upi--2020-03-19--Texas court stays execution of 2nd inmate over COVID-19 disruption

March 19 ( UPI ) -- A Texas appeals court stayed a second execution Thursday , citing a disruption to the judicial system brought on by the coronavirus pandemic .
The Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas said Tracy Beatty 's lethal injection will be delayed for 60 days , at which point a new execution date can be scheduled .
The 59-year-old was originally scheduled to be executed Wednesday .
Beatty was convicted for killing his 62-year-old mother Carolyn `` Callie '' Click in 2003 .
It 's the second stay of execution ordered in Texas due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay for John Hummel , who was scheduled to die Wednesday .
Beatty 's lawyer , Thomas Smith , requested the stay Wednesday , citing the court 's earlier ruling in the Hummel case .
Hummel 's attorney , Michael Mowla , said the spread of COVID-19 would interfere with his ability to conduct investigations and file motions to stop the execution .
He also said the virus could be spread among workers and witnesses on hand for the execution .
Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott has declared a state of disaster and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspended visitations at all facilities to prevent the spread of the virus among prison populations .
In addition to Hummel and Beatty , another death row inmate , Oscar Smith in Tennessee , has requested his June 4 execution be stayed amid the coronavirus outbreak .

Tracy Beatty was originally scheduled to be executed Wednesday. File Photo courtesy of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
March 19 (UPI) -- A Texas appeals court stayed a second execution Thursday, citing a disruption to the judicial system brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. The Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas said Tracy Beatty's lethal injection will be delayed for 60 days, at which point a new execution date can be scheduled. The 59-year-old was originally scheduled to be executed Wednesday. Advertisement
Beatty was convicted for killing his 62-year-old mother Carolyn "Callie" Click in 2003.
It's the second stay of execution ordered in Texas due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The court ordered a stay for John Hummel, who was scheduled to die Wednesday.
Beatty's lawyer, Thomas Smith, requested the stay Wednesday, citing the court's earlier ruling in the Hummel case.
Hummel's attorney, Michael Mowla, said the spread of COVID-19 would interfere with his ability to conduct investigations and file motions to stop the execution. He also said the virus could be spread among workers and witnesses on hand for the execution.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has declared a state of disaster and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has suspended visitations at all facilities to prevent the spread of the virus among prison populations.
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In addition to Hummel and Beatty, another death row inmate, Oscar Smith in Tennessee, has requested his June 4 execution be stayed amid the coronavirus outbreak.


upi--2020-03-19--Crop diversity can help fight climate change, new study shows

March 19 ( UPI ) -- Single-crop farms , which dominate today 's agriculture industry , fail to provide the buffer against climate change that crop diversity does , a new Stanford study shows .
For the study , published Wednesday in the journal Nature , Stanford researchers looked at how farming practices impacted bird biodiversity in Costa Rica .
`` Farms that are good for birds are also good for other species , '' Jeffrey Smith , a biology graduate student and co-author of the study , said in a statement .
`` We can use birds as natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems . ''
Overall , diversified farms provided a more stable and secure habitat for birds and a better climate change buffer than single-crop farms , the research team found .
`` The tropics are expected to suffer even more intensely in terms of prolonged dry seasons , extreme heat and forest dieback under climate change , '' said Gretchen Daily , director of the Stanford National Capital Project and the Center for Conservation Biology and a senior author of the paper .
`` But diversified farms offer refuge -- they can buffer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a natural forest ecosystem . ''
Daily said there is a variety of cash crops that thrive in diversified farms , noting that bananas and coffee are grown together in Costa Rica , where taller banana plants shade temperature-sensitive coffee beans .
`` This study shows that climate change has already been impacting wildlife communities , continues to do so , and that local farming practices really matter in protecting biodiversity and building climate resilience , '' said Nick Hendershot , a biology graduate student and lead author of the study .

A study published Wednesday shows that crop diversity could help offer this crop shade since it's sensitive to heat. Pictured, a single-crop system that exposes coffee crops directly to the sun. Photo by Nick Hendershot/Stanford University
March 19 (UPI) -- Single-crop farms, which dominate today's agriculture industry, fail to provide the buffer against climate change that crop diversity does, a new Stanford study shows. For the study, published Wednesday in the journal Nature, Stanford researchers looked at how farming practices impacted bird biodiversity in Costa Rica. Advertisement
"Farms that are good for birds are also good for other species," Jeffrey Smith, a biology graduate student and co-author of the study, said in a statement. "We can use birds as natural guides to help us design better agriculture systems."
Overall, diversified farms provided a more stable and secure habitat for birds and a better climate change buffer than single-crop farms, the research team found.
"The tropics are expected to suffer even more intensely in terms of prolonged dry seasons, extreme heat and forest dieback under climate change," said Gretchen Daily, director of the Stanford National Capital Project and the Center for Conservation Biology and a senior author of the paper. "But diversified farms offer refuge -- they can buffer these harmful effects in ways similar to a natural forest ecosystem."
Daily said there is a variety of cash crops that thrive in diversified farms, noting that bananas and coffee are grown together in Costa Rica, where taller banana plants shade temperature-sensitive coffee beans.
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"This study shows that climate change has already been impacting wildlife communities, continues to do so, and that local farming practices really matter in protecting biodiversity and building climate resilience," said Nick Hendershot, a biology graduate student and lead author of the study.


upi--2020-03-19--Watch: Wedding ring lost while fishing recovered by Florida YouTuber

March 19 ( UPI ) -- A Florida man who dropped his wedding ring when he waded out into a @ @ @ @ @ with the precious item thanks to a metal detecting YouTuber .
Robert McCarthy of Pasco @ @ @ @ @ about 86 steps off shore in the Anclote River when he hooked something large .
@ @ @ @ @ and I kept wandering and wandering and wandering and I caught this huge fish and @ @ @ @ @ it .
I took it off the hook and let it go and let my @ @ @ @ @ time , '' he told WFTS-TV .
McCarthy 's wife of one year , Kelly @ @ @ @ @ for help on social media , and it came to the attention of a local @ @ @ @ @ .
She Detector posted a video showing how she was able to find McCarthy 's @ @ @ @ @ after he showed her to the spot where he was fishing .
`` He was @ @ @ @ @ in shock , '' Kelly McCarthy said .

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March 19 (UPI) -- A Florida man who dropped his wedding ring when he waded out into a river while fishing was reunited with the precious item thanks to a metal detecting YouTuber.
Robert McCarthy of Pasco County said he was fishing about 86 steps off shore in the Anclote River when he hooked something large.
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"I wandered out there and I kept wandering and wandering and wandering and I caught this huge fish and I was super excited about it. I took it off the hook and let it go and let my ring go at the same time," he told WFTS-TV.
McCarthy's wife of one year, Kelly, put out a plea for help on social media, and it came to the attention of a local YouTuber known as She Detector.
She Detector posted a video showing how she was able to find McCarthy's ring with her metal detector after he showed her to the spot where he was fishing.
"He was in shock, I was in shock," Kelly McCarthy said.


upi--2020-03-19--Surgery best option for chronic sciatica pain, study says

Surgery can cut pain intensity by more than half among patients struggling with long-term sciatica , researchers report .
`` Sciatica is the symptom of pain that radiates down the leg and is caused by compression of a nerve root in the spinal canal by a disc herniation , '' explained study author Dr. Chris Bailey .
He 's an associate professor of surgery with the Bone and Joint Institute at Western University in London , Ontario , Canada .
The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes that compression of the sciatic nerve -- which runs through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the leg -- can cause a shock-like or burning sensation in the lower back .
It can also trigger leg , foot and buttock pain and , in some cases , leg numbness and weakness .
The condition is thought to account for roughly 5 percent to 10 percent of all lower back pain cases .
`` Fortunately , in most cases sciatica will improve in weeks to a few months with non-operative care , '' Bailey said .
`` [ But ] our study looked at the group of patients that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Between 2010 and 2016 , the investigators focused on treatment outcomes among 128 patients aged 18 to 60 who had already suffered sciatica pain for between four to 12 months .
Half were randomly assigned to undergo a discectomy , which entails the removal of tissue exerting pressure on the spinal cord or on a nerve root .
Typically , the operation is a `` simple '' and `` relatively low-risk '' outpatient procedure , said Bailey , followed by a quick recovery .
The remaining patients were offered standard non-surgical care for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regimen , painkillers , physiotherapy , function improvement training , and [ for some ] steroid injections for inflammation relief .
But after the study was over , roughly one-third in the non-surgical group had surgery anyway -- at 11 months out , on average -- the researchers said .
In the end , Bailey and his colleagues concluded `` that surgery is superior to non-operative care for these patients with chronic symptoms . ''
Bailey acknowledged that prior research has often not identified a similar result .
But he noted that `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a shorter course of symptoms .
And because the natural history is very good for this group , the benefits of surgery are lost , as patients naturally improve with time . ''
By contrast , among chronic sciatica patients , `` surgery [ offered ] a 70 percent greater likelihood of improvement six months afterward , '' he said .
Still , nine surgery patients had complications , one underwent repeated surgery , and patients in the non-surgery group who ultimately had surgery were more prone to complications , Bailey 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Dr. James Kang , professor of orthopaedic surgery at Harvard Medical School , and chairman of the department of orthopaedic surgery at Brigham and Women 's Hospital in Boston .
Co-author of an accompanying editorial , Kang pointed out that one of the important things to think about when considering surgery `` is that the longer the duration of the herniation and symptoms , the less likelihood of complete pain resolution . ''
For example , `` I would state from experience that if patients have a chronic herniation up to and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of surgery is significantly reduced if one is trying to get complete sciatica pain relief , '' he said .
It 's also not always entirely clear which chronic sciatica patients stand to benefit the most from surgery .
`` There are several nuances to disc herniations , '' Kang said , `` such as the herniated disc size , whether it is a free fragment versus contained , whether the nerve root has undergone some early damage in the three to four months that may be irreversible , as well as other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no simple answer to the surgery versus non-surgery question , he noted .
`` If the leg pain is great enough , patients will elect to have surgery if they have failed all other conservative treatments .
It is as simple as that .
And the earlier this decision is made beyond the three- to four-month mark , the better the chance of full recovery without complications , '' Kang said .
Bailey and his team published their findings in the March 19 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of lower back pain at the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke .

Surgery can cut pain intensity by more than half among patients struggling with long-term sciatica, researchers report.
"Sciatica is the symptom of pain that radiates down the leg and is caused by compression of a nerve root in the spinal canal by a disc herniation," explained study author Dr. Chris Bailey. He's an associate professor of surgery with the Bone and Joint Institute at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada.
Advertisement
The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes that compression of the sciatic nerve -- which runs through the buttocks and down the back of the leg -- can cause a shock-like or burning sensation in the lower back. It can also trigger leg, foot and buttock pain and, in some cases, leg numbness and weakness. The condition is thought to account for roughly 5 percent to 10 percent of all lower back pain cases.
Advertisement
"Fortunately, in most cases sciatica will improve in weeks to a few months with non-operative care," Bailey said. "[But] our study looked at the group of patients that have persistent symptoms after that time."
Between 2010 and 2016, the investigators focused on treatment outcomes among 128 patients aged 18 to 60 who had already suffered sciatica pain for between four to 12 months.
Half were randomly assigned to undergo a discectomy, which entails the removal of tissue exerting pressure on the spinal cord or on a nerve root. Typically, the operation is a "simple" and "relatively low-risk" outpatient procedure, said Bailey, followed by a quick recovery.
The remaining patients were offered standard non-surgical care for six months. Care included an exercise regimen, painkillers, physiotherapy, function improvement training, and [for some] steroid injections for inflammation relief.
But after the study was over, roughly one-third in the non-surgical group had surgery anyway -- at 11 months out, on average -- the researchers said.
In the end, Bailey and his colleagues concluded "that surgery is superior to non-operative care for these patients with chronic symptoms."
Bailey acknowledged that prior research has often not identified a similar result. But he noted that "most previous research has focused on patients with a shorter course of symptoms. And because the natural history is very good for this group, the benefits of surgery are lost, as patients naturally improve with time."
Advertisement
By contrast, among chronic sciatica patients, "surgery [offered] a 70 percent greater likelihood of improvement six months afterward," he said.
Still, nine surgery patients had complications, one underwent repeated surgery, and patients in the non-surgery group who ultimately had surgery were more prone to complications, Bailey's team noted.
That thought was seconded by Dr. James Kang, professor of orthopaedic surgery at Harvard Medical School, and chairman of the department of orthopaedic surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
Co-author of an accompanying editorial, Kang pointed out that one of the important things to think about when considering surgery "is that the longer the duration of the herniation and symptoms, the less likelihood of complete pain resolution."
For example, "I would state from experience that if patients have a chronic herniation up to and beyond 12 months, the potential benefit of surgery is significantly reduced if one is trying to get complete sciatica pain relief," he said.
It's also not always entirely clear which chronic sciatica patients stand to benefit the most from surgery. "There are several nuances to disc herniations," Kang said, "such as the herniated disc size, whether it is a free fragment versus contained, whether the nerve root has undergone some early damage in the three to four months that may be irreversible, as well as other factors."
Advertisement
So, there's no simple answer to the surgery versus non-surgery question, he noted.
"If the leg pain is great enough, patients will elect to have surgery if they have failed all other conservative treatments. It is as simple as that. And the earlier this decision is made beyond the three- to four-month mark, the better the chance of full recovery without complications," Kang said.
Bailey and his team published their findings in the March 19 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
More information
There's more about sciatica and other forms of lower back pain at the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-03-19--Playboy cites coronavirus disruption in decision to end print magazine

March 19 ( UPI ) -- Playboy announced Thursday it 's ending the print version of its magazine , a move that 's been in the works but was accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic .
In an open letter posted on Medium , Playboy Enterprises CEO Ben Kohn said this week 's Spring 2020 issue will be the last print edition of the publication this year in the United States .
`` We will move to a digital-first publishing schedule for all of our content including the Playboy Interview , 20Q , the Playboy Advisor and of course our Playmate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2021 , alongside our digital content offerings and new consumer product launches , we will bring back fresh and innovative printed offerings in a variety of new forms -- through special editions , partnerships with the most provocative creators , timely collections and much more .
Print is how we began and print will always be a part of who we are . ''
Kohn said the COVID-19 outbreak caused disruption to the magazine 's print production last week , causing the company `` to accelerate a conversation we 've been having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future .
In recent years , Playboy has adjusted its strategy with its print product , temporarily ending all nude images of women in 2016 .
Then-editor-in-chief Hugh Hefner felt it was time to tone down the nudity in the magazine .
Hugh Hefner 's son , Cooper Hefner , replaced his father as chief creative officer in 2017 and brought nudity back to the magazine 's pages .
`` I 'll be the first to admit that the way in which the magazine portrayed nudity was dated , but removing it entirely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hefner said at the time .
`` Nudity was never the problem , because nudity is n't a problem .
Today we 're taking our identity back and reclaiming who we are . ''

Playboy's last print magazine will be released this week. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
March 19 (UPI) -- Playboy announced Thursday it's ending the print version of its magazine, a move that's been in the works but was accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic. In an open letter posted on Medium, Playboy Enterprises CEO Ben Kohn said this week's Spring 2020 issue will be the last print edition of the publication this year in the United States. Advertisement
"We will move to a digital-first publishing schedule for all of our content including the Playboy Interview, 20Q, the Playboy Advisor and of course our Playmate pictorials," he wrote.
"In 2021, alongside our digital content offerings and new consumer product launches, we will bring back fresh and innovative printed offerings in a variety of new forms -- through special editions, partnerships with the most provocative creators, timely collections and much more. Print is how we began and print will always be a part of who we are."
Kohn said the COVID-19 outbreak caused disruption to the magazine's print production last week, causing the company "to accelerate a conversation we've been having internally" about the print product's future.
In recent years, Playboy has adjusted its strategy with its print product, temporarily ending all nude images of women in 2016. Then-editor-in-chief Hugh Hefner felt it was time to tone down the nudity in the magazine.
Advertisement
Hugh Hefner's son, Cooper Hefner, replaced his father as chief creative officer in 2017 and brought nudity back to the magazine's pages.
"I'll be the first to admit that the way in which the magazine portrayed nudity was dated, but removing it entirely was a mistake," the younger Hefner said at the time.
"Nudity was never the problem, because nudity isn't a problem. Today we're taking our identity back and reclaiming who we are."


upi--2020-03-19--Funimation delays English dubbing of anime including 'My Hero Academia'

March 19 ( UPI ) -- Funimation has announced that it will be delaying the English dubbing of anime amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
Funimation , which specializes in distributing anime in the United States , said the move was made to allow everyone involved with the production of dubbing anime to work from home .
The move will affect shows such as My Hero Academia starting with episode 84 and Black Clover starting with episode 124 .
The company said the release of new anime episodes in Japanese with English subtitles will still arrive on schedule .
`` Funimation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partners , actors and producers , and their safety is our top priority , so we hope you guys will understand , '' Funimation said in a statement .
Other shows facing delays include BOFURI : I Do n't Want to Get Hurt , so I 'll Max Out My Defense starting with Episode 9 , Hatena Illusion starting with Episode 8 , Infinite Dendrogram starting with Episode 8 , Nekopara starting with Episode 9 , Smile Down the Runway starting with Episode 9 , Toilet-bound Hanako-kun starting with Episode 9 , Asteroid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Case File nº221 starting with Episode 21 , Darwin 's Game starting with Episode 9 , ID : Invaded starting with Episode 13 , Sorcerous Stabber Orphen starting with Episode 10 and A Certain Scientific Railgun T starting with Episode 8 .
Funimation released in February the second My Hero Academia movie titled Heroes Rising .
The film earned over $ 28 million worldwide at the box office .

March 19 (UPI) -- Funimation has announced that it will be delaying the English dubbing of anime amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funimation, which specializes in distributing anime in the United States, said the move was made to allow everyone involved with the production of dubbing anime to work from home.
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The move will affect shows such as My Hero Academia starting with episode 84 and Black Clover starting with episode 124.
The company said the release of new anime episodes in Japanese with English subtitles will still arrive on schedule.
"Funimation is an extended family of creators, partners, actors and producers, and their safety is our top priority, so we hope you guys will understand," Funimation said in a statement.
Other shows facing delays include BOFURI: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense starting with Episode 9, Hatena Illusion starting with Episode 8, Infinite Dendrogram starting with Episode 8, Nekopara starting with Episode 9, Smile Down the Runway starting with Episode 9, Toilet-bound Hanako-kun starting with Episode 9, Asteroid in Love starting with Episode 5, Case File nº221 starting with Episode 21, Darwin's Game starting with Episode 9, ID: Invaded starting with Episode 13, Sorcerous Stabber Orphen starting with Episode 10 and A Certain Scientific Railgun T starting with Episode 8.
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Funimation released in February the second My Hero Academia movie titled Heroes Rising. The film earned over $28 million worldwide at the box office.


upi--2020-03-19--Opioid, heroin overdose deaths drop by 4% in the U.S., CDC says

March 19 ( UPI ) -- As the United States faces a new public health crisis with the new coronavirus , an older one -- the opioid epidemic -- might be drawing to a close .
Overall overdose death rates across the country dropped by 4.1 percent from 2017 to 2018 , the last year for which data is available , according to the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Deaths attributed to heroin use dropped by 4 percent over the same period , while those related to prescription opioid overdoses fell by 13.5 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prescription opioids and heroin reflect the effectiveness of public health efforts to protect Americans and their families , '' Dr. Robert R. Redfield , director of the CDC , said in a press release .
`` While we continue work to improve those outcomes , we are also addressing the increase in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids .
We must bring this epidemic to an end , '' Redfield said .
The findings are based on an in-depth analysis of the latest available drug overdose death data , and were published Thursday in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Report .
In all , more than 750,000 Americans died from drug overdoses from 1999 to 2018 , the agency said , with opioids involved in more than 67,000 drug overdose deaths in 2018 alone .
However , of the 39 states , counties and cities included in the CDC report , 11 states and the District of Columbia all saw decreased rates of death involving opioids in general .
That comes despite increases in fatal overdoses associated with synthetic forms of these drugs , which made up nearly half of all overdose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDC , death rates involving synthetic opioids -- excluding methadone -- rose 10 percent from 2017 to 2018 , accounting for more than 31,000 overdose fatalities , with the largest increases seen in large central metro , large fringe metro , medium metro and small metro counties .
The latest available data show synthetic opioid-involved overdose death rates increased in 10 states , with the highest rise in rates reported in Arizona , California , Washington and Missouri .
The CDC has attributed the increase in synthetic opioid-related deaths to illicitly manufactured fentanyl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opioids increased in the Northeast , South and West , but remained stable in the Midwest .
Synthetic opioid overdose-involved death rates increased among males and females , people age 25 years and older , non-Hispanic whites , non-Hispanic blacks , Hispanics and non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islanders .
`` To sustain decreases and continue to prevent and respond to drug overdoses , specifically those involving synthetic opioids , it is critical to have a coordinated response , '' said Dr. Debra Houry , director of the CDC 's National Center for Injury Prevention and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departments , public health and public safety officials , substance abuse treatment providers , community-based organizations , and members of the community all play a role in addressing this complex and fast-moving epidemic , '' Houry said .
However , the report also found that overall opioid-involved overdose death rates decreased among females , as well as in people 15 and 34 years old and those between 45 and 54 years old .
Declines also were seen among non-Hispanic whites , and in small metro and non-metropolitan areas .
And , reductions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and females , people between 15 and 34 years old and non-Hispanic whites , as well as in large central metro and large fringe metro areas .
The CDC attributed the positive data highlighted in the report to `` successes in addressing the drug overdose crisis '' in 2018 , including in efforts to improve opioid prescribing practices and expansion of access to naloxone , a drug used to treat opioid overdose .
The agency said it continues to work closely with the Department of Health and Human Services , among others , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , specifically those involving opioids .
The HHS Five-Point Strategy is designed to provide better treatment , better data , better research , increased access to naloxone and better pain management .
`` Efforts must be strengthened to maintain and accelerate decreases in deaths involving prescription opioids and heroin and to prevent continued increases in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids , '' said Dr. Nana Wilson , an epidemiologist at the CDC and lead author of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report analysis .

Opioid overdose deaths have declined by 4 percent in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. File photo by clarkdonald413/Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/photos/drugs-overdose-prescription-4260911/
March 19 (UPI) -- As the United States faces a new public health crisis with the new coronavirus, an older one -- the opioid epidemic -- might be drawing to a close. Overall overdose death rates across the country dropped by 4.1 percent from 2017 to 2018, the last year for which data is available, according to the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advertisement
Deaths attributed to heroin use dropped by 4 percent over the same period, while those related to prescription opioid overdoses fell by 13.5 percent.
"Decreases in overdose deaths involving prescription opioids and heroin reflect the effectiveness of public health efforts to protect Americans and their families," Dr. Robert R. Redfield, director of the CDC, said in a press release.
"While we continue work to improve those outcomes, we are also addressing the increase in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids. We must bring this epidemic to an end," Redfield said.
Advertisement
The findings are based on an in-depth analysis of the latest available drug overdose death data, and were published Thursday in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
In all, more than 750,000 Americans died from drug overdoses from 1999 to 2018, the agency said, with opioids involved in more than 67,000 drug overdose deaths in 2018 alone.
However, of the 39 states, counties and cities included in the CDC report, 11 states and the District of Columbia all saw decreased rates of death involving opioids in general. That comes despite increases in fatal overdoses associated with synthetic forms of these drugs, which made up nearly half of all overdose deaths in 2018.
According to the CDC, death rates involving synthetic opioids -- excluding methadone -- rose 10 percent from 2017 to 2018, accounting for more than 31,000 overdose fatalities, with the largest increases seen in large central metro, large fringe metro, medium metro and small metro counties.
The latest available data show synthetic opioid-involved overdose death rates increased in 10 states, with the highest rise in rates reported in Arizona, California, Washington and Missouri.
The CDC has attributed the increase in synthetic opioid-related deaths to illicitly manufactured fentanyl.
Generally, deaths attributed to synthetic opioids increased in the Northeast, South and West, but remained stable in the Midwest. Synthetic opioid overdose-involved death rates increased among males and females, people age 25 years and older, non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, Hispanics and non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islanders.
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"To sustain decreases and continue to prevent and respond to drug overdoses, specifically those involving synthetic opioids, it is critical to have a coordinated response," said Dr. Debra Houry, director of the CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
"Medical personnel, emergency departments, public health and public safety officials, substance abuse treatment providers, community-based organizations, and members of the community all play a role in addressing this complex and fast-moving epidemic," Houry said.
However, the report also found that overall opioid-involved overdose death rates decreased among females, as well as in people 15 and 34 years old and those between 45 and 54 years old. Declines also were seen among non-Hispanic whites, and in small metro and non-metropolitan areas.
And, reductions in heroin-involved overdose death rates occurred among males and females, people between 15 and 34 years old and non-Hispanic whites, as well as in large central metro and large fringe metro areas.
The CDC attributed the positive data highlighted in the report to "successes in addressing the drug overdose crisis" in 2018, including in efforts to improve opioid prescribing practices and expansion of access to naloxone, a drug used to treat opioid overdose.
The agency said it continues to work closely with the Department of Health and Human Services, among others, to prevent and respond to drug overdoses, specifically those involving opioids.
Advertisement
The HHS Five-Point Strategy is designed to provide better treatment, better data, better research, increased access to naloxone and better pain management.
"Efforts must be strengthened to maintain and accelerate decreases in deaths involving prescription opioids and heroin and to prevent continued increases in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids," said Dr. Nana Wilson, an epidemiologist at the CDC and lead author of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report analysis.


upi--2020-03-19--Emissions drops seen as NYC, global traffic levels dive amid COVID-19 fears

March 19 ( UPI ) -- Amid reductions in gas emissions globally , scientific data Thursday shows New York City rush-hour traffic level has been reduced by 43 percent following new executive orders to control the new coronavirus .
Researchers say cutbacks in movement , including automobile traffic , in countries to counter the spread COVID-19 around the world has reduced global gas emissions in some of the busiest places on Earth .
The data tracking company TomTom said traffic congestion levels in New York City at 8 a.m. Thursday were 15 percent , down from comparable traffic the prior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TomTom uses the time spent driving during rush hour as part of its tracking of congestion levels throughout the day .
Traffic has been down in NYC since Monday when it dropped 35 percent over the prior year during the same hour following new executive orders from Gov .
Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio to curb the spread of coronavirus .
`` What it means is people are not going out , '' said David King , a transportation planner and Arizona State University teacher .
`` They 're not going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadband demand drop off . ''
Cuomo announced a statewide ban on gatherings of more than 500 people Thursday , effectively shutting down Broadway temporarily , where all 41 theaters have at least 500 seats .
The Broadway League said in a statement the suspension of performances would last through April 12 .
The Metropolitan Museum , the Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall , also suspended visits and performances .
The St. Patrick 's Day Parade was also postponed .
Cuomo also said an at an earlier briefing that the City University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York moved to a distance model for the rest of the spring semester .
President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in light of the coronavirus pandemic the next day .
By Monday , Cuomo announced a ban on gatherings of more than 50 people , all schools in New York state were closed for at least two weeks , casinos gyms and movie theaters were closed and bars and restaurants were limited to take out and delivery .
And on Tuesday , De Blasio warned of a possibly sheltering in place in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city 's plan to combat the coronavirus as the U.S. death toll surpassed 100 , according to figures Monday from John Hopkins University ' interactive global tracker with 6,330 confirmed cases .
On Thursday , the number of the confirmed cases in the United States had risen to 10,755 cases with 154 deaths .
New York researchers told the BBC early results show carbon monoxide largely from cars had been reduced by 50 percent over the prior year .
The decline in NYC traffic comes amid restrictions across the world to control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and closing businesses .
In Italy , Milan saw a 64 percent decline in rush-hour traffic earlier this week and Rome saw a 67 percent decline , TomTom data shows .
Italy has more than 35,000 coronavirus cases and 2,978 deaths , according to the global tracker .
The number of case in Italy is the largest number outside of China , which has more than 81,000 cases and 3,249 deaths .
Earlier this month , an update to a February report found that China 's CO2 emissions had dropped by a quarter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Space Agency satellites detected significant drops in air pollution China , along with a sharp decline in pollution in Italy , amid the economic slowdown and shutdowns related to the coronavirus .
The coronavirus restrictions are certain to shrink gas emissions this year , according to climate scientists , but the slide will be temporary .
`` I wo n't be celebrating if emissions go down a percent or two because of the coronavirus , '' said Rob Jackson , and environmental scientist at Stanford University , who chairs the Global Carbon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Not an anomalous year below average . ''

A woman wearing a face mask stops to take a photo surrounded by zero nearby pedestrian traffic in Times Square in New York City on Wednesday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 19 (UPI) -- Amid reductions in gas emissions globally, scientific data Thursday shows New York City rush-hour traffic level has been reduced by 43 percent following new executive orders to control the new coronavirus. Researchers say cutbacks in movement, including automobile traffic, in countries to counter the spread COVID-19 around the world has reduced global gas emissions in some of the busiest places on Earth. Advertisement
The data tracking company TomTom said traffic congestion levels in New York City at 8 a.m. Thursday were 15 percent, down from comparable traffic the prior year when levels were 58 percent. TomTom uses the time spent driving during rush hour as part of its tracking of congestion levels throughout the day.
Traffic has been down in NYC since Monday when it dropped 35 percent over the prior year during the same hour following new executive orders from Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio to curb the spread of coronavirus.
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"What it means is people are not going out," said David King, a transportation planner and Arizona State University teacher. "They're not going to work, and you're seeing broadband demand drop off."
Cuomo announced a statewide ban on gatherings of more than 500 people Thursday, effectively shutting down Broadway temporarily, where all 41 theaters have at least 500 seats. The Broadway League said in a statement the suspension of performances would last through April 12. The Metropolitan Museum, the Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall, also suspended visits and performances. The St. Patrick's Day Parade was also postponed.
Cuomo also said an at an earlier briefing that the City University of New York and State University of New York moved to a distance model for the rest of the spring semester.
President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in light of the coronavirus pandemic the next day.
By Monday, Cuomo announced a ban on gatherings of more than 50 people, all schools in New York state were closed for at least two weeks, casinos gyms and movie theaters were closed and bars and restaurants were limited to take out and delivery. And on Tuesday, De Blasio warned of a possibly sheltering in place in the next couple days as part of the city's plan to combat the coronavirus as the U.S. death toll surpassed 100, according to figures Monday from John Hopkins University' interactive global tracker with 6,330 confirmed cases.
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On Thursday, the number of the confirmed cases in the United States had risen to 10,755 cases with 154 deaths.
New York researchers told the BBC early results show carbon monoxide largely from cars had been reduced by 50 percent over the prior year.
The decline in NYC traffic comes amid restrictions across the world to control the coronavirus, such as canceling flights and closing businesses.
In Italy, Milan saw a 64 percent decline in rush-hour traffic earlier this week and Rome saw a 67 percent decline, TomTom data shows.
Italy has more than 35,000 coronavirus cases and 2,978 deaths, according to the global tracker. The number of case in Italy is the largest number outside of China, which has more than 81,000 cases and 3,249 deaths.
Earlier this month, an update to a February report found that China's CO2 emissions had dropped by a quarter amid shutdown for coronavirus.
NASA and European Space Agency satellites detected significant drops in air pollution China, along with a sharp decline in pollution in Italy, amid the economic slowdown and shutdowns related to the coronavirus.
The coronavirus restrictions are certain to shrink gas emissions this year, according to climate scientists, but the slide will be temporary.
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"I won't be celebrating if emissions go down a percent or two because of the coronavirus," said Rob Jackson, and environmental scientist at Stanford University, who chairs the Global Carbon Project. "We need sustained declines. Not an anomalous year below average."


upi--2020-03-19--Watch: Seventeen teases 'Fallin' Flower' video

March 19 ( UPI ) -- South Korean boy band Seventeen is giving a glimpse of its new music video @ @ @ @ @ a preview Thursday of its video for the Japanese single `` Fallin ' Flower .
@ @ @ @ @ members of Seventeen dancing on a barren , snowy stage below a field of lush @ @ @ @ @ members are also seen breaking free of chains in a dance studio .
Seventeen will @ @ @ @ @ '' and the full music video April 1 .
Seventeen released its first Japanese EP @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 .
The group released its third Korean album , An Ode , in @ @ @ @ @ a group in 2015 .
The group consists of S.Coups , Jeonghan , Joshua , @ @ @ @ @ , Woozi , DK , Mingyu , The8 , Seungkwan , Vernon and Dino .
@ @ @ @ @ of the Yerin Baek song `` Bye Bye My Blue '' last week .

March 19 (UPI) -- South Korean boy band Seventeen is giving a glimpse of its new music video.
The K-pop group shared a preview Thursday of its video for the Japanese single "Fallin' Flower."
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The teaser shows the members of Seventeen dancing on a barren, snowy stage below a field of lush and vibrant flowers. The members are also seen breaking free of chains in a dance studio.
Seventeen will release "Fallin' Flower" and the full music video April 1.
Seventeen released its first Japanese EP, We Make You, in 2018. The group released its third Korean album, An Ode, in September.
Seventeen debuted as a group in 2015. The group consists of S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The8, Seungkwan, Vernon and Dino.
Woozi released a solo cover of the Yerin Baek song "Bye Bye My Blue" last week.


upi--2020-03-20--Watch: 'Stranger Things' cast sing together on 'Carpool Karaoke: The Series' trailer

March 20 ( UPI ) -- The cast of Stranger Things perform classic songs together in a new trailer for @ @ @ @ @ : The Series .
Millie Bobby Brown ( Eleven ) , Finn Wolfhard ( Mike @ @ @ @ @ Lucas ) , Gaten Matarazzo ( Dustin ) , Noah Schnapp ( Will ) and @ @ @ @ @ the fun as McLaughlin drives .
The Netflix stars try on pairs of mind-reading helmets @ @ @ @ @ three decades including `` Tiny Dancer '' by Elton John , `` Edge of Seventeen @ @ @ @ @ `` Big Poppa '' by The Notorious B.I.G .
The group , after discussing how @ @ @ @ @ has prevented them from doing normal kid stuff , decide to get summer jobs .
@ @ @ @ @ is a spinoff of James Corden 's popular Late Late Show segment of the same @ @ @ @ @ TV .
The Stranger Things episode is available now .

March 20 (UPI) -- The cast of Stranger Things perform classic songs together in a new trailer for Season 3 of Carpool Karaoke: The Series.
Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Finn Wolfhard (Mike), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin), Noah Schnapp (Will) and Sadie Sink join in on the fun as McLaughlin drives.
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The Netflix stars try on pairs of mind-reading helmets before singing songs that span three decades including "Tiny Dancer" by Elton John, "Edge of Seventeen" by Stevie Nicks and "Big Poppa" by The Notorious B.I.G.
The group, after discussing how the popularity of Stranger Things has prevented them from doing normal kid stuff, decide to get summer jobs.
Carpool Karaoke: The Series is a spinoff of James Corden's popular Late Late Show segment of the same name and appears on Apple TV. The Stranger Things episode is available now.


upi--2020-03-20--Watch live: Coronavirus Task Force gives briefing at White House

March 20 ( UPI ) -- The White House Coronavirus Task Force will give an update Friday morning on the @ @ @ @ @ outbreak .
President Donald Trump 's team is scheduled to hold its briefing at 11:45 @ @ @ @ @ has attended each briefing this week .
Trump said at Thursday 's briefing that he @ @ @ @ @ Drug Administration to fast-track potential therapies for COVID-19 in the absence of a vaccine , @ @ @ @ @ .
FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said his agency is moving quickly to approve potential drug @ @ @ @ @ including an antiviral medication that 's been used to treat Ebola and another that 's @ @ @ @ @ That process is expected to take several weeks .
Trump is scheduled to speak later @ @ @ @ @ small business owners at the White House .
Senate Republicans on Thursday unveiled a proposal @ @ @ @ @ '' for small businesses in meeting payroll and covering expenses .

1/6
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters Friday during an update of the Coronavirus Task Force at the White House. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is at left. Photo by Al Drago/UPI | License Photo
March 20 (UPI) -- The United States and Mexico have agreed to suspend non-essential travel across the border for 30 days to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus disease, President Donald Trump said Friday at a White House briefing. The new restrictions will take effect at midnight Friday, but won't apply to "lawful commerce" or those traveling for work reasons. Advertisement
Trump, who has spent his entire presidency trying to clamp down on unlawful migration across the southern border, announced a similar restriction along the northern border with Canada this week.
"We are treating the borders equally," Trump said at Friday's briefing. "They are both being treated equally. A lot of people say they're not treated equally. Well, they are."
"Both our countries know the importance of working together to limit the spread of the virus and ensure that commerce that supports our economies continues to keep flowing," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo added.
Trump said the move to bar non-essential travel along both borders is a measure to prevent mass migration that could "badly deplete" healthcare resources in the United States, which has more than 14,300 coronavirus cases, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. The school said 210 have died and the number of recoveries so far is 121.
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Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar also announced a major change in the way the United States deals with migrants who are captured unlawfully crossing into the United States along both borders. On orders of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, he said, the migrants will be sent back to Mexico or Canada without detention or processing.
"We're talking about significant numbers of illegal immigrants," he said. "In this past October through February, [the Department of Homeland Security] has processed more than 21,000 inadmissable aliens at the northern border and more than 151,000 inadmissiable aliens at the southern border.
"Their facilities were never designed to hold large numbers of people and to protect agents and migrants during a pandemic."
Trump also announced Friday that the Education Department has suspended requirements for standardized school testing, due to school closures nationwide.
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-03-20--Iraq is a failed state under the Iranian jackboot

March 20 ( UPI ) -- The rocket attack on March 11 that killed a young Scottish medic -- Lance Cpl .
Brodie Gillon -- and two Americans in Iraq has raised once more the specter of resurgent Iranian aggression in the region .
The 26-year-old British reservist had volunteered for a deployment in Iraq .
She was killed when 18 Katyusha rockets struck Camp Taji , where she was stationed , 25 miles north of Baghdad .
A further 14 military personnel were wounded in the unprovoked attack .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo quickly identified that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Iranian-backed Shi'ia militia , Kataib Hezbollah , part of al-Hashd al-Shaabi , the so-called popular mobilization forces .
The Pentagon ordered retaliatory airstrikes against one of the Kataib Hezbollah bases , killing several insurgents .
Al-Hashd al-Shaabi and Kataib Hezbollah have been itching to strike out against British and American troops in Iraq since their hero , Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and their leader , Abu Mehdi Mohandes , were killed by an American drone strike at Baghdad Airport on Jan. 3 .
Soleimani was head of the Quds Force , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corps , Iran 's Gestapo , a listed terrorist organization .
He was one of the most vicious criminals in Iran 's history .
Pretending to aid the West in their war against the Islamic State , Soleimani oversaw the genocidal massacre of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi Sunnis in the ancient cities of Fallujah , Ramadi and Mosul , leaving smoking ruins in his wake .
The night he was killed , he had arrived in Baghdad to meet Mohandes , the al-Hashd al-Shaabi boss , to supervise a further crackdown on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the streets of Iraq 's main cities for months .
Boasting `` we know how to deal with protesters in Iran , '' Soleimani had instructed his Iranian proxies to use live ammunition in a shoot-to-kill strategy .
His lethal approach had led to the murder of over 1,500 unarmed protesters during a nationwide uprising that raged in Iran last November .
Anti-government protests have gripped Iraq 's main towns and cities since last October , and by the turn of the year , under Soleimani 's instructions , black-clad and masked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of government buildings had killed 500 , mostly young Iraqi protesters .
More than 15,000 were injured .
Since Soleimani 's death in January , Iraqi thugs have been using shotguns to fire at peaceful protesters , causing horrific injuries .
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq said it has evidence of at least 50 people injured by birdshot in this way .
Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert , special representative of the U.N. Secretary General for Iraq , condemned the violence saying : `` The continued pattern of the use of excessive force , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loyalties , is a grave security concern that must be tackled urgently and decisively .
Peaceful protesters should be protected at all times . ''
Despite her warnings , nine people were wounded Monday in Baghdad during renewed clashes between protesters and the security forces .
Two were wounded by birdshot , and the rest suffered tear gas-related injuries .
The nationwide uprising in Iraq has consistently blamed government incompetence and corruption and the ruling elite 's slavish subservience to the Iranian regime for the country 's broken economy and security breakdown .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , seen as a crooked puppet of the Iranian mullahs , was forced to resign last November .
He was replaced by Mohammed Allawi , a former communications minister , who was named as prime minister designate in February , but this led to an upsurge of street protests with thousands claiming that Allawi was simply another corrupt stooge of the Iranian regime .
Allawi 's attempts to form a new government were repeatedly rejected , and he withdrew his nomination for the job of prime minister this month .
Iraq 's President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adnan al-Zurfi , former governor of the city of Najaf , as prime Mmnister designate .
He has 30 days , under the Iraqi Constitution , to form a new government .
Iran 's National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani has , for the past two weeks , been in Baghdad , helping to steer this process , while also seeking to consolidate Iranian control over al-Hashd paramilitary factions , while agitating for the eviction of U.S. forces .
Iraq has suffered months of in-fighting between the various political blocs and continuing street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ institutionalized corruption and Iranian meddling in Iraq 's internal affairs .
Protesters have encamped in Baghdad 's Tahrir Square since October , demanding new elections to sweep out the venally corrupt political elite and replace them with independent technocrats who can start the process of rebuilding Iraq 's devastated cities and wrecked economy , free of all interference from Iran 's theocratic , fascist regime .
One of the key political figures attempting to maintain Iranian influence in Iraq is the rabid anti-American Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr .
He has recently done a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters by sending in his own private Shi'ia militia to crush the demonstrations .
This has increased his patronage by the Iranian regime and made him the king maker in the choice of prime minister .
With the Iranian mullahs insisting on a Shi'ite succession in their client-state , it seems unlikely that the minority Sunni and Kurdish population of Iraq will see any improvements in their affairs .
So Iraq 's future as a failed state , governed by corrupt Shi'ia warlords who take their orders from Tehran , looks set to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the coronavirus has added a further complication to the spiraling downfall of this once prosperous country .
As U.S. troops prepare to pull out of three of their military bases following intensified rocket attacks and escalating tensions with Baghdad and Tehran , the only winner is Iran .
The mullahs ' policy of aggressive expansionism across the Middle East seems to be succeeding .
Struan Stevenson is the coordinator of the Campaign for Iran Change .
He was a member of the European Parliament representing Scotland ( 1999-2014 ) , president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraq ( 2009-14 ) and chairman of the Friends of a Free Iran Intergroup ( 2004-14 ) .
He is an international lecturer on the Middle East and president of the European Iraqi Freedom Association .

An Iraqi protester holds the Iraqi national flag during a protest at the Al-Tahrir square in central Baghdad on March 1. Thousands of Iraqis continue their protests against the appointment of Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi as prime minister-designate. Photo by Ahmed Jalil/EPA-EFE
March 20 (UPI) -- The rocket attack on March 11 that killed a young Scottish medic -- Lance Cpl. Brodie Gillon -- and two Americans in Iraq has raised once more the specter of resurgent Iranian aggression in the region. The 26-year-old British reservist had volunteered for a deployment in Iraq. She was killed when 18 Katyusha rockets struck Camp Taji, where she was stationed, 25 miles north of Baghdad. A further 14 military personnel were wounded in the unprovoked attack. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo quickly identified that the rockets had been fired by members of an Iranian-backed Shi'ia militia, Kataib Hezbollah, part of al-Hashd al-Shaabi, the so-called popular mobilization forces. The Pentagon ordered retaliatory airstrikes against one of the Kataib Hezbollah bases, killing several insurgents. Advertisement
Al-Hashd al-Shaabi and Kataib Hezbollah have been itching to strike out against British and American troops in Iraq since their hero, Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and their leader, Abu Mehdi Mohandes, were killed by an American drone strike at Baghdad Airport on Jan. 3. Soleimani was head of the Quds Force, the extra-territorial wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Iran's Gestapo, a listed terrorist organization.
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He was one of the most vicious criminals in Iran's history. Pretending to aid the West in their war against the Islamic State, Soleimani oversaw the genocidal massacre of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi Sunnis in the ancient cities of Fallujah, Ramadi and Mosul, leaving smoking ruins in his wake. The night he was killed, he had arrived in Baghdad to meet Mohandes, the al-Hashd al-Shaabi boss, to supervise a further crackdown on popular protests and demonstrations that had continued on the streets of Iraq's main cities for months.
Boasting "we know how to deal with protesters in Iran," Soleimani had instructed his Iranian proxies to use live ammunition in a shoot-to-kill strategy. His lethal approach had led to the murder of over 1,500 unarmed protesters during a nationwide uprising that raged in Iran last November.
Anti-government protests have gripped Iraq's main towns and cities since last October, and by the turn of the year, under Soleimani's instructions, black-clad and masked Shi'ia militia snipers firing from the roofs of government buildings had killed 500, mostly young Iraqi protesters. More than 15,000 were injured.
Since Soleimani's death in January, Iraqi thugs have been using shotguns to fire at peaceful protesters, causing horrific injuries. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq said it has evidence of at least 50 people injured by birdshot in this way. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, special representative of the U.N. Secretary General for Iraq, condemned the violence saying: "The continued pattern of the use of excessive force, with ambiguously identified armed groups and unclear loyalties, is a grave security concern that must be tackled urgently and decisively. Peaceful protesters should be protected at all times."
Advertisement
Despite her warnings, nine people were wounded Monday in Baghdad during renewed clashes between protesters and the security forces. Two were wounded by birdshot, and the rest suffered tear gas-related injuries.
The nationwide uprising in Iraq has consistently blamed government incompetence and corruption and the ruling elite's slavish subservience to the Iranian regime for the country's broken economy and security breakdown. The former prime minister, Adil Abdul-Mahdi, seen as a crooked puppet of the Iranian mullahs, was forced to resign last November. He was replaced by Mohammed Allawi, a former communications minister, who was named as prime minister designate in February, but this led to an upsurge of street protests with thousands claiming that Allawi was simply another corrupt stooge of the Iranian regime.
Allawi's attempts to form a new government were repeatedly rejected, and he withdrew his nomination for the job of prime minister this month. Iraq's President, Barham Saleh, has now named Adnan al-Zurfi, former governor of the city of Najaf, as prime Mmnister designate. He has 30 days, under the Iraqi Constitution, to form a new government.
Iran's National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani has, for the past two weeks, been in Baghdad, helping to steer this process, while also seeking to consolidate Iranian control over al-Hashd paramilitary factions, while agitating for the eviction of U.S. forces.
Advertisement
Iraq has suffered months of in-fighting between the various political blocs and continuing street protests from a population fed up with institutionalized corruption and Iranian meddling in Iraq's internal affairs. Protesters have encamped in Baghdad's Tahrir Square since October, demanding new elections to sweep out the venally corrupt political elite and replace them with independent technocrats who can start the process of rebuilding Iraq's devastated cities and wrecked economy, free of all interference from Iran's theocratic, fascist regime.
One of the key political figures attempting to maintain Iranian influence in Iraq is the rabid anti-American Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. He has recently done a U-turn on his previous support for the protesters by sending in his own private Shi'ia militia to crush the demonstrations. This has increased his patronage by the Iranian regime and made him the king maker in the choice of prime minister. With the Iranian mullahs insisting on a Shi'ite succession in their client-state, it seems unlikely that the minority Sunni and Kurdish population of Iraq will see any improvements in their affairs.
So Iraq's future as a failed state, governed by corrupt Shi'ia warlords who take their orders from Tehran, looks set to continue indefinitely. The surge in deaths from the coronavirus has added a further complication to the spiraling downfall of this once prosperous country. As U.S. troops prepare to pull out of three of their military bases following intensified rocket attacks and escalating tensions with Baghdad and Tehran, the only winner is Iran. The mullahs' policy of aggressive expansionism across the Middle East seems to be succeeding.
Advertisement
Struan Stevenson is the coordinator of the Campaign for Iran Change. He was a member of the European Parliament representing Scotland (1999-2014), president of the Parliament's Delegation for Relations with Iraq (2009-14) and chairman of the Friends of a Free Iran Intergroup (2004-14). He is an international lecturer on the Middle East and president of the European Iraqi Freedom Association.


upi--2020-03-20--Daytime Emmy ceremonies canceled due to COVID-19 concerns

March 20 ( UPI ) -- The Daytime Emmy Awards ceremonies honoring excellence in television have been canceled , organizers announced .
`` In light of # COVID19 , we sadly can not move forward with our planned trio of ceremonies for 2000+ attendees in June .
We are working on alternative ways to best recognize our honorees and will share more details in the weeks ahead , '' the events ' Twitter feed said Thursday .
Daytime Emmys are traditionally presented to artists involved in children 's , educational and news programs , game and talk shows , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or afternoon .
`` Given our concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic , we have decided that we will not be staging the 47th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in Pasadena this coming June .
As there are so many unknowns right now with the flow of information changing on a daily , almost hourly , basis , it would simply be irresponsible to move forward with our annual celebration of excellence in daytime television at this time , '' NATAS Chairman Terry O'Reilly said in a statement .
This year 's South by Southwest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the Cannes film festival has been postponed because of the global pandemic .
Most schools , theaters , theme parks and performance-arts venues are also closed and film productions have been shut down in an effort to discourage people from gathering in large groups .

Hayley Erin kisses her Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series at the 46th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on May 5. This year's event has been canceled over concerns about the COVID-19 virus. File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI | License Photo
March 20 (UPI) -- The Daytime Emmy Awards ceremonies honoring excellence in television have been canceled, organizers announced. "In light of #COVID19, we sadly cannot move forward with our planned trio of ceremonies for 2000+ attendees in June. We are working on alternative ways to best recognize our honorees and will share more details in the weeks ahead," the events' Twitter feed said Thursday. Advertisement
Daytime Emmys are traditionally presented to artists involved in children's, educational and news programs, game and talk shows, and soap operas that air in the morning or afternoon.
"Given our concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided that we will not be staging the 47th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in Pasadena this coming June. As there are so many unknowns right now with the flow of information changing on a daily, almost hourly, basis, it would simply be irresponsible to move forward with our annual celebration of excellence in daytime television at this time," NATAS Chairman Terry O'Reilly said in a statement.
In light of #COVID19, we sadly cannot move forward with our planned trio of ceremonies for 2000+ attendees in June. We are working on alternative ways to best recognize our honorees and will share more details in the weeks ahead. Advertisement More: https://t.co/TH1nwpqZl5 pic.twitter.com/ZKGH8YbkQn— Daytime Emmys (@DaytimeEmmys) March 19, 2020
This year's South by Southwest and Tribeca film festivals were recently canceled, and the Cannes film festival has been postponed because of the global pandemic.
Most schools, theaters, theme parks and performance-arts venues are also closed and film productions have been shut down in an effort to discourage people from gathering in large groups.


upi--2020-03-20--UAB hires Andy Kennedy as basketball coach

March 20 ( UPI ) -- Andy Kennedy has been hired to coach the University of Alabama at Birmingham men 's basketball team .
Sources told AL.com , CBS Sports and 247 Sports that Kennedy agreed to a contract with UAB on Thursday .
A source told 247 Sports that the deal is for six years .
Kennedy , 52 , began his coaching career as head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats in 2005 .
He went on to coach for 12 seasons at the University of Mississippi .
Kennedy posted a 245-156 record with the Rebels before resigning in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two NCAA Division I men 's basketball tournament appearances .
He was 21-13 at Cincinnati .
Kennedy worked as an assistant at UAB , South Alabama and Cincinnati before beginning his head coaching career .
Kennedy played basketball at UAB from 1988 through 1991 .
He led the Sun Belt Conference with 21.8 points per game during his 1991 campaign .
UAB fired former coach Rob Ehsan March 13 .
The Blazers went 19-13 in 2019-20 .
They were 76-57 during Ehsan 's four seasons as coach .
The Blazers were 80-53 under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26-7 mark in 2015-16 .
House left the Blazers to coach Stanford in 2016 .

March 20 (UPI) -- Andy Kennedy has been hired to coach the University of Alabama at Birmingham men's basketball team.
Sources told AL.com, CBS Sports and 247 Sports that Kennedy agreed to a contract with UAB on Thursday. A source told 247 Sports that the deal is for six years.
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Kennedy, 52, began his coaching career as head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats in 2005. He went on to coach for 12 seasons at the University of Mississippi. Kennedy posted a 245-156 record with the Rebels before resigning in 2018. He led the Rebels to two NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament appearances. He was 21-13 at Cincinnati.
Kennedy worked as an assistant at UAB, South Alabama and Cincinnati before beginning his head coaching career. Kennedy played basketball at UAB from 1988 through 1991. He led the Sun Belt Conference with 21.8 points per game during his 1991 campaign.
UAB fired former coach Rob Ehsan March 13. The Blazers went 19-13 in 2019-20. They were 76-57 during Ehsan's four seasons as coach.
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The Blazers were 80-53 under former coach Jerod House, including a 26-7 mark in 2015-16. House left the Blazers to coach Stanford in 2016.


upi--2020-03-20--Jennifer Garner plays a saxophone on 'Tonight Show: At Home Edition'

March 20 ( UPI ) -- Jennifer Garner was the latest guest to video chat with Jimmy Fallon on the newest installment of The Tonight Show : At Home Edition .
Fallon has been uploading to YouTube this new version of The Tonight Show amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
Fallon 's wife , Nancy Juvonen , films him and he begins each episode with an opening monologue .
`` The federal government has pushed back a tax deadline by 90 days .
I think that 's a good idea because trust me , once I run out of toilet paper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a stack of 1040s , '' Fallon joked .
Garner , during her interview , discussed how her children -- Violet , 14 , Seraphina , 11 , and Samuel , 8 , -- were dealing with having to stay home .
`` I think I have the perfect-aged kids for this because they 're big enough to understand and to have the conversations .
Like , we 're built for challenge .
We can do this .
We 're a tough team .
Let 's learn about a vacuum cleaner , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know the hard thing are teens and early-20s people and my parents .
My parents are the hard ones .
I 'm like dad , mom the world is shut down to keep you guys safe and they 're like 'We think we 're going to go to Sam 's Warehouse . '
'' Garner ended the interview by playing her saxophone which she has nicknamed Sally the Sexy Saxophone .
Garner played `` Happy Birthday '' on the instrument with Fallon changing the lyrics to be about hand washing .
Garner and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helps to make sure kids can learn and get the nutrition they need while school is out .
Fans can donate to the charity which Garner has partnered with for the # SaveWithStories campaign , alongside Amy Adams .
The # SaveWithStories campaign involves celebrities reading books while asking for donations .

March 20 (UPI) -- Jennifer Garner was the latest guest to video chat with Jimmy Fallon on the newest installment of The Tonight Show: At Home Edition.
Fallon has been uploading to YouTube this new version of The Tonight Show amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Fallon's wife, Nancy Juvonen, films him and he begins each episode with an opening monologue.
Advertisement
"The federal government has pushed back a tax deadline by 90 days. I think that's a good idea because trust me, once I run out of toilet paper, the next thing I'm grabbing is a stack of 1040s," Fallon joked.
Garner, during her interview, discussed how her children -- Violet, 14, Seraphina, 11, and Samuel, 8, -- were dealing with having to stay home.
"I think I have the perfect-aged kids for this because they're big enough to understand and to have the conversations. Like, we're built for challenge. We can do this. We're a tough team. Let's learn about a vacuum cleaner," the actress said.
"You know the hard thing are teens and early-20s people and my parents. My parents are the hard ones. I'm like dad, mom the world is shut down to keep you guys safe and they're like 'We think we're going to go to Sam's Warehouse.'"
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Garner ended the interview by playing her saxophone which she has nicknamed Sally the Sexy Saxophone. Garner played "Happy Birthday" on the instrument with Fallon changing the lyrics to be about hand washing.
Garner and Fallon prompted charity Save the Children which helps to make sure kids can learn and get the nutrition they need while school is out. Fans can donate to the charity which Garner has partnered with for the #SaveWithStories campaign, alongside Amy Adams.
The #SaveWithStories campaign involves celebrities reading books while asking for donations.


upi--2020-03-20--Stefen Wisniewski to sign with Steelers

Stefen Wisniewski to sign with Steelers

March 20 ( UPI ) -- Pittsburgh native Stefen Wisniewski is coming home after agreeing to a contract with the @ @ @ @ @ offensive lineman agreed to join the team Thursday .
Wisniewski appeared in 11 games last @ @ @ @ @ Chiefs .
A source told NFL Network Wisniewski signed a two-year deal with the Steelers @ @ @ @ @ fans ?
I 'm coming home , '' Wisniewski tweeted Thursday .
`` And I @ @ @ @ @ '' Wisniewski , 30 , is a two-time Super Bowl champion after winning in February @ @ @ @ @ 2018 with the Philadelphia Eagles .
He began his career as a second-round pick by @ @ @ @ @ 2011 NFL Draft .
The Penn State product signed a one-year deal with the Jacksonville @ @ @ @ @ joined the Eagles the following off-season .
Wisniewski signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs @ @ @ @ @ , 305-pound offensive lineman has appeared in 134 games and has had 103 starts during @ @ @ @

March 20 (UPI) -- Pittsburgh native Stefen Wisniewski is coming home after agreeing to a contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The veteran offensive lineman agreed to join the team Thursday. Wisniewski appeared in 11 games last season for the Kansas City Chiefs. A source told NFL Network Wisniewski signed a two-year deal with the Steelers.
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"Guess what Steelers fans? I'm coming home," Wisniewski tweeted Thursday. "And I'm coming to win."
Wisniewski, 30, is a two-time Super Bowl champion after winning in February with the Chiefs and in 2018 with the Philadelphia Eagles. He began his career as a second-round pick by the Oakland Raiders in the 2011 NFL Draft.
The Penn State product signed a one-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2015. He joined the Eagles the following off-season.
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Wisniewski signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs in October. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound offensive lineman has appeared in 134 games and has had 103 starts during his NFL tenure.


upi--2020-03-20--'Way Back,' 'Birds of Prey' to get early digital releases

March 20 ( UPI ) -- Warner Bros. said it will release Ben Affleck 's drama The Way Back and Margot Robbie 's action movie Birds of Prey on digital platforms on March 24 , months ahead of schedule .
The announcement was made Thursday after many theaters , live-event venues and schools closed their doors due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak .
`` With audiences largely unable to view films in theatrical release under current circumstances , we have decided to provide the alternative of early digital ownership of our currently released titles to people looking for great entertainment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Warner Bros. Pictures Group , said in a press release .
He added : `` So , while we remain big fans of the theatrical experience and hope audiences are able to return to cinemas in the near future , we understand that these are challenging times and offering this option simply makes sense . ''
The theatrical premieres of numerous films , including the next James Bond adventure No Time to Die , have been postponed in an effort to keep people from gathering together in large groups during the global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indoors this spring , Disney released Frozen 2 early on its streaming platform Disney+ and Universal announced it would make available on video-on-demand platforms in April new films such as The Invisible Man , Emma , The Hunt and Trolls World Tour .

1/2
Ben Affleck arrives for the world premiere screening of "The Way Back" in Los Angeles on March 1. The film will be released on digital platforms on March 24. Photo by Chris Chew/UPI | License Photo
March 20 (UPI) -- Warner Bros. said it will release Ben Affleck's drama The Way Back and Margot Robbie's action movie Birds of Prey on digital platforms on March 24, months ahead of schedule. The announcement was made Thursday after many theaters, live-event venues and schools closed their doors due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak. Advertisement
"With audiences largely unable to view films in theatrical release under current circumstances, we have decided to provide the alternative of early digital ownership of our currently released titles to people looking for great entertainment options," Toby Emmerich, chairman of Warner Bros. Pictures Group, said in a press release.
He added: "So, while we remain big fans of the theatrical experience and hope audiences are able to return to cinemas in the near future, we understand that these are challenging times and offering this option simply makes sense."
The theatrical premieres of numerous films, including the next James Bond adventure No Time to Die, have been postponed in an effort to keep people from gathering together in large groups during the global pandemic.
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To help entertain those stuck indoors this spring, Disney released Frozen 2 early on its streaming platform Disney+ and Universal announced it would make available on video-on-demand platforms in April new films such as The Invisible Man, Emma, The Hunt and Trolls World Tour.


upi--2020-03-20--29 killed in terror attack in Mali, military says

March 20 ( UPI ) -- Twenty-nine people were killed , including two Malian soldiers , in a terrorist attack in Mali 's Gao region , military officials said .
The Armed Forces of Mali said the attack occurred Thursday in the village of Takrint , located about 100 miles north of the regional capital and 300 miles east of Timbuktu .
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack , but Islamic extremists who have been active in northern Africa 's Sahel region in recent years are suspected .
Thursday 's attack follows a string of others carried out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islamic State , which have staged an insurgency in the former French colony and the surrounding countries of Niger and Burkina Faso .
Earlier this month , six other Malian soldiers were killed in a rocket attack and last month three troops died at an army camp south of Timbuktu .
Fifty soldiers were killed in another attack last November .
The U.S. military said last month a coalition loyal to al-Qaida has about 2,000 fighters in the Sahel , while the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara is thought to have hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The region remains highly unstable despite a French-led United Nations intervention in 2013 .
Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita said last month he was willing to open talks with militant groups after seven years of refusing to do so .
The al-Qaida-affiliated jihadist group GSIM , or Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims , responded that it would negotiate only if French troops and the U.N. mission left Mali .

U.N. peacekeepers secure an area in the Timbuktu Region of Mali, on May 6, 2019. File Photo by Nicolas Remene/EPA-EFE
March 20 (UPI) -- Twenty-nine people were killed, including two Malian soldiers, in a terrorist attack in Mali's Gao region, military officials said. The Armed Forces of Mali said the attack occurred Thursday in the village of Takrint, located about 100 miles north of the regional capital and 300 miles east of Timbuktu. Advertisement
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but Islamic extremists who have been active in northern Africa's Sahel region in recent years are suspected.
Thursday's attack follows a string of others carried out by militants associated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State, which have staged an insurgency in the former French colony and the surrounding countries of Niger and Burkina Faso.
Earlier this month, six other Malian soldiers were killed in a rocket attack and last month three troops died at an army camp south of Timbuktu. Fifty soldiers were killed in another attack last November.
The U.S. military said last month a coalition loyal to al-Qaida has about 2,000 fighters in the Sahel, while the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara is thought to have hundreds and is recruiting more in northeastern Mali.
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The region remains highly unstable despite a French-led United Nations intervention in 2013.
Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita said last month he was willing to open talks with militant groups after seven years of refusing to do so. The al-Qaida-affiliated jihadist group GSIM, or Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, responded that it would negotiate only if French troops and the U.N. mission left Mali.


upi--2020-03-20--Dallas Cowboys to sign S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

March 20 ( UPI ) -- The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to a contract with veteran safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix .
Clinton-Dix 's agents , SportsTrust Advisors , announced the agreement Thursday .
Sources told NFL Network and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the deal is for one year and $ 4 million , including $ 2.5 million guaranteed .
Clinton-Dix , 27 , had 78 total tackles , five passes defensed , two interceptions , two fumble recoveries and a touchdown in 16 starts last season for the Chicago Bears .
The six-year veteran entered the league as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Green Bay Packers in the 2014 NFL Draft .
Clinton-Dix had 80 tackles , seven passes defensed , five interceptions , a forced fumble and 0.5 sack in 16 games when he made the Pro Bowl in 2016 .
He was traded to the Washington Redskins in 2018 before signing with the Bears last off-season .
The Alabama product will slide into the Cowboys secondary and replace Jeff Heath in 2020 .
Heath left the Cowboys in free agency to sign with the Las Vegas Raiders .
Clinton-Dix has familiarity with Cowboys coach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' coach during his entire tenure in Green Bay .

Safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) started all 16 games last season for the Chicago Bears. File Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License Photo
March 20 (UPI) -- The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to a contract with veteran safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Clinton-Dix's agents, SportsTrust Advisors, announced the agreement Thursday. Sources told NFL Network and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the deal is for one year and $4 million, including $2.5 million guaranteed. Advertisement
Clinton-Dix, 27, had 78 total tackles, five passes defensed, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a touchdown in 16 starts last season for the Chicago Bears. The six-year veteran entered the league as the No. 21 overall pick by the Green Bay Packers in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Clinton-Dix had 80 tackles, seven passes defensed, five interceptions, a forced fumble and 0.5 sack in 16 games when he made the Pro Bowl in 2016. He was traded to the Washington Redskins in 2018 before signing with the Bears last off-season.
The Alabama product will slide into the Cowboys secondary and replace Jeff Heath in 2020. Heath left the Cowboys in free agency to sign with the Las Vegas Raiders.
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Clinton-Dix has familiarity with Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, who was the Packers' coach during his entire tenure in Green Bay.


upi--2020-03-20--Saudi Arabia suspends prayers at Mecca, Medina mosques due to coronavirus

March 20 ( UPI ) -- Saudi Arabia said it has suspended daily prayers and weekly Friday prayers at two @ @ @ @ @ because of the coronavirus outbreak .
Saudi officials this week placed increasing restrictions on congregational @ @ @ @ @ country as the number of those affected with the coronavirus disease continued to tick up @ @ @ @ @ Saudi Arabia had nearly 300 confirmed cases .
`` The presidency and the security and @ @ @ @ @ the presence and prayers in the outer squares of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet @ @ @ @ @ as part of precautionary and preventive measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ the two mosques said in a statement .
The spokesperson said the mosques are being @ @ @ @ @ in a safe and healthy environment , '' and called for the cooperation of visitors @ @ @

Prayers were suspended at the Grand Mosque, pictured, and the Prophet's Mosque in Saudi Arabia. File Photo by Mohammad Kheirkhah/UPI | License Photo
March 20 (UPI) -- Saudi Arabia said it has suspended daily prayers and weekly Friday prayers at two mosques in Mecca and Medina because of the coronavirus outbreak. Saudi officials this week placed increasing restrictions on congregational prayers at mosques around the country as the number of those affected with the coronavirus disease continued to tick up. Advertisement
As of Thursday, Saudi Arabia had nearly 300 confirmed cases.
"The presidency and the security and health authorities decided to suspend the presence and prayers in the outer squares of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque starting Friday, as part of precautionary and preventive measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus," a representative of the two mosques said in a statement.
The spokesperson said the mosques are being cleaned "to perform prayers in a safe and healthy environment," and called for the cooperation of visitors and worshipers.


upi--2020-03-20--Netflix: What's coming and going in April 2020

March 20 ( UPI ) -- Netflix subscribers can watch the comedy series Community , Middleditch & Schwartz , a @ @ @ @ @ Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz , and Never Have I Ever , a new series @ @ @ @ @ in April .
The streaming service released a list of the movies , TV shows @ @ @ @ @ coming and going next month .
Here 's the full list of what 's being @ @ @ @ @ : The Girl with All the Gifts The Perks of Being a Wallflower The Good @ @ @ @ @ Ugly The Last Kids on Earth Book 2 ( Netflix Original ) Never Have I @ @ @ @ @ Here 's the full list of what 's leaving Netflix in April :

Thomas Middleditch (R) and Ben Schwartz star in "Middleditch & Schwartz," a series of comedy specials coming to Netflix in April. Photo courtesy of Netflix
March 20 (UPI) -- Netflix subscribers can watch the comedy series Community, Middleditch & Schwartz, a series of comedy specials featuring Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz, and Never Have I Ever, a new series created by Mindy Kaling, in April. The streaming service released a list of the movies, TV shows, comedy specials and documentaries coming and going next month. Advertisement
Here's the full list of what's being added to Netflix in April:
April 1
David Batra: Elefanten I Rummet (Netflix Original)
How to Fix a Drug Scandal (Netflix Original)
The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show (Netflix Original)
Nailed It! Season 4 (Netflix Original)
Sunderland 'Til I Die Season 2 (Netflix Original)
40 Days and 40 Nights
Bloodsport
Cadillac Records
Can't Hardly Wait
Cheech & Chong's Up in Smoke
Community Seasons 1-6
Deep Impact
God's Not Dead
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Just Friends
Killer Klowns from Outer Space
Kim's Convenience Season 4
Lethal Weapon
Lethal Weapon 2
Lethal Weapon 3
Lethal Weapon 4
MInority Report
Molly's Game
Mortal Kombat
Mud
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon - Ultra Legends Season 3
Promised Land
Road to Perdition
Salt
School Daze
Sherlock Holmes
Soul Plane
Sunrise in Heaven
Taxi Driver
The Death of Stalin
The Girl with All the Gifts
The Hangover
The Matrix
The Matrix Reloaded
The Matrix Revolutions
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
The Roommate
The Runaways
The Social Network
Wildling
April 2
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll
April 3
Coffee & Kareem (Netflix Original)
La casa de papel Part 4 (Netflix Original)
Money Heist: The Phenomenon (Netflix Original)
Spirit Riding Free: Riding Academy (Netflix Original)
StarBeam (Netflix Original)
April 4
Angel Has Fallen
April 5
The Killing of a Sacred Deer
April 6
The Big Show Show (Netflix Original)
April 7
Terrace House: Tokyo 2019-2020 Part 3 (Netflix Original)
April 9
Hi Score Girl Season 2 (Netflix Original)
April 10
Brews Brothers (Netflix Original)
LA Originals (Netflix Original)
La vie scolaire (Netflix Original)
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Love Wedding Repeat (Netflix Original)
The Main Event (Netflix Original)
Tigertail (Netflix Original)
April 11
CODE 8
April 14
Chris D'Elia: No Pain (Netflix Original)
April 15
The Innocence Files (Netflix Original)
Outer Banks (Netflix Original)
April 16
Despicable Me
Fary: Hexagone Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Fauda Season 3 (Netflix Original)
Hail, Caesar!
Mauricio Meirelles: Levando o Caos (Netflix Original)
Jem and the Holograms
April 17
Betonrausch (Netflix Original)
#blackAF (Netflix Original)
Earth and Blood (La terre et le sang) (Netflix Original)
The Last Kids on Earth Book 2 (Netflix Original)
Legado en los huesos (Netflix Original)
Sergio (Netflix Original)
Too Hot to Handle (Netflix Original)
April 18
The Green Hornet
April 20
Cooked with Cannabis (Netflix Original)
The Midnight Gospel (Netflix Original)
The Vatican Tapes
April 21
Bleach: The Assault
Bleach: The Bount
Middleditch & Schwartz (Netflix Original)
April 22
Absurd Planet (Netflix Original)
Circus of Books (Netflix Original)
El silencio del pantano (Netflix Original)
The Plagues of Breslau (Netflix Original)
The Willoughbys (Netflix Original)
Win the Wilderness (Netflix Original)
April 23
The House of Flowers Season 3 (Netflix Original)
April 24
After Life Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Extraction (Netflix Original)
Hello Ninja Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Yours Sincerely, Kanan Gill (Netflix Original)
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April 25
The Artist
Django Unchained
April 26
The Last Kingdom Season 4 (Netflix Original)
April 27
Battle: Los Angeles
Never Have I Ever (Netflix Original)
April 29
A Secret Love (Netflix Original)
Extracurricular (Netflix Original)
Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story (Netflix Original)
Nadiya's Time to Eat (Netflix Original)
April 30
Dangerous Lies (Netflix Original)
Drifting Dragons (Netflix Original)
The Forest of Love: Deep Cut (Netflix Original)
Rich in Love (Ricos en Amor) (Netflix Original)
The Victims' Game (Netflix Original)
Coming soon:
Arashi's Diary - Voyage New Episodes (Netflix Original)
The Circle Game (Netflix Original)
The King: Eternal Monarch (Netflix Original)
Podcasts coming in April:
Netflix is a Daily Joke
Post Play with Jason Bateman and Chris Mundy
Here's the full list of what's leaving Netflix in April:
April 4
American Odyssey Season 1
April 8
Movie 43
April 15
21 & Over
April 16
Lost Girl Seasons 1-5
April 17
Big Fat Liar
April 19
The Longest Yard
April 24
The Ugly Truth
April 29
National Treasure
April 30
A Cinderella Story
A Little Princess
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Blade Runner: The Final Cut
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The Craft
Crash
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
The Dirty Dozen
Dirty Harry
Driving Miss Daisy
Friday the 13th
Good Burger
GoodFellas
The Hangover
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
Police Academy
Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment
Police Academy 3: Back in Training
Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol
Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach
Police Academy 6: City Under Siege
Police Academy 7: Mission to Moscow
Rosemary's Baby
Rounders
Scream 2
Scream 3
The Shawshank Redemption
Space Jam
Spy Kids
Step Brothers
Strictly Ballroom
The Talented Mr. Ripley
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
True Grit


upi--2020-03-20--Richard Armitage narrates 'Jane Austen Society' audiobook

March 20 ( UPI ) -- Natalie Jenner tweeted that The Hobbit and Berlin Station actor Richard Armitage is narrating the audio version of her first novel The Jane Austen Society .
`` Thrilled to announce that @ RCArmitage has narrated the audiobook for TheJaneAustenSociety !
When I wrote my novel , Mr. Armitage 's voice was so often what I heard .
He is my Dr. Gray .
He is a dream narrator for my book & I am so grateful to him .
The dream continues , '' Jenner tweeted Thursday .
`` It was my pleasure .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ wait for everyone to listen .
Heartwarming for these times , '' Armitage posted in reply .
`` What struck me the most was the story of a community pulling together in very dark times , and finding what they all thought was lost , it 's a story full of hope .
I wish Natalie great success with the book , let 's make it a bestseller . ''
Armitage 's other credits include North & South , Robin Hood , MI-5 , The Vicar of Dibley , Strike Back , Into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was most recently seen in the Netflix miniseries The Stranger .
The Jane Austen Society is set for release in May .
It is described as `` a fictional telling of the start of the society in the 1940s in the village of Chawton , where Austen lived , '' Jenner 's website said .
Austen is the author of the 19th century classics Emma , Pride and Prejudice , Sense and Sensibility , Mansfield Park , Persuasion and Northanger Abbey .

Actor Richard Armitage has narrated the audiobook version of the upcoming novel "The Jane Austen Society." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
March 20 (UPI) -- Natalie Jenner tweeted that The Hobbit and Berlin Station actor Richard Armitage is narrating the audio version of her first novel The Jane Austen Society. "Thrilled to announce that @RCArmitage has narrated the audiobook for TheJaneAustenSociety! When I wrote my novel, Mr. Armitage's voice was so often what I heard. He is my Dr. Gray. He is a dream narrator for my book & I am so grateful to him. The dream continues," Jenner tweeted Thursday. Advertisement
"It was my pleasure. Such a fantastic story. Can't wait for everyone to listen. Heartwarming for these times," Armitage posted in reply.
"What struck me the most was the story of a community pulling together in very dark times, and finding what they all thought was lost, it's a story full of hope. I wish Natalie great success with the book, let's make it a bestseller."
Armitage's other credits include North & South, Robin Hood, MI-5, The Vicar of Dibley, Strike Back, Into the Storm, Hannibal and Castlevania. He was most recently seen in the Netflix miniseries The Stranger.
The Jane Austen Society is set for release in May. It is described as "a fictional telling of the start of the society in the 1940s in the village of Chawton, where Austen lived," Jenner's website said.
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Austen is the author of the 19th century classics Emma, Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park, Persuasion and Northanger Abbey.


upi--2020-03-20--Google recognizes hand washing, Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis in new Doodle

March 20 ( UPI ) -- Google is celebrating physician Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis and hand washing with a new Doodle .
Semmelweis was appointed Chief Resident in the maternity clinic of Vienna General Hospital in 1847 when he discovered the medical benefits of hand washing and how it reduces the transmission of diseases .
Google 's homepage features artwork of Semmelweis next to a play button .
Pushing the button starts an instructional video on how to properly wash your hands based on recommendations from the World Health Organization .
Google is also providing a printable poster featuring Semmelweis that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world deals with the COVID-19 pandemic .
Semmelweis was born in Buda , now Budapest , Hungary in 1818 .
An infection known as childbed fever was leading to high death rates in new mothers across Europe when he started his tenure at Vienna General Hospital .
Semmelweis deduced that doctors were transmitting infectious material from other operations to susceptible mothers through their hands .
He then required all medical staff to wash their hands in between examinations , leading to lower infection rates .
Semmelweis is known as `` the father of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ informing generations about the benefits of hand washing and how it can prevent the spread of diseases .

Google is paying homage to physician Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis and hand washing with a new Doodle. Image courtesy of Google
March 20 (UPI) -- Google is celebrating physician Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis and hand washing with a new Doodle. Semmelweis was appointed Chief Resident in the maternity clinic of Vienna General Hospital in 1847 when he discovered the medical benefits of hand washing and how it reduces the transmission of diseases. Advertisement
Google's homepage features artwork of Semmelweis next to a play button. Pushing the button starts an instructional video on how to properly wash your hands based on recommendations from the World Health Organization.
Google is also providing a printable poster featuring Semmelweis that explains proper hand washing techniques as the world deals with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Semmelweis was born in Buda, now Budapest, Hungary in 1818. An infection known as childbed fever was leading to high death rates in new mothers across Europe when he started his tenure at Vienna General Hospital.
Semmelweis deduced that doctors were transmitting infectious material from other operations to susceptible mothers through their hands. He then required all medical staff to wash their hands in between examinations, leading to lower infection rates.
Semmelweis is known as "the father of infection control" and is credited with informing generations about the benefits of hand washing and how it can prevent the spread of diseases.


upi--2020-03-20--'Game of Thrones' alum Indira Varma in bed with 'not nice' COVID-19

March 20 ( UPI ) -- British actress Indira Varma announced on Instagram she has been diagnosed with COVID-19 .
Varma , 46 , is known for her roles in For Life , Carnival Row , Game of Thrones , Luther and Bride & Prejudice .
Deadline.com said the actress and her former Game of Thrones cast-mate Emilia Clarke had been rehearsing for the West End production of Anton Chekhov 's play The Seagull , but the show was postponed because of the global health crisis .
`` So sad our and so many other shows around the world have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We hope to be back soon and urge you all ( and the govt ) to support us when we do.Phoenix/ Seagull rising from the ashes .
I 'm in bed with it and it 's not nice .
Stay safe and healthy and be kind to your fellow people , '' Varma wrote on Instagram .
Lost actor Daniel Dae Kim , Game of Thrones veteran Kristofer Hivju , Varma 's former Luther co-star Idris Elba , and celebrity couple Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have also been diagnosed with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people and prompted the closure of theaters , theme parks , live-event venues and schools around the world .

Indira Varma announced on Instagram that she is in bed recovering from COVID-19 after her London play was canceled. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 20 (UPI) -- British actress Indira Varma announced on Instagram she has been diagnosed with COVID-19. Varma, 46, is known for her roles in For Life, Carnival Row, Game of Thrones, Luther and Bride & Prejudice. Advertisement
Deadline.com said the actress and her former Game of Thrones cast-mate Emilia Clarke had been rehearsing for the West End production of Anton Chekhov's play The Seagull, but the show was postponed because of the global health crisis.
"So sad our and so many other shows around the world have gone dark affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. We hope to be back soon and urge you all (and the govt) to support us when we do.Phoenix/ Seagull rising from the ashes. I'm in bed with it and it's not nice. Stay safe and healthy and be kind to your fellow people," Varma wrote on Instagram.
Lost actor Daniel Dae Kim, Game of Thrones veteran Kristofer Hivju, Varma's former Luther co-star Idris Elba, and celebrity couple Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have also been diagnosed with the virus, which has killed thousands of people and prompted the closure of theaters, theme parks, live-event venues and schools around the world.