upi--2020-04-28--Baltimore Ravens adding former Seattle Seahawks OL D.J. Fluker

April 28 ( UPI ) -- Veteran offensive lineman D.J .
Fluker agreed to terms with the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday .
The agreement comes two days after the Seattle Seahawks released Fluker .
ESPN and NFL Media confirmed the deal , which is contingent on him passing a physical .
Fluker , 29 , started 14 games at right guard for the Seahawks in 2019 .
He signed with Seattle in 2018 after one season with the New York Giants .
Before joining the Giants , he spent his first four years in the NFL with the then-San Diego @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seahawks , Fluker appeared in 24 games and made 23 starts .
He missed eight games because of injuries .
Former Ravens guard Marshal Yanda , an eight-time Pro Bowl selection , retired this off-season , creating a large gap on the right side of Baltimore 's offensive line .
Fluker , the No .
11 overall pick by the Chargers in the 2013 NFL Draft , will be the most experienced player competing for Yanda 's spot .
Since entering the league , Fluker has appeared in 92 career games with 88 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pick in 2019 , as well as two selections from this year 's draft -- third-rounder Tyre Phillips and fourth-rounder Ben Bredeson -- also are vying for the spot .
The Ravens fielded one of the top offensive lines in the NFL last season .
Baltimore rushed for a league-record 3,296 yards and finished second in Pro Football Focus ' rankings at the end of the regular season .

The then-San Diego Chargers selected D.J. Fluker in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Since entering the league, he has appeared in 92 career games with 88 starts. File Photo by Rich Kane/UPI | License Photo
April 28 (UPI) -- Veteran offensive lineman D.J. Fluker agreed to terms with the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday. The agreement comes two days after the Seattle Seahawks released Fluker. ESPN and NFL Media confirmed the deal, which is contingent on him passing a physical. Advertisement
Fluker, 29, started 14 games at right guard for the Seahawks in 2019. He signed with Seattle in 2018 after one season with the New York Giants. Before joining the Giants, he spent his first four years in the NFL with the then-San Diego Chargers.
In two seasons with the Seahawks, Fluker appeared in 24 games and made 23 starts. He missed eight games because of injuries.
Former Ravens guard Marshal Yanda, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, retired this off-season, creating a large gap on the right side of Baltimore's offensive line.
Fluker, the No. 11 overall pick by the Chargers in the 2013 NFL Draft, will be the most experienced player competing for Yanda's spot. Since entering the league, Fluker has appeared in 92 career games with 88 starts.
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Ben Powers, a fourth-round pick in 2019, as well as two selections from this year's draft -- third-rounder Tyre Phillips and fourth-rounder Ben Bredeson -- also are vying for the spot.
The Ravens fielded one of the top offensive lines in the NFL last season. Baltimore rushed for a league-record 3,296 yards and finished second in Pro Football Focus' rankings at the end of the regular season.


upi--2020-04-28--GE nabs $707.3M to produce F110 engines for Slovakia, Bulgaria, Taiwan, Qatar

April 28 ( UPI ) -- General Electric was awarded $ 707.3 million Tuesday to produce F110 engines for several @ @ @ @ @ the Pentagon .
The contract funds production of FF10-GE-129 engines for the governments of Slovakia @ @ @ @ @ Qatar through the Department of Defense 's foreign military sales program .
According to GE @ @ @ @ @ than 70 percent of the Air Force 's F-16C/D aircraft , and the 129 variant @ @ @ @ @ including significant additional thrust -- for F-15 and F-16 aircraft .
Work on the contract @ @ @ @ @ , Ohio , with an expected completion date of Dec. 21 , 2026 .

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 480th Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, takes off in support of BALTOPS and Saber Strike 18 in Poland in 2018. General Electric has been awarded $707.3 million to produce F110 engines, which power the F-16, to several allied militaries. Photo by Christopher S. Sparks/U.S. Air Force
April 28 (UPI) -- General Electric was awarded $707.3 million Tuesday to produce F110 engines for several allied militaries, according to the Pentagon. The contract funds production of FF10-GE-129 engines for the governments of Slovakia, Bulgaria, Taiwan and Qatar through the Department of Defense's foreign military sales program. Advertisement
According to GE, the F110 powers more than 70 percent of the Air Force's F-16C/D aircraft, and the 129 variant offers significant mission advantages -- including significant additional thrust -- for F-15 and F-16 aircraft.
Work on the contract will be performed in Cincinnati, Ohio, with an expected completion date of Dec. 21, 2026.


upi--2020-04-28--At least 46 killed in car bomb explosion in Syria

April 28 ( UPI ) -- At least 46 people died in a truck bombing at a market in Syria @ @ @ @ @ .
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said an improvised explosive device was detonated in @ @ @ @ @ of Afrin , killing at least 46 people including 11 children .
All of the @ @ @ @ @ city displaced from different Syrian provinces .
The group said as many as 50 people @ @ @ @ @ toll was expected to rise .
The attack took place near the residence of the @ @ @ @ @ to the site .
The Turkish defense ministry blamed the attack on the Syrian Kurdish @ @ @ @ @ and the Kurdistan Workers ' Party , which is designated as a terrorist organization in @ @ @ @ @ and the European Union .

At least 46 people at a Syrian market died in a truck bombing that officials in neighboring Turkey blamed on the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units militia and the Kurdistan Workers' Party. Photo courtesy Syrian Civil Defense
April 28 (UPI) -- At least 46 people died in a truck bombing at a market in Syria on Tuesday, officials said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said an improvised explosive device was detonated in a car in the city of Afrin, killing at least 46 people including 11 children. All of the victims were residents of the city displaced from different Syrian provinces. Advertisement
The group said as many as 50 people were injured and the death toll was expected to rise.
The attack took place near the residence of the governor and also caused damage to the site.
The Turkish defense ministry blamed the attack on the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units militia and the Kurdistan Workers' Party, which is designated as a terrorist organization in Turkey, the United States and the European Union.
U.S. Department of State representative Morgan Ortagus issued a statement on Tuesday condemning the attack.
"Such cowardly acts of evil are unacceptable from any side in this conflict," Ortagus said. "The U.S. renews its call for support and implementation of a nationwide ceasefire in Syria, as called for by U.N. Special Representative Geir Pederson."


upi--2020-04-28--Thousands evacuated as ice jam forces floodwaters into Canadian town

April 28 ( UPI ) -- Up to 15,000 residents were told to abandon their homes in Fort McMurray , Alberta , Canada , after an ice jam caused rivers to burst their banks , sending floodwaters into the town .
Officials in the Canadian town have been warning of the possibility of flooding during the spring melt for weeks , reported the Calgary Sun .
Fears came to fruition early Sunday morning as ice began to break and jam on the Athabasca and Clearwater rivers .
The ice has since created a blockage almost 15.5 miles long , impeding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water into the town .
Evacuation orders began as voluntary on Sunday but were quickly switched to mandatory as water levels rose .
By Monday evening , downtown Fort McMurray , Draper , Waterways and the Taiga Nova Industrial Park were submerged or under evacuation orders , according to the Calgary Sun .
A voluntary evacuation is in place for Grayling Terrace and the gas was shut off as a precaution .
Heat or hot water would not be available to any residence who chose to stay , reported the Fort McMurray Today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been issued for all of Fort McMurray and the communities of Anzac , Fort McMurray First Nation # 468 , Gregoire Lake Estates and Saprae Creek Estates , '' the Calgary Sun reported .
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has reported that 200 people have been rescued after not following evacuation orders .
Remarkable photos and videos have emerged showing water levels halfway up residences and , in some cases , up to roofs of buildings .
The Northern Lights Regional Health Centre is reportedly not under immediate threat , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walmart in town , near the bank of the Clearwater River , where the parking lot is completely submerged .
Highway 63 , which runs through Fort McMurray and across the Athabasca River remains open , although traffic is slow in areas where motorists have parked their cars to venture into the blocked-off downtown area on foot .
Traffic is at a standstill in other areas as evacuees line up in their vehicles for drive-thru registrations to receive lodging assignments .
As hotels in the town begin to fill up , some families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camps .
The drive-thru registrations are one of many precautions being taken in the age of social distancing .
Officials took into account the possibility of needing to evacuate in the instance of flooding or wildfires as they began planning for the spread of COVID-19 in January .
The risk for ice jams and flooding return every spring when the frozen rivers begin to melt and break apart as temperatures begin to trend higher .
After a frigid start to the month , temperatures quickly rebounded .
On April 1 , the high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the middle of the month , daytime temperatures have been consistently above freezing and even reached 69 degrees Saturday .
The normal high temperature for Fort McMurray starts in the middle 40s at the beginning of April and climbs into the middle 50s by the end of the month .
A passing shower is expected in Fort McMurray on Wednesday with more rain in the forecast later in the week .
Any amount of rainfall can exacerbate flooding .
Temperatures are forecast to remain near ot above normal .
While there are methods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floating excavators as well as explosives , the size of this ice jam renders these ineffective .
Instead , officials will be utilizing sandbags and pumps to prevent floodwaters from reaching farther inland , especially near the hospital .
There is also talk of bringing in the military for assistance in addition to providing financial support to displaced residents .
Fort McMurray is no stranger to natural disasters .
There have been flooding events in the past , but in 2016 a large portion of the town was destroyed in a wildfire .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago when we had to evacuate because of the wildfire is that same old feeling again , '' Rodi Sartagoda , who was leaving her home with her husband and son , told the Calgary Sun .
`` This time , there 's that extra worry because we have the pandemic and now we have to go out from our homes . ''
At this time there is no word on when residents will be able to return to their homes .

April 28 (UPI) -- Up to 15,000 residents were told to abandon their homes in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, after an ice jam caused rivers to burst their banks, sending floodwaters into the town.
Officials in the Canadian town have been warning of the possibility of flooding during the spring melt for weeks, reported the Calgary Sun.
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Fears came to fruition early Sunday morning as ice began to break and jam on the Athabasca and Clearwater rivers. The ice has since created a blockage almost 15.5 miles long, impeding the flow of the rivers and spreading water into the town.
Evacuation orders began as voluntary on Sunday but were quickly switched to mandatory as water levels rose. By Monday evening, downtown Fort McMurray, Draper, Waterways and the Taiga Nova Industrial Park were submerged or under evacuation orders, according to the Calgary Sun.
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A voluntary evacuation is in place for Grayling Terrace and the gas was shut off as a precaution. Heat or hot water would not be available to any residence who chose to stay, reported the Fort McMurray Today.
"A boil-water advisory had also been issued for all of Fort McMurray and the communities of Anzac, Fort McMurray First Nation #468, Gregoire Lake Estates and Saprae Creek Estates," the Calgary Sun reported.
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has reported that 200 people have been rescued after not following evacuation orders.
Had a chance to see first hand the damage caused by #ymmflood. The people of Fort McMurray have gone through trial after trial, this latest one compounding during a pandemic. Alberta will be here for the people of #FortMcMurray. #ymmstrong pic.twitter.com/owhQ437hbC— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) April 28, 2020
Remarkable photos and videos have emerged showing water levels halfway up residences and, in some cases, up to roofs of buildings.
The Northern Lights Regional Health Centre is reportedly not under immediate threat, but it is located a block away from the Walmart in town, near the bank of the Clearwater River, where the parking lot is completely submerged.
Advertisement
Highway 63, which runs through Fort McMurray and across the Athabasca River remains open, although traffic is slow in areas where motorists have parked their cars to venture into the blocked-off downtown area on foot.
Traffic is at a standstill in other areas as evacuees line up in their vehicles for drive-thru registrations to receive lodging assignments. As hotels in the town begin to fill up, some families are being sent north to the oil camps.
The drive-thru registrations are one of many precautions being taken in the age of social distancing. Officials took into account the possibility of needing to evacuate in the instance of flooding or wildfires as they began planning for the spread of COVID-19 in January.
The risk for ice jams and flooding return every spring when the frozen rivers begin to melt and break apart as temperatures begin to trend higher. After a frigid start to the month, temperatures quickly rebounded.
On April 1, the high was minus 7 degrees Fahrenheit. Since the middle of the month, daytime temperatures have been consistently above freezing and even reached 69 degrees Saturday.
The normal high temperature for Fort McMurray starts in the middle 40s at the beginning of April and climbs into the middle 50s by the end of the month.
Advertisement
A passing shower is expected in Fort McMurray on Wednesday with more rain in the forecast later in the week. Any amount of rainfall can exacerbate flooding. Temperatures are forecast to remain near ot above normal.
While there are methods to break up ice jams, including floating excavators as well as explosives, the size of this ice jam renders these ineffective. Instead, officials will be utilizing sandbags and pumps to prevent floodwaters from reaching farther inland, especially near the hospital.
There is also talk of bringing in the military for assistance in addition to providing financial support to displaced residents.
Fort McMurray is no stranger to natural disasters. There have been flooding events in the past, but in 2016 a large portion of the town was destroyed in a wildfire.
"That odd feeling I felt four years ago when we had to evacuate because of the wildfire is that same old feeling again," Rodi Sartagoda, who was leaving her home with her husband and son, told the Calgary Sun. "This time, there's that extra worry because we have the pandemic and now we have to go out from our homes."
At this time there is no word on when residents will be able to return to their homes.


upi--2020-04-28--Hardigg Industries receives $10M to make medical equipment for DoD

April 28 ( UPI ) -- Hardigg Industries was awarded a five-year , $ 10 million contract for medical equipment @ @ @ @ @ Logistics Agency electronic catalog , the Pentagon announced Tuesday .
According to the contract announcement @ @ @ @ @ received 115 bids in response to its request for proposals .
Developed by the DLA @ @ @ @ @ and expand its range of procurement options , Troop Support 's electronic catalog is used @ @ @ @ @ , and payment , providing the Department of Defense and other federal agencies access to @ @ @ @ @ ' commercial catalogs at discounted prices .
Hardigg , a manufacturer of heavy duty shipping @ @ @ @ @ air and ground transport of specialized and sensitive equipment , was acquired by Pelican in @ @ @ @ @ contract will be performed at Hardigg 's South Deerfield , Mass.
, worksite .

Hardigg Industries was awarded a $10 million, five-year contract Tuesday to provide medical equipment and accessories for the Defense Logistics Agency. Photo courtesy of the Defense Logistics Agency
April 28 (UPI) -- Hardigg Industries was awarded a five-year, $10 million contract for medical equipment and accessories for the Defense Logistics Agency electronic catalog, the Pentagon announced Tuesday. According to the contract announcement, the Department of Defense received 115 bids in response to its request for proposals. Advertisement
Developed by the DLA to streamline its business practices and expand its range of procurement options, Troop Support's electronic catalog is used for for ordering, distribution, and payment, providing the Department of Defense and other federal agencies access to multiple manufacturers' and distributors' commercial catalogs at discounted prices.
Hardigg, a manufacturer of heavy duty shipping cases and containers for the air and ground transport of specialized and sensitive equipment, was acquired by Pelican in 2009.
Work on the contract will be performed at Hardigg's South Deerfield, Mass., worksite.


upi--2020-04-28--9 die in Peru prison riot amid fears of COVID-19 spread

April 28 ( UPI ) -- Nine inmates died during a prison riot in Peru amid concerns about the spread of COVID-19 in the country 's detention centers .
Peru 's National Penitentiary Institute , or INPE , confirmed the deaths after inmates at Miguel Castro Castro jail in Lima began burning mattresses and climbing on the roof where they threw stones and other blunt objects at law enforcement officers on Monday .
In addition to the nine deaths , three inmates were injured along with 60 prison officers and five police officers .
Prison guards along with 200 members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quell the riot and prevent inmates from escaping , the INPE said .
Justice Minister Fernando Castaneda said last week that 13 inmates and three prison guards have died as a result of the coronavirus in Peru and more than 500 others in Peru 's prisons have been infected .
Miguel Castro Castro has a population of 5,300 inmates despite being designed to hold 1,100 .
`` Obviously the possibility of infection is imminent , '' said Jose Luis Perez , a former interior minister .
The INPE said it has ordered the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 700 tests for the facility to prevent the spread of the virus .

Nine inmates died in a riot at Miguel Castro Castro jail in Peru amid concerns about the spread of COVID-19 in the country's prisons. Photo by Sergi Rugrand/EPA-EFE
April 28 (UPI) -- Nine inmates died during a prison riot in Peru amid concerns about the spread of COVID-19 in the country's detention centers. Peru's National Penitentiary Institute, or INPE, confirmed the deaths after inmates at Miguel Castro Castro jail in Lima began burning mattresses and climbing on the roof where they threw stones and other blunt objects at law enforcement officers on Monday. Advertisement
In addition to the nine deaths, three inmates were injured along with 60 prison officers and five police officers.
Prison guards along with 200 members of the national police were able to quell the riot and prevent inmates from escaping, the INPE said.
Justice Minister Fernando Castaneda said last week that 13 inmates and three prison guards have died as a result of the coronavirus in Peru and more than 500 others in Peru's prisons have been infected.
Miguel Castro Castro has a population of 5,300 inmates despite being designed to hold 1,100.
"Obviously the possibility of infection is imminent," said Jose Luis Perez, a former interior minister.
The INPE said it has ordered the delivery of nearly 6,000 masks and almost 700 tests for the facility to prevent the spread of the virus.


upi--2020-04-28--Streaming-only films to be eligible for 2021 Academy Awards

April 28 ( UPI ) -- Films released only on streaming services in 2020 will be eligible to be nominated for the 93rd Oscars , the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Tuesday .
The new rule is in effect only for films competing in the 2021 Oscar ceremony .
Previous rules required films to premiere in theaters for at least seven days and at least three showtimes per day in order to be eligible for the Oscars .
Netflix films such as Roma and The Irishman , as well as other independent films , only qualified in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theaters before streaming .
But the closure of movie theaters due to the coronavirus pandemic and poses a new scenario for the Academy .
The major studio film Trolls World Tour premiered on video on demand , and Universal has set Judd Apatow 's The King of Staten Island for a June 12 streaming release .
The new rules stipulate that if a theatrical release had been planned , but the film premiered on streaming instead due to COVID-19 , the film could still qualify for nominations .
The film also must be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private streaming site within 60 days of release , and should meet all other eligibility requirements .
Furthermore , previous requirements mandated all eligible movies to have Los Angeles theatrical playdates .
The Academy expanded eligible cities to include New York City , Chicago , the San Francisco Bay Area , Miami and Atlanta once theaters reopen .
Typically , studios schedule their award-hopeful movies for fall releases .
It 's possible studios will start releasing movies to theaters by the fall , but only some states , such as Georgia and Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines .
The earliest movie scheduled for release is Tenet on July 17 .
The Academy said that once theaters reopen , they will determine a date by which this rule would no longer apply .
Film festivals such as South by Southwest , Tribeca and Cannes were also canceled due to COVID-19 .
SXSW is planning to host a streaming film festival on Amazon .
In previous years , premiering online would disqualify those films from the Oscars .
For 2020 , the Academy is exempting films that air through a festival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have proof the film was part of the festival .
In other news , the Academy combined the Sound Mixing and Sound Editing categories into a single category .
New rules for the Original Score category require a score comprise 60 percent original music and 80 percent if the film is a sequel or franchise installment .
The International Feature Film category has opened up nomination voting to all eligible Academy members for the first round of voting .
Screeners of eligible films will be provided to eligible members through the Academy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also lifted a ban on members unaffiliated with a film from providing quotes for a film 's marketing .
However , Academy governors , and Awards and Events Committee members still may not provide quotes .
Screeners will now be required to include closed captioning .
This will also be the final year the Academy will send out DVD screeners to members , as the Academy wishes to move all screeners online for environmental sustainability .
The Oscars ceremony is scheduled to air Feb. 21 on ABC .

The 2021 Oscars will allow films that premiered in 2020 only on streaming platforms to be eligible for nominations due to the closure of movie theaters. File photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
April 28 (UPI) -- Films released only on streaming services in 2020 will be eligible to be nominated for the 93rd Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Tuesday. The new rule is in effect only for films competing in the 2021 Oscar ceremony. Advertisement
Previous rules required films to premiere in theaters for at least seven days and at least three showtimes per day in order to be eligible for the Oscars. Netflix films such as Roma and The Irishman, as well as other independent films, only qualified in previous award seasons because they played in theaters before streaming.
But the closure of movie theaters due to the coronavirus pandemic and poses a new scenario for the Academy. The major studio film Trolls World Tour premiered on video on demand, and Universal has set Judd Apatow's The King of Staten Island for a June 12 streaming release.
Advertisement
The new rules stipulate that if a theatrical release had been planned, but the film premiered on streaming instead due to COVID-19, the film could still qualify for nominations. The film also must be made available to Academy voters via their private streaming site within 60 days of release, and should meet all other eligibility requirements.
Furthermore, previous requirements mandated all eligible movies to have Los Angeles theatrical playdates. The Academy expanded eligible cities to include New York City, Chicago, the San Francisco Bay Area, Miami and Atlanta once theaters reopen.
Typically, studios schedule their award-hopeful movies for fall releases. It's possible studios will start releasing movies to theaters by the fall, but only some states, such as Georgia and Texas, have begun reopening theaters under new guidelines.
The earliest movie scheduled for release is Tenet on July 17.
The Academy said that once theaters reopen, they will determine a date by which this rule would no longer apply.
Film festivals such as South by Southwest, Tribeca and Cannes were also canceled due to COVID-19. SXSW is planning to host a streaming film festival on Amazon. In previous years, premiering online would disqualify those films from the Oscars. For 2020, the Academy is exempting films that air through a festival's paywall or password-protected platform, provided they have proof the film was part of the festival.
Advertisement
In other news, the Academy combined the Sound Mixing and Sound Editing categories into a single category. New rules for the Original Score category require a score comprise 60 percent original music and 80 percent if the film is a sequel or franchise installment.
The International Feature Film category has opened up nomination voting to all eligible Academy members for the first round of voting. Screeners of eligible films will be provided to eligible members through the Academy's private streaming site.
The Academy also lifted a ban on members unaffiliated with a film from providing quotes for a film's marketing. However, Academy governors, and Awards and Events Committee members still may not provide quotes.
Screeners will now be required to include closed captioning. This will also be the final year the Academy will send out DVD screeners to members, as the Academy wishes to move all screeners online for environmental sustainability.
The Oscars ceremony is scheduled to air Feb. 21 on ABC.


upi--2020-04-28--Saints sign ex-Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston to one-year contract

April 28 ( UPI ) -- The New Orleans Saints signed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston to a one-year deal , the team announced Tuesday .
Winston , 26 , will attempt to follow in the footsteps of ex-Saints backup Teddy Bridgewater , who experienced a career revival under head coach Sean Payton and star quarterback Drew Brees .
Bridgewater signed a three-year , $ 63 million contract with the Carolina Panthers in March after going 5-0 as a starter in 2019 when Brees was sidelined .
Winston , the No .
1 overall pick in the 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bay when the Buccaneers signed ex-New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady last month .
In his final season in Tampa , Winston led the league with 5,109 passing yards but was the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for at least 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in the same season .
The former Florida State star is expected to split backup duties with the versatile Taysom Hill , who signed a two-year , $ 21 million contract extension with the Saints on Sunday .
Winston , a Pro Bowl selection in 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five seasons as a starter with the Buccaneers .
He completed 61.3 percent of his throws with 121 touchdowns and 88 interceptions .

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) lost his job to Tom Brady, who signed with the Buccaneers last month. File Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
April 28 (UPI) -- The New Orleans Saints signed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston to a one-year deal, the team announced Tuesday. Winston, 26, will attempt to follow in the footsteps of ex-Saints backup Teddy Bridgewater, who experienced a career revival under head coach Sean Payton and star quarterback Drew Brees. Bridgewater signed a three-year, $63 million contract with the Carolina Panthers in March after going 5-0 as a starter in 2019 when Brees was sidelined. Advertisement
Winston, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, was displaced in Tampa Bay when the Buccaneers signed ex-New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady last month. In his final season in Tampa, Winston led the league with 5,109 passing yards but was the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for at least 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in the same season.
The former Florida State star is expected to split backup duties with the versatile Taysom Hill, who signed a two-year, $21 million contract extension with the Saints on Sunday.
Advertisement The #Saints have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with QB Jameis Winston! Story: https://t.co/ZWHx3u1PJz pic.twitter.com/KhLXJrK2g1— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 28, 2020
Winston, a Pro Bowl selection in 2015, posted a 28-42 record in his five seasons as a starter with the Buccaneers. He completed 61.3 percent of his throws with 121 touchdowns and 88 interceptions.


upi--2020-04-28--Chinese military expels USS Barry from Paracel Islands

April 28 ( UPI ) -- Chinese authorities say they sortied ships and aircraft to `` track , monitor , verify , identify and expel '' the guided-missile destroyer USS Barry from the Paracel Island chain in the South China Sea on Tuesday .
The People 's Liberation Army 's Southern Theatre Command accused the USS Barry of intruding into `` waters around the Paracel Islands without permission , '' the South China Morning Post reported .
Navy officials told USNI News , however , that the Barry had conducted a `` freedom of navigation operation '' in the island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transited the Taiwan Strait twice earlier this month , provoking a similar reaction from China .
The Chinese Liaoning Carrier Strike Group also transited the Taiwan Strait April 22 , a day after Barry transited the same area .
PLA Southern Theatre Command spokesman Li Huamin said the operation was `` incompatible with the current atmosphere as the international community is fighting pandemic . ''
The United States and China have each accused the other of using the COVID-19 pandemic as a distraction to exercise more military control in the South China Sea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the South China Sea operating with the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill and the amphibious assault ship USS America off the coast of Malaysia .

The guided-missile destroyer USS Barry, shown here in the Atlantic in 2008, was accused of “intruding intruding into Chinese territory waters” and expelled from the Paracel Island chain in the South China Sea on Tuesday. Photo by Troy Miller
April 28 (UPI) -- Chinese authorities say they sortied ships and aircraft to "track, monitor, verify, identify and expel" the guided-missile destroyer USS Barry from the Paracel Island chain in the South China Sea on Tuesday. The People's Liberation Army's Southern Theatre Command accused the USS Barry of intruding into "waters around the Paracel Islands without permission," the South China Morning Post reported. Advertisement
Navy officials told USNI News, however, that the Barry had conducted a "freedom of navigation operation" in the island chain off Vietnam.
The vessel had transited the Taiwan Strait twice earlier this month, provoking a similar reaction from China. The Chinese Liaoning Carrier Strike Group also transited the Taiwan Strait April 22, a day after Barry transited the same area.
PLA Southern Theatre Command spokesman Li Huamin said the operation was "incompatible with the current atmosphere as the international community is fighting pandemic."
The United States and China have each accused the other of using the COVID-19 pandemic as a distraction to exercise more military control in the South China Sea.
The Barry has been active in the South China Sea operating with the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill and the amphibious assault ship USS America off the coast of Malaysia.


upi--2020-04-28--JetBlue to require all passengers to wear face coverings during travel

April 28 ( UPI ) -- JetBlue on Tuesday became the first major U.S. airline to announce it will require all passengers to wear face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
The airline issued a notice on Twitter stating that all customers must wear a face covering during flights , check-in , boarding and deplaning beginning May 4 .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention `` guidance defines a suitable face covering as an item of cloth that should fit snugly against the side of the face , be secured with ties or ear loops , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for unrestricted breathing , '' the airline said .
JetBlue added that small children who are not able to maintain a face covering will be exempt from the requirement .
The airline had already required flight crew members to wear face coverings and since late March has reduced the number of seats available on flights to allow distance between passengers .
During an earnings call on Tuesday , Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly said the airline is already encouraging passengers to wear face coverings and considering making it mandatory as more people begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think we 're going to find that there 's a strong majority of people who are n't comfortable unless everyone around them has a mask on , '' Kelly said .
Kelly added that Southwest plans to offer passengers personal protection equipment kits as well as hand sanitizer and wipes .
The airline has also limited ticket sales on each flight and said passengers can assume middle seats will remain open , although Kelly said passengers will not be prohibited from sitting in middle seats especially if traveling with family .
Southwest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will `` tactically '' cancel about 10 percent of its scheduled flights with few bookings each day .
`` It 's a lot easier to take capacity out than to put it back in , '' Nealon said .
Southwest also posted its first operating loss in 11 years , losing $ 77 million , while revenue fell $ 915 million .
Kelly said the airline does not expect travel to resume until businesses such as restaurants , theme parks and other destinations reopen .
`` They need to have something to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So Disney World needs to open back up .
Restaurants need to open back up , '' he said .

JetBlue Airways said the face covering rule will go into effect May 4. Photo by Glenn Fawcett/U.S. Customs and Border Protection | License Photo
April 28 (UPI) -- JetBlue on Tuesday became the first major U.S. airline to announce it will require all passengers to wear face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The airline issued a notice on Twitter stating that all customers must wear a face covering during flights, check-in, boarding and deplaning beginning May 4. Advertisement
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "guidance defines a suitable face covering as an item of cloth that should fit snugly against the side of the face, be secured with ties or ear loops, include multiple layers of fabric and allow for unrestricted breathing," the airline said.
JetBlue added that small children who are not able to maintain a face covering will be exempt from the requirement.
The airline had already required flight crew members to wear face coverings and since late March has reduced the number of seats available on flights to allow distance between passengers.
During an earnings call on Tuesday, Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly said the airline is already encouraging passengers to wear face coverings and considering making it mandatory as more people begin to fly amid loosening restrictions.
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"I think we're going to find that there's a strong majority of people who aren't comfortable unless everyone around them has a mask on," Kelly said.
Kelly added that Southwest plans to offer passengers personal protection equipment kits as well as hand sanitizer and wipes.
The airline has also limited ticket sales on each flight and said passengers can assume middle seats will remain open, although Kelly said passengers will not be prohibited from sitting in middle seats especially if traveling with family.
Southwest President Thomas Nealon also said the airline will "tactically" cancel about 10 percent of its scheduled flights with few bookings each day.
"It's a lot easier to take capacity out than to put it back in," Nealon said.
Southwest also posted its first operating loss in 11 years, losing $77 million, while revenue fell $915 million.
Kelly said the airline does not expect travel to resume until businesses such as restaurants, theme parks and other destinations reopen.
"They need to have something to be able to do when they get there. So Disney World needs to open back up. Restaurants need to open back up," he said.


upi--2020-04-28--Watch: Reporter caught not wearing pants during live broadcast

April 28 ( UPI ) -- An ABC News reporter committed a classic work-from-home faux pas when he was caught @ @ @ @ @ a report on live TV .
Will Reeve , son of late actor Christopher Reeve @ @ @ @ @ Good Morning America to deliver a report about pharmacies using drones to deliver drugs to @ @ @ @ @ of the segment , the chryon at the bottom of the screen disappeared , revealing @ @ @ @ @ on his top half .
Reeve , who operated his own camera while working from @ @ @ @ @ Twitter that the segment did not offer a glimpse of his underwear , but rather @ @ @ @ @ shorts for the exercise he had been planning to do after his segment ended .
@ @ @ @ @ much needed laugh , '' he tweeted .

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April 28 (UPI) -- An ABC News reporter committed a classic work-from-home faux pas when he was caught not wearing pants while delivering a report on live TV.
Will Reeve, son of late actor Christopher Reeve, appeared Tuesday morning on Good Morning America to deliver a report about pharmacies using drones to deliver drugs to patients.
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At the end of the segment, the chryon at the bottom of the screen disappeared, revealing Reeve was only fully dressed on his top half.
Reeve, who operated his own camera while working from home, later clarified on Twitter that the segment did not offer a glimpse of his underwear, but rather a skimpy pair of workout shorts for the exercise he had been planning to do after his segment ended.
"Hope everyone got a much needed laugh," he tweeted.


upi--2020-04-28--Watch: Stranger recovers diamond wedding ring lost on California beach

April 28 ( UPI ) -- A California woman who lost her diamond wedding ring on a beach was reunited with the precious item thanks to a stranger who saw her plea for help on Facebook .
Kacie Fowle said she was at Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara last week when she took off her wedding band and her diamond wedding ring to apply sunscreen .
Fowle said she left her rings in her beach chair and did n't realize until after leaving the beach that her rings had been dropped .
She said a search of the area managed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the diamond ring .
The woman put out a plea for help on Facebook , where the story came to the attention of a man named Anthony .
Anthony took his metal detector to the beach and , using a photo Fowle sent him of the location where the ring was lost , was able to quickly locate the item .
`` I just started crying .
I could n't believe it .
How do you find a diamond ring in the middle of a beach , '' Fowle told KEYT-TV .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hug so bad , I gave him an air hug from so far away .
We kept our distance he handed over the ring to me '' Fowle said Anthony declined to accept a reward for his deed .

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April 28 (UPI) -- A California woman who lost her diamond wedding ring on a beach was reunited with the precious item thanks to a stranger who saw her plea for help on Facebook.
Kacie Fowle said she was at Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara last week when she took off her wedding band and her diamond wedding ring to apply sunscreen.
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Fowle said she left her rings in her beach chair and didn't realize until after leaving the beach that her rings had been dropped. She said a search of the area managed to turn up her band, but not the diamond ring.
The woman put out a plea for help on Facebook, where the story came to the attention of a man named Anthony.
Anthony took his metal detector to the beach and, using a photo Fowle sent him of the location where the ring was lost, was able to quickly locate the item.
"I just started crying. I couldn't believe it. How do you find a diamond ring in the middle of a beach," Fowle told KEYT-TV. "I wanted to give him a hug so bad, I gave him an air hug from so far away. We kept our distance he handed over the ring to me"
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Fowle said Anthony declined to accept a reward for his deed.


upi--2020-04-28--Hospitals turning to UV light to disinfect medical gear

Supplies of personal protective equipment remain scarce across the United States , especially the N95 respirator masks that health care workers use to protect themselves from the new coronavirus .
To help extend the useful life of available equipment , researchers and hospitals are turning to a long-known , if little-used , means of disinfection -- ultraviolet radiation .
`` It 's generally well known that UV-C radiation kills microbes , '' said Bob Karlicek Jr. , director of the Center for Lighting Enabled Systems and Applications at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy , N.Y. `` What 's not known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is required to fully disinfect complex equipment like N95 masks , because you have to get the light to the inside of the mask . ''
Karlicek led a team that created a UV-C system designed to disinfect N95 masks .
It 's being tested at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City .
President Donald Trump was ridiculed last week after publicly speculating that UV light could be used to treat COVID-19 infection inside the human body .
`` Supposing we hit the body with a tremendous -- whether it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I think you said that has n't been checked , but you 're going to test it , '' Trump said at a media briefing .
`` And then I said , supposing you brought the light inside the body , which you can do either through the skin or in some other way , and I think you said you 're going to test that , too .
Sounds interesting . ''
Experts quickly came forward to note that UV light can be harmful to humans , and that it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deep within the body to kill coronavirus in the lungs and other organs .
That 's also part of the problem with using UV light to disinfect protective gear like masks , gowns and gloves , Karlicek said .
UV light disinfects by breaking down the genetic structure of coronaviruses and other microbes , he said .
The virus either dies or is rendered incapable of replicating .
But that means the ultraviolet rays must directly strike the virus -- meaning every square inch of the equipment must be exposed to UV light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that falls within a shadow might still carry active coronavirus , Karlicek said .
The UV rays must also be very powerful .
Mere sunlight alone will not kill the coronavirus , experts say .
The Rensselaer team 's solution is a conveyor system that runs N95 masks through a battery of mercury UV lights .
`` That allows us to have a vertical arrangement of UV-C mercury lamps and then suspend the masks carefully on a moving framework that would go in between the lamps , so you could simultaneously irradiate masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The system stands about 8-feet tall and about 8-feet long .
The masks are hung on a series of hooks , and the speed of the conveyor belt determines how much radiation the masks receive .
Mount Sinai doctors are testing the system to figure out the exact level of UV exposure needed to fully disinfect the masks , Karlicek said .
`` There 's no doubt we 'll be able to deactivate the virus at the right dose , '' he said .
`` The question is how many uses can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage the straps that hold the mask on the face ?
These are things that need to be worked out . ''
Other groups also are trying to develop similar solutions .
For example , a team at the University of California , Santa Barbara , is working on a system that would use LED lights to sterilize protective gear with UV-C radiation .
`` Anything we can do to extend the life of N95 masks in particular -- those are in relatively short supply pretty much everywhere -- that 's certainly something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Dr. Matthew Heinz , a hospitalist and internist with Tucson Medical Center in Arizona .
`` Of course , we have to take proper precautions and make sure we are adequately sterilizing the personal protective equipment , '' he added .
Karlicek 's team assembled its prototype for about $ 10,000 , but he warned that supply issues would hamper efforts to make more light-disinfecting machines .
`` One of the biggest challenges we had in building the system was finding a supply of mercury lamps that were commercially available now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five or six weeks , '' Karlicek said .
Similar devices -- including wands , boxes and bags -- are already available for disinfecting at home using UV light , he noted .
`` People are selling UV-C disinfection systems for the home , in particular UV-C wands you can wave over surfaces , '' Karlicek said , adding he does n't consider them a good idea .
`` You have no idea how much UV-C light you 're getting from one of these wands , and you have no idea how to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said of home users .
`` In order to disinfect well , you really need a good amount of UV-C light . ''
These devices also can be hazardous to people .
While UV-C light can not penetrate the skin , it is bright enough to damage the eyes , Karlicek said .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about ultraviolet light .

Wendy Gould, R.N., inspects N95 masks that have been sanitized with UV light in a special trailer at Saint Louis University Hospital in St. Louis on Thursday. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Supplies of personal protective equipment remain scarce across the United States, especially the N95 respirator masks that health care workers use to protect themselves from the new coronavirus. To help extend the useful life of available equipment, researchers and hospitals are turning to a long-known, if little-used, means of disinfection -- ultraviolet radiation. Advertisement
"It's generally well known that UV-C radiation kills microbes," said Bob Karlicek Jr., director of the Center for Lighting Enabled Systems and Applications at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. "What's not known is the specific quantities of UV-C radiation that is required to fully disinfect complex equipment like N95 masks, because you have to get the light to the inside of the mask."
Karlicek led a team that created a UV-C system designed to disinfect N95 masks. It's being tested at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
President Donald Trump was ridiculed last week after publicly speculating that UV light could be used to treat COVID-19 infection inside the human body.
Advertisement
"Supposing we hit the body with a tremendous -- whether it's ultraviolet or just very powerful light -- and I think you said that hasn't been checked, but you're going to test it," Trump said at a media briefing. "And then I said, supposing you brought the light inside the body, which you can do either through the skin or in some other way, and I think you said you're going to test that, too. Sounds interesting."
Experts quickly came forward to note that UV light can be harmful to humans, and that it would be impossible for ultraviolet rays to reach deep within the body to kill coronavirus in the lungs and other organs.
That's also part of the problem with using UV light to disinfect protective gear like masks, gowns and gloves, Karlicek said.
UV light disinfects by breaking down the genetic structure of coronaviruses and other microbes, he said. The virus either dies or is rendered incapable of replicating.
But that means the ultraviolet rays must directly strike the virus -- meaning every square inch of the equipment must be exposed to UV light to be properly disinfected. Any part that falls within a shadow might still carry active coronavirus, Karlicek said.
Advertisement
The UV rays must also be very powerful. Mere sunlight alone will not kill the coronavirus, experts say.
The Rensselaer team's solution is a conveyor system that runs N95 masks through a battery of mercury UV lights.
"That allows us to have a vertical arrangement of UV-C mercury lamps and then suspend the masks carefully on a moving framework that would go in between the lamps, so you could simultaneously irradiate masks from both sides," Karlicek said.
The system stands about 8-feet tall and about 8-feet long. The masks are hung on a series of hooks, and the speed of the conveyor belt determines how much radiation the masks receive.
Mount Sinai doctors are testing the system to figure out the exact level of UV exposure needed to fully disinfect the masks, Karlicek said.
"There's no doubt we'll be able to deactivate the virus at the right dose," he said. "The question is how many uses can we get? Does the UV light damage the straps that hold the mask on the face? These are things that need to be worked out."
Other groups also are trying to develop similar solutions. For example, a team at the University of California, Santa Barbara, is working on a system that would use LED lights to sterilize protective gear with UV-C radiation.
Advertisement
"Anything we can do to extend the life of N95 masks in particular -- those are in relatively short supply pretty much everywhere -- that's certainly something I would like to see developed," said Dr. Matthew Heinz, a hospitalist and internist with Tucson Medical Center in Arizona.
"Of course, we have to take proper precautions and make sure we are adequately sterilizing the personal protective equipment," he added.
Karlicek's team assembled its prototype for about $10,000, but he warned that supply issues would hamper efforts to make more light-disinfecting machines.
"One of the biggest challenges we had in building the system was finding a supply of mercury lamps that were commercially available now, as opposed to being backordered for five or six weeks," Karlicek said.
Similar devices -- including wands, boxes and bags -- are already available for disinfecting at home using UV light, he noted.
"People are selling UV-C disinfection systems for the home, in particular UV-C wands you can wave over surfaces," Karlicek said, adding he doesn't consider them a good idea.
"You have no idea how much UV-C light you're getting from one of these wands, and you have no idea how to use it to get an appropriate dose," he said of home users. "In order to disinfect well, you really need a good amount of UV-C light."
Advertisement
These devices also can be hazardous to people. While UV-C light cannot penetrate the skin, it is bright enough to damage the eyes, Karlicek said.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about ultraviolet light.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-04-28--Man wins two $1 million jackpots with identical Powerball tickets

April 28 ( UPI ) -- A Colorado man who ended up with a pair of identical Powerball tickets saw @ @ @ @ @ they each won a $ 1 million prize .
The Pueblo man , identified as @ @ @ @ @ Lottery officials he generally buys one Powerball ticket with his own selected numbers and a @ @ @ @ @ .
Joe said he bought some Powerball tickets for the March 25 drawing at the @ @ @ @ @ ended up buying another batch of tickets -- including a second ticket with his own @ @ @ @ @ at Loaf N ' Jug later the same day .
The player 's two tickets @ @ @ @ @ turned out to be $ 1 million second-prize winners , earning him a total jackpot @ @ @ @ @ Joe collected his winnings Monday at the lottery 's drive-through claims office in Pueblo .
@ @ @ @ @ is the one who will decide how the money is spent : `` The Boss @ @ @ @ @ ''

A Colorado man ended up winning a pair of $1 million Powerball prizes when he bought two tickets bearing the same set of numbers. Photo courtesy of the Colorado Lottery
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe April 28 (UPI) -- A Colorado man who ended up with a pair of identical Powerball tickets saw his gamble pay off when they each won a $1 million prize. The Pueblo man, identified as Joe B, told Colorado Lottery officials he generally buys one Powerball ticket with his own selected numbers and a few other tickets using quick-pick. Advertisement
Joe said he bought some Powerball tickets for the March 25 drawing at the 7-Eleven store in Pueblo and ended up buying another batch of tickets -- including a second ticket with his own numbers -- during a stop at Loaf N' Jug later the same day.
The player's two tickets bearing his own numbers each turned out to be $1 million second-prize winners, earning him a total jackpot of $2 million.
Joe collected his winnings Monday at the lottery's drive-through claims office in Pueblo.
The winner said his wife is the one who will decide how the money is spent: "The Boss has plans for it."


upi--2020-04-28--Trump to use Defense Production Act to order meat plants stay open

April 28 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would sign an executive order under the Defense Production Act to make meat processing plants stay open amid the pandemic .
The announcement was made in an Oval Office meeting with Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis open to reporters .
`` We 're going to sign an executive order today , I believe , and that 'll solve any liability problems , '' Trump said .
The order comes amid farmers fearing that the $ 19 billion in aid to cope with the coronavirus pandemic wo n't be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus outbreaks .
It also comes about a week after Tyson Foods suspended operations at its Waterloo , Iowa , plant after almost 200 out of 2,800 workers tested positive for COVID-I9 .
The company , based in Springdale , Ark.
, which is one of the world 's largest food companies , said that workers would continued to be paid while the plant was closed .
It also paused production at its Pasco , Wash. , facility to test its more than 1,400 workers for COVID-19 .
Tyson is among more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the start of the pandemic .
Due to closures , Howard AV Roth , president of the National Pork Producers Council , said last week farms are so crowded there are hog farmers who have started to kill pigs they ca n't sell to slaughterhouses .
The executive order Trump plans to sign will declare the meat processing plants as critical infrastructure .
The Trump administration is working with the Department of Labor to issue guidance on which employees should stay home , including vulnerable populations .
In March , consumer demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the closures since then have resulted in reduced capacity to process meat .
The Center for Biological Diversity , a nonprofit organization with focus on conservation , criticized Trump 's statement that he would order meat plants to remain open .
`` It does n't get more Trumponian than shielding meatpacking companies ' profits at the expense of worker protections , '' the center 's director , Stephanie Feldstein , said in a statement .
`` Even before the pandemic hit , Trump 's USDA had gutted federal oversight of hog slaughterhouses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plants that exceeded federal safety limits for slaughter line speeds .
And now Trump is willing to sacrifice workers ' lives to prop up the nation 's inhumane and environmentally destructive addiction to meat . ''
Trump previously invoked the DPA in late March to push General Motors to produce ventilators and also invoked it more recently for COVID-19 testing swabs .
Still , Trump has urged hospitals and states to take the lead in getting other supplies .
In response , nurses protested last week to demand Trump use the DPA to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who care for COVID-19 patients .

President Donald Trump looks on as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis makes remarks during a meeting in the Oval Office on Tuesday. Photo by Doug Mills/UPI | License Photo
April 28 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would sign an executive order under the Defense Production Act to make meat processing plants stay open amid the pandemic. The announcement was made in an Oval Office meeting with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis open to reporters. Advertisement
"We're going to sign an executive order today, I believe, and that'll solve any liability problems," Trump said.
The order comes amid farmers fearing that the $19 billion in aid to cope with the coronavirus pandemic won't be enough because of widespread closures due to virus outbreaks.
It also comes about a week after Tyson Foods suspended operations at its Waterloo, Iowa, plant after almost 200 out of 2,800 workers tested positive for COVID-I9.
The company, based in Springdale, Ark., which is one of the world's largest food companies, said that workers would continued to be paid while the plant was closed.
It also paused production at its Pasco, Wash., facility to test its more than 1,400 workers for COVID-19.
Advertisement
Tyson is among more than a dozen meat plants that have closed since the start of the pandemic.
Due to closures, Howard AV Roth, president of the National Pork Producers Council, said last week farms are so crowded there are hog farmers who have started to kill pigs they can't sell to slaughterhouses.
The executive order Trump plans to sign will declare the meat processing plants as critical infrastructure.
The Trump administration is working with the Department of Labor to issue guidance on which employees should stay home, including vulnerable populations.
In March, consumer demand for meat surged across the country, but the closures since then have resulted in reduced capacity to process meat.
The Center for Biological Diversity, a nonprofit organization with focus on conservation, criticized Trump's statement that he would order meat plants to remain open.
"It doesn't get more Trumponian than shielding meatpacking companies' profits at the expense of worker protections," the center's director, Stephanie Feldstein, said in a statement. "Even before the pandemic hit, Trump's USDA had gutted federal oversight of hog slaughterhouses and was routinely approving waivers for chicken plants that exceeded federal safety limits for slaughter line speeds. And now Trump is willing to sacrifice workers' lives to prop up the nation's inhumane and environmentally destructive addiction to meat."
Advertisement
Trump previously invoked the DPA in late March to push General Motors to produce ventilators and also invoked it more recently for COVID-19 testing swabs.
Still, Trump has urged hospitals and states to take the lead in getting other supplies. In response, nurses protested last week to demand Trump use the DPA to produce personal protective equipment for health workers who care for COVID-19 patients.


upi--2020-04-28--Arctic bird turns down immune system to conserve energy in winter

April 28 ( UPI ) -- To survive the Arctic 's frigid temperatures , animals must use their energy efficiently .
According to a new study , one Arctic bird species , the Svalbard rock ptarmigan , utilizes a previously unknown energy-saving method .
No bird lives closer to the North Pole than the the Svalbard rock ptarmigan .
To better understand how the bird species survives the extreme conditions , researchers analyzed changes in the bird 's immune system during the winter and late spring .
`` We have discovered that the birds reduce how much they spend on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and running during the five months of the year when it is dark around the clock , probably to save energy , '' Andreas Nord , researcher at Lund University in Sweden , said in a news release .
`` Instead , they use those resources on keeping warm and looking for food .
When daylight returns , their immune response is strengthened again . ''
When birds become ill in the middle of winter , scientists found , their energy levels drop compared to when they are healthy .
The opposite occurs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spring .
`` A weaker immune system is probably a part of all the adaptations that Arctic animals use to save energy in winter , '' Nord said .
`` The risk of being infected by various diseases so far north is less in winter than when it becomes warmer towards summer . ''
The novel energy-saving strategy -- described this week in the journal of Experimental Biology -- is surprisingly risky .
The bird does n't have much an immune system to sacrifice .
Scientists suspect the a strong immune system is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Svalbard rock ptarmigan evolved .
`` This may have negative consequences when the climate changes and migratory birds arrive earlier in the Arctic and leave later , '' Nord said .
`` More and more tourists also come ashore in places where people have not set foot before .
Such a scenario paves the way for an increased risk of disease and may be a threat to animals that have evolved in the Arctic where a strong immune defense system might not have been needed . ''

The Svalbard rock ptarmigan sacrifices its immune system in the winter to conserve energy needed to keep warm and hunt for food. Photo by Andreas Nord
April 28 (UPI) -- To survive the Arctic's frigid temperatures, animals must use their energy efficiently. According to a new study, one Arctic bird species, the Svalbard rock ptarmigan, utilizes a previously unknown energy-saving method. No bird lives closer to the North Pole than the the Svalbard rock ptarmigan. To better understand how the bird species survives the extreme conditions, researchers analyzed changes in the bird's immune system during the winter and late spring. Advertisement
"We have discovered that the birds reduce how much they spend on keeping their own immune defense system up and running during the five months of the year when it is dark around the clock, probably to save energy," Andreas Nord, researcher at Lund University in Sweden, said in a news release. "Instead, they use those resources on keeping warm and looking for food. When daylight returns, their immune response is strengthened again."
When birds become ill in the middle of winter, scientists found, their energy levels drop compared to when they are healthy. The opposite occurs when the birds get sick during the spring.
"A weaker immune system is probably a part of all the adaptations that Arctic animals use to save energy in winter," Nord said. "The risk of being infected by various diseases so far north is less in winter than when it becomes warmer towards summer."
Advertisement
The novel energy-saving strategy -- described this week in the journal of Experimental Biology -- is surprisingly risky. The bird doesn't have much an immune system to sacrifice. Scientists suspect the a strong immune system is less useful in the Arctic, where the Svalbard rock ptarmigan evolved.
"This may have negative consequences when the climate changes and migratory birds arrive earlier in the Arctic and leave later," Nord said. "More and more tourists also come ashore in places where people have not set foot before. Such a scenario paves the way for an increased risk of disease and may be a threat to animals that have evolved in the Arctic where a strong immune defense system might not have been needed."


upi--2020-04-28--Urban reforestation programs could reduce premature deaths

More green spaces in cities could significantly reduce premature deaths and their costs , researchers say .
Focusing on Philadelphia , they concluded that increasing the city 's tree canopy by about one-third -- from 20 percent to 30 percent of land area -- could prevent more than 400 premature deaths a year and save nearly $ 4 billion in related economic costs .
Increases of 5 percent and 10 percent in tree canopy could prevent premature deaths a year by 271 and 376 , respectively , according to the study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forest Service .
Poorer neighborhoods would see the greatest benefits from an increase in green spaces .
`` Many of the deaths prevented would be in the poorest areas of the city , even with a moderate increase in the number of trees , '' said study first author Michelle Kondo , a research social scientist at the U.S. Forest Service .
Researchers noted that Philadelphia is the poorest of the 10 largest U.S. cities and its death rate is higher than the national average .
`` Urban reforestation programs are not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are also a way to reduce health inequities and promote environmental justice , '' Kondo said in an ISGlobal news release .
Kondo noted that large tree-planting initiatives face many obstacles , including losses from tree pests and invasive species , as well as urban development .
Study coordinator Mark Nieuwenhuijsen said the study has lessons for cities worldwide .
`` Although every city has its own characteristics , this study provides an example for all the cities in the world : Many lives can be saved by increasing trees and greening urban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said in the release .
Nieuwenhuijsen is director of ISGlobal 's Urban Planning , Environment and Health Initiative .
`` What 's more , green spaces increase biodiversity and reduce the impact of climate change , making our cities more sustainable and more livable , '' he added .
The findings were published in the April issue of the The Lancet Planetary Health journal .
The National Recreation and Park Association has more on the benefits of green spaces .

Pink Flower Blossom trees are in full bloom as visitors exercise in Forest Park in St. Louis on April 16. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
More green spaces in cities could significantly reduce premature deaths and their costs, researchers say. Focusing on Philadelphia, they concluded that increasing the city's tree canopy by about one-third -- from 20 percent to 30 percent of land area -- could prevent more than 400 premature deaths a year and save nearly $4 billion in related economic costs. Advertisement
Increases of 5 percent and 10 percent in tree canopy could prevent premature deaths a year by 271 and 376, respectively, according to the study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) in Spain and the U.S. Forest Service.
Poorer neighborhoods would see the greatest benefits from an increase in green spaces.
"Many of the deaths prevented would be in the poorest areas of the city, even with a moderate increase in the number of trees," said study first author Michelle Kondo, a research social scientist at the U.S. Forest Service.
Researchers noted that Philadelphia is the poorest of the 10 largest U.S. cities and its death rate is higher than the national average.
"Urban reforestation programs are not only essential for improving public health, they are also a way to reduce health inequities and promote environmental justice," Kondo said in an ISGlobal news release.
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Kondo noted that large tree-planting initiatives face many obstacles, including losses from tree pests and invasive species, as well as urban development.
Study coordinator Mark Nieuwenhuijsen said the study has lessons for cities worldwide. "Although every city has its own characteristics, this study provides an example for all the cities in the world: Many lives can be saved by increasing trees and greening urban environments, even at modest levels," he said in the release. Nieuwenhuijsen is director of ISGlobal's Urban Planning, Environment and Health Initiative.
"What's more, green spaces increase biodiversity and reduce the impact of climate change, making our cities more sustainable and more livable," he added.
The findings were published in the April issue of the The Lancet Planetary Health journal.
More information
The National Recreation and Park Association has more on the benefits of green spaces.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-04-28--Cancer may double risk for serious illness, death with COVID-19, study finds

April 28 ( UPI ) -- People with cancer may be at increased risk for serious illness with COVID-19 , a study published Tuesday by the American Association for Cancer Research has found .
In an analysis of data from 14 hospitals in Wuhan , China -- where the outbreak of the new coronavirus , SARS-CoV-2 , first came to light -- cancer patients were nearly twice as likely to experience severe symptoms from the virus and twice as likely to die as a result of infection , according to a multi-national team of researchers .
If the findings are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ join heart disease and diabetes as underlying conditions that pose the greatest risk with the disease caused by the new coronavirus , the authors said .
`` Although the study was limited to a single province in China , it is a first step toward quantifying the effect of COVID-19 on oncology patients , '' co-author Dr. Mauricio Santillana , of the Computational Health Informatics Program , at Boston Children 's Hospital , said in a statement .
`` This was still a relatively small sample , so as we get more data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' As of Tuesday , more than 1 million Americans have been diagnosed with COVID-19 , and more than 57,000 have died , according to Johns Hopkins University .
To date , information on risks linked to the virus for cancer patients has been limited , although data posted in late March by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that the disease was among those that could contribute to serious illness in some patients .
In all , 29 of the patients in that report that required hospitalization to treat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those with conditions like diabetes and heart disease .
Working with researchers in Wuhan , Santilla and colleagues reviewed data on 105 COVID-19 patients with cancer and 536 COVID-19 patients without cancer , matched for age , hospital and hospitalization time , adjusting for sex , smoking and other health conditions known to increase risk , among other variables .
They found that COVID-19 patients with cancer had a nearly two-fold risk of experiencing severe symptoms , a three-fold risk for admission to a hospital intensive care unit , a 2.7-fold likelihood of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk for death , compared to those without cancer .
In addition , they noted that the greatest increase in risk was seen among patients with metastatic , or stage IV , cancers .
Those in this group had a nearly six-fold increased risk for death , a nearly seven-fold increased risk for ICU admission , a six-fold increased risk for severe disease and a 55-fold increased likelihood of a need for invasive ventilation .
Among various cancer , blood cancers like leukemia , lymphoma and myeloma posed the greatest risk for worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those with all forms of cancer had similar COVID-19 prognosis regardless of whether or not they were still receiving treatment for their cancers .
Notably , patients with non-metastatic cancer did not have significantly different risks than patients without cancer , the authors said .
The study , which was also published by the journal Cancer Discovery on Tuesday , is the first large cohort study to examine COVID-19 outcomes in cancer patients .
The research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the U.S. National Institutes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when clinicians in Wuhan reached out to CHIP for assistance .
`` Multiple teams came together from different scientific disciplines with the hope of being helpful , '' Santillana explained in a statement .
`` It is important to continue to monitor how oncology patients are responding to the virus . ''

Cancer patients may be at risk for serious illness from COVID-19, a new study has found. Photo by stux/Pixabay
April 28 (UPI) -- People with cancer may be at increased risk for serious illness with COVID-19, a study published Tuesday by the American Association for Cancer Research has found. In an analysis of data from 14 hospitals in Wuhan, China -- where the outbreak of the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, first came to light -- cancer patients were nearly twice as likely to experience severe symptoms from the virus and twice as likely to die as a result of infection, according to a multi-national team of researchers. Advertisement
If the findings are confirmed in additional studies, cancer could join heart disease and diabetes as underlying conditions that pose the greatest risk with the disease caused by the new coronavirus, the authors said.
"Although the study was limited to a single province in China, it is a first step toward quantifying the effect of COVID-19 on oncology patients," co-author Dr. Mauricio Santillana, of the Computational Health Informatics Program, at Boston Children's Hospital, said in a statement. "This was still a relatively small sample, so as we get more data we expect our estimates will change."
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As of Tuesday, more than 1 million Americans have been diagnosed with COVID-19, and more than 57,000 have died, according to Johns Hopkins University.
To date, information on risks linked to the virus for cancer patients has been limited, although data posted in late March by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that the disease was among those that could contribute to serious illness in some patients. In all, 29 of the patients in that report that required hospitalization to treat COVID-19 had cancer, far fewer than those with conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
Working with researchers in Wuhan, Santilla and colleagues reviewed data on 105 COVID-19 patients with cancer and 536 COVID-19 patients without cancer, matched for age, hospital and hospitalization time, adjusting for sex, smoking and other health conditions known to increase risk, among other variables.
They found that COVID-19 patients with cancer had a nearly two-fold risk of experiencing severe symptoms, a three-fold risk for admission to a hospital intensive care unit, a 2.7-fold likelihood of going on a ventilator and a two-fold risk for death, compared to those without cancer.
In addition, they noted that the greatest increase in risk was seen among patients with metastatic, or stage IV, cancers. Those in this group had a nearly six-fold increased risk for death, a nearly seven-fold increased risk for ICU admission, a six-fold increased risk for severe disease and a 55-fold increased likelihood of a need for invasive ventilation.
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Among various cancer, blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma posed the greatest risk for worse COVID-19 prognosis, followed by lung cancer. Those with all forms of cancer had similar COVID-19 prognosis regardless of whether or not they were still receiving treatment for their cancers.
Notably, patients with non-metastatic cancer did not have significantly different risks than patients without cancer, the authors said.
The study, which was also published by the journal Cancer Discovery on Tuesday, is the first large cohort study to examine COVID-19 outcomes in cancer patients. The research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the U.S. National Institutes of Health, among others, and began when clinicians in Wuhan reached out to CHIP for assistance.
"Multiple teams came together from different scientific disciplines with the hope of being helpful," Santillana explained in a statement. "It is important to continue to monitor how oncology patients are responding to the virus."


upi--2020-04-28--Hillary Clinton endorses Joe Biden for president

April 28 ( UPI ) -- Former first lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton endorsed Joe Biden for U.S. president Tuesday , saying she 's `` thrilled '' to be involved with his 2020 election campaign .
Clinton made the announcement during a live streamed town hall meeting on how the coronavirus pandemic is uniquely affecting women .
`` I want to add my voice to the many who have endorsed you to be our president , '' she said .
`` I am thrilled to be part of your campaign .
To not only endorse you but to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are at stake during this presidential election . ''
Biden retweeted Clinton 's hint that she 'd be making the announcement earlier Tuesday , saying , `` I 'm with her , '' Clinton 's campaign slogan during the 2016 presidential election .
Clinton lost that election to President Donald Trump , winning the popular vote but failing to top the Republican in the Electoral College .
Clinton also lost her 2008 bid during the Democratic primaries and caucuses against President Barack Obama .
Biden became the presumptive Democratic nominee to face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I-Vt. , dropped out of the race earlier this month .
Biden has received a number of high-profile endorsements since then , including from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, Obama and Sanders .

Vice President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton laugh together at the portrait unveiling for former Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid on Capitol Hill in 2016. Clinton endorsed Biden for president Tuesday. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
April 28 (UPI) -- Former first lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton endorsed Joe Biden for U.S. president Tuesday, saying she's "thrilled" to be involved with his 2020 election campaign. Clinton made the announcement during a live streamed town hall meeting on how the coronavirus pandemic is uniquely affecting women. Advertisement
"I want to add my voice to the many who have endorsed you to be our president," she said.
"I am thrilled to be part of your campaign. To not only endorse you but to help highlight a lot of the issues that are at stake during this presidential election."
Biden retweeted Clinton's hint that she'd be making the announcement earlier Tuesday, saying, "I'm with her," Clinton's campaign slogan during the 2016 presidential election.
Clinton lost that election to President Donald Trump, winning the popular vote but failing to top the Republican in the Electoral College. Clinton also lost her 2008 bid during the Democratic primaries and caucuses against President Barack Obama.
Biden became the presumptive Democratic nominee to face Trump in November after Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., dropped out of the race earlier this month. Biden has received a number of high-profile endorsements since then, including from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Obama and Sanders.


upi--2020-04-28--Sign warns 'mystery human poo-er' to stop defecating on garage

April 28 ( UPI ) -- An Australian resident posted a sign warning a `` mystery human poo-er '' that cameras were being put up to discourage defecation on their property .
The sign , which went viral after being posted to Reddit , is addressed to a `` mystery human poo-er '' who has allegedly been leaving their poop next to the home 's garage in Marrickville , a Sydney suburb .
`` We have installed this fence and a camera to hand over to the police , '' the note reads .
`` We understand that COVID-19 is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expletive ] on our garage . ''
`` Also make sure you chew your food better and whatever it is that makes it sticky I 'd get that checked , '' the note reads .
Rebecca Street , the Sydney resident who snapped the photo and posted it to Reddit , said the home also had a new fence erected to block off the area next to the garage .
The saga evoked memories of the `` Paddington poo jogger , '' a woman caught on camera pausing her jog to defecate outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they investigated the footage , but no suspects were ever identified .

A resident of a neighborhood in the Sydney, Australia, area put up a sign warning a "mystery human poo-er" that video cameras were being used to dissuade them from defecating on the resident's property. Photo by kerplode/Pixabay.com
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe April 28 (UPI) -- An Australian resident posted a sign warning a "mystery human poo-er" that cameras were being put up to discourage defecation on their property. The sign, which went viral after being posted to Reddit, is addressed to a "mystery human poo-er" who has allegedly been leaving their poop next to the home's garage in Marrickville, a Sydney suburb. Advertisement
"We have installed this fence and a camera to hand over to the police," the note reads. "We understand that COVID-19 is tough on everyone but please stop [expletive] on our garage."
The sign includes directions to a nearby public toilet.
"Also make sure you chew your food better and whatever it is that makes it sticky I'd get that checked," the note reads.
Rebecca Street, the Sydney resident who snapped the photo and posted it to Reddit, said the home also had a new fence erected to block off the area next to the garage.
The saga evoked memories of the "Paddington poo jogger," a woman caught on camera pausing her jog to defecate outside a Sydney office in October. Police said they investigated the footage, but no suspects were ever identified.


upi--2020-04-28--Michelle Obama annnounces 'Becoming' doc premiering May 6

April 28 ( UPI ) -- Michelle Obama and Netflix announced that the documentary Becoming would premiere May 6 on the streaming service .
Barack and Michelle Obama 's Higher Ground Productions produced the film .
The former first lady wrote her memoir , Becoming , which was published in 2018 .
The documentary follows Obama on her 34 city tour with the book .
In an Instagram post Monday , Obama said her interactions with real people on the road helped further her idea of transitioning into the future .
`` We processed the past and imagined a better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In talking about the idea of 'becoming , ' many of us dared to say our hopes out loud . ''
Nadia Hallgren directed Becoming .
Obama also credited the filmmaker with understanding the message of her book and tour .
`` She understands the meaning of community , the power of community , and her work is magically able to depict it , '' Obama wrote .
Obama went on to write about Becoming hitting Netflix during the coronavirus pandemic , when many people are confined to their homes .
Those that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing guidelines which is difficult for her to reconcile .
She likes to hug , and she can not touch people in public anymore .
`` This is one of the toughest parts of our new reality : Things that once felt simple-going to see a friend , sitting with someone who is hurting , embracing someone new-are now not simple at all , '' Obama wrote .
`` Even as we can no longer safely gather we need to stay open and able to put ourselves in other people 's shoes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Higher Ground Productions also produced the Netflix documentaries Taylor Swift : Miss Americana , American Factory and Crip Camp .
Upcoming projects include a Frederick Douglas biopic , a World War II dramatic series Bloom , as well as family and nonfiction programming .

The new Netflix documentary "Becoming" follows former first lady Michelle Obama on her book tour. File Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo
April 28 (UPI) -- Michelle Obama and Netflix announced that the documentary Becoming would premiere May 6 on the streaming service. Barack and Michelle Obama's Higher Ground Productions produced the film. The former first lady wrote her memoir, Becoming, which was published in 2018. The documentary follows Obama on her 34 city tour with the book. Advertisement
In an Instagram post Monday, Obama said her interactions with real people on the road helped further her idea of transitioning into the future.
"We processed the past and imagined a better future," Obama wrote. "In talking about the idea of 'becoming,' many of us dared to say our hopes out loud."
Nadia Hallgren directed Becoming. Obama also credited the filmmaker with understanding the message of her book and tour.
"She understands the meaning of community, the power of community, and her work is magically able to depict it," Obama wrote.
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Obama went on to write about Becoming hitting Netflix during the coronavirus pandemic, when many people are confined to their homes. Those that still go out in public must follow social distancing guidelines which is difficult for her to reconcile. She likes to hug, and she cannot touch people in public anymore.
"This is one of the toughest parts of our new reality: Things that once felt simple-going to see a friend, sitting with someone who is hurting, embracing someone new-are now not simple at all," Obama wrote. "Even as we can no longer safely gather we need to stay open and able to put ourselves in other people's shoes. Empathy is our lifeline here."
Higher Ground Productions also produced the Netflix documentaries Taylor Swift: Miss Americana, American Factory and Crip Camp. Upcoming projects include a Frederick Douglas biopic, a World War II dramatic series Bloom, as well as family and nonfiction programming.


upi--2020-04-28--Scenes from a pandemic: World copes with COVID-19

The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus , COVID-19 , a pandemic , reaching around @ @ @ @ @ , which surfaced in December in Wuhan , China , has killed thousands .
Streets @ @ @ @ @ , as large gatherings are canceled and people are quarantined .
Here 's a look @ @ @ @ @ world .

The French authorities started lifting the coronavirus lockdown on May 11, but people living in regions that are most at risk, notably in Paris, still face tight restrictions. Photo by Eco Clement/UPI


upi--2020-04-28--In photos: Blue Angels, Thunderbirds fly over NYC in honor of health workers

The Navy and Air Force urged people in the flight path to watch the jets from their homes and to @ @ @ @ @ by John Angelillo/UPI

Similar flyovers were to be held in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI


upi--2020-04-28--Pew: Majority of Americans say COVID-19 will disrupt November election

April 28 ( UPI ) -- Two-thirds of Americans believe it 's very or somewhat likely that the coronavirus pandemic will disrupt the 2020 U.S. election in November , a Pew Research Center poll released Tuesday indicates .
The poll found that 44 percent believe it 's somewhat likely the election will be disrupted , while 23 percent believe it 's very likely .
Split up by party , Democrats are more likely to believe the election will be disrupted ( 80 percent ) than Republicans ( 50 percent ) .
Though the respondents believe the election will be disrupted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 59 percent -- believe voting will be conducted fairly and accurately .
Republicans are more confident in a fair election ( 75 percent ) than Democrats ( 46 percent ) .
Seventy percent of Americans favor allowing any registered voter to vote by mail .
There 's been a growing push by some politicians to allow vote-by-mail to encourage continued social distancing during the spread of COVID-19 .
Some states allow only those physically unable to vote in person -- the disabled and elderly -- to vote by mail .
Eighty-seven percent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 49 percent of Republicans favor it .
Fifty-two percent of Americans favor vote-by-mail for all elections , an increase of 18 percentage points since 2018 .
And 69 percent somewhat or strongly favor automatically registering all eligible citizens to vote .
Meanwhile , 56 percent of Americans oppose automatically removing voters from registration lists if they have n't voted recently or confirmed their registration .
Forty-two percent favor it , with 63 percent of Republicans and 24 percent of Democrats in support .
Pew surveyed 4,917 U.S. adults in April for the poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ error .

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A voter wears a protective mask as they cast their ballot in special election for Maryland's 7th Congressional District to choose a successor to the late Rep. Elijah Cummings, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Baltimore City, Md., on Tuesday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
April 28 (UPI) -- Two-thirds of Americans believe it's very or somewhat likely that the coronavirus pandemic will disrupt the 2020 U.S. election in November, a Pew Research Center poll released Tuesday indicates. The poll found that 44 percent believe it's somewhat likely the election will be disrupted, while 23 percent believe it's very likely. Split up by party, Democrats are more likely to believe the election will be disrupted (80 percent) than Republicans (50 percent). Advertisement
Though the respondents believe the election will be disrupted by the pandemic, a majority -- 59 percent -- believe voting will be conducted fairly and accurately. Republicans are more confident in a fair election (75 percent) than Democrats (46 percent).
Seventy percent of Americans favor allowing any registered voter to vote by mail.
There's been a growing push by some politicians to allow vote-by-mail to encourage continued social distancing during the spread of COVID-19. Some states allow only those physically unable to vote in person -- the disabled and elderly -- to vote by mail.
Eighty-seven percent of Democrats favor voting by mail, while 49 percent of Republicans favor it.
Fifty-two percent of Americans favor vote-by-mail for all elections, an increase of 18 percentage points since 2018. And 69 percent somewhat or strongly favor automatically registering all eligible citizens to vote.
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Meanwhile, 56 percent of Americans oppose automatically removing voters from registration lists if they haven't voted recently or confirmed their registration. Forty-two percent favor it, with 63 percent of Republicans and 24 percent of Democrats in support.
Pew surveyed 4,917 U.S. adults in April for the poll which has a 2.1 percent margin of error.


upi--2020-04-28--Kentucky governor apologizes to Tupac Shakur for unemployment mix-up

April 28 ( UPI ) -- The governor of Kentucky personally called a resident named Tupac Shakur to apologize for using his unemployment claim as an example of a prank claim .
Kentucky Gov .
Andy Beshear said during his Monday night news conference that `` bad apples '' have been using fake names to file for unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` We had somebody apply for unemployment for Tupac Shakur here in Kentucky , '' Beshear said .
`` And that person may have thought they were being funny , they probably did .
Except for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to go through so many other claims . ''
The claim was not a prank reference to the rapper who died in 1996 , but rather a real claim from a Lexington resident named Tupac Malik Shakur , 46 .
Shakur said he filed for unemployment March 13 , after the restaurant where he works as a cook closed due to the coronavirus crisis .
He said he was shocked to learn from the governor 's news conference that the reason his benefits have n't been issued yet is because officials thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm hurt , I 'm really embarrassed and I 'm shocked , '' Shakur told the Lexington Herald-Leader on Monday .
`` He needs to apologize .
That 's just my name . ''
The Herald-Leader said it gave Shakur 's contact information to Beshear 's office Monday night , and the resident confirmed he received a phone call from the governor Tuesday morning to apologize for the confusion .
Officials said the state is now working to resolve Shakur 's claim .

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April 28 (UPI) -- The governor of Kentucky personally called a resident named Tupac Shakur to apologize for using his unemployment claim as an example of a prank claim.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said during his Monday night news conference that "bad apples" have been using fake names to file for unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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"We had somebody apply for unemployment for Tupac Shakur here in Kentucky," Beshear said. "And that person may have thought they were being funny, they probably did. Except for the fact that because of them, we had to go through so many other claims."
The claim was not a prank reference to the rapper who died in 1996, but rather a real claim from a Lexington resident named Tupac Malik Shakur, 46.
Shakur said he filed for unemployment March 13, after the restaurant where he works as a cook closed due to the coronavirus crisis. He said he was shocked to learn from the governor's news conference that the reason his benefits haven't been issued yet is because officials thought his name was a joke.
"I'm hurt, I'm really embarrassed and I'm shocked," Shakur told the Lexington Herald-Leader on Monday. "He needs to apologize. That's just my name."
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The Herald-Leader said it gave Shakur's contact information to Beshear's office Monday night, and the resident confirmed he received a phone call from the governor Tuesday morning to apologize for the confusion.
"I understand, he's dealing with a lot," Shakur said. "Mistakes happen."
Officials said the state is now working to resolve Shakur's claim.