upi--2020-04-15--House bill would pay $2,000 per month per person until economy improves

April 15 ( UPI ) -- Two House Democrats introduced a bill calling for payments of $ 2,000 per month to Americans until unemployment falls to pre-pandemic levels .
Legislation sponsored by Rep. Ro Khanna , D-Calif. , and Rep. Tim Ryan , D-Ohio , would make Americans older than 16 and making less than $ 130,000 per year eligible for payments for at least six months .
It also offers $ 500 per child per month to qualifying families .
The bill , introduced Tuesday , has 17 other co-sponsors .
Called the `` Emergency Money for the People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of one-time checks of up to $ 1,200 sent to people through the $ 2 trillion CARES Act , passed in March .
It also ensures that college students and adults with disabilities can receive payments even if claimed by parents or others as dependents , a feature not found in the CARES Act .
More than 6.6 million people filed for unemployment benefits in a week , the Labor Department said on April 9 , as 43 states issued stay-at-home orders because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
The figures came atop nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two weeks of March .
`` A one-time , $ 1,200 check is n't going to cut it , '' Khanna said .
`` Americans need sustained cash infusions for the duration of this crisis in order to come out on the other side alive , healthy , and ready to get back to work .
Members on both sides of the aisle are finally coming together around the idea of sending money out to people .
Rep. Ryan and I are urging leadership to include this bill in the fourth COVID relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ class . ''
The bill specifies that money would be transferred through checks , direct deposit or mobile apps .
`` The economic impact of this virus is unprecedented for our country .
As millions of Americans file for unemployment week over week , we have to work quickly to patch the dam -- and that means putting cash in the hands of hard-working families , '' Ryan said on his website .
`` Many Ohioans are just receiving , or about to receive , the first cash payment we passed in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Congress to get to work on the next step to provide relief for those who have been hardest hit in this pandemic . ''

Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, pictured, and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., introduced legislation Tuesday to provide $2,000 per person over 16 until the economy improves. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI. | License Photo
April 15 (UPI) -- Two House Democrats introduced a bill calling for payments of $2,000 per month to Americans until unemployment falls to pre-pandemic levels. Legislation sponsored by Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, would make Americans older than 16 and making less than $130,000 per year eligible for payments for at least six months. It also offers $500 per child per month to qualifying families. Advertisement
The bill, introduced Tuesday, has 17 other co-sponsors. Called the "Emergency Money for the People Act," it is an expansion of one-time checks of up to $1,200 sent to people through the $2 trillion CARES Act, passed in March.
It also ensures that college students and adults with disabilities can receive payments even if claimed by parents or others as dependents, a feature not found in the CARES Act.
More than 6.6 million people filed for unemployment benefits in a week, the Labor Department said on April 9, as 43 states issued stay-at-home orders because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The figures came atop nearly 10 million unemployment claims in the final two weeks of March.
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"A one-time, $1,200 check isn't going to cut it," Khanna said. "Americans need sustained cash infusions for the duration of this crisis in order to come out on the other side alive, healthy, and ready to get back to work. Members on both sides of the aisle are finally coming together around the idea of sending money out to people. Rep. Ryan and I are urging leadership to include this bill in the fourth COVID relief package to truly support the American working class."
The bill specifies that money would be transferred through checks, direct deposit or mobile apps.
"The economic impact of this virus is unprecedented for our country. As millions of Americans file for unemployment week over week, we have to work quickly to patch the dam -- and that means putting cash in the hands of hard-working families," Ryan said on his website. "Many Ohioans are just receiving, or about to receive, the first cash payment we passed in the CARES Act. Now it's time for Congress to get to work on the next step to provide relief for those who have been hardest hit in this pandemic."


upi--2020-04-15--Watch: Goat with two faces born at Wisconsin farm

April 15 ( UPI ) -- A Wisconsin farm is celebrating the birth of a highly unusual animal : a goat with two faces .
Jocelyn Nueske of Nueske Farms in Wittenberg said the baby was born April 5 and was dubbed Janus , after the two-headed Roman god .
Nueske said Janus appears to be healthy , despite his side-by-side twin mouths and four eyes .
`` They were n't sure if the middle eyes worked .
But they were positive about the outside eyes working , '' Neuske told WLUK-TV of the veterinarians who examined Janus .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just have to help him .
We try to help him as much as we can , and give him a break when he gets tired , '' she said .
She said Janus has been a big hit with visitors to the farm 's Facebook page .
Nueske , who has operated her goat farm for six years , said she did n't even know it was possible for a goat to be born with two faces .
`` I 've heard of two-headed cows , and lizards , but not a @ @ @ @ @ @

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April 15 (UPI) -- A Wisconsin farm is celebrating the birth of a highly unusual animal: a goat with two faces.
Jocelyn Nueske of Nueske Farms in Wittenberg said the baby was born April 5 and was dubbed Janus, after the two-headed Roman god.
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Nueske said Janus appears to be healthy, despite his side-by-side twin mouths and four eyes.
"They weren't sure if the middle eyes worked. But they were positive about the outside eyes working," Neuske told WLUK-TV of the veterinarians who examined Janus.
"He's a normal goat. We just have to help him. We try to help him as much as we can, and give him a break when he gets tired," she said.
She said Janus has been a big hit with visitors to the farm's Facebook page.
Nueske, who has operated her goat farm for six years, said she didn't even know it was possible for a goat to be born with two faces.
"I've heard of two-headed cows, and lizards, but not a goat," Nueske said.


upi--2020-04-15--IRS rolls out 'Get My Payment' page to check status of stimulus checks

The new IRS web page allows Americans to track their payments by submitting tax return information. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
April 15 (UPI) -- The Internal Revenue Service rolled out a new tool Wednesday that allows Americans to check the status of their stimulus payments, and tens of millions are expected to have their money by the end of the day. The agency launched the "Get My Payment" web page, where Americans can track their payments by entering tax return information for either 2018 or 2019. Advertisement
The U.S. Treasury began depositing the payments electronically Friday. The first recipients are eligible U.S. taxpayers who filed a tax return for either of the last two years. For those, the payments will automatically appear in their bank accounts for the next few weeks.
Multiple banks reported Wednesday afternoon that they were experiencing service delays as customers checked their bank accounts online in unusual volumes. Others called banks to check on the status of their stimulus deposits.
Fifth Third Bank said it had "intermittent and temporary issues" with some applications and phone lines. BB&T also said it had problems with mobile banking and its customer service phone line. Alliant Credit Union, CEFCU and Pinnacle Bank Wyoming also reported mobile banking delays.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said 80 million Americans should have received their money by the end of Wednesday, and a "large majority" will receive theirs over the next two weeks.
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Mailed paper checks, which take longer to deliver, will start going out "before the end of April," Mnuchin said.
The stimulus payments, part of the $2.2 trillion CARES Act enacted last month, will amount to $1,200 per adult for those whose income is less than $75,000. The amount gradually decreases for Americans who make between $75,000 and $99,000. Those who earn more will not receive stimulus funds. The Treasury will also pay $500 per child under 17 years old.
Those who receive physical checks might notice something unprecedented. The Washington Post reported Tuesday that the Treasury ordered the checks to display President Donald Trump's name on the "memo" line. CNN reported that it was a last-minute addition by the Treasury.
Trump would be the first president to have his name appear on an IRS check.
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-04-15--Look: Wet wipes clog all four pumps at Florida wastewater facility

April 15 ( UPI ) -- Utility officials in a Florida county are reminding residents not to flush wet wipes @ @ @ @ @ four of the wastewater facility 's pumps clogged at the same time .
The Palm @ @ @ @ @ said in a Facebook post that all four pumps at the organization 's wastewater pumping @ @ @ @ @ up clogged at the same time `` for the first time ever . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ increased use of wet wipes .
`` It took a team of three utility mechanics @ @ @ @ @ pumps in order to remove the compacted wipes , '' the post said .
The @ @ @ @ @ themselves `` low on toilet paper '' amid shortages from the COVID-19 pandemic should remember @ @ @ @ @ including those labeled `` flushable , '' should be thrown in the trash and not @ @ @ @ @ .

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April 15 (UPI) -- Utility officials in a Florida county are reminding residents not to flush wet wipes down the toilet after all four of the wastewater facility's pumps clogged at the same time.
The Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department said in a Facebook post that all four pumps at the organization's wastewater pumping facility in Boca Raton ended up clogged at the same time "for the first time ever."
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The post blamed the clogs on increased use of wet wipes.
"It took a team of three utility mechanics to dissemble and reassemble the pumps in order to remove the compacted wipes," the post said.
The department said residents who find themselves "low on toilet paper" amid shortages from the COVID-19 pandemic should remember that all wet wipes, including those labeled "flushable," should be thrown in the trash and not disposed of in the toilet.


upi--2020-04-15--Proposed abortion ban challenged by lawmakers, activists in Poland

April 15 ( UPI ) -- Polish lawmakers debated a controversial proposal on Wednesday to ban nearly all abortions and criminalize those who teach sex to teenagers .
Poland already has some of the toughest abortion laws in Europe , allowing the procedure only in cases of rape or incest if the mother 's life is at risk or the fetus is seriously compromised .
Aborting compromised fetuses , which account for 98 percent of legal abortions in Poland , would be prohibited by law under the new proposal .
The other legislation calls for those who teach sex to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the proposal say it 's tantamount to banning sex education in schools .
The proposals , introduced by Poland 's ruling Law and Justice Party , would put the nation at odds with the European Union , but could energize more conservative voters to support ally and incumbent President Andrzej Duda .
`` This is a gesture to the right-wing of the political spectrum , '' said Anna Materska-Sosnowska , a political scientist at Warsaw University .
`` This agenda might divide the opposition and divert attention from the most important topics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Some have questioned the timing of the proposals , as they were introduced just weeks before the May 10 presidential election .
Due to restrictions brought on by the coronavirus outbreak , activists against the abortion ban have taken their opposition online .
An online petition against both proposals has attracted more than 700,000 signatures .
Thousands of other demonstrators , however , ignored coronavirus restrictions and rallied in the streets of Warsaw Tuesday .

April 15 (UPI) -- Polish lawmakers debated a controversial proposal on Wednesday to ban nearly all abortions and criminalize those who teach sex to teenagers.
Poland already has some of the toughest abortion laws in Europe, allowing the procedure only in cases of rape or incest if the mother's life is at risk or the fetus is seriously compromised.
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Aborting compromised fetuses, which account for 98 percent of legal abortions in Poland, would be prohibited by law under the new proposal.
The other legislation calls for those who teach sex to teens to be prosecuted. Critics of the proposal say it's tantamount to banning sex education in schools.
The proposals, introduced by Poland's ruling Law and Justice Party, would put the nation at odds with the European Union, but could energize more conservative voters to support ally and incumbent President Andrzej Duda.
"This is a gesture to the right-wing of the political spectrum," said Anna Materska-Sosnowska, a political scientist at Warsaw University. "This agenda might divide the opposition and divert attention from the most important topics, which are health and economic issues."
Some have questioned the timing of the proposals, as they were introduced just weeks before the May 10 presidential election.
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Due to restrictions brought on by the coronavirus outbreak, activists against the abortion ban have taken their opposition online. An online petition against both proposals has attracted more than 700,000 signatures.
Thousands of other demonstrators, however, ignored coronavirus restrictions and rallied in the streets of Warsaw Tuesday.


upi--2020-04-16--General Motors, Ventec ready to send first shipment of ventilators to FEMA

April 16 ( UPI ) -- General Motors and medical technology firm Ventec said Thursday they are ready to deliver their first shipment of ventilators that were ordered by the federal government to address shortages at U.S. hospitals .
GM CEO Mary Barra and Ventec CEO Chris Kiple said in a joint statement the companies produced 600 ventilators at the automaker 's Kokomo , Ind.
, plant and they will be delivered to the Federal Emergency Management Agency within days .
`` Thousands of men and women at GM , Ventec , our suppliers and the Kokomo community have rallied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professionals on the front lines of this pandemic , '' Barra said .
`` Everyone wants to help turn the tide and save lives .
It is inspiring and humbling to see the passion and commitment people have put into this work . ''
`` Until there is a vaccine , critical care ventilators give medical professionals the tools they need to fight this pandemic and save lives , '' Kiple added .
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services last week awarded GM a $ 490 million contract under the Defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical care ventilators .
The companies announced the joint effort on March 27 .
A week ago , President Donald Trump expanded the DPA to help manufacturers obtain necessary parts to build the ventilators .
GM and Ventec said almost half the order , nearly 15,000 , will be filled by the end of June and the entire order will be completed by the end of August .
The automaker said it has capacity to build more ventilators after August , if needed .

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Workers build the first production ventilators at the General Motors manufacturing facility in Kokomo, Ind., on Tuesday. Photo courtesy General Motors/UPI
April 16 (UPI) -- General Motors and medical technology firm Ventec said Thursday they are ready to deliver their first shipment of ventilators that were ordered by the federal government to address shortages at U.S. hospitals. GM CEO Mary Barra and Ventec CEO Chris Kiple said in a joint statement the companies produced 600 ventilators at the automaker's Kokomo, Ind., plant and they will be delivered to the Federal Emergency Management Agency within days. Advertisement
"Thousands of men and women at GM, Ventec, our suppliers and the Kokomo community have rallied to support their neighbors and the medical professionals on the front lines of this pandemic," Barra said. "Everyone wants to help turn the tide and save lives. It is inspiring and humbling to see the passion and commitment people have put into this work."
"Until there is a vaccine, critical care ventilators give medical professionals the tools they need to fight this pandemic and save lives," Kiple added.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services last week awarded GM a $490 million contract under the Defense Production Act to build 30,000 Ventec V+Pro critical care ventilators. The companies announced the joint effort on March 27.
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A week ago, President Donald Trump expanded the DPA to help manufacturers obtain necessary parts to build the ventilators.
GM and Ventec said almost half the order, nearly 15,000, will be filled by the end of June and the entire order will be completed by the end of August. The automaker said it has capacity to build more ventilators after August, if needed.
COVID-19 pandemic alters life in New York City


upi--2020-04-16--AEW Dynamite: Jon Moxley defends AEW World Championship against Jake Hager

April 16 ( UPI ) -- AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defended his title against Jake Hager in an Empty Arena , No Holds Barred match on Dynamite .
Moxley and Hager were given the entire arena to themselves during the violent main event on Wednesday .
Hager did not receive any help from his Inner Circle crew .
Hager and Moxley started the contest with some mat wrestling , giving the bout an MMA feel .
The grapplers soon left the ring and battled each other through the empty stands .
Moxley applied the Figure-Four leg lock to Hager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guardrail .
Hager , back in the ring , placed Moxley into the Ankle Lock but the champ was able to escape .
Moxley , after more brawling , threw a steel chair into Hager 's face .
Moxley then planted Hager with the Paradigm Shift onto the steel chair to get the three count and retain the AEW World Championship .
This was Hager 's first lost in AEW .
`` AEW is the hottest promotion in the world and I am on top , '' Moxley said to the camera after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lance Archer took on Colt Cabana in the second match of the TNT Championship Tournament .
Cabana , despite Archer 's superior size and strength put up a good fight against The Murderhawk Monster .
Archer appeared to be enjoying the strikes Cabana was landing on him and smiled .
Archer ended things by nailing Cabana with The Blackout to earn the victory .
Archer now advances to the semi-finals of the tournament .
The tournament will end with a final match at AEW 's Double or Nothing pay-per-view event which is scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The TNT Championship will be the fourth title in AEW next to the AEW World Championship , AEW Women 's World Championship and the AEW World Tag Team Championships .
Chris Jericho and his Inner Circle starred in a comedic segment that poked fun at The Elite titled The Bubbly Bunch which paid tribute to The Brady Brunch .
Jericho was joined by Hager , Sammy Guevara , Santana and Ortiz .
Each member was talking to each other from their own home .
Jericho ended the call to speak with his assistant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toilet paper at the store .
Other moments from Dynamite included Dr. Britt Baker defeating Cassandra Golden ; Guevara defeating Suge D ; Kip Sabian defeating Chuck Taylor of Best Friends with help from his fiancee Penelope Ford ; and Shawn Spears defeating Justin Law .

April 16 (UPI) -- AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defended his title against Jake Hager in an Empty Arena, No Holds Barred match on Dynamite.
Moxley and Hager were given the entire arena to themselves during the violent main event on Wednesday. Hager did not receive any help from his Inner Circle crew.
Advertisement
Hager and Moxley started the contest with some mat wrestling, giving the bout an MMA feel. The grapplers soon left the ring and battled each other through the empty stands. Moxley applied the Figure-Four leg lock to Hager as his legs were wrapped around a guardrail.
Hager, back in the ring, placed Moxley into the Ankle Lock but the champ was able to escape. Moxley, after more brawling, threw a steel chair into Hager's face.
Moxley then planted Hager with the Paradigm Shift onto the steel chair to get the three count and retain the AEW World Championship. This was Hager's first loss in AEW.
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"AEW is the hottest promotion in the world and I am on top," Moxley said to the camera after the match.
Also on Dynamite, Lance Archer took on Colt Cabana in the second match of the TNT Championship Tournament.
Cabana, despite Archer's superior size and strength put up a good fight against The Murderhawk Monster. Archer appeared to be enjoying the strikes Cabana was landing on him and smiled.
Archer ended things by nailing Cabana with The Blackout to earn the victory. Archer now advances to the semi-finals of the tournament.
The tournament will end with a final match at AEW's Double or Nothing pay-per-view event which is scheduled to take place on May 23. The TNT Championship will be the fourth title in AEW next to the AEW World Championship, AEW Women's World Championship and the AEW World Tag Team Championships.
Chris Jericho and his Inner Circle starred in a comedic segment that poked fun at The Elite titled The Bubbly Bunch which paid tribute to The Brady Brunch.
Advertisement
Jericho was joined by Hager, Sammy Guevara, Santana and Ortiz. Each member was talking to each other from their own home. Jericho ended the call to speak with his assistant and pleaded with them to find some toilet paper at the store.
Other moments from Dynamite included Dr. Britt Baker defeating Cassandra Golden; Guevara defeating Suge D; Kip Sabian defeating Chuck Taylor of Best Friends with help from his fiancee Penelope Ford; and Shawn Spears defeating Justin Law.


upi--2020-04-16--What not to do: Wisconsin provides a case study in election resilience

April 16 ( UPI ) -- Last week 's election in Wisconsin was a total failure of leadership .
No one should ever be forced to choose between going to the polls and risking coronavirus infection , or staying home and forgoing the basic right to vote .
Yet despite the clear threat to public health and to our democracy , about 300,000 Wisconsinites confronted that very choice and decided to get out and vote .
The full extent of the damage , both to human health and voter participation , may never be known .
What is abundantly clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foresight and planning , this could have been avoided .
Elected officials in Wisconsin and across the country should act now to avoid repeating the same mistakes .
States have a constitutional obligation to provide all voters the opportunity to participate in elections safely .
But for too many Wisconsinites , the long lines and packed polling places , as well as the confusing and ( up until the eve of election day ) constantly changing absentee voting policy , casting a vote under the life-threatening cloud of a deadly disease seemed too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The COVID-19 outbreak has exposed a gaping hole in our election systems .
Very few states have established voting procedures to withstand the public health emergency that a pandemic presents .
Over the past weeks , we 've seen states scramble to come up with ways to safely run elections .
Some states , including Maryland , were successful .
Republican Gov .
Larry Hogan decided weeks ago to turn his state 's April 28 special congressional election in Baltimore into a vote-by-mail contest , and to postpone the state 's spring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe , secure elections ca n't happen overnight .
It takes time -- as well as money and infrastructure -- to print ballots , mail them to voters , staff polling places and implement systems for tracking and counting votes .
With that in mind , every state has an opportunity and obligation to learn from the debacle in Wisconsin and start work now to quickly establish plans for resilient elections come November .
Fundamentally , each plan should ensure that every voter is able to access and cast their ballot safely , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More specifically , states must untether themselves from the traditional voting model -- the idea that everyone votes on one day at one place .
We need to create more space , both literally and figuratively , for people to engage in the election process .
One of the best ways to do that is to expand access to voting by mail , up to and including having the emergency option to mail every eligible voter a ballot directly .
Vote by mail is n't perfect ; there is real value in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , the advantages and necessity of emergency universal vote by mail are clear .
If by November , allowing thousands of people to congregate at the polls still presents a public health risk , states need to have the ability to directly mail all registered voters an absentee ballot .
This would allow them to make their voices heard from the comfort and safety of their own homes .
In addition to expanding voting by mail , states should expand access to voter registration , adjust deadlines and make plans to accommodate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't work .
Building out all of these systems will require additional infrastructure and a robust public education effort .
The smart thing to do is to plan for a Nov. 3 when COVID-19 is continuing to make crowding in public places unsafe .
That planning needs to start today .
Seven months from now , there will be no excuse for elected officials caught unprepared .
Joe Ready is the democracy program director at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group , the network of state organizations that use research , grass-roots organizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest .
This article originally appeared at The Fulcrum .

1/2
Voters wait in line to cast their ballots in the Wisconsin presidential primary election at Marshall High School in Milwaukee on April 7. Photo by Tannen Maury/EPA-EFE
April 16 (UPI) -- Last week's election in Wisconsin was a total failure of leadership. No one should ever be forced to choose between going to the polls and risking coronavirus infection, or staying home and forgoing the basic right to vote. Yet despite the clear threat to public health and to our democracy, about 300,000 Wisconsinites confronted that very choice and decided to get out and vote. The full extent of the damage, both to human health and voter participation, may never be known. Advertisement
What is abundantly clear though is that with a bit of foresight and planning, this could have been avoided. Elected officials in Wisconsin and across the country should act now to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
States have a constitutional obligation to provide all voters the opportunity to participate in elections safely. But for too many Wisconsinites, the long lines and packed polling places, as well as the confusing and (up until the eve of election day) constantly changing absentee voting policy, casting a vote under the life-threatening cloud of a deadly disease seemed too dangerous. That can't happen again.
Advertisement
The COVID-19 outbreak has exposed a gaping hole in our election systems. Very few states have established voting procedures to withstand the public health emergency that a pandemic presents.
Over the past weeks, we've seen states scramble to come up with ways to safely run elections. Some states, including Maryland, were successful. Republican Gov. Larry Hogan decided weeks ago to turn his state's April 28 special congressional election in Baltimore into a vote-by-mail contest, and to postpone the state's spring primary to June.
Of course, safe, secure elections can't happen overnight. It takes time -- as well as money and infrastructure -- to print ballots, mail them to voters, staff polling places and implement systems for tracking and counting votes. With that in mind, every state has an opportunity and obligation to learn from the debacle in Wisconsin and start work now to quickly establish plans for resilient elections come November.
Fundamentally, each plan should ensure that every voter is able to access and cast their ballot safely, even if the novel coronavirus persists. More specifically, states must untether themselves from the traditional voting model -- the idea that everyone votes on one day at one place.
Advertisement
We need to create more space, both literally and figuratively, for people to engage in the election process. One of the best ways to do that is to expand access to voting by mail, up to and including having the emergency option to mail every eligible voter a ballot directly.
Vote by mail isn't perfect; there is real value in a private voting booth. But
during a pandemic, the advantages and necessity of emergency universal vote by mail are clear. If by November, allowing thousands of people to congregate at the polls still presents a public health risk, states need to have the ability to directly mail all registered voters an absentee ballot. This would allow them to make their voices heard from the comfort and safety of their own homes.
In addition to expanding voting by mail, states should expand access to voter registration, adjust deadlines and make plans to accommodate voters for whom voting by mail doesn't work. Building out all of these systems will require additional infrastructure and a robust public education effort.
The smart thing to do is to plan for a Nov. 3 when COVID-19 is continuing to make crowding in public places unsafe. That planning needs to start today. Seven months from now, there will be no excuse for elected officials caught unprepared.
Advertisement
Joe Ready is the democracy program director at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, the network of state organizations that use research, grass-roots organizing and direct advocacy to advance the public interest. This article originally appeared at The Fulcrum.
Social distancing, sanitizer mark South Korean elections


upi--2020-04-16--Israeli President Reuven Rivlin gives Knesset gov't mandate, bypasses PM Benjamin Netanyahu

April 16 ( UPI ) -- Israeli President Reuven Rivlin handed over charge of putting together a unity government to the Knesset on Thursday , allowing it three weeks to prevent a fourth election .
The president made the move after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's Likud Party and Benny Gantz 's Blue and White Party failed to find enough support to form a ruling coalition .
Talks between the two seesawed from optimism to accusation in the weeks since the third election on March 2 , when neither party won enough support to form a majority government .
Rivlin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago and denied his request this week for an extension .
He 'd told Netanyahu this week he would not be given the mandate .
`` We are in a third consecutive election campaign this year , without any elected official able to form a government that would have the confidence of the Knesset , '' Rivlin said .
`` As president , it is my duty according to basic law : The government to act in a way that a government will be formed in Israel , as soon as possible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used my authority . ''
The Knesset now will have 21 days to form a government .
If it fails , the body would be disbanded and a fourth national election will be set .
The first and second elections , in April and September last year , failed to produce a coalition government .
Netanyahu and Gantz reported some progress this week toward forming a coalition , but the primary sticking point seemed to be the selection of the judiciary .
Likud had sought ways to protect Netanyahu , who is under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Under Israeli law , deputy prime ministers and other cabinet members must resign if they 're under indictment .
Likud sought changes to prevent Netanyahu to be affected by that rule , but Blue and White negotiators refused .
Blue and White members accused the Likud Party of trying to win immunity for Netanyahu .

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin makes a statement after casting his ballot in the parliamentary election on March 2, at a polling station in Jerusalem, Israel. File Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo
April 16 (UPI) -- Israeli President Reuven Rivlin handed over charge of putting together a unity government to the Knesset on Thursday, allowing it three weeks to prevent a fourth election. The president made the move after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party and Benny Gantz's Blue and White Party failed to find enough support to form a ruling coalition. Advertisement
Talks between the two seesawed from optimism to accusation in the weeks since the third election on March 2, when neither party won enough support to form a majority government.
Rivlin gave the mandate to Gantz a month ago and denied his request this week for an extension. He'd told Netanyahu this week he would not be given the mandate.
"We are in a third consecutive election campaign this year, without any elected official able to form a government that would have the confidence of the Knesset," Rivlin said. "As president, it is my duty according to basic law: The government to act in a way that a government will be formed in Israel, as soon as possible, and in accordance with this I have used my authority."
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The Knesset now will have 21 days to form a government. If it fails, the body would be disbanded and a fourth national election will be set. The first and second elections, in April and September last year, failed to produce a coalition government.
Netanyahu and Gantz reported some progress this week toward forming a coalition, but the primary sticking point seemed to be the selection of the judiciary. Likud had sought ways to protect Netanyahu, who is under indictment on fraud charges in Israeli court.
Under Israeli law, deputy prime ministers and other cabinet members must resign if they're under indictment. Likud sought changes to prevent Netanyahu to be affected by that rule, but Blue and White negotiators refused.
Blue and White members accused the Likud Party of trying to win immunity for Netanyahu.


upi--2020-04-16--U.S. Soccer eliminates development academy due to COVID-19 'financial situation'

April 16 ( UPI ) -- The United States Soccer Federation has decided to eliminate its development academy due to the `` financial situation '' it is in because of the coronavirus pandemic .
`` It is with profound disappointment that we have made the determination to end the operation of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy , effective immediately , '' the federation said Wednesday .
Major League Soccer also announced it is forming a new youth competition for its academy teams , which will also include players who previously participated in the federation 's development academy .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the extraordinary and unanticipated circumstances around the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in a financial situation that does not allow for the continuation of the development academy into the future , '' the federation said in a statement .
`` We know that suddenly discontinuing a program that has been with [ the federation ] for many years is shocking , but these unprecedented times required taking action now . ''
The federation 's development academy was a nationwide youth league including different age groups for boys and girls .
The academy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from toddlers to professional competitors -- have been barred from playing together in the U.S. due to the pandemic .
Several federation development academy games had been previously suspended .
The federation formed the youth academy as a way to develop players from a younger age with an emphasis on increased training .
MLS announced Tuesday that is is unlikely the league returns from suspension at the mid-May date it initially targeted .
The league specifically cited using players from the now disbanded federation development academy in its new youth competition .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developing world-class players through an elite competitive pathway , from our academy teams through the professional game , '' said Todd Durbin , MLS executive vice president of competition and player relations .
`` As we look ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup here in the U.S. , Canada and Mexico , now more than ever it is incumbent on us to establish a competition that sets a new standard for elite youth play and allows athletes to achieve their full potential . ''
The MLS youth competition will include league season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international opponents .
There are currently 2,500 players and 250 youth coaches in MLS academies .

The U.S. Soccer Federation used its development academy as a way to mold players into elite prospects for its national teams, starting at a young age, before the academy was disbanded Wednesday. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
April 16 (UPI) -- The United States Soccer Federation has decided to eliminate its development academy due to the "financial situation" it is in because of the coronavirus pandemic. "It is with profound disappointment that we have made the determination to end the operation of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, effective immediately," the federation said Wednesday. Advertisement
Major League Soccer also announced it is forming a new youth competition for its academy teams, which will also include players who previously participated in the federation's development academy.
"This was an incredibly difficult decision to make, but the extraordinary and unanticipated circumstances around the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in a financial situation that does not allow for the continuation of the development academy into the future," the federation said in a statement.
"We know that suddenly discontinuing a program that has been with [the federation] for many years is shocking, but these unprecedented times required taking action now."
The federation's development academy was a nationwide youth league including different age groups for boys and girls. The academy started in 2007.
Soccer players -- from toddlers to professional competitors -- have been barred from playing together in the U.S. due to the pandemic. Several federation development academy games had been previously suspended.
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The federation formed the youth academy as a way to develop players from a younger age with an emphasis on increased training.
MLS announced Tuesday that is is unlikely the league returns from suspension at the mid-May date it initially targeted. The league specifically cited using players from the now disbanded federation development academy in its new youth competition.
"Major League Soccer is deeply committed to developing world-class players through an elite competitive pathway, from our academy teams through the professional game," said Todd Durbin, MLS executive vice president of competition and player relations.
"As we look ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup here in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, now more than ever it is incumbent on us to establish a competition that sets a new standard for elite youth play and allows athletes to achieve their full potential."
The MLS youth competition will include league season matches and regional and national tournaments with international opponents. There are currently 2,500 players and 250 youth coaches in MLS academies.


upi--2020-04-16--EU Parliament weighs $3.2B in emergency aid; global cases top 2M

Pope Francis , isolated in front of an empty square from the sagrato of St. Peter 's Basilica in St. @ @ @ @ @ City , offers an extraordinary moment of prayer in time of pandemic , the adoration @ @ @ @ @ on March 27 .
The `` Salus Populi Romani '' icon and the crucifix of @ @ @ @ @ in front of the central door of the basilica .
Vatican media broadcast the ceremony @ @ @ @ @ it could also be followed in several languages on Facebook and YouTube .
Photo by @ @ @

1/2
Smaller-than-normal crowds shop at the Sugamo Jizo Dori shopping street in Tokyo on April 11. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
April 16 (UPI) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared a nationwide state of emergency Thursday as the number of coronavirus cases worldwide surpassed 2 million. The state of emergency now covers the entire country two weeks after Abe issued a declaration in Tokyo and six prefectures. Japan has more than 8,600 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and at least 178 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. Advertisement
"I decided to put all prefectures under the state of emergency to curb infections in respective areas and especially to keep the movement of people to a minimum heading into the Golden Week holidays," Abe said.
The emergency declaration will last until May 6.
He also announced that Japanese citizens will receive an economic stimulus check of about $930 each.
Britain
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British leaders, meanwhile, extended the lockdown there for another three weeks, 25 days after first going under restrictions. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, whom Prime Minister Boris Johnson named as his deputy before being hospitalized with COVID-19, announced the extension Thursday.
Johnson wasn't involved in the decision-making process on the extension because he's at the prime minister's country residence recovering from his bout with the virus.
Raab didn't offer specifics on when Britain would begin reopening as the virus' numbers taper off.
"Measures could involve various permutations, some going strong, some easing off," he said.
According to Johns Hopkins, there are more than 104,000 confirmed cases in Britain and at least 13,755 people have died.
European Union
The European Parliament is expected to consider $3.2 billion in emergency spending and other coronavirus measures starting Thursday.
The EU's legislative body met in Brussels to begin a two-day session ahead of a crucial meeting of European leaders next week.
Its most pressing item is a proposal by the EU executive branch for $3.2 billion in emergency spending to fight the coronavirus pandemic, $3 billion of which comes directly from the bloc's budget.
The funding is for direct purchases and distribution of medical supplies such as masks and respirators, transporting equipment, patients in cross-border regions and the construction of mobile field hospitals.
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Lawmakers are also expected to approve special measures funding food delivery for the bloc's poorest and most vulnerable residents.
"History has shown that when an obstacle seems insurmountable, Europe can come together and be creative," European Council President Charles Michel told Parliament as the debate began. "With optimism, determination, let the democratic heart of the EU and our institutions beat. It guarantees the legitimacy of European ambition."
The debate came as the number of COVID-19 cases surpassed 2.13 million, according to Johns Hopkins University. Deaths numbered more than 141,000 as of Thursday afternoon. The United States has recorded 653,000 cases and nearly 31,000 deaths.
Global cease-fire
International support for a global cease-fire during the pandemic, urged by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, appears to be gathering momentum.
French President Emmanuel Macron told French radio Wednesday he has secured backing for the idea from other leaders of the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, including China, Russia, Britain and the United States.
"[Chinese] President Xi Jinping confirmed his agreement to me," Macron said. "President [Donald] Trump confirmed his agreement to me. [British] Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed his agreement to me. I think [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin will certainly agree, too."
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The French president said the five leaders could meet by video conference within the next few days to approve the plan "with great solemnity, strength and even more efficiency."
WHO caution
Meanwhile, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Thursday again urged caution in relaxing stay-at-home orders and reopening economies in hard-hit parts of the world, including Europe and the United States.
After noting 40,000 more people had died in the last week, Tedros said there are nevertheless "encouraging signs" in some high-impact countries.
"As you know, some countries are now considering lifting social and economic restrictions," he said. "This is something we all want -- but it must be done extremely carefully. If done too quickly, we risk a resurgence that could be even worse than our present situation."
He reiterated the WHO's guidelines on reopening, especially that community transmissions must first be under control and health systems able to "detect, test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact."
Scenes from a pandemic: World copes with COVID-19


upi--2020-04-16--WWE releases Kurt Angle, Rusev and more

WWE releases Kurt Angle, Rusev and more

WWE has come to terms on the release of multiple stars , including Hall of Famer Kurt Angle , Rusev and more .
Drake Maverick , Zack Ryder , Curt Hawkins , Luke Gallows , Karl Anderson , Heath Slater , Eric Young , Rowan , Sarah Logan , No Way Jose , referee Mike Chioda , Mike Kanellis , Maria Kanellis , EC3 , Aiden English and Lio Rush were also released on Wednesday .
`` We wish them all the best in their future endeavors , '' WWE said in a statement .
Angle has n't been featured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was attacked by The Fiend Bray Wyatt in August .
Rusev has not appeared on Raw following his feud with Bobby Lashley which ended in February .
`` I wanted 2 says thank you to the WWE for the time I spent there .
I made many new friends and had the opportunity to work with so many talented people .
To the Superstars , continue to entertain the WWE Universe as well as you possibly can .
They 're the best fans in the world .
# itstrue , '' Angle said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raw Monday against Shayna Baszler who ended the bout via match stoppage after she stomped on Logan 's elbow .
Gallows and Anderson were a part of The O.C .
alongside AJ Styles .
The duo helped Styles in his Boneyard Match with The Undertaker at WrestleMania 36 .
WWE also recently announced the release of Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson of tag team The Revival .
The layoffs come days after WWE was deemed an essential business in Florida , allowing the sports-entertainment company to continue filming television programs in the state @ @ @ @ @

BREAKING: WWE has come to terms on the release of Drake Maverick (James Curtin), Curt Hawkins (Brian Myers), Karl Anderson (Chad Allegra), EC3 (Michael Hutter) and Lio Rush (Lionel Green). We wish them all the best in their future endeavors. https://t.co/cX449nNSLU— WWE (@WWE) April 15, 2020
April 16 (UPI) -- WWE has come to terms on the release of multiple stars, including Hall of Famer Kurt Angle, Rusev and more.
Drake Maverick, Zack Ryder, Curt Hawkins, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Heath Slater, Eric Young, Rowan, Sarah Logan, No Way Jose, referee Mike Chioda, Mike Kanellis, Maria Kanellis, EC3, Aiden English and Lio Rush were also released on Wednesday.
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"We wish them all the best in their future endeavors," WWE said in a statement.
Angle hasn't been featured on WWE's weekly programming after he was attacked by The Fiend Bray Wyatt in August. Rusev has not appeared on Raw following his feud with Bobby Lashley which ended in February.
"I wanted 2 says thank you to the WWE for the time I spent there. I made many new friends and had the opportunity to work with so many talented people. To the Superstars, continue to entertain the WWE Universe as well as you possibly can. They're the best fans in the world. #itstrue," Angle said on Twitter.
Advertisement I wanted 2 say thank you to the WWE for the time I spent there.I made many new friends and had the opportunity to work with so many talented people. To the Superstars, continue to entertain the WWE Universe as well as you possibly can. They're the best fans in the world. #itstrue— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) April 15, 2020
Logan last competed on Raw Monday against Shayna Baszler who ended the bout via match stoppage after she stomped on Logan's elbow.
Gallows and Anderson were a part of The O.C. alongside AJ Styles. The duo helped Styles in his Boneyard Match with The Undertaker at WrestleMania 36.
WWE also recently announced the release of Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson of tag team The Revival.
The layoffs come days after WWE was deemed an essential business in Florida, allowing the sports-entertainment company to continue filming television programs in the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.


upi--2020-04-16--Google honors food service workers with new Doodle

April 16 ( UPI ) -- Google is thanking food service workers during the COVID-19 pandemic with a new Doodle @ @ @ @ @ the letter `` G '' in the company 's logo sending a heart to a @ @ @ @ @ is represented by the letter `` e. '' The `` e '' is wearing a @ @ @ @ @ surrounded by boxes of food and is happy to be receiving the heart .
Google @ @ @ @ @ continues , Doodles will pay homage to those who are still working on the front @ @ @ @ @ the initiative on April 6 and last paid tribute to packaging , shipping and delivery @ @ @ @ @ 'd like to say , to all food service workers , thank you , '' @ @ @

Google is recognizing food service workers with a new Doodle. Image courtesy of Google
April 16 (UPI) -- Google is thanking food service workers during the COVID-19 pandemic with a new Doodle. Google's homepage features the letter "G" in the company's logo sending a heart to a chef who is cooking and is represented by the letter "e." Advertisement
The "e" is wearing a chef's hat and is surrounded by boxes of food and is happy to be receiving the heart.
Google says that as the pandemic continues, Doodles will pay homage to those who are still working on the front lines.
The company started the initiative on April 6 and last paid tribute to packaging, shipping and delivery workers.
"Today we'd like to say, to all food service workers, thank you," Google said.


upi--2020-04-16--Ruling party sweeps to landslide victory in South Korean elections

SEOUL , April 16 ( UPI ) -- South Korea 's ruling Democratic Party won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections held on Wednesday , a result which reflects the government 's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and leaves it poised to implement its agenda moving forward .
The liberal Democratic Party , along with its affiliated Platform Party , is estimated to have won 180 seats in the 300-seat National Assembly , South Korea 's legislative body , according to the National Election Commission .
The victory marks the largest number of seats any party has won since direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The main opposition United Future Party and its affiliated party are estimated to have picked up 103 seats .
President Moon Jae-in said that he felt a `` heavy responsibility '' from the election results .
`` The government will take heavy responsibility , '' he said in remarks Thursday , according to a presidential spokesman .
`` We will never be proud and will listen humbly to the voice of the people . ''
Moon also praised voters for observing safety protocols put in place at polling stations during the election on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperature checks , masks and disposable gloves .
`` Thanks to the active cooperation and participation of the people , during the global pandemic of COVID-19 South Korea was the only major country to hold a national election , '' he said .
Wednesday 's elections , which saw the highest turnout in South Korea since 1992 at 66.2 percent of eligible voters , were seen by many as a strong endorsement of the Moon administration 's response to the coronavirus crisis .
After a COVID-19 outbreak in February centered around the southeastern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to flatten the curve of new infections through widespread testing , contract tracing and effective treatment .
On Thursday , the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced just 22 new cases , the fourth day in a row the number of new patients has been below 30 .
The Democratic Party victory gives Moon a mandate and a clear path to move ahead with an economic agenda that includes raising the minimum wage and strengthening the social safety net while completing a reform of the powerful prosecutor 's office .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ handling [ of COVID-19 ] arguably was the main reason behind his party 's big electoral victory , '' said Ramon Pacheco Pardo , Korea Chair at the Institute for European Studies of Vrije Universiteit Brussel , in a note .
`` Widely seen as a referendum on Moon Jae-in 's presidency as he is about to enter the final two years of his non-renewable five year mandate , the results put him and his party in a strong position to move their agenda forward , '' Pardo wrote , adding that post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priority in the near-term .
President Moon has seen his approval rating steadily climb since the early days of the coronavirus outbreak .
In a survey released Thursday by pollster Realmeter , Moon 's popularity rose to 55.7 percent , while his negative rating fell to 39.7 percent .
The leader of the opposition United Future Party , Hwang Kyo-ahn , announced Wednesday that he will step down to take responsibility for his party 's defeat .
Hwang lost his parliamentary race in central Seoul 's Jongno District to former Prime Minister Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noteworthy victory for the United Future Party came in the person of Thae Yong-ho , the former North Korean deputy ambassador to Britain who defected to the South in 2016 .
Thae , who advocates for a harder line against his former country , became the first North Korean defector to win a directly elected seat in the National Assembly , prevailing in the posh Seoul district of Gangnam .

After votes were counted in South Korea's parliamentary elections, the ruling Democratic Party emerged with a decisive victory. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI | License Photo
SEOUL, April 16 (UPI) -- South Korea's ruling Democratic Party won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections held on Wednesday, a result which reflects the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and leaves it poised to implement its agenda moving forward. The liberal Democratic Party, along with its affiliated Platform Party, is estimated to have won 180 seats in the 300-seat National Assembly, South Korea's legislative body, according to the National Election Commission. The victory marks the largest number of seats any party has won since direct elections were first held in 1987. Advertisement
The main opposition United Future Party and its affiliated party are estimated to have picked up 103 seats.
President Moon Jae-in said that he felt a "heavy responsibility" from the election results.
"The government will take heavy responsibility," he said Thursday, according to a presidential spokesman. "We will never be proud and will listen humbly to the voice of the people."
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Moon also praised voters for observing safety protocols put in place at polling stations during the election on Wednesday, which included social distancing, temperature checks, masks and disposable gloves.
"Thanks to the active cooperation and participation of the people, during the global pandemic of COVID-19, South Korea was the only major country to hold a national election," he said.
Wednesday's elections, which saw the highest turnout in South Korea since 1992 at 66.2 percent of eligible voters, were seen by many as a strong endorsement of the Moon administration's response to the coronavirus crisis.
After a COVID-19 outbreak in February centered around the southeastern city of Daegu, South Korea has been able to flatten the curve of new infections through widespread testing, contract tracing and effective treatment. On Thursday, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced just 22 new cases, the fourth day in a row the number of new patients has been below 30.
The Democratic Party victory gives Moon a mandate and a clear path to move ahead with an economic agenda that includes raising the minimum wage and strengthening the social safety net while completing a reform of the powerful prosecutor's office.
"[The] Moon government's handling [of COVID-19] arguably was the main reason behind his party's big electoral victory," Ramon Pacheco Pardo, Korea Chair at the Institute for European Studies of Vrije Universiteit Brussel, said in a note.
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"Widely seen as a referendum on Moon Jae-in's presidency as he is about to enter the final two years of his non-renewable five-year mandate, the results put him and his party in a strong position to move their agenda forward," Pardo wrote, adding that post COVID-19 economic reconstruction will be the top priority in the near term.
Moon has seen his approval rating steadily climb since the early days of the coronavirus outbreak. In a survey released Thursday by pollster Realmeter, Moon's popularity rose to 55.7 percent, while his negative rating fell to 39.7 percent.
The leader of the opposition United Future Party, Hwang Kyo-ahn, announced Wednesday that he will step down to take responsibility for his party's defeat. Hwang lost his parliamentary race in central Seoul's Jongno District to former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon of the Democratic Party.
One noteworthy victory for the United Future Party came in the person of Thae Yong-ho, the former North Korean deputy ambassador to Britain who defected to the South in 2016. Thae, who advocates for a harder line against his former country, became the first North Korean defector to win a directly elected seat in the National Assembly, prevailing in the posh Seoul district of Gangnam.
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Social distancing, sanitizer mark South Korean elections


upi--2020-04-16--U.S. judge cancels Keystone pipeline permit

April 16 ( UPI ) -- A U.S. federal judge has canceled a key permit for the construction of the controversial Keystone pipeline , stating it was issued without proper assessment of the project 's environmental impact .
U.S. Chief District Judge Brian Morris ruled Wednesday that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers failed to properly analyze the project 's effects on endangered species when it approved a key water crossing permit for TC Energy 's 1,210-mile tar sands pipeline that is to run from Steele City , Neb.
, into the Canadian province of Alberta .
When completed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barrels of crude oil a day from Hardisty , Alberta , to Steele City where it will connect with the TC Energy 's existing infrastructure that will carry it to Gulf Coast refiners , the company said on its website .
However , Wednesday 's ruling could block construction over hundreds of water crossings along the pipeline 's projected route , Sierra Club said in a statement .
`` The Trump administration has repeatedly violated the law in their relentless pursuit of seeing this dirty tar sands pipeline built , '' said Sierra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
`` Today 's ruling confirms , once again , that there 's just no getting around the fact that Keystone XL would devastate communities , wildlife and clean drinking water . ''
The decision came in a legal challenge by a coalition of conservation and landowner groups against the U.S. Army Corps , TC Energy , the state of Montana and American Gas Association filed in November over the Trump administration 's approval of the Nationwide Permit 12 .
However , Wednesday 's decision could also block not only the Keystone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been issued under this permit , the Sierra Club said .
`` Whether they like it or not , the Corps can not skirt foundational environmental laws , '' said Natural Resources Defense Council attorney Cecilia Segal .
`` And projects like the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline will remain stalled as long as the administration keeps trying to illegally fast-track them . ''
Terry Cunha , an official with TC Energy , told The Hill in a statement that the company will be reviewing the court 's decision .
`` We remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project , '' Cunha said .

Demonstrators protest after President Donald Trump announced two executive orders to advance the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines. The protest, hosted by organizations, took place on the north side of the White House on January 24, 2017. File Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI | License Photo
April 16 (UPI) -- A federal judge has canceled a key permit for the construction of the controversial Keystone pipeline, stating it was issued without proper assessment of the project's environmental impact. U.S. Chief District Judge Brian Morris ruled Wednesday that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers failed to properly analyze the project's effects on endangered species when it approved a key water crossing permit for TC Energy's 1,210-mile tar sands pipeline that is to run from Steele City, Neb., into the Canadian province of Alberta. Advertisement
When completed, the project is expected to deliver 830,000 barrels of crude oil a day from Hardisty, Alberta, to Steele City, where it will connect with TC Energy's existing infrastructure that will carry it to Gulf Coast refiners, the company said on its website.
However, Wednesday's ruling could block construction over hundreds of water crossings along the pipeline's projected route, the Sierra Club said in a statement.
"The Trump administration has repeatedly violated the law in their relentless pursuit of seeing this dirty tar sands pipeline built," Sierra Club attorney Doug Hayes said in a statement. "Today's ruling confirms, once again, that there's just no getting around the fact that Keystone XL would devastate communities, wildlife and clean drinking water."
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The decision came in a legal challenge by a coalition of conservation and landowner groups against the U.S. Army Corps, TC Energy, the state of Montana and American Gas Association filed in November over the Trump administration's approval of the Nationwide Permit 12.
Wednesday's decision could also block similar pipelines that have been issued under this permit, the Sierra Club said.
"Whether they like it or not, the Corps cannot skirt foundational environmental laws," said Natural Resources Defense Council attorney Cecilia Segal. "And projects like the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline will remain stalled as long as the administration keeps trying to illegally fast-track them."
Terry Cunha, an official with TC Energy, told The Hill in a statement that the company will be reviewing the court's decision.
"We remain committed to building this important energy infrastructure project," Cunha said.


upi--2020-04-16--Other viruses make COVID-19 diagnosis, tracking challenging

April 16 ( UPI ) -- A significant number of people with COVID-19 may also be infected with other viruses , a new analysis indicates .
The findings highlight the challenges of diagnosing and tracking the new coronavirus , experts say .
In a report published Wednesday by JAMA Network Open , researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine report that they tested more than 1,200 people for COVID-19 , and found that 116 people were infected .
Of these , more than 20 percent also tested positive for another virus , rhinovirus -- the pathogen that causes the common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respiratory syncytial virus , or RSV , both of which are fairly common in children .
In addition , several simultaneously tested positive for another coronavirus , which suggests that SARS-CoV-2 , the virus that causes COVID-19 , may be more closely related to other viruses in the family than originally thought .
`` As is true for a lot of infectious diseases , with SARS-CoV-2 you may have multiple pathogens and diseases , '' Caroline Buckee , associate director of the Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics at Harvard T.H .
Chan School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference call with reporters .
She was not involved with the Stanford study .
`` The question is , how do we make sense of that with this outbreak ? ''
she added .
In all , the researchers tested 1,217 nasal and throat swabs for SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens from 1,206 unique subjects in the northern California area .
Of these , 116 of the specimens , or roughly 10 percent , were positive for SARS-CoV-2 while 318 , or 26 percent , were positive for one or more other viruses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SARS-CoV-2 , 21 percent , were positive for at least one more virus .
The most common `` co-infections '' were rhinovirus and enterovirus at 7 percent , RSV at 5 percent , or another coronavirus at just over 4 percent .
The authors emphasized that the findings may be unique to the region .
They noted , however , that the results `` suggest that routine testing for non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory pathogens during the COVID-19 pandemic is unlikely to provide clinical benefit unless a positive result would change disease management . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its final FluView report for the 2019-20 winter season .
In it , the agency said its estimates for flu cases , hospitalizations and deaths -- 39 million cases , 410,000 hospitalizations and 24,000 , respectively -- were likely impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak in some parts of the country , particularly toward the end of the winter .
More than 638,000 Americans have tested positive for the disease caused by the new coronavirus , and 31,000 have died .
Buckee does n't expect that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will `` change wildly '' once any crossover between COVID-19 and seasonal flu is accounted for .
`` The PCR assays being used are quite specific and they can , and will , easily differentiate flu and the SARS-CoV-2 , '' Stephen S. Morse , a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University 's Mailman School of Public Health , told UPI .
`` However , we are n't able to test and characterize as many flu isolates as we 'd like , and testing is extremely limited for SARS-CoV-2 . ''
While the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` seems to work pretty well , '' according Morse , delays in rolling out an accurate version of the kits -- and the fact that `` most infected individuals are mildly ill or asymptomatic '' -- means that many cases may have been missed or misdiagnosed , perhaps as flu , given that the two share common symptoms , including cough and fever .
COVID-19 also progresses much slower than the flu , Morse adds , with most people not experiencing symptoms until one to two weeks after they were actually exposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're only really diagnosing clinical cases of disease that come to medical attention , we 're identifying only a relatively small fraction of the infections , '' he explained .
`` This virus is probably circulating around for weeks before we identify our first 'case . '
Failing to understand this distinction -- together with much too little testing capacity -- led to a fatally flawed testing and control strategy that put us where we are today . ''

A pedestrian wearing a protective face mask crosses an intersection near Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in New York City on Tuesday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
April 16 (UPI) -- A significant number of people with COVID-19 may also be infected with other viruses, a new analysis indicates. The findings highlight the challenges of diagnosing and tracking the new coronavirus, experts say. In a report published Wednesday by JAMA Network Open, researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine report that they tested more than 1,200 people for COVID-19, and found that 116 people were infected. Of these, more than 20 percent also tested positive for another virus, rhinovirus -- the pathogen that causes the common cold -- as well as enterovirus and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, both of which are fairly common in children. Advertisement
In addition, several simultaneously tested positive for another coronavirus, which suggests that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, may be more closely related to other viruses in the family than originally thought.
Advertisement
"As is true for a lot of infectious diseases, with SARS-CoV-2 you may have multiple pathogens and diseases," Caroline Buckee, associate director of the Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said in a conference call with reporters. She was not involved with the Stanford study.
"The question is, how do we make sense of that with this outbreak?" she added.
In all, the researchers tested 1,217 nasal and throat swabs for SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens from 1,206 unique subjects in the northern California area. Of these, 116 of the specimens, or roughly 10 percent, were positive for SARS-CoV-2 while 318, or 26 percent, were positive for one or more other viruses.
Of the 116 specimens positive for SARS-CoV-2, 21 percent, were positive for at least one more virus. The most common "co-infections" were rhinovirus and enterovirus at 7 percent, RSV at 5 percent, or another coronavirus at just over 4 percent.
The authors emphasized that the findings may be unique to the region. They noted, however, that the results "suggest that routine testing for non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory pathogens during the COVID-19 pandemic is unlikely to provide clinical benefit unless a positive result would change disease management."
Advertisement
The new study was released days after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its final FluView report for the 2019-20 winter season. In it, the agency said its estimates for flu cases, hospitalizations and deaths -- 39 million cases, 410,000 hospitalizations and 24,000, respectively -- were likely impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak in some parts of the country, particularly toward the end of the winter.
More than 638,000 Americans have tested positive for the disease caused by the new coronavirus, and 31,000 have died. Buckee doesn't expect that the final numbers for the disease toll will "change wildly" once any crossover between COVID-19 and seasonal flu is accounted for.
"The PCR assays being used are quite specific and they can, and will, easily differentiate flu and the SARS-CoV-2," Stephen S. Morse, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, told UPI. "However, we aren't able to test and characterize as many flu isolates as we'd like, and testing is extremely limited for SARS-CoV-2."
While the CDC's test for the new coronavirus "seems to work pretty well," according Morse, delays in rolling out an accurate version of the kits -- and the fact that "most infected individuals are mildly ill or asymptomatic" -- means that many cases may have been missed or misdiagnosed, perhaps as flu, given that the two share common symptoms, including cough and fever.
Advertisement
COVID-19 also progresses much slower than the flu, Morse adds, with most people not experiencing symptoms until one to two weeks after they were actually exposed to the virus.
"Since we're only really diagnosing clinical cases of disease that come to medical attention, we're identifying only a relatively small fraction of the infections," he explained. "This virus is probably circulating around for weeks before we identify our first 'case.' Failing to understand this distinction -- together with much too little testing capacity -- led to a fatally flawed testing and control strategy that put us where we are today."


upi--2020-04-16--Massachusetts man charged for attempting to blow up Jewish nursing home

April 16 ( UPI ) -- Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation have arrested and charged a Massachusetts man for attempting to blow up a Jewish nursing home that had been targeted on social media accounts linked to a white supremacist group , authorities said .
John Michael Rathbun , 36 , was arrested and charged Wednesday on two counts of attempted arson after he was connected through DNA to a gas canister that was discovered earlier this month outside the entrance to Ruth 's House , a Jewish-sponsored assisted living facility for seniors located in Longmeadow near Springfield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The five-gallon gas canister was discovered filled with what was believed to be gasoline on April 2 feet from a busy pedestrian walkway and 50 yards from the entrance of Ruth 's House , which describes itself on its website as `` guided by Jewish values '' but open to all faiths .
Inside the nozzle of the canister was the charred remains of a Christian pamphlet that `` appeared to have been lit on fire in an attempt to ignite the gas , '' the complaint said .
Authorities said blood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's handle were tested by the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory , which on April 9 linked the samples to Rathbun 's DNA profile that was in the Consolidated DNA Index System of convicted offenders due to his previous arrests .
FBI agents executed an arrest warrant for Rathbun 's residence on Wednesday , and when questioned about the crime , he initially denied any involvement but after agents said his blood was found at the scene `` Rathbun 's demeanor visibly changed , and a short while later , he stated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to do and that he wanted to cry , '' according to the complaint .
In connection to the investigation , FBI agents in March discovered a white supremacist organization that operated two social media platforms where users promote and discuss plans to carry out mass killings directed against religious , racial and ethnic minorities .
On one of those platforms , a user specified `` that Jew nursing home in Longmeadow , Massachusetts , '' as a target for a mass killing , and on the other social media platform , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same person listed April 3 in a calendar as `` Jew killing day '' and pinned the location as `` Jew Nursery Home , '' which authorities said they believe to be Ruth 's House .
The FBI said the investigation is ongoing into whether Rathbun has been involved with the white supremacist group or any of its activities .
Rathbun faces up to 10 years in prison , three years of supervised release and a fine of $ 250,000 for each attempted arson charge .
`` The charges in this case allege @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Jewish assisted living residence with a five-gallon gas canister , at the same time that the facility was being discussed on white supremacist online platforms , '' U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling said in a statement .
`` We will find , investigate and aggressively prosecute anyone engaged in this kind of mayhem . ''
Lelling added that in times of national crisis , such as the current coronavirus pandemic that has killed nearly 31,000 people in the United States , `` hatred based on religion often blossoms into violence . ''

John Michael Rathbun has been charged with attempted arson in connection to an incendiary device found outside Ruth's House in Longmeadow, Mass. Photo courtesy of Google Maps
April 16 (UPI) -- Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation have arrested and charged a Massachusetts man for attempting to blow up a Jewish nursing home that had been targeted on social media accounts linked to a white supremacist group, authorities said. John Michael Rathbun, 36, was arrested and charged Wednesday on two counts of attempted arson after he was connected through DNA to a gas canister that was discovered earlier this month outside the entrance to Ruth's House, a Jewish-sponsored assisted living facility for seniors located in Longmeadow near Springfield, prosecutors said in the criminal complaint. Advertisement
The five-gallon gas canister was discovered filled with what was believed to be gasoline on April 2 feet from a busy pedestrian walkway and 50 yards from the entrance of Ruth's House, which describes itself on its website as "guided by Jewish values" but open to all faiths. Inside the nozzle of the canister was the charred remains of a Christian pamphlet that "appeared to have been lit on fire in an attempt to ignite the gas," the complaint said.
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Authorities said blood discovered on the pamphlet and the canister's handle were tested by the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory, which on April 9 linked the samples to Rathbun's DNA profile that was in the Consolidated DNA Index System of convicted offenders due to his previous arrests.
FBI agents executed an arrest warrant for Rathbun's residence on Wednesday, and when questioned about the crime, he initially denied any involvement but after agents said his blood was found at the scene "Rathbun's demeanor visibly changed, and a short while later, he stated that he did not know what he was going to do and that he wanted to cry," according to the complaint.
In connection to the investigation, FBI agents in March discovered a white supremacist organization that operated two social media platforms where users promote and discuss plans to carry out mass killings directed against religious, racial and ethnic minorities.
On one of those platforms, a user specified "that Jew nursing home in Longmeadow, Massachusetts," as a target for a mass killing, and on the other social media platform, a user authorities believe to be the same person listed April 3 in a calendar as "Jew killing day" and pinned the location as "Jew Nursery Home," which authorities said they believe to be Ruth's House.
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The FBI said the investigation is ongoing into whether Rathbun has been involved with the white supremacist group or any of its activities.
Rathbun faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 for each attempted arson charge.
"The charges in this case allege that the defendant tried to blow up a Jewish assisted living residence with a five-gallon gas canister, at the same time that the facility was being discussed on white supremacist online platforms," U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling said in a statement. "We will find, investigate and aggressively prosecute anyone engaged in this kind of mayhem."
Lelling added that in times of national crisis, such as the current coronavirus pandemic that has killed nearly 31,000 people in the United States, "hatred based on religion often blossoms into violence."


upi--2020-04-16--Famous birthdays for April 16: Ellen Barkin, Martin Lawrence

April 16 ( UPI ) -- Those born this date are under the sign of Aries .
-- Mirai Nagasu @ @ @ @ @ to land a triple axel at the Olympics , in 1993 ( age 27 )

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Ellen Barkin arrives on the red carpet at the 2015 amfAR Inspiration Gala New York at Spring Studios in New York City on June 16, 2015. The actor turns 66 on April 16. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
April 16 (UPI) -- Those born this date are under the sign of Aries. They include: Advertisement
-- Artist Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun in 1755
-- French writer Anatole France in 1844
-- Aviation pioneer Wilbur Wright in 1867
-- Movie legend Charlie Chaplin in 1889
-- Writer Kingsley Amis in 1922
-- Composer/conductor Henry Mancini in 1924
-- Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in 1927 (age 93)
File Photo by Stefano Spanziani/UPI
-- Football Hall of fame member Dick "Night Train" Lane in 1927
-- Jazz flutist Herbie Mann in 1930
-- Singer Bobby Vinton in 1935 (age 85)
-- Singer Dusty Springfield in 1939
-- Danish Queen Margrethe II in 1940 (age 80)
-- Basketball Hall of Fame member Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1947 (age 73)
-- NFL coach Bill Belichick in 1952 (age 68)
-- Actor Ellen Barkin in 1954 (age 66)
-- Actor Jon Cryer in 1965 (age 55)
-- Actor Martin Lawrence in 1965 (age 55)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
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-- Actor Peter Billingsley in 1971 (age 49)
-- Tejeno singer Selena Quintanilla in 1971
-- Singer Akon, born Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam, in 1973 (age 47)
-- Actor Claire Foy in 1984 (age 36)
-- Chance the Rapper, born Chancellor Jonathan Bennett, in 1993 (age 27)
-- Mirai Nagasu, first female figure skater to land a triple axel at the Olympics, in 1993 (age 27)
-- Actor Anya Taylor-Joy in 1996 (age 24)
-- Actor Sadie Sink in 2002 (age 18)


upi--2020-04-16--On This Day, April 16: Jack Kevorkian takes part in his first assisted suicide

April 16 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1862 , the U.S. Congress abolished slavery in the District of Columbia .
In 1912 , as crowds gathered outside its New York City offices , the White Star Line denied that it was withholding information on the sinking of RMS Titanic .
In 1947 , a fire aboard the French freighter Grandcamp in the Texas City , Texas , port on Galveston Bay ignited ammonium nitrate and other explosive materials in the ship 's hold , causing a massive blast that destroyed much of the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1963 , the Rev .
Martin Luther King Jr. wrote `` Letter from Birmingham Jail '' while imprisoned in Alabama for protesting segregation .
In 1972 , Apollo 16 blasted off on an 11-day moon mission with three astronauts aboard .
In 1990 , Dr. Jack Kevorkian helped in his first assisted suicide .
In December , he was charged with murder for the death of a woman with Alzheimer 's disease , who died using his so-called suicide machine in June .
In 1991 , the first Jewish settlement under the Israeli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defying a U.S. request to stop settlement activity in the West Bank and Gaza Strip .
In 1999 , hockey legend Wayne Gretzky announced his retirement from the NHL after 21 years .
He was inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame in November without having to go through the usual three-year waiting period .
In 2002 , Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok and members of his government resigned after a report faulted them , along with the United Nations , for failing to prevent the 1995 massacre of 7,500 Muslim men and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2007 , Seung-Hui Cho , a senior at Virginia Tech , went on a campus shooting rampage , killing 32 people before killing himself .
In 2011 , a vicious rash of tornadoes tore through 14 U.S. states , leaving more than 40 people dead and many others homeless .
In 2018 , Kendrick Lamar became the first rapper to win the Pulitzer Prize for music for his album Damn .
In 2019 , the Seattle Seahawks agreed to a four-year contract extension with quarterback Russell Wilson , making him the highest-paid player @ @ @ @

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Dr. Jack Kevorkian arrives for the 16th annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on January 14, 2011. On April 16, 1990, Kevorkian helped in his first assisted suicide. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
April 16 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1862, the U.S. Congress abolished slavery in the District of Columbia. Advertisement
In 1912, as crowds gathered outside its New York City offices, the White Star Line denied that it was withholding information on the sinking of RMS Titanic.
File Photo courtesy National Archives
In 1947, a fire aboard the French freighter Grandcamp in the Texas City, Texas, port on Galveston Bay ignited ammonium nitrate and other explosive materials in the ship's hold, causing a massive blast that destroyed much of the city and killed nearly 600 people.
In 1963, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote "Letter from Birmingham Jail" while imprisoned in Alabama for protesting segregation.
In 1972, Apollo 16 blasted off on an 11-day moon mission with three astronauts aboard.
In 1990, Dr. Jack Kevorkian helped in his first assisted suicide. In December, he was charged with murder for the death of a woman with Alzheimer's disease, who died using his so-called suicide machine in June.
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In 1991, the first Jewish settlement under the Israeli government opened in the occupied territories, defying a U.S. request to stop settlement activity in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
In 1999, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky announced his retirement from the NHL after 21 years. He was inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame in November without having to go through the usual three-year waiting period.
File Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI
In 2002, Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok and members of his government resigned after a report faulted them, along with the United Nations, for failing to prevent the 1995 massacre of 7,500 Muslim men and boys at Srebrenica, Bosnia.
In 2007, Seung-Hui Cho, a senior at Virginia Tech, went on a campus shooting rampage, killing 32 people before killing himself.
In 2011, a vicious rash of tornadoes tore through 14 U.S. states, leaving more than 40 people dead and many others homeless.
In 2018, Kendrick Lamar became the first rapper to win the Pulitzer Prize for music for his album Damn.
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In 2019, the Seattle Seahawks agreed to a four-year contract extension with quarterback Russell Wilson, making him the highest-paid player in the NFL.


upi--2020-04-16--Cotton demand plummets during coronavirus pandemic

EVANSVILLE , Ind.
, April 16 ( UPI ) -- As countries worldwide take measures to slow the spread of coronavirus by quarantining individuals and closing nonessential businesses , sales of cotton -- and the clothing and textiles made from it -- have declined sharply .
Demand for cotton is so low that even though prices hit their lowest levels in more than a decade , retailers and manufacturing facilities around the world are cancelling orders .
`` Every stage of the supply chain is getting hit , '' said Jon Devine , the senior economist for Cotton Incorporated , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina .
`` Retailers are suffering , '' he said .
`` In between , you 've got all the manufacturers that are trying to get their orders cancelled .
And then you get all the way back to the field .
Farmers are entering their planting time .
They have some difficult decisions to make . ''
Retail sales for clothing and clothing accessories in March , many made with cotton , were down more than 50 percent compared with the same month last year , according to a U.S. Census Bureau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent of the cotton grown in the United States used for clothing and other textiles , such as towels and sheets , reduced sales have a significant impact on the cotton industry , Devine said .
Most of the manufacturing is performed in overseas facilities .
And many of those facilities have closed to slow the spread of the virus , leaving exporters with nowhere to send their goods , Devine said .
Cotton prices , as a result , have fallen sharply .
Cotton was trading around 52 cents a pound Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pound at the start of the year -- roughly a 26 percent drop , according to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange .
That price is below the cost of production for most farmers , Devine said .
And that might prompt some farmers to plant a different crop , he said .
Most farmers already purchased their seed and the equipment for this year .
And with roughly six months before the 2020 crop is harvested , a lot of time remains for prices to rebound , Devine said .
But , that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And there is no sign of that anytime soon .
`` Usually , a drop in price makes people start looking for bargains , '' said Mark Bagby , a spokesman for Calcot Ltd. , a cotton cooperative in Bakersfield , Calif. , that markets and sells cotton for growers in California , Arizona , New Mexico and Texas .
`` But that 's just not happening .
There 's so much uncertainty .
People are afraid to do anything . ''
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture , the worldwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will , this month , most likely produce one of the largest reductions in American cotton exports ever recorded .
`` Consumption is lower for every major country , with total world consumption down 7.6 million bales or 6.4 percent from March , '' according to the USDA 's monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates released April 9 .
`` At 110.6 million bales , world consumption in 2019/20 is now projected to be 8.1 percent lower than in 2018/19 .
This would be one of the largest annual declines on record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stored cotton in the United States are hitting record highs .
Concern is mounting that unless cotton starts moving again , sufficient storage for this fall 's harvest will not be available .
`` We can store about 60,000 bales in our warehouse , '' said Donna Lane , general manager for Decatur Gin Company Inc. in Bainbridge , Ga. `` We need to get our warehouse cleaned out before the new crop comes in this fall .
Otherwise , we 'll be in a mess .
[ We 'll have ] nowhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lane said it 's impossible to predict what the market will be like by then .
That depends on how long quarantines last , how prompt factories reopen and how quickly consumers start to buy clothing again .
`` People will still need to buy clothes .
That 's not going to change , '' Cotton Incorporated 's Devine said .
`` But , in the meantime , there could be a lot of economic hurt .
A lot of companies may go out of business . ''

Demand for clothing, textiles and raw cotton has fallen sharply amid the coronavirus pandemic. Photo courtesy of Pixabay
EVANSVILLE, Ind., April 16 (UPI) -- As countries worldwide take measures to slow the spread of coronavirus by quarantining people and closing nonessential businesses, sales of cotton -- and the clothing and textiles made from it -- have declined sharply. Demand for cotton is so low that even though prices hit their lowest levels in more than a decade, retailers and manufacturing facilities around the world are cancelling orders. Advertisement
"Every stage of the supply chain is getting hit," said Jon Devine, senior economist for Cotton Incorporated, a nonprofit industry organization based in North Carolina.
"Retailers are suffering," he said. "In between, you've got all the manufacturers that are trying to get their orders cancelled. And then you get all the way back to the field. Farmers are entering their planting time. They have some difficult decisions to make."
Retail sales for clothing and clothing accessories in March, many made with cotton, were down more than 50 percent compared with the same month last year, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report released Wednesday.
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With roughly 95 percent of the cotton grown in the United States used for clothing and other textiles, such as towels and sheets, reduced sales have a significant impact on the cotton industry, Devine said.
Most of the manufacturing is performed in overseas facilities. And many of those facilities have closed to slow the spread of the virus, leaving exporters with nowhere to send their goods, Devine said.
Cotton prices, as a result, have fallen sharply. Cotton was trading around 52 cents a pound Wednesday, down from about 70 cents a pound at the start of the year -- roughly a 26 percent drop, according to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
That price is below the cost of production for most farmers, Devine said. That might prompt some farmers to plant a different crop, he said.
Most farmers have purchased their seed and the equipment for this year. And with roughly six months before the 2020 crop is harvested, a lot of time remains for prices to rebound, Devine said.
But that will only occur if cotton sales pick up. And there is no sign of that anytime soon.
"Usually, a drop in price makes people start looking for bargains," said Mark Bagby, a spokesman for Calcot Ltd., a cotton cooperative in Bakersfield, Calif., that markets and sells cotton for growers in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
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"But that's just not happening. There's so much uncertainty. People are afraid to do anything."
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the worldwide economic slowdown "with little precedent" will, this month, most likely produce one of the largest reductions in American cotton exports ever recorded.
"Consumption is lower for every major country, with total world consumption down 7.6 million bales or 6.4 percent from March," according to the USDA's monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates released April 9.
"At 110.6 million bales, world consumption in 2019-20 is now projected to be 8.1 percent lower than in 2018-19. This would be one of the largest annual declines on record."
Meanwhile, overall stocks of stored cotton in the United States are hitting record highs. Concern is mounting that unless cotton starts moving again, sufficient storage for this fall's harvest will not be available.
"We can store about 60,000 bales in our warehouse," said Donna Lane, general manager for Decatur Gin Co. in Bainbridge, Ga. "We need to get our warehouse cleaned out before the new crop comes in this fall. Otherwise, we'll be in a mess. [We'll have] nowhere to put the new crop."
Lane said it's impossible to predict what the market will be like by then. That depends on how long quarantines last, how promptly factories reopen and how quickly consumers start to buy clothing again.
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"People will still need to buy clothes. That's not going to change," Devine said. "But in the meantime, there could be a lot of economic hurt. A lot of companies may go out of business."