upi--2020-05-17--John O’Hurley: ‘Beverly Hills Dog Show’ is ‘more glitzy’ than competitors

NEW YORK , May 17 ( UPI ) -- Host John O'Hurley said viewers of Sunday 's Beverly Hills Dog Show on NBC are in for a treat .
`` We try to loosen up the edges a little bit in Beverly Hills , '' O'Hurley -- who also emcees the National Dog Show each November in Philadelphia -- told UPI at a pre-pandemic press event in New York .
`` We spotlight , not only our four-legged friends , but a lot of our two-legged stars , as well , '' he said of the California competition .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in LA and on the celebrity circuit , and we try to include them a little bit .
It 's a little bit more star-studded , a little more glitzy .
We talk about the wonderful history of dogs , not only in our lives , but in our entertainment . ''
American Kennel Club-licensed judge David Frei will provide expert analysis and Mary Carillo , Akbar Gbajabiamila and Maria Menounos will offer color commentary .
The competition was taped Feb. 29 , but was postponed because of post-production issues caused when social-distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus .
Celebrity guests at the event included Lauren Ash , Brian Baumgartner , Reece Caddell , Jade Catta-Preta , Olivia Culpo , Ester Dean , Bo Derek , Doug the Pug , Parveen Kaur , MJ Javid and Tommy Feight , Nastia Liukin , Greg Louganis , Ariana Madix , Justine Marino , Caitlin McGee , Miss America 2020 Camille Schrier and Jocko Sims .
O'Hurley said he and Frei hit it off right away when they co-hosted their first National Dog Show 19 years ago .
`` We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I realized how much I needed him because he is the smartest man in the room when it comes to dogs -- and even the dogs will tell you that .
But , also , just off-camera , we are very , very close friends , and our families are close , and it 's become a wonderful partnership . ''
The actor also has a genuine affection for man 's best friend .
`` They round out the edges in your life , '' he said of dogs in general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on in your day , your dog still loves you unconditionally , and they also live in the present moment .
They do n't worry about what happened and they do n't worry about what 's going to happen . ''
Fans of the dog shows who approach O'Hurley most frequently want to know why their perfect pet ca n't compete .
`` That 's probably the No .
1 thing I get .
They also ask how a judge makes a decision on a dog and what they do n't realize and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breed has a written standard that the dog has to subscribe to .
`` So , the dogs really are n't competing against each other as much as they are competing with the written standard of what the best of that breed should be , '' he said .
O'Hurley takes pride in being part of an industry that upholds high standards for excellence .
`` It 's nice to know that there is a written standard , '' he chuckled .
`` I have my one-man show that I tour around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I was lucky enough to sing the songs -- the standards as they call The Great American Songbook -- but I was lucky enough to grow up around men who had them .
I grew up in the shadow of gentlemen , so I just try to carry that with me every day . ''
The 65-year-old entertainer also has appeared on numerous daytime dramas , most notably on Santa Barbara , but he probably is best known for his iconic portrayal of J. Peterman on the sitcom Seinfeld .
He is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include Phineas and Ferb , Scooby-Doo !
Mystery Incorporated and The Lion Guard , too .
`` I 've had a very eclectic career , '' O'Hurley said , recalling how he knew as a pre-schooler in the age of black-and-white television that he wanted to be a star of stage and screen .
`` I just did n't know how many left and right turns I would take along the way .
Host for the National Dog Show and also the Beverly Hills Dog Show is a wonderful addition to everything I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bono was crowned Best in Show last year in Beverly Hills .

John O'Hurley will be seen hosting "Beverly Hills Dog Show" on NBC Sunday. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
NEW YORK, May 17 (UPI) -- Host John O'Hurley said viewers of Sunday's Beverly Hills Dog Show on NBC are in for a treat. "We try to loosen up the edges a little bit in Beverly Hills," O'Hurley -- who also emcees the National Dog Show each November in Philadelphia -- told UPI at a pre-pandemic press event in New York. Advertisement
"We spotlight, not only our four-legged friends, but a lot of our two-legged stars, as well," he said of the California competition.
"So many people are pet lovers out in LA and on the celebrity circuit, and we try to include them a little bit. It's a little bit more star-studded, a little more glitzy. We talk about the wonderful history of dogs, not only in our lives, but in our entertainment."
American Kennel Club-licensed judge David Frei will provide expert analysis and Mary Carillo, Akbar Gbajabiamila and Maria Menounos will offer color commentary.
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The competition was taped Feb. 29, but was postponed because of post-production issues caused when social-distancing practices were adopted to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Celebrity guests at the event included Lauren Ash, Brian Baumgartner, Reece Caddell, Jade Catta-Preta, Olivia Culpo, Ester Dean, Bo Derek, Doug the Pug, Parveen Kaur, MJ Javid and Tommy Feight, Nastia Liukin, Greg Louganis, Ariana Madix, Justine Marino, Caitlin McGee, Miss America 2020 Camille Schrier and Jocko Sims.
O'Hurley said he and Frei hit it off right away when they co-hosted their first National Dog Show 19 years ago.
"We have a great time," O'Hurley said. "I realized how much I needed him because he is the smartest man in the room when it comes to dogs -- and even the dogs will tell you that. But, also, just off-camera, we are very, very close friends, and our families are close, and it's become a wonderful partnership."
The actor also has a genuine affection for man's best friend.
"They round out the edges in your life," he said of dogs in general. "No matter what is going on in your day, your dog still loves you unconditionally, and they also live in the present moment. They don't worry about what happened and they don't worry about what's going to happen."
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Fans of the dog shows who approach O'Hurley most frequently want to know why their perfect pet can't compete.
"That's probably the No. 1 thing I get. They also ask how a judge makes a decision on a dog and what they don't realize and what I tell them is that every breed has a written standard that the dog has to subscribe to.
"So, the dogs really aren't competing against each other as much as they are competing with the written standard of what the best of that breed should be," he said.
O'Hurley takes pride in being part of an industry that upholds high standards for excellence.
"It's nice to know that there is a written standard," he chuckled.
"I have my one-man show that I tour around the country called A Man with Standards, and I was lucky enough to sing the songs -- the standards as they call The Great American Songbook -- but I was lucky enough to grow up around men who had them. I grew up in the shadow of gentlemen, so I just try to carry that with me every day."
The 65-year-old entertainer also has appeared on numerous daytime dramas, most notably on Santa Barbara, but he probably is best known for his iconic portrayal of J. Peterman on the sitcom Seinfeld.
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He is a popular voice actor whose recent credits include Phineas and Ferb, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated and The Lion Guard, too.
"I've had a very eclectic career," O'Hurley said, recalling how he knew as a pre-schooler in the age of black-and-white television that he wanted to be a star of stage and screen.
"I just didn't know how many left and right turns I would take along the way. Host for the National Dog Show and also the Beverly Hills Dog Show is a wonderful addition to everything I do."
A 3-year-old Havanese named Bono was crowned Best in Show last year in Beverly Hills.


upi--2020-05-18--Treasury, IRS to deliver some Economic Impact Payments by pre-paid debit cards

May 18 ( UPI ) -- The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced Monday that they have begun to send nearly 4 million Economic Impact Payments to Americans by prepaid debit card .
The agencies issued a statement announcing that the payments of up to $ 1,200 for individual taxpayers will be mailed to some Americans by these debit cards beginning this week , rather than paper checks as previously announced .
`` Treasury and the IRS have been working with unprecedented speed to issue Economic Impact Payments to American families .
Prepaid debit cards are secure , easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans their money quickly , '' Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said .
`` Recipients can immediately activate and use these cards safely . ''
Americans who receive the prepaid debit cards will be able to make purchases , get cash from in-network ATMs and transfer funds to their personal bank accounts using the cards without incurring any fees .
The cards can be used online , at ATMs , or any retailers that accept Visa cards and recipients can check their card balance online , via a mobile app or by phone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ their payments were required to provide the IRS with any necessary bank information by last week in order to receive their payment as a direct deposit instead of through the mail .
The Treasury Department said it has already delivered 140 million Economic Impact Payments by direct deposit and checks .

The Treasury Department announced Monday it has begun to send 4 million Economic Impact Payments to Americans by prepaid debit card instead of by check. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
May 18 (UPI) -- The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced Monday that they have begun to send nearly 4 million Economic Impact Payments to Americans by prepaid debit card. The agencies issued a statement announcing that the payments of up to $1,200 for individual taxpayers will be mailed to some Americans by these debit cards beginning this week, rather than paper checks as previously announced. Advertisement
"Treasury and the IRS have been working with unprecedented speed to issue Economic Impact Payments to American families. Prepaid debit cards are secure, easy to use and allow us to deliver Americans their money quickly," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said. "Recipients can immediately activate and use these cards safely."
Americans who receive the prepaid debit cards will be able to make purchases, get cash from in-network ATMs and transfer funds to their personal bank accounts using the cards without incurring any fees.
The cards can be used online, at ATMs, or any retailers that accept Visa cards and recipients can check their card balance online, via a mobile app or by phone.
Eligible taxpayers who had not yet received their payments were required to provide the IRS with any necessary bank information by last week in order to receive their payment as a direct deposit instead of through the mail.
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The Treasury Department said it has already delivered 140 million Economic Impact Payments by direct deposit and checks.


upi--2020-05-18--Utah Jazz F Bojan Bogdanovic to undergo season-ending wrist surgery

May 18 ( UPI ) -- Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic will undergo season-ending wrist surgery , the team announced Monday .
Bogdanovic is scheduled to have the procedure done Tuesday in New York , according to the team .
The Jazz did n't set a timeline for his return .
`` Bogdanovic hurt his right wrist sometime in 2019 and the injury continued to bother him throughout the season , '' the team said in a statement .
`` With the campaign suspended , the forward consulted with multiple medical professionals and the decision was made to surgically repair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBA season has been suspended since mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic , but there is optimism that the league will eventually resume the 2019-20 season and attempt to have postseason competition .
Before play was halted , the Jazz were the No .
4 seed in the Western Conference .
Bogdanovic , 31 , was a key member of the Jazz through 63 games this season .
In his first year in Utah , he averaged 20.2 points , 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game .
Bogdanovic , who spent the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , left the organization after signing a four-year , $ 73 million deal with the Jazz last July .

May 18 (UPI) -- Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic will undergo season-ending wrist surgery, the team announced Monday.
Bogdanovic is scheduled to have the procedure done Tuesday in New York, according to the team. The Jazz didn't set a timeline for his return.
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"Bogdanovic hurt his right wrist sometime in 2019 and the injury continued to bother him throughout the season," the team said in a statement. "With the campaign suspended, the forward consulted with multiple medical professionals and the decision was made to surgically repair the ruptured scapholunate ligament."
The NBA season has been suspended since mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic, but there is optimism that the league will eventually resume the 2019-20 season and attempt to have postseason competition. Before play was halted, the Jazz were the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference.
Bogdanovic, 31, was a key member of the Jazz through 63 games this season. In his first year in Utah, he averaged 20.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
Bogdanovic, who spent the past two seasons with the Indiana Pacers, left the organization after signing a four-year, $73 million deal with the Jazz last July.


upi--2020-05-18--Sen. Marco Rubio replaces intelligence committee chair, Burr, amid FBI probe

May 18 ( UPI ) -- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday named Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio as the acting chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee , replacing Sen. Richard Burr , R-N.C. , who stepped down amid an FBI investigation into his stock trading .
Rubio has served for 10 years as a leading member on the Senate 's Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committees , McConnell said .
`` The senior senator for Florida is a talented and experienced Senate leader with expertise in foreign affairs and national security matters , '' McConnell said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China and Russia to Iran and North Korea to tyranny and unrest in our own hemisphere , Senator Rubio has been on the case for years . ''
Rubio will take the temporary position to head the committee as it votes to advance the nomination of U.S. Rep. John Ratcliff , R-Texas , to be the next director of national intelligence .
`` I am grateful to Leader McConnell for his confidence in me to lead the Senate Intelligence Committee during Senator Burr 's absence from the Chairmanship , '' Rubio , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 GOP primary , said in a statement .
`` The Committee has long been one that conducts its work seriously , and I look forward to continuing that tradition . ''
The intelligence committee is finishing a three-year , bipartisan investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election .
Burr 's last action as chairman Friday was to submit the fifth and final installment of the counterintelligence investigation for classification review .
Burr stepped down Thursday to avoid being a `` distraction '' while the FBI investigates the North Carolina senator for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start of the coronavirus pandemic .
FBI agents seized Burr 's cellphone and data from an online cloud account Thursday .
Agents are probing whether Burr 's selloff of hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of stock could be considered insider trading , based on information received about COVID-19 in daily committee briefings .
Burr sold his stock about a week before the U.S. stock market began to see heavy losses related to the pandemic .

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will become the temporary chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, replacing North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr, who is being investigated for insider stock trading. File photo by Andrew Harnik/UPI | License Photo
May 18 (UPI) -- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday named Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio as the acting chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, replacing Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., who stepped down amid an FBI investigation into his stock trading. Rubio has served for 10 years as a leading member on the Senate's Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committees, McConnell said. Advertisement
"The senior senator for Florida is a talented and experienced Senate leader with expertise in foreign affairs and national security matters," McConnell said in a statement. " ...On subjects ranging from China and Russia to Iran and North Korea to tyranny and unrest in our own hemisphere, Senator Rubio has been on the case for years."
Rubio will take the temporary position to head the committee as it votes to advance the nomination of U.S. Rep. John Ratcliff, R-Texas, to be the next director of national intelligence.
"I am grateful to Leader McConnell for his confidence in me to lead the Senate Intelligence Committee during Senator Burr's absence from the Chairmanship," Rubio, who ran against President Donald Trump in the 2016 GOP primary, said in a statement. "The Committee has long been one that conducts its work seriously, and I look forward to continuing that tradition."
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The intelligence committee is finishing a three-year, bipartisan investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Burr's last action as chairman Friday was to submit the fifth and final installment of the counterintelligence investigation for classification review.
Burr stepped down Thursday to avoid being a "distraction" while the FBI investigates the North Carolina senator for a mass selloff in stock at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
FBI agents seized Burr's cellphone and data from an online cloud account Thursday. Agents are probing whether Burr's selloff of hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of stock could be considered insider trading, based on information received about COVID-19 in daily committee briefings.
Burr sold his stock about a week before the U.S. stock market began to see heavy losses related to the pandemic.


upi--2020-05-18--Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger signals return from elbow injury by shaving beard

May 18 ( UPI ) -- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger honored his promise from last year by shaving his beard and cutting his hair as he nears a return to the field .
Roethlisberger , who underwent surgery about eight months ago to repair his throwing elbow , previously pledged not to shave or cut his hair until he could throw a `` legit NFL pass '' to his teammates .
The Steelers ' franchise quarterback posted a short video of the vow Monday on social media , followed by a quick highlight reel of throws to running back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Ryan Switzer on a high school football field .
The video then cuts to a fresh-cut Roethlisberger in a barber 's chair .
The 38-second video ends with a declaration from Smith-Schuster : `` He 's back . ''
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told fans on a conference call last week that Roethlisberger has n't experienced any setbacks in his rehab .
`` He 's doing great thus far , '' Tomlin said .
`` He 's in great physical condition .
Rehabilitation in regards to the injury itself is going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports from that standpoint .
There have been no bumps in the road . ''
Roethlisberger suffered the season-ending elbow injury in Week 2 of last season .
In two games in 2019 , he completed 56.5 percent of his passes for 351 yards and an interception .

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger previously said he wasn't going to shave his beard or cut his hair until he could throw an "NFL pass" to teammates. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
May 18 (UPI) -- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger honored his promise from last year by shaving his beard and cutting his hair as he nears a return to the field. Roethlisberger, who underwent surgery about eight months ago to repair his throwing elbow, previously pledged not to shave or cut his hair until he could throw a "legit NFL pass" to his teammates. Advertisement
The Steelers' franchise quarterback posted a short video of the vow Monday on social media, followed by a quick highlight reel of throws to running back James Conner and wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Ryan Switzer on a high school football field. The video then cuts to a fresh-cut Roethlisberger in a barber's chair.
The 38-second video ends with a declaration from Smith-Schuster: "He's back."
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told fans on a conference call last week that Roethlisberger hasn't experienced any setbacks in his rehab.
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"He's doing great thus far," Tomlin said. "He's in great physical condition. Rehabilitation in regards to the injury itself is going well. I hear nothing but positive reports from that standpoint. There have been no bumps in the road."
Roethlisberger suffered the season-ending elbow injury in Week 2 of last season. In two games in 2019, he completed 56.5 percent of his passes for 351 yards and an interception.


upi--2020-05-18--Restaurant leaders call on Trump to extend spending period for coronavirus loans

May 18 ( UPI ) -- Restaurant owners on Monday called on President Donald Trump to extend the period they must spend loans provided under a federal small business coronavirus aid program .
During a roundtable meeting at the White House , restaurant executives and industry leaders asked Trump to extend the period during which they must spend their Paycheck Protection Program loans to have the loans forgiven from eight weeks to 24 weeks .
Will Guidara , owner of New York City 's Eleven Madison Park , said more restaurants would reopen if owners were confident the loans would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than that , that is specific to independent restaurants , '' said Guidara .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said there is support in Congress for a `` technical fix '' to the program .
The $ 3 trillion HEROES Act passed by the U.S. House on Friday , included a provision to extend the spending period , but the overall bill has faced opposition from U.S. Senate leaders and Trump , who said he would veto it .
Small restaurateurs face `` nearly insurmountable odds as they meet new requirements for public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to half their revenue `` if they are able to reopen at all , '' according to the Independent Restaurant Coalition .
`` We rely on social interaction so it makes us really unique that we were hit hard quickly and it 's going to make our comeback really difficult , '' said Melvin Rodrigue , president and CEO of New Orleans-based Galatoire 's Restaurants .
Trump , during the roundtable , sought to inspire optimism based on a strong day on Wall Street .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported `` positive results '' from its early trials for a COVID-19 vaccine .
`` This was a very big day , therapeutically , cure-wise and vaccine-wise , '' Trump said .
`` Tremendous progress has been made , as I 've been saying for two weeks , because I 've been seeing what 's going on and have been spearheading it largely . ''
Trump also told reporters Monday that he has been taking hydroxychloroquine and zinc for `` a couple weeks '' after asking a White House doctor if he could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you think , he said , 'Well if you 'd like it , ' '' said Trump , who also denied that he had been exposed to COVID-19 .
Trump has repeatedly touted hydroxychloroquine and it 's sister drug chloroquine , which have been used as medications to treat malaria , as a potential treatment for the coronavirus .
The drugs have not yet received agency approval for use in coronavirus patients outside of clinical trials and under hospital supervision and the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning last month describing potentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

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Restaurant industry leaders called on President Donald Trump to extend the period businesses can spend loans under the Paycheck Protection Program from eight weeks to 24 weeks during a roundtable at the White House on Monday. Pool Photo by Doug Mills/UPI | License Photo
May 18 (UPI) -- Restaurant owners on Monday called on President Donald Trump to extend the period they must spend loans provided under a federal small business coronavirus aid program. During a roundtable meeting at the White House, restaurant executives and industry leaders asked Trump to extend the period during which they must spend their Paycheck Protection Program loans to have the loans forgiven from eight weeks to 24 weeks. Advertisement
Will Guidara, owner of New York City's Eleven Madison Park, said more restaurants would reopen if owners were confident the loans would be forgiven.
"We need something more than that, that is specific to independent restaurants," said Guidara.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said there is support in Congress for a "technical fix" to the program.
The $3 trillion HEROES Act passed by the U.S. House on Friday, included a provision to extend the spending period, but the overall bill has faced opposition from U.S. Senate leaders and Trump, who said he would veto it.
Small restaurateurs face "nearly insurmountable odds as they meet new requirements for public safety" which will cost them up to half their revenue "if they are able to reopen at all," according to the Independent Restaurant Coalition.
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"We rely on social interaction so it makes us really unique that we were hit hard quickly and it's going to make our comeback really difficult," said Melvin Rodrigue, president and CEO of New Orleans-based Galatoire's Restaurants.
Trump, during the roundtable, sought to inspire optimism based on a strong day on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained more than 900 points after a biotech firm Moderna reported "positive results" from its early trials for a COVID-19 vaccine.
"This was a very big day, therapeutically, cure-wise and vaccine-wise," Trump said. "Tremendous progress has been made, as I've been saying for two weeks, because I've been seeing what's going on and have been spearheading it largely."
Trump also told reporters Monday that he has been taking hydroxychloroquine and zinc for "a couple weeks" after asking a White House doctor if he could.
"I asked him what do you think, he said, 'Well if you'd like it,'" said Trump, who also denied that he had been exposed to COVID-19.
Trump has repeatedly touted hydroxychloroquine and it's sister drug chloroquine, which have been used as medications to treat malaria, as a potential treatment for the coronavirus.
The drugs have not yet received agency approval for use in coronavirus patients outside of clinical trials and under hospital supervision and the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning last month describing potentially life-threatening side effects including heart rhythm problems.


upi--2020-05-18--TikTok hires Disney's head of streaming, Kevin Mayer, for new CEO

May 18 ( UPI ) -- Micro video platform TikTok announced Monday that the company had hired Disney 's Head of Streaming , Kevin Mayer , to be the company 's new chief executive officer .
Mayer , 57 , was also hired as chief operating officer of ByteDance , the Chinese parent company of TikTok , starting June 1 , the company said .
Mayer will be in charge of expanding ByteDance 's footprint in music , gaming and other emerging businesses , a press release from the company said .
Mayer was passed over for CEO of Disney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was named to replace chief Bob Iger .
`` I enjoy my job , I admire Bob Chapek , and Disney 's a fabulous company , '' Mayer told CNBC on Monday .
`` When you have an opportunity like this you do n't turn it down .
I 'm not getting any younger and it 's such a good opportunity .
But I love Disney and had no desire to leave . ''
Mayer was in charge of Disney 's November launch of its successful streaming platform , Disney+ , which aims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 54 million subscribers as of early May .
Mayer oversaw Disney 's acquisitions of Pixar , Marvel , Lucasfilm , BAMTECH and 21st Century Fox , leading then-CEO Iger to call him a `` master strategist and dealmaker . ''
Disney 's stock fell nearly 1 percent in after-hours trading Monday following the announcement , the Wall Street Journal reported .

TikTok announced Monday that Kevin Mayer, Disney's former head of streaming, will become the company's CEO. Photo by antonbe/Pixabay
May 18 (UPI) -- Micro video platform TikTok announced Monday that the company had hired Disney's Head of Streaming, Kevin Mayer, to be the company's new chief executive officer. Mayer, 57, was also hired as chief operating officer of ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, starting June 1, the company said. Advertisement
Mayer will be in charge of expanding ByteDance's footprint in music, gaming and other emerging businesses, a press release from the company said.
Mayer was passed over for CEO of Disney earlier this year, when Bob Chapek was named to replace chief Bob Iger.
"I enjoy my job, I admire Bob Chapek, and Disney's a fabulous company," Mayer told CNBC on Monday. "When you have an opportunity like this you don't turn it down. I'm not getting any younger and it's such a good opportunity. But I love Disney and had no desire to leave."
Mayer was in charge of Disney's November launch of its successful streaming platform, Disney+, which aims to compete with Netflix and had acquired more than 54 million subscribers as of early May.
Mayer oversaw Disney's acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, BAMTECH and 21st Century Fox, leading then-CEO Iger to call him a "master strategist and dealmaker."
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Disney's stock fell nearly 1 percent in after-hours trading Monday following the announcement, the Wall Street Journal reported.


upi--2020-05-18--Study: Most COVID-19 patients won't experience PTSD, depression after recovery

May 18 ( UPI ) -- Most people hospitalized with severe COVID-19 should recover without lingering mental health effects , an analysis published Monday by The Lancet Psychiatry has found .
A review of existing studies of recovered COVID-19 patients , and data on SARS and MERS patients , show that two-thirds of infected patients should survive without symptoms like `` confusion , '' `` agitation '' or `` low mood . ''
COVID-19 is caused by the new coronavirus , SARS-CoV-2 .
Both SARS , sudden acute respiratory syndrome , which caused an outbreak in 2002 , and MERS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused an outbreak in 2012 , are also caused by coronaviruses .
Despite the analysis , the researchers emphasize that more studies are needed to assess the true effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of those infected .
`` Our analysis ... suggests that most people will not suffer from mental health problems following coronavirus infection , '' lead author Jonathan Rogers , of University College London , said in a press release .
`` While there is little evidence to suggest that common mental illnesses beyond short-term delirium are a feature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the possibility that common mental disorders such as depression , anxiety , fatigue and PTSD could arise in the weeks and months following recovery from severe infection , as has been seen with SARS and MERS , '' he added .
Nearly 4.8 million people worldwide have been infected with COVID-19 , including nearly 1.5 million in the United States , according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University .
While the majority of patients will recover , the stress of being affected by the disease can lead to lingering mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were seriously ill and required hospital care .
Among the potential disorders are depression , anxiety , fatigue and post-traumatic stress disorder , researchers say .
For the analysis , Rogers and his colleagues reviewed data from 65 peer-reviewed studies and seven articles in press that focused on mental health issues associated with SARS , MERS and COVID-19 .
Data from two studies that assessed common symptoms of patients admitted to hospital with SARS and MERS collectively found that 28 percent experienced confusion , while 33 percent reported low mood , 36 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impaired memory and 12 percent reported insomnia , they noted .
Six other studies looking at SARS and MERS patients following initial infection taken together observed that 11 percent reported low mood , 12 percent reported insomnia , 12 percent had anxiety and 19 percent had memory impairment , the authors said .
In addition , 30 percent of patients in these studies reported frequent recall of `` traumatic memories '' for anywhere from six weeks to 39 months after their initial infection .
Meanwhile , 12 studies to date focusing on COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ painted a similar picture .
Roughly 65 percent of patients in intensive care units experienced confusion , 69 percent displayed agitation and 21 percent had `` altered consciousness '' -- or awake , but not fully alert -- while acutely ill .
The researchers emphasize , however , that the studies done so far are of `` low to moderate quality '' and have no data on how patients are faring after recovery .
Based on these findings , the authors of The Lancet Psychiatry paper estimate the prevalence of PTSD among SARS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an average of 34 months after the acute stage of illness .
Rates of depression and anxiety disorders were around 15 percent up to two years after the acute stage .
Because of the similarities in patient mental health with these three coronaviruses , the researchers expect similar levels of PTSD , depression and anxiety among those who recover from COVID-19 .
`` With few data yet for COVID-19 , high quality , peer-reviewed research into psychiatric symptoms of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 as well as investigations to mitigate these outcomes is needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the development of symptoms should be a routine part of the care we provide . ''

Pedestrians wear protective face masks as they walk on the sidewalk near Lincoln Center in New York City, which remains closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on May 13. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 18 (UPI) -- Most people hospitalized with severe COVID-19 should recover without lingering mental health effects, an analysis published Monday by The Lancet Psychiatry has found. A review of existing studies of recovered COVID-19 patients, and data on SARS and MERS patients, show that two-thirds of infected patients should survive without symptoms like "confusion," "agitation" or "low mood." Advertisement
COVID-19 is caused by the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. Both SARS, sudden acute respiratory syndrome, which caused an outbreak in 2002, and MERS, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, which caused an outbreak in 2012, are also caused by coronaviruses.
Despite the analysis, the researchers emphasize that more studies are needed to assess the true effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of those infected.
"Our analysis ... suggests that most people will not suffer from mental health problems following coronavirus infection," lead author Jonathan Rogers, of University College London, said in a press release.
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"While there is little evidence to suggest that common mental illnesses beyond short-term delirium are a feature of COVID-19 infection, clinicians should monitor for the possibility that common mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, fatigue and PTSD could arise in the weeks and months following recovery from severe infection, as has been seen with SARS and MERS," he added.
Nearly 4.8 million people worldwide have been infected with COVID-19, including nearly 1.5 million in the United States, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University.
While the majority of patients will recover, the stress of being affected by the disease can lead to lingering mental health issuse, particularly in those who were seriously ill and required hospital care. Among the potential disorders are depression, anxiety, fatigue and post-traumatic stress disorder, researchers say.
For the analysis, Rogers and his colleagues reviewed data from 65 peer-reviewed studies and seven articles in press that focused on mental health issues associated with SARS, MERS and COVID-19.
Data from two studies that assessed common symptoms of patients admitted to hospital with SARS and MERS collectively found that 28 percent experienced confusion, while 33 percent reported low mood, 36 percent had anxiety, 34 percent suffered from impaired memory and 12 percent reported insomnia, they noted.
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Six other studies looking at SARS and MERS patients following initial infection taken together observed that 11 percent reported low mood, 12 percent reported insomnia, 12 percent had anxiety and 19 percent had memory impairment, the authors said. In addition, 30 percent of patients in these studies reported frequent recall of "traumatic memories" for anywhere from six weeks to 39 months after their initial infection.
Meanwhile, 12 studies to date focusing on COVID-19, with data on 3,550 patients, painted a similar picture. Roughly 65 percent of patients in intensive care units experienced confusion, 69 percent displayed agitation and 21 percent had "altered consciousness" -- or awake, but not fully alert -- while acutely ill.
The researchers emphasize, however, that the studies done so far are of "low to moderate quality" and have no data on how patients are faring after recovery.
Based on these findings, the authors of The Lancet Psychiatry paper estimate the prevalence of PTSD among SARS and MERS survivors was 33 percent at an average of 34 months after the acute stage of illness. Rates of depression and anxiety disorders were around 15 percent up to two years after the acute stage.
Because of the similarities in patient mental health with these three coronaviruses, the researchers expect similar levels of PTSD, depression and anxiety among those who recover from COVID-19.
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"With few data yet for COVID-19, high quality, peer-reviewed research into psychiatric symptoms of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 as well as investigations to mitigate these outcomes is needed," Rogers said. "Monitoring for the development of symptoms should be a routine part of the care we provide."


upi--2020-05-18--Autism may spur eating disorder in adolescence, study finds

Autism may be a risk factor for eating disorders , a new study suggests .
Previous research has shown that 20 percent to 30 percent of adults with eating disorders have autism , and the same is true for between 3 percent and 10 percent of children and teens .
But it was n't clear if autism developed before eating disorders or vice versa .
To find out , researchers assessed autism traits in nearly 5,400 children in the United Kingdom at ages 7 , 11 , 14 and 16 , and signs of eating disorders -- such as fasting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- at age 14 .
The research team found that autism traits appeared first , suggesting that it may be a risk factor for eating disorders , according to the study published online recently in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry .
Children with more autism traits at age 7 were 24 percent more likely to have weekly signs of disordered eating at age 14 .
However , eating disorders at age 14 did not appear to increase autism traits by age 16 , the investigators found .
`` The next step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with autistic traits have a higher risk of developing an eating disorder so we can then design interventions to prevent eating disorders , '' said study co-author William Mandy .
He 's a senior lecturer in health education and psychology at University College London .
`` Around a fifth of women presenting with anorexia nervosa have high levels of autistic traits -- and there is some evidence that these women benefit the least from current eating disorder treatment models .
People with autism and eating disorders may need a different approach towards treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news release .
Senior study author Glyn Lewis , a professor of epidemiological psychology at UCL , said parents and caregivers of children with autism should be aware of the risks .
`` Being alert to eating disordered behaviors and seeking help early could be helpful , '' Lewis noted .
The U.S. National Institute of Mental Health has more on eating disorders .

Autism may be a risk factor for eating disorders, a new study suggests.
Previous research has shown that 20 percent to 30 percent of adults with eating disorders have autism, and the same is true for between 3 percent and 10 percent of children and teens. But it wasn't clear if autism developed before eating disorders or vice versa.
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To find out, researchers assessed autism traits in nearly 5,400 children in the United Kingdom at ages 7, 11, 14 and 16, and signs of eating disorders -- such as fasting, purging, prolonged dieting or binge-eating -- at age 14.
The research team found that autism traits appeared first, suggesting that it may be a risk factor for eating disorders, according to the study published online recently in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.
Children with more autism traits at age 7 were 24 percent more likely to have weekly signs of disordered eating at age 14. However, eating disorders at age 14 did not appear to increase autism traits by age 16, the investigators found.
"The next step is to learn more about why those with autistic traits have a higher risk of developing an eating disorder so we can then design interventions to prevent eating disorders," said study co-author William Mandy. He's a senior lecturer in health education and psychology at University College London.
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"Around a fifth of women presenting with anorexia nervosa have high levels of autistic traits -- and there is some evidence that these women benefit the least from current eating disorder treatment models. People with autism and eating disorders may need a different approach towards treatment," Mandy said in a university news release.
Senior study author Glyn Lewis, a professor of epidemiological psychology at UCL, said parents and caregivers of children with autism should be aware of the risks. "Being alert to eating disordered behaviors and seeking help early could be helpful," Lewis noted.
More information
The U.S. National Institute of Mental Health has more on eating disorders.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-05-18--Gov. Newsom eases rules on re-opening in parts of California

May 18 ( UPI ) -- California Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Monday announced an easing of rules that will allow the majority of counties to advance toward reopening after the state 's stay-at-home order .
During a speech at a Napa restaurant , Newsom said some counties may be able to move to the second stage in the path to re-open .
He announced lower benchmark numbers of active coronavirus infection cases and death rates for at least 53 of California 's 58 counties to move ahead , if they chose to .
Statewide , hospitalizations have declined by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks have been distributed statewide , Newsom said .
`` We recognize the conditions across the state are unique and distinctive depending where you are , '' Newsom said .
Previous rules said counties that wanted to reopen must show no deaths from COVID-19 in the previous 14 days .
Now , counties that want to advance toward reopening must remain below 5 percent in COVID-19 hospitalizations in the last week on average , the governor said .
Counties would also need to show that they had a positive test rate of no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the previous 14 days , or less than 8 percent of positive tests .
Twenty-four , mostly smaller counties , have met the rules to start reopening , Newsom said Monday .
The next step statewide is for in-store retail shopping , opening of hair salons and barber shops and the reopening of professional sporting events without spectators , the governor said .
Demonstrators in early May protested Newsom 's stay-at-home orders at the capitol in Sacramento .
On May 8 , retail stores in some California counties were allowed to open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to begin inside dining .
As of May 16 , the California Department of Public Health reported a total of 78,839 positive cases and 3,261 deaths in California .
While counties in northern California saw their infection rates drop , Los Angeles County was still among the top U.S. infection hotspots with more than 450 new daily cases and 18 daily deaths , according to the county health department .
Los Angeles county has recorded a total of 38,011 confirmed cases and 1,839 deaths , according to the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 tracker .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ last U.S. states to remain in lockdown mode , announced plans Monday for partial re-opening .
Massachusetts Gov .
Charlie Baker announced a plan beginning Monday to reopen manufacturing facilities , construction sites and churches , with certain restrictions .
`` We 've all been doing our jobs to fight back , and as a result , positive case rates are moving in the right direction and hospitalizations are down , '' Baker said .
Office spaces outside of Boston will be allowed to re-open May 25 , with 25 percent of employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to reopen June 1 .
Also next week , retail stores can reopen for curbside pickup and barbershops and hair salons will be allowed to reopen within new rules .
Public transportation riders will be required to wear face masks and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will run limited schedules with trains being disinfected frequently , Lt. Gov .
Karyn Polito said Monday .
Massachusetts has been a coronavirus hotspot with the fourth-highest infection rate and third-highest death rate in the United States , according to the Johns Hopkins coronavirus pandemic online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ned Lamont said Wednesday will be the first day that outdoor restaurants , offices , retail stores , outdoor museums and zoos will be allowed to reopen , with restrictions .
Personal service businesses , such as hair salons and barbershops will open in June , along with those in neighboring Rhode Island .

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced eased restrictions of the numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths for counties to reopen if they choose. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
May 18 (UPI) -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday announced an easing of rules that will allow the majority of counties to advance toward reopening after the state's stay-at-home order. During a speech at a Napa restaurant, Newsom said some counties may be able to move to the second stage in the path to reopen. He announced lower benchmark numbers of active coronavirus infection cases and death rates for at least 53 of California's 58 counties to move ahead, if they chose to. Advertisement
Statewide, hospitalizations have declined by 8 percent and tens of millions of masks have been distributed statewide, Newsom said.
"We recognize the conditions across the state are unique and distinctive depending where you are," Newsom said.
Previous rules said counties that wanted to reopen must show no deaths from COVID-19 in the previous 14 days.
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Now, counties that want to advance toward reopening must remain below 5 percent in COVID-19 hospitalizations in the last week on average, the governor said.
Counties would also need to show that they had a positive test rate of no more than 25 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 in the previous 14 days, or less than 8 percent of positive tests.
Twenty-four, mostly smaller counties, have met the rules to start reopening, Newsom said Monday.
The next step statewide is for in-store retail shopping, the opening of hair salons and barbershops and the reopening of professional sporting events without spectators, the governor said.
Demonstrators in early May protested Newsom's stay-at-home orders at the capitol in Sacramento. On May 8, retail stores in some California counties were allowed to open curbside pickup and some restaurants were allowed to begin inside dining.
As of May 16, the California Department of Public Health reported a total of 78,839 positive cases and 3,261 deaths in California.
While counties in northern California saw their infection rates drop, Los Angeles County was still among the top U.S. infection hotspots with more than 450 new daily cases and 18 daily deaths, according to the county health department. Los Angeles county has recorded a total of 38,011 confirmed cases and 1,839 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 tracker.
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Meanwhile, Massachusetts and Connecticut, the last U.S. states to remain in lockdown mode, announced plans Monday for partial reopening.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced a plan beginning Monday to reopen manufacturing facilities, construction sites and churches, with certain restrictions.
"We've all been doing our jobs to fight back, and as a result, positive case rates are moving in the right direction and hospitalizations are down," Baker said.
Office spaces outside of Boston will be allowed to re-open May 25, with 25 percent of employees on site. Boston offices will be allowed to reopen June 1.
Also next week, retail stores can reopen for curbside pickup and barbershops and hair salons will be allowed to reopen within new rules.
Public transportation riders will be required to wear face masks and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will run limited schedules with trains being disinfected frequently, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said Monday.
Massachusetts has been a coronavirus hotspot with the fourth-highest infection rate and third-highest death rate in the United States, according to the Johns Hopkins coronavirus pandemic online tracker.
In Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont said Wednesday will be the first day that outdoor restaurants, offices, retail stores, outdoor museums and zoos will be allowed to reopen, with restrictions.
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Personal service businesses, such as hair salons and barbershops will open in June, along with those in neighboring Rhode Island.
Also on Monday the governors of Michigan, Texas and West Virginia announced further reopenings in their states.
In Michigan where protests have continued against orders barring closed non-essential businesses, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced parts of the state can reopen by week's end.
Through an executive order, Whitmer permitted the reopening of retail businesses and offices as well as restaurants and bars to limited seating in 17 counties across Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.
"This is a big step, but we must all remember to continue doing our part to protect ourselves and our families from the spread of COVID-19," she said during a press conference. "It's crucial that all businesses do everything in their power to protect their workers, customers and their families."
According to the order, retail stores must enable customers to maintain at least six feet distance from one another and stores of less than 50,000-square feet of space must limit capacity to 25 percent as set by the fire marshal while larger stores must limit the number of customers to four per 1,000-square feet.
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For restaurants and bars, capacity must be limited to half of its normal seating and six feet of separation between tables must be provided. Servers must also wear face coverings, the order read.
The state's chief medical executive, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, said the decision was made to open the regions due to data showing consistent downward trends in cases and deaths, which, according to the state's Department of Health, neared 52,000 infections and 5,000 fatalities.
In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott announced the second phase of the state's reopening that includes restaurants and bars as well as daycare centers.
Through an executive order, Abbott permitted childcare centers, massage parlors and youth clubs to reopen Monday and horse events, bowling alleys, bingo halls, aquariums and bars to open on Friday.
"Today, tomorrow and every day going forward is one step closer to medical discoveries that can treat and protect people from COVID-19 -- but until that day comes, our focus is keeping Texans safe while restoring their ability to get back to work, open their businesses, pay their bills and put food on their tables," he said.
Professional sports may also resume without spectators, he added, from May 31.
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The Republican governor said public schools will have the option to provide in-person summer school from June 1.
Additionally, restaurants, which were permitted to open earlier this month, will be able to expand capacity from 25 percent to 50 percent on Friday when bars will be allowed to open at a quarter its regular limit.
According to the Texas Department of Health, there are nearly 50,000 confirmed cases in the state resulting in more than 1,340 deaths.
In West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice announced several more industries will be able to reopen, including indoor shopping malls from Thursday.
"From the standpoint of our specialty retail opening back up and our big stores opening back up, naturally, our malls should be open," Justice said during the press conference. "Working with our medical experts, we now have additional guidelines on our indoor malls and we feel very comfortable with them."
Museums, visitor centers, zoos and bars limited to 50 percent capacity will also be permitted to reopen on May 26, he said.
From May 30, spas, massage parlors and limited video lottery retailers can open while casinos can resume operating from June 5.
"As we continue to go forward and as we continue to get closer and closer with dates, we're monitoring our numbers all the time," Justice said. "We very well could have to change these dates if our numbers change but hopefully we won't."
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Justice had previously announced indoor dining at restaurants, large retail stores and outdoor recreation rentals, among other businesses, could reopen on Thursday.
On Monday, fitness centers, gyms and sports training facilities reopened to the public.
According to its department of health, West Virginia has confirmed more than 1,500 cases of the virus and 68 deaths.
The states announced the moves on Monday, as the live tracker of the virus by Johns Hopkins University counted the number of infections exceeded 1.5 million and deaths had surpassed 318,000.


upi--2020-05-18--Russian military to combat coronavirus outbreak in Siberia

May 18 ( UPI ) -- Russia 's defense ministry will send teams to combat a coronavirus outbreak in Siberia 's Krasnoyarsk region , it announced on Monday .
The order to involve Russia 's military came from President Vladimir Putin , during a videoconference with 85 regional leaders , saying that decisions on lockdown measures and a following lifting of restrictions would be made by local leaders and not the federal government , Russian news agency TASS reported .
The area , between the Ural Mountains and the Pacific Ocean , comprises 13 percent of Russia 's territory but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a big country , '' Putin said .
`` The epidemiological situation varies across the regions .
We factored this in before , and now at the next stage , we have to act even more specifically and carefully . ''
The military team , consisting of 200 service personnel , 77 medical personnel and 100 unidentified examples of specialized equipment , will be deployed through the Krasnoyarsk region , the ministry said .
It will also establish a 1,000-bed temporary hospital , conduct disinfecting actions and treat patients .
The order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ installed at Krasnoyarsk 's Olimpiadinsky gold mining operation , Russia 's largest , when the coronavirus was detected at the facility in early May .
Russia now ranks second in the world , behind the United States , in confirmed coronavirus cases , with nearly 300,000 reported cases , according to Johns Hopkins University .
More than half have occurred in the Moscow area , but the virus is speeding across Russia 's land mass , which includes 11 time zones .
Official statistics indicate that the virus has reached all areas of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counts have differed and accusations have been made that the national coronavirus headquarters has undercounted fatalities .
The Russian military said Monday it gained experience in handling coronavirus outbreaks in Serbia , where it concluded a 44-day humanitarian operation .
The last of 87 military personnel with training in epidemiology and virology returned to Moscow on Monday , the Russian defense ministry said .

Russian military personnel prepare to leave Serbia on Monday after a 44-day humanitarian mission to help combat the coronavirus. Photo courtesy of Russian Defense Ministry
May 18 (UPI) -- Russia's defense ministry will send teams to combat a coronavirus outbreak in Siberia's Krasnoyarsk region, it announced on Monday. The order to involve Russia's military came from President Vladimir Putin, during a videoconference with 85 regional leaders, saying that decisions on lockdown measures and a following lifting of restrictions would be made by local leaders and not the federal government, Russian news agency TASS reported. Advertisement
The area, between the Ural Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, comprises 13 percent of Russia's territory but only 2.8 million people.
"We have a big country," Putin said. "The epidemiological situation varies across the regions. We factored this in before, and now at the next stage, we have to act even more specifically and carefully."
The military team, consisting of 200 service personnel, 77 medical personnel and 100 unidentified examples of specialized equipment, will be deployed through the Krasnoyarsk region, the ministry said. It will also establish a 1,000-bed temporary hospital, conduct disinfecting actions and treat patients.
The order came after a 400-bed makeshift hospital was installed at Krasnoyarsk's Olimpiadinsky gold mining operation, Russia's largest, when the coronavirus was detected at the facility in early May.
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Russia now ranks second in the world, behind the United States, in confirmed coronavirus cases, with nearly 300,000 reported cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than half have occurred in the Moscow area, but the virus is speeding across Russia's land mass, which includes 11 time zones.
Official statistics indicate that the virus has reached all areas of the country, although local and federal counts have differed and accusations have been made that the national coronavirus headquarters has undercounted fatalities.
The Russian military said Monday it gained experience in handling coronavirus outbreaks in Serbia, where it concluded a 44-day humanitarian operation. The last of 87 military personnel with training in epidemiology and virology returned to Moscow on Monday, the Russian defense ministry said.


upi--2020-05-18--Tropical Storm Arthur flirts with landfall over N.C. Outer Banks

May 18 ( UPI ) -- Arthur the first named tropical system of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season , was hovering along the North Carolina coast on Monday , two days after developing into a tropical depression about 125 miles off Melbourne , Fla. As of 5 p.m. EDT Monday , the center of Arthur was moving away from North Carolina at a speed of 16 mph , a substantial increase from its plodding forward thrust of 7-8 mph on Sunday .
The storm 's sustained winds remained around 50 mph , up from 45 at the National Hurricane Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday , Arthur 's center was only a mere 20 miles from the easternmost part of the Outer Banks .
The storm was unleashing heavy rain and gusty winds across the eastern part of the state while also generating dangerous surf conditions and rip currents .
Wind gusts near 50 mph with waves up to 12.5 feet were reported , according to data provided from a buoy located southeast of Cape Hatteras .
A tropical storm warning was issued Sunday and remained in effect for parts of the North Carolina coast on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Ocracoke Inlet to Duck , North Carolina .
A compilation of webcam footage from Monday showed wind-whipped rain and turbulent seas in the area , far from anyone 's idea of an ideal day at the beach .
AccuWeather 's top hurricane forecaster , Dan Kottlowski , said that although Arthur remains a weak tropical storm , it will continue to generate a large area of moderate to heavy rain over eastern North Carolina .
Rain first moved into the area Sunday night .
`` Rainfall totals will average 2-4 inches over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Banks .
Locally higher amounts are possible where heavy rain is the most persistent , with an AccuWeather Local StormMax for rainfall of 6 inches , '' Kottlowski said .
Any storm surge and inundation with Arthur will be less than 3 feet with the highest water rise related to the inlet areas within Pamlico and Albemarle sounds , Kottlowski added .
One area in particular forecasters are worried about is Ocracoke Island , which suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Dorian back in September .
Storm surge over Ocracoke could bring another threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ongoing recovery efforts for the island .
On Sunday , North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper urged residents to pay close attention to the first significant tropical threat of the season .
`` Everyone in our coastal areas should remain aware and cautious as Arthur brushes our coast on Monday , '' said Cooper .
`` Pay close attention to the forecast , and do n't take chances in dangerous surf . ''
Rough surf and strong rip currents will batter the coastal Carolinas through Monday .
Dangerous marine conditions are also expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , creating treacherous conditions for mariners .
The rating for Arthur on the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes will be less than one .
`` Rough seas and gusty winds will expand northward to the upper mid-Atlantic coast late Monday through Tuesday as the storm drifts eastward and perhaps stalls over the open water , '' AccuWeather Meteorologist Renee Duff said .
The timing of Arthur coincided with North Carolina 's first phase of its reopening strategy amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Many areas experiencing the brunt of Arthur 's rain and wind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently reopened to vacationers following mandatory closures due to the outbreak of the virus .
Bars , restaurants and gyms remain closed throughout Dare County , and personal gatherings over 10 people remain prohibited .
The arrival of Arthur continued a trend of preseason development in recent years .
In fact , there has been a named storm system before June 1 , the official start of hurricane season , every year since 2015 .
After lashing the Outer Banks , Arthur is expected to head out to sea and shed its tropical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arthur could still remain a well-defined storm system into Wednesday , but it should weaken as it passes near or over Bermuda Thursday morning , '' Kottlowski said .
AccuWeather meteorologists say there are currently no other organized tropical system in the Atlantic and any new development is not expected through at least early next week .

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


upi--2020-05-18--Primary care spending lags behind growth of other healthcare expenditures

May 18 ( UPI ) -- Spending on primary care services -- including routine doctor visits -- is on the rise in the United States , though not at the same rate as hospital care and prescription drugs , an analysis published Monday by JAMA Internal Medicine has found .
Researchers say expenses for visits to doctors practicing family medicine , general medicine , geriatrics , general internal medicine and general pediatrics declined from 6.5 percent of overall healthcare spending in 2002 to 5.4 percent in 2016 .
The drop , they report , occurred at the same time that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States from $ 810 billion to $ 1,617 billion during the same period , based on data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey , or MEPS .
`` Insufficient investment in primary care is one reason that the U.S. healthcare system continues to under perform relative to the health systems in other high-income countries , '' wrote the authors .
`` States and countries with greater access to primary care clinicians and more robust primary care services have better outcomes and lower costs , '' they added .
The United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall efficiency , a metric that includes cost , access , treatment outcomes and death rates , among other factors , according to the World Health Organization .
For the analysis , the researchers analyzed MEPS data collected between 2002 and 2016 , estimating total annual expenditures for inpatient or hospital services , outpatient services , doctors ' office-based care , prescriptions , dental services , vision services , mental healthcare , home healthcare , emergency department services and other medical services .
Overall , they found that hospital services , at nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bulk of hospital spending in 2016 , down from nearly 32 percent in 2002 .
Office-based services , including primary care and mental health , also rose from just over 22 percent of overall to just under 25 percent of overall spending over the same period .
While expenditures on primary care services rose from $ 53.1 billion in 2002 to $ 87.1 billion in 2016 , however , the percentage of overall spending attributable to these services actually declined by about 15 percent .
Conversely , prescription expenditures increased significantly , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to just under 24 percent over the same period -- or from roughly $ 151 billion to $ 381 billion .
`` Primary care accounted for 4.2 percent of the total increase in health care expenditures , while declining as a proportion of all expenditures , '' the authors noted .
`` There are many reasons to increase investment in primary care , including its beneficial effects on quality of care , access to care , and mortality . ''

As healthcare spending in the U.S. continues to rise, primary care services are accounting for a lower percentage of expenses, a new study has found. Photo by Anne Karakash/Pixabay
May 18 (UPI) -- Spending on primary care services -- including routine doctor visits -- is on the rise in the United States, though not at the same rate as hospital care and prescription drugs, an analysis published Monday by JAMA Internal Medicine has found. Researchers say expenses for visits to doctors practicing family medicine, general medicine, geriatrics, general internal medicine and general pediatrics declined from 6.5 percent of overall healthcare spending in 2002 to 5.4 percent in 2016. Advertisement
The drop, they report, occurred at the same time that overall annual healthcare spending rose nationally in the United States from $810 billion to $1,617 billion during the same period, based on data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, or MEPS.
"Insufficient investment in primary care is one reason that the U.S. healthcare system continues to under perform relative to the health systems in other high-income countries," wrote the authors.
"States and countries with greater access to primary care clinicians and more robust primary care services have better outcomes and lower costs," they added.
The United States' health system ranks 37th worldwide in overall efficiency, a metric that includes cost, access, treatment outcomes and death rates, among other factors, according to the World Health Organization.
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For the analysis, the researchers analyzed MEPS data collected between 2002 and 2016, estimating total annual expenditures for inpatient or hospital services, outpatient services, doctors' office-based care, prescriptions, dental services, vision services, mental healthcare, home healthcare, emergency department services and other medical services.
Overall, they found that hospital services, at nearly 26 percent, still accounted for the bulk of hospital spending in 2016, down from nearly 32 percent in 2002. Office-based services, including primary care and mental health, also rose from just over 22 percent of overall to just under 25 percent of overall spending over the same period.
While expenditures on primary care services rose from $53.1 billion in 2002 to $87.1 billion in 2016, however, the percentage of overall spending attributable to these services actually declined by about 15 percent.
Conversely, prescription expenditures increased significantly, from just under 19 percent of overall spending to just under 24 percent over the same period -- or from roughly $151 billion to $381 billion.
"Primary care accounted for 4.2 percent of the total increase in health care expenditures, while declining as a proportion of all expenditures," the authors noted. "There are many reasons to increase investment in primary care, including its beneficial effects on quality of care, access to care, and mortality."


upi--2020-05-18--Man wins $200,000 on his way to a job interview

May 18 ( UPI ) -- A North Carolina man who made a stop on his way to a job @ @ @ @ @ lucky day when he won $ 200,000 from a scratch-off lottery ticket .
Fredd Jordan @ @ @ @ @ Smithfield , told North Carolina Education Lottery officials he was on his way to a @ @ @ @ @ at the Harimart store on U.S. 70 East .
Jordan decided to buy some scratch-off @ @ @ @ @ his purchases , a $ 5 Emerald Green 8 's ticket , was a $ @ @ @ @ @ was happy , '' Jordan said .
`` Could n't believe it . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ invest most of his winnings , but might spend some on a trip to visit @ @ @ @ @ was not yet known whether Jordan got the job .

A North Carolina man said a pit stop on his way to a job interview paid off big when he won a $200,000 lottery jackpot. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe May 18 (UPI) -- A North Carolina man who made a stop on his way to a job interview discovered it was his lucky day when he won $200,000 from a scratch-off lottery ticket. Fredd Jordan, a semi-retired chef from Smithfield, told North Carolina Education Lottery officials he was on his way to a job interview when he stopped at the Harimart store on U.S. 70 East. Advertisement
Jordan decided to buy some scratch-off lottery tickets and one of his purchases, a $5 Emerald Green 8's ticket, was a $200,000 winner.
"I was happy," Jordan said. "Couldn't believe it."
The winner said he plans to invest most of his winnings, but might spend some on a trip to visit family in California.
It was not yet known whether Jordan got the job.


upi--2020-05-18--Troubled JC Penney to close 242 stores in Chapter 11 bankruptcy

May 18 ( UPI ) -- Big-box retailer JC Penney will close almost one-third of its U.S. store locations as part of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring plan that the company hopes will avoid an all-out liquidation of assets , a filing document said .
The long-troubled 118-year-old retailer will closes 242 locations , or about 29 percent of its 846 stores , according to a `` Plan for Renewal '' slideshow filed Monday with the Securities and Exchange Commission .
The document did not specify which locations would close , but said stores would close in weaker U.S. malls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. midwest , south and southeast , the Plano , Texas , -based company said .
`` The approximately 604 future fleet represent the highest sales-generating , most profitable , and most productive stores in the network , '' the company said in the SEC filing .
Years of poor sales were made worse by the coronavirus pandemic that has shuttered its stores for weeks , the company said .
The national lockdown added to the stress of years of falling profits at the company , which admitted it has failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retail stores .
`` We realize the world has changed , '' the presentation said .
In an earlier SEC filing , JC Penney said its current financial status is at `` known and unknown risk '' partly due to the coronavirus pandemic , and is `` out of the company 's control . ''
The chain said it would be reopening about 115 stores after the pandemic , USA Today reported .
More than 40 locations have already reopened , JC Penney spokesperson Brooke Buchanan said Monday .
On Friday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million in debtor-in-possession financing that would allow the chain to remain open while it works its way through bankruptcy .

Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI
| License Photo JC Penney announced it would close about one-third of its 846 locations in "weaker" U.S. malls as part of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy strategy.
May 18 (UPI) -- Big-box retailer JC Penney will close almost one-third of its U.S. store locations as part of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring plan that the company hopes will avoid an all-out liquidation of assets, a filing document said. The long-troubled 118-year-old retailer will closes 242 locations, or about 29 percent of its 846 stores, according to a "Plan for Renewal" slideshow filed Monday with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Advertisement
The document did not specify which locations would close, but said stores would close in weaker U.S. malls. The remaining stores would be located in the U.S. midwest, south and southeast, the Plano, Texas,-based company said.
"The approximately 604 future fleet represent the highest sales-generating, most profitable, and most productive stores in the network," the company said in the SEC filing.
Years of poor sales were made worse by the coronavirus pandemic that has shuttered its stores for weeks, the company said. The national lockdown added to the stress of years of falling profits at the company, which admitted it has failed to connect with customers online and in retail stores.
"We realize the world has changed," the presentation said.
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In an earlier SEC filing, JC Penney said its current financial status is at "known and unknown risk" partly due to the coronavirus pandemic, and is "out of the company's control."
The chain said it would be reopening about 115 stores after the pandemic, USA Today reported. More than 40 locations have already reopened, JC Penney spokesperson Brooke Buchanan said Monday.
On Friday, the company announced it had secured $900 million in debtor-in-possession financing that would allow the chain to remain open while it works its way through bankruptcy.


upi--2020-05-18--Watch: Maryland restaurant unveils social distancing bumper tables

May 18 ( UPI ) -- A Maryland restaurant preparing to reopen amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic unveiled its fleet of wheeled bumper tables designed to enforce social distancing .
The Fish Tales bar and grill in Ocean City , which is currently open only for take-out service , shared a video on Facebook showing employees testing out the social distancing tables the eatery plans to use once the governor 's office gives the go-ahead for dining rooms to reopen .
The single-occupancy tables are outfitted with wheels to move along with customers as they wander the patio area .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep diners separated in accordance with social distancing guidelines .
`` It 's like a bumper boat , but it 's actually a table , '' owner Shawn Harmon told the Salisbury Daily Times .
The tables were designed by Baltimore company Revolution Event Design and Production .
`` We 're an event company , and events have taken a hard hit , so we 've been trying to figure out a way that events and things can still happen , '' Erin Cermak , one of the owners of Revolution , told @ @

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May 18 (UPI) -- A Maryland restaurant preparing to reopen amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic unveiled its fleet of wheeled bumper tables designed to enforce social distancing.
The Fish Tales bar and grill in Ocean City, which is currently open only for take-out service, shared a video on Facebook showing employees testing out the social distancing tables the eatery plans to use once the governor's office gives the go-ahead for dining rooms to reopen.
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The single-occupancy tables are outfitted with wheels to move along with customers as they wander the patio area. A large bumper surrounds each table to keep diners separated in accordance with social distancing guidelines.
"It's like a bumper boat, but it's actually a table," owner Shawn Harmon told the Salisbury Daily Times.
The tables were designed by Baltimore company Revolution Event Design and Production.
"We're an event company, and events have taken a hard hit, so we've been trying to figure out a way that events and things can still happen," Erin Cermak, one of the owners of Revolution, told WBZ-TV.


upi--2020-05-18--Hurricanes are increasing in intensity, long-term data indicate

May 18 ( UPI ) -- The maximum sustained winds of hurricanes are increasing around the world , according to an analysis of 40 years of satellite imagery published on Monday .
The maximum sustained winds in hurricanes have increased by about 8 percent per decade in the period under study , according to the study , published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences .
A warming planet , researchers say , could be the cause .
The data was studied by scientists of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Center for Environmental Information and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Satellite Studies .
`` Through modeling and our understanding of atmospheric physics , the study agrees with what we would expect to see in a warming climate like ours , '' lead study author James Kossin , a NOAA scientist based at UW-Madison , said in a press release .
`` Our results show that these storms have become stronger on global and regional levels , which is consistent with expectations of how hurricanes respond to a warming world . ''
The study builds on a Kossin 's 2013 study analyzing hurricanes over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrated that hurricanes are moving farther northward and southward , exposing coastlines to greater risk , and moving more slowly when traveling over land , resulting in greater risk of floods .
The research , Kossin said , increases confidence that global warming is making for stronger hurricanes , `` but our results do n't tell us precisely how much of the trends are caused by human activities and how much may just be natural variability . ''
The meteorology service AccuWeather predicted last week that the 2020 hurricane season for the Atlantic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the newest forecasting models , the forecasters extended the upper range of hurricanes to 14 to 20 tropical storms with seven to 11 growing to hurricane strength and four to six becoming Category 3 or higher , indicating sustained winds of 111 mph or higher .
It also warned that four to six named tropical systems could make direct impacts on the U.S mainland , Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands .

| License Photo Damage to homes and property from Hurricane Dorian is seen at Treasure Cay in the Bahamas on Sept. 9, 2019. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI
May 18 (UPI) -- The maximum sustained winds of hurricanes are increasing around the world, according to an analysis of 40 years of satellite imagery published on Monday. The maximum sustained winds in hurricanes have increased by about 8 percent per decade in the period under study, according to the study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Advertisement
A warming planet, researchers say, could be the cause.
The data was studied by scientists of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Center for Environmental Information and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies.
"Through modeling and our understanding of atmospheric physics, the study agrees with what we would expect to see in a warming climate like ours," lead study author James Kossin, a NOAA scientist based at UW-Madison, said in a press release. "Our results show that these storms have become stronger on global and regional levels, which is consistent with expectations of how hurricanes respond to a warming world."
The study builds on a Kossin's 2013 study analyzing hurricanes over a 28-year time span. That study demonstrated that hurricanes are moving farther northward and southward, exposing coastlines to greater risk, and moving more slowly when traveling over land, resulting in greater risk of floods.
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The research, Kossin said, increases confidence that global warming is making for stronger hurricanes, "but our results don't tell us precisely how much of the trends are caused by human activities and how much may just be natural variability."
The meteorology service AccuWeather predicted last week that the 2020 hurricane season for the Atlantic Ocean will be intense.
Based on the newest forecasting models, the forecasters extended the upper range of hurricanes to 14 to 20 tropical storms with seven to 11 growing to hurricane strength and four to six becoming Category 3 or higher, indicating sustained winds of 111 mph or higher. It also warned that four to six named tropical systems could make direct impacts on the U.S mainland, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.


upi--2020-05-18--Watch: TXT releases music video for 'Can't You See Me'

May 18 ( UPI ) -- The South Korean boy band TXT released Monday a music video for `` Ca n't You See Me ? ''
from their new EP , The Dream Chapter : Eternity , also out Monday .
Tomorrow X Together , more commonly known as TXT , has five members , including Soobin , Yeonjun , Beomgyu , Taehyun and Heuning Kai .
`` The music video for 'Ca n't You See Me ? '
continues where the video for 'Run Away ' from The Dream Chapter : Magic left off , '' a statement from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ K-pop group , said .
`` The members who visited Soobin 's house spend a good time together , but their relationships soon goes sour as their minor instances of mischief begin to build up .
In the midst of a tense atmosphere , the five members ' delicate portrayal of contrasting emotions stand out . ''
`` The music video added a dramatic effect by illustrating the cracks between friendships through a house on fire , '' the statement added .
Eternity is the third EP for the K-pop group .
Prior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the studio album , The Dream Chapter : Magic in October and The Dream Chapter : Star in March 2019 .
The group released a full track list for the new EP earlier this month and shared a preview Thursday .

May 18 (UPI) -- The South Korean boy band TXT released Monday a music video for "Can't You See Me?" from their new EP, The Dream Chapter: Eternity, also out Monday.
Tomorrow X Together, more commonly known as TXT, has five members, including Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun and Heuning Kai.
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"The music video for 'Can't You See Me?' continues where the video for 'Run Away' from The Dream Chapter: Magic left off," a statement from Big Hit Entertainment, which manages the K-pop group, said. "The members who visited Soobin's house spend a good time together, but their relationships soon goes sour as their minor instances of mischief begin to build up. In the midst of a tense atmosphere, the five members' delicate portrayal of contrasting emotions stand out."
"The music video added a dramatic effect by illustrating the cracks between friendships through a house on fire," the statement added.
Eternity is the third EP for the K-pop group. Prior to its debut, the group debuted the studio album, The Dream Chapter: Magic in October and The Dream Chapter: Star in March 2019.
The group released a full track list for the new EP earlier this month and shared a preview Thursday.


Notable deaths of 2020

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

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


upi--2020-05-18--Trump nominates Cleveland U.S. attorney for chief federal prosecutor

May 18 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump on Monday nominated an Ohio U.S. attorney to be the top federal prosecutor in Washington , D.C. , replacing a controversial interim prosecutor who was a protege of U.S. Attorney General William Barr .
Justin E. Herdman , 44 , U.S. attorney in the Northern District of Ohio , has been chosen to replace Timothy Shea , an interim U.S. attorney in D.C. , who will be moved to helm the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration , a Trump administration official told cleveland.com .
The U.S. Senate will need to confirm Herdman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate in 2017 for the Ohio post .
During his term in Cleveland , Herdman was in charge of the 2019 prosecution of a threatened terrorist attack by a Maple Heights , Ohio , man who plotted to blow up a 4th of July parade and conspired with undercover FBI officers whom he thought were al-Qaeda agents .
Shea , a former aide of Barr 's during the first Bush administration , was appointed for 120 days in January as interim U.S. attorney in D.C. Shea caused controversy when he moved forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice 's sentencing of Trump campaign advisor Roger Stone , which caused other prosecutors to quit in protest .
He was also in charge of a DOJ move to dismiss the case against former national Security Advisor Michael Flynn in early May .
Both cases drew the ire of former federal prosecutors and members of the FBI , who claimed in a letter last week that Barr was using the Department of Justice `` as a tool to further President Trump 's personal and political interests . ''
Herdman was formerly a partner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served as assistant U.S. attorney in Cleveland and assistant district attorney in New York City , a statement from the White House said .

Justin E. Herdman, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, is slated to replace interim D.C. U.S. Attorney Timothy Shea, the White House announced Monday. Photo courtesy of the Northern District of Ohio
May 18 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Monday nominated an Ohio U.S. attorney to be the top federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C., replacing a controversial interim prosecutor who was a protege of U.S. Attorney General William Barr. Justin E. Herdman, 44, U.S. attorney in the Northern District of Ohio, has been chosen to replace Timothy Shea, an interim U.S. attorney in D.C., who will be moved to helm the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, a Trump administration official told cleveland.com. Advertisement
The U.S. Senate will need to confirm Herdman's nomination. He was confirmed by the Senate in 2017 for the Ohio post.
During his term in Cleveland, Herdman was in charge of the 2019 prosecution of a threatened terrorist attack by a Maple Heights, Ohio, man who plotted to blow up a 4th of July parade and conspired with undercover FBI officers whom he thought were al-Qaeda agents.
Shea, a former aide of Barr's during the first Bush administration, was appointed for 120 days in January as interim U.S. attorney in D.C.
Shea caused controversy when he moved forward with a reduction in the Department of Justice's sentencing of Trump campaign advisor Roger Stone, which caused other prosecutors to quit in protest. He was also in charge of a DOJ move to dismiss the case against former national Security Advisor Michael Flynn in early May.
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Both cases drew the ire of former federal prosecutors and members of the FBI, who claimed in a letter last week that Barr was using the Department of Justice "as a tool to further President Trump's personal and political interests."
Herdman was formerly a partner at Jones Day in Cleveland and has served as assistant U.S. attorney in Cleveland and assistant district attorney in New York City, a statement from the White House said.


upi--2020-05-18--Global trial to assess chloroquine against COVID-19 in health workers

May 18 ( UPI ) -- More than 50,000 healthcare workers worldwide will be enrolled in a clinical trial to assess chloroquine 's potential in protecting against COVID-19 , researchers at the Washington University of St. Louis School of Medicine announced Monday .
The U.S. arm of the study , which will begin enrolling participants later this month , is being led by the school .
Results are expected in early 2021 , researchers said .
`` Because of their repeated close contacts with infected patients , frontline healthcare workers in all parts of the world have a higher risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the general public , '' principal investigator Michael S. Avidan , head of the Department of Anesthesiology at WUSTL , said in a press release .
`` In some places , more than 10 percent of those who have become infected are healthcare workers .
There is an urgent need to identify drugs that are effective at preventing infection or mitigating its severity , '' he added .
Officials at Rising Pharmaceuticals said Monday the company will be donating supplies of chloroquine , which is currently used to treat malaria , for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research is being funded through the COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator , a partnership that includes the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation , Wellcome and Mastercard .
Participants enrolled in the study will receive either 300 milligrams of chloroquine weekly , 300 mg. of the drug twice weekly , 150 mg. daily after being administered an `` induction dose '' of 1200 mg. chloroquine -- or placebo -- in four divided daily doses .
New dosage arms may be added or removed as the trial progresses , according to the study design information filed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The goal of the study will be to determine which , if any , of the chloroquine regimens is most effective at decreasing incidence of severe COVID-19 -- the disease caused by the new coronavirus , SARS-CoV-2 -- without unacceptable side effects or safety events .
The hope is that the drug can prevent infection , or reduce the severity of symptoms , researchers said .
`` When people have to travel to parts of the world where malaria is a problem , they often take low doses of chloroquine to help prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also a professor of psychiatry and surgery .
`` We want to learn whether this drug might work in a similar fashion in the case of COVID-19 , or at the very least , whether low-dose chloroquine might help prevent the severe and life-threatening complications associated with the illness . ''
In addition to the United States , the trial will enroll healthcare workers from Canada , Mexico and various countries in Europe , Africa and South America , with a particular focus on lower- and middle-income countries .
Because of shortages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries , protecting them from severe COVID-19 is particularly important , the researchers said .

A patient is moved out of Gateway Care and Rehabilitation Center, a skilled nursing facility in Hayward, Calif., in April. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
May 18 (UPI) -- More than 50,000 healthcare workers worldwide will be enrolled in a clinical trial to assess chloroquine's potential in protecting against COVID-19, researchers at the Washington University of St. Louis School of Medicine announced Monday. The U.S. arm of the study, which will begin enrolling participants later this month, is being led by the school. Results are expected in early 2021, researchers said. Advertisement
"Because of their repeated close contacts with infected patients, frontline healthcare workers in all parts of the world have a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 than most members of the general public," principal investigator Michael S. Avidan, head of the Department of Anesthesiology at WUSTL, said in a press release.
"In some places, more than 10 percent of those who have become infected are healthcare workers. There is an urgent need to identify drugs that are effective at preventing infection or mitigating its severity," he added.
Officials at Rising Pharmaceuticals said Monday the company will be donating supplies of chloroquine, which is currently used to treat malaria, for the U.S. arm of the study. The research is being funded through the COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator, a partnership that includes the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome and Mastercard.
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Participants enrolled in the study will receive either 300 milligrams of chloroquine weekly, 300 mg. of the drug twice weekly, 150 mg. daily after being administered an "induction dose" of 1200 mg. chloroquine -- or placebo -- in four divided daily doses. New dosage arms may be added or removed as the trial progresses, according to the study design information filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The goal of the study will be to determine which, if any, of the chloroquine regimens is most effective at decreasing incidence of severe COVID-19 -- the disease caused by the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 -- without unacceptable side effects or safety events.
The hope is that the drug can prevent infection, or reduce the severity of symptoms, researchers said.
"When people have to travel to parts of the world where malaria is a problem, they often take low doses of chloroquine to help prevent infection," said Avidan, who is also a professor of psychiatry and surgery. "We want to learn whether this drug might work in a similar fashion in the case of COVID-19, or at the very least, whether low-dose chloroquine might help prevent the severe and life-threatening complications associated with the illness."
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In addition to the United States, the trial will enroll healthcare workers from Canada, Mexico and various countries in Europe, Africa and South America, with a particular focus on lower- and middle-income countries. Because of shortages of healthcare workers in many of these countries, protecting them from severe COVID-19 is particularly important, the researchers said.