upi--2020-05-27--Hong Kong: Police arrest 180, fire pepper guns on protesters

May 27 ( UPI ) -- Police in Hong Kong arrested at least 180 people and fired non-lethal pepper balls at protesters on Wednesday as people took to the streets to demonstrate against a China-proposed national security law critics fear will further strip the semi-autonomous region of its rights and freedoms .
The protests began as lawmakers in the Legislative Council were preparing Wednesday to deliberate on the controversial law that aims to protect China 's national security from acts of secession , sedition , subversion and terrorism as well as from foreign influence .
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law a day earlier , describing it as plugging legal loopholes and saying it will `` only target a handful of people . ''
Police said at least 16 people between the ages of 14 and 40 were arrested before noon Wednesday for allegedly committing illegal acts throughout Hong Kong to disrupt morning traffic .
`` Some thugs set fire and threw large debris on the rails of Hong Kong ; others ignored the safety of road uses , placed iron nails on the road to pierce car tires and [ drivers ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exit of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel to block traffic , '' police said on Facebook .
`` When the police performed preventive anti-crime patrols , they found people had hidden weapons such as petrol bombs and hammers in public . ''
At least three cars were towed after drivers attempted to participate in the protest by congesting traffic , police said .
Two drivers , ages 26 and 40 , were arrested for dangerous driving and another 40-year-old driver was arrested for possession of instruments for unlawful purposes after he was found to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Two male teenagers , ages 15 and 18 , were arrested at 6 a.m. and charged with possession of an offensive weapon after they were found carrying several petrol bombs , goggles and helmets , police said .
In Causeway Bay , police arrested a 22-year-old male found in possession of a backpack containing petrol bombs , a lighter and a hammer at around 10 a.m. '' Intelligence suggests that criminals are planning on a series of unlawful activities today , '' Hong Kong Police said in a statement .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in different districts .
Officers will intercept suspicious persons and vehicles to prevent and detect crime . ''
Activists groups had used social media to call for protests to disrupt the proceedings at the Legco and traffic across the city but the movements mostly failed to materialize under heavy police presence , South China Morning Post reported .
By mid-day , police said officers arrested at least 180 people in Central Hong Kong and Causeway Bay for participating in unauthorized assembly and fired pepper balls into a crowd chanting slogans in the vicinity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the center of the city .
Police said despite repeated warnings , the protesters refused to leave the scene and some threw garbage cans , traffic cones and other large objects into the roads .
`` Some threw water bottles and other objects at police officers , posing a grave threat to road safety , '' police said in a statement .
`` The police have no other alternative but to deploy the minimum necessary force , including pepper ball gun , to stop the violent and unlawful acts . ''
Prominent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community on Wednesday to punish China if it scraps its promise to uphold Hong Kong 's high degree of autonomy , which it made in the Sino-British Joint Declaration that returned the city to Chinese rule in 1997 .
`` I call upon the EU foreign ministers to have a firmer stance on the issue and to urge China to halt the national security legislation , '' he tweeted .
`` I urge the EU to impose all necessary sanctions if China insists on breaking a U.N.-filed treaty and finally passes this evil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of tweets , Wong said in a worst-case scenario if the law passes , Hong Kong will fall under Beijing 's direct rule and become another de facto city of China .
`` To safeguard the city 's freedoms and urge China to stop further misconduct , world leaders , not only the U.S. , should consider sanctions on China as the only effective strategic option to send a warning signal to Beijing , '' he said , calling for not only personal sanctions but sanctions on China Communist Party companies and entities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters in Washington , D.C. , on Tuesday said President Donald Trump was `` displeased '' with China over its law and that `` it 's hard to see how Hong Kong can remain a financial hub if China takes over . ''
Asked what his administration plans to do , Trump told reporters he will talk about the U.S. response `` over the next couple of days . ''
`` We 're doing something now , '' he said .
`` I think you 'll find it very interesting , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today . ''
Following the announcement of the legislation , U.S. Secretary Mike Pompeo described it as `` a death knell '' for the high degree of autonomy Hong Kong was promised in the U.N.-filed declaration .
Earlier , he said the State Department has held off on submitting a Congress-mandated annual report on the autonomy of Hong Kong to see what would transpire this week during China 's National People 's Congress .
The report will determine if Hong Kong 's autonomy from Beijing warrants its current special U.S. trade status .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reconsider its disastrous proposal , abide by its international obligations and respect Hong Kong 's high degree of autonomy , democratic institutions and civil liberties , which are key to preserving its special status under U.S. law , '' he said in a statement .
`` We stand with the people of Hong Kong . ''
Following the law 's announcement late last week , Hong Kong residents returned to the streets for the first time in months .
The semi-autonomous city has been rocked by pro-democracy protests since last June but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

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At least 180 people were arrested in Hong Kong Wednesday as protests erupted over a controversial national security law. Photo courtesy Hong Kong Police/ Facebook
May 27 (UPI) -- Police in Hong Kong arrested at least 180 people and fired non-lethal pepper balls at protesters on Wednesday as people took to the streets to demonstrate against a China-proposed national security law critics fear will further strip the semi-autonomous region of its rights and freedoms. The protests began as lawmakers in the Legislative Council were preparing Wednesday to deliberate on the controversial law that aims to protect China's national security from acts of secession, sedition, subversion and terrorism as well as from foreign influence. Advertisement
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam attempted to quell fears over the law a day earlier, describing it as plugging legal loopholes and saying it will "only target a handful of people."
Police said at least 16 people between the ages of 14 and 40 were arrested before noon Wednesday for allegedly committing illegal acts throughout Hong Kong to disrupt morning traffic.
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"Some thugs set fire and threw large debris on the rails of Hong Kong; others ignored the safety of road uses, placed iron nails on the road to pierce car tires and [drivers] deliberately slowed down at the entrance and exit of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel to block traffic," police said on Facebook. "When the police performed preventive anti-crime patrols, they found people had hidden weapons such as petrol bombs and hammers in public."
At least three cars were towed after drivers attempted to participate in the protest by congesting traffic, police said. Two drivers, ages 26 and 40, were arrested for dangerous driving and another 40-year-old driver was arrested for possession of instruments for unlawful purposes after he was found to have a hammer and goggles in his vehicle.
Two male teenagers, ages 15 and 18, were arrested at 6 a.m. and charged with possession of an offensive weapon after they were found carrying several petrol bombs, goggles and helmets, police said.
In Causeway Bay, police arrested a 22-year-old male found in possession of a backpack containing petrol bombs, a lighter and a hammer at around 10 a.m.
"Intelligence suggests that criminals are planning on a series of unlawful activities today," Hong Kong Police said in a statement. "The police are actively reviewing and updating deployments in different districts. Officers will intercept suspicious persons and vehicles to prevent and detect crime."
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Activists groups had used social media to call for protests to disrupt the proceedings at the Legco and traffic across the city but the movements mostly failed to materialize under heavy police presence, South China Morning Post reported.
By mid-day, police said officers arrested at least 180 people in Central Hong Kong and Causeway Bay for participating in unauthorized assembly and fired pepper balls into a crowd chanting slogans in the vicinity of Pedder Street, a major thoroughfare in the center of the city.
Police said despite repeated warnings, the protesters refused to leave the scene and some threw garbage cans, traffic cones and other large objects into the roads.
"Some threw water bottles and other objects at police officers, posing a grave threat to road safety," police said in a statement. "The police have no other alternative but to deploy the minimum necessary force, including pepper ball gun, to stop the violent and unlawful acts."
Prominent activist Joshua Wong called on the international community on Wednesday to punish China if it scraps its promise to uphold Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, which it made in the Sino-British Joint Declaration that returned the city to Chinese rule in 1997.
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"I call upon the EU foreign ministers to have a firmer stance on the issue and to urge China to halt the national security legislation," he tweeted. "I urge the EU to impose all necessary sanctions if China insists on breaking a U.N.-filed treaty and finally passes this evil bill."
In a second series of tweets, Wong said in a worst-case scenario if the law passes, Hong Kong will fall under Beijing's direct rule and become another de facto city of China.
"To safeguard the city's freedoms and urge China to stop further misconduct, world leaders, not only the U.S., should consider sanctions on China as the only effective strategic option to send a warning signal to Beijing," he said, calling for not only personal sanctions but sanctions on China Communist Party companies and entities.
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday said President Donald Trump was "displeased" with China over its law and that "it's hard to see how Hong Kong can remain a financial hub if China takes over."
Asked what his administration plans to do, Trump told reporters he will talk about the U.S. response "over the next couple of days."
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"We're doing something now," he said. "I think you'll find it very interesting, but I won't be talking about it today."
Following the announcement of the legislation, U.S. Secretary Mike Pompeo described it as "a death knell" for the high degree of autonomy Hong Kong was promised in the U.N.-filed declaration.
Earlier, he said the State Department has held off on submitting a Congress-mandated annual report on the autonomy of Hong Kong to see what would transpire this week during China's National People's Congress. The report will determine if Hong Kong's autonomy from Beijing warrants its current special U.S. trade status.
"The United States strongly urges Beijing to reconsider its disastrous proposal, abide by its international obligations and respect Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, democratic institutions and civil liberties, which are key to preserving its special status under U.S. law," he said in a statement. "We stand with the people of Hong Kong."
Following the law's announcement late last week, Hong Kong residents returned to the streets for the first time in months. The semi-autonomous city has been rocked by pro-democracy protests since last June but protests had simmered due to the pandemic.


upi--2020-05-27--Pennsylvania man pleads guilty in university adminision scandal

May 27 ( UPI ) -- A former biotech executive from Pennsylvania has pleaded guilty to paying a Georgetown tennis coach more than $ 50,000 in exchange for recruiting his daughter as a sports athlete to gain her admission to the prestigious school .
Robert Repella , 61 , of Ambler , Pa. , pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud , the Justice Department said in a release .
The government has recommended a 10-month prison term with a one-year supervised release and a $ 40,000 fine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty in a sprawling admission scandal that has rocked wealthy American parents .
Prosecutors have charged more than 50 people in Operation Varsity Blues that centers around the scheme 's mastermind , William `` Rick '' Singer , who would facilitate the admission of wealthy parents ' children to high-end universities in exchange of large sums of money .
Repella was not involved in the conspiracy with Singer but Gordon Ernst , the Georgetown University tennis coach he said he bribed , faces a slew of conspiracy fraud and money laundering charges in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not guilty .
U.S. Attorney Eric Rosen has described Ernst in court as `` the most prolific of all the coaches '' accused in the scheme and that `` he also solicited his own bribes outside of Rick Singer . ''
According to court documents , after Ernst received the money from Repella , he sent an email in November 2017 to a Georgetown admissions officer listing Repella 's daughter , who was not named , as one of his recruits , requesting she be sent what is called a `` likely letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its recipients gain admittance to the school .
Georgetown then sent Repella 's daughter the so-called likely letter and she was soon after admitted , prosecutors said .
Last week , actor Lori Loughlin of Full House and her husband , fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli , pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in connection to the scheme for paying Singer $ 500,000 to have their two daughters falsely designated as crew recruits to the University of Southern California .
Days earlier , Xiaoning Sui , a Chinese woman living in Canada , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 250,000 for paying Singer $ 400,000 to have her son admitted to the University of California Los Angeles as a soccer recruit .

May 27 (UPI) -- A former biotech executive from Pennsylvania has pleaded guilty to paying a Georgetown tennis coach more than $50,000 in exchange for recruiting his daughter as a sports athlete to gain her admission to the prestigious school.
Robert Repella, 61, of Ambler, Pa., pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud, the Justice Department said in a release.
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The government has recommended a 10-month prison term with a one-year supervised release and a $40,000 fine.
Repella is the 26th parent to plead guilty in a sprawling admission scandal that has rocked wealthy American parents.
Prosecutors have charged more than 50 people in Operation Varsity Blues that centers around the scheme's mastermind, William "Rick" Singer, who would facilitate the admission of wealthy parents' children to high-end universities in exchange of large sums of money.
Repella was not involved in the conspiracy with Singer but Gordon Ernst, the Georgetown University tennis coach he said he bribed, faces a slew of conspiracy fraud and money laundering charges in connection to Singer. He has pleaded not guilty.
U.S. Attorney Eric Rosen has described Ernst in court as "the most prolific of all the coaches" accused in the scheme and that "he also solicited his own bribes outside of Rick Singer."
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According to court documents, after Ernst received the money from Repella, he sent an email in November 2017 to a Georgetown admissions officer listing Repella's daughter, who was not named, as one of his recruits, requesting she be sent what is called a "likely letter" of admission that states 95 percent of its recipients gain admittance to the school.
Georgetown then sent Repella's daughter the so-called likely letter and she was soon after admitted, prosecutors said.
Last week, actor Lori Loughlin of Full House and her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in connection to the scheme for paying Singer $500,000 to have their two daughters falsely designated as crew recruits to the University of Southern California.
Days earlier, Xiaoning Sui, a Chinese woman living in Canada, was sentenced to time served and fined $250,000 for paying Singer $400,000 to have her son admitted to the University of California Los Angeles as a soccer recruit.


upi--2020-05-27--Bike-sharing services get commuters to drive less

When bike-sharing services open in cities , more people start to commute by bicycle and take public transit , new research shows .
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic , bike commuting had increased by 20 percent in cities where bike-share systems were introduced , according to study author Dafeng Xu , assistant professor of public policy and governance at the University of Washington in Seattle .
His analysis of 38 U.S. cities found increased commuting by bike and decreased commuting by car between 2008 and 2016 -- but the rate of bike commuting and public transportation use was greater in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 66 percent of commuters drove to work , about 1 percent biked and 22 percent used transit in bike-share cities .
In 2016 , rates were 59 percent for driving to work , 1.7 percent for bike commuting and 26 percent for transit use .
In cities without bike-share , 88 percent drove to work in 2008 , fewer than 1 percent biked and 4 percent used transit .
By 2016 , car commuting had slipped to 83 percent , 1 percent were biking and 6 percent used public transit .
In general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ larger increases in bicycle commuting , according to Xu .
`` This study shows that bike-share systems can drive a population to commute by bike , '' said Xu , whose findings were recently published in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management .
Nationwide , 0.6 percent of commuters bike to work , according to an American Community Survey report released in 2017 .
Xu said the numbers could grow if communities and bike-share companies take steps to make bike commuting more appealing .
Those steps could include adding bike lanes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities or increasing the time for one rental .

When bike-sharing services open in cities, more people start to commute by bicycle and take public transit, new research shows.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, bike commuting had increased by 20 percent in cities where bike-share systems were introduced, according to study author Dafeng Xu, assistant professor of public policy and governance at the University of Washington in Seattle.
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His analysis of 38 U.S. cities found increased commuting by bike and decreased commuting by car between 2008 and 2016 -- but the rate of bike commuting and public transportation use was greater in bike-share cities.
In 2008, about 66 percent of commuters drove to work, about 1 percent biked and 22 percent used transit in bike-share cities. In 2016, rates were 59 percent for driving to work, 1.7 percent for bike commuting and 26 percent for transit use.
In cities without bike-share, 88 percent drove to work in 2008, fewer than 1 percent biked and 4 percent used transit. By 2016, car commuting had slipped to 83 percent, 1 percent were biking and 6 percent used public transit.
In general, cities with larger bike-share systems had larger increases in bicycle commuting, according to Xu.
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"This study shows that bike-share systems can drive a population to commute by bike," said Xu, whose findings were recently published in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management.
Nationwide, 0.6 percent of commuters bike to work, according to an American Community Survey report released in 2017.
Xu said the numbers could grow if communities and bike-share companies take steps to make bike commuting more appealing. Those steps could include adding bike lanes to city streets, expanding programs to outlying communities or increasing the time for one rental.
More information
Bicycling offers tips for cycle commuting.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-05-27--Producer Paul Feig calls 'Love Life' a 'romantic murder mystery'

LOS ANGELES , May 27 ( UPI ) -- Paul Feig is known as the director of hit movies like Bridesmaids , The Heat , Spy , the female-led Ghostbusters and A Simple Favor .
This year , Feig returns to television , where he got his start as a producer on shows like Freaks and Geeks and The Office .
Feig , who produced Zoey 's Extraordinary Playlist for NBC , is launching his second show of the year -- on HBO Max .
Love Life stars Anna Kendrick , whom Feig directed in A Simple Favor , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's relationships .
Love Life shows Darby ( Kendrick ) at different ages , and jumps around in her relationships .
Feig said the show depicts Darby from teenage to her 30s .
Each episode features a man who becomes one of Darby 's ex-boyfriends , although Feig hints at the possibility that one could still return to be her true love .
`` I refer to the show almost as like a romantic murder mystery , '' Feig told UPI in a phone interview Thursday .
`` All the suspects are there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , but you do n't know who 's going to be the one . ''
Feig hopes that Darby 's bad relationships ultimately teach her to break the bad habits that keep leading her into failed relationships .
`` It 's kind of fun to see the co-dependent relationships that lead you to a non-dependent relationship , '' Feig said .
Early episodes run the gamut of different relationships .
Darby dates Augie ( Jin Ha ) in Episode 1 , an older man named Bradley ( Scoot McNairy ) in Episode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Gus Halper ) who becomes more serious than she 'd like in Episode 3 .
Feig said every episode presents a different dynamic for Darby .
`` It 's just so realistic in the sense that we always think we know what we want , '' Feig said .
`` Then once we attain it , we find out if we really wanted it or not , or if it was right . ''
Most episodes feature love scenes , although none more explicit than you 're likely to see in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as HBO Max streaming allows F-words .
However , since Love Life premieres two months into a pandemic , Feig expects viewers to be nostalgic for its depiction of life before social distancing .
`` Handshakes are the new porn , basically , '' Feig joked .
`` You 're just like , 'Oh , remember we used to do that and it was so nice ?
Oh look , they hugged and kissed somebody when they met them . '
'' Sam Boyd brought the idea of Love Life to Feig @ @ @ @ @ @ @ character 's love life , using non-chronological episodes to paint a full portrait of her character .
As producer , Feig sought to protect Boyd 's vision .
He did not want to see networks and executives water it down .
`` I 've worked with producers who really just micromanage you , '' Feig said .
Feig decided to cast Kendrick , but he was not sure she would be interested in a series .
However , Kendrick responded favorably to the material and even contributed suggestions to Boyd .
`` She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on relationships she 's been through and friends of hers have been through and just things that she 's experienced , '' Feig said .
Kendrick 's commitment to Love Life is for the first season only .
In success , Love Life would become an anthology that chronicles a different character 's love life in each season .
Seasons might be interconnected through supporting characters , Feig teased .
`` We would n't want to be like , 'The second season is the 1800s , ' '' Feig said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same world so that characters from other seasons can come in and out if we want them to . ''
Subsequent seasons could feature a male or LGBTQ protagonists , Feig said .
`` Our plan is to really just run the gamut of every type of person and every type of relationship that 's out there , '' he said .
Feig has remained busy during the coronavirus pandemic .
He hosts a daily cocktail show on Instagram , raising money for charity , and spends the rest of the days attending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Extraordinary Playlist .
A third series is in the works too .
Feig filmed one day of an American adaptation of the BBC mockumentary This Country before production shut down .
`` That one day we shot enough material to be able to cut a 16-minute pilot presentation for it , '' Feig said .
`` So they ordered three more scripts for that . ''
Feig thinks This Country could return to production sooner than other shows with larger casts and crews might .
The show is about a documentary crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their lives in a small town .
`` Being a mockumentary , we actually have a much smaller production footprint than a normal TV show or movie would have , '' Feig said .
Love Life premieres Wednesday with the launch of HBO Max .

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Paul Feig produces "Love Life" on HBO Max. File Photo by Peter Foley/UPI | License Photo
LOS ANGELES, May 27 (UPI) -- Paul Feig, director of hit movies like Bridesmaids, The Heat and the female-led Ghostbusters, continues his return to TV on Wednesday with Love Life, an anthology of relationships starring Anna Kendrick. The show launches along with HBO Max, the network's new streaming platform (a free add-on for many HBO subscribers). Advertisement
Love Life shows Darby (Kendrick) at different ages, from her teens into her 30s. Each episode features a man who becomes one of Darby's ex-boyfriends, although Feig hinted at the possibility that one could return to be her true love.
"I refer to the show almost as like a romantic murder mystery," Feig told UPI in a phone interview Thursday. "All the suspects are there, and they keep coming in and out, but you don't know who's going to be the one."
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Love Life is the second TV launch this year for Feig, who got his start as a producer on shows including Freaks and Geeks and The Office. He produces Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist for NBC.
With Love Life, Feig hopes that Darby learns to break the bad habits that keep leading her into failed relationships.
"It's kind of fun to see the co-dependent relationships that lead you to a non-dependent relationship," Feig said.Early episodes run the gamut of different relationships. Darby dates Augie (Jin Ha) in Episode 1, an older man named Bradley (Scoot McNairy) in Episode 2 and has a one- night stand (Gus Halper) who becomes more serious than she'd like in Episode 3. Feig said every episode presents a different dynamic for Darby.
"It's just so realistic in the sense that we always think we know what we want," Feig said. "Then once we attain it, we find out if we really wanted it or not, or if it was right."
Most episodes feature love scenes, although none more explicit than you're likely to see in a PG-13 movie. The language is R-rated, as HBO Max streaming allows the F-word.
As Love Life premieres two months into a pandemic, Feig expects viewers to be nostalgic for its depiction of life before social distancing.
Advertisement
"Handshakes are the new porn, basically," Feig joked. "You're just like, 'Oh, remember we used to do that and it was so nice? Oh look, they hugged and kissed somebody when they met them.'"
Writer Sam Boyd (In a Relationship, The Dictator) brought the idea of Love Life to Feig, who sought to protect Boyd's vision.
Feig wanted to cast Kendrick, whom he directed in A Simple Favor, but he was not sure she would be interested in a series. But she responded favorably to the material and even contributed suggestions to Boyd.
"She was giving him a lot of ideas based on relationships she's been through and friends of hers have been through and just things that she's experienced," Feig said.
Kendrick's commitment to Love Life is for the first season only. In success, Love Life would become an anthology that chronicles a different character's love life in each season. Seasons might be interconnected through supporting characters, Feig said.
"We wouldn't want to be like, 'The second season is the 1800s,'" Feig said. "We want to keep it in the same world so that characters from other seasons can come in and out if we want them to."
Subsequent seasons could feature a male or LGBTQ protagonists, Feig said: "Our plan is to really just run the gamut of every type of person and every type of relationship that's out there."
Advertisement
Feig has remained busy during the coronavirus pandemic. He hosts a daily cocktail show on Instagram, raising money for charity, and spends the rest of the days attending to movie script rewrites and producing Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist.
A third series is in the works, too. Feig filmed one day of an American adaptation of the BBC mockumentary This Country before production shut down.
"That one day we shot enough material to be able to cut a 16-minute pilot presentation for it," Feig said. "So they ordered three more scripts for that."
Feig thinks This Country could return to production sooner than other shows with larger casts and crews might. The show is about a documentary crew following a pair of young cousins through their lives in a small town.
"Being a mockumentary, we actually have a much smaller production footprint than a normal TV show or movie would have," Feig said.


upi--2020-05-27--NASA, SpaceX ready for astronauts' historic launch from U.S.

ORLANDO , Fla. , May 27 ( UPI ) -- Two NASA astronauts are scheduled to lift off toward the International Space Station late Wednesday afternoon , marking the first time in nine years that a mission with a crew on board has been launched from American soil .
`` This is a unique opportunity to bring all of America together at one moment in time and say , 'look at how bright our future is , ' '' NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said Tuesday at a space agency briefing .
The historic launch , planned for 4:33 p.m. EDT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will mark the first time astronauts have flown inside the Crew Dragon space capsule , built by Elon 's Musk 's SpaceX .
They will be propelled by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket , which has proven to be a reliable workhorse for carrying supplies to the space station 250 miles above Earth .
Weather for launches often is a concern at Kennedy Space Center and the adjacent Cape Canaveral Air Force Station .
The U.S. Space Force forecast for Wednesday shows a 40 percent chance of unacceptable conditions , mainly rain and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Vice President Mike Pence are scheduled to attend the launch .
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , NASA has limited guests to 465 people , most of whom will view the liftoff outdoors .
NASA and SpaceX controllers will staff the firing room in Florida , and either group can postpone liftoff should mechanical problems , weather or other safety issues cause concern .
If the launch does occur , the capsule 's flight path will take it east over the Atlantic Ocean toward the United Kingdom , where viewers might see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the website MeteorWatch.org .
A little over nine minutes after launch , TV and online viewers should be able to watch SpaceX 's reusable first-stage booster travel back to Earth for a planned landing on a company barge in the Atlantic Ocean .
At the 12-minute mark , the Crew Dragon capsule will separate from the second-stage booster , and the capsule 's nose cone will open to prepare for docking at the space station .
After the capsule reaches the same altitude as the space station and catches up to it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and dock via a fully autonomous system .
The astronauts can override the system , if necessary .
The spacecraft is due to arrive at the space station Thursday , with docking planned for 11:29 a.m. EDT .
When they get there , astronauts Bob Behnken and Douglas Hurley will remain in the capsule for almost two hours as it is locked in place and checks are made on its systems .
Once the hatch opens , astronaut Chris Cassidy -- already on board the space station -- will greet the new arrivals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ivan Vagner arrived in April and are to stay there until October .
During the mission , called Demo 2 , Behnken and Hurley will conduct final tests of the Crew Dragon capsule -- which they have given a name to be disclosed Wednesday -- before it is certified for regular ferry service to the space station .
The two will fly manually part of the way to the space station , using the capsule 's unique touchscreen controls .
`` We 've longed to be a part of a test mission , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a brief press conference Friday .
`` It 's something we dreamed about , flying something other than the space shuttle '' to carry people into space .
Behnken and Hurley do n't know how long they will be on the space station .
NASA has said it could be as little as six weeks and as much as 16 weeks , depending on how quickly the crew completes necessary maintenance on the space station and how favorable weather conditions are for spacecraft splashdown .
While the seas generally are not rough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be hurricane season , and tropical activity in the landing zone would delay the return .
If the mission is successful , NASA plans to launch another SpaceX capsule to the space station Aug. 30 , Bridenstine , the NASA administrator , said Tuesday .
Crew members for that mission are NASA astronauts Mike Hopkins , Victor Glover and Shannon Walker , along with Soichi Noguchi , an astronaut with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency .
The return to Earth for this mission will mark the first splashdown of a U.S. space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Project in 1975 .
`` Remember , this is a test flight , '' Bridenstine said Tuesday .
`` And as such , if we have a good window to come home and [ Hurley and Behnken ] are not necessary on the International Space Station , we will be taking '' the opportunity to return to Earth .
SpaceX is more than two years behind schedule for the launch .
NASA awarded two finalist contracts in 2014 to certify new spacecraft to carry people by 2017 -- Boeing received $ 4.2 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 2.6 billion for Crew Dragon .
Starliner failed to reach the space station during a test flight in December , and is scheduled for another attempt in the third quarter of this year .
The launch is part of a rebirth of Kennedy Space Center , said Bob Cabana , the center 's director , following years of renovations and new infrastructure at Launch Complex 39A -- now leased by SpaceX .
`` We went to the moon from pad 39A , and 82 of the 135 shuttle missions launched off that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rusting away in the salt air -- through our partnership with SpaceX , that pad is being used once again , '' Cabana said .
Over the past decade , NASA astronauts only used Russian Soyuz rockets and capsules to reach the space station , at a cost of more than $ 70 million per seat .
Behnken , 49 , and Hurley , 53 , have been astronauts since their selection in 2000 .
They worked closely with SpaceX to develop the new spacecraft systems .
`` I hope the nation can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognize this is still something we can accomplish and still something we can be successful at , and we 're going to do it in the face of the pandemic , '' Behnken said .
The two men share similar life experiences .
Both are married to female astronauts who have traveled into space , and both have one child .
Both were military test pilots and hold the rank of colonel -- Behnken with the U.S. Air Force and Hurley with the U.S. Marine Corps .
Behnken , originally from the St. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of NASA 's Astronaut Office .
Hurley , originally from upstate New York , flew on the last shuttle mission in 2011 and was the first Marine pilot to fly the F/A‐18 E/F Super Hornet .
SpaceX 's Falcon 9 rocket is the first orbital launch vehicle to be fully reusable , although the rocket for Wednesday 's launch is new .
The Falcon 9 is just short of 230 feet tall , with a 12-foot diameter .
Nine of SpaceX 's Merlin engines provide thrust of 1.7 million pounds upon liftoff .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ jet emits 32,000 pounds of thrust .
The launch will be the first such American liftoff of astronauts during a global pandemic .
NASA has urged the public to watch the launch on TV or online , while the agency restricts access to the launch site at Kennedy Space Center to essential personnel only .

NASA astronaut Douglas Hurley (C) waves to onlookers as he boards a plane at Naval Air Station Pensacola to return him and NASA astronaut Robert Behnken home to Houston a few hours after the duo landed in their SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft off the coast of Pensacola, Fla,, on August 2, 2020. Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA | License Photo
ORLANDO, Fla., May 27 (UPI) -- NASA and SpaceX postponed the agency's historic return to human spaceflight from U.S. soil Wednesday because of storms near Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Another attempt is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, when a 40 percent chance of unfavorable weather exists, according to the U.S. Space Force forecast. Advertisement
Astronauts Bob Behnken and Douglas Hurley had been scheduled for launch to the International Space Station at 4:33 p.m. EDT in SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
They left the capsule just before 6 p.m., about 1 1/2 hours after the flight was canceled for the day.
Heavy rains swept the area around the space center Monday, due to a system that moved north and became Tropical Storm Bertha near Georgia on Wednesday morning. Lightning also was a concern.
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NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine tweeted Wednesday that he hoped the storm would clear out moisture and create quieter seas behind it, but that was not to be.
"This is a unique opportunity to bring all of America together at one moment in time and say, 'look at how bright our future is,'" Bridenstine said Tuesday at a space agency briefing.
On Wednesday, after the postponement, he told the media, "We simply had too much electricity in the atmosphere." He called it "a good day for NASA, a good day for SpaceX," despite the three-day delay because the countdown proceeded without a hitch until bad weather forced a halt.
The historic launch would have marked the first time astronauts have flown inside the Crew Dragon space capsule, built by Elon's Musk's SpaceX.
They were to have flown on the Falcon 9 rocket, which has proven to be a reliable workhorse for carrying supplies to the space station 250 miles above Earth.
President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence had traveled to the space center Wednesday. The astronauts had suited up and were locked into the capsule, which was fueled and ready for liftoff when the launch was scrubbed.
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Following the decision to postpone the mission, the astronauts stayed inside the capsule as the rocket was emptied of propellant. When that was accomplished, the abort system was disarmed and the door opened for them to exit.
To head east
The capsule's flight path was to take it east over the Atlantic Ocean toward the United Kingdom, where viewers might have seen it for 15 minutes, according to the website MeteorWatch.org.
The astronauts entered SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule a little earlier than planned Wednesday afternoon.
Technicians strapped their spacesuit boots into place, harnessed them to their seats, and closed the capsule door after testing communications and other systems.
A small group saw the astronauts off as they got into a white Tesla Model X for a motorcade to Launch Complex 39A. Before they drove off, they received good wishes and virtual hugs from their families.
Pence, SpaceX founder Elon Musk and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine also offered words of praise before the astronauts' departure to the pad.
Trump arrived in the area in Air Force One just after the capsule door was being closed. His plane flew close to the launch tower as it headed to a landing.
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Musk, speaking to family members of both astronauts, said he felt a strong sense of responsibility for their safety.
"I said we've done everything we can to make sure your dads come back OK" in referring to each astronaut's only child, Musk recalled at a NASA briefing.
He added: "What today is about is reigniting the dream of space and getting people fired up about the future."
"This is a unique opportunity to bring all of America together at one moment in time and say, 'look at how bright our future is,'" Bridenstine said Tuesday at a space agency briefing.
After launch, at the 12-minute mark, the Crew Dragon capsule was to separate from the second-stage booster, and the capsule's nose cone was to open to prepare for docking at the space station.
After the capsule reached the same altitude as the space station and caught up to it, Crew Dragon was to inch closer very slowly and dock via a fully autonomous system. The astronauts could override the system, if necessary.
The spacecraft was due to arrive at the space station Thursday, with docking planned for 11:29 a.m. EDT.
When they got there, astronauts Behnken and Hurley would have remained in the capsule for almost two hours as it is locked in place and checks made on its systems.
Advertisement The day before our launch on the @NASA/@SpaceX Demo Mission 2, I took the time to review pre-launch activities, hone my launch operation technique, practice one more docking with @Space_Station https://t.co/1RBMI0g1Gp, and review the path home. We are ready! #LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/piYtLEtoiw— Bob Behnken (@AstroBehnken) May 27, 2020
Greeting new arrivals
Once the hatch opened, astronaut Chris Cassidy -- already on board the space station -- was to greet the new arrivals. He and Russians Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner arrived in April and are to stay there until October.
During the mission, called Demo 2, Behnken and Hurley were to conduct final tests of the Crew Dragon capsule before it is certified for regular ferry service to the space station.
The two planned to fly manually part of the way to the space station, using the capsule's unique touchscreen controls.
"We've longed to be a part of a test mission, a test spaceflight," Behnken said during a brief press conference Friday. "It's something we dreamed about, flying something other than the space shuttle" to carry people into space.
Behnken and Hurley didn't know how long they were to be on the space station. NASA has said it could be as little as six weeks and as much as 16 weeks, depending on how quickly the crew completes necessary maintenance on the space station and how favorable weather conditions are for spacecraft splashdown.
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While the seas generally are not rough in the Atlantic during summer, it will be hurricane season, and tropical activity in the landing zone would delay the return.
If the mission ultimately is successful, NASA plans to launch another SpaceX capsule to the space station Aug. 30, Bridenstine, the NASA administrator, said Tuesday.
Next crew
Crew members for that mission are NASA astronauts Mike Hopkins, Victor Glover and Shannon Walker, along with Soichi Noguchi, an astronaut with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
The return to Earth for this mission would have marked the first splashdown of a U.S. space capsule carrying astronauts since the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975.
"Remember, this is a test flight," Bridenstine said Tuesday. "And as such, if we have a good window to come home and [Hurley and Behnken] are not necessary on the International Space Station, we will be taking" the opportunity to return to Earth.
SpaceX is more than two years behind schedule for the launch. NASA awarded two finalist contracts in 2014 to certify new spacecraft to carry people by 2017 -- Boeing received $4.2 billion for its Starliner capsule and SpaceX received $2.6 billion for Crew Dragon.
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Starliner failed to reach the space station during a test flight in December, and is scheduled for another attempt in the third quarter of this year.
The planned launch is part of a rebirth of Kennedy Space Center, said Bob Cabana, the center's director, following years of renovations and new infrastructure at Launch Complex 39A -- now leased by SpaceX.
"We went to the moon from pad 39A, and 82 of the 135 shuttle missions launched off that pad, and now -- rather than rusting away in the salt air -- through our partnership with SpaceX, that pad is being used once again," Cabana said.
$70 million a seat
Over the past decade, NASA astronauts only used Russian Soyuz rockets and capsules to reach the space station, at a cost of more than $70 million per seat.
Behnken, 49, and Hurley, 53, have been astronauts since their selection in 2000. They worked closely with SpaceX to develop the new spacecraft systems.
"I hope the nation can look at this [launch] and recognize this is still something we can accomplish and still something we can be successful at, and we're going to do it in the face of the pandemic," Behnken said.
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The two men share similar life experiences. Both are married to female astronauts who have traveled into space, and both have one child. Both were military test pilots and hold the rank of colonel -- Behnken with the U.S. Air Force and Hurley with the U.S. Marine Corps.
Behnken, originally from the St. Louis area, was a former chief of NASA's Astronaut Office. Hurley, originally from upstate New York, flew on the last shuttle mission in 2011 and was the first Marine pilot to fly the F/A‐18 E/F Super Hornet.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is the first orbital launch vehicle to be fully reusable, although the rocket for this launch is new.
The Falcon 9 is just short of 230 feet tall, with a 12-foot diameter. Nine of SpaceX's Merlin engines provide thrust of 1.7 million pounds upon liftoff. By comparison, a typical F-16 fighter jet emits 32,000 pounds of thrust.
The launch was to be the first such American liftoff of astronauts during a global pandemic. NASA has urged the public to watch the launch on TV or online, while the agency restricts access to the launch site at Kennedy Space Center to essential personnel only.


upi--2020-05-27--On This Day, May 27: Patent issued for Scotch tape

On this date in history : In 1703 , Czar Peter the Great founded St. Petersburg as the new capital of Russia .
In 1930 , Richard Gurley Drew received a patent for his adhesive tape , which was later manufactured by 3M as Scotch tape .
In 1937 , San Francisco 's Golden Gate Bridge was opened .
An estimated 200,000 people crossed it the first day .
In 1941 , after attacks by British ships and planes , the German battleship Bismarck sank 400 miles west of the French port of Brest .
In 1943 , former Olympic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crashed in the Pacific Ocean during a rescue mission .
He and one other survivor were captured by the Japanese and made prisoners of war .
His story became the subject of the book Unbroken and a film by the same name directed by Angelina Jolie .
In 1968 , the U.S. nuclear submarine USS Scorpion was reported overdue in the Atlantic with 99 men aboard .
The wreckage was located in October 1968 .
In 1990 , Cesar Gaviria , 34 , was elected president of Colombia after a campaign in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make no deals with the cocaine cartels .
In 1992 , hours after a Russian-brokered cease-fire went into effect in Bosnia , Serb guerrillas launched a surprise mortar bombardment on Sarajevo , killing at least 20 people and injuring up to 160 more waiting in lines to buy bread .
In 1997 , an F5 tornado half a mile wide ripped through the small Texas town of Jarrell , killing 27 people , including a family of five .
In 2004 , a federal appeals court in San Francisco upheld Oregon 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ill patients kill themselves .
In 2006 , an earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Java , killing approximately 5,000 people and leaving an estimated 200,000 homeless .
In 2019 , Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz was ousted by a no-confidence vote amid a corruption scandal .
He reclaimed his job in a snap election months later .

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Salvation Army volunteer Ed Wizeman secures wrapping paper on a Christmas gift using Scotch tape during the first day of the Salvation Army's Toy Lift in St. Louis on November 30, 2004. On May 27, 1930, Richard Gurley Drew received a patent for his adhesive tape, which was later manufactured by 3M as Scotch tape. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
On this date in history: In 1703, Czar Peter the Great founded St. Petersburg as the new capital of Russia. Advertisement
In 1930, Richard Gurley Drew received a patent for his adhesive tape, which was later manufactured by 3M as Scotch tape.
In 1937, San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge was opened. An estimated 200,000 people crossed it the first day.
File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI
In 1941, after attacks by British ships and planes, the German battleship Bismarck sank 400 miles west of the French port of Brest.
In 1943, former Olympic distance runner Louis Zamperini's B-24 bomber crashed in the Pacific Ocean during a rescue mission. He and one other survivor were captured by the Japanese and made prisoners of war. His story became the subject of the book Unbroken and a film by the same name directed by Angelina Jolie.
In 1968, the U.S. nuclear submarine USS Scorpion was reported overdue in the Atlantic with 99 men aboard. The wreckage was located in October 1968.
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In 1990, Cesar Gaviria, 34, was elected president of Colombia after a campaign in which three candidates were killed. He vowed to make no deals with the cocaine cartels.
File Photo by Ricardo Watson/UPI
In 1992, hours after a Russian-brokered cease-fire went into effect in Bosnia, Serb guerrillas launched a surprise mortar bombardment on Sarajevo, killing at least 20 people and injuring up to 160 more waiting in lines to buy bread.
In 1997, an F5 tornado half a mile wide ripped through the small Texas town of Jarrell, killing 27 people, including a family of five.
In 2004, a federal appeals court in San Francisco upheld Oregon's law authorizing doctors to help their terminally ill patients kill themselves.
In 2006, an earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Java, killing approximately 5,000 people and leaving an estimated 200,000 homeless.
In 2019, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz was ousted by a no-confidence vote amid a corruption scandal. He reclaimed his job in a snap election months later.
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upi--2020-05-27--Famous birthdays for May 27: Joseph Fiennes, Lily-Rose Depp

May 27 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Gemini .
-- Social @ @ @ @ @ whom the undergarment was named , in 1818 -- Poet Julia Ward Howe , who @ @ @ @ @ The Battle Hymn of the Republic , '' in 1819 -- Hubert Humphrey , U.S. @ @ @ @ @ in 1911 -- Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in 1923 ( age 97 @

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Joseph Fiennes attends the Winner's Room at the British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London on February 10, 2019. The actor turns 50 on May 27. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo
May 27 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Gemini. They include: Advertisement
-- Financier Cornelius Vanderbilt in 1794
-- Social reformer Amelia Bloomer, for whom the undergarment was named, in 1818
-- Poet Julia Ward Howe, who wrote the lyrics for "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," in 1819
-- Frontiersman James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok in 1837
-- Detective novelist Dashiell Hammett in 1894
-- Writer Rachel Carson in 1907
-- Composer Harold Rome in 1908
-- Hubert Humphrey, U.S. vice president/longtime U.S. senator, in 1911
-- Actor Vincent Price in 1911
-- Golf hall of fame member Sam Snead in 1912
-- Author Herman Wouk in 1915
-- Actor Christopher Lee in 1922
-- Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in 1923 (age 97)
File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
-- Writer Harlan Ellison in 1934
-- Jazz musician Ramsey Lewis in 1935 (age 85)
-- Actor Lee Meriwether in 1935 (age 85)
-- Actor Louis Gossett Jr. in 1936 (age 84)
-- Singer/songwriter Don Williams in 1939
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-- Actor Bruce Weitz in 1943 (age 77)
-- Actor Peri Gilpin in 1961 (age 59)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Actor Todd Bridges in 1965 (age 55)
-- Actor Joseph Fiennes in 1970 (age 50)
-- Actor Paul Bettany in 1971 (age 49)
-- Singer Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes in 1971
-- Actor Jack McBrayer in 1973 (age 47)
-- Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver in 1975 (age 45)
-- Rapper Andre 3000, born Andre Benjamin, in 1975 (age 45)
-- Actor Shanola Hampton in 1977 (age 43)
-- Actor Chris Colfer in 1990 (age 30)
-- Actor/model Lily-Rose Depp in 1999 (age 21)


upi--2020-05-27--Chances for second IVF baby good, study shows

If you 've had one baby through fertility treatment , your chances for a second success are good , a new study suggests .
Researchers analyzed data from more than 35,000 women in Australia and New Zealand who had a live baby after in vitro fertilization .
The women were treated between 2009 and 2013 and followed to 2015 .
Live births up to October 2016 were included in the study .
After one success , the chances of having a second IVF baby were between 51 percent and 88 percent after six cycles of treatment , the researchers said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined with age and whether women used a fresh or frozen embryo .
Compared to women under 30 , those between 35 and 39 saw their odds of success drop by 22 percent if they used an embryo frozen after a previous ovarian stimulation cycle .
Their odds dropped 50 percent if they had a fresh embryo from a new stimulation cycle .
Factors such as requiring only one cycle and a single embryo transfer to achieve a first live birth and infertility affecting the male partner affected chances of success , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the journal Human Reproduction .
`` Couples can be reassured by these figures , '' said author Georgina Chambers , director of the National Perinatal Epidemiology and Statistics Unit at the University of New South Wales in Sydney , Australia .
She said the findings underscore the fact that assisted reproductive technology should be considered as a course of treatment , not just a single cycle .
`` If couples do n't achieve a pregnancy in the first cycle , it could very well happen in the next , '' Chambers said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , it would be best not to wait too long , especially if a new stimulation cycle is needed . ''
Co-author Dr. Devora Lieberman , a fertility clinician in Sydney , said the findings can be used to counsel patients , but it 's important to note that these are population estimates and every couple is different .
The U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has more on assisted reproductive technology .

If you've had one baby through fertility treatment, your chances for a second success are good, a new study suggests.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 35,000 women in Australia and New Zealand who had a live baby after in vitro fertilization.
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The women were treated between 2009 and 2013 and followed to 2015. Live births up to October 2016 were included in the study.
After one success, the chances of having a second IVF baby were between 51 percent and 88 percent after six cycles of treatment, the researchers said.
The likelihood of a successful pregnancy declined with age and whether women used a fresh or frozen embryo. Compared to women under 30, those between 35 and 39 saw their odds of success drop by 22 percent if they used an embryo frozen after a previous ovarian stimulation cycle. Their odds dropped 50 percent if they had a fresh embryo from a new stimulation cycle.
Factors such as requiring only one cycle and a single embryo transfer to achieve a first live birth and infertility affecting the male partner affected chances of success, according to the study published earlier this month in the journal Human Reproduction.
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"Couples can be reassured by these figures," said author Georgina Chambers, director of the National Perinatal Epidemiology and Statistics Unit at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.
She said the findings underscore the fact that assisted reproductive technology should be considered as a course of treatment, not just a single cycle.
"If couples don't achieve a pregnancy in the first cycle, it could very well happen in the next," Chambers said in a journal news release. "However, it would be best not to wait too long, especially if a new stimulation cycle is needed."
Co-author Dr. Devora Lieberman, a fertility clinician in Sydney, said the findings can be used to counsel patients, but it's important to note that these are population estimates and every couple is different.
More information
The U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has more on assisted reproductive technology.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-05-27--PAHO: Americas over take Europe as COVID-19 epicenter

May 26 ( UPI ) -- The Americas have surpassed Europe to become the new epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic , the Pan American Health Organization said while calling on those countries to maintain movement restrictions to curb infections .
Carissa F. Etienne , PAHO director and World Health Organization head for the Americas , said during a media briefing Tuesday that some 2.4 million infections and more than 143,000 deaths have been reported in the Americas , making it the new epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak .
She said in South America , Brazil was of particular concern as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded was `` the highest for a seven-day period since the outbreak began '' in early December , though both Peru and Chile were also experiencing high infection rates .
Brazil leaped into second worldwide in coronavirus cases this week , tallying nearly 400,000 infections and more than 24,500 deaths to the virus as of early Wednesday , according to a live tracker of the virus by Johns Hopkins University , which has tallied the global outbreak at nearly 5.6 million cases .
Peru was in 12th place with nearly 130,000 infections and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 84,000 patients .
However , Our World In Data , which is run out of Oxford University , calculated the three Latin countries as having the highest seven-day average in cases per capita .
`` For most countries in the Americas , now is not the time to relax restrictions or scale back preventive strategies , '' she said .
`` Now is the time to stay strong , remain vigilant and aggressively implement proven public health measures . ''
Compounding the issue for the region of the Americans is that one in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effects of the virus due to underlying health conditions , such as diabetes , she said , also calling on those countries to intensify efforts to prevent them from getting sick .
`` We have never seen such a deadly relationship between infectious disease and non-communicable diseases , '' she said .
`` Some of the data are truly alarming .
Especially for our region , where NCDs are pervasive . ''
Countries should protect supply chains for essential medicines and ensure those medicines are effectively distributed to those who need them , @ @ @

Workers burying victims of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Vila Formosa cemetery, the largest in Latin America, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Tuesday. Photo by Paulo Whitaker/EPA-EFE
May 26 (UPI) -- The Americas have surpassed Europe to become the new epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, the Pan American Health Organization said while calling on those countries to maintain movement restrictions to curb infections. Carissa F. Etienne, PAHO director and World Health Organization head for the Americas, said during a media briefing Tuesday that some 2.4 million infections and more than 143,000 deaths have been reported in the Americas, making it the new epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak. Advertisement
She said in South America, Brazil was of particular concern as last week the number of new cases recorded was "the highest for a seven-day period since the outbreak began" in early December, though both Peru and Chile were also experiencing high infection rates.
Brazil leaped into second worldwide in coronavirus cases this week, tallying nearly 400,000 infections and more than 24,500 deaths to the virus as of early Wednesday, according to a live tracker of the virus by Johns Hopkins University, which has tallied the global outbreak at nearly 5.6 million cases.
Peru was in 12th place with nearly 130,000 infections and Chile was in 15th with more than 84,000 patients. However, Our World In Data, which is run out of Oxford University, calculated that Peru and Chile as having the highest seven-day average in cases per capita.
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"For most countries in the Americas, now is not the time to relax restrictions or scale back preventive strategies," she said. "Now is the time to stay strong, remain vigilant and aggressively implement proven public health measures."
Compounding the issue for the region of the Americans is that one in four is at risk of suffering severe effects of the virus due to underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, she said, also calling on those countries to intensify efforts to prevent them from getting sick.
"We have never seen such a deadly relationship between infectious disease and non-communicable diseases," she said. "Some of the data are truly alarming. Especially for our region, where NCDs are pervasive."
Countries should protect supply chains for essential medicines and ensure those medicines are effectively distributed to those who need them, she said.


upi--2020-05-26--Gov. Gavin Newsom: Hair salons, barbershops may reopen in most California counties

May 26 ( UPI ) -- Hair salons and barbershops in jurisdictions that meet specific health criteria will be allowed to reopen for business , California Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced on Tuesday , furthering easing restrictions in the first state to issue sweeping stay-at-home orders .
California has been easing out of restrictions put in place mid-March to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and is currently in phase two of Newsom 's four-phase reopening plan , allowing retail stores and certain industries to resume operation .
Over the weekend , restrictions on retailers and places of worship were further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , mosques and synagogues to welcome congregants .
The modifications to guidelines on Tuesday were on `` a regional basis '' instead of statewide , Newsom said during a coronavirus update , explaining 47 of California 's 58 counties have `` self-attested '' to meeting the state 's health metrics to allow for hair salons and barbershops to reopen `` with meaningful modifications , '' including mandating facemasks and following sanitary procedures .
According to the state 's website , the metrics for reopening under phase two include having fewer than 25 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 days or less than 8 percent testing positive in the past week , among other criteria .
The United States has been the hardest-hit nation from the virus accounting for more than 1.6 million of the nearly 5.6 million infections worldwide , and California is one of the hardest-hit states with more than 99,000 cases .
Gavin said the state has been improving and more modifications to guidelines will be coming in the next few days and weeks , with more information to be dispersed on Wednesday concerning summer camps , child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're making progress , we 're moving forward , we 're not looking back but we are walking into the unknown -- the untested , literally and figurately -- and we have to be guided by the data that brought us here in the first place , '' he said .
The easing comes amid criticism leveled at the Democratic governor over his measures from both the Trump administration and Republicans as well as the beauty industry .
Two weeks ago , the Professional Beauty Federation of California filed a lawsuit seeking an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barbershops , accusing the state 's measures of violating its members ' constitutional rights .
Last Wednesday , the Justice Department informed Gavin his plan to reopen the state violated the Constitution for discriminating against places of worship , though an appeals court ruled to uphold the ban on Friday in a court case brought against the state by the South Bay United Pentecostal Church .
On Sunday , several Republican groups sued the state over Newsom 's executive order to allow Californians to vote by mail in November general election .

Hundreds of President Trump supporters hold a "Freedom Rally" calling to "open California" on the steps of City Hall in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 24, 2020. Officials have said the lockdowns are needed to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
May 26 (UPI) -- Hair salons and barbershops in jurisdictions that meet specific health criteria will be allowed to reopen for business, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Tuesday, furthering easing restrictions in the first state to issue sweeping stay-at-home orders. California has been easing out of restrictions put in place mid-March to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and is currently in phase two of Newsom's four-phase reopening plan, allowing retail stores and certain industries to resume operation. Over the weekend, restrictions on retailers and places of worship were further eased, permitting in-store shopping and churches, mosques and synagogues to welcome congregants. Advertisement
The modifications to guidelines on Tuesday were on "a regional basis" instead of statewide, Newsom said during a coronavirus update, explaining 47 of California's 58 counties have "self-attested" to meeting the state's health metrics to allow for hair salons and barbershops to reopen "with meaningful modifications," including mandating facemasks and following sanitary procedures.
According to the state's website, the metrics for reopening under phase two include having fewer than 25 new cases per 100,000 residents in the previous 14 days or less than 8 percent testing positive in the past week, among other criteria.
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The United States has been the hardest-hit nation from the virus accounting for more than 1.6 million of the nearly 5.6 million infections worldwide, and California is one of the hardest-hit states with more than 99,000 cases.
Gavin said the state has been improving and more modifications to guidelines will be coming in the next few days and weeks, with more information to be dispersed on Wednesday concerning summer camps, child care facilities and schools.
"We're making progress, we're moving forward, we're not looking back but we are walking into the unknown -- the untested, literally and figurately -- and we have to be guided by the data that brought us here in the first place," he said.
The easing comes amid criticism leveled at the Democratic governor over his measures from both the Trump administration and Republicans as well as the beauty industry.
Two weeks ago, the Professional Beauty Federation of California filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction against the ban on salons and barbershops, accusing the state's measures of violating its members' constitutional rights.
Last Wednesday, the Justice Department informed Gavin his plan to reopen the state violated the Constitution for discriminating against places of worship, though an appeals court ruled to uphold the ban on Friday in a court case brought against the state by the South Bay United Pentecostal Church.
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On Sunday, several Republican groups sued the state over Newsom's executive order to allow Californians to vote by mail in November general election.


upi--2020-05-26--Bayern Munich beats Borussia Dortmund to boost lead in Bundesliga

May 26 ( UPI ) -- Bayern Munich moved closer to their eighth consecutive Bundesliga title by beating rival Borussia Dortmund 1-0 on Tuesday inside an empty Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund , Germany .
Joshua Kimmich opened the scoring for Bayern moments before halftime .
He chipped the ball just over the extended arms of Dortmund keeper Roman Burki , who was only able to graze the ball and tipped it into the net .
Kimmich 's goal in the 43rd minute was enough to push his club past Dortmund , giving Bayern a seven-point advantage over Dortmund in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It is not that I wanted to do this , '' Kimmich said after the match .
`` I did not see him off his line but we were told before the game that Burki stands a bit off his line , so I went for it and with a bit of luck it went in .
It was maybe the most beautiful goal of my life and also very important . ''
Bayern has now posted shutout victories over Dortmund in each of their past three Bundesliga encounters .
Dortmund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streak entering Tuesday 's contest , could slip into third if RB Leipzig beats Hertha Berlin on Wednesday .
The Bundesliga became one of the first major sports leagues to resume its season about two weeks ago after play was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The league is holding games without fans in attendance to reduce exposure to the virus .

Bayern Munich defender Joshua Kimmich scored the lone goal in his club's 1-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. File Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License Photo
May 26 (UPI) -- Bayern Munich moved closer to their eighth consecutive Bundesliga title by beating rival Borussia Dortmund 1-0 on Tuesday inside an empty Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany. Joshua Kimmich opened the scoring for Bayern moments before halftime. He chipped the ball just over the extended arms of Dortmund keeper Roman Burki, who was only able to graze the ball and tipped it into the net. Advertisement
Kimmich's goal in the 43rd minute was enough to push his club past Dortmund, giving Bayern a seven-point advantage over Dortmund in the German league with six matches remaining.
"It is not that I wanted to do this," Kimmich said after the match. "I did not see him off his line but we were told before the game that Burki stands a bit off his line, so I went for it and with a bit of luck it went in. It was maybe the most beautiful goal of my life and also very important."
Bayern has now posted shutout victories over Dortmund in each of their past three Bundesliga encounters.
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Dortmund, who was riding a six-game winning streak entering Tuesday's contest, could slip into third if RB Leipzig beats Hertha Berlin on Wednesday.
The Bundesliga became one of the first major sports leagues to resume its season about two weeks ago after play was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic. The league is holding games without fans in attendance to reduce exposure to the virus.


upi--2020-05-26--Amtrak requests additional $1.5B in federal funding for coronavirus relief

May 26 ( UPI ) -- Passenger railroad service Amtrak on Tuesday asked Congress for an additional $ 1.5 billion in federal funds to help it maintain operations amid the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Amtrak CEO and President Bill Flynn said that if the company does not receive an additional $ 1.475 billion in supplemental funding for the fiscal year 2021 , the company will be forced to make service cuts and suspend some routes .
`` As the severity and duration of this pandemic and its economic fallout became clearer , we are seeking supplemental funding for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flynn .
The company said it is taking `` significant steps '' to reduce its operating costs by about $ 500 million to offset the impact of revenue losses due to the coronavirus .
It plans to temporarily reduce train capacity to match demand , restructure its workforce and control discretionary expenses .
Amtrak received $ 1 billion in emergency funding as part of the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Emergency Services Act in April .
The company said it was on pace to break even financially for the first time in its history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year 2020 but has seen `` a dramatic decline '' in demand since the onset of the pandemic and only expects ridership to return to about 50 percent in the next fiscal year .
`` The $ 1.475 billion is in addition to Amtrak 's $ 2.040 billion annual grant request submitted to Congress earlier this year , and without this support , Amtrak will be unable to minimize the impacts to service and its workforce as described in the letter , '' Amtrak said .

May 26 (UPI) -- Passenger railroad service Amtrak on Tuesday asked Congress for an additional $1.5 billion in federal funds to help it maintain operations amid the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amtrak CEO and President Bill Flynn said that if the company does not receive an additional $1.475 billion in supplemental funding for the fiscal year 2021, the company will be forced to make service cuts and suspend some routes.
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"As the severity and duration of this pandemic and its economic fallout became clearer, we are seeking supplemental funding for the next fiscal year," said Flynn.
The company said it is taking "significant steps" to reduce its operating costs by about $500 million to offset the impact of revenue losses due to the coronavirus.
It plans to temporarily reduce train capacity to match demand, restructure its workforce and control discretionary expenses.
Amtrak received $1 billion in emergency funding as part of the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Emergency Services Act in April.
The company said it was on pace to break even financially for the first time in its history as of the first quarter of fiscal year 2020 but has seen "a dramatic decline" in demand since the onset of the pandemic and only expects ridership to return to about 50 percent in the next fiscal year.
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"The $1.475 billion is in addition to Amtrak's $2.040 billion annual grant request submitted to Congress earlier this year, and without this support, Amtrak will be unable to minimize the impacts to service and its workforce as described in the letter," Amtrak said.


upi--2020-05-26--NBA great Patrick Ewing recovering at home after coronavirus diagnosis

May 26 ( UPI ) -- NBA legend and Georgetown Hoyas men 's basketball coach Patrick Ewing is recovering at home after being hospitalized because of the coronavirus .
Patrick Ewing Jr. posted on social media that his father is `` now home and getting better . ''
He noted that his father 's COVID-19 symptoms will continue to be monitored .
`` I want to thank all of the doctors and hospital staff for taking care of my father during his stay , as well as everyone who has reached out with thoughts and prayers to us since his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` My father is now home and getting better .
We 'll continue to watch his symptoms and follow the CDC guidelines .
`` I hope everyone continues to stay safe and protect yourselves and your loved ones . ''
In a statement released Friday through Georgetown University , which is located in Washington , D.C. , the elder Ewing announced that he tested positive for the coronavirus and was being treated at a local hospital .
The school said Ewing is the only member of the Georgetown men 's basketball program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
During his playing career at Georgetown , Ewing guided the Hoyas to their lone national championship in 1984 .
He was the Naismith Player of the Year in 1985 and earned first-team All-American honors in three straight seasons from 1983-85 .
Ewing , 57 , was an 11-time All-Star selection with the New York Knicks after being selected by the franchise with the No .
1 overall pick in the 1985 draft .
He averaged 21 points , 9.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game across his NBA career with the then-Seattle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After his standout playing career and 15 years as an assistant coach for four NBA teams , Ewing took over as Georgetown 's head coach in 2017 .
Ewing was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008 .

Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball coach Patrick Ewing announced Friday that he tested positive for the coronavirus. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 26 (UPI) -- NBA legend and Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball coach Patrick Ewing is recovering at home after being hospitalized because of the coronavirus. Patrick Ewing Jr. posted on social media that his father is "now home and getting better." He noted that his father's COVID-19 symptoms will continue to be monitored. Advertisement
"I want to thank all of the doctors and hospital staff for taking care of my father during his stay, as well as everyone who has reached out with thoughts and prayers to us since his diagnosis," Ewing Jr. tweeted Monday. "My father is now home and getting better. We'll continue to watch his symptoms and follow the CDC guidelines.
"I hope everyone continues to stay safe and protect yourselves and your loved ones."
In a statement released Friday through Georgetown University, which is located in Washington, D.C., the elder Ewing announced that he tested positive for the coronavirus and was being treated at a local hospital.
The school said Ewing is the only member of the Georgetown men's basketball program to have tested positive for the virus.
During his playing career at Georgetown, Ewing guided the Hoyas to their lone national championship in 1984. He was the Naismith Player of the Year in 1985 and earned first-team All-American honors in three straight seasons from 1983-85.
Ewing, 57, was an 11-time All-Star selection with the New York Knicks after being selected by the franchise with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1985 draft. He averaged 21 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game across his NBA career with the then-Seattle SuperSonics, Orlando Magic and Knicks.
After his standout playing career and 15 years as an assistant coach for four NBA teams, Ewing took over as Georgetown's head coach in 2017.
Ewing was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.


upi--2020-05-27--U.S. COVID-19 death toll surpasses 100,000 milestone

May 27 ( UPI ) -- The death toll from COVID-19 in the United States surpassed 100,000 people as of Wednesday afternoon .
The United States has the world 's highest death toll , with 100,271 connected to the virus and also has the greatest number of confirmed cases at 1,697,459 , according to figures by Johns Hopkins University .
Public health officials reported the first coronavirus death in the United States on Feb. 6 , a figure that rose to 1,000 before the end of March and 50,000 near the end of April .
New York , which leads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , reported 74 new coronavirus deaths Wednesday for a total of 23,643 .
The state 's daily death rate began to decline again after spiking slightly over the weekend .
The state has also reported 364,965 positive coronavirus cases .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo also said the number of hospitalizations and intubations in the state continued to decline Wednesday .
`` It 's rare that good things happen after an intubation .
And the number of new cases is down , which is very encouraging news .
These are the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the door , '' Cuomo said .
`` Again , only in this time of crisis would 74 deaths be anything less than truly tragic news .
But when you have gone through what we have gone through , it 's a sign that we 're headed in the right direction . ''
Nearby New Jersey has the second greatest number of deaths and cases in the country , reporting 148 new deaths for a death toll of 11,339 , and 970 new positive cases for a total of 156,628 .
Illinois has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while California became the fourth state to report more than 100,000 positive cases on Wednesday with an average of 2,283 new cases over the last seven days .
The state 's death toll exceeds 3,800 .
The Navajo Nation , which is home to about 175,000 people across parts of Arizona , New Mexico and Utah , has reported 4,842 positive cases of COVID-19 and 158 deaths related to the virus , surpassing New York for the highest per-capita infection rate earlier this month .
Data gathered by the state of Arizona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent of deaths in the state .
Demographic statistics among the first 69,000 deaths in the United States shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that about twice as many males died than females , while 80 percent of the known fatalities were among people at least 65 years old .
African Americans have also been disproportionately affected by the virus as 44 percent of coronavirus-related deaths in the state were among African Americans despite making up fewer than 27 percent of the state 's population .
Similarly , African @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths in Michigan while making up just 14 percent of the population .
The death toll comes as all 50 states have taken steps to begin reopening businesses and other activities following orders by individual states to shutter non-essential services in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus .

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Nurses, elected officials and community members came together to commemorate the final day of nurses week with a vigil in Yonkers, N.Y., on May 12. On Wednesday, the United States surpassed 100,000 deaths from the novel coronavirus. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 27 (UPI) -- The death toll from COVID-19 in the United States surpassed 100,000 people as of Wednesday afternoon. The United States has the world's highest death toll, with 100,271 connected to the virus and also has the greatest number of confirmed cases at 1,697,459, according to figures by Johns Hopkins University. Advertisement
Public health officials reported the first coronavirus death in the United States on Feb. 6, a figure that rose to 1,000 before the end of March and 50,000 near the end of April.
New York, which leads the nation in both deaths and cases, reported 74 new coronavirus deaths Wednesday for a total of 23,643. The state's daily death rate began to decline again after spiking slightly over the weekend. The state has also reported 364,965 positive coronavirus cases.
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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo also said the number of hospitalizations and intubations in the state continued to decline Wednesday.
"It's rare that good things happen after an intubation. And the number of new cases is down, which is very encouraging news. These are the number of new cases that are walking through the door," Cuomo said. "Again, only in this time of crisis would 74 deaths be anything less than truly tragic news. But when you have gone through what we have gone through, it's a sign that we're headed in the right direction."
Nearby New Jersey has the second greatest number of deaths and cases in the country, reporting 148 new deaths for a death toll of 11,339, and 970 new positive cases for a total of 156,628.
Illinois has reported 5,083 coronavirus-related deaths and 114,306 cases, while California became the fourth state to report more than 100,000 positive cases on Wednesday with an average of 2,283 new cases over the last seven days. The state's death toll exceeds 3,800.
The Navajo Nation, which is home to about 175,000 people across parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, has reported 4,842 positive cases of COVID-19 and 158 deaths related to the virus, surpassing New York for the highest per-capita infection rate earlier this month.
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Data gathered by the state of Arizona showed that Native Americans accounted for 17 percent of deaths in the state.
Demographic statistics among the first 69,000 deaths in the United States shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that about twice as many males died than females, while 80 percent of the known fatalities were among people at least 65 years old.
African Americans have also been disproportionately affected by the virus as 44 percent of coronavirus-related deaths in the state were among African Americans despite making up fewer than 27 percent of the state's population. Similarly, African Americans accounted for 40 percent of COVID-19 deaths in Michigan while making up just 14 percent of the population.
The death toll comes as all 50 states have taken steps to begin reopening businesses and other activities following orders by individual states to shutter non-essential services in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
COVID-19 pandemic alters life in New York City


upi--2020-05-27--New Orleans Saints signing ex-Baltimore Ravens OL James Hurst

May 27 ( UPI ) -- The New Orleans Saints reached an agreement with former Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman James Hurst on Wednesday .
Hurst agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Saints , according to his agent .
Financial details of the pact were n't disclosed .
The Ravens signed Hurst , who played at North Carolina , after he went undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft .
He spent six seasons in Baltimore and appeared in 90 games ( 44 starts ) at multiple spots on the offensive line before the franchise parted ways with him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following news of his four-game suspension for violating the league 's policy on performance-enhancing substances .
The Ravens used this year 's draft to address their needs on the offensive line and re-signed veteran tackle Andre Smith .
Once Hurst completes his four-game ban , the versatile lineman is expected to serve in a rotational role for a Saints team that recently released Pro Bowl guard Larry Warford .
The team released Warford after selecting Michigan interior offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz in the 2020 draft .
Hurst could also provide depth at tackle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has n't played a full season in his NFL career , has missed 13 regular-season games over the past three seasons .

May 27 (UPI) -- The New Orleans Saints reached an agreement with former Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman James Hurst on Wednesday.
Hurst agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Saints, according to his agent. Financial details of the pact weren't disclosed.
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The Ravens signed Hurst, who played at North Carolina, after he went undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft. He spent six seasons in Baltimore and appeared in 90 games (44 starts) at multiple spots on the offensive line before the franchise parted ways with him in March.
The organization released Hurst following news of his four-game suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. The Ravens used this year's draft to address their needs on the offensive line and re-signed veteran tackle Andre Smith.
We have released G James Hurst. pic.twitter.com/B2ovfET7Iq— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 16, 2020
Once Hurst completes his four-game ban, the versatile lineman is expected to serve in a rotational role for a Saints team that recently released Pro Bowl guard Larry Warford. The team released Warford after selecting Michigan interior offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz in the 2020 draft.
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Hurst could also provide depth at tackle for the Saints. Terron Armstead, who hasn't played a full season in his NFL career, has missed 13 regular-season games over the past three seasons.


upi--2020-05-27--Green Bay star RB Aaron Jones wants to be 'Packer for life'

May 27 ( UPI ) -- Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones wants to finish his career with the organization but does n't know if that will be possible .
The fourth-year tailback , who tied for the NFL lead with 19 touchdowns last season , is entering the final year of his rookie contract .
Despite his production , the Packers selected a running back -- A.J .
Dillon out of Boston College -- in the second round of this year 's NFL Draft .
`` Whether it 's my first year or my last year on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just as motivated , '' Jones told reporters Wednesday .
`` It does n't change just because a contract is on the line for me .
I 'm going to continue to work and do everything in my power .
I trust my agency and the Packers .
With that , I would love to be a lifelong Packer .
That 's my take on that . ''
The Packers selected Jones in the fifth round of the 2017 draft out of UTEP .
He had his breakout season in 2019 , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tied Carolina Panthers star running back Christian McCaffrey for the NFL 's touchdown lead .
Earlier this off-season , McCaffrey reset the running back market with his four-year , $ 64 million contract extension .
The deal , with an average annual value of $ 16 million , made him the league 's highest-paid tailback .
The Packers have n't given a second contract to a running back they drafted since James Starks .
Green Bay picked him in the sixth round of the 2010 draft .
More recently , the franchise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave in free agency after the conclusion of the 2016 campaign .
`` I 'm really not looking at the market .
I 'm just focused on myself , '' Jones said .
`` I feel like I can play at a really high level and elite level for a very long time , so I 'm just going to do what I can , and hopefully that leads to me being a Packer for life .
That 's my goal . ''
Jones is scheduled to earn about $ 2.13 million this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is one of five Packers starters set to become free agents next off-season .
The others are defensive tackle Kenny Clark , left tackle David Bakhtiari , center Corey Linsley and cornerback Kevin King .

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) tied for the NFL lead with 19 touchdowns last season. File Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
May 27 (UPI) -- Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones wants to finish his career with the organization but doesn't know if that will be possible. The fourth-year tailback, who tied for the NFL lead with 19 touchdowns last season, is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Despite his production, the Packers selected a running back -- A.J. Dillon out of Boston College -- in the second round of this year's NFL Draft. Advertisement
"Whether it's my first year or my last year on a deal, I'm going to be just as motivated," Jones told reporters Wednesday. "It doesn't change just because a contract is on the line for me. I'm going to continue to work and do everything in my power. I trust my agency and the Packers. With that, I would love to be a lifelong Packer. That's my take on that."
The Packers selected Jones in the fifth round of the 2017 draft out of UTEP. He had his breakout season in 2019, when he racked up 1,558 yards from scrimmage and tied Carolina Panthers star running back Christian McCaffrey for the NFL's touchdown lead.
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Earlier this off-season, McCaffrey reset the running back market with his four-year, $64 million contract extension. The deal, with an average annual value of $16 million, made him the league's highest-paid tailback.
The Packers haven't given a second contract to a running back they drafted since James Starks. Green Bay picked him in the sixth round of the 2010 draft.
More recently, the franchise allowed former 1,000-yard rusher Eddie Lacy to leave in free agency after the conclusion of the 2016 campaign.
"I'm really not looking at the market. I'm just focused on myself," Jones said. "I feel like I can play at a really high level and elite level for a very long time, so I'm just going to do what I can, and hopefully that leads to me being a Packer for life. That's my goal."
Jones is scheduled to earn about $2.13 million this season, according to Spotrac. He is one of five Packers starters set to become free agents next off-season. The others are defensive tackle Kenny Clark, left tackle David Bakhtiari, center Corey Linsley and cornerback Kevin King.


upi--2020-05-27--Ex-Georgetown guard Mac McClung transferring to Texas Tech

May 27 ( UPI ) -- Former Georgetown guard Mac McClung , one of the top players available in the transfer pool , announced Wednesday that he is committing to Texas Tech .
McClung selected the Red Raiders over Wake Forest , Auburn , BYU , Memphis , USC and Arkansas , among others .
Wake Forest was considered McClung 's most likely landing spot when the high-flying guard left Georgetown , due to his close friendship with Demon Deacons head coach Steve Forbes , who gave McClung his first scholarship offer in high school when Forbes was at East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year 's NBA Draft in March .
On May 13 , he announced his intention to transfer from the Hoyas and withdrew his name from the draft .
`` It was a number of events that made me feel I had no choice but to transfer from Georgetown , '' McClung told ESPN earlier this month .
`` I really wanted to stay , but things throughout my career made me realize that I could n't .
I 'm looking for a place I can call home .
A place I can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them succeed . ''
McClung , a 6-foot-2 guard from Virginia , averaged 15.7 points , 3.1 rebounds , 2.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game in 21 contests for the Hoyas during his sophomore season in 2019-20 .
He averaged 14.2 points , 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in his two years at the school .
Known for his explosiveness and leaping ability , McClung rose to fame in high school with his viral dunks .
The Gate City High School ( Va. ) product previously committed to Rutgers before he opted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
McClung is expected to request a waiver to play immediately next season , according to ESPN .
If he is eligible to play right away , he could compete for a starting spot in Texas Tech 's backcourt after the departure of Davide Moretti , who decided last weekend to hire an agent and pursue professional basketball in Europe .

May 27 (UPI) -- Former Georgetown guard Mac McClung, one of the top players available in the transfer pool, announced Wednesday that he is committing to Texas Tech.
McClung selected the Red Raiders over Wake Forest, Auburn, BYU, Memphis, USC and Arkansas, among others.
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Wake Forest was considered McClung's most likely landing spot when the high-flying guard left Georgetown, due to his close friendship with Demon Deacons head coach Steve Forbes, who gave McClung his first scholarship offer in high school when Forbes was at East Tennessee State.
McClung declared for this year's NBA Draft in March. On May 13, he announced his intention to transfer from the Hoyas and withdrew his name from the draft.
"It was a number of events that made me feel I had no choice but to transfer from Georgetown," McClung told ESPN earlier this month. "I really wanted to stay, but things throughout my career made me realize that I couldn't. I'm looking for a place I can call home. A place I can be a part of a family and help them succeed."
Advertisement Wreck em  pic.twitter.com/Uv1FohxsB8— mac mcclung (@McclungMac) May 27, 2020
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McClung, a 6-foot-2 guard from Virginia, averaged 15.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game in 21 contests for the Hoyas during his sophomore season in 2019-20. He averaged 14.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in his two years at the school.
Known for his explosiveness and leaping ability, McClung rose to fame in high school with his viral dunks. The Gate City High School (Va.) product previously committed to Rutgers before he opted to join Georgetown before the 2018 season.
McClung is expected to request a waiver to play immediately next season, according to ESPN. If he is eligible to play right away, he could compete for a starting spot in Texas Tech's backcourt after the departure of Davide Moretti, who decided last weekend to hire an agent and pursue professional basketball in Europe.