upi--2020-03-21--North Korea fires 2 short-range ballistic missiles toward East Sea: JCS

SEOUL , March 21 -- North Korea on Saturday fired two projectiles presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea , South Korea 's Joint Chiefs of Staff said , the latest in a series of such launches this month .
They were fired northeastward from areas near its western county of Sonchon in North Pyongan Province at 6:45 a.m. and 6:50 a.m. , respectively , the JCS said , adding that they flew around 250 miles , reaching a maximum altitude of around 3,280 feet .
`` South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are analyzing other specifics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our military is monitoring the situation in case there are additional launches and maintaining a readiness posture . ''
Calling the launch `` a very inappropriate act '' at a time when the whole world has been facing difficulties due to the coronavirus pandemic , the JCS called on the regime to immediately halt such military moves .
It is the third such weapons test so far this year after they began in March following months of hiatus .
On March 9 , the North fired at least three short-range projectiles believed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launcher , a week after launching two short-range projectiles of the same type , according to the JCS .
It was not immediately known if leader Kim Jong-un guided the latest firing , but officers hinted at the possibility .
The North 's official Korean Central News Agency also reported on Saturday that the country held an `` artillery fire competition '' of its army on its western front the previous day under Kim 's watch .
The previous two rounds , which occurred from its eastern regions under Kim 's guidance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ artillery strike drill for the wintertime exercise , JCS officers said , noting that the drill is likely to continue throughout this month .
Watchers say the projectiles involved in the latest launch could be the North Korean version of the United States ' Army Tactical Missile System , or Russia 's Iskander ballistic missile .
Rather than following a general parabolic trajectory , Saturday 's missiles were detected to have shown a more complicated path by doing a so-called pull-up maneuver over the course of their flight .
Military officers have said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ATACMS or Iskander .
`` Given its typical way of testing weapons , North Korea may have brought its ATACMS missiles from the western region and hurled them cross-country , '' said professor Kim Dong-yup of Kyungnam University 's Far East Institute .
North Korea has often brought its weapons to western regions to fly them all the way across its territory before they splashed into the East Sea in a move to verify their reliability , according to experts .
If confirmed as a firing of the ground-based ATACMS , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the system , as the North showed it off for the first time in August 2019 and conducted one additional test that month .
The two previous tests took place in its eastern areas .
In North Pyongan province , the North fired two projectiles believed to be its Iskander ballistic missiles in May last year .
So far , the Iskander system has been tested four times , according to the JCS .
Throughout 2019 , North Korea carried out a total of 13 rounds of weapons tests , involving several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a submarine-launched ballistic missile .
`` North Korea has sought to modernize or upgrade its conventional weapons , which could pose direct threats to South Korea , '' Kim said , adding that their complicated flight patterns and features such as using solid fuels and being launched from a transporter erector launcher make them more difficult to detect and intercept .
The recent military moves appear to have been intended to beef up leader Kim 's internal grip on power amid fears over the spread of COVID-19 and economic difficulties .
The North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , though it has said that not a single confirmed case has been reported , a claim doubted by many .
State media earlier reported that it will convene a rubber-stamp parliamentary session on April 10 , a meeting expected to discuss measures aimed at cushioning the fallout from growing coronavirus fears .
The meeting could also deal with its stance on nuclear weapons negotiations with the U.S. that have been stalled since the no-deal summit between Kim an U.S. President Donald Trump in February last year .
In the face of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also called for boosting self-defense capabilities .
In his New Year 's Day message , leader Kim warned he will show off a `` new strategic weapon '' in the near future , which experts said may mean an advanced type of its intercontinental ballistic missile or an SLBM .
Instead of completely turning away from dialogue , however , the North appears to have taken low-intensity steps , though it is banned from all ballistic missile activity under U.N. Security Council resolutions .

SEOUL, March 21 -- North Korea on Saturday fired two projectiles presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said, the latest in a series of such launches this month.
They were fired northeastward from areas near its western county of Sonchon in North Pyongan Province at 6:45 a.m. and 6:50 a.m., respectively, the JCS said, adding that they flew around 250 miles, reaching a maximum altitude of around 3,280 feet.
Advertisement
"South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are analyzing other specifics," the authorities said. "Our military is monitoring the situation in case there are additional launches and maintaining a readiness posture."
Calling the launch "a very inappropriate act" at a time when the whole world has been facing difficulties due to the coronavirus pandemic, the JCS called on the regime to immediately halt such military moves.
Advertisement
It is the third such weapons test so far this year after they began in March following months of hiatus.
On March 9, the North fired at least three short-range projectiles believed to have come from a super-large multiple rocket launcher, a week after launching two short-range projectiles of the same type, according to the JCS.
It was not immediately known if leader Kim Jong-un guided the latest firing, but officers hinted at the possibility. The North's official Korean Central News Agency also reported on Saturday that the country held an "artillery fire competition" of its army on its western front the previous day under Kim's watch.
The previous two rounds, which occurred from its eastern regions under Kim's guidance, appear to have been part of its artillery strike drill for the wintertime exercise, JCS officers said, noting that the drill is likely to continue throughout this month.
Watchers say the projectiles involved in the latest launch could be the North Korean version of the United States' Army Tactical Missile System, or Russia's Iskander ballistic missile.
Rather than following a general parabolic trajectory, Saturday's missiles were detected to have shown a more complicated path by doing a so-called pull-up maneuver over the course of their flight.
Advertisement
Military officers have said that the feature had been shown with the ATACMS or Iskander.
"Given its typical way of testing weapons, North Korea may have brought its ATACMS missiles from the western region and hurled them cross-country," said professor Kim Dong-yup of Kyungnam University's Far East Institute.
North Korea has often brought its weapons to western regions to fly them all the way across its territory before they splashed into the East Sea in a move to verify their reliability, according to experts.
If confirmed as a firing of the ground-based ATACMS, the latest launch would be the third test of the system, as the North showed it off for the first time in August 2019 and conducted one additional test that month. The two previous tests took place in its eastern areas.
In North Pyongan province, the North fired two projectiles believed to be its Iskander ballistic missiles in May last year. So far, the Iskander system has been tested four times, according to the JCS.
Throughout 2019, North Korea carried out a total of 13 rounds of weapons tests, involving several new types of short-range ballistic missiles and a submarine-launched ballistic missile.
"North Korea has sought to modernize or upgrade its conventional weapons, which could pose direct threats to South Korea," Kim said, adding that their complicated flight patterns and features such as using solid fuels and being launched from a transporter erector launcher make them more difficult to detect and intercept.
Advertisement
The recent military moves appear to have been intended to beef up leader Kim's internal grip on power amid fears over the spread of COVID-19 and economic difficulties.
The North has intensified efforts to contain the novel coronavirus, though it has said that not a single confirmed case has been reported, a claim doubted by many.
State media earlier reported that it will convene a rubber-stamp parliamentary session on April 10, a meeting expected to discuss measures aimed at cushioning the fallout from growing coronavirus fears.
The meeting could also deal with its stance on nuclear weapons negotiations with the U.S. that have been stalled since the no-deal summit between Kim an U.S. President Donald Trump in February last year.
In the face of prolonged international sanctions, the regime has also called for boosting self-defense capabilities.
In his New Year's Day message, leader Kim warned he will show off a "new strategic weapon" in the near future, which experts said may mean an advanced type of its intercontinental ballistic missile or an SLBM.
Instead of completely turning away from dialogue, however, the North appears to have taken low-intensity steps, though it is banned from all ballistic missile activity under U.N. Security Council resolutions.


upi--2020-03-21--Wintry chill to grip Northeast for the first weekend of spring

Chilly air that surged into the Northeast behind thunderstorms on Friday is set to stick around into the first weekend of spring .
The cold air is courtesy of a powerful cold front which moved into the eastern United States behind a storm system on Friday , erasing the springlike temperatures .
Locations where the mercury soared into the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit on Friday will likely be replaced with afternoon highs some 20 to 40 degrees lower on Saturday .
In a matter of 10 hours , the temperature in Syracuse , N.Y. , dropped from 74 degrees on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night .
Many other cities across the Northeast experienced similar temperature trends in the wake of the frontal passage .
Along with the plummeting temperatures , a brisk west-northwest wind made AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures sink even further .
The chilly air will stick around the Northeast through the day on Saturday as an expansive area of high pressure builds across the region .
Although temperatures will be below average , partly to mostly sunny skies along with a much more relaxed wind will help to ease the blow of the temperature whiplash .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of the Northeast into Saturday night , allowing for temperatures to continue their downward trend .
Boston , New York City , and even as far south as the suburbs of Philadelphia , Baltimore and Washington , D.C. , could flirt with freezing temperatures early on Sunday morning .
As high pressure sits across the Northeast into the day on Sunday , the below-average temperature trend will continue .
In similar fashion to Saturday , a partly to mostly sunny sky across the region will help take the edge off of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Northeast will come to an end as the weekend draws to a close .
AccuWeather meteorologists continue to monitor the threat for wintry weather into early next week .
Enough cold air is expected to linger across the interior Northeast to bring a threat for accumulating snowfall .
However , cities along the Interstate-95 corridor south of Boston can expect most , if not all , precipitation to fall as rain as the storm tracks along the coast .

Chilly air that surged into the Northeast behind thunderstorms on Friday is set to stick around into the first weekend of spring.
The cold air is courtesy of a powerful cold front which moved into the eastern United States behind a storm system on Friday, erasing the springlike temperatures.
Advertisement
Locations where the mercury soared into the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit on Friday will likely be replaced with afternoon highs some 20 to 40 degrees lower on Saturday.
In a matter of 10 hours, the temperature in Syracuse, N.Y., dropped from 74 degrees on Friday afternoon to 33 degrees on Friday night.
Many other cities across the Northeast experienced similar temperature trends in the wake of the frontal passage.
Along with the plummeting temperatures, a brisk west-northwest wind made AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures sink even further.
The chilly air will stick around the Northeast through the day on Saturday as an expansive area of high pressure builds across the region.
Although temperatures will be below average, partly to mostly sunny skies along with a much more relaxed wind will help to ease the blow of the temperature whiplash.
Advertisement
Mainly clear skies will continue across a majority of the Northeast into Saturday night, allowing for temperatures to continue their downward trend.
Boston, New York City, and even as far south as the suburbs of Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., could flirt with freezing temperatures early on Sunday morning.
As high pressure sits across the Northeast into the day on Sunday, the below-average temperature trend will continue.
In similar fashion to Saturday, a partly to mostly sunny sky across the region will help take the edge off of the chilly air.
The quiet conditions across the Northeast will come to an end as the weekend draws to a close.
AccuWeather meteorologists continue to monitor the threat for wintry weather into early next week.
Enough cold air is expected to linger across the interior Northeast to bring a threat for accumulating snowfall.
However, cities along the Interstate-95 corridor south of Boston can expect most, if not all, precipitation to fall as rain as the storm tracks along the coast.


upi--2020-03-21--Lil Uzi Vert's 'Eternal Atake' tops the U.S. album chart

March 21 ( UPI ) -- Rapper Lil Uzi Vert 's Eternal Atake is the No .
1 album in @ @ @ @ @ .
Coming in at No .
2 on the Billboard 200 chart dated Saturday is @ @ @ @ @ followed by Bad Bunny 's YHLQMDLG at No .
3 , Lil Baby 's My @ @ @ @ @ and NCT 127 's NCT # 127 : Neo Zone , the 2nd Album at @ @ @ @ @ out the top tier are Roddy Ricch 's Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial at @ @ @ @ @ Malone 's Hollywood 's Bleeding at No .
7 , BTS ' Map of the @ @ @ @ @ .
8 , Justin Bieber 's Changes at No .
9 and Megan Thee Stallion @ @ @ @ @ 10 .

March 21 (UPI) -- Rapper Lil Uzi Vert's Eternal Atake is the No. 1 album in the United States this week.
Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart dated Saturday is Jhene Aiko's Chilombo, followed by Bad Bunny's YHLQMDLG at No. 3, Lil Baby's My Turn at No. 4 and NCT 127's NCT #127: Neo Zone, the 2nd Album at No. 5.


upi--2020-03-22--Threat of widespread storms, rain to deter outdoor breaks amid social distancing

An active weather pattern looks to deliver wet weather , and even severe thunderstorms through parts of the country , all before the conclusion of the first week of spring .
A storm that will spread a spring snowstorm from the Midwest into the Northeast through Tuesday , will also be responsible for starting off the train of wet weather in the mid-Atlantic .
`` For those looking to take a break from being in their homes by taking a walk around the block or at a neighborhood park , unfortunately , Monday does not look like a good day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northeast and mid-Atlantic , `` said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski .
`` Following the cool spell over the weekend , chilly rainfall will soak the I-95 corridor from Richmond to NYC on Monday , '' added Pydynowski .
AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures on Monday morning will range from the lower 20s in Boston to the lower 30s in Washington , D.C. After rain moves into the mid-Atlantic Sunday night , it will continue throughout the day on Monday .
The dry weather in I-95 corridor of the Northeast will hold until after daybreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side of the storm , rainy weather and thunderstorms may deter residents from heading outdoors on Monday .
The approximate 24 hours of rainy weather will be enough for rainfall to total 0.5 of an inch to 1.0 inch from southern New England to the Deep South .
However , there may be some pockets of heavier rainfall following the I-95 corridor from Raleigh to Boston .
These areas may see some isolated rainfall totals as high as 2 inches .
Meanwhile , the next storm will be evolving in the central Plains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nebraska to northern Texas by Monday afternoon .
Thunderstorms will turn severe across much of this area on Monday night .
`` The biggest severe weather threat on Monday will wait until late in the day or nightfall .
Storms sweeping through Kansas , Oklahoma and Texas could produce damaging winds as well as hail , '' said AccuWeather Meteorologist Tiffany Fortier .
Periods of rain and even some thunderstorms will expand north of this area , affecting Missouri , Nebraska and Iowa Monday night and even into Tuesday .
The core of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , threatening the southern half of Missouri and much of Arkansas to central Tennessee with more hail and damaging winds .
`` The storm will skirt east fairly quickly , moving from being centered over southern Illinois on Tuesday afternoon to the Northeast by Wednesday afternoon , '' added Fortier .
This will bring rain and thunderstorms across Tennessee and into the Carolinas , as well as into the Northeast .
Less cold air will be in place across the Northeast come Wednesday , especially compared to the early week storm .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the region will end up with rain by the middle of the week rather than snow .
Stormy weather looks to continue across much of the country through the latter half of the week and even into next weekend .
As with the early part of the week , each region is likely to see at least a 12- to 24-hour break between rounds of wet weather before the next wave moves in .

Two students walk down the long stairwell in front of Brookings Administration Building at Washington University in St. Louis on Thursday. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
An active weather pattern looks to deliver wet weather, and even severe thunderstorms through parts of the country, all before the conclusion of the first week of spring. A storm that will spread a spring snowstorm from the Midwest into the Northeast through Tuesday, will also be responsible for starting off the train of wet weather in the mid-Atlantic. Advertisement
"For those looking to take a break from being in their homes by taking a walk around the block or at a neighborhood park, unfortunately, Monday does not look like a good day to do so in much of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, "said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski.
"Following the cool spell over the weekend, chilly rainfall will soak the I-95 corridor from Richmond to NYC on Monday," added Pydynowski.
Advertisement
AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures on Monday morning will range from the lower 20s in Boston to the lower 30s in Washington, D.C.
After rain moves into the mid-Atlantic Sunday night, it will continue throughout the day on Monday. The dry weather in I-95 corridor of the Northeast will hold until after daybreak on Monday.
Even on the southern side of the storm, rainy weather and thunderstorms may deter residents from heading outdoors on Monday.
The approximate 24 hours of rainy weather will be enough for rainfall to total 0.5 of an inch to 1.0 inch from southern New England to the Deep South. However, there may be some pockets of heavier rainfall following the I-95 corridor from Raleigh to Boston. These areas may see some isolated rainfall totals as high as 2 inches.
Meanwhile, the next storm will be evolving in the central Plains, bringing some showers and thunderstorms from Nebraska to northern Texas by Monday afternoon. Thunderstorms will turn severe across much of this area on Monday night.
"The biggest severe weather threat on Monday will wait until late in the day or nightfall. Storms sweeping through Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas could produce damaging winds as well as hail," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Tiffany Fortier.
Advertisement
Periods of rain and even some thunderstorms will expand north of this area, affecting Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa Monday night and even into Tuesday.
The core of the severe weather will shift eastward on Tuesday, threatening the southern half of Missouri and much of Arkansas to central Tennessee with more hail and damaging winds.
"The storm will skirt east fairly quickly, moving from being centered over southern Illinois on Tuesday afternoon to the Northeast by Wednesday afternoon," added Fortier.
This will bring rain and thunderstorms across Tennessee and into the Carolinas, as well as into the Northeast.
Less cold air will be in place across the Northeast come Wednesday, especially compared to the early week storm. Should this pattern hold, most of the region will end up with rain by the middle of the week rather than snow.
Stormy weather looks to continue across much of the country through the latter half of the week and even into next weekend. As with the early part of the week, each region is likely to see at least a 12- to 24-hour break between rounds of wet weather before the next wave moves in.


upi--2020-03-22--On This Day, March 22: Oso, Wash., mudslide kills 43

March 22 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1765 , the Stamp Act was passed by Britain 's Parliament , introducing a tax on printed materials in the American colonies .
Colonists believed this to be a violation of their rights and was a major grievance listed in the Declaration of Independence .
In 1791 , the U.S. Congress enacted legislation forbidding slave trading with foreign nations .
In 1941 , the Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River began producing electrical power for the Pacific Northwest .
In 1945 , representatives from Egypt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arabia , Iraq and Yemen met in Cairo to establish the Arab League .
In 1968 , U.S. President Lyndon Johnson recalled Army Gen. William Westmoreland as commander of U.S. troops in Vietnam and made him Army chief of staff .
Gen. Creighton Abrams took over in Saigon .
In 1989 , Pete Rozelle resigned as commissioner of the National Football League after holding the job 30 years .
In 1992 , a USAir plane skidded off a runway at New York 's LaGuardia Airport during a snowstorm and landed in Flushing Bay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a U.S. Army maintenance convoy in Iraq made a wrong turn and was ambushed .
Eleven soldiers were killed and seven , including Pfc .
Jessica Lynch , were captured .
Lynch later said she was erroneously praised for heroism : `` I 'm not a hero .
I 'm just a survivor . ''
In 2004 , the founder and spiritual leader of the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas , Ahmed Yassin , was killed in an Israeli missile strike in the Gaza Strip .
In 2011 , an Israeli court sentenced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in prison for rape and sexual harassment .
In 2012 , a group of military officers seized control of the Mali government and ousted President Amadou Toumani Toure , even though he had planned to step down the following month .
In 2014 , a mudslide in Oso , Wash. , left 43 people dead after a portion of a hill collapsed in the wake of weeks of rain .
In 2016 , three coordinated bombings in Belgium -- two at Brussels Airport and one at Maalbeek metro station -- left 35 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State claimed responsibility .
In 2017 , an attacker drove a vehicle into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge in London before abandoning the car , fatally stabbing an unarmed police officer and being shot and killed by another officer .
Six people , including the attacker , died .
In 2018 , President Donald Trump ordered tariffs on about $ 60 billion of imported Chinese goods .

1/5
Search and rescue personnel work in the debris field on March 27, 2014, in Oso, Wash., five days after a mudslide killed 43 people. File Photo by Ted Warren/Pool | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1765, the Stamp Act was passed by Britain's Parliament, introducing a tax on printed materials in the American colonies. Colonists believed this to be a violation of their rights and was a major grievance listed in the Declaration of Independence. Advertisement
In 1791, the U.S. Congress enacted legislation forbidding slave trading with foreign nations.
In 1941, the Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River began producing electrical power for the Pacific Northwest.
In 1945, representatives from Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Transjordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Yemen met in Cairo to establish the Arab League.
In 1968, U.S. President Lyndon Johnson recalled Army Gen. William Westmoreland as commander of U.S. troops in Vietnam and made him Army chief of staff. Gen. Creighton Abrams took over in Saigon.
UPI File Photo
In 1989, Pete Rozelle resigned as commissioner of the National Football League after holding the job 30 years.
In 1992, a USAir plane skidded off a runway at New York's LaGuardia Airport during a snowstorm and landed in Flushing Bay. Twenty-seven people died.
Advertisement
In 2003, a U.S. Army maintenance convoy in Iraq made a wrong turn and was ambushed. Eleven soldiers were killed and seven, including Pfc. Jessica Lynch, were captured. Lynch later said she was erroneously praised for heroism: "I'm not a hero. I'm just a survivor."
File Photo by Michael Bush/UPI
In 2004, the founder and spiritual leader of the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas, Ahmed Yassin, was killed in an Israeli missile strike in the Gaza Strip.
In 2011, an Israeli court sentenced former President Moshe Katsav to seven years in prison for rape and sexual harassment.
In 2012, a group of military officers seized control of the Mali government and ousted President Amadou Toumani Toure, even though he had planned to step down the following month.
In 2014, a mudslide in Oso, Wash., left 43 people dead after a portion of a hill collapsed in the wake of weeks of rain.
In 2016, three coordinated bombings in Belgium -- two at Brussels Airport and one at Maalbeek metro station -- left 35 people, including three attackers. The Islamic State claimed responsibility.
Advertisement
In 2017, an attacker drove a vehicle into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge in London before abandoning the car, fatally stabbing an unarmed police officer and being shot and killed by another officer. Six people, including the attacker, died.
In 2018, President Donald Trump ordered tariffs on about $60 billion of imported Chinese goods.


upi--2020-03-22--Famous birthdays for March 22: Stephen Sondheim, Lena Olin

March 22 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Aries .
-- Actor @ @ @ @ @ of the Marx Brothers comedy team in 1887 -- Former U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch , @ @ @ @ @ age 86 )

1/3
President Barack Obama awards the Medal of Freedom to composer Stephen Sondheim during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C., on November 24, 2015. The composer turns 90 on March 22. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Aries. They include: Advertisement
-- Flemish painter Anthony van Dyck in 1599
-- Author Louis L'Amour in 1908
-- Actor Leonard "Chico" Marx of the Marx Brothers comedy team in 1887
-- Actor Karl Malden in 1912
-- French mime Marcel Marceau in 1923
-- Newspaper executive Allen Neuharth in 1924
-- Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama in 1929 (age 91)
-- Composer Stephen Sondheim in 1930 (age 90)
-- Televangelist Pat Robertson in 1930 (age 90)
-- Actor William Shatner in 1931 (age 89)
File Photo by Phil McCarten/UPI
-- Former U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, in 1934 (age 86)
-- Actor M. Emmet Walsh in 1935 (age 85)
-- Singer George Benson in 1943 (age 77)
-- Author James Patterson in 1947 (age 73)
-- British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber in 1948 (age 72)
-- Television journalist Wolf Blitzer in 1948 (age 72)
-- Sportscaster Bob Costas in 1952 (age 68)
-- Actor Lena Olin in 1955 (age 65)
Advertisement
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Actor Matthew Modine in 1959 (age 61)
-- Actor Keegan-Michael Key in 1971 (age 49)
-- Canadian skater Elvis Stojko in 1972 (age 48)
-- Actor Guillermo Diaz in 1975 (age 45)
-- Actor Reese Witherspoon in 1976 (age 44)
-- Actor Constance Wu in 1982 (age 38)
-- Actor Nick Robinson in 1995 (age 25)


upi--2020-03-21--Pence, wife test negative for novel coronavirus, according to spokeswoman

March 21 ( UPI ) -- Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen , both received negative tests for the novel coronavirus Saturday , according to his spokeswoman , Katie Miller .
Pence told reporters earlier Saturday that he and his wife would be tested after his spokeswoman confirmed that a staff member in his office tested positive for the virus , and that the individual did not have close contact with either Pence or President Donald Trump .
Trump also told reporters he had been tested a second time that morning before the briefing .
Pence said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovering well .
At the briefing officials also said they had increased testing capacity but encouraged individuals not to seek testing unless they are symptomatic , saying while the number of available testing kits has improved , the testing process involves the use of protective medical equipment whose supplies are rapidly dwindling .
Trump said the private sector is `` stepping up '' to address equipment shortages and named Hanes and General Motors as manufacturers that are working to produce more medical equipment .
He also said that while he has signed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use the private sector to make up for the shortage in medical supplies , he has not yet invoked it .
The briefing came as the U.S. death toll hit 260 and the number of cases neared 20,000 , according to figures from Johns Hopkins University .

March 21 (UPI) -- Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen, both received negative tests for the novel coronavirus Saturday, according to his spokeswoman, Katie Miller.
Pence told reporters earlier Saturday that he and his wife would be tested after his spokeswoman confirmed that a staff member in his office tested positive for the virus, and that the individual did not have close contact with either Pence or President Donald Trump.
Advertisement
Trump also told reporters he had been tested a second time that morning before the briefing.
"I feel great," he said.
Pence said the staffer had mild cold-like symptoms but is recovering well.
At the briefing officials also said they had increased testing capacity but encouraged individuals not to seek testing unless they are symptomatic, saying while the number of available testing kits has improved, the testing process involves the use of protective medical equipment whose supplies are rapidly dwindling.
Trump said the private sector is "stepping up" to address equipment shortages and named Hanes and General Motors as manufacturers that are working to produce more medical equipment.
Advertisement
He also said that while he has signed the War Powers Act that allows him to use the private sector to make up for the shortage in medical supplies, he has not yet invoked it.
The briefing came as the U.S. death toll hit 260 and the number of cases neared 20,000, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.


upi--2020-03-22--NASCAR iRacing: Denny Hamlin wins virtual race at Homestead

March 22 ( UPI ) -- With the NASCAR season halted by the coronavirus pandemic , Denny Hamlin won Sunday 's inaugural eNASCAR iRacing Pro Series Invitational at a virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway .
Hamlin , a three-time Daytona 500 champion , beat Dale Earnhardt Jr. off the final corner in the debut event .
Timmy Hill , Chase Briscoe and pole-winner Garrett Smithley rounded out the top five .
Earnhardt , who retired from the NASCAR Cup Series at the conclusion of the 2017 season , was ahead going into the last lap and running on the inside .
Hamlin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two made contact coming out of the fourth turn .
Earnhardt was pushed to the inside of the virtual track as Hamlin took the checkered flag .
The 100-lap iRace , which was televised on FOX Sports 1 , featured many of NASCAR 's top drivers in the 35-car field , including Kyle Busch , Jimmie Johnson , Joey Logano , Clint Bowyer , Brad Keselowski , Bobby Labonte , Kyle Larson and Ricky Stenhouse Jr .
The virtual race served as a charity event for individuals affected by COVID-19 , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports world .
Before the race , Hamlin pledged to donate $ 100 for each lap that he led and $ 5,000 for winning the event .
With his victory , Hamlin will donate $ 6,400 to The NASCAR Foundation to assist Miami-area families impacted by the virus .
Other drivers also have matched and added on to his donation .
`` It 's always fun when you win , '' Hamlin told reporters .
`` Regardless , it was a great event for the racing community and the NASCAR drivers to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race track with such short notice .
`` Everyone is buying simulation rigs this week and last week getting ready for the event , and for it all to come together and have a great finish , I think it was definitely a success . ''
It was Hamlin 's 31st victory in iRacing , which is where he was discovered by Earnhardt before making it to NASCAR .
Hamlin documented his close victory on social media .
NASCAR suspended its real-life racing until at least May 9 because of the coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday at Homestead before the virus brought sports events to a halt .

Denny Hamlin (11) beat Dale Earnhardt Jr. off the final corner Sunday at the virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway track. File Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- With the NASCAR season halted by the coronavirus pandemic, Denny Hamlin won Sunday's inaugural eNASCAR iRacing Pro Series Invitational at a virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway. Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 champion, beat Dale Earnhardt Jr. off the final corner in the debut event. Timmy Hill, Chase Briscoe and pole-winner Garrett Smithley rounded out the top five. Advertisement
Earnhardt, who retired from the NASCAR Cup Series at the conclusion of the 2017 season, was ahead going into the last lap and running on the inside. Hamlin took the lead on the backstretch before the two made contact coming out of the fourth turn. Earnhardt was pushed to the inside of the virtual track as Hamlin took the checkered flag.
Down to the wire! Try not to blow the CPU during your celebration, @dennyhamlin! pic.twitter.com/YdiVCBuHgs— eNASCAR (@NASCAR) March 22, 2020
The 100-lap iRace, which was televised on FOX Sports 1, featured many of NASCAR's top drivers in the 35-car field, including Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Joey Logano, Clint Bowyer, Brad Keselowski, Bobby Labonte, Kyle Larson and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Advertisement
The virtual race served as a charity event for individuals affected by COVID-19, which has temporarily paused most action in the sports world. Before the race, Hamlin pledged to donate $100 for each lap that he led and $5,000 for winning the event.
With his victory, Hamlin will donate $6,400 to The NASCAR Foundation to assist Miami-area families impacted by the virus. Other drivers also have matched and added on to his donation.
"It's always fun when you win," Hamlin told reporters. "Regardless, it was a great event for the racing community and the NASCAR drivers to come together to put 20-something drivers on the race track with such short notice.
"Everyone is buying simulation rigs this week and last week getting ready for the event, and for it all to come together and have a great finish, I think it was definitely a success."
It was Hamlin's 31st victory in iRacing, which is where he was discovered by Earnhardt before making it to NASCAR. Hamlin documented his close victory on social media.
What a swing of emotions for a 7 year old. And a dollar into the swear jar pic.twitter.com/JB4Z2j3vai— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) March 22, 2020 Advertisement
NASCAR suspended its real-life racing until at least May 9 because of the coronavirus outbreak. Drivers were supposed to be racing Sunday at Homestead before the virus brought sports events to a halt.


upi--2020-03-22--Donald Trump activates National Guard in California, New York, Washington

March 22 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he has activated the National Guard in California , New York and Washington in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19 .
During a briefing by the White House Coronavirus Task Force Trump announced that the federal government will fund the missions but all three states will remain in command of the National Guard .
New York and Washington account for about half of confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States .
`` We 're dealing also with other states but these states have been hit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he instructed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to supply four federal medical stations with 1,000 beds for New York , eight federal medical stations with 2,000 beds for California and three federal medical stations as well as three smaller medical stations with 1,000 beds for Washington .
In addition , Washington will receive 369,000 N-95 respirators and 575,000 O-78 surgical masks , and New York will get 186,416 respirators and 444,000 surgical masks .
`` This action will give them maximum flexibility to use the National Guard against the virus without having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freeing up state resources to protect the health and safety of the people in their state , '' he said .
Trump also said that the USNS Mercy Navy hospital ship will be sent to Los Angeles and the USNS Comfort will be sent to the East Coast , likely in the New York harbor .
Trump also approved a request by Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee for a federal disaster declaration , joining New York

President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he has activated the National Guard for California, New York and Washington during a briefing of the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he has activated the National Guard in California, New York and Washington in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19. During a briefing by the White House Coronavirus Task Force, Trump announced that the federal government will fund the missions but all three states will remain in command of the National Guard. Advertisement
New York and Washington account for about half of confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States.
"We're dealing also with other states but these states have been hit the hardest," Trump said.
Trump said he instructed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to supply four federal medical stations with 1,000 beds for New York, eight federal medical stations with 2,000 beds for California and three federal medical stations as well as three smaller medical stations with 1,000 beds for Washington.
Advertisement
In addition, Washington will receive 369,000 N-95 respirators and 575,000 O-78 surgical masks, and New York will get 186,416 respirators and 444,000 surgical masks.
"This action will give them maximum flexibility to use the National Guard against the virus without having to worry about costs or liability and freeing up state resources to protect the health and safety of the people in their state," he said.
Trump also said that the USNS Mercy Navy hospital ship will be sent to Los Angeles and the USNS Comfort will be sent to the East Coast, likely in the New York harbor.
Trump also approved a request by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and California Gov. Gavin Newsom for a federal major disaster declaration, joining New York, whose request was answered Saturday.
Inslee sent the 74-page letter of request to the president on Friday to access a slew of federal assistance programs, including crisis counseling and training to lessen the mental impact the pandemic could have on the mental health of his citizens. Other requests made in the letter remain under review, his office said.
In a statement, Inslee said he appreciates the federal approval of the disaster Washington is experiencing, but it isn't enough.
Advertisement
"Today's declaration does not unlock many forms of federal assistance we have requested to help workers and families who are badly hurting," Inslee said. "The state urgently requires additional federal emergency assistance in order to save lives, protect public health and safety and limit further spread of the disease."
Trump's approval of the declaration explains funds have been made available to Washington for crisis counseling and for "certain private nonprofits organizations for emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance."
In California, Newsom said he asked for the declaration in order to provide "additional assistance, including but not limited to, mass care and emergency assistance, crisis counseling, disaster case management, disaster unemployment assistance, disaster legal service and Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance," according to a statement from his office.
"Unfortunately, California has been disproportionally impacted by COVID-19," Newsom wrote in the letter to Trump. "Besides California being home to nearly 40 million people, which itself poses significant logistical issues few other states face, California partnered with the federal government in several extremely complex and challenging repatriation missions, which strained California's resources and impacted California's healthcare delivery system."


upi--2020-03-22--White House Correspondents' Dinner postponed

March 22 ( UPI ) -- Next month 's White House Correspondents ' Dinner has been postponed amid concerns over @ @ @ @ @ The White House Correspondents ' Association regrets to announce that it is unable to go @ @ @ @ @ on April 25 .
We will get back to you soon with our alternative date @ @ @ @ @ , '' the association tweeted Sunday .
The group of journalists announced in February that @ @ @ @ @ Minhaj would co-host the gala , which was to take place in Washington , D.C @ @ @ @ @ latest to be canceled or postponed during the global health crisis , which has killed @ @ @ @ @ Already scrapped this year are the South by Southwest , Coachella and Tribeca festivals , @ @ @ @ @ Emmy Awards ceremony .
The Cannes film festival has been postponed , while most schools @ @ @ @ @ and performance-arts venues are closed and film productions have been shut down in an effort @ @ @ @ @ in large groups .

1/2
Hasan Minhaj was scheduled to co-host the White House Correspondents' Dinner on April 25, but it has been postponed until an unspecified date. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- Next month's White House Correspondents' Dinner has been postponed amid concerns over the coronavirus outbreak. "The White House Correspondents' Association regrets to announce that it is unable to go ahead with its 2020 dinner on April 25. We will get back to you soon with our alternative date. Thanks for your support," the association tweeted Sunday. Advertisement
The group of journalists announced in February that comedians Kenan Thompson and Hasan Minhaj would co-host the gala, which was to take place in Washington, D.C.
The event is the latest to be canceled or postponed during the global health crisis, which has killed more than 13,000 people.
Already scrapped this year are the South by Southwest, Coachella and Tribeca festivals, as well as the Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony.
The Cannes film festival has been postponed, while most schools, theaters, theme parks and performance-arts venues are closed and film productions have been shut down in an effort to discourage people from gathering in large groups.


upi--2020-03-22--Kraft family thanks former New England Patriots QB Tom Brady in full-page ad

March 22 ( UPI ) -- New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his family thanked former franchise quarterback Tom Brady with a full-page advertisement in Sunday 's edition of the Tampa Bay Times .
The ad was published two days after the Buccaneers officially signed Brady to a two-year contract worth $ 50 million in fully guaranteed money .
`` For 20 amazing years , you gave us everything you had , '' the ad read .
`` When you arrived as a sixth-round pick -- and the best selection this franchise has ever made -- no one imagined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you 'd soon mean to an entire region .
You now leave New England after two decades of dominance as the G.O.A.T .
and forever a part of our family .
`` Your passion for the game , competitiveness and constant pursuit of excellence resulted in an unprecedented six Super Bowl victories , nine conference championships and 17 division titles .
... To the Buccaneers fans and Tampa Bay community -- take care of him .
You got a great one . ''
Brady , 42 , left the Patriots with six Super @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The four-time Super Bowl MVP completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 74,571 yards , 541 touchdowns and 179 interceptions across 20 seasons in New England .

Former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) agreed to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week after spending two decades with the Patriots. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his family thanked former franchise quarterback Tom Brady with a full-page advertisement in Sunday's edition of the Tampa Bay Times. The ad was published two days after the Buccaneers officially signed Brady to a two-year contract worth $50 million in fully guaranteed money. Advertisement
"For 20 amazing years, you gave us everything you had," the ad read. "When you arrived as a sixth-round pick -- and the best selection this franchise has ever made -- no one imagined all you'd accomplish or how much you'd soon mean to an entire region. You now leave New England after two decades of dominance as the G.O.A.T. and forever a part of our family.
"Your passion for the game, competitiveness and constant pursuit of excellence resulted in an unprecedented six Super Bowl victories, nine conference championships and 17 division titles. ... To the Buccaneers fans and Tampa Bay community -- take care of him. You got a great one."
Brady, 42, left the Patriots with six Super Bowl titles and three NFL MVP awards. The four-time Super Bowl MVP completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 74,571 yards, 541 touchdowns and 179 interceptions across 20 seasons in New England.


upi--2020-03-22--Dubai World Cup horse races canceled due to COVID-19

March 22 ( UPI ) -- The $ 35 million Dubai World Cup horse races , arguably the sport 's premier event , were canceled Sunday , just six days out and with many of the international runners already on the grounds at Meydan Racecourse .
Organizers earlier had announced they would run the races without fans in attendance .
Even that plan became untenable as the threat of spreading COVID-19 grew .
`` To safeguard the health of all participants , the higher organizing committee of the Dubai World Cup 2020 has decided to postpone [ the ] 25th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , '' government officials said Sunday morning .
Sheik Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum is both ruler of Dubai and the driving force behind the country 's racing program as head of Godolphin .
The World Cup was his brainchild .
The decision leaves myriad unanswered questions , including arrangements for getting horses and their caretakers out of Dubai .
Trainer Mark Casse , whose Sir Winston was to have competed in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup , was caught off-guard when contacted by The Blood-Horse .
Casse had not yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they said it was going to go on and today 's it 's canceled , '' Casse told the publication .
`` But one thing is for sure -- there are more serious matters than horse racing .
We 've just got to go on and try to get the world fixed . ''
Casse said he was told if traveling staff does not exit the country within a few days , members could be stuck for an extended period .
The equine cast lined up for the six Group 1 and two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far away as Japan , Hong Kong and Europe .
However , Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien said days earlier his powerful string would not travel to Dubai in light of the health emergency .
Three U.S.-based 3-year-olds were set to run in the Group 2 UAE Derby , a race which awards qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby .
Since the Derby has been pushed back from May to September , those runners now will have a chance to return home to contest expected additional qualifying races .

Sir Winston, shown winning the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in New York on June 8, was to have competed in Dubai. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- The $35 million Dubai World Cup horse races, arguably the sport's premier event, were canceled Sunday, just six days out and with many of the international runners already on the grounds at Meydan Racecourse. Organizers earlier had announced they would run the races without fans in attendance. Even that plan became untenable as the threat of spreading COVID-19 grew. Advertisement
"To safeguard the health of all participants, the higher organizing committee of the Dubai World Cup 2020 has decided to postpone [the] 25th edition of the global tournament to next year," government officials said Sunday morning.
Sheik Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum is both ruler of Dubai and the driving force behind the country's racing program as head of Godolphin. The World Cup was his brainchild.
The decision leaves myriad unanswered questions, including arrangements for getting horses and their caretakers out of Dubai.
Trainer Mark Casse, whose Sir Winston was to have competed in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup, was caught off-guard when contacted by The Blood-Horse. Casse had not yet left the United States.
Advertisement
"Yesterday they said it was going to go on and today's it's canceled," Casse told the publication. "But one thing is for sure -- there are more serious matters than horse racing. We've just got to go on and try to get the world fixed."
Casse said he was told if traveling staff does not exit the country within a few days, members could be stuck for an extended period.
The equine cast lined up for the six Group 1 and two Group 2 races included stars from as far away as Japan, Hong Kong and Europe. However, Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien said days earlier his powerful string would not travel to Dubai in light of the health emergency.
Three U.S.-based 3-year-olds were set to run in the Group 2 UAE Derby, a race which awards qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby. Since the Derby has been pushed back from May to September, those runners now will have a chance to return home to contest expected additional qualifying races.


upi--2020-03-22--Eagles CB Darius Slay to wear No. 24 in honor of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant

March 22 ( UPI ) -- Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay said on social media that he plans to switch to No .
24 in honor of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant .
Slay , who was traded to the Eagles last week , wore No .
30 in his rookie season with the Lions before changing his uniform number to 23 , which he has worn for the last six seasons .
Bryant famously wore Nos .
8 and 24 in his 20-year career with the Lakers .
`` My number I 'm rocking ?
I 'm going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm rockin ' with two-four this year , '' Slay said Saturday night on Instagram Live .
`` Kobe mode .
Black mamba , baby .
Rest in peace to the G.O.A.T.
, man .
Rest in peace to one of my favorite players .
...
I think I 'm going to look good in 24 . ''
Bryant , who starred at Lower Merion High School in Ardmore , Pa. , was a noted Eagles fan .
The Lakers icon , along with his 13-year-old daughter , Gianna , was among nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January .
Slay previously expressed his excitement on Twitter about getting to play for the team that his favorite athlete rooted for .
Former Eagles running back Jordan Howard wore No .
24 for the Eagles in 2019 .
He agreed to sign with the Miami Dolphins last week , making the prized jersey number available for Slay .
The Lions selected Slay in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State .
In 103 career games in Detroit , the three-time Pro Bowl choice has recorded 347 total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defensed , one sack and one defensive touchdown .

Former Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles last week. File Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay said on social media that he plans to switch to No. 24 in honor of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. Slay, who was traded to the Eagles last week, wore No. 30 in his rookie season with the Lions before changing his uniform number to 23, which he has worn for the last six seasons. Bryant famously wore Nos. 8 and 24 in his 20-year career with the Lakers. Advertisement
"My number I'm rocking? I'm going with that two-four, man. I'm rockin' with two-four this year," Slay said Saturday night on Instagram Live. "Kobe mode. Black mamba, baby. Rest in peace to the G.O.A.T., man. Rest in peace to one of my favorite players. ... I think I'm going to look good in 24."
Bryant, who starred at Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pa., was a noted Eagles fan. The Lakers icon, along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, was among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in January.
Advertisement
Slay previously expressed his excitement on Twitter about getting to play for the team that his favorite athlete rooted for.
Former Eagles running back Jordan Howard wore No. 24 for the Eagles in 2019. He agreed to sign with the Miami Dolphins last week, making the prized jersey number available for Slay.
The Lions selected Slay in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. In 103 career games in Detroit, the three-time Pro Bowl choice has recorded 347 total tackles, 19 interceptions, 104 passes defensed, one sack and one defensive touchdown.


upi--2020-03-22--'View' co-host Meghan McCain announces she is pregnant

March 22 ( UPI ) -- The View co-host Meghan McCain announced on Instagram that she is pregnant .
Because @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , the 35-year-old television personality said she plans to practice social distancing and will @ @ @ @ @ via satellite for the near future .
`` My husband Ben and I have been @ @ @ @ @ 'm pregnant , Although this is n't how I expected to announce my pregnancy , @ @ @ @ @ are excited to share the news with you all , '' McCain wrote in her @ @ @ @ @ Ben Domenech in 2017 .
McCain said last summer she had suffered a miscarriage and @ @ @ @ @ View co-host Joy Behar , 77 , recently said she was taking time off from @ @ @ @ @ exposed to the virus .

Meghan McCain announced Sunday that she is pregnant. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- The View co-host Meghan McCain announced on Instagram that she is pregnant. Because of concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, the 35-year-old television personality said she plans to practice social distancing and will appear on the talk show via satellite for the near future. Advertisement
"My husband Ben and I have been blessed to find out I'm pregnant, Although this isn't how I expected to announce my pregnancy, both we and our families are excited to share the news with you all," McCain wrote in her post.
She married journalist Ben Domenech in 2017. McCain said last summer she had suffered a miscarriage and was grieving the loss.
View co-host Joy Behar, 77, recently said she was taking time off from the show to avoid being exposed to the virus.


upi--2020-03-22--Patriots bringing back QB Brian Hoyer after Tom Brady's departure

March 22 ( UPI ) -- Only a few days removed from Tom Brady 's decision to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , the New England Patriots agreed to terms with veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Hoyer reached a one-year agreement with the Patriots .
According to ESPN , Hoyer 's contract with the team is worth $ 1.05 million .
Hoyer is already earning $ 2 million from the Indianapolis Colts , who released him Saturday .
With offset language , he will make $ 2 million in total guarantees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to ESPN .
Hoyer will return for his third stint with the Patriots , joining former Auburn gunslinger Jarrett Stidham and veteran signal-caller Cody Kessler as the three quarterbacks on the team 's roster .
Stidham beat out Hoyer for the No .
2 job behind Brady last preseason , which led to Hoyer 's release .
Following his release , the Colts , who were scrambling to sign help at the position after the sudden retirement of franchise quarterback Andrew Luck , quickly signed Hoyer to a three-year contract .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brissett last season .
Hoyer , 34 , appeared in four games last season and made one start when Brissett sat out with a knee injury .
He completed 53.8 percent of his passes for 372 yards , four touchdowns and four interceptions .
The Patriots originally signed Hoyer as an undrafted free agent in 2009 .
He spent his first three NFL seasons in New England before short stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers , Arizona Cardinals , Cleveland Browns , Houston Texans , Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers .
In 69 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent of his throws for 10,274 yards , 52 touchdowns and 34 picks .

New England Patriots quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) agreed to a one-year deal to return to the franchise. File Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- Only a few days removed from Tom Brady's decision to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the New England Patriots agreed to terms with veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer. League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Hoyer reached a one-year agreement with the Patriots on Sunday. According to ESPN, Hoyer's contract with the team is worth $1.05 million. Advertisement
Hoyer is already earning $2 million from the Indianapolis Colts, who released him Saturday. With offset language, he will make $2 million in total guarantees this season between the two franchises, according to ESPN.
Hoyer will return for his third stint with the Patriots, joining former Auburn gunslinger Jarrett Stidham and veteran signal-caller Cody Kessler as the three quarterbacks on the team's roster. Stidham beat out Hoyer for the No. 2 job behind Brady last preseason, which led to Hoyer's release.
Following his release, the Colts, who were scrambling to sign help at the position after the sudden retirement of franchise quarterback Andrew Luck, quickly signed Hoyer to a three-year contract. He served as the backup to starter Jacoby Brissett last season.
Advertisement
Hoyer, 34, appeared in four games last season and made one start when Brissett sat out with a knee injury. He completed 53.8 percent of his passes for 372 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions.
The Patriots originally signed Hoyer as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He spent his first three NFL seasons in New England before short stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers.
In 69 career games, Hoyer has completed 59.1 percent of his throws for 10,274 yards, 52 touchdowns and 34 picks.


upi--2020-03-22--IOC consides postponing 2020 Tokyo Olympics over COVID-19 concerns

March 22 ( UPI ) -- The International Olympic Committee on Sunday announced it is considering postponing the 2020 Summer Games in response to the COVID-19 outbreak .
In a letter to athletes , IOC President Thomas Bach said the body has established a timeline for when it will decide how the games will proceed after consulting with stakeholders and a task force , including the World Health Organization , to determine how the global pandemic will impact the Tokyo Games currently scheduled to begin July 24 .
`` Together with all the stakeholders , we have started detailed discussions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapid development of the worldwide health situation and its impact on the Olympic Games , including a scenario of postponement , '' Bach said .
`` We are working very hard and we are confident that we will have finalized these discussions within the next four weeks . ''
The announcement came two days after the Olympic flame arrived in Japan , an event Bach noted as a source of potential optimism while adding that complications accommodating countries experiencing large outbreaks could persist .
`` This could strengthen our confidence in our Japanese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety restrictions , organize the Olympic Games in the country whilst respecting our principle of safeguarding the health of everyone involved , '' he said .
`` On the other hand , we have seen a dramatic increase in cases and new outbreaks of the virus in different countries .
This is why we have to undertake the next step in our scenarios . ''
National Olympic committees from Brazil , Norway and other nations have called for the games to be postponed , along with USA Swimming and USA Track and Field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to proceed with the 2020 Olympics would `` still be premature '' as of Sunday but was committed to avoiding a cancellation .
`` Cancellation of the Olympic Games would destroy the Olympic dream of 11,000 athletes from all 206 National Olympic Committees , from the IOC Refugee Olympic Team , most likely for the Paralympic athletes and for all the people who are supporting as coaches , doctors , officials , training partners , friends and family , '' Bach said .
`` Cancellation would not solve any problem and would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on our agenda , '' he said . ''
The 1944 Summer and Winter Olympics were canceled because of World II .

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said Sunday that the body is working on determining whether to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games due to the outbreak of COVID-19. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- The International Olympic Committee on Sunday announced it is considering postponing the 2020 Summer Games in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. In a letter to athletes, IOC President Thomas Bach said the body has established a timeline for when it will decide how the games will proceed after consulting with stakeholders and a task force, including the World Health Organization, to determine how the global pandemic will impact the Tokyo Games currently scheduled to begin July 24. Advertisement
"Together with all the stakeholders, we have started detailed discussions today to complete our assessment of the rapid development of the worldwide health situation and its impact on the Olympic Games, including a scenario of postponement," Bach said.
"We are working very hard and we are confident that we will have finalized these discussions within the next four weeks."
The announcement came two days after the Olympic flame arrived in Japan, an event Bach noted as a source of potential optimism while adding that complications accommodating countries experiencing large outbreaks could persist.
"This could strengthen our confidence in our Japanese hosts that we could, with certain safety restrictions, organize the Olympic Games in the country whilst respecting our principle of safeguarding the health of everyone involved," he said. "On the other hand, we have seen a dramatic increase in cases and new outbreaks of the virus in different countries. This is why we have to undertake the next step in our scenarios."
Advertisement
National Olympic committees from Brazil, Norway and other nations have called for the games to be postponed, along with USA Swimming and USA Track and Field.
Bach said a final decision about how to proceed with the 2020 Olympics would "still be premature" as of Sunday but was committed to avoiding a cancellation.
"Cancellation of the Olympic Games would destroy the Olympic dream of 11,000 athletes from all 206 National Olympic Committees, from the IOC Refugee Olympic Team, most likely for the Paralympic athletes and for all the people who are supporting as coaches, doctors, officials, training partners, friends and family," Bach said.
"Cancellation would not solve any problem and would help nobody, Therefore it is not on our agenda," he said."
The 1940 and 1944 Summer and Winter Olympics were canceled because of World II, and the 1914 Summer Olympics because of World War I.


upi--2020-03-22--N.Y. reports 117 coronavirus deaths as governors call for federal help

March 22 ( UPI ) -- New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo on Sunday said 117 people in his state have died from COVID-19 , and he called on the federal government to provide more resources .
There have been 117 deaths and 15,168 confirmed cases of the virus in New York -- around half of the cases in the United States -- and President Donald Trump on Saturday approved a major disaster declaration for the state , which he called an `` unprecedented '' federal response .
Cuomo on Sunday condemned large groups of people gathering in the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-essential businesses throughout the state set to take effect at 8 p.m. Sunday .
`` This is just a mistake .
It 's a mistake .
It 's insensitive .
It 's arrogant .
It 's self-destructive .
It 's disrespectful to other people .
And it has to stop and it has to stop now .
This is not a joke .
And I am not kidding , '' he said .
Cuomo said that New York did n't receive funding from the first coronavirus bill , despite the state having `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` technical mistake '' in the way the legislation was written .
Vice President Mike Pence said Sunday that at least 254,000 Americans have been tested and received results for coronavirus and more than 30,000 have tested positive .
There have been 33,276 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 417 deaths , according to figures from Johns Hopkins University as of Sunday night .
The number of deaths include 34 states as well as Guam , Puerto Rico and one from a cruise ship that was docked in Japan under quarantine .
New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths , comprise 50.1 percent of the deaths .
California , which is banning non-essential businesses in the state like New York , is in third with 30 deaths .
Also with `` stay-at-home '' orders are Connecticut ( 5 deaths ) , Delaware ( 0 ) , Illinois ( 9 ) , Louisiana ( 20 ) , New Jersey ( 20 ) , Ohio ( 3 ) and Pennsylvania ( 3 ) .
Other states have also banned dining at restaurants along with other restrictions , including Georgia with 23 deaths and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gretchen Whitmer called for federal officials to give states more COVID-19 test kits , protective equipment such as masks and gloves and `` clear , directive guidance '' saying that lives will be lost because the country was not prepared for the outbreak .
The state reported nine deaths .
`` Had the federal government really started focusing when it became clear that the whole world was going to be confronting this , we would be in a stronger position right now , '' she told ABC News This Week .
Illinois Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Union that states have been forced to compete for medical supplies during the outbreak .
`` We 're competing against each other , '' said Priztker , whose state reported six deaths .
`` We 're competing against other countries .
You know , it 's a wild west , I would say , out there .
And indeed , we 're overpaying , I would say ... because of that competition .
This should have been a coordinated effort by the federal government . ''
In a tweet on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the media should not blame the federal government `` for their own shortcomings . ''
`` We are there to back you up should you fail and always will be , '' he wrote .
Trump announced that he has activated the National Guard in California , New York and Washington and also said U.S. automakers have been approved to begin making ventilators , as governors of several states have criticized the federal government for a lack of assistance in coronavirus response .
`` Ford , General Motors and Tesla are being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other metal products , FAST ! ''
Trump wrote on Twitter .
`` Go for it auto execs , let 's see how good you are ? ''
As the number of cases continues to rise more states and cities have implemented measures to limit contact in order to slow the spread of the virus .
Nashville Mayor John Cooper issued a 14-day `` safe at home order '' limiting gathering to 10 people , closing all non-essential businesses and ordering restaurants to only provide delivery , drive-thru or takeout service .
Tennessee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statewide order implementing similar restrictions on gatherings and restaurants while closing gyms and other fitness facilities until April 6 .
There was one death reported in the state .

1/3
A pigeon takes flight over other birds on an empty of pedestrians and traffic Fifth Avenue in New York City on Sunday. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state has 15,168 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 114 deaths. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday said 117 people in his state have died from COVID-19, and he called on the federal government to provide more resources. There have been 117 deaths and 15,168 confirmed cases of the virus in New York -- around half of the cases in the United States -- and President Donald Trump on Saturday approved a major disaster declaration for the state, which he called an "unprecedented" federal response. Advertisement
Cuomo on Sunday condemned large groups of people gathering in the city after he ordered a shutdown of all non-essential businesses throughout the state set to take effect at 8 p.m. Sunday.
"This is just a mistake. It's a mistake. It's insensitive. It's arrogant. It's self-destructive. It's disrespectful to other people. And it has to stop and it has to stop now. This is not a joke. And I am not kidding," he said.
Advertisement
Cuomo said that New York didn't receive funding from the first coronavirus bill, despite the state having "the greatest need," calling it a "technical mistake" in the way the legislation was written.
Vice President Mike Pence said Sunday that at least 254,000 Americans have been tested and received results for coronavirus and more than 30,000 have tested positive.
There have been 33,276 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 417 deaths, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University as of Sunday night. The number of deaths include 34 states as well as Guam, Puerto Rico and one from a cruise ship that was docked in Japan under quarantine.
New York and Washington state, with 95 deaths, comprise 50.1 percent of the deaths. California, which is banning non-essential businesses in the state like New York, is in third with 30 deaths.
Also with "stay-at-home" orders are Connecticut (5 deaths), Delaware (0), Illinois (9), Louisiana (20), New Jersey (20), Ohio (3) and Pennsylvania (3). Other states have also banned dining at restaurants along with other restrictions, including Georgia with 23 deaths and Florida with 13.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called for federal officials to give states more COVID-19 test kits, protective equipment such as masks and gloves and "clear, directive guidance" saying that lives will be lost because the country was not prepared for the outbreak. The state reported nine deaths.
Advertisement
"Had the federal government really started focusing when it became clear that the whole world was going to be confronting this, we would be in a stronger position right now," she told ABC News This Week.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker told CNN's State of the Union that states have been forced to compete for medical supplies during the outbreak.
"We're competing against each other," said Priztker, whose state reported six deaths. "We're competing against other countries. You know, it's a wild west, I would say, out there. And indeed, we're overpaying, I would say ... because of that competition. This should have been a coordinated effort by the federal government."
In a tweet on Sunday explicitly mentioning Pritzker, Trump said states and the media should not blame the federal government "for their own shortcomings."
"We are there to back you up should you fail and always will be," he wrote.
Trump announced that he has activated the National Guard in California, New York and Washington and also said U.S. automakers have been approved to begin making ventilators, as governors of several states have criticized the federal government for a lack of assistance in coronavirus response.
Advertisement
"Ford, General Motors and Tesla are being given the go-ahead to make ventilators and other metal products, FAST!" Trump wrote on Twitter. "Go for it auto execs, let's see how good you are?"
As the number of cases continues to rise more states and cities have implemented measures to limit contact in order to slow the spread of the virus.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper issued a 14-day "safe at home order" limiting gathering to 10 people, closing all non-essential businesses and ordering restaurants to only provide delivery, drive-thru or takeout service. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee later issued a statewide order implementing similar restrictions on gatherings and restaurants while closing gyms and other fitness facilities until April 6.
There was one death reported in the state.


upi--2020-03-22--Donald Glover officially releases '3.15.20' album

March 22 ( UPI ) -- Donald Glover -- who performs as a rapper under the name Childish Gambino -- @ @ @ @ @ 3.15.20 on all major digital platforms .
The artist temporarily previewed it as an untitled @ @ @ @ @ fans last weekend by streaming it for free on a continuous loop on the website @ @ @ @ @ was removed 12 hours after it was posted .
Variety said it was officially made @ @ @ @ @ via streaming services , but can also be listened to for free on DonaldGloverPresents.com again @ @ @ @ @ on YouTube , too .
The record includes collaborations with Ariana Grande , 21 Savage @ @ @ @

1/3
Donald Glover officially released his new album "3.15.20" on digital platforms Sunday, a week after briefly previewing it online. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- Donald Glover -- who performs as a rapper under the name Childish Gambino -- has released his new album 3.15.20 on all major digital platforms. The artist temporarily previewed it as an untitled collection of 12 tracks for fans last weekend by streaming it for free on a continuous loop on the website DonaldGloverPresents. Advertisement
The unexpected album was removed 12 hours after it was posted.
Variety said it was officially made available for download early Sunday via streaming services, but can also be listened to for free on DonaldGloverPresents.com again.
It can be heard on YouTube, too.
The record includes collaborations with Ariana Grande, 21 Savage and Khadja Bonet.


upi--2020-03-22--Broadway's Ruthie Ann Miles pregnant after unborn baby, 4-year-old die in accident

March 22 ( UPI ) -- Broadway actress Ruthie Ann Miles has announced she is pregnant with a third child .
She shared the news after she and her 4-year-old daughter were struck by a car on a New York City street in March 2018 .
Miles , who is married to Jonathan Blumenstein , was seven months pregnant at the time of the collision .
Her unborn baby and her daughter died because of the incident .
The driver later took her own life .
`` We 'd like to announce our very happy news : We are expecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially to the many of you who supported us in the aftermath of the crash , continually lifted us up in prayer , doused us with Love , encouraged us , let us be & grieve these two years ... .
and now rejoice with us in this new life , '' the 37-year-old actress tweeted Saturday .
`` We know Abigail Joy and Sophia would have loved being big sisters & are loving watching their family grow . ''
Miles ' credits include Avenue Q and The King and I .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TV show The Americans .

Ruthie Ann Miles is pregnant with her third child. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- Broadway actress Ruthie Ann Miles has announced she is pregnant with a third child. She shared the news after she and her 4-year-old daughter were struck by a car on a New York City street in March 2018. Advertisement
Miles, who is married to Jonathan Blumenstein, was seven months pregnant at the time of the collision. Her unborn baby and her daughter died because of the incident.
The driver later took her own life.
"We'd like to announce our very happy news: We are expecting another child this spring! Thank you especially to the many of you who supported us in the aftermath of the crash, continually lifted us up in prayer, doused us with Love, encouraged us, let us be & grieve these two years.... and now rejoice with us in this new life," the 37-year-old actress tweeted Saturday. "We know Abigail Joy and Sophia would have loved being big sisters & are loving watching their family grow."
Miles' credits include Avenue Q and The King and I. She also played a recurring role on the TV show The Americans.


upi--2020-03-22--Mnuchin hopeful for coronavirus stimulus package vote; Pelosi says sides 'apart'

March 22 ( UPI ) -- Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Sunday that he hopes Congress will approve a nearly $ 2 trillion stimulus bill aimed at helping Americans deal with the coronavirus by Monday though House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said `` we 're apart . ''
Meanwhile , Sen. Rand Paul , R-Ky. , became the first U.S. senator to test positive for coronavirus , posting on Twitter he `` is feeling fine and is in quarantine .
He is asymptomatic and was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with any infected person . ''
The legislation , which was introduced by Republicans on Thursday , failed to advance on a 47-47 procedural vote with 60 votes needs to pass .
Mnuchin optimistically Fox News Sunday : `` I think we have a fundamental understanding and we look forward to wrapping it up today . ''
Pelosi on Sunday signaled that the House might not approve the bill , which Democrats have previously criticized as pro-business instead of pro-worker .
`` From my standpoint , we 're apart , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday .
Mnuchin said the bill was designed to stimulate the economy over a 10- to 12-week period .
`` We need to get the money into the economy now .
If we do that , we think we can stabilize the economy , '' he said .
`` I think the president has every expectation that this is going to look a lot better four or eight weeks from now . ''
Mnuchin said the first part of the bill includes what he called `` small business retention loans '' as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has suggested people remain home to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and some states have ordered mandatory closures .
`` If you 're a small business , you 'll get two weeks of cash flow to pay your workers .
You 'll also get some overhead , and if you do that , your loans will be forgiven , '' he said .
The bill would also provide direct deposits , which Mnuchin said would see an average family receive about $ 3,000 , along with enhanced unemployment insurance for people who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak .
Schumer described the plan for workers as `` unemployment insurance on steroids '' in an interview with CNN .
`` It will cover all workers .
It will cover part-time workers , it will cover workers who are independent workers , it will cover the freelancers and you will be able to stay on this for four months , '' he said .
`` And when the end of it occurs , since you 'll be getting your pay , but you 'll be furloughed by the employer , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mnuchin said the bill includes a `` significant package '' developed in conjunction with the Federal Reserve to infuse money into the economy .
`` We 'll have up to $ 4 trillion to support liquidity that we can use to support the economy , '' he said .
Paul wo n't be at the Senate because he will remain in quarantine .
`` Ten days ago , our D.C. office began working remotely , hence virtually no staff has had contact with Senator Paul , '' Deputy Chief of Staff Sergio Gor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whip John Thune , R-S.D.
, said on the Senate floor that senators will be seeking medical advice .
`` We 'll consult with the attending physician here at the Capitol about appropriate measures for those of us who have been in contact with the senator , but this is the kind of situation that Americans across the country are dealing with right now and it underscores the importance of acting immediately to deliver more relief for the American people , '' Thune said .
Diaz-Balart told NBC news on Saturday he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the initial symptoms hit him `` like a ton of bricks . ''
McAdams told NBC 's `` Today '' last week he `` felt like I had a belt around my chest , and so I could n't breathe deeply . ''

1/2
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- Senate Democrats on Sunday blocked a nearly $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill they said was geared more to helping businesses than the American public during the pandemic. The legislation, which was introduced by Republicans on Thursday, failed to advance on a 47-47 procedural vote with 60 votes needed to pass. Advertisement
Among the six lawmakers to abstain from voting was Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who became the first U.S. senator to test positive for the coronavirus.
A statement posted on his Twitter account read that he "is feeling fine and is in quarantine. He is asymptomatic and was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events. He was not aware of any direct contact with any infected person."
Sens. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Mike Lee, R-Utah, who also abstained from voting, both announced that they had self-quarantined.
Advertisement
After the vote failed, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky criticized the Democrats on the Senate floor, stating there had been some 48 hours of bipartisan negotiations, accusing them of "fiddling" with the emotions, healthcare and the markets of the American people.
"The American people expect us to act tomorrow and I want everyone to fully understand, if we aren't able to act tomorrow, it'll be because of our colleagues on the other side continuing to dither when the country expects us to come together and address this problem."
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York responded that the negotiations weren't bipartisan and that the bill "has many problems," specifically a large corporate bailout that contains no protections for workers and little oversight.
"Also very troubling in the bill were significant shortfalls of money that our hospitals, states, cities and medical workers desperately needed," he said. "This is a public health crisis. It is inexplicable to skimp on funding to address the pandemic."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Sunday signaled that the House might not approve the bill, which Democrats have criticized as pro-business instead of pro-worker.
Advertisement
"From my standpoint, we're apart," she said when asked about a potential deal on Sunday.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin earlier told Fox News Sunday that the bill was designed to stimulate the economy over a 10- to 12-week period.
"We need to get the money into the economy now. If we do that, we think we can stabilize the economy," he said. "I think the president has every expectation that this is going to look a lot better four or eight weeks from now."
Mnuchin said the first part of the bill includes what he called "small business retention loans" as many businesses closed while the federal government has suggested people remain home to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and some states have ordered mandatory closures.
"If you're a small business, you'll get two weeks of cash flow to pay your workers. You'll also get some overhead, and if you do that, your loans will be forgiven," he said.
The bill would also provide direct deposits, which Mnuchin said would see an average family of four receive about $3,000, along with enhanced unemployment insurance for people who have been laid off as a result of the outbreak.
Advertisement
Mnuchin said the bill includes a "significant package" developed in conjunction with the Federal Reserve to infuse money into the economy.
"We'll have up to $4 trillion to support liquidity that we can use to support the economy," he said.
President Donald Trump on Sunday told reporters that McConnell and Schumer were working to quickly pass the legislation that he framed as bipartisan.
"They worked late into the night last night and started early this morning, and we are working to pass that legislation on Monday in both the House and the Senate," he said.
However, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said it wasn't a bipartisan bill but "a Republican proposal."
Concerning possible COVID-19 infections among lawmakers, Senate Republican Whip John Thune of South Dakota said on the Senate floor that senators will be seeking medical advice.
"We'll consult with the attending physician here at the Capitol about appropriate measures for those of us who have been in contact with the senator, but this is the kind of situation that Americans across the country are dealing with right now and it underscores the importance of acting immediately to deliver more relief for the American people," Thune said.
Advertisement
Earlier in the week, U.S. Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., and Ben McAdams, D-Utah, tested positive.
Diaz-Balart told NBC News on Saturday he is feeling better after a week, but said the initial symptoms hit him "like a ton of bricks." McAdams told NBC's Today last week he "felt like I had a belt around my chest, and so I couldn't breathe deeply."


upi--2020-03-22--Sophia Myles says dad died after coronavirus battle

March 22 ( UPI ) -- Sophia Myles , a Moonlight , Doctor Who and Transformers : Age of Extinction @ @ @ @ @ that her father Peter has died after battling the coronavirus .
`` My dear Dad @ @ @ @ @ ago .
It was the Corona Virus that finally took him , '' the British @ @ @ @ @ Yesterday I went on a journey to see my father .
This is the harsh @ @ @ @ @ '' she captioned a photo of her ailing dad in a hospital bed .
Myles @ @ @ @ @ offer any details about her father 's age or his health before he contracted the @ @ @ @ @ for their support in a short video .
Several international celebrities have announced they tested @ @ @ @ @ has killed more than 13,000 people around the world .
Actress Debi Mazar , talk-show @ @ @ @ @ couple Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson , Luther star Idris Elba , Lost alum Daniel @ @ @ @ @ Game of Thrones cast-mates Indira Varma and Kristofer Hivju .

British actress Sophia Myles has announced her father Peter died after a battle with the coronavirus. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- Sophia Myles, a Moonlight, Doctor Who and Transformers: Age of Extinction actress, announced on Twitter that her father Peter has died after battling the coronavirus. "My dear Dad died only a few hours ago. It was the Corona Virus that finally took him," the British star tweeted Saturday. Advertisement
"Yesterday I went on a journey to see my father. This is the harsh reality of the Coronavirus," she captioned a photo of her ailing dad in a hospital bed.
Myles, 40, did not offer any details about her father's age or his health before he contracted the virus.
She thanked fans for their support in a short video.
Several international celebrities have announced they tested positive for the pandemic that has killed more than 13,000 people around the world.
Actress Debi Mazar, talk-show host Andy Cohen, Hollywood couple Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Luther star Idris Elba, Lost alum Daniel Dae Kim, and former Game of Thrones cast-mates Indira Varma and Kristofer Hivju.


upi--2020-03-22--'Daily Social Distancing Show with Trevor Noah' to debut on Comedy Central Monday

March 22 ( UPI ) -- Comedy Central announced The Daily Social Distancing Show with Trevor Noah will begin airing @ @ @ @ @ , starting Monday .
`` Following the recent production shutdown of all late-night shows amid @ @ @ @ @ Trevor and his team are successfully producing and distributing a version of Comedy Central 's @ @ @ @ @ a press release from the network said .
`` During this time , Trevor and @ @ @ @ @ writers , editors and directors are doing their part to flatten the curve by working @ @ @ @ @ show will also be available on the series ' social media channels .
Noah has @ @ @ @ @ Jon Stewart left in 2015 .
As other variety programs shut down , hosts such @ @ @ @ @ Fallon have been sharing online celebrity interviews and comedic/musical segments they conduct from their homes @ @ @ @

1/3
Trevor Noah will host a version of "The Daily Show" from his home, starting Monday. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- Comedy Central announced The Daily Social Distancing Show with Trevor Noah will begin airing weeknights at 11 p.m. ET/PT, starting Monday. "Following the recent production shutdown of all late-night shows amid an escalating COVID-19 pandemic, Trevor and his team are successfully producing and distributing a version of Comedy Central's late-night franchise remotely," a press release from the network said. Advertisement
"During this time, Trevor and all of his producers, writers, editors and directors are doing their part to flatten the curve by working from home."
The show will also be available on the series' social media channels.
Noah has hosted The Daily Show since Jon Stewart left in 2015.
As other variety programs shut down, hosts such as Ellen DeGeneres and Jimmy Fallon have been sharing online celebrity interviews and comedic/musical segments they conduct from their homes via video chat.


upi--2020-03-22--Strongest earthquake in 140 years rattles Croatia's capital; at least 1 dead

March 22 ( UPI ) -- A strong earthquake rattled Zagreb , Croatia , on Sunday morning , killing at least one person and littering the streets with debris .
The temblor , which struck 5.7 miles to the north of Zagreb and had a depth of 6.2 miles , was rated a magnitude 5.4 , according to the United States Geological Survey .
There has been at least one strong aftershock thus far with a magnitude of 4.6 .
A teenage boy has reportedly died after a roof collapse in Zagreb .
`` We received a report of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
An ambulance team took to the field and found a seriously injured child who showed no signs of life , '' said Zarko Rasic , director of the Zagreb Institute of Emergency Medicine , via a local news outlet .
The boy 's death was confirmed at a nearby hospital .
People across the capital shared images on Twitter of debris from damaged buildings littering the streets .
Vehicles were also seen nearly completely crumpled .
The historic Zagreb Cathedral also suffered damage , with the top of one of the spires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severely damaged in 1880 when a significant earthquake shook the city .
`` It felt like a train was coming through my apartment , in all my time in the city I have never felt anything like that before , '' a resident told The Dubrovnik Times .
Electricity has been cut in parts of the capital , the news agency reported .
All occupants at Zagreb 's airport were evacuated from the building after the earthquake .
No infrastructure or runway damage was found and the airport is now operating on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lockdown was put in place in Zagreb and elsewhere across Croatia to combat the spread of coronavirus .
The country has reported 206 cases and its first death Thursday .
`` Now everyone 's outside grouped in front of their buildings .
This wo n't help , '' wrote one person on Twitter after the earthquake struck .
`` This was the strongest earthquake in Zagreb in the last 140 years , but there is no need to panic and go to gas stations in large numbers , '' government officials stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation , we emphasize once again the importance of keeping a distance and following the instructions to combat # COVID ー 19 ! ''
For cleanup and recovery efforts in the coming days , AccuWeather meteorologists expect a storm to move into the area with snow by Tuesday .
Allen Cone of UPI contributed to this report .

1/2
A 5.4 magnitude earthquake struck Zagreb, Croatia, on Sunday morning, damaging buildings and cutting off electricity in a number of neighborhoods. Photo by Antonio Bat/EPA-EFE
March 22 (UPI) -- A strong earthquake rattled Zagreb, Croatia, on Sunday morning, killing at least one person and littering the streets with debris. The temblor, which struck 5.7 miles to the north of Zagreb and had a depth of 6.2 miles, was rated a magnitude 5.4, according to the United States Geological Survey. Advertisement
There has been at least one strong aftershock thus far with a magnitude of 4.6.
A teenage boy has reportedly died after a roof collapse in Zagreb.
"We received a report of the collapse of the building at Djordjiceva 13. An ambulance team took to the field and found a seriously injured child who showed no signs of life," said Zarko Rasic, director of the Zagreb Institute of Emergency Medicine, via a local news outlet. The boy's death was confirmed at a nearby hospital.
People across the capital shared images on Twitter of debris from damaged buildings littering the streets. Vehicles were also seen nearly completely crumpled.
The historic Zagreb Cathedral also suffered damage, with the top of one of the spires being broken off. The cathedral was severely damaged in 1880 when a significant earthquake shook the city.
Advertisement
"It felt like a train was coming through my apartment, in all my time in the city I have never felt anything like that before," a resident told The Dubrovnik Times.
Electricity has been cut in parts of the capital, the news agency reported.
All occupants at Zagreb's airport were evacuated from the building after the earthquake. No infrastructure or runway damage was found and the airport is now operating on a normal schedule.
Before the earthquake, a lockdown was put in place in Zagreb and elsewhere across Croatia to combat the spread of coronavirus. The country has reported 206 cases and its first death Thursday.
"Now everyone's outside grouped in front of their buildings. This won't help," wrote one person on Twitter after the earthquake struck.
"This was the strongest earthquake in Zagreb in the last 140 years, but there is no need to panic and go to gas stations in large numbers," government officials stated on Twitter. "Regardless of the situation, we emphasize once again the importance of keeping a distance and following the instructions to combat #COVID ー 19!"
For cleanup and recovery efforts in the coming days, AccuWeather meteorologists expect a storm to move into the area with snow by Tuesday.
Advertisement
Allen Cone of UPI contributed to this report.