Opening event

VATICAN CITY - Infectious disease experts are expressing concern about Pope Francis’ upcoming trip to Iraq, given a sharp rise in coronavirus infections there, a fragile health care system and the unavoidable likelihood that Iraqis will crowd to see him. No one wants to tell Francis to call it off, and the Iraqi government has every interest in showing off its relative stability by welcoming the first pope to the birthplace of Abraham. The March 5-8 trip is expected to provide a sorely-needed spiritual boost to Iraq’s beleaguered Christians while furthering the Vatican’s bridge-building efforts with the Muslim world. But from a purely epidemiological standpoint, as well as the public health message it sends, a papal trip to Iraq amid a global pandemic is not advisable, health experts say. Their concerns were reinforced with the news Sunday that the Vatican ambassador to Iraq, the main point person for the trip who would have escorted Francis to all his appointments, tested … [Read more...] about ‘Not a Good Idea:’ Experts Concerned about Pope Trip to Iraq

NEW YORK (AP) — When drained of glamour, what’s left of the Golden Globes? That’s one of the biggest questions heading into the 78th annual awards on Sunday night. The show, postponed two months from its usual early-January perch, will have little of what makes the Globes one of the frothiest and glitziest events of the year. Due to the pandemic, there will be no parade of stars down the red carpet outside the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. Its hosts, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, will be on different sides of the country . Watch below: More than any award show, the Globes revel in being an intimate banquet of stars. When the show begins at 8 p.m. EST on NBC, with Poehler in Beverly Hills and Fey in New York’s Rainbow Room, the circumstances will test the Globes telecast like never before. Presenters will include Awkwafina, Joaquin Phoenix, Kristen Wiig, Tiffany Haddish, Margot Robbie and Angela Bassett. At least some of them will be present at one of the … [Read more...] about AP: Golden Globes, Drained of Glamour, Kicks Off Amid Race Controversy

Ditcheat, Somerset, England (CNN) Imagine galloping 4.3 miles in a group of 40 horses, jumping 30 fences the size of small cars. Welcome to the Grand National, the most grueling and spectacular steeplechase in the world. The 172nd edition of the race, staged on April 6 at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England, offers a record prize money pot of £1 million ($1.3 million). The three-day Grand National festival will be watched by 150,000 spectators on the course and a global television audience of over 600 million. The most valuable jump race in Europe "is a bit like Wimbledon," Clifford Baker, head lad at Manor Farm Stables, the highly successful yard of trainer Paul Nicholls in Ditcheat, England, told CNN Sport. "It's fantastic, there are so many countries watching it, and it is such a special race," said Baker of the ultimate test for both rider and horse. "It is the most famous race in the calendar, and the hardest to win." Read More Becher's … [Read more...] about Why the Grand National is the ‘Wimbledon’ of hunt racing

After years of seeing a handful of drivers — the same guys, really — dominate NASCAR’s top level nearly every week, the Cup Series is experiencing a little parity to start the season. It’s a welcome sight for some. Others hope it’s a fleeting moment. READ MORE: Hard Rock Hotels® Announces Development Plans For REVERB By Hard Rock™ Kalamazoo HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 28: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, celebrates with crew after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on February 28, 2021 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) William Byron was the third surprise winner through three races this season with his victory Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Byron joined Michael McDowell and Christopher Bell as unlikely winners to start this season. Byron controlled most of the final two stages at Homestead to win for the second time in 111 Cup starts. His first one came at Daytona last August … [Read more...] about NASCAR Has Another Surprise Winner At Homestead

By: KDKA-TV News Staff PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The Pittsburgh Penguins and Pirates say they will both be welcoming fans back into PPG Paints Arena and PNC Park following Gov. Tom Wolf’s announcement on revised capacity limits in public venues. READ MORE: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: Gov. Tom Wolf Eases Gathering Limits, Lifts Travel Restrictions The Penguins says they will be allowing fans back into PPG Paints Arena at 15% capacity, following the release of the governor’s new guidelines today. Fans will be allowed in as soon as Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers, the organization says. However, only season ticket holders will be allowed in for now. They say, “The Penguins would like to thank season ticket holders for their loyalty to the team during the pandemic. The Penguins will make tickets available to Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers on a priority basis to season ticket holders only.” The Penguins received approval today from Governor Tom Wolf … [Read more...] about Penguins To Allow Fans Back Into PPG Paints Arena Following Governor’s Easing Of Gathering Limits