upi--2020-05-18--'Leave It to Beaver' star Ken Osmond dies at 76

May 18 ( UPI ) -- Leave It to Beaver star Ken Osmond died Monday , The Hollywood Reporter and Variety reported .
Osmond played Eddie Haskell on the TV comedy .
Cause of death was not specified , but Variety reports Osmond had dealt with respiratory issues .
The Hollywood Reporter had a statement from Osmond 's son , Eric .
`` He was an incredibly kind and wonderful father , '' Eric 's statement read .
`` He had his family gathered around him when he passed .
He was loved and will be very missed . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ family sitcom about the Cleaver family , who nicknamed their son Theodore ( Jerry Mathers ) The Beaver .
Haskell was intended to be on one episode , as older brother Wally Cleaver ( Tony Dow ) 's best friend .
Osmond recurred in 96 episodes over the course of six seasons from 1957 to 1963 , beginning when he was 14 .
He reprised his role in The New Leave It to Beaver from 1983 to 1989 .
Eric and his brother Christian played Haskell 's sons on the revival series .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walter Winchell File , The Jack Benny Program , Wagon Train , Petticoat Junction , Lassie and more .
He also appeared in films With Six You Get Eggroll and the 1997 Leave It To Beaver movie .
Outside of acting he was a Los Angeles police officer from 1970 to 1988 .
He survived a shooting in 1980 , thanks to a bulletproof vest .

Ken Osmond, who portrayed Wally Cleaver's best friend Eddie Haskell on "Leave It to Beaver," died Monday. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
May 18 (UPI) -- Leave It to Beaver star Ken Osmond died Monday, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety reported. Osmond played Eddie Haskell on the TV comedy. Cause of death was not specified, but Variety reports Osmond had dealt with respiratory issues. The Hollywood Reporter had a statement from Osmond's son, Eric. Advertisement
"He was an incredibly kind and wonderful father," Eric's statement read. "He had his family gathered around him when he passed. He was loved and will be very missed."
Leave It to Beaver was a wholesome family sitcom about the Cleaver family, who nicknamed their son Theodore (Jerry Mathers) The Beaver. Haskell was intended to be on one episode, as older brother Wally Cleaver (Tony Dow)'s best friend.
Osmond recurred in 96 episodes over the course of six seasons from 1957 to 1963, beginning when he was 14. He reprised his role in The New Leave It to Beaver from 1983 to 1989. Eric and his brother Christian played Haskell's sons on the revival series.
He also guest starred on series The Walter Winchell File, The Jack Benny Program, Wagon Train, Petticoat Junction, Lassie and more. He also appeared in films With Six You Get Eggroll and the 1997 Leave It To Beaver movie.
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Outside of acting he was a Los Angeles police officer from 1970 to 1988. He survived a shooting in 1980, thanks to a bulletproof vest.
Notable deaths of 2020
Richard Thornburgh Richard "Dick" Thornburgh, former attorney general of the United States and former governor of Pennsylvania, takes a seat at the witness hearing after U.S. Chief Justice nominee Judge John Roberts testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on September 15, 2005. Thornburgh Richard "Dick" Thornburgh, former attorney general of the United States and former governor of Pennsylvania, takes a seat at the witness hearing after U.S. Chief Justice nominee Judge John Roberts testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on September 15, 2005. Thornburgh died on December 31 at age 88. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo


upi--2020-05-18--BAE Systems wins $26.7M contract for countermeasures system on KC-130J planes

May 18 ( UPI ) -- BAE Systems announced a $ 26.7 million Navy contract to fit its infrared countermeasures system onto KC-130J cargo and refueling planes , the company said on Monday .
The contract calls for the installation of the Navy 's Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures system , or LAIRCM , the aircraft .
The system is a defensive warning package combining a missile warning system and infrared laser jammer countermeasure system to protect the aircraft from guided missiles .
Up to 19 KC-130J planes of the Navy will receive the system , which will be installed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vertex Aerospace LLC .
`` We understand how vital the KC-130J is to the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps and the enhanced capability the LAIRCM system brings to the fight , '' Pete Trainer , of BAE Systems ' Air Force Solutions , said in a statement .
`` We 're excited that NAWCAD [ Navy Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division ] has entrusted us to integrate this system onto their aircraft to ensure the safety of the aircrews and protect this vital capability . ''
The KC-130 series , built by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carrier landings despite its size , and is in use by the militaries of 17 countries .
France received its second , a refueling plane , in February .
The aircraft is capable of detecting , tracking and incoming missiles , incorporating advanced missile warning sensors , a compact laser pointer/tracker and a processor in a single pod that can be readily transferred between aircraft .
Already installed on older KC-130 planes , the pod is attached to the underside of the plane .
On Friday , the Defense Department also announced an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BAE , exercising a five-year option on a 10-year base contract for depot-level repairables supporting multiple weapon systems platforms used by the Army , Navy , Marines , Air Force and the Defense Logistics Agency .

BAE Systems announced a $26.7 million contract with the U.S. Navy on Monday to install the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures system on KC-130J planes. Photo courtesy of U.S. Air Force
May 18 (UPI) -- BAE Systems announced a $26.7 million Navy contract to fit its infrared countermeasures system onto KC-130J cargo and refueling planes, the company said on Monday. The contract calls for the installation of the Navy's Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures system, or LAIRCM, the aircraft. Advertisement
The system is a defensive warning package combining a missile warning system and infrared laser jammer countermeasure system to protect the aircraft from guided missiles.
Up to 19 KC-130J planes of the Navy will receive the system, which will be installed in Crestview, Fla., in conjunction with Vertex Aerospace LLC.
"We understand how vital the KC-130J is to the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps and the enhanced capability the LAIRCM system brings to the fight," Pete Trainer, of BAE Systems' Air Force Solutions, said in a statement. "We're excited that NAWCAD [Navy Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division] has entrusted us to integrate this system onto their aircraft to ensure the safety of the aircrews and protect this vital capability."
The KC-130 series, built by Lockheed Martin, is capable of aircraft carrier landings despite its size, and is in use by the militaries of 17 countries. France received its second, a refueling plane, in February.
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The aircraft is capable of detecting, tracking and incoming missiles, incorporating advanced missile warning sensors, a compact laser pointer/tracker and a processor in a single pod that can be readily transferred between aircraft. Already installed on older KC-130 planes, the pod is attached to the underside of the plane.
On Friday, the Defense Department also announced an unrelated $1.1 billion contract modification with BAE, exercising a five-year option on a 10-year base contract for depot-level repairables supporting multiple weapon systems platforms used by the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and the Defense Logistics Agency.


upi--2020-05-18--Unusual recipe contest offers a year's supply of chocolate chips

May 18 ( UPI ) -- Nestle Toll House is offering a year 's supply of chocolate chips as the @ @ @ @ @ the most unusual and original recipe to incorporate the company 's morsels .
The company @ @ @ @ @ is holding a `` Remix the Original '' contest to find `` the most original @ @ @ @ @ Toll House Morsels '' in a recipe .
Nestle said it will pick eight of @ @ @ @ @ to compete in a bracket-style tournament with the final winner chosen by consumers .
The @ @ @ @ @ featured on website VeryBestBaking.com and the winner will receive a baker 's package including a @ @ @ @ @ Toll House Morsels .

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May 18 (UPI) -- Nestle Toll House is offering a year's supply of chocolate chips as the prize for a contest seeking the most unusual and original recipe to incorporate the company's morsels.
The company announced on social media it is holding a "Remix the Original" contest to find "the most original way to use our Nestle Toll House Morsels" in a recipe.
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Nestle said it will pick eight of the recipes submitted on Instagram to compete in a bracket-style tournament with the final winner chosen by consumers.
The winner's recipe will be featured on website VeryBestBaking.com and the winner will receive a baker's package including a year's supply of Nestle Toll House Morsels.


upi--2020-05-18--Even one high-fat meal can slow mental performance

Ordering a cheeseburger and fries might literally be a dumb move , new research suggests .
A recent , small study from Ohio State University indicates eating a single meal high in saturated fats may hamper your ability to mentally focus .
Saturated fats are found in red meat , dairy products and tropical oils , including coconut and palm .
They can raise cholesterol and clog arteries , according to the American Heart Association .
Study author Annelise Madison , a graduate student in clinical psychology , said it 's a common belief that food affects your performance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggle to focus during the time after lunch , '' she said .
This study looked at what short-term effect a single meal might have , Madison said .
The study examined data from work done in the lab of her mentor , Janice Kiecolt-Glaser , director of the university 's Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research .
That earlier study examined if high-fat meals contribute to fatigue and inflammation in cancer survivors .
The new study looked at 51 women given one of two meals : one high in saturated fat , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meals contained 930 calories and 60 grams of fat .
Their mental skills were tested five hours later with a computerized challenge to distinguish targets from distraction .
The test was repeated one to four weeks later , with the women fed the opposite of what they ate the first round .
Prior to both meals , the women fasted for 12 hours .
Madison 's team discovered the women scored 11 percent lower on the computer test after they had eaten the saturated-fat meal than they had after eating the unsaturated-fat meal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journal article , the researchers said earlier studies have shown long-term consumption of a high-fat diet can affecting thinking skills .
A second finding was women who had high levels of a blood chemical indicating they had a `` leaky gut '' scored poorly after both meals .
This syndrome is somewhat controversial , as not all medical practitioners recognize leaky gut , in which bacteria and toxins are said to leach into the bloodstream from the intestines .
Madison questioned whether a regular diet high in saturated fats might contribute to leaky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foods high in saturated fat diminish your attention , but it does indicate that may be the case , Madison said .
More research is needed to see if the results are replicated with a larger number of participants , male and female , she said .
`` We need to look at repeated measures , '' Madison said .
`` This is a small study and a short study , but it is an interesting study , '' said Connie Diekman , past president of the American Dietetic Association .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ findings support longstanding advice of dietitians and other health experts that Americans reduce their intake of saturated fats , said Diekman , a registered dietitian and food and nutrition consultant in St. Louis .
`` It means we need to be eating fruits and vegetables , especially dark , colorful vegetables , '' she said .
`` Diet is extremely important , '' she continued , urging more reliance upon plant foods , whole grains and less red meat .
As for whether an indicator in the blood shows leaky gut may affect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She said it can be difficult to determine the effect of a single biochemical or nutrient in the body .
Digestion and metabolism are complex , as are the body 's responses , she said .
Amy Rose Sager , a registered dietitian nutritionist in East Sandwich , Mass.
, said the finding that a single meal high in saturated fat may affect the brain is interesting , but needs more work .
She said she would like future research to delve deeper into more specific types of fat and how long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We 're still trying to limit saturated fat for overall health , '' she said .
Sager said the concept that food affects thinking skills is behind the MIND diet , a cross between the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet .
The diet promotes green , leafy vegetables , beans , whole grains and nuts , and restricts sweets , red meat and fats .
Olive oil is the preferred fat for cooking under the MIND diet , which is designed to help prevent Alzheimer 's disease and age-related dementia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to consider participants ' oral health when monitoring for evidence of leaky gut .
`` Your gut can affect your mind , '' Sager said .
The study was partly funded by grants from the U.S. National Institutes of Health .
The results were published May 12 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition .
More information Ohio State University has more about foods that boost brain power .

Women scored 11 percent lower on a computer test after they had eaten the saturated-fat meal than they had after eating the unsaturated-fat meal, a new study found. Photo by Engin_Akyurt /Pixabay
Ordering a cheeseburger and fries might literally be a dumb move, new research suggests. A recent, small study from Ohio State University indicates eating a single meal high in saturated fats may hamper your ability to mentally focus. Advertisement
Saturated fats are found in red meat, dairy products and tropical oils, including coconut and palm. They can raise cholesterol and clog arteries, according to the American Heart Association.
Study author Annelise Madison, a graduate student in clinical psychology, said it's a common belief that food affects your performance.
"Anecdotally, a lot of people struggle to focus during the time after lunch," she said.
This study looked at what short-term effect a single meal might have, Madison said.
The study examined data from work done in the lab of her mentor, Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, director of the university's Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research. That earlier study examined if high-fat meals contribute to fatigue and inflammation in cancer survivors.
Advertisement
The new study looked at 51 women given one of two meals: one high in saturated fat, the other high in unsaturated fats. Both meals contained 930 calories and 60 grams of fat. Their mental skills were tested five hours later with a computerized challenge to distinguish targets from distraction. The test was repeated one to four weeks later, with the women fed the opposite of what they ate the first round. Prior to both meals, the women fasted for 12 hours.
Madison's team discovered the women scored 11 percent lower on the computer test after they had eaten the saturated-fat meal than they had after eating the unsaturated-fat meal made with sunflower oil. In their journal article, the researchers said earlier studies have shown long-term consumption of a high-fat diet can affecting thinking skills.
A second finding was women who had high levels of a blood chemical indicating they had a "leaky gut" scored poorly after both meals. This syndrome is somewhat controversial, as not all medical practitioners recognize leaky gut, in which bacteria and toxins are said to leach into the bloodstream from the intestines. Madison questioned whether a regular diet high in saturated fats might contribute to leaky gut.
Advertisement
The study doesn't prove foods high in saturated fat diminish your attention, but it does indicate that may be the case, Madison said. More research is needed to see if the results are replicated with a larger number of participants, male and female, she said.
"We need to look at repeated measures," Madison said.
"This is a small study and a short study, but it is an interesting study," said Connie Diekman, past president of the American Dietetic Association. "We need to follow up."
The findings support longstanding advice of dietitians and other health experts that Americans reduce their intake of saturated fats, said Diekman, a registered dietitian and food and nutrition consultant in St. Louis.
"It means we need to be eating fruits and vegetables, especially dark, colorful vegetables," she said.
"Diet is extremely important," she continued, urging more reliance upon plant foods, whole grains and less red meat.
As for whether an indicator in the blood shows leaky gut may affect mental abilities, Diekman is less certain. She said it can be difficult to determine the effect of a single biochemical or nutrient in the body. Digestion and metabolism are complex, as are the body's responses, she said.
Advertisement
Amy Rose Sager, a registered dietitian nutritionist in East Sandwich, Mass., said the finding that a single meal high in saturated fat may affect the brain is interesting, but needs more work. She said she would like future research to delve deeper into more specific types of fat and how long the effects of a single meal last.
"We're still trying to limit saturated fat for overall health," she said.
Sager said the concept that food affects thinking skills is behind the MIND diet, a cross between the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet. The diet promotes green, leafy vegetables, beans, whole grains and nuts, and restricts sweets, red meat and fats. Olive oil is the preferred fat for cooking under the MIND diet, which is designed to help prevent Alzheimer's disease and age-related dementia.
She said the new study needed to consider participants' oral health when monitoring for evidence of leaky gut.
"Your gut can affect your mind," Sager said.
The study was partly funded by grants from the U.S. National Institutes of Health. The results were published May 12 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
More information Ohio State University has more about foods that boost brain power.
Advertisement
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-05-18--Virginia Tech gives honorary doctorate to service dog

May 18 ( UPI ) -- Virginia Tech 's virtual commencement ceremony included an honorary doctorate being bestowed on a beloved university staffer : a therapy dog named Moose .
The school announced Moose , an 8-year-old therapy dog employed by the school 's Cook Counseling Center , was awarded an honorary doctorate in veterinary medicine Friday as part of the school 's virtual commencement ceremony .
Moose , who has been with the school since 2014 , is one of four dogs serving at the Cook Counseling Center as working therapy animals and ambassadors for mental health awareness .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medical Association 's Animal Hero Award in 2019 .
`` The students here talk a lot about how Moose has broken down the stigma around mental health care on campus , '' owner Trent Davis told CNN .
`` Veterinarians are unfortunately a very challenged population .
They have high rates of suicide , and this profession can be quite disturbing .
He has really helped the students and staff at Virginia Tech and has gotten a lot of recognition for that . ''
The school said Moose is facing his own health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was diagnosed with prostate cancer just one week after his birthday in February .
Officials said Moose is still receiving chemotherapy treatments while continuing his therapy dog work and has been given a `` pawsitive '' prognosis by veterinarians .

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May 18 (UPI) -- Virginia Tech's virtual commencement ceremony included an honorary doctorate being bestowed on a beloved university staffer: a therapy dog named Moose.
The school announced Moose, an 8-year-old therapy dog employed by the school's Cook Counseling Center, was awarded an honorary doctorate in veterinary medicine Friday as part of the school's virtual commencement ceremony.
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Moose, who has been with the school since 2014, is one of four dogs serving at the Cook Counseling Center as working therapy animals and ambassadors for mental health awareness. The canine previously received the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association's Animal Hero Award in 2019.
"The students here talk a lot about how Moose has broken down the stigma around mental health care on campus," owner Trent Davis told CNN. "Veterinarians are unfortunately a very challenged population. They have high rates of suicide, and this profession can be quite disturbing. He has really helped the students and staff at Virginia Tech and has gotten a lot of recognition for that."
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The school said Moose is facing his own health problems amid the COVID-19 pandemic: he was diagnosed with prostate cancer just one week after his birthday in February. Officials said Moose is still receiving chemotherapy treatments while continuing his therapy dog work and has been given a "pawsitive" prognosis by veterinarians.


upi--2020-05-18--Reports: Mike Pompeo under scrutiny over Saudi deal, staffer's errands

May 18 ( UPI ) -- The Trump administration is under new scrutiny over the firing last week of the State Department 's inspector general , as critics say it may have been a move to shield Secretary of State Mike Pompeo from potential political harm .
Trump fired the watchdog , Steven Linick , on Friday and two top congressional Democrats told the White House Monday it 's investigating the matter .
CNN , NBC News and USA Today report the issues involving Pompeo include efforts to fast-track a Saudi arms deal and using a staffer for personal business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairman of the House foreign affairs committee , and Sen. Bob Menendez , D-N.J. , ranking member of the Senate foreign relations committee , said in a letter to Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows Linick 's firing was politically motivated .
`` Reports indicate that Secretary Pompeo personally made the recommendation to fire Mr. Linick and it is our understanding that he did so because the inspector general had opened an investigation into wrongdoing by Secretary Pompeo himself , '' the letter states .
`` Such an action , transparently designed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would undermine the foundation of our democratic institutions and may be an illegal act of retaliation . ''
Reports said Linick started investigating claims that Pompeo used a staffer for personal matters , such as walking his dog , picking up dry cleaning and making dinner reservations .
Linick had also nearly finished an inquiry into the decision on the Saudi arms deal .
`` We do n't have the full picture yet , but it 's troubling that Secretary Pompeo wanted Mr. Linick pushed out before this work could be completed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obviously has something to hide that they do n't want the [ inspector general ] to find out about , '' a senior department official told USA Today .
Stephen J. Akard , a former aide to Vice President Mike Pence while he was governor of Indiana , replaced Linick as State inspector general .

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to reporters at the White House on April 8. He is now the focus of a State Department investigation, according to news reports. Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI | License Photo
May 18 (UPI) -- The Trump administration is under new scrutiny over the firing last week of the State Department's inspector general, as critics say it may have been a move to shield Secretary of State Mike Pompeo from potential political harm. Trump fired the watchdog, Steven Linick, on Friday and two top congressional Democrats told the White House Monday it's investigating the matter. Advertisement
CNN, NBC News and USA Today report the issues involving Pompeo include efforts to fast-track a Saudi arms deal and using a staffer for personal business.
Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., chairman of the House foreign affairs committee, and Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., ranking member of the Senate foreign relations committee, said in a letter to Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows Linick's firing was politically motivated.
"Reports indicate that Secretary Pompeo personally made the recommendation to fire Mr. Linick and it is our understanding that he did so because the inspector general had opened an investigation into wrongdoing by Secretary Pompeo himself," the letter states.
"Such an action, transparently designed to protect Secretary Pompeo from personal accountability, would undermine the foundation of our democratic institutions and may be an illegal act of retaliation."
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Reports said Linick started investigating claims that Pompeo used a staffer for personal matters, such as walking his dog, picking up dry cleaning and making dinner reservations. Linick had also nearly finished an inquiry into the decision on the Saudi arms deal.
"We don't have the full picture yet, but it's troubling that Secretary Pompeo wanted Mr. Linick pushed out before this work could be completed," Engel told CNN.
"Someone obviously has something to hide that they don't want the [inspector general] to find out about," a senior department official told USA Today.
Stephen J. Akard, a former aide to Vice President Mike Pence while he was governor of Indiana, replaced Linick as State inspector general.


upi--2020-05-19--Big3 cancels 2020 basketball season

Big3 cancels 2020 basketball season

May 19 ( UPI ) -- The Big3 basketball league -- co-founded by Ice Cube -- has canceled its 2020 @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
`` We tried everything in our power to give our fans a nice @ @ @ @ @ a long list of obstacles , we decided to shift our focus to having a @ @ @ @ @ fans in the stands , '' Ice Cube said Monday in a news release .
@ @ @ @ @ one has always been to provide a remarkable experience full of top-level competition and entertainment @ @ @ @ @ the `` uncertainty of testing , changing government regulations , insurance and liability issues and @ @ @ @ @ reasons for the season cancellation .
The Big3 was set to start its fourth season @ @ @ @ @ Leslie 's Triplets won the last Big3 championship in September .
Big3 rosters include former @ @ @ @ @ .
The league continues to develop a reality show style 3-on-3 tournament .
Former NBA @ @ @ @ @ MVP in August .
Leslie was the 2019 Big3 Coach of the Year .

May 19 (UPI) -- The Big3 basketball league -- co-founded by Ice Cube -- has canceled its 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"We tried everything in our power to give our fans a nice 2020 season, but with a long list of obstacles, we decided to shift our focus to having a great 2021 season with our fans in the stands," Ice Cube said Monday in a news release.
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"Our goal from day one has always been to provide a remarkable experience full of top-level competition and entertainment."
The league cited the "uncertainty of testing, changing government regulations, insurance and liability issues and advertiser challenges" among the reasons for the season cancellation.
The Big3 was set to start its fourth season in June. Coach Lisa Leslie's Triplets won the last Big3 championship in September. Big3 rosters include former NBA and international basketball stars. The league continues to develop a reality show style 3-on-3 tournament.
Nothing like getting your week started with a compilation of last season's most exciting 4-point shots pic.twitter.com/842rvv1nFc— BIG3 on CBS (@thebig3) May 11, 2020
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Former NBA star Joe Johnson won league MVP in August. Leslie was the 2019 Big3 Coach of the Year.


upi--2020-05-19--House Democrats ask Supreme Court for grand jury evidence in Trump investigation

May 19 ( UPI ) -- House Democrats have filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to gain access to secret grand jury evidence from the Justice Department 's Russia investigation to determine if President Donald Trump committed impeachable offenses .
In their brief , Democrats of the House judiciary committee said they need to see the grand jury evidence gathered by former special counsel Robert Mueller because it 's key to determining whether Trump obstructed justice during the inquiry .
Mueller said in his report last year his investigation found several `` episodes '' in which Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counsel Douglas Letter said the committee 's investigation into Trump 's activities `` is ongoing . ''
`` If this material reveals new evidence supporting the conclusion that President Trump committed impeachable offenses ... the committee will proceed accordingly -- including , if necessary , by considering whether to recommend new articles of impeachment , '' Letter wrote .
Mueller 's investigation found no solid evidence that Trump or members of his campaign colluded with Russia to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election , but left open the possibility that he worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's filing was a response to a Justice Department request to vacate an appellate court ruling in March that upheld a lower-court finding that Congress has a right to obtain the grand jury materials .
Letter 's brief also suggests the judiciary committee 's investigation of potentially impeachable offenses has broadened to include recent actions by Justice Department in cases involving Trump allies Roger Stone and Michael Flynn , each of whom were indicted as a result of the Mueller investigation .
Stone was convicted last fall of lying to Congress and obstructing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four federal prosecutors quit the case after their recommended sentence of nine years was overruled by Justice Department brass following criticism from Trump .
Stone was ultimately sentenced to 40 months .
Flynn , Trump 's former national security adviser , pleaded guilty in 2017 to lying to the FBI about his contacts with a former Russian ambassador .
The Justice Department moved to drop the case earlier this month .

President Donald Trump speaks at a roundtable discussion on Monday with leaders of the restaurant industry in the State Dining Room of the White House. Photo by Doug Mills/UPI/Pool | License Photo
May 19 (UPI) -- House Democrats have filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to gain access to secret grand jury evidence from the Justice Department's Russia investigation to determine if President Donald Trump committed impeachable offenses. In their brief, Democrats of the House judiciary committee said they need to see the grand jury evidence gathered by former special counsel Robert Mueller because it's key to determining whether Trump obstructed justice during the inquiry. Advertisement
Mueller said in his report last year his investigation found several "episodes" in which Trump potentially obstructed the investigation.
House general counsel Douglas Letter said the committee's investigation into Trump's activities "is ongoing."
"If this material reveals new evidence supporting the conclusion that President Trump committed impeachable offenses ... the committee will proceed accordingly -- including, if necessary, by considering whether to recommend new articles of impeachment," Letter wrote.
Mueller's investigation found no solid evidence that Trump or members of his campaign colluded with Russia to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, but left open the possibility that he worked to sidetrack investigations that followed.
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Monday's filing was a response to a Justice Department request to vacate an appellate court ruling in March that upheld a lower-court finding that Congress has a right to obtain the grand jury materials.
Letter's brief also suggests the judiciary committee's investigation of potentially impeachable offenses has broadened to include recent actions by Justice Department in cases involving Trump allies Roger Stone and Michael Flynn, each of whom were indicted as a result of the Mueller investigation.
Stone was convicted last fall of lying to Congress and obstructing the Russia investigation. In February, four federal prosecutors quit the case after their recommended sentence of nine years was overruled by Justice Department brass following criticism from Trump. Stone was ultimately sentenced to 40 months.
Flynn, Trump's former national security adviser, pleaded guilty in 2017 to lying to the FBI about his contacts with a former Russian ambassador. The Justice Department moved to drop the case earlier this month.


upi--2020-05-19--NFL considers helmet facemasks with surgical, N95 material

May 19 ( UPI ) -- The NFL is testing prototypes for helmet facemasks , which could include N95 or surgical material , prior to the 2020 season as a way to defend against the coronavirus pandemic .
NFL Players Association medical director Thom Mayer spoke about the project during an appearance Monday on The Adam Schefter Podcast .
The players union is also working with NFL engineers and sports equipment company Oakley to test the prototypes .
`` Back in early March , I had suggested that we should consider novel and emerging ways to handle the helmets and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , '' Mayer said .
`` And these guys , the bioengineers that we use and that the league uses -- Oakley , as you may or may not know , does all the face visors for the league under contract -- these guys got the bit between their teeth . ''
Mayer said the NFL will `` probably '' receive a recommendation to use such masks to protect players .
New barriers could cover a player 's entire facemask .
Many players already play with their eyes covered with Oakley-made visors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tests involve fixes for when masks fog up .
Oakley has designed anti-fog sunglasses for the military .
`` They 've got some prototypes , '' Mayer said .
`` They 're doing really good work .
Some of them , when you first look at them , you think , 'Gosh , no ' 'cause you 're not used to seeing it .
You 're just not used to seeing it .
But they 're looking at every issue you can imagine , including when it fogs up .
What do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guys are used to dealing with this stuff . ''
The NFL season is still on schedule , despite most major sports leagues being suspended due to the pandemic .
The 2020 pre-season slate is set to begin with the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Dallas Cowboys at 8 p.m. EDT Aug. 6 , in Canton , Ohio .
The regular season is scheduled to start Sept. 10 .
Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to all 32 NFL teams Friday and said they are allowed to reopen team facilities -- with restrictions -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
The league closed all team facilities in March due to the pandemic .
Players are still banned from the facilities unless they had been receiving treatment or rehabbing an injury before the facilities closed .
No more than 50 percent of the team 's employees can return and the total capacity must not exceed 75 people .

Some players already wear transparent visors on their helmets, but the facemasks could soon include N95 or surgical material. File Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo
May 19 (UPI) -- The NFL is testing prototypes for helmet facemasks, which could include N95 or surgical material, prior to the 2020 season as a way to defend against the coronavirus pandemic. NFL Players Association medical director Thom Mayer spoke about the project during an appearance Monday on The Adam Schefter Podcast. The players union is also working with NFL engineers and sports equipment company Oakley to test the prototypes. Advertisement
"Back in early March, I had suggested that we should consider novel and emerging ways to handle the helmets and the facemasks and the spread of the virus," Mayer said. "And these guys, the bioengineers that we use and that the league uses -- Oakley, as you may or may not know, does all the face visors for the league under contract -- these guys got the bit between their teeth."
Mayer said the NFL will "probably" receive a recommendation to use such masks to protect players. New barriers could cover a player's entire facemask. Many players already play with their eyes covered with Oakley-made visors, which are transparent.
Mayer said the tests involve fixes for when masks fog up. Oakley has designed anti-fog sunglasses for the military.
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"They've got some prototypes," Mayer said. "They're doing really good work. Some of them, when you first look at them, you think, 'Gosh, no' 'cause you're not used to seeing it. You're just not used to seeing it. But they're looking at every issue you can imagine, including when it fogs up. What do we do with that? But these guys are used to dealing with this stuff."
The NFL season is still on schedule, despite most major sports leagues being suspended due to the pandemic. The 2020 pre-season slate is set to begin with the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Dallas Cowboys at 8 p.m. EDT Aug. 6, in Canton, Ohio. The regular season is scheduled to start Sept. 10.
Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to all 32 NFL teams Friday and said they are allowed to reopen team facilities -- with restrictions -- Tuesday if state and local governments allow it. The league closed all team facilities in March due to the pandemic. Players are still banned from the facilities unless they had been receiving treatment or rehabbing an injury before the facilities closed. No more than 50 percent of the team's employees can return and the total capacity must not exceed 75 people.


upi--2020-05-19--Scientist finds dozens of unknown submarine landslides in Gulf of Mexico

May 19 ( UPI ) -- Using a new method for analyzing seismic data , Florida State University researcher Wenyuan Fan has identified 85 previously unknown underwater landslides .
The hidden landslides -- discovered between 2008 and 2015 and described this week in the journal Geophysical Research Letters -- could pose a risk to oil rigs , pipelines and other underwater oil and gas infrastructure .
`` The observed landslides suggest a possible tsunami hazard for coastal communities along the Gulf of Mexico and that seabed infrastructure in the Gulf of Mexico , including oil platforms and pipelines , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' lead study author Wenyuan Fan , an assistant professor of geophysics at Florida State , said in a news release .
Fan and his research partners identified the landslides among seismic data recorded across the region .
Of the 85 newly identified landslides , 10 occurred spontaneously .
Several of the other 75 occurred immediately after the passage of a wave generated by an earthquake , most of the very weak tremors .
Fan was able to find the hidden landslides after developing a novel method for surveying earthquake data -- a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what are known as continuous waveforms .
`` There are few active faults in the Gulf , and the seismicity is scarce in the region , '' Fansaid .
`` This puzzled me and concerned me because we live close to the Gulf .
With the question and the concern , I looked into the details of these seismic sources and eventually concluded that they are likely to be submarine landslides . ''
Researchers have n't turned up any evidence of damages caused by any of the 85 landslides .
Most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Gulf , but in the future , the novel survey methods could be used to monitor landslide risk in coastal regions and places that host oil and gas activity .

A Florida State scientist has discovered several dozen previously unidentified underwater landslides in the Gulf of Mexico, which may pose risk to oil and gas infrastructure -- including drilling rigs. File Photo courtesy of BP
May 19 (UPI) -- Using a new method for analyzing seismic data, Florida State University researcher Wenyuan Fan has identified 85 previously unknown underwater landslides. The hidden landslides -- discovered between 2008 and 2015 and described this week in the journal Geophysical Research Letters -- could pose a risk to oil rigs, pipelines and other underwater oil and gas infrastructure. Advertisement
"The observed landslides suggest a possible tsunami hazard for coastal communities along the Gulf of Mexico and that seabed infrastructure in the Gulf of Mexico, including oil platforms and pipelines, is also at risk from the landslides," lead study author Wenyuan Fan, an assistant professor of geophysics at Florida State, said in a news release.
Fan and his research partners identified the landslides among seismic data recorded across the region. Of the 85 newly identified landslides, 10 occurred spontaneously. Several of the other 75 occurred immediately after the passage of a wave generated by an earthquake.
Fan was able to find the hidden landslides after developing a novel method for surveying earthquake data -- a method that helped Fan more closely analyze what are known as continuous waveforms.
"There are few active faults in the Gulf, and the seismicity is scarce in the region," Fan said. "This puzzled me and concerned me because we live close to the Gulf. With the question and the concern, I looked into the details of these seismic sources and eventually concluded that they are likely to be submarine landslides."
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Researchers haven't turned up any evidence of damage caused by any of the 85 landslides. Most of the landslides occurred in the deepest portions of the Gulf, but in the future, the novel survey methods could be used to monitor landslide risk in coastal regions and places that host oil and gas activity.


upi--2020-05-19--Watch: Stars remember Fred Willard on 'Kimmel': 'A true improvisational genius'

May 19 ( UPI ) -- Catherine O'Hara , Eugene Levy , Ty Burrell and more paid homage to the late Fred Willard on Jimmy Kimmel Live .
Each star spoke about Willard and the effect that he had on their lives and careers from their homes on Monday .
Willard , a comedian known for starring in Everybody Loves Raymond , Modern Family , and several mockumentaries from filmmaker Christopher Guest , died recently at the age of 86 .
No cause of death was specified .
`` Fred was so wildly inventively funny but also so unbelievably strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who appeared with Willard in film Waiting for Guffman said .
`` He was a true improvisational genius and the nicest man you could ever want to meet , '' Levy , who worked with Willard on a number of films including Best in Show .
`` I was so heavily influenced by Fred 's style as a performer and his good-natured obliviousness that there would be no Phil Dunphy without Fred Willard , '' Burrell said , referencing his Modern Family character .
Willard appeared on the sitcom as the father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Martin Mull , Julie Bowen and Ray Romano also paid tribute to Willard .

May 19 (UPI) -- Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, Ty Burrell and more paid homage to the late Fred Willard on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Each star spoke about Willard and the effect that he had on their lives and careers from their homes on Monday.
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Willard, a comedian known for starring in Everybody Loves Raymond, Modern Family, and several mockumentaries from filmmaker Christopher Guest, died recently at the age of 86. No cause of death was specified.
"Fred was so wildly inventively funny but also so unbelievably strong in the best way," O'Hara, who appeared with Willard in film Waiting for Guffman said.
"He was a true improvisational genius and the nicest man you could ever want to meet," Levy, who worked with Willard on a number of films including Best in Show.
"I was so heavily influenced by Fred's style as a performer and his good-natured obliviousness that there would be no Phil Dunphy without Fred Willard," Burrell said, referencing his Modern Family character. Willard appeared on the sitcom as the father of Phil.
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Guest, Norman Lear, Martin Mull, Julie Bowen and Ray Romano also paid tribute to Willard.


upi--2020-05-19--Saudi Arabia dumps Trump; Democrats shouldn't be fooled

May 19 ( UPI ) -- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is nothing if not an opportunist .
Donald Trump 's election in 2016 was a godsend for the kingdom .
Former President Barack Obama and the Democrats had become personae non grata on account of their overtures to Iran , neuralgia over the war in Yemen and criticism of human rights .
The crown prince moved quickly to embrace the new administration .
Trump 's first overseas visit was to Riyadh .
Presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner and MBS soon became best friends .
Billions of dollars in arms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vetoes of congressional legislation that would have placed limits on U.S. military support for Saudi Arabia .
Over the course of March and April the twin shock of collapsing oil demand and Saudi production increases pushed the price of West Texas Intermediate crude into negative territory .
U.S. shale producers from North Dakota to Texas started going bankrupt , and layoffs began to hit hard in an industry that employs 2.5 million Americans .
Saudi Arabia went from strategic partner to pariah , almost overnight .
Leading Republican senators from the oil patch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a phone call with MBS on April 2 , Trump reportedly `` threatened the complete withdrawal of American troops from the kingdom if the Saudis did n't slash oil production . ''
On top of that , Trump 's poll numbers began to tank , and all of a sudden , it looked like the much maligned Democrats could soon be back in power .
All of which helps explain why Saudi Arabia is turning its back on its erstwhile Republican patrons and pivoting to court its former nemesis on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saudi government recently engaged two new firms to strengthen ties with the Democratic establishment .
Meanwhile , its existing army of lobbyists has turned their focus to blue state leaders .
FARA filings show that Democratic heavyweights at Saudi Arabia 's lobbyists of record , Brownstein , Hyatt , Farber , Shreck and Hogan Lovells , have been mounting a full-on assault to appeal for support from party luminaries .
Saudi Arabia 's new charm offensive should be a matter of concern for two reasons .
It sends a signal to the Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sinking ship .
And it should not fool the Democrats into believing that Riyadh is any less of a danger -- or more of a friend -- than it has been in the past .
This is not a question of playing both sides of the political fence , as is customary in the Washington influence game .
Saudi Arabia 's opportunistic about-face reconfirms what dissidents like me and others have been saying for years : the kingdom can not be trusted .
MBS has lied about his involvement in the murder of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the contrary , Saudi Arabia continues to propagate its brand of Wahhabi Islamic extremism .
And it spies on and imprisons American citizens .
Repeating the old policies of accommodating the Saudis has not worked well for any administration .
It has not only undermined U.S. credibility and values , but has also cost America lives and treasure .
The Republican Party is only now discovering what those of us who know the kingdom all too well have learned from a lifetime of dealing with the Al Saud dynasty : Today 's friend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ versa .
MBS made a bet on Trump .
That bet is not paying off , and he is now putting his money on the Democrats .
Hopefully , they will heed the lessons of the past and not repeat the GOP 's mistake .
King Salman repeatedly snubbed Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry .
Saudi Arabia 's profound sense of betrayal over the Iran nuclear deal , which Vice President Joe Biden championed , has in no way diminished .
To the contrary , Saudi Arabia 's disdain for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coziness with human rights campaigners is unabated .
No amount of lobbyist PAC contributions or slick talking points can mask the fundamental reality of Saudi perfidy .
The kingdom will run to whomever it thinks can help them .
Democrats should not be fooled .
And Republicans should be ashamed for having been duped .
Ali Al-Ahmed is director of the Institute for Gulf Affairs .

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U.S. President Donald Trump (R) holds up a chart of military hardware sales as he meets with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia in the Oval Office at the White House on March 20, 2018. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
May 19 (UPI) -- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is nothing if not an opportunist. Donald Trump's election in 2016 was a godsend for the kingdom. Former President Barack Obama and the Democrats had become personae non grata on account of their overtures to Iran, neuralgia over the war in Yemen and criticism of human rights. The crown prince moved quickly to embrace the new administration. Trump's first overseas visit was to Riyadh. Presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner and MBS soon became best friends. Billions of dollars in arms sales followed, as well as numerous vetoes of congressional legislation that would have placed limits on U.S. military support for Saudi Arabia. Advertisement
And then coronavirus happened.
Over the course of March and April the twin shock of collapsing oil demand and Saudi production increases pushed the price of West Texas Intermediate crude into negative territory. U.S. shale producers from North Dakota to Texas started going bankrupt, and layoffs began to hit hard in an industry that employs 2.5 million Americans.
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Saudi Arabia went from strategic partner to pariah, almost overnight. Leading Republican senators from the oil patch began pushing for tariffs and punitive sanctions. In a phone call with MBS on April 2, Trump reportedly "threatened the complete withdrawal of American troops from the kingdom if the Saudis didn't slash oil production."
On top of that, Trump's poll numbers began to tank, and all of a sudden, it looked like the much maligned Democrats could soon be back in power.
All of which helps explain why Saudi Arabia is turning its back on its erstwhile Republican patrons and pivoting to court its former nemesis on the other side of the aisle. The Saudi government recently engaged two new firms to strengthen ties with the Democratic establishment. Meanwhile, its existing army of lobbyists has turned their focus to blue state leaders. FARA filings show that Democratic heavyweights at Saudi Arabia's lobbyists of record, Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber, Shreck and Hogan Lovells, have been mounting a full-on assault to appeal for support from party luminaries.
Advertisement
Saudi Arabia's new charm offensive should be a matter of concern for two reasons. It sends a signal to the Republican establishment that the rats are leaving a sinking ship. And it should not fool the Democrats into believing that Riyadh is any less of a danger -- or more of a friend -- than it has been in the past.
This is not a question of playing both sides of the political fence, as is customary in the Washington influence game. Saudi Arabia's opportunistic about-face reconfirms what dissidents like me and others have been saying for years: the kingdom cannot be trusted. MBS has lied about his involvement in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Despite protestations to the contrary, Saudi Arabia continues to propagate its brand of Wahhabi Islamic extremism. And it spies on and imprisons American citizens.
Repeating the old policies of accommodating the Saudis has not worked well for any administration. It has not only undermined U.S. credibility and values, but has also cost America lives and treasure.
Advertisement
The Republican Party is only now discovering what those of us who know the kingdom all too well have learned from a lifetime of dealing with the Al Saud dynasty: Today's friend is tomorrow's castaway, and vice versa.
MBS made a bet on Trump. That bet is not paying off, and he is now putting his money on the Democrats. Hopefully, they will heed the lessons of the past and not repeat the GOP's mistake. King Salman repeatedly snubbed Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry. Saudi Arabia's profound sense of betrayal over the Iran nuclear deal, which Vice President Joe Biden championed, has in no way diminished. To the contrary, Saudi Arabia's disdain for the Democratic Party's appeasement of Iran and coziness with human rights campaigners is unabated.
No amount of lobbyist PAC contributions or slick talking points can mask the fundamental reality of Saudi perfidy. The kingdom will run to whomever it thinks can help them. Democrats should not be fooled. And Republicans should be ashamed for having been duped.
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Ali Al-Ahmed is director of the Institute for Gulf Affairs.


upi--2020-05-19--Foreigners permitted in North Korea department stores, Russian Embassy says

May 19 ( UPI ) -- The Russian Embassy in North Korea said foreigners are being allowed entry into department stores in Pyongyang , while crediting the Kim Jong Un regime with effective COVID-19 prevention .
In a Facebook post published Monday , the diplomatic mission in the North Korean capital said the North Korean foreign ministry notified all embassies and international organizations of the new policy .
Foreign residents in North Korea are once again permitted to enter major stores , including Pyongyang Department Store No .
1 , Pyongyang Station Department Store , Pyongyang Children 's Department Store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ River Department Store .
The statement from the Russian Embassy comes after North Korea confirmed it had lifted some restrictions against foreigners in April .
Following the declaration of a national emergency , North Korea had banned foreign residents from visiting any stores , restaurants or marketplaces carrying essential goods .
The Russian Embassy 's update on developments in Pyongyang follow the publication of photographs of Pyongyang residents , including foreign nationals , shopping at various department stores in the capital .
The photographs were published by DPRK Today , a North Korean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Korea suspended most air and train operations to and from China and Russia , the regime 's two principal trading partners .
Pyongyang also required any diplomats remaining in the country to go into monthlong quarantine .
The Russian Embassy said last week Moscow delivered 25,000 tons of wheat to North Korea , citing food shortages in the country .
On Tuesday , Pyongyang 's state media claimed the country was making progress in `` food self-reliance . ''
`` If you see any fields and paddies and sit down with farmers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level of spirit , '' a Korean Workers ' Party official said , according to the Rodong Sinmun on Monday .
North Korea may be facing a serious food shortage .
According to South Korea 's unification ministry on Tuesday , the North could face an 860,000-ton grain shortage this year , according to Yonhap .

North Korea and the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang have highlighted foreigners' access to department stores amid state claims the COVID-19 situation has stabilized in the country. Photo courtesy of DPRK Today
May 19 (UPI) -- The Russian Embassy in North Korea said foreigners are being allowed entry into department stores in Pyongyang, while crediting the Kim Jong Un regime with effective COVID-19 prevention. In a Facebook post published Monday, the diplomatic mission in the North Korean capital said the North Korean foreign ministry notified all embassies and international organizations of the new policy. Advertisement
Foreign residents in North Korea are once again permitted to enter major stores, including Pyongyang Department Store No. 1, Pyongyang Station Department Store, Pyongyang Children's Department Store, Kwangbok Department Store and the Potong River Department Store.
The statement from the Russian Embassy comes after North Korea confirmed it had lifted some restrictions against foreigners in April. Following the declaration of a national emergency, North Korea had banned foreign residents from visiting any stores, restaurants or marketplaces carrying essential goods.
The Russian Embassy's update on developments in Pyongyang follow the publication of photographs of Pyongyang residents, including foreign nationals, shopping at various department stores in the capital. The photographs were published by DPRK Today, a North Korean propaganda service.
In early February, North Korea suspended most air and train operations to and from China and Russia, the regime's two principal trading partners. Pyongyang also required any diplomats remaining in the country to go into monthlong quarantine.
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The Russian Embassy said last week Moscow delivered 25,000 tons of wheat to North Korea, citing food shortages in the country.
On Tuesday, Pyongyang's state media claimed the country was making progress in "food self-reliance."
"If you see any fields and paddies and sit down with farmers, you can find a very high level of spirit," a Korean Workers' Party official said, according to the Rodong Sinmun on Monday.
North Korea may be facing a serious food shortage. According to South Korea's unification ministry on Tuesday, the North could face an 860,000-ton grain shortage this year, according to Yonhap.


upi--2020-05-19--Missouri killer Walter Barton scheduled to die by lethal injection Tuesday

May 19 ( UPI ) -- Convicted killer Walter Barton is scheduled to die by lethal injection Tuesday night and become the first death row inmate executed in the United States since the start of the coronavirus pandemic .
Barton 's execution was temporarily halted last Friday after an appellate court granted a stay , but it was overturned by a federal court Sunday and an appeal was rejected Monday by Missouri Gov .
Mike Parson .
Barton 's defense team has filed an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court , his last opportunity to avoid execution .
Barton was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death in 1991 , but District Court Judge Brian Wimes stayed the execution to give attorneys more time to make a case against blood spatter evidence that was used to convict him .
Defense attorneys also argued their appeal has been slowed by the coronavirus pandemic .
After the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the stay , Parson said he has no plans to intervene in the execution .
Barton was tried five times for Kuehler 's death and the first two trials ended in a mistrial and hung jury .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were overturned .
The final trial again led to a conviction and a sentence of death .
There is some doubt about his guilt , however , according to advocates including the Innocence Project , who argue that Barton is `` likely innocent . ''
`` The only piece of physical evidence used to connect Barton to the murder was a spot of blood found on his shirt , which Barton has always said got on his shirt while he was pulling the victim 's granddaughter off her body -- a fact the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the Innocence Project wrote .
`` Significantly , the victim was stabbed 50 times , and the real perpetrator of the crime would have been covered with blood , which Barton was not . ''
`` If you look at the evidence that convicted him a lot of it has been debunked , '' added Elyse Max of Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty .
`` Blood spatter science has changed since the 1990s .
We know a lot more about how it works to get witnesses who are jailhouse snitches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recanted their testimony .
To procedurally deny someone the ability to have this heard based on a technicality , the system is set up in such a way that it is very difficult . ''
The office of Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt , however , says Barton is guilty and his defense attorneys have no credible avenue for a delay .
`` There is nothing that supports a stay here , '' Schmitt 's office wrote in a court filing before Monday 's ruling .
`` But , nevertheless , the district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not because it found that Barton had met the standard for a stay as set out in the applicable case law -- but instead only because it wanted more time to consider his claims .
`` Missouri respectfully submits that the 28 years since Barton 's horrific crimes have provided sufficient time for review of his conviction and sentence .
This court should vacate this stay and permit the execution to proceed as scheduled . ''

Barton was convicted after five trials in the 1991 stabbing death of an 81-year-old Missouri woman. Photo by Missouri Department of Corrections/UPI | License Photo
May 19 (UPI) -- Missouri executed a man convicted of killing an 81-year-old woman in 1991 on Tuesday, the first execution to be carried out in the United States since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Walter Barton's lethal injection came hours after the Supreme Court refused to hear his case. He was convicted in the death of trailer park operator Gladys Kuehler, though he maintained his innocence. Advertisement
Barton sought a stay on the grounds that a blood spatter expert disagreed with the state's expert, who said during trial that blood pattern on the defendant's clothes showed he killed Kuehler. The new expert, though, said that had Barton killed her, he would have had more blood on him.
His appeal also called into question the reliability of a jail informant, who testified at trial that Barton threatened to kill her "like he did that old lady."
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Barton's lawyers, meanwhile, sought the stay based on the COVID-19 pandemic, which has hindered defense attorneys across the country from conducting investigations needed in the final weeks before a scheduled execution.
"The fact that the state of Missouri carried out the execution of Walter Barton tonight, as we face a deadly pandemic, is unconscionable," said Cassandra Stubbs, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Capital Punishment Project.
"By moving forward, the state not only put the health of prison staff at risk and forced them to defy public health guidance, it also refused to consider new, persuasive evidence that Barton may be innocent. We have nearly 50 years of data to show the death penalty is arbitrary, error-prone, biased, and costly. The continued use of the death penalty has no place in any society that values human dignity and justice."
A federal judge on Friday issued a temporary stay, which was later vacated by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Gov. Mike Parson declined to grant clemency.
Barton was tried five times for Kuehler's death, with two ending in a mistrial and hung jury. The next two led to convictions but both were overturned. The final trial again led to a conviction and a sentence of death.
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The Innocent Project, an advocacy group against wrongful convictions, said Barton is "likely innocent."
"The only piece of physical evidence used to connect Barton to the murder was a spot of blood found on his shirt, which Barton has always said got on his shirt while he was pulling the victim's granddaughter off her body -- a fact the victim's granddaughter confirmed to investigators," the group said in a statement.
"Significantly, the victim was stabbed 50 times, and the real perpetrator of the crime would have been covered with blood, which Barton was not.
"If you look at the evidence that convicted him a lot of it has been debunked," added Elyse Max of Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. "Blood spatter science has changed since the 1990s. We know a lot more about how it works to get witnesses who are jailhouse snitches.
"Three [witnesses] have recanted their testimony. To procedurally deny someone the ability to have this heard based on a technicality, the system is set up in such a way that it is very difficult."
The office of Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, however, says Barton is guilty and his defense attorneys have no credible avenue for a delay.
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"There is nothing that supports a stay here," Schmitt's office wrote in a court filing before Monday's ruling. "But, nevertheless, the district court granted a stay of execution -- not because it found that Barton had met the standard for a stay as set out in the applicable case law -- but instead only because it wanted more time to consider his claims.
"Missouri respectfully submits that the 28 years since Barton's horrific crimes have provided sufficient time for review of his conviction and sentence. This court should vacate this stay and permit the execution to proceed as scheduled."


upi--2020-05-19--At 46, veteran Bartolo Colon wants to pitch in MLB for one more season

May 19 ( UPI ) -- Veteran pitcher Bartolo Colon wants to play one final Major League Baseball season before retirement .
Colon , 46 , made declaration during an interview with ESPN .
The 21-year veteran has n't played in the majors since his 2018 season with the Texas Rangers .
`` I thought that last year maybe I would have the opportunity , '' Colon said .
`` I know that if it did n't happen last year , this year would be less likely .
I 'm getting older and the game is all about the young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older , teams no longer need your services . ''
Colon made his MLB debut in 1997 with the Cleveland Indians .
The two-time All-Star has also pitched for the Montreal Expos , Chicago White Sox , Los Angeles Angels , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees , Oakland Athletics , New York Mets , Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins .
Colon posted a 5.78 ERA and 7-12 record in 28 appearances for the Rangers in 2018 .
Colon said if it was up to him , he would retire with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American League Cy Young Award in 2005 after he went 21-8 with a 3.48 ERA in 33 starts for the Angels .
Colon has a 247-188 career record with a 4.12 ERA in 565 appearances .
If Colon signs with a team , he would be MLB 's active leader in career victories , complete games and errors for a pitcher .
His 13 career shutouts would rank second among active pitchers .
The 5-foot-11 , 285-pound right handed pitcher is known for his jovial nature and playing style .
He released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sexy in April .
`` I 've played with 10 teams , but with the Mets , the way all those players treated me , how that entire franchise treated me , from the front office to the kitchen staff , it was amazing , '' Colon said .
`` And Mets fans are the best .
In the beginning , when they laughed at me every time my helmet fell off , at first I felt uncomfortable .
`` But when I saw how much the fans enjoyed it , I asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would fall more because it was so much fun for them . ''

Bartolo Colon (40) said he hopes to play for the New York Mets if he is signed this off-season. File Photo by Jeff Moffett/UPI | License Photo
May 19 (UPI) -- Veteran pitcher Bartolo Colon wants to play one final Major League Baseball season before retirement. Colon, 46, made declaration during an interview with ESPN. The 21-year veteran hasn't played in the majors since his 2018 season with the Texas Rangers. Advertisement
"I thought that last year maybe I would have the opportunity," Colon said. "I know that if it didn't happen last year, this year would be less likely. I'm getting older and the game is all about the young pitchers coming up. When you get older, teams no longer need your services."
Colon made his MLB debut in 1997 with the Cleveland Indians. The two-time All-Star has also pitched for the Montreal Expos, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, New York Mets, Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins. Colon posted a 5.78 ERA and 7-12 record in 28 appearances for the Rangers in 2018.
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Colon said if it was up to him, he would retire with the Mets.
The Dominican Republic native won the American League Cy Young Award in 2005 after he went 21-8 with a 3.48 ERA in 33 starts for the Angels. Colon has a 247-188 career record with a 4.12 ERA in 565 appearances.
If Colon signs with a team, he would be MLB's active leader in career victories, complete games and errors for a pitcher. His 13 career shutouts would rank second among active pitchers.
The 5-foot-11, 285-pound right handed pitcher is known for his jovial nature and playing style. He released a book titled with his nickname Big Sexy in April.
"I've played with 10 teams, but with the Mets, the way all those players treated me, how that entire franchise treated me, from the front office to the kitchen staff, it was amazing," Colon said. "And Mets fans are the best. In the beginning, when they laughed at me every time my helmet fell off, at first I felt uncomfortable.
"But when I saw how much the fans enjoyed it, I asked for a bigger batting helmet so that it would fall more because it was so much fun for them."


upi--2020-05-19--Fed chief Jerome Powell, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to testify in Senate on U.S. recovery fro

Fed chief Jerome Powell, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to testify in Senate on U.S. recovery from COVID-19 crisis

May 19 ( UPI ) -- The Federal Reserve will keep using all of its `` tools '' to stabilize the U.S. economy through the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic , Chairman Jerome Powell is expected to tell a congressional panel on Tuesday .
In prepared remarks ahead of testimony for the Senate banking committee , Powell says the Fed 's policies of pumping trillions of dollars of liquidity into the economy will continue for however long it takes to weather the effects of crisis .
The hearing , titled `` The Quarterly CARES Act Report to Congress , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The Federal Reserve 's response to this extraordinary period has been guided by our mandate to promote maximum employment and stable prices for the American people , along with our responsibilities to promote stability of the financial system , '' he wrote in his opening remarks .
`` We are committed to using our full range of tools to support the economy in this challenging time even as we recognize that these actions are only a part of a broader public-sector response . ''
Powell will testify with U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which aims to assess the progress of the $ 2 trillion CARES Act that was passed in March .
The relief bill provided funds for businesses and local governments and sent stimulus payments to most Americans .
Mnuchin is expected to be questioned about the Paycheck Protection Program , part of the package overseen by the Small Business Administration to funnel forgivable loans to small businesses .
The program 's fund quickly ran out of money and was later found to have loaned money to large businesses like national restaurant chains and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing comes after a four-member congressional panel reported Monday that only $ 37 billion of the $ 454 billion allocated to the Treasury for loans to businesses and governments has been put into the Fed 's Secondary Market Corporate Credit Facility .
In his own prepared testimony , Mnuchin disagrees with that finding .
The Treasury , he says , has `` committed up to $ 195 billion in credit support under the CARES Act . ''
`` While these are unprecedented and difficult times , these programs are making a positive impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Together we will destroy the COVID-19 virus , and our country will emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever . ''

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Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin exits the office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell after meeting with McConnell and Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo
May 19 (UPI) -- Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told lawmakers Tuesday the economic slowdown brought on by coronavirus restrictions could last for a while, but the Trump administration is prepared for a recovery. The two testified in a remote hearing of the Senate banking committee to address the impact of the $2 trillion CARES Act and further economic fallout. Advertisement
Powell said the scope and speed of the downturn are "without modern precedent" and are "significantly worse than any recession since World War II."
The Federal Reserve, which lowered key interest rates to near zero at an emergency session in March, plans to maintain rates at their present level until the central bank is confident the economy has "weathered recent events" and is on track to achieve "maximum-employment and price-stability goals," Powell added.
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Powell noted that the Fed's Main Street Lending Program will be ready to go by the end of May, providing fiscal aid directly to small- and medium-sized businesses hampered by the health crisis. He also said the central bank will use all "tools" to stabilize the U.S. economy in the coming months.
Mnuchin warned of "permanent damage" to the economy if states delay reopening.
"We are continuing to see large unemployment and other negative indicators," Mnuchin said in his testimony. "It is important to realize that the large numbers represent real people.
"As we listen to medical experts, we are optimistic about the progress being made on vaccines, antiviral therapies, and testing."
Much of the United States has loosened restrictions in recent weeks to reopen businesses, but weeks of closure has cost more than 30 million American workers their jobs over the past two months.
"Working closely with governors, we are beginning to open the economy in a way that minimizes risks to workers and customers. We expect economic conditions to improve in the third and fourth quarters," Mnuchin added.
Powell said that a plan to wider reopening will require controlling the spread of the virus as well as developing therapeutics and a vaccine.
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"The number one thing, of course, is people believing that it's safe to go back to work and that's about having a sensible, thoughtful reopening of the economy, something that we all want -- and something that we're in the early stages of now," he said.
Further, Powell said the Fed might expand its program to buy municipal debt and warned state and local governments that laying off workers could slow recovery.
"We have the evidence of the global financial crisis and the years afterward, where state and local government layoffs and lack of hiring did weigh on economic growth," he said.
A four-member congressional panel reported Monday that $37 billion of the $454 billion allocated to the Treasury for business loans has made it to the Fed's Secondary Market Corporate Credit Facility.
Mnuchin disputed accusations that the aid is being distributed too slowly, noting that the Treasury has "committed up to $195 billion in credit support under the CARES Act."
The Treasury chief also said the Trump administration and the Federal Reserve are "fully prepared to take losses" on money given for relief aid and will distribute all $500 billion in funds earmarked for struggling businesses.
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World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-05-19--WWE Raw: Drew McIntyre battles SmackDown's King Corbin

May 19 ( UPI ) -- WWE Champion Drew McIntyre faced off against SmackDown 's King Corbin on Raw .
The main event match on Monday was made possible by WWE 's brand-to-brand invitation program where SmackDown superstars can appear on Raw and vice versa .
McIntyre and Corbin were also joined by Bobby Lashley and MVP who watched the bout from the entrance ramp .
MVP has seemingly become Lashley 's new manager as he spent the night trying to convince The All Mighty to start targeting the WWE Championship .
Corbin fought hard , even bringing the champ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovered and won the bout after unleashing a Claymore .
McIntyre stared down Lashley after the victory , stating that it was time for him to finally step up .
Also on Raw , Hall of Famer Edge returned to confront Randy Orton after The Viper laid out a challenge for a match at the Backlash pay-per-view event on June 14 .
Orton wants to battle Edge in what he calls a straight-up wrestling match after the Rated-R Superstar defeated him at WrestleMania 36 in a Last Man Standing match .
Orton said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eyes after he issued the challenge .
Edge responded by stating that Orton never had to work hard to join WWE and has never had a career-threatening injury to fight back from like he did .
Edge then accepted the challenge as the two veterans stared each other down .
Sane pointed out to Asuka that she is WWE 's latest Grand Slam Champion as the Empress of Tomorrow as won throughout her career the NXT Women 's Championship , the SmackDown Women 's Championship , the Women 's Tag Team Championship and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nia Jax crashed the party and complained about how Asuka was gifted the Raw Women 's Championship by Becky Lynch who has taken a leave of absence after becoming pregnant with her first child .
Asuka attacked Jax and sent her out of the ring .
Jax would later get revenge by viciously attacking Sane backstage .
Asuka responded by hunting down Jax and knocking her out with a kick to the head .
Other moments from Raw included Murphy defeating Humberto Carillo after Carillo criticized Seth Rollins for attacking Rey Mysterio last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flair defeating Ruby Riott ; Lashley defeating R-Truth ; Women 's Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross successfully defending their titles against The IIconics via disqualification ; Shayna Baszler defeating Natalya in a Submission match ; and Kevin Owens and Apollo Crews defeating United States Champion Andrade and Angel Garza .
Andrade and Garza attacked their partner Austin Theory after the match , effectively kicking him out of their group led by manager Zelina Vega .
Rollins would later recruit Theory and make him his newest disciple next to Murphy while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rollins instructed Theory to attack Black during the match , leading to a disqualification .
The three men attacked Black together and Rollins gave Theory a hug .

May 19 (UPI) -- WWE Champion Drew McIntyre faced off against SmackDown's King Corbin on Raw.
The main event match on Monday was made possible by WWE's brand-to-brand invitation program where SmackDown superstars can appear on Raw and vice versa.
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McIntyre and Corbin were also joined by Bobby Lashley and MVP who watched the bout from the entrance ramp. MVP has seemingly become Lashley's new manager as he spent the night trying to convince The All Mighty to start targeting the WWE Championship.
Corbin fought hard, even bringing the champ down with a Deep Six but McIntyre recovered and won the bout after unleashing a Claymore.
McIntyre stared down Lashley after the victory, stating that it was time for him to finally step up.
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Also on Raw, Hall of Famer Edge returned to confront Randy Orton after The Viper laid out a challenge for a match at the Backlash pay-per-view event on June 14.
Orton wants to battle Edge in what he calls a straight-up wrestling match after the Rated-R Superstar defeated him at WrestleMania 36 in a Last Man Standing match.
Orton said that he saw doubt in Edge's eyes after he issued the challenge. Edge responded by stating that Orton never had to work hard to join WWE and has never had a career-threatening injury to fight back from like he did.
Edge then accepted the challenge as the two veterans stared each other down.
Newly crowned Raw Women's Champion Asuka held a championship celebration with her tag team partner, Kairi Sane.
Sane pointed out to Asuka that she is WWE's latest Grand Slam Champion as the Empress of Tomorrow as won throughout her career the NXT Women's Championship, the SmackDown Women's Championship, the Women's Tag Team Championship and now the Raw Women's Championship.
Nia Jax crashed the party and complained about how Asuka was gifted the Raw Women's Championship by Becky Lynch who has taken a leave of absence after becoming pregnant with her first child.
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Asuka attacked Jax and sent her out of the ring. Jax would later get revenge by viciously attacking Sane backstage. Asuka responded by hunting down Jax and knocking her out with a kick to the head.
Other moments from Raw included Murphy defeating Humberto Carillo after Carillo criticized Seth Rollins for attacking Rey Mysterio last week; NXT Women's Champion Charlotte Flair defeating Ruby Riott; Lashley defeating R-Truth; Women's Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross successfully defending their titles against The IIconics via disqualification; Shayna Baszler defeating Natalya in a Submission match; and Kevin Owens and Apollo Crews defeating United States Champion Andrade and Angel Garza.
Andrade and Garza attacked their partner Austin Theory after the match, effectively kicking him out of their group led by manager Zelina Vega.
Rollins would later recruit Theory and make him his newest disciple next to Murphy while Murphy battled Aleister Black inside the ring. Rollins instructed Theory to attack Black during the match, leading to a disqualification. The three men attacked Black together and Rollins gave Theory a hug.


upi--2020-05-19--Tropical Storm Arthur moves away from North Carolina coast

May 19 ( UPI ) -- Arthur , the first named tropical system of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season , was hovered along the North Carolina coast on Monday , two days after developing into a tropical depression off the Florida coast .
As of 5 a.m. EDT Tuesday , the center of Arthur was moving away from North Carolina at a speed of 15 mph , a substantial increase from its plodding forward thrust of 7-8 mph on Sunday .
The storm 's sustained winds remained around 60 mph .
Monday , Arthur 's center was only a mere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Outer Banks .
By early Tuesday , it was about 300 miles from that point .
The storm unleashed heavy rain and gusty winds across the eastern part of the state while generating dangerous surf conditions and rip currents .
Wind gusts near 50 mph with waves up to 12.5 feet were reported , according to data provided from a buoy located southeast of Cape Hatteras .
A tropical storm warning was issued Sunday and remained in effect for parts of the North Carolina coast on Monday including for the Pamlico and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , North Carolina .
A compilation of webcam footage from Monday showed wind-whipped rain and turbulent seas in the area , far from anyone 's idea of an ideal day at the beach .
AccuWeather 's top hurricane forecaster , Dan Kottlowski , said that although Arthur remains a weak tropical storm , it will continue to generate a large area of moderate to heavy rain over eastern North Carolina .
Rain first moved into the area Sunday night .
`` Rainfall totals will average 2-4 inches over this area , including across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are possible where heavy rain is the most persistent , with an AccuWeather Local StormMax for rainfall of 6 inches , '' Kottlowski said .
Any storm surge and inundation with Arthur will be less than 3 feet with the highest water rise related to the inlet areas within Pamlico and Albemarle sounds , Kottlowski added .
One area in particular forecasters are worried about is Ocracoke Island , which suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Dorian last September .
Storm surge over Ocracoke could bring another threat of flooding and damage , hindering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rough surf and strong rip currents battered the coastal Carolinas through Monday .
Dangerous marine conditions also occurred , with seas building to 8-10 feet , creating treacherous conditions for mariners .
`` Rough seas and gusty winds will expand northward to the upper mid-Atlantic coast through Tuesday as the storm drifts eastward and perhaps stalls over the open water , '' AccuWeather Meteorologist Renee Duff said .
The timing of Arthur coincided with North Carolina 's first phase of its reopening strategy amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Many areas experiencing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Hatteras and Ocracoke islands , recently reopened to vacationers following mandatory closures due to the outbreak of the virus .
Bars , restaurants and gyms remain closed throughout Dare County , and personal gatherings over 10 people remain prohibited .
The arrival of Arthur continued a trend of preseason development in recent years .
In fact , there has been a named storm system before June 1 , the official start of hurricane season , every year since 2015 .
After lashing the Outer Banks , Arthur is expected to head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ characteristics .
`` The non-tropical version of Arthur could still remain a well-defined storm system into Wednesday , but it should weaken as it passes near or over Bermuda Thursday morning , '' Kottlowski said .
AccuWeather meteorologists say there are currently no other organized tropical system in the Atlantic and any new development is not expected through at least early next week .

Tropical Storm Arthur is seen moving away from the U.S. East Coast early Tuesday after it flirted with North Carolina's Outer Banks and brought heavy rain and strong winds. Image courtesy of NOAA
May 19 (UPI) -- Arthur, the first named tropical system of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, was moving away from the North Carolina coast on Tuesday. As of 5 a.m. EDT, the storm's center was moving east at 15 mph, a substantial increase from its plodding forward thrust of 7-8 mph on Sunday. The storm's sustained winds remained around 60 mph. Advertisement
On Monday, Arthur's center reached within 20 miles of the easternmost part of the Outer Banks. By early Tuesday, it was about 300 miles from that point.
The storm unleashed heavy rain and gusty winds across the eastern part of the state while generating dangerous surf conditions and rip currents. Wind gusts near 50 mph with waves up to 12.5 feet were reported, according to data provided from a buoy located southeast of Cape Hatteras.
A compilation of webcam footage from Monday showed wind-whipped rain and turbulent seas in the area.
AccuWeather's top hurricane forecaster, Dan Kottlowski, said that although Arthur remains a weak tropical storm, it will continue to generate a large area of moderate to heavy rain over eastern North Carolina. Rain first moved into the area Sunday night.
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Rough surf and strong rip currents battered the coastal Carolinas through Monday. Dangerous marine conditions also occurred, with seas building to 8-10 feet, creating treacherous conditions for mariners.
"Rough seas and gusty winds will expand northward to the upper mid-Atlantic coast through Tuesday as the storm drifts eastward and perhaps stalls over the open water," AccuWeather meteorologist Renee Duff said.
The timing of Arthur coincided with North Carolina's first phase of a reopening strategy amid the coronavirus pandemic. Many areas experiencing the brunt of Arthur's rain and wind, including Hatteras and Ocracoke islands, recently reopened to vacationers following mandatory closures due to the outbreak of the virus. Bars, restaurants and gyms remain closed throughout Dare County, and personal gatherings over 10 people remain prohibited.
The arrival of Arthur continued a trend of preseason development in recent years. There has been a named storm system before June 1, the official start of hurricane season, every year since 2015.
Arthur is expected to head out to sea and shed its tropical characteristics.
"The non-tropical version of Arthur could still remain a well-defined storm system into Wednesday, but it should weaken as it passes near or over Bermuda on Thursday morning," Kottlowski said.
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AccuWeather meteorologists say there is no other organized tropical system in the Atlantic and any new development is not expected through at least early next week.


upi--2020-05-19--South Korea challenges Japan’s claim over disputed islets

May 19 ( UPI ) -- South Korea protested Japanese claims to the disputed islets of Dokdo on Tuesday , after summoning a senior Japanese diplomat to the foreign ministry .
Kim Jung-han , director of Asia and Pacific affairs at South Korea 's foreign ministry , expressed profound regret during a meeting with Hirohisa Soma , a Seoul-based Japanese diplomat , South Korean news service Newsis reported .
`` We strongly protest the redundant and unlawful claims of sovereignty in a diplomatic bluebook of the Japanese government over Dokdo , which is historically , geographically and lawfully [ South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korean foreign ministry spokesman Kim In-chul in statement .
Seoul also requested an immediate retraction and said the Japanese government claims do not impact South Korean sovereignty over the disputed islets .
Seoul 's move to file an official protest with Tokyo comes after the Japanese government had stated in its 2020 Blue Book Dokdo is Japan 's `` inherent territory historically and by international law , '' according to Yonhap .
Tokyo had also claimed South Korea was `` illegally occupying '' the islets in the East Sea , also known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomatic Blue Book , Tokyo also said the two countries agreed to not use the term `` sexual slavery '' to refer to comfort women forced to serve in Japanese wartime brothels .
On Tuesday Seoul dismissed the Japanese claims as `` not true . ''
South Korea said it defends the use of the term because the comfort women issue addresses problems of history , sexual violence and the violation of human rights , according to Newsis .
Seoul previously summoned a Japanese Embassy official over the Dokdo issue on March 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Takeshima in Japanese textbooks .
Japan and South Korea are two key U.S. allies increasingly mired in disputes over history and trade .
In 2019 , Japan restricted the export of key chemicals to Korea , after a South Korean court ordered Japanese firms to compensate victims of forced wartime labor .

South Korea and Japan are clashing over disputed islets located between the two countries. File Photo by Yonhap
May 19 (UPI) -- South Korea protested Japanese claims to the disputed islets of Dokdo on Tuesday, after summoning a senior Japanese diplomat to the foreign ministry. Kim Jung-han, director of Asia and Pacific affairs at South Korea's foreign ministry, expressed profound regret during a meeting with Hirohisa Soma, a Seoul-based Japanese diplomat, South Korean news service Newsis reported. Advertisement
"We strongly protest the redundant and unlawful claims of sovereignty in a diplomatic bluebook of the Japanese government over Dokdo, which is historically, geographically and lawfully [South Korean] territory," said South Korean foreign ministry spokesman Kim In-chul in statement.
Seoul also requested an immediate retraction and said the Japanese government claims do not impact South Korean sovereignty over the disputed islets.
Seoul's move to file an official protest with Tokyo comes after the Japanese government had stated in its 2020 Blue Book Dokdo is Japan's "inherent territory historically and by international law," according to Yonhap.
Tokyo had also claimed South Korea was "illegally occupying" the islets in the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.
In its diplomatic Blue Book, Tokyo also said the two countries agreed to not use the term "sexual slavery" to refer to comfort women forced to serve in Japanese wartime brothels. On Tuesday Seoul dismissed the Japanese claims as "not true."
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South Korea said it defends the use of the term because the comfort women issue addresses problems of history, sexual violence and the violation of human rights, according to Newsis.
Seoul previously summoned a Japanese Embassy official over the Dokdo issue on March 24 to protest the labeling of Dokdo as Takeshima in Japanese textbooks.
Japan and South Korea are two key U.S. allies increasingly mired in disputes over history and trade.
In 2019, Japan restricted the export of key chemicals to Korea, after a South Korean court ordered Japanese firms to compensate victims of forced wartime labor.