upi--2020-02-03--Soaring HIV drug costs jeopardize end to epidemic, experts say

The U.S. government aims to end the HIV epidemic by 2030 , but skyrocketing medication costs may make that a pipe dream , a new study suggests .
Since 2012 , the cost of antiviral treatment for HIV , the virus that causes AIDS , has jumped 34 percent .
That 's nearly four times the inflation rate .
Even with new generic options , initial treatments now top $ 36,000 per patient per year , according to the study .
In 2012 , the average annual cost of initial treatment was $ 25,000 to $ 35,000 .
By 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 48,000 a year , researchers found .
That 's a 53 percent increase , nearly six times the inflation rate .
`` Clearly , there is a movement by the industry to increase drug prices , and there 's been advertising to try and make sure that people who might be on older , cheaper drugs transition to newer , more expensive ones , '' said lead researcher Dr. Rochelle Walensky , a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston .
Walensky noted that the federal government 's `` Ending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see a 90 percent reduction in new HIV cases by 2030 .
To meet that goal , the United States needs to increase viral suppression by 33 percent .
That will require spending nearly $ 36 billion a year on medicine alone , she said .
The drugs are generally covered by insurance , whether it be Medicaid or private insurance .
But Walensky said it 's not clear that all patients have insurance .
`` In many cases , it 's really the public paying for these drugs , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that deep pools of government and private money -- including expanded Medicaid and the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program -- cover these drugs .
Another reason : There is no government oversight to control prices , Walensky said .
`` The public needs to keep an eye on these drug costs because they 're rising rapidly , '' Walensky said .
`` That 's unacceptable , and we are in the midst of a public health mission to end this epidemic , and we 're not going to be able to do it if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rates . ''
Andrew Powaleny -- spokesman for PhRMA , the trade group representing the pharmaceutical industry -- said breakthroughs in HIV drugs have significantly reduced deaths from the disease .
`` These innovations are meaningless , however , if patients ca n't afford them , '' he added .
While not addressing why prices have risen so dramatically , Powaleny mentioned some industry efforts to make HIV drugs more affordable to patients .
Those efforts include discounts and rebates that the new research does not take into account , he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ make sure those savings are shared with patients at the pharmacy counter .
`` Biopharmaceutical companies are working to fix the health care system so it works better for patients by improving patient affordability , '' he said .
The industry also would like to see a cap on out-of-pocket costs and coinsurance lowered from 25 percent to 20 percent , Powaleny said .
`` We also need to delink supply chain payments from the list price of a medicine , '' he said .
The report was published online Feb. 3 as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For more on HIV/AIDS , visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

The U.S. government aims to end the HIV epidemic by 2030, but skyrocketing medication costs may make that a pipe dream, a new study suggests.
Since 2012, the cost of antiviral treatment for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, has jumped 34 percent. That's nearly four times the inflation rate.
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Even with new generic options, initial treatments now top $36,000 per patient per year, according to the study.
In 2012, the average annual cost of initial treatment was $25,000 to $35,000. By 2018, the range was $36,000 to $48,000 a year, researchers found. That's a 53 percent increase, nearly six times the inflation rate.
"Clearly, there is a movement by the industry to increase drug prices, and there's been advertising to try and make sure that people who might be on older, cheaper drugs transition to newer, more expensive ones," said lead researcher Dr. Rochelle Walensky, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston.
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Walensky noted that the federal government's "Ending the HIV Epidemic" initiative aims to see a 90 percent reduction in new HIV cases by 2030.
To meet that goal, the United States needs to increase viral suppression by 33 percent. That will require spending nearly $36 billion a year on medicine alone, she said.
The drugs are generally covered by insurance, whether it be Medicaid or private insurance. But Walensky said it's not clear that all patients have insurance.
"In many cases, it's really the public paying for these drugs," she said.
One reason prices are climbing is that deep pools of government and private money -- including expanded Medicaid and the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program -- cover these drugs. Another reason: There is no government oversight to control prices, Walensky said.
"The public needs to keep an eye on these drug costs because they're rising rapidly," Walensky said. "That's unacceptable, and we are in the midst of a public health mission to end this epidemic, and we're not going to be able to do it if these costs continue to increase at these rates."
Andrew Powaleny -- spokesman for PhRMA, the trade group representing the pharmaceutical industry -- said breakthroughs in HIV drugs have significantly reduced deaths from the disease. "These innovations are meaningless, however, if patients can't afford them," he added.
Advertisement
While not addressing why prices have risen so dramatically, Powaleny mentioned some industry efforts to make HIV drugs more affordable to patients.
Those efforts include discounts and rebates that the new research does not take into account, he said. Powaleny said the industry is trying to make sure those savings are shared with patients at the pharmacy counter.
"Biopharmaceutical companies are working to fix the health care system so it works better for patients by improving patient affordability," he said.
The industry also would like to see a cap on out-of-pocket costs and coinsurance lowered from 25 percent to 20 percent, Powaleny said.
"We also need to delink supply chain payments from the list price of a medicine," he said.
The report was published online Feb. 3 as a research letter in JAMA Internal Medicine.
More information
For more on HIV/AIDS, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-02-03--Wedding ring lost on California beach found months later

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- A California man who lost his wedding ring during a trip to the beach was reunited with the precious item several months later thanks to a man wielding a metal detector .
Paul Svoboda said he was with his 6-year-old daughter at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point in August when he realized his wedding ring , a Robbins Brothers palladium ring dotted with diamonds , was missing from his finger .
Svoboda said he enlisted the help of metal detecting group the Ring Finders , but they were unable to find it despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was no word on the ring 's fate until Jan. 27 , when he received a call from Rick Rolsheim .
Rolsheim said he found the ring while metal detecting on the beach the previous week and asked friends if they knew anything about the unusual ring .
A friend who is a member of the Ring Finders gave him Svoboda 's information .
Svoboda said he will leave his ring at home during future trips to the beach .
He thanked Rolsheim in a Facebook post .
His wife , Susan Ring-Svoboda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard to believe . ''

A California man who lost his wedding ring during a trip to the beach was reunited with the precious item months later thanks to a man with a metal detector. Photo by lehni/Pixabay.com
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Feb. 3 (UPI) -- A California man who lost his wedding ring during a trip to the beach was reunited with the precious item several months later thanks to a man wielding a metal detector. Paul Svoboda said he was with his 6-year-old daughter at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point in August when he realized his wedding ring, a Robbins Brothers palladium ring dotted with diamonds, was missing from his finger. Advertisement
Svoboda said he enlisted the help of metal detecting group the Ring Finders, but they were unable to find it despite two sweeps of the beach.
There was no word on the ring's fate until Jan. 27, when he received a call from Rick Rolsheim.
Rolsheim said he found the ring while metal detecting on the beach the previous week and asked friends if they knew anything about the unusual ring. A friend who is a member of the Ring Finders gave him Svoboda's information.
Svoboda said he will leave his ring at home during future trips to the beach.
He thanked Rolsheim in a Facebook post. His wife, Susan Ring-Svoboda, said the reunion is "still hard to believe."


upi--2020-02-03--Rush Limbaugh announces he has been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- Radio host Rush Limbaugh announced Monday that he has been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer .
Limbaugh , 69 , told listeners to The Rush Limbaugh Show that his diagnosis was confirmed on Jan. 20 and that he will begin undergoing treatment , which will cause him to miss some shows .
`` I thought about not telling anybody .
I thought about trying to do this without anybody knowing , because I do n't like making things about me , '' he said .
`` But there are going to be days that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be here , because I 'm undergoing treatment . ''
Limbaugh said that he plans to be off the air Tuesday and return to the show Thursday .
`` My intention is to come here every day I can and do this program as normally and as competently and as expertly as I do each and every day , because that is the source of my greatest satisfaction , '' he said .
Limbaugh 's radio career began in the 1970s and he has hosted The Rush Limbaugh Show in national syndication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was set to end later this year and he renewed his deal with syndication company Premiere Radio Networks in January .
`` Rush is both a colleague and a dear friend and I know he will handle the situation with courage and grace , '' said Rich Bressler , president of Premiere 's parent company iHeartMedia .
`` I know millions of people nationwide join me and all of iHeart in wishing him a full recovery . ''

Talk show radio host Rush Limbaugh speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington on February 28, 2009. Limbaugh announced during his radio show Monday that he has been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. File Photo by Alexis C. Glenn/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Radio host Rush Limbaugh announced Monday that he has been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. Limbaugh, 69, told listeners to The Rush Limbaugh Show that his diagnosis was confirmed on Jan. 20 and that he will begin undergoing treatment, which will cause him to miss some shows. Advertisement
"I thought about not telling anybody. I thought about trying to do this without anybody knowing, because I don't like making things about me," he said. "But there are going to be days that I'm not going to be able to be here, because I'm undergoing treatment."
Limbaugh said that he plans to be off the air Tuesday and return to the show Thursday.
"My intention is to come here every day I can and do this program as normally and as competently and as expertly as I do each and every day, because that is the source of my greatest satisfaction," he said.
Limbaugh's radio career began in the 1970s and he has hosted The Rush Limbaugh Show in national syndication for 31 years.
His radio contract was set to end later this year and he renewed his deal with syndication company Premiere Radio Networks in January.
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"Rush is both a colleague and a dear friend and I know he will handle the situation with courage and grace," said Rich Bressler, president of Premiere's parent company iHeartMedia. "I know millions of people nationwide join me and all of iHeart in wishing him a full recovery."


upi--2020-02-03--Israeli military launches drill simulating attacks from north, south

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- The Israeli Defense Force is running a four-day readiness exercise , simulating wars fought on Israel 's northern and southern borders .
The drill began Sunday and is meant to test the military 's ability for simultaneous action on several fronts .
It comes days after a plan to improve the IDF was approved by Defense Minister Naftali Bennett .
The plan , known in Hebrew as Tenufa , was designed by Defense Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochlavi to make the Israeli military `` more flexible , smarter and deadlier . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and equipment , and wars won as rapidly as possible .
The plan was deliberately composed to counter perceived potential threats to Israel in the next decade , and calls for the military to have a constantly updated list of targets and the means to strike them .
The four-day drill , called a `` headquarters exercise , '' concentrates on streamlining communications between commands , instead of demonstrations of tactical maneuvers in the field .
All aspects of the Israeli defense structure , including the Navy and the IDF 's Northern and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military said the drills , planned in advance , are not responses to a new or specific threat .
The IDF held a surprise drill in January involving a surprise attack that shut down critical computer systems .
It was preceded in November 2019 by another surprise exercise testing the military 's capabilities in northern Israel , and simulated a sudden war with Lebanon 's Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups .

The Israel Defense Force began a four-day exercise on Sunday simulating simultaneous attacks at the country's northern and southern borders. File Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- The Israeli Defense Force is running a four-day readiness exercise, simulating wars fought on Israel's northern and southern borders. The drill began Sunday and is meant to test the military's ability for simultaneous action on several fronts. It comes days after a plan to improve the IDF was approved by Defense Minister Naftali Bennett. Advertisement
The plan, known in Hebrew as Tenufa, was designed by Defense Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochlavi to make the Israeli military "more flexible, smarter and deadlier."
Tenufa calls for quick deployment of troops and equipment, and wars won as rapidly as possible. The plan was deliberately composed to counter perceived potential threats to Israel in the next decade, and calls for the military to have a constantly updated list of targets and the means to strike them.
The four-day drill, called a "headquarters exercise," concentrates on streamlining communications between commands, instead of demonstrations of tactical maneuvers in the field. All aspects of the Israeli defense structure, including the Navy and the IDF's Northern and Southern Commands, are involved.
The military said the drills, planned in advance, are not responses to a new or specific threat.
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The IDF held a surprise drill in January involving a surprise attack that shut down critical computer systems. It was preceded in November 2019 by another surprise exercise testing the military's capabilities in northern Israel, and simulated a sudden war with Lebanon's Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups.


upi--2020-02-03--Pennsylvania State Police rescue guinea pigs next to road

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- The Pennsylvania State Police said troopers conducting a traffic stop rescued three guinea pigs @ @ @ @ @ the road .
Troopers said they were conducting a traffic stop Friday in Erie when @ @ @ @ @ some nearby bushes .
The troopers investigated and discovered five guinea pigs had apparently been @ @ @ @ @ .
The three surviving guinea pigs were brought back to the State Police barracks , @ @ @ @ @ to rescuers from the ANNA Shelter in Erie .
The shelter said two of the @ @ @ @ @ for new homes and the third is available for adoption .

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Feb. 3 (UPI) -- The Pennsylvania State Police said troopers conducting a traffic stop rescued three guinea pigs that were abandoned next to the road.
Troopers said they were conducting a traffic stop Friday in Erie when they heard squeaking coming from some nearby bushes.
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The troopers investigated and discovered five guinea pigs had apparently been abandoned next to the road.
The three surviving guinea pigs were brought back to the State Police barracks, where they were turned over to rescuers from the ANNA Shelter in Erie.
The shelter said two of the guinea pigs are already bound for new homes and the third is available for adoption.


upi--2020-02-03--Hot pots helped ancient Siberian hunters stay alive, warm

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- Without heat-resistant pots , ancient Siberian hunters might have disappeared during the last ice age .
According to a new study , these hardy humans survived the frigid temps with the help of hot pots .
For the new study , scientists extracted and analyzed fats and lipids from some of the oldest pieces of pottery in the world , fragments sourced from dig sites across Russia and ranging in age from 12,000 to 16,000 years old .
The research , published over the weekend in the journal Quaternary Science Reviews , suggests hunters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago were using clay pots resistant to heat .
The technology would have allowed ancient hunters to take advantage of a variety of nutritional resources .
`` This study illustrates the exciting potential of new methods in archaeological science : we can extract and interpret the remains of meals that were cooked in pots over 16,000 years ago , '' Oliver Craig , professor of archaeological science at the University of York in Britain , said in a news release .
`` It is interesting that pottery emerges during these very cold periods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interstadials when forest resources , such as game and nuts , were more available . ''
Fats and lipids preserved in some of the clay fragments collected from sites along Russia 's Amur River suggest early Siberian hunters used the vessels to process fish , most likely migratory salmon .
Tests revealed similar biochemicals signatures in clay fragments unearthed on nearby Japanese islands .
According to the study , heat-resistant clay vessels did not originate from a single source .
Instead , clay vessel technology was developed independently by different groups -- a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these ancient hunters were taking advantage of migratory fish .
Fats and lipids in the vessel fragments suggest some groups were using the heat-resistant pots to extract grease and marrow from the bones , cartilage and meat of ruminant species .
`` We are starting to understand that very different pottery traditions were emerging around the same time but in different places , and that the pots were being used to process very different sets of resources , '' said Peter Jordan , an archaeologist at the University of Groningen in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ techniques to develop their clay pots , the timing of their arrival in the archaeological record suggest the vessels played a similarly important role in helping groups of hunters survive harsh environs .
The glacial maximum during the last ice age occurred between 26,000 and 20,000 years ago .
Around 19,000 years ago , temperatures began to climb and ice began to thaw , opening up previously inhospitable regions of Siberia to habitation .
The dietary adaptability afforded by the use of heat-resistant pots likely helped early groups of nomadic hunters repopulate newly @ @ @ @ @

Fats and lipids preserved in the pores of ancient pottery fragments found in Siberia suggests early groups of hunters were processing fish and extracting marrow from bones as early as 16,000 year ago. Photo by Yanshina Oksana
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Without heat-resistant pots, ancient Siberian hunters might have disappeared during the last ice age. According to a new study, these hardy humans survived the frigid temps with the help of hot pots. For the new study, scientists extracted and analyzed fats and lipids from some of the oldest pieces of pottery in the world, fragments sourced from dig sites across Russia and ranging in age from 12,000 to 16,000 years old. Advertisement
The research, published over the weekend in the journal Quaternary Science Reviews, suggests hunters living in Siberia as early 16,000 years ago were using clay pots resistant to heat. The technology would have allowed ancient hunters to take advantage of a variety of nutritional resources.
"This study illustrates the exciting potential of new methods in archaeological science: we can extract and interpret the remains of meals that were cooked in pots over 16,000 years ago," Oliver Craig, professor of archaeological science at the University of York in Britain, said in a news release. "It is interesting that pottery emerges during these very cold periods, and not during the comparatively warmer interstadials when forest resources, such as game and nuts, were more available."
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Fats and lipids preserved in some of the clay fragments collected from sites along Russia's Amur River suggest early Siberian hunters used the vessels to process fish, most likely migratory salmon. Tests revealed similar biochemicals signatures in clay fragments unearthed on nearby Japanese islands.
According to the study, heat-resistant clay vessels did not originate from a single source. Instead, clay vessel technology was developed independently by different groups -- a parallel process of innovation.
Not all of these ancient hunters were taking advantage of migratory fish. Fats and lipids in the vessel fragments suggest some groups were using the heat-resistant pots to extract grease and marrow from the bones, cartilage and meat of ruminant species.
"We are starting to understand that very different pottery traditions were emerging around the same time but in different places, and that the pots were being used to process very different sets of resources," said Peter Jordan, an archaeologist at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.
Though different groups used different techniques to develop their clay pots, the timing of their arrival in the archaeological record suggest the vessels played a similarly important role in helping groups of hunters survive harsh environs.
The glacial maximum during the last ice age occurred between 26,000 and 20,000 years ago. Around 19,000 years ago, temperatures began to climb and ice began to thaw, opening up previously inhospitable regions of Siberia to habitation.
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The dietary adaptability afforded by the use of heat-resistant pots likely helped early groups of nomadic hunters repopulate newly thawed portions of Siberia.


upi--2020-02-03--2 killed, 1 injured in shooting at Texas A&M University-Commerce

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- Two people were killed Monday and another person injured in a shooting at a @ @ @ @ @ residence hall .
University officials told students , faculty and staff to shelter in place @ @ @ @ @ shootings at Pride Rock residence hall earlier Monday .
The shelter-in-place request has since been @ @ @ @ @ surrounding areas are still blocked off , an update said , adding that counselors were @ @ @ @ @ Center to help students cope with the situation .
The university confirmed the two deaths @ @ @ @ @ and that a third person was injured and being treated in a hospital .
Authorities @ @ @ @ @ details about the victims or motive behind the shooting .
Classes have been canceled for @ @ @ @ @ .

Counselors were available at Texas A&M University-Commerce's Rayburn Student Center for students who need help coping after a school shooting Monday. Photo by Michael Barera/ Wikimedia
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Two women were killed and a toddler was injured in a shooting on Monday at a Texas A&M-University Commerce residence hall, authorities said. Campus police chief Bryan Vaughn told reporters the child, who is approximately 2-years-old, was in stable condition. Advertisement
He said police responded to a call from a student at the Pride Rock residence at about 10:17 a.m. and officers arrived to find the two women dead and the toddler injured in one of the rooms.
The identities of the victims were not released nor information about the shooter, but he said the incident was under investigation and "there appears to be no other threats."
University officials told students, faculty and staff to shelter in place while the university investigated the shootings at Pride Rock residence hall earlier Monday. The shelter-in-place request has since been lifted. Pride Rock and surrounding areas are still blocked off, an update said, adding that counselors were available in the Rayburn Student Center to help students cope with the situation.
Texas A&M University-Commerce President Mark J. Rudin said law enforcement and campus police were "working diligently" to investigate the shooting.
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"Our hearts go out to everyone in this community who has been impacted by this tragedy," he said during the press conference.
The university confirmed the two deaths on Twitter Monday afternoon, and that a third person was injured and being treated in a hospital.
All classes including online, programs and events have been canceled until Wednesday.


upi--2020-02-03--Watch: Man passes 20-pound weight from hand to hand 100 times in 15 seconds

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- An Idaho man put his juggling and weight lifting skills to the test by @ @ @ @ @ hand to hand 100 times in under 15 seconds .
David Rush , who has @ @ @ @ @ Records to his name , including several for juggling , attempted the weight passing record @ @ @ @ @ University 's Science and Engineering Festival .
Rush passed a 20-pound kettleball from hand to @ @ @ @ @ seconds , beating the previous record of 24.62 seconds .
The record-breaking enthusiast , who @ @ @ @ @ awareness of the importance of STEM education , said the most difficult part of the @ @ @ @ @ hands were never touching the weight at the same time .

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Feb. 3 (UPI) -- An Idaho man put his juggling and weight lifting skills to the test by passing a 20-pound weight from hand to hand 100 times in under 15 seconds.
David Rush, who has more than 100 Guinness World Records to his name, including several for juggling, attempted the weight passing record as part of Boise State University's Science and Engineering Festival.
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Rush passed a 20-pound kettleball from hand to hand 100 times in 14.62 seconds, beating the previous record of 24.62 seconds.
The record-breaking enthusiast, who uses his attempts to raise awareness of the importance of STEM education, said the most difficult part of the record was making sure both hands were never touching the weight at the same time.


upi--2020-02-03--Tennis rankings: Coco Gauff jumps 16 spots, Kenin now top U.S. player

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin climbed to No .
7 in the Women 's Tennis Association rankings Monday , while fellow American Cori `` Coco '' Gauff moved from No .
67 to No .
51 after she upset Naomi Osaka in Australia .
Kenin , who beat Gauff in the fourth round of the Australian Open , had been ranked No .
15 entering the tourney .
Serena Williams retained her No .
9 spot , but Kenin now is the highest-ranked American player .
`` It 's such an honor and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Saturday after winning her first Grand Slam , knowing she was about to jump Williams in the rankings .
`` Everything is coming into place .
It 's a dream come true .
All of the hard work is paying off . ''
Kenin , 21 , was ranked No .
1,240 at the start of 2014 .
Born in Moscow , but living in Pembroke Pines , Fla. , she used runs at the 2017 , 2018 and 2019 U.S. Open , Wimbledon 2018 and 2019 and at the 2019 French @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the world at the end of 2019 .
Australian Ashleigh Barty kept her No .
1 world ranking after losing in straight sets to Kenin in Wednesday 's semifinal round .
Kenin went on to beat Spain 's Garbine Muguruza in the women 's singles final Saturday in Melbourne .
Barty has been the top women 's player since September .
Simona Halep passed Karoline Pliskova for No .
2 in the WTA rankings .
Osaka -- who ranked No .
1 in the world for several weeks in 2019 -- dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 after her loss to Gauff .
Gauff , 15 , ranked No .
938 in July 2018 .
The Delray Beach , Fla. , native climbed to No .
686 at the end of 2018 .
She jumped up to No .
141 in the world following her run at Wimbledon 2019 , which included an upset of Venus Williams .
The teen advanced to the third round of the 2019 U.S. Open , moving up to No .
106 .
She ranked No .
68 at the end of 2019 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ the most ] , but it 's hard to say because I 've had such good matches at all of the Grand Slams , '' Gauff said after her loss to Kenin .
`` The Australian crowd in unbelievable , even Wimbledon is .
Before going to Australia , the U.S. Open was always my favorite , but now it 's close . ''
Kiki Bertens also moved up to No .
8 from No .
10 .
Muguruza moved up from to No .
16 from No .
32 following her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tunisian Ons Jabeur had the biggest jump in the rankings of the top-100 players , moving up 33 spots No .
45 from No .
78 after her run to the quarterfinals in Melbourne .
The 2020 French Open is the next Grand Slam on the schedule , in late May and early June .

Coco Gauff advanced to the fourth round of the 2020 Australian Open, before losing in three sets to eventual champion Sofia Kenin. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin climbed to No. 7 in the Women's Tennis Association rankings Monday, while fellow American Cori "Coco" Gauff moved from No. 67 to No. 51 after she upset Naomi Osaka in Australia. Kenin, who beat Gauff in the fourth round of the Australian Open, had been ranked No. 15 entering the tourney. Serena Williams retained her No. 9 spot, but Kenin now is the highest-ranked American player. Advertisement
"It's such an honor and I love representing the U.S.," Kenin said Saturday after winning her first Grand Slam, knowing she was about to jump Williams in the rankings. "Everything is coming into place. It's a dream come true. All of the hard work is paying off."
Kenin, 21, was ranked No. 1,240 at the start of 2014. Born in Moscow, but living in Pembroke Pines, Fla., she used runs at the 2017, 2018 and 2019 U.S. Open, Wimbledon 2018 and 2019 and at the 2019 French Open to climb to No. 14 in the world at the end of 2019.
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Australian Ashleigh Barty kept her No. 1 world ranking after losing in straight sets to Kenin in Wednesday's semifinal round. Kenin went on to beat Spain's Garbine Muguruza in the women's singles final Saturday in Melbourne. Barty has been the top women's player since September.
Simona Halep passed Karoline Pliskova for No. 2 in the WTA rankings. Osaka -- who ranked No. 1 in the world for several weeks in 2019 -- dropped to No. 10 from No. 4 after her loss to Gauff.
Gauff, 15, ranked No. 938 in July 2018. The Delray Beach, Fla., native climbed to No. 686 at the end of 2018. She jumped up to No. 141 in the world following her run at Wimbledon 2019, which included an upset of Venus Williams.
The teen advanced to the third round of the 2019 U.S. Open, moving up to No. 106. She ranked No. 68 at the end of 2019.
"I guess I like U.S. Open [the most], but it's hard to say because I've had such good matches at all of the Grand Slams," Gauff said after her loss to Kenin. "The Australian crowd in unbelievable, even Wimbledon is. Before going to Australia, the U.S. Open was always my favorite, but now it's close."
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Kiki Bertens also moved up to No. 8 from No. 10. Muguruza moved up from to No. 16 from No. 32 following her run to the women's final. Tunisian Ons Jabeur had the biggest jump in the rankings of the top-100 players, moving up 33 spots No. 45 from No. 78 after her run to the quarterfinals in Melbourne.
The 2020 French Open is the next Grand Slam on the schedule, in late May and early June.


upi--2020-02-03--Couple celebrating 70th wedding anniversary win lottery jackpot

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- A North Carolina couple said they will be able to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary by going on a cruise thanks to a $ 768,862 lottery jackpot .
James and Maxine Hilliker of Lumberton told North Carolina Education Lottery officials they visit the Sun-Do Kwik Shop store in Lumberton together every Tuesday to play Cash 5 .
`` We go to the same store every Tuesday , '' Maxine Hilliker said .
`` We always play the same numbers .
I 've been playing them for over 22 years in California , Florida and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ birthday , my husband 's birthday , and the birthdays of my three sisters .
We 've never won anything big . ''
The Hillikers broke that streak last week .
James Hilliker said he saw Monday morning that their numbers had come up , but he did n't tell Maxine until later in the morning , when he read the numbers aloud from the newspaper .
The couple said the money came at what was already a time of celebration .
`` Our wedding anniversary is next week and today is my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the couple 's trip to lottery headquarters to collect their prize .
`` I ca n't even believe this is real .
I just ca n't believe it . ''
The couple said they plan to treat themselves to an anniversary cruise with their winnings .

A North Carolina couple celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary said they will be able to take a cruise thanks to their Cash 5 lottery jackpot. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Feb. 3 (UPI) -- A North Carolina couple said they will be able to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary by going on a cruise thanks to a $768,862 lottery jackpot. James and Maxine Hilliker of Lumberton told North Carolina Education Lottery officials they visit the Sun-Do Kwik Shop store in Lumberton together every Tuesday to play Cash 5. Advertisement
"We go to the same store every Tuesday," Maxine Hilliker said. "We always play the same numbers. I've been playing them for over 22 years in California, Florida and now North Carolina. We use my birthday, my husband's birthday, and the birthdays of my three sisters. We've never won anything big."
The Hillikers broke that streak last week. James Hilliker said he saw Monday morning that their numbers had come up, but he didn't tell Maxine until later in the morning, when he read the numbers aloud from the newspaper.
The couple said the money came at what was already a time of celebration.
"Our wedding anniversary is next week and today is my 90th birthday," James Hilliker said during the couple's trip to lottery headquarters to collect their prize. "I can't even believe this is real. I just can't believe it."
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The couple said they plan to treat themselves to an anniversary cruise with their winnings.


upi--2020-02-03--Authorities investigate 15th inmate death at Mississippi state prison since late December

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- Authorities are investigating the 15th inmate death in a Mississippi state prison since late December .
Officials found Jesus Garcia , 39 , lying in his cell unresponsive Saturday at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility , spokesperson Issa Arnita , of Management and Training Corp. , the company that runs the prison , told The Hill in a statement .
Garcia was pronounced dead at 12:52 p.m. after life-saving efforts were unsuccessful .
`` The cause and manner of death are under investigation , '' Arnita told the Hill .
`` There were no obvious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serving a 20-year sentence for capital rape in a DeSoto County case , the Clarion Ledger reported .
His death marks the 15th inmate to die in a state prison since Dec. 29 and the fifth in little more than a week .
Two inmates , Nora Ducksworth and Jermaine Tyler , died at Marshall County Correctional Facility .
Ducksworth 's death remains under investigation though initial signs showed the death was due to natural causes .
Tyler 's death showed `` no initial signs of foul play , '' according to MTC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was found hanging in a one-man cell at Parchman , and another inmate , Limarion Reaves collapsed while talking to a relative on a facility phone at Kemper-Neshoba Regional Correctional Facility and was pronounced dead later at a local hospital , according to a release .
On Jan. 27 , Mississippi Gov .
Tate Reeves vowed to close Parchman 's Unit 29 cell block after the ninth inmate death in a month there .
On Jan. 7 , the South Poverty Law Center asked the Department of Justice to investigate the conditions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 10 days .
Also , in early January , entertainment mogul Jay-Z filed a lawsuit on behalf of 29 state inmates who say authorities have done nothing to stem the violence .
Corrections officials previously attributed some of the deaths to gang violence and officials have said lack of funding prevents them from addressing problems .
Last week state lawmakers began to introduce legislation to address violence and living conditions .
`` We need to get started as quickly as possible , '' House Corrections Chairman Kevin Horan , I-Grenada , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medium-threat prisoners to regional jails to take pressure off state facilities .
They said the plan could save $ 22.5 million because it costs about $ 14 more to house each inmate daily in a state-run facility compared to a county-managed one .

A 15th inmate has died in Mississippi state prison since near the end of last year. Photo courtesy of Mississippi Department of Corrections/Twitter
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Authorities are investigating the 15th inmate death in a Mississippi state prison since late December. Officials found Jesus Garcia, 39, lying in his cell unresponsive Saturday at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility, spokesperson Issa Arnita, of Management and Training Corp., the company that runs the prison, told The Hill in a statement. Advertisement
Garcia was pronounced dead at 12:52 p.m. after life-saving efforts were unsuccessful.
"The cause and manner of death are under investigation," Arnita told the Hill. "There were no obvious signs of assault."
Garcia was serving a 20-year sentence for capital rape in a DeSoto County case, the Clarion Ledger reported.
His death marks the 15th inmate to die in a state prison since Dec. 29 and the fifth in little more than a week.
Two inmates, Nora Ducksworth and Jermaine Tyler, died at Marshall County Correctional Facility.
Ducksworth's death remains under investigation though initial signs showed the death was due to natural causes. Tyler's death showed "no initial signs of foul play," according to MTC.
One inmate, Joshua Norman, was found hanging in a one-man cell at Parchman, and another inmate, Limarion Reaves collapsed while talking to a relative on a facility phone at Kemper-Neshoba Regional Correctional Facility and was pronounced dead later at a local hospital, according to a release.
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On Jan. 27, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves vowed to close Parchman's Unit 29 cell block after the ninth inmate death in a month there.
On Jan. 7, the South Poverty Law Center asked the Department of Justice to investigate the conditions in the state prison after five inmates died in 10 days.
Also, in early January, entertainment mogul Jay-Z filed a lawsuit on behalf of 29 state inmates who say authorities have done nothing to stem the violence.
Corrections officials previously attributed some of the deaths to gang violence and officials have said lack of funding prevents them from addressing problems.
Last week state lawmakers began to introduce legislation to address violence and living conditions.
"We need to get started as quickly as possible," House Corrections Chairman Kevin Horan, I-Grenada, said.
A group of sheriffs proposed taking medium-threat prisoners to regional jails to take pressure off state facilities. They said the plan could save $22.5 million because it costs about $14 more to house each inmate daily in a state-run facility compared to a county-managed one.


upi--2020-02-03--VA chief Robert Wilkie fires deputy James Byrne over 'loss of confidence'

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- Veteran Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie said Monday he fired Deputy Secretary James Byrne effective immediately after he `` lost confidence '' in his abilities .
Wilkie made the announcement about Byrne , who was confirmed by the Senate just five months ago , in a statement .
He was confirmed by an 81-11 vote in last September after serving as an acting deputy for more than a year .
Wilkie 's statement gave no indication specifically what led to Byrne 's dismissal .
`` I dismissed VA Deputy Secretary James Byrne due to loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to carry out his duties .
This decision is effective immediately , '' Wilkie said .
The VA has recently come under fire after scrutiny when the agency 's Inspector General failed to bring charges in the case of a House staff member who said she was sexually assaulted at the VA hospital in Washington , D.C. Navy veteran Andrea Goldstein , who was at the heart of the assault investigation , criticized Wilkie Monday , saying the secretary suggested she lied about her assault in a letter to House Veterans Affairs committee @ @ @ @

Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie, pictured, dismissed the No. 2 official at the department, he said Monday. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Veteran Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie said Monday he fired Deputy Secretary James Byrne effective immediately after he "lost confidence" in his abilities. Wilkie made the announcement about Byrne, who was confirmed by the Senate just five months ago, in a statement. He was confirmed by an 81-11 vote in last September after serving as an acting deputy for more than a year. Advertisement
Wilkie's statement gave no indication specifically what led to Byrne's dismissal.
"I dismissed VA Deputy Secretary James Byrne due to loss of confidence in Mr. Byrne's ability to carry out his duties. This decision is effective immediately," Wilkie said.
The VA has recently come under fire after scrutiny when the agency's Inspector General failed to bring charges in the case of a House staff member who said she was sexually assaulted at the VA hospital in Washington, D.C.
Navy veteran Andrea Goldstein, who was at the heart of the assault investigation, criticized Wilkie Monday, saying the secretary suggested she lied about her assault in a letter to House Veterans Affairs committee Chairman Mark Takano.


upi--2020-02-03--'Safe' biodiverse regions now vulnerable to climate change

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- Some of the most biodiverse regions on Earth have served as a place of respite for thousands of plant and animal species during previous periods of climatic upheaval .
New research suggests these former safe havens are now exceedingly vulnerable .
For the new study , scientists analyzed the influence of extreme climate change events on biodiversity hotspots across history .
Researchers then compared previous climate change episodes with 21st century patterns .
The results , published Monday in the journal Nature Climate Change , showed the rapid pace of human-caused climate change is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made biodiverse regions places of refuge .
`` Our results show that the magnitude and accelerated rate of future climate change will disproportionately affect plants and animals in tropical regions and biodiversity hotspots , '' Damien Fordham , an associate professor of global ecology the University Adelaide in Australia , said in a news release .
`` Worryingly , these are regions on Earth with the highest concentrations of biodiversity . ''
Traditionally , climate change related to glacial-interglacial cycles occurs over relatively long timescales .
During these periods of warming and cooling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ persist in the regions of biodiversity found throughout the tropics .
These safe havens have also served as sites of speciation , places where new species diverge .
Modern climate change , caused by human-produced greenhouse gases , is happening at a much more rapid pace .
According to the latest analysis , the speed and severity of the environmental changes caused by warming and severe weather is likely to disrupt the ability of biodiversity hotspots to shelter vulnerable species .
Places of climate stability are likely to become increasingly unstable as temperatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , our research shows that more than 75 percent of the area of these climate safe havens will be lost in the near future due to 21st century warming , '' said lead researcher Stuart Brown , professor of biological sciences at the University of Adelaide .
`` The future is most ominous for species in tropical oceans .
Severe negative impacts on the richness of coral species and marine life they support are expected in regions such as the Indo-Pacific .
This is likely to cause human hardship for communities that depend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and income . ''

Habitats throughout the tropics, previously places of refuge during periods of climate upheaval, are likely to become too unstable for many vulnerable species if global temperatures continue to rise. Photo by Phil P. Harris/ Wikimedia Commons
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Some of the most biodiverse regions on Earth have served as a place of respite for thousands of plant and animal species during previous periods of climatic upheaval. New research suggests these former safe havens are now exceedingly vulnerable. For the new study, scientists analyzed the influence of extreme climate change events on biodiversity hotspots across history. Researchers then compared previous climate change episodes with 21st century patterns. Advertisement
The results, published Monday in the journal Nature Climate Change, showed the rapid pace of human-caused climate change is likely to erode the mechanisms that previously made biodiverse regions places of refuge.
"Our results show that the magnitude and accelerated rate of future climate change will disproportionately affect plants and animals in tropical regions and biodiversity hotspots," Damien Fordham, an associate professor of global ecology the University Adelaide in Australia, said in a news release. "Worryingly, these are regions on Earth with the highest concentrations of biodiversity."
Traditionally, climate change related to glacial-interglacial cycles occurs over relatively long timescales. During these periods of warming and cooling, old species have found ways to persist in the regions of biodiversity found throughout the tropics. These safe havens have also served as sites of speciation, places where new species diverge.
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Modern climate change, caused by human-produced greenhouse gases, is happening at a much more rapid pace. According to the latest analysis, the speed and severity of the environmental changes caused by warming and severe weather is likely to disrupt the ability of biodiversity hotspots to shelter vulnerable species.
Places of climate stability are likely to become increasingly unstable as temperatures rise, researchers determined.
"Disturbingly, our research shows that more than 75 percent of the area of these climate safe havens will be lost in the near future due to 21st century warming," said lead researcher Stuart Brown, professor of biological sciences at the University of Adelaide. "The future is most ominous for species in tropical oceans. Severe negative impacts on the richness of coral species and marine life they support are expected in regions such as the Indo-Pacific. This is likely to cause human hardship for communities that depend on these resources for food, employment and income."


upi--2020-02-03--Stella Maeve gives birth to first child, daughter Jo

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- The Magicians star Stella Maeve is a new mom .
The 30-year-old actress confirmed Monday to Page Six that she welcomed a baby girl , Jo Jezebel , with her fiancé , actor Benjamin Wadsworth , last week .
Maeve gave birth Wednesday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles .
Wadsworth tweeted about the news the next day .
`` I 'm back .
Had a little baby .
Life 's good , '' he wrote .
Maeve had nothing but praise for Wadsworth in an Instagram post Monday , calling the actor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planet . ''
`` You captured my world , my heart , my soul .
Through the good , the bad , the ugly , we 'll make it through any storm .
I ca n't believe how lucky I am I get to wake up next to you every morning and fall asleep to you every night , '' Maeve wrote .
`` I did n't think it was possible to be so in love with a human , and for that love to continue to grow .
With you I fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're my best friend , my soulmate , my partner , my favorite person , my one true love , '' she said .
`` Here 's to us .
To you .
To Jo & Cho .
To the rest of our lives .
The love of my lifetime . ''
Maeve had announced her pregnancy in August .
Maeve and Wadsworth initially met at San Diego Comic-Con in 2018 and got engaged in May .
Maeve plays Julia Wicker on The Magicians , which returned for a fifth season on Syfy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arguello on the Syfy series Deadly Class .

Stella Maeve, who plays Julia Wicker on "The Magicians," welcomed a baby girl, Jo Jezebel, with her fiancé, Benjamin Wadsworth. File Photo by Howard Shen/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- The Magicians star Stella Maeve is a new mom. The 30-year-old actress confirmed Monday to Page Six that she welcomed a baby girl, Jo Jezebel, with her fiancé, actor Benjamin Wadsworth, last week. Advertisement
"She's so freaking beautiful," Maeve said.
Maeve gave birth Wednesday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Wadsworth tweeted about the news the next day.
"I'm back. Had a little baby. Life's good," he wrote.
Maeve had nothing but praise for Wadsworth in an Instagram post Monday, calling the actor "the most beautiful man on the planet."
"You captured my world, my heart, my soul. Through the good, the bad, the ugly, we'll make it through any storm. I can't believe how lucky I am I get to wake up next to you every morning and fall asleep to you every night," Maeve wrote.
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"I didn't think it was possible to be so in love with a human, and for that love to continue to grow. With you I fall more in love every day. You're my best friend, my soulmate, my partner, my favorite person, my one true love," she said. "Here's to us. To you. To Jo & Cho. To the rest of our lives. The love of my lifetime."
Maeve had announced her pregnancy in August. Maeve and Wadsworth initially met at San Diego Comic-Con in 2018 and got engaged in May.
Maeve plays Julia Wicker on The Magicians, which returned for a fifth season on Syfy in January. Wadsworth portrayed Marcus Lopez Arguello on the Syfy series Deadly Class.


upi--2020-02-03--Watch: Charging deer knocks man over in McDonald's parking lot

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- A security camera in the parking lot of a McDonald 's in North Carolina @ @ @ @ @ ran through the area and tackled a man walking back to his car .
Ken @ @ @ @ @ wife were walking back to their car at the McDonald 's in Locust when the @ @ @ @ @ The surveillance footage shows the deer plow into Worthy , knocking him roughly to the @ @ @ @ @ was not inured , said the deer left just as quickly as it arrived .
@ @ @ @ @ to spill his Diet Coke while rolling on the ground .

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Feb. 3 (UPI) -- A security camera in the parking lot of a McDonald's in North Carolina captured the moment a deer ran through the area and tackled a man walking back to his car.
Ken Worthy said he and his wife were walking back to their car at the McDonald's in Locust when the deer came charging through.
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The surveillance footage shows the deer plow into Worthy, knocking him roughly to the ground.
Worthy, who was not inured, said the deer left just as quickly as it arrived. He said he managed not to spill his Diet Coke while rolling on the ground.


upi--2020-02-03--USS Fitzgerald returns to sea for testing after 2017 collision

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- The USS Fitzgerald is back at sea , the U.S. Navy announced on Monday , after repairs following a 2017 collision in which seven sailors died .
The guided-missile destroyer departed the Pascagoula , Miss.
, repair facilities of Huntington Ingalls Industries early Monday for a demonstration of its capabilities .
After its return , crew training and certifications will begin .
The ship is expected to return to duty in the late spring of 2020 .
The USS Fitzgerald was first launched from dry dock in April 2019 after its hull and topside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also undergone mechanical , electrical , communications and computer repairs and combat system modernization upgrades .
`` Since we launched the ship this past April our efforts have focused on restoring ship systems , conducting pier side tests and readying the ship for sea , '' Rear Adm. Tom Anderson , NAVSEA director of surface ship maintenance and modernization commander at the Navy Regional Maintenance Center , said in a statement .
`` The government industry team has been working hand-in-hand on this exceptionally complex effort , with a common purpose of returning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fleet , '' Anderson said .
The ship collided with a cargo ship off the coast of Japan in June in 2017 .
Preliminary findings indicated that the crew on board the USS Fitzgerald failed to take proper measures to avoid the accident .
No one was charged in the incident .
`` The complexity of this overhaul has been challenging , but our planning team at Bath Iron Works and waterfront team [ at Huntington Ingalls Industries ] is executing repairs and installing upgrades so that Fitzgerald returns to our sailors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arm .
Jim Downey , of the Navy Regional Maintenance Center said last year after the Fitzgerald 's launching .

Tugboats assist the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald as it moved into dry dock on July 11, 2017. The damaged ship underwent repairs and returned to the sea for testing on Monday. File Photo by MC1 Peter Burghart/U.S. Navy/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- The USS Fitzgerald is back at sea, the U.S. Navy announced on Monday, after repairs following a 2017 collision in which seven sailors died. The guided-missile destroyer departed the Pascagoula, Miss., repair facilities of Huntington Ingalls Industries early Monday for a demonstration of its capabilities. After its return, crew training and certifications will begin. Advertisement
The ship is expected to return to duty in the late spring of 2020. The USS Fitzgerald was first launched from dry dock in April 2019 after its hull and topside structures were repaired.
The vessel has also undergone mechanical, electrical, communications and computer repairs and combat system modernization upgrades.
"Since we launched the ship this past April our efforts have focused on restoring ship systems, conducting pier side tests and readying the ship for sea," Rear Adm. Tom Anderson, NAVSEA director of surface ship maintenance and modernization commander at the Navy Regional Maintenance Center, said in a statement.
"The government industry team has been working hand-in-hand on this exceptionally complex effort, with a common purpose of returning Fitzgerald to sea and ultimately back to the fleet," Anderson said.
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The ship collided with a cargo ship off the coast of Japan in June in 2017. Preliminary findings indicated that the crew on board the USS Fitzgerald failed to take proper measures to avoid the accident. No one was charged in the incident.
"The complexity of this overhaul has been challenging, but our planning team at Bath Iron Works and waterfront team [at Huntington Ingalls Industries] is executing repairs and installing upgrades so that Fitzgerald returns to our sailors lethal and mission ready," Rear Arm. Jim Downey, of the Navy Regional Maintenance Center said last year after the Fitzgerald's launching.


upi--2020-02-03--Japan assures diplomats tainted Fukushima water is safe

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- The Japanese government said Monday the planned release of tainted water from Fukushima would have no impact on oceans .
During an information session for foreign embassy officials in Tokyo , the Japanese foreign ministry sent signals of reassurance regarding a plan to release tritium-tainted water from the Fukushima No .
1 nuclear power plant , the Mainichi Shimbun and Kyodo News reported .
A total of 28 diplomats representing 23 countries were in attendance , according to reports .
The water comes from Fukushima , where 170 tons of water is contaminated every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damaged during a catastrophic earthquake in March 2011 .
Water has been poured to cool the melted fuel , according to Kyodo .
Japan has been purifying the contaminated water using an advanced liquid processing system , or ALPS .
The process does not remove tritium and leaves traces of radioactive elements .
Tokyo has defended its plan to release the water , but neighboring countries , including South Korea , are opposed to the measure .
On Monday , officials from Japan 's ministry of economy , trade and industry said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact on surrounding countries .
Japanese fishermen also oppose the measure .
Releasing the water into the ocean could affect sales of local seafood , they say .
Japan is planning to release the tritium-tainted water at a time when it is taking stricter measures against travelers from China .
Jiji Press reported Monday Japan turned away five foreign nationals originating from Hubei Province following new restrictions at the border .
Foreigners who have stayed in the Chinese province in the past 14 days or who hold passports issued in the province are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report .
Japan has confirmed 20 coronavirus cases since the outbreak in China in December .
Japanese airports have built new quarantine stations exclusively for travelers from mainland China , Hong Kong and Macau , according to local press reports .

Japan plans to release contaminated water from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. File Photo by Kimimasa Mayama/EPA-EFE
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- The Japanese government said Monday the planned release of tainted water from Fukushima would have no impact on oceans. During an information session for foreign embassy officials in Tokyo, the Japanese foreign ministry sent signals of reassurance regarding a plan to release tritium-tainted water from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, the Mainichi Shimbun and Kyodo News reported. Advertisement
A total of 28 diplomats representing 23 countries were in attendance, according to reports.
The water comes from Fukushima, where 170 tons of water is contaminated every day at the plant that was severely damaged during a catastrophic earthquake in March 2011. Water has been poured to cool the melted fuel, according to Kyodo.
Japan has been purifying the contaminated water using an advanced liquid processing system, or ALPS. The process does not remove tritium and leaves traces of radioactive elements.
Tokyo has defended its plan to release the water, but neighboring countries, including South Korea, are opposed to the measure.
On Monday, officials from Japan's ministry of economy, trade and industry said they do not think there would be an impact on surrounding countries.
Japanese fishermen also oppose the measure. Releasing the water into the ocean could affect sales of local seafood, they say.
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Japan is planning to release the tritium-tainted water at a time when it is taking stricter measures against travelers from China.
Jiji Press reported Monday Japan turned away five foreign nationals originating from Hubei Province following new restrictions at the border.
Foreigners who have stayed in the Chinese province in the past 14 days or who hold passports issued in the province are banned from entry, according to the report.
Japan has confirmed 20 coronavirus cases since the outbreak in China in December. Japanese airports have built new quarantine stations exclusively for travelers from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, according to local press reports.


upi--2020-02-03--Police clear London's SoHo district after WWII bomb found

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- Police evacuated portions of London 's busy and popular Soho district Monday after an @ @ @ @ @ was found at a construction site .
Authorities cordoned off busy thoroughfares including Oxford Street @ @ @ @ @ Shaftesbury Avenue after the ordnance was found at a site near the Soho Hotel .
@ @ @ @ @ Theater and many offices , cafes and restaurants were also cleared out as evacuees posted @ @ @ @ @ .
Authorities did not immediately say how long the evacuation would last .
Soho , @ @ @ @ @ residents , is home to the majority of Britain 's film industry distributors and some @ @ @ @ @ clubs and restaurants .
It 's not uncommon for old World War-era bombs to be @ @ @ @ @ fall , one was found at the main airport in Hamburg , Germany .

Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Police evacuated portions of London's busy and popular Soho district Monday after an unexploded World War II bomb was found at a construction site.
Authorities cordoned off busy thoroughfares including Oxford Street, Charing Cross Road and Shaftesbury Avenue after the ordnance was found at a site near the Soho Hotel.
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The hotel, the Soho Theater and many offices, cafes and restaurants were also cleared out as evacuees posted video of the scene online.
Authorities did not immediately say how long the evacuation would last.
Soho, popular with both tourists and residents, is home to the majority of Britain's film industry distributors and some of London's most popular clubs and restaurants.
It's not uncommon for old World War-era bombs to be found in Europe. Last fall, one was found at the main airport in Hamburg, Germany.


upi--2020-02-04--Former Packers great, Hall of Famer Willie Wood dies at 83

Feb. 4 ( UPI ) -- Former Green Bay Packers great and Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Willie Wood has died .
He was 83 .
Wood died Monday at an assisted living facility in Washington , D.C. , after battling an advanced stage of dementia for at least a decade , the team said .
`` The Green Bay Packers family lost a legend today with the passing of Willie Wood , '' Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy said in a statement .
`` Willie 's success story , rising from an undrafted rookie free agent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an inspiration to generations of football fans .
`` While his health challenges kept him from returning to Lambeau Field in recent years , his alumni weekend visits were cherished by both Willie and our fans .
We extend our deepest condolences to Willie 's family and friends . ''
Wood played his entire 12-year NFL career with the Packers , joining the team in 1960 and retiring after the 1971 season .
He won five NFL Championships , went to the Pro Bowl eight times and was a five-time All-Pro .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 48 interceptions for 699 yards , 16 fumble recoveries and two scores in 166 NFL games .
Wood led the league in punt returns in 1961 , averaging 16.1 yards per run back , and his 1,391 career punt return yards are the most in Packers history .
The star safety mostly played as a run-heavy quarterback at USC , while spending some time in the secondary .
After he was passed over by every NFL team in the 1960 draft , he sent several postcards to NFL franchises asking for a tryout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only one interested in signing Wood .
Wood never missed a game during his NFL tenure and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989 .
`` The game has lost a true legend with the passing of Willie Wood , '' Pro Football Hall of Fame President David Baker said .
`` He had an unbelievable football career which helped transform Green Bay , Wisc.
, into Titletown , U.S.A. Willie was a rare player who always fought to be a great teammate and achieve success .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agent and became one of the greatest to ever play the game .
The Hall of Fame will forever keep his legacy alive to serve as inspiration to future generations . ''
Wood became the defensive backs coach for the San Diego Chargers in 1972 and was later the head coach of the Philadelphia Bell of the World Football League and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League .
Wood is survived by two sons and a daughter .

Former NFL Green Bay Packers safety player Willie Wood battled an advanced stage of dementia for at least 10 years. He died Monday. File Photo by Mike Theiler/EPA
Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Former Green Bay Packers great and Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Willie Wood has died. He was 83. Wood died Monday at an assisted living facility in Washington, D.C., after battling an advanced stage of dementia for at least a decade, the team said. Advertisement
"The Green Bay Packers family lost a legend today with the passing of Willie Wood," Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy said in a statement. "Willie's success story, rising from an undrafted rookie free agent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, is an inspiration to generations of football fans.
"While his health challenges kept him from returning to Lambeau Field in recent years, his alumni weekend visits were cherished by both Willie and our fans. We extend our deepest condolences to Willie's family and friends."
Wood played his entire 12-year NFL career with the Packers, joining the team in 1960 and retiring after the 1971 season. He won five NFL Championships, went to the Pro Bowl eight times and was a five-time All-Pro.
The University of Southern California product had 48 interceptions for 699 yards, 16 fumble recoveries and two scores in 166 NFL games. Wood led the league in punt returns in 1961, averaging 16.1 yards per run back, and his 1,391 career punt return yards are the most in Packers history.
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The star safety mostly played as a run-heavy quarterback at USC, while spending some time in the secondary. After he was passed over by every NFL team in the 1960 draft, he sent several postcards to NFL franchises asking for a tryout. Legendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi was the only one interested in signing Wood.
Wood never missed a game during his NFL tenure and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989.
"The game has lost a true legend with the passing of Willie Wood," Pro Football Hall of Fame President David Baker said. "He had an unbelievable football career which helped transform Green Bay, Wisc., into Titletown, U.S.A. Willie was a rare player who always fought to be a great teammate and achieve success. He entered the league as an undrafted free agent and became one of the greatest to ever play the game. The Hall of Fame will forever keep his legacy alive to serve as inspiration to future generations."
Wood became the defensive backs coach for the San Diego Chargers in 1972 and was later the head coach of the Philadelphia Bell of the World Football League and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.
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Wood is survived by two sons and a daughter.


upi--2020-02-04--WWE Raw: Ricochet earns title match against Brock Lesnar

Feb. 4 ( UPI ) -- Ricochet earned a WWE Championship match against Brock Lesnar on Raw that will take place at Super ShowDown on Feb. 27 in Saudi Arabia .
Ricochet became the No .
1 contender for Lesnar 's title after he defeated Raw Tag Team Champion Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley in a Triple Threat match on Raw Monday in the main event .
The highly-competitive match featured Rollins attempting to gain an advantage early by utilizing his disciples AOP and fellow Raw Tag Team Champion Buddy Murphy .
The Monday Night Messiah 's group had earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who returned to drive them away from the Triple Threat .
Ricochet would win the match after nailing Lashley with a 630 .
Ricochet was given no time to celebrate , however , as Lesnar ran into the ring seconds after the bell rang and delivered an F-5 to the high-flyer as Raw went off the air .
Lesnar will be looking for revenge against Ricochet as he helped Drew McIntyre eliminate The Beast from the Royal Rumble in January .
The winner will then go on to defend the WWE Championship at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Royal Rumble .
Also on Raw , Women 's Royal Rumble winner Charlotte Flair was scheduled once again to announce who she will be facing at WrestleMania .
The Queen stated that she has already previously defeated both of her options which include Raw Women 's Champion Becky Lynch and Smackdown Women 's Champion Bayley .
NXT Women 's Champion Rhea Ripley then made a surprise appearance and attempted to convince Flair to face her at WrestleMania .
Flair did not give an answer and instead left the ring , shouting `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Randy Orton made an apperance to explain why he brutally assaulted Edge last week who had just returned to the WWE after having to retire in 2011 due to injury .
The Viper was booed by the live audience and eventually decided not to say anything .
`` I ca n't do this , '' he said before leaving .
Other moments from Raw included Liv Morgan defeating Lana ; Morgan 's former partner Ruby Riott returning from injury to attack Morgan after the match ; McIntyre defeating 24/7 Champion Mojo Rawley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Young ; Angel Garza ending his match against Rey Mysterio by driving him into exposed concrete outside the ring and Asuka defeating Natalya before Lynch challenged Asuka to a rematch for the Raw Women 's Championship .

Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Ricochet earned a WWE Championship match against Brock Lesnar on Raw that will take place at Super ShowDown on Feb. 27 in Saudi Arabia.
Ricochet became the No. 1 contender for Lesnar's title after he defeated Raw Tag Team Champion Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley in a Triple Threat match on Raw Monday in the main event.
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The highly-competitive match featured Rollins attempting to gain an advantage early by utilizing his disciples AOP and fellow Raw Tag Team Champion Buddy Murphy.
The Monday Night Messiah's group had earlier defeated Kevin Owens and The Viking Raiders who returned to drive them away from the Triple Threat. Ricochet would win the match after nailing Lashley with a 630.
Ricochet was given no time to celebrate, however, as Lesnar ran into the ring seconds after the bell rang and delivered an F-5 to the high-flyer as Raw went off the air.
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Lesnar will be looking for revenge against Ricochet as he helped Drew McIntyre eliminate The Beast from the Royal Rumble in January. The winner will then go on to defend the WWE Championship at WrestleMania against McIntyre who won the Men's Royal Rumble.
Also on Raw, Women's Royal Rumble winner Charlotte Flair was scheduled once again to announce who she will be facing at WrestleMania. The Queen stated that she has already previously defeated both of her options which include Raw Women's Champion Becky Lynch and Smackdown Women's Champion Bayley.
NXT Women's Champion Rhea Ripley then made a surprise appearance and attempted to convince Flair to face her at WrestleMania. Flair did not give an answer and instead left the ring, shouting "Woo!" from the entrance ramp.
Randy Orton made an apperance to explain why he brutally assaulted Edge last week who had just returned to the WWE after having to retire in 2011 due to injury.
The Viper was booed by the live audience and eventually decided not to say anything. "I can't do this," he said before leaving.
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Other moments from Raw included Liv Morgan defeating Lana; Morgan's former partner Ruby Riott returning from injury to attack Morgan after the match; McIntyre defeating 24/7 Champion Mojo Rawley in seconds; Aleister Black defeating Eric Young; Angel Garza ending his match against Rey Mysterio by driving him into exposed concrete outside the ring and Asuka defeating Natalya before Lynch challenged Asuka to a rematch for the Raw Women's Championship.


upi--2020-02-04--Iowa chaos: Democratic caucus results delayed due to 'reporting' issues

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- Results of the Iowa caucuses were delayed on Tuesday night after the Iowa Democratic Party reported `` inconsistencies '' in the reporting of results .
The state planned to report results from each portion of the caucus process for the first time and was using a new app to tally these results , but Iowa Democratic Party Communications Director Mand McClure told CNN the app was not shut down or tampered with and that there is a physical paper trail to check the results against .
`` We found inconsistencies in the reporting of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the tech systems being used to tabulate results , we are also using photos of results and a paper trail to validate that all results match and ensure that we have confidence and accuracy in the numbers we report , '' McClure said .
`` This is simply a reporting issue .
The app did not go down and this is not a hack or an intrusion .
The underlying data and paper trail is sound and will simply take time to further report the results . ''
Troy Price , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters early Tuesday in a brief phone call that he expects the tally to be in by `` later today , '' emphasizing that the delay is the result of a reporting issue and not a hack or intrusion .
`` They 're validating every piece of data we have against our paper trial , '' he said .
`` The system is taking longer than expected , but it 's in place to ensure we are eventually able to report results with full confidence .
We have said all along , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this reason . ''
In the absence of results , the candidates spoke to their supporters following the event with confidence about the forthcoming outcome .
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders joked that he has `` a strong feeling at some point the results will be announced '' and that he has `` a good feeling we 're going to be doing very , very well here in Iowa . ''
`` The message that Iowa has sent to the nation , a message shared by the American people is that we want a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just wealthy campaign contributors and the 1 percent , '' he said .
Meanwhile , Pete Buttigieg , the former mayor of South Bend , Ind.
, told his cheering crowd of supporters that they had `` shocked the nation . ''
`` What a night ! ''
he said .
`` Because tonight , an improbable hope became an undeniable reality . ''
`` So , we do n't know all of the results , but we know by the time it 's all said and done , Iowa , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Because , by all indications , we are going on to New Hampshire victorious . ''
And Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts told her supporters that the union was stronger than President Donald Trump .
`` In less than a year , our union will be stronger than ever when that one man is replaced by one very persistent woman , '' she said .
Iowa Democrats went to their precinct caucuses Monday to vote for their choice for the 2020 U.S. presidential race among a historically large field of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caucuses officially begin the 2020 primary season , which will ultimately lead to party presidential nominations this summer .
Under Iowa 's Democratic Party caucus system , members gathered at 1,678 neighborhood locations across the state , or at one of 87 `` satellite caucus '' locations around the world , to cast a ballot for their choice for the Democratic nominee among 11 candidates .
They voted for delegates for the Iowa state party convention who will support the various candidates , which in turn will correlate to the number of delegates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee July 13-16 .
The winner of the Iowa caucuses has traditionally been declared based on the number of `` state delegate equivalents '' they receive .
That will also be the case this year , but crucially in such a crowded field with no clear favorite , there is also something new that could allow those not emerging with the most delegates to declare continuing momentum .
During each caucus meeting , attendees are first asked to physically group themselves by presidential choice -- this is called the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ garnering at least 15 percent in this initial round are declared non-viable , and their supporters can either join other groups or try to persuade others to join them .
Then , a second vote is called , the `` final alignment , '' on which the delegate awards are based .
While the number of delegates won has always been reported , the raw numbers achieved by candidates in the first and second alignments have never been released -- but starting this year they will be .
This will produce three levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't `` win the caucus '' by the traditional measure of pledged delegates a chance to claim strength based on good showings in the raw vote totals .
However , 34 percent said there is still a chance they could change their vote .
After Iowa , the New Hampshire primary will occur Feb. 11 , followed by the Nevada caucuses on February 22 .
Early primary voting will begin in California on Monday .
Incidentally , Monday marked the 150th anniversary of the ratification of the 15th Amendment to the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ persons the right to vote based on race , color or `` previous condition of servitude . ''
`` Following the Civil War and the abolition of slavery , the Congress worked to ensure that 'race , color , or previous condition of servitude ' could no longer be used as grounds to deny an American citizen the right to participate in our democracy , '' President Donald Trump said Monday .
`` This historic amendment granted African-American men the right to vote and allowed them a voice in our great American Experiment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the remarkable progress we have made as a nation in forming a more perfect union , we acknowledge the challenges that minorities and women have overcome and the significant contributions they continue to make in advancing liberty and building a stronger America . ''
Trump won 37 delegates in the Republican caucus , earning 97 percent of the vote , while opponents Joe Walsh and Bill Weld each earned just above 1 percent .
`` Big WIN for us in Iowa tonight , '' Trump celebrated on Twitter .
`` Thank you !
@

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden makes a fist as he arrives Monday night with his wife Dr. Jill Biden to address supporters at a caucus night event, at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Results of the Iowa caucuses were delayed on Tuesday night after the Iowa Democratic Party reported "inconsistencies" in the reporting of results. The state planned to report results from each portion of the caucus process for the first time and was using a new app to tally these results, but Iowa Democratic Party Communications Director Mand McClure told CNN the app was not shut down or tampered with and that there is a physical paper trail to check the results against. Advertisement
"We found inconsistencies in the reporting of three sets of results. In addition to the tech systems being used to tabulate results, we are also using photos of results and a paper trail to validate that all results match and ensure that we have confidence and accuracy in the numbers we report," McClure said. "This is simply a reporting issue. The app did not go down and this is not a hack or an intrusion. The underlying data and paper trail is sound and will simply take time to further report the results."
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Troy Price, the chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party, told reporters early Tuesday in a brief phone call that he expects the tally to be in by "later today," emphasizing that the delay is the result of a reporting issue and not a hack or intrusion.
"They're validating every piece of data we have against our paper trial," he said. "The system is taking longer than expected, but it's in place to ensure we are eventually able to report results with full confidence. We have said all along, we have backups in place for exactly this reason."
In the absence of results, the candidates spoke to their supporters following the event with confidence about the forthcoming outcome.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders joked that he has "a strong feeling at some point the results will be announced" and that he has "a good feeling we're going to be doing very, very well here in Iowa."
"The message that Iowa has sent to the nation, a message shared by the American people is that we want a government that represents all of us, not just wealthy campaign contributors and the 1 percent," he said.
Meanwhile, Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., told his cheering crowd of supporters that they had "shocked the nation."
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"What a night!" he said. "Because tonight, an improbable hope became an undeniable reality."
"So, we don't know all of the results, but we know by the time it's all said and done, Iowa, you have shocked the nation," he said. "Because, by all indications, we are going on to New Hampshire victorious."
And Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts told her supporters that the union was stronger than President Donald Trump.
"In less than a year, our union will be stronger than ever when that one man is replaced by one very persistent woman," she said.
Iowa Democrats went to their precinct caucuses Monday to vote for their choice for the 2020 U.S. presidential race among a historically large field of candidates and no clear front-runner.
The caucuses officially begin the 2020 primary season, which will ultimately lead to party presidential nominations this summer.
Under Iowa's Democratic Party caucus system, members gathered at 1,678 neighborhood locations across the state, or at one of 87 "satellite caucus" locations around the world, to cast a ballot for their choice for the Democratic nominee among 11 candidates.
They voted for delegates for the Iowa state party convention who will support the various candidates, which in turn will correlate to the number of delegates for each candidate sent on to the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee July 13-16.
Advertisement
The winner of the Iowa caucuses has traditionally been declared based on the number of "state delegate equivalents" they receive. That will also be the case this year, but crucially in such a crowded field with no clear favorite, there is also something new that could allow those not emerging with the most delegates to declare continuing momentum.
During each caucus meeting, attendees are first asked to physically group themselves by presidential choice -- this is called the "first alignment." Candidates not garnering at least 15 percent in this initial round are declared non-viable, and their supporters can either join other groups or try to persuade others to join them.
Then, a second vote is called, the "final alignment," on which the delegate awards are based. While the number of delegates won has always been reported, the raw numbers achieved by candidates in the first and second alignments have never been released -- but starting this year they will be.
Democrats campaign in Iowa ahead of caucus
2020 Democratic presidential candidates, from left to right, Tom Steyer, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar gather onstage for a debate in Des Moines, Iowa, on January 14. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo
This will produce three levels of results and could allow candidates who don't "win the caucus" by the traditional measure of pledged delegates a chance to claim strength based on good showings in the raw vote totals.
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Sanders
topped anSunday that showed him with 28 percent support, followed by former Vice Presidentwith 21 percent -- followed by former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg (15 percent), Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren (14 percent) and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar (11 percent).
However, 34 percent said there is still a chance they could change their vote.
After Iowa, the New Hampshire primary will occur Feb. 11, followed by the Nevada caucuses on February 22. Early primary voting will begin in California on Monday.
Incidentally, Monday marked the 150th anniversary of the ratification of the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which barred governments from denying persons the right to vote based on race, color or "previous condition of servitude."
"Following the Civil War and the abolition of slavery, the Congress worked to ensure that 'race, color, or previous condition of servitude' could no longer be used as grounds to deny an American citizen the right to participate in our democracy," President Donald Trump said Monday. "This historic amendment granted African-American men the right to vote and allowed them a voice in our great American Experiment.
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"Today, as we recognize the remarkable progress we have made as a nation in forming a more perfect union, we acknowledge the challenges that minorities and women have overcome and the significant contributions they continue to make in advancing liberty and building a stronger America."
Trump won 37 delegates in the Republican caucus, earning 97 percent of the vote, while opponents Joe Walsh and Bill Weld each earned just above 1 percent.
"Big WIN for us in Iowa tonight," Trump celebrated on Twitter. "Thank you!"


upi--2020-02-04--Coronavirus: Hong Kong reports 2nd death outside mainland China

Feb. 4 ( UPI ) -- A 39-year-old man in Hong Kong infected with the coronavirus died Tuesday , health officials said , making the semiautonomous region the second place outside of mainland China to report a death from the mysterious new illness .
The Hong Kong Hospital Authority confirmed the death in a statement emailed to UPI , stating the patient `` deteriorated and succumbed '' to the coronavirus called 2019-nCoV Tuesday morning at the Princess Margaret Hospital .
The patient was admitted to the hospital on Friday with a fever and was reported in stable condition , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding the Hong Kong resident had traveled to Wuhan , the epicenter of the outbreak , on Jan. 21 and returned to the semiautonomous region two days later .
The government also said in a statement on Sunday that his mother , a 72-year-old woman suffering from an underlying illness , contracted the virus but had not traveled to Wuhan and was at home during the illness ' 14-day incubation period , suggesting she was infected by her son .
The patient 's wife , son , daughter and a domestic helper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the government said .
The man 's death is the second to occur outside mainland China after a 44-year-old Chinese man from Wuhan died in the Philippines on Saturday .
News of the man 's death follows Chinese health officials announcing on Tuesday that the number of deaths on the mainland connected to the coronavirus increased by 64 from the day prior , raising the death toll nationwide to 425 as the number of confirmed infections surpassed 20,000 .
A total of 3,235 new cases of confirmed infections were also reported Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients listed as in serious condition , the national health officials said .
All of the deaths within China over the past 24 hours occurred in Hubei province , the epicenter of the outbreak , with 48 reported in the city of Wuhan , where the disease is believed to have emerged from .
Health officials in Hubei province said 2,345 new confirmed cases of the disease were reported as of Monday at midnight with more than half located in Wuhan , which has been under lockdown since mid-January to stem the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total of 153 cases have been reported in 23 countries aside from China , all of which have had close contact with travelers to the region , according to data from the World Health Organization , with Japan recording the highest number of 20 followed by Thailand with 19 .
Meanwhile , Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced via Twitter Tuesday that 241 citizens who have been trapped in Wuhan since the lockdown were repatriated and were under quarantine on Christmas Island following a `` complex and very challenging '' evacuation operation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ evacuate hundreds of their citizens from the coronavirus-stricken city by plane to be quarantined on the remote Australian island for up to two weeks , the incubation period of the virus .
He said the Australian government is now working with Chinese authorities on securing a second flight from Wuhan , to bring back hundreds of more citizens still believed to be in Hubei province .
`` We are also working with the New Zealand government to access seats on their plane , subject to availability , '' he said .
Twelve cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia , the country 's Department of Health said .
Meanwhile , Dr. Ashley Bloomfield , director-general of the New Zealand Ministry of Health , told reporters Tuesday that an Air New Zealand plane in Hong Kong has been given permission to land in Wuhan Tuesday evening to evacuate its citizens from the city and return them to Auckland on Wednesday .
The number of passengers was still being worked out but 263 people had registered to travel , the majority being New Zealand citizens , some Australians and few foreign nationals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` The experience of other countries that have undertaken similar flights is that the number who end up on the flight is not really known until the flight takes off , '' he said .
`` Some people experience difficulties traveling to the airport .
There is also the process of exit screening by the Chinese authorities and then , of course , as you know , we have our own health assessment before people can board the flight . ''
There has not been a confirmed coronavirus case in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Zealand will be isolated at a military facility at Whangaparaoa , north of Auckland , for 14 days , the Department of Health said .
On Monday , Canada officials said they have charted a flight to repatriate 280 Canadians who have made requests with the government for assisted departure from Wuhan .
The plane is currently waiting in Hanoi , Vietnam , for Chinese officials to give final permission for the plane to land in Wuhan , said Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne in a press conference .
Those who return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canadian Forces base in Trenton , Ontario , for 14 days , Global Affairs Canada has said .
Meanwhile , Taiwan announced Tuesday that it was tightening border restrictions with mainland China .
Taiwan 's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that starting Friday , foreign nationals who have visited or lived in mainland China within 14 days will be barred from entering the island .
It said the move was being implemented to `` safeguard public health security '' during the outbreak .

1/3
The coronavirus, according to health officials, now has surpassed the SARS crisis with over 3425 dead and close to 20,000 Chinese infected. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 4 (UPI) -- The Chinese National Health Commission reported 65 new deaths from the coronavirus on Tuesday, raising the death toll in China to 490. Authorities also confirmed an additional 3,156 cases of the virus in Hubei, bring the total in the province, which is the epicenter of the outbreak, to 16,678. There have been 24,324 confirmed cases throughout China. Advertisement
A 39-year-old man in Hong Kong infected with the coronavirus died Tuesday, health officials said, making the semiautonomous region the second place outside mainland China to report a death from the mysterious new illness.
The Hong Kong Hospital Authority confirmed the death in a statement emailed to UPI, stating the patient "deteriorated and succumbed" to the coronavirus -- called 2019 nCoV -- Tuesday morning at the Princess Margaret Hospital.
The patient was admitted to the hospital on Friday with a fever and was reported in stable condition, the Hong Kong government said in a statement, adding the Hong Kong resident had traveled to Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, on Jan. 21 and returned home two days later. The government also said in a statement on Sunday that the man's mother, a 72-year-old woman suffering from an underlying illness, contracted the virus but had not traveled to Wuhan and was at home during the illness' 14-day incubation period, suggesting she was infected by her son.
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The patient's wife, son, daughter and a domestic helper were under quarantine and remain asymptomatic, the government said.
The man's death is the second to occur outside mainland China after a 44-year-old Chinese man from Wuhan died in the Philippines on Saturday.
Despite the fact that confirmed cases of the virus grow by approximately 2,000 per day in China, the World Health Organization announced Tuesday that the outbreak still has not met its criteria for a "pandemic," or global epidemic.
"Currently we are not in a pandemic," said Sylvie Briand, director of WHO's global infectious hazard preparedness team. "We are at the phase where it is an epidemic with multiple foci, and we try to extinguish the transmission in each of these foci."
According to Briand, although the 2019 novel coronavirus is rapidly spreading from person-to-person in Hubei, the cases outside the province are mainly "spillover cases," with limited person-to-person spread so far. The United States, for example, has 11 cases, with two involving person-to-person transmission.
Authorities in China have taken dramatic measures to halt transmission, and the United States has done the same, restricting travel to and from the Asian nation, as well as screening and, when necessary, quarantining American citizens returning from there.
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"We hope that based on those measures in Hubei but also in other places where we have had spillover, we can stop transmission and get rid of this virus," Briand said.
Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued an updated advisory on Tuesday, advising against all travel to the Hubei province, all non-essential travel to China and calling for travelers to leave China.
"If you're in China and able to leave, you should do so," the advisory stated.
France issued a similar warning, recommending that anyone in China with "no essential reason to stay" move away temporarily.
Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced via Twitter Tuesday that 241 citizens who have been trapped in Wuhan since the lockdown were repatriated and were under quarantine on Christmas Island following a "complex and very challenging" evacuation operation.
Morrison unveiled the plan last Wednesday to evacuate hundreds of Australian citizens from the coronavirus-stricken city by plane to be quarantined on the remote Australian island for up to two weeks, the incubation period of the virus.
He said the Australian government is working with Chinese authorities on securing a second flight from Wuhan, to bring back hundreds of more citizens still believed to be in Hubei province.
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"We are also working with the New Zealand government to access seats on their plane, subject to availability," he said.
Twelve cases of the 2019 nCoV have been confirmed in Australia, the country's Department of Health said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ashley Bloomfield, director-general of the New Zealand Ministry of Health, told reporters Tuesday that an Air New Zealand plane in Hong Kong has been given permission to land in Wuhan on Tuesday evening to evacuate its citizens from the city and return them to Auckland on Wednesday.
The number of passengers was still being worked out but 263 people had registered to travel, the majority being New Zealand citizens, some Australians and few foreign nationals, specifically from Pacific island countries, he said.
"The experience of other countries that have undertaken similar flights is that the number who end up on the flight is not really known until the flight takes off," he said. "Some people experience difficulties traveling to the airport. There is also the process of exit screening by the Chinese authorities and then, of course, as you know, we have our own health assessment before people can board the flight."
There has not been a confirmed coronavirus case in New Zealand, and the passengers arriving in New Zealand will be isolated at a military facility at Whangaparaoa, north of Auckland, for 14 days, the Department of Health said.
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On Monday, Canadian officials said they have chartered a flight to repatriate 280 Canadians who have made requests with the government for assisted departure from Wuhan.
The plane is waiting in Hanoi, Vietnam, for Chinese officials to give final permission for the plane to land in Wuhan, said Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne in a news conference.
Those who return to Canada will be quarantined at a Canadian Forces base in Trenton, Ontario, for 14 days, Global Affairs Canada has said.
Meanwhile, Taiwan announced Tuesday that it was tightening border restrictions with mainland China.
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that starting Friday, foreign nationals who have visited or lived in mainland China within 14 days will be barred from entering the island.
It said the move was being implemented to "safeguard public health security" during the outbreak.