thetorontostar--2020-03-25--China lifting last controls in province at outbreak’s centre

BEIJING - Trains carrying factory employees back to work after two months in locked-down cities rolled out of Hubei province , the centre of China ’ s virus outbreak , as the government on Wednesday began lifting the last of the controls that confined tens of millions of people to their homes .
Roadblocks on bridges and at expressway gates opened , allowing trucks and cars through for the first time in two months .
Residents of Wuhan , the provincial capital where the coronavirus emerged in December , are allowed out of the city but can not leave Hubei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tens of millions of people from leaving other cities in Hubei since late February as China fought to contain the outbreak were lifted Wednesday .
As the United States and European countries tighten their own controls , China ’ s ruling Communist Party is relaxing restrictions to revive the economy after declaring victory over the outbreak .
Still , authorities have orders to prevent a spike in infections as millions of people return to work in Hubei or migrate to other provinces .
Travelers were checked for the virus ’ s telltale fever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that keep track of their health reports and whether they have been to risky areas .
A train left the previously locked-down city of Huanggang on Tuesday night carrying 1,133 factory workers back to jobs in Guangdong province , the centre of China ’ s export-driven manufacturing industries in the southeast , according to People ’ s Daily , the main Communist Party newspaper .
Physicians were aboard to monitor the passengers and the train was due to travel non-stop to Guangzhou , the Guangdong provincial capital , as a precaution .
People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be met by buses to carry them directly to factories in Shenzhen and other cities .
“ Resumption of labour and production is urgent !
” the newspaper said .
Most access to Wuhan , a manufacturing centre of 11 million people , or 1 1/2 times the population of New York City , was shut down Feb. 23 .
The city is 700 kilometres ( 450 miles ) west of Shanghai .
Restrictions that would expand to become the most intensive anti-disease controls ever imposed spread to Huanggang and the nearby cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zhijiang , Jingmen , Xiantao , Xiaogan and Huangshi .
At the peak of China ’ s restrictions , some 700 million people were in areas covered by orders or official requests to stay home and limit activity .
That left streets in Beijing and other major cities empty and eerily silent .
Police stopped pedestrians and told them to go home .
Other governments including Italy , Spain and Malaysia have imposed similar controls , closing regions or national borders , as the virus spread around the globe .
In Hubei , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and some other businesses that were deemed essential to reopen on March 11 in a sign of official confidence the disease was under control .
The shutdowns in Hubei , central China ’ s manufacturing centre , disrupted smartphone , auto and other major industries .
There is no word on when schools , which have been teaching online and through social media , might reopen in Hubei .
“ We still feel it is not the right time to resume classes , ” said Li Zhen , a teacher at the Yingshan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they reopen , teachers expect schools to screen visitors and “ slow down the process of teaching a little bit to let the students catch up to the rhythm of study in the classroom after being away for months , ” Li said .
On the Laishui River , the 400-meter ( quarter-mile ) Hunan-Eqing Bridge that links Hubei with neighbouring Hunan province reopened before dawn Wednesday , according to the Chutian Metropolis Daily .
Drivers leaving Hubei were checked for fever and had to show a “ green health code ” on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoided high-risk areas .
“ You can breathe a little sigh of relief , ” the newspaper quoted a police officer , Tian Gang , as saying .
It said he has been away from home for 50 days .
The owner of a private school in Xiangyang said he won ’ t reopen until the outbreak is declared “ completely under control.
” He said his 40-member staff have been teaching online but the school lost 500,000 yuan ( $ 70,000 ) over the past two months .
“ I am not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope the government can help ordinary people , ” said the owner , who would give only his surname , Shi .
Shi , a 31-year-old father of two , said his students spent the lockdown indoors reading books and watching TV .
“ I told them not to go outside because there was a monster out there , ” he said .
Most of the public co-operated with the restrictions , but a man was sentenced to death March 1 for fatally stabbing two people who were guarding a roadblock in Yunnan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an automaking centre and has factories operated by Groupe Renault , Nissan Motor Co. , PSA Peugeot-Citroen and Honda Motor Co. in joint ventures with state-owned Dongfeng Motor Group .
The city also has hundreds of components suppliers .
Renault said its factory in nearby Shiyan reopened March 11 and a Wuhan factory is due to restart March 30 .
Honda said its three factories in Wuhan reopened March 11 .
Nissan said a factory in Xiangyang reopened the following day .
Dongfeng said its own factories in Hubei were approved to resume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Huangshi Jinghua Plastic Mould Co. in the city of Huangshi said its 50 employees went back to work March 18 .
He said sales are down 30 % to 40 % from pre-outbreak levels .
Employees were wearing masks and disinfecting the workplace , said the manager , Yin Shuang .
“ It is absolutely not the time for us to remove the masks now , ” Yin said .
AP researcher Yu Bing in Beijing and AP writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Hotel space planned for colorful Des Moines office building

DES MOINES , Iowa - One of Des Moines ’ taller and more colorful office buildings will house hotel guests by 2022 under a plan being developed by its owner .
Floors one through 13 of the Financial Center would become the hotel , with 190 guest rooms , a food market , coffee shop and an upscale restaurant .
Floors 14 through 25 would be upgraded for office tenants and have separate elevator access .
The building opened in 1972 and is known for its colorful lights that change with current events .
Its owner , Lawmark Capital , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not ready to announce who will operate it .
“ It will be a unique-to-Des Moines , unique-to-Iowa project , ” said Jake Christensen , a local developer who is working as a consultant to Lawmark Capital .
“ It will be a hotel flag and type that we don ’ t have yet , ” he told The Des Moines Register .
Wells Fargo announced last year that it was leaving 13 floors in the Financial Center , which is known for lights that change with current events .
It opened in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved preliminary terms of a development agreement Monday with Lawmark , including a 15-year tax-increment finance package totalling $ 7.5 million .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Too big to infect? Some US leaders defy virus guidelines

WASHINGTON - The State Department has advised against all international travel because of the coronavirus , but that didn ’ t stop Secretary of State Mike Pompeo from flying to Afghanistan this week .
Gyms across the nation ’ s capital are shuttered , but Sen. Rand Paul , an eye doctor , still managed a workout at the Senate on Sunday morning as he awaited the results of a coronavirus test .
It came back positive .
The guidance against shaking hands ?
That hasn ’ t always applied to President Donald Trump , whose penchant for pressing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his administration were warning that such bodily contact could facilitate the spread of the contagious virus .
Practice social distancing ?
Daily White House briefings involve Trump and other senior officials crowded around a podium .
Even as the country has largely hunkered down , heeding the guidance of health experts and the directives of state leaders , some powerful people in Washington have defied preventative measures aimed at curbing the spread .
Their business-as-usual actions are at odds with the restrictions everyday Americans find themselves under — and with the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behaviour experts say the “ do as I say , not as I do ” ’ ethos seemingly on display is common among powerful officials , who may be inclined to think rules for the general public don ’ t apply to them in the same way or who can easily disassociate their own actions from what they say is best for others .
“ When we have high power , we think of ourselves as exceptional as if the rules don ’ t apply to us , “ said Maurice Schweitzer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of Pennsylvania who has researched behaviour and decision-making .
“ We ’ re much more prone to do what we want because we don ’ t feel constrained in the way that less powerful people do.
” In Pompeo ’ s case , the State Department says the unannounced trip — coming amid a near-global travel shutdown — was necessary and urgent because of political turmoil in Afghanistan that U.S. officials fear could threaten a recent U.S.-Taliban peace deal that calls for American troop withdrawals .
Pompeo left Kabul on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal .
People travelling with Pompeo had their temperatures taken and were given small plastic bags containing a face mask , hand sanitizer , bleach wipes and mini-disposable thermometers .
A State Department medical official told reporters that Pompeo and his staff would not be quarantining themselves because Afghanistan is not considered a high-risk country for the virus and because Pompeo ’ s movements on the trip were controlled .
But some of the behaviour by other officials has drawn rebukes .
Asked in a Science Magazine interview about Trump shaking hands , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , said he tells White House staff that “ we should not be doing that .
Not only that — we should be physically separating a bit more on those press conferences.
“ Several senators , meanwhile , scolded Paul for refusing to self-quarantine after he ’ d been tested , with the doctor overseeing the government ’ s coronavirus response suggesting the Kentucky Republican ’ s actions fell short of model “ personal responsibility.
“ More than two dozen senators are in their 70s and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if exposed .
Still , despite risk to senators and the fact that gyms across the country have been closed as a precaution , Paul and other senators were able to continue going to the Senate gym , using a keypad for access .
Sen. Sherrod Brown , an Ohio Democrat , said in an interview with Newsy that Paul ’ s actions were “ irresponsible ” and that senators in general have been acting as if they were somehow immune to getting sick .
He cited what he said was a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weekend .
“ I think that senators must think that they ’ re invincible , “ Brown said .
Paul , a proud civil libertarian , said he had thought it “ highly unlikely ” he was sick before getting the test results and had no symptoms of the illness .
He said he did not have contact with anyone who tested positive for the virus or was sick .
He was at the Senate gym Sunday morning , though Paul ’ s staff says he left the Capitol as soon as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paul , Deborah Birx , the co-ordinator of the White House coronavirus task force , said people can spread the virus while being asymptomatic , so social distancing is imperative .
She noted that she herself stayed home over the weekend when she felt ill. She took a coronavirus test that came back negative .
“ These are the kinds of things that we have to do for one another .
This is the personal responsibility that I ’ m talking about that we all have to practice , “ Birx said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he methodically shook the hands of retail and health industry specialists at a Rose Garden news conference two weeks ago .
He acknowledged Monday that shaking hands has been a hard habit for him to break , having become accustomed as president to doing so with “ literally thousands of people a week.
“ Even now , he stands close to other officials at daily White House briefings , including Vice-President Mike Pence .
By contrast , Defence Secretary Mark Esper began separating from his deputy this month as a precaution .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ professor , said senior officials or people in positions of power frequently separate their public behaviour from their private , especially if they think they have greater control over their circumstances compared to strangers .
Doctors , for instance , may not always follow their own recommendations to their patients if they think they have better control over their illnesses .
In times of crisis , most people look to health experts as the ultimate authority , Yanovitzky said in an email .
But for the segment of the population already disinclined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what people say and do risk undermining the recommendations and mandates of the public health community , he said .
“ The problem , “ said Schweitzer , the Wharton professor , “ is that the mixed messages sow confusion , and it seems disorganized , undisciplined , chaotic.
” Associated Press writers Matthew Lee and Matthew Daly contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Turkish prosecutors file indictment over Khashoggi killing

ANKARA , Turkey - Turkish prosecutors have formally charged two former aides of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and 18 other Saudi nationals over the 2018 killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi , officials said Wednesday .
A statement from the Istanbul chief prosecutor ’ s office said it has completed its investigation into Khashoggi ’ s grisly killing at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul and has indicted 20 Saudi nationals .
The killing drew international condemnation and cast a cloud of suspicion over Prince Mohammed .
All suspects however , have left Turkey and Saudi Arabia has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face trial in Turkey .
Riyadh insisted the kingdom ’ s courts are the correct place for them to be tried and has put 11 people on trial over the killing .
The Turkish indictment charges the prince ’ s former advisers , Saud al-Qahtani and Ahmed al-Asiri , with “ instigating a premeditated murder with the intent of ( causing ) torment through fiendish instinct , ” according to a statement from Chief Prosecutor Irfan Fidan ’ s office .
The indictment also calls for life prison sentences for 18 other Saudi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ premeditated murder with the intent of ( causing ) torment through fiendish instincts.
” Khashoggi , who was a resident of the U.S. , had walked into his country ’ s consulate on Oct. 2 , 2018 , for an appointment to pick up documents that would allow him to marry .
He never walked out , and his body has not been found .
A team of 15 Saudi agents had flown to Turkey to meet Khashoggi inside the consulate .
They included a forensic doctor , intelligence and security officers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office , according to a report last year by U.N. special rapporteur Agnes Callamard .
Turkish officials allege Khashoggi was killed and then dismembered with a bone saw .
Fidan ’ s office said the 18 suspects are accused of “ acting in consensus from the beginning in line with the decision of taking the victim back to Saudi Arabia and of killing him if he did not agree.
” The statement did not provide further details and it was not immediately clear if the suspects would be tried in absentia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year concluded that the killing was not premeditated , prompting widespread criticism of a “ whitewash.
” Five people were sentenced to death while three other people were found guilty of covering up the crime and were sentenced to a combined 24 years in prison .
Saudi authorities have said al-Qahtani was investigated and had no proven involvement in the killing , while al-Asiri was tried and released because of insufficient evidence .
Turkey , a rival of Saudi Arabia , has used the killing on its soil to pressure the kingdom .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has shared audio of the killing with the C.I.A.
, among others .
Saudi Arabia initially offered shifting accounts about Khashoggi ’ s disappearance .
As international pressure mounted because of the Turkish leaks , the kingdom eventually settled on the explanation that he was killed by rogue officials in a brawl .


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Bangladesh releases jailed ex-PM Zia for six months

DHAKA , Bangladesh - Bangladesh ’ s government on Wednesday released imprisoned opposition leader and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia for six months on condition that she stays at home and does not attempt to leave the country .
Zia had spent more than two years in the prison cell of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in the capital , Dhaka .
Her family and senior party leaders received her as hundreds of supporters ignored calls to avoid gathering to stop the spread of coronavirus .
Wearing a mask , Zia came out in a wheelchair and rode a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Gulshan area .
On Tuesday , Law Minister Anisul Huq said Zia , 74 , was being released on humanitarian grounds considering her age .
She will receive her remaining treatment at home , he said .
Zia was sentenced to 17 years in prison in two corruption cases .
Her Bangladesh Nationalist Party says the cases were politically motivated .
The government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina , Zia ’ s archrival , denies the allegation .
Zia ’ s party says she is seriously ill with ailments including respiratory problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ High Court rejected an appeal by Zia seeking her release for medical treatment in the United Kingdom for chronic arthritis .
Zia was convicted in February 2018 on charges of misusing her power by embezzling some $ 250,000 in donations meant for an orphanage trust .
She was later convicted in another corruption case .
Zia and Hasina are both part of political dynasties .
Zia is the widow of Ziaur Rahman , a general-turned-president who was assassinated in 1981 .
Hasina is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman , the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was assassinated in 1975 .
Bangladesh gained independence through a nine-month war against Pakistan in 1971 .


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Coronavirus briefings are the new campaign rallies for Trump

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump has a new daily ritual now that the pandemic has put the kibosh on the signature campaign rallies that helped him get elected four years ago : the coronavirus briefing .
Standing on the once-abandoned White House briefing room stage flanked by public health experts , Trump holds court with reporters and directly addresses the American people , providing updates on his administration ’ s efforts to combat the pandemic and trying to demonstrate that he ’ s in charge .
The updates are far more staid than his raucous rallies and lack the adoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” chants of the political gatherings .
But they include many of the same features as his now-on-ice mass rallies : plenty of self-congratulation and airing of grievances , press bashing , tirades against his critics and an ample dose of misleading information .
That , combined with measured updates from public health officials , has created a sometimes confusing split screen for Americans watching at home , many under stay-at-home restrictions and anxiously tuning in to cable news for updates .
“ I don ’ t want to stand here for two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters during Monday ’ s marathon briefing , which stretched to nearly two hours .
“ But I think it ’ s important .
... Give us any question about it because I think it ’ s important for the public to know.
” For the first few days of the crisis , the briefings were led by Vice-President Mike Pence , who offered buttoned-up updates in a calming , paternal tone .
But Trump , who never likes to cede the spotlight , quickly decided to make himself the star of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day of the week , including Tuesday , when he sat down for a separate Fox News town hall in the Rose Garden , Trump emerges from behind closed doors and reads a summary of his administration ’ s latest efforts .
Then he invites other administration officials to make remarks from the often-crowded stage where social distancing recommendations are flouted .
Then he opens things up for questions , and the discussion can go in many directions .
Trump ’ s disposition varies .
On some days , he has struck an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come together to defeat a common enemy .
On others , he has angrily defended his administration ’ s handling of the pandemic and lashed out at reporters , including those who have pressed him on the economic impact of mass closures , testing shortfalls and the struggles of doctors and nurses to find basic supplies .
“ I think it ’ s a very bad signal that you ’ re putting out to the American people , ” he told one reporter who had asked what message he had for frightened Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less is more — that he only attend the briefings when there is big news to announce .
“ You want to keep the air of importance any time he steps into the room , ” said former Trump communications aide Jason Miller .
But Trump has told people that he knows the nation is watching and that he doesn ’ t want to give up the stage to deputies , who in some cases have refuted his commentary in real time on stage .
“ I ’ ll see you all tomorrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stage Tuesday .
Indeed , the briefings have been racking up ratings .
During five of last week ’ s briefings , more than twice as many people tuned in to the networks than had during corresponding times a year ago , according to the Nielsen viewer tracking company .
And Friday ’ s lunchtime briefing reached 8.28 million viewers on Fox News Channel , CNN and MSNBC alone — up from 2.82 million viewers during the same slot last year .
It ’ s a dramatic resurgence for a format that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months of Trump ’ s administration .
But he effectively killed the White House press briefing in March 2019 and it has now been more than a year since the last briefing by a White House press secretary .
The Trump briefings , which often include information that is later clarified or corrected , stand in sharp contrast to those of New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , which have been widely praised .
While the Democrat has generally tried to provide an even-keeled , fact-based approach aided by endless PowerPoint slides , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he pleaded with the federal government to do more to help the state as it struggles to cope with a flood of more than 25,000 confirmed coronavirus cases .
“ What am I going to do with 400 ventilators ?
!
” Cuomo bellowed in response to the Federal Emergency Management Agency ’ s latest offer .
“ You pick the 26,000 people who are going to die because you only sent 400 ventilators !
” He also pushed back on Trump ’ s stated wish to reopen the country for business in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy .
“ What is this ?
Some modern Darwinian theory of natural selection ?
” he asked .
Trump , for his part , has said he believes the White House updates build confidence in the federal response while providing officials with fresh ideas .
“ Some of the questions lead to us solving a problem .
You bring up problems that people didn ’ t know existed , ” he said Monday .
The daily spots have allowed Trump to dominate the airwaves while his chief Democratic rival , Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump the last two weeks .
The former vice-president told supporters during a virtual fundraiser Monday that his campaign has been working to set up an at-home studio to allow for him to do more live events and interviews .
While it ’ s been “ a little slow getting out of the gate to be able to do it correctly , ” Biden said they should expect to see more of him going forward .
Indeed on Tuesday , Biden appeared live on ABC ’ s “ The View ” and CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to see their president out front and leading , in command of the effort to keep the country safe , “ said Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh .
” That ’ s exactly what President Trump is doing.
” Yet the press briefings have also raised questions about whether news outlets should be airing them live , without fact-checking , given Trump ’ s penchant for exaggeration and misstatements .
Margaret Sullivan , media columnist for The Washington Post , said Monday that the briefings were beginning to sound like substitutes for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working against the goal of giving the public critical and truthful information .
“ They have become a daily stage for Trump to play his greatest hits to captive audience members , ” she wrote .
MSNBC star Rachel Maddow went even further .
“ All of us should stop broadcasting it , honestly , ” she said .
“ It ’ s going to cost lives.
” Associated Press writers David Bauder and Alexandra Jaffe contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Australia criticizes China’s espionage case against writer

CANBERRA , Australia - Australia on Wednesday criticized China for formally charging a Chinese-Australian writer with espionage during the coronavirus pandemic .
Yang Hengjun was taken into custody upon arriving in China from New York in January 2019 with his wife , Yuan Xiaoliang , and his 14-year-old stepdaughter .
Foreign Minister Marise Payne said her government “ strongly objects ” to news that China had formally charged the 54-year-old spy novelist and democracy advocate .
“ Crises are a time for nations to pull together .
It is not in the spirit of mutual respect and trust that our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been acknowledged , ” Payne said in a statement .
The Chinese Embassy described Payne ’ s statement as “ deplorable.
” “ The Chinese relevant authorities are investigating the case in accordance with Chinese law , ” an embassy statement said .
“ We urge the Australian side to respect China ’ s judicial sovereignty and refrain from interfering in the legal process in any form.
” In Beijing , Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Yang was “ suspected of engaging in criminal activities that endangers the national security of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Consular visits would be arranged “ after the epidemic situation has improved , “ Geng said .
Payne said China had refused Australia consular access to Yang since Dec. 30 because of COVID-19 concerns .
Australia had requested telephone or written contact instead but had been refused .
“ This is unacceptable treatment of an Australian citizen , ” Payne said .
Yang ’ s poor health made him especially vulnerable to COVID-19 .
Australia has appealed for humanitarian considerations to apply to Yang ’ s situation , Payne said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , our requests have not been taken up .
Dr. Yang has had no access to legal representation and has been held in harsh conditions that have been detrimental to his physical and mental health , ” Payne said .
Australia called for Yang ’ s immediate release and that he be allowed to leave China and travel to Australia with his wife .
“ We have asked repeatedly that basic international standards of justice , procedural fairness and humane treatment apply , ” Payne said .
Some analysts suspect Yang has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australian legislation passed by Parliament in 2018 that outlaws covert foreign interference in Australian politics and institutions .


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Boko Haram kills 92 soldiers in Chad in country’s worst toll

N ’ DJAMENA , Chad - Boko Haram extremists have killed at least 92 Chadian soldiers in the deadliest attack on the nation ’ s forces , Chad ’ s president said .
The attack took place overnight Sunday into Monday in the village of Boma in the Lac province near the border with Nigeria and Niger .
President Idriss Deby gave the toll on state television late Tuesday after visiting the site .
“ Never in our history have we lost so many men at one time , ” he said .
Boko Haram extremists have killed tens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during their more than decade-long insurgency .
They have carried out numerous attacks in the Lake Chad region where Cameroon , Chad , Nigeria and Niger come together .
The Islamic extremist group also killed 50 Nigerian soldiers on Monday in a separate attack in Yobe state in Nigeria ’ s north .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Abortion providers sue Texas over virus outbreak order

AUSTIN , Texas - Planned Parenthood joined other abortion providers Wednesday in suing Texas over moving to ban abortions during the coronavirus outbreak , accusing Republican leaders of exploiting the pandemic to deliver on politics .
The federal lawsuit filed in Austin , Texas , is among the most high-profile challenges to a government response to the coronavirus pandemic .
The chief executive of Whole Woman ’ s Health , an abortion provider with three clinics in Texas , said they cancelled 150 appointments this week after Gov .
Greg Abbott on Sunday issued an order that halted nonessential surgeries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fight COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus .
That was followed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton , a Republican , saying the order banned “ any type of abortion that is not medically necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother.
” The order in Texas is in effect until at least April 21 .
“ Abortion is essential healthcare , and it is a time-sensitive service , ” said Amy Hagstrom Miller , president of Whole Woman ’ s Health .
Paxton ’ s office did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
The issue over abortion during the pandemic also has flared in Ohio , where abortion clinics received letters Friday from Republican Attorney General Dave Yost ordering them to cease all “ non-essential ” surgical abortions .
Yost wrote that the procedures violate a March 17 order issued by the state health director .
However , representatives of Ohio clinics said that they were in compliance with the health director ’ s order and planned to continue providing abortions .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Summit County issues stay-home order to handle coronavirus

SALT LAKE CITY - A Utah county hard hit by the new coronavirus is telling residents to stay home except for essential errands and asking visitors to the ski-resort community of Park City to stay away .
The shelter-in-place order issued Wednesday in Summit County is the first such declaration in the state .
It has been a hotspot for cases statewide , and now has a similar number of cases per-capita as hard-hit New York City and parts of Italy , said Summit County Health Director Rich Bullough .
The order tells people who live not to leave their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grocery shopping and picking up medications .
Residents can go outside for walks but must stay at least six feet away from others , known as social distancing .
It starts Friday and will be in place at least until May 1 .
Visitors planning new trips to Park City are being asked not to come , as well as those with second homes in the area .
Authorities expect hospitals to reach capacity as the disease progresses , and they hope the order will prevent the system from being overwhelmed , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the order are considered a misdemeanour .
Republican Gov .
Gary Herbert has repealed criminal penalties against gathering in groups elsewhere , but said the rate of infection in Summit County makes this order justified .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
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Lindsay Whitehurst - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--COVID-19 infections rise in New York with peak weeks away

ALBANY , N.Y. - Hospitalizations from COVID-19 were rising faster than expected in New York as residents and leaders prepared for a peak in cases that is expected to still be weeks away .
Temporary hospitals , and even a morgue in Manhattan , are being setup .
Here ’ s a look at developments in the coronavirus outbreak in New York on Wednesday .
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in New York climbed to 3,800 , including close to 900 in intensive care , with the peak of the outbreak weeks away , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state tallied more than 30,000 confirmed cases and 285 deaths , most tied to New York City .
The critical question remains whether the severe “ social distancing ” restrictions recently enacted by New York will help the state avoid a worst-case scenario of overwhelmed hospitals .
Cuomo at a state capitol news briefing pointed to one possible early sign the restrictions might be working .
While the hospitalization figures are alarming , the ferocious growth has slowed over the last several days .
For instance , on Sunday , hospitalizations were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were doubling every 4.7 days , he said .
“ This is a very good sign , and a positive sign , ” he said .
“ Again , I ’ m not 100 % sure it holds or it is accurate .
But the arrows are headed in the right direction.
” In a White House briefing , Dr. Deborah Birx , the co-ordinator of the White House ’ s coronavirus task force , pointed to the number of new coronavirus cases in New York City as being relatively constant over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned that hospital cases will continue to increase because they reflect people contracting the illness before full mitigation efforts kicked in .
New York officials are keeping a close eye on already-stressed hospitals as the number of cases is projected to rise for perhaps three more weeks .
Cuomo said as many as 140,000 hospital beds may be needed in a state with 53,000 .
Having enough ICU beds with ventilators is a particular concern .
“ The actual hospitalizations have moved at a higher rate than the projected models , ” Cuomo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate means faster , higher capacity on the hospitals.
” Several temporary hospitals are planned in the New York City area , a Navy hospital ship is being deployed and existing hospitals are increasing capacity by at least 50 % .
New York City has become such a hotspot in the pandemic that White House officials urged people who have left the city amid the outbreak to self-quarantine for 14 days after their departure .
Cuomo believes the high number of cases in the city is partly because it is a worldwide travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ density .
“ That spatial closeness makes us vulnerable , ” he said .
“ But it ’ s true that your greatest weakness is also your greatest strength .
Our closeness is what makes us who we are.
” New York University ’ s Grossman School of Medicine has asked fourth-year medical students who have met graduation requirements if they would be willing to start their internships six weeks early to help out during the pandemic .
Sixty-nine said they would be willing to help .
“ It ’ s really important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here , we have the training to be able to help and do our part , ” said Evan Gerber , a 26-year-old student .
The school is still waiting on final approval from the state and the medical licensing body , but administrators said both of those entities had been responsive .
If approved , they ’ ll be working at hospitals run by NYU and the city in emergency rooms and internal medicine program areas .
Meanwhile , New York is aiming to bring additional healthcare workers and equipment on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s in addition to 40,000 in-state doctors , nurses and other health care workers , including retirees and students , who have volunteered to help during the outbreak .
Cuomo said the 350-room Four Seasons Hotel in Manhattan is the first of several hotels set to providing free lodging to medical personnel during the crisis .
As Cuomo pleaded for more ventilators to save the lives of COVID-19 patients , a police department in suburban Albany did its part by offering one that had been held for years as evidence in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to keep teenager Adeujuan Adams alive after he was stabbed in the neck in 2012 by another teen who wanted his bike .
The Guilderland Police Department kept it as a potential source of evidence in the attacker ’ s trial after Adeujuan died at age 16 in 2013 .
The attacker was convicted .
The Times Union reports that police returned the device Tuesday to equipment supplier Landauer Medstar in the Bronx , in hopes it could help care for COVID-19 patients .
“ This young man ’ s life was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a device that once brought him some relief could be re-purposed to assist others is nothing short of extraordinary , ” Albany County District Attorney David Soares said .
New York City is building a temporary morgue to deal with an expected influx of deaths from the coronavirus outbreak .
The Office of Chief Medical Examiner said Tuesday that the refrigerated structures and mobile command centre going up in Manhattan were meant to provide emergency capacity if the city ’ s permanent morgues fill up .
A spokeswoman for Mayor Bill de @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s state of emergency , the medical examiner ’ s office was enacting “ emergency contingency plans to help prepare for every possible outcome ” of the public health crisis .
The medical examiner ’ s office has used temporary morgues in the past , including in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 , 2001 , terrorist attacks .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
New York City ’ s criminal court has started conducting all arraignments by video conferencing to limit traffic in courthouses during the coronavirus outbreak .
The first arraignments via Skype were held Wednesday .
The state ’ s court system says all parties — the judge , prosecution and defence attorney and defendant — will appear from different locations .
Defendants who ’ ve tested positive for the disease , are exhibiting flu-like symptoms or are at high-risk of serious illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to small , neighbourhood courthouses in Manhattan and Brooklyn for their video arraignments .
The rest are being taken to a video setup at central booking .
A Long Island retirement community said Wednesday that a sixth resident has died of the new coronavirus .
Peconic Landing in Greenport said the 89-year-old man died Tuesday night at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital , where he was taken after testing positive Sunday .
The facility said then man lived in an independent living section and had no known pre-existing conditions .
Peconic Landing announced the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed by a fifth on Monday .
Associated Press writers Michael R. Sisak and Deepti Hajela contributed from New York City and Mary Esch contributed from Albany , N.Y .

Marina Villeneuve And Michael Hill - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Family: US believes ex-FBI agent Robert Levinson has died

WASHINGTON - The U.S. government has concluded that retired FBI agent Robert Levinson , who vanished more than a decade ago , has died while in the custody of Iran , his family said Wednesday .
Shortly after the family ’ s announcement , President Donald Trump told reporters that “ I won ’ t accept that he ’ s dead , “ even though his own acting national intelligence director appeared to confirm the news with a statement conveying sympathies for the Levinsons .
The family said in a statement posted on Twitter that it had no information about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but that it occurred before the recent coronavirus outbreak .
The family said information that U.S. officials had received led them to conclude that he is dead .
U.S. officials communicated the news to Levinson ’ s family in a meeting in Washington in recent weeks , according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private encounter .
The person said the information about Levinson had come from Iran ’ s foreign minister .
“ It is impossible to describe our pain , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Our family will spend the rest of our lives without the most amazing man , a new reality that is inconceivable to us .
His grandchildren will never meet him .
They will know him only through the stories we tell them.
’ Levinson disappeared on March 9 , 2007 , when he was scheduled to meet a source on the Iranian island of Kish .
For years , U.S. officials would say only that Levinson was working independently on a private investigation .
But a 2013 Associated Press investigation revealed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by CIA analysts who had no authority to run such an operation .
The Trump administration has made it a priority to seek the release of American hostages and prisoners detained overseas .
Last week , administration officials touted the release from Lebanon of a New Hampshire restaurant owner jailed on decades-old allegations and the medical furlough of a Navy veteran from an Iranian prison .
The Levinson family thanked multiple U.S. officials for their help , including FBI Director Chris Wray , CIA Director Gina Haspel and Robert O ’ Brien , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser .
But it also said : “ Those who are responsible for what happened to Bob Levinson , including those in the U.S. government who for many years repeatedly left him behind , will ultimately receive justice for what they have done .
We will spend the rest of our lives making sure of this , and the Iranian regime must know we will not be going away.
“ The family said it does not know when or if Levinson ’ s body will be returned for burial .
At a White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared to equivocate on the accuracy of the family ’ s statement , saying that Iranian officials had not told the U.S. that Levinson was dead and that “ I won ’ t accept that he ’ s dead.
“ But he also acknowledged that “ it ’ s not looking promising ” and said Levinson , who had diabetes and high blood pressure at the time of his disappearance , had had “ some rough problems.
“ “ He was a great gentleman , “ he said .
The family received a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2011 in which he appeared disheveled with a long beard and wearing an orange prison jumpsuit like those given to detainees at the Guantanamo Bay prison .
But even then , his whereabouts and fate were not known .
Iran repeatedly has said it has no information about Levinson , though U.S. diplomats and investigators have long said they thought he was taken by Iranian government agents .
In November , the Iranian government unexpectedly responded to a United Nations query by saying that Levinson was the subject of an “ open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Although the development gave the family a burst of hope , Iran clarified that the “ open case ” was simply an investigation into his disappearance .
The announcement of his death comes just weeks after a federal judge in Washington held Iran liable for his disappearance , saying the country was “ in no uncertain terms ” responsible for Levinson ’ s “ hostage taking and torture.
” The family had sued for $ 1.5 billion in damages .
The judge ’ s decision followed a weekslong trial of emotional testimony from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his seven children .
Associated Press writer Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Virus has Brazil’s Bolsonaro facing governor ‘insurrection’

SAO PAULO - Brazil ’ s governors on Wednesday rebelled against President Jair Bolsonaro ’ s call for life to return to pre-coronavirus normalcy , saying his proposal to reopen schools and businesses runs counter to recommendations from health experts and endangers Latin America ’ s largest population .
State governors , many of whom have adopted strict measures to limit gatherings in their regions , defied the president ’ s instructions in a nationwide address Tuesday evening that they lift the restrictions and limit isolation only to the elderly and those with longstanding health problems .
The governors weren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virus plans challenged by Bolsonaro were upheld by the Supreme Court .
The heads of both congressional houses criticized his televised speech .
Companies donated supplies to state anti-virus efforts .
And even some of his staunch supporters joined his detractors .
In a videoconference Wednesday between Bolsonaro and governors from Brazil ’ s southeast region , Sao Paulo Gov .
João Doria threatened to sue the federal government if it attempted to interfere with his efforts to combat the virus , according to video of their private meeting reviewed by The Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the four governors of the southeast region , in respect for Brazil and Brazilians and in respect for dialogue and understanding , ” said Doria , who supported Bolsonaro ’ s 2018 presidential bid .
“ But you are the president and you have to set the example .
You have to be the representative to command , guide and lead this country , not divide it.
“ Bolsonaro responded by accusing Doria of riding his coattails to the governorship , then turning his back .
“ If you don ’ t get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off and emerge from the crisis .
Stop campaigning , ” the far-right president said .
Bolsonaro argues that a shutdown of activity would deeply wound the country ’ s already beleaguered economy and spark social unrest worse than the impact of addressing the virus with only limited isolation measures .
He told reporters in the capital , Brasilia , that he has listened to his U.S. counterpart , Donald Trump , and found their perspectives to be rather similar .
“ What needs to be done ?
Put the people to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have health problems .
But nothing more than that , ” Bolsonaro said .
“ If we cower , opt for the easy discourse , everyone stays home , it will be chaos .
No one will produce anything , there will be unemployment , refrigerators will go empty , no one will be able to pay bills.
” He has found some support among his base — # BolsonaroIsRight was trending atop Brazilian Twitter — but such backing has been largely drowned out in public by a week of nightly protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who lean from their windows to bang pots and pans .
His administration has also faced criticism from economists including Armínio Fraga , a former central bank governor , and Claudio Ferraz , a professor at Rio de Janeiro ’ s Pontifical Catholic University .
“ Brazil is seeing something unique , an insurrection of governors , ” Ferraz wrote on Twitter .
“ This will become a new topic in political science : checks and balances by governors in a Federal System.
” Candido Bracher , president of Brazil ’ s largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolsonaro ’ s crisis management in an interview with the newspaper O Globo published Wednesday .
His bank and companies like oil giant Petrobras , iron miner Vale and the brewery Ambev have made large donations to state governments for helping fight the outbreak .
Rio de Janeiro Gov .
Wilson Witzel , another former ally of Bolsonaro , told the president in the videoconference that he won ’ t heed the president ’ s call to loosen social distancing protocols .
Last week , the governor announced he would shut down airports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by decree contending that only the federal government can adopt such measures .
By the time the president took to the airwaves Tuesday evening , a Supreme Court justice had ruled in favour of Witzel and the governors .
Two days earlier Brazil ’ s top court issued another ruling allowing Sao Paulo state to stop repaying federal government debt amounting to $ 400 million so that it can beef up its health sector .
The decision may set a precedent for other states .
As of Wednesday , Brazil had about 2,400 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the outbreak .
Experts say the figures could soar in April , potentially causing a collapse of the country ’ s health care system .
There is particular concern the virus ’ potential damage in the ultra-dense , low-income neighbourhoods known as favelas .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brazil ’ s economic engine , is home to the majority of the coronavirus cases .
It has been under partial lockdown since Tuesday , and schools , universities and non-essential businesses have mostly been closed for more than 10 days .
Rio state has adopted similar measures , including closing its beaches .
Other governors who hadn ’ t voiced criticism have begun doing so .
Gov .
Ronaldo Caiado of Goiás state , a doctor who had been a close Bolsonaro ally , told reporters Wednesday he is redefining their relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president to wash his hands and hold others responsible for coming economic collapse and loss of jobs , “ Caiado said .
” That is not the behaviour of a leader.
” Caiado joined a meeting late Wednesday of Brazil ’ s 26 state governors to co-ordinate their efforts .
The federal government wasn ’ t invited .
Santa Catarina Gov .
Carlos Moisés of Santa Catarina state , which gave almost 80 % of its votes to Bolsonaro in the 2018 presidential runoff election , issued a statement saying he was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s speech .
Moisés said he will insist that residents stay home during the pandemic , ignoring the president ’ s advice .
Associated Press writer Mauricio Savarese reported this story in Sao Paulo and AP writer David Biller reported from Rio de Janeiro .

Mauricio Savarese And David Biller - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Holland America ship to transit Panama Canal but not stop

PANAMA CITY - The Holland America Line cruise ship Zaandam will be allowed to transit through the Panama Canal but no passengers will be allowed to disembark there , the canal authority said Wednesday .
The Zaandam has dozens of passengers and crew reporting flu-like symptoms .
It has been at sea since March 14 , after Chile refused it permission to dock and disembark passengers .
The cruise line now says another of its ships , the Rotterdam , will rendezvous in the Pacific with the Zaandam , to pass supplies , staff and COVID-19 tests kits to its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rendezvous is expected Thursday , and the Zaandam would head to Fort Lauderdale , Florida after passing through the canal , and could arrive there on March 30 .
The ship set out on March 7 from Buenos Aires with 1,243 guests and 586 crew .
The voyage was to have ended in San Antonio , Chile on March 21 .
The Rotterdam was allowed to dock at Mexico ’ s Pacific coast port of Puerto Vallarta more than a week ago .
It departed Puerto Vallarta on the supply run for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government said it would continue to receive cruise ships “ for humanitarian reasons , ” but that passengers would be “ individually fumigated ” before being taken to airports for return flights to their home countries .
The Transportation Department said in a statement that that protocol had been applied to the MS Europa , which docked in the Pacific coast port of Puerto Vallarta and was cleared of passengers over the weekend .
The department said Mexico ’ s position is that “ cruise ships can disembark for strictly humanitarian reasons , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Such passengers would be transported directly to the airport and not wait in lines or go through check-in at the gates , but would instead directly board planes .


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--New York mobilizes against virus, Trump urges action on aid

New York authorities mobilized to head off a potential public health disaster in the nation ’ s largest city Wednesday , with its emergence as the nation ’ s biggest coronavirus hot spot a warning flare — and perhaps a cautionary tale — for the rest of the country .
A makeshift morgue was set up outside Bellevue Hospital , and the city ’ s police , their ranks dwindling as more fall ill , were told to patrol nearly empty streets to enforce social distancing .
Public health officials hunted down beds and medical equipment and put out a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear the number of sick will explode in a matter of weeks , overwhelming hospitals as has happened in Italy and Spain .
New York University offered to let its medical students graduate early so that they could join the battle .
In Washington , President Trump implored Congress to move on critical coronavirus aid without further delay .
Senate leaders were trying to overcome late objections to a $ 2 trillion economic rescue package to ease the financial pain of the pandemic .
Worldwide , the death toll climbed past 20,000 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johns Hopkins University .
The number of dead in the U.S. topped 900 , with more than 60,000 infections .
New York State alone accounted for more than 30,000 cases and close to 300 deaths , most of them in New York City .
Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , again pleading for help in dealing with the onslaught , attributed the cluster to the city ’ s role as a gateway to international travellers and the sheer density of its population , with 8.6 million people sharing subways , elevators , apartment buildings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us vulnerable , ” he said .
“ But it ’ s true that your greatest weakness is also your greatest strength .
And our closeness is what makes us who we are .
That is what New York is.
” Some public health experts also attributed the city ’ s burgeoning caseload in part to the state ’ s big push to test people .
Troy Tassier , a Fordham University professor who studies economic epidemiology , suggested the increase shows New York would have fared better had it acted sooner to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in the San Francisco area were all but confined to their homes on March 17 , and California put all 40 million of its residents under a near-lockdown three days later .
The order to stay at home in New York State did not go into effect until Sunday evening , March 22 , and New York City ’ s 1.1 million-student school system was not closed until March 15 , well after other districts had shut down .
Dr. Mark Dworkin , an epidemiology professor at University of Illinois-Chicago , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s situation closely enough to say whether he would have done it differently , but he noted that moving quickly is critical -- and sometimes difficult to do at early points , when the public doesn ’ t sense an imminent threat .
“ At first , I think there ’ s a certain amount of disbelief that goes on , “ he said .
“ I think that contributes , to some extent , to the lack of putting the foot on the gas pedal on some of the control measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” After New York ’ s first positive test came back on March 1 — in a health care worker who had travelled to Iran and secluded herself upon returning — Mayor Bill de Blasio and Cuomo initially cast the disease as a dangerous threat but one that the city ’ s muscular hospital system could handle .
The risk to most New Yorkers , they said , was relatively low .
But their message shifted , as it did with many other leaders , who found themselves acting on new information in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it wasn ’ t too late : “ We can still make things better than they would be otherwise.
” In a measure of how the virus is permeating life in ways big and small , the mayor said authorities would remove basketball hoops at 80 public courts where people were not respecting social-distancing instructions not to shoot around with anyone outside their households , while leaving up roughly 1,700 others where there were no problems .
In other developments around the globe : — The White House and legislative leaders hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mammoth economic relief package , a $ 2 trillion plan to help businesses survive the crisis and give households checks of $ 1,200 per adult and $ 500 per child .
Four conservative Republican senators demanded changes , saying the legislation as written “ incentivizes layoffs ” and should be altered to ensure employees don ’ t earn more money if they ’ re laid off than if they ’ re working .
Stocks rallied on Wall Street for the second day in a row .
— Prince Charles , the 71-year-old heir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the virus but was showing only mild symptoms and was isolating himself at a royal estate in Scotland , his office said .
— Spain ’ s death toll rose past 3,400 , eclipsing China ’ s , after a one-day spike of 700 fatalities .
It is now second only to Italy , with over 7,500 deaths .
“ We are collapsing .
We need more workers , ” said Lidia Perera , a nurse at Madrid ’ s 1,000-bed Hospital de la Paz .
— China ’ s Hubei province @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year , started lifting its lockdown .
— Russian President Vladimir Putin postponed a nationwide vote on proposed constitutional amendments that could enable him to extend his hold on power .
The decision came as Russia reported its first deaths from the virus , two elderly patients who had underlying conditions .
— The French Riviera city of Cannes opened the site of its world-famous film festival to the homeless .
— British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said more than 400,000 people responded within a day to the government ’ s call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s most vulnerable people .
They will deliver medicine , drive people home from doctor ’ s appointments and make phone calls to check on patients .
— The Pentagon halted for 60 days the movement of U.S. troops and Defence Department civilians overseas , a measure expected to affect about 90,000 troops scheduled to deploy or return from abroad over the next two months .
Around the U.S. , other states braced for a version of New York ’ s nightmare , with fears over public events held in the weeks before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mardi Gras in and around New Orleans , Louisiana is seeing a ballooning number of cases and now has the third-highest rate per capita in the U.S. , according to the governor .
Sixty-five have died , and the virus has been confirmed in three-quarters of the state ’ s 64 parishes .
Small towns and rural areas are beginning to sound the alarm as well .
In Georgia , a state that has seen cases grow to more than 1,200 , an Albany hospital ’ s three intensive care units were already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discharge people as quickly as possible to make way for new patients .
“ We ’ re quickly approaching the point of maximum capacity .
We need a relief valve , ” said Steven Kitchen , chief medical officer at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital .
Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis issued a statewide stay-at-home order effective Thursday through April 11 , saying the “ extreme measure ” was necessary because restrictions taken to date haven ’ t done enough to reduce the virus ’ spread .
Six state counties had already issued similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
This story has been corrected to show that the first positive coronavirus test in New York City came back March 1 , not March 2 .
Long reported from Washington .
Associated Press reporters around the world contributed .

Jennifer Peltz And Colleen Long - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--New Zealand mosque shooter changes plea to guilty

WELLINGTON , New Zealand - One year after killing 51 worshipers at two Christchurch mosques , an Australian white supremacist accused of the slaughter on Thursday changed his plea to guilty .
Twenty-nine-year-old Brenton Harrison Tarrant pleaded guilty to 51 counts of murder , 40 counts of attempted murder and one count of terrorism .
The killing spree was the deadliest in New Zealand ’ s modern history and prompted the government to rush through new laws banning most semi-automatic weapons .
Tarrant was scheduled to go to trial on the charges in June .
His change in plea came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and relatives of the victims .
A sentencing date has yet to be set .
Tarrant faces life imprisonment on the charges .
The plea came at a hastily arranged court hearing at a time that New Zealand was beginning a four-week lockdown to try and combat the new coronavirus .
The lockdown meant that Tarrant appeared in the court from his jail cell via video link and that only a few people were allowed inside the courtroom .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your email inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Trump administration urged to free migrants as virus surges

WASHINGTON - Pressure was mounting on the Trump administration Wednesday to release people from immigration detention facilities where at least one detainee has tested positive for COVID-19 and advocates fear tight quarters and overall conditions could cause rapid spread of the virus .
The U.S. holds around 37,000 people in immigration detention .
Detainees and advocates say many are vulnerable because of age and pre-existing medical conditions , and because they are often held in open rooms , beds 3-feet apart , and without adequate supplies of masks or other protections .
“ It ’ s impossible to stay calm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italian who is among 170 people detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Bristol County jail in Massachusetts .
“ People are panicking .
People are in fear.
” The 54-year-old Battistotti was among about 100 detainees at the county jail near Cape Cod who signed a letter released by a local immigration lawyer detailing conditions inside .
They asked to be released to await decisions on their immigration cases .
“ I don ’ t want to die in an ICE jail , ” he said in a phone interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t I fight my case on the outside ?
” The agency , which reported the positive test of a 31-year-old man from Mexico held in Bergen County , New Jersey , on Tuesday , has announced steps to protect detained migrants and staff from the virus , but hasn ’ t said whether it plans to review cases for possible release because of the outbreak .
It did not immediately respond to a request to comment on the complaints about conditions from the detainees and their advocates .
The administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line on immigration , a signature policy of President Donald Trump , and its response to the outbreak , with ICE announcing previously that it would “ temporarily adjust ” operations to focus on apprehending people who pose a risk to public safety or are subject to mandatory detention because of a criminal record .
Immigrant advocates , including the American Civil Liberties Union , filed lawsuits in California , Maryland , Pennsylvania and elsewhere , seeking court orders for the immediate release of people in immigration detention , especially those at risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Advocates have also asked a court in Los Angeles to order the Office of Refugee Resettlement to release to eligible sponsors around 1,200 migrant children who were apprehended without parents or legal guardians and have been held in government-contracted shelters for more than 30 days .
They said two staff members at two such facilities in New York have tested positive for COVID-19 .
It ’ s unclear how many immigration detainees overall are at higher risk , but one California suit alone had 13 plaintiffs , all over 55 .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the release of a 36-year-old man from the Dominican Republic who was detained in a local jail south of the city where an employee tested positive .
The ACLU sued for the release of two others held there .
A panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco on Monday , citing the “ rapidly escalating public health crisis , ” ordered the immediate release of a 37-year-old woman who is fighting deportation to Mexico .
The woman ’ s lawyer , Max Carter-Oberstone , said the government told him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she still had not been released as of early Wednesday .
The court took the action on its own initiative in a rare move on behalf of a woman who says she has been threatened with death by members of a Mexican drug cartel .
“ It wasn ’ t something we asked for or were expecting , “ Carter-Oberstone said .
“ The court is clearly reacting to the greater public health crisis that we ’ re in right now and re-evaluating how it ’ s going to dispose of its immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re all experiencing.
” The situation in immigration detention , which include facilities run by local jurisdictions and private contractors , is similar to that facing jails and prisons , with staff also at risk from a virus that already has sickened at least 55,000 people and killed about 800 in the U.S. One difference is that more than half of ICE detainees have no criminal charges or conviction and are held only for immigration reasons .
Under previous administrations , many would likely have been released on bond as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one positive test of an employee at a detention facility in Elizabeth , New Jersey , and 18 confirmed cases among staff not involved in detaining migrants .
A contractor reported a positive case of a staff member at a facility in Harris County , Texas .
The agency says it is screening new detainees and isolating detainees who show symptoms of the coronavirus disease .
Detainees say those measures won ’ t do much , with people staying in dorm-like bays with no social distancing possible or in smaller rooms that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insufficient cleaning supplies .
Francisca Morales Diaz , a 45-year-old from Mexico who was released Friday from an ICE detention centre in Louisiana , said she and others were issued soap and toilet paper for their own use once a week and they would run out .
When they complained , she says they were told there were shortages on the outside as well .
“ There isn ’ t enough medicine .
It ’ s not well-maintained , ” Morales told AP .
Her fear is that “ at any moment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take me back there.
“ Pepper spray was used Tuesday by guards inside the Pine Prairie jail in Louisiana against migrants who say they were demanding the facility do more to protect them from the virus , according to the Southern Poverty Law Center .
ICE spokesman Bryan Cox said seven people were sprayed after they refused to follow guards ’ directives .
Ira Alkalay , a lawyer representing some of the detainees at the jail near Cape Cod , said the detainees are responsible for cleaning their unit , which includes a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t even given bleach .
Some who signed the letter suffer from respiratory ailments such as tuberculosis , emphysema and asthma that put them at higher risk to the virus .
“ These are not sanitary conditions at all , ” Alkalay said .
“ If the virus is introduced , many people could get sick all at once .
Hospitals in the area can become quickly overwhelmed.
” The office of Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson , who has made headlines for offering to send the jail ’ s ICE detainees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border wall , has stressed there are currently no confirmed or suspected cases of the virus at the facility .
“ We suspect these detainees are working with outside political activist groups to use the coronavirus crisis to advance their political agenda , ” the sheriff ’ s spokesman , Jonathan Darling , said this week .
Eunice Cho , an ACLU lawyer , warned that if the virus spreads through a facility the number of sick people who would require advanced care could overwhelm nearby hospitals .
Many ICE jails are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is closely related to the public health of our entire community , ” Cho said .
Associated Press writer Amy Taxin in Orange County , California contributed to this report .

Ben Fox, Philip Marcelo And Nomaan Merchant - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Governor urges Falwell to rethink welcoming students

RICHMOND , Va. - In light of the coronavirus pandemic , Virginia ’ s governor asked Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. on Wednesday to reconsider his decision to welcome students back to the Lynchburg campus this week after their spring break .
Speaking at a news conference in Richmond , Gov .
Ralph Northam criticized Liberty , which is among the nation ’ s largest and most prominent evangelical colleges , as sending “ mixed messages ” about COVID-19 .
The illness has crippled economies , forced restrictions on the movement of millions of people and swamped health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcing campus closures this month , Liberty initially planned to continue on-campus instruction .
But last week , after Northam restricted gatherings of more than 100 , Liberty said it would transition most classes online effective Monday .
However , residential students were told they were “ welcome ” to return to campus , according to an email sent to students .
The move was at odds with many other institutions of higher education , including the University of Virginia in Charlottesville , which has said only students who have “ no other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and William & Mary , which closed its residence halls .
“ I would suggest that President Falwell look to the actions of the leaders of Virginia ’ s flagship universities for how to set a strong example in this health crisis and to please reconsider his message that invites and encourages students to return to campus , “ said Northam , who is a doctor .
In a statement that accused Northam of making “ false accusations , ” the university said it was in compliance with all of the governor ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It noted that health inspectors performing an unannounced inspection earlier in the week found no violations .
“ Our students are part of the Lynchburg community !
” Liberty said in a statement .
“ They work jobs , have apartments , make economic contributions and pay taxes .
That they should be banned or discouraged from choosing to utilize the shelter and food sources that they paid for in a time of crisis is unthinkable.
” Liberty officials have said about 1,500 of the approximately 15,000 residential students are back on campus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s earliest and most ardent high-profile supporters , has generally characterized concerns about the virus as overblown .
He has offered unsubstantiated speculation that the coronavirus may have been the work of North Korea and accused the news media of stoking fear .
An email sent to students last week and obtained by AP said that “ all residential students are welcome to either stay in place or return to campus with various safety measures in place.
” For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
Local officials told AP they were fielding complaints from residents and Liberty parents about the school ’ s policy .
Lynchburg Mayor Treney Tweedy said in a statement Tuesday that she thought the decision letting students return was “ reckless.
” “ That anyone in the City of Lynchburg would welcome other college students from across the state — and indeed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ to Lynchburg but expect the drawbridge should be pulled up to deny entry to Liberty students illustrates the height of hypocrisy and scapegoating that is going on today , ” Liberty ’ s statement said .
On Wednesday , Northam quoted from 1 Corinthians , saying : “ It is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
” “ Proving faithful means providing clear and consistent guidance , ” he went on to say .
“ And it means respecting the duty that Liberty University has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lynchburg community in which it is located , and our Commonwealth.
” Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--College athletes choosing whether to stay in US or head home

STORRS , Conn. - All but one of Anna Makurat ’ s teammates headed home after the NCAA cancelled this year ’ s post-season basketball tournament and the school suspended classes amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
For the 19-year-old UConn freshman from Poland , the decision was not that easy , especially with ever-increasing travel restrictions to and from Europe .
She worried about classes restarting while she was overseas and when — or if — she might be able to get back to campus .
Makurat is one of more than 20,000 foreign athletes currently competing at NCAA schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competition cancelled across all NCAA divisions , many of those athletes face a similar dilemma .
Their campuses are shut down , but the coronavirus situation in their homeland is worse than it is in the United States .
The NCAA has advised schools to handle the situation as they see fit “ for the health and safety of their coaches , staff and student athletes.
” For the last two weeks , Makurat has been one of about 50 UConn athletes still living at school with the campus largely a ghost town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time on her computer and phone , video chatting with family back home .
She was able to go out to dinner one night with coach Geno Auriemma and teammate Evina Westbrook , who remained on campus to get treatment for an injury .
Plans changed again after UConn decided to cancel all events for the rest of the semester and move learning online .
Makurat was booked Wednesday on a flight home .
She will have to self-quarantine for two weeks when she gets back .
“ Poland has pretty much closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
“ I have a place at home to work out and we have a basketball hoop outside , so I can get back to shooting .
It wasn ’ t a hard decision , once I knew it was an option .
I think everyone right now wants to be with their families , and I ’ m the same.
” Wisconsin-Milwaukee women ’ s tennis player Lucy Harper , who is from Bolton , England , has decided to stay in the U.S. for now with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of the flights out to England are getting cancelled and they ’ ve actually closed two of the terminals down at Manchester ( England ) airport , “ she said .
“ I just made the decision to stay here for now , because I don ’ t know sort of when I ’ ll be able to come back if I leave .
We don ’ t know how long this is going to last.
” Most of her team is from overseas .
She said about half the international players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men ’ s basketball team has players from France , Serbia , Uruguay and Finland , which meant Mary-Carter Eggert , the director of basketball operations , became a travel agent , l ooking for the best flights .
“ The fact of the matter is , their parents want them home just like I would want my kids home , ” coach Rick Barnes said .
This past week , several women ’ s basketball players from the University of California figured out their arrangements .
Sara Anastasieski left on a flight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
“ She was scheduled to leave Friday but that airline cancelled and she was scrambling last minute , ” Cal coach Charmin Smith said .
Evelien Lutje Schipholt , from The Netherlands , is staying with teammate Cailyn Crocker and her family in Southern California .
Chen Yue , of Beijing , is currently with friends near Berkeley as the Bay Area continues its shelter in place order .
Three women ’ s basketball players from the University of San Francisco — sisters Marta and Marija Galic and Lucija Kostic — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zagreb , Croatia , late last week only to experience a 5.5 magnitude earthquake that struck the capital early Sunday .
There have been aftershocks since .
“ When we — sis Marija and I — finally reunited with our big family , the stress definitely decreased and we thought everything was going to be normal .
However , that one morning a really big earthquake happened .
It was the strongest one I have ever experienced , ” Marta Galic wrote in a message to The AP .
“ The whole house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ground for more than 10 seconds .
I think that it was terrifying is not enough to say.
“ UConn , meanwhile , has made arrangements to keep dorm rooms , and at least one dining hall , open for the 1,200 mostly foreign students , including athletes , who haven ’ t been able to go anywhere else .
“ While all students have been encouraged to leave , UConn is committed to providing students who must stay in Storrs with the support they need while prioritizing their health and well-being.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
AP sports writers Steve Megargee in Milwaukee , Teresa Walker in Nashville and Janie McCauley in San Francisco contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--UN chief says some warring groups heed call for cease-fires

TANZANIA , Tanzania - U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday welcomed calls by some groups for immediate cease-fires in their conflicts because of the coronavirus , saying he sees “ a clear conscience emerging ” that it is time to concentrate on the war against the pandemic .
He pointed to communist guerrillas in the Philippines announcing a cease-fire from Thursday to April 15 in response to his appeal , and said he was encouraged to see a truce in Libya between the warring parties “ holding with difficulties.
” U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric also noted the humanitarian truce called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the country ’ s northeast to deal with the virus .
It was allied with the United States in the fight against Islamic State extremists .
Guterres said at a humanitarian briefing that the Palestinian Authority and Israel have also been able to work together on the virus , though “ we know the extreme division that exists politically between the two.
” He said U.N. envoys around the world are talking to warring parties about cease-fires and he expressed hope that “ it will be possible in Yemen and Syria to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tackle the coronavirus .
Dujarric , the U.N. spokesman , said Guterres welcomes the Communist Party of the Philippines ’ order to its New People ’ s Army guerrillas to stop attacks and shift to a defensive position .
Guterres encourages the parties to find a lasting political solution and end the conflict that has continued in the countryside for more than half a century , he said .
“ The secretary-general also hopes that this will serve as an example across the world to silence the guns and come together as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Dujarric said .
Guterres issued the appeal for immediate cease-fires Monday , saying that “ the fury of the virus illustrates the folly of war.
” The Syrian conflict has entered its 10th year , the conflict in Yemen is in its fifth year and Libya ’ s rival governments have been fighting for nearly a year .
Africa also faces unrest from Somalia and South Sudan to Congo .
The conflict in eastern Ukraine is nearly six years old , and Colombia has still not made peace with the smaller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting .
Extremist groups like the Islamic State and al-Qaida and their affiliates are also actively engaging in attacks in southeast Asia , Syria , Somalia , Nigeria , Mali , Burkina Faso and many other countries around the world


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Chicago uses hotels for quarantine to ease hospital demand

CHICAGO - Hours before his first shift cooking for people with mild cases of COVID-19 who are being quarantined in a downtown Chicago hotel , Jose Gonzalez made a plan to protect his family from the coronavirus .
Chicago ’ s plan to reserve at least 1,000 hotel rooms through partnerships with five hotels is the first such sweeping strategy unveiled in the U.S. aimed at relieving the pressure on hospitals that are the only option for the seriously sick .
But it will assuredly not be the last .
Government officials nationwide are searching for facilities that could act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building concern that demand will exceed available space and equipment for coronavirus patients with severe symptoms .
Gonzalez , 27 , said he has been reassured that only city employees will interact with patients .
But he ’ s planning to frequently wash his hands and take other steps to limit his chances of becoming ill or spreading the virus to his 5-year-old daughter and fiancee .
“ My biggest concern is just making sure I don ’ t catch the virus , ” he said .
Samir Mayekar , deputy mayor for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the city ’ s public health team wanted a plan that teamed with hotel owners and their staff , rather than a takeover run entirely by public employees as in cities in Asia and Europe .
“ Quarantine and isolation units are going to be used in every city across the country eventually , in their own way , shape and form , ” Mayekar said .
“ Every hour , every day counts.
” New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday that he ’ s also considering hotels and dormitories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn the city ’ s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center into a temporary field hospital .
In Michigan , a suburban Detroit university offered up its basketball gym for a makeshift hospital and parking lots for drive-thru testing sites .
The first patients moved into Hotel 166 on Tuesday , but the city has not said how many , nor has it named the other hotels that are joining the effort .
The hotel rooms are intended for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 but have mild symptoms that don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be used by people awaiting test results who are unable to go home due to the risk of spreading the virus to family members , particularly those who are vulnerable to more severe symptoms due to their age or health issues .
“ We need to build this excess network of other spaces so we can take pressure off of hospitals and reserve those acute care beds for those that are most in need of intensive medical treatment , ” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Tuesday .
For most people , the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , or death .
Public health officials or hospitals will inform patients who test positive that the rooms are available , but the decision to use a room is voluntary , Mayekar said .
No one is making public predictions about demand .
City officials have said Chicago ’ s hospitals aren ’ t at the critical level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said Tuesday that the state will need almost 38,000 additional hospital beds — double what ’ s available — as the number of cases continues to rise .
On Wednesday afternoon , Illinois reported 1,865 COVID-19 infections and 19 deaths linked to the virus .
Americans probably wouldn ’ t respond positively to being forced into quarantine outside their home , so it ’ s wise to choose appealing options like hotels that can provide comfort and familiarity , said Effi Benmelech , director of the Guthrie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University ’ s Kellogg School of Management .
A more forceful approach , as deployed in China and Israel , would likely be rejected here , he said .
“ In the U.S. , we need to think about the carrot , the incentive , ” he said .
Public health and other city employees will handle all face-to-face interactions with patients in the Chicago hotels , delivering food to their doors and announcing it with a quiet knock , Mayekar said .
Hotel cooks will prepare three meals per day and housekeeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees on cleaning linens and handling trash or meals .
Fresh linens will be delivered outside patients ’ rooms as needed , not daily .
If maintenance is required inside a hotel room , the patient will move to another room and their first room will be sanitized before workers enter , Mayekar said .
“ This is not going to be a day-to-day , normal experience in a hotel , ” he said .
The agreements also made the city responsible for extensive cleaning of the hotels when they are no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes as a life raft for some Chicago hotel industry workers , who saw customers and their income disappear as the virus began to spread in the U.S. Hotels in some markets have seen occupancy dive to single digits and reports of hotel employees being laid off throughout the country began this week , said Michael Jacobson , president of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association .
“ By no means is a hotel making money off of this , ” he said .
“ The money that is being collected is really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gonzalez said his decision to sign on as a cook for hotel-bound patients in Chicago was influenced by his family ’ s financial situation .
Until Monday ’ s announcement , he was part of an 18-month strike by Hotel 166 workers .
Gonzalez had been working overnight shifts at another hotel to get by .
But warnings about the coronavirus slowed guest arrivals there and had slashed his work hours in recent weeks .
“ I ’ m leaving my trust in the city of Chicago and their health department , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the day , I ’ ve got bills to pay and I have to move my family forward.
“ Associated Press video journalist Noreen Nasir and writer Corey Williams in Detroit contributed .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--PG&E’s falling stock price worries fire victims eyeing deal

BERKELEY , Calif. - The stock market turmoil triggered by the coronavirus pandemic is raising worries that Pacific Gas & Electric ’ s $ 13.5 billion settlement with victims of catastrophic wildfires may be worth far less by the time the beleaguered company emerges from bankruptcy .
A lawyer who represents more than 81,000 wildfire victims flagged the escalating concerns during a Wednesday court hearing held by conference call .
Attorney Robert Julian told U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali that the stock market ’ s steep downturn during the past month may require PG & E to provide more reassurances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for trauma and property losses suffered during the fires in 2017 and 2018 blamed on PG & E equipment .
PG & E agreed to set up the $ 13.5 billion fund for the victims as part of its plan to emerge from bankruptcy this summer , with half the amount coming from stock in the company .
The prospect of owning stock in the company that ruined their lives has never been popular among the victims , but it has become even more unsettling during the market upheaval .
Since hitting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 , PG & E ’ s stock has lost roughly half its value .
The shares rose 42 cents Wednesday to close at $ 9.25 .
That decline is even more severe than the benchmark Standard & Poor ’ s 500 index , which has fallen by about 25 % during the same stretch .
Montali didn ’ t take any action requiring revisions to the PG & E plan , clearing the way for the company to begin sending out ballots to more than 400,000 parties who will vote on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ door open for further supplements to the plan as attorneys for the victims and PG & E try to work out their latest differences with a mediator .
“ Like everyone else , we are dealing with all the craziness of this world tragedy , ” Montali said , referring to the challenges posed by the coronavirus .
Julian told the judge the stock market ’ s volatility has unleashed a torrent of calls and letters from wildfire victims fretting about whether the PG & E stock will really be worth $ 6.75 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s bankruptcy plan gets approved .
With a mediator ’ s help , Julian said , victims ’ lawyers hope to gain more assurances from PG & E about the value of the stock in the settlement , as well as when they will be allowed to sell their shares in the company .
The settlement calls for wildfire victims to receive a block of stock that will give them a 21 % stake in PG & E .
If all that stock were sold at once , it would likely drive down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , a defined timeline will likely have to be set up for periodic windows in which PG & E stock could be sold .
Those details haven ’ t been worked out with PG & E , but Julian said it is imperative to clearly spell out when and how much stock the victims can sell so they know they can minimize the risk of loss if the utility ’ s outdated equipment causes more fires in the future .
PG & E lawyer Stephen Karotkin reiterated the company ’ s belief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best bet to ensure victims are compensated .
Since filing for bankruptcy early last year , PG & E has repeatedly said taking care of fire victims is its top priority .
But some victims have expressed doubts about the sincerity of PG & E ’ s commitment , one of the biggest complaints centring on an all-cash $ 11 billion settlement with the insurers who paid policyholder claims .
Some victims are upset they ’ re being forced to accept so much company stock instead of cash .
Getting stock , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims ’ $ 13.5 billion being worth more than its original value .
After PG & E ’ s previous three-year bankruptcy ended in April 2004 , its stock nearly tripled in value and peaked in 2017 , just before the first wave of deadly wildfires .


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Court: UK shouldn’t give US evidence on pair of IS militants

WASHINGTON - A court on Wednesday barred the British government from providing U.S. prosecutors with evidence against two Islamic State militants suspected in the beheadings of Western hostages , citing the prospect the men could face the death penalty if tried and convicted in America .
The ruling by the British Supreme Court blocks an earlier decision by the country ’ s authorities to co-operate with the U.S. by sharing information about El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey .
The British men , captured two years ago by a Kurdish-led , U.S.-backed militia , are accused of participation in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and barbaric treatment of American aid workers , journalists and other hostages in Syria .
The court decision is a setback for the U.S. Justice Department , where officials for years have been investigating the killings .
U.S. officials have not announced any charges against the men , but have spoken publicly about their desire to see members of the cell , known as “ The Beatles “ for their British accents , face justice .
The men were transferred to U.S. custody last October as Turkey invaded Syria to attack Kurds who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces .
“ We are disappointed with the UK Supreme Court ’ s decision and are considering the appropriate next steps , “ said Justice Department spokesman Marc Raimondi .
“ As our investigation of these individuals continues , we will work with our UK counterparts on a path forward , consistent with our shared commitment to ensuring that those who commit acts of terror are held accountable for their crimes.
” It was not clear what those next steps would be , or whether the decision might prompt the Justice Department to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from any eventual prosecution .
Attorney General William Barr said in a private meeting last year with victims ’ relatives that he wanted to see the militants brought to justice .
The U.S. and British governments have an agreement to share documents , records and other evidence in criminal investigations .
In 2015 , the Justice Department asked for evidence that Britain had gathered on the “ Beatles , “ saying it was doing its own investigation into Americans who were murdered in Syria .
Though the death penalty has been abolished in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ willing to provide their U.S. counterparts with evidence against Elsheikh and Kotey even without assurances that the men would not be executed if convicted .
British authorities said it would not be right to withhold evidence given the horrific nature of the allegations , but some lawmakers called on the government to reserve its position .
In July 2018 , after lawyers for Elsheikh demanded a review of the decision to allow the men to be put on trial in the U.S. , Britain ’ s Home Office temporarily suspended co-operation with U.S @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge on the British Supreme Court , said although there was no doubt the crimes the men are accused of are “ dreadful “ and “ of the most awful nature , ” it was unlawful to turn over evidence to a foreign country that could be used in pursuit of a death penalty prosecution .
“ It follows that no further assistance should be given for the purpose of any proceedings against Mr. El Sheikh in the United States of America without the appropriate death penalty assurances , “ Kerr wrote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ ’ cell , Mohammed Emwazi , who was also known as ” Jihadi John , “ was killed in a 2015 drone strike .