thetorontostar--2020-03-09--Experts: Rapid testing helps explain few German virus deaths

BERLIN - Germany has confirmed more than 1,100 cases of the new coronavirus but — so far — just two deaths , far fewer than other European countries with a similar number of reported infections .
Experts said Monday that rapid testing as the outbreak unfolded meant Germany has probably diagnosed a much larger proportion of those who have been infected , including younger patients who are less likely to develop serious complications .
That ’ s given authorities more chance of containing the virus , and more time to prepare for it .
“ We in Germany were simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Christian Drosten , the director of the Institute for Virology at Berlin ’ s Charite hospital .
No deaths of people with the virus were reported in Germany before the first two announced Monday : an 89-year-old in the western city of Essen and a 78-year-old man in Heinsberg county near the Dutch border .
Both locations are in North Rhine-Westphalia state , which accounts for 484 of the 1,112 infections confirmed in Germany to date .
France has reported a similar number of cases as Germany — just over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spain ’ s health minister said Monday night there have been 28 deaths among the country ’ s 1,204 confirmed cases .
Drosten said Germany ’ s dense network of independent labs received both the technical information needed to conduct tests and the approval to bill for them in January , when case numbers in Germany were still in the single digits .
“ These effects combined , I ’ m very certain of this , gave us an extreme advantage in recognizing the epidemic in Germany , “ Drosten told reporters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where national laboratories had a monopoly on testing , Germany ’ s distributed system helped doctors to swiftly determine whether suspected cases actually involved the new virus or a common cold , which can have similar symptoms .
“ Other countries lost a month or even more time because of this , ” Drosten said .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ H. Wieler , who heads the Robert Koch Institute , Germany ’ s national disease control institute , cautioned that the country will see more deaths going forward .
The low number of complications relative to the number of cases reported so far was partly due to the types of people being diagnosed , he said , contrasting the situation in Germany with that in nearby Italy , which has reported 463 deaths and 9,172 cases .
“ It ’ s a fact that the age structure of those who have died in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wieler .
“ Many of the young people who are also infected simply haven ’ t been recognized.
” 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 .
In Germany , the median age of those diagnosed with COVID-19 , the disease the virus causes , is about 40 , he said .
“ We identified people early on with our testing who are infected , but not seriously ill. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Heinsberg , where a large cluster of cases has been linked to traditionally raucous German carnival celebrations last month , had numerous underlying health problems including diabetes and heart trouble , said Stephan Pusch , who heads the county administration .
Authorities across Germany opened additional testing sites Monday .
In Berlin , almost 100 people lined up outside one of four new sites waiting for it to open .
The town of Esslingen set up a drive-in testing site where patients referred by a general practitioner can have samples taken while sitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Merkel said that tough new measures now being imposed would help buy even more time to slow the spread of the virus .
In recent days , authorities have stepped up quarantines , closed numerous schools and urged soccer clubs to play matches without spectators .
On Monday , the German parliament announced that visitors won ’ t be allowed to access the glass dome of the Reichstag building anymore .
“ All of this is necessary , ” said Merkel .
“ We are working for valuable time , time in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ she 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--2020-03-09--Florida House evacuates chamber floor amid COVID-19 threat

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. - The Florida House abruptly recessed Monday afternoon and cleared public galleries after several of its members agreed to be tested for the new strain of coronavirus after recently attending a political event in Washington where one attendee tested positive for COVID-19 .
Five House members and their staff attended the conference , according to House Speaker Jose Oliva .
“ In an effort to set an example in the ongoing fight against COVID-19 , and in an abundance of caution for their fellow Members and staff , Representatives Sabatini , Altman , McGhee , Donalds and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have voluntarily agreed to submit to testing , ” Oliva said in a statement .
“ They have self-isolated pending return of results .
After leaving the event 10 days ago , Representatives Sabatini , Altman , McGhee , Donalds , Byrd and the staff member are NOT symptomatic , and they were not in direct contact at any time with the individual who tested positive for the virus.
” Crews in blue medical gowns swabbed the House floor during the recess .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness .
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 may take three to six weeks to recover .
The latest development was the latest in swift-moving events over the quickly spreading virus .
Earlier Monday , Florida officials walked back an earlier advisory requesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , further sowing confusion over its efforts to contain a fast-spreading threat to public health .
An earlier statement from the Florida Health Department had advised all individuals travelling internationally to self-isolate for 14 days .
Two hours later , health officials revised its advisory to realign with federal health guidelines that require travellers returning from the high-risk countries — China , South Korea , Italy and Iran — to remain home and avoid contact with others .
It was unclear what led to the communications breakdown , when the Health Department seemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking all travellers to self-isolate for 14 days after returning from any foreign travel .
A spokesman could did not immediately return phone calls .
Earlier Monday , Florida Health Department Spokesman Alberto Moscoso said “ the situation in Florida is swiftly changing.
“ Two people have already died in Florida out of 18 Florida residents that state health officials say have tested positive for the new strain of coronavirus that is now quickly spreading across the United States and other parts of the world .
Of the 18 Floridians testing positive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were diagnosed in another state , according to the Health Department .
In addition a California resident , now under self-isolation in Florida , has tested positive .
Health officials across the country were quickly trying to contain the spread of the virus .
In Florida , worries rose over how panic could play out in a state that is a destination for millions of visitors from overseas .
Already , there is concern about how the virus could affect amusement parks such as Disney World in Orlando , one of the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lines are also already being impacted .
In particular , the Health Department is suggesting that anyone who travelled last month on cruise ships on the Nile River in Egypt self-isolate because some passengers have tested positive with the novel strain of coronavirus .
The governor ’ s schedule Monday was expected to be dominated by COVID-19 .
The governor was to again speak with Vice-President Mike Spence , who President Trump has appointed to lead the national effort against the disease .
He was also expected to meet with reporters Monday afternoon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked about the state ’ s response to the health threat .
Florida health officials say anyone who has a fever , shortness of breath and other symptoms of respiratory illness within 14 days of travelling to some of the most affected areas , such as China , Italy , Iran , South Korea and Japan , should inform their doctor and local health department .
The same advisory applies to people who have been in close contact with anyone who recently travelled to severely impacted countries who show symptoms .
People who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Health officials say they should not go to work or school or at any other gatherings until 14 days after returning from foreign travel .
If any symptoms develop , they should alert a doctor and health officials .
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 .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Bobby Caina Calvan - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-03-09--Cruise ship hit by coronavirus pulls into California port

OAKLAND , Calif. - The cruise ship forced to idle for days off the coast of California because of a cluster of novel coronavirus cases aboard arrived in port Monday as state and U.S. officials prepared to transfer its thousands of passengers to military bases for quarantine or return them to their home countries .
The Grand Princess pulled into the Port of Oakland with more than 3,500 people aboard — 21 confirmed to be infected with the new virus .
Passengers lining the balconies waved and some left the cabins where they had been in isolation to go onto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near San Francisco .
As it pulled under the Golden Gate Bridge , passenger Karen Schwartz Dever said “ everyone was hollering and clapping as we entered the harbour.
” Workers wearing gloves and yellow protective gear placed a large tent by a platform where passengers will disembark .
At least 20 buses and five ambulances were parked nearby , and officials have said those needing acute medical care for any reason will get off first .
Live TV footage showed at least one passenger , an older man wearing a face mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifted into the back of an ambulance .
Officials have said the unloading will take up to three days .
U.S. passengers will be flown or bused from the port — chosen for its proximity to an airport and a military base — to bases in California , Texas and Georgia for testing and a 14-day quarantine .
The ship is carrying people from 54 countries , and foreigners will be whisked home .
About 1,100 crew members , 19 of whom have tested positive for COVID-19 , will be quarantined and treated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elsewhere , California Gov .
Gavin Newsom said .
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 may take three to six weeks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus first exploded , more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and more than 58,000 have so far recovered .
In an effort to stop the virus ’ spread , Italy will impose travel restrictions and other strict public health measures nationwide starting Tuesday .
And a combination of coronavirus fears and plunging oil prices sent stocks on Wall Street plummeting Monday .
The virus has infected 600 people in the United States — including the director of the agency that runs the airports in New York and New Jersey — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Washington state .
U.S .
Surgeon General Jerome Adams said communities will need to start thinking about cancelling large gatherings , closing schools and letting more employees work from home , as many companies have done after an outbreak in the Seattle area .
NASA ’ s Ames Research Center in California ’ s Silicon Valley is essentially closed with restricted access because an employee tested positive for the coronavirus Sunday .
Workers will be on “ mandatory telework status ” and three Earth science airplane missions are being delayed to later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Several universities have begun online-only courses , including the University of Washington , Stanford University and Columbia University .
The largest school district in Northern California , with 64,000 students , cancelled classes for a week when it was discovered a family in the district was exposed to COVID-19 .
Georgia ’ s fourth-largest school district , which has more than 93,000 students , closed its schools for at least one day after a teacher at two middle schools was confirmed to have coronavirus .
The Grand Princess had been held off the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was the breeding ground for infections tied to a previous voyage .
Passengers from the previous voyage have tested positive in California and other states .
Six Canadians who were on the Grand Princess from Feb. 11 to 21 were also confirmed to have the virus .
Current passenger Laurie Miller , of San Jose , said she and her husband were told that anyone who was getting off Monday had already received a written notice and luggage tags .
“ Not us !
“ she said in a message .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California governor and Oakland mayor sought to reassure people that none of the cruise ship passengers would be exposed to the public before completing the quarantine .
Officials were trying to decide where the ship and its crew would go next .
The State Department warned against travel on cruise ships because of “ increased risk of infection of COVID-19 in a cruise ship environment.
“ Another Princess ship , the Diamond Princess , was quarantined for two weeks in Yokohama , Japan , last month because of the virus .
Ultimately , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became infected in what experts pronounced a public health failure , with the vessel essentially becoming a floating germ factory .
Rodriguez reported from San Francisco .
Associated Press writer Juliet Williams in San Francisco also 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 .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Olga R. Rodriguez And Daisy Nguyen - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-09--Minn. prosecutor: Justice Dept. should review Burrell case

MINNEAPOLIS - A top Minnesota prosecutor said Monday that Sen. Amy Klobuchar should ask the Justice Department to review the conviction of a black teen sentenced to life in prison after an 11-year-old black girl was killed by a stray bullet .
In doing so , Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman appeared to be putting the onus back on Klobuchar .
Just last week , the senator asked Freeman to launch an independent investigation into the case that dogged her unsuccessful Democratic presidential primary run .
Myon Burrell , now 33 , has spent more than half his life in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who was hit by a stray bullet on Nov. 22 , 2002 , while doing homework at her dining room table .
A yearlong Associated Press investigation published last month exposed major flaws in the police probe and prosecution , raising questions as to whether he may have been wrongfully convicted .
Klobuchar was in charge of the Hennepin County attorney ’ s office from 1999 through 2006 .
Her office prosecuted Burrell during his first trial , in which he was convicted , and sentenced in 2003 .
Klobuchar was succeeded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial for Burrell , who was convicted and sentenced to life in prison .
“ Only the Department of Justice would have the resources to independently review a case that includes 30,000 pages of documents plus videotaped evidence , ” Freeman wrote , adding that his office would co-operate with any DOJ efforts while carrying out its own review of the case .
Burrell ’ s lawyer , Dan Guerrero , said he was “ encouraged but skeptical ” about the latest development in the case .
“ I wish the two offices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing , ” he said , adding that Freeman ’ s press release wildly exaggerated the amount of paperwork tied to the case .
“ I ’ ve reviewed the entire investigation and two prosecutions , and there are nowhere close to 30,000 pages involved here.
” Klobuchar , throughout her political career , has used Burrell ’ s conviction to trumpet her commitment to racial justice , but she has faced increasing criticism from the African American community in Minnesota and national media following the AP report .
Klobuchar outlasted several better-known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary , thanks to a better-than-expected third-place finish in in New Hampshire .
But she couldn ’ t turn that into success elsewhere , as she struggled to build out a campaign that could compete across the country and had poor showings in the next contests .
She cancelled a rally in her home state two days before the Minnesota Democratic primary after around 100 protesters took over the stage , waving signs and chanting “ Free Myon !
” Less than 24 hours later , she ended her campaign and endorsed former @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-03-09--EU, Turkey to review migrant deal as border tensions simmer

BRUSSELS - The European Union and Turkey agreed to review a 4-year-old deal on managing migrants and refugees in an effort to settle a dispute that sent thousands of people to the Turkey-Greece border in hopes of reaching Europe , top EU officials said Monday .
Under the 2016 agreement , the EU offered Turkey up to 6 billion euros ( $ 6.7 billion ) in aid for the Syrian refugees it hosts , fast-tracked EU membership and other incentives to stop Europe-bound migrants .
The number arriving in Greece from Turkey dropped dramatically after the deal took effect .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Erdogan in Brussels , European Council President Charles Michel said teams headed by the EU foreign policy chief and Turkey ’ s foreign minister would work “ in the next days to clarify the implementation of the deal between Turkey and the EU to be certain that we are on the same page.
” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that during the talks with Erdogan “ there was a clear focus on , ‘ Let ’ s discuss what is fact .
Let ’ s sort out how both sides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EU-Turkey statement ’ .
” The Turkish leader left without speaking to the media .
Officials from his office described the talks as “ productive.
” Turkey hosts more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees , and Erdogan has demanded that Europe shoulder more of the burden of caring for them .
He has accused the EU of not meeting its obligations under the 2016 agreement , including failing to pay money promised to Turkey to stem the flow of migrants to Europe .
The EU says it is disbursing the funds but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for waving migrants through to Europe late last month after dozens of Turkish soldiers were killed in fighting in northern Syria .
Asked whether Erdogan promised to restart Turkey ’ s efforts to prevent migrants from leaving the country , Michel said , “ What ’ s in the statement , and what ’ s in the camp of Turkey has to be fulfilled.
” EU countries have rallied behind Greece , which is also a member of NATO , and described it as a “ shield ” protecting Europe ’ s borders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a high-level Turkish official , speaking on condition of anonymity in line with government rules , said the sides would discuss a possible revision of the agreement .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear if the review will lead to one .
Erdogan had also been expected to raise concerns over alleged violence by Greek authorities as they push migrants back to Turkey .
Greece has deployed riot police and border guards to repel people and the border area has since seen violent confrontations .
On Saturday , youths threw rocks at Greek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border fence .
Many migrants have alleged mistreatment at the hands of Greek police , and Turkey says two migrants were killed in violence along the border .
Greece has denied the accusations .
Von der Leyen said that the use of “ excessive force ” is unacceptable and that security action should be “ proportionate , ” but the EU has generally been unwilling to openly criticize the actions of the police .
Tens of thousands of migrants were already in Greece before Turkey announced its borders open , many of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facing the Turkish coast .
Part of the 2016 EU-Turkey deal stipulates that new arrivals must remain on the islands pending deportation unless they successfully apply for asylum in Greece .
Germany ’ s coalition government said early Monday the country was willing to “ support Greece regarding the difficult humanitarian situation of about 1,000 to 1,500 children on the Greek islands.
” The government said Germany could host children in dire need of medical treatment or those who are unattended minors younger than 14 , especially girls .
It didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take , but said an agreement would be negotiated by a European “ coalition of the willing ” in coming days .
The situation on the Greek-Turkish land border was generally calm Monday .
Greek authorities said in the 24 hours to Monday morning , they had blocked 1,646 attempts to cross the border and arrested two people — one Moroccan and one Egyptian .
Fraser reported from Ankara , Turkey .
Kirsten Grieshaber and Geir Moulson in Berlin , Samuel Petrequin in Brussels , Elena Becatoros in Athens and Costas Kantouris in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report .

Lorne Cook And Suzan Fraser - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-09--Detroit set to restore water service amid coronavirus fears

DETROIT - Thousands of Detroit residents who have had their water service shut off due to nonpayment of bills can have it restored under a plan that aims to allow them to wash their hands at home as a way to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus .
The Coronavirus Water Restart Plan will be in effect for the duration of the global outbreak of the virus , officials said Monday .
Close to 3,000 households in the city have had water service disconnected , according to a Detroit Water and Sewerage Department spokesman .
Several thousand others have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disruption .
The shutoffs have spawned protests in recent years by various groups in the city .
The state will cover the costs of service reconnection for the first 30 days of the plan , according to Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s office .
Customers then can have service restored or keep their water on for $ 25 per month .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 may take three to six weeks to recover .
In mainland China , where the virus first exploded , more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and more than 58,000 have so far recovered .
So far , there have been no confirmed cases in the state of Michigan of COVID-19 , the illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 500 infections have been reported in the United States .
“ We know that washing hands is an important defence to this virus , ” said Gary Brown , water department director .
The amount a Detroit water customer owes will be deferred until “ after the COVID-19 situation is under control , ” the water department said in a release .
Customers then will be transitioned to an assistance program or onto a payment plan .
But “ that ’ s not the reality of the poor people who could not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first place , ” said Mark Fancher , Racial Justice Project staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan .
“ The next month they are going to be behind again , ” said Fancher , adding that the city and water department should seek a permanent solution such as a plan that takes into account a family ’ s income .
An affordability program “ establishes a rate they can pay , ” he said .
A Detroit water department spokeswoman said in June 2014 that about 90,000 active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about $ 90 million .
That May , the water department mailed 46,000 shut-off notices .
The water department said service to 4,500 customers was cut off about that time , but more than half of those paid their accounts in full within a day or two of having service discontinued .
Groups have spent the past six years protesting water shutoffs in Detroit , saying they target the city ’ s poor .
About two dozen demonstrators were arrested in 2018 for blocking a light rail line in downtown Detroit to protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Statistics may show that more whites are in poverty than people of colour , but “ poverty still has the face of colour , ” according to Fancher .
“ It still has a black face , ” he said .
“ Policy responds to public perception and public demands .
As long as things like mass water shutoffs ... as long as the public perception is that these are people of colour there is very little concern .
There is a default stereotype that poor people and people of colour are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Food & Water Watch released a report in 2018 that said an estimated 1.4 million people lost water service in 2016 because they got behind on their bills .
Food & Water Action , the political advocacy arm of Food & Water Watch , said Detroit ’ s plan to halt the water shutoffs is long overdue and called Monday for a national moratorium on shutoffs .
“ The United States has been facing a water affordability crisis for years , ” the group said .
“ Now , threats of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elected officials : water shutoffs are not only inhumane but also a public health nightmare .
”


thetorontostar--2020-03-09--Key UN body reaffirms 1995 plan to achieve gender equality

TANZANIA , Tanzania - The main U.N. body promoting women ’ s rights reaffirmed the 1995 road map to achieve gender equality on Monday and pledged to step up implementation amid warnings of rising gender inequality and conservative push-back against its far-reaching agenda .
The Commission on the Status of Women adopted a political declaration backing the 150-page platform for action adopted by 189 countries at the 1995 Beijing women ’ s conference .
The commission , known as CSW , had been expecting up to 12,000 people from the U.N. ’ s 193 member nations to come to New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it decided to postpone the major event to a future date because of the spread of the new coronavirus .
Instead it held a drastically scaled-back event with New York-based participants to adopt the declaration .
Diplomats and civil society representatives in the General Assembly hall burst into applause when Armenia ’ s U.N .
Ambassador Mher Margaryan , the commission chair , banged a gavel signifying the declaration ’ s approval by consensus by the commission ’ s 45 member nations from all regions of the world .
Its approval came a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when hundreds of thousands of women filled the streets of the world ’ s largest cities to protest gender violence and inequality .
While many protests were peaceful , others were marred by tension , with security forces arresting demonstrators at a rally in Kyrgyzstan and police reportedly using tear gas to break up a demonstration by thousands of women in Turkey .
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told last week ’ s United Nations ’ event marking the day that “ gender inequality is the overwhelming injustice of our age and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Before Monday ’ s adoption of the declaration , he told the commission that change is urgently needed to transform the male-dominated world that has existed for millennia .
“ Centuries of discrimination , deep-rooted patriarchy and misogyny have created a yawning gender power gap in our economies , our political systems and our corporations , ” Guterres said .
He said the Beijing declaration and platform “ define the most comprehensive and transformative global agenda for gender equality and women ’ s empowerment.
” The Beijing platform called for bold action in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including combating poverty and violence , ensuring all girls get an education and putting women at top levels of business and government , as well as at peace-making tables .
It also said for the first time in a U.N. document that women ’ s human rights include the right to control and decide “ on matters relating to their sexuality , including their sexual and reproductive health , free of discrimination , coercion and violence.
” The declaration approved Monday reaffirms the Beijing document and platform for action and expresses concern “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast or deep enough ... that major gaps remain and that obstacles , including structural barriers , discriminatory practices and the feminization of poverty persist.
” It pledges to take “ concrete action to ensure the full , effective and accelerated implementation ” of the road map .
Ambassador Olof Skoog , the European Union ’ s top diplomat at the U.N. , said last week the E.U .
wasn ’ t happy with the initial draft , negotiated by all 193 member nations , but “ we played hardball ” and got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declaration ever adopted by the CSW.
” He said there are advances in some areas and the declaration avoids “ backtracking on some of the issues where there was huge push-back.
” One of these issues was the definition of the family , with traditionalists insisting on a mother , father and children and progressive countries wanting to include LGBT families as well , he said .
Another was on how to mention sexual and reproductive health and rights for women .
In the end , Skoog said , direct references to both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But since the declaration affirms the Beijing platform , what it says about the family and women ’ s rights and health will stand when the document is approved .
Several countries complained that the new declaration dropped a reference to the landmark U.N. Security Council resolution on women , peace and security adopted in 2000 that calls for women to be included in decision-making positions at every level of peacemaking and peace building .
Participants said Russia was a key opponent saying it was an issue for the Security Council .
Jessica @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welcomed the declaration ’ s references to “ all women and girls ” and “ multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination , ” which she said make the 2020 text more inclusive than the Beijing declaration .
But she criticized the commission for failing to recognize the impact of gender inequality on LGBT people “ who are disproportionately affected.
” Guterres told the commission that women are still outnumbered 3-to-1 by men in parliaments , that women still earn just 77 cents for every dollar earned by men and that some countries are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence while others are reducing space for civic participation .
And he said “ women ’ s access to sexual and reproductive health services is far from universal.
” “ We must push back against the push-back , ” the secretary-general said .
After the commission ’ s meeting , the Women ’ s Rights Caucus , a global coalition of more than 200 feminist groups that advocates for gender equality at the U.N. , published an alternative “ Feminist Declaration.
” “ It is not enough for governments to simply reaffirm past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ To achieve gender equality , “ it said , “ we need to commit to supporting feminist movements and to adopt a bold and forward-looking agenda ” that includes tackling sexual and reproductive rights , a woman ’ s control over her body , and the importance of women ’ s in peace and security and the climate crisis .
UN Women Executiver Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said young women , especially , and Beijing veterans are prepared to challenge cultural biases .
“ We are impatient and can not yield even an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the commission .
“ We have to push forward .
”


thetorontostar--2020-03-09--AP Analysis: Investors ‘guessing’ on virus, assuming worst

WASHINGTON - No one knows where the coronavirus will show up next , whether authorities can contain it or how much damage it will leave behind .
But professional investors aren ’ t taking any chances .
Spooked by uncertainty over the outbreak and an ill-timed oil war between Russia and Saudi Arabia , panicked Wall Street traders dumped stocks Monday , turning a steady retreat into a full-blown rout in the worst burst of selling since the 2008 financial crisis .
Seeking safety , they poured money into U.S. Treasurys and sent benchmark interest rates to astonishing lows .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst , ’ ’ said Robin Brooks , chief economist at the Institute of International Finance , a global banking association .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted nearly 8 % as American stocks moved closer to bear market territory .
Even so , financial advisers doled out this advice to ordinary investors : Remember your long-term goals and resist the urge act rashly .
Financial markets have been alarmed by the speed with which COVID-19 broke out of China and spread around the world .
The virus has infected nearly 114,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost 4,000 .
Italy is trying to lock down 16 million people in its northern region , its business centre , and appears all but certain to fall into recession , perhaps leading other European countries into a downturn .
Raising anxiety are troubling unknowns : How fast will virus continue to spread ?
How deadly will it prove to be ?
Are policymakers up to the task of bringing it under control ?
Will the measures they take — including massive quarantines — stifle economic growth ?
“ Uncertainty is very high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets , ’ ’ said Jacob Kirkegaard , senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics .
“ It ’ s a crisis that ’ s right here , right now , and it ’ s global.
’ ’ Adding to the tumult , oil prices cratered Monday after Saudi Arabia vowed to boost production , giving up efforts to hold off and prop up prices .
That ’ s bad news for countries and companies that need higher oil prices to balance their budgets , pay their debts or make a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know about the action in the markets Monday : IS THE BULL IN DANGER ?
It was 11 years ago that recession-driven declines in the stock market stopped and the current bull market began it ’ s record run .
But Monday was hardly a happy birthday .
The S & P 500 dropped 7.6 % and is 18.9 % below its most recent record , set last month .
If that decline extends to 20 % , the bull market will be dead and the bear market will be in full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from October 2007 to March 2009 and the S & P 500 dropped nearly 57 % .
The average bear market since 1929 has lasted 21 months and shaved 39.9 % off the S & P 500 , according to S & P Dow Jones Indices .
Whether the current slump becomes a bear market most likely depends on how much the virus outbreak slows global economic growth .
Economists are scrambling to downgrade their economic forecasts .
The virus — and the policies designed to combat it — are taking a toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and trade shows called off .
Millions of people are locked down in their homes .
The market turmoil could make things worse by undermining the confidence of American consumers , the driving force behind a record-breaking U.S. economic expansion that is in its 11th year .
The Institute of International Finance now says the global economy may grow only 1 % this year — essentially a recession — down from 2.6 % in 2019 and its weakest performance since the financial crisis .
The institute slashed its 2020 forecast for U.S. growth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outlook for China to just below 4 % from the 5.9 % it had previously expected .
Meanwhile , the Federal Reserve is trying to limit the damage .
Last week , the Fed cut its benchmark short-term interest rate by a half point , its biggest move since the crisis year 2008 .
On Monday , it stepped up the short-term lending it conducts on a daily basis from at least $ 100 billion a day to at least $ 150 billion .
Those loans help businesses meet short-term financing needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding had started to freeze up a bit and you don ’ t want that to mutate into a full-blown financial crisis , ’ ’ said Diane Swonk , chief economist at Grant Thornton .
“ When the economy falters , the Fed has one mandate — to support economic growth .
The fundamentals of the economy have shifted , and the Fed has to respond.
” Economists worry that the Fed and other central banks can ’ t do much more to help .
After cutting its benchmark interest rate to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week , the Fed doesn ’ t have much room to cut .
And the unconventional approach the Fed took during the financial crisis — buying up bonds to push long-term rates lower — doesn ’ t offer much stimulus when long-term rates are already at record lows .
Mark Zandi , chief economist at Moody ’ s Analytics , said that Congress should consider passing a $ 100 billion package to provide emergency unemployment benefits for people who can ’ t work because of virus-related shutdowns .
The funds would also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus and who do not have adequate insurance coverage .
“ If Congress gets this together quickly , it would help to soothe frayed nerves from the falling markets , ” Zandi said .
Interest rates on a range of U.S. government bonds have plunged to all-time lows as investors seeking relative safety from stocks have furiously snapped up Treasuries .
( As the price of a bond goes up , its interest rate , or yield , declines . )
The yield on the 10-year Treasury — a benchmark for mortgages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % as recently as Dec. 24 .
On Monday , it dipped to 0.34 % per cent before finishing the day at 0.498 % .
The shrunken bond yields will also make it harder for those who invest in them to earn much income : The return on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note is now less than half the inflation rate .
After adjusting for inflation , an investor who buys a Treasury will effectively lose money over the course of the loan .
On the positive side of the ledger , low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easier for companies and consumers to borrow , stimulating economic activity .
Anyone pulling up to a gas station to find lower prices than their previous fill-up might wonder why sharply lower oil prices would be a bad thing .
Lower prices at the pump , however , aren ’ t necessarily good for the U.S. economy overall .
When energy prices fall , energy companies tend to cut back on investment and jobs .
JPMorgan ’ s chief global strategist , David Kelly , warns that “ capital spending on energy infrastructure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free fall in gasoline prices led to a sharp drop in U.S. business investment in 2016 , for instance — one reason the country ’ s economic growth slowed to 1.6 % that year from 2.9 % in 2015 .
Oil fell nearly 25 % Monday , its sharpest decline since 2008 when employers were slashing hundreds of thousands of jobs in the U.S .
Behind the plunge : Saudi Arabia and Russia deadlocked about whether to cut production to prop up prices .
Even before the virus outbreak threatened global growth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade tensions with China , concerns about climate change , growing adoption of renewable energy sources and steadily improving energy efficiency .
In the past five years , 208 oil producers have filed for bankruptcy protection after racking up about $ 121.7 billion in debt , according to law firm Haynes and Boone .
The urge to sell your stocks or at least reshuffle your portfolio intensifies when markets are in turmoil .
But while professional investors make big-money moves trying to stay ahead of the market , the advice for retail investors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Investments in the stock market are usually done as part of a long-term plan .
Any money you need in the next few years shouldn ’ t be in stocks anyhow .
Experts say the best route for most people who are holding stock for their long-term goals is to ride out the downturn .
Those nearing retirement hopefully don ’ t have everything tied up in stocks but should reach out to a professional for the best advice for their situation .
For those who just can ’ t sit still , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebalance your portfolio to make sure you have the asset mix you want .
And if you need to sell some stock to sleep at night , make some minor adjustments .
Paul Harloff in New York contributed to this story .

Paul Wiseman And Martin Crutsinger - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-09--Stakes rise for Sanders heading into Michigan primary

ANN ARBOR , Mich. - Bernie Sanders proved his 2016 presidential bid was serious with an upset victory in Michigan powered by his opposition to free trade and appeal among working-class voters .
Four years later , the same state could either revive the Vermont senator ’ s campaign or relegate him to the role of protest candidate .
Michigan and five other states hold presidential contests on Tuesday at a critical point in the Democratic race .
Former Vice-President Joe Biden is looking to cement his front-runner status after winning the most delegates during Super Tuesday last week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Detroit with former presidential rivals Kamala Harris and Cory Booker , who have endorsed Biden in recent days as part of a broader consolidation of support among party leaders .
Sanders is in an urgent fight to turn things around as the primary calendar quickly shifts to other states that could favour Biden and narrow his path to the nomination .
The senator countered the parade of Democratic firepower lining up behind Biden by securing the endorsement of the Rev .
Jesse Jackson .
Tuesday marks the first time voters will weigh in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ narrowed to a two-person race between Sanders and Biden .
It will be another test of whether Sanders can broaden his appeal among African Americans .
Biden , meanwhile , must show that he can keep momentum going after his surprise Super Tuesday turnaround .
“ I like his chances , ” Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , who has endorsed Biden , said of the former vice-president in a phone interview Monday .
“ He knows Michigan , “ Whitmer said .
“ When our back was up against the wall during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was Barack Obama and Joe Biden who had our backs .
Others were saying , ‘ Let Detroit go bankrupt.
’ ” That ’ s a reference to the Obama administration overseeing federal bailouts that helped the auto industry — the lifeblood of Michigan ’ s economy — weather the 2009 financial crisis .
Sanders counters that he , too , voted to save the auto industry .
He also says that , unlike Biden , he opposed the North American Free Trade Agreement , which he said prompted thousands of Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect in 1994 .
Appearing Monday with Booker at a campaign stop in Flint , Michigan , a community that has seen auto industry jobs disappear , Biden ticked off the names of six former presidential rivals who have endorsed him just in the past week : “ They ’ ve all come out and endorsed at one time ... the candidate that they think can win.
“ “ I want to say to all of them and their supporters , I know how hard this is , but the message is simple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , there ’ s a place in our campaign for you , ” Biden said .
Other economic challenges emerged on Monday as fears about the spread of the new coronavirus shook financial markets , slicing 7.8 % from the Dow Jones Industrial Average .
Sanders held a roundtable with health experts in Detroit , and Biden said he would defer to health experts about whether campaign events could continue , given concerns about the spread of the virus .
An outstanding question going into Tuesday is whether Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week , will endorse Biden or Sanders .
So far , she ’ s declined to back either , an especially frustrating development for Sanders , who could use Warren ’ s help in unifying progressives in much the same way Biden has been able to rally moderates .
Sanders has scoffed at suggestions he could drop out if he doesn ’ t win Michigan , but his travel schedule underscores its importance .
He cancelled a trip to Mississippi and instead made five campaign stops across Michigan since Friday .
Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to finance his campaign but also says he ’ s now running against “ the Democratic establishment.
” The senator told Fox on Sunday that he ’ d win Michigan and repeated that at a rally in Grand Rapids , but added the major caveat for supporters that he ’ d only pull it off “ if we stick together , we bring our friends out to vote.
” Sanders won ’ t say if he ’ s personally lobbying Warren for her endorsement .
He did manage to secure the backing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time for centrist compromise .
“ With the exception of Native Americans , African Americans are the people who are most behind socially and economically in the United States and our needs are not moderate , “ Jackson said at Sanders ’ Grand Rapids rally .
“ A people far behind can not catch up choosing the most moderate path.
” Still , one of Sanders ’ highest-profile supporters , New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , struck a far more conciliatory tone addressing 10,000-plus on the campus of the University of Michigan on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order for us to win , we have to grow.
” “ We must be inclusive .
We must bring more people into this movement , “ she said , urging Sanders supporters to shed “ cynicism and exclusion ” and “ turn with an embracing posture , where all people are welcome in a people ’ s movement.
” Sanders is hoping to do well in Washington state on Tuesday , but could face hurdles in Mississippi and Missouri .
Sanders ’ team acknowledges he will also struggle in next week ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s past defence of Fidel Castro looms large .
He also could face long odds in Ohio and Illinois — especially if he underperforms in Michigan .
Both of those states also vote March 17 .
The wild card next week could be Arizona , where Sanders will be counting on strong Latino support , which lifted him to victory in California .
The intricate arithmetic of how delegates are won makes it possible Tuesday for a winning candidate to reap a bigger haul of delegates with a smaller margin of victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden an opportunity to greatly increase his lead over Sanders or for Sanders to close the gap .
Delegates are awarded proportionally mostly in congressional districts .
And nearly two-thirds of Tuesday districts have odd amounts of delegates up for grabs .
When there are an odd number of delegates available , that means one of the two candidates will get more delegates .
In districts with an even number of delegates , proportional distribution means that in close races , both candidates get the same number of delegates and that makes it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After March 17 , most delegates are in districts with an even number of delegates .
Still , Sanders advisers are aware that trading a few big wins for Biden ’ s running up the score elsewhere eventually gives the former vice-president an insurmountable delegate lead as the race rolls on .
They are hoping to continue to do well in the West and then pick up momentum of their own in places like New York , which holds its primary next month .
There ’ s no guarantee Sanders could last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given the higher expectations he now faces .
Even some of those attending Sanders rallies are beginning to feel it .
“ I think last time in 2016 , it felt more spontaneous .
Now I think his support has hardened , ” said Nathan Brunner , a 34-year-old sales and marketing professional from Grand Rapids who attended Sanders ’ rally there on Sunday , voted for the senator in the 2016 primary and plans to vote for him again on Tuesday .
“ I think a lot of his supporters came into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to expect .
Last time it was more like , ‘ Hey , we ’ re happy to be here .
Oh , look how well we ’ re doing.
’ Now he has expectations.
” Associated Press writers Seth Borenstein in Washington and Steve Peoples in Flint , Mich. , contributed to this report .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-03-09--Zeppelin wins latest battle of the bands in `Stairway’ fight

LOS ANGELES - A federal appeals court on Monday restored a jury verdict that found Led Zeppelin did not steal “ Stairway to Heaven.
“ The 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco handed the major win to guitarist Jimmy Page and singer Robert Plant and dealt a blow to the estate of Randy Wolfe of the band Spirit .
The estate claimed that the 1971 mega-hit “ Stairway to Heaven ” violated the copyright of the 1968 song “ Taurus.
” A majority of an 11-judge panel overturned a previous ruling that the jury in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ Taurus “ and was given poor instructions before jurors found in favour of Page and Plant .
The composition of the two songs , not their recordings , were at issue in the case , but the plaintiffs had sought to play the two recordings for jurors as part of their argument that Page had access to the song “ Taurus ” as required to prove a copyright violation .
The attorney for the estate , Francis Malofiy , said that Led Zeppelin prevailed because of technicalities and judges ’ misunderstanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sheet-music transcriptions of the songs filed with the U.S. copyright office were the only relevant material , especially given that neither Page nor Wolfe even read music .
“ I have to go to court proving that Jimmy Page copied something that he never saw , ” said Malofiy , who plans to appeal the decision .
He said it was “ ridiculous “ that jurors could not simply hear the two songs in dispute , and that if they could the case would be an easy call for the Wolfe estate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ search for the truth and the truth escapes us , ” Malofiy said .
Monday ’ s ruling found that because the jury found that Page did have access to the song that the issue was irrelevant , and playing the recording might have prejudiced the jury to consider more than just the compositions .
“ When Page testified , he candidly admitted to owning ‘ a copy of the album that contains ‘ Taurus , ’ ” the ruling states .
The jury found that both Page and Plant ’ had access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stairway to Heaven ” was created , it said .
“ Once the jury made that finding , the remaining questions on the jury verdict form related to substantial similarity of the works.
” Many of the judges were skeptical at the case ’ s hearing in September over the playing of the recording , suggesting that it was a backdoor way for the plaintiffs to get the jury to hear the record .
“ You ’ ve got to get your sound recording in to win , don ’ t you ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he questioned Malofiy .
“ You lose the case unless you do .
A hundred times out of a hundred.
” The 9th Circuit also broke with its own precedent on the question of jury instructions and rejected the so-called “ inverse ratio ” rule , which held that the more the plaintiffs could prove that an alleged song thief had access to the original material , the lower the standard became for finding the two works similar .
The judge in the trial court did not instruct the jury on the rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did not need to .
At issue is the classic acoustic introductory lick to “ Stairway to Heaven , ” constantly played by amateurs in guitar shops for nearly 50 years , and the riff at the centre of the Spirit instrumental “ Taurus , ” which follows a similar musical line .
The ruling , which could be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court , is a potentially precedent-setting win for musical acts accused of plagiarism , and comes in a period when many star songwriters have lost high-profile cases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robin Thicke ’ s “ Blurred Lines ” copied Marvin Gaye ’ s “ Got to Give It Up , ” and a jury last year year found that Katy Perry ’ s hit “ Dark Horse ” copied from a Christian rap song .


thetorontostar--2020-03-10--South African court clears president of graft allegations

JOHANNESBURG - A South African court has cleared President Cyril Ramaphosa of allegations that he misled parliament about the funding @ @ @ @ @ leader of the ruling African National Congress party .
Ramaphosa had been accused by the @ @ @ @ @ of misleading lawmakers about a $ 34,000 contribution from the CEO of a local company @ @ @ @ @ formerly known as Bosasa .
The company has been implicated in a state probe into @ @ @ @ @ and state-owned enterprises during former president Jacob Zuma ’ s tenure from 2009 to 2018 @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday dismissed the watchdog ’ s report which is a boost for Ramaphosa , who @ @ @ @ @ rid South Africa of corruption .
Ramaphosa replaced Zuma as ANC leader and later as @ @ @ @ @ Zuma resigned under pressure amid numerous allegations of graft .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-10--The Latest: Chinese province issues app-based travel system

BEIJING - The Latest on the coronavirus outbreak sweeping the globe ( all times local ) : The government of China ’ s Hubei province , the centre of the virus outbreak , announced Tuesday the launch of an electronic “ health code ” system in which residents will be assigned colored QR codes through a mobile app that serves as a “ voucher for personal travel.
” It will be implemented throughout the province .
People with green codes , who are deemed healthy and not at risk , can travel freely within the province .
Yellow codes are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with infected patients , while red codes are for those who are confirmed or suspected cases or have a fever .
The movement of people with red and yellow codes will be restricted .
A similar system was first put into place in the eastern city of Hangzhou .
The weekly Tuesday market normally set up inside the Medieval walls of Soave , an Italian wine-producing town near Verona , was cancelled even before the government extended a virus containment order over the entire country .
The action was taken after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 6,000 residents a day earlier , but word didn ’ t get out and at least one vendor showed up to set up his stand before told being business would be closed .
Normally bustling on market day , the centre of the town was nearly deserted Tuesday morning .
The local newspaper vendor said people had mocked her for putting up shelves as a barrier next to the cash register , saying incredulously , ‘ ’ after just one case.
’ ’ Cafe owner Valentino Bonturi said he was enforcing new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bunched too closely , meaning people needed to be seated rather than stand at a counter , as is customary .
“ We follow the rules , ” he said .
Monica Chiamenti was buying bread in the centre of town .
‘ ’ We have to do it for our grandparents , ’ ’ she said of the new strict limits on movement .
Her two sons have been keeping up with school at home but have been running into glitches on an app meant to stream video instruction .
Lebanon has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic crisis since October , particularly after mass protests against the country ’ s ruling elite broke out in October .
But street demonstrations have been minimal since the outbreak of the coronavirus .
A Lebanese Health Ministry official says a man has died from the virus , the first known death from the COVID-19 illness in the country .
The official says the 56-year-old man recently returned from Egypt .
He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to give official statements .
The Mediterranean country has 41 confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them linked to Iran .
At least one patient who returned from Iran has left the hospital after two weeks of treatment .
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte called on citizens of the Netherlands to stop shaking hands to prevent spreading the new coronavirus and then -- oops !
-- shook hands with the head of the infectious diseases department of the national public health institute .
“ From this moment on , we stop shaking hands , ” Rutte said at a news conference following a crisis meeting of government ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has killed three people and infected 321 in the country .
“ You can do a foot kiss , bump elbows , whatever you want , ” he said .
“ I see all kinds of great variations on shaking hands emerging at schools , but from today we stop shaking hands.
” As he wrapped up the news conference , he shook hands with Jaap van Dissel of the public health institute , who quickly pointed out the prime minister ’ s error .
“ Sorry , sorry , we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it again !
” Rutte said as he bumped elbows with van Dissel .
The Czech Republic is banning all public events with more than 100 people and is closing schools in response to the new coronavirus outbreak in Europe .
Prime Minister Andrej Babis said the measures include cultural and sports events , concerts , exhibitions and trade fairs , religious services and other public gatherings .
The sessions of Parliament are not affected .
Starting Wednesday , all elementary and secondary or high schools be closed .
“ We want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Babis said .
“ We understand it ’ s not a pleasant decision for the public , ” he added .
“ I hope they ’ ll understand it.
” The Czech Republic has 40 confirmed cases of COVID-19 .
The Italian government is assuring its citizens that supermarkets will remain open and stocked after panic buying erupted after broad anti-virus measures were announced nationwide , sparking overnight runs on 24-hour markets .
Shoppers lined up overnight outside a Rome Carrefour to stock up after the government extended restrictions on movement from hard-hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
Some shoppers wore masks as they waited with their carts to be allowed into the store a few at a time .
Premier Giuseppe Conte ’ s office issued a clarifying statement after he signed the new decree late Monday , stressing that movement outside homes for “ normal necessities ” such as grocery shopping will be allowed , as well as for work or health reasons .
The statement said runs on supermarkets were contrary to the intent of the new decree which aims to prevent Italians from congregating .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be regularly supplied .
Pope Francis is urging priests to courageously go out to visit those sick from the coronavirus , even though Italy has imposed a nationwide lockdown to limit movement and prevent the virus ’ spread .
The Vatican on Tuesday livestreamed Francis ’ morning Mass , which he celebrated alone in the chapel of the Vatican hotel where he lives .
The celebration came hours after the Italian government extended restrictions on movement from virus-hit northern Italy to the rest of the country in a bid to slow the epidemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons , or for “ necessities , ” such as grocery shopping .
In his homily , Francis prayed for the sick and the doctors and nurses who are caring for them .
He said : “ Let us pray to the Lord also for our priests , that they may have the courage to go out and go to the sick people bringing the strength of God ’ s word and the Eucharist and accompany the health workers and volunteers in this work that they are doing.
“ The Vatican , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is respecting the Italian lockdown and has imposed restrictions on movement and contact among personnel .
One person inside Vatican City has tested positive and five people who came into contact with that person are under precautionary quarantine .
Authorities in the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north of ethnically split Cyprus on Tuesday reported the first virus case in the region , a 65-year-old German tourist who arrived on Sunday and developed a high fever .
The hotel where she and the group of 30 tourists she travelled with has been quarantined .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ country ’ s first two cases .
They include the head of the cardiology unit at the country ’ s largest state hospital in the capital , Nicosia .
The unit has been placed under quarantine while staff are being tested .
All hospital visits and admissions have been suspended for 48 hours .
Mongolia says its first coronavirus case is a French energy worker who didn ’ t follow instructions to isolate himself .
Authorities say the 56-year-old man works for an exploration company affiliated with the French energy company Areva .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was instructed to isolate himself in himself in his hotel .
Instead , authorities say , he visited several restaurants and met with colleagues at his company ’ s office before travelling by train to the East Gobi region where he worked .
All incoming and outgoing traffic to the capital Ulaanbaatar was closed from Tuesday to March 17 .
Authorities are working to identify more than 500 people who may have contact with the patient .
Mongolia closed its border with China weeks ago because of the virus outbreak there , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been cancelled .
The northern border with Russia remains open and flights to Moscow and Berlin are continuing .
The European Central Bank says a staff member has the new coronavirus .
The ECB said in a statement late Monday that about 100 colleagues who worked near the infected staff member have been told to work from home as a precaution .
The Frankfurt-based central bank says it is also “ undertaking a deep clean of potentially affected office spaces.
” A cruise ship barred from Thailand and Malaysia due to coronavirus fears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it set sail from the city-state .
Passengers wheeling luggage off the Costa Fortuna were ushered to waiting coaches and ferried away Tuesday morning .
Most were not wearing masks .
Some passengers told reporters at the scene everything was great and that everyone aboard the ship was fine .
No cases of infection with the new virus has been confirmed in the ship .
Singapore authorities previously said doctors would check people before they disembarked .
The ship was refused docking in Thailand because it carried 64 Italians and that country has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak .
Malaysia also turned away the ship .
Singapore allowed the ship to dock because it had been scheduled and all passengers on board had been screened before the ship sailed .
The virus is a concern on cruise ships after hundreds became infected on a ship that was under quarantine at a Japanese port last month .
A ship that docked in California on Monday let off its passengers to face quarantines at U.S. facilities or in their home countries .
Twenty-one people on that ship are infected .
South Korea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its season to sometime during mid-April due to the coronavirus .
The Korea Baseball Organization said Tuesday it still hopes to maintain a 144-game regular-season schedule but will consider banning spectators from some games when risks of infections are high .
South Korea ’ s professional basketball league has halted its regular season since Feb. 29 , while the soccer league has postponed the start of its new season .
The Japanese baseball league season was postponed earlier after playing preseason games without spectators .
The season was to open on March 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April .
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 .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


thetorontostar--2020-03-10--Xi visits virus’ epicenter as fears of recession grip world

BEIJING - China ’ s president visited the centre of the global virus outbreak Tuesday as Italy began a sweeping nationwide travel ban and people worldwide braced for the possibility of recession .
President Xi Jinping ’ s trip to the coronavirus ’ epicenter of Wuhan — his first since the start of the outbreak — came as parts of his country return to normalcy , and was a sign of the diminishing threat the illness presents in China as it spreads west .
Nowhere was that more evident than Italy , where travel restrictions previously limited to the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , with soldiers and police enforcing bans .
Some 9,172 people were infected in Italy and 463 have died and there was a growing sense the numbers would only worsen .
“ We ’ re only at the beginning , ” said Dr. Massimo Galli , head of infectious disease at Sacco Hospital in Milan , where people at the city ’ s main train station were required to sign forms certifying the necessity of their travel .
Outbreaks flared in France , Spain and Germany , and fear grew in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are infected and even some senior political leaders were quarantined .
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 World Health Organization says people with mild illness recover in about two weeks , while severe cases may last three to six weeks .
In mainland China , where the outbreak emerged in December , almost three-fourths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovered .
Regardless , the virus has shaken global markets , with stocks taking their worst one-day beating on Wall Street since 2008 and oil prices suffering their most brutal losses since the start of the 1991 Gulf War .
Even with Asian markets posting modest gains Tuesday , fear was rampant that economies stood at the brink of recession .
“ Right now , it ’ s all-out panic , ” said Phil Flynn of the Price Futures Group brokerage .
Xi ’ s trip to Wuhan came as the country recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
The official Xinhua News Agency said Xi went to a hastily built hospital , visited with patients and encouraged staff to “ firm up confidence in defeating the epidemic.
” He then visited Wuhan residents under quarantine at home , Xinhua reported .
The visit also was likely to be seen as an attempt to bolster views of the ruling Communist Party ’ s handling of the crisis .
Xi was conspicuously absent from the public eye during the early days of the outbreak and alarms were not sounded until late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been under lockdown since then , though , in a virus-containment measure .
Ying Yong , the party secretary of Hubei province where Wuhan is located , told local officials that preparations should be made for resuming business production and the safe and orderly movement of individuals , according to a notice published on Hubei ’ s government website .
Already , there are signs the lockdown is loosening .
Jingzhou , a city in Hubei , has ordered roads and village entrances in low-risk areas to be reopened to restore agricultural production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday it is launching an app-based system in which people who are deemed healthy and not at risk are given green codes to allow them to travel freely within the province .
The edge toward normalcy in China and improving reports from South Korea — where new infections continued to dip — contrasted with a widening problem elsewhere in the world .
Italy ’ s far-reaching restrictions were to last through April 3 and violators risked up to three months in jail or fines of 206 euros ( $ 225 ) .
Schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , eateries and cafes were to shutter at dusk .
“ Our habits must be changed , changed now , ” Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said .
Conte assured Italians supermarkets would remain open and stocked Tuesday after some 24-hour markets experienced overnight runs .
In Soave , a wine-producing town near Verona , normal bustling streets were nearly deserted .
Cafe owner Valentino Bonturi said he was enforcing new restrictions to ensure patrons weren ’ t bunched too closely , meaning people needed to be seated rather than stand at a counter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow the rules , ” he said .
In the U.S. , President Donald Trump was planning to announce proposals Tuesday aimed at curbing the economic fallout from the outbreak .
He said the measures would include payroll tax relief .
Trump dove into handshakes with supporters Monday and flew back from a Florida fundraiser with a lawmaker who later went into a voluntary quarantine because he came into contact with someone who had tested positive for the virus .
Trump ’ s incoming chief of staff , too , went into quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservative political gathering attended by an infected person .
In California , the cruise ship Grand Princess , which had been forced to idle off the coast , docked at the Port of Oakland , but only a few hundred of some 3,500 passengers and crew had disembarked by early Tuesday .
Worldwide , more than 114,000 cases of the virus have been reported in about 100 countries .
The leader of WHO , Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , said Monday , “ the threat of a pandemic has become very real.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a few dozen cases in Latin America , and Mongolia , which borders China .
Authorities there said Tuesday the country ’ s first virus patient was a French energy worker who met with colleagues and travelled while he was infected .
Sedensky reported from Bangkok .
Contributing to this report were Colleen Barry in Soave , Italy ; Nicole Winfield in Rome ; Antonio Calanni in Milan ; and Ken Moritsugu in Beijing .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP is solely responsible for all content .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Yanan Wang And Matt Sedensky - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-10--Turkey says EU cannot string it along over migrant deal

ANKARA , Turkey - The European Union should stop “ stringing Turkey along ” over helping out with the millions of migrants on its territory , the country ’ s foreign minister said Tuesday , a day after the two sides agreed to review a 4-year-old deal aimed at stemming refugee flows to Europe .
Mevlut Cavusoglu said the EU has to take “ sincere ” steps to help Turkey manage the flow of migrants , including finding ways to ensure Syrian refugees can return home .
The minister spoke a day after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which the sides agreed to review their 2016 deal on migrants .
The meeting was called after thousands of migrants massed on Turkey ’ s border with Greece , following the Turkish government ’ s decision to open its borders to migrants wanting to cross into Europe .
Greece has deployed riot police and border guards to prevent the crossings , sparking clashes between migrants and Greek security forces .
Erdogan has demanded that Europe shoulder more of the burden of caring for Syrian refugees on Turkish territory — thought to number more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EU of not meeting its obligations under the 2016 agreement , including failing to pay money promised to Turkey to stem the flow of migrants to Europe .
Following the talks in Brussels late Monday , European Council President Charles Michel said teams headed by Cavusoglu and EU foreign policy chief , Josep Borell , would work “ in the next days to clarify the implementation of the deal between Turkey and the EU to be certain that we are on the same page.
” “ We are ready for a constructive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU .
The era of stringing Turkey along is over , ” Cavusoglu told state-run Anadolu Agency .
Cavusoglu said the sides would work toward “ updating ” the Turkey-EU deal in line with recent developments , including the situation in Syria ’ s northwestern Idlib province , where a Syrian government offensive has driven thousands of Syrians toward the border with Turkey .
The 2016 agreement is not “ about the EU giving money to Turkey to keep the refugees , “ Cavusoglu said .
“ It comprises several issues from visa-free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refugees.
” The minister said the sides would try to draft a “ road map ” in time for a EU summit on March 26 .
Under the 2016 agreement , the EU offered Turkey up to 6 billion euros ( $ 6.7 billion ) in aid for the Syrian refugees it hosts , fast-tracked EU membership and other incentives to stop Europe-bound migrants .
The number arriving in Greece from Turkey dropped dramatically after the deal took effect .
The EU insists it is disbursing the funds .
It is also accusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ migrants through to Europe late last month after dozens of Turkish soldiers were killed in fighting in northern Syria .


thetorontostar--2020-03-10--Mom, son safe after 52 hours trapped in China hotel rubble

BEIJING - A 10-year-old boy and his mother have been rescued 52 hours after being trapped in the collapse of a virus quarantine site in southeastern China where 20 people have died .
Video released by rescuers showed the two being pulled from the debris of the hotel that collapsed on Saturday .
The woman and boy were discovered late Monday night and they were freed around midnight after three hours of painstaking digging .
The hotel in the city of Quanzhou had been a quarantine site for people exposed to the new coronavirus , which for most people causes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The death toll in the collapse rose to 20 on Tuesday , with 10 people missing .
A total of 71 people had been inside the hotel when it crumbled in mere seconds .
The building had been illegally reconstructed several times , the official Xinhua News Agency quoted an unidentified senior official saying Tuesday .
Shang Yong , deputy head of the Ministry of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accident investigation will be launched to identify the cause of the collapse , and any official found responsible would be held to account .
Construction of the building began in 2013 and it was converted into an express hotel in 2018 .
Two supermarkets on the first floor were being remodeled , and a pillar reportedly deformed a few minutes before the collapse , Xinhua said Sunday , quoting a district official .
Rescuers have been issued protective gear and disinfectant to minimize exposure to the virus .
The vast majority of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
In mainland China , where the virus first exploded , more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and nearly 60,000 have so far recovered .
Most parts of China are quarantining people from high-risk areas or even those who travelled abroad or simply outside their home regions areas for 14 days .


thetorontostar--2020-03-10--Thousands on virus-hit cruise ship await disembarkation

OAKLAND , Calif. - Thousands of passengers aboard a cruise ship struck by the novel coronavirus waited anxiously Tuesday for their chance to leave the vessel , even if it meant being shipped to military bases for weeks of quarantine .
After days of being forced to idle off the Northern California coast , the Grand Princess docked Monday at the Port of Oakland with some 3,500 passengers and crew on board .
“ Everyone was hollering and clapping ” as the giant vessel sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge and entered the harbour , passenger Karen Schwartz Dever said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acute medical care were taken off the ship , although it wasn ’ t clear how many had tested positive for the new virus , said Brian Ferguson , a spokesman for the California Office of Emergency Services .
Many of the nearly 240 Canadians on board left the ship after the critically ill and stood outside two tents displaying Canadian flags .
Canada and the UK were among the countries sending chartered flights to retrieve their citizens .
But some 2,000 passengers , including hundreds of Californians , were still aboard by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was to resume Tuesday morning , the captain told passengers .
Carolyn Wright , 63 , of Santa Fe , New Mexico , could look out of her cabin window as passengers lined up .
Around them , she noted , were people in yellow protective clothing , gloves and even a few hazardous materials suits .
For days , passengers aboard the ship had been isolated in their cabins .
When they were finally allowed a few minutes on deck , she said , they were warned to wear masks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each other .
But after docking , video showed long lines forming for the processing tents .
Ambulances were on hand to take some passengers away .
“ They were cueing up the passengers like cattle , ” Wright said .
“ Everybody was bunched up .
They were physically touching each other and they were backed up along the gangplank.
” Then , she said , they were taken away in chartered buses .
“ I ’ m just totally freaked out by that , ” said Wright .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe , then why were we stuck in our rooms ?
It ’ s been stressed for the past five days that we ’ re not to have any contact with any other passengers ?
“ “ We ’ re trying to stay calm and were trying to stay positive but it ’ s getting harder and harder .
They can ’ t make up their minds how to keep us safe , ” said Wright ’ s cabin mate , Beryl Ward , 77 , of Santa Fe .
“ The president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get off the ship .
So that didn ’ t make me happy , ” she added .
“ Wish you were here , Mr. Trump !
” On Sunday , before the ship docked , Dr. John Redd of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services had urged passengers to remain in their rooms and said : “ We ’ re making every effort to get them off the ship as safely and quickly as possible.
” He called the elaborate but quickly planned disembarkation process a “ really unprecedented and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been held off the coast since Wednesday because of evidence that it was the breeding ground for more than 20 infections tied to a previous voyage .
U.S. passengers will be flown or bused from the port — chosen for its proximity to an airport and a military base — to bases in California , Texas and Georgia for testing and a 14-day quarantine .
Some arrived Monday night at Travis Air Force Base in Northern California .
The ship carried people from 54 countries , and foreigners were to be whisked home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been told the details .
Only about 50 people had been tested for the virus .
“ I ’ m willing to be quarantined , ” Wright said .
“ ’ But I want to know if I ’ m positive or not .
We don ’ t even know if we ’ re going to get tested .
It ’ s all rumour and speculation.
” “ I ’ m bored and frustrated , ” she added .
“ All of a sudden a two-week vacation has turned into a five-week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is looking after their children or pets , not to mention preparing their taxes before the deadline and earning a living .
A professional photographer , she was looking at five weeks without earning a salary .
About 1,100 crew members , 19 of whom have tested positive for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus , will be quarantined and treated aboard the ship , which will dock elsewhere after passengers are unloaded , California Gov .
Gavin Newsom has said .
The California governor and Oakland mayor sought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ship passengers would be exposed to the public before completing the quarantine .
Officials were trying to decide where the ship and its crew would go next .
Cruise ships have come under scrutiny by those who view them as potential germ factories because they pack thousands of people in close quarters .
Another Princess ship , the Diamond Princess , was quarantined for two weeks in Yokohama , Japan , last month because of the virus .
Ultimately , about 700 of the 3,700 people aboard became infected in what experts pronounced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vessel , the Caribbean Princess , was supposed to dock in Grand Cayman on Monday but the cruise line said it will keep its thousands of passengers and crews from disembarking until crew members are tested for COVID-19 .
Around the world , nations have limited the movements of millions of people in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 .
Italy was to impose travel restrictions and other strict public health measures nationwide starting Tuesday .
In Northern California , Santa Clara County announced a ban of all large gatherings of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the month in response to the coronavirus outbreak .
The announcement Monday came hours after the public health department announced the county ’ s first coronavirus death , a woman in her 60s .
The virus has shaken global markets , with stocks taking their worst one-day beating on Wall Street since 2008 and oil prices suffering their most brutal losses since the start of the 1991 Gulf War .
Even with Asian markets posting modest gains Tuesday , fear was rampant that economies stood at the brink of recession .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
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 .
In mainland China , where the virus first exploded , more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and more than 58,000 have so far recovered .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States , and at least 26 have died , most in Washington state .
Surgeon General Jerome Adams said communities will need to start thinking about cancelling large gatherings , closing schools and letting more employees work from home , as many companies have done after an outbreak in the Seattle area .
Pearl Jam on Monday announced it was postponing 17 North American shows on its upcoming tour over coronavirus concerns .
In Silicon Valley , NASA ’ s Ames Research Center is essentially closed with restricted access because an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Workers will be on “ mandatory telework status ” and three earth science airplane missions are being delayed to later this year , the county said .
Several universities have begun online-only courses , including the University of Washington , Stanford University and Columbia University .
Rodriguez reported from San Francisco .
Associated Press writers Janie Har , Jocelyn Gecker and Juliet Williams in San Francisco and Robert Jablon in Los Angeles also contributed to this report .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak This story has been corrected to identify an Offices of Emergency Services spokesman as Brian Ferguson .


thetorontostar--2020-03-10--St. Paul schools shut as teachers strike amid contract talks

ST. PAUL , Minn. - Teachers at St. Paul Public Schools will go on strike Tuesday , after last-minute efforts to reach a contract agreement failed , the union representing the teachers said .
The walkout — the district ’ s first strike since 1946 — will cancel classes for roughly 37,000 students and force parents to make alternate plans for their children .
The school district and the union that represents teachers negotiated for six straight days and continued talking into the night Monday in an effort to avert a strike .
On Monday , Superintendent Joe Gothard asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to arbitration instead of striking , the Pioneer Press reported .
“ This is a way to avoid a strike and keep our students in school , ” Gothard said in a statement .
“ I don ’ t believe a strike is good for anyone , especially our students .
I also don ’ t believe a strike is inevitable , and interest arbitration is a way to ensure kids are in school while the negotiation process continues.
” But union spokeswoman Megan Boldt said the union was not interested in that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposal to the district on Monday afternoon .
The union has said it ’ s seen no significant movement on bigger issues , including additional resources for mental health , multilingual and special education needs .
It said in a statement early Tuesday that the district ’ s latest proposal “ dramatically slashed ” the number of support staff that the union proposed .
“ We wanted to settle this contract and be in school with our students Tuesday morning , ” Nick Faber , president of the Saint Paul Federation of Educators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than nine months and marathon bargaining over the weekend , district leaders weren ’ t willing to move on the issues educators and parents know will help students thrive and break down racial barriers in our schools.
” As part of St. Paul Public Schools ’ strike plan , classes were to be cancelled Tuesday and Wednesday , but breakfast and lunch will be served at some community and school locations and 24 public schools will serve meals .
Students from grades six to 12 will be allowed to keep their school-issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And starting Thursday , the district will open seven sites for up to 4,000 elementary school-aged children , where they could be supervised , the Star Tribune reported .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-10--Saudi Arabia increase oil output to record high

DUBAI CITY , United Arab Emirates - Saudi Arabia ’ s state-run oil giant Saudi Aramco said Tuesday it would increase its crude oil production to 12.3 million barrels a day in April , a record amount .
The move seems to make good on the country ’ s promise over the weekend to increase output after Russia refused to co-operate on cutting production .
That led to a 25 % plunge in the price of crude on Monday .
In a filing made Tuesday on Riyadh ’ s Tadawul stock market , Aramco - formally known as the Saudi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase in production represented a rise of 300,000 barrels per day .
“ The company has agreed with its customers to provide them with such volumes starting 1 April 2020 , ” it said in the filing .
“ The company expects that this will have a positive , long-term financial effect.
” Saudi Aramco shares were up 9.7 % in trading Tuesday on the Tadawul to 30.95 riyals , or $ 8.25 , giving the world ’ s most-valuable company a valuation of $ 1.65 trillion .
It came a day after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were pulled from trading for reaching the Tadawul ’ s maximum permitted loss in a day , dropping its valuation to $ 1.4 trillion .
It offered only a sliver of its shares on the Tadawul for investors .
Aramco ’ s decision likely will flood global energy markets and put further pressure on prices .
The company had reached $ 2 trillion in early days of trading in December .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-10--Michigan primary could make or break Sanders’ campaign

DETROIT - Bernie Sanders proved his 2016 presidential bid was serious with an upset victory in Michigan powered by his opposition to free trade and appeal among working-class voters .
Four years later , the state could either revive the Vermont senator ’ s campaign or relegate him to the role of protest candidate .
Michigan and five other states hold presidential contests on Tuesday at a critical point in the Democratic race .
Former Vice-President Joe Biden is looking to quash Sanders ’ hopes and cement his own front-runner status just a week after resurrecting his beleaguered White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
He played up his underdog story on Monday as he campaigned across Michigan , reflecting on his stutter as a child and the deaths of his first wife and young daughter .
And Biden wasn ’ t alone .
The former vice-president courted the state ’ s influential African American voters alongside the two most prominent black candidates previously in the 2020 race , Kamala Harris and Cory Booker , who endorsed Biden in recent days as part of a broader consolidation of support among party leaders .
Sanders is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the primary calendar quickly shifts to other states that could favour Biden and narrow his path to the nomination .
The senator countered the parade of Democratic firepower lining up behind Biden by securing the endorsement of the Rev .
Jesse Jackson and deploying Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , D-N.Y. , on his behalf .
Having devoted several days to Michigan , the Vermont senator spent the eve of Tuesday ’ s primaries in Missouri , where he downplayed questions about electability and insisted that the “ energy and excitement ” of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run against President Donald Trump this fall .
Tuesday marks the first time voters will weigh in on the Democratic contest since it effectively narrowed to a two-person race between Sanders and Biden .
It will be another test of whether Sanders can broaden his appeal among African Americans .
Biden , meanwhile , must show that he can keep momentum going after his surprise Super Tuesday turnaround .
“ I like his chances , ” Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , who has endorsed Biden , said of the former vice-president in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Whitmer added .
“ When our back was up against the wall during the auto struggles of the past , it was Barack Obama and Joe Biden who had our backs.
” That ’ s a reference to the Obama administration overseeing federal bailouts that helped the auto industry — the lifeblood of Michigan ’ s economy — weather the 2009 financial crisis .
Sanders counters that he , too , voted to save the auto industry .
He also says that , unlike Biden , he opposed the North American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prompted thousands of Michigan jobs to move to Mexico since taking effect in 1994 .
Biden ticked off the names of six former presidential rivals who have endorsed him just in the past week during a Monday appearance with Booker in Flint , Michigan , a community that has seen auto industry jobs disappear : “ They ’ ve all come out and endorsed at one time ... the candidate that they think can win.
“ And later in Detroit , he stood on stage grasping hands with Whitmer , Booker and Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picks should Biden become the Democrats ’ presidential nominee .
The large rally , however , was interrupted repeatedly by protesters , who railed against Biden ’ s support for the North American Free Trade Agreement and his reluctance to embrace sweeping environmental proposals outlined in the so-called Green New Deal .
In a scuffle with environmental protesters in the midst of Biden ’ s remarks , senior adviser Symone Sanders was knocked to the ground .
She was not hurt .
Less than a week ago she tackled a protester who rushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Other economic challenges emerged on Monday as fears about the spread of the new coronavirus shook financial markets , slicing 7.8 % from the Dow Jones Industrial Average .
Sanders held a roundtable with health experts in Detroit , and Biden said he would defer to health experts about whether campaign events could continue , given concerns about the spread of the virus .
Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s leading infectious disease expert , stopped short of calling on candidates to put a pause on political rallies .
Instead , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone seeking office for putting a pause on big gatherings .
“ If you ’ re talking about a campaign rally tomorrow in a place where there is no community spread , I think the judgment to have it might be a good judgment , “ Fauci said Monday at a White House briefing .
“ If you want to talk about large gatherings in a place where you have community spread , I think that ’ s a judgment call.
” An outstanding question going into Tuesday is whether Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race last week , will endorse Biden or Sanders .
So far , she ’ s declined to back either , an especially frustrating development for Sanders , who could use Warren ’ s help in unifying progressives in much the same way Biden has been able to rally moderates .
Sanders has scoffed at suggestions he could drop out if he doesn ’ t win Michigan , but his travel schedule underscores its importance .
He cancelled a trip to Mississippi and instead made five campaign stops across Michigan since Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s personally lobbying Warren for her endorsement .
He did manage to secure the backing of Jackson , who said it was no time for centrist compromise .
He jabbed Biden during a Monday appearance in downtown St. Louis , reminding a largely young crowd of the former vice-president ’ s long record in Washington .
Sanders noted that unlike Biden , he opposed the war in Iraq , Wall Street bailouts after the 2008 collapse and any talk of cuts to Social Security .
“ In a general election , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excitement and the voter turnout we need ?
” Sanders asked .
“ If you want to defeat Trump , which all Democrats do and the majority of independents do and some Republicans do , we are that campaign.
” One of Sanders ’ highest-profile supporters , Ocasio-Cortez , struck a far more conciliatory tone the day before addressing 10,000-plus on the campus of the University of Michigan on Sunday night , saying , “ In order for us to win , we have to grow.
” “ We must be inclusive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement , “ she said , urging Sanders supporters to shed “ cynicism and exclusion ” and “ turn with an embracing posture , where all people are welcome in a people ’ s movement.
” Sanders is optimistic about Washington state on Tuesday , but could face hurdles in Mississippi and Missouri .
Sanders ’ team acknowledges he will also struggle in next week ’ s Florida primary , where the senator ’ s past defence of Fidel Castro looms large .
He also could face long odds in Ohio and Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Both of those states also vote March 17 .
The wild card next week could be Arizona , where Sanders will be counting on strong Latino support , which lifted him to victory in California .
Sanders advisers are aware that Biden could build an insurmountable delegate lead if he runs up the score in the upcoming contests .
They hope to continue doing well in the West before picking up momentum in places like delegate-rich New York , which holds its primary next month .
There ’ s no guarantee Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , given the higher expectations he now faces .
Even some of those attending Sanders rallies are beginning to feel it , although his St. Louis audience was optimistic .
Alec McAulay , a 19-year-old college student from St. Louis County , said Sanders has proved that he ’ s a true alternative to the president .
“ I think Biden agrees with Trump too much , more than any Democrat should , ” McAulay said .
Associated Press writers Seth Borenstein in Washington and Steve Peoples in Flint , Mich. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
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