upi--2020-02-28--WHO raises global risk of COVID-19 spread to 'very high'

Feb. 28 ( UPI ) -- World Health Organization officials on Friday raised their risk assessment for spread and impact of COVID-19 from `` high '' to `` very high , '' but still declined to declare the outbreak a pandemic amid its impact on an increasing number of nations .
According to WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , the agency made the change based on the fact that relatively new epidemics in Italy and Iran have spread to other countries .
In all , 24 confirmed cases of the virus in 14 countries have been traced to Italy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been linked with Iran .
`` What we are seeing is linked epidemics of COVID-19 in several countries , '' Ghebreyesus said during a press briefing Friday in Geneva .
`` We do n't see evidence yet that the virus is spreading freely in communities .
As long as that is the case , we still have a chance of containing this virus . ''
Mike Ryan , head of the WHO 's emergencies program , noted that a `` pandemic is a unique situation , '' but acknowledged that if the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of influenza , his agency `` would have called it pandemic by now . ''
However , he said , responses in China indicate that containment is possible .
`` The data does not support ( COVID-19 as a pandemic ) as yet , '' he explained .
Ryan said the WHO has faced challenges in getting an expert team on the ground in Iran , due to a lack of flights into and out of the country .
United Arab Emirates has been assisting the agency in getting staff and supplies into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is one of many countries dealing with a shortage of personal protective equipment , or PPE , such as face masks and respirators , Ryan noted .
The WHO is currently not recommending that the general public use face masks , citing the need to ensure that healthcare workers have adequate supplies .
Ghebreyesus said 46 countries have confirmed cases of the virus , but eight of them had n't reported new cases in more than two weeks .
There have been fewer than 5,000 cases globally , he added .
`` But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying this is not serious , '' he continued .
In addition , Ghebreyesus said the key to containing the outbreak is to `` break the chain of transmission '' and noted that `` containment starts with '' the general population .
He recommended 10 steps for people to protect themselves : • Limiting touching of the face after contact with potentially contaminated surfaces or infected persons ; • Getting educated on COVID-19 , with information from reliable sources such as state and national health agencies ; • Coughing or sneezing `` into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precautions -- such as avoiding crowded areas -- for those over 60 years of age or with underlying health conditions , such as diabetes and heart disease ; • Staying home `` if you feel unwell '' and calling a healthcare professional ; • Self-isolating from friends and family `` if you have symptoms '' of COVID-19 .
`` Your risk depends on where you live , your age and your general health , '' Ghebreyesus said .
Meanwhile , several countries have implemented quarantine measures , with varying degrees of success .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had deported 88 foreign nationals for violating quarantine measures imposed on them as a precaution against COVID-19 , according to the RIA news agency .
The country has quarantined hundreds of people and police there have reportedly raided the homes and hotel rooms of suspected carriers of the virus .
The government has also used facial recognition technology to enforce quarantines .
Also on Friday , officials in Mexico confirmed the country 's first two cases of COVID-19 -- in two men , one of whom had been to Italy recently .
Neither @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hugo López-Gatell Ramírez told reporters , and both were placed in isolation .
One of the cases in the capital Mexico City , while the other is in Sinaloa state .

A Chinese woman wears a protective face mask on February 27, 2020, in Beijing as the threat from the deadly coronavirus continues. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 28 (UPI) -- World Health Organization officials on Friday raised their risk assessment for spread and impact of COVID-19 from "high" to "very high," but still declined to declare the outbreak a pandemic amid its impact on an increasing number of nations. According to WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the agency made the change based on the fact that relatively new epidemics in Italy and Iran have spread to other countries. Advertisement
In all, 24 confirmed cases of the virus in 14 countries have been traced to Italy, while 97 cases in 11 countries have been linked with Iran.
"What we are seeing is linked epidemics of COVID-19 in several countries," Ghebreyesus said during a press briefing Friday in Geneva. "We don't see evidence yet that the virus is spreading freely in communities. As long as that is the case, we still have a chance of containing this virus."
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Mike Ryan, head of the WHO's emergencies program, noted that a "pandemic is a unique situation," but acknowledged that if the virus spreading at this rate was a form of influenza, his agency "would have called it pandemic by now." However, he said, responses in China indicate that containment is possible.
"The data does not support (COVID-19 as a pandemic) as yet," he explained.
Ryan said the WHO has faced challenges in getting an expert team on the ground in Iran, due to a lack of flights into and out of the country. United Arab Emirates has been assisting the agency in getting staff and supplies into the country, he added.
Iran is one of many countries dealing with a shortage of personal protective equipment, or PPE, such as face masks and respirators, Ryan noted. The WHO is currently not recommending that the general public use face masks, citing the need to ensure that healthcare workers have adequate supplies.
Ghebreyesus said 46 countries have confirmed cases of the virus, but eight of them hadn't reported new cases in more than two weeks. There have been fewer than 5,000 cases globally, he added.
"But make no mistake: I'm not saying this is not serious," he continued.
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In addition, Ghebreyesus said the key to containing the outbreak is to "break the chain of transmission" and noted that "containment starts with" the general population.
He recommended 10 steps for people to protect themselves:
Regular hand-washing with soap and water and/or alcohol-based hand sanitizers;
Limiting touching of the face after contact with potentially contaminated surfaces or infected persons;
Cleaning surfaces with disinfectants;
Getting educated on COVID-19, with information from reliable sources such as state and national health agencies;
Avoiding travel with symptoms;
Coughing or sneezing "into your sleeve;"
Taking extra precautions -- such as avoiding crowded areas -- for those over 60 years of age or with underlying health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease;
Staying home "if you feel unwell" and calling a healthcare professional;
Self-isolating from friends and family "if you have symptoms" of COVID-19.
"Your risk depends on where you live, your age and your general health," Ghebreyesus said.
Meanwhile, several countries have implemented quarantine measures, with varying degrees of success.
Russian officials on Friday said that they had deported 88 foreign nationals for violating quarantine measures imposed on them as a precaution against COVID-19, according to the RIA news agency. The country has quarantined hundreds of people and police there have reportedly raided the homes and hotel rooms of suspected carriers of the virus.
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The government has also used facial recognition technology to enforce quarantines.
Also on Friday, officials in Mexico confirmed the country's first two cases of COVID-19 -- in two men, one of whom had been to Italy recently. Neither are seriously ill, deputy health minister Hugo López-Gatell Ramírez told reporters, and both were placed in isolation.
One of the cases in the capital Mexico City, while the other is in Sinaloa state.


upi--2020-02-28--South Korea president voices concern about Chinese reprisal

Feb. 28 ( UPI ) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in may be concerned about Chinese retaliation if Seoul goes ahead with a decision to ban most foreign nationals traveling from China in response to the coronavirus outbreak , according to a local press report .
Yonhap reported Friday the South Korean leader told representatives of opposition and ruling parties South Korea relies on China for pharmaceuticals .
Any move toward health-related travel bans could provoke China , Moon said .
`` We are currently importing medicines , mainly from China , '' the president said .
A travel ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Moon also said banning Chinese nationals traveling from China could `` make South Korea be the target of a travel ban of other countries . ''
Restrictions against travelers from South Korea are in place in more than 50 countries , however .
On Friday , Moon did not address past South Korean petitions for a ban , including from the Korean Medical Association , which has called on the government seven times for restrictions similar to policies in place in Taiwan , Australia and the United States .
Taiwan , situated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , has reported 34 cases of the coronavirus , which transmits rapidly and sometimes asymptomatically .
South Korea 's infections climbed to more than 2,337 on Friday .
Hwang Kyo-ahn , leader of the conservative United Future Party , the main opposition , told Moon it might not be too late to implement a ban to prevent a further increase in cases of COVID-19 .
`` We requested a ban of entrants from China from the beginning , '' Hwang told Moon .
`` We must ban entries now . ''
Moon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` not be effective . ''
The South Korean president instead suggested the mass infections among members of local religious group Shincheonji are a serious matter .
The epidemic in the central South Korean city of Daegu must be contained , Moon said .
South Korea began to report the second highest number of infections in the world this week .
On Friday , local authorities reported the nation 's first case of `` reinfection , '' Newsis reported .
South Korea 's patient No .
25 , a South Korean woman in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus after being discharged on Saturday , according to the report .

South Korean President Moon Jae-in has ruled out a ban of foreign nationals who had been to China as Seoul tried to contain a massive outbreak of the deadly coronavirus on Friday. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 28 (UPI) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in may be concerned about Chinese retaliation if Seoul goes ahead with a decision to ban most foreign nationals traveling from China in response to the coronavirus outbreak, according to a local press report. Yonhap reported Friday the South Korean leader told representatives of opposition and ruling parties South Korea relies on China for pharmaceuticals. Any move toward health-related travel bans could provoke China, Moon said. Advertisement
"We are currently importing medicines, mainly from China," the president said. A travel ban "could adversely affect this sector."
Moon also said banning Chinese nationals traveling from China could "make South Korea be the target of a travel ban of other countries."
Restrictions against travelers from South Korea are in place in more than 50 countries, however. On Friday, Moon did not address past South Korean petitions for a ban, including from the Korean Medical Association, which has called on the government seven times for restrictions similar to policies in place in Taiwan, Australia and the United States.
Taiwan, situated only 81 miles from the coast of China, has reported 34 cases of the coronavirus, which transmits rapidly and sometimes asymptomatically. South Korea's infections climbed to more than 2,337 on Friday.
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Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the conservative United Future Party, the main opposition, told Moon it might not be too late to implement a ban to prevent a further increase in cases of COVID-19.
"We requested a ban of entrants from China from the beginning," Hwang told Moon. "We must ban entries now."
Moon dismissed the idea and said it would "not be effective."
The South Korean president instead suggested the mass infections among members of local religious group Shincheonji are a serious matter. The epidemic in the central South Korean city of Daegu must be contained, Moon said.
South Korea began to report the second highest number of infections in the world this week. On Friday, local authorities reported the nation's first case of "reinfection," Newsis reported.
South Korea's patient No. 25, a South Korean woman in her 70s, tested positive for the virus after being discharged on Saturday, according to the report.


upi--2020-02-28--Watch live: Donald Trump Jr., Mike Pompeo, Mick Mulvaney among Friday speakers at CPAC

Feb. 28 ( UPI ) -- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , Donald Trump Jr. , and White House chief @ @ @ @ @ the speakers Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference near Washington , D.C. Pompeo will @ @ @ @ @ Friday at a dinner event at the Gaylord Resort and Conference Center in National Harbor @ @ @ @ @ miles south of Washington .
Mulvaney and Trump Jr. were part of discussions during the @ @ @ @ @ the third day of the conference , which annually includes conservative activists and politicians .
@ @ @ @ @ to complete the event on Saturday .
Presidential advisers Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner , @ @ @ @ @ White House economic chief Larry Kudlow and acting Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli , @ @ @ @ @ and British conservative Nigel Farage also will participate in Friday 's session , which will @ @ @ @ @ .

1/4
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo makes remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 28 (UPI) -- White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney on Friday said media coverage of the COVID-19 outbreak is to blame for the plunging stock markets. Speaking at the Conservative Action Conference near Washington, D.C., he said there's been a panic over the novel coronavirus, which has sickened more than 84,000 people globally, including 60 in the United States. More than 2,800 people have died worldwide. Advertisement
"We sit there and watch the markets and there's this huge panic and it's like, why isn't there this huge panic every single year over flu," Mulvaney asked.
When asked what he might do to settle the markets, Mulvaney said, "really what I might do today [to] calm the markets is tell people turn their television off for 24 hours."
The major U.S. stock indexes continued their slide Friday morning, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down another 1,000 points at 10 a.m., the S&P 500 down 4 percent and the Nasdaq down 3 percent.
Mulvaney suggested media outlets are stoking fears over the coronavirus to hurt President Donald Trump politically.
"The reason you're seeing so much attention to [the coronavirus] today is that they think this is going to be what brings down the president," he said.
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"Are you going to see some schools shut down? Probably. May you see impacts on public transportation? Sure," he added.
"But we do this, we know how to handle this."
Trump made the same argument Thursday night on Twitter.
"So, the Coronavirus, which started in China and spread to various countries throughout the world, but very slowly in the U.S. because President Trump closed our border, and ended flights, VERY EARLY, is now being blamed, by the Do Nothing Democrats, to be the fault of 'Trump,'" he tweeted.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Donald Trump Jr., were also expected to headline the CPAC event at the Gaylord Resort and Conference Center in National Harbor, Md.
Friday marks the third day of the conference, which annually includes conservative activists and politicians. President Donald Trump will speak to complete the event on Saturday.
Presidential advisers Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, White House economic chief Larry Kudlow and acting Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli, House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy and British conservative Nigel Farage also will participate in Friday's session, which will run until about 10:30 p.m.


upi--2020-02-28--Look: Milla Jovovich wields a giant sword in new 'Monster Hunter' posters

Feb. 28 ( UPI ) -- Sony Pictures released on Friday new posters for its upcoming film adaptation of video game series Monster Hunter featuring star Milla Jovovich .
Jovovich wields a large sword in the poster which resembles the Giant Jawblade from Monster Hunter World .
Star Tony Jaa also received a poster where the actor stands ready with the Great Hunter 's Bow .
Monster Hunter , from writer and director Paul W.S .
Anderson , is set to arrive in theaters on Sept. 4 .
Anderson , who is married to Jovovich , is best known for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which also starred the actress .
The Monster Hunter video games -- from Resident Evil developer and publisher Capcom -- pits players against giant creatures that can be defeated alone or cooperatively with friends online .
Parts from the monsters are then obtained to build stronger weapons and armor in order to take on even tougher enemies .
The film version will follow Jovovich as Lt. Artemis who is transported from the real world into a realm of monsters .
She must team up with Jaa , who portrays a mysterious hunter , @ @ @ @ @

Choose your weapon. See the Official Teaser Posters for @Monster_Hunter, in theaters this fall. #PAXEast pic.twitter.com/aRt7K9WFwi— Sony Pictures (@SonyPictures) February 28, 2020
Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Sony Pictures released on Friday new posters for its upcoming film adaptation of video game series Monster Hunter featuring star Milla Jovovich.
Jovovich wields a large sword in the poster which resembles the Giant Jawblade from Monster Hunter World.
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Star Tony Jaa also received a poster where the actor stands ready with the Great Hunter's Bow.
Monster Hunter, from writer and director Paul W.S. Anderson, is set to arrive in theaters on Sept. 4. Anderson, who is married to Jovovich, is best known for helming the Resident Evil series of films which also starred the actress.
The Monster Hunter video games -- from Resident Evil developer and publisher Capcom -- pits players against giant creatures that can be defeated alone or cooperatively with friends online. Parts from the monsters are then obtained to build stronger weapons and armor in order to take on even tougher enemies.
The film version will follow Jovovich as Lt. Artemis who is transported from the real world into a realm of monsters. She must team up with Jaa, who portrays a mysterious hunter, in order to survive.
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Meagan Good, Tip "T.I." Harris, Diego Boneta, Josh Helman, Jin Au-Yeung and Ron Perlman also star.


upi--2020-02-28--Watch: Harry Styles is underwater in 'Falling' video

Feb. 28 ( UPI ) -- Harry Styles is back with a new music video .
The 26-year-old singer shared an emotional video Friday for his new single `` Falling . ''
The video shows Styles performing on a piano full of water .
The piano overflows and fills the room until Styles is playing while fully submerged .
`` I 'm in my bed / And you 're not here / And there 's no one to blame / But the drink / And my wandering hands , '' Styles sings .
`` Falling '' appears on Styles ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , released in December .
The album also includes the singles `` Lights Up , '' `` Watermelon Sugar '' and `` Adore You . ''
In December , Styles responded on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to reports that Fine Line is about a breakup .
`` It 's definitely about just what I was going through at the time , and that 's both good and bad , '' he said .
Styles will promote Fine Line on his Love tour , which begins in April .
He will also perform at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ festival in May , and stage two special `` Harryween '' Halloween shows in New York in October .
Styles came to fame with the British boy band One Direction , and released his debut solo album in 2017 .

Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Harry Styles is back with a new music video.
The 26-year-old singer shared an emotional video Friday for his new single "Falling."
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The video shows Styles performing on a piano full of water. The piano overflows and fills the room until Styles is playing while fully submerged.
"I'm in my bed / And you're not here / And there's no one to blame / But the drink / And my wandering hands," Styles sings.
"Falling" appears on Styles' second solo studio album, Fine Line, released in December. The album also includes the singles "Lights Up," "Watermelon Sugar" and "Adore You."
In December, Styles responded on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to reports that Fine Line is about a breakup.
"It's definitely about just what I was going through at the time, and that's both good and bad," he said.
Styles will promote Fine Line on his Love tour, which begins in April. He will also perform at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend music festival in May, and stage two special "Harryween" Halloween shows in New York in October.
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Styles came to fame with the British boy band One Direction, and released his debut solo album in 2017.


upi--2020-02-28--ACA reduced risk for catastrophic health expenses by 30%, study finds

Feb. 28 ( UPI ) -- While the Affordable Care Act has been controversial , and continues to be the subject of lawsuits , the appears to be protecting some Americans from financial disaster when they face unexpected health problems .
A new analysis published Friday by JAMA Network Open found that the law , also known as Obamacare , reduced the risk for `` catastrophic health expenditures '' among U.S. adults who experienced `` traumatic injuries '' by more than 30 percent .
Having health insurance under the law also reduced out-of-pocket expenses by as much as 30 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` For this class of really unpredictable and potentially very expensive healthcare costs , the Affordable Care Act really is accomplishing one of its primary goals -- to protect families from catastrophic healthcare costs , '' study co-author Charles Liu , a general surgery resident at Stanford Hospital and Clinics in California , told UPI .
`` This is true even when you take premiums into account -- total spending including both premiums and out-of-pocket costs has gone down significantly for low-income families that had a family member with a traumatic injury .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ACA into law in 2010 , its impact on healthcare , and how it 's paid for , in the United States has divided political opinion , typically along partisan lines .
A decision on the law 's constitutionality currently rests with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit , after the Supreme Court refused to fast-track a decision last month .
A number of recent studies have attempted to assess the economic effects of the law 's Medicaid expansion component .
For the new research , Liu and his colleagues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Survey .
The data , collected from January 2010 to December 2017 , covered American adults 19 to 64 years of age who had a hospital stay or emergency department visit for a traumatic injury , such as those sustained in a fall or motor-vehicle accident .
Specifically , the researchers focused on the effects of the ACA on expenditures based on the law 's income thresholds for eligibility .
Of the 6,288 cases included in the analysis , researchers found the impact of the ACA was greatest for lowest-income Americans -- those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level or less -- who experienced 30 percent reductions in out-of-pocket spending , including 26 percent savings on health insurance premium costs .
In all , these lowest-income Americans -- many of whom qualified for Medicaid under the ACA 's expanded eligibility provision -- were 39 percent less likely to experience `` catastrophic health expenditures '' as a result of suffering a traumatic injury .
In addition , low-income Americans -- those earning 139 to 250 percent of the federal poverty level -- saw their insurance premium costs drop by roughly 22 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health expenditures under the ACA .
`` Our study shows that the benefits have been uneven and there are still some gaps , '' Liu said .
`` For low-income folks who became eligible for Medicaid , protection against catastrophic costs from injury really has gotten better , but for too many Americans , a traumatic injury still leads to catastrophic or high-burden levels of out-of-pocket spending . ''
Indeed , based on their analysis , Liu and his colleagues estimated that 1 of every 11 Americans suffering a traumatic injury -- and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lowest incomes -- continued to experience catastrophic health expenditures annually , even under the ACA .
`` There has been a lot of debate over trouble accessing care under the ACA , or healthcare costs going up under the ACA , '' Liu noted .
`` That was partly why we set out to do this study , to add some empirical evidence to this debate and to try to understand what American families have really been experiencing in terms of financial burden . ''
`` Our study shows that when you look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and changes in out-of-pocket costs -- spending and financial risk for families of adults who had a traumatic injury has gone down after the ACA was put in place , '' he said .

For lower-income Americans, the Affordable Care Act has helped avoid catastrophic financial situations because of greater access and lower costs. Photo by TBIT /Pixabay
Feb. 28 (UPI) -- While the Affordable Care Act has been controversial, and continues to be the subject of lawsuits, the appears to be protecting some Americans from financial disaster when they face unexpected health problems. A new analysis published Friday by JAMA Network Open found that the law, also known as Obamacare, reduced the risk for "catastrophic health expenditures" among U.S. adults who experienced "traumatic injuries" by more than 30 percent. Advertisement
Having health insurance under the law also reduced out-of-pocket expenses by as much as 30 percent for some, the researchers observed.
"For this class of really unpredictable and potentially very expensive healthcare costs, the Affordable Care Act really is accomplishing one of its primary goals -- to protect families from catastrophic healthcare costs," study co-author Charles Liu, a general surgery resident at Stanford Hospital and Clinics in California, told UPI. "This is true even when you take premiums into account -- total spending including both premiums and out-of-pocket costs has gone down significantly for low-income families that had a family member with a traumatic injury."
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Since then-President Barack Obama signed the ACA into law in 2010, its impact on healthcare, and how it's paid for, in the United States has divided political opinion, typically along partisan lines. A decision on the law's constitutionality currently rests with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, after the Supreme Court refused to fast-track a decision last month.
A number of recent studies have attempted to assess the economic effects of the law's Medicaid expansion component.
For the new research, Liu and his colleagues analyzed data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. The data, collected from January 2010 to December 2017, covered American adults 19 to 64 years of age who had a hospital stay or emergency department visit for a traumatic injury, such as those sustained in a fall or motor-vehicle accident.
Specifically, the researchers focused on the effects of the ACA on expenditures based on the law's income thresholds for eligibility.
Of the 6,288 cases included in the analysis, researchers found the impact of the ACA was greatest for lowest-income Americans -- those earning 138 percent of the federal poverty level or less -- who experienced 30 percent reductions in out-of-pocket spending, including 26 percent savings on health insurance premium costs.
Advertisement
In all, these lowest-income Americans -- many of whom qualified for Medicaid under the ACA's expanded eligibility provision -- were 39 percent less likely to experience "catastrophic health expenditures" as a result of suffering a traumatic injury.
In addition, low-income Americans -- those earning 139 to 250 percent of the federal poverty level -- saw their insurance premium costs drop by roughly 22 percent, but were not protected from catastrophic health expenditures under the ACA.
"Our study shows that the benefits have been uneven and there are still some gaps," Liu said. "For low-income folks who became eligible for Medicaid, protection against catastrophic costs from injury really has gotten better, but for too many Americans, a traumatic injury still leads to catastrophic or high-burden levels of out-of-pocket spending."
Indeed, based on their analysis, Liu and his colleagues estimated that 1 of every 11 Americans suffering a traumatic injury -- and one in five of those with the lowest incomes -- continued to experience catastrophic health expenditures annually, even under the ACA.
"There has been a lot of debate over trouble accessing care under the ACA, or healthcare costs going up under the ACA," Liu noted. "That was partly why we set out to do this study, to add some empirical evidence to this debate and to try to understand what American families have really been experiencing in terms of financial burden."
Advertisement
"Our study shows that when you look at everything together -- changes in premiums and changes in out-of-pocket costs -- spending and financial risk for families of adults who had a traumatic injury has gone down after the ACA was put in place," he said.


upi--2020-02-28--Watch: Puppy's pigeon friendship leads to custom wheelchair

Feb. 28 ( UPI ) -- A puppy who went viral for an unlikely friendship with a flightless pigeon is @ @ @ @ @ to a donation of a specialized wheelchair .
The Mia Foundation , based in Rochester @ @ @ @ @ world this month to the friendship between Lundy , a chihuahua puppy unable to use @ @ @ @ @ to walk , and Herman , a pigeon unable to fly .
The foundation was @ @ @ @ @ ' Pets , an Amherst , N.H. , charity specializing in animal mobility .
Mia @ @ @ @ @ n't know wheelchairs existed for dogs as small as 2-pound Lundy , but they received @ @ @ @ @ week from Walkin ' Pets .
`` It was great to know there was something @ @ @ @ @ this adorable little animal whose story was everywhere , '' Jennifer Pratt of Walkin ' @ @ @ @ @ Mia Foundation said Lundy is now learning to walk thanks to his new wheels .

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Feb. 28 (UPI) -- A puppy who went viral for an unlikely friendship with a flightless pigeon is finally learning to walk thanks to a donation of a specialized wheelchair.
The Mia Foundation, based in Rochester, N.Y., introduced the world this month to the friendship between Lundy, a chihuahua puppy unable to use his back legs properly enough to walk, and Herman, a pigeon unable to fly.
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The foundation was contacted this week by Walkin' Pets, an Amherst, N.H., charity specializing in animal mobility.
Mia Foundation officials said they didn't know wheelchairs existed for dogs as small as 2-pound Lundy, but they received just such a wheelchair this week from Walkin' Pets.
"It was great to know there was something I could do to help this adorable little animal whose story was everywhere," Jennifer Pratt of Walkin' Pets told WMUR-TV.
The Mia Foundation said Lundy is now learning to walk thanks to his new wheels.


upi--2020-02-28--'Grey's Anatomy': Alex Karev farewell episode to air Thursday

ABC announced Thursday on Twitter that Grey 's Anatomy will say goodbye to the character , played by Justin Chambers , during its March 5 episode .
`` After 16 seasons , we 're saying goodbye to Dr. Alex Karev .
See how his story ends next Thursday on Grey 's Anatomy , '' the post reads .
ABC shared the news alongside a video featuring flashback footage from Chambers ' time on the series .
The episode , titled `` Leave a Light On , '' will `` feature a farewell to Alex Karev , providing closure to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
Chambers had announced his exit from Grey 's Anatomy in January .
`` There 's no good time to say goodbye to a show and character that 's defined so much of my life for the past 15 years , '' he said .
`` For some time now , however , I have hoped to diversify my acting roles and career choices . ''
It was previously thought that Chambers ' final episode aired Nov. 14 .
It is unknown if Thursday 's episode will feature new footage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stars Ellen Pompeo , Chandra Wilson , James Pickens , Jr. , Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver .
The series was renewed through Season 17 in May .

Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Grey's Anatomy is bringing Alex Karev's story to a close.
ABC announced Thursday on Twitter that Grey's Anatomy will say goodbye to the character, played by Justin Chambers, during its March 5 episode.
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"After 16 seasons, we're saying goodbye to Dr. Alex Karev. See how his story ends next Thursday on Grey's Anatomy," the post reads.
ABC shared the news alongside a video featuring flashback footage from Chambers' time on the series.
The episode, titled "Leave a Light On," will "feature a farewell to Alex Karev, providing closure to his character's exit," ABC said in a statement.
Chambers had announced his exit from Grey's Anatomy in January.
"There's no good time to say goodbye to a show and character that's defined so much of my life for the past 15 years," he said. "For some time now, however, I have hoped to diversify my acting roles and career choices."
It was previously thought that Chambers' final episode aired Nov. 14. It is unknown if Thursday's episode will feature new footage of the actor.
Grey's Anatomy stars Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, James Pickens, Jr., Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver. The series was renewed through Season 17 in May.


upi--2020-02-28--Consumer spending increases 0.2 percent in January

Feb. 28 ( UPI ) -- Consumer spending increased 0.2 percent in January while incomes rose 0.6 percent , according to the latest statistics released Friday by the Bureau of Economic Analysis .
The report said personal consumption expenditures increased by $ 29.6 billion , or 0.2 percent , while incomes jumped $ 116.5 billion , or 0.6 percent in January compared with the prior month .
The rise in incomes was the largest increase in almost a year .
`` The increase in personal income in January primarily reflected increases in compensation of employees and Social Security benefit payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjustments ] , and other government social benefits to persons , which includes the Affordable Care Act refundable tax credit , '' the report said .
The report said real PCE , excluding food and energy , increased by 0.1 percent in January .
That figure is what experts use to measure inflation , with the Federal Reserve target of 2 percent .
There are concerns Friday 's numbers could be affected by the coronavirus if it continues to spread across the globe .
Customer Growth Partners estimates retail sales in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but could be cut to 2.2 percent if the coronavirus remains in the United States through June .
Coronavirus fears have harmed stock markets around the world this week .

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Thursday. The Bureau of Economic Analysis said consumer spending increased in January. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Consumer spending increased 0.2 percent in January while incomes rose 0.6 percent, according to the latest statistics released Friday by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The report said personal consumption expenditures increased by $29.6 billion, or 0.2 percent, while incomes jumped $116.5 billion, or 0.6 percent in January compared with the prior month. The rise in incomes was the largest increase in almost a year. Advertisement
"The increase in personal income in January primarily reflected increases in compensation of employees and Social Security benefit payments [related to annual cost of living adjustments], and other government social benefits to persons, which includes the Affordable Care Act refundable tax credit," the report said.
The report said real PCE, excluding food and energy, increased by 0.1 percent in January. That figure is what experts use to measure inflation, with the Federal Reserve target of 2 percent.
There are concerns Friday's numbers could be affected by the coronavirus if it continues to spread across the globe. Customer Growth Partners estimates retail sales in the U.S. will grow 4.1 percent this year, but could be cut to 2.2 percent if the coronavirus remains in the United States through June.
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Coronavirus fears have harmed stock markets around the world this week.


upi--2020-02-28--$20 million Saudi Cup, Fountain of Youth top weekend horse racing action

Feb. 28 ( UPI ) -- The world 's richest race , the $ 20 million Saudi Cup , with all its trimmings , takes center stage in world horse racing this weekend , with a bow to another important step down the road to the Kentucky Derby .
For $ 20 million , we know where to start : Months ago , when the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia announced it would sponsor a $ 20 million race at 9 furlongs on the dirt , ace American trainer Bob Baffert said that , whatever the misgiving about traveling to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put up $ 20 million , you 're going to get good horses in your starting gate . ''
Saturday 's race featured more than just `` good horses . ''
It got a truly stellar turnout from as far afield as Japan .
And Baffert brought two from the United States -- Grade I Pegasus World Cup winner Mucho Gusto and the consistent McKinzey .
They 're joined by Maximum Security , whose disqualification from victory in the 2019 Kentucky Derby certainly would be eased with the $ 10 million winner 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arguably the top U.S. filly in training .
The international contingent also is deep .
Godolphin 's top world traveler , Benbatl , won his first-ever start on dirt just weeks ago in Dubai in preparation for this , and perhaps for the Dubai World Cup four weeks later on the Meydan dirt .
Chrysoberyl , Japan 's reigning dirt champion , passed up last weekend 's February Stakes to run in this despite some misgivings by his trainer about the difference in racing surfaces .
Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien brings Magic Wand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an agonizing string of runner-up finishes in Group 1 races on turf all over the world .
Other familiar names are Gronkowski , beaten only a nose in last year 's Dubai World Cup ; Tacitus , trained in the United States by Bill Mott , who won the inaugural Dubai World Cup with Cigar in 1996 ; Cappezano and Gold Dream .
The Cup is part of an eight-race program that also includes the first-ever turf races in Saudi Arabia , to be run over a course purpose-built for them .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Longines Turf Handicap , also drew a top-level international field .
Tune in again after the races for the results -- and what they will mean for the international racing schedule going forward .
Also on the international front : Parsimony , trained by Doug O'Neil , landed Thursday night 's $ 175,000 Curlin Stakes , a potential stepping stone to the $ 12 million Dubai World Cup night next month .
The gray son of Dominus waited behind Korean runner Today until jockey William Buick kicked him in to gear for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Parsimony finished 2,000 meters in 2:05.05 .
`` That was very pleasing , '' O'Neil assistant Leandro Mora said .
`` It was a perfect ride from William .
We said when we arrived that this was the horse we hoped could be a Dubai World Cup night horse .
He ran very well first time , but we knew he would improve from the run , so we came here today pretty hopeful . ''
Buick also scored on Godolphin 's Well of Wisdom in the $ 175,000 Meydan Classic at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for trainer Charlie Appleby .
Swedish runner Silent Night was second , just a neck back , as the World Cup Carnival continues to produce international results .
`` We were pretty bullish beforehand and he has not let us down , '' Appleby said .
`` He has such a willing attitude and has really stuck his head down and battled .
William was very pleased with him and particularly his willingness and determination to win again . ''
Saturday 's Australian Guineas at Flemington has the promising Alligator Blood against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Super Seth .
Catalyst , who finished second to Alligator Blood in the C S Hayes , also returns for another shot .
Meanwhile , back in the States : The Road to the Roses Saturday 's $ 400,000 Grade II Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth could prove a key heat along this year 's Triple Crown trail .
The 2-1 favorite -- indeed , one of the Kentucky Derby favorites -- is Dennis 's Moment .
The Tiznow colt , trained by Dale Romans , was the favorite in the Breeders ' Cup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start , losing all chance .
He returns for the first time here , needing a good showing to maintain his status .
He won two straight before the Breeders ' Cup misadventure and Romans remains very high on his prospects .
The opposition in the Fountain of Youth includes Chance It , the winner and runner-up from the Jan. 4 Mucho Macho Man at Gulfstream , and Ete Indien , runner-up to Tiz the Law in the Feb. 1 Grade III Holy Bull .
The others need significant improvement to compete , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The winner of the Fountain of Youth receives 50 points toward a Kentucky Derby start with the minor placings awarded 20 , 10 and 5 points .
A win should guarantee a spot in the Louisville starting gate .
On the Fountain undercard , the $ 100,000 Swale Stakes , at 6 furlongs , has a few Triple Crown nominees but looks like a refuge for those unlikely to go 1 1/4 miles on the first Saturday in May .
Nonetheless , there are some impressive performers including Scarto , Shivaree and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' trifecta that would not pay much .
Saturday 's $ 200,000 Grade II Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park has a competitive field with a potential standout in Spice Is Nice .
The Curlin filly , a $ 1,050,000 purchase at the Keeneland September yearling sale , was impressive in her only previous race , winning a 1-mile maiden event over the Gulfstream track by 12 lengths , earning an 84 Beyer Speed Figure .
Todd Pletcher trains the chestnut filly , bred by celebrity chef Bobby Flay and owned by Robert and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favorite on the morning line .
Among the others , Bayerness won both starts as a 2-year-old in Kentucky and makes her 3-year-old debut .
Chart , a Lea filly , won impressively at first asking at Tampa Bay Jan. 19 .
Jean Marie has won three straight at Gulfstream and Gulfstream West .
The $ 200,000 Grade II Mac Diarmida on Saturday at Gulfstream Park is the weekend U.S. turf highlight .
The 1 3/8-miles event has Zulu Alpha , the upset winner of the $ 1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7-year-old Street Cry gelding faces a substantial field including consistent Gulfstream performers A Thread of Blue and Sadler 's Joy .
Saturday 's $ 150,000 Grade III Palm Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park is for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles .
It does have a full field .
It does not have a solid favorite .
Fancy Liquor , Fenwick Station and Famished all look likely -- a `` Three F '' trifecta that might produce a nice return .
Six 3-year-olds are in for Saturday 's $ 75,000 Black Gold Stakes at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lawn .
Hieronymus is the 7-5 favorite after two consecutive wins over the course .
Empressof the Nile makes her 2020 debut as the lukewarm 4-1 morning-line favorite in Saturday 's $ 150,000 Grade III The Very One at Gulfstream Park .
The 6-year-old Pioneerof the Nile mare raced competitively in tough company last year in New York , winning a minor stakes at Aqueduct before a short break .
Three-year-old fillies tackle 1 1/16 miles in the $ 150,000 Grade III Herecomesthebride Stakes Saturday at Gulfstream .
A dozen entered , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winners , without much evidence on which to sort them out .
Abscond , a Blame filly , is the early pick after finishing a close third in the Ginger Brew Stakes on Jan. 4 .
An overflow crowd turned out for Saturday 's $ 150,000 Grade III Canadian Turf at 1 mile over the Gulfstream Park greensward .
It 's a tough one to figure with several coming off either layoffs or a poor effort .
The eye-catchers include Flying Scotsman , in from Fair Grounds ; Louder Than Bombs , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the course ; and Gidu , second in the Grade III Tropical Park Turf Jan. 11 over the course and distance .
Mr. Dumas makes his first start for trainer Mike Maker and had some nice races last year as a 3-year-old .
Two of the favorites , Valedictorian and Munchkin Money , are drawn outside in a big field for Saturday 's $ 150,000 Grade III Honey Fox for fillies and mares at Gulfstream Park .
That could clear the way for Atomic Blonde , drawn in the No .
2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the South Beach Stakes over course and distance a month ago .
Nine will go in Saturday 's $ 200,000 Pasadena Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita .
It 's another you-pick-em with a rare Bob Baffert-trained starter , Ra'ad as one of the long shots after finishing fifth in the Grade 2 San Vicente on the dirt .
Saturday 's $ 300,000 Grade II Gulfstream Park Mile drew a big and very tough field .
Run around one turn , the even has the 1-2-3 finishers Grade III Fred W. Hooper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zenden and Rare Form ; last year 's Grade III Gotham winner Haikal , who looked sharp in a prep race after a long absence ; Grade I Pegasus World Cup also-rans Mr .
Freeze ( second ) , Bodexpress ( fifth ) and True Timber ( eighth ) , and the versatile Hog Creek Hustle , who finished sixth in the Breeders ' Cup Sprint at Santa Anita two starts back .
A full and well-matched field will go to the post in Saturday 's $ 60,000 Dixie Poker Ace Stakes at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orleans .
Punters recovering from Mardi Gras might generate a new headache trying to figure that out .
Six are in for Saturday 's $ 125,000 Spring Fever Stakes at Oaklawn Park .
The morning-line finds Break Even and Amy 's Challenge the favorites .
Break Even ran off six straight wins last year , including the Grade II Eight Belles on Kentucky Derby weekend , then finished second in the Grade II Prioress at Saratoga before going to the sidelines .
Amy 's Challenge was fourth in the American Beauty Stakes at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nine are entered for Saturday 's $ 100,000 Bernardini at Aqueduct , to go 1 5/16 miles .
The morning-line favorite is Chilean-bred Leitone who seeks his first win since returning from Florida in January .

Parsimony, trained by American Doug O'Neil, wins Thursday's Curlin Handicap in Dubai and now is a candidate for World Cup night. Photo by Erika Rasmussen, courtesy of Dubai Racing Club
Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The world's richest race, the $20 million Saudi Cup, with all its trimmings, takes center stage in world horse racing this weekend, with a bow to another important step down the road to the Kentucky Derby. For $20 million, we know where to start: Advertisement
The Saudi Cup
Months ago, when the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia announced it would sponsor a $20 million race at 9 furlongs on the dirt, ace American trainer Bob Baffert said that, whatever the misgiving about traveling to a new venue, "If you put up $20 million, you're going to get good horses in your starting gate."
Saturday's race featured more than just "good horses." It got a truly stellar turnout from as far afield as Japan. And Baffert brought two from the United States -- Grade I Pegasus World Cup winner Mucho Gusto and the consistent McKinzey.
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They're joined by Maximum Security, whose disqualification from victory in the 2019 Kentucky Derby certainly would be eased with the $10 million winner's share Saturday, and Midnight Bisou, arguably the top U.S. filly in training.
The international contingent also is deep. Godolphin's top world traveler, Benbatl, won his first-ever start on dirt just weeks ago in Dubai in preparation for this, and perhaps for the Dubai World Cup four weeks later on the Meydan dirt.
Chrysoberyl, Japan's reigning dirt champion, passed up last weekend's February Stakes to run in this despite some misgivings by his trainer about the difference in racing surfaces.
Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien brings Magic Wand to try her luck on dirt after an agonizing string of runner-up finishes in Group 1 races on turf all over the world. Other familiar names are Gronkowski, beaten only a nose in last year's Dubai World Cup; Tacitus, trained in the United States by Bill Mott, who won the inaugural Dubai World Cup with Cigar in 1996; Cappezano and Gold Dream.
The Cup is part of an eight-race program that also includes the first-ever turf races in Saudi Arabia, to be run over a course purpose-built for them. The grass feature, the $2.5 million Longines Turf Handicap, also drew a top-level international field.
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Tune in again after the races for the results -- and what they will mean for the international racing schedule going forward.
Also on the international front:
Dubai
Parsimony, trained by Doug O'Neil, landed Thursday night's $175,000 Curlin Stakes, a potential stepping stone to the $12 million Dubai World Cup night next month. The gray son of Dominus waited behind Korean runner Today until jockey William Buick kicked him in to gear for a 2 3/4-lengths victory. Ambassadorial was third as Parsimony finished 2,000 meters in 2:05.05.
"That was very pleasing," O'Neil assistant Leandro Mora said. "It was a perfect ride from William. We said when we arrived that this was the horse we hoped could be a Dubai World Cup night horse. He ran very well first time, but we knew he would improve from the run, so we came here today pretty hopeful."
Buick also scored on Godolphin's Well of Wisdom in the $175,000 Meydan Classic at 1,600 meters, leading all the way for trainer Charlie Appleby. Swedish runner Silent Night was second, just a neck back, as the World Cup Carnival continues to produce international results.
"We were pretty bullish beforehand and he has not let us down," Appleby said. "He has such a willing attitude and has really stuck his head down and battled. William was very pleased with him and particularly his willingness and determination to win again."
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Australia
Saturday's Australian Guineas at Flemington has the promising Alligator Blood against the only horse who's beaten him, Super Seth. Catalyst, who finished second to Alligator Blood in the C S Hayes, also returns for another shot.
Meanwhile, back in the States:
The Road to the Roses
Saturday's $400,000 Grade II Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth could prove a key heat along this year's Triple Crown trail. The 2-1 favorite -- indeed, one of the Kentucky Derby favorites -- is Dennis's Moment. The Tiznow colt, trained by Dale Romans, was the favorite in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, but stumbled badly at the start, losing all chance.
He returns for the first time here, needing a good showing to maintain his status. He won two straight before the Breeders' Cup misadventure and Romans remains very high on his prospects.
The opposition in the Fountain of Youth includes Chance It, the winner and runner-up from the Jan. 4 Mucho Macho Man at Gulfstream, and Ete Indien, runner-up to Tiz the Law in the Feb. 1 Grade III Holy Bull. The others need significant improvement to compete, which is why we run the races.
The winner of the Fountain of Youth receives 50 points toward a Kentucky Derby start with the minor placings awarded 20, 10 and 5 points. A win should guarantee a spot in the Louisville starting gate.
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On the Fountain undercard, the $100,000 Swale Stakes, at 6 furlongs, has a few Triple Crown nominees but looks like a refuge for those unlikely to go 1 1/4 miles on the first Saturday in May. Nonetheless, there are some impressive performers including Scarto, Shivaree and Smash Factor -- a "Triple S" trifecta that would not pay much.
Kentucky Oaks preps
Saturday's $200,000 Grade II Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park has a competitive field with a potential standout in Spice Is Nice. The Curlin filly, a $1,050,000 purchase at the Keeneland September yearling sale, was impressive in her only previous race, winning a 1-mile maiden event over the Gulfstream track by 12 lengths, earning an 84 Beyer Speed Figure.
Todd Pletcher trains the chestnut filly, bred by celebrity chef Bobby Flay and owned by Robert and Lawana Low. She is the 7-5 favorite on the morning line.
Among the others, Bayerness won both starts as a 2-year-old in Kentucky and makes her 3-year-old debut. Chart, a Lea filly, won impressively at first asking at Tampa Bay Jan. 19. Jean Marie has won three straight at Gulfstream and Gulfstream West.
Turf
The $200,000 Grade II Mac Diarmida on Saturday at Gulfstream Park is the weekend U.S. turf highlight. The 1 3/8-miles event has Zulu Alpha, the upset winner of the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational in his last start. The 7-year-old Street Cry gelding faces a substantial field including consistent Gulfstream performers A Thread of Blue and Sadler's Joy.
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Saturday's $150,000 Grade III Palm Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park is for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles. It does have a full field. It does not have a solid favorite. Fancy Liquor, Fenwick Station and Famished all look likely -- a "Three F" trifecta that might produce a nice return.
Six 3-year-olds are in for Saturday's $75,000 Black Gold Stakes at Fair Grounds, 1 1/16 miles on the lawn. Hieronymus is the 7-5 favorite after two consecutive wins over the course.
Filly & Mare Turf
Empressof the Nile makes her 2020 debut as the lukewarm 4-1 morning-line favorite in Saturday's $150,000 Grade III The Very One at Gulfstream Park. The 6-year-old Pioneerof the Nile mare raced competitively in tough company last year in New York, winning a minor stakes at Aqueduct before a short break.
Three-year-old fillies tackle 1 1/16 miles in the $150,000 Grade III Herecomesthebride Stakes Saturday at Gulfstream. A dozen entered, ranging from maiden winners to minor stakes winners, without much evidence on which to sort them out. Abscond, a Blame filly, is the early pick after finishing a close third in the Ginger Brew Stakes on Jan. 4.
Turf Mile
An overflow crowd turned out for Saturday's $150,000 Grade III Canadian Turf at 1 mile over the Gulfstream Park greensward. It's a tough one to figure with several coming off either layoffs or a poor effort.
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The eye-catchers include Flying Scotsman, in from Fair Grounds; Louder Than Bombs, in the money in five of seven starts over the course; and Gidu, second in the Grade III Tropical Park Turf Jan. 11 over the course and distance. Mr. Dumas makes his first start for trainer Mike Maker and had some nice races last year as a 3-year-old.
Two of the favorites, Valedictorian and Munchkin Money, are drawn outside in a big field for Saturday's $150,000 Grade III Honey Fox for fillies and mares at Gulfstream Park. That could clear the way for Atomic Blonde, drawn in the No. 2 hole, who comes off a win in the South Beach Stakes over course and distance a month ago.
Nine will go in Saturday's $200,000 Pasadena Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. It's another you-pick-em with a rare Bob Baffert-trained starter, Ra'ad as one of the long shots after finishing fifth in the Grade 2 San Vicente on the dirt.
Sprint/Dirt Mile
Saturday's $300,000 Grade II Gulfstream Park Mile drew a big and very tough field. Run around one turn, the even has the 1-2-3 finishers Grade III Fred W. Hooper on Jan. 25 -- Phat Man, Zenden and Rare Form; last year's Grade III Gotham winner Haikal, who looked sharp in a prep race after a long absence; Grade I Pegasus World Cup also-rans Mr. Freeze (second), Bodexpress (fifth) and True Timber (eighth), and the versatile Hog Creek Hustle, who finished sixth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Santa Anita two starts back.
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A full and well-matched field will go to the post in Saturday's $60,000 Dixie Poker Ace Stakes at 1 mile at Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Punters recovering from Mardi Gras might generate a new headache trying to figure that out.
Filly & Mare Sprint
Six are in for Saturday's $125,000 Spring Fever Stakes at Oaklawn Park. The morning-line finds Break Even and Amy's Challenge the favorites. Break Even ran off six straight wins last year, including the Grade II Eight Belles on Kentucky Derby weekend, then finished second in the Grade II Prioress at Saratoga before going to the sidelines. Amy's Challenge was fourth in the American Beauty Stakes at Oaklawn Feb. 1 after a nine-months layoff.
Classic
Nine are entered for Saturday's $100,000 Bernardini at Aqueduct, to go 1 5/16 miles. The morning-line favorite is Chilean-bred Leitone who seeks his first win since returning from Florida in January.


upi--2020-02-28--Stock market continues sell-off on virus fears; down another 1,000 points

Feb. 28 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. stock market continued its slide at the opening bell Friday on fears that the coronavirus epidemic would negatively affect the global economy , dropping a further 4 percent .
The Dow Jones Industrial average was down another 1,000 points at 10 a.m. EST as worries about effects of the health crisis deepened with news that South Korea had confirmed more than 500 new cases while new cases appeared for the first time in other countries .
The sell-off continued a massive drop on Thursday when the Dow plunged by nearly 1,200 points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The S & P 500 also was down by nearly 4 percent while the Nasdaq composite index slid by 3 percent .
Investors continued piling into safe haven investments such as the U.S. Treasury bonds as the benchmark 10-year bond reached a new all-time low yield of 1.17 percent , down 9.5 percent .
A continued slide had been expected before the opening bell as U.S. stock futures indicated an opening loss of nearly 500 points on the Dow Jones .
Including Thursday 's declines , both the Dow and S & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 percent this week in their worst four-day performance since the financial crisis of 2008 .
Analysts said the sell-off has been so steep because the epidemic 's negative hit came without much warning at a time when the market was at record highs .
`` The timing of this [ coronavirus outbreak ] was just the worst with respect to investor sentiment being elevated , '' Leuthold Group chief investment officer Doug Ramsey told CNBC .
`` I 'm not sure that the market has really priced in the potential economic impact @ @ @ @

Traders work on the the floor of the New York Stock Exchange at the opening bell Friday. The market continued to plunge on fears of the coronavirus and its impact on the economy. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 350 points Friday, capping a a week of losses over fears of a growing COVID-19 outbreak. The Dow dropped more than 1 percent Friday and more than 12 percent for the week -- its worst week since the financial crisis of 2008. It had some gains later in the day to recover from what was at one point a 1,000-point loss on the day. Advertisement
The S&P 500 lost 11.5 percent this week. The Nasdaq Composite closed flat Friday after a 3.5 percent drop earlier in the day.
Among the hardest hit stocks for the day were airlines and casinos, including American Airlines (7.5 percent drop), United Airlines (5.2 percent drop), Wynn Resorts (2.9 percent drop) and MGM resorts (3.7 percent drop).
The slide continued amid fears that the coronavirus epidemic would negatively affect the global economy.
The sell-off continued a large drop Thursday when the Dow plunged by nearly 1,200 points in its biggest one-day point drop in history.
Investors continued piling into safe haven investments such as the U.S. Treasury bonds as the benchmark 10-year bond reached a new all-time low yield of 1.17 percent, down 9.5 percent.
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Analysts said the sell-off has been so steep because the novel coronavirus' negative hit came without much warning at a time when the market was at record highs.
"The timing of this [coronavirus outbreak] was just the worst with respect to investor sentiment being elevated," Leuthold Group chief investment officer Doug Ramsey told CNBC. "I'm not sure that the market has really priced in the potential economic impact of this."


upi--2020-02-28--Patient hospital reviews reflect experience, not medical outcome

Rave online reviews about a hospital stay may not mean much about the actual medical care there , if a new study is any indication .
Researchers found that across U.S. hospitals , patient-satisfaction scores were more dependent on `` hospitality '' factors -- like friendly nurses , quiet rooms and good food -- than on hard measures of health care quality .
At hospitals with the lowest death rates , patient satisfaction tended to be higher , but only by a small amount , the study found .
Instead , quiet , comfort and friendly staff were much stronger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Patients know whether their food is palatable , their room is comfortable or hospital staffers are responsive , noted Cristobal Young , the lead researcher .
`` Those front-stage factors are visible to them , '' said Young , an associate professor of sociology at Cornell University in Ithaca , N.Y .
The `` backstage '' happenings , meanwhile , are critical , but not necessarily apparent .
`` The steps a hospital takes to control infection , for example , are very important , '' Young said .
`` But they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And if patient satisfaction ratings do not capture those variables , people should take Yelp reviews with a grain of salt , according to Young .
The study , published recently in the journal Social Forces , conflicts with some past research that found high patient-satisfaction ratings do correlate with the quality of a hospital 's medical care .
But the fact that medical care affects patient satisfaction tells only part of the story , according to Young .
The new findings , he said , suggest that while that 's true , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influence .
For the study , Young 's team analyzed government data on medical care quality and patient satisfaction for more than 3,100 U.S. hospitals , collected between 2007 and 2010 .
Health care quality was measured through such factors as a hospital 's 30-day death rate among older patients treated for heart disease or pneumonia ; and how well the staff adhered to standards of care for heart disease , pneumonia and surgeries .
Patient satisfaction was gauged through a standard survey that asked about issues like nurses ' communication , pain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of hospital rooms .
In general , Young said , patient satisfaction was only slightly higher at hospitals with the lowest death rates than those with the highest -- a difference of about 2 percentage points .
On the other hand , a clean and quiet room made a bigger difference in patient ratings .
Nurses , meanwhile , had the greatest impact .
At hospitals where nurses ' communication skills were rated in the top 10 percent , patients were happier -- with more than 75 percent giving high satisfaction ratings to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at hospitals where nurses ' communication was in the bottom 10 percent , only about half of patients were highly satisfied , the investigators found .
That yardstick , however , misses the importance of nurses ' technical know-how in caring for patients , Young said .
A key question is whether nurses ' communication skills can really be considered a nonmedical factor .
And the American Hospital Association says the answer is `` no . ''
`` The study authors characterize the nursing-communication questions as a 'hospitality ' measure .
But those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- like whether nurses listened carefully to patients and explained care , '' said Akin Demehin , director of policy for the AHA .
Beyond that , he said , additional questions on the survey `` reflect patient perspectives on other important quality issues -- like staff responsiveness , medication management and the clarity of discharge orders . ''
Demehin added : `` We are concerned that this study 's findings reflect a misconception of how patient experience relates to quality . ''
It might seem logical that , even if a rave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the hospital room , the hospital would likely provide good care , too .
According to Young , `` Just by virtue of the hospital having more resources to throw around , you might think they 'd provide better care .
But the actual correlation is weak . ''
He suggested that people turn to the Medicare program 's Hospital Compare website .
It provides information on factors such as surgery complications , infections and whether a hospital meets various standards of care .
`` The Yelp reviews do n't tell you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know , '' Young said .
For more on the quality of your local hospitals , visit Medicare 's Hospital Compare .

Patients know whether their food is palatable, their room is comfortable or hospital staffers are responsive, but far less on the health- and safety-related tasks of hospital facilities, researchers say. Photo by DarkoStojanovic /Pixabay
Rave online reviews about a hospital stay may not mean much about the actual medical care there, if a new study is any indication. Researchers found that across U.S. hospitals, patient-satisfaction scores were more dependent on "hospitality" factors -- like friendly nurses, quiet rooms and good food -- than on hard measures of health care quality. Advertisement
At hospitals with the lowest death rates, patient satisfaction tended to be higher, but only by a small amount, the study found. Instead, quiet, comfort and friendly staff were much stronger influences.
It's not exactly surprising: Patients know whether their food is palatable, their room is comfortable or hospital staffers are responsive, noted Cristobal Young, the lead researcher.
"Those front-stage factors are visible to them," said Young, an associate professor of sociology at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y.
The "backstage" happenings, meanwhile, are critical, but not necessarily apparent. "The steps a hospital takes to control infection, for example, are very important," Young said. "But they're not visible to us."
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And if patient satisfaction ratings do not capture those variables, people should take Yelp reviews with a grain of salt, according to Young.
The study, published recently in the journal Social Forces, conflicts with some past research that found high patient-satisfaction ratings do correlate with the quality of a hospital's medical care.
But the fact that medical care affects patient satisfaction tells only part of the story, according to Young. The new findings, he said, suggest that while that's true, "hospitality" is a much stronger influence.
For the study, Young's team analyzed government data on medical care quality and patient satisfaction for more than 3,100 U.S. hospitals, collected between 2007 and 2010.
Health care quality was measured through such factors as a hospital's 30-day death rate among older patients treated for heart disease or pneumonia; and how well the staff adhered to standards of care for heart disease, pneumonia and surgeries.
Patient satisfaction was gauged through a standard survey that asked about issues like nurses' communication, pain relief, and the comfort and quiet of hospital rooms.
In general, Young said, patient satisfaction was only slightly higher at hospitals with the lowest death rates than those with the highest -- a difference of about 2 percentage points.
Advertisement
On the other hand, a clean and quiet room made a bigger difference in patient ratings. Nurses, meanwhile, had the greatest impact. At hospitals where nurses' communication skills were rated in the top 10 percent, patients were happier -- with more than 75 percent giving high satisfaction ratings to their overall care.
In contrast, at hospitals where nurses' communication was in the bottom 10 percent, only about half of patients were highly satisfied, the investigators found.
That yardstick, however, misses the importance of nurses' technical know-how in caring for patients, Young said.
A key question is whether nurses' communication skills can really be considered a nonmedical factor. And the American Hospital Association says the answer is "no."
"The study authors characterize the nursing-communication questions as a 'hospitality' measure. But those questions also reflect much deeper quality-related issues -- like whether nurses listened carefully to patients and explained care," said Akin Demehin, director of policy for the AHA.
Beyond that, he said, additional questions on the survey "reflect patient perspectives on other important quality issues -- like staff responsiveness, medication management and the clarity of discharge orders."
Demehin added: "We are concerned that this study's findings reflect a misconception of how patient experience relates to quality."
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It might seem logical that, even if a rave online review focuses on the pleasant aesthetics of the hospital room, the hospital would likely provide good care, too.
According to Young, "Just by virtue of the hospital having more resources to throw around, you might think they'd provide better care. But the actual correlation is weak."
He suggested that people turn to the Medicare program's Hospital Compare website. It provides information on factors such as surgery complications, infections and whether a hospital meets various standards of care.
"The Yelp reviews don't tell you the most important things you need to know," Young said.
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For more on the quality of your local hospitals, visit Medicare's Hospital Compare.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-02-28--In photos: Highlights from the week of February 24, 2020 in Washington, D.C.

Trump appointed Pence to lead the United States ' response to the virus .
Behind him are , left to @ @ @ @ @ assistant HHS secretary for preparedness and response ; Robert R. Redfield , director of the @ @ @ @ @ Prevention ; Pence ; Dr. Anne Schuchat of the CDC ; Health and Human Services @ @ @ @ @ Fauci , director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases ; and Stephen @ @ @ @ @ food and drugs at the Food and Drug Administration .
Photo by Pat Benic/UPI

President Donald Trump prays with African-American community, business and faith leaders in the Cabinet Room prior to the national African-American history month reception at the White House on Thursday. Photo by Shawn Thew/UPI


upi--2020-02-28--Look: Offset to appear Sunday on 'NCIS: Los Angeles'

Feb. 28 ( UPI ) -- Offset will appear in Sunday 's episode of NCIS : Los Angeles .
The 28-year-old rapper , a member of the hip hop group Migos , will make his acting debut as Kadri Kashan Khan , an undercover CIA agent , on the CBS series .
CBS confirmed the news Thursday on Twitter and shared a behind-the-scenes look at Offset 's guest spot in a new video .
`` Special guest-star @ OffsetYRN comes through and assists the # NCISLA squad with something MAJOR , '' the network wrote .
The video shows LL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on NCIS : Los Angeles , and Offset discussing how the guest spot came to be .
LL Cool J said Offset 's character `` completely '' breaks type .
`` When you 're a rap artist , they think you only play a gangster , or you 're gon na play a thug , or you 're gon na play something closer to the street , and he 's completely away from all of that , '' LL Cool J said .
`` I did n't ever wan na come into acting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you can be the bad guy all the time , '' Offset added .
CBS shared a first look at Offset 's character Wednesday on Twitter .
`` We had a very special guest on set for this week 's new episode -- Or one might say , off set ... @ OffsetYRN # NCISLA , '' the post reads .
Offset and Migos will release their fourth studio album , Culture III , this year .
Offset is married to fellow rapper Cardi B , who made her feature film acting @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Special guest-star @OffsetYRN comes through and assists the #NCISLA squad with something MAJOR. Here's a look behind-the-scenes with how it all went down. pic.twitter.com/wn1i7lIz48— NCIS LA (@NCISLA) February 27, 2020
Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Offset will appear in Sunday's episode of NCIS: Los Angeles.
The 28-year-old rapper, a member of the hip hop group Migos, will make his acting debut as Kadri Kashan Khan, an undercover CIA agent, on the CBS series.
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CBS confirmed the news Thursday on Twitter and shared a behind-the-scenes look at Offset's guest spot in a new video.
"Special guest-star @OffsetYRN comes through and assists the #NCISLA squad with something MAJOR," the network wrote.
The video shows LL Cool J, who plays Sam Hanna on NCIS: Los Angeles, and Offset discussing how the guest spot came to be. LL Cool J said Offset's character "completely" breaks type.
"When you're a rap artist, they think you only play a gangster, or you're gonna play a thug, or you're gonna play something closer to the street, and he's completely away from all of that," LL Cool J said.
"I didn't ever wanna come into acting and be put in this category of, you can be the bad guy all the time," Offset added.
CBS shared a first look at Offset's character Wednesday on Twitter.
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"We had a very special guest on set for this week's new episode -- Or one might say, off set... @OffsetYRN #NCISLA," the post reads.
We had a very special guest on set for this week's new episode - Or one might say, off set... @OffsetYRN #NCISLA pic.twitter.com/jY7o5Usrp8— NCIS LA (@NCISLA) February 26, 2020
Offset and Migos will release their fourth studio album, Culture III, this year. Offset is married to fellow rapper Cardi B, who made her feature film acting debut in the 2019 movie Hustlers.


upi--2020-02-28--Kim Jong Un sends condolences on Russian Dmitry Yazov's death

Feb. 27 ( UPI ) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un offered condolences to the family of a former Soviet defense minister who attempted a coup in 1991 , following reports of his death earlier this week .
Pyongyang 's state-controlled news agency KCNA reported Thursday Kim offered a `` message of sympathy to the bereaved '' family of Dmitry Yazov , the last appointed marshal of the Soviet Union .
`` I express my deepest condolences after hearing of the sad news our close comrade and friend , military general of the Soviet Union Comrade Dmitry Timofeyevich Yazov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kim said in his letter , according to KCNA .
Kim praised Yazov , an opponent of perestroika , for `` participating in wars for the Soviet fatherland against the German invaders '' and described the former Soviet marshal as a true patriot and war veteran .
`` Comrade Yazov 's heart may have stopped beating , but his achievements will remain in the memories of the Russian and North Korean peoples . ''
Yazov was born in 1924 and enlisted in the Red Army in 1941 at the age of 17 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was 95 at the time of his death on Tuesday .
In 1991 , Yazov attempted to stage a coup against Mikhail Gorbachev .
He was imprisoned for 18 months until granted amnesty by Russian President Boris Yeltsin .
North Korea may have supported the coup attempt at the time , according to South Korean news agency Yonhap .
Kim 's father , Kim Jong Il , criticized Russian reforms at the time as the `` scheme of imperialists . ''
Kim Jong Un never met Yazov .
In 2014 , on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the North Korean leader sent a congratulatory letter and a flower basket to Moscow .
Former North Korean Defense Minister Hyon Yong Chol delivered the presents to the Russians at the time .
Hyon was executed in 2015 , according to Seoul 's spy agency .

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un offered his sympathy following the death of Dmitry Yazov, former marshal of the Soviet Union, according to Pyongyang's state media. File Photo by KCNA/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 27 (UPI) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un offered condolences to the family of a former Soviet defense minister who attempted a coup in 1991, following reports of his death earlier this week. Pyongyang's state-controlled news agency KCNA reported Thursday Kim offered a "message of sympathy to the bereaved" family of Dmitry Yazov, the last appointed marshal of the Soviet Union. Advertisement
"I express my deepest condolences after hearing of the sad news our close comrade and friend, military general of the Soviet Union Comrade Dmitry Timofeyevich Yazov died after a long illness," Kim said in his letter, according to KCNA.
Kim praised Yazov, an opponent of perestroika, for "participating in wars for the Soviet fatherland against the German invaders" and described the former Soviet marshal as a true patriot and war veteran.
"Comrade Yazov's heart may have stopped beating, but his achievements will remain in the memories of the Russian and North Korean peoples."
Yazov was born in 1924 and enlisted in the Red Army in 1941 at the age of 17, according to the Moscow Times. He was 95 at the time of his death on Tuesday.
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In 1991, Yazov attempted to stage a coup against Mikhail Gorbachev. He was imprisoned for 18 months until granted amnesty by Russian President Boris Yeltsin.
North Korea may have supported the coup attempt at the time, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap. Kim's father, Kim Jong Il, criticized Russian reforms at the time as the "scheme of imperialists."
Kim Jong Un never met Yazov. In 2014, on the occasion of Yazov's 90th birthday, the North Korean leader sent a congratulatory letter and a flower basket to Moscow. Former North Korean Defense Minister Hyon Yong Chol delivered the presents to the Russians at the time.
Hyon was executed in 2015, according to Seoul's spy agency.


upi--2020-02-28--Greta Thunberg tells British rally young people 'will not be silenced' on climate change

Feb. 28 ( UPI ) -- Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg told a crowd of thousands of striking schoolchildren and adults in the British city of Bristol Friday that young people `` will not be silenced '' in demanding action from leaders .
Speaking at the Youth Strike 4 Climate event , Thunberg , 17 , excoriated adult political leaders for inaction on climate change and said it should not be the responsibility of the young to implement change .
`` World leaders are behaving like children , so it falls on us to be the adults in the room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should not be this way , we should not be the ones to have to lead on this and tell the uncomfortable truths .
`` Once again they sweep their mess under the rug for us young people , for their children , to clean up for them . ''
Organizers estimated 30,000 people from across Britain , many of them students skipping school with the tacit approval of their teachers , attended the rally despite rain and muddy conditions .
`` This is an emergency , '' said Thunberg to chants of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People are already suffering and dying from the consequences of the climate and environmental emergency .
But it will get worse , and still , this emergency is being completely ignored by the politicians , the media and those in power .
Basically , nothing is being done to halt this crisis despite all the beautiful words and promises from our elected officials .
`` We will not be silenced , '' she said , `` because we are the change and change is coming whether you like it or not . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by train and was taken to the rally in a Nissan Leaf electric vehicle with a police escort .

Teen climate activist Greta Thunberg addresses thousands of striking schoolchildren and adult supporters Friday in Bristol, Britain. Photo by Neil Munns/EPA-EFE
Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg told a crowd of thousands of striking schoolchildren and adults in the British city of Bristol Friday that young people "will not be silenced" in demanding action from leaders. Speaking at the Youth Strike 4 Climate event, Thunberg, 17, excoriated adult political leaders for inaction on climate change and said it should not be the responsibility of the young to implement change. Advertisement
"World leaders are behaving like children, so it falls on us to be the adults in the room," she said. "It should not be this way, we should not be the ones to have to lead on this and tell the uncomfortable truths.
"Once again they sweep their mess under the rug for us young people, for their children, to clean up for them."
Organizers estimated 30,000 people from across Britain, many of them students skipping school with the tacit approval of their teachers, attended the rally despite rain and muddy conditions.
"This is an emergency," said Thunberg to chants of "Greta, Greta."
"People are already suffering and dying from the consequences of the climate and environmental emergency. But it will get worse, and still, this emergency is being completely ignored by the politicians, the media and those in power. Basically, nothing is being done to halt this crisis despite all the beautiful words and promises from our elected officials.
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"We will not be silenced," she said, "because we are the change and change is coming whether you like it or not."
The Swedish environmental crusader arrived in Bristol by train and was taken to the rally in a Nissan Leaf electric vehicle with a police escort.


upi--2020-02-28--Look: Chelsea Tyler, Jon Foster celebrate son Frank's birth

The 30-year-old singer and her husband , actor and musician Jon Foster , welcomed their first child , son Vincent Frank , on Feb. 21 .
Tyler and Foster announced the news Thursday on Instagram .
Tyler shared a photo of her baby boy sleeping .
`` Welcome to the world Vincent Frank Foster 2-21-20 , '' she captioned the post .
Foster posted a picture of himself cradling his newborn son to his chest .
Singer Lenny Kravitz , actress Rumer Willis and Keith Richards ' daughter Theodora Richards were among those to congratulate the couple in the comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goodness congratulations and welcome to the world Vincent , '' Willis wrote .
`` What a beautiful name , '' Theodora Richards said .
`` congratulations . ''
Tyler had announced her pregnancy in September .
She voiced her eagerness to give birth in a post Feb. 8 on her due date .
`` Today is our due date ( and a full super moon ! )
I must say I 've truly loved every step of this amazing journey but boy am I ready to meet you now .
Come on lil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Tyler wrote .
Tyler is the daughter of Steven Tyler and Teresa Barrick , while Foster is the brother of actor Ben Foster .
Ben Foster and his wife , actress Laura Prepon , welcomed their second child together this week .
Tyler and Foster perform together as the electronic music duo Kaneholler .

Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Steven Tyler's daughter Chelsea Tyler is a new mom.
The 30-year-old singer and her husband, actor and musician Jon Foster, welcomed their first child, son Vincent Frank, on Feb. 21.
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Tyler and Foster announced the news Thursday on Instagram. Tyler shared a photo of her baby boy sleeping.
"Welcome to the world Vincent Frank Foster 2-21-20," she captioned the post.
Foster posted a picture of himself cradling his newborn son to his chest.
Singer Lenny Kravitz, actress Rumer Willis and Keith Richards' daughter Theodora Richards were among those to congratulate the couple in the comments.
"Oh my goodness on my goodness congratulations and welcome to the world Vincent," Willis wrote.
"What a beautiful name," Theodora Richards said. "congratulations."
Tyler had announced her pregnancy in September. She voiced her eagerness to give birth in a post Feb. 8 on her due date.
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"Today is our due date (and a full super moon!) I must say I've truly loved every step of this amazing journey but boy am I ready to meet you now. Come on lil one. Let's do this!" Tyler wrote.
Tyler is the daughter of Steven Tyler and Teresa Barrick, while Foster is the brother of actor Ben Foster. Ben Foster and his wife, actress Laura Prepon, welcomed their second child together this week.
Tyler and Foster perform together as the electronic music duo Kaneholler.


upi--2020-02-28--Russia sends warships after Turkish troops killed in Syria

Feb. 28 ( UPI ) -- Russia sent two warships to the Middle East on Friday after dozens of Turkish soldiers were killed in an attack in Syria 's heavily disputed northwest , fearing an escalating conflict .
The Russian Defense Ministry said Turkish forces in Idlib province came under fire by Syrian government forces .
Russia , which militarily supports the Syrian government , blamed Turkey for the soldiers ' deaths -- saying they were in the area near `` terrorist formations . ''
Turkey , a NATO ally , has called on the United States and other members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and enforce a no-fly zone in Idlib province , where government forces and rebels have fought for months .
NATO so far has declined to intervene .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone Friday hoping to de-escalate tensions .
`` [ Turkey and Russia ] agreed to intensify relevant inter-agency consultations and explore the possibility of holding a top-level meeting in the immediate future , '' Russian officials said , adding that they `` voiced grave concern over the escalation of tensions in Idlib resulting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supported opposition forces in Syria 's nine-year civil war , while government forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad are backed by Russia and Iran .
Idlib , thought to be the last significant rebel stronghold , has come under constant attack by Assad 's forces .
An effort by Russia and Turkey to turn Idlib into a safe zone for civilians has all but crumbled in recent weeks , as Syria has increased attacks there .
A United Nations report this week said more than 948,000 civilians have been displaced in Idlib province @ @ @

Smoke rises during government bombings near Idlib, Syria, on February 4. Clashes between Turkish and Syrian troops have persisted in the area for weeks, prompting Russia to send warships on Friday. Photo by Yahya Neham/EPA-EFE
Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Russia sent two warships to the Middle East on Friday after dozens of Turkish soldiers were killed in an attack in Syria's heavily disputed northwest, fearing an escalating conflict. The Russian Defense Ministry said Turkish forces in Idlib province came under fire by Syrian government forces. Russia, which militarily supports the Syrian government, blamed Turkey for the soldiers' deaths -- saying they were in the area near "terrorist formations." Advertisement
Turkey, a NATO ally, has called on the United States and other members of the alliance to help protect troops and enforce a no-fly zone in Idlib province, where government forces and rebels have fought for months. NATO so far has declined to intervene.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone Friday hoping to de-escalate tensions.
"[Turkey and Russia] agreed to intensify relevant inter-agency consultations and explore the possibility of holding a top-level meeting in the immediate future," Russian officials said, adding that they "voiced grave concern over the escalation of tensions in Idlib resulting in loss of life."
Turkey has supported opposition forces in Syria's nine-year civil war, while government forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad are backed by Russia and Iran. Idlib, thought to be the last significant rebel stronghold, has come under constant attack by Assad's forces.
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An effort by Russia and Turkey to turn Idlib into a safe zone for civilians has all but crumbled in recent weeks, as Syria has increased attacks there. A United Nations report this week said more than 948,000 civilians have been displaced in Idlib province since December.


upi--2020-02-28--In Photos: Mark Wahlberg attends 'Spenser Confidential' premiere in LA

Left to right , cast member Winston Duke , director Peter Berg , Shlesinger and Wahlberg arrive for the world @ @ @ @ @ will be available on Netflix on March 6 .
Photo by Chris Chew/UPI

Left to right, cast member Winston Duke, director Peter Berg, Shlesinger and Wahlberg arrive for the world premiere screening. The film will be available on Netflix on March 6. Photo by Chris Chew/UPI


upi--2020-02-28--Court gives 8-year ban to Chinese swimmer Sun Yang for doping

Feb. 28 ( UPI ) -- An arbitration court handed an eight-year ban Friday to three-time Chinese Olympic swimming champion Sun Yang , one of China 's best hopes for gold in Tokyo this summer , for potential doping .
The Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland upheld a successful appeal by the World Doping Agency to an earlier ruling that allowed Sun to continue competing .
He won a gold medal last summer at the World Aquatic Championships in South Korea .
The ban means Sun is barred from competing this summer at the Tokyo Olympics .
WADA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disputed blood sample wanted for testing , although he 'd been warned against doing so by the anti-doping agency .
Sun said the sample , collected at his home in late 2018 , was not valid because test administrators were not qualified .
His argument was supported by world swimming body FINA , which allowed Sun to keep competing , but the anti-doping agency immediately filed an appeal and issued further warning for the swimmer to save the sample for testing .
`` It is one thing , having provided a blood sample @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing personnel while keeping the intact samples in the possession of the testing authorities , '' the panel said in its decision .
`` But it is quite another thing , after lengthy exchanges and warnings as to the consequences , to act in such a way that results in destroying the sample containers , thereby eliminating any chance of testing the sample at a later stage . ''
`` WADA decided to appeal the original FINA ruling having carefully reviewed it and having concluded that there were a number of points that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Anti-Doping ] Code , '' added WADA Director General Olivier Niggli .
`` Today 's CAS ruling confirms those concerns and is a significant result . ''
Sun has won three Olympic gold medals -- two at the 2012 London Summer Games and one in Rio de Janeiro four years ago .
He 'd served an earlier doping ban in 2014 .

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Chinese swimmer Sun Yang celebrates after winning a gold medal in the Men's 200m freestyle event at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 8, 2016. File Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 28 (UPI) -- An arbitration court handed an eight-year ban Friday to three-time Chinese Olympic swimming champion Sun Yang, one of China's best hopes for gold in Tokyo this summer, for potential doping. The Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland upheld a successful appeal by the World Doping Agency to an earlier ruling that allowed Sun to continue competing. He won a gold medal last summer at the World Aquatic Championships in South Korea. Advertisement
The ban means Sun is barred from competing this summer at the Tokyo Olympics.
WADA said Sun, 28, destroyed a disputed blood sample wanted for testing, although he'd been warned against doing so by the anti-doping agency.
Sun said the sample, collected at his home in late 2018, was not valid because test administrators were not qualified. His argument was supported by world swimming body FINA, which allowed Sun to keep competing, but the anti-doping agency immediately filed an appeal and issued further warning for the swimmer to save the sample for testing.
Friday, the arbitration court sided with WADA.
"It is one thing, having provided a blood sample, to question the accreditation of the testing personnel while keeping the intact samples in the possession of the testing authorities," the panel said in its decision. "But it is quite another thing, after lengthy exchanges and warnings as to the consequences, to act in such a way that results in destroying the sample containers, thereby eliminating any chance of testing the sample at a later stage."
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"WADA decided to appeal the original FINA ruling having carefully reviewed it and having concluded that there were a number of points that seemed to be incorrect under the [World Anti-Doping] Code," added WADA Director General Olivier Niggli. "Today's CAS ruling confirms those concerns and is a significant result."
Sun has won three Olympic gold medals -- two at the 2012 London Summer Games and one in Rio de Janeiro four years ago. He'd served an earlier doping ban in 2014.


upi--2020-02-28--Warriors' Draymond Green ejected for tripping vs. Lakers

Feb. 28 ( UPI ) -- Draymond Green is now just two technical fouls away from a suspension after getting ejected during a Golden State Warriors loss to the Los Angeles Lakers .
Green was ejected after getting two technical fouls in the second quarter of the 116-86 setback Thursday at Chase Center in San Francisco .
His 14 technical fouls this season are tied with Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook for the most in the NBA .
He has been one of the league leaders in technical fouls during his NBA career .
Green will get a one-game ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Warriors star had two points , two fouls and a rebound and the game was tied at 24-24 entering the second quarter .
He picked up his first technical 5:56 before halftime .
Lakers guard Kyle Kuzma had the ball at the top of the 3-point arc while Green was defending Lakers center Dwight Howard in the paint .
Howard got leverage on Green , pushing him away from the basket so he could get a pass from Kuzma .
Green then fell to the ground , taking Howard down with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Green was given a personal foul before complaining to a referee .
He was given a technical for his post-play tirade .
He drew his second technical foul about 11 seconds later .
Kuzma was dribbling in the corner during the second sequence , while Green was trying to defend the Lakers guard .
Howard set a screen on Green , who again fell to the ground .
Green stuck his foot out while on the ground and a referee determined he was attempting to trip Howard .
Green was given another personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yelling at the officials .
Green had two points , four assists , three turnovers and a rebound in nine minutes before his exit .
`` We needed him in the second half , '' Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of Green .
`` We really missed him . ''
Green , Westbrook and Kevin Durant led the NBA with 16 technical fouls apiece last season .
Green finished second in technical fouls in 2017-2018 .
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 23 points and six rebounds in the win .
Kuzma scored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lakers .
Howard had 13 points and nine rebounds off the bench .
Eric Paschall scored 23 points for the Warriors .
LeBron James did not play in Thursday 's game .
Green is averaging 8.0 points , 6.2 assists and 6.2 rebounds per game this season .
The Warriors ( 12-47 ) face the Phoenix Suns at 9 p.m. EST Saturday at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix .
The Lakers ( 45-12 ) face the Memphis Grizzlies at 8 p.m. Saturday at FedExForum in Memphis .

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green got two technical fouls in 11 seconds in the second quarter of a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers Thursday in San Francisco. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Draymond Green is now just two technical fouls away from a suspension after getting ejected during a Golden State Warriors loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Green was ejected after getting two technical fouls in the second quarter of the 116-86 setback Thursday at Chase Center in San Francisco. Advertisement
His 14 technical fouls this season are tied with Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook for the most in the NBA. He has been one of the league leaders in technical fouls during his NBA career.
Green will get a one-game ban if he gets two more technical fouls.
The Warriors star had two points, two fouls and a rebound and the game was tied at 24-24 entering the second quarter. He picked up his first technical 5:56 before halftime. Lakers guard Kyle Kuzma had the ball at the top of the 3-point arc while Green was defending Lakers center Dwight Howard in the paint. Howard got leverage on Green, pushing him away from the basket so he could get a pass from Kuzma. Green then fell to the ground, taking Howard down with him as he hit the floor.
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Green was given a personal foul before complaining to a referee. He was given a technical for his post-play tirade. He drew his second technical foul about 11 seconds later.
Kuzma was dribbling in the corner during the second sequence, while Green was trying to defend the Lakers guard. Howard set a screen on Green, who again fell to the ground. Green stuck his foot out while on the ground and a referee determined he was attempting to trip Howard. Green was given another personal foul before drawing a technical for again yelling at the officials.
Green had two points, four assists, three turnovers and a rebound in nine minutes before his exit.
"We needed him in the second half," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of Green. "We really missed him."
Green, Westbrook and Kevin Durant led the NBA with 16 technical fouls apiece last season. Green finished second in technical fouls in 2017-2018.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 23 points and six rebounds in the win. Kuzma scored 18 points off the bench for the Lakers. Howard had 13 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Eric Paschall scored 23 points for the Warriors. LeBron James did not play in Thursday's game.
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Green is averaging 8.0 points, 6.2 assists and 6.2 rebounds per game this season. The Warriors (12-47) face the Phoenix Suns at 9 p.m. EST Saturday at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix. The Lakers (45-12) face the Memphis Grizzlies at 8 p.m. Saturday at FedExForum in Memphis.