skynewsus--2020-05-07--Coronavirus worse 'attack' than 9/11 and Pearl Harbor - Trump

US President Donald Trump has called the coronavirus outbreak the `` worst attack '' on the US , saying the outbreak had affected the country more than Pearl Harbor or 9/11 .
Mr Trump has doubled down on his criticism of China over the outbreak , and said that the COVID-19 pandemic is the `` enemy '' .
He told White House reporters on Wednesday evening : `` We went through the worst attack we 've ever had on our country , this is worst attack we 've ever had .
`` This is worse than Pearl Harbor , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There 's never been an attack like this .
`` And it should have never happened .
Could 've been stopped at the source .
Could 've been stopped in China .
It should 've been stopped right at the source .
And it was n't . ''
The president added : `` I view the invisible enemy as a war .
I do n't like how it got here , because it could have been stopped , but no , I view the invisible enemy like a war . ''
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on China , with the president and his secretary of state , Mike Pompeo even claiming they have evidence the virus was developed in a lab in Wuhan , China - a claim the Chinese government flatly denies .
Mr Pompeo later admitted he is not certain that COVID-19 came from a Wuhan lab .
The Chinese government responded to the latest comments by Mr Trump saying the enemy the US is facing is the virus - not China .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in the US have died with coronavirus - the highest death toll in the world , while more than 1.2 million people have tested positive for COVID-19 , according to Johns Hopkins University By comparison , the attack on Pearl Harbor claimed the lives of more than 2,000 American troops , with the September 11 attacks in 2001 killing almost 3,000 citizens .
In January , Mr Trump praised his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping over his handling of the outbreak , but has since made a full U-turn on his comments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the president .

US President Donald Trump has called the coronavirus outbreak the "worst attack" on the US, saying the outbreak had affected the country more than Pearl Harbor or 9/11.
Mr Trump has doubled down on his criticism of China over the outbreak, and said that the COVID-19 pandemic is the "enemy".
He told White House reporters on Wednesday evening: "We went through the worst attack we've ever had on our country, this is worst attack we've ever had.
"This is worse than Pearl Harbor, this is worse than the World Trade Center. There's never been an attack like this.
"And it should have never happened. Could've been stopped at the source. Could've been stopped in China. It should've been stopped right at the source. And it wasn't."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:24 Trump heartland split over COVID-19 response
The president added: "I view the invisible enemy as a war. I don't like how it got here, because it could have been stopped, but no, I view the invisible enemy like a war."
Mr Trump's administration has blamed the outbreak on China, with the president and his secretary of state, Mike Pompeo even claiming they have evidence the virus was developed in a lab in Wuhan, China - a claim the Chinese government flatly denies.
Mr Pompeo later admitted he is not certain that COVID-19 came from a Wuhan lab.
The Chinese government responded to the latest comments by Mr Trump saying the enemy the US is facing is the virus - not China.
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More than 73,000 people in the US have died with coronavirus - the highest death toll in the world, while more than 1.2 million people have tested positive for COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University
By comparison, the attack on Pearl Harbor claimed the lives of more than 2,000 American troops, with the September 11 attacks in 2001 killing almost 3,000 citizens.
In January, Mr Trump praised his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping over his handling of the outbreak, but has since made a full U-turn on his comments, in what is a crucial election year for the president.


skynewsus--2020-05-06--US mercenary admits role in failed bid to capture Nicolas Maduro

A former US special forces soldier has admitted he was part of a botched bid to oust Venezuela 's president .
In a video shown on state TV , Luke Denman claimed he signed a contract with a Florida-based security company to train rebel troops and carry out an assault to remove Nicolas Maduro from power in exchange for up to $ 100,000 .
He said the mission had been to secure an airport and then `` bring in planes '' including `` one to put Maduro on and take him back to the United States '' .
Mr Denman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces soldiers who served in Iraq , were arrested on Monday following what authorities described as a botched beach landing in the fishing village of Chuao .
Both men are associated with Silvercorp USA , a private firm founded by Jordan Goudreau , an ex-Green Beret , who said Operation Gideon was aimed at `` liberating Venezuela '' .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker In a virtual press conference , Mr Maduro said the failed plot was coordinated by Washington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direct chief of this invasion . ''
Mr Trump has said the US had nothing to do with the attack and that Mr Goudreau is under federal investigation for arms trafficking .
Meanwhile , secretary of state Mike Pompeo said : `` If we 'd have been involved , it would have gone differently . ''
The operation , on Sunday , was allegedly financed by US-backed Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido , according to Mr Goudreau .
Eight people were killed at a beach near the port city of La Guaira - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foiled operation .
Eight others - including Mr Denman and Mr Berry - were arrested .
Footage said to show people detained after the raid was posted on Twitter and broadcast on state television .
The US has imposed tough economic sanctions against Venezuela in an effort to oust Mr Maduro , who is accused of rigging elections in 2018 .

A former US special forces soldier has admitted he was part of a botched bid to oust Venezuela's president.
In a video shown on state TV, Luke Denman claimed he signed a contract with a Florida-based security company to train rebel troops and carry out an assault to remove Nicolas Maduro from power in exchange for up to $100,000.
He said the mission had been to secure an airport and then "bring in planes" including "one to put Maduro on and take him back to the United States".
Image: The two men were identified as Denman and Aaron Berry
Mr Denman and Airan Berry, both former special forces soldiers who served in Iraq, were arrested on Monday following what authorities described as a botched beach landing in the fishing village of Chuao.
Both men are associated with Silvercorp USA, a private firm founded by Jordan Goudreau, an ex-Green Beret, who said Operation Gideon was aimed at "liberating Venezuela".
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In a virtual press conference, Mr Maduro said the failed plot was coordinated by Washington, adding: "Donald Trump is the direct chief of this invasion."
Mr Trump has said the US had nothing to do with the attack and that Mr Goudreau is under federal investigation for arms trafficking.
Image: Juan Guaido (L) and President Nicolas Maduro
Meanwhile, secretary of state Mike Pompeo said: "If we'd have been involved, it would have gone differently."
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The operation, on Sunday, was allegedly financed by US-backed Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, according to Mr Goudreau.
Mr Guaido has denied the claim.
Eight people were killed at a beach near the port city of La Guaira - near the capital Caracas - during the foiled operation.
Eight others - including Mr Denman and Mr Berry - were arrested.
Footage said to show people detained after the raid was posted on Twitter and broadcast on state television.
The US has imposed tough economic sanctions against Venezuela in an effort to oust Mr Maduro, who is accused of rigging elections in 2018.


skynewsus--2020-05-07--'Jurassic Park was wrong': Raptors hunted alone and not in packs

Scientists have challenged a key plot point of the 1993 blockbuster Jurassic Park with new research suggesting raptors hunted alone rather than in packs .
In defence of Steven Spielberg , the film was somewhat accurate for the scientific knowledge of its time , except for the size of the raptors .
But recent evidence has suggested that not only were they more likely covered in feathers than scales , but also hunted much more like Komodo dragons or crocodiles than in large packs like wolves .
The raptors in the film - actually based on the species deinonychus antirrhopus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) rather than the velociraptor ( `` swift seizer '' ) - are intelligent predators which collaborate to hunt .
But the evidence for this behaviour `` is not altogether convincing '' according to Dr Joseph Frederickson , a palaeontologist at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh .
`` The problem with this idea is that living dinosaurs ( birds ) and their relatives ( crocodilians ) do not usually hunt in groups and rarely ever hunt prey larger than themselves , '' said Dr Frederickson , lead author on the study .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not fossilise so we ca n't directly test whether the animals actually worked together to hunt prey . ''
He added : `` Since we ca n't watch these dinosaurs hunt in person , we must use indirect methods to determine their behaviour in life . ''
The scientists have come up with a clever indirect method for figuring this out .
`` We proposed in this study that there is a correlation between pack hunting and the diet of animals as they grow , '' said Dr Frederickson .
The scientists noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infant reptiles are constantly at risk of being eaten by the adults - so they climb up trees , where they eat food unavailable to their larger parents on the ground .
This dietary diversity generally is n't shown in animals which hunt in packs .
`` If we can look at the diet of young raptors versus old raptors , we can come up with a hypothesis for whether they hunted in groups , '' Dr Frederickson said .
So the researchers analysed the chemistry of fossilised raptor teeth , especially from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the Cretaceous Period , up to 115 million years ago .
`` Stable isotopes of carbon and oxygen were used to get an idea of diet and water sources for these animals .
We also looked at a crocodilian and an herbivorous dinosaur from the same geologic formation , '' he said .
They found that Cretaceous crocodilians , much like modern species , show a difference in diet between the smallest and largest teeth , indicating a distinct transition in diet as they grew older .
`` This is what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents do not provide food for their young , '' Dr Frederickson said .
`` We also see the same pattern in the raptors , where the smallest teeth and the large teeth do not have the same average carbon isotope values , indicating they were eating different foods .
`` This means the young were not being fed by the adults , which is why we believe Jurassic Park was wrong about raptor behaviour , '' he concluded .

Scientists have challenged a key plot point of the 1993 blockbuster Jurassic Park with new research suggesting raptors hunted alone rather than in packs.
In defence of Steven Spielberg, the film was somewhat accurate for the scientific knowledge of its time, except for the size of the raptors.
But recent evidence has suggested that not only were they more likely covered in feathers than scales, but also hunted much more like Komodo dragons or crocodiles than in large packs like wolves.
Image: Modern feathered and outdated scaly raptor models. Pic: Westphalian Museum of Natural History
The raptors in the film - actually based on the species deinonychus antirrhopus ("terrible claw" in Latin) rather than the velociraptor ("swift seizer") - are intelligent predators which collaborate to hunt.
But the evidence for this behaviour "is not altogether convincing" according to Dr Joseph Frederickson, a palaeontologist at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
"The problem with this idea is that living dinosaurs (birds) and their relatives (crocodilians) do not usually hunt in groups and rarely ever hunt prey larger than themselves," said Dr Frederickson, lead author on the study.
"Further, behaviour like pack hunting does not fossilise so we can't directly test whether the animals actually worked together to hunt prey."
He added: "Since we can't watch these dinosaurs hunt in person, we must use indirect methods to determine their behaviour in life."
The scientists have come up with a clever indirect method for figuring this out.
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"We proposed in this study that there is a correlation between pack hunting and the diet of animals as they grow," said Dr Frederickson.
Image: The dinosaurs were actually covered in feathers. Pic: Moviestore/Shutterstock
The scientists noted how, in Komodo dragons, the infant reptiles are constantly at risk of being eaten by the adults - so they climb up trees, where they eat food unavailable to their larger parents on the ground.
This dietary diversity generally isn't shown in animals which hunt in packs.
"If we can look at the diet of young raptors versus old raptors, we can come up with a hypothesis for whether they hunted in groups," Dr Frederickson said.
So the researchers analysed the chemistry of fossilised raptor teeth, especially from deinonychus, which existed in North America during the Cretaceous Period, up to 115 million years ago.
"Stable isotopes of carbon and oxygen were used to get an idea of diet and water sources for these animals. We also looked at a crocodilian and an herbivorous dinosaur from the same geologic formation," he said.
Image: Evidence that the dinosaurs hunted in packs is weak, say researchers. Pic: Moviestore/Shutterstock
They found that Cretaceous crocodilians, much like modern species, show a difference in diet between the smallest and largest teeth, indicating a distinct transition in diet as they grew older.
"This is what we would expect for an animal where the parents do not provide food for their young," Dr Frederickson said.
"We also see the same pattern in the raptors, where the smallest teeth and the large teeth do not have the same average carbon isotope values, indicating they were eating different foods.
"This means the young were not being fed by the adults, which is why we believe Jurassic Park was wrong about raptor behaviour," he concluded.


skynewsus--2020-05-07--'To the love of my life' - Kobe Bryant's final letter to his wife before crash

Kobe Bryant 's wife has revealed she found an unopened letter the NBA legend had left her before his death .
Vanessa Bryant posted a picture on Instagram of the unopened envelope and said she waited until her birthday to open it .
She wrote : `` Yesterday I found an envelope labelled To : The Love of my Life .
From , Tu Papi .
`` I waited to open one more letter on my birthday .
It gave me something to look forward to today .
`` The irony is that Kobe had a photo of me drawn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an artist on the cover .
`` Missing the Love of my Life and my sweet little Mamacita-my fellow Taurus .
`` Grateful to wake up to my 3 sweet girls today .
Wish we were all together . ''
Vanessa also marked the birthday of her eldest daughter Gianna who died alongside her father in the helicopter crash .
`` Happy 14th Birthday to my sweet baby girl , Gianna , '' she added .
`` Mommy loves you more than I can ever show you .
You are part of MY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Gianna , and seven others , including the pilot , died in the crash north of Los Angeles .
The crash happened on 26 January , as the group was travelling to a youth basketball tournament , with the helicopter plunging down into the mountainside in thick fog .
Family members of four passengers have joined the basketball star 's widow in suing Island Express Helicopters Inc - the owners of the aircraft .

Kobe Bryant's wife has revealed she found an unopened letter the NBA legend had left her before his death.
Vanessa Bryant posted a picture on Instagram of the unopened envelope and said she waited until her birthday to open it.
She wrote: "Yesterday I found an envelope labelled To: The Love of my Life. From, Tu Papi.
"I waited to open one more letter on my birthday. It gave me something to look forward to today.
"The irony is that Kobe had a photo of me drawn with an Angel holding me up by an artist on the cover.
"Missing the Love of my Life and my sweet little Mamacita-my fellow Taurus.
Image: Gianna died alongside her father in the January crash
"Grateful to wake up to my 3 sweet girls today. Wish we were all together."
Vanessa also marked the birthday of her eldest daughter Gianna who died alongside her father in the helicopter crash.
"Happy 14th Birthday to my sweet baby girl, Gianna," she added.
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"Mommy loves you more than I can ever show you. You are part of MY SOUL forever."
Bryant, 41, Gianna, and seven others, including the pilot, died in the crash north of Los Angeles.
Image: The helicopter came down in thick fog
The crash happened on 26 January, as the group was travelling to a youth basketball tournament, with the helicopter plunging down into the mountainside in thick fog.
Family members of four passengers have joined the basketball star's widow in suing Island Express Helicopters Inc - the owners of the aircraft.


skynewsus--2020-05-07--US Space Force chief would rather be played by Bruce Willis than Steve Carell

The real chief of the US Space Force had hoped Bruce Willis would have played him in the upcoming Netflix show lampooning the military 's newest branch of service - instead of comic actor Steve Carell .
Air Force General John Raymond was speaking as the agency launched it new recruitment video .
Using the slogan `` Maybe your purpose on this planet is n't on this planet '' , Gen Raymond said his inbox was full of emails from people wanting to sign up .
However , he also took the time to offer The US Office actor some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of advice I 'd give Steve Carell is to get a haircut .
`` He 's looking a little too shaggy if he wants to play the Space Force chief . ''
He admitted there had been votes on Twitter about who should play Pentagon leaders in the show , with Bruce Willis the favourite for the top job .
`` So I was hoping for Bruce Willis .
But Steve Carell 's a great actor , '' Gen Raymond added .
`` I love his shows , so we 're looking forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Space Force , which which is set to air on 29 May , shows Carell as a bumbling four-star general who was drafted into leading the Space Force after initially dismissing it as a joke .
But this is not the first time the agency - championed by Donald Trump - has been the brunt of widespread mockery .
Mr Trump 's tweet unveiling the Space Force seal in January drew jokes for its close resemblance to Star Fleet Command 's emblem from Star Trek .
: : Listen to the Backstage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Spotify , Spreaker George Takei , who played helmsman Hikaru Sulu on the original 1960s show , joked : `` Ahem .
We are expecting some royalties from this ... '' It also became a laughing stock after proudly unveiling its new uniforms - featuring full woodland camouflage .

The real chief of the US Space Force had hoped Bruce Willis would have played him in the upcoming Netflix show lampooning the military's newest branch of service - instead of comic actor Steve Carell.
Air Force General John Raymond was speaking as the agency launched it new recruitment video.
Using the slogan "Maybe your purpose on this planet isn't on this planet", Gen Raymond said his inbox was full of emails from people wanting to sign up.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:30 'Maybe your purpose on this planet isn't on this planet'
However, he also took the time to offer The US Office actor some constructive criticism.
"The one piece of advice I'd give Steve Carell is to get a haircut.
"He's looking a little too shaggy if he wants to play the Space Force chief."
Image: Chief of Space Operations at US Space Force General John Raymond
He admitted there had been votes on Twitter about who should play Pentagon leaders in the show, with Bruce Willis the favourite for the top job.
"So I was hoping for Bruce Willis. But Steve Carell's a great actor," Gen Raymond added.
"I love his shows, so we're looking forward to that."
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The Netflix trailer for Space Force, which which is set to air on 29 May, shows Carell as a bumbling four-star general who was drafted into leading the Space Force after initially dismissing it as a joke.
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But this is not the first time the agency - championed by Donald Trump - has been the brunt of widespread mockery.
Mr Trump's tweet unveiling the Space Force seal in January drew jokes for its close resemblance to Star Fleet Command's emblem from Star Trek.
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George Takei, who played helmsman Hikaru Sulu on the original 1960s show, joked: "Ahem. We are expecting some royalties from this..."
It also became a laughing stock after proudly unveiling its new uniforms - featuring full woodland camouflage.


skynewsus--2020-05-07--Burgers pulled from fast food menus amid meat shortages in US lockdown

One of the most popular fast food companies in the US has reported beef shortages as slaughterhouses across the country are shut during the coronavirus lockdown .
Some Wendy 's restaurants have temporarily pulled burgers from their menus , with more than 1,000 outfits - about 18 % of its US sites - reportedly being affected by disruption to the supply chain .
And retailers Kroger and Costco have also been hit as they limit the sales of some meat items .
The US and Canada are among the world 's biggest beef exporters .
But COVID-19 outbreaks have forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production , as they try to ensure worker safety .
Ryan Kasko , chairman of the Alberta Cattle Feeders ' Association , estimates there are up to 80,000 Canadian cattle awaiting slaughter , and the number may reach 250,000 by July .
Leighton Kolk , who normally sends 500 cattle to slaughter per week , said : `` It 's a horrible situation for us to watch . ''
Mr Kolk , from Iron Springs , Alberta , added : `` The consumer is going to pay a huge price and we could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropping in value . ''
The average unit price of fresh beef at US retailers was 6 % higher in the week ending 25 April than a year earlier , according to market research firm Nielsen .
Chief executive of Wendy 's , Todd Penegor , said : `` From time to time , there could be some items that we 're out of stock on .
`` It 's probably a couple of weeks of challenging tightness that we 'll have to work through . ''
: : Listen to the Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Spotify , Spreaker Victor Colello , director of meat and fish at New York City grocery chain Morton Williams , said he has not had any trouble getting meat but that `` prices are crazy '' .
`` In the past two weeks , prices have gone up anywhere from $ 3 to $ 5 per pound .
I find myself changing prices every two or three days . ''
Production at some slaughterhouses has resumed after weeks-long shutdowns .
Canada and the United States have both announced aid packages for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the calves she will sell in the autumn are less than half of the usual price , as the people who buy them deal with large backlogs of cattle .
`` Each day we are on pins and needles to make sure those plants stay open . ''

One of the most popular fast food companies in the US has reported beef shortages as slaughterhouses across the country are shut during the coronavirus lockdown.
Some Wendy's restaurants have temporarily pulled burgers from their menus, with more than 1,000 outfits - about 18% of its US sites - reportedly being affected by disruption to the supply chain.
And retailers Kroger and Costco have also been hit as they limit the sales of some meat items.
The US and Canada are among the world's biggest beef exporters.
But COVID-19 outbreaks have forced meat-packing plants to temporarily close or slow production, as they try to ensure worker safety.
Ryan Kasko, chairman of the Alberta Cattle Feeders' Association, estimates there are up to 80,000 Canadian cattle
awaiting slaughter, and the number may reach 250,000 by July.
Image: Signs inform customers of the disruption
Leighton Kolk, who normally sends 500 cattle to slaughter per week, said: "It's a horrible situation for us to watch."
Mr Kolk, from Iron Springs, Alberta, added: "The consumer is going to pay a huge price and we could approach financial insolvency because these animals are dropping in value."
The average unit price of fresh beef at US retailers was 6% higher in the week ending 25 April than a year earlier, according to market research firm Nielsen.
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Chief executive of Wendy's, Todd Penegor, said: "From time to time, there could be some items that we're out of stock on.
"It's probably a couple of weeks of challenging tightness that we'll have to work through."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Victor Colello, director of meat and fish at New York City grocery chain Morton Williams, said he has not had any trouble getting meat but that "prices are crazy".
"In the past two weeks, prices have gone up anywhere from $3 to $5 per pound. I find myself changing prices every two or three days."
Production at some slaughterhouses has resumed after weeks-long shutdowns.
Canada and the United States have both announced aid packages for the food and agriculture sectors.
But Alberta rancher Kelly Smith-Fraser sees a long crisis ahead.
Price estimates for the calves she will sell in the autumn are less than half of the usual price, as the people who buy them deal with large backlogs of cattle.
"Each day we are on pins and needles to make sure those plants stay open."


skynewsus--2020-05-07--Hundreds evacuated in 'extremely dangerous' Florida wildfires

Hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes as firefighters battled wildfires in northwest Florida overnight .
A blaze spanning more than 575 acres in Walton County forced 500 people to evacuate , destroying around 18 homes .
Police said `` multiple structures '' were lost in the fire , which was 65 % contained as of Thursday morning .
Those who were asked to leave their homes but had no place to go were sent to a local high school to take shelter .
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning on Wednesday as three fires burned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US state , according to local news reports .
Another wildfire broke out on Monday afternoon in neighbouring Santa Rosa County as high winds and low humidity caused the blaze to expand 10 times in size , the Florida Forest Service said in a statement .
It started as a prescribed burn at a private property before growing out of control , according to the Tampa Bay Times , and had burned 2,000 acres as of Wednesday .
The Forest Service added that multiple structures were lost in the blaze , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were evacuated from the area .
So far , around 20 % of the fire has been contained , police said .
The evacuation order will remain in effect until midday local time on Thursday and then will be re-evaluated at that time , the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said in a statement .
`` This is an extremely dangerous and fast-moving wildfire situation that is evolving rapidly , so everyone in the affected area should follow directions from state and local officials , '' said Florida agriculture commissioner Nikki @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less rainfall than usual so far this year .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker National Weather Service meteorologist Jack Cullen said the dryness and strong winds helped fuel the fires on Wednesday .
`` What made this ( fire ) today was the wind , to go along with the dry conditions and low humidity , '' he told The Tampa Bay Times .
There have been no reports of injuries or deaths .

Hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes as firefighters battled wildfires in northwest Florida overnight.
A blaze spanning more than 575 acres in Walton County forced 500 people to evacuate, destroying around 18 homes.
Police said "multiple structures" were lost in the fire, which was 65% contained as of Thursday morning.
Those who were asked to leave their homes but had no place to go were sent to a local high school to take shelter.
Image: Hundreds were evacuated from their homes because of the fires. Pic: @FDACS
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning on Wednesday as three fires burned in the Florida Panhandle, northwest of the US state, according to local news reports.
Another wildfire broke out on Monday afternoon in neighbouring Santa Rosa County as high winds and low humidity caused the blaze to expand 10 times in size, the Florida Forest Service said in a statement.
It started as a prescribed burn at a private property before growing out of control, according to the Tampa Bay Times, and had burned 2,000 acres as of Wednesday.
The Forest Service added that multiple structures were lost in the blaze, but did not make clear how many people were evacuated from the area.
So far, around 20% of the fire has been contained, police said.
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The evacuation order will remain in effect until midday local time on Thursday and then will be re-evaluated at that time, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said in a statement.
"This is an extremely dangerous and fast-moving wildfire situation that is evolving rapidly, so everyone in the affected area should follow directions from state and local officials," said Florida agriculture commissioner Nikki Fried.
Most of Florida has had less rainfall than usual so far this year.
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National Weather Service meteorologist Jack Cullen said the dryness and strong winds helped fuel the fires on Wednesday.
"What made this (fire) today was the wind, to go along with the dry conditions and low humidity," he told The Tampa Bay Times.
There have been no reports of injuries or deaths.


skynewsus--2020-05-08--New coronavirus scare for Trump as one of his military valets infected

A member of the military serving as one of Donald Trump 's valets has tested positive for coronavirus .
A White House spokesman said the president , and Vice President Mike Pence , have since been tested negative for COVID-19 and `` remain in good health '' .
It is the latest coronavirus scare for the president , and the first known instance where a person who has come in close proximity to him has tested positive since several people present at his private Florida club were diagnosed in early March .
The person tested positive on Wednesday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are tightening protocols to protect the nation 's political leaders .
Mr Trump , 73 , said some staffers who interact with him closely would now be tested daily .
He told reporters : `` It 's a little bit strange but it 's one of those things .
`` As I said , you know , I said yesterday , all people are warriors in this country .
Right now we 're all warriors . ''
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the president will now be tested for the virus daily .
Several valets cater to the president and his guests at the White House , including serving meals and providing drinks .

A member of the military serving as one of Donald Trump's valets has tested positive for coronavirus.
A White House spokesman said the president, and Vice President Mike Pence, have since been tested negative for COVID-19 and "remain in good health".
It is the latest coronavirus scare for the president, and the first known instance where a person who has come in close proximity to him has tested positive since several people present at his private Florida club were diagnosed in early March.
The person tested positive on Wednesday, the White House said.
Meanwhile, officials are tightening protocols to protect the nation's political leaders.
Mr Trump, 73, said some staffers who interact with him closely would now be tested daily.
He told reporters: "It's a little bit strange but it's one of those things.
"As I said, you know, I said yesterday, all people are warriors in this country. Right now we're all warriors."
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Mr Pence added that both he and the president will now be tested for the virus daily.
Several valets cater to the president and his guests at the White House, including serving meals and providing drinks.


skynewsus--2020-05-08--Woman accusing Biden of sexual assault urges him to drop out of race

The woman who claims Joe Biden sexually assaulted her in 1993 has called on the presidential candidate to withdraw from the White House race .
Speaking to former NBC and Fox News journalist Megyn Kelly , Ms Reade said : `` You and I were there , Joe Biden .
Please step forward and be held accountable .
`` You should not be running on character for the president of the United States . ''
Asked if Mr Biden should withdraw from the race , she said : `` I wish he would , but he wo n't . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the former vice president 's campaign manager said : `` Women must receive the benefit of the doubt .
`` At the same time , we can never sacrifice the truth .
And the truth is that these allegations are false and that the material that has been presented to back them up , under scrutiny , keeps proving their falsity . ''
In his first comments on the claims , he told MSNBC 's Morning Joe : `` They are n't true .
This never happened . ''
He said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether there is any record of Ms Reade filing a complaint .
Mr Biden was also accused last year by another woman , Lucy Flores , of putting `` a big slow kiss on the back of my head '' during a campaign rally in 2014 , but he said he was a tactile person and had never acted inappropriately .

The woman who claims Joe Biden sexually assaulted her in 1993 has called on the presidential candidate to withdraw from the White House race.
Speaking to former NBC and Fox News journalist Megyn Kelly, Ms Reade said: "You and I were there, Joe Biden. Please step forward and be held accountable.
"You should not be running on character for the president of the United States."
Asked if Mr Biden should withdraw from the race, she said: "I wish he would, but he won't."
Responding to Ms Reade's latest interview, the former vice president's campaign manager said: "Women must receive the benefit of the doubt.
"At the same time, we can never sacrifice the truth. And the truth is that these allegations are false and that the material that has been presented to back them up, under scrutiny, keeps proving their falsity."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:43 Biden denies sex assault allegation
Mr Biden has denied the allegations.
In his first comments on the claims, he told MSNBC's Morning Joe: "They aren't true. This never happened."
He said he is asking the National Archives to determine whether there is any record of Ms Reade filing a complaint.
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Mr Biden was also accused last year by another woman, Lucy Flores, of putting "a big slow kiss on the back of my head" during a campaign rally in 2014, but he said he was a tactile person and had never acted inappropriately.


skynewsus--2020-05-07--Uber plunges to $2.9bn loss but 'encouraged' as lockdowns ease

Uber has reported a loss of $ 2.9bn ( £2.3bn ) for the first quarter as the coronavirus took its toll , but said it saw encouraging signs in markets beginning to open up after lockdowns .
The Silicon Valley firm said its ride-hailing business had been `` hit hard by the ongoing pandemic '' , though its smaller Uber Eats division was buoyed by a surge in food deliveries .
Uber 's results come a day after it announced that it was to cut 3,700 jobs as the coronavirus had resulted in a slump in ride bookings .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results , as chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi said bookings in the US started to recover last week as some states reopen following lockdowns .
Mr Khosrowshahi said : `` While our rides business has been hit hard by the ongoing pandemic , we have taken quick action to preserve the strength of our balance sheet , focus additional resources on Uber Eats , and prepare us for any recovery scenario .
`` Along with the surge in food delivery , we are encouraged by the early signs we are seeing in markets that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The bulk of Uber 's quarterly losses came from a $ 2.1bn ( £1.7bn ) writedown on the value of the company 's overseas investments including in Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi and Singapore-based Grab , as demand collapsed in the markets where they operate .
Uber has been battling to turn its rapid expansion into underlying profits by the end of this year but last month abandoned its guidance on annual financial results due to the uncertainty caused by COVID-19 pandemic .
The company 's loss of $ 2.9bn for the January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three times worse than the $ 1bn ( £800m ) loss reported a year earlier .
Revenues from ride hailing in the latest quarter were up 2 % to $ 2.47bn ( £1.97bn ) - though that was more than 18 % down on the October to December period .
Uber Eats grew on both measures , with its revenue of $ 819m ( £652m ) up 53 % compared to last year , though the pace of that expansion was slower than in the fourth quarter .

Uber has reported a loss of $2.9bn (£2.3bn) for the first quarter as the coronavirus took its toll, but said it saw encouraging signs in markets beginning to open up after lockdowns.
The Silicon Valley firm said its ride-hailing business had been "hit hard by the ongoing pandemic", though its smaller Uber Eats division was buoyed by a surge in food deliveries.
Uber's results come a day after it announced that it was to cut 3,700 jobs as the coronavirus had resulted in a slump in ride bookings.
But shares rose in after-hours trading following latest results, as chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi said bookings in the US started to recover last week as some states reopen following lockdowns.
Mr Khosrowshahi said: "While our rides business has been hit hard by the ongoing pandemic, we have taken quick action to preserve the strength of our balance sheet, focus additional resources on Uber Eats, and prepare us for any recovery scenario.
"Along with the surge in food delivery, we are encouraged by the early signs we are seeing in markets that are beginning to open back up."
Image: Uber Eats has enjoyed a surge in growth
The bulk of Uber's quarterly losses came from a $2.1bn (£1.7bn) writedown on the value of the company's overseas investments including in Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi and Singapore-based Grab, as demand collapsed in the markets where they operate.
Uber has been battling to turn its rapid expansion into underlying profits by the end of this year but last month abandoned its guidance on annual financial results due to the uncertainty caused by COVID-19 pandemic.
The company's loss of $2.9bn for the January to March period this year is nearly three times worse than the $1bn (£800m) loss reported a year earlier.
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Revenues from ride hailing in the latest quarter were up 2% to $2.47bn (£1.97bn) - though that was more than 18% down on the October to December period.
Uber Eats grew on both measures, with its revenue of $819m (£652m) up 53% compared to last year, though the pace of that expansion was slower than in the fourth quarter.


skynewsus--2020-05-08--Ex-police officer and son charged with murder of black jogger in US

A former US police officer and his son have been charged with the murder of a black man who was shot dead while jogging .
Gregory McMichael and his son Travis McMichael were arrested on Thursday over the death of Ahmaud Arbery , who was killed near the city of Brunswick , Georgia in February .
The charges were brought by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation ( GBI ) after video of the incident emerged earlier this week .
The video was taken by an unidentified witness in another car .
Gregory McMichael , 64 , told detectives in February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Arbery because they suspected him of being a burglar .
But Mr Arbery 's mother , Wanda Cooper Jones , said she believed her 25-year-old son - a former American football player - was simply jogging in the area before he was killed on 23 February .
The GBI said in a statement that the McMichaels `` confronted Arbery with two firearms '' and `` during the encounter , Travis McMichael shot and killed Arbery '' .
According to a police report , the McMichaels grabbed a revolver and a shotgun , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he ran .
They told officers Arbery matched the description of someone caught on a security camera committing a recent burglary in the neighbourhood , the police report said .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Gregory McMichael , who served as an investigator for Glynn County district attorney Jackie Johnson until last year , told police that Arbery had violently attacked his son .
At a news conference on Thursday before the arrests were announced , Georgia governor Brian Kemp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
He said : `` Earlier this week I watched the video depicting Mr Arbery 's last moments alive .
I can tell you it 's absolutely horrific , and Georgians deserve answers . ''
Gov Kemp told reporters he was confident the GBI would `` find the truth '' .
The McMichaels have also been charged with aggravated assault .

A former US police officer and his son have been charged with the murder of a black man who was shot dead while jogging.
Gregory McMichael and his son Travis McMichael were arrested on Thursday over the death of Ahmaud Arbery, who was killed near the city of Brunswick, Georgia in February.
The charges were brought by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) after video of the incident emerged earlier this week.
Image: Gregory McMichael has been charged with murdering Ahmaud Arbery. Pic: Georgia Bureau of Investigations
Image: Travis McMichael is also charged with murder. Pic: Georgia Bureau of Investigations
The video was taken by an unidentified witness in another car.
Gregory McMichael, 64, told detectives in February that he and his son chased after Mr Arbery because they suspected him of being a burglar.
But Mr Arbery's mother, Wanda Cooper Jones, said she believed her 25-year-old son - a former American football player - was simply jogging in the area before he was killed on 23 February.
The GBI said in a statement that the McMichaels "confronted Arbery with two firearms" and "during the encounter, Travis McMichael shot and killed Arbery".
Image: Ahmaud Arbery was shot dead in February
According to a police report, the McMichaels grabbed a revolver and a shotgun, jumped into a truck and followed Arbery as he ran.
They told officers Arbery matched the description of someone caught on a security camera committing a recent burglary in the neighbourhood, the police report said.
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Gregory McMichael, who served as an investigator for Glynn County district attorney Jackie Johnson until last year, told police that Arbery had violently attacked his son.
At a news conference on Thursday before the arrests were announced, Georgia governor Brian Kemp said the killing was "absolutely horrific".
He said: "Earlier this week I watched the video depicting Mr Arbery's last moments alive. I can tell you it's absolutely horrific, and Georgians deserve answers."
Gov Kemp told reporters he was confident the GBI would "find the truth".
The McMichaels have also been charged with aggravated assault.


skynewsus--2020-05-08--More than 20 million Americans lose their jobs in one month

More than 20 million Americans lost their jobs last month due to the coronavirus pandemic in the country 's worst monthly loss on record .
US unemployment shot up from 4.4 % in March to 14.7 % in April , a monthly employment report has revealed .
The figures from the Department of Labor show that nearly all of the progress made since the 2008 financial crash has been wiped out by COVID-19 .
In February , the unemployment rate was at a 50-year-low of 3.5 % , but with businesses going bust and employers forced to lay off staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11-year recovery since the last crisis has been destroyed in just four weeks .
Now just 51.3 % of working-age Americans have jobs - the lowest level on record .
On top of the job losses , another 5.1 million workers had their hours reduced in April .
Though some businesses are beginning to reopen in certain states ; factories , hotels , restaurants , resorts , sporting venues , cinemas and many small businesses remain closed .
A total of 26.5 million people applied for unemployment benefits during April and the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK , the US had largely gone on lockdown by the end of March , with 32 out of 50 states implementing a near-total economic shutdown .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Certain states , particularly New York , have ramped up measures in a desperate bid to keep fatalities down , leaving the economy at a standstill .
President Donald Trump withdrew up to $ 500 million ( £401 million ) of World Health Organization ( WHO ) funding at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dollars have been injected into the economy from the Federal Reserve .
Some economists believe the worst damage to the job market has already been done and things will start to improve as the months continue .
The Congressional Budget Office has forecast that the unemployment rate will be 9.5 % by the end of next year .
But experts at the San Francisco Federal Reserve estimate it will take until at least mid-2021 for levels to go back to a normal level of around 4 % .
Senior economic analyst at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If we thought the worst we 'd ever see with economic data would be during the financial crisis and Great Recession , the virus proved us wrong . ''

More than 20 million Americans lost their jobs last month due to the coronavirus pandemic in the country's worst monthly loss on record.
US unemployment shot up from 4.4% in March to 14.7% in April, a monthly employment report has revealed.
The figures from the Department of Labor show that nearly all of the progress made since the 2008 financial crash has been wiped out by COVID-19.
In February, the unemployment rate was at a 50-year-low of 3.5%, but with businesses going bust and employers forced to lay off staff or put them on furlough, the 11-year recovery since the last crisis has been destroyed in just four weeks.
Now just 51.3% of working-age Americans have jobs - the lowest level on record.
Image: Now just 51.3% of working-age Americans have jobs - the lowest level on record
On top of the job losses, another 5.1 million workers had their hours reduced in April.
Though some businesses are beginning to reopen in certain states; factories, hotels, restaurants, resorts, sporting venues, cinemas and many small businesses remain closed.
A total of 26.5 million people applied for unemployment benefits during April and the last week of March.
Like in the UK, the US had largely gone on lockdown by the end of March, with 32 out of 50 states implementing a near-total economic shutdown.
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Certain states, particularly New York, have ramped up measures in a desperate bid to keep fatalities down, leaving the economy at a standstill.
President Donald Trump withdrew up to $500 million (£401 million) of World Health Organization (WHO) funding at the beginning of the outbreak and trillions of dollars have been injected into the economy from the Federal Reserve.
Some economists believe the worst damage to the job market has already been done and things will start to improve as the months continue.
The Congressional Budget Office has forecast that the unemployment rate will be 9.5% by the end of next year.
But experts at the San Francisco Federal Reserve estimate it will take until at least mid-2021 for levels to go back to a normal level of around 4%.
Senior economic analyst at Bankrate Mark Hamrick told NBC: "If we thought the worst we'd ever see with economic data would be during the financial crisis and Great Recession, the virus proved us wrong."


skynewsus--2020-05-09--Lockdown blow as Tesla's Musk told he 'must not reopen' US car plant

Tesla `` must not reopen '' its only US car factory as the coronavirus lockdown remains in force , the local county health department has said .
It will come as a blow to the electric vehicle firm 's boss Elon Musk , who had told employees limited production would restart at the Fremont plant in California .
The state 's governor Gavin Newsom had earlier said manufacturers in the state would be allowed to reopen .
But Alameda County , where the Tesla factory is located , is due to remain shut until the end of May .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department said the local coronavirus lockdown order only allowed essential businesses to reopen .
`` Tesla has been informed that they do not meet those criteria and must not reopen , '' the spokeswoman said .
Mr Musk has been strongly critical of the COVID-19 lockdown and stay-at-home orders , calling them a `` serious risk '' to US business and branding them `` unconstitutional , '' arguing they would be overturned by the US Supreme Court if challenged .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to restart limited operations on Friday with 30 % of normal headcount per shift .
It pointed out limited operations had started at its so-called gigafactories in Nevada and New York , which make battery packs for its vehicles , after securing state approval .
Mr Musk has said employees who feel uncomfortable returning to work would not be forced to do so .
Tesla had been in dispute with officials in California in March over whether it had to halt production at the factory under lockdown orders that allowed only essential businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended in the middle of that month when the firm said it would suspend production .

Tesla "must not reopen" its only US car factory as the coronavirus lockdown remains in force, the local county health department has said.
It will come as a blow to the electric vehicle firm's boss Elon Musk, who had told employees limited production would restart at the Fremont plant in California.
The state's governor Gavin Newsom had earlier said manufacturers in the state would be allowed to reopen.
Image: Elon Musk has been deeply critical of the lockdown and stay-at-home orders
But Alameda County, where the Tesla factory is located, is due to remain shut until the end of May.
A spokeswoman for the county's public health department said the local coronavirus lockdown order only allowed essential businesses to reopen.
"Tesla has been informed that they do not meet those criteria and must not reopen," the spokeswoman said.
Mr Musk has been strongly critical of the COVID-19 lockdown and stay-at-home orders, calling them a "serious risk" to US business and branding them "unconstitutional," arguing they would be overturned by the US Supreme Court if challenged.
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Tesla had planned to restart limited operations on Friday with 30% of normal headcount per shift.
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It pointed out limited operations had started at its so-called gigafactories in Nevada and New York, which make battery packs for its vehicles, after securing state approval.
Mr Musk has said employees who feel uncomfortable returning to work would not be forced to do so.
Tesla had been in dispute with officials in California in March over whether it had to halt production at the factory under lockdown orders that allowed only essential businesses to continue to operate.
The stand-off ended in the middle of that month when the firm said it would suspend production.


skynewsus--2020-05-09--Legendary music executive who discovered Diddy dies aged 59 - reports

Andre Harrell , the legendary music executive who discovered Sean `` Puffy/Diddy '' Combs and Mary J Blige , has reportedly died .
The 59-year-old 's death was announced late on Friday night by DJ D-Nice during his Club Quarantine series on Instagram live .
The cause of death has not yet been revealed .
Born in Harlem and raised in the Bronx , New York , Harrell is best known for founding Uptown Records , which became one of the most popular hip-hop and R & B labels during the 1990s .
Under his stewardship , it was responsible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jodeci , Blige , Heavy D and the Boyz , Guy and Notorious BIG .
The company was instrumental in the development of the New Jack Swing sub-genre of R & B , with influential producer Teddy Riley among those he signed .
He went on to be appointed chief executive of Motown Records in 1995 .
Riley was among those leading tributes to Harrell , whom he said offered him encouragement just before his recent record-breaking Instagram live `` battle '' with fellow producer Kenny `` Babyface '' Edmonds .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in my life , '' Riley said on the site .
`` I 'm so happy I got to tell you one hour before the versus Battle , how much I respect and love you , as my big brother and mentor !
`` The pep talk that you 've given me right before , felt like the same pep talks that you 've given me the beginning of Uptown Records , sleeping on the couch at your office ( Brownstone ) in BK .
You chose me out of all the kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with you .
`` I will never forget , all of these cherished moments and I will never forget you !
!
!
I salute you ... King of New Jack Swing . ''
Producer and actor Viola Davis also honoured Harrell , writing on Twitter : `` Thank you for the gift of so many incredible artists .
Gone too soon . ''
While Harrell fired Combs from Uptown Records in 1993 , he is considered to have been a formative influence on the industry and Bad Boy Records , which Combs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the US filmmaker , said : `` Bad Boy era .
Rockafella era .
It all comes from Uptown .
Saluting Andre Harrell .
The architect of so much music , so much culture .
Rest now .
In power and peace . ''

Andre Harrell, the legendary music executive who discovered Sean "Puffy/Diddy" Combs and Mary J Blige, has reportedly died.
The 59-year-old's death was announced late on Friday night by DJ D-Nice during his Club Quarantine series on Instagram live. The cause of death has not yet been revealed.
Born in Harlem and raised in the Bronx, New York, Harrell is best known for founding Uptown Records, which became one of the most popular hip-hop and R&B labels during the 1990s.
Image: Andre Harrell, Mary J Blige, and Sean 'Puffy/Diddy' Combs, as she is honoured with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame
Under his stewardship, it was responsible for introducing the world to artists including Jodeci, Blige, Heavy D and the Boyz, Guy and Notorious BIG.
The company was instrumental in the development of the New Jack Swing sub-genre of R&B, with influential producer Teddy Riley among those he signed.
He went on to be appointed chief executive of Motown Records in 1995.
Riley was among those leading tributes to Harrell, whom he said offered him encouragement just before his recent record-breaking Instagram live "battle" with fellow producer Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds.
"We've lost one of the greatest mentors in my life," Riley said on the site.
"I'm so happy I got to tell you one hour before the versus Battle, how much I respect and love you, as my big brother and mentor!
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"The pep talk that you've given me right before, felt like the same pep talks that you've given me the beginning of Uptown Records, sleeping on the couch at your office (Brownstone) in BK. You chose me out of all the kids that you could have picked to work with you.
"I will never forget, all of these cherished moments and I will never forget you!!! I salute you...King of New Jack Swing."
Producer and actor Viola Davis also honoured Harrell, writing on Twitter: "Thank you for the gift of so many incredible artists. Gone too soon."
While Harrell fired Combs from Uptown Records in 1993, he is considered to have been a formative influence on the industry and Bad Boy Records, which Combs went on to launch.
Ava DuVernay, the US filmmaker, said: "Bad Boy era. Rockafella era. It all comes from Uptown. Saluting Andre Harrell. The architect of so much music, so much culture. Rest now. In power and peace."


skynewsus--2020-05-09--Three children die from rare syndrome possibly linked to coronavirus

Three children have died from a rare inflammatory syndrome that could be linked to coronavirus .
On Friday , New York Governor Andrew Cuomo had confirmed that a five-year-old 's death had been linked to coronavirus and a syndrome that shares symptoms with toxic shock and Kawasaki disease .
In a briefing on Saturday , the mayor said the illness had now taken the lives of at least two other young people across the state .
Mr Cuomo said he was increasingly worried that the syndrome posed a new emerging risk to children , who had previously been thought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
Health officials are reviewing 73 cases where children exposed to COVID-19 also exhibited symptoms of the syndrome , which include inflammation of the blood vessels that can trigger heart problems .
Mr Cuomo said the children tested positive for COVID-19 or the antibodies against it , `` but those were not the symptoms they showed when they came into the hospital system '' .
The governor called it a `` truly disturbing '' development after it was widely believed that young people were at less risk from coronavirus .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is the fact anymore .
It 's very possible that this has been going on for several weeks and it has n't been diagnosed as related to COVID . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Cuomo said New York 's health department had teamed up with the New York Genome Center and the Rockefeller University to look at whether there is a genetic basis for the syndrome which has also been reported in Britain , Italy and Spain .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ toxic shock and Kawasaki disease , which is associated with fever , skin rashes , swelling of the glands , and in severe cases , inflammation of arteries of the heart .
Scientists are still trying to determine whether the syndrome has a definite link to coronavirus because not all children with it have tested positive for the virus .
New York has proved to be the epicentre of the pandemic in the US , accounting for more than a third of the 77,313 American deaths from COVID-19 .
Mr Cuomo said 226 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , up from 216 on Thursday but less than half the levels recorded two weeks ago .

Three children have died from a rare inflammatory syndrome that could be linked to coronavirus.
On Friday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo had confirmed that a five-year-old's death had been linked to coronavirus and a syndrome that shares symptoms with toxic shock and Kawasaki disease.
In a briefing on Saturday, the mayor said the illness had now taken the lives of at least two other young people across the state.
Image: Andrew Cuomo said he was increasingly worried that the syndrome posed a new emerging risk to children
Mr Cuomo said he was increasingly worried that the syndrome posed a new emerging risk to children, who had previously been thought to be largely immune to severe illness from COVID-19.
Health officials are reviewing 73 cases where children exposed to COVID-19 also exhibited symptoms of the syndrome, which include inflammation of the blood vessels that can trigger heart problems.
Mr Cuomo said the children tested positive for COVID-19 or the antibodies against it, "but those were not the symptoms they showed when they came into the hospital system".
The governor called it a "truly disturbing" development after it was widely believed that young people were at less risk from coronavirus.
He said: "We are not so sure that is the fact anymore. It's very possible that this has been going on for several weeks and it hasn't been diagnosed as related to COVID."
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Mr Cuomo said New York's health department had teamed up with the New York Genome Center and the Rockefeller University to look at whether there is a genetic basis for the syndrome which has also been reported in Britain, Italy and Spain.
The syndrome has the same symptoms as toxic shock and Kawasaki disease, which is associated with fever, skin rashes, swelling of the glands, and in severe cases, inflammation of arteries of the heart.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:19 New child disease linked to COVID-19
Scientists are still trying to determine whether the syndrome has a definite link to coronavirus because not all children with it have tested positive for the virus.
New York has proved to be the epicentre of the pandemic in the US, accounting for more than a third of the 77,313 American deaths from COVID-19.
Mr Cuomo said 226 New Yorkers died from COVID-19 on Friday, up from 216 on Thursday but less than half the levels recorded two weeks ago.


skynewsus--2020-05-09--'A chaotic disaster': Obama attacks Trump's handling of pandemic

Barack Obama has described Donald Trump 's handling of the coronavirus pandemic as a `` chaotic disaster '' .
In a leaked conference call with former members of his administration , the ex-president said : `` What we 're fighting against is these long-term trends in which being selfish , being tribal , being divided , and seeing others as an enemy - that has become a stronger impulse in American life . ''
Mr Obama said that the world 's response to the COVID-19 outbreak had been `` anaemic and spotty '' .
Although he said the fallout from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad `` even with the best of governments '' , he added : `` It has been an absolute chaotic disaster when that mindset - of 'what 's in it for me ' and 'to heck with everybody else ' - when that mindset is operationalised in our government . ''
The former president also vowed he will be `` campaigning as hard as I can for Joe Biden '' ahead of November 's election .
With more than 75,000 deaths , the US has had more fatalities from COVID-19 than any other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been infected there so far .
Mr Obama has made few public comments about America 's response to the pandemic , even as Mr Trump accused his administration of failing to stockpile supplies .
White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany has described Mr Trump 's handling of the coronavirus as `` unprecedented '' - and claimed the president 's actions have helped save American lives .
`` While Democrats were pursuing a sham witch hunt against President Trump , President Trump was shutting down travel from China .
While Democrats encouraged mass gatherings , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and testing across the country , '' she said .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Polls suggest that the race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden is tight , with just six months to go until Americans cast their vote .
Mr Obama 's remarks were first reported by Yahoo News , and the former president 's office has declined to comment on the leak .

Donald Trump has hit back at Barack Obama after his presidential predecessor branded his handling of the coronavirus pandemic a "chaotic disaster".
The US president claimed his administration was "getting great marks" and derided Mr Obama's response to the 2009 H1N1 swine flu outbreak as "a disaster" and argued he "didn't have a clue".
He also included in his criticism former vice-president and his Democrat challenger for the White House Joe Biden, who he dubbed "Sleepy Joe".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:54 Trump blames China for outbreak
The war of words came after Mr Obama's comments emerged from a leaked conference call with former members of his administration.
The ex-president said: "What we're fighting against is these long-term trends in which being selfish, being tribal, being divided, and seeing others as an enemy - that has become a stronger impulse in American life."
Mr Obama said that the world's response to the COVID-19 outbreak had been "anaemic and spotty".
Although he said the fallout from coronavirus in the US would have been bad "even with the best of governments", he added: "It has been an absolute chaotic disaster when that mindset - of 'what's in it for me' and 'to heck with everybody else' - when that mindset is operationalised in our government."
The former president also vowed he would be "campaigning as hard as I can for Joe Biden" ahead of November's election.
In response, Mr Trump tweeted: "We are getting great marks for the handling of the CoronaVirus pandemic, especially the very early BAN of people from China, the infectious source, entering the USA.
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"Compare that to the Obama/Sleepy Joe disaster known as H1N1 Swine Flu. Poor marks, bad polls - didn't have a clue!"
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With more than 75,000 deaths, the US has had more fatalities from COVID-19 than any other country. Almost 1.3 million people have been infected there so far.
During the swine flu pandemic, there were nearly 61 million cases of infection but fewer than 13,000 deaths over a whole year.
Mr Obama has made few public comments about America's response to the pandemic, even as Mr Trump accused his administration of failing to stockpile supplies.
White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany has described Mr Trump's handling of the coronavirus as "unprecedented" - and claimed the president's actions have helped save American lives.
"While Democrats were pursuing a sham witch hunt against President Trump, President Trump was shutting down travel from China. While Democrats encouraged mass gatherings, President Trump was deploying PPE, ventilators, and testing across the country," she said.
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
Polls suggest that the race between Donald Trump and Mr Biden is tight, with just six months to go until Americans cast their vote.
Mr Obama's remarks were first reported by Yahoo News, and the former president's office has declined to comment on the leak.


skynewsus--2020-05-09--'Architect of Rock 'n' Roll' Little Richard dies aged 87

Little Richard , one of the founding fathers of rock ' n ' roll , has died at the age of 87 .
His son , Danny Penniman , confirmed his death to Rolling Stone , and Bill Minson , a close friend and pastor , told the Associated Press news agency that the star died on Saturday morning .
The self-proclaimed `` architect of rock ' n ' roll '' , Little Richard was famous for hits including Good Golly Miss Molly , Long Tall Sally and Tutti Frutti in the 1950s , and was one of the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1986 - alongside Chuck Berry , James Brown , Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly .
Little Richard built his ground-breaking sound and flamboyant stage presence with a frenzied blend of boogie-woogie , rhythm and blues and gospel - his songs and style influencing everyone from The Beatles and Elton John to Prince and David Bowie over the years .
He sold more than 30 million records worldwide .
Richard 's bass guitarist , Charles Glenn , told celebrity website TMZ the musician had been ill for two months and that he died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his brother , sister and son .
Describing the star as like a father to him , Glenn said they spoke on 27 March and he had wanted to visit , but was unable to due to the coronavirus pandemic .
No cause of death has been given .
Born Richard Penniman , the singer was one of rock ' n ' roll 's founding fathers and helped shatter racial segregation in the music charts at his peak in the 50s and early 60s - joining Berry and Fats Domino in bringing what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the mainstream .
`` I 've always thought that rock ' n ' roll brought the races together , '' he once said in an interview .
`` Although I was black , the fans did n't care .
I used to feel good about that . ''
Few were quicker to acknowledge Little Richard 's seminal role than Richard himself , with the star claiming he paved the way for Elvis , provided Mick Jagger with his stage moves and conducted vocal lessons for Paul McCartney .
`` I am the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ! ''
he famously shouted at the 1988 Grammy Awards , to a standing ovation .
`` I am the originator ! ''
In his personal life , the star , who was gay , had a complex relationship with religion and his sexuality .
One of 12 children , he grew up in a religious family in Macon , Georgia during the Great Depression , and sang in local churches when he was younger .
He was performing with bands by the age of 14 , but faced problems at home over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with through the years .
Tutti Frutti , his first big hit , was recorded in 1955 , with the lyrics toned down by a New Orleans songwriter .
It went on to sell more than a million records in the year that followed .
However , he quit the entertainment business in 1957 to enrol in a theological school and get married , although his records remained in the charts .
In 1962 , he was arrested for lewd conduct in a bus station toilet , which led to his divorce and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toured in England with both The Rolling Stones and The Beatles supporting him in the following years .
Jagger , McCartney , Brown , Bowie , Otis Redding and Rod Stewart all cited Little Richard as an influence , and Jimi Hendrix - who played in the star 's band in the mid-1960s , but was fired after reportedly being late for the bus on too many occasions - said he wanted to use his guitar the way Richard used his voice .
Stars including Nile Rodgers , The Beach Boys ' Brian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt and Bette Midler are among those paying tribute on social media .
Rodgers described the star as `` a true giant '' , while Van Zandt said he had conducted his wedding ceremony and that he was `` lucky to know him '' .
`` Little Richard was a genius , pure and simple , '' said Midler , who appeared alongside him in the 1986 comedy Down And Out In Beverly Hills .
`` He paved the way for ( code for he was ripped off by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ YouTube performances to see what I mean .
I met him on 'Down and Out in Beverly Hills ' , in which he was hilarious .
What a legacy .
God bless you , Richard . ''

Little Richard, one of the founding fathers of rock 'n' roll, has died at the age of 87.
His son, Danny Penniman, confirmed his death to Rolling Stone, and Bill Minson, a close friend and pastor, told the Associated Press news agency that the star died on Saturday morning.
The self-proclaimed "architect of rock 'n' roll", Little Richard was famous for hits including Good Golly Miss Molly, Long Tall Sally and Tutti Frutti in the 1950s, and was one of the first inductees into the Rock Hall Of Fame in 1986 - alongside Chuck Berry, James Brown, Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:35 Little Richard - Long Tall Sally & Tutti-Frutti
Little Richard built his ground-breaking sound and flamboyant stage presence with a frenzied blend of boogie-woogie, rhythm and blues and gospel - his songs and style influencing everyone from The Beatles and Elton John to Prince and David Bowie over the years.
He sold more than 30 million records worldwide.
Richard's bass guitarist, Charles Glenn, told celebrity website TMZ the musician had been ill for two months and that he died at his Tennessee home, surrounded by his brother, sister and son.
Describing the star as like a father to him, Glenn said they spoke on 27 March and he had wanted to visit, but was unable to due to the coronavirus pandemic.
No cause of death has been given.
Born Richard Penniman, the singer was one of rock 'n' roll's founding fathers and helped shatter racial segregation in the music charts at his peak in the 50s and early 60s - joining Berry and Fats Domino in bringing what was once called "race music" into the mainstream.
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"I've always thought that rock 'n' roll brought the races together," he once said in an interview. "Although I was black, the fans didn't care. I used to feel good about that."
Image: Little Richard, pictured in 2006, was the self-proclaimed 'architect of rock 'n' roll'
Image: (L-R) Little Richard, Stevie Wonder's mother Lula Mae Hardaway, Stevie Wonder and Chuck Berry at the Grammy Awards in 1974
Few were quicker to acknowledge Little Richard's seminal role than Richard himself, with the star claiming he paved the way for Elvis, provided Mick Jagger with his stage moves and conducted vocal lessons for Paul McCartney.
"I am the architect of rock 'n' roll!" he famously shouted at the 1988 Grammy Awards, to a standing ovation. "I am the originator!"
In his personal life, the star, who was gay, had a complex relationship with religion and his sexuality.
Image: Pictured at the 2008 Grammy Awards with Cher and on stage at the ceremony (below) with John Fogerty and Jerry Lee Lewis
One of 12 children, he grew up in a religious family in Macon, Georgia during the Great Depression, and sang in local churches when he was younger.
He was performing with bands by the age of 14, but faced problems at home over his sexuality, which he himself struggled with through the years.
Tutti Frutti, his first big hit, was recorded in 1955, with the lyrics toned down by a New Orleans songwriter. It went on to sell more than a million records in the year that followed.
However, he quit the entertainment business in 1957 to enrol in a theological school and get married, although his records remained in the charts.
In 1962, he was arrested for lewd conduct in a bus station toilet, which led to his divorce and also a return to performing. He toured in England with both The Rolling Stones and The Beatles supporting him in the following years.
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Jagger, McCartney, Brown, Bowie, Otis Redding and Rod Stewart all cited Little Richard as an influence, and Jimi Hendrix - who played in the star's band in the mid-1960s, but was fired after reportedly being late for the bus on too many occasions - said he wanted to use his guitar the way Richard used his voice.
Stars including Nile Rodgers, The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson, Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt and Bette Midler are among those paying tribute on social media.
Rodgers described the star as "a true giant", while Van Zandt said he had conducted his wedding ceremony and that he was "lucky to know him".
"Little Richard was a genius, pure and simple," said Midler, who appeared alongside him in the 1986 comedy Down And Out In Beverly Hills.
"He paved the way for (code for he was ripped off by) so many artists. Watch his YouTube performances to see what I mean. I met him on 'Down and Out in Beverly Hills', in which he was hilarious. What a legacy. God bless you, Richard."


skynewsus--2020-05-10--Polar vortex brings 'once in a generation May snowstorm' to US East Coast

A polar vortex has blasted into the northeastern US this weekend bringing rare May snowfall and record low temperatures to some areas .
Up to 10 inches of snow has been reported in some elevated parts of New York and New England , with flurries and dustings seen along the coast from Maine , New Hampshire and Boston to as far south as Manhattan .
John Cannon , a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Gray , Maine , said : `` We 've had several inches in many areas in the northeast .
`` This is a rare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May weather is being described as a `` once in a generation May snowstorm '' .
Snow was reported in New York City 's Central Park , equalling a record set in 1977 for latest snowfall of the season , while Massachusetts had n't had measurable snow in May since 2002 .
The hardest hit areas were hill town communities like Sugar Hill , New Hampshire , which got 10.5 inches , and Carrabasset Valley in Maine , which saw nine inches of snowfall , he said .
Winds of up to 87mph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Mount Washington Observatory , atop the highest peak in the northeast , with temperatures plunging to -30C ( -22F ) .
Temperatures are expected to dip below -1C ( 30F ) into Sunday morning in parts of New Jersey and New York , and a freeze warning has been issued in parts of Pennsylvania .
`` There are numerous freeze watches , warnings , and frost advisories in effect through Sunday morning across the Central High Plains , Northern Plains , and from Alabama to the Northeast , '' the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a map on Twitter showing the stark contrast between the East Coast and West Coast , with temperatures forecast to reach up to 38C ( 100F ) in parts of California on Sunday , and 8C ( 46F ) in Maine .
`` What a pattern across the United States .
It will be warmer in Alaska than it will be in Atlanta , Georgia , '' said AccuWeather chief on-air meteorologist Bernie Rayno .
A polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding the north and south @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is known as a `` vortex '' because the air flows anti-clockwise , keeping the colder air close to the poles .
Often during winter in the Northern Hemisphere , the polar vortex will weaken sending cold Arctic air south over the US Midwest and East Coast .
The wintry weather comes two days after Vermont began to lift restrictions on tennis , golf and other outdoor activities that had been imposed to curb the coronavirus outbreak .
Governor Phil Scott sympathised with those frustrated by the weather following weeks of being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I know snow on May 9th is n't a welcome sight for many Vermonters , just as we 're cautiously allowing outdoor recreation to get going again .
`` But this is just a snapshot in time .
Just like better weather is ahead , better days will come , as well .
We will get through this , together . ''

A polar vortex has blasted into the northeastern US this weekend bringing rare May snowfall and record low temperatures to some areas.
Up to 10 inches of snow has been reported in some elevated parts of New York and New England, with flurries and dustings seen along the coast from Maine, New Hampshire and Boston to as far south as Manhattan.
John Cannon, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine, said: "We've had several inches in many areas in the northeast.
"This is a rare May snow event."
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The unseasonable May weather is being described as a "once in a generation May snowstorm".
Snow was reported in New York City's Central Park, equalling a record set in 1977 for latest snowfall of the season, while Massachusetts hadn't had measurable snow in May since 2002.
The hardest hit areas were hill town communities like Sugar Hill, New Hampshire, which got 10.5 inches, and Carrabasset Valley in Maine, which saw nine inches of snowfall, he said.
Winds of up to 87mph (140kph) were recorded on Saturday at the Mount Washington Observatory, atop the highest peak in the northeast, with temperatures plunging to -30C (-22F).
Temperatures are expected to dip below -1C (30F) into Sunday morning in parts of New Jersey and New York, and a freeze warning has been issued in parts of Pennsylvania.
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Image: A map from the National Weather Service shows the stark contrast in temperatures between the East Coast and West Coast
"There are numerous freeze watches, warnings, and frost advisories in effect through Sunday morning across the Central High Plains, Northern Plains, and from Alabama to the Northeast," the National Weather Service tweeted.
It also posted a map on Twitter showing the stark contrast between the East Coast and West Coast, with temperatures forecast to reach up to 38C (100F) in parts of California on Sunday, and 8C (46F) in Maine.
"What a pattern across the United States. It will be warmer in Alaska than it will be in Atlanta, Georgia," said AccuWeather chief on-air meteorologist Bernie Rayno.
A polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding the north and south poles.
Present all year round, it is known as a "vortex" because the air flows anti-clockwise, keeping the colder air close to the poles.
Image: A person wears a protective face mask while walking in the snow during the coronavirus pandemic in New York City
Often during winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the polar vortex will weaken sending cold Arctic air south over the US Midwest and East Coast.
The wintry weather comes two days after Vermont began to lift restrictions on tennis, golf and other outdoor activities that had been imposed to curb the coronavirus outbreak.
Governor Phil Scott sympathised with those frustrated by the weather following weeks of being in lockdown.
He tweeted: "I know snow on May 9th isn't a welcome sight for many Vermonters, just as we're cautiously allowing outdoor recreation to get going again.
"But this is just a snapshot in time. Just like better weather is ahead, better days will come, as well. We will get through this, together."


skynewsus--2020-05-10--Elon Musk threatens to move Tesla HQ in lockdown row

Tesla boss Elon Musk has threatened to pull the firm 's headquarters and only US car factory out of California after local officials stopped the company from reopening the electric vehicle plant .
`` Frankly , this is the final straw , '' Musk tweeted .
`` Tesla will now move its HQ and future programs to Texas/Nevada immediately . ''
Tesla also filed a lawsuit against Alameda County , accusing the county health department of overstepping federal and state coronavirus restrictions when it blocked the carmaker from restarting production at its factory in Fremont .
A spokeswoman for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local coronavirus lockdown order - which came into force on 23 March and has been extended until the end of May - only permits essential businesses to reopen .
California Governor Gavin Newsom allowed the Bay Area counties to continue restrictions while easing them in other parts of the state .
The court action comes after Alameda County Public Health Department said on Friday that it had told Tesla that it did not meet conditions required for a business to reopen .
`` The Bay Area started with a higher disease burden than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may mean tighter restrictions than the rest of the state for some time , '' it said .
`` Restoring all daily activities too soon risks a rapid spike in cases and would jeopardise the relative stability we 've seen in our health and hospital systems . ''
It was a blow to its billionaire boss , who had told employees limited production would restart at the plant , and comes as competing carmakers start to reopen factories in the US .
Toyota will restart production on Monday with General Motors , Ford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suit gradually from 18 May .
Tesla is the only carmaker with a factory in California .
Mr Musk has been complaining about coronavirus lockdown measures for weeks on social media .
Earlier this month , he described the COVID-19 restrictions as `` forcibly imprisoning people in their homes '' and `` fascist '' .
He said he did not know when Tesla could resume production in California and called the state 's stay-at-home order a `` serious risk '' to the business .
Public health experts say the orders have reduced the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 1.3 million confirmed cases and more than 78,000 deaths have been recorded in the US since the start of the outbreak .

Tesla boss Elon Musk has threatened to pull the firm's headquarters and only US car factory out of California after local officials stopped the company from reopening the electric vehicle plant.
"Frankly, this is the final straw," Musk tweeted. "Tesla will now move its HQ and future programs to Texas/Nevada immediately."
Tesla also filed a lawsuit against Alameda County, accusing the county health department of overstepping federal and state coronavirus restrictions when it blocked the carmaker from restarting production at its factory in Fremont.
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A spokeswoman for the county's public health department said the local coronavirus lockdown order - which came into force on 23 March and has been extended until the end of May - only permits essential businesses to reopen.
California Governor Gavin Newsom allowed the Bay Area counties to continue restrictions while easing them in other parts of the state.
The court action comes after Alameda County Public Health Department said on Friday that it had told Tesla that it did not meet conditions required for a business to reopen.
"The Bay Area started with a higher disease burden than the rest of the state, which may mean tighter restrictions than the rest of the state for some time," it said.
"Restoring all daily activities too soon risks a rapid spike in cases and would jeopardise the relative stability we've seen in our health and hospital systems."
Image: Tesla boss Elon Musk has threatened to move the firm's headquarters from Fremont, California
It was a blow to its billionaire boss, who had told employees limited production would restart at the plant, and comes as competing carmakers start to reopen factories in the US.
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Toyota will restart production on Monday with General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler all planning to follow suit gradually from 18 May. Tesla is the only carmaker with a factory in California.
Mr Musk has been complaining about coronavirus lockdown measures for weeks on social media.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:01 Listen to Elon Musk's new single
Earlier this month, he described the COVID-19 restrictions as "forcibly imprisoning people in their homes" and "fascist".
He said he did not know when Tesla could resume production in California and called the state's stay-at-home order a "serious risk" to the business.
Public health experts say the orders have reduced the number of coronavirus cases nationwide.
More than 1.3 million confirmed cases and more than 78,000 deaths have been recorded in the US since the start of the outbreak.