upi--2020-03-31--Black men 5 times more likely to die from prostate cancer than white men

March 31 ( UPI ) -- Black men may be up to five times more likely to die from prostate cancer than white men , a new study has found .
An analysis of cancer registries published Tuesday by JAMA Network Open noted that , overall , across the United States , black men had a nearly 40 percent higher risk for death from the disease than white men .
However , the authors of the paper also observed that these racial differences were more pronounced in some regions than in others .
For example , black men in Atlanta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lowest chance of surviving the disease among the 17 geographic regions included in the analysis .
`` This cohort study found that population-level differences in prostate cancer survival among black and white men in the U.S. were associated with a small set of geographic areas and with low-risk prostate cancer , '' researchers wrote in the study .
`` While the cause of racial disparities in prostate cancer survival remains a topic of ongoing study , future studies and interventions should be targeted at settings where racial disparities are most pronounced .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , roughly 200,000 men in the United State are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually .
In general , black men are about 1.5 times as likely to be diagnosed with the disease , compared to white men .
The 1-to-5 Gleason Grade is a commonly used rating for disease severity in prostate cancer , with 1 being the least severe .
Most prostate cancers are believed to have a Gleason Grade of 3 or above .
The authors of the JAMA study analyzed data from 17 geographic registries included in the Surveillance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SEER , database .
They focused on men 18 years of age and older with biopsy-confirmed prostate cancer .
Of the 229,771 men included in the analysis , roughly 78 percent were white and 15 percent were black , with the remainder classified as other or unknown .
The mean age of study participants at prostate cancer diagnosis was roughly 65 .
For those included in the study , there were 4,773 prostate cancer deaths among white men and 1,250 deaths among black men .
The areas with the highest risk for death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black men were Atlanta , Greater Georgia , Louisiana and New Jersey .
In the latter three areas , black men were roughly twice as likely to die from the disease than white men .
Black men with Gleason grades between 2 and 5 were approximately 1.5-times as likely to die from prostate cancer in these areas than white men with the same disease severity , according to the study .

A new study finds risk for death from prostate cancer is higher among black men than white men. Photo by Leroy Skalstad/Pixabay
March 31 (UPI) -- Black men may be up to five times more likely to die from prostate cancer than white men, a new study has found. An analysis of cancer registries published Tuesday by JAMA Network Open noted that, overall, across the United States, black men had a nearly 40 percent higher risk for death from the disease than white men. However, the authors of the paper also observed that these racial differences were more pronounced in some regions than in others. Advertisement
For example, black men in Atlanta with a Gleason Score of 1 had the lowest chance of surviving the disease among the 17 geographic regions included in the analysis.
"This cohort study found that population-level differences in prostate cancer survival among black and white men in the U.S. were associated with a small set of geographic areas and with low-risk prostate cancer," researchers wrote in the study. "While the cause of racial disparities in prostate cancer survival remains a topic of ongoing study, future studies and interventions should be targeted at settings where racial disparities are most pronounced."
According to the American Cancer Society, roughly 200,000 men in the United State are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually. In general, black men are about 1.5 times as likely to be diagnosed with the disease, compared to white men.
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The 1-to-5 Gleason Grade is a commonly used rating for disease severity in prostate cancer, with 1 being the least severe. Most prostate cancers are believed to have a Gleason Grade of 3 or above.
The authors of the JAMA study analyzed data from 17 geographic registries included in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results, or SEER, database. They focused on men 18 years of age and older with biopsy-confirmed prostate cancer.
Of the 229,771 men included in the analysis, roughly 78 percent were white and 15 percent were black, with the remainder classified as other or unknown. The mean age of study participants at prostate cancer diagnosis was roughly 65.
For those included in the study, there were 4,773 prostate cancer deaths among white men and 1,250 deaths among black men. The areas with the highest risk for death from Gleason Grade 1 prostate cancer for black men were Atlanta, Greater Georgia, Louisiana and New Jersey. In the latter three areas, black men were roughly twice as likely to die from the disease than white men.
Black men with Gleason grades between 2 and 5 were approximately 1.5-times as likely to die from prostate cancer in these areas than white men with the same disease severity, according to the study.


upi--2020-03-31--Ongoing drought in Brazil, Argentina threatens crucial crop harvests

An unusually dry end to the summer season across parts of South America is expected to impact the harvests of important crops in the region .
`` Rainfall averaged below normal across much of southern Brazil , including [ the states of ] Rio Grande Do Sul , Santa Catarina , for the month of March , and in many instances the entire summer season , '' said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Jason Nicholls .
Some major cities in these states include Porto Alegre , Santa Maria and Florianopolis , although even Curitiba in Parana had a drier-than-normal month of March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35 percent or less of their normal rainfall for the month , which has proven significant for growing areas of corn and soybeans .
Although not as extreme , parts of northern Argentina , which are also contributing producers of these crops , only recorded 30 percent to 65 percent of their normal rainfall during the month of March .
`` The resulting drought from the lack of rainfall across these crop-heavy regions , in addition to bouts of heat , have stressed corn and soybean crops and has led to a reduction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Argus reported in mid-March that Rio Grande do Sul lowered the estimates for their soybean and corn harvest for the second time in less than two weeks .
Unlike other regions of Brazil , the geography of the region keeps the state from having a second harvest , like many other states in the country .
Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina alone account for 30 percent of Brazil 's first corn crop and over 16 percent of the country 's soybean crop .
Reductions in both could cause shortages as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Further complicating how this crop yield could affect the world 's economy is the COVID-19 pandemic .
Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez announced on Sunday that the mandatory countrywide quarantine would extend into mid-April .
`` Going forward , a front will bring rain and thunderstorms to the area on Thursday .
However , this is unlikely to bring enough rainfall to ease the drought conditions , '' said Nicholls .
AccuWeather meteorologists say drought conditions will continue to build as the next chance for rain is not expected until next week .

Although not as extreme, parts of northern Argentina, only recorded 30 percent to 65 percent of their normal rainfall during the month of March. File Photo by Gary C. Caskey/UPI | License Photo
An unusually dry end to the summer season across parts of South America is expected to impact the harvests of important crops in the region. "Rainfall averaged below normal across much of southern Brazil, including [the states of] Rio Grande Do Sul, Santa Catarina, for the month of March, and in many instances the entire summer season," said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Jason Nicholls. Advertisement
Some major cities in these states include Porto Alegre, Santa Maria and Florianopolis, although even Curitiba in Parana had a drier-than-normal month of March.
All of the above cities saw 35 percent or less of their normal rainfall for the month, which has proven significant for growing areas of corn and soybeans.
Although not as extreme, parts of northern Argentina, which are also contributing producers of these crops, only recorded 30 percent to 65 percent of their normal rainfall during the month of March.
"The resulting drought from the lack of rainfall across these crop-heavy regions, in addition to bouts of heat, have stressed corn and soybean crops and has led to a reduction in crop yields," added Nicholls.
Argus reported in mid-March that Rio Grande do Sul lowered the estimates for their soybean and corn harvest for the second time in less than two weeks. Unlike other regions of Brazil, the geography of the region keeps the state from having a second harvest, like many other states in the country.
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Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina alone account for 30 percent of Brazil's first corn crop and over 16 percent of the country's soybean crop. Reductions in both could cause shortages as well as affect pricing and the economy.
Further complicating how this crop yield could affect the world's economy is the COVID-19 pandemic. Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez announced on Sunday that the mandatory countrywide quarantine would extend into mid-April.
"Going forward, a front will bring rain and thunderstorms to the area on Thursday. However, this is unlikely to bring enough rainfall to ease the drought conditions," said Nicholls.
AccuWeather meteorologists say drought conditions will continue to build as the next chance for rain is not expected until next week.


upi--2020-03-31--Fitness key to long-term weight loss success

The more fit you are when you start a weight-loss program , the more weight you could lose , a new study says .
`` This research could help us improve the design of our weight-loss programs and suggests that adults with very poor fitness may benefit from additional exercise support during a weight-loss program to achieve higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and improve long-term weight loss , '' said lead researcher Dr. Adnin Zaman .
She 's an instructor/fellow at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora .
The study included 60 overweight and obese adults who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It combined a calorie-restricted diet , group-based behavior support and six months of supervised exercise .
During that time , participants worked up to 300 minutes a week of moderate-intensity workouts .
After the supervised exercise , participants were told to continue working out at the same level on their own .
At the start of the study , 33 percent of participants had very poor fitness and the rest had poor or better fitness .
Body mass index was higher in those with very poor fitness compared to the others .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on weight and height .
At six and 12 months , the groups had no difference in weight loss .
But after 18 months , those who were least fit at the start had lost about half as much as the others -- an average 9.5 pounds , compared to 18 pounds for the poor-or-better group .
While all increased the amount of moderate-to-vigorous exercise they could do , the least fit were not able to do as much -- an average 24 minutes a day , compared with 42 minutes a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was published March 31 in a special supplemental section of the Journal of the Endocrine Society .
Zaman said other factors may have played a role in the results .
`` Future studies are needed to evaluate whether providing additional exercise support or focusing specifically on improving fitness in adults with low levels of fitness would improve weight loss , '' she said in a journal news release .
The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases explains how to choose a safe and successful weight-loss program .

The more fit you are when you start a weight-loss program, the more weight you could lose, a new study says.
"This research could help us improve the design of our weight-loss programs and suggests that adults with very poor fitness may benefit from additional exercise support during a weight-loss program to achieve higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and improve long-term weight loss," said lead researcher Dr. Adnin Zaman. She's an instructor/fellow at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora.
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The study included 60 overweight and obese adults who were part of an 18-month weight-loss program. It combined a calorie-restricted diet, group-based behavior support and six months of supervised exercise. During that time, participants worked up to 300 minutes a week of moderate-intensity workouts.
After the supervised exercise, participants were told to continue working out at the same level on their own.
At the start of the study, 33 percent of participants had very poor fitness and the rest had poor or better fitness. Body mass index was higher in those with very poor fitness compared to the others. BMI is an estimate of body fat based on weight and height.
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At six and 12 months, the groups had no difference in weight loss. But after 18 months, those who were least fit at the start had lost about half as much as the others -- an average 9.5 pounds, compared to 18 pounds for the poor-or-better group.
While all increased the amount of moderate-to-vigorous exercise they could do, the least fit were not able to do as much -- an average 24 minutes a day, compared with 42 minutes a day for the others.
The study was published March 31 in a special supplemental section of the Journal of the Endocrine Society.
Zaman said other factors may have played a role in the results. "Future studies are needed to evaluate whether providing additional exercise support or focusing specifically on improving fitness in adults with low levels of fitness would improve weight loss," she said in a journal news release.
More information
The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases explains how to choose a safe and successful weight-loss program.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-03-31--Turkish bank Halkbank pleads not guilty to violating U.S. sanctions

March 31 ( UPI ) -- A Turkish state-run bank pleaded not guilty Tuesday to allegations it funneled billions of dollars to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions .
Officials representing Halkbank entered the plea during a teleconference arraignment with U.S. District Judge Richard Herman of the Southern District of New York .
The bank was indicted in October on six charges , including conspiracy , bank fraud and money laundering .
Prosecutors said the bank conspired to undermine U.S. sanctions against Tehran by illegally giving Iran access to billions while `` deceiving U.S .
regulators . ''
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctions violations we have seen , and no business should profit from evading our laws or risking our national security , '' Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers said at the time of the indictment .
The Justice Department said the scheme also involved Turkish government officials so the bank could use money service businesses and front companies in Iran and the United Arab Emirates to cover up proceeds from the sales of Iranian oil and gas .
In some cases , the indictment said , transactions were fraudulently designed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so they 'd be allowed under a `` humanitarian exception '' in the sanctions .
The indictment stems from the arrest of a Turkish banker in 2016 for evading U.S. sanctions .
The banker agreed to a deal with prosecutors to cooperate with investigators .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan subsequently asked both the Obama and Trump administrations , unsuccessfully , to drop the case .
In May 2018 , a deputy manager for Halkbank , Mehmet Hakan Atilla , was sentenced to 32 months in prison for his role in the conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of assets frozen by U.S. sanctions .

Prosecutors said the bank conspired to undermine U.S. sanctions against Tehran by illegally giving Iran access to billions while "deceiving U.S. regulators." File Photo by Sedat Suna/EPA-EFE
March 31 (UPI) -- A Turkish state-run bank pleaded not guilty Tuesday to allegations it funneled billions of dollars to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. Officials representing Halkbank entered the plea during a teleconference arraignment with U.S. District Judge Richard Herman of the Southern District of New York. Advertisement
The bank was indicted in October on six charges, including conspiracy, bank fraud and money laundering.
Prosecutors said the bank conspired to undermine U.S. sanctions against Tehran by illegally giving Iran access to billions while "deceiving U.S. regulators."
"This is one of the most serious Iran sanctions violations we have seen, and no business should profit from evading our laws or risking our national security," Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers said at the time of the indictment.
The Justice Department said the scheme also involved Turkish government officials so the bank could use money service businesses and front companies in Iran and the United Arab Emirates to cover up proceeds from the sales of Iranian oil and gas.
In some cases, the indictment said, transactions were fraudulently designed to appear as food and medicine purchases -- so they'd be allowed under a "humanitarian exception" in the sanctions.
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Halkbank illegally transferred $20 billion worth of restricted Iranian funds, prosecutors said.
The indictment stems from the arrest of a Turkish banker in 2016 for evading U.S. sanctions. The banker agreed to a deal with prosecutors to cooperate with investigators. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan subsequently asked both the Obama and Trump administrations, unsuccessfully, to drop the case.
In May 2018, a deputy manager for Halkbank, Mehmet Hakan Atilla, was sentenced to 32 months in prison for his role in the conspiracy to help Iran access billions of dollars of assets frozen by U.S. sanctions.


upi--2020-03-31--Watch: Goats overrun Welsh town amid coronavirus lockdown

March 31 ( UPI ) -- Residents of a Welsh town said a herd of more than 100 goats is @ @ @ @ @ lockdown by overrunning their neighborhoods and eating their plants .
Locals in Llandudno said approximately @ @ @ @ @ from their home in the Great Orme country park and ventured into city 's streets @ @ @ @ @ on human activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Residents said the goats have been @ @ @ @ @ other plants .
A North Wales Police spokeswoman said authorities believe the goats will eventually @ @ @ @ @ and officers will not be responding to non-emergency calls about the animal trespassers .

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March 31 (UPI) -- Residents of a Welsh town said a herd of more than 100 goats is taking advantage of the coronavirus lockdown by overrunning their neighborhoods and eating their plants.
Locals in Llandudno said approximately 122 Kashmiri goats wandered away from their home in the Great Orme country park and ventured into city's streets, which have been low on human activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Residents said the goats have been feasting on their hedges and other plants.
A North Wales Police spokeswoman said authorities believe the goats will eventually leave town on their own and officers will not be responding to non-emergency calls about the animal trespassers.


upi--2020-03-31--Kevin Durant, Donovan Mitchell. other NBA stars compete in '2K' tourney

March 31 ( UPI ) -- Kevin Durant and Donovan Mitchell are among the NBA stars who will compete in a players-only NBA 2K20 video game tournament starting Friday and airing on ESPN .
Derrick Jones Jr. , Trae Young , Harrison Barnes , Hassan Whiteside , Pat Beverley , Rui Hachimura , Devin Booker , Michael Porter Jr. , Andre Drummond , DeMarcus Cousins , Zach LaVine , DeAndre Ayton , Montrezl Harrell and Domantas Sabonis also will play in the 16-team tournament .
Players will be seeded for matchups based on their rating in the game and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sources told Yahoo Sports that the players-only tournament is expected to last 10 days .
NBA games have been suspended indefinitely since March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic after Mitchell 's teammate , Rudy Gobert , tested positive for COVID-19 .
Several more players , including Mitchell and Durant , also tested positive for COVID-19 after Gobert 's diagnosis .
Mitchell was medically cleared last week .
Durant has said he feels fine now .
The NBA2K Twitter account has been tweeting simulated results from NBA games during the league 's hiatus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in one of the matchups .
Durant is the highest-rated player in the tournament .
Young , the No .
2 seed , will face Barnes .
Whiteside is a no .
3 seed and will face Beverley .
Mitchell has a first-round matchup against Hachimura .
Booker will face Porter Jr. in the first round .
Drummond will battle Cousins in his first game .
LaVine , the No .
10 seed , will face Ayton .
The final first-round matchup will feature Harrell and Sabonis .
Video game streams featuring sporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
NASCAR drivers have been competing in the iRacing Pro Series , which drew nearly 1 million viewers during its March 22 virtual event .
NASCAR 's second iRacing Pro Series event on Sunday drew more than 1.3 million viewers , breaking the record for the most-viewed esports event in U.S. TV history .

Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell tested positive for COVID-19, but has been medically cleared. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 31 (UPI) -- Kevin Durant and Donovan Mitchell are among the NBA stars who will compete in a players-only NBA 2K20 video game tournament starting Friday and airing on ESPN. Derrick Jones Jr., Trae Young, Harrison Barnes, Hassan Whiteside, Pat Beverley, Rui Hachimura, Devin Booker, Michael Porter Jr., Andre Drummond, DeMarcus Cousins, Zach LaVine, DeAndre Ayton, Montrezl Harrell and Domantas Sabonis also will play in the 16-team tournament. Advertisement
Players will be seeded for matchups based on their rating in the game and the length of their NBA playing tenure. Sources told Yahoo Sports that the players-only tournament is expected to last 10 days.
NBA games have been suspended indefinitely since March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic after Mitchell's teammate, Rudy Gobert, tested positive for COVID-19. Several more players, including Mitchell and Durant, also tested positive for COVID-19 after Gobert's diagnosis. Mitchell was medically cleared last week. Durant has said he feels fine now.
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The NBA2K Twitter account has been tweeting simulated results from NBA games during the league's hiatus.
Durant will take on Jones Jr. in one of the matchups. Durant is the highest-rated player in the tournament. Young, the No. 2 seed, will face Barnes. Whiteside is a no. 3 seed and will face Beverley.
Mitchell has a first-round matchup against Hachimura. Booker will face Porter Jr. in the first round. Drummond will battle Cousins in his first game. LaVine, the No. 10 seed, will face Ayton. The final first-round matchup will feature Harrell and Sabonis.
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Video game streams featuring sporting events have been gaining popularity during the pandemic.
NASCAR drivers have been competing in the iRacing Pro Series, which drew nearly 1 million viewers during its March 22 virtual event. NASCAR's second iRacing Pro Series event on Sunday drew more than 1.3 million viewers, breaking the record for the most-viewed esports event in U.S. TV history.


upi--2020-03-31--Lost wedding ring found buried 20 years later

March 31 ( UPI ) -- A metal detector operator searching a 300-acre property in England found a wedding ring that turned out to have been lost by a former neighbor 20 years earlier .
Tyrone Holman , 50 , said he was using his metal detector on Church Farm , a property owned by the Hull family in Occold , Suffolk , when he unearthed a wedding ring with an inscription : `` With love , Christiane . ''
Holman turned the ring over to farmer Chris Hull , who recognized the unusual spelling of `` Christiane '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had moved to Gooderstone , Norfolk .
Hull sent an email to Christiane Hewitson , 72 , asking if a date engraved on the ring -- Sept. 9 , 1967 -- held any special significance for her .
Hewitson replied the date was the day of her wedding to husband , John , 75 , who lost his wedding ring in 2000 .
`` It was very upsetting at the time , but we just had to let it go and never did we imagine that we would get it back , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daily Times .

A wedding ring found on a British farm turned out to have been lost by a neighbor about 20 years earlier. Photo by uwagapstryk/Pixabay.com
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe March 31 (UPI) -- A metal detector operator searching a 300-acre property in England found a wedding ring that turned out to have been lost by a former neighbor 20 years earlier. Tyrone Holman, 50, said he was using his metal detector on Church Farm, a property owned by the Hull family in Occold, Suffolk, when he unearthed a wedding ring with an inscription: "With love, Christiane." Advertisement
Holman turned the ring over to farmer Chris Hull, who recognized the unusual spelling of "Christiane" and determined it likely believed to former neighbors who had moved to Gooderstone, Norfolk.
Hull sent an email to Christiane Hewitson, 72, asking if a date engraved on the ring -- Sept. 9, 1967 -- held any special significance for her.
Hewitson replied the date was the day of her wedding to husband, John, 75, who lost his wedding ring in 2000.
"It was very upsetting at the time, but we just had to let it go and never did we imagine that we would get it back," Christiane Hewitson told the East Anglican Daily Times.


upi--2020-03-31--Apink shares schedule for new EP 'Look'

Apink shares schedule for new EP 'Look'

March 31 ( UPI ) -- South Korean girl group Apink is sharing an official schedule for its EP Look .
The K-pop stars posted a schedule of events Tuesday on Twitter for the forthcoming EP , slated for release April 13 .
Apink will start by sharing teaser photos Thursday and Friday .
The group will release a tracklist and open pre-orders April 6 .
More image teasers and motion teasers will follow April 7 , 8 and 9 .
Apink will share a highlight medley featuring clips of the EP 's songs April 10 .
Apink will release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 12 .
The group will share a teaser for the performance version of the music video April 13 , hours prior to the EP and official music video 's release .
Look is Apink 's first EP since Percent , released in January 2019 .
The group is known for the singles `` My My , '' `` NoNoNo , '' `` Remember '' and `` Only One . ''
Apink made its debut in 2011 .
The group consists of Park Cho-rong , Yoon Bo-mi , Jung Eun-ji , Son Na-eun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oh released her debut solo EP , Oh !
, in August .

March 31 (UPI) -- South Korean girl group Apink is sharing an official schedule for its EP Look.
The K-pop stars posted a schedule of events Tuesday on Twitter for the forthcoming EP, slated for release April 13.
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Apink will start by sharing teaser photos Thursday and Friday. The group will release a tracklist and open pre-orders April 6.
More image teasers and motion teasers will follow April 7, 8 and 9. Apink will share a highlight medley featuring clips of the EP's songs April 10.
Apink will release a teaser for its new music video April 12. The group will share a teaser for the performance version of the music video April 13, hours prior to the EP and official music video's release.
Look is Apink's first EP since Percent, released in January 2019. The group is known for the singles "My My," "NoNoNo," "Remember" and "Only One."
Apink made its debut in 2011. The group consists of Park Cho-rong, Yoon Bo-mi, Jung Eun-ji, Son Na-eun, Kim Nam-joo and Oh Ha-young. Oh released her debut solo EP, Oh!, in August.


upi--2020-03-31--Watch: 'Thanks a Million': Jennifer Lopez, Kevin Hart give back in first trailer

March 31 ( UPI ) -- Jennifer Lopez and a group of celebrities , including Kevin Hart and Kristen Bell , pay it forward by giving away $ 100,000 to those who made an impact in their life in the new trailer for upcoming Quibi series , Thanks A Million .
Nick Jonas , Tracy Morgan , NFL star Aaron Rodgers , Yara Shahidi , Gabriel Iglesias , NBA star Anthony Davis and Karlie Kloss also star in the 10-episode series which is executive produced by Lopez .
The person who receives the $ 100,000 will then have to choose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One million dollars in total will have been donated to everyday people over the course of the series .
Lopez visits with a young girl while Hart gives thanks to a hospital staff .
`` There are a lot of folks doing important work in the neighborhoods who do n't get the props they deserve , '' Morgan says in the clip while visiting with a boxing trainer .
Thanks A Million will be available on Quibi April 6 when the streaming service launches .
Quibi is a short-form streaming service designed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service will have 50 programs at launch that are presented in quick chunks of 10 minutes or less .

March 31 (UPI) -- Jennifer Lopez and a group of celebrities, including Kevin Hart and Kristen Bell, pay it forward by giving away $100,000 to those who made an impact in their life in the new trailer for upcoming Quibi series, Thanks A Million.
Nick Jonas, Tracy Morgan, NFL star Aaron Rodgers, Yara Shahidi, Gabriel Iglesias, NBA star Anthony Davis and Karlie Kloss also star in the 10-episode series which is executive produced by Lopez.
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The person who receives the $100,000 will then have to choose someone else to split the money with. One million dollars in total will have been donated to everyday people over the course of the series.
Lopez visits with a young girl while Hart gives thanks to a hospital staff.
"There are a lot of folks doing important work in the neighborhoods who don't get the props they deserve," Morgan says in the clip while visiting with a boxing trainer.
Thanks A Million will be available on Quibi April 6 when the streaming service launches.
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Quibi is a short-form streaming service designed with mobile phones in mind. The service will have 50 programs at launch that are presented in quick chunks of 10 minutes or less.
Jennifer Lopez, Shakira perform at Super Bowl LIV halftime show


upi--2020-03-31--Watch: Leopard captured after wandering into house in India

March 31 ( UPI ) -- Wildlife officials in India said a leopard wandered into a city and was captured @ @ @ @ @ was spotted inside a house .
The Union Territory Forest Department said officials were summoned @ @ @ @ @ 's Sector 5 , where the leopard was spotted on CCTV cameras Tuesday .
Officials @ @ @ @ @ the house about 8 a.m. before moving on to a neighbor 's yard .
Forest @ @ @ @ @ scene and blocked off the area .
The leopard was located and tranquilized about 1:30 @ @ @ @ @ found to be in good health and was released into the Nepli Forest , officials @ @

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March 31 (UPI) -- Wildlife officials in India said a leopard wandered into a city and was captured about five hours after it was spotted inside a house.
The Union Territory Forest Department said officials were summoned to a home in Chandigarh's Sector 5, where the leopard was spotted on CCTV cameras Tuesday.
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Officials said the leopard wandered into the house about 8 a.m. before moving on to a neighbor's yard.
Forest Department officers arrived on the scene and blocked off the area. The leopard was located and tranquilized about 1:30 p.m.
The leopard was found to be in good health and was released into the Nepli Forest, officials said.


upi--2020-03-31--Facebook, Instagram, expand users access to data collected on them

March 31 ( UPI ) -- Facebook has expanded access to information it tracks on users of Facebook and its application Instagram .
Users have been able to view and download data about their use of these platforms over the years through the the Download Your Information tool on Facebook and Download Your Data tool on Instagram , Facebook said Monday , but now users will be able to access more data through these tools .
Information added includes `` data used to improve your experiences , '' and `` inferences used to improve your experiences , '' Facebook said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on additional information added to profiles or liking a post or following a Page , which `` personalizes what people see '' on their accounts .
The second set of data is based on information a user shares such as an article on football , which is used to make inferences that they may like to see `` football-related content , '' on the News Feed , news tab or Watch sections .
`` Over the last decade we 've been working to extend the functionality of our self-service data access tools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways , '' Facebook said .
Changes also stem from `` growing efforts by many policymakers and regulators to enhance people 's rights around access to their data , '' Facebook added .
`` These laws include the General Data Protection Regulation in Europe , which was implemented in 2018 and the California Consumer Privacy Act , which took effect earlier this year . ''
Last April Facebook also increased transparency of political advertising after political ads came under scrutiny after the 2016 presidential election since U.S. law did n't require Facebook to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said any advertiser running political or issues ads must be verified first along with who paid for the ads .
Facebook added in the April announcement it would hold advertisements sold on its platforms to the same rules as print and broadcast ads even though Congress had yet to pass legislation requiring them to do so .

March 31 (UPI) -- Facebook has expanded access to information it tracks on users of Facebook and its application Instagram.
Users have been able to view and download data about their use of these platforms over the years through the the Download Your Information tool on Facebook and Download Your Data tool on Instagram, Facebook said Monday, but now users will be able to access more data through these tools.
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Information added includes "data used to improve your experiences," and "inferences used to improve your experiences," Facebook said. The first set of data is based on additional information added to profiles or liking a post or following a Page, which "personalizes what people see" on their accounts. The second set of data is based on information a user shares such as an article on football, which is used to make inferences that they may like to see "football-related content," on the News Feed, news tab or Watch sections.
"Over the last decade we've been working to extend the functionality of our self-service data access tools to help people access data in meaningful ways," Facebook said.
Changes also stem from "growing efforts by many policymakers and regulators to enhance people's rights around access to their data," Facebook added. "These laws include the General Data Protection Regulation in Europe, which was implemented in 2018 and the California Consumer Privacy Act, which took effect earlier this year."
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Last April Facebook also increased transparency of political advertising after political ads came under scrutiny after the 2016 presidential election since U.S. law didn't require Facebook to identify who paid for an ad. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said any advertiser running political or issues ads must be verified first along with who paid for the ads. Facebook added in the April announcement it would hold advertisements sold on its platforms to the same rules as print and broadcast ads even though Congress had yet to pass legislation requiring them to do so.


upi--2020-04-01--U.S. didn't report airstrikes that killed Somalia civilians, Amnesty International says

April 1 ( UPI ) -- International watchdog Amnesty International said in a new report Wednesday the United States military carried out airstrikes in Somalia this year that killed at least two civilians , but did n't acknowledge them .
The report , titled `` Zero accountability as civilian deaths mount from U.S. airstrikes , '' said one strike in Jilib on Feb. 2 hit a home where a family was eating , killed an 18-year-old woman and injured her two young sisters and 70-year-old grandmother .
Another strike on Feb. 24 a few miles away in Kumbareere killed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to target al-Shabab terrorists , who have been active insurgent fighters in Somalia for years .
`` The evidence is stacking up and it 's pretty damning .
Not only does [ U.S. Africa Command ] utterly fail at its mission to report civilian casualties in Somalia , but it does n't seem to care about the fate of the numerous families it has completely torn apart , '' said Deprose Muchena , Amnesty International 's director for East and Southern Africa .
Wednesday , U.S. Africa Command , or AFRICOM , promised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ casualties as part of its anti-terror campaign in Somalia .
It said it will begin issuing quarterly reports to increase transparency .
Amnesty said the United States military has ramped up its air campaign in Somalia this year , with a total of 32 airstrikes so far -- which is twice the rate they were conducted in 2019 .
The February strikes were retaliatory measures , the report says , for an al-Shabab assault on a U.S. airbase in Kenya in January that killed an American soldier and two contractors .
`` Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been reviewing and revising our [ civilian casualty ] tracking , assessment and reporting procedures , '' AFRICOM commander Gen. Stephen Townsend said in a statement .
`` To demonstrate our transparency and commitment to protecting civilians from unnecessary harm , we plan to publicize our initial report by the end of this month and we will provide quarterly updates thereafter . ''
Amnesty International also accused AFRICOM last year of killing more than a dozen Somali civilians in airstrikes without reporting the deaths .

A U.S. Marine UH-1N "Huey" helicopter flies over Mogadishu, Somalia. A report by Amnesty International Wednesday said the U.S. military killed at least two civilians in airstrikes last month. File Photo by U.S. Air Force/UPI
April 1 (UPI) -- International watchdog Amnesty International said in a new report Wednesday the United States military carried out airstrikes in Somalia this year that killed at least two civilians, but didn't acknowledge them. The report, titled "Zero accountability as civilian deaths mount from U.S. airstrikes," said one strike in Jilib on Feb. 2 hit a home where a family was eating, killed an 18-year-old woman and injured her two young sisters and 70-year-old grandmother. Advertisement
Another strike on Feb. 24 a few miles away in Kumbareere killed a 53-year-old man.
"After both strikes, AFRICOM issued press releases claiming it had killed an al-Shabab 'terrorist,' without offering a shred of evidence of the victims' alleged links to the armed group," Amnesty said.
Al-Shabab militants have been active insurgent fighters in Somalia for years.
"The evidence is stacking up and it's pretty damning. Not only does [U.S. Africa Command] utterly fail at its mission to report civilian casualties in Somalia, but it doesn't seem to care about the fate of the numerous families it has completely torn apart," said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International's director for East and Southern Africa.
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Wednesday, U.S. Africa Command, or AFRICOM, promised to be more forthcoming about reporting civilian casualties as part of its anti-terror campaign in Somalia. It said it will begin issuing quarterly reports to increase transparency.
Amnesty said the United States military has ramped up its air campaign in Somalia this year, with a total of 32 airstrikes so far -- which is twice the rate they were conducted in 2019. The February strikes were retaliatory measures, the report says, for an al-Shabab assault on a U.S. airbase in Kenya in January that killed an American soldier and two contractors.
"Since I took command last year, we have been reviewing and revising our [civilian casualty] tracking, assessment and reporting procedures," AFRICOM commander Gen. Stephen Townsend said in a statement. "To demonstrate our transparency and commitment to protecting civilians from unnecessary harm, we plan to publicize our initial report by the end of this month and we will provide quarterly updates thereafter."
Amnesty International also accused AFRICOM last year of killing more than a dozen Somali civilians in airstrikes without reporting the deaths.


upi--2020-04-01--Watch: Samuel L. Jackson reads a poem about staying home on 'Kimmel'

April 1 ( UPI ) -- Samuel L. Jackson read a new poem titled Stay the [ Expletive ] at Home on Jimmy Kimmel Live .
The poem , which the actor read from his house on Tuesday , implores viewers to practice social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic and acts as a sequel to author Adam Mansbach 's 2011 book , Go the [ Expletive ] to Sleep .
Jackson famously narrated Go the [ Expletive ] to Sleep and received this new poem from Mansbach .
`` If you want things to get back to normal do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wash your hands , stop touching your face and stay the [ expletive ] at home , '' Jackson read .
`` Sure you can still see your friends , use the mother [ expletive ] app on your phone .
But unless you just ran out of groceries , please stay the [ expletive ] at home , '' he continued .
Jackson also discussed with Kimmel how his annual trip to Italy with basketball icon Magic Johnson has been canceled and how he spent time watching Power and Tiger King at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ version of Jimmy Kimmel Live from his home due to COVID-19 .
The late night host and Jackson highlighted charity Feeding America .

April 1 (UPI) -- Samuel L. Jackson read a new poem titled Stay the [Expletive] at Home on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
The poem, which the actor read from his house on Tuesday, implores viewers to practice social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic and acts as a sequel to author Adam Mansbach's 2011 book, Go the [Expletive] to Sleep.
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Jackson famously narrated Go the [Expletive] to Sleep and received this new poem from Mansbach.
"If you want things to get back to normal don't panic, just use your dome. Wash your hands, stop touching your face and stay the [expletive] at home," Jackson read.
"Sure you can still see your friends, use the mother [expletive] app on your phone. But unless you just ran out of groceries, please stay the [expletive] at home," he continued.
Jackson also discussed with Kimmel how his annual trip to Italy with basketball icon Magic Johnson has been canceled and how he spent time watching Power and Tiger King at home.
Kimmel has been producing this version of Jimmy Kimmel Live from his home due to COVID-19. The late night host and Jackson highlighted charity Feeding America.


upi--2020-04-01--Former Syracuse football coach Frank Maloney dies of brain cancer

April 1 ( UPI ) -- Former Syracuse football coach Frank Maloney has died of brain cancer .
He was 79 .
The university announced Maloney 's death Tuesday .
He died Monday at his home in Chicago .
He coached at Syracuse from 1974 through 1980 .
Sources informed Syracuse.com and the Buffalo News of Maloney 's cause of death .
`` We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of coach Maloney .
Our hearts go out to his family , friends and former players , '' Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack said in a news release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team during a time of transition , taking over the program after coach Ben Schwartzwalder 's 25-year tenure .
He developed many young men , several of whom went on to very successful business careers and a number of talented players who went on to the NFL . ''
Maloney was born Sept. 26 , 1940 , in Chicago .
He played center and guard at the University of Michigan from 1959 through 1961 before beginning his football coaching career at Mt .
Carmel High School in Chicago .
Maloney went on to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wolverines from 1968 through 1973 under coach Bo Schembechler .
He took over as Syracuse coach the following season after the retirement of Schwartzwalder , who had coached the Orange since 1949 .
Maloney led the Orange to a 2-9 record in his first season .
The Orange then went 6-5 in 1975 .
Maloney 's best season with the Orange came in 1979 when he led the team to a 7-5 record and an Independence Bowl victory .
He left the school after leading the Orange to a 5-6 record in 1980 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first game ever played at the Carrier Dome , which produced a stadium-record 50,564 fans .
Maloney coached 19 future NFL Draft picks and 10 All-Americans at Syracuse , including Bill Hurley , Jim Collins , Larry King and Craig Wolfley .
He hired several assistant coaches who went on to become successful head coaches , including Nick Saban , Tom Coughlin and Jerry Angelo .
`` I talked with him every two weeks ever since I graduated , '' Hurley said .
`` We talked about family , kids , sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appealed to me .
Having him screaming at me was not much different than my parents yelling at me .
We had a good rapport both on and off the field that carried on .
We were together so much at school that it just seemed natural to continue that relationship . ''
Maloney worked in scouting for the Dallas Cowboys the year after resigning from Syracuse .
He worked in ticket operations for the Chicago Cubs for nearly 30 years after his coaching career .
He is survived by wife , Kathleen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kelly .

Former Syracuse coach Frank Maloney coached the Orange in the first game ever played at the Carrier Dome in 1980, drawing a stadium-record 50,564 fans. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
April 1 (UPI) -- Former Syracuse football coach Frank Maloney has died of brain cancer. He was 79. The university announced Maloney's death Tuesday. He died Monday at his home in Chicago. He coached at Syracuse from 1974 through 1980. Sources informed Syracuse.com and the Buffalo News of Maloney's cause of death. Advertisement
"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of coach Maloney. Our hearts go out to his family, friends and former players," Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack said in a news release.
"Coach Maloney led our football team during a time of transition, taking over the program after coach Ben Schwartzwalder's 25-year tenure. He developed many young men, several of whom went on to very successful business careers and a number of talented players who went on to the NFL."
Maloney was born Sept. 26, 1940, in Chicago. He played center and guard at the University of Michigan from 1959 through 1961 before beginning his football coaching career at Mt. Carmel High School in Chicago. Maloney went on to work as an assistant coach for the Wolverines from 1968 through 1973 under coach Bo Schembechler.
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He took over as Syracuse coach the following season after the retirement of Schwartzwalder, who had coached the Orange since 1949.
Maloney led the Orange to a 2-9 record in his first season. The Orange then went 6-5 in 1975. Maloney's best season with the Orange came in 1979 when he led the team to a 7-5 record and an Independence Bowl victory. He left the school after leading the Orange to a 5-6 record in 1980.
His 1980 Orange also played in the first game ever played at the Carrier Dome, which produced a stadium-record 50,564 fans.
Maloney coached 19 future NFL Draft picks and 10 All-Americans at Syracuse, including Bill Hurley, Jim Collins, Larry King and Craig Wolfley. He hired several assistant coaches who went on to become successful head coaches, including Nick Saban, Tom Coughlin and Jerry Angelo.
"I talked with him every two weeks ever since I graduated," Hurley said. "We talked about family, kids, sports, everything. His sense of humor appealed to me. Having him screaming at me was not much different than my parents yelling at me. We had a good rapport both on and off the field that carried on. We were together so much at school that it just seemed natural to continue that relationship."
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Maloney worked in scouting for the Dallas Cowboys the year after resigning from Syracuse. He worked in ticket operations for the Chicago Cubs for nearly 30 years after his coaching career.
He is survived by wife, Kathleen, son Michael and daughters Molly and Kelly.


upi--2020-04-01--EU warns members against excessive power after change in Hungary

April 1 ( UPI ) -- The European Union has warned member states about using coronavirus controls to curtail democracy , a day after Hungarian Parliament gave sweeping new powers to Prime Minister Viktor Orban .
Lawmakers on Monday suspended elections and relaxed enforcement for certain laws in an effort to give Orban greater ability to handle the COVID-19 pandemic .
The law , which includes prison time for those convicted of spreading false information about the virus , is viewed a power grab by some of Orban 's opponents .
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but called on member nations to `` uphold and defend '' freedom and democracy .
`` It is of utmost importance that emergency measures are not at the expense of our fundamental principles and values as set out in the treaties , '' von der Leyen said in a statement .
`` Democracy can not work without free and independent media .
Respect for freedom of expression and legal certainty are essential in these uncertain times .
`` Any emergency measures must be limited to what is necessary and strictly proportionate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , governments must make sure that such measures are subject to regular scrutiny . ''
The EU leader said the commission will closely monitor emergency measures taken by member states .
`` We all need to work together to master this crisis , '' she added .
`` On this path , we will uphold our European values and human rights .
This is who we are , and this is what we stand for . ''
Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said Tuesday the nation agrees with von der Leyen and parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standards .
`` That 's why the Hungarian state of emergency and extraordinary measures are congruent with the treaties and Hungarian constitution and targeted exclusively at fighting the coronavirus , '' Kovacs said .
`` It upholds EU values , rule of law , press freedom . ''

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks to reporters during a visit with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C., on May 13, 2019. File Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI | License Photo
April 1 (UPI) -- The European Union has warned member states about using coronavirus controls to curtail democracy, a day after Hungarian Parliament gave sweeping new powers to Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Lawmakers on Monday suspended elections and relaxed enforcement for certain laws in an effort to give Orban greater ability to handle the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement
The law, which includes prison time for those convicted of spreading false information about the virus, is viewed a power grab by some of Orban's opponents.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen didn't single out Hungary in her warning Tuesday, but called on member nations to "uphold and defend" freedom and democracy.
"It is of utmost importance that emergency measures are not at the expense of our fundamental principles and values as set out in the treaties," von der Leyen said in a statement. "Democracy cannot work without free and independent media. Respect for freedom of expression and legal certainty are essential in these uncertain times.
"Any emergency measures must be limited to what is necessary and strictly proportionate. They must not last indefinitely. Moreover, governments must make sure that such measures are subject to regular scrutiny."
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The EU leader said the commission will closely monitor emergency measures taken by member states.
"We all need to work together to master this crisis," she added. "On this path, we will uphold our European values and human rights. This is who we are, and this is what we stand for."
Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said Tuesday the nation agrees with von der Leyen and parliament's actions are in line with EU standards.
"That's why the Hungarian state of emergency and extraordinary measures are congruent with the treaties and Hungarian constitution and targeted exclusively at fighting the coronavirus," Kovacs said. "It upholds EU values, rule of law, press freedom."


upi--2020-04-01--Google honors polio expert Dame Jean Macnamara with new Doodle

April 1 ( UPI ) -- Google is celebrating medical scientist and polio expert Dame Jean Macnamara with a new @ @ @ @ @ been her 121st birthday .
Macnamara studied various forms of paralysis , including polio , @ @ @ @ @ work helped with the development of the polio vaccine in 1955 .
Google 's homepage @ @ @ @ @ a patient on crutches by Sydney-based artist Thomas Campi .
Macnamara was born in Victoria @ @ @ @ @ and graduated from medical school in 1925 , the same year that Melbourne was hit @ @ @ @ @ She worked with future Nobel Prize winner Sir Macfarlane Burnet and discovered that there was @ @ @ @ @ the poliovirus in 1931 .
Macnamara continued to work with those who suffered from the @ @ @ @ @ of treatment and rehabilitation for the rest of her life .
Macnamara was appointed Dame @ @ @ @ @ the British Empire in 1935 and also played a role in using myxomatosis to control @ @ @

Google is paying homage to medical scientist Dame Jean Macnamara with a new Doodle. Image courtesy of Google
April 1 (UPI) -- Google is celebrating medical scientist and polio expert Dame Jean Macnamara with a new Doodle on what would have been her 121st birthday. Macnamara studied various forms of paralysis, including polio, during her career. Her work helped with the development of the polio vaccine in 1955. Advertisement
Google's homepage features artwork of Macnamara helping a patient on crutches by Sydney-based artist Thomas Campi.
Macnamara was born in Victoria, Australia, in 1899 and graduated from medical school in 1925, the same year that Melbourne was hit with a polio epidemic.
She worked with future Nobel Prize winner Sir Macfarlane Burnet and discovered that there was more than one strain of the poliovirus in 1931. Macnamara continued to work with those who suffered from the disease, developing new methods of treatment and rehabilitation for the rest of her life.
Macnamara was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1935 and also played a role in using myxomatosis to control rabbit plagues.


upi--2020-04-01--'General Hospital' to air repeats Fridays during coronavirus pandemic

April 1 ( UPI ) -- The ABC soap opera General Hospital will air repeat episodes on Fridays until the @ @ @ @ @ this week and lasting through May 22 , new episodes will air Mondays through Thursdays @ @ @ @ @ Fridays .
Production on the show -- like most other film and TV projects -- @ @ @ @ @ in an effort to encourage social distancing and slow the spread of the coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ thousands of people worldwide .
There are enough new episodes of GH recorded to last @ @ @ @ @ but if production does not resume soon , reruns will air instead of originals in @ @ @ @ @ time slot after May 22 .
The show marks its 57th anniversary on Wednesday .

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"General Hospital" star Maurice Benard holds up his Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series at the 46th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on May 5. File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI | License Photo
April 1 (UPI) -- The ABC soap opera General Hospital will air repeat episodes on Fridays until the coronavirus crisis ends. Starting this week and lasting through May 22, new episodes will air Mondays through Thursdays with classic episodes set for Fridays. Advertisement
Production on the show -- like most other film and TV projects -- was shut down last month in an effort to encourage social distancing and slow the spread of the coronavirus, which has killed tens of thousands of people worldwide.
There are enough new episodes of GH recorded to last until late next month, but if production does not resume soon, reruns will air instead of originals in the daytime drama's usual time slot after May 22.
The show marks its 57th anniversary on Wednesday.


upi--2020-04-01--Premiere of Mark Ruffalo's HBO series delayed by two weeks

April 1 ( UPI ) -- HBO announced it has pushed back the premiere date for Mark Ruffalo 's six-part limited series , I Know This Much is True , by two weeks .
Written and directed by Derek Cianfrance , the adaptation of Wally Lamb 's book was scheduled to debut on April 27 , but it is now slated to begin on May 10 , a press release from the cable network said .
Dark Waters and Avengers : Endgame star Ruffalo will play identical twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey in what HBO has described as `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and forgiveness . ''
Variety said I Know This Much is True was moved into the spot Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant 's The Undoing was supposed to occupy .
HBO recently postponed that show until the end of the year because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
`` In light of current events ...
The Undoing will now debut this fall , '' the network said last week .
The ensemble for I Know This Much is True includes Melissa Leo , Rosie O'Donnell , Archie Panjabi , Imogen Poots , John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Aisling Franciosi , Michael Greyeyes , Guillermo Diaz , Marcello Fonte , Bruce Greenwood , Brian Goodman with Juliette Lewis and Kathryn Hahn .

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Mark Ruffalo's six-part limited series, "I Know This Much is True," is set to debut on HBO May 10. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
April 1 (UPI) -- HBO announced it has pushed back the premiere date for Mark Ruffalo's six-part limited series, I Know This Much is True, by two weeks. Written and directed by Derek Cianfrance, the adaptation of Wally Lamb's book was scheduled to debut on April 27, but it is now slated to begin on May 10, a press release from the cable network said. Advertisement
Dark Waters and Avengers: Endgame star Ruffalo will play identical twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey in what HBO has described as "an epic story of betrayal, sacrifice and forgiveness."
Variety said I Know This Much is True was moved into the spot Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant's The Undoing was supposed to occupy.
HBO recently postponed that show until the end of the year because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
"In light of current events... The Undoing will now debut this fall," the network said last week.
The ensemble for I Know This Much is True includes Melissa Leo, Rosie O'Donnell, Archie Panjabi, Imogen Poots, John Procaccino, Rob Huebel, Philip Ettinger, Aisling Franciosi, Michael Greyeyes, Guillermo Diaz, Marcello Fonte, Bruce Greenwood, Brian Goodman with Juliette Lewis and Kathryn Hahn.


upi--2020-04-01--Christopher Meloni to reprise 'SVU' role in spinoff

April 1 ( UPI ) -- Christopher Meloni is set to reprise his iconic Law & Order : SVU role of Elliot Stabler in a new series created by Dick Wolf .
The 13-episode , as-yet-untitled project was reported by Deadline , Variety and The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday .
The new NBC show will be part of the Law & Order franchise and will focus on the New York City Police Department organized crime unit that Stabler led on SVU .
Matt Olmstead , former executive producer for Chicago P.D.
, is in talks to serve as lead writer-showrunner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` Sir can you pls confirm you 're coming back as stabler so we can all sleep easy for the first night since quarantine began ?
?
!
!
!
? ''
The actor played Stabler for the first 12 seasons of SVU , leaving in 2011 .
The actor has since appeared in the TV shows Happy !
, Surviving Jack , Underground , True Blood and The Handmaid 's Tale .
SVU was renewed in February for three more seasons .
It will now stay on the air through at @ @ @ @

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Christopher Meloni has signed on to star in a "Law & Order: SVU" spinoff. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
April 1 (UPI) -- Christopher Meloni is set to reprise his iconic Law & Order: SVU role of Elliot Stabler in a new series created by Dick Wolf. The 13-episode, as-yet-untitled project was reported by Deadline, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday. Advertisement
The new NBC show will be part of the Law & Order franchise and will focus on the New York City Police Department organized crime unit that Stabler led on SVU.
Matt Olmstead, former executive producer for Chicago P.D., is in talks to serve as lead writer-showrunner.
A fan asked Meloni on Twitter, "Sir can you pls confirm you're coming back as stabler so we can all sleep easy for the first night since quarantine began??!!!?"
Meloni tweeted back, "Sleep tight."
The actor played Stabler for the first 12 seasons of SVU, leaving in 2011. The actor has since appeared in the TV shows Happy!, Surviving Jack, Underground, True Blood and The Handmaid's Tale.
SVU was renewed in February for three more seasons. It will now stay on the air through at least Season 24.
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upi--2020-04-01--Jim DiBattista drops 144 pounds to win 'The Biggest Loser'

April 1 ( UPI ) -- Jim DiBattista , a 47-year-old youth football coach from Philadelphia , was crowned the @ @ @ @ @ The Biggest Loser on Tuesday night .
DiBattista lost 144 pounds and weighed in at @ @ @ @ @ `` That final moment on stage -- when I knew I was The Biggest Loser @ @ @ @ @ at my wife , my three sons and my trainer , Erica [ Lugo , @ @ @ @ @ feeling of accomplishment that I had never felt before in my life .
I am @ @ @ @ @ able to get it done for ALL of them ; they sacrificed so much for @ @ @ @ @ after he was rewarded with a $ 100,000 grand prize .
The first 17 seasons @ @ @ @ @ series aired on NBC .
The Season 17 finale was broadcast in 2016 .

Jim DiBattista won "The Biggest Loser" on Tuesday night. Photo courtesy of NBCUniversal
April 1 (UPI) -- Jim DiBattista, a 47-year-old youth football coach from Philadelphia, was crowned the winner of Season 18 of The Biggest Loser on Tuesday night. DiBattista lost 144 pounds and weighed in at 241 during the finale. Advertisement
"That final moment on stage -- when I knew I was The Biggest Loser winner -- I looked over at my wife, my three sons and my trainer, Erica [Lugo,] and I had a feeling of accomplishment that I had never felt before in my life. I am so proud that I was able to get it done for ALL of them; they sacrificed so much for me," DiBattista said after he was rewarded with a $100,000 grand prize.
Fitness trainer Bob Harper hosted the show for USA Network.
The first 17 seasons of the healthy lifestyle competition series aired on NBC. The Season 17 finale was broadcast in 2016.
Spoiler alert Congratualtions to the winner of @biggestloser! pic.twitter.com/xgIMerqWud— USA Network (@USA_Network) April 1, 2020


upi--2020-04-01--'Let them eat cake': Trump salesmanship at odds with coronavirus reality

Why is it that whenever I see President Donald Trump 's near daily televised briefings on the coronavirus pandemic I am often reminded of Marie Antoinette ?
Married to Louis XVI , king of France , when informed that many of her subjects were too poor to afford bread , Marie was ( wrongly ) attributed as responding , `` Let them eat cake ( or more correctly brioche ) . ''
Three years after the 1789 French Revolution , Marie and Louis lost their heads to Madame Guillotine .
Trump is a master salesman .
Once he discovered that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whim and coronavirus was indeed a crisis , at his briefings and press conferences the president was at his selling best , repeating all the `` great '' things taking place under his administration .
Millions of masks and protective clothing were flowing off production lines as if this were World War II with tanks , bombers and bullets .
This had been the `` best '' economy ever had it not been for the virus .
And so on .
Backed up by his task force headed by the vice president and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scent of optimism and competence was real .
The effectiveness is reflected in the polls .
A majority of Americans now approve of the way the White House is handling this crisis .
And White House advisers , namely Peter Navarro , one of the architects of the tariff war with China and advocate of calling the disease the Wuhan virus , have been attacking the media for `` panicking '' and presenting worst-case scenarios .
Yet from the battleground of emergency rooms , hospitals and cities , an entirely different and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of protective equipment , ventilators , test kits and other vitally needed medical material seems ubiquitous from Seattle to New Orleans to Boston .
That more Americans have been infected by the virus than China -- with five times the population -- is inexplicable .
Clearly , any White House would attempt to demonstrate leadership and calm .
But the contrasts between 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. and the rest of the country remain stark .
Governors have stepped into the breach .
New York 's Andrew Cuomo , at the epicenter of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , direct and honest in his briefings , as have other governors in afflicted states .
Aside from Republican Mike DeWine of Ohio , most of these governors are Democrats , probably reflecting that their cities contain the largest populations and entry points for international travelers who may have carried the virus .
For older generations who remember the Vietnam War , the White House briefings could risk mirroring the `` Five O'Clock Follies '' in Saigon .
Those were held in the headquarters for Military Assistance Command Vietnam known as MACV .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States and its Republic of Vietnam allies were `` turning the corner . ''
Or the light at the end of the tunnel was burning brighter .
Or with the latest influx of x thousand American soldiers , the North was on the run .
And the metric for assessing progress was the infamous body count .
Based on the body count , the populations of North and South Vietnam must have been in the hundreds of millions to account for all the enemy combatants who were `` killed '' or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the coronavirus dominated life , I read Sir Max Hastings ' Vietnam : An Epic Tragedy : 1945-1975 .
Hastings , a highly regarded journalist and historian , recorded in detail how that war unfolded from jungles and hilltops , where hand-to-hand combat took place ; to the skies above North and South Vietnam ; and to the capitals , where presidents , prime ministers and general secretaries planned , conspired and ultimately decided the fate of Indochina .
Having spent much of 1965-67 in South Vietnam , Hastings ' telling is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portrayal .
Unhealthy doses of incompetence and cynicism are laced throughout the book with Paris , Saigon and Washington bearing the brunt of Hastings ' scathing assessments .
The real heroes in the book are not politicians and generals but the fighting men and , for both sides , women .
The necessity to fight in the truly dreadful conditions in the `` bush '' was soul-destroying .
Villains persisted on both sides of the 17th parallel that once divided north and south .
The only potential similarity between Vietnam and the current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pernicious and corrupting consequence of failing to know , understand and tell the truth .
In many ways , the virus is a more dangerous enemy because of the number of uncertainties that make identifying what is truth or not often a guess .
We should have known better in Vietnam .
We did not .
We can not repeat those disastrous mistakes today nor `` let them eat cake '' suffice for an answer .
Harlan Ullman is a senior adviser at the Atlantic Council .
His latest book is `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lost Every War It Starts . ''
Follow him @ harlankullman .

From the battleground of emergency rooms, hospitals and cities, an entirely different and often desperate picture is emerging from the one President Donald Trump is selling. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Why is it that whenever I see President Donald Trump's near daily televised briefings on the coronavirus pandemic I am often reminded of Marie Antoinette? Married to Louis XVI, king of France, when informed that many of her subjects were too poor to afford bread, Marie was (wrongly) attributed as responding, "Let them eat cake (or more correctly brioche)." Three years after the 1789 French Revolution, Marie and Louis lost their heads to Madame Guillotine. Advertisement
Trump is a master salesman. Once he discovered that the pandemic would not disappear at his whim and coronavirus was indeed a crisis, at his briefings and press conferences the president was at his selling best, repeating all the "great" things taking place under his administration. Millions of masks and protective clothing were flowing off production lines as if this were World War II with tanks, bombers and bullets. This had been the "best" economy ever had it not been for the virus. And so on.
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Backed up by his task force headed by the vice president and the top physicians in the field, the scent of optimism and competence was real. The effectiveness is reflected in the polls. A majority of Americans now approve of the way the White House is handling this crisis. And White House advisers, namely Peter Navarro, one of the architects of the tariff war with China and advocate of calling the disease the Wuhan virus, have been attacking the media for "panicking" and presenting worst-case scenarios.
Yet from the battleground of emergency rooms, hospitals and cities, an entirely different and often desperate picture is emerging. The lack of protective equipment, ventilators, test kits and other vitally needed medical material seems ubiquitous from Seattle to New Orleans to Boston. That more Americans have been infected by the virus than China -- with five times the population -- is inexplicable. Clearly, any White House would attempt to demonstrate leadership and calm. But the contrasts between 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. and the rest of the country remain stark.
Governors have stepped into the breach. New York's Andrew Cuomo, at the epicenter of the pandemic so far, has been forceful, direct and honest in his briefings, as have other governors in afflicted states. Aside from Republican Mike DeWine of Ohio, most of these governors are Democrats, probably reflecting that their cities contain the largest populations and entry points for international travelers who may have carried the virus.
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For older generations who remember the Vietnam War, the White House briefings could risk mirroring the "Five O'Clock Follies" in Saigon. Those were held in the headquarters for Military Assistance Command Vietnam known as MACV. Too often, the briefings promised that the United States and its Republic of Vietnam allies were "turning the corner." Or the light at the end of the tunnel was burning brighter. Or with the latest influx of x thousand American soldiers, the North was on the run. And the metric for assessing progress was the infamous body count. Based on the body count, the populations of North and South Vietnam must have been in the hundreds of millions to account for all the enemy combatants who were "killed" or reported as killed in action.
Just before the coronavirus dominated life, I read Sir Max Hastings' Vietnam: An Epic Tragedy: 1945-1975. Hastings, a highly regarded journalist and historian, recorded in detail how that war unfolded from jungles and hilltops, where hand-to-hand combat took place; to the skies above North and South Vietnam; and to the capitals, where presidents, prime ministers and general secretaries planned, conspired and ultimately decided the fate of Indochina. Having spent much of 1965-67 in South Vietnam, Hastings' telling is a vivid, frightening and very accurate portrayal.
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Unhealthy doses of incompetence and cynicism are laced throughout the book with Paris, Saigon and Washington bearing the brunt of Hastings' scathing assessments. The real heroes in the book are not politicians and generals but the fighting men and, for both sides, women. The necessity to fight in the truly dreadful conditions in the "bush" was soul-destroying. Villains persisted on both sides of the 17th parallel that once divided north and south.
The only potential similarity between Vietnam and the current war on coronavirus could be the insidious, pernicious and corrupting consequence of failing to know, understand and tell the truth. In many ways, the virus is a more dangerous enemy because of the number of uncertainties that make identifying what is truth or not often a guess.
We should have known better in Vietnam. We did not. We cannot repeat those disastrous mistakes today nor "let them eat cake" suffice for an answer.
Harlan Ullman is a senior adviser at the Atlantic Council. His latest book is "Anatomy of Failure: Why America Has Lost Every War It Starts." Follow him @harlankullman.
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-04-01--China reports asymptomatic cases -- nearly 150 -- for first time

April 1 ( UPI ) -- China reported a surge in new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday after it included asymptomatic cases in its daily update for the first time .
Beijing 's National Health Commission reported 36 confirmed infections of the coronavirus , 33 of which were imported , continuing a trend of more cases entering from outside the country than those transmitted locally .
However , the daily tally included 130 people who tested positive for COVID-19 without exhibiting any symptoms .
The move to include asymptomatic cases follows Premier Li Keqiang urging health officials on Saturday to pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who can spread the virus without detection .
On Tuesday , China 's National Health Commission announced it had more than 1,500 asymptomatic patients under medical observation , most of which were locally transmitted .
The combined 166 new cases China reported on Wednesday is its highest increase since early last month .
Beijing said Wednesday it has recorded more than 81,500 confirmed cases since the pandemic began in December , although that number had n't accounted for the asymptomatic cases .
The commission also said two formerly asymptomatic patients were reclassified as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms .
Officials said seven more people died Tuesday , increasing China 's toll to 3,312 .

Signs encourage people to practice safe social-distancing amid the coronavirus outbreak in Beijing, China, on Sunday. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
April 1 (UPI) -- China reported a surge in new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday after it included asymptomatic cases in its daily update for the first time. Beijing's National Health Commission reported 36 confirmed infections of the novel coronavirus, 33 of which were imported, continuing a trend of more cases entering from outside the country than those transmitted locally. Advertisement
However, the daily tally included 130 people who tested positive for COVID-19 without exhibiting any symptoms.
The move to include asymptomatic cases follows Premier Li Keqiang urging health officials on Saturday to pay close attention to patients without symptoms, who can spread the virus without detection.
On Tuesday, China's National Health Commission announced it had more than 1,500 asymptomatic patients under medical observation, and most of those cases were locally transmitted.
The combined 166 new cases China reported Wednesday is its highest increase since early last month.
Beijing said Wednesday it has recorded more than 81,500 confirmed cases since the pandemic began in December, although that number hadn't accounted for the asymptomatic cases. The commission also said two formerly asymptomatic patients were reclassified as confirmed cases after they began to exhibit symptoms.
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Officials said seven more people died Tuesday, increasing China's toll to 3,312.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus said Wednesday afternoon that health officials expect the number of cases worldwide to top 1 million and the number of deaths to top 50,000 in the coming days.
Experts at Johns Hopkins University say there were more than 900,000 cases and 45,300 deaths as of midday Wednesday.
"Over the past five weeks, we have witnessed a near exponential growth in the number of new COVID-19 cases, reaching almost every country, territory and area. The number of deaths has more than doubled in the past week," Ghebreyesus said during a WHO briefing in Geneva.
"I am deeply concerned about the rapid escalation and global spread of infection."
Ghebreyesus said he's concerned about the virus' effect on both the health and economic status of the world's poor and those who are most vulnerable. He called on the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to implement programs to give debt relief to prevent the possibility of economic collapse.
Scenes from a pandemic: World copes with COVID-19


upi--2020-04-01--U.N.: COVID-19 is 'greatest test' since World War II

April 1 ( UPI ) -- The coronavirus pandemic is `` the greatest test '' the world has faced since the second world war , United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said during a call to action for everyone the globe over to work together to fight COVID-19 .
`` This human crisis demands coordinated , decisive , inclusive and innovative policy action from the world 's leading economies -- and maximum financial and technical support for the poorest and most vulnerable people and countries , '' he said .
The secretary-general made the remarks while unveiling a report published Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which warned the pandemic is `` a defining moment for modern society , and history will judge the efficacy of our response '' not by a single country but by the global community .
In the report , the U.N. said the shared responsibility to fight COVID-19 calls for suppressing the transmission of the virus , safeguarding people 's lives and their livelihoods and learning from this human crisis to build a better future .
The pandemic , which began as an outbreak in Wuhan , China , in December , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people and causing more than 42,000 deaths , according to a COVID-19 tracker map by Johns Hopkins University .
To fulfill these shared responsibilities , the U.N. is calling for the world to mount `` the most robust and cooperative health response the world has ever seen , '' to coordinate a large-scale multilateral drive to protect those most at risk amounting to at least 10 percent of global GDP and to seize upon this crisis to strengthen global commitment to implement the U.N. 's 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis must lead to a different economy , '' Guterres said .
`` Everything we do during and after this crisis must be with a strong focus on building more equal , inclusive and sustainable economies and societies that are more resilient in the face of pandemics , climate change and the many other global challenges we face . ''
The U.N. report estimates the pandemic could cause the loss of up to 25 million jobs , the loss of up to $ 3.4 trillion in labor income and the decline in international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also result in 1.5 billion students out of school .
Guterres called on developed nations to aid those that are less developed to bolster their health systems or `` face the nightmare of the disease spreading like wildfire in the global south with millions of deaths and the prospect of the disease re-emerging where it was previously suppressed . ''

April 1 (UPI) -- The coronavirus pandemic is "the greatest test" the world has faced since the second world war, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said during a call to action for everyone the globe over to work together to fight COVID-19.
"This human crisis demands coordinated, decisive, inclusive and innovative policy action from the world's leading economies -- and maximum financial and technical support for the poorest and most vulnerable people and countries," he said.
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The secretary-general made the remarks while unveiling a report published Tuesday responding to the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19, which warned the pandemic is "a defining moment for modern society, and history will judge the efficacy of our response" not by a single country but by the global community.
In the report, the U.N. said the shared responsibility to fight COVID-19 calls for suppressing the transmission of the virus, safeguarding people's lives and their livelihoods and learning from this human crisis to build a better future.
The pandemic, which began as an outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December, has spread worldwide, infecting more than 860,000 people and causing more than 42,000 deaths, according to a COVID-19 tracker map by Johns Hopkins University.
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To fulfill these shared responsibilities, the U.N. is calling for the world to mount "the most robust and cooperative health response the world has ever seen," to coordinate a large-scale multilateral drive to protect those most at risk amounting to at least 10 percent of global GDP and to seize upon this crisis to strengthen global commitment to implement the U.N.'s 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
"The recovery from the COVID-19 crisis must lead to a different economy," Guterres said. "Everything we do during and after this crisis must be with a strong focus on building more equal, inclusive and sustainable economies and societies that are more resilient in the face of pandemics, climate change and the many other global challenges we face."
The U.N. report estimates the pandemic could cause the loss of up to 25 million jobs, the loss of up to $3.4 trillion in labor income and the decline in international arrivals by 30 percent. It could also result in 1.5 billion students out of school.
Guterres called on developed nations to aid those that are less developed to bolster their health systems or "face the nightmare of the disease spreading like wildfire in the global south with millions of deaths and the prospect of the disease re-emerging where it was previously suppressed."


upi--2020-04-01--Too many hours working desk job may harm thyroid

Could long hours at the office put you at risk for hypothyroidism ?
New research suggests it 's possible : Hypothyroidism -- an underactive thyroid -- was more than twice as common in adults who worked 53 to 83 hours a week as in those who worked 36 to 42 hours a week ( 3.5 percent vs. 1.4 percent ) .
Hypothyroidism can cause tiredness , depression , feeling cold and weight gain , and it 's also a risk factor for heart disease and diabetes .
In this study , researchers analyzed data from 2,160 adult full-time workers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done on the workers allowed researchers to identify hypothyroidism .
For each 10-hour increase in the work week , people who worked longer hours had a higher risk of hypothyroidism than those who worked 10 hours less , according to the study published March 31 in a special supplemental section of the Journal of the Endocrine Society .
Hypothyroidism affects women more often than men , but the researchers found that long working hours was associated with an increased risk of hypothyroidism regardless of the workers ' sex or socioeconomic status .
Further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working hours actually cause hypothyroidism , said study principal investigator Dr. Young Ki Lee , from the National Cancer Center in Goyang-si , South Korea .
`` If a causal relationship is established , it can be the basis for recommending a reduction in working hours to improve thyroid function among overworked individuals with hypothyroidism , '' Lee said in a journal news release .
`` Additionally , screening for hypothyroidism could be easily integrated into workers ' health screening programs using simple laboratory tests , '' he noted .
`` Overwork is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety of workers worldwide , '' Lee said .
`` To our knowledge , this study is the first to show that long working hours are associated with hypothyroidism . ''
The study only found associations , not a cause-and-effect link .
In 2018 , South Korea passed a law restricting the maximum number of working hours from 68 to 52 a week .
`` If long working hours really cause hypothyroidism , the prevalence of hypothyroidism in Korea might decrease slightly as the working hours decrease , '' Lee said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on hypothyroidism .

Could long hours at the office put you at risk for hypothyroidism?
New research suggests it's possible: Hypothyroidism -- an underactive thyroid -- was more than twice as common in adults who worked 53 to 83 hours a week as in those who worked 36 to 42 hours a week (3.5 percent vs. 1.4 percent).
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Hypothyroidism can cause tiredness, depression, feeling cold and weight gain, and it's also a risk factor for heart disease and diabetes.
In this study, researchers analyzed data from 2,160 adult full-time workers in South Korea. Records of blood work done on the workers allowed researchers to identify hypothyroidism.
For each 10-hour increase in the work week, people who worked longer hours had a higher risk of hypothyroidism than those who worked 10 hours less, according to the study published March 31 in a special supplemental section of the Journal of the Endocrine Society.
Hypothyroidism affects women more often than men, but the researchers found that long working hours was associated with an increased risk of hypothyroidism regardless of the workers' sex or socioeconomic status.
Further research is needed to determine whether long working hours actually cause hypothyroidism, said study principal investigator Dr. Young Ki Lee, from the National Cancer Center in Goyang-si, South Korea.
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"If a causal relationship is established, it can be the basis for recommending a reduction in working hours to improve thyroid function among overworked individuals with hypothyroidism," Lee said in a journal news release.
"Additionally, screening for hypothyroidism could be easily integrated into workers' health screening programs using simple laboratory tests," he noted.
"Overwork is a prevalent problem threatening the health and safety of workers worldwide," Lee said. "To our knowledge, this study is the first to show that long working hours are associated with hypothyroidism." The study only found associations, not a cause-and-effect link.
In 2018, South Korea passed a law restricting the maximum number of working hours from 68 to 52 a week.
"If long working hours really cause hypothyroidism, the prevalence of hypothyroidism in Korea might decrease slightly as the working hours decrease," Lee said.
More information
The American Academy of Family Physicians has more on hypothyroidism.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-04-01--AleXa lives every K-pop fans’ dream as an idol

April 1 ( UPI ) -- For some U.S. fans , becoming a K-pop star is a pipedream as unattainable as winning the lottery .
But for AleXa , who 's currently promoting her latest single as a soloist on South Korean music shows -- and is a few days shy from dropping her first physical mini album -- the dream came into fruition .
`` How do I make sense of it all ? ''
the 23-year-old asked on a call with UPI .
`` Honestly , I still have not made sense of it all yet . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'll just wake up and be like , 'How did I get here ?
What am I doing ? '
in a positive , reflective way .
Cause it 's very surreal to me that this is my life now cause this is something I 've always wanted and strived for in my youth , '' AleXa said .
The dream did n't come fast or easy for Alexaundra Christine Schneiderman .
Before she became AleXa , the AI warrior popstar and the Korean-American Tulsa , Okla. , native was a Shawol -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fantasized about becoming an idol .
Being a show choir singer and dancer , watching K-pop stars ' performances , motivated her to pursue her K-pop dreams seriously while in high school .
The first step she took was participating in `` Rising Legends , '' a fan-voted online audition contest for international K-pop star hopefuls by the English-language Korean entertainment news site Soompi and the Korean company JYP Entertainment in 2016 .
She won first place in the dance category .
The following year , Soompi teamed up with Cube Entertainment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried once more .
She ultimately won the grand prize : a trip to South Korea for a private audition with Cube .
Before the audition , AleXa flew to Seoul early after agreeing to shoot a reality TV show with Viki , an American streaming site for Asian shows and movies , that would follow her journey leading up to the big event .
Though she ultimately did n't make it into the company and went home , Zanybros , a South Korean video production company that has worked with those in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CLC and BTS , offered to sign her as its first trainee under subsidiary company ZB Label .
Then a college student , AleXa faced a difficult decision about her future -- and she also had to convince her parents .
`` It took a long while to discuss things with them , but I think at this point my parents were fully supportive of my dream .
They were more or less like , 'This is your time to do what you want .
You do n't want to look back on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ' '' she said .
Soon thereafter , AleXa signed with ZB Label , which then sent her to compete on the reality competition show Produce 48 .
`` It was a scary decision because I was on that path to proper adulthood .
But I think I definitely would have regretted it had I not taken this opportunity , '' she said .
She did n't make it far in the show , but following her exit , the label rapidly began her training to become AleXa .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first born artist from Zanybros , of all companies , '' she said .
`` It 's really wild because they 're one of the biggest , if not the absolute biggest , video production company here in South Korea .
`` So the fact that they had interest in signing me and have now developed me as an artist is both very exciting but also quite scary , because there are expectations you have to live up to , and I do n't want to disappoint anybody in this company .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ October with `` Bomb , '' characterized by an emphasis on strong choreography for the Afrobeats-tinged song and a `` warrior-style girl crush '' concept , as she described it .
The follow-up , this month 's `` Do Or Die , '' picks up where its predecessor left off plotwise in the dystopian fictional universe , and is a Brazilian funk-lite and EDM hybrid that also features her now signature powerful choreography .
Since the concept is that she 's an AI that exists within a multiverse , AleXa discussed whether she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her entire career .
`` So right now in 'Bomb , ' 'Do Or Die , ' and soon the third chapter in the trilogy , she 's this hard-hitting cyberwarrior character .
It 's very cyberpunk .
But the thing is , in a different universe , she could be a soft high school girl or something , '' she said .
`` This trilogy alone will be this hard-hitting thing .
It 's not gon na keep repeating itself . ''
Creatively , though being backed up by a production powerhouse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and career , AleXa said she 's grateful she 's able to be a part of the process .
`` Because of my actual love for horror movies and sci-fi , I get a big say in the concepts and what the music videos might be , '' she said .
`` I also kind of get to approve the styling .
We 'll look at things together and be like , 'Do you think this will work for the concept ?
Do you think this will look good on you ? '
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ make inroads in the U.S. music market , that gives AleXa hope and pleases her as both a former K-pop fan and current idol in Korea .
`` It 's so cool [ that ] nowadays K-pop is mainstream news .
'Cause back when I was a K-pop fan , people would look at me weird for watching these music videos , being a fan of quote-unquote Asian music , '' she said .
`` But , did we not just have 'Despacito ' blow up in America ?
I 'm pretty sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something that transcends language .
So the fact that [ K-pop ] has become something that people are more open-minded about and is comfortably publicly spoken-about is amazing to me . ''
Earlier this month , AleXa signed with ICM Partners to focus on the U.S. market as a singer , actor and performer .
On Wednesday , she 'll be releasing her first EP , Do Or Die .
The mini album will include eight tracks , including `` Bomb '' and `` Do Or Die . ''
`` Every night , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on what my life is and that definitely makes me quite happy , '' she said .
She said she is encouraged by the kind words of her fans .
`` It 's very heartwarming to me , '' she said .
`` I just want to do my best for other people . ''

AleXa is releasing her first EP, "Do Or Die," Wednesday. The mini album will include eight tracks, including "Bomb" and "Do Or Die." Photo courtesy of ZB Label
LOS ANGELES, April 1 (UPI) -- American K-pop star AleXa, who's promoting her latest single as a soloist on South Korean music shows, drops her first mini-album, Do or Die, on Wednesday. The 23-year-old Korean-American singer is still in disbelief over her journey from Tulsa, Okla., to Seoul, where she has signed with a major music video production company. Advertisement
"How do I make sense of it all?" AleXa, whose real name is Alex Christine Schneiderman, told UPI in a recent phone interview. "Honestly, I still have not made sense of it all yet.
"Every now and then, I'll just wake up and be like, 'How did I get here? What am I doing?' in a positive, reflective way. Cause it's very surreal to me that this is my life now cause this is something I've always wanted and strived for in my youth."
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Before she became AleXa, starring in videos as an AI warrior, she was a fan of the K-pop group SHINee -- and fantasized about becoming an idol. Being a show choir singer and dancer, watching K-pop stars' performances, motivated her to pursue her dreams seriously while in high school.
Auditions
Her first step was participating in "Rising Legends," a fan-voted online audition contest for international K-pop star hopefuls by the English-language Korean entertainment news site Soompi and the Korean company JYP Entertainment in 2016. She won first place in the dance category.
The following year, Soompi teamed up with Cube Entertainment, and at age 20, she tried once more. She ultimately won the grand prize: a trip to South Korea for a private audition with Cube.
Before the audition, AleXa flew to Seoul early after agreeing to shoot a reality TV show with Viki, an American streaming site for Asian shows and movies, that would follow her journey leading up to the big event.
Though she ultimately didn't make it into the company, Zanybros, a South Korean video production company that has worked with those in the industry like Pentagon, KARD, CLC and BTS, offered to sign her as its first trainee under subsidiary company ZB Label.
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'This is your time'
Then a college student, AleXa faced a difficult decision about her future -- and she also had to convince her parents.
"It took a long while to discuss things with them, but I think at this point my parents were fully supportive of my dream. They were more or less like, 'This is your time to do what you want. You don't want to look back on this and regret not taking this opportunity,'" she said.
Soon thereafter, AleXa signed with ZB Label, which sent her to compete on the reality competition show Produce 48.
"It was a scary decision because I was on that path to proper adulthood. But I think I definitely would have regretted it had I not taken this opportunity," she said.
She didn't make it far in the show, but following her exit, the label rapidly began her training to become AleXa.
"It's definitely very, very exciting to be the first-born artist from Zanybros, of all companies," she said. "It's really wild because they're one of the biggest, if not the absolute biggest, video production company here in South Korea.
"So the fact that they had interest in signing me and have now developed me as an artist is both very exciting but also quite scary, because there are expectations you have to live up to, and I don't want to disappoint anybody in this company."
Advertisement
'Do or Die'
AleXa made her big debut in October with "Bomb," characterized by an emphasis on strong choreography for the Afrobeats-tinged song and a "warrior-style girl crush" concept, as she described it.
The follow-up, "Do Or Die," picks up where its predecessor left off plot wise in the dystopian fictional universe. It's a Brazilian funk-lite and EDM hybrid that also features her signature powerful choreography.
Since the concept is that she's an AI that exists within a multiverse, AleXa discussed whether she would carry on the same narrative throughout her career.
"Right now in 'Bomb,' 'Do Or Die,' and soon the third chapter in the trilogy, she's this hard-hitting cyberwarrior character. It's very cyberpunk. But the thing is, in a different universe, she could be a soft high school girl or something," she said. "This trilogy alone will be this hard-hitting thing. It's not gonna keep repeating itself."
Creatively, though being backed up by a production powerhouse that handles most aspects of her music and career, AleXa said she's grateful she's able to be a part of the process.
"Because of my actual love for horror movies and sci-fi, I get a big say in the concepts and what the music videos might be," she said. "I also get to approve the styling. We'll look at things together and be like, 'Do you think this will work for the concept? Do you think this will look good on you?'"
Advertisement
Mainstream K-pop
As different K-pop artists continue to make inroads in the U.S. music market, that gives AleXa hope.
"It's so cool [that] nowadays K-pop is mainstream news. Cause back when I was a K-pop fan, people would look at me weird for watching these music videos, being a fan of 'Asian music,'" she said.
"But, did we not just have 'Despacito' blow up in America? I'm pretty sure not everyone speaks Spanish. Music is something that transcends language. So the fact that [K-pop] has become something that people are more open-minded about and is comfortably publicly spoken about is amazing to me."
In March, AleXa signed with ICM Partners to focus on the U.S. market as a singer, actor and performer. On Wednesday, she'll be releasing her first EP, Do Or Die. The mini album will include eight tracks, including "Bomb" and "Do Or Die."