upi--2020-02-24--U.S. onion growers fear Canadian exports could put them out of business

EVANSVILLE , Ind.
, Feb. 24 ( UPI ) -- American onion growers say they can not compete with the price of onions imported from Canada -- and they want the U.S. government to find out why they are so cheap .
Shay Myers , who grows onions in Oregon and Idaho , said his profits dropped by 25 percent in 2019 as prices fell and he lost customers to Canada .
Nearly 3,000 miles to the east , in New York , grower Chris Pawelski said cheap Canadian onions flooded the market and he was unable to sell any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may put me out of business , '' Pawelski said .
`` I ca n't sell my onions .
How do I possibly farm when I have n't paid my bills for the 2019 season ? ''
Prices for Canadian onions are so low that some in the industry think Canada 's government is subsidizing its growers .
Such an action could violate international law .
The World Trade Organization prohibits countries from directly subsidizing exports , said Alan Sykes , a law professor at Stanford Law School .
Countries are allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole .
But if those subsidies harm an importing country 's domestic producers , the affected country can impose import duties to level the playing field , Sykes said .
`` Canada does not unfairly subsidize its onion industry or its onion exports , '' Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada spokesman James Watson told UPI in an email .
`` Canada does not have commodity-specific programs to support the onion industry and does not provide export subsidies to its vegetables sector , '' he said .
`` As part of the WTO Nairobi decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vegetables were eliminated in 2016 . ''
Watson added , `` Farmers across Canada have access to a suite of Business Risk Management programs to help them manage significant risks that threaten the viability of their farm and are beyond their capacity to manage . ''
He would not elaborate on the amount of monetary support onion growers receive from those programs .
Greg Bird , the executive director of the Michigan Onion Committee , said he suspects Canadian growers are getting some kind of help .
`` Our onion prices are being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feasible that [ growers in Canada ] are n't getting some sort of subsidy , '' Bird said .
After fielding complaints from the National Onion Association and other onion growers in their state this winter , U.S. Sens .
Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer , both New York Democrats , asked the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. International Trade Commission earlier this month to investigate .
`` Farmers across the country have been struggling to keep up with growing production costs , while Canadian exporters have been able to dump cheap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 30 years ago , '' Gillibrand said in a statement .
`` Since Canada has similar production costs , the only way this could be happening is through some type of government subsidy that is lowering their costs .
This would amount to an unfair trade practice and needs to be immediately investigated , '' she said .
The U.S. International Trade Commission said Friday that it was preparing a response to the senators .
A spokesperson for the office did not know when that response would be sent .
The Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond to a request for comment .
In the United States , onion farming is a $ 9 billion-per-year industry , said Greg Yielding , executive vice president of the National Onion Association , based in Greeley , Colo .
The Produce Blue book notes that the United States harvests about 125,000 acres , which produce 6.75 billion pounds each year .
Onions are grown all over the country , though Washington , Idaho , Oregon , California , Texas , Georgia and New York produce the most .
Canada 's onion industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 billion annually .
According to the National Onion Association , Canadian onions were selling recently in New York at $ 9 for 48 pounds .
In Michigan , the price for those onions was closer to $ 7 per 50 pounds , the Michigan Onion Committee 's Bird said .
Depending on where they are in the country , American farmers say they need at least $ 10 to $ 13 per 50 pounds to cover their production costs -- and just break even .
`` Canada is a first-world nation in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Their production costs are very similar to ours .
How are they able to sell two 24-pound bags of onions in New York for $ 9 ?
It does n't make sense . ''
Canadian farmers do have some advantages over American growers , industry experts say .
They pay a little less for migrant labor than American farmers do .
Also , the exchange rate works in their favor when selling in the U.S. market .
But that exchange rate also hurts them during the growing season .
Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fertilizer -- come from the United States .
That means they pay higher production costs , Bird said .
`` We do n't know what exactly is going on , '' the National Onion Association 's Yielding said .
`` But these numbers do n't make sense .
Something 's not right , and we want it investigated . ''

Chris Pawelski works on his onion farm in New York State. If Canadian onions continue to flood the market at prices below his cost of production, he fears his farm will go out of business. Photo courtesy of Chris Pawelski
EVANSVILLE, Ind., Feb. 24 (UPI) -- American onion growers say they cannot compete with the price of onions imported from Canada -- and they want the U.S. government to find out why they are so cheap. Shay Myers, who grows onions in Oregon and Idaho, said his profits dropped by 25 percent in 2019 as prices fell and he lost customers to Canada. Advertisement
Nearly 3,000 miles to the east, in New York, grower Chris Pawelski said cheap Canadian onions flooded the market and he was unable to sell any of his 2019 crop.
"This may put me out of business," Pawelski said. "I can't sell my onions. How do I possibly farm when I haven't paid my bills for the 2019 season?"
Prices for Canadian onions are so low that some in the industry think Canada's government is subsidizing its growers. Such an action could violate international law.
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The World Trade Organization prohibits countries from directly subsidizing exports, said Alan Sykes, a law professor at Stanford Law School.
Countries are allowed to broadly subsidize their agricultural industries as a whole. But if those subsidies harm an importing country's domestic producers, the affected country can impose import duties to level the playing field, Sykes said.
No subsidies
"Canada does not unfairly subsidize its onion industry or its onion exports," Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada spokesman James Watson told UPI in an email.
"Canada does not have commodity-specific programs to support the onion industry and does not provide export subsidies to its vegetables sector," he said. "As part of the WTO Nairobi decision, Canada's export subsidy commitments for vegetables were eliminated in 2016."
Watson added, "Farmers across Canada have access to a suite of Business Risk Management programs to help them manage significant risks that threaten the viability of their farm and are beyond their capacity to manage."
He would not elaborate on the amount of monetary support onion growers receive from those programs.
Greg Bird, the executive director of the Michigan Onion Committee, said he suspects Canadian growers are getting some kind of help.
"Our onion prices are being suppressed enough that it's just not feasible that [growers in Canada] aren't getting some sort of subsidy," Bird said.
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Senators seek answers
After fielding complaints from the National Onion Association and other onion growers in their state this winter, U.S. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, both New York Democrats, asked the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. International Trade Commission earlier this month to investigate.
"Farmers across the country have been struggling to keep up with growing production costs, while Canadian exporters have been able to dump cheap onions onto the market at prices comparable to 30 years ago," Gillibrand said in a statement.
"Since Canada has similar production costs, the only way this could be happening is through some type of government subsidy that is lowering their costs. This would amount to an unfair trade practice and needs to be immediately investigated," she said.
The U.S. International Trade Commission said Friday that it was preparing a response to the senators. A spokesperson for the office did not know when that response would be sent.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative did not respond to a request for comment.
In the United States, onion farming is a $9 billion-per-year industry, said Greg Yielding, executive vice president of the National Onion Association, based in Greeley, Colo. The Produce Blue book notes that the United States harvests about 125,000 acres, which produce 6.75 billion pounds each year.
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Onions are grown all over the country, though Washington, Idaho, Oregon, California, Texas, Georgia and New York produce the most.
Canada's onion industry is much smaller, grossing under $1 billion annually.
Cheap prices
According to the National Onion Association, Canadian onions were selling recently in New York at $9 for 48 pounds. In Michigan, the price for those onions was closer to $7 per 50 pounds, the Michigan Onion Committee's Bird said.
Depending on where they are in the country, American farmers say they need at least $10 to $13 per 50 pounds to cover their production costs -- and just break even.
"Canada is a first-world nation in the Western Hemisphere," grower Pawelski said. "Their production costs are very similar to ours. How are they able to sell two 24-pound bags of onions in New York for $9? It doesn't make sense."
Canadian farmers do have some advantages over American growers, industry experts say. They pay a little less for migrant labor than American farmers do. Also, the exchange rate works in their favor when selling in the U.S. market.
But that exchange rate also hurts them during the growing season. Most of the inputs -- like seeds and fertilizer -- come from the United States. That means they pay higher production costs, Bird said.
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"We don't know what exactly is going on," the National Onion Association's Yielding said. "But these numbers don't make sense. Something's not right, and we want it investigated."


upi--2020-02-24--Products made from hemp enter consumer market

Feb. 24 ( UPI ) -- From toothbrushes in luxury island resorts to 3D printing filament , products made from hemp-based plastics are popping up in consumer products since the crop was made legal in the United States in 2018 for the first time in 80 years .
They are the latest generation of bioplastics , which are plastic materials produced from renewable sources such as agricultural by-products , straw , wood chips , sawdust and recycled food waste -- and now hemp .
Hemp seems to satisfy some plant-based plastics researchers looking for alternatives to plastic waste that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for example , is used in one of the plant-based plastics developed by Chad Ulven , an associate professor of mechanical engineering from North Dakota State University , through his Fargo-based company , c2Renew .
`` There 's a craze around being able to grow hemp finally in the United States and 3D print and play with the material , '' Ulven said .
His work furthers research with polylactic acid , a resin created from corn byproducts .
It is formulated with organic fillers like coffee and beer waste , flax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charred industrial carbon .
Hemp-based plastics now are expanding to both injection-mold and 3D additive manufacturing , Ulven said .
Hemp-based filament , melted and layered by a 3D printer , creates a caramel-colored plastic surface flecked with organic specks , said John Schneider , CEO of 3D-Fuel , a printer filament company based in Fargo and Ireland .
Customers use it to print custom decor items like lampshades and vases .
`` We see a lot of people who use it for specialty parts , especially in the cannabis industry , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promotional sunglasses , as well as retail fixtures such as hinges and product sales stands .
It took a while for Denver-based Sana Packaging 's chief executive , Ron Basak-Smith , to locate a source for hemp-based biocomposites , or plastics with hemp fillers , to make sustainable packaging for cannabis .
Now Sana uses hemp plastic and recycled ocean plastic , made with injection molds .
The company sells to 200 cannabis companies , Basak-Smith said .
`` Because of the ability to [ easily ] produce plastics , we got ourselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has caused a dysfunctional system , '' he said .
The infrastructure to produce petroleum plastics grew up as a way to use byproducts of the oil industry and has led to a culture of single-use disposable products .
That ca n't be changed overnight , c2Renew 's Ulven said .
`` That industry has been so huge and such an impact on our daily lives .
I tell my students to try and get through a single day without using plastic .
It 's impossible , '' he said .
Ulven works @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , capturing toxic fumes for repurposing into fuel .
Leftover charred carbon can be repurposed into another form of bioplastic , which the company even used to 3D print an electric guitar , called the `` Trashcaster . ''
`` I 'm not saying it 's a save-the-world type of moment , '' Ulven said .
`` But the more options we have for controlling our discarded waste , the more options we create for sustainability . ''
Selling an everyday product made of sustainable materials was the goal of siblings Heather and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minn.-based Bogobrush .
For children of a dentist , the toothbrush seemed to be a perfect product , Heather McDougall said .
But their foray into bamboo toothbrushes was a failure .
The wood splintered when drilled for brushes , and slow-drying bamboo warped and attracted mold .
Now the company sells biodegradable and recyclable plant-based plastic toothbrushes made from hemp , as well as cotton , coffee and flax .
A brother , John McDougall , designed the toothbrush , which needed to be tweaked for the tensile and stress properties of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of stress put on a toothbrush handle , '' Heather McDougall said .
The toothbrushes are sold online , as well as to luxury resorts such as the Hard Rock Hotel Maldives , which sought ways to counter the company ' single-use plastic footprint , she said .
The company 's U.S. manufacturing partners are learning how to work with different types of bioplastic products in the injection-molding process , giving them more expertise .
`` Plastics have done a lot of great things in the world , like being used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Heather McDougall said .
`` But we want to be investing in plant-based plastics that can serve us into the future . ''

1/2
Hemp-based bioplastics are making their way into the consumer market from toothbrushes to 3D printer filament. Photo courtesy of Bogobrush
Feb. 24 (UPI) -- From toothbrushes at luxury island resorts to 3D printing filament, products made from hemp-based plastics are popping up in consumer products since the crop was made legal in the United States in 2018 for the first time in 80 years. They are the latest generation of bioplastics, which are plastic materials produced from renewable sources such as agricultural by-products, straw, wood chips, sawdust and recycled food waste -- and now hemp. Advertisement
Hemp seems to satisfy some plant-based plastics researchers looking for alternatives to plastic waste that has filled landfills and oceans.
Hemp fiber, for example, is used in one of the plant-based plastics developed by Chad Ulven, an associate professor of mechanical engineering from North Dakota State University, through his Fargo-based company, c2Renew.
"There's a craze around being able to grow hemp finally in the United States and 3D print and play with the material," Ulven said.
Advertisement
His work furthers research with polylactic acid, a resin created from corn byproducts. It is formulated with organic fillers like coffee and beer waste, flax, cotton, seed hulls and even charred industrial carbon.
Hemp-based plastics now are expanding to both injection-mold and 3D additive manufacturing, Ulven said.
Hemp-based filament, melted and layered by a 3D printer, creates a caramel-colored plastic surface flecked with organic specks, said John Schneider, CEO of 3D-Fuel, a printer filament company based in Fargo and Ireland. Customers use it to print custom decor items like lampshades and vases.
Specialty parts
"We see a lot of people who use it for specialty parts, especially in the cannabis industry," Schneider said. These include frames for promotional sunglasses, as well as retail fixtures such as hinges and product sales stands.
It took a while for Denver-based Sana Packaging's chief executive, Ron Basak-Smith, to locate a source for hemp-based biocomposites, or plastics with hemp fillers, to make sustainable packaging for cannabis.
Now Sana uses hemp plastic and recycled ocean plastic, made with injection molds. The company sells to 200 cannabis companies, Basak-Smith said.
"Because of the ability to [easily] produce plastics, we got ourselves into single-use disposable culture, and that has caused a dysfunctional system," he said.
Advertisement
The infrastructure to produce petroleum plastics grew up as a way to use byproducts of the oil industry and has led to a culture of single-use disposable products. That can't be changed overnight, c2Renew's Ulven said.
"That industry has been so huge and such an impact on our daily lives. I tell my students to try and get through a single day without using plastic. It's impossible," he said.
Ulven works with a landfill that burns carbon waste, capturing toxic fumes for repurposing into fuel. Leftover charred carbon can be repurposed into another form of bioplastic, which the company even used to 3D print an electric guitar, called the "Trashcaster."
More options
"I'm not saying it's a save-the-world type of moment," Ulven said. "But the more options we have for controlling our discarded waste, the more options we create for sustainability."
Selling an everyday product made of sustainable materials was the goal of siblings Heather and John McDougall, of St. Paul, Minn.-based Bogobrush. For children of a dentist, the toothbrush seemed to be a perfect product, Heather McDougall said.
But their foray into bamboo toothbrushes was a failure. The wood splintered when drilled for brushes, and slow-drying bamboo warped and attracted mold.
Advertisement
Now the company sells biodegradable and recyclable plant-based plastic toothbrushes made from hemp, as well as cotton, coffee and flax.
A brother, John McDougall, designed the toothbrush, which needed to be tweaked for the tensile and stress properties of hemp-based plastic.
"There's actually a lot of stress put on a toothbrush handle," Heather McDougall said.
The toothbrushes are sold online, as well as to luxury resorts such as the Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, which sought ways to counter the company's single-use plastic footprint, she said.
The company's U.S. manufacturing partners are learning how to work with different types of bioplastic products in the injection-molding process, giving them more expertise.
"Plastics have done a lot of great things in the world, like being used in airplanes or medical devices," Heather McDougall said. "But we want to be investing in plant-based plastics that can serve us into the future."


upi--2020-02-24--Coronavirus deaths near 2,600 in China

Coronavirus deaths near 2,600 in China

Feb. 24 ( UPI ) -- Deaths from the coronavirus neared 2,600 in China on Monday as countries worldwide rushed to contain the spread of the disease within their own borders .
Chinese health officials on Monday reported 150 new deaths from the deadly coronavirus over the previous 24 hours , increasing the death toll for mainland China to 2,592 since the epidemic began in December .
China 's National Health Commission announced the new death toll in its daily update Monday morning , stating 149 of the newly reported deaths occurred in Hubei province , the epicenter of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were 409 new confirmed cases over Sunday , increasing the total of confirmed cases to 77,150 .
The announcement of the new figures came as officials in Hubei 's capital of Wuhan reversed an earlier decision to relax some of the tight restrictions placed last month upon the city of 11 million at the center of the outbreak .
Hubei is where 2,495 people have died from the disease with 1,987 in Wuhan , the province said in a statement on Monday .
In a statement Monday afternoon , Wuhan government officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declared `` invalid '' as it was issued without consent from `` the main leaders . ''
`` We have seriously criticized the relevant personnel , '' the statement read .
The city was placed under a strict lockdown on Jan. 23 to clamp down on the virus ' spread , and the city announced in a statement early Monday that non-residents who do not exhibit symptoms may finally leave Wuhan .
In the new statement issued hours later , the officials called on Wuhan to `` resolutely implement '' Chinese President Xi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's spread .
Meanwhile , as the rate of infection appears to slow in China , other countries are scrambling to contain the disease .
South Korea also announced more cases Monday , and Seoul 's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported two new deaths raising the death toll to seven .
Asian Airlines said it would suspend its Daegu-Jeju route from Tuesday and Air Busan said it canceled its Daegu to Jeju and Daegu to Taipei flights last week when concerns emerged .
The increase in infections also caused Australia to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation warning its citizens to `` exercise a high degree of caution '' visiting South Korea and to not visit Daegu .
Australia also warned residents to exercise a high degree of caution in Japan based on the advice of its medical officials due to `` a heightened risk of sustained local transmission '' of COVID-19 .
In Europe , Italy has reported the largest outbreak outside Asia with 157 , according to a tally kept by the Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering .
The outbreak has forced the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban public and private meetings through Saturday and cancel sporting events .
In the Middle East , Kuwait and Bahrain announced their first confirmed cases of the disease .
The Bahrain Ministry of Health said the infected Bahraini citizen arrived from Iran and was suspected of having contracted the virus as he exhibited symptoms , according to a statement carried by the Bahrain News Agency .
The patient was transferred to the Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo Medical Center where he was confirmed infected with COVID-19 and is currently receiving treatment in isolation , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be upping its measures to prevent contamination of the virus , including monitoring those who arrive from infected countries .
In Kuwait , health officials confirmed three people have been infected with the disease , the Kuwait News Agency reported .
Globally , the death toll from the virus reached at least 2,619 with more than 79,350 people infected , according to the tally by Johns Hopkins .

1/3
A security guard checks the temperature of people visiting a popular shopping mall due to the threat of the the deadly coronavirus. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Deaths from the coronavirus passed 2,600 in China, and the number of cases surpassed 77,000, on Monday as countries worldwide rushed to contain the spread of the disease within their own borders. World Health Organization officials on Monday said they are not yet prepared to declare the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic, despite the continued rapid growth of the outbreak and new cases in Iran, Italy and South Korea. Advertisement
Outside of China, there have been 2,074 confirmed cases in 28 countries, including 23 deaths -- counting the three new outbreaks.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called the new outbreaks "deeply concerning," but said that "for the moment, we are not witnessing the uncontained global spread of this virus."
The decision is based on the agency's ongoing assessment of the diseases spread threat, and could change as facts on the ground change, officials said. With COVID-19 causing epidemics in different parts of the world, Ghebreyesus said individual countries require calm, tailored responses and declaring a pandemic too early could increase fear and hold back efforts to slow spread of the virus.
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The WHO does not use a numerical threshold for determining a pandemic, rather eschewing to judgment based on the definition that "an epidemic occurring worldwide, or over a very wide area, crossing international boundaries and usually affecting a large number of people."
Mike Ryan, head of the WHO's emergency response program, said the fact that Chinese officials appear to have largely limited the outbreak to one region of the country and that numbers appear to be slowing or declining suggests COVID-19 is containable.
At the same time, he said, the continued spread to other countries, as well as lack of clarity on whether the coronavirus will remain endemic in humans or morph into a "seasonal" disease has officials exercising caution about any declaration.
COVID-19 in China
Chinese health officials have reported 150 new deaths from the deadly coronavirus over the previous 24 hours, increasing the death toll for mainland China to 2,618 since the epidemic began in December.
China's National Health Commission announced the new death toll in its daily update Monday morning, stating 149 of the newly reported deaths occurred in Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak.
The health officials also said there were 460 new confirmed cases over Sunday, increasing the total of confirmed cases to 77,362.
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The announcement of the new figures came as officials in Hubei's capital of Wuhan reversed an earlier decision to relax some of the tight restrictions placed last month upon the city of 11 million at the center of the outbreak. Hubei is where 2,495 people have died from the disease with 1,987 in Wuhan, the province said in a statement on Monday.
In a statement Monday afternoon, Wuhan government officials said the easing of lockdown restrictions was declared "invalid" as it was issued without consent from "the main leaders."
"We have seriously criticized the relevant personnel," the statement read.
The city was placed under a strict lockdown on Jan. 23 to clamp down on the virus' spread, and the city announced in a statement early Monday that non-residents who do not exhibit symptoms may finally leave Wuhan.
In the new statement issued hours later, the officials called on Wuhan to "resolutely implement" Chinese President Xi Jinping's orders to prevent the outbreak's spread.
China's Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress on Monday also approved a draft decision to ban the selling of wildlife in order to prevent its consumption, state-run CGTN reported.
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Chinese authorities issued an original suspension to the trading of wildlife on Jan. 26 as the COVID-19 epidemic was strengthening in China.
The virus is believed to have emerged in early December from a Wuhan seafood market that also sold wild animals with bats currently being the prime suspect.
The committee said the ban's aim is to quickly stop the consumption of wildlife, crack down on its illegal trade and "provide a strong legislative guarantee for winning the battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak," it said.
The WHO said Monday that its joint mission to China has concluded, with its final report suggesting that the epidemic in China peaked and plateaued between January 23 and February 2, and has been in decline ever since.
The fatality rate linked to COVID-19 is estimated at 2 percent to 4 percent in Wuhan, and about 0.7 percent outside the city. Those with mild disease have recovered within two weeks, and people with more severe disease may need three to six weeks to completely recover.
"The measures taken in China averted a significant number of cases," Ghebreyesus said, adding that China's situation suggests the virus can be contained in many countries.
Growing worldwide outbreaks
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Meanwhile, as the rate of infection appears to slow in China, other countries are scrambling to contain the disease.
South Korea also announced more cases Monday, and Seoul's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported two new deaths raising the death toll to seven.
Asian Airlines said it would suspend its Daegu-Jeju route from Tuesday and Air Busan said it canceled its Daegu to Jeju and Daegu to Taipei flights last week when concerns emerged.
The increase in infections also caused Australia to update its travel advisory for the Asian nation warning its citizens to "exercise a high degree of caution" visiting South Korea and to not visit Daegu.
Australia also warned residents to exercise a high degree of caution in Japan based on the advice of its medical officials due to "a heightened risk of sustained local transmission" of COVID-19.
In Europe, Italy has reported the largest outbreak outside Asia with 157, according to a tally kept by the Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering.
The outbreak has forced the nation to suspend its famed Venice Carnival, ban public and private meetings through Saturday and cancel sporting events.
In the Middle East, Kuwait and Bahrain announced their first confirmed cases of the disease and Iran recorded several more deaths.
Advertisement
The Bahrain Ministry of Health said the infected Bahraini citizen arrived from Iran and was suspected of having contracted the virus as he exhibited symptoms, according to a statement carried by the Bahrain News Agency.
The patient was transferred to the Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo Medical Center where he was confirmed infected with COVID-19 and is currently receiving treatment in isolation, it said.
The government said it will be upping its measures to prevent contamination of the virus, including monitoring those who arrive from infected countries.
In Kuwait, health officials confirmed three people have been infected with the disease, the Kuwait News Agency reported.
Iran's Ministry of Health said on Monday it had recorded 12 deaths from the coronavirus and at least 64 confirmed cases of the disease, according to Iran's Press TV.
The country, which had yet to record a confirmed case of the virus at the start of February, now had the highest death toll to the illness outside of China.
The WHO said the Middle Eastern country had 43 confirmed cases at the end of Sunday and only eight deaths.
In response, neighboring Iraq, Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Armenia have closed their borders with Iran while Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan and Georgia have imposed travel restrictions.
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Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said the border closures are most likely temporary.
"When the coronavirus was detected in our country, our neighbors also felt concern about the spread of the disease to their countries, which is natural," he said. "But, this issue should not prevent popular exchanges or exports and imports among countries."
Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi said the government has been able to control the coronavirus outbreak and was no "almost stabilized."
Globally, the death toll from the virus reached at least 2,619 with more than 79,350 people infected, according to the tally by Johns Hopkins.


upi--2020-02-24--Bernie Sanders overwhelms foes in Nevada; Pete Buttigieg alleges irregularities

Feb. 23 ( UPI ) -- Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders maintained a commanding lead in the Nevada caucuses on Sunday night with nearly 90 percent of the votes counted .
Multiple media outlets declared the Vermont senator the winner on Saturday evening after he won a plurality of delegates .
By Sunday night , Sanders had 47.1 percent of delegate equivalents at 6,120 with 87 percent of precincts reporting .
Sanders remained well ahead of former Vice President Joe Biden , who earned 2,723 state delegate equivalents at 21 percent , and former South Bend , Ind.
, Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` In Nevada , we have just put together a multigenerational , multiracial coalition , which is not only going to win in Nevada , it 's going to sweep this country , '' Sanders said to a victory celebration in San Antonio , Texas .
President Donald Trump congratulated Sanders on his win Sunday before departing the White House for a trip to India .
`` I think it was a great win for Bernie Sanders , '' he said .
`` We 'll see how it all turns out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do . ''
Buttigieg 's campaign late Saturday night sent a letter to the Nevada State Democratic party asking it to provide early vote and in-person vote totals by precinct , correct any errors identified by campaigns during the early voting and the second alignment and explain other anomalies in the data before releasing final caucus results .
The letter alleges that the process of integrating early votes into the results of the in-person caucuses `` was plagued with errors and inconsistencies , '' stating that Buttigieg 's campaign received more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state .
The allegations from Buttigieg 's campaign come after issues in the Iowa caucuses related to an app used to report the results .
A recanvass of 81 precincts showed that Buttigieg 's lead in state delegates over Sanders had fallen to .08 percent as the former mayor of South Bend , Ind.
, received 26.186 percent and the Vermont senator received 26.182 .
In Nevada , Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren received 1,243 state delegate equivalents at 9.6 percent , while billionaire Tom Steyer received 604 at 4.7 percent , Minnesota Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard gained zero .
Businessman Andrew Yang and former Maryland congressman John Delaney received five , Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet received two and former Massachusetts Gov .
Deval Patrick received one though they have suspended their campaigns .
Former New York Gov .
Michael Bloomberg was not on the ballot in Nevada nor will he appear on the ballot in South Carolina , as his campaign has said they will forgo the first four primaries and appear on ballets in 14 states for Super Tuesday on March 3 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Carolina primary on Saturday with 34 national convention delegates followed by Buttigieg at 23 with Warren , Klobuchar and Biden further behind .
Biden sought to encourage his supporters in Las Vegas after the Nevada caucus , calling out Sanders ' status as a self-described Democratic socialist .
`` We 're alive , we 're coming back and we 're going to win , '' Biden said .
`` I ai n't a socialist .
I ai n't a plutocrat .
I 'm a Democrat -- and I 'm proud of it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make their case to voters in a debate in South Carolina on Tuesday , with Steyer rejoining the field of Sanders , Buttigieg , Biden , Warren , Klobuchar and Bloomberg .
Steyer hit the polling requirements for the debate based on the results of a CBS News/YouGov poll in South Carolina released Sunday morning after failing to satisfy the polling requirements for the Nevada debate in which the Democratic National Convention removed fundraising goals , allowing Bloomberg to participate for the first time .
Biden leads that poll with 28 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders addresses the crowd during a rally at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, New Hampshire, on Feb. 11. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders maintained a commanding lead in the Nevada caucuses on Sunday night with nearly 90 percent of the votes counted. Multiple media outlets declared the Vermont senator the winner on Saturday evening after he won a plurality of delegates. By Sunday night, Sanders had 47.1 percent of delegate equivalents at 6,120 with 87 percent of precincts reporting. Advertisement
Sanders remained well ahead of former Vice President Joe Biden, who earned 2,723 state delegate equivalents at 21 percent, and former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg with 1,772 at 13.7 percent.
"In Nevada, we have just put together a multigenerational, multiracial coalition, which is not only going to win in Nevada, it's going to sweep this country," Sanders said to a victory celebration in San Antonio, Texas.
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President Donald Trump congratulated Sanders on his win Sunday before departing the White House for a trip to India.
"I think it was a great win for Bernie Sanders," he said. "We'll see how it all turns out. They've got a lot of winning to do."
Buttigieg's campaign late Saturday night sent a letter to the Nevada State Democratic party asking it to provide early vote and in-person vote totals by precinct, correct any errors identified by campaigns during the early voting and the second alignment and explain other anomalies in the data before releasing final caucus results.
The letter alleges that the process of integrating early votes into the results of the in-person caucuses "was plagued with errors and inconsistencies," stating that Buttigieg's campaign received more than 200 incident reports from precincts throughout the state.
The allegations from Buttigieg's campaign come after issues in the Iowa caucuses related to an app used to report the results. A recanvass of 81 precincts showed that Buttigieg's lead in state delegates over Sanders had fallen to .08 percent as the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., received 26.186 percent and the Vermont senator received 26.182.
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In Nevada, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren received 1,243 state delegate equivalents at 9.6 percent, while billionaire Tom Steyer received 604 at 4.7 percent, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar got 506 at 3.9 percent and Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard gained zero. Businessman Andrew Yang and former Maryland congressman John Delaney received five, Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet received two and former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick received one though they have suspended their campaigns.
Former New York Gov. Michael Bloomberg was not on the ballot in Nevada nor will he appear on the ballot in South Carolina, as his campaign has said they will forgo the first four primaries and appear on ballets in 14 states for Super Tuesday on March 3.
Sanders leads all candidates heading into the South Carolina primary on Saturday with 34 national convention delegates followed by Buttigieg at 23 with Warren, Klobuchar and Biden further behind.
Biden sought to encourage his supporters in Las Vegas after the Nevada caucus, calling out Sanders' status as a self-described Democratic socialist.
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"We're alive, we're coming back and we're going to win," Biden said. "I ain't a socialist. I ain't a plutocrat. I'm a Democrat -- and I'm proud of it."
The Democratic candidates will seek to make their case to voters in a debate in South Carolina on Tuesday, with Steyer rejoining the field of Sanders, Buttigieg, Biden, Warren, Klobuchar and Bloomberg.
Steyer hit the polling requirements for the debate based on the results of a CBS News/YouGov poll in South Carolina released Sunday morning after failing to satisfy the polling requirements for the Nevada debate in which the Democratic National Convention removed fundraising goals, allowing Bloomberg to participate for the first time. Biden leads that poll with 28 percent followed by Sanders with 23 percent.


upi--2020-02-24--Marianne Williamson endorses Bernie Sanders for president

Feb. 23 ( UPI ) -- Former 2020 presidential candidate Marianne Williamson has endorsed Bernie Sanders for president following his resounding victory in Nevada .
The author made the announcement Sunday during a surprise appearance at a rally in Austin , Texas , for the Vermont senator .
`` Bernie Sanders has taken a stand , and Bernie Sanders has been taking a stand for a very long time , '' she told the crowd .
`` He has been consistent , he has been convicted , he has been committed -- And now it 's time .
I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's time for us to take a stand with Bernie . ''
Williamson , who dropped out of the race for the Democratic nomination in January , had previously thrown her support behind businessman Andrew Yang before he , too , pulled his name from contention earlier this month following a poor showing in the New Hampshire primaries .
Williamson 's endorsement follows Sanders overwhelming the competition in the Nevada caucuses , gaining 47.1 percent of delegate equivalents with 87 percent of precincts reporting by late Sunday .
In a statement published on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory was `` extraordinary . ''
`` A 40-year-old trend of capitalism without conscience -- corporate elites and their errand boys in government -- have created the inevitable blowback in the form of a political revolution , '' her statement read .
`` That revolution is one that Bernie Sanders now leads , and I want to do everything I can to further its success .
I am honored to endorse him . ''

Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Former 2020 presidential candidate Marianne Williamson has endorsed Bernie Sanders for president following his resounding victory in Nevada.
The author made the announcement Sunday during a surprise appearance at a rally in Austin, Texas, for the Vermont senator.
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"Bernie Sanders has taken a stand, and Bernie Sanders has been taking a stand for a very long time," she told the crowd. "He has been consistent, he has been convicted, he has been committed -- And now it's time. I'm here and you're here because it's time for us to take a stand with Bernie."
Williamson, who dropped out of the race for the Democratic nomination in January, had previously thrown her support behind businessman Andrew Yang before he, too, pulled his name from contention earlier this month following a poor showing in the New Hampshire primaries.
Williamson's endorsement follows Sanders overwhelming the competition in the Nevada caucuses, gaining 47.1 percent of delegate equivalents with 87 percent of precincts reporting by late Sunday.
In a statement published on Twitter Sunday, Williamson said his Nevada victory was "extraordinary."
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"A 40-year-old trend of capitalism without conscience -- corporate elites and their errand boys in government -- have created the inevitable blowback in the form of a political revolution," her statement read. "That revolution is one that Bernie Sanders now leads, and I want to do everything I can to further its success. I am honored to endorse him."


upi--2020-02-23--White House official denies Russia meddling to support Trump

Feb. 23 ( UPI ) -- A Trump administration official on Sunday denied recent intelligence reports that state Russia is interfering in the 2020 presidential election to aid President Donald Trump 's re-election .
White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien told Margaret Brennan on CBS ' Face the Nation , which aired Sunday , that neither he nor Trump has received information that Russian President Vladimir Putin is aiding the Republican president 's campaign .
`` We just have n't seen that intelligence , '' he said .
`` If it 's out there , I have n't seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have n't seen it .
The leaders of our [ intelligence community ] have not seen it .
So , again , I do n't know where this is coming from . ''
The denial follows recent reports that the intelligence community briefed House lawmakers on Russia interfering in the election in Trump 's favor .
O'Brien on Sunday said what he 's heard from the Federal Bureau of Investigation is that Russia is working to support Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to win the Democratic nomination as his presidential election would result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social programs .
`` The Russians have always tried to interfere with elections because they want to divide Americans , '' he said .
`` They want to undermine our democracy .
But the idea that they want to influence the election and somehow cause the president to win , I just do n't see it . ''
On Friday , Sanders said U.S. officials told him that Russia has attempted to meddle in the election to boost his bid .
`` It was not clear what role they 're going to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Calif. `` We were told that Russia , maybe other countries , are going to get involved in this campaign -- And look , here 's the message to Russia : Stay out of American elections . ''
On Sunday night , Sanders held a commanding lead in Nevada 's Democratic primary , increasing his chances to take on Trump in the November election .
From the South Lawn before departing for a trip to India on Sunday , Trump congratulated Sanders and denied he had been briefed on Russia interfering to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I have not been briefed on that at all , '' he said .
`` Nobody told me about it . ''
Asked if he was concerned about Russian interference , Trump said the Democrats , specifically Rep. Adam Schiff , were leaking information in their attempt to undermine Sanders , echoing accusations he has long made concerning Hilary Clinton beating the Vermont senator to head the Democratic Party in the 2016 presidential election .
`` It sounds like it 's '16 all over again for Bernie Sanders , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be investigated over the leaked intelligence reports .
Schiff responded to Trump 's accusation , framing it as a `` deflection '' from his failure to protect the election from foreign interference .
`` Your false claims fool no one , '' Schiff said Sunday in a tweet .
`` You welcomed Russian help in 2016 , tried to coerce Ukraine 's help in 2019 and wo n't protect our elections in 2020 . ''
Schiff also accused the president of having fired Joe Maguire as acting national intelligence director for having briefed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the election .
Trump on Thursday announced that U.S .
Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell would be taking over as acting director of national intelligence .
On Sunday , Trump said the decision was made because Maguire 's time was almost up .
`` His time came up so he had to leave , '' Trump said .
Following the 2016 presidential election , the U.S. intelligence community determined that Russia had meddled in the process to an extent not previously seen .
In a report , the intelligence community said Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. democratic process with `` a clear preference '' for Trump to win the election .

President Donald Trump speaks as national security adviser Robert O'Brien looks on at the White House on Dec. 13, 2019. Photo by Oliver Contreras/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 23 (UPI) -- A Trump administration official on Sunday denied recent intelligence reports that state Russia is interfering in the 2020 presidential election to aid President Donald Trump's re-election. White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien told Margaret Brennan on CBS' Face the Nation, which aired Sunday, that neither he nor Trump has received information that Russian President Vladimir Putin is aiding the Republican president's campaign. Advertisement
"We just haven't seen that intelligence," he said. "If it's out there, I haven't seen it. I'd be surprised if I haven't seen it. The leaders of our [intelligence community] have not seen it. So, again, I don't know where this is coming from."
The denial follows recent reports that the intelligence community briefed House lawmakers on Russia interfering in the election in Trump's favor.
O'Brien on Sunday said what he's heard from the Federal Bureau of Investigation is that Russia is working to support Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to win the Democratic nomination as his presidential election would result in money diverted from the military to social programs.
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"The Russians have always tried to interfere with elections because they want to divide Americans," he said. "They want to undermine our democracy. But the idea that they want to influence the election and somehow cause the president to win, I just don't see it."
On Friday, Sanders said U.S. officials told him that Russia has attempted to meddle in the election to boost his bid.
"It was not clear what role they're going to play," he told reporters in Bakersfield, Calif. "We were told that Russia, maybe other countries, are going to get involved in this campaign -- And look, here's the message to Russia: Stay out of American elections."
On Sunday night, Sanders held a commanding lead in Nevada's Democratic primary, increasing his chances to take on Trump in the November election.
From the South Lawn before departing for a trip to India on Sunday, Trump congratulated Sanders and denied he had been briefed on Russia interfering to help the Vermont senator's campaign.
"I have not been briefed on that at all," he said. "Nobody told me about it."
Asked if he was concerned about Russian interference, Trump said the Democrats, specifically Rep. Adam Schiff, were leaking information in their attempt to undermine Sanders, echoing accusations he has long made concerning Hilary Clinton beating the Vermont senator to head the Democratic Party in the 2016 presidential election.
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"It sounds like it's '16 all over again for Bernie Sanders," he said.
Trump also called for Schiff to be investigated over the leaked intelligence reports.
Schiff responded to Trump's accusation, framing it as a "deflection" from his failure to protect the election from foreign interference.
"Your false claims fool no one," Schiff said Sunday in a tweet. "You welcomed Russian help in 2016, tried to coerce Ukraine's help in 2019 and won't protect our elections in 2020."
Schiff also accused the president of having fired Joe Maguire as acting national intelligence director for having briefed the lawmakers on Russian efforts to interfere in the election.
Trump on Thursday announced that U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell would be taking over as acting director of national intelligence.
On Sunday, Trump said the decision was made because Maguire's time was almost up.
"His time came up so he had to leave," Trump said.
Following the 2016 presidential election, the U.S. intelligence community determined that Russia had meddled in the process to an extent not previously seen.
In a report, the intelligence community said Russia's goals were to undermine public faith in the U.S. democratic process with "a clear preference" for Trump to win the election.


upi--2020-02-23--Los Angeles Lakers officially sign Markieff Morris, waive DeMarcus Cousins

Feb. 23 ( UPI ) -- Former Detroit Pistons forward Markieff Morris cleared waivers and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers , the team announced Sunday .
In an expected corresponding roster move , the Lakers officially waived former All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins to create a roster spot for Morris , according to the team .
League sources told ESPN that the Lakers signed Morris with the $ 1.75 million disabled player exception the team received for Cousins earlier this season .
Morris previously negotiated a buyout with the Pistons on Friday to clear the way for him to join @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared in 44 games ( 16 starts ) for the Pistons this season , averaging 11 points and 3.9 assists per game .
Over nine NBA seasons between the Phoenix Suns , Washington Wizards , Oklahoma City Thunder and Pistons , he has averaged 11.6 points and 5.4 rebounds in 623 career games .
Cousins , a four-time All-Star selection , played for the Sacramento Kings ( 2010-17 ) and New Orleans Pelicans ( 2017-18 ) before joining the Golden State Warriors ( 2018-19 ) for one season .
The 29-year-old big man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 3.2 assists per game in his NBA career .
Cousins has n't played this season as he continues to recover from a torn ACL in his left knee .

Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Former Detroit Pistons forward Markieff Morris cleared waivers and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, the team announced Sunday.
In an expected corresponding roster move, the Lakers officially waived former All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins to create a roster spot for Morris, according to the team.
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League sources told ESPN that the Lakers signed Morris with the $1.75 million disabled player exception the team received for Cousins earlier this season. Morris previously negotiated a buyout with the Pistons on Friday to clear the way for him to join the Lakers.
Morris, 30, appeared in 44 games (16 starts) for the Pistons this season, averaging 11 points and 3.9 assists per game. Over nine NBA seasons between the Phoenix Suns, Washington Wizards, Oklahoma City Thunder and Pistons, he has averaged 11.6 points and 5.4 rebounds in 623 career games.
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Cousins, a four-time All-Star selection, played for the Sacramento Kings (2010-17) and New Orleans Pelicans (2017-18) before joining the Golden State Warriors (2018-19) for one season. The 29-year-old big man has averaged 21.2 points, 10.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in his NBA career.
Cousins hasn't played this season as he continues to recover from a torn ACL in his left knee.


upi--2020-02-23--Colorado names Miami Dolphins' Karl Dorrell as next head football coach

Feb. 23 ( UPI ) -- Colorado officially hired former Miami Dolphins assistant coach Karl Dorrell as the school 's next head football coach , the university announced Sunday .
The five-year , $ 18 million contract is pending approval from Colorado 's Board of Regents , according to a statement released by the school .
In his first year , Dorrell would receive a $ 3.2 million base salary with a $ 200,000 annual increase .
Dorrell , who served as the Dolphins ' wide receivers coach last season , will take over for Mel Tucker , who left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coach at Michigan State .
Dorrell previously was the Buffaloes ' offensive coordinator and receivers coach from 1995-98 and the wideouts coach from 1992-93 .
`` I 'm excited to be back , it 's like coming home , '' Dorrell said in a statement .
`` The thing that excited me about this job is that my experience in the past here for the most part has been very successful .
We had a lot of good teams , went to a lot of good bowl games .
It 's a top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential , and I 'm excited to return it to that level . ''
Dorrell was the head coach at UCLA from 2003-07 and led the Bruins to a 35-27 record and five bowl appearances .
The school parted ways with him at the end of the 2007 season despite the Bruins reaching a bowl game .
Dorrell , 56 , returns to the college ranks after spending the last five seasons in the NFL .
He was the receivers coach for the New York Jets ( 2015-18 ) before assuming the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His last college coaching job was in 2014 , when he served as Vanderbilt 's offensive coordinator .

Karl Dorrell served as the Miami Dolphins' wide receivers coach last season. He will succeed Mel Tucker, who left the Colorado football program for Michigan State. Photo courtesy of Miami Dolphins/Official Website
Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Colorado officially hired former Miami Dolphins assistant coach Karl Dorrell as the school's next head football coach, the university announced Sunday. The five-year, $18 million contract is pending approval from Colorado's Board of Regents, according to a statement released by the school. In his first year, Dorrell would receive a $3.2 million base salary with a $200,000 annual increase. Advertisement
Dorrell, who served as the Dolphins' wide receivers coach last season, will take over for Mel Tucker, who left Colorado this off-season to become the head coach at Michigan State. Dorrell previously was the Buffaloes' offensive coordinator and receivers coach from 1995-98 and the wideouts coach from 1992-93.
"I'm excited to be back, it's like coming home," Dorrell said in a statement. "The thing that excited me about this job is that my experience in the past here for the most part has been very successful. We had a lot of good teams, went to a lot of good bowl games. It's a top caliber program that has a lot of potential, and I'm excited to return it to that level."
Advertisement We'd like to officially introduce you to our new HC, Karl Dorrell. https://t.co/NZ2FQAvpxs pic.twitter.com/DcHa4rjUfp— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) February 23, 2020
Dorrell was the head coach at UCLA from 2003-07 and led the Bruins to a 35-27 record and five bowl appearances. The school parted ways with him at the end of the 2007 season despite the Bruins reaching a bowl game.
Dorrell, 56, returns to the college ranks after spending the last five seasons in the NFL. He was the receivers coach for the New York Jets (2015-18) before assuming the same role with the Dolphins in 2019. His last college coaching job was in 2014, when he served as Vanderbilt's offensive coordinator.


upi--2020-02-23--Skeet Ulrich, Marisol Nichols leaving 'Riverdale'

Feb. 23 ( UPI ) -- Riverdale cast members Skeet Ulrich and Marisol Nichols announced Sunday they are leaving The CW drama after four seasons .
`` I 'm incredibly grateful for the friendships I 've made on Riverdale , and I will miss seeing everyone on a daily basis , '' Ulrich -- who play 's F.P .
Jones , Jughead 's father -- said in a statement to TVLine .
`` I 'm proud to have been part of such a talented group of people , in front of the camera and behind .
But I 've decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move on to explore other creative opportunities . ''
Nichols -- who plays Veronica Lodge 's mother also said she has left the dark , young-adult drama based on the Archie Comic series .
Season 4 is to wrap up in April .
`` I had an incredible time bringing Hermione Lodge to life and working with my amazing cast , who became family , '' Nichols said in a statement to E !
News .
`` We had so many wonderful times together during the highest of highs and the lowest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best fans ever .
I am looking forward to the next chapter and am excited about the future . ''

1/2
(L-R) "Riverdale" stars KJ Apa, Casey Cott, Luke Perry and Skeet Ulrich arrive for the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas in 2018. Ulrich announced Sunday he is leaving the show after four seasons. File Photo by James Atoa/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Riverdale cast members Skeet Ulrich and Marisol Nichols announced Sunday they are leaving The CW drama after four seasons. "I'm incredibly grateful for the friendships I've made on Riverdale, and I will miss seeing everyone on a daily basis," Ulrich -- who play's F.P. Jones, Jughead's father -- said in a statement to TVLine. Advertisement
"I'm proud to have been part of such a talented group of people, in front of the camera and behind. But I've decided that it's time for me to move on to explore other creative opportunities."
Nichols -- who plays Veronica Lodge's mother also said she has left the dark, young-adult drama based on the Archie Comic series.
Season 4 is to wrap up in April.
"I had an incredible time bringing Hermione Lodge to life and working with my amazing cast, who became family," Nichols said in a statement to E! News.
"We had so many wonderful times together during the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. We really do have the best fans ever. I am looking forward to the next chapter and am excited about the future."
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The show stars KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Cole Sprouse, Mark Consuelos and Molly Ringwald.
Luke Perry, who played Fred Andrews, died last year.


upi--2020-02-24--White House preparing to request emergency funding for coronavirus response

Feb. 24 ( UPI ) -- The White House is preparing to request emergency funding from Congress to combat the spread of the coronavirus , a spokesman said Monday .
Deputy White House Press Secretary Hogan Gidley told Fox News that President Donald Trump is preparing an urgent budget request to address the virus known as COVID-19 , but declined to say how much funding would be requested .
`` We need some funding here to make sure that we protect all Americans , '' said Gidley .
`` We need to combat this , we need to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is always going to take action to do that . ''
The Trump administration has said it could draw from a $ 105 million rapid response fund at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other accounts to fund coronavirus response , while the Health and Human Services Department said about $ 136 million could be transferred from other federal programs .
The CDC said that there were 53 cases of COVID-19 in the United States as of Monday as the number of cases increased when infected passengers were brought back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ship .
Reps. Nita Lowey , D-N.Y. , and Rosa DeLauro , D-Conn. , said they had urged the administration weeks ago to submit an emergency supplemental funding request .
`` Since then , new cases and deaths around the world have significantly worsened and we have still not received crucial information as to what funding [ Health and Human Services ] has allocated to emergency response activities or how quickly they expect funding . ''
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and national security adviser Robert C. O'Brien are leading a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will appear before several House committees this week to answer questions about his budget after saying he `` wo n't let resources be any kind of barrier to response activities . ''

The White House is preparing to request emergency funding from Congress to respond to the coronavirus, a representative said Monday. File Photo by Ron Sachs/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 24 (UPI) -- The Trump administration will ask Congress for at least $2.5 billion in additional funding to combat the spread of the coronavirus, the White House announced Monday. The request will seek a single lump sum to allow the Department of Health Services "maximum flexibility" and will include at least $1 billion for vaccine development. Advertisement
"The Trump administration continues to take the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease very seriously," White House Office of Management and Budget spokeswoman Rachel Semmel said. "Today, the administration is transmitting to Congress a $2.5 billion supplemental funding plan to accelerate vaccine development, support preparedness and response activities and to procure much-needed equipment and supplies."
Earlier Monday Deputy White House Press Secretary Hogan Gidley told Fox News that the administration was preparing an urgent budget request.
"We need some funding here to make sure that we protect all Americans," said Gidley. "We need to combat this, we need to make sure our people are safe and the president is always going to take action to do that."
The request comes as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that there were 53 cases of COVID-19 in the United States as of Monday as the number of cases increased when infected passengers were brought back to the country from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
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Reps. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., and Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., said they had urged the administration weeks ago to submit an emergency supplemental funding request.
"Since then, new cases and deaths around the world have significantly worsened and we have still not received crucial information as to what funding [Health and Human Services] has allocated to emergency response activities or how quickly they expect funding."
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and national security adviser Robert C. O'Brien are leading a task force on coronavirus response.
Azar will appear before several House committees this week to answer questions about his budget after saying he "won't let resources be any kind of barrier to response activities."


upi--2020-02-24--Vanessa Bryant files wrongful death lawsuit against helicopter company

Feb. 24 ( UPI ) -- Vanessa Bryant on Monday filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the company that owned the helicopter that crashed last month causing the death of her husband Kobe Bryant , their daughter Gianna Bryant and seven others .
The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court against Island Express Holding Corp. and Island Express Helicopters alleges that the company put the helicopter in the air when conditions were not safe for flying .
`` Defendant Island Express Helicopters authorized , directed and/or permitted a flight with full knowledge that the subject helicopter was flying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit states .
It also alleges that pilot Ara Zobayan , who died in the crash , was flying at 180 mph in dense fog .
The suit states that the victims died as a direct result of the negligent conduct of Zobayan , whose estate is also listed as a defendant , and the company is `` vicariously liable in all respects . ''
Bryant filed the lawsuit before a public memorial in Los Angeles honoring her husband , daughter and the other victims .
A preliminary report by the National Transportation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failure in the crash and it is still investigating what role , if any , dense fog that morning played in the crash but a final report is not expected until next year .
Federal Aviation Administration records also show that Zobayan violated flight safety rules related to weather conditions in 2015 but he complied with counseling and the agency said there were `` no signs '' that the incident was a trend .

Vanessa Bryant sued the company that owned the helicopter that crashed last month killing her husband Kobe Bryant, daughter Gianna Bryant and seven others in January. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Vanessa Bryant on Monday filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the company that owned the helicopter that crashed last month causing the death of her husband Kobe Bryant, their daughter Gianna Bryant and seven others. The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court against Island Express Holding Corp. and Island Express Helicopters alleges that the company put the helicopter in the air when conditions were not safe for flying. Advertisement
"Defendant Island Express Helicopters authorized, directed and/or permitted a flight with full knowledge that the subject helicopter was flying into unsafe weather conditions," the lawsuit states.
It also alleges that pilot Ara Zobayan, who died in the crash, was flying at 180 mph in dense fog.
The suit states that the victims died as a direct result of the negligent conduct of Zobayan, whose estate is also listed as a defendant, and the company is "vicariously liable in all respects."
Bryant filed the lawsuit before a public memorial in Los Angeles honoring her husband, daughter and the other victims.
A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board found no evidence of engine failure in the crash and it is still investigating what role, if any, dense fog that morning played in the crash but a final report is not expected until next year.
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Federal Aviation Administration records also show that Zobayan violated flight safety rules related to weather conditions in 2015 but he complied with counseling and the agency said there were "no signs" that the incident was a trend.


upi--2020-02-24--Golden Knights acquire goalie Robin Lehner in trade with Blackhawks

Feb. 24 ( UPI ) -- The Vegas Golden Knights obtained veteran goalie Robin Lehner from the Chicago Blackhawks near the end of the NHL trade deadline Monday .
The Golden Knights traded goaltender Malcolm Subban , defenseman prospect Slava Demin and a 2020 second-round draft pick to the Blackhawks for Lehner and forward Martins Dzierkals .
Before the trade was confirmed , Lehner thanked Blackhawks fans on social media and wrote that he was `` really excited to join Vegas . ''
The former New York Islanders goalie said that he first learned of the trade through Twitter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one-year , $ 5 million contract with the Blackhawks during the off-season .
Before joining Chicago , he was a Vezina Trophy finalist with the Islanders in the 2018-19 campaign .
In his first season with the Blackhawks , Lehner posted a 16-10-5 record with a 3.01 goals-against average and .918 save percentage .
Despite his success between the pipes , Chicago is in last place in the Central Division and close to its third consecutive season without a playoff appearance .
Lehner will pair up with Golden Knights starter Marc-Andre Fleury as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playoff appearance .
Vegas is in first place in the Pacific Division with 76 points .
Vegas also acquired forward Nick Cousins from the Montreal Canadiens on Monday .
The Golden Knights sent a fourth-round pick in the 2021 draft to the Canadiens in the deal .

Former New York Islanders goaltender Robin Lehner signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks last off-season. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 24 (UPI) -- The Vegas Golden Knights obtained veteran goalie Robin Lehner from the Chicago Blackhawks near the end of the NHL trade deadline Monday. The Golden Knights traded goaltender Malcolm Subban, defenseman prospect Slava Demin and a 2020 second-round draft pick to the Blackhawks for Lehner and forward Martins Dzierkals. Advertisement
Before the trade was confirmed, Lehner thanked Blackhawks fans on social media and wrote that he was "really excited to join Vegas." The former New York Islanders goalie said that he first learned of the trade through Twitter.
Thank you Chicago. What a great city. Fans were unbelievable and I'm not going to forget the short time there. I believe in this team and still do. Great teammates! gonna miss all of you. The city and guys deserve the best. was born in Chicago.— Robin Lehner (@RobinLehner) February 24, 2020
Lehner, 28, originally signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Blackhawks during the off-season. Before joining Chicago, he was a Vezina Trophy finalist with the Islanders in the 2018-19 campaign.
In his first season with the Blackhawks, Lehner posted a 16-10-5 record with a 3.01 goals-against average and .918 save percentage. Despite his success between the pipes, Chicago is in last place in the Central Division and close to its third consecutive season without a playoff appearance.
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Lehner will pair up with Golden Knights starter Marc-Andre Fleury as the team prepares for a third straight playoff appearance. Vegas is in first place in the Pacific Division with 76 points.
Now it's official Vegas has acquired goalie Robin Lehner and forward Martins Dzierkals from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for goalie Malcolm Subban, defenseman Slava Demin and a 2020 2nd round pick#VegasBorn https://t.co/tJN1S4wBb2— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) February 24, 2020
Vegas also acquired forward Nick Cousins from the Montreal Canadiens on Monday. The Golden Knights sent a fourth-round pick in the 2021 draft to the Canadiens in the deal.


upi--2020-02-24--Federal appeals court upholds abortion referral ban at federally funded clinics

Feb. 24 ( UPI ) -- A federal appeals court in San Francisco on Monday upheld a Trump administration revised rule banning federally funded family planning clinics from referring women for abortions .
Seven judges ruled in favor of upholding the 2019 rule with four dissenting on the 11-judge panel of the 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals .
Plaintiffs in the case against Secretary Alex Azar of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services included several states , Planned Parenthood and Essential Access Health .
HHS issued the revised rule last year banning family planning providers that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In response , Planned Parenthood , which says it serves 40 percent of the 4 million Title X patients in the United States , called it a `` gag rule '' and said in August of last year it has been in the Title X program for decades , but would have to leave the program because of the rule .
Planned Parenthood joined the American Medical Association in March in suing the Trump administration to block the rule , arguing that several aspects of the rule were `` arbitrary and capricious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial and physical separation between Title X funded projects and programs or facilities where abortion is a method of family planning . ''
Circuit Judge Sandra Ikuta wrote in the court opinion that the 2019 rule allows family clinics to mention abortion , but not to refer or encourage it , and that it was a `` reasonable interpretation '' of federal law and was not `` arbitrary and capricious , '' as plaintiffs had argued .
The opinion also vacated injunctions against the rule imposed by the district courts .
Planned Parenthood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposes cost prohibitive and unnecessary `` physical separation '' restrictions on health centers that provide abortion .
The nonprofit organization that provides reproductive health care with some centers providing abortion noted that Judge Richard Paez ' `` strongly '' dissented .
`` In vacating the preliminary injunctions , the majority blesses an executive agency 's disregard of the clear limits placed on it by Congress , '' Paez wrote .
`` The consequences will be borne by the millions of women who turn to Title X-funded clinics for lifesaving care and the very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unintended pregnancy -- and abortion -- to plummet . ''
Alexis McGill Johnson , acting president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America , called for Congress to get involved .
`` Congress must take action to reverse this dangerous rule and restore access to care for millions through Title X , '' Johnson said in a statement .
`` Planned Parenthood will never give up on our patients and we will continue to do everything we can to fight this rule . ''
Essential Access Health issued its own statement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` This is a devastating decision for the millions of low-income patients who rely on the Title X program for comprehensive , quality sexual and reproductive health care nationwide , '' Essential Access President and CEO Julie Rabinovitz said in the statement .
`` We are reviewing the decision and discussing next steps with our legal team and litigation partners . ''

A federal appeals court has sided with the Trump administration over Planned Parenthood in family planning case. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 24 (UPI) -- A federal appeals court in San Francisco on Monday upheld a Trump administration revised rule banning federally funded family planning clinics from referring women for abortions. Seven judges ruled in favor of upholding the 2019 rule with four dissenting on the 11-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Plaintiffs in the case against Secretary Alex Azar of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services included several states, Planned Parenthood and Essential Access Health. Advertisement
HHS issued the revised rule last year banning family planning providers that receive Title X funding from abortion referrals. In response, Planned Parenthood, which says it serves 40 percent of the 4 million Title X patients in the United States, called it a "gag rule" and said in August of last year it has been in the Title X program for decades, but would have to leave the program because of the rule.
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Planned Parenthood joined the American Medical Association in March in suing the Trump administration to block the rule, arguing that several aspects of the rule were "arbitrary and capricious," including its "requiring clear financial and physical separation between Title X funded projects and programs or facilities where abortion is a method of family planning."
Circuit Judge Sandra Ikuta wrote in the court opinion that the 2019 rule allows family clinics to mention abortion, but not to refer or encourage it, and that it was a "reasonable interpretation" of federal law and was not "arbitrary and capricious," as plaintiffs had argued.
The opinion also vacated injunctions against the rule imposed by the district courts.
Planned Parenthood responded in a statement that the rule imposes cost prohibitive and unnecessary "physical separation" restrictions on health centers that provide abortion.
The nonprofit organization that provides reproductive health care with some centers providing abortion noted that Judge Richard Paez' "strongly" dissented.
"In vacating the preliminary injunctions, the majority blesses an executive agency's disregard of the clear limits placed on it by Congress," Paez wrote. "The consequences will be borne by the millions of women who turn to Title X-funded clinics for lifesaving care and the very contraceptive services that have caused rates of unintended pregnancy -- and abortion -- to plummet."
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Alexis McGill Johnson, acting president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, called for Congress to get involved.
"Congress must take action to reverse this dangerous rule and restore access to care for millions through Title X," Johnson said in a statement. "Planned Parenthood will never give up on our patients and we will continue to do everything we can to fight this rule."
Essential Access Health issued its own statement, raising concern about low-income patients in particular.
"This is a devastating decision for the millions of low-income patients who rely on the Title X program for comprehensive, quality sexual and reproductive health care nationwide," Essential Access President and CEO Julie Rabinovitz said in the statement. "We are reviewing the decision and discussing next steps with our legal team and litigation partners."


upi--2020-02-24--Phones more popular than wearable devices for tracking steps

Smartphones appear to be more effective than wearable fitness devices in helping doctors track patients ' physical activity , researchers say .
Their new study included 500 patients who joined activity tracking programs at two Philadelphia hospitals .
Half used a smartphone app to track their daily steps after leaving the hospital .
The other half used a wearable device .
Patients were instructed to send their step data to researchers on a regular basis .
If they had n't done so for four straight days , there were reminded via emails , texts or voice messages .
During follow-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more likely to relay their data than those with the wearable devices .
Thirty days after hospital discharge , 87 percent of the smartphone group were still sending in their data , compared to 82 percent of those with wearable devices .
The rates after three months were 78 percent and 68 percent , respectively .
After six months , the rates were 61 percent and 47 percent -- a substantial difference of 14 percentage points .
The University of Pennsylvania study was recently published in the journal JAMA Network Open .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they go .
Since carrying the phone is already a built-in habit , it makes it much easier to use the device to track activity levels , '' said lead author Dr. Mitesh Patel , an assistant professor of medicine .
`` While wearables can track other metrics , every time patient takes them off , there 's a possibility that they may never put it back on again , '' he said in a university news release .
The study also found that men were more likely than women to continue reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Medicaid insurance were nearly twice as patients with other insurance to not submit their data .
The U.S. National Heart , Lung , and Blood Institute offers a guide to physical activity .

Smartphones appear to be more effective than wearable fitness devices in helping doctors track patients' physical activity, researchers say.
Their new study included 500 patients who joined activity tracking programs at two Philadelphia hospitals. Half used a smartphone app to track their daily steps after leaving the hospital. The other half used a wearable device.
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Patients were instructed to send their step data to researchers on a regular basis. If they hadn't done so for four straight days, there were reminded via emails, texts or voice messages.
During follow-up, patients using the smartphone app were more likely to relay their data than those with the wearable devices.
Thirty days after hospital discharge, 87 percent of the smartphone group were still sending in their data, compared to 82 percent of those with wearable devices.
The rates after three months were 78 percent and 68 percent, respectively. After six months, the rates were 61 percent and 47 percent -- a substantial difference of 14 percentage points.
The University of Pennsylvania study was recently published in the journal JAMA Network Open.
"Most people with smartphones take them everywhere they go. Since carrying the phone is already a built-in habit, it makes it much easier to use the device to track activity levels," said lead author Dr. Mitesh Patel, an assistant professor of medicine.
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"While wearables can track other metrics, every time patient takes them off, there's a possibility that they may never put it back on again," he said in a university news release.
The study also found that men were more likely than women to continue reporting their step data, and that patients with Medicaid insurance were nearly twice as patients with other insurance to not submit their data.
More information
The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute offers a guide to physical activity.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-02-24--Dow closes 1,000 points lower on COVID-19 fears

Feb. 24 ( UPI ) -- Heightened concern about the growing coronavirus outbreak spread to Wall Street and European markets Monday , leading the Dow Jones Industrial Average to drop 1,031 points , or 3.56 percent , at the close of trading .
The bellwether index had fallen nearly 930 points by noon EST Monday and ended the day at 27,961 after reaching a low of 27,912 .
The S & P 500 fell almost 112 points , or 3.35 percent to close at 3,226 , and the Nasdaq had shed 355 points , closing down 3.71 percent at 9,221 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three benchmarks fell by at least 3 percent on the same day since Dec. 4 , 2018 .
Still , the drop did n't come close to triggering safety measures put in place to halt trading during steep sell-offs .
The New York Stock Exchange can halt trading for 15 minutes if the S & P 500 falls 7 percent from the previous day 's close , again at 13 percent , and can halt for the remainder of the day if the sell-off reaches 20 percent .
A halt has n't been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the S & P 500 closed down 8.9 percent .
New outbreaks in South Korea , Italy and Iran helped shake the markets even though health officials noted a decline of cases in China , which is where the COVID-19 began in December .
More than 2,400 people in China have died from the virus .
`` The spike in infections in South Korea , mostly concentrated in the congregation of a single church , a surge in cases in Italy , and news of an outbreak in Iran , where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government is secretive , has triggered fears that China 's aggressive quarantining efforts wo n't keep the virus from spreading globally , '' Ian Shepherdson , chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics , told clients Monday .
South Korea 's Kospi index tumbled nearly 4 percent at its close Monday , its worse daily performance since October 2018 .
Italy 's top market fell 5.2 percent and the STOXX Europe 600 index lost 3.4 percent .
Stocks related to the travel industry -- like Delta Air Lines , American Airlines , Wynn Resorts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of at least 4 percent in early trading .
`` Coronavirus has struck at a time when major economies , including Japan , Germany , India and Hong Kong are facing a downturn due to other factors such as the U.S.-China trade dispute and political protesters , which could hit the world economy , '' said Nigel Green , CEO of the deVere Group .

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Stocks fell sharply on Monday, February 24, 2020, with Dow Jones Industrial Average closing down over 1,000 points on possible fears from the coronavirus outbreak. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Heightened concern about the growing coronavirus outbreak spread to Wall Street and European markets Monday, leading the Dow Jones Industrial Average to drop 1,031 points, or 3.56 percent, at the close of trading. The bellwether index had fallen nearly 930 points by noon EST Monday and ended the day at 27,961 after reaching a low of 27,912. The S&P 500 fell almost 112 points, or 3.35 percent to close at 3,226, and the Nasdaq had shed 355 points, closing down 3.71 percent at 9,221. Advertisement
It was the first time all three benchmarks fell by at least 3 percent on the same day since Dec. 4, 2018. Still, the drop didn't come close to triggering safety measures put in place to halt trading during steep sell-offs. The New York Stock Exchange can halt trading for 15 minutes if the S&P 500 falls 7 percent from the previous day's close, again at 13 percent, and can halt for the remainder of the day if the sell-off reaches 20 percent. A halt hasn't been imposed since Dec. 1, 2008, when the S&P 500 closed down 8.9 percent.
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New outbreaks in South Korea, Italy and Iran helped shake the markets even though health officials noted a decline of cases in China, which is where the COVID-19 began in December. More than 2,400 people in China have died from the virus.
"The spike in infections in South Korea, mostly concentrated in the congregation of a single church, a surge in cases in Italy, and news of an outbreak in Iran, where the healthcare system is of uncertain quality and the government is secretive, has triggered fears that China's aggressive quarantining efforts won't keep the virus from spreading globally," Ian Shepherdson, chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, told clients Monday.
South Korea's Kospi index tumbled nearly 4 percent at its close Monday, its worse daily performance since October 2018. Italy's top market fell 5.2 percent and the STOXX Europe 600 index lost 3.4 percent.
Stocks related to the travel industry -- like Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts -- all saw losses of at least 4 percent in early trading.
"Coronavirus has struck at a time when major economies, including Japan, Germany, India and Hong Kong are facing a downturn due to other factors such as the U.S.-China trade dispute and political protesters, which could hit the world economy," said Nigel Green, CEO of the deVere Group.


upi--2020-02-24--UPI's Kevin Dietsch honored for photos of Tiger Woods, Washington Nationals

Feb. 24 ( UPI ) -- UPI photographer Kevin Dietsch won the first- and second-place prizes in the White House News Photographers Association 2020 Eyes of History contest for Sports Feature/Reaction .
The two winning photos featured Tiger Woods playing in the final round of the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links and fans cheering as Washington Nationals closer Daniel Hudson celebrated their Wild Card Game against the Milwaukee Brewers last October .
Dietsch has won multiple honors from the White House Press Photographers Association in the past , including the Award of Excellence in the Sports Action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was an honor to claim two prizes in the category of the extremely competitive contest , featuring many talented and competitive photographers from the region .
`` This contest has always held a special place in my heart , as a young photographer in college I would attend the open judging to try and learn from the judging process and to get a sense of how journalists in D.C. work , '' Dietsch said .
`` So to win not only first but first and second in the same category in a contest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is truly exciting , especially against such a strong field of exceptional photographers . ''
Both photos place an emphasis on spectators , blurring the image of the athlete at the front of the frame .
`` When shooting sports , I am always attempting to make a unique and different image , and I believe both of these images capture a different way of telling the story , '' Dietsch said .
Dietsch used a Sony A9 camera and a 200-600 lens designed to silence shutter noise for golf tournaments .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final day of the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in California when he noticed the beach was full of spectators and people enjoying the surf after the beaches were empty due to poor weather for much of the tournament .
`` I wanted to try and make an image that highlighted the natural beauty around this unique golf course and highlight the spectators that hike into the public beach in an attempt to see golf action , '' he said .
`` I set the camera 's aperture to f22 to attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything in focus .
This allows Tiger Woods to be a little better identified as a golfer rather than just an out-of-focus blob had I used a shallower depth of field . ''
Dietsch used a Nikon D5 and a 200-400mm lens for the second-place photo , which captured the moment after Hudson threw the final pitch that allowed the Nationals to advance in the playoffs .
He said he sought to capture a different type of photo focusing on the fans ' excitement in that moment .
`` The Nationals have such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to try and capture their energy .
As the pitcher threw his last few pitches , I focused on the crowd behind him anticipating their celebration , '' he said .
`` I was happy that the fans reacted in unison , all raising the arms as the pitcher celebrated in the foreground .
I converted the image to black and white to highlight the crowd behind him . ''
The team went on to win the World Series .
Dietsch has worked at UPI 's Washington , D.C. , bureau since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fine arts degree in photojournalism from Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington , D.C. , where he lives with his wife and two children .

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UPI photographer Kevin Deitsch won first place in the White House News Photographers Association 2020 Eyes of History contest for Sports Feature/Reaction for this photo of beachgoers as Tiger Woods hit from the ninth fairway in the final round of the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on June 16, 2019. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 24 (UPI) -- UPI photographer Kevin Dietsch won the first- and second-place prizes in the White House News Photographers Association 2020 Eyes of History contest for Sports Feature/Reaction. The two winning photos featured Tiger Woods playing in the final round of the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links and fans cheering as Washington Nationals closer Daniel Hudson celebrated their Wild Card Game against the Milwaukee Brewers last October. Advertisement
Dietsch has won multiple honors from the White House Press Photographers Association in the past, including the Award of Excellence in the Sports Action category in 2019.
He said it was an honor to claim two prizes in the category of the extremely competitive contest, featuring many talented and competitive photographers from the region.
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"This contest has always held a special place in my heart, as a young photographer in college I would attend the open judging to try and learn from the judging process and to get a sense of how journalists in D.C. work," Dietsch said. "So to win not only first but first and second in the same category in a contest that I have followed since a student is truly exciting, especially against such a strong field of exceptional photographers."
Both photos place an emphasis on spectators, blurring the image of the athlete at the front of the frame.
"When shooting sports, I am always attempting to make a unique and different image, and I believe both of these images capture a different way of telling the story," Dietsch said.
Dietsch used a Sony A9 camera and a 200-600 lens designed to silence shutter noise for golf tournaments.
He captured the award-winning shot of Woods on the final day of the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in California when he noticed the beach was full of spectators and people enjoying the surf after the beaches were empty due to poor weather for much of the tournament.
"I wanted to try and make an image that highlighted the natural beauty around this unique golf course and highlight the spectators that hike into the public beach in an attempt to see golf action," he said. "I set the camera's aperture to f22 to attempt to achieve maximum depth of field, everything in focus. This allows Tiger Woods to be a little better identified as a golfer rather than just an out-of-focus blob had I used a shallower depth of field."
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Dietsch used a Nikon D5 and a 200-400mm lens for the second-place photo, which captured the moment after Hudson threw the final pitch that allowed the Nationals to advance in the playoffs.
He said he sought to capture a different type of photo focusing on the fans' excitement in that moment.
"The Nationals have such a strong fan base, and I wanted to try and capture their energy. As the pitcher threw his last few pitches, I focused on the crowd behind him anticipating their celebration," he said. "I was happy that the fans reacted in unison, all raising the arms as the pitcher celebrated in the foreground. I converted the image to black and white to highlight the crowd behind him."
The team went on to win the World Series.
Dietsch has worked at UPI's Washington, D.C., bureau since 2005. He earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in photojournalism from Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, D.C., where he lives with his wife and two children.