thetorontostar--2020-03-16--A year after deadly cyclone, Mozambique now braces for virus

JOHANNESBURG - A year after hundreds of people were killed by one of the southern hemisphere ’ s worst cyclones , Mozambique ’ s port city of Beira is rebounding , but more than a million people need food aid there and in the surrounding countryside .
“ A year ago much of Beira was flooded by Cyclone Idai .
Buildings were inundated , homes collapsed or were washed away , ” said Daniel Timme of UNICEF , who was in the southern African city at the time .
“ People were desperately seeking family members and hunting for safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , he marveled at the progress made in the city , Mozambique ’ s fourth largest , as residents repaired buildings and roads have been rebuilt .
Seasonal rains have returned , but flood canals are channeling the waters away and the city centre is bustling .
“ There is a buzz of activity in Beira ’ s port and marketplaces now , ” Timme said in a phone interview .
“ There ’ s a great spirit of resilience here , although significant problems remain.
” Poverty and hunger are at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world ’ s poorest countries .
“ Under the surface , and on the fringes of the city , there are widespread shortages of food .
We are finding that the levels of severe acute malnutrition are still high , especially among children , ” Timme said .
Low-lying Mozambique , with a population of 30 million and a thousand-mile coastline on the Indian Ocean , is especially prone to climate change disasters , he said .
“ The country is experiencing more extreme weather events , such as two major cyclones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while the country ’ s south had a drought , ” Timme said .
Cyclone Kenneth roared in just six weeks after Idai , surprising a region of northern Mozambique rarely struck by cyclones .
“ The food situation is bad .
This year ’ s harvest is expected to be poor .
Already we see cases of severe malnutrition and we are distributing nutrition supplements , such as peanut butter paste , “ Timme said .
Now another health challenge looms large : the new coronavirus .
So far Mozambique has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disease is spreading across Africa .
Neighboring South Africa on Sunday declared a national disaster after dozens of confirmed cases .
Mozambican health officials are increasing surveillance and working to improve hospitals .
But the high levels of malnutrition make many Mozambicans especially vulnerable .
An estimated 1.6 million people don ’ t have enough to eat , according to UNICEF .
More than 3,000 children under 5 have been diagnosed with life-threatening severe acute malnutrition in Beira and the surrounding plains of central Mozambique , Timme said .
The extreme weather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as neighbouring Zimbabwe and Malawi , without adequate housing for thousands of families , according to Amnesty International .
It called on the international community and the Mozambican government to “ step up reconstruction ... in a way that truly delivers human rights.
” “ One year after the cyclone hit Beira , the reconstruction is taking place , but it ’ s growing very slowly and people are rebuilding , they ’ ve put a tin roof on their home and they are trying to replant , “ said Deborah Nguyen of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year have reduced crops and continued food aid is desperately needed , she said .
Mozambique has one of the highest rates of chronic malnutrition in the world , affecting 43 % of children under 5 , according to WFP .
“ Mozambique is one of the countries that is the most severely affected by climate change , “ Nguyen said .
” Because of Mozambique ’ s location and because it ’ s already one of the poorest countries in Africa , we can see that climate change is impacting very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep happening .
”


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--Kamala Harris backs Harrison’s quest to unseat Graham in SC

COLUMBIA , S.C. - In his campaign against U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham , Democrat Jaime Harrison is picking up the support of a former 2020 presidential hopeful , one he hopes will ultimately be his colleague in Congress .
In a statement to The Associated Press , U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris on Monday called Harrison an “ advocate for the people ” whose senatorial campaign she ’ s officially backing .
“ He believes every South Carolinian deserves the opportunity to not just get by , but to thrive and succeed , ” Harris said , of Harrison .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight for South Carolinians in the Senate .
I am proud to endorse Jaime Harrison for U.S. Senate.
” Harris has previously voiced support for Harrison ’ s bid , lending her voice to a fundraising appeal on his behalf last fall and portraying his bid as necessary to return the Senate to Democratic control .
Harrison welcomed her official endorsement , calling the California senator “ a relentless fighter for working people ” and pledging to work toward equitable health care and infrastructural improvements if elected to join her in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Democratic National Committee and former chairman of South Carolina ’ s Democratic Party — is also backed by another former presidential hopeful , U.S. Sen. Cory Booker .
Harrison met the New Jersey senator while both were at Yale University .
He ’ s also backed by U.S. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn .
The senior South Carolina Democrat has long been a political mentor for Harrison , who worked for Clyburn as director of U.S. House floor operations .
Harrison ’ s campaign said he has also been endorsed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Congress , including Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Karen Bass and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries .
Earlier this year , Harrison became the party ’ s presumptive nominee when economist Gloria Bromell Tinubu suspended her campaign and endorsed him .
His campaign told AP that Harrison planned to file his paperwork in Columbia later Monday , the beginning of the two-week filing period for the U.S. Senate race .
Harrison , 44 , has posted record fundraising figures in the race , which he has said it would take $ 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he received backing from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee , support that brought the promise of help with fundraising and grassroots organizing , both of which would be crucial in trying to flip a Senate seat in the deeply red state .
Since then , Harrison raised $ 3.5 million in the fourth quarter of last year and had $ 4.6 million cash on hand to start 2020 .
Graham , 64 , is a popular incumbent seeking a fourth term , supported by President Donald Trump in a state where the administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently occupy all statewide offices and control both legislative chambers .
Graham has brought in record hauls as well , posting $ 3.9 million in fundraising at the end of the fourth quarter of 2019 , topping his own previous quarterly record and leaving Graham with $ 10.3 million on hand , according to his campaign .
Meg Kinnard can be reached at http : //twitter.com/MegKinnardAP

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thetorontostar--2020-03-16--Worker at Japan care home sentenced to hang for mass killing

TOKYO - A Japanese court on Monday sentenced a former care home employee to hang for knifing to death 19 disabled people and injuring two dozen others in the deadliest mass attack in post World War II Japan .
The Yokohama District Court convicted Satoshi Uematsu of the killings and of injuring 24 other residents and two caregivers at the Yamayuri-en residential centre in July 2016 .
During the investigation and trial , Uematsu repeatedly said he had no regrets and was trying to help the world by killing people he thought were burdens .
Advocacy groups said the suspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Japan against people with disabilities .
The trial focused on his mental state at the time of the crime .
Chief Judge Kiyoshi Aonuma dismissed defence requests to acquit him because he was mentally incompetent due to a marijuana overdose .
“ The attacks were premeditated , and the defendant was acting consistently to achieve his goal , ” Aonuma said , according to NHK public television .
“ The crime , which took the lives of 19 people , was extremely heinous and caused damage that is incomparable to any other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kyodo News as saying .
Uematsu , his long hair tied in a pony tail and wearing a dark suit , listened as the judge delivered the ruling , according to drawings by an artist in the courtroom .
After the judge declared an end to the session , Uematsu raised his hand seeking permission to speak , but was not allowed to do so .
Prosecutors said Uematsu ’ s motive came from his biases and work experience at the home and not from use of marijuana .
They said Uematsu was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his actions .
The killings mirrored a plot described in a letter that Uematsu had tried to give to a parliamentary leader months prior to the attack .
He quit his job at the Yamayuri-en facility after being confronted about the letter and was committed to psychiatric care , but was released within two weeks , officials have said .
Uematsu , 30 , told medical staff and officials that he was influenced by the ideas of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler , whose killings of disabled people were seen as intended to improve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the death penalty despite growing international criticism .
A government survey showed an overwhelming majority of the public supports executions .
Japan and the U.S. are the only two countries in the Group of Seven industrialized nations that retain capital punishment .
Executions are carried out in high secrecy in Japan , where prisoners are not informed of their fate until the morning they are hanged .
Since 2007 , Japan has begun releasing the names of those executed and some details of their crimes , but disclosures are still limited .


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--Tanker with about 190 migrants runs aground on Greek island

ATHENS , Greece - A tanker carrying around 190 migrants run aground in rough weather just outside the port on the Cycladic island of Kea , near the Greek capital , the coast guard said Monday .
The tanker hit the outside of the breakwater at the port in the early hours of the morning , in gale-force winds and rough seas .
All passengers managed to disembark of their own accord , and were being temporarily housed by the municipality in a local hotel , the coast guard said .
Further details on the tanker weren ’ t available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had sailed from and what its intended destination was .
While thousands of migrants head to eastern Aegean Greek islands from the nearby Turkish coast , they generally use inflatable dinghies .
Kea , the Cycladic island nearest the Greek capital , is far from the Turkish coast .
It is rare , though not unprecedented , for migrant smugglers to use cargo ships or tankers to ferry migrants to Greece .
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Costas Kantouris And Demetris Nellas - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--‘There is nothing now’: Syrians in Idlib fear end nearing

IDLIB , Syria - “ There ’ s nothing now .
Nothing at all , ” said Yasser Aboud , as he looked away from his family ’ s few remaining belongings , dumped on the floor of the bare single room that would now be their home in the northwest Syrian city of Idlib .
It was a far cry from the house , the farm , and the job that he , his wife and three children left behind two months ago , fleeing their hometown just 15 kilometres ( 9 miles ) down the road as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ furious fighting .
He managed to salvage some jerrycans of olives , a few rugs , cushions and pots and pans , and his motorbike .
They sold their washing machine and some of his wife ’ s gold .
Now they were moving into an apartment in a district full of buildings shattered by government bombardment .
He and his wife and three kids will share the place with over a dozen relatives .
They ’ re jobless in a city teeming with thousands of others displaced like them — and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of Idlib is the last urban area still under opposition control in Syria , located in a shrinking rebel enclave in the northwestern province of the same name .
Syria ’ s civil war , which entered its 10th year on Monday , has shrunk in geographical scope — focusing on this tiny corner of the country — but the misery wreaked by the conflict has not diminished .
A bloodier and possibly more disastrous phase is on the horizon if government forces , backed by Russia and Iran , go ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the remaining rebel-held north , crammed with over 3 million people .
Over the past three months , government troops recaptured nearly half of Idlib province and surrounding areas , forcing nearly 1 million to flee their homes , around half of them into other parts of the province , including Idlib city .
During the advances , government forces neared Idlib city outskirts , bombing parts and sending thousands fleeing north .
“ I feel everything has ended , and this is a final migration , not displacement , ” Aboud said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world.
” The government offensive has been paused by a Russian-Turkish cease-fire deal , leaving residents of the rebel enclave , including Idlib city , in a state of terrifying limbo .
They are skeptical that the cease-fire will last and well aware they are likely the next target of the government ’ s assault .
Though government airstrikes have hit it regularly , the city has suffered far less violence than other places since 2015 , when rebels seized it from government forces .
Over the years since , multiple waves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other opposition areas further south retaken by the government , and now more from other parts of Idlib .
The Associated Press travelled to Idlib on a trip arranged through Turkish authorities .
Its team , like other journalists who have been into the enclave recently , was escorted by members of a media outfit linked to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham , an al-Qaida-linked group that dominates the area .
Driving into Idlib city , the AP team witnessed the scale of the displacement .
Dozens of tents lined the main road into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bombed out buildings , the city ’ s stadium or unfinished construction sites .
Shops have sprung around the enclave bearing the names of different cities and towns in Syria — a testimony and a token to the homes they left behind .
The city has been shaped by the different layers of conflict .
Many city streets are clean and well maintained by the opposition administration .
But on other streets , buildings are in ruins — some wrecked in previous fighting , others bombed during the most recent offensive .
Residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date they were hit .
The city gets only two hours of electricity a day , and Aboud said he chose to buy bread over more power from generators .
If President Bashar Assad resumes the government offensive , everything here will be vulnerable .
In past advances , the government ’ s tactic was to bombard urban areas relentlessly — including with Russian warplanes — flattening residential areas and pummeling the population into submission .
Residents , opposition activists and fighters were offered the choice either to stay under “ reconciliation ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ north .
In Idlib , the residents overwhelmingly fear living under government rule but have nowhere else to run , with Turkey refusing to open its border wall to more refugees .
Aboud said it was out of the question for him to accept “ reconciliation.
” Holding his 2-year-old twins by the hand , he said his family fled his hometown of Saraqeb “ not fearing death but fearing to be under the rule of Assad again.
” He took part in the early anti-government protests in 2011 and was detained for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot and killed by government forces in 2012 ; his mother-in-law was killed in an airstrike the same year .
If Assad captures Idlib , “ we will run to Turkey , we will sleep under the ( border ) wall , ” Aboud said .
“ The most crucial thing is that we won ’ t enter territories ” held by the government .
Turkey has deployed thousands of troops in the enclave , operating alongside its Syrian opposition allies .
That has diminished the lock on power that the al-Qaida-linked Hayat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it drove out rival factions in past fighting .
Mustafa Berro , a commander of a Turkey-backed rebel faction from Aleppo that has now sent forces to Idlib , said his fighters have not lost faith .
“ We are worse off than in 2014 ” — when rebels held nearly half of Syria — “ but we are better off than 2011 ” when they had no territory to control , he said .
“ We still have an area to work from and operate in.
” The massive displacement of past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the enclave , where 1.5 million receive food assistance .
In January alone , 1,227 trucks were sent across the border from Turkey , the largest number in seven years of cross-border operations , said U.N. Assistant Secretary of State Kevin Kennedy , who is also regional humanitarian co-ordinator for Syria .
The cease-fire has allowed deliveries to increase , but Kennedy warned that resumption of hostilities in the densely populated urban area would mean more displacement .
“ The needs are so enormous , the gaps will always be there unfortunately , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Central Hospital , Abdullah AlHassan lay in a bed in excruciating pain .
He lost both legs last week when he went back to his village , Afes , to inspect the home he had fled and stepped on a mine planted in the house .
His hand was also bandaged and his face full of cuts .
Afes , on the strategic highway that was the government ’ s first main objective in its offensive , was all but destroyed and totally deserted , he said .
His house had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The carnage will be similar if the offensive hits Idlib city , he said .
“ No one can stay once such an attack comes .
Everyone must leave .
If anyone stays , ( government forces ) won ’ t spare him.
” In the centre of Idlib city , nearly 90 displaced families found refuge in a deserted prison .
They fled here from Maaret al-Numan , a key town in Idlib that fell to government forces in January .
“ We couldn ’ t afford rent .
We opened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came in , ” said Hossam Ajjaj , member of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army who was among the first to move in with his family .
Families , men and women , live on top of each other in the prison rooms , divided into sleeping , cooking and bathing areas by hung sheets and blankets , giving a deceptive sense of privacy .
Fida , 44 , and her 20-year old daughter Heba share the same room with 11 other relatives .
On the day the AP visited , they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area , where they also cook and bathe — taking turns keeping watch to ensure no one intrudes .
A younger brother of Heba who lost a foot in a war injury slept in the room behind the “ kitchen.
” A baby with Down syndrome slept in his cradle next to the women cooking .
They had long resisted fleeing their home , just outside Maaret al-Numan .
Early in the war , when Heba was 12 , they left for six months , but returned .
Earlier in 2019 , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went back .
When the Syrian army advanced on Maaret al-Numan in December , they moved into caves just next to their home , hoping it was again just temporary .
When an airstrike hit just outside the cave , they knew they had to leave .
They gave up their large farm growing olives and grapes to live crammed in a prison .
“ We don ’ t like the word displacement , ” Fida said .
Her daughter added : “ It ’ s shameful .
We like our hometown.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a single day since 2011 — every day marked by violence and loss .
She worried about her children , a 3- and a 2-year-old , and can ’ t let them go outside because of airstrikes .
“ We sleep in fear , ” she said .
“ I don ’ t imagine there will be a future .
I don ’ t imagine this will be settled with us alive .
”


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--Peace Corps evacuating volunteers worldwide amid outbreak

WASHINGTON - The Peace Corps is telling its volunteers around the world that it is suspending all operations globally and evacuating all volunteers in light of the spread of the new coronavirus .
In an open letter to volunteers posted Sunday on its website , the federal agency ’ s director , Jody Olsen , says the decision follows recent evacuations in China and Mongolia due to the outbreak .
Olsen says that with evacuations now underway at other posts and travel becoming more challenging by the day , the agency decided to expand the suspension and evacuations .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel becomes more and more challenging by the day , we are acting now to safeguard your well-being and prevent a situation where Volunteers are unable to leave their host countries , ” Olsen says .
Olsen says the posts are not closing and that the agency looks forward to returning to normal operations when conditions permit .
The letter says country directors would be providing more information to volunteers .
The Peace Corps was established in 1961 during the Kennedy administration as a government-run volunteer program serving nations around the world .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in more than 60 countries today and that more than 235,000 Americans have served in 141 countries since its inception .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-16--DEBATE TAKEAWAYS: Biden tries to draw in Sanders supporters

WASHINGTON - Former vice-president Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders launched a new phase of the 2020 presidential election Sunday night , with a one-on-one debate held in a Washington studio without a studio audience .
It reflected the dramatic distillation of a once-sprawling field of Democratic presidential hopefuls down to two white men in their late 70s who represent the party ’ s competing ideological wings .
And it underscored this extraordinary moment in American politics and society , as the coronavirus pandemic remakes every aspect of life in the United States .
Here are some key takeaways : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ANYTHING .
Biden and Sanders spent two hours in a spirited matchup , showing no hesitation about litigating philosophical differences .
But there were no moments likely to alter the trajectory of the race .
For any progressive voter who sees 2020 as the opportunity to reshape the Democratic Party and the U.S. government , Sanders made their case .
For any Democrat who identifies as a centrist or a more pragmatic liberal or simply a voter desperate to defeat Donald Trump , Biden stuck to his script .
That is precisely what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There were just many more candidates on stage taking one approach or the other .
Biden ’ s winning streak since the South Carolina primary on Feb. 29 suggests that his tack has more appeal in the current political environment .
And Biden ’ s debate performance – notably more steady than many of his previous efforts on more crowded stages – certainly indicates that he ’ s comfortable with his posture .
Sanders ’ counter on Sunday , though , makes equally clear that the Vermont senator isn ’ t ready @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even if it ’ s mostly about pulling Biden and the Democratic Party as far as he can toward his progressive policy vision .
UNITY AGAINST TRUMP GOES ONLY SO FAR Biden and Sanders were united in their umbrage about how President Donald Trump has handled the coronavirus outbreak .
But that didn ’ t keep them from turning the situation into a proxy argument over their competing visions for the role of government .
Minutes into the debate , Sanders said the COVID-19 proliferation is evidence that the United States needs his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health insurance system .
“ We ’ re spending so much money and yet we ’ re not even prepared for this pandemic , ” he said , bemoaning the “ dysfunctionality ” of the existing U.S. health care system .
Biden , who advocates adding a “ public option ” to the existing private insurance system rather than scrapping private insurance altogether , pushed back , noting that Italy already has a single-payer system and is watching its coronavirus mortality rate spike anyway .
“ We ’ re at war with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with co-pays , ” Biden said .
Taken together , it was a distillation of the competing ideologies that define the Biden vs. Sanders matchup .
Biden has moved left over his career , but he still hails from the establishment , capitalist wing of a Democratic Party .
Sanders , a “ democratic socialist , ” is continuing to push a fundamental overhaul of the nation ’ s economic and political identity .
Biden made news when he said unequivocally that he ’ d pick a woman as a running mate if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fully committing to something he ’ s previously indicated he ’ d do .
“ There are a number of women who are qualified to be president tomorrow , ” Biden said .
“ I would pick a woman to be my vice-president.
” Sanders didn ’ t go quite as far but said “ in all likelihood “ he , too would choose a woman .
The senator said it wasn ’ t just about choosing a woman as a running mate but making sure she was strongly progressive .
Biden also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endorsing Sen. Elizabeth Warren ’ s view on bankruptcy protection and met Sanders halfway in backing free college for families making less than $ 125,000 a year .
It worked with some .
“ I ’ m ready for @ joebiden to move into the White House and I ’ m ready for a woman vice-president , ” Rep. Jennifer Wexton , D-Va. , tweeted .
LAST CALL FOR MEDICARE FOR ALL With Biden grabbing a large lead in delegates and looking to further pad it when Illinois , Ohio , Florida and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days in the race could be numbered -- but he ’ s taking a last stand behind his signature issue .
Sanders said the nation ’ s current health care system , where most people have private insurance provided by their employers , is expensive and ineffective , letting tens of thousands of people die every year from preventable diseases .
He said coronavirus only made things worse .
Biden shot back that responding to the crisis had nothing to do with a “ single-payer system.
” That prompted Sanders to respond that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free but that all other health care coverage should too , saying “ we are a civilized democratic society ” that ought to follow the lead of Canada and many other countries .
Medicare for All dominated debate in the Democratic presidential primary for months , but Sanders is the last candidate left advocating it .
Sunday could be some of the issue ’ s final moments in the policy spotlight .
Biden would like to be known as the real “ progressive ” in the race .
But he has a different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his supporters – a gulf that could become a key factor in the November election if Biden is the nominee .
“ We have problems we have to solve now , ” Biden said during Sunday ’ s debate .
“ We want a revolution ?
Let ’ s act now.
” It ’ s the crucial divide between the two men .
Biden embraces proposals he tacitly concedes could be viewed as incremental , because he doesn ’ t think Sanders ’ ideas have any chance of becoming law .
Likewise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes on measures that many Democrats now criticize and that Biden himself has moved left on .
For his part , Biden said he doesn ’ t see a fundamental conflict between the candidates ’ goals for universal health care access , accessible higher education and a more even economy .
“ We disagree on the detail of how we do it .
But we don ’ t disagree on the principle , ” Biden said .
The question remains whether Sanders ’ progressive supporters accept that framing .
The advanced ages of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- but nowhere more so than when they yelled at one another .
During an especially testy exchange , the former vice-president tried to laugh off an accusation that he had once advocated on the floor of the Senate for cutting Social Security benefits .
That prompted Sanders to proclaim , “ Don ’ t laugh , Joe !
” Then , as Biden defended himself on the same issue , Sanders instructed the viewing audience to check out “ The YouTube ” for archival footage of Biden doing what he claimed he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corrected himself , saying video of Biden arguing for cutting Social Security was “ all over ” YouTube .
Meanwhile , both candidates were quick to say they had not suffered any symptoms of coronavirus , but it didn ’ t always seem that way .
Biden cleared his throat loudly and frequently at the start of the debate , and the camera caught Sanders later wiping his nose with a tissue .
Sanders repeatedly chided Biden for not going far enough in his plans to combat climate change , but used a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats general election votes in the battleground state of Pennsylvania and Ohio .
The Vermont senator said that he would ban hydraulic fracking because of its deep damage to the environment .
The former vice-president said he too would move to slow the effects of climate change , but hasn ’ t called for fully forbidding fracking .
That prompted Sanders to say to Biden , “ I know your heart is in the right place but this requires dramatic , bold action.
” One of the reasons Biden might hesitate to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy in Pennsylvania .
Donald Trump ’ s narrow victory there and in the states of Michigan and Wisconsin in 2016 helped propel him to the White House despite losing the national popular vote to Hillary Clinton .
Democrats are desperate to take those states back from the president in November .

Bill Barrow And Will Weissert - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--Sheriff: North Carolina man kills 6 relatives and himself

PITTSBORO , N.C. - A 66-year-old man fatally shot six relatives in a small North Carolina community over the weekend , then killed himself , authorities said Monday .
The shooting happened late Sunday afternoon in the Moncure area of Chatham County , the county sheriff ’ s office said in a statement .
Evidence indicates that Larry Don Ray shot and killed the six others before turning the gun on himself , Lt. Sara Pack , an agency spokeswoman , said in a statement .
Ray was found among the dead .
Authorities said they ’ re still investigating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s office described the area as a “ quiet , close-knit community where violence is out of the norm.
” Moncure is a community about 30 miles ( 50 kilometres ) southwest of Raleigh .
The victims were identified as Jeanie Ray , 67 , Helen Mason , 93 ; Ellis Mansfield , 73 ; Lisa Mansfield , 54 ; John Paul Sanderford , 41 ; and Nicole Sanderford , 39 .
“ To lose any family member is devastating , but to lose several at once to unexpected violence is unimaginable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
” There are no words to describe the sense of loss we feel as a community in the wake of this terrible event.
” “ There ’ s a guy in my house shooting right now , ” the caller can be heard saying on the tape obtained by The News & Observer , later adding : “ Please get somebody here to the house “ The person tells the operator that his father and mother were in the house and that he heard around six shots .
The caller remained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It wasn ’ t immediately clear what relation he or his parents were to the gunman .
On Monday , Mark Childress told the newspaper that his brother ’ s daughter , son-in-law and mother-in-law were killed .
“ Right now , they ’ re still in shock , and they don ’ t want to talk to anybody , ” Childress said of the surviving family members .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-16--COVID-19 stay: Execution halted for man who killed family

HOUSTON - The outbreak of the novel coronavirus prompted the top Texas criminal appeals court on Monday to stay for 60 days the scheduled execution of a man condemned for killing his family .
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals rejected all grounds of John William Hummel ’ s appeal but said it would postpone the scheduled Wednesday execution “ in light of the current health crisis and the enormous resources needed to address the execution.
” Hummel , 44 , was convicted in 2011 of capital murder in the December 2009 fatal stabbing of his pregnant wife , Joy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his father-in-law , Clyde Bedford , 57 , with a baseball bat .
Evidence showed he also used the bat to beat to death Jodi Hummel , his 5-year-old daughter , before he torched their home in Kennedale , a Fort Worth suburb .
However , he was only convicted of capital murder in the deaths of his wife and father-in-law .
Prosecutors say he killed his family so he could woo a woman he had met at a convenience store .
One of the issues that Michael Mowla , Hummel ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to stop the execution was a concern that the process involved with putting Hummel to death “ may itself assist in spreading COVID-19.
” A number of people either take part or witness the execution in the death chamber at the state penitentiary in Huntsville , including correctional officers , attorneys , physicians and family members or friends of the inmate and of the victims .
“ Gathering all these people in one location presents a substantial risk of transmission of COVID-19/Coronavirus if anyone is infected , ” Mowla wrote in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mowla declined to comment on Monday after the appeals court issued the execution stay .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus .
According to the World Health Organization , people with mild illness recover in about two weeks , while those with more severe illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recover .
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice had been prepared to carry out the execution as officials had instituted a screening process for people who would have witnessed it , said agency spokesman Jeremy Desel .
Execution witnesses would have been subject to the same screening that department employees have to go through before entering a prison unit .
The screening involves questions based on travel , potential exposure to the coronavirus and health inquiries , Desel said .
The death chamber is not a heavy traffic area and is completely isolated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Huntsville , Desel said .
“ But it is thoroughly cleaned , consistently and constantly .
We are taking precautions throughout the prison system , ” he said .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--Colorado governor limits eateries, bars to takeout, delivery

DENVER - Colorado ’ s 12,000 bars and restaurants will be limited to takeout and delivery orders under a ban on gatherings of 50 people as the state expands testing to try to brake the spread of the coronavirus , Gov .
Jared Polis said Monday .
Polis also announced the closure of all theatres , gyms and casinos until further notice .
The restaurant-bar measure will affect 240,000 workers and last at least 30 days , Polis said .
He called it a tough but necessary step to fight a pandemic that he said likely has infected thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people had tested positive for the coronavirus as of Monday , and 20 of them are hospitalized , Polis said .
The greatest challenge , he said , was in chasing a virus where the latest information , based on tests , is always three to five days old .
“ We are doing our best , ” Polis said , admitting that scaling up testing “ has been very frustrating.
” Earlier Monday , Denver limited restaurants and bars to takeout and delivery orders , and the state began expanding testing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stem the spread of the coronavirus .
Mayor Michael Hancock announced other measures to try to limit the spread of the disease as well as to prepare for handling more cases .
People arrested for low-level crimes will no longer be booked into jail and social distancing would be increased behind bars , he said .
To keep people in homes , sheriff ’ s deputies will not enforce eviction notices during the crisis , and the city is also negotiating with hotels to house homeless people , prioritizing those who have significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal and state government to address a “ critical shortage ” of protective gear like masks so that city workers and volunteers could continue to help those at risk .
The state said it had hired 50 nurses to staff testing sites and health care facilities .
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said it was opening a testing site Tuesday outside Telluride to serve about 100 people chosen by area health care providers as needing testing and also planned to do testing later in the week in Routt County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While other ski resort areas , including Eagle County , home to Vail , are already known to have community spread of the disease , health officials need to do testing to find out what is happening in the other resort areas that also draw a lot of tourists , said Scott Bookman , the health department ’ s COVID-19 incident commander .
The results will help health officials make recommendations about social distancing measures in those communities although a backlog in testing means it will take several days to get the results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The state said it received additional testing kits from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week and planned to distribute them statewide .
The private firms Labcorp and Quest Diagnostics were augmenting state testing .
State authorities have targeted Eagle , Summit , Pitkin and Gunnison counties because of high rates of community spread .
As of Sunday , the four counties , home to several ski areas , accounted for at least 40 of the state ’ s 131 cases .
Polis ordered all ski areas closed this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely renewable ” on Monday .
The pandemic cast a shadow over a highly uncertain quarterly economic forecast released by the governor ’ s office Monday .
As businesses close and shoppers stay home , state revenue could decline sharply and recession is possible , said the governor ’ s Office of State Planning and Budgeting .
For most people , the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Organization says people with mild illness recover in about two weeks , while severe cases may last three to six weeks .
From her hometown of Vail , World Cup ski racer Mikaela Shiffrin used her social media channels to urge personal and community responsibility to cope with the crisis .
Shiffrin said that during a recent trip home she saw people using bathrooms without washing their hands and sneezing without covering their mouths .
At stake is the health of loved ones , the greater community and especially the elderly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and first reported by Vail Daily .
“ Now personal hygiene is really global hygiene , ” Shiffrin said .
“ This isn ’ t supposed to be a tattletale message but more of a call to action.
” “ Lastly , be kind , ” she concluded .
“ You never know what someone is going through .
”


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--Senate votes to renew surveillance powers, delaying changes

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate has voted to extend , rather than tweak , three surveillance powers that federal law enforcement officials use to fight terrorists , passing the bill back to an absent House and throwing the future of the authorities in doubt .
The 75-day extension pushes off the debate over the surveillance tools as Congress attempts to deal with the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic .
It is not yet clear whether the House will accept the temporary extension of the surveillance powers , which lapsed on Sunday .
The House last week passed a compromise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy that would renew the authorities and impose new restrictions .
President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell endorsed the measure , but longtime skeptics of the surveillance tools in the Senate blocked a quick passage .
The House legislation would update the three expiring surveillance provisions , including one that permits the FBI to obtain court orders to collect business records on subjects in national security investigations .
Another , known as the “ roving wiretap ” provision , permits surveillance on subjects even after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third allows agents to monitor subjects who don ’ t have ties to international terrorism organizations .
The legislation would scale back some current authorities , such as the government ’ s access to certain records .
It would also attempt to put stronger checks on some surveillance measures and make the process more transparent .
The compromise reflects angst in both parties about the way the surveillance powers have been used , but also a reluctance to strip those powers from the government ’ s arsenal .
Republicans and Democrats in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want civil liberties sacrificed in efforts to thwart terrorism and other crimes .
It is unclear whether the House will vote on the Senate extension , which would make no changes to the authorities during the 75 days .
A Democratic aide said that House leadership was discussing how to move forward , as the House is on recess and has no set date for returning .
The Senate passed the extension by voice vote Monday after days of negotiations between McConnell and Sens .
Mike Lee , R-Utah , Rand Paul , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The chamber had originally been scheduled to take a procedural vote to move forward on the House legislation , a step that would have set up final passage for later in the week .
It ’ s not clear whether McConnell had enough votes for the House bill to pass .
McConnell said Monday evening that the Senate would eventually consider the House bill and several amendments , conceding to the demands from the three senators .
The amendments would impose restrictions beyond the House bill on the government ’ s ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr , R-N.C. , speaking on the floor for McConnell , objected to that same deal last week , saying the Senate should pass the House bill .
But there appeared to be more urgency to put off the surveillance issue Monday as coronavirus cases spiked in the United States and the economic damage mounted .

Mary Clare Jalonick - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--Nevada police investigate killing of missing teen girl

ELKO , Nev. - Law enforcement in northeastern Nevada said Monday that they have found the body of a 16-year-old girl who went missing , and she appears to be the victim of a homicide .
The Elko County Sheriff ’ s Office said Monday that the body of Gabrielle ( Britney ) Lynn Ujlaky was found Wednesday between the city of Elko and the community of Spring Creek , about 15 miles away .
The sheriff ’ s office said investigators have been “ working around the clock following up on leads and tips ” but have not yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Free Press reported that Ujlaky was last seen on March 8 getting into a pickup truck .
It ’ s unclear who owned the truck and how Ujlaky knew the owner .
The sheriff ’ s office said there ’ s no information to indicate a danger to the public but asked for anyone who can offer tips to notify the sheriff ’ s office .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-16--Broadway stars stream, rock stars stay off road amid virus

NEW YORK - From helping others cope to sheltering in place to cancelling events , here ’ s a look at some of the ways the entertainment industry is reacting to the spread of the coronavirus , which most people recover from but can cause severe illness in the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions .
Broadway shows may be shuttered , but that ’ s not stopping some Broadway voices .
Stage stars like Audra McDonald , Idina Menzel , Kristin Chenoweth , Norbert Leo Butz , Kelli O ’ Hara , Wayne Brady , Betty Buckley and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live from their homes in two daily mini-online charity shows starting Monday night .
The shows are the brainchild of Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley , the host and producer of Sirius XM ’ s “ On Broadway , ” and will follow the traditional theatre times of 2 p.m. Eastern and 8 p.m. Eastern .
The shows will encourage viewers to donate to The Actors Fund ’ s services for those dealing with the coronavirus outbreak and its financial costs .
“ Broadway at Home ” will kick off Monday with Kelli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be seen at The Actors Fund YouTube channel , as well as Playbill.com and BroadwayWorld.com .
Some other stars who have signed up include Shoshana Bean , Sierra Boggess , Laura Bell Bundy , Kerry Butler , Carolee Carmello , Gavin Creel , Melissa Errico , Raúl Esparza , Christopher Fitzgerald , Ana Gasteyer , Mandy Gonzalez , Justin Guarini , James Monroe Iglehart , Jeremy Jordan , Marc Kudish , Judy Kuhn , Linda Lavin , Beth Leavel , Telly Leung , Beth Malone , Lindsay Mendez , Kate Shindle , Brian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O ’ Donnell , Alice Ripley , Adam Pascal , Faith Prince , Keala Settle , Marc Shaiman , Jennifer Simard , Elizabeth Stanley , Patrick Wilson and Marissa Jaret Winokur .
Couples who also plan to appear are : Sebastian Arcelus and Stephanie J .
Block , Will Chase and Ingrid Michaelson , Jen Cody and Hunter Foster , Jenn Colella and Chilina Kennedy , Colin Donnell and Patti Murrin , Santino and Jessica Fontana , Andy Karl and Orfeh , Liz Larsen and Sal Viviano , Steven Pasquale and Phillipa Soo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Online concerts have taken on a new appeal as the virus keeps people inside .
Latin singers Juanes and Alejandro Sanz recently performed on YouTube Live , a pair of Metropolitan Opera stars have belted out tunes on Facebook and Instagram , the Russian-German pianist Igor Levit took to Twitter on Thursday to stream his music and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra live streamed a Beethoven symphony .
The Met Gala , annually one of the biggest nights in fashion , has been postponed due to the coronavirus .
Host Anna Wintour announced Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be held on its usual first Monday in May , due to the “ unavoidable and responsible decision by the Metropolitan Museum to close its doors.
“ The Met Gala was one of the last remaining major cultural events in the coming weeks that had yet to be postponed or cancelled .
Other delayed events announced Monday include the GLAAD Media Awards , which had been set to honour Taylor Swift and Janet Mock for their advocacy for LGBTQ issues in Los Angeles on April 16 , and the iHeartMusic Awards , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Usher and performers including Lizzo on March 29 .
Elton John is postponing part of his North American tour due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The superstar said Monday that the March 26 through May 2 shows of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour will be rescheduled .
Tour performances for May 22 through July 8 remain as scheduled .
Foo Fighters ’ Dave Grohl says he didn ’ t cancel shows when he broke his leg —and performed from a wheel chair onstage — but he must postpone his band ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rocker wrote Monday on Twitter that “ playing a gig with a sock full of broken bones is one thing , but playing a show when YOUR health and safety is in jeopardy is another.
” The band has postponed April dates of its Van Tour 2020 , and says “ information on the May dates will be forthcoming.
” CELEBS SAY THIS IS SERIOUS Idris Elba tweeted that he has tested positive for coronavirus but has shown no symptoms so far .
Elba said Monday that he has been isolated since Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been exposed .
Elba in a video message said that his wife has not been tested yet but is feeling OK. “ This is serious .
Now ’ s really the time to think about social distancing , washing your hands , ” Elba said .
Olga Kurylenko , the Ukrainian actress who starred in the 2008 James Bond film “ Quantum of Solace , ” also says she has tested positive .
“ Take care of yourself and take this seriously !
” Kurylenko said in an Instagram post Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kristofer Hivju announced on his Instagram page that he has tested positive and will be isolating himself at his home in his native Norway .
PEN America has called off its annual World Voices Festival , a weeklong May gathering in New York that features dozens of writers .
In a statement Monday , PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel and World Voices Director Chip Rolley noted that the festival had been founded after the Sept. 11 , 2001 , attacks as an “ antidote to cultural isolationism.
” With a “ new and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they added , “ we regret deeply that we won ’ t be able to shine that light or foster those vital in-person connections.
” The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--Florida reports 4th COVID-19 death, with more than 140 cases

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. - Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis said his administration was considering newly announced federal guidelines on public gatherings in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak , but the governor said he was not ready to order across-the-board closures of restaurants and bars .
On the eve of St. Patrick ’ s Day celebrations and the state ’ s presidential primary , state officials were bracing for large gatherings — at bars , restaurants and at the polls — that could further spread the new strain of virus that has already infected more than 140 Floridians .
Thus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida .
The latest reported death was an Orange County woman in her 70s .
“ If you look around the state of Florida , this is not uniform in terms of where the virus is percolating , ” the governor said during a Monday afternoon news conference .
The governor said he would likely leave it to localities to tailor their response to the virus based on the specific circumstances of their respective communities , the governor said .
Huge swaths of the state appear have not yet had any confirmed infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Miami-Dade have by far the largest number of infections , with nearly half of all the state ’ s cases .
During his news conference , the governor urged the federal government to provide loans to help rescue small businesses from the economic turbulence wrought by spreading infections .
He said the state would launch a loan program of its own , and provide $ 50 million to fund a loan program that could immediately provide small businesses with $ 50,000 loans .
The outbreak has elections officials across the state taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff are prepared to swab down voting machines and ensuring the safety of voters and precinct workers .
Georgia , Ohio and Louisiana have delayed their primaries .
But in line with Arizona and Illinois , Florida had not postponed Tuesday ’ s presidential primary .
“ Florida is proceeding with tomorrow ’ s scheduled election , ” Secretary of State Laurel Lee said during the governor ’ s press conference .
“ Based on the best information that we have , ” she said , “ we are confident that voters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the polls and cast their ballots in tomorrow ’ s election.
” As of Monday , she said , about 2 million Floridians had already voted early or sent their ballots through the mail .
The state ’ s emergency management director , Jared Moskowitz , appealed to younger people on spring break to act responsibly and heed calls for them to avoid public gatherings that could turn themselves into carriers for the virus .
Some beaches have already been closed , and some communities have ordered businesses to close early to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Gulf coast near Tampa intend to stay open until state emergency officials mandate closures .
Social media and local news reports showed Clearwater Beach flooded with spring breakers on Monday .
The governor has left it to local communities to decide if they would restrict access to beaches .
At the urging of federal health officials , President Donald Trump on Monday issued guidelines that calling on Americans to avoid gathering of more than 10 people .
DeSantis said his administration was taking the new guidelines under advisement and could issue its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry announced Monday that he is limiting crowd capacity of recreational and social gatherings and establishments to 50 people .
This includes shopping malls , restaurants , bars , churches and movie theatres .
Office buildings , manufacturing plants , grocery stores and many other businesses are exempt from the limit .
Earlier Monday , Florida ’ s two largest theme parks — Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando — announced they would shutter hotels and other entertainment venues because of growing concern over the new strain of coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it would close its popular CityWalk , filled with restaurants , shops and movie theatres , at midnight , and close all hotels at 5 p.m. Friday .
It said the closures would extend through the end of the month .
In a tweet , Walt Disney World also announced that its hotels and the Disney Springs entertainment district also would close at 5 p.m. Friday to give guests time to arrange other accommodations .
The company said all Disney stores nationwide would close Tuesday , including Disney Springs in Orlando , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , California .
To help contain the spread of the disease , Walt Disney World , Universal Orlando Resort , SeaWorld and Busch Gardens closed on Sunday night for at least two weeks .
Also on Monday , the state unveiled a new online dashboard that provides the public with a clearer picture of where the virus has hit .
The COVID-19 surveillance dashboard provides a colour-coded map that shows the intensity of infections across the state .
A drive-thru testing facility was expected to open soon at a hospital in the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in South Florida , DeSantis announced on Sunday .
More than 170 National Guard personnel have deployed in the county , and 300 additional Guard members were soon to be activated to help with the testing .
State officials said they also were preparing to set up mobile hospitals to help the state ’ s hospitals with testing if needed .
The tests will be free to patients , DeSantis said .
The virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , for most people , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems can develop severe complications , including pneumonia .
According to the World Health Organization , people with mild illness recover in about two weeks , while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover .
Frisaro reported from Miami .
Associated Press reporters Mike Schneider in Orlando , Tamara Lush in St. Petersburg and David Fischer in Miami contributed to this report .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak

Bobby Caina Calvan And Freida Frisaro - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--‘Don’t stop’: When Carnegie Hall cancelled, show went on

NEW YORK - How do you get to Carnegie Hall ?
Practice .
And when the coronavirus cancels the performance you ’ ve been practicing for ?
Take it outside .
A group of Oregon students decided they were going to perform Monday in New York City , even if it wasn ’ t quite where they had originally planned .
The young musicians from the Alliance Charter Academy in Oregon City , Oregon , got word their planned Carnegie Hall performance had been cancelled just before they were scheduled to leave .
Some of them decided to come anyway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times Square , playing for the few hardy souls still out and about .
“ It ’ s a good message to keep going and to teach kids to persist even when your dreams are crushed , “ said Anna Mersereau , 41 , orchestra director at the school .
“ You don ’ t stop , you make the most of it and you take what life gives you and you keep going.
” There were tears initially , she said , but after about a day , some students figured they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East Coast than they were on the West Coast , so they came , with plenty of hand sanitizer and maintaining distance between themselves and others .
In addition to Times Square , they were planning to play outside Carnegie Hall as well .
The kids found the bright side of the unusual experience .
“ We ’ re always probably going to remember as the trip we were going to play at Carnegie Hall but now it ’ s the trip we played at Times Square which we weren ’ t planning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 17 .
“ Even though that ’ s kind of a disappointment , it ’ s been a great trip , “ he said .
“ I ’ m happy the way it turned out , it would have been cool if it would have gone the other way , but either way it was a great trip.
” The new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , in most people but can cause more severe illness and death for some , especially older adults @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The vast majority of people recover .
The worldwide outbreak has sickened about 175,000 people and left more than 6,700 dead .
While nonstop global news about the effects of the coronavirus has become commonplace , so , too , are the stories about the kindness of strangers and individuals who have sacrificed for others .
This is the inaugural story in an AP continuing series called , “ One Good Thing.
” The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible for all content .

David R. Martin And Deepti Hajela - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--Coronavirus strikes journalists, others change way they work

NEW YORK - Six people at CBS News have tested positive for coronavirus , including a correspondent stationed in Italy , as media organizations fought Monday against the same epidemic they ’ re charged with describing .
Five employees with the virus work in CBS ’ New York offices , where most of its journalists were ordered to stay away as a result .
“ Everyone works remotely unless specifically requested to come in , ” CBS News President Susan Zirinsky said in a memo to her staff .
ABC News said Monday that a journalist who worked on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak in Seattle had tested positive for coronavirus .
The person , who works in ABC ’ s Los Angeles bureau , has been isolated since last week and has suffered only mild symptoms .
The network said it has told its entire Seattle coverage team to stay home and has closed its Los Angeles bureau for a thorough cleaning .
Meanwhile , at NBC , an employee who worked on the “ Today ” show ’ s third hour tested positive , forcing the show ’ s anchors Craig Melvin and Al @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the person to be ordered to isolate in their homes as a result .
The “ Today ” show ’ s 7 a.m. anchors , Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb , came to work but kept their distance .
They sat several feet apart from each other as the show opened Monday , saying they were setting an example by following guidelines for social distancing .
“ It does matter , ” Kotb said .
“ We ’ re practicing that at home , we ’ re practicing that with our children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work because it ’ s important.
” It was a subtle trend throughout the television world .
The white couch on Fox News Channel ’ s “ Outnumbered , ” typically crowded with four women and one man , held only Harris Faulkner and Melissa Francis on Monday .
The other guests , Nicole Saphier , David Webb and Jessica Tarlov , were stationed in different studios .
Seth Doane , a CBS News correspondent who lives in Rome , revealed Monday that he was one of the network ’ s employees to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the worst-hit countries in the world .
“ For the most part , I feel OK , ” Doane said in an interview on “ CBS This Morning.
” But he said he coughed enough to worry people around him , had a slight fever and felt pressure in his chest , so he chose to get tested .
He said he ’ s felt worse in the past with colds and the flu .
Most people who get coronavirus have only mild or moderate symptoms similar to what Doane described .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The vast majority of people recover .
It was a point Doane wanted to illustrate : that symptoms can be so mild that people can spread the disease while not even realizing they have it .
“ The psychological part for me has been worse than the physical part , ” Doane said , referring to how he ’ s had to call people that he ’ s been in contact with .
The cases in CBS ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
New York ’ s WCBS-TV broadcasts from there , so late last week , New York ’ s local news was delivered by anchors in a Los Angeles studio .
The syndicated “ Inside Edition ” also airs from there , and late last week Deborah Norville did the show from her kitchen at home .
John Oliver ’ s “ Last Week Tonight ” tapes in a studio in the New York complex , and there were also people in the HBO show ’ s office that tested positive .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without an audience from a studio where he sat in front of a white backdrop .
His abbreviated show was part comedy , part social commentary and part service journalism .
He went through specific instructions of what viewers could do to avoid the coronavirus and implored viewers to be careful about emailing or posting false information .
“ We ’ re going to need to look out for one another , ” he said .
With society shutting down and many Americans house-bound for an undetermined length of time , there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audiences , particularly for news .
For the past two weeks , Fox News has averaged 3.57 million viewers in prime time , up 40 % from the same two-week period a year ago .
MSNBC had 2.44 million , up 13 % , and CNN had 1.63 million , up 72 % , the Nielsen company said .
An estimated 10.83 million people watched Sunday night ’ s debate between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders on CNN , Nielsen said .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--How the coronavirus is upending American politics

WASHINGTON - The most elemental act of American democracy — voting — will be tested Tuesday as four states set to hold presidential primaries confront the impact of a global pandemic that has turned everyday life upside-down .
Leaders sent conflicting signals about how to approach the next steps amid the coronavirus outbreak .
As health officials warned against gatherings of greater than 10 people , President Donald Trump said elections should proceed .
Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine went to court to try to push his state ’ s primary into June while elections officials in Arizona , Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with plans to vote .
The rapidly shifting developments amounted to a kind of chaos rarely seen in an election season .
And it may not end soon as some states that have presidential contests in the coming weeks have already moved to postpone them and others were being pressed to follow .
“ These are unusual restrictions , ” Susan Lerner , executive director of Common Cause New York , said of recommended federal limits to control the spread of the virus .
Her group is urging delaying that state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 3 when congressional and legislative primaries are already scheduled .
“ Normally , we do not support postponing elections , but these are extraordinary circumstances , “ Lerner said .
Campaigns spent Monday sifting through data and talking to contacts on the ground to assess the impact of the coronavirus on turnout in places that will hold elections on Tuesday .
Former Vice-President Joe Biden is moving closer to securing the Democratic presidential nomination , but could face a setback if the older voters who tend to support him don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meanwhile , can ’ t afford to lose support from young voters who have been his most loyal supporters .
The tumult has left the campaign in a state of suspended animation .
In-person rallies have been replaced with sometimes-awkward virtual events .
Sanders , the last Democrat standing between Biden and the nomination , isn ’ t planning to drop out .
Although his campaign looked to have nowhere to go after a big loss last week in Michigan , top advisers now see no downside to staying in the race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and weeks unfold .
On Monday night , Sanders is staging a virtual rally featuring himself , rocker Neil Young and activist actress Daryl Hannah .
He also released a video criticizing Biden for suggesting as a senator that he ’ d be willing to cut Social Security benefits — a line of attack he employed frequently during Sunday ’ s debate .
Sanders ’ team had expected Biden to do well in all four states that were set to vote on Tuesday .
But the Vermont senator has also cast some doubt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one should risk being infected while voting and noting that it ’ s important “ to make sure that everybody who wants to vote has the right to vote , and that may not be the case now.
” Still , Sanders faces an increasingly tough path to the nomination .
About half of the delegates in the Democratic primary have already been awarded and , if Biden has another big night Tuesday , he will pad an already large and perhaps insurmountable lead .
Sanders trails Biden by more than 150 delegates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to win more than 57 % of those yet to be allocated to clinch the Democratic nomination .
Biden ’ s campaign is trying not to look presumptuous about its prospects at this sensitive moment .
Still , the former vice-president is making moves to rally more voters to his campaign , including his announcement during the debate that he would choose a woman as a running mate .
Rep. Cedric Richmond , a Louisiana congressman and one of Biden ’ s campaign co-chairs , said the former vice-president has “ started the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden will make his second attempt at a virtual town hall , this time with his wife , Jill , late Monday .
The first effort Friday was marred by technical difficulties , a testament to the new landscape for the candidate and his aides as they try to balance what amounts to a national shut-in with the demands of an ongoing campaign .
The coming weeks will present additional uncertainties .
After Tuesday , the campaign had been set to shift to Georgia next week , but officials there have already postponed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That means voting isn ’ t scheduled again anywhere until March 29 in Puerto Rico — and island officials are also seeking a delay .
The first week in April , meanwhile , would have featured Louisiana , but its decision to delay the primary until May leaves only primaries in farflung Alaska and Hawaii and caucuses in Wyoming through April 4 .
That could leave the campaign in further limbo , perhaps prolonging a primary race that might otherwise have been wrapped up .
Voting rights groups have advocated for upcoming elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding them as scheduled to adopt more lenient vote-by-mail and absentee ballot rules so that people don ’ t have to choose between showing up at a polling place and putting their health at risk .
Mustafa Tameez , a Democratic strategist with ties to many of the party ’ s top donors , noted that Americans voted during World War I and World War II .
More recent voting during crisis came on the morning of Sept. 11 , 2001 , when balloting was already underway but was suspended for two weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of the terrorist attacks .
“ There should be no circumstance in which we say , because of a crisis — regardless of the crisis — that we stop our electoral government , “ Tameez said .
Associated Press writers Bill Barrow in Atlanta , Seth Borenstein in Washington and Jonathan J. Cooper in Phoenix contributed to this report .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--USAID head, rare Trump aide with bipartisan support, resigns

WASHINGTON - The head of the U.S. Agency for International Development is stepping down after two-and-a-half years of running America ’ s main foreign humanitarian aid programs .
Former Republican congressman Mark Green announced his resignation to return to the private sector on Monday , saying he was proud of the work the agency had done .
Green , one of President Donald Trump ’ s few nominees for senior positions to win overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate , said his last day on the job would be April 10 .
Green oversaw an agency that , like the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , faced perennial budget-slashing proposals from the Trump administration .
Although Green ran the agency with a philosophy of eliminating the need for foreign aid , he also championed disaster and emergency medical relief efforts in developing countries , particularly combating the Ebola virus in Africa .
He was a Republican congressman representing Wisconsin from 1999 to 2007 .
“ The purpose of foreign assistance is to end the need for its existence , ” Green wrote in a farewell letter to staffers .
“ The work of USAID every day provides a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxpayers for our national security , our economic growth — this generosity is simply in our DNA.
” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo thanked Green for his service and dedication .
“ He is leaving his Agency in a strong and vital position to address the new challenges this century will bring to us , ” Pompeo said in a statement .
Reflecting the bipartisan support that Green held on Capitol Hill , the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez , also lamented his resignation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from speaking truth to power , and he leaves a legacy of working honestly and transparently across the Executive and Legislative Branches to do what is in our collective interest , “ Menendez said .
“ He will be sorely missed.
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thetorontostar--2020-03-16--Justice on hold: coronavirus prompts court delays, closings

LOS ANGELES - California courts are delaying trials and even temporarily closing their doors in hopes of preventing the spread of the new coronavirus , moves intended to balance public safety with due process that could leave some cases in limbo for weeks .
The Contra Costa County Superior Court is closing until at least April 1 .
Superior Court in Los Angeles is delaying certain trials , and Superior Court in Orange County will not start new civil trials until at least May 1 .
In Los Angeles , a judge postponed the murder trial of multimillionaire New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 .
The Supreme Court of California has suspended in-person oral argument — instead , lawyers will appear remotely , through video , telephone or other electronic means .
The situation is evolving daily , and the effects of the changes are just starting to be assessed .
What ’ s does it mean for clients so far ?
“ The wisest clients are embracing compromise , ” said Eric M. George , partner at law firm Browne George Ross in Los Angeles .
“ Clients who expect to be untouched by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit on the most immediately impacted industries — including entertainment , hospitality , and travel — will quickly be felt by those downstream in real estate , banking , tech , manufacturing and the like.
” “ Clients shouldn ’ t be fooled by lawyers offering unambiguous predictions about how courts will respond , ” George added .
“ There are no easy answers , and the transactional costs of litigation will be substantial.
” Part of the challenge for law firms is that the changes vary from place to place , indeed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the authority to adjust or suspend court operations rests with local court leaders .
“ All courts are working to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic and adjust to the quickly changing situation , ” California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye said in a statement on the court ’ s website .
“ Each court has different challenges and is working with local stakeholders to craft the best protections.
” On Monday , the chief justice issued guidance to California trial courts seeking emergency orders to adjust or suspend court operations in light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local courts to request extended temporary restraining orders , to hold sessions elsewhere in the county and to extend the time for a criminal trial to be held .
“ California ’ s judicial branch is facing an unprecedented challenge with the COVID-19 virus , ” Cantil-Sakauye said .
“ I recognize that this situation may require the temporary adjustment or suspension of court operations “ that could interfere with court proceedings .
Ronald Turovsky , a partner with Manatt , Phelps & Phillips , was monitoring shifting court rules around the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might not be significant .
But depending on the length of delay , the right to a prompt trial could come up in some criminal cases .
There will be a potential for backlogs , and courts will be looking to prioritize cases .
“ You just deal with what you have , ” Turovsky said .


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--Chinese company abandons $1.8B Arkansas paper mill plan

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
- A Chinese company has abandoned its plan to build a massive paper mill in southwestern Arkansas that had already been delayed by trade tensions .
Sun Paper told Gov .
Asa Hutchinson and economic development officials in a letter dated Sunday that it would not move forward with its plan to build a mill in Arkadelphia , about 60 miles ( 97 kilometres ) southwest of Little Rock .
The company cited “ continued political friction and economic instability , “ and the coronavirus outbreak as reasons for walking away from the project .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncertain , it is also fair to allow the state of Arkansas to use its resources for other ventures that have less uncertainty in the medium term , “ Andrzej Bednarski , the company ’ s international project director , said in a letter .
“ At this moment , the collective uncertainties make it a better choice for both of us to abandon the project.
” The letter was first reported by Talk Business and Politics .
The announcement comes after Arkadelphia officials announced that the community was marketing the 1,000-acre site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projects .
The $ 1.8 billion mill was announced in 2016 but has faced uncertainty since then because of trade tensions .
“ Sun Paper ’ s announcement that it is not continuing with the Clark County development project is disappointing but not unexpected in light of the trade wars and the global economic downturn caused by the current coronavirus pandemic , “ Gov .
Asa Hutchinson said in a statement .
“ We will continue to work with our local economic development leaders to attract other projects to the area.
” State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incentives that had been announced at the time have been paid to the company and the state was looking at ways to use the now de-obligated funds for other economic development opportunities .
“ It ’ s a big disappointment for everyone involved , “ Preston said in a statement .
“ Lots of hard work , from the local community to our state partners , went into to seeing this project succeed.
” Local government had used revenue from a half-cent sales tax in Clark County to buy the mill site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kilometres ) south of Arkadelphia .
In 2016 , officials said they expected the mill to create hundreds of jobs and employ 2,000 people during its construction .
State incentives included $ 12.5 million for site preparation and equipment , and up to $ 3 million in workforce training funds .


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--Wisconsin-based resorts close due to coronavirus concerns

MADISON , Wis. - The Wisconsin-based Great Wolf Lodge has closed its 19 resorts in 13 states because of the coronavirus .
The hospitality company says there have been no cases of COVID-19 at any of the resorts , it ’ s simply following the guidance from federal and state officials over larger gatherings .
Great Wolf Lodge has more than 400 rooms at its waterpark in Wisconsin Dells .
The closings come during the busy spring break season .
“ This is an unprecedented and challenging time , ” the Madison-based company wrote on its website .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and state health officials to monitor the ongoing situation and provide our guests with additional updates as warranted.
” The vast majority of people recover from the new virus .
According to the World Health Organization , people with mild illness recover in about two weeks .
Both Kalahari Resort , one of the larger waterpark resorts in the country , and Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells have also announced that they will close beginning at 4 p.m. Wednesday .
Kalahari , Wilderness and Great Wolf said they plan to reopen on April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kalahari said its also closing its resorts in Sandusky , Ohio , and on Tuesday will close its resort in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-16--Amazon seeks to hire 100,000 to keep up with surge in orders

NEW YORK - Amazon said Monday that it needs to hire 100,000 people across the U.S. to keep up with a crush of orders as the coronavirus spreads and keeps more people at home , shopping online .
The online retailer said it will also temporarily raise pay by $ 2 an hour through the end of April for hourly employees .
That includes workers at its warehouses , delivery centres and Whole Foods grocery stores , all of whom make at least $ 15 an hour .
Employees in Canada , the United Kingdom and other European countries will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are seeing a significant increase in demand , which means our labour needs are unprecedented for this time of year , ” said Dave Clark , who oversees Amazon ’ s warehouse and delivery network .
Amazon said this weekend that a surge of orders is putting its operations under pressure .
It warned shoppers that it could take longer than the usual two days to get packages .
It also said it was sold out of many household cleaning supplies and is working to get more in stock .
Last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hourly workers , telling them they could take as much time off as they wanted in March , although they would only be paid if they had earned time off .
Additionally , Amazon said it would pay hourly workers for up to two weeks if they contracted the virus or needed to be quarantined .
The Seattle-based company said the new job openings are for a mix of full-time and part-time positions and include delivery drivers and warehouse workers , who pack and ship orders to shoppers .
Amazon is already the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 800,000 workers worldwide .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-16--Businessman found guilty in fraud scheme with polygamists

SALT LAKE CITY - A California businessman accused of helping a pair of Utah polygamists expand a biodiesel fraud scheme that ended up stealing nearly $ 500 million in government funds was found guilty Monday on 10 counts including money laundering and mail fraud .
The verdict against gas station owner Lev Dermen came despite his attorney urging the judge to declare a mistrial based on the contention that jurors shouldn ’ t be kept in close quarters during the spread of the coronavirus when everyone is supposed to be practicing social distancing .
Attorneys from the U.S. Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Dermen sold polygamist Jacob Kingston on the idea that he had an umbrella of government officials he knew who would protect the scheme from investigation and prosecution .
Under that false aura of protection , a fraud that started with just Kingston and his brother grew with Dermen as the government paid out claim after claim until they were denied the final $ 650 million claim they made in 2015 .
The three men were indicted in 2018 .
Kingston , his brother and two other family members took plea deals last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Jacob Kingston testified against Dermen at the trial .
John Huber , U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah , touted the convictions as the culmination of the largest tax fraud case in Utah history and a major strike against the Kingtsons ’ polygamous group that he said law enforcement has long believed practice fraud .
Dermen and the Kingstons used the money to buy luxury sports cars and million-dollar homes .
“ What brought them down as with many fraudsters was their outsized greed , ” Huber said , “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control.
” Huber said the court followed good hygiene and social distancing practices to keep jurors safe as they deliberated starting last week .
Huber and other attorneys exchanged congratulatory elbow bumps outside court after the verdict .
Defence attorney Mark Geragos said he was “ bitterly disappointed ” in the verdict .
He said he ’ ll continue to fight to clear Dermen , but didn ’ t provide details .
“ I don ’ t think there ’ s any way this jury should have been deliberating in the face of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in greater society , “ Geragos said .
“ And I don ’ t think anyone who observed this case thinks that he was guilty , let alone on all 10 counts.
” Geragos argued during the trial that Dermen was being used by Kingston and his brother because they didn ’ t want to share the proceeds with their northern polygamous community that he says for decades has practiced fraud to steal money from the U.S. government .
The monetary transactions cited in the case by prosecutors were all legitimate , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owned gas stations and a trucking company for 25 years , Geragos said .
The business involved in the scheme , Washakie Renewable Energy , owned by the Kingstons , once described itself as the largest producer of clean burning and sustainable biodiesel in Utah .
Prosecutors say the company was actually creating fake production records to get renewable-fuel tax credits , then laundered the proceeds from 2010 through 2016 .
Instead of making its own biodiesel , as required in the program , the company was allegedly buying and selling biofuels from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that second-hand biofuel and sold it at his gas stations , prosecutors allege .
They brought or shipped fuel to and from India and Panama during the scheme .


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--MLB delays opening day to mid-May at earliest due to virus

NEW YORK - Major League Baseball pushed back opening day until mid-May at the earliest on Monday because of the new coronavirus after the federal government recommended restricting events of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks .
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred made the announcement following a conference call with executives of the 30 teams .
“ The clubs remain committed to playing as many games as possible when the season begins , ” the commissioner ’ s office said in a statement .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended Sunday that gatherings of 50 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country for the next eight weeks .
“ The opening of the 2020 regular season will be pushed back in accordance with that guidance , ” Manfred said .
No telling at this point when games will start .
The All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 14 could be in jeopardy .
“ We ’ re not going to announce an alternate opening day at this point .
We ’ re going to have to see how things develop , ” Manfred told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He didn ’ t want to speculate about the possibility of playing in empty stadiums , saying part of that decision would depend on timing .
MLB called off the rest of the spring training schedule on Thursday and said opening day , which had been scheduled for March 26 , was postponed for at least two weeks .
Teams and players agree that two to four weeks of additional spring training will be needed before the regular season begins .
“ I ’ m just treating this as January of the winter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a text to The Associated Press .
“ I am working out with the anticipation of baseball activities ramping up over the next month .
But my mentality is back to preparing for the season.
” Under an agreement last week , between MLB and the players ’ association , players are allowed to decide whether to stay at spring training or go home , but some teams have ignored that deal and told players to leave .
“ There should be no organized activities in the camps , ” Manfred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agree with the MLBPA that spring training sites would remain open , but the thought there is with a skeleton crew , really to give players some place to use a gym , as opposed to being forced out into a public gym and the like .
And we ’ re really encouraging players to make a decision as to where they want to be over an extended period of time and get to that location as soon as possible.
” The players ’ association sent an email to agents on Monday saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their team ’ s regular-season city it would pay $ 1,100 allowances through April 9 to players on 40-man rosters as of March 13 .
That amount also would go to players with minor league contracts at big league spring training who were on 40-man rosters at the end of last season .
The union is negotiating with MLB over resetting the dates for players with opt-out clauses in their deals , and the sides are likely to agree on a roster freeze .
They are discussing the possibility of payments to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the point of big-money deals to make up for paychecks they won ’ t be getting in April and May .
This year marked the earliest opening day other than for international games .
As it stood , Game 7 of the World Series would have been Oct. 28 , and teams and players could push the post-season into November .
Any change to the 162-game schedule would necessitate bargaining over an array of issues , including when and how much players get paid and how much major league service they are credited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free agency and salary arbitration .
Players made a counteroffer to MLB on Sunday , and management told the union it would not respond until Tuesday at the earliest .
Clubs also were told to call MLB if they wanted assistance with credit lines , a person familiar with Manfred ’ s call said , speaking on condition of anonymity because that detail was not announced .
MLB had not had a mass postponement of openers since 1995 , when the season was shortened from 162 games to 144 following a 7 1/2-month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1994 World Series .
Opening day was pushed back from April 2 to April 26 and player salaries were reduced by 11.1 % because the games were lost due to a strike .
After a 32-day spring training lockout in 1990 caused opening day to be delayed a week until April 9 , the season was extended by three days to allow each team a full 162-game schedule .
Baseball ’ s first strike lasted from April 1-13 in 1972 , and the season started April 15 .
Teams played 153-156 games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of World War I. Provost Marshal Gen. Enoch Crowder announced a regulation on May 23 that men not involved in useful occupations appear before the draft board .
The War Department initially did not rule baseball was non-essential under the “ work or fight ” order but Secretary of War Newton D. Baker announced on July 26 that baseball had to comply by Sept. 1 .
After some negotiation , the regular season ended Sept. 2 with teams playing 123-131 games , and the Boston Red Sox beat the Chicago Cubs in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Also Monday , MLB and the union announced a joint donation of $ 1 million to Feeding America and Meals on Wheels America , aimed at fighting hunger resulted from school closures and quarantines .


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--US tells older people to stay home, all ages to avoid crowds

WASHINGTON - Racing to stall an expected surge of coronavirus cases , the White House on Monday released a series of sweeping guidelines that for the next 15 days will temporarily rewrite the norms of American society .
President Donald Trump , employing a newly sombre tone about the crisis enveloping the globe , urged all older Americans to stay home and everyone to avoid crowds and eating out at restaurants .
The president for the first time acknowledged that the pandemic may send the economy into a recession and suggested that the nation may be dealing with the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines were released to an uneasy country .
The stock market had its worst day since 1987 , America ’ s largest school system shut its doors and questions remained about the administration ’ s ability to test for the virus and provide hospital space for those who fall ill .
Among the new recommendations : Over the next half month , Americans should not gather in groups of more than 10 people , schooling should be at home and discretionary travel and social visits should be avoided .
If anyone in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone who lives there should stay home .
The administration did not say how old people should be to follow the advice to stay home .
“ We will rally together as one nation and we will defeat the virus , ” Trump said .
“ We can turn the corner and turn it quickly.
” The president , when asked when the pandemic would subside , said that “ if we do a really good job “ the crisis could pass by the height of summer .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not challenge that claim .
Trump ’ s prediction was far less optimistic than his earlier ones , when he insisted it could be over in weeks .
He also acknowledged that the virus may send the nation ’ s economy into a recession , a potentially brutal blow for an incumbent in an election year .
That admission was startling for Trump , who for two weeks had struck a discordantly optimistic tone about the pandemic that endangered his presidency .
On Monday that upbeat demeanour was gone as he acknowledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in the United States or globally .
He said he did not yet plan to call for domestic travel restrictions while his administration made pointed appeals to millennials to stop socializing and spreading the virus .
He was reluctant to advise states to cancel the primary elections ahead .
And without providing details , he said “ we ’ re going to back the airlines 100 % , “ a note of reassurance for an industry crippled by travel bans and fears of spreading the virus .
The expansive guidelines were issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a capital resplendent in cherry blossoms but awash in anxiety .
Congress convened to try to finish an aid package and consider another one behind it .
The Supreme Court postponed oral arguments for the first time in over a century .
And the U.S. surgeon general said that the United States is about where Italy was two weeks ago in the coronavirus struggle , a sign that infections are expected to rise .
“ When you look at the projections , there ’ s every chance that we could be Italy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox News .
Yet he said the U.S. has opportunities to mitigate the pandemic .
Two weeks ago , Italy had 1,700 cases of coronavirus and had reported 34 deaths .
Now , Italy is reporting an estimated 25,000 cases and more than 1,800 deaths .
About 3,800 cases have been reported in the United States and so far , more than 65 people have died from coronavirus .
Although the numbers may not be directly comparable , the trajectory is , as Adams sees it .
The administration also alleged that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spreading fear among Americans already spooked by the pandemic .
On Sunday , federal officials began confronting what they said was a deliberate effort by a foreign entity to make Americans think the government was going to impose a nationwide quarantine .
Agencies took co-ordinated action Sunday evening to assure Americans that the government was not planning to do that .
And on Monday , national security officials said there had been a cyber attack involving the computer networks of Health and Human Services , but the networks were operating normally .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scope of the problem or identify the foreign entity .
On Fox News , Adams claimed the U.S. has “ turned the tide ” on testing , a critical part of tracking and containing pandemics , but whether that is true remains to be seen .
The U.S. effort has been hobbled by a series of missteps , including flaws with the testing kits first distributed by the federal government and bureaucratic hurdles that held up testing by private laboratories .
On Capitol Hill , a nearly empty House met to adopt a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technical changes to polish off a coronavirus response measure designed to speed testing for the virus and provide sick leave to workers kept home because of it .
It went into recess before adopting the measure , however .
The measure is likely to pass the Senate this week , though the timing is uncertain .
The 100 senators , with a few exceptions , were expected to gather Monday evening , despite the federal public-health guidelines prohibiting large gatherings .
Talks are already underway on another bill to try to blunt the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said it will focus on direct financial help to individuals , help for businesses such as the airline industry , and further steps to support the health system .
Nearby , the Supreme Court said it is postponing arguments for late March and early April because of the coronavirus , including a round over subpoenas for Trump ’ s financial records .
The last time oral arguments were postponed was in 1918 , due to the Spanish flu epidemic .
In 2001 , they were relocated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anthrax scare .
Within the White House , the pandemic altered daily life .
Everyone who entered the complex was screened for a fever and reporters were spaced out in the briefing room to reduce the chance of spreading the virus .
And the outgoing acting chief of staff , Mick Mulvaney , isolated himself in South Carolina as his niece , who had flu-like symptoms , awaited test results to see whether she has the novel coronavirus .
Larry Kudlow , director of the National Economic Council , said the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fiscal relief , with about half of that having been approved through executive actions and legislation and much of the remainder being sought through a payroll tax cut that has been met coolly by both parties in Congress .
The Federal Reserve said Sunday it was taking emergency action to slash its benchmark interest rate to near zero .
But the Fed ’ s move did not calm markets .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished Monday down nearly 3,000 points .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes only mild or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The vast majority of people recover .
According to the World Health Organization , people with mild illness recover in about two weeks , while those with more severe illness may take three weeks to six weeks to recover .
The worldwide outbreak has sickened more than 180,000 people and killed more than 7,100 .
Trump in recent days has imposed sweeping travel restrictions for much of Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Ireland to a list of countries facing travel restrictions over the next 30 days .
Lemire reported from New York .
Associated Press writers Zeke Miller , Aamer Madhani , Hope Yen , Darlene Superville , Deb Riechmann and Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

Jonathan Lemire, Andrew Taylor And Jill Colvin - The Associated Press