upi--2020-02-29--Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Carrie Symonds are engaged, expecting a baby

Feb. 29 ( UPI ) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds are engaged and expecting a baby in early summer , a spokesperson for the couple said .
The baby is due in early summer , Symonds said in a post announcing the news on her private Instagram account .
Symonds said the couple got engaged at the end of the year , and she felt `` incredibly blessed , '' the BBC reported .
Johnson , 55 , and Symonds , 31 , an environmental campaigner and former Conservative Party official , moved in together in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first unmarried couple to occupy Downing Street .
Symonds , who is also the youngest partner of a prime minister in 173 years , will be Johnson 's third wife .
Johnson divorced his first wife , Allegra Mostyn-Owen in 1993 .
A court recently reached a financial settlement for him to finalized his divorce with his second wife , Marina Wheeler , which would allow him to marry Symonds .
Wheeler and Johnson have four children together and separated two years ago after marrying in 1993 .
Johnson and Symonds were first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early 2019 , but their association dates back to 2012 when she worked on his successful re-election bid as London mayor .
Symonds quit her role with the Conservative Party in 2018 and currently works as a senior adviser for the U.S. environmental campaign group Oceana .
Former chancellor Sajid Javid , who recently resigned from office unexpectedly after a dispute over Cabinet reshuffle with Johnson , posted `` congratulations '' on Twitter for the couple calling it `` wonderful news ! ''

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (R) and his partner, Carrie Symonds, (L) are expected to welcome a baby in early summer. File Photo by Will Oliver/EPA-EFE
Feb. 29 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds are engaged and expecting a baby in early summer, a spokesperson for the couple said. The baby is due in early summer, Symonds said in a post announcing the news on her private Instagram account. Advertisement
Symonds said the couple got engaged at the end of the year, and she felt "incredibly blessed," the BBC reported.
Johnson, 55, and Symonds, 31, an environmental campaigner and former Conservative Party official, moved in together in July of last year, becoming the first unmarried couple to occupy Downing Street. Symonds, who is also the youngest partner of a prime minister in 173 years, will be Johnson's third wife.
Johnson divorced his first wife, Allegra Mostyn-Owen in 1993. A court recently reached a financial settlement for him to finalized his divorce with his second wife, Marina Wheeler, which would allow him to marry Symonds.
Wheeler and Johnson have four children together and separated two years ago after marrying in 1993.
Johnson and Symonds were first romantically linked after being seen together in early 2019, but their association dates back to 2012 when she worked on his successful re-election bid as London mayor.
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Symonds quit her role with the Conservative Party in 2018 and currently works as a senior adviser for the U.S. environmental campaign group Oceana.
Former chancellor Sajid Javid, who recently resigned from office unexpectedly after a dispute over Cabinet reshuffle with Johnson, posted "congratulations" on Twitter for the couple calling it "wonderful news!"


upi--2020-02-29--Moments from the 2020 Fall-Winter Paris Fashion Week

A model takes to the catwalk during Elie Saab 's show as part of the Fall-Winter 2020 Fashion Week presentations @ @ @ @ @ .
Photo by Eco Clement/UPI

A model takes to the catwalk during Elie Saab's show as part of the Fall-Winter 2020 Fashion Week presentations in Paris on February 29. Photo by Eco Clement/UPI


upi--2020-02-29--Lenny Abrahamson to direct Sally Rooney's 'Conversations' for BBC

Feb. 29 ( UPI ) -- Room director Lenny Abrahamson is to helm a BBC miniseries based on Sally Rooney 's debut novel Conversations with Friends .
The project will air after the BBC 's adaptation of Rooney 's book Normal People debuts in the spring .
Abrahamson also directed that program .
Alice Birch wrote episodes of Normal People and is returning to pen part of Conversations .
`` I love Conversations with Friends -- its depth , humor and freshness , and it 's an honor to be involved in bringing it to the screen .
I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and her work is set to continue .
Making Normal People has been a singular pleasure and I 'm excited to be working with the same brilliant team again on Conversations with Friends , '' Abrahamson said in a press release .
The story follows Irish college students Frances and Bobbi as they form an unexpected relationship with married couple Melissa and Nick .
`` I 'm confident we 're going to find fresh and interesting ways of dramatizing the novel 's dynamics , and I 'm excited to watch the process take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ casting has been announced yet .

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Director Lenny Abrahamson is set to helm the BBC miniseries "Conversations with Friends." File Photo by Phil McCarten/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 29 (UPI) -- Room director Lenny Abrahamson is to helm a BBC miniseries based on Sally Rooney's debut novel Conversations with Friends. The project will air after the BBC's adaptation of Rooney's book Normal People debuts in the spring. Abrahamson also directed that program. Advertisement
Alice Birch wrote episodes of Normal People and is returning to pen part of Conversations.
"I love Conversations with Friends -- its depth, humor and freshness, and it's an honor to be involved in bringing it to the screen. I'm particularly happy that my connection to Sally and her work is set to continue. Making Normal People has been a singular pleasure and I'm excited to be working with the same brilliant team again on Conversations with Friends," Abrahamson said in a press release.
The story follows Irish college students Frances and Bobbi as they form an unexpected relationship with married couple Melissa and Nick.
"I'm confident we're going to find fresh and interesting ways of dramatizing the novel's dynamics, and I'm excited to watch the process take shape," Rooney said.
No casting has been announced yet.


upi--2020-02-29--Ex-Missouri officer pleads guilty in fatal Russian roulette shooting

Feb. 29 ( UPI ) -- A former Missouri police officer has pleaded guilty to killing a fellow officer last year in a Russian roulette-style shooting .
Nathaniel Hendren , 30 , a former St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officer withdrew his previous not guilty plea during a Friday morning court appearance .
He was charged with involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the shooting death of off duty-officer Katlyn Alix , 24 , in January 2019 .
Prosecutors said Alix was killed while the two were playing Russian roulette .
Judge Thom C. Clark accepted Hendren 's plea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involuntary manslaughter and a concurrent three-year term for armed criminal action .
`` The reckless behavior that took place that early morning has left an unfillable void for her grieving husband , her parents , and a host of loving family and friends , '' Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner said in a statement that she posted to Twitter .
`` Mr. Hendren 's plea admits that his actions were the cause of officer Alix 's death .
Although there is nothing that law can do to restore the life of Officer Alix , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible for her senseless death is held accountable for his careless behavior . ''
A lawsuit Alix 's family filed claimed that Hendren also forced other girlfriends to play Russian roulette .
Hendren left the police department after Alix 's death .
His state peace officer license has been suspended , so he ca n't work as a police officer .
Alix posthumously received the North Patrol 's Officer the the Year award for deeds such as running into a burning building to save lives , chasing down and arresting armed criminals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's most violent police district , months after she was killed by Hendren .

Nathaniel Hendren pleaded guilty Friday to first-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the shooting death of fellow police officer Katlyn Alix on January 24, 2019. File Photo by St. Louis Metropolitian Police Department/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 29 (UPI) -- A former Missouri police officer has pleaded guilty to killing a fellow officer last year in a Russian roulette-style shooting. Nathaniel Hendren, 30, a former St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officer withdrew his previous not guilty plea during a Friday morning court appearance. He was charged with involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the shooting death of off duty-officer Katlyn Alix, 24, in January 2019. Advertisement
Prosecutors said Alix was killed while the two were playing Russian roulette.
Judge Thom C. Clark accepted Hendren's plea agreement to serve seven years for first-degree involuntary manslaughter and a concurrent three-year term for armed criminal action.
"The reckless behavior that took place that early morning has left an unfillable void for her grieving husband, her parents, and a host of loving family and friends," Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner said in a statement that she posted to Twitter.
"Mr. Hendren's plea admits that his actions were the cause of officer Alix's death. Although there is nothing that law can do to restore the life of Officer Alix, it can make sure that the person responsible for her senseless death is held accountable for his careless behavior."
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A lawsuit Alix's family filed claimed that Hendren also forced other girlfriends to play Russian roulette.
Hendren left the police department after Alix's death. His state peace officer license has been suspended, so he can't work as a police officer.
Alix posthumously received the North Patrol's Officer the the Year award for deeds such as running into a burning building to save lives, chasing down and arresting armed criminals and strengthening rapport with youth in the city's most violent police district, months after she was killed by Hendren.


upi--2020-02-29--Coronavirus: Trump administration cracks down on travel from Iran

Feb. 29 ( UPI ) -- The Trump administration announced expanded travel restrictions Saturday in response to the spread of novel coronavirus .
Speaking at a White House press briefing alongside President Donald Trump , Vice President Mike Pence said the administration was expanding an existing restriction on travel to and from Iran to include `` any foreign national who has visited Iran in the last 14 days . ''
The administration is also advising Americans not to travel to `` the areas in Italy and the areas in South Korea that are the most affected '' by the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes after Washington state health officials confirmed the first U.S. death from COVID-19 .
The president and other administration officials who spoke at the briefing extended their condolences to the patient 's family .
Trump also said the government was contracting with 3M to manufacture 43 million more surgical masks .
He said it was n't necessary for most healthy individuals to purchase masks and that the increase in production will ensure a supply for patients and medical professionals .
`` We will respectfully ask the media and the politicians involved not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason to panic at all .
This is being handled by professionals , '' Trump said .
Trump cited travel restrictions from China as the reason the number of cases -- 22 -- is low .
He also denied having called coronavirus a hoax , saying he meant Democrats were politicizing the outbreak .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , also said he had not been `` muzzled '' by the administration , but instead said Pence had advised him not to appear on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force assembled this week had had a chance to `` regroup . ''
Fauci , along with Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar , and Centers for Disease Control Director Robert Redfield all stressed that the risk to most Americans is low .
Fauci said most individuals who contract the virus will recover , unless they are elderly or medically fragile , and that cases like that of a 40-year-old Chinese doctor who died earlier in February are outliers .

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President Donald Trump delivers a briefing on COVID-19 joined by Vice President Mike Pence (C) and Dr. Anthony Faluci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, at the White House on Saturday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 29 (UPI) -- The Trump administration announced expanded travel restrictions Saturday in response to the spread of novel coronavirus. Speaking at a White House press briefing alongside President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence said the administration was expanding an existing restriction on travel to and from Iran to include "any foreign national who has visited Iran in the last 14 days." Advertisement
The administration is also advising Americans not to travel to "the areas in Italy and the areas in South Korea that are the most affected" by the virus.
Trump's news conference came within minutes after Washington state health officials confirmed the first U.S. death from COVID-19.
The president and other administration officials who spoke at the briefing extended their condolences to the patient's family.
Trump also said the government was contracting with 3M to manufacture 43 million more surgical masks. He said it wasn't necessary for most healthy individuals to purchase masks and that the increase in production will ensure a supply for patients and medical professionals.
"We will respectfully ask the media and the politicians involved not to incite a panic because there's no reason to panic at all. This is being handled by professionals," Trump said.
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Trump cited travel restrictions from China as the reason the number of cases -- 22 -- is low.
He also denied having called coronavirus a hoax, saying he meant Democrats were politicizing the outbreak.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, also said he had not been "muzzled" by the administration, but instead said Pence had advised him not to appear on some talk shows until the federal task force assembled this week had had a chance to "regroup."
Fauci, along with Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, and Centers for Disease Control Director Robert Redfield all stressed that the risk to most Americans is low.
Fauci said most individuals who contract the virus will recover, unless they are elderly or medically fragile, and that cases like that of a 40-year-old Chinese doctor who died earlier in February are outliers.


upi--2020-02-29--President Donald Trump touts coronavirus response at CPAC

Feb. 29 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump 's talk at Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland focused on his response to the spreading coronavirus outbreak , the South Carolina primary and his Senate acquittal after being impeached by the House of Representatives .
Speaking at at 3 p.m. EST at the Gaylord Resort and Conference Center in National Harbor , the president touted his plan for increased travel restrictions from announced earlier that day , but also offered assistance to the country , where the number of cases is increasing .
`` If we can help the Iranians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professionals in the world and if we can help the Iranians with this problem we are certainly willing to do so , '' Trump said .
He also reiterated his claim that Democrats are exploiting the virus for political reasons , and predicted `` a very big win '' for former Vice President Joe Biden in Saturday 's primary race in South Carolina .
Trump also criticized fellow Republican Sen. Mitt Romney for his lone `` yes '' vote on impeachment .
Also appearing at the event Saturday are Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alex Azar , Mark Levin of Fox News and former White House strategist Sebastian Gorka .

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President Donald Trump hugs and kisses the American flag as he concludes remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Saturday in National Harbor, Md. He also hugged the flag at last year's gathering. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 29 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump's talk at Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland focused on his response to the spreading coronavirus outbreak, the South Carolina primary and his Senate acquittal after being impeached by the House of Representatives. Speaking at 3 p.m. EST at the Gaylord Resort and Conference Center in National Harbor, the president touted his plan for increased travel restrictions from announced earlier that day, but also offered assistance to the country, where the number of cases is increasing. Advertisement
"If we can help the Iranians -- we have the greatest health care professionals in the world and if we can help the Iranians with this problem we are certainly willing to do so," Trump said.
He also reiterated his claim that Democrats are exploiting the virus for political reasons, and predicted "a very big win" for former Vice President Joe Biden in Saturday's primary race in South Carolina.
Trump also criticized fellow Republican Sen. Mitt Romney for his lone "yes" vote on impeachment.
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Also appearing at the event Saturday were Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie, Heath and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, Mark Levin of Fox News and former White House strategist Sebastian Gorka.


upi--2020-02-29--Molly Shannon lands role in Showtime's 'Big Deal'

Feb. 29 ( UPI ) -- Molly Shannon has signed up for a role in Showtime 's half-hour comedy pilot @ @ @ @ @ will star and is being executive produced by Shannon 's fellow Saturday Night Live alum @ @ @ @ @ -- whose credits include Inside Amy Schumer and Big Mouth -- will serve as show-runner @ @ @ @ @ producer-writer-star and The Big Sick director Michael Showalter will helm the pilot for Big Deal @ @ @ @ @ Bayer 's a own past overcoming childhood leukemia .
Bayer and Shannon will play hosts @ @ @ @ @ channel .

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Molly Shannon is to co-star in the Showtime pilot "Big Deal." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 29 (UPI) -- Molly Shannon has signed up for a role in Showtime's half-hour comedy pilot Big Deal. The show will star and is being executive produced by Shannon's fellow Saturday Night Live alum Vanessa Bayer. Advertisement
Jessi Klein -- whose credits include Inside Amy Schumer and Big Mouth -- will serve as show-runner.
Wet Hot American Summer producer-writer-star and The Big Sick director Michael Showalter will helm the pilot for Big Deal, which is inspired by Bayer's a own past overcoming childhood leukemia.
Bayer and Shannon will play hosts at a successful home shopping channel.


upi--2020-02-29--Trader Joe's founder Joe Coulombe dies at 89

Feb. 29 ( UPI ) -- Joe Coulombe , the founder of Trader Joe 's grocery store , has died , his family announced .
He was 89 .
His son , also named , Joe , said in a statement his father died Friday after a long illness .
Born on June 3 , 1930 , Coulombe grew up on an avocado ranch in Del Mar , Calif. , near San Diego .
He served in the Air Force for a year and received his bachelor 's degree in economics and a master 's in business from Stanford University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of convenience stores around the Los Angeles area in 1958 , he came up with the idea for trading-post themed stores stocked with a global cross-section of offerings .
He noticed demographics were changing with more people going to college and more likely to travel .
The first Trader Joe 's opened in Pasadena , Calif. , in 1967 with a nautical theme and was run by people described as `` traders on the high seas , '' according to the company 's website .
Crew members at the store still describe themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' and are known for wearing bright , tropical-patterned shirts .
The inaugural store is still open .
Since its founding , it has grown from 19 California-based stores to more than 500 locations nationwide .
In 1979 , Coulombe and his employees , who had a 45 percent stake in the company , sold Trader Joe 's to a family trust established by Theo Albrecht , co-founder of the Germany-based discount supermarket chain Aldi 's .
Coulombe continued to serve as chief executive until 1989 .
Coulombe established a standard in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private-label offerings did n't contain artificial flavors , colors or preservatives and in 2007 , the company said that it would also cut out artificial trans fats .
The grocery store introduced its private label wine in 2002 , which became popular and dubbed `` Two Buck Chuck , '' because of its cheap price .
In 2019 , Consumer Reports named Trader Joe 's the only national chain to earn its top overall satisfaction store .
After retirement , Coulombe anchored a `` Food and Wine Minute , '' which aired on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke about the world 's wine regions he had visited and food trivia .
He wrapped up the segments by saying , `` This is Joe Coulombe of Trader Joe's.
`` He and his wife , Alice , also supported the Los Angeles Opera and other cultural institutions .
Coulombe is survived by his wife , three children and six grandchildren .

Joe Coulombe, the founder of Trader Joe's, died Friday at age 89. File Photo by Sikander Iqbal/ Wikimedia Commons
Feb. 29 (UPI) -- Joe Coulombe, the founder of Trader Joe's grocery store, has died, his family announced. He was 89. His son, also named, Joe, said in a statement his father died Friday after a long illness. Advertisement
Born on June 3, 1930, Coulombe grew up on an avocado ranch in Del Mar, Calif., near San Diego. He served in the Air Force for a year and received his bachelor's degree in economics and a master's in business from Stanford University.
After taking over a small chain of convenience stores around the Los Angeles area in 1958, he came up with the idea for trading-post themed stores stocked with a global cross-section of offerings. He noticed demographics were changing with more people going to college and more likely to travel.
The first Trader Joe's opened in Pasadena, Calif., in 1967 with a nautical theme and was run by people described as "traders on the high seas," according to the company's website. Crew members at the store still describe themselves as "traders on the culinary seas," and are known for wearing bright, tropical-patterned shirts.
The inaugural store is still open.
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Since its founding, it has grown from 19 California-based stores to more than 500 locations nationwide.
In 1979, Coulombe and his employees, who had a 45 percent stake in the company, sold Trader Joe's to a family trust established by Theo Albrecht, co-founder of the Germany-based discount supermarket chain Aldi's. Coulombe continued to serve as chief executive until 1989.
Coulombe established a standard in the 1970s to ensure Trader Joe's private-label offerings didn't contain artificial flavors, colors or preservatives and in 2007, the company said that it would also cut out artificial trans fats.
The grocery store introduced its private label wine in 2002, which became popular and dubbed "Two Buck Chuck," because of its cheap price.
In 2019, Consumer Reports named Trader Joe's the only national chain to earn its top overall satisfaction store.
After retirement, Coulombe anchored a "Food and Wine Minute," which aired on local radio in Los Angeles where he spoke about the world's wine regions he had visited and food trivia. He wrapped up the segments by saying, "This is Joe Coulombe of Trader Joe's. "
He and his wife, Alice, also supported the Los Angeles Opera and other cultural institutions.
Coulombe is survived by his wife, three children and six grandchildren.
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upi--2020-02-29--President Donald Trump accuses Democrats of 'politicizing' coronavirus outbreak

Feb. 29 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump told his supporters in South Carolina that the United States is `` totally prepared '' for the coronavirus and accused Democrats of `` politicizing '' the disease 's outbreak .
His remarks on the COVID-19 disease came Friday night during a rally at the North Charleston Coliseum , one day before the state held its Democratic primary .
`` The Democrats are politicizing the coronavirus .
They 're politicizing it .
They do n't have any clue .
They ca n't even count their votes in Iowa .
No , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referring to the botched Iowa caucuses in which there was a delay in reporting the results .
`` One of my people came up to me and said , 'Mr .
President , they tried to beat you on Russia , Russia , Russia . '
That did not work out too well .
They could not do it .
They tried the impeachment hoax .
`` This is their new hoax . ''
Some Democrats , including those running for president in South Carolina 's primary election Saturday , have criticized the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , which has sickened 22 people in the United States and another 47 repatriated to the country from elsewhere .
Wall Street took a hit on COVID-19 fears this week , with the Dow Jones Industrial Average taking its biggest slide since the 2008 financial crisis .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, speaking in Charleston , addressed the economic threat of the outbreak .
`` We 're looking at a serious economic downturn ... and the Trump administration is bungling every aspect , '' she said .
`` I have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure our economy works for everyone . ''
Trump appointed Vice President Mike Pence to lead the U.S. response to the outbreak .
Speaking during a press briefing Wednesday , Trump said that many of the people who have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus are doing `` very well . ''
Officials with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that all state and local public health laboratories across the country will have the capability to test for the virus by the end of next week .
The announcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of working test kits in several states with hundreds of suspected cases of the virus , most notably California .
UPI reported Thursday that California currently has 8,400 state residents under self-quarantine but only 200 kits available to test for the virus .
According to Nancy Messonnier , director of the agency 's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases , states that received kits as part of the initial batch distributed two weeks ago will be able to use them under a modified testing protocol .
Those kits yielded inconclusive results during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three testing components , while the other two were deemed effective .
On Friday , three states -- California , Oregon and Washington -- reported new cases of community-spread coronavirus .
That means the patients had no history of travel to the primarily affected countries nor did they have any interaction with known confirmed cases in the United States .
The total number of such cases is now four , with the additional case reported earlier in the week in California 's Solano County .

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U.S. President Donald Trump addresses supporters at a rally at the North Charleston Coliseum on Friday. Photo by Richard Ellis/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 29 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump told his supporters in South Carolina that the United States is "totally prepared" for the coronavirus and accused Democrats of "politicizing" the disease's outbreak. His remarks on the COVID-19 disease came Friday night during a rally at the North Charleston Coliseum, one day before the state held its Democratic primary. Advertisement
"The Democrats are politicizing the coronavirus. They're politicizing it. They don't have any clue. They can't even count their votes in Iowa. No, they can't," Trump said, referring to the botched Iowa caucuses in which there was a delay in reporting the results.
"One of my people came up to me and said, 'Mr. President, they tried to beat you on Russia, Russia, Russia.' That did not work out too well. They could not do it. They tried the impeachment hoax.
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"This is their new hoax."
Some Democrats, including those running for president in South Carolina's primary election Saturday, have criticized the Trump administration for its response to the coronavirus, which has sickened 22 people in the United States and another 47 repatriated to the country from elsewhere. Wall Street took a hit on COVID-19 fears this week, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average taking its biggest slide since the 2008 financial crisis.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaking in Charleston, addressed the economic threat of the outbreak.
"We're looking at a serious economic downturn ... and the Trump administration is bungling every aspect," she said. "I have a plan to combat this outbreak and make sure our economy works for everyone."
Trump appointed Vice President Mike Pence to lead the U.S. response to the outbreak. Speaking during a press briefing Wednesday, Trump said that many of the people who have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus are doing "very well."
Officials with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that all state and local public health laboratories across the country will have the capability to test for the virus by the end of next week.
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The announcement comes as officials face criticism over shortages of working test kits in several states with hundreds of suspected cases of the virus, most notably California. UPI reported Thursday that California currently has 8,400 state residents under self-quarantine but only 200 kits available to test for the virus.
According to Nancy Messonnier, director of the agency's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, states that received kits as part of the initial batch distributed two weeks ago will be able to use them under a modified testing protocol. Those kits yielded inconclusive results during quality assurance checks for one of their three testing components, while the other two were deemed effective.
On Friday, three states -- California, Oregon and Washington -- reported new cases of community-spread coronavirus. That means the patients had no history of travel to the primarily affected countries nor did they have any interaction with known confirmed cases in the United States.
The total number of such cases is now four, with the additional case reported earlier in the week in California's Solano County.


upi--2020-02-29--Laurence Fishburne narrating 'Autobiography of Malcolm X' for Audible

Feb. 29 ( UPI ) -- Emmy and Tony award-winning actor Laurence Fishburne has signed on to narrate The Autobiography @ @ @ @ @ .
This will be the first time the book is available via unabridged audio since @ @ @ @ @ .
It will be released on May 19 -- what would have been Malcolm X @ @ @ @ @ It 's a great honor to have the opportunity to tell Malcolm X 's story @ @ @ @ @ a news release .
`` This is a man who lived multiple lifetimes in the @ @ @ @ @ An inspiration , The Autobiography of Malcolm X remains a definitive statement within an ever-evolving @ @ @ @ @ movement .
It was a huge responsibility to take on this project and I feel @ @ @ @ @ on this profound journey . ''
Fishburne , 58 , is best known for his @ @ @ @ @ Matrix , Boyz N the Hood and Apocalypse Now .
This summer , he will @ @ @ @ @ channel 's docu-series History 's Greatest Mysteries .

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Audible has tapped Laurence Fishburne to narrate "The Autobiography of Malcolm X." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 29 (UPI) -- Emmy and Tony award-winning actor Laurence Fishburne has signed on to narrate The Autobiography of Malcolm X for Audible. This will be the first time the book is available via unabridged audio since its original publication in 1965. It will be released on May 19 -- what would have been Malcolm X's 95th birthday. Advertisement
"It's a great honor to have the opportunity to tell Malcolm X's story," Fishburne said in a news release.
"This is a man who lived multiple lifetimes in the span of 40 years. An inspiration, The Autobiography of Malcolm X remains a definitive statement within an ever-evolving civil rights and human rights movement. It was a huge responsibility to take on this project and I feel privileged to take Audible listeners on this profound journey."
Fishburne, 58, is best known for his roles in Black-ish, The Matrix, Boyz N the Hood and Apocalypse Now.
This summer, he will serve as host of History channel's docu-series History's Greatest Mysteries.


upi--2020-02-29--'Les Miserables,' Roman Polanski win big at Cesar Awards

Feb. 29 ( UPI ) -- The contemporary drama Les Miserables was named Best Film at the Cesar Awards ceremony in Paris on Friday .
Anais Desmoustier won the Best Actress Cesar for Alice and the Mayor and Roschdy Zem earned the Best Actor honor for Oh Mercy .
Roman Polanski scored the prize for Best Director for An Officer and a Spy .
The movie also won for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Costumes .
Polanski did not attend the gala at the Pleynel concert hall .
Deadline and Variety reported some attendees , including Portrait of a Lady @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the theater when Polanski 's name was read as the winner of the Best Director trophy .
About 100 protesters from a women 's advocacy group also demonstrated outside the venue , denouncing the filmmaker .
In 2018 , Hollywood 's Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences expelled the Oscar winner , along with producer Harvey Weinstein and comedian Bill Cosby , all of whom were academy members accused of sexual violence against women .
The French-born filmmaker , 86 , has a warrant out for his arrest in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual assault of a girl , who was 13 years old at the time .
Polanski pleaded guilty to the offense decades ago , but fled the country before he could be sentenced .

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Roman Polanski won the Cesar Award for Best Director for "An Officer and a Spy" in Paris Friday. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 29 (UPI) -- The contemporary drama Les Miserables was named Best Film at the Cesar Awards ceremony in Paris on Friday. Anais Desmoustier won the Best Actress Cesar for Alice and the Mayor and Roschdy Zem earned the Best Actor honor for Oh Mercy. Advertisement
Roman Polanski scored the prize for Best Director for An Officer and a Spy. The movie also won for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Costumes.
Polanski did not attend the gala at the Pleynel concert hall.
Deadline and Variety reported some attendees, including Portrait of a Lady on Fire actress Adele Haenel, walked out of the theater when Polanski's name was read as the winner of the Best Director trophy.
About 100 protesters from a women's advocacy group also demonstrated outside the venue, denouncing the filmmaker.
In 2018, Hollywood's Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences expelled the Oscar winner, along with producer Harvey Weinstein and comedian Bill Cosby, all of whom were academy members accused of sexual violence against women.
The French-born filmmaker, 86, has a warrant out for his arrest in the United States in connection with the 1977 sexual assault of a girl, who was 13 years old at the time.
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Polanski pleaded guilty to the offense decades ago, but fled the country before he could be sentenced.


upi--2020-02-29--Polls open for South Carolina Democratic primary; 54 delegates at stake

Feb. 29 ( UPI ) -- South Carolina voters headed to the polls Saturday morning for the Democratic primary , which , with 54 delegates up for grabs , promises the biggest haul of the season so far .
The polls opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m .
Anyone in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote , but no new voters will be allowed to join the line after that time .
South Carolina voters do not have to be a registered member of a party to participate in the presidential primary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The state political parties use the result of the primary to assign state delegates to the national party convention , where delegates from all participating states choose the party 's nominee , who will go on the General Election ballot in November There are 54 pledged Democratic delegates for the South Carolina primary , more than any other primary or caucus held so far .
By comparison , Nevada had 36 delegates up for grabs , New Hampshire , 24 and Iowa 41 .
The 54 delegates are allocated proportionally by primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least a 15 percent threshold to receive delegates .
In South Carolina , there are also an additional nine superdelegates , who are free to support any candidate for the president at the national convention , the same number of superdelegates that there were in New Hampshire , but less than the 12 superdelegates in Nevada .
So far this primary season , Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , is leading in the total delegate count with 45 , thanks mostly to his win in Nevada , followed by former South Bend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 and former Vice President Joe Biden at 15 .
The South Carolina Republican party canceled the GOP nominating contest this year because the party has incumbent President Donald Trump in the White House , along with a handful of other states .
The South Carolina primary is held a few days ahead of Super Tuesday where 14 states and one U.S. territory , American Samoa , head to the polls .
Texas and California have the most Super Tuesday pledged delegates up for grabs , with 228 and 415 delegates each , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 1,300 pledged delegates from Super Tuesday , about a third of the total available .

South Carolina is holding its Democratic primary Saturday. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 29 (UPI) -- South Carolina voters headed to the polls Saturday morning for the Democratic primary, which, with 54 delegates up for grabs, promises the biggest haul of the season so far. The polls opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. Anyone in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote, but no new voters will be allowed to join the line after that time. Advertisement
South Carolina voters do not have to be a registered member of a party to participate in the presidential primary, which is open to all registered voters. The state political parties use the result of the primary to assign state delegates to the national party convention, where delegates from all participating states choose the party's nominee, who will go on the General Election ballot in November
There are 54 pledged Democratic delegates for the South Carolina primary, more than any other primary or caucus held so far. By comparison, Nevada had 36 delegates up for grabs, New Hampshire, 24 and Iowa 41.
The 54 delegates are allocated proportionally by primary results, but a candidate must meet at least a 15 percent threshold to receive delegates.
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In South Carolina, there are also an additional nine superdelegates, who are free to support any candidate for the president at the national convention, the same number of superdelegates that there were in New Hampshire, but less than the 12 superdelegates in Nevada.
So far this primary season, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is leading in the total delegate count with 45, thanks mostly to his win in Nevada, followed by former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg with 25 and former Vice President Joe Biden at 15.
The South Carolina Republican party canceled the GOP nominating contest this year because the party has incumbent President Donald Trump in the White House, along with a handful of other states.
The South Carolina primary is held a few days ahead of Super Tuesday where 14 states and one U.S. territory, American Samoa, head to the polls. Texas and California have the most Super Tuesday pledged delegates up for grabs, with 228 and 415 delegates each, respectively. Altogether there will be more than 1,300 pledged delegates from Super Tuesday, about a third of the total available.


upi--2020-03-01--Golden State Warriors to sign Chasson Randle amid CBA's coronavirus shutdown

March 1 ( UPI ) -- Former Washington Wizards guard Chasson Randle will sign with the Golden State Warriors , his agent , Darrell Comer of YouFirst Sports , announced Sunday .
League sources told ESPN and the Mercury News that Randle reached a settlement with Tianjin of the Chinese Basketball Association .
According to ESPN , FIBA will grant the former Stanford guard a letter of clearance as soon as his request is processed in Switzerland .
Two previous attempts to sign a 10-day contract were blocked by his Chinese team , according to ESPN .
Randle was one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeremy Lin , Lance Stephenson , Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson , to have their seasons paused .
The CBA indefinitely suspended its league due to the coronavirus outbreak in the country .
Randle played his last game on Jan. 21 .
According to ESPN , the Chinese Basketball Association is n't expected to resume until early April , leaving many players in limbo .
In 24 games with Tianjin this season , Randle has averaged 24.8 points , four assists and 3.8 rebounds per game .
After going undrafted out of Stanford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warriors ' Summer League team before joining a team in the Czech Republic .
In 75 career NBA contests between the New York Knicks , Philadelphia 76ers and Wizards , he has averaged 5.4 points and 1.7 assists per game .

The Golden State Warriors have posted a 13-47 record this season. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
March 1 (UPI) -- Former Washington Wizards guard Chasson Randle will sign with the Golden State Warriors, his agent, Darrell Comer of YouFirst Sports, announced Sunday. League sources told ESPN and the Mercury News that Randle reached a settlement with Tianjin of the Chinese Basketball Association. According to ESPN, FIBA will grant the former Stanford guard a letter of clearance as soon as his request is processed in Switzerland. Advertisement
Two previous attempts to sign a 10-day contract were blocked by his Chinese team, according to ESPN.
Randle was one of about 40 American players, including Jeremy Lin, Lance Stephenson, Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson, to have their seasons paused. The CBA indefinitely suspended its league due to the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
Randle played his last game on Jan. 21. According to ESPN, the Chinese Basketball Association isn't expected to resume until early April, leaving many players in limbo.
In 24 games with Tianjin this season, Randle has averaged 24.8 points, four assists and 3.8 rebounds per game.
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After going undrafted out of Stanford in 2015, Randle played for the Warriors' Summer League team before joining a team in the Czech Republic. In 75 career NBA contests between the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Wizards, he has averaged 5.4 points and 1.7 assists per game.


upi--2020-03-01--California father, daughter share leap day birthday

March 1 ( UPI ) -- A baby girl born in California on Saturday and her father share the rare @ @ @ @ @ a leap day .
Mercy San Juan Medical Center shared photos of newborn Camila dressed @ @ @ @ @ her father Ivan Peñaloza both of whom were born on Feb. 29 .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ a birthday with their child on leap year is 1 in 2.1 million , '' @ @ @ @ @ Peñaloza was due March 3 and her mother Jennifer Rebollar Cortez said she was surprised @ @ @ @ @ `` We feel so blessed to have our little Camila here and so incredibly shocked @ @ @ @ @ now shares her leap day birthday with her dad , '' she said .
Peñaloza @ @ @ @ @ a birthday with his daughter .
`` I prayed to God for my little baby @ @ @ @ @ going to share this amazing bond for the rest of our lives .
I am @ @ @ @

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March 1 (UPI) -- A baby girl born in California on Saturday and her father share the rare distinction of being born on a leap day.
Mercy San Juan Medical Center shared photos of newborn Camila dressed in a frog outfit and her father Ivan Peñaloza both of whom were born on Feb. 29.
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"The odds of a parent sharing a birthday with their child on leap year is 1 in 2.1 million," the hospital wrote."
Peñaloza was due March 3 and her mother Jennifer Rebollar Cortez said she was surprised by her early arrival.
"We feel so blessed to have our little Camila here and so incredibly shocked at the coincidence that she now shares her leap day birthday with her dad," she said.
Peñaloza was also elated to share a birthday with his daughter.
"I prayed to God for my little baby girl and now we are going to share this amazing bond for the rest of our lives. I am just so happy!


upi--2020-03-01--Cincinnati Bengals planning to use franchise tag on WR A.J. Green

March 1 ( UPI ) -- The Cincinnati Bengals are planning to use the franchise tag on former Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J .
Green .
League sources told ESPN and the Cincinnati Enquirer on Sunday that the Bengals want Green to remain with the team in 2020 , regardless if it 's on the tag or a long-term deal .
If the team decides to use the franchise tag on Green , it is expected to be worth about $ 18.5 million in 2020 .
Both sides have until July 15 to agree on a long-term contract extension .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the league 's most productive wideouts since being drafted by the Bengals in the 2011 NFL Draft out of Georgia .
He ranks fourth in the NFL in receiving yards ( 8,907 ) since entering the league and is second in Bengals history in receptions ( 602 ) , receiving yards and receiving touchdowns ( 63 ) .
However , Green has battled a string of injuries in recent years .
He sat out the entire 2019 season after tearing multiple ligaments in his left ankle in the preseason .
Since 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to injuries , including 23 of the Bengals ' last 24 games .
In his last full season in 2017 , Green recorded 75 catches for 1,078 yards and eight touchdowns .
He is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and has been named second-team All-Pro on three occasions .

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green ranks fourth in receiving yards (8,907) since entering the NFL. File Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo
March 1 (UPI) -- The Cincinnati Bengals are planning to use the franchise tag on former Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Green. League sources told ESPN and the Cincinnati Enquirer on Sunday that the Bengals want Green to remain with the team in 2020, regardless if it's on the tag or a long-term deal. Advertisement
If the team decides to use the franchise tag on Green, it is expected to be worth about $18.5 million in 2020. Both sides have until July 15 to agree on a long-term contract extension.
Green, 31, has been one of the league's most productive wideouts since being drafted by the Bengals in the 2011 NFL Draft out of Georgia. He ranks fourth in the NFL in receiving yards (8,907) since entering the league and is second in Bengals history in receptions (602), receiving yards and receiving touchdowns (63).
However, Green has battled a string of injuries in recent years. He sat out the entire 2019 season after tearing multiple ligaments in his left ankle in the preseason. Since 2016, he has missed 29 games due to injuries, including 23 of the Bengals' last 24 games.
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In his last full season in 2017, Green recorded 75 catches for 1,078 yards and eight touchdowns. He is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and has been named second-team All-Pro on three occasions.


upi--2020-03-01--Judge rules Ken Cuccinelli was unlawfully appointed to head U.S. immigration agency

March 1 ( UPI ) -- A federal judge on Sunday ruled that Ken Cuccinelli was unlawfully appointed to his position atop the agency responsible for processing U.S. immigration requests and invalidated a pair of his directives .
Advocacy groups last year filed a lawsuit challenging Cuccinelli 's role as acting director of the U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services and asking that asylum policy he instituted after taking office be reversed .
The suit stated that Cuccinelli did n't satisfy legal requirements to serve in the role under the Federal Vacances Reform Act .
U.S. District Court Judge Randolph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointed as acting director of the USCIS in 2019 because the position of principal deputy he assumed before taking the role was not a `` first assistant '' job as outlined in the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 .
`` Under that commonsense understanding of the meaning of the default provision , Cuccinelli does not qualify as a 'first assistant ' because he was assigned the role of principal on day-one and by design , he never has served and never will serve 'in a subordinate capacity ' to any other official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He added that the acting secretary created a position that is `` second in command in name only . ''
`` Cuccinelli may have the title of principal deputy director and the Department of Homeland Security 's order of succession may designate the office of the Principal Deputy Director as the 'first assistant ' to the director , but labels -- without any substance -- can not satisfy the FVRA 's default rule under any plausible reading of the statute , '' he wrote .
Cuccinelli currently serves as acting deputy secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversees UCIS .
Moss also ruled that due to Cuccilenni 's unlawful appointment he lacked authorities to issue directives reducing the time asylum-seekers in `` credible fear '' proceedings have to receive counsel from lawyers and barring asylum officers from granting extensions allowing migrants to prepare for interviews .

Deputy Secretary of Department of Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli makes remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Friday, February 28, 2020, in National Harbor, Maryland. Thousands of conservative activists, elected officials and pundits gathered to hear speakers on the theme "America vs. Socialism". Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo
March 1 (UPI) -- A federal judge on Sunday ruled that Ken Cuccinelli was unlawfully appointed to his position atop the agency responsible for processing U.S. immigration requests and invalidated a pair of his directives. Advocacy groups last year filed a lawsuit challenging Cuccinelli's role as acting director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and asking that asylum policy he instituted after taking office be reversed. Advertisement
The suit stated that Cuccinelli didn't satisfy legal requirements to serve in the role under the Federal Vacances Reform Act.
U.S. District Court Judge Randolph Moss ruled that Cuccinelli was not lawfully appointed as acting director of the USCIS in 2019 because the position of principal deputy he assumed before taking the role was not a "first assistant" job as outlined in the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998.
"Under that commonsense understanding of the meaning of the default provision, Cuccinelli does not qualify as a 'first assistant' because he was assigned the role of principal on day-one and by design, he never has served and never will serve 'in a subordinate capacity' to any other official at USCIS," Moss wrote.
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He added that the acting secretary created a position that is "second in command in name only."
"Cuccinelli may have the title of principal deputy director and the Department of Homeland Security's order of succession may designate the office of the Principal Deputy Director as the 'first assistant' to the director, but labels -- without any substance -- cannot satisfy the FVRA's default rule under any plausible reading of the statute," he wrote.
Cuccinelli currently serves as acting deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees UCIS.
Moss also ruled that due to Cuccilenni's unlawful appointment he lacked authorities to issue directives reducing the time asylum-seekers in "credible fear" proceedings have to receive counsel from lawyers and barring asylum officers from granting extensions allowing migrants to prepare for interviews.


upi--2020-03-01--Boxing: Deontay Wilder exercising rematch clause with Tyson Fury

March 1 ( UPI ) -- Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder will challenge Tyson Fury for a third time after exercising his rematch clause this weekend .
Promoters Frank Warren and Bob Arum confirmed Sunday that both boxers will proceed with the trilogy fight .
`` Wilder and his representatives formally notified us [ Friday ] night that they have accepted the rematch and are going forward , '' Arum told reporters .
`` It 's going to happen in the summer , before the Olympics .
Middle of July . ''
Wilder 's decision to exercise the rematch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fury defeated Wilder in the seventh round via TKO on Feb. 22 .
Wilder 's trainer , Mark Breland , threw in the towel after Wilder was knocked down twice in the one-sided bout .
After the fight , Wilder blamed the loss on his 40-pound costume that he wore to the ring .
The `` Bronze Bomber '' said the heavy attire weakened his legs before the bout .
The loss was the first of Wilder 's ( 42-1-1 , 41 KOs ) professional boxing career .
Fury ( 30-0-1 , 21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and captured Wilder 's WBC belt with the victory .
The first meeting between Fury and Wilder took place Dec. 1 , 2018 , ending in a controversial split draw .

Tyson Fury defeated Deontay Wilder to win the WBC World Heavyweight Championship on Feb. 22, 2020, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. File Photo by Etienne Laurent/EPA-EFE
March 1 (UPI) -- Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder will challenge Tyson Fury for a third time after exercising his rematch clause this weekend. Promoters Frank Warren and Bob Arum confirmed Sunday that both boxers will proceed with the trilogy fight. Advertisement
"Wilder and his representatives formally notified us [Friday] night that they have accepted the rematch and are going forward," Arum told reporters. "It's going to happen in the summer, before the Olympics. Middle of July."
Wilder's decision to exercise the rematch clause came less than a week after Fury defeated Wilder in the seventh round via TKO on Feb. 22. Wilder's trainer, Mark Breland, threw in the towel after Wilder was knocked down twice in the one-sided bout.
OFFICIAL Bob Arum and Frank Warren have both confirmed that Deontay Wilder's team have officially triggered the rematch clause.#FuryWilder3 is on pic.twitter.com/Ifd1ServAb— Boxing on BT Sport (@BTSportBoxing) February 29, 2020
After the fight, Wilder blamed the loss on his 40-pound costume that he wore to the ring. The "Bronze Bomber" said the heavy attire weakened his legs before the bout.
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The loss was the first of Wilder's (42-1-1, 41 KOs) professional boxing career. Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs) retained his lineal heavyweight title and captured Wilder's WBC belt with the victory.
The first meeting between Fury and Wilder took place Dec. 1, 2018, ending in a controversial split draw.


upi--2020-03-01--Israel sets up voting locations for people quarantined for COVID-19

March 1 ( UPI ) -- Israel 's Election Committee has put special polling stations into place for voters that have been quarantined for potential exposure to COVID-19 .
As many as 15 polling places will be set up to allow the quarantined voters to cast their ballots in the country 's third national election in less than eleven months on Monday , the election committee 's director general Orly Ades told its parliamentary finance committee .
`` The numbers change every day , people enter and leave isolation but we are keeping an eye on it , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus in Israel where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he saw no reason to postpone the election due to the outbreak of the coronavirus .
`` I think right now we 're in control , '' he said .
Asymptomatic voters who have been quarantined will be able to vote in the tented areas as long as they wear face masks , refrain from using public transportation and follow other provisions .
The ballots will be sealed in special double envelopes and counted separately from other ballots as EMTs from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vote .
Hundreds of Israelis who may have interacted with a group of South Korean tourists that tested positive for the virus after visiting various religious and historic sites throughout the country were ordered to be quarantined last week .
The third election in less than a year comes as neither Netanyahu 's Likud party nor Benny Gantz 's Blue and White Party have been able to receive enough support to successfully form a government .
Recent polls have shown Likud with a slight lead , but not enough to break the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

1/3
An Israeli casts her ballot during a demonstration by the Emergency Medical Service, and the Central Elections Committee, for voters quarantined at home because of the coronavirus. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo
March 1 (UPI) -- Israel's Election Committee has put special polling stations into place for voters that have been quarantined for potential exposure to COVID-19. As many as 15 polling places will be set up to allow the quarantined voters to cast their ballots in the country's third national election in less than eleven months on Monday, the election committee's director general Orly Ades told its parliamentary finance committee. Advertisement
"The numbers change every day, people enter and leave isolation but we are keeping an eye on it," said Ades.
There are six confirmed cases of the virus in Israel where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he saw no reason to postpone the election due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.
"I think right now we're in control," he said.
Asymptomatic voters who have been quarantined will be able to vote in the tented areas as long as they wear face masks, refrain from using public transportation and follow other provisions.
The ballots will be sealed in special double envelopes and counted separately from other ballots as EMTs from the Magen David Adom paramedic corps will oversee the vote.
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Hundreds of Israelis who may have interacted with a group of South Korean tourists that tested positive for the virus after visiting various religious and historic sites throughout the country were ordered to be quarantined last week.
The third election in less than a year comes as neither Netanyahu's Likud party nor Benny Gantz's Blue and White Party have been able to receive enough support to successfully form a government.
Recent polls have shown Likud with a slight lead, but not enough to break the impasse that has prompted the third election.


upi--2020-03-01--'Sopranos' stars to host podcast

'Sopranos' stars to host podcast

March 1 ( UPI ) -- Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa have announced they are starting up a rewatch podcast @ @ @ @ @ played Christopher Moltisanti and Schirripa played Bobby Baccalieri on the iconic mob drama , which @ @ @ @ @ HBO from 1999 to 2007 .
Installments of the podcast will focus on specific episodes @ @ @ @ @ feature interviews with cast members , writers , directors and other experts .
No launch @ @ @ @ @ been revealed yet , but the program will be available via Spotify and iTunes , @ @ @ @ @ Michael and Steve follow the Sopranos series episode by episode giving fans all the inside @ @ @ @ @ stories and little-known facts that could only come from someone on the inside , '' @ @ @ @ @ the announcement on YouTube .
`` Along with talking about The Sopranos , Michael and @ @ @ @ @ conversations about the entertainment business , their friendship and all the folks they 've met @ @ @ @ @ is a must-listen for all Sopranos fans . ''

(L-R) Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa have announced they will host a podcast called "Talking Sopranos." File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 1 (UPI) -- Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa have announced they are starting up a rewatch podcast called Talking Sopranos. Imperioli played Christopher Moltisanti and Schirripa played Bobby Baccalieri on the iconic mob drama, which aired for six seasons on HBO from 1999 to 2007. Advertisement
Installments of the podcast will focus on specific episodes of The Sopranos and will feature interviews with cast members, writers, directors and other experts.
No launch date for the podcast has been revealed yet, but the program will be available via Spotify and iTunes, the actors said.
"Michael and Steve follow the Sopranos series episode by episode giving fans all the inside info, behind the scenes stories and little-known facts that could only come from someone on the inside," said a synopsis, following the announcement on YouTube.
"Along with talking about The Sopranos, Michael and Steve will also share candid conversations about the entertainment business, their friendship and all the folks they've met along the way. This is a must-listen for all Sopranos fans."


upi--2020-03-01--University of California Santa Cruz dismisses 54 graduate assistants striking for pay raise

March 1 ( UPI ) -- The University of California Santa Cruz terminated 54 graduate teaching assistants for failing to meet a university-imposed deadline on a strike for increased wages .
Interim Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Lori Kletzer said in a letter to students and staff on Friday that the students who had been withholding fall grade information as part of the strike would not receive spring appointments and those that had already received appointments for the spring quarter would be dismissed .
`` Unfortunately , despite our best efforts to find an amenable resolution , 54 teaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information .
As a result , we have been left with no choice but to take an action that we had truly and deeply hoped to avoid , '' Kletzer said .
The student activists said that 54 students who already had teaching jobs for the spring quarter were dismissed and 28 others who were part of the strike were notified they would no longer be considered .
About 200 graduate assistants began withholding grades in December as they demanded the university increase their wages by $ 1,412 in addition to their approximate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay for rent near the school .
Graduate assistants also began holding protests on campus and stopped teaching , holding office hours and conducting research this month .
The students called for a cancellation of classes on Monday as they plan to respond to the university 's decision in a press conference on Monday .
UAW 2865 , the union representing the students said they were shocked by the university 's `` callousness and by the violence that so many protesters experienced as they peacefully made the case for a cost of living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TAs who are standing up for a decent standard of living for themselves , UC must sit down at the bargaining table and negotiate a cost of living increase , '' said Kavitha Iyengar , president of the union .
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders called the university 's decision `` disgraceful '' and called for UCSC President Janet Napolitano to continue talks with the graduate assistants .
`` All workers deserve the right to bargain and strike for better wages and benefits , '' said Sanders .
`` To Janet Napolitano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ busting and negotiate in good faith . ''

We are graduate students @UCSC on a wildcat strike for a living wage. We can't survive in Santa Cruz on $21k/year the UC is paying us. We spend 50-70% of our wages on rent alone. We can't afford to live where we work and we demand a Cost of Living Adjustment (#COLA).#ucscstrike pic.twitter.com/daOyeLjPiH- ON STRIKE!!!: #COLA 4 UCSC (@payusmoreucsc) February 25, 2020
March 1 (UPI) -- The University of California Santa Cruz terminated 54 graduate teaching assistants for failing to meet a university-imposed deadline on a strike for increased wages.
Interim Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Lori Kletzer said in a letter to students and staff on Friday that the students who had been withholding fall grade information as part of the strike would not receive spring appointments and those that had already received appointments for the spring quarter would be dismissed.
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"Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to find an amenable resolution, 54 teaching assistants have continued to withhold fall grade information. As a result, we have been left with no choice but to take an action that we had truly and deeply hoped to avoid," Kletzer said.
The student activists said that 54 students who already had teaching jobs for the spring quarter were dismissed and 28 others who were part of the strike were notified they would no longer be considered.
About 200 graduate assistants began withholding grades in December as they demanded the university increase their wages by $1,412 in addition to their approximate income of $2,400 to help them pay for rent near the school.
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Graduate assistants also began holding protests on campus and stopped teaching, holding office hours and conducting research this month.
The students called for a cancellation of classes on Monday as they plan to respond to the university's decision in a press conference on Monday.
UAW 2865, the union representing the students said they were shocked by the university's "callousness and by the violence that so many protesters experienced as they peacefully made the case for a cost of living increase."
"Instead of firing TAs who are standing up for a decent standard of living for themselves, UC must sit down at the bargaining table and negotiate a cost of living increase," said Kavitha Iyengar, president of the union.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders called the university's decision "disgraceful" and called for UCSC President Janet Napolitano to continue talks with the graduate assistants.
"All workers deserve the right to bargain and strike for better wages and benefits," said Sanders. "To Janet Napolitano and USSC: stop this outrageous union busting and negotiate in good faith."


upi--2020-03-01--Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic out vs. Timberwolves with thumb injury

March 1 ( UPI ) -- Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic missed Sunday 's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves because of a left thumb sprain , the team announced .
Doncic played through the thumb ailment during Friday night 's loss to the Miami Heat but said after the game that he had problems catching the basketball .
`` I did n't know how important the thumb was to hold the ball , '' Doncic said .
`` It was tough .
...
I was n't myself [ Friday ] .
Just have to learn from that and move on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters Sunday that Doncic 's status for Monday 's matchup against the Chicago Bulls remains up in the air .
`` It was pretty clear in the Miami game that it 's really a problem still , '' Carlisle said .
`` He 'll be out today , and tomorrow we 'll see where we are . ''
Doncic , who was selected to his first All-Star Game this year , has averaged 28.6 points , 9.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game this season .
The 21-year-old swingman leads the Mavs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are also without guard Jalen Brunson ( right shoulder sprain ) , center Willie Cauley-Stein ( personal reasons ) and big man Dwight Powell ( right Achilles surgery ) against the T-Wolves , according to the team .
Carlisle said Cauley-Stein will rejoin the team in Chicago .

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic played through the thumb injury during Friday's loss to the Miami Heat. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo
March 1 (UPI) -- Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic missed Sunday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves because of a left thumb sprain, the team announced. Doncic played through the thumb ailment during Friday night's loss to the Miami Heat but said after the game that he had problems catching the basketball. Advertisement
"I didn't know how important the thumb was to hold the ball," Doncic said. "It was tough. ... I wasn't myself [Friday]. Just have to learn from that and move on."
Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters Sunday that Doncic's status for Monday's matchup against the Chicago Bulls remains up in the air.
"It was pretty clear in the Miami game that it's really a problem still," Carlisle said. "He'll be out today, and tomorrow we'll see where we are."
Doncic, who was selected to his first All-Star Game this year, has averaged 28.6 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game this season. The 21-year-old swingman leads the Mavs in all three categories.
The Mavericks are also without guard Jalen Brunson (right shoulder sprain), center Willie Cauley-Stein (personal reasons) and big man Dwight Powell (right Achilles surgery) against the T-Wolves, according to the team. Carlisle said Cauley-Stein will rejoin the team in Chicago.


upi--2020-03-01--Halsey to take a break from touring after this year

March 1 ( UPI ) -- Singer-songwriter Halsey said she plans to take a break from touring when her current @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I think 2020 will mark the end of me touring for a very @ @ @ @ @ for making the memories so special .
I am cherishing every single night , '' @ @ @ @ @ Instagram from Munich , Germany on Sunday .
She also posted photos of her performing @ @ @ @ @ touring the world to support her album Manic , which was released on Jan. 17 @ @ @ @ @ of the concert series is slated for June 2 through Aug. 1 .

March 1 (UPI) -- Singer-songwriter Halsey said she plans to take a break from touring when her current Manic show ends this summer.
"I think 2020 will mark the end of me touring for a very long time. Thank you for making the memories so special. I am cherishing every single night," the 25-year-old entertainer wrote on Instagram from Munich, Germany on Sunday.
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She also posted photos of her performing on stage.
Halsey is touring the world to support her album Manic, which was released on Jan. 17.
The North American leg of the concert series is slated for June 2 through Aug. 1.


upi--2020-03-01--'Invisible Man' tops North American box office with $29M

March 1 ( UPI ) -- Horror movie Invisible Man is the No .
1 movie in North America , @ @ @ @ @ receipts this weekend in its debut , BoxOfficeMojo.com announced on Sunday .
Coming in at @ @ @ @ @ the Hedgehog with $ 16 million , followed by The Call of the Wild at @ @ @ @ @ 13.2 million , My Hero Academia : Heroes Rising at No .
4 with $ @ @ @ @ @ for Life at No .
5. with $ 4.3 million .
Sonic the Hedgehog was @ @ @ @ @ weeks , earning $ 26.3 million last weekend and $ 57 million in the debut @ @ @ @ @ of $ 100 million .
Rounding out the top tier are Birds of Prey at @ @ @ @ @ 4.7 million , Impractical Jokers : The Movie at No .
7 with $ 3.5 @ @ @ @ @ .
8 with $ 2.7 million , Brahms : The Boy II at No .
@ @ @ @ @ and Fantasy Island at No .
10 with $ 2.3 million .

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Actress Elisabeth Moss' "Invisible Man" is the No. 1 film in North America this weekend. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
March 1 (UPI) -- Horror movie Invisible Man is the No. 1 movie in North America, earning $29 million in receipts this weekend in its debut, BoxOfficeMojo.com announced on Sunday. Coming in at No. 2 is Sonic the Hedgehog with $16 million, followed by The Call of the Wild at No. 3 with $13.2 million, My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising at No. 4 with $5.1 million and Bad Boys for Life at No. 5. with $4.3 million. Sonic the Hedgehog was No. 1 for two weeks, earning $26.3 million last weekend and $57 million in the debut weekend -- for a total of $100 million. Advertisement
Rounding out the top tier are Birds of Prey at No. 6 with $4.7 million, Impractical Jokers: The Movie at No. 7 with $3.5 million, 1917 at No. 8 with $2.7 million, Brahms: The Boy II at No. 9 with $2.6 million and Fantasy Island at No. 10 with $2.3 million.


upi--2020-03-01--Coronavirus death toll passes 3,000 worldwide; cases in Italy rise 40%

March 1 ( UPI ) -- The number of coronavirus deaths worldwide passed 3,000 and cases neared 90,000 Sunday with fewer ones being reported in China -- the epicenter of the disease -- but numbers climbing elsewhere , including a 40 percent spike in one day in Italy .
China reported an additional 35 fatalities and 573 cases Sunday morning .
Since the first death was reported in China on Jan. 11 , double-digit fatality totals and triple-digit cases have frequently been reported .
Mainland China has recorded 2,870 of the 3,006 deaths , according to a compilation Sunday by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday .
The number of cases has reached 88,177 , including 79,824 in mainland China .
Hong Kong has two deaths and Taiwan one elsewhere in China .
On Saturday , the World Health Organization llisted the cases at 85,403 .
With the disease spreading globally , the WHO said it has issues the `` highest level of alert . ''
`` This is a reality check for every government on the planet : Wake up .
Get ready , '' Dr. Mike Ryan , executive director of WHO 's health emergencies program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may be on its way and you need to be ready .
You have a duty to your citizens , you have a duty to the world to be ready . ''
The bulk of the 133 deaths outside China , including an additional three dozen Saturday , are clustered in Iran with 54 , Italy with 34 and South Korea with 20 .
Recording their first deaths most Saturday or Sunday are the United States , Australia , Thailand and Ecuador .
In addition , six deaths are associated with the Diamond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , China on a scheduled 14-day cruise .
Around 700 of the 2,6666 guests and 1,045 crew have been stricken , including 44 Americans .
Princess cruise line said of the passengers left the ship last week , and Health minister Katsunobu Kato said Sunday that all crew members have now left the Diamond Princess after the quarantine since the ship docked in Yokahama , Japan , on Feb. 3 .
In Italy , the number of cases jumped Sunday to 1,694 -- primarily in the northern portion of the nation -- from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The death toll rose by eight on Saturday and five on Sunday .
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has banned events and meetings in public places in Milan until next Sunday .
American Airlines and Delta Airlines are suspending flights to Milan because of elevated guidance from the U.S. state Department .
On Sunday , Delta said the last flight out of New York 's JFK Airport will be Monday and the last return flight will be Tuesday .
The airline plans to resume flights to Milan on May 1 .
American suspended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York 's JFK Airport to Milan , the airline announced Saturday night .
`` Due to a reduction in demand , '' the airline said , flights are suspended in Milan with service scheduled to resume April 25 .
Flights to Rome are not affected .
Amid the outbreak , Pope Francis was coughing at the traditional blessing Sunday in Vatican City .
From the window on St. Peter 's Square , he said he is canceling his participation at a week-long spiritual retreat in the Roman countryside because of a cold .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been tested for coronavirus .
In Iran , 385 cases were reported Saturday with 978 so far infected , Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour told reported , according Iran 's state news agency Mehr .
The death count increased 20 from 34 .
Any U.S. citizen or lawful U.S. permanent resident returning to the United States who has traveled to Iran within the previous 14 days must enter the United States through an approved airport .
Iran , like in Japan and Korea , has temporarily shut down schools and canceled public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced 586 new cases Sunday for a total of 3,736 .
On Sunday , four deaths were reported , all of whom lived in the southeastern city of Daegu and were in their 80s .
That includes one new fatality .
Schools are closed for two more weeks .
Of the cases , more than 2,113 are linked to the Shincheonji religious group .
`` We are trying our best to check the entire member list of Shincheonji who have traveled to China in January , considering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since February , '' said Kwon Joon-wook , a spokesman for the CDC .
`` In that process , we have found cases in January including Wuhan but we need to conduct further investigation as this information can be a good reference to understand how such a wide outbreak occurred in South Korea among Shincheonji members . ''
In Japan , a man in his 70s has died in Hokkaido , northern Japan , bringing the death toll to 12 , not counting those on the cruise ship .
In all , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Tokyo Marathon had 300 elite runners and about 600 volunteers .
Normally , there are 35,000 participants and 10,000 volunteers .
The streets in Tokyo were empty with traffic cones in place to direct runners along the route .
Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios began a two-week closure on Saturday .
Two Disneyland resorts in Shanghai , China , and Hong Kong have been closed since Jan. 26 .
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe asked schools nationwide to close for most of March .
In Australia , the first death was a 78-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Princess .
His wife was also infected and remained in a stable condition , Western Australia state 's Chief Health Officer Andrew Robertson told reporters at a press briefing .
The number of cases nationwide are 24 .
In France , the Louvre museum in Paris announced it `` can not open '' Sunday .
On Saturday the French government banned all indoor gatherings of more than 5,000 people .
In addition , a French official has advised against cheek kissing .
`` Reduction of physical social contact is recommended .
This includes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister Olivier Véran told reporters Saturday in Paris .
Most cases have been linked to travel in mainland China .
China 's National Health Commission said 41,625 patients have recovered and been discharged from the hospital and 51,856 are now under medical observation .
Worldwide , 41,997 are listed as being recovered .
Hubei province had reported 66,907 cases of confirmed infections , including 49,122 in Wuhan , and 2,761 deaths , including 2,195 in the Chinese city .
Currently no vaccine exists but WHO Director-General Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Friday .
During a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccines are in development globally , and several therapeutics are in clinical trials .
`` We expect the first results in a few weeks , '' he said .

People wearing masks visit the Ueno Park in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday, March 1, 2020. Japan's government request to canceled or postponed big event nationwide to control the spread of new coronavirus. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
March 1 (UPI) -- The number of coronavirus deaths worldwide passed 3,000 and cases neared 90,000 Sunday with fewer ones being reported in China -- the epicenter of the disease -- but numbers climbing elsewhere, including a 50 percent spike in one day in Italy. China reported an additional 35 fatalities and 573 cases Sunday morning. Since the first death was reported in China on Jan. 11, triple-digit fatality totals and cases in the thousands have frequently been reported. Advertisement
Mainland China has recorded 2,870 of the 3,006 deaths, according to a compilation Sunday by the South China Morning Post. on Sunday.
The number of cases has reached 88,177, including 79,824 in mainland China. Hong Kong has two deaths and Taiwan one elsewhere in China.
On Saturday, the World Health Organization llisted the cases at 85,403.
With the disease spreading globally, the WHO said it has issues the "highest level of alert."
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"This is a reality check for every government on the planet: Wake up. Get ready," Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO's health emergencies program, said Friday. "This virus may be on its way and you need to be ready. You have a duty to your citizens, you have a duty to the world to be ready."
The bulk of the 133 deaths outside China, including an additional three dozen Saturday, are clustered in Iran with 54, Italy with 34 and South Korea with 20.
Recording their first deaths on Saturday or Sunday are the United States, Australia, Thailand and Ecuador. A second fatality in the United States -- both were in Washington State -- was announced one day later Sunday.
In addition, six deaths are associated with the Diamond Princess cruise ship that traveled to Wuha, China on a scheduled 14-day cruise. Around 700 of the 2,6666 guests and 1,045 crew have been stricken, including 44 Americans.
Princess cruise line said of the passengers left the ship last week, and Health minister Katsunobu Kato said Sunday that all crew members have now left the Diamond Princess after the quarantine since the ship docked in Yokahama, Japan, on Feb. 3.
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In Italy, the number of cases jumped Sunday to 1,694 -- primarily in the northern portion of the nation -- from 1,128 on Saturday and 888 on Friday. The death toll rose by eight on Saturday and five on Sunday.
now has 1,694 confirmed coronavirus cases, up from 1,128 confirmed cases on Saturday.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has banned events and meetings in public places in Milan until next Sunday.
That includes La Scala opera house.
American Airlines and Delta Airlines are suspending flights to Milan because of elevated guidance from the U.S. state Department.
On Sunday, Delta said the last flight out of New York's JFK Airport will be Monday and the last return flight will be Tuesday. The airline plans to resume flights to Milan on May 1.
American suspended flights from Miami International Airport and New York's JFK Airport to Milan, the airline announced Saturday night. "Due to a reduction in demand," the airline said, flights are suspended in Milan with service scheduled to resume April 25.
Flights to Rome are not affected.
Amid the outbreak, Pope Francis was coughing at the traditional blessing Sunday in Vatican City. From the window on St. Peter's Square, he said he is canceling his participation at a week-long spiritual retreat in the Roman countryside because of a cold. It wasn't confirmed whether the pope has been tested for coronavirus.
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In Iran, 385 cases were reported Saturday with 978 so far infected, Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour told reported, according Iran's state news agency Mehr. The death count increased 20 from 34.
Any U.S. citizen or lawful U.S. permanent resident returning to the United States who has traveled to Iran within the previous 14 days must enter the United States through an approved airport.
Iran, like in Japan and Korea, has temporarily shut down schools and canceled public gatherings.
In South Korea, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced 586 new cases Sunday for a total of 3,736.
On Sunday, four deaths were reported, all of whom lived in the southeastern city of Daegu and were in their 80s.
That includes one new fatality. Schools are closed for two more weeks.
Of the cases, more than 2,113 are linked to the Shincheonji religious group.
"We are trying our best to check the entire member list of Shincheonji who have traveled to China in January, considering a large outbreak began from South Korea since February," said Kwon Joon-wook, a spokesman for the CDC. "In that process, we have found cases in January including Wuhan but we need to conduct further investigation as this information can be a good reference to understand how such a wide outbreak occurred in South Korea among Shincheonji members."
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In Japan, a man in his 70s has died in Hokkaido, northern Japan, bringing the death toll to 12, not counting those on the cruise ship. In all, there are 256 cases.
On Sunday, the Tokyo Marathon had 300 elite runners and about 600 volunteers. Normally, there are 35,000 participants and 10,000 volunteers.
The streets in Tokyo were empty with traffic cones in place to direct runners along the route.
Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios began a two-week closure on Saturday. Two Disneyland resorts in Shanghai, China, and Hong Kong have been closed since Jan. 26.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe asked schools nationwide to close for most of March.
In Australia, the first death was a 78-year-old man repatriated from the cruise ship Diamond Princess.
His wife was also infected and remained in a stable condition, Western Australia state's Chief Health Officer Andrew Robertson told reporters at a press briefing. The number of cases nationwide are 24.
In France, the Louvre museum in Paris announced it "cannot open" Sunday.
On Saturday the French government banned all indoor gatherings of more than 5,000 people.
In addition, a French official has advised against cheek kissing.
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"Reduction of physical social contact is recommended. This includes 'la bise,' " French health minister Olivier Véran told reporters Saturday in Paris.
France has reported 100 cases, including two deaths.
Most cases have been linked to travel in mainland China.
China's National Health Commission said 41,625 patients have recovered and been discharged from the hospital and 51,856 are now under medical observation.
Worldwide, 41,997 are listed as being recovered.
Hubei province had reported 66,907 cases of confirmed infections, including 49,122 in Wuhan, and 2,761 deaths, including 2,195 in the Chinese city.
Currently no vaccine exists but WHO Director-General Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Friday. During a briefing, he said more than 20 vaccines are in development globally, and several therapeutics are in clinical trials.
"We expect the first results in a few weeks," he said.


upi--2020-03-02--Britain, EU begin post-Brexit trade talks in Belgium

March 2 ( UPI ) -- Britain and the European Union were to begin the first round of trade talks Monday following London 's exit from the alliance a month ago .
British lead negotiator David Frost and EU counterpart Michael Barnier were scheduled for their initial meeting in Brussels Monday afternoon to start a nine-month process in which they will try to forge Britain 's new trade relationship with the EU .
Monday 's meeting was to be followed by a plenary session involving all delegates , followed by two days of bilateral talks focusing on a range of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a topic which has already caused international friction .
The publication of each side 's trade manifestos last week revealed big differences which will need to be resolved quickly if the deal is to be reached within the time frame of Britain 's post-EU transition period , during which the two sides are continuing their former relationship .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson seeks a relationship similar to Canada 's , which has mainly tariff-free access to the EU 's market .
Barnier , however , has ruled that out , saying Britain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe make a Canada-style deal unworkable .
Instead , Brussels is pushing for commitments from London to align its laws and regulations with Europe 's -- what it calls the `` level playing field . ''
The biggest obstacle , however , is likely to be EU fishing rights in Britain 's coastal waters .
Ireland and other EU members such as Denmark , France , Spain and the Netherlands are insisting on continued access to British waters .
The political atmosphere surrounding the talks is already tense .
British International Trade Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to walk away at the end of the transition period without a deal and revert to an Australian model , which most runs along basic World Trade Organization default rules .
`` We want a deal with the EU on Canada-style terms , if we have to trade with the EU on Australia-style terms , we will , '' Truss said .
Johnson has said he will not extend the Dec. 31 deadline if negotiations are stalled , but the EU has warned it will not pressured into a signing any trade deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the British leader .

An EU flag is seen outside of British Parliament in London, Britain. Negotiators for both sides were set to begin Monday to try and reach a set of trade agreements following London's EU departure a month ago. File Photo by Neil Hall/EPA-EFE
March 2 (UPI) -- Britain and the European Union were to begin the first round of trade talks Monday following London's exit from the alliance a month ago. British lead negotiator David Frost and EU counterpart Michael Barnier were scheduled for their initial meeting in Brussels Monday afternoon to start a nine-month process in which they will try to forge Britain's new trade relationship with the EU. Advertisement
Monday's meeting was to be followed by a plenary session involving all delegates, followed by two days of bilateral talks focusing on a range of individual issues, including fishing rights -- a topic which has already caused international friction.
The publication of each side's trade manifestos last week revealed big differences which will need to be resolved quickly if the deal is to be reached within the time frame of Britain's post-EU transition period, during which the two sides are continuing their former relationship.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson seeks a relationship similar to Canada's, which has mainly tariff-free access to the EU's market. Barnier, however, has ruled that out, saying Britain's close proximity and deep links to Europe make a Canada-style deal unworkable. Instead, Brussels is pushing for commitments from London to align its laws and regulations with Europe's -- what it calls the "level playing field."
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The biggest obstacle, however, is likely to be EU fishing rights in Britain's coastal waters. Ireland and other EU members such as Denmark, France, Spain and the Netherlands are insisting on continued access to British waters.
The political atmosphere surrounding the talks is already tense. British International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said Monday London is prepared to walk away at the end of the transition period without a deal and revert to an Australian model, which most runs along basic World Trade Organization default rules.
"We want a deal with the EU on Canada-style terms, if we have to trade with the EU on Australia-style terms, we will," Truss said.
Johnson has said he will not extend the Dec. 31 deadline if negotiations are stalled, but the EU has warned it will not pressured into a signing any trade deal by any "artificial deadline" imposed by the British leader.


upi--2020-03-02--Israelis return to polls for 3rd time within a year

March 2 ( UPI ) -- The parties of Benjamin Netanyahu and political rival Benny Gantz squared off again Monday for the third time in less than a year in Israeli elections that hope to break a stalemate that 's frozen political progress .
Polls opened across Israel on Monday , for the first time since a vote last September did not lead to a unity government .
Netanyahu , already Israel 's longest-serving prime minister , has a corruption trial looming on March 17 .
He is still popular enough to have easily vanquished an internal challenge earlier and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies like U.S. President Donald Trump .
Polling prior to Monday 's election showed Netanyahu 's Likud Party had slightly increased its lead , but not enough to break a stalemate that has stymied the government for almost a year .
An Arab-majority group has now grown to Israel 's third-largest party and is expected to win more seats .
Along with the 10,631 polling stations open for voters , 14 stations were created for the 5,630 quarantined because of the coronavirus .
More than 68 percent of voters turned out in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent for the race in September .
Gantz said he will accept the results of this election but added that he expects Netanyahu 's allies to support his Blue and White Party once the prime minister 's trial starts in a few weeks .
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said Monday he felt `` deep shame '' that divisions among Israel 's politicians have become so bad that they failed to form a coalition government over the past two national elections .
`` I have an uneasy feeling , shame even , '' Rivlin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deserve this .
We do n't deserve another awful and grubby election campaign like the one that ends today and we do n't deserve this never-ending instability . ''

1/6
Israeli President Reuven Rivling cast his ballot Monday in Jerusalem, during the nation's third election in less than a year. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo
March 2 (UPI) -- Turnout in Israel was high despite precautions over the coronavirus and concerns of voter fatigue Monday as voters participated in national elections for the third time in less than a year. Election officials said more than 27 percent of voters had cast a ballot by noon, marking the highest turnout since 1999 as the parties of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and political rival Benny Gantz squared off in another effort to break a stalemate that's frozen political progress. Advertisement
Polls opened across Israel on Monday, five months after the previous vote failed to resolve the standoff.
Concerns were widespread that Israel's strict regulations on self-quarantining to battle the coronavirus would depress turnout -- 5,630 Israelis were confined to the their homes as part of national effort to prevents its spread.
Along with the 10,631 polling stations open for voters, 14 "pop-up" stations staffed by paramedics wearing protective suits and masks were created for quarantined residents. They were also required to wear masks and gloves and slip their ballots into a plastic bag before placing it into the ballot box.
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Netanyahu sought to calm fears over the outbreak Monday, praising Israelis' determination to exercise their "great democratic right" to vote despite the adversity.
Voter fatigue was also feared after more than 68 percent of voters turned out in the first election last April and nearly 70 percent for the race in September.
Netanyahu, already Israel's longest-serving prime minister, has a corruption trial looming on March 17. He is still popular enough to have easily vanquished an internal challenge earlier and still has the ear of powerful foreign allies like U.S. President Donald Trump.
Polling prior to Monday's election showed Netanyahu's Likud Party had slightly increased its lead, but not enough to break a stalemate that has stymied the government for almost a year. An Arab-majority group has now grown to Israel's third-largest party and is expected to win more seats.
Gantz said he will accept the results of this election but added that he expects Netanyahu's allies to support his Blue and White Party once the prime minister's trial starts in a few weeks.
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said Monday he felt "deep shame" that divisions among Israel's politicians have become so bad that they failed to form a coalition government over the past two national elections.
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"I have an uneasy feeling, shame even," Rivlin said. "We just don't deserve this. We don't deserve another awful and grubby election campaign like the one that ends today and we don't deserve this never-ending instability."


upi--2020-03-02--Pelicans' Zion Williamson scores career high in loss vs. LeBron James' Lakers

March 2 ( UPI ) -- Rookie Zion Williamson scored a career-high 35 points during a New Orleans Pelicans loss to the Los Angeles Lakers .
LeBron James had 34 points , 13 assists and 12 rebounds in the 122-114 win Sunday at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans .
Lakers star Anthony Davis did not play due to tightness in his right knee .
James embraced Williamson after the game before praising him during his locker room interview with reporters .
`` It 's my obligation and it 's my job to continue to pass on the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after me , '' James said .
`` That 's just my responsibility .
No one told me to do that .
`` I just feel like it 's my responsibility to leave the game in a better place than when I had it . ''
The Pelicans had a 33-29 lead at the end of the first quarter .
Williamson poured in 11 points in the second quarter , but the Lakers had a 63-61 lead at halftime .
James had 19 points in the first half .
The game stayed tight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelicans earning a 95-93 advantage entering the final frame .
The Lakers responded with an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter to take a 106-101 lead with 7:24 remaining .
New Orleans tied the game once down the stretch , but could not overcome the deficit .
James had 13 points in the fourth quarter .
Williamson had 12 points in the final frame .
The Lakers outscored the Pelicans 29-19 in the final 12 minutes .
`` He is who he is , '' Williamson said of James .
`` He 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it 's due .
He hit a big shot that helped them seal the game . ''
Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball had 19 points , nine rebounds and nine assists in the loss .
Derrick Favors had 12 points and 14 rebounds for the Pelicans .
Kyle Kuzma had 20 points for the Lakers .
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 13 points off the bench for Los Angeles .
The Lakers ( 46-13 ) host the Philadelphia 76ers at 10 p.m. EST Tuesday at Staples Center in Los Angeles .
The Pelicans ( 26-34 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. EST Tuesday at the Smoothie King Center .

LeBron James now has 21 triple doubles with the Los Angeles Lakers, matching Kobe Bryant for the third-most in franchise history. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 2 (UPI) -- Rookie Zion Williamson scored a career-high 35 points during a New Orleans Pelicans loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James had 34 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds in the 122-114 win Sunday at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Lakers star Anthony Davis did not play due to tightness in his right knee. Advertisement
James embraced Williamson after the game before praising him during his locker room interview with reporters.
"It's my obligation and it's my job to continue to pass on the game to the guys that's coming in after me," James said. "That's just my responsibility. No one told me to do that.
"I just feel like it's my responsibility to leave the game in a better place than when I had it."
The Pelicans had a 33-29 lead at the end of the first quarter. Williamson poured in 11 points in the second quarter, but the Lakers had a 63-61 lead at halftime. James had 19 points in the first half.
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The game stayed tight in the third quarter, with the Pelicans earning a 95-93 advantage entering the final frame. The Lakers responded with an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter to take a 106-101 lead with 7:24 remaining. New Orleans tied the game once down the stretch, but could not overcome the deficit.
James had 13 points in the fourth quarter. Williamson had 12 points in the final frame. The Lakers outscored the Pelicans 29-19 in the final 12 minutes.
"He is who he is," Williamson said of James. "He's an incredible player. I give respect when it's due. He hit a big shot that helped them seal the game."
Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball had 19 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in the loss. Derrick Favors had 12 points and 14 rebounds for the Pelicans. Kyle Kuzma had 20 points for the Lakers. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 13 points off the bench for Los Angeles.
The Lakers (46-13) host the Philadelphia 76ers at 10 p.m. EST Tuesday at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The Pelicans (26-34) host the Minnesota Timberwolves at 8 p.m. EST Tuesday at the Smoothie King Center.