upi--2020-03-30--Temperatures tumble in eastern U.S. to end a warm March on a cool note

March 30 ( UPI ) -- As the calendar changes from March to April , fluctuating temperatures are expected for the eastern half of the country .
Overall , average temperatures from the Plains to the Eastern Seaboard have been hovering well above normal during the month of March .
Through March 29 , the average temperatures reported in Minneapolis and Chicago were both around 5 degrees Fahrenheit above normal for the month .
Nashville and Washington , D.C. , have recorded temperatures that averaged about 6.5 degrees above normal , and temperatures for March so far were around 6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York City .
The average temperature during that time in Buffalo , N.Y. , and Atlanta were 7.5 degrees above normal .
`` Behind severe weather that erupted in the Plains , Midwest and Ohio Valley on Saturday , cooler air is sweeping through these areas for the last days of the month , '' said AccuWeather meteorologist Renee Duff .
Cool air will infiltrate from northwest to southeast across the Great Lakes and mid-Atlantic into the middle of the week and the start of April .
`` A cooler air mass moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much as 15-20 degrees in just a day , '' added Duff .
Residents in cities like Pittsburgh and Detroit awoke to a much cooler day on Monday .
Temperatures in the afternoon ended up as much as 4 degrees to 8 degrees below normal , which felt quite chilly following a warm March .
An even cooler day , at least by a few degrees , is expected on Tuesday in this region .
Farther south and east , the colder air will not arrive until Tuesday , including in cites from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again , temperatures will drop to below-normal levels for late March and early April .
The temperature drop across the Tennessee Valley and the Southeast will come along with another round of heavy rain and thunderstorms .
The coldest day in the mid-Atlantic and South is likely to be on Wednesday .
All the while , much of Northeast , including New England and cities like Boston and Hartford , Conn. , will notice very little in the way of temperature change .
Highs will remain in the 40s and lower 50s through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As is normal in spring , temperature fluctuation is also in the future , and the temperature roller coaster will start to climb for the latter half of the week .
High pressure building in the eastern United States will allow for a more southerly wind flow for many , bringing in warmer conditions .
Afternoon high temperatures are forecast to rebound back into the upper 50s again around the Great Lakes on Thursday , with middle 60s expected to return to the mid-Atlantic by Friday .
These temperatures are at or slightly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Tennessee Valley and the Carolinas , temperatures will return to and hover in the 70s late in the week .
`` But , even though New England will remain close to average , relative to most other areas early this week , New England will be the last to warm up late this week , '' according to AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski .
`` It may take until the weekend before some milder air works in from the west and south , '' he added .
The warmup could be delayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well .
Exactly how long the warmth sticks around in the East , once it arrives , will be determined on if any storms cross the region and pull more cool air down from Canada .

March 30 (UPI) -- As the calendar changes from March to April, fluctuating temperatures are expected for the eastern half of the country.
Overall, average temperatures from the Plains to the Eastern Seaboard have been hovering well above normal during the month of March.
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Through March 29, the average temperatures reported in Minneapolis and Chicago were both around 5 degrees Fahrenheit above normal for the month. Nashville and Washington, D.C., have recorded temperatures that averaged about 6.5 degrees above normal, and temperatures for March so far were around 6 degrees above normal in Philadelphia and New York City. The average temperature during that time in Buffalo, N.Y., and Atlanta were 7.5 degrees above normal.
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"Behind severe weather that erupted in the Plains, Midwest and Ohio Valley on Saturday, cooler air is sweeping through these areas for the last days of the month," said AccuWeather meteorologist Renee Duff.
Cool air will infiltrate from northwest to southeast across the Great Lakes and mid-Atlantic into the middle of the week and the start of April.
"A cooler air mass moving in will bring afternoon temperatures down as much as 15-20 degrees in just a day," added Duff.
Residents in cities like Pittsburgh and Detroit awoke to a much cooler day on Monday. Temperatures in the afternoon ended up as much as 4 degrees to 8 degrees below normal, which felt quite chilly following a warm March.
An even cooler day, at least by a few degrees, is expected on Tuesday in this region.
Farther south and east, the colder air will not arrive until Tuesday, including in cites from Philadelphia to Nashville and Atlanta. Once again, temperatures will drop to below-normal levels for late March and early April.
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The temperature drop across the Tennessee Valley and the Southeast will come along with another round of heavy rain and thunderstorms.
The coldest day in the mid-Atlantic and South is likely to be on Wednesday.
All the while, much of Northeast, including New England and cities like Boston and Hartford, Conn., will notice very little in the way of temperature change. Highs will remain in the 40s and lower 50s through the first half of the week.
As is normal in spring, temperature fluctuation is also in the future, and the temperature roller coaster will start to climb for the latter half of the week.
High pressure building in the eastern United States will allow for a more southerly wind flow for many, bringing in warmer conditions.
Afternoon high temperatures are forecast to rebound back into the upper 50s again around the Great Lakes on Thursday, with middle 60s expected to return to the mid-Atlantic by Friday. These temperatures are at or slightly above normal for early April.
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Across the Tennessee Valley and the Carolinas, temperatures will return to and hover in the 70s late in the week.
"But, even though New England will remain close to average, relative to most other areas early this week, New England will be the last to warm up late this week," according to AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
"It may take until the weekend before some milder air works in from the west and south," he added.
The warmup could be delayed in New York City for a bit as well.
Exactly how long the warmth sticks around in the East, once it arrives, will be determined on if any storms cross the region and pull more cool air down from Canada.


upi--2020-03-30--NCAA grants extra year of eligibility to Division I spring athletes

March 30 ( UPI ) -- The NCAA Division I Council voted Monday to award an extra year of eligibility to spring-sport athletes whose seasons were canceled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
The NCAA 's ruling will extend the eligibility of all student-athletes in spring sports , including all underclassmen impacted by the cancellations .
The decision will also allow schools to expand their roster sizes beyond current scholarship limits to account for incoming recruits and seniors who were expected to leave .
`` The Council 's decision gives individual schools the flexibility to make decisions at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council chair M. Grace Calhoun , athletic director at the University of Pennsylvania .
`` The board of governors encouraged conferences and schools to take action in the best interest of student-athletes and their communities , and now schools have the opportunity to do that . ''
The council also increased the roster limit in baseball for student-athletes impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak , which is the only spring sport with such a limit .
Winter sports were n't included in the decision , according to the NCAA 's statement .
Council members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports where a majority of their regular seasons were already completed .

The NCAA will extend the eligibility of all student-athletes who participate in spring sports and will allow schools to expand their roster sizes beyond current scholarship limits. File Photo by Gary C. Caskey/UPI | License Photo
March 30 (UPI) -- The NCAA Division I Council voted Monday to award an extra year of eligibility to spring-sport athletes whose seasons were canceled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The NCAA's ruling will extend the eligibility of all student-athletes in spring sports, including all underclassmen impacted by the cancellations. The decision will also allow schools to expand their roster sizes beyond current scholarship limits to account for incoming recruits and seniors who were expected to leave. Advertisement
"The Council's decision gives individual schools the flexibility to make decisions at a campus level," said Division I Council chair M. Grace Calhoun, athletic director at the University of Pennsylvania. "The board of governors encouraged conferences and schools to take action in the best interest of student-athletes and their communities, and now schools have the opportunity to do that."
The council also increased the roster limit in baseball for student-athletes impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, which is the only spring sport with such a limit.
Winter sports weren't included in the decision, according to the NCAA's statement. Council members declined to extend eligibility for student-athletes in sports where a majority of their regular seasons were already completed.


upi--2020-03-30--Florida pastor arrested for holding church during COVID-19 restrictions

March 30 ( UPI ) -- Authorities on Monday arrested a Florida pastor who held church services over the weekend as officials across the country crack down on people violating restrictions on gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic .
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said Ronald Howard-Browne , pastor at The River at Tampa Bay Church , was arrested for `` intentionally and repeatedly '' disregarding state health orders .
The sheriff said the church gatherings `` put his congregation and our community in danger . ''
Howard-Browne held two services Sunday despite a county order requiring residents to stay home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
Chronister said the pastor was arrested on misdemeanor charges of unlawful assembly and violation of public health emergency rules .
He was released from jail on $ 500 bond .
Howard-Browne spoke about the controversy at one of the Sunday services .
`` I know that they 're trying to beat me up , you know , having the church operational , but we are not a non-essential service , '' he told the congregation .
`` Not only the right of free speech but the right to peaceful assembly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .
`` Suddenly we are demonized because we believe God heals , that the Lord sets people free , and they make us out to be some sort of kooks . ''
Meanwhile , in New York , police arrested a Brooklyn cafe owner , Vasil Pando , for running an illegal bar and gambling setup at Miami II Sports Cafe .
Authorities charged him with reckless endangerment and criminal nuisance and released him .
Police found the cafe serving customers inside the building , despite a state-wide order requiring all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In New Jersey , police arrested a couple -- Eliezer Silber and Miriam Silver -- on child endangerment charges after hosting a gathering of between 40 and 50 people for a wedding Sunday .
Police in Lakewood said there were so many people at the home , people were blocking the street .
New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy signed an executive order on March 21 banning large gatherings of people for non-essential activities .
Police have arrested people involved in at least two other weddings in the state .

Rodney Howard-Browne, pastor at The River at Tampa Bay Church, was arrested for "intentionally and repeatedly" disregarding state health orders. Photo by Hernando County Sheriff's Office | License Photo
March 30 (UPI) -- Authorities on Monday arrested a Florida pastor who held church services over the weekend as officials across the country crack down on people violating restrictions on gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said Rodney Howard-Browne, pastor at The River at Tampa Bay Church, was arrested for "intentionally and repeatedly" disregarding state health orders. The sheriff said the church gatherings "put his congregation and our community in danger." Advertisement
Howard-Browne held two services Sunday despite a county order requiring residents to stay home and banning gatherings of more than 10 people. Chronister said the pastor was arrested on misdemeanor charges of unlawful assembly and violation of public health emergency rules.
He was released from jail on $500 bond.
Howard-Browne spoke about the controversy at one of the Sunday services.
"I know that they're trying to beat me up, you know, having the church operational, but we are not a non-essential service," he told the congregation.
"Not only the right of free speech but the right to peaceful assembly and to practice what we believe," he added. "Suddenly we are demonized because we believe God heals, that the Lord sets people free, and they make us out to be some sort of kooks."
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Meanwhile, in New York, police arrested a Brooklyn cafe owner, Vasil Pando, for running an illegal bar and gambling setup at Miami II Sports Cafe. Authorities charged him with reckless endangerment and criminal nuisance and released him.
Police found the cafe serving customers inside the building, despite a state-wide order requiring all restaurants to halt serving customers inside.
In New Jersey, police arrested a couple -- Eliezer Silber and Miriam Silver -- on child endangerment charges after hosting a gathering of between 40 and 50 people for a wedding Sunday. Police in Lakewood said there were so many people at the home, people were blocking the street.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order on March 21 banning large gatherings of people for non-essential activities. Police have arrested people involved in at least two other weddings in the state.


upi--2020-03-30--New York coronavirus cases top 66,000; Trump says national stay at home order unlikely

March 30 ( UPI ) -- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in New York , the U.S. epicenter of the crisis , has surpassed 66,000 with the addition of 7,000 new cases , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said in an update Monday .
Cuomo , speaking to reporters at a makeshift hospital in the Jacob Javits Convention Center , said the majority of the new cases were recorded in New York City , where more than 36,000 patients have so far tested positive .
New York 's death toll rose to more than 1,200 , he added , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 percent .
There have now been more than 2,700 COVID-19 deaths in the United States and the total U.S. caseload is near 150,000 , according to a count by experts at Johns Hopkins University .
`` That 's a lot of loss , that 's a lot of pain , that 's a lot of tears , that 's a lot of grief that people all across the state are feeling , '' Cuomo said .
Cuomo waited to stage his daily briefing until after a Navy hospital ship docked in Manhattan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York City hospitals .
The USNS Comfort adds 1,000 more beds -- 750 of which will be used immediately , Mayor Bill de Blasio said .
New York also converted Central Park 's East Meadow into a field hospital that was designated as a respiratory care unit in response to the virus , with 68 beds including 10 that will serve as a makeshift intensive care unit for patients who require ventilators .
The hospital was constructed by 72 disaster assistance response specialists from humanitarian aid organization Samaritan 's Purse and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is the kind of thing you will see now as this crisis develops , '' de Blasio said .
President Donald Trump , during a briefing in the White House Rose Garden on Monday , said that 1 million people have been tested for the coronavirus .
He touted the Food and Drug Administration 's approval of new tests by Chicago-based Abbott Laboratories , which are capable of producing test results in minutes .
`` Just like tests for flu or strep -- where you go to the doctor so you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get an answer within minutes of having this test done , '' FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said during the briefing .
`` Now with those tests being approved for Abbott and for others , these are available throughout the country , they 're planning to scale up the number of tests that can be put out throughout the country over the next month and patients can get the answer within as little as 15 to 5 minutes . ''
Trump also said the United States has received donations of supplies from other countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` China sent us some stuff , which was terrific .
Russia sent us a very , very large planeload of things , medical equipment which was very nice , '' he said .
Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci added Monday that it is likely there will be a second outbreak of the coronavirus in the fall .
`` In fact , I would anticipate that that would actually happen , '' said Fauci , adding , however , that such an outbreak would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in regards to the preparedness of the U.S. government .
`` Our ability to go out and be able to test , identify , isolate and detect , trace would be orders of magnitude greater than it was just a couple of months ago , '' he said .
`` In addition , we have a number of clinical trials that are looking at a variety of therapeutic interventions .
We hope one or more of them will be available . ''
Fauci also noted the government has a vaccine that is on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other candidates that could be used in a potential second outbreak .
Trump on Monday said that it was `` pretty unlikely '' that he would order a nationwide stay-at-home order beyond the federal social distancing guideline he extended through April 30 on Sunday , noting he has allowed individual governors and other local leaders to make their own distinctions .
In Florida , Gov .
Ron DeSantis issued a stay-home order for the populous southeastern part of the state , which includes Miami-Dade , Broward , Palm Beach and Monroe counties .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay-at-home order that bars residents from traveling outside the state and riding public transportation .
`` This is a rapidly escalating emergency situation , '' the governor said , just days after the coronavirus killed dozens at a senior center in Mount Airy , Md .
Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam also issued a stay-at-home order for the state , ordering all Virginians to stay home except in `` extremely limited circumstances '' including travel to seek medical attention , work , care for family or household members and obtain groceries , prescriptions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 .
The order also directs all Virginia institutions of higher education to halt in-person classes and instruction and closed private campgrounds as well as beaches for activities other than fishing and exercise .
`` We are in a public health crisis and we need everyone to take this seriously and act responsibly , '' Northam said .
`` Our message to Virginians is clear : stay home .
We know this virus spreads primarily through human-to-human contact and that 's why it 's so important that people follow this order and practice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doug Ducey issued a similar order while also encouraging improvements to `` social connectedness '' by maintaining communication with social supports including family , friends , neighbors and other social groups and developing habits such as physical activities , virtual social gathering and volunteer activities .
`` This order builds on the state 's efforts to protect public health by reminding Arizonans to maintain healthy habits and find alternative ways to stay connected with friends and loved ones while spending time at home , '' said Ducey .
Also Monday , Michigan Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and halted discretionary spending during the health emergency .
She authorized $ 150 million in emergency spending .
Whitmer said her administration must spend to save lives , even though the state faces an expected decline in tax revenues .
`` My number one priority is protecting Michiganders ' health and safety , '' she said .
`` However , we must also work to prepare our state for the impact the COVID-19 crisis will have on our economy and the state budget .
These executive orders will help us do just that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's caseload and death toll grew Monday .
Among those hospitalized was legendary New Orleans Saints placekicker Tom Dempsey , who also has Alzheimer 's disease and dementia .
Dempsey , 73 , who was born without toes on his right foot , became famous for converting a 63-yard field goal to lift the Saints to a 19-17 win over the Detroit Lions on Nov. 8 , 1970 .
His daughter said he picked up the disease while living at a senior center in New Orleans .
In Tennessee , 33 staff members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home isolation Monday after testing positive , state officials said .
Twenty-three residents at the home were hospitalized Friday .
In Washington , the Transportation Security Administration said more than 50 screening agents have tested positive over the last two weeks .
Twenty-two other agents , who have had relatively limited interaction with travelers , have also tested positive , the agency said .
Officials said the affected TSA employees worked at 21 airports in 18 states .

1/8
Members of the Maryland National Guard and Prince George's County Department of Health operate a coronavirus screening site at FedEx Field, the home of the Washington Redskins, in Landover, Md., on Monday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
March 30 (UPI) -- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in New York, the U.S. epicenter of the crisis, has surpassed 66,000 with the addition of 7,000 new cases, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in an update Monday. Cuomo, speaking to reporters at a makeshift hospital in the Jacob Javits Convention Center, said the majority of the new cases were recorded in New York City, where more than 36,000 patients have so far tested positive. Advertisement
New York's death toll rose to more than 1,200, he added, and the number of patients hospitalized jumped by 12 percent.
There have now been more than 3,000 COVID-19 deaths in the United States and the total U.S. caseload is more than 164,000, according to a count by experts at Johns Hopkins University on Monday night.
"That's a lot of loss, that's a lot of pain, that's a lot of tears, that's a lot of grief that people all across the state are feeling," Cuomo said.
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Cuomo waited to stage his daily briefing until after a Navy hospital ship docked in Manhattan on Monday to help alleviate crowding in New York City hospitals. The USNS Comfort adds 1,000 more beds -- 750 of which will be used immediately, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.
New York also converted Central Park's East Meadow into a field hospital that was designated as a respiratory care unit in response to the virus, with 68 beds including 10 that will serve as a makeshift intensive care unit for patients who require ventilators.
The hospital was constructed by 72 disaster assistance response specialists from humanitarian aid organization Samaritan's Purse and will be operational as of Tuesday.
"This is the kind of thing you will see now as this crisis develops," de Blasio said.
President Donald Trump, during a briefing in the White House Rose Garden on Monday, said that 1 million people have been tested for the coronavirus. He touted the Food and Drug Administration's approval of new tests by Chicago-based Abbott Laboratories that are capable of producing test results in minutes.
Advertisement
"Just like tests for flu or strep -- where you go to the doctor so you can get the test done -- you can get an answer within minutes of having this test done," FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said during the briefing. "Now with those tests being approved for Abbott and for others, these are available throughout the country, they're planning to scale up the number of tests that can be put out throughout the country over the next month and patients can get the answer within as little as 15 to 5 minutes."
Trump also said the United States has received donations of supplies from other countries in order to combat the outbreak.
"China sent us some stuff, which was terrific. Russia sent us a very, very large planeload of things, medical equipment which was very nice," he said.
Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci added Monday that it is likely there will be a second outbreak of the coronavirus in the fall.
"In fact, I would anticipate that that would actually happen," said Fauci, adding, however, that such an outbreak would be "a totally different ball game" in regards to the preparedness of the U.S. government.
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"Our ability to go out and be able to test, identify, isolate and detect, trace would be orders of magnitude greater than it was just a couple of months ago," he said. "In addition, we have a number of clinical trials that are looking at a variety of therapeutic interventions. We hope one or more of them will be available."
Fauci also noted the government has a vaccine that is on track for an accelerated development and several other candidates that could be used in a potential second outbreak.
Trump on Monday said that it was "pretty unlikely" that he would order a nationwide stay-at-home order beyond the federal social distancing guideline he extended through April 30 on Sunday, noting he has allowed individual governors and other local leaders to make their own distinctions.
In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a stay-home order for the populous southeastern part of the state, which includes Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan issued a stay-at-home order that bars residents from traveling outside the state and riding public transportation.
"This is a rapidly escalating emergency situation," the governor said, just days after the coronavirus killed dozens at a senior center in Mount Airy, Md.
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Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam also issued a stay-at-home order for the state, ordering all Virginians to stay home except in "extremely limited circumstances" including travel to seek medical attention, work, care for family or household members and obtain groceries, prescriptions or other goods and services until June 10.
The order also directs all Virginia institutions of higher education to halt in-person classes and instruction and closed private campgrounds as well as beaches for activities other than fishing and exercise.
"We are in a public health crisis and we need everyone to take this seriously and act responsibly," Northam said. "Our message to Virginians is clear: stay home. We know this virus spreads primarily through human-to-human contact and that's why it's so important that people follow this order and practice social distancing."
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser also issued a stay-at-home order but warned anyone who violates it may be found guilty of committing a misdemeanor crime and sentenced to up to 90 days in jail and fined $5,000.
"Our message remains the same: stay home," Bowser said in a statement. "Staying at home is the best way to flatten the curve and protect yourself, your family and our entire community from COVID-19."
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Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey issued a similar order while also encouraging improvements to "social connectedness" by maintaining communication with social supports including family, friends, neighbors and other social groups and developing habits such as physical activities, virtual social gathering and volunteer activities.
"This order builds on the state's efforts to protect public health by reminding Arizonans to maintain healthy habits and find alternative ways to stay connected with friends and loved ones while spending time at home," said Ducey.
Also Monday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer imposed a hiring freeze and halted discretionary spending during the health emergency. She authorized $150 million in emergency spending.
Whitmer said her administration must spend to save lives, even though the state faces an expected decline in tax revenues.
"My number one priority is protecting Michiganders' health and safety," she said. "However, we must also work to prepare our state for the impact the COVID-19 crisis will have on our economy and the state budget. These executive orders will help us do just that."
In Louisiana, the state's caseload and death toll grew Monday. Among those hospitalized was legendary New Orleans Saints placekicker Tom Dempsey, who also has Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Advertisement
Dempsey, 73, who was born without toes on his right foot, became famous for converting a 63-yard field goal to lift the Saints to a 19-17 win over the Detroit Lions on Nov. 8, 1970. His daughter said he picked up the disease while living at a senior center in New Orleans.
In Tennessee, 33 staff members of a Nashville nursing home were in home isolation Monday after testing positive, state officials said. Twenty-three residents at the home were hospitalized Friday.
In Washington, the Transportation Security Administration said more than 50 screening agents have tested positive over the last two weeks. Twenty-two other agents, who have had relatively limited interaction with travelers, have also tested positive, the agency said.
Officials said the affected TSA employees worked at 21 airports in 18 states.
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-03-30--Hungary's Parliament grants PM Viktor Orban ability to rule by decree

March 30 ( UPI ) -- Hungary 's Parliament on Monday voted to grant Prime Minister Viktor Orban 's government the ability to rule by decree for an indefinite amount of time due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The legislation passed by a vote of 137-53 with nine members of Parliament not casting a ballot .
It would prevent any elections from being held in addition to suspending the enforcement of certain laws .
Additionally , individuals who spread false information that might interfere with the protection of the public , or possibly alarm or agitate a large number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to five years in prison .
`` Changing our lives is now unavoidable , '' Orban said about the policy last week .
`` Everyone has to leave their comfort zone .
This law gives the government the power and means to defend Hungary . ''
The rules would only be able to be lifted through a two-thirds vote in Parliament and a presidential signature .
`` When this emergency ends , we will give back all powers , without exception , '' Orban said during Monday 's vote .
Some have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grab '' by Orban , which Hungarian State Secretary Zoltan Kovacs dismissed as false .
`` Such insinuations are not only incorrect but deamatory and impede the government 's efforts in slowing down the spread of coronavirus , '' Kovacs said .
Council of Europe Secretary-General Marija Pejcinovic , however , warned that `` an indefinite and uncontrolled state of emergency can not guarantee that the basic principles of democracy will be observed . ''
`` Civil society , journalists and international and European organizations will have to step up their efforts even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the potential for grave abuses by government overreach are monitored , documented and responded to , '' she said .

Hungary's Parliament on Monday voted to grant Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government the ability to rule by decree for an indefinite amount of time due to the COVID-19 outbreak, halting elections and suspending enforcement of some laws in what some have described as a power grab. File Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI | License Photo
March 30 (UPI) -- Hungary's Parliament on Monday voted to grant Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government the ability to rule by decree for an indefinite amount of time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation passed by a vote of 137-53 with nine members of Parliament not casting a ballot. It would prevent any elections from being held in addition to suspending the enforcement of certain laws. Advertisement
Additionally, individuals who spread false information that might interfere with the protection of the public, or possibly alarm or agitate a large number of people about the coronavirus, could face up to five years in prison.
"Changing our lives is now unavoidable," Orban said about the policy last week. "Everyone has to leave their comfort zone. This law gives the government the power and means to defend Hungary."
The rules would only be able to be lifted through a two-thirds vote in Parliament and a presidential signature.
"When this emergency ends, we will give back all powers, without exception," Orban said during Monday's vote.
Some have criticized the move as a "power grab" by Orban, which Hungarian State Secretary Zoltan Kovacs dismissed as false.
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"Such insinuations are not only incorrect but deamatory and impede the government's efforts in slowing down the spread of coronavirus," Kovacs said.
Council of Europe Secretary-General Marija Pejcinovic, however, warned that "an indefinite and uncontrolled state of emergency cannot guarantee that the basic principles of democracy will be observed."
"Civil society, journalists and international and European organizations will have to step up their efforts even more in this new situation to ensure that the potential for grave abuses by government overreach are monitored, documented and responded to," she said.


upi--2020-03-30--Anti-LGBTQ hate groups surged by 43% in 2019, advocacy group says

March 30 ( UPI ) -- The number of anti-LGBTQ hate groups in the United States increased by 43 percent last year , the Southern Poverty Law Center said .
The hate groups grew from 49 in 2018 to 70 in 2019 , the a new SPLC report said .
President Donald Trump has shown support for at least some of these hate groups , the report shows .
`` Though Trump promised during his campaign to be a 'real friend ' to the LGBTQ community , he has fully embraced anti-LGBTQ hate groups and their agenda of dismantling federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the report said .
The SPLC highlighted the Trump administration 's affiliation with the Family Research Council , which it has deemed a hate group that uses `` junk science '' to make `` false claims '' about the LGBTQ community in an effort to promote hate and fuel the fight against their civil rights .
SPLC spokeswoman Lecia Brooks told NBC News that long-time FRC President Tom Perkins has had `` unfettered access '' to the Trump administration , noting that Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell appointed Perkins to the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD has listed more than 30 examples of Perkins ' opposition to LGBTQ rights .
Among them , the FRC has distributed a pamphlet comparing same-sex marriage to a `` man-horse marriage . ''
Perkins also claimed lawmakers who voted to repeal `` Do n't Ask , Do n't Tell '' had the `` blood of young Marines '' on their hands .
Trump spoke at an FRC-hosted event in October in which he reiterated his position against the Equality Act , a bill the House passed that would extend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Trump administration 's Department of Justice has also filed briefs supporting the Alliance Defending Freedom , which the SPLC has also designated a hate group , in three anti-LGBTQ lawsuits .
The ADF won a case before the Supreme Court in 2018 , representing a Christian baker who refused to bake a cake for a gay wedding .
In another high court case , the ADF is defending a Detroit funeral home who fired a worker going through a gender transition .
In a lower court , the ADF is representing three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for its policy of allowing transgender girls to compete with other high school girls .
`` Trump 's embrace of these groups , their leaders and their policy agenda fuels this growth , '' Brooks said of the rise in `` anti-LGBTQ hate groups . ''
The report noted that anti-LGBTQ hate groups represented the `` fastest-growing sector '' of hate groups last year .
White nationalists groups have also been on the rise , increasing 55 percent from 100 in 2017 to 155 in 2019 .
Anti-immigrant groups also went up slightly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .
The SPLC exposed hundred of emails Trump 's senior policy adviser , Stephen Miller , wrote to the far-right website Breitbart News in 2015 and 2016 which showed he was `` stepped in the language , literature and ideology of the white nationalist movement , '' the report said .
It added that Miller has been connecting groups the SPLC has designated as extremist anti-immigrant hate groups -- such as the Center for Immigration Studies and Federation for American Immigration Reform -- to some lawmakers with similar views .
Still , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a record high of 1,020 in 2018 to 940 in 2019 .
The `` collapse of two neo-Nazi factions riven by leadership turmoil and community pressure , '' contributed to the overall decline in the number of hate groups after a 30 percent rise since 2015 , the SPLC said .
ADF 's senior counsel , Jeremy Tedesco , rebuked the SPLC for releasing the report on March 18 , amid the coronavirus pandemic .
`` It 's appalling that the Southern Poverty Law Center would choose this time of national emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report , ' '' Tedesco told NBC News .
`` We call on SPLC to retract the report , stop sowing division and join the rest of America against our common foe : COVID-19 . ''
`` Fighting hate is something we have to keep at the forefront of our minds , '' Brooks said .
`` They do n't take a break , and we do n't take a break either . ''
The SPLC similarly defends compiling a list of hate groups , exposing that their `` patriotic '' rhetoric masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` For all their 'patriotic ' rhetoric , hate groups and their imitators are really trying to divide us ; their views are fundamentally anti-democratic and need to be exposed and countered , '' the report said .

A Southern Poverty Law Center report released earlier this month showed anti-LGBTQ groups surged last year. Marchers in parade are shown celebrating LGBTQ pride in San Francisco last year. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
March 30 (UPI) -- The number of anti-LGBTQ hate groups in the United States increased by 43 percent last year, the Southern Poverty Law Center said. The hate groups grew from 49 in 2018 to 70 in 2019, the a new SPLC report said. Advertisement
President Donald Trump has shown support for at least some of these hate groups, the report shows.
"Though Trump promised during his campaign to be a 'real friend' to the LGBTQ community, he has fully embraced anti-LGBTQ hate groups and their agenda of dismantling federal protections and resources for LGBTQ people," the report said.
The SPLC highlighted the Trump administration's affiliation with the Family Research Council, which it has deemed a hate group that uses "junk science" to make "false claims" about the LGBTQ community in an effort to promote hate and fuel the fight against their civil rights.
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SPLC spokeswoman Lecia Brooks told NBC News that long-time FRC President Tom Perkins has had "unfettered access" to the Trump administration, noting that Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell appointed Perkins to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
The LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD has listed more than 30 examples of Perkins' opposition to LGBTQ rights. Among them, the FRC has distributed a pamphlet comparing same-sex marriage to a "man-horse marriage." Perkins also claimed lawmakers who voted to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" had the "blood of young Marines" on their hands.
Trump spoke at an FRC-hosted event in October in which he reiterated his position against the Equality Act, a bill the House passed that would extend to LGBTQ people federal non-discrimination protections.
The Trump administration's Department of Justice has also filed briefs supporting the Alliance Defending Freedom, which the SPLC has also designated a hate group, in three anti-LGBTQ lawsuits.
The ADF won a case before the Supreme Court in 2018, representing a Christian baker who refused to bake a cake for a gay wedding. In another high court case, the ADF is defending a Detroit funeral home who fired a worker going through a gender transition.
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In a lower court, the ADF is representing three athletes suing the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference for its policy of allowing transgender girls to compete with other high school girls.
"Trump's embrace of these groups, their leaders and their policy agenda fuels this growth," Brooks said of the rise in "anti-LGBTQ hate groups."
The report noted that anti-LGBTQ hate groups represented the "fastest-growing sector" of hate groups last year. White nationalists groups have also been on the rise, increasing 55 percent from 100 in 2017 to 155 in 2019.
Anti-immigrant groups also went up slightly from 17 in 2018 to 20 in 2019.
The SPLC exposed hundred of emails Trump's senior policy adviser, Stephen Miller, wrote to the far-right website Breitbart News in 2015 and 2016 which showed he was "stepped in the language, literature and ideology of the white nationalist movement," the report said. It added that Miller has been connecting groups the SPLC has designated as extremist anti-immigrant hate groups -- such as the Center for Immigration Studies and Federation for American Immigration Reform -- to some lawmakers with similar views.
Still, the number of overall hate groups declined from a record high of 1,020 in 2018 to 940 in 2019.
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The "collapse of two neo-Nazi factions riven by leadership turmoil and community pressure," contributed to the overall decline in the number of hate groups after a 30 percent rise since 2015, the SPLC said.
ADF's senior counsel, Jeremy Tedesco, rebuked the SPLC for releasing the report on March 18, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"It's appalling that the Southern Poverty Law Center would choose this time of national emergency to launch their divisive and false 'hate report,'" Tedesco told NBC News. "We call on SPLC to retract the report, stop sowing division and join the rest of America against our common foe: COVID-19."
Brooks dismissed this rebuke.
"Fighting hate is something we have to keep at the forefront of our minds," Brooks said. "They don't take a break, and we don't take a break either."
The SPLC similarly defends compiling a list of hate groups, exposing that their "patriotic" rhetoric masks their true intentions, in its report.
"For all their 'patriotic' rhetoric, hate groups and their imitators are really trying to divide us; their views are fundamentally anti-democratic and need to be exposed and countered," the report said.


upi--2020-03-30--Detroit Lions reach deal with ex-Green Bay Packers WR Geronimo Allison

March 30 ( UPI ) -- The Detroit Lions are signing former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Geronimo Allison to a short-term contract , the team announced Sunday .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Allison agreed to a one-year deal for the veteran 's minimum of $ 910,000 .
According to NFL Media , the wideout will also receive a $ 137,500 signing bonus .
The Packers brought back Allison on a one-year , $ 2.8 million contract in 2019 with the expectation that he could serve as the team 's No .
2 receiver after veteran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instead , Allison struggled to adapt to the role and finished sixth on the team with 34 catches to go with four drops .
Allison missed a majority of the 2018 season after he was placed on injured reserve following groin surgery .
He started that season as Green Bay 's No .
3 receiver and hauled in 20 passes for 303 yards and two touchdowns in five games .
He also sat out two games due to a concussion .
The Packers signed Allison after he went undrafted in 2016 .
Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 89 receptions for 1,045 yards and six touchdowns .
Allison is expected to serve as the Lions ' No .
4 receiver behind Kenny Golladay , Marvin Jones and Danny Amendola .

Former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Geronimo Allison had 34 receptions last season. File Photo by Shane Roper/UPI | License Photo
March 30 (UPI) -- The Detroit Lions are signing former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Geronimo Allison to a short-term contract, the team announced Sunday. League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Allison agreed to a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum of $910,000. According to NFL Media, the wideout will also receive a $137,500 signing bonus. Advertisement
The Packers brought back Allison on a one-year, $2.8 million contract in 2019 with the expectation that he could serve as the team's No. 2 receiver after veteran pass-catcher Randall Cobb left the franchise. Instead, Allison struggled to adapt to the role and finished sixth on the team with 34 catches to go with four drops.
Allison missed a majority of the 2018 season after he was placed on injured reserve following groin surgery. He started that season as Green Bay's No. 3 receiver and hauled in 20 passes for 303 yards and two touchdowns in five games. He also sat out two games due to a concussion.
Advertisement The #Lions have agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent WR Geronimo Allison. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/tStEAgb3NT— Detroit Lions (@Lions) March 29, 2020
The Packers signed Allison after he went undrafted in 2016. Since joining the team, he has recorded 89 receptions for 1,045 yards and six touchdowns.
Allison is expected to serve as the Lions' No. 4 receiver behind Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones and Danny Amendola.


upi--2020-03-30--Indianapolis Colts agree to terms with veteran cornerback T.J. Carrie

March 30 ( UPI ) -- Former Cleveland Browns cornerback T.J. Carrie reached an agreement on a contract with the Indianapolis Colts .
The Indianapolis Star and NFL Media confirmed the deal Monday .
The Colts have yet to confirm the agreement , and financial details of the contract were n't disclosed .
Carrie , who spent the last two seasons in Cleveland , was an effective third cornerback for the Browns and filled in for injured corners Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams .
The seventh-year defensive back is known for his ability to play on the outside and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide valuable depth behind projected outside starters Rock Ya-Sin and Xavier Rhodes , who signed a one-year deal with the Colts this off-season , and starting slot corner Kenny Moore , who missed time last season because of injuries .
In 16 games last season , Carrie recorded 52 total tackles , one sack , four passes defensed and an interception .
The Browns released him to clear additional salary-cap space , with the team saving more than $ 6 million in 2020 .
The then-Oakland Raiders selected Carrie in the seventh round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohio .
Since entering the league , he has notched 331 combined tackles , five picks , two sacks and 42 pass breakups .

Former Cleveland Browns cornerback T.J. Carrie (38) recorded 52 total tackles and one interception last season. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
March 30 (UPI) -- Former Cleveland Browns cornerback T.J. Carrie reached an agreement on a contract with the Indianapolis Colts. The Indianapolis Star and NFL Media confirmed the deal Monday. The Colts have yet to confirm the agreement, and financial details of the contract weren't disclosed. Advertisement
Carrie, who spent the last two seasons in Cleveland, was an effective third cornerback for the Browns and filled in for injured corners Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams. The seventh-year defensive back is known for his ability to play on the outside and in the slot.
Carrie is expected to provide valuable depth behind projected outside starters Rock Ya-Sin and Xavier Rhodes, who signed a one-year deal with the Colts this off-season, and starting slot corner Kenny Moore, who missed time last season because of injuries.
In 16 games last season, Carrie recorded 52 total tackles, one sack, four passes defensed and an interception. The Browns released him to clear additional salary-cap space, with the team saving more than $6 million in 2020.
The then-Oakland Raiders selected Carrie in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Ohio. Since entering the league, he has notched 331 combined tackles, five picks, two sacks and 42 pass breakups.


upi--2020-03-30--State Dept. approves $194M upgrade deal for South Korea's F-16s

March 30 ( UPI ) -- The State Department approved a sale of upgrades to South Korea 's F-16 fighter planes , the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said on Monday .
The $ 194 million sale , expected to be approved by Congress , calls for South Korea to obtain Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe equipment , known as IFF , and Link 16 Technical Datalink equipment for its F-16 Block 32 fleet .
IFF , in use since the 1940s and improved regularly , identifies and tracks military aircraft , and Mode 5 is the most recent implementation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ modulation , coding , and cryptographic techniques to quickly determine the identity and heading of an aircraft .
Link 16 is a military data link network allowing military ships and aircraft to share tactical picture of a situation in real time , and offers an offers an exchange of text messages , imagery data and two channels of digital voice transmission .
Each system is currently in use by NATO countries .
The proposed deal includes the sale of radios , Combined Interrogator Transponders , a Joint Mission Planning upgrade , secure voice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ferry support , training , integration support and test equipment , and contractor , engineering , technical and logistics support services .
The Republic of Korea Air Force has 180 F-16s , in two variants .

The State Department approved a $194 million sale of upgrades to South Korea's fleet of F-16 fighter planes. Photo courtesy of Republic of Korea Air Force
March 30 (UPI) -- The State Department approved a sale of upgrades to South Korea's F-16 fighter planes, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said on Monday. The $194 million sale, expected to be approved by Congress, calls for South Korea to obtain Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe equipment, known as IFF, and Link 16 Technical Datalink equipment for its F-16 Block 32 fleet. Advertisement
IFF, in use since the 1940s and improved regularly, identifies and tracks military aircraft, and Mode 5 is the most recent implementation of the system. It uses waveform modulation, coding, and cryptographic techniques to quickly determine the identity and heading of an aircraft.
Link 16 is a military data link network allowing military ships and aircraft to share tactical picture of a situation in real time, and offers an offers an exchange of text messages, imagery data and two channels of digital voice transmission. Each system is currently in use by NATO countries.
The proposed deal includes the sale of radios, Combined Interrogator Transponders, a Joint Mission Planning upgrade, secure voice modules, crypto fill devices, aircraft ferry support, training, integration support and test equipment, and contractor, engineering, technical and logistics support services.
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The Republic of Korea Air Force has 180 F-16s, in two variants.


upi--2020-03-30--West African lions don't prefer national parks to hunting preserves

March 30 ( UPI ) -- Data from a massive wildlife camera survey suggests West African lions divide their time evenly between the region 's largest national parks and the hunting preserves that surround them .
There are an estimated 400 lions living in West Africa , and 90 percent of them are found in a protected complex called W-Arly-Pendjari , or the WAP Complex .
The expanse comprises five national parks and 14 hunting concessions in Burkina Faso , Niger and Benin -- some 10,200 square miles of habitat .
Inside the parks , the lions are protected and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hunting preserves , the lions can be killed .
When scientists set out to document their distribution and movement patterns within the WAP Complex , they expected to find that lions avoided hunting concessions when possible .
The results of the wildlife camera survey , one of the largest of its kind , showed no such preference .
`` We were surprised by the lions ' lack of spatial response to humans because they have shown avoidance behaviors in other systems , '' researcher Kirby Mills , doctoral student in ecology and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told UPI .
`` We expected differences in habitat characteristics between management types , which we did observe , but we also expected lions to show some preference for one management type or the other . ''
For the study , researchers spread 238 motion-activated digital cameras across 5,000 square miles within the complex .
The researchers were able to place their cameras on both park land and hunting preserve acreage .
`` [ Hunting concessions ] owners were cooperative , engaged , and supportive of the work , '' said Nyeema @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and evolutionary biology at Michigan .
`` One of the coauthors on the paper , Benoit Doamba , was the director general for hunting concessions in Burkina Faso at the time of the paper . ''
Wildlife triggered the shutters on the cameras 1.7 million times , but the cameras captured West African lions just 96 of those times .
Computer models helped scientists determine where the photographed lions were going and spending their time .
The data -- detailed this week in the Journal of Applied Ecology -- showed the lions spend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they do in the parks .
Scientists hypothesize that lions are drawn to the hunting preserves because they are often lush , filled with prey and feature pump-supplied watering holes , whereas some of the region 's underfunded parks , while mostly human-free , are host to degraded habitat and shrinking watering holes .
The research suggests West African lions are willing to risk exposure to humans for high quality habitat with plenty of water and prey .
Scientists hope their findings will inspire improved habitat restoration and conservation efforts inside the region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently analyzing the diet of lions in WAP using fecal samples that Dr. Harris and her field team collect during the camera trap surveys , '' Mills said .
`` Once we have a better idea of the specific prey species that are important for lions in this region , we can help managers prioritize their conservation efforts . ''

1/2
Scientists used camera traps to document the movement and distribution of West African lions in a complex of national parks and hunting preservers. Photo by University of Michigan Applied Wildlife Ecology Lab
March 30 (UPI) -- Data from a massive wildlife camera survey suggests West African lions divide their time evenly between the region's largest national parks and the hunting preserves that surround them. There are an estimated 400 lions living in West Africa, and 90 percent of them are found in a protected complex called W-Arly-Pendjari, or the WAP Complex. The expanse comprises five national parks and 14 hunting concessions in Burkina Faso, Niger and Benin -- some 10,200 square miles of habitat. Advertisement
Inside the parks, the lions are protected and face fewer human pressures, but in the hunting preserves, the lions can be killed.
When scientists set out to document their distribution and movement patterns within the WAP Complex, they expected to find that lions avoided hunting concessions when possible. The results of the wildlife camera survey, one of the largest of its kind, showed no such preference.
"We were surprised by the lions' lack of spatial response to humans because they have shown avoidance behaviors in other systems," researcher Kirby Mills, doctoral student in ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Michigan, told UPI. "We expected differences in habitat characteristics between management types, which we did observe, but we also expected lions to show some preference for one management type or the other."
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For the study, researchers spread 238 motion-activated digital cameras across 5,000 square miles within the complex. The researchers were able to place their cameras on both park land and hunting preserve acreage.
"[Hunting concessions] owners were cooperative, engaged, and supportive of the work," said Nyeema C. Harris, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Michigan. "One of the coauthors on the paper, Benoit Doamba, was the director general for hunting concessions in Burkina Faso at the time of the paper."
Wildlife triggered the shutters on the cameras 1.7 million times, but the cameras captured West African lions just 96 of those times. Computer models helped scientists determine where the photographed lions were going and spending their time.
The data -- detailed this week in the Journal of Applied Ecology -- showed the lions spend as much time in hunting preserves as they do in the parks.
Scientists hypothesize that lions are drawn to the hunting preserves because they are often lush, filled with prey and feature pump-supplied watering holes, whereas some of the region's underfunded parks, while mostly human-free, are host to degraded habitat and shrinking watering holes.
The research suggests West African lions are willing to risk exposure to humans for high quality habitat with plenty of water and prey.
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Scientists hope their findings will inspire improved habitat restoration and conservation efforts inside the region's national parks.
"We are currently analyzing the diet of lions in WAP using fecal samples that Dr. Harris and her field team collect during the camera trap surveys," Mills said. "Once we have a better idea of the specific prey species that are important for lions in this region, we can help managers prioritize their conservation efforts."


upi--2020-03-30--Dow Jones rallies 690 points despite oil prices sinking to 18-year low

March 30 ( UPI ) -- U.S. stocks continued their rally on Wall Street Monday as they largely rebounded from losses experienced due to economic concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 690.7 points , or 3.19 percent , while the S & P 500 rose 3.35 percent and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 3.62 percent .
Monday 's gains put the Dow up 20 percent from its lows amid the market sell-offs due to the coronavirus , while the S & P 500 has risen 17 percent from its lows and the Nasdaq recovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market climb on Monday as Microsoft gained 7 percent , while Amazon and Google 's parent company Alphabet each rose about 3 percent .
Earlier Monday , oil prices slumped to an 18-year low on fears that the coronavirus pandemic could trigger a long-term collapse in demand and Saudi Arabia continued to saturate the market .
The international benchmark Brent crude fell by more than 7 percent to a low of $ 23.03 per barrel at its lowest point in overnight trading -- its lowest price since 2002 .
The U.S. benchmark West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barrel , also dropping by more than 7 percent .
Overall , oil prices have plummeted by two-thirds this year .
The dip in oil prices came after President Donald Trump on Sunday backed off his stated goal of getting the U.S. economy back up and running by Easter , and instead extended social distancing guidelines until the end of April .
Concerns the United States could be in an extended period of reduced oil demand were also deepened when White House medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci warned Sunday that as many as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Saudi Arabia has given no indication of relenting in its strategy of flooding the market with oil in a price war with rival producer Russia , despite pressure to do so from the United States .
In response to falling prices and quickly diminishing storage capacity , global producers are shutting down rigs at the quickest pace in 35 years , especially in landlocked areas of the United States , where the shale oil industry is seen as especially vulnerable to the negative market forces .
The Dow , which lost several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three-day winning streak , has been volatile over the last month but notched major gains last week -- its greatest single-week gain , in fact , since 1938 .
Trump signed a $ 2 trillion relief bill on Friday , which takes several economic safety and stimulus measures .

Oil prices sank to their lowest level in nearly two decades Monday and oil prices have plummeted by two-thirds this year. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
March 30 (UPI) -- U.S. stocks continued their rally on Wall Street Monday as they largely rebounded from losses experienced due to economic concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 690.7 points, or 3.19 percent, while the S&P 500 rose 3.35 percent and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 3.62 percent. Advertisement
Monday's gains put the Dow up 20 percent from its lows amid the market sell-offs due to the coronavirus, while the S&P 500 has risen 17 percent from its lows and the Nasdaq recovered 13 percent.
Tech stocks led the market climb on Monday as Microsoft gained 7 percent, while Amazon and Google's parent company Alphabet each rose about 3 percent.
Earlier Monday, oil prices slumped to an 18-year low on fears that the coronavirus pandemic could trigger a long-term collapse in demand and Saudi Arabia continued to saturate the market.
The international benchmark Brent crude fell by more than 7 percent to a low of $23.03 per barrel at its lowest point in overnight trading -- its lowest price since 2002.
The U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate fell below $20 per barrel, also dropping by more than 7 percent.
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Overall, oil prices have plummeted by two-thirds this year.
The dip in oil prices came after President Donald Trump on Sunday backed off his stated goal of getting the U.S. economy back up and running by Easter, and instead extended social distancing guidelines until the end of April.
Concerns the United States could be in an extended period of reduced oil demand were also deepened when White House medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci warned Sunday that as many as 200,000 Americans could die in the pandemic.
Saudi Arabia has given no indication of relenting in its strategy of flooding the market with oil in a price war with rival producer Russia, despite pressure to do so from the United States.
In response to falling prices and quickly diminishing storage capacity, global producers are shutting down rigs at the quickest pace in 35 years, especially in landlocked areas of the United States, where the shale oil industry is seen as especially vulnerable to the negative market forces.
The Dow, which lost several hundred points on Friday to end a three-day winning streak, has been volatile over the last month but notched major gains last week -- its greatest single-week gain, in fact, since 1938. Trump signed a $2 trillion relief bill on Friday, which takes several economic safety and stimulus measures.


upi--2020-03-30--Watch: Dog rescued from deep pit after three days

March 30 ( UPI ) -- A family dog that went missing for three days in Vietnam was rescued from @ @ @ @ @ man with a rope and bucket .
A video filmed Friday in Dong Nai shows @ @ @ @ @ out of the pit by a man who attached some rope to a plastic bucket @ @ @ @ @ dog had been missing for three days and the searching family eventually heard the canine @ @ @ @ @ .
The filmer said the situation could have turned out much worse if it had @ @ @ @ @ , as the pit would likely have been filled with deep water .

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March 30 (UPI) -- A family dog that went missing for three days in Vietnam was rescued from a deep pit by a man with a rope and bucket.
A video filmed Friday in Dong Nai shows the small dog being lifted out of the pit by a man who attached some rope to a plastic bucket.
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The filmer said the dog had been missing for three days and the searching family eventually heard the canine's cries in the hole.
The filmer said the situation could have turned out much worse if it hadn't been the dry season, as the pit would likely have been filled with deep water.


upi--2020-03-30--Long-term air pollution exposure may increase dementia risk by 50%

March 30 ( UPI ) -- Long-term exposure to air pollution may increase a person 's risk for developing dementia , an analysis published Monday by JAMA Neurology has found .
In nearly 3,000 older adults in Stockholm , Sweden , researchers found the risk for declines in memory , language , problem-solving and other thinking skills dropped by as much as 50 percent for every five years of exposure to pollution , based on levels of particulate matter and nitrogen oxide in the air near their place of residence .
The air pollution-linked risk for dementia was even higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failure and ischemic heart disease , or stroke , the authors found .
`` Air pollution has well-established repercussions on humans ' health , in particular for what concern pulmonary diseases and cardiovascular morbidity , '' study co-author Giulia Grande , a researcher in neurobiology , care sciences and society at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden , told UPI .
`` We have found , in line with other groups , that higher levels of air pollution were associated with increased dementia risk .
More interestingly , we observed that half of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were explained by the development of stroke . ''
According to the Alzheimer 's Association , nearly 6 million people in the United States are living with some form of dementia .
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that , despite progress since 1970 , air pollution continues to harm people 's health and the environment in many parts of the country .
Using data gathered on adults age 60 years and older as part of the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care , Grande and her colleagues tracked the health of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the levels of air pollution in the areas in which they lived .
They found that every 0.88 micrograms per cubic meter rise in particulate matter in the air -- levels above 35 micrograms per cubic meter are considered dangerous -- an individual 's risk for dementia increases by more than 50 percent .
Similarly , for every 8.35 microgram-per-cubic meter rise in nitrogen oxide levels in their air , an individual 's risk for dementia increased by more than 10 percent .
Among those with a history of heart failure or heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly doubled the risk for dementia .
`` Our results derive from a central area of Stockholm , where the control of environmental air pollution has been increasingly strict in the last decades , '' Grande said .
`` Interestingly , the higher limit that we reported is not only below the current European limit for fine particulate matter but also below the U.S. standard .
In other words , we were able to establish harmful effects at levels below current standards .
Next time air quality standards are revised , this risk @ @ @ @ @ @

A study of older adults in Stockholm, Sweden, where strict air quality controls have long been in place, has linked long-term air pollution exposure to dementia. Photo by Mariamichelle /Pixabay
March 30 (UPI) -- Long-term exposure to air pollution may increase a person's risk for developing dementia, an analysis published Monday by JAMA Neurology has found. In nearly 3,000 older adults in Stockholm, Sweden, researchers found the risk for declines in memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking skills dropped by as much as 50 percent for every five years of exposure to pollution, based on levels of particulate matter and nitrogen oxide in the air near their place of residence. Advertisement
The air pollution-linked risk for dementia was even higher among those with a history of heart failure and ischemic heart disease, or stroke, the authors found.
"Air pollution has well-established repercussions on humans' health, in particular for what concern pulmonary diseases and cardiovascular morbidity," study co-author Giulia Grande, a researcher in neurobiology, care sciences and society at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, told UPI. "We have found, in line with other groups, that higher levels of air pollution were associated with increased dementia risk. More interestingly, we observed that half of the cases of dementia related to air pollution were explained by the development of stroke."
According to the Alzheimer's Association, nearly 6 million people in the United States are living with some form of dementia. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that, despite progress since 1970, air pollution continues to harm people's health and the environment in many parts of the country.
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Using data gathered on adults age 60 years and older as part of the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care, Grande and her colleagues tracked the health of 2,927 people over a 20-year period against the levels of air pollution in the areas in which they lived. They found that every 0.88 micrograms per cubic meter rise in particulate matter in the air -- levels above 35 micrograms per cubic meter are considered dangerous -- an individual's risk for dementia increases by more than 50 percent.
Similarly, for every 8.35 microgram-per-cubic meter rise in nitrogen oxide levels in their air, an individual's risk for dementia increased by more than 10 percent. Among those with a history of heart failure or heart disease, long-term exposure to air pollution nearly doubled the risk for dementia.
"Our results derive from a central area of Stockholm, where the control of environmental air pollution has been increasingly strict in the last decades," Grande said. "Interestingly, the higher limit that we reported is not only below the current European limit for fine particulate matter but also below the U.S. standard. In other words, we were able to establish harmful effects at levels below current standards. Next time air quality standards are revised, this risk should also be considered."


upi--2020-03-30--Florida sheriff seeks to reopen 'Tiger King' cold case

March 30 ( UPI ) -- The popularity of Netflix 's new docu-series Tiger King has prompted a Florida sheriff to reopen a cold case , asking for leads in the missing persons case of Jack `` Don '' Lewis .
Lewis , the former husband of Big Cat Rescue CEO Carole Baskin , vanished in 1997 .
The multi-millionaire ran a different wildlife sanctuary in Tampa with Baskin before his disappearance .
`` Since @ netflix and # Covid19 # Quarantine has made # TigerKing all the rage , I figured it was a good time to ask for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ # Netflix # Tiger # BigCatRescue # JoeExotic # TigerKingNetflix # HCSO , '' Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a tweet Monday .
Speculations about Lewis ' disappearance are featured in Tiger King , the new Netflix series that focuses on big cat zoos and sanctuaries in the United States , particularly those run by Baskin and Joseph Maldonado-Passage , or `` Joe Exotic . ''
Maldonado-Passage accused Baskin of being involved in her husband 's disappearance .
She disputed the allegations in a blog post written after the release of Tiger King @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I certainly had nothing to do with his disappearance , '' she wrote .
`` When he disappeared , I did everything I could to assist the police .
I encouraged them to check out the rumors from Costa Rica , and separately I hired a private investigator . ''
Maldonado-Passage was sentenced to 22 years in prison in January for plotting to hire someone to kill Baskin .

Multi-millionaire Jack "Don" Lewis disappeared in 1996. File Photo courtesy the Hillsborough County Sheriff
March 30 (UPI) -- The popularity of Netflix's new docu-series Tiger King has prompted a Florida sheriff to reopen a cold case, asking for leads in the missing persons case of Jack "Don" Lewis. Lewis, the former husband of Big Cat Rescue CEO Carole Baskin, vanished in 1997. The multi-millionaire ran a different wildlife sanctuary in Tampa with Baskin before his disappearance. Advertisement
"Since @netflix and #Covid19 #Quarantine has made #TigerKing all the rage, I figured it was a good time to ask for new leads. #CaroleBaskin #DonLewis #Netflix #Tiger #BigCatRescue #JoeExotic #TigerKingNetflix #HCSO," Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a tweet Monday.
Speculations about Lewis' disappearance are featured in Tiger King, the new Netflix series that focuses on big cat zoos and sanctuaries in the United States, particularly those run by Baskin and Joseph Maldonado-Passage, or "Joe Exotic."
Maldonado-Passage accused Baskin of being involved in her husband's disappearance. She disputed the allegations in a blog post written after the release of Tiger King.
"I never threatened him and I certainly had nothing to do with his disappearance," she wrote. "When he disappeared, I did everything I could to assist the police. I encouraged them to check out the rumors from Costa Rica, and separately I hired a private investigator."
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Maldonado-Passage was sentenced to 22 years in prison in January for plotting to hire someone to kill Baskin.


upi--2020-03-31--Catholic church, tech firms join call for transparency in AI

March 31 ( UPI ) -- The Catholic Church joined with technology companies last month to release the `` Rome Call for AI Ethics '' in what it hopes will lend meaning if not governance frameworks for the use of artificial intelligence .
Skeptics might quote Joseph Stalin 's alleged quip during World War II peace negotiations , `` How many divisions does the pope have ? ''
The Catholic Church ca n't enact regulations in any state except the Vatican .
But the Rome Call offers a glimpse of what governing and regulating AI could mean on a much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everywhere .
Dangers are not obvious .
And hype can be hysterical .
Is the threat from an AI superintelligence that will challenge humanity ?
Can AI produce weaponry so fast and so autonomous that nuclear deterrence will be destabilized and make war more likely ?
The Rome Call attempts to elucidate the dangers that algorithms or their creators could make judgments with severe consequences for human dignity and rights that are not subject to scrutiny .
The initiative follows a Catholic tradition of highlighting human dignity in the face of threats from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Centesimus Annus and Laudato si ' ) .
Much of the ethical language of the call is drawn from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights , which has the advantage of speaking across religious and ethical traditions to common values .
However , Pope Francis may find the more Catholic language of human dignity to be a valuable resource if he writes an encyclical on governing and regulating AI .
Dignity is not the same as a human right that can be challenged in court , but it does command respect for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the loop for consequential decisions .
For example , if an AI algorithm judged you to be a risk and forbade you from stepping on a plane but offered no explanation because its decision process was impenetrable , the decision would seem unfair .
With humans out of the loop , by definition the decision would be inhumane .
Humans can also make decisions that may seem arbitrary but -- to some anyway -- still be justified as fair because they result from human judgment .
When an airport security guard pulls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questioning , they do not normally admit why the person was flagged as a risk -- and yet it seems to many more humane than an AI algorithm making a similar decision .
In the United States , no-fly lists and other exclusions are usually subject to appeal .
In the city of Hangzhou , China , a new phone app collects the results of a coronavirus screening and reportedly tracks movement data to make a judgment about whether a person should enter the subway system or whether he or she poses a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied entry .
The system appears to be an AI decision made in the name of public health and `` digitally empowered city management '' but without the opportunity for appeal .
A future full of these seemingly arbitrary decisions seems dystopian .
Additionally , making sure that `` everyone can benefit '' from AI by making its discoveries widely available will be important .
This is perhaps where the church can be most effective .
The pope endorsed the call in a letter , and he has been concerned about the effects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year .
`` His major concerns were , will it be available to everyone , or is it going to further bifurcate the haves and the have-not 's ? ''
said IBM Executive Vice President John Kelly III , who was one of the Rome Call 's signatories .
The principles in the call could form the starting point for a new papal encyclical , which becomes Catholic doctrine .
Making the benefits of AI available to all will mean establishing a governance framework so that discoveries are shared with the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promote transparency by placing restrictions on algorithms so decision-making rules would have to be made visible , alterable or testable .
And while most AI innovations have come from software ( e.g .
new algorithms ) , some of the most promising uses of AI incorporate new and expensive materials -- the iPhone is one example .
The next generation of AI could bring new materials and new machines that may stoke a desire for hardware regulation , or at least for sharing the benefits with poorer nations .
As AI challenges notions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Catholic social thought can offer a language of dignity that speaks beyond the church to a broader human audience -- and even an audience of tech companies .
Patrick S. Roberts is a political scientist at the nonprofit , nonpartisan RAND Corp .
He has served as an adviser in the State Department 's Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation .

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AI is invading homes through "smart" devices, with China investing heavily in the technology. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
March 31 (UPI) -- The Catholic Church joined with technology companies last month to release the "Rome Call for AI Ethics" in what it hopes will lend meaning if not governance frameworks for the use of artificial intelligence. Skeptics might quote Joseph Stalin's alleged quip during World War II peace negotiations, "How many divisions does the pope have?" The Catholic Church can't enact regulations in any state except the Vatican. But the Rome Call offers a glimpse of what governing and regulating AI could mean on a much larger scale. Advertisement
Worries about AI are everywhere. Dangers are not obvious. And hype can be hysterical. Is the threat from an AI superintelligence that will challenge humanity? Can AI produce weaponry so fast and so autonomous that nuclear deterrence will be destabilized and make war more likely?
The Rome Call attempts to elucidate the dangers that algorithms or their creators could make judgments with severe consequences for human dignity and rights that are not subject to scrutiny. The initiative follows a Catholic tradition of highlighting human dignity in the face of threats from industrial society (e.g. Rerum Novarum, Centesimus Annus and Laudato si').
Advertisement
Much of the ethical language of the call is drawn from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which has the advantage of speaking across religious and ethical traditions to common values. However, Pope Francis may find the more Catholic language of human dignity to be a valuable resource if he writes an encyclical on governing and regulating AI. Dignity is not the same as a human right that can be challenged in court, but it does command respect for humans and imply that they be kept in the loop for consequential decisions.
For example, if an AI algorithm judged you to be a risk and forbade you from stepping on a plane but offered no explanation because its decision process was impenetrable, the decision would seem unfair. With humans out of the loop, by definition the decision would be inhumane.
Humans can also make decisions that may seem arbitrary but -- to some anyway --still be justified as fair because they result from human judgment. When an airport security guard pulls someone over and subjects them to further questioning, they do not normally admit why the person was flagged as a risk -- and yet it seems to many more humane than an AI algorithm making a similar decision. In the United States, no-fly lists and other exclusions are usually subject to appeal.
Advertisement
In the city of Hangzhou, China, a new phone app collects the results of a coronavirus screening and reportedly tracks movement data to make a judgment about whether a person should enter the subway system or whether he or she poses a health risk to others and should be denied entry. The system appears to be an AI decision made in the name of public health and "digitally empowered city management" but without the opportunity for appeal. A future full of these seemingly arbitrary decisions seems dystopian.
Additionally, making sure that "everyone can benefit" from AI by making its discoveries widely available will be important. This is perhaps where the church can be most effective.
The pope endorsed the call in a letter, and he has been concerned about the effects of AI on society for more than a year.
"His major concerns were, will it be available to everyone, or is it going to further bifurcate the haves and the have-not's?" said IBM Executive Vice President John Kelly III, who was one of the Rome Call's signatories. The principles in the call could form the starting point for a new papal encyclical, which becomes Catholic doctrine.
Advertisement
Making the benefits of AI available to all will mean establishing a governance framework so that discoveries are shared with the world and across nations. Software regulations could promote transparency by placing restrictions on algorithms so decision-making rules would have to be made visible, alterable or testable.
And while most AI innovations have come from software (e.g. new algorithms), some of the most promising uses of AI incorporate new and expensive materials -- the iPhone is one example. The next generation of AI could bring new materials and new machines that may stoke a desire for hardware regulation, or at least for sharing the benefits with poorer nations.
As AI challenges notions of what is human in the future, Catholic social thought can offer a language of dignity that speaks beyond the church to a broader human audience -- and even an audience of tech companies.
Patrick S. Roberts is a political scientist at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corp. He has served as an adviser in the State Department's Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation.


upi--2020-03-31--Watch: BTS perform 'Boy with Luv' on James Corden's 'Homefest'

March 31 ( UPI ) -- BTS appeared on James Corden 's Late Late Show special Homefest and performed their @ @ @ @ @ Luv . ''
Members RM , Jin , Suga , J-Hope , Jimin , Jungkook @ @ @ @ @ on Monday singing and delivering highly-choreographed dance moves .
Corden also interviewed BTS , speaking @ @ @ @ @ which was turned into a Late Late Show set .
`` During a time when @ @ @ @ @ we 're so grateful we can connect with you from here , '' RM said @ @ @ @ @ like we 're isolated , but we 're still connected through our shared experiences , @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Billie Eilish , John Legend , Dua Lipa , David Blaine , Will @ @ @ @ @ appearances during Homefest .
BTS had to postpone its planned North American tour due to @ @ @ @ @ originally set to begin on April 25 , but will now take place at a @ @ @

March 31 (UPI) -- BTS appeared on James Corden's Late Late Show special Homefest and performed their hit song "Boy with Luv."
BTS filmed the performance inside a studio in South Korea.
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Members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, Jungkook and V were each featured on Monday singing and delivering highly-choreographed dance moves.
Corden also interviewed BTS, speaking to them from his garage which was turned into a Late Late Show set.
"During a time when social distancing is crucial, we're so grateful we can connect with you from here," RM said. "It may seem like we're isolated, but we're still connected through our shared experiences, our courage and our laughter."
Billie Eilish, John Legend, Dua Lipa, David Blaine, Will Ferrell and more also made appearances during Homefest.
BTS had to postpone its planned North American tour due to COVID-19. The tour was originally set to begin on April 25, but will now take place at a later date.


upi--2020-03-31--Tom Brady pitched himself to Buccaneers front office before signing

March 31 ( UPI ) -- Tom Brady is arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history , but he did some personal promotion this off-season before being signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers .
Brady , 42 , officially signed with Tampa Bay on March 20 after spending his first 20 NFL seasons with the New England Patriots .
The six-time Super Bowl champion spoke on the phone with Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht and coach Bruce Arians before agreeing to join the NFC South franchise .
Licht detailed the March 18 conversation during an appearance Monday on ESPN 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great conversation -- Bruce and I -- we talked to him for over an hour and a half , '' Licht said .
`` And he made it clear in the conversation that he was very , very interested .
`` It was almost like a recruitment on his part , telling us why it would make sense for him to come to Tampa Bay .
The next call we made , we signed him , but it was at that phone call that we realized , that we felt like we had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brady as their top quarterback target before the conversation with the future Hall of Famer .
Despite critics saying Brady has lost arm strength over the years , Licht said the Buccaneers believe his arm is ideal for their offensive system .
The Buccaneers also think Brady has more than two years remaining in his NFL career , if he chooses to play that long .
`` The tape showed to us that he had plenty of arm , '' Licht said .
`` In fact , we thought that he had an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` He can still throw it deep .
We felt like the mobility was still the same as he 's always had , which , he 's never been able to outrun anybody .
But he certainly is good in the pocket in terms of eluding pressure and with his poise and his instincts .
We did not see a decline in his arm talent whatsoever . ''
Brady completed 60.8 percent of his throws for 4,057 yards , 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 16 starts last season .

Six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady officially signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 20. File Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
March 31 (UPI) -- Tom Brady is arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history, but he did some personal promotion this off-season before being signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady, 42, officially signed with Tampa Bay on March 20 after spending his first 20 NFL seasons with the New England Patriots. The six-time Super Bowl champion spoke on the phone with Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht and coach Bruce Arians before agreeing to join the NFC South franchise. Advertisement
Licht detailed the March 18 conversation during an appearance Monday on ESPN's Get Up.
"We had a great conversation -- Bruce and I -- we talked to him for over an hour and a half," Licht said. "And he made it clear in the conversation that he was very, very interested.
"It was almost like a recruitment on his part, telling us why it would make sense for him to come to Tampa Bay. The next call we made, we signed him, but it was at that phone call that we realized, that we felt like we had him."
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Arians and Licht had Brady as their top quarterback target before the conversation with the future Hall of Famer. Despite critics saying Brady has lost arm strength over the years, Licht said the Buccaneers believe his arm is ideal for their offensive system. The Buccaneers also think Brady has more than two years remaining in his NFL career, if he chooses to play that long.
"The tape showed to us that he had plenty of arm," Licht said. "In fact, we thought that he had an ideal arm for Bruce in his system.
"He can still throw it deep. We felt like the mobility was still the same as he's always had, which, he's never been able to outrun anybody. But he certainly is good in the pocket in terms of eluding pressure and with his poise and his instincts. We did not see a decline in his arm talent whatsoever."
Brady completed 60.8 percent of his throws for 4,057 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 16 starts last season.


upi--2020-03-31--Former Congo President Joaquim Yhombi-Opango dies of coronavirus

March 31 ( UPI ) -- Jacques Joaquim Yhombi-Opango , the former president of the Republic of the Congo , @ @ @ @ @ to the coronavirus disease , his family said .
He was 81 .
Family members @ @ @ @ @ the African nation from 1977 until 1979 , had already been diagnosed with underlying health @ @ @ @ @ Paris .
Yhombi-Opango led the former socialist People 's Republic of the Congo , which @ @ @ @ @ Republic of Congo .
The former leader 's son , Jean-Jacques Yhombi-Opango , made the @ @ @ @ @ Congo state television .
Yhombi-Opango took power in 1977 after then-president Marien Ngouabi was assassinated @ @ @ @ @ for two years before being deposed by current leader Denis Sassou Nguesso .
After being @ @ @ @ @ Yhombi-Opango served as prime minister in the 1990s before an outbreak of civil war in @ @ @ @ @ to France , and a decade later was allowed to return to the central African @ @

Joaquim Yhombi-Opango led the former People's Republic of the Congo, a socialist nation that ultimately became part of the Republic of the Congo in 1992. File Photo by David Rock Design/Pixabay/UPI
March 31 (UPI) -- Jacques Joaquim Yhombi-Opango, the former president of the Republic of the Congo, has died from complications related to the coronavirus disease, his family said. He was 81. Family members said Yhombi-Opango, who led the African nation from 1977 until 1979, had already been diagnosed with underlying health conditions. He died in Paris. Advertisement
Yhombi-Opango led the former socialist People's Republic of the Congo, which is now part of the Republic of Congo.
The former leader's son, Jean-Jacques Yhombi-Opango, made the announcement in a statement on Congo state television.
Yhombi-Opango took power in 1977 after then-president Marien Ngouabi was assassinated, and led the country for two years before being deposed by current leader Denis Sassou Nguesso.
After being imprisoned in the 1980s, Yhombi-Opango served as prime minister in the 1990s before an outbreak of civil war in 1997. He then fled to France, and a decade later was allowed to return to the central African nation.


upi--2020-03-31--Watch: Roger Federer shows off post-surgery trick shots in snow

March 31 ( UPI ) -- Tennis star Roger Federer showed he is moving well after February knee surgery by posting a video of himself hitting trick shots against a wall in the snow .
Federer posted the video to social media on Monday .
The 20-time Grand Slam champion began the session by hitting the ball between his own legs before hitting the wall .
He then turned around and hit several backhands , forehands and more between the legs shots .
`` Making sure I still remember how to hit trick shots , '' Federer wrote .
Federer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million views on Twitter .
Federer 's recovery from the knee surgery was set to keep him out of the 2020 French Open , but that tournament has since been postponed until September due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Federer , 38 , has n't played since the 2020 Australian Open semifinals .
The Swiss tennis star and his wife Mirka announced last week that they were donating $ 1.2 million to families in Switzerland impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak .
Federer is ranked No .
4 in the ATP Tour world rankings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 player in the world , followed by Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem .
Daniil Medvedev is ranked No .
5 in the world .

March 31 (UPI) -- Tennis star Roger Federer showed he is moving well after February knee surgery by posting a video of himself hitting trick shots against a wall in the snow.
Federer posted the video to social media on Monday. The 20-time Grand Slam champion began the session by hitting the ball between his own legs before hitting the wall. He then turned around and hit several backhands, forehands and more between the legs shots.
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"Making sure I still remember how to hit trick shots," Federer wrote.
Federer's 22-second clip got more than 3.5 million views on Twitter. Federer's recovery from the knee surgery was set to keep him out of the 2020 French Open, but that tournament has since been postponed until September due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Federer, 38, hasn't played since the 2020 Australian Open semifinals. The Swiss tennis star and his wife Mirka announced last week that they were donating $1.2 million to families in Switzerland impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Federer is ranked No. 4 in the ATP Tour world rankings. Novak Djokovic is the No. 1 player in the world, followed by Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem. Daniil Medvedev is ranked No. 5 in the world.


upi--2020-03-31--U.S. again renews sanctions waivers for Iran nuclear work

March 31 ( UPI ) -- The Trump administration has renewed a group of sanctions waivers to allow U.S. and foreign companies to do business with Iran 's nuclear program for another 60 days .
The waivers were renewed on Monday , the State Department said .
The State Department has previously renewed the waivers , saying they are needed to keep watch on Iran 's nuclear progress .
The Treasury Department had also favored keeping the waivers in place .
The administration extended the waivers in January and Tehran said companies have worked with them at the Arak heavy-water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plant , the Tehran Research Reactor and other facilities .
Iran has insisted its nuclear program is for civilian power rather than military use .
The Trump administration started ramping up new sanctions against Iran after dropping out of the Obama-era Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreement in 2018 .
On Sunday , Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif complained that U.S. sanctions are crippling efforts to respond to the coronavirus outbreak , and called for their lifting .
Iran has been one of the hardest-hit countries , with about 40,000 COVID-19 cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump said earlier this year , Iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon , '' State Department spokesman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement Monday .
`` We will continue to use the full range of our diplomatic and economic tools to constrain Iran 's destabilizing proliferation activities .
We will continue to closely monitor all developments in Iran 's nuclear program and can adjust these restrictions at any time . ''

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani inspects nuclear technology at a facility in Tehran, Iran, on April 9, 2019. File Photo by Iranian Presidency Office/EPA-EFE
March 31 (UPI) -- The Trump administration has renewed a group of sanctions waivers to allow U.S. and foreign companies to do business with Iran's nuclear program for another 60 days. The waivers were renewed on Monday, the State Department said. Advertisement
The State Department has previously renewed the waivers, saying they are needed to keep watch on Iran's nuclear progress. The Treasury Department had also favored keeping the waivers in place.
The administration extended the waivers in January and Tehran said companies have worked with them at the Arak heavy-water research reactor, the Bushehr nuclear power plant, the Tehran Research Reactor and other facilities.
Iran has insisted its nuclear program is for civilian power rather than military use. The Trump administration started ramping up new sanctions against Iran after dropping out of the Obama-era Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreement in 2018.
On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif complained that U.S. sanctions are crippling efforts to respond to the coronavirus outbreak, and called for their lifting. Iran has been one of the hardest-hit countries, with about 40,000 COVID-19 cases and more than 2,600 deaths.
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"As President Trump said earlier this year, Iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon," State Department spokesman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement Monday. "We will continue to use the full range of our diplomatic and economic tools to constrain Iran's destabilizing proliferation activities. We will continue to closely monitor all developments in Iran's nuclear program and can adjust these restrictions at any time."