Three things for March 5
1. Italy closes schools, stadiums amid coronavirus outbreak
Italian officials announced schools nationwide will close for ten days beginning today as a preventative measure to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The announcement comes after similar announcements from China, Hong Kong, Iraq, Japan and the United Arab Emirates in the wake of the spread of the virus.
Over 3,000 people in Italy have contracted the virus, 107 of which have died from the disease.
Italian officials also announced all sporting events will be held in empty stadiums for the next month, as an added precaution to avoid spreading the virus further.
2. US launches first airstrike on Taliban since signing peace deal
Last Saturday, the U.S. and the Taliban signed a peace deal, calling for the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops in Afghanistan over the next 14 months. The deal rests on the condition that the Taliban follows through on its promises outlined in the treaty.
On Wednesday, the U.S. military launched an airstrike at Taliban forces in retaliation for an attack on Afghan fighters. This was the first airstrike launched by the U.S. at Taliban forces in 11 days.
U.S. military spokesman Col. Sonny Leggett stated the Taliban launched 43 attacks on Afghan forces on Tuesday, moving the U.S. military to defend their Afghan allies in this latest airstrike.
3. ‘Judge Judy’ to end after 25-year run
Judge Judy Sheindlin revealed on Monday’s episode of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” her reality court show will air its 25th and final season in 2021.
The four-time Daytime Emmy Award winning series debuted in 1996, and will be succeeded by a new series titled “Judy Justice,” the details of which have yet to be released.
Sheindlin is the longest-serving judge of a courtroom-themed show and is one of the highest-paid television stars, earning $47 million per year.
