upi--2020-05-22--Commercial airliner crashes in Pakistan; dozens dead

May 22 ( UPI ) -- At least 76 died Friday in a fiery plane crash in Pakistan that may have been caused by a double engine failure , local officials said .
Pakistan International Airlines Flight PK-8303 was en route from Lahore to Karachi when it crashed less than a minute before landing at Karachi 's Jinnah International Airport in the morning , authorities said .
Pakistan 's Aviation Ministry said 99 people were aboard the jetliner , an Airbus A320 .
Health officials in Sindh state said at least 79 people have been confirmed dead .
PIA CEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single survivor -- Bank of Punjab CEO Zafar Masood .
Sindh Gov .
Imran Ismail said the plane crashed in a heavily populated area of Karachi adjacent to the airport .
The plane did n't strike any buildings and appears not to have killed anyone on the ground .
The pilot of the airliner sent a distress call to controllers and said the plane had lost power from both engines on its second attempt to land , according to LiveATC.net .
The call also indicated the plane may have been off-course .
Pakistani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` shocked and saddened '' by the crash .
`` Am in touch with PIA CEO Arshad Malik , who has left for Karachi & with the rescue & relief teams on ground as this is the priority right now , '' he tweeted .
`` Immediate inquiry will be instituted . ''
Crews are looking for the plane 's flight recorders , or `` black boxes , '' which will help investigators determine the cause of the crash .
A State Department official told CNN one U.S. citizen was on board the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation closely and are in touch with local authorities , '' the unnamed official said .
`` Our staff in Pakistan and here in the United States are working tirelessly to provide all possible consular assistance . ''

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Rescue workers search for survivors in the debris from a passenger plane that crashed Friday in residential colony in Karachi, Pakistan. Photo by Shahzaib Akber/EPA-EFE
May 22 (UPI) -- At least 76 died Friday in a fiery plane crash in Pakistan that may have been caused by a double engine failure, local officials said. Pakistan International Airlines Flight PK-8303 was en route from Lahore to Karachi when it crashed less than a minute before landing at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport in the morning, authorities said. Advertisement
Pakistan's Aviation Ministry said 99 people were aboard the jetliner, an Airbus A320. Health officials in Sindh state said at least 79 people have been confirmed dead.
PIA CEO Arshad Malik said there's been a single survivor -- Bank of Punjab CEO Zafar Masood.
Sindh Gov. Imran Ismail said the plane crashed in a heavily populated area of Karachi adjacent to the airport. The plane didn't strike any buildings and appears not to have killed anyone on the ground.
The pilot of the airliner sent a distress call to controllers and said the plane had lost power from both engines on its second attempt to land, according to LiveATC.net. The call also indicated the plane may have been off-course.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said he was "shocked and saddened" by the crash.
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"Am in touch with PIA CEO Arshad Malik, who has left for Karachi & with the rescue & relief teams on ground as this is the priority right now," he tweeted. "Immediate inquiry will be instituted."
Crews are looking for the plane's flight recorders, or "black boxes," which will help investigators determine the cause of the crash.
A State Department official told CNN one U.S. citizen was on board the flight.
"We are monitoring the situation closely and are in touch with local authorities," the unnamed official said. "Our staff in Pakistan and here in the United States are working tirelessly to provide all possible consular assistance."


upi--2020-05-22--New York Knicks great, Georgetown coach Patrick Ewing tests positive for coronavirus

May 22 ( UPI ) -- New York Knicks legend and current Georgetown men 's basketball coach Patrick Ewing has tested positive for the coronavirus , the school announced Friday .
In a statement released through the university , which is located in Washington , D.C. , Ewing said he decided to share his diagnosis publicly `` to emphasize that this virus can affect anyone . ''
He is under care and isolated at a local hospital .
`` I want to share that I have tested positive or COVID-19 .
This virus is serious and should not be taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I want to encourage everyone to stay safe and take care of yourselves and your loved ones .
Now more than ever , I want to thank the healthcare workers and everyone on the front lines .
I 'll be fine and we will all get through this . ''
The school said Ewing is the only member of the Georgetown men 's basketball program to have tested positive for the virus .
After his standout playing career and 15 years as an assistant coach for four NBA teams , Ewing took over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
During his playing career at Georgetown , Ewing guided the Hoyas to their lone national championship in 1984 .
He was the Naismith Player of the Year in 1985 and earned first-team All-American honors in three straight seasons from 1983-85 .
Ewing , 57 , was an 11-time All-Star with the Knicks .
He averaged 21 points , 9.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game during his NBA career with the then-Seattle SuperSonics , Orlando Magic and Knicks .
Ewing was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008 @

Former NBA star Patrick Ewing is under care and isolated at a local hospital. He is the only member of the Georgetown men's basketball program to have tested positive for the virus. File Photo by Nell Redmond/UPI | License Photo
May 22 (UPI) -- New York Knicks legend and current Georgetown men's basketball coach Patrick Ewing has tested positive for the coronavirus, the school announced Friday. In a statement released through the university, which is located in Washington, D.C., Ewing said he decided to share his diagnosis publicly "to emphasize that this virus can affect anyone." He is under care and isolated at a local hospital. Advertisement
"I want to share that I have tested positive or COVID-19. This virus is serious and should not be taken lightly," Ewing said. "I want to encourage everyone to stay safe and take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Now more than ever, I want to thank the healthcare workers and everyone on the front lines. I'll be fine and we will all get through this."
The school said Ewing is the only member of the Georgetown men's basketball program to have tested positive for the virus.
I want to share that I have tested positive for COVID-19. This virus is serious and should not be taken lightly. I want to encourage everyone to stay safe and take care of yourselves and your loved ones. pic.twitter.com/a2fMuhIZyG— Patrick Ewing (@CoachEwing33) May 22, 2020 Advertisement
After his standout playing career and 15 years as an assistant coach for four NBA teams, Ewing took over as Georgetown's head coach in 2017.
During his playing career at Georgetown, Ewing guided the Hoyas to their lone national championship in 1984. He was the Naismith Player of the Year in 1985 and earned first-team All-American honors in three straight seasons from 1983-85.
Ewing, 57, was an 11-time All-Star with the Knicks. He averaged 21 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game during his NBA career with the then-Seattle SuperSonics, Orlando Magic and Knicks.
Ewing was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.


upi--2020-05-22--'Dome of Heat' to threaten many record highs across western U.S. next week

May 22 ( UPI ) -- After an unsettled and much cooler week for many in the West , the heat will be cranked back up to end the month of May .
Temperatures will begin the Memorial Day weekend hovering near or slightly below normal throughout much of California and the desert Southwest .
Farther north and east , high temperatures will range from 5 degrees to 10 degrees below normal for most , with some of the coldest locations , from southern Idaho and western Wyoming into northern Nevada and Utah reaching as much as 15 degrees below @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to enjoy the holiday weekend in Yellowstone National Park , most of the park will be stuck in the 30s on Saturday with some accumulating snow .
Higher points of the park could receive several inches by the time conditions dry out later Saturday .
However , by the holiday itself and throughout next week , the cooler weather of the past week will be a distant memory as warmth builds and record high temperatures are challenged .
`` After a persistent southward dip in the jet stream during the past week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and a ridge of high pressure will set up , centered on the Southwest , '' said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Brett Anderson .
`` This will serve as a 'dome of heat ' across the region next week . ''
The `` dome of heat '' will gradually build through the weekend .
By Sunday , most of the Pacific Northwest will be back to near-normal temperatures .
for the Interstate 5 corridor in Washington and Oregon .
This means temperatures will range from the mid-60s , around Seattle , but farther @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be above normal .
AccuWeather forecasters are calling for temps in the mid-70s around Eugene while Medford could reach the 80-degree mark .
In the interior Northwest , while temperatures will be several degrees warmer on Sunday as opposed to Friday and Saturday , they will still remain around 4 degrees to 8 degrees below normal .
This translates to temperatures in the valleys from northern Nevada into western Montana in the 60s and low 70s .
By Memorial Day , most of the Northwest will be around or climbing above normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the week .
`` By next Friday , most of the Northwest will be 15-20 degrees above normal , '' Anderson said .
`` A few locales could even approach 25 degrees above normal .
Many records are likely to be set by the end of the week . ''
Next Friday , Seattle could challenge 90 degrees .
The record for the day is 85 set in 1973 .
In the Southwest , the story will be similar , but the heat will build even faster .
`` While it will take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northwest to really start feeling the heat , many in the Southwest will be sizzling already on Memorial Day , '' Anderson said .
Much of California will already be 5 degrees to 10 degrees above normal for the holiday , with a few spots in Northern California pushing 15 degrees above normal .
`` While most high temperature records are n't expected to be broken on Monday , a few locales in Northern California , like Redding and Sacramento , could come close , '' Anderson explained .
The records to beat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 Sacramento .
The returning heat comes as much of Northern California and the Northwest are still suffering from severe drought .
`` The brief switch to a cooler , wetter pattern last week will help in the short term , but overall , it did little to cut down on the moderate to severe drought conditions covering much of the Northwest , '' said AccuWeather meteorologist and Western U.S. weather blogger Brian Thompson .
`` The building heat will help to dry out what moisture was provided over the last week and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Tuesday through the end of the week is when the scorching heat will peak across California and expand across the rest of the Southwest .
Most of the region will be 10 degrees to 20 degrees above average Wednesday through Friday .
Downtown Los Angeles could reach the 90s on multiple days , while downtown San Francisco can reach the lower 80s .
An average high for late May in downtown San Francisco is 65 degrees .
Locales surpassing the century mark will be common across interior portions of California .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soar into the 110s during the middle and end of the week .
On Friday , Phoenix could reach a sizzling 120 degrees .
The record for the entire month of May in Phoenix is 114 degrees .
The all-time record in Phoenix is 122 degrees .
Heading into June , AccuWeather meteorologists say the heat is expected to taper to more seasonable levels .
`` The upper-level ridge will shift toward the Rockies and Plains , allowing for more cooling and onshore flow on the Pacific coast , and perhaps even the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Northwest '' said AccuWeather long range meteorologist Tyler Roys .
`` However , temperatures in the desert Southwest and much of the Rockies will still remain above normal , '' Roys added .

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Groups hang out in pre-drawn circles in Delores Park in San Francisco on Saturday. Warm weather and a holiday weekend brought out thousands to practice their own brands of social distancing. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
May 22 (UPI) -- After an unsettled and much cooler week for many in the West, the heat will be cranked back up to end the month of May. Temperatures will begin the Memorial Day weekend hovering near or slightly below normal throughout much of California and the desert Southwest. Farther north and east, high temperatures will range from 5 degrees to 10 degrees below normal for most, with some of the coldest locations, from southern Idaho and western Wyoming into northern Nevada and Utah reaching as much as 15 degrees below normal Friday and Saturday. Advertisement
For hikers trying to enjoy the holiday weekend in Yellowstone National Park, most of the park will be stuck in the 30s on Saturday with some accumulating snow. Higher points of the park could receive several inches by the time conditions dry out later Saturday.
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However, by the holiday itself and throughout next week, the cooler weather of the past week will be a distant memory as warmth builds and record high temperatures are challenged.
"After a persistent southward dip in the jet stream during the past week, the jet stream will retreat northward, and a ridge of high pressure will set up, centered on the Southwest," said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Brett Anderson. "This will serve as a 'dome of heat' across the region next week."
The "dome of heat" will gradually build through the weekend. By Sunday, most of the Pacific Northwest will be back to near-normal temperatures. for the Interstate 5 corridor in Washington and Oregon. This means temperatures will range from the mid-60s, around Seattle, but farther south, in Oregon, the warmth will be above normal. AccuWeather forecasters are calling for temps in the mid-70s around Eugene while Medford could reach the 80-degree mark.
In the interior Northwest, while temperatures will be several degrees warmer on Sunday as opposed to Friday and Saturday, they will still remain around 4 degrees to 8 degrees below normal. This translates to temperatures in the valleys from northern Nevada into western Montana in the 60s and low 70s.
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By Memorial Day, most of the Northwest will be around or climbing above normal, with temperatures continuing to build throughout the week.
"By next Friday, most of the Northwest will be 15-20 degrees above normal," Anderson said. "A few locales could even approach 25 degrees above normal. Many records are likely to be set by the end of the week."
Next Friday, Seattle could challenge 90 degrees. The record for the day is 85 set in 1973.
In the Southwest, the story will be similar, but the heat will build even faster.
"While it will take until later in the week for the Northwest to really start feeling the heat, many in the Southwest will be sizzling already on Memorial Day," Anderson said.
Much of California will already be 5 degrees to 10 degrees above normal for the holiday, with a few spots in Northern California pushing 15 degrees above normal.
"While most high temperature records aren't expected to be broken on Monday, a few locales in Northern California, like Redding and Sacramento, could come close," Anderson explained.
The records to beat on Monday are 98 in Redding and 100 Sacramento. The returning heat comes as much of Northern California and the Northwest are still suffering from severe drought.
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"The brief switch to a cooler, wetter pattern last week will help in the short term, but overall, it did little to cut down on the moderate to severe drought conditions covering much of the Northwest," said AccuWeather meteorologist and Western U.S. weather blogger Brian Thompson.
"The building heat will help to dry out what moisture was provided over the last week and raise the wildfire threat once again."
Tuesday through the end of the week is when the scorching heat will peak across California and expand across the rest of the Southwest.
Most of the region will be 10 degrees to 20 degrees above average Wednesday through Friday. Downtown Los Angeles could reach the 90s on multiple days, while downtown San Francisco can reach the lower 80s. An average high for late May in downtown San Francisco is 65 degrees.
Locales surpassing the century mark will be common across interior portions of California. In the desert Southwest, the mercury will soar into the 110s during the middle and end of the week.
On Friday, Phoenix could reach a sizzling 120 degrees. The record for the entire month of May in Phoenix is 114 degrees. The all-time record in Phoenix is 122 degrees.
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Heading into June, AccuWeather meteorologists say the heat is expected to taper to more seasonable levels.
"The upper-level ridge will shift toward the Rockies and Plains, allowing for more cooling and onshore flow on the Pacific coast, and perhaps even the return of more clouds and showers in the Northwest" said AccuWeather long range meteorologist Tyler Roys.
"However, temperatures in the desert Southwest and much of the Rockies will still remain above normal," Roys added.


upi--2020-05-22--Forbes: Naomi Osaka, 22, passes Serena Williams as highest-paid female athlete

May 22 ( UPI ) -- Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka moved ahead of Serena Williams as the highest-paid female athlete in the world .
According to a story posted Friday by Forbes , Osaka earned about $ 37.4 million from endorsements and prize money between June 1 , 2019 , and June 1 , 2020 .
She racked up $ 1.4 million more than Williams ( $ 36 million ) , who was the world 's top-paid female athlete each of the last four years .
Forbes said Osaka 's total was a new one-year record for a female @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 29.7 million set by Maria Sharapova in 2015 .
Osaka ranks No .
29 overall on Forbes ' annual list of the 100 highest-paid athletes , while Williams is No .
33 .
According to the publication , the full 2020 list is set to be revealed next week .
Osaka , who was born in Japan and moved to the United States when she was three , beat Williams in the 2018 U.S. Open final and then captured the 2019 Australian Open title .
Her victories allowed her to become the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
1 in the men 's or women 's tennis rankings .
Osaka has earned about $ 14.6 million in career prize money , according to the WTA , a little under half of which was made last year .

Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka racked up about $37.4 million in earnings last year, according to Forbes. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 22 (UPI) -- Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka moved ahead of Serena Williams as the highest-paid female athlete in the world. According to a story posted Friday by Forbes, Osaka earned about $37.4 million from endorsements and prize money between June 1, 2019, and June 1, 2020. She racked up $1.4 million more than Williams ($36 million), who was the world's top-paid female athlete each of the last four years. Advertisement
Forbes said Osaka's total was a new one-year record for a female athlete, topping the previous mark of $29.7 million set by Maria Sharapova in 2015.
Osaka ranks No. 29 overall on Forbes' annual list of the 100 highest-paid athletes, while Williams is No. 33. According to the publication, the full 2020 list is set to be revealed next week.
Osaka, who was born in Japan and moved to the United States when she was three, beat Williams in the 2018 U.S. Open final and then captured the 2019 Australian Open title. Her victories allowed her to become the first player from Asia to be No. 1 in the men's or women's tennis rankings.
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Osaka has earned about $14.6 million in career prize money, according to the WTA, a little under half of which was made last year.


upi--2020-05-22--New York Jets signing ex-Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco to one-year deal

May 22 ( UPI ) -- The New York Jets are signing former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco to a one-year contract .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media on Friday that Flacco will earn a base salary of $ 1.5 million with the Jets .
According to NFL Media , the short-term deal also includes an additional $ 3 million in incentives .
Flacco , who was released by the Denver Broncos in March after only one season with the franchise , underwent neck surgery last month to repair a herniated disk .
According to ESPN , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact until late August or early September .
Flacco , 35 , likely will be a limited participant in training camp because of his current timeline .
If he 's healthy , the former Baltimore Ravens signal-caller is expected to serve as the primary backup to Sam Darnold in the 2020 season .
The Broncos placed Flacco on injured reserve midway through the 2019 campaign because of the herniated disk .
Before the injury , he posted a 2-6 record as Denver 's starting quarterback , throwing for 1,822 yards with six touchdowns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flacco in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft out of Delaware .
He spent his first 11 seasons in Baltimore and helped guide the team to a win in Super Bowl XLVII in Feb. 2013 .
During four games in the 2012-13 postseason , Flacco tossed 11 touchdown passes with no interceptions and was named Super Bowl MVP .
In 12 NFL seasons , Flacco holds a 98-73 record as a starter with 40,067 passing yards , 218 touchdowns and 141 interceptions .

Former Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco underwent neck surgery last month to repair a herniated disk. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
May 22 (UPI) -- The New York Jets are signing former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco to a one-year contract. League sources told ESPN and NFL Media on Friday that Flacco will earn a base salary of $1.5 million with the Jets. According to NFL Media, the short-term deal also includes an additional $3 million in incentives. Advertisement
Flacco, who was released by the Denver Broncos in March after only one season with the franchise, underwent neck surgery last month to repair a herniated disk. According to ESPN, the veteran quarterback won't be cleared for contact until late August or early September.
Flacco, 35, likely will be a limited participant in training camp because of his current timeline. If he's healthy, the former Baltimore Ravens signal-caller is expected to serve as the primary backup to Sam Darnold in the 2020 season.
The Broncos placed Flacco on injured reserve midway through the 2019 campaign because of the herniated disk. Before the injury, he posted a 2-6 record as Denver's starting quarterback, throwing for 1,822 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions.
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The Ravens selected Flacco in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft out of Delaware. He spent his first 11 seasons in Baltimore and helped guide the team to a win in Super Bowl XLVII in Feb. 2013.
During four games in the 2012-13 postseason, Flacco tossed 11 touchdown passes with no interceptions and was named Super Bowl MVP.
In 12 NFL seasons, Flacco holds a 98-73 record as a starter with 40,067 passing yards, 218 touchdowns and 141 interceptions.


upi--2020-05-22--Italy's genetic diversity goes back at least 19,000 years, study says

May 22 ( UPI ) -- Italy has been a genetic melting pot for almost 20,000 years , according to a new study .
Nowhere else in Europe hosts a greater mix of genetic heritage .
In addition to the deep history of the region 's genetic diversity , dating to the Late Glacial Maximum , the genomic survey of modern and ancient Italians showed people in the north and south of Italy have evolved unique genetic characteristics in response to the divergent environmental conditions .
The genetic peculiarities of the people of those two regions at least partially explain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kidney inflammation , certain skin cancers , diabetes and obesity -- all of which favor a longer lifespan .
Pockets of Italy are often included on lists of so-called `` blue zones , '' places and populations characterized by large numbers of octogenarians .
`` Gaining an understanding of the evolutionary history of the ancestors of Italians allows us to better grasp the demographic processes and those of environmental interactions that shaped the complex mosaic of ancestry components of today 's European populations , '' researcher Marco Sazzini , professor of molecular anthropology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a news release .
`` This investigation provides valuable information in order to fully appreciate the biological characteristics of the current Italian population .
Moreover , it let us understand the deep causes that can impact on this population 's health or on its predisposition to a number of diseases . ''
For the study , scientists sequenced the genomes of 40 volunteers from across Italy .
The participants were selected for their representation of the country 's broad genetic diversity .
Scientists compared the group 's genomic characteristics to the genetic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Mediterranean , as well as the genetic variants found among some 600 human remains dating to the Upper Palaeolithic and the Bronze Age -- 40,000 and 4,000 years ago , respectively .
The analysis , detailed Friday in the journal BMC Biology , showed modern genomic signatures can be traced back as far as 19,000 years ago -- to the period following the last glaciation .
Researchers also compared the genomes of people from northern and southern Italy and traced the emergence of these difference back through the region 's genetic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overlapping demographic trends among the ancestors of these two groups from 30,000 years ago and for the remaining years of the Upper Palaeolithic , '' said study co-author Stefania Sarno , a researcher at the University of Bologna .
`` However , we observed a significant variation between their gene pools from the Late Glacial period , thus some thousands of years before those great migrations that happened in Italy from the Neolithic onward , '' Sarno said .
Researchers suspect refugees of the last glaciation period persisted in central Italy before splitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The genomes of northern Italian contain traces of these post-glacial migrations .
Researchers were able to recognize even more ancient signatures in the genomes of northern Italians -- genetic signatures unique to eastern European hunter-gatherers that populated large swaths of Europe between 36,000 and 26,000 years ago .
The latest analysis showed these genetic signatures have disappeared in the genomes of southern Italians .
Researchers also identified the genetic effects of the population 's adaptation to millennia of climate change .
The populations of northern Italy evolved a metabolism optimized for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` In the subjects from northern Italy , we observed changes in the gene networks regulating insulin and body-heat production as well as in those responsible for fat tissue metabolism , '' said study co-author Paolo Garagnani , professor of experimental medicine and pathophysiology at the University of Bologna .
`` These changes could have resulted in key factors reducing the susceptibility to diseases like diabetes and obesity , '' Garagnani said .
In southern Italy , populations also evolved genetic characteristics in response the region 's environmental conditions , including coding for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protective proteins found in the mucous membranes of the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems .
`` These genetic adaptations may have evolved in response to ancient micro-organisms , '' said study co-author Paolo Abondio , a doctoral student at the University of Bologna .
`` Some scholars have linked some of these genetic variants with a reduced susceptibility to Berger 's disease , which is a common inflammation affecting the kidneys and is indeed less frequent in the south than in the north of Italy , '' he said .
Millennia spent the Mediterranean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that regulate melanin production -- changes that explain the lower incidence of most skin cancers among southern Italians .
`` We observed that some of these genetic variants have been also linked to a longer lifespan .
This is also true for other genetic modifications , which are characteristic of southern Italians , '' said study co-author Claudio Franceschi , emeritus professor at the University of Bologna .

Italy's extensive genetic diversity predates ancient Rome. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
May 22 (UPI) -- Italy has been a genetic melting pot for almost 20,000 years, according to a new study. Nowhere else in Europe hosts a greater mix of genetic heritage. In addition to the deep history of the region's genetic diversity, dating to the Late Glacial Maximum, the genomic survey of modern and ancient Italians showed people in the north and south of Italy have evolved unique genetic characteristics in response to the divergent environmental conditions. Advertisement
The genetic peculiarities of the people of those two regions at least partially explain why these populations a reduced risk of kidney inflammation, certain skin cancers, diabetes and obesity -- all of which favor a longer lifespan.
Pockets of Italy are often included on lists of so-called "blue zones," places and populations characterized by large numbers of octogenarians.
"Gaining an understanding of the evolutionary history of the ancestors of Italians allows us to better grasp the demographic processes and those of environmental interactions that shaped the complex mosaic of ancestry components of today's European populations," researcher Marco Sazzini, professor of molecular anthropology at the University of Bologna, said in a news release.
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"This investigation provides valuable information in order to fully appreciate the biological characteristics of the current Italian population. Moreover, it let us understand the deep causes that can impact on this population's health or on its predisposition to a number of diseases."
For the study, scientists sequenced the genomes of 40 volunteers from across Italy. The participants were selected for their representation of the country's broad genetic diversity.
Scientists compared the group's genomic characteristics to the genetic markers of 35 populations from Europe and from the Mediterranean, as well as the genetic variants found among some 600 human remains dating to the Upper Palaeolithic and the Bronze Age -- 40,000 and 4,000 years ago, respectively.
The analysis, detailed Friday in the journal BMC Biology, showed modern genomic signatures can be traced back as far as 19,000 years ago -- to the period following the last glaciation.
Researchers also compared the genomes of people from northern and southern Italy and traced the emergence of these difference back through the region's genetic timeline.
"We observe some partially overlapping demographic trends among the ancestors of these two groups from 30,000 years ago and for the remaining years of the Upper Palaeolithic," said study co-author Stefania Sarno, a researcher at the University of Bologna.
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"However, we observed a significant variation between their gene pools from the Late Glacial period, thus some thousands of years before those great migrations that happened in Italy from the Neolithic onward," Sarno said.
Researchers suspect refugees of the last glaciation period persisted in central Italy before splitting in opposite directions after the glaciers melted. The genomes of northern Italian contain traces of these post-glacial migrations.
Researchers were able to recognize even more ancient signatures in the genomes of northern Italians -- genetic signatures unique to eastern European hunter-gatherers that populated large swaths of Europe between 36,000 and 26,000 years ago.
The latest analysis showed these genetic signatures have disappeared in the genomes of southern Italians.
Researchers also identified the genetic effects of the population's adaptation to millennia of climate change. The populations of northern Italy evolved a metabolism optimized for a high-calorie diet rich in animal fat.
"In the subjects from northern Italy, we observed changes in the gene networks regulating insulin and body-heat production as well as in those responsible for fat tissue metabolism," said study co-author Paolo Garagnani, professor of experimental medicine and pathophysiology at the University of Bologna.
"These changes could have resulted in key factors reducing the susceptibility to diseases like diabetes and obesity," Garagnani said.
Advertisement
In southern Italy, populations also evolved genetic characteristics in response the region's environmental conditions, including coding for the production of mucins, which are protective proteins found in the mucous membranes of the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems.
"These genetic adaptations may have evolved in response to ancient micro-organisms," said study co-author Paolo Abondio, a doctoral student at the University of Bologna.
"Some scholars have linked some of these genetic variants with a reduced susceptibility to Berger's disease, which is a common inflammation affecting the kidneys and is indeed less frequent in the south than in the north of Italy," he said.
Millennia spent the Mediterranean sun also inspired changes to the genes that regulate melanin production -- changes that explain the lower incidence of most skin cancers among southern Italians.
"We observed that some of these genetic variants have been also linked to a longer lifespan. This is also true for other genetic modifications, which are characteristic of southern Italians," said study co-author Claudio Franceschi, emeritus professor at the University of Bologna.


upi--2020-05-22--Risk for MS 30% higher for those living in cities, study finds

May 22 ( UPI ) -- City-dwellers are nearly 30 percent more likely to be diagnosed with multiple sclerosis than those living in more rural areas , a study presented Friday at the European Academy of Neurology Virtual Congress has found .
Based on the results , which will also be published in European Journal of Neurology , air pollution could be a risk factor for the development of the disease , according to the authors , who conducted their research in Italy .
`` It is well recognized that immune diseases such as MS are associated with multiple factors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-author Dr. Roberto Bergamaschi , of the IRCCS Mondino Foundation in Pavia , Italy , said in a statement .
`` We believe that air pollution interacts through several mechanisms in the development of MS and the results of this study strengthen that hypothesis , '' he added .
MS affects roughly 1 million Americans , according to estimates from the National MS Society .
Research has determined that it is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the protective sheath that covers the nerve fibers in the spinal cord , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of the body .
The vast majority of people with the disease have the relapsing-remitting , which is characterized by symptom `` flares '' or attacks .
The disease most often is diagnosed in adults between 20 and 40 years old , and is more common in women .
Symptoms vary in severity daily and can include fatigue , walking difficulty , numbness , pain and muscle spasms .
For their study , Bergamaschi and his colleagues reviewed data on more than 900 people with MS in the Lombardy region of northwestern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 550,000 people .
In general , MS rates in the region have increased 10-fold in the past 50 years , from 16 cases per 100,000 residents in 1974 to almost 170 cases per 100,000 residents in 2020 , the researchers found .
In addition , they compared three different areas within the region based on their levels of `` urbanization . ''
Two of the areas were found to be above the European Commission 's threshold for air pollution as determined by levels of pollutants known as particulate matter , or PM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mixture of solid particles and droplets in the air .
PM is divided into two categories : PM10 , which includes particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or smaller , and PM2.5 , which includes particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller .
Both PM10 and PM2.5 are major pollutants and known to be linked to various health conditions , including heart and lung disease , cancer and respiratory problems , according to the World Health Organization .
The researchers observed that those who live in rural areas , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existed , had a reduced risk for MS .
Meanwhile , those living in urban areas , with more PM in the air , had a 29 percent higher risk for the disease .
The authors emphasized that they conducted their study in winter , when air pollutant concentrations are highest .
`` Some environmental factors , such as vitamin D levels and smoking habits , have been extensively studied , yet few studies have focused on air pollutants , '' Bergamaschi said .
`` In the higher risk areas , we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ examine multiple environmental factors possibly related to the heterogeneous distribution of MS risk . ''

Those living in cities are at higher risk for multiple sclerosis, according to a new study. Photo by Pech Frantisek/Pixabay
May 22 (UPI) -- City-dwellers are nearly 30 percent more likely to be diagnosed with multiple sclerosis than those living in more rural areas, a study presented Friday at the European Academy of Neurology Virtual Congress has found. Based on the results, which will also be published in European Journal of Neurology, air pollution could be a risk factor for the development of the disease, according to the authors, who conducted their research in Italy. Advertisement
"It is well recognized that immune diseases such as MS are associated with multiple factors, both genetic and environmental," co-author Dr. Roberto Bergamaschi, of the IRCCS Mondino Foundation in Pavia, Italy, said in a statement.
"We believe that air pollution interacts through several mechanisms in the development of MS and the results of this study strengthen that hypothesis," he added.
MS affects roughly 1 million Americans, according to estimates from the National MS Society. Research has determined that it is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the protective sheath that covers the nerve fibers in the spinal cord, disrupting communication between the brain and the rest of the body.
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The vast majority of people with the disease have the relapsing-remitting, which is characterized by symptom "flares" or attacks. The disease most often is diagnosed in adults between 20 and 40 years old, and is more common in women.
Symptoms vary in severity daily and can include fatigue, walking difficulty, numbness, pain and muscle spasms.
For their study, Bergamaschi and his colleagues reviewed data on more than 900 people with MS in the Lombardy region of northwestern Italy. The area is home to nearly 550,000 people.
In general, MS rates in the region have increased 10-fold in the past 50 years, from 16 cases per 100,000 residents in 1974 to almost 170 cases per 100,000 residents in 2020, the researchers found. In addition, they compared three different areas within the region based on their levels of "urbanization."
Two of the areas were found to be above the European Commission's threshold for air pollution as determined by levels of pollutants known as particulate matter, or PM, a term used to describe a mixture of solid particles and droplets in the air.
PM is divided into two categories: PM10, which includes particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or smaller, and PM2.5, which includes particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller.
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Both PM10 and PM2.5 are major pollutants and known to be linked to various health conditions, including heart and lung disease, cancer and respiratory problems, according to the World Health Organization.
The researchers observed that those who live in rural areas, where lower levels of both types of PM existed, had a reduced risk for MS. Meanwhile, those living in urban areas, with more PM in the air, had a 29 percent higher risk for the disease.
The authors emphasized that they conducted their study in winter, when air pollutant concentrations are highest.
"Some environmental factors, such as vitamin D levels and smoking habits, have been extensively studied, yet few studies have focused on air pollutants," Bergamaschi said. "In the higher risk areas, we are now carrying out specific analytical studies to examine multiple environmental factors possibly related to the heterogeneous distribution of MS risk."


upi--2020-05-22--Louisville police drop charges against Kenneth Walker for shooting officer

May 22 ( UPI ) -- Prosecutors on Friday dropped the attempted murder charges against a Kentucky man who shot and injured a police officer involved in a raid on his apartment that killed an unarmed woman .
Commonwealth 's Attorney Tom Wine announced his office will move to dismiss the case against Kenneth Walker , who 's been in jail since March 13 when three plainclothes officers carried out a drug raid on his apartment .
The raid left Walker 's girlfriend , Breonna Taylor , dead in their bed .
Walker said the officers did n't identify themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so he grabbed his gun and shot at them , injuring one of the officers in the leg .
His attorney said he thought he was being robbed and did n't know the three men were police officers .
Ben Crump , a civil rights attorney representing Taylor 's mother , said Walker `` did everything right '' during the raid , including calling 911 , asking who was at the door and firing a non-lethal warning shot .
`` Unlike the police , he did not shoot to kill . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight times , killing her .
Walker 's attorney , Rob Eggert , said officers shot at least 22 bullets .
Taylor , 26 , was a certified emergency medical technician , and was not the subject of the raid .
She had no criminal history .
Wine said that if further investigation unearths more evidence , new charges against Walker may be filed .
`` It 's very possible there was no criminal activity on either side of that door because people could n't hear what the other party was saying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed a lawsuit in late April , accusing the three officers -- Myles Cosgrove , Brett Hankison and Jonathan Mattingly -- of wrongful death , excessive force and negligence .
They 're seeking a jury trial with compensatory and punitive damages .
Taylor 's mother , Tamika Palmer , the plaintiff in the suit , took issue with the officers ' use of a `` no-knock '' search warrant , which means that , by definition , they did n't announce themselves when entering the apartment .
Officers have said they did announce @ @ @

May 22 (UPI) -- Prosecutors on Friday dropped the attempted murder charges against a Kentucky man who shot and injured a police officer involved in a raid on his apartment that killed an unarmed woman.
Commonwealth's Attorney Tom Wine announced his office will move to dismiss the case against Kenneth Walker, who's been in jail since March 13 when three plainclothes officers carried out a drug raid on his apartment. The raid left Walker's girlfriend, Breonna Taylor, dead in their bed.
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Walker said the officers didn't identify themselves when they entered the Louisville apartment, so he grabbed his gun and shot at them, injuring one of the officers in the leg. His attorney said he thought he was being robbed and didn't know the three men were police officers.
Ben Crump, a civil rights attorney representing Taylor's mother, said Walker "did everything right" during the raid, including calling 911, asking who was at the door and firing a non-lethal warning shot.
"Unlike the police, he did not shoot to kill."
The officers responded with fire, striking Taylor eight times, killing her. Walker's attorney, Rob Eggert, said officers shot at least 22 bullets.
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Taylor, 26, was a certified emergency medical technician, and was not the subject of the raid. She had no criminal history.
Wine said that if further investigation unearths more evidence, new charges against Walker may be filed.
"It's very possible there was no criminal activity on either side of that door because people couldn't hear what the other party was saying," he said.
Taylor's family filed a lawsuit in late April, accusing the three officers -- Myles Cosgrove, Brett Hankison and Jonathan Mattingly -- of wrongful death, excessive force and negligence. They're seeking a jury trial with compensatory and punitive damages.
Taylor's mother, Tamika Palmer, the plaintiff in the suit, took issue with the officers' use of a "no-knock" search warrant, which means that, by definition, they didn't announce themselves when entering the apartment. Officers have said they did announce their identity.


upi--2020-05-22--FX renews 'What We Do In the Shadows' for Season 3

May 22 ( UPI ) -- FX announced Friday it renewed What We Do In the Shadows for a third season .
Season 2 will air its season finale June 10 .
The comedy series is based on Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement 's 2014 comedy about a house of vampire roommates in New Zealand .
They adapted the series for FX in 2019 .
The series creates a brand new house full of vampires in New York .
Kayvan Novak , Natasia Demetriou , Matt Berry and Mark Proksch play the housemates with Harvey Guillen as the human companion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Waititi reprised their movie roles in a Season 1 episode featuring the vampire tribunal which also featured famous movie and TV vampires Tilda Swinton , Evan Rachel Wood , Danny Trejo , Paul Reubens and Wesley Snipes .
FX says the second season is up 25 percent in the ratings with 3.2 million weekly viewers .
The second season also boasts a 100 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes .
In Wednesday 's episode , Nandor ( Novak ) gets a visit from her human familiar , driving Guillermo ( Guillen ) to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nadja ( Demetriou ) and Laszlo ( Berry ) revive their musical act , according to FX 's synopsis .
What We Do In the Shadows airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. EDT on FX .
New episodes stream Thursdays on Hulu .

Left to right: Harvey Guillen, Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry and Natasia Demetrious will return for a third season of "What We Do In the Shadows." Photo courtesy of FX
May 22 (UPI) -- FX announced Friday it renewed What We Do In the Shadows for a third season. Season 2 will air its season finale June 10. The comedy series is based on Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement's 2014 comedy about a house of vampire roommates in New Zealand. They adapted the series for FX in 2019. Advertisement
The series creates a brand new house full of vampires in New York. Kayvan Novak, Natasia Demetriou, Matt Berry and Mark Proksch play the housemates with Harvey Guillen as the human companion hoping to join them.
Clement and Waititi reprised their movie roles in a Season 1 episode featuring the vampire tribunal which also featured famous movie and TV vampires Tilda Swinton, Evan Rachel Wood, Danny Trejo, Paul Reubens and Wesley Snipes.
FX says the second season is up 25 percent in the ratings with 3.2 million weekly viewers. The second season also boasts a 100 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
In Wednesday's episode, Nandor (Novak) gets a visit from her human familiar, driving Guillermo (Guillen) to seek a new master. Vampire couple Nadja (Demetriou) and Laszlo (Berry) revive their musical act, according to FX's synopsis.
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What We Do In the Shadows airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. EDT on FX. New episodes stream Thursdays on Hulu.


upi--2020-05-22--Man wins two $50,000 Keno jackpots in just two days

May 22 ( UPI ) -- An Australian man has back-to-back reasons to celebrate after winning two $ 50,000 lottery jackpots in just two days .
The Lott said the Moonta , South Australia , man played the Keno Spot 8 game Wednesday , winning a $ 50,000 prize in draw 262488 , and played the same game the following day , winning another $ 50,000 prize in draw 2625058 .
The man told The Lott officials he has been playing Keno for several years and alternates between his favored sets of numbers .
`` When I checked my numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was shocked !
I stared blankly at the computer screen for so long , '' the man said of his first win .
`` I just could n't believe it .
It was big surprise !
So I got my whole family to check again and sure enough , it was real . ''
The man said he could n't resist playing a second time the next day -- less than 12 hours later .
`` I was feeling lucky , so I decided to play again , but this time I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he recalled .
`` Well , you can imagine how I was feeling when I saw I 'd won again . ''
The winner said he already has plans for his winnings .
`` I am going to put the money toward renovations on my home , and then when we finally can travel overseas again , I want to book a holiday , '' he said .

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May 22 (UPI) -- An Australian man has back-to-back reasons to celebrate after winning two $50,000 lottery jackpots in just two days.
The Lott said the Moonta, South Australia, man played the Keno Spot 8 game Wednesday, winning a $50,000 prize in draw 262488, and played the same game the following day, winning another $50,000 prize in draw 2625058.
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The man told The Lott officials he has been playing Keno for several years and alternates between his favored sets of numbers.
"When I checked my numbers on the computer after the draw, I was shocked! I stared blankly at the computer screen for so long," the man said of his first win.
"I just couldn't believe it. It was big surprise! So I got my whole family to check again and sure enough, it was real."
The man said he couldn't resist playing a second time the next day -- less than 12 hours later.
"I was feeling lucky, so I decided to play again, but this time I used another set of numbers," he recalled. "Well, you can imagine how I was feeling when I saw I'd won again."
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The winner said he already has plans for his winnings.
"I am going to put the money toward renovations on my home, and then when we finally can travel overseas again, I want to book a holiday," he said.


upi--2020-05-22--Watch: Robot dog herds sheep in New Zealand

May 22 ( UPI ) -- A U.S. engineering firm and a New Zealand software company are testing out a robotic dog 's abilities to emulate its biological counterparts with a traditional canine task : herding sheep .
Robotics company Rocos is using Spot , a robotic dog developed by Massachusetts-based Boston Dynamics , to herd sheep on New Zealand farms .
Rocos said its software allows Spot to be controlled remotely as it herds the sheep through sometimes-difficult and mountainous terrain .
`` The age of autonomous robots is upon us , '' Rocos chief executive David Inggs said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human workforces to automate physical processes that are often dull , dirty , or dangerous .
Organizations can now design , schedule and manage inspection missions remotely . ''
Boston Dynamics said its partnership with Rocos is allowing it to explore numerous possible applications for its robots .
`` We 're excited to see Rocos enabling key features for Spot and our industry partners .
The industry applications we 're exploring with Rocos will see this important technology create new efficiencies for businesses around the world , '' said Michael Perry , Boston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

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May 22 (UPI) -- A U.S. engineering firm and a New Zealand software company are testing out a robotic dog's abilities to emulate its biological counterparts with a traditional canine task: herding sheep.
Robotics company Rocos is using Spot, a robotic dog developed by Massachusetts-based Boston Dynamics, to herd sheep on New Zealand farms.
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Rocos said its software allows Spot to be controlled remotely as it herds the sheep through sometimes-difficult and mountainous terrain.
"The age of autonomous robots is upon us," Rocos chief executive David Inggs said. "Our customers are augmenting their human workforces to automate physical processes that are often dull, dirty, or dangerous. Organizations can now design, schedule and manage inspection missions remotely."
Boston Dynamics said its partnership with Rocos is allowing it to explore numerous possible applications for its robots.
"We're excited to see Rocos enabling key features for Spot and our industry partners. The industry applications we're exploring with Rocos will see this important technology create new efficiencies for businesses around the world," said Michael Perry, Boston Dynamics' vice president of business development.


upi--2020-05-22--FBI Director Christopher Wray orders review of Michael Flynn probe

May 22 ( UPI ) -- FBI Director Christopher Wray on Friday ordered a review of the investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn , who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI .
Wray directed the bureau 's Inspection Division to conduct an `` after-action '' review of its probe related to Russia 's interference in the 2016 presidential election .
The review will determine whether `` current employees engaged in misconduct '' and if any changes should be made to the FBI 's protocols .
`` Although the FBI does not have the prosecutorial authority to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can and will evaluate whether any current onboard employees engaged in actions that might warrant disciplinary measures , '' the FBI said in a statement .
The announcement comes two weeks after the Justice Department moved to dismiss the criminal case against Flynn .
He pleaded guilty in 2017 to making false statements to the FBI during special counsel Robert Mueller 's probe into Russian meddling .
Flynn said he made the false statement regarding his interactions with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak .
In January , the Justice Department changed its sentencing recommendation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in prison because it said he was unrepentant .
A week later , Flynn asked to withdraw his guilty plea , saying prosecutors broke the plea agreement when they requested jail time .
Handwritten notes in FBI documents , which a federal judge released last month , question whether the `` goal '' was `` to get him to lie , so we can prosecute him or get him fired . ''
The release of the FBI documents amplified conservative claims that prosecutors sought to entrap him .
The government `` is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview was conducted with a legitimate investigative basis , '' the Justice Department said .
Earlier this year , President Donald Trump said he was `` strongly considering '' pardoning Flynn , suggesting that the FBI and Justice Department lost records related to the case .
Speaking to reporters Thursday in the Oval Office , the president described Flynn as `` an innocent man , '' `` a great gentleman . ''

FBI Director Christopher Wray said the FBI's Inspection Division will review Michael Flynn's case. File Photo by Alex Edelman/UPI | License Photo
May 22 (UPI) -- FBI Director Christopher Wray on Friday ordered a review of the investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. Wray directed the bureau's Inspection Division to conduct an "after-action" review of its probe related to Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election. The review will determine whether "current employees engaged in misconduct" and if any changes should be made to the FBI's protocols. Advertisement
"Although the FBI does not have the prosecutorial authority to bring a criminal case, the Inspection Division can and will evaluate whether any current onboard employees engaged in actions that might warrant disciplinary measures," the FBI said in a statement.
The announcement comes two weeks after the Justice Department moved to dismiss the criminal case against Flynn. He pleaded guilty in 2017 to making false statements to the FBI during special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian meddling. Flynn said he made the false statement regarding his interactions with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.
In January, the Justice Department changed its sentencing recommendation from probation for Flynn to six months in prison because it said he was unrepentant. A week later, Flynn asked to withdraw his guilty plea, saying prosecutors broke the plea agreement when they requested jail time.
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Handwritten notes in FBI documents, which a federal judge released last month, question whether the "goal" was "to get him to lie, so we can prosecute him or get him fired."
The release of the FBI documents amplified conservative claims that prosecutors sought to entrap him.
The government "is not persuaded that the Jan. 24, 2017 interview was conducted with a legitimate investigative basis," the Justice Department said.
Earlier this year, President Donald Trump said he was "strongly considering" pardoning Flynn, suggesting that the FBI and Justice Department lost records related to the case.
Speaking to reporters Thursday in the Oval Office, the president described Flynn as "an innocent man," "a great gentleman."


upi--2020-05-22--NASA, SpaceX review clears historic mission for launch next week

ORLANDO , Fla. , May 22 ( UPI ) -- NASA and SpaceX cleared next week 's historic SpaceX Crew Dragon launch to the International Space Station after a flight readiness review Friday .
It is to be the first crewed flight scheduled to launch from U.S. soil since the last shuttle lifted off in 2011 .
The Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft are prepared to carry NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley into space Wednesday from Kennedy Space Center in Florida , NASA and SpaceX officials said .
The officials from SpaceX and NASA met for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center Thursday and Friday to focus on the readiness of crews , capsule , rocket and the International Space Station to support the flight .
Significant risk areas reviewed in the process included the function of SpaceX 's relatively new parachute design , fire suppression systems inside the capsule and the design flaw that led to a Crew Dragon capsule exploding on a test stand in April 2019 , said Steve Jurczyk , NASA associate administrator .
The parachutes were tested nearly 100 times , according to SpaceX , but that is fewer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parachute design , Jurczyk said .
But in the end , `` we have very high confidence that they will function as we need them to when Bob and Doug return , '' Jurczyk said .
The astronauts , who are to spend one to four months on the space station , are to splash down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida .
The explosion in 2019 occurred after another Crew Dragon had flown successfully , without a crew , to the space station and splashed down .
SpaceX later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between pressurized rocket propellant and a titanium valve , redesigned the valve and tested it .
NASA and SpaceX wound up learning a great deal about the Crew Dragon they never would have had the explosion not occurred , said Kathy Lueders , manager of NASA 's Commercial Crew Program .
`` I think that was a real blessing for us .
We learned a ton about our systems , the spacecraft and it gave us new knowledge of our materials .
You can never sell this NASA-SpaceX team short , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire the Falcon 9 rocket Friday , and conduct a dry rehearsal for the launch on Saturday .
A final review of data from those events will lead to a final launch review on Monday .
Behnken and Hurley said Friday they have named the spacecraft and will announce it next week .
A successful mission for Crew Dragon , which is to lift off atop a Falcon 9 rocket Wednesday , will restore that capability and continue the nation 's dominance in space , along with making scientific advances from space exploration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is designed to certify the Crew Dragon for regular ferry service of astronauts to the space station .
Since the space shuttle ended service , astronauts have had to buy seats on Russian Soyuz rockets .
The Falcon 9 is to lift off at 4:33 p.m. EDT , from Launch Complex 39A , the site from which many previous Apollo and space shuttle missions were launched .
It is being leased by SpaceX .
SpaceX said Crew Dragon is capable of carrying up to seven passengers to and from Earth orbit -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 feet in diameter and 26.7 feet high , and can carry 13,228 pounds at launch .
Flight suits include a 3D-printed helmet and touchscreen-compatible gloves .
To prepare for this mission , SpaceX blew up a rocket in January in a final uncrewed test launch of the capsule , proving it could carry astronauts to safety in a launch emergency .
SpaceX already has sent uncrewed cargo Dragons on 20 resupply missions to the space station .

1/2
SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule sits atop a Falcon 9 rocket on Thursday in preparation for next week's launch of two astronauts to the International Space Station. NASA Photo by Bill Ingalls/UPI | License Photo
ORLANDO, Fla., May 22 (UPI) -- NASA and SpaceX cleared next week's historic SpaceX Crew Dragon launch to the International Space Station after a flight readiness review Friday. It is to be the first crewed flight scheduled to launch from U.S. soil since the last shuttle lifted off in 2011. Advertisement
The Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft are prepared to carry NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley into space Wednesday from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA and SpaceX officials said.
The officials from SpaceX and NASA met for a day and one-half at the space center Thursday and Friday to focus on the readiness of crews, capsule, rocket and the International Space Station to support the flight.
Significant risk areas reviewed in the process included the function of SpaceX's relatively new parachute design, fire suppression systems inside the capsule and the design flaw that led to a Crew Dragon capsule exploding on a test stand in April 2019, said Steve Jurczyk, NASA associate administrator.
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The parachutes were tested nearly 100 times, according to SpaceX, but that is fewer times than normally expected for a new parachute design, Jurczyk said.
But in the end, "we have very high confidence that they will function as we need them to when Bob and Doug return," Jurczyk said. The astronauts, who are to spend one to four months on the space station, are to splash down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida.
The explosion in 2019 occurred after another Crew Dragon had flown successfully, without a crew, to the space station and splashed down. SpaceX later blamed the blast on an unexpected reaction between pressurized rocket propellant and a titanium valve, redesigned the valve and tested it.
NASA and SpaceX wound up learning a great deal about the Crew Dragon they never would have had the explosion not occurred, said Kathy Lueders, manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program.
"I think that was a real blessing for us. We learned a ton about our systems, the spacecraft and it gave us new knowledge of our materials. You can never sell this NASA-SpaceX team short," she said.
NASA was scheduled to test fire the Falcon 9 rocket Friday, and conduct a dry rehearsal for the launch on Saturday. A final review of data from those events will lead to a final launch review on Monday.
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Behnken and Hurley said Friday they have named the spacecraft and will announce it next week.
A successful mission for Crew Dragon, which is to lift off atop a Falcon 9 rocket Wednesday, will restore that capability and continue the nation's dominance in space, along with making scientific advances from space exploration.
The flight, called Demo 2, is designed to certify the Crew Dragon for regular ferry service of astronauts to the space station. Since the space shuttle ended service, astronauts have had to buy seats on Russian Soyuz rockets.
The Falcon 9 is to lift off at 4:33 p.m. EDT, from Launch Complex 39A, the site from which many previous Apollo and space shuttle missions were launched. It is being leased by SpaceX.
SpaceX said Crew Dragon is capable of carrying up to seven passengers to and from Earth orbit -- and beyond. The capsule is about 13 feet in diameter and 26.7 feet high, and can carry 13,228 pounds at launch. Flight suits include a 3D-printed helmet and touchscreen-compatible gloves.
To prepare for this mission, SpaceX blew up a rocket in January in a final uncrewed test launch of the capsule, proving it could carry astronauts to safety in a launch emergency.
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SpaceX already has sent uncrewed cargo Dragons on 20 resupply missions to the space station.
Astronauts make round trip to space station from U.S. soil


upi--2020-05-22--Watch: Grizzly bear with white fur caught on camera in Canada

May 22 ( UPI ) -- A traveler on a highway through the Rocky Mountains in Canada captured video of @ @ @ @ @ a white grizzly bear .
Cara Clarkson said she and her family were traveling the @ @ @ @ @ Park when they spotted the white bear and its darker-colored sibling .
Clarkson captured video @ @ @ @ @ by the Rimrock Resort Hotel , where she works as director of operations .
Parks @ @ @ @ @ been aware of a white grizzly bear living in the area since 2017 , but @ @ @ @ @ capture video of the unusual animal .
Experts said the grizzly bear is not albino @ @ @ @ @ recessive gene that caused its fur to grow in white .
They said the condition @ @ @ @ @ .

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May 22 (UPI) -- A traveler on a highway through the Rocky Mountains in Canada captured video of an unusual local resident -- a white grizzly bear.
Cara Clarkson said she and her family were traveling the Trans-Canada Highway in Banff National Park when they spotted the white bear and its darker-colored sibling.
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Clarkson captured video that was posted to Facebook by the Rimrock Resort Hotel, where she works as director of operations.
Parks Canada officials said they have been aware of a white grizzly bear living in the area since 2017, but Clarkson was the first to capture video of the unusual animal.
Experts said the grizzly bear is not albino, but rather has a recessive gene that caused its fur to grow in white. They said the condition is extremely rare in grizzlies.


upi--2020-05-22--Dump truck with raised bed collides with highway overpass

May 22 ( UPI ) -- A traveler on a Wisconsin highway captured video of the moment a dump truck @ @ @ @ @ with an overpass bridge .
Jim Witkowski said he was driving Thursday near Milwaukee Mitchell @ @ @ @ @ a dump truck traveling nearby with its bed raised .
Witkowski said he tried to @ @ @ @ @ to flag him down , but the vehicle was heading too quickly near an oncoming @ @ @ @ @ over and recorded on his cellphone as the truck 's bed collided with the bridge @ @ @ @ @ kept going for about 50 feet with the bed broken off at the bridge .
@ @ @ @ @ was not injured , Witkowski said .

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May 22 (UPI) -- A traveler on a Wisconsin highway captured video of the moment a dump truck with its bed up collided with an overpass bridge.
Jim Witkowski said he was driving Thursday near Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport when he noticed a dump truck traveling nearby with its bed raised.
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Witkowski said he tried to pull ahead of the driver to flag him down, but the vehicle was heading too quickly near an oncoming bridge.
The man pulled over and recorded on his cellphone as the truck's bed collided with the bridge.
Witkowski said the cab kept going for about 50 feet with the bed broken off at the bridge.
The driver of the truck was not injured, Witkowski said.


upi--2020-05-22--China's 2020 military budget growth is 6.6 percent, a decline from 2019

May 22 ( UPI ) -- China announced Friday a 6.6 percent increase in its $ 178 billion defense budget , down from last year 's increase of 7.5 percent .
The announcement was made at the opening of the National People 's Congress , the country 's national legislature .
Despite the slowing of the defense budget 's growth , the lowest increase in years , it remains the world 's second-largest defense budget , behind that of the United States at $ 738 billion .
China 's defense budget remains below 2 percent of its GDP , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent .
Wei Dongxu , a Beijing-based military analyst , told the Global Times , a publication of the Chinese Communist Party , on Friday that the budget ensures that China 's military programs remain unaffected by the COVID-19 virus and can go on as scheduled .
The country 's economic growth has been impacted by the pandemic , he added .
Some analysts expected a lesser defense budget increase , but He Lifeng of China 's National Development and Reform Commission , said the government regards the pandemic as temporary , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grow in the second half of 2020 .
It shrank in the first quarter of 2020 by 6.8 percent .
While China deals with the pandemic and a trade war with the United States , which has suppressed economic development , it is also involved in a modernization of its military , including the construction of its third aircraft carrier .
The military , notably the navy , has recently defended claims of sovereignty of islands in the South China Sea and the government has stepped up rhetoric regarding Taiwan 's reunification with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of China , is regarded by most of the world as an independent nation , but a breakaway province by China .
On Friday , Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told the congress that `` We will deepen reforms in national defense and the military , increase our logistic and equipment support capacity , and promote innovative development of defense-related science and technology . ''
He also called for reconciliation with Taiwan , notably avoiding the word `` peaceful , '' a term used as standard procedure in government comments about reunification .

Chinese soldiers perform military honor guard duties in Beijing on November 8, 2019. China announced a 6.6 percent increase in its defense budget for 2020, lower than the increase in 2019. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
May 22 (UPI) -- China announced Friday a 6.6 percent increase in its $178 billion defense budget, down from last year's increase of 7.5 percent. The announcement was made at the opening of the National People's Congress, the country's national legislature. Despite the slowing of the defense budget's growth, the lowest increase in years, it remains the world's second-largest defense budget, behind that of the United States at $738 billion. China's defense budget remains below 2 percent of its GDP, while that of the United States is 3.4 percent. Advertisement
Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military analyst, told the Global Times, a publication of the Chinese Communist Party, on Friday that the budget ensures that China's military programs remain unaffected by the COVID-19 virus and can go on as scheduled. The country's economic growth has been impacted by the pandemic, he added.
Some analysts expected a lesser defense budget increase, but He Lifeng of China's National Development and Reform Commission, said the government regards the pandemic as temporary, and that the national economy is expected to grow in the second half of 2020. It shrank in the first quarter of 2020 by 6.8 percent.
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While China deals with the pandemic and a trade war with the United States, which has suppressed economic development, it is also involved in a modernization of its military, including the construction of its third aircraft carrier. The military, notably the navy, has recently defended claims of sovereignty of islands in the South China Sea and the government has stepped up rhetoric regarding Taiwan's reunification with China. Taiwan, formally the Republic of China, is regarded by most of the world as an independent nation, but a breakaway province by China.
On Friday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told the congress that "We will deepen reforms in national defense and the military, increase our logistic and equipment support capacity, and promote innovative development of defense-related science and technology." He also called for reconciliation with Taiwan, notably avoiding the word "peaceful," a term used as standard procedure in government comments about reunification.


upi--2020-05-22--Adult Swim revives 'Tuca & Bertie'

Adult Swim revives 'Tuca & Bertie'

May 22 ( UPI ) -- Adult Swim announced on Twitter Friday that the network will air a new season of Tuca & Bertie in 2021 .
Netflix canceled the animated series after its first season premiered May 3 , 2019 .
Adult swim confirmed the season would have 10 episodes in a press release .
They retain the option to produce further seasons .
Since Netflix canceled the series , its creators and production company Tornante have been looking for another home .
Lisa Hanawalt created the series .
Tiffany Haddish and Ali Wong are the lead voices and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fan of Adult Swim shows since my teens , '' Hanawalt said in the press release .
`` I 'm thrilled to bring my beloved fowl to the party . ''
Tuca ( Haddish ) and Bertie ( Wong ) are two bird women who are neighbors and friends .
The animated series has fun with animal puns and inappropriate behavior , usually on Tuca 's part .
Like Bojack Horseman , which Tornante also produces and which Tuca & Bertie executive producer Raphael Bob-Waksberg created , Tuca & Bertie also delves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this show , Bertie deals with the trauma from a sexual assault .
Steven Yuen , Nichole Byer , Reggie Watts , Richard E. Grant , David Wain and Awkwafina also did voices for Tuca & Bertie .
Adult Swim also changed their header image on Twitter to a graphic announcing Tuca & Bertie returning in 2021 .
Adult Swim is home to the animated series Rick & Morty , Robot Chicken , Squidbillies , Lazor Wulf and Final Space .

May 22 (UPI) -- Adult Swim announced on Twitter Friday that the network will air a new season of Tuca & Bertie in 2021. Netflix canceled the animated series after its first season premiered May 3, 2019.
Let the party begin. A new season of Tuca and Bertie is coming to Adult Swim in 2021. @aliwong @TiffanyHaddish @lisadraws pic.twitter.com/dmR9yUaTMz— adultswim (@adultswim) May 22, 2020 Advertisement
Adult swim confirmed the season would have 10 episodes in a press release. They retain the option to produce further seasons.
Since Netflix canceled the series, its creators and production company Tornante have been looking for another home. Lisa Hanawalt created the series. Tiffany Haddish and Ali Wong are the lead voices and executive producers.
"I've been a fan of Adult Swim shows since my teens," Hanawalt said in the press release. "I'm thrilled to bring my beloved fowl to the party."
Tuca (Haddish) and Bertie (Wong) are two bird women who are neighbors and friends. The animated series has fun with animal puns and inappropriate behavior, usually on Tuca's part.


upi--2020-05-22--U.S. stocks mostly flat Friday, but still up 3% this week

May 22 ( UPI ) -- U.S. stocks slid in early trading Friday after early gains turned around -- but @ @ @ @ @ P 500 and Nasdaq still gained at least 3 percent this week .
After an @ @ @ @ @ the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained back its losses for the day , closing down @ @ @ @ @ It gained 3.3 percent for the week , its best weekly performance since early April @ @ @ @ @ 500 and Nasdaq followed a similar performance for the day and week , with the @ @ @ @ @ the day and the latter rising 0.4 percent .
Both finished up by more than @ @ @ @ @ .
The Dow lost about 100 points in trading on Thursday .
The New York @ @ @ @ @ Monday for Memorial Day .

All three major U.S. indices entered Friday up about 3 percent this week as they head into the Memorial Day weekend. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 22 (UPI) -- U.S. stocks slid in early trading Friday after early gains turned around -- but the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq still gained at least 3 percent this week. After an early slide Friday morning, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained back its losses for the day, closing down 0.1 percent at 24,465.16. It gained 3.3 percent for the week, its best weekly performance since early April. Advertisement
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq followed a similar performance for the day and week, with the former gaining 0.2 percent for the day and the latter rising 0.4 percent. Both finished up by more than 3 percent for the week.
The Dow lost about 100 points in trading on Thursday.
The New York Stock Exchange will be closed Monday for Memorial Day.


upi--2020-05-22--Watch: Kitten with two faces born in New York state barn

May 22 ( UPI ) -- A New York state family welcomed an unusual arrival when their barn cat give birth to a kitten with two faces on a single head .
Kyla King , whose family lives on a farm east of Albany , said the 1-year-old barn cat gave birth to a litter of six kittens Wednesday , and she soon realized the runt of the litter had two mouths , two noses and four eyes .
The Kings dubbed the kitten Biscuits and Gravy , or Biscuit for short .
The new arrival 's rare condition is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defect known as diprosopus , or craniofacial duplication .
Felines with the condition are commonly known as Janus cats , after the ancient Roman god often depicted with two faces .
King said Biscuit was rejected by the mother cat , so she has been hand-rearing and feeding the kitten until a full veterinary exam can be conducted to determine whether Biscuit is healthy enough to survive .
Janus cats often do n't live for more than a few days , but have been known to survive for years if their internal organs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A Massachusetts cat named Frank and Louie became a Guinness World Record holder for Janus cats when he lived to be 15 years old .

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May 22 (UPI) -- An Oregon family welcomed an unusual arrival when their barn cat give birth to a kitten with two faces on a single head.
Kyla King, whose family lives on a farm east of Albany, said the 1-year-old barn cat gave birth to a litter of six kittens Wednesday, and she soon realized the runt of the litter had two mouths, two noses and four eyes.
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The Kings dubbed the kitten Biscuits and Gravy, or Biscuit for short.
The new arrival's rare condition is believed to be caused by a birth defect known as diprosopus, or craniofacial duplication. Felines with the condition are commonly known as Janus cats, after the ancient Roman god often depicted with two faces.
King said Biscuit was rejected by the mother cat, so she has been hand-rearing and feeding the kitten until a full veterinary exam can be conducted to determine whether Biscuit is healthy enough to survive.
Janus cats often don't live for more than a few days, but have been known to survive for years if their internal organs aren't dramatically altered by the condition. A Massachusetts cat named Frank and Louie became a Guinness World Record holder for Janus cats when he lived to be 15 years old.


upi--2020-05-22--Senators call for investigation of KC-46 problems

May 22 ( UPI ) -- Three U.S. senators called on the Government Accountability Office on Friday to investigate delays keeping the KC-46 military aircraft from use in missions .
In a letter , Sens .
James Lankford , R-Okla. , Jeanne Shaheen , D-N.H. , and Maggie Hassan , D-N.H. , demanded `` periodic assessments '' of the progress made by builder Boeing to fix longstanding problems of the cargo and refueling plane , notably its refueling boom and its rearward-facing remote vision system .
In addition , the plane has been prone to cargo locks becoming unlocked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rubbish , leftover parts and loose fittings in planes delivered by Boeing since January 2019 .
`` The KC-46 aerial refueling tanker modernization program , currently assessed at a cost of about $ 43 billion , is one of the Air Force 's highest acquisition priorities , '' the letter reads in part .
`` The Air Force contracted with Boeing in 2011 to develop , test and produce up to 179 aircraft .
The first 18 KC-46 tankers were expected to be delivered by August 2017 .
`` However , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ variety of issues ... [ the ] U.S. Transportation Command has decided not to use the aircraft in operations until the critical deficiencies are fixed , which is not expected to occur until 2023 . ''
Boeing has offered to redesign the rear vision system -- a process that would take until 2023 .
Each of the senators represents a state in which KC-46 planes are housed on air bases , and Gen. Stephen Lyons , chief of the U.S Transportation Command , has counseled against a proposed Air Force plan to retire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of which are 60 years old , in favor of the KC-46 .
Lankford and Hassan serve on the Senate 's foremost oversight committee , the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee , whose requests are given priority by the GAO .

Three members of the U.S. Senate called on the General Accountability Office on Friday to investigate the technical flaws of the KC-46 cargo and refueling plane. Photo by Christopher Okula/U.S. Air Force
May 22 (UPI) -- Three U.S. senators called on the Government Accountability Office on Friday to investigate delays keeping the KC-46 military aircraft from use in missions. In a letter, Sens. James Lankford, R-Okla., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., demanded "periodic assessments" of the progress made by builder Boeing to fix longstanding problems of the cargo and refueling plane, notably its refueling boom and its rearward-facing remote vision system. Advertisement
In addition, the plane has been prone to cargo locks becoming unlocked in mid-flight, and inspections have found tools, rubbish, leftover parts and loose fittings in planes delivered by Boeing since January 2019.
"The KC-46 aerial refueling tanker modernization program, currently assessed at a cost of about $43 billion, is one of the Air Force's highest acquisition priorities," the letter reads in part.
"The Air Force contracted with Boeing in 2011 to develop, test and produce up to 179 aircraft. The first 18 KC-46 tankers were expected to be delivered by August 2017.
"However, the program experienced significant delays due to a variety of issues... [the] U.S. Transportation Command has decided not to use the aircraft in operations until the critical deficiencies are fixed, which is not expected to occur until 2023."
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Boeing has offered to redesign the rear vision system -- a process that would take until 2023.
Each of the senators represents a state in which KC-46 planes are housed on air bases, and Gen. Stephen Lyons, chief of the U.S Transportation Command, has counseled against a proposed Air Force plan to retire some its KC-10 and KC-135 tankers, some of which are 60 years old, in favor of the KC-46.
Lankford and Hassan serve on the Senate's foremost oversight committee, the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, whose requests are given priority by the GAO.


upi--2020-05-22--President Donald Trump threatens to 'override' governors if they don't reopen places of worship

May 22 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump on Friday called for the country 's places of worship to be deemed `` essential '' and threatened to override governors if they do n't allow them to reopen .
He made the remarks at the opening of a White House briefing by press secretary Kayleigh McEnany .
`` Today , I 'm identifying houses of worship -- churches , synagogues and mosques -- as essential places that provide essential services , '' Trump said .
He added that he would override governors if they do n't open the places of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued closure an `` injustice . ''
Trump left the briefing without answering questions from reporters .
As states continue loosening restrictions put in place to stop the spread of coronavirus , some , such as California , have deemed places of worship as non-essential and they remain closed .
More than 1,200 pastors in California signed a petition this week pledging to reopen their churches this weekend despite the state 's stay-at-home order .
`` We respect the governing authorities and their role in public safety .
However , the governing authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide a date upon which we can lawfully commence our practice of worshiping God together in our houses of worship , '' the petition reads .
`` While we are thankful to the governing authorities for the significant efforts made to protect the public from COVID-19 , the remaining threat of COVID-19 is outweighed by the severe restrictions upon the free exercise of our religion that we deem 'essential . '
We are committed to public safety and will follow reasonable guidelines established and applied to similarly situated organizations . ''

U.S. President Donald Trump said states should allow churches to open on Sunday. Photo by Andrew Harrer/UPI | License Photo
May 22 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Friday called for the country's places of worship to be deemed "essential" and threatened to override governors if they don't allow them to reopen. He made the remarks at the opening of a White House briefing by press secretary Kayleigh McEnany. Advertisement
"Today, I'm identifying houses of worship -- churches, synagogues and mosques -- as essential places that provide essential services," Trump said.
He added that he would override governors if they don't open the places of worship by the weekend, calling their continued closure an "injustice."
Trump left the briefing without answering questions from reporters.
As states continue loosening restrictions put in place to stop the spread of coronavirus, some, such as California, have deemed places of worship as non-essential and they remain closed.
More than 1,200 pastors in California signed a petition this week pledging to reopen their churches this weekend despite the state's stay-at-home order.
"We respect the governing authorities and their role in public safety. However, the governing authorities have suspended our meetings indefinitely, refusing to provide a date upon which we can lawfully commence our practice of worshiping God together in our houses of worship," the petition reads.
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"While we are thankful to the governing authorities for the significant efforts made to protect the public from COVID-19, the remaining threat of COVID-19 is outweighed by the severe restrictions upon the free exercise of our religion that we deem 'essential.' We are committed to public safety and will follow reasonable guidelines established and applied to similarly situated organizations."


upi--2020-05-22--NASCAR drivers feel safe ahead of 'intense' Coca-Cola 600

May 22 ( UPI ) -- NASCAR drivers say they feel safe as they prepare for their third Cup Series event since the season resumed Sunday after a two-month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` I feel safer at the racetrack than at the grocery store at this point , '' Joey Logano said in advance of Sunday 's Coca-Cola 600 .
`` We had a big opportunity in front of us .
We took it , and it 's paying off . ''
NASCAR hosted two Cup Series races and an Xfinity Series race from Sunday through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ S.C. -- the first events since the sport suspended its season in March due to the pandemic .
No fans were allowed to attend those races .
Drivers and team members are required to use personal protective equipment , such as masks , when they are n't wearing helmets .
Those who enter and exit the track also must have their temperature taken .
Garage and hauler areas were more spread out to adhere to social distancing guidelines .
The policies will remain in place when drivers fill up the track at Charlotte @ @ @ @ @ @ @ N.C. NASCAR is one of the only active sports leagues in the United States , as others remain on hiatus due to the pandemic .
NASCAR events are carried on Fox Sports , and the Real Heroes 400 last Sunday attracted more than 6.3 million viewers , nearly 40 percent more than the network 's previous race March 8 .
Logano attributed the sport 's success to everyone working together .
`` When you look at the ratings , we are putting on good races and finding ways to race close to home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently became a part of one of the most entertaining sequences since the sport 's return .
Elliott was toward the front of the pack before he was forced to wreck by fellow driver Kyle Busch in Wednesday 's Toyota 500 .
The wreck knocked Elliott out of the race , while Busch finished second .
Elliott showed his frustration after the incident with an angry gesture directed at Busch .
The drivers have talked about the incident and appear to have moved on , but the dust-up could linger into the weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 600 miles .
`` There is more room [ on the track ] at Charlotte than at Darlington , so you will see more aggressive moves , '' Logano said of the 1.5-mile speedway .
Elliott said he thinks NASCAR drivers , fans and officials have learned drivers do n't need as much practice before a race as before .
Drivers for the first two Cup Series events received their starting positions from a draw instead of achieving qualifying times on the track like they typically do .
`` We do n't need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday event and we can still put on a really good show , '' Elliott said .
`` I hope , as time goes on , we can race more and practice less and maximize the time the teams are at the race track .
`` We can put on a full day of activities and events and still maximize the fans ' time at the track , too . ''
Drivers will have a qualifying session at 2 p.m. EDT Sunday in Charlotte .
The Coca-Cola 600 airs at 6 p.m. EDT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find a way to get back to the racetrack as a sport and industry and get back to work before most was an amazing opportunity NASCAR saw , '' Logano said .
`` It was important for all of our livelihoods .
I 'm proud to be part of this sport to be able to do that in the safest way we can . ''

Joey Logano said he feels safer on the racetrack than he does while at the grocery store after NASCAR resumed its season amid the coronavirus pandemic. File Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo
May 22 (UPI) -- NASCAR drivers say they feel safe as they prepare for their third Cup Series event since the season resumed Sunday after a two-month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. "I feel safer at the racetrack than at the grocery store at this point," Joey Logano said in advance of Sunday's Coca-Cola 600. "We had a big opportunity in front of us. We took it, and it's paying off." Advertisement
NASCAR hosted two Cup Series races and an Xfinity Series race from Sunday through Thursday at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C. -- the first events since the sport suspended its season in March due to the pandemic.
No fans were allowed to attend those races. Drivers and team members are required to use personal protective equipment, such as masks, when they aren't wearing helmets. Those who enter and exit the track also must have their temperature taken.
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Garage and hauler areas were more spread out to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
The policies will remain in place when drivers fill up the track at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend in Charlotte, N.C.
NASCAR is one of the only active sports leagues in the United States, as others remain on hiatus due to the pandemic.
NASCAR events are carried on Fox Sports, and the Real Heroes 400 last Sunday attracted more than 6.3 million viewers, nearly 40 percent more than the network's previous race March 8.
Logano attributed the sport's success to everyone working together.
"When you look at the ratings, we are putting on good races and finding ways to race close to home," Logano said.
Chase Elliott recently became a part of one of the most entertaining sequences since the sport's return. Elliott was toward the front of the pack before he was forced to wreck by fellow driver Kyle Busch in Wednesday's Toyota 500.
The wreck knocked Elliott out of the race, while Busch finished second. Elliott showed his frustration after the incident with an angry gesture directed at Busch.
The drivers have talked about the incident and appear to have moved on, but the dust-up could linger into the weekend when they share the track again for 600 miles.
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"There is more room [on the track] at Charlotte than at Darlington, so you will see more aggressive moves," Logano said of the 1.5-mile speedway.
Elliott said he thinks NASCAR drivers, fans and officials have learned drivers don't need as much practice before a race as before. Drivers for the first two Cup Series events received their starting positions from a draw instead of achieving qualifying times on the track like they typically do.
"We don't need to practice for three days before a Sunday event and we can still put on a really good show," Elliott said. "I hope, as time goes on, we can race more and practice less and maximize the time the teams are at the race track.
"We can put on a full day of activities and events and still maximize the fans' time at the track, too."
Drivers will have a qualifying session at 2 p.m. EDT Sunday in Charlotte. The Coca-Cola 600 airs at 6 p.m. EDT Sunday on Fox.
"For us to find a way to get back to the racetrack as a sport and industry and get back to work before most was an amazing opportunity NASCAR saw," Logano said. "It was important for all of our livelihoods. I'm proud to be part of this sport to be able to do that in the safest way we can."