upi--2020-03-04--COVID-19 a potential Hurricane Katrina for Trump

In August 2005 , Hurricane Katrina struck America 's Southeast .
New Orleans was especially hard hit , much of it demolished by floods .
Over 1,700 people died .
And George W. Bush 's administration was rightly pilloried because of the lack of preparation and anticipation of the annual recurrence of hurricanes .
Is the new coronavirus , COVID-19 , a potential Katrina on steroids , with potentially tectonic political , economic , social and health consequences ?
Diseases and pandemics have little in common with hurricanes except to the degree each is an act of nature .
Hurricanes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoidable by evacuation .
Pathogens are invisible , and quarantine or avoidance of contaminated areas is usually insufficient to stem further outbreaks .
The spread , rate , duration and lethality of COVID-19 , along with the time it takes to develop vaccines and cures , are unknown .
Worse , disease plays on psychological reactions of impotence and vulnerability to infection .
Fear , worry and even panic are predictable outcomes .
To counter these , politicians must display competence and confidence in communicating with public .
These `` 3 Cs '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knowledge and understanding of this virus is an urgent priority .
Third , national , regional and local response plans must be put in place to include worst-case contingencies .
Finally , the federal government must have a credible crisis management team in place .
In the worst case , the stakes could be existential for tens or hundreds of thousands and even millions of people .
The Middle Age black plagues killed possibly a third or half of England 's population .
The Spanish flu of 1918-20 claimed between 20 million and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more recent brushes with H1N1 flu , anthrax and Ebola never turned into pandemics .
However , growing up in New York City in the late 1940s and early 1950s , polio raised fear in virtually every household until Jonas Salk produced his vaccine .
So far , the virus is not yet a technical pandemic .
That will likely change as the disease is highly contagious and expands globally .
The good news is that COVID-19 appears not to be as fatal as SARS .
About 80 to 85 percent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relatively minor symptoms .
The fatality rate is estimated at about 2 percent , less than many cancers .
By comparison , about 100,000 Americans die annually from the flu , drug overdoses and related issues .
A similar number die from firearms , including suicides and all accidents .
Yet , fear and uncertainty often consume rationality .
The United States has not yet arrived at this position .
But it might .
Other major dangers are economic and financial .
In an era of globalization , supply and demand are inextricably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and vital items in the supply chain falters , this has global impact .
As fewer people are likely to consume goods , demand likewise falls .
Ironically then , the contagion of the virus infects the world economy .
Extreme political polarization will infect the perception of how this virus is handled .
First , to inspire trust and confidence , President Donald Trump 's record in speaking the truth is unhelpful .
Can the president 's word be accepted ?
The president was off to a bad start in his first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confidence , no president would overstate the possible dangers until absolutely certain .
Playing down the catastrophic side of pandemics makes sense if it is done responsibly , even if no one knows whether this virus will degrade in warmer weather .
Putting the vice president in charge of any national effort is common , no matter which party is in power .
However , given the partisan divides and genuine questions about Mike Pence 's management and organizational skills , his appointment has drawn fire .
The reality is that this administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the people who staff it at least through Jan. 20 , 2021 .
Confidence , competence and communications are essential to good governance , particularly in crisis .
A pandemic or potential pandemic will stress the limits of governments in responding effectively .
Fortunately , this virus so far seems less deadly than the 1918-20 Spanish flu , given lower mortality rates .
Yet COVID-19 is frightening nonetheless .
That an invisible virus could eradicate trillion of dollars in stock values in a week is a further sign of its destructive potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions .
Come November , how this disease is contained , and how it evolves could make the difference in who is elected president and which parties control both houses of Congress .
And of course , how many people contract or succumb to the disease will be the ultimate mark of political success or failure .
One other worry : Given this virus warning , is climate change lurking as the next crisis ?
If so , how well prepared are we for that ?
Harlan Ullman is a senior adviser at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is `` Anatomy of Failure : Why America Has Lost Every War It Starts . ''
Follow him @ harlankullman .

President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday as his administration works on the response to the coronavirus outbreak. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck America's Southeast. New Orleans was especially hard hit, much of it demolished by floods. Over 1,700 people died. And George W. Bush's administration was rightly pilloried because of the lack of preparation and anticipation of the annual recurrence of hurricanes. Is the new coronavirus, COVID-19, a potential Katrina on steroids, with potentially tectonic political, economic, social and health consequences? Advertisement
Diseases and pandemics have little in common with hurricanes except to the degree each is an act of nature. Hurricanes are visible, and human damage is avoidable by evacuation. Pathogens are invisible, and quarantine or avoidance of contaminated areas is usually insufficient to stem further outbreaks. The spread, rate, duration and lethality of COVID-19, along with the time it takes to develop vaccines and cures, are unknown. Worse, disease plays on psychological reactions of impotence and vulnerability to infection.
Advertisement
Fear, worry and even panic are predictable outcomes. To counter these, politicians must display competence and confidence in communicating with public. These "3 Cs" are vital. Second, gaining full knowledge and understanding of this virus is an urgent priority. Third, national, regional and local response plans must be put in place to include worst-case contingencies. Finally, the federal government must have a credible crisis management team in place.
In the worst case, the stakes could be existential for tens or hundreds of thousands and even millions of people. The Middle Age black plagues killed possibly a third or half of England's population. The Spanish flu of 1918-20 claimed between 20 million and 100 million lives globally. Fortunately, the more recent brushes with H1N1 flu, anthrax and Ebola never turned into pandemics. However, growing up in New York City in the late 1940s and early 1950s, polio raised fear in virtually every household until Jonas Salk produced his vaccine.
So far, the virus is not yet a technical pandemic. That will likely change as the disease is highly contagious and expands globally. The good news is that COVID-19 appears not to be as fatal as SARS. About 80 to 85 percent of those who are infected show no or relatively minor symptoms. The fatality rate is estimated at about 2 percent, less than many cancers.
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By comparison, about 100,000 Americans die annually from the flu, drug overdoses and related issues. A similar number die from firearms, including suicides and all accidents. Yet, fear and uncertainty often consume rationality. The United States has not yet arrived at this position. But it might.
Other major dangers are economic and financial. In an era of globalization, supply and demand are inextricably intertwined. As Chinese production of goods and vital items in the supply chain falters, this has global impact. As fewer people are likely to consume goods, demand likewise falls. Ironically then, the contagion of the virus infects the world economy.
Extreme political polarization will infect the perception of how this virus is handled. First, to inspire trust and confidence, President Donald Trump's record in speaking the truth is unhelpful. Can the president's word be accepted?
The president was off to a bad start in his first comments. That said, to promote confidence, no president would overstate the possible dangers until absolutely certain. Playing down the catastrophic side of pandemics makes sense if it is done responsibly, even if no one knows whether this virus will degrade in warmer weather.
Putting the vice president in charge of any national effort is common, no matter which party is in power. However, given the partisan divides and genuine questions about Mike Pence's management and organizational skills, his appointment has drawn fire. The reality is that this administration is in charge. It must rely on the people who staff it at least through Jan. 20, 2021.
Advertisement
Confidence, competence and communications are essential to good governance, particularly in crisis. A pandemic or potential pandemic will stress the limits of governments in responding effectively. Fortunately, this virus so far seems less deadly than the 1918-20 Spanish flu, given lower mortality rates. Yet COVID-19 is frightening nonetheless.
That an invisible virus could eradicate trillion of dollars in stock values in a week is a further sign of its destructive potential without killing hundreds of thousands or even millions. Come November, how this disease is contained, and how it evolves could make the difference in who is elected president and which parties control both houses of Congress. And of course, how many people contract or succumb to the disease will be the ultimate mark of political success or failure.
One other worry: Given this virus warning, is climate change lurking as the next crisis? If so, how well prepared are we for that?
Harlan Ullman is a senior adviser at the Atlantic Council. His latest book is "Anatomy of Failure: Why America Has Lost Every War It Starts." Follow him @harlankullman.


upi--2020-03-04--COVID-19 clusters grow in South Korea, Italy, Iran; Hong Kong to evacuate residents from mainland Ch

COVID-19 clusters grow in South Korea, Italy, Iran; Hong Kong to evacuate residents from mainland China

March 4 ( UPI ) -- Coronavirus clusters in South Korea , Italy and Iran continued to grow Wednesday as the World Health Organization said COVID-19 spreads less efficiently than the flu but has a higher mortality rate .
South Korea 's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 516 new cases of COVID-19 since the day prior on Wednesday evening , increasing its epidemic to 5,328 cases and 32 deaths after four people died from the virus in the past 24 hours .
It is the largest epidemic outside of China where the virus emerged in December before killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Italy , the next largest cluster , health officials said its epidemic grew by 227 cases on Wednesday to 2,263 while its death toll climbed by 27 to 79 .
And in Iran , where officials were releasing tens of thousands of inmates to slow the disease 's spread among its over-crowded prison system , health officials recorded 77 deaths and 2,336 confirmed cases .
Meanwhile , in China , where the disease first took hold but has recently seemingly loosened its grip , health officials reported 119 new cases of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 38 deaths , a continuation of slowing numbers for the Asian nation that has experienced a total of 2,981 deaths and 80,270 confirmed cases .
The virus has a mortality rate of 3.4 percent , higher than the seasonal flu , which kills about 1 percent of those infected , WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters Tuesday during a press briefing .
`` While many people globally have built up immunity to seasonal flu strains , COVID-19 is a new virus to which no one has immunity , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to infection , and some will suffer severe disease . ''
COVID-19 also induces more severe disease than the seasonal flu , he said , adding it does not , however , transmit as effectively as the flu since people carrying the virus without experiencing symptoms seemingly are n't the driving force behind the current epidemics .
`` To summarize , COVID-19 spreads less efficiently than flu , transmission does not appear to be driven by people who are not sick , it causes more severe illness than flu , there are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it can be contained -- which is why we must do everything we can to contain it , '' he said .
Meanwhile , hundreds of Hong Kong residents trapped in China began boarding the first of four government-chartered evacuation flights on Wednesday , according to officials .
Patrick Nip , Hong Kong 's secretary of Constitutional and Mainland Affairs , said in a statement on Facebook that 109 people have boarded the Cathay Pacific Airways flight after having their temperatures taken for signs of a fever , which only barred one passenger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protective clothes , masks , etc .
before boarding , '' Nip said in a post that accompanied photos of passengers in masks and plastic ponchos queuing to board the flight .
All those on the flight are Hong Kong residents in Wuhan , a city at the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak that has been under lockdown for over a month .
Nip , along with other Hong Kong government officials , landed in China early Wednesday to facilitate the departures .
Priority was given to pregnant women , students preparing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Education exam and patients with urgent medical needs , he said .
A total of two evacuation flights were expected to depart Wuhan for Hong Kong on Wednesday with two more scheduled for Thursday , repatriating some 522 residents , the South China Morning Post reported .
The evacuees are expected to be quarantined at the Chun Yeong Estate for two weeks , the incubation period of the coronavirus , once returning to the semiautonomous region of China , which , as of Wednesday morning , had 100 confirmed cases of the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second patient infected with COVID-19 , a woman in her 30s who had recently returned to Auckland from northern Italy .
The woman is in isolation at home , the Ministry of Health confirmed in a statement .
`` Although we have our second case of COVID-19 , with continued vigilance the chance of widespread community outbreak is expected to remain low , '' it said .
Air New Zealand confirmed that the woman was a passenger on its Feb. 25 Singapore-to-Auckland flight .
She then flew from Auckland to Palmerston North on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same day .
`` The airline is working closely with the Ministry of Health and government agencies to identify and proactively contact customers who traveled on the Singapore service and the two regional flights , '' the airliner said in a statement .

1/3
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte (L) and Italian Education Minister Lucia Azzolina conduct a news conference about Italy's coronavirus emergency situation at the Chigi Palace in Rome on Wednesday. Photo by Angelo Carconi/EPA-EFE
March 4 (UPI) -- Italian education officials closed all schools and universities Wednesday in reaction to a coronavirus outbreak that has killed 107 people in the country. Education Minister Lucia Azzolina made the announcement with Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte during a news conference at Palazzo Chigi, Conte's residence in Rome. Advertisement
"It wasn't a simple decision for the government, we waited for the opinion of the scientific-technical committee and we decided to suspend teaching activities from tomorrow till March 15," Azzolina said.
"It is a decision of impact, I hope the pupils will return to school as soon as possible."
Italy's Civil Protection Agency said that in addition to the deaths, there were 2,706 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 disease in the country as of Wednesday. Most were centered in the Lombardy region, with smaller clusters in Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Piedmont, the Marche, Campania, Liguria, Tuscany, Lazio, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Sicily, Puglia, Abruzzo, Trento, Molise, Umbria, Bolzano, Calabria, Sardinia and Basilicata.
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Some 276 people have recovered from the disease.
Italy is experiencing the worst European outbreak of the virus, which originated in Wuhan, China, late last year. Significant clusters have also been reported in South Korea and Iran.
The World Health Organization said COVID-19 spreads less efficiently than the flu but has a higher mortality rate.
South Korea's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 516 new cases of COVID-19 since the day prior on Wednesday evening, increasing its totals to 5,328 cases and 32 deaths after four people died from the virus in the past 24 hours. It is the largest epidemic outside China.
And in Iran, where officials were releasing tens of thousands of inmates to slow the disease's spread among its crowded prison system, health officials recorded 77 deaths and 2,336 confirmed cases.
Meanwhile, in China, where the disease first took hold but has seemingly loosened its grip, health officials reported 119 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday from the previous day and 38 deaths, a continuation of slowing numbers for the Asian nation that has experienced 2,981 deaths and 80,270 confirmed cases.
The virus has a mortality rate of 3.4 percent, higher than the seasonal flu, which kills about 1 percent of those infected, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters Tuesday during a press briefing.
Advertisement
"While many people globally have built up immunity to seasonal flu strains, COVID-19 is a new virus to which no one has immunity," he said. "That means more people are susceptible to infection, and some will suffer severe disease."
COVID-19 also induces more severe disease than the seasonal flu, he said, adding it does not, however, transmit as effectively as the flu, since people carrying the virus without experiencing symptoms seemingly aren't the driving force behind the current epidemics.
"To summarize, COVID-19 spreads less efficiently than flu; transmission does not appear to be driven by people who are not sick; it causes more severe illness than flu; there are not yet any vaccines or therapeutics; and it can be contained -- which is why we must do everything we can to contain it," he said.
In Italy, Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora said fans will be kept out of Serie A professional soccer matches and other big sporting events, which instead will be played behind closed doors.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Hong Kong residents trapped in China began boarding the first of four government-chartered evacuation flights on Wednesday.
Patrick Nip, Hong Kong's secretary of constitutional and mainland affairs, said in a statement on Facebook that 109 people boarded the Cathay Pacific Airways flight after having their temperatures taken for signs of a fever, which barred one passenger from boarding.
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"Passengers must wear protective clothes, masks, etc. before boarding," Nip said in a post that accompanied photos of passengers in masks and plastic ponchos queuing to board the flight.
All those on the flight are Hong Kong residents in Wuhan, a city at the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak that has been under lockdown for over a month.
Nip, along with other Hong Kong government officials, landed in China early Wednesday to facilitate the departures.
Priority was given to pregnant women, students preparing to write the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education exam and patients with urgent medical needs, he said.
Two evacuation flights were expected to depart Wuhan for Hong Kong on Wednesday with two more scheduled for Thursday, repatriating some 522 residents, the South China Morning Post reported.
The evacuees are expected to be quarantined at the Chun Yeong Estate for two weeks, the incubation period of the coronavirus, once returning to the semi-autonomous region of China, which, as of Wednesday morning, had 100 confirmed cases of the disease.
Meanwhile, New Zealand confirmed its second patient infected with COVID-19, a woman in her 30s who recently returned to Auckland from northern Italy. The woman was in isolation at home, the Ministry of Health confirmed in a statement.
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"Although we have our second case of COVID-19, with continued vigilance the chance of widespread community outbreak is expected to remain low," it said.
Air New Zealand confirmed the woman was a passenger on its Feb. 25 Singapore-to-Auckland flight. She then flew from Auckland to Palmerston North on Monday before flying back to Auckland that same day.
"The airline is working closely with the Ministry of Health and government agencies to identify and proactively contact customers who traveled on the Singapore service and the two regional flights," the airline said in a statement.


upi--2020-03-04--U.S. drug prices rose three times faster than inflation in a decade

Over the course of a decade , the net cost of prescription drugs in the United States rose more than three times faster than the rate of inflation , a new study finds .
The net cost of a drug refers to the sticker price minus manufacturer discounts .
Researchers in the University of Pittsburgh 's Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Prescribing , or CP3 , conducted the analysis on net drug cost trends for brand-name prescriptions in the United States .
`` Previously , we were limited to studying list prices , which do not account for manufacturer discounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but they are not the full story , '' said study author Inmaculada Hernandez , an assistant professor of pharmacy at Pitt .
`` This is the first time we 've been able to account for discounts and report trends in net prices for most brand name drugs in the U.S. '' The team used revenue and usage data for over 600 brand-name drugs from 2007 to 2018 .
When adjusted for inflation , list prices skyrocketed 159 percent , while net prices increased by 60 percent -- more than three times the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leveled off in 2015 , the authors pointed out that this is n't a reflection of affordability for consumers .
`` Net prices are not necessarily what patients pay , '' said senior author Dr. Walid Gellad , an associate professor of medicine and health policy at Pitt and director of the CP3 .
`` A lot of the discount is not going to the patient . ''
Most discounts are rebates paid to public and private insurers .
The amount paid by consumers is largely unaffected by rebates , as copays and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not net price .
Additionally , the study revealed that discounts are larger for Medicaid than others , which may be a reflection of regulation .
Mandatory Medicaid rebates are based on price increase over inflation , whereas other payer discounts are negotiation-based .
`` We 're seeing a lot of discussion that net prices have stabilized over the last few years , and that does appear to be the case , '' Gellad said in a university news release .
`` But the stabilization of net price comes on top of large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times faster than inflation , for products that have not changed over this time period .
In addition , this net price is an average , with substantial variability across payers and drugs , '' he noted .
The study was published March 3 in the Journal of the American Medical Association .
The American Medical Association has more on prescription drug prices .

Over the course of a decade, the net cost of prescription drugs in the United States rose more than three times faster than the rate of inflation, a new study finds.
The net cost of a drug refers to the sticker price minus manufacturer discounts.
Advertisement
Researchers in the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Prescribing, or CP3, conducted the analysis on net drug cost trends for brand-name prescriptions in the United States.
"Previously, we were limited to studying list prices, which do not account for manufacturer discounts. List prices are very important, but they are not the full story," said study author Inmaculada Hernandez, an assistant professor of pharmacy at Pitt. "This is the first time we've been able to account for discounts and report trends in net prices for most brand name drugs in the U.S."
The team used revenue and usage data for over 600 brand-name drugs from 2007 to 2018. When adjusted for inflation, list prices skyrocketed 159 percent, while net prices increased by 60 percent -- more than three times the rate of inflation.
Although net prices leveled off in 2015, the authors pointed out that this isn't a reflection of affordability for consumers.
Advertisement
"Net prices are not necessarily what patients pay," said senior author Dr. Walid Gellad, an associate professor of medicine and health policy at Pitt and director of the CP3. "A lot of the discount is not going to the patient."
Most discounts are rebates paid to public and private insurers. The amount paid by consumers is largely unaffected by rebates, as copays and coinsurance are based on list price, not net price.
Additionally, the study revealed that discounts are larger for Medicaid than others, which may be a reflection of regulation. Mandatory Medicaid rebates are based on price increase over inflation, whereas other payer discounts are negotiation-based.
"We're seeing a lot of discussion that net prices have stabilized over the last few years, and that does appear to be the case," Gellad said in a university news release. "But the stabilization of net price comes on top of large increases over the last decade, many times faster than inflation, for products that have not changed over this time period. In addition, this net price is an average, with substantial variability across payers and drugs," he noted.
The study was published March 3 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
More information
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The American Medical Association has more on prescription drug prices.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-03-04--Famous birthdays for March 4: Rick Perry, Patricia Heaton

March 4 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Pisces .

Former Energy Secretary Rick Perry testifies on the Energy Department's fiscal year 2020 budget during a Senate Energy and Water Development Subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on March 27. He turns 70 on March 4. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
March 4 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Pisces. They include: Advertisement
-- Portuguese Prince Henry, the Navigator, in 1394
-- Composer Antonio Vivaldi in 1678
-- Legendary Notre Dame football Coach Knute Rockne in 1888
-- Actor John Garfield in 1913
-- Author Alan Sillitoe in 1928
-- Economist Alice Rivlin in 1931
File Photo by Madeline Marshall/UPI
-- Actor/singer Barbara McNair in 1934
-- Actor Paula Prentiss in 1938 (age 82)
-- Author James Ellroy in 1948 (age 72)
-- Rick Perry, former energy secretary/Texas governor, in 1950 (age 70)
-- Musician/actor/producer Emilio Estefan in 1953 (age 67)
-- Actor Catherine O'Hara in 1954 (age 66)
-- Actor Patricia Heaton in 1958 (age 62)
File Photo by David Silpa/UPI
-- Actor Steven Weber in 1961 (age 59)
-- Musician Jason Newsted in 1963 (age 57)
-- Afghan writer Khaled Hosseini in 1965 (age 55)
-- Television personality/activist Chaz Bono in 1969 (age 51)
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-- U.S. soccer player Landon Donovan in 1982 (age 38)
-- Actor Josh Bowman in 1988 (age 32)
-- Television personality Bobbi Kristina Brown in 1993
-- Actor Miya Cech in 2007 (age 13)


upi--2020-03-04--'Twenties' explores Lena Waithe's career and love life

LOS ANGELES , March 4 ( UPI ) -- Lena Waithe created the new BET series Twenties , premiering Wednesday , based on her career and romantic struggles when she moved to Los Angeles .
Jonica T. Gibbs plays Hattie , a character loosely based on Waithe .
`` When I got to Los Angeles , all I had was my drive and determination , and my love for movies and television , '' Waithe said on a Television Critics Association panel .
`` I was a queer black girl who did n't know how to pretend to be straight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about what I wanted to do . ''
Waithe found writing jobs on TV shows like Bones and Nickelodeon 's How to Rock .
She also co-created Hello Cupid with Numa Perrier and Ashley Blaine Featherson .
As a costar on Aziz Ansari 's Netflix series Master of None , writing the episode `` Thanksgiving '' won her an Emmy .
Now , Waithe has created two currently running series , Showtime 's The Chi and BET 's Boomerang , and wrote the movie Queen & Slim .
Twenties ' Hattie would love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the show begins , she starts work as a television writer 's personal assistant .
`` People would say , 'What do you want to do ? '
'' Waithe recalled of breaking into the industry .
`` [ I said ] , ' I want to write half-hour television .
I want to write single-camera comedies and stuff . '
People just kind of took to me because I was very clear about what I wanted to do , and where I wanted to go . ''
Hattie 's best friends , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Gabrielle Graham ) , also are based on the friends Waithe made in Los Angeles .
`` I really just found my people that were also kind of weirdos like me who liked TV and film , who watched movies with the director 's commentary playing , '' Waithe said .
`` [ We 'd ] enjoy going to the ArcLight even though we could n't really afford it .
All that stuff kinda pops up in the show . ''
Growing up , Waithe did not see many black lesbian characters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Master of None opened the door for creating Hattie .
`` I had no idea that me playing that character would set the stage for Hattie one day , '' Waithe said .
`` Sometimes it happens that way .
Sometimes , I have to be my own revolution . ''
Waithe also cited actors Wanda Sykes and Samira Wiley playing openly gay characters before her .
She added that she considers herself masculine-presenting and wanted to represent her subset of the LGBTQ spectrum on Twenties .
`` Yes , there have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've never seen a masculine-presenting lesbian girl who likes kicks , who wears vintage tees , who loves Whitney Houston , who 's got her two straight best friends , '' Waithe said .
`` My experience was I 'm a lesbian surrounded by straight people , which is fine , but I want to write about that . ''
Hattie will entertain flirtations from both gay and straight women .
Waithe says she dated both in her 20s .
`` Sometimes straight women were a little thrown off , '' Waithe said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're giving me masculine energy , but you 're a girl .
I kind of like it .
I do n't know . '
Half the straight women I 'm dating have come to me . ''
Twenties also pays homage to the television shows Waithe watched growing up .
Waithe named her production company Hillman Grad .
Hillman was the fictional college in the sitcom A Different World .
She also hired Different World producer Susan Fales-Hill to executive produce Twenties .
`` They always say do n't meet your heroes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I highly recommend it , '' Waithe said .
`` We sat down , we bonded , we vibed .
I told her , ' I got this show that if it ever goes , I want you to run it . '
She was like , 'Alright , I 'll maybe do that . '
'' Waithe was grateful Fales-Hill ultimately decided to produce Twenties .
The show was in development at Hulu and TBS before finding its home at BET .
Waithe would n't give up .
`` Twenties is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die because I do n't believe that a queer black girl belongs in the back of the bus , '' Waithe said .
`` I think that she deserves to be the protagonist of her own story . ''

1/2
Lena Waithe based her new show "Twenties" on her own life. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
LOS ANGELES, March 4 (UPI) -- Lena Waithe created the new BET series Twenties, premiering Wednesday, based on her career and romantic struggles when she moved to Los Angeles. Jonica T. Gibbs plays Hattie, a character loosely based on Waithe. Advertisement
"When I got to Los Angeles, all I had was my drive and determination, and my love for movies and television," Waithe said during a recent Television Critics Association panel discussion. "I was a queer black girl who didn't know how to pretend to be straight, and I was also very specific about what I wanted to do."
Waithe found writing jobs on TV shows like Bones and Nickelodeon's How to Rock. She also co-created Hello Cupid with Numa Perrier and Ashley Blaine Featherson. As a co-star on Aziz Ansari's Netflix series Master of None, writing the episode "Thanksgiving" won her an Emmy.
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Now, Waithe has created two currently running series, Showtime's The Chi and BET's Boomerang, and wrote the movie Queen & Slim. Twenties' Hattie would love a resume like that, but when the show begins, she starts work as a television writer's personal assistant.
"People would say, 'What do you want to do?'" Waithe recalled of breaking into the industry. "[I said], 'I want to write half-hour television. I want to write single-camera comedies and stuff.' People just kind of took to me because I was very clear about what I wanted to do, and where I wanted to go."
Hattie's best friends, Marie (Christina Elmore) and Nia (Gabrielle Graham), also are based on the friends Waithe made in Los Angeles.
"I really just found my people that were also kind of weirdos like me who liked TV and film, who watched movies with the director's commentary playing," Waithe said. "[We'd] enjoy going to the ArcLight even though we couldn't really afford it. All that stuff kinda pops up in the show."
Growing up, Waithe did not see many black lesbian characters on television. She said playing Denise on Master of None opened the door for creating Hattie.
"I had no idea that me playing that character would set the stage for Hattie one day," Waithe said. "Sometimes it happens that way. Sometimes, I have to be my own revolution."
Advertisement
Waithe also cited actors Wanda Sykes and Samira Wiley playing openly gay characters before her. She added that she considers herself masculine-presenting and wanted to represent her subset of the LGBTQ spectrum on Twenties.
"Yes, there have been queer characters before, but I've never seen a masculine-presenting lesbian girl who likes kicks, who wears vintage tees, who loves Whitney Houston, who's got her two straight best friends," Waithe said. "My experience was I'm a lesbian surrounded by straight people, which is fine, but I want to write about that."
Hattie will entertain flirtations from both gay and straight women. Waithe says she dated both in her 20s.
"Sometimes straight women were a little thrown off," Waithe said. "They're like, 'You're giving me masculine energy, but you're a girl. I kind of like it. I don't know.' Half the straight women I'm dating have come to me."
Twenties also pays homage to the television shows Waithe watched growing up. Waithe named her production company Hillman Grad. Hillman was the fictional college in the sitcom A Different World. She also hired Different World producer Susan Fales-Hill to executive produce Twenties.
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"They always say don't meet your heroes, but if your hero is Susan Fales-Hill, I highly recommend it," Waithe said. "We sat down, we bonded, we vibed. I told her, 'I got this show that if it ever goes, I want you to run it.' She was like, 'Alright, I'll maybe do that.'"
Waithe was grateful Fales-Hill ultimately decided to produce Twenties. The show was in development at Hulu and TBS before finding its home at BET. Waithe wouldn't give up.
"Twenties is the show that I wouldn't let die because I don't believe that a queer black girl belongs in the back of the bus," Waithe said. "I think that she deserves to be the protagonist of her own story."
Twenties airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on BET.


upi--2020-03-04--Giannis Antetokounmpo leads Bucks with 'laser focus,' humor

MIAMI , March 4 ( UPI ) -- Everyone sees Giannis Antetokounmpo as a competitor as he dominates the NBA , but his teammates say the 6-foot-11 superstar 's sense of humor has been vital in leading the first-place Milwaukee Bucks .
Antetokounmpo tied a season-low with 13 points in a loss to the Miami Heat on Monday in Miami .
Setbacks have been rare this season for the 52-9 Bucks .
While many road teams share somber locker rooms after losing , Bucks players bragged about their video game prowess and looked ahead to their next game .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , '' Antetokounmpo said .
`` I do n't remember how I handled us losing [ in 2019 ] , but my teammates are looking at me .
I have to keep my confidence high . ''
Antetokounmpo is having a better season than his 2018-2019 MVP campaign .
The Bucks star is averaging career-highs in points ( 29.6 ) and rebounds ( 13.8 ) per game this season .
Foes frantically change their game plans when they play the Bucks , trying to find ways to limit Antetokounmpo .
The Bucks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improving his jump shot over the last few seasons .
He is n't just a dunker .
He 's a facilitator , a tough defender and a force in transition , with his full-court sprints often resulting in rim-rocking finishes .
Antetokounmpo frequently is featured in top-play segments on TV sports networks and social media , but teammates and coach Mike Budenholzer mostly see a different 25-year-old than the rest of the world .
`` I think [ the Bucks see ] his leadership and the type of teammate he is , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that usually are just in the locker room or on the team plane or bus .
`` We see his sense of humor , but he has a laser-like focus when it 's time to compete and play .
His teammates and coaches appreciate coming to work with him every day and working hard , but also finding some lightness and enjoying ourselves while we try to improve . ''
Fans have gotten a glimpse of Antetokounmpo 's jovial nature this season when the `` Greek Freak '' pretended to be a professional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punches and kicks with his teammates outside locker rooms around the league before taking the court .
On Monday , that tradition spilled onto the court of American Airlines Arena , when Bucks center Robin Lopez pinned Heat mascot Burnie to the ground .
Lopez held up a wrestling championship belt after the pregame victory .
`` Giannis is consistent about who he is everyday , '' Bucks forward Khris Middleton said .
`` He is going to compete and off the court he is himself .
When it 's game time we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is able to relax .
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said he obviously does n't spend any time at the Bucks ' facilities , but he knows a leader when he sees one .
He attributed the Bucks ' success to Antetokounmpo 's demeanor and growing skill set .
`` The fact that they 've been able to come back with this kind of edge and have it for so long this season is impressive , '' Spoelstra said of the Bucks , who won 60 games last year before losing in the Eastern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be echoing the same message as your coach , '' Spoelstra said .
Antetokounmpo had 279 dunks in 2018-2019 , trailing only Rudy Gobert .
He averaged 3.8 dunks per game during his MVP campaign , but is averaging 3.0 dunks this season .
A career-high 24.6 percent of his field goal attempts were dunks last season .
Just 16.5 percent of his shots have been dunks this season .
He is also shooting about two more 3-point shots per game than any other season in his career .
`` I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season differently , '' Budenholzer said .
`` I do think he 's improved .
His competitiveness and focus has been off the charts since I 've been around him , including last year and the playoffs .
That 's something that makes him special .
`` He 's just a better player and I think it 's showing . ''
Antetokounmpo held his smile -- despite the loss -- until the subject turned back to himself Monday night in the back corner of the visitor 's locker room .
He was asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consecutive MVP award .
`` Winning MVP is not important at all , '' Antetokounmpo said .
`` I really do n't care about the award . ''

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging a career-high 29.6 points and 13.8 rebounds per game this season. Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/EPA-EFE
MIAMI, March 4 (UPI) -- Everyone sees Giannis Antetokounmpo as a competitor as he dominates the NBA, but his teammates say the 6-foot-11 superstar's sense of humor has been vital in leading the first-place Milwaukee Bucks. Antetokounmpo tied a season-low with 13 points in a loss to the Miami Heat on Monday in Miami. Setbacks have been rare this season for the 52-9 Bucks. While many road teams share somber locker rooms after losing, Bucks players bragged about their video game prowess and looked ahead to their next game. Advertisement
"We haven't lost a lot this year," Antetokounmpo said. "I don't remember how I handled us losing [in 2019], but my teammates are looking at me. I have to keep my confidence high."
Antetokounmpo is having a better season than his 2018-2019 MVP campaign. The Bucks star is averaging career-highs in points (29.6) and rebounds (13.8) per game this season.
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Foes frantically change their game plans when they play the Bucks, trying to find ways to limit Antetokounmpo. The Bucks star has made that task tougher by improving his jump shot over the last few seasons. He isn't just a dunker. He's a facilitator, a tough defender and a force in transition, with his full-court sprints often resulting in rim-rocking finishes.
Antetokounmpo frequently is featured in top-play segments on TV sports networks and social media, but teammates and coach Mike Budenholzer mostly see a different 25-year-old than the rest of the world.
Leadership key
"I think [the Bucks see] his leadership and the type of teammate he is," Budenholzer said. "Those are things that usually are just in the locker room or on the team plane or bus.
"We see his sense of humor, but he has a laser-like focus when it's time to compete and play. His teammates and coaches appreciate coming to work with him every day and working hard, but also finding some lightness and enjoying ourselves while we try to improve."
Fans have gotten a glimpse of Antetokounmpo's jovial nature this season when the "Greek Freak" pretended to be a professional wrestler. Antetokounmpo throws and receives fake punches and kicks with his teammates outside locker rooms around the league before taking the court.
Advertisement
On Monday, that tradition spilled onto the court of American Airlines Arena, when Bucks center Robin Lopez pinned Heat mascot Burnie to the ground. Lopez held up a wrestling championship belt after the pregame victory.
"Giannis is consistent about who he is everyday," Bucks forward Khris Middleton said. "He is going to compete and off the court he is himself. When it's game time we are all locked in, but he is able to relax.
Knows a leader
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said he obviously doesn't spend any time at the Bucks' facilities, but he knows a leader when he sees one. He attributed the Bucks' success to Antetokounmpo's demeanor and growing skill set.
"The fact that they've been able to come back with this kind of edge and have it for so long this season is impressive," Spoelstra said of the Bucks, who won 60 games last year before losing in the Eastern Conference Finals.
"Your leaders have to be echoing the same message as your coach," Spoelstra said.
Antetokounmpo had 279 dunks in 2018-2019, trailing only Rudy Gobert. He averaged 3.8 dunks per game during his MVP campaign, but is averaging 3.0 dunks this season. A career-high 24.6 percent of his field goal attempts were dunks last season. Just 16.5 percent of his shots have been dunks this season.
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He is also shooting about two more 3-point shots per game than any other season in his career.
"I don't know how he's attacked this season differently," Budenholzer said. "I do think he's improved. His competitiveness and focus has been off the charts since I've been around him, including last year and the playoffs. That's something that makes him special.
"He's just a better player and I think it's showing."
Antetokounmpo held his smile -- despite the loss -- until the subject turned back to himself Monday night in the back corner of the visitor's locker room. He was asked about his urge to win a second consecutive MVP award.
"Winning MVP is not important at all," Antetokounmpo said. "I really don't care about the award."


upi--2020-03-04--On This Day, March 4: Frances Perkins becomes 1st female Cabinet member

March 4 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1681 , to satisfy a debt , England 's King Charles II granted a royal charter , deed and the governorship of Pennsylvania to William Penn .
In 1789 , the U.S. Congress met for the first time , in New York City .
In 1791 , Vermont was admitted to the United States as the 14th state .
In 1797 , John Adams took the oath of office as the second president of the United States .
In 1801 , Thomas Jefferson became the first president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1809 , James Madison took the oath of office as the fourth president of the United States .
In 1825 , John Quincy Adams took the oath of office as the sixth president of the United States .
In 1829 , Andrew Jackson took the oath of office as the seventh president of the United States .
In 1837 , the city of Chicago was incorporated .
In 1929 , belief that the powerful forces of gangland had stretched tentacles into the innermost councils of the police department was being investigated by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1837 , Martin Van Buren took the oath of office as the eighth president of the United States .
In 1841 , William Henry Harrison took the oath of office as the ninth president of the United States .
In 1845 , James Polk took the oath of office as the 11th president of the United States .
In 1853 , Franklin Pierce took the oath of office as the 14th president of the United States .
In 1857 , James Buchanan took the oath of office as the 15th president of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lincoln took the oath of office last the 16th president of the United States .
In 1869 , Ulysses Grant took the oath of office as the 18th president of the United States .
In 1877 , Swan Lake , a ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky , was first performed at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow .
In 1881 , James Garfield took the oath of office as the 20th president of the United States .
In 1885 , Grover Cleveland took the oath of office as the 22nd president of the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 24th president on this day in 1893 .
In 1889 , Benjamin Harrison took the oath of office as the 23rd president of the United States .
In 1897 , William McKinley took the oath of office as the 25th president of the United States .
In 1909 , the Taft administration was ushered in with a baptism of snow and slush accompanied by a 75 mph gale .
Despite weather conditions , the inauguration parade , or , rather a portion of it , was held .
William Taft was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tears marked the passage of the 62nd United States Congress .
Humor and pathos , congratulations and condolences , were the final scenes closing the old Congress as a defeated `` Uncle Joe '' Cannon departed the Capitol .
In 1913 , Woodrow Wilson took the oath of office to become the 28th president of the United States .
In 1917 , Jeanette Rankin , a Montana Republican , was sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives .
She was the first woman to serve in Congress .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oath of office as the 29th president of the United States .
In 1929 , Herbert Hoover took the oath of office as the 31th president of the United States .
In 1933 , Frances Perkins was sworn in as U.S. labor secretary , becoming the first female member of the Cabinet .
In 1933 , Franklin D. Roosevelt took the oath of office as the 32nd president of the United States .
In 1958 , the U.S. atomic submarine Nautilus reached the North Pole by passing beneath the Arctic ice cap .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pass underneath the North Pole later that year .
In 1966 , John Lennon told Britain 's Evening Standard that the Beatles were `` more popular than Jesus . ''
The comments sparked condemnation and protests the following summer .
In 1987 , U.S. President Ronald Reagan acknowledged his administration swapped arms to Iran for U.S. hostages and said , `` It was a mistake . ''
In 1994 , four men were found guilty in the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center .
In 1999 , a U.S. Marine pilot whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italy , killing 20 people , was acquitted of charges of involuntary homicide and manslaughter .
In 2005 , homemaking guru Martha Stewart returned home after serving five months in a federal prison for conspiracy , obstruction of an agency proceeding and making false statements to federal investigators .
In 2015 , a report released by the Department of Justice found that the Ferguson Police Department routinely performed `` suspicionless , legally unsupportable stops '' against the African-American residents of the Missouri city .
In 2019 , Keith Flint , the frontman and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Prodigy , was found dead at the age of 49 .

1/6
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act into law at the White House on August 14, 1935. On March 4, 1933, Frances Perkins, standing behind FDR, was sworn in as U.S. labor secretary, becoming the first female member of the Cabinet. File photo by ACME Newspictures
March 4 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1681, to satisfy a debt, England's King Charles II granted a royal charter, deed and the governorship of Pennsylvania to William Penn. Advertisement
In 1789, the U.S. Congress met for the first time, in New York City.
In 1791, Vermont was admitted to the United States as the 14th state.
In 1797, John Adams took the oath of office as the second president of the United States.
In 1801, Thomas Jefferson became the first president to be inaugurated in Washington.
In 1809, James Madison took the oath of office as the fourth president of the United States.
In 1825, John Quincy Adams took the oath of office as the sixth president of the United States.
In 1829, Andrew Jackson took the oath of office as the seventh president of the United States.
In 1837, the city of Chicago was incorporated. In 1929, belief that the powerful forces of gangland had stretched tentacles into the innermost councils of the police department was being investigated by the state's attorney's office.
Advertisement
In 1837, Martin Van Buren took the oath of office as the eighth president of the United States.
In 1841, William Henry Harrison took the oath of office as the ninth president of the United States.
In 1845, James Polk took the oath of office as the 11th president of the United States.
In 1853, Franklin Pierce took the oath of office as the 14th president of the United States.
In 1857, James Buchanan took the oath of office as the 15th president of the United States.
In 1861, Abraham Lincoln took the oath of office last the 16th president of the United States.
File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
In 1869, Ulysses Grant took the oath of office as the 18th president of the United States.
In 1877, Swan Lake, a ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, was first performed at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow.
In 1881, James Garfield took the oath of office as the 20th president of the United States.
In 1885, Grover Cleveland took the oath of office as the 22nd president of the United States. He also was inaugurated as the 24th president on this day in 1893.
Advertisement
In 1889, Benjamin Harrison took the oath of office as the 23rd president of the United States.
In 1897, William McKinley took the oath of office as the 25th president of the United States.
In 1909, the Taft administration was ushered in with a baptism of snow and slush accompanied by a 75 mph gale. Despite weather conditions, the inauguration parade, or, rather a portion of it, was held. William Taft was the 27th president.
In 1913, laughter and tears marked the passage of the 62nd United States Congress. Humor and pathos, congratulations and condolences, were the final scenes closing the old Congress as a defeated "Uncle Joe" Cannon departed the Capitol.
In 1913, Woodrow Wilson took the oath of office to become the 28th president of the United States.
In 1917, Jeanette Rankin, a Montana Republican, was sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives. She was the first woman to serve in Congress.
In 1921, Warren G. Harding took the oath of office as the 29th president of the United States.
In 1929, Herbert Hoover took the oath of office as the 31th president of the United States.
Advertisement
In 1933, Frances Perkins was sworn in as U.S. labor secretary, becoming the first female member of the Cabinet.
In 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt took the oath of office as the 32nd president of the United States.
In 1958, the U.S. atomic submarine Nautilus reached the North Pole by passing beneath the Arctic ice cap. It would become the first submarine to pass underneath the North Pole later that year.
In 1966, John Lennon told Britain's Evening Standard that the Beatles were "more popular than Jesus." The comments sparked condemnation and protests the following summer.
UPI File Photo
In 1987, U.S. President Ronald Reagan acknowledged his administration swapped arms to Iran for U.S. hostages and said, "It was a mistake."
In 1994, four men were found guilty in the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center.
In 1999, a U.S. Marine pilot whose plane had snapped a ski-lift cable in Italy, killing 20 people, was acquitted of charges of involuntary homicide and manslaughter.
Advertisement
In 2005, homemaking guru Martha Stewart returned home after serving five months in a federal prison for conspiracy, obstruction of an agency proceeding and making false statements to federal investigators.
In 2015, a report released by the Department of Justice found that the Ferguson Police Department routinely performed "suspicionless, legally unsupportable stops" against the African-American residents of the Missouri city.
In 2019, Keith Flint, the frontman and singer of British electronic dance music group The Prodigy, was found dead at the age of 49.


upi--2020-03-04--Half of Americans changed shopping habits last year over food safety scares

EVANSVILLE , Ind.
, March 4 ( UPI ) -- Widespread media coverage of food safety issues pushed nearly half of Americans to change their shopping habits last year -- and the food industry is looking for ways to regain consumer confidence .
A survey of 1,000 American shoppers , conducted by Lloyd 's Register , a British company that helps its customers manage risk , showed that just over 46 percent changed their shopping habits in 2019 because of a food safety scare .
The survey participants were not asked to elaborate on the specific scare .
`` Consumer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the November survey , with results released in February .
`` Clearly , questions need to be asked around the influence of negative media coverage and what can be done to alleviate buyers ' concerns . ''
Food industry representatives said they were aware of the problem .
`` Consumers expect their food to be safe , and they trust that their food is safe -- until something happens , '' said Hilary Thesmar , chief food and product safety officer and senior vice president of food safety at FMI , the Food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a food safety issue , that 's when we start to get consumers asking questions , '' Thesmar said .
Last year , for example , several E. coli outbreaks linked to romaine lettuce grown in California and Arizona infected 167 people in 27 states .
Fifteen people developed kidney failure , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
After each outbreak , lettuce was pulled from thousands of store shelves and restaurant kitchens across the country .
Ever since , topics of food safety and regaining consumer confidence have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry in those regions , said Scott Horsfall , chief executive director of California Leafy Green Products Handler Marketing Agreement .
That is an industry group that sets food safety requirements for its members , who comprise roughly 90 percent of California growers .
`` I 'm a big believer in the best way to make consumers feel safe is to control outbreaks and make sure they do n't happen , '' Horsfall said .
The group already has enacted stricter water quality requirements .
And several industry groups and public universities are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current agricultural safety structure , Horsfall said .
`` They wo n't all result in earth-shattering changes , '' Horsfall said .
`` We just want to make sure we stay on top of the latest research .
We are as concerned about safety as anybody , and we 're just as frustrated . ''
The romaine industry 's reaction to the outbreaks is in line with how FMI recommends the food industry handle safety issues .
`` There are n't any foods immune to food safety issues , '' Thesmar said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that customers return if it 's handled quickly , if it 's handled well , and if they are open and honest about it .
What we always tell [ companies ] is to tell your customers everything . ''
The Lloyd 's Register survey also included questions about plant-based alternatives to meat and concern about plastic waste .
Sixty-five percent of shoppers believe big companies are not doing enough to reduce plastic waste , according to the survey .
`` Meat-free meat is booming , but it is not solely down to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` One-third of respondents said they ate meat-free meat as part of their main meal of the day .
`` This is especially surprising when research shows that only 5 percent of the market identifies as vegetarian . ''

The romaine industry is working to eliminate E. coli outbreaks. Photo courtesy of the California Leafy Green Products Handler Marketing Agreement
EVANSVILLE, Ind., March 4 (UPI) -- Widespread media coverage of food safety issues pushed nearly half of Americans to change their shopping habits last year -- and the food industry is looking for ways to regain consumer confidence. A survey of 1,000 American shoppers, conducted by Lloyd's Register, a British company that helps its customers manage risk, showed that just over 46 percent changed their shopping habits in 2019 because of a food safety scare. The survey participants were not asked to elaborate on the specific scare. Advertisement
"Consumer confidence is waning," according to the November survey, with results released in February. "Clearly, questions need to be asked around the influence of negative media coverage and what can be done to alleviate buyers' concerns."
Food industry representatives said they were aware of the problem.
"Consumers expect their food to be safe, and they trust that their food is safe -- until something happens," said Hilary Thesmar, chief food and product safety officer and senior vice president of food safety at FMI, the Food Industry Association.
Advertisement
"When there is a food safety issue, that's when we start to get consumers asking questions," Thesmar said.
Last year, for example, several E. coli outbreaks linked to romaine lettuce grown in California and Arizona infected 167 people in 27 states. Fifteen people developed kidney failure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
After each outbreak, lettuce was pulled from thousands of store shelves and restaurant kitchens across the country.
Ever since, topics of food safety and regaining consumer confidence have been front and center for the produce industry in those regions, said Scott Horsfall, chief executive director of California Leafy Green Products Handler Marketing Agreement. That is an industry group that sets food safety requirements for its members, who comprise roughly 90 percent of California growers.
"I'm a big believer in the best way to make consumers feel safe is to control outbreaks and make sure they don't happen," Horsfall said.
The group already has enacted stricter water quality requirements. And several industry groups and public universities are conducting studies to find holes in the current agricultural safety structure, Horsfall said.
"They won't all result in earth-shattering changes," Horsfall said. "We just want to make sure we stay on top of the latest research. We are as concerned about safety as anybody, and we're just as frustrated."
Advertisement
The romaine industry's reaction to the outbreaks is in line with how FMI recommends the food industry handle safety issues.
"There aren't any foods immune to food safety issues," Thesmar said. "But, what we find is that customers return if it's handled quickly, if it's handled well, and if they are open and honest about it. What we always tell [companies] is to tell your customers everything."
The Lloyd's Register survey also included questions about plant-based alternatives to meat and concern about plastic waste.
Sixty-five percent of shoppers believe big companies are not doing enough to reduce plastic waste, according to the survey.
"Meat-free meat is booming, but it is not solely down to vegetarians or vegans," the report said. "One-third of respondents said they ate meat-free meat as part of their main meal of the day.
"This is especially surprising when research shows that only 5 percent of the market identifies as vegetarian."


upi--2020-03-04--Being bullied about weight increases drug use risk

Teens who are bullied about their weight are at increased risk for alcohol or marijuana use -- and this is especially true for girls , a new study suggests .
Researchers surveyed more than 1,300 students at five public middle schools in Connecticut .
The students were asked if siblings , parents or peers had teased them about their weight , body shape or eating during the past six months .
More than half , 55 percent , reported weight-related teasing , including 76 percent of overweight girls , 71 percent of overweight boys , 52 percent of girls who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of boys who were n't overweight .
Frequent teasing about weight was associated with higher levels of overall alcohol use , binge drinking and marijuana use , though the study could not prove a cause-and-effect link .
A follow-up survey six months later found that weight-related teasing remained linked to increased alcohol use and binge drinking , according to the study published online recently in the journal Psychology of Addictive Behaviors .
`` This type of bullying is incredibly common and has many negative effects for adolescents , '' said lead study author @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the University of Connecticut .
The association between appearance-related teasing and substance use was strongest among overweight girls , the researchers said .
`` These findings raise larger issues about how society places too much emphasis on beauty and body image for girls and women , and the damaging effects that may result , '' said study co-author Christine McCauley Ohannessian , director of the Center for Behavioral Health at Connecticut Children 's Medical Center .
`` Schools and communities should specifically address appearance-related teasing in anti-bullying policies and substance-use interventions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release .
`` Parents particularly have a role to play in addressing this issue .
There is some startling research showing that some of the most hurtful examples of weight-based teasing come from parents or siblings , so families should be kind when they discuss the weight of their children , '' Ohannessian added .
The American Academy of Pediatrics has more on bullying .

Teens who are bullied about their weight are at increased risk for alcohol or marijuana use -- and this is especially true for girls, a new study suggests.
Researchers surveyed more than 1,300 students at five public middle schools in Connecticut. The students were asked if siblings, parents or peers had teased them about their weight, body shape or eating during the past six months.
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More than half, 55 percent, reported weight-related teasing, including 76 percent of overweight girls, 71 percent of overweight boys, 52 percent of girls who weren't overweight, and 43 percent of boys who weren't overweight.
Frequent teasing about weight was associated with higher levels of overall alcohol use, binge drinking and marijuana use, though the study could not prove a cause-and-effect link.
A follow-up survey six months later found that weight-related teasing remained linked to increased alcohol use and binge drinking, according to the study published online recently in the journal Psychology of Addictive Behaviors.
"This type of bullying is incredibly common and has many negative effects for adolescents," said lead study author Melanie Klinck, a clinical research assistant at the University of Connecticut.
The association between appearance-related teasing and substance use was strongest among overweight girls, the researchers said.
Advertisement
"These findings raise larger issues about how society places too much emphasis on beauty and body image for girls and women, and the damaging effects that may result," said study co-author Christine McCauley Ohannessian, director of the Center for Behavioral Health at Connecticut Children's Medical Center.
"Schools and communities should specifically address appearance-related teasing in anti-bullying policies and substance-use interventions," she said in a journal news release.
"Parents particularly have a role to play in addressing this issue. There is some startling research showing that some of the most hurtful examples of weight-based teasing come from parents or siblings, so families should be kind when they discuss the weight of their children," Ohannessian added.
More information
The American Academy of Pediatrics has more on bullying.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-03-04--U.S. prosecutors accuse Honduran president of taking bribes from alleged drug trafficker

March 4 ( UPI ) -- U.S. prosecutors said Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez accepted tens of thousands of dollars in bribes from a man charged with conspiring to import cocaine into the United States .
The accusation against the Honduran president came in a complaint filed Tuesday , accusing Geovanny Daniel Fuentes Ramirez of conspiring with Honduran politicians and police to operate a cocaine lab and distribute tons of the narcotic into the United States through maritime routes .
According to the complaint , Ramirez is accused of giving Hernandez $ 25,000 in 2013 `` on the understanding that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fuentes Ramirez from law enforcement scrutiny . ''
The complaint also states Hernandez -- who was elected to his first term in 2013 and took office in 2014 -- agreed to deploy the Honduran military as security for Ramirez 's drug-trafficking business .
The office of the Honduran president rejected the accusations that he accepted money or coordinated protection as `` 100 percent false , '' saying in a statement the allegations were based on `` lies from confessed criminals seeking revenge or to reduce their sentences . ''
The complaint was filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents at Miami International Airport as he attempted to leave the country , according to prosecutors .
`` [ Ramirez ] was a prolific , powerful and murderous cocaine trafficker in Honduras , '' said U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman in a statement .
`` As further alleged , Fuentes Ramirez paved the way for unimpeded shipment of multiton loads of cocaine by bribing police and a high-ranking Honduran politician and reporting directly to Tony Hernandez , another co-conspirator in the scheme and himself a former Honduran congressman .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orlando Hernandez , was convicted in October 2016 in the Southern District of New York on charges of conspiring to import cocaine , weapons violations and lying to the DEA .
According to the complaint against Ramirez , Juan Orlando Hernandez told Ramirez that his brother , Tony , was `` managing drug-trafficking activities in Honduras '' and that he should report to Tony for `` purposes of drug-trafficking . ''
Prosecutors accuse Ramirez of operating a cocaine lab in the Cortes Department of northwestern Honduras since 2009 , producing hundreds of kilograms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Conspiring with others , he allegedly transported the drug with planes departing from a clandestine airstrip .
He is also accused of participating in the stabbing death of a law enforcement official he believed to have raided his lab in 2012 .
Juan Orlando Hernandez began his second term as president in 2018 .

U.S. prosecutors accused the President of Honduras Juan Orlando Hernandez (C) of taking bribes from an alleged drug trafficker. Photo by Gustavo Amador/EPA-EFE
March 4 (UPI) -- U.S. prosecutors said Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez accepted tens of thousands of dollars in bribes from a man charged with conspiring to import cocaine into the United States. The accusation against the Honduran president came in a complaint filed Tuesday, accusing Geovanny Daniel Fuentes Ramirez of conspiring with Honduran politicians and police to operate a cocaine lab and distribute tons of the narcotic into the United States through maritime routes. Advertisement
According to the complaint, Ramirez is accused of giving Hernandez $25,000 in 2013 "on the understanding that [he] would facilitate protection for Fuentes Ramirez from law enforcement scrutiny."
The complaint also states Hernandez -- who was elected to his first term in 2013 and took office in 2014 -- agreed to deploy the Honduran military as security for Ramirez's drug-trafficking business.
The office of the Honduran president rejected the accusations that he accepted money or coordinated protection as "100 percent false," saying in a statement the allegations were based on "lies from confessed criminals seeking revenge or to reduce their sentences."
The complaint was filed following Ramirez's arrest on Sunday by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents at Miami International Airport as he attempted to leave the country, according to prosecutors.
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"[Ramirez] was a prolific, powerful and murderous cocaine trafficker in Honduras," said U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman in a statement. "As further alleged, Fuentes Ramirez paved the way for unimpeded shipment of multiton loads of cocaine by bribing police and a high-ranking Honduran politician and reporting directly to Tony Hernandez, another co-conspirator in the scheme and himself a former Honduran congressman."
Tony Hernandez, brother to Juan Orlando Hernandez, was convicted in October 2016 in the Southern District of New York on charges of conspiring to import cocaine, weapons violations and lying to the DEA.
According to the complaint against Ramirez, Juan Orlando Hernandez told Ramirez that his brother, Tony, was "managing drug-trafficking activities in Honduras" and that he should report to Tony for "purposes of drug-trafficking."
Prosecutors accuse Ramirez of operating a cocaine lab in the Cortes Department of northwestern Honduras since 2009, producing hundreds of kilograms of the illegal street drug a month. Conspiring with others, he allegedly transported the drug with planes departing from a clandestine airstrip. He is also accused of participating in the stabbing death of a law enforcement official he believed to have raided his lab in 2012.
Juan Orlando Hernandez began his second term as president in 2018.


upi--2020-03-04--Fish oil can help prevent heart disease, but not cancer

Every day , millions of Americans pop a fish oil supplement -- rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids -- in hopes it 'll improve their health .
A big new data review suggests they may be half right : The supplements may slightly reduce a person 's risk of heart disease , but they wo n't ward off cancers .
In fact , men who took the supplements actually had a slight uptick in their risk for prostate cancer , noted a British team led by Dr. Lee Hooper of the University of East Anglia , in Norwich , England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ omega-3 supplements for several years , we may very slightly reduce our risk of heart disease , but balance this with very slightly increasing our risk of some cancers .
The overall effects on our health are minimal , '' Hooper explained in a university news release .
One U.S. expert unconnected to the research agreed that omega-3 supplements are not a panacea .
`` At this point in time , maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a proper diet , regular aerobic exercise , and good sleep patterns can do more to prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr .
Guy Mintz , who directs cardiovascular health at Northwell Health 's Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital , in Manhasset , N.Y. '' The take-away message here is , do not take fish oil to prevent cancer , '' Mintz said .
`` It does not help and may hurt . ''
But he added that the story may differ considerably when it comes to cardiovascular benefits -- especially if a person takes a `` prescription strength '' form of fish oil .
As Hooper 's team explained , small amounts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be found in foods , including nuts , seeds and fatty fish , such as salmon .
There are also over-the-counter omega-3 supplements , typically fish oil .
These are popular because people believe they 'll protect against , or even reverse , diseases such as cancer , heart attack and stroke .
But is that really so ?
To find out , Hooper 's team analyzed data from 47 trials involving adults put into three categories : no cancer ; at increased risk of cancer ; or had a prior cancer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data from 86 trials that focused on heart disease-related events .
Overall , the trials included more than 100,000 people who either increased their intake of long-chain omega-3 fats -- fish oils -- or maintained their usual intake for at least a year .
The `` end points '' studied were death from any cause or from cancer or heart disease specifically , or any new diagnosis of cancer , heart attack or stroke .
The team found that omega-3 supplements may slightly reduce the risk of death from heart disease , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prostate cancer .
The investigators also stressed that both the benefits and harms of fish oil supplements appear to be small .
For example , if 1,000 people took omega-3 supplements for about four years , three people would avoid dying from heart disease , six people would avoid a major heart problem such as a heart attack , and three extra people would develop prostate cancer .
The findings were outlined in two reviews published Feb. 28 in the British Journal of Cancer and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ omega-3 supplements , including fish oils , do not protect against conditions such as anxiety , depression , stroke , diabetes or death , '' Hooper added .
And , she suggested , getting fish oil directly from fish -- not in supplement form -- might yield stronger results .
`` The evidence on omega-3 mostly comes from trials of fish oil supplements , so health effects of oily fish , a rich source of long-chain omega 3 , are unclear , '' Hooper said .
`` Oily fish is a very nutritious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rich in protein and energy as well as important micronutrients such as selenium , iodine , vitamin D and calcium -- it is much more than an omega-3 source . ''
Mintz also believes that a purified fish oil in prescription form -- a drug called icosapent ethyl , sold under the brand name Vascepa -- has shown a potent effect against heart disease in a recent trial .
When taken along with a cholesterol-lowering statin drug , daily use of the 4-gram dose of Vascepa by heart patients seemed to produce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as death by heart disease , non-fatal heart attack or stroke , and the chest pains known as angina , Mintz said .
That study was published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine .
It 's not clear why Vascepa had this robust effect while `` regular '' fish oil supplements do not , Mintz said , but it could be due to the drug 's effects on inflammation or cholesterol levels .
Dr. Elena Ivanina is a gastroenterologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City .
Reading over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` the take-home is that it 's great to get omega-3 fatty acids from natural food sources like nuts , seeds and fatty fish , but there is not enough evidence showing a health benefit to taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements at this time . ''
`` Considering the environmental concerns about industrial fishing and the impact it is having on fish stocks and plastic pollution in the oceans , it seems unhelpful to continue to take fish oil tablets that give little or no benefit , '' she said .
The U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has more on omega-3 fatty acids .

Every day, millions of Americans pop a fish oil supplement -- rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids -- in hopes it'll improve their health.
A big new data review suggests they may be half right: The supplements may slightly reduce a person's risk of heart disease, but they won't ward off cancers.
Advertisement
In fact, men who took the supplements actually had a slight uptick in their risk for prostate cancer, noted a British team led by Dr. Lee Hooper of the University of East Anglia, in Norwich, England.
Overall, "if we take omega-3 supplements for several years, we may very slightly reduce our risk of heart disease, but balance this with very slightly increasing our risk of some cancers. The overall effects on our health are minimal," Hooper explained in a university news release.
One U.S. expert unconnected to the research agreed that omega-3 supplements are not a panacea.
Advertisement
"At this point in time, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a proper diet, regular aerobic exercise, and good sleep patterns can do more to prevent cancer than fish oils," said Dr. Guy Mintz, who directs cardiovascular health at Northwell Health's Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital, in Manhasset, N.Y.
"The take-away message here is, do not take fish oil to prevent cancer," Mintz said. "It does not help and may hurt."
But he added that the story may differ considerably when it comes to cardiovascular benefits -- especially if a person takes a "prescription strength" form of fish oil.
As Hooper's team explained, small amounts of omega-3 are needed for good health and can be found in foods, including nuts, seeds and fatty fish, such as salmon.
There are also over-the-counter omega-3 supplements, typically fish oil. These are popular because people believe they'll protect against, or even reverse, diseases such as cancer, heart attack and stroke.
But is that really so? To find out, Hooper's team analyzed data from 47 trials involving adults put into three categories: no cancer; at increased risk of cancer; or had a prior cancer diagnosis.
The investigators also looked over data from 86 trials that focused on heart disease-related events.
Advertisement
Overall, the trials included more than 100,000 people who either increased their intake of long-chain omega-3 fats -- fish oils -- or maintained their usual intake for at least a year.
The "end points" studied were death from any cause or from cancer or heart disease specifically, or any new diagnosis of cancer, heart attack or stroke.
The team found that omega-3 supplements may slightly reduce the risk of death from heart disease, but they also slightly increased the risk of prostate cancer. The investigators also stressed that both the benefits and harms of fish oil supplements appear to be small.
For example, if 1,000 people took omega-3 supplements for about four years, three people would avoid dying from heart disease, six people would avoid a major heart problem such as a heart attack, and three extra people would develop prostate cancer.
The findings were outlined in two reviews published Feb. 28 in the British Journal of Cancer and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
"Our previous research has shown that long-chain omega-3 supplements, including fish oils, do not protect against conditions such as anxiety, depression, stroke, diabetes or death," Hooper added.
And, she suggested, getting fish oil directly from fish -- not in supplement form -- might yield stronger results.
Advertisement
"The evidence on omega-3 mostly comes from trials of fish oil supplements, so health effects of oily fish, a rich source of long-chain omega 3, are unclear," Hooper said. "Oily fish is a very nutritious food as part of a balanced diet, rich in protein and energy as well as important micronutrients such as selenium, iodine, vitamin D and calcium -- it is much more than an omega-3 source."
Mintz also believes that a purified fish oil in prescription form -- a drug called icosapent ethyl, sold under the brand name Vascepa -- has shown a potent effect against heart disease in a recent trial.
When taken along with a cholesterol-lowering statin drug, daily use of the 4-gram dose of Vascepa by heart patients seemed to produce a 25 percent reduction in outcomes such as death by heart disease, non-fatal heart attack or stroke, and the chest pains known as angina, Mintz said. That study was published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine.
It's not clear why Vascepa had this robust effect while "regular" fish oil supplements do not, Mintz said, but it could be due to the drug's effects on inflammation or cholesterol levels.
Dr. Elena Ivanina is a gastroenterologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. Reading over the British study, she said that "the take-home is that it's great to get omega-3 fatty acids from natural food sources like nuts, seeds and fatty fish, but there is not enough evidence showing a health benefit to taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements at this time."
Advertisement
Study author Hooper agreed.
"Considering the environmental concerns about industrial fishing and the impact it is having on fish stocks and plastic pollution in the oceans, it seems unhelpful to continue to take fish oil tablets that give little or no benefit," she said.
More information
The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health has more on omega-3 fatty acids.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-03-03--Trump speaks with Taliban as fighting resumes in Afghanistan

March 3 ( UPI ) -- U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with the Taliban Tuesday as fighting resumed between government forces in Afghanistan and the militant organization in at least 17 provinces , just days after the United States signed a peace deal to withdraw its troops after nearly two decades .
The call between Trump and Taliban Deputy Leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was first announced on Twitter by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid and confirmed by Trump who told reporters on the South Lawn that it was `` a very good talk . ''
`` We had a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 've agreed there 's no violence .
We do n't want violence .
We 'll see what happens . ''
The call came after Baradar and U.S. Special Envoy Zalmay signed the deal on Saturday , but Afghan President Ashraf Ghani balked at one of the commitments for his government to release 5,000 Taliban prisoners before intra-Afghan peace talks .
In turn , the Taliban said it would resume attacks against the government .
The group launched 33 attacks on Tuesday , according to Afghan authorities , and at least six civilians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the 35-minute phone call , Baradar told Trump `` if the United States acts in agreement with us , we will have positive bilateral relations in the future . ''
The statement also said Trump told Baradar that he would have Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speak with Ghani to remove obstacles blocking their negotiations .
Later Tuesday during a roundtable briefing on COVID-19 , Trump said his relationship with Baradar was `` very good '' and that the Afghan government `` may be reluctant '' to release the prisoners .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two spoke of making progress toward establishing peace in the Middle Eastern country with Trump emphasizing the need to continue the reduction in violence agreement the Taliban agreed to a week prior to signing last week 's deal .
`` He also urged the Taliban to participate in intra-Afghan negotiations with representatives of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan , as well as other Afghans , with the goal of ending more than 40 years of war , '' the statement read.
`` Pakistan , a longtime player in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abide by the prisoner swap agreement noted in the U.S. withdrawal agreement and urged the Taliban to show military restraint .
The prisoner exchange , in which the Taliban would receive 5,000 and the Afghan government 1,000 , was intended as a way to build confidence between the two sides before further peace negotiations .
Direct talks between the U.S.-backed Afghan government and the Taliban were scheduled to begin next week , on March 10 .
Officials said Kandahar and Helmand provinces saw some of the most intense fighting in Tuesday 's fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commander of Resolute Support Mission , said the Taliban must keep violence in check for the United States to keep its commitment to reducing troop levels .
`` The reduction in violence was a confidence builder , '' Miller said .
`` We 're very serious about our obligations and we expect the Taliban will be serious about their obligations .
The U.S. has been very clear about our expectations , the violence must remain low . ''

President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he departs the White House to visit the National Institutes of Health to visit the vaccine research center and to get an update on the Coronavirus, in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
March 3 (UPI) -- U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with the Taliban Tuesday as fighting resumed between government forces in Afghanistan and the militant organization in at least 17 provinces, just days after the United States signed a peace deal to withdraw its troops after nearly two decades. The call between Trump and Taliban Deputy Leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was first announced on Twitter by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid and confirmed by Trump who told reporters on the South Lawn that it was "a very good talk." Advertisement
"We had a good conversation," Trump said. "We've agreed there's no violence. We don't want violence. We'll see what happens."
The call came after Baradar and U.S. Special Envoy Zalmay signed the deal on Saturday, but Afghan President Ashraf Ghani balked at one of the commitments for his government to release 5,000 Taliban prisoners before intra-Afghan peace talks.
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In turn, the Taliban said it would resume attacks against the government. The group launched 33 attacks on Tuesday, according to Afghan authorities, and at least six civilians were killed.
In a Taliban statement on the 35-minute phone call, Baradar told Trump "if the United States acts in agreement with us, we will have positive bilateral relations in the future."
The statement also said Trump told Baradar that he would have Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speak with Ghani to remove obstacles blocking their negotiations.
Later Tuesday during a roundtable briefing on COVID-19, Trump said his relationship with Baradar was "very good" and that the Afghan government "may be reluctant" to release the prisoners.
In a statement, the White House said the two spoke of making progress toward establishing peace in the Middle Eastern country with Trump emphasizing the need to continue the reduction in violence agreement the Taliban agreed to a week prior to signing last week's deal.
"He also urged the Taliban to participate in intra-Afghan negotiations with representatives of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, as well as other Afghans, with the goal of ending more than 40 years of war," the statement read. "
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Pakistan, a longtime player in the Afghanistan conflict, urged the government to abide by the prisoner swap agreement noted in the U.S. withdrawal agreement and urged the Taliban to show military restraint.
The prisoner exchange, in which the Taliban would receive 5,000 and the Afghan government 1,000, was intended as a way to build confidence between the two sides before further peace negotiations. Direct talks between the U.S.-backed Afghan government and the Taliban were scheduled to begin next week, on March 10.
Officials said Kandahar and Helmand provinces saw some of the most intense fighting in Tuesday's fighting.
U.S. Army Gen. Scott Miller, commander of Resolute Support Mission, said the Taliban must keep violence in check for the United States to keep its commitment to reducing troop levels.
"The reduction in violence was a confidence builder," Miller said. "We're very serious about our obligations and we expect the Taliban will be serious about their obligations. The U.S. has been very clear about our expectations, the violence must remain low."


upi--2020-03-03--Titans, Predators offer assistance in Nashville tornado recovery

March 3 ( UPI ) -- The Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators are working to help their community recover after tornadoes swept through Nashville and surrounding areas of Middle Tennessee early Tuesday morning .
Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk pledged the franchise will assist victims of the deadly storm in a statement released Tuesday .
`` We extend our deepest sympathies to those families who lost loved ones in the tornadoes last night and are heartbroken to see the damage across Nashville and Tennessee , '' Adams Strunk said .
`` We know the strength of our community and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We will join the efforts to re-build in these areas and know our neighbors will join us . ''
Tennessee starting offensive lineman Taylor Lewan and former Titans linebacker Will Compton partnered with a local apparel company to promote `` Nashville Strong '' T-shirts .
Lewan said the proceeds will go directly toward helping families affected by the tornadoes .
Titans starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill offered his condolences on social media and asked fans for local organizations to support .
Titans Pro Bowl safety Kevin Byard told ESPN that he will pool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impacted by the storm .
Meanwhile , the Predators opened the doors of Bridgestone Arena and served pizza to anyone affected by the tornadoes .
Predators players , including forward Kyle Turris , posted volunteer and donation links on social media , and NHL teams from around the league have also pledged to assist Nashville and its surrounding areas .
The tornadoes , which struck late Monday night and early Tuesday morning , caused damage across four counties and left tens of thousands without power .
As of Tuesday night , the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @

At least 25 people died after a tornado swept through Nashville and surrounding areas of Middle Tennessee late Monday night and early Tuesday morning. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo
March 3 (UPI) -- The Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators are working to help their community recover after a tornado swept through Nashville and surrounding areas of Middle Tennessee early Tuesday morning. Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk pledged the franchise will assist victims of the deadly storm in a statement released Tuesday. Advertisement
"We extend our deepest sympathies to those families who lost loved ones in the tornadoes last night and are heartbroken to see the damage across Nashville and Tennessee," Adams Strunk said. "We know the strength of our community and the Volunteer spirit that lives in us all. We will join the efforts to re-build in these areas and know our neighbors will join us."
Tennessee starting offensive lineman Taylor Lewan and former Titans linebacker Will Compton partnered with a local apparel company to promote "Nashville Strong" T-shirts. Lewan said the proceeds will go directly toward helping families affected by the tornado.
Titans starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill offered his condolences on social media and asked fans for local organizations to support. Titans Pro Bowl safety Kevin Byard told ESPN that he will pool resources through his foundation to help those impacted by the storm.
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Meanwhile, the Predators opened the doors of Bridgestone Arena and served pizza to anyone affected. Predators players, including forward Kyle Turris, posted volunteer and donation links on social media, and NHL teams from around the league have also pledged to assist Nashville and its surrounding areas.
Dear Smashville Fam, We love you and we want to help. We will be serving pizza at @BrdgstoneArena beginning at 11 a.m. for all those affected by last night's storm. Please feel welcome to come and bring anyone who needs it. Love, Us— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 3, 2020
The long-track tornado, which struck late Monday night and early Tuesday morning, caused damage across four counties and left tens of thousands without power. As of Tuesday night, the death toll has climbed to 25 people.


upi--2020-03-03--Watch: Vermont's Josh Speidel scores first career points five years after car crash

March 3 ( UPI ) -- University of Vermont basketball player Josh Speidel , who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a 2015 car accident , scored the first points of his collegiate career Tuesday night against Albany .
After being introduced with his family before the game , Speidel made his first Division I start on Senior Day and scored on his team 's first possession in a prearranged moment .
Vermont allowed Albany to win the opening tip and score an uncontested basket .
On the ensuing possession , Speidel caught a pass from teammate Everett Duncan and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Albany players looked on .
Players and coaches from both Vermont and Albany embraced Speidel before he walked to the bench .
Speidel , a former prep hoops standout at Indiana 's Columbus North High School , was involved in the devastating car crash when he was a senior in high school .
The accident occurred shortly after the three-star recruit committed to play at Vermont .
The car accident left Speidel in a coma for five weeks and nearly killed him , his parents told ESPN .
The 6-foot-8 , 215-pound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communicate again but has continued to press forward and will graduate from Vermont in May .
`` I did n't get to experience my senior night in high school .
I did n't get to walk out with my parents , '' Speidel said before the game , according to the Burlington Free Press .
`` I do n't think it 's hit me fully yet , but just being able to walk them out and embrace them and thank [ my parents ] , thank [ Vermont ] coach [ John Becker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will be pretty emotional .
It 's hard to put into words . ''
Vermont earned an 85-62 win over Albany on Tuesday night .
The Catamounts had already wrapped up the America East regular-season title .

March 3 (UPI) -- University of Vermont basketball player Josh Speidel, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a 2015 car accident, scored the first points of his collegiate career Tuesday night against Albany.
After being introduced with his family before the game, Speidel made his first Division I start on Senior Day and scored on his team's first possession in a prearranged moment.
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Vermont allowed Albany to win the opening tip and score an uncontested basket. On the ensuing possession, Speidel caught a pass from teammate Everett Duncan and dropped in a shot off the backboard as Albany players looked on.
Players and coaches from both Vermont and Albany embraced Speidel before he walked to the bench.
Vermont's Josh Speidel was a highly touted prospect before a car accident derailed his college career. Tonight, on Senior Night, he scored his first basket on the first possession of the game pic.twitter.com/ZyOBXj7dw5— ESPN (@espn) March 4, 2020
Speidel, a former prep hoops standout at Indiana's Columbus North High School, was involved in the devastating car crash when he was a senior in high school. The accident occurred shortly after the three-star recruit committed to play at Vermont.
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The car accident left Speidel in a coma for five weeks and nearly killed him, his parents told ESPN. The 6-foot-8, 215-pound forward had to learn to walk and communicate again but has continued to press forward and will graduate from Vermont in May.
"I didn't get to experience my senior night in high school. I didn't get to walk out with my parents," Speidel said before the game, according to the Burlington Free Press. "I don't think it's hit me fully yet, but just being able to walk them out and embrace them and thank [my parents], thank [Vermont] coach [John Becker] for all he's done -- it will be pretty emotional. It's hard to put into words."
Vermont earned an 85-62 win over Albany on Tuesday night. The Catamounts had already wrapped up the America East regular-season title.