upi--2020-03-10--Gallup: Approval of congressional Republicans exceeds Democrats

March 10 ( UPI ) -- Gallup said Tuesday that U.S. congressional Republicans have a more favorable job approval rating than Democrats after impeachment of President Donald Trump in the U.S. House of Representatives .
Forty percent of U.S. adults approve of the job congressional Republicans are doing compared to 35 percent that approve of congressional Democrats performance , the poll showed .
Congressional Democrats in general have had slightly higher job approval on average since 1999 , but Republicans have edged out Democrats a number of times over the 21-year-trend , polling figures show .
The most recent poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Congress has risen 6 percentage points since another poll was taken in October , before the House of Representatives impeached Trump in December on charges of abuse of power of the presidency and obstructing Congress .
The Senate voted 52-48 last month to acquit Trump on both charges with Sen. Mitt Romney , R-Utah , as the lone Republican to break ranks and vote to convict on the abuse of power charge .
Majorities of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents approved of the job their own party 's members of Congress were doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic-leaning independents .
Still , Republicans ' approval of congressional Republicans jumped 13 percentage points to 76 percent since October , and Democrats 65 percent approval of congressional Democrats only increased 1 percentage point from October .
Trump 's job approval rating is still higher than it was before impeachment at 47 percent in a February poll released earlier this month , up from 41 percent in October .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell 's job approval rating among Republicans alone jumped 15 percentage points to 62 percent in February from 47 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has slightly lowered from 11 percent to 8 percent and his overall approval rating is 33 percent .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi received a 71 percent approval rating from her party in February , up 4 percentage points from October , but support among Republicans remained flat at only 8 percent approval since October .
However , her unfavorability rating rose from 50 percent in October to now 55 percent .
An exception to Republican support of its own congressional party members this year was Romney , who was viewed more favorably by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his party in one of two charges in the Senate impeachment trial , 56 percent of Democrats approve of his performance compared to 23 percent of Republicans .
Gallup Research Consultant Megan Brenan said in a statement the major reason for the higher approval of Republicans job performance was the party 's higher approval of its own party .
`` Republicans in Congress appear to have benefited from the impeachment of the president , as they are currently enjoying improved job approval ratings , '' Brenan said .
`` Likewise , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have risen after impeachment .
Meanwhile , the public 's ratings of congressional Democrats and Democratic leaders are the same or slightly worse than before impeachment , given no change in favorability or approval but higher unfavorable and disapproval ratings . ''
Gallup interviewed a random sample of 1,020 adults across the United States from Feb. 17-28 for this survey with a 4 percentage point margin of error .

A Gallup poll released Tuesday shows Republicans approval rating of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., jumped 15 percentage points since October. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
March 10 (UPI) -- Gallup said Tuesday that U.S. congressional Republicans have a more favorable job approval rating than Democrats after impeachment of President Donald Trump in the U.S. House of Representatives. Forty percent of U.S. adults approve of the job congressional Republicans are doing compared to 35 percent that approve of congressional Democrats performance, the poll showed. Advertisement
Congressional Democrats in general have had slightly higher job approval on average since 1999, but Republicans have edged out Democrats a number of times over the 21-year-trend, polling figures show.
The most recent poll shows the job approval rating of Republicans in Congress has risen 6 percentage points since another poll was taken in October, before the House of Representatives impeached Trump in December on charges of abuse of power of the presidency and obstructing Congress. The Senate voted 52-48 last month to acquit Trump on both charges with Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, as the lone Republican to break ranks and vote to convict on the abuse of power charge.
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Majorities of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents approved of the job their own party's members of Congress were doing as well as majorities of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents. Still, Republicans' approval of congressional Republicans jumped 13 percentage points to 76 percent since October, and Democrats 65 percent approval of congressional Democrats only increased 1 percentage point from October.
Trump's job approval rating is still higher than it was before impeachment at 47 percent in a February poll released earlier this month, up from 41 percent in October.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's job approval rating among Republicans alone jumped 15 percentage points to 62 percent in February from 47 percent in October. Democrats approval of McConnell has slightly lowered from 11 percent to 8 percent and his overall approval rating is 33 percent.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi received a 71 percent approval rating from her party in February, up 4 percentage points from October, but support among Republicans remained flat at only 8 percent approval since October. However, her unfavorability rating rose from 50 percent in October to now 55 percent.
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Pelosi's overall approval rating is 39 percent.
An exception to Republican support of its own congressional party members this year was Romney, who was viewed more favorably by Democrats than Republicans. After breaking ranks with his party in one of two charges in the Senate impeachment trial, 56 percent of Democrats approve of his performance compared to 23 percent of Republicans.
Gallup Research Consultant Megan Brenan said in a statement the major reason for the higher approval of Republicans job performance was the party's higher approval of its own party.
"Republicans in Congress appear to have benefited from the impeachment of the president, as they are currently enjoying improved job approval ratings," Brenan said. "Likewise, the favorable ratings of Republicans Trump and McConnell have risen after impeachment. Meanwhile, the public's ratings of congressional Democrats and Democratic leaders are the same or slightly worse than before impeachment, given no change in favorability or approval but higher unfavorable and disapproval ratings."
Gallup interviewed a random sample of 1,020 adults across the United States from Feb. 17-28 for this survey with a 4 percentage point margin of error.


upi--2020-03-10--Rare white giraffe, baby killed by poachers in Kenya

March 10 ( UPI ) -- Poachers killed two rare white giraffes , an adult and her calf , in Kenya , conservationists announced Tuesday .
Officials with the Ishaqbini Hirola Conservancy said they found the carcasses of the animals in a advanced state of decomposition , meaning their deaths were n't recent .
They were most recently seen alive about three months ago .
They were two of only three known white giraffes at the conservancy .
`` This is a very sad day for the community of Ijara and Kenya as a whole , '' said Mohammed Ahmednoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are the only community in the world who are custodians of the white giraffe .
Its killing is a blow to tremendous steps taken by the community to conserve rare and unique species and a wakeup call for continued support to conservation efforts . ''
The two giraffes had a genetic condition called leucism , which differs from albinism in that it results in a partial loss of pigmentation .
In albinism , animals have no melanin , or pigment .
Both conditions are dangerous for animals in the wild because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from predators .
The mother and calf were first spotted on camera in 2017 .
The Kenya Wildlife Society said it 's investigating the deaths .
The motives of the poachers was unclear .

March 10 (UPI) -- Poachers killed two rare white giraffes, an adult and her calf, in Kenya, conservationists announced Tuesday.
Officials with the Ishaqbini Hirola Conservancy said they found the carcasses of the animals in a advanced state of decomposition, meaning their deaths weren't recent. They were most recently seen alive about three months ago.
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They were two of only three known white giraffes at the conservancy.
"This is a very sad day for the community of Ijara and Kenya as a whole," said Mohammed Ahmednoor, manager of the conservancy. "We are the only community in the world who are custodians of the white giraffe. Its killing is a blow to tremendous steps taken by the community to conserve rare and unique species and a wakeup call for continued support to conservation efforts."
The two giraffes had a genetic condition called leucism, which differs from albinism in that it results in a partial loss of pigmentation. In albinism, animals have no melanin, or pigment.
Both conditions are dangerous for animals in the wild because it hurts their ability to camouflage and hide from predators.
The mother and calf were first spotted on camera in 2017.
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The Kenya Wildlife Society said it's investigating the deaths. The motives of the poachers was unclear.


upi--2020-03-12--U.S. strikes Kata’ib Hezbollah facilities in Iraq

March 12 ( UPI ) -- The United States conducted airstrikes on facilities in Iraq on Thursday in retaliation for an attack that killed two U.S. service members , U.S. military officials said .
The Pentagon said the strikes targeted five Kata'ib Hezbollah storage facilities that housed weapons used to target coalition troops .
The retaliatory strikes were a direct response to Wednesday 's rocket attack on Camp Taji .
That attack killed two U.S. troops and one British service member , and injured 14 others .
`` The United States will not tolerate attacks against our people , our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said in the Pentagon 's statement .
`` As we have demonstrated in recent months , we will take any action necessary to protect our forces in Iraq and the region . ''
The Pentagon 's statement also said the attacks were carried out by Shiite militia groups and marked the `` latest in a series '' of attacks on the United States .
Also on Wednesday , the House of Representatives passed a bill , introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine , D-Va. , and passed out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump from using military force against Iran without consent from Congress .
Trump has promised to veto the bill .
Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. , commander of U.S. Central Command , was scheduled to give a briefing on Thursday 's strikes at 8:30 a.m. Friday at the Pentagon .

The Pentagon confirmed Thursday that the United States has launched a retaliatory strike in Iraq. On Wednesday Iraqi Security Forces found a pickup truck rigged with a rocket launcher in its bed a few miles away from Camp Taji. Photo courtesy of Iraqi Security Media Cell/ Twitter
March 12 (UPI) -- The United States conducted airstrikes on facilities in Iraq on Thursday in retaliation for an attack that killed two U.S. service members, U.S. military officials said. The Pentagon said the strikes targeted five Kata'ib Hezbollah storage facilities that housed weapons used to target coalition troops. The retaliatory strikes were a direct response to Wednesday's rocket attack on Camp Taji. Advertisement
That attack killed two U.S. troops and one British service member, and injured 14 others.
"The United States will not tolerate attacks against our people, our interests, or our allies," Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said in the Pentagon's statement. "As we have demonstrated in recent months, we will take any action necessary to protect our forces in Iraq and the region."
The Pentagon's statement also said the attacks were carried out by Shiite militia groups and marked the "latest in a series" of attacks on the United States.
Also on Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed a bill, introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and passed out of the Senate a month ago, barring President Donald Trump from using military force against Iran without consent from Congress.
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Trump has promised to veto the bill.
Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., commander of U.S. Central Command, was scheduled to give a briefing on Thursday's strikes at 8:30 a.m. Friday at the Pentagon.


upi--2020-03-12--Green Bay Packers release former Pro Bowl TE Jimmy Graham

March 12 ( UPI ) -- The Green Bay Packers released veteran tight end Jimmy Graham after two seasons , the team announced Thursday .
`` The last [ two ] years have certainly been interesting !
A lot of memories , friendships and humbling moments that I will carry with me into the next opportunity , '' Graham wrote Wednesday on Twitter .
`` Thank you for the support during our exciting run this year toward that ever so elusive ring . ''
Graham , who turned 33 in November , was the NFL 's highest-paid tight end last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 million , according to Spotrac .
He was scheduled to take up the second-most salary cap space ( $ 11.67 million ) among tight ends in the league next season , trailing only Philadelphia Eagles star Zach Ertz ( $ 12.23 million ) .
The Packers will save about $ 8 million in cap space with the release of Graham .
In two seasons with the Packers , Graham scored only five touchdowns .
Last season , he tallied 447 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 38 receptions , his lowest total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season in 2010 .
The New Orleans Saints selected Graham in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft out of Miami .
He is the only tight end in league history to have two seasons with 1,200-plus receiving yards and 10-plus receiving scores ( 2011 , 2013 ) .
Graham , a five-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro choice , has recorded 649 receptions for 7,883 yards and 74 touchdowns between the Seattle Seahawks , Saints and Packers .

Green Bay Packers tight end Jimmy Graham (80) recorded 38 catches for 447 yards and three touchdowns last season. File Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/UPI | License Photo
March 12 (UPI) -- The Green Bay Packers released veteran tight end Jimmy Graham after two seasons, the team announced Thursday. "The last [two] years have certainly been interesting! A lot of memories, friendships and humbling moments that I will carry with me into the next opportunity," Graham wrote Wednesday on Twitter. "Thank you for the support during our exciting run this year toward that ever so elusive ring." Advertisement
Graham, who turned 33 in November, was the NFL's highest-paid tight end last season with an average salary of $10 million, according to Spotrac. He was scheduled to take up the second-most salary cap space ($11.67 million) among tight ends in the league next season, trailing only Philadelphia Eagles star Zach Ertz ($12.23 million).
The Packers will save about $8 million in cap space with the release of Graham.
In two seasons with the Packers, Graham scored only five touchdowns. Last season, he tallied 447 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 38 receptions, his lowest total since tallying 31 catches in his rookie season in 2010.
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The New Orleans Saints selected Graham in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft out of Miami. He is the only tight end in league history to have two seasons with 1,200-plus receiving yards and 10-plus receiving scores (2011, 2013).
Graham, a five-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro choice, has recorded 649 receptions for 7,883 yards and 74 touchdowns between the Seattle Seahawks, Saints and Packers.


upi--2020-03-12--New York joins others in banning mass gatherings amid coronavirus

March 12 ( UPI ) -- New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday a statewide ban on gatherings of more than 500 people , joining other states that are banning large gatherings amid rising coronavirus spread .
Cuomo announced the restrictions hours after cultural institutions , including the Metropolitan Museum , the Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall , said they would suspend visits and performances .
The restrictions are expected to be a blow to the city 's tourism industry , particularly on Broadway , where all 41 theaters have at least 500 seats and most have more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performances through April 12 , the Broadway League said in a statement .
The state 's St. Patrick 's Day Parade will also be postponed until a later date , organizers said .
Gatherings in venues that hold fewer than 500 people will still be permitted , but they would be required to reduce occupancy by half , under the state 's new guidance .
Schools , hospitals , nursing homes and public transit will be exempt from the ban , which goes into effect 5 p.m. Thursday for Broadway theaters and on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Cuomo said .
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said two schools located in the same building in the Bronx -- the Laboratory School of Finance and Technology and South Bronx Preparatory -- have been closed for a 24-hour period for disinfection after a student 's parents told officials their child tested positive for the coronavirus .
Cuomo said at an earlier briefing that the City University of New York and State University of New York will move to a distance model beginning March 19 for the remainder of the spring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declared a state of emergency on Thursday saying it would allow increased flexibility in its response to the virus .
`` Our top priority is to make sure Virginians stay safe and healthy and that our response to this situation leaves no one behind , '' Northam said .
`` From our health department , to our schools to our hospitals , to our transit systems , Virginia 's agencies and institutions have been thoroughly planning for every scenario .
This emergency declaration will ensure we can continue to prepare for and appropriately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time . ''
In Washington , D.C. , Congress ' visitor center said it will not allow visitors to the Capitol until April and the Supreme Court building will close until further notice .
California and Oregon announced that they would ban public gatherings of more than 250 people .
Disney 's flagship Disneyland park in Anaheim announced that it will close for the remainder of the month .
`` While there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 at Disneyland Resort , after carefully reviewing the guidelines of the governor of California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our guests and employees we are proceeding with the closure of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure , beginning the morning of March 14 through the end of the month , '' Disney said .
Disneyland 's resort hotels will remain open until Monday to allow guests to make necessary arrangements and the Downtown Disney shopping area will remain open .
The company added that employees will continue to be paid during this period .
Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee on Wednesday banned all gatherings of more than 250 people in three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread in the United States .
Of the United States 's confirmed cases , California has 177 , Oregon has 21 cases and Washington State has 366 infections , according to data from individual health departments .

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A woman approaches the New York Stock Exchange in a moment where pedestrians are scarce after the opening bell on Wall Street in New York City on Thursday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 12 (UPI) -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday a statewide ban on gatherings of more than 500 people, joining other states that are banning large gatherings amid rising coronavirus spread. Cuomo announced the restrictions hours after cultural institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum, the Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall, said they would suspend visits and performances. Advertisement
The restrictions are expected to be a blow to the city's tourism industry, particularly on Broadway, where all 41 theaters have at least 500 seats and most have more than 1,000.
All Broadway theaters are suspending performances through April 12, the Broadway League said in a statement.
The state's St. Patrick's Day Parade will also be postponed until a later date, organizers said.
Gatherings in venues that hold fewer than 500 people will still be permitted, but they would be required to reduce occupancy by half, under the state's new guidance.
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Schools, hospitals, nursing homes and public transit will be exempt from the ban, which goes into effect 5 p.m. Thursday for Broadway theaters and on Friday at 5 p.m. for other venues, Cuomo said.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said two schools located in the same building in the Bronx -- the Laboratory School of Finance and Technology and South Bronx Preparatory -- have been closed for a 24-hour period for disinfection after a student's parents told officials their child tested positive for the coronavirus.
Cuomo said at an earlier briefing that the City University of New York and State University of New York will move to a distance model beginning March 19 for the remainder of the spring semester.
Other states have made similar moves.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency on Thursday saying it would allow increased flexibility in its response to the virus.
"Our top priority is to make sure Virginians stay safe and healthy and that our response to this situation leaves no one behind," Northam said. "From our health department, to our schools to our hospitals, to our transit systems, Virginia's agencies and institutions have been thoroughly planning for every scenario. This emergency declaration will ensure we can continue to prepare for and appropriately respond to Virginians' needs during this time."
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In Washington, D.C., Congress' visitor center said it will not allow visitors to the Capitol until April and the Supreme Court building will close until further notice.
California and Oregon announced that they would ban public gatherings of more than 250 people.
Disney announced that it will close its Disneyland and California Adventure parks in California and Walt Disney World in Florida as well as suspend operation of its Disney Cruiseline through the end of the month.
Disneyland will close beginning Friday morning, new departures for Disney cruises will end on Saturday and Disney World will close at the end of business on Sunday.
Disneyland's resort hotels will remain open until Monday to allow guests to make necessary arrangements and the Downtown Disney shopping area will remain open, while Disney World hotels will remain open until further notice. The company added that employees will continue to be paid during this period.
Universal Orlando Resort also announced it will close its parks at least through the end of March beginning on Sunday while its hotels and City Walk shopping area will remain open.
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Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday banned all gatherings of more than 250 people in three counties at the epicenter of the coronavirus spread in the United States.
Of the United States's confirmed cases, California has 177, Oregon has 21 cases and Washington State has 366 infections, according to data from individual health departments.


upi--2020-03-12--Guatemalan woman, unborn child die after fall from El Paso border barrier

March 12 ( UPI ) -- A pregnant Guatemalan woman and her unborn child died after falling while attempting to scale a border barrier near El Paso , Texas , the Guatemalan consulate said Thursday .
The consulate said the woman , Miriam Estefany Giron Luna , 19 , fell nearly 20 feet from the steel mesh border wall in Clint , Texas , on Saturday and landed on her back .
Giron Luna was about seven months pregnant and sustained a brain hemorrhage , damage to her liver and kidneys , a fractured pelvis , and other injuries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including an emergency C-section that was unable to save the life of the child .
`` Despite the best efforts of medical personnel , her unborn child did not survive , '' U.S. Customs and Border Protection said .
Dilver Israel Diaz Garcia , 26 , accompanied Giron Luna at the time of the incident and went searching for help after the fall .
He was in Border Patrol custody .
CBP 's Office of Professional Accountability said it is reviewing the incident and the Department of Homeland 's Security 's Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government have been notified .

A 19-year-old Guatemalan woman and her unborn child died after falling 20 feet while attempting to scale a border barrier in El Paso. File Photo by Natalie Krebs/UPI | License Photo
March 12 (UPI) -- A pregnant Guatemalan woman and her unborn child died after falling while attempting to scale a border barrier near El Paso, Texas, the Guatemalan consulate said Thursday. The consulate said the woman, Miriam Estefany Giron Luna, 19, fell nearly 20 feet from the steel mesh border wall in Clint, Texas, on Saturday and landed on her back. Advertisement
Giron Luna was about seven months pregnant and sustained a brain hemorrhage, damage to her liver and kidneys, a fractured pelvis, and other injuries.
She died on Tuesday after multiple surgeries, including an emergency C-section that was unable to save the life of the child.
"Despite the best efforts of medical personnel, her unborn child did not survive," U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.
Dilver Israel Diaz Garcia, 26, accompanied Giron Luna at the time of the incident and went searching for help after the fall. He was in Border Patrol custody.
CBP's Office of Professional Accountability said it is reviewing the incident and the Department of Homeland's Security's Office of the Inspector General and the Guatemalan government have been notified.


upi--2020-03-12--Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert apologizes for acting 'careless' about coronavirus

March 12 ( UPI ) -- In his first public comments since testing positive for coronavirus , Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert offered an apology on social media for his `` careless '' actions .
In the statement posted Thursday on Instagram , Gobert said he hopes that his story `` serves as a warning and causes everyone to take this seriously . ''
`` I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of concern and support over the last 24 hours , '' Gobert wrote .
`` I have gone through so many emotions since learning of my diagnosis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
During a media session Monday , Gobert jokingly mocked the NBA 's temporary rules that required interviewers to maintain a six- to eight-foot distance from the interviewees .
The All-Star big man touched all the microphones and recording devices on the table in front of him after the conclusion of his post-shootaround media availability .
Gobert apologized for the incident and said he had no idea about his COVID-19 infection .
`` The first and most important thing is I would like to publicly apologize to the people that I may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` At the time , I had no idea I was even infected .
I was careless and make no excuse .
`` I hope my story serves as a warning and causes everyone to take this seriously .
I will do whatever I can to support using my experience as [ a ] way to educate others and prevent the spread of this virus .
I am under great care and will fully recover .
Thank you again for all your support .
I encourage everyone to take all of the steps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gobert , a two-time Defensive Player of the Year , tested positive for coronavirus Wednesday in Oklahoma City , leading to the postponement of the Jazz 's game against the Thunder seconds before tip-off .
The 2019-20 NBA season was indefinitely suspended soon thereafter .
Gobert began feeling symptoms Tuesday and was listed as questionable for the Thunder game after continued improvement Wednesday .
The veteran center was n't at Chesapeake Energy Arena , but he was in Oklahoma City and hoped to play if the coronavirus test was negative .
The Jazz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement Wednesday night that a player `` tested negative for influenza , strep throat and an upper respiratory infection .
The individual 's symptoms diminished over the course of [ Wednesday ] , however , in a precautionary measure , and in consultation and cooperation with NBA medical staff and Oklahoma health officials , the decision was made to test for COVID-19 . ''
League sources told ESPN and The Athletic that Jazz star Donovan Mitchell also tested positive for the disease .
According to ESPN , Gobert acted careless in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their belongings .
Mitchell confirmed the diagnosis in a statement posted Thursday on Instagram .
`` Thanks to everyone who has been reaching out since hearing the news about my positive test , '' Mitchell wrote on social media .
`` We are all learning more about the seriousness of this situation and hopefully people can continue to educate themselves and realize that the need to behave responsibly both for their own health and for the well being of those around them . ''
Out of 58 tests on Jazz players and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person to test positive for coronavirus , according to The Athletic .

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (C) tested positive for coronavirus before Wednesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. File Photo by Richard Ellis/UPI | License Photo
March 12 (UPI) -- In his first public comments since testing positive for coronavirus, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert offered an apology on social media for his "careless" actions. In the statement posted Thursday on Instagram, Gobert said he hopes that his story "serves as a warning and causes everyone to take this seriously." Advertisement
"I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of concern and support over the last 24 hours," Gobert wrote. "I have gone through so many emotions since learning of my diagnosis...mostly fear, anxiety and embarrassment."
During a media session Monday, Gobert jokingly mocked the NBA's temporary rules that required interviewers to maintain a 6- to 8-foot distance from the interviewees. The All-Star big man touched all the microphones and recording devices on the table in front of him after the conclusion of his post-shootaround media availability.
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Gobert apologized for the incident and said he had no idea about his COVID-19 infection.
"The first and most important thing is I would like to publicly apologize to the people that I may have endangered," Gobert said. "At the time, I had no idea I was even infected. I was careless and make no excuse.
"I hope my story serves as a warning and causes everyone to take this seriously. I will do whatever I can to support using my experience as [a] way to educate others and prevent the spread of this virus. I am under great care and will fully recover. Thank you again for all your support. I encourage everyone to take all of the steps to stay safe and healthy."
Gobert, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, tested positive for coronavirus Wednesday in Oklahoma City, leading to the postponement of the Jazz's game against the Thunder seconds before tip-off. The 2019-20 NBA season was indefinitely suspended soon thereafter.
Gobert began feeling symptoms Tuesday and was listed as questionable for the Thunder game after continued improvement Wednesday. The veteran center wasn't at Chesapeake Energy Arena, but he was in Oklahoma City and hoped to play if the coronavirus test was negative.
The Jazz, without identifying Gobert, said in a statement Wednesday night that a player "tested negative for influenza, strep throat and an upper respiratory infection. The individual's symptoms diminished over the course of [Wednesday], however, in a precautionary measure, and in consultation and cooperation with NBA medical staff and Oklahoma health officials, the decision was made to test for COVID-19."
League sources told ESPN and The Athletic that Jazz star Donovan Mitchell also tested positive for the disease. According to ESPN, Gobert acted careless in the locker room and touched other Jazz players and their belongings.
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Mitchell confirmed the diagnosis in a statement posted Thursday on Instagram.
"Thanks to everyone who has been reaching out since hearing the news about my positive test," Mitchell wrote on social media. "We are all learning more about the seriousness of this situation and hopefully people can continue to educate themselves and realize that the need to behave responsibly both for their own health and for the well being of those around them."
Out of 58 tests on Jazz players and personnel, Mitchell was the only additional person to test positive for coronavirus, according to The Athletic.


upi--2020-03-12--South Sudan president announces unity Cabinet

March 12 ( UPI ) -- South Sudanese President Salva Kiir announced the formation of the country 's unity government Thursday .
Under a new arrangement , Kiir will have control of 20 ministries in the Cabinet , while Vice President Riek Machar 's Sudan People 's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition Party will control nine .
Last month , Kiir renamed Machar as his deputy as part of a peace agreement .
The two split over allegations of a coup d'etat plot by Machar six years ago .
The split devolved into fighting , sparking the county 's civil war , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of northeastern and eastern South Sudan .
Machar 's wife , Angelina Teny , was named defense minister and his aide , Puot Kong , was appointed petroleum minister .
Kiir dissolved his government in February before naming Machar as vice president .
The decision came after negotiations that saw the president accept reversing the decision to divide the nation into 32 states .
The country will return to its original 10 states with three administrative areas .
The division of states was the major hangup in a peace agreement originally negotiated in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the vice presidency in 2016 in an attempt at a power sharing agreement , but he was replaced less than a year later citing accusations of another coup plot .
South Sudan 's civil war displaced more than 2.2 million people into other countries and made more than 1.4 million without homes .

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir (R) meets with former rebel leader Riek Machar (L) in Juba, South Sudan, on October 19. File Photo courtesy of STR/EPA-EFE
March 12 (UPI) -- South Sudanese President Salva Kiir announced the formation of the country's unity government Thursday. Under a new arrangement, Kiir will have control of 20 ministries in the Cabinet, while Vice President Riek Machar's Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition Party will control nine. Advertisement
Last month, Kiir renamed Machar as his deputy as part of a peace agreement. The two split over allegations of a coup d'etat plot by Machar six years ago.
The split devolved into fighting, sparking the county's civil war, with the opposition group gaining control of swaths of northeastern and eastern South Sudan.
Machar's wife, Angelina Teny, was named defense minister and his aide, Puot Kong, was appointed petroleum minister.
Kiir dissolved his government in February before naming Machar as vice president. The decision came after negotiations that saw the president accept reversing the decision to divide the nation into 32 states. The country will return to its original 10 states with three administrative areas.
The division of states was the major hangup in a peace agreement originally negotiated in 2017.
Kiir previously welcomed back Machar to the vice presidency in 2016 in an attempt at a power sharing agreement, but he was replaced less than a year later citing accusations of another coup plot.
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South Sudan's civil war displaced more than 2.2 million people into other countries and made more than 1.4 million without homes.


upi--2020-03-12--Hideki Matsuyama ties course record at 2020 Players Championship

March 12 ( UPI ) -- Japan 's Hideki Matsuyama tied a course record by shooting a 9-under par 63 in the first round of the 2020 Players Championship on Thursday in Ponte Vedra Beach , Fla. Matsuyama 's led the field by two strokes when he headed to the clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass .
The No .
21 golfer in the Official World Golf Ranking began the day by making four consecutive birdies on the back-9 .
He carded par scores on four of his final five holes for a score of 3-under par through nine holes .
Matsuyama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first four holes on the front-9 .
He carded a birdie on No .
2 before making three straight birdies on Nos .
5 , 6 and 7 .
Matsuyama made par on No .
8 before making an eagle on his 18th hole of the day , tying the course record .
Matsuyama has five career PGA Tour victories .
He tied for eighth at the 2019 Players Championship .
He won three times during the 2017 PGA Tour , capturing titles at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions , World Golf Championships-Bridgestone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World No .
1 Rory McIlroy won the 2019 Players Championship .
McIlroy was 2-over par through 11 holes in Thursday 's first round and tied for 113th .
World No .
2 Jon Rahm was 1-under par and tied for 57th .
No .
3 Brooks Koepka was 1-under par and tied for 99th .
The second round of the 2020 Players Championship begins at 7:40 a.m. EDT Friday .
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan announced Thursday that the tour will continue as scheduled despite the nation 's coronavirus outbreak .
Monahan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attend tour events , starting Friday at the Players Championship and continuing through the Valero Texas Open .
The Valero Texas Open is from March 30 to April 5 in San Antonio .
Retief Goosen , Talor Gooch and Sam Ryder will tee off in the first group on No .
1 Friday .
Luke List , Carlos Ortiz and Kiradech Aphibarnrat will tee off on No .
10 .
Matsuyama will be in a second-round group with Americans Patrick Reed and Patrick Cantlay .
The trio tees off at 1:29 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bubba Watson , Jason Dufner and Jimmy Walker tee off at 1:29 p.m. on No .
10 .
The 2020 Players Championship wraps up Sunday at TPC Sawgrass .

Hideki Matsuyama made an eagle on his final hole of the first round at the 2020 Players Championship Thursday in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 12 (UPI) -- After one round of play, the PGA Tour canceled the 2020 Players Championship and all other tournaments across the next three weeks because of concerns about the coronavirus outbreak. "It is with regret that we are announcing the cancellation of The Players Championship," the PGA Tour said in a statement Thursday night. "We have also decided to cancel all PGA Tour events -- across all of our Tours -- in the coming weeks, through the Valero Texas Open. Advertisement
"We have pledged from the start to be responsible, thoughtful and transparent with our decision process. We did everything possible to create a safe environment for our players in order to continue the event throughout the weekend, and we were endeavoring to give our fans a much-needed respite from the current climate.
"But at this point -- and as the situation continues to rapidly change -- the right thing to do for our players and our fans is to pause."
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According to the statement, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan will answer additional questions at 8 a.m. EDT Friday.
Before the cancellation of the tournament, Japan's Hideki Matsuyama tied a course record by shooting a 9-under par 63 in the first round of the 2020 Players Championship on Thursday in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Matsuyama led the field by two strokes when he headed to the clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass. Harris English, Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Si Woo Kim each finished 7-under par for a share of second place.
The No. 21 golfer in the Official World Golf Ranking began the day by making four consecutive birdies on the back-9. Matsuyama carded par scores on four of his final five holes for a score of 3-under par through nine holes.
Matsuyama then made par on three of his first four holes on the front-9. He carded a birdie on No. 2 before making three straight birdies on Nos. 5, 6 and 7. Matsuyama made par on No. 8 before making an eagle on his 18th hole of the day, tying the course record.
That's how you finish. An eagle to tie the course record for Hideki Matsuyama.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/E6faRFR1s3— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 12, 2020 Advertisement
Matsuyama has five career PGA Tour victories. He tied for eighth at the 2019 Players Championship. He won three times during the 2017 PGA Tour, capturing titles at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions, World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational and Waste Management Phoenix Open.
World No. 1 Rory McIlroy, who won the 2019 Players Championship, was 2-over par through 11 holes in Thursday's first round before ending with an even 72. World No. 2 Jon Rahm was 3-under par and tied for 22nd. No. 3 Brooks Koepka finished 2-under par and tied for 37th.
Monahan previously announced that fans will not be allowed to attend tour events, starting Friday at the Players Championship and continuing through the Valero Texas Open. The Valero Texas Open is from March 30 to April 5 in San Antonio.
The three canceled events after the Players Championship are the Valspar Championship, the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play and the Valero Texas Open. The PGA Tour previously canceled the Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship.


upi--2020-03-12--SOUTHCOM Commander Craig S. Faller: DoD to 'right-size' staffing at Guantanamo Bay

March 12 ( UPI ) -- The Department of Defense is considering reducing the number of staff at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility , Pentagon officials said this week .
Navy Adm. Craig S. Faller and Southcom Commander told reporters at a Pentagon press briefing that officials are considering `` right-sizing '' staffing at the prison to increase efficiency and effectiveness .
Faller said defense secretary Mark Esper had raised the issue of adjusting the size of operations at the site . ''
I think that the way I would look at what we 're doing in the detention facility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 're making it fit for the task , the purpose and the numbers , '' he said .
''So there 'll be savings and a tremendous manpower savings and a cost savings for consolidation on footprint , but it 's absolutely the right thing to do .
And so I would n't look at it as a reduction so much as a re-balance . ''
Faller , who was in Washington , D.C. , primarily to testify on Capitol Hill regarding the 2021 defense budget , told reporters the facility has `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part due to the layout of the detention site .
The DoD 's news release does not include the most number of guards at the prison , but in September 2019 , the New York Times reported that 1,800 troops are stationed at the detention center -- or 45 for each man held at the site .
That brings the cost of operating the site to $ 13 million per prisoner .
Currently Guantanamo holds 40 men , only one of whom has been convicted of a crime .
Health care alone for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , in part because the remaining population is aging , and experiencing an attendant decline in health .
The Guantanamo Bay detention camp is situated within the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba .
Then-President George W. Bush opened the facility in January 2002 following the Sept. 11 , 2001 , terrorist attacks and his declaration of the War on Terror .
President Barack Obama promised to close the camp during his 2008 campaign .
He failed to keep that promise , but did reduce the number of prisoners from 245 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , President Donald Trump signed an executive order to keep the camp open indefinitely , but one prisoner has been released during his administration .

Admiral Craig S. Faller, Commander, U.S. Southern Command, briefs members of the news media in Washington, D.C. Photo by Marvin Lynchard/Department of Defense
March 12 (UPI) -- The Department of Defense is considering reducing the number of staff at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, Pentagon officials said this week. Navy Adm. Craig S. Faller and Southcom Commander told reporters at a Pentagon press briefing that officials are considering "right-sizing" staffing at the prison to increase efficiency and effectiveness. Advertisement
Faller said defense secretary Mark Esper had raised the issue of adjusting the size of operations at the site.
''I think that the way I would look at what we're doing in the detention facility ... is we are right-sizing that. We're making it fit for the task, the purpose and the numbers,'' he said. ''So there'll be savings and a tremendous manpower savings and a cost savings for consolidation on footprint, but it's absolutely the right thing to do. And so I wouldn't look at it as a reduction so much as a re-balance.''
Faller, who was in Washington, D.C., primarily to testify on Capitol Hill regarding the 2021 defense budget, told reporters the facility has "a heavy guard footprint," in part due to the layout of the detention site.
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The DoD's news release does not include the most number of guards at the prison, but in September 2019, the New York Times reported that 1,800 troops are stationed at the detention center -- or 45 for each man held at the site.
That brings the cost of operating the site to $13 million per prisoner.
Currently Guantanamo holds 40 men, only one of whom has been convicted of a crime.
Health care alone for Guantanamo detainees cost $4 million in 2019, in part because the remaining population is aging, and experiencing an attendant decline in health.
The Guantanamo Bay detention camp is situated within the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba.
Then-President George W. Bush opened the facility in January 2002 following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and his declaration of the War on Terror.
President Barack Obama promised to close the camp during his 2008 campaign. He failed to keep that promise, but did reduce the number of prisoners from 245 to 41 during his administration.
In January 2018, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to keep the camp open indefinitely, but one prisoner has been released during his administration.


upi--2020-03-12--Vermont attorney general sues Clearview AI for illegally obtaining people's photographs

March 12 ( UPI ) -- Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan filed a lawsuit against facial recognition software company Clearview AI after allegations that it collected photos billions of people from the Internet without their consent .
The suit alleges that Clearview broke Vermont 's Data Broker Law and its Consumer Protection Act by using the practice known as `` screen scraping '' to collect photos of people from websites such as Twitter , Facebook and Google and adding them to its database .
`` I am disturbed by this practice , particularly the practice of collecting and selling children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` This practice is unscrupulous , unethical and contrary to public policy .
I will continue to fight for the privacy of Vermonters , particularly our most valuable . ''
Donovan said that no Vermont state or local law enforcement agencies have made use of the app .
Clearview late last month sent a notification to its customers that its entire database was exposed in a data breach including its list of customers , the number of user accounts those customers had set up and how many searches they conducted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion photos it uses to allow private businesses , individuals and law enforcement to identify a person based on their photograph .

March 12 (UPI) -- Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan filed a lawsuit against facial recognition software company Clearview AI after allegations that it collected photos billions of people from the Internet without their consent.
The suit alleges that Clearview broke Vermont's Data Broker Law and its Consumer Protection Act by using the practice known as "screen scraping" to collect photos of people from websites such as Twitter, Facebook and Google and adding them to its database.
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"I am disturbed by this practice, particularly the practice of collecting and selling children's facial recognition data," Donovan said. "This practice is unscrupulous, unethical and contrary to public policy. I will continue to fight for the privacy of Vermonters, particularly our most valuable."
Donovan said that no Vermont state or local law enforcement agencies have made use of the app.
Clearview late last month sent a notification to its customers that its entire database was exposed in a data breach including its list of customers, the number of user accounts those customers had set up and how many searches they conducted.
The company has a database of 3 billion photos it uses to allow private businesses, individuals and law enforcement to identify a person based on their photograph.


upi--2020-03-12--Treasure trove: Five strange and valuable thrift store discoveries

March 12 ( UPI ) -- Thrift stores have long been hot spots for treasure hunters and bargain seekers , but sometimes the donated items turn out to have downright shocking value -- both sentimental and monetary .
Recent thrift store discoveries have included unusual finds ranging from precious photos to original works by famous artists -- and occasionally cash .
Here are five recent stories of unexpected treasures unearthed by sharp-eyed thrift store workers and customers : Wendy Hawkins , a volunteer at the Hotline Pink Thrift Ship in Kitty Hawk , N.C. , said she was going through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room when an item that appeared unusually old caught her eye .
Hawkins had the piece examined by an expert and it was identified as an original Salvador Dali wood carving , part of the artist 's 100-piece series based on Dante 's The Divine Comedy .
The store sold the piece , which bore Dali 's signature , for $ 1,200 .
Employees at the Opnieuw & Co thrift store in Mortsel , Belgium , were going through donated photo albums to ensure they were cleared out before hitting the sales floor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The photos in the album depicted a woman posing with celebrities including Keanu Reeves , Tom Cruise , Angelina Jolie and Drew Barrymore .
The store used social media to identify the woman as Maria Snoeys-Lagler , a former member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association who died in 2016 at age 87 .
A Belgian TV station put the store in contact with Snoeys-Lagler 's daughter in California so the album and photos could be returned to the family .
A British family going through the collection of avid treasure hunter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had purchased from a thrift store in Hungerford , England , in 1982 was a rare artifact .
The plate was made in 1754 in Vincennes , France , for King Louis XV .
The dish , which only cost Howard $ 17 , was auctioned for $ 32,615 .
Heather Gardner bought a blue North Face jacket for her fiance , Dustin , at the Real Life Ministries Thrift Store in Pinehurst , Idaho , in October 2019 .
Gardner said Dustin wore the jacket several times before he opened a zipper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ item '' -- a valuable engagement ring .
Gardner said she is trying to track down the jacket 's original owner to return the ring .
Howard Kirby bought a couch and ottoman set from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Owosso , Mich. , and the furniture was in his man cave for a few weeks before he investigated why a cushion on the ottoman was unusually firm .
Kirby 's daughter-in-law opened the cushion and discovered it had been stuffed with $ 43,170 cash .
Kirby said a lawyer advised him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep the money , but he decided to contact the store in hope of identifying its rightful owner .
The money ended up with Kim Fauth-Newberry , whose recently deceased grandfather was the original owner of the furniture .
She said her family had almost had the couch and ottoman burned before deciding to donate it .

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March 12 (UPI) -- Thrift stores have long been hot spots for treasure hunters and bargain seekers, but sometimes the donated items turn out to have downright shocking value -- both sentimental and monetary.
Recent thrift store discoveries have included unusual finds ranging from precious photos to original works by famous artists -- and occasionally cash.
Advertisement
Here are five recent stories of unexpected treasures unearthed by sharp-eyed thrift store workers and customers:
1. An original Salvador Dali wood engraving
Wendy Hawkins, a volunteer at the Hotline Pink Thrift Ship in Kitty Hawk, N.C., said she was going through donated artworks in the store's sorting room when an item that appeared unusually old caught her eye.
Hawkins had the piece examined by an expert and it was identified as an original Salvador Dali wood carving, part of the artist's 100-piece series based on Dante's The Divine Comedy. The store sold the piece, which bore Dali's signature, for $1,200.
Advertisement
2. Celebrity photo collection
Employees at the Opnieuw & Co thrift store in Mortsel, Belgium, were going through donated photo albums to ensure they were cleared out before hitting the sales floor when they came across an unusual collection.
The photos in the album depicted a woman posing with celebrities including Keanu Reeves, Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie and Drew Barrymore. The store used social media to identify the woman as Maria Snoeys-Lagler, a former member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association who died in 2016 at age 87.
A Belgian TV station put the store in contact with Snoeys-Lagler's daughter in California so the album and photos could be returned to the family.
Advertisement
3. King Louis XV's plate
A British family going through the collection of avid treasure hunter Judith Howard discovered a porcelain dish she had purchased from a thrift store in Hungerford, England, in 1982 was a rare artifact.
The plate was made in 1754 in Vincennes, France, for King Louis XV. The dish, which only cost Howard $17, was auctioned for $32,615.
4. Engagement ring
Heather Gardner bought a blue North Face jacket for her fiance, Dustin, at the Real Life Ministries Thrift Store in Pinehurst, Idaho, in October 2019.
Gardner said Dustin wore the jacket several times before he opened a zipper pocket and discovered "a very sentimental item" -- a valuable engagement ring. Gardner said she is trying to track down the jacket's original owner to return the ring.
5. Cold, hard cash
Howard Kirby bought a couch and ottoman set from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Owosso, Mich., and the furniture was in his man cave for a few weeks before he investigated why a cushion on the ottoman was unusually firm.
Advertisement
Kirby's daughter-in-law opened the cushion and discovered it had been stuffed with $43,170 cash. Kirby said a lawyer advised him that he would be within his rights to keep the money, but he decided to contact the store in hope of identifying its rightful owner.
The money ended up with Kim Fauth-Newberry, whose recently deceased grandfather was the original owner of the furniture. She said her family had almost had the couch and ottoman burned before deciding to donate it.


upi--2020-03-12--Coronavirus: EU slams President Donald Trump for 'unilateral' move to ban flights to U.S.

March 12 ( UPI ) -- Leaders of the European Union reacted harshly Thursday to the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to bar travel into the United States for 30 days , saying he failed to consult with the 27-member bloc about the coronavirus pandemic that keeps slamming the travel industry .
Trump announced in a national address Wednesday night that no flights from Europe 's `` Schengen Area '' -- where travel is permitted between countries without passports or border controls -- will be allowed into the United States beginning at midnight Friday .
Travelers who have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two weeks of their scheduled travel to the United States will be denied entry .
The affected countries are Austria , Belgium , Czech Republic , Denmark , Estonia , Finland , France , Germany , Greece , Hungary , Iceland , Italy , Latvia , Liechtenstein , Lithuania , Luxembourg , Malta , Netherlands , Norway , Poland , Portugal , Slovakia , Slovenia , Spain , Sweden and Switzerland .
Thursday , European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel criticized Trump 's decision , particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice or feedback from the EU .
`` The coronavirus is a global crisis , not limited to any continent and it requires cooperation rather than unilateral action , '' they said in a statement .
`` The European Union disapproves of the fact that the U.S. decision to impose a travel ban was taken unilaterally and without consultation .
`` The European Union is taking strong action to limit the spread of the virus . ''
Speaking to reporters at the White House Thursday , Trump dismissed the criticisms .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we did n't want to take time , '' he said .
Foreign nationals who have been to one of the Schengen Area countries within the last 14 days will be denied U.S. entry and affected U.S. citizens abroad must be booked through `` an approved airport . ''
Trump decided on a 14-day period because that 's the incubation period for the coronavirus disease .
EU leaders held a conference call Tuesday to formulate a strategy for confronting the outbreak , which is now deemed a pandemic by the World Health Organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 28 billion fund to cushion its economic impact and to work to ensure adequate medical equipment and supplies .
Trump said the ban will not affect travel from Britain and there will be exemptions for Americans overseas who have undergone appropriate screening .
Johns Hopkins University , which has been tracking global coronavirus cases , said there were more than 1,300 cases in the United States by Thursday morning and 38 deaths .
The university 's tally says eight cases have recovered in a handful of states .
Trump 's travel ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry , which has seen passenger demand plummet over the past week .
Many U.S. carriers have responded by significantly reducing flights and capacity to and from coronavirus-heavy areas , like China .
Most U.S. airlines responded by saying they will comply with Trump 's ban on flights from Europe .
Delta Air Lines said it will continue to `` quickly make adjustments to service , as needed , in response to government travel directives . ''
United Airlines also indicated it would meet the president 's directive .
American Airlines said Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities to comply with these new orders while treating all of our customers with respect . ''
Wednesday , German carrier Lufthansa announced it will cancel about 23,000 flights due to `` exceptional circumstances caused by the spread of the coronavirus . ''
Norwegian Air said it 's suspending more than 4,000 flights and temporarily laying off up to 50 percent of employees in all departments .
More layoffs could come depending on the length of travel disruptions .
Shares of European airlines reacted negatively Thursday to the ban .
Air France-KLM , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all saw losses of about 5 percent in trading Thursday afternoon .
Norwegian Air Shuttle was down 20 percent at one point .

1/4
Travelers stand in line at the Adolfo-Suarez Barajas International Airport in Madrid on March 12, 2020. Photo by Emilio Naranjo/EPA-EFE
March 12 (UPI) -- Leaders of the European Union reacted harshly Thursday to the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to bar travel into the United States for 30 days, saying he failed to consult with the 27-member bloc about the coronavirus pandemic that keeps slamming the travel industry. Trump announced in a national address Wednesday night that no flights from Europe's "Schengen Area" -- where travel is permitted between countries without passports or border controls -- will be allowed into the United States beginning at midnight Friday. Advertisement
Travelers who have been in any of those 26 nations within two weeks of their scheduled travel to the United States will be denied entry. The affected countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
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Thursday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel criticized Trump's decision, particularly because the U.S. leader didn't seek advice or feedback from the EU.
"The coronavirus is a global crisis, not limited to any continent and it requires cooperation rather than unilateral action," they said in a statement. "The European Union disapproves of the fact that the U.S. decision to impose a travel ban was taken unilaterally and without consultation.
"The European Union is taking strong action to limit the spread of the virus."
Speaking to reporters at the White House Thursday, Trump dismissed the criticisms.
"We had to make a decision, and we didn't want to take time," he said.
Foreign nationals who have been to one of the Schengen Area countries within the last 14 days will be denied U.S. entry and affected U.S. citizens abroad must be booked through "an approved airport."
Trump decided on a 14-day period because that's the incubation period for the coronavirus disease.
EU leaders held a conference call Tuesday to formulate a strategy for confronting the outbreak, which is now deemed a pandemic by the World Health Organization. They agreed to set up a $28 billion fund to cushion its economic impact and to work to ensure adequate medical equipment and supplies.
Advertisement
Trump said the ban will not affect travel from Britain and there will be exemptions for Americans overseas who have undergone appropriate screening.
Johns Hopkins University, which has been tracking global coronavirus cases, said there were more than 1,300 cases in the United States by Thursday morning and 38 deaths. The university's tally says eight cases have recovered in a handful of states.
Trump's travel ban was another blow to the global travel industry, which has seen passenger demand plummet over the past week. Many U.S. carriers have responded by significantly reducing flights and capacity to and from coronavirus-heavy areas, like China.
Most U.S. airlines responded by saying they will comply with Trump's ban on flights from Europe.
Delta Air Lines said it will continue to "quickly make adjustments to service, as needed, in response to government travel directives." United Airlines also indicated it would meet the president's directive.
American Airlines said Thursday it will "work closely with U.S. authorities to comply with these new orders while treating all of our customers with respect."
Wednesday, German carrier Lufthansa announced it will cancel about 23,000 flights due to "exceptional circumstances caused by the spread of the coronavirus."
Advertisement
Norwegian Air said it's suspending more than 4,000 flights and temporarily laying off up to 50 percent of employees in all departments. More layoffs could come depending on the length of travel disruptions.
Shares of European airlines reacted negatively Thursday to the ban. Air France-KLM, easyjet and British Airways' parent company all saw losses of about 5 percent in trading Thursday afternoon. Norwegian Air Shuttle was down 20 percent at one point.


upi--2020-03-12--Dow Jones falls 2,300 points after second market halt of the week

March 12 ( UPI ) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell nearly 10 percent on Thursday , its worst day since the 1987 market crash , amid ongoing concerns about COVID-19 and the oil markets .
The Dow closed down 2,352.6 points , or 9.99 percent , the Nasdaq shed 9.43 percent and the S & P 500 ended the day down 9.51 percent and a rarely used mechanism on Wall Street kicked in Thursday for the second time this week early in the day .
After rarely being used during its first 31 years , a safety mechanism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market free-fall -- automatically activated after U.S. indices sank to begin trading .
Thursday 's losses continued a cold streak for U.S. markets on Wall Street this week .
The safety mechanism was installed in 1988 after the `` Black Monday '' crash that saw the Dow lose nearly a quarter of its value .
It cuts power to market infrastructure for 15 minutes before allowing trades to resume .
The falls came several hours after President Donald Trump said Wednesday night the United States would ban entry to travelers from Europe for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep the virus from spreading .
The move did n't appear to calm nerves on Wall Street and was criticized by the European Union .
Adding to the concern , oil prices tumbled to near $ 33 a barrel .
Rystad Energy said banned flights could lead to a drop in oil demand by 600,000 barrels .
United Airlines stock fell 24.85 percent , Delta slid 21.04 percent and American Airlines dropped 17.28 percent , fueled by the president 's travel ban .
`` Temporarily shutting off travel from Europe is going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the travel industry and the 15.7 million Americans whose jobs depend on travel , '' Roger Dow , president of the U.S. Travel Association , said in a statement .
`` We have and will continue to engage Congress and the administration on policy steps that are necessary to ensure that travel employers -- 83 percent of which are small businesses -- can keep the lights on for their employees . ''
The Federal Reserve said it will inject more than $ 1.5 trillion of temporary liquidity into the market on Thursday and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy .
`` These changes are being made to address highly unusual disruptions in Treasury financing markets associated with the coronavirus outbreak , '' the Fed said .
The European Central Bank said Thursday it will expand its assets purchase program by $ 135 billion to stimulate the economy , but opted not to cut interest rates , which many analysts expected it to do .
`` The coronavirus is proving to be a significant shock to our economies , '' Andrea Enria , chairwoman of the ECB supervisory board , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be in a position to continue financing households and corporates experiencing temporary difficulties . ''
The world 's top cryptocurrency , Bitcoin , also recorded significant losses Thursday , with its value dropping 15 percent in the first 20 minutes .

1/5
A board on the the floor of the New York Stock Exchange shows the Dow after it lost more than 2,000 points in early trading Thursday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 12 (UPI) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell nearly 10 percent on Thursday, its worst day since the 1987 market crash, amid ongoing concerns about COVID-19 and the oil markets. The Dow closed down 2,352.6 points, or 9.99 percent, the Nasdaq shed 9.43 percent and the S&P 500 ended the day down 9.51 percent and a rarely used mechanism on Wall Street kicked in Thursday for the second time this week early in the day. Advertisement
After rarely being used during its first 31 years, a safety mechanism -- to interrupt trading and prevent a market free-fall -- automatically activated after U.S. indices sank to begin trading.
Thursday's losses continued a cold streak for U.S. markets on Wall Street this week. The safety mechanism was installed in 1988 after the "Black Monday" crash that saw the Dow lose nearly a quarter of its value. It cuts power to market infrastructure for 15 minutes before allowing trades to resume.
The falls came several hours after President Donald Trump said Wednesday night the United States would ban entry to travelers from Europe for 30 days, in a bid to keep the virus from spreading. The move didn't appear to calm nerves on Wall Street and was criticized by the European Union.
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Adding to the concern, oil prices tumbled to near $33 a barrel. Rystad Energy said banned flights could lead to a drop in oil demand by 600,000 barrels.
United Airlines stock fell 24.85 percent, Delta slid 21.04 percent and American Airlines dropped 17.28 percent, fueled by the president's travel ban.
"Temporarily shutting off travel from Europe is going to exacerbate the already-heavy impact of coronavirus on the travel industry and the 15.7 million Americans whose jobs depend on travel," Roger Dow, president of the U.S. Travel Association, said in a statement.
"We have and will continue to engage Congress and the administration on policy steps that are necessary to ensure that travel employers -- 83 percent of which are small businesses -- can keep the lights on for their employees."
The Federal Reserve said it will inject more than $1.5 trillion of temporary liquidity into the market on Thursday and Friday to prevent trading conditions from harming the economy.
"These changes are being made to address highly unusual disruptions in Treasury financing markets associated with the coronavirus outbreak," the Fed said.
The European Central Bank said Thursday it will expand its assets purchase program by $135 billion to stimulate the economy, but opted not to cut interest rates, which many analysts expected it to do.
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"The coronavirus is proving to be a significant shock to our economies," Andrea Enria, chairwoman of the ECB supervisory board, said in a statement. "Banks need to be in a position to continue financing households and corporates experiencing temporary difficulties."
The world's top cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, also recorded significant losses Thursday, with its value dropping 15 percent in the first 20 minutes.


upi--2020-03-12--Sen. Bernie Sanders wins California primary

More than a week after Californians participated in the state 's Democratic primary , a final count of mail-in votes and provisional ballots gave Sanders , I-Vt. , the win .
Both CNN and NBC News called the race in his favor , with 34.3 percent of the vote , or about 184 delegates .
Former Vice President Joe Biden won 27.6 percent -- good for an estimated 144 delegates .
The remaining 81 delegates are unallocated , some going toward candidates who 've since dropped out of the race , including Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, who got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg who got 12.9 percent .
California is one of four states Sanders won on March 10 , compared to Biden 's nine .
This primary season , Biden has 864 pledged delegates and Sanders has 711 .
The two candidates will next face each other Sunday during a debate at CNN 's Washington , D.C .
The Democratic National Committee announced Thursday it wo n't have a live audience for the event as a precautionary measure due to the coronavirus outbreak .
The next primaries are scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Illinois and Ohio .

Sen. Bernie Sanders has 711 delegates compared to former Vice President Joe Biden's 864. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
March 12 (UPI) -- Sen. Bernie Sanders won the biggest Super Tuesday prize -- California -- news outlets projected Thursday. More than a week after Californians participated in the state's Democratic primary, a final count of mail-in votes and provisional ballots gave Sanders, I-Vt., the win. Both CNN and NBC News called the race in his favor, with 34.3 percent of the vote, or about 184 delegates. Advertisement
Former Vice President Joe Biden won 27.6 percent -- good for an estimated 144 delegates. The remaining 81 delegates are unallocated, some going toward candidates who've since dropped out of the race, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who got 13.2 percent of the vote and former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg who got 12.9 percent.
California is one of four states Sanders won on March 10, compared to Biden's nine. This primary season, Biden has 864 pledged delegates and Sanders has 711.
The two candidates will next face each other Sunday during a debate at CNN's Washington, D.C. The Democratic National Committee announced Thursday it won't have a live audience for the event as a precautionary measure due to the coronavirus outbreak.
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The next primaries are scheduled for Tuesday in Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio.


upi--2020-03-12--Occidental Petroleum fined $18.25 million for fatal 2017 natural gas explosion

DENVER , March 12 ( UPI ) -- Colorado state oil and gas regulators assessed a record $ 18.25 million fine Thursday to an oil and gas company found to be at fault in a deadly 2017 house explosion that killed two people .
Jeff Robbins , director of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission , the state 's regulatory agency , said an `` aggravating factor '' of loss of life boosted the penalty against Kerr McGee , a subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum Corp. Mark Martinez and Joey Irwin were killed in Firestone , Colo. , and Erin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 , when leaking odorless natural gas ignited as the two men were replacing a basement hot water heater .
Flames shot hundreds of feet into the air and the house was destroyed .
Kerr McGee failed to protect the health and safety of people and environment by neglecting its properties , the Colorado notice of violation said .
`` Our lives are forever changed , '' Firestone widow Erin Martinez said in a statement Thursday .
`` It is hard to comprehend that the only recourse is a penalty or a fine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on human life ? ''
Martinez family members received an undisclosed settlement in 2018 in a civil suit against Anadarko Petroleum Corp. , parent company of Kerr McGee at the time of the explosion .
Agency chief Robbins said fine revenue will go toward special projects for mapping buried flowlines and increasing air monitoring equipment for methane leaks .
Occidental spokesperson Jennifer Brice said in a statement the company would not contest the penalties .
`` We are mindful of the events of April 17 , 2017 , every day , and our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , friends and communities affected by the Firestone tragedy , '' Brice said .
The multimillion-dollar penalty is the second this year by state agencies for oil and gas explosions .
`` This is a high fine for the state of Colorado , '' said Jeremy Nichols , climate and energy program director for WildEarth Guardians .
`` A multimillion-dollar fine sends a message to the industry .
It is about trying to deter future incidents , '' Nichols said .
`` But no state has really been able to hold this industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay its way out of killing people , '' he said .
`` Safety has been , and will remain , our industry 's top priority , '' Dan Haley , president and chief executive officer , of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association , wrote in an email .
`` Our members are always working hard to improve our safety practices , to share those best practices and to commit to getting better , cleaner and safer each day . ''
An October , 2019 , investigation of the Firestone explosion by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a severed plastic pipeline from a dormant , but unplugged , well was the source of the gas that blew up the house .
Anadarko Petroleum had acquired a license to the well , which was left open with a low gas flow .
Anadarko was acquired by Occidental last year .
New Colorado laws require mapping of all underground gas lines starting this year .

Colorado regulators fined Kerr McGee $18.25 million for a 2017 gas explosion that blew up a house and killed two people. File photo by Gary C. Caskey/UPI
DENVER, March 12 (UPI) -- Colorado state oil and gas regulators assessed a record $18.25 million fine Thursday to an oil and gas company found to be at fault in a deadly 2017 house explosion that killed two people. Jeff Robbins, director of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the state's regulatory agency, said an "aggravating factor" of loss of life boosted the penalty against Kerr McGee, a subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum Corp. Advertisement
Mark Martinez and Joey Irwin were killed in Firestone, Colo., and Erin Martinez was badly burned April 17, 2017, when leaking odorless natural gas ignited as the two men were replacing a basement hot water heater. Flames shot hundreds of feet into the air and the house was destroyed.
Kerr McGee failed to protect the health and safety of people and environment by neglecting its properties, the Colorado notice of violation said.
"Our lives are forever changed," Firestone widow Erin Martinez said in a statement Thursday. "It is hard to comprehend that the only recourse is a penalty or a fine, how do you put a price on human life?"
Martinez family members received an undisclosed settlement in 2018 in a civil suit against Anadarko Petroleum Corp., parent company of Kerr McGee at the time of the explosion.
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Agency chief Robbins said fine revenue will go toward special projects for mapping buried flowlines and increasing air monitoring equipment for methane leaks.
Occidental spokesperson Jennifer Brice said in a statement the company would not contest the penalties.
"We are mindful of the events of April 17, 2017, every day, and our thoughts continue to be with the families, friends and communities affected by the Firestone tragedy," Brice said.
The multimillion-dollar penalty is the second this year by state agencies for oil and gas explosions.
Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection fined pipeline company Energy Transfer $30 million for a 2018 pipeline explosion.
"This is a high fine for the state of Colorado," said Jeremy Nichols, climate and energy program director for WildEarth Guardians. "A multimillion-dollar fine sends a message to the industry. It is about trying to deter future incidents," Nichols said.
"But no state has really been able to hold this industry accountable. The industry is trying to pay its way out of killing people," he said.
"Safety has been, and will remain, our industry's top priority," Dan Haley, president and chief executive officer, of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association, wrote in an email. "Our members are always working hard to improve our safety practices, to share those best practices and to commit to getting better, cleaner and safer each day."
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An October, 2019, investigation of the Firestone explosion by the National Transportation Safety Board showed that a severed plastic pipeline from a dormant, but unplugged, well was the source of the gas that blew up the house.
Anadarko Petroleum had acquired a license to the well, which was left open with a low gas flow. Anadarko was acquired by Occidental last year.
New Colorado laws require mapping of all underground gas lines starting this year.


upi--2020-03-12--McConnell cancels Senate recess amid coronavirus work

March 12 ( UPI ) -- The Senate 's planned recess for next week has been canceled as Congress works on legislation tackling the coronavirus outbreak , Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell announced Thursday .
Senators had been scheduled to leave Thursday for their weeklong recess .
`` Notwithstanding the scheduled state work period , the Senate will be in session next week , '' McConnell tweeted .
`` I am glad talks are ongoing between the Administration and Speaker [ Nancy ] Pelosi .
I hope Congress can pass bipartisan legislation to continue combating the coronavirus and keep our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made any announcements about whether the House will cancel its recess as well .
She said during her weekly news conference Thursday afternoon that the House plans to vote later in the day on a multi-billion dollar bill to battle COVID-19 .
House Democrats unveiled the bill Wednesday , called the Families First Coronavirus Response Act .
It includes free testing for anyone in need , paid sick leave and enhanced unemployment insurance .
It also includes clear protections for frontline workers , increased federal funds for Medicaid and strengthened food security initiatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seniors nutrition and food banks .
Specifically , the bill includes more than $ 1 billion for food assistance with $ 500 million allocated to provide food to low-income pregnant women and mothers of young children who lose their jobs due to COVID-19 , $ 400 million for local food banks and $ 250 million for the senior nutrition program .
It also calls for the Department of Agriculture to approve plans to provide SNAP assistance to children who receive free or discounted meals so they can continue to have food while their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes requirements that all employees receive 14 days of paid sick leave .
On Friday , President Donald Trump signed an $ 8.3 billion coronavirus funding bill that some have said is n't enough to protect Americans from the negative effects of the outbreak .

U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell talks are ongoing between the Senate, House and President Donald Trump on coronavirus legislation. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo
March 12 (UPI) -- The Senate's planned recess for next week has been canceled as Congress works on legislation tackling the coronavirus outbreak, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell announced Thursday. Senators had been scheduled to leave Thursday for their weeklong recess. Advertisement
"Notwithstanding the scheduled state work period, the Senate will be in session next week," McConnell tweeted. "I am glad talks are ongoing between the Administration and Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi. I hope Congress can pass bipartisan legislation to continue combating the coronavirus and keep our economy strong."
Pelosi hasn't made any announcements about whether the House will cancel its recess as well.
She said during her weekly news conference Thursday afternoon that the House plans to vote later in the day on a multi-billion dollar bill to battle COVID-19. House Democrats unveiled the bill Wednesday, called the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
It includes free testing for anyone in need, paid sick leave and enhanced unemployment insurance. It also includes clear protections for frontline workers, increased federal funds for Medicaid and strengthened food security initiatives, including SNAP, student meals and seniors nutrition and food banks.
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Specifically, the bill includes more than $1 billion for food assistance with $500 million allocated to provide food to low-income pregnant women and mothers of young children who lose their jobs due to COVID-19, $400 million for local food banks and $250 million for the senior nutrition program. It also calls for the Department of Agriculture to approve plans to provide SNAP assistance to children who receive free or discounted meals so they can continue to have food while their schools are closed.
The bill also includes requirements that all employees receive 14 days of paid sick leave.
On Friday, President Donald Trump signed an $8.3 billion coronavirus funding bill that some have said isn't enough to protect Americans from the negative effects of the outbreak.
Darryl Coote contributed to this report.


upi--2020-03-12--World Athletics Council fines Russia $10 million over anti-doping breach

March 12 ( UPI ) -- The World Athletics Council Thursday fined the Russian Athletics Federation $ 10 million over breaching anti-doping rules .
RusAF must pay $ 5 million of the $ 10 million fine by July 1 and not commit any further breach to have the rest of the fine suspended for two years , the council said in a statement .
World Athletics added that the RusAF will have the Authorized Neutral Athletes process for Russian athletes reinstated if it complies with fine payment and anti-doping rules .
Under the ANA process , once the World Athletics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there will be no restrictions on the number of ANA that can compete in international one-day events around the world .
Still , the council has capped at 10 the number of ANA that can compete in Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and other World Athletics and European Athletics senior events .
`` The package of sanctions approved by the Council today reflects the seriousness of RusAF 's wrongdoing and sends a clear message that we take these types of offenses by our Member Federations extremely seriously , '' World Athletics President Sebastain Coe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have consistently tried to separate the clean athletes from a tainted system , which is why we have reinstated the ANA process for athletes from Russia , enabling them to once again compete in International one-day competitions and earn prize money , but we have restricted the number of athletes eligible to compete in senior International and European events , including at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games . ''
The fine comes after the entire executive committee of the organization that oversees Russia 's national track and field team resigned last month amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian high-jumper Danil Lysenko and former RusAF president Dmitry Shylakhtin were among those charged in November with anti-doping rules breaches , including obstructing an investigation .
In particular , Russian athletics officials were banned for fabricating documents from a bogus clinic in Moscow purporting to show that Lysenko was too ill to provide his whereabouts for drug testing .

The World Athletics Council's $10 million fine on the Russian Athletics Federation came after Russian high-jumper Danil Lysenko was charged in November with violating anti-doping rules. File Photo by Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPA-EFE
March 12 (UPI) -- The World Athletics Council Thursday fined the Russian Athletics Federation $10 million over breaching anti-doping rules. RusAF must pay $5 million of the $10 million fine by July 1 and not commit any further breach to have the rest of the fine suspended for two years, the council said in a statement. Advertisement
World Athletics added that the RusAF will have the Authorized Neutral Athletes process for Russian athletes reinstated if it complies with fine payment and anti-doping rules.
Under the ANA process, once the World Athletics Doping Review Board grants ANA status, there will be no restrictions on the number of ANA that can compete in international one-day events around the world.
Still, the council has capped at 10 the number of ANA that can compete in Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and other World Athletics and European Athletics senior events.
"The package of sanctions approved by the Council today reflects the seriousness of RusAF's wrongdoing and sends a clear message that we take these types of offenses by our Member Federations extremely seriously," World Athletics President Sebastain Coe said in the statement. "We have consistently tried to separate the clean athletes from a tainted system, which is why we have reinstated the ANA process for athletes from Russia, enabling them to once again compete in International one-day competitions and earn prize money, but we have restricted the number of athletes eligible to compete in senior International and European events, including at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games."
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The fine comes after the entire executive committee of the organization that oversees Russia's national track and field team resigned last month amid accusations of institutional doping and cover-ups.
Russian high-jumper Danil Lysenko and former RusAF president Dmitry Shylakhtin were among those charged in November with anti-doping rules breaches, including obstructing an investigation.
In particular, Russian athletics officials were banned for fabricating documents from a bogus clinic in Moscow purporting to show that Lysenko was too ill to provide his whereabouts for drug testing.


upi--2020-03-12--Look: Baekhyun recording new solo music

Look: Baekhyun recording new solo music

March 12 ( UPI ) -- South Korean singer Baekhyun is working on new solo music .
The 27-year-old K-pop @ @ @ @ @ the boy band EXO , shared a photo from the studio Thursday on Twitter .
@ @ @ @ @ , including a microphone and a music stand with what appears to be two sheets @ @ @ @ @ `` I 'm recording ! ''
in another tweet to fans .
He confirmed in @ @ @ @ @ that he is working on new solo music .
Baekhyun released his debut solo EP @ @ @ @ @ July .
The EP includes the single `` UN Village . ''
Baekhyun came to @ @ @ @ @ released its seventh studio album , Obsession , in October .
The group also consists @ @ @ @ @ Suho , Lay , Chanyeol , D.O.
, Kai and Sehun .
News broke in @ @ @ @ @ and expecting his first child .

March 12 (UPI) -- South Korean singer Baekhyun is working on new solo music.
The 27-year-old K-pop star, a member of the boy band EXO, shared a photo from the studio Thursday on Twitter.
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The picture shows recording equipment, including a microphone and a music stand with what appears to be two sheets of lyrics.
Baekhyun said "I'm recording!" in another tweet to fans. He confirmed in a response to one fan that he is working on new solo music.
Baekhyun released his debut solo EP, City Lights, in July. The EP includes the single "UN Village."
Baekhyun came to fame with EXO, which released its seventh studio album, Obsession, in October. The group also consists of Chen, Xiumin, Suho, Lay, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai and Sehun.
News broke in January that Chen is engaged and expecting his first child.


upi--2020-03-12--Joe Biden unveils coronavirus plan, criticizes Trump's 'shortcomings'

March 12 ( UPI ) -- Former Vice President Joe Biden called for no-cost testing and economic measures to help those already living paycheck-to-paycheck as part of a plan to battle coronavirus he released Thursday .
He announced details from the roadmap to battle COVID-19 in Wilmington , Del .
`` Whether or not you 're affected or know someone who is affected or have been in contact with an infected person , this is going to require a national response , '' Biden said .
He called for `` radical changes in our personal behaviors , '' including more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home when ill , avoiding handshakes and the cancelation of large gatherings across the nation .
He said his presidential campaign established a public health advisory group to help him determine how to handle future campaign events .
Biden canceled rallies and fundraising events in Cleveland and Chicago this week due to the virus .
Among the recommendations he made for battling coronavirus were : -- No-cost testing for all Americans , including mobile and drive-up testing to minimize exposure to others .
-- Emergency paid leave for those affected by the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accounting of how many tests have been done and how many people have tested positive .
-- Prepare for potential military deployment to assist in providing medical capacity and logistical support .
-- Increase telemedicine efforts to free up hospital beds and resources for the very sick .
-- Protect first responders , medical employees and other frontline workers at risk .
-- Accelerate the development of treatment and vaccines .
-- Increase the United States ' role in a global response to the pandemic .
Biden condemned President Donald Trump 's reaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his temporary ban on all travel from Europe announced Wednesday night .
`` Banning travel from Europe or any other part of the world will maybe slow it , but as we 've seen , it will not stop it , '' Biden said , adding that the pandemic has `` laid bare the shortcomings of this administration . ''
He said the plan he released Thursday is available for the Trump administration to implement today .
Biden said the United States should n't wait for the coronavirus outbreak to get worse before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll will grow faster , larger and more dangerous , '' he said .
`` We must do whatever it takes , spend whatever it takes .
`` This crisis will hit everyone , but it will hit folks who live paycheck-to-paycheck the hardest . ''
Earlier Thursday , Biden hired former Rep. Beto O'Rourke aide Jen O'Malley Dillon as his new campaign manager .
Biden is the front-runner in the 2020 Democratic primary race , with 864 delegates to Sen. Bernie Sanders ' 710 .

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Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden delivers remakes on the coronavirus in Wilmington, Del., on Thursday. Biden established an advisory panel to assist his campaign in dealing with the coronavirus. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
March 12 (UPI) -- Former Vice President Joe Biden called for no-cost testing and economic measures to help those already living paycheck-to-paycheck as part of a plan to battle coronavirus he released Thursday. He announced details from the roadmap to battle COVID-19 in Wilmington, Del. Advertisement
"Whether or not you're affected or know someone who is affected or have been in contact with an infected person, this is going to require a national response," Biden said.
He called for "radical changes in our personal behaviors," including more frequent and thorough hand washing, staying home when ill, avoiding handshakes and the cancelation of large gatherings across the nation. He said his presidential campaign established a public health advisory group to help him determine how to handle future campaign events.
Biden canceled rallies and fundraising events in Cleveland and Chicago this week due to the virus.
Among the recommendations he made for battling coronavirus were:
-- No-cost testing for all Americans, including mobile and drive-up testing to minimize exposure to others.
-- Emergency paid leave for those affected by the outbreak.
-- A daily public White House accounting of how many tests have been done and how many people have tested positive.
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-- Establishing multi-hundred-bed temporary hospitals in certain locations.
-- Prepare for potential military deployment to assist in providing medical capacity and logistical support.
-- Increase telemedicine efforts to free up hospital beds and resources for the very sick.
-- Protect first responders, medical employees and other frontline workers at risk.
-- Accelerate the development of treatment and vaccines.
-- Increase the United States' role in a global response to the pandemic.
Biden condemned President Donald Trump's reaction to the virus, specifically pointing to his temporary ban on all travel from Europe announced Wednesday night.
"Banning travel from Europe or any other part of the world will maybe slow it, but as we've seen, it will not stop it," Biden said, adding that the pandemic has "laid bare the shortcomings of this administration."
He said the plan he released Thursday is available for the Trump administration to implement today.
Biden said the United States shouldn't wait for the coronavirus outbreak to get worse before reacting.
"The human and economic toll will grow faster, larger and more dangerous," he said. "We must do whatever it takes, spend whatever it takes.
"This crisis will hit everyone, but it will hit folks who live paycheck-to-paycheck the hardest."
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Earlier Thursday, Biden hired former Rep. Beto O'Rourke aide Jen O'Malley Dillon as his new campaign manager.
Biden is the front-runner in the 2020 Democratic primary race, with 864 delegates to Sen. Bernie Sanders' 710.


upi--2020-03-12--Smallest known dinosaur found trapped in 99-million-year-old amber

March 12 ( UPI ) -- Paleontologists have discovered a tiny new species of dinosaur trapped in ancient amber from Myanmar .
Scientists estimate the bird-like species is the smallest known dinosaur .
The skull of the new species , which scientists estimate is fully formed , was found inside 99-million-year-old amber .
Its size suggests the unusual dinosaur species was roughly the size of a bee hummingbird , the smallest bird on Earth .
`` Amber preservation of vertebrates is rare , and this provides us a window into the world of dinosaurs at the lowest end of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ associate professor of biology at Claremont McKenna College in California , said in a news release .
`` Its unique anatomical features point to one of the smallest and most ancient birds ever found . ''
Scientists used high-resolution synchrotron scans , a kind of CT scan , to analyze the skull of the newly named Oculudentavis khaungraae and compare the fossil 's features and dimensions to those of other bird-like dinosaurs from the late Cretaceous period .
The size of the bones that supported the dinosaur 's eyes suggests it lived a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eyes share similarities with the eyes of modern lizards .
The high-resolution scans also revealed signs of fusion between different skull bones , as well as the presence of teeth , a combination of features never seen in such a small species .
The fossil 's discovery , described this week in the journal Nature , suggests the earliest birds and their dino relatives likely evolved miniaturization relatively early on .
`` No other group of living birds features species with similarly small crania in adults , '' Schmitz said .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a small glimpse of what tiny vertebrates looked like in the age of the dinosaurs . ''

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Scientists found a well-preserved, bird-like dinosaur skull fossil in a piece of ancient amber. Photo by Xing Lida
March 12 (UPI) -- Paleontologists have discovered a tiny new species of dinosaur trapped in ancient amber from Myanmar. Scientists estimate the bird-like species is the smallest known dinosaur. The skull of the new species, which scientists estimate is fully formed, was found inside 99-million-year-old amber. Its size suggests the unusual dinosaur species was roughly the size of a bee hummingbird, the smallest bird on Earth. Advertisement
"Amber preservation of vertebrates is rare, and this provides us a window into the world of dinosaurs at the lowest end of the body-size spectrum," Lars Schmitz, associate professor of biology at Claremont McKenna College in California, said in a news release. "Its unique anatomical features point to one of the smallest and most ancient birds ever found."
Scientists used high-resolution synchrotron scans, a kind of CT scan, to analyze the skull of the newly named Oculudentavis khaungraae and compare the fossil's features and dimensions to those of other bird-like dinosaurs from the late Cretaceous period.
The size of the bones that supported the dinosaur's eyes suggests it lived a diurnal lifestyle. The bird-like species' eyes share similarities with the eyes of modern lizards. The high-resolution scans also revealed signs of fusion between different skull bones, as well as the presence of teeth, a combination of features never seen in such a small species.
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The fossil's discovery, described this week in the journal Nature, suggests the earliest birds and their dino relatives likely evolved miniaturization relatively early on.
"No other group of living birds features species with similarly small crania in adults," Schmitz said. "This discovery shows us that we have only a small glimpse of what tiny vertebrates looked like in the age of the dinosaurs."