thetorontostar--2020-03-08--Civil rights: The road to Bloody Sunday began 30 miles away

MARION , Ala. - Della Simpson Maynor remembers the mounted police officer cracking her elbow with a baton .
She recalls the panicked marchers unable to escape the onslaught , and the scuffle between officers and a young church deacon who was trying to protect his mother and grandfather .
Most of all , she remembers the gunshot .
Two weeks before Bloody Sunday — the clash in Selma on March 7 , 1965 , that helped propel passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 — there was a march in this small town 30 miles away .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ episode in the civil rights movement , a footnote in the textbooks .
But the blood spilled here would send hundreds of people from Marion and the surrounding county to Selma and the Edmund Pettus Bridge , where history was made .
“ Starting the story in Selma is like reading a book by starting in the middle and not going back to the beginning so you can get the total picture of what actually happened in 1965 , ” said Perry County Commissioner Alfred Turner Jr. “ Without the events occurring in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you would have gotten the same results or the optics of Bloody Sunday.
” The protest in Marion was sparked by the arrest of a minister who was leading efforts to register black people to vote .
It ended with the fatal shooting of a 26-year-old black church deacon , Jimmie Lee Jackson , by a state trooper .
As the 55th anniversary of Bloody Sunday approaches , people here say they want the full story remembered .
The road to Marion , and eventually to Selma , began at the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Luther King , his lieutenant Andrew Young and other activists sat down with President Lyndon Johnson after passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 .
Johnson “ told Dr. King , ` I know you need voting rights .
I wish I could do it , but I just don ’ t have the power , ’ ” Young recalled , adding Johnson seemed depressed .
When they left , King said , “ We ’ ve got to figure out how to get the president some power , “ according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become a congressman , Atlanta mayor and U.N. ambassador .
“ I said , ` That Nobel Prize you won didn ’ t come with an army.
’ ” King ’ s Southern Christian Leadership Conference chose to throw its support behind the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee and local groups that had been focusing on voter registration in Alabama , where they were holding protests , sit-ins and boycotts .
The Rev .
James Orange of the SCLC organized protests in Marion and Perry County , and hundreds of people were regularly arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school to join the marches , authorities arrested Orange on Feb. 18 , 1965 , for contributing to the delinquency of minors .
Former Perry County Circuit Clerk Mary Moore , a second-grader at the time , said the arrest was hypocritical on the part of the white authorities , noting that black students back then often missed school because farmers needed them to pick cotton .
Rumours circulated that Orange would be lynched behind bars .
That was by no means a far-fetched fear .
“ Black folks in jail ended up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was then , ” said 83-year-old Elijah Rollins , then owner of one the town ’ s funeral homes .
” It was just tradition.
” Townspeople planned a night protest march from Zion Methodist Church to the jail on the next block .
State and local police were waiting for them outside , where the streetlight was either shot out or turned off .
With darkness came chaos .
Rollins had skipped the church meeting but heard the commotion , and when he went outside , “ a lot of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them.
“ Maynor , then 14 , watched as a pastor started off the protest by kneeling to pray , as was customary .
Police officers told him to get up and clubbed him when he didn ’ t , she said .
“ When I saw that , I was terrified , ” she recalled .
Seconds later she was hit as she raised her arm to protect her head .
An officer on horseback “ was whaling down on me.
” “ They didn ’ t know what your age was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They swung at everybody , ” she said .
Somewhere in the melee , Cager Lee , 82 , and his daughter Viola Jackson were attacked by police .
Lee ’ s grandson , Jimmie Lee Jackson , came to help them and grappled with officers inside a local hangout , Macks Cafe .
“ A few minutes later you heard the gunshot , ” Maynor said .
Jackson had a stomach wound and was taken to the black hospital in Selma , where he died eight days later .
Rollins , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before , picked up the body .
SCLC and local leaders began talking almost immediately about taking his body from Marion to Alabama ’ s capital , Montgomery , but that idea was abandoned .
They decided to lay Jackson to rest at a Marion-area cemetery at a funeral attended by King himself , and later march to the capital from Selma , a more logical staging point .
“ We will take this problem to Montgomery and leave it on Wallace ’ s doorstep , ” King told Young , referring to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wallace .
Plans were made for the 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery , but on the day chosen , King was back home in Atlanta , and the federal observers who normally shadowed him and presumably would have served as a deterrent against violence weren ’ t there when hundreds of marchers with backpacks gathered at the bridge .
State troopers and local police were waiting for them and attacked with clubs and tear gas .
A terrified Terrance Chestnut , 6 at the time , was there with his father , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jr. “ I saw a cop hit a guy across the jaw with a billy club .
I could hear the crack , ” he said .
“ It was a really bad scene , something I don ’ t care to remember but something I can ’ t erase from my mind .
“ The TV footage and other images from that day shocked the country and helped lead to the landmark federal law protecting the right of African Americans to vote .
The Marion marchers would not recognize the community leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jackson , James Bonard Fowler , was prosecuted decades later by Perry County ’ s first black district attorney .
Fowler pleaded guilty in 2010 to manslaughter and served five months in jail .
The mayor , police chief , sheriff and numerous other public officials in Marion and Perry County also are African American .
A marble monument to the civil rights movement has been erected in front of Zion Methodist with the names of the people who participated in those protests .
The county jail where Orange was held is closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it into a museum .
On the courthouse square is another monument , telling Jackson ’ s story and adding Marion to the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail .
It was put up in 2015 .
In a letter to the Department of Interior supporting Marion ’ s inclusion , Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama cited the role Jackson ’ s death played in the Selma march , saying that nearly 300 of the more than 500 people who participated on Bloody Sunday were from Marion .
“ They paved the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world , ” said Marion Mayor Dexter Hinton .
In the years afterward , Jackson ’ s mother “ was never right again after Jimmie was killed , ” said his cousin Fairest Cureton , 63 .
“ Jimmie was one of the nicest , most mannerable persons that I knew .
He always had a smile on his face , “ said another cousin , 76-year-old Julia Cash , ” and what was most impressive is he always took time for older people.
” In fact , according to his family , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the church meeting that night in Marion but drove his grandfather and mother there and was waiting to take them home .
As for Orange , he went on take part in the Bloody Sunday march and spent his life fighting for civil rights and others causes , believing in “ this thing called equality , ” said his daughter , Jamida Orange .
He died in 2008 .
“ If anybody tells you it was anything but the death of Jimmie Lee Jackson that provoked that Selma-to-Montgomery march , “ she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history.
” Associated Press researchers Rhonda Shafner and Randy Herschaft in New York contributed to this report .
Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation .
The AP is solely responsible for this content .


thetorontostar--2020-03-08--Italy announces virus quarantine affecting 16 million people

ROME - Italy ’ s prime minister announced a sweeping coronavirus quarantine early Sunday , restricting the movements of about a quarter of the country ’ s population in a bid to limit contagions at the epicenter of Europe ’ s outbreak .
Shortly after midnight , Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte signed a decree affecting about 16 million people in the country ’ s prosperous north , including the Lombardy region and at least 15 provinces in neighbouring regions .
The extraordinary measures will be in place until April 3 .
“ For Lombardy and for the other northern provinces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ban for everybody to move in and out of these territories and also within the same territory , “ Conte said .
” Exceptions will be allowed only for proven professional needs , exceptional cases and health issues.
” Around the world , more and more countries were bracing for a surge in virus cases .
Western countries have been increasingly imitating China – where the virus first emerged late last year , and which has suffered the vast majority of infections — by imposing travel controls and shutting down public events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily increase in coronavirus cases since the outbreak began in the north of the country on Feb. 21 .
In its daily update , Italy ’ s civil protection agency said the number of people with the coronavirus rose by 1,247 in the last 24 hours , taking the total to 5,883 .
Another 36 people also died as a result of the virus , taking the total to 233 .
There was chaos and confusion in the northern Italian city of Padua in the Veneto region as word spread late Saturday evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the quarantine .
Packed bars and restaurants quickly emptied out as many people rushed to the train station in Padua .
Travellers with suitcases , wearing face masks , gloves and carrying bottles of sanitizing gel shoved their way on to trains .
Before Conte signed the quarantine decree , Stefano Bonaccini , president of the Emilia Romagna region , said parts of the decree were confusing , and he asked the premier for more time to come up with solutions that were more “ coherent.
” Around the world , events and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions and warnings have been issued .
A nose-dive in tourist traffic and possible disruptions to supply chains have set off fears of a worldwide economic slowdown .
Benchmarks in global markets have gyrated in recent weeks , as hopes for stimulus measures mixed with widespread pessimism on the virus news .
Saudi Arabia has banned spectators at any sports competitions starting Saturday .
The NBA , as well as British and Japanese sports teams are considering the same , as baseball and soccer seasons are starting .
The spread of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Authorities and manufacturers have been trying to assure panicking consumers they don ’ t need to hoard toilet paper , which have vanished from store shelves in various nations .
A particular point of concern are passenger-packed cruise ships , many of which are confronting their own virus problems .
Officials in California were deciding Saturday where to dock the Grand Princess cruise ship , after 21 tested positive for the virus .
There is evidence the ship now idling off San Francisco was the breeding ground for a deadly cluster of almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Those that will need to be quarantined will be quarantined , “ U.S .
Vice-President Mike Pence said .
” Those who will require medical help will receive it.
” President Donald Trump said he would have preferred not to let the passengers disembark onto American soil , but would defer to medical experts .
In Egypt , a cruise ship on the Nile with more than 150 aboard was under quarantine in the southern city of Luxor after 12 positive tests .
Also Saturday , the port of Penang in Malaysia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because 64 of the 2,000 aboard are from Italy .
The ship had already been rejected by Thailand , and is now heading to Singapore .
And in Malta , which reported its first case of the virus Saturday , the MSC Opera ship agreed not to enter the Mediterranean country ’ s port amid local worries — even though there are no infections suspected on board .
The ship continued to Messina , Sicily , where passengers were allowed to disembark after officials reviewed medical records .
Transmission of the virus is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the global death toll has risen past 3,400 , more people have now recovered from the virus than are sickened by it .
As of Saturday , nearly 90,000 cases have been reported in Asia ; more than 8,000 in Europe ; 6,000 in the Mideast ; about 450 in North America , Latin America and the Caribbean , and fewer than 50 cases reported so far in Africa .
While many scientists say the world is clearly in the grips of a pandemic — a serious global outbreak – the World Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet , saying the word might spook the world further .
The virus is still much less widespread than annual flu epidemics , which cause up to 5 million severe cases around the world and up to 650,000 deaths annually , according to the WHO .
In Iran , fears over the virus and the government ’ s waning credibility has become a major challenge to leaders already reeling from American sanctions .
More than 1,000 infections were confirmed overnight , bringing the country ’ s total to 5,823 cases , including 145 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sacred jihad ” against the virus : Wearing gas masks and waterproof fatigues , members of Iran ’ s Revolutionary Guard sprayed down streets and hospitals with disinfectants .
South Korea , the hardest-hit country outside China , reported 93 new cases on Sunday morning , taking the total to 7,134 , with 50 deaths overall .
China on Sunday morning reported 44 new cases over the past 24 hours , the lowest level since it began publishing nationwide figures on Jan 20 , and 27 new fatalities .
But while infections were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struck anew by tragedy : A hotel used for medical observation of people who had contact with coronavirus patients collapsed on Saturday , killing at least four people .
In the United States , fears of a larger outbreak continued to spread and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged older adults and people with severe medical conditions to “ stay home as much as possible ” and avoid crowds .
The number of deaths linked to coronavirus in Washington state reached 16 , although that figure could be higher , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home at the centre of the outbreak .
The Life Care Center of Kirkland said Saturday that , since Feb. 19 , 26 of its residents have died .
Typically , about three to seven residents die at the facility each month .
Even islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean have not been spared , with the tiny archipelago nation of the Maldives reporting its first cases .
Health authorities there locked down two of its tourist resorts after two expatriate workers tested positive for the coronavirus .
Kageyama reported from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Bangkok , Maria Sanminiatelli in New York , Joe McDonald in Beijing , Angela Charlton in Paris , Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul , Ashok Sharma in New Delhi , Anna Johnson in London , Jonathan Poet in Philadelphia and Gene Johnson in Seattle contributed to this report .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

Paolo Santalucia And Yuri Kageyama - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-03-08--Yeshiva basketball team reaches first Sweet 16

BALTIMORE - First came the prayer ceremony at the conclusion of the Sabbath with their families , then , the celebration on the basketball court and the overflowing joy of March Madness victory .
Yeshiva University beat Penn State Harrisburg 102-83 on Saturday to reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time in the history of the Jewish Orthodox institution .
The Maccabees , named after the ancient Jewish rebel warriors , fought against all odds .
They won their 29th straight game in a record-breaking season that began amid concerns over a global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been engulfed by the new coronavirus .
The game was played at an empty gym at Johns Hopkins University because of concerns over the virus .
The legion of faithful Macs fans who chant out their names from the stands and often follow them on the road was replaced by the squeaking of sneakers and the unwavering support of their bench players , some wearing Jewish skullcaps , who chanted “ De-fense !
De-fense !
” During a timeout with less than three minutes to go and the score at 94-72 , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that blared from gym ’ s speakers .
At the final buzzer , the Macs hugged on the court an empty 1,100-seat Goldfarb Gymnasium and celebrated pumping their fists and singing in Hebrew : “ When the month of Adar begins , joy increases !
” “ It means everything , ” forward Gabriel Leifer said about the victory and reaching the Sweet 16 .
He got his fourth triple-double of the season , scoring 10 points Saturday and leading all players with 20 rebounds , while delivering 10 assists .
Leifer was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Skyline Conference tournament , which the Macs won to qualify for the NCAAs .
“ From the start of the year , after we lost in the conference final last year , we knew this year was going to be a big year for us , ” he said .
Their records this season include the best start in school history , the longest winning streak and their first national ranking .
They have hit the century mark in scoring in both of their NCAA tournament wins .
Some of the families of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. to support them followed the game from a hotel where they had relocated after Yeshiva ’ s team had its first hotel reservation in suburban Baltimore cancelled over coronavirus fears .
“ It ’ s special because a lot of families drove up Friday , that was after everyone found out that they weren ’ t allowed to go to the games , ” Leifer said .
“ It shows their support from beginning to the end , whether they can be there , whether they can not , they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day earlier , the Macs beat Worcester Polytechnic Institute in what was believed to be the first U.S. sports event held without fans because of the new coronavirus .
After the game , the players rushed back to their hotel before sundown on time for the Sabbath .
While they waited for their next game , some wore prayer shawls , shared a traditional dinner and played card and board games with their families .
They couldn ’ t check scouting reports or watch the result of other games to find out who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now they know .
Next up is Randolph-Macon College in the Sweet 16 .
The Ashland , Virginia school is the No .
3 ranked team in Division III .
“ It ’ s going to be awesome , “ Leifer said .
” It ’ s an amazing experience , another game , and like we say : ‘ we ’ re just surviving events no matter how hard or how difficult it is .
’ ”

Luis Andres Henao - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-08--Officials confirm first coronavirus case in nation’s capital

WASHINGTON - A man in his 50s tested positive for coronavirus — the first presumptively confirmed case in the nation ’ s capital — and another person who travelled through the city has also tested positive in Maryland , officials said .
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser said Saturday the man in the initial case started exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 in late February .
He was admitted to a Washington hospital on Thursday and appeared to have no history of international travel and no close contacts to any other confirmed cases across the U.S. , Bowser said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D.C. Health has started its investigation in keeping with CDC guidelines , ” Bowser said .
The investigation includes tracing the man ’ s movements , though the mayor declined to say where in Washington the man lived .
Virginia recorded its first case Saturday when a U.S. Marine stationed at Fort Belvoir was found to have the virus .
President Donald Trump said he wasn ’ t concerned “ at all ” about the coronavirus getting closer to the White House after the first Washington case was confirmed and officials said an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the capital where Trump himself had spoken also tested positive for the virus .
“ No , I ’ m not concerned at all .
No , I ’ m not .
We ’ ve done a great job , “ Trump said .
Though the man in the initial Washington case had no travel history and no contact with anyone confirmed to have coronavirus , the man was tested for COVID-19 because he was considered to be at risk for complications , said Dr. Anjali Talwalkar , the principal senior deputy director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The second man , who passed through Washington , is also in his 50s and lives in Nigeria , but had been staying with family members in Washington recently , officials said .
He tested positive in Maryland , where he remains hospitalized , Bowser said .
Officials had no plans to cancel any events , including the annual Cherry Blossom Festival , which starts on March 20 and draws thousands of tourists .
“ We recognize that it is fluid and every day we will monitor the situation on the ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Officials also stressed they were prepared for the spread of the virus and have been co-ordinating preparedness with a variety of agencies .
Dr. Jennifer Smith , who leads Washington ’ s public health laboratory , said officials have the capability of testing about 50 patients per day .
The district has also ordered more than 42,000 masks to be delivered to the district ’ s fire and emergency medical workers , officials said .
Officials said they were in contact with their counterparts at health departments across the U.S. , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two people who attended the American Israel Public Affairs Committee event in Washington were diagnosed with coronavirus .
Meanwhile , Maryland officials warned Saturday that a person who attended the recent Conservative Political Action Conference in the suburb of Oxon Hill had tested positive for the virus .
Both Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence spoke at the conference .
The White House said Saturday there was no indication that either had met or were in “ close proximity ” to the infected attendee .
When asked whether his campaign rallies would would continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president replied , “ We ’ ll have tremendous rallies.
” Trump held his most recent campaign rally last Monday in Charlotte , North Carolina .
He waved off other questions to join a dinner for the president of Brazil , who was visiting Trump at the president ’ s home in south Florida .
The Marine at Fort Belvoir was the first military case of coronavirus reported inside the U.S. , said a Pentagon official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the case .
The Marine was being treated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ south of Washington , and had recently returned from an overseas assignment , Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said on Twitter .
Superville reported from Palm Beach , Florida .
AP National Security Writer Robert Burns contributed to this report .

Michael Balsamo And Darlene Superville - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-08--Cemetery tours highlight Savannah’s black heroes

SAVANNAH , Ga. - Spanish moss swayed in the trees over Savannah ’ s windswept Laurel Grove South Cemetery on Saturday , Feb. 29 — the last day of Black History Month 2020 — as about 30 people gathered to join a free tour showcasing final resting places of the city ’ s African-American heroes .
“ This is Laurel Grove South , and it ’ s almost entirely an African-American cemetery , ” said tour guide John Brannen , while drawing the crowd ’ s attention to the grassy expanse of grave markers ranging from humble plaques to statuesque @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this cemetery contains the remains of some 54,000 people , many of whom were instrumental in shaping Savannah ’ s saga .
Organized by Savannah ’ s Cemeteries Department in partnership with the Massie Heritage Center as a new initiative for Black History Month , these educational excursions were held on Saturdays beginning Feb. 8 to highlight notable African-American luminaries and civil-rights activists interred here .
According to Savannah Cemetery Director Richard Gerbasi , the program was very popular , with almost every tour fully booked ; most participants were locals .
Brannen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as its information and events co-ordinator , made sure to point out historical inequities that impacted this unique cemetery , such as the construction of the Interstate 16 off-ramp onto W. 37th Street that divided this graveyard from the more famous Laurel Grove North Cemetery .
Nonetheless , Laurel Grove South contains many fascinating tombs and gravestones that are well-preserved , largely thanks to the efforts of Savannah civil-rights leader W.W. Law , who is himself buried there .
Law ’ s grave was a highlight of Brannen ’ s tour , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notable African-Americans who rest in peace there , too .
One of the first stops on the tour was the grave of Thomas Williamson — better known as “ Old Tom ” — who lived from 1808 to 1904 .
Pressed into duty as a servant during the Civil War , Williamson ’ s grave bears a Southern Cross of Honor bestowed upon the burial places of Confederate veterans , to the surprise of many tour participants .
Next , Brannen led the group to the grave of Rev .
Daniel Wright , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proponents , who surreptitiously distributed a controversial black newspaper to churchgoers here .
“ Daniel would give his congregation copies of the Chicago Defender , which at that time was illegal in Savannah , ” Brannen said .
Similarly , the grave of Rev .
Emanuel K. Love — a pastor of the First African Baptist Church , who worked with Savannah State University founder Richard Wright — provided Brannen with an opportunity to highlight the city ’ s early struggles for equality .
“ He was a political advocate , and basically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city , ” Brannen said of Love .
Other notable figures highlighted on the tour included Boys & Girls Club founder Frank W. Callen , Rachel Ann Brownfield ( who sheltered Union soldiers hiding in Savannah during the Civil War ) , and Rev .
Ulysses L. Houston , who led a thousand of his congregants to start an independent community on Skidaway Island following emancipation .
During the February tours , even Brannen learned about some notable Savannah residents interred at Laurel Grove South that he was previously unaware of , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s first female African-American school-board member .
“ On my first tour , I didn ’ t even realize she was buried here until someone pointed her out to me , ” said Brannen , who hopes to carry on the Laurel Grove South free-tour initiative during Black History Month 2021 .

Nick Robertson, Savannah Morning News - AP Member


thetorontostar--2020-03-08--Chinese hotel that housed possible coronavirus patients collapses, trapping 70 people

BEIJING - At least four people were killed in the collapse of hotel in southeastern China that was being used for medical observation of people who had arrived from areas hit by the coronavirus outbreak , authorities said Sunday .
The sudden collapse of the building on Saturday evening trapped 71 people , the Ministry of Emergency Management said .
Thirty-eight had been rescued as of 10:30 a.m. Sunday , including one person in critical condition and four others in serious condition , the ministry said .
The ministry earlier reported that 48 people had been rescued .
It did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 1,000 firefighters and seven rescue dogs were dispatched to the site , according to the ministry .
News photos showed rescue workers with flashlights climbing over the debris and bringing people out .
Rubble was left piled on cars in front of the building .
The Xinjia Express Hotel is in Quanzhou , a coastal city in Fujian province .
The city government said it was housing people who had come from coronavirus-hit areas .
Most parts of China are quarantining people from such areas for 14 days .
Two supermarkets on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undergoing remodeling , and a pillar reportedly deformed a few minutes prior to the collapse , the official Xinhua News Agency said , quoting a district offfical .
The owner of the building has been put under police control , Xinhua reported .
Construction of the building began in 2013 and it was converted into a 66-room hotel in 2018 , the official told Xinhua .
The hotel opened in June 2018 , with rooms on the fourth to seventh floors of the building , the newspaper Beijing Youth Daily said .
China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December , has confirmed more than 80,000 cases , by far the most in the world .
It reported 44 new cases over the last 24 hours on Sunday morning , the lowest level since it began publishing nationwide figures on Jan 20 .
Another 27 deaths were reported , bringing the total to 3,097 .
Most of the cases have been in Wuhan , an inland city about 670 kilometres ( 475 miles ) northwest of Quanzhou .


thetorontostar--2020-03-07--Mexican women to ‘disappear’ for a day to protest violence

MEXICO CITY - Don ’ t go out .
Don ’ t shop .
Don ’ t go to school .
Don ’ t consume .
The urging from women ’ s activists is clear , but it remains unclear whether Mexico will really go a day without women on Monday .
After a year of increasingly heated and frequent protests over gender violence in Mexico , the call for women to strike has captured growing interest in recent weeks .
It has also generated an intense debate about whether becoming “ invisible “ for a day will be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some bosses have authorized paid time off or an ineffective way to push for change .
The discussion has gone beyond the usual circles of feminist collectives , public figures and social networks to become a conversation topic in the streets of Mexico , even for those who don ’ t feel empowered to skip work .
Marta Patricia Ramírez , a housewife , says the national call to strike has inspired her to take action in her own neighbourhood .
She has organized a Monday event with neighbours to discuss harassment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having a bad time.
” Jesica Solis , a dentist , won ’ t open her office .
Marta Pérez told her husband that she won ’ t lift a single plate Monday and that their 18-year-old daughter will stay off social media .
A Facebook group called “ A Day Without Women ” has more than 320,000 Mexican members who debate and inform each other about the possible consequences of not going to the office , hospital or school that day .
A message to the group says a woman staying indoors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her death — to show those close to her what would happen if she were to suddenly disappear or die at the hands of a man , like the thousands who are killed each year in Mexico .
Government data say 3,825 women met violent deaths last year , 7 % more than in 2018 .
That works out to about 10 women slain each day in Mexico , making it one of the most dangerous countries in the world for females .
Thousands more have gone missing without a trace in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are often accompanied by sexual violence and stunning brutality .
Some women are burned .
Some are mutilated .
The ferocity of the killings has earned them a special label : femicide .
Very few cases result in convictions .
“ We don ’ t want more simulation , we want action , ” said María de la Luz Estrada , co-ordinator of the National Citizen ’ s Observatory of Femicide .
“ Enough already.
” Estrada expects more than 20,000 women to march against the violence in Mexico City on Sunday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with smaller marches and demonstrations throughout the country .
She also endorses the strike .
“ We are going to strike out of indignation but also as a memorial and because we hope this can change , ” she said .
Women in countries such as Argentina and Chile have staged strikes in previous years and will do so again Monday .
In Mexico , major banks , media companies and law firms have joined the call to action .
The Coparmex business confederation encouraged its more than 36,000 member companies across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private schools have cancelled bus services that depend on female nannies to walk children to their front doors , and some enlisted fathers of schoolchildren to give classes in the absence of female teachers .
It appears public hospitals and schools that heavily depend on female personnel will open , perhaps with fewer employees on hand .
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador at first accused conservative political opponents of being behind the strike as a way to criticize his government .
But he later invited federal employees , including men , to participate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Not all women support the action .
Some say it is pointless or part of a feminist agenda that seeks to legalize abortion throughout the Roman Catholic country .
“ I ’ m not interested in the strike , it won ’ t change anything .
Men haven ’ t changed in years , “ said María Isabel García , who works as a cleaner .
Verónica Tebar , an accountant , said she was unsure what to do Monday .
She is put off by efforts to seek “ permission ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to show employers what happens when a valued worker doesn ’ t show up .
Millions of Mexican women with precarious employment can ’ t afford to lose a day ’ s pay , much less their jobs , and don ’ t have male partners to take on childcare duties for a day .
“ I ’ m a single mother with two girls in my charge — I can ’ t rest , ” Teresa Laguna said while cleaning meat from a bone at the butcher shop where she works .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who can.
” Associated Press writer Amy Guthrie contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-03-07--Venezuela on agenda for Trump’s meeting with Brazil’s leader

PALM BEACH , Fla. - President Donald Trump would not commit Saturday to continue holding off on hitting Brazil with tariffs on imports of its aluminum and steel , saying “ I don ’ t make any promises.
” Trump commented in the presence of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro , who Trump was hosting for dinner at his resort home in southern Florida .
In a tweet in December , Trump accused Bolsonaro ’ s government of hurting American farmers by manipulating its currency .
He pledged to slap tariffs on Brazilian aluminum and steel , but withdrew the threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very good relationship as to tariffs ... we want to always help Brazil , ” said Trump , who appeared with Bolsonaro at the front door of his Mar-a-Lago estate .
U.S. and Brazilian flags fluttered in the breeze on either side of the doorway .
“ The friendship is probably stronger now than it ’ s never been , ” Trump said .
Asked whether his comments meant no new tariffs on Brazil , Trump declined to commit .
“ I don ’ t make any promises , ” he said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ table on the club ’ s bustling outdoor patio .
U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O ’ Brien , and Trump ’ s daughter Ivanka and her husband , Jared Kushner , both senior White House advisers , were also at the table along with several Brazilian government officials .
“ He ’ s doing a fantastic job .
Great job .
Brazil loves him and the USA loves him , “ Trump said .
Brazil is coping with a double-digit unemployment rate and economic growth that is half of what Bolsonaro promised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling to get legislation through congress .
White House officials said the crisis in Venezuela , a possible U.S.-Brazil trade deal and Chinese telecom company Huawei were discussion topics for the leaders .
A statement the White House released after the meeting did not mention Huawei .
Bolsonaro is on a three-day trip to the United States that includes a visit to the Miami headquarters of U.S. Southern Command , which oversees U.S. military operations in Central and South America , and the Caribbean .
Bolsonaro also scheduled meetings with Florida Sens .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans .
Trump is in Florida through Monday .
Trump ’ s administration has been the most important ally for Venezuela ’ s opposition since Juan Guaidó leaped to the centre of Venezuela ’ s tumultuous political landscape more than a year ago .
He pledged to force President Nicolás Maduro from power and restore democracy .
Though Guaidó has the backing of more than 60 nations , his popularity has faded , coupled with a failed military uprising .
The United States is continuing its “ maximum pressure ” campaign against Maduro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ bottlenecks ” to a trade agreement with Brazil , said a senior Trump administration official who briefed reporters before the leaders met .
The U.S. has been pressuring governments worldwide to ban the Chinese tech giant Huawei from having any stake in their 5G networks .
But Trump ’ s campaign was dealt a blow when U.S. ally Britain decided to grant Huawei a limited role in supplying new high-speed network equipment to wireless carriers .
The U.S. sees Huawei as an intelligence threat .
Bolsonaro , called the “ the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his relationship with the U.S. president into a cornerstone of his foreign diplomacy .
The far-right Brazilian leader has used Trump to shore up his base , often praising him and posting videos of himself on social media simply watching Trump speeches on television .
Trump likes Bolsonaro and says they have a good relationship .
He hosted Bolsonaro at the White House last March .
The U.S. trip comes as a welcome respite for Bolsonaro , who at home is dealing with a weak economy and a strained relationship with congress .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , encouraging Brazilians to demonstrate against the government .
Bolsonaro ’ s allies see the invitation to dinner at Mar-a-Lago , Trump ’ s private , dues-paying club in Palm Beach , as another sign that Bolsonaro ’ s alignment with America is paying off .
Trump last year granted Brazil the status of privileged ally outside NATO and backed its bid for membership in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development .
But U.S. support can be fickle and government critics question whether Brazil ’ s seemingly unconditional embrace of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any real benefits .
Trump ’ s refusal to commit to holding off on tariffs most likely would be viewed as an example .
Brazil also is struggling to combat growing illegal deforestation in the vast Amazon rainforest and was criticized for its poor handling of devastating fires in the region last summer .

Darlene Superville And Diane Jeantet - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-07--Italy locks down much of the country’s north in bid to contain coronavirus

ROME — Italy ’ s government early Sunday took the extraordinary step of locking down much of the country ’ s north , restricting movement for about a quarter of the Italian population in regions that serve as the country ’ s economic engine .
The move represents the most sweeping effort outside China to stop the spread of the coronavirus and is tantamount to sacrificing the Italian economy in the short term to save it from the ravages of the virus in the long term .
By taking such tough measures , Italy , which is suffering the worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that clampdowns at odds with some of the core values of Western democracies may be necessary to contain and defeat the virus .
“ We are facing an emergency , ” Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said in announcing the government decree in a news conference after 2 a.m. “ A national emergency.
” He called the measures “ very rigorous ” but necessary to contain the contagion and ease the burden on Italy ’ s strained health care system .
He said there would now be an “ obligation ” to avoid any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ territory , and also within ” the locked-down areas .
Any such travel will require special permission for health or work reasons .
“ This is the moment of self-responsibility , ” he said .
Questions immediately emerged about exactly how the new rules would be enforced , especially as local leaders in the north complained that they had been given little notice or say in the decision-making .
More generally , the wobbly Italian government , which has had difficulty passing basic laws , was attempting a crackdown of historic scope in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberties and in a country with a tendency to interpret laws as suggestions or hurdles to circumvent .
The coronavirus has already inflicted serious damage in Italy , one of the Continent ’ s most fragile economies .
It has led to the closure of all the country ’ s schools and , by Saturday , it had infected the leader of one of the two parties in the governing coalition .
The measures will turn stretches of Italy ’ s wealthy north — including the economic and cultural capital of Milan and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into quarantined enclaves .
Conte did not say how long the restrictions would last , but an earlier draft weighed by the government Saturday night said the decree would be in force until at least April 3 .
The travel bans will prevent the free movement of roughly 16 million people .
By Saturday , Italy had more than 5,800 cases of the virus , 233 of them fatal , with increases of almost 800 infections and 49 deaths from the day before .
Only China has had more people die after contracting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late into the night Saturday , ministers insisted that the proposals were merely a draft .
Confusion spread about whether officials would actually block travel or only recommend against it .
As soon as the draft became public Saturday evening , shocked regional and municipal leaders in the north argued that they were caught off-guard and that implementing the rules so suddenly would be impossible .
Conte also announced early Sunday morning that the government would extend less restrictive measures previously imposed in the north , such as the closure of museums , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to the rest of the country .
He said conferences of doctors and other medical professionals would be “ absolutely ” banned .
“ We can not allow it , ” he said .
Critics of the government argued that the late-night meeting reflected a lack of coordination with regional officials and insufficient communication with the Italian people , which had caused confusion amid the crisis .
Conte said that the national government ’ s regional partners had been consulted and that authorities would need to approve travel permissions in or out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work emergencies .
He said that police would stop travellers to check on their reasons for leaving the locked-down areas .
Funerals and cultural events are all banned under the measures .
The decree requires that people keep a distance of at least 1 meter from each other at sporting events , bars , churches and supermarkets .
People with fevers , even if they have not yet been tested for the virus , are barred from leaving their homes , Conte said .
Police officers and soldiers will be empowered to enforce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but Masses will be cancelled .
The government decree essentially shuts down much of the northern region of Lombardy , Italy ’ s largest and most economically productive , which accounts for a fifth of Italy ’ s GDP .
Matteo Caroli , a professor of business management at Luiss Guido Carli University in Rome , said that if “ the measures go beyond April , the situation will become systemic and the damage serious.
” Last week the government announced a huge support package of 7.5 billion euros ( $ 8.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million euros announced last week for families and business damaged by the virus .
In the Navigli area of Milan , known for its bars and nightlife , people out drinking on Saturday night lamented “ martial laws ” while anxiously checking their phones for updates .
“ We are enjoying our last moments of freedom , ” said Lorenzo Cella , a 21-year-old computer programmer .
Some worried that they would lose their jobs or romantic partners outside of Milan .
Others were concerned that the entire economic engine of Italy would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late Saturday infuriated Conte and prompted panic in Milan but also resistance and anger from mayors and regional presidents across the political spectrum in the northern areas .
Attilio Fontana , president of the Lombardy region and a prominent figure in the opposition right-wing League party , said the plan included decisive steps toward containing the virus but was also a “ mess , ” according to Italian news agency ANSA , because it created confusion about what citizens could and could not do .
Luca Zaia , another League leader and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes Venice and other cities marked for lockdown , said that the government had notified him about the potential ban only “ at the last minute.
” Since the region was kept out of discussions to draft the order , he said , “ it ’ s literally impossible ” for the region to enact it so quickly .
The government order also locks down provinces in the Emilia Romagna region south of Lombardy .
Stefano Bonaccini , the region ’ s liberal president , implored Conte and the country ’ s health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more time to come up with a more “ coherent and shared ” solution .
Mayors in some of the cities marked for quarantine expressed deep ire over first hearing about the proposed order on television .
“ It ’ s incredible , ” said Rasero Maurizio , mayor of Asti in the northern region of Piedmont , who posted a livid video of himself in a white T-shirt from his home saying that he had just heard about the potential closing of his town on television .
“ No one told me.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ towns and provinces including Modena , Parma , Piacenza , Reggio Emilia , Rimini , Pesaro and Urbino , Venice , Padua , Treviso and Alessandria — all in the north — were set to be locked down .
But there were clear signs that the virus was spreading southward .
Earlier Saturday , it touched the top of Italian politics as the leader of the governing coalition ’ s Democratic Party said he was infected .
“ Well , it ’ s arrived , ” Nicola Zingaretti , leader of the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lazio , said in a Facebook video posted Saturday .
“ I also have the coronavirus.
” The infection of Zingaretti , who is based in Rome , provided vivid proof that the virus was no longer a matter of northern exposure and that the entire country was grappling with a public health emergency .
Zingaretti , the head of the country ’ s largest center-left party and one of the two parties leading Italy , has daily contact with top politicians in the capital as well as his party ’ s rank-and-file @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Parliament who come from the locked-down areas in the Lombardy region have been quarantined .
But the infection of a highly prominent figure like Zingaretti , who said he felt feverish Saturday , raised the prospect that more Italian politicians had been exposed .
“ Certainly a politician meets and hugs many people , ” said Giovanni Rezza , director of the infective illness department at the National Health Institute .
“ There is a risk of diffusion.
” Elected officials privately expressed concern that the country ’ s Parliament , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be a new theatre of contagion .
The vast majority of those who died in Italy after contracting the virus have been elderly and many had serious underlying conditions and were destabilized by the virus , according to health experts .
Italy , which has one of the world ’ s most aged populations , has already suffered enormously from the virus .
On Sunday morning , Conte urged Italians to obey the rules in order to protect the “ health of our grandparents.
” Some welcomed the new rules .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Miriam Ben Cheikh Amor , a 26-year-old waitress .
“ Maybe we need some of that too.
” Conte hoped that spirit would spread and said that now was the time to band together and obey the new rules , not to “ try and be clever.
” But some in Milan remained skeptical .
“ It will never work in Italy , ” Paolo Imparato , a 26-year-old pizza maker said Saturday night when asked about the potential new ban on movement .
“ People will run away ; @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-03-07--Argentina announces first coronavirus death in Latin America

BUENOS AIRES , Argentina - A 64-year-old man died in Argentina as a result of the new coronavirus , the first such death in Latin America , health authorities announced Saturday .
The Ministry of Health said the patient lived in Buenos Aires and had been confirmed with COVID-19 after coming down with a cough , fever and sore throat following a recent trip to Europe .
The patient , who suffered kidney failure , had a history of diabetes , hypertension and bronchitis before being infected with the virus , a statement said .
He had been in intensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital Wednesday .
Officials said the man was not one of the eight confirmed COVID-19 cases previously reported for Argentina , but his case was confirmed by tests Saturday .
Research is underway to determine who the patient had been in contact with , authorities said .
Elsewhere in the region , officials in Peru announced five new cases of COVID-19 infection Saturday , raising the country ’ s total to six .
Paraguay reported its first case , and Chile said it now had seven confirmed cases , up from five .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ four new cases of coronavirus , in addition to that of a case involving an American woman announced Friday .
Her husband was among the new cases .
Mexico , Brazil , Ecuador and Colombia also have reported confirmed cases of the new coronavirus .
According to the latest official data , there are more than 101,000 infected worldwide and more than 3,400 deaths .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-07--Woman home from Italy is 1st Missouri coronavirus case

ST. LOUIS - A St. Louis-area woman who recently travelled to Italy is Missouri ’ s first confirmed coronavirus case , officials said Saturday .
The woman is in her 20s and is at home with her parents , St. Louis County Executive Sam Page , a physician , said during a news conference with Gov .
Mike Parson .
She was returning home from Italy when she showed symptoms .
She was tested at Mercy Hospital St. Louis , and officials said the hospital made sure that she was kept away from other patients .
She was sent home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to warrant a hospital stay , Page said .
“ This person returned home , followed all the proper procedures for the quarantine and when they became symptomatic , they were tested in a local facility .
Everyone in that local facility followed all the proper precautions , “ Page said .
“ They are safe and that institution is safe.
” Italy has been the epicenter of Europe ’ s outbreak of the virus that causes COVID-19 .
Venice last month cancelled its annual Carnival festival , which comes ahead of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided to livestream the pope ’ s Sunday blessing to prevent people from gathering at St. Peter ’ s Square .
Page said it ’ s possible that other travel-related cases will arise in Missouri .
Parson said 26 people in the state have been tested for the virus that causes COVID-19 , and three tests remain in progress .
The governor said when the state ’ s first case occurred , “ it worked like it was supposed to work .
Everybody did their jobs.
” The Missouri announcement came the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus case , a woman from the Kansas City area under 50 who travelled to the Northeast .
Their announcements also came as Florida reported two coronavirus deaths , the first outside the West Coast .
The total U.S. death toll reached 19 .
The number of U.S. coronavirus cases swelled to 400 , with cases in about half of the states .
Indiana , Minnesota , Nebraska and Pennsylvania also recently reported their first cases .
Page said the St. Louis County woman with the coronavirus and her parents assured officials that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than to go the hospital since she started to show symptoms a few days ago .
The parents are not showing symptoms , he said .
Officials said they will be contacting people who may have come in contact with the woman to see whether they ’ re showing symptoms of an infection from the new coronavirus , which include a cough , slight fever and shortness of breath .
U.S. public health officials have urged people to follow the steps they would to avoid the seasonal flu , such as washing their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This coronavirus may be new but the ways to prevent it are tried-and-true and well-established , ” Page said .
“ This is not time to panic.
” The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .


thetorontostar--2020-03-07--Virus may have US sports leagues cutting locker-room access

MIAMI - The NBA , NHL , Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer are all weighing plans to restrict access to locker rooms as a precaution to protect players from exposure to the coronavirus , as concern over the situation continued escalating Saturday .
Further , the NBA has told its teams that it has until Tuesday to develop a “ plan to limit the number of team and arena staff ... who interact with players ” as part of their response strategies .
NBA teams were also told to have an arrangement with an infectious disease specialist and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing for COVID-19 .
“ In light of the growing community spread of COVID-19 in the United States , and the emergence of community spread in Canada , we continue to closely monitor this situation and are having regular conversations with infectious disease and public health experts , including the CDC , ” the NBA told teams in the memo sent Saturday night , a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press .
No pro games in the U.S. have been called off yet .
State officials in Florida said there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Broward County , where the Florida Panthers were facing the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night .
The NBA told teams on Friday to prepare for the possibility of playing games in empty arenas , as some sports leagues in Europe have already done , an idea that Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James said he wanted no part of .
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman , at the Montreal-Florida game Saturday , would not answer if hockey has gone as far as to prepare for that contingency .
“ I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Bettman said .
“ There are obviously a variety of consequences that we may have to focus on and we ’ ll do that in the appropriate time , but let ’ s not get ahead of ourselves here , OK ?
We ’ re staying on top of it .
We ’ re in constant communication with our clubs and the players association and we ’ re going to deal with this in as thorough , professional , on-top-of-it manner as possible .
Let ’ s everybody take a deep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday night memo , also said teams quickly need a process to distribute hand sanitizer to all players and team staff and to ensure that supply does not run out .
The NBA also urged teams to cut team travel parties “ to essential individuals only , ” have team physicians join an upcoming road trip to study ways of limiting germ-exposure on the road and work with vendors — like bus companies , hotels and meal providers -- to understand their cleaning practices and ensure they have minimal contact with players .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ due diligence going on , ” Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks said .
Closing locker rooms to essential personnel only would not eliminate media interviews with players before and after games but would simply move them to a different location , possibly a news conference setting .
The changes would , in theory , would allow teams to know if anyone in those areas has been tested for illness .
“ In consultation with infectious disease and public health experts , we ’ re discussing with other sports leagues options to protect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including those typically in our locker rooms , “ NBA spokesman Mike Bass said .
“ As always , we ’ re committed to providing appropriate media access.
” Flu hit a high-profile NBA player Saturday — but not the coronavirus .
The Golden State Warriors said Stephen Curry tested positive for influenza and they started him on a treatment program .
“ We have identified his probable source contact who is not part of basketball operations , “ the Warriors said .
“ He has no specific risk factors for COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that he wouldn ’ t be surprised if the closed locker room becomes an NHL-wide mandate for at least the short term “ because it may be the prudent thing to do.
“ He said it would be an “ adjustment ” and that no decisions would be permanent .
“ We ’ re focused on the fact that the tightness , the crowdedness and the intimacy of postgame availability may need to be adjusted while we ’ re focusing on the coronavirus , “ Bettman said .
The Centers for Disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been part of the talks with the leagues , offering guidance on certain matters .
Leagues have also sought additional help in some cases ; the NBA , for example , has sought input from top researchers at Columbia University in New York .
“ We are undertaking many precautions currently , “ MLB said in a statement Saturday .
“ For example , we are asking anyone — including media — who has visited a high-risk area , as defined by the CDC , within the last 14 days not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has not made changes to media access procedures yet , though it confirmed it was discussing “ additional measures “ with other leagues .
MLS is expected to have some limits on access this weekend , but no NHL or NBA teams are working under a league mandate to change pregame or postgame procedures .
However , some NHL clubs did not have postgame locker room access Saturday .
Ushers at some NBA and NHL games have been wearing gloves at recent games to protect themselves while they interact with fans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Indian Wells , Miami and Charleston will be played with ball kids wearing gloves on the court and that they will not handle towels or drinks for players during matches .
The U.S. death toll from the virus climbed to 19 on Saturday , with all but three of the victims in Washington state .
The number of infections swelled to more than 400 , scattered across about half of the U.S. states .
Pennsylvania , Indiana , Minnesota and Nebraska reported their first cases .
AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney in @ @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-03-07--CPAC attendee tests positive for coronavirus, officials say

An attendee of a conservative conference where President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence spoke last week has tested positive for the coronavirus , according to the event ’ s organizer .
The organizer , the American Conservative Union , which hosts the annual Conservative Political Action Conference outside Washington , said the attendee was exposed to the virus before the four-day event and tested positive for it Saturday .
“ This attendee had no interaction with the president or the vice president and never attended the events in the main hall , ” the group said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aware of the situation , and we will continue regular communication with all appropriate government officials.
” The attendee has been quarantined in New Jersey , the statement said .
Trump said Saturday that he was not worried that the infections seemed to be getting closer to the White House .
“ No , I ’ m not concerned at all , no , ” he told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida , where he was spending the weekend .
The president said he had no plans to curtail his campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people were being cancelled across the country .
“ We ’ re going to have tremendous rallies , ” he said .
Praising health officials for a “ fantastic job , ” he added , “ We ’ ve had tremendous co-operation with other countries and all over the world and we ’ ve made it very , very tough , very strong , stringent borders.
” Stephanie Grisham , the White House press secretary , said in a statement that there was “ no indication that either President Trump or Vice President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the attendee.
” “ The president ’ s physician and United States Secret Service have been working closely with White House staff and various agencies to ensure every precaution is taken to keep the first family and the entire White House complex safe and healthy , ” Grisham said .
Others who spoke at the conference included Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia .
Also in attendance were Jared Kushner , the president ’ s son-in-law and adviser , and Donald Trump Jr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gov .
Larry Hogan of Maryland said in a statement that state health officials were informed by the New Jersey Department of Health that the person who tested positive for the virus was in Maryland from Feb. 27 to March 1 , attending the conference in National Harbor .
The statement said those who attended or worked at the conference “ may be at some risk ” for contracting the virus .
“ Due to the scale of this conference , we are urging attendees who are experiencing flu-like symptoms to immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Hogan said .
The American Conservative Union said the event drew thousands .
The group ’ s chairman , Matt Schlapp , said he had had “ incidental interaction with the person ” and added , “ I feel bad for my friend who is in the hospital.
” “ We ’ ve talked to him , ” Schlapp said .
“ He sounds very good.
” At the conference , Trump gave his administration good grades for its handling of the coronavirus outbreak , while his acting chief of staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a separate speech that journalists were hyping the coronavirus because “ they think this will bring down the president.
” Mulvaney also minimized concerns over the virus .
“ The flu kills people , ” he said .
“ This is not Ebola .
It ’ s not SARS , it ’ s not MERS .
It ’ s not a death sentence ; it ’ s not the same as the Ebola crisis.
” Founded in 1974 , CPAC was for years a major gathering where libertarians and establishment Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , the theme of the conference was “ America vs. Socialism , ” and it turned into a stage for Trump and his top advisers and allies to fire up his base and market-test messages for the 2020 presidential election .
Republicans who have broken with the president and his agenda , like Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah , were disinvited from the conference , and the mention of Romney ’ s name by one conservative speaker elicited boos from the audience .


thetorontostar--2020-03-07--Small earthquake felt in Homer, Anchorage and Eagle River

ANCHOR POINT , Alaska - Residents of Homer , Anchorage and Eagle River felt a small earthquake that hit south-central @ @ @ @ @ Earthquake Center said .
The magnitude 3.6 earthquake hit at 7:15 a.m. in the Cook @ @ @ @ @ depth of about 57 miles ( 92 km ) , the centre said .
The @ @ @ @ @ 34 miles ( 55 km ) west of Anchor Point .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-07--The Latest: US state of Missouri reports first virus case

BEIJING - The Latest on the coronavirus outbreak ( all times local ) : A St. Louis-area woman who recently travelled to Italy is the U.S. state of Missouri ’ s first confirmed coronavirus case .
St. Louis County Executive Sam Page said Saturday that the woman is in her 20s and is at home with her parents .
She was returning home from Italy when she showed symptoms .
Page said the parents are not showing symptoms .
The Missouri announcement came the same day that neighbouring Kansas also announced its first case of the virus .
The number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with cases in about half of the states .
Indiana , Minnesota , Nebraska and Pennsylvania also recently reported their first cases .
The total U.S. death toll has reached 19 .
The number of deaths linked to coronavirus in Washington state could be even higher than the 16 already announced based on figures released by the nursing home at the centre of the region ’ s outbreak .
The Life Care Center of Kirkland said Saturday that since Feb. 19 , 26 of its residents have died .
Typically , about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facility each month .
Of the 26 who died , 15 did so at hospitals where they were tested for COVID-19 .
But 11 died at the nursing home , and Life Care said it has no information about post-mortem tests to see if those 11 had the coronavirus .
The facility also said that 70 of its 180 employees have symptoms and are no longer working .
China says it has recorded 44 new cases of the novel coronavirus over the last 24 hours , the lowest level since it began publishing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27 deaths were reported in the Sunday morning count , bringing the total to 3,097 since the virus was first detected in December in the city of Wuhan , which still accounts for the bulk of cases and deaths .
The Health Ministry says a total of 80,695 infections have been recorded in the outbreak , with 20,533 patients still in treatment .
The Pentagon has announced that a U.S. Marine assigned to Fort Belvoir , Virginia tested positive Saturday for COVID-19 and is currently being treated at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the Marine recently returned from overseas where he was on official business .
Defence Secretary Mark Esper and the White House have been briefed.
” A Defence Department official said on background prior to the public announcement that this is the first reported U.S. military case inside this country .
Fort Belvoir is in Fairfax County in Northern Virginia .
A cruise ship executive expressed frustration over the lack of directions as U.S. and California officials decide where to dock the Grand Princess after 21 people tested positive for coronavirus .
Authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noncommercial dock over the weekend , but no further details have been released .
Jan Swartz , president of Princess Cruises , said she preferred to get everybody off the ship as soon as possible .
The ship was halted on its return from Hawaii three days ago because a former passenger from the ship ’ s February cruise to Mexico tested positive for the disease and died .
Princess Cruise says the virus spread to a waiter who served that passenger .
—This entry has been corrected to show that the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maryland officials say a person in New Jersey who has tested positive for coronavirus attended the recent Conservative Political Action Conference in the Washington suburb of Oxon Hill , Maryland .
That ’ s leading Maryland officials to warn that anyone who attended or worked at the conference may be at some risk for acquiring COVID-19 .
Among the political figures who attended the CPAC conference were President Donald Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence .
The White House says there is no indication that either Trump or Pence was in close proximity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement Saturday , Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan urged CPAC attendees who are experiencing flu-like symptoms to immediately reach out to their health care provider .
Kansas on Saturday confirmed its first case of coronavirus in a Kansas City-area woman under 50 who travelled to the northeast .
Gov .
Laura Kelly and health officials said the woman is isolating herself at home after seeing her doctor over the common symptoms of the new coronavirus of a cough , slight fever and shortness of breath .
She lives in Johnson County , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The patient ’ s doing very well , ” said Lee Norman , secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment .
The Kansas announcement came as Florida reported two coronavirus deaths , the first outside the West Coast .
The total U.S. death toll reached 19 .
The number of U.S. coronavirus cases swelled to about 400 , with cases in about half of the states .
Indiana , Minnesota , Nebraska and Pennsylvania also reported their first cases .
The confirmation of the first Kansas case came four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department launched an online resource centre on coronavirus and three days after Kelly and the department ’ s top administrator said the state was prepared for an outbreak .
Norman had said the state was monitoring up to a dozen people a day as possible coronavirus cases .
Nebraska officials are asking dozens of people who attended a Special Olympics basketball tournament last week in Fremont to self-quarantine after learning a woman infected with COVID-19 also attended the event .
The woman spent most of the day Feb. 29 at the Fremont Family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to a news release Saturday from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services .
Health officials have urged the tournament ’ s players , coaches and team staff members to self-quarantine and monitor themselves until March 14 for symptoms of the virus , including fever , cough and shortness of breath .
They ’ re also asked to self-report to the Nebraska public health online system or call their local health departments for next steps .
About 500 people attended the event from Fremont , Omaha , Lincoln and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Spectators and other people who were in the YMCA building that same day are at much lower risk than the direct participants of the tournament .
Several institutions in Fremont , including Fremont Public Schools , Archbishop Bergan Catholic Schools , Trinity Lutheran School , Midland University and the YMCA , cancelled or postponed all activities effective immediately .
The District of Columbia says it has recorded its first case of coronavirus .
In a tweet , Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser says testing at the public health lab of the D.C. Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first presumptive positive coronavirus case .
The mayor scheduled a Saturday evening news conference .
The D.C. case comes as New Jersey reports a person with coronavirus had attended last week ’ s Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor , Maryland , a suburb of Washington .
On Friday , the group AIPAC said two people who attended its Washington conference this past week had tested positive for coronavirus U.S. officials say they ’ ve distributed enough kits to public health labs to test 75,000 people around the country for the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hahn released the information on Saturday .
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said Saturday that most people don ’ t need to drastically change their daily lives , but should “ stay informed and practice good hygiene.
” And he reiterated that older people and those with underlying health conditions should avoid large groups , especially in tight spaces .
Officials in the U.S. state of Washington have raised the death toll from the coronavirus to 16 .
The Washington state Department of Health announced the two additional deaths on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnosed with the virus has risen to 102 .
At least 10 of those who died had been linked to a nursing home in the Seattle area .
The death toll in the U.S. now stands at 19 .
Two people have died in Florida and one has died in California .
Greece ’ s National Public Health Organization says the total cases of coronavirus in Greece have risen to 66 .
The organization announced the new numbers Saturday .
Of those , 47 were in a group that travelled to Israel and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the travellers is a 66-year-old man who is in intensive care .
No fatalities have been reported in Greece .
A total of 21 new cases were confirmed Saturday .
The government is expected to unveil measures concerning schools and other public spaces on Sunday or Monday .
The number of people in France diagnosed with the new coronavirus jumped by 336 to 949 on Saturday .
That ’ s the biggest daily increase France has recorded .
French health authorities said another seven people have died , taking the total to 16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of age .
The virus has reached every region of France and three overseas territories in the Caribbean and South America .
The head of the national health agency said that French hospitals are preparing emergency measures , including eventually bringing in retired doctors and students to help with growing demand if needed .
Health authorities on the small Mediterranean island nation of Malta have raised the number of people with coronavirus to three , after the parents of the girl first infected tested positive too .
Officials said ‘ ’ there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and urged people to take preventative measures , like frequent hand-washing .
Earlier , Malta confirmed its first coronavirus case , a 12-year-old girl of Italian origin who lives in Malta with her family .
Health Minister Chris Fearne said the girl and her family had visited northern Italy in late February and early March , returning to Malta via Rome .
Italy has seen its biggest daily increase in coronavirus cases since the outbreak broke out in the north of the country on Feb. 21 .
In its daily update , Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of people with the coronavirus rose by 1,247 in the last 24 hours , taking the total to 5,883 .
Another 36 people also died as a result of the virus , taking the total to 233 .
Officials said people in intensive care with ailments other than coronavirus in the hardest-hit region of Lombardy would be transferred to neighbouring regions , all of which have greater availability .
The president of the national health service , Silvio Brusaferro , urged people to abide by guidelines to limit contact as the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has deployed police in a northern town to help enforce a home quarantine placed on a neighbourhood with a high number of residents infected by the coronavirus .
The regional government of La Rioja said Saturday that the extra measures have been taken to contain the outbreak in Haro , a town of 11,000 residents , where the majority of the 39 cases in the region are located .
Regional authorities warn that breaking the quarantine is punishable by fines of 3,000-600,000 euros ( $ 3,380- $ 677,000 ) .
Fernando Simón , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of health emergencies and alerts , confirmed reports that medical experts suspect that a recent funeral led to the outbreak in Spain ’ s north .
Besides the around 30 people infected in Haro , authorities suspect that some of the 70 infected in the neighbouring Basque Country region are also linked to the funeral held in the Basque city of Vitoria .
The virus has caused eight deaths in Spain and infected over 400 .
Thirty people have recovered from the virus .
An elderly man has become the second person in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The man , in his early 80s , tested positive for the virus and had underlying health conditions .
He died Thursday while being treated at Milton Keynes University Hospital .
Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said officials were working to find out who the man had come into contact with .
The U.K. has confirmed 164 cases of the new virus — 147 in England , 11 in Scotland , four in Northern Ireland and two in Wales .
Pope Francis will deliver his next two public blessings via video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precaution against the spread of the coronavirus .
The Vatican said in a statement Saturday that the pope will not hold his traditional Sunday noon blessing from a window over St. Peter ’ s Square , as is tradition , but that it will be streamed from the library in the Apostolic Palace .
The Wednesday audience will be handled in the same way .
Francis has also stopped celebrating morning Mass before invited guests at the chapel in the Vatican hotel where he lives , indicating his contact has been extremely limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection .
At 83 , recovering from a cold and with part of one lung removed from a respiratory infection when he was a young man , Francis would be at risk of serious complications if he were to catch the virus .
Italy has recommended that elderly people remain at home .
The measures come after the Vatican confirmed its first case of the virus on Friday .
The pope appeared from a window high above St. Peter ’ s Square for last Sunday ’ s blessing , pausing twice for short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen coughing and blowing his nose during Ash Wednesday Mass just days earlier .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging older adults and people with severe medical conditions such as heart , lung or kidney disease to “ stay home as much as possible ” and avoid crowds to avoid contracting the coronavirus .
The CDC updated the guidance on its COVID-19 website on Friday .
The agency said older people are more likely to have serious illness and that underlying health conditions make it harder for people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also suggested older adults and people with severe conditions should stay away from those who are sick and wash their hands often when they do go out .
It also suggested such people have several weeks of medications and supplies at home .
For most people , the flu-like viral illness causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
The U.S. military ’ s European Command says an American sailor has tested positive for the coronavirus , the first U.S. service member in Europe to be infected .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sailor was stationed in Naples , Italy , but gave no other details about the person or where he or she may have been infected .
The military says the sailor is “ currently restricted to their residence , receiving supportive and medical care in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention host nation guidelines.
” An investigation is underway to determine whether any other personnel may have been exposed , and those already identified as having been in close contact have been notified and isolated at their residences .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-ordination with Italian authorities , U.S. embassy , and public health authorities to ensure the well-being of our personnel and local population.
” The governor of Italy ’ s Lazio region is the latest official to test positive for the coronavirus in the country .
Nicola Zingaretti , who is also head of the Democratic Party , announced his diagnosis on Facebook on Saturday , saying , ‘ ’ I am well , so it was decided I will be isolated at home.
’ ’ He said his family was also under isolation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from home .
At least three government prefects — in Bergamo , Brescia and Matera — have tested positive for the virus , along with three Milan prosecutors , according to media reports .
The government in its latest measures put the courts on a two-week holiday footing from Monday to allow them to better reorganize cases as the virus continues to spread throughout Italy .
The number of cases in the country jumped by 778 on Friday , to 4,636 .
So far , 148 people infected with the virus have died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have died from the coronavirus , raising the country ’ s death toll to 145 .
More than 1,000 infections were also confirmed overnight , bringing the country ’ s total to 5,823 cases .
Iran has the vast majority of cases in the Mideast .
The capital , Tehran , has the most infections , with more than 1,500 cases , followed by the Shiite holy city of Qom with 668 and the northern province of Mazandaran with 606 .
South Korea — the hardest-hit country after China — reported 448 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 7,041 .
South Korea also reported four more deaths , raising the death toll to 48 .
Malta has confirmed its first coronavirus case , a 12-year-old girl of Italian origin who lives in the Mediterranean island nation with her family .
Health Minister Chris Fearne says the girl and her family had visited northern Italy in late February and early March , returning to Malta via Rome .
The family self-quarantined as instructed but the girl started to experience symptoms .
She was tested Friday and results came back positive on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held in an isolated section of Malta ’ s main public hospital , together with her sister and parents .
Iran ’ s state-run IRNA news agency is reporting that a newly elected lawmaker from Tehran has died after contracting the coronavirus .
The lawmaker , 55-year-old Fatemeh Rahabar , was recently elected to serve in the incoming parliament that begins work in May .
Earlier this week , Iranian lawmaker Abdolreza Mesri told state television that 23 members of the current parliament had the coronavirus and he urged all lawmakers to avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carrying over 150 tourists and Egyptian crew is under quarantine in the southern city of Luxor after 12 people tested positive for the coronavirus .
Egyptian health authorities say a Taiwanese-American tourist on board the boat had tested positive for the virus upon returning to Taiwan late in February .
Local officials said there are Americans , French and Indians among the passengers .
A health official said that the 12 are isolated inside the boat while the rest are awaiting test results .
The new infections bring the total number of cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned away a cruise ship carrying around 2,000 passengers and crew from a port in northern Penang state , becoming the second country to bar the ship from docking after Thailand .
The Costa Fortuna was turned away from the popular resort island of Phuket in southern Thailand on Friday due to the presence of 64 Italians on board .
Thai health authorities have officially designated Italy a dangerous communicable disease area because it has been hit hard by the coronavirus .
Phee Boon Poh , a Penang executive councillor , said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it had turned away the cruise liner Saturday morning following a directive from the transport ministry .
He said the ship was now making its way to Singapore .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .


thetorontostar--2020-03-07--Suburbanites are voting and that’s good news for Joe Biden

BURNSVILLE , Minn. - Nearly two years after suburbanites helped drive a Democratic surge , there are clear signs these voters are engaged and primed to vote Democratic again .
Turnout in the Democratic presidential primary has been strong across suburban counties , from northern Virginia to Southern California , that fueled the 2018 wave .
In several key counties , turnout has exceeded that of four years ago .
In some cases , it has bested the party ’ s recent high water marks reached during the 2008 primary battle between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton .
That has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden .
The former vice-president , who ’ s running as a moderate , consensus candidate , soared to the top of the Democratic field this past week , showing strength in places such as Fairfax County in Virginia , and Mecklenburg County in North Carolina .
Many suburban Democrats said they are motivated by their desire to oust Trump and a fear that Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , Biden ’ s chief primary rival , is a riskier bet .
“ My main goal is to not have Trump get reelected , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child care provider , said outside a coffee shop in Burnsville , Minnesota , a Twin Cities suburb .
Hayes noted that she ’ s ideologically more aligned with progressives such as Sanders or Elizabeth Warren , the Massachusetts senator who dropped out of the race Thursday .
But Hayes described herself as pragmatic and said she voted for Biden because she thinks he can win .
“ I wanted to pick someone more moderate , ” she said .
“ I really didn ’ t decide until a couple hours before I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risen , with Iowa , North Carolina and Texas topping 2016 levels , but not the 2008 spike .
Virginia was an exception , jumping from 986,000 votes in 2008 to 1.3 million .
Much of that increase is coming in American suburbs that will be pivotal to the November general election .
Consider Burnsville , part of once-reliably Republican Dakota County .
The sprawling community has grown more racially diverse and more Democratic in recent years .
The strip mall where Hayes grabbed a coffee also housed a halal grocer linked with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ linked with a taco shop .
A surge of anti-Trump sentiment in the area helped Democrats flip a Republican-held House seat in 2018 .
Now Dakota County is among the places Trump ’ s campaign must pick up ground if it wants to make good on its promise to win Minnesota in November .
“ The suburbs have been a killing zone for Republicans in the Trump era , ” said GOP strategist Alex Conant , a top adviser on Florida Sen. Marco Rubio ’ s failed 2016 presidential campaign .
Conant said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families and professionals or Democratic gains in suburbs will almost certainly continue .
The opening contests of the Democratic presidential primary , including 14 held Tuesday , brought few signs that the Trump backlash in the suburbs has ebbed .
In a dozen counties with swing suburban communities , Democrats cast more ballots than they did four years ago , an analysis found .
In nine of the 12 counties , the vote totals eclipsed 2008 .
The numbers are a sign of both the energy and the population growth driving Democrats ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday in Virginia , where Democrats have won three straight election cycles since Trump was elected , powered largely by voters in suburban areas .
That success includes every statewide race and flipping partisan control of the Legislature and congressional delegation .
In Chesterfield County , just south of Richmond , young families have flocked to new subdivisions , shifting the area ’ s politics at a stunning pace .
The county voted for Trump in 2016 but has since helped elect Democratic Gov .
Ralph Northam in 2017 , sent Democrat Abigail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seated a new Democratic state senator in 2019 .
This past Tuesday , 25,000 more Democrats voted compared with the Democratic primary in 2016 .
Voting was up for Democrats in Texas ’ Dallas County , another area that flipped a House seat to Democrats in 2018 , though turnout was not as high as when Obama was on the ballot .
In Virginia , about two-thirds of suburban voters describe themselves as moderate or conservative , rather than liberal , as do about 60 % of suburban voters in California , Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to AP VoteCast surveys of voters in eight states that held primaries last Tuesday .
That moderate tilt proved to be an advantage for Biden over Sanders , whom many suburban voters said they viewed as less likely to beat Trump .
Biden soundly beat Sanders in Dakota County , Chesterfield County and Fairfaxe .
In California , a state Sanders won , he beat Biden in suburban havens of Orange and Riverside counties , although by relatively narrow margins .
Michael McDade , 62 , a Democrat who cast his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home of the Research Triangle Park area , said he voted for Biden as a matter of pragmatism rather than preference .
“ I just felt like he had the best chance of consolidating Democrats behind him and the best chance of beating Trump , ” he said .
The 40-year resident has watched Wake County swell with out-of-state newcomers filling jobs in the booming pharmaceutical and technology industries and surrounding universities , and making the area “ much more cosmopolitan.
” Progressives argue that the party ’ s focus on the suburbs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters risks leaving behind the young voters , Latinos and liberals at the core of Sanders ’ coalition .
“ A campaign that is not inspiring to a rising American electorate , especially of young voters , can be a real challenge for Democrats , ” said Neil Sroka at the pro-Sanders Democracy for America .
Democrats ’ focus shouldn ’ t be on the so-called swing voter who shifts between Republicans and Democrats , “ but those who swing in and out of the electorate , ” he said .
Indeed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skepticism of most other candidates in the race .
At least half of his voters across eight states surveyed said they would be unhappy with Biden , according to VoteCast .
At the Burnsville coffee shop , Sanders supporter Ali Sugule , 39 , wasn ’ t enthusiastic about Biden .
Nevertheless , the Somali American who considers himself a progressive said he “ will back up anybody ” the Democrats ultimately nominate .
Sherman Bausch , 44 , a business technology consultant from Lakeville in Dakota County called Trump a “ horrible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be “ very , very frustrated ” to have to vote for Sanders .
“ I don ’ t think replacing one guy at one end who ’ s yelling at everybody with a guy on the other end who ’ s yelling at everybody is an appropriate move for the country at this point , ” he said .
He voted for Biden .
Outside of Denver , Andrea Staron , 38 , said she used to vote Republican .
But she left her presidential choice blank in 2016 .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is anti-abortion and deeply interested in anti-poverty work voted on Super Tuesday because she wanted to play a role in choosing an opponent to a president she detests .
Sanders has some “ very interesting ideas , “ she said , but ” I want somebody who can beat Trump.
” She waited until the last minute .
And she voted for Biden .
Mascaro reported from Washington .
Associated Press writers Angeliki Kastanis in Washington , Matthew Barakat in McLean , Virginia , Alan Suderman in Chesterfield , Virginia , Nick Riccardi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robertson in Cary , North Carolina , contributed to this report .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly `` Ground Game ’ ’ politics podcast

Lisa Mascaro And Steve Karnowski - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-07--Trump ‘not concerned’ as coronavirus cases rise in DC area

PALM BEACH , Fla. - President Donald Trump says he isn ’ t concerned “ at all ” about the coronavirus getting closer to the White House after the nation ’ s capital reported its first case Saturday .
Maryland officials warned Saturday that a person who attended the recent Conservative Political Action Conference in the suburb of Oxon Hill had tested positive for the virus .
Both Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence spoke at the conference .
The White House said Saturday there was no indication that either had met or were in “ close proximity ” to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned about the virus getting closer , Trump said : “ No , I ’ m not concerned at all .
No , I ’ m not .
We ’ ve done a great job.
” When asked whether his thousand person campaign rallies would would continue in light of the CPAC case , the president replied , “ We ’ ll have tremendous rallies.
” Trump held his most recent campaign rally last Monday in Charlotte , North Carolina .
He waved off other questions to join a dinner for the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the president ’ s home in south Florida .
A Marine at Virginia ’ s Fort Belvoir became the first military case of coronavirus reported inside the U.S. , a Pentagon official said on background prior to the announcement .
The Marine was being treated at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital , located south of Washington , and had recently returned from an overseas assignment , Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said on Twitter .
The District of Columbia recorded its first case on Saturday .
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser said testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D.C. Department of Forensic Sciences yielded its first presumptive positive coronavirus case .
On Friday , the political group AIPAC said two people who attended its Washington conference this past week had tested positive for coronavirus .
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Darlene Superville - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-08--Iwo Jima hero, 96, sees US warship commissioned in his honour

NORFOLK , Va. - A 96-year-old war hero looked on as military officials commissioned a U.S. Navy warship in honour of the veteran , the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from the Battle of Iwo Jima .
The USS Hershel “ Woody ” Williams was commissioned Saturday in Norfolk , Virginia , with the World War II veteran present .
The USS Williams is an Expeditionary Sea Base ship that was built and launched in 2017 .
With its commissioning , the vessel ’ s designation changed from a support ship to a warship , and command transferred from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Force Atlantic .
Williams described the commissioning as “ a moment in history that is beyond my comprehension.
” “ May all those who serve aboard this ship that bears my name be safe and proud .
May she have God ’ s blessings for a long life of service to America , the greatest country on Earth , ” he said .
U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin delivered the principal address at Saturday ’ s ceremony , praising his fellow West Virginian as “ West Virginia strong through and through.
” “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be able to be here with a person who is truly an American hero , ” Manchin said .
Other speakers included Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger , Assistant Secretary of the Navy James Geurts , U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria and Rear Adm. Roy Kitchener , commander of Naval Surface Force Atlantic .
“ This ship , by design , is intended to go over the horizon and into harm ’ s way and I am confident they will do so , combat ready and battle-minded , ” Kitchener said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ countermeasure and special operations missions , freeing up amphibious warships and surface combatant ships for more demanding operational missions .
Its four core capabilities are aviation facilities , berthing , equipment staging and command and control assets .