upi--2020-05-16--Watch live: Obama gives 2 commencement addresses Saturday

May 16 ( UPI ) -- Former President Barack Obama is set to give two virtual commence addresses Saturday , celebrating the 2020 graduates unable to walk across the stage due to the coronavirus .
`` Even if half this semester was spent at Zoom University , you 've earned this moment .
You should be very proud , '' Obama said during the first of two addresses , the first of which took place at 2 p.m. EDT as Chase 's `` Show Me Your Walk HBCU Edition , '' a celebration specifically for the more than 27,000 graduates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The streaming event honored students 78 schools and will feature the participation of more than a dozen black leaders , sports figures , musicians and business people .
Comedian Kevin Hart hosted .
Obama 's speech referenced the current pandemic and recession , as well as the February shooting of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia .
He referenced the disproportionate impact coronavirus has had on black communities , exposing existing inequities in society .
He also called on the new generation of graduates to step up and help .
`` More than anything , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back the curtain on the idea that the people in charge know what they 're doing .
A lot of them are n't even pretending to be in charge .
It 's up to you to make things better , '' Obama said .
He closed his address with three pieces of advice for graduates .
He urged them to ground themselves with `` real people '' and grassroots movements rather than engaging solely in online activism .
find allies in common cause .
Finally , he said , as HBCU graduates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whether you like it or not . ''
Graduates ' inactions -- or inactions -- will speak volumes .
`` You 're the folks we 've been waiting for to come along . ''
In addition to Obama , comedian/actor Steve Harvey , Chase Consumer Banking CEO Thasunda Brown Duckett , National Urban League President Marc Morial , NBA stars Chris Paul and Vince Carter , and actors Debbie Allen and Vivica Fox participated .
Musicians Anthony Hamilton , Wyclef Jean and Doug E. Fresh also performed .
Later Saturday , Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : America Honors the Class of 2020 , '' which will air on more than 20 broadcast and cable networks , and streaming platforms .
The event is a collaboration between The LeBron James Family Foundation , The Entertainment Industry Foundation and XQ Institute .
The 1-hour event will feature remarks by Obama , LeBron James , the Jonas Brothers , Zendaya , Malala Yousafzai , Pharrell Williams , Olivia Wilde , Ben Platt , Megan Rapinoe , Yara Shahidi and Lena Waithe .
The latter event begins at 8 p.m. EDT , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of content beginning at 7 p.m. EDT .

Former President Barack Obama presented a virtual commencement address to graduates of historically black colleges Saturday, the first of two such addresses delivered Satureday, Image via Chase/ YouTube
May 16 (UPI) -- Former President Barack Obama criticized the Trump administration's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, saying "folks in charge don't always know what they're doing," during two virtual commencements. On Saturday, the 44th president first spoke during a ceremony for historically black colleges and universities in the afternoon, then during the "Graduate Together" special hosted by NBA star LeBron James. Advertisement
He criticized the current administration without name his successor, President Donald Trump.
"You know, all those adults that you used to think were in charge and knew what they were doing, turns out they don't have all the answers," he said during the latter event. "A lot of them aren't even asking the right questions."
At the other event he said: "This pandemic has fully, finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they're doing. A lot of them aren't even pretending to be in charge. If the world is going to get better, it's going to be up to you," he added.
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Chase's "Show Me Your Walk HBCU Edition" was a celebration specifically for the more than 27,000 graduates of historically black colleges and universities.
"Even if half this semester was spent at Zoom University, you've earned this moment. You should be very proud," Obama said.
The streaming event honored students 78 schools and featured the participation of more than a dozen black leaders, sports figures, musicians and business people. Comedian Kevin Hart hosted.
Obama's speech also referenced the February shooting of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia.
He referenced the disproportionate impact coronavirus has had on black communities, exposing existing inequities in society.
He also called on the new generation of graduates to step up and help.
"More than anything, this pandemic is fully, finally pulling back the curtain on the idea that the people in charge know what they're doing. A lot of them aren't even pretending to be in charge. It's up to you to make things better," Obama said.
He closed his address with three pieces of advice for graduates.
He urged them to ground themselves with "real people" and grassroots movements rather than engaging solely in online activism. find allies in common cause.
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Finally, he said, as HBCU graduates, "You're all role models now, whether you like it or not." Graduates' inactions -- or inactions -- will speak volumes.
"You're the folks we've been waiting for to come along."
In addition to Obama, comedian/actor Steve Harvey, Chase Consumer Banking CEO Thasunda Brown Duckett, National Urban League President Marc Morial, NBA stars Chris Paul and Vince Carter, and actors Debbie Allen and Vivica Fox participated. Musicians Anthony Hamilton, Wyclef Jean and Doug E. Fresh also performed.
The Saturday night speech aired on more than 20 broadcast and cable networks, and streaming platforms. The event was collaboration with The LeBron James Family Foundation, The Entertainment Industry Foundation and XQ Institute.
The 1-hour event featured remarks by Obama, James, the Jonas Brothers, Zendaya, Malala Yousafzai, Pharrell Williams, Olivia Wilde, Ben Platt, Megan Rapinoe, Yara Shahidi and Lena Waithe.
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Education goes remote during pandemic


upi--2020-05-16--Rep. Justin Amash decides not to run for president as third-party candidate

May 16 ( UPI ) -- U.S. Rep. Justin Amash said Saturday he wo n't run as a third-party presidential candidate after announcing late last month that he had launched a committee to explore doing so .
Amash , a former Republican-turned-Independent , announced April 28 that he would launch a committee to explore running for president as a Libertarian candidate .
In a series of tweets Saturday , he announced the change in plans .
`` I spent nearly three weeks assessing the race , appearing in media , talking to delegates and donors , watching the Libertarian Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feedback from family , friends , and other advisers , '' Amash tweeted .
`` After much reflection , I 've concluded that circumstances do n't lend themselves to my success as a candidate for president this year , and therefore I will not be a candidate . ''
Amash stopped actively campaigning for his seat representing Michigan in the House in February as he considered the presidential run .
Last year Amash was the first of his party to join Democrats call for an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republican Party .
Most Americans `` do not feel well represented by either of the two parties , '' he wrote in a Washington Post Op-ed at the time .

U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, I-Mich., said Saturday he won't seek a third-party presidential run. Photo courtesy of U.S. House of Representatives
May 16 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Justin Amash said Saturday he won't run as a third-party presidential candidate after announcing late last month that he had launched a committee to explore doing so. Amash, a former Republican-turned-Independent, announced April 28 that he would launch a committee to explore running for president as a Libertarian candidate. Advertisement
In a series of tweets Saturday, he announced the change in plans.
"I spent nearly three weeks assessing the race, appearing in media, talking to delegates and donors, watching the Libertarian Party's convention plan unfold, and gathering feedback from family, friends, and other advisers," Amash tweeted. "After much reflection, I've concluded that circumstances don't lend themselves to my success as a candidate for president this year, and therefore I will not be a candidate."
Amash stopped actively campaigning for his seat representing Michigan in the House in February as he considered the presidential run.
Last year Amash was the first of his party to join Democrats call for an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, and in July he announced his exit from the Republican Party. Most Americans "do not feel well represented by either of the two parties," he wrote in a Washington Post Op-ed at the time.


Notable deaths of 2020

Jerry Stiller is interviewed at the Family Television Awards in Beverly Hills , Calif. , on November 30 , 2005 @ @ @ @ @ , known for his roles in `` Seinfeld '' and `` The King of Queens @ @ @ @ @ 11 , 2020 at the age of 92 .
Photo by Phil McCarten/UPI

Dawn Wells
Dawn Wells poses with the original, fully restored S.S. Minnow from "Gilligan's Island" to meet and greet fans and visitors at the Vancouver International Boat Show in Vancouver on January 23, 2014. Best known for her role as Mary Ann from "Gilligan's Island," Wells died of COVID-19 on December 30 at the age of 82. Photo by Heinz Ruckemann/UPI


upi--2020-05-16--'Everybody Loves Raymond, 'Best in Show' alum Fred Willard dead at 86

May 16 ( UPI ) -- Modern Family and Everybody Loves Raymond actor Fred Willard has died , his family said Saturday .
He was 86 .
`` My father passed away very peacefully last night at the fantastic age of 86 years old .
He kept moving , working and making us happy until the very end , '' his daughter Hope told People.com in a statement .
`` We loved him so very much ! ''
No cause of death was specified .
The former Real People host was best known for his roles in filmmaker Christopher Guest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Best in Show , A Mighty Wind , Waiting for Guffman and This is Spinal Tap .
His TV and film credits date back to the 1960s and include Silver Streak , Roxanne , Permanent Midnight , Austin Powers : The Spy Who Shagged Me , The Wedding Planner , the Anchorman movies , The Bob Newhart Show , Get Smart and Love , American Style .
`` How lucky that we all got to enjoy Fred Willard 's gifts .
He is with his missed Mary now .
Thanks for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actress Jamie Lee Curtis -- Guest 's wife -- tweeted .
Filmmaker Judd Apatow posted on Twitter : `` Fred Willard could not have been funnier .
He was pure joy .
And the sweetest person you could ever meet . ''
`` There was no man sweeter or funnier .
We were so lucky to know Fred Willard and will miss his many visits , '' talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel wrote .
`` Fred Willard was the funniest person that I 've ever worked with .
He was a sweet , wonderful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

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Fred Willard has died at age 86. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
May 16 (UPI) -- Modern Family and Everybody Loves Raymond actor Fred Willard has died, his family said Saturday. He was 86. "My father passed away very peacefully last night at the fantastic age of 86 years old. He kept moving, working and making us happy until the very end," his daughter Hope told People.com in a statement. "We loved him so very much!" Advertisement
No cause of death was specified.
The former Real People host was best known for his roles in filmmaker Christopher Guest's mockumentaries, including For Your Consideration, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, Waiting for Guffman and This is Spinal Tap.
His TV and film credits date back to the 1960s and include Silver Streak, Roxanne, Permanent Midnight, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, The Wedding Planner, the Anchorman movies, The Bob Newhart Show, Get Smart and Love, American Style.
"How lucky that we all got to enjoy Fred Willard's gifts. He is with his missed Mary now. Thanks for the deep belly laughs Mr. Willard," actress Jamie Lee Curtis -- Guest's wife -- tweeted.
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Mary, Willard's wife of 50 years, died in 2018.
How lucky that we all got to enjoy Fred Willard's gifts. He is with his missed Mary now. Thanks for the deep belly laughs Mr. Willard. Best in Show (7/11) Movie CLIP - Judging the Hounds (2000) HD https://t.co/wPrbk9VjWI via @YouTube— Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) May 16, 2020
Filmmaker Judd Apatow posted on Twitter: "Fred Willard could not have been funnier. He was pure joy. And the sweetest person you could ever meet."
"There was no man sweeter or funnier. We were so lucky to know Fred Willard and will miss his many visits," talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel wrote.
"Fred Willard was the funniest person that I've ever worked with. He was a sweet, wonderful man," actor Steve Carell said.
Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-05-16--COVID-19: New York to reopen horse race tracks, Navajo Nation locks down

May 16 ( UPI ) -- New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday that horse racing tracks and the Watkins Glen International auto racing track would open June 1 for televised events with no stadium audience .
The number of new coronavirus cases reported Saturday in the state was 400 , compared to 437 reported Friday , Cuomo told reporters .
Despite a slowly declining number of new cases , the number of deaths remains `` stubborn , '' Cuomo said .
The number of new deaths reported Saturday was 157 , up from 132 reported Friday .
Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 52 in nursing homes , according to state data .
`` It 's interesting to look at the curve , how fast we went up and now how relatively slow the decline has been , '' Cuomo said .
`` Spike happens quickly , but resolves slowly . ''
A New York man was arrested in Hawaii on Friday after social media posts showed he 'd visited local beaches shortly after arriving in the state .
Tarique Peters , 23 , was arrested on charges of violating the mandatory 14-day quarantine rule and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In an effort to control the spread of the virus , the state now orders travelers to to self-quarantine for 14 days , without leaving their hotel room or residence , and to fill out a document acknowledging that violating the quarantine is a criminal offense punishable by a $ 5,000 fine and up to a year in prison .
Peters was booked into jail and his bail was set at $ 4,000 .
Also on Friday , the Navajo Nation began a 57-hour weekend lockdown , including the closure of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contain a coronavirus outbreak in the territory .
The Navajo Department of Health reported 108 new cases of COVID-19 in the Navajo Nation Friday .
As of Friday , the Navajo Nation has reported 3,740 total cases of the virus , with 127 deaths and 519 individuals who have recovered .
The government distributed food , water , clothing , protective masks and other essential items to 511 Navajo families in the 27,000-square-mile territory in advance of the lockdown , during which residents can only leave their homes for reasons of health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the sixth weekend of total lockdown in the Navajo Nation , but also the strictest , with restrictions expanding to include the closure of grocery stores and gas stations .
`` We should not see any travelers on the road except for first responders and essential employees .
Let 's do our part to flatten the curve and beat COVID-19 , '' said Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer .
The intensified lockdown comes as national parks , including the nearby Grand Canyon National Park , reopen for visitors .
Navajo Nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ park and have pleaded with the public to avoid visiting the landmark , and in particular to avoid traveling through reservation land to to do .

Horses work out on the track in the early morning at Belmont Park before the 151st running of the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, N.Y., in June 2019. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday that Belmont Park can reopen June 1 for races provided they are televised without audiences in the stands. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 16 (UPI) -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday that horse racing tracks and the Watkins Glen International auto racing track would open June 1 for televised events with no stadium audience. The number of new coronavirus cases reported Saturday in the state was 400, compared to 437 reported Friday, Cuomo told reporters. Advertisement
Despite a slowly declining number of new cases, the number of deaths remains "stubborn," Cuomo said.
The number of new deaths reported Saturday was 157, up from 132 reported Friday. Of those, 105 died in hospitals and 52 in nursing homes, according to state data.
"It's interesting to look at the curve, how fast we went up and now how relatively slow the decline has been," Cuomo said. "Spike happens quickly, but resolves slowly."
A New York man was arrested in Hawaii on Friday after social media posts showed he'd visited local beaches shortly after arriving in the state.
Tarique Peters, 23, was arrested on charges of violating the mandatory 14-day quarantine rule and unsworn falsification to authority, authorities said.
Hawaii has reported 638 coronavirus cases and 17 deaths.
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In an effort to control the spread of the virus, the state now orders travelers to to self-quarantine for 14 days, without leaving their hotel room or residence, and to fill out a document acknowledging that violating the quarantine is a criminal offense punishable by a $5,000 fine and up to a year in prison.
Peters was booked into jail and his bail was set at $4,000.
Also on Friday, the Navajo Nation began a 57-hour weekend lockdown, including the closure of all businesses to deter traveling in an effort to contain a coronavirus outbreak in the territory.
The Navajo Department of Health reported 108 new cases of COVID-19 in the Navajo Nation Friday.
As of Friday, the Navajo Nation has reported 3,740 total cases of the virus, with 127 deaths and 519 individuals who have recovered.
The government distributed food, water, clothing, protective masks and other essential items to 511 Navajo families in the 27,000-square-mile territory in advance of the lockdown, during which residents can only leave their homes for reasons of health, safety or medical emergencies.
This is the sixth weekend of total lockdown in the Navajo Nation, but also the strictest, with restrictions expanding to include the closure of grocery stores and gas stations.
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"We should not see any travelers on the road except for first responders and essential employees. Let's do our part to flatten the curve and beat COVID-19," said Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer.
The intensified lockdown comes as national parks, including the nearby Grand Canyon National Park, reopen for visitors.
Navajo Nation leaders criticized the decision to reopen the park and have pleaded with the public to avoid visiting the landmark, and in particular to avoid traveling through reservation land to to do.
COVID-19 pandemic alters life in New York City


upi--2020-05-16--NBC orders Season 4 of 'Good Girls'

NBC orders Season 4 of 'Good Girls'

May 16 ( UPI ) -- NBC has ordered a fourth season of its crime dramedy , Good Girls .
@ @ @ @ @ Mae Whitman and Christina Hendricks as mothers who turn to lives of crime to pay @ @ @ @ @ shared a video on Twitter of the cast cheering as they were told via video-conference @ @ @ @ @ been renewed for another season .

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Retta's comedy "Good Girls" will return for a fourth season on NBC. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 16 (UPI) -- NBC has ordered a fourth season of its crime dramedy, Good Girls. The show stars Retta, Mae Whitman and Christina Hendricks as mothers who turn to lives of crime to pay the bills. Advertisement
The network shared a video on Twitter of the cast cheering as they were told via video-conference technology that the show has been renewed for another season.


upi--2020-05-16--SeaWorld customers sue operator for collecting fees while closed

May 16 ( UPI ) -- SeawWorld pass holders have sued the park over monthly fee collection while it is closed due to COVID-19 .
Lawyers filed the class action complaint last week in San Diego federal court on behalf of annual pass holder Lisa Kouball and others similarly situated with claims expected to exceed $ 5 million .
Kouball , of San Diego County , purchased four annual passes to attend the Orlando , Fla.-based theme park for a total of $ 48.99 per month , according to the lawsuit .
SeaWorld closed in March because of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the full monthly payment and did not provide any refund , according to the suit .
San Diego lawyer Ronald Marron filed the class action lawsuit representing annual pass holders nationwide and a subset of California annual pass holders against SeaWorld Orlando , SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment .
The suit alleges the operator violated California 's unfair competition law , which includes `` untrue or misleading advertising , '' along with breach of contract and unjust enrichment .
`` Defendant SeaWorld has made the unconscionable decision to keep charging its thousands of customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parks as the novel coronavirus , COVID-19 , rages throughout the world and the United States economy has gone into a deep recession , '' the complaint states .
The company has continued to charge customers full price `` without their consent '' through automated EZ Pay using their debit and credit card information .
`` Unlike , most of its competitors , defendant continued to charge its customers monthly membership fees -- at full price , '' the complaint states .
`` Defendant has made the deliberate decision to bilk its customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its members do not have access to Defendant 's amusement parks and water parks . ''
SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment said in a blog in March that it would extend all active annual passes for a period as long as the temporary closure .
It also announced a furlough of thousands of employees in March due to the pandemic .

A class action complaint has been filed against SeaWorld Orlando over charging annual pass holders monthly fees while the park is closed. File Photo courtesy of SeaWorld | License Photo
May 16 (UPI) -- SeawWorld pass holders have sued the park over monthly fee collection while it is closed due to COVID-19. Lawyers filed the class action complaint last week in San Diego federal court on behalf of annual pass holder Lisa Kouball and others similarly situated with claims expected to exceed $5 million. Advertisement
Kouball, of San Diego County, purchased four annual passes to attend the Orlando, Fla.-based theme park for a total of $48.99 per month, according to the lawsuit. SeaWorld closed in March because of the coronavirus pandemic, but continued to charge Kouball the full monthly payment and did not provide any refund, according to the suit.
San Diego lawyer Ronald Marron filed the class action lawsuit representing annual pass holders nationwide and a subset of California annual pass holders against SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment.
The suit alleges the operator violated California's unfair competition law, which includes "untrue or misleading advertising," along with breach of contract and unjust enrichment.
"Defendant SeaWorld has made the unconscionable decision to keep charging its thousands of customers monthly membership fees while closing its amusement parks as the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, rages throughout the world and the United States economy has gone into a deep recession," the complaint states.
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The company has continued to charge customers full price "without their consent" through automated EZ Pay using their debit and credit card information.
"Unlike, most of its competitors, defendant continued to charge its customers monthly membership fees -- at full price," the complaint states. "Defendant has made the deliberate decision to bilk its customers out of a monthly membership fee while its members do not have access to Defendant's amusement parks and water parks."
SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment said in a blog in March that it would extend all active annual passes for a period as long as the temporary closure. It also announced a furlough of thousands of employees in March due to the pandemic.


upi--2020-05-16--'Purge' film postponed, TV show canceled

May 16 ( UPI ) -- The release date for the Universal-Blumhouse horror picture The Forever Purge has been delayed indefinitely .
Deadline said the film was slated to open in theaters on July 10 , but has since been pulled from the schedule .
It is unclear whether the movie will get a theatrical release at all since most theaters remain closed as people observe social-distancing practices during the coronavirus pandemic .
Universal recently released its animated adventure Trolls World Tour straight to video on demand , bypassing theaters altogether .
Its films The Hunt and The Invisible Man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months earlier than planned because of the theater closures .
Last week , the studio announced it would release its comedy The King of Staten Island on streaming services June 12 , also skipping a theatrical release .
Earlier in the week , The Purge anthology TV show was canceled after two seasons on USA Network , Variety said .
The decision was made as the network focuses more on unscripted and event-style programming .
The five-film Purge franchise and TV show are set in a society where nothing is illegal for one @ @ @ @ @

Max Martini's USA Network show "The Purge" has been canceled after two seasons. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
May 16 (UPI) -- The release date for the Universal-Blumhouse horror picture The Forever Purge has been delayed indefinitely. Deadline said the film was slated to open in theaters on July 10, but has since been pulled from the schedule. Advertisement
It is unclear whether the movie will get a theatrical release at all since most theaters remain closed as people observe social-distancing practices during the coronavirus pandemic.
Universal recently released its animated adventure Trolls World Tour straight to video on demand, bypassing theaters altogether. Its films The Hunt and The Invisible Man were also released via home entertainment platforms months earlier than planned because of the theater closures.
Last week, the studio announced it would release its comedy The King of Staten Island on streaming services June 12, also skipping a theatrical release.
Earlier in the week, The Purge anthology TV show was canceled after two seasons on USA Network, Variety said.
The decision was made as the network focuses more on unscripted and event-style programming.
Season 2 starred Derek Luke, Max Martini, Paola Nunez and Joel Allen.
The five-film Purge franchise and TV show are set in a society where nothing is illegal for one 12-hour period each year.


upi--2020-05-16--California life in the COVID-19 pandemic

The state of California has enacted a shelter-in-place order in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus , urging @ @ @ @ @ homes except for essential travel and closing non-essential businesses .
Red carpet events have been @ @ @ @ @ many films and TV shows has been suspended .

A pedestrian walks past a bar established in 1933 after Los Angeles County officials closed it for the second time following a spike in COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles on August 10. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI


upi--2020-05-16--Iran sentences French-Iranian academic Fariba Adelkhah to 6 years in prison

May 16 ( UPI ) -- Iran sentenced a French-Iranian academic to six years in prison Saturday on national security and propaganda charges .
Fariba Adelkhah , 61 , an anthropologist and researcher at Sciences Po university in Paris who specializes in Shiite Islam , has been detained since June at Evin jail , north of Tehran .
Initially , authorities charged her with spying , but those changes were dropped in January while she remained in custody on other charges .
Adelkhah was sentenced Saturday to five years in prison for `` colluding with the aim of breaching national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year in prison for `` propaganda against the system . ''
Her colleague , Roland Marchal , was arrested with her in June , but was released in March as part of a prisoner swap in which French authorities freed Jalal Rohollahnejad , an Iranian engineer held on allegations he broke U.S. sanctions against Iran .
Dozens of foreign and dual nationals have been arrested in recent years on national security charges in Iran .
Among the other dual nationals arrested is British-Iranian charity worker Nazan Zaghari-Ratcliffe , who is on temporary release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This sentencing is not based on any serious element or established fact , and therefore has a political nature , '' French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said .
`` We are urging Iranian authorities to immediately release Ms .
Adelkhah . ''
Adelkhah was born in Iran and arrived in France at age 18 to study before earning her anthropology doctorate .
Along with Shiite Islam , she specializes in political anthropology of post-revolutionary Iran and has contributed to scientific reviews and written books , such as The Revolution under the Veil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomats have not been granted consular access rights since Iranian authorities do not recognize dual nationality for Iranian citizens .
The academic has maintained her innocence and went on a 49-day hunger strike from Dec. 24 to Feb. 24 to protest her detention .
The protest ended amid fears about her health and she was admitted to the prison 's hospital for severe kidney damage .

May 16 (UPI) -- Iran sentenced a French-Iranian academic to six years in prison Saturday on national security and propaganda charges.
Fariba Adelkhah, 61, an anthropologist and researcher at Sciences Po university in Paris who specializes in Shiite Islam, has been detained since June at Evin jail, north of Tehran.
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Initially, authorities charged her with spying, but those changes were dropped in January while she remained in custody on other charges.
Adelkhah was sentenced Saturday to five years in prison for "colluding with the aim of breaching national security," along with one more year in prison for "propaganda against the system."
Her colleague, Roland Marchal, was arrested with her in June, but was released in March as part of a prisoner swap in which French authorities freed Jalal Rohollahnejad, an Iranian engineer held on allegations he broke U.S. sanctions against Iran.
Dozens of foreign and dual nationals have been arrested in recent years on national security charges in Iran.
Among the other dual nationals arrested is British-Iranian charity worker Nazan Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who is on temporary release due to the coroanvirus pandemic.
French authorities have called for Adelkhah's release.
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"This sentencing is not based on any serious element or established fact, and therefore has a political nature," French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said. "We are urging Iranian authorities to immediately release Ms. Adelkhah."
Adelkhah was born in Iran and arrived in France at age 18 to study before earning her anthropology doctorate. Along with Shiite Islam, she specializes in political anthropology of post-revolutionary Iran and has contributed to scientific reviews and written books, such as The Revolution under the Veil: Islamic Women of Iran.
French diplomats have not been granted consular access rights since Iranian authorities do not recognize dual nationality for Iranian citizens.
The academic has maintained her innocence and went on a 49-day hunger strike from Dec. 24 to Feb. 24 to protest her detention. The protest ended amid fears about her health and she was admitted to the prison's hospital for severe kidney damage.


upi--2020-05-16--Apple TV+ to air 'Mythic Quest: Quarantine' special Friday

May 16 ( UPI ) -- A special episode of Mythic Quest : Raven 's Banquet called Mythic Quest : @ @ @ @ @ on Apple TV+ on Friday .
The new episode was filmed entirely on iPhones , @ @ @ @ @ a news release .
Created by Rob McElhenney , the workplace comedy is about the @ @ @ @ @ fantasy video game .
Quarantine finds the staff working from home while social distancing during @ @ @ @ @ I hope this makes you laugh and forget about how awful all of this is @ @ @ @ @ also hope it fills you with a sense of optimism for what the world can @ @ @ @ @ over , '' McElhenney said in a statement .
`` It 's just a TV @ @ @ @ @ it was made with great pride by a community of people working -- from home @ @ @ @ @ of course , is the only way anything worth doing gets done . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ has been renewed for a second season .

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Rob McElhenney's "Mythic Quest" workplace comedy is getting a "Quarantine" special on Friday. File Photo by Phil McCarten/UPI | License Photo
May 16 (UPI) -- A special episode of Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet called Mythic Quest: Quarantine is set to air on Apple TV+ on Friday. The new episode was filmed entirely on iPhones, the streaming service said in a news release. Advertisement
Created by Rob McElhenney, the workplace comedy is about the team behind a fictional multiplayer fantasy video game.
Quarantine finds the staff working from home while social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic.
The show's ensemble includes F. Murray Abraham, David Hornsby, Danny Pudi, Charlotte Nicdao, Imani Hakim, Ashly Burch and Jessie Ennis.
"I hope this makes you laugh and forget about how awful all of this is right now. But I also hope it fills you with a sense of optimism for what the world can be when this is all over," McElhenney said in a statement.
"It's just a TV show after all, but it was made with great pride by a community of people working -- from home -- together. Which, of course, is the only way anything worth doing gets done."
The show debuted in February and has been renewed for a second season.


upi--2020-05-16--ABC orders Season 4 of 'American Idol'

ABC orders Season 4 of 'American Idol'

May 16 ( UPI ) -- ABC has announced it renewed American Idol for a fourth season .
Season 3 @ @ @ @ @ wrapping up on the network Sunday with a virtual finale , filmed at the contestants @ @ @ @ @ as they shelter in place during the coronavirus pandemic .
The show is hosted by @ @ @ @ @ , Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan are the judges and slated to perform on the @ @ @ @ @ aired for 15 seasons on FOX from 2002 to 2016 .

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Katy Perry's "American Idol" show has been renewed for a fourth season by ABC. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
May 16 (UPI) -- ABC has announced it renewed American Idol for a fourth season. Season 3 of the singing competition is wrapping up on the network Sunday with a virtual finale, filmed at the contestants' and stars' homes as they shelter in place during the coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement
The show is hosted by Ryan Seacrest.
Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan are the judges and slated to perform on the finale.
The series previously aired for 15 seasons on FOX from 2002 to 2016.


upi--2020-05-16--Anson Mount, Rebecca Romijn to star in 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds'

May 16 ( UPI ) -- Anson Mount , Rebecca Romijn and Ethan Peck are set to star in Star Trek : Strange New Worlds , CBS All Access announced .
Mount will once again play Captain Pike , Romijn will play Number One and Peck will play Science Officer Spock .
The actors previously played the roles in the streaming service 's drama , Star Trek : Discovery .
Strange New Worlds will follow the crew 's adventures in the decade before Captain Kirk led the U.S.S .
Enterprise .
The series premiere was written by Akiva Goldsman based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kurtzman and Jenny Lumet , who are also executive producing .
`` Fans fell in love with Anson Mount , Rebecca Romijn and Ethan Peck 's portrayals of these iconic characters when they were first introduced on Star Trek : Discovery last season , '' Julie McNamara -- executive vice president and head of programming for CBS All Access , said in a statement .
`` This new series will be a perfect complement to the franchise , bringing a whole new perspective and series of adventures to Star Trek . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Star Trek : Picard .

1/3
Anson Mount has signed on to star in "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds." File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 16 (UPI) -- Anson Mount, Rebecca Romijn and Ethan Peck are set to star in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, CBS All Access announced. Mount will once again play Captain Pike, Romijn will play Number One and Peck will play Science Officer Spock. Advertisement
The actors previously played the roles in the streaming service's drama, Star Trek: Discovery.
Strange New Worlds will follow the crew's adventures in the decade before Captain Kirk led the U.S.S. Enterprise.
The series premiere was written by Akiva Goldsman based on a story he conceived with Alex Kurtzman and Jenny Lumet, who are also executive producing.
"Fans fell in love with Anson Mount, Rebecca Romijn and Ethan Peck's portrayals of these iconic characters when they were first introduced on Star Trek: Discovery last season," Julie McNamara -- executive vice president and head of programming for CBS All Access, said in a statement. "This new series will be a perfect complement to the franchise, bringing a whole new perspective and series of adventures to Star Trek."
The streaming service is also the home of Star Trek: Picard.


upi--2020-05-16--President Donald Trump fires State Department Inspector General Steve Linick

May 16 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump informed Congress in a letter that he fired U.S. State Department Inspector General Steve Linick , offering no specific reason for the ouster .
Trump wrote in the letter sent to Congress that Linick `` no longer '' had his `` fullest confidence '' and he would be removed from the post in 30 days .
Linick had previously been critical of State Department personnel moves .
House foreign affairs committee Chairman Eliot Engel said in a statement that the firing came specifically after Linick `` had opened an investigation into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` This firing is the outrageous act of a president trying to protect one of his most loyal supporters , the Secretary of State , from accountability , '' Engel said in the statement .
`` Mr. Linick 's firing amid such a probe strongly suggests that this is an unlawful act of retaliation . ''
Linick , a 2013 Obama appointee , will be replaced by Stephen Akard , a State Department spokesperson said .
The move comes after a series of firings and replacements of federal watchdogs .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law , '' Engel said in a statement .
`` As he systematically removes the official independent watchdogs from the executive branch , the work of the Committee on Foreign Affairs becomes that much more critical .
In the days ahead , I will be looking into this matter in greater detail , and I will press the State Department for answers . ''
`` I thank Mr. Linick for his distinguished service , '' he added .
Earlier this month Trump moved to replace another watchdog in the Department of Health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as principal inspector after her office issued a report in April , finding `` severe shortages '' of coronavirus testing kits , frequent testing delays of seven days or longer , along with `` widespread shortages '' of proper protective equipment in hospitals .
The White House said in an announcement that Trump intends to nominate Jason Weida , an assistant U.S. attorney in Boston since 2016 , to permanently take the inspector general post in the HHS , which Grimm has occupied in an acting capacity since January .
Last month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atkinson who was at the center of his impeachment .
Atkinson told lawmakers about the whistle-blower complaint that led to the impeachment inquiry .
The House voted to impeach Trump on Dec. 18 , but the majority of the Senate voted to acquit him in February .
In April , Trump also removed Glenn Fine from his Pentagon job , disqualifying him from serving as a watchdog on the new Pandemic Response Accountability Committee .
The committee was designed to provide oversight on how the money from the more than $ 2 trillion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been working as acting inspector general since 2016 .
He was moved to the position of principal deputy inspector general with Sean O ' Donnell , the Environmental Protection Agency 's inspector general , taking over for now in the role of Pentagon inspector general as well .
Trump recently nominated Jason Abend , a senior policy adviser with U.S. Customs and Border Protection , to take over the Pentagon inspector general role permanently .
Pelosi said in a statement there has been a `` dangerous pattern of retaliation , '' against @ @

President Donald Trump fired Steve Linick, inspector general for the U.S. Department of State since 2013, late Friday night. File Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of State
May 16 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump informed Congress in a letter that he fired U.S. State Department Inspector General Steve Linick, offering no specific reason for the ouster. Trump wrote in the letter sent to Congress that Linick "no longer" had his "fullest confidence" and he would be removed from the post in 30 days. Advertisement
Linick had previously been critical of State Department personnel moves.
House foreign affairs committee Chairman Eliot Engel said in a statement that the firing came specifically after Linick "had opened an investigation into Secretary of State [Mike] Pompeo."
"This firing is the outrageous act of a president trying to protect one of his most loyal supporters, the Secretary of State, from accountability," Engel said in the statement. "Mr. Linick's firing amid such a probe strongly suggests that this is an unlawful act of retaliation."
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Linick, a 2013 Obama appointee, will be replaced by Stephen Akard, a State Department spokesperson said. The move comes after a series of firings and replacements of federal watchdogs.
"The president believes he is above the law," Engel said in a statement. "As he systematically removes the official independent watchdogs from the executive branch, the work of the Committee on Foreign Affairs becomes that much more critical. In the days ahead, I will be looking into this matter in greater detail, and I will press the State Department for answers."
"I thank Mr. Linick for his distinguished service," he added.
Earlier this month Trump moved to replace another watchdog in the Department of Health and Human Services.
Trump removed Christi Grimm as principal inspector after her office issued a report in April, finding "severe shortages" of coronavirus testing kits, frequent testing delays of seven days or longer, along with "widespread shortages" of proper protective equipment in hospitals.
The White House said in an announcement that Trump intends to nominate Jason Weida, an assistant U.S. attorney in Boston since 2016, to permanently take the inspector general post in the HHS, which Grimm has occupied in an acting capacity since January.
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Last month, Trump fired intelligence community Inspector General Michael Atkinson who was at the center of his impeachment. Atkinson told lawmakers about the whistle-blower complaint that led to the impeachment inquiry. The House voted to impeach Trump on Dec. 18, but the majority of the Senate voted to acquit him in February.
In April, Trump also removed Glenn Fine from his Pentagon job, disqualifying him from serving as a watchdog on the new Pandemic Response Accountability Committee. The committee was designed to provide oversight on how the money from the more than $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill was spent.
Fine had been working as acting inspector general since 2016. He was moved to the position of principal deputy inspector general with Sean O' Donnell, the Environmental Protection Agency's inspector general, taking over for now in the role of Pentagon inspector general as well.
Trump recently nominated Jason Abend, a senior policy adviser with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, to take over the Pentagon inspector general role permanently.
Pelosi said in a statement there has been a "dangerous pattern of retaliation," against watchdogs.


upi--2020-05-16--Texas Supreme Court puts expansion of voting by mail on hold

May 16 ( UPI ) -- The Texas Supreme Court on Friday temporarily put on hold an expansion of voting by mail during the coronavirus pandemic .
Siding with Attorney General Ken Paxton , the Supreme Court blocked a state appeals court decision that allowed voters who lack immunity to the virus to qualify for absentee ballots by citing a disability .
That appellate decision upheld a lower court 's order that would have allowed more people to qualify to vote by mail .
The state 's Supreme Court has not weighed the merits of the case .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that in the last three days has resulted in daily changes to who can qualify for a ballot they can fill out at home and mail in .
Federal and state courts are considering legal challenges to the state 's rules for voting by mail as Democrats and voting rights groups ask courts to clarify whether lack of immunity to the coronavirus is a valid reason for people to request absentee ballots .
A resolution to that question is gaining more urgency every day as the state approaches the July primary runoff elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intervene the day after a state appeals court let stand a ruling from state District Judge Tim Sulak that susceptibility to the coronavirus counts as a disability under the state election code and is therefore a legally valid reason for voters to request absentee ballots .
The appeals court rebuffed Paxton 's efforts to block voters from requesting absentee ballots under those conditions while the case was making its way through the courts .
But the Supreme Court 's Friday decision means that order will remain blocked while the appeal of the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carefully limited who may and may not vote by mail , '' Paxton said in a statement after the ruling .
`` The Travis County trial court 's decision to allow everyone to vote by mail is contrary to state law and will be reversed on appeal . ''
In a statement , Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said the party would continue the legal battle .
`` This is a dark day for our democracy , '' he said .
`` The Republican Texas Supreme Court is wrong to force the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health and their right to vote .
They would have Texans die , just so they can hold on to power . ''
The attorney general has said local officials must follow his reading of existing eligibility requirements .
Paxton argues that a fear of contracting the virus while voting in person does n't meet the state 's definition of a disability .
The Texas election code defines disability as a `` sickness or physical condition '' that prevents a voter from appearing in person without the risk of `` injuring the voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruling is not based on voters ' fear of contracting the virus ; instead , he agreed with the individual Texas voters , state Democrats and civic organizations that argued that a lack of immunity to the virus makes voters eligible under the existing disability definition .
The court also set oral arguments for Wednesday on Paxton 's request for it to weigh in on whether the appeals court erred and abused its discretion when it allowed Sulak 's order to go into effect .
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas Tribune is a non-profit , non-partisan media organization that informs Texans -- and engages with them -- about public policy , politics , government and statewide issues .

The Texas Supreme Court blocked a state appeals court decision that allowed voters who lack immunity to the virus to qualify for absentee ballots by citing a disability. File Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo
May 16 (UPI) -- The Texas Supreme Court on Friday temporarily put on hold an expansion of voting by mail during the coronavirus pandemic. Siding with Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Supreme Court blocked a state appeals court decision that allowed voters who lack immunity to the virus to qualify for absentee ballots by citing a disability. That appellate decision upheld a lower court's order that would have allowed more people to qualify to vote by mail. The state's Supreme Court has not weighed the merits of the case. Advertisement
It's the latest in an ongoing legal squabble that in the last three days has resulted in daily changes to who can qualify for a ballot they can fill out at home and mail in.
Federal and state courts are considering legal challenges to the state's rules for voting by mail as Democrats and voting rights groups ask courts to clarify whether lack of immunity to the coronavirus is a valid reason for people to request absentee ballots. A resolution to that question is gaining more urgency every day as the state approaches the July primary runoff elections.
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Paxton asked the Supreme Court to intervene the day after a state appeals court let stand a ruling from state District Judge Tim Sulak that susceptibility to the coronavirus counts as a disability under the state election code and is therefore a legally valid reason for voters to request absentee ballots.
The appeals court rebuffed Paxton's efforts to block voters from requesting absentee ballots under those conditions while the case was making its way through the courts.
But the Supreme Court's Friday decision means that order will remain blocked while the appeal of the case moves forward.
"The Legislature has carefully limited who may and may not vote by mail," Paxton said in a statement after the ruling. "The Travis County trial court's decision to allow everyone to vote by mail is contrary to state law and will be reversed on appeal."
In a statement, Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said the party would continue the legal battle.
"This is a dark day for our democracy," he said. "The Republican Texas Supreme Court is wrong to force the people of Texas to choose between their health and their right to vote. They would have Texans die, just so they can hold on to power."
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The attorney general has said local officials must follow his reading of existing eligibility requirements. Paxton argues that a fear of contracting the virus while voting in person doesn't meet the state's definition of a disability.
The Texas election code defines disability as a "sickness or physical condition" that prevents a voter from appearing in person without the risk of "injuring the voter's health."
But Sulak's ruling is not based on voters' fear of contracting the virus; instead, he agreed with the individual Texas voters, state Democrats and civic organizations that argued that a lack of immunity to the virus makes voters eligible under the existing disability definition.
The court also set oral arguments for Wednesday on Paxton's request for it to weigh in on whether the appeals court erred and abused its discretion when it allowed Sulak's order to go into effect.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune. Read the original here. The Texas Tribune is a non-profit, non-partisan media organization that informs Texans -- and engages with them -- about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.


upi--2020-05-16--'Trading Spaces' designer Frank Bielec dead at 72

May 16 ( UPI ) -- Trading Spaces designer Frank Bielec has died of complications of a heart attack , the show announced Saturday .
He was 72 .
`` A sad day for the TLC family as we learn of the passing of beloved Trading Spaces designer Frank Bielec , '' the cable TV network tweeted .
`` We will miss and remember him fondly , his quirky style and wonderful sense of humor .
We share our love and condolences with the entire Bielec family at this difficult time . ''
The show 's host , Paige Davis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post .
`` It 's hard to think of a person more beloved and cherished in my world than Frank .
He was my biggest champion and I adored him .
Everyone adored him .
It was a treat every time he was around .
Full of one liners , quips , dirty jokes , and salty musings , Frank made us laugh , forget our troubles , and never take life too seriously .
It 's baffling to imagine him gone because there has never been anyone more full of life and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sweet Frank .
I love you dearly .
# rip , '' Davis wrote .
Her post included an obituary , which said Bielec died holding his wife Judy 's hand .
Trading Spaces is a home makeover show that originally aired on TLC 2000-08 .
Most of the cast returned -- including Bielec and Davis -- when the show was revived in 2018 .

May 16 (UPI) -- Trading Spaces designer Frank Bielec has died of complications of a heart attack, the show announced Saturday. He was 72.
"A sad day for the TLC family as we learn of the passing of beloved Trading Spaces designer Frank Bielec," the cable TV network tweeted.
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"We will miss and remember him fondly, his quirky style and wonderful sense of humor. We share our love and condolences with the entire Bielec family at this difficult time."
The show's host, Paige Davis, remembered her co-star in a Facebook post.
"It's hard to think of a person more beloved and cherished in my world than Frank. He was my biggest champion and I adored him. Everyone adored him. It was a treat every time he was around. Full of one liners, quips, dirty jokes, and salty musings, Frank made us laugh, forget our troubles, and never take life too seriously. It's baffling to imagine him gone because there has never been anyone more full of life and love.I feel this loss deeply. Bye, sweet Frank. I love you dearly. #rip," Davis wrote.
Her post included an obituary, which said Bielec died holding his wife Judy's hand.
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Trading Spaces is a home makeover show that originally aired on TLC 2000-08. Most of the cast returned -- including Bielec and Davis -- when the show was revived in 2018.


upi--2020-05-16--Coronavirus: Italy to lift travel restrictions June 3

May 16 ( UPI ) -- Italy published a decree Saturday to lift travel restrictions June 3 , three months after they were put in place in response to the coronavirus .
It 's the next step in the country 's plans to reopen its economy after months of lockdown measures to control the spread of the virus .
Stores , restaurants and hair salons will begin to reopen Monday in the hard-hit Lombardy region , the area 's governor said .
Limitations on travel within the region will also be lifted .
Travel restrictions from one region to another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be lifted until June 3 .
Annually , the local economy gets a $ 2.5 billion boost from up to 30 million tourists who descend on Venice , according to the Italian tourism industry .
The government can still limit travel to and from areas with a disproportionately high rate of epidemiological risk , according to the decree .
A mandatory quarantine will remain in effect for anyone who has been found positive for the virus or has been in close contact with anyone who has the virus .
The country has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 deaths drop in the country .
Italy reported 242 new daily deaths from COVID-19 on Friday , down from a high of 919 new daily deaths from the virus on March 27 , according to Worldometers.info .
Italy has 223,885 cases of COVID-19 and 36,610 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University global tracker of cases .
At one point , Italy had the second highest number of deaths across the world behind the United States , but Britain recently surpassed Italy in having the second-highest number of deaths .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases and 87,595 deaths from the virus , according to the global tracker .
Globally , the world has more than 4.5 million cases and more than 308,000 deaths from COVID-19 .
South Korea has received international praise for largely bringing the coronavirus under control after continuing a monthlong streak of new daily cases below 100 .
But after beginning to loosen its social distancing guidelines , the country has temporarily closed nightclubs amid a spike in cases tied to nightlife .
The cluster of COVID-19 cases tied to multiple Seoul nightclubs has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities said .
The country reported one new death from the virus Thursday , down from a high of nine new daily deaths on March 24 .
South Korea also had 27 new daily cases Friday , down from a high of 851 new daily cases on March 3 , according to Worldometers.info .
According to the global tracker , South Korea has reported 11,037 COVID-19 cases and 262 deaths from the virus since the outbreak began .
Mexico , meanwhile , reported 2,437 new daily cases Friday , its highest daily increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Epidemiology Jose Luis Alomia said in a news conference .
Despite the increase , authorities announced this week a three-phase plan to reopen the country 's economy starting on June 1 .
Since the COVID-19 outbreak began , the country has reported 45,032 cases and 4,767 deaths , according to the global tracker .
The country has one of the lowest testing rates in the world with 89 tests per 100,000 people as of May 11 , according to health ministry data .
The United States has tested at a rate nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the COVID Tracking Project , but the United States still lags behind several other countries in its testing rate .
India has now recorded more cases than mainland China , where the first cluster of cases was diagnosed as COVID-19 after initially being identified as pneumonia .
According to the global tracker , India has reported 86,508 cases and 2,760 deaths .
China has reported 84,038 cases and 4,637 deaths .
In Bangladesh , two Rohingya refugees recently tested positive for COVID-19 at the world 's biggest refugee camp , Cox 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build a treatment center there in response .
Bangladesh has reported 20,995 COVID-19 cases and 314 deaths , according to the global tracker .

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II arcades shopping center stands empty in the Lombardian capital of Milan, northern Italy, back in March. Italy will begin to reopen shops in the region Monday. File Photo by Matteo Corner/ EPA-EFE
May 16 (UPI) -- Italy published a decree Saturday to lift travel restrictions June 3, three months after they were put in place in response to the coronavirus. It's the next step in the country's plans to reopen its economy after months of lockdown measures to control the spread of the virus. Advertisement
Stores, restaurants and hair salons will begin to reopen Monday in the hard-hit Lombardy region, the area's governor said. Limitations on travel within the region will also be lifted.
Travel restrictions from one region to another and to and from the country will not be lifted until June 3.
Annually, the local economy gets a $2.5 billion boost from up to 30 million tourists who descend on Venice, according to the Italian tourism industry.
The government can still limit travel to and from areas with a disproportionately high rate of epidemiological risk, according to the decree.
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A mandatory quarantine will remain in effect for anyone who has been found positive for the virus or has been in close contact with anyone who has the virus.
Local gatherings in public spaces also remain banned.
The country has started to ease restrictions as the rate of COVID-19 deaths drop in the country.
Italy reported 242 new daily deaths from COVID-19 on Friday, down from a high of 919 new daily deaths from the virus on March 27, according to Worldometers.info.
Italy has 223,885 cases of COVID-19 and 36,610 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University global tracker of cases.
At one point, Italy had the second highest number of deaths across the world behind the United States, but Britain recently surpassed Italy in having the second-highest number of deaths.
The United States has more than 1.4 million cases and 87,595 deaths from the virus, according to the global tracker.
Globally, the world has more than 4.5 million cases and more than 308,000 deaths from COVID-19.
South Korea has received international praise for largely bringing the coronavirus under control after continuing a monthlong streak of new daily cases below 100. But after beginning to loosen its social distancing guidelines, the country has temporarily closed nightclubs amid a spike in cases tied to nightlife.
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The cluster of COVID-19 cases tied to multiple Seoul nightclubs has risen to 162 cases, South Korean authorities said.
The country reported one new death from the virus Thursday, down from a high of nine new daily deaths on March 24. South Korea also had 27 new daily cases Friday, down from a high of 851 new daily cases on March 3, according to Worldometers.info.
According to the global tracker, South Korea has reported 11,037 COVID-19 cases and 262 deaths from the virus since the outbreak began.
Mexico, meanwhile, reported 2,437 new daily cases Friday, its highest daily increase of cases, Mexico's General Director of Epidemiology Jose Luis Alomia said in a news conference.
Despite the increase, authorities announced this week a three-phase plan to reopen the country's economy starting on June 1.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak began, the country has reported 45,032 cases and 4,767 deaths, according to the global tracker.
The country has one of the lowest testing rates in the world with 89 tests per 100,000 people as of May 11, according to health ministry data.
The United States has tested at a rate nearly 32 times higher than that, according to the COVID Tracking Project, but the United States still lags behind several other countries in its testing rate.
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India has now recorded more cases than mainland China, where the first cluster of cases was diagnosed as COVID-19 after initially being identified as pneumonia.
According to the global tracker, India has reported 86,508 cases and 2,760 deaths. China has reported 84,038 cases and 4,637 deaths.
In Bangladesh, two Rohingya refugees recently tested positive for COVID-19 at the world's biggest refugee camp, Cox's Bazar, officials said. UNICEF will build a treatment center there in response.
Bangladesh has reported 20,995 COVID-19 cases and 314 deaths, according to the global tracker.
World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-05-16--Kenny Chesney's 'Here and Now' tops the U.S. album chart

May 16 ( UPI ) -- Country music star Kenny Chesney 's Here and Now is the No .
1 @ @ @ @ @ .
Coming in at No .
2 on the Billboard 200 chart dated Saturday is @ @ @ @ @ Tapes , followed by Lil Baby 's My Turn at No .
3 , DaBaby @ @ @ @ @ at No .
4 and Lil Uzi Vert 's Eternal Atake at No .
5 @ @ @ @ @ tier are The Weeknd 's After Hours at No .
6 , Megan Thee Stallion @ @ @ @ @ 7 , Post Malone 's Hollywood 's Bleeding at No .
8 , Doja Cat @ @ @ @ @ .
9 and Bad Bunny 's YHLQMDLG at No .
10 .

May 16 (UPI) -- Country music star Kenny Chesney's Here and Now is the No. 1 album in the United States.
Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart dated Saturday is Drake's Dark Lane Demo Tapes, followed by Lil Baby's My Turn at No. 3, DaBaby's Blame It On Baby at No. 4 and Lil Uzi Vert's Eternal Atake at No. 5.


upi--2020-05-16--Rwandan genocide suspect Félicien Kabuga arrested in France

May 16 ( UPI ) -- French authorities arrested suspected Rwandan war criminal Félicien Kabuga on Saturday after decades on @ @ @ @ @ announced .
The prosecutor for the international tribunal in The Hague , Netherlands , said @ @ @ @ @ , a northern suburb of Paris , living under a false name .
The U.N. @ @ @ @ @ indicted him in 1997 on several counts of genocide in relation to the slaughter of @ @ @ @ @ The genocide left an estimated 500,000 to 1 million people dead , about 70 percent @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The arrest of Félicien Kabuga today is a reminder that those responsible for @ @ @ @ @ account , even 26 years after their crimes , '' prosecutor Serge Brammertz said .
@ @ @ @ @ be with the victims and survivors of the Rwandan genocide .
Advocating on their behalf @ @ @ @ @ for my entire office . ''
He said Kabuga is expected to be transferred to @ @ @ @ @ .

An undated picture provided by Interpol shows Felicien Kabuga, one of the most wanted suspects in the Rwandan genocide. File Photo courtesy of Interpol/EPA-EFE
May 16 (UPI) -- French authorities arrested suspected Rwandan war criminal Félicien Kabuga on Saturday after decades on the run, The Hague announced. The prosecutor for the international tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, said Kabuga was arrested in Asnières-sur-Seine, a northern suburb of Paris, living under a false name. Advertisement
The U.N. International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda indicted him in 1997 on several counts of genocide in relation to the slaughter of ethnic Tutsi in 1994. The genocide left an estimated 500,000 to 1 million people dead, about 70 percent of Rwanda's Tutsi population.
"The arrest of Félicien Kabuga today is a reminder that those responsible for genocide can be brought to account, even 26 years after their crimes," prosecutor Serge Brammertz said.
"Our first thoughts must be with the victims and survivors of the Rwandan genocide. Advocating on their behalf is an immense professional honor for my entire office."
He said Kabuga is expected to be transferred to The Hague to stand trial.


upi--2020-05-16--House passes $3T coronavirus relief package; Trump promises veto

Volunteers distribute food during a Virtual Drive-Thru and Walk-Up Giveaway sponsored by United Hands Multi-Purpose Center to help feed thousands @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 pandemic in Compton , California on Saturday , May 2 , 2020 .
@ @ @ @ @ has announced a plan to purchase more food from struggling farmers and distribute it to @ @ @ @ @ 470 million this time .
The purchases , announced this week , will come in @ @ @ @ @ billion the USDA pledged to buy farm products as part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance @ @ @ @ @ 17 .
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | Hundreds of passengers form a line to @ @ @ @ @ China Southern Airlines flight to China on April 19 in Los Angeles .
Passengers at @ @ @ @ @ arrived at 5:30 a.m. , with many others standing in line since 8 a.m. to @ @ @ @ @ seat before the plane was full .
Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI |

1/3
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., walks to her office Friday prior to a House vote on a new COVID-19 stimulus bill at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
May 16 (UPI) -- The House has passed a $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill that, if President Donald Trump hadn't promised to veto, would be the largest such package in U.S. history. The legislation passed with a vote of 208-199 late Friday after the chamber approved a historic process to allow lawmakers to vote remotely by proxies. One Republican -- Rep. Pete King of New York -- voted with Democrats in favor of the bill, while 14 Democrats sided with Republicans against it. Advertisement
The legislation now moves on to the Senate for consideration.
Known as the HEROES Act, the legislation Democrats unveiled Tuesday aims to funnel money to state and local governments to address issues that were not included in previous measures and increase funding for the U.S. Postal Service.
"Congress has taken important and meaningful steps to address this public health crisis, but more must be done. I will continue to work with my colleagues to protect the health and safety of all families in Maryland and work toward economic recovery," House Democratic leader Steny Hoyer said in a statement.
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Republicans have balked at the package, deriding it as a partisan move filled with expenses unrelated to the coronavirus pandemic, a notion the White House repeated Thursday in its letter to the House of Representatives.
House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy of California took issue with the fact that the package provides another $1,200 stimulus check for Americans and undocumented immigrants alike.
House Speaker "Nancy Pelosi just got caught trying to give coronavirus stimulus checks to illegal immigrants," he said. "She seriously didn't think anyone would read the 1,800-page wishlist she wrote in her office," he tweeted.
"Not so fast, Nancy. Republicans made Democrats vote on the record on this one!"
When it was unveiled, Pelosi described the package as having three pillars to reopen the economy safely and quickly, to honor those fighting the coronavirus and to put money in the pockets of Americans suffering under strict lockdown measures put in place to prevent spread of the virus.
"We can all agree that we must open our economy as quickly as we can, but we must do so based on science and data," she said.
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California life in the COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-05-17--Tropical storm warnings issued for N.C. as Arthur become 1st named storm of season

May 17 ( UPI ) -- Tropical Storm Arthur became the first named storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season late Saturday night offshore Florida .
Although the official start of hurricane season is June 1 , there has been a preseason tropical system for most of the last 10 years , so it is not uncommon to have tropical activity this early , according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Courtney Travis .
Arthur was producing sustained winds of 40 mph , according to the 8 a.m. advisory by the National Hurricane Center .
Arthur was about 355 miles south-southwest of Cape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 mph .
A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued from Surf City to Duck , N.C. , and Pamlico to Albemerle Islands .
Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours but Arthur is likely to lose its tropical characteristics Tuesday , according to the Hurricane Center .
The strongest winds will likely remain to the east of the low and across the open waters of the Atlantic ; however , coastal parts of the Carolinas could have gale-force gusts Sunday into Monday .
`` While it still appears that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we are monitoring the potential for the storm to track closer to the coast and bring the Outer Banks more substantial rain and wind , '' AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Rob Miller said .
Those planning to head to the beach should be aware of the risk of rough surf and strong rip currents that expands northward along the entire Southeast coast this weekend .
Residents in South Florida saw impacts from Arthur before it fully developed .
A number of flash flood warnings were triggered along the southeastern coast of Florida as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night .
Street flooding was reported across the Miami metro area .
Thursday was the second wettest May day on record for the city of Marathon in the Florida Keys .
Heavy rain totaled 5.76 inches , stopping short of the city 's rainiest May day record of 6.60 inches set on May 27 in 1959 .
Marathon picked up a total of 6.45 inches from May 14-15 , when the normal precipitation for all of May is 3.35 inches .
The heavy rain and thunderstorm activity seen in the Bahamas and Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and northeast into Sunday , AccuWeather meteorologists say .
The storm and its heavy rain will remain off the coast from northeastern Florida to southern North Carolina this weekend .
According to Dan Kottlowski , AccuWeather 's top hurricane expert , the storm will track offshore of the southeastern United States and pass about 75 to 125 miles off the coast of North Carolina 's Outer Banks Sunday night into Monday , as Outer Banks beaches reopen to visitors .
Multiple coronavirus testing sites in Florida were forced to close this weekend due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tropical Depression One .
The 14 state-run COVID-19 testing sites include Brevard Eastern Florida State College 's Palm Bay campus and University High School in Orange City .
Miami Dade County has temporarily closed all testing sites as well .
The testing sites will be closed until Monday , according to the Florida Department of Health .
The 2020 season follows four straight years during which there were at least two U.S.-landfalling hurricanes , with Barry and Dorian striking in 2019 .
That 's the longest streak since 1947-50 and only twice since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five years -- 1932-36 and 1876-82 .

Tropical Storm Arthur is seen moving away from the U.S. East Coast early Tuesday after it flirted with North Carolina's Outer Banks and brought heavy rain and strong winds. Image courtesy of NOAA
May 19 (UPI) -- Arthur, the first named tropical system of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, was moving away from the North Carolina coast on Tuesday. As of 5 a.m. EDT, the storm's center was moving east at 15 mph, a substantial increase from its plodding forward thrust of 7-8 mph on Sunday. The storm's sustained winds remained around 60 mph. Advertisement
On Monday, Arthur's center reached within 20 miles of the easternmost part of the Outer Banks. By early Tuesday, it was about 300 miles from that point.
The storm unleashed heavy rain and gusty winds across the eastern part of the state while generating dangerous surf conditions and rip currents. Wind gusts near 50 mph with waves up to 12.5 feet were reported, according to data provided from a buoy located southeast of Cape Hatteras.
A compilation of webcam footage from Monday showed wind-whipped rain and turbulent seas in the area.
AccuWeather's top hurricane forecaster, Dan Kottlowski, said that although Arthur remains a weak tropical storm, it will continue to generate a large area of moderate to heavy rain over eastern North Carolina. Rain first moved into the area Sunday night.
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Rough surf and strong rip currents battered the coastal Carolinas through Monday. Dangerous marine conditions also occurred, with seas building to 8-10 feet, creating treacherous conditions for mariners.
"Rough seas and gusty winds will expand northward to the upper mid-Atlantic coast through Tuesday as the storm drifts eastward and perhaps stalls over the open water," AccuWeather meteorologist Renee Duff said.
The timing of Arthur coincided with North Carolina's first phase of a reopening strategy amid the coronavirus pandemic. Many areas experiencing the brunt of Arthur's rain and wind, including Hatteras and Ocracoke islands, recently reopened to vacationers following mandatory closures due to the outbreak of the virus. Bars, restaurants and gyms remain closed throughout Dare County, and personal gatherings over 10 people remain prohibited.
The arrival of Arthur continued a trend of preseason development in recent years. There has been a named storm system before June 1, the official start of hurricane season, every year since 2015.
Arthur is expected to head out to sea and shed its tropical characteristics.
"The non-tropical version of Arthur could still remain a well-defined storm system into Wednesday, but it should weaken as it passes near or over Bermuda on Thursday morning," Kottlowski said.
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AccuWeather meteorologists say there is no other organized tropical system in the Atlantic and any new development is not expected through at least early next week.


upi--2020-05-17--Watch live: Air Force plans X-37B spy plane launch

ORLANDO , Fla. , May 17 ( UPI ) -- The Air Force plans to launch the sixth mission of the uncrewed X-37B spy plane toward orbit at 9:14 a.m. EDT Sunday from Florida with a record number of experiments on board .
The Space Force plans to propel the plane atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station , which is adjacent to Kennedy Space Center .
The mission start was delayed from Saturday morning because of high winds at the launch site and a heavy cloud cover .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions will delay the launch , according to a U.S. Air Force forecast .
The launch is one of a few that have been held during restrictions on access to the Air Force station due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` In collaboration with the U.S. Space Force and Air Force , this mission has been dedicated in honor of front-line workers and those affected by COVID-19 , '' United Launch Alliance said in a news release Friday .
Experiments on board are to include studying the effects of space travel on various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radiation on seeds .
The mission will be the first time the Boeing-built plane uses a service module to host experiments .
The module is an attachment at the rear of the vehicle that allows additional experimental payload capability to be carried to orbit .
The mission also will deploy the FalconSat-8 , a small satellite developed by the U.S. Air Force Academy and sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory , which will conduct several experiments in orbit .
The satellite will carry five experimental payloads for the academy , along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S .
Naval Research Laboratory will transform solar power into radio frequency microwave energy , with the goal of transmitting that energy to the ground .
The last X-37B mission was launched Sept. 7 , 2017 and ended Oct. 27 , 2019 for 779 days , 17 hours , 51 minutes .
It was the first launch of that vehicle on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and the plane 's longest mission .

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A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off at 9:14 a.m. EDT Sunday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, carrying the X-37B spy plane toward orbit. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
ORLANDO, Fla., May 17 (UPI) -- The Air Force launched the sixth mission of the uncrewed X-37B spy plane toward orbit at 9:14 a.m. EDT Sunday from Florida with several experiments on board. Space Force propelled the Boeing-built space plane atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, which is adjacent to Kennedy Space Center. Advertisement
The mission start had been delayed from Saturday morning because of high winds at the launch site and a heavy cloud cover.
The launch was held following protocols because of tight restrictions on access to the Air Force station because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"In collaboration with the U.S. Space Force and Air Force, this mission has been dedicated in honor of front-line workers and those affected by COVID-19," United Launch Alliance said in a news release Friday.
This was the 84th flight for an Atlas rocket since 2002. It came off the pad Sunday with 860,200 pounds of thrust produced by its RD-180 main engine.
Experiments on board are to include studying the effects of space travel on various materials, and the effect of space radiation on seeds.
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The mission will be the first time the plane uses a service module to host experiments. The module is an attachment at the rear of the vehicle that allows additional experimental payload capability to be carried to orbit.
The mission also will deploy the FalconSat-8, a small satellite developed by the U.S. Air Force Academy and sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory, which will conduct several experiments in orbit. The satellite will carry five experimental payloads for the academy, along with two NASA experiments.
Another experiment from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory will transform solar power into radio frequency microwave energy, with the goal of transmitting that energy to the ground.
The last X-37B mission was launched Sept. 7, 2017 and ended Oct. 27, 2019, for 779 days, 17 hours and 51 minutes. It was the first launch of that vehicle on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and the plane's longest mission.
Astronauts make round trip to space station from U.S. soil
NASA astronaut Douglas Hurley (C) waves to onlookers as he boards a plane at Naval Air Station Pensacola to return him and NASA astronaut Robert Behnken home to Houston a few hours after the duo landed in their SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft off the coast of Pensacola, Fla,, on August 2, 2020. Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA | License Photo


upi--2020-05-17--Famous birthdays for May 17: Jordan Knight, Bob Saget

May 17 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus .
-- English @ @ @ @ @ of the smallpox vaccine , in 1749 -- Schuyler Wheeler , inventor of the electric @ @ @ @

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Jordan Knight turns 50 on May 17. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
May 17 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus. They include: Advertisement
-- English physician Edward Jenner, developer of the smallpox vaccine, in 1749
-- Schuyler Wheeler, inventor of the electric fan, in 1860
-- Baseball Hall of Fame member James "Cool Papa" Bell in 1903
-- Actor Maureen O'Sullivan in 1911
-- Actor Dennis Hopper in 1936
-- Musician Taj Mahal, born Henry Saint Clair Fredericks, in 1942 (age 78)
-- Actor/director Bill Paxton in 1955
-- Actor/comedian Bob Saget in 1956 (age 64)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Boxer Sugar Ray Leonard in 1956 (age 64)
-- Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz in 1959 (age 61)
-- Irish New Age singer Enya, born Eithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin, in 1961 (age 59)
-- Scottish comedian Craig Ferguson in 1962 (age 58)
-- Singer-songwriter Trent Reznor in 1965 (age 55)
-- Actor Hill Harper in 1966 (age 54)
-- Singer Jordan Knight in 1970 (age 50)
-- Actor Sasha Alexander in 1973 (age 47)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
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-- Singer/TV personality Kandi Burruss in 1976 (age 44)
-- Dancer Derek Hough in 1985 (age 35)
-- Actor Nikki Reed in 1988 (age 32)
-- Actor/model Karrueche Tran in 1988 (age 32)
-- Canadian Olympic gold medal ice dancer Tessa Virtue in 1989 (age 31)
-- Actor Ross Butler in 1990 (age 30)


upi--2020-05-17--Jennifer Connelly: ‘Snowpiercer’ reflects questions we are asking ourselves now

NEW YORK , May 17 ( UPI ) -- The stars of Snowpiercer say a cautionary tale about environmental disaster and social inequity , like the one driving their new TNT train thriller , never has been more relevant .
The television series adaptation of Jacques Lob and Jean-Marc Rochette 's 1982 graphic novel , which previously was made into the cult-classic , 2013 film by Bong Joon Ho , will premiere Sunday .
The dystopian drama follows the survivors of a cataclysmic weather event who are rigidly separated into classes on a 1,001-car , high-speed train that endlessly circles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A Beautiful Mind Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly said Snowpiercer explores many of the concerns people now have in real life .
`` Climate issues are something that are very much on my mind , '' Connelly told UPI at New York Comic Con .
`` Also , the political environment , the questions that are being raised in the show , reflect questions we are asking ourselves now in terms of how we run a just society , how democracy works , where it does n't work , themes of social justice and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the current milieu are reflected in the show , '' she said .
Daveed Diggs , a Tony winner for his performance in Broadway 's Hamilton , noted that scientists have warned since the 1940s about what could happen if the Earth is continuously abused .
`` We 've just been ignoring it systematically for that long , '' Diggs said .
`` Snowpiercer is a logical extension of what happens when you continue to ignore science and you are forced to make a rash decision about how to save your planet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's a good time for the show because we , as a culture , are talking about the things that the show brings up . ''
Connelly does n't agree with those who say the show 's premise is bleak .
`` They are all survivors ! ''
she said .
`` They are all moving forward , and it 's all about , 'How do we make it through and come out the other side ? '
And , 'What will that society look like ? '
'And what do we learn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ versions of ourselves ? '
So , I think there absolutely is hope . ''
Connelly plays Melanie , Snowpiercer 's head of hospitality and the woman making the train 's daily announcements on behalf of its reclusive creator , Mr. Wilford .
Who Melanie really is and serves is debated among the passengers .
`` I personally believe that she is fighting for what she thinks is right , '' Connelly said .
`` The way in which she goes about that is challenged , and I think it 's really interesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Diggs plays Layton , a former homicide detective who stowed away on the train seven years ago and is , at the opening of the show , enlisted to solve a murder in the first-class section of the train .
He serves as the show 's central hero and moral compass .
`` For the kind of nerd I happen to be -- my two favorite shows are Poirot and Columbo -- getting to play a detective for a little bit was a real hook for me , '' Diggs laughed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 'Who is in power ?
And who is in control ? '
In this situation , how can you manipulate things ?
And , so , having something as visceral and necessary to solve as a murder in this confined situation ... [ creates ] an urgency and provides a good reason to get Layton around the train . ''
Best-known for her roles in The Red Road and the Heaven TV movies , Annalise Basso plays LJ , a young passenger who lives with her wealthy , controlling parents in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loyalties and fascination with danger cause her to cross paths frequently with Melanie and Layton .
Basso told UPI in a phone interview it was fun and challenging to play a character with such dimension .
`` I watched Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine and Helena Bonham Carter in the Harry Potter series because they are amazing actresses , but also they embodied psychosis in a really believable way , '' she said .
`` I also spent some time studying the behavior of wild animals held in captivity because LJ and everybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are living their lives inside a cage .
LJ has developed a few issues as a result of that . ''
The actress described LJ as a nihilist who has chosen not to care about anyone or anything .
`` She is drowning in this vortex of rage and loneliness and helplessness , '' Basso said .
`` She honestly just wants it all to go away , even if that means taking everyone on Snowpiercer down with her .
She just is miserable . ''
Audiences watching the show at home while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might recognize Snowpiercer 's claustrophobic ambiance on some level .
`` I hope they can just escape into this other world while still being able to relate to characters and what is going on right now , '' Basso said about the series , which defies conventional labels since it is part sci-fi thriller , part murder mystery and part family drama .
`` It 's a show about human relationships and how all these different people from different classes survive , and how everyone 's definition of survival is different , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this train and it is really unifying , '' she added .
`` Hopefully , not a lot of people relate to LJ , though . ''
Filming on Season 2 of Snowpiercer was nearly finished when it was shut down due to the pandemic .
No return date has been set yet .

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Jennifer Connelly's "Snowpiercer" series is set to debut Sunday on TNT. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo
NEW YORK, May 17 (UPI) -- The stars of Snowpiercer say a cautionary tale about environmental disaster and social inequity, like the one driving their new TNT train thriller, never has been more relevant. The television series adaptation of Jacques Lob and Jean-Marc Rochette's 1982 graphic novel, which previously was made into the cult-classic, 2013 film by Bong Joon Ho, will premiere Sunday. Advertisement
The dystopian drama follows the survivors of a cataclysmic weather event who are rigidly separated into classes on a 1,001-car, high-speed train that endlessly circles a frozen world.
Labyrinth icon and A Beautiful Mind Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly said Snowpiercer explores many of the concerns people now have in real life.
"Climate issues are something that are very much on my mind," Connelly told UPI at New York Comic Con.
"Also, the political environment, the questions that are being raised in the show, reflect questions we are asking ourselves now in terms of how we run a just society, how democracy works, where it doesn't work, themes of social justice and injustice. A lot of those things in the current milieu are reflected in the show," she said.
Advertisement
Daveed Diggs, a Tony winner for his performance in Broadway's Hamilton, noted that scientists have warned since the 1940s about what could happen if the Earth is continuously abused.
"We've just been ignoring it systematically for that long," Diggs said.
"Snowpiercer is a logical extension of what happens when you continue to ignore science and you are forced to make a rash decision about how to save your planet," he said. "It's a good time for the show because we, as a culture, are talking about the things that the show brings up."
Connelly doesn't agree with those who say the show's premise is bleak.
"They are all survivors!" she said. "They are all moving forward, and it's all about, 'How do we make it through and come out the other side?' And, 'What will that society look like?' 'And what do we learn and how can we be the best versions of ourselves?' So, I think there absolutely is hope."
Connelly plays Melanie, Snowpiercer's head of hospitality and the woman making the train's daily announcements on behalf of its reclusive creator, Mr. Wilford.
Who Melanie really is and serves is debated among the passengers.
"I personally believe that she is fighting for what she thinks is right," Connelly said. "The way in which she goes about that is challenged, and I think it's really interesting how she responds to that challenge."
Advertisement
Diggs plays Layton, a former homicide detective who stowed away on the train seven years ago and is, at the opening of the show, enlisted to solve a murder in the first-class section of the train. He serves as the show's central hero and moral compass.
"For the kind of nerd I happen to be -- my two favorite shows are Poirot and Columbo -- getting to play a detective for a little bit was a real hook for me," Diggs laughed.
"It immediately sets up these questions of 'Who is in power? And who is in control?' In this situation, how can you manipulate things? And, so, having something as visceral and necessary to solve as a murder in this confined situation ... [creates] an urgency and provides a good reason to get Layton around the train."
Best-known for her roles in The Red Road and the Heaven TV movies, Annalise Basso plays LJ, a young passenger who lives with her wealthy, controlling parents in the first-class section of Snowpiercer. Her murky loyalties and fascination with danger cause her to cross paths frequently with Melanie and Layton.
Basso told UPI in a phone interview it was fun and challenging to play a character with such dimension.
Advertisement
"I watched Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine and Helena Bonham Carter in the Harry Potter series because they are amazing actresses, but also they embodied psychosis in a really believable way," she said.
"I also spent some time studying the behavior of wild animals held in captivity because LJ and everybody else who is living on the train are living their lives inside a cage. LJ has developed a few issues as a result of that."
The actress described LJ as a nihilist who has chosen not to care about anyone or anything.
"She is drowning in this vortex of rage and loneliness and helplessness," Basso said. "She honestly just wants it all to go away, even if that means taking everyone on Snowpiercer down with her. She just is miserable."
Audiences watching the show at home while sheltering in place during the coronavirus pandemic might recognize Snowpiercer's claustrophobic ambiance on some level.
"I hope they can just escape into this other world while still being able to relate to characters and what is going on right now," Basso said about the series, which defies conventional labels since it is part sci-fi thriller, part murder mystery and part family drama.
Advertisement
"It's a show about human relationships and how all these different people from different classes survive, and how everyone's definition of survival is different, and how they are all surviving together on this train and it is really unifying," she added. "Hopefully, not a lot of people relate to LJ, though."
Filming on Season 2 of Snowpiercer was nearly finished when it was shut down due to the pandemic. No return date has been set yet.


upi--2020-05-17--On This Day, May 17: Explorer begins journey to sail papyrus boat across Atlantic

On this date in history : In 1792 , 24 brokers met in New York City and formed the New York Stock Exchange .
In 1875 , Aristides was the winner of the first Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville , Ky .
In 1943 , the Memphis Belle became one of the first B-17 to complete 25 missions in World War II , securing the plane and crew 's reputations as rockstars .
The plane was the subject of a documentary at the time and a film about the crew was made in 1990 starring Matthew Modine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ten days after the 25th mission , the pilot , Capt .
Robert K. Morgan and co-pilot , Capt .
James Verinis , met the king and queen of England , to whom Morgan explained the origin of the plane 's name .
In 1954 , in a major civil rights victory , the U.S. Supreme Court , in Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka , Kan. , ruled unanimously that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional .
In 1970 , Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl set sail from Morocco in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ modeled on drawings of ancient Egyptian sailing vessels .
His mission was to prove his theory that ancient civilizations could have sailed to the Americas .
He arrived in Barbados 57 days later .
In 1973 , the U.S. Senate Watergate Committee opened hearings into a break-in at Democratic National headquarters in Washington .
In 1987 , two Iraqi Exocet missiles hit the frigate USS Stark in the Persian Gulf , killing 37 seamen .
Iraq apologized for mistaking the ship 's identity and the Stark 's top officers were reprimanded and retired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrated for democratic reforms in Beijing .
The number of students fasting to support the drive reached 3,000 .
In 1999 , Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lost his bid for re-election when voters chose Ehud Barak , head of the center-left Israel One coalition , to succeed him .
In 2004 , Massachusetts became the first state to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples .
In 2005 , Los Angeles voters elected Antonio Villaraigosa as the city 's first Hispanic mayor since 1872 .
In 2007 , the United States ' `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mark , about one-third of the total U.S. population , the U.S. Census Bureau said .
Hispanics made up the largest group , ahead of African-Americans , 44.3 million to 40.2 million .
In 2010 , the U.S. Supreme Court banned the sentencing of a juvenile to life in prison for a non-homicide case , calling the practice unconstitutional , and cruel and unusual punishment .
In 2018 , the Senate confirmed Gina Haspel to be the first female director of the CIA , ending weeks of speculation over whether her past role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would derail her nomination .
In 2019 , Taiwan became the first Asian nation to legalize same-sex marriage .

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On May 17, 1970, Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl set sail from Morocco in a papyrus boat called the Ra II, modeled on drawings of ancient Egyptian vessels. File Photo by Pedro Ximenez/Wikimedia Commons
On this date in history: In 1792, 24 brokers met in New York City and formed the New York Stock Exchange. Advertisement
In 1875, Aristides was the winner of the first Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.
In 1943, the Memphis Belle became one of the first B-17 to complete 25 missions in World War II, securing the plane and crew's reputations as rockstars. The plane was the subject of a documentary at the time and a film about the crew was made in 1990 starring Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz and Harry Connick Jr. Ten days after the 25th mission, the pilot, Capt. Robert K. Morgan and co-pilot, Capt. James Verinis, met the king and queen of England, to whom Morgan explained the origin of the plane's name.
In 1954, in a major civil rights victory, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, Kan., ruled unanimously that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.
In 1970, Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl set sail from Morocco in a papyrus boat called the Ra II, modeled on drawings of ancient Egyptian sailing vessels. His mission was to prove his theory that ancient civilizations could have sailed to the Americas. He arrived in Barbados 57 days later.
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In 1973, the U.S. Senate Watergate Committee opened hearings into a break-in at Democratic National headquarters in Washington.
File Photo by Alexis C. Glenn/UPI
In 1987, two Iraqi Exocet missiles hit the frigate USS Stark in the Persian Gulf, killing 37 seamen. Iraq apologized for mistaking the ship's identity and the Stark's top officers were reprimanded and retired.
In 1989, 1 million people demonstrated for democratic reforms in Beijing. The number of students fasting to support the drive reached 3,000.
In 1999, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lost his bid for re-election when voters chose Ehud Barak, head of the center-left Israel One coalition, to succeed him.
File Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI
In 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
In 2005, Los Angeles voters elected Antonio Villaraigosa as the city's first Hispanic mayor since 1872.
In 2007, the United States' "minority" citizenship topped the 100 million mark, about one-third of the total U.S. population, the U.S. Census Bureau said. Hispanics made up the largest group, ahead of African-Americans, 44.3 million to 40.2 million.
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In 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court banned the sentencing of a juvenile to life in prison for a non-homicide case, calling the practice unconstitutional, and cruel and unusual punishment.
In 2018, the Senate confirmed Gina Haspel to be the first female director of the CIA, ending weeks of speculation over whether her past role in using torture as an interrogation technique would derail her nomination.
In 2019, Taiwan became the first Asian nation to legalize same-sex marriage.
DAVID CHANG Medianumber 53185697 Date Created 26.12.2016 Region Asia > Taiwan > TAIPEI Category Politics Title TAIWAN POLITICS SAME SEX MARRIAGE Headline Taiwan parliament reviews same-sex bill as supporters and opponents rally Description epa05688415 An LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community member marches while displaying a rainbow banner outside the Taiwan Parliament building in Taipei, Taiwan, 26 December 2016. Supporters and opponents of same-sex marraige in Taiwan held rallys as parliament was reviewing a bill on legalizing same-sex marriage. According to media reports, members of pro-family values groups clashed with police as they tried to storm the parliament building to block the bill. EPA/DAVID CHANG Scene general view Credit EPA Source EPA Caption Writer DC JMA Image Size 4608px x 3456px