upi--2020-03-06--Austin cancels South by Southwest amid COVID-19 fears

March 6 ( UPI ) -- Officials in Austin , Texas , canceled the South by Southwest film , interactive and music festival amid coronavirus fears , event organizers said Friday .
The fest was scheduled to take place March 13-22 .
Earlier this week , companies such as WarnerMedia , Netflix , Apple , Twitter and Facebook began pulling out of the festival out of concern over COVID-19 .
Austin Mayor Steve Adler announced on Friday he ordered the cancellation .
SXSW confirmed the cancellation in a statement on Twitter .
`` 'The show must go on ' is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time in 34 years that the March event will not take place , '' they wrote .
`` As recently as Wednesday , Austin Public Health stated that 'there 's no evidence that closing SXSW or any other gatherings will make the community safer . '
However , this situation evolved rapidly , and we honor and respect the City of Austin 's decision . ''
Organizers for the Ultra Music Festival also announced Friday that the city postponed the Miami festival , which was scheduled to take place March 20-26 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Prevention says the virus has sickened 164 people and killed 11 in the United States as of 4 p.m. Thursday .
Johns Hopkins , basing its numbers on the latest state and local health departments , reports 256 ill and 14 dead as of 12:30 p.m. Friday .
Johns Hopkins said there have been five confirmed cases in Texas near San Antonio and Houston .

Austin Mayor Steve Adler canceled South by Southwest 2020 on Friday. Photo courtesy of SXSW
March 6 (UPI) -- Officials in Austin, Texas, canceled the South by Southwest film, interactive and music festival amid coronavirus fears, event organizers said Friday. The fest was scheduled to take place March 13-22. Advertisement
Earlier this week, companies such as WarnerMedia, Netflix, Apple, Twitter and Facebook began pulling out of the festival out of concern over COVID-19. Austin Mayor Steve Adler announced on Friday he ordered the cancellation.
SXSW confirmed the cancellation in a statement on Twitter.
"'The show must go on' is in our DNA, and this is the first time in 34 years that the March event will not take place," they wrote. "As recently as Wednesday, Austin Public Health stated that 'there's no evidence that closing SXSW or any other gatherings will make the community safer.' However, this situation evolved rapidly, and we honor and respect the City of Austin's decision."
Organizers for the Ultra Music Festival also announced Friday that the city postponed the Miami festival, which was scheduled to take place March 20-26.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the virus has sickened 164 people and killed 11 in the United States as of 4 p.m. Thursday. Johns Hopkins, basing its numbers on the latest state and local health departments, reports 256 ill and 14 dead as of 12:30 p.m. Friday.
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Johns Hopkins said there have been five confirmed cases in Texas near San Antonio and Houston.


upi--2020-03-06--Death of spouse linked to higher mortality for Melanoma patients

People whose spouse or partner has died are less likely to be diagnosed with melanoma , but more likely to die from it , a new study says .
An analysis of data from population-based studies conducted in the United Kingdom and Denmark between 1997 and 2017 found that people who had lost a spouse or partner were 12 percent less likely to be diagnosed with melanoma than others .
But bereaved people with the most serious form of skin cancer were 17 percent more likely to die from it than others .
`` Many factors can influence melanoma survival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take longer to detect in bereaved people , potentially because partners play an important role in spotting early signs of skin cancer , '' said lead author Angel Wong , a research fellow at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine .
Delayed detection could stall diagnosis until the cancer has progressed to later stages , when it 's typically more aggressive and harder to treat .
`` Support for recently bereaved people , including showing how to properly check their skin , could be vital for early detection of skin cancer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wong said in a school news release .
The authors suggested that family members or caregivers do skin checks for bereaved people , and that health care providers step up their examinations as well .
The findings were published March 3 in the British Journal of Dermatology .
`` Those without a partner should be vigilant in checking their skin , particularly in hard-to-reach locations such as the back , scalp , and ears , '' commented Dr. Walayat Hussain of the British Association of Dermatologists .
`` Skin cancer is a disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who are also most likely to be bereaved , so targeting skin checking advice at this group should be a priority , '' Hussain said in the release .
The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more on melanoma .

People whose spouse or partner has died are less likely to be diagnosed with melanoma, but more likely to die from it, a new study says.
An analysis of data from population-based studies conducted in the United Kingdom and Denmark between 1997 and 2017 found that people who had lost a spouse or partner were 12 percent less likely to be diagnosed with melanoma than others.
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But bereaved people with the most serious form of skin cancer were 17 percent more likely to die from it than others.
"Many factors can influence melanoma survival. Our work suggests that melanoma may take longer to detect in bereaved people, potentially because partners play an important role in spotting early signs of skin cancer," said lead author Angel Wong, a research fellow at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Delayed detection could stall diagnosis until the cancer has progressed to later stages, when it's typically more aggressive and harder to treat.
"Support for recently bereaved people, including showing how to properly check their skin, could be vital for early detection of skin cancer, and thus improved survival," Wong said in a school news release.
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The authors suggested that family members or caregivers do skin checks for bereaved people, and that health care providers step up their examinations as well. The findings were published March 3 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
"Those without a partner should be vigilant in checking their skin, particularly in hard-to-reach locations such as the back, scalp, and ears," commented Dr. Walayat Hussain of the British Association of Dermatologists. "Skin cancer is a disease which is most common in older people, who are also most likely to be bereaved, so targeting skin checking advice at this group should be a priority," Hussain said in the release.
More information
The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more on melanoma.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-03-06--Neuroscientists watch brains replay memories in real time

March 6 ( UPI ) -- In a new study , scientists successfully observed the neural signatures of recalled memories in real time .
For the study , researchers at the National Institutes of Health monitored the neural activity of epilepsy patients while they learned word pairings .
Scientists spotted the electrical signature of a forming memory as patients first learned a word pairing .
Then , during follow up tests , researchers were able to recognize the same neural patterns just before patients recalled what they had learned earlier .
The electrodes and word tests allowed scientists to watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memory in a real time .
The study , published this week in the journal Science , was part of a broader effort to develop new therapies for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy .
`` Memory plays a crucial role in our lives , '' senior study author Dr. Kareem Zaghloul , a neurosurgeon and researcher at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke , said in a news release .
`` Just as musical notes are recorded as grooves on a record , it appears that our brains store memories in neural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and over again . ''
For the broader study , Dr. Zaghloul and his colleagues used surgically implanted electrodes to try to locate the origins of seizures in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy .
The study offered researchers the chance to study the neural patterns responsible for memory formation .
Previous studies involving rodent models have suggested episodic memories are stored in unique neuronal firing sequences .
For the latest memory study , scientists wanted see if they could find similar neuronal sequences in humans .
`` We thought that if we looked carefully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from patients we might be able to find a link between memory and neuronal firing patterns in humans that is similar to that seen in rodents , '' said study leader Alex Vaz , a bioengineer and doctoral student at Duke University .
During the word-pairing tests , researchers focused on the electrical signals produced by neurons in the anterior temporal lobe , which is key to the formation of verbal memories and language learning .
Scientists watched as unique neuronal sequences fired during the knowledge acquisition process , as patients learned word @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` fox . ''
When patients were later prompted with one of the words , scientists watched the same neuronal sequence fire just before patients successfully recalled the associated word .
`` These results suggest that our brains may use distinct sequences of neural spiking activity to store memories and then replay them when we remember a past experience , '' said Dr. Zaghloul .
In a previous study , Dr. Zaghloul and his colleagues found unique electrical waves , or ripples , propagated through the brain just prior to memory being recalled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between ripples and neural spikes .
Just before the neural spikes registered in the anterior temporal lobe , electrodes recorded ripples in the medial temporal lobe .
`` Our results support the idea that memories involve coordinated replay of neuronal firing patterns throughout the brain , '' said Dr. Zaghloul .
`` Studying how we form and retrieve memories may not only help us understand ourselves but also how neuronal circuits break down in memory disorders . ''

Surgically implanted electrodes recorded unique neuronal spikes firing just before epilepsy patients recalled a memory of a recently learned word pairing. Photo by Zaghloul lab/NIH/NINDS
March 6 (UPI) -- In a new study, scientists successfully observed the neural signatures of recalled memories in real time. For the study, researchers at the National Institutes of Health monitored the neural activity of epilepsy patients while they learned word pairings. Advertisement
Scientists spotted the electrical signature of a forming memory as patients first learned a word pairing. Then, during follow up tests, researchers were able to recognize the same neural patterns just before patients recalled what they had learned earlier. The electrodes and word tests allowed scientists to watch the electrical signal sparked by a replayed memory in a real time.
The study, published this week in the journal Science, was part of a broader effort to develop new therapies for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.
"Memory plays a crucial role in our lives," senior study author Dr. Kareem Zaghloul, a neurosurgeon and researcher at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, said in a news release. "Just as musical notes are recorded as grooves on a record, it appears that our brains store memories in neural firing patterns that can be replayed over and over again."
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For the broader study, Dr. Zaghloul and his colleagues used surgically implanted electrodes to try to locate the origins of seizures in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. The study offered researchers the chance to study the neural patterns responsible for memory formation.
Previous studies involving rodent models have suggested episodic memories are stored in unique neuronal firing sequences. For the latest memory study, scientists wanted see if they could find similar neuronal sequences in humans.
"We thought that if we looked carefully at the data we had been collecting from patients we might be able to find a link between memory and neuronal firing patterns in humans that is similar to that seen in rodents," said study leader Alex Vaz, a bioengineer and doctoral student at Duke University.
During the word-pairing tests, researchers focused on the electrical signals produced by neurons in the anterior temporal lobe, which is key to the formation of verbal memories and language learning. Scientists watched as unique neuronal sequences fired during the knowledge acquisition process, as patients learned word pairings, like "cake" and "fox." When patients were later prompted with one of the words, scientists watched the same neuronal sequence fire just before patients successfully recalled the associated word.
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"These results suggest that our brains may use distinct sequences of neural spiking activity to store memories and then replay them when we remember a past experience," said Dr. Zaghloul.
In a previous study, Dr. Zaghloul and his colleagues found unique electrical waves, or ripples, propagated through the brain just prior to memory being recalled. The latest study revealed a connection between ripples and neural spikes. Just before the neural spikes registered in the anterior temporal lobe, electrodes recorded ripples in the medial temporal lobe.
"Our results support the idea that memories involve coordinated replay of neuronal firing patterns throughout the brain," said Dr. Zaghloul. "Studying how we form and retrieve memories may not only help us understand ourselves but also how neuronal circuits break down in memory disorders."


upi--2020-03-06--Jackpot-winning lottery ticket was on man's table for a month

March 6 ( UPI ) -- A Saskatchewan man said he found a lottery ticket on his table that had already been scratched off and it turned out to be worth $ 744,845 .
Bradley Nyhus of Ceylon told Western Canada Lottery Corp. officials the Set For Life scratch-off ticket he bought from Radville Co-op in Radville in late January was scratched off shortly after he bought it , but he somehow missed that it was a top prize winner .
`` I do n't know how I did n't see it at home when I originally had scratched it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was laying on my table for three or four weeks , possibly more .
I noticed it sitting there when I was on my way to an appointment and to get gas and a car wash. '' Nyhus said he took the ticket and several others he had previously scratched off to scan at a ticket checker .
`` I started scanning them on the ticket checker .
I did n't win on the first few , then I saw a 1 , a dash and all these zeroes , '' Nyhus recalled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an error code . ''
He said he checked the ticket at a different machine just to make sure and confirmed he had won the top prize of $ 744.81 a week for 25 years , which he took as a lump sum option of $ 744,845 .
`` I 'll use it to pay off the student loans for my three daughters .
Beyond that , maybe invest the rest and look at retiring , '' Nyhus said .
`` I have a running joke with the clerk in Radville Co-op .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ once it would be nice to win . '
Now here I am . ''

A Saskatchewan lottery player said he must have misread a scratch-off lottery ticket when he played it, because he didn't learn it was a top prize winner until a month later. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe March 6 (UPI) -- A Saskatchewan man said he found a lottery ticket on his table that had already been scratched off and it turned out to be worth $744,845. Bradley Nyhus of Ceylon told Western Canada Lottery Corp. officials the Set For Life scratch-off ticket he bought from Radville Co-op in Radville in late January was scratched off shortly after he bought it, but he somehow missed that it was a top prize winner. Advertisement
"I don't know how I didn't see it at home when I originally had scratched it," Nyhus said. "It was laying on my table for three or four weeks, possibly more. I noticed it sitting there when I was on my way to an appointment and to get gas and a car wash."
Nyhus said he took the ticket and several others he had previously scratched off to scan at a ticket checker.
"I started scanning them on the ticket checker. I didn't win on the first few, then I saw a 1, a dash and all these zeroes," Nyhus recalled. "I thought it must be an error code."
He said he checked the ticket at a different machine just to make sure and confirmed he had won the top prize of $744.81 a week for 25 years, which he took as a lump sum option of $744,845.
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"I'll use it to pay off the student loans for my three daughters. Beyond that, maybe invest the rest and look at retiring," Nyhus said. "I have a running joke with the clerk in Radville Co-op. I always say to her, 'Just once it would be nice to win.' Now here I am."


upi--2020-03-06--Dow drops 256 points, ends week with small gains

March 6 ( UPI ) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 256 points Friday to cap off a wild week of trading that showed overall small gains .
The Dow closed at 25,864 points , a 0.9 percent drop from Thursday .
The S & P 500 fell 500 points or 1.7 percent and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 162 points or 1.8 percent .
Friday 's losses were relatively minor compared to a day prior , when the Dow fell nearly 1,000 points amid concerns over the coronavirus .
The major U.S. index saw its worst week of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
A brief rally after former Vice President Joe Biden 's positive showing on Super Tuesday was short-lived , but enough to end the week with small gains .
A positive jobs report Friday was n't enough to end the day on a positive note .
The U.S. economy added 273,000 jobs in February , crushing most analysts ' expectations .
The unemployment rate also dipped to 3.5 percent .
`` Markets have not done well on Fridays because we are all expecting the situation to worsen over the weekend , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Morgan Stanley Investment Management , according to CNBC .
The Washington Post reported that a drop in the 10-year Treasury yield , in which bonds are paying less than 1 percent , contributed to Friday 's drop .

Traders work on the the floor of the New York Stock Exchange at the opening bell on Wall Street in New York City on Friday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 6 (UPI) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 256 points Friday to cap off a wild week of trading that showed overall small gains. The Dow closed at 25,864 points, a 0.9 percent drop from Thursday. The S&P 500 fell 500 points or 1.7 percent and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 162 points or 1.8 percent. Advertisement
Friday's losses were relatively minor compared to a day prior, when the Dow fell nearly 1,000 points amid concerns over the coronavirus. The major U.S. index saw its worst week of trading since the 2008 financial crisis last week.
A brief rally after former Vice President Joe Biden's positive showing on Super Tuesday was short-lived, but enough to end the week with small gains.
A positive jobs report Friday wasn't enough to end the day on a positive note. The U.S. economy added 273,000 jobs in February, crushing most analysts' expectations. The unemployment rate also dipped to 3.5 percent.
"Markets have not done well on Fridays because we are all expecting the situation to worsen over the weekend," said Andrew Slimmon, senior portfolio manager at Morgan Stanley Investment Management, according to CNBC.
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The Washington Post reported that a drop in the 10-year Treasury yield, in which bonds are paying less than 1 percent, contributed to Friday's drop.


upi--2020-03-06--Travel restrictions in China, elsewhere may have slowed COVID-19 outbreak

March 6 ( UPI ) -- Travel restrictions and lockdowns can be inconvenient , if not draconian , but a study published Friday suggests the limited benefits from them , in China at least , likely protected those in Wuhan and slowed the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak from being far worse .
The analysis , published in the journal Science , says the lockdown approach taken by Chinese officials on Jan. 23 , one month after the start of the outbreak in Wuhan , delayed progression of the epidemic in China by three to five days -- and may have reduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by as much as 80 percent .
Johns Hopkins University , as of 3:30 p.m .
ET on Friday , reported 101,765 confirmed cases of the virus globally , but 67,592 of them in Hubei province China , where Wuhan -- the epicenter of the outbreak -- is located .
The rest of the country has reported 13,015 cases .
Chinese officials imposed a strict travel ban for those in Wuhan , limiting travel into and out of the city by closing airports , train stations , mass transit systems and highways in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Health Organization have acknowledged that the approach likely slowed the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak , they have also consistently cautioned that the possible benefits of restrictions and lockdowns need to be `` balanced '' against human rights .
In late January , the Trump administration took the step of `` suspending entry '' into the United States for all non-U.S. citizens traveling from or through China , Hong Kong and Macau .
The ban took effect Feb. 2 , and covered those who had been to those regions during the preceding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the administration augmented the ban to include Iran , which currently has 4,747 cases .
The country ranks third worldwide in COVID-19 cases , behind China and South Korea , which has 6,593 , according to Johns Hopkins .
In addition to the government-instituted bans , dozens of airlines grounded flights between mainland China and many parts of the world , due at least in part to declines in travel over outbreak fears .
That , too , has worked to effectively restrict travel in the aftermath of the outbreak , researchers say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Global Epidemic and Mobility Model , or GLEAM , an epidemic model that uses a `` meta-population network approach integrated with real-world data . ''
With this approach , developed by epidemiologists and mathematicians at Northeastern University and the ISI Foundation in Torino , Italy , the world is essentially divided into sub-populations around major transportation hubs , typically airports .
The sub-populations are then connected by the flow of individuals traveling daily between these hubs .
Notably , the modeling revealed that travel restrictions that are anything less than comprehensive -- or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slowing disease spread .
The authors modeled transmission based on `` 90 percent '' travel restrictions and found that it would not be reduced .
More extensive travel restrictions `` will extend the period of time during which the importation of cases is greatly reduced , '' they concluded .
`` Moving forward , we expect that travel restrictions to COVID-19 affected areas will have modest effects , and that transmission-reduction interventions will provide greatest benefit to mitigate the epidemic , '' the researchers wrote .

A subway carriage in Beijing is nearly empty during a normally busy rush hour in early February as the coronavirus spread through China and to other nations around the world. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
March 6 (UPI) -- Travel restrictions and lockdowns can be inconvenient, if not draconian, but a study published Friday suggests the limited benefits from them, in China at least, likely protected those in Wuhan and slowed the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak from being far worse. The analysis, published in the journal Science, says the lockdown approach taken by Chinese officials on Jan. 23, one month after the start of the outbreak in Wuhan, delayed progression of the epidemic in China by three to five days -- and may have reduced the number of cases globally by mid-February by as much as 80 percent. Advertisement
Johns Hopkins University, as of 3:30 p.m. ET on Friday, reported 101,765 confirmed cases of the virus globally, but 67,592 of them in Hubei province China, where Wuhan -- the epicenter of the outbreak -- is located. The rest of the country has reported 13,015 cases.
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Chinese officials imposed a strict travel ban for those in Wuhan, limiting travel into and out of the city by closing airports, train stations, mass transit systems and highways in the region. Although officials with the World Health Organization have acknowledged that the approach likely slowed the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak, they have also consistently cautioned that the possible benefits of restrictions and lockdowns need to be "balanced" against human rights.
In late January, the Trump administration took the step of "suspending entry" into the United States for all non-U.S. citizens traveling from or through China, Hong Kong and Macau. The ban took effect Feb. 2, and covered those who had been to those regions during the preceding 14-day period.
On Feb. 29, the administration augmented the ban to include Iran, which currently has 4,747 cases. The country ranks third worldwide in COVID-19 cases, behind China and South Korea, which has 6,593, according to Johns Hopkins.
In addition to the government-instituted bans, dozens of airlines grounded flights between mainland China and many parts of the world, due at least in part to declines in travel over outbreak fears. That, too, has worked to effectively restrict travel in the aftermath of the outbreak, researchers say.
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The researchers derived figures from the Global Epidemic and Mobility Model, or GLEAM, an epidemic model that uses a "meta-population network approach integrated with real-world data."
With this approach, developed by epidemiologists and mathematicians at Northeastern University and the ISI Foundation in Torino, Italy, the world is essentially divided into sub-populations around major transportation hubs, typically airports. The sub-populations are then connected by the flow of individuals traveling daily between these hubs.
Notably, the modeling revealed that travel restrictions that are anything less than comprehensive -- or, incomplete -- are less effective at slowing disease spread.
The authors modeled transmission based on "90 percent" travel restrictions and found that it would not be reduced. More extensive travel restrictions "will extend the period of time during which the importation of cases is greatly reduced," they concluded.
"Moving forward, we expect that travel restrictions to COVID-19 affected areas will have modest effects, and that transmission-reduction interventions will provide greatest benefit to mitigate the epidemic," the researchers wrote.


upi--2020-03-06--Look: Cat rescued from inside wall of Massachusetts home

March 6 ( UPI ) -- Firefighters in Massachusetts conducted an unusual rescue at a resident 's home where they @ @ @ @ @ wall to free the family 's cat .
The Falmouth Fire Rescue Department said a @ @ @ @ @ a call for assistance from Falmouth Animal Control .
The firefighters ended up cutting through @ @ @ @ @ a family cat that somehow ended up trapped inside the walls of the home .
@ @ @ @ @ .

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March 6 (UPI) -- Firefighters in Massachusetts conducted an unusual rescue at a resident's home where they had to cut through a wall to free the family's cat.
The Falmouth Fire Rescue Department said a crew responded Thursday evening to a call for assistance from Falmouth Animal Control.
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The firefighters ended up cutting through an interior wall to rescue a family cat that somehow ended up trapped inside the walls of the home.
The cat was not injured.


upi--2020-03-06--Court rulings on crosses favor history over religion

March 6 ( UPI ) -- Recent court rulings favoring historic preservation over religious implications may turn the tide in legal battles across the United States over crosses depicted on public property .
In Pensacola , Fla. , an appeals court ruled that a 34-foot-tall cross can remain in a park , rejecting an argument that the display should be removed because its maintenance by the city violates the U.S. Constitution 's Establishment Clause , which prohibits the government from favoring one religion over others .
In a 3-0 opinion , the 11th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evolved into a neutral one since its erection in 1941 in Bayview Park .
Furthermore , the passage of time has imbued the cross with historical significance .
Removing it might appear to be hostile , rather than neutral , toward religion , according to the Feb. 19 ruling .
In finding the cross constitutional , the 11th Circuit was guided by a 2019 U.S. Supreme Court opinion that allowed a 40-foot-tall cross that commemorates area residents who died in World War I to remain on public land in Bladensburg , Md .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Humanist Association , which said the Bladensburg cross has taken on a secular purpose and acquired historical importance -- also was the basis of a decision permitting Lehigh County , Pa. , to keep a Latin cross on its seal .
Sam Gerard , a communications associate for the AHA , said the crosses are `` explicitly religious '' and violate the separation of church and state .
The association , which , along with the Freedom From Religion Foundation , filed a lawsuit on behalf of four plaintiffs seeking removal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to appeal .
The impact of the Supreme Court opinion will be felt in other cases , said Luke Goodrich , vice president and senior counsel for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty , which represented Pensacola and Lehigh County in their battles over the crosses .
Courts will increasingly rely on the history of religious symbols in deciding challenges to their constitutionality , `` which will produce more objective and religion-friendly results , '' Goodrich told UPI in an email .
`` Bladensburg will lead to more rulings allowing religious displays ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Goodrich said .
Rebecca Markert , the foundation 's legal director , said Bladensburg has opened the door to symbols that would have been considered religious a few years ago .
She said the Bayview Park cross was built to serve as the centerpiece of annual Easter sunrise services .
`` It 's a blow to religious liberty , '' Markert said .
The ruling is a double blow , she added , because it will not lead to a lot of minority religious symbols on public property .
Instead , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ display , will likely maintain traditional Christian symbols , Markert said .
Construction of the Bladensburg cross -- called the Peace Cross -- began in 1918 .
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission acquired the cross and the land in 1961 and uses public funds for maintenance .
In 2012 , the AHA and three residents of Washington , D. C. , and Maryland , sued the commission in federal court .
The plaintiffs alleged the cross 's presence on public land and the commission 's maintenance of it violate the Establishment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in favor of the commission and the American Legion , which had intervened in the suit to defend the cross .
The 4th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals reversed , and the case was appealed to the Supreme Court , which issued its 7-2 opinion June 20 , giving a `` presumption of constitutionality for longstanding monuments , symbols and practices . ''
`` Even if the original purpose of a monument was infused with religion , the passage of time may obscure that sentiment , '' Justice Samuel Alito wrote in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society becomes more and more religiously diverse , a community may preserve such monuments , symbols and practices for the sake of their historical significance or their place in a common cultural heritage . ''
Lehigh County 's seal was adopted in 1944 and depicts images reflecting its history , including a cross that honors the Christians who settled the area .
Other images that reflect the county 's history and culture are cement silos , textiles , a farm , the Liberty Bell and a lamp with books that represents schools .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ members sued in 2016 to get the cross removed , and a federal judge ruled in their favor , saying the cross lacked a secular purpose and was unconstitutional .
The case went to the 3rd U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals , which put it on hold until the decision in the Bladensburg case was issued .
On Aug. 8 , the 3rd Circuit ruled 3-0 that the seal does not violate the Establishment Clause .
The ruling says the Latin cross on the seal `` no doubt carries religious significance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ after its adoption , the seal has become a familiar , embedded feature of Lehigh County , attaining a broader meaning than any one of its many symbols , '' Judge Thomas Hardiman wrote for the court .
In Florida , the National Youth Administration erected a wooden cross in 1941 in the eastern corner of Bayview Park , and the Jaycees organized an annual Easter program that became a tradition .
During World War II , people gathered there to pray for `` the divine guidance of our leaders , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage was built at the site in 1949 , and the cross was replaced with a concrete version in 1969 .
The Jaycees later donated the cross to the city , which lights and maintains it at a cost of about $ 233 a year .
The suit challenging the cross as unconstitutional was filed in 2016 .
After a U.S. District Court judge ordered the cross 's removalm and the 11th Circuit upheld that decision , Pensacola appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court .
While the Pensacola matter was pending , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The high court vacated the 11th Circuit ruling upholding the removal order and sent the case back for reconsideration .
Writing for the 11th Circuit , Judge Kevin Newsom notes that a variety of religious and secular events have been held in the area of the cross and said the city made the space available on a neutral basis .
`` The surest proof of that fact : Just two months before the filing of this lawsuit , the city granted plaintiff David Suhor 's request to reserve the cross for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a church that had already reserved it to move to another area of the park , '' the ruling says .
The 11th Circuit also says the cross `` has become embedded in the fabric of the Pensacola community . ''
`` Removal of the Bayview Park cross at this point -- more than 75 years after its original erection and more than 50 years after its replacement with the current concrete version -- could well , in the Supreme Court 's words , 'strike many as aggressively hostile to religion , ' @ @ @ @ @

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An appeals court said the message conveyed by this cross in Bayview Park in Pensacola, Fla., has evolved into a neutral one since its erection in 1941. Photo courtesy of Becket Fund for Religious Liberty
March 6 (UPI) -- Recent court rulings favoring historic preservation over religious implications may turn the tide in legal battles across the United States over crosses depicted on public property. In Pensacola, Fla., an appeals court ruled that a 34-foot-tall cross can remain in a park, rejecting an argument that the display should be removed because its maintenance by the city violates the U.S. Constitution's Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from favoring one religion over others. Advertisement
In a 3-0 opinion, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the message conveyed by the cross has evolved into a neutral one since its erection in 1941 in Bayview Park. Furthermore, the passage of time has imbued the cross with historical significance. Removing it might appear to be hostile, rather than neutral, toward religion, according to the Feb. 19 ruling.
In finding the cross constitutional, the 11th Circuit was guided by a 2019 U.S. Supreme Court opinion that allowed a 40-foot-tall cross that commemorates area residents who died in World War I to remain on public land in Bladensburg, Md. That ruling -- in American Legion vs. American Humanist Association, which said the Bladensburg cross has taken on a secular purpose and acquired historical importance -- also was the basis of a decision permitting Lehigh County, Pa., to keep a Latin cross on its seal.
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Sam Gerard, a communications associate for the AHA, said the crosses are "explicitly religious" and violate the separation of church and state. The association, which, along with the Freedom From Religion Foundation, filed a lawsuit on behalf of four plaintiffs seeking removal of the Pensacola cross, is weighing whether to appeal.
The impact of the Supreme Court opinion will be felt in other cases, said Luke Goodrich, vice president and senior counsel for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which represented Pensacola and Lehigh County in their battles over the crosses.
Courts will increasingly rely on the history of religious symbols in deciding challenges to their constitutionality, "which will produce more objective and religion-friendly results," Goodrich told UPI in an email.
"Bladensburg will lead to more rulings allowing religious displays (especially longstanding ones) in public places," Goodrich said.
Rebecca Markert, the foundation's legal director, said Bladensburg has opened the door to symbols that would have been considered religious a few years ago. She said the Bayview Park cross was built to serve as the centerpiece of annual Easter sunrise services.
"It's a blow to religious liberty," Markert said.
The ruling is a double blow, she added, because it will not lead to a lot of minority religious symbols on public property. Instead, the government, which decides what to display, will likely maintain traditional Christian symbols, Markert said.
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'Presumption of constitutionality'
Construction of the Bladensburg cross -- called the Peace Cross -- began in 1918. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission acquired the cross and the land in 1961 and uses public funds for maintenance.
In 2012, the AHA and three residents of Washington, D. C., and Maryland, sued the commission in federal court. The plaintiffs alleged the cross's presence on public land and the commission's maintenance of it violate the Establishment Clause.
A district court judge ruled in favor of the commission and the American Legion, which had intervened in the suit to defend the cross. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed, and the case was appealed to the Supreme Court, which issued its 7-2 opinion June 20, giving a "presumption of constitutionality for longstanding monuments, symbols and practices."
"Even if the original purpose of a monument was infused with religion, the passage of time may obscure that sentiment," Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the majority opinion. "As our society becomes more and more religiously diverse, a community may preserve such monuments, symbols and practices for the sake of their historical significance or their place in a common cultural heritage."
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Lehigh County's seal was adopted in 1944 and depicts images reflecting its history, including a cross that honors the Christians who settled the area. Other images that reflect the county's history and culture are cement silos, textiles, a farm, the Liberty Bell and a lamp with books that represents schools.
The Wisconsin-based foundation and four of its members sued in 2016 to get the cross removed, and a federal judge ruled in their favor, saying the cross lacked a secular purpose and was unconstitutional.
The case went to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which put it on hold until the decision in the Bladensburg case was issued. On Aug. 8, the 3rd Circuit ruled 3-0 that the seal does not violate the Establishment Clause.
The ruling says the Latin cross on the seal "no doubt carries religious significance."
"But more than seven decades after its adoption, the seal has become a familiar, embedded feature of Lehigh County, attaining a broader meaning than any one of its many symbols," Judge Thomas Hardiman wrote for the court.
Religious and secular space
In Florida, the National Youth Administration erected a wooden cross in 1941 in the eastern corner of Bayview Park, and the Jaycees organized an annual Easter program that became a tradition. During World War II, people gathered there to pray for "the divine guidance of our leaders," the 11th Circuit decision says.
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A small stage was built at the site in 1949, and the cross was replaced with a concrete version in 1969. The Jaycees later donated the cross to the city, which lights and maintains it at a cost of about $233 a year.
The suit challenging the cross as unconstitutional was filed in 2016. After a U.S. District Court judge ordered the cross's removalm and the 11th Circuit upheld that decision, Pensacola appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
While the Pensacola matter was pending, the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Bladensburg. The high court vacated the 11th Circuit ruling upholding the removal order and sent the case back for reconsideration.
Writing for the 11th Circuit, Judge Kevin Newsom notes that a variety of religious and secular events have been held in the area of the cross and said the city made the space available on a neutral basis.
"The surest proof of that fact: Just two months before the filing of this lawsuit, the city granted plaintiff David Suhor's request to reserve the cross for his own 'satanic purposes,' which required a church that had already reserved it to move to another area of the park," the ruling says.
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(Markert said the event never took place.)
The 11th Circuit also says the cross "has become embedded in the fabric of the Pensacola community."
"Removal of the Bayview Park cross at this point -- more than 75 years after its original erection and more than 50 years after its replacement with the current concrete version -- could well, in the Supreme Court's words, 'strike many as aggressively hostile to religion,' " the ruling says.


upi--2020-03-06--Watch: Swiss Gruyere dubbed world's top cheese at Wisconsin competition

March 6 ( UPI ) -- A Swiss cheesemaker 's Gruyere was dubbed the 2020 World Champion Cheese at the @ @ @ @ @ .
Cheesemaker Michael Spycher of Mountain Dairy Fritzenhaus in Bern , Switzerland , was named @ @ @ @ @ the World Championship Cheese Contest in Madison .
Spycher 's Gruyere , which also won @ @ @ @ @ , beat a record 3,667 cheese entries in more than 132 categories to take home @ @ @ @ @ .
Three Wisconsin cheesemakers also cracked the top 20 finalists : Maple Leaf Cheesemakers of @ @ @ @ @ Seymour , and Marieke Gouda of Thorp .

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March 6 (UPI) -- A Swiss cheesemaker's Gruyere was dubbed the 2020 World Champion Cheese at the biennial international faceoff in Wisconsin.
Cheesemaker Michael Spycher of Mountain Dairy Fritzenhaus in Bern, Switzerland, was named the winner Thursday night at the World Championship Cheese Contest in Madison.
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Spycher's Gruyere, which also won the top prize in 2008, beat a record 3,667 cheese entries in more than 132 categories to take home the competition's top prize.
Three Wisconsin cheesemakers also cracked the top 20 finalists: Maple Leaf Cheesemakers of Monroe, Emmi Roth of Seymour, and Marieke Gouda of Thorp.


upi--2020-03-06--Justice Department to take DNA samples from immigrants illegally entering U.S.

March 6 ( UPI ) -- DNA samples will soon be taken from migrants crossing the U.S. border and stored in a federal criminal database , the Justice Department ruled Friday .
The move , a significant expansion of immigration law , is likely to be challenged in court .
The ruling authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to collect DNA samples from immigrants who illegally enter the country and are in federal custody .
The collection is authorized by the DNA Fingerprint Act , a law passed in 2005 .
It requires a DNA sample , typically done with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from anyone arrested , facing charges or convicted , as well as from any non-U.S. citizen detained under federal authority .
Although 15 years old , the law has been only sporadically enforced .
DHS , during the Obama administration , said it lacked appropriate manpower and sought an exemption from the law .
In October , the Trump administration disclosed plans to enforce it , adding the technology and process is now easier and less expensive .
The results will be sent to the FBI 's Combined DNA Index System , known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as `` the generic term used to describe the FBI 's program of support for criminal justice DNA databases . ''
It is similar to the FBI 's fingerprint database , which is used to identify suspects through fingerprints found at crime scenes .
Pilot programs for DNA collection began in January in Detroit and at the Eagle Pass entry port in Texas .
Rep. Rashida Tlaib , D-Mich. , Rep. Veronica Escobar , D-Mich. , and Rep. Joaquin Castro , D-Texas , are critical of the DNA collection process , saying it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immigrants are more likely to commit crimes . ''

Families embrace between El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on October 26, 2019. The Justice Department announced a plan Friday to enforce a law requiring that a DNA sample be taken, and stored by the FBI, from all people entering the United States illegally. File Photo by Justin Hamel/UPI | License Photo
March 6 (UPI) -- DNA samples will soon be taken from migrants crossing the U.S. border and stored in a federal criminal database, the Justice Department ruled Friday. The move, a significant expansion of immigration law, is likely to be challenged in court. Advertisement
The ruling authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to collect DNA samples from immigrants who illegally enter the country and are in federal custody. The collection is authorized by the DNA Fingerprint Act, a law passed in 2005. It requires a DNA sample, typically done with a simple swabbing of the mouth, from anyone arrested, facing charges or convicted, as well as from any non-U.S. citizen detained under federal authority.
Although 15 years old, the law has been only sporadically enforced. DHS, during the Obama administration, said it lacked appropriate manpower and sought an exemption from the law. In October, the Trump administration disclosed plans to enforce it, adding the technology and process is now easier and less expensive. The results will be sent to the FBI's Combined DNA Index System, known as CODIS, which the FBI defines as "the generic term used to describe the FBI's program of support for criminal justice DNA databases."
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It is similar to the FBI's fingerprint database, which is used to identify suspects through fingerprints found at crime scenes. Pilot programs for DNA collection began in January in Detroit and at the Eagle Pass entry port in Texas.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Mich., and Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, are critical of the DNA collection process, saying it "reinforces the xenophobic myth that undocumented immigrants are more likely to commit crimes."


upi--2020-03-06--In Photos: Moments from Janelle Monae's career

Patti LaBelle ( L ) and Monáe perform `` Purple Rain ' '' during the tribute to Prince , who @ @ @ @ @ award at the BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27 , 2010 .
Photo @ @ @

Patti LaBelle (L) and Monáe perform "Purple Rain'" during the tribute to Prince, who was presented a Lifetime Achievement award at the BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27, 2010. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI


upi--2020-03-06--Get ready for a lost hour of sleep with Daylight Saving Time on Sunday

March 6 ( UPI ) -- Unless you adjust your clocks forward with this weekend 's approach of Daylight Saving Time , the world will be one hour ahead of you on Sunday morning .
U.S. residents will lose one hour of sleep as clocks `` spring forward '' in the spring .
A lost hour of sleep potentially offers disruption and could pose health risks .
Research indicates that traffic fatalities and the chance of a heart attack or stroke increase slightly on the Monday after the annual advancement of the clocks .
Fatigue , though , is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circadian clock gets dysregulated .
Some people are more sensitive than others based on genetics , age -- younger people usually adapt better - [ and ] morning versus evening types , '' commented Dr. Beth Malow of Vanderbilt Kennedy Center in Nashville .
Malow suggests readying for Daylight Saving Time by going to bed , and awakening , 15 to 20 minutes earlier than normal on the days preceding the time change .
`` This will help your body transition more smoothly rather than abruptly , '' she said .
The semi-annual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American ritual , although many states have suggested maintaining either permanent Daylight Saving Time or Daylight Standard Time .
Under current federal law , states can choose either to be on permanent standard time or to adjust the clocks every six months .
Legislators in Washington state voted to switch to permanent Daylight Saving Time in 2019 , part of a West Coast movement to prolong daylight and postpone daily sunsets in the winter .
The western Canadian province of British Columbia agreed it would make the switch if U.S. states on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Congress has not acted , and the clocks of Washington will be adjusted on Saturday night .

Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday morning. Photo by Security /Pixabay
March 6 (UPI) -- Unless you adjust your clocks forward with this weekend's approach of Daylight Saving Time, the world was one hour ahead of you on Sunday morning. U.S. residents will lost one hour of sleep as clocks "spring forward" in the spring. A lost hour of sleep potentially offers disruption and could pose health risks. Research indicates that traffic fatalities and the chance of a heart attack or stroke increase slightly on the Monday after the annual advancement of the clocks. Fatigue, though, is the most common medical complaint. Advertisement
"Our circadian clock gets dysregulated. Some people are more sensitive than others based on genetics, age -- younger people usually adapt better - [and] morning versus evening types," commented Dr. Beth Malow of Vanderbilt Kennedy Center in Nashville.
Malow suggests readying for Daylight Saving Time by going to bed, and awakening, 15 to 20 minutes earlier than normal on the days preceding the time change.
"This will help your body transition more smoothly rather than abruptly," she said.
The semi-annual adjustment of the clock has become an American ritual, although many states have suggested maintaining either permanent Daylight Saving Time or Daylight Standard Time. Under current federal law, states can choose either to be on permanent standard time or to adjust the clocks every six months.
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Arizona and Hawaii are on permanent standard time, meaning clocks in those states didn't change.
Legislators in Washington state voted to switch to permanent Daylight Saving Time in 2019, part of a West Coast movement to prolong daylight and postpone daily sunsets in the winter. The western Canadian province of British Columbia agreed it would make the switch if U.S. states on the West Coast would. Still, the U.S. Congress has not acted, and the clocks of Washington will be adjusted on Saturday night.


upi--2020-03-06--Watch: Taeyeon visits garden in 'Happy' music video teaser

March 6 ( UPI ) -- South Korean singer Taeyeon is giving a glimpse of her new music video .
@ @ @ @ @ a member of the girl group Girls ' Generation , shared a preview Friday of @ @ @ @ @ single `` Happy . ''
The teaser shows Taeyeon listening to music , daydreaming over @ @ @ @ @ colorful garden .
Girls ' Generation released teaser photos earlier this week on Twitter that @ @ @ @ @ video .
Taeyeon had announced `` Happy '' on the Girls ' Generation official Twitter @ @ @ @ @ said the song will be an R & B pop song .
Taeyeon has released @ @ @ @ @ EPs as a solo artist .
She released her second studio album , Purpose , @ @ @ @ @ known for the singles `` Rain , '' `` 11:11 , '' `` Fine '' @ @ @ @ @ '' Taeyeon came to fame with Girls ' Generation , which debuted in 2007 .
@ @ @ @ @ of the group 's subunit Oh !
GG .

1
March 6 (UPI) -- South Korean singer Taeyeon is giving a glimpse of her new music video.
The 30-year-old K-pop star, a member of the girl group Girls' Generation, shared a preview Friday of her video for the solo single "Happy."
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The teaser shows Taeyeon listening to music, daydreaming over breakfast, and visiting a colorful garden.
Girls' Generation released teaser photos earlier this week on Twitter that showed scenes from the music video.
Taeyeon had announced "Happy" on the Girls' Generation official Twitter account Monday. The post said the song will be an R&B pop song.
Taeyeon has released two studio albums and five EPs as a solo artist. She released her second studio album, Purpose, in October. She is known for the singles "Rain," "11:11," "Fine" and "Four Seasons."
Taeyeon came to fame with Girls' Generation, which debuted in 2007. She is also a member of the group's subunit Oh!GG.


upi--2020-03-06--House committee report slams Boeing, FAA over 737 Max development, certification

March 6 ( UPI ) -- The House Transportation Committee cited Boeing Co. and aviation regulators for numerous design and safety problems of the 737 Max aircraft in findings released Friday .
The plane , Boeing 's best seller , has been grounded worldwide after crashes in 2018 and 2019 , five months apart , killed 346 people .
The committee is examining Boeing 's development of the plane and its approval by U.S. regulators .
The 17-page `` preliminary investigative findings '' center on five themes : that Boeing 's cost-cutting pressures on the assembly line , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A320neo aircraft , jeopardized the safety of the public ; that Boeing made `` faulty assumptions '' regarding the planes ' technologies , notably the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System , a software solution to flight stability issues ; that Boeing encourages a `` culture of concealment '' in withholding information from pilots , customers and the Federal Aviation Administration ; that the FAA 's oversight is compromised with the inclusion of Boeing employees on certification committees ; and that Boeing has undue influence over FAA oversight .
Development of the 737 Max `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of transparency with both regulators and customers , and efforts to obfuscate information about the operation of the aircraft , '' the report says .
It adds that the FAA `` certification review of Boeing 's 737 MAX was grossly insufficient and that the FAA failed in its duty to identify key safety problems . ''
It cites a whistleblower 's numerous examples of Boeing 's attempts to lower the planes ' costs of production , as well as a 2016 internal survey in which 39 percent of Boeing employees reported `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned about consequences if they reported that pressure .
The survey can be seen as `` painting a disturbing picture of cultural issues at Boeing that can undermine safety and oversight , '' the report says .
`` These preliminary investigative findings make clear that Boeing must create and maintain an effective and vigorous safety culture and the FAA must develop a more aggressive certification and oversight structure to ensure safe aircraft designs and to regain the confidence of the flying public , '' it concludes .
March 10 is the second anniversary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airlines plane traveling from Addis Ababa to Nairobi .
The first occurred in Indonesia .
The accidents led to the grounding of all 737 Max planes , the departure of Boeing 's CEO , financial stress for airlines around the world and the tarnishing of Boeing 's image .

The U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure was critical of Boeing Co. and U.S. aviation regulators in preliminary findings, released on Friday, of its investigation of the crashes of two Boeing 737 Max planes. File Photo by Dan Humbrechts/EPA-EFE
March 6 (UPI) -- The House Transportation Committee cited Boeing Co. and aviation regulators for numerous design and safety problems of the 737 Max aircraft in findings released Friday. The plane, Boeing's best seller, has been grounded worldwide after crashes in 2018 and 2019, five months apart, killed 346 people. The committee is examining Boeing's development of the plane and its approval by U.S. regulators. Advertisement
The 17-page "preliminary investigative findings" center on five themes: that Boeing's cost-cutting pressures on the assembly line, with the 737 Max in competition with the Airbus A320neo aircraft, jeopardized the safety of the public; that Boeing made "faulty assumptions" regarding the planes' technologies, notably the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, a software solution to flight stability issues; that Boeing encourages a "culture of concealment" in withholding information from pilots, customers and the Federal Aviation Administration; that the FAA's oversight is compromised with the inclusion of Boeing employees on certification committees; and that Boeing has undue influence over FAA oversight.
Development of the 737 Max "was marred by technical design failures, lack of transparency with both regulators and customers, and efforts to obfuscate information about the operation of the aircraft," the report says. It adds that the FAA "certification review of Boeing's 737 MAX was grossly insufficient and that the FAA failed in its duty to identify key safety problems."
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It cites a whistleblower's numerous examples of Boeing's attempts to lower the planes' costs of production, as well as a 2016 internal survey in which 39 percent of Boeing employees reported "undue pressure," with 29 percent concerned about consequences if they reported that pressure. The survey can be seen as "painting a disturbing picture of cultural issues at Boeing that can undermine safety and oversight," the report says.
"These preliminary investigative findings make clear that Boeing must create and maintain an effective and vigorous safety culture and the FAA must develop a more aggressive certification and oversight structure to ensure safe aircraft designs and to regain the confidence of the flying public," it concludes.
March 10 is the second anniversary of the second crash, an Ethiopian Airlines plane traveling from Addis Ababa to Nairobi. The first occurred in Indonesia. The accidents led to the grounding of all 737 Max planes, the departure of Boeing's CEO, financial stress for airlines around the world and the tarnishing of Boeing's image.


upi--2020-03-06--Tito's warns customers: Vodka is not a safe hand sanitizer

March 6 ( UPI ) -- The Texas-based makers of Tito 's Handmade Vodka issued an unusual statement in response @ @ @ @ @ : Do not use vodka as hand sanitizer .
The issue was raised Thursday when @ @ @ @ @ that they had been using Tito 's Handmade Vodka to make homemade hand sanitizer .
@ @ @ @ @ sanitizer out your vodka .
The hand sanitizer does n't taste bad either .
Cheers @ @ @ @ @ Keeping me germ-free and feeling good at the same time , '' the customer wrote @ @ @ @ @ a serious statement warning other customers not to follow their example .
`` Per the @ @ @ @ @ to contain at least 60 percent alcohol .
Tito 's Handmade Vodka is 40 percent @ @ @ @ @ not meet the current recommendation of the CDC , '' the brand tweeted .

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March 6 (UPI) -- The Texas-based makers of Tito's Handmade Vodka issued an unusual statement in response to a customer's comment: Do not use vodka as hand sanitizer.
The issue was raised Thursday when a customer said on Twitter that they had been using Tito's Handmade Vodka to make homemade hand sanitizer.
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"I made some hand sanitizer out your vodka. The hand sanitizer doesn't taste bad either. Cheers to Tito's vodka. Keeping me germ-free and feeling good at the same time," the customer wrote.
Tito's responded with a serious statement warning other customers not to follow their example.
"Per the CDC, hand sanitizer needs to contain at least 60 percent alcohol. Tito's Handmade Vodka is 40 percent alcohol, and therefore does not meet the current recommendation of the CDC," the brand tweeted.


upi--2020-03-06--Henri Richard: Hockey Hall of Famer, six-time champion dies at 84

March 6 ( UPI ) -- Henri Richard -- who won a record 11 Stanley Cups with the NHL 's Montreal Canadiens -- died Friday .
He was 84 .
Richard battled Alzheimer 's disease and lived the last years of his life at home in Laval , Quebec , Canada .
The Hall of Fame center played his entire 20-year career with the Canadiens .
`` Henri Richard was one of the true giants of the game , '' NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a news release .
`` The entire National Hockey League family mourns the passing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gentleman and ambassador for our sport and the Montreal Canadiens . ''
Richard was a four-time All-Star .
He won the Stanley Cup five consecutive times from 1956 through 1960 .
He went on to win the Stanley Cup in six of nine seasons from 1965 through 1973 .
Richard played alongside his brother , Maurice `` Rocket '' Richard , '' during his first championship run .
Maurice Richard , a 14-time All-Star and eight-time champion , was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961 .
Henri Richard , known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his 5-foot-7 , 160-pound frame , was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1979 .
Henri Richard scored the Stanley Cup winning goal against the Detroit Red Wings in 1966 .
He also scored the tying and winning goals in Game 7 of the 1971 Stanley Cup .
He retired after the 1974-1975 season , and the Canadiens retured his No .
16 jersey in 1975 .
Henri Richard ranks third on the Canadiens ' all-time scoring list .
His 1,258 games player remain a Canadiens record .
His 11 championships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russell for the most championships won by a player in North American sports history .
Henri Richard is survived by his wife , Lise , children Michele , Gilles , Denis , Marie-France and Natalie , and 10 grandchildren and four great grandchildren .

Henri Richard scored 358 goals and had 688 assists in 20 NHL seasons for the Montreal Canadiens. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
March 6 (UPI) -- Henri Richard -- who won a record 11 Stanley Cups with the NHL's Montreal Canadiens -- died Friday. He was 84. Richard battled Alzheimer's disease and lived the last years of his life at home in Laval, Quebec, Canada. The Hall of Fame center played his entire 20-year career with the Canadiens. Advertisement
"Henri Richard was one of the true giants of the game," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a news release. "The entire National Hockey League family mourns the passing of this incomparable winner, leader, gentleman and ambassador for our sport and the Montreal Canadiens."
Richard was a four-time All-Star. He won the Stanley Cup five consecutive times from 1956 through 1960. He went on to win the Stanley Cup in six of nine seasons from 1965 through 1973.
Richard played alongside his brother, Maurice "Rocket" Richard," during his first championship run. Maurice Richard, a 14-time All-Star and eight-time champion, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961.
Henri Richard, known as "pocket rocket" because of his 5-foot-7, 160-pound frame, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1979.
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Henri Richard scored the Stanley Cup winning goal against the Detroit Red Wings in 1966. He also scored the tying and winning goals in Game 7 of the 1971 Stanley Cup. He retired after the 1974-1975 season, and the Canadiens retired his No. 16 jersey in 1975.
Henri Richard ranks third on the Canadiens' all-time scoring list. His 1,258 games player remain a Canadiens record. His 11 championships are tied with Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell for the most championships won by a player in North American sports history.
Henri Richard is survived by his wife, Lise, children Michele, Gilles, Denis, Marie-France and Natalie, and 10 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.


upi--2020-03-06--Watch: Dua Lipa plays fitness instructor in 'Physical' workout video

March 6 ( UPI ) -- Dua Lipa plays a fitness instructor in a new video for her song `` Physical . ''
The 24-year-old singer released a workout video , titled the `` Let 's Get Physical Work Out Video , '' for the single Friday .
The video opens with Lipa introducing herself as the instructor of `` Physical : Get Fit in Under 6 . ''
Lipa starts her viewers off with a `` breathing exercise '' before breaking out in an aerobics-inspired dance routine .
Lipa promoted the video in an Instagram post Friday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NOW - THIS SILLY WHACKY THING IS ALL YOURZ !
!
# LetsGetPhysical , '' she wrote .
`` Physical '' appears on Lipa 's forthcoming album , Future Nostalgia .
The album also includes the single `` Do n't Start Now , '' and is slated for release April 3 .
Lipa released the original `` Physical '' music video in January .
She shared a director 's cut of the video in February .
Lipa released her self-titled debut album in 2017 .
She is known for the singles `` Be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hell , '' `` IDGAF , '' `` One Kiss '' with Calvin Harris and `` Do n't Start Now . ''

March 6 (UPI) -- Dua Lipa plays a fitness instructor in a new video for her song "Physical."
The 24-year-old singer released a workout video, titled the "Let's Get Physical Work Out Video," for the single Friday.
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The video opens with Lipa introducing herself as the instructor of "Physical: Get Fit in Under 6." Lipa starts her viewers off with a "breathing exercise" before breaking out in an aerobics-inspired dance routine.
Lipa promoted the video in an Instagram post Friday.
"LETS GET PHYSICAL WORKOUT VIDEO IS OUT NOW - THIS SILLY WHACKY THING IS ALL YOURZ!! #LetsGetPhysical," she wrote.
"Physical" appears on Lipa's forthcoming album, Future Nostalgia. The album also includes the single "Don't Start Now," and is slated for release April 3.
Lipa released the original "Physical" music video in January. She shared a director's cut of the video in February.
Lipa released her self-titled debut album in 2017. She is known for the singles "Be the One," "Hotter than Hell," "IDGAF," "One Kiss" with Calvin Harris and "Don't Start Now."


upi--2020-03-07--Famous birthdays for March 7: Laura Prepon, Rachel Weisz

March 7 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Pisces .

Laura Prepon arrives on the red carpet at "The Hero" New York premiere at the Whitby Hotel on June 7, 2017, in New York City. The actor turns 40 on March 7. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 7 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Pisces. They include: Advertisement
-- Pope Clement XIII in 1693
-- British astronomer John Herschel in 1792
-- British painter Edwin Henry Landseer in 1802
-- U.S. botanist Luther Burbank in 1849
-- Dutch abstract painter Piet Mondrian in 1872
-- Actor Anna Magnani in 1908
-- Photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones, earl of Snowden, in 1930
-- NBC weatherman Willard Scott in 1934 (age 86)
-- Race car driver Janet Guthrie in 1938 (age 82)
-- Actor Daniel J. Travanti in 1940 (age 80)
-- Former Disney executive Michael Eisner in 1942 (age 78)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- TV evangelist Tammy Faye Bakker Messner in 1942
-- Actor John Heard in 1945
-- Musician Townes Van Zandt in 1944
-- Football Hall of fame member Franco Harris in 1950 (age 70)
-- Football Hall of Fame member Lynn Swann in 1952 (age 68)
-- Actor Bryan Cranston in 1956 (age 64)
-- Tennis Hall of Fame member Ivan Lendl in 1960 (age 60)
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-- Comedian Wanda Sykes in 1964 (age 56)
-- Actor Rachel Weisz in 1970 (age 50)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Actor Jenna Fischer in 1974 (age 46)
-- Actor Tobias Menzies in 1974 (age 46)
-- Actor TJ Thyne in 1975 (age 45)
-- Actor Laura Prepon in 1980 (age 40)
-- Actor Brandon T. Jackson in 1984 (age 36)
-- Actor Haley Lu Richardson in 1995 (age 25)


upi--2020-03-07--On This Day, March 7: U.S. troops cross Rhine after capturing Ludendorff Bridge

March 7 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1876 , Alexander Graham Bell was granted a patent for the telephone .
In 1918 , Finland signed a peace treaty with Germany shortly after declaring independence from Russia .
In 1936 , Adolf Hitler ordered Nazi troops into the Rhineland , violating the Treaty of Versailles .
In 1945 , the U.S. 1st Army crossed the Rhine at Remagen , Germany after capturing the strategically important , Ludendorff Bridge ( also known as the Bridge at Remagen ) .
World War II in Europe ended two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of civil rights marchers trying to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma , Ala. , were turned back by state troopers and sheriff 's deputies .
Dozens of people were beaten and injured in what became known as `` Bloody Sunday . ''
Marchers voluntarily turned around on a ceremonial walk to the bridge two days later and , on March 21 , with protection by federal and National Guard troops , the main Selma-to-Montgomery march began .
In 1966 , U.S. forces undertook the biggest air raid campaign on North Vietnam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1965 .
In 1984 , the U.S. Senate confirmed William Wilson as the first U.S. ambassador to the Vatican in 117 years .
In 1985 , `` We Are the World , '' a song composed by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and recorded by a series of high-profile music stars was released worldwide with the goal of generating funds for the USA for Africa charity .
The song and related promotions eventually raised about $ 63 million .
In 2002 , More than 600 people were reported dead after several days of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , India .
In 2010 , Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Director for her film The Hurt Locker .
In 2013 , the U.S. Senate confirmed John Brennan as director of the CIA .
In 2017 , Malta 's iconic Azure Window , a natural rock arch , collapsed into the sea during a storm .
In 2019 , Chinese electronics behemoth Huawei sued the U.S. government for its ban on U.S. federal employees owning its products .

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The Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine between Erpel (foreground, east side) and Remagen (background, west side) after it was captured by U.S. troops on March 7, 1945. File Photo courtesy of the U.S. Signal Corps
March 7 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell was granted a patent for the telephone. Advertisement
In 1918, Finland signed a peace treaty with Germany shortly after declaring independence from Russia.
In 1936, Adolf Hitler ordered Nazi troops into the Rhineland, violating the Treaty of Versailles.
In 1945, the U.S. 1st Army crossed the Rhine at Remagen, Germany after capturing the strategically important, Ludendorff Bridge (also known as the Bridge at Remagen). World War II in Europe ended two months later.
In 1965, hundreds of civil rights marchers trying to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., were turned back by state troopers and sheriff's deputies. Dozens of people were beaten and injured in what became known as "Bloody Sunday." Marchers voluntarily turned around on a ceremonial walk to the bridge two days later and, on March 21, with protection by federal and National Guard troops, the main Selma-to-Montgomery march began.
File Photo by David Tulis/UPI
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In 1966, U.S. forces undertook the biggest air raid campaign on North Vietnam since bombing of the north resumed in 1965.
In 1984, the U.S. Senate confirmed William Wilson as the first U.S. ambassador to the Vatican in 117 years.
In 1985, "We Are the World," a song composed by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and recorded by a series of high-profile music stars was released worldwide with the goal of generating funds for the USA for Africa charity. The song and related promotions eventually raised about $63 million.
In 2002, More than 600 people were reported dead after several days of Hindu-Muslim violence in the state of Gujarat, India.
In 2010, Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Director for her film The Hurt Locker.
In 2013, the U.S. Senate confirmed John Brennan as director of the CIA.
File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
In 2017, Malta's iconic Azure Window, a natural rock arch, collapsed into the sea during a storm.
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In 2019, Chinese electronics behemoth Huawei sued the U.S. government for its ban on U.S. federal employees owning its products.


upi--2020-03-07--SpaceX launches 20th space station cargo mission

ORLANDO , Fla. , March 7 ( UPI ) -- SpaceX launched more than 4,300 pounds of supplies and science experiments to the International Space Station from Florida on Friday night -- the company 's 20th such mission for NASA .
Liftoff came as scheduled at 11:50 p.m. EST from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station , which is adjacent to Kennedy Space Center .
The mission , if successful , means SpaceX will have ferried 94,000 pounds of cargo to the space station since its first demonstration flight arrived there in 2012 and brought back 74,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SpaceX flew the first-stage booster to the company 's Landing Zone-1 at Cape Canaveral , the 50th such landing of that stage .
The capsule will take a little more than two days to reach the space station , SpaceX said .
In April , it is scheduled to re-enter Earth 's atmosphere and splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Baja California with 3,700 pounds of return cargo .
SpaceX 's Falcon 9 rocket includes a booster that launched a similar mission to the station Dec. 5 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traveling to the space station in 2017 and in 2018 .
Among the science experiments is a space plant nursery designed by food container company Tupperware , a shower head experiment from Delta Faucet and a scientific investigation into microgravity 's effects on stem cell production of heart cells from Emory University in Atlanta .
The European Space Agency is sending up its new science platform -- Bartolomeo -- that will attach to the outside of the space station .
The platform provides 11 units that can house science experiments controlled from Earth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water flow in microgravity from its H2Okinetic showerhead , with an eye toward better performance and water conservation .
Tupperware 's nursery is intended to be mostly self-sustaining -- with minimal work time required by astronauts .
The system is called a Passive Orbital Nutrient Delivery System , or PONDS , and has no electricity , pumps or moving parts .
It has a free-standing water reservoir from which plants can draw when needed .
SpaceX is under contract to resupply the space station through 2024 .

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket like this launched a cargo capsule to the International Space Station on Friday night. File Photo by Joe Marino-Bill Cantrell/UPI | License Photo
ORLANDO, Fla., March 7 (UPI) -- SpaceX launched more than 4,300 pounds of supplies and science experiments to the International Space Station from Florida on Friday night -- the company's 20th such mission for NASA. Liftoff came as scheduled at 11:50 p.m. EST from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, which is adjacent to Kennedy Space Center. Advertisement
The mission, if successful, means SpaceX will have ferried 94,000 pounds of cargo to the space station since its first demonstration flight arrived there in 2012 and brought back 74,000 pounds of cargo.
After launch, SpaceX flew the first-stage booster to the company's Landing Zone-1 at Cape Canaveral, the 50th such landing of that stage.
The capsule will take a little more than two days to reach the space station, SpaceX said.
In April, it is scheduled to re-enter Earth's atmosphere and splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Baja California with 3,700 pounds of return cargo.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket includes a booster that launched a similar mission to the station Dec. 5. The capsule was used a third time after traveling to the space station in 2017 and in 2018.
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Among the science experiments is a space plant nursery designed by food container company Tupperware, a shower head experiment from Delta Faucet and a scientific investigation into microgravity's effects on stem cell production of heart cells from Emory University in Atlanta.
The European Space Agency is sending up its new science platform -- Bartolomeo -- that will attach to the outside of the space station. The platform provides 11 units that can house science experiments controlled from Earth.
Delta Faucet says it will examine water flow in microgravity from its H2Okinetic showerhead, with an eye toward better performance and water conservation.
Tupperware's nursery is intended to be mostly self-sustaining -- with minimal work time required by astronauts.
The system is called a Passive Orbital Nutrient Delivery System, or PONDS, and has no electricity, pumps or moving parts. It has a free-standing water reservoir from which plants can draw when needed.
SpaceX is under contract to resupply the space station through 2024.
The Dragon spacecraft supporting this mission previously flew in support of our tenth and sixteenth commercial resupply missions - this will be the third Dragon to fly on three missions pic.twitter.com/AvqACtjoAo— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 1, 2020 Advertisement


upi--2020-03-06--Tiger Woods to skip Players Championship due to back issues

March 6 ( UPI ) -- Tiger Woods will skip next week 's Players Championship because of ongoing issues with his back , the golfer announced Friday .
`` It was not an easy decision , but I will not be attending [ The Players Championship ] , '' Woods wrote on Twitter .
`` I have to listen to my body and properly rest when needed .
My back is simply just not ready for play next week .
I 'm sad to miss one of the best events of the season , OUR Championship . ''
Woods complained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles , where he had a last-place finish among players who made the cut at the Genesis Invitational .
The back ailment also forced him to skip the Honda Classic and the WGC-Mexico Championship last month .
In three official tournaments this season , Woods won the Zozo Championship for his 82nd PGA Tour win , tied for ninth at the Farmers Insurance Open and finished in 68th at the Genesis Invitational .
He also finished fourth at the Hero World Challenge and went 3-0 at the Presidents Cup .
Woods , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has undergone multiple surgeries on his back , including spinal fusion surgery in April 2017 .
Woods has won the Players Championship twice in his career .

Tiger Woods complained of back problems three weeks ago in Los Angeles. The back ailment forced him to skip the Honda Classic and the WGC-Mexico Championship last month. File Photo by Peter Foley/UPI | License Photo
March 6 (UPI) -- Tiger Woods will skip next week's Players Championship because of ongoing issues with his back, the golfer announced Friday. "It was not an easy decision, but I will not be attending [The Players Championship]," Woods wrote on Twitter. "I have to listen to my body and properly rest when needed. My back is simply just not ready for play next week. I'm sad to miss one of the best events of the season, OUR Championship." Advertisement
Woods complained about back stiffness three weeks ago in Los Angeles, where he had a last-place finish among players who made the cut at the Genesis Invitational. The back ailment also forced him to skip the Honda Classic and the WGC-Mexico Championship last month.
In three official tournaments this season, Woods won the Zozo Championship for his 82nd PGA Tour win, tied for ninth at the Farmers Insurance Open and finished in 68th at the Genesis Invitational. He also finished fourth at the Hero World Challenge and went 3-0 at the Presidents Cup.
It was not an easy decision, but I will not be attending @THEPLAYERSChamp. I have to listen to my body and properly rest when needed. My back is simply just not ready for play next week. I'm sad to miss one of the best events of the season, OUR Championship.— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 6, 2020 Advertisement
Woods, who is ranked 11th in the world, has undergone multiple surgeries on his back, including spinal fusion surgery in April 2017.
Woods has won the Players Championship twice in his career.


upi--2020-03-06--New York Yankees' Aaron Judge shut down for two weeks with rib injury

March 6 ( UPI ) -- New York Yankees star outfielder Aaron Judge was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his first right rib and will be out at least two weeks , manager Aaron Boone announced Friday .
Boone told reporters that he thought Judge injured himself while making a diving catch last season in September .
According to Boone , Judge could potentially undergo surgery to fix the rib injury .
`` We 'll reassess in two weeks where he 's at , '' Boone said .
`` It shows signs of healing , so we 're going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and re-test to show how much healing is going on with that rib .
...
I would n't say [ surgery ] is off the table but you would n't want to go do that right now , especially if the bone is healing . ''
Judge , who underwent multiple tests to determine the rib ailment , has n't appeared in any spring training games this year .
He has also battled soreness in his right pectoral muscle and shoulder and has no timetable for a return to the team .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the first thing is you 've got to get this healed , get this right and then you can move forward , '' Judge told reporters .
`` The biggest thing is , I want the pain to go away and get this healed up .
... [ I 'm ] frustrated , especially with an injury that happened at the end of last year and still did n't heal up .
`` At least we have an answer , so now we can start working on a solution .
Overall , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be out there with my team , especially in spring training .
We 've got a good team here , a good club , and we 've got a lot of goals here in 2020 . ''
Since capturing the 2017 American League Rookie of the Year Award , Judge has been limited to 112 games in 2018 due to a broken right wrist and 102 games last season because of a strained left oblique .

New York Yankees star outfielder Aaron Judge has a stress fracture in his first right rib. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 6 (UPI) -- New York Yankees star outfielder Aaron Judge was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his first right rib and will be out at least two weeks, manager Aaron Boone announced Friday. Boone told reporters that he thought Judge injured himself while making a diving catch last season in September. According to Boone, Judge could potentially undergo surgery to fix the rib injury. Advertisement
"We'll reassess in two weeks where he's at," Boone said. "It shows signs of healing, so we're going to give it the next couple weeks and re-test to show how much healing is going on with that rib. ... I wouldn't say [surgery] is off the table but you wouldn't want to go do that right now, especially if the bone is healing."
Judge, who underwent multiple tests to determine the rib ailment, hasn't appeared in any spring training games this year. He has also battled soreness in his right pectoral muscle and shoulder and has no timetable for a return to the team.
"I want to be out there. But the first thing is you've got to get this healed, get this right and then you can move forward," Judge told reporters. "The biggest thing is, I want the pain to go away and get this healed up. ... [I'm] frustrated, especially with an injury that happened at the end of last year and still didn't heal up.
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"At least we have an answer, so now we can start working on a solution. Overall, I'm just mad. I want to be out there with my team, especially in spring training. We've got a good team here, a good club, and we've got a lot of goals here in 2020."
Since capturing the 2017 American League Rookie of the Year Award, Judge has been limited to 112 games in 2018 due to a broken right wrist and 102 games last season because of a strained left oblique.


upi--2020-03-06--NBA fines Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban $500K for criticizing refs

March 6 ( UPI ) -- Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was fined $ 500,000 for publicly criticizing NBA officials , the league office announced Friday .
In the NBA 's statement , the league said Cuban was disciplined for `` public criticism and detrimental conduct regarding NBA officiating . ''
The NBA also denied the Mavs ' protest of their Feb. 22 loss to the Atlanta Hawks .
The Mavericks ' loss to the Hawks prompted Cuban to confront referees on the court and to criticize them on social media and while speaking to reporters .
The league said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were `` highly critical , personal and demeaning to the league and its officiating staff , '' and that he continued to publicly chastise the officiating over the next few days .
`` It is a recognized part of sports for fans and the media at times to criticize officiating , but team executives must be held to a higher standard , '' the NBA said .
`` A team owner 's effort to influence refereeing decisions during and after a game creates the perception of an unfair competitive advantage and thereby undermines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Demeaning league employees also creates an intimidating workplace environment .
With an increased focus on respectful conduct by coaches , players and fans during games , the actions of team executives should set an example and not lower expectations for appropriate behavior in our arenas . ''
In the Mavs ' loss to Atlanta , Cuban was upset that officials counted a putback by Hawks big man John Collins with 8.4 seconds left after a goaltending call that was reversed upon a review .
The decision eventually led to the Hawks ' victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's third of at least $ 500,000 as the owner of the Mavericks .
He was fined $ 600,000 in February 2018 for publicly admitting that his team was tanking .
He was also handed a $ 500,000 fine in January 2002 for comments on the league 's officiating after a loss to the San Antonio Spurs .

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was fined $500,000 for publicly criticizing NBA officials after a Feb. 22 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
March 6 (UPI) -- Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was fined $500,000 for publicly criticizing NBA officials, the league office announced Friday. In the NBA's statement, the league said Cuban was disciplined for "public criticism and detrimental conduct regarding NBA officiating." Advertisement
The NBA also denied the Mavs' protest of their Feb. 22 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. The Mavericks' loss to the Hawks prompted Cuban to confront referees on the court and to criticize them on social media and while speaking to reporters.
The league said in its statement that Cuban's comments were "highly critical, personal and demeaning to the league and its officiating staff," and that he continued to publicly chastise the officiating over the next few days.
"It is a recognized part of sports for fans and the media at times to criticize officiating, but team executives must be held to a higher standard," the NBA said. "A team owner's effort to influence refereeing decisions during and after a game creates the perception of an unfair competitive advantage and thereby undermines the integrity of the game.
"Demeaning league employees also creates an intimidating workplace environment. With an increased focus on respectful conduct by coaches, players and fans during games, the actions of team executives should set an example and not lower expectations for appropriate behavior in our arenas."
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In the Mavs' loss to Atlanta, Cuban was upset that officials counted a putback by Hawks big man John Collins with 8.4 seconds left after a goaltending call that was reversed upon a review. The decision eventually led to the Hawks' victory over Dallas.
The fine marked Cuban's third of at least $500,000 as the owner of the Mavericks. He was fined $600,000 in February 2018 for publicly admitting that his team was tanking. He was also handed a $500,000 fine in January 2002 for comments on the league's officiating after a loss to the San Antonio Spurs.


upi--2020-03-06--AccuWeather: Damage from Tennessee tornadoes approaches $2B

AccuWeather estimates the total damage and economic loss caused by the tornado outbreak in Tennessee in the early morning of Tuesday will be between $ 1.5 billion and $ 2 billion , according to AccuWeather founder and CEO Joel N. Myers .
This is based on an analysis incorporating independent methods to evaluate all direct and indirect impacts of the tornadoes based on a variety of sources , statistics and unique techniques AccuWeather uses to estimate damage developed over a decade .
This estimate includes damage to homes and businesses as well as their contents and cars , job and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business losses and school closures .
The estimates also account for the costs of power outages to businesses and individuals and for economic losses because of highway closures and evacuations , as well as extraordinary government expenses for cleanup operations .
Officials said at least 24 people throughout middle Tennessee had been killed by the outbreak of violent weather .
A total of 12 unconfirmed tornadoes included an EF4 with winds of 175 mph or more , according to the National Weather Service .
Nashville and several surrounding counties suffered widespread damage that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and insurance companies .
`` Nighttime tornadoes are the most dangerous because people are sleeping , '' Myers said .
The EF4 tornado struck in Putnam County , where at least 18 people died and 88 others were injured and more than 100 structures were damaged .
In Davidson , Smith and Wilson counties one tornado was rated EF3 with estimated peak wind speeds at 160-165 mph , a path length of 53.4 miles , which is quite long for a tornado , and a maximum path width of 800 yards .
Drone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leveled hundreds and damaged thousands of structures across the state .
Initially more than 73,000 homes were without power after the tornadoes ; power still remains out for more than 12,000 homes as of Friday afternoon , according to PowerOutage.us .
Last year 's deadliest tornado was an EF4 that killed 23 people in Lee County , Ala. , coincidentally also on Tuesday .
Tornadoes and their destruction have killed a total of 32 people in the U.S. so far this year , counting the 24 in Tennessee ; the total for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an average of 80 U.S. fatalities annually .
The U.S. tornado season typically runs from late February through November or sometimes into early December , although tornadoes can occur at any time .
It has been an active tornado season so far , with 141 preliminary reports of tornadoes through the first two months of 2020 ( the NWS had not updated March records as of Friday afternoon ) .
That 's more than double the U.S. average of 64 for that period ; there were only 44 in the two months combined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being so warm this March , it may be more like April or May when it comes to tornadoes , all other things being equal , '' said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski .
In February , AccuWeather predicted March would be an active month for tornadoes , forecasting more than double the average of 75 tornadoes in the month .
The average number of tornadoes in the U.S. increases from 75 in March to 178 in April to a high of 269 in May before the average falls to 229 in June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Preliminary reports show there were 1,676 tornadoes in 2019 , but that total is not a confirmed final number .
The inflation-adjusted annual tornado running total - which attempts to remove overcount by multiplying the preliminary total by 0.85 - was 1,363 , according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration .
The annual average number of tornadoes in the U.S. is 1,253 , according to NOAA .
Tornado-related fatalities have been trending downward despite more people living in tornado-prone areas .
The reasons for this trend include advances in weather science and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of delivering warnings through cellphones and the effectiveness of warning methods such as through mobile apps , as well as enhanced partnership and cooperation between government weather services and the American Weather Industry that includes AccuWeather .
AccuWeather is a proud and early partner of NOAA 's WeatherReady Nation resiliency program , which helps to continue this trend , and the company is proud to get these lifesaving warnings out to the public rapidly and accurately through its apps and website .
Here 's how you can help those affected by the tornadoes @ @ @

A path of damage swept through several neighborhoods after a tornado struck Nashville on Tuesday. Photo by Rick Musacchio/EPA-EFE
AccuWeather estimates the total damage and economic loss caused by the tornado outbreak in Tennessee in the early morning of Tuesday will be between $1.5 billion and $2 billion, according to AccuWeather founder and CEO Joel N. Myers. This is based on an analysis incorporating independent methods to evaluate all direct and indirect impacts of the tornadoes based on a variety of sources, statistics and unique techniques AccuWeather uses to estimate damage developed over a decade. Advertisement
This estimate includes damage to homes and businesses as well as their contents and cars, job and wage losses, infrastructure damage, auxiliary business losses and school closures. The estimates also account for the costs of power outages to businesses and individuals and for economic losses because of highway closures and evacuations, as well as extraordinary government expenses for cleanup operations.
Officials said at least 24 people throughout middle Tennessee had been killed by the outbreak of violent weather. A total of 12 unconfirmed tornadoes included an EF4 with winds of 175 mph or more, according to the National Weather Service. Nashville and several surrounding counties suffered widespread damage that is still being assessed by the NWS and insurance companies.
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"Nighttime tornadoes are the most dangerous because people are sleeping," Myers said.
The EF4 tornado struck in Putnam County, where at least 18 people died and 88 others were injured and more than 100 structures were damaged. In Davidson, Smith and Wilson counties one tornado was rated EF3 with estimated peak wind speeds at 160-165 mph, a path length of 53.4 miles, which is quite long for a tornado, and a maximum path width of 800 yards. Drone footage captured the swath of destruction that leveled hundreds and damaged thousands of structures across the state.
Initially more than 73,000 homes were without power after the tornadoes; power still remains out for more than 12,000 homes as of Friday afternoon, according to PowerOutage.us.
Last year's deadliest tornado was an EF4 that killed 23 people in Lee County, Ala., coincidentally also on Tuesday. Tornadoes and their destruction have killed a total of 32 people in the U.S. so far this year, counting the 24 in Tennessee; the total for all of 2019 was 41. Tornadoes cause an average of 80 U.S. fatalities annually.
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The U.S. tornado season typically runs from late February through November or sometimes into early December, although tornadoes can occur at any time.
It has been an active tornado season so far, with 141 preliminary reports of tornadoes through the first two months of 2020 (the NWS had not updated March records as of Friday afternoon). That's more than double the U.S. average of 64 for that period; there were only 44 in the two months combined last year.
"With the weather being so warm this March, it may be more like April or May when it comes to tornadoes, all other things being equal," said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
In February, AccuWeather predicted March would be an active month for tornadoes, forecasting more than double the average of 75 tornadoes in the month.
The average number of tornadoes in the U.S. increases from 75 in March to 178 in April to a high of 269 in May before the average falls to 229 in June and continues dropping in subsequent months.
Advertisement
Preliminary reports show there were 1,676 tornadoes in 2019, but that total is not a confirmed final number. The inflation-adjusted annual tornado running total - which attempts to remove overcount by multiplying the preliminary total by 0.85 - was 1,363, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The annual average number of tornadoes in the U.S. is 1,253, according to NOAA.
Tornado-related fatalities have been trending downward despite more people living in tornado-prone areas. The reasons for this trend include advances in weather science and technology, the increasing accuracy and speed of delivering warnings through cellphones and the effectiveness of warning methods such as through mobile apps, as well as enhanced partnership and cooperation between government weather services and the American Weather Industry that includes AccuWeather.
AccuWeather is a proud and early partner of NOAA's WeatherReady Nation resiliency program, which helps to continue this trend, and the company is proud to get these lifesaving warnings out to the public rapidly and accurately through its apps and website.
Here's how you can help those affected by the tornadoes in Tennessee.