upi--2020-03-22--COVID-19: 651 more die in Italy; China adds 6 deaths, but imported cases spike

March 22 ( UPI ) -- Italy , the new epicenter of coronavirus , reported 651 more deaths Sunday as China , where the outbreak began , reported six deaths , all imported from another country .
A few weeks ago , virtually all cases and deaths were in China .
One week ago , the cases outside China had risen to nearly half and during the week Italy overtook China in the number of deaths .
On Sunday night , the death toll in Italy rose to 5,476 , which is an increase of 13.5 percent in one day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19.6 percent with another 793 deaths , which actually is 142 more than Saturday 's figure .
China 's National Health Commission reported a total of 3,261 deaths , which is an increase of 48 in seven days .
The number of cases overall in mainland China is 81,054 -- still the most in the world .
Cases in Italy increased from 53,578 to 59,138 despite despite more than a week of lockdown in the nation of 60 million people ; and earlier in northern Italy .
U.S. , which has been increasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to third place in cases with 33,276 and sixth place in deaths with 417 deaths .
Spain has 28,603 cases .
Worldwide there are 14,632 deaths and 335,957 cases , according to John Hopkins tracking on Sunday night .
On Saturday , deaths globally spiked 14.4 percent in one day and cases went up 25.6 in 24 hours despite restrictions on non-essential services throughout the world .
On Sunday , China reported 46 new cases , of which 45 were imported for a total of 314 outside the country .
For the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ derived in the country .
The local infection is in the southern city of Guangzhou , in Guangdong province , where two imported cases -- Philippines and Turkey -- were also reported .
The number of cases overall in mainland China is 81,054 -- the most in the world .
A total of 72,244 patients in mainland China have recovered from the virus and been discharged from hospitals .
In Wuhan , the Chinese city hit hardest by the coronavirus , authorities began removing checkpoints after reporting no new cases for a third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions .
Elsewhere in China , schools are preparing to open their doors again in many provinces .
China is trying to protect areas outside Hubei , where the death toll is 3,144 .
All international flights to Beijing , the capital , will be diverted to other cities in China starting Monday .
Passengers on affected flights will need to clear immigration and customs at their first port of entry .
If they are healthy , they will be allowed to board the same aircraft to fly to Beijing , the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there have been four deaths in Hong Kong and two in Taiwan .
Other Asian countries have been in relatively good health .
Japan : The death toll is 35 , which is an increase of one , and 1,055 cases , which went up by 40 .
But the nation has raised its travel alert for the United States , urging citizens to only go there if it is essential .
South Korea : The number of cases grew by 98 to 8,897 with 104 deaths .
The country began conducting new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requiring even those with negative results to undergo a 14-day self-quarantine .
India : The nation instituted the world 's largest non-official curfew on Saturday night -- but it will last only 14 hours .
`` The steps we take now will help in the times to come .
Stay indoors and stay healthy , '' Prime Minister Narendra Modi said .
North Korea : President Donald Trump sent its leader , Kim Jong Un , a personal letter expressing his willingness to help with `` anti-epidemic work , '' according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` explained his plan to propel the relations between the two countries of the DPRK and the U.S. and expressed his intent to render cooperation in the anti-epidemic work , saying that he was impressed by the efforts made by the Chairman to defend his people from the serious threat of the epidemic , '' according to a statement from Kim Yo Jong , Kim 's younger sister and first vice department director for WPK Central Committee .
North Korea has n't reported any deaths or cases , despite bordering China .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and proper action for the U.S. president to make efforts to keep the good relations he had with our Chairman by sending a personal letter again at a time as now when big difficulties and challenges lie in the way of developing the bilateral relations , and think that this should be highly estimated , '' she said .
Spain : The number of deaths role to 1,720 from 1,381 the day before as the nation continued being on lockdown .
`` The worst is yet to come , and it is pushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Saturday night .
The nation has been on lockdown for eight days .
Britain : The death toll climbed to 281 , an increase of 47 .
Confirmed cases rose from 5,018 to 5,683 .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned that the country 's NHS risks becoming `` overwhelmed '' by the coronavirus outbreak and that the situation in Britain is just two or three weeks behind Italy .
`` The numbers are very stark , and they are accelerating .
We are only a matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind Italy , '' Johnson said .
`` The Italians have a superb health care system .
And yet their doctors and nurses have been completely overwhelmed by the demand .
The Italian death toll is already in the thousands and climbing .
`` Unless we act together , unless we make the heroic and collective national effort to slow the spread -- then it is all too likely that our own NHS will be similarly overwhelmed , '' Johnson said .
Germany : Prime Minister Angela Merkel announced Germany will `` ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' with the exception of families and people living together .
Like other countries , she shut restaurants for at least two weeks .
Merkel said she was going into self quarantine after a doctor who gave her a vaccination Friday tested positive for coronavirus , Merkel 's spokesman Steffen Seibert announced .
Germany reported eight additional deaths to 92 with cases up to 23,974 .
France : The first doctor to die from coronavirus in France was a 67-year ol-emergency doctor at the Compiègne hospital , the city 's Mayor Philippe Marini @ @ @ @ @ @ @ France reported 112 death for a total of 674 .
The nation has been on lockdown since Tuesday and the parliament Sunday granted powers of the government to combat the outbreak .
`` Maybe the medication provided is also another tool to aggravate that disease , so we can never trust you , '' Khamenei , considered the highest authority in Iran , said , without evidence , in a speech delivered on Iran 's national TV for the annual Persian new year .
He added it was `` very strange '' that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medication .
`` The U.S. has shortages , they are facing acute shortages in terms of preventive tools , '' he said .
Iran reported 556 deaths , which was a spike from 1,433 .
It has more than 20,000 cases .
Israel : Unemployment surged to 16.5 percent , the country 's Employment Service said in a statement Sunday morning compared with around 4 percent before the coronavirus outbreak began .
The nation has 883 cases and one death .
Authorities closed Bondi beach and removed hundreds of people from other popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had gathered in clear defiance of public health warnings .
`` What we saw this morning at Bondi Beach was the most irresponsible behavior of individuals that we 've seen so far , '' David Elliott , the new South Wales police and emergency services minister , told reporters on Saturday .
`` We can not have an area where more than 500 people are gathered . ''
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday issued rules nationwide .
Registered and licensed clubs , licensed premises in hotels and pubs , entertainment venues and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close .

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Chinese still wear protective face masks while being outside as the threat of the deadly coronavirus fades in Beijing on Saturday. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- Italy, the new epicenter of coronavirus, reported 651 more deaths Sunday as China, where the outbreak began, reported six deaths, all imported from another country. A few weeks ago, virtually all cases and deaths were in China. One week ago, the cases outside China had risen to nearly half and during the week Italy overtook China in the number of deaths. Advertisement
On Sunday night, the death toll in Italy rose to 5,476, which is an increase of 13.5 percent in one day. The previous day the percentage rose 19.6 percent with another 793 deaths, which actually is 142 more than Saturday's figure.
China's National Health Commission reported a total of 3,261 deaths, which is an increase of 48 in seven days. The number of cases overall in mainland China is 81,054 -- still the most in the world.
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Cases in Italy increased from 53,578 to 59,138 despite despite more than a week of lockdown in the nation of 60 million people; and earlier in northern Italy.
U.S., which has been increasing its testing, passed Spain to move to third place in cases with 33,276 and sixth place in deaths with 417 deaths. Spain has 28,603 cases.
Worldwide there are 14,632 deaths and 335,957 cases, according to John Hopkins tracking on Sunday night.
On Saturday, deaths globally spiked 14.4 percent in one day and cases went up 25.6 in 24 hours despite restrictions on non-essential services throughout the world.
On Sunday, China reported 46 new cases, of which 45 were imported for a total of 314 outside the country. For the past three days, none of the cases derived in the country.
The local infection is in the southern city of Guangzhou, in Guangdong province, where two imported cases -- Philippines and Turkey -- were also reported.
The number of cases overall in mainland China is 81,054 -- the most in the world.
A total of 72,244 patients in mainland China have recovered from the virus and been discharged from hospitals.
In Wuhan, the Chinese city hit hardest by the coronavirus, authorities began removing checkpoints after reporting no new cases for a third day, while other places also eased restrictions.
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Elsewhere in China, schools are preparing to open their doors again in many provinces.
China is trying to protect areas outside Hubei, where the death toll is 3,144.
All international flights to Beijing, the capital, will be diverted to other cities in China starting Monday.
Passengers on affected flights will need to clear immigration and customs at their first port of entry. If they are healthy, they will be allowed to board the same aircraft to fly to Beijing, the government announced Sunday.
Outside mainland China, there have been four deaths in Hong Kong and two in Taiwan.
Other Asian countries have been in relatively good health.
Japan: The death toll is 35, which is an increase of one, and 1,055 cases, which went up by 40. But the nation has raised its travel alert for the United States, urging citizens to only go there if it is essential.
South Korea: The number of cases grew by 98 to 8,897 with 104 deaths.
The country began conducting new tests on all arrivals from Europe and requiring even those with negative results to undergo a 14-day self-quarantine.
India: The nation instituted the world's largest non-official curfew on Saturday night -- but it will last only 14 hours.
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"The steps we take now will help in the times to come. Stay indoors and stay healthy," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.
North Korea: President Donald Trump sent its leader, Kim Jong Un, a personal letter expressing his willingness to help with "anti-epidemic work," according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency.
Trump "explained his plan to propel the relations between the two countries of the DPRK and the U.S. and expressed his intent to render cooperation in the anti-epidemic work, saying that he was impressed by the efforts made by the Chairman to defend his people from the serious threat of the epidemic," according to a statement from Kim Yo Jong, Kim's younger sister and first vice department director for WPK Central Committee.
North Korea hasn't reported any deaths or cases, despite bordering China.
"We regard it as a good judgment and proper action for the U.S. president to make efforts to keep the good relations he had with our Chairman by sending a personal letter again at a time as now when big difficulties and challenges lie in the way of developing the bilateral relations, and think that this should be highly estimated," she said.
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Europe
Spain: The number of deaths role to 1,720 from 1,381 the day before as the nation continued being on lockdown.
"The worst is yet to come, and it is pushing our capacities to the limit," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Saturday night. The nation has been on lockdown for eight days.
Britain: The death toll climbed to 281, an increase of 47. Confirmed cases rose from 5,018 to 5,683. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned that the country's NHS risks becoming "overwhelmed" by the coronavirus outbreak and that the situation in Britain is just two or three weeks behind Italy.
"The numbers are very stark, and they are accelerating. We are only a matter of weeks -- two or three -- behind Italy," Johnson said.
"The Italians have a superb health care system. And yet their doctors and nurses have been completely overwhelmed by the demand. The Italian death toll is already in the thousands and climbing.
"Unless we act together, unless we make the heroic and collective national effort to slow the spread -- then it is all too likely that our own NHS will be similarly overwhelmed," Johnson said.
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Germany: Prime Minister Angela Merkel announced Germany will "ban gatherings of more than two people," with the exception of families and people living together. Like other countries, she shut restaurants for at least two weeks.
Merkel said she was going into self quarantine after a doctor who gave her a vaccination Friday tested positive for coronavirus, Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert announced.
Germany reported eight additional deaths to 92 with cases up to 23,974.
France: The first doctor to die from coronavirus in France was a 67-year ol-emergency doctor at the Compiègne hospital, the city's Mayor Philippe Marini told French broadcaster BFM don Sunday.
France reported 112 death for a total of 674. The nation has been on lockdown since Tuesday and the parliament Sunday granted powers of the government to combat the outbreak.
Middle East
Iran: Supreme religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei refused American aid for Iran's citizens on Sunday.
"Maybe the medication provided is also another tool to aggravate that disease, so we can never trust you," Khamenei, considered the highest authority in Iran, said, without evidence, in a speech delivered on Iran's national TV for the annual Persian new year.
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He added it was "very strange" that the United States is offering the country medication.
"The U.S. has shortages, they are facing acute shortages in terms of preventive tools," he said.
Iran reported 556 deaths, which was a spike from 1,433. It has more than 20,000 cases.
Israel: Unemployment surged to 16.5 percent, the country's Employment Service said in a statement Sunday morning compared with around 4 percent before the coronavirus outbreak began. The nation has 883 cases and one death.
Australia
Authorities closed Bondi beach and removed hundreds of people from other popular Sydney beaches on Saturday after large crowds had gathered in clear defiance of public health warnings.
"What we saw this morning at Bondi Beach was the most irresponsible behavior of individuals that we've seen so far," David Elliott, the new South Wales police and emergency services minister, told reporters on Saturday. "We cannot have an area where more than 500 people are gathered."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday issued rules nationwide. Registered and licensed clubs, licensed premises in hotels and pubs, entertainment venues and cinemas, casinos and nightclubs will all close.


upi--2020-03-22--'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf' won't return when Broadway reopens

March 22 ( UPI ) -- Who 's Afraid of Virginia Woolf ?
-- starring Laurie Metcalf and Rupert Everett -- will not return when Broadway theaters reopen after the COVID-19 crisis passes .
`` The producers of the revival of Who 's Afraid of Virginia Woolf ?
announced today that the production will not open when Broadway resumes performances , due to ensuing cast scheduling conflicts amid the shutdown .
Please contact your point of purchase for refund information , '' the play 's Twitter feed said Saturday .
The news came shortly after the producers of Hangmen said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open as planned .
New York 's theaters , along with other cultural institutions and schools across the United States , closed earlier this month in an attempt to keep large crowds from gathering and hence stem the spread of coronavirus .
Written by Edward Albee , Who 's Afraid of Virginia Woolf ?
was in previews when the theaters went dark on March 12 .
Featuring Patsy Ferran and Russell Tovey , the show was scheduled to officially open on April 9 .
Broadway expects to be back in business the week @ @ @ @

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Laurie Metcalf's Broadway show "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"will not return when theaters reopen after the COVID-19 crisis passes. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? -- starring Laurie Metcalf and Rupert Everett -- will not return when Broadway theaters reopen after the COVID-19 crisis passes. "The producers of the revival of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? announced today that the production will not open when Broadway resumes performances, due to ensuing cast scheduling conflicts amid the shutdown. Please contact your point of purchase for refund information," the play's Twitter feed said Saturday. Advertisement
The news came shortly after the producers of Hangmen said Martin McDonagh's stage comedy would not open as planned.
New York's theaters, along with other cultural institutions and schools across the United States, closed earlier this month in an attempt to keep large crowds from gathering and hence stem the spread of coronavirus.
Written by Edward Albee, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? was in previews when the theaters went dark on March 12. Featuring Patsy Ferran and Russell Tovey, the show was scheduled to officially open on April 9.
Broadway expects to be back in business the week of April 13.


upi--2020-03-22--Debi Mazar, Placido Domingo test positive for coronavirus

March 22 ( UPI ) -- Younger and Entourage actress Debi Mazar has announced on social media that she was tested positive for the coronavirus and is recovering at her New York home .
`` I have just tested positive for Covid-19 .
I AM OK !
About a month ago my entire home ( husband and two teen daughters ) got an odd bug-Low grade fever , headaches , sore throat , body aches , ears ringing and a dry cough , '' Mazar wrote on Instagram Saturday .
`` It cleared up quickly .
Seasonal I thought ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ later , March 15th , I woke up with all those same symptoms but super intense body aches , and 102.4 fever .
I figured maybe I got the flu or ... Corona ?
I had had cocktails the evening prior , and smoked a few cigarettes .
I figured I had jacked my immune system from having a fun night with friends .
I called a doctor/friend to ask if I could get the Covid-19 test on 3/16 .
He said NO , I did n't meet the criteria .
I had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & I had n't been with someone who had actually tested positive .
I found this kind of a CRAZY criteria for a NY'er as I had taken the subway , gone to the theater , the grocery store , the pharmacy , hair salon , etc .
I was the Mom who was trying to prepare the home and get supplies & bleach wipes , dry goods.extra food etc .
Because we have Italian family in Italy and we follow the news closely , my biggest panic was why were they not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside the home without permission , like China and all of Europe ? ''
The 55-year-old actress said she eventually was able to get tested at CityMD/Urgent Care in Brooklyn on Tuesday , found out she had the virus and is now at home with her family social distancing .
`` I 'm hoping I 've been through the worst of it already , '' Mazar added .
`` It 's very 'morphy . '
One day I feel crappy and the next I 'm normal .
Today my lungs are heavy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breathe , and I 'm going to heal here in my own home !
My family is under quarantine for 14 days .
They have no symptoms .
I think we all had it possibly already ?
Who knows .
Anyhow , stay home people !
Protect yourselves & your loved ones .
Build up your immune systems .
Good Luck & God Bless us all !
# alonetogether # physicaldistancing # stayhome . ''
On Sunday , 79-year-old opera singer Placido Domingo announced on his Facebook page he had tested positive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ duty to announce to you that I have tested positive for COVID19 .
My Family and I are all in self-isolation for as long as it is deemed medically necessary , '' Domingo said , adding it was `` fever and cough symptoms '' that sent him to the doctor .
Domingo resigned as general director of Los Angeles Opera last year amid allegations of sexual harassment , but has denied any wrongdoing .
Other celebrities who have tested positive for the virus include talk-show host Andy Cohen , Hollywood couple Tom Hanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elba , Lost alum Daniel Dae Kim and former Game of Thrones cast-mates Indira Varma and Kristofer Hivju .
The global pandemic has killed thousands of people -- mainly in China and Italy -- in recent weeks .

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Debi Mazar announced she has tested positive for the coronavirus. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- Younger and Entourage actress Debi Mazar has announced on social media that she was tested positive for the coronavirus and is recovering at her New York home. "I have just tested positive for Covid-19. I AM OK! About a month ago my entire home (husband and two teen daughters) got an odd bug-Low grade fever, headaches, sore throat, body aches, ears ringing and a dry cough," Mazar wrote on Instagram Saturday. Advertisement
"It cleared up quickly. Seasonal I thought? but it felt unusual/different... Two weeks later, March 15th, I woke up with all those same symptoms but super intense body aches, and 102.4 fever. I figured maybe I got the flu or... Corona? I had had cocktails the evening prior, and smoked a few cigarettes. I figured I had jacked my immune system from having a fun night with friends. I called a doctor/friend to ask if I could get the Covid-19 test on 3/16. He said NO,I didn't meet the criteria. I hadn't recently traveled out of the country & I hadn't been with someone who had actually tested positive. I found this kind of a CRAZY criteria for a NY'er as I had taken the subway, gone to the theater, the grocery store, the pharmacy, hair salon,etc. I was the Mom who was trying to prepare the home and get supplies & bleach wipes, dry goods.extra food etc. Because we have Italian family in Italy and we follow the news closely, my biggest panic was why were they not closing schools in NYC & forbidding movement outside the home without permission, like China and all of Europe?"
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The 55-year-old actress said she eventually was able to get tested at CityMD/Urgent Care in Brooklyn on Tuesday, found out she had the virus and is now at home with her family social distancing.
"I'm hoping I've been through the worst of it already," Mazar added.
"It's very 'morphy.' One day I feel crappy and the next I'm normal. Today my lungs are heavy, but I'm tough. I can breathe, and I'm going to heal here in my own home! My family is under quarantine for 14 days. They have no symptoms. I think we all had it possibly already? Who knows. Anyhow, stay home people! Protect yourselves & your loved ones. Build up your immune systems. Good Luck & God Bless us all! #alonetogether #physicaldistancing #stayhome."
On Sunday, 79-year-old opera singer Placido Domingo announced on his Facebook page he had tested positive.
"I feel it is my moral duty to announce to you that I have tested positive for COVID19. My Family and I are all in self-isolation for as long as it is deemed medically necessary," Domingo said, adding it was "fever and cough symptoms" that sent him to the doctor.
Domingo resigned as general director of Los Angeles Opera last year amid allegations of sexual harassment, but has denied any wrongdoing.
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Other celebrities who have tested positive for the virus include talk-show host Andy Cohen, Hollywood couple Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Luther star Idris Elba, Lost alum Daniel Dae Kim and former Game of Thrones cast-mates Indira Varma and Kristofer Hivju.
The global pandemic has killed thousands of people -- mainly in China and Italy -- in recent weeks.


upi--2020-03-22--'Malory Towers' series to premiere on CBBC April 6

March 22 ( UPI ) -- Malory Towers , a new 13-part drama based on the novels of Enid Blyton @ @ @ @ @ April 6 on CBBC .
Set in post-World War II Britain , the show follows @ @ @ @ @ Rivers as she leaves home to attend an all-girls ' boarding school and `` explores @ @ @ @ @ feasts , lacrosse , pranks , a mystery ghost and lasting friendships , '' a @ @ @ @ @ Bright plays Darrell Rivers and the ensemble includes Jennifer Wigmore , Ashley McGuire , Imali @ @ @ @ @ Danya Grivers , Sienna Knights , Zoey Siewert , Twinkle Jaiswell , Imogen Lamb and @ @ @

March 22 (UPI) -- Malory Towers, a new 13-part drama based on the novels of Enid Blyton, is set to debut April 6 on CBBC.
Set in post-World War II Britain, the show follows the adventures of 12-year-old Darrell Rivers as she leaves home to attend an all-girls' boarding school and "explores a nostalgic world of midnight feasts, lacrosse, pranks, a mystery ghost and lasting friendships," a press release said.


upi--2020-03-23--Harvey Weinstein tests positive for coronavirus in New York prison

March 23 ( UPI ) -- Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein has tested positive for the coronavirus disease , New @ @ @ @ @ Weinstein , who was convicted and sentenced this month to 23 years , was placed @ @ @ @ @ Correctional Facility in western New York .
Authorities say Weinstein , 68 , already had @ @ @ @ @ from Rikers Island last week .
Doctors treated Weinstein for high blood pressure and chest @ @ @ @ @ trial in Manhattan , where jurors found him guilty of rape and sexual misconduct for @ @ @ @ @ 2013 .
He still faces charges in Los Angeles of rape and other sexual offenses @ @ @ @ @ be sentenced to as many as 28 years in prison .
Los Angeles prosecutors are @ @ @ @ @ .
The accusations against Weinstein started the # MeToo movement in 2018 .

Harvey Weinstein leaves Manhattan Supreme Court on February 21. Prison officials said the former film producer has the coronavirus disease. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 23 (UPI) -- Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein has tested positive for the coronavirus disease, New York prison officials said. Weinstein, who was convicted and sentenced this month to 23 years, was placed in isolation at the Wende Correctional Facility in western New York. Advertisement
Authorities say Weinstein, 68, already had the virus when he arrived from Rikers Island last week.
Doctors treated Weinstein for high blood pressure and chest pains during and after his trial in Manhattan, where jurors found him guilty of rape and sexual misconduct for two incidents in 2006 and 2013.
He still faces charges in Los Angeles of rape and other sexual offenses, for which he could be sentenced to as many as 28 years in prison. Los Angeles prosecutors are seeking extradition from New York.
The accusations against Weinstein started the #MeToo movement in 2018.


upi--2020-03-23--Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson say they 'feel better' in health update

March 23 ( UPI ) -- Tom Hanks has given a health update on himself and wife Rita Wilson after the couple tested positive for COVID-19 .
`` Hey , folks .
Two weeks after our first symptoms and we feel better .
Sheltering in place works like this : You do n't give it to anyone - You do n't get it from anyone .
Common sense , no ? ''
Hanks said on Twitter Sunday .
`` Going to take awhile , but if we take care of each other , help where we can , and give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , shall pass .
We can figure this out , '' the actor continued .
Wilson , on Instagram , uploaded a video of herself rapping the lyrics to `` Hip Hop Hooray '' by Naughty by Nature while reading Ender 's Game .
`` Quarantine Stir Crazy .
See it to believe it , '' Wilson captioned the clip .
Olga Kurylenko also gave an update on her health Sunday , stating that she has recovered from COVID-19 alongside a photo of herself with her son .
`` By the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Cough is almost gone although I still cough in the mornings but then it completely goes away for the day !
I 'm fine !
And now I 'm just enjoying this time to reflect on many things and spend time with my son , '' Kurylenko said on Instagram .
Daniel Dae Kim , in a video he uploaded to Instagram , said that feels practically back to normal after having COVID-19 and said as of now he has no symptoms .
Idris Elba , Andy Cohen , Game of Thrones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bachelor star Colton Underwood , Debi Mazar and opera singer Placido Domingo have also tested positive for COVID-19 .

March 23 (UPI) -- Tom Hanks has given a health update on himself and wife Rita Wilson after the couple tested positive for COVID-19.
"Hey, folks. Two weeks after our first symptoms and we feel better. Sheltering in place works like this: You don't give it to anyone - You don't get it from anyone. Common sense, no?" Hanks said on Twitter Sunday.
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"Going to take awhile, but if we take care of each other, help where we can, and give up some comforts...this, too, shall pass. We can figure this out," the actor continued.
Wilson, on Instagram, uploaded a video of herself rapping the lyrics to "Hip Hop Hooray" by Naughty by Nature while reading Ender's Game.
"Quarantine Stir Crazy. See it to believe it," Wilson captioned the clip.
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Olga Kurylenko also gave an update on her health Sunday, stating that she has recovered from COVID-19 alongside a photo of herself with her son.
"By the end of the second week I felt totally fine. Cough is almost gone although I still cough in the mornings but then it completely goes away for the day! I'm fine! And now I'm just enjoying this time to reflect on many things and spend time with my son," Kurylenko said on Instagram.
Daniel Dae Kim, in a video he uploaded to Instagram, said that feels practically back to normal after having COVID-19 and said as of now he has no symptoms.
Idris Elba, Andy Cohen, Game of Thrones alums Kristofer Hivju and Indira Varma, Bachelor star Colton Underwood, Debi Mazar and opera singer Placido Domingo have also tested positive for COVID-19.


upi--2020-03-23--Chicago Bears to sign former No. 6 pick LB Barkevious Mingo

March 23 ( UPI ) -- The Chicago Bears have agreed to a contract with free agent linebacker Barkevious Mingo , the No .
6 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft .
Sources told NFL Network and the Houston Chronicle that Mingo agreed to a one-year deal with the Bears on Monday .
A source told the Chronicle the deal is worth $ 1.19 million .
The Bears will be Mingo 's sixth different team .
The 6-foot-5 , 235-pound defender began his career with the Cleveland Browns , who traded him to the New England Patriots in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2017 before signing with the Seattle Seahawks the following off-season .
The Seahawks traded Mingo to the Houston Texans in September .
Mingo , 29 , had six total tackles and two quarterback hits in 16 games last season .
He had a career-high 48 tackles , three tackles for a loss , two quarterback hits , two forced fumbles , a pass defensed , a fumble recovery and a sack in 16 games in 2018 for the Seahawks .
Mingo had a career-high 14 starts that season .
The Bears have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improve their secondary for 2020 .
Chicago also agreed to one-year deals with safety Jordan Lucas on Sunday , cornerback Artie Burns Saturday and safety Deon Bush Friday .
The Bears also agreed to trade for Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Nick Foles last Wednesday .

Veteran linebacker Barkevious Mingo (R) had six tackles in 16 games last season for the Houston Texans. File Photo by Nell Redmond/UPI | License Photo
March 23 (UPI) -- The Chicago Bears have agreed to a contract with free agent linebacker Barkevious Mingo, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Sources told NFL Network and the Houston Chronicle that Mingo agreed to a one-year deal with the Bears on Monday. A source told the Chronicle the deal is worth $1.19 million. Advertisement
The Bears will be Mingo's sixth different team. The 6-foot-5, 235-pound defender began his career with the Cleveland Browns, who traded him to the New England Patriots in 2016. Mingo played for the Indianapolis Colts in 2017 before signing with the Seattle Seahawks the following off-season. The Seahawks traded Mingo to the Houston Texans in September.
Mingo, 29, had six total tackles and two quarterback hits in 16 games last season. He had a career-high 48 tackles, three tackles for a loss, two quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, a pass defensed, a fumble recovery and a sack in 16 games in 2018 for the Seahawks. Mingo had a career-high 14 starts that season.
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The Bears have been busy this off-season while working to improve their secondary for 2020. Chicago also agreed to one-year deals with safety Jordan Lucas on Sunday, cornerback Artie Burns Saturday and safety Deon Bush Friday. The Bears also agreed to trade for Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Nick Foles last Wednesday.


upi--2020-03-23--Business leaders need to show courage during these difficult times

March 23 ( UPI ) -- Over the past few days , I have had two kinds of conversations with two kinds of CEOs .
The first is about deciding to cut costs , cut hours , cut payroll and cut back .
The second is about deciding to push through , be creative , keep their people safe and find a way forward .
The ultimate question is whether to lean back or lean in ?
At my company , we understand that a job is more than a paycheck .
And we believe that everybody who works hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is in this moment that we need leaders to lean in more than ever .
We need to support our workers better .
We need to invest in tools to keep them connected and improving .
We need to continue to strengthen our culture .
We need to find ways to move forward and not pause .
At times like this , just adding more users to your web conferencing platform , adding more conference call lines or adding Slack is not going to get the job done .
Companies need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent digital isolation and use this time to reinforce organizational priorities in a way that inspires their people .
I feel for small business owners today .
We are all enduring the same pressure in this moment .
We have a political climate in Washington that is struggling to work together , we have businesses at a standstill , and we have the impact of COVID-19 on the global economy .
We have all been expecting work to change .
The dialogue about the future of work , robots and automation has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months , but nobody could have foreseen how this global crisis would accelerate our need to adapt to new work realities .
Before COVID-19 , companies struggled with workforce skill gaps , outdated technologies and new generations of workers changing what work looks like .
Today , we all struggle to respond faster .
As the CEO of a technology company that uses games to keep workers engaged and prepared , we have seen a greater demand for solutions to help workers that are on-the-go .
I am optimistic that in this moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What does that mean ?
It means turning to strategies and solutions that allow them to : • Keep everyone up t -speed while being fun and interactive • Strengthen culture and community even while being remote • Educate their team on how to effectively lead and operate under remote work conditions • Bring staff together with shared objectives while not all being in the same place Business leaders and companies need to get to work .
We must not just transition to remote work , but master it .
We must not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be able to operate remotely and find ways to keep them engaged and connected .
We must lean in .
Yes , this is a crisis situation .
But we have more control over its outcome than we may think .
Now is the moment .
So to all the leaders out there , let 's get back to work .
Sam Caucci is founder and CEO of workforce training platform 1HUDDLE .

1/2
A man looks out of the window while he talks on his cellphone while standing in a local business in New Rochelle, N.Y. on March 11 after a coronavirus outbreak there. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 23 (UPI) -- Over the past few days, I have had two kinds of conversations with two kinds of CEOs. The first is about deciding to cut costs, cut hours, cut payroll and cut back. The second is about deciding to push through, be creative, keep their people safe and find a way forward. The ultimate question is whether to lean back or lean in? Advertisement
At my company, we understand that a job is more than a paycheck. And we believe that everybody who works hard deserves to be trained. I believe it is in this moment that we need leaders to lean in more than ever.
We need to support our workers better. We need to invest in tools to keep them connected and improving. We need to continue to strengthen our culture. We need to find ways to move forward and not pause.
Advertisement
At times like this, just adding more users to your web conferencing platform, adding more conference call lines or adding Slack is not going to get the job done. Companies need to be investing in strategies and solutions that prevent digital isolation and use this time to reinforce organizational priorities in a way that inspires their people.
I feel for small business owners today. We are all enduring the same pressure in this moment. We have a political climate in Washington that is struggling to work together, we have businesses at a standstill, and we have the impact of COVID-19 on the global economy.
We have all been expecting work to change. The dialogue about the future of work, robots and automation has been a major one over the last several months, but nobody could have foreseen how this global crisis would accelerate our need to adapt to new work realities. Before COVID-19, companies struggled with workforce skill gaps, outdated technologies and new generations of workers changing what work looks like. Today, we all struggle to respond faster.
As the CEO of a technology company that uses games to keep workers engaged and prepared, we have seen a greater demand for solutions to help workers that are on-the-go. I am optimistic that in this moment companies are in fact leaning in.
Advertisement
What does that mean? It means turning to strategies and solutions that allow them to:
Rapidly communicate with their team
Keep everyone up t -speed while being fun and interactive
Strengthen culture and community even while being remote
Educate their team on how to effectively lead and operate under remote work conditions
Bring staff together with shared objectives while not all being in the same place
Business leaders and companies need to get to work. We must not just transition to remote work, but master it. We must not forget about the front-line workers that may not be able to operate remotely and find ways to keep them engaged and connected. We must lean in. Yes, this is a crisis situation. But we have more control over its outcome than we may think. Now is the moment. So to all the leaders out there, let's get back to work.
Sam Caucci is founder and CEO of workforce training platform 1HUDDLE.
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-03-23--Several killed in Guinea during controversial referendum

March 23 ( UPI ) -- Several people were killed in violence across Guinea amid a referendum vote for an @ @ @ @ @ Alpha Conde 's tenure , authorities said Monday .
The opposition group FNDC said 10 @ @ @ @ @ forces as they made `` massive arrests '' during Sunday 's referendum vote .
They @ @ @ @ @ the election on Monday and Tuesday .
The controversial amendment would extend the term of @ @ @ @ @ to seven years .
Conde , 82 , who is near the end of his @ @ @ @ @ from running again .
Opponents have decried the proposed amendment , saying it 's intended @ @ @ @ @ .
Supporters , however , argue it would bring needed changes in the conservative country @ @ @ @ @ The referendum included other potential changes , including bans on female genital mutilation and underage @ @ @ @ @ women equal rights in divorce cases .

Guinea President Alpha Conde arrives at the White House in Washington, D.C., on August 5, 2014. A referendum vote on Sunday proposed changes that would allow him to run for a third term. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo
March 23 (UPI) -- Several people were killed in violence across Guinea amid a referendum vote for an amendment that would extend President Alpha Conde's tenure, authorities said Monday. Protesters overran three polling stations in the Kolanboui region, electoral officials were attacked at another station in Petit Symbaya and a man was killed by security forces at a facility in the capital of Conakry, officials said. The opposition group FNDC said 10 people were killed by security forces as they made "massive arrests" during Sunday's referendum vote. They called for new protests against the election on Monday and Tuesday. Advertisement
The controversial amendment would extend the term of Guinea's president from five to seven years. Conde, 82, who is near the end of his second term, is barred from running again.
Opponents have decried the proposed amendment, saying it's intended to keep Conde in office. Supporters, however, argue it would bring needed changes in the conservative country, particularly for women.
The referendum included other potential changes, including bans on female genital mutilation and underage marriage, and would give women equal rights in divorce cases.


upi--2020-03-23--Saints to re-sign veteran S D.J. Swearinger

March 23 ( UPI ) -- Free agent safety D.J .
Swearinger will return to the New Orleans Saints in 2020 .
Sources told NFL Network , the Houston Chronicle and ESPN that New Orleans agreed to a one-year contract with the seven-year veteran on Sunday .
The pact is worth $ 1.1 million .
Swearinger , 28 , played for the Arizona Cardinals and Oakland Raiders in 2019 before joining the Saints in December .
The second-round pick by the Houston Texans in the 2013 NFL Draft had 50 total tackles and three passes defensed in nine games last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 passes defensed , four interceptions , three forced fumbles , a fumble recovery and a a sack in 15 starts during his 2018 campaign with the Washington Redskins .
Swearinger had a career-high 79 tackles , 10 passes defensed , four interceptions and a forced fumble in 16 starts for the Redskins in 2017 .
Swearinger played the first two seasons of his career for the Texans before being waived in 2015 .
He played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals in 2015 before appearing in 16 games for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next two seasons for the Redskins before being waived in 2018 .
He began the 2019 season with the Cardinals before being waived in September .
Swearinger then played for the Raiders before being waived for a second time .
He appeared in one game for the Saints before landing on injured reserve .

Veteran safety D.J. Swearinger appeared in one game last season for the New Orleans Saints. File Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo
March 23 (UPI) -- Free agent safety D.J. Swearinger will return to the New Orleans Saints in 2020. Sources told NFL Network, the Houston Chronicle and ESPN that New Orleans agreed to a one-year contract with the seven-year veteran on Sunday. The pact is worth $1.1 million. Advertisement
Swearinger, 28, played for the Arizona Cardinals and Oakland Raiders in 2019 before joining the Saints in December.
The second-round pick by the Houston Texans in the 2013 NFL Draft had 50 total tackles and three passes defensed in nine games last season. He had 53 tackles, 10 passes defensed, four interceptions, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a a sack in 15 starts during his 2018 campaign with the Washington Redskins.
Swearinger had a career-high 79 tackles, 10 passes defensed, four interceptions and a forced fumble in 16 starts for the Redskins in 2017.
Swearinger played the first two seasons of his career for the Texans before being waived in 2015. He played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals in 2015 before appearing in 16 games for the Cardinals in 2016. Swearinger played the next two seasons for the Redskins before being waived in 2018.
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He began the 2019 season with the Cardinals before being waived in September. Swearinger then played for the Raiders before being waived for a second time. He appeared in one game for the Saints before landing on injured reserve.


upi--2020-03-23--New vibrating vest warns pilots who can’t see in fog, other hazards

ORLANDO , Fla. , March 24 ( UPI ) -- Researchers with the U.S. Army and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida have developed a vest that vibrates to warn disoriented pilots and help prevent aviation accidents .
Although Embry-Riddle received $ 203,000 in grant money to test the vest , faculty members said they believed the main benefit was enhanced learning with new technology .
`` The human sense of balance and location are n't designed to comprehend and adapt to the conditions pilots encounter in airspace .
It 's dangerous , and this vest is a good countermeasure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Embry-Riddle .
French also is research director at the Daytona Beach campus for the school 's Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology , which focuses on how humans interact with technology .
The vest has been used in limited military applications in the United States and Australia .
After rounds of testing , researchers now seek interest in commercial production .
According to the Federal Aviation Administration , at least 10 percent of aviation accidents are due to pilot spatial disorientation .
Ninety percent of those are fatal , and the proportion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ craft .
Helicopters and airplanes have many warning lights , audio alerts and even tactile alerts like the vibrations in the vest that 's been tested at Embry-Riddle .
But the number of alerts can be overwhelming , French said , while the trouble is actually physiological -- located in the inner ear , or vestibular system .
The vest has a series of vibrating points up and down and around the torso called a Tactile Situation Awareness System .
If the aircraft 's systems detect a roll to the left , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an increasing number of vibration points for harder rolls .
Such an instant cue gives a pilot -- even a sleepy or impaired pilot -- a chance to respond quickly .
French said pilots react more slowly to warning lights or sounds than to tactile alerts by up to 30 seconds .
The inventor of the vest , physiologist Angus Rupert , began work on early concepts in 1989 .
At that time , he said , `` people looked at spatial disorientation as a weakness of the pilot . ''
He has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the years , but he never sought a patent .
`` I never patented it .
In fact , I published it widely to prevent anyone from patenting it , in the hope that it would be accepted by the aviation community , '' Rupert said .
He said he 's more hopeful than ever that the vest will be embraced because of attention given to the crash that killed basketball star Kobe Bryant on Jan. 26 near Los Angeles .
French led an effort to test the vest over the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student pilots could learn within four hours to intuitively respond to the warnings the vest was giving .
Student testing was done at Embry-Riddle using simulators , virtual reality and actual flights .
The official cause of many celebrity pilot deaths , such as John F. Kennedy Jr. 's crash in 1999 near Martha 's Vineyard , Mass.
, has been spatial disorientation .
Foggy conditions like those during the Bryant crash often lead to pilot disorientation , said Randy Waldman , a helicopter flight instructor based in that city .
`` Too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I would welcome any new tools that help pilots overcome disorientation , '' Waldman said .
`` It 's a very spooky feeling .
Your body thinks you 're going up when you 're going down and to the left . ''
One of the students involved in testing the vests , Qian Hong Liu , 23 , of China , said she has learned something new almost every time she 's tried the vest .
She 's also interviewed other flight students after they learn to respond to the vest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ something that will improve aviation safety , '' Liu said .

Angus Rupert, a medical research scientist for the U.S. Army, checks a sensory vest on Braden McGrath, a research professor at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla. Photo courtesy of Embry-Riddle
ORLANDO, Fla., March 23 (UPI) -- Researchers with the U.S. Army and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida have developed a vest that vibrates to warn disoriented pilots and help prevent aviation accidents. Although Embry-Riddle received $203,000 in grant money to test the vest, faculty members said they believed the main benefit was enhanced learning with new technology. Advertisement
"The human sense of balance and location aren't designed to comprehend and adapt to the conditions pilots encounter in airspace. It's dangerous, and this vest is a good countermeasure," said Jonathan French, professor at Embry-Riddle.
French also serves as research director at the Daytona Beach campus for the school's Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology, which focuses on how humans interact with technology.
The vest has been used in limited military applications in the United States and Australia. After rounds of testing, researchers now seek interest in commercial production.
Advertisement
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, at least 10 percent of aviation accidents are due to pilot spatial disorientation. Ninety percent of those are fatal, and the proportion of disorientation crashes is higher for small craft.
Helicopters and airplanes have many warning lights, audio alerts and even tactile alerts like the vibrations in the vest that's been tested at Embry-Riddle. But the number of alerts can be overwhelming, French said, while the trouble is actually physiological -- located in the inner ear, or vestibular system.
The vest has a series of vibrating points up and down and around the torso called a Tactile Situation Awareness System.
If the aircraft's systems detect a roll to the left, the vest vibrates on the left, with an increasing number of vibration points for harder rolls. Such an instant cue gives a pilot -- even a sleepy or impaired pilot -- a chance to respond quickly. French said pilots react more slowly to warning lights or sounds than to tactile alerts by up to 30 seconds.
The inventor of the vest, physiologist Angus Rupert, began work on early concepts in 1989. At that time, he said, "people looked at spatial disorientation as a weakness of the pilot."
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He has worked for military research institutes and NASA over the years, but he never sought a patent.
"I never patented it. In fact, I published it widely to prevent anyone from patenting it, in the hope that it would be accepted by the aviation community," Rupert said. He said he's more hopeful than ever that the vest will be embraced because of attention given to the crash that killed basketball star Kobe Bryant on Jan. 26 near Los Angeles.
French led an effort to test the vest over the past year at Embry-Riddle, which showed that student pilots could learn within four hours to intuitively respond to the warnings the vest was giving. Student testing was done at Embry-Riddle using simulators, virtual reality and actual flights.
The official cause of many celebrity pilot deaths, such as John F. Kennedy Jr.'s crash in 1999 near Martha's Vineyard, Mass., has been spatial disorientation.
Foggy conditions like those during the Bryant crash often lead to pilot disorientation, said Randy Waldman, a helicopter flight instructor based in that city.
"Too many accidents like that happen every year. I would welcome any new tools that help pilots overcome disorientation," Waldman said. "It's a very spooky feeling. Your body thinks you're going up when you're going down and to the left."
Advertisement
One of the students involved in testing the vests, Qian Hong Liu, 23, of China, said she has learned something new almost every time she's tried the vest. She's also interviewed other flight students after they learn to respond to the vest.
"I'm happy to be doing something that will improve aviation safety," Liu said.


upi--2020-03-23--Mike Pompeo makes unannounced visit to Afghanistan to aid peace process

March 23 ( UPI ) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan Monday in a bid to break a political dispute gripping the government in Kabul and stalling peace talks with the Taliban .
Pompeo arrived in Kabul and was to hold separate and combined talks with President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah , a candidiate for president last year who has disputed the results of election .
Their disagreement has hampered the Kabul government and fanned fears that the window to implement a historic peace deal between the United States and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trip is the first venture abroad for Pompeo since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease .
The political crisis in Kabul has prevented the government from appointing a negotiating team to begin intra-Afghan peace talks with the Taliban -- a primary objective of the Qatar agreement .
U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad last week urged the two sides to come to a political agreement , as did NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg .
Ghani has balked at part of the deal that requires releasing 5,000 Taliban prisoners in exchange for 1,000 government security officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to happen by March 10 , but was delayed after the Afghan government proposed freeing 1,500 prisoners in increments , and then only after the talks had begun .
The Taliban rejected the proposal , which prompted Kabul to suspend the entire process .
Hopes that a prisoner exchange could be accomplished were rekindled over the weekend when Khalilzad said the United States and Qatar had `` facilitated the first Afghan government to Taliban technical talks on prisoner releases , via Skype video conferencing . ''
Meanwhile , the Tailban has resumed its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack Friday at a security checkpoint killed more than two dozen soldiers and police officers in Zabul province .
Investigators said it 's believed several members of the Afghan security forces aided in the attack .

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U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani meet in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Monday. Photo courtesy of Sediq Sediqqi/Afghan government
March 23 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday that the United States will immediately cut $1 billion in assistance to Afghanistan and threatened a further $1 billion reduction next year as the country's political rivals have failed to form a new government. Pompeo made the announcement in a statement after he made an unannounced visit to Kabul to hold separate and combined talks with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, a candidate for president last year who has disputed the results of the election. Advertisement
In the statement, Pompeo said he "deeply regrets" that the political rivals have informed him of their inability to agree to an inclusive government that would break a political dispute that has gripped the government and stalled peace talks with the Taliban.
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"The United States is disappointed in them and what their conduct means for Afghanistan and our shared interests," Pompeo said. "Their failure has harmed U.S.-Afghan relations and, sadly, dishonors those Afghan, Americans and coalition partners who have sacrificed their lives and treasure in the struggle to build a new future for this country."
As the failure directly threatens U.S. national interests, the Trump administration will be slashing assistance to Afghanistan and initiating a review of all U.S. programs and projects to find areas for additional reductions, he said.
"Should Afghan leaders choose to form an inclusive government that can provide security and participate in the peace process, the United States is prepared to support these efforts and revisit the reviews initiated today," he said.
Pompeo later told reporters that neither Ghani nor Abdullah have been able to find a compromise but now "we're hopeful they'll get their act together."
Asked what the Afghan leaders' reaction to the cuts were, Pompeo said, "their reaction was they understand that we are serious in this."
The disagreement between Ghani and Abdullah has hampered the Kabul government and fanned fears that the window to implement a historic peace deal between the United States and the Taliban is quickly closing.
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According to Ghani's spokesman, Sediq Sediqqi, Ghani and Pompeo discussed the Afghan peace process and its next steps as well as the regional consensus on Afghan peace and current and political security issues.
Abdullah said he and Pompeo talked "about the critical significance of the Afghan peace process as well as the need to resolve the current political crisis rooted in the recent election."
The trip is the first venture abroad for Pompeo since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease.
The political crisis in Kabul has prevented the government from appointing a negotiating team to begin intra-Afghan peace talks with the Taliban -- a primary objective of the Qatar agreement.
"We are in a crisis," a State Department official told NBC News. "The fear is that unless this crisis gets resolved and resolved soon, that could affect the peace process, which was an opportunity for this country that [has] stood in this 40-years-long war."
U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad last week urged the two sides to come to a political agreement, as did NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
Ghani has balked at part of the deal that requires releasing 5,000 Taliban prisoners in exchange for 1,000 government security officers held by the Taliban. It was to happen by March 10, but was delayed after the Afghan government proposed freeing 1,500 prisoners in increments, and then only after the talks had begun.
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The Taliban rejected the proposal, which prompted Kabul to suspend the entire process.
Hopes that a prisoner exchange could be accomplished were rekindled over the weekend when Khalilzad said the United States and Qatar had "facilitated the first Afghan government to Taliban technical talks on prisoner releases, via Skype video conferencing."
Meanwhile, the Taliban have resumed attacks on Afghan government forces.
An attack Friday at a security checkpoint killed more than two dozen soldiers and police officers in Zabul province. Investigators said it's believed several members of the Afghan security forces aided in the attack.


upi--2020-03-23--Las Vegas Raiders agree to one-year deal with WR Nelson Agholor

March 23 ( UPI ) -- The Las Vegas Raiders have agreed to a one-year contract with free agent wide receiver Nelson Agholor .
Sources informed ESPN and NFL Network of the contract Saturday .
Agholor , 26 , spent the first five seasons of his career playing for the Philadelphia Eagles .
The 6-foot , 198-pound wide receiver had 363 yards and three touchdowns on 39 catches in 11 starts last season .
Agholor had a career-high 768 yards and eight scores on 62 receptions in 16 games during his 2017 campaign , helping the Eagles on their way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has 2,515 yards and 18 scores in 71 career appearances .
Agholor missed five games in 2019 due to a knee injury .
The No .
20 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft is one of several players who has agreed to join the Raiders this off-season .
Las Vegas also agreed to a contract with tight end Nick O'Leary Saturday and previously agreed to a deal with former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten .
The team now has several veteran tight ends on the roster to back up starter Darren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Hunter Renfrow as one of the Raiders ' top wide receivers in 2020 .

Nelson Agholor had a career-high eight touchdowns in 2017, helping the Philadelphia Eagles reach the Super Bowl. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo
March 23 (UPI) -- The Las Vegas Raiders have agreed to a one-year contract with free agent wide receiver Nelson Agholor. Sources informed ESPN and NFL Network of the contract Saturday. Agholor, 26, spent the first five seasons of his career playing for the Philadelphia Eagles. Advertisement
The 6-foot, 198-pound wide receiver had 363 yards and three touchdowns on 39 catches in 11 starts last season. Agholor had a career-high 768 yards and eight scores on 62 receptions in 16 games during his 2017 campaign, helping the Eagles on their way to their Super Bowl championship. He has 2,515 yards and 18 scores in 71 career appearances.
Agholor missed five games in 2019 due to a knee injury.
The No. 20 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft is one of several players who has agreed to join the Raiders this off-season. Las Vegas also agreed to a contract with tight end Nick O'Leary Saturday and previously agreed to a deal with former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten. The team now has several veteran tight ends on the roster to back up starter Darren Waller.
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Agholor will join Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow as one of the Raiders' top wide receivers in 2020.


upi--2020-03-23--New York Stock Exchange moves to all-electronic trading for first time in history

March 23 ( UPI ) -- For the first time in history on Wall Street , there wo n't be any waving or shouting or bustling among traders on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange at the opening bell Monday .
Instead , things will be mostly quiet as stockbrokers begin their first day of electronic trading .
As a result of the global coronavirus outbreak , the exchange decided to end physical trading on the floor -- an activity that usually involves large gatherings there .
Traders and managers will begin working remotely until further notice .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York City and one in Northern California -- the equities trading floor and American Options trading floor in Manhattan , and the Arca Options trading floor in San Francisco .
Monday 's move to telecommuting is the first time the stock exchange will close the trading floor since it began operating at its current location in 1903 .
The floor has closed before , during times of war and severe weather , but the stock markets themselves were also closed for business on those occasions .
NYSE President Stacey Cunningham made the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floor after two workers tested positive for the coronavirus disease .
`` NYSE trading floors provide unique value to issuers and investors , but our markets are fully capable of operating in an all-electronic fashion , '' she said .
`` And we will proceed in that manner until we can reopen our trading floors to our members .
`` While we are taking [ this ] precautionary step ... we continue to firmly believe the markets should remain open and accessible to investors .
All NYSE markets will continue to operate under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trading floors . ''
The three major U.S. indices that trade at the NYSE have seen wild , virus-related volatility in recent weeks .
The Dow Jones Industrial average , which has been on a steady upswing for years , has erased all of the gains it 's made since President Donald Trump took office -- one of the primary pillars of his re-election campaign .
The Securities and Exchange Commission published rules over the weekend to allow the NYSE to move to electronic trading .
`` The nation 's capital markets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implemented their business continuity plans , '' it said .
`` NYSE will move to fully electronic trading on Monday .
Normal market hours will apply . ''
The emergency circuit breakers that cut power to trading infrastructure , installed after the `` Black Monday '' crash in 1987 to halt trading if losses become too steep , will continue to operate normally , officials said .
NYSE Group Chief Operating Officer Michael Blaugrund said the market 's resilience has been impressive , but operating remotely has been frustrating .
`` To be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and dealing with strategic questions that are this significant and having to do it from a distance is maddening , '' he said .
Analyst Tim Anderson of Equity Market Strategist at TJM Investments said he expects the switch will `` kill the business '' of some floor brokers .
`` Many portfolio managers use price and volume information they get directly from the trading floor to help 'right size ' buy and sell orders , '' he said .
The SEC 's rule changes are temporary .
They will last until May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sooner .
Amid the wild trading days on Wall Street recently , there have been some calls to close the markets .
Cunningham and leaders of the Nasdaq and global markets firm CME have opposed the idea .
The move to remote trading is not related to an order Friday by New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo for all nonessential workers to remain home as a measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus , as financial services workers are formally considered `` essential '' by the state of New York .
Nonetheless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuomo 's decisions is the same .
`` The NYSE has robust , regularly tested contingency plans in place to initiate fully electronic trading on its exchanges , '' the NYSE said in a statement .
`` However , floor broker order types will be unavailable .
On the NYSE 's options markets , electronic trading will continue normally but open-outcry trading will be suspended with the closure of the options trading floors .
`` The decision to temporarily close the trading floors represents a precautionary step to protect the health and well-being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to COVID-19 . ''

Workers sweep the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Friday after the closing bell. Monday was the first day of all-electronic trading, the first time in history the trading floor is closed while the stock market is open. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 23 (UPI) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 582 points on Monday after a coronavirus stimulus package stalled in Congress, as the New York Stock Exchange conducted its first day of electronic-only trading due to the virus. The Dow closed down 3.04 percent on Monday, while the S&P 500 slid 2.93 percent and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.27 percent after Senate Democrats for a second time voted against advancing a more-than $1 trillion stimulus package aimed at helping individuals and businesses weather the economic effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. Advertisement
Stocks fell despite the Federal Reserve permitting unlimited buying of Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities, saying "aggressive efforts" must be taken to "limit the losses to jobs and incomes.
U.S. oil prices also fell after plummeting 30 percent last week as WTI crude fell 1 percent at $22.36 and Brent crude fell 4.5 percent.
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For the first time in history on Wall Street, there wasn't any waving or shouting or bustling among traders on the NYSE floor at the opening bell Monday.
Instead, things were mostly quiet as stockbrokers began their first day of electronic trading.
As a result of the global coronavirus outbreak, the exchange decided to end physical trading on the floor -- an activity that usually involves large gatherings there. Traders and managers will begin working remotely until further notice.
The closure affects two main areas in New York City and one in Northern California -- the equities trading floor and American Options trading floor in Manhattan, and the Arca Options trading floor in San Francisco.
Monday's move to telecommuting was the first time the stock exchange closed the trading floor since it began operating at its current location in 1903. The floor has closed before, during times of war and severe weather, but the stock markets themselves were also closed for business on those occasions.
NYSE President Stacey Cunningham made the decision last week to close the trading floor after two workers tested positive for the coronavirus disease.
"NYSE trading floors provide unique value to issuers and investors, but our markets are fully capable of operating in an all-electronic fashion," she said. "And we will proceed in that manner until we can reopen our trading floors to our members.
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"While we are taking [this] precautionary step ... we continue to firmly believe the markets should remain open and accessible to investors. All NYSE markets will continue to operate under normal trading hours despite the closure of the trading floors."
The three major U.S. indices that trade at the NYSE have seen wild, virus-related volatility in recent weeks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which has been on a steady upswing for years, has erased all of the gains it's made since President Donald Trump took office -- one of the primary pillars of his re-election campaign.
The Securities and Exchange Commission published rules over the weekend to allow the NYSE to move to electronic trading.
"The nation's capital markets have functioned well as market participants have implemented their business continuity plans," it said. "NYSE will move to fully electronic trading on Monday. Normal market hours will apply."
The emergency circuit breakers that cut power to trading infrastructure, installed after the "Black Monday" crash in 1987 to halt trading if losses become too steep, will continue to operate normally, officials said.
NYSE Group Chief Operating Officer Michael Blaugrund said the market's resilience has been impressive, but operating remotely has been frustrating.
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"To be in market conditions that are this extraordinary and dealing with strategic questions that are this significant and having to do it from a distance is maddening," he said.
Analyst Tim Anderson of Equity Market Strategist at TJM Investments said he expects the switch will "kill the business" of some floor brokers.
"Many portfolio managers use price and volume information they get directly from the trading floor to help 'right size' buy and sell orders," he said.
The SEC's rule changes are temporary. They will last until May 15 -- unless the floor can reopen sooner.
Amid the wild trading days on Wall Street recently, there have been some calls to close the markets. Cunningham and leaders of the Nasdaq and global markets firm CME have opposed the idea.
The move to remote trading is not related to an order Friday by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for all nonessential workers to remain home as a measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, as financial services workers are formally considered "essential" by the state of New York. Nonetheless, the reason for Cunningham's and Cuomo's decisions is the same.
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"The NYSE has robust, regularly tested contingency plans in place to initiate fully electronic trading on its exchanges," the NYSE said in a statement. "However, floor broker order types will be unavailable. On the NYSE's options markets, electronic trading will continue normally but open-outcry trading will be suspended with the closure of the options trading floors.
"The decision to temporarily close the trading floors represents a precautionary step to protect the health and well-being of employees and the floor community in response to COVID-19."
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-03-23--Watch: WWE's R-Truth wins the 24/7 Championship from Riddick Moss

March 23 ( UPI ) -- WWE 's R-Truth became the 24/7 Champion once again after he faced off against @ @ @ @ @ match .
Truth ambushed Moss while he was jogging around his neighborhood in a new @ @ @ @ @ Sunday .
Moss first noticed a WWE referee in uniform drive up near him while @ @ @ @ @ quickly suspicious that a challenger for his title was approaching .
Truth then came out @ @ @ @ @ and suddenly pinned Moss to win the 24/7 Championship .
The grappler quickly celebrated before @ @ @ @ @ referee 's car .
The 24/7 Championship was introduced by Hall of Famer Mick Foley @ @ @ @ @ 24-hours a day , seven days a week with a match able to take place @ @ @ @ @ as a referee is present .
Truth has held the title multiple times and has @ @ @ @ @ have taken place on an airplane and during a wedding .

March 23 (UPI) -- WWE's R-Truth became the 24/7 Champion once again after he faced off against Riddick Moss in an impromptu match.
Truth ambushed Moss while he was jogging around his neighborhood in a new video uploaded by WWE on Sunday.
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Moss first noticed a WWE referee in uniform drive up near him while he was jogging and was quickly suspicious that a challenger for his title was approaching.
Truth then came out of the car's trunk and suddenly pinned Moss to win the 24/7 Championship. The grappler quickly celebrated before he drove off in the referee's car.
The 24/7 Championship was introduced by Hall of Famer Mick Foley and has to be defended 24-hours a day, seven days a week with a match able to take place anytime or anywhere as long as a referee is present.
Truth has held the title multiple times and has been involved in matches that have taken place on an airplane and during a wedding.


upi--2020-03-23--Justice Department takes first legal action against COVID-19 fraud

March 23 ( UPI ) -- The Department of Justice has won a temporary restraining order against a website it accuses of engaging in a wire fraud scheme by fraudulently offering vaccines to the coronavirus -- the first such action taken in federal court to combat fraud related to the pandemic .
In a statement on Sunday , the Justice Department said the enforcement action was filed in Austin against the website `` coronavirusmedicalkit.com , '' accusing it of attempting to profit from `` the confusion and widespread fear surrounding COVID-19 . ''
According to prosecutors , the website claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine kits for the cost of a $ 4.95 shipping charge .
No such vaccine has yet been produced , the Justice Department said .
The temporary restraining order , issued by U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman , forces the registrar to immediately block public access to the website while an investigation of the website and its operators is pursued .
`` The Department of Justice will not tolerate criminal exploitation of this national emergency for personal gain , '' said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice 's Civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follows Attorney General William Barr on Friday urging the public to report suspected fraud schemes attempting to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic , which has killed nearly 15,000 people across the globe , including nearly 500 people in the United States , based on a live tally by Johns Hopkins University .
According to the Department of Justice , Barr has directed all U.S. attorneys to prioritize investigating and prosecuting COVID-19 fraud cases .
`` At a time when we face such unprecedented challenges with the COVID-19 crisis , Americans are understandably desperate to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and healthy , '' said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs of the Federal Bureau of Investigation 's San Antonio Field Office .
`` Fraudsters who seek to profit from their fear and uncertainty by selling bogus vaccines or cures , not only steal limited resources from our communities , they pose an even greater danger by spreading misinformation and creating confusion . ''

A website falsely claimed it was selling coronavirus vaccine kits which do not exist yet. Photo by Spc. Michael Schwenk/U.S. Army National Guard/UPI | License Photo
March 23 (UPI) -- The Department of Justice has won a temporary restraining order against a website it accuses of engaging in a wire fraud scheme by fraudulently offering vaccines to the coronavirus -- the first such action taken in federal court to combat fraud related to the pandemic. In a statement on Sunday, the Justice Department said the enforcement action was filed in Austin against the website "coronavirusmedicalkit.com," accusing it of attempting to profit from "the confusion and widespread fear surrounding COVID-19." Advertisement
According to prosecutors, the website claimed to offer access to World Health Organization vaccine kits for the cost of a $4.95 shipping charge. No such vaccine has yet been produced, the Justice Department said.
The temporary restraining order, issued by U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman, forces the registrar to immediately block public access to the website while an investigation of the website and its operators is pursued.
"The Department of Justice will not tolerate criminal exploitation of this national emergency for personal gain," said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice's Civil Division.
News of the enforcement action follows Attorney General William Barr on Friday urging the public to report suspected fraud schemes attempting to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed nearly 15,000 people across the globe, including nearly 500 people in the United States, based on a live tally by Johns Hopkins University.
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According to the Department of Justice, Barr has directed all U.S. attorneys to prioritize investigating and prosecuting COVID-19 fraud cases.
"At a time when we face such unprecedented challenges with the COVID-19 crisis, Americans are understandably desperate to find solutions to keep their families safe and healthy," said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's San Antonio Field Office. "Fraudsters who seek to profit from their fear and uncertainty by selling bogus vaccines or cures, not only steal limited resources from our communities, they pose an even greater danger by spreading misinformation and creating confusion."
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-03-23--New Zealand orders lockdown, countries adopt strict measures to fight COVID-19

March 23 ( UPI ) -- For the fifth day in a row on Monday , China reported no new local infections of COVID-19 in Hubei province , the former epicenter of the global outbreak , as New Zealand , Australia , India and the United Arab Emirates institute strict measures to combat the growing pandemic .
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday that in 48 hours the country will go under lockdown for a month in order to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus and prevent the deaths of thousands of New Zealanders .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 over Sunday , the majority of them connected with travelers .
However , doctors have been unable to track down how two of the new patients contracted the virus , suggesting it is now spreading among the community .
Ardern said in response the country has raised its COVID-19 alert system implemented on Saturday to Level 3 -- Restrict and then in 48 hours it will rise to Level 4 -- Eliminate , placing the most significant restrictions on its public in modern history .
`` If community transmission takes off in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will double every five days , '' she said in a televised address .
`` If that happens unchecked , our health system will be inundated and thousands of New Zealanders will die . ''
In the next two days , all non-essential businesses must close , all events and gatherings must be canceled and schools must shut their doors to all but the children of essential workers .
Under Level 4 , everyone will be ordered to stay home for a month with exceptions for doctors , nurses , ambulance drivers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` This is not a decision taken lightly , '' she said , `` but it is our best chance to slow the virus and to save lives . ''
Bars , museums , movie theaters and other places where people congregate must close immediately while restaurants and take-out services must cease operating by Wednesday , she said , adding , companies must implement `` alternative ways of working '' as people will be barred to only working at home to limit public interaction .
The announcement came as pubs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cinemas , casinos and other such places of congregation closed mid-day Monday in Australia .
The new measures are to be re-evaluated on a monthly basis , Prime Minister Scott Morrison 's office said in a release , but `` Australians should expect these measures to be in place for at least six months . ''
Schools will remain open until the end of the current term with commitments to re-open at the end of the break , subject to the advice of health officials , it said .
Prime Minister Scott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a test for all Australians .
`` The more Australians work together , the more we share the sacrifice and the burden , the more we do the right thing , the more lives and the more livelihoods we 'll save , '' he said .
`` And when the virus passes -- and it will -- we will be stronger on the other side . ''
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Monday afternoon announced that the semiautonomous region would be prohibiting all foreign tourists arrivals .
The ban will last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it is in force for all non-Hong Kong residents , and those coming from mainland China , Macau and Taiwan will be subjected to a 14-day compulsory quarantine .
She also said the government plans to legislate an amendment to prohibit the some 8,600 bars and restaurants with a liquor license from selling alcohol to prevent social transmission of the virus .
In India , a curfew that went into effect on Sunday has been extended until March 31 , affecting 75 districts , including the capital New Dehli , where only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the official Press Information Bureau of India .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned Monday that he has asked state governments to enforce the lockdown .
`` Many people are still not taking the lockdown seriously , '' he said in a tweet .
`` Please , save yourself , save your family , follow the instructions seriously . ''
Modi heralded Sunday 's dawn-to-dusk curfew as having shown that they were capable of beating the coronavirus while urging people to remain in their homes .
In the UAE , the government on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It also ordered the suspension of all inbound and outbound passenger flights and for commercial centers , shopping malls and markets to close for at least two weeks .
The government warned that its law on communicable diseases , which includes jail time and fines , will be enforced , the official Emirates News Agency reported .
The tightened restrictions came as the global death toll continued to climb , reaching 14,706 by Monday morning and the number of infections nearing 400,000 , according to a live tally by Johns Hopkins University .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak , the National Health Commission reported nine deaths and 39 new infections over the previous 24 hours , increasing its totals to 81,093 infections and 3,270 deaths to the disease .
Among the figures , Hubei -- home to Wuhan city where the coronavirus emerged in December -- has registered 3,153 deaths and nearly 68,000 infections , but the last patient to contract the disease in the province was on Tuesday .
The newly reported infections were all imported from overseas , as have been all but one infection recorded since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to data from China 's National Health Commission .

A group of Chinese film students, not wearing face masks, visit a tourist area as the threat of the deadly coronavirus fades in Beijing on Sunday. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
March 23 (UPI) -- China reported no new local infections of COVID-19 in the original epicenter of Hubei province for a fifth consecutive day Monday as the World Health Organization warned its spread was accelerating elsewhere. Chinese health officials said Hubei reported no new cases of confirmed or suspected infections and nine deaths on Sunday. The area has sustained 67,800 cases and more than 3,100 deaths since the crisis began. Advertisement
Overall in the country, the National Health Commission reported 39 new infections over the previous 24 hours and nine deaths, increasing its totals to 81,093 infections and 3,270 deaths to the disease.
Although China continued to report a slowdown, the coronavirus is stepping up its spread in other parts of the world, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in his daily briefing from Geneva, Switzerland.
"The pandemic is accelerating," he said. "It took 67 days from the first reported case to reach the first 100,000 cases, 11 days for the second 100,000 cases, and just four days for the third 100,000 cases. You can see how the virus is accelerating."
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A running tally kept by Johns Hopkins University showed more than 362,000 confirmed cases worldwide as of early Monday afternoon, with more than 15,400 deaths and nearly 100,500 recoveries.
But Ghebreyesus said the world was not a "prisoner to statistics" or "helpless bystanders."
"We can change the trajectory of this pandemic," he said, but only if every developed nation goes on the offensive in a coordinated manner by increasing testing and tracing and quarantining every suspected contact.
Because some nations are struggling more than others to do so, Ghebreyesus called on the G-20 group of developed nations to work "as one" in a coordinated international effort to provide much-needed medical equipment on a global basis.
"This week I will be asking the G-20 nations to work together to increase production, avoid export bans and ensure equity of distribution on the basis of need," he said.
Meanwhile, New Zealand, Australia, India and the United Arab Emirates instituted strict measures Monday to combat the growing pandemic.
Australia/New Zealand
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday that in 48 hours the country will go under lockdown for a month in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
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The archipelago nation reported 36 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, the majority of them connected with travelers. However, doctors have been unable to track down how two of the new patients contracted the virus, suggesting it is now spreading among the community.
Ardern said in response the country has raised its COVID-19 alert system implemented on Saturday to Level 3 -- Restrict. In 48 hours, it will rise to Level 4 -- Eliminate, placing the most significant restrictions on its public in modern history.
"If community transmission takes off in New Zealand, the number of cases will double every five days," she said in a televised address. "If that happens unchecked, our health system will be inundated, and thousands of New Zealanders will die."
In the next two days, all non-essential businesses must close, all events and gatherings must be canceled and schools must shut their doors to all but the children of essential workers.
The announcement came as pubs, clubs, gyms, indoor sporting venues, cinemas, casinos and other such places of congregation closed midday Monday in Australia.
The new measures are to be re-evaluated on a monthly basis, Prime Minister Scott Morrison's office said in a release, but "Australians should expect these measures to be in place for at least six months."
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Schools will remain open until the end of the current term with commitments to reopen at the end of the break, subject to the advice of health officials, it said.
Morrison told lawmakers Monday that it will be a test for all Australians.
"The more Australians work together, the more we share the sacrifice and the burden, the more we do the right thing, the more lives and the more livelihoods we'll save," he said. "And when the virus passes -- and it will -- we will be stronger on the other side."
Hong Kong
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Monday afternoon announced that the semi-autonomous region would prohibit all foreign tourist arrivals.
The ban will last 14 days, she said, explaining that it is in force for all non-Hong Kong residents, and those coming from mainland China, Macau and Taiwan will be subjected to a 14-day compulsory quarantine.
She also said the government plans to legislate an amendment to prohibit the some 8,600 bars and restaurants with liquor licenses from selling alcohol to prevent social transmission of the virus.
India
In India, a curfew that went into effect on Sunday has been extended until March 31, affecting 75 districts, including the capital New Delhi, where only essential services will operate, according to the official Press Information Bureau of India.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned Monday that he has asked state governments to enforce the lockdown.
"Many people are still not taking the lockdown seriously," he said in a tweet. "Please, save yourself, save your family, follow the instructions seriously."
Modi heralded Sunday's dawn-to-dusk curfew as having shown that they were capable of beating the coronavirus while urging people to remain in their homes.
United Arab Emirates
In the UAE, the government on Monday ordered its residents to stay home. It also ordered the suspension of all inbound and outbound passenger flights and for commercial centers, shopping malls and markets to close for at least two weeks.
The government warned that its law on communicable diseases, which includes jail time and fines, will be enforced, the official Emirates News Agency reported.
Scenes from a pandemic: World copes with COVID-19


upi--2020-03-23--On This Day, March 23: Obama signs ACA into law

March 23 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1775 , in a speech supporting the arming of the Virginia militia , Patrick Henry declared , `` Give me liberty or give me death . ''
In 1909 , Theodore Roosevelt began his post-presidency , embarking on the Smithsonian-Roosevelt African Expedition , part specimen collection , part hunting trip .
In 1933 , the Enabling Act was passed by the German government , giving Chancellor Adolf Hitler the ability to enact laws unilaterally .
Opening a session of the Reichstag , Hitler threatened to `` destroy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' while at the same time stressing `` we are sincere friends of peace and shall heal the wounds from which all are suffering . ''
In 1965 , astronauts Gus Grissom and John Young were launched in Gemini 3 , the first U.S. two-man crew in space .
Along for the ride , a corned beef sandwich snuck aboard the Gemini 3 probe by astronaut John Young .
In 1966 , Pope Paul VI met Britain 's Archbishop of Canterbury at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican , the first meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Anglican churches in 400 years .
In 1983 , the world 's first recipient of a permanent artificial heart , Barney Clark of Seattle , died in a Salt Lake City hospital .
In 1983 , President Ronald Reagan called for the development of an anti-missile defense system to protect the United States from potential nuclear attacks .
The Strategic Defense Initiative was dubbed `` Star Wars '' by some .
In 1985 , the United States completed the secret air evacuation of 800 Ethiopian Jews to Israel .
In 1994 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party was fatally shot during a campaign appearance in Tijuana .
In 1996 , Taiwan elected Lee Teng-hui in the island 's first direct presidential election .
In 1998 , Titanic won 11 Academy Awards , tying the record total won by Ben-Hur in 1959 .
The Lord of the Rings : The Return of the King also won 11 -- in 2004 .
In 2001 , the Russian space station Mir was brought down in the Pacific Ocean near Fiji after more than 15 years in orbit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law .
The landmark legislation was designed to extend health insurance to about 32 million Americans over a 10-year period .
Obama said it would `` set in motion reforms that generations of Americans have fought for and marched for and hungered to see . ''
In 2019 , Italy became the first G7 country to sign on to China 's Belt and Road initiative , a deal experts said was meant to expand the country 's global ambitions into Europe .

1/5
U.S. President Barack Obama signs the Affordable Care Act surrounded by Marcelas Owens (L) of Seattle, Vice President Joe Biden, Vickie Kennedy (behind the president), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid (R), Rep. John Dingell (R, seated) and other Congress members in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on March 23, 2010. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo
March 23 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1775, in a speech supporting the arming of the Virginia militia, Patrick Henry declared, "Give me liberty or give me death." Advertisement
In 1909, Theodore Roosevelt began his post-presidency, embarking on the Smithsonian-Roosevelt African Expedition, part specimen collection, part hunting trip.
In 1933, the Enabling Act was passed by the German government, giving Chancellor Adolf Hitler the ability to enact laws unilaterally. Opening a session of the Reichstag, Hitler threatened to "destroy all those seeking to damage our people," while at the same time stressing "we are sincere friends of peace and shall heal the wounds from which all are suffering."
In 1965, astronauts Gus Grissom and John Young were launched in Gemini 3, the first U.S. two-man crew in space. Along for the ride, a corned beef sandwich snuck aboard the Gemini 3 probe by astronaut John Young.
File Photo courtesy of NASA
In 1966, Pope Paul VI met Britain's Archbishop of Canterbury at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, the first meeting between the heads of the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches in 400 years.
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In 1983, the world's first recipient of a permanent artificial heart, Barney Clark of Seattle, died in a Salt Lake City hospital.
In 1983, President Ronald Reagan called for the development of an anti-missile defense system to protect the United States from potential nuclear attacks. The Strategic Defense Initiative was dubbed "Star Wars" by some.
In 1985, the United States completed the secret air evacuation of 800 Ethiopian Jews to Israel.
In 1994, Mexican presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party was fatally shot during a campaign appearance in Tijuana.
In 1996, Taiwan elected Lee Teng-hui in the island's first direct presidential election.
File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI
In 1998, Titanic won 11 Academy Awards, tying the record total won by Ben-Hur in 1959. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King also won 11 -- in 2004.
In 2001, the Russian space station Mir was brought down in the Pacific Ocean near Fiji after more than 15 years in orbit.
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In 2010, U.S. President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law. The landmark legislation was designed to extend health insurance to about 32 million Americans over a 10-year period. Obama said it would "set in motion reforms that generations of Americans have fought for and marched for and hungered to see."
In 2019, Italy became the first G7 country to sign on to China's Belt and Road initiative, a deal experts said was meant to expand the country's global ambitions into Europe.


upi--2020-03-23--Famous birthdays for March 23: Princess Eugenie, Keri Russell

March 23 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Aries .
-- Roger @ @ @ @ @ to run the mile in under 4 minutes , in 1929 -- Former ExxonMobil CEO/Secretary @ @ @ @ @ 1952 ( age 68 )

Britain's Princess Eugenie (R) and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, exit St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle after their wedding ceremony in Windsor on October 12, 2018. Eugenie turns 30 on March 23. File Photo by Neil Hall/EPA-EFE
March 23 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Aries. They include: Advertisement
-- Culinary expert Fannie Farmer in 1857
-- Psychoanalyst Erich Fromm in 1900
-- Actor Joan Crawford in 1905
Actress Joan Crawford, one the last of Hollywood’s glamour queens whose career stretched back to the golden days of silent films, is shown in a 1945 scene in the movie “Mildred Pierce,” for which she won a “best actress” Academy Award. (UPI Photo/Files)
-- Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa in 1910
-- Roger Bannister, the first person to run the mile in under 4 minutes, in 1929
-- Land speed racing pioneer Craig Breedlove in 1937 (age 83)
-- Former Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson Jr. in 1938
-- Musician Ric Ocasek in 1949
-- Musician Chaka Khan in 1953 (age 67)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Television analyst/former NFL player Ron Jaworski in 1951 (age 69)
-- Author Kim Stanley Robinson in 1952 (age 68)
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-- Former ExxonMobil CEO/Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in 1952 (age 68)
-- Actor Amanda Plummer in 1957 (age 63)
-- Musician Damon Albarn in 1968 (age 52)
-- Basketball Hall of Fame member Jason Kidd in 1973 (age 47)
-- Actor Keri Russell in 1976 (age 44)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Actor Michelle Monaghan in 1976 (age 44)
-- Gossip blogger Perez Hilton, born Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., in 1978 (age 42)
-- Country singer Brett Eldredge in 1986 (age 34)
-- Princess Eugenie of York in 1990 (age 30)
-- Basketball player Kyrie Irving in 1992 (age 28)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI