upi--2020-05-01--Google re-releases garden gnome game in latest Doodle

May 1 ( UPI ) -- Google has re-released its 2018 garden gnome game in the latest Doodle .
Google 's homepage features the letter `` O '' in the company 's logo wearing a garden gnome hat .
The second `` O '' is also wearing a garden gnome hat and gets stuck into the ground .
The interactive game begins by giving a history lesson on garden gnomes and then tasks the player with launching the gnomes across a grassy field with a catapult .
The further the garden gnome travels , more flowers are planted into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six different garden gnomes that each have their own unique weight .
Google has re-released old Doodle games this past week as many stay indoors due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The company re-released its 2016 music game based on music performer Clara Rockmore on Thursday .
`` As COVID-19 continues to impact communities around the world , people and families everywhere are spending more time at home .
In light of this , we 're launching a throwback Doodle series looking back at some of our popular interactive Google Doodle games , @ @ @ @

Google is again featuring its garden gnome game in the latest Doodle. Image courtesy of Google
May 1 (UPI) -- Google has re-released its 2018 garden gnome game in the latest Doodle. Google's homepage features the letter "O" in the company's logo wearing a garden gnome hat. The second "O" is also wearing a garden gnome hat and gets stuck into the ground. Advertisement
The interactive game begins by giving a history lesson on garden gnomes and then tasks the player with launching the gnomes across a grassy field with a catapult.
The further the garden gnome travels, more flowers are planted into the grassy field. Users can choose from six different garden gnomes that each have their own unique weight.
Google has re-released old Doodle games this past week as many stay indoors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The company re-released its 2016 music game based on music performer Clara Rockmore on Thursday.
"As COVID-19 continues to impact communities around the world, people and families everywhere are spending more time at home. In light of this, we're launching a throwback Doodle series looking back at some of our popular interactive Google Doodle games," Google said.


upi--2020-05-01--SIGAR: NATO task force no longer reporting Taliban attacks in Afghanistan

May 1 ( UPI ) -- The U.S.-led NATO task force in Afghanistan has stopped releasing information on the number of Taliban attacks , now deeming the information too sensitive to publicize , a U.S. military watchdog says .
The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction , established by Congress in 2008 to keep watch over U.S. funds spent in Afghanistan , said in its quarterly report Friday coalition forces are withholding data on `` enemy-initiated attacks . ''
Special Inspector General John Sopko criticized the move , saying the decision eliminated `` one of the last remaining metrics SIGAR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the security situation in Afghanistan '' after coalition forces discontinued a system in 2018 that assessed Taliban control of individual districts .
Sopko said the coalition cited sensitivity of ongoing negotiations between the Taliban , the Afghan government and the United States as the reason for halting the information .
`` [ Enemy-initiated attacks ] are now a critical part of deliberative inter-agency discussions regarding ongoing political negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban , '' U.S. military officials told SIGAR , adding that the data may again become releasable to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The discussions are part of a February peace deal between the United States and Taliban , under which U.S. forces will leave Afghanistan in exchange for power-sharing negotiations between Kabul and the militant group .
While they did n't release actual data on Taliban attacks in the first quarter , U.S. officials did tell SIGAR the group refrained from targeting NATO coalition forces during the period , and instead focussed their fire on Afghan government security forces .
Kabul has said Taliban attacks are responsible for killing and injuring dozens of soldiers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was signed Feb. 29 .
U.S. officials told SIGAR the Afghan government maintains control of Kabul and major population centers , but the Taliban , while reducing attacks in provincial capitals , is pushing for control in other areas .

Afghan Army soldiers patrol a checkpoint in Hogyani district of Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, on February 9. File Photo by Ghulamullah Habibi/EPA-EFE
May 1 (UPI) -- The U.S.-led NATO task force in Afghanistan has stopped releasing information on the number of Taliban attacks, now deeming the information too sensitive to publicize, a U.S. military watchdog says. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, established by Congress in 2008 to keep watch over U.S. funds spent in Afghanistan, said in its quarterly report Friday coalition forces are withholding data on "enemy-initiated attacks." Advertisement
Special Inspector General John Sopko criticized the move, saying the decision eliminated "one of the last remaining metrics SIGAR was able to use to report publicly on the security situation in Afghanistan" after coalition forces discontinued a system in 2018 that assessed Taliban control of individual districts.
Sopko said the coalition cited sensitivity of ongoing negotiations between the Taliban, the Afghan government and the United States as the reason for halting the information.
"[Enemy-initiated attacks] are now a critical part of deliberative inter-agency discussions regarding ongoing political negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban," U.S. military officials told SIGAR, adding that the data may again become releasable to the public once the deliberative process ends.
The discussions are part of a February peace deal between the United States and Taliban, under which U.S. forces will leave Afghanistan in exchange for power-sharing negotiations between Kabul and the militant group.
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While they didn't release actual data on Taliban attacks in the first quarter, U.S. officials did tell SIGAR the group refrained from targeting NATO coalition forces during the period, and instead focussed their fire on Afghan government security forces.
Kabul has said Taliban attacks are responsible for killing and injuring dozens of soldiers and hundreds of civilians since the peace deal was signed Feb. 29.
U.S. officials told SIGAR the Afghan government maintains control of Kabul and major population centers, but the Taliban, while reducing attacks in provincial capitals, is pushing for control in other areas.


upi--2020-05-01--Mystery of North Korea's Kim Jong Un deepens with new rumors of death

SEOUL , May 1 ( UPI ) -- Rumors swirled again Friday around the health and whereabouts of Kim Jong Un , who has not been seen publicly for 20 days , but one defector said he 's `` 99 percent '' certain the North Korean leader is dead .
Ji Seong-ho , a North Korean defector who became a member this month of South Korea 's National Assembly , told local media Kim died after cardiovascular surgery and that an announcement is coming .
`` I 've been informed that Kim died last weekend , '' Ji said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Agency Friday .
`` It is not 100 percent certain , but I can say the possibility is 99 percent .
North Korea is believed to be grappling with a complicated succession issue . ''
A South Korean parliamentary report Wednesday speculated that Kim 's sister , Kim Yo Jong , may be waiting in the wings to assume leadership of North Korea 's ruling party .
Ji did not reveal where his information came from , but he told broadcaster SBS he trusts his source and an announcement could come as soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeated claims Thursday he was aware of Kim 's condition .
`` I understand what 's going on and I just ca n't talk about Kim Jong Un right now , '' he told reporters .
`` I just hope everything is going to be fine .
But I do understand the [ Kim ] situation very well . ''
The president said Monday he was aware of Kim 's condition and expected news in the `` not-too-distant future . ''
The head of Taiwan 's intelligence agency said Thursday Kim is `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in place for succession in case of a power vacuum .
National Security Bureau director Chiu Kuo-cheng told lawmakers in the Legislative Yuan he could n't reveal his sources but said the information is reliable .
`` My answer is from the intelligence that is available and it is not an opinion , '' Chiu said , according to the Taipei Times .
Speculation has swirled about Kim 's health since he did n't attend ceremonies on April 15 for the birth of founder Kim Il Sung , for the first time since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was also absent from a celebration for the founding of North Korea 's armed forces last weekend .
A report last week by the Daily NK , a Seoul-based website that receives information from sources inside North Korea , said Kim was being treated at a hospital after a cardiovascular procedure .
The article said Kim had the procedure on April 12 at the Hyangsan Clinic , a private hospital for the Kim family in North Pyongyan Province , as a result of `` excessive smoking , obesity and overwork . ''
CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ danger '' following surgery .
Trump later said the report was `` incorrect . ''
Reports in South Korean newspapers this week said Kim is self-quarantining because a personal bodyguard contacted COVID-19 .
They speculated he may have been injured while observing missile tests on April 14 South Korean officials , however , have said there are no indications Kim is in dire health .
Presidential adviser Moon Chung-in told CNN he 's `` alive and well '' at the coastal resort area of Wonsan .
Satellite imagery from 38 North , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed a train parked this week at a station in Wonsan reserved for the Kim family .
Luxury boats used by the leader have also been active off the coast of Wonsan in recent weeks , according to satellite imagery analyzed by a North Korea-focused information site .
North Korean media have n't addressed any of the speculation , instead reporting on correspondence he 's had over the past week with other heads of state , including the presidents of Syria , Cuba and South Africa .
Kim 's last official public appearance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that showed him inspecting a group of fighter jets at an airfield in western North Korea .
He attended a meeting of the ruling party 's political bureau a day earlier , the Korean Central News Agency reported , during which he called for strict measures to contain the coronavirus .
An editorial in the state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper Friday urged citizens to rally around `` the wise leadership of Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un '' and `` faithfully uphold [ his ] ideas and leadership . ''

Speculation grew Friday about Kim Jong Un's health condition, as he hasn't been seen publicly for almost three weeks. Photo by KCNA/UPI | License Photo
SEOUL, May 1 (UPI) -- Rumors swirled again Friday around the health and whereabouts of Kim Jong Un, who has not been seen publicly for 20 days, but one defector said he's "99 percent" certain the North Korean leader is dead. Ji Seong-ho, a North Korean defector who became a member this month of South Korea's National Assembly, told local media Kim died after cardiovascular surgery and that an announcement is coming. Advertisement
"I've been informed that Kim died last weekend," Ji said, according to a report by Yonhap News Agency Friday. "It is not 100 percent certain, but I can say the possibility is 99 percent. North Korea is believed to be grappling with a complicated succession issue."
A South Korean parliamentary report Wednesday speculated that Kim's sister, Kim Yo Jong, may be waiting in the wings to assume leadership of North Korea's ruling party.
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Ji did not reveal where his information came from, but he told broadcaster SBS he trusts his source and an announcement could come as soon as Saturday.
U.S. President Donald Trump repeated claims Thursday he was aware of Kim's condition.
"I understand what's going on and I just can't talk about Kim Jong Un right now," he told reporters. "I just hope everything is going to be fine. But I do understand the [Kim] situation very well."
The president said Monday he was aware of Kim's condition and expected news in the "not-too-distant future."
The head of Taiwan's intelligence agency said Thursday Kim is "sick" and there are contingency plans in place for succession in case of a power vacuum.
National Security Bureau director Chiu Kuo-cheng told lawmakers in the Legislative Yuan he couldn't reveal his sources but said the information is reliable.
"My answer is from the intelligence that is available and it is not an opinion," Chiu said, according to the Taipei Times.
Speculation has swirled about Kim's health since he didn't attend ceremonies on April 15 for the birth of founder Kim Il Sung, for the first time since he took power in 2012. He was also absent from a celebration for the founding of North Korea's armed forces last weekend.
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A report last week by the Daily NK, a Seoul-based website that receives information from sources inside North Korea, said Kim was being treated at a hospital after a cardiovascular procedure. The article said Kim had the procedure on April 12 at the Hyangsan Clinic, a private hospital for the Kim family in North Pyongyan Province, as a result of "excessive smoking, obesity and overwork."
CNN reported that Kim was in "grave danger" following surgery. Trump later said the report was "incorrect."
Reports in South Korean newspapers this week said Kim is self-quarantining because a personal bodyguard contacted COVID-19. They speculated he may have been injured while observing missile tests on April 14
South Korean officials, however, have said there are no indications Kim is in dire health. Presidential adviser Moon Chung-in told CNN he's "alive and well" at the coastal resort area of Wonsan.
Satellite imagery from 38 North, a website observing developments in North Korea, showed a train parked this week at a station in Wonsan reserved for the Kim family. Luxury boats used by the leader have also been active off the coast of Wonsan in recent weeks, according to satellite imagery analyzed by a North Korea-focused information site.
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North Korean media haven't addressed any of the speculation, instead reporting on correspondence he's had over the past week with other heads of state, including the presidents of Syria, Cuba and South Africa.
Kim's last official public appearance was documented in an April 12 photo that showed him inspecting a group of fighter jets at an airfield in western North Korea. He attended a meeting of the ruling party's political bureau a day earlier, the Korean Central News Agency reported, during which he called for strict measures to contain the coronavirus.
An editorial in the state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper Friday urged citizens to rally around "the wise leadership of Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un" and "faithfully uphold [his] ideas and leadership."


upi--2020-05-01--COVID-19 recoveries surpass 1M; Australia, Malaysia to ease restrictions

May 1 ( UPI ) -- Australia and Malaysia on Friday announced plans to ease lockdown restrictions as the number of people cured of the coronavirus surpassed 1 million worldwide .
By Friday , more than 3.2 million people had been confirmed infected with COVID-19 since the virus emerged late last year in Wuhan , China , but according to data from Johns Hopkins University , nearly a third have recovered .
The United States , which has the most cases at more than 1 million , also recorded the highest number of people to recover from the disease at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sixth in number of infections , was second in number of recovered patients at 123,500 followed by Spain with 112,050 and China at 78,523 .
Deaths to the virus , however , continued to climb toward 234,000 globally on Friday with the United States , which reported its first case on Jan. 21 , recording more than 63,000 people killed by the disease , double that of Italy , which has the second-highest death toll of nearly 28,000 .
In Australia , which has 6,765 cases and 93 deaths , Prime Minister Scott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next Friday due to the public 's effort to curb the number of infections .
He praised Australians for preventing the spread of the coronavirus during a press conference , stating they `` deserve an early mark '' for the work that they have done .
Morrison said now they need to curb unemployment and the negative effects the Australian economy has endured due to stringent measures put in place to prevent coronavirus infections .
`` We need to restart our economy , we need to restart our society , we ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said , referring to a native quilt .
`` We need to be able to move ahead . ''
More than 900,000 unemployment claims have been processed in the last week , Morrison said .
The national cabinet will meet on Monday and Friday to discuss lifting federal restrictions , but Morrison said a condition to do so will be more Australians downloading the COVIDSafe tracing smartphone application the government has been promoting .
`` We need that tool so we can open the economy , '' he said .
`` So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ app yet , download it . ''
Greg Hunt , the health minister , said via Twitter more than 3 million people had registered with the app in the last three days .
In Malaysia on Friday , Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced most sectors of the economy will reopen following a partial lockdown on Monday .
`` Beginning May 4 , almost all economic sectors will be allowed to open with conditions , '' he said in a televised address .
`` This is important as business and work are sources of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement control order ] for too long , we will not get any income and this will have a bad impact on your finances . ''
Malaysia , which has 6,002 cases of the virus causing 102 deaths , imposed the partial lockdown on March 18 .
Yassin said businesses that involve large groups will still be shuttered .
He said the move was informed by the Ministry of Health and best practices of the World Health Organization .

A beauty shop worker wears a face mask while threading a woman's eyebrows at a business in Jerusalem, Israel, on Friday. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo
May 1 (UPI) -- The coronavirus pandemic is still a "public health emergency of international concern," the World Health Organization said Friday as it urged more global cooperation. The WHO Emergency Committee declared the pandemic an official emergency at its Jan. 30 meeting. It opens financial support for less developed countries and aims to help prevent outbreaks from reaching areas that are poorly equipped to handle them. Advertisement
"The COVID-19 pandemic is not finished," emergency committee member Dr. Didier Houssin said, adding that there is still a lack of vaccines and approved therapies.
Houssin urged world leaders to unite behind WHO leadership at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump has withheld funding and is calling for an investigation of the body's response to the pandemic.
"Governments need to support WHO," Houssin said. "We only have one WHO and we are in the middle of a pandemic."
Friday's committee made a series of recommendations for handling of the crisis, including greater efforts to help vulnerable nations bolster their food supplies and development of a strategy to allow air transport to return to normal.
By Friday afternoon, there have been about 3.2 million coronavirus cases and 234,000 deaths worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University.
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Earlier Friday, British Health Secretary Matt Hancock reported 739 new deaths and 6,200 new cases. Britain has the world's fourth-highest toll after the United States, Spain and Italy.
Hancock said Britain met is "audacious" goal of administering 100,000 COVID-19 tests by the end of the April.
In India, the Ministry of Home Affairs extended lockdown measures by two weeks. They were set to expire Sunday.
The extension includes new social guidelines tailored to varying infection levels in different areas.
In Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said restrictions could be eased next Friday due to public efforts to curb the spread. He praised Australians for cooperating and said they "deserve an early mark" for their work.
"We need to restart our economy, we need to restart our society, we can't keep Australia under the doona," he said, referring to a native quilt. "We need to be able to move ahead."
Canberra's national cabinet will meet next week to discuss lifting restrictions.
In Malaysia, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced most sectors of the economy will reopen on Monday.
"Beginning May 4, almost all economic sectors will be allowed to open with conditions," he said in a televised address. "This is important as business and work are sources of income. If was are under [movement control order] for too long, we will not get any income and this will have a bad impact on your finances."
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Malaysia, which has 6,000 cases and 102 deaths, imposed the partial lockdown on March 18.
Scenes from a pandemic: World copes with COVID-19


upi--2020-05-01--Healthcare workers without insurance, sick leave at risk from COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic has put a spotlight on the sacrifices of America 's health care workers , yet many of them live in poverty and ca n't afford health insurance .
A new study finds that more than 600,000 health care workers are poor and potentially without insurance or paid sick leave , and up to 4 million have health problems that put them at risk of dying from COVID-19 .
`` It 's nice that politicians want to label health care workers heroes and that people are going out and banging pots for them .
That 's clearly raising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is important to make sure they -- and everyone else in the country -- has health insurance and decent wages and sick leave when they need it , '' said lead researcher Dr. David Himmelstein .
He 's a professor of public health and health policy at Hunter College in New York City .
`` There 's no reason why Congress could n't pass one of the measures that 's before them that expands health insurance and also gives hazard pay to frontline workers , '' Himmelstein said .
`` Frankly , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wage and universal health insurance and sick leave . ''
The pandemic has highlighted economic inequalities in the United States , Himmelstein said .
Americans who do essential and dangerous work -- including health workers , grocery workers , bus drivers and delivery drivers -- `` ca n't make ends meet or afford medical care , '' he noted .
The researchers also found that nearly 29 percent of health care workers who care for patients do n't have paid sick leave , and more than 1 million of these workers suffer from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 275,000 health care workers with medical conditions are uninsured , including 11 percent with diabetes and 21 percent with chronic lung disease , other than asthma .
For the study , Himmelstein and his colleagues used data from two surveys that included thousands of health workers .
The researchers identified doctors , nurses and nursing aides who worked with patients and determined how many of them were over 65 or had an underlying medical condition that put them at risk of illness and death from COVID-19 .
These conditions included heart disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severe obesity , moderate or severe asthma and liver disease .
Among nursing home workers , 12 percent were uninsured , compared with 9 percent of the general population , the findings showed .
Of home care workers , most of whom do n't have personal protective equipment , 15 percent did n't have health insurance .
`` The lack of health insurance and the low wages and lack of sick leave are a problem for the health workers , but also put other people at risk , because that means that those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take a day off if they have some mild symptoms that could be coronavirus .
So they may go to work when they 're infectious , '' Himmelstein said .
The report was published April 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine .
The pandemic points out many of the problems with health care in America , said Dr. David Katz , president and founder of the True Health Initiative , in Hamden , Conn .
The nation suffers from a burden of chronic disease and obesity , which increases risk for severe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
And , `` despite the improvements associated with the Affordable Care Act , we still have a sizable population without health insurance , '' Katz added .
This study shows that those who are protecting others during this historic pandemic are risking their own health , and many do n't have the protections they need , he said .
`` Immediately , there should be policies to ensure that those on the frontlines of care in this crisis may seamlessly access any care they may need , '' Katz said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ access are acute threats to our nation 's capacity for crisis response , it 's an indication that both need to figure among the nation 's top priorities , '' Katz added .
For more on COVID-19 , head to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

Nurses get prepared to do testing at a new coronavirus testing center at the Affinia Health Care, in St. Louis on April 22. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
The coronavirus pandemic has put a spotlight on the sacrifices of America's health care workers, yet many of them live in poverty and can't afford health insurance. A new study finds that more than 600,000 health care workers are poor and potentially without insurance or paid sick leave, and up to 4 million have health problems that put them at risk of dying from COVID-19. Advertisement
"It's nice that politicians want to label health care workers heroes and that people are going out and banging pots for them. That's clearly raising people's morale. But it also is important to make sure they -- and everyone else in the country -- has health insurance and decent wages and sick leave when they need it," said lead researcher Dr. David Himmelstein. He's a professor of public health and health policy at Hunter College in New York City.
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"There's no reason why Congress couldn't pass one of the measures that's before them that expands health insurance and also gives hazard pay to frontline workers," Himmelstein said. "Frankly, we need a $15 an hour minimum wage and universal health insurance and sick leave."
The pandemic has highlighted economic inequalities in the United States, Himmelstein said.
Americans who do essential and dangerous work -- including health workers, grocery workers, bus drivers and delivery drivers -- "can't make ends meet or afford medical care," he noted.
The researchers also found that nearly 29 percent of health care workers who care for patients don't have paid sick leave, and more than 1 million of these workers suffer from their own health problems.
Also, about 275,000 health care workers with medical conditions are uninsured, including 11 percent with diabetes and 21 percent with chronic lung disease, other than asthma.
For the study, Himmelstein and his colleagues used data from two surveys that included thousands of health workers.
The researchers identified doctors, nurses and nursing aides who worked with patients and determined how many of them were over 65 or had an underlying medical condition that put them at risk of illness and death from COVID-19.
Advertisement
These conditions included heart disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes, severe obesity, moderate or severe asthma and liver disease.
Among nursing home workers, 12 percent were uninsured, compared with 9 percent of the general population, the findings showed. Of home care workers, most of whom don't have personal protective equipment, 15 percent didn't have health insurance.
"The lack of health insurance and the low wages and lack of sick leave are a problem for the health workers, but also put other people at risk, because that means that those frontline workers often can't afford to take a day off if they have some mild symptoms that could be coronavirus. So they may go to work when they're infectious," Himmelstein said.
The report was published April 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
The pandemic points out many of the problems with health care in America, said Dr. David Katz, president and founder of the True Health Initiative, in Hamden, Conn.
The nation suffers from a burden of chronic disease and obesity, which increases risk for severe infection and death from COVID-19, he said.
And, "despite the improvements associated with the Affordable Care Act, we still have a sizable population without health insurance," Katz added.
Advertisement
This study shows that those who are protecting others during this historic pandemic are risking their own health, and many don't have the protections they need, he said.
"Immediately, there should be policies to ensure that those on the frontlines of care in this crisis may seamlessly access any care they may need," Katz said.
"When prevailing health and health care access are acute threats to our nation's capacity for crisis response, it's an indication that both need to figure among the nation's top priorities," Katz added.
More information
For more on COVID-19, head to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-05-01--Despite postponement, Kentucky Derby weekend sparks memories of big upsets

May 1 ( UPI ) -- Last year 's Kentucky Derby produced one of the most peculiar finishes in history , with Country House 's win the most unique upset victory in years prior this weekend 's postponed 2020 Derby .
Fans waited 22 minutes after the finish to learn which horse won the 2019 Derby as the judges investigated a claim of foul .
The first horse to cross the finish line , Maximum Security , was disqualified , and second-place Country House , a longshot , was declared the champion .
Country house went off at 65-1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 132.40 .
Maximum Security was placed 17th .
This year 's 146th Derby had been planned , as usual , for the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville , Ky. , before the coronavirus pandemic closed stables for the first time since World War II .
The race has been rescheduled for Sept. 5 , with the expectation that fans will be in the stands .
Country House 's victory last year ended a streak of six consecutive wins for favorites at the Derby .
But before that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the finish line first .
Several jockeys have beaten the odds and won since the Derby was last postponed in 1945 because of World War II .
Here are some unexpected victories since then : Jockey Flavien Prat rode his longshot over the finish line behind first-place finisher Maximum Security -- before an unprecedented scene unfolded last year in Louisville .
The favored colt had swerved into the path of the field at the top of the backstretch and impeded War of Will to attain the victory .
Judges deliberated for nearly a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gave Country House the $ 1.86 million purse .
The result marked the first time in Derby history that the horse crossing the finish line first did n't win .
`` Churchill Downs -- because they 're a greedy organization -- has [ 20 horses in the race ] rather than 14 like you have in the Kentucky Oaks , the Breeders ' Cup and every other race in America , '' Maximum Security owner Gary West told The Today Show in May 2019 .
`` Just because they can make more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horses lives and people 's lives to do that .
I 'm not a fan of that , '' West said .
Not long after the race , Country House suffered leg ailments in June and a right front lower leg infection soon after .
He was treated successfully , and Guinness McFadden 's Blackwood Stables in Kentucky has announced that he appears to be recovering fully .
The 4-year-old wo n't race again , however .
Bellamy Road and Afleet Alex were favorites to win the 2005 Derby , but 50-1 longshot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- another longshot -- and Afleet Alex battled in a two-horse duel before Giacomo forced a photo finish .
Jockey Mike Smith helped his horse edge Closing Argument by 1/2 length .
Smith had been 0 for 11 in his previous Derby attempts .
`` I just knew he was going to run well , '' Smith told NBC .
`` Where that put us , I was n't sure .
But I knew he was going to run that kind of race .
He trained that way .
He acted that way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't really pay attention to what was going on around me . ''
A muddy track awaited jockeys once again at the 2009 Run for the Roses .
Pioneerof the Nile and Dunkirk had odds of 4-1 each as race favorites , but 50-1 longshot Mine That Bird won .
Mine That Bird trailed the field for most of the race as Pioneerof the Nile raced toward the front .
Jockey Calvin Borel 's horse got a late burst of energy , weaved through traffic and knifed through a paper-thin gap while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ track to crush the field by 6 3/4 lengths .
`` I was pretty far back , '' Borel said of his start at the 2009 Derby .
`` I must have been 15 or 20 lengths behind , [ but ] I had a lot of horse . ''
Mine That Bird was purchased for $ 9,500 , an extreme bargain in the horse racing world .
Alfred G. Vanderbilt 's horse , Native Dancer , entered the 79th Derby with an 11-race win streak .
Dark Star -- a 24-1 longshot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Native Dancer was roughed up in the field .
Dark Star held the lead before Native Dancer raced toward the front to contend .
But the favored colt could n't close before the finish line , and Dark Star won by a head .
`` I planned to lay third [ place ] behind Correspondent and Native Dancer , but I had so much horse under me that I soon changed my mind , '' Dark Star jockey Hank Moreno told The New York Times .
Jockey Bobby Ussery 's Proud Clarion was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Derby .
Damascus was a 2-1 prerace favorite with six wins in his previous eight starts .
Proud Clarion dug through the mud and galloped from eighth to fifth place before he climbed behind leader Barbs Delight .
Ussery then propelled Proud Clarion into the lead and a one-length win to claim a $ 162,000 prize .
`` I was more or less following Damascus , '' Ussery told the Louisville Courier-Journal .
`` I did n't think Damascus would flatten out like he did .
But -- whoosh -- we went right @ @ @ @

1/5
| License Photo Maximum Security (R) appeared to win the 2019 Kentucky Derby before he was disqualified and the win given to Country House (C) on May 4 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. File Photo by Mark Abraham/UPI
May 1 (UPI) -- This weekend marks the first time since World War II that the Kentucky Derby will be postponed, leaving fans with memories of last year's peculiar finish -- and a chapter of other unexpected victories in the history of the Run for the Roses. Fans waited 22 minutes after the 2019 finish to learn which horse won the 2019 Derby as the judges investigated a claim of foul. The first horse to cross the finish line, Maximum Security, was disqualified, and second-place Country House, a longshot, was declared the champion. Advertisement
Country House went off at 65-1 and a $2 win bet paid $132.40. Maximum Security was placed 17th.
This year's 146th Derby had been planned, as usual, for the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., before the coronavirus pandemic closed stables. The race has been rescheduled for Sept. 5, with the expectation that fans will be in the stands.
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Country House's victory last year ended a streak of six consecutive wins for favorites at the Derby. But before that, the favorites had been 0-for-20 in crossing the finish line first.
Several jockeys have beaten the odds and won since the Derby was last postponed in 1945. Here is a look back at some of those unexpected victories.
2019: Country House
Jockey Flavien Prat rode his longshot over the finish line behind first-place finisher Maximum Security -- before an unprecedented scene unfolded last year in Louisville.
The favored colt had swerved into the path of the field at the top of the backstretch and impeded War of Will to attain the victory.
Judges deliberated for nearly a half hour before they disqualified Maximum Security and gave Country House the $1.86 million purse. The result marked the first time in Derby history that the horse crossing the finish line first didn't win.
"Churchill Downs -- because they're a greedy organization -- has [20 horses in the race] rather than 14 like you have in the Kentucky Oaks, the Breeders' Cup and every other race in America," Maximum Security owner Gary West told The Today Show in May 2019.
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"Just because they can make more money, they're willing to risk horses lives and people's lives to do that. I'm not a fan of that," West said.
Not long after the race, Country House suffered leg ailments in June and a right front lower leg infection soon after.
He was treated successfully, and Guinness McFadden's Blackwood Stables in Kentucky has announced that he appears to be recovering fully. The 4-year-old won't race again, however.
2005: Giacomo
Bellamy Road and Afleet Alex were favorites to win the 2005 Derby, but 50-1 longshot Giacomo won the race. Closing Argument -- another longshot -- and Afleet Alex battled in a two-horse duel before Giacomo forced a photo finish. Jockey Mike Smith helped his horse edge Closing Argument by 1/2 length. Smith had been 0 for 11 in his previous Derby attempts.
"I just knew he was going to run well," Smith told NBC. "Where that put us, I wasn't sure. But I knew he was going to run that kind of race. He trained that way. He acted that way. I was really focused. I didn't really pay attention to what was going on around me."
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2009: Mine That Bird
A muddy track awaited jockeys once again at the 2009 Run for the Roses. Pioneerof the Nile and Dunkirk had odds of 4-1 each as race favorites, but 50-1 longshot Mine That Bird won.
Mine That Bird trailed the field for most of the race as Pioneerof the Nile raced toward the front. Jockey Calvin Borel's horse got a late burst of energy, weaved through traffic and knifed through a paper-thin gap while he hugged the inside wall of the track to crush the field by 6 3/4 lengths.
"I was pretty far back," Borel said of his start at the 2009 Derby. "I must have been 15 or 20 lengths behind, [but] I had a lot of horse."
Mine That Bird was purchased for $9,500, an extreme bargain in the horse racing world.
1953: Dark Star
Alfred G. Vanderbilt's horse, Native Dancer, entered the 79th Derby with an 11-race win streak. Dark Star -- a 24-1 longshot -- bolted to an early lead as Native Dancer was roughed up in the field.
Dark Star held the lead before Native Dancer raced toward the front to contend. But the favored colt couldn't close before the finish line, and Dark Star won by a head.
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"I planned to lay third [place] behind Correspondent and Native Dancer, but I had so much horse under me that I soon changed my mind," Dark Star jockey Hank Moreno told The New York Times.
1967: Proud Clarion
Jockey Bobby Ussery's Proud Clarion was a 30-1 longshot to win the 1967 Derby. Damascus was a 2-1 prerace favorite with six wins in his previous eight starts. Proud Clarion dug through the mud and galloped from eighth to fifth place before he climbed behind leader Barbs Delight. Ussery then propelled Proud Clarion into the lead and a one-length win to claim a $162,000 prize.
"I was more or less following Damascus," Ussery told the Louisville Courier-Journal. "I didn't think Damascus would flatten out like he did. But -- whoosh -- we went right on by."
The Kentucky Derby through the years


upi--2020-05-01--On This Day, May 1: Francis Gary Powers' spy plane shot down

May 1 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1884 , construction began on the world 's first skyscraper -- the 10-story Home Insurance Co. building in Chicago .
In 1893 , U.S. President Grover Cleveland opened the World 's Columbian Exposition in Chicago .
In 1898 , during the Spanish-American war , forces under U.S. Navy Adm. George Dewey routed the Spanish fleet in the Philippines .
In 1931 , the Empire State Building was dedicated in New York City .
At 102 stories , it was the world 's tallest building for 40 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot down a U.S. U-2 spy plane flown by Francis Gary Powers , who was captured .
In 1971 , Amtrak , the U.S. national rail service that combined the operations of 18 passenger railroads , went into service .
In 1985 , President Ronald Reagan banned trade with Nicaragua to try to undermine the Sandinista government .
President George H.W .
Bush lifted the embargo in 1990 .
In 1986 , a Soviet Embassy official , in a rare appearance before Congress , insisted that the Chernobyl nuclear accident was `` not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Rickey Henderson of the Oakland Athletics stole his 939th base , making him the all-time leader .
In 1991 , Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers pitched his record seventh no-hitter .
In 1993 , Sri Lankan President Ranasinghe Premadasa and others in his entourage were killed in a suicide bomb blast .
In 1997 , 18 years of Conservative Party rule in Britain ended with a Labor Party victory in elections , allowing party leader Tony Blair to succeed John Majors as prime minister .
In 1999 , a meeting between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Slobodan Milosevic led to the release of three U.S. soldiers captured a month earlier by Serbian troops .
In 2001 , a former member of the Ku Klux Klan was convicted in Birmingham , Ala. , in a 1963 church bombing that killed four black girls .
He was given four life sentences .
In 2003 , President George W. Bush , speaking from the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln , declared that major combat in Iraq was over and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld announced the end of major U.S. combat operations in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Madain , Iraq , confessed to the kidnapping and slaying of British aid worker Margaret Hassan .
In 2009 , U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter announced he would retire in June .
He served on the court for 19 years .
In 2011 , President Barack Obama announced at 11:35 p.m. EDT that al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden , architect of the Sept. 11 , 2001 , terrorist attacks on the United States and the face of global terrorism , was killed in a U.S. commando raid ( May 2 Pakistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pakistani capital .
In 2019 , a British court sentenced WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to 50 weeks in jail for skipping bail in 2012 .

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On May 1, 1960, the Soviet Union shot down a U.S. U-2 spy plane flown by Francis Gary Powers, pictured November 16, 1960, who was captured. File Photo courtesy of {link:RIA Novosti:"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:RIAN_archive_35174_American_Spy_Pilot_Francis_Gary_Powers.jpg" target="_blank"}
May 1 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1884, construction began on the world's first skyscraper -- the 10-story Home Insurance Co. building in Chicago. Advertisement
In 1893, U.S. President Grover Cleveland opened the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
In 1898, during the Spanish-American war, forces under U.S. Navy Adm. George Dewey routed the Spanish fleet in the Philippines.
In 1931, the Empire State Building was dedicated in New York City. At 102 stories, it was the world's tallest building for 40 years.
File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
In 1960, the Soviet Union shot down a U.S. U-2 spy plane flown by Francis Gary Powers, who was captured.
In 1971, Amtrak, the U.S. national rail service that combined the operations of 18 passenger railroads, went into service.
In 1985, President Ronald Reagan banned trade with Nicaragua to try to undermine the Sandinista government. President George H.W. Bush lifted the embargo in 1990.
In 1986, a Soviet Embassy official, in a rare appearance before Congress, insisted that the Chernobyl nuclear accident was "not out of hand."
Advertisement
In 1991, Rickey Henderson of the Oakland Athletics stole his 939th base, making him the all-time leader.
In 1991, Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers pitched his record seventh no-hitter.
File Photo by David Stluka/UPI
In 1993, Sri Lankan President Ranasinghe Premadasa and others in his entourage were killed in a suicide bomb blast.
In 1997, 18 years of Conservative Party rule in Britain ended with a Labor Party victory in elections, allowing party leader Tony Blair to succeed John Majors as prime minister.
In 1999, a meeting between the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic led to the release of three U.S. soldiers captured a month earlier by Serbian troops.
In 2001, a former member of the Ku Klux Klan was convicted in Birmingham, Ala., in a 1963 church bombing that killed four black girls. He was given four life sentences.
In 2003, President George W. Bush, speaking from the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, declared that major combat in Iraq was over and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld announced the end of major U.S. combat operations in Afghanistan.
Advertisement
In 2005, five men in Madain, Iraq, confessed to the kidnapping and slaying of British aid worker Margaret Hassan.
In 2009, U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter announced he would retire in June. He served on the court for 19 years.
In 2011, President Barack Obama announced at 11:35 p.m. EDT that al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden, architect of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States and the face of global terrorism, was killed in a U.S. commando raid (May 2 Pakistan time) on his compound near the Pakistani capital.
In 2019, a British court sentenced WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to 50 weeks in jail for skipping bail in 2012.


upi--2020-05-01--Stars say ‘Trying’ relatable to those doing their best in pandemic

NEW YORK , May 1 ( UPI ) -- Rafe Spall and Esther Smith say they hope their new television comedy , Trying , resonates with people doing their best to thrive at home while social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic .
`` It 's about a couple trying to adopt , but I think we all know what it 's like to strive , to get to a point in your life where you feel like something 's missing , or to feel like you 're not where you want it to be , '' Spall told UPI during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andy Wolton and directed by Jim O'Hanlon , Trying will debut on Apple TV+ Friday .
The show depicts Jason and Nikki , a loving , working-class , thirty-something , London couple struggling through infertility and enduring a rigorous adoption process that forces them to scrutinize their habits and defend their life choices to strangers evaluating whether they are worthy to be parents .
Because of the real-life pandemic , people are going through an unprecedented time of introspection during which they are reevaluating their own lives and finding things to be grateful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Spall noted .
`` They 're not violent or vindictive or mean , '' Spall said of his and Smith 's characters .
`` They 're kind , and I think most people are .
At the moment , we 're seeing huge shows and acts of altruism and kindness and a real yearning for community and I ca n't wait to be among people again . ''
Smith agreed the timing of the show 's premiere was fortuitous .
`` It probably would have meant something different had it come out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the actress said of the series being aptly named Trying .
`` We 're all constantly trying as people , '' Smith said .
`` We 're all constantly trying to do better , trying to figure ourselves out , trying to figure our life out , and we 've been given this mad opportunity right now to try and come together as people , as a community , and maybe leave this mad situation we 're in , in a different head space into a different world . ''
Men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Fallen Kingdom actor Spall said Wolton , who was adopted , brought sensitivity and humor to the serious subject matter at the heart of Trying .
In fact , Wolton was such a tremendous resource , Spall and his co-star did n't do much outside research on fertility and adoption and , like their characters , learned as they went .
`` Everything is kind of in the script already , '' Smith said , recalling how she laughed , cried and fell in love with the characters the first time she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is so well written .
That really attracted me to it . ''
The show also gave the actress -- an original cast member of the stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child -- the chance to work for the first time with Imelda Staunton , a scene-stealer from the Harry Potter film franchise .
In Trying , Staunton plays Penny , a big-hearted social worker and enthusiastic advocate for Nikki and Jason in their campaign to adopt .
Smith called the experience of sharing the screen with Staunton `` dreamy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Smith said .
`` You ca n't help but learn off her .
She 's incredible .
Incredible .
Kind of a real 'pinch yourself ' moment , working with Imelda Staunton . ''
Spall described Staunton as `` a really fun , original person , with a sort of a very playful , naughty sense of humor . ''
`` She 's a reminder that it 's supposed to be fun , it has to be fun , you ca n't take it too seriously because you are in an extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living . ''
Season 1 ends with Nikki and Jason becoming stronger as a couple , having shored up their support network of family and friends , and being approved to move forward as prospective adoptive parents .
Spall has n't read any scripts for Season 2 , but said he imagines it will be about matching the couple with a child .
`` There 's lots of dramatic and comedic situations that will arise out of that , '' he predicted .
Added Smith : `` There 's so much scope , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could go .
I 'm really excited to see what happens to them .
And I 'd quite happily do this for many , many years to come . ''

1/3
Rafe Spall (L) and Esther Smith can now be seen in the romantic comedy, "Trying." Photo courtesy of Apple TV+
NEW YORK, May 1 (UPI) -- Rafe Spall and Esther Smith say they hope their new television comedy, Trying, resonates with people doing their best to thrive at home while social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. "It's about a couple trying to adopt, but I think we all know what it's like to strive, to get to a point in your life where you feel like something's missing, or to feel like you're not where you want it to be," Spall told UPI during a video-conference call Monday. Advertisement
Written by Andy Wolton and directed by Jim O'Hanlon, Trying will debut on Apple TV+ Friday.
The show depicts Jason and Nikki, a loving, working-class, thirty-something, London couple struggling through infertility and enduring a rigorous adoption process that forces them to scrutinize their habits and defend their life choices to strangers evaluating whether they are worthy to be parents.
Advertisement
Because of the real-life pandemic, people are going through an unprecedented time of introspection during which they are reevaluating their own lives and finding things to be grateful about -- just like Nikki and Jason, Spall noted.
"They're not violent or vindictive or mean," Spall said of his and Smith's characters.
"They're kind, and I think most people are. At the moment, we're seeing huge shows and acts of altruism and kindness and a real yearning for community and I can't wait to be among people again."
Smith agreed the timing of the show's premiere was fortuitous.
"It probably would have meant something different had it come out when we weren't in this pandemic," the actress said of the series being aptly named Trying.
"We're all constantly trying as people," Smith said. "We're all constantly trying to do better, trying to figure ourselves out, trying to figure our life out, and we've been given this mad opportunity right now to try and come together as people, as a community, and maybe leave this mad situation we're in, in a different head space into a different world."
Men in Black: International and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom actor Spall said Wolton, who was adopted, brought sensitivity and humor to the serious subject matter at the heart of Trying.
Advertisement
In fact, Wolton was such a tremendous resource, Spall and his co-star didn't do much outside research on fertility and adoption and, like their characters, learned as they went.
"Everything is kind of in the script already," Smith said, recalling how she laughed, cried and fell in love with the characters the first time she read the screenplay. "Their relationship is so well written. That really attracted me to it."
The show also gave the actress -- an original cast member of the stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child -- the chance to work for the first time with Imelda Staunton, a scene-stealer from the Harry Potter film franchise.
In Trying, Staunton plays Penny, a big-hearted social worker and enthusiastic advocate for Nikki and Jason in their campaign to adopt.
Smith called the experience of sharing the screen with Staunton "dreamy."
"She's so lovely," Smith said. "You can't help but learn off her. She's incredible. Incredible. Kind of a real 'pinch yourself' moment, working with Imelda Staunton."
Spall described Staunton as "a really fun, original person, with a sort of a very playful, naughty sense of humor."
"She's a reminder that it's supposed to be fun, it has to be fun, you can't take it too seriously because you are in an extremely privileged position to make believe for a living."
Advertisement
Season 1 ends with Nikki and Jason becoming stronger as a couple, having shored up their support network of family and friends, and being approved to move forward as prospective adoptive parents.
Spall hasn't read any scripts for Season 2, but said he imagines it will be about matching the couple with a child.
"There's lots of dramatic and comedic situations that will arise out of that," he predicted.
Added Smith: "There's so much scope, there's so many options where this could go. I'm really excited to see what happens to them. And I'd quite happily do this for many, many years to come."


upi--2020-05-01--UPI News Quiz: SpaceX, elections, TV goofs

U.S. News // 7 hours ago
Hunter Biden lawyer asks to withdraw from case because he could be called as witness
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Hunter Biden's lawyer asked to withdraw from the criminal case against Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, over the possibility he might be called as a witness.


upi--2020-05-01--Robbie Amell series 'Upload' predicted people wearing masks

LOS ANGELES , May 1 ( UPI ) -- Robbie Amell began to film his new sci-fi comedy Upload in January 2018 .
He was shocked to find that the show , which premieres Friday on Amazon Prime , had predicted people would be wearing masks in public .
Upload takes place in a future in which people can be uploaded to a digital afterlife before they die .
The show 's futurescape depicts people wearing masks on the subway .
Creator Greg Daniels ( The Office , Parks and Recreation ) could not have known in 2018 that his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required people to use masks .
`` That actually had nothing to do with a virus of any kind , '' Amell told UPI in a phone interview .
`` That was more of a take on pollution and what the world might be like in 15 years . ''
In the show , Nathan ( Amell ) is injured in a self-driving car accident .
With his life hanging in the balance , he decides to be uploaded just in case his physical body can not be saved .
Once he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his body .
Another character in the future is ailing with a condition called `` chronic vape lung . ''
Daniels anticipated medical complications from vaping before cases of lung damage among vapers emerged last year .
`` When they talk about vape lungs , that was n't really a thing , '' Amell continued .
`` None of the reports about vaping being so harsh or detrimental had come out yet . ''
Nathan uploads himself to Lakeview , a lavish resort environment in the cloud .
He can communicate with living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical contact if they are wearing virtual reality suits .
His digitized brain can live in Lakeview infinitely .
`` They 've now talked about trying to map the human brain , '' Amell said .
`` They 're mapping smaller animal brains to try and potentially be able to do what we do in the show , or a version of that but that 's a long way off . ''
Amell hopes Upload viewers understand these real life parallels were entirely coincidental .
`` The show is more relevant now than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The only problem is some of the stuff that we shot came true in real life .
It looks like art imitating life when really it ended up being life imitating art . ''
Upload also explores its characters living virtual lives , isolating themselves and only connecting with people remotely .
Nathan 's video connections with the living world are an extreme example of that .
He also falls in love with Nora ( Andy Allo ) , the technical support worker who guides him through Lakeview .
`` The relationship that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any of the friends that he did have in the real world , '' Amell said .
`` I think the two of them are looking for something when they meet each other and they find it in one another . ''
Nora 's father is the one suffering from vape lung .
With his impending death , Nora tries to persuade him to upload into Lakeview .
This gives Nathan perspective on the problems people have beyond his adjustment to Lakeview , and it makes him admire Nora .
`` The more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more their relationship builds and feels like it could be something more , '' Amell said .
`` Again , they 're always going to have that hurdle of one 's real and one is n't . ''
Upload came at a time of transition in Amell 's life , though fortunately not as drastic as Nathan 's .
He wanted to start a family with his wife , Italia Ricci , so was looking for more stability .
`` I talked to my agent and I said , 'My wife and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the near or not-so-distant future .
I 'm not really looking for an hour-long drama that 's nine months a year .
So I would like a half-hour comedy , ' '' Amell recalled .
Amell and Ricci have a son , Robert Amell V , born Sept. 12 .
With Season 1 of Upload wrapped , Amell can stay home with them .
`` Right now we 're just doing our part to flatten the curve , '' Amell said , referring to the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` We 're staying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to do that , so we 're just taking it easy and spending time with the family . ''

1/2
Robbie Amell learns how to get the most from his digital afterlife from Andy Allo in "Upload." Photo courtesy of Amazon Studios
LOS ANGELES, May 1 (UPI) -- Robbie Amell began to film his new sci-fi comedy Upload in January 2018. He was shocked to find that the show, which premieres Friday on Amazon Prime, had predicted people would be wearing masks in public. Upload takes place in a future in which people can be uploaded to a digital afterlife before they die. The show's futurescape depicts people wearing masks on the subway. Creator Greg Daniels (The Office, Parks and Recreation) could not have known in 2018 that his show would air during a pandemic that required people to use masks. Advertisement
"That actually had nothing to do with a virus of any kind," Amell told UPI in a phone interview. "That was more of a take on pollution and what the world might be like in 15 years."
In the show, Nathan (Amell) is injured in a self-driving car accident. With his life hanging in the balance, he decides to be uploaded just in case his physical body cannot be saved. Once he is uploaded, he cannot return to his body.
Advertisement
Another character in the future is ailing with a condition called "chronic vape lung." Daniels anticipated medical complications from vaping before cases of lung damage among vapers emerged last year.
"When they talk about vape lungs, that wasn't really a thing," Amell continued. "None of the reports about vaping being so harsh or detrimental had come out yet."
Nathan uploads himself to Lakeview, a lavish resort environment in the cloud. He can communicate with living people via video chat and even make physical contact if they are wearing virtual reality suits. His digitized brain can live in Lakeview infinitely.
"They've now talked about trying to map the human brain," Amell said. "They're mapping smaller animal brains to try and potentially be able to do what we do in the show, or a version of that but that's a long way off."
Amell hopes Upload viewers understand these real life parallels were entirely coincidental.
"The show is more relevant now than ever," Amell said. "The only problem is some of the stuff that we shot came true in real life. It looks like art imitating life when really it ended up being life imitating art."
Upload also explores its characters living virtual lives, isolating themselves and only connecting with people remotely. Nathan's video connections with the living world are an extreme example of that.
Advertisement
He also falls in love with Nora (Andy Allo), the technical support worker who guides him through Lakeview.
"The relationship that he builds with Nora becomes stronger than any of the friends that he did have in the real world," Amell said. "I think the two of them are looking for something when they meet each other and they find it in one another."
Nora's father is the one suffering from vape lung. With his impending death, Nora tries to persuade him to upload into Lakeview. This gives Nathan perspective on the problems people have beyond his adjustment to Lakeview, and it makes him admire Nora.
"The more they get to know each other, the more their relationship builds and feels like it could be something more," Amell said. "Again, they're always going to have that hurdle of one's real and one isn't."
Upload came at a time of transition in Amell's life, though fortunately not as drastic as Nathan's. He wanted to start a family with his wife, Italia Ricci, so was looking for more stability.
"I talked to my agent and I said, 'My wife and I are looking to start a family in the near or not-so-distant future. I'm not really looking for an hour-long drama that's nine months a year. So I would like a half-hour comedy,'" Amell recalled.
Advertisement
Amell and Ricci have a son, Robert Amell V, born Sept. 12. With Season 1 of Upload wrapped, Amell can stay home with them.
"Right now we're just doing our part to flatten the curve," Amell said, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic. "We're staying home. We're lucky enough to be able to do that, so we're just taking it easy and spending time with the family."
Upload Season 1 premieres Friday on Amazon Prime.


upi--2020-05-01--NASA resurrects red ‘worm’ logo for return to human spaceflight

May 1 ( UPI ) -- NASA will tap into nostalgia , and some controversy , by resurrecting its red so-called worm logo in limited fashion for the agency 's return to human spaceflight planned for May 27 .
The space agency said the logo , which was retired in 1995 , is a `` retro , modern design '' that will help capture `` the excitement of a new , modern era of human spaceflight . ''
The worm logo may be used occasionally on other missions , but the agency has n't changed its official logo .
Workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that is to carry astronauts from Florida to the International Space Station .
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine announced that it would be used again , and indicated his support for it .
`` I grew up inspired by NASA missions during the era of the NASA worm , '' Bridenstine said on Twitter .
NASA used the worm logo from 1975 to 1992 , so people who were children during that era might remember it fondly , NASA chief historian Bill Barry said .
Before and after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls the `` meatball '' logo -- a blue sphere with a red chevron and white circle that represents a spacecraft in orbit .
The worm logo created backlash among NASA employees when it was introduced in 1975 , just a few years after the last Apollo moon landing , Barry said .
He said NASA 's rollout of the worm logo was abrupt and caused hurt feelings .
`` Most NASA employees learned about the worm logo when new letterhead and business cards arrived -- at the same time the agency was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exploration and toward other scientific endeavors , '' Barry said .
The worm logo became iconic , anyway , as NASA launched the first space shuttle missions in 1981 , he said .
`` The neat thing about it is how deeply embedded in American culture it was , '' said Richard Danne , the designer who created the worm logo .
Part of his assignment was to simplify the logo to make it easier for printing in the 1970s .
The worm logo uses only one color and easily fits on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted simplicity , sophistication and a progressive look to unify NASA 's publications with an innovative and technological appeal , '' Danne said .
`` It 's exhilarating now to see it come back . ''
Many still have no love for the worm , though , said Charlie Mars , a retired NASA program manager who worked at Kennedy Space Center in Florida .
Mars now is chairman of the board at the American Space Museum and Walk of Fame in nearby Titusville .
`` I think it 's a bad idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` When they came by and said , we 're gon na get rid of the meatball , that was the symbol that meant everything I had worked for . ''

A Falcon 9 rocket is prepared, with the red "worm" logo on the side, for the planned May 27 launch of astronauts from Florida to the International Space Station. Photo courtesy of NASA
May 1 (UPI) -- NASA will tap into nostalgia, and some controversy, by resurrecting its red so-called worm logo in limited fashion for the agency's return to human spaceflight planned for May 27. The space agency said the logo, which was retired in 1995, is a "retro, modern design" that will help capture "the excitement of a new, modern era of human spaceflight." The worm logo may be used occasionally on other missions, but the agency hasn't changed its official logo. Advertisement
Workers painted the worm logo on the side of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that is to carry astronauts from Florida to the International Space Station. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine announced that it would be used again, and indicated his support for it.
"I grew up inspired by NASA missions during the era of the NASA worm," Bridenstine said on Twitter.
Advertisement
NASA used the worm logo from 1975 to 1992, so people who were children during that era might remember it fondly, NASA chief historian Bill Barry said.
Before and after that, NASA has used what it calls the "meatball" logo -- a blue sphere with a red chevron and white circle that represents a spacecraft in orbit.
The worm logo created backlash among NASA employees when it was introduced in 1975, just a few years after the last Apollo moon landing, Barry said. He said NASA's rollout of the worm logo was abrupt and caused hurt feelings.
"Most NASA employees learned about the worm logo when new letterhead and business cards arrived -- at the same time the agency was told to shift away from pure space exploration and toward other scientific endeavors," Barry said.
The worm logo became iconic, anyway, as NASA launched the first space shuttle missions in 1981, he said.
"The neat thing about it is how deeply embedded in American culture it was," said Richard Danne, the designer who created the worm logo. Part of his assignment was to simplify the logo to make it easier for printing in the 1970s. The worm logo uses only one color and easily fits on the side of a rocket.
Advertisement
"We wanted simplicity, sophistication and a progressive look to unify NASA's publications with an innovative and technological appeal," Danne said. "It's exhilarating now to see it come back."
Many still have no love for the worm, though, said Charlie Mars, a retired NASA program manager who worked at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Mars now is chairman of the board at the American Space Museum and Walk of Fame in nearby Titusville.
"I think it's a bad idea to bring it back," Mars said. "When they came by and said, we're gonna get rid of the meatball, that was the symbol that meant everything I had worked for."
I grew up inspired by @NASA missions during the era of the NASA worm. In fact, I was born in 1975, the year the NASA worm logo was first introduced. In the 80s, I had a NASA X-29 (my favorite plane) poster hanging in my room. It sported the NASA worm on its tail.— Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) April 2, 2020


upi--2020-05-01--Virtual Kentucky Derby, live baseball in Asia highlight weekend sports schedule

May 1 ( UPI ) -- A virtual version of the Kentucky Derby and live baseball games in Taiwan highlight the sports weekend schedule to open May .
All major American sports leagues still are suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The PGA Tour and NASCAR most likely will host the first competitions after the sports ban , with NASCAR eyeing a mid-May return and golf slated for a mid-June comeback .
The 2020 Kentucky Derby was planned for Saturday but has been pushed into September .
Churchill Downs plans to fill the hiatus with a virtual version of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kentucky Derby : Triple Crown Showdown race will air at roughly 5:45 p.m. EDT Saturday on NBC -- the same time slot in which the 2020 Derby would have aired on the network had it not been postponed .
The virtual version of the event will feature 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat , Citation , Seattle Slew , Affirmed , American Pharoah , Justify and seven other Triple Crown winners .
Secretariat is a 7-2 favorite to win the event , followed by Citation ( 4-1 ) .
Seattle Slew and Affirmed each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizers will use data algorithms and historical handicapping information for each horse to help determine the probability of race results .
Fans can visit kentuckyderby.com to choose their horse for the race .
Churchill Downs will match up to $ 1 million in donations on the website for COVID-19 relief efforts .
The Kentucky Derby : Triple Crown Showdown broadcast will starts at 3 p.m. EDT and end at 6 p.m. EDT .
The broadcast will include a replay of the 2015 Derby .
Churchill Downs hopes to raise $ 2 million for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans will have to wait to watch live Major League Baseball games , but teams are on fields in Taiwan without fans in the stands .
The Chinese Professional Baseball League is one of the only active sports leagues in the world .
Rosters feature an abundance of Taiwanese players and some Americans with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball experience .
Four teams play in the Chinese Professional Baseball League : the Rakuten Monkeys , Uni-Lions , Fubon Guardians and Chinatrust Brothers .
Fans can watch games on the Eleven Sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ typically set for 6:35 a.m. EDT throughout the week .
Weekend games start at 5:05 a.m. EDT .
This weekend 's schedule includes two three-game series from Friday through Sunday .
The Monkeys will face the Brothers at Taoyuan International Baseball Stadium in Taoyuan , and the Uni-Lions will battle the Guardians at Tainan Municipal Baseball Stadium in Tainan .
Both series start at 6:35 a.m. EDT Friday .
Former Houston Astros pitcher Henry Sosa will start Friday 's game for the Guardians .
Former Seattle Mariners pitcher Ariel Miranda will start Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reds pitcher Lisalverto Bonilla .
The second and third games of each series have first pitch times of 5:05 a.m. EDT Saturday and Sunday .
Baseball is n't the only game in town in Taiwan , as live basketball and soccer competitions also have been available for fans to stream .
The Taiwan Super Basketball League finals ended Thursday morning .
Taiwan Beer claimed the league title with a lopsided 117-78 win against the Yulon Luxgen Dinos .
Several soccer matches are available to stream this weekend out of Taiwan , Belarus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Europe with an active soccer league .
Live broadcasts and replays of Belarus Premier League games are available on YouTube .
Minsk will face Torpedo BelAz at 7 a.m. EDT in the first game of Saturday 's slate .
Ruh Brest will battle Gorodeya at 9 a.m. EDT Saturday .
Dinamo Minsk and Slutsk will play in the final game at 11 a.m. EDT Saturday .
Belshina and Dinamo Brest will face off at 7 a.m. EDT Sunday to wrap up the Belarus Premier League weekend .
The Liga Primera Nicaragua regular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ championship game between Real Esteli and Managua will air at 11 p.m. EDT Saturday on YouTube .
The Taiwan Football Premier League will also air games at 4 a.m. EDT Saturday on YouTube through CTFA TV .
Games include Hang Yuen FC vs. Ming Chuan University ; Taipei Red Lions vs. Taiwan Power Company FC ; Taipei City Tatung FCvs .
NTUPES ; and Tainan City vs. Taichung Futuro .

Churchill Downs will be part of a virtual Kentucky Derby on Saturday on NBC after the 146th running of the race -- planned for that day -- was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. File Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo
May 1 (UPI) -- A virtual version of the Kentucky Derby and live baseball games in Taiwan highlight the sports weekend schedule to open May. All major American sports leagues still are suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic. The PGA Tour and NASCAR most likely will host the first competitions after the sports ban, with NASCAR eyeing a mid-May return and golf slated for a mid-June comeback. Advertisement
The 2020 Kentucky Derby was planned for Saturday but has been pushed into September. Churchill Downs plans to fill the hiatus with a virtual version of the Run for the Roses.
Secretariat favored in virtual Derby
The Kentucky Derby: Triple Crown Showdown race will air at roughly 5:45 p.m. EDT Saturday on NBC -- the same time slot in which the 2020 Derby would have aired on the network had it not been postponed.
The virtual version of the event will feature 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat, Citation, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, American Pharoah, Justify and seven other Triple Crown winners.
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Secretariat is a 7-2 favorite to win the event, followed by Citation (4-1). Seattle Slew and Affirmed each have 5-1 odds to win. Race organizers will use data algorithms and historical handicapping information for each horse to help determine the probability of race results.
Fans can visit kentuckyderby.com to choose their horse for the race. Churchill Downs will match up to $1 million in donations on the website for COVID-19 relief efforts.
The Kentucky Derby: Triple Crown Showdown broadcast will starts at 3 p.m. EDT and end at 6 p.m. EDT. The broadcast will include a replay of the 2015 Derby.
Churchill Downs hopes to raise $2 million for charity with the virtual event.
Chinese Professional Baseball League
Baseball fans will have to wait to watch live Major League Baseball games, but teams are on fields in Taiwan without fans in the stands.
The Chinese Professional Baseball League is one of the only active sports leagues in the world. Rosters feature an abundance of Taiwanese players and some Americans with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball experience.
Four teams play in the Chinese Professional Baseball League: the Rakuten Monkeys, Uni-Lions, Fubon Guardians and Chinatrust Brothers. Fans can watch games on the Eleven Sports Taiwan Twitter account, with first pitches typically set for 6:35 a.m. EDT throughout the week. Weekend games start at 5:05 a.m. EDT.
Advertisement
This weekend's schedule includes two three-game series from Friday through Sunday. The Monkeys will face the Brothers at Taoyuan International Baseball Stadium in Taoyuan, and the Uni-Lions will battle the Guardians at Tainan Municipal Baseball Stadium in Tainan.
Both series start at 6:35 a.m. EDT Friday. Former Houston Astros pitcher Henry Sosa will start Friday's game for the Guardians. Former Seattle Mariners pitcher Ariel Miranda will start Friday's game for the Brothers against ex-Cincinnati Reds pitcher Lisalverto Bonilla.
The second and third games of each series have first pitch times of 5:05 a.m. EDT Saturday and Sunday.
Baseball isn't the only game in town in Taiwan, as live basketball and soccer competitions also have been available for fans to stream. The Taiwan Super Basketball League finals ended Thursday morning. Taiwan Beer claimed the league title with a lopsided 117-78 win against the Yulon Luxgen Dinos.
Advertisement
Soccer in Taiwan, Belarus and Nicaragua
Several soccer matches are available to stream this weekend out of Taiwan, Belarus and Nicaragua.
Belarus is the only country in Europe with an active soccer league. Live broadcasts and replays of Belarus Premier League games are available on YouTube.
Minsk will face Torpedo BelAz at 7 a.m. EDT in the first game of Saturday's slate. Ruh Brest will battle Gorodeya at 9 a.m. EDT Saturday. Dinamo Minsk and Slutsk will play in the final game at 11 a.m. EDT Saturday.
Belshina and Dinamo Brest will face off at 7 a.m. EDT Sunday to wrap up the Belarus Premier League weekend.
The Liga Primera Nicaragua regular season finished last week, but the championship game between Real Esteli and Managua will air at 11 p.m. EDT Saturday on YouTube.
The Taiwan Football Premier League will also air games at 4 a.m. EDT Saturday on YouTube through CTFA TV.
Games include Hang Yuen FC vs. Ming Chuan University; Taipei Red Lions vs. Taiwan Power Company FC; Taipei City Tatung FCvs. NTUPES; and Tainan City vs. Taichung Futuro.


upi--2020-05-01--Famous birthdays for May 1: Joanna Lumley, Judy Collins

May 1 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus .

1/3
Joanna Lumley arrives on the red carpet at the "Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie" premiere at SVA Theater on July 18, 2016, in New York City. The actor turns 74. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 1 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus. They include: Advertisement
-- Sharpshooter Calamity Jane, born Martha Jane Cannary Burke, in 1852
-- U.S. Army Gen. Mark Clark in 1896
-- Singer Kate Smith in 1907
-- Actor Glenn Ford in 1916
-- Television personality Jack Paar in 1918
-- Author Joseph Heller in 1923
-- Game show host Art Fleming in 1924
-- Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter in 1925
-- Singer Judy Collins in 1939 (age 81)
File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
-- Singer Rita Coolidge in 1945 (age 75)
-- Hong Kong film director John Woo in 1946 (age 74)
-- Actor Joanna Lumley in 1946 (age 74)
-- Jockey Steve Cauthen in 1960 (age 60)
-- Singer Tim McGraw in 1967 (age 53)
File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
-- Filmmaker Wes Anderson in 1969 (age 51)
-- Actor James Badge Dale in 1978 (age 42)
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-- Actor Jamie Dornan in 1982 (age 38)
-- Actor Lizzy Greene in 2003 (age 17)
-- Gianna "Gigi" Bryant, NBA star Kobe Bryant's daughter, in 2006


upi--2020-05-01--Australian police shoot 'armed' man dead after several injured in shopping center attack

May 1 ( UPI ) -- Police in Western Australia fatally shot a man armed with a weapon after several people were injured in an attack at a shopping center on Friday .
The Pilbara District Western Australia Police Department confirmed the shooting in a statement , saying the man died of a gunshot wound after being `` engaged '' by police .
`` A number of people have received injuries and are currently being treated at Hedland Health Campus , '' it said .
Authorities said police responded to reports of an `` armed offender '' at the South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Multiple witnesses at the scene reported seeing the suspect wielding a knife during the attack , Australia 's ABC reported .
Authorities did not reveal the weapon used during the incident .
The Pilbara District Western Australia Police Department requested the public with video or information about the incident to contact them .
`` Police will investigate the circumstances surrounding how these people received the injuries , '' the department said .
`` There is no ongoing concern regarding public safety in South Hedland . ''
Located about 1,000 miles northeast of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town along the coast of Western Australia .

Several people were injured during an attack Friday at the South Hedland Square in Western Australia. Photo courtesy of Google Maps/ Website
May 1 (UPI) -- Police in Western Australia fatally shot a man armed with a weapon after several people were injured in an attack at a shopping center on Friday. The Pilbara District Western Australia Police Department confirmed the shooting in a statement, saying the man died of a gunshot wound after being "engaged" by police. Advertisement
"A number of people have received injuries and are currently being treated at Hedland Health Campus," it said.
Authorities said police responded to reports of an "armed offender" at the South Hedland Square shopping center before 10 a.m.
Multiple witnesses at the scene reported seeing the suspect wielding a knife during the attack, Australia's ABC reported.
Authorities did not reveal the weapon used during the incident.
The Pilbara District Western Australia Police Department requested the public with video or information about the incident to contact them.
"Police will investigate the circumstances surrounding how these people received the injuries," the department said. "There is no ongoing concern regarding public safety in South Hedland."
Located about 1,000 miles northeast of Perth, South Hedland is a small town along the coast of Western Australia.
This is a developing story.


upi--2020-05-01--Blood pressure, heart rate may spike in young adults who vape

Electronic cigarettes that contain nicotine may prompt spikes in blood pressure and heart rate in the young , a new study suggests .
Research has shown that traditional cigarettes trigger increases in blood pressure and heart rate and lower so-called muscle sympathetic nerve activity , or MSNA -- a measurement of nerve messages to blood vessels that quickly responds to changes in blood pressure .
However , changes in cardiovascular and neural responses while using e-cigarettes have n't been as widely studied , according to Joshua Gonzalez of Michigan Technological University , in Houghton , Mich. , and his colleagues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of healthy , 20-year-old nonsmokers who participated in two separate 10-minute vaping sessions , a month apart .
The participants used an e-cigarette containing nicotine in one session , and a nicotine-free e-cigarette in the second session .
The participants ' blood pressure was checked before each vaping session and after a 10-minute recovery period from vaping .
Heart rate , blood pressure and MSNA were measured throughout the vaping sessions .
When the volunteers used the nicotine e-cigarette , both blood pressure and heart rate increased .
During the recovery period , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but blood pressure remained high .
MSNA activity dropped during vaping with nicotine and stayed lower than normal during recovery , the findings showed .
The cardiovascular changes did not occur when the participants used a nicotine-free e-cigarette , according to the study published in the April issue of The FASEB Journal .
The findings suggest that nicotine e-cigarettes repress the transmission of nerve impulses that regulate blood pressure and heart rate , and that nonsmokers who use nicotine e-cigarettes may put themselves at increased risk for high blood pressure , the researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ e-cigarettes are often marketed to teens and young adults as a healthier alternative to traditional tobacco products .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the risks of vaping .

Electronic cigarettes that contain nicotine may prompt spikes in blood pressure and heart rate in the young, a new study suggests.
Research has shown that traditional cigarettes trigger increases in blood pressure and heart rate and lower so-called muscle sympathetic nerve activity, or MSNA -- a measurement of nerve messages to blood vessels that quickly responds to changes in blood pressure.
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However, changes in cardiovascular and neural responses while using e-cigarettes haven't been as widely studied, according to Joshua Gonzalez of Michigan Technological University, in Houghton, Mich., and his colleagues.
Gonzalez's study included a group of healthy, 20-year-old nonsmokers who participated in two separate 10-minute vaping sessions, a month apart. The participants used an e-cigarette containing nicotine in one session, and a nicotine-free e-cigarette in the second session.
The participants' blood pressure was checked before each vaping session and after a 10-minute recovery period from vaping. Heart rate, blood pressure and MSNA were measured throughout the vaping sessions.
When the volunteers used the nicotine e-cigarette, both blood pressure and heart rate increased. During the recovery period, heart rate dropped back to normal, but blood pressure remained high. MSNA activity dropped during vaping with nicotine and stayed lower than normal during recovery, the findings showed.
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The cardiovascular changes did not occur when the participants used a nicotine-free e-cigarette, according to the study published in the April issue of The FASEB Journal.
The findings suggest that nicotine e-cigarettes repress the transmission of nerve impulses that regulate blood pressure and heart rate, and that nonsmokers who use nicotine e-cigarettes may put themselves at increased risk for high blood pressure, the researchers concluded.
The study authors noted that e-cigarettes are often marketed to teens and young adults as a healthier alternative to traditional tobacco products.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the risks of vaping.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-05-01--1 dead, 5 missing in Canadian military helicopter crash

April 30 ( UPI ) -- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed that a member of the Canadian Armed Forces was killed and five others remain missing after a military helicopter crashed off the Greece coast .
The Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone helicopter crashed Wednesday in the Ionian Sea between Greece and Italy while conducting flight procedures with six service members on board .
The body of 23-year-old Nova Scotia Sub-Lt. Abbigail Cowbrough , a Marine systems engineer officer originally from Toronto , was recovered , the military said .
The Canadian Armed Forces identified the missing service members as Capt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hagen , Capt .
Maxime Miron-Morin , Sub-Lit .
Matthew Pyke and Master Cpl .
Matthew Cousins .
`` All of them are heroes , each of them will leave a void that can not be filled , '' Trudeau said in a press conference on Thursday .
The helicopter was deployed to the Mediterranean with frigate HMCS Fredericton as part of Operation Reassurance to reinforce NATO 's collective defense in Central and Eastern Europe .
At the time of the crash , the HMCS Fredericton was participating in training exercises with Italian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concurrent flight operations , the Canadian Armed Forces said .
Chief of Defense Staff Gen. Jonathan Vance told reporters the frigate lost contact with the helicopter at around 6:30 p.m. as it was returning to the vessel .
The cause of the crash was unknown National Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan said , adding the helicopter 's flight data and voice recorders have been recovered and a Canadian investigation team has departed for the crash site .
Search and rescue efforts are ongoing for the five missing service members , he said , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support the effort .
`` This accident is a painful reminder of the dangers that members of Canada 's military face every day to ensure the safety and security of Canadians , he said in a statement .
The ship deployed from Halifax on Jan. 20 with 240 people on board for the six-month mission .
Vance said all CH-148 Cyclone helicopters , which are a modified military version of the Sikorsky S-92 introduced by the Canadian military in 2018 , have been put on `` operational pause '' until investigations rule out @ @ @ @ @ @ @

All CH-148 Cyclone helicopters have been put on operational pause following the crash to rule out the possibility of a fleet-wide issue. Photo courtesy of Chief of Defense Staff Gen. Jonathan Vance/ Twitter
April 30 (UPI) -- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed that a member of the Canadian Armed Forces was killed and five others remain missing after a military helicopter crashed off the Greece coast. The Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone helicopter crashed Wednesday in the Ionian Sea between Greece and Italy while conducting flight procedures with six service members on board. Advertisement
The body of 23-year-old Nova Scotia Sub-Lt. Abbigail Cowbrough, a Marine systems engineer officer originally from Toronto, was recovered, the military said.
The Canadian Armed Forces identified the missing service members as Capt. Brenden Ian MacDonald, Capt. Kevin Hagen, Capt. Maxime Miron-Morin, Sub-Lit. Matthew Pyke and Master Cpl. Matthew Cousins.
"All of them are heroes, each of them will leave a void that cannot be filled," Trudeau said in a press conference on Thursday.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce that one member of the #CAF was killed on Wed April 29, 2020 and five other members remain missing following an accident involving a #RCAF CH-148 Cyclone helicopter on #OpREASSURANCE. https://t.co/xlYrJT1J3X pic.twitter.com/cUF9BwCos6— Canadian Armed Forces (@CanadianForces) April 30, 2020 Advertisement
The helicopter was deployed to the Mediterranean with frigate HMCS Fredericton as part of Operation Reassurance to reinforce NATO's collective defense in Central and Eastern Europe. At the time of the crash, the HMCS Fredericton was participating in training exercises with Italian and Turkish ships with the helicopter conducting concurrent flight operations, the Canadian Armed Forces said.
Chief of Defense Staff Gen. Jonathan Vance told reporters the frigate lost contact with the helicopter at around 6:30 p.m. as it was returning to the vessel.
The cause of the crash was unknown National Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan said, adding the helicopter's flight data and voice recorders have been recovered and a Canadian investigation team has departed for the crash site.
Search and rescue efforts are ongoing for the five missing service members, he said, adding all available resources are being redirected to support the effort.
"This accident is a painful reminder of the dangers that members of Canada's military face every day to ensure the safety and security of Canadians, he said in a statement.
The ship deployed from Halifax on Jan. 20 with 240 people on board for the six-month mission.
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Vance said all CH-148 Cyclone helicopters, which are a modified military version of the Sikorsky S-92 introduced by the Canadian military in 2018, have been put on "operational pause" until investigations rule out the possibility of a fleet-wide problem.


upi--2020-05-01--White House blocks Dr. Anthony Fauci from attending House hearing

May 1 ( UPI ) -- The White House blocked public health official Dr. Anthony Fauci from testifying at next week 's House hearing on the federal coronavirus response , a committee staffer said Friday .
The House Appropriations Committee 's subcommittee on the Departments of Labor , Health and Human Services , Education and Related Agencies sought to have Fauci appear at its Wednesday hearing .
Panel spokesman Evan Hollander told CNBC that lawmakers were `` informed by an administration official that the White House blocked Dr. Fauci from testifying . ''
White House spokesman Judd Deere confirmed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` While the Trump administration continues its whole-of-government response to COVID-19 , including safely opening up America again and expediting vaccine development , it is counterproductive to have the very individuals involved in those efforts appearing at congressional hearings , '' Deere said in a statement to The Washington Post .
`` We are committed to working with Congress to offer testimony at the appropriate time .
Fauci , as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , serves on the White House Coronavirus Task Force .
Former Centers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tom Frieden is expected to appear at Wednesday 's hearing .

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci won't appear at Wednesday's House Appropriations Committee hearing. Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI | License Photo
May 1 (UPI) -- The White House blocked public health official Dr. Anthony Fauci from testifying at next week's House hearing on the federal coronavirus response, a committee staffer said Friday. The House Appropriations Committee's subcommittee on the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies sought to have Fauci appear at its Wednesday hearing. Panel spokesman Evan Hollander told CNBC that lawmakers were "informed by an administration official that the White House blocked Dr. Fauci from testifying." Advertisement
White House spokesman Judd Deere confirmed that Fauci won't be attending the hearing.
"While the Trump administration continues its whole-of-government response to COVID-19, including safely opening up America again and expediting vaccine development, it is counterproductive to have the very individuals involved in those efforts appearing at congressional hearings," Deere said in a statement to The Washington Post. "We are committed to working with Congress to offer testimony at the appropriate time.
Fauci, as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, serves on the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Tom Frieden is expected to appear at Wednesday's hearing.


upi--2020-05-01--Blue Bell to pay $19.35M over deadly listeria outbreak

May 1 ( UPI ) -- Blue Bell Creamery has agreed to pay a $ 19.35 million settlement and plead guilty to charges it shipped ice cream contaminated with listeria , which led to three deaths in 2015 , the Justice Department announced Friday .
The settlement is the second-largest fine paid to settle a food-safety issue .
`` American consumers rely on food manufacturers to take necessary steps to provide products that are safe to eat , '' said Jody Hunt , assistant attorney general for the Justice Department 's Civil Division .
The Brenham , Texas , -based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of distributing adulterated ice cream products , resulting in a $ 17.25 million fine .
It paid another $ 2.1 million fine to resolve allegations the company violated the False Claims Act .
In addition to the company 's settlement , the Justice Department levied charges against the former Blue Bell President Paul Kruse , accusing him of covering up the contamination .
Federal prosecutors said he deceived certain Blue Bell customers after he learned about the listeria contamination .
`` Kruse specifically is asserted to have directed other Blue Bell employees to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without notifying retailers or consumers about the real reason for the withdrawal , '' the Justice Department said .
`` Kruse also is alleged to have directed employees to tell customers who asked why products were removed that there had been an unspecified issue with a manufacturing machine instead of that samples of the products had tested positive for listeria . ''
Blue Bell released a statement saying it `` should have handled many things differently and better . ''
`` Today we are a new , different and better Blue Bell .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that took place five years ago before we shut down and revamped our production facilities and procedures . ''
In 2015 , Blue Bell recalled all of its products after three people died and several were sickened following a listeria outbreak .
The company temporarily shut down operations and laid off a third of its workforce .

Blue Bell's former president, Paul Kruse, faces charges accusing him of covering up the listeria outbreak. File Photo by Gary C. Caskey/UPI | License Photo
May 1 (UPI) -- Blue Bell Creamery has agreed to pay a $19.35 million settlement and plead guilty to charges it shipped ice cream contaminated with listeria, which led to three deaths in 2015, the Justice Department announced Friday. The settlement is the second-largest fine paid to settle a food-safety issue. Advertisement
"American consumers rely on food manufacturers to take necessary steps to provide products that are safe to eat," said Jody Hunt, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Civil Division.
The Brenham, Texas,-based company pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of distributing adulterated ice cream products, resulting in a $17.25 million fine. It paid another $2.1 million fine to resolve allegations the company violated the False Claims Act.
In addition to the company's settlement, the Justice Department levied charges against the former Blue Bell President Paul Kruse, accusing him of covering up the contamination. Federal prosecutors said he deceived certain Blue Bell customers after he learned about the listeria contamination.
"Kruse specifically is asserted to have directed other Blue Bell employees to remove potentially contaminated products from store freezers without notifying retailers or consumers about the real reason for the withdrawal," the Justice Department said.
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"Kruse also is alleged to have directed employees to tell customers who asked why products were removed that there had been an unspecified issue with a manufacturing machine instead of that samples of the products had tested positive for listeria."
Blue Bell released a statement saying it "should have handled many things differently and better."
"Today we are a new, different and better Blue Bell. Our agreement with the government involves events that took place five years ago before we shut down and revamped our production facilities and procedures."
In 2015, Blue Bell recalled all of its products after three people died and several were sickened following a listeria outbreak. The company temporarily shut down operations and laid off a third of its workforce.