thetorontostar--2020-03-09--UK police shoot knife-wielding man dead in London

LONDON - British police say they have shot dead a man who was brandishing two knives near Trafalgar Square in @ @ @ @ @ Police force said Monday that the shooting wasn ’ t terror-related .
The force said @ @ @ @ @ close to Parliament and tourist hotspots — saw a man acting suspiciously late Sunday .
@ @ @ @ @ two knives and was shot , the force said .
Most British police don ’ @ @ @ @ @ the area around Parliament is often patrolled by armed officers .
Police shootings are relatively @ @ @ @ @ In 2019 , British police fired guns 13 times .
In November , officers shot @ @ @ @ @ by the Islamic State group who had fatally stabbed two people near London Bridge .
@ @ @ @ @ for Police Conduct is investigating the latest shooting .
Get more of the Star in @ @ @ @ @ latest news from the Star .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-09--Alabama tornado victim’s family helps Tennesseans recover

BEAUREGARD , Ala. - The grandparents of the youngest victim of a deadly tornado in Alabama travelled to Tennessee to help those affected by severe storms that hit exactly one year after their family tragedy .
Armando “ AJ ” Hernandez Jr. , 6 , was torn from his father ’ s arms and found dead after a tornado ripped through the Beauregard , Alabama , community March 3 , 2019 .
He was among 23 people killed in the severe weather .
On March 3 , 2020 , at least 24 people died in a tornado outbreak that ripped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nashville .
The storms injured dozens and left a trail of destruction .
When Bobby and Leanne Kidd saw the news , they understood what those families were going through .
“ For the people in Beauregard and us , it was already a hard day , ” Bobby Kidd told WTVM-TV ahead of a trip he and his wife took Friday to storm-ravaged Tennessee .
“ It affected us and hit us hard because we knew what they were going through.
“ So , the couple decided to pack up a trailer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I don ’ t think there ’ s any other way we could honour our grandson ’ s name .
A.J .
would have wanted us to do this , ” Leanne Kidd said .
The couple planned to give items they said storm victims would most need , based on their own experience .
Toiletries , gift cards , money and food were at the top of the list for those who lost everything .
“ So the best thing we can do is to give these people basic necessities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was expected to lend a hand for two days , and said they also plan to return to Tennessee next month to offer more help .

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thetorontostar--2020-03-09--Biden in Mississippi, Sanders in Michigan before primaries

JACKSON , Miss .
- Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden worshiped at a predominantly African American church in Mississippi two days before the state ’ s primary , in which black voters will play a pivotal role .
Rival Bernie Sanders was campaigning Sunday roughly 900 miles ( 1,450 kilometres ) to the north in Michigan , the biggest prize among the six states voting Tuesday .
The Vermont senator was looking to bolster his own appeal with African Americans by announcing the endorsement of civil rights icon the Rev .
Jesse Jackson .
Biden was welcomed by applause at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was accompanied by the NAACP national president , Derrick Johnson , and by U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson , both of whom are from Mississippi .
They sat in the front row , and Biden sang along with the congregation : “ Oh , victory in Jesus , my saviour forever.
” Thompson endorsed the former vice-president on Thursday and introduced him to the congregation .
“ We know what it means to be picked out , to be picked on , ” Thompson said .
“ We know Joe .
I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden had struggled in the early voting states of Iowa , New Hampshire and Nevada , where Sanders emerged as the front-runner , but won decisively in South Carolina on Feb. 29 , boosted by African American voters .
He also had a strong showing on Super Tuesday in states with large numbers of black voters .
“ If I am the comeback kid , which I ain ’ t there yet , but if I ’ m the comeback kid , there ’ s only one reason I ’ ve come back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country , ” Biden said to applause by the congregation .
Biden mentioned former President Barack Obama several times .
He said the United States is at “ an inflection point ” because of poor treatment in the past three years of people who are marginalized , isolated and oppressed .
Obama ’ s name also came up at a Sanders rally Sunday in the West Michigan city of Grand Rapids — but under very circumstances .
The senator and Jackson appeared together before thousands of cheering supporters at a downtown plaza @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down more barriers than others can even dream of ” while blazing a path against racism that helped propel Obama to the White House .
“ If there was no Jesse Jackson , in my view , there never would have been a President Barack Obama , ” Sanders said .
“ Let me just say to Rev .
Jackson : It ’ s one of the honours of my life to be supported by a man who has put his life on the line for the last 50 years fighting for justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama ’ s relationship has not been without its past issues , including in 2008 , when Jackson apologized for saying Obama had been “ talking down to black people.
” Addressing the Michigan rally , Jackson stayed focused on Sanders , saying , “ I stand with Bernie Sanders today because he stood with me , ” and adding that the senator “ never lost taste for justice for people.
” Sanders upset Hillary Clinton during Michigan ’ s Democratic primary in 2016 and noted that Jackson won the state during his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Tuesday , there is going to be a very , very important primary here in Michigan , ” Sanders said .
“ Back in 1988 , Jesse Jackson won the state .
In 2016 , I won the state .
And , on Tuesday , if we stick together , we bring our friends out to vote , we ’ re gon na win it again.
” Back in Mississippi , Biden talked about the 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville , Virginia .
“ I underestimated that hate ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Biden said .
Daisy Carter , 75 , attended the church service where Biden spoke , and said afterward that she is enthusiastically supporting him and will ask others to vote for him , too .
“ He was Obama ’ s right hand , and Obama was our man , ” said Carter , who is African American and is retired as a Head Start purchasing agent .
She said it is important to defeat President Donald Trump , and she thinks Biden can do that .
Speaking of Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home with him.
” Actress Vivica A .
Fox and former Massachusetts Gov .
Deval Patrick spoke to a racially diverse crowd Sunday at a get-out-the-vote rally for Biden at historically black Tougaloo College in Jackson .
“ Joe had President Obama ’ s back for every minute of those eight years in office , ” said Fox , who also campaigned for Biden in South Carolina before that state ’ s primary .
As Jackson was endorsing Sanders , meanwhile , Biden picked up the coveted endorsement of California Sen. Kamala Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything in my power ’ ’ to help elect the former vice-president .
She is the latest dropout from the Democratic race for president to line up behind Biden in his matchup against Sanders .
The decision by Harris , who was one of three black candidates seeking to challenge Trump , further solidifies the Democratic establishment ’ s move to close circles around Biden after his Super Tuesday success .
Despite that , Jackson said he chose Sanders after the campaign offered responses on 13 issues Jackson raised , including protecting voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleges and universities and committing to putting African Americans on the Supreme Court , according to a statement released by the Sanders ’ campaign .
He also said Biden ’ s campaign hadn ’ t approached him about an endorsement but Sanders ’ did .
Speaking at the rally , Jackson brushed aside some voters ’ uneasiness about Sanders ’ avowed democratic socialist ideology , saying Sanders will defend democratic values and that issues important to poor and minority people wouldn ’ t have been prioritized in the presidential race without him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Emily Wagster Pettus And Will Weissert - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-09--Florida theme parks keep eye on virus as spring break nears

ORLANDO , Fla. - As Florida ’ s busy spring break season kicked off this month , coronavirus czar Vice-President Mike Pence addressed something that ’ s been on the mind of tens of thousands of families preparing to travel to theme parks : Is it safe ?
Over the weekend , Pence stressed it is safe for healthy Americans to travel , noting “ one of our favourite places to go when my children were young and even before my children came was in Orlando.
” “ Whether it be Disney World , whether it be other destination , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most at risk are seniors with serious or chronic underlying health conditions.
” “ Otherwise Americans can confidently travel in this country , ” Pence said at a meeting with cruise industry officials in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday .
Still , as COVID-19 concerns multiply , the issue weighs heavily in the tourism industry .
“ There is definitely concern .
Particularly how and when it could manifest itself in the U.S. , ” said Dennis Speigel , president of International Theme Park Services Inc. , an independent industry consultant .
He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus for weeks , as theme parks in Asia have closed .
He estimated the temporary closure of Disney parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong will cost the company anywhere from $ 175 million to $ 300 million dollars .
Florida ’ s coronavirus cases have had a muted effect on the state ’ s biggest industry so far , but that could change at any moment .
Orlando is the nation ’ s most visited tourist destination , bringing vast numbers of people from around the globe to its major theme parks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SeaWorld Orlando .
The city attracted 75 million visitors in 2018 .
As of Sunday , the city was at least 65 miles ( 105 kilometres ) from the nearest person testing positive for coronavirus .
Though some convention business has been cancelled because of concerns , individual leisure travel hasn ’ t been affected , local officials said .
Jennifer Morales , a 47-year-old mother from San Antonio , said the outbreak hasn ’ t changed her plans for an eight-day Walt Disney World vacation with her daughter .
She ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and her daughter is in a marching band scheduled to be in a park parade .
They leave Sunday .
“ I don ’ t think it warrants cancelling a vacation right now , ” she said , adding that she ’ s more worried about sitting on a plane with people with colds and the flu .
“ I ’ m kind of a germaphobe .
We all have our own personal hand sanitizers , We ’ re diligent about handwashing at the parks , especially after rides .
Now we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands .
I already travel with a small can of Lysol and hose everything down in our hotel rooms.
” The state draws hordes of college-age students and families with grade-school children during the spring break season , which begins in earnest in mid-March and runs into April .
Cancellations could be devastating during one of the busiest times of the year in the Sunshine State .
“ Monitoring all of our visitor information channels , we ’ ve only seen a handful of inquiries so far , “ George Aguel , president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orlando , said earlier in the week .
Three convention groups have cancelled their conferences in Orlando over concerns about the new coronavirus , which Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said represents a $ 154 million impact .
Aguel said a handful of smaller hotels in the Orlando area have had conferences cancelled that involved large numbers of international conferees , “ and they predicted there would be some challenges with that , so out of an abundance of caution they decided it would be wiser to cancel.
” The U.S. Travel Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in international visitors to the U.S. over the next three months as a result of coronavirus .
If the prediction holds , it would be the largest decline in international inbound travel since the recession a dozen years ago , the association said .
Coronavirus fears hit Florida this week as Disney World opened a new ride based on Mickey Mouse , a park first .
The resort ’ s most anticipated new land in years , Star Wars : Galaxy ’ s Edge , debuted only last August .
If a Disney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think they have the flu , both patient and paramedic will get a face mask , said Tim Stromsnes , president of the union local for firefighters at Disney World .
Speigel said parks and attractions likely will undergo “ a lot of fumigation , disinfection , right now , not only in the front of the house , but the back of the house.
“ Officials with Busch Gardens and SeaWorld didn ’ t respond to email inquiries about how the coronavirus had affected them .
Disney officials said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout its four parks and more than two dozen hotels .
Tom Schroder , a spokesman for Universal Orlando , said it is reinforcing “ best-practice health and hygiene procedures ” in response to the coronavirus outbreak and adding more hand sanitizer units to its parks .
“ We will continue to closely monitor the situation and be ready to act as needed , ” he said .
Spiegel added that at many parks , deliveries will be scrutinized and workers will be retrained on cleanliness procedures .
Parks may also restrict employee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Italy and South Korea — a measure Legoland has already taken .
On Wednesday , the opening day of Mickey & Minnie ’ s Runaway Railway at Disney ’ s Hollywood Studios , about 1,000 people were waiting to enter the park , said Kurt Schmidt , the owner of Inside the Magic , a massive online community and news site for Disney fans .
No one was wearing a mask , Schmidt said .
“ From where I ’ m sitting , there ’ s absolutely no difference in how things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can ’ t see anything that is different.
” 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

Mike Schneider And Tamara Lush - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-09--Turkey, EU to hold talks amid standoff over migrants.

ANKARA , Turkey - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is heading to Brussels on Monday for talks with European Union officials amid a standoff between Ankara and Brussels over sharing of responsibility for refugees and migrants .
Thousands of migrants have massed at Turkey ’ s land border with EU-member Greece after Erdogan ’ s government made good on a long-standing threat and announced that Turkey — which is home to more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees — would no longer prevent migrants and refugees from crossing over into EU countries .
Erdogan has demanded that Europe shoulder more of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He has accused the EU of not meeting its obligations , including failing to pay money promised to Turkey under a 2016 EU-Turkish deal to stem the flow of migrants to Europe .
The EU says it is disbursing the funds .
The Turkish leader is scheduled to meet with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to discuss the 2016 deal .
Erdogan was also scheduled to meet with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg , his office said .
The 2016 deal , which slashed the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Turkey to halt the flow of Europe-bound migrants and refugees in exchange for up to 6 billion euros ( $ 6.7 billion ) in aid for Syrian refugees on its territory , fast-track EU membership and visa-free travel to Europe for Turkish citizens .
A high-level Turkish official said the sides would discuss a possible revision of the 2016 deal .
It wasn ’ t clear if an agreement would emerge on Monday .
The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government rules .
Erdogan was also expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Greek authorities as they push back the migrants .
Greece has deployed riot police and border guards to repel people trying to enter the country and the Greek border area has since seen violent confrontations between them and the migrants .
On Saturday , youths threw rocks at Greek police and tried to break down a border fence .
Many migrants have alleged mistreatment in the hands of Greek police , and Turkey says two migrants were killed in violence along the border .
Greece has denied the accusations .
EU foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is using the migrants ’ desperation “ for political purposes.
” EU countries are still dealing with the political fallout from a wave of mass migration five years ago .
Thousands of migrants have slept in terrible conditions in makeshift camps near the Greek border since the Turkish government said they were free to go , waiting for the opportunity to enter Greece .


thetorontostar--2020-03-09--Dems look to Michigan primary as testing ground for November

DETROIT - Ask Arlene Williams about President Donald Trump ’ s promises to bring back auto industry jobs that have evaporated across Michigan and she ’ ll point with irony to the Chevy Blazer .
General Motors is now remaking the iconic American SUV after a lengthy hiatus — but building parts of it in Mexico and elsewhere overseas .
“ These are some of the staple brands and yes , they ’ re back , ” said Williams , 49 , who works at a GM plant in Romulus , Michigan , southwest of Detroit .
“ They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. ” The largest of six states voting Tuesday , Michigan could redefine a Democratic primary that has become a showdown between former Vice-President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders .
But many voters are already looking ahead to November and whether Trump can again win in the state that perhaps more than any other catapulted him into the White House in 2016 .
For Sanders , the stakes could hardly be higher .
He defeated Hillary Clinton in Michigan in 2016 , emboldening his argument that he could win with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters , working-class whites and African Americans .
But it is the kind of victory he has not been able to replicate this time , and if he does not on Tuesday , any chances at the Democratic nomination may be greatly diminished .
Biden has been emphasizing the Obama administration ’ s bailout of the auto industry , which provided an economic lifeline for GM and Ford , likely saving thousands of jobs .
He is also counting on continued strong support among African American voters .
How Michigan votes will also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders ’ sweeping promises to cancel student debt and provide health care for all potentially energizing young voters but not older ones wary of his democratic socialist ideology .
Centrist and safe , Biden could do exactly the opposite , though .
Others worry that both candidates are taking black Democrats for granted .
All that may add up to neither being able to carry the state against Trump .
“ There ’ s not a lot of energy , not enough energy , I would say , even for the primary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whose district includes a large swath of northwest Detroit .
She said the Democratic Party continues to use the same playbook of waiting until the last minute to do intensive community outreach — which crippled it in 2016 .
Indeed , major party turnout in Wayne County , which encompasses Detroit and is strongly African American , fell by more than 64,000 votes in 2016 as compared to 2012 .
That ’ s especially important since Trump levelled the Democrats ’ famed “ blue wall ” with narrow wins in states that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton : Pennsylvania , Wisconsin and Michigan , which he won by just 10,704 votes out more than 4.8 million cast .
Tuesday will be the first test of Democrats ’ ability to take them back .
They already can point to hopeful signs .
Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , who has endorsed Biden and been mentioned as a possible vice-presidential pick , won in 2018 , as fellow Democrat and Sen. Debbie Stabenow was cruising to re-election .
Veteran Michigan pollster Bernie Porn said the president remains unpopular with independents and Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though he said Trump ’ s standing has recovered some in the wake of impeachment .
“ I think Trump is in trouble , “ Porn said .
Flipping the state back could be built on gains in places like Grand Rapids , childhood home of Gerald Ford and long the epitome of country club Republicans , often most interested in fiscal conservatism but also closely watching social issues .
It has begun moving to the left amid an influx of jobs bringing new residents from other parts of the state and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rally Sunday in Grand Rapids and — vowing to grow the Democratic electorate by winning over young , minority and working-class voters — hit the University of Michigan and blue-collar Flint and Dearborn , home to a large concentration of Arab Americans .
It is a promise he has made in other states during the primaries , but so far has largely failed to deliver .
“ I am more than aware that Trump in 2016 won the state of Michigan by a small vote , “ Sanders said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t going to make that mistake again.
” Sanders cancelled a planned trip to Mississippi to spend more time in the state this past weekend .
But he has struggled to broaden his appeal with black voters , as evidenced by Biden ’ s wipe-out win in South Carolina and across many other Southern states on Super Tuesday .
Activist Monica Lewis-Patrick , president and CEO of We the People Detroit , said the eventual nominee will need a strong ground game in Detroit to prevent the same mistakes the party made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt largely unseen and ignored .
She has endorsed Sanders .
Citing the ongoing water crisis in Flint and Detroit ’ s aggressive water shutoff campaign that has disrupted service for 100,000-plus residential accounts across the city since 2014 , Lewis-Patrick said the party needs to speak to issues that are impacting lives on a daily basis .
“ We ’ ve told every candidate before we got down to the final two that we noticed in the debates when they came to Detroit that was missing from the conversation , “ she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hosted Democratic presidential debates last summer .
” What we ’ re seeing is that many campaigns are treating black and brown communities as sort of a drive-by vote.
” Sanders has spoken to Flint ’ s water problems and the shutoff issue , asking with exasperation , “ How is it possible ” that people in parts of the state “ don ’ t have water coming out of the tap ?
” In an attempt to shore up its position no matter who wins the nomination , the Michigan Democratic Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 in “ pivot ” counties that supported Obama in 2012 but went to Trump last presidential cycle .
It also has led campaigns highlighting Trump ’ s “ broken promises “ when it comes to issues like restoring lost manufacturing jobs .
Still , Gay-Dagnogo said that , though the state Democratic Party opened 15 offices around Michigan , ” it ’ s no secret “ Trump ’ s reelection campaign has stood up its own operations in the same areas .
“ I think sometimes we just wait for something magical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there are financial resources in the community to get people out , “ she said .
Trump , meanwhile , has visited Michigan several times as president and points to a strong national economy as proof he kept his kept his promises to restore the state ’ s lost jobs .
Manufacturing jobs in Michigan grew from 616,800 when Trump took office to 628,900 last December , according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics .
But some counties that Trump won have experienced job losses , and the state faces the prospect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy .
While top union leaders have lined up to support either Biden or Sanders , many of their rank-and-file members continue to back Trump because of his views on social issues like guns and abortion .
“ A number of union households who voted for Trump and voted against their own economic interests , I think , may do that again , ” said Matt Vitiote , Democratic Party chairman in Monroe County near the Michigan-Ohio border , which twice supported Obama but voted for Trump in 2016 .
Williams , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international flavour , is backing Sanders and his promise to strengthen union membership nationwide .
She concedes that Michigan ’ s economy has grown under Trump but hopes it won ’ t be enough for him to win the state again .
“ I don ’ t see that there has been real growth in higher-paying jobs , ” Williams said .
“ There have been jobs created , but they ’ re low-paying jobs and you ’ ve got to have two or three of them in order to raise your family.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lansing , Mich. , contributed to this report .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Will Weissert And Kat Stafford - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-09--The Latest: Philippines declares public health emergency

ROME - The Latest on the coronavirus epidemic sweeping the globe ( all times local ) : The Philippine president has declared a state of public health emergency throughout the country after health officials confirmed over the weekend the first local transmission of the new coronavirus .
Health officials reported Monday a doubling in just a day of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines to 20 confirmed infections .
President Rodrigo Duterte ’ s declaration , which he made public on Monday , says the viral outbreak “ constitutes an emergency that threatens national security which requires a whole-of-government response.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandatory reporting of infections , enforce quarantines and other disease-control actions , including calling in police and other law enforcement agencies to help deal with the COVID-19 threat .
Pope Francis has celebrated morning Mass all by himself in the chapel of the Vatican hotel where he lives , and has offered up prayers for those infected with coronavirus and those caring for them .
The Holy See live-streamed Francis ’ Mass on Monday , evidence of new measures the Vatican City State has taken to contain the spread of the virus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government .
With 7,375 people infected , Italy has the most cases outside Asia .
At 83 , and with part of one lung removed , Francis would be at risk for serious complications if he were to catch the virus .
He came down with a cold two weeks ago , but appears to have recovered and on Monday resumed private meetings , including with bishops from France and two departing ambassadors .
The Vatican , a 108-acre city state in the heart of Rome , has confirmed one positive case .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Italian Catholic Church has suspended Masses and other celebrations to prevent people from congregating .
Singapore will allow the Costa Fortuna cruise ship to dock on Tuesday , after it was rejected by Thailand and Malaysia .
Singapore ’ s port authority and tourism board said in a joint statement Monday that the ship has declared that none of its passengers had any symptoms of respiratory illness .
The statement also said all the ship ’ s passengers had earlier underwent temperature screening and checks on their travel history before they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Singapore on March 3 .
The statement said the doctor on board the cruise liner will check all passengers and crew to ensure they are healthy before disembarkation .
It said Singapore ’ s cruise terminals remain open to scheduled cruise calls out of Singapore but unscheduled calls have been banned since last month .
Thailand last week refused to let the ship , which has some 2,000 passengers , to dock at the resort island of Phuket since it carried 64 Italians .
Malaysia on Saturday also banned the ship from stopping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first , games in Germany ’ s Bundesliga soccer league can now take place without fans .
The governor of Germany ’ s western state of North Rhine-Westphalia , Armin Laschet , which has been hardest-hit by the spread of the virus , said he would implement the national health ministry ’ s recommendations to cancel events with more than 1,000 people .
A Wednesday game between FC Cologne and Borussia Moenchengladbach will take place without audience , the state ’ s health minister said .
Germany has reported 1,040 cases of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overnight meeting , Germany ’ s coalition government says Monday it will ease and financially support regulations for short-time work .
The government also wants to financially support companies that are suffering losses because of the virus sweeping the globe .
Organizers of the annual Holocaust remembrance march in southern Poland say it has been postponed this year because of fears about the new coronavirus sweeping the globe .
Each year the “ March of the Living ” aims to walk 3 kilometres ( 1.8 miles ) between the two parts of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The organizing committee ’ s chairman Shmuel Rosenman says Monday that after consulting with health officials he was forced to announce “ with a heavy heart ” that this ’ year ’ s march would be postponed .
The event was expected to draw 110 delegations from around the world .
During World War II , Nazi Germany killed some 1.1 million people in Auschwitz-Birkenau , the vast majority of them Jews .
Some 300,000 people have walked in the march since it began in 1988 .
Israel has so far confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been ordered into 14-day home quarantines protectively .
Scores of flights in and out of the country have been cancelled .
Poland has 11 cases of the virus .
Albania ’ s Health Ministry has reported the country ’ s first two infections from the COVID-19 coronavirus , a father and son who had returned from Florence in Italy .
After exhibiting symptoms they were hospitalized .
Authorities are trying to find all their contacts .
Italy , the epicenter of Europe ’ s outbreak , on Sunday quarantined 16 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bold move to try to contain the virus .
Italy has 7,375 confirmed infections and 366 deaths of virus patients , one of the most severe outbreaks outside of China , where the virus first emerged late last year .
Prime Minister Edi Rama held an an urgent Cabinet meeting Monday morning on the virus .
Authorities said they will close schools until April 3 , suspend flights to and from Italy ’ s “ red quarantine zones ” and limit gatherings .
The state oil giant Saudi Aramco saw its shares @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s stock market opened on Monday , halting trading .
The Tadawul market only allows stocks to fluctuate by 10 % a day , meaning it halted traded as the market opened .
The drop came as global oil prices suffered their worst losses since the start of the 1991 Gulf War .
Other Mideast markets fell as well as the new coronavirus has affected global energy prices and OPEC failed to make a production cut deal with Russia last week .
Boursa Kuwait shut down within 30 minutes of opening Monday as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the third such emergency halt to trading in recent days .
Earlier Monday , coronavirus concerns led Saudi Arabia to cut off air and sea travel to and from nine countries : Bahrain , Egypt , Iraq , Italy , Kuwait , Lebanon , South Korea , Syria and the United Arab Emirates .
That comes after the kingdom earlier closed off its land borders as well .
A special North Korean flight carrying presumably dozens of diplomats and other foreigners arrived in Russia ’ s Far East on Monday , as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the coronavirus .
North Korea has not publicly confirmed a single case of the COVID-19 illness , but its state media have reported that thousands of people have been quarantined as part of strict prevention measures .
Seemingly dozens of passengers , most of them wearing face masks and some accompanied by children , lined up at Pyongyang International Airport .
North Korean health workers wearing white protective suits scanned them for fevers .
Russian state news agency Tass says there were about 60 foreigners aboard , including 13 Russian citizens , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The North lifted a monthlong quarantine on foreign diplomats based in Pyongyang on March 2 , allowing them to leave the country if needed .
Colin Crooks , the British ambassador to Pyongyang , tweeted , “ Sad to say farewell this morning to colleagues from German Embassy and French Office # NorthKorea which are closing temporarily.
” He said the British Embassy would remain open .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .


thetorontostar--2020-03-09--Major gun safety group endorses Joe Biden’s presidential bid

GRAND RAPIDS , Mich. - Joe Biden has received the endorsement of one of the nation ’ s largest gun control advocacy groups , Everytown for Gun Safety , in the latest sign that Bernie Sanders ’ spotty record on guns may be weighing him down in the presidential primary .
Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund plans to spend $ 60 million on electoral activities this cycle , some of which will go toward trying to elect Biden .
An Everytown spokesman said the group typically airs advertisements and engages in grassroots organizing for the candidates it endorses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group will begin to spend on Biden ’ s behalf .
The group also boasts 6 million supporters and more than 375,000 grassroots donors , numbers that could help boost attention and support for Biden ’ s presidential bid nationwide .
In an interview with The Associated Press , John Feinblatt , head of Everytown for Gun Safety , said the group chose Biden because working for gun control is “ his past , it ’ s his present , it ’ s his future.
” Asked if Sanders ’ record on gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision , Feinblatt said that the group looks at a candidate ’ s “ total record.
” “ You can ’ t confine yourself to just what somebody says they ’ ll do in the future .
You have to look at what they ’ ve done in the past , ” he said .
“ Unquestionably , Joe is a person who ’ s dedicated much of his life to the issue of gun safety.
” Feinblatt cited Biden ’ s support for a 1993 gun safety bill known as the Brady @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waiting period to buy most firearms as well as his opposition to measures that would shield gun manufacturers from lawsuits over misuse of their guns .
He also pointed to Biden ’ s work on the Violence Against Women Act , which included some gun control provisions .
During his tenure in the House and the Senate , Sanders opposed the Brady Bill and supported bills that would give gun manufacturers immunity from lawsuits .
His position on gun control issues has shifted , and he now has a D-minus rating from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past votes have been frequent fodder for attacks from his opponents , dating back to his 2016 Democratic primary fight with Hillary Clinton .
Most recently , Sanders came under attack during the South Carolina debate two weeks ago from multiple opponents for his record on guns , with Biden charging , as he stood next to the Vermont senator , that “ my friend on my right and others have given gun manufacturers absolute immunity.
” Biden also has run ads highlighting his work on gun control measures , and on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control group , the Brady Campaign .
In a statement , the former vice-president lamented that the high rate of gun violence in the U.S. has become “ normal ” for most Americans but for those who are connected to gun violence “ normal is a living nightmare , ” and he said he was “ honoured ” to receive Everytown ’ s endorsement .
“ I ’ ve taken on the NRA and defeated them twice , “ he said .
“ And I believe we need a candidate for president who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NRA or gun manufacturers.
” Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-03-09--China turns to propaganda to right image in virus ‘war’

BEIJING - As the rest of the world grapples with a burgeoning virus outbreak , China ’ s ruling Communist Party has deployed its propaganda playbook to portray its leader as firmly in charge , leading an army of health workers in a “ people ’ s war ” against the disease .
The main evening news on state TV regularly shows President Xi Jinping and his underlings giving instructions on the outbreak or touring related facilities .
Coverage then segues to doctors and nurses on the front lines , drawing on a tradition of upholding model workers and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people and the party .
For the Communist Party , the epidemic is both a risk and an opportunity .
It seeks to avoid blame for any mishandling of the outbreak , notably a slow initial response that allowed the virus to take hold .
Conversely , it seeks credit for overcoming the crisis , enhancing the legitimacy of its rule .
State media , a tightly controlled internet and mass mobilization campaigns have all been harnessed for the effort .
“ Upbeat , if emotional , state messaging leaves the impression that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enlightened leadership will inevitably triumph in China , as the fight against the virus shifts beyond the country ’ s borders , ” said Ashley Esarey , a specialist on the Chinese media at the University of Alberta .
The tried and true formula appears to remain effective at promulgating the party ’ s version of events , though the rise of social media is an ever-present challenge .
A growing minority has long questioned the party line , but even many of them accept it out of habit or a lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is repeated over and over , said Steve Tsang , director of the China Institute at the University of London ’ s School of Oriental and African Studies .
Li Desheng , a 22-year-old student who said news webcasts are his main source of information , commended the response of the party and the government , saying they had proven effective at stopping the spread of the virus .
“ There is a Chinese idiom that says , ‘ Point to a deer , call it a horse , ’ ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via instant message .
“ If you say a deer is a horse , then that is a distortion of fact .
When watching a news webcast ... at least at present , I think a deer is still called a deer , and a horse is called a horse , so I believe the report.
“ It ’ s not just a matter of what ’ s shown , though — it ’ s also what ’ s omitted .
State media trumpeted the throwing up of new medical facilities in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people unable to find a hospital bed that necessitated the Herculean effort .
It touted crackdowns on wild animal markets and plans to shut them down , without questioning why they hadn ’ t been sufficiently regulated since SARS , a similar virus outbreak in 2002-03 .
June Teufel Dreyer , a China expert at the University of Miami , said the party may have lost credibility with what she called “ engaged public opinion , ” but that it ’ s difficult to know what portion of China ’ s 1.4 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another 22-year-old student , said she doesn ’ t find any useful information on the epidemic from the official People ’ s Daily newspaper or state broadcaster CCTV , citing stories that , even if true , have a PR agenda rather than seeking to inform the public .
Social media has given her digital-savvy generation almost instant feedback on some state-media reports , though critical comments are often removed by the country ’ s internet censorship .
“ The battle for truth-telling on the internet is another sign that people do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Elizabeth Economy , director of Asia studies at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York .
She added , though , that the propaganda works on those who believe in the party and want to be comforted and persuaded .
The core of the approach is to stifle any criticism while providing positive role models and showing the party as China ’ s only real hope .
China has barred citizen journalists from popular social media platforms after they reported on overcrowded hospitals and other problems .
Non-state media outlets such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent reporting but stopped short of criticizing the leadership .
“ The medics are portrayed as heroes not because of their dedication as health professionals , but because they are party members , ” said Anthony Saich , a China expert at Harvard University .
He believes the crisis has damaged confidence in Xi ’ s leadership to a degree but won ’ t have a lasting impact .
The health workers form the basis of the people ’ s war , a term adopted early on by Xi .
A recent CCTV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health units .
Everyone maintained a safe distance from each other , following the government-ordered protocol , their mouths and noses covered by protective masks .
“ Wars invite people to cast aside their squabbles and dissent and to come together , “ said David Bandurski of the China Media Project at the University of Hong Kong .
” Wars make heroes — and heroes are the stuff propaganda thrives upon.
“ Nationalist campaigns have worked before , channeling anger away from the party in the SARS outbreak , territorial disputes with Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests and the ongoing trade war with the U.S .
This time , the official coverage of the virus may help blunt any lasting political damage to Xi and the party ’ s authority , even as the social and economic costs of the outbreak exact a rising toll .
More than 3,000 people have died in China from the virus .
“ The leadership has been very eager to write the happy ending to this story before anyone really knows what the world is dealing with , ” Bandurski said .
Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .


thetorontostar--2020-03-09--Pakistan army colonel, 2 militants killed in shootout in NW

DERA ISMAIL KHAN , Pakistan - A Pakistani army colonel and two militants were killed Monday in a shootout during a pre-dawn raid in the country ’ s northwest , military and intelligence officials said .
In a statement , the military described the militants as “ high-value ” targets who were planning attacks .
It said the raid took place on the outskirts of a town called Tank , and said weapons and explosives were found .
It did not provide further details on the militants ’ identities or affiliation .
Local intelligence officials gave the identity of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rehman .
The intelligence officials said the slain militants belonged to the Pakistani Taliban , known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan .
The group had a strong presence in the region until recent years , when the army killed or arrested most of its members in series of operations .
Tank is a strategic town in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan , which has witnessed dozens of militant attacks in recent years , most claimed by the Pakistani Taliban .
Militants have recently been trying to regroup in the region , raising fears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations against the insurgents .
Pakistan is currently constructing a 2,611-kilometre ( 1,622-mile ) fence along its border with Afghanistan in an effort to check militant movement .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-09--Global stocks, oil prices sink as crude exporters squabble

BEIJING - Global stock markets and oil prices plunged Monday after a squabble among crude producers jolted investors who already were on edge about the surging costs of a virus outbreak .
The main stock indexes in London and Frankfurt dropped by more 8 % at the opening .
Tokyo closed down 5.1 % while Sydney lost 7.3 % and Shanghai was off 3 % .
The benchmark U.S. crude price fell as much as 30 % , deepening a rout that began when Saudi Arabia , Russia and other major producers failed to agree on how much to cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usually welcome lower energy costs for businesses and consumers .
But the abrupt plunge , amid anxiety over the coronavirus , rattled markets .
“ Investors should brace for volatility , ” James Trafford of Fidelity International said in a report .
A recovery in oil and stock prices “ will require some stabilization in the coronavirus data points ” or signs of agreement among crude producers , Trafford said .
In Saudi Arabia , the Riyadh stock exchange suspended trading of state-owned oil giant Saudi Aramco after its share price sank by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening .
Investors already were on edge about the mounting costs of the coronavirus outbreak that began in China and has disrupted world travel and trade .
Anxiety rose after Italy announced it was isolating cities and towns with some 16 million people , or more than one quarter of its population .
In early trading , London ’ s FTSE 100 tumbled 8.6 % to 5,910.87 and Frankfurt ’ s DAX shed 8 % to 10,616.42 .
The CAC 40 in France lost 2.7 % to 5,001.53 .
On Wall Street , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Average lost 1,255.00 points , or 4.9 % , while the S & P 500 future contract also lost 4.9 % .
Companies have been hit by travel and other controls that are spreading worldwide as the global number of coronavirus infections rose past 110,000 worldwide .
Tokyo ’ s Nikkei 225 fell to 19,698.76 after the government reported the economy contracted 7 % in the October-December quarter , worse than the original estimate of a 6.3 % decline .
That was before the viral outbreak slammed tourism and travel but after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for spending .
Hong Kong ’ s Hang Seng sank 4.2 % to 25,047.42 .
The Shanghai Composite Index declined to 2,943.29 .
The S & P-ASX 200 in Sydney retreated to 5,760.60 .
The Kospi in Seoul lost 4.2 % to 1,954.77 .
India ’ s Sensex retreated 6.2 % to 35,255.73 .
Markets in Taiwan , New Zealand and Southeast Asia also declined .
Benchmark U.S. crude fell 22.9 % , or $ 9.40 , to $ 29.88 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
Brent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21.5 % , or $ 9.39 , to $ 35.88 per barrel in London .
The dollar sank to 102.57 yen from Friday ’ s 105.29 yen .
The euro advanced to $ 1.1399 from $ 1.1289 .
Chinese factories that make the world ’ s smartphones , toys and other consumer goods are gradually reopening but aren ’ t expected to return to normal production until at least April .
That weighs on demand for imports of components and raw materials from China ’ s Asian neighbours .
Apple Inc. says slowdowns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its sales totals .
An airline industry group says carriers could lose as much as $ 113 billion in potential ticket sales .
Adding to pessimism , China reported Saturday that its exports fell 17 % and imports were off 4 % from a year earlier in January and February after Beijing shut factories , offices and shops in the most severe anti-disease measures ever imposed .
Central banks worldwide have cut interest rates .
But economists warn that while that might help to encourage consumer and corporate spending , it can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or a lack of workers and raw materials .
Investors are looking ahead to a meeting Thursday of the European Central Bank , which is widely expected to announce new stimulus measures .
Already last week , global stocks were sinking as the spread of the virus prompted governments to follow China ’ s lead by imposing travel controls and cancelling public events .
The U.S. Federal Reserve ’ s emergency 0.5 % cut in its key lending rate failed to reverse the downturn and the yield on the 10-year Treasury , already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % from 0.7 % late Friday .
The yield — the difference between a bond ’ s market price and what investors will receive if they hold it to maturity — is an indicator of the market ’ s outlook on the economy .
Rising market prices that cause the yield to narrow indicate investors are shifting money into bonds as a safe haven .
“ Global recession risks have risen , ” Moody ’ s Investors Service said in a report .
“ A sustained pullback in consumption , coupled with extended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , drive layoffs and weigh on sentiment.
” 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--Indonesia says 1 soldier killed in ongoing Papua clash

TIMIKA , Indonesia - Indonesia ’ s military said Monday that a soldier was killed in an ongoing clash between security forces and a rebel group near the world ’ s largest gold mine in Indonesia ’ s easternmost Papua region .
The clashes , which began Feb. 29 near the Grasberg copper and gold mine in Papua province , had previously killed a police officer and injured three others .
Police said the attackers are believed to be members of the West Papua Liberation Army , the military wing of the Free Papua Organization .
Rebels in Papua have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early 1960s , when Indonesia annexed the region , which was a former Dutch colony .
Papua was formally incorporated into Indonesia in 1969 after a U.N.-sponsored ballot that was seen as a sham by many .
Mimika district military chief Lt. Col. Pio Nainggolan said the soldier was hit by a bullet when he was preparing for dawn prayers and died at a hospital hours later .
He said a joint military and police force was hunting “ an armed separatist criminal group.
” “ We are on the highest alert as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Nainggolan said in a video obtained by The Associated Press .
The mine , which is nearly half owned by U.S.-based Freeport-McMoRan and is run by PT Freeport Indonesia , is seen by separatists as a symbol of Indonesian rule and has been a frequent target for rebels .
The current shootout in the mining town of Tembagapura has caused about 2,000 villagers to flee for safety to neighbouring Timika city .
Attacks by rebels near the Grasberg mine have spiked in the past year .
The Grasberg mine ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exploited for decades by Freeport-McMoRan , damaging the surrounding environment while providing significant tax income for the Indonesian government .
But indigenous Papuans have benefited little and are poorer , sicker and more likely to die young than people elsewhere in Indonesia .


thetorontostar--2020-03-09--Police: Fight over parking spot led to deadly mall shooting

Atlanta police said a fight over a parking spot led to the fatal shooting of a man outside a high-end shopping centre in one of the city ’ s most prominent neighbourhoods .
Two groups of people in separate vehicles at Lenox Mall got into a spat over the parking space Sunday , Atlanta Police Maj. Andrew Senzer told reporters at a news conference .
The groups went inside the mall , but the argument escalated when both parties came back outside , police said .
During the fight , the victim was shot in the head , Senzer said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead at the scene , wasn ’ t immediately identified .
Four suspects took off in their vehicle , but police say they were involved in a crash while trying to leave the mall .
All four got out and ran away , but an officer captured one suspect and took that person into custody .
It was unclear whether the suspect in custody was the shooter .
This was the fourth shooting in four months at the upscale mall , according to news outlets .
In December , a mall employee was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her car in a parking garage , news outlets reported .
The following month , an officer shot a man who refused to put down his gun in a parking deck .
The man may have been trying to stop a robbery .
A man was shot in the stomach while meeting for a “ prearranged sale ” at the mall in February , according to news outlets .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-09--19 killed as bus falls into ravine in northern Pakistan

PESHAWAR , Pakistan - A passenger bus tumbled off a winding mountainous road and into a ravine in northern Pakistan on Monday , killing at least 19 people and injuring several others , a government spokesman said .
The cause of the accident was unclear , and rescue workers were still working at the scene recovering the injured and the dead and taking them to a nearby hospital , said Faiz Ullah Faraq , spokesman for the Gilgit Baltistan region .
Such accidents are common in Pakistan , mainly due to insufficient enforcement of safety standards and poor infrastructure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the bus had been headed to the town of Skardu in the Gilgit Baltistan region from the garrison city of Rawalpindi .
He gave no further details .
Skardu serves as the gateway to K-2 , the world ’ s highest peak after Mt .
Everest , which is also part of the Himalayas .
Large numbers of local and foreign tourists visit the peak annually .
Skardu is around 240 kilometres ( 150 miles ) north of the Pakistani capital of Islamabad .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-09--US Supreme Court rejects ex-cop’s appeal of rape convictions

OKLAHOMA CITY - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear an appeal for a former Oklahoma City police officer convicted of sexually assaulting black women he encountered while patrolling the city ’ s low-income neighbourhoods .
Attorney James L. Hankins asked the highest court in December 2019 to review a ruling against 33-year-old Daniel Holtzclaw issued months earlier by the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals .
The Supreme Court ’ s denial of the written request means the lower court ’ s decision stands .
“ The average time it takes to exonerate an innocent person like Daniel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
“ This is devastating and Daniel lives through it every day , but he remains strong in his faith and spirit.
” Prosecutors alleged Holtzclaw targeted black women and girls while on duty in 2013 and 2014 .
Holtzclaw was found guilty in 2015 of 18 charges , including rape and sexual battery involving eight women .
He was sentenced to 263 years in prison the following year .
Oklahoma ’ s criminal appeals court rejected his appeals last August that argued a lack of evidence , misconduct by prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at trial to present an expert to offer an alternative explanation to how DNA of one victim wound up on Holtzclaw ’ s pants .
His case became a rallying cry of the Black Lives Matter movement .
A 2015 Associated Press investigation highlighting it found about 1,000 officers in America lost their licenses for sexual misconduct over a six-year period — an undercount because some states don ’ t have a method for banning problem officers .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-09--VA moves to suspend new GI bill enrolment at 5 universities

WASHINGTON - The Department of Veterans Affairs is moving to bar new GI Bill students from enrolling at five universities , citing “ advertising , sales or enrolment practices that are erroneous , deceptive or misleading.
” The schools were identified as the University of Phoenix , Colorado Technical University , American InterContinental University , Bellevue University and Temple University .
The department said in a statement that the schools would be suspended from the GI Bill program , which provides student financial aid to veterans , unless corrective action is taken within 60 days .
It made clear that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the action .
But it also noted that state agencies responsible for approving programs might choose to take their own actions based on the VA ’ s decision and that could affect current students as well as new ones .
“ VA will take appropriate actions to keep beneficiaries informed of any developments that would impact them , ” the agency said .
“ We have just received this notice from the Department of Veterans Affairs and will respond as requested to demonstrate the substantial corrective actions that have been undertaken , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of Phoenix said , “ We will respond expeditiously to the VA ’ s teams that are handling the review process and we are working to assure no disruptions to existing or new students , now or in the future.
” Perdoceo Education Corp. , the parent company of American International University and Colorado Technical University , said in a statement , “ We believe that we can demonstrate to the VA that we are in full compliance with their requirements and that necessary corrective action , if any , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately respond to a request for comment .
The VA said there are a total of 16,615 GI Bill students at the five campuses .
The breakdown , according to the agency : 11,159 at the University of Phoenix ; 2,992 at Colorado Tech ; 1,202 at American International University ; 483 at Temple ; and 779 at Bellevue .
“ Our aim in taking this action is to protect Veterans and their dependents ’ GI Bill benefits and comply with the law , ” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any negative consequences that may result.
” The agency said it reached its determination after reviewing findings by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general offices .
Carrie Wofford , president of the advocacy group Veterans Education Success , said in a statement that the VA ’ s decision was “ more than justified ” and sends the message that “ the federal government and taxpayers will no longer tolerate schools that seek to defraud veterans and other military-connected students out of their hard-earned federal education benefits .
”


thetorontostar--2020-03-09--Trump wants payroll tax relief to calm financial markets

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump said Monday his administration will ask Congress to pass payroll tax relief , as he looks to calm financial markets ’ fears over the impact of the coronavirus epidemic .
Trump told reporters that the administration was seeking “ very substantial relief.
“ Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Larry Kudlow , the director of the national economic council , were expected to make the request of Senate Republicans on Tuesday afternoon .
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE .
AP ’ s earlier story follows below .
A public health and economic maelstrom brought on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and drew closer to him personally Monday as several of his congressional confidants placed themselves in quarantine , including one who travelled with him on Air Force One .
While intent on projecting calm , Trump lashed out about the plunging stock market and convened a meeting of his top economic advisers to address what to do about it .
Meanwhile the number of Republican lawmakers who announced they were isolating themselves because of possible exposure to the virus grew to five .
As Trump grappled with an epidemic whose consequences he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House asserted it was conducting “ business as usual.
” But the day ’ s business was anything but normal .
Lawmakers pressed for details on how the Capitol could be made secure , a Pentagon meeting was broken into sub-groups to minimize the number of people in the same room and the Army commander in Europe placed himself in a precautionary quarantine .
Trump was set to hold a press briefing Monday at 6:30 p.m. after meeting economic advisers on potential plans for an economic stimulus .
The president dove into handshakes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headline a fundraiser in Longwood , Florida , that raised approximately $ 4 million for his reelection campaign and the Republican Party .
He ignored shouted questions about the sinking stock market as he boarded Air Force One for the flight back to Washington .
On that flight : Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz , who later went into a voluntary quarantine .
He was one of several GOP lawmakers who were exposed to a person at last month ’ s Conservative Political Action Conference who tested positive for the virus .
In Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market drop and news that large public gatherings were being called off because of the virus .
“ At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus , with 22 deaths , ” Trump tweeted , comparing it to seasonal influenza and the thousands of deaths that causes .
“ Think about that !
” Scientists at this stage don ’ t know what the death rate of the new coronavirus actually is and whether it will wind up being about the same as flu or worse .
At the same time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weren ’ t trying to dismiss public concerns .
“ This is a very serious health problem , ” Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told Fox News .
At the Pentagon , officials have begun “ social distancing ” measures .
On Monday , Defence Secretary Mark Esper ’ s regular meeting with senior staff , which normally would be held face-to-face in a single room with 40 to 50 participants , was broken up into three rooms , with video-teleconferencing among the rooms , according to the Pentagon ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Esper and the 15 to 20 people in his room , including Gen. Mark Milley , chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , sat at least six feet apart , in line with health guidance .
Trump was delegating much of the virus response to Vice-President Mike Pence , who convened a video teleconference to give an update on the federal government ’ s virus response Monday afternoon with the nation ’ s governors .
On Capitol Hill , where many lawmakers are older and have frequent contact with the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and staff about how the complex will be secured .
Leaders have so far shown little willingness to close the Capitol , but meetings were scheduled throughout the day to discuss preparations .
On Monday , Rep. Doug Collins , R-Ga. , and Gaetz put themselves in voluntary quarantine because of their contacts with someone at the Conservative Political Action Conference .
Both said they did not have any symptoms but would wait out the remainder of the 14 days since the contact at home .
Gaetz last week wore a gas mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding bill for the virus response and said he wanted to highlight how Congress could become “ petri dish ” for the virus .
Collins met Trump on Tuesday night at the White House and shook hands with him Friday when the president visited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ’ s Atlanta headquarters .
Sen. Ted Cruz , R-Texas , and Rep. Paul Gosar , R-Ariz. , also placed themselves in quarantine after coming in contact with the same person at the conservative conference .
“ The president of the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is quite a hand washer , “ press secretary Stephanie Grisham told Fox News earlier Monday .
” He uses hand sanitizer all the time .
So he ’ s not concerned about this at all.
” The White House didn ’ t immediately respond to a request for comment on the new cases .
As well , Rep. Julia Brownley , D-Calif. , said she met last week with a person who has since been diagnosed with the virus .
She closed her office and said she and her staff are “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vast numbers of visitors come to the Hill , especially at this time of year when advocacy groups arrange “ fly-in ” trips to lobby and speak to lawmakers , and school groups descend for tours .
In one manifestation of lawmaking in the age of the coronavirus , Rep. Richard Neal , D-Mass.
, approached a Republican colleague on the House floor Monday for a routine congratulatory handshake after the chamber approved a bill expanding a visa program .
“ Shake or bump ?
” Neal asked Rep. Kelly Armstrong , R-N.D. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were holding “ no contact meetings “ and asked guests to refrain from shaking hands .
The chairman of the Democratic caucus , Rep. Hakeem Jeffries , said the House ’ s chief administrative officer and the sergeant at arms are expected to brief Democrats at their regular caucus meeting Tuesday .
The discussion was expected to address whether the Capitol will be restricted to visitors , he said .
At the White House on Monday afternoon Trump met Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , Larry Kudlow and other aides about a range of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
He also invited Wall Street executives to the White House on Wednesday to discuss the economic fallout of the epidemic .
Kudlow , director of the president ’ s National Economic Council , told reporters Friday that the administration is not looking at a “ massive ” federal relief plan .
Rather , any federal aid package would be “ timely and targeted and micro.
” Lawmakers on Capitol Hill had barely started to contemplate the economic implications of the spread ` of the virus and what might be needed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and business trips and stay away from stores .
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley told reporters that “ everything ’ s on the table.
“ But members of the Senate Republican leadership , including Texas Sen. John Cornyn played down the need for an economic stimulus package of any kind , be it tax cuts or aid for workers .
“ It ’ s premature to be talking about that , ” Cornyn told reporters .
“ I usually love tax cuts but I think it ’ s a little premature.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican senators Tuesday on the administration ’ s proposals for economic stimulus , according to lawmakers .
Democrats indicated they preferred other responses , like passing legislation requiring employers to give their workers paid sick leave — a longtime policy priority of Democrats — and additional help for those with lower incomes .
“ The best way to ensure economic security for the American people right now is to deal with the coronavirus itself , competent and full on , ” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer .
“ Something we haven ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the crisis and containing the spread of the virus is by far the best way to address any effects on the economy.
” A day after saying it was “ proceeding as normal , “ Trump ’ s campaign cancelled a three-day Women for Trump bus tour across Michigan that included Mercedes Schlapp , the former White House aide who is married to the American Conservative Union chairman , Matt Schlapp .
Schlapp is under self-quarantine after after he , too , was exposed to the infected person at CPAC .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handshake on stage before the president ’ s spoke on Feb. 29 .
Associated Press writers Lauran Neergaard , Andy Taylor , Kevin Freking , Jill Colvin , Bob Burns , Lisa Mascaro and Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .


thetorontostar--2020-03-09--Plan outlined for donations in Pittsburgh synagogue attack

PITTSBURGH - About $ 5.5 million that poured in from donors after the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue attack that killed 11 worshippers is being distributed according to a plan outlined Monday by Jewish groups .
The largest share , just over $ 3 million , will go to the families of those killed and to two people who were seriously injured .
Donations are also being distributed to people who were in the Tree of Life building during the attack , in honour of first responders and to the congregations .
The payouts are based on recommendations by an independent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Greater Pittsburgh .
The group ’ s report issued in February said donors probably expected their gifts to help Tree of Life , which owns the building , as well as the two tenant congregations , Dor Hadash and New Light .
Nearly $ 1.3 million will help Tree of Life rebuild the severely damaged synagogue building .
Other payments will fund memorials related to the massacre , and the committee recommended the three congregations work together with victims and families on that effort .
New Light co-president Barbara Caplan said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to foster healing and harmony in the wider Jewish community .
The plan involves money received before April 2019 , when Tree of Life established donation procedures that make it clear how donors want their money used .
Tree of Life stopped accepting donations for the victims by the end of December .
A western Pennsylvania truck driver , Robert Bowers , awaits trial for the attack .
His lawyers are fighting efforts by federal prosecutors to seek a death sentence against Bowers .
Bowers ’ attorney Judy Clarke has said in court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiate a life sentence for him .
No trial date has been set .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-09--A third Princess cruise ship kept at sea pending virus tests

FORT LAUDERDALE , Fla.—Thousands of passengers on an additional Princess Cruises ship are being kept on board while crew members get tested for COVID-19 .
The Caribbean Princess , on a 10-day trip to the Panama Canal , was scheduled to dock in Grand Cayman on Monday .
But the Çalifornia-based cruise line said it will keep passengers and crew from disembarking , and instead will pick up test kits after notifying the CDC that two crew members had transferred from a Princess ship in California where a guest had tested positive for COVID-19 .
These crew members being tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remaining alone in their rooms “ out of an abundance of caution “ as the ship returns to Fort Lauderdale , the company statement said .
The ship is under a “ no sail order ” from the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , requiring it to remain at anchor off the coast of Florida until further notice , the statement said .
It was originally scheduled to return Wednesday to Fort Lauderdale .
The Regal Princess underwent a similar process , spending most of a day sailing up and down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Port Everglades late Sunday .
Its passengers finally disembarked after two crew members tested negative for the coronavirus .
Those crew members also lacked symptoms , but had come from the Grand Princess in California , where at least 21 people tested positive .
Last month , Japanese authorities quarantined the Diamond Princess cruise ship off the port of Yokohama for a harrowing two weeks after 10 passengers were initially diagnosed with the disease .
Many countries , including the United States , evacuated their residents from the ship , and Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the end , nearly 700 people among the 3,700 passengers tested positive for the disease , and at least six people have died .
The U.S. State Department advised Sunday against any travel on cruise ships , particularly for those with underlying health conditions .
The advisory said the CDC has noted an “ increased risk of infection of COVID-19 in a cruise ship environment.
” It is unclear how many people have been on board the Florida-based ships .
The cruise line said the Regal Princess has a capacity of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry more than 3,600 guests .
Passengers began disembarking shortly after the Regal Princess pulled into port , the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported .
Penny Sitz , of Minnesota , said the crew was “ fantastic , ” constantly cleaning and “ making us wash our hands all the time.
” The Regal Princess had been scheduled to return to sea on a seven-day Caribbean trip on Sunday , but that voyage was cancelled .
The cruise line said guests would receive a full refund and offered $ 300 reimbursement for one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cruise line hasn ’ t announced plans for the next Caribbean Princess voyage .
A cruise on the same ship was cut short last month after a gastrointestinal outbreak sickened at least 299 passengers and 22 crew members .
Cruise industry leaders met over the weekend with Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis and Vice-President Mike Pence and were asked to devise and fund ways to transport any passengers found to carry the virus .
Cruise line heads agreed to enhance entry and exit screenings and establish shipboard testing , along with new quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the new protocols were expected to start taking effect early this week .
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 .
— Frisaro reported from Miami .
The Associated Press receives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

By Kelli Kennedy And Freida Frisaro - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-09--As labs ramp up, who can get tested in US for coronavirus?

WASHINGTON - Can any American who ’ s sick get tested for the worrisome new coronavirus ?
That ’ s been a complicated question , one that ’ s left doctors , patients and some health experts frustrated and concerned .
U.S. health officials say more and more public and private laboratories are now able to test for the virus .
But some experts have wondered why it ’ s taken so long , and what that means to efforts to spot and stop the outbreak ’ s spread .
Here ’ s a look at the state of U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Not everyone .
For now , tests are limited to people with fever , cough and other flu-like symptoms .
Priority goes to people who have had close contact with someone confirmed to have the virus or those who travelled to an outbreak area outside the U.S .
But recently , doctors have been encouraged to request a test if a patient ’ s symptoms just seem suspicious .
For weeks , doctors had to consult local or federal health officials for a decision on testing .
But as commercial laboratories are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting more leeway to make testing decisions .
Patients should get tested first for the seasonal flu and other common infections to rule those out first , officials say .
HOW DOES THE TEST WORK ?
The test uses samples taken from the patient with swabs — the CDC recommends at least two swabs , one from the throat and the other from the nose .
That ’ s where the virus tends to enter and cause an infection .
The samples are then sent off to a limited number of government , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the test .
The test uses a laboratory technique called polymerase chain reaction , or PCR , to find tiny traces of the virus ’ genetic material and , in just a few hours , make billions and billions of copies of it – enough that a computer can detect it .
The lab process can take roughly 4 to 6 hours .
Altogether , it can take several days to ship a sample and receive the results back .
HOW MANY TESTS CAN BE DONE ?
Federal officials have touted the shipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. health labs .
But the actual number of people who can be tested is much lower .
One reason is that it takes multiple samples and tests to confirm a single result .
But testing capacity is also being squeezed by a number of other factors , including the limited number of labs and the time it takes to set up and run the tests .
Flaws in the CDC ’ s original test also delayed the rollout to other labs .
In early February , the CDC started sending out tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But before they were put into use , some tests proved to be faulty and unreliable .
The labs have now gotten the tests going , with facilities in all 50 states capable of running about a total of 75,000 tests over the next days or weeks , the CDC ’ s Dr. Nancy Messonnier said Monday .
The Food and Drug Administration granted private and academic labs permission to develop and use their own tests late last month .
But Harvard University ’ s Dr. Michael Mina says it can take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing methods , much like a restaurant trying out a new recipe .
Several national testing chains , including Quest Diagnostics , can now test for the virus .
So far , the CDC has done tests for 1,700 people , but that doesn ’ t include tests done by other government or private labs .
More than 600 Americans have tested positive so far .
HOW ARE OTHER COUNTRIES HANDLING TESTING ?
The first outbreak was identified in China , and in January , China shared genetic information that allowed labs in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tests .
Germany used a dense network of independent labs to help speed testing of potential cases , and has the ability to run around 15,000 tests a day .
South Korea reportedly can run roughly 15,000 tests a day , too , thanks to a quickly established collaboration between health officials and biotech companies there .
Experts note that looking for a virus , through testing , is an important way to know how much it ’ s spreading .
That means health officials in some other countries got more of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus , they say .
WHO IS PAYING FOR TESTING IN THE U.S ?
Federal health plans like Medicare and Medicaid along with major private insurers say they will cover the cost of the lab test .
Additionally , many insurers are waiving copayments , deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs to encourage people to seek help .
But some patients may still face a bill if other tests or X-rays are done , or they seek care in an emergency room instead of a doctor ’ s office .
Stobbe reported from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Indianapolis and Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this report .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content

Matthew Perrone And Mike Stobbe - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-09--Italy expands lockdown, Israel tightens entry to halt virus

SOAVE , Italy - The battle to halt the coronavirus brought sweeping new restrictions Monday , with Italy expanding a travel ban to the entire country , Israel ordering all visitors quarantined just weeks before Passover and Easter , and Spain closing all schools in and around its capital .
Even as workers in Beijing returned to their jobs and new infections in China continued to subside , Italians struggled to navigate the rapidly changing parameters of the nation ’ s self-imposed lockdown .
The fears fanned by the virus sent Wall Street stocks tumbling to their biggest drop since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Average down 7.8 per cent .
Global oil prices suffered their worst percentage losses since the start of the 1991 Gulf War .
“ Now that the virus has a foothold in so many countries , the threat of a pandemic has become very real , ” said World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus .
“ The great advantage we have is the decisions we all make as governments , businesses , communities , families and individuals can influence the trajectory of this epidemic.
” More than 113,000 people have tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the virus have died , most of them in China .
More than 62,000 people have already recovered .
But Italy ’ s intensifying struggle to halt the virus ’ spread emerged as a cautionary tale .
“ There won ’ t be just a red zone , ” Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said , in announcing that a lockdown covering about 16 million people in the north would be expanded to the entire country starting Tuesday .
Italian doctors celebrated one small victory after the first patient diagnosed with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was moved out of intensive care and began breathing on his own .
But the virus ’ rapid spread was forcing them to operate like war-time medics , triaging patients to decide who get access to scarce ICU beds .
“ Unfortunately we ’ re only at the beginning , ” said Dr. Massimo Galli , head of infectious disease at Milan ’ s Sacco hospital .
Travellers at Milan ’ s main train station had to sign police forms self-certifying that they are travelling for “ proven work needs , ’ ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return home .
Across Italy , museums and archaeological sites were closed , weddings were cancelled and restaurants were told to keep patrons a meter ( more than 3 feet ) apart .
Officials ordered ski lifts across the country to close after students whose classes were cancelled began organizing trips to winter resorts .
Italy reported a big jump in the number of people who have tested positive for the virus , bringing the total to 9,172 cases and 463 deaths , more than any country except China .
Inmates at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against restrictions on family visits and other containment measures , and six died after they broke into the infirmary and overdosed on methadone .
Pope Francis celebrated Mass alone at the Vatican hotel where he lives , live-streaming the event , but he did resume some meetings .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
According to the WHO , people with mild illness get better 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 .
But that came only after Chinese officials put massive quarantines in place .
Around the virus spreads , officials are embracing less strict , but still aggressive measures .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone arriving from overseas for 14 days .
The decision comes barely a month before Easter and Passover , typically a busy travel period .
In Ireland , officials cancelled all St. Patrick ’ s Day parades in a bid to slow the virus ’ spread , including the one on March 17 in Dublin that typically draws half a million to its streets .
Spain ’ s health minister on Monday announced that all schools in and around Madrid , including kindergartens and universities , will close for two weeks after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The rising caseload “ imply a change for the worse , ” the minister , Salvador Illa , said .
Trying to send a message of confidence in the economy , French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife walked on Paris ’ Champs-Elysees avenue but kept a one-meter security distance from passersby .
“ I ’ m shaking hands using my heart , ” he said as he waved to people from a distance .
China reported just 40 new cases of the virus , its lowest number since Jan. 20 .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surviving virus patients have been released from treatment .
But the country ’ s slow re-emergence from weeks of extreme travel restrictions spotlighted the virus ’ continued economic impact .
“ Our business is one-fifth of what it was before , ” said Cheng Sheng , who helps run a stand in Beijing that sells sausages and noodles .
“ There ’ s much less foot traffic .
There are no people.
” Infections were reported in more than half the world ’ s countries , and flashpoints were erupting around the globe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , time in which scientists can research medicines and a vaccine ” and in which governments can help stock up on protective equipment , said German Chancellor Angela Merkel , whose country has reported over 1,100 cases and , as of Monday , its first two deaths .
In Iran , state television said the virus had killed another 43 people , pushing the official toll to 237 , with 7,161 confirmed cases .
But many fear the scope of illness is far wider there .
South Korea reported 165 more cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the United States , where more than 600 infections and 26 deaths have been reported , the Grand Princess cruise ship docked in Oakland , California , after days idling at sea while dozens of those aboard were tested .
Fleets of buses and planes were ready to whisk the more than 2,000 passengers to military bases or their home countries for a 14-day quarantine .
At least 21 people aboard have been confirmed to have the infection .
In Washington , the Capitol ’ s attending physician ’ s office said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with a person who attended a recent political conference and subsequently developed COVID-19 .
They “ remain in good health , ” the office said .
Three members of Congress , Sen. Ted Cruz and Reps. Doug Collins and Paul Gosar , said they are isolating themselves after determining they had contact with the person .
After earlier closing its land borders , Saudi Arabia cut off air and sea travel to and from Bahrain , Egypt , Iraq , Italy , Kuwait , Lebanon , South Korea , Syria and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and universities closed beginning Monday .
Qatar cut off travel to 15 countries and said it would shut down schools and universities beginning Tuesday .
Organizers of the annual Holocaust remembrance march in southern Poland postponed it this year due to coronavirus fears , and soccer authorities said at least four major matches — in France , Germany and Spain — would take place with no fans .
Geller reported from New York .
Associated Press writers Ken Moritsugu in Beijing ; Lori Hinnant in Paris ; Maria Cheng and Carlo Piovano in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Jon Gambrell in Dubai , United Arab Emirates , contributed to this report .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak 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 .

Colleen Barry And Adam Geller - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-09--Wary New York subway riders carry on amid virus concerns

NEW YORK - Touching a germy pole or interacting with a sick person was always a concern for the millions of people who use the New York City public transportation system every day , but fears have skyrocketed since the number of cases in the state surged in recent days as the new virus spreads across the globe .
New Yorkers , who pride themselves on being unfazed by the daily aggravations of urban living , particularly the ones provided by their subway system , have been persevering — albeit with a bit more wariness .
“ I try not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with my hands , ” said Joan Chiverton , a freelance illustrator who was waiting at a subway station on Manhattan ’ s Upper West Side .
“ I also try to stand away from people who cough .
I do that normally , but now I ’ m actually moving away from people and not worrying if it looks like I ’ m being rude.
” As of midday Monday , there have been more than 140 cases of the new coronavirus confirmed in New York .
Nearly 100 of those cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Westchester County suburb of New Rochelle connected to one of the first patients who tested positive in the state .
Other commuter-rail suburbs in Connecticut and New Jersey have also reported stray cases .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
Government and transit officials have stressed that the virus can ’ t easily be transmitted by casual contact , such as sharing a subway car with someone who is infected .
But they also have urged people to walk or ride a bike to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so they don ’ t ride at peak times .
The latter strategy was also used by the city during the 1918 influenza epidemic .
Subway trains remain full during rush hours , though Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials said at a briefing Monday that anecdotal evidence suggests they have been less crowded in recent days .
“ We ’ re urging employers to let people change the times that they ’ re coming into work and change the times that they ’ re leaving work so that we can stagger people and have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City Transit head Sarah Feinberg said Monday .
“ I can see that happening.
” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said people who are ill should also stay off public transit if they can .
“ When we ’ re all packed like sardines at rush hour , you ’ re really close to your fellow New Yorkers .
We ’ d like people , if they ’ re sick , not even to be in that situation , “ he said .
The MTA is the nation ’ s largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s subways and buses in addition to the Long Island Rail Road and MetroNorth rail systems stretching to the tip of Long Island and north to New Haven , Connecticut .
The agency has accelerated its cleaning operations to disinfect several hundred subway and rail stations and thousands of buses , subway and train cars .
MTA chairman and CEO Pat Foye said Monday that over the weekend more than 4,000 subway cars , 2,500 trains and 5,300 buses were cleaned .
“ I want to assure the public that the subways remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo joked last week that riders shouldn ’ t be alarmed if they smell a strange chemical odor on the subways in the weeks ahead .
“ It ’ s not bad cologne or perfume ; it is bleach , ” Cuomo said .
Similar train cleaning measures have been put in place in other major cities hit by the outbreak .
Japan , like New York , has urged flexible working hours to reduce overcrowding on trains .
Italy added dispensers of hand disinfectant to trains run by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in parts of the country where the infection rate is highest .
In Seoul , South Korea , legions of workers in protective suits and goggles have been spraying down subway stations with disinfectant .
At some train stations , officials have also been using heat-detecting cameras to look for people who might have a fever .
Spokesmen for the Washington , D.C. Metro and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority , serving Philadelphia and its suburbs , said Monday ridership levels didn ’ t appear to have been affected yet by virus-related concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact could be dangerous .
According to the Centers for Disease Control , the virus can be spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes and the droplets are inhaled by someone nearby .
It also can be picked up by touching an infected surface or object and then touching the mouth or nose , though the CDC says that isn ’ t the main way the virus can spread .
On Monday , so many people took advantage of the city ’ s bike share program , Citi Bike , that docking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ space in the morning .
Natalie Davis takes the subway into Manhattan from Brooklyn to her job with The Nature Conservancy and said concerns about the virus haven ’ t made her change her routine .
The 31-year-old added , though , that she ’ s noticed people acting differently near the subway entrance at the World Trade Center , where she and two co-workers were soliciting donations .
“ Usually we high-five people and they ’ re into it , but in the last two weeks or so people have been like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OK , I ’ m good , ’ ” 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--US judge: Iran liable in disappearance of retired FBI agent

WASHINGTON - A federal judge on Monday held Iran responsible for the kidnapping of former FBI agent Robert Levinson , entering a default judgement against the regime on the 13th anniversary of his disappearance .
The decision from U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly was a milestone moment in the family ’ s lawsuit against Tehran , which featured wrenching testimony in Washington ’ s federal court from each of Levinson ’ s seven children .
“ It is really important to the family that people realize what their father , their husband , has been through and what they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McGee , a lawyer for the family .
“ It is a terrible ordeal.
” In his 25-page ruling , Kelly found that Iran “ in no uncertain terms “ was responsible for Levinson ’ s “ hostage taking and torture ” and entered a default judgment after the country declined to respond to the lawsuit .
The family sought more than $ 1.5 billion in damages .
Most of that amount was in punitive damages .
“ He has been unable to see his children grow up , enjoy professional success , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they have many times over , “ Kelly wrote in his judgment .
“ But they have not forgotten him , not by a long shot.
” His daughters tied photographs of him to their bouquets on their wedding day , the judge said , and one named a son after him .
Levinson disappeared on March 9 , 2007 , when he was scheduled to meet a source on the Iranian island of Kish .
For years , U.S. officials would only say that Levinson was working independently on a private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation revealed that Levinson had in fact been sent on a mission by CIA analysts who had no authority to run such an operation .
The family received proof-of-life photos and a video in late 2010 and early 2011 , but his whereabouts and fate are not known .
In November , the Iranian government unexpectedly responded to a United Nations query by saying that Levinson was the subject of an “ open case ” in Iranian Revolutionary Court .
Though the development gave the family a burst of hope , Iran clarified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an investigation into his disappearance .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement Monday that the U.S. would continue working to free Levinson and other hostages held by Iran .
The next step in the lawsuit will be the appointment of a special master to assess damages for individual family members and make a recommendation to the court .
There are multiple sources of money the family can look to draw from to collect the damages , including Iran ’ s own assets .