upi--2020-04-29--SpaceX develops new sunshade to make Starlink satellites less visible from Earth

April 29 ( UPI ) -- SpaceX plans to launch a Starlink satellite in May with a sunshade to make it less visible from Earth and mitigate interruptions to astronomical observations , company founder Elon Musk told a group of scientists .
The effort to make the satellites less visible is intended to placate astronomers , who have noted that Starlink 's brightness can interrupt scientific observations of planets , stars and space phenomena .
If the company 's so-called VisorSat is successful , it could become a regular component on Starlink spacecraft .
`` I was pleased to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Constance Walker , an astronomer with the National Optical Astronomy Observatory , based in Tucson , Ariz. '' It just underlined their commitment to finding solutions to minimizing the brightness to something that the astronomical field can deal with , '' Walker said of his comments to scientists .
SpaceX faced protests from astronomers and other stargazers who have seen its satellites shining brightly in the night sky .
Astronomy groups posted images showing how the satellites marred photos and interrupted observations of space objects .
Musk 's address came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Academies of Sciences , Engineering and Medicine .
SpaceX did not respond to requests for more information about the VisorSat .
A launch in January carried one spacecraft , a so-called `` Dark Sat , '' which had an experimental coating to make it less reflective and less visible to stargazers .
The company later reported that the non-reflective coating made the satellite dimmer , but the sunshade experiment was expected to be more effective .
Starlink spacecraft are so bright at times that they can obliterate an image or leave lasting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walker , who heads a panel with the International Astronomical Union to protect observatories .
`` The number of satellites , the types of surfaces they have , their sizes , where they are in height and what orientation they are in all make a difference , '' Walker said .
`` It is hoped with the VisorSat that the brightness will be reduced by a factor of 10 .
It would not remove the streaking , but the residual [ brightness ] could be minimized . ''
SpaceX has 420 Starlink communications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest constellation in history .
The latest launch came April 22 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida .
The space firm previously launched 60 Starlink satellites at a time in May , November , on Jan. 6 and 29 , Feb. 17 , and March 18 , with two test satellites sent aloft before that .
The biggest concern for astronomy is ensuring clear images from large survey telescopes charged with monitoring the skies -- including surveys for asteroids that could collide with Earth and end life on the planet , said Yan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Central Florida .
`` We 're already living in an era when it 's tough to get enough funding to do research , and having any additional problems could impede efforts to protect the planet , '' Fernandez said .
He said he hopes SpaceX and other satellite companies move quickly to address brightness concerns , because a number of firms plan to launch thousands of communication satellites in coming years for faster global Internet access .
Musk previously said that the sunshades would be made of `` a special dark foam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as not to affect the phased array antennas , '' and he compared them to car windshield visors .
A solution to brightness problems would `` be to the mutual benefit of the astronomical community and satellite companies , '' Walker said .
`` Hopefully other satellite companies will take a cue from SpaceX , '' she said .

Starlink satellites, shown in this image from SpaceX, sometimes reflect sunlight that interferes with astronomical observations on Earth. File photo by SpaceX
April 29 (UPI) -- SpaceX plans to launch a Starlink satellite in May with a sunshade to make it less visible from Earth and mitigate interruptions to astronomical observations, company founder Elon Musk told a group of scientists. The effort to make the satellites less visible is intended to placate astronomers, who have noted that Starlink's brightness can interrupt scientific observations of planets, stars and space phenomena. Advertisement
If the company's so-called VisorSat is successful, it could become a regular component on Starlink spacecraft.
"I was pleased to see Elon himself make the presentation to us," said Constance Walker, an astronomer with the National Optical Astronomy Observatory, based in Tucson, Ariz.
"It just underlined their commitment to finding solutions to minimizing the brightness to something that the astronomical field can deal with," Walker said of his comments to scientists.
SpaceX faced protests from astronomers and other stargazers who have seen its satellites shining brightly in the night sky. Astronomy groups posted images showing how the satellites marred photos and interrupted observations of space objects.
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Musk's address came during a teleconference Monday organized by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. SpaceX did not respond to requests for more information about the VisorSat.
A launch in January carried one spacecraft, a so-called "Dark Sat," which had an experimental coating to make it less reflective and less visible to stargazers. The company later reported that the non-reflective coating made the satellite dimmer, but the sunshade experiment was expected to be more effective.
Starlink spacecraft are so bright at times that they can obliterate an image or leave lasting echoes and streaks on images, said Walker, who heads a panel with the International Astronomical Union to protect observatories.
"The number of satellites, the types of surfaces they have, their sizes, where they are in height and what orientation they are in all make a difference," Walker said. "It is hoped with the VisorSat that the brightness will be reduced by a factor of 10. It would not remove the streaking, but the residual [brightness] could be minimized."
SpaceX has 420 Starlink communications satellites in orbit, which is the largest constellation in history. The latest launch came April 22 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The space firm previously launched 60 Starlink satellites at a time in May, November, on Jan. 6 and 29, Feb. 17, and March 18, with two test satellites sent aloft before that.
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The biggest concern for astronomy is ensuring clear images from large survey telescopes charged with monitoring the skies -- including surveys for asteroids that could collide with Earth and end life on the planet, said Yan Fernandez, an astronomer at the University of Central Florida.
"We're already living in an era when it's tough to get enough funding to do research, and having any additional problems could impede efforts to protect the planet," Fernandez said.
He said he hopes SpaceX and other satellite companies move quickly to address brightness concerns, because a number of firms plan to launch thousands of communication satellites in coming years for faster global Internet access.
Musk previously said that the sunshades would be made of "a special dark foam that's extremely radio transparent, so as not to affect the phased array antennas," and he compared them to car windshield visors.
A solution to brightness problems would "be to the mutual benefit of the astronomical community and satellite companies," Walker said.
"Hopefully other satellite companies will take a cue from SpaceX," she said.


upi--2020-04-29--Markets for corn evaporate during coronavirus pandemic

EVANSVILLE , Ind.
, April 29 ( UPI ) -- The market for corn has evaporated during the coronavirus pandemic , and farmers worry they 'll be unable to sell this year 's harvest .
More than two-thirds of the corn grown in the United States goes either to feed livestock or make ethanol , according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture .
Both those industries are taking severe hits during the pandemic .
`` The first thing that knocked the corn market down was the collapse of ethanol , '' said Blake Hurst , a corn grower who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` People just are n't driving as much , '' he said .
`` Now , we 're seeing concerns in the market because we 're losing packing plants .
Farmers are euthanizing their animals , so livestock herds are shrinking . ''
Ethanol production has been cut nearly in half since February , according to data released by the Renewable Fuels Association .
Meanwhile , ethanol stocks have hit a record high , climbing to 27.7 million barrels by April 17 , up from 24.1 million barrels a month earlier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's unclear to what extent meat packing plant closures will impact demand for livestock feed -- especially after President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would sign an executive order to make meat processing plants stay open amid the pandemic .
The impact still could be large , though , Hurst said .
More than a dozen slaughterhouses have closed due to workers becoming sick since the start of the pandemic .
Livestock producers who are unable to sell their animals already are killing them .
`` I know there are farmers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Howard AV Roth , president of the National Pork Producers Council , who raises and weans pigs in Wisconsin , told UPI on Thursday .
`` Farmers are aborting sows .
It 's really awful . ''
In addition , corn exports have ground nearly to a halt as port workers around the world stay home to avoid contracting the virus .
`` It is a struggle to ship anything right now , '' said Floyd Gaibler , the director of trade policy and biotechnology for the U.S. Grains Council , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represents the corn , sorghum and barley industries .
That problem exists `` even to our top markets , '' Gaibler said .
`` They are open , but the ports are all backed up . ''
Around 20 percent of America 's corn is exported , according to the USDA .
Those markets are essentially on pause , Gaibler said .
The combined market disruptions are pushing corn prices down rapidly .
Corn was trading at close to $ 3 per bushel Tuesday , down from close to $ 4 in January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But despite plummeting price and disappearing markets , farmers this year intend to plant a large corn crop , according to USDA surveys .
This is in part because planting decisions are made -- and supplies purchased -- around the start of the year .
Farmers may make some last-minute changes to their planting plans , but probably not a lot , the farm bureau 's Hurst said .
With markets shrinking fast , farmers might enter their fall harvest with high stocks of stored corn .
`` We 're just at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , '' said Andrew Novakovic , a professor of agricultural economics at Cornell University .
`` Farmers have indicated they intend to plant a lot of corn this year .
If that ends up being true , we could end up with a large crop this fall on top of a large carry-over . ''

Corn prices are falling fast as the markets for the vegetable disappear during the coronavirus pandemic. Photo by Jessie Higgins/UPI
EVANSVILLE, Ind., April 29 (UPI) -- The market for corn has evaporated during the coronavirus pandemic, and farmers worry they'll be unable to sell this year's harvest. More than two-thirds of the corn grown in the United States goes either to feed livestock or make ethanol, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Both those industries are taking severe hits during the pandemic. Advertisement
"The first thing that knocked the corn market down was the collapse of ethanol," said Blake Hurst, a corn grower who is the president of the Missouri Farm Bureau.
"People just aren't driving as much," he said. "Now, we're seeing concerns in the market because we're losing packing plants. Farmers are euthanizing their animals, so livestock herds are shrinking."
Ethanol production has been cut nearly in half since February, according to data released by the Renewable Fuels Association.
Meanwhile, ethanol stocks have hit a record high, climbing to 27.7 million barrels by April 17, up from 24.1 million barrels a month earlier, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
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It's unclear to what extent meat packing plant closures will impact demand for livestock feed -- especially after President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would sign an executive order to make meat processing plants stay open amid the pandemic.
The impact still could be large, though, Hurst said.
More than a dozen slaughterhouses have closed due to workers becoming sick since the start of the pandemic. Livestock producers who are unable to sell their animals already are killing them.
"I know there are farmers who have had to kill their pigs," Howard AV Roth, president of the National Pork Producers Council, who raises and weans pigs in Wisconsin, told UPI on Thursday. "Farmers are aborting sows. It's really awful."
In addition, corn exports have ground nearly to a halt as port workers around the world stay home to avoid contracting the virus.
"It is a struggle to ship anything right now," said Floyd Gaibler, the director of trade policy and biotechnology for the U.S. Grains Council, a Washington, D.C.-based trade organization that represents the corn, sorghum and barley industries.
Around 20 percent of America's corn is exported, according to the USDA.
The combined market disruptions are pushing corn prices down rapidly. Corn was trading at close to $3 per bushel Tuesday, down from close to $4 in January, according to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
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But despite plummeting price and disappearing markets, farmers this year intend to plant a large corn crop, according to USDA surveys. This is in part because planting decisions are made -- and supplies purchased -- around the start of the year.
Farmers may make some last-minute changes to their planting plans, but probably not a lot, the farm bureau's Hurst said.
With markets shrinking fast, farmers might enter their fall harvest with high stocks of stored corn.
"We're just at the beginning of the planting season right now," said Andrew Novakovic, a professor of agricultural economics at Cornell University.
"Farmers have indicated they intend to plant a lot of corn this year. If that ends up being true, we could end up with a large crop this fall on top of a large carry-over."


upi--2020-04-29--Costs would prevent 1 in 7 in U.S. from seeking COVID-19 treatment

Worries over medical bills would prevent 1 in 7 Americans from seeking treatment if they had possible symptoms of COVID-19 , a new poll finds .
Of more than 1,000 adults surveyed , 6 percent -- representing 15 million Americans -- said that during the coronavirus pandemic , they or a family member had been denied care for another health problem .
Asked if they would seek medical attention for a fever and dry cough -- telltale signs of COVID-19 -- 14 percent said they would not because of cost , according to the results from the nonprofit West Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were infected , 9 percent said they would n't seek treatment -- a finding that suggests insurance coverage shortfalls , lack of money , or poor knowledge of COVID-19 symptoms , the survey sponsors said .
More than 20 percent of adults under age 30 , nonwhites , those with a high school education or less , and those in households with annual incomes under $ 40,000 were most likely to not seek care for suspected COVID-19 symptoms .
`` Millions of Americans , even in the face of a disease that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , would forgo care due to the potential expense and still others may not be clear on the common symptoms of COVID-19 , '' said Tim Lash , chief strategy officer for West Health .
`` While physicians and health care workers are doing courageous and lifesaving work , the pandemic magnifies the longstanding perils and flaws of a high-cost health care system in need of reform , '' Lash added in a West Health news release .
Regarding denial of care for other health problems during the pandemic , rates were 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the West 5 percent in the South and 3 percent in the Midwest .
Those rates likely reflect how hard coronavirus has hit certain regions .
New York state has had the most confirmed cases in the United States , followed by New Jersey , Massachusetts and Pennsylvania .
Race was not strongly associated with denial of care for other health problems , but income was .
Nearly four times more people with household incomes below $ 40,000 said they 'd been denied care ( 11 percent ) , compared with 3 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` These new findings align with previous research by West Health and Gallup on the impact of high health care costs in the U.S. , '' said Dan Witters , a senior researcher for Gallup .
`` Last year , over 13 percent of respondents , representing more than 30 million Americans , reported having a friend or family member who died in the last five years after not being able to afford necessary care , '' he said in the release .
`` Add to that the challenges associated with COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quagmire as many of them turn to a system they ca n't afford or that ca n't accommodate them . ''
The telephone poll of a random sample of 1,017 U.S. adults was conducted between April 1 and 14 .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19 .

St. Louis Metropolitan motorcycle Police Officer Dave Tenorio bumps fists with a health care worker, during a celebration discharge, at St. Luke's Hospital, in Chesterfield, Missouri on Friday. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Worries over medical bills would prevent 1 in 7 Americans from seeking treatment if they had possible symptoms of COVID-19, a new poll finds. Of more than 1,000 adults surveyed, 6 percent -- representing 15 million Americans -- said that during the coronavirus pandemic, they or a family member had been denied care for another health problem. Advertisement
Asked if they would seek medical attention for a fever and dry cough -- telltale signs of COVID-19 -- 14 percent said they would not because of cost, according to the results from the nonprofit West Health and Gallup.
Even if they suspected they were infected, 9 percent said they wouldn't seek treatment -- a finding that suggests insurance coverage shortfalls, lack of money, or poor knowledge of COVID-19 symptoms, the survey sponsors said.
More than 20 percent of adults under age 30, nonwhites, those with a high school education or less, and those in households with annual incomes under $40,000 were most likely to not seek care for suspected COVID-19 symptoms.
"Millions of Americans, even in the face of a disease that has brought a country to its knees, would forgo care due to the potential expense and still others may not be clear on the common symptoms of COVID-19," said Tim Lash, chief strategy officer for West Health.
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"While physicians and health care workers are doing courageous and lifesaving work, the pandemic magnifies the longstanding perils and flaws of a high-cost health care system in need of reform," Lash added in a West Health news release.
Regarding denial of care for other health problems during the pandemic, rates were 11 percent in the Northeast 8 percent in the West 5 percent in the South and 3 percent in the Midwest.
Those rates likely reflect how hard coronavirus has hit certain regions. New York state has had the most confirmed cases in the United States, followed by New Jersey, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.
Race was not strongly associated with denial of care for other health problems, but income was. Nearly four times more people with household incomes below $40,000 said they'd been denied care (11 percent), compared with 3 percent of those with incomes above $100,000.
"These new findings align with previous research by West Health and Gallup on the impact of high health care costs in the U.S.," said Dan Witters, a senior researcher for Gallup.
"Last year, over 13 percent of respondents, representing more than 30 million Americans, reported having a friend or family member who died in the last five years after not being able to afford necessary care," he said in the release. "Add to that the challenges associated with COVID-19, and Americans find themselves in a quagmire as many of them turn to a system they can't afford or that can't accommodate them."
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The telephone poll of a random sample of 1,017 U.S. adults was conducted between April 1 and 14.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-04-29--Rep. Justin Amash launches exploratory committee for third-party presidential bid

April 28 ( UPI ) -- Michigan Rep. Justin Amash announced Tuesday night he has launched a committee to explore running for president as the Libertarian candidate .
`` We 're ready for a presidency that will restore respect for our Constitution and bring people together , '' he said in a tweet announcing the committee 's launch .
`` I 'm excited and honored to be taking these first steps toward serving Americans of every background as president . ''
Accompanying the announcement was a link to his sparse `` Amash for America '' website seeking donations and calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will defend the Constitution , end cronyism and support the limits of government .
The former Republican-turned-independent has been contemplating running for president for months , and a few weeks ago said he was `` closely '' looking at the possibility of putting his hat into the ring .
The spotlight of this 40-year-old conservative politician from Grand Rapids has grown under the Trump presidency , as he was often the only Republican to openly criticize the Commander in Cheif , and was the first of his party to join Democrats calling for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he announced his exit from the Republican Party , railing against `` hyper-partisan '' politics as most Americans `` do not feel well represented by either of the two parties , '' he wrote in a Washington Post Op-ed .
It is unclear how a third-party candidate will affect the already turbulent election campaign that has seen the Democratic Party with nearly 30 candidates announcing intentions to run whittled down to former Vice President Joe Biden as the presumptive nominee after Sen. Bernie Sanders exited the race early this month .
Amash 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of New York Board of Elections canceled the Democratic presidential primary this year due to the coronavirus .
The Libertarian Party is on the ballot of 36 states including Washington , D.C. , according to the party 's website .
Libertarian Party National Chairman Nicholas Sarwark told The New York Times in a telephone interview Tuesday that he had spoken with Amash and though neutral in the race said he was `` happy that he decided to seek the nomination . ''

Michigan Rep. Justin Amash announced Tuesday night he has launched a committee to explore running for president as the Libertarian candidate after exiting the Republican Party to serve as an independent in July. Photo courtesy of U.S. House of Representatives/ Website
April 28 (UPI) -- Michigan Rep. Justin Amash announced Tuesday night he has launched a committee to explore running for president as the Libertarian candidate. "We're ready for a presidency that will restore respect for our Constitution and bring people together," he said in a tweet announcing the committee's launch. "I'm excited and honored to be taking these first steps toward serving Americans of every background as president." Advertisement
Accompanying the announcement was a link to his sparse "Amash for America" website seeking donations and calling for a "principled president" who will defend the Constitution, end cronyism and support the limits of government.
The former Republican-turned-independent has been contemplating running for president for months, and a few weeks ago said he was "closely" looking at the possibility of putting his hat into the ring.
The spotlight of this 40-year-old conservative politician from Grand Rapids has grown under the Trump presidency, as he was often the only Republican to openly criticize the Commander in Cheif, and was the first of his party to join Democrats calling for an impeachment inquiry.
In July, he announced his exit from the Republican Party, railing against "hyper-partisan" politics as most Americans "do not feel well represented by either of the two parties," he wrote in a Washington Post Op-ed.
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It is unclear how a third-party candidate will affect the already turbulent election campaign that has seen the Democratic Party with nearly 30 candidates announcing intentions to run whittled down to former Vice President Joe Biden as the presumptive nominee after Sen. Bernie Sanders exited the race early this month.
Amash's announcement comes a day after the State of New York Board of Elections canceled the Democratic presidential primary this year due to the coronavirus.
The Libertarian Party is on the ballot of 36 states including Washington, D.C., according to the party's website.
Libertarian Party National Chairman Nicholas Sarwark told The New York Times in a telephone interview Tuesday that he had spoken with Amash and though neutral in the race said he was "happy that he decided to seek the nomination."


upi--2020-04-29--U.S. religious freedom watchdog recommends blacklisting India

April 29 ( UPI ) -- Religious freedom in India sharply declined last year under the strengthened leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi , a U.S. religious freedom watchdog said , recommending the United States add it to its list of countries of greatest concern .
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom , which is an independent , bipartisan government commission , released its annual report Tuesday , urging the Trump administration to designate U.S.-ally India as a Country of Particular Concern , putting its name beside the likes of North Korea , China and Iran .
The report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which he gained last May with a landslide victory that secured him another five-year term , to enact the controversial Citizenship ( Amendment ) Act that violates religious freedoms , specifically that of Muslims .
The law expedites citizenship for non-Muslim migrants , exposing Muslims in India to statelessness , deportation or prolonged detention , the report said .
The government 's actions , the report said , `` created a culture of impunity for nationwide campaigns of harassment and violence against religious minorities . ''
`` During 2019 , discriminatory policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against minorities at the national , state and local level increased the climate of fear among non-Hindu communities , '' the report said , adding that this downward trajectory continued into 2020 with mobs attacking Muslim neighborhoods with police failing to stop the assaults , resulting in at least 50 deaths .
Advocacy group the Indian American Muslim Council said it `` welcomed '' the report and its criticism as `` painfully necessary , given the escalating level of persecution of minorities . ''
`` India being categorized as a top violator of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justified , '' IAMC President Ahsan Khan said in a statement .
`` We hope this report , as well as recent concerns expressed by other countries , mark a turning point in the treatment of religious minorities as well as the caste oppressed in India . ''
The report also recommends Nigeria , Russia , Syria and Vietnam to be added to the list of countries of particular concern while moving Uzbekistan and Sudan from the bottom designation to the U.S Department of State 's Special Watch List .
In December , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its watch list following steps the country has taken after the ousting of former dictator President Omar al-Bashir in April 2019 .
The report detailed the lengths the ruling joint civilian-military transitional government has taken , including no longer identifying Islam as the primary source of law and including a provision to ensure the freedom of belief and worship .
`` While much work remains to extend full religious freedom to all Sundanese -- including repealing apostasy and blasphemy laws -- enough positive change has come to the country that ... USCIRF is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of State 's Special Watch List , '' it said .
The commission has also recommended the State Department add 11 countries to the watch list , including Afghanistan , Algeria , Azerbaijan , Bahrain , Central African Republic , Egypt , Indonesia , Iraq , Kazakhstan , Malaysia and Turkey .
Six non-state actors were also recommended to be designated as Entities of Particular Concern , five of which the State Department did so in December .
`` We commend the administration for continuing to prioritize international religious freedom in 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding to protect places of worship and religious sites globally , '' USCIRF Vice Chair Gayle Manchin said in a statement .

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) stands with U.S. President Donald J. Trump after addressing the media in New Delhi, India, on Feb. 25. Photo by Harish Tyagi/EPA-EFE
April 29 (UPI) -- Religious freedom in India sharply declined last year under the strengthened leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a U.S. religious freedom watchdog said, recommending the United States add it to its list of countries of greatest concern. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, which is an independent, bipartisan government commission, released its annual report Tuesday, urging the Trump administration to designate U.S.-ally India as a Country of Particular Concern, putting its name beside the likes of North Korea, China and Iran. Advertisement
The report explained that Modi used his parliamentary majority, which he gained last May with a landslide victory that secured him another five-year term, to enact the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act that violates religious freedoms, specifically that of Muslims.
The law expedites citizenship for non-Muslim migrants, exposing Muslims in India to statelessness, deportation or prolonged detention, the report said.
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The government's actions, the report said, "created a culture of impunity for nationwide campaigns of harassment and violence against religious minorities."
"During 2019, discriminatory policies, inflammatory rhetoric and tolerance for violence against minorities at the national, state and local level increased the climate of fear among non-Hindu communities," the report said, adding that this downward trajectory continued into 2020 with mobs attacking Muslim neighborhoods with police failing to stop the assaults, resulting in at least 50 deaths.
Advocacy group the Indian American Muslim Council said it "welcomed" the report and its criticism as "painfully necessary, given the escalating level of persecution of minorities."
"India being categorized as a top violator of religious freedoms while unfortunate is expected and justified," IAMC President Ahsan Khan said in a statement. "We hope this report, as well as recent concerns expressed by other countries, mark a turning point in the treatment of religious minorities as well as the caste oppressed in India."
The report also recommends Nigeria, Russia, Syria and Vietnam to be added to the list of countries of particular concern while moving Uzbekistan and Sudan from the bottom designation to the U.S Department of State's Special Watch List.
In December, the State Department preemptively downgraded Sudan to its watch list following steps the country has taken after the ousting of former dictator President Omar al-Bashir in April 2019.
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The report detailed the lengths the ruling joint civilian-military transitional government has taken, including no longer identifying Islam as the primary source of law and including a provision to ensure the freedom of belief and worship.
"While much work remains to extend full religious freedom to all Sundanese -- including repealing apostasy and blasphemy laws -- enough positive change has come to the country that ... USCIRF is now recommending Sudan for the U.S. Department of State's Special Watch List," it said.
The commission has also recommended the State Department add 11 countries to the watch list, including Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Central African Republic, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Malaysia and Turkey.
Six non-state actors were also recommended to be designated as Entities of Particular Concern, five of which the State Department did so in December.
"We commend the administration for continuing to prioritize international religious freedom in 2019, including dedicating a significant amount of U.S. funding to protect places of worship and religious sites globally," USCIRF Vice Chair Gayle Manchin said in a statement.


upi--2020-04-28--NFL: Tom Brady's visit to Buccaneers' Byron Leftwich didn't violate rules

April 28 ( UPI ) -- Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady wo n't face any punishment from the NFL after an eventful visit to the home of Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich last week .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media on Tuesday that the NFL did n't view Brady 's trip to meet Leftwich as a breach of off-season work rules .
According to NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy , it was a `` brief personal visit and Tom picked up the playbook . ''
Brady 's meetup with Leftwich generated headlines last week after he accidentally entered the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leftwich 's home .
According to NFL Media , the incident led to multiple teams inquiring if the Buccaneers violated the league 's `` dead period '' before the virtual off-season program , which began for the team on Monday .
Teams that contacted the league were concerned that in-person instruction was taking place , according to ESPN .
The league investigated and determined that no violation occurred .
Due to the coronavirus pandemic , NFL players and non-essential personnel are barred from entering team facilities and holding the league 's originally scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created a virtual off-season program for teams , which began Monday for clubs with returning coaches .
The online program consists of three weeks of classroom instruction and includes virtual workouts and non-football educational programs .
Brady signed a two-year , $ 50 million contract with the Buccaneers last month .
He spent the first 20 seasons of his NFL career with the New England Patriots , winning six Super Bowls .

Former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady signed a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last month. File Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
April 28 (UPI) -- Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady won't face any punishment from the NFL after an eventful visit to the home of Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich last week. League sources told ESPN and NFL Media on Tuesday that the NFL didn't view Brady's trip to meet Leftwich as a breach of off-season work rules. According to NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy, it was a "brief personal visit and Tom picked up the playbook." Advertisement
Brady's meetup with Leftwich generated headlines last week after he accidentally entered the house of Leftwich's neighbor instead of Leftwich's home. According to NFL Media, the incident led to multiple teams inquiring if the Buccaneers violated the league's "dead period" before the virtual off-season program, which began for the team on Monday.
Teams that contacted the league were concerned that in-person instruction was taking place, according to ESPN. The league investigated and determined that no violation occurred.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, NFL players and non-essential personnel are barred from entering team facilities and holding the league's originally scheduled off-season programs. Instead, the NFL created a virtual off-season program for teams, which began Monday for clubs with returning coaches.
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The online program consists of three weeks of classroom instruction and includes virtual workouts and non-football educational programs.
Brady signed a two-year, $50 million contract with the Buccaneers last month. He spent the first 20 seasons of his NFL career with the New England Patriots, winning six Super Bowls.


upi--2020-04-29--Slight rise in New York hospital admissions; NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio defends enforcing rules

April 29 ( UPI ) -- New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday nearly 18,000 New Yorkers have died of the coronavirus so far .
At his daily briefing , Cuomo said the latest daily toll was 330 and is continuing a steady decline , as are other key indicators like ICU admissions and intubations .
New York has seen about 295,000 cases since the start of the pandemic .
New hospitalizations , however , saw a slight uptick .
`` We do n't want to see 1,000 new cases every day , '' he said Wednesday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the low hundreds . ''
The United States has 1 million cases and the national death toll is around 58,500 , according to Johns Hopkins University .
There have been nearly 116,000 recoveries .
Cuomo criticized Republicans in the U.S. Senate for voicing opposition to giving state and local governments more aid in the next relief bill -- particularly Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and Florida Sen. Rick Scott , saying they 're `` playing politics '' while ill Americans are dying .
McConnell 's office has referred to the proposed aid as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You have human suffering , you have people dying , '' Cuomo answered .
`` You ca n't stop the politics even in this moment ?
... You still want to play your politics ?
`` That 's what this is about and that 's why it is so disturbing on a fundamental level . ''
Earlier , New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio defended his decision to use police officers to break up a gathering of hundreds who 'd gathered in Brooklyn to mourn the death of a prominent orthodox Jewish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday night where as many as 2,500 were congregated .
Photos posted online showed hundreds standing close together in violation of social distancing rules .
With de Blasio in attendance , police broke up gathering .
There were no arrests , but New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said a few were cited for various minor offenses .
`` My message to the Jewish community , and all communities , is this simple : the time for warnings has passed , '' de Blasio posted to Twitter .
The post drew some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the Jewish community .
De Blasio acknowledged he was angry when he made the post and said he `` regretted '' if his some found his words offensive .
`` That was not my intention , '' he said .
`` It was said with love , but tough love , anger and frustration . ''
The mayor reiterated , however , that coronavirus restrictions will be enforced .
`` I have no regrets about calling out this danger and saying we 're going to deal with it very , very aggressively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , White House infectious diseases expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said a second wave of the virus is `` inevitable '' and the United States could be in for a `` bad fall and a bad winter '' if rules are ignored and countermeasures truncated .
Fauci , head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , said last weekend the United States could see a substantial resurgence by the virus late this year if states reopen too soon .
The key , he said , is widely expanding testing .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he told CNN .
`` But we need to continue to partner in a very active collaborative way with the states , we need to help them the same way they need to do the execution . ''
In New Jersey , the number of hospitalizations keeps falling .
Fewer were reported Wednesday , according to a state count .
Ventilator usage and the number of patients in critical or intensive care were also down .
Gov .
Phil Murphy has said he 'll use the figures as benchmarks to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions .
In Georgia , health officials reported a 3 percent rise in cases as Gov .
Brian Kemp considers whether to lift a statewide shelter-in-place order .
There have so far been more than 25,000 cases in the state .
Kemp , who allowed some businesses to reopen this week , is expected to decide Wednesday whether to extend his stay-home order , which expires Thursday .
`` Data continues to trend in the right direction , '' he tweeted .
Los Angels Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Wednesday that all city residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing , as previously only residents with symptoms , essential workers and those who work in nursing homes and other institutional settings could be tested .
Same- or next-day testing will still be prioritized for people with symptoms and frontline workers will also receive priority .

The U.S. Navy's "Blue Angels" and U.S. Air Force "Thunderbirds" fly in formation past the Empire State Building in New York City on Tuesday as a tribute to front-line health and emergency workers. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
April 29 (UPI) -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday nearly 18,000 New Yorkers have died of the coronavirus so far. At his daily briefing, Cuomo said the latest daily toll was 330 and is continuing a steady decline, as are other key indicators like ICU admissions and intubations. New York has seen about 295,000 cases since the start of the pandemic. Advertisement
New hospitalizations, however, saw a slight uptick.
"We don't want to see 1,000 new cases every day," he said Wednesday. "We'd like to see that in the low hundreds."
The United States has 1 million cases and the national death toll is around 58,500, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been nearly 116,000 recoveries.
Cuomo criticized Republicans in the U.S. Senate for voicing opposition to giving state and local governments more aid in the next relief bill -- particularly Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and Florida Sen. Rick Scott, saying they're "playing politics" while ill Americans are dying.
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McConnell's office has referred to the proposed aid as "blue state bailouts."
"You have human suffering, you have people dying," Cuomo answered. "You can't stop the politics even in this moment? ... You still want to play your politics?
"That's what this is about and that's why it is so disturbing on a fundamental level."
Earlier, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio defended his decision to use police officers to break up a gathering of hundreds who'd gathered in Brooklyn to mourn the death of a prominent orthodox Jewish rabbi.
Police responded to the neighborhood Tuesday night where as many as 2,500 were congregated. Photos posted online showed hundreds standing close together in violation of social distancing rules. With de Blasio in attendance, police broke up gathering. There were no arrests, but New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said a few were cited for various minor offenses.
"My message to the Jewish community, and all communities, is this simple: the time for warnings has passed," de Blasio posted to Twitter. The post drew some angry responses that accused him of singling out the Jewish community.
De Blasio acknowledged he was angry when he made the post and said he "regretted" if his some found his words offensive.
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"That was not my intention," he said. "It was said with love, but tough love, anger and frustration."
The mayor reiterated, however, that coronavirus restrictions will be enforced.
"I have no regrets about calling out this danger and saying we're going to deal with it very, very aggressively," he said.
Also Wednesday, White House infectious diseases expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said a second wave of the virus is "inevitable" and the United States could be in for a "bad fall and a bad winter" if rules are ignored and countermeasures truncated.
Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said last weekend the United States could see a substantial resurgence by the virus late this year if states reopen too soon. The key, he said, is widely expanding testing.
"We're going in the right direction," he told CNN. "But we need to continue to partner in a very active collaborative way with the states, we need to help them the same way they need to do the execution."
In New Jersey, the number of hospitalizations keeps falling. Fewer were reported Wednesday, according to a state count. Ventilator usage and the number of patients in critical or intensive care were also down.
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Gov. Phil Murphy has said he'll use the figures as benchmarks to help determine when New Jersey will begin lifting restrictions.
In Georgia, health officials reported a 3 percent rise in cases as Gov. Brian Kemp considers whether to lift a statewide shelter-in-place order. There have so far been more than 25,000 cases in the state.
Kemp, who allowed some businesses to reopen this week, is expected to decide Wednesday whether to extend his stay-home order, which expires Thursday.
"Data continues to trend in the right direction," he tweeted.
Los Angels Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Wednesday that all city residents would be able to receive free coronavirus testing, as previously only residents with symptoms, essential workers and those who work in nursing homes and other institutional settings could be tested.
Same- or next-day testing will still be prioritized for people with symptoms and frontline workers will also receive priority.
COVID-19 pandemic alters life in New York City


upi--2020-04-29--Hunter Hayes sent home on latest episode of 'Masked Singer'

April 29 ( UPI ) -- Singer-songwriter Hunter Hayes -- who was dressed as an astronaut -- became the latest @ @ @ @ @ from Season 3 of Fox 's The Masked Singer competition series Wednesday night .
Previous @ @ @ @ @ off the show this season include Bret Michaels , Jordyn Woods , Rob Gronkowski , @ @ @ @ @ , Sarah Palin , Tom Bergeron , Dionne Warwick , Tony Hawk , Chaka Khan @ @ @ @ @ Wayne .
Five costumed performers remain in the competition , which is hosted by Nick @ @ @ @ @ panel is comprised of Ken Jeong , Jenny McCarthy , Robin Thicke and Nicole Scherzinger @ @ @ @ @ happy that you came on our show @ HunterHayes You were truly out of this @ @ @ @ @ wait to see what you do next !
!
!
Much love , '' Scherzinger @ @

Hunter Hayes got the boot on Wednesday's edition of "The Masked Singer." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
April 29 (UPI) -- Singer-songwriter Hunter Hayes -- who was dressed as an astronaut -- became the latest disguised celebrity to be eliminated from Season 3 of Fox's The Masked Singer competition series Wednesday night. Previous stars who have been voted off the show this season include Bret Michaels, Jordyn Woods, Rob Gronkowski, JoJo Siwa, Bella Thorne, Sarah Palin, Tom Bergeron, Dionne Warwick, Tony Hawk, Chaka Khan, Drew Carey and Lil Wayne. Advertisement
Five costumed performers remain in the competition, which is hosted by Nick Cannon.
The judges' panel is comprised of Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, Robin Thicke and Nicole Scherzinger.
"I am so happy that you came on our show @HunterHayes You were truly out of this world and I cannot wait to see what you do next!!! Much love," Scherzinger tweeted.


upi--2020-04-29--Michigan Gov. Whitmer proposes free college for essential workers

April 29 ( UPI ) -- Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday proposed a plan to provide free college tuition to those deemed essential workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
Whitmer said the program , known as Futures for Frontliners , would provide a tuition-free pathway to college or a technical certificate to essential workers without degrees including childcare providers , manufacturers , and healthcare , grocery , public safety , sanitation and delivery workers .
`` The Futures for Frontliners program is our way of saying 'thank you ' to those who have risked their lives on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program will ensure tuition-free college opportunities and give these dedicated Michiganders an opportunity to earn a technical certificate , associate degree or even a bachelor 's degree , '' Whitmer said .
`` I want to assure all of our workers we will never forget those of you who stepped up and sacrificed their health during this crisis .
You 're the reason we 're going to get through this . ''
Whitmer compared the program to the GI Bill , which provides free healthcare , schooling , housing discounts and other services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inception in 1944 during World War II .
Details about how workers would apply for the program were not immediately released , but Whitmer said the state would use a federal grant to fund the program .
Whitmer also announced an expansion to the state 's Workshare Program to allow employers to reduce employee hours to receive weekly unemployment insurance and Pandemic Unemployment assistance in addition to calling for support for a bill to provide hazard pay to frontline workers .

A nurse at the UC Irvine Medical Center walks to his car in Irvine, California on Monday, April 20, 2020. A group of some thirty nurses held a candlelight vigil after their shift change to call attention to healthcare workers nationwide who have been infected with COVID-19 and demanding the Trump administration provide N95 masks and extra PPE for healthcare workers during the coronavirus pandemic. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
April 29 (UPI) -- Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday proposed a plan to provide free college tuition to those deemed essential workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Whitmer said the program, known as Futures for Frontliners, would provide a tuition-free pathway to college or a technical certificate to essential workers without degrees including childcare providers, manufacturers, and healthcare, grocery, public safety, sanitation and delivery workers. Advertisement
"The Futures for Frontliners program is our way of saying 'thank you' to those who have risked their lives on the front lines of this crisis. This program will ensure tuition-free college opportunities and give these dedicated Michiganders an opportunity to earn a technical certificate, associate degree or even a bachelor's degree," Whitmer said. "I want to assure all of our workers we will never forget those of you who stepped up and sacrificed their health during this crisis. You're the reason we're going to get through this."
Whitmer compared the program to the GI Bill, which provides free healthcare, schooling, housing discounts and other services to members of the military since its inception in 1944 during World War II.
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Details about how workers would apply for the program were not immediately released, but Whitmer said the state would use a federal grant to fund the program.
Whitmer also announced an expansion to the state's Workshare Program to allow employers to reduce employee hours to receive weekly unemployment insurance and Pandemic Unemployment assistance in addition to calling for support for a bill to provide hazard pay to frontline workers.


upi--2020-04-29--Tennessee Titans to sign ex-Houston Texans Pro Bowl CB Johnathan Joseph

April 29 ( UPI ) -- The Tennessee Titans are signing former Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph to a short-term contract .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media on Wednesday that Joseph agreed to a one-year deal with the Titans .
Joseph told ESPN that he chose to sign with Tennessee because of its run to the AFC Championship Game last season and his familiarity with the coaching staff .
Joseph played for current Titans head coach Mike Vrabel in 2017 when he was the Texans ' defensive coordinator .
Tennessee defensive backs coach Anthony Midget served as Joseph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two seasons .
`` I 'm familiar with the coaches and the division , and they went to the AFC title game last year , '' Joseph said .
The Texans and Joseph mutually agreed to part ways last month , making him a free agent .
He played for the Texans since 2011 .
Joseph saw his role with the team diminish last season , playing less than 60 percent of the Texans ' defensive snaps .
He played more than 75 percent of the team 's snaps in the 2018 campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 51 total tackles , one interception and 13 passes defensed in 14 regular-season games last season .
He has 754 total tackles , 31 picks , 195 passes defensed and seven defensive touchdowns in his NFL career .
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Joseph in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of South Carolina .
He has been selected to two Pro Bowls in 14 NFL seasons .

Former Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) played for the franchise since 2011. The Texans and Joseph mutually agreed to part ways last month. File Photo by Pete Marovich/UPI | License Photo
April 29 (UPI) -- The Tennessee Titans are signing former Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph to a short-term contract. League sources told ESPN and NFL Media on Wednesday that Joseph agreed to a one-year deal with the Titans. Joseph told ESPN that he chose to sign with Tennessee because of its run to the AFC Championship Game last season and his familiarity with the coaching staff. Advertisement
Joseph played for current Titans head coach Mike Vrabel in 2017 when he was the Texans' defensive coordinator. Tennessee defensive backs coach Anthony Midget served as Joseph's position coach in Houston the past two seasons.
"I'm familiar with the coaches and the division, and they went to the AFC title game last year," Joseph said.
The Texans and Joseph mutually agreed to part ways last month, making him a free agent. He played for the Texans since 2011.
Joseph saw his role with the team diminish last season, playing less than 60 percent of the Texans' defensive snaps. He played more than 75 percent of the team's snaps in the 2018 campaign.
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Joseph, 36, finished with 51 total tackles, one interception and 13 passes defensed in 14 regular-season games last season. He has 754 total tackles, 31 picks, 195 passes defensed and seven defensive touchdowns in his NFL career.
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Joseph in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of South Carolina. He has been selected to two Pro Bowls in 14 NFL seasons.


upi--2020-04-29--Small Business Administration temporarily limits Paycheck Protection Plan loans to small lenders

April 29 ( UPI ) -- The Small Business Administration briefly closed applications for emergency small business loans to all but the nation 's smallest lenders on Wednesday .
SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza wrote on Twitter that the agency 's systems would only accept applications for loans under the Paycheck Protection Program from lenders with less than $ 1 billion in assets from 4 p.m. EDT until 11:59 p.m. EDT .
Carranza said the restriction aimed to `` assist small community lenders and ensure their small business customers have access '' to the loans and that institutions with more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submit loans outside of the timeframe .
The decision drew criticism for blocking out large banks also seeking to provide loans to small businesses under the program .
`` With SBA blocking nearly 800 banks , relief for potentially thousands of small business owners and their employees will be delayed .
A better solution would be a fully operational system that allows banks of all sizes to provide support to Main Street , '' former president and CEO of the Financial Services Forum , Kevin Fromer , said .
Paul Merski , group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Independent Community Bankers of America , praised the move for preventing loans from going to large businesses such as the NBA 's Los Angeles Lakers which returned a $ 4.6 million loan on Monday .
`` Frankly , allowing community banks under $ 1 billion is one of the best ways to ensure small mom-and-pop businesses get PP funding versus the LA Lakers , '' Merski said .
Congress established the PPP as part of the $ 2.2 trillion Coronavirus Air , Relief and Economic Security Act , providing $ 350 billion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
The program quickly ran out of funds only to be replenished with another $ 310 billion in a bill signed last week .

The Small Business Administration on Wednesday briefly limited applications for emergency small business loans under the Paycheck Protection Program only to lenders with less than $1 billion in assets in a move it said would "assist small community lenders and ensure their small business customers have access" to the loans. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
April 29 (UPI) -- The Small Business Administration briefly closed applications for emergency small business loans to all but the nation's smallest lenders on Wednesday. SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza wrote on Twitter that the agency's systems would only accept applications for loans under the Paycheck Protection Program from lenders with less than $1 billion in assets from 4 p.m. EDT until 11:59 p.m. EDT. Advertisement
Carranza said the restriction aimed to "assist small community lenders and ensure their small business customers have access" to the loans and that institutions with more than $1 billion will be able to submit loans outside of the timeframe.
The decision drew criticism for blocking out large banks also seeking to provide loans to small businesses under the program.
"With SBA blocking nearly 800 banks, relief for potentially thousands of small business owners and their employees will be delayed. A better solution would be a fully operational system that allows banks of all sizes to provide support to Main Street," former president and CEO of the Financial Services Forum, Kevin Fromer, said.
Paul Merski, group vice president for congressional relations at the Independent Community Bankers of America, praised the move for preventing loans from going to large businesses such as the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers which returned a $4.6 million loan on Monday.
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"Frankly, allowing community banks under $1 billion is one of the best ways to ensure small mom-and-pop businesses get PP funding versus the LA Lakers," Merski said.
Congress established the PPP as part of the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Air, Relief and Economic Security Act, providing $350 billion in loans to small businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The program quickly ran out of funds only to be replenished with another $310 billion in a bill signed last week.


upi--2020-04-29--FN America, Colt's awarded $383.3M to make M16A4s for Iraq, others

April 29 ( UPI ) -- FN America and Colt 's Manufacturing received a $ 383.3 million , five-year contract @ @ @ @ @ Afghanistan , Grenada , Iraq , Lebanon and Nepal through the Pentagon 's foreign military @ @ @ @ @ is the fourth generation of the M16 series of military rifles .
The Marine Corps @ @ @ @ @ in favor of the M4 carbine in 2015 .
In 2008 the State Department approved @ @ @ @ @ rifles to the government of Iraq .
It would go on to approve a sale @ @ @ @ @ in 2017 .
In 2016 it approved the sale of 891 M16A4s to Afghanistan .
@ @ @ @ @ , work locations and funding will be determined with each order .
The Pentagon said @ @ @ @ @ the program through a competitive bidding process .

A U.S. Marine Corps recruit looks through the rifle combat optic of an M16A4 service rifle in this 2016 photo. FN America and Colt’s Manufacturing received a $383.3 million contract to manufacture the rifles for several governments. Photo by Erick J. ClarosVillalta/U.S. Marine Corps
April 29 (UPI) -- FN America and Colt's Manufacturing received a $383.3 million, five-year contract to manufacture M16A4 rifles for Afghanistan, Grenada, Iraq, Lebanon and Nepal through the Pentagon's foreign military sales program. The M16A4 is the fourth generation of the M16 series of military rifles. The Marine Corps began phasing out the M16 in favor of the M4 carbine in 2015. Advertisement
In 2008 the State Department approved the sale of 80,000 M16A4 rifles to the government of Iraq. It would go on to approve a sale of 4,400 M16A4s to Iraq in 2017. In 2016 it approved the sale of 891 M16A4s to Afghanistan.
According to the contract announcement, work locations and funding will be determined with each order.
The Pentagon said it received three bids for the program through a competitive bidding process.


upi--2020-04-29--Byron Black seeks stay of execution citing COVID-19 disruption

April 29 ( UPI ) -- Attorneys for a man convicted of killing a woman and her two daughters asked the Tennessee Supreme Court on Wednesday to delay his October execution , citing disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
Their motion said they 've been unable to conduct the investigations required in the months leading up to the scheduled execution of Byron Black .
`` Mr. Black 's counsel can not properly prepare for his competency to be executed hearing required to take place during the middle of August .
Nor can counsel prepare for clemency proceedings which must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read .
Black was convicted in 1988 for killing Angela Clay and her two daughters , Latoya and Lakeisha .
The request comes two weeks after the Tennessee Supreme Court delayed the June execution of Oscar Smith on similar grounds .
Texas has put off the executions of John Hummel , Tracy Beatty , Fabian Hernandez , Billy Wardlow and Randall Mays .
Beyond the delay , Black 's lawyers are seeking to have his execution stayed based on grounds he 's not competent for execution .
They said he has brain damage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 67 .
They said the experts needed to examine Black in order to hold a competency hearing ca n't travel to Tennessee because of COVID-19 mitigation efforts .
Death penalty experts warn the pandemic could disrupt U.S. executions for months to come .
Robert Dunham , director of the Washington , D.C.-based Death Penalty Information Center , told UPI in March there 's a lot of legal work that happens once a death row inmate is put on the calendar for execution .
In some cases , witnesses do n't come forward to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a date .
`` It would be irresponsible and potentially deadly for the defense teams to be sending out investigators , '' he said .

April 29 (UPI) -- Attorneys for a man convicted of killing a woman and her two daughters asked the Tennessee Supreme Court on Wednesday to delay his October execution, citing disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Their motion said they've been unable to conduct the investigations required in the months leading up to the scheduled execution of Byron Black.
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"Mr. Black's counsel cannot properly prepare for his competency to be executed hearing required to take place during the middle of August. Nor can counsel prepare for clemency proceedings which must take place simultaneously," the motion read.
Black was convicted in 1988 for killing Angela Clay and her two daughters, Latoya and Lakeisha.
The request comes two weeks after the Tennessee Supreme Court delayed the June execution of Oscar Smith on similar grounds. Texas has put off the executions of John Hummel, Tracy Beatty, Fabian Hernandez, Billy Wardlow and Carlos Trevino.
Assistant Federal Public Defender Kelley Henry represents both Tennessee men.
Beyond the delay, Black's lawyers are seeking to have his execution stayed based on grounds he's not competent for execution. They said he has brain damage and schizophrenia, and an IQ of 67.
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They said the experts needed to examine Black in order to hold a competency hearing can't travel to Tennessee because of COVID-19 mitigation efforts.
Death penalty experts warn the pandemic could disrupt U.S. executions for months to come.
Robert Dunham, director of the Washington, D.C.-based Death Penalty Information Center, told UPI in March there's a lot of legal work that happens once a death row inmate is put on the calendar for execution. In some cases, witnesses don't come forward to provide evidence or testimony until there's a date.
"It would be irresponsible and potentially deadly for the defense teams to be sending out investigators," he said.


upi--2020-04-29--Atlanta Falcons decline fifth-year option on DE Takk McKinley

April 29 ( UPI ) -- The Atlanta Falcons declined to pick up defensive end Takk McKinley 's fifth-year option , the team announced Wednesday .
The Falcons said in a statement that they are taking a `` wait-and-see approach in terms of future contracts . ''
`` We have decided to not move forward with a fifth-year option for Takk and at this time are taking a wait-and-see approach in terms of future contracts , '' the team said .
`` Takk has shown the ability to produce at a high level and we look forward to his production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No .
26 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of UCLA , now will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2020 campaign .
According to Spotrac , he is scheduled to earn about $ 1.9 million this season .
League sources told ESPN that McKinley 's fifth-year option was worth more than $ 10 million .
Falcons head coach Dan Quinn previously said at the NFL Combine that the team would n't pick up McKinley 's option .
But when Atlanta general manager Thomas Dimitroff said the club was still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on announcing a final decision .
McKinley 's play has been inconsistent in three seasons with the Falcons .
The 24-year-old defensive lineman recorded only 3.5 sacks last season after tallying 13 total sacks in his first two seasons .
McKinley , who had off-season shoulder surgery , has 71 total tackles , 16.5 sacks , two forced fumbles and one pass defensed in 45 career games .

Atlanta Falcons defensive end Takkarist McKinley (98) is scheduled to earn about $1.9 million this season. File Photo by Art Foxall/UPI | License Photo
April 29 (UPI) -- The Atlanta Falcons declined to pick up defensive end Takk McKinley's fifth-year option, the team announced Wednesday. The Falcons said in a statement that they are taking a "wait-and-see approach in terms of future contracts." Advertisement
"We have decided to not move forward with a fifth-year option for Takk and at this time are taking a wait-and-see approach in terms of future contracts," the team said. "Takk has shown the ability to produce at a high level and we look forward to his production in 2020."
McKinley, the No. 26 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of UCLA, now will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2020 campaign. According to Spotrac, he is scheduled to earn about $1.9 million this season.
League sources told ESPN that McKinley's fifth-year option was worth more than $10 million.
5th year declined — Takkarist McKinley (@Takk) April 29, 2020
Falcons head coach Dan Quinn previously said at the NFL Combine that the team wouldn't pick up McKinley's option. But when Atlanta general manager Thomas Dimitroff said the club was still evaluating the move, Quinn held off on announcing a final decision.
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McKinley's play has been inconsistent in three seasons with the Falcons. The 24-year-old defensive lineman recorded only 3.5 sacks last season after tallying 13 total sacks in his first two seasons.
McKinley, who had off-season shoulder surgery, has 71 total tackles, 16.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass defensed in 45 career games.


upi--2020-04-29--USS Bunker Hill sails through Spratly Islands to contest China'smaritime claim

April 29 ( UPI ) -- The guided missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill sailed through the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea Wednesday , according to the the U.S. 7th Fleet .
The transit marks the second U.S. Navy maneuver this week , following the expulsion of the USS Barry from the Paracel Islands by China 's military .
According to the Navy , the cruiser transited the region to test `` excessive maritime claims '' of China , Vietnam and Taiwan -- all of which have overlapping claims in the contested chain of islands .
`` Unlawful and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas , including the freedoms of navigation and overflight and the right of innocent passage of all ships , '' said a statement from the 7th Fleet .
The transit was one of a series of recent challenges to what the United States considers `` unlawful claims '' in the South China Sea .
On Wednesday the People 's Liberation Army 's Southern Theatre Command accused the USS Barry of entering waters around the Paracel Islands without permission and sharply rebuked the move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had transited the Taiwan Strait twice earlier this month , both of which also drew criticism from the Chinese government .
The Barry , the Bunker Hill and the amphibious assault ship USS America had been operating off the coast of Malaysia near an ongoing dispute over mineral exploration near Malaysia and China this month .

An SH-60B Sea Hawk helicopter lifts off from the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in this 2010 photo. Photo by Daniel Barker/U.S. Navy
April 29 (UPI) -- The guided missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill sailed through the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea Wednesday, according to the the U.S. 7th Fleet. The transit marks the second U.S. Navy maneuver this week, following the expulsion of the USS Barry from the Paracel Islands by China's military. Advertisement
According to the Navy, the cruiser transited the region to test "excessive maritime claims" of China, Vietnam and Taiwan -- all of which have overlapping claims in the contested chain of islands.
"Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas, including the freedoms of navigation and overflight and the right of innocent passage of all ships," said a statement from the 7th Fleet.
The transit was one of a series of recent challenges to what the United States considers "unlawful claims" in the South China Sea.
On Wednesday the People's Liberation Army's Southern Theatre Command accused the USS Barry of entering waters around the Paracel Islands without permission and sharply rebuked the move.
The Barry, based in Japan, had transited the Taiwan Strait twice earlier this month, both of which also drew criticism from the Chinese government.
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The Barry, the Bunker Hill and the amphibious assault ship USS America had been operating off the coast of Malaysia near an ongoing dispute over mineral exploration near Malaysia and China this month.


upi--2020-04-29--Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis outlines plan to begin reopening Monday

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday outlined plans to partially reopen businesses in much of the state beginning on Monday, excluding the state's largest counties -- Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach -- which have been hardest hit by COVID-19. Photo by Doug Mills/UPI | License Photo
April 29 (UPI) -- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday unveiled plans to begin lifting restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The plan will take effect Monday throughout the state except for Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, which have experienced the greatest number of coronavirus cases in the state. Advertisement
Under Phase 1 of the plan, retail stores and restaurants will be able to reopen at 25 percent indoor capacity on Monday and outdoor seating will be permitted with 6 feet between patrons to maintain social distancing.
Elective surgeries will also be allowed to resume, but schools, bars, gyms, hair salons, nursing homes and long-term care facilities will remain closed until further notice and schools will continue distance learning.
DeSantis also encouraged Floridians to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people and wear face coverings when in public but said people will not face fines for failing to abide by these guidelines.
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He said the plan will proceed to further phases depending on the results under the first phase but added the government is anticipating weeks between phases and not months.
"Our plan from the beginning to fight COVID-19 is going to continue. Nothing's going to change about that. We are going to continue to protect the vulnerable. We are going to continue to increase testing ... we'll continue to promote various forms of social distancing," DeSantis said.
Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties will reopen parks, marinas, waterways and golf courses on Wednesday. Some pools will also reopen. Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez and Broward Mayor Dale Holness announced the move earlier this week.
Beaches and non-essential workplaces in those three counties, however, will remain closed and social distancing measures will remain in place. Additional restrictions will require boats to remain 50 feet apart and golfers to go onto the courses in their own carts, without caddies.
"The parks, waterways and golf courses will be used in limited ways that require everyone to take personal responsibility and act as if they have the coronavirus," Gimenez said.
The first beaches in southwestern Florida reopened this week, joining others across the state that had reopened. Manatee County, on the central Gulf coast, plans to reopen its beaches on Monday. Like many others in the state, Manatee County will enforce distancing measures on its beaches and limit visitors to 2 hours at a time.
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Tennessee and Wisconsin also began to permit more businesses to open after first easing restrictions on some non-essential businesses over the past several days.
Tennessee retailers will be allowed to open their doors Wednesday, but must limit traffic to 50 percent capacity. Restaurants in the state were allowed to operate with the same conditions under an order signed by Gov. Bill Lee on Friday.
The state has also issued new guidance that says restaurant and retail workers should wear face coverings and businesses should follow hygiene and workplace sanitation standards.
"Tennessee has taken an unprecedented economic hit with families and small businesses feeling the most pain," Lee said. "We must stay vigilant as a state, continue practicing social distancing and engage in best practices at our businesses so that we can stay open."
In Wisconsin, Gov. Tony Evers signed an emergency order allowing non-essential businesses -- including pet groomers, upholstery businesses, outdoor recreational rentals and automatic or self-service car washes -- to reopen to curbside services.
"This order means that every business across our state can do things like deliveries, mailings, curbside pick-up and drop-off and it's an important step in making sure that while folks are staying safer at home, they can also continue to support small businesses across our state," Evers said.
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Wisconsin previously allowed golf courses, and construction and landscaping businesses to operate, as well as curbside service at other businesses such as libraries and other local stores that allow sales online or by phone.
Wisconsin parks are scheduled to reopen Friday.
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-04-29--Navy to open 'deeper investigation' into COVID-19 outbreak on Roosevelt

April 29 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Navy will open a deeper investigation into the coronavirus outbreak on the USS Theodore Roosevelt , acting secretary James McPherson said on Wednesday .
Last week McPherson , along with Chief of Naval operations Admiral Michael M. Gilday , recommended to Defense Secretary Mark Esper that the ship 's captain , Brett Crozier , be reinstated .
But McPherson said Wednesday that he has `` unanswered questions '' about the situation .
`` This investigation will build on the good work of the initial inquiry to provide a more fulsome understanding of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and decisions of the chain of command surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt , '' McPherson said in a statement .
It was not immediately clear who would lead the investigation or what questions investigators will be directed to explore .
The Navy announced Wednesday the vessel is preparing to return to see after a deep cleaning process over the last several weeks .
As sailors complete their quarantine periods , they are due to start returning to the the Roosevelt in waves , starting with those responsible for critical services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pacific at the end of March when it docked in Guam to test its crew of nearly 5,000 after 23 had tested positive for COVID-19 .
That number has since climbed to 940 confirmed cases , 29 of whom have recovered and one of whom has died .
The ship 's captain , Brett Crozier , was relieved of his role at the beginning of April after sending a memo pleading for more resources to help manage the outbreak .
Acting Navy secretary Thomas Modly traveled to Guam and criticized Crozier in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying he was either naive or stupid for allowing the letter to be leaked to the press .
Modly then resigned from his role .
After being briefed on the Navy 's initial investigation , Esper said he needed more information before making a decision on whether to reinstate the captain .

Hon. James McPherson, shown here in 2018 as General Counsel of the U.S. Army, said Wednesday the Navy will perform a deeper investigation into the COVID-19 outbreak on the USS Theodore Roosevelt. Photo by Teddy Wade/U.S. Army
April 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy will open a deeper investigation into the coronavirus outbreak on the USS Theodore Roosevelt, acting secretary James McPherson said on Wednesday. Last week McPherson, along with Chief of Naval operations Admiral Michael M. Gilday, recommended to Defense Secretary Mark Esper that the ship's captain, Brett Crozier, be reinstated. Advertisement
But McPherson said Wednesday that he has "unanswered questions" about the situation.
"This investigation will build on the good work of the initial inquiry to provide a more fulsome understanding of the sequence of events, actions, and decisions of the chain of command surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt," McPherson said in a statement.
It was not immediately clear who would lead the investigation or what questions investigators will be directed to explore.
The Navy announced Wednesday the vessel is preparing to return to sea after a deep cleaning process over the last several weeks. As sailors complete their quarantine periods, they are due to start returning to the the Roosevelt in waves, starting with those responsible for critical services.
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The ship was deployed in the Pacific at the end of March when it docked in Guam to test its crew of nearly 5,000 after 23 had tested positive for COVID-19.
That number has since climbed to 940 confirmed cases, 29 of whom have recovered and one of whom has died.
The ship's captain, Brett Crozier, was relieved of his role at the beginning of April after sending a memo pleading for more resources to help manage the outbreak.
Acting Navy secretary Thomas Modly traveled to Guam and criticized Crozier in an address to sailors aboard the vessel, saying he was either naive or stupid for allowing the letter to be leaked to the press.
Modly then resigned from his role.
After being briefed on the Navy's initial investigation, Esper said he needed more information before making a decision on whether to reinstate the captain.


upi--2020-04-29--FAA investigating airport runway incident involving Harrison Ford

April 29 ( UPI ) -- The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a runway incident involving Harrison Ford at a California airport last week .
The FAA said Ford 's Aviat A-1C Husky on Friday crossed a runway at Hawthorne Airport in Los Angeles while another aircraft was attempting to land .
The actor 's small plane crossed the western end of the runway while the second aircraft began conducting a `` touch-and-go '' landing about 3,600 feet to the east .
A representative for Ford said no one was injured and there was no danger of a crash .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ only runway in his aircraft after he misheard a radio instruction from [ air traffic control ] .
He immediately acknowledged the mistake and apologized to ATC for the error , '' the representative said .
The flight was intended to `` maintain currency and proficiency in the aircraft , '' the representative said .
Ford was previously investigated by the FAA in 2017 for inadvertently landing his private plane on an incorrect runway and was injured when his World War II-era training plane crashed on a Los Angeles golf course in Los @ @

The Federal Aviation Administration launched an investigation into Harrison Ford regarding an incident in which he File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
April 29 (UPI) -- The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a runway incident involving Harrison Ford at a California airport last week. The FAA said Ford's Aviat A-1C Husky on Friday crossed a runway at Hawthorne Airport in Los Angeles while another aircraft was attempting to land. The actor's small plane crossed the western end of the runway while the second aircraft began conducting a "touch-and-go" landing about 3,600 feet to the east. Advertisement
A representative for Ford said no one was injured and there was no danger of a crash.
"Mr. Ford crossed the airport's only runway in his aircraft after he misheard a radio instruction from [air traffic control]. He immediately acknowledged the mistake and apologized to ATC for the error," the representative said.
The flight was intended to "maintain currency and proficiency in the aircraft," the representative said.
Ford was previously investigated by the FAA in 2017 for inadvertently landing his private plane on an incorrect runway and was injured when his World War II-era training plane crashed on a Los Angeles golf course in Los Angeles.


upi--2020-04-29--Turkey donates medical equipment to United States

April 29 ( UPI ) -- A Turkish plane delivered medical gloves , masks , protective goggles , hand sanitizer and protective clothes to the United States this week , according to the Department of Defense .
Turkey 's ambassador and defense attaché to the United States were present with Pentagon officials as the aircraft landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Tuesday .
`` We greatly appreciate Turkey 's donations to the United States and its example of leadership within NATO on [ the ] COVID-19 response -- this is the best of allies helping allies , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of defense for European and NATO policy , said in a statement .
`` Similar to Turkey 's support to Italy , Spain , [ the United Kingdom ] and the Balkans , Turkey 's donation to the United States employed NATO coordination mechanisms , '' Ryan added .
Turkish embassy staff began coordinating efforts with flightline protocol officials at Andrews a week ago , according to the Pentagon .
`` Our protocol office handles all foreign aircraft into the area , and we work closely with the embassy to assist in whatever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the deputy director of flightline protocol .
`` For this flight , we made sure everything was in place on our side , and all appropriate delegates were escorted onto base . ''

A Turkish shipment of medical supplies arrived in the United States Tuesday, the Pentagon announced. Photo by Airman 1st Class Spencer Slocum/U.S. Air Force
April 29 (UPI) -- A Turkish plane delivered medical gloves, masks, protective goggles, hand sanitizer and protective clothes to the United States this week, according to the Department of Defense. Turkey's ambassador and defense attaché to the United States were present with Pentagon officials as the aircraft landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Tuesday. Advertisement
"We greatly appreciate Turkey's donations to the United States and its example of leadership within NATO on [the] COVID-19 response -- this is the best of allies helping allies," Michael C. Ryan, deputy assistant secretary of defense for European and NATO policy, said in a statement.
"Similar to Turkey's support to Italy, Spain, [the United Kingdom] and the Balkans, Turkey's donation to the United States employed NATO coordination mechanisms," Ryan added.
Turkish embassy staff began coordinating efforts with flightline protocol officials at Andrews a week ago, according to the Pentagon.
"Our protocol office handles all foreign aircraft into the area, and we work closely with the embassy to assist in whatever they need," said John Polhemus, the deputy director of flightline protocol. "For this flight, we made sure everything was in place on our side, and all appropriate delegates were escorted onto base."


upi--2020-04-29--Wet weather begins to mitigate effects of long-term drought in Australia

The return of rain in southeastern Australia continues to be celebrated , but the wet weather so far this year has put only a small dent in the effects of the ongoing drought that has plagued the country .
A storm system that moved through the Great Australian Bight on Tuesday and Wednesday brought more beneficial rain to southeastern Australia during the first half of the week .
Showers and thunderstorms spread across South Australia , Victoria , New South Wales and into southern Queensland .
As of Wednesday , 0.6 inch to 4 inches of rain had fallen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which helped ease the long-standing rainfall deficits .
Periods of rain and thunderstorms are forecast to continue in Victoria and New South Wales on Thursday , further increasing rainfall totals in the region .
The center of the storm is expected to stall near Tasmania through the end of the week , keeping scattered showers in parts of Victoria .
As colder air rushes in behind the system , precipitation can even fall as snow in higher elevations .
While increased rainfall for the first few months of 2020 compared to 2019 is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is getting their hopes up just yet .
Garry Hall , a cattle breeder in the northern New South Wales , has reported more rain since February than for all of 2018 and 2019 , according to the Sydney Morning Herald .
The Macquarie River is rushing past his property , but that does n't signal the end of the drought .
According to Hall , `` A large area of the Macquarie Marshes has n't seen water yet .
It 's pretty important to get it in there to start the long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deficit , which began in 2018 , has improved and soil moisture has increased across a large portion of the country , this is just the beginning in the long road to recovery .
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology stated in its monthly drought report that although drought conditions have been erased , long-term rainfall deficits persist across most of the country .
And while plenty of rain fell along the eastern coast , the bulk of the rainfall did not make it over the Great Dividing Range , a mountain range in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and inland rivers .
This has slowed the recovery of dams on the western slopes .
According to the Sydney Morning Herald , Burrendong Dam , which supplies much of the water for the Macquarie River , remains at 16.4 percent full , while Keepit Dam on the Namoi is at just 13.7 percent .
This wetter pattern looks to continue through the austral winter and spring months .
Long-range forecast tools indicate trends that tend to favor near- to above-normal rainfall across much of northern and eastern Australia , according to AccuWeather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also bring relief to the area after the 2019-20 bushfire season , known to locals as the `` Black Summer . ''
`` The 2019/2020 wildfire season burned an estimated 46 million acres or 186,000 square kilometers and destroyed over 5,900 buildings and claimed at least 34 lives .
The fires killed an estimated 1 billion animals and may have driven some endangered species toward extinction , '' Nicholls said .
`` There will likely still be wildfires across Australia , but the number and severity of the fires should be less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in southeast Australia , '' he said .

The return of rain in southeastern Australia continues to be celebrated, but the wet weather so far this year has put only a small dent in the effects of the ongoing drought that has plagued the country.
A storm system that moved through the Great Australian Bight on Tuesday and Wednesday brought more beneficial rain to southeastern Australia during the first half of the week.
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Showers and thunderstorms spread across South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and into southern Queensland.
As of Wednesday, 0.6 inch to 4 inches of rain had fallen in these areas in the past week, which helped ease the long-standing rainfall deficits.
Periods of rain and thunderstorms are forecast to continue in Victoria and New South Wales on Thursday, further increasing rainfall totals in the region.
The center of the storm is expected to stall near Tasmania through the end of the week, keeping scattered showers in parts of Victoria. As colder air rushes in behind the system, precipitation can even fall as snow in higher elevations.
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While increased rainfall for the first few months of 2020 compared to 2019 is a blessing to many, not everyone is getting their hopes up just yet.
Garry Hall, a cattle breeder in the northern New South Wales, has reported more rain since February than for all of 2018 and 2019, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
The Macquarie River is rushing past his property, but that doesn't signal the end of the drought.
According to Hall, "A large area of the Macquarie Marshes hasn't seen water yet. It's pretty important to get it in there to start the long journey back."
This chart shows the amount of total rainfall from January to March in 2020 compared to the same months in 2019. Blue and purple shades indicate areas which have been wetter this year, while yellow and red shades indicate areas which have been drier this year. Image courtesy of Bureau of Meteorology
While the rain deficit, which began in 2018, has improved and soil moisture has increased across a large portion of the country, this is just the beginning in the long road to recovery.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology stated in its monthly drought report that although drought conditions have been erased, long-term rainfall deficits persist across most of the country.
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And while plenty of rain fell along the eastern coast, the bulk of the rainfall did not make it over the Great Dividing Range, a mountain range in eastern Australia that separates the coastal rivers and inland rivers.
This chart shows rainfall totals from January to March of 2020. Image courtesy of the Bureau of Meteorology
This has slowed the recovery of dams on the western slopes.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Burrendong Dam, which supplies much of the water for the Macquarie River, remains at 16.4 percent full, while Keepit Dam on the Namoi is at just 13.7 percent.
This wetter pattern looks to continue through the austral winter and spring months. Long-range forecast tools indicate trends that tend to favor near- to above-normal rainfall across much of northern and eastern Australia, according to AccuWeather senior meteorologist Jason Nicholls.
This forecast will also bring relief to the area after the 2019-20 bushfire season, known to locals as the "Black Summer."
"The 2019/2020 wildfire season burned an estimated 46 million acres or 186,000 square kilometers and destroyed over 5,900 buildings and claimed at least 34 lives. The fires killed an estimated 1 billion animals and may have driven some endangered species toward extinction," Nicholls said.
Advertisement Nicholls' early look at the Australian bushfire season points to a less severe wildfire season across Australia later in 2020 heading into early 2021.
"There will likely still be wildfires across Australia, but the number and severity of the fires should be less than this past fire season, especially in southeast Australia," he said.


upi--2020-04-29--Cigarettes, vaping cause similar damage to blood vessels, study finds

April 29 ( UPI ) -- E-cigarette users experience damage to their arteries and blood vessels similar to that of traditional cigarette smokers , an analysis published Wednesday by the Journal of the American Heart Association has found .
Researchers who studied the arteries and blood vessels of current and former smokers and vapers , or people who used both , noted that both groups had augmentation indices -- a measure of arterial stiffness -- similar to traditional cigarette users , meaning that their arteries were just as stiff .
They also observed that endothelial cells , or the cells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be equally as damaged whether people used e-cigarettes , combustible cigarettes or both .
`` Many people believe e-cigarettes are safer than combustible cigarettes , '' study co-author study author Jessica L. Fetterman , an assistant professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine , said in a statement .
`` Meanwhile , the evidence from scientific studies is growing that e-cigarettes might not be the safer alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes when it comes to heart health .
Our study adds to that evidence . ''
Fetterman and her colleagues studied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men and women between 21 and 45 years of age with no history of heart disease and no known heart disease risk factors , using an approach called vascular function testing , which is non-invasive .
Study participants included 94 nonsmokers , 285 cigarette smokers , 36 e-cigarette users and 52 users of both products .
The authors observed that traditional cigarette smokers and users of both traditional cigarettes and vaping devices were older than non-smokers and e-cigarette users , while e-cigarette users were more likely to be younger , male and white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of traditional cigarettes .
In general , `` the endothelial cells from e-cigarette users or dual users produced less of the heart-protective compound nitric oxide , compared to non-tobacco users , '' Fetterman noted .
`` Their cells also produced more reactive oxygen species , which cause damage to the parts of cells such as DNA and proteins . ''
Stiffness of the arteries , as well as damage to other blood vessels , has been linked with an increased risk for heart disease and stroke , according to the U.S. National Institutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arteries can cause damage to the small blood vessels , including capillaries , and puts additional stress on the heart , all of which can contribute to the development of heart disease , '' Fetterman explained .
`` Our study results suggest there is no evidence that the use of e-cigarettes reduces cardiovascular injury , dysfunction or harm associated with the use of combustible tobacco products , '' she added .
The research was funded through the Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science of the American Heart Association .
Fetterman said that longer-term studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from e-cigarettes alone changes over time .

April 29 (UPI) -- E-cigarette users experience damage to their arteries and blood vessels similar to that of traditional cigarette smokers, an analysis published Wednesday by the Journal of the American Heart Association has found.
Researchers who studied the arteries and blood vessels of current and former smokers and vapers, or people who used both, noted that both groups had augmentation indices -- a measure of arterial stiffness -- similar to traditional cigarette users, meaning that their arteries were just as stiff.
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They also observed that endothelial cells, or the cells that line blood vessels, appeared to be equally as damaged whether people used e-cigarettes, combustible cigarettes or both.
"Many people believe e-cigarettes are safer than combustible cigarettes," study co-author study author Jessica L. Fetterman, an assistant professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine, said in a statement. "Meanwhile, the evidence from scientific studies is growing that e-cigarettes might not be the safer alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes when it comes to heart health. Our study adds to that evidence."
Fetterman and her colleagues studied the blood vessels in more than 400 men and women between 21 and 45 years of age with no history of heart disease and no known heart disease risk factors, using an approach called vascular function testing, which is non-invasive. Study participants included 94 nonsmokers, 285 cigarette smokers, 36 e-cigarette users and 52 users of both products.
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The authors observed that traditional cigarette smokers and users of both traditional cigarettes and vaping devices were older than non-smokers and e-cigarette users, while e-cigarette users were more likely to be younger, male and white. All e-cigarette users were former smokers of traditional cigarettes.
In general, "the endothelial cells from e-cigarette users or dual users produced less of the heart-protective compound nitric oxide, compared to non-tobacco users," Fetterman noted. "Their cells also produced more reactive oxygen species, which cause damage to the parts of cells such as DNA and proteins."
Stiffness of the arteries, as well as damage to other blood vessels, has been linked with an increased risk for heart disease and stroke, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
"Stiffening of the arteries can cause damage to the small blood vessels, including capillaries, and puts additional stress on the heart, all of which can contribute to the development of heart disease," Fetterman explained.
"Our study results suggest there is no evidence that the use of e-cigarettes reduces cardiovascular injury, dysfunction or harm associated with the use of combustible tobacco products," she added.
The research was funded through the Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science of the American Heart Association. Fetterman said that longer-term studies are needed to determine if vascular damage from e-cigarettes alone changes over time.