upi--2020-05-02--Heart attack, stroke down among people in Australia with diabetes

An Australian study has good news for people with type 2 diabetes -- fewer people with diabetes are having heart attacks and strokes compared to 20 years ago .
Heart attacks , strokes and other cardiovascular complications have declined in the general population , too .
But the decreases among people with diabetes have outpaced those for the general population , the researchers said .
Senior author Dr. Timothy Davis , from the University of Western Australia , called the findings reassuring .
They show that modern management of blood sugar and other risk factors `` is having the desired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
But not all of his findings were positive .
`` Although life expectancy is increasing in both groups , the difference [ in life expectancy between the two groups ] has not reduced , suggesting that more people with diabetes are still dying relatively early , but of other non-cardiovascular conditions such as dementia and cancer , '' Davis said .
While increased use of medications to control heart and stroke risk factors is helping people with type 2 diabetes stay healthier , exercise and weight loss remain necessary parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not get complacent .
Lifestyle factors are as important today as they were two decades ago , '' Davis said .
The new study looked at two phases of a long-term diabetes study from Fremantle , Australia .
The first phase ran from 1993 to 2001 .
Nearly 1,300 people with type 2 diabetes and more than 5,000 without diabetes participated .
The second phase ran from 2008 to 2016 .
During that time , more than 1,500 people with diabetes volunteered for the study , as did more than 6,000 people without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from hospital and death records in Western Australia to identify heart attacks , strokes and deaths .
In phase two , they noted that people with diabetes were less likely to have a heart attack or stroke , or to be hospitalized with heart failure or a lower extremity amputation than in phase one .
Several factors might account for those differences , Davis said .
Better management of blood sugar levels likely played a role , and he said people with type 2 diabetes might also be getting diagnosed earlier .
People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far more likely to be taking medications for abnormal cholesterol levels or high blood pressure .
The improvements in the rate of heart disease and other conditions were seen mostly before introduction of newer diabetes medications , including classes of drugs called GLP-1 agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors .
`` There were only a relatively small number of people in the second phase of the study on these newer treatments , '' Davis said .
`` The hope is that the gap between people with and without type 2 diabetes will narrow further as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Populations with type 2 diabetes differ between Australia and the United States , so the study 's findings might be different in the two countries .
`` Australia is about 10 years behind the U.S. in the rate of obesity and type 2 diabetes , so there is less diabetes in Australia at the moment , '' Davis said .
`` There have been advances in diabetes and cardiovascular risk factor treatments over the past 20 years which are available for clinicians to use in both countries , and U.S. data suggest the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with lower rates over recent years . ''
One big difference : Australia has a universal health care system .
That means even uninsured patients wo n't miss out on the best treatments , he said .
Dr. Robert Eckel , president of medicine and science for the American Diabetes Association , said the study shows what is probably `` occurring in developed nations around the world . ''
Though the trend may also be happening in the United States , he has n't seen any data yet confirming it .
Like Davis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the positive changes .
They include better identification and treatment of heart attacks and stroke , the use of cholesterol and blood pressure medications , improved blood sugar management and possibly , better lifestyles .
Changes in lifestyle are more difficult to measure , he noted .
His advice for folks with diabetes ?
`` Work closely with your health care professionals to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease optimally managed and to help you own a lifestyle that is heart- , diabetes- and cancer-healthy , '' Eckel said .
The study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism .
Learn more about diabetes and heart disease from the American Heart Association .

An Australian study has good news for people with type 2 diabetes -- fewer people with diabetes are having heart attacks and strokes compared to 20 years ago.
Heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular complications have declined in the general population, too. But the decreases among people with diabetes have outpaced those for the general population, the researchers said.
Advertisement
Senior author Dr. Timothy Davis, from the University of Western Australia, called the findings reassuring. They show that modern management of blood sugar and other risk factors "is having the desired effect on chronic vascular complications," he said.
But not all of his findings were positive. "Although life expectancy is increasing in both groups, the difference [in life expectancy between the two groups] has not reduced, suggesting that more people with diabetes are still dying relatively early, but of other non-cardiovascular conditions such as dementia and cancer," Davis said.
Advertisement
While increased use of medications to control heart and stroke risk factors is helping people with type 2 diabetes stay healthier, exercise and weight loss remain necessary parts of diabetes management.
"People should not get complacent. Lifestyle factors are as important today as they were two decades ago," Davis said.
The new study looked at two phases of a long-term diabetes study from Fremantle, Australia. The first phase ran from 1993 to 2001. Nearly 1,300 people with type 2 diabetes and more than 5,000 without diabetes participated.
The second phase ran from 2008 to 2016. During that time, more than 1,500 people with diabetes volunteered for the study, as did more than 6,000 people without diabetes.
Researchers also relied on data from hospital and death records in Western Australia to identify heart attacks, strokes and deaths.
In phase two, they noted that people with diabetes were less likely to have a heart attack or stroke, or to be hospitalized with heart failure or a lower extremity amputation than in phase one.
Several factors might account for those differences, Davis said. Better management of blood sugar levels likely played a role, and he said people with type 2 diabetes might also be getting diagnosed earlier.
Advertisement
People with diabetes in the second phase were far more likely to be taking medications for abnormal cholesterol levels or high blood pressure.
The improvements in the rate of heart disease and other conditions were seen mostly before introduction of newer diabetes medications, including classes of drugs called GLP-1 agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors.
"There were only a relatively small number of people in the second phase of the study on these newer treatments," Davis said. "The hope is that the gap between people with and without type 2 diabetes will narrow further as they are adopted more widely."
Populations with type 2 diabetes differ between Australia and the United States, so the study's findings might be different in the two countries.
"Australia is about 10 years behind the U.S. in the rate of obesity and type 2 diabetes, so there is less diabetes in Australia at the moment," Davis said. "There have been advances in diabetes and cardiovascular risk factor treatments over the past 20 years which are available for clinicians to use in both countries, and U.S. data suggest the same trends in [cardiovascular] complications with lower rates over recent years."
One big difference: Australia has a universal health care system. That means even uninsured patients won't miss out on the best treatments, he said.
Advertisement
Dr. Robert Eckel, president of medicine and science for the American Diabetes Association, said the study shows what is probably "occurring in developed nations around the world." Though the trend may also be happening in the United States, he hasn't seen any data yet confirming it.
Like Davis, Eckel suspects there are several reasons for the positive changes. They include better identification and treatment of heart attacks and stroke, the use of cholesterol and blood pressure medications, improved blood sugar management and possibly, better lifestyles. Changes in lifestyle are more difficult to measure, he noted.
His advice for folks with diabetes? "Work closely with your health care professionals to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease optimally managed and to help you own a lifestyle that is heart-, diabetes- and cancer-healthy," Eckel said.
The study was published online April 30 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
More information
Learn more about diabetes and heart disease from the American Heart Association.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-05-01--Judge dismisses U.S. women's soccer team's claim of unequal pay

May 1 ( UPI ) -- A federal judge in California dismissed the U.S. women 's national soccer team 's claim of unequal pay , according to a court filing .
Judge R. Gary Klausner of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on Friday rejected the U.S. women 's team 's claim that it has been underpaid relative to the U.S. men 's team , stating in his decision that the players `` have not demonstrated a triable issue that WNT players are paid less than MNT players . ''
Klausner ruled that the players ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support services , including medical staff and training equipment , can still go to trial .
Molly Levinson , a spokesperson for the players , said they plan to appeal the decision .
`` We are shocked and disappointed with today 's decision , but we will not give up our hard work for equal pay , '' Levinson said in a statement Friday .
`` We are confident in our case and steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that girls and women who play this sport will not be valued as lesser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have learned that there are tremendous obstacles to change ; we know that it takes bravery and courage and perseverance to stand up to them .
We will appeal and press on .
Words can not express our gratitude to all who support us . ''
The lawsuit , filed in March , initially included 28 players who alleged that the federation used `` institutionalized gender discrimination '' toward the women 's team .
It was filed under the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in November , meaning players from 2015 to the present day can be represented .
In total , 72 women have opted into the class .
The players have asked for more than $ 66 million in back pay and compensation .
`` We look forward to working with the Women 's National Team to chart a positive path forward to grow the game both here at home and around the world , '' U.S. Soccer spokesman Neil Buethe said in a statement .
`` U.S. Soccer has long been the world leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the field , and we are committed to continuing that work to ensure our Women 's National Team remains the best in the world and sets the standard for women 's soccer . ''
The original trial date of May 5 was postponed until June 16 because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .

Molly Levinson, a spokesperson for the U.S. women's soccer players, said they plan to appeal the decision. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 1 (UPI) -- A federal judge in California dismissed the U.S. women's national soccer team's claim of unequal pay, according to a court filing. Judge R. Gary Klausner of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on Friday rejected the U.S. women's team's claim that it has been underpaid relative to the U.S. men's team, stating in his decision that the players "have not demonstrated a triable issue that WNT players are paid less than MNT players." Advertisement
Klausner ruled that the players' additional allegations of unequal travel conditions and support services, including medical staff and training equipment, can still go to trial.
Molly Levinson, a spokesperson for the players, said they plan to appeal the decision.
"We are shocked and disappointed with today's decision, but we will not give up our hard work for equal pay," Levinson said in a statement Friday. "We are confident in our case and steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that girls and women who play this sport will not be valued as lesser just because of their gender.
"We have learned that there are tremendous obstacles to change; we know that it takes bravery and courage and perseverance to stand up to them. We will appeal and press on. Words cannot express our gratitude to all who support us."
Advertisement
The lawsuit, filed in March, initially included 28 players who alleged that the federation used "institutionalized gender discrimination" toward the women's team. It was filed under the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The plaintiffs were granted class status in November, meaning players from 2015 to the present day can be represented. In total, 72 women have opted into the class. The players have asked for more than $66 million in back pay and compensation.
"We look forward to working with the Women's National Team to chart a positive path forward to grow the game both here at home and around the world," U.S. Soccer spokesman Neil Buethe said in a statement.
"U.S. Soccer has long been the world leader for the women's game on and off the field, and we are committed to continuing that work to ensure our Women's National Team remains the best in the world and sets the standard for women's soccer."
The original trial date of May 5 was postponed until June 16 because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.


upi--2020-05-01--Cleveland Indians reliever Emmanuel Clase suspended 80 games for PEDs

May 1 ( UPI ) -- Cleveland Indians right-hander Emmanuel Clase was suspended 80 games after testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug , MLB announced Friday .
Clase tested positive for Boldenone , an anabolic steroid , according to a statement from the league .
His suspension wo n't begin until the start of the 2020 regular season , which has been delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic .
`` We are disappointed to learn of today 's suspension of Emmanuel Clase for violating Major League Baseball 's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program , '' the Indians said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support Major League Baseball 's policy and its efforts to eliminate performance-enhancing drugs from our game .
`` We have been in contact with Emmanuel , and we will welcome him back after the discipline has been served .
Per the protocol outlined by Major League Baseball 's collective bargaining agreement , we will not comment further on the circumstances surrounding this announcement . ''
Clase , 22 , was Cleveland 's biggest acquisition in the off-season trade that sent two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ role in the Indians ' bullpen this year .
Clase made his MLB debut with the Rangers in August .
He appeared in 21 games last season , posting a 2-3 record and 2.31 ERA .
He recorded 21 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings .

May 1 (UPI) -- Cleveland Indians right-hander Emmanuel Clase was suspended 80 games after testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug, MLB announced Friday.
Clase tested positive for Boldenone, an anabolic steroid, according to a statement from the league. His suspension won't begin until the start of the 2020 regular season, which has been delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Advertisement
"We are disappointed to learn of today's suspension of Emmanuel Clase for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program," the Indians said in a statement. "We fully support Major League Baseball's policy and its efforts to eliminate performance-enhancing drugs from our game.
"We have been in contact with Emmanuel, and we will welcome him back after the discipline has been served. Per the protocol outlined by Major League Baseball's collective bargaining agreement, we will not comment further on the circumstances surrounding this announcement."
Clase, 22, was Cleveland's biggest acquisition in the off-season trade that sent two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers. Clase was expected to have a significant role in the Indians' bullpen this year.
Advertisement
Clase made his MLB debut with the Rangers in August. He appeared in 21 games last season, posting a 2-3 record and 2.31 ERA. He recorded 21 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings.


upi--2020-05-01--Titans to decline fifth-year option on former No. 5 pick Corey Davis

May 1 ( UPI ) -- The Tennessee Titans are declining to pick up the fifth-year option on wide receiver Corey Davis .
ESPN and NFL Media confirmed the Titans ' decision to not pick up the option Friday , meaning Davis will be in a contract year this season .
According to ESPN , the fifth-year option would have carried a $ 15.68 million salary for Davis in the 2021 campaign .
Davis , the No .
5 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft , has struggled with consistency in his first three seasons in Tennessee .
Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 142 receptions for 1,867 yards and six touchdowns in 42 career games .
In 2019 , Davis notched only two receiving scores during the regular season and another touchdown in the postseason against the Baltimore Ravens on a pass from star running back Derrick Henry .
His best season came in 2018 , when he set career highs in receptions ( 65 ) , receiving yards ( 891 ) and touchdowns ( four ) .
Meanwhile , the Titans are exercising the fifth-year option on cornerback Adoree ' Jackson , according to ESPN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the option , the Titans guarantee Jackson 's contract for injury only in 2021 and his salary will be about $ 10.24 million .
Jackson , the No .
18 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft , has started 39 games over three NFL seasons .
He has two interceptions and 33 passes defensed in his career .

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) had 43 receptions for 601 yards and two touchdowns last season. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
May 1 (UPI) -- The Tennessee Titans are declining to pick up the fifth-year option on wide receiver Corey Davis. ESPN and NFL Media confirmed the Titans' decision to not pick up the option Friday, meaning Davis will be in a contract year this season. According to ESPN, the fifth-year option would have carried a $15.68 million salary for Davis in the 2021 campaign. Advertisement
Davis, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, has struggled with consistency in his first three seasons in Tennessee. Since entering the league, he has recorded 142 receptions for 1,867 yards and six touchdowns in 42 career games.
In 2019, Davis notched only two receiving scores during the regular season and another touchdown in the postseason against the Baltimore Ravens on a pass from star running back Derrick Henry. His best season came in 2018, when he set career highs in receptions (65), receiving yards (891) and touchdowns (four).
Meanwhile, the Titans are exercising the fifth-year option on cornerback Adoree' Jackson, according to ESPN and NFL Media. By picking up the option, the Titans guarantee Jackson's contract for injury only in 2021 and his salary will be about $10.24 million.
Advertisement
Jackson, the No. 18 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, has started 39 games over three NFL seasons. He has two interceptions and 33 passes defensed in his career.


upi--2020-05-02--North Korea media say photos show newly resurfaced Kim Jong Un

May 2 ( UPI ) -- A broadly smiling Kim Jong Un appeared in public for the first time in 20 days , looking well without any signs of an illness , despite a wave of speculation that he might be gravely sick or even dead .
Kim 's reappearance underlined the difficulty in figuring out affairs in the communist nation , especially with regard to its leadership , and how easy it is for the outside world to slip into far-fetched speculation in the absence of clear information .
The North 's official Korean Central News Agency and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kim attended a ceremony marking the completion of Sunchon Phosphatic Fertilizer Factory in Sunchon , north of Pyongyang , the previous day .
It was Kim 's first public appearance since he was last seen in North Korean media during a politburo meeting of the ruling Workers ' Party in April 11 .
His absence from an annual event marking the April 15 birth anniversary of his late grandfather and national founder , Kim Il Sung , sparked speculation he might be dead or seriously ill after surgery .
Dismissing such rumors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kim at the factory , dressed in a dark Mao suit and his signature sweptback hairstyle .
Photos showed him cutting a red ribbon during the ceremony , clapping and talking to the officials accompanying him with a bright smile on his face .
He was also seen walking normally around the factory , dismissing rumors and unconfirmed reports suggesting that he is unable to walk or in `` grave danger . ''
`` All the participants broke into thunderous cheers of 'hurrah ! '
extending the greatest glory to the Supreme Leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the development of Juche-based fertilizer industry and has led the grand revolutionary advance for strengthening self-supporting economy to a victory with his outstanding leadership , '' KCNA said .
His sister , Kim Yo Jong , who was considered among the most likely to succeed him by several reports should he become incapacitated or die , was seen standing next to the leader .
Other senior officials , including Pak Pong Ju , vice chairman of the WKP 's Central Committee and Premier Kim Jae Ryong , accompanied Kim , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 leader Choe Ryong Hae was not among the attendees .
Kim and his officials were not wearing masks .
It is not rare for Kim to disappear from the public eye .
After his appearance at a concert in Pyongyang celebrating Lunar New Year 's Day on Jan. 25 , he was absent for three weeks until state media reported his visit to a mausoleum in Pyongyang to commemorate the birthday of his late father on Feb. 16 .
His longest absence from public view was in September 2014 , when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Seoul 's intelligence agency later said that he had a cyst removed from his ankle .
President Donald Trump tweeted the photos of Kim Saturday , adding , `` I , for one , am glad to see he is back , and well ! ''

1/2
This image, released Saturday, by the North Korean Official News Service, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the Sunchon Phosphatic Fertilizer Factory. Photo by KCNA | License Photo
May 2 (UPI) -- A broadly smiling Kim Jong Un appeared in public for the first time in 20 days, looking well without any signs of an illness, despite a wave of speculation that he might be gravely sick or even dead. Kim's reappearance underlined the difficulty in figuring out affairs in the communist nation, especially with regard to its leadership, and how easy it is for the outside world to slip into far-fetched speculation in the absence of clear information. Advertisement
The North's official Korean Central News Agency and the main Rodong Simun newspaper reported Saturday that Kim attended a ceremony marking the completion of Sunchon Phosphatic Fertilizer Factory in Sunchon, north of Pyongyang, the previous day.
It was Kim's first public appearance since he was last seen in North Korean media during a politburo meeting of the ruling Workers' Party in April 11.
His absence from an annual event marking the April 15 birth anniversary of his late grandfather and national founder, Kim Il Sung, sparked speculation he might be dead or seriously ill after surgery.
Dismissing such rumors, KCNA on Saturday released several photos of Kim at the factory, dressed in a dark Mao suit and his signature sweptback hairstyle.
Advertisement
Kim showed no apparent signs of illness.
Photos showed him cutting a red ribbon during the ceremony, clapping and talking to the officials accompanying him with a bright smile on his face. He was also seen walking normally around the factory, dismissing rumors and unconfirmed reports suggesting that he is unable to walk or in "grave danger."
"All the participants broke into thunderous cheers of 'hurrah!' extending the greatest glory to the Supreme Leader who has brought about a new change in the development of Juche-based fertilizer industry and has led the grand revolutionary advance for strengthening self-supporting economy to a victory with his outstanding leadership," KCNA said.
His sister, Kim Yo Jong, who was considered among the most likely to succeed him by several reports should he become incapacitated or die, was seen standing next to the leader.
Other senior officials, including Pak Pong Ju, vice chairman of the WKP's Central Committee and Premier Kim Jae Ryong, accompanied Kim, according to KCNA. The North's No. 2 leader Choe Ryong Hae was not among the attendees.
Kim and his officials were not wearing masks.
It is not rare for Kim to disappear from the public eye.
Advertisement
After his appearance at a concert in Pyongyang celebrating Lunar New Year's Day on Jan. 25, he was absent for three weeks until state media reported his visit to a mausoleum in Pyongyang to commemorate the birthday of his late father on Feb. 16.
His longest absence from public view was in September 2014, when he disappeared for 40 days and returned limping. Seoul's intelligence agency later said that he had a cyst removed from his ankle.
President Donald Trump tweeted the photos of Kim Saturday, adding, "I, for one, am glad to see he is back, and well!"


upi--2020-05-02--At least 40 dead, dozens injured in Venezuela prison riot

May 2 ( UPI ) -- At least 40 people died and 75 others were injured Saturday in a riot at the Los Llanos Penitentiary in Venezuela , authorities said .
The prison 's director , Carlos Toro , is one of those injured , according to the advocacy organization Venezuelan Prisons Observatory ( OVP ) .
Venezuela 's minister of penitentiary services , Iris Varela , confirmed the riot had taken place and told a newspaper the warden was injured with a knife .
Of the 75 wounded , 52 are in the hospital , the advocacy organization said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of how the riot started , with National Assembly representative for Portuguesa Maria Beatriz Martinez saying the riot began during an alleged escape attempt , and ( OVP ) calling that account `` dubious . ''
Other accounts of the riot say prisoners were angry about a lack of food and water in the facility , exacerbated by new restrictions that prohibit family members from bringing food to those incarcerated .
`` This is not the first time we have seen prisoners in Venezuela suffer terrible violations of their right to life , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Amnesty International in a statement .
`` The grotesque images that are now being broadcast around the world should serve as a reminder that all those responsible for this atrocity must be brought to justice .
The authorities ' lethal response must be thoroughly investigated and analysed so that these international crimes do not go unpunished . ''
Advocates say that although the facility has space for 750 people , more than 2,500 inmates are currently imprisoned there .
The United Nations Human Rights office tweeted Saturday urging the government to conduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guarantee basic rights in the prison .

May 2 (UPI) -- At least 40 people died and 75 others were injured Saturday in a riot at the Los Llanos Penitentiary in Venezuela, authorities said.
The prison's director, Carlos Toro, is one of those injured, according to the advocacy organization Venezuelan Prisons Observatory (OVP).
Advertisement
Venezuela's minister of penitentiary services, Iris Varela, confirmed the riot had taken place and told a newspaper the warden was injured with a knife.
Of the 75 wounded, 52 are in the hospital, the advocacy organization said.
Advocates and politicians offered differing accounts of how the riot started, with National Assembly representative for Portuguesa Maria Beatriz Martinez saying the riot began during an alleged escape attempt, and (OVP) calling that account "dubious."
Other accounts of the riot say prisoners were angry about a lack of food and water in the facility, exacerbated by new restrictions that prohibit family members from bringing food to those incarcerated.
"This is not the first time we have seen prisoners in Venezuela suffer terrible violations of their right to life," said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director at Amnesty International in a statement. "The grotesque images that are now being broadcast around the world should serve as a reminder that all those responsible for this atrocity must be brought to justice. The authorities' lethal response must be thoroughly investigated and analysed so that these international crimes do not go unpunished."
Advertisement
Advocates say that although the facility has space for 750 people, more than 2,500 inmates are currently imprisoned there.
The United Nations Human Rights office tweeted Saturday urging the government to conduct a thorough investigation, tackle overcrowding and guarantee basic rights in the prison.


upi--2020-05-02--Coronavirus: China reports no new deaths for fifth straight day

May 2 ( UPI ) -- China on Saturday reported no new coronavirus deaths for the fifth day in a row as the global death toll reached over 239,000 .
The country also reported one new COVID-19 case in five days .
Since the virus outbreak began , the number of cases in China has reached 83,959 , with 4,637 deaths , Johns Hopkins University global tracker data shows .
The rate of cases and deaths has slowed since lockdown measures in the country began in January , leading the country to start easing restrictions .
China 's National Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released from hospitals , bringing the total number of people recovered from the virus to 77,685 people , leaving 557 hospitalized .
Chinese authorities first identified a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan , China , in December as a novel coronavirus outbreak in January .
Evidence suggests the initial outbreak was associated with a seafood market in Wuhan , China , according to the World Health Organization .
As of Saturday , the number of cases worldwide has reached more than 3 million with more than 239,000 deaths , the global tracker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries are taking new measures to control the virus as some lockdown measures ease and migrant detention has become more controversial .
The Spanish government lifted its restriction on adult participation in nonessential outdoor activities for adults Saturday , giving adults the first chance to exercise outdoors since imposing a lockdown in mid-March and following an announcement earlier this week that children under 14 are now allowed to play outdoors .
In an attempt to contain one of the worst outbreaks in Europe -- with 213,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Spanish government imposed a fine of $ 1,000 to anyone who left their homes for any trips except those deemed essential , like visits to grocery stores or pharmacies .
The number of new cases and reported deaths in the country have both begun to taper .
Under the relaxed rules , children can be outdoors between noon and 7 p.m. , adults from 6 to 10 a.m. and 8 to 11 p.m. , with vulnerable adults and seniors able to exercise outdoors between those windows .
In France , the numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued to decline , but the French government introduced a bill Saturday that would its state of emergency until July 24 .
The bill includes provisions for the obligatory wearing of masks on public transport and a 14-day quarantine requirement for those arriving in France from abroad .
In Malaysia , Security Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob struck back at criticism over Friday 's arrest of 586 undocumented migrants , including young children and ethnic Rohingya refugees from Myanmar .
Yaakob said that those detained had been screened for COVID-19 and tested negative .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ under lockdown , their presence here is still illegal , '' Yaakob said .
Malaysia has 6,176 cases and 103 deaths from the pandemic , the global tracker shows .
Indian officials mandated that all public and private sector employees use a contact-tracing app using Bluetooth , the country 's Ministry of Home Affairs said late Friday .
The app is designed to help workers follow social distancing in offices and officials said it will not infringe on privacy because data is collected anonymously .
Meanwhile , the country 's capital New Delhi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower-risk areas .
India has reported 37,336 cases and 1,223 deaths as of Saturday .
South Korea reported six new cases Saturday , continuing a monthlong streak of daily cases below 100. WHO and individual nations have praised the country for largely managing to bring the virus under control with extensive testing and contact tracing .
South Korea has reported 10,780 cases and 250 deaths since the outbreak began .
The United States , which has six times the population of South Korea , has the most confirmed cases at 1,104,161 and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second-highest number of deaths at 28,236 deaths , the tracker shows , with 207,428 cases .

A Chinese man walks past a closed bar while continuing to wear a protective face mask as lockdown restrictions eased across the country. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
May 2 (UPI) -- China on Saturday reported no new coronavirus deaths for the fifth day in a row as the global death toll reached over 239,000. The country also reported one new COVID-19 case in five days. Advertisement
Since the virus outbreak began, the number of cases in China has reached 83,959, with 4,637 deaths, Johns Hopkins University global tracker data shows.
The rate of cases and deaths has slowed since lockdown measures in the country began in January, leading the country to start easing restrictions.
China's National Health Commission said Friday that 43 patients were released from hospitals, bringing the total number of people recovered from the virus to 77,685 people, leaving 557 hospitalized.
Chinese authorities first identified a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China, in December as a novel coronavirus outbreak in January.
Advertisement
Evidence suggests the initial outbreak was associated with a seafood market in Wuhan, China, according to the World Health Organization.
As of Saturday, the number of cases worldwide has reached more than 3 million with more than 239,000 deaths, the global tracker shows.
Across the world, some countries are taking new measures to control the virus as some lockdown measures ease and migrant detention has become more controversial.
The Spanish government lifted its restriction on adult participation in nonessential outdoor activities for adults Saturday, giving adults the first chance to exercise outdoors since imposing a lockdown in mid-March and following an announcement earlier this week that children under 14 are now allowed to play outdoors.
In an attempt to contain one of the worst outbreaks in Europe -- with 213,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and a death toll of more than 24,500 -- the Spanish government imposed a fine of $1,000 to anyone who left their homes for any trips except those deemed essential, like visits to grocery stores or pharmacies.
The number of new cases and reported deaths in the country have both begun to taper.
Under the relaxed rules, children can be outdoors between noon and 7 p.m., adults from 6 to 10 a.m. and 8 to 11 p.m., with vulnerable adults and seniors able to exercise outdoors between those windows.
Advertisement
In France, the numbers of new cases and deaths have also continued to decline, but the French government introduced a bill Saturday that would its state of emergency until July 24.
The bill includes provisions for the obligatory wearing of masks on public transport and a 14-day quarantine requirement for those arriving in France from abroad.
In Malaysia, Security Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob struck back at criticism over Friday's arrest of 586 undocumented migrants, including young children and ethnic Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.
Yaakob said that those detained had been screened for COVID-19 and tested negative.
"Even though the migrants were living under lockdown, their presence here is still illegal," Yaakob said.
Malaysia has 6,176 cases and 103 deaths from the pandemic, the global tracker shows.
Indian officials mandated that all public and private sector employees use a contact-tracing app using Bluetooth, the country's Ministry of Home Affairs said late Friday.
The app is designed to help workers follow social distancing in offices and officials said it will not infringe on privacy because data is collected anonymously.
Meanwhile, the country's capital New Delhi has started to ease lockdown measures in lower-risk areas.
India has reported 37,336 cases and 1,223 deaths as of Saturday.
Advertisement
South Korea reported six new cases Saturday, continuing a monthlong streak of daily cases below 100.
WHO and individual nations have praised the country for largely managing to bring the virus under control with extensive testing and contact tracing.
South Korea has reported 10,780 cases and 250 deaths since the outbreak began.
The United States, which has six times the population of South Korea, has the most confirmed cases at 1,104,161 and more than 65,000 deaths.
Italy has the second-highest number of deaths at 28,236 deaths, the tracker shows, with 207,428 cases.
World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-05-02--Calif. Gov. Newsom says state close to some reopening amid protests

May 2 ( UPI ) -- Amid protests to reopen , California Gov .
Gavin Newsom said he was close to making an announcement about easing stay-at-home order in place for six weeks .
Newsom told the Los Angeles Times Friday an announcement will come soon about reopening retail , hospitality and restaurant sectors with modifications to curb COVID-19 spread .
Though polls have shown residents support Newsom 's efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus , the economic toll has sparked protests to reopen businesses .
Modoc County , a rural area in the state 's northeast with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay-at-home restrictions Friday despite Newsom urging it to keep restrictions in place .
County officials said businesses , schools and churches could reopen under the condition that they follow 6 feet apart social distancing .
The county has not reported a single confirmed COVID-19 case yet .
`` Our businesses are dying ad people need to be able to feed their children and pay their rent , '' Heather Hadwick , deputy director of the county 's Office of Emergency Services said .
`` We 're very rural and naturally socially distanced in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom said he understood the difference between more rural areas and more dense urban areas .
`` We hear you , '' he said .
`` We 're paying attention to you . ''
Meanwhile , there are legal battles in Orange County to challenge Newsom 's directive to close beaches .
California has the fifth highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country with 52,632 cases and 2,171 deaths , as only New York , New Jersey , Massachusetts and Illinois have more cases .
New York and Washington similarly remain on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , The New York Times noted , as several other states have lifted stay-at-home orders or plan to beginning Monday .
Pennsylvania has the sixth highest number of cases at 50,983 cases , but more deaths than California at 2,794 deaths , according to The New York Times database .
It 's stay-at-home order is set to expire in recreation areas on May 8 , according to the newspaper 's analysis .
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced Saturday a plan for phased reopening of state park and forest facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state parks to the public on May 8 .
State park and forest facilities will still not be open to the public until May 15 .
Three public golf courses operated by private concessions already opened to the public on Friday , according to the announcement .
Michigan , which has 42,348 cases , also has more deaths than California at 3,886 deaths , along with Connecticut , which has 28,764 cases and 2,339 deaths .
In Michigan , Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer extended a stay-at-home order last month until May 15 despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boating , golfing , landscape services and plant nurseries .
Connecticut 's stay-at-home order is set to expire on May 20 , but Indra Nooyi , co-chair of the state 's advisory board on reopening , said that is just the date when a reopening plan will be presented to the governor .
And the advisory group said that actual reopening of non-essential businesses closed in March likely wo n't be phased in until June with complete reopening taking months .
North Dakota already lifted its stay-at-home order Friday for restaurants , gyms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limit capacity to meet social distancing standards .
North Dakota has reported 1,153 COVID-19 cases and 24 deaths , according to The New York Times database .
The City of Fargo , N.D. will also reopen its public facilities on Monday with social distancing restrictions .
North Dakota was among many states that started reopening Friday with other states such as Texas , Iowa and Wyoming also easing restrictions and Oklahoma expanding its reopening with restrictions .
Some other states like Florida , Nebraska , and South Carolina will begin to ease restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines and we hope the government is guiding us in the right direction , '' said Charlie Yin , who plans to open three of his four restaurants in Nebraska Monday .
`` I definitely think this is saving jobs . ''
Alaska , Georgia and Oklahoma were among the first states to began to ease restrictions on April 24 , disregarding a University of Washington model warning that no states should reopen before May 1 .
New York and New Jersey have the most cases across the country .
New York has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Times analysis shows .
New Jersey has 123,717 cases and 7,742 deaths .
Across the country , there are more than 1 million COVID-19 cases and more than 66,000 deaths , according to the Johns Hopkins global tracker .
The United States has about a third of the cases worldwide with more than 3.4 million cases and over 242,000 deaths from the virus globally .

1/3
Demonstrators for opening the state up visit the Capitol in Sacramento, California on Friday. Thousands showed up to urge an end to closure of non-essential businesses and campaign for Trump 2020. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
May 2 (UPI) -- Amid protests to reopen, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he was close to making an announcement about easing stay-at-home order in place for six weeks. Newsom told the Los Angeles Times Friday an announcement will come soon about reopening retail, hospitality and restaurant sectors with modifications to curb COVID-19 spread. Advertisement
Though polls have shown residents support Newsom's efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus, the economic toll has sparked protests to reopen businesses.
Modoc County, a rural area in the state's northeast with fewer than 9,000 residents, already eased stay-at-home restrictions Friday despite Newsom urging it to keep restrictions in place. County officials said businesses, schools and churches could reopen under the condition that they follow 6 feet apart social distancing. The county has not reported a single confirmed COVID-19 case yet.
Advertisement
"Our businesses are dying ad people need to be able to feed their children and pay their rent," Heather Hadwick, deputy director of the county's Office of Emergency Services said. "We're very rural and naturally socially distanced in our everyday lives."
Still, Newsom said he understood the difference between more rural areas and more dense urban areas.
"We hear you," he said. "We're paying attention to you."
Meanwhile, there are legal battles in Orange County to challenge Newsom's directive to close beaches.
California has the fifth highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country with 52,632 cases and 2,171 deaths, as only New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Illinois have more cases.
New York and Washington similarly remain on lockdown with firm shutdown orders in place, The New York Times noted, as several other states have lifted stay-at-home orders or plan to beginning Monday.
Pennsylvania has the sixth highest number of cases at 50,983 cases, but more deaths than California at 2,794 deaths, according to The New York Times database. It's stay-at-home order is set to expire in recreation areas on May 8, according to the newspaper's analysis.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced Saturday a plan for phased reopening of state park and forest facilities, including opening all nine marinas in state parks to the public on May 8. State park and forest facilities will still not be open to the public until May 15.
Advertisement
Three public golf courses operated by private concessions already opened to the public on Friday, according to the announcement.
Michigan, which has 42,348 cases, also has more deaths than California at 3,886 deaths, along with Connecticut, which has 28,764 cases and 2,339 deaths.
In Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extended a stay-at-home order last month until May 15 despite protests, but eased some restrictions on boating, golfing, landscape services and plant nurseries.
Connecticut's stay-at-home order is set to expire on May 20, but Indra Nooyi, co-chair of the state's advisory board on reopening, said that is just the date when a reopening plan will be presented to the governor. And the advisory group said that actual reopening of non-essential businesses closed in March likely won't be phased in until June with complete reopening taking months.
North Dakota already lifted its stay-at-home order Friday for restaurants, gyms, retail and beauty with restrictions that limit capacity to meet social distancing standards.
North Dakota has reported 1,153 COVID-19 cases and 24 deaths, according to The New York Times database.
The City of Fargo, N.D. will also reopen its public facilities on Monday with social distancing restrictions.
Advertisement
North Dakota was among many states that started reopening Friday with other states such as Texas, Iowa and Wyoming also easing restrictions and Oklahoma expanding its reopening with restrictions.
Some other states like Florida, Nebraska, and South Carolina will begin to ease restrictions Monday.
"We're following the guidelines and we hope the government is guiding us in the right direction," said Charlie Yin, who plans to open three of his four restaurants in Nebraska Monday. "I definitely think this is saving jobs."
Alaska, Georgia and Oklahoma were among the first states to began to ease restrictions on April 24, disregarding a University of Washington model warning that no states should reopen before May 1.
New York and New Jersey have the most cases across the country. New York has 318,239 cases and 24,140 deaths, The New York Times analysis shows. New Jersey has 123,717 cases and 7,742 deaths.
Across the country, there are more than 1 million COVID-19 cases and more than 66,000 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins global tracker. The United States has about a third of the cases worldwide with more than 3.4 million cases and over 242,000 deaths from the virus globally.


upi--2020-05-02--Invasive, honeybee-killing Asian giant hornet discovered in Washington state

DENVER , May 2 ( UPI ) -- Washington agriculture authorities are asking residents to be on the lookout for an invasive giant wasp with an `` excruciating '' sting that attacks honeybee colonies , leaving thousands of bees without heads .
`` The Asian giant hornet been called the most venomous , intimidating insect in the world , and it even scares away other hornets , '' said Timothy Lawrence , director of the Island County extension office at Washington State University .
Asian giant hornets originating in South Korea were first reported last fall near Vancouver Island in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blaine , Wash. , near the Canadian border , used an invasive species app to report wasps that were confirmed to be Asian giant hornets from Japan , the state agriculture department said .
An infestation of the new giant wasps could be devastating for beekeepers who bring their hives to the state to pollinate Northwest Pacific crops like cherries , blueberries and apples .
`` Commercial beekeepers have 300 to 400 hives in the area .
They may not want to go to certain counties if this infestation takes hold , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invasive yellow-legged Asian hornets , which also kill honeybees and other pollinators , has caused millions of dollars ' worth of damage to crops in France and elsewhere after they gained a foothold .
The Asian giant hornets , also called `` yak-killer hornets , '' measure about 2 inches long and have an orangeish-yellow face with large black eyes .
`` They 're like something out of a monster cartoon , '' Susan Cobey , a bee breeder with WSU 's Department of Entomology , said in a statement .
The Asian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excruciating , and they can sting repeatedly .
Their quarter-inch stinger can penetrate beekeeping protective clothing , a state agriculture department warning said .
The wasps are dangerous if their underground nests are disturbed , or if a food source is threatened .
Their venom , seven-times stronger than that of honeybees , can cause anaphylactic shock , but also can be lethal to people who are not allergic if victims are stung repeatedly .
`` They give a warning before they sting .
They snap their mandibles and make a clicking sound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you stick around to notice that , you 're probably already in a world of hurt . ''
The wasps might have hitched a ride to the Pacific Coast in a container ship , but also could have been imported intentionally as an ingredient for a folk recipe for wasp venom in alcohol , made popular by Internet bodybuilders , entomologists think .
The life cycle of the Asian giant hornet begins when a queen emerges from hibernation in April and feeds on plant sap and fruit , looking for a spot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to state fact sheets .
By summer , queens have created a colony of worker wasps that spread out to seek food .
At the end of the summer , the hornets enter a `` high-protein demand '' phase when they attack honeybee colonies , killing off the adults to feast on the immature brood of pupa and larva , scientists say .
The hornets will leave piles of dead bees , most of them headless , outside their beehive .
A few dozen hornets can kill an entire colony of 30,000 bees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be hunting for queens this spring , wearing special reinforced suits from China , said Rian Wojahn , eradication coordinator for the pest program at the Washington State Department of Agriculture .
`` The suits are made out of thick foam material with everything -- boots , gloves , hat -- attached , '' Wojahn said .
Trappers have set out bait bottles , filled with orange juice and rice wine , in coordination with state beekeeper clubs .
The trappers will use heat cameras to find underground nests , Wojahn said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire extinguishers , and pest workers will dig out the nests .
Local entomologists worry about native bees and other pollinators that also might be threatened if the Asian giant hornet gets established , said Todd Murray , a Washington State University extension entomologist .
Global economies and travel between faraway parts of the world are making invasive species more common , Murray said .
`` When we do get establishment of a new invasive species , its ' a 'forever change , ' and becomes something we learn to live with , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hornet I do n't want to learn to live with . ''

State agricultural pest eradicators wear protective suits while searching for underground nests of invasive Asian giant hornets. Photo courtesy of the Washington State Department of Agriculture
DENVER, May 2 (UPI) -- Washington agriculture authorities are asking residents to be on the lookout for an invasive giant wasp with an "excruciating" sting that attacks honeybee colonies, leaving thousands of bees without heads. "The Asian giant hornet been called the most venomous, intimidating insect in the world, and it even scares away other hornets," said Timothy Lawrence, director of the Island County extension office at Washington State University. Advertisement
Asian giant hornets originating in South Korea were first reported last fall near Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Then, residents in Blaine, Wash., near the Canadian border, used an invasive species app to report wasps that were confirmed to be Asian giant hornets from Japan, the state agriculture department said.
An infestation of the new giant wasps could be devastating for beekeepers who bring their hives to the state to pollinate Northwest Pacific crops like cherries, blueberries and apples.
Advertisement
"Commercial beekeepers have 300 to 400 hives in the area. They may not want to go to certain counties if this infestation takes hold," Lawrence said.
In Europe, the invasive yellow-legged Asian hornets, which also kill honeybees and other pollinators, has caused millions of dollars' worth of damage to crops in France and elsewhere after they gained a foothold.
The Asian giant hornets, also called "yak-killer hornets," measure about 2 inches long and have an orangeish-yellow face with large black eyes.
"They're like something out of a monster cartoon," Susan Cobey, a bee breeder with WSU's Department of Entomology, said in a statement.
The Asian giant hornet's sting is described as excruciating, and they can sting repeatedly. Their quarter-inch stinger can penetrate beekeeping protective clothing, a state agriculture department warning said.
The wasps are dangerous if their underground nests are disturbed, or if a food source is threatened. Their venom, seven-times stronger than that of honeybees, can cause anaphylactic shock, but also can be lethal to people who are not allergic if victims are stung repeatedly.
"They give a warning before they sting. They snap their mandibles and make a clicking sound," Lawrence said. "But if you stick around to notice that, you're probably already in a world of hurt."
Advertisement
The wasps might have hitched a ride to the Pacific Coast in a container ship, but also could have been imported intentionally as an ingredient for a folk recipe for wasp venom in alcohol, made popular by Internet bodybuilders, entomologists think.
The life cycle of the Asian giant hornet begins when a queen emerges from hibernation in April and feeds on plant sap and fruit, looking for a spot to build an underground nest, according to state fact sheets. By summer, queens have created a colony of worker wasps that spread out to seek food.
At the end of the summer, the hornets enter a "high-protein demand" phase when they attack honeybee colonies, killing off the adults to feast on the immature brood of pupa and larva, scientists say.
The hornets will leave piles of dead bees, most of them headless, outside their beehive. A few dozen hornets can kill an entire colony of 30,000 bees in a few hours.
Scientists will be hunting for queens this spring, wearing special reinforced suits from China, said Rian Wojahn, eradication coordinator for the pest program at the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
"The suits are made out of thick foam material with everything -- boots, gloves, hat -- attached," Wojahn said.
Advertisement
Trappers have set out bait bottles, filled with orange juice and rice wine, in coordination with state beekeeper clubs.
The trappers will use heat cameras to find underground nests, Wojahn said. Wasps will be sedated with carbon dioxide fire extinguishers, and pest workers will dig out the nests.
Local entomologists worry about native bees and other pollinators that also might be threatened if the Asian giant hornet gets established, said Todd Murray, a Washington State University extension entomologist.
Global economies and travel between faraway parts of the world are making invasive species more common, Murray said.
"When we do get establishment of a new invasive species, its' a 'forever change,' and becomes something we learn to live with," he said. This is definitely a hornet I don't want to learn to live with."


upi--2020-05-02--Look: Blue Angels, Thunderbirds fly over Baltimore, D.C., Atlanta

May 2 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and U.S. Navy Blue Angels flew over Washington , D.C. , Baltimore and Atlanta Saturday to honor frontline workers fighting the coronavirus pandemic .
The flyover follows a similar display in New York City , New Jersey and Pennsylvania earlier this week .
A formation of six F-16C/D Fighting Falcon and six F/A-18C/D Hornet aircraft conducted the flyover Saturday morning , starting with a 15-minute display in Baltimore , a 20-minute show in Washington , D.C. , and ending with a 25-minute show in Atlanta Saturday afternoon .
Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationwide tour called Operation America Strong , intended to pay tribute to healthcare workers and others working to care for the nation as the coronavirus spreads across the United States .
The flyover tributes are intended to be visible from private homes , so people would not be tempted to congregate outdoors to see the planes .
The Department of Defense has not released schedule details for further stops on the tour , but both the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds are also set to fly over several other U.S. cities in the @ @ @

1/19
| License Photo The U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds air demonstration teams perform a salute to healthcare workers. Photo by David Tulis/UPI
May 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and U.S. Navy Blue Angels flew over Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Atlanta Saturday to honor frontline workers fighting the coronavirus pandemic. The flyover follows a similar display in New York City, New Jersey and Pennsylvania earlier this week. Advertisement
A formation of six F-16C/D Fighting Falcon and six F/A-18C/D Hornet aircraft conducted the flyover Saturday morning, starting with a 15-minute display in Baltimore, a 20-minute show in Washington, D.C., and ending with a 25-minute show in Atlanta Saturday afternoon.
Saturday's shows were part of a planned nationwide tour called Operation America Strong, intended to pay tribute to healthcare workers and others working to care for the nation as the coronavirus spreads across the United States.
The flyover tributes are intended to be visible from private homes, so people would not be tempted to congregate outdoors to see the planes.
The Department of Defense has not released schedule details for further stops on the tour, but both the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds are also set to fly over several other U.S. cities in the coming weeks.


upi--2020-05-02--NYC nursing home reports nearly 100 dead ; N.M. closes roads into Gallup

1/2
A woman wears a protective face mask in New York City on Friday. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Saturday that nearly 300 people died in the previous 24 hours in the state. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 2 (UPI) -- The 705-bed center Isabella Center in New York City confirmed Saturday that 98 residents likely died of the novel coronavirus. That accounting comes after U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., wrote a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York Attorney General Letitia James calling for an investigation into nursing home facilities in response to reports that a New York City nursing home was not accurately reporting COVID-19 deaths to authorities. Advertisement
A little more than half of those deaths are suspected coronavirus cases, the facility said, saying in a statement that staff have not had sufficient access to testing equipment.
"While we did test where possible, widespread and consistent testing was not available. Fortunately, nursing homes in New York City, including Isabella, are now getting more access to testing," the statement said.
Advertisement
Also on Saturday Cuomo said the number of infections and hospitalizations in the state continues to slow, but the death toll increased slightly after slowing down for several days.
According to Cuomo, 299 residents of New York died in the previous 24 hours -- 276 were of in hospitals and 23 in nursing homes -- mostly in New York City.
"The number that I watch everyday, which is the worse, is the number of deaths," Cuomo said. "That number has remained obnoxiously and terrifyingly high. So that is bad news."
Cuomo also said 12.3 percent of individuals tested for antibodies were positive -- out of 15,000, the largest sample size of any state.
Those numbers were higher in the Bronx, where 27.6 percent of tests were positive -- with no other New York City borough testing at a rate higher than 20 percent -- and among Latinos (25.4 percent) and African Americans (17.4 percent).
Meanwhile, in New Mexico, Gov. Michelle Grisham has ordered all roads into and out of Gallup to be shut down after the small town experienced an "uninhibited spread" of the novel coronavirus.
She said she authorized the lockdown Friday in response to an emergency request by Gallup Mayor Louis Bonaguidi, who was sworn into office Thursday.
Advertisement
"I recognize this request is unusual and constitutes a drastic measure, and the emergency powers set out under the Riot Control Act should be invoked sparingly," Bonaguidi said. "However, the COVID-19 outbreak in the city of Gallup is a crisis of the highest order. Immediate action is necessary."
The governor's office said McKinley County, where Gallup is located in northwest New Mexico, has 1,027 confirmed cases of COVID-19, more than 30 percent of the state's total number of cases. The county reported 207 cases in the two days leading up to the order.
McKinley County has a population of about 72,000 people, making it the seventh most populous county in the state.
"The needs of McKinley County are the most important in the state," said New Mexico Rep. Patricia Lundstrom, whose district includes Gallup. "The escalating numbers and deaths indicate that we must take immediate action. Everyone should take this seriously and stay home. These measures are aggressive but necessary."
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic
Bass Pro Shops marketing manager David Smith (R) carries a box of donated face masks into Mercy Health in Chesterfield, Mo., on May 13. The company is donating 1 million FDA-approved ASTM Level 1 Procedure Face Masks to healthcare workers and first responders working on the front lines of the pandemic. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
In addition to closing all roads for three days, the order shutters all businesses from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. each day and prohibits vehicles from carrying more than two people.
Gallup borders the Navajo Nation, which has had its own spike in cases. The reservation has become a hot spot for the pandemic, with among the highest infection rates in the United States.
Advertisement
That is because some 30 percent of residents live without running water and because so many residents live in multi-generational households, Dr. Loretta Christensen, chief medical officer of the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, said Thursday.
Christensen said earlier this week that the Gallup outbreak has centered among homeless residents.
"It's unfortunate there was a big outbreak from the local detox center, where people were living in a congregate setting," Christensen said.
The Navajo Department of Health reported 164 new cases Thursday for a total number of cases of 2,141. There have been 71 deaths.
New Mexico has more than 3,500 cases of coronavirus and 131 deaths, according to The New York Times tracker. The United States has 1.1 million cases and nearly 65,000 deaths.
In Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved the delivery of three Battelle Critical Care Decontamination Systems, which should be able to sterilize up to 240,000 units of personal protective equipment per day for reuse.
In mid-April the Pentagon awarded Battelle with a $415 million contact to provide 60 decontamination systems for distribution by FEMA to areas facing shortages of personal protective equipment.


upi--2020-05-02--Michael Sheen, David Tennant reunite for 'Good Omens: Lockdown' episode

May 2 ( UPI ) -- Michael Sheen and David Tennant reunited for a 3 1/2-minute lockdown edition of their @ @ @ @ @ Omens .
The mini-episode features audio of Sheen as the angel Aziraphale and Tennant as @ @ @ @ @ on the phone while social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic .
The clip has gotten @ @ @ @ @ it was posted on YouTube on Friday in honor of the 30th anniversary of the @ @ @ @ @ book by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett .
Gaiman wrote the dialogue for the episode @ @ @ @ @ is `` transcendentally bored '' and plans to to take a nap until July when @ @ @ @ @ at home will , hopefully , be over .
Aziraphale confesses he has been enjoying @ @ @ @ @ on his reading , and baking and eating cake .

1/3
Michael Sheen reprised his role of the angel Aziraphale for a "Good Omens" mini-episode this weekend. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
May 2 (UPI) -- Michael Sheen and David Tennant reunited for a 3 1/2-minute lockdown edition of their Amazon/BBC fantasy-comedy series, Good Omens. The mini-episode features audio of Sheen as the angel Aziraphale and Tennant as the demon Crowley, talking on the phone while social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement
The clip has gotten more than 350,000 hits since it was posted on YouTube on Friday in honor of the 30th anniversary of the publication of the Good Omens book by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.
Gaiman wrote the dialogue for the episode in which Crowley declares he is "transcendentally bored" and plans to to take a nap until July when the health crisis keeping everyone at home will, hopefully, be over.
Aziraphale confesses he has been enjoying the solitude, catching up on his reading, and baking and eating cake.


upi--2020-05-02--Federal judge allows clearing of St. Louis homeless encampment

1/3
A couple stand by their belongings after taking their tent down in a homeless encampment in St. Louis on Friday. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
May 2 (UPI) -- A federal judge in Missouri ruled Saturday that St. Louis officials can clear a homeless encampment downtown to limit the spread of coronavirus. The ArchCity Defenders, a legal advocacy organization against criminalizing poverty, filed a lawsuit against the city on behalf of homeless people who reside in the encampment. Ranata Frank, who resides there, was named in the suit, as one representative of the approximately 50 residents of the tent encampment. Advertisement
The filing of the suit Friday blocked a deadline that same day for the encampment occupants to leave.
City officials said that the tents' crowded and unsanitary conditions risked coronavirus spread. But the suit said clearing the encampment could increase the public health threat.
Clearing the camp would conflict with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance that says "clearing encampments can cause people to disperse throughout the community and break connections with service providers. This increases the potential for infectious disease spread."
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic
Bass Pro Shops marketing manager David Smith (R) carries a box of donated face masks into Mercy Health in Chesterfield, Mo., on May 13. The company is donating 1 million FDA-approved ASTM Level 1 Procedure Face Masks to healthcare workers and first responders working on the front lines of the pandemic. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
The suit also called for a temporary restraining order, arguing that eviction from encampment under threat of arrest violated the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.
Advertisement
Frank said in the lawsuit that she has been seeking a home in St. Louis since November without success.
She added that three week ago she signed up for a bed in a hotel, but hasn't gotten one yet.
"For weeks, the City of St. Louis has stated that they have enough shelter for the people who want it. This is patently false," ArchCity Defenders attorney John Bonacorsi said in a statement. "As unhoused individuals, outreach workers and service providers know firsthand, there is a severe shortage of adequate shelter space for our local unhoused community, which means that there are hundreds of people who are forced to risk punishment and sleep outside."
City officials said they arranged space in hotels for everyone residing in the encampments. They also denied that they were planning criminal charges or arrests and said the homeless residents have been offered testing for the virus.
U.S. District Judge Sarah Pitlyk denied plaintiff's request for a temporary restraining order in her ruling.
"The court cannot say that a temporary restraining order prohibiting the city from taking the steps it reasonably deems necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19 serves the public interest," Pitlyk said.
Advertisement
Pitlyk set a preliminary injunction hearing for May 12.


upi--2020-05-02--Boris Johnson, Carrie Symonds name baby after coronavirus doctors

May 2 ( UPI ) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and fiancee Carrie Symonds said Saturday they will name their baby after two doctors who treated the leader when he was ill with COVID-19 .
Johnson returned to work Monday after spending days in intensive care for the virus in April .
Symonds gave birth to their baby boy at University College London Hospital days later .
Symonds wrote Saturday in a private Instagram post that their son 's second middle name , Nicholas , is a tribute to `` Dr. Nick Price and Dr. Nick Hart -- the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month . ''
`` Thank you so much , so much to the incredible [ National Health Service ] maternity team at UCLH that looked after us so well , '' Symonds added .
`` I could n't be happier .
My heart is full . ''
The baby 's full name is Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson .
Symonds said the first name , Wilfred , is the name of the prime minister 's paternal grandfather , and the first middle name , Lawrie , is after her grandfather .
Johnson was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing positive for COVID-19 back in March .

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (R) and his partner, Carrie Symonds, (L) announced Saturday that their newborn's middle name is a tribute to doctors. File Photo by Will Oliver/EPA-EFE
May 2 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and fiancee Carrie Symonds said Saturday they will name their baby after two doctors who treated the leader when he was ill with COVID-19. Johnson returned to work Monday after spending days in intensive care for the virus in April. Symonds gave birth to their baby boy at University College London Hospital days later. Advertisement
Symonds wrote Saturday in a private Instagram post that their son's second middle name, Nicholas, is a tribute to "Dr. Nick Price and Dr. Nick Hart -- the two doctors that saved Boris' life last month."
"Thank you so much, so much to the incredible [National Health Service] maternity team at UCLH that looked after us so well," Symonds added. "I couldn't be happier. My heart is full."
The baby's full name is Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson.
Symonds said the first name, Wilfred, is the name of the prime minister's paternal grandfather, and the first middle name, Lawrie, is after her grandfather.
Johnson was the first head of government to announce testing positive for COVID-19 back in March.


upi--2020-05-02--Damage reported in Puerto Rico following 5.4 magnitude earthquake

May 2 ( UPI ) -- A magnitude-5.4 earthquake jolted some out of bed in Puerto Rico on Saturday morning .
A series of less powerful shocks followed ranging from magnitudes 4.9 to 2.6 in the area .
The initial quake was recorded at 7:13 a.m. , 6.8 miles south-southeast of Tallaboa , a small community in the south of the island , the U.S. Geological Survey reported .
People took to social media to share videos and images of damage left behind from the big quake .
Pictures show a second-story balcony crashed onto the street in the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a landslide after a video was uploaded to Twitter showing clouds of dust as rocks were falling near a road .
According to Courtney Travis , an AccuWeather meteorologist , there have been at least 23 earthquakes of a 2.5-magnitude or higher on the Richter scale since Friday afternoon .
There have been 33 earthquakes around Puerto Rico of a 4.5-magnitude or higher since the start of 2020 , including two 5.6 earthquakes and one 6.4 earthquake on Jan. 7 that prompted a state of emergency .
Saturday 's quake hit towns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guayanilla , where the deadly Jan. 7 earthquake resulted in hundreds of destroyed homes and caused millions of dollars in damage .
Some people still remain in shelters from the previous quakes earlier this year .
As residents pick up the pieces after this earthquake they may face less-than-ideal weather if recovery spans into the upcoming week .
`` Into early next week , it is likely for there to be a few showers or a thunderstorm in the area each day .
Temperatures during this time are expected to be in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower 70s making it humid .
These conditions are near normal for this time of year , '' Travis said .
Saturday was an active earthquake day around the world .
Earthquakes also jolted parts of Greece , the Dominican Republic and Oklahoma .

The initial quake was recorded at 7:13 a.m., 6.8 miles south-southeast of Tallaboa. Image courtesy of the USGS
May 2 (UPI) -- A magnitude-5.4 earthquake jolted some out of bed in Puerto Rico on Saturday morning. A series of less powerful shocks followed ranging from magnitudes 4.9 to 2.6 in the area. The initial quake was recorded at 7:13 a.m., 6.8 miles south-southeast of Tallaboa, a small community in the south of the island, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. Advertisement
People took to social media to share videos and images of damage left behind from the big quake. Pictures show a second-story balcony crashed onto the street in the city of Ponce.
There were also reports of a landslide after a video was uploaded to Twitter showing clouds of dust as rocks were falling near a road.
According to Courtney Travis, an AccuWeather meteorologist, there have been at least 23 earthquakes of a 2.5-magnitude or higher on the Richter scale since Friday afternoon. There have been 33 earthquakes around Puerto Rico of a 4.5-magnitude or higher since the start of 2020, including two 5.6 earthquakes and one 6.4 earthquake on Jan. 7 that prompted a state of emergency.
Saturday's quake hit towns just off the coast including Guánica and Guayanilla, where the deadly Jan. 7 earthquake resulted in hundreds of destroyed homes and caused millions of dollars in damage.
Advertisement
Some people still remain in shelters from the previous quakes earlier this year.
As residents pick up the pieces after this earthquake they may face less-than-ideal weather if recovery spans into the upcoming week.
"Into early next week, it is likely for there to be a few showers or a thunderstorm in the area each day. Temperatures during this time are expected to be in the upper 80s with dew points in the lower 70s making it humid. These conditions are near normal for this time of year," Travis said.
Saturday was an active earthquake day around the world. Earthquakes also jolted parts of Greece, the Dominican Republic and Oklahoma.


upi--2020-05-02--Bravo plans three-part virtual 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' reunion

May 2 ( UPI ) -- Bravo said its three-part The Real Housewives of Atlanta virtual reunion special will begin @ @ @ @ @ Cohen is hosting the program , which will feature the reality show 's stars , @ @ @ @ @ , Kandi Burruss , Kenya Moore , Nene Leakes and Porsha Williams .
The second @ @ @ @ @ set to air on the cable network on May 17 and the third on May @ @ @ @ @ productions have been shut down or moved to remote recording due to social distancing practices @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus , a pandemic that has killed more than 200,000 people worldwide .

1/3
Andy Cohen is set to host a three-part virtual reunion special for "The Real Housewives of Atlanta." File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 2 (UPI) -- Bravo said its three-part The Real Housewives of Atlanta virtual reunion special will begin airing May 10. Andy Cohen is hosting the program, which will feature the reality show's stars, Cynthia Bailey, Eva Marcille, Kandi Burruss, Kenya Moore, Nene Leakes and Porsha Williams. Advertisement
The second part of the special is set to air on the cable network on May 17 and the third on May 24.
Most U.S. television productions have been shut down or moved to remote recording due to social distancing practices enacted to slow the spread of the coronavirus, a pandemic that has killed more than 200,000 people worldwide.


upi--2020-05-02--Berkshire Hathaway posts nearly $50B loss after COVID-19

May 2 ( UPI ) -- Billionaire Warren Buffett 's company Berkshire Hathaway posted a nearly $ 50 billion net loss in the first quarter of 2020 thanks to plummeting markets during the coronavirus crisis , a regulatory filing Saturday indicates .
Shareholders lost $ 49.7 billion in the first three months of 2020 , including after-tax losses , according to a regulatory filing , largely from a decline in market prices of equity securities .
`` Prior to the middle of March , many of our operating business were experiencing comparative revenue and earning increases over 2019 , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic accelerated in the second half of March and continued through April , most of our businesses were negatively affected . ''
The Omaha , Neb.
, -based holding company owns Geico , Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad , Dairy Queen , Duracell battery company and other firms .
The filing noted that the impact from COVID-19 on businesses ranged from `` relatively minor to severe . ''
Some of Berkshire Hathaway 's businesses , such as the railroad and insurance companies , were deemed essential and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were `` severely impacted '' due to closures , the filing said .
As a result , there have been furloughs , and wage and salary reductions to mitigate the economic losses .

Warren Buffett's company Berkshire Hathaway posted Saturday a nearly $50 billion net loss in the first quarter. File Photo by Molly Riley/UPI | License Photo
May 2 (UPI) -- Billionaire Warren Buffett's company Berkshire Hathaway posted a nearly $50 billion net loss in the first quarter of 2020 thanks to plummeting markets during the coronavirus crisis, a regulatory filing Saturday indicates. Shareholders lost $49.7 billion in the first three months of 2020, including after-tax losses, according to a regulatory filing, largely from a decline in market prices of equity securities. Advertisement
"Prior to the middle of March, many of our operating business were experiencing comparative revenue and earning increases over 2019," the filing said. "As efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic accelerated in the second half of March and continued through April, most of our businesses were negatively affected."
The Omaha, Neb.,-based holding company owns Geico, Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad, Dairy Queen, Duracell battery company and other firms.
The filing noted that the impact from COVID-19 on businesses ranged from "relatively minor to severe."
Some of Berkshire Hathaway's businesses, such as the railroad and insurance companies, were deemed essential and continued to operate, but retail businesses were "severely impacted" due to closures, the filing said. As a result, there have been furloughs, and wage and salary reductions to mitigate the economic losses.


upi--2020-05-02--Officer dead in Houston police helicopter crash

May 2 ( UPI ) -- A Houston police helicopter crashed into an apartment complex early Saturday , killing one @ @ @ @ @ , law enforcement authorities said .
`` Our thoughts & prayers go out to his @ @ @ @ @ , his parents [ Mike Knox ] and Mrs. Knox , his extended family , @ @ @ @ @ Acevedo said in a tweet .
Jason Knox was the son of former officer and @ @ @ @ @ Mike Knox .
The Houston Police Department said the helicopter was responding to a report @ @ @ @ @ the bayou around 2 a.m. when it crashed .
It hit an unoccupied apartment complex @ @ @ @ @ surviving officer was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital and was in critical condition .

Officer Jason Knox was the son of former officer and Houston City Council member Mike Knox. File Photo courtesy of chief Art Acevedo
May 2 (UPI) -- A Houston police helicopter crashed into an apartment complex early Saturday, killing one officer and injuring a second, law enforcement authorities said. Houston police chief Art Acevedo identified the fallen officer as Jason Knox. Advertisement
"Our thoughts & prayers go out to his wife, two young children, his parents [Mike Knox] and Mrs. Knox, his extended family, colleagues & friends," Acevedo said in a tweet.
Jason Knox was the son of former officer and current Houston City Council member Mike Knox.
The Houston Police Department said the helicopter was responding to a report about two bodies discovered in the bayou around 2 a.m. when it crashed. It hit an unoccupied apartment complex during the crash.
The surviving officer was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital and was in critical condition.


upi--2020-05-02--Eric Christian Olsen, wife Sarah expecting third child

May 2 ( UPI ) -- NCIS : Los Angeles actor Eric Christian Olsen has announced his wife , Parks @ @ @ @ @ Olsen , is pregnant with their third child .
`` This seems like the perfect @ @ @ @ @ .
# quarantinebaby # endlesssummerbaby # loveinthetimeofcorona # iguessimsleepinginthegarage # tinyhousenation , '' Olsen wrote @ @ @ @ @ shared a photo of Sarah showing off her baby bump to their 3-year-old daughter Esme @ @ @ @ @ of herself wearing a sheer , white dress on her own account .
`` Grateful @ @ @ @ @ , kicking and filling our days with light .
Due end of summer , '' @ @ @ @ @ for the first time to a past pregnancy loss .
People.com said the Olsens are @ @ @ @ @ 6-year-old son named Wyatt .

Actor Eric Christian Olsen (L) and his wife, actress Sarah Wright Olsen, are expecting their third child. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
May 2 (UPI) -- NCIS: Los Angeles actor Eric Christian Olsen has announced his wife, Parks and Recreation alum Sarah Wright Olsen, is pregnant with their third child. "This seems like the perfect time to have another baby. #quarantinebaby #endlesssummerbaby #loveinthetimeofcorona #iguessimsleepinginthegarage #tinyhousenation," Olsen wrote on Instagram. Advertisement
He also shared a photo of Sarah showing off her baby bump to their 3-year-old daughter Esme.
Sarah posted a portrait of herself wearing a sheer, white dress on her own account.
"Grateful for our rainbow baby growing, kicking and filling our days with light. Due end of summer," she wrote, alluding publicly for the first time to a past pregnancy loss.
People.com said the Olsens are also the parents of a 6-year-old son named Wyatt.


upi--2020-05-02--'Feeding America Comedy Festival' to air on NBC May 10

May 2 ( UPI ) -- Dozens of comedians are slated to appear on NBC 's 2-hour Feeding America Comedy Festival on May 10 .
Contributing pre-recorded comedy segments are Byron Allen , Louie Anderson , Judd Apatow , Jack Black , Wayne Brady , Adam Carolla , Cedric the Entertainer , Margaret Cho , Andrew Dice Clay , Deon Cole , Billy Crystal , Whitney Cummings and Tommy Davidson .
Also expected to offer some laughs during a difficult time are Bill Engvall , Mike Epps , Billy Gardell , Brad Garrett , Whoopi Goldberg , Tiffany Haddish , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kevin James , Jim Jefferies , Jamie Kennedy , Keegan-Michael Key , George Lopez , Jon Lovitz , Howie Mandel , Sebastian Maniscalco , Marc Maron , Tim Meadows , Eddie Murphy , Caroline Rhea , Chris Rock , Adam Sandler , Sarah Silverman , JB Smoove , Kenan Thompson , Sheryl Underwood and Marlon Wayans .
The show is a collaboration of the network , Byron Allen 's Entertainment Studios and Funny Or Die .
It will air as many U.S. residents are practicing social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Viewers will be urged to contribute , volunteer and donate at www.feedingamerica.org/comedyfest .
`` There 's nothing more important right now than doing everything we can to make sure everyone affected by this pandemic is able to feed themselves and their families , '' Doug Vaughan , executive vice president of special programs at NBC Entertainment , said in a statement .
`` We 're honored to be partnering with Feeding America and the amazing work they 're doing to make sure there is food on everyone 's table . ''

1/3
Eddie Murphy will be seen on the "Feeding America Comedy Festival" special next week. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 2 (UPI) -- Dozens of comedians are slated to appear on the 2-hour Feeding America Comedy Festival on May 10. Contributing pre-recorded comedy segments are Byron Allen, Louie Anderson, Judd Apatow, Jack Black, Wayne Brady, Adam Carolla, Cedric the Entertainer, Margaret Cho, Andrew Dice Clay, Deon Cole, Billy Crystal, Whitney Cummings and Tommy Davidson. Advertisement
Also expected to offer some laughs during a difficult time are Bill Engvall, Mike Epps, Billy Gardell, Brad Garrett, Whoopi Goldberg, Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Hart, Taraji P. Henson, Kevin James, Jim Jefferies, Jamie Kennedy, Keegan-Michael Key, George Lopez, Jon Lovitz, Howie Mandel, Sebastian Maniscalco, Marc Maron, Tim Meadows, Eddie Murphy, Caroline Rhea, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Sarah Silverman, JB Smoove, Kenan Thompson, Sheryl Underwood and Marlon Wayans.
Advertisement
The show is a collaboration of NBC, Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios and Funny Or Die. It will air as many U.S. residents are practicing social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 200,000 people worldwide.
It can be seen on NBC and Entertainment Studios platforms such as The Weather Channel and Comedy.TV. It will stream on the app Local Now.
Viewers will be urged to contribute, volunteer and donate at www.feedingamerica.org/comedyfest.
"There's nothing more important right now than doing everything we can to make sure everyone affected by this pandemic is able to feed themselves and their families," Doug Vaughan, executive vice president of special programs at NBC Entertainment, said in a statement. "We're honored to be partnering with Feeding America and the amazing work they're doing to make sure there is food on everyone's table."


upi--2020-05-02--House panel to probe COVID-19 outbreaks on Carnival cruise ships

May 2 ( UPI ) -- A House panel said that it plans to investigate Carnival Cruise Line 's response to the coronavirus pandemic .
At least nine Carnival cruise ships had COVID-19 outbreaks , resulting in more than 1,500 cases and at least 39 deaths since early February , Bloomberg reported .
The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure notified Carnival of the probe into its response to the outbreaks and plans for improvements in a letter sent Friday .
The panel requested Carnival documents and correspondence on COVID-19 and its outbreak prevention and response plans .
Lawmakers requested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 15 .
The same committee has also led the probe into design and safety problems in the two Boeing 's 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people .
Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio authored the letter sent to Carnival Corporation President and CEO Arnold Donald .
It was also signed by Sean Patrick Maloney , maritime transportation subcommittee chairman .
`` While cruises are often viewed as care-free escape from reality where passengers can dine , dance , relax , and mingle , we would hope that the reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ renewed emphasis on public health and passenger safety , but frankly that has not been seen up to this point , '' the letter read .
`` In fact , it seems as though Carnival Corporation and its portfolio of nine cruise lines , which represent 109 cruise ships , is still trying to sell this cruise line fantasy and ignoring the public health threat posed by coronavirus to potential future passengers and crew . ''
The letter pointed out that front pages of websites for its nine affiliated cruise lines , Carnival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America Line , Seabourn , P & O Cruises ( Australia ) , Costa Cruises , AIDA Cruises , P & O Cruises ( Britain ) and Cunard , have not mentioned the coronavirus or future precautions .
In particular , Princess also faces a criminal probe in Australia into whether it misled authorities about an outbreak in Sydney and its Costa Cruises subsidiary is also facing a lawsuit on its COVID-19 response .
A book published three years ago titled Cruise Ship Tourism said `` the cruise industry needs to undertake a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more attention to emerging health issues as well as preparing itself with comprehensive and exhaustive crisis management plans , '' the letter noted .
DeFazio and Maloney criticized the company for not heeding the book 's warnings .
The letter also cited allegations in a Bloomberg Businessweek report on its COVID-19 response as `` quite disturbing . ''
The report 's allegations suggested `` that officials at Carnival were aware of the threats to some of its ships and did not take appropriate actions , which may have led to greater infections and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the letter said .
Carnival told Bloomberg it received the letter and will cooperate fully .
`` Our goal is the same as the committee 's goal , '' the company said , `` to protect the health , safety and well-being of our guests and crew , along with compliance and environmental protection . ''
On April 1 , Donald had said the company 's response was reasonable given the circumstances .
`` This is a generational global event ... it 's unprecedented , '' he told Bloomberg .
Carnival has halted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cruise ships operated by Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line have also halted voyages after COVID-19 outbreaks on a smaller scale .

A House panel said in a letter to Carnival Friday it would open probe into its COVID-19 response. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo
May 2 (UPI) -- A House panel said that it plans to investigate Carnival Cruise Line's response to the coronavirus pandemic. At least nine Carnival cruise ships had COVID-19 outbreaks, resulting in more than 1,500 cases and at least 39 deaths since early February, Bloomberg reported. Advertisement
The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure notified Carnival of the probe into its response to the outbreaks and plans for improvements in a letter sent Friday. The panel requested Carnival documents and correspondence on COVID-19 and its outbreak prevention and response plans. Lawmakers requested the company begin delivering these records by May 15.
The same committee has also led the probe into design and safety problems in the two Boeing's 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people.
Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio authored the letter sent to Carnival Corporation President and CEO Arnold Donald. It was also signed by Sean Patrick Maloney, maritime transportation subcommittee chairman.
Advertisement
"While cruises are often viewed as care-free escape from reality where passengers can dine, dance, relax, and mingle, we would hope that the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic will place a renewed emphasis on public health and passenger safety, but frankly that has not been seen up to this point," the letter read.
"In fact, it seems as though Carnival Corporation and its portfolio of nine cruise lines, which represent 109 cruise ships, is still trying to sell this cruise line fantasy and ignoring the public health threat posed by coronavirus to potential future passengers and crew."
The letter pointed out that front pages of websites for its nine affiliated cruise lines, Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises (Australia), Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises (Britain) and Cunard, have not mentioned the coronavirus or future precautions.
In particular, Princess also faces a criminal probe in Australia into whether it misled authorities about an outbreak in Sydney and its Costa Cruises subsidiary is also facing a lawsuit on its COVID-19 response.
A book published three years ago titled Cruise Ship Tourism said "the cruise industry needs to undertake a proactive approach in crisis management, paying more attention to emerging health issues as well as preparing itself with comprehensive and exhaustive crisis management plans," the letter noted.
Advertisement
DeFazio and Maloney criticized the company for not heeding the book's warnings.
The letter also cited allegations in a Bloomberg Businessweek report on its COVID-19 response as "quite disturbing."
The report's allegations suggested "that officials at Carnival were aware of the threats to some of its ships and did not take appropriate actions, which may have led to greater infections and the spread of the disease," the letter said.
Carnival told Bloomberg it received the letter and will cooperate fully.
"Our goal is the same as the committee's goal," the company said, "to protect the health, safety and well-being of our guests and crew, along with compliance and environmental protection."
On April 1, Donald had said the company's response was reasonable given the circumstances.
"This is a generational global event ... it's unprecedented," he told Bloomberg.
Carnival has halted all voyages amid the pandemic. Other cruise ships operated by Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line have also halted voyages after COVID-19 outbreaks on a smaller scale.


upi--2020-05-02--'Scrubs,' 'Seinfeld' alum Sam Lloyd dead at 56

May 2 ( UPI ) -- Sam Lloyd -- a character actor who appeared on the TV shows Scrubs , @ @ @ @ @ -- has died after a battle with cancer .
He was 56 .
ETOnline and @ @ @ @ @ death with his representatives .
The nephew of Taxi and Back to the Future icon @ @ @ @ @ year with a brain tumor , but the health crisis was later revealed to be @ @ @ @ @ also spread to his liver , spine and jawbone .
His other credits include Flubber @ @ @ @ @ Town , Desperate Housewives , The Middle and Modern Family .
`` Rest In Peace @ @ @ @ @ actors I 've ever had the joy of working with .
Sam Lloyd made me @ @ @ @ @ every single time we did a scene together .
He could not have been a @ @ @ @ @ forever cherish the time I had with you , Sammy , '' Scrubs star Zach @ @ @

May 2 (UPI) -- Sam Lloyd -- a character actor who appeared on the TV shows Scrubs, Seinfeld and The West Wing -- has died after a battle with cancer. He was 56.
ETOnline and Deadline confirmed Lloyd's Friday death with his representatives.
Advertisement
The nephew of Taxi and Back to the Future icon Christopher Lloyd was diagnosed last year with a brain tumor, but the health crisis was later revealed to be metastatic lung cancer, which also spread to his liver, spine and jawbone.
His other credits include Flubber, Galaxy Quest, Cougar Town, Desperate Housewives, The Middle and Modern Family.
"Rest In Peace to one of the funniest actors I've ever had the joy of working with. Sam Lloyd made me crack up and break character every single time we did a scene together. He could not have been a kinder man. I will forever cherish the time I had with you, Sammy," Scrubs star Zach Braff tweeted.


upi--2020-05-02--Look: New photos released for Princess Charlotte's 5th birthday

May 2 ( UPI ) -- Britain 's Kensington Palace released four new photos of Princess Charlotte in honor of @ @ @ @ @ `` The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to share four new photographs @ @ @ @ @ her fifth birthday tomorrow .
The images were taken by The Duchess as the family @ @ @ @ @ deliver food packages for isolated pensioners in the local area , '' the palace captioned @ @ @ @ @ show the tiny royal wearing a black-and-white houndstooth coat-dress .
Charlotte is the middle child @ @ @ @ @ wife , Kate Middleton .
The couple , who celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ Prince George , 6 , and Prince Louis , 2 .

Kate Middleton's (R) daughter Princess Charlotte -- seen here in 2018 -- celebrated her 5th birthday on Saturday. Pool Photo by Neil Hall/UPI | License Photo
May 2 (UPI) -- Britain's Kensington Palace released four new photos of Princess Charlotte in honor of her fifth birthday Saturday. "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to share four new photographs of Princess Charlotte ahead of her fifth birthday tomorrow. The images were taken by The Duchess as the family helped to pack up and deliver food packages for isolated pensioners in the local area," the palace captioned Friday's snapshots, which show the tiny royal wearing a black-and-white houndstooth coat-dress. Advertisement
Charlotte is the middle child of Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton.
The couple, who celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary Wednesday, are also parents to Prince George, 6, and Prince Louis, 2.