upi--2020-04-25--Russian Progress cargo ship delivers over 5,000 pounds of supplies to ISS

April 25 ( UPI ) -- The Russian Progress cargo ship delivered more than 5,000 pounds of supplies to the International Space Station on Saturday , hours after launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan .
The unmanned robotic Progress 75 delivered food , propellant and other supplies for three astronauts aboard the orbiting lab at the space station less than 3.5 hours after it launched .
The Progress 75 docked with the orbiting lab when both were flying about 260 miles over northwest China , NASA officials said .
Crew supplies delivered included 2,994 pounds of dry cargo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies included 1,543 pounds of propellant , 110 pounds of oxygen and 926 pounds of water .
The Progress is one of three high-profile robotic spacecraft with cargo missions to the space station .
Japan 's HTV cargo ship will carry out the next launch on May 20 and will carry a final set of replacement solar array batteries .
Like the Progress , which will burn up in the atmosphere after departing the orbiting lab in December , the Japanese cargo ship is unmanned and disposable .
The Crew Dragon , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 27 , is reusable with parachute-assisted ocean splashdowns and will send NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the orbiting lab .
They will join NASA 's Chris Cassidy , and cosmonauts Anatoli Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner .
The test flight , called Demo-2 , will be the first orbital launch of astronauts aboard a rocket from the United States since July 2011 .
The goal is for the flight 's success to result in certifying the Crew Dragon for operational missions , which could end NASA 's sole reliance on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the station .
Elon Musk 's company signed a $ 2.6 billion deal with the space agency in 2014 for such missions .

A previous Russian Progress cargo craft is shown departing the International Space Station. File Photo courtesy of NASA
April 25 (UPI) -- The Russian Progress cargo ship delivered more than 5,000 pounds of supplies to the International Space Station on Saturday, hours after launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The unmanned robotic Progress 75 delivered food, propellant and other supplies for three astronauts aboard the orbiting lab at the space station less than 3.5 hours after it launched. Advertisement
The Progress 75 docked with the orbiting lab when both were flying about 260 miles over northwest China, NASA officials said.
Crew supplies delivered included 2,994 pounds of dry cargo, such as food and equipment. Other supplies included 1,543 pounds of propellant, 110 pounds of oxygen and 926 pounds of water.
The Progress is one of three high-profile robotic spacecraft with cargo missions to the space station.
Japan's HTV cargo ship will carry out the next launch on May 20 and will carry a final set of replacement solar array batteries.
Like the Progress, which will burn up in the atmosphere after departing the orbiting lab in December, the Japanese cargo ship is unmanned and disposable.
The Crew Dragon, which NASA and SpaceX plan to launch on May 27, is reusable with parachute-assisted ocean splashdowns and will send NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the orbiting lab. They will join NASA's Chris Cassidy, and cosmonauts Anatoli Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner.
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The test flight, called Demo-2, will be the first orbital launch of astronauts aboard a rocket from the United States since July 2011.
The goal is for the flight's success to result in certifying the Crew Dragon for operational missions, which could end NASA's sole reliance on Russian Soyuz spacecraft for missions to and from the station.
Elon Musk's company signed a $2.6 billion deal with the space agency in 2014 for such missions.


upi--2020-04-25--U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement to take effect July 1

April 25 ( UPI ) -- The Trump administration announced Saturday that the reworked trade agreement with Mexico and Canada will take effect July 1 .
According to a news release from U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer 's office , the three countries `` have taken measures necessary to comply with their commitments '' in order to enter the agreement .
The administration began rewriting the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement three years ago .
The deal , which passed out of the Senate in January and the House in December , keeps much of NAFTA in place , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts made in North America must remain duty-free , an increase from 62.5 percent .
It also requires that up to 45 percent of car components be made by factory workers earning $ 16 per hour .
Some U.S. business leaders have called for a delay in implementation of USMCA due to economic difficulties created by the COVID-19 pandemic -- and even before the pandemic , some argued the July 1 goal was ambitious .
`` Given the pandemic 's really unprecedented economic disruption , companies will need time to adapt to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet to be issued , '' said John Murphy , senior vice president for international policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce .
`` Industry wants the administration to show flexibility in the months before and after entry into force so they can focus on making payroll and avoiding layoffs . ''
Last week , the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee , which was created by Congress to advise Customs and Border Protection , also urged the administration not to implement the deal before 2021 .
The administration has , in turn , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urgency of implementing the new agreement .
`` The crisis and recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic demonstrates that now , more than ever , the United States should strive to increase manufacturing capacity and investment in North America , '' Lighthizer said .
`` The USMCA 's entry into force is a landmark achievement in that effort .
Under President Trump 's leadership , USTR will continue working to ensure a smooth implementation of the USMCA so that American workers and businesses can enjoy the benefits of the new agreement . ''

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer (L), shown here with President Donald Trump in October 2019, announced Friday that the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement will take effect July 1. File Photo by Ron Sachs/UPI | License Photo
April 25 (UPI) -- The Trump administration announced Saturday that the reworked trade agreement with Mexico and Canada will take effect July 1. According to a news release from U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer's office, the three countries "have taken measures necessary to comply with their commitments" in order to enter the agreement. Advertisement
The administration began rewriting the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement three years ago.
The deal, which passed out of the Senate in January and the House in December, keeps much of NAFTA in place, but requires that 75 percent of vehicle parts made in North America must remain duty-free, an increase from 62.5 percent. It also requires that up to 45 percent of car components be made by factory workers earning $16 per hour.
Some U.S. business leaders have called for a delay in implementation of USMCA due to economic difficulties created by the COVID-19 pandemic -- and even before the pandemic, some argued the July 1 goal was ambitious.
"Given the pandemic's really unprecedented economic disruption, companies will need time to adapt to the new regulations, some of which have yet to be issued," said John Murphy, senior vice president for international policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "Industry wants the administration to show flexibility in the months before and after entry into force so they can focus on making payroll and avoiding layoffs."
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Last week, the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee, which was created by Congress to advise Customs and Border Protection, also urged the administration not to implement the deal before 2021.
The administration has, in turn, argued that the pandemic has underscored the urgency of implementing the new agreement.
"The crisis and recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic demonstrates that now, more than ever, the United States should strive to increase manufacturing capacity and investment in North America," Lighthizer said. "The USMCA's entry into force is a landmark achievement in that effort. Under President Trump's leadership, USTR will continue working to ensure a smooth implementation of the USMCA so that American workers and businesses can enjoy the benefits of the new agreement."


upi--2020-04-25--Statler Brothers member Harold Reid dead at 80

April 25 ( UPI ) -- Statler Brothers band member and TV personality Harold Reid has died , the Country Music Association announced Saturday .
He was 80 .
`` Harold and the Statler Brothers were a staple on many of the great CMA Awards shows throughout the 1970s , '' Sarah Trahern , CMA chief executive officer , said in a statement .
`` When I passed Harold backstage at TNN during a taping for their long-running television show , he always had a hello and a bright smile .
When I heard of his passing on Friday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vocals on so many era-defining country and gospel classics . ''
The group -- which went by the names The Four Star Quartet and The Kingsmen in its early days -- performed from 1955 to 2002 and released more than 40 albums .
In addition to singing backup for Johnny Cash 1964-72 , the musicians hosted The Statler Brothers Show , a variety program , 1991-97 , on TNN .
Famous for hits such as `` Flowers on the Wall , '' `` Bed of Roses , '' `` The Class of '57 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Are My Sunshine , '' the band was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008 and won nine CMA Awards throughout its career .

From left to right, members of the country music quartet The Statler Brothers -- Phil Balsley, Don Reid, Harold Reid and Jimmy Fortune -- address a crowd after being introduced as a 2008 Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee in Nashville, in 2008. Harold Reid died Friday. He was 80. File Photo by Frederick Breedon IV/UPI | License Photo
April 25 (UPI) -- Statler Brothers band member and TV personality Harold Reid has died, the Country Music Association announced Saturday. He was 80. "Harold and the Statler Brothers were a staple on many of the great CMA Awards shows throughout the 1970s," Sarah Trahern, CMA chief executive officer, said in a statement. Advertisement
"When I passed Harold backstage at TNN during a taping for their long-running television show, he always had a hello and a bright smile. When I heard of his passing on Friday, I immediately thought of his legendary bass vocals on so many era-defining country and gospel classics."
The Statler Brothers band comprised Reid, Phil Balsley, Lew DeWitt and Harold's brother, Don Reid.
The group -- which went by the names The Four Star Quartet and The Kingsmen in its early days -- performed from 1955 to 2002 and released more than 40 albums.
In addition to singing backup for Johnny Cash 1964-72, the musicians hosted The Statler Brothers Show, a variety program, 1991-97, on TNN.
Famous for hits such as "Flowers on the Wall," "Bed of Roses," "The Class of '57" and "Do You Know You Are My Sunshine," the band was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008 and won nine CMA Awards throughout its career.
Advertisement We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Harold Reid, who sang bass in the Country Music band The Statler Brothers. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/wHGKNJtq5f— CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) April 25, 2020


upi--2020-04-25--French court upholds order to limit Amazon deliveries to essential goods

April 25 ( UPI ) -- A French court has upheld last week 's order limiting Amazon deliveries to essential goods until it finishes assessment of workers ' risk amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Though the Versailles court of appeals confirmed the earlier order , it extended the approved products list and reduced fines .
The original order included food , hygiene products and medication on the list and the appeals court added technology goods .
The appeals court also reduced the fine from around $ 1 million to about $ 108,000 per unauthorized item `` received , prepared and/or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ union Syndicale Solidare said in a lawsuit it filed earlier this month that Amazon continued to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic `` as if nothing happened . ''
The union said one employee has been hospitalized because of the virus and the company has n't counted how many workers have been sickened .
The lower court ruled that Amazon had `` obviously ignored its obligations to the security and health of its workers . ''
Amazon said it shut down French warehouses as a result of the first ruling because the order was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Verge last week that the `` risk was too high . ''
`` We have heard the outcome of our appeal and remain puzzled by the decision , '' the Verge cited Amazon in France tweeting .
`` We are currently assessing the implications for our sites as well as for our employees and customers in France . ''

French President Emmanuel Macron moves a package during an Amazon factory visit in October 2017. A French court said Amazon may only ship out certain essential goods during the coronavirus pandemic. File Photo by Yoan Valat/EPA-EFE
April 25 (UPI) -- A French court has upheld last week's order limiting Amazon deliveries to essential goods until it finishes assessment of workers' risk amid the coronavirus pandemic. Though the Versailles court of appeals confirmed the earlier order, it extended the approved products list and reduced fines. Advertisement
The original order included food, hygiene products and medication on the list and the appeals court added technology goods.
The appeals court also reduced the fine from around $1 million to about $108,000 per unauthorized item "received, prepared and/or shipped."
The French worker's union Syndicale Solidare said in a lawsuit it filed earlier this month that Amazon continued to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic "as if nothing happened." The union said one employee has been hospitalized because of the virus and the company hasn't counted how many workers have been sickened.
The lower court ruled that Amazon had "obviously ignored its obligations to the security and health of its workers."
Amazon said it shut down French warehouses as a result of the first ruling because the order was ambiguous, with an Amazon spokesperson telling The Verge last week that the "risk was too high."
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"We have heard the outcome of our appeal and remain puzzled by the decision," the Verge cited Amazon in France tweeting. "We are currently assessing the implications for our sites as well as for our employees and customers in France."


upi--2020-04-25--First-recorded April tropical depression forms in Eastern Pacific

April 25 ( UPI ) -- The Eastern Pacific Ocean 's first-recorded April tropical depression formed early Saturday , about @ @ @ @ @ coast , the U.S. National Hurricane Center said .
The storm , dubbed Tropical Depression @ @ @ @ @ winds of 35 mph and was moving northwest at 7 mph , the NHC 's @ @ @ @ @ .
Forecasters predict the storm will continue moving toward the northwest before making a turn @ @ @ @ @ There are no threats to land .
Though it 's expected to weaken to a @ @ @ @ @ if the system does become a tropical storm , it will be named Amanda .
@ @ @ @ @ 2020 Eastern Pacific hurricane season are : Amanda , Boris , Cristina , Douglas , @ @ @ @ @ , Hernan , Iselle , Julio , Karina , Lowell , Marie , Norbert , @ @ @ @ @ , Simon , Trudy , Vance , Winnie , Xavier , Yolanda and Zeke .

Tropical Depression One-E isn't expected to be a threat to land. Image courtesy of NOAA
April 25 (UPI) -- The Eastern Pacific Ocean's first-recorded April tropical depression formed early Saturday, about 700 miles from the Mexican coast, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. The storm, dubbed Tropical Depression One-E, had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and was moving northwest at 7 mph, the NHC's 8 a.m. PDT update showed. Advertisement
Forecasters predict the storm will continue moving toward the northwest before making a turn toward the west Sunday. There are no threats to land.
Though it's expected to weaken to a remnant low by Sunday, if the system does become a tropical storm, it will be named Amanda.
The planned names for the 2020 Eastern Pacific hurricane season are: Amanda, Boris, Cristina, Douglas, Elida, Fausto, Genevieve, Hernan, Iselle, Julio, Karina, Lowell, Marie, Norbert, Odalys, Polo, Rachel, Simon, Trudy, Vance, Winnie, Xavier, Yolanda and Zeke.


upi--2020-04-25--WHO: There's 'no evidence' COVID-19 antibodies create immunity

April 25 ( UPI ) -- There is no evidence that coronavirus patients who have recovered wo n't catch the virus again , the World Health Organization said .
The agency issued the statement Friday after some governments suggested recovered COVID-19 patients could be issued an `` immunity passport '' to return to travel or `` risk-free certificate '' to return to work .
In general , the immune system creates antibodies from fighting off infection , which lower risk for re-infection , but it remains to be seen whether that holds true for the novel coronavirus .
`` There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection , '' the WHO statement said .
The U.N. agency added that if people receive such certificates they `` may ignore public health advice , '' and `` increase the risks of continued transmission . ''
Among the governments recommending such measures , Chile announced plans to issue `` immunity passports '' to people who had recovered from the virus so that they could return to normal activities .
In the United States , Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diseases , suggested earlier this month that a method of identifying people who have recovered or are vaccinated could be useful in the United States .
Many countries have begun testing for antibodies in areas most at risk , such as New York , which ramped up testing earlier this week .
The data has provided information on the percentage of people with antibodies , but not whether they are immune to secondary infection .
WHO said it continues to analyze evidence on antibody response to COVID-19 infection and will update as new @ @ @ @

The World Health Organization said Friday that there is no evidence yet that recovered COVID-19 patients are safe to return to work without risking re-infection. Some workers like the transportation workers shown have been deemed essential and continue to work. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
April 25 (UPI) -- There is no evidence that coronavirus patients who have recovered won't catch the virus again, the World Health Organization said. The agency issued the statement Friday after some governments suggested recovered COVID-19 patients could be issued an "immunity passport" to return to travel or "risk-free certificate" to return to work. Advertisement
In general, the immune system creates antibodies from fighting off infection, which lower risk for re-infection, but it remains to be seen whether that holds true for the novel coronavirus.
"There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection," the WHO statement said.
The U.N. agency added that if people receive such certificates they "may ignore public health advice," and "increase the risks of continued transmission."
Among the governments recommending such measures, Chile announced plans to issue "immunity passports" to people who had recovered from the virus so that they could return to normal activities.
In the United States, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, suggested earlier this month that a method of identifying people who have recovered or are vaccinated could be useful in the United States.
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Many countries have begun testing for antibodies in areas most at risk, such as New York, which ramped up testing earlier this week. The data has provided information on the percentage of people with antibodies, but not whether they are immune to secondary infection. WHO said it continues to analyze evidence on antibody response to COVID-19 infection and will update as new evidence becomes available.


upi--2020-04-25--Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court ends flogging as punishment

April 25 ( UPI ) -- The General Assembly of Saudi Arabia 's Supreme Court has decided to end flogging as punishment in disciplinary cases .
The Supreme Court has directed the lower courts to limit the punishments instead to imprisonment or fines , according to a document cited by Al Arabiya English news website .
Beating of the human body with whips or sticks has been used along with prison terms in several disciplinary cases in the country , including offenses such as theft , forgery , defamation , slander , public intoxication and harassment .
The directive says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the kingdom 's human rights reforms .
Flogging in Saudi Arabia came under in 2012 when blogger Raif Badawi was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison after being arrested in 2012 for cybercrime and insulting Islam through his website The Liberal Saudi Network .
Badawi received the first round of 50 lashes in January and was scheduled to receive the remaining 950 lashes in increments of 50 .
The second round of lashes was postponed `` for medical reasons , '' according to Amnesty International .
The country `` faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for its record on human rights , according to Human Rights Watch .
Among the stains on its record , was lack of accountability for the slaying of Saudi journalist and Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018 .
Saudi Arabia also carried out a record 184 executions in 2019 , including 84 for non-violent drug crimes , while capital punishment generally declined in the rest of the world .
The country has continued its military campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen through 2019 , which has resulted in about 90 unlawful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of civilians since it began .

Saudi Arabia has ended flogging sentences, which made headlines back in 2015 with protests over blogger Raif Badawi being sentenced to 1,000 lashes for allegedly criticizing the Saudi monarchy in his blog. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
April 25 (UPI) -- The General Assembly of Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court has decided to end flogging as punishment in disciplinary cases. The Supreme Court has directed the lower courts to limit the punishments instead to imprisonment or fines, according to a document cited by Al Arabiya English news website. Advertisement
Beating of the human body with whips or sticks has been used along with prison terms in several disciplinary cases in the country, including offenses such as theft, forgery, defamation, slander, public intoxication and harassment.
The directive says that the change is a part of the kingdom's human rights reforms.
Flogging in Saudi Arabia came under in 2012 when blogger Raif Badawi was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison after being arrested in 2012 for cybercrime and insulting Islam through his website The Liberal Saudi Network. Badawi received the first round of 50 lashes in January and was scheduled to receive the remaining 950 lashes in increments of 50.
The second round of lashes was postponed "for medical reasons," according to Amnesty International.
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The country "faced unprecedented international criticism," last year for its record on human rights, according to Human Rights Watch. Among the stains on its record, was lack of accountability for the slaying of Saudi journalist and Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018.
Saudi Arabia also carried out a record 184 executions in 2019, including 84 for non-violent drug crimes, while capital punishment generally declined in the rest of the world.
The country has continued its military campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen through 2019, which has resulted in about 90 unlawful airstrikes and killing and injuring of thousands of civilians since it began.


upi--2020-04-25--N.Y. man charged under Defense Production act for price-gouging PPE

April 25 ( UPI ) -- The Justice Department has charged a New York man for price-gouging personal protective equipment , the first charges to come under the Defense Production Act since the start of the coronavirus pandemic .
The U.S. Attorney 's Office of the Eastern District of New York said Amardeep Singh violated the act by `` hoarding '' PPE at a warehouse in Brentwood , N.Y. , and price-gouging customers at his retail store in Plainview , N.Y .
Prosecutors said he began accumulating N95 respirators , face masks , surgical masks , face shields , gloves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clinical-grade sanitizing and disinfecting products in mid-March .
He then sold the items for `` excessive prices '' at his retail store -- which normally sells sneakers and apparel -- in a section he called `` COVID-19 essentials .
The indictment said Singh purchased face masks for 7 cents each but sold them for $ 1 each , a markup of more than 1,300 percent .
`` The coronavirus has created challenging times for all Americans , especially those living in the New York metropolitan area , '' said Philip Bartlett , inspector-in-charge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , New York Division .
`` During a crisis of this magnitude , we must come together as a country to fight this common enemy .
`` Unfortunately , Mr. Singh allegedly chose to use this opportunity to make money by hoarding and price gouging PPE .
The conduct charged in the complaint is reprehensible and against our most fundamental American values . ''
President Donald Trump invoked the DPA in March to make it illegal to hoard or sell medical supplies or devices at excessive prices , .

A New York man allegedly hoarded face masks needed by medical workers and volunteers like this woman working to give food to those in need in Alton, Ill., on Friday. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
April 25 (UPI) -- The Justice Department has charged a New York man for price-gouging personal protective equipment, the first charges to come under the Defense Production Act since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. Attorney's Office of the Eastern District of New York said Amardeep Singh violated the act by "hoarding" PPE at a warehouse in Brentwood, N.Y., and price-gouging customers at his retail store in Plainview, N.Y. Advertisement
Prosecutors said he began accumulating N95 respirators, face masks, surgical masks, face shields, gloves, coveralls, medical gowns, and clinical-grade sanitizing and disinfecting products in mid-March. He then sold the items for "excessive prices" at his retail store -- which normally sells sneakers and apparel -- in a section he called "COVID-19 essentials.
The indictment said Singh purchased face masks for 7 cents each but sold them for $1 each, a markup of more than 1,300 percent.
"The coronavirus has created challenging times for all Americans, especially those living in the New York metropolitan area," said Philip Bartlett, inspector-in-charge at the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, New York Division. "During a crisis of this magnitude, we must come together as a country to fight this common enemy.
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"Unfortunately, Mr. Singh allegedly chose to use this opportunity to make money by hoarding and price gouging PPE. The conduct charged in the complaint is reprehensible and against our most fundamental American values."
President Donald Trump invoked the DPA in March to make it illegal to hoard or sell medical supplies or devices at excessive prices,.


upi--2020-04-25--Watch: Johnny Depp's social distancing home video gets nearly 2M views

April 25 ( UPI ) -- Edward Scissorhands and Pirates of the Caribbean icon Johnny Depp posted a hilarious Instagram @ @ @ @ @ at home amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The 4-minute clip has gotten nearly 2 million @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday .
It shows him trying to settle down for what appears to be @ @ @ @ @ moving items on and off a small desk , shuffling a deck of cards and @ @ @ @ @ tossing them away .
He finally folds a piece of linen and proudly holds it @ @ @ @ @ reveal he has crafted a set of false breasts .
`` A little something I @ @ @ @ @ being a responsible quarantinor , quarantining .
Thank you all for stopping by .
See @ @ @ @ @ respect , JD , '' Depp captioned the video .
The 56-year-old actor 's other @ @ @ @ @ Wood , Benny & Joon , Don Juan DeMarco , Sleepy Hollow , Fear and @ @ @ @ @ Rango , The Rum Diary , Black Mass and the Fantastic Beasts franchise .

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Johnny Depp has posted a video on Instagram to show how he is spending his time while social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
April 25 (UPI) -- Edward Scissorhands and Pirates of the Caribbean icon Johnny Depp posted a hilarious Instagram video of himself social distancing at home amid the coronavirus pandemic. The 4-minute clip has gotten nearly 2 million views since he shared it on Thursday. Advertisement
It shows him trying to settle down for what appears to be very important business -- wordlessly moving items on and off a small desk, shuffling a deck of cards and smoothing out cloth napkins before tossing them away.
He finally folds a piece of linen and proudly holds it up to his chest to reveal he has crafted a set of false breasts.
"A little something I've been working on whilst being a responsible quarantinor, quarantining. Thank you all for stopping by. See you soon. Love and respect, JD," Depp captioned the video.
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The 56-year-old actor's other credits include Cry-Baby, Ed Wood, Benny & Joon, Don Juan DeMarco, Sleepy Hollow, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Rango, The Rum Diary, Black Mass and the Fantastic Beasts franchise.


upi--2020-04-25--New release dates announced for 'Thor,' 'Doctor Strange,' 'Spider-Verse'

April 25 ( UPI ) -- Marvel announced Thor : Love and Thunder , starring Chris Hemsworth as the titular @ @ @ @ @ open in theaters Feb. 11 , 2022 .
Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness @ @ @ @ @ Elizabeth Olsen , is to begin its theatrical release on March 25 , 2022 .
@ @ @ @ @ will swing into theaters on Oct. 7 , 2022 .
Film release schedules have been @ @ @ @ @ to theater and production shutdowns during the coronavirus pandemic , which has killed about 200,000 @ @ @

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Chris Hemsworth's "Thor: Love and Thunder" is set to open on February 11, 2022. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
April 25 (UPI) -- Marvel announced Thor: Love and Thunder, starring Chris Hemsworth as the titular god, is slated to open in theaters Feb. 11, 2022. Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, with Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen, is to begin its theatrical release on March 25, 2022. Advertisement
Sony Pictures Animation said Spider-Verse will swing into theaters on Oct. 7, 2022.
Film release schedules have been reshuffled in recent weeks due to theater and production shutdowns during the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed about 200,000 people worldwide.


upi--2020-04-25--The Weeknd's 'After Hours' tops U.S. album chart for 4th week

April 25 ( UPI ) -- The Weeknd 's After Hours is the No .
1 album in the United @ @ @ @ @ .
Coming in at No .
2 on the Billboard 200 roster dated Saturday is @ @ @ @ @ Toronto 3 , followed by Lil Uzi Vert 's Eternal Atake at No .
3 @ @ @ @ @ Turn at No .
4 and Bad Bunny 's YHLQMDLG at No .
5 .
@ @ @ @ @ are Post Malone 's Hollywood 's Bleeding at No .
6 , Roddy Ricch 's @ @ @ @ @ Antisocial at No .
7 , The Strokes ' The New Abnormal at No .
@ @ @ @ @ Pray 4 Love at No .
9 and Dua Lipa 's Future Nostalgia at No @ @ @

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The Weeknd's "After Hours" is the No. 1 album in the United States for a fourth week. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
April 25 (UPI) -- The Weeknd's After Hours is the No. 1 album in the United States for the fourth-consecutive week. Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 roster dated Saturday is Tory Lanez's The New Toronto 3, followed by Lil Uzi Vert's Eternal Atake at No. 3, Lil Baby's My Turn at No. 4 and Bad Bunny's YHLQMDLG at No. 5. Advertisement
Rounding out the top tier are Post Malone's Hollywood's Bleeding at No. 6, Roddy Ricch's Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial at No. 7, The Strokes' The New Abnormal at No. 8, Rod Wave's Pray 4 Love at No. 9 and Dua Lipa's Future Nostalgia at No. 10.


upi--2020-04-25--Severe weather to target Central, Southern states next week

Following a brief reprieve from widespread severe weather in the United States , the threat for severe thunderstorms will ramp up again early next week .
On Friday , severe thunderstorms tore through portions of the southern Plains and the lower Mississippi Valley , and damaging winds and hail hammered the regions into early Saturday morning .
In addition to a combined total of more than 120 damaging wind and hail reports , there were at least three preliminary tornado reports by the Storm Prediction Center on Friday evening .
A tornado spun up in Bennington , Okla. , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weak and brief '' landspout was also spotted over an open field just east of Malta Bend , Mo .
The threat for severe weather will shift eastward and push into the southern Appalachians on Saturday .
Storms capable of producing localized flash flooding , damaging winds up to an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 70 mph and isolated tornadoes will impact an area stretching from just east of Nashville into portions of Georgia , the Carolinas , Kentucky , Virginia and West Virginia , on Saturday .
The threat for severe thunderstorms will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system tracks northeast .
This storm will bring periods of soaking rain and a bit of snow to the Northeast from Sunday through Monday .
No widespread areas of severe thunderstorms are expected for the second half of the weekend .
However , the break for those in the Southern states will be short-lived .
`` A storm system will dive southward from Canada into the Midwest early next week and will become a focal point for another round of severe weather on Tuesday , '' AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stretch from the Midwest through the middle Mississippi Valley and into eastern Texas , by Tuesday afternoon .
`` While many storm systems have targeted the South with severe weather in recent weeks , the threat for feisty thunderstorm development may extend farther northward into the Midwest , '' Buckingham said .
Gusty thunderstorms are expected to develop along this cold front as it advances eastward later on Tuesday afternoon .
Wind flow at the lower levels of the atmosphere will become more southerly on Tuesday over the southern Plains , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , allowing the storm system to use warm , moist air from the Gulf of Mexico as a fuel source .
Any thunderstorm that develops in this warm and moist environment will have no trouble tapping into strong winds aloft , forcing damaging winds to the surface .
At this time , all of the typical severe weather impacts are fair game from Tuesday afternoon into early Wednesday morning .
Damaging wind gusts , torrential downpours , hail and a few tornadoes will be possible .
The threat for severe weather is predicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storm system pushes over the Great Lakes and a cold front digs through the Ohio and Tennessee valleys , and into the Southeast .
As the system pushes eastward , it may lose out on some of the Gulf moisture , causing it to weaken slightly .
But , it will continue to produce severe thunderstorms over already storm-weary areas .

Following a brief reprieve from widespread severe weather in the United States, the threat for severe thunderstorms will ramp up again early next week.
On Friday, severe thunderstorms tore through portions of the southern Plains and the lower Mississippi Valley, and damaging winds and hail hammered the regions into early Saturday morning.
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In addition to a combined total of more than 120 damaging wind and hail reports, there were at least three preliminary tornado reports by the Storm Prediction Center on Friday evening. A tornado spun up in Bennington, Okla., and in Ivanhoe, Texas. A "weak and brief" landspout was also spotted over an open field just east of Malta Bend, Mo.
The threat for severe weather will shift eastward and push into the southern Appalachians on Saturday.
Storms capable of producing localized flash flooding, damaging winds up to an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 70 mph and isolated tornadoes will impact an area stretching from just east of Nashville into portions of Georgia, the Carolinas, Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia, on Saturday.
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The threat for severe thunderstorms will diminish early on Sunday as the storm system tracks northeast. This storm will bring periods of soaking rain and a bit of snow to the Northeast from Sunday through Monday.
No widespread areas of severe thunderstorms are expected for the second half of the weekend. However, the break for those in the Southern states will be short-lived.
"A storm system will dive southward from Canada into the Midwest early next week and will become a focal point for another round of severe weather on Tuesday," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said.
A cold front associated with this system will stretch from the Midwest through the middle Mississippi Valley and into eastern Texas, by Tuesday afternoon.
"While many storm systems have targeted the South with severe weather in recent weeks, the threat for feisty thunderstorm development may extend farther northward into the Midwest," Buckingham said.
Gusty thunderstorms are expected to develop along this cold front as it advances eastward later on Tuesday afternoon.
Wind flow at the lower levels of the atmosphere will become more southerly on Tuesday over the southern Plains, as well as the lower and middle Mississippi Valley, allowing the storm system to use warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico as a fuel source.
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Any thunderstorm that develops in this warm and moist environment will have no trouble tapping into strong winds aloft, forcing damaging winds to the surface.
At this time, all of the typical severe weather impacts are fair game from Tuesday afternoon into early Wednesday morning. Damaging wind gusts, torrential downpours, hail and a few tornadoes will be possible.
The threat for severe weather is predicted to shift eastward on Wednesday as the storm system pushes over the Great Lakes and a cold front digs through the Ohio and Tennessee valleys, and into the Southeast.
As the system pushes eastward, it may lose out on some of the Gulf moisture, causing it to weaken slightly. But, it will continue to produce severe thunderstorms over already storm-weary areas.


upi--2020-04-25--Judge orders Trump administration to speed release of migrant children amid pandemic

April 25 ( UPI ) -- A federal judge in California has ordered the Trump administration to speed up the release of migrant children held in custody , citing the threat of the coronavirus pandemic .
U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee said late Friday that the federal government is once again violating the so-called Flores Agreement .
The 1993 settlement said , among other things , that children can not be detained longer than 20 days .
The Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law sought an order to release the children , saying the COVID-19 crisis in the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children to guardians .
The organization said the Office of Refugee Resettlement halted efforts to reunite the children with their parents or other guardians in places such as California , New York and Washington , to avoid the difficulties of dealing with those states ' stay-at-home orders amid the pandemic .
Meanwhile , coronavirus cases are increasing in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers , where at least 287 migrants have tested positive for the virus .
ICE has so far conducted 425 tests for tens of thousands migrants in detention .
Additionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ migrant children in Baytown , Texas , has been placed under a 14-day quarantine on April 7 because multiple staff members tested positive for COVID-19 .
Gee quoted the plaintiffs ' medical expert , Dr. Julie Graves , in her order : `` Postponing the release of children in facilities with known COVID-19 exposure is like leaving them in a burning house rather than going in to rescue them and take them to safety . ''
Gee 's order comes days after President Donald Trump signed an executive order temporarily closing the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporary suspension is aimed at protecting U.S. jobs , which have been hampered by the global health crisis .
The coronavirus has sickened more than 905,000 people in the United States and killed at least 51,000 as of Saturday morning , according to Johns Hopkins University .

Plaintiffs said the federal government's efforts to release migrant children to guardians was halted to avoid contending with states' shelter-in-place orders. File Photo courtesy of the office of Rep. Doris Matsui | License Photo
April 25 (UPI) -- A federal judge in California has ordered the Trump administration to speed up the release of migrant children held in custody, citing the threat of the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee said late Friday that the federal government is once again violating the so-called Flores Agreement. The 1993 settlement said, among other things, that children cannot be detained longer than 20 days. Advertisement
The Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law sought an order to release the children, saying the COVID-19 crisis in the United States has delayed work to release the children to guardians. The organization said the Office of Refugee Resettlement halted efforts to reunite the children with their parents or other guardians in places such as California, New York and Washington, to avoid the difficulties of dealing with those states' stay-at-home orders amid the pandemic.
Meanwhile, coronavirus cases are increasing in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers, where at least 287 migrants have tested positive for the virus. ICE has so far conducted 425 tests for tens of thousands migrants in detention.
California life in the COVID-19 pandemic
A pedestrian walks past a bar established in 1933 after Los Angeles County officials closed it for the second time following a spike in COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles on August 10. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Additionally, one of the BCFS facilities holding migrant children in Baytown, Texas, has been placed under a 14-day quarantine on April 7 because multiple staff members tested positive for COVID-19.
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Gee quoted the plaintiffs' medical expert, Dr. Julie Graves, in her order: "Postponing the release of children in facilities with known COVID-19 exposure is like leaving them in a burning house rather than going in to rescue them and take them to safety."
Gee's order comes days after President Donald Trump signed an executive order temporarily closing the U.S. borders to migrants. He said the temporary suspension is aimed at protecting U.S. jobs, which have been hampered by the global health crisis.
The coronavirus has sickened more than 905,000 people in the United States and killed at least 51,000 as of Saturday morning, according to Johns Hopkins University.


upi--2020-04-26--Calif. residents urged to stay off beaches as summerlike heat bakes the Southwest

April 26 ( UPI ) -- Record temperatures more typical of summertime will sear the Southwestern states this week , and some residents will be forced to find alternate means to cool off amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
Records already began to fall on Thursday , with Santa Barbara , Calif. , obliterating their previous record high for the date of 82 degrees Fahrenheit set in 1995 as the thermometer soared to 92 .
This was also the first time the city broke the 90-degree threshold this year .
As the heat began to ramp up in Southern California , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday that all beaches , parks , trails and parking areas in the city remain closed , and they urged people in neighboring communities to not travel to Malibu amid the warm weather .
The city of Malibu plans to utilize the Wireless Alert System , which is similar to Amber Alerts , this weekend to spread this message to all cellphones within range of cell towers in Malibu , according to a post on their Facebook page .
`` The City urges Malibu residents to help protect our seniors and vulnerable people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of coronavirus , and enjoy the outdoors locally in your backyard , walking or cycling in your neighborhood , '' a statement on the city 's website said .
Los Angeles County residents were also asked to stay local and not visit Ventura County beaches and parks , despite some stay-at-home restrictions being eased in that county .
Friday featured more hot weather in Southern California with 80s along the coast and 90s just inland -- highs more typical of August .
Downtown Los Angeles recorded a high temperature of 93 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 93 set in 2001 .
San Diego tied their record high for the date of 83 , which was last recorded in 1995 .
Offshore winds , or winds coming from the direction of the north and northeast , have contributed to the summerlike temperatures across the region .
From this direction , air flows down the mountains of Southern California and then off the coast .
When air descends , it compresses and heats up .
A change in the wind direction , with the air coming in more from the Pacific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few degrees on Saturday and will do so even more on Sunday .
For example , the high in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday was 93 and is expected to drop to 87 on Sunday .
The city 's normal high for late April is 74 .
At the same time , the heat is expected to intensify farther east across Arizona , Nevada , New Mexico and West Texas .
`` Record high temperatures will continue to be challenged across much of the Southwest into next week as highs trend 15-20 degrees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gilbert said .
Widespread triple-digit heat is forecast across the Desert Southwest this weekend , and AccuWeather meteorologists expect it to stick around through the end of the month .
`` Phoenix , which recorded its first and second 90-degree days of the year on Wednesday and Thursday , will likely record its first day of triple-digit heat on Sunday , '' Gilbert said .
In fact , Phoenix could experience near-record temperatures each day through Wednesday of this week .
Las Vegas will feel the heat cranking up on Sunday with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perhaps reaching the upper 90s to near 100 by Tuesday and Wednesday .
New marks in the history books could even be made in the higher elevations , such as Flagstaff , Arizona , where daytime temperatures in the middle to upper 70s Monday through Wednesday would be near-record territory .
Albuquerque , New Mexico , and El Paso , Texas , are among many other cities expected to experience multiple days of near-record heat during the early and middle part of next week .
These areas will be at greatest risk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The first heat wave of the year can catch people off guard if they do not take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses .
Any outdoor exercise or strenuous labor should be completed during the early morning or evening hours if at all possible to avoid the hottest times of the day -- midday and afternoon hours .
Whenever outdoors , drink plenty of water , wear a hat and sunscreen and stay in the shade as much as possible .
Remember to never leave children or pets in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Oil tankers are anchored near the Los Angles and Long Beach port complex in Los Angeles on Thursday. Beach remain closed in Los Angeles County, including Long Beach. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
April 26 (UPI) -- Record temperatures more typical of summertime will sear the southwestern states this week, and some residents will be forced to find alternate means to cool off amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Records already began to fall Thursday, with Santa Barbara, Calif., obliterating its record high for the date of 82 degrees Fahreinheit set in 1995 as the thermometer soared to 92. This was also the first time the city broke the 90-degree threshold this year. Advertisement
As the heat began to ramp up in southern California, city officials in Malibu reminded residents Thursday that all beaches, parks, trails and parking areas in the city remain closed, and they urged people in neighboring communities to not travel to Malibu amid the warm weather.
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The city of Malibu plans to utilize the Wireless Alert System, which is similar to Amber Alerts, this weekend to spread this message to all cellphones within range of cell towers in Malibu, according to a post on its Facebook page.
"The City urges Malibu residents to help protect our seniors and vulnerable people by staying safe at home to slow the spread of coronavirus, and enjoy the outdoors locally in your backyard, walking or cycling in your neighborhood," a statement on the city's website said.
Beaches in Los Angeles County, including Long Beach, remain closed.
But people flocked north to Ventura and south to Orange counties where most beaches are open although parking lots and piers are closed in an effort to deter people not from the area.
"We are expecting crowds of up to 30 or 40 thousand in the city of Newport Beach at the beach," Lifeguard Battalion Chief Brian O'Rourke told CNN. "People are coming from everywhere."
Lifeguards are reminding beachgoers about maintaining a safe distance from one another.
"When the crowds get extremely large it's challenging because we are focusing on the water, because we don't want people to drown," he said. "There's still some surf and rip currents out there."
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In nearby Huntington Beach, some people wore masks though many were not adhering to social distancing.
In Ventura County, which is north of Los Angeles, one beachgoer told NBC Nightly News that people "have to get out" rather than "living in a cave or hole."
Beaches are also closed in San Diego County.
Friday featured more hot weather in Southern California with 80s along the coast and 90s just inland -- highs more typical of August. Downtown Los Angeles recorded a high temperature of 93, tying its previous record high of 93 set in 2001. San Diego tied its record high for the date of 83, which was last recorded in 1995.
Offshore winds, or winds coming from the direction of the north and northeast, have contributed to the summerlike temperatures across the region. From this direction, air flows down the mountains of southern California and then off the coast. When air descends, it compresses and heats up.
A change in the wind direction, with the air coming in more from the Pacific, allowed temperatures to be shaved a few degrees Saturday and will do so even more Sunday. For example, the high in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday was 93 and is expected to drop to 87 on Sunday. The city's normal high for late April is 74.
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At the same time, the heat is expected to intensify farther east across Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and west Texas.
"Record high temperatures will continue to be challenged across much of the Southwest into next week as highs trend 15-20 degrees above normal," AccuWeather meteorologist Mary Gilbert said.
Widespread triple-digit heat is forecast across the desert Southwest this weekend, and AccuWeather meteorologists expect it to stick around through the end of the month.
"Phoenix, which recorded its first and second 90-degree days of the year on Wednesday and Thursday, will likely record its first day of triple-digit heat on Sunday," Gilbert said.
In fact, Phoenix could experience near-record temperatures each day through Wednesday of this week.
Las Vegas will feel the heat cranking up on Sunday with a forecast high in the middle 90s, perhaps reaching the upper 90s to near 100 by Tuesday and Wednesday.
New marks in the history books could even be made in the higher elevations, such as Flagstaff, Ariz., where daytime temperatures in the middle to upper 70s Monday through Wednesday would be near-record territory.
Albuquerque, N.M., and El Paso, Texas, are among many other cities expected to experience multiple days of near-record heat during the early and middle part of next week. These areas will be at greatest risk of wildfire spread in the short term.
Advertisement
The first heat wave of the year can catch people off guard if they do not take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses.
Any outdoor exercise or strenuous labor should be completed during the early morning or evening hours if at all possible to avoid the hottest times of the day -- midday and afternoon hours. Whenever outdoors, drink plenty of water, wear a hat and sunscreen and stay in the shade as much as possible.
Officials urged people to remember to never leave children or pets in a sealed vehicle.


upi--2020-04-26--Famous birthdays for April 26: Channing Tatum, Melania Trump

April 26 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus .
-- Inventor @ @ @ @ @ the Richter scale of earthquake measurement , in 1900

Channing Tatum arrives on the red carpet at the WSJ Magazine 2018 Innovator Awards at the Museum of Modern Art on November 7 in New York City. The actor turns 40 on April 26. File Photo by Monika Graff/UPI | License Photo
April 26 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus. They include: Advertisement
-- Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius in 121
-- Scottish philosopher David Hume in 1711
-- Naturalist John James Audubon in 1785
-- French artist Eugene Delacroix in 1798
-- Landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted in 1822
-- Singer Ma Rainey, born Gertrude Pridgett, in 1886
-- Author Anita Loos in 1889
-- Rudolf Hess, Adolf Hitler's deputy, in 1894
-- Inventor Charles Richter, responsible for the Richter scale of earthquake measurement, in 1900
-- Writer A.E. van Vogt in 1912
-- Writer Bernard Malamud in 1914
-- Architect I.M. Pei in 1917
-- Actor/comedian Carol Burnett in 1933 (age 87)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Guitarist Duane Eddy in 1938 (age 82)
-- Pop singer Bobby Rydell in 1942 (age 78)
-- Actor Giancarlo Esposito in 1958 (age 62)
-- Actor Joan Chen in 1961 (age 60)
-- Actor Jet Li, born Li Lianjie, in 1963 (age 57)
-- Actor Kevin James in 1965 (age 55)
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-- Singer T-Boz, born Tionne Watkins, in 1970 (age 50)
-- First lady Melania Trump in 1970 (age 50)
File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI
-- Actor Tom Welling in 1977 (age 43)
-- Actor Stana Katic in 1978 (age 42)
-- Actor Channing Tatum in 1980 (age 40)
-- Actor Jordana Brewster in 1980 (age 40)
-- Actor Emily Wickersham in 1984 (age 36)
-- Actor Luke Bracey in 1989 (age 31)
-- Actor Riley Voelkel in 1990 (age 30)


upi--2020-04-26--On This Day, April 26: Syrian troops leave Lebanon after 29 years

April 26 ( UPI ) -- On this day in history : In 1607 , the first British colonists to establish a permanent settlement in America landed at Cape Henry , Va .
In 1933 , Nazi Germany 's secret police , better known as the Gestapo , is formed by Hermann Goering .
The Allies declared the Gestapo a criminal organization during the Nuremberg trials and sentenced Goering to die .
In 1937 , during the Spanish Civil War , German-made planes destroyed the Basque town of Guernica , Spain .
In 1964 , Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1982 , Argentina surrendered to British forces on South Georgia Island amid a dispute over the Falkland Islands .
In 1986 , a fire and explosion at the Soviet Union 's Chernobyl nuclear reactor north of Kiev , Ukraine , resulted in the world 's worst civilian nuclear disaster .
About 30 deaths were reported in the days following the accident .
It is believed that hundreds of people eventually died from high doses of radiation from the plant and that thousands of cases of cancer could be linked to the crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ slammed into a parked truck during takeoff and crashed minutes later near the western Indian city of Aurangabad , killing 56 people .
In 1994 , South Africans began going to the polls in the country 's first election that was open to all .
Four days of voting would elect Nelson Mandela president .
In 2002 , a German youth who had been expelled from the Gutenberg school in Erfurt , Germany , returned to the school and shot 16 people to death .
In 2005 , the last of Syria 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military presence .
In 2010 , longtime Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir , sought by the International Criminal Court in connection with reputed crimes against humanity in the Darfur section of western Sudan , was re-elected president in a controversial vote .
In 2012 , a U.N.-backed court convicted former Liberian President Charles Taylor of war crimes , including murder , acts of terrorism , rape , sexual slavery and use of child soldiers , for aiding rebels in neighboring Sierra Leone .
He was sentenced to 50 years in prison .
In 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cosby guilty on charges he drugged and sexually assaulted Andrea Constand in 2004 .
He was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison .
In 2019 , a police shootout in Sainthamaruthu , Sri Lanka , killed militants suspected of being involved in an Easter attack that killed more than 250 people .

1/4
Lebanese students demonstrate in Beirut on March 14, 2002, against Syria`s military presence in their country. On April 26, 2005, the last of Syria's troops left Lebanon, ending a 29-year military presence. File Photo by Mahmoud Tawil/UPI | License Photo
April 26 (UPI) -- On this day in history: In 1607, the first British colonists to establish a permanent settlement in America landed at Cape Henry, Va. Advertisement
In 1933, Nazi Germany's secret police, better known as the Gestapo, is formed by Hermann Goering. The Allies declared the Gestapo a criminal organization during the Nuremberg trials and sentenced Goering to die.
In 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, German-made planes destroyed the Basque town of Guernica, Spain.
In 1964, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged, forming the country of Tanzania.
In 1982, Argentina surrendered to British forces on South Georgia Island amid a dispute over the Falkland Islands.
In 1986, a fire and explosion at the Soviet Union's Chernobyl nuclear reactor north of Kiev, Ukraine, resulted in the world's worst civilian nuclear disaster. About 30 deaths were reported in the days following the accident. It is believed that hundreds of people eventually died from high doses of radiation from the plant and that thousands of cases of cancer could be linked to the crisis.
File Photo by Sergey Starostenko/UPI
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In 1993, Indian Airlines Flight 491 slammed into a parked truck during takeoff and crashed minutes later near the western Indian city of Aurangabad, killing 56 people.
In 1994, South Africans began going to the polls in the country's first election that was open to all. Four days of voting would elect Nelson Mandela president.
In 2002, a German youth who had been expelled from the Gutenberg school in Erfurt, Germany, returned to the school and shot 16 people to death.
In 2005, the last of Syria's troops left Lebanon, ending a 29-year military presence.
In 2010, longtime Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir, sought by the International Criminal Court in connection with reputed crimes against humanity in the Darfur section of western Sudan, was re-elected president in a controversial vote.
File Photo by Abderaouf Ubgadar/UPI
In 2012, a U.N.-backed court convicted former Liberian President Charles Taylor of war crimes, including murder, acts of terrorism, rape, sexual slavery and use of child soldiers, for aiding rebels in neighboring Sierra Leone. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison.
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In 2018, a Pennsylvania jury found actor Bill Cosby guilty on charges he drugged and sexually assaulted Andrea Constand in 2004. He was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison.
In 2019, a police shootout in Sainthamaruthu, Sri Lanka, killed militants suspected of being involved in an Easter attack that killed more than 250 people.


upi--2020-04-26--'Penny Dreadful' transforms Nathan Lane, Natalie Dormer

LOS ANGELES , April 26 ( UPI ) -- In Penny Dreadful , John Logan used the characters Frankenstein , Dracula , Jekyll and Hyde and Dorian Gray to create an original horror series .
With Penny Dreadful : City of Angels , premiering Sunday on Showtime , Logan transforms his horror series into something new and shows its cast in a new light .
`` This is a new story with new characters , '' Logan said on a Television Critics Association panel recently .
`` With the exception of one actor , Rory Kinnear , it 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Set in 1938 Los Angeles , City of Angels stars Nathan Lane as Detective Lewis Michener and Daniel Zovatto as his rookie partner Tiago Vega .
The role of Michener also transforms the usually comedic Lane into a dramatic lead .
`` It 's all acting , '' Lane said .
`` It is just a tremendously rich character , a complicated guy who 's been on the [ Los Angeles Police Department ] for a very long time .
He 's got a lot of issues , and he 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because no one else would partner with him .
I think he understands what being an outsider is like . ''
In 1938 , Los Angeles is trying to build a freeway through a Mexican community .
Tiago is torn between his neighbors and the police force that serves the city .
`` It 's completely changing the dynamic between him and his family , him and his profession , '' Zovatto said .
`` The highways were kind of keeping the groups of people in certain areas so they could n't move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was shocking and eye-opening for me . ''
Natalie Dormer brings in the supernatural aspect of Penny Dreadful as the dark goddess Magda .
Magda uses psychic coercion to incite violence and alters her appearance for different encounters .
Dormer did not want to spoil the Magda transformations she will portray beyond the ones introduced in the series premiere .
`` Every character [ requires ] a different wig , different voice , different physicality , '' Dormer said .
`` This is catnip to an actor .
It 's a dream .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I just have a lot of fun interweaving with all the cast , being several antagonists . ''
Members of the Mexican neighborhood have their own supernatural beliefs they use to combat Magda and the human evils of the city .
Adriana Barraza plays Maria Vega , a `` bruja '' who prays to Santa Muerte , the protector of the departed on their way to the afterlife .
`` She 's like a witch , but not this kind of witch that you are afraid of , '' Barraza said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to open certain doors .
John Logan created this fantastic woman that gave me the opportunity to research Santa Muerte .
Santa Muerte is a holy angel who takes you up fast and guides us to God when you die .
This is the meaning for Maria . ''
Kinnear played Victor Frankenstein 's creature in the first Penny Dreadful series , and was happy to work with Logan again.This time , Kinnear plays Dr. Peter Craft , a human being with no scars or prosthetics , but he noted thematic similarities between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were in the state of moral crisis , '' Kinnear said .
`` That 's made very clear , particularly through Natalie 's characters , that she is putting these characters into that moral crisis . ''
Craft is a pediatrician and head of the German-American Bund .
Logan set City of Angels in 1938 so he could deal with the onset of World War II .
`` The biggest revelation I had researching this , the years of researching this , was the extent of the Third Reich infiltration of Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` New York was closed to them because Mayor LaGuardia was half Jewish , so he was n't letting Germans in .
`` California , particularly Los Angeles , was like the Wild West , '' Logan continued .
`` The aircraft factories were centered here , the armament factories , the film studios , so it became really rife for sabotage and for clandestine activity of the Third Reich . ''
City of Angels is a new story in a new era with new characters and different supernatural entities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it a part of Penny Dreadful as opposed to a completely new series .
`` As much as this is its own beast with its own DNA , the same creative vision is behind it , '' Logan said .
`` I 'm very proud of the first Penny Dreadful .
One of the greatest experiences of my life was creating those characters and that world .
So to carry that positive energy forward in this show was gratifying for me . ''
Penny Dreadful : City of Angels premieres Sunday at 10 @ @ @ @ @

1/4
Nathan Lane plays a dramatic role as a detective investigating a murder in "Penny Dreadful: City of Angels." File Photo by Jason Szenes/UPI | License Photo
LOS ANGELES, April 26 (UPI) -- In Penny Dreadful, John Logan used the characters Frankenstein, Dracula, Jekyll and Hyde and Dorian Gray to create an original horror series. With Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, premiering Sunday on Showtime, Logan transforms his horror series into something new and shows its cast in a new light. "This is a new story with new characters," Logan said on a Television Critics Association panel recently. "With the exception of one actor, Rory Kinnear, it's a new cast and a completely new landscape." Advertisement
Set in 1938 Los Angeles, City of Angels stars Nathan Lane as Detective Lewis Michener and Daniel Zovatto as his rookie partner Tiago Vega. The role of Michener also transforms the usually comedic Lane into a dramatic lead.
"It's all acting," Lane said. "It is just a tremendously rich character, a complicated guy who's been on the [Los Angeles Police Department] for a very long time. He's got a lot of issues, and he's taken this young detective under his wing because no one else would partner with him. I think he understands what being an outsider is like."
Advertisement
In 1938, Los Angeles is trying to build a freeway through a Mexican community. Tiago is torn between his neighbors and the police force that serves the city.
"It's completely changing the dynamic between him and his family, him and his profession," Zovatto said. "The highways were kind of keeping the groups of people in certain areas so they couldn't move around, breaking neighborhoods. So it was shocking and eye-opening for me."
Natalie Dormer brings in the supernatural aspect of Penny Dreadful as the dark goddess Magda. Magda uses psychic coercion to incite violence and alters her appearance for different encounters. Dormer did not want to spoil the Magda transformations she will portray beyond the ones introduced in the series premiere.
"Every character [requires] a different wig, different voice, different physicality," Dormer said. "This is catnip to an actor. It's a dream. Every good protagonist needs an antagonist, and I just have a lot of fun interweaving with all the cast, being several antagonists."
Members of the Mexican neighborhood have their own supernatural beliefs they use to combat Magda and the human evils of the city. Adriana Barraza plays Maria Vega, a "bruja" who prays to Santa Muerte, the protector of the departed on their way to the afterlife.
Advertisement
"She's like a witch, but not this kind of witch that you are afraid of," Barraza said. "I think Maria has the opportunity to open certain doors. John Logan created this fantastic woman that gave me the opportunity to research Santa Muerte. Santa Muerte is a holy angel who takes you up fast and guides us to God when you die. This is the meaning for Maria."
Kinnear played Victor Frankenstein's creature in the first Penny Dreadful series, and was happy to work with Logan again.This time, Kinnear plays Dr. Peter Craft, a human being with no scars or prosthetics, but he noted thematic similarities between both series.
"All the characters were in the state of moral crisis," Kinnear said. "That's made very clear, particularly through Natalie's characters, that she is putting these characters into that moral crisis."
Craft is a pediatrician and head of the German-American Bund. Logan set City of Angels in 1938 so he could deal with the onset of World War II.
"The biggest revelation I had researching this, the years of researching this, was the extent of the Third Reich infiltration of Los Angeles in the late '30s," Logan said. "New York was closed to them because Mayor LaGuardia was half Jewish, so he wasn't letting Germans in.
Advertisement
"California, particularly Los Angeles, was like the Wild West," Logan continued. "The aircraft factories were centered here, the armament factories, the film studios, so it became really rife for sabotage and for clandestine activity of the Third Reich."
City of Angels is a new story in a new era with new characters and different supernatural entities. Yet, Logan was proud to make it a part of Penny Dreadful as opposed to a completely new series.
"As much as this is its own beast with its own DNA, the same creative vision is behind it," Logan said. "I'm very proud of the first Penny Dreadful. One of the greatest experiences of my life was creating those characters and that world. So to carry that positive energy forward in this show was gratifying for me."
Penny Dreadful: City of Angels premieres Sunday at 10 p.m. EDT on Showtime.


upi--2020-04-26--NASCAR iRacing: Alex Bowman earns first virtual win at Talladega

April 26 ( UPI ) -- Hendrick Motorsports picked up its third consecutive win in the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series when driver Alex Bowman edged Corey LaJoie and Ryan Preece in a three-wide finish Sunday in the GEICO 70 at virtual Talladega Superspeedway .
Bowman held off LaJoie and Preece in a two-lap overtime sprint to the finish , securing the victory by only .037 seconds .
`` I guess just right place , right time , kind of the normal speedway racing deal , '' Bowman told reporters after the race .
`` I 've really got to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's what made the difference at that point . ''
William Byron , Bowman 's teammate with Hendrick Motorsports , won the last two races in NASCAR 's virtual racing series .
On Sunday , he finished sixth .
In Sunday 's 74-lap overtime race , there were 14 leaders and 27 lead changes .
LaJoie came in second and Preece in third .
Garrett Smithley and Landon Cassill rounded out the top five .
NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon stepped out of the booth and made his virtual debut Sunday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in two separate wrecks .
Gordon , who was replaced by Michael Waltrip this week , typically calls the races for FOX Sports alongside Mike Joy .
`` It 's incredibly realistic , '' Gordon said .
`` I loved being a part of it .
It was great being back in there in the action and competition on the track .
I had a blast . ''
FOX 's in-race reporter Clint Bowyer had his race ended by a blown engine for the second straight week .
Bowyer was pushing Bowman for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Brennan Poole ( seventh ) , Kyle Busch ( eighth ) , Kurt Busch ( ninth ) and Daniel Suarez finished inside the top 10 .
Timmy Hill , a one-time winner in the iRacing series , came in 11th and Kevin Harvick in 12th .
The next event in the eNASCAR Pro Invitational Series is scheduled for May 3 at virtual Dover International Speedway .

April 26 (UPI) -- Hendrick Motorsports picked up its third consecutive win in the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series when driver Alex Bowman edged Corey LaJoie and Ryan Preece in a three-wide finish Sunday in the GEICO 70 at virtual Talladega Superspeedway.
Bowman held off LaJoie and Preece in a two-lap overtime sprint to the finish, securing the victory by only .037 seconds.
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"I guess just right place, right time, kind of the normal speedway racing deal," Bowman told reporters after the race. "I've really got to thank Preece for pushing me because that's what made the difference at that point."
William Byron, Bowman's teammate with Hendrick Motorsports, won the last two races in NASCAR's virtual racing series. On Sunday, he finished sixth.
.@AlexBowman88 held them off for the in the @GEICO 70! Have you caught your breath yet? pic.twitter.com/4FgwEcSvt7— eNASCAR (@NASCAR) April 26, 2020
In Sunday's 74-lap overtime race, there were 14 leaders and 27 lead changes. LaJoie came in second and Preece in third. Garrett Smithley and Landon Cassill rounded out the top five.
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NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon stepped out of the booth and made his virtual debut Sunday, finishing in 38th after he was involved in two separate wrecks. Gordon, who was replaced by Michael Waltrip this week, typically calls the races for FOX Sports alongside Mike Joy.
"It's incredibly realistic," Gordon said. "I loved being a part of it. It was great being back in there in the action and competition on the track. I had a blast."
FOX's in-race reporter Clint Bowyer had his race ended by a blown engine for the second straight week. Bowyer was pushing Bowman for the lead when the engine virtually overheated.
Brennan Poole (seventh), Kyle Busch (eighth), Kurt Busch (ninth) and Daniel Suarez finished inside the top 10. Timmy Hill, a one-time winner in the iRacing series, came in 11th and Kevin Harvick in 12th.
The next event in the eNASCAR Pro Invitational Series is scheduled for May 3 at virtual Dover International Speedway.


upi--2020-04-26--Longtime San Francisco 49ers OT Joe Staley retires after 13 seasons

April 26 ( UPI ) -- Longtime 49ers offensive tackle Joe Staley , who spent 13 seasons in San Francisco , is retiring from the NFL due to injury concerns .
`` Last season was a dream to be a part of , having the opportunity to chase a championship .
But , it was by far the most difficult on me and my family , '' Staley wrote Saturday on Twitter .
`` My body was breaking down with a variety of injuries and a deteriorating neck condition , and the constant discomfort affected every aspect of my life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Grace and Audrey .
They are my world .
To choose to play another season when my body says it 's done , and risk my future with them and my ability to be the father I want to be , would be selfish and reckless .
I want my daughters to know that I will always choose them , no matter what . ''
Staley , 35 , dealt with a broken fibula , broken finger and a hand injury last season .
He also has struggled with a neck ailment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Staley reached his decision to retire earlier this week and informed 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan to allow the team to find a replacement .
Later Saturday , the 49ers agreed to trade a 2020 fifth-round draft pick and a 2021 third-rounder to the Washington Redskins for left tackle Trent Williams , who is expected to step in for Staley .
`` I was with Joe three years , '' Shanahan told reporters .
`` He 's as good of a player and warrior and person as any player I have ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was really hard on us when we had to realize that he was n't going to play this year .
`` But talking to the man , knowing the person , knowing his family , he is no doubt making the right decision of what 's best for his health and the future .
It was really hard for us to hear with how good of a player he was and still is .
It 's the best thing for him , and I 'm really happy for the career that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Staley in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft out of Central Michigan .
He made six Pro Bowls and earned three second-team All-Pro nods during his time with the franchise .
Staley , who was a member of the NFL 's 2010s All-Decade Team , started all 181 regular-season games in which he appeared in over his career .

San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Joe Staley was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro choice with the franchise. File Photo by Jim Bryant/UPI | License Photo
April 26 (UPI) -- Longtime 49ers offensive tackle Joe Staley, who spent 13 seasons in San Francisco, is retiring from the NFL due to injury concerns. "Last season was a dream to be a part of, having the opportunity to chase a championship. But, it was by far the most difficult on me and my family," Staley wrote Saturday on Twitter. "My body was breaking down with a variety of injuries and a deteriorating neck condition, and the constant discomfort affected every aspect of my life. Advertisement
"I have two young daughters, Grace and Audrey. They are my world. To choose to play another season when my body says it's done, and risk my future with them and my ability to be the father I want to be, would be selfish and reckless. I want my daughters to know that I will always choose them, no matter what."
Staley, 35, dealt with a broken fibula, broken finger and a hand injury last season. He also has struggled with a neck ailment since the conclusion of the 2019-20 campaign.
Staley reached his decision to retire earlier this week and informed 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan to allow the team to find a replacement. Later Saturday, the 49ers agreed to trade a 2020 fifth-round draft pick and a 2021 third-rounder to the Washington Redskins for left tackle Trent Williams, who is expected to step in for Staley.
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"I was with Joe three years," Shanahan told reporters. "He's as good of a player and warrior and person as any player I have ever been around. I love the guy. It was really hard on us when we had to realize that he wasn't going to play this year.
"But talking to the man, knowing the person, knowing his family, he is no doubt making the right decision of what's best for his health and the future. It was really hard for us to hear with how good of a player he was and still is. It's the best thing for him, and I'm really happy for the career that he had."
It's been a hell of a ride. Thank you pic.twitter.com/V2VB2xKDzp— Joe Staley (@jstaley74) April 25, 2020
Jesus George. Making me cry over here bro. https://t.co/68OXzrb5l3— Joe Staley (@jstaley74) April 25, 2020
The 49ers selected Staley in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft out of Central Michigan. He made six Pro Bowls and earned three second-team All-Pro nods during his time with the franchise.
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Staley, who was a member of the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team, started all 181 regular-season games in which he appeared in over his career.


upi--2020-04-26--Michael Madsen urges social distancing with 'Reservoir Dogs' parody

April 26 ( UPI ) -- Frequent Quentin Tarantino collaborator Michael Madsen parodied one of his most famous roles with a social-distancing home video this weekend .
In the 1992 film Reservoir Dogs , Madsen played gangster Mr. Blonde , who tortures a police officer for information , eventually cutting off his ear .
The song `` Stuck in the Middle with You '' plays during both the movie and this weekend 's 90-second video .
In the clip , a camera weaves through a house and shows several people with blood-soaked bandages on their ears .
The implication is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home during the coronavirus pandemic .
Toward the end of the video , Madsen dances in the kitchen wearing a black suit jacket and tie , white shirt and sunglasses -- his character 's costume from the film .
He also has on grey sweatpants and is barefoot .
Across the screen then scrolls the message : `` Stay Home .
Stay Safe .
The Madsen Family . ''
Most U.S. residents have been social distancing since March to slow the spread of the virus , which has killed more than 200,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Madsen has appeared in Tarantino 's other movies Once Upon a Time in Hollywood , The Hateful Eight and two Kill Bill films .
Madsen told UPI in 2016 that he thinks Tarantino 's work will hold up as cinematic classics years from now .
Madsen also said he hopes he will be remembered for contributing more to the filmmaker 's library than just his violent performance in Reservoir Dogs .
`` His movies are going to be around forever .
Some of these big , giant movies , they 're going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
No one will even remember that they were made , but his stuff is like there forever .
It 's like immortal , '' Madsen said .
`` Maybe I finally wo n't be talked about ...
I was hoping to not be the guy who cut off the cop 's ear and maybe be Joe Gage [ from The Hateful Eight , ] who is writing his life story , just to change things up a bit , '' he laughed .

Michael Madsen released online this weekend a "Reservoir Dogs"-style, social-distancing video. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
April 26 (UPI) -- Frequent Quentin Tarantino collaborator Michael Madsen parodied one of his most famous roles with a social-distancing home video this weekend. In the 1992 film Reservoir Dogs, Madsen played gangster Mr. Blonde, who tortures a police officer for information, eventually cutting off his ear. Advertisement
The song "Stuck in the Middle with You" plays during both the movie and this weekend's 90-second video.
In the clip, a camera weaves through a house and shows several people with blood-soaked bandages on their ears. The implication is that they were warned not to leave home during the coronavirus pandemic.
Toward the end of the video, Madsen dances in the kitchen wearing a black suit jacket and tie, white shirt and sunglasses -- his character's costume from the film.
He also has on grey sweatpants and is barefoot.
Across the screen then scrolls the message: "Stay Home. Stay Safe. The Madsen Family."
Most U.S. residents have been social distancing since March to slow the spread of the virus, which has killed more than 200,000 people worldwide.
In addition to Reservoir Dogs, Madsen has appeared in Tarantino's other movies Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Hateful Eight and two Kill Bill films.
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Madsen told UPI in 2016 that he thinks Tarantino's work will hold up as cinematic classics years from now.
Madsen also said he hopes he will be remembered for contributing more to the filmmaker's library than just his violent performance in Reservoir Dogs.
"His movies are going to be around forever. Some of these big, giant movies, they're going to disappear in the next couple of years. No one will even remember that they were made, but his stuff is like there forever. It's like immortal," Madsen said.
"Maybe I finally won't be talked about... I was hoping to not be the guy who cut off the cop's ear and maybe be Joe Gage [from The Hateful Eight,] who is writing his life story, just to change things up a bit," he laughed.


upi--2020-04-26--USNS Comfort discharges final patient ahead of departure from New York

April 26 ( UPI ) -- All patients on the USNS Comfort have been discharged after the ship was dispatched to the coast of New York amid the COVID-19 outbreak in the state , officials said Sunday .
Northwell Health representative Terry Lynham said that the final patient was discharged as the Navy ship treated 182 patients after being deployed to the state initially to handle hospital overflow and later designated to treat coronavirus patients .
Lynam said the Javits Center , which was converted into a medical treatment center in the epicenter for the virus in the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last week , President Donald Trump announced that New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo agreed to allow the ship to depart from New York Harbor .
The Comfort 's crew will remain on the ship for several days to disinfect and clean the vessel in addition to stowing medical equipment and preparing the ship 's engine before departing .
Upon returning to its home port at the U.S .
Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia , the ship is expected to undergo maintenance and restock for its next mission .
Also Sunday , Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would proceed with plans to hold the graduation ceremony for West Point 's 2020 graduating class on June 13 .
`` After careful consideration of the steps the Army can take to mitigate risk , I made the decision to proceed with the West Point graduation , '' said McCarthy .
`` We are fully committed to the health and safety of our Cadets and believe we can safely conduct the graduation ceremony and associated activities . ''
Prior to the decision , Trump announced last week that he would deliver the commencement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've got it and I understand they 'll have distancing .
They 'll have some big distance and so it 'll be very different than it ever looked , '' said Trump .
The Navy officially announced that the Blue Angels and the Air Force Thunderbirds will conduct flyovers in New York , New Jersey and Philadelphia on Tuesday .
Flyovers in Newark and New York City will begin at noon and last approximately 35 minutes followed by flyovers in Trenton at 1:45 that will last 10 minutes and flyovers in Philadelphia at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Officials announced Sunday that the final patient was discharged from the USNS Comfort as the ship prepares to depart from New York after it was deployed to assist the state with hospital overflow and treating COVID-19 patients. Photo by PO2 Zachary Hupp/U.S. Coast Guard/UPI | License Photo
April 26 (UPI) -- All patients on the USNS Comfort have been discharged after the ship was dispatched to the coast of New York amid the COVID-19 outbreak in the state, officials said Sunday. Northwell Health representative Terry Lynham said that the final patient was discharged as the Navy ship treated 182 patients after being deployed to the state initially to handle hospital overflow and later designated to treat coronavirus patients. Advertisement
Lynam said the Javits Center, which was converted into a medical treatment center in the epicenter for the virus in the United States is still treating about 84 patients.
Last week, President Donald Trump announced that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo agreed to allow the ship to depart from New York Harbor.
The Comfort's crew will remain on the ship for several days to disinfect and clean the vessel in addition to stowing medical equipment and preparing the ship's engine before departing.
Upon returning to its home port at the U.S. Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, the ship is expected to undergo maintenance and restock for its next mission.
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Also Sunday, Army Secretary Ryan D. McCarthy announced the Army would proceed with plans to hold the graduation ceremony for West Point's 2020 graduating class on June 13.
"After careful consideration of the steps the Army can take to mitigate risk, I made the decision to proceed with the West Point graduation," said McCarthy. "We are fully committed to the health and safety of our Cadets and believe we can safely conduct the graduation ceremony and associated activities."
Prior to the decision, Trump announced last week that he would deliver the commencement address.
"I assume .. they've got it and I understand they'll have distancing. They'll have some big distance and so it'll be very different than it ever looked," said Trump.
The Navy officially announced that the Blue Angels and the Air Force Thunderbirds will conduct flyovers in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Flyovers in Newark and New York City will begin at noon and last approximately 35 minutes followed by flyovers in Trenton at 1:45 that will last 10 minutes and flyovers in Philadelphia at 2 p.m. that will last 20 minutes.


upi--2020-04-26--Kristin Cavallari, Jay Cutler split up

Kristin Cavallari, Jay Cutler split up

April 26 ( UPI ) -- Reality television personality , author and fashion designer Kristin Cavallari announced Sunday that she @ @ @ @ @ pro football player Jay Cutler , are ending their seven-year marriage .
The couple married @ @ @ @ @ Camden , 7 , Jaxon , 5 , and daughter Saylor , 4 .
`` @ @ @ @ @ 10 years together we have come to a loving conclusion to get a divorce , @ @ @ @ @ known for her work on Laguna Beach and The Hills -- wrote in an Instagram @ @ @ @ @ nothing but love and respect for one another and are deeply grateful for the years @ @ @ @ @ and the children we are so proud of .
This is just the situation of @ @ @ @ @ We ask everyone to respect our privacy as we navigate this difficult time within our @ @ @

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Kristin Cavallari and her husband Jay Cutler are divorcing. File Photo by James Atoa/UPI | License Photo
April 26 (UPI) -- Reality television personality, author and fashion designer Kristin Cavallari announced Sunday that she and her husband, retired pro football player Jay Cutler, are ending their seven-year marriage. The couple married in 2013 and share sons Camden, 7, Jaxon, 5, and daughter Saylor, 4. Advertisement
"With great sadness, after 10 years together we have come to a loving conclusion to get a divorce," Cavallari -- who is known for her work on Laguna Beach and The Hills -- wrote in an Instagram post.
"We have nothing but love and respect for one another and are deeply grateful for the years shared, memories made, and the children we are so proud of. This is just the situation of two people growing apart. We ask everyone to respect our privacy as we navigate this difficult time within our family."


upi--2020-04-26--Israel Memorial Day events held in small groups, online amid pandemic

April 26 ( UPI ) -- The global COVID-19 pandemic has altered Israel 's annual Memorial Day ceremonies as families are forced to visit their loved ones in staggered groups and other events move online .
Isreal 's Health Ministry barred families from cemeteries on the holiday on Monday , instead urging them to visit the country 's 53 military cemeteries in small groups in the preceding days to mitigate the risk of spreading the coronavirus .
Coronavirus restrictions also bar travel between the cities of Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haaztmaut .
Police would also be stationed outside of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said force would not be used against any families seeking to enter .
Memorial Day Events traditionally begin with a nighttime national ceremony at the Western Wall in Jerusalem .
The next day two ceremonies are held at Jerusalem 's Mount Herzl national cemetery including one for fallen soldiers and another for victims of terrorism along with smaller events in other military cemeteries .
Nathan Landau , Israeli coordinator of the joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day said 20,000 people tuned in for online live streams of the event last year and COVID-19 lockdowns will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus is making things more difficult and complicated , we also see this as an opportunity , '' said Landau .
`` Not everyone can attend a ceremony in Tel Aviv .
But because everyone is on the Internet , we believe at this year we can reach new populations -- among Israelis , Palestinians and around the world . ''

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Israeli soldiers wear masks for protection against the coronavirus while saluting the graves of fallen soldiers. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo
April 26 (UPI) -- The global COVID-19 pandemic has altered Israel's annual Memorial Day ceremonies as families are forced to visit their loved ones in staggered groups and other events move online. Isreal's Health Ministry barred families from cemeteries on the holiday on Monday, instead urging them to visit the country's 53 military cemeteries in small groups in the preceding days to mitigate the risk of spreading the coronavirus. Advertisement
Coronavirus restrictions also bar travel between the cities of Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haaztmaut. Police would also be stationed outside of the gates of the cemeteries although the government said force would not be used against any families seeking to enter.
Memorial Day Events traditionally begin with a nighttime national ceremony at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
The next day two ceremonies are held at Jerusalem's Mount Herzl national cemetery including one for fallen soldiers and another for victims of terrorism along with smaller events in other military cemeteries.
Nathan Landau, Israeli coordinator of the joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day said 20,000 people tuned in for online live streams of the event last year and COVID-19 lockdowns will likely increase online participation.
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"While the coronavirus is making things more difficult and complicated, we also see this as an opportunity," said Landau. "Not everyone can attend a ceremony in Tel Aviv. But because everyone is on the Internet, we believe at this year we can reach new populations -- among Israelis, Palestinians and around the world."