upi--2020-03-14--Paul Scheer talks 'Black Monday' Season 2, work for Marvel Comics

March 14 ( UPI ) -- Actor , writer , podcaster and comedian Paul Scheer is flexing his dramatic chops in Season 2 of Showtime 's Black Monday , and he said to expect some big changes for the show 's characters .
Scheer , 44 , known for roles in shows including HBO 's Veep , FX 's The League and Adult Swim 's NTSF : SD : SUV , has been promoted on Black Monday from recurring character to main cast member in his role as Keith , who was last seen at the end of Season 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mo ( Don Cheadle ) .
Scheer told UPI in a recent interview that the plot of Season 2 is driven by the events of the previous season finale , which included the titular Black Monday -- the infamous stock market crash of Oct. 19 , 1987 .
`` After this very emotional moment between Mo and Keith , Keith reveals he has a wire on , he 's betrayed his best friend .
I think a lot of this season is dealing with that .
Like , how does he make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Where we catch up for the second season , it 's a couple of months later , and Keith and Mo are lying low in Miami due to their actions on that day .
Keith was an FBI informant who just disappeared and Mo is now being blamed for the Black Monday crash , '' he said .
The actor said the major developments in the new season are n't limited to changes of scenery and situations .
`` Every one of us has made a very drastic change , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which also includes Andrew Rannells as Blair and Regina Hall as Dawn .
`` I think it 's going to be really fun to see how everyone appears for the first time . ''
Scheer said Keith 's `` drastic change '' includes losing 30 pounds and putting on muscle .
`` I lost a ton of weight and got into this good shape , learned how to rollerblade and roller skate , besides being incredibly tan , and wearing a mustache and not wearing my toupee . ''
he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's a lot of this season getting a chance to see what we would like to be like if we were the people that we want to be .
And then the show starts to deconstruct that -- is it really good to get what you want ? ''
Scheer , who got his start doing sketch comedy and improv with storied New York City groups Chicago City Limits and Upright Citizens Brigade , made a name for himself as one of the stars and co-creators of MTV sketch comedy series Human Giant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TV comedy , but he said one of the appeals of Black Monday was the opportunity to do some `` dramatic heavy lifting . ''
`` I feel like all rock stars want to be comedians and all comedians -- well , besides wanting to be rock stars -- want to show people they can actually do drama , '' Scheer said .
He said the role 's mixture of comedy and drama is different from anything he has done before .
`` The League was such an incredibly fun experience , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change , '' he said .
`` This is a show where the characters are always constantly evolving and the stakes of what they say and do move forward , so for me ... it was kind of like a dream come true . ''
Scheer said he sees his comedic instincts as a help rather than a hindrance when it comes to playing dramatic scenes .
`` I think the root of comedy often -- or the comedy that I like -- is playing something real , you 're playing the realness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing drama , you 're playing the reality of the moment , but there does n't have to be any comedy attached to it , '' he said .
In addition to his numerous TV credits , Sheer 's current and former projects include co-hosting the monthly stand-up comedy showcase Crash Test with Rob Huebel at Largo in Los Angeles ; co-hosting popular podcasts How Did This Get Made and Unspooled ; performing his own live show Hanging with Paul Scheer , and writing for Marvel Comics .
Scheer said his career in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of friend Nick Giovannetti to turn his unfilmed movie script , Aliens vs. Parker , into a comic book miniseries for independent publisher BOOM !
Studios .
The series led to the duo writing Marvel Comics miniseries Cosmic Ghost Rider Destroys Marvel History , as well as stories featuring popular characters such as Deadpool , Spider-Man and the Guardians of the Galaxy .
Scheer said his background filling various on- and off-camera roles in television turned out to be immensely helpful to his work in comics .
`` I consider writing a comic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once .
In comic book writing , you 're writing , directing , casting , acting and editing all simultaneously .
Because it 's on the page , you 're just racing to get it done .
So I looked at it very much from a cinematic point of view , '' he said .
He said he saw parallels between his comic book work and his acting work when he was working on the first season of Black Monday .
Scheer said the Cosmic Ghost Rider series `` was our first foray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We were doing Deadpools and Spider-Mans that have a little bit more of a comedic tone , so while I was doing Black Monday , work that was a little more dramatic , I was also exploring that in our writing . ''
Scheer 's next role with Marvel is as the director of an episode of upcoming documentary series Marvel 's 616 for Disney+ .
The anthology series , Scheer 's first foray into documentary filmmaking , delves into the relationship between Marvel Comics stories and events in the real world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fan of docs and getting a chance to do that was really exciting , '' he said .
The multifaceted entertainer said he is more than willing to lend his acting talents to the Marvel Cinematic Universe if the opportunity arises .
`` The two things that I aspire to do is get in the Fast & Furious universe and get in the Marvel universe , '' he said .
Scheer said he is aware of one obstacle to landing a major Marvel role : `` I do n't really look like anybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to be in there in a way where I do n't have to die after one movie , '' he said .
`` I 'd like to be a part of S.H.I.E.L.D -- I 'll be the next Agent Coulson . ''
He said it 's much easier to cast his role in the Fast & Furious films .
`` I feel like I could definitely be a Toretto .
As a bald man , there 's not many movies with so many bald icons in it .
You look at Fast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jason ] Statham , you 've got The Rock , you 've got Vin Diesel , everyone rocking a bald head .
It 's just calling out .
I 've got to get in there . ''
The season premiere of Black Monday airs Sunday night on Showtime .

1/2
Actor Paul Scheer said his role on Showtime's "Black Monday" is the first time he has portrayed a character who is "constantly evolving." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
March 14 (UPI) -- Actor, writer, podcaster and comedian Paul Scheer is flexing his dramatic chops in Season 2 of Showtime's Black Monday, and he said to expect some big changes for the show's characters. Scheer, 44, known for roles in shows including HBO's Veep, FX's The League and Adult Swim's NTSF:SD:SUV, has been promoted on Black Monday from recurring character to main cast member in his role as Keith, who was last seen at the end of Season 1 contemplating suicide after betraying his best friend, Mo (Don Cheadle). Advertisement
Scheer told UPI in a recent interview that the plot of Season 2 is driven by the events of the previous season finale, which included the titular Black Monday -- the infamous stock market crash of Oct. 19, 1987.
"After this very emotional moment between Mo and Keith, Keith reveals he has a wire on, he's betrayed his best friend. I think a lot of this season is dealing with that. Like, how does he make amends to Mo?" Scheer said.
Advertisement
"Where we catch up for the second season, it's a couple of months later, and Keith and Mo are lying low in Miami due to their actions on that day. Keith was an FBI informant who just disappeared and Mo is now being blamed for the Black Monday crash," he said.
The actor said the major developments in the new season aren't limited to changes of scenery and situations.
"Every one of us has made a very drastic change," he said of the main cast, which also includes Andrew Rannells as Blair and Regina Hall as Dawn. "I think it's going to be really fun to see how everyone appears for the first time."
Scheer said Keith's "drastic change" includes losing 30 pounds and putting on muscle.
"I lost a ton of weight and got into this good shape, learned how to rollerblade and roller skate, besides being incredibly tan, and wearing a mustache and not wearing my toupee." he said.
"We are all changed, so there's a lot of this season getting a chance to see what we would like to be like if we were the people that we want to be. And then the show starts to deconstruct that -- is it really good to get what you want?"
Advertisement
Bringing the drama
Scheer, who got his start doing sketch comedy and improv with storied New York City groups Chicago City Limits and Upright Citizens Brigade, made a name for himself as one of the stars and co-creators of MTV sketch comedy series Human Giant.
His name has become synonymous with TV comedy, but he said one of the appeals of Black Monday was the opportunity to do some "dramatic heavy lifting."
"I feel like all rock stars want to be comedians and all comedians -- well, besides wanting to be rock stars -- want to show people they can actually do drama," Scheer said.
He said the role's mixture of comedy and drama is different from anything he has done before.
"The League was such an incredibly fun experience, but the characters don't really grow or change," he said. "This is a show where the characters are always constantly evolving and the stakes of what they say and do move forward, so for me ... it was kind of like a dream come true."
Scheer said he sees his comedic instincts as a help rather than a hindrance when it comes to playing dramatic scenes.
"I think the root of comedy often -- or the comedy that I like -- is playing something real, you're playing the realness of the moment. When you're playing drama, you're playing the reality of the moment, but there doesn't have to be any comedy attached to it," he said.
Advertisement
From comic to comics
In addition to his numerous TV credits, Sheer's current and former projects include co-hosting the monthly stand-up comedy showcase Crash Test with Rob Huebel at Largo in Los Angeles; co-hosting popular podcasts How Did This Get Made and Unspooled; performing his own live show Hanging with Paul Scheer, and writing for Marvel Comics.
Scheer said his career in comics began when he enlisted the help of friend Nick Giovannetti to turn his unfilmed movie script, Aliens vs. Parker, into a comic book miniseries for independent publisher BOOM! Studios.
The series led to the duo writing Marvel Comics miniseries Cosmic Ghost Rider Destroys Marvel History, as well as stories featuring popular characters such as Deadpool, Spider-Man and the Guardians of the Galaxy.
Scheer said his background filling various on- and off-camera roles in television turned out to be immensely helpful to his work in comics.
"I consider writing a comic book to be doing everything all at once. In comic book writing, you're writing, directing, casting, acting and editing all simultaneously. Because it's on the page, you're just racing to get it done. So I looked at it very much from a cinematic point of view," he said.
Advertisement
He said he saw parallels between his comic book work and his acting work when he was working on the first season of Black Monday.
Scheer said the Cosmic Ghost Rider series "was our first foray into doing something a little more serious. We were doing Deadpools and Spider-Mans that have a little bit more of a comedic tone, so while I was doing Black Monday, work that was a little more dramatic, I was also exploring that in our writing."
Page to screen
Scheer's next role with Marvel is as the director of an episode of upcoming documentary series Marvel's 616 for Disney+. The anthology series, Scheer's first foray into documentary filmmaking, delves into the relationship between Marvel Comics stories and events in the real world.
"I'm just a huge fan of docs and getting a chance to do that was really exciting," he said.
The multifaceted entertainer said he is more than willing to lend his acting talents to the Marvel Cinematic Universe if the opportunity arises.
"The two things that I aspire to do is get in the Fast & Furious universe and get in the Marvel universe," he said.
Scheer said he is aware of one obstacle to landing a major Marvel role: "I don't really look like anybody from that world."
Advertisement
"I want to be in there in a way where I don't have to die after one movie," he said. "I'd like to be a part of S.H.I.E.L.D -- I'll be the next Agent Coulson."
He said it's much easier to cast his role in the Fast & Furious films.
"I feel like I could definitely be a Toretto. As a bald man, there's not many movies with so many bald icons in it. You look at Fast & Furious, you've got [Jason] Statham, you've got The Rock, you've got Vin Diesel, everyone rocking a bald head. It's just calling out. I've got to get in there."
The season premiere of Black Monday airs Sunday night on Showtime.


upi--2020-03-14--Famous birthdays for March 14: Grace Park, Michael Caine

March 14 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Pisces .
-- Thomas @ @ @ @ @ under Woodrow Wilson , in 1854 -- Jonathan Luther Jones , railroad engineer who was @ @ @ @ @ `` Casey Jones , '' in 1863

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Grace Park attends Entertainment Weekly's Comic-Con Bash held at Float, Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego on July 22, 2017. The actor turns 46 on March 14. File Photo by Howard Shen/UPI | License Photo
March 14 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Pisces. They include: Advertisement
-- Austrian composer Johann Strauss Sr. in 1804
-- Thomas Marshall, U.S. vice president under Woodrow Wilson, in 1854
-- Jonathan Luther Jones, railroad engineer who was the hero of the ballad "Casey Jones," in 1863
-- Physicist Albert Einstein in 1879
-- Cartoonist Hank Ketcham in 1920
-- Photographer Diane Arbus in 1923
-- Astronaut Frank Borman in 1928 (age 92)
-- Actor Michael Caine in 1933 (age 87)
File Photo by Rune Hellestad/ UPI
-- Composer Quincy Jones in 1933 (age 87)
-- Astronaut Eugene Cernan in 1934
-- Golf Hall of Fame member Bob Charles in 1936 (age 84)
-- Singer Michael Martin Murphey in 1945 (age 75)
-- Basketball Hall of Fame member Wes Unseld in 1946 (age 74)
-- Comedian Billy Crystal in 1948 (age 72)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Prince Albert II of Monaco in 1958 (age 62)
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-- Baseball Hall of Fame member Kirby Puckett in 1960
-- Actor Grace Park in 1974 (age 46)
-- Actor Daniel Gillies in 1976 (age 44)
-- Actor Jamie Bell in 1986 (age 34)
-- NBA star Stephen Curry in 1988 (age 32)
-- Actor Ansel Elgort in 1994 (age 26)
-- U.S. Olympic gold gymnast Simone Biles in 1997 (age 23)


upi--2020-03-14--On This Day, March 14: FBI's 'Most Wanted' list debuts

March 14 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1794 , Eli Whitney was granted a patent for the cotton gin .
In 1812 , the U.S. government authorized the issue of America 's first war bonds -- to pay for military equipment for use against the British .
In 1950 , the FBI 's `` 10 Most Wanted Fugitives '' list appeared for the first time .
In 1951 , Seoul was recaptured by U.N. troops during the Korean War .
In 1964 , Dallas nightclub owner Jack Ruby was convicted of killing Lee Harvey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President John F. Kennedy .
Ruby was sentenced to death but the conviction was overturned and he died of cancer while awaiting a new trial .
In 1973 , Navy pilot John McCain -- the future U.S. senator from Arizona -- and 107 other American prisoners of war were released by North Vietnam .
He spent more than five years in a prison camp after his plane was shot down .
In 1991 , scientists reported the discovery of the gene that triggers colon cancer .
In 1991 , citing fresh evidence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the so-called Birmingham Six , who were sentenced to life in prison for the bombings of two pubs in 1974 , the bloodiest assault by the Irish Republican Army on the British mainland .
The false conviction of the six men , who were released , is seen one of the worst miscarriages of justice in modern British history .
In 2004 , Vladimir Putin easily won re-election as president of Russia .
He won a third term in 2012 .
In 2009 , Australian authorities said a 230-ton oil spill from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disaster along nearly 40 miles of beach off the Queensland coast .
In 2012 , the International Criminal Court at The Hague , Netherlands , in its first verdict as a permanent war crimes tribunal , found Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga guilty of using children in war .
In 2013 , Xi Jinping began his 10-year term as president of China .
In 2019 , the Senate passed a resolution overriding President Donald Trump 's national emergency declaration on the southern border .
The next day , Trump issued his first veto .

1/4
On March 14, 1950, the FBI's "10 Most Wanted Fugitives" list appeared for the first time. File Photo by Molly Riley/UPI | License Photo
March 14 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1794, Eli Whitney was granted a patent for the cotton gin. Advertisement
In 1812, the U.S. government authorized the issue of America's first war bonds -- to pay for military equipment for use against the British.
In 1950, the FBI's "10 Most Wanted Fugitives" list appeared for the first time.
In 1951, Seoul was recaptured by U.N. troops during the Korean War.
In 1964, Dallas nightclub owner Jack Ruby was convicted of killing Lee Harvey Oswald, the assumed assassin of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Ruby was sentenced to death but the conviction was overturned and he died of cancer while awaiting a new trial.
File Photo by Frank Johnston/UPI
In 1973, Navy pilot John McCain -- the future U.S. senator from Arizona -- and 107 other American prisoners of war were released by North Vietnam. He spent more than five years in a prison camp after his plane was shot down.
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In 1991, scientists reported the discovery of the gene that triggers colon cancer.
In 1991, citing fresh evidence, a British appeals court overturned the convictions of the so-called Birmingham Six, who were sentenced to life in prison for the bombings of two pubs in 1974, the bloodiest assault by the Irish Republican Army on the British mainland. The false conviction of the six men, who were released, is seen one of the worst miscarriages of justice in modern British history.
In 2004, Vladimir Putin easily won re-election as president of Russia. He won a third term in 2012.
File Photo by Goran Tomasevic/UPI
In 2009, Australian authorities said a 230-ton oil spill from a Hong Kong-registered freighter caused an environmental disaster along nearly 40 miles of beach off the Queensland coast.
In 2012, the International Criminal Court at The Hague, Netherlands, in its first verdict as a permanent war crimes tribunal, found Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga guilty of using children in war.
In 2013, Xi Jinping began his 10-year term as president of China.
Advertisement
In 2019, the Senate passed a resolution overriding President Donald Trump's national emergency declaration on the southern border. The next day, Trump issued his first veto.


upi--2020-03-13--Minnesota Vikings release Pro Bowl defenders Xavier Rhodes, Linval Joseph

March 13 ( UPI ) -- The Minnesota Vikings changed their defensive unit in a significant way Friday , releasing Pro Bowlers Xavier Rhodes and Linval Joseph .
`` Both Linval and Xavier have personified what it means to be a Minnesota Viking since joining our organization , providing incredible leadership on the field , in the locker room and within the community , '' Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said in a statement .
`` We are all grateful for their hard work and all they 've done to help build our culture here in Minnesota .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Xavier to enter free agency prior to the start of the new league year .
We are sincerely appreciative of their contributions and commitment and will remain in communication as all parties navigate free agency moving forward . ''
The Vikings also released tight end David Morgan with a failed physical designation , according to the team .
Morgan , who missed the entirety of last season because of a knee injury , was in the final year of his rookie deal in 2019 .
Ahead of the start of the new league @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than $ 19 million in salary-cap space by releasing the three players .
Rhodes , who had a $ 12.9 million cap hit and was under contract through 2022 , gave the Vikings $ 8.1 million in savings with his release , according to Spotrac .
Minnesota saved about $ 10.55 million against the cap by cutting Joseph , who was one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in the league , according to Spotrac .
According to OverTheCap.com , the Vikings entered Friday with an estimated $ 1.39 million in available cap space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rhodes , 29 , was selected in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft and signed a five-year , $ 70.1 million extension before the 2017 season .
The former Florida State star earned three Pro Bowl appearances but struggled over the last two seasons .
Last season , Rhodes was flagged for 10 penalties , allowed a 127.8 passer rating in coverage and failed to record an interception for the first time since 2013 .
Joseph , 31 , suffered a decrease in playing time last season because of injuries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson and Armon Watts .
The two-time Pro Bowl interior defensive lineman recorded 44 total tackles , the fewest since his rookie season in 2010 , and three sacks in 13 regular-season games in 2019 .

Last season, Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes (29) failed to record an interception for the first time since 2013. File Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License Photo
March 13 (UPI) -- The Minnesota Vikings changed their defensive unit in a significant way Friday, releasing Pro Bowlers Xavier Rhodes and Linval Joseph. "Both Linval and Xavier have personified what it means to be a Minnesota Viking since joining our organization, providing incredible leadership on the field, in the locker room and within the community," Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said in a statement. "We are all grateful for their hard work and all they've done to help build our culture here in Minnesota. Advertisement
"This decision comes now to allow Linval and Xavier to enter free agency prior to the start of the new league year. We are sincerely appreciative of their contributions and commitment and will remain in communication as all parties navigate free agency moving forward."
The Vikings also released tight end David Morgan with a failed physical designation, according to the team. Morgan, who missed the entirety of last season because of a knee injury, was in the final year of his rookie deal in 2019.
Ahead of the start of the new league year Wednesday, the Vikings created more than $19 million in salary-cap space by releasing the three players.
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Rhodes, who had a $12.9 million cap hit and was under contract through 2022, gave the Vikings $8.1 million in savings with his release, according to Spotrac. Minnesota saved about $10.55 million against the cap by cutting Joseph, who was one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in the league, according to Spotrac.
According to OverTheCap.com, the Vikings entered Friday with an estimated $1.39 million in available cap space, the lowest in the league.
Rhodes, 29, was selected in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft and signed a five-year, $70.1 million extension before the 2017 season. The former Florida State star earned three Pro Bowl appearances but struggled over the last two seasons.
Last season, Rhodes was flagged for 10 penalties, allowed a 127.8 passer rating in coverage and failed to record an interception for the first time since 2013.
Joseph, 31, suffered a decrease in playing time last season because of injuries, leading to increased snaps for backups Jaleel Johnson and Armon Watts. The two-time Pro Bowl interior defensive lineman recorded 44 total tackles, the fewest since his rookie season in 2010, and three sacks in 13 regular-season games in 2019.


upi--2020-03-13--Los Angeles Chargers place franchise tag on TE Hunter Henry

March 13 ( UPI ) -- The Los Angeles Chargers put the franchise tag on standout tight end Hunter Henry , the team announced Friday .
Under the tag , Henry is expected to make more than $ 11 million in 2020 , making him the highest-paid tight end in the NFL based on last year 's salary-cap figures .
Chargers general manager Tom Telesco said last month at the NFL Scouting Combine that Henry being tagged was a possibility .
The Chargers selected Henry in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Arkansas .
In place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Henry quickly established himself as one of the top players at the position in the league , despite suffering multiple injuries in his career .
Henry , 25 , was placed on injured reserve late in the 2017 campaign because of a lacerated kidney .
He also missed the entire 2018 season due to a torn ACL that he sustained in the off-season .
Henry , who missed four games last season due to a left knee injury , set single-season career highs with 55 catches and 652 receiving yards in 2019 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ yards and 17 touchdowns in three seasons with the Chargers .
In other roster moves announced Friday , the Chargers released defensive lineman Brandon Mebane and veteran linebacker Thomas Davis .

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry (L) recorded 55 receptions for 652 receiving yards last season. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo
March 13 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Chargers put the franchise tag on standout tight end Hunter Henry, the team announced Friday. Under the tag, Henry is expected to make more than $11 million in 2020, making him the highest-paid tight end in the NFL based on last year's salary-cap figures. Advertisement
Chargers general manager Tom Telesco said last month at the NFL Scouting Combine that Henry being tagged was a possibility.
The Chargers selected Henry in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Arkansas. In place of retired tight end Antonio Gates, Henry quickly established himself as one of the top players at the position in the league, despite suffering multiple injuries in his career.
Henry, 25, was placed on injured reserve late in the 2017 campaign because of a lacerated kidney. He also missed the entire 2018 season due to a torn ACL that he sustained in the off-season.
We've placed the franchise tag on Hunter Henry. → https://t.co/9D97v2JXwE pic.twitter.com/Rh3c4apWIa— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) March 13, 2020
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Henry, who missed four games last season due to a left knee injury, set single-season career highs with 55 catches and 652 receiving yards in 2019. He has recorded 136 receptions for 1,709 yards and 17 touchdowns in three seasons with the Chargers.
In other roster moves announced Friday, the Chargers released defensive lineman Brandon Mebane and veteran linebacker Thomas Davis.


upi--2020-03-13--Northrop Grumman awarded $49.1M for work on LCS gun mission modules

March 13 ( UPI ) -- Northrop Grumman Systems has been awarded a $ 49.1 million contract modification for work @ @ @ @ @ mission modules program .
It funds engineering services for gun mission modules , including support @ @ @ @ @ interim deport level maintenance , engineering support and sustainment .
The contract also funds incidental @ @ @ @ @ for mission modules .
Work on the contract will be performed in a variety of @ @ @ @ @ , N.Y. ; San Diego , Calif. ; and Port Hueneme , Calif. Work is @ @ @ @ @ March 2021 .

Acceptance Trials for the future littoral combat ship USS Cincinnati (LCS 20).
March 13 (UPI) -- Northrop Grumman Systems has been awarded a $49.1 million contract modification for work on the littoral combat ship mission modules program. The deal modifies a contract awarded in March 2017. Advertisement
It funds engineering services for gun mission modules, including support for outfitting and installation, interim deport level maintenance, engineering support and sustainment.
The contract also funds incidental costs related to engineering services for mission modules.
Work on the contract will be performed in a variety of U.S. locations, including Bethpage, N.Y.; San Diego, Calif.; and Port Hueneme, Calif.
Work is expected to be complete by March 2021.


upi--2020-03-13--Museum of the Bible's Dead Sea Scrolls are fake, analysis shows

March 13 ( UPI ) -- An art fraud investigation team announced Friday that none of the Museum of the Bible 's Dead Sea Scrolls fragments is genuine .
The results of the third-party scientific analysis by Art Fraud Insights came more than a year after the museum determined that five of its fragments were fake and removed them from exhibition .
`` After an exhaustive review of all the imaging and scientific analysis results , it is evident that none of the textual fragments in Museum of the Bible 's Dead Sea Scroll collection are authentic , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Art Fraud Insights .
`` Moreover , each exhibits characteristics that suggest they are deliberate forgeries created in the 20th century with the intent to mimic authentic Dead Sea Scroll fragments . ''
Museum officials said they planned to continue using the services of Art Fraud Insights to analyze the facility 's entire collection .
`` Notwithstanding the less than favorable results , we have done what no other institution with post-2002 DSS fragments has done , '' Museum of the Bible Chief Curatorial Officer Jeffrey Kloha said .
`` The sophisticated and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about our collection could be used to shed light on other suspicious fragments and perhaps even be effective in uncovering who is responsible for these forgeries . ''
Before it opened in November 2017 , the Museum of the Bible 's collection came under scrutiny by critics of the collecting practices of Hobby Lobby President Steve Green , who donated some of the exhibits at the museum .
He donated the five fragments discredited in 2018 .
The Green family has collected about 40,000 artifacts worth more than $ 205 million over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hobby Lobby returned thousands of historic artifacts from modern-day Iraq that Green purchased in Dubai and improperly brought to the United States .
He paid $ 1.6 million for 5,500 pieces , which included 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablets and stone cylinders , in 2010 .
The company also agreed to pay a $ 3 million fine .
The Department of Justice found that the company had the tablets shipped to its Oklahoma headquarters , but that the boxes were labeled as containing ceramic tile samples .
Green promised more oversight at the time and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a collector .
`` We made mistakes , but we 've learned from them , '' he said .
`` Before this , we were n't collectors or museum-goers , '' Green added .
`` We did n't know we needed to ask for all this paperwork '' to prove provenance .
Proving prior ownership of an artwork or artifact is meant not only to verify the authenticity of the piece , but to prevent the sale of looted items .
The misstep cast doubt on the veracity of other objects the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are on display at the Museum of the Bible .
Loll praised Museum of the Bible officials for being transparent about the inauthentic items .
`` Usually , items that are determined to be fake are quietly removed from display and transferred to the euphemistic 'study collection . '
Museum of the Bible has opted to be as transparent as possible with its collection of Dead Sea Scrolls -- from the interim gallery labels , to the public announcement of the results of the research and the subsequent release of all of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now be used for comparison to other questioned fragments .
What a tremendous contribution to the field , '' she said .

All of the Dead Sea Scrolls in the Museum of the Bible's collections have been determined to be fake. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
March 13 (UPI) -- An art fraud investigation team announced Friday that none of the Museum of the Bible's Dead Sea Scrolls fragments is genuine. The results of the third-party scientific analysis by Art Fraud Insights came more than a year after the museum determined that five of its fragments were fake and removed them from exhibition. Advertisement
"After an exhaustive review of all the imaging and scientific analysis results, it is evident that none of the textual fragments in Museum of the Bible's Dead Sea Scroll collection are authentic," said Colette Loll, founder and director of Art Fraud Insights. "Moreover, each exhibits characteristics that suggest they are deliberate forgeries created in the 20th century with the intent to mimic authentic Dead Sea Scroll fragments."
Museum officials said they planned to continue using the services of Art Fraud Insights to analyze the facility's entire collection.
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"Notwithstanding the less than favorable results, we have done what no other institution with post-2002 DSS fragments has done," Museum of the Bible Chief Curatorial Officer Jeffrey Kloha said. "The sophisticated and costly methods employed to discover the truth about our collection could be used to shed light on other suspicious fragments and perhaps even be effective in uncovering who is responsible for these forgeries."
Before it opened in November 2017, the Museum of the Bible's collection came under scrutiny by critics of the collecting practices of Hobby Lobby President Steve Green, who donated some of the exhibits at the museum. He donated the five fragments discredited in 2018.
The Green family has collected about 40,000 artifacts worth more than $205 million over the past decade.
In May 2018, Hobby Lobby returned thousands of historic artifacts from modern-day Iraq that Green purchased in Dubai and improperly brought to the United States. He paid $1.6 million for 5,500 pieces, which included 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablets and stone cylinders, in 2010. The company also agreed to pay a $3 million fine.
The Department of Justice found that the company had the tablets shipped to its Oklahoma headquarters, but that the boxes were labeled as containing ceramic tile samples. Green promised more oversight at the time and blamed the incident on his own inexperience as a collector.
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"We made mistakes, but we've learned from them," he said.
"Before this, we weren't collectors or museum-goers," Green added. "We didn't know we needed to ask for all this paperwork" to prove provenance.
Proving prior ownership of an artwork or artifact is meant not only to verify the authenticity of the piece, but to prevent the sale of looted items.
The misstep cast doubt on the veracity of other objects the Green family owns, including some that are on display at the Museum of the Bible.
Loll praised Museum of the Bible officials for being transparent about the inauthentic items.
"Usually, items that are determined to be fake are quietly removed from display and transferred to the euphemistic 'study collection.' Museum of the Bible has opted to be as transparent as possible with its collection of Dead Sea Scrolls -- from the interim gallery labels, to the public announcement of the results of the research and the subsequent release of all of the associated research materials. This data can now be used for comparison to other questioned fragments. What a tremendous contribution to the field," she said.


upi--2020-03-13--Navy awards $74M in contracts for BLU 111 warhead assemblies

March 13 ( UPI ) -- The Air Force awarded three contracts Friday for additional procurement of BLU 111 Engineering @ @ @ @ @ General Dynamics , Alliant Techsystems , Major Tool and Machine were each awarded contracts totaling @ @ @ @ @ 111 assemblies .
General Dynamics received $ 26.5 million , Alliant was awarded $ 24.7 @ @ @ @ @ Machine was awarded $ 22.8 million for procurement of assemblies for the BLU 111 .
@ @ @ @ @ variant of the Mark 82 unguided , general-purpose bomb , which contains less sensitive explosive @ @ @ @ @ of the A-1 version of the Joint Stand-Off Weapon .
Work on the contracts will @ @ @ @ @ Texas ; Rocket Center , W.V .
; and Indianapolis , Ind .
All three @ @ @ @ @ date of June 2021 .

Sailors load an MK 82/BLU 111 500-pound bomb onto an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the "Eagles" of Strike Fighter Squadron 115 on the flight deck of the Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan. The Navy this week awarded three contracts for procurement of BLU 111s. Photo by Nathan Burke/U.S. Navy
March 13 (UPI) -- The Air Force awarded three contracts Friday for additional procurement of BLU 111 Engineering Change Proposal warhead assemblies. General Dynamics, Alliant Techsystems, Major Tool and Machine were each awarded contracts totaling $74 million for BLU 111 assemblies. Advertisement
General Dynamics received $26.5 million, Alliant was awarded $24.7 million and Major Tool and Machine was awarded $22.8 million for procurement of assemblies for the BLU 111.
The BLU 111 is a variant of the Mark 82 unguided, general-purpose bomb, which contains less sensitive explosive filler and is the warhead of the A-1 version of the Joint Stand-Off Weapon.
Work on the contracts will be performed in Garland, Texas; Rocket Center, W.V.; and Indianapolis, Ind.
All three deals have an expected completion date of June 2021.


upi--2020-03-13--U.S. airstrikes killed 5 security officers, civilian, Iraqi gov't says

March 13 ( UPI ) -- Diplomatic officials in Iraq have summoned ambassadors from the United States and Britain to answer for missile strikes launched by the U.S. military on Friday that killed multiple Iraqi troops .
The retaliatory airstrikes responded to an attack on Wednesday that killed two U.S. troops and a British soldier at Camp Taji near Baghdad .
The Pentagon said the strikes Friday targeted five storage facilities that are used by the Iraqi militia group Kata'ib Hezbollah .
U.S. officials said the depots contained weapons to be used against coalition troops .
Baghdad , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civilian and five security personnel .
The civilian was a cook at an airport in Karbala , officials said .
The U.S. strikes threaten to damage relations between the Iraqi and U.S. militaries , particularly in their fight against the Islamic State .
`` The repeated violations the state is being subjected to are a dangerous and deliberate weakening of its abilities especially at a time when Iraq faces unprecedented challenges on political , economic , financial , security , and health fronts , '' Iraqi President Barham Salih said Friday .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were `` defensive , proportional , and in direct response to the threat posed by Iranian-backed Shia militia groups who continue to attack bases hosting coalition forces . ''
`` The United States will not tolerate attacks against our people , our interests , or our allies , '' Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said .
`` As we have demonstrated in recent months , we will take any action necessary to protect our forces in Iraq and the region . ''
The U.S. Defense Department on Friday identified the two U.S. service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Army Spc .
Juan Miguel Mendez Covarrubias of Hanford , Calif. , and Air Force Staff Sgt .
Marshal D. Roberts of Owasso , Okla. Mendez Covarrubias , 27 , was assigned to the 1st Battalion , 227th Aviation Regiment , 1st Air Cavalry Brigade , 1st Calvary Divison in Fort Hood , Texas .
Roberts , 28 , was with the 219th Engineering Installation Squadron with the Oklahoma Air National Guard .

March 13 (UPI) -- Diplomatic officials in Iraq have summoned ambassadors from the United States and Britain to answer for missile strikes launched by the U.S. military on Friday that killed multiple Iraqi troops.
The retaliatory airstrikes responded to an attack on Wednesday that killed two U.S. troops and a British soldier at Camp Taji near Baghdad.
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The Pentagon said the strikes Friday targeted five storage facilities that are used by the Iraqi militia group Kata'ib Hezbollah. U.S. officials said the depots contained weapons to be used against coalition troops.
Baghdad, however, said the attacks killed at least one civilian and five security personnel. The civilian was a cook at an airport in Karbala, officials said.
The U.S. strikes threaten to damage relations between the Iraqi and U.S. militaries, particularly in their fight against the Islamic State.
"The repeated violations the state is being subjected to are a dangerous and deliberate weakening of its abilities especially at a time when Iraq faces unprecedented challenges on political, economic, financial, security, and health fronts," Iraqi President Barham Salih said Friday.
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The U.S. Defense Department said Thursday the attacks were "defensive, proportional, and in direct response to the threat posed by Iranian-backed Shia militia groups who continue to attack bases hosting coalition forces."
"The United States will not tolerate attacks against our people, our interests, or our allies," Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said. "As we have demonstrated in recent months, we will take any action necessary to protect our forces in Iraq and the region."
The U.S. Defense Department on Friday identified the two U.S. service members killed in Wednesday's attack as Army Spc. Juan Miguel Mendez Covarrubias of Hanford, Calif., and Air Force Staff Sgt. Marshal D. Roberts of Owasso, Okla.
Mendez Covarrubias, 27, was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Calvary Divison in Fort Hood, Texas. Roberts, 28, was with the 219th Engineering Installation Squadron with the Oklahoma Air National Guard.


upi--2020-03-14--France closes non-essential public places to curb coronavirus

March 14 ( UPI ) -- French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe ordered Saturday the closure of non-essential public locations , in a move similar to Italy , to curb the accelerating spread of the coronavirus in the country .
The order applies to restaurants , cafes , cinemas , nightclubs and other businesses considered nonessential .
Philippe said the shutdown applies until further notice and also called for people in France to reduce travel , especially between towns .
Essential businesses such as grocery stores , chemists , banks , tobacco shops and petrol stations will remain open , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday as planned , he added .
Though religious building will remain open , Philippe said gatherings and ceremonies should be postponed .
France reported a sharp rise in cases Saturday from 3,661 to nearly 4,500 with 91 deaths , according to a global tracker compiled by John Hopkins University .
`` The best way to slow down the epidemic , '' Philipe said , was `` social distancing . ''
The Louvre in Paris , the world 's most visited museum , has been closed as of Friday `` until further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RFI reported .
France 's most famous landmark , the Eiffel Tower , also closed down Friday night `` for an indefinite period of time , '' according to its website .
Spain , with 6,315 cases and 191 deaths , is the hardest-hit country in Europe after Italy , where Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced measures late Wednesday ordering bars , restaurants and all shops selling non-essential items closed .
Authorities recorded 1,800 more cases in Spain since Friday evening , many in the capital Madrid .
The Spanish government is poised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people would only be allowed out of their home for emergencies , to buy food , or for work .
Madrid and its surrounding areas have already ordered the closure of most bars , restaurants and shops .
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared a state of emergency Thursday and in several Spanish provinces and cities large gatherings have been canceled and beaches closed to the public .
Outside of China , Italy has the second highest outbreak , with 21,157 cases and 1,441 deaths , followed by Iran , which has 12,729 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of lockdown measures to contain the spread , the Italian Civil Aviation Authority , known as Enac , said Saturday it has also suspended all civilian flight operations at a number of the country 's major airports .
The suspension of flights does not affect those which emergency health services or state authorities operate , according to the Civil Aviation Authority .
The World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic with the virus found on every continent except Antarctica earlier this week .
Though the spread in China has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of cases at 80,976 and 3,193 deaths , including 3,075 deaths in Hubei province alone .
As of Saturday , the number of cases worldwide , has risen to more than 155,000 worldwide and over 5,800 deaths , the global tracker shows .
Earlier Saturday , Guatemala became the first country to ban Americans in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus as nations across the globe close down borders and implement up travel restrictions and curfews .
President Alejandro Giammattei announced Friday night that Americans would not be allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have made the decision that citizens of the United States and Canada can not enter the country , '' Giammattei said in a news conference , referring to the rising number of cases in those countries .
The move , which he called a `` phase of containment , '' also includes banning nationals from several European and Asian countries .
Giammattei also asked Mexico to halt Guatemalan deportations by land .
More than 250,000 Guatemalans were detained at the U.S. border last year , more than any other country .
Guatamala @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus Friday .
Saudi Arabia , which has 103 confirmed cases , but no deaths , has suspended all international flights for two weeks starting Sunday to control the outbreak , the Saudi Press Agency reported Saturday .
Russia 's Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced as of midnight Saturday , it will close down its land borders with Norway and Poland to stop the spread .
The border closure , which follows Russia 's earlier closure with its Chinese border , only applies to foreigners who attempt to enter `` for professional , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Mishustin said .
Russia confirmed 59 cases of the COVID-19 Saturday , but no deaths .
In the Philippines , which has reported 111 confirmed cases and eight deaths , government officials have imposed a month-long curfew in the capital region of Metro Manila , which will run from 8 pm .
to 5 a.m. Government officials also announced that `` nonessential '' gatherings like visiting friends and family and parties are banned .
In parts of Australia , stocks of coronavirus test kits have run out and supplies are running low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's chief medical officer , warned .
He urged medical staff to only refer patients for pathology tests if they meet two criteria .
First , they have to have traveled internationally in the 14 days before illness onset , or been in close or casual contact with a confirmed case in the 14 days before onset .
Second , they must have symptoms of fever or acute respiratory infection with or without fever .
Australia had 250 cases and three deaths confirmed Saturday .
In Syria , parliamentary elections scheduled for April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , SANA reported .

Guatemala, Russia and Saudi Arabia have implemented travel restrictions Saturday to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
March 14 (UPI) -- French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe ordered Saturday the closure of non-essential public locations, in a move similar to Italy, to curb the accelerating spread of the coronavirus in the country. The order applies to restaurants, cafes, cinemas, nightclubs and other businesses considered nonessential. Advertisement
Philippe said the shutdown applies until further notice and also called for people in France to reduce travel, especially between towns.
Essential businesses such as grocery stores, chemists, banks, tobacco shops and petrol stations will remain open, he said.
Local elections will also go on Sunday as planned, he added.
Though religious building will remain open, Philippe said gatherings and ceremonies should be postponed.
France reported a sharp rise in cases Saturday from 3,661 to nearly 4,500 with 91 deaths, according to a global tracker compiled by John Hopkins University.
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"The best way to slow down the epidemic," Philipe said, was "social distancing."
The Louvre in Paris, the world's most visited museum, has been closed as of Friday "until further notice" due to the coronavirus, RFI reported. France's most famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower, also closed down Friday night "for an indefinite period of time," according to its website.
Spain, with 6,315 cases and 191 deaths, is the hardest-hit country in Europe after Italy, where Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced measures late Wednesday ordering bars, restaurants and all shops selling non-essential items closed.
Authorities recorded 1,800 more cases in Spain since Friday evening, many in the capital Madrid.
The Spanish government is poised to declare a 15-day national lockdown where people would only be allowed out of their home for emergencies, to buy food, or for work.
Madrid and its surrounding areas have already ordered the closure of most bars, restaurants and shops.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared a state of emergency Thursday and in several Spanish provinces and cities large gatherings have been canceled and beaches closed to the public.
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Outside of China, Italy has the second highest outbreak, with 21,157 cases and 1,441 deaths, followed by Iran, which has 12,729 cases and 611 deaths.
As part of lockdown measures to contain the spread, the Italian Civil Aviation Authority, known as Enac, said Saturday it has also suspended all civilian flight operations at a number of the country's major airports.
The suspension of flights does not affect those which emergency health services or state authorities operate, according to the Civil Aviation Authority.
The World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic with the virus found on every continent except Antarctica earlier this week.
Though the spread in China has slowed, it still has the highest number of cases at 80,976 and 3,193 deaths, including 3,075 deaths in Hubei province alone.
As of Saturday, the number of cases worldwide, has risen to more than 155,000 worldwide and over 5,800 deaths, the global tracker shows.
Earlier Saturday, Guatemala became the first country to ban Americans in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus as nations across the globe close down borders and implement up travel restrictions and curfews.
President Alejandro Giammattei announced Friday night that Americans would not be allowed into the country beginning Monday.
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"We have made the decision that citizens of the United States and Canada cannot enter the country," Giammattei said in a news conference, referring to the rising number of cases in those countries.
The move, which he called a "phase of containment," also includes banning nationals from several European and Asian countries.
Giammattei also asked Mexico to halt Guatemalan deportations by land.
More than 250,000 Guatemalans were detained at the U.S. border last year, more than any other country.
Guatamala announced its first confirmed case of the virus Friday.
Saudi Arabia, which has 103 confirmed cases, but no deaths, has suspended all international flights for two weeks starting Sunday to control the outbreak, the Saudi Press Agency reported Saturday.
Russia's Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced as of midnight Saturday, it will close down its land borders with Norway and Poland to stop the spread.
The border closure, which follows Russia's earlier closure with its Chinese border, only applies to foreigners who attempt to enter "for professional, private, study or tourist reasons," Mishustin said.
Russia confirmed 59 cases of the COVID-19 Saturday, but no deaths.
In the Philippines, which has reported 111 confirmed cases and eight deaths, government officials have imposed a month-long curfew in the capital region of Metro Manila, which will run from 8 pm. to 5 a.m. Government officials also announced that "nonessential" gatherings like visiting friends and family and parties are banned.
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In parts of Australia, stocks of coronavirus test kits have run out and supplies are running low, Dr. Brendan Murphy, the government's chief medical officer, warned. He urged medical staff to only refer patients for pathology tests if they meet two criteria. First, they have to have traveled internationally in the 14 days before illness onset, or been in close or casual contact with a confirmed case in the 14 days before onset. Second, they must have symptoms of fever or acute respiratory infection with or without fever.
Australia had 250 cases and three deaths confirmed Saturday.
In Syria, parliamentary elections scheduled for April 13 have been postponed to May 20, SANA reported.


upi--2020-03-14--American expeditioner airlifted out of Antarctica in rare late-winter medevac

March 14 ( UPI ) -- The Australian Antarctic Division airlifted an American expeditioner from a United States base in Antarctica this week due to an unspecified medical problem .
The AAD received a request from the U.S. Antarctic Program Friday and sent a medical team from Hobart to airlift the passenger from McMurdo station to Christchurch , New Zealand .
It 's rare to perform medical airlifts this time of the year , said Charlton Clark , the general manager of Antarctic Operations .
`` At this time of the year most Antarctic nations have already shut down operations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical evacuation was unusual , '' Clark said .
`` We are really pleased to be able to assist the United States Antarctic Program as a first-responder in this emergency and it 's a real testament to the great spirit of cooperation between Antarctic nations . ''
Clark also said the conditions on the ground made the airlift challenging .
Temperatures were -22 degrees Fahrenheit with windchill .
`` It 's great to have the support of national partners and know that we all share a deep dedication to Antarctic research programs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US National Science Foundation 's Section Head for Antarctic Infrastructure & Logistics .

Australia’s Airbus A319 on the ground at McMurdo base, during medical evacuation of an expeditioner Photo by Clive Srauss/ Australian Antarctic Division
March 14 (UPI) -- The Australian Antarctic Division airlifted an American expeditioner from a United States base in Antarctica this week due to an unspecified medical problem. The AAD received a request from the U.S. Antarctic Program Friday and sent a medical team from Hobart to airlift the passenger from McMurdo station to Christchurch, New Zealand. Advertisement
It's rare to perform medical airlifts this time of the year, said Charlton Clark, the general manager of Antarctic Operations.
"At this time of the year most Antarctic nations have already shut down operations for the winter season, so this medical evacuation was unusual," Clark said. "We are really pleased to be able to assist the United States Antarctic Program as a first-responder in this emergency and it's a real testament to the great spirit of cooperation between Antarctic nations."
Clark also said the conditions on the ground made the airlift challenging. Temperatures were -22 degrees Fahrenheit with windchill.
"It's great to have the support of national partners and know that we all share a deep dedication to Antarctic research programs and personnel," said Stephanie Short, the US National Science Foundation's Section Head for Antarctic Infrastructure & Logistics.


upi--2020-03-14--Judge blocks Trump rule expected to cut food stamps from nearly 700,000

March 14 ( UPI ) -- A federal judge has blocked a Trump administration rule from going into effect next month that was expected to cut food stamps for nearly 700,000 people .
The new federal rule would place stricter requirements on state 's award of Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program , formerly the food stamp program .
Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court in Washington said SNAP was a `` cornerstone '' of the `` effort to reduce hunger -- and hunger 's adverse effects on health , educational achievement , and housing security , '' in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would lose their benefits , '' she wrote in her opinion , regarding the impact of the stringent requirements under the federal rule set to take effect in April .
`` Especially now , as a global pandemic poses widespread health risks , guaranteeing that government officials at both the federal and state levels have flexibility and state levels have flexibility to address the nutritional needs of residents and ensure their well-being through programs like SNAP , is essential . ''
Howell granted a preliminary injunction and stay on the rule .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country 's most vulnerable residents who rely on SNAP to eat , '' District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine said in a statement .
`` The Trump administration 's rule would have forces hundreds of thousands of people who could not find work , including 13,000 District residents , to go hungry .
That would have been catastrophic in the midst of our current public health emergency . ''
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the new federal rule in December .
Under the existing rule , single , able-bodied adults can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of every 36-month period unless they work or receive training at least 20 hours a week .
Areas with higher unemployment rates or insufficient jobs were eligible to receive a waiver to that rule .
Under the new requirements , the waivers will be tougher to get , tightening the definition of insufficient jobs and limiting the timeframe the areas can receive a waiver .
The USDA told reporters about 688,000 people were expected to lose SNAP benefits under the new rule .
Fourteen states , Washington , D.C. , and New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue in January over the new regulation .
`` Now , in the midst of the strongest economy in a generation , we need everyone who can work , to work , '' Perdue said at the time .
`` This rule lays the groundwork for the expectation that able-bodied Americans re-enter the workforce where there are currently more job openings than people to fill them . ''
The House passed a multi-billion dollar bill early Saturday to fight the coronavirus pandemic , which includes federal funds for Medicaid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SNAP .
Earlier this year , the U.S. Supreme Court lifted a lower court injunction against a Trump administration rule that expands the `` public charge '' rule .
Under the expansion , officials can deny visas and green cards to individuals considered an economic burden on society not only for their reliance on cash welfare benefits or long-term care institutions , but also for their reliance on food stamps , Medicaid and government subsidized housing .

Shoppers stock up on essentials amid the coronavirus pandemic at the Whole Foods Market in downtown Los Angeles on Friday, the same day a federal judge placed a temporary injunction on a Trump administration rule to limit food stamp benefits. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
March 14 (UPI) -- A federal judge has blocked a Trump administration rule from going into effect next month that was expected to cut food stamps for nearly 700,000 people. The new federal rule would place stricter requirements on state's award of Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly the food stamp program. Advertisement
Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court in Washington said SNAP was a "cornerstone" of the "effort to reduce hunger -- and hunger's adverse effects on health, educational achievement, and housing security," in an opinion issued Friday.
"Nearly 700,000 would lose their benefits," she wrote in her opinion, regarding the impact of the stringent requirements under the federal rule set to take effect in April. "Especially now, as a global pandemic poses widespread health risks, guaranteeing that government officials at both the federal and state levels have flexibility and state levels have flexibility to address the nutritional needs of residents and ensure their well-being through programs like SNAP, is essential."
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Howell granted a preliminary injunction and stay on the rule.
"This is a major victory for our country's most vulnerable residents who rely on SNAP to eat," District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine said in a statement. "The Trump administration's rule would have forces hundreds of thousands of people who could not find work, including 13,000 District residents, to go hungry. That would have been catastrophic in the midst of our current public health emergency."
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the new federal rule in December.
Under the existing rule, single, able-bodied adults can only receive SNAP benefits for three months out of every 36-month period unless they work or receive training at least 20 hours a week. Areas with higher unemployment rates or insufficient jobs were eligible to receive a waiver to that rule.
Under the new requirements, the waivers will be tougher to get, tightening the definition of insufficient jobs and limiting the timeframe the areas can receive a waiver.
The USDA told reporters about 688,000 people were expected to lose SNAP benefits under the new rule.
Fourteen states, Washington, D.C., and New York City filed suit against the USDA and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue in January over the new regulation.
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"Now, in the midst of the strongest economy in a generation, we need everyone who can work, to work," Perdue said at the time. "This rule lays the groundwork for the expectation that able-bodied Americans re-enter the workforce where there are currently more job openings than people to fill them."
USDA figures show that around 36 million people receive SNAP benefits.
The House passed a multi-billion dollar bill early Saturday to fight the coronavirus pandemic, which includes federal funds for Medicaid and strengthening food security initiatives, including SNAP.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court lifted a lower court injunction against a Trump administration rule that expands the "public charge" rule. Under the expansion, officials can deny visas and green cards to individuals considered an economic burden on society not only for their reliance on cash welfare benefits or long-term care institutions, but also for their reliance on food stamps, Medicaid and government subsidized housing.


upi--2020-03-14--House passes coronavirus legislation; Trump says he'll sign

March 14 ( UPI ) -- The House overwhelmingly passed a multi-billion dollar bill to fight the coronavirus pandemic early Saturday after agreeing to its details with the Trump administration .
The chamber voted 363-40 to approve the legislation after intense negotiations with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin .
On Friday afternoon , President Donald Trump said he was n't happy with the early version of the bill , accusing Democrats of not `` giving enough . ''
He praised Democrats and Republicans for coming together to pass the legislation Saturday .
He also encouraged all lawmakers to vote in favor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow my direction for free CoronaVirus tests , and paid sick leave for our impacted American workers , '' he tweeted .
`` I encourage all Republicans and Democrats to come together and VOTE YES !
I will always put the health and well-being of American families FIRST .
Look forward to signing the final Bill , ASAP ! ''
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell canceled the upper chamber 's planned recess Thursday so senators could vote on the legislation once it made its way out of the House .
He showed support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday .
`` Of course , Senators will need to carefully review the version just passed by the House .
But I believe the vast majority of senators in both parties will agree we should act swiftly to secure relief for American workers , families , and small businesses , '' he said .
Pelosi said Friday -- before the legislation underwent changes in negotiations -- that the Families First Coronavirus Response Act primarily focuses on COVID-19 testing as the means of halting the spread of the disease throughout the country .
Johns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 a.m. Saturday , there were 2,174 cases in the United States and 47 deaths .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , which updates its figures each day at noon , said there were at least 1,600 cases and 41 deaths in the United States as of Thursday afternoon .
According to tentative details , the act would provide free coronavirus testing for anyone who needs it , regardless of whether the person has health insurance .
It also includes clear protections for frontline workers , increased federal funds for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including SNAP , student meals and seniors nutrition and food banks .
Specifically , the bill would include funding for food assistance , including for low-income pregnant women and mothers of young children who lose their jobs due to COVID-19 , local food banks , and the senior nutrition program .
It also calls for the Department of Agriculture to approve plans to provide SNAP assistance to children who receive free or discounted meals so they can continue to have food while their schools are closed .
The bill also includes requirements that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick leave .
Trump declared a national emergency Friday , freeing up to $ 50 billion for states to battle the disease and improve testing .
Trump praised the collaborative effort that led to the bill at a Saturday press briefing on the pandemic .
`` We also reached an agreement yesterday on a new legislative package that will provide strong support for American families and communities in dealing with the coronavirus , '' he said .
`` It was done very very bipartisan .
It was very nice to see it .
@

The House passed the legislation early Saturday after intense negotiations between Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo
March 14 (UPI) -- The House overwhelmingly passed a multi-billion dollar bill to fight the coronavirus pandemic early Saturday after agreeing to its details with the Trump administration. The chamber voted 363-40 to approve the legislation after intense negotiations with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Advertisement
On Friday afternoon, President Donald Trump said he wasn't happy with the early version of the bill, accusing Democrats of not "giving enough."
He praised Democrats and Republicans for coming together to pass the legislation Saturday. He also encouraged all lawmakers to vote in favor of it.
"This Bill will follow my direction for free CoronaVirus tests, and paid sick leave for our impacted American workers," he tweeted.
"I encourage all Republicans and Democrats to come together and VOTE YES! I will always put the health and well-being of American families FIRST. Look forward to signing the final Bill, ASAP!"
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Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell canceled the upper chamber's planned recess Thursday so senators could vote on the legislation once it made its way out of the House. He showed support for the bill in a statement early Saturday.
"Of course, Senators will need to carefully review the version just passed by the House. But I believe the vast majority of senators in both parties will agree we should act swiftly to secure relief for American workers, families, and small businesses," he said.
Pelosi said Friday -- before the legislation underwent changes in negotiations -- that the Families First Coronavirus Response Act primarily focuses on COVID-19 testing as the means of halting the spread of the disease throughout the country.
Johns Hopkins University said that as of about 8 a.m. Saturday, there were 2,174 cases in the United States and 47 deaths. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which updates its figures each day at noon, said there were at least 1,600 cases and 41 deaths in the United States as of Thursday afternoon.
According to tentative details, the act would provide free coronavirus testing for anyone who needs it, regardless of whether the person has health insurance. It also includes clear protections for frontline workers, increased federal funds for Medicaid and strengthened food security initiatives, including SNAP, student meals and seniors nutrition and food banks.
Advertisement
Specifically, the bill would include funding for food assistance, including for low-income pregnant women and mothers of young children who lose their jobs due to COVID-19, local food banks, and the senior nutrition program. It also calls for the Department of Agriculture to approve plans to provide SNAP assistance to children who receive free or discounted meals so they can continue to have food while their schools are closed.
The bill also includes requirements that all employees receive 14 days of paid sick leave.
Trump declared a national emergency Friday, freeing up to $50 billion for states to battle the disease and improve testing.
Trump praised the collaborative effort that led to the bill at a Saturday press briefing on the pandemic.
"We also reached an agreement yesterday on a new legislative package that will provide strong support for American families and communities in dealing with the coronavirus," he said. "It was done very very bipartisan. It was very nice to see it."


upi--2020-03-14--COVID-19: U.S. restricts travel from Britain, Ireland

March 14 ( UPI ) -- Vice President Mike Pence announced Saturday that all travel from the United States to the Britain and Ireland has been suspended , effective midnight Monday .
`` Americans in the [ United Kingdom ] or Ireland can come home .
Legal residents can come home , '' Pence told reporters during a briefing by the White House Coronavirus Task Force .
Travelers returning home will be funneled through certain airports , he said .
Earlier this week the Trump administration suspended travel to the United States from Europe for 30 days in response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump said he had taken a coronavirus test , but would not know the results for one or two more days .
At least two recent visitors to Trump 's resort in South Florida have tested positive for coronavirus , including the press officer for Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro .
According to White House pool reports , a reporter was removed from Saturday 's briefing after a man in a suit took the temperatures of individuals in the room using a no-contact thermometer .
Judd Deere , a special assistant to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a member of the White House physician 's office and was taking the temperatures of anyone who might come into close contact with the president and vice president .
The briefing came one day after President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in response to the COVID-19 outbreak .

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President Donald Trump, joined by members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, speaks during a briefing at the White House on Saturday. Photo by Shawn Thew/UPI | License Photo
March 14 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump's has tested negative for the novel coronavirus, according to a statement from his physician released Saturday night. Trump's doctor says the president has tested negative for Covid-19. pic.twitter.com/Tlm1lJOo7P— Rebecca Ballhaus (@rebeccaballhaus) March 14, 2020 Advertisement
The announcement comes hours after Trump told reporters he had taken a coronavirus test, but would not know the results for one or two more days.
At least two recent visitors to Trump's resort in South Florida have tested positive for coronavirus, including the press officer for Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro.
Also on Saturday, Vice President Mike Pence announced that all travel from the United States to the Britain and Ireland has been suspended, effective midnight Monday.
"Americans in the [United Kingdom] or Ireland can come home. Legal residents can come home," Pence told reporters during a briefing by the White House Coronavirus Task Force.
Travelers returning home will be funneled through certain airports, he said.
Earlier this week the Trump administration suspended travel to the United States from Europe for 30 days in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
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According to White House pool reports, a reporter was removed from Saturday's briefing after a man in a suit took the temperatures of individuals in the room using a no-contact thermometer.
Judd Deere, a special assistant to the president, said the man was a member of the White House physician's office and was taking the temperatures of anyone who might come into close contact with the president and vice president.
The briefing came one day after President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
On Saturday Georgia's secretary of state announced that Georgia will delay its presidential primary to May, becoming the second state to push back the vote after Louisiana made a similar announcement this week.


upi--2020-03-14--Broadway supports teens whose school musicals were canceled

March 14 ( UPI ) -- Several Broadway stars are taking to social media to support young artists whose school musicals were canceled due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak .
`` Dark times for all .
Trying to find some bright spots .
If you were meant to perform in your High School musical and it was cancelled please post yourself singing and tag me .
I want to be your audience !
!
Sending all my love and black market toilet paper , '' Laura Benanti tweeted Friday .
Lin-Manuel Miranda joined the campaign a short time later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , thank you kids , I 'm watching too .
# SunshineSongs , '' read his post .
`` You all are soooo BEAUTIFUL !
!
Music heard from around the world and it is so good for the [ heart emoji ] !
!
Thank you for sharing and know Broadway is listening .
@ LauraBenanti # SunshineSongs , '' added Stephanie J .
Block tweeted .
Many schools have been closed and all Broadway shows canceled for the next few weeks to keep people from gathering together in large groups in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus .

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Laura Benanti is offering a boost to disappointed teens whose high school musicals were canceled because of concerns over the coronavirus. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 14 (UPI) -- Several Broadway stars are taking to social media to support young artists whose school musicals were canceled due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak. "Dark times for all. Trying to find some bright spots. If you were meant to perform in your High School musical and it was cancelled please post yourself singing and tag me. I want to be your audience!! Sending all my love and black market toilet paper," Laura Benanti tweeted Friday. Advertisement
Lin-Manuel Miranda joined the campaign a short time later.
"Thank you, @LauraBenanti, thank you kids, I'm watching too. #SunshineSongs," read his post.
"You all are soooo BEAUTIFUL!! Music heard from around the world and it is so good for the [heart emoji]!! Thank you for sharing and know Broadway is listening. @LauraBenanti #SunshineSongs," added Stephanie J. Block tweeted.
Many schools have been closed and all Broadway shows canceled for the next few weeks to keep people from gathering together in large groups in an effort to stem the spread of the virus.


upi--2020-03-14--Eva Amurri gives birth to third child, a son

March 14 ( UPI ) -- Actress and lifestyle blogger Eva Amurri announced on Instagram she has given birth to @ @ @ @ @ son .
`` Our sweet little boy came Earthside yesterday , peacefully at Home- birth @ @ @ @ @ beautiful , and we are all SO in love Mateo Antoni Martino 3.13.20 , 7lbs @ @ @ @ @ # MateoAntoni # BirthDay # HomeBirthMama , '' the Undateable and Californication star posted on @ @ @ @ @ photos of her cradling her newborn in bed , while surrounded by her estranged husband @ @ @ @ @ older kids -- Marlowe Mae , 5 , and Major James , 3 .
Amurri @ @ @ @ @ , but she and Martino split up after eight years of marriage in November .
@ @ @ @ @ Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon and her former partner Franco Amurri .

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Eva Amurri has welcomed her third child. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
March 14 (UPI) -- Actress and lifestyle blogger Eva Amurri announced on Instagram she has given birth to her third child, a son. "Our sweet little boy came Earthside yesterday, peacefully at Home- birth was bright, fast & beautiful, and we are all SO in love Mateo Antoni Martino 3.13.20, 7lbs 11oz, 21inches #HappilyEvaAfter #MateoAntoni #BirthDay #HomeBirthMama," the Undateable and Californication star posted on Saturday. Advertisement
The message accompanied photos of her cradling her newborn in bed, while surrounded by her estranged husband Kyle Martino and their two older kids -- Marlowe Mae, 5, and Major James, 3.
Amurri announced her pregnancy in September, but she and Martino split up after eight years of marriage in November.
Amurri is the daughter of Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon and her former partner Franco Amurri.


upi--2020-03-14--Pentagon restricts domestic travel for military personnel, families

March 14 ( UPI ) -- The Pentagon said it will halt domestic travel for its civilian employees , service @ @ @ @ @ Monday because of the coronavirus .
Travel restrictions announced Friday night expand on those announced @ @ @ @ @ same group from traveling to , from or through most of Europe , aside from @ @ @ @ @ effect Thursday .
The new restrictions on domestic travel include travel for permanent change of @ @ @ @ @ They will also halt civilian hiring at Department of Defense installations .
These restrictions will @ @ @ @ @ May 11 .
`` Similar to other travel guidance regarding COVID-19 , travel exceptions may @ @ @ @ @ where the travel is mission-essential , for humanitarian reasons , or warranted due to extreme @ @ @ @ @ of Defense statement said .
`` Our goal is to remain ahead of the virus @ @ @ @ @ remains effective and ready . ''

A soldier leaves his bus upon arriving for holiday block leave at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport on December 20, 2014. The Department of Defense halted all domestic travel for U.S. service members and their families. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
March 14 (UPI) -- The Pentagon said it will halt domestic travel for its civilian employees, service members and their families starting Monday because of the coronavirus. Travel restrictions announced Friday night expand on those announced Wednesday, which prohibit the same group from traveling to, from or through most of Europe, aside from Britain. Those restrictions took effect Thursday. Advertisement
The new restrictions on domestic travel include travel for permanent change of station and temporary duty. They will also halt civilian hiring at Department of Defense installations.
These restrictions will be effective from Monday through May 11.
"Similar to other travel guidance regarding COVID-19, travel exceptions may be granted for compelling cases where the travel is mission-essential, for humanitarian reasons, or warranted due to extreme hardship," a Department of Defense statement said. "Our goal is to remain ahead of the virus spread so our military force remains effective and ready."


upi--2020-03-14--Ben Miller, Frances De La Tour to star in ITV's 'Professor T'

March 14 ( UPI ) -- Death in Paradise actor Ben Miller and Frances De La Tour from Harry Potter @ @ @ @ @ are set to star in ITV 's six-part crime drama Professor T. Set at Britain @ @ @ @ @ miniseries is a remake of the Belgian show of the same name .
Miller will @ @ @ @ @ Tempest , while de la Tour will play his `` colorful but overbearing mother '' @ @ @ @ @ release said .
Newcomers Emma Naomi and Barney White round out the ensemble as police @ @ @ @ @ is scheduled to film the project in Belgium and Cambridge this summer .
`` Professor @ @ @ @ @ detective -- a tortured genius wrestling with a mystery childhood trauma .
It 's a @ @ @ @ @ core of wonderful warm characters at its heart and I am delighted to be working @ @ @ @ @ team to make this for ITV and international audiences , '' producer Walter Iuzzolino said @ @ @ @

Ben Miller has landed the lead in the ITV miniseries "Professor T." File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo
March 14 (UPI) -- Death in Paradise actor Ben Miller and Frances De La Tour from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire are set to star in ITV's six-part crime drama Professor T. Set at Britain's Cambridge University, the miniseries is a remake of the Belgian show of the same name. Advertisement
Miller will play brilliant criminologist professor Jasper Tempest, while de la Tour will play his "colorful but overbearing mother" Adelaide, a network news release said.
Newcomers Emma Naomi and Barney White round out the ensemble as police officers.
Director Indra Siera is scheduled to film the project in Belgium and Cambridge this summer.
"Professor T is my all-time favorite detective -- a tortured genius wrestling with a mystery childhood trauma. It's a unique crime series with a core of wonderful warm characters at its heart and I am delighted to be working with our hand-picked European production team to make this for ITV and international audiences," producer Walter Iuzzolino said in a statement.


upi--2020-03-14--Canadian woman, Italian man escape captors in Burkina Faso

March 14 ( UPI ) -- A Canadian woman and an Italian man have escaped captors and been found in Mali more than a year after being abducted in Burkina Faso , the United Nations said Saturday .
Mahamat Saleh Annadif , the head of the U.N. mission in Mali , MINUSMA , told the CBC that Edith Blais , of Quebec , and Luca Tacchetto , of Italy , both in their 30s , escaped their captors .
A civilian vehicle found them and and took them to a U.N. camp .
MINUSMA spokesman Olivier Salgado tweeted a photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Mali 's capital of Bamako on Saturday morning .
Blais and Tacchetto had been headed to Togo to volunteer .
They were traveling by car in southwest Burkina Faso when they were last heard from around Dec. 15 , 2018 .
They went missing in an area known to be a stronghold for an Islamic State affiliate .
Fighters associated with the terrorist militant group killed four U.S. soldiers in Niger the previous year .
Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Francois-Phillipe Champagne confirmed in a tweet that Blais and Tacchetto were safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president of Mali and Burkina Faso for their cooperation .
`` We look forward to Edith returning home , '' Champagne tweeted .
Militant groups in northern Mali have kidnapped a number of Western hostages for more than a decade , usually holding them until ransoms are paid .

Mahamat Saleh Annadif (L), head of the U.N. mission in Mali, welcomes Edith Blais and Luca Taccheto upon their arrival in Bamako, Mali, after escaping captors in Burkina Faso. Photo courtesy of MINUSMA
March 14 (UPI) -- A Canadian woman and an Italian man have escaped captors and been found in Mali more than a year after being abducted in Burkina Faso, the United Nations said Saturday. Mahamat Saleh Annadif, the head of the U.N. mission in Mali, MINUSMA, told the CBC that Edith Blais, of Quebec, and Luca Tacchetto, of Italy, both in their 30s, escaped their captors. A civilian vehicle found them and and took them to a U.N. camp. Advertisement
MINUSMA spokesman Olivier Salgado tweeted a photo that showed Annadif welcoming the two ex-hostages in Mali's capital of Bamako on Saturday morning.
Blais and Tacchetto had been headed to Togo to volunteer. They were traveling by car in southwest Burkina Faso when they were last heard from around Dec. 15, 2018.
They went missing in an area known to be a stronghold for an Islamic State affiliate. Fighters associated with the terrorist militant group killed four U.S. soldiers in Niger the previous year.
Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Francois-Phillipe Champagne confirmed in a tweet that Blais and Tacchetto were safe and thanked his counterpart in Mali, the president of Mali and Burkina Faso for their cooperation.
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"We look forward to Edith returning home," Champagne tweeted.
Militant groups in northern Mali have kidnapped a number of Western hostages for more than a decade, usually holding them until ransoms are paid.


upi--2020-03-14--Lifetime adapting five more Ann Rule books as TV movies

March 14 ( UPI ) -- Lifetime is working on five more movies based on Ann Rule 's true crime @ @ @ @ @ for screen adaptations of Danger in the Dorm , Mortal Danger , Practice to Deceive @ @ @ @ @ Promises .
The cable network previously turned Rule 's bestsellers into the TV movies Too @ @ @ @ @ Rob Lowe ; Hunt for the I-5 Killer with John Corbett ; Everything She Ever @ @ @ @ @ and Capture of the Green River Killer with Tom Cavanagh .
`` Females rule the @ @ @ @ @ key writing and directing roles , far exceeding industry averages for writers and directors , @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Female directors make up 80 percent of these five titles .
Additionally , @ @ @ @ @ are women of color , accounting for 60 percent .
Also , three of the @ @ @ @ @ women , also accounting for 60 percent . ''

Lifetime is making five new TV movies based on Ann Rule's true-crime books. Rob Lowe recently starred in the network's adaptation of Rule's "Too Late to Say Goodbye." File Photo by James Atoa/UPI | License Photo
March 14 (UPI) -- Lifetime is working on five more movies based on Ann Rule's true crime books. Casting is underway for screen adaptations of Danger in the Dorm, Mortal Danger, Practice to Deceive, Bitter Harvest and Empty Promises. Advertisement
The cable network previously turned Rule's bestsellers into the TV movies Too Late to Say Goodbye with Rob Lowe; Hunt for the I-5 Killer with John Corbett; Everything She Ever Wanted with Gina Gershon; and Capture of the Green River Killer with Tom Cavanagh.
"Females rule the upcoming Ann Rule productions in key writing and directing roles, far exceeding industry averages for writers and directors," a press release said. "Female directors make up 80 percent of these five titles. Additionally, three of the five directors are women of color, accounting for 60 percent. Also, three of the five films are written by women, also accounting for 60 percent."


upi--2020-03-14--Storm to dump feet of snow in western U.S. high country, may end up being a 'March Miracle'

March 14 ( UPI ) -- It 's way too early to write winter off in the western United States as a combination of an injection of Arctic air and a developing storm will set the stage for soaking coastal rain , travel-snarling snow and frigid conditions .
A push of Arctic air will invade the northern Rockies and interior Northwest this weekend .
Even though the surge of Arctic air appears to be more gradual than some blasts that have invaded the region in years past , by the middle of this weekend , some locations will measure temperatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when compared to midweek highs .
Factoring in AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures , the nighttime hours may feel as much as 80 degrees colder when compared to Wednesday afternoon in Montana , northeastern Idaho and northern Wyoming , with values plummeting well below zero in these areas .
But even near the coast , where places such as Portland , Ore. , had a high near 60 at midweek , actual temperatures are forecast to dip into the middle 20s at night this weekend , when some snowflakes may be flying .
Freezing levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the interior Northwest and are likely to end up within a couple hundred feet around Puget Sound , Wash. Travel over the passes will become slippery and difficult .
Blizzard conditions can occur for a time , including Lookout , Homestake and Bozeman passes in Montana along Interstate 90 , as well as Marias Pass , along U.S. Route 2 in Montana .
Several inches of snow is forecast in Spokane , Wash .
Meanwhile , Great Falls , Mont.
, can expect a foot or more of snow to pile up over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may deprive the Washington and Oregon Cascades of more than a foot of snow , but the eastern slopes of the northern Rockies , and especially the Sierra Nevada , can pick up several feet of snow from the storm , '' AccuWeather chief on-air meteorologist Bernie Rayno said .
The heavy and sudden amount of snow over the high country will raise the risk of avalanches .
It is possible that I-80 at Donner Pass , Calif. , may close for a time due to heavy snow and blizzard conditions .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over California may end up being a `` March miracle '' in terms of precipitation , especially with the potential for 3 feet to 5 feet of snow to fall on the high country through Tuesday .
The Sierra Nevada got off to a good start with early-season heavy snowfall events from November to December .
However , most of January and February were void of snow , resulting in a large snowfall deficit for the mountain range .
At the end of February , a survey conducted by the Department of Water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sierra Nevada of California revealed a mere 29 inches of snow depth with a water equivalent of 11.5 inches .
This was less than 50 percent of average for the season so far .
Rain will spread southward along the Pacific coast as the storm spins just offshore .
`` The storm should deliver a thorough soaking to most coastal areas from Oregon this weekend through Northern California early next week , '' Rayno said .
`` For these coastal areas , we are probably looking at a general 0.50 of an inch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher amounts , especially on mountainsides , in the lower elevations , '' he added .
The rainfall is especially important for Northern California as a storm bypassed the region and aimed at Southern California this past week .
Areas over the southern third of the state picked up between 0.50 of an inch and 2 inches of rain .
Rain and mountain snow are forecast to spread into Southern California during the middle and latter part of next week as well .
Rainfall may be similar to that of Northern California or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freezing levels will dip enough over Southern California for snow to fall on Cajon and Tejon passes during the second half of the week , '' Rayno said .
Once the storm pivots toward Southern California , rain and high country snow will spread inland well over the Southwest late next week .
The new storm is likely to unleash a second soaking in a week 's time .
The storm that affected the Southwest this past week deposited about 0.31 of an inch of rain in Tucson , Ariz. , to 1.28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.18 inches of rain in Yuma , Ariz. As stormy and cold weather lingers in the West , one or more large outbreaks of severe weather may unfold over the Central states , where warm and humid air is likely to surge northward later next week .

March 14 (UPI) -- It's way too early to write winter off in the western United States as a combination of an injection of Arctic air and a developing storm will set the stage for soaking coastal rain, travel-snarling snow and frigid conditions.
A push of Arctic air will invade the northern Rockies and interior Northwest this weekend.
Advertisement
Even though the surge of Arctic air appears to be more gradual than some blasts that have invaded the region in years past, by the middle of this weekend, some locations will measure temperatures 50 degrees to 70 degrees Fahrenheit lower when compared to midweek highs.
Factoring in AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures, the nighttime hours may feel as much as 80 degrees colder when compared to Wednesday afternoon in Montana, northeastern Idaho and northern Wyoming, with values plummeting well below zero in these areas.
But even near the coast, where places such as Portland, Ore., had a high near 60 at midweek, actual temperatures are forecast to dip into the middle 20s at night this weekend, when some snowflakes may be flying.
Advertisement
Freezing levels will plunge to most valley floors across the interior Northwest and are likely to end up within a couple hundred feet around Puget Sound, Wash.
Travel over the passes will become slippery and difficult. Blizzard conditions can occur for a time, including Lookout, Homestake and Bozeman passes in Montana along Interstate 90, as well as Marias Pass, along U.S. Route 2 in Montana.
Several inches of snow is forecast in Spokane, Wash. Meanwhile, Great Falls, Mont., can expect a foot or more of snow to pile up over the weekend.
"This particular setup may deprive the Washington and Oregon Cascades of more than a foot of snow, but the eastern slopes of the northern Rockies, and especially the Sierra Nevada, can pick up several feet of snow from the storm," AccuWeather chief on-air meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.
The heavy and sudden amount of snow over the high country will raise the risk of avalanches.
It is possible that I-80 at Donner Pass, Calif., may close for a time due to heavy snow and blizzard conditions.
The pattern that continues into early next week over California may end up being a "March miracle" in terms of precipitation, especially with the potential for 3 feet to 5 feet of snow to fall on the high country through Tuesday.
Advertisement
The Sierra Nevada got off to a good start with early-season heavy snowfall events from November to December. However, most of January and February were void of snow, resulting in a large snowfall deficit for the mountain range.
At the end of February, a survey conducted by the Department of Water Resources at the Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada of California revealed a mere 29 inches of snow depth with a water equivalent of 11.5 inches. This was less than 50 percent of average for the season so far.
Rain will spread southward along the Pacific coast as the storm spins just offshore.
"The storm should deliver a thorough soaking to most coastal areas from Oregon this weekend through Northern California early next week," Rayno said.
"For these coastal areas, we are probably looking at a general 0.50 of an inch to an inch of rain with locally higher amounts, especially on mountainsides, in the lower elevations," he added.
The rainfall is especially important for Northern California as a storm bypassed the region and aimed at Southern California this past week. Areas over the southern third of the state picked up between 0.50 of an inch and 2 inches of rain.
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Rain and mountain snow are forecast to spread into Southern California during the middle and latter part of next week as well. Rainfall may be similar to that of Northern California or greater.
"It does look like freezing levels will dip enough over Southern California for snow to fall on Cajon and Tejon passes during the second half of the week," Rayno said.
Once the storm pivots toward Southern California, rain and high country snow will spread inland well over the Southwest late next week. The new storm is likely to unleash a second soaking in a week's time. The storm that affected the Southwest this past week deposited about 0.31 of an inch of rain in Tucson, Ariz., to 1.28 inches of rain in Las Vegas and 2.18 inches of rain in Yuma, Ariz.
As stormy and cold weather lingers in the West, one or more large outbreaks of severe weather may unfold over the Central states, where warm and humid air is likely to surge northward later next week.


upi--2020-03-14--IFC to release Jude Law's 'The Nest' this fall

March 14 ( UPI ) -- IFC Films has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to The Nest , starring Jude Law , Carrie Coon , Charlie Shotwell and Oona Roche .
`` Charismatic entrepreneur Rory ( Law ) , relocates his wife Allison ( Coon ) and their children Sam and Ben from suburban America to his native England with ambitious dreams of profiting from booming 1980s London , '' a synopsis of the film said .
`` While Rory thrives chasing lofty deals in the city , Allison and the kids struggle to adapt .
Once a businesswoman in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idle and resuming the role of housewife in a run-down mansion they ca n't afford to furnish .
As the eerie isolation of their new home drives the family further apart , and the promise of a lucrative new beginning starts to unravel , Rory and Allison have to face the unwelcome truths lying beneath the surface of their marriage . ''
Written and directed by Sean Durkin -- whose credits include Martha Marcy May Marlene -- the movie premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival .
IFC intends to release it in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very excited to partner with IFC who have shown such bold support for the film .
I look forward to working together to get The Nest out to audiences across the country , '' Durkin said in a press release .

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IFC plans to release in theaters Jude Law's new movie "The Nest." File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo
March 14 (UPI) -- IFC Films has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to The Nest, starring Jude Law, Carrie Coon, Charlie Shotwell and Oona Roche. "Charismatic entrepreneur Rory (Law), relocates his wife Allison (Coon) and their children Sam and Ben from suburban America to his native England with ambitious dreams of profiting from booming 1980s London," a synopsis of the film said. Advertisement
"While Rory thrives chasing lofty deals in the city, Allison and the kids struggle to adapt. Once a businesswoman in her own right, Allison finds herself idle and resuming the role of housewife in a run-down mansion they can't afford to furnish. As the eerie isolation of their new home drives the family further apart, and the promise of a lucrative new beginning starts to unravel, Rory and Allison have to face the unwelcome truths lying beneath the surface of their marriage."
Written and directed by Sean Durkin -- whose credits include Martha Marcy May Marlene -- the movie premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.
IFC intends to release it in theaters this fall.
"I am very excited to partner with IFC who have shown such bold support for the film. I look forward to working together to get The Nest out to audiences across the country," Durkin said in a press release.