skynewsus--2020-03-18--US sends hospital ships to combat coronavirus - but they're not ready yet

Donald Trump says two hospital ships will be deployed to New York , but one is undergoing maintenence and both lack a medical crew .
Speaking at a now-daily press conference for the coronavirus task-force , Mr Trump said the ships were preparing to head to New York , to support the healthcare system to cope with the influx of patients .
Although they will not be used to treat COVID-19 patients , the ships will help treat other people to allow hospitals to focus on treating those affected by the outbreak - anticipating a further significant rise in coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sky 's US partner , has learnt that at least one of the ships , the USNS Comfort , is undergoing maintenance and has no medical crew , despite the president saying they were in `` tip top shape '' and ready for deployment .
The other vessel , the USNS Mercy , also has no sign of a medical crew on board , according to NBC News .
Vice President Mike Pence , who is heading up the task-force , has also asked Americans to put off elective surgeries , to allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak .
Mr Trump also announced he would sign the Defence Production Act , to encourage manufacturers in the US to make up for the shortfall in medical supplies .
`` Right after we finish this conference , I 'll be signing it and it 's prepared to go , '' he said .
• More than 214,000 globally have been confirmed as having COVID-19 and more than 8,700 have died • The UK is closing all schools from Friday • Italy and France both have their highest number of deaths in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to close its external borders for 30 days • Holidaymakers in Spain told to return home as the country shuts all its hotels The US government is also ordering `` thousands and thousands '' of ventilators , according to the president .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Speaking about a potential vaccine , he said that clinical trials had stepped up and that one was now being tested on humans - something the World Health Organisation referred to at its own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the US press conference , the task-force also reiterated its call to young people to listen to government guidelines that called for a 15-day effort to slow the spread of the virus , adding that they could be unwittingly spreading the virus - which can be transmitted by people who are asymptomatic .
It comes the same day as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed with Mr Trump to close the border between their countries to stem the rise in North American coronavirus cases .
The US will also stop all non-essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The number of confirmed cases in the US stands at 7,324 , according to Johns Hopkins University , with 115 deaths .
The country has stopped people travelling in from most of Europe to fight new infections , while many cities have put shut downs in place to limit people 's movements .

Donald Trump says two hospital ships will be deployed to New York, but one is undergoing maintenence and both lack a medical crew.
Speaking at a now-daily press conference for the coronavirus task-force, Mr Trump said the ships were preparing to head to New York, to support the healthcare system to cope with the influx of patients.
Although they will not be used to treat COVID-19 patients, the ships will help treat other people to allow hospitals to focus on treating those affected by the outbreak - anticipating a further significant rise in coronavirus cases.
Image: President Trump has been holding daily press conferences on coronavirus
However, NBC News, Sky's US partner, has learnt that at least one of the ships, the USNS Comfort, is undergoing maintenance and has no medical crew, despite the president saying they were in "tip top shape" and ready for deployment.
The other vessel, the USNS Mercy, also has no sign of a medical crew on board, according to NBC News.
Vice President Mike Pence, who is heading up the task-force, has also asked Americans to put off elective surgeries, to allow hospitals to focus resources on the COVID-19 outbreak.
Mr Trump also announced he would sign the Defence Production Act, to encourage manufacturers in the US to make up for the shortfall in medical supplies.
"Right after we finish this conference, I'll be signing it and it's prepared to go," he said.
Other global coronavirus developments:
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More than 214,000 globally have been confirmed as having COVID-19 and more than 8,700 have died
The UK is closing all schools from Friday
from Friday Italy and France both have their highest number of deaths in a day
and France both have their highest number of deaths in a day The European Union has agreed to close its external borders for 30 days
Holidaymakers in Spain told to return home as the country shuts all its hotels
The US government is also ordering "thousands and thousands" of ventilators, according to the president.
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Speaking about a potential vaccine, he said that clinical trials had stepped up and that one was now being tested on humans - something the World Health Organisation referred to at its own press conference in Geneva on Wednesday.
At the US press conference, the task-force also reiterated its call to young people to listen to government guidelines that called for a 15-day effort to slow the spread of the virus, adding that they could be unwittingly spreading the virus - which can be transmitted by people who are asymptomatic.
It comes the same day as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed with Mr Trump to close the border between their countries to stem the rise in North American coronavirus cases.
The US will also stop all non-essential travel across its southern border in Mexico.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:10 Coronavirus: Who's most at risk?
The number of confirmed cases in the US stands at 7,324, according to Johns Hopkins University, with 115 deaths.
The country has stopped people travelling in from most of Europe to fight new infections, while many cities have put shut downs in place to limit people's movements.


skynewsus--2020-03-18--Concerns coronavirus is making younger people ill

Healthy young people are becoming ill with coronavirus , prompting concerns millennials may be more vulnerable than initially thought .
The US coronavirus task force co-ordinator , Dr Deborah Birx , said she was concerned there would be a `` disproportional '' number of infections among millenials .
The majority of deaths from COVID-19 , which increased to more than 8,700 globally on Wednesday , have been the elderly and those with underlying health conditions .
However , there have been some healthy young people who have died from the virus , including Li Wenliang , 34 , the doctor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to tell medics about the virus in December .
He died in early February after contracting the disease .
Advice from governments around the world , and the World Health Organisation , is that elderly people and those with underlying health conditions are most at risk , with many countries telling them to be more careful and self-isolate .
Dr Birx told a White House briefing on Wednesday : `` There are concerning reports coming out of France and Italy about young people getting very seriously ill. '' It may have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generation , our future generation that will carry us through for the next multiple decades - there may be a disproportional number of infections among that group .
`` We think part of this may be that people heeded the early data coming out of China and coming out of South Korea of the elderly or those with pre-existing medical conditions were a particular risk .
`` And so , even if it 's a rare occurrence , it may be seen more frequently in that group and evident now . ''
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any significant mortality in children '' .
Canada 's health minister also voiced concerns , saying people in their 30s are becoming seriously ill from the virus and are needed ventilators to stay alive .
She said they are seeing the situation in Ontario and also in New York .
A doctor in Belgium said he has treated several seriously sick young patients whose lung scans were `` nothing short of terrifying '' , local media reported .
Dr Ignace Demeyer , who works at a hospital in Aalst , a town near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ages of 30 and 50 are arriving with severe symptoms .
He told the Brussels Times they have `` blank medical records '' with no underlying conditions to make them high risk .
`` They are people who do not smoke , who have no other conditions such as diabetes or heart failure , '' he said .
He added that all the young patients he has seen have been sick for a week with the flu then they feel fine for a few days before reporting a dry cough and shortness of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low oxygen levels in their blood for their age .
`` They just walk in , but they are terribly affected by the virus , '' he told VRT News .

Healthy young people are becoming ill with coronavirus, prompting concerns millennials may be more vulnerable than initially thought.
The US coronavirus task force co-ordinator, Dr Deborah Birx, said she was concerned there would be a "disproportional" number of infections among millenials.
The majority of deaths from COVID-19, which increased to more than 8,700 globally on Wednesday, have been the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.
Image: Dr Li Wenliang, who died aged 34 of coronavirus, tried to warn others about the disease. Pic: Dr Li Wenliang
However, there have been some healthy young people who have died from the virus, including Li Wenliang, 34, the doctor who was warned by Chinese police for trying to tell medics about the virus in December.
He died in early February after contracting the disease.
Advice from governments around the world, and the World Health Organisation, is that elderly people and those with underlying health conditions are most at risk, with many countries telling them to be more careful and self-isolate.
Dr Birx told a White House briefing on Wednesday: "There are concerning reports coming out of France and Italy about young people getting very seriously ill.
"It may have been that the millennial generation - our largest generation, our future generation that will carry us through for the next multiple decades - there may be a disproportional number of infections among that group.
"We think part of this may be that people heeded the early data coming out of China and coming out of South Korea of the elderly or those with pre-existing medical conditions were a particular risk.
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"And so, even if it's a rare occurrence, it may be seen more frequently in that group and evident now."
Image: Dr Deborah Birx said young people in France and Italy are becoming seriously ill with coronavirus
She added that they had "not seen any significant mortality in children".
Canada's health minister also voiced concerns, saying people in their 30s are becoming seriously ill from the virus and are needed ventilators to stay alive.
She said they are seeing the situation in Ontario and also in New York.
A doctor in Belgium said he has treated several seriously sick young patients whose lung scans were "nothing short of terrifying", local media reported.
Dr Ignace Demeyer, who works at a hospital in Aalst, a town near Brussels, said more people between the ages of 30 and 50 are arriving with severe symptoms.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:55 'We're here': Volunteers mobilise across UK
He told the Brussels Times they have "blank medical records" with no underlying conditions to make them high risk.
"They are people who do not smoke, who have no other conditions such as diabetes or heart failure," he said.
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He added that all the young patients he has seen have been sick for a week with the flu then they feel fine for a few days before reporting a dry cough and shortness of breath and tests show they have very low oxygen levels in their blood for their age.
"They just walk in, but they are terribly affected by the virus," he told VRT News.


skynewsus--2020-03-19--Trump: Anti-malaria drug to fight coronavirus could be available in days

The US is advising its citizens to avoid all international travel due to the coronavirus pandemic , while those who are abroad have been told to arrange their immediate return home .
In a global level four health advisory issued by the state department on Thursday , those US citizens who are temporarily abroad were told to come back unless they were `` prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period '' .
`` If you choose to travel internationally , your travel plans may be severely disrupted , and you may be forced to remain outside of the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the advice added .
Meanwhile , Donald Trump said an anti-malaria drug that could help fight coronavirus could be available in the US within days .
The president said hydroxychloroquine , which is also used for severe arthiritis , lupus and autoimmune condition Sjrogen 's syndrome , has shown `` very encouraging early results '' and is set to be approved for coronavirus use quickly .
`` We 're going make that drug available almost immediately ... it could be available in days , '' he said .
`` It 's a medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war . ''
He said he is getting rid of bureaucracy and red tape with the Food and Drugs Association ( FDA ) to ensure drugs can be made available as soon as possible to treat those with COVID-19 .
Biopharma company Bayer is donating to the FDA three million tablets of hydroxychloroquine , which is cheap and has been around for more than 70 years .
A small study in France found only 25 % of patients with coronavirus who were given the drug tested positive after six days , compared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drug in the same timeframe .
Mr Trump also said antiviral medicine remdesivir - originally developed to treat Ebola - is `` close to being approved '' by the FDA .
It is currently going through clinical trials in the US and around the world .
The US has the sixth highest number of coronavirus cases in the world , with nearly 11,000 confirmed on Wednesday and 154 deaths - mostly in Washington state .
FDA chief Dr Stephen Hahn reassured Americans both drugs are `` going through the normal process '' in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure their safety and efficacy is key before giving them approval .
The oncologist said they are looking at drugs already approved for other treatments to ensure they can get a medicine to patients quickly and with knowledge of their side effects .
Mr Trump said the US has been carrying out drug tests for a vaccine and therapies since January , as soon as they knew about the virus .
He said `` the world is paying a big price '' for China not releasing information early on about COVID-19 - which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
With regards to the medicines , Dr Hahn added : `` We have the right drug but it may not be in the right dosage form , it 's important we get that right .
`` We 're working to get the drugs into the hands of users . ''
To be able to get the drugs to patients quickly he said they will utilise the `` compassionate use '' pathway which allows those who are dying or have a serious disease to try experimental drugs .
Dr Hahn added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` working around the clock '' to create a vaccine for COVID-19 , which is in its second stage now .
`` We 're working hard to fast track the vaccine as much as possible , '' he said .

The US is advising its citizens to avoid all international travel due to the coronavirus pandemic, while those who are abroad have been told to arrange their immediate return home.
In a global level four health advisory issued by the state department on Thursday, those US citizens who are temporarily abroad were told to come back unless they were "prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period".
"If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe," the advice added.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 US fast-tracks approval for virus treatments
Meanwhile, Donald Trump said an anti-malaria drug that could help fight coronavirus could be available in the US within days.
The president said hydroxychloroquine, which is also used for severe arthiritis, lupus and autoimmune condition Sjrogen's syndrome, has shown "very encouraging early results" and is set to be approved for coronavirus use quickly.
"We're going make that drug available almost immediately...it could be available in days," he said.
"It's a medical war, we have to win this war."
He said he is getting rid of bureaucracy and red tape with the Food and Drugs Association (FDA) to ensure drugs can be made available as soon as possible to treat those with COVID-19.
Biopharma company Bayer is donating to the FDA three million tablets of hydroxychloroquine, which is cheap and has been around for more than 70 years.
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A small study in France found only 25% of patients with coronavirus who were given the drug tested positive after six days, compared to 90% who did not receive the drug in the same timeframe.
Mr Trump also said antiviral medicine remdesivir - originally developed to treat Ebola - is "close to being approved" by the FDA.
It is currently going through clinical trials in the US and around the world.
The US has the sixth highest number of coronavirus cases in the world, with nearly 11,000 confirmed on Wednesday and 154 deaths - mostly in Washington state.
FDA chief Dr Stephen Hahn reassured Americans both drugs are "going through the normal process" in the US, with the FDA making sure their safety and efficacy is key before giving them approval.
The oncologist said they are looking at drugs already approved for other treatments to ensure they can get a medicine to patients quickly and with knowledge of their side effects.
Image: FDA chief Dr Stephen Hahn said drugs trials are going through the same processes as normal, just fast-tracked
Mr Trump said the US has been carrying out drug tests for a vaccine and therapies since January, as soon as they knew about the virus.
He said "the world is paying a big price" for China not releasing information early on about COVID-19 - which the president calls "the Chinese virus".
With regards to the medicines, Dr Hahn added: "We have the right drug but it may not be in the right dosage form, it's important we get that right.
"We're working to get the drugs into the hands of users."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:10 Who is most at risk if they are infected by the coronavirus?
To be able to get the drugs to patients quickly he said they will utilise the "compassionate use" pathway which allows those who are dying or have a serious disease to try experimental drugs.
Dr Hahn added that the FDA has 10,000 scientists and doctors "working around the clock" to create a vaccine for COVID-19, which is in its second stage now.
"We're working hard to fast track the vaccine as much as possible," he said.


skynewsus--2020-03-19--Superheroes unite in song against coronavirus

Gal Gadot has led a celebrity-packed singalong of John Lennon 's Imagine in a bid to cheer people up during the coronavirus pandemic .
The Wonder Woman actress says she 's been in isolation for six days amid the COVID-19 outbreak and the time alone has made her `` a bit philosophical '' .
The 34-year-old star told her 36.8 million followers : `` This virus has effected the entire world , everyone , it does n't matter who you are , where you 're from .
We 're all in this together . ''
She said she was inspired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video of an Italian trumpet-player performing the same song on his balcony , describing it as `` powerful and pure '' .
Gadot kicks off with the 1971 track 's evocative first line `` Imagine there 's no heaven '' .
Fellow actress Natalie Portman , who plays Jane Foster in the Thor films , sings her line `` nothing to kill or die for '' in a park .
Zoe Kravitz , who plays Catwoman Selina Kyle in forthcoming film The Batman , sings `` and no religion too '' in front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also a line from the original Wonder Woman Lynda Carter .
A bespectacled Mark Ruffalo , who play 's Marvel 's Hulk , also chimes in from his sofa , `` brotherhood of man '' .
In a message which accompanied the three-minute video , Gadot wrote : `` We are in this together , we will get through it together .
`` Let 's imagine together .
Sing with us .
All love to you , from me and my dear friends . ''
Other stars who featured in the song include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dornan .
British star Cara Delevingne also took part along with girlfriend Ashley Benson and fellow model Kaia Gerber for joint vocals of `` they may say that I 'm a dreamer '' , accompanied by a choreographed dance and finger click .
Actor Chris O'Dowd and his wife presenter Dawn O'Porter sing a line from their back yard .
Gadot finishes the song with its final line `` and the world will be as one '' .
The video was viewed more than three million times in less than 12 hours on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mini-concerts and songs from their living rooms in a bid to raise people 's spirits in self-isolation .
While many film productions have been pushed back due to the spread of the coronavirus , it 's not been confirmed whether the Wonder Woman sequel 1984 will still be released in June .
Scarlett Johansson 's Black Widow , Robert Pattinson 's The Batman and James Bond movie No Time To Die have all been delayed due to COVID-19 .

Gal Gadot has led a celebrity-packed singalong of John Lennon's Imagine in a bid to cheer people up during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Wonder Woman actress says she's been in isolation for six days amid the COVID-19 outbreak and the time alone has made her "a bit philosophical".
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The 34-year-old star told her 36.8 million followers: "This virus has effected the entire world, everyone, it doesn't matter who you are, where you're from. We're all in this together."
She said she was inspired to make the compilation after seeing a video of an Italian trumpet-player performing the same song on his balcony, describing it as "powerful and pure".
Gadot kicks off with the 1971 track's evocative first line "Imagine there's no heaven".
Image: Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman
Fellow actress Natalie Portman, who plays Jane Foster in the Thor films, sings her line "nothing to kill or die for" in a park.
Zoe Kravitz, who plays Catwoman Selina Kyle in forthcoming film The Batman, sings "and no religion too" in front of a roaring fire.
Image: Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth in Thor
There's also a line from the original Wonder Woman Lynda Carter.
A bespectacled Mark Ruffalo, who play's Marvel's Hulk, also chimes in from his sofa, "brotherhood of man".
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In a message which accompanied the three-minute video, Gadot wrote: "We are in this together, we will get through it together.
Image: Zoe Kravitz plays Catwoman in The Batman
"Let's imagine together. Sing with us. All love to you, from me and my dear friends."
Other stars who featured in the song include Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig and Jamie Dornan.
British star Cara Delevingne also took part along with girlfriend Ashley Benson and fellow model Kaia Gerber for joint vocals of "they may say that I'm a dreamer", accompanied by a choreographed dance and finger click.
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Actor Chris O'Dowd and his wife presenter Dawn O'Porter sing a line from their back yard.
Gadot finishes the song with its final line "and the world will be as one".
The video was viewed more than three million times in less than 12 hours on Instagram.
Many popstars have also livestreamed mini-concerts and songs from their living rooms in a bid to raise people's spirits in self-isolation.
While many film productions have been pushed back due to the spread of the coronavirus, it's not been confirmed whether the Wonder Woman sequel 1984 will still be released in June.
Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow, Robert Pattinson's The Batman and James Bond movie No Time To Die have all been delayed due to COVID-19.


skynewsus--2020-03-19--'Fake news' tweets which could make coronavirus outbreak worse to be removed

Tweets that put people at risk of contracting the COVID-19 coronavirus as it rapidly spreads across the globe are to be removed by Twitter to help the public get accurate information and avoid myths and misinformation .
This includes posts which promote `` fake or ineffective treatments '' for COVID-19 as well as those that deny `` expert guidance '' on the coronavirus .
The social network site , which has millions of active users , has said such tweets would contravene its safety rules so they will be marked as harmful and removed .
The ban includes claims that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus , posting unverified claims that incite people to action and cause widespread panic and posting about harmful or non-harmful treatments which do not work .
In a post on its website , Twitter said : `` We will enforce this in close co-ordination with trusted partners , including public health authorities and governments , and continue to use and consult with information from those sources when reviewing content . ''
False claims about the coronavirus and bogus cures have circulated on social media , often attracting hundreds of shares .
Citing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required to remove tweets that include : • Denial of expert guidance , such as : `` social distancing is not effective '' • Description of treatments or protective measures which are not immediately harmful but are known to be ineffective with the intent to mislead others , even if made in jest , such as `` coronavirus is not heat-resistant - walking outside is enough to disinfect you '' or `` use aromatherapy and essential oils to prevent COVID-19 '' • Description of harmful treatments or protection measures which are known to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 , or are being shared out of context to mislead people , even if made in jest , such as `` drinking bleach and ingesting colloidal silver will cure COVID-19 '' • Denial of established scientific facts such as `` COVID-19 does not infect children because we have n't seen any cases of children being sick '' • Claims that intend to manipulate people into certain behaviour for the gain of a third party such as `` coronavirus is a fraud and not real - go out and patronise your local bar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims that incite people to action and cause widespread panic , social unrest or large-scale disorder , such as `` The National Guard just announced that no more shipments of food will be arriving for 2 months - run to the grocery store ASAP and buy everything ! ''
• Specific and unverified claims made by people impersonating a government or health official or organisation such as a parody account of an Italian health official stating that the country 's quarantine is over • Propagating false or misleading information about COVID-19 such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 10 seconds , you do not have coronavirus '' • False or misleading claims on how to differentiate between COVID-19 and a different disease , such as `` if you have a wet cough , it 's not coronavirus - but a dry cough is '' • Claims that specific groups or nationalities are never susceptible to COVID-19 , such as `` people with dark skin are immune to COVID-19 due to melanin production '' • Claims that specific groups , nationalities are more susceptible to COVID-19 , such as `` avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are more likely to have COVID-19 '' The action by Twitter follows an announcement from technology companies Facebook , Google , LinkedIn , Microsoft , Reddit and YouTube earlier this week in which they committed to work together and with governments in response to the pandemic .
In a joint statement , they said they would work to ensure people could stay connected to each other during isolation as well as fight any misinformation and fraud linked to the outbreak .
`` We are working closely together on COVID-19 response efforts , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of people stay connected while also jointly combating fraud and misinformation about the virus , elevating authoritative content on our platforms , and sharing critical updates in co-ordination with government healthcare agencies around the world . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Social media sites and search engines have already been placing official guidance from the NHS and World Health Organisation ( WHO ) at the top of search results .
Other platforms have also pledged to work quickly to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is flagged to or spotted by them .
Research has found the rise of `` fake news '' - including misinformation and inaccurate advice on social media - could make disease outbreaks such as COVID-19 worse .
In an analysis of how the spread of misinformation affects the spread of disease , scientists at East Anglia University ( UEA ) said in February that any successful efforts to stop people sharing fake news could help save lives .
Professor of medicine Paul Hunter said : `` When it comes to COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , misinformation and fake news circulating on the internet - about how the virus originated , what causes it and how it is spread .
`` Misinformation means that bad advice can circulate very quickly - and it can change human behaviour to take greater risks . ''

Tweets that put people at risk of contracting the COVID-19 coronavirus as it rapidly spreads across the globe are to be removed by Twitter to help the public get accurate information and avoid myths and misinformation.
This includes posts which promote "fake or ineffective treatments" for COVID-19 as well as those that deny "expert guidance" on the coronavirus.
The social network site, which has millions of active users, has said such tweets would contravene its safety rules so they will be marked as harmful and removed.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:54 How do you make a misinformation vaccine?
The ban includes claims that specific groups are more susceptible to contracting the virus, posting unverified claims that incite people to action and cause widespread panic and posting about harmful or non-harmful treatments which do not work.
In a post on its website, Twitter said: "We will enforce this in close co-ordination with trusted partners, including public health authorities and governments, and continue to use and consult with information from those sources when reviewing content."
False claims about the coronavirus and bogus cures have circulated on social media, often attracting hundreds of shares.
Citing examples, Twitter said people will be required to remove tweets that include:
Denial of expert guidance, such as: "social distancing is not effective"
Description of treatments or protective measures which are not immediately harmful but are known to be ineffective with the intent to mislead others, even if made in jest, such as "coronavirus is not heat-resistant - walking outside is enough to disinfect you" or "use aromatherapy and essential oils to prevent COVID-19"
Description of harmful treatments or protection measures which are known to be ineffective, do not apply to COVID-19, or are being shared out of context to mislead people, even if made in jest, such as "drinking bleach and ingesting colloidal silver will cure COVID-19"
Denial of established scientific facts such as "COVID-19 does not infect children because we haven't seen any cases of children being sick"
Claims that intend to manipulate people into certain behaviour for the gain of a third party such as "coronavirus is a fraud and not real - go out and patronise your local bar!!"
Specific and unverified claims that incite people to action and cause widespread panic, social unrest or large-scale disorder, such as "The National Guard just announced that no more shipments of food will be arriving for 2 months - run to the grocery store ASAP and buy everything!"
Specific and unverified claims made by people impersonating a government or health official or organisation such as a parody account of an Italian health official stating that the country's quarantine is over
Propagating false or misleading information about COVID-19 such as "if you can hold your breath for 10 seconds, you do not have coronavirus"
False or misleading claims on how to differentiate between COVID-19 and a different disease, such as "if you have a wet cough, it's not coronavirus - but a dry cough is"
Claims that specific groups or nationalities are never susceptible to COVID-19, such as "people with dark skin are immune to COVID-19 due to melanin production"
Claims that specific groups, nationalities are more susceptible to COVID-19, such as "avoid businesses owned by Chinese people as they are more likely to have COVID-19"
The action by Twitter follows an announcement from technology companies Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Reddit and YouTube earlier this week in which they committed to work together and with governments in response to the pandemic.
In a joint statement, they said they would work to ensure people could stay connected to each other during isolation as well as fight any misinformation and fraud linked to the outbreak.
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"We are working closely together on COVID-19 response efforts," they said.
"We're helping millions of people stay connected while also jointly combating fraud and misinformation about the virus, elevating authoritative content on our platforms, and sharing critical updates in co-ordination with government healthcare agencies around the world."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Social media sites and search engines have already been placing official guidance from the NHS and World Health Organisation (WHO) at the top of search results.
Other platforms have also pledged to work quickly to remove any misinformation linked to the virus which is flagged to or spotted by them.
Research has found the rise of "fake news" - including misinformation and inaccurate advice on social media - could make disease outbreaks such as COVID-19 worse.
In an analysis of how the spread of misinformation affects the spread of disease, scientists at East Anglia University (UEA) said in February that any successful efforts to stop people sharing fake news could help save lives.
Professor of medicine Paul Hunter said: "When it comes to COVID-19, there has been a lot of speculation, misinformation and fake news circulating on the internet - about how the virus originated, what causes it and how it is spread.
"Misinformation means that bad advice can circulate very quickly - and it can change human behaviour to take greater risks."


skynewsus--2020-03-19--Playboy publishes last-ever print edition due to coronavirus

Playboy says its current magazine edition will be its last physical publication due to coronavirus .
The famous men 's magazine had been planning to go digital for some time , but publishers day disruption due to the spread of COVID-19 has led them to `` accelerate the conversation '' .
Established by Hugh Hefner in 1953 , the bowtie-wearing bunny mascot has since become one of the most recognisable American brands in history .
Playboy Enterprises chief executive Ben Kohn announced the decision in an open letter on publishing platform Medium .
Kohn wrote : `` Last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to content production and the supply chain became clearer and clearer , we were forced to accelerate a conversation we 've been having internally : the question of how to transform our US print product to better suit what consumers want today . ''
A `` revamped '' version of the magazine has been published quarterly since 2019. : : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Khon admitted that due to `` changing media consumption habits '' that Playboy printed content `` reaches the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans '' .
He went on to say that the Spring 2020 issue would be Playboy 's last .
Kohn said the magazine will now `` move to a digital-first publishing schedule for all of our content '' .
However , he said limited printed offerings would still be produced for special editions , creative partnerships and select collections .
He wrote : `` Print is how we began and print will always be a part of who we are . ''
The first issue of the magazine in 1953 featured nude photographs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50,000 copies .
As well as nude pictures , the magazine also included articles from writers including Margaret Atwood , Vladimir Nabokov and Kurt Vonnegut , as well as interviews with Fidel Castro , Martin Luther King Jr and John Lennon .
In 2015 , Playboy stopped publishing images of naked women , citing the proliferation of nudity online .
Pamela Anderson stripped off for the final nude edition , however , by 2017 they had reversed the decision .
Hefner , who claimed to have slept with more than 1,000 women died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for change , Khon told Playboy fans : `` Sometimes you have to let go of the past to make room for the future . ''
After opening his letter by sharing his `` deepest wishes for the health and safety of our global community '' , he signed off `` stay safe '' .

Playboy says its current magazine edition will be its last physical publication due to coronavirus.
The famous men's magazine had been planning to go digital for some time, but publishers day disruption due to the spread of COVID-19 has led them to "accelerate the conversation".
Image: Pamela Anderson stripped off for the 2015 final nude edition
Established by Hugh Hefner in 1953, the bowtie-wearing bunny mascot has since become one of the most recognisable American brands in history.
Playboy Enterprises chief executive Ben Kohn announced the decision in an open letter on publishing platform Medium.
Kohn wrote: "Last week, as the disruption of the coronavirus pandemic to content production and the supply chain became clearer and clearer, we were forced to accelerate a conversation we've been having internally: the question of how to transform our US print product to better suit what consumers want today."
A "revamped" version of the magazine has been published quarterly since 2019.
:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Khon admitted that due to "changing media consumption habits" that Playboy printed content "reaches the hands of only a fraction of our fans".
He went on to say that the Spring 2020 issue would be Playboy's last.
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Kohn said the magazine will now "move to a digital-first publishing schedule for all of our content".
However, he said limited printed offerings would still be produced for special editions, creative partnerships and select collections.
He wrote: "Print is how we began and print will always be a part of who we are."
Image: Hugh Hefner launched Playboy in 1953
The first issue of the magazine in 1953 featured nude photographs of Marilyn Monroe and sold more than 50,000 copies.
As well as nude pictures, the magazine also included articles from writers including Margaret Atwood, Vladimir Nabokov and Kurt Vonnegut, as well as interviews with Fidel Castro, Martin Luther King Jr and John Lennon.
In 2015, Playboy stopped publishing images of naked women, citing the proliferation of nudity online.
Image: Playboy's first issue featured naked pictures of Marilyn Monroe
Pamela Anderson stripped off for the final nude edition, however, by 2017 they had reversed the decision.
Hefner, who claimed to have slept with more than 1,000 women died later that year.
Recognising the need for change, Khon told Playboy fans: "Sometimes you have to let go of the past to make room for the future."
After opening his letter by sharing his "deepest wishes for the health and safety of our global community", he signed off "stay safe".


skynewsus--2020-03-20--California issues 'stay at home' order to 40 million residents

California 's 40 million residents have been told to only leave their homes when absolutely necessary during the coronavirus pandemic .
State governor Gavin Newsom issued the state-wide `` stay at home '' order , which has taken effect from Thursday evening and will remain in place until further notice .
He said the state needed to `` recognise the reality '' and `` make tough decisions '' , although conceded that home isolation was not his `` preferred choice '' .
The governor said modelling has shown 56 % of California residents are expected to contract COVID-19 over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more hospital beds than the state can currently provide .
He warned infection rates are doubling every four days in some parts of the state .
Los Angeles , the nation 's second-largest city , is likely to be `` disproportionately impacted '' in the coming weeks , Mr Newsom added .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The new order means non-essential services including restaurants , bars and gyms will shut down .
However the home isolation measures will not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the world : • Iran 's Mission to the United Nations has said the `` inhumane and unlawful '' US sanctions are hampering efforts to prevent COVID-19 cases in the country , urging the international community to help lift the sanctions • Haiti has confirmed its first two cases of COVID-19 and announced it will close all airports , schools , factories and seaports • Cannes Film Festival has been postponed , with organisers saying they are considering moving the festival to June or July • South Korea will test all passengers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-week quarantines beginning on Sunday • North Korea says it has released thousands of people from quarantine , although has not publicly confirmed a single case of COVID-19 • Australia has demanded indoor venues provide at least four square metres of space between each person and tightened regulations on travel to and from remote indigenous communities Earlier on Thursday , Mr Newsom asked President Donald Trump to send a US Navy hospital ship to the port of Los Angeles `` immediately '' to deal with an expected surge in coronavirus cases .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urging Americans not to go abroad under any circumstances and to return home if they are already abroad unless they plan to remain overseas .
The US has also been considering measures to immediately turn back anyone who crosses the border from Mexico illegally , including asylum seekers .

New York state has joined California in telling its residents to stay at home during the coronavirus pandemic, putting nearly 60 million on lockdown.
Earlier, California's state governor Gavin Newsom issued a state-wide "stay at home" order, which took effect from Thursday evening and will remain in place until further notice.
He said the state needed to "recognise the reality" and "make tough decisions", although conceded that home isolation was not his "preferred choice".
New York governor Andrew Cuomo also issued an executive order to state residents, meaning all non-essential workers must stay at home or cease working completely.
Mr Cuomo added that over-70s, or those with underlying health conditions, must stay at home, save for solo exercising.
Speaking to the people of New York, he pleaded with them to listen, saying: "Your actions can affect my health, that is where we are."
The new restrictions will be enforced with fines and forced closure of businesses should they flout the rules.
The states of New York and California have been some of the hardest hit in the US, with combined confirmed cases of COVID-19 at more than 6,500, with 57 people having lost their lives.
California's governor said modelling has shown 56% of California residents are expected to contract COVID-19 over the next eight weeks, requiring nearly 20,000 more hospital beds than the state can currently provide.
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:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
He also warned infection rates are doubling every four days in some parts of the state.
Los Angeles, the nation's second-largest city, is likely to be "disproportionately impacted" in the coming weeks, Mr Newsom added.
The latest developments across the world:


skynewsus--2020-03-20--New York joins California with stay at home order to residents

New York state has joined California in telling its residents to stay at home during the coronavirus pandemic , putting nearly 60 million on lockdown .
Earlier , California 's state governor Gavin Newsom issued a state-wide `` stay at home '' order , which took effect from Thursday evening and will remain in place until further notice .
He said the state needed to `` recognise the reality '' and `` make tough decisions '' , although conceded that home isolation was not his `` preferred choice '' .
New York governor Andrew Cuomo also issued an executive order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers must stay at home or cease working completely .
Mr Cuomo added that over-70s , or those with underlying health conditions , must stay at home , save for solo exercising .
Speaking to the people of New York , he pleaded with them to listen , saying : `` Your actions can affect my health , that is where we are . ''
The new restrictions will be enforced with fines and forced closure of businesses should they flout the rules .
The states of New York and California have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US , with combined confirmed cases of COVID-19 at more than 6,500 , with 57 people having lost their lives .
California 's governor said modelling has shown 56 % of California residents are expected to contract COVID-19 over the next eight weeks , requiring nearly 20,000 more hospital beds than the state can currently provide .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker He also warned infection rates are doubling every four days in some parts of the state .
Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is likely to be `` disproportionately impacted '' in the coming weeks , Mr Newsom added .
The latest developments across the world : • Iran 's Mission to the United Nations has said the `` inhumane and unlawful '' US sanctions are hampering efforts to prevent COVID-19 cases in the country , urging the international community to help lift the sanctions • Haiti has confirmed its first two cases of COVID-19 and announced it will close all airports , schools , factories and seaports • Cannes Film Festival has been postponed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the festival to June or July • South Korea will test all passengers coming from Europe for coronavirus and enforce two-week quarantines beginning on Sunday • North Korea says it has released thousands of people from quarantine , although has not publicly confirmed a single case of COVID-19 • Australia has demanded indoor venues provide at least four square metres of space between each person and tightened regulations on travel to and from remote indigenous communities


skynewsus--2020-03-20--Four US states tell residents to stay home as coronavirus case numbers rise

Illinois and Connecticut have joined New York and California in telling residents to stay home during the coronavirus pandemic .
The move means around 75 million Americans are affected by the strict `` social distancing '' measures , which are intended to stop the spread of the disease .
Residents of the four states must stay inside except for trips to grocery stores , pharmacies , petrol stations and other `` essential businesses '' .
Most workplaces are also closed .
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said the rules were to `` avoid the loss of tens of thousands of lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes the city of Chicago - registered 585 cases of the virus .
The four states account for 31 % of the US economy .
New Jersey 's governor Phil Murphy has said he plans to issue a similar order in the next 24 hours .
Earlier in the week , California 's state governor Gavin Newsom issued a state-wide `` stay at home '' order , which took effect from Thursday evening and will remain in place until further notice .
He said the state needed to `` recognise the reality '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ although conceded that home isolation was not his `` preferred choice '' .
New York governor Andrew Cuomo also issued an executive order to state residents , meaning all non-essential workers must stay at home or cease working completely .
Mr Cuomo added that the over-70s , or those with underlying health conditions , must stay at home , apart from solo exercising .
The states of New York and California have been some of the hardest hit in the US , with combined confirmed cases of COVID-19 at more than 6,500 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
California 's governor said modelling has shown 56 % of California residents are expected to contract COVID-19 over the next eight weeks , requiring nearly 20,000 more hospital beds than the state can currently provide .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker He also warned infection rates are doubling every four days in some parts of the state .
Los Angeles , the nation 's second-largest city , is likely to be `` disproportionately impacted '' in the coming weeks , @ @ @ @

Illinois and Connecticut have joined New York and California in telling residents to stay home during the coronavirus pandemic.
The move means around 75 million Americans are affected by the strict "social distancing" measures, which are intended to stop the spread of the disease.
Residents of the four states must stay inside except for trips to grocery stores, pharmacies, petrol stations and other "essential businesses". Most workplaces are also closed.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said the rules were to "avoid the loss of tens of thousands of lives", as the state - which includes the city of Chicago - registered 585 cases of the virus.
The four states account for 31% of the US economy.
New Jersey's governor Phil Murphy has said he plans to issue a similar order in the next 24 hours.
Earlier in the week, California's state governor Gavin Newsom issued a state-wide "stay at home" order, which took effect from Thursday evening and will remain in place until further notice.
He said the state needed to "recognise the reality" and "make tough decisions", although conceded that home isolation was not his "preferred choice".
New York governor Andrew Cuomo also issued an executive order to state residents, meaning all non-essential workers must stay at home or cease working completely.
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Mr Cuomo added that the over-70s, or those with underlying health conditions, must stay at home, apart from solo exercising.
Image: An empty California beach
The states of New York and California have been some of the hardest hit in the US, with combined confirmed cases of COVID-19 at more than 6,500, with 57 people having lost their lives.
California's governor said modelling has shown 56% of California residents are expected to contract COVID-19 over the next eight weeks, requiring nearly 20,000 more hospital beds than the state can currently provide.
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
He also warned infection rates are doubling every four days in some parts of the state.
Los Angeles, the nation's second-largest city, is likely to be "disproportionately impacted" in the coming weeks, Mr Newsom added.


skynewsus--2020-03-20--'Post-apocalyptic future' as Los Angeles goes quiet for coronavirus

On many days in Los Angeles you can turn a corner and stumble upon a scene from a post-apocalyptic future .
But suddenly the waste land is n't the stuff of the movies anymore .
The deserted streets and shuttered businesses are signs of very real life .
The people of America 's second-biggest city , and the country 's most populous state , have taken notice of the order to stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus .
A few are out jogging , some walk their dogs , essential services continue - things all permitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bustling neighbourhoods are like ghost towns .
And it is heartening that the message is being taken seriously .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker As he opened up his food truck for the day 's business in Santa Monica , Hassam Jahrny said the lockdown was the only answer if the US was to avoid the fate of Italy and Iran .
No one expressed anything but support for the order .
The governor of California , Gavin Newsom , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order , wary of raising expectations , but he says he can not see it lasting for `` many , many months '' .
It means a period of adjustment for society and its economy and anxiety and uncertainty for millions .
Hours after California 's stay-at-home order took effect , New York state , Illinois and Connecticut announced similar measures , a reality check sweeping across the nation .
The surge in cases in recent days certainly reflects the rush of results from tests that had been waiting to be processed but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That jolt is why scenes that were unimaginable a week ago are now the norm .
At rush hour on Friday , the Interstate 405 , the notorious clogged artery that runs north-south through Los Angeles was a free-flowing breeze of a drive .
Mr Newsom spelled out in some detail the data guiding his decision , the number of hospital beds that might be needed and where the shortfall could be found .
He made no attempt to sugar coat the reality .
In return for his honesty and straight talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
The signs are that they are doing just that and America holding its breath to see when and if it will make a difference .

On many days in Los Angeles you can turn a corner and stumble upon a scene from a post-apocalyptic future.
But suddenly the waste land isn't the stuff of the movies anymore.
The deserted streets and shuttered businesses are signs of very real life.
The people of America's second-biggest city, and the country's most populous state, have taken notice of the order to stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
A few are out jogging, some walk their dogs, essential services continue - things all permitted under the order - but the usually bustling neighbourhoods are like ghost towns.
And it is heartening that the message is being taken seriously.
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
As he opened up his food truck for the day's business in Santa Monica, Hassam Jahrny said the lockdown was the only answer if the US was to avoid the fate of Italy and Iran.
No one expressed anything but support for the order.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:13 Coronavirus leaves Miami Beach deserted
The governor of California, Gavin Newsom, has refused to put a time-frame on the order, wary of raising expectations, but he says he cannot see it lasting for "many, many months".
It means a period of adjustment for society and its economy and anxiety and uncertainty for millions.
Hours after California's stay-at-home order took effect, New York state, Illinois and Connecticut announced similar measures, a reality check sweeping across the nation.
The surge in cases in recent days certainly reflects the rush of results from tests that had been waiting to be processed but Americans are braced for more dramatic numbers.
That jolt is why scenes that were unimaginable a week ago are now the norm. At rush hour on Friday, the Interstate 405, the notorious clogged artery that runs north-south through Los Angeles was a free-flowing breeze of a drive.
Image: Los Angeles ordered the closure of all non-essential services and entertainment venues
Mr Newsom spelled out in some detail the data guiding his decision, the number of hospital beds that might be needed and where the shortfall could be found. He made no attempt to sugar coat the reality.
In return for his honesty and straight talking, he has demanded the public step up.
The signs are that they are doing just that and America holding its breath to see when and if it will make a difference.


skynewsus--2020-03-21--Country music legend Kenny Rogers dies aged 81

Country music legend Kenny Rogers who had a series of hits , including Coward of the County and The Gambler , has died at the age of 81 .
The Grammy-winning star , whose career spanned six decades , `` passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family '' , his representative said in a statement .
Rogers , who also enjoyed success in partnership with Dolly Parton , had announced a farewell tour in 2015 but had continued performing until 2017 .
The Houston-born singer , known for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sold tens of millions of records and broke through into the world of pop .
He also gained fame as an actor , starring in TV movies based on The Gambler and other songs , making him a superstar in the 1970s and 80s .
However , despite his crossover success , he always preferred to be thought of as a country singer .
Speaking in 2015 , he said : `` You either do what everyone else is doing and you do it better , or you do what no one else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comparison .
`` And I chose that way because I could never be better than Johnny Cash or Willie or Waylon at what they did .
`` So I found something that I could do that did n't invite comparison to them .
And I think people thought it was my desire to change country music .
But that was never my issue . ''
His background was a real rags-to-riches story , befitting of a country singer , having been brought up in public housing together with seven siblings .
Striking out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his first big hit was with the sad country ballad Lucille , in 1977 , which crossed over to the pop charts and earned Rogers his first Grammy .
The Gambler , which came out in 1978 , became his signature song with the refrain : `` You got ta know when to hold 'em , know when to fold 'em . ''
The song spawned a hit TV movie of the same name and several more sequels featuring Rogers as professional gambler Brady Hawkes .
One of his biggest successes was Lady @ @ @ @ @ @ @ topped the charts for six weeks straight in 1980 .
While he often worked with female duet partners , his most memorable pairing was with Parton , who he toured with around the world .
They last performed together at his all-star retirement concert , held in Nashville in 2017 .
Although by the 1990 's his chart hits had faded , he still remained a popular live entertainer with regular touring .
As well as being a keen photographer that led to several books , he was also a successful businessman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rogers Roasters .
He had a brief chart comeback in 2000 , with the hit Buy Me A Rose , which event earned him his first No 1 country song in 13 years .
Rogers ' family is planning a private service `` out of concern for the national COVID-19 emergency '' .
A public memorial will be held at a later date .

Country music legend Kenny Rogers who had a series of hits, including Coward of the County and The Gambler, has died at the age of 81.
The Grammy-winning star, whose career spanned six decades, "passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family", his representative said in a statement.
Rogers, who also enjoyed success in partnership with Dolly Parton, had announced a farewell tour in 2015 but had continued performing until 2017.
Image: Rogers also enjoyed success in partnership with Dolly Parton
The Houston-born singer, known for his trademark husky voice and silver beard, sold tens of millions of records and broke through into the world of pop.
He also gained fame as an actor, starring in TV movies based on The Gambler and other songs, making him a superstar in the 1970s and 80s.
However, despite his crossover success, he always preferred to be thought of as a country singer.
Speaking in 2015, he said: "You either do what everyone else is doing and you do it better, or you do what no one else is doing and you don't invite comparison.
"And I chose that way because I could never be better than Johnny Cash or Willie or Waylon at what they did.
"So I found something that I could do that didn't invite comparison to them. And I think people thought it was my desire to change country music. But that was never my issue."
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Image: The height of the singer's fame came in the 1970s and 80s
His background was a real rags-to-riches story, befitting of a country singer, having been brought up in public housing together with seven siblings.
Striking out on a solo career in 1974, his first big hit was with the sad country ballad Lucille, in 1977, which crossed over to the pop charts and earned Rogers his first Grammy.
The Gambler, which came out in 1978, became his signature song with the refrain: "You gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em."
The song spawned a hit TV movie of the same name and several more sequels featuring Rogers as professional gambler Brady Hawkes.
One of his biggest successes was Lady, written by Lionel Richie, which topped the charts for six weeks straight in 1980.
Image: The singer was also a successful businessman, owning a chain of restaurants called Kenny Rogers Roasters
While he often worked with female duet partners, his most memorable pairing was with Parton, who he toured with around the world.
They last performed together at his all-star retirement concert, held in Nashville in 2017.
Although by the 1990's his chart hits had faded, he still remained a popular live entertainer with regular touring.
As well as being a keen photographer that led to several books, he was also a successful businessman, owning a chain of restaurants called Kenny Rogers Roasters.
He had a brief chart comeback in 2000, with the hit Buy Me A Rose, which event earned him his first No 1 country song in 13 years.
Rogers' family is planning a private service "out of concern for the national COVID-19 emergency". A public memorial will be held at a later date.


skynewsus--2020-03-22--Nearly one in four Americans told to stay home

Nearly one in four Americans are under instructions to stay home , as a fifth US state imposes restrictions on residents .
The curbs are aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19 , the illness caused by the coronavirus which is sweeping the world .
A major disaster has also been declared in New York , freeing up access to billions of dollars in relief funding .
Already more than 300,000 people globally have been infected and almost 13,000 have died .
In the US the number of confirmed cases is more than 25,000 , with more than 300 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , New York , Illinois and Connecticut in telling residents to stay home , while many other states have urged people to avoid large gatherings .
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice warned residents to take the threat seriously , adding : `` It 's like we are all lost in a movie that we ca n't relate to in any way . ''
Some 84 million people in the US can now leave their homes only to visit grocery stores , pharmacies , petrol stations and other `` essential businesses '' .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimal in many cases .
In New York , governor Andrew Cuomo said businesses could be fined and forced to close , while Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot said police would `` admonish '' people .
The Trump administration is still struggling to get enough tests for the disease , masks to protect those trying to treat it , and medical equipment to help those suffering as a result of it .
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said : `` We 've gotten no help from the federal government , or limited help . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Mr Cuomo said New York needs 30,000 more ventilators , adding : `` We 're literally scouring the globe for medical supplies '' .
Some 6,000 cases have been diagnosed in New York City alone , including at least 38 in the city 's jails .
At least another 58 people in the prison system are being monitored .
Two members of the US House of Representatives have tested positive for the disease but Vice President Mike Pence and his wife have tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnosed as having the illness .
Meanwhile , US politicians are edging closer to approving $ 1trn ( £860bn ) economic stimulus aimed at supporting the world 's largest economy through the crisis .
Despite the pleas of airlines , however , they are likely to have to make do with loans , rather than grants .

Nearly one in four Americans are under instructions to stay home, as a fifth US state imposes restrictions on residents.
The curbs are aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus which is sweeping the world.
A major disaster has also been declared in New York, freeing up access to billions of dollars in relief funding.
Already more than 300,000 people globally have been infected and almost 13,000 have died. In the US the number of confirmed cases is more than 25,000, with more than 300 people dead.
New Jersey has joined California, New York, Illinois and Connecticut in telling residents to stay home, while many other states have urged people to avoid large gatherings.
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice warned residents to take the threat seriously, adding: "It's like we are all lost in a movie that we can't relate to in any way."
Some 84 million people in the US can now leave their homes only to visit grocery stores, pharmacies, petrol stations and other "essential businesses".
But the consequences of breaching the rules appear minimal in many cases.
Image: The normally busy streets of Chicago have gone quiet
In New York, governor Andrew Cuomo said businesses could be fined and forced to close, while Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot said police would "admonish" people.
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The Trump administration is still struggling to get enough tests for the disease, masks to protect those trying to treat it, and medical equipment to help those suffering as a result of it.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said: "We've gotten no help from the federal government, or limited help."
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
Mr Cuomo said New York needs 30,000 more ventilators, adding: "We're literally scouring the globe for medical supplies".
Some 6,000 cases have been diagnosed in New York City alone, including at least 38 in the city's jails. At least another 58 people in the prison system are being monitored.
Two members of the US House of Representatives have tested positive for the disease but Vice President Mike Pence and his wife have tested negative after one of his aides was diagnosed as having the illness.
Meanwhile, US politicians are edging closer to approving $1trn (£860bn) economic stimulus aimed at supporting the world's largest economy through the crisis.
Despite the pleas of airlines, however, they are likely to have to make do with loans, rather than grants.


skynewsus--2020-03-21--Trump congratulates Kim on managing coronavirus in North Korea

US President Donald Trump has written to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un offering help to fight the coronavirus pandemic .
Details of the letter came from the North Korean leadership , which welcomed it as a sign of `` the special and very firm personal relations '' between Mr Kim and Mr Trump .
The letter reportedly contained praise for Mr Kim 's efforts to defend his people from the disease , which has killed thousands of people around the world .
The secretive nation claims it has been spared from the outbreak that originated in neighbouring China , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be true .
Mr Trump `` expressed his intent to render cooperation in the anti-epidemic work , saying that he was impressed by the efforts made by the chairman to defend his people from the serious threat of the epidemic '' , according to North Korean state news agency KCNA .
It also said that , despite good personal relations between the leaders , `` if impartiality and balance are not provided and unilateral and greedy intention is not taken away , the bilateral relations will continue to aggravate '' .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A senior Trump administration official confirmed Mr Trump had sent the letter , adding that it was `` consistent with his efforts to engage global leaders during the ongoing ( COVID-19 ) pandemic '' .
The official added that Mr Trump was looking forward to continued communication with the North Korean dictator .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The two leaders have met at three summits , the most recent in June last year , but there has been little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up its nuclear weapons , one of the US 's main goals .
North Korea 's aim is to get the US to lift economic sanctions .
Meanwhile , it continues to conduct weapons tests , the latest being the launch of a series of missiles in the past few days .

US President Donald Trump has written to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un offering help to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Details of the letter came from the North Korean leadership, which welcomed it as a sign of "the special and very firm personal relations" between Mr Kim and Mr Trump.
The letter reportedly contained praise for Mr Kim's efforts to defend his people from the disease, which has killed thousands of people around the world.
The secretive nation claims it has been spared from the outbreak that originated in neighbouring China, but some observers have questioned whether that can be true.
Mr Trump "expressed his intent to render cooperation in the anti-epidemic work, saying that he was impressed by the efforts made by the chairman to defend his people from the serious threat of the epidemic", according to North Korean state news agency KCNA.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:59 Trump: 'Virus is invisible, horrible enemy'
It also said that, despite good personal relations between the leaders, "if impartiality and balance are not provided and unilateral and greedy intention is not taken away, the bilateral relations will continue to aggravate".
It is unclear when the letter was received.
A senior Trump administration official confirmed Mr Trump had sent the letter, adding that it was "consistent with his efforts to engage global leaders during the ongoing (COVID-19) pandemic".
The official added that Mr Trump was looking forward to continued communication with the North Korean dictator.
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:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
The two leaders have met at three summits, the most recent in June last year, but there has been little progress towards getting North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons, one of the US's main goals.
North Korea's aim is to get the US to lift economic sanctions.
Meanwhile, it continues to conduct weapons tests, the latest being the launch of a series of missiles in the past few days.


skynewsus--2020-03-22--New York State accounts for 5% of global coronavirus cases

Confirmed coronavirus cases in New York State have risen by nearly a third in one day to more than 15,700 , as authorities warn of widespread medical supply shortages .
New York governor Andrew Cuomo revealed the new statistics on Sunday , suggesting cases in the state now account for about 5 % of confirmed COVID-19 cases globally .
There have been 117 recorded deaths in the state due to coronavirus - and the state is one of several to have ordered residents to stay indoors .
Mr Cuomo said the government was `` literally scouring the globe looking for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 8,000 cases confirmed in New York City alone , causing mayor Bill de Blasio to echo calls to the federal government for help .
He urged US President Donald Trump to use the military to move ventilators and medical equipment to crisis areas .
`` It 's bad and only getting worse , '' Mr de Blasio told NBC , begging for Washington to step in .
Mr de Blasio accused the president of `` not lifting a finger '' to help his hometown .
`` If the president does n't act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lived otherwise , '' he said .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Negotiators from Congress and the White House resumed top-level talks on a ballooning $ 1trn-plus ( £864bn ) economic rescue package , as President Trump tries to save the nation from the rapidly spreading coronavirus pandemic .
Mr Trump appeared confident about the nation 's ability to defeat the pandemic soon , even as health leaders acknowledged the US was nowhere near the peak of the outbreak .
Nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths as the US overtook Spain as the country with the third-highest number of cases , according to Johns Hopkins University .
New Jersey and St Louis were added to a growing list of areas where residents were told not to go to work .
President Trump has defiantly pushed back against criticism he was slow to respond to the crisis , though he continues to send mixed messages as to what the federal government is doing .
In recent days , he invoked the Defense Protection Act , a rarely used , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the private sector , but on Sunday , officials said it had not actually been used to compel the private sector to manufacture supplies like masks and ventilators .

Confirmed coronavirus cases in New York State have risen by nearly a third in one day to more than 15,700, as authorities warn of widespread medical supply shortages.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo revealed the new statistics on Sunday, suggesting cases in the state now account for about 5% of confirmed COVID-19 cases globally.
There have been 117 recorded deaths due to coronavirus - and the state is one of several to have ordered residents to stay indoors.
Image: Andrew Cuomo has asked the federal government for urgent help
Mr Cuomo said the government was "literally scouring the globe looking for medical supplies".
There have been more than 8,000 cases confirmed in New York City alone, causing mayor Bill de Blasio to echo calls to the federal government for help.
He urged US President Donald Trump to use the military to move ventilators and medical equipment to crisis areas.
"It's bad and only getting worse," Mr de Blasio told NBC, begging for Washington to step in.
Mr de Blasio accused the president of "not lifting a finger" to help his hometown.
"If the president doesn't act, people will die who could have lived otherwise," he said.
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Negotiators from Congress and the White House resumed top-level talks on a ballooning $1trn-plus (£864bn) economic rescue package, as President Trump tries to save the nation from the rapidly spreading coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Trump appeared confident about the nation's ability to defeat the pandemic soon, even as health leaders acknowledged the US was nowhere near the peak of the outbreak.
Image: New York City is a COVID-19 hotspot
Nationwide, there were 32,717 cases and 409 deaths as the US overtook Spain as the country with the third-highest number of cases, according to Johns Hopkins University.
New Jersey and St Louis were added to a growing list of areas where residents were told not to go to work.
Image: President Trump has dismissed criticism he acted too slow in ramping up testing
President Trump has defiantly pushed back against criticism he was slow to respond to the crisis, though he continues to send mixed messages as to what the federal government is doing.
In recent days, he invoked the Defense Protection Act, a rarely used, decades-old measure that allows him to marshal the private sector.
But on Sunday, officials said it had not actually been used to compel the private sector to manufacture supplies like masks and ventilators.


skynewsus--2020-03-22--Convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein tests positive for coronavirus in prison

Convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein has tested positive for coronavirus , a US federal prison union official has said .
The former Hollywood producer has been placed in isolation at Wende Correctional Facility , a maximum security prison east of Buffalo , New York .
He was moved from New York City 's Rikers Island jail where he is serving a 23-year sentence .
The president of the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association , Michael Powers , said he learned that Weinstein 's test came back positive on Sunday morning .
Several prison staff have since been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyer for Weinstein , Imran Ansari , said his legal team had not been notified of the coronavirus diagnosis .
`` Given Mr Weinstein 's state of health , we are of course concerned , if this is the case , and we are vigilantly monitoring the situation , '' Mr Ansari said .
Weinstein , 68 , was convicted of sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006 and raping former aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013 following a landmark trial earlier this year .
Prosecutors said he had committed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His conviction was hailed as a victory for the # MeToo movement against sexual misconduct by powerful men .
More than 100 women , including famous actresses , have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct stretching back decades .
He has denied the allegations , saying any sex was consensual .
Once one of Hollywood 's most influential figures , Weinstein won an Academy Award for producing Shakespeare In Love and was responsible for other acclaimed films including Pulp Fiction , The English Patient and Gangs Of New York .

Convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein has tested positive for coronavirus, a US federal prison union official has said.
The former Hollywood producer has been placed in isolation at Wende Correctional Facility, a maximum security prison east of Buffalo, New York.
He was moved from New York City's Rikers Island jail where he is serving a 23-year sentence.
The president of the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, Michael Powers, said he learned that Weinstein's test came back positive on Sunday morning.
Several prison staff have since been quarantined, Mr Powers added.
Image: Weinstein looked frail as he attended court during his trial
A lawyer for Weinstein, Imran Ansari, said his legal team had not been notified of the coronavirus diagnosis.
"Given Mr Weinstein's state of health, we are of course concerned, if this is the case, and we are vigilantly monitoring the situation," Mr Ansari said.
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
Weinstein, 68, was convicted of sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006 and raping former aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013 following a landmark trial earlier this year.
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Prosecutors said he had committed a "lifetime of abuse towards others".
Image: Jessica Mann was raped by Harvey Weinstein in a hotel in 2013
His conviction was hailed as a victory for the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct by powerful men.
More than 100 women, including famous actresses, have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct stretching back decades.
He has denied the allegations, saying any sex was consensual.
Once one of Hollywood's most influential figures, Weinstein won an Academy Award for producing Shakespeare In Love and was responsible for other acclaimed films including Pulp Fiction, The English Patient and Gangs Of New York.


skynewsus--2020-03-23--Tom Hanks and wife 'feeling better' after COVID-19 diagnosis

Tom Hanks says he and his wife Rita Wilson are `` feeling better '' after being treated for coronavirus .
The much-loved Hollywood actor confirmed that he and Wilson , both 63 , had tested positive for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , several weeks ago .
Hanks wrote on Twitter : `` Hey , folks .
Two weeks after our first symptoms and we feel better . ''
Both are now in self-quarantine at their home in Australia after receiving treatment at the Gold Coast University Hospital .
As well as sharing an update on their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some advice for those in self-isolation .
He wrote : `` Sheltering in place works like this : You do n't give it to anyone -You do n't get it from anyone .
Common sense , no ?
Going to take awhile , but if we take care of each other , help where we can , and give up some comforts ... this , too , shall pass .
We can figure this out .
Hanx '' : : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work on Baz Luhrmann 's Elvis Presley biopic , but filming was shut down after he and his wife were diagnosed .
Rita Wilson has also been keeping fans updated on their recovery , sharing a video of her rapping along to Hip Hop Hooray by Naughty by Nature over the weekend .
In the video , she can be seen reading the classic sci-fi novel Ender 's Game , in which mankind are facing annihilation in a futuristic world .
Actor Kevin Bacon , who starred alongside Hanks in Apollo 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for being so open about their diagnosis .
Bacon said speaking about it so early on `` really shows a lot of courage '' and called their action `` very generous and humane '' .
Meanwhile , Bond girl Olga Kurylenko has said she 's `` completely recovered '' from coronavirus after she revealed she had tested positive for COVID-19 last week .
The Quantum Of Solace star shared the health update on Instagram on Mother 's Day along with a photo of her sitting by the fire with her four-year-old son Alexander @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day !
P.S .
I have completely recovered '' .
She went on to describe her symptoms over the period of her isolation : `` To recapitulate : For one week I felt pretty bad and was mostly in bed , sleeping , with high fever and strong headache .
`` Second week , the fever was gone but some light cough appeared , and I felt very tired .
By the end of the second week I felt totally fine .
Cough is almost gone although I still cough in the mornings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day !
I 'm fine !
`` And now I 'm just enjoying this time to reflect on many things and spend my time with my son . ''
Other stars who have tested positive for coronavirus include Idris Elba , Fiona Phillips and disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein .

Tom Hanks says he and his wife Rita Wilson are "feeling better" after being treated for coronavirus.
The much-loved Hollywood actor confirmed that he and Wilson, both 63, had tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, several weeks ago.
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Hanks wrote on Twitter: "Hey, folks. Two weeks after our first symptoms and we feel better."
Both are now in self-quarantine at their home in Australia after receiving treatment at the Gold Coast University Hospital.
As well as sharing an update on their recovery, the two-time Oscar-winner also offered some advice for those in self-isolation.
He wrote: "Sheltering in place works like this: You don't give it to anyone -You don't get it from anyone. Common sense, no? Going to take awhile, but if we take care of each other, help where we can, and give up some comforts...this, too, shall pass. We can figure this out. Hanx"
:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Hanks had been in Australia to work on Baz Luhrmann's Elvis Presley biopic, but filming was shut down after he and his wife were diagnosed.
Rita Wilson has also been keeping fans updated on their recovery, sharing a video of her rapping along to Hip Hop Hooray by Naughty by Nature over the weekend.
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In the video, she can be seen reading the classic sci-fi novel Ender's Game, in which mankind are facing annihilation in a futuristic world.
Wilson captured her video: "Quarantine stir crazy".
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Actor Kevin Bacon, who starred alongside Hanks in Apollo 13, has praised both Tom and Rita for being so open about their diagnosis.
Bacon said speaking about it so early on "really shows a lot of courage" and called their action "very generous and humane".
Meanwhile, Bond girl Olga Kurylenko has said she's "completely recovered" from coronavirus after she revealed she had tested positive for COVID-19 last week.
The Quantum Of Solace star shared the health update on Instagram on Mother's Day along with a photo of her sitting by the fire with her four-year-old son Alexander, writing: "Happy Mother's Day! P.S. I have completely recovered".
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She went on to describe her symptoms over the period of her isolation: "To recapitulate: For one week I felt pretty bad and was mostly in bed, sleeping, with high fever and strong headache.
"Second week, the fever was gone but some light cough appeared, and I felt very tired. By the end of the second week I felt totally fine. Cough is almost gone although I still cough in the mornings but then it completely goes away for the day! I'm fine!
"And now I'm just enjoying this time to reflect on many things and spend my time with my son."
Other stars who have tested positive for coronavirus include Idris Elba, Fiona Phillips and disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein.