upi--2020-05-11--On This Day, May 11: Congress creates Glacier National Park

May 11 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1858 , Minnesota joined the United States as the 32nd state .
In 1862 , the Confederate navy destroyed its iron-clad vessel Merrimac to prevent it from falling into the hands of advancing Union forces .
In 1910 , Glacier National Park in Montana was created by an act of Congress .
In 1924 , Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler merged their companies , forming Mercedes-Benz .
In 1928 , the first regularly scheduled television programs were begun by station WGY in Schenectady , N.Y .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , against non-violent Civil Rights campaigners triggered a crisis which led to the involvement of federal troops .
In 1987 , Emmanuel Vitria died in Marseilles in southern France at age 67 , 18 years after receiving a transplanted human heart .
He was the longest-surviving heart transplant patient at that time .
In 1996 , a ValuJet airliner crashed in the Florida Everglades , killing 110 people .
In 1997 , world chess champion Garry Kasparov was defeated by a computer , IBM 's Deep Blue , in a six-game match in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David McKiernan , the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan , was fired and replaced by Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal .
McChrystal resigned a year later following a damning article in Rolling Stone .
In 2018 , an Australian man carried out a murder-suicide , killing himself , his wife , their daughter , and their four grandchildren .

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On May 11, 1910, Glacier National Park in Montana was created by an act of Congress. File Photo by skeeze/Pixabay
May 11 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1858, Minnesota joined the United States as the 32nd state. Advertisement
In 1862, the Confederate navy destroyed its iron-clad vessel Merrimac to prevent it from falling into the hands of advancing Union forces.
In 1910, Glacier National Park in Montana was created by an act of Congress.
In 1924, Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler merged their companies, forming Mercedes-Benz.
File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
In 1928, the first regularly scheduled television programs were begun by station WGY in Schenectady, N.Y.
In 1963, bombings in Birmingham, Ala., against non-violent Civil Rights campaigners triggered a crisis which led to the involvement of federal troops.
In 1987, Emmanuel Vitria died in Marseilles in southern France at age 67, 18 years after receiving a transplanted human heart. He was the longest-surviving heart transplant patient at that time.
In 1996, a ValuJet airliner crashed in the Florida Everglades, killing 110 people.
In 1997, world chess champion Garry Kasparov was defeated by a computer, IBM's Deep Blue, in a six-game match in New York.
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File Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI
In 2009, Gen. David McKiernan, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, was fired and replaced by Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal. McChrystal resigned a year later following a damning article in Rolling Stone.
In 2018, an Australian man carried out a murder-suicide, killing himself, his wife, their daughter, and their four grandchildren.


upi--2020-05-11--Famous birthdays for May 11: Blac Chyna, Jonathan Jackson

May 11 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus .
-- Ottmar @ @ @ @ @ Linotype typesetting machine , in 1854

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Blac Chyna arrives for the 92nd annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles on February 9. She turns 32 on May 11. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
May 11 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus. They include: Advertisement
-- Ottmar Mergenthaler, inventor of the Linotype typesetting machine, in 1854
-- Songwriter Irving Berlin in 1888
-- Actor Margaret Rutherford in 1892
-- Dancer/choreographer Martha Graham in 1894
-- Spanish surrealist painter Salvador Dali in 1904
-- Aviation pioneer Jacqueline Cochran in 1906
-- Actor Winstead Sheffield "Doodles" Weaver in 1911
-- Nobel laureate physicist Richard Feynman in 1918
-- Actor Bernard Fox in 1927
-- Satirist Mort Sahl in 1927 (age 93)
-- Louis Farrakhan, Nation of Islam leader, in 1933 (age 87)
-- Actor Doug McClure in 1935
-- Singer/songwriter Eric Burdon in 1941 (age 79)
-- Artificial heart developer Dr. Robert Jarvik in 1946 (age 74)
-- Writer Mike Lupica in 1952 (age 68)
-- Actor Natasha Richardson in 1963
File Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI
-- Actor Tim Blake Nelson in 1964 (age 56)
-- Actor Jeffrey Donovan in 1968 (age 52)
-- Actor Cory Monteith in 1982
-- Actor Jonathan Jackson in 1982 (age 38)
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File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Model Blac Chyna, born Angela Renee White, in 1988 (age 32)
-- NFL quarterback Cam Newton in 1989 (age 31)
-- Actor Lana Condor in 1997 (age 23)
-- Actor Sabrina Carpenter in 1999 (age 21)


upi--2020-05-11--Giant Asian gypsy moth threatens trees in Washington, governor says

DENVER , May 11 ( UPI ) -- After a warning about the bee-killing Asian giant hornet , Washington state is bracing for invasion of another supersized invasive insect .
This one , the Hokkaido gypsy moth , can destroy trees .
Gov .
Jay Inslee issued an emergency proclamation last week , warning that the moths have been discovered in parts of Snohomish County , which is northeast of Seattle .
`` This imminent danger of infestation seriously endangers the agricultural and horticultural industries of the state of Washington and seriously threatens the economic well-being and quality of life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
Hokkaido gypsy moths never have been observed before in the United States .
They are exotic pests that can do `` widespread damage '' when hundreds of voracious caterpillars hatch , Karla Salp , a spokeswoman for the Washington Department of Agriculture , told UPI .
`` We see European gypsy moths every year , but these Asian moths are more dangerous because they can fly up to 20 miles and their caterpillars can eat a broader range of host plants , '' Salp said .
If the pest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would threaten forest ecosystems and could lead to quarantine restrictions on commercial lumber and horticulture , state experts fear .
The governor 's proclamation allows state pest-control agencies to a spray special pesticide from airplanes on the insects .
Washington state pest agents will be treating moths with a soil bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis var .
kurstaki or Btk .
The bacteria is harmless to humans , pets , birds , fish and bees , the agency said .
Female moths , up to 3 1/2 inches long , can lay up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hairy caterpillars with maroon and gray dots .
The caterpillars sometimes are mistaken for webworms or tent caterpillars , both native to Washington , Salp said .
In 2017 , European gypsy moth caterpillars defoliated one-third of the entire state of Massachusetts .
In 2018 , the state lost about one-quarter of their hardwood trees , including three-quarters of their oak trees , due to gypsy moth infestations , the Massachusetts agriculture department said .

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Voracious Asian giant gypsy moths, whose caterpillars can defoliate entire trees, have been discovered in Washington state, the governor announced. Photo courtesy of Washington State Department of Agriculture
DENVER, May 11 (UPI) -- After a warning about the bee-killing Asian giant hornet, Washington state is bracing for invasion of another supersize invasive insect. This one, the Hokkaido gypsy moth, can destroy trees. Gov. Jay Inslee issued an emergency proclamation last week, warning that the moths have been discovered in parts of Snohomish County, which is northeast of Seattle. Advertisement
"This imminent danger of infestation seriously endangers the agricultural and horticultural industries of the state of Washington and seriously threatens the economic well-being and quality of life of state residents," Inslee said in a statement.
Hokkaido gypsy moths never have been observed before in the United States. They are exotic pests that can do "widespread damage" when hundreds of voracious caterpillars hatch, Karla Salp, a spokeswoman for the Washington Department of Agriculture, told UPI.
"We see European gypsy moths every year, but these Asian moths are more dangerous because they can fly up to 20 miles and their caterpillars can eat a broader range of host plants," Salp said.
If the pest becomes established in the state, it would threaten forest ecosystems and could lead to quarantine restrictions on commercial lumber and horticulture, state experts fear.
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The governor's proclamation allows state pest-control agencies to a spray special pesticide from airplanes on the insects.
Washington state pest agents will be treating moths with a soil bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki or Btk. The bacteria is harmless to humans, pets, birds, fish and bees, the agency said.
Female moths, up to 3 1/2 inches long, can lay up to 500 eggs that hatch into brightly colored, hairy caterpillars with maroon and gray dots.
The caterpillars sometimes are mistaken for webworms or tent caterpillars, both native to Washington, Salp said.
In 2017, European gypsy moth caterpillars defoliated one-third of the state of Massachusetts.
In 2018, the state lost about one-quarter of its hardwood trees, including three-quarters of its oak trees, due to gypsy moth infestations, the Massachusetts agriculture department said.


upi--2020-05-11--Potato farmers reduce planting as demand plummets during pandemic

EVANSVILLE , Ind.
, May 11 ( UPI ) -- Potato farmers plan to plant fewer spuds this year after demand for America 's most popular vegetable has plummeted during the coronavirus pandemic .
Early estimates show potato acres down about 10 percent , said Blair Richardson , CEO of Denver-based Potatoes USA , a potato marketing organization .
But even with that reduction , industry leaders fear farmers will be unable to sell all their harvest come fall .
The problem developed because the closures of restaurants , schools and other food service operations created an unprecedented drop in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sixty percent of our business is food service , '' said Kam Quarles , CEO of the National Potato Council , a Washington D.C.-based trade group .
`` When that market slammed shut , basically overnight , the supply chain for the potato industry started to back up .
And now we 're dealing with a huge oversupply . ''
More than $ 1 billion worth of potatoes is `` backed up '' in the processing system , Quarles said .
Those are potatoes processors would have sold this spring , but could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week announced it would buy some $ 50 million in potatoes .
While it 's a positive move , Quarles said , it wo n't be nearly enough to clear out the backlog .
The industry has asked for larger government purchases -- and soon .
`` We really need the government to come in and be the customer , '' Quarles said .
`` We need to get the 2019 crop out of the supply chain .
Otherwise , growers are going to be impacted by this for years . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ or -- if they 've not yet planted -- making last-minute switches to different crops .
`` Processors operate year-round , '' said Mike Pink , a potato grower in Washington state .
`` They try to time it so they 're just finishing up [ processing the previous year 's ] crop right as the new crop starts to come in .
Right now , we have this huge carryover crop that 's getting extended into the 2020 crop .
It 's overlapping by months . ''
Processors that contract directly with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pink said .
In his case , his entire 2020 crop was rescinded .
`` I already had everything planted , '' Pink said .
Pink last week made the difficult decision to disk under 240 acres of potatoes .
The decision guarantees he will lose the money he has already put in -- some $ 2,000 per acre .
But , growing that crop will require more investment , roughly another $ 2,000 per acre .
And with no buyer lined up this fall , it 's possible he will be unable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very , very tough decision to make , '' Pink said .
`` But , I just decided my first loss will be my smallest loss .
I hope it was the right decision . ''
The sudden drop in demand for his potatoes has Pink -- like many growers -- fearing that this year may be his last .
`` I think there will be some of us that do n't survive , as farmers , '' Pink said .
`` I hope I 'll be OK , but we do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this .
I 've been doing this since 1987 .
This is my life . ''

Farmers are cutting potato acres after demand for spuds plummeted during the coronavirus pandemic. Photo courtesy of Cal-Organic/Grimmway Farms
EVANSVILLE, Ind., May 11 (UPI) -- Potato farmers plan to plant fewer spuds this year after demand for America's most popular vegetable has plummeted during the coronavirus pandemic. Early estimates show potato acres down about 10 percent, said Blair Richardson, CEO of Denver-based Potatoes USA, a potato marketing organization. But even with that reduction, industry leaders fear farmers will be unable to sell all their harvest come fall. Advertisement
The problem developed because the closures of restaurants, schools and other food service operations created an unprecedented drop in potato consumption across the country.
"Sixty percent of our business is food service," said Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council, a Washington D.C.-based trade group. "When that market slammed shut, basically overnight, the supply chain for the potato industry started to back up. And now we're dealing with a huge oversupply."
More than $1 billion worth of potatoes is "backed up" in the processing system, Quarles said. Those are potatoes processors would have sold this spring, but couldn't.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture this week announced it would buy some $50 million in potatoes. While it's a positive move, Quarles said, it won't be nearly enough to clear out the backlog.
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The industry has asked for larger government purchases -- and soon.
"We really need the government to come in and be the customer," Quarles said. "We need to get the 2019 crop out of the supply chain. Otherwise, growers are going to be impacted by this for years."
Farmers already are disking up planted fields or -- if they've not yet planted -- making last-minute switches to different crops.
"Processors operate year-round," said Mike Pink, a potato grower in Washington state. "They try to time it so they're just finishing up [processing the previous year's] crop right as the new crop starts to come in. Right now, we have this huge carryover crop that's getting extended into the 2020 crop. It's overlapping by months."
Processors that contract directly with farmers have started canceling their orders, Pink said. In his case, his entire 2020 crop was rescinded.
"I already had everything planted," Pink said.
Pink last week made the difficult decision to disk under 240 acres of potatoes.
The decision guarantees he will lose the money he has already put in -- some $2,000 per acre. But, growing that crop will require more investment, roughly another $2,000 per acre. And with no buyer lined up this fall, it's possible he will be unable to sell them.
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"That was a very, very tough decision to make," Pink said. "But, I just decided my first loss will be my smallest loss. I hope it was the right decision."
The sudden drop in demand for his potatoes has Pink -- like many growers -- fearing that this year may be his last.
"I think there will be some of us that don't survive, as farmers," Pink said. "I hope I'll be OK, but we don't know. I hope I survive this. I've been doing this since 1987. This is my life."


upi--2020-05-11--Sen. Lamar Alexander self-quarantines after possible COVID-19 exposure

May 11 ( UPI ) -- Sen. Lamar Alexander , R-Texas , will self-quarantine after a member of his staff tested positive for the coronavirus .
Alexander 's chief of staff David Cleary made the announcement Sunday in a statement , saying the senator was doing well and had tested negative for the infectious and deadly virus on Thursday .
`` Sen. Alexander has no symptoms and tested negative for COVID-19 on Thursday afternoon , May 7 , '' Clearly said .
`` After discussing this with the Senate 's attending physician , Sen. Alexander , out of an abundance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to Washington , D.C. , and will self-quarantine in Tennessee for 14 days . ''
The Republican senator will work remotely , Cleary said , adding , most of his Washington , D.C. , staff have been working from home and will not be required to self-quarantine .
The aide had tested positive for the virus Sunday , he said .
Alexander is the latest politician to self-quarantine after having come into contact or close proximity to a possible infected person .
Five Republicans , including President Donald Trump 's Chief of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having come into contact with a guest who tested positive for the virus in late February during the Conservative Political Action Conference .
In March , Sen. Rand Paul , R-Ky. , announced he had tested positive for the coronavirus becoming the first U.S. politician to do so .
Utah Republican Sens .
Mitt Romney and Mike Lee entered self-quarantine after Paul 's announcement as they had come into contact with Kentucky senator .
Over the weekend , three other members of the White House 's coronavirus task force self-quarantined due to possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the virus .

Chairman Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., wears a plaid face mask before a Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on new coronavirus tests on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. Pool Photo by Andrew Harnik/UPI | License Photo
May 11 (UPI) -- Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Texas, will self-quarantine after a member of his staff tested positive for the coronavirus. Alexander's chief of staff David Cleary made the announcement Sunday in a statement, saying the senator was doing well and had tested negative for the infectious and deadly virus on Thursday. Advertisement
"Sen. Alexander has no symptoms and tested negative for COVID-19 on Thursday afternoon, May 7," Clearly said. "After discussing this with the Senate's attending physician, Sen. Alexander, out of an abundance of caution, has decided not to return to Washington, D.C., and will self-quarantine in Tennessee for 14 days."
The Republican senator will work remotely, Cleary said, adding, most of his Washington, D.C., staff have been working from home and will not be required to self-quarantine.
The aide had tested positive for the virus Sunday, he said.
Alexander is the latest politician to self-quarantine after having come into contact or close proximity to a possible infected person.
Five Republicans, including President Donald Trump's Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, quarantined themselves after having come into contact with a guest who tested positive for the virus in late February during the Conservative Political Action Conference.
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In March, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., announced he had tested positive for the coronavirus becoming the first U.S. politician to do so.
Senator Rand Paul has tested positive for COVID-19. He is feeling fine and is in quarantine. He is asymptomatic and was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events. He was not aware of any direct contact with any infected person.— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) March 22, 2020
Utah Republican Sens. Mitt Romney and Mike Lee entered self-quarantine after Paul's announcement as they had come into contact with Kentucky senator.
Over the weekend, three other members of the White House's coronavirus task force self-quarantined due to possible exposure to an aide who tested positive for the virus.


upi--2020-05-10--Georgia attorney general requests DOJ to investigate handling of Arbery case

May 10 ( UPI ) -- Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr formally requested the Department of Justice on Sunday to investigate the homicide case of Ahmaud Arbery following widespread anger erupting over its handling .
Arbery , 25 , was fatally shot Feb. 23 while jogging in a Brunswick neighborhood .
Late last week , the Georgia Bureau of investigation arrested Gregory McMichael , 64 , and his son , Travis McMichael , 34 , and charged them with murder and aggravated assault .
The arrests followed a graphic video of the shooting made public on Tuesday showing the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cellphone video has prompted calls from civil rights groups , activists and members of the public for answers as to why it took more than two months for the men to be apprehended .
Carr said he has requested U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia Bobby Christine to conduct the investigation .
`` We are committed to a complete and transparent review of how the Ahmaud Arbery case was handled from the outset , '' Carr said in a statement .
`` The family , the community and the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will work with others in law enforcement at the state and federal level to find those answers . ''
Lawyers representing Arbery 's family said they were `` pleased '' Carr had requested the investigation .
`` There are far too many questions about how this case was handled and why it took 74 days for two of the killers to be arrested and charged in Mr. Arbery 's death , '' S. Lee Merritt , Benjamin Crump and L. Chris Stewart , lawyers for Arbery 's parents , said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the DOJ will conduct a comprehensive investigation to determine how and why this case was so poorly handled . ''
The investigation , Carr said , will include probing the communications and discussions by and between two South Georgia district attorneys who have become embroiled in the case .
Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney Jackie Johnson recused herself from the case due to the elder McMichael having worked under her at the office until he retired last May .
She has also denied allegations from two county commissioners who say she informed police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney George Barnhill also recused himself following requests for him to do so from the Arbery family as his son works in the Brunswick District Attorney 's office .
Carr said in his statement that Barnhill 's son had worked as a prosecutor in a prior case against Arbery and that the elder McMichael had `` also served as an investigator on the same prosecution . ''
Barhill wrote in his letter that he had learned of his son 's connection `` about 3-4 weeks ago . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` did not provide any reason for the delay in contacting the Office of the Attorney General to request the appointment of a new prosecutor since the discovery of those facts . ''
Barnhill also wrote that following viewing the video , he believed the two men were acting in self-defense when Arbery was killed and suggested no charges be laid .
The elder McMichael had claimed that the shooting occurred as they suspected Arbery to have been the suspect behind a series of alleged break-ins in the area and attempted to apprehend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Circuit District Attorney requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation conduct an investigation into Arbery 's death and two days later the McMichaels were arrested .
On Friday , hundreds attended a rally outside the Glynn County Courthouse in Brunswick in support of Arbery and to call for justice .
Also on Sunday , police arrested 20-year-old Rashawn Smith and charged him with the dissemination of information relating to terrorist acts in connection to a Facebook post made the day after the rally that `` contained a threat to future protests related to Ahmad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .

Ahmaud Arbery was fatally shot on Feb. 23 while jogging. Photo courtesy of Arbery family/UPI | License Photo
May 10 (UPI) -- Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr requested the Department of Justice on Sunday investigate the homicide case of Ahmaud Arbery amid widespread anger over its handling. Arbery, 25, was fatally shot Feb. 23 while jogging in a Brunswick neighborhood. Late last week, the Georgia Bureau of investigation arrested Gregory McMichael, 64, and his son, Travis McMichael, 34, and charged them with murder and aggravated assault. Advertisement
The arrests followed a graphic video of the shooting made public on Tuesday showing the two armed men confronting Arbery.
Release of the cellphone video has prompted calls from civil rights groups, activists and members of the public for answers as to why it took more than two months for the men to be apprehended.
Carr said he has requested U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia Bobby Christine to conduct the investigation.
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"We are committed to a complete and transparent review of how the Ahmaud Arbery case was handled from the outset," Carr said in a statement. "The family, the community and the state of Georgia deserve answers, and we will work with others in law enforcement at the state and federal level to find those answers."
Lawyers representing Arbery's family said they were "pleased" Carr had requested the investigation.
"There are far too many questions about how this case was handled and why it took 74 days for two of the killers to be arrested and charged in Mr. Arbery's death," S. Lee Merritt, Benjamin Crump and L. Chris Stewart, lawyers for Arbery's parents, said in a statement. "It is our hope that the DOJ will conduct a comprehensive investigation to determine how and why this case was so poorly handled."
The investigation, Carr said, will include probing the communications and discussions by and between two South Georgia district attorneys who have become embroiled in the case.
Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney Jackie Johnson recused herself from the case due to the elder McMichael having worked under her at the office until he retired last May. She has also denied allegations from two county commissioners who say she informed police not to perform arrests in the case.
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Waycross Judicial Circuit DA George Barnhill also recused himself following requests for him to do so from the Arbery family as his son works in the Brunswick District Attorney's office.
Carr said in his statement that Barnhill's son had worked as a prosecutor in a prior case against Arbery and that the elder McMichael had "also served as an investigator on the same prosecution."
Barhill wrote in his letter that he had learned of his son's connection "about 3-4 weeks ago."
The recusal request, Carr said, "did not provide any reason for the delay in contacting the Office of the Attorney General to request the appointment of a new prosecutor since the discovery of those facts."
Barnhill also wrote that following viewing the video, he believed the two men were acting in self-defense when Arbery was killed and suggested no charges be laid. The elder McMichael had claimed that the shooting occurred as they suspected Arbery to have been the suspect behind a series of alleged break-ins in the area and attempted to apprehend him.
Last Tuesday, the Atlantic Circuit District Attorney requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation conduct an investigation into Arbery's death and two days later the McMichaels were arrested.
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On Friday, hundreds attended a rally outside the Glynn County Courthouse in Brunswick in support of Arbery and to call for justice.
Also on Sunday, police arrested 20-year-old Rashawn Smith and charged him with the dissemination of information relating to terrorist acts in connection to a Facebook post made the day after the rally that "contained a threat to future protests related to Ahmad Arbery," the GBI said in a statement.


upi--2020-05-10--UFC 249 results: Justin Gaethje defeats Tony Ferguson for interim lightweight title

May 10 ( UPI ) -- Justin Gaethje upset Tony Ferguson to claim the interim lightweight title in the main event of UFC 249 on Saturday night in Jacksonville , Fla. Gaethje , 31 , beat Ferguson via TKO at three minutes , 39 seconds of the fifth round inside an empty VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena .
Saturday 's card took place in front of no spectators due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Following the fight , Gaethje threw the interim belt off after UFC president Dana White put it around his waist .
In his interview in the Octagon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the real one . ''
`` I am proud to hold this belt , '' Gaethje said after the fight .
`` It feels good .
Not many people in the world , much less fighters in the UFC , get to achieve this .
So it feels fantastic , and I should enjoy it .
But that was the competitor in me .
You can never be satisfied .
When I get the belt , I want the next one . ''
Ferguson was scheduled to fight UFC lightweight champion Khabib @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he was prevented from leaving his native Dagestan due to coronavirus-related travel restrictions .
Gaethje filled in for Nurmagomedov before the fight card was postponed until May .
White indicated after Saturday 's fight card that a unification title bout between Gaethje and Nurmagomedov is `` the fight to make '' next .
`` I ca n't wait to face the challenge , '' Gaethje said .
`` We 're competitors .
That 's why we 're here .
He owes it to me to try and kill me , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 22-2 ) earned his fourth straight victory , all by way of KO/TKO .
Ferguson ( 25-4 ) , who had n't lost since 2012 , had his UFC lightweight record 12-fight win streak come to an end .
Gaethje and Ferguson each won $ 50,000 Fight of the Night bonuses , while Gaethje won an additional $ 50,000 bonus for Performance of the Night .
UFC 249 was one of the first major sporting events in the United States since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak .
Everyone involved with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the event .
It was UFC 's first card since March 14 .
Justin Gaethje def .
Tony Ferguson via TKO in fifth round Henry Cejudo def .
Dominick Cruz via TKO in second round Francis Ngannou def .
Jairzinho Rozenstruik via TKO in first round Calvin Kattar def .
Jeremy Stephens via TKO in second round Vicente Luque def .
Niko Price via TKO in third round

May 10 (UPI) -- Justin Gaethje upset Tony Ferguson to claim the interim lightweight title in the main event of UFC 249 on Saturday night in Jacksonville, Fla.
Gaethje, 31, beat Ferguson via TKO at three minutes, 39 seconds of the fifth round inside an empty VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Saturday's card took place in front of no spectators due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Following the fight, Gaethje threw the interim belt off after UFC president Dana White put it around his waist. In his interview in the Octagon, Gaethje said he'll "wait for the real one."
"I am proud to hold this belt," Gaethje said after the fight. "It feels good. Not many people in the world, much less fighters in the UFC, get to achieve this. So it feels fantastic, and I should enjoy it. But that was the competitor in me. You can never be satisfied. When I get the belt, I want the next one."
Ferguson was scheduled to fight UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov on April 18, but Nurmagomedov said he was prevented from leaving his native Dagestan due to coronavirus-related travel restrictions. Gaethje filled in for Nurmagomedov before the fight card was postponed until May.
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White indicated after Saturday's fight card that a unification title bout between Gaethje and Nurmagomedov is "the fight to make" next.
"I can't wait to face the challenge," Gaethje said. "We're competitors. That's why we're here. He owes it to me to try and kill me, and I owe him the same."
@Justin_Gaethje it was so impressive, congratulations. Very smart fight.— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) May 10, 2020
Gaethje (22-2) earned his fourth straight victory, all by way of KO/TKO. Ferguson (25-4), who hadn't lost since 2012, had his UFC lightweight record 12-fight win streak come to an end.
Gaethje and Ferguson each won $50,000 Fight of the Night bonuses, while Gaethje won an additional $50,000 bonus for Performance of the Night.
UFC 249 was one of the first major sporting events in the United States since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak. Everyone involved with the fight card was tested for the virus before the event. It was UFC's first card since March 14.
UFC 249 main card results:
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Justin Gaethje def. Tony Ferguson via TKO in fifth round
Henry Cejudo def. Dominick Cruz via TKO in second round
Francis Ngannou def. Jairzinho Rozenstruik via TKO in first round
Calvin Kattar def. Jeremy Stephens via TKO in second round
Greg Hardy def. Yorgan De Castro via unanimous decision (30-27)
UFC 249 prelims results:
Anthony Pettis def. Donald Cerrone via unanimous decision (29-28)
Aleksei Oleink def. Fabricio Werdum via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Carla Esparza def. Michelle Waterson via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 27-30)
Vicente Luque def. Niko Price via TKO in third round
Bryce Mitchell def. Charles Rosa via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-24)
Ryan Spann def. Sam Alvey via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)


upi--2020-05-10--Soccer star Alex Morgan gives birth to first child

May 10 ( UPI ) -- United States Women 's National Team soccer star Alex Morgan gave birth to her @ @ @ @ @ on social media that her daughter , Charlie Elena Carrasco , was born at 11:30 @ @ @ @ @ pounds and five ounces .
Morgan , 30 , has been married to MLS player @ @ @ @ @ since 2014 .
The couple previously announced Morgan 's pregnancy in October , and that @ @ @ @ @ April .
`` She made us wait longer than expected , but I should have @ @ @ @ @ her way and her way only , '' Morgan wrote Saturday on Instagram .
`` @ @ @ @ @ '' Morgan said at the Women 's World Cup last year that she was committed @ @ @ @ @ World Cup .

U.S. women's national team star Alex Morgan said at the Women's World Cup last summer that she was committed to playing through the 2023 World Cup. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 10 (UPI) -- United States Women's National Team soccer star Alex Morgan gave birth to her first child. Morgan announced on social media that her daughter, Charlie Elena Carrasco, was born at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, weighing eight pounds and five ounces. Advertisement
Morgan, 30, has been married to MLS player Servando Carrasco, 31, since 2014. The couple previously announced Morgan's pregnancy in October, and that the baby was due in April.
"She made us wait longer than expected, but I should have known she would do it her way and her way only," Morgan wrote Saturday on Instagram. "My super moon baby."
Morgan said at the Women's World Cup last year that she was committed to playing through the 2023 World Cup.


upi--2020-05-11--Miami Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa signing rookie deal as jersey sales skyrocket

May 11 ( UPI ) -- Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa agreed to terms on his rookie contract as his jersey sales climbed to the top spot in the league since the 2020 NFL Draft .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media on Monday that Tagovailoa reached an agreement on a four-year deal worth about $ 30.28 million .
According to NFL Media , the pact , which includes a fifth-year option , is fully guaranteed and has a signing bonus of $ 19.6 million .
Earlier Monday , an NFL spokesman said Tagovailoa has the NFL 's two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ merchandise shop since last month 's draft .
His top sellers were the Dolphins ' aqua-colored home jersey , followed by the team 's white away jersey .
Tagovailoa topped new Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady , who ranks third through sixth in jersey sales on the league 's official site since the draft .
Brady 's new teammate Rob Gronkowski ranks seventh .
No .
1 overall pick Joe Burrow is second on the rookie selling charts during that period , with his black Cincinnati Bengals jersey ranking eighth .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jersey is 15th .
Los Angeles Chargers rookie signal-caller Justin Herbert ranks No .
12 since the draft .
The Dolphins selected Tagovailoa with the No .
5 overall pick in this year 's draft .
He announced last week that he will wear No .
1 this season , becoming the first quarterback in franchise history to don that jersey number .

Former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was selected with the No. 5 overall pick in last month's NFL Draft. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
May 11 (UPI) -- Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa agreed to terms on his rookie contract as his jersey sales climbed to the top spot in the league since the 2020 NFL Draft. League sources told ESPN and NFL Media on Monday that Tagovailoa reached an agreement on a four-year deal worth about $30.28 million. According to NFL Media, the pact, which includes a fifth-year option, is fully guaranteed and has a signing bonus of $19.6 million. Advertisement
Earlier Monday, an NFL spokesman said Tagovailoa has the NFL's two highest-selling jerseys on the league's official merchandise shop since last month's draft. His top sellers were the Dolphins' aqua-colored home jersey, followed by the team's white away jersey.
Tagovailoa topped new Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, who ranks third through sixth in jersey sales on the league's official site since the draft. Brady's new teammate Rob Gronkowski ranks seventh.
No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow is second on the rookie selling charts during that period, with his black Cincinnati Bengals jersey ranking eighth. His orange jersey ranks 11th and his white jersey is 15th. Los Angeles Chargers rookie signal-caller Justin Herbert ranks No. 12 since the draft.
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The Dolphins selected Tagovailoa with the No. 5 overall pick in this year's draft. He announced last week that he will wear No. 1 this season, becoming the first quarterback in franchise history to don that jersey number.


upi--2020-05-11--Gov. Andrew Cuomo says N.Y. entering 'exciting new phase' of COVID-19 recovery

May 11 ( UPI ) -- New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Monday his state will reopen on Friday when his shutdown order expires , adding that New Yorkers are entering an `` exciting new phase '' of the coronavirus recovery .
Cuomo made the declaration at his daily briefing after noting the state 's latest counts have fallen to just under 500 cases and 161 deaths , the lowest daily metrics since the middle of March .
The `` Pause '' declaration , which closed all non-essential businesses , will expire on Friday and it will be replaced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 New York regions will make reopening decisions based on health criteria .
`` A new chapter starts today , '' he said .
`` This is the next big step of this historic journey .
`` We 're on the other side of the mountain .
It 's an exciting new phase we 're all anxious to get back to work . ''
Several of New York 's upstate regions , including the Finger Lakes region around Rochester , will partly reopen this weekend .
The relaxation will allow for limited amounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Recreational outdoor activities and low-risk business like landscaping , gardening and drive-in movie theaters will also be allowed .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a report Monday that New York City 's figures have likely been under reported .
The report shows 5,293 other related deaths between March 11 and May 2 that were not identified as COVID-19-related deaths , but may have been attributable to the virus .
In the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report , the CDC blamed inadequate testing , possible false negatives and underlying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other deaths .
The report came just hours after New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said key coronavirus figures are still declining in the city .
As of Friday , the latest data available , hospitalizations fell to 55 and those in intensive care was down to 537 , he said .
De Blasio also announced an initiative to supply 1,000 community clinics with protective equipment , and said schools are on track to be open for the next academic year in September .
Nationally , there have been 1.3 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic and 79,000 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University .
In Seattle , a closely-watched model maintained by University of Washington slightly raised its prediction for the number of U.S. deaths to just over 137,000 by early August .
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation said it raised last week 's forecast of 134,475 deaths as more states `` continue to ease social distancing mandates '' and new data is acquired on people 's movements .
`` The increase is explained primarily by people 's movements , as captured in anonymous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IHME Director Dr. Christopher Murray said .
`` We 're also seeing fewer deaths expected in some states ; however , we 're now forecasting slower downward trajectories in deaths after states hit their peaks in daily deaths . ''
In Florida , the state marked a fourth straight week with at least 300 deaths .
Figures compiled by the Department of Health showed 342 deaths for the week ending Sunday , pushing the state 's total to 1,735 .
Florida 's number of new cases have declined for the fifth consecutive week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ epicenter , with about 58 percent of new cases .
In Pennsylvania , Gov .
Tom Wolf threatened Monday to withhold relief funding from counties that reopen their economies earlier than allowed .
During a online news conference , Wolf criticized a growing number of local officials who 've said they will move from `` red '' to the less-restrictive `` yellow '' designations on their own .
`` They need to understand the consequences of their cowardly act , '' Wolf said .
`` They are engaging in behavior that is both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's declaration , 24 counties moved into the first ( yellow ) phase of reopening on Friday .
Others , including those containing the state 's largest cities of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia , remain under the strictest `` red '' designation .
In Massachusetts , Gov .
Charlie Baker announced Monday in a press briefing that the state 's economy would open in four phases .
Phase one , which could begin as soon as May 18 was dubbed `` Start '' in which limited businesses with few face-to-face interactions will re-open with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and `` Vigilant '' are expected to proceed over the next months with more businesses and industries opening with restrictions and capacity limits , but only if the data continues to show downward trends of coronavirus cases , Baker said .
Finally phase four , `` The New Normal '' will proceed when a new vaccine or treatment is developed for COVID-19 , Baker said .
`` We all know life will be different , but as the medical and life science communities make progress in developing treatments or vaccines , we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rearview mirror , '' Baker said .
`` But none of that is going to happen overnight . ''

A bicyclist rides in Hoboken, N.J., on Sunday with a view of the Manhattan skyline in the background. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 11 (UPI) -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday his state will reopen on Friday when his shutdown order expires, adding that New Yorkers are entering an "exciting new phase" of the coronavirus recovery. Cuomo made the declaration at his daily briefing after noting the state's latest counts have fallen to just under 500 cases and 161 deaths, the lowest daily metrics since the middle of March. Advertisement
The "Pause" declaration, which closed all non-essential businesses, will expire on Friday and it will be replaced by a system in which officials in 10 New York regions will make reopening decisions based on health criteria.
"A new chapter starts today," he said. "This is the next big step of this historic journey.
"We're on the other side of the mountain. It's an exciting new phase we're all anxious to get back to work."
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Several of New York's upstate regions, including the Finger Lakes region around Rochester, will partly reopen this weekend. The relaxation will allow for limited amounts of manufacturing, construction and curbside retail. Recreational outdoor activities and low-risk business like landscaping, gardening and drive-in movie theaters will also be allowed.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a report Monday that New York City's figures have likely been under reported.
The report shows 5,293 other related deaths between March 11 and May 2 that were not identified as COVID-19-related deaths, but may have been attributable to the virus.
In the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the CDC blamed inadequate testing, possible false negatives and underlying chronic health conditions for 22 percent of the other deaths.
The report came just hours after New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said key coronavirus figures are still declining in the city. As of Friday, the latest data available, hospitalizations fell to 55 and those in intensive care was down to 537, he said.
De Blasio also announced an initiative to supply 1,000 community clinics with protective equipment, and said schools are on track to be open for the next academic year in September.
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Nationally, there have been 1.3 million COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic and 79,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.
In Seattle, a closely-watched model maintained by University of Washington slightly raised its prediction for the number of U.S. deaths to just over 137,000 by early August.
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation said it raised last week's forecast of 134,475 deaths as more states "continue to ease social distancing mandates" and new data is acquired on people's movements.
"The increase is explained primarily by people's movements, as captured in anonymous mobility data from cell phones," IHME Director Dr. Christopher Murray said. "We're also seeing fewer deaths expected in some states; however, we're now forecasting slower downward trajectories in deaths after states hit their peaks in daily deaths."
In Florida, the state marked a fourth straight week with at least 300 deaths. Figures compiled by the Department of Health showed 342 deaths for the week ending Sunday, pushing the state's total to 1,735.
Florida's number of new cases have declined for the fifth consecutive week. South Florida has been the state epicenter, with about 58 percent of new cases.
In Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf threatened Monday to withhold relief funding from counties that reopen their economies earlier than allowed.
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During a online news conference, Wolf criticized a growing number of local officials who've said they will move from "red" to the less-restrictive "yellow" designations on their own.
"They need to understand the consequences of their cowardly act," Wolf said. "They are engaging in behavior that is both selfish and unsafe."
Under Wolf's declaration, 24 counties moved into the first (yellow) phase of reopening on Friday. Others, including those containing the state's largest cities of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, remain under the strictest "red" designation.
In Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker announced Monday in a press briefing that the state's economy would open in four phases. Phase one, which could begin as soon as May 18 was dubbed "Start" in which limited businesses with few face-to-face interactions will re-open with severe restrictions.
Phases "Cautious" and "Vigilant" are expected to proceed over the next months with more businesses and industries opening with restrictions and capacity limits, but only if the data continues to show downward trends of coronavirus cases, Baker said.
Finally phase four, "The New Normal" will proceed when a new vaccine or treatment is developed for COVID-19, Baker said.
"We all know life will be different, but as the medical and life science communities make progress in developing treatments or vaccines, we can really begin to put this virus into the rearview mirror," Baker said. "But none of that is going to happen overnight."
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COVID-19 pandemic alters life in New York City


upi--2020-05-11--Sioux nations reject  S.D. Gov. Noem's demand to remove checkpoints

May 11 ( UPI ) -- South Dakota leaders from the Cheyenne River and Oglala Sioux nations pushed back against threats of legal action from Republican Gov .
Kristi Noem if they did not remove nine COVID-19 checkpoints on roads leading onto reservation land .
`` Gov .
Noem miscalculates our dedication to protect our most vulnerable people , '' said Oglala Sioux President Julian Bear Runner on a Facebook video posted over the weekend .
`` We are not moved by threats , as they come from a position of weakness . ''
`` Many have been inconvenienced by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not differentiate between members and non members , '' said a statement from Cheyenne River Chairman Harold Frazier .
`` We will not apologize for being an island of safety in a sea of uncertainty and death . ''
Frazier accused Noem 's office of potentially provoking violence over the checkpoints .
`` Ignorant statements and fiery rhetoric encourage individuals already under stress from this situation to carry out irrational actions , '' Frazier added .
`` The purpose of our actions is to 'save lives rather than save face . '
'' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tribal land within their districts sent a letter over the weekend to the governor 's office protesting the order and saying a lawsuit would cost taxpayer dollars , the West River Eagle reported .
`` We do not wish to be party of another lawsuit that will ultimately cost the people of South Dakota more money , '' the lawmakers wrote .
`` We wish to work with all parties involved for a reasonable , legal , and appropriate solution that address the concerns of all sovereigns involved . ''
Since mid-March , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they enter the Oglala reservation on on BIA Highway 41 asking drivers if they have a fever or cough and whether they are on official business , KOTA TV reported .
About 30,000 people live on the reservation , which has reported one case of COVID-19 .
The Cheyenne River Sioux started checkpoints April 2 to stop out-of state-visitors and non-tribal members from spreading COVID-19 on the reservation , the Rapid City Journal reported .
About 13,000 people live on Cheyenne River tribal lands .
Both tribes asserted they had a sovereign right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boundaries .
Gov .
Noem 's office demanded Friday that the checkpoints be removed within 48 hours or the tribes would face legal action .
`` [ T ] ribes must consult with the state of South Dakota and enter into an agreement with the state before closing or restricting travel on state or U.S. highways , '' the governor 's office said .
South Dakota 's Gov .
Noem is one of the few U.S. governors who did not impose stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus pandemic .
In April , the Sioux @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determined to be the nation 's top coronavirus hot spot with more than 1,100 confirmed cases .
The state 's confirmed cases totaled 3,614 with 34 deaths , according to the South Dakota Department of Health website .
Of positive cases , 6 percent were of Native American ethnicity .

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Chairman Harold Frazier said his tribe would not remove COVID-19 checkpoints on reservation land near Timber Lake in spite of threats of legal action from South Dakota Gov. Kristin Noem. Photo courtesy of Chairman Harold Frazier official Facebook page
May 11 (UPI) -- South Dakota leaders from the Cheyenne River and Oglala Sioux nations pushed back against threats of legal action from Republican Gov. Kristi Noem if they did not remove nine COVID-19 checkpoints on roads leading onto reservation land. "Gov. Noem miscalculates our dedication to protect our most vulnerable people," said Oglala Sioux President Julian Bear Runner on a Facebook video posted over the weekend. "We are not moved by threats, as they come from a position of weakness." Advertisement
Bear Runner called threats of legal action "unhelpful."
"Many have been inconvenienced by the current situation but the virus does not differentiate between members and non members," said a statement from Cheyenne River Chairman Harold Frazier. "We will not apologize for being an island of safety in a sea of uncertainty and death."
Frazier accused Noem's office of potentially provoking violence over the checkpoints.
"Ignorant statements and fiery rhetoric encourage individuals already under stress from this situation to carry out irrational actions," Frazier added. "The purpose of our actions is to 'save lives rather than save face.'"
Meanwhile, 17 South Dakota lawmakers with tribal land within their districts sent a letter over the weekend to the governor's office protesting the order and saying a lawsuit would cost taxpayer dollars, the West River Eagle reported.
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"We do not wish to be party of another lawsuit that will ultimately cost the people of South Dakota more money," the lawmakers wrote. "We wish to work with all parties involved for a reasonable, legal, and appropriate solution that address the concerns of all sovereigns involved."
Since mid-March, checkpoint monitors have been stopping cars before they enter the Oglala reservation on on BIA Highway 41 asking drivers if they have a fever or cough and whether they are on official business, KOTA TV reported. About 30,000 people live on the reservation, which has reported one case of COVID-19.
The Cheyenne River Sioux started checkpoints April 2 to stop out-of state-visitors and non-tribal members from spreading COVID-19 on the reservation, the Rapid City Journal reported. About 13,000 people live on Cheyenne River tribal lands.
Both tribes asserted they had a sovereign right to stop traffic on roads within reservation boundaries.
Gov. Noem's office demanded Friday that the checkpoints be removed within 48 hours or the tribes would face legal action.
"[T]ribes must consult with the state of South Dakota and enter into an agreement with the state before closing or restricting travel on state or U.S. highways," the governor's office said.
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South Dakota's Gov. Noem is one of the few U.S. governors who did not impose stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus pandemic. In April, the Sioux Falls Smithfield Foods meat packing plant was determined to be the nation's top coronavirus hot spot with more than 1,100 confirmed cases.
The state's confirmed cases totaled 3,614 with 34 deaths, according to the South Dakota Department of Health website. Of positive cases, 6 percent were of Native American ethnicity.


upi--2020-05-11--White House directs officials to wear face masks in West Wing

May 11 ( UPI ) -- The White House mandated on Monday that staffers wear masks while moving about the West Wing , officials said .
The mandate directs staffers to wear masks while not sitting at their desks and avoid visits to the White House unless necessary .
During a press briefing on Monday , President Donald Trump and Adm. Brett Giroir , assistant secretary for health , addressed media from separate podiums but did not wear masks .
Trump pointed out that other White House staffers in attendance were wearing masks adding that staffers wear masks when within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other .
He indicated , however , he would not wear a mask , saying he is `` not close to anybody . ''
A copy of the memo announcing the mandate obtained by The Wall Street Journal cites the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines encouraging the use of facial coverings but made no mention of whether Trump or Vice President Mike Pence will be required to abide by the guidelines .
The mandate comes after Pence 's , press secretary Katie Miller , as well as one of Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Sunday , Pence said he stayed away from the White House for the weekend , while Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Dr. Robert Redfield , director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said they would be working from home .
Food And Drug Administration commissioner Stephen Hahn announced he had already gone into quarantine on Friday .

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White House adviser Jared Kushner wears a face mask as President Donald Trump speaks about the coronavirus during a press briefing in the Rose Garden. Most White House personnel will be required to wear face masks in the West Wing of the White House under new guidelines. Photo by Oliver Contreras/UPI | License Photo
May 11 (UPI) -- The White House mandated on Monday that staffers wear masks while moving about the West Wing, officials said. The mandate directs staffers to wear masks while not sitting at their desks and avoid visits to the White House unless necessary. Advertisement
During a press briefing on Monday, President Donald Trump and Adm. Brett Giroir, assistant secretary for health, addressed media from separate podiums but did not wear masks.
Trump pointed out that other White House staffers in attendance were wearing masks adding that staffers wear masks when within a certain distance of him and each other.
He indicated, however, he would not wear a mask, saying he is "not close to anybody."
A copy of the memo announcing the mandate obtained by The Wall Street Journal cites the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines encouraging the use of facial coverings but made no mention of whether Trump or Vice President Mike Pence will be required to abide by the guidelines.
The mandate comes after Pence's, press secretary Katie Miller, as well as one of Trump's personal valets recently tested positive for COVID-19.
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On Sunday, Pence said he stayed away from the White House for the weekend, while Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said they would be working from home.
Food And Drug Administration commissioner Stephen Hahn announced he had already gone into quarantine on Friday.


upi--2020-05-11--MLB owners approve plan to start season in July; players' union to weigh in

May 11 ( UPI ) -- Major League Baseball owners have approved a return-to-play plan that aims to have the sport return by early July in empty stadiums .
League sources told ESPN and The Athletic on Monday that MLB commissioner Rob Manfred plans to present the proposal to players Tuesday .
An agreement between the owners and the Major League Baseball Players Association is needed to proceed with the plan .
Tuesday 's meeting between the league and the players ' association will set the stage for what both sides expect to be heated negotiations , according to ESPN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to empty ballparks , will propose that players receive a percentage of their 2020 salaries based on a 50-50 revenue split , which is expected to be the most controversial aspect of the proposal .
MLB , the only uncapped team sport in the United States , never had a straight revenue split like the ones agreed to by unions in the NFL , NBA and NHL .
According to ESPN , the players are expected to reject that element of the plan and argue that an agreement in late March between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their salaries based on how many games are played .
Other key aspects of the proposal include an 82-game season ; expansion of postseason competition to 14 teams from 10 ; a designated hitter in the National League ; a spring training period this year that would begin in June ; expanded rosters , and geographical schedules .
Under the proposal , the MLB season could begin on Fourth of July weekend .
Spring training likely would n't include any games , with teams getting ready for the season at their own @ @

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred will present the return-to-play proposal to players Tuesday. File Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo
May 11 (UPI) -- Major League Baseball owners have approved a return-to-play plan that aims to have the sport return by early July in empty stadiums. League sources told ESPN and The Athletic on Monday that MLB commissioner Rob Manfred plans to present the proposal to players Tuesday. An agreement between the owners and the Major League Baseball Players Association is needed to proceed with the plan. Advertisement
Tuesday's meeting between the league and the players' association will set the stage for what both sides expect to be heated negotiations, according to ESPN.
Owners, frightful of financial setbacks due to empty ballparks, will propose that players receive a percentage of their 2020 salaries based on a 50-50 revenue split, which is expected to be the most controversial aspect of the proposal.
MLB, the only uncapped team sport in the United States, never had a straight revenue split like the ones agreed to by unions in the NFL, NBA and NHL.
According to ESPN, the players are expected to reject that element of the plan and argue that an agreement in late March between the sides guaranteed players a prorated amount of their salaries based on how many games are played.
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Other key aspects of the proposal include an 82-game season; expansion of postseason competition to 14 teams from 10; a designated hitter in the National League; a spring training period this year that would begin in June; expanded rosters, and geographical schedules.
Under the proposal, the MLB season could begin on Fourth of July weekend. Spring training likely wouldn't include any games, with teams getting ready for the season at their own stadiums.


upi--2020-05-11--Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker in isolation after staffer gets coronavirus

May 11 ( UPI ) -- Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and his Chicago staff will be working from home after a senior staff member tested positive for the coronavirus , his office said Monday .
An asymptomatic staff member tested positive late last week and had been in close contact with Pritzker and other staff members , his office said .
Pritzker tested negative for COVID-19 on Sunday .
`` Approximately 20 staff members have been regularly reporting in person to work in the James R. Thompson Center during this crisis , while the remainder of governor 's office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement from Pritzker 's office said .
`` Staff members have followed all [ Illinois Department of Public Health ] safety protocols , including daily temperature checks , wearing face coverings , social distancing and strict hygiene procedures .
The office will undergo deep cleaning , and staff are monitoring themselves for symptoms , '' the statement said .
State Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike , who is the point person for Illinois ' COVID-19 response , is among the staff members staying home .
Another person on Pritzker 's Chicago office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month .
Pritzker at the time said he did not have `` regular , close contact '' with that staffer , who became ill in late March .
Pritzker said Sunday he is pushing the state to reach 64,000 returned tests per day to relax shelter-in-place restrictions further .
Iowa Gov .
Kim Reynolds announced Monday that she will follow a `` modified quarantine plan '' after meeting with Vice President Mike Pence and his staff after one of Pence 's staffers tested positive for COVID-19 .
Reynolds said she did not come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested negative for the virus on Monday , stating that the modified quarantine is an exercise of an abundance of caution .
She said she will be tested and have her temperature checked daily , will wear a mask around others and practice social distancing , while most of her staff will work from home .
`` If I begin experiencing symptoms , of course , I will stay home , '' Reynolds said .
Pence 's press secretary , Katie , Miller confirmed on Friday that she tested positive for COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stayed away from the White House over the weekend , while three other members of the coronavirus task force remained in self-quarantine .
Sen Lamar Alexander , R-Texas , also said he will self-quarantine after a member of his staff tested positive for the coronavirus .

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Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker gives an update to reporters on the statewide response to the coronavirus in Belleville, Ill., on March 1. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
May 11 (UPI) -- Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and his Chicago staff will be working from home after a senior staff member tested positive for the coronavirus, his office said Monday. An asymptomatic staff member tested positive late last week and had been in close contact with Pritzker and other staff members, his office said. Pritzker tested negative for COVID-19 on Sunday. Advertisement
"Approximately 20 staff members have been regularly reporting in person to work in the James R. Thompson Center during this crisis, while the remainder of governor's office staff work from home," a statement from Pritzker's office said.
"Staff members have followed all [Illinois Department of Public Health] safety protocols, including daily temperature checks, wearing face coverings, social distancing and strict hygiene procedures. The office will undergo deep cleaning, and staff are monitoring themselves for symptoms," the statement said.
State Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike, who is the point person for Illinois' COVID-19 response, is among the staff members staying home.
Another person on Pritzker's Chicago office staff tested positive for the coronavirus last month. Pritzker at the time said he did not have "regular, close contact" with that staffer, who became ill in late March.
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Pritzker said Sunday he is pushing the state to reach 64,000 returned tests per day to relax shelter-in-place restrictions further.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Monday that she will follow a "modified quarantine plan" after meeting with Vice President Mike Pence and his staff after one of Pence's staffers tested positive for COVID-19.
Reynolds said she did not come in direct contact with the staffer and tested negative for the virus on Monday, stating that the modified quarantine is an exercise of an abundance of caution.
She said she will be tested and have her temperature checked daily, will wear a mask around others and practice social distancing, while most of her staff will work from home.
"If I begin experiencing symptoms, of course, I will stay home," Reynolds said.
Pence's press secretary, Katie, Miller confirmed on Friday that she tested positive for COVID-19. A Pence spokesman said Sunday that he stayed away from the White House over the weekend, while three other members of the coronavirus task force remained in self-quarantine.
Sen Lamar Alexander, R-Texas, also said he will self-quarantine after a member of his staff tested positive for the coronavirus.


upi--2020-05-11--Engaging children's tastes in eating decisions leads to healthier habits

May 11 ( UPI ) -- Enabling children to make decisions about food -- and educating them about healthy choices through example -- can lead to improved nutrition and healthier lifelong eating habits , experts said Monday in the Journal of the American Heart Association .
A more `` authoritarian '' approach to dietary decision has been repeatedly linked to children eating when not hungry , and eating less healthy foods -- including sneaking food from caregivers -- which increases risk for obesity and eating disorders , authors of the scientific statement wrote .
They said , however , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laissez-faire '' approach -- in which children are allowed to eat whatever they want whenever they want -- does not provide enough boundaries for development of healthy eating habits .
The method also increases the risk for obesity .
`` Parents and caregivers should consider building a positive food environment centered on healthy eating habits , rather than focusing on rigid rules about what and how a child should eat , '' Dr. Alexis C. Wood , the writing group chair for the scientific statement , said in a press release .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of people in their lives , so ideally , we want the whole family to demonstrate healthy eating habits , '' said Wood , who also is an assistant professor at the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Agriculture Research Services Children 's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston .
As many as 14 million children and adolescents across the country are overweight or obese , according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Many children are influenced by the emotional atmosphere surrounding eating , including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If children feel pressured to diet , or eat certain foods , it may be harder for them to listen to internal cues that tell them when they are full , the authors noted .
A study published in October in the Journal of Adolescent Health , for example , found that girls who had been pressured to diet by parents had a 49 percent higher risk for being an obese young adult compared to girls who had n't gotten that parental pressure .
Allowing children to decide what and how much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to develop and eventually take ownership of dietary decisions .
That also might help develop eating patterns linked to a healthy weight for a lifetime , reducing risk for heart disease and diabetes as they age , the author said .
A 2017 review of existing research , published in the journal Obesity Reviews , found that exposing young children to healthy foods when they 're young helps instill positive life-long eating habits .
To encourage healthy eating , parents and caregivers should schedule meals at consistent times , serve healthy or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and consume those new and healthy foods themselves , the statement said .
In addition , caregivers should pay attention to verbal or non-verbal hunger and fullness cues and avoid pressuring children to eat more than they want to .
Some parents and caregivers might find it challenging to allow children to make their own food decisions , especially if they become reluctant to try new foods or become picky eaters , Wood said .
These behaviors are common and considered normal among children between 1 and 5 years old , as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ textures of solid foods .
`` It is very clear that each child is an individual and differs in their tendency to make healthy decisions about food as they grow , '' Wood said .
`` This is why it is important to focus on creating an environment that encourages decision-making skills and provides exposure to a variety of healthy , nutritious foods throughout childhood , and not place undue attention on the child 's individual decisions , '' he added .

Experts say that engaging children's hunger, pairing new foods with ones they already like and displaying health eating habits can help children develop better habits as well. Photo by kaboompics /Pixabay
May 11 (UPI) -- Enabling children to make decisions about food -- and educating them about healthy choices through example -- can lead to improved nutrition and healthier lifelong eating habits, experts said Monday in the Journal of the American Heart Association. A more "authoritarian" approach to dietary decision has been repeatedly linked to children eating when not hungry, and eating less healthy foods -- including sneaking food from caregivers -- which increases risk for obesity and eating disorders, authors of the scientific statement wrote. Advertisement
They said, however, that an entirely "indulgent" or "laissez-faire" approach -- in which children are allowed to eat whatever they want whenever they want -- does not provide enough boundaries for development of healthy eating habits. The method also increases the risk for obesity.
"Parents and caregivers should consider building a positive food environment centered on healthy eating habits, rather than focusing on rigid rules about what and how a child should eat," Dr. Alexis C. Wood, the writing group chair for the scientific statement, said in a press release.
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"Children's eating behaviors are influenced by a lot of people in their lives, so ideally, we want the whole family to demonstrate healthy eating habits," said Wood, who also is an assistant professor at the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Agriculture Research Services Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
As many as 14 million children and adolescents across the country are overweight or obese, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Many children are influenced by the emotional atmosphere surrounding eating, including the wishes and demands of parents and caregivers. If children feel pressured to diet, or eat certain foods, it may be harder for them to listen to internal cues that tell them when they are full, the authors noted.
A study published in October in the Journal of Adolescent Health, for example, found that girls who had been pressured to diet by parents had a 49 percent higher risk for being an obese young adult compared to girls who hadn't gotten that parental pressure.
Allowing children to decide what and how much to eat among healthy food options encourages them to develop and eventually take ownership of dietary decisions. That also might help develop eating patterns linked to a healthy weight for a lifetime, reducing risk for heart disease and diabetes as they age, the author said.
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A 2017 review of existing research, published in the journal Obesity Reviews, found that exposing young children to healthy foods when they're young helps instill positive life-long eating habits.
To encourage healthy eating, parents and caregivers should schedule meals at consistent times, serve healthy or new foods alongside foods children already enjoy and consume those new and healthy foods themselves, the statement said.
In addition, caregivers should pay attention to verbal or non-verbal hunger and fullness cues and avoid pressuring children to eat more than they want to.
Some parents and caregivers might find it challenging to allow children to make their own food decisions, especially if they become reluctant to try new foods or become picky eaters, Wood said. These behaviors are common and considered normal among children between 1 and 5 years old, as they are still learning about the tastes and textures of solid foods.
"It is very clear that each child is an individual and differs in their tendency to make healthy decisions about food as they grow," Wood said.
"This is why it is important to focus on creating an environment that encourages decision-making skills and provides exposure to a variety of healthy, nutritious foods throughout childhood, and not place undue attention on the child's individual decisions," he added.


upi--2020-05-11--Hunter-gatherers in Africa were dairying as early as first millennium AD

May 11 ( UPI ) -- New chemical analysis of ancient pots has confirmed that groups of hunter-gathers in the highlands of present-day Lesotho , a landlocked nation in southern Africa , were consuming the dairy of domestic animals .
as early as the first millennium AD .
Previous archaeological surveys have revealed the presence of domestic animal bones at hunter-gatherer sites in Lesotho 's Maloti-Drakensberg Mountains .
The findings have suggested these early groups supplemented their hunting and foraging with the dairy of sheep and other livestock acquired through contact with agricultural groups .
Subsequent DNA studies , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animal bones found in the Lesotho highlands belonged to wild species , casting doubt on the presence of livestock in the region .
Now , new research -- published Monday in the journal Nature Human Behavior -- has lent credence to those early surveys .
`` We used organic residue analysis to investigate fats that become absorbed into the porous clay matrix of a pot during its use , '' anthropologist and lead study author Helen Fewlass said in a news release .
`` We extracted and analyzed lipid residues from pots from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the highlands of Lesotho , Likoaeng and Sehonghong , dating to the mid-late first millennium AD and compared them to lipids extracted from pots from a recent nearby agricultural settlement , Mokatlapoli . ''
Fewlass , now working at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany , conducted the newly published research while working on her masters thesis at the University of Bristol in Britain .
Fewlass and her colleagues found dairy residues on a third of the surveyed pots .
Dairy-positive pots from Likoaeng were dated to between 579 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residues from Sehonghong were dated to between 885 and 990 AD .
The findings suggest livestock were indeed present in the region during the first millennium AD .
Scientists were also able to measure the stable carbon isotopic values of fatty acids in the ancient diary residues .
The values were distinct from those measured at the archaeological sites of more recent agricultural groups , suggesting these early hunter gatherers were practicing unique methods of animal husbandry .
`` The presence of dairy fats in pots from Likoaeng and Sehonghong in highland Lesotho @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adopted at least sporadic use of livestock from agricultural groups in South Africa not long after their arrival in the 1st millennium AD , '' Fewlass said .
The findings also suggest the hunter gatherers did n't simply acquire domestic animals through raids , but instead , learned dairying practices through ongoing contact with agricultural groups .

Archaeologists found dairy residues on pot fragments left behind by groups of hunter gatherers that occupied Lesotho's highlands during the first millennium AD. The oldest pots were found near Likoaeng, a dig site along the Senqu River. Photo by Peter J. Mitchell
May 11 (UPI) -- New chemical analysis of ancient pots has confirmed that groups of hunter-gathers in the highlands of present-day Lesotho, a landlocked nation in southern Africa, were consuming the dairy of domestic animals. as early as the first millennium AD. Previous archaeological surveys have revealed the presence of domestic animal bones at hunter-gatherer sites in Lesotho's Maloti-Drakensberg Mountains. The findings have suggested these early groups supplemented their hunting and foraging with the dairy of sheep and other livestock acquired through contact with agricultural groups. Advertisement
Subsequent DNA studies, however, found many of the supposedly domestic animal bones found in the Lesotho highlands belonged to wild species, casting doubt on the presence of livestock in the region.
Now, new research -- published Monday in the journal Nature Human Behavior -- has lent credence to those early surveys.
"We used organic residue analysis to investigate fats that become absorbed into the porous clay matrix of a pot during its use," anthropologist and lead study author Helen Fewlass said in a news release. "We extracted and analyzed lipid residues from pots from two hunter-gatherer sites with domestic livestock remains in the highlands of Lesotho, Likoaeng and Sehonghong, dating to the mid-late first millennium AD and compared them to lipids extracted from pots from a recent nearby agricultural settlement, Mokatlapoli."
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Fewlass, now working at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany, conducted the newly published research while working on her masters thesis at the University of Bristol in Britain.
Fewlass and her colleagues found dairy residues on a third of the surveyed pots. Dairy-positive pots from Likoaeng were dated to between 579 and 654 AD. Pots with dairy residues from Sehonghong were dated to between 885 and 990 AD. The findings suggest livestock were indeed present in the region during the first millennium AD.
Scientists were also able to measure the stable carbon isotopic values of fatty acids in the ancient diary residues. The values were distinct from those measured at the archaeological sites of more recent agricultural groups, suggesting these early hunter gatherers were practicing unique methods of animal husbandry.
"The presence of dairy fats in pots from Likoaeng and Sehonghong in highland Lesotho shows that hunter-gatherers in the mountains had adopted at least sporadic use of livestock from agricultural groups in South Africa not long after their arrival in the 1st millennium AD," Fewlass said.
The findings also suggest the hunter gatherers didn't simply acquire domestic animals through raids, but instead, learned dairying practices through ongoing contact with agricultural groups.
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upi--2020-05-11--Iraq's new PM: Protesters will be protected from violent attacks

May 11 ( UPI ) -- After releasing anti-government protesters from jail , new Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi announced Monday he would bring to justice those who attacked them .
Kadhimi , Iraq 's former intelligence head , said he responded to weekend attacks on protesters in the Basra region with warrants and arrests .
Internet videos showed that armed men fired down from a building in Basra on protesters Sunday , killing one and wounding others , the news agency Rudaw reported .
`` I ordered today a dawn military raid to arrest everyone involved in the recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kadhimi tweeted .
`` Peaceful protest is a common obligation and everyone should follow it .
I promised that those who have spilled Iraqi blood will not be allowed to rest and we are honoring that promise . ''
Since October , crowds of young Iraqis have been protesting across the country demanding jobs and complaining about government corruption .
Sunday , in Baghdad , protesters burned tires on a bridge leading to the Green Zone , site of Iraqi government offices and many foreign embassies .
At least 600 protesters have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unrest began , said human rights group Amnesty International .
The organization accused pro-Iraqi security militias of attacking peaceful protesters with `` live ammunition , hunting rifles , live fire consistent with sniper fire , tear gas and water cannons , '' in an open letter to Kadhimi published Friday .
Kadhimi , a former journalist , was sworn in as president Thursday , and immediately ordered the release of anti-government protesters held in Iraqi jails , Voice of America reported .
Iraqi 's constitution guarantees the right to peaceful protest `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an act contrary to the law , '' the Supreme Judiciary Council said in a statement Sunday .

After freeing anti-government protesters from jail, new Iraq Prime Minster Mustafa al-Kadhimi announced that pro-Iraq militias who attacked protesters would be arrested and prosecuted. Photo courtesy of Mustafa al-Kadhimi official Twitter account
May 11 (UPI) -- After releasing anti-government protesters from jail, new Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi announced Monday he would bring to justice those who attacked them. Kadhimi, Iraq's former intelligence head, said he responded to weekend attacks on protesters in the Basra region with warrants and arrests. Advertisement
Internet videos showed that armed men fired down from a building in Basra on protesters Sunday, killing one and wounding others, the news agency Rudaw reported.
"I ordered today a dawn military raid to arrest everyone involved in the recent attack against protesters in Basra," Kadhimi tweeted. "Peaceful protest is a common obligation and everyone should follow it. I promised that those who have spilled Iraqi blood will not be allowed to rest and we are honoring that promise."
Since October, crowds of young Iraqis have been protesting across the country demanding jobs and complaining about government corruption.
Sunday, in Baghdad, protesters burned tires on a bridge leading to the Green Zone, site of Iraqi government offices and many foreign embassies.
At least 600 protesters have been killed and more than 18,000 injured since the unrest began, said human rights group Amnesty International.
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The organization accused pro-Iraqi security militias of attacking peaceful protesters with "live ammunition, hunting rifles, live fire consistent with sniper fire, tear gas and water cannons," in an open letter to Kadhimi published Friday.
Kadhimi, a former journalist, was sworn in as president Thursday, and immediately ordered the release of anti-government protesters held in Iraqi jails, Voice of America reported.
Iraqi's constitution guarantees the right to peaceful protest "provided that it is not accompanied by an act contrary to the law," the Supreme Judiciary Council said in a statement Sunday.


upi--2020-05-11--Space Force, global partners to receive 'Kobayashi Maru' space tracking system

May 11 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Space Force announced the development of a software package to track and monitor objects in space .
The branch 's Space Command and Control Program Office called the operational platform -- named Kobayashi Maru , for a training exercise depicted in a `` Star Trek '' episode -- a `` breakthrough '' of particular use to a five-nation coalition of space observers .
The United States , Britain , Australia , New Zealand and Canada comprise the FVEY , or `` Five Eyes '' Alliance , which provides joint cooperation in signals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of military intelligence to its members .
Each government 's intelligence community is involved in mutual collaboration .
The United States ' involvement includes the Central Intelligence Agency , the Defense Intelligence Agency , the FBI , the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency .
The new software , produced in a contract with California-based Palantir Technologies , `` can host coalition-releasable mission workflows and applications for utilization by coalition exchange officers , '' Space Force said in a statement on Friday said .
The contract was announced on April 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maru -- data-as-a-service platform will provide the United States Space Force a robust and flexible set of data streaming and storage technologies as well as data access patterns for the Space C2 system-of-systems , '' according to a program description obtained by Space News .
`` The vendor shall provide software licenses and professional services ( as necessary ) to implement this integrated platform and train users . ''
Its goal involves simplification of tracking of objects in space , referred to as `` space domain awareness , '' with the opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` As a result of the new platform becoming operational , coalition members at the CSpOC -- Combined Space Operations Center -- can now fully employ the application , sharing that mission responsibility with our U.S. military members , '' said Col. Scott Brodeur , CSpOC director .
The data services will be tested at the Combined Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base , Calif. , and the National Space Defense Center at Schriever Air Force Base , Colo. , the United States ' primary locations for tracking orbital actions and @ @ @ @

Personnel at the Combined Space Operations Center at Vandenberg AFB Calif., review data for the U.S. Space Force, which announced development of new data and software for tracking objects in space on Friday. Photo by Maj. Cody Chiles/U.S. Air Force/UPI
May 11 (UPI) -- The U.S. Space Force announced the development of a software package to track and monitor objects in space. The branch's Space Command and Control Program Office called the operational platform -- named Kobayashi Maru, for a training exercise depicted in a "Star Trek" episode -- a "breakthrough" of particular use to a five-nation coalition of space observers. Advertisement
The United States, Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Canada comprise the FVEY, or "Five Eyes" Alliance, which provides joint cooperation in signals intelligence, human intelligence and other forms of military intelligence to its members.
Each government's intelligence community is involved in mutual collaboration. The United States' involvement includes the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the FBI, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency.
The new software, produced in a contract with California-based Palantir Technologies, "can host coalition-releasable mission workflows and applications for utilization by coalition exchange officers," Space Force said in a statement on Friday said. The contract was announced on April 14.
"The Space C2 -- Kobayashi Maru -- data-as-a-service platform will provide the United States Space Force a robust and flexible set of data streaming and storage technologies as well as data access patterns for the Space C2 system-of-systems," according to a program description obtained by Space News. "The vendor shall provide software licenses and professional services (as necessary) to implement this integrated platform and train users."
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Its goal involves simplification of tracking of objects in space, referred to as "space domain awareness," with the opportunity to replicate all data by partner nations.
"As a result of the new platform becoming operational, coalition members at the CSpOC -- Combined Space Operations Center -- can now fully employ the application, sharing that mission responsibility with our U.S. military members," said Col. Scott Brodeur, CSpOC director.
The data services will be tested at the Combined Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., and the National Space Defense Center at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., the United States' primary locations for tracking orbital actions and objects in space.


upi--2020-05-11--Indiana Supreme Court suspends AG's license after alleged groping

May 11 ( UPI ) -- The Indiana Supreme Court decided Monday to suspend Attorney General Curtis Hill 's law license for a month over violating professional conduct rules after groping allegations .
The 30-day suspension will take effect on May 18 , according to the Indiana Supreme Court opinion .
Hill said in a statement Monday he accepts the court 's suspension `` with humility and respect , '' which will allow him after the suspension period to be automatically reinstated to practice law .
On May 18 , Chief Deputy Aaron Negangard will take over his responsibilities through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The court found that Hill committed battery against four women who accused him of groping them at a party at a downtown bar to celebrate the end of the legislative session in March 2018 .
A special prosecutor declined in October of the same year to pursue criminal charges because he said that he did not believe he could prove Hill 's intent to prove a crime happened .
The next year four women testified at a disciplinary hearing that Hill 's actions made them feel uncomfortable and violated .
Myra Selby , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the hearing officer for the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission 's disciplinary complaint filed against Hill , had recommended a 60-day suspension .
Selby similarly found that Hill 's actions amounted to battery and violated professional conduct rules , according to a brief filed in February .
`` In sum , we find and conclude , as did the hearing officer , that the Commission proved by clear and convincing evidence that Respondent [ Hill ] committed the criminal act of battery , '' justices wrote in the Indiana Supreme Court opinion @ @ @

The Indiana Supreme Court has suspended Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill's law license for 30 days starting May 18. Photo courtesy of Indiana government
May 11 (UPI) -- The Indiana Supreme Court decided Monday to suspend Attorney General Curtis Hill's law license for a month over violating professional conduct rules after groping allegations. The 30-day suspension will take effect on May 18, according to the Indiana Supreme Court opinion. Advertisement
Hill said in a statement Monday he accepts the court's suspension "with humility and respect," which will allow him after the suspension period to be automatically reinstated to practice law.
On May 18, Chief Deputy Aaron Negangard will take over his responsibilities through June 17, his statement added.
The court found that Hill committed battery against four women who accused him of groping them at a party at a downtown bar to celebrate the end of the legislative session in March 2018. A special prosecutor declined in October of the same year to pursue criminal charges because he said that he did not believe he could prove Hill's intent to prove a crime happened. The next year four women testified at a disciplinary hearing that Hill's actions made them feel uncomfortable and violated.
Hill has repeatedly denied any inappropriate touching.
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Myra Selby, a former Indiana Supreme Court justice, and the hearing officer for the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission's disciplinary complaint filed against Hill, had recommended a 60-day suspension.
Selby similarly found that Hill's actions amounted to battery and violated professional conduct rules, according to a brief filed in February.
"In sum, we find and conclude, as did the hearing officer, that the Commission proved by clear and convincing evidence that Respondent [Hill] committed the criminal act of battery," justices wrote in the Indiana Supreme Court opinion filed Monday.


upi--2020-05-11--Breaks in health insurance hurt cancer care, survival

Health insurance disruptions are never a good thing , but for people with cancer it can lead to poor care and lower odds of survival , a new study finds .
This could prove ominous for the many Americans who have lost health insurance due to coronavirus-related layoffs .
`` Our findings were consistent across multiple cancer sites , with several studies finding a 'dose-response ' relationship , meaning the longer the disruption , the worse the care , '' said study co-author Robin Yabroff , of the American Cancer Society .
`` Disruptions '' can stem from gaps in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverage ( public to private ) or changes between plans , the researchers explained .
For the study , Yabroff and her colleagues reviewed 29 studies published between 1980 and 2019 .
The investigators found that 4 percent to 33 percent of adults had disruptions in coverage .
For some patients , this meant they were not covered for cancer screening or were diagnosed only when the cancer was advanced .
If they had cancer , these patients were also less likely to get treatment and to have worse survival compared with patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researchers said .
`` The consistency of these findings across the cancer control continuum in our review highlights how important it is to minimize breaks in health insurance coverage to address cancer disparities and promote health equity , '' Yabroff said in a cancer society news release .
The report was published April 27 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute .
For more on health insurance , head to Healthcare.gov .

chemotherapy drugs cancer Photo by klbz/pixabay https://pixabay.com/en/chemotherapy-chemo-infusion-cancer-448578/
Health insurance disruptions are never a good thing, but for people with cancer it can lead to poor care and lower odds of survival, a new study finds. This could prove ominous for the many Americans who have lost health insurance due to coronavirus-related layoffs. Advertisement
"Our findings were consistent across multiple cancer sites, with several studies finding a 'dose-response' relationship, meaning the longer the disruption, the worse the care," said study co-author Robin Yabroff, of the American Cancer Society.
"Disruptions" can stem from gaps in health insurance, changes in type of coverage (public to private) or changes between plans, the researchers explained.
For the study, Yabroff and her colleagues reviewed 29 studies published between 1980 and 2019.
The investigators found that 4 percent to 33 percent of adults had disruptions in coverage. For some patients, this meant they were not covered for cancer screening or were diagnosed only when the cancer was advanced.
If they had cancer, these patients were also less likely to get treatment and to have worse survival compared with patients whose coverage wasn't disrupted, the researchers said.
"The consistency of these findings across the cancer control continuum in our review highlights how important it is to minimize breaks in health insurance coverage to address cancer disparities and promote health equity," Yabroff said in a cancer society news release.
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The report was published April 27 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
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For more on health insurance, head to Healthcare.gov.
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