire case came to being as a result of internal feuding among workers at the embassy," Babiš said. "One of them sent false information about a planned attack against Czech politicians to our counterintelligence service.
"We are interested in having good relations with all countries, but we are a sovereign state and such actions are unacceptable on our territory."
The Russian Foreign Ministry said the Czech prime minister's actions were "dishonest and inappropriate."
"The Czech authorities have done serious damage to the Russian-Czech relations, without any grounds," the ministry said in a statement.
"Prague's actions will be followed by an adequate response, moreover they will be reckoned with while developing Russia's policy towards the Czech Republic. Such provocations should be answered for."


upi--2020-06-05--Roger Goodell: NFL was 'wrong,' should have listened to players about racism

June 5 ( UPI ) -- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement Friday and condemned racism , admitting the league was `` wrong '' for not listening to its players earlier about racial injustice .
`` It has been a difficult time for our country .
In particular , black people in our country , '' Goodell said in a video released on social media .
`` First , my condolences to the families of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , Ahmaud Arbery and all the families who have endured police brutality .
`` We , the National Football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oppression of black people .
We , the National Football League , admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier , and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest .
We , the National Football League , believe black lives matter .
I personally protest with you and wanted to be part of the much-needed change in this country . ''
Goodell 's statement comes after more than a dozen NFL stars , including Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the league about racial inequality following the death of George Floyd .
The NFL stars posted the video on their social media accounts Thursday .
The other players in the video were : Ezekiel Elliott , Saquon Barkley , Davante Adams , Jamal Adams , DeAndre Hopkins , Patrick Peterson , Deshaun Watson , Michael Thomas , Anthony Barr , Eric Kendricks , Marshon Lattimore , Sterling Shepard , Jarvis Landry , Chase Young , Stephon Gilmore and Tyrann Mathieu .
In the video , the players demanded the NFL say it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of black people .
... We , the National Football League , admit wrong in silencing our players from peacefully protesting .
... We , the National Football League , believe black lives matter . ''
On Friday , Goodell answered the players ' demands , adding that he will be reaching out to players who have previously raised their voices about racial inequality .
Racial injustice and police brutality were first brought to the NFL forefront in 2016 , when former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ awareness for those issues .
Kaepernick has n't played a snap in the league since parting ways with the 49ers in 2017 .
`` Without black players , there would be no National Football League , '' Goodell said .
`` And the protests around the country are emblematic of the centuries of silence , inequality and oppression of black players , coaches , fans and staff .
`` We are listening .
I am listening .
And I will be reaching out to players who have raised their voices and others on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a better and more united NFL family . ''
Floyd , a 46-year-old black man , died while in police custody last week in Minneapolis after Derek Chauvin , a white police officer , knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes .
His death sparked numerous protests across the United States and calls for racial equality .
Goodell released a statement about Floyd on Saturday .
In the league 's statement , the NFL said it was `` saddened by the tragic events across '' the country .
Many players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specificity .
The NFL released a second statement related to Floyd 's death before the players ' video was published Thursday night .
`` This is a time of self-reflection for all -- the NFL is no exception , '' the NFL said .
`` We stand with the black community because black lives matter . ''
The league also pledged to donate $ 20 million to support programs and initiatives around the country that `` address systemic racism . ''

In his statement Friday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell encouraged all players to speak out and peacefully protest. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
June 5 (UPI) -- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement Friday and condemned racism, admitting the league was "wrong" for not listening to its players earlier about racial injustice. "It has been a difficult time for our country. In particular, black people in our country," Goodell said in a video released on social media. "First, my condolences to the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and all the families who have endured police brutality. Advertisement
"We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people. We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier, and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest. We, the National Football League, believe black lives matter. I personally protest with you and wanted to be part of the much-needed change in this country."
Advertisement We, the NFL, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of Black People. We, the NFL, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest. We, the NFL, believe Black Lives Matter. #InspireChange pic.twitter.com/ENWQP8A0sv— NFL (@NFL) June 5, 2020
Goodell's statement comes after more than a dozen NFL stars, including Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., came together and sent a passionate video to the league about racial inequality following the death of George Floyd.
The NFL stars posted the video on their social media accounts Thursday. The other players in the video were: Ezekiel Elliott, Saquon Barkley, Davante Adams, Jamal Adams, DeAndre Hopkins, Patrick Peterson, Deshaun Watson, Michael Thomas, Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, Marshon Lattimore, Sterling Shepard, Jarvis Landry, Chase Young, Stephon Gilmore and Tyrann Mathieu.
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In the video, the players demanded the NFL say it condemns "racism and the systemic oppression of black people. ... We, the National Football League, admit wrong in silencing our players from peacefully protesting. ... We, the National Football League, believe black lives matter."
On Friday, Goodell answered the players' demands, adding that he will be reaching out to players who have previously raised their voices about racial inequality.
Racial injustice and police brutality were first brought to the NFL forefront in 2016, when former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem to peacefully protest and raise awareness for those issues. Kaepernick hasn't played a snap in the league since parting ways with the 49ers in 2017.
"Without black players, there would be no National Football League," Goodell said. "And the protests around the country are emblematic of the centuries of silence, inequality and oppression of black players, coaches, fans and staff.
"We are listening. I am listening. And I will be reaching out to players who have raised their voices and others on how we can improve and go forward for a better and more united NFL family."
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Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died while in police custody last week in Minneapolis after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes. His death sparked numerous protests across the United States and calls for racial equality.
Goodell released a statement about Floyd on Saturday. In the league's statement, the NFL said it was "saddened by the tragic events across" the country. Many players criticized the statement for a lack of specificity.
The NFL released a second statement related to Floyd's death before the players' video was published Thursday night.
"This is a time of self-reflection for all -- the NFL is no exception," the NFL said. "We stand with the black community because black lives matter."
The league also pledged to donate $20 million to support programs and initiatives around the country that "address systemic racism."


upi--2020-06-05--7 killed in mass shooting at Alabama residence

June 5 ( UPI ) -- A mass shooting at a home in Valhermoso Springs , Ala. , left seven people dead , including a 17-year-old girl , local law enforcement said Friday .
The shooting happened late Thursday in Morgan County , southwest of Huntsville .
When officials arrived , part of the home was on fire .
`` It is a horrific scene and to be able to process it will take some time , '' said Mike Swafford , Morgan County Sheriff 's Office public information officer .
`` We do n't have a motive at this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determined suspect at this time .
Investigators are following leads to piece together exactly what happened and who was involved .
We can say we do n't believe there is an active threat in the area . ''
Swafford told Al.com that investigators believe a suspect or suspects went to the residence with the plan to shoot the victims .
Some of the bodies had multiple gunshot wounds .
The MCSO identified the victims as Tammy England Muzzey , 45 ; Emily Brooke Payne , 21 ; Roger Lee Jones , 19 ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ William Zane Hodgin , 18 .
They declined to release the name of a 17-year-old woman and were working to identify a final victim , an adult male .

The shooting happened at a residence in Valhermoso Springs, Ala. Photo courtesy of the Morgan County Sheriff's Office
June 5 (UPI) -- A mass shooting at a home in Valhermoso Springs, Ala., left seven people dead, including a 17-year-old girl, local law enforcement said Friday. The shooting happened late Thursday in Morgan County, southwest of Huntsville. When officials arrived, part of the home was on fire. Advertisement
"It is a horrific scene and to be able to process it will take some time," said Mike Swafford, Morgan County Sheriff's Office public information officer.
"We don't have a motive at this time. We don't have a determined suspect at this time. Investigators are following leads to piece together exactly what happened and who was involved. We can say we don't believe there is an active threat in the area."
Swafford told Al.com that investigators believe a suspect or suspects went to the residence with the plan to shoot the victims. Some of the bodies had multiple gunshot wounds.
The MCSO identified the victims as Tammy England Muzzey, 45; Emily Brooke Payne, 21; Roger Lee Jones, 19; Jeramy Wade Roberts, 31; and William Zane Hodgin, 18. They declined to release the name of a 17-year-old woman and were working to identify a final victim, an adult male.
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upi--2020-06-05--Cristobal regains tropical storm strength, heading for U.S. Gulf Coast

June 5 ( UPI ) -- Cristobal strengthened into a tropical storm on Friday as it edged closer to the southern Gulf of Mexico .
By the afternoon , the storm had picked up speed and was traveling north at 13 mph with 40-mph sustained winds , according to the National Hurricane Center .
The movement comes a day after Cristobal had weakened to a depression as it nearly slowed to a halt while dumping rain on southern Mexico .
AccuWeather forecasters expect the system to continue to strengthen over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico before striking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States late Sunday into early Monday .
The storm was located 535 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River as of 4 p.m. CDT Friday .
Tropical storm warnings were in effect for east of Morgan City , La.
, to the Okaloosa/Walton County , Fla. , line ; from Punta Herrero to Rio Lagartos , Mexico ; Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas .
There was also a tropical storm watch in effect for Intracoastal City , La.
, to Morgan City .
There was a storm surge warning in effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Ocean Springs , Miss.
, and Lake Borgne .
A storm surge watch was in place for Indian Pass to Arepika , Fla. , and east of Morgan City , La.
, to the mouth of the Mississippi River .
The dangers of life-threatening flooding and mudslides there have persisted .
Cristobal , which stalled over southeastern Mexico , dumped up to 24 inches of rain in some areas as of early Friday .
The storm will continue to move north over the warm waters of the Gulf through this weekend .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ landfall over the central coast of Louisiana late Sunday or Sunday evening , '' Dan Kottlowski , AccuWeather 's top hurricane expert , said .
Some shift in the track of the storm is possible , especially after it begins to move north from Mexico this weekend due to how an area of high pressure over the southern United States interacts with it .
Places along the U.S. Gulf Coast could begin experiencing Cristobal 's sprawling outer bands well before the storm makes landfall .
`` As expected , interaction with the land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weaken and spend time as a tropical depression from Wednesday to Friday , '' Kottlowski said .
`` Now we are watching for the storm to strengthen more as it departs the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and moves back over warm water Friday night into Saturday . ''
Landfall as a strong tropical storm in the United States is most likely , but there is a chance that Cristobal reaches hurricane strength as it spends time over warm Gulf waters .
Sea surface temperatures were in the lower 80s across much of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threshold for sustaining tropical systems .
How quickly Cristobal gains strength while moving north off Mexico 's Yucatan Peninsula Friday night to Saturday may hold the key to intensity later on , meteorologists say .
If the storm fails to ramp up right away , then it may be a sign that the system may not regain strength .
But , if the storm rapidly organizes as it moves back over the warm water , then the risk of it becoming a hurricane prior to landfall will increase substantially .
`` We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may increase enough to allow dry air to wrap into the system over the weekend while over the Gulf of Mexico , and that could limit strengthening as well , '' Kottlowski said .
Wind shear is the increase in wind speed with height in the atmosphere .
Low wind shear can aid in tropical storm development and strengthening , but strong wind shear can cause a tropical system to weaken or limit its development .
Whether the storm makes landfall as a tropical storm or a Category 1 hurricane may matter little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 hurricane has maximum sustained winds of 74-95 mph .
A tropical storm has maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph .
`` We do not expect the slow movement of Barry from last year and the 24 inches of rain it delivered along the central Gulf Coast , '' Kottlowski said , referring to a short-lived hurricane that stuck the Gulf Coast in July of 2019 and triggered widespread flooding .
`` But even rainfall of 6-12 inches ... can be enough to cause some serious localized flooding problems along and east of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Flooding could occur even in areas that have experienced a rainfall deficit for the year .
Portions of the central Gulf Coast are experiencing moderate to severe drought .
Mobile , Ala. , has picked up 20.52 inches of rainfall since the start of 2020 , about 7 inches below normal for the year to date or 74 percent of normal .
As the storm strengthens over the weekend , winds will increase throughout the Gulf of Mexico , but especially in shoreline areas from Louisiana eastward to the Florida Panhandle and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peninsula .
A storm surge up to 6 feet above ground is possible near and just east of where the storm makes landfall .
`` The increasing winds will lead to an increase in coastal flooding with a building storm surge , well ahead of the center beginning on Saturday , '' Kottlowski said .
AccuWeather is expecting a storm surge of 3-6 feet near and just east of where the center makes landfall along the upper Gulf coast .
`` Evacuation orders are generally issued by government officials where the storm surge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher , '' Kottlowski said .
`` So we expect some evacuations with this but it is a matter of where the National Hurricane Center forecasts that level of storm surge . ''
Because of the sprawled out nature of Cristobal , impacts will begin well ahead of the storm center .
Rip currents will increase in strength and number along much of the U.S. Gulf coast this weekend .
`` Tropical storm-force winds could extend outward to 200 miles from the center of the storm , especially on the eastern and northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from coastal areas of the western part of the Florida Panhandle through the Louisiana coast , '' Kottlowski said .
`` Residents along the upper and eastern Gulf coast will need to take action to prepare for the arrival of tropical storm-force winds and building storm surge from Cristobal by Sunday morning , '' he added .
Sustained winds of 50-60 mph are forecast with gusts to 70 mph near and just east of where the center makes landfall .
However , large spiral bands from the storm can bring strong gusts well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of heavy rain and winds that cause a storm surge might be enough to lead to some flooding in New Orleans .
The city 's levee system has been significantly upgraded since the Hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005 , but storm water pumps failed to handle a torrential downpour that brought 7 inches of rain in six hours in July 2019 and led to flooding in the city .
Depending on exactly where the bands of heavy rain set up and linger , street flooding in the city is anticipated from Cristobal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the west coast of the Florida Panhandle are urged to closely monitor the progress of Cristobal .
`` The worst of the conditions from Cristobal will end up being on one side of the storm versus the other , '' AccuWeather chief on-air meteorologist Bernie Rayno said , adding that most of the showers and thunderstorms will be skewed toward the eastern side of the system .
As Cristobal approaches the upper Gulf coast , areas near and to the east of the storm center may be at risk for tornadoes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ size and dry air sweeping up from the southwest could be enough to cause rotating thunderstorms to ignite , with the potential for tornadoes to touch down , from late Sunday through Monday .
The severe thunderstorms would tend to develop in the spiral bands that extend outward from the storm .
For ultimate safety , small craft along the Gulf coast should remain in port this weekend due to the likelihood of a strengthening of a large tropical storm .
Petroleum interests may need to take precautionary measures .
Some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down due to the ongoing glut of fuel .
In contrast , due in part to the lopsided nature of the storm and the further flow of dry air into the storm this weekend , rainfall will trail off dramatically west of the storm track .
Impact on areas near and southwest of Houston may be limited to breezy conditions with surging temperatures and rip currents on the beaches .
Beyond this weekend , Cristobal is forecast to move inland over the lower Mississippi Valley next week .
An area of heavy rain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storm moves north and evolves into a tropical rainstorm .
Problems from Cristobal could even continue as far away as the Upper Midwest in terms of flooding rain , strong wind gusts and severe thunderstorms as the tropical storm transitions further into more of a continental storm .
The main rice growing area in the United States is in the Mississippi Delta crop belt .
About 65 percent of the total U.S. rice crop is grown there , with 40 percent of the U.S. crop grown in Arkansas alone .
Therefore , any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rice crop , especially since the crop has just emerged .
AccuWeather is forecasting a busy tropical season in the Atlantic with 14 to 20 tropical storms , including seven to 11 which could strengthen further into hurricanes .
Four to six major hurricanes -- Category 3 or higher -- are predicted .
However , the 2020 season has already set a record .
Cristobal became the earliest third named tropical storm on record in the basin when it was named on June 2 .
The storm beat the previous record which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 5 .

Tropical Depression Cristobal is seen over Louisiana on Monday afternoon about a day after making landfall. Image courtesy NOAA
June 8 (UPI) -- Tropical Storm Cristobal weakened to a tropical depression early Monday hours after it arrived on shore on the Gulf Coast, lashed the Louisiana shoreline and unleashed heavy rains as far east as Florida's western coast. The National Hurricane Center said in its 10 a.m. Monday update that the storm's center is about 15 miles east of Monroe, La., and had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. Advertisement
After lashing the central Gulf Coast with tropical downpours, tropical-storm-force winds and coastal flooding over the weekend, Cristobal will race northward along the Mississippi Valley and into Great Lakes into the middle of the week.
AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys said the storm will interact with the cold front moving across the Plains, allowing it to pick up speed. Cristobal made landfall in the southeastern part of Louisiana Sunday.
The storm has gradually lost intensity, weakening to a tropical depression early Monday morning.
"Even though Cristobal will lose its tightly wound wind field, as it transitions to a rainstorm, strong winds can still occur over a broad area," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
This will be due in part to Cristobal's circulation getting caught up in a non-tropical storm set to eject out of the Rockies early this week. As these system's interact and perhaps merge, winds will become strong over a broad area of the Midwest and Great Lakes region.
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As Cristobal moves inland, conditions will begin to gradually improve along the Louisiana coast, as areas of heavier rain and thunderstorms drench Arkansas into Monday night.
Cristobal will continue to pick up forward speed on Tuesday and downpours are expected to spread from Missouri to Wisconsin and Minnesota. By Tuesday night, rain will cross the Canadian border and spread across parts of southern Ontario.
According to AccuWeather Meteorologist Courtney Travis, this amount of rain could cause creeks and streams across the Midwest to rise. However, more widespread river flooding may develop in the lower Mississippi Valley later this week or this weekend as runoff slowly flows downstream.
Otherwise, Cristobal will threaten areas of flash flooding, especially in low-lying and poor drainage areas.
In addition to the risk of flooding, there will be the potential for isolated tornadoes to be spawned where heavy thunderstorms erupt to the east of Cristobal's circulation.


upi--2020-06-05--Michael Jordan, Jordan Brand pledge $100M to promote racial equality

June 5 ( UPI ) -- NBA legend Michael Jordan 's Jordan Brand has pledged $ 100 million over the next 10 years to organizations across the country that are `` dedicated to ensuring racial equality , social justice and greater access to education . ''
`` The Jordan Brand is us , the black community , '' read a joint statement from Jordan and his company , which is a subsidiary of Nike .
`` Jordan Brand is more than one man .
It has always been a family .
We represent a proud family that has overcome obstacles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that works every day to erase the stain of racism and the damage of injustice .
`` Black lives matter .
This is n't a controversial statement .
Until the ingrained racism that allows our country 's institutions to fail is completely eradicated , we will remain committed to protecting and improving the lives of black people . ''
In the statement , Jordan Brand said it will increase its work in communities across the United States to provide financial support and access to education , while also taking on a larger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact policy change in local government .
`` We must join forces with the community , government and civic leaders to create a lasting impact together , '' Jordan Brand president Craig Williams said Friday .
`` There is still more work for us to do to drive real impact for the black community .
We embrace the responsibility . ''
The Jordan Brand 's pledge came hours after Nike announced its own $ 40 million commitment over the next four years to support the black community in the U.S .
The commitment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jordan and Converse brands collectively , will be `` focused on investing in and supporting organizations that put social justice , education and addressing racial inequality in America at the center of their work . ''
`` Systemic racism and the events that have unfolded across America over the past few weeks serve as an urgent reminder of the continued change needed in our society , '' Nike president and CEO John Donahoe said in a statement Friday .
Nike previously revealed a `` For Once , Do n't Do It '' video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd , a 46-year-old black man who died while in police custody last week in Minneapolis after police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes .
Four police officers were fired because of the incident , and Chauvin was initially charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for pinning Floyd to the ground , an action that was caught on a widely viewed video .
On Wednesday , Minnesota authorities escalated the murder charge against Chauvin to second degree and levied charges against the other three officers involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Jordan Brand , which launched in 1997 during Jordan 's final season with the Chicago Bulls , has a history of philanthropy .
Since 2015 , its Wings Scholars Program has provided college scholarships to more than 1,800 students from disadvantaged backgrounds in North America and China .
Over the past year , the company has promoted a `` Unite '' campaign , which is centered around celebrating global backgrounds and connectivity through sports .

NBA legend Michael Jordan's pledge came hours after Nike announced its own "Commitment to the Black Community" initiative, an additional $40 million pledge to communities from the Nike, Jordan and Converse brands over the next four years. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo
June 5 (UPI) -- NBA legend Michael Jordan's Jordan Brand has pledged $100 million over the next 10 years to organizations across the country that are "dedicated to ensuring racial equality, social justice and greater access to education." "The Jordan Brand is us, the black community," read a joint statement from Jordan and his company, which is a subsidiary of Nike. "Jordan Brand is more than one man. It has always been a family. We represent a proud family that has overcome obstacles, fought against discrimination in communities worldwide and that works every day to erase the stain of racism and the damage of injustice. Advertisement
"Black lives matter. This isn't a controversial statement. Until the ingrained racism that allows our country's institutions to fail is completely eradicated, we will remain committed to protecting and improving the lives of black people."
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In the statement, Jordan Brand said it will increase its work in communities across the United States to provide financial support and access to education, while also taking on a larger role in supporting organizations that work to impact policy change in local government.
"We must join forces with the community, government and civic leaders to create a lasting impact together," Jordan Brand president Craig Williams said Friday. "There is still more work for us to do to drive real impact for the black community. We embrace the responsibility."
The Jordan Brand's pledge came hours after Nike announced its own $40 million commitment over the next four years to support the black community in the U.S.
The commitment, on behalf of the Nike, Jordan and Converse brands collectively, will be "focused on investing in and supporting organizations that put social justice, education and addressing racial inequality in America at the center of their work."
"Systemic racism and the events that have unfolded across America over the past few weeks serve as an urgent reminder of the continued change needed in our society," Nike president and CEO John Donahoe said in a statement Friday.
Advertisement Black lives matter. This isn't a controversial statement. We are you. We are a family. We are a community. pic.twitter.com/cGH8bJl1GQ— Jordan (@Jumpman23) June 5, 2020
Nike previously revealed a "For Once, Don't Do It" video four days after the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who died while in police custody last week in Minneapolis after police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes.
Four police officers were fired because of the incident, and Chauvin was initially charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for pinning Floyd to the ground, an action that was caught on a widely viewed video.
On Wednesday, Minnesota authorities escalated the murder charge against Chauvin to second degree and levied charges against the other three officers involved in the arrest and death of Floyd.
Jordan Brand, which launched in 1997 during Jordan's final season with the Chicago Bulls, has a history of philanthropy. Since 2015, its Wings Scholars Program has provided college scholarships to more than 1,800 students from disadvantaged backgrounds in North America and China.
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Over the past year, the company has promoted a "Unite" campaign, which is centered around celebrating global backgrounds and connectivity through sports.


upi--2020-06-05--U.N.-backed Libyan government retakes Tarhuna; 106 bodies found in hospital

June 5 ( UPI ) -- Libya 's internationally backed government on Friday said it took full control of the city of Tarhuna , the last stronghold of rebel commander Khalifa Haftar in the country 's west .
Tarhuna , a town located about 40 miles southeast of the capital of Tripoli , was a major supply line for Haftar 's militias from al-Jufra airbase in central Libya .
The capture came one day after the so-called Government of National Accord -- the U.N.-backed government of Libya -- said it drove out the remaining rebel fighters from Tripoli .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no resistance is seen from Haftar 's militias after their withdrawal from there , '' Mustafa al-Majei , a spokesman for the Volcano of Rage Operation told Turkey 's Anadolu Agency .
A written statement by the military operation said that after retaking the city , government forces discovered 106 bodies in a hospital .
Officials said the bodies , which included women and children , appeared to have been executed .
Health Ministry spokesman Amin al-Hashemi said most of the bodies showed signs of torture .
He said the deaths violated international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition to Tarhuna , government forces also took control of al-Urban district , south of the city of Gharyan .
Haftar , which started an offensive to capture Tripoli last spring , is backed by Russia , Egypt and the United Arab Emirates .
Both sides have blamed each other for the failure of past ceasefire attempts .
The GNA currently controls western Libya while Haftar 's fighters are in control of the oil-rich eastern portion of Libya .
Libya , one of the world 's top oil producers , has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longtime ruler Moammar Gadhafi died .

Fighters loyal to the United Nations-recognized Libyan Government of National Accord pose for a photo after the area was taken over by GNA-aligned forces following clashes with rival troops loyal to rebel leader Khalifa Haftar amid the ongoing Second Libyan Civil War in the town of Tarhuna on Friday. Photo courtesy of Stringer/EPA-EFE
June 5 (UPI) -- Libya's internationally backed government on Friday said it took full control of the city of Tarhuna, the last stronghold of rebel commander Khalifa Haftar in the country's west. Tarhuna, a town located about 40 miles southeast of the capital of Tripoli, was a major supply line for Haftar's militias from al-Jufra airbase in central Libya. Advertisement
The capture came one day after the so-called Government of National Accord -- the U.N.-backed government of Libya -- said it drove out the remaining rebel fighters from Tripoli.
"Our forces are combing the city as no resistance is seen from Haftar's militias after their withdrawal from there," Mustafa al-Majei, a spokesman for the Volcano of Rage Operation told Turkey's Anadolu Agency.
A written statement by the military operation said that after retaking the city, government forces discovered 106 bodies in a hospital. Officials said the bodies, which included women and children, appeared to have been executed.
Health Ministry spokesman Amin al-Hashemi said most of the bodies showed signs of torture. He said the deaths violated international laws and were considered war crimes.
In addition to Tarhuna, government forces also took control of al-Urban district, south of the city of Gharyan.
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Haftar, which started an offensive to capture Tripoli last spring, is backed by Russia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
Both sides have blamed each other for the failure of past ceasefire attempts. The GNA currently controls western Libya while Haftar's fighters are in control of the oil-rich eastern portion of Libya.
Libya, one of the world's top oil producers, has been bogged down in violence since 2011 after longtime ruler Moammar Gadhafi died.


upi--2020-06-05--French forces kill leader of al-Qaida in North Africa

June 5 ( UPI ) -- French forces killed Abdelmalek Droukdel , the leader of al-Qaida in North Africa , @ @ @ @ @ said Friday .
Defense Minister Florence Parly said French armed forces killed Dourkdal and `` @ @ @ @ @ '' during an operation Wednesday in Mali .
In addition to al-Qaida in the Islamic @ @ @ @ @ led Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin , a Sahel-based group that swore allegiance to al-Qaida @ @ @ @ @ announced that French forces also captured Mohamed el Mrabat , a leader of the Islamic @ @ @ @ @ on May 19 .
`` I congratulate and thank all those who have enabled and @ @ @ @ @ , '' Parly said .

June 5 (UPI) -- French forces killed Abdelmalek Droukdel, the leader of al-Qaida in North Africa, France's Ministry of Defense said Friday.
Defense Minister Florence Parly said French armed forces killed Dourkdal and "several of his close collaborators" during an operation Wednesday in Mali.
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In addition to al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, she said Dourkdal led Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin, a Sahel-based group that swore allegiance to al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.
Parly announced that French forces also captured Mohamed el Mrabat, a leader of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara on May 19.
"I congratulate and thank all those who have enabled and carried out these daring operations," Parly said.


upi--2020-06-05--GAO: New presidential helicopters need better communications system

June 5 ( UPI ) -- The program to replace the presidential helicopter has been delayed to address communications-related issues , a Government Accountability Office report said .
The GAO 's Defense Acquisitions Annual Assessment , released this week , notes that the mission communications system of the U.S.Navy 's Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program requires `` more time to address MCS-related challenges . ''
It said that the system , not in use in any other military aircraft , had `` performance shortfalls , some of which led to inconsistent and unreliable communications '' during testing .
`` The program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helicopters ] by three months to January 2021 , in part to provide more time to address MCS-related challenges , '' the report said .
`` The MCS-upgraded software 's effectiveness remains an area of concern . ''
The plan calls for 23 VH-92A helicopters , made by Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. , to replace the fleet of aging VH-3D and MH-60N helicopters .
The aircraft are operated by the U.S. Marine Corps to transport the president and other officials .
The VH-92A also `` has yet to demonstrate that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House South Lawn without causing damage , '' the report said .
`` Heat from the auxiliary power unit and/or engine exhaust continue to damage the lawn under certain conditions . ''
Aircraft design and lawn surface treatments are under review , the report adds .
The White House helicopter program is part of a 241-page GAO review of 121 Defense Department acquisition programs , which total $ 1.86 trillion in cost .
That figure is a four percent increase over the previous year and includes 15 major information technology investments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The replacement of helicopters used by the President of the United States has been delayed to January 2021 to address onboard communications issues, a General Accountability Office report said this week. Photo by Hunter Helis/U.S. Marine Corps
June 5 (UPI) -- The program to replace the presidential helicopter has been delayed to address communications-related issues, a Government Accountability Office report said. The GAO's Defense Acquisitions Annual Assessment, released this week, notes that the mission communications system of the U.S.Navy's Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program requires "more time to address MCS-related challenges." Advertisement
It said that the system, not in use in any other military aircraft, had "performance shortfalls, some of which led to inconsistent and unreliable communications" during testing.
"The program has delayed initial fielding [of the helicopters] by three months to January 2021, in part to provide more time to address MCS-related challenges," the report said. "The MCS-upgraded software's effectiveness remains an area of concern."
The plan calls for 23 VH-92A helicopters, made by Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., to replace the fleet of aging VH-3D and MH-60N helicopters. The aircraft are operated by the U.S. Marine Corps to transport the president and other officials.
The VH-92A also "has yet to demonstrate that it can meet the requirement to land on the White House South Lawn without causing damage," the report said. "Heat from the auxiliary power unit and/or engine exhaust continue to damage the lawn under certain conditions."
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Aircraft design and lawn surface treatments are under review, the report adds.
The White House helicopter program is part of a 241-page GAO review of 121 Defense Department acquisition programs, which total $1.86 trillion in cost. That figure is a four percent increase over the previous year and includes 15 major information technology investments at a cost of $15.1 billion.